AJC > Sports > Braves > Blog > Archives > 2007 > June > 26 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USWhere are Atlanta All-Star votes?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
What was the slogan our city used to use, “Atlanta, The City Too Busy to Hate”? Maybe they still use it, I don’t know, since that “ATL, Where Every Day’s An Opening Day” thing seemed to go over like a lead balloon.
But here’s another one, though obviously aimed at a more specific audience: “Atlanta, The City Too Busy to Vote for All-Star Teams.”
How else to explain why so few Braves show up among NL All-Star leaders in fan voting? (OK, there’s a few other explanations, like the team ain’t what it used to be, TBS bailed on them and no longer carries all the games nationwide, the red Sunday jerseys are a bit much, and oh, yeah, they’re barely above .500).
But let’s not get distracted by those factors. Besides, it isn’t as if Craig Biggio (third among NL second basemen in fan voting) is tearing it up for a defending World Series champion or anything, and last I checked Johnny Estrada (third among catchers) wasn’t exactly a marquee player on a huge-market team.
This is a metro area that’s grown to more than 5 million people. And I read recently that we’re the second-most “wired” (as in internet, not meth) city in American, behind Seattle. You can vote on the internet, you realize, right? God knows we’ve got the traffic to show for the population explosion, so why not the All-Star votes?
And while TBS is too busy showing cheaper, more profitable programming including syndicated TV reruns to show the entire 162-game schedule like they used to, they still have shown more Braves games nationally than all but a handful of other teams (last I checked, Astros and Brewers games aren’t carried nationally on a Superstation, or even semi-nationally on a Modeststation).
So is this just another sign of somewhat jaded and/or spoiled fan base? (Don’t send me missives about calling fans jaded and/or spoiled, I’m just asking).
Or is this team just so uninspiring that you don’t want to punch those ballots for the likes of your hometown guys, the Edgar Renterias (not in the top five among NL shortstops), Kelly Johnsons and Brian McCanns (granted, not having an All-Star caliber season, but he was the best NL catcher last season and trails Estrada by more than 100,000 votes in the latest voting numbers).
The only Brave in the top five at his position in fan voting is Chipper Jones, who’s third among third basemen, behind David Wright and Miguel Cabrera and ahead of Scott Rolen and Aramis Ramirez.
Now, the New York teams always get a ton of reps because they simply have such an advantage in metro-area size and national exposure, etc. (I mean, Carlos Beltran’s a great player, but not having one of his best seasons, and he leads NL outfield voting). Same for the L.A. teams, and even the Cubs, long as they’re not awful (and sometimes even when they are).
But Milwaukee? I mean, Prince Fielder deserves to be ahead of Albert Pujols in the first-base voting, so I’m glad to see he is. He should be the leading vote-getter in the NL, in fact (he’s not, Beltran and Wright of the Mets are 1-2).
But have you compared the size of Milwaukee’s and Atlanta’s markets? And their national exposure?
Again, I commend voters for recognizing Fielder’s remarkable season. But as we know, it’s not like the best players traditionally get voted as starters at every position by fans. It’s a popularity contest, for the most part. Fielder’s just been so good, it’s impossible for many voters to skip over him.
But at shortstop, where there’s six guys worthy of All-Star selection, how can Renteria, who was a very popular player in St. Louis, not have enough votes to even crack the top five (the Cardinals’ current SS, David Eckstein, is fifth in the voting, though not having half as productive a season as Renteria).
OK, I’ll stop there. Six weeks ago, I thought the Braves might get four or even five All-Star selections, the way Smoltz and Hudson started out, and Kelly and Renteria and Chipper.
Now, I’m thinking they might get only one or two. Rafael Soriano’s ERA has risen high enough now, through a few homers given up in blowouts, to possibly keep him from getting selected (I really thought until recently that he’d make it, since they’ve taken some setup men on All-Star teams in recent seasons).
Despite not being in the current top five vote-getters, I do think Renteria’s got a good chance to make it, for two reasons: He’s putting up All-Star worthy numbers, and Cardinals (and NL All-Star) manager Tony La Russa loves him.
McCann’s numbers: It says something about how great a season McCann had in his first year in the majors that his current season could be characterized in such a poor light by so many. And yes, I agree he’s way, way down from last year’s production, in terms of defense and especially clutch hitting, where he was the best in the majors last season by several measures.
But consider this. Despite McCann’s recent slump (he hit .174 with two homers and 13 RBIs in 24 games before going 2-for-4 with four RBIs and a three-run homer last night), Braves catchers still rank third in the NL in batting average (.276), second in RBIs (45, including 39 by McCann) and tied for second in homers (nine, including six by McCann, two by Salty, one by B. Pena).
Only Dodgers catchers (Russell Martin is the NL leading vote-getter at the position) have more RBIs and a higher slugging percentage (.443) than Braves catchers (.434).
Rising from Down Under: Just one more note, because gotta keep it short today and get by the bank on my way to the ballpark. Peter Moylan. Are we noticing how good a season the Aussie right-hander is having?
Moylan gave up three runs in his first appearance, when he was still wiping sleep from his eyes after a red-eye from Richmond. Since then, Moylan has posted a stellar 1.60 ERA and .176 opponents’ average in 29 games, with 23 hits, 13 walks and 27 strikeouts in 39-1/3 innings.
His opponents’ average is .193 for the season, including .189 by lefties (ninth-best among qualifying NL pitchers, whether starters or relievers). There’s your situational “lefty” right there.
In 15 road games, he’s allowed just a .150 average and .257 OBP (it’s .227/298 in 15 home games, including that first one, the three-run, three-hit, one-out season debut vs. Florida on April 15, after his callup).
Oh, and he’s got a 1.59 ERA in 20 night games (3.97 in 10 day games).
The heavily tattooed lad is quietly putting together a very strong season.
And now, let’s let a real country artist take us out:
”TELL LORRIE I LOVE HER” by Keith Whitley
If I were alone in the desert/Without a drink of water around
With my knees and hands in that white scorching sand/With the hot Sahara, sun beating down
If I could be granted my wishes/Anything I want would come true
I know that it might sound funny/But here’s what I want you to do
Tell Lorrie I love her
Tell Lorrie I need her
Tell her everything would be ok if I could just see her
Tell Lorrie I love her
Tell Lorrie I need her
And If I leave this old world tell her she’s the only girl for me
If I were a drift on the ocean/A vessel with no sails or steam
Floating aimlessly on the endless sea/Hopelessly lost it would seem
If all of the fish in the water/Could echo my last dying plea
I know you might not understand it/But here’s what I want it to be
Tell Lorrie I love her
Tell Lorrie I need her
Tell her everything would be ok if I could just see her
Tell Lorrie I love her
Tell Lorrie I need her
And if I leave this old world tell her she’s the only girl for me
And if I leave this old world tell her she’s the only girl for me
Comments
By chris
June 26, 2007 3:15 PM | Link to this
DOB,
Great points about the all-star voting. Renteria should make it, probably Smoltz and if Hudson has two or three more starts like yesterday’s he could go.
Any update on Lerew’s status? What is your take on Boyer being converted to a starter? I really like his arm and makeup— I hope it doesn’t backfire on us.
Thanks!
Chris from MD
By Train Wreck Bystander
June 26, 2007 3:18 PM | Link to this
Renteria deserves to be an All-Star this year. He is an oasis of quiet excellence and consistency on this team.
KJ is having a good year, better than we all dared hope for. But All-Star? I am not sold.
Chipper is a sentimental favorite, but he’s not exactly tearing it up.
And I don’t see McCann as an All-Star this year, either.
At the risk of enduring flaming, I must ask: is there any chance AJ will be selected for a bench spot?
By Shaun
June 26, 2007 3:20 PM | Link to this
rammerjammer wrote, “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.”
Are you sure about that? Diaz hit .327/.364/.475 last year and has hit .340/.359/.459 this year. That’s better than Andruw’s career averages.
Thing is Diaz is a leftfielder and Andruw’s a centerfielder so Diaz needs to hit more to be a top hitting LF.
By Tomahawkin' Again
June 26, 2007 3:21 PM | Link to this
DOB, other than all of your points which are right on the money regarding the lack of voting by Braves fans, I have more one thought to add to the discussion. Since the team is no longer owned locally, I believe that is another reason why Braves fans in the metro Atlanta area are not as passionate about this team and haven’t been for years now. Ted Turner was as much the face of this franchise as the tomahawk on their jerseys, the script A on the caps, etc. I have ZERO faith in Liberty Media allowing John S. spend any money this year or in the future to improve this team. Just my $80 million opinion.
By DonCoburleone
June 26, 2007 3:22 PM | Link to this
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.
By superman
June 26, 2007 3:23 PM | Link to this
I have been inspired to go vote right now!
By xxx
June 26, 2007 3:23 PM | Link to this
yo
By Kentavo
June 26, 2007 3:27 PM | Link to this
I like Moylan, but Cox will inevitably wear him out or misuse him. His pitches have some funky movement - as long as he can get guys to swing, he’s golden. If they start taking some pitches, I fear he’ll be a walk machine.
By Kentavo
June 26, 2007 3:27 PM | Link to this
I like Moylan, but Cox will inevitably wear him out or misuse him. His pitches have some funky movement - as long as he can get guys to swing, he’s golden. If they start taking some pitches, I fear he’ll be a walk machine.
By Ron Roberts
June 26, 2007 3:28 PM | Link to this
Ya know, it’s a shame that they don’t have specific spots for platoon guys, because our LF platoon is damn good. Other than that, Edgar and Smoltz are the only two truly deserving of All-Star consideration from Atlanta. I’d have said Rafael Soriano, too, DO’B before his latest bumps in the road. But for me, it’s just Edgar and Smoltz.
Hard to argue with Prince Fielder getting the votes he gets. Ya gotta remember that the Brewers are drawing wel, this season, and that Prince is getting national credibility. And I’d like to hope that people don’t just punch all the names of players on their team, too. I know Prince got my vote at 1B, and I’m a staunch Braves fan.
By Willie Coyote
June 26, 2007 3:28 PM | Link to this
Where are the All-Star votes? My guess is the same place as the Braves bats.
By tim
June 26, 2007 3:29 PM | Link to this
everybody needs to go vote for renteria for the all star game. he deserves it
By Renegator
June 26, 2007 3:30 PM | Link to this
Really only two Braves are playing like All-Stars this year - Renteria and Smoltz. I would have said Chipper too if he hadn’t missed about 25 games already.
By jbutler
June 26, 2007 3:30 PM | Link to this
Coming from a town where we only send our mandatory one selection to the All Star team…I have to toss a question out there. Why don’t fans get to vote for pitchers? Is it the managers who select? Here in Colorado (yes, we too had Mike Hampton..and BOY was that worth the $$$)our pitchers have always been terrible - but since following the Braves the past few years…Anyway..just curious for anyone who wants to toss me a bone.
By Paladin
June 26, 2007 3:30 PM | Link to this
Damn, DOB. Still no h’orderves. You are a cheap screw. We could do better over at Kroger.
By Shaun
June 26, 2007 3:32 PM | Link to this
Train Wreck Bystander,
Chipper’s not “tearing it up”?!
How’s .323/.407/.607 sound? I know he’s missed some games but those are ARod-esque numbers. I know he’s missed some time but those numbers are just too good to leave him off the team.
Renteria should go and I think he will. Tough thing for him is there are two more SS that should go (Reyes and Ramirez) and one more that probably will (Hardy).
By DonCoburleone
June 26, 2007 3:33 PM | Link to this
Hey don’t blame me about the All-Star votes… I used 4 different names and 4 different e-mail addresses and voted 100 times! Each time I voted for KJ, Renteria, Chipper, McCann, Francoeur and Andruw (albeit undeservedly). I mean, lets face it, who on this team really deserves to start? Renteria is great, but as much as it pains me to say this, Reyes should be the starter. Francoeur has been okay, McCann pretty average, Chipper hasn’t played in enough games, and KJ is nowhere near Chase Utley’s level… The starters are voted in by the fans, and in my opinion we have no-one worthy of starting in the All-Star game. All the back-ups are picked by the managers anyway, so they will get it right… Seriously though, All Star votes DOB??? With everything going wrong with this team, you’re worried about All Star votes???
By jwshults
June 26, 2007 3:36 PM | Link to this
Sure, DonCoburleone,
Cormier had a bad outing … but it was against perennial powerhouse Durham Bulls, the Triple A farm club comprised of fantastic players who can’t make the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. That doesn’t mean he isn’t ready for Major League hitters! … Does it?
(Taste the sarcasm. I mean, really taste it.)
By SaltyWoody
June 26, 2007 3:36 PM | Link to this
I have a question about McCann. What do we attribute his lack of success this year to? Is there any talk that because he got his large, long term contract, the focus just isn’t there?
Don’t get me wrong…Mac is one of my favorite players on the team, and I wouldn’t ever question his motivation myself…especially since, by all accounts, he’s as humble and hard-working as they come.
Still…one can’t help but wonder.
Are his injuries really bothering him more than he lets on? Is this a sophomore slump? Is having Salty around making him nervous?
Curious to hear what y’all think.
By Impersonator
June 26, 2007 3:37 PM | Link to this
I couldn’t agree with you more DOB. I maxed out the number of votes I could give, switched email addresses and kept voting online and about halfway through it hit me that I was probably wasting my time because of the mindset of the typical Atlanta Braves fan.
Edgar continues to do everything, Chipper is a machine with a bat in his hands, McCann is having a bad year but is still producing somewhat and isn’t getting any publicity because the city he plays in has fallen in love with a younger, flashier guy, Kelly is having a very solid season especially for a second baseman, and Smoltz has dominated as a starter despite shoulder issues. It’s just ridiculous. If any of these guys played in NY or Boston or LA they’d be leading in All Star votes, but here we can’t be bothered to go watch them so why would we go out of our way to vote them onto something we don’t care about?
By Renegator
June 26, 2007 3:37 PM | Link to this
Ron Roberts: You mean you didn’t vote for Thorman for 1B for the All-Star game? Where’s the love?
HAHA.
By Savannah Guy
June 26, 2007 3:39 PM | Link to this
On All-Star voting: it really is mostly meaningless. It’s, at best a popularity contest. At worst, an unfair judgement of who’s really good THIS year. The biggest city wins and the biggest player publicists win. The best player in any given year does not win. I would suggest we have only credentialed baseball journalists, team managers and team players vote.
Then we could have another contest for the fans. Call it the MLB Fan Awards. Or the MPP (most popular player) Award. The winners get the cover of Wheaties.
While I’m at it, giving one league or the other home-field advantage in the WS by winning the midsummer exibition, better known as the MLB All-Star game is a travesty. A joke. Just let the team with the best record get the advantage and let it go at that. Or flip a coin…it would be more meaningful.
By brewdawg
June 26, 2007 3:43 PM | Link to this
Good blog Dave. I’m going to cast my votes right now.
By Lee
June 26, 2007 3:44 PM | Link to this
I voted once and that was enough. Not one Brave actually deserves to start the game. Renteria will more-than-likely be the only Brave unless there is an injury and a substitute is needed. The home run derby contest overshadows today’s all-star game anyway. Prepare for the A.L. to have home field advantage in the W.S.again.
By ncscoots
June 26, 2007 3:44 PM | Link to this
chris, Boyer actually WAS a starter for much of his minor league career, at least early…79 starts in 139 games. Numbers as a starter weren’t exactly scintillating, but what the hey, he’s not 21 any more, either.
By 22oz
June 26, 2007 3:47 PM | Link to this
The whole problem with fan voting is that large markets get unworthy players voted in. Thanks to ESPN and FOX shoving the Yankees, Red Sox, and Mets down our throats, the uneducated voter is just picking players they see most on tv. I bet if we could vote on pitchers you’d see Roger Clemens leading the votes. Renteria is the only Brave really deserving as far as position players. So maybe us Braves fans are more educated than the rest?
By bruce
June 26, 2007 3:47 PM | Link to this
I’ve got well over a hundred votes in as well…punched about 25 on each train trip to DC to watch the braves and hit quota online… so Edgar was on all of those… how bout other bloggers, did you vote?
By Ron Roberts
June 26, 2007 3:48 PM | Link to this
I’ve been trying to tell RammerJammer that I’m not advocating removing Andruw from cleanup permanently, but Diaz/Willie would certainly be driving in runs, as opposed to Andruw, of late.
If Diaz is playing, I’d have McCann bat cleanup, followed by Diaz then Francoeur, Andruw then Thorman. If Willie plays, I’d bat Willie lead-off, with Edgar, Chipper, McCann, Francoeur, KJ, Saltalamacchia, Andruw then the pitcher. IF they pitch around Andruw to get to the pitcher, so be it. It’s an extra base runner with the potential to be brought in. If, when Diaz plays, they pitch around Andruw to get to Thorman, we’re actually going to a hotter power hitter at this rate. Not by much, but still… against righties, of late, Thorman’s shown some life.
By StingerSplash
June 26, 2007 3:49 PM | Link to this
Thanks for the Keith Whitley, DOB. Now for a pick-me-up, I think I’ll put on some Alice in Chains.
By The Plain Truth
June 26, 2007 3:49 PM | Link to this
All-star game…please. Send Orr and Woodward for all this game really means anymore.
By Ron Roberts
June 26, 2007 3:52 PM | Link to this
Renegator… Thorman’s our best LH hitting 1B. I’d vote for that.
By DC Braves Fan
June 26, 2007 3:54 PM | Link to this
Wouldn’t it be funny if Braves fans “wrote in” Salty as 1B for the All-star game…maybe that would send a “clearer” message to BC & Co.
Not saying it’s going to happen, but what if….???
Salty for prez.
By BamaBrave
June 26, 2007 3:55 PM | Link to this
Don’t send anybody! The way this season is going right now, the guy(s) would get injured.
By Kentavo
June 26, 2007 3:55 PM | Link to this
This stuff is all true, but I remember when the Braves consistently had multiple All-Stars, to rival the Yanks, BoSox, and other big market teams. Somebody had to vote for them, right?
By StingerSplash
June 26, 2007 3:56 PM | Link to this
Aside from Renteria, is there a Braves regular worthy of an All-Star vote? Chipper’s got a great average but his RBI totals are down, no thanks to an RISP average that’s one of the worst in the bigs right now.
By Burt
June 26, 2007 3:58 PM | Link to this
I’m with DonC on this one: Not a single Braves player deserves a start in the All-Star game this year. That could be one reason for the lack of pro-Atlanta ballots.
And since the position players have been all but decided already, who cares? A vote, or a few ten thousand votes, now isn’t going to change anything. Besides, the managers get to pick all of the bench guys, and they seem to pull up the players having stellar years that the fan-based popularity contest overlooked. So it’s a wash. None of it matters unless you’re a major leaguer with an All-Star team contract incentive.
Most true baseball fans look at the All-Star game as nothing but midsummer entertainment. It just doesn’t mean anything other than to boost the over-inflated egos of spoiled millionaires playing a game.
I know, I know: I sound cynical, don’t I? Maybe so…
By Renegator
June 26, 2007 3:59 PM | Link to this
Bobby will probably vote for Woodward and Orr.
By bravesfan
June 26, 2007 3:59 PM | Link to this
Edgar Renteria is the best all round SS there is and should be an all-star. Rafeal Soriano should be an all-star too. Everybody go vote for Edgarrrrr to make the team.
By Mitchie-san
June 26, 2007 3:59 PM | Link to this
Hey Paladin, I will look for those snakes! If you want to brush up on your Japanese pick up lines, there is a great book called “making out in Japanese”. It certainly has helped alot of sailors through the years. (not that we need much!)
By BossLady
June 26, 2007 4:03 PM | Link to this
I remember voting 20-25 times for our players. Everytime I get a spare minute I would click in and click on the players. Now, I don’t see anyone that is giving the game an all-star effort. I can’t believe that major league hitters cannot “get the bat on” major league pitches. I don’t get the lefty/lefty thing. In the past it seems that the lineup was there everyday to hit whoever pitched. Too many excuses and reasons are given for the Braves mess and I can’t take it anymore. When Chipper and Smoltze embarass themselves in the media, I don’t see me even giving them a vote. We always kept out dirty laundry at home and tooo much is wrong this year. They not only lost my support they also lost my vote.
By rammerjammer
June 26, 2007 4:06 PM | Link to this
I think the lack of A-S votes has to do with the team’s June malaise. Hard to get excited about especially nice deck chairs on a sinking ship, know what I mean?
Besides, only Renteria and Smoltz are playing like all-stars…and Smoltz is 12th in ERA among starters, so he’s on the bubble.
By Savannah Guy
June 26, 2007 4:07 PM | Link to this
On Perfect Storms, Aspirin, Flip-Flops, Suntan Lotion and Bug Swat Avoidance
Amidst all of the confusion and myriad suggestions concerning Andruw’s hitting problem…whether it’s mental or physical…the speculation is off the charts. We probably will never have charts for what may be affecting him (sorry Shaun). Adding to the mix is the potential for an MLB batter to slide from time to time, which is perfectly normal due to an infinite number of factors, not the least of which is the inherent difficulty in swinging at and hitting what seems to most normal human beings a 90+ mph aspirin. Hitting a baseball in the major leagues is one of the most difficult things to do in all of professional sports. It’s probably the most difficult in terms of hand-eye coordination and mental readiness/confidence.
To be more specific, is it his eyesight? DOB reported recently that his tests were very good, but we all know that conventional tests can only go so far. Is it his confidence, stubbornness, mechanics, inability to learn from mistakes, gravitational pull (from cheeseburger consumption), over thinking or under thinking? Is it his ability to “read” the pitcher and the situation? Can he read the ball coming out of the pitchers hand? Is it his constant practice at home with his t-ball and pitching machine that has his timing all screwed up? Is his “feel” and confidence affected by moving him up and down and around in the batting order? Is it the new facial hair? The ego? Is it a lack of work ethic? Has he gotten too rich and lazy to be motivated enough to play at a high level? Is it some or all of the above?
My hypothesis: Andruw Jones is experiencing a “perfect storm” of problems (some aforementioned). These simultaneously occurring issues and breakdowns are being exacerbated by the attention being placed on it by himself and everyone else. It’ll only get worse, or stay the same, which is really bad.
Prescribed solution: No, it’s not what you might expect or have heard. Not moving him back to cleanup or to the 8 spot. Nope, not even the bench for a while. The fix can only be accomplished by shocking his world (in a good, healthy way, mind you). Send him to Curacao for a week (15 day DL). Do it during the All-Star break. Let him forget baseball for a bit. Instruct him to see his family, his old friends, be the hometown hero, relax, swim, whatever. Demand that he not even pick up a bat, but he needs to play catch and run every day to stay in shape. Just no swinging at anything, not even a fly (he might miss and we’d be right back where we started). Catching fly balls ok. Swatting flys not ok.
Then we’ll see. If it were the vicious cycle of multiple issues, as I believe it is, that would surely help. What would it hurt? Hey, I’m no sports physiologist and I didn’t stay at a Holiday Inn last night, but something drastic and totally out of the box might work. It ain’t rocket science it’s just non-traditional. Think I’ll call Bobby Cox and suggest it. Oh that’s right…I’d never get through. Maybe someone else would risk being laughed at or called crazy for even suggesting this unusual tactic. Who might have access to Bobby? If Cox looks like he’s going to swat you, just laugh, say you were kidding and blame it on a crazy guy in Savannah that suggested it on the blog. Hmmm…
By Thrillhouse44
June 26, 2007 4:07 PM | Link to this
Thanks for inspiring me to vote, DOB. If New Yorkers vote only for their team, so will I. Hopefully next year Bobby is coaching the All Star game.
By Ryan
June 26, 2007 4:10 PM | Link to this
Mets are getting hot, better get that SP and Bat soon!! What is the word on the street DOB? Hardly any of the sites are mentioning much trade talk, nothing from you, is anything going on?
By teoa
June 26, 2007 4:16 PM | Link to this
Good stuff on Moylan…The thing about him is the delivery isn’t just a gimmick to hide below average stuff as it is with many side armers. He’s got really nasty stuff…hard, hard sinkers…lots of movement. You just don’t see that kind of stuff from that angle. I don’t think this is any fluke at all, and I think the success against lefties (who you would expect to hit a side armer) speaks to the fact that he’s for real. The Braves got a real steal with this guy. I don’t think it would be a stretch to think about Moylan as a closer at some point. It’s amazing how many potential closers the Braves have this year when they couldn’t even find one decent option during the Reitsma era. Wickman, Soriano, Gonzalez, and this year’s Yates and Moylan would’ve all be infinitely better choices than Reitsma last year.
By David O'Brien
June 26, 2007 4:17 PM | Link to this
DonC, I didn’t say I was “worried” about the All-Star voting, just curious about the lack of turnout.
What, should I just blog each day about Andruw’s inexplicable slump and the need for another starting pitcher? I mean, until we’ve got something new on either front…
OK, time to go down to the clubhouse and see if there’s a can of RockStar that hasn’t been consumed.
By brewdawg
June 26, 2007 4:17 PM | Link to this
Okay, brewdawg’s votes are in… and the only ones I could make in good conscience were Renteria and a write-in for Willie Harris. Yeah, Harris may be a bit of a home-town vote, but the guy has been amazing, even if he hasn’t played a full year.
When it came to the third base vote, I decided to vote for guys that are out there busting their butts every night. I certainly appreciate the effort of the guys that are out there. *In no way am I referring to Chipper Jones in the above statement.
Ok, that was probably a bad joke, but I think Chipper would be a shoo-in if he hadn’t missed so much time. But he did, so I voted for Cabrera. Peace
By chris
June 26, 2007 4:18 PM | Link to this
Here’s how I rank our 5th starter options if Davies and Carlye continue to struggle:
Villareal— still don’t know why he isn’t given consideration.
Boyer— good arm and head, bad initial results thus far in Richmond as a starter
Reyes— climbing the last faster than expected.
Ledesma— why not think sooner than later as a starter?
Lerew— his first start sure was impressive. Should we write him off so quickly?
Also, I am convinced that while another starting pitcher is a top priority, a close 2nd has to be a first-baseman. We can’t count on two rookies and it sure would take the load off of Andruw (obviously struggling) and Chipper (too unreliable). Surely, there is someone affordable out there.
Chris from MD
By StingerSplash
June 26, 2007 4:21 PM | Link to this
As much as I like Renteria, it’s hard to pick him as an All-Star. Reyes? Ramirez? Rollins? Ring a bell?
By Jersey Gil
June 26, 2007 4:26 PM | Link to this
This is my opinion about voting in the allstar….I think the fan in Atlanta and other City like there player to rest that three day instead to go to that games…i VOTE…AND I VOTE FOR THE BEST PERFORMANCE PLAYER IN THAT MOMENT…IN MAY I VOTE ABOUT 15 TIME ON MLB WEB SIDE AND I GIVE MY VOTE ONLY TO RENTERIA, CHIPPER, JOHNSON…YESTERDAY I VOTE AGAIN AND ONLY RENTERIA GOT MY VOTE….I PREFER CHIPPER TO REST THOSE DAYS. FOR SOME PEOPLE THAT GAMES IS USELESS AND DON’T VOTE.
By Paladin
June 26, 2007 4:28 PM | Link to this
To change the subject—don’t I always?
Many of you have noticed that I have changed more and more to my “other” alter ego, Paladin the gunfighter. This is rather than my former role of Paladin, the noble and chivalrous knight. We are, afterall, a product of our environment and I feel more “comfortable” on here as the gunfighter. To those of you that I have disappointed, keep in mind that to be disappointed you had to have higher expectations of me. I’ll take that—for now.
By SaltyWoody
June 26, 2007 4:28 PM | Link to this
DOB “OK, time to go down to the clubhouse and see if there’s a can of RockStar that hasn’t been consumed.”
If you’re for real, you’ll chase it with Copenhagen fine cut…it’s an epic pairing. Although, you better not step on Bobby’s toes. He might go apesh!t if he found out you were encroaching on his stash.
And can someone PLEASE get me a t-shirt with Bobby on the front…Rockstar in one hand, spitoon in the other…PLEASE???
The slogan on the back could read:
“ROCKSTAR MAKES YOUR DIPPER CHIPPER”
By Tim Spooneybarger
June 26, 2007 4:29 PM | Link to this
Spooney!!!
By Efrim
June 26, 2007 4:30 PM | Link to this
We will need 2 starting pitches if Davies and Carlyle continue to struggle. Amazing that we banked on Lance Cormier giving us anything……..
By Renegator
June 26, 2007 4:30 PM | Link to this
DOB: Any word on the lineup for tonight yet?
By ncscoots
June 26, 2007 4:33 PM | Link to this
Wonder if Coach Yoc knocks back RockStar?
Or, for that matter, dips.
By High Pockets
June 26, 2007 4:34 PM | Link to this
DOB, What’s Lerew’s status? Thanks.
By WNY
June 26, 2007 4:39 PM | Link to this
The Braves don’t sell out playoff games so why is it surprising that they don’t turn out for the all-star voting. Atlanta may have a large metro area but it still thinks as a college town.
By N8
June 26, 2007 4:42 PM | Link to this
DOB
I’ve voted ONCE for the All-Star game (which I believe they should limit IP addresses from voting 1000 times), and the ONLY Braves I voted for were KJ and Renteria (and I voted a while ago - if I would have done it more recently, I might not have given KJ the nod - I just appreciate the journey he’s taken to get where he’s at) The other guys don’t deserve to go, IMO and guys like Chipper and Willie, don’t have enough AB’s/games played, for me to feel they deserve to go.
Oddly enough, that tells you how good Chipper has been this year, doesn’t it? He’s put up comparable numbers while missing many games.
The fact that Beltran is near the top in votes, with 1 LESS HR and 1 MORE RBI than Andruw Jones (and a very average .273 Ave), shows how BIG of a joke the All-Star game is. Same with Wright.
So let me get this right. The ALL-Star game decides who get’s home field advantage for the World Series, yet the most “popular” players (not the ones performing the best) are the ones who get to go and help determine the location of the WS. Like I said…WHAT A JOKE! That along with the rule that each team has to be represented. Two words for those who agree with that theory…..MARK REDMAN. Again, I’m not sure I want the “best” Nationals player helping decide who has home field in the WS. Did I mention how much of a JOKE the All-Star voting is? :-)
I think the players, managers, coaches and GM’s (maybe not even the GM’s - they have monitary reasons to vote for their guys), should vote on the starters and the the reserves could be the results of the fan voting.
This isn’t American Idol. Go back to JUST having the ballots at the games. That way, if you want to vote 10 times, you’re gonna have to PAY to go to 10 games. Maybe limit it to season ticket holders? I’m not sure what’s fair.
After all, it is supposed to be an exhibition, right?
Something has to give, either the BEST players need to be represented, based on first half stats, or Bud has to do away with the “This time it Counts” BS.
Can’t have it both ways, IMO.
By ElbravoX-- EbX
June 26, 2007 4:47 PM | Link to this
Wouldn’t it be nice if Smoltz and Chipper went to the all-star game holding hands.
By jwshults
June 26, 2007 4:50 PM | Link to this
DOB, did it seem like playing Escobar at 2nd base was showcasing him for a trade possibility? The move that makes the most sense to me is sending Escobar to another team for a solid pitcher.
Salty is just too good to send packing at this point and we wouldn’t get enough for him. Unless the Devil Rays are willing to give up one of their young pitchers because they could use a power-hitting cather as they gear up a decent team for the future. I don’t expect that to happen, though.
Escobar is too good to keep on the bench only to spell Chipper or fill in during his oft injuries. Lillebridge is our short stop of the future after Renteria. (We literally stole him from the Pirates.)
By Ryan
June 26, 2007 4:54 PM | Link to this
“What, should I just blog each day about Andruw’s inexplicable slump and the need for another starting pitcher? I mean, until we’ve got something new on either front…”
Yes.
J/K
By Hotspur
June 26, 2007 4:54 PM | Link to this
DOB, regarding your comments about Peter Moylan: is there a reason nobody’s mentioned him as a possible starting candidate? I’ve just been wondering as he habitually comes in behind James and Davies and outperforms them. Is he not capable of going more than three innings or so?
Oh, and the Prince show in Vegas was not only mind-blowing, but cost me a third of what the standing-room tickets are going for at the Roosevelt here in LA on his current stand. Ha.
By BossLady
June 26, 2007 4:55 PM | Link to this
It would be nice if Chipper and Smoltz went somewhere and sit their old behinds down and shut up.
By N8
June 26, 2007 4:58 PM | Link to this
“Wouldn’t it be nice if Smoltz and Chipper went to the all-star game holding hands.”
Might this be what follows?
[waking up after sharing the same bed on the motel]
Chipper: John… Why did you kiss my ear?
John: Why are you holding my hand?
Chipper: [frowns] Where’s your other hand?
John: Between two pillows…
Chipper: Those aren’t pillows!
SORRY, but any chance to throw a little Del Griffith humor into the mix, you gotta do it.
By CMC
June 26, 2007 4:59 PM | Link to this
DOB,
Good song by Keith Whitley today. Was Lorrie still with him when he drank himself to death? Can’t remember. If she was, then he should have figured out how to stop drinkin’. Wow, what a knockout!! Haven’t seen or heard from her in awhile. Does she still look good???
By Paladin
June 26, 2007 5:02 PM | Link to this
Ryan I admire what you are sayin’. I’ve been sayin’ it too. But, like me, you are p1$$ing into the wind.
By Marietta Dawg
June 26, 2007 5:02 PM | Link to this
I’m old school, get rid of the Red Sunday jerseys and wear white!!!!
By BamaBrave
June 26, 2007 5:03 PM | Link to this
Paladin… When the men in white coats knock on your door, go with them. They’re your friends…
Soriano for closer!
By Paladin
June 26, 2007 5:06 PM | Link to this
N8 Thanx for the humor. It was getting to like an AA meeting in here.
By Paladin
June 26, 2007 5:09 PM | Link to this
Anybody got a “be” in their bonnet that I can borrow?
By CJ
June 26, 2007 5:09 PM | Link to this
DOB- Nice song choice today! I just picked up Keith Whitley’s 16 greatest hits yesterday. Good stuff! You checked out Eric Church yet???
By Braveheart
June 26, 2007 5:10 PM | Link to this
“Wouldn’t it be nice if Smoltz and Chipper went to the all-star game holding hands.”
It would be kinda nice only made really awkward by the television cameras showing the big knife in Chipper’s back with both Chipper and Smoltz pretending that it is not there. The photo would be made even better if UGA was included in the shot, with Smoltz having his finger to his lips, telling the bulldog to SHHHHHHHHHHH about the knife.
By ElbravoX-- EbX
June 26, 2007 5:10 PM | Link to this
N8- Plane, trains and automobiles. Best scene ever!
By N8
June 26, 2007 5:13 PM | Link to this
Hotspur
Reguarding the “Prince show in Vegas”, did he play a lot of the old stuff (pre-symbol)?
I’ve been contemplating heading down to Minneapolis (ticket prices are RIDICULOUS), to check it out. But had read recent reviews that his last few tours, not to mention his first batch of “Vegas Shows”, were consisting of mainly his new material.
Just like to know if anybody has any clue and which way his setlist will be leaning. As for, I’m not gonna pay up to $300.00 to go see Prince play songs I don’t want to see him play.
By Paladin
June 26, 2007 5:15 PM | Link to this
BamaBrave You callin’ out Paladin? Wellll pilgrim(that’s Paladin played by John Wayne), then slap leather you mothahumper(that’s Paladin played by Eddie Murphy)
By Bob
June 26, 2007 5:19 PM | Link to this
I agree 100% with N8 on All Star Game take. I always thought that the BCS National Championship selection process was screwed up, but having this game decide World Series Home Field advantage is as dumb as dirt.
I can see it now. Joe Blow, the K.C. Royals outstanding Right Fielder wins the annual All Star Game with a home run in the top of the 11th inning. Two weeks later Blow is traded to the St. Louis Cardinals for 10 players to be named later. The Cardinals win the NL penant but have to go on the road to play the Minnesota Twins. Why you say? Because a former American League Right Fielder hit a home run in the 11th inning of an exhibition game thus keeping forcing his own National League Championship team to forfeit home field advantage to the Twins. Makes perfect sense to me.
By SaltyWoody
June 26, 2007 5:19 PM | Link to this
Does anyone think Orr and Woodward might be the same player? Just cloned?
Finkle…Einhorn…Einhorn…Finkle…
By raindawg722
June 26, 2007 5:23 PM | Link to this
I just maxed my votes for Chipper, Renteria, McCann, and Francouer. They were close enough in my book given my obvious bias.
By geauxbraves2000
June 26, 2007 5:23 PM | Link to this
Maybe some will agree, maybe some won’t, but I vote only once for the All Star game, and I vote for whom I think is most deserving. As much as I’d like to see all 9 Braves take the field in the All Star game, IMO, right now the only two who should get an invite is ER and Smoltz. If you want to be an all star, you’ve got to play like one.
Nice win last night, at least B Mac woke up if no one else did. Maybe he’s an early riser and the rest of the team is getting ready to roll out of bed.
Geaux Braves!!
By Billy Walsh
June 26, 2007 5:23 PM | Link to this
A week ago there was a report on the Pirates having interest in Salty. If the braves could pry away Ian Snell (he’s young and cheap) that would be a move worth considering (although the way Laroche is hitting for them, maybe they are not too keen in dealing with Atlanta). It would make more sense than trying to trade for Buehrle who would require a ton of money to resign in the off season.
By Chop Chop
June 26, 2007 5:23 PM | Link to this
Chipper’s a Gator fan.
UGA wouldn’t make a sound.
By N8
June 26, 2007 5:24 PM | Link to this
ElbravoX— EbX
I’m glad somebody got it.
You’re right. Not only that movie’s funniest scene, quite possibly one of the funniest scene’s in any movie.
2nd best scene in that movie, is John Candy drying himself with the washcloth/hand towel after the shower. EVERY time I’m in a hotel, I think of that scene when I see the rack of washcloths. Good stuff indeed.
John Candy was a funny man.
By jch
June 26, 2007 5:25 PM | Link to this
As you said, All Star voting is as much a popularity contest as anything else. A great example, ‘druw is 5th among NL outfielders and he’s batting .197!!!! He doesn’t deserve to be starting for the Braves much less on an All-Star team. He’s just a name people recognize on the ballot.
A great reason why the public shouldn’t be involved in selecting the All-Star team. Period.
Whether All Star voting is a measure of performance or popularity is mute as the answer to your question - where are all the Braves players - is simple; they are neither good enough to be considered or popular enough.
Renteria cetainly deserves it and that’s about it.
I agree with an earlier poster, it would be nice to recognize the Diaz/Harris platoon but it’s simply not possible.
As for Smoltz, does 5th in Wins, 9th in ERA, 24th Opp. AVG, 8th in K’s & 14th in WHIP constitute an All-Star season? Maybe.
By Southern Democrat
June 26, 2007 5:26 PM | Link to this
Man, that song is so painfully beautiful and even more gut-wrenching in light of Keith’s untimely death.
On another note, let’s hope that last night was the spark that will ignite the bats… another gutty performance from a Braves pitcher when they absolutely needed it, way to go, Huddy!
By Marc
June 26, 2007 5:29 PM | Link to this
I hate how all-star voting is done now. There should be a panel that decides who does and doesn’t go, simple as that.
Renteria is the only Brave we can vote for that has really stood up and made an impression though. We have lots of pitchers that deserve to go, but I didn’t see any option to vote for them.
Besides, those Mets fans are lame nerds that vote for their players like 400 times a piece using computer macros and what-not. It’s a broken system, props to those who abuse it best.
By Braveheart
June 26, 2007 5:30 PM | Link to this
Chipper’s a Gator fan. UGA wouldn’t make a sound.
FING CLASSIC CHOP CHOP!!!!!
By Carolina Lady
June 26, 2007 5:32 PM | Link to this
journalist jimmy smith wrote - 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.”
Well, I did find that a touch of starter fluid in the air breather will get results. Went out one day last summer, tried to get it started: ‘psst’, turn key - ur ur ur ur ur. Hmmm. Another ‘pssst’, turn key - ur ur ur ur ur. Nothing.
Okay, you sorry rascal, you will start!
‘psssssssssssssssssssssssssssssst’ -
turn key, ur ur - a huge ka-BOOM - big cloud of smoke - and it started…. and blew the tail pipe off.
Say “Ahhhh”, Andruw.
:-)
By Chipper's Proctologist
June 26, 2007 5:40 PM | Link to this
Am I the only one who’s wondering why Scott Thorman is still starting? At this point in the season it should be crystal clear to Bobby that he’s not ready to be a starter yet. The lack of production at first is killing us. Why Salty isn’t starting every day at first is beyond my comprehension. He is one of our best bats (we don’t have many)and its being completely wasted on the bench.
By Train Wreck Bystander
June 26, 2007 5:41 PM | Link to this
Well, I voted today. And I wrote in Willie Harris. So there.
But I wasn’t a complete homer. I picked a few Rockies also.
By N8
June 26, 2007 5:43 PM | Link to this
Well said Bob.
By DonCoburleone
June 26, 2007 5:43 PM | Link to this
DOB I see your point. But, bottom line, the All-Star game doesn’t mean $hit to anyone under the age of 25 (maybe even 30) anymore. Nobody my age (24) remembers or even knows about how the midsummer classic used to be. People in their 40’s and 50’s have memories or Reggie Jackson hitting one out of the stadium, or Pete Rose running over the catcher in an “exhibition” game. There used to be an aura around the game because the NL and AL never played during the season (only time you could ever see Gibson against Mantle for example). Also most players spent their entire career in one league or the other, so a kind of hatred developed toward the other league, making the game more intense… You know what kids in their teens and 20’s today have as a memory for the All Star game? Thats right, stumbling, bumbling Bud Selig having to call the game a TIE because both teams ran out of pitchers… The All Star game is a joke now and to answer your question DOB; Yes, I actually would like to hear more about Andruw Jones’ struggles than the All Star game/voting. (Actually Andruw’s struggles this season are totally fascinating to me.) I hate it when the All Star game is on the horizon cuz the only thing it means to me is that there won’t be any REAL baseball played for 3 days…
By pat
June 26, 2007 5:44 PM | Link to this
I don’t give a crap about the all star game. Hence, I don’t vote. I never watch it, it’s a insult to baseball.
By Paladin
June 26, 2007 5:45 PM | Link to this
Carolina Lady If size does matter and Andruw blows his tailpipe off, the results will be seismographic!
By Incubus
June 26, 2007 5:46 PM | Link to this
*By SaltyWoody June 26, 2007 5:19 PM Does anyone think Orr and Woodward might be the same player? Just cloned?
Finkle…Einhorn…Einhorn…Finkle…*
SaltyWoody: I love the Ace Ventura reference. LMAO, that’s classic.
By Hotspur
June 26, 2007 5:49 PM | Link to this
N8 -
There was an awful lot of new material, yes, but more old stuff than I expected. “Kiss,” “I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man,” an abbreviated “Let’s Go Crazy” (something he does a lot lately - medley-esque versions of older stuff, hacked to pieces - doesn’t thrill me). He did throw himself entirely into the last song, “Purple Rain,” which he introduced by saying “I love this song,” apparently with no sarcasm. He certainly played it like he loved it. The best part was that he soloed A LOT, and reminded me that no discussion of the best rock guitarists on the planet is complete without his name being bandied about. Long story short: was it worth $125 x 2 to see him play for two hours in a club? Absolutely. Is it worth $300? I’d say so. But the $3000 VIP table tickets? Only if you’ve got Paris Hilton money. Which, of course, a lot of people in LA do. (Although I hear those VIP tickets actually aren’t flying off the shelves…)
By N8
June 26, 2007 5:50 PM | Link to this
Chipper’s Proctologist
“Am I the only one who’s wondering why Scott Thorman is still starting?”
For real? Must be your first day on the blog, huh?
Welcome.
By Paladin
June 26, 2007 5:51 PM | Link to this
Chipper’s Proctologist Can you do any kind of real examination with his head up there?
By Berigan
June 26, 2007 5:52 PM | Link to this
I still say it’s a good sign all the walks(well, 3 in the last 2 games) Andruw has, even the called strike three last night. He looks like someone that finally realizes that they are not going to give him strikes, so why swing? If he walks once, twice a game and people drive him in, they will once again throw him strikes. I just don’t know why he is batting 4th right now. Heck, bat him 3rd, and have the protection of Chipper behind him. Or, try him leading off….but why 4th just cuz he had success there before????
By chipdip
June 26, 2007 6:00 PM | Link to this
ALL-STAR GAME IS A FRIGGIN’JOKE…..JUST LIKE INTERLEAGUE GAMES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!AND BUD SELIG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By jenn
June 26, 2007 6:00 PM | Link to this
I don’t really care about the All-Star Game, but I know the players would like to go, so I vote for our Bravos. I voted using all of my emails and several emails that belong to friends that I knew wouldn’t vote anyway. So I did my part, and I wasted my time because apparently not many other Braves’ fans did.
By DonCoburleone
June 26, 2007 6:04 PM | Link to this
In the hideout of former Dolphins kicker Ray Finkle:
Dan Marino: “Having a little trouble with the ladies, Ace?”
Ace Ventura: “No, you don’t understand, she’s a maaaaaaaaa”
Haha, LOL, I freakin’ love that movie.
By Jimbo
June 26, 2007 6:15 PM | Link to this
DOB you convinced me! I’m going to stuff the ballot box to help get AJ on the All-Turd team.
By David O'Brien
June 26, 2007 6:18 PM | Link to this
Salty’s in the lineup at 1B, batting eighth.
Escobar at 2B again, and Kelly J seems none too pleased, though didn’t want to say anything, which is understandable….
If you ask me, they’re showing some team that Escobar can play 2B….
By Vegasbrave
June 26, 2007 6:18 PM | Link to this
I’ve voted about 40 times, each time at least for Edgar, then writing in Harris. I know there’s no chance for Willie, but I gotta go w/ a fellow Cairo native. If he still played w/ Boston with his numbers, he’d probably be in the top 5 for outfielders. Alas.
By ElbravoX-- EbX
June 26, 2007 6:19 PM | Link to this
N8-Agree. The third great scene was driving down the freeway and leaving his finger marks on the steering wheels.
By David O'Brien
June 26, 2007 6:20 PM | Link to this
CMC, according to Don Sutton she does. Don was good friends with the Whitleys.
By Paladin
June 26, 2007 6:21 PM | Link to this
Well, I’ve p1$$ed off enough people today. I think I will go outside and kick the dog. ‘Course if he could speak, he would probably then say, “Gee…thanks, Dad, for the attention.
By The Grinch
June 26, 2007 6:23 PM | Link to this
Hotspur, Prince is a most excellent guitarist and while I don’t dig much of his music I would definitely plunk down 125x2 to see him at a club from a technical standpoint if nothing else. Three grand? Fuggeddabouddit. BTW, I just got back from Sam Ash Music where I ordered a new Jeff Hanneman (Slayer) series ESP guitar with EMG pickups and a Floyd Rose tremolo. I’m broke now, but very happy. Unfortunately, I have to wait about two weeks for it to come in. When it does, my neighbors will be most unhappy indeed. Do I give a %^$#? No I do not. :-)
By N8
June 26, 2007 6:23 PM | Link to this
Ace Ventura: I’m looking for Ray Finkle.
[a shotgun cocks and is pointed at his head]
Ace Ventura: …and a clean pair of shorts.
Always LOVED that one. Another favorite, that I can’t go a Sunday of watching the NFL without repeating:
“Dan Marino should die of gonorrhea and rot in hell”
Funny stuff, indeed.
By DonCoburleone
June 26, 2007 6:29 PM | Link to this
Showing some team that Escobar can play 2b huh? Hmmm, interesting… But don’t the White Sox need a 3b and a shortstop just as much as a 2b? What team is looking for a 2b but not a SS or 3b? Pittsburgh maybe? Oakland? Cincinatti perhaps? - Isn’t Brandon Phillips a FA after this year? Shaun or somebody whos good at research try and find a bad team who needs a 2b but has a starter we could trade for…
By N8
June 26, 2007 6:30 PM | Link to this
That’s 1 GOOD news & 2 BAD news, in the lineup tonight.
Salty at 1B. That’s good.
Andruw batting cleanup is a JOKE.
KJ not in the lineup, isn’t good (though Escobar has been hitting as good as KJ as of late, so it’s probably a wash). Just don’t want KJ’s “confidence” to drop.
DOB
Call me crazy, maybe I’m wacky for even mentioning it, but how about this for a lineup:
1) Harris CF
2) Kelly LF
3) Renteria SS
4) Chipper 3B
5) McCann CA
6) Salty 1B
7) Francoeur RF
8) Escobar 2B
Damn. If I don’t say so myself, it sure would be nice to have a lineup without an automatic out in the middle of it.
Then Andruw/Thorman can come in for late inning defense. LOL!
By Kieran, Long Island Brave Fan
June 26, 2007 6:31 PM | Link to this
What is the point in batting Salty 8th? I mean really Andruw 4th hitting under .200 and salty 8th hitting over .300. It just seems arse backwards to me. I’m not sayign I’m suprised because Bobby does this stuff all the time, but still, sometimes it sticks out as silly more then others. (Setting up for an andruw 5 for 5 night)
BY THE WAY: I love the fact that Kelly Johnson visible showing that his p** (I’m assuming this much by your words, you must have picke dit up in his face). It shows that he’s committed to being an everyday player and wants to be in that lineup right/lefty regardless. He’s gonna be a very nice player as he matures.
Good to finally see (or hear about seeing) some passion with this group!
By ernesto
June 26, 2007 6:35 PM | Link to this
cbssportsline has a piece about Bobby’s recent trip to the showers, I mean, history books.
And a few other bravos pieces
http://cbs.sportsline.com/
If we’re 5 down after one tonight, I think we have to call the Buddy experiment “Redmen-esque”
By Steve McP
June 26, 2007 6:36 PM | Link to this
The thing that I dislike most about the all star voting is the format - it took me a good while to vote 25 times and I could see little point in just repeating everything - if MLB would give a button to press and say “do this 25 times” they would still get the number of votes so that they can say xyz player polled a gazillion votes and we would be able to get down to serious stuff like the baseball!
By Chop Chop
June 26, 2007 6:37 PM | Link to this
DOB, I think you’re absolutely right about Escobar. He’s trade bait. No other explanation really makes sense. After all, doesn’t Bobby like to get Orr at-bats from time to time at second base, consequently driving us insane? This is all about showcasing Escobar. The Braves have Renteria at short for now with Lillibridge and Prado at Triple-A, not to mention Elvis Andrus further down the line. There’s even J.C. Holt, a 2B at Richmond who looks like he’s pushing for a call-up soon. When you have that middle infield talent down the pipe, you’ve got to move some people.
Of course, If I thought Escobar was going to be the third baseman of the future for this team, he’d be untradeable. However, even though Escobar has a strong arm and can handle third from that perspective, he has the instincts of a middle infielder. By that, I mean that he seems to need a little more time to react to balls. Being in the middle of the diamond gives you a little longer to range from side to side. With his arm, he can make the big throws from deep short without a problem. That makes him an ideal candidate to start at short for someone now.
Finally, if you throw in the fact that Yunel might be a couple of years older than his listed age, it would make sense to at least look into making him a centerpiece for a trade. His age might preclude him from being much better than he is now, which is a very solid player. If you can trade Escobar and a pitcher to get a good starter under contract beyond this season, I think you have to do it.
By ernesto
June 26, 2007 6:38 PM | Link to this
Druw in the 4 hole again tonight? Well, who knows…
By bravedawg
June 26, 2007 6:41 PM | Link to this
I agree, we need to vote more, I voted as much as the online service would let my four e-mail addresses, but it doesn’t seem like anyone else really cares. But can anyone blame them lately.
By Hotspur
June 26, 2007 6:42 PM | Link to this
Grinch, I bet that ESP is sweetness incarnate. Shred on, brother.
By Yars
June 26, 2007 6:47 PM | Link to this
The Nats are throwing a LH tonight. Maybe that is why KJ isn’t in the lineup, since he hasn’t been hitting the ball too well against LH pitching lately. I also agree with DOB that perhaps Yunel is being showcased tonight & is showing those scouts from other teams in the stands that he can play not only 3B & SS, but also 2B.
By P-Town Brave
June 26, 2007 6:51 PM | Link to this
DOB, how exactly can you back up a lineup that has both Diaz and Salty in the 7-8 holes, but Andruw and Frenchy in the 4-5…I really think Bobby needs to lay off mixing the crazy pills and the Rockstar! And who exactly needs a 2nd basemen that we could get a decent starting pitcher from?
By scott
June 26, 2007 6:53 PM | Link to this
The only guys on the Braves that should be allstars are Edgar, Chipper, and Smoltz. That’s it. The rest of the bunch has been bad.
By DonCoburleone
June 26, 2007 6:55 PM | Link to this
Haha, good one N8.
By N8
June 26, 2007 6:55 PM | Link to this
How about the flip/side of what DOB and y’all are thinking about Escobar being trade bait.
Maybe I’m way out of line, in my thinking, but what if KJ was the trade bait, that another team asked about and the BRAVES want to see if Escobar can handle 2B? After all, Willie has shown that he can lead off.
Like I said, I’m sure I’m way off base, but that wouldn’t shock me, either.
By Maybe It's Because
June 26, 2007 6:56 PM | Link to this
Can’t speak for others, but I’m a huge Braves fan who votes for players I think deserve to be the starter at their given position.
If it’s a tie in my mind, it goes to the Braves player. If not, my vote goes to the guy who I think is currently the best at the position. Last year, I voted time and again for McCann because he clearly deserved the start. This year, Edgar is the player I’m choosing who is at least as good as anyone else at short.
McCann? He’s not currently the best at his position. I voted for Russell Martin. LoDuca in my opinion is way over rated and it’s not because he’s a Met. He got the start over McCann last year which was a travesty.
Kelly? next question!
Edgar Thumbs up! He deserves it.
Chipper? Show me you can stay healthy enough to play on a regular basis, you’ll get my vote. Until then, can’t do it. (actually I did vote for Chipper a couple of months ago but haven’t wasted my time lately since the injuries began)
Thorman-Andruw-Francouer? Next question please
Platoon of Diaz and Harris- Would love to have the opportunity but the fact is they don’t play everyday and there are better outfielders in the league.
So in essence, Edgar gets my vote.
Even if every other team’s fans stuff the ballot box for their undeserving players, I just won’t do it.
You asked!
By bruce
June 26, 2007 6:57 PM | Link to this
John Thomson won his debut Monday night with Kansas City against CA Angels 5-3, giving up 6 hits in 7 innings, 3 runs, 2 earned, no walks, no strikeouts, 81 pitches 54 strikes, 12 ground outs, 9 flyouts, faced 26 batters. Gotta root for someone who sweats that much out of his head. I wonder if the new hats are better, he would be the best testimony if they are. I hope he does well and his injuries are behind him for the season… Thanks, Bruce
By The Grinch
June 26, 2007 7:01 PM | Link to this
Hotspur, I plugged into a Marshall half-stack with a similar model this afternoon and they practically arrested me for (insert euphamism for touching oneself) in public. Good stuff, indeed. It’s a very versatile guitar, capable of everything from metal to…metal. All right, I know I’m boring 99% of the audience (nothing new there). Baseball post to follow.
By Salty
June 26, 2007 7:06 PM | Link to this
Incubus As in the band…very good music, IMMHO! At least the past few years…early stuff…I don’t get it, or ‘hear’ it!
By Braveheart
June 26, 2007 7:07 PM | Link to this
ernesto, will it be Redmanesque or Redmanian? Is it simply a matter of preference?
I would say that Andruw, this year, is performing down to Mondesian levels. Thorman can claim he is performing to Wilsonian or Wilsonesque or Craigian or Wes Helmsian depths until such time he becomes the punch line himself and we call it Thormanesque or Thormanian depths. Right now, Woodward is playing down to an Orrian level. Chipper has Hornerian health.
BTW, for all you NASCAR lovers out there, here is something from Mark Kriegel’s column today that I found hilarious: With his victory at Sonoma, Juan Pablo Montoya has now won at the highest levels of open wheel and stock car racing. “He got lucky,” said Robby Gordon, who finished 16th. Sixteenth?!? Now I’m no authority on racing cars, but isn’t it better to be lucky than to be unlucky and suck?
Robby Gordon always was clueless rich boy putz.
By DonCoburleone
June 26, 2007 7:07 PM | Link to this
Looking for some help here everyone… I’ve got both Brian McCann and Kenji Johjima as catchers on my fantasy team but I can only start 1 tonight. Johjima is going against a LH rookie (Gabbard for BOS) while McCann gets Bacsik. They both homered last night, who would you guys start?
By Salty
June 26, 2007 7:10 PM | Link to this
Bruce Until he got hurt, Thomson was a real horse for a while. I think it was ‘05 (memory’s being tested here, not a good thing at all!) where he hit a stretch of quality starts, wins, and not a lot of hits given up. Maybe he’s finally getting his touch back…I would think that finger injury works on the confidence a bit.
By Bert Lance
June 26, 2007 7:13 PM | Link to this
Somebody said: ‘El Grinche’ est en fuego.’ Does that mean ‘grinch is a flamer’?
By Rhett Butler
June 26, 2007 7:14 PM | Link to this
I like what somebody said here. Of all the apparent problems this team already has who cares about the freaking all-star game. I hope none of the Braves go epically Smoltz! Let the Mets send half their team. I rather have my boys resting and getting healthy during the brake! Do we have players that deserve to go YES! Would any of them really benefit by going NO!
The reason why Renteria an’t going is because 1. there are a lot of good SS in the NL and 2. its hard for an (at least this one) Atlanta fan to really cheer him when you know nothing about him. The only thing I know about Renteria is that he has some good averages and been on a few other teams. He is not covered in the local media like most of the other players. He is not some young kid busten his way up to the bigs. He’s not a local home grown guy. He’s not some old school hurler. No one has come up with a fan club or catchy name for him, like Mcan’s Cans, or Silly for Willy, or Frank’s Franks or Andrew’s Brew Crew. You paper boys at the AJC never interview him nor do they at the end of the game on Sports South. It’s almost like everyone expects him to not be around for very long. And hell with the budget restraints we have and how good he has been he very well might not be.
By Berigan
June 26, 2007 7:18 PM | Link to this
Checking Oakland and their 2nd baseman, Mark Ellis…hitting 265 with 7 HR’s 37 RBI’s. So, not likely they would want Escobar for second. SS Bobby Crosby on the other hand…..238 6 HR 28 RBI’s He’s 27, I wonder if they are thinking his days as a regular are numbered???
By chipdip
June 26, 2007 7:19 PM | Link to this
GIBSON SG’S RULE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Salty
June 26, 2007 7:22 PM | Link to this
Ummm, Rhett…you caught in a time warp, bud? What kind of a rant did you just make? Too many SS isn’t an issue…he could play/hit anywhere…and he’s deserved it.
By David O'Brien
June 26, 2007 7:24 PM | Link to this
Davies threw normal bullpen session today and was pain-free, according to McDowell. Bobby wasn’t sure when we talked to him whether he’d skip Davies’ turn (which he can do easily, since it would’ve fallen on Thursday, the off day), or pitch him and have everyone get an extra day of rest. But that was before he tested it in the bullpen.
By the way, those of you who once talked about langy batting leadoff: You get to see it tonight. Him and his .176 average are in the leadoff spot for the Nats.
By DonCoburleone
June 26, 2007 7:25 PM | Link to this
HA! How hilarious is that? Ryan Langerhans leading off for the Nationals! (And we think WE have problems???)
By Josh C
June 26, 2007 7:26 PM | Link to this
I’ve been debating this…
Does Andruw have a better chance of: a) making the All-Star team b) being Jenny Craig spokesman c) giving birth at the All-Star break
Thoughts?
By Wolfpack Man
June 26, 2007 7:26 PM | Link to this
How many times will Andruw continue to hit cleanup with a sub .199 average. I really don’t understand that. It’s not like he is tearing up lefties.
Also, DOB, could the Braves be trying to see if Escobar can play 2nd to cure their own questions and potentially be considering moving Kelly Johnson in a trade? Seems like Kelly may have a little more imediate trade value and if the team is not sold on Kelly then why keep him over Escobar?
Personally, I like Kelly and hate to see him out of the lineup. The lack of runs have not been Kelly’s fault, yet it seems he is being punished more than anyone else (ie. Andruw, Thorman, Chipper (with RISP).
By rmf
June 26, 2007 7:28 PM | Link to this
DOB:
If Yunel is being showcased, which teams have scouts at tonight’s game? That might answer a lot of questions.
By bruce
June 26, 2007 7:28 PM | Link to this
Just heard Bobby on the radio talk about Jim Beauchamp in the clubhouse today… and Bobby recalling when he and Jim were in Richmond in 1967, which is the first year I really followed the R-Braves… the radio guys (Dave Van Horn and Frank Soden) would call Beauchamp’s home run blasts a “bye-bye-baby” and it seemed like it was a daily occurrance…. listened on the radio and kept score, home and away when they did simulated sound hitting two sticks of wood together to make it sound like a hit. oh those were the days… for a kid. Thanks, Bruce
By Berigan
June 26, 2007 7:36 PM | Link to this
heres a dark horse team. Toronto.SS Royce Clayton is 37, and has only 9 rbi’s, and there is talk of the Jays trading 3rd baseman Troy Glaus after all….but, unless they have someone in the minors, who would we want? I’d take A.J. Burnett, but not only could we not afford him, he’s injured.
By DonCoburleone
June 26, 2007 7:43 PM | Link to this
Carlyle not looking good so far… everything’s UP…
By The Grinch
June 26, 2007 7:44 PM | Link to this
Braveheart, I quit watching NASCAR three or four years ago, but I recall that Robby Gordon is indeed a douchebag. He hit on my ex-girlfriend (when we were still together) during a race weekend in Texas. She and a friend of hers got invited back to his trailer; the friend told him what was up and when I found out I got a little p.o’d. Upon reflection, I should’ve let him have her; he’d be one miserable SOB right about now if he didn’t pull a Benoit first (he apparently noticed all the wrong things about her just like I did). Now, baseball…
By Salty
June 26, 2007 7:44 PM | Link to this
If McCann doesn’t block the plate, that run scores! Well done!
Oops! I’m way over my blog posting quota…for the week! I’m out!
By Gil in Mechanicsville
June 26, 2007 7:46 PM | Link to this
Shazam… That is the first time I have ever seen that double play
By bruce
June 26, 2007 7:46 PM | Link to this
Salty your response sent me to the stats for John Thomson, he started 35 games for Texas in 2003 going 13-14 with 4.85 era in 217 innings and started 33 for the Braves in 2004 going 14-8 3.72 era in 198 innings… those were his two highest years of innings and starts (so far). Thanks, Bruce
By DonCoburleone
June 26, 2007 7:47 PM | Link to this
So was that not the sweetest double play of all time or what???
By N8
June 26, 2007 7:47 PM | Link to this
Does anybody out there think that Dimitri Young would’ve been a better investment than Craig Wilson, this past off-season?
Wouldn’t mind having that guy for the bench.
By Salty
June 26, 2007 7:56 PM | Link to this
N8 I agree…he could be the bench!
By Robert
June 26, 2007 7:56 PM | Link to this
DOB - You mentioned Cox drinks that Rock Star stuff. Now what I’d like to see is him with a can of Cocaine
By The Grinch
June 26, 2007 8:00 PM | Link to this
Bert Lance, you’re trolling the wrong blog for dates. The gay pride weekend is over; check the metro/living section or something for leftovers.
Buddy’s looking fairly sharp.
By hk
June 26, 2007 8:03 PM | Link to this
… here’s latest ‘MVP’ rating, ‘MVP’ equals projected year end Runs plus Homeruns plus RBI … these are the lowest values in the eleven years I have been plotting this ….
Player - This Week’ - Three Weeks Ago
Renteria - 200 - 215
Johnson - 191 - 223
Andruw - 179 - 208
Frenchy - 179 - 203
Chipper - 166 - 182
McCann - 139 - 122
Thorman - 137 - 139
Diaz - 72 - 81
Harris - 72 - 76
Average - 164 - 150
… notice the precipitous drop in the curves, nothing like it any of the previous year (groan):
http://www.mindspring.com/~hk3/newton.htm
By Chuck
June 26, 2007 8:04 PM | Link to this
What happened on the double play? Some of us up in North Carolina don’t have Sports South (or whatever non-TBS station is showing the game).
By Salty
June 26, 2007 8:05 PM | Link to this
Thanks, Bruce I knew he’d done some quality work…couldn’t recall the details. That last year in Texas, when you consider the team, was Cy Young (of sorts) anywhere else!
By emo
June 26, 2007 8:07 PM | Link to this
OK - let’s all vote Pete Orr and Chris Woodward for the all star team.
Let’s try to make this ridiculous exhibition game a total joke (as opposed to a partial joke).
By Salty
June 26, 2007 8:10 PM | Link to this
Chuck 7-2-6
By David O'Brien
June 26, 2007 8:12 PM | Link to this
The other viable explanation for Escobar at 2B Sunday and tonight: Cox is trying out a platoon of him and K. J. Braves faced lefties in both of those games.
Johnson hit .366 vs. lefties in April, but only .200 (13-for-65) since.
Cox wouldn’t say, other than to say he can’t sit Escobar, meaning for multiple games at a stretch
By Bob
June 26, 2007 8:13 PM | Link to this
Chuck,
Nats had runners on 1st and 2d with 1 out. Batter got single to left. Diaz threw out runner from second at the plate and McCann threw Zimmerman out going third.
By Bob
June 26, 2007 8:13 PM | Link to this
Chuck,
Nats had runners on 1st and 2d with 1 out. Batter got single to left. Diaz threw out runner from second at the plate and McCann threw Zimmerman out going third.
By Tomahawkin' Again
June 26, 2007 8:15 PM | Link to this
Buddy is spinning quite the crafty 5 hitter so far, isn’t he?
By ncscoots
June 26, 2007 8:17 PM | Link to this
oh man, LMAO, I know the Braves have had a bad stretch, but really, singling into a DP is some high-level, blue-ribbon suckitude.
I hope Buddy bought lottery tickets earlier tonight, LOL.
By N8
June 26, 2007 8:19 PM | Link to this
Salty CANNOT be traded.
Just my opinion. Escobar? Only if we must. But Salty STAYS PUT.
Please.
By CMC
June 26, 2007 8:22 PM | Link to this
DOB,
To follow up on Keith Whitley, I am fairly new to the blog. I am also about 10 years into country music. Used to hate it, now it’s all I listen to. I take it that you have a liking for classic country. Is there any “new country” or particular artists that you like?
By The Grinch
June 26, 2007 8:22 PM | Link to this
I’ll give everyone who still thinks Andruw should be batting cleanup over Salty a chance to reaffirm their viewpoint for others. Nice throw by their SS.
By Bob
June 26, 2007 8:23 PM | Link to this
N8, We agree again. He needs to be in the lineup on a regular basis.
By Berigan
June 26, 2007 8:27 PM | Link to this
N8, I thought you were ok with trading Salty!
By Josh C
June 26, 2007 8:27 PM | Link to this
Is it just me or do Salty and Escobar seem like two of the top four hitters on the team RIGHT NOW with Chipper and Edgar? The more I see these guys the more I think we have to get them regular PT. Since Salty switch-hits I go ahead and sit Thorman full time, and the KJ/Escobar platoon might just work out.
By sheesh
June 26, 2007 8:28 PM | Link to this
N8 once again has proven he knows nothing about baseball with his lineup. Trust this: he is the only one impressed with his line-up. Harris is not a CF, Cox is not going to stick KJ in left on a whim, and Salty at 1B translates into at least one run for the other side. Dude seems to think that defense doesn’t matter.
At this point, the Braves greatest needs are another reliable starter and someone who is solid defensively at first who can hit around .270. They should be able to fill the hole at first via trade — finding a decent pitcher will be a tougher nut to crack.
I hope they don’t trade Escobar. I would trade either McCann or Salty or anyone else before I would trade Escobar. Escobar is the Brave’s brightest future star — not even close when compared to the rest of the young Braves.
By OVERLORD
June 26, 2007 8:30 PM | Link to this
I think the braves are the best team at least in the NL…. no other team could have won as many games to the date giving up 4-5 free outs to the other team from our cleanup spot. We r sooooooo good we r in the luxury to do that and keep above .500 thats JUST AMAIZING. Sad part about it is that our goal should be getting to the playoff, not showing how good the team is by giving such an advantageat the start of the games to other teams.
By Old Lefty
June 26, 2007 8:31 PM | Link to this
Would someone PUH-LEEEEEEEASE ask “Boog” to learn a few alternate cliches for a pop-up besides SSSSKYYYED?
By Greg
June 26, 2007 8:32 PM | Link to this
DOB:
Does the All-Star game mean anything anymore? I mean the best players don’t play, just the most famous. It’s a joke. Fan voting was the dumbest idea any MLB marketer ever hatched in his hare brain.
By emo
June 26, 2007 8:33 PM | Link to this
Hmmm. What do I like best about “country music”? Is it
a) trite lyrics
b) three chords played over and over
c) that yodel-like twang
By Bob
June 26, 2007 8:33 PM | Link to this
Sheeeesh,
sheeeeeesh!!!
By bench all babies
June 26, 2007 8:34 PM | Link to this
Now these guys are whining about a game’s time being changed.I think BC needs to check the estrogen levels of some of the cry babies on this team.
By The Grinch
June 26, 2007 8:35 PM | Link to this
CMC, I know you didn’t ask me but I’ll respond anyway. I love classic country. “New” country (almost anything recorded after 1982) makes me want to light myself on fire. However, Alison Krauss singing Whitley’s “When You Say Nothing at All” darn near makes me revert to the fetal position (in a good way). If you’ve got her number, do me a solid and hook a Grinch up. :-)
By OVERLORD
June 26, 2007 8:36 PM | Link to this
Mets r still struggling, i dont care if they have won some of their last games, they r clearly still struggling, hope we take advantage of it, its not late. Go braves…… Keep it up gang, we r gonna get our east flag back. Remember my words. BE POSITIVE (even if andrew is in the lineup).
By Salty
June 26, 2007 8:36 PM | Link to this
Sheesh I like Escobar a lot, but not over either Salty (for obvious reasons!) or McCann. No way, but hey…so we disagree…it’s blog thing. Oooh…maybe that’s a T-shirt winner!
By OVERLORD
June 26, 2007 8:40 PM | Link to this
That was not jeffs fault…… just perfect throw, unable to beat that if u r not ricky henderson or vince coleman. Carlyle has not been pitching bad, in fact he has been ok besides the game against bosox.
By Bert Lance
June 26, 2007 8:40 PM | Link to this
Grinch, you seem rather knowledgeable about the places to troll. How long you had the hots for Gordon and Benwah?
By bench all babies
June 26, 2007 8:43 PM | Link to this
Daddy the schedule’s not fair,it hurts,he said bad things about me,but I don’t want to play at night !!These guys will be in diapers by august at this rate.
By The Truth Hurts
June 26, 2007 8:43 PM | Link to this
The 22 year old, switch-hitting catcher with power and a good arm shouldn’t be traded? Really? The same guy who looked comfortable at the plate the very first time he stepped in the box at this level? The guy who usually gets two of the Braves’ five hits on a night Cox feels whimsical and plays him?
Hey, look, Bacsik is shutting us down. Truly surprising.
My Einsteinian grasp of reality wants to know how much AJ’s .210-.220/20-22HR/80-85RBIs will command in the winter? There should be a blog raffle on this. Closest to the number gets…
Who wins in a cage match: N8 or B9?
Remember, let’s not trade one of the four guys on our team that actually hits. When he plays.
By Josh C
June 26, 2007 8:43 PM | Link to this
Mac has to make contact on that ball. First strikeout of the game on a very hittable pitch for two outs. Pathetic.
By OVERLORD
June 26, 2007 8:43 PM | Link to this
right there……..trading offense for defense (salty vs thorman).
By Tomahawkin
June 26, 2007 8:44 PM | Link to this
My take on the All-star Thang is if Huddy Had not had 3 games blown for him and a lil more run support he’d easily be 9-3, but other than that I casted my votes, We need to get Edgar in there For Real…
By The Grinch
June 26, 2007 8:45 PM | Link to this
If he was so bloody obviously out at 1st, even to the coaches and fans who “had a better view than the umpire,” why the hell didn’t anyone come out and argue?
By sheesh
June 26, 2007 8:45 PM | Link to this
LOL, Bob has a thing for N8. It must be loooovvveeee !!! Sad when you agree with N8. A mind is a terrible thing to waste.
Berigan, N8 changes his tune with every pitch. Don’t rely on him to stick by any of his fool-spewing comments any longer than 10 minutes.
By N8
June 26, 2007 8:45 PM | Link to this
sheesh
“N8 once again has proven he knows nothing about baseball with his lineup.”
OK. Unless your last name is Lasorda. Then I bow to you. Genius of all things baseball.
“Harris is not a CF”
Andruw isn’t a hitter, either. But that hasn’t stopped Cox from putting him in the lineup, not to mention the CLEANUP spot, while batting .196.
“Cox is not going to stick KJ in left on a whim”
Although, I didn’t actually state it, I was suggesting this lineup for NEXT YEAR after Andruw is gone. Because we all know that if Andruw showed up to the stadium with his fist up his……. He would still be in the lineup. How do we know this? Because since last June, he’s shown up to the stadium with his head there.
“Dude seems to think that defense doesn’t matter.”
Yeah. Because since his hand injury, McCann has been outstanding at 2B. Escobar makes Renteria’s arm look like a noodle. Kelly has surpassed my expectations at 2B, but he’s not gonna make anybody think he’s Joe Morgan anytime soon. Thorman has the range of a tree stump. The kid actually makes me pine for the days when Klesko got the occasional start at 1B…YIKES.
Berigan
“N8, I thought you were ok with trading Salty!”
What gave you that idea? I’d trade Salty for Dan Haren, or Brandon Webb. NOT Mark Buehrle or Dontrelle Willis. In fact, I’d damn near disagree with giving up Escobar for either of those guys (Buehrle or Willis).
I’d give up McCann before I would give up Salty, and I love McCann. McCann plays the game right. But I have a feeling that over the next 10 years, he’s gonna remind us of Chipper at the plate. Just my opinion, nothing more. he very well could end up reminding us of Langerhans. Especially if he keeps playing 1B the way he has been.
Then again, if they (Bobby and JS) REALLY want him to play at 1B, then he should be sent down to learn how to do so. Also, just my opinion.
By David O'Brien
June 26, 2007 8:48 PM | Link to this
Uh, we’ve now at least got a platoon at 1B, I’d imagine.
By Bob
June 26, 2007 8:48 PM | Link to this
OVERLORD,
Right, I kind of like trading offense for defense at this moment.
By chrisklob
June 26, 2007 8:49 PM | Link to this
WOuld someone please tell me again why Salty isn’t playing every game? I know his defense is suspect, mainly because of inexperience, but Thor doesn’t exactly look like Laroche over there either.
By Caleb
June 26, 2007 8:49 PM | Link to this
It sure would be nice to HAVE SOME FREAKING RUNNERS ON BASE FOR SALTY!!!!
By Josh C
June 26, 2007 8:49 PM | Link to this
OK I’ll take Johan Santana and a prospect for Salty. For god’s sake Bobby put this man in the middle of the order for the next ten years!
By No Trade
June 26, 2007 8:49 PM | Link to this
Anybody still want to trade Salty?
By OVERLORD
June 26, 2007 8:50 PM | Link to this
HEY BOBBY COX CHECK IT OUT, TAKE A GOOD LOOK AT YOUR CLEANUP HITTER. SALTY COULD SAVE YOUR AZZ. 2HR AND COUNTING. ANDREW LEARN SOMETHING FROM THE ROOKIE.
By Stinky
June 26, 2007 8:50 PM | Link to this
Two homers in one night. Time for Bobby to sit Salty.
By Tomahawkin' Again
June 26, 2007 8:50 PM | Link to this
Let’s get that Salty write-in vote started!
By PaBravefan
June 26, 2007 8:51 PM | Link to this
Salty just hit his second blast of the night! Crushed to left field! DO NOT TRADE THIS KID!! Put him a 1st and leave him there! Remember he is a switch hitter! Can hit lefty’s and righty’s!
By David O'Brien
June 26, 2007 8:52 PM | Link to this
That’s FOUR HOMERS in 39 at-bats vs. lefties for Salty in the majors.
By Savannah Guy
June 26, 2007 8:52 PM | Link to this
Sheesh Sez “N8 once again has proven he knows nothing about baseball with his lineup. Trust this: he is the only one impressed with his line-up.”
Sheesh, sheesh…it must be great to know so much about what the Braves need and what the lineup ought to be. Did you kick the cat after writing that? Maybe you should go replace Shurholtz. Or Gilbert Godfrey.
I didn’t agree with all that N8 had in his lineup, I think we all have our own perspective, but he made some reasonable points and suggestions. Certainly no reason to throw an insult. But then with a moniker like “sheesh”, I guess throwing insults is your stock in trade.
By the way, I guess Salty just hit his second home run…so how many runs will he cost the Braves tonight?
By Tomahawkin
June 26, 2007 8:53 PM | Link to this
Yeah Salty, Thats what I wanna see, now If we can get some runners on ahead of these dingers…
By The Grinch
June 26, 2007 8:54 PM | Link to this
See, this is the kind of %$#% that makes me really mad at Hampton. If he was filling the 3 spot we could trim the dead weight off this team and keep Salty and Escobar. I’m starting to think we ought to anyway.
By N8
June 26, 2007 8:54 PM | Link to this
OVERLORD
“right there……..trading offense for defense (salty vs thorman).”
I don’t disagree with you. At this point Salty seems like a liability at 1B, but that could be fixed with some CONSISTANT work over there.
Having said that….
THAT right there (Salty’s 2nd HR), is WHY we should be willing to trade his offense for his occasional mental lapse at 1B. Thorman has no range at 1B and he can’t hit as well as Salty.
No brainer if you ask me, and YES, I am willing to let Salty grow at 1B before our eyes. The kid seems like a good athlete with a good head on his shoulders. If given the chance and told that THAT IS WHERE HE’S GONNA PLAY, I suspect he’d work as hard as KJ did las off-season to make it right.
By Caleb
June 26, 2007 8:54 PM | Link to this
I know, I know, small sample size or whatnot, but it’s pretty darn hard to not think that we’ve already found our man at 1stbase. Why trade for anyone to play 1st when Salty looks like he’ll be as good or better than anyone we could trade for???
By OVERLORD
June 26, 2007 8:56 PM | Link to this
Hey bob—— i do too……. hehehe I told u……..stay positive….good times will arrive, we have talent, it just is sleeping like a volcano.
By David O'Brien
June 26, 2007 8:57 PM | Link to this
Also gives Salty a .361 average (22-for-61) and four homers as a position player (catcher or first baseman)
By N8
June 26, 2007 8:57 PM | Link to this
IAFT!
By chrisklob
June 26, 2007 8:57 PM | Link to this
That was Andruw’ first 3-run homer since the Einsenhower administration.
By PaBravefan
June 26, 2007 8:58 PM | Link to this
AJ hits 3 run shot, maybe now he will get going on that tear we are all waiting for! About Freaking TIme!
By Bob
June 26, 2007 8:58 PM | Link to this
Sheeesh,
Son, you don’t have a clue. Because I agree with N8 when I think he is right I will say so. Hell, I have even found one time over the past 3 weeks to agree with Robert, albeit surely by coincidence. But you think that we should keep Escobar and trade either McCann or Salty???? If you say something that makes sense, I might even agree with you.
By A-ville Ranger
June 26, 2007 8:58 PM | Link to this
over-L I think before the season’s over Salty will be the better defensive 1st baseman as well.That was nice of that man to pitch where Andruw could it hit to left.
By Stephen
June 26, 2007 8:59 PM | Link to this
ANDRUW JONES HIT A HOMERUN,
OMG
By Steve from OH
June 26, 2007 8:59 PM | Link to this
Grinch Sounds sweet, dude. I’m thinking of buying a Jackson, or the ESP Kirk Hammett model (as a lefty, my options are limited). Salty is a beast. I wonder what we can get if we package Thor with someone?
By Tomahawkin' Again
June 26, 2007 9:00 PM | Link to this
Andruw just hit a 3-run HR. That Andruw Jones?!? I just grabbed a Bible and turned to Revelations to see if that is one of the signs of the end of the world.
By OVERLORD
June 26, 2007 9:01 PM | Link to this
Guess andrew felt the pressure just like chipper did……only that salty didnt talked with his mouth as john did.
By Tomahawkin
June 26, 2007 9:01 PM | Link to this
Yeah “Grinch” Hampton has really Violated us over the last couple of years…
Oh yea, talking about deadweight how the hell is Woodward still on the team?
By Tomahawkin
June 26, 2007 9:03 PM | Link to this
Andruw, Bout damn time, now keep that same approach for the rest of the season, and we’re money…
Why is it that we can only kick a-s..s on the Gnats, but we can’t hang with the Big Boys in the league…?
By The Truth Hurts
June 26, 2007 9:03 PM | Link to this
Hey, this Salty guy is pretty good. Wonder if that’s been said on this blog before…in response to a desire to trade him for help THIS year?
Like I’ve said before, what’s wrong w/ not making the playoffs this year in exchange for keeping the young core of this team together? Nothing.
I think AJ should use a heavier bat. HR notwithstanding.
I think KJ p** Cox off somehow last weekend against Detroit. Do we have a platoon at 2nd now, too?
I think Thorman has made some really good plays at 1st in the last few weeks and isn’t getting credit for that. He still plays Paul Bunyan with the bat, unfortunately.
By chrisklob
June 26, 2007 9:03 PM | Link to this
Memo to BC: Please don’t let Buddy stay out there too long tonight. You have a good bull pen. Please use it accordingly.
By Josh C
June 26, 2007 9:04 PM | Link to this
Those last two swings by Andruw have been textbook- nose on the ball, throw the head of the bat at the baseball. Man it would be huge if he was getting his head right tonight. Carlyle looks like a very viable 4-5 starter. So he got shelled by Boston. How many bottom rotation guys don’t get smoked by those guys for God’s sake?
By sheesh
June 26, 2007 9:04 PM | Link to this
Salty is the latest flavor of the month. He has been a shining star on a team with little to get excited about (except for the cat fight between Smoltz and Chipper). But you folks are being wooed by the sexy young thang that just walked in the bar. Francoeur was drawing the same kind of praise a couple of years ago, now everyone is over him. (BTW, according to N8, Francoeur is no better than a 7-hole hitter next year — the mountain of evidence is building against you, bud).
Not saying Salty is not good — he is obviously a solid prospect. But he is worth more as trade bait today than he will be if he plays every day for the Braves.
A new love is a good love — just ask Bob and N8.
By N8
June 26, 2007 9:04 PM | Link to this
sheesh
“Berigan, N8 changes his tune with every pitch. Don’t rely on him to stick by any of his fool-spewing comments any longer than 10 minutes.”
Alright A-hole.
I might babble at times, I may overuse sarcasm and negativity for some people’s taste, I may even bog the blog down with the occasional LONG WINDED post.
But time for you to do your homework.
Find me a post of mine where I have stated that I’d be willing to trade Salty for ANYTHING less then a CY Young caliber (RIGHT NOW) pitcher to put in the #2 spot of our rotation.
If you can find one, I’ll appologize. Believe me, I’m not worried about having to appologize about it.
In fact, you might remember that DOB actually ripped my a$$ about a month ago, when I suggested trading McCann to make room for Salty.
YUP. I’ve changed my mind every ten minutes on that one.
I believe I have been consistant in my displeasure in AJ….SINCE LAST JULY!
Spew on my friend. Let me know what I’ve gone back and forth on. Apparently your knowledge of the English language is around the same level that you assume my baseball knowledge is.
I’ve been accused FAR TOO OFTEN of going all ROBERT on a subject. Does that seem like somebody who changes his mind?
Thanks for playing, though.
By Savannah Guy
June 26, 2007 9:05 PM | Link to this
Savannah Guy, brilliant 4:07 post if I don’t say so myself. I couldn’t have said it any better. Hey, it’s a totally different, out of the box idea, but who knows…it might work. Andruw does seem to need a paradigm shifting experience. I’m just surprised you didn’t get ridiculed or congratulated for such a crazy post. I guess the regular denizens were just too busy with thier own stuff. Sometimes they just don’t read…they write. But keep it up. Adds a little color to the usual stuff.
Or…since Andruw just hit a three run homer, maybe the slump is finally over, the monkee’s off his back, the perfect storm has blown by….
Nah. Send him to Curacao. A change’ll do him good.
By Caleb
June 26, 2007 9:06 PM | Link to this
Andruw’s hitting .333!!! Oh wait, that’s just for this game.
I’ll take the 3-run homer from him right now, that’s for darn sure. Hell, I’d have taken a single from him right then.
By OVERLORD
June 26, 2007 9:08 PM | Link to this
by the way, phillies r not struggling, they r kkkkkicking a22 2night
By JJMB
June 26, 2007 9:08 PM | Link to this
Watch. Even if Salty hits 4 HRS tonight, Bobby will find a way to bench him tomorrow.
By bruce
June 26, 2007 9:09 PM | Link to this
B Mac… that is the swing I am used to seeing!
By Bert Lance
June 26, 2007 9:09 PM | Link to this
The most prominent dead weight in BravesNation is resting between Grinch’s ears.
By OVERLORD
June 26, 2007 9:11 PM | Link to this
does anyone has the numbers on carlyle 4 last starts combined taking out the one against boston? i would say its not far from tims numbers……..i might be wrong, but i would double check
By N8
June 26, 2007 9:12 PM | Link to this
Truth Hurts
“Like I’ve said before, what’s wrong w/ not making the playoffs this year in exchange for keeping the young core of this team together? Nothing.”
FINALLY. Somebody who gets it. I’ve been saying the same thing for a month. I’m afraid that JS’s ego will get in the way of ever allowing that to happen.
I hope I’m wrong.
But I agree with you. This NL is so weak, why not give it a go with what we got, or maybe make some minor trades to shore up the bench and rotation. Then come September, give these kids the reigns, to prepare for next year.
I have ZERO probelem with that.
Of course, I’m kinda wishy/washy, so I’ll probably change my mind by the 8th inning. :-)
By OVERLORD
June 26, 2007 9:14 PM | Link to this
Muts r losing……way to go. Chargeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!
By JasonInMaine
June 26, 2007 9:15 PM | Link to this
Salty and the Braves are giving me a good b-day present tonight!!
By The Grinch
June 26, 2007 9:17 PM | Link to this
Now I feel like a d-bag myself; I’ve got Andruw on the bench tonight on my fantasy team in favor of Juan Pierre. Oops. DOB, Salty may have 4 HR’s in 39 ab’s as a lefty, but think of how many of his outs from that side have been deep drives to center that were caught at the wall. Those will become homers with experience, IMO.
Steve, you can’t go wrong with a Jackson, and the Kirk Hammett model is the one I plugged in with today. Very, very similar to the Hanneman one (almost got it instead ‘cause it was in stock). The Kirk has a reverse headstock and skull and crossbones inlays instead of Slayer/Roman eagles; otherwise they’re almost the same, pickups and all. I just like the feel of the JH better and also he hasn’t sold out while Hammett has. :-)
By Old Lefty
June 26, 2007 9:17 PM | Link to this
Worst of all possible … ‘druw layin’ in the chaise … two on … whack … all bad habits reinforced.
Love the lead. Let him go.
By OVERLORD
June 26, 2007 9:17 PM | Link to this
I wouldnt sit salty for defensive purposes, not if the games is not close….. he needs to be in there late in the game and thorman needs total rest also-
By N8
June 26, 2007 9:18 PM | Link to this
“(BTW, according to N8, Francoeur is no better than a 7-hole hitter next year — the mountain of evidence is building against you, bud).”
WHERE would you hit him? Leadoff?
That’s great. See if the opposing pitcher can get through EVERY 1st inning by using less than 5 pitches.
NOW I get it! Your last name is Cox. NOTHING else could explain you thinking a guy like Francoeur belongs in the 4-5 spot of the order. Let me guess, you have NO PROBLEM with Andruw in the cleanup spot?
You don’t have to answer, I already know the answer.
By OVERLORD
June 26, 2007 9:20 PM | Link to this
hey matt…. dont ruin the night please……. we love ya but play with heart for the love of the lord.
By N8
June 26, 2007 9:20 PM | Link to this
Come on BOBBY! Diaz in LF? “Dude seems to think that defense doesn’t matter.”
:-)
By Caleb
June 26, 2007 9:20 PM | Link to this
Braves are facing another lefty tomorrow. Saly’s gotta be starting again. Right???
By bruce
June 26, 2007 9:21 PM | Link to this
lets start a chant…. Buddy, Buddy, Buddy, Buddy… seven solid innings!
By David O'Brien
June 26, 2007 9:21 PM | Link to this
CMC, you gotta try James Hand (closest thing in decades to Hank 1) and Dale Watson (lot of George Jones in him).
You obviously have plenty of Yoakam, right? Shooter Jennings (Waylon’s son) and Hank III are awful good, too. Try Hank III’s Straight to Hell.
And a great, great overlooked band is The Wrights, a husband-wife duet from Georgia. Great sound on their debut album a couple or three years back.
By Bob, Journalist
June 26, 2007 9:23 PM | Link to this
Time for everyon to jum on Matt’s defensive play … all together now, 1, 2, 3 …
Nathan, working backwards … I see the old pessimist reacted quite strongly and defended his honor. Your skin’s thicker than that … what’s going on?
By Bob, Journalist
June 26, 2007 9:23 PM | Link to this
Time for everyone to jump on Matt’s defensive play … all together now, 1, 2, 3 …
Nathan, working backwards … I see the old pessimist reacted quite strongly and defended his honor. Your skin’s thicker than that … what’s going on?
By Fred Secunda
June 26, 2007 9:24 PM | Link to this
I don’t think it’s fair to utilize Johnson in a platoon role. By that logic, let’s promote Brandon Jones and have him platoon with Francoeur in right.
By N8
June 26, 2007 9:25 PM | Link to this
JasonInMaine
Happy Birthday.
By Ron Roberts
June 26, 2007 9:26 PM | Link to this
That also makes 3 errors by Saltalamacchia at 1B. The boy can hit, but his defense at 1B is down-right scary, too.
Nice AB by Andruw, and not just because he hit a homer. He worked the count in his favor and took advantage. Hope that’s a sign.
Carlyle looks good tonight, too. Really, he’s only had the one bad start. Of his other five (including tonight) he’s been decent-to-good.
By N8
June 26, 2007 9:27 PM | Link to this
JasonInMaine
Better wait on that Happy Birthday.
I changed my mind.
I hope your Birthday sucks.
By A-ville Ranger
June 26, 2007 9:27 PM | Link to this
Here’s the contract numbers of MLB with ESPN.2007-293.5 million,that comes to $9’783’333 per team.For that these guys should be willing to miss a couple hours sleep without whining.
By BravesFanInRockies
June 26, 2007 9:27 PM | Link to this
Much of the year (before they hit the AL buzzsaw anyway) the Braves have played better against good teams than bad ones.
Now, for two games at least they’re beating up on a bad one — and for the next couple of weeks they’re playing some mediocre clubs.
This would be a very nice time to right the ship, as it were.
By MBATL
June 26, 2007 9:29 PM | Link to this
Fred Secunda, what’s “unfair” about platooning KJ? I’m not saying I’m for it… kind a new concept… but what’s unfair about it?
By BravesFanInRockies
June 26, 2007 9:30 PM | Link to this
And if as DOB hinted Bobby is deploying a platoon at 2B to give Escobar more at bats, that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
KJ was out an entire season with that elbow injury. It’s expecting a lot for him to be effective at a new position for 150 games. Give him a rest so he’ll be fresh later in the season.
By N8
June 26, 2007 9:32 PM | Link to this
JasonInMaine
Dude I’m sorry. I changed my mind again. (I’m like that sometimes).
I hope your Birthday is Great!
Happy Birthday.
Bob, Journalist
I normally would let it go. If somebody wants to argue “baseball” that’s fine. I’ll do it all night. If somebody wants to throw insult “jabs”, I’ll take part of that as well.
But if you’re gonna slam somebody, at least know your subject your slamming.
Calling me somebody who goes “back and forth” is like saying DOB’s favorite band is Whitesnake. It just aint’ true.
Call me what you want. But I pick a stance and I RIDE IT until everybody is sick of hearing it.
That’s all.
By Albert, Particle Physicist
June 26, 2007 9:34 PM | Link to this
Bob, Journalist:
You cynic you ….. so smart!!!
What were you thinking when you decided on that moniker???
By Josh C
June 26, 2007 9:35 PM | Link to this
Fred if any AAA player can come up here and hit righties at a .320 clip with pop, then hell yeah we’ll platoon Francoeur! Look at Escobar’s last at bat. Can’t let that kid get a*-splinters…
By Bob
June 26, 2007 9:35 PM | Link to this
Cards 3-1 in 8th
By Josh C
June 26, 2007 9:36 PM | Link to this
And there’s the old swing back from Druw. Maddening.
By Carolina Lady
June 26, 2007 9:40 PM | Link to this
I told you starter fluid works.
By JJMB
June 26, 2007 9:40 PM | Link to this
Grinchy, I’m glad we aren’t neighbors. There would be trouble 8^)
By Bob
June 26, 2007 9:41 PM | Link to this
Ron Roberts,
I am not sure, but I thought one of those 3 errors was behind the plate. And, if the ump had gotten the call right at 1st, that would not have been an error either.
By SourPatchKid
June 26, 2007 9:42 PM | Link to this
DOB,
They just showed Jon Sciambi on the tv. Dude looks ripped. Is he that big of a guy?
By N8
June 26, 2007 9:42 PM | Link to this
Ron Roberts
“That also makes 3 errors by Saltalamacchia at 1B. The boy can hit, but his defense at 1B is down-right scary, too.”
Don’t agree with you at all. But in all fairness to the kid, he’s been thrown to the wolves (as far as live game situations) at 1B. Never been given 3 games in a row at 1B (if my memory serves me correct).
Yet, in the offseason, the Braves expected KJ (a former middle infielder/coverted to an OF), to spend EVERY DAY with Hubbard working on his footwork taking ground balls.
I won’t expect ANYTHING defensively out of Salty, until he’s given the opportunity to play there everyday.
Just my opinion…..for now.
By Bob
June 26, 2007 9:43 PM | Link to this
Uh oh, Russ Springer on the mound for the Cards in the 8th.
By Josh C
June 26, 2007 9:44 PM | Link to this
Dunno N8, saying that you like to “pick a stance and ride it” sounds a bit Brokeback dude. Pretty sure I’ve instructed a loose young lady to do just that more than a few times…
By A-ville Ranger
June 26, 2007 9:46 PM | Link to this
I’ll say again,Yeats and Moylan are keepers.Regardless of who else we have in the pen,those two will be useful.
By OVERLORD
June 26, 2007 9:46 PM | Link to this
what scares me is that if we didnt hit a hr we would be losing 1-0 to the nats…. thats not good.
By Ron Roberts
June 26, 2007 9:47 PM | Link to this
Anybody else curious as to why we went with Yates tonight instead of Soriano?
Raffy’s had a few bumps of late; I’d like to see him work ‘em out, personally, unless he’s not feeling right.
Hell, maybe Yates is being showcased. But I hope to hell not! I’ve liked this kid from the day we brought him up.
By OVERLORD
June 26, 2007 9:48 PM | Link to this
well gang its now oficial, BRIAN IS BACK!!!!!
By chrisklob
June 26, 2007 9:48 PM | Link to this
As the quote by Thomas Henry Huxley roughly states, if you leave a hundred monkeys in front of a hundred typewriters for a hundred years, eventually you’d get a Shakespearean sonnet.
That being said, and after watching AJ’s last at bat, it makes you wonder if that home run swing was more luck rather than skill. Didn’t someone famous once say “Swing hard, in case you hit it”?
Even Rafael Belliard hit two homeruns in his career.
I’m not going to get too excited about AJ coming out of his slump (slump? Isn’t that an understatement?) until he starts making consistent contact with the baseball and stops looking silly striking out.
By A-ville Ranger
June 26, 2007 9:50 PM | Link to this
I like the adjustment by McCann on that double.If he can keep doing that,he’ll be ok.
By The Grinch
June 26, 2007 9:53 PM | Link to this
Boog showing off his pythons was hilarious. SourPatchKid, I wouldn’t exactly call him ripped; he displays much of the same physical qualities as myself; one can have lots of muscle and lots of bodyfat at the same time. He certainly doesn’t have any veins sticking out.
JJMB, being mutual Braves fans I’m sure we could come to some sort of equitable arrangement; if we have differing tastes in music we could cut high card to see which nights I plugged the headphones into my amp.
By N8
June 26, 2007 9:53 PM | Link to this
Ron Roberts
I started my last post out to with:
“Don’t agree with you at all.”
Obviously, I meant to say diagree.
Typo. NOT a “change of mind”. :-)
Josh C
“saying that you like to “pick a stance and ride it” sounds a bit Brokeback dude.”
How’s the old saying go?
“A rat smells it’s own hole”.
Seems to apply here, don’t you think?
By Bob
June 26, 2007 9:54 PM | Link to this
Hope McCann is ok with that ankle.
By Braveheart
June 26, 2007 9:56 PM | Link to this
They just showed Jon Sciambi on the tv. Dude looks ripped. Is he that big of a guy?
A little man love coming from the sour patch.
By OVERLORD
June 26, 2007 9:57 PM | Link to this
Brian will not play tomorrow….and he should be taken out of the game right now or it could get uglier.
By Josh C
June 26, 2007 9:58 PM | Link to this
Doesn’t seem that I’m the one looking to sniff holes…
By Salty
June 26, 2007 9:59 PM | Link to this
Chrisklob …it makes you wonder if that home run swing was more luck rather than skill. Hmmm…sometimes the bat hits the ball…other times the ball hits the bat! In very short time, we’ll know!
I like what , I think it was the Angel’s Weaver, who said when he had a hit in inter-league last week. When asked, he said there were no hits in his body, it was pure luck!
By Atlanta Braves stadium authority
June 26, 2007 9:59 PM | Link to this
4 shattered bats tonight. For the life of me,I can’t understand why Bud Selig won’t get off his brains and force the bat manufacturers to build stronger bats with thicker handles.It’s really simple.Why is nothing being done?Someone is going to get killed or severely injured by these flying projectiles.It’s ridiculous.
By Ron Roberts
June 26, 2007 10:00 PM | Link to this
You’re right N8… two errors 1B and throw in the misplayed bounce in Minnesota. His other error was at C. But he’s still not the best defensive option at 1B, either. Love his bat; scared of his glove at 1B.
That’s my opinion and you’re welcome to completely disagree with me. He needs to learn the position, and I’m just not comfortable with OJT in the MLB. :)
Fortunately, the gaffe didn’t hurt us, and I’m hoping that in late-and-close situations, Bobby will sub for him. I’d be more comfortable with him playing the position every day if he’d worked the position in the offseason and/or had gotten some more time playing it in the minors. But that’s all hindsight, now.
By Old Lefty
June 26, 2007 10:00 PM | Link to this
Where ……. I ask you ALL ….
would we be without Brian McCann?????
By Josh C
June 26, 2007 10:04 PM | Link to this
Braveheart your last remark was classic…
Wonder what Bobby would do if B-Mac had to go down for a couple weeks, and Salty hit .325 with a few dingers while throwing out 40% ? Would be interesting to say the least…
By Ron Roberts
June 26, 2007 10:06 PM | Link to this
Cool, N8. No worries.
By Lew
June 26, 2007 10:08 PM | Link to this
Sheesh-Nathan may be a tad overbearing at times and may need a larger dose of his meds every now and then, but Dude, you don’t seem to have a flippin clue and are apparently a Bagger of the highest degree. Grinch-Your bench players stats count, too.
By Todd A
June 26, 2007 10:09 PM | Link to this
Jeez.It’s never,ever easy with these guys.
By keylargo25
June 26, 2007 10:11 PM | Link to this
Has anyone else noticed how much AJ is starting to look like Ray King? Really, maybe not exactly alike but you can see AJ will have a Ray King like body with his conditioning program coupled with his noted pre and post game spread grazing.
On another AJ subject, what would anyone have guessed Chipper would be hitting if you knew it was 121 points higher than Andruw?
By chrisklob
June 26, 2007 10:11 PM | Link to this
Salty, only time will tell. Andruw has looked a little better lately. As I recall, he has drawn a couple of walks in the past few days. Let’s hope he’s coming out of it.
Atlanta Braves Stadium Authority, I’m sure they are made that way because that’s how the players want them. FWIW, I agree with you. My daughter was hit by a broken bat about three years ago at a minor league game. She was getting ready to go on the field for a between-innings promotion so she wasn’t right next to my wife and I. The bat shattered, and the business end went flying, end-over-end into the crowd. She was hit with the barrel end on the upper arm, which left a horrible looking whelp and bruise, and on the side of the head with the broken end, which also left a bruise. Thankfully she wasn’t seriously hurt, but it was only by the grace of God (sorry to bring up religion DOB) that she wasn’t impaled or had something broken, or worse. It is amazing the horrible thoughts of potential injury that went thru my head in the few seconds it took me to reach her side.
By OVERLORD
June 26, 2007 10:12 PM | Link to this
$%”·%”%!” muts tied the game in the 9th……i hate them. $%”$·%!·$%·!%
By ElbravoX-- EbX
June 26, 2007 10:12 PM | Link to this
shaka!
By Lew
June 26, 2007 10:15 PM | Link to this
Grinch-Did you see the other night when Gant showed his guns? Damn, it’s a real good thing that Dude doesn’t have to pass one of Uncle Bud’s little p!$$ tests. He is pumped to the max. He’s so big a bat would look like a toothpick in his hands.
By JJMB
June 26, 2007 10:15 PM | Link to this
I don’t know Grinchy. You’re a cool dude, brother, but start messing with my sleep… that’s another world.
There was this one guy, living in his uncle’s house down the road from me. Decided the garage was a great place for band practice. One day he was walking by my garage while I was cleaning my S+W model 66. I made sure he saw the weapon was clean, and dry-fired smoothly. Not so many problems after that.
There are other stories.
By Bob
June 26, 2007 10:17 PM | Link to this
Mets tie it up in 9th…going to the 10th
By Savannah Guy
June 26, 2007 10:17 PM | Link to this
and Willy used 2 hands to catch the final out. Fundamentally sound. Nice…a roll is on.
By OVERLORD
June 26, 2007 10:19 PM | Link to this
i was wondering…..how come matt drops a ball and he is benched….andrew kkkkkkkkkks 1000 times and is still batting 4th. Not fair as far as i know… same stick to measure every player bobby please…….
By ElbravoX-- EbX
June 26, 2007 10:21 PM | Link to this
Salty and Escobar just played for a trade— and we’ll get rentals for them. Economics suck!
By Arthur Blank
June 26, 2007 10:21 PM | Link to this
Savannah Guy, Brilliant4:07. How would you like to come work for the Falcons?
By Todd A
June 26, 2007 10:24 PM | Link to this
Selig need to have some cajones for once.This is an issue of public safety.^^Chris** thank goodness your daughter wasn’t seriously hurt.But,serious injury to a player or fan is going to happen sooner or later.We all know it.It seems like a simple problem to solve before something happens.
By Bob
June 26, 2007 10:25 PM | Link to this
OVERLORD,
That was a defensive move. Harris is a better defensive player. Diaz was not benched for that dropped ball.
By your phreaking daddy
June 26, 2007 10:29 PM | Link to this
in case you haven’t noticed db, none of the braves are playing at an all-star level this year… if the rest of the east wasn’t sucking just as bad, the bravos would be talking about next year already….
By Random Task
June 26, 2007 10:31 PM | Link to this
Salty reminds me a bit of Steve Bartkowski in interviews.The guy sure looks the part of a qb.While I’m on the subject of appearances,Ron Gant has really impressed me as a commentator,His bouncer physique belies his nice guy persona.By the way I also once had a body like Ron’s,then sadly… the alarm sounded.
By The Grinch
June 26, 2007 10:35 PM | Link to this
Thanks for that news, Lew, and thanks for dropping Andruw so I could pick him up. Also, Gant’s always been a gym rat; I doubt he’s been hitting the needle. He’s an excellent example of an average sized body type staying dedicated to being the best he can be through hard work.
JJMB, good choice. I honed my chops on a 686 w/a 6” barrel. Guns and guitars are two of my very favorite hobbies.
By Bob
June 26, 2007 10:37 PM | Link to this
Cards take lead in 11th. 4-3 after Ryan HR.
By rupert
June 26, 2007 10:37 PM | Link to this
DOB, why don’t you like the alternate red uni’s?
i’ll admit I would probably prefer a blue version, but they are not near as bad as what some teams are wearing out there.
u like the alternate caps?
By Gil in Mechanicsville
June 26, 2007 10:38 PM | Link to this
JasonInMaine Yo Bro, happy birthday, hope you had a great day….
By Savannah Guy
June 26, 2007 10:39 PM | Link to this
Carolina Lady Your 9:40 post said, “I told you starter fluid works.” I love it when you talk dirty. Is it hot in here?
Hey, I deer hunt over at Cherry Point, SC…I remember you’ve spent some time there. After the morning hunt it’s off to the Pink Pig for lowcountry BBQ. mmmm.
chrisklob Interesting 9:48 post…but I’ll add: To offer Huxley a counterpoint: You may just wind up with a typewriter that’s been dirty, greasy, pooped on and broken for 99 years, 11 months and 29 days. On the AJ HR: Blind hog stumbling over an acorn?
By Braveheart
June 26, 2007 10:43 PM | Link to this
man, i’m outta here for the night. just a tad too much homoeroticism going on in here tonight.
By Savannah Guy
June 26, 2007 10:44 PM | Link to this
Arthur Blank Your 10:21 post is tempting…but you’ll have to pay me big bucks to work the same insighful magic on Vick. I think maybe Tibet would be the place…no dogs.
By David O'Brien
June 26, 2007 10:45 PM | Link to this
Salty WILL start against tomorrow vs. LH Micah Bowie. Cox said so after game.
By JJMB
June 26, 2007 10:46 PM | Link to this
ooooo, a 686. In your case, I wouldn’t use such a brash strategy. More of a palaver would be in order. d:^>
By Carolina Lady
June 26, 2007 10:48 PM | Link to this
Read through this blog and you’ll find copious amounts of cursing, profanity, and thinly veiled, truly offensive sexual references more appropriate for a private or personal blog than a public forum such as this one.
Yet, one mention of “God” requires an apology.
This says a lot about Americans nowadays. As the song says, “How low can you go?”
By Kentavo
June 26, 2007 10:51 PM | Link to this
Thorman will get the start tomorrow - or maybe Woodward, who drove in a run!
By Ron Roberts
June 26, 2007 10:51 PM | Link to this
I wish the alternate uni’s were the navy blue jerseys the Braves wear in the spring, myself. The alt-reds just look so “neon” to me.
By rupert
June 26, 2007 10:55 PM | Link to this
well andruw just bought himself atleast another 3 weeks in the cleanup hole…
By Bob
June 26, 2007 10:58 PM | Link to this
Final from Shea, Cards 5 Mets 3
By Todd A
June 26, 2007 10:59 PM | Link to this
I knew Andruw had been horrible during this stretch,but no extra base hits from June 7th through June 25th?And he was benched for one game.One.As a manager,how can you justify this absurd show of loyalty?
By A-ville Ranger
June 26, 2007 10:59 PM | Link to this
I watched BC interviewed after the game tonight.It’s amazing,after all the bs of the past couple of months.He’s still BC,always the same.I’m reminded of Rudyard Kipling’s poem IF. I can’t think of anybody who personifies the words of that poem more than Bobby.To my way of thinking that is high praise indeed.
By JJMB
June 26, 2007 11:09 PM | Link to this
Well, don’t worry about it too much, Carolina Lady. In 100 years most “Americans” will be hitting their knees 5 times a day worshipping Allah, thanks to our spineless government.
Thank God I’ll be gone by then.
By Gil in Mechanicsville
June 26, 2007 11:15 PM | Link to this
Carolina Lady Amen…
By Robert (Justice Is The Best)
June 26, 2007 11:17 PM | Link to this
At this point I would say that Escobar is more likely to be traded than Salty and that is why he is being showcased at 2B. I think trading Escobar is risky simply because of Chipper’s fragile state. If Escobar is traded and Chipper gets hurt, who would the Braves be able to turn to? I suppose they could play Willie Harris at 3B and promote Brandon Jones to platoon with Diaz in LF. As crazy as it sounds, Salty is more expendable simply because if he is traded and McCann gets hurt the Braves have Brayan Pena. Yeah, Pena isn’t the optimal choice but has shown in the past he can play and play well for a few weeks if he needs to.
And, if Escobar is playing 2B so he can showcased, that all the more leads me to believe that the Braves are interested in Buhrle. Igucci for the White Sox will be a free agent after this season and is likely gone. Perhaps, Kenny Williams envisions Escobar as his future 2B. I also could see the Astros, Pirates, and A’s as possible teams looking at Escobar as a 2B.
By Savannah Guy
June 26, 2007 11:20 PM | Link to this
Carolina Lady I truly hope you are not referring to my last post to you as being offensive. Admittedly, it was a bit sexual in nature, but innocent. Certainly it was not veiled or intentionally offensive…promise. But if you were offended, please forgive, as nothing untoward was intended at all. It does get a bit like a locker room in here at times. That’s not a justification…just a fact.
I agree with your comment about the mentioning of God as being something that people are expected to apologize for today in America, but don’t let your heart be troubled. We won’t ever apologize.
By geauxbraves2000
June 26, 2007 11:24 PM | Link to this
Amen, CL.
Geaux Braves!!
By Carolina Lady
June 26, 2007 11:27 PM | Link to this
Hi, Gil, I’ve returned your greetings from several blogs back, but I think we’ve always missed each other somehow. Anyhow, just wanted to let you know I appreciate your Howdy and am sending one back! :-)
By Jimbo
June 26, 2007 11:28 PM | Link to this
Two Salty Slams….Oh Baby!
By Bob, Journalist
June 26, 2007 11:30 PM | Link to this
Savanah, brilliant post if I don’t say so myself … and I thought I was the only one!
Nate, I would agree with you on the personal appraisal, Goodness!
However, were I to follow your “If you’re gonna slam somebody, at least know your subject” advice, none of my blather would ever see the light of day.
Albert; succinct one, I decided on Bob, primarily because it was easy for others to spell but also because my son wanted to be known as Robert … it’s not an acronym like teoa. For what reason was the “Albert” selected?
Had you capitalized “cynic”, I might be inclined to at least directionally agree but since it ain’t, I’m not!
Everyone selfish and motivated by greed? … goodness no, I don’t believe that!
Had you said I thought we were all a bit more concerned with our own self-importance than perhaps we should, then maybe … but methinks that is a specialized subset of “selfish” and so thinking is not being cynical.
I think too that we all want so badly for the Braves to do well that we’re easily seduced by wins and loses … and, when things are going bad, we tend to rationalize; grab any indication that progress is being made … and holding onto it with all our might, run for the end of the tunnel as hard as we can.
Being more redundant that either Shaun or Robert could ever be, we’re on the outside looking in … and that’s fine when you’re winning, tough when you’re not.
Most wins are good … this one wasn’t bad!
If we do indeed have fundamental problems, then real progress comes only from change that addresses those problems … and temporary success, not embodying such change, only impedes progress … that what me thinks.
Me a Cynic? Maybe … me a cynic? No!
It’s all behind closed doors but either the situation is always under scrutiny and there is effective leadership and direction in place to insure that problems are addressed as they arise … or it is not!
If it is, then we should see real progress as we go forward … if it isn’t then methinks proactive, corrective action should be the only item on the menu … in order to see that it is!
I have always believed that it was … I want to believe it now! However, outside looking in, I just ain’t convinced that that’s what I’m seeing … still hope so!
What do I mean by leadership and direction? I have questions, not answers … but, maybe those who are so searching might enjoy either the Movie “Patton” or the TV show “The Closer” … different stars, different teams, different humor; both stars with their flaws, both with their demons, both with Atlanta ties … both are good entertainment.
By The Grinch
June 26, 2007 11:31 PM | Link to this
JJ, that was a buddy of mine’s when I was growing up, not what I use now. I’m not Dirty Harry, I’m Dirty Grinchy. I usually carry a Kimber .45 (much easier to control) and a 1910 Mauser .25 pocket pistol in my pocket (won’t say which). Palavers prevent cadavers. :-)
By Todd A
June 26, 2007 11:31 PM | Link to this
Any moves JS makes at the break will be minimized by similar moves made by the Mets and Phils.Instead of purging young stars,we need to be acquiring more of them.
By Robert (Justice Is The Best)
June 26, 2007 11:32 PM | Link to this
I hope everybody doesn’t get all excited about that homer Andruw hit tonight because it meant notihing. He is still slumping. I know many on here hate Joe Morgan but the man knows baseball whether you think he does or not. He made an excellent point Sunday night. He said after speaking with Andruw and watching some film that he thinks Andruw’s problems are ALL between his ears. He said if you look at his swing from last year and the swing this year there is virtually no difference. Not even subtle ones. He said, while you would assume Andruw could handle the pressure of free agency, that he simply can’t take the pressure. He said he thinks it bothers Andruw that the Braves have not approached him about an extension let alone an actual contract. Morgan said he really think its bothering him.
I think he is right. I think he looks at Smoltz getting extended and McCann getting his contract with Francoeur’s not far behind and he is thinking that the Braves don’t want him. I don’t think that is necessarily the case. I just think that JS doesn’t think he is worth $18+ mil and he is right. I honestly think that no matter what Andruw said publicly that privately he really thought the Braves would wrap him up in a long term deal before the start of the season or shortly after. I don’t think he really ever thought that free agency was a possibility and now he is realizing that it is.
I just wonder what kind of production we would see from him if he were signed to an extension tonight.
I actually think the same sort of thing is going on with Fracoeur. Really. He sees McCann get signed to an extension and he is got nothing. Supposedly, the Braves approached Francoeur with a similar deal to the one McCann signed but I have my doubts about that. I think Frenchy thought after his hot start the JS would sign him and he hasn’t.
Yes, they Frenchy and Andruw are professionals and they should produce nonetheless, but lets get real. They are human beings. People in all occupations tend to lose focus when they aren’t getting compensated like they think they should.
All that being said I think Frenchy needs a day off every now and then and Andruw should be spending a lot more time on the bench than he has so far. It is one thing to stick with a struggling player. It is another to hurt the team and actually take away wins by not putting the best lineup available out there everyday.
By Carolina Lady
June 26, 2007 11:33 PM | Link to this
Savannah Guy, absolutely no offense taken to your post! Didn’t see it until after I had written mine.
You’re a class guy and I very much enjoy reading your posts. (Many posts here I just scroll right on by!)
Sorry for the bad timing on my part!
Many times I’ve come to the blog to read and participate - and the prevailing language was such that I just closed the page and kept on going. I don’t think some realize how many people are honestly offended by “locker room” language in a public place. It makes people uncomfortable, to say the least.
Why am I up so late??? Will pay the price when that dratted clock goes off in the morning! :-))
By Savannah Guy
June 26, 2007 11:39 PM | Link to this
JJMB I appreciate the spirit of your 11:09 post, but believe me when I say…That will never happen in America. We may lose our way from time to time, but this is the best country in the history of the earth as it will be in 100 years.
Thsi is getting way too serious…so:
Ron Roberts Your 10:59 post was interesting. So let me just say, the “unis” are a tad awkward and gauche…so tacky and 70’s but not in a retro way. How about we suggest a nice mauve, summer ensemble with a rayon, silk fabric for our boys of summer? And get rid of that horrid axe across thier chests…maybe an embroidered string of hybiscus or flaming carnations?
Hey…just kidding. Don’t be mad. But you did put the ball on the T for someone there…
By ElbravoX-- EbX
June 26, 2007 11:42 PM | Link to this
CL,
I am not clever enough to double talk. I am a singles guy, small ball kind of fellow. Wait, I like to score but sometimes striking out builds character—Oh boy, you win…Dear Pen..
By The Grinch
June 26, 2007 11:43 PM | Link to this
Despite every fibre of my being straining at the proverbial bit, I will refrain from entering a “discussion” of religion. How ‘bout them Braves?
By Danga
June 26, 2007 11:45 PM | Link to this
With Buddy’s performance tonight, isn’t this exactly the kind of performance we were hoping for with Redman? Sure, he gets shelled occasionally, but on most nights he gives his team a chance to win. Not bad for a 5th starter. Now, if we can only get a little more consistent production out of the 3 and 4 spots.
As far as loyalty towards AJ goes, he is going going through a horrible stretch. I can barely stand to watch him hit (or bat since he rarely hits). But how many players have played more games over the past 10 seasons than Andruw? The way the man plays defense you know he had to be hurting. That is loyalty as well. Bobby Cox knows that any moment he could break out of this slump and carry the Braves offense on his back, so of course he is going to return the favor and keep sending him out there night after night.
By JJMB
June 26, 2007 11:47 PM | Link to this
“Palavers prevent cadavers.” You are one quick-witted rascal.
By Savannah Guy
June 26, 2007 11:49 PM | Link to this
Carolina Lady You are a lady. I’m glad it wasn’t me that set you off, but I never want to offend you or any other woman. Or man for that matter. I do the same thing as you with this blog usually…just read and move on. Sometimes chuckle, sometimes learn, sometimes wince or cringe and sometimes yawn. But then there are times when…oh, I guess I just can’t resist throwing it out there. Fortunately most of my posts are invisible to the ranting lot…and that’s just fine by me.
It is late. I too have to get up and attend client meetings about half the day. So, good night fair one, sleep tight.
By MBATL
June 26, 2007 11:54 PM | Link to this
Carolina Lady, all due respect to your sensibilities (does that sound condescending? It’s NOT meant to be), I think this blog is amazingly civil, considering that it “takes all comers.”
The Falcons page can’t even keep a blog open because it fills up immediately with race baiting and hate… this one goes a little astray now and then, but I find it very friendly, and seldom really crass, even among those who disagree … but my perspective is no doubt different than yours’.
Anyway, I certainly respect your view, and will keep in mind (though I don’t get into a lot of the silliness… just come here mostly to talk baseball).
Robert (Justice Is The Best), I agree that we shouldn’t celebrate AJ’s return to form just yet. However, I really don’t buy the “contract pressure” excuse for AJ, and certainly not for Frenchy (though you stated it very well!).
Pro ballplayers play for their next contract every day. AJ is not some poor mistreated employee. He’s making huge money now, and at age 30 has made more than $75 million with the Braves; and he’s retained the best, most aggressive agent in the business to see that he continues to do so.
I’ve worried for 2 years that he was always “on the verge” of hitting failure, because his mechanics and approach have always been bad.
I think at 30 years old, the bad habits have caught up with him… he’s not quick or athletic enough to cover his bad form at the plate. And he refuses to employ the fixes that TP says he works on in batting practice.
And Franceour is 23 years old! The Braves moved very early to sign McCann - a full year earlier than Mauer “got his” in Minnesota. Frenchy turned down a decent 1-year offer from the Braves (not a deal like McCann’s), which was stupid because he had no leverage. But he’ll get his - he’ll be a multi-millionaire by 25.
Anyway, I think whatever troubles these guys are having have everything to do with basic fundamentals of hitting, not with contract issues or self pity.
Just my view… enjoyed you post on it.
By JJMB
June 26, 2007 11:56 PM | Link to this
Savanah, I will just say that I hope my hyperbole is just that, hyperbole.
Now, Salty is starting again tomorrow, says DOB. I’m amazed. In a good way.
By Carolina Lady
June 26, 2007 11:58 PM | Link to this
ElBravoX - :-)))
Savannah Guy, appreciate your kind words!
Gotta sign off and get myself some sleep! ‘Night, Y’all!
CL out
By Savannah Guy
June 27, 2007 12:02 AM | Link to this
By Robert (Justice Is The Best) I could not disagree more on Joe Morgan as a commentator…he can’t stop talking about himself long enough to report on the game. But he was a great baseball player.
Anyway, instead of a long retort on your observations/opinions on Andruw, I’ll just say, I agree on some of it…but there is a much smarter, cheaper and more strategic way to get him back on track than signing him to a new contract (which I don’t think we should do anyway). Send him away on a DL vacation during the All-Star break. I’ve covered that in my 4:07 post earlier today. Check it out. Tell me what you think.
By Bob, Journalist
June 27, 2007 12:12 AM | Link to this
I know it’s late for most and the Blog’s First Lady has no doubt left the building, but I’ll add my amen to what she said!
I know that some say I always agree with her but that’s not true, greasy East Texas BBQ is a little better than either of the NCs … and none as the original Old Hickory on the old Bankhead Hwy.
Regarding language, I can probably make most of you blush … but if you choose to use language or say something that you know others will find offensive then you are showing disrespect for those people, regardless of whom it is that your words are actually directed.
Prude that I am, it follows that I’m personally offended when I see people knowingly be so disrespectful, regardless of the language being used … and the defensive posture that it was only intended as humor doesn’t negate the disrespect being shown; regardless of whether I find it funny.
By The Grinch
June 27, 2007 12:14 AM | Link to this
Robert JITB, agree with your 11:32. MBATL, also agree with your 11:54, especially about the Falcons blog. I like football more than baseball (though I truly love baseball) and that blog is just everything that’s wrong with the human race.
JJ, I try to diffuse a potential duel as quick as possible; as the immortal Dr. Samuel Johnson once said: “A blackguard can point a pistol as well as an honest man.”
By ElbravoX-- EbX
June 27, 2007 12:15 AM | Link to this
CL,
Just got lucky-Oh, boy, here we go again…
By Steve McP
June 27, 2007 12:16 AM | Link to this
DOB - just thinking about this voting - have you cast your votes for Atlanta players yet???
By sheesh
June 27, 2007 12:16 AM | Link to this
N8 will trade Salty for a Cy Young pitcher (sheesh shakes his head in disbelief). That’s a nice proposal (absurd, but nice), but I don’t think even Steve Phillips would accept Salty for Cy. What you are really saying is that the unproven Salty is untouchable because no GM in his right mind is going to trade a Cy in his prime for Salty straight-up unless Cy is up for free agency. Then it is a bad trade for the Braves unless they get Cy signed as part of the deal.
Regarding Francoeur in the #7 hole, how can you rationalize batting the top RBI guy #7, especially with no Andruw in the lineup? If Andruw leaves, then Francoeur represents the most productive RBI guy on the roster over the last 2 seasons. I guess that fact means nothing because you’re too busy lusting after Salty’s bobbled balls at first to notice steady production.
Don’t worry about appppppolllogizing for anything. You did nothing to apppologize for. It’s ok to have absurd views, I just don’t understand why you want to demonstrate your inability to convert your observations into logical opinions on the blog every day.
I also don’t understand why people want to keep both McCann and Salty on the roster. How many catchers can you play at once? It’s nice to have the insurance, but that’s a pricey premium to pay for something you hope you never have to use. There are much better ways to utilize the team’s assets.
Aside from Escobar’s obvious raw talent and baseball instincts being better than the other young Braves, he is actually capable of playing multiple positions (and has successfully demonstrated as much). Having a guy of his caliber with that kind of flexibility (especially his ability to play 3rd with Chipper’s recent injury proneness) is more valuable to the Braves than two catchers who can hit but can only play one defensive position adequately.
By Gil in Mechanicsville
June 27, 2007 12:18 AM | Link to this
It was great to see Andruw hit that three run homer tonight but being realistic it is likely a bad thing. The reason is the pitcher happened to hit his bat so he will continue the bad habits he has become so firmly entrenched with.
Until he shortens his swing he is going to continue to struggle, Same is true with Thorman. Both are strong enough to hit it out any time but anyone who knows anything about baseball knows the hardest thing to do is hit a home run when you are really trying to. A good pitcher will use that aggressiveness against the batter.
Short compact swing will close big holes in a batter’s swing. Must say the best hitter I have seen in a great while was Ordonaz of the Tigers this past week. The guy can do it all.
By Coach ( BRINGING THE WRECKING BALL)
June 27, 2007 12:24 AM | Link to this
The Braves are beating up on a team that is quite possibly the worst baseball franchise this season. Somehow , I just cannot get excited about that. AJ homered , now he gets another months reprieve from Bobby Cox.
By OVERLORD
June 27, 2007 12:30 AM | Link to this
i agree with coach…..i hope he goes 0 for the next 50ab so bc can sit him down the rest of the season, problem is that if he reaches .200 again, he wont be benched any time soon. We need him to get even colder or for some miracle go 75 of his next 100 ab and i doubt that will happen.
By fastasballs
June 27, 2007 12:33 AM | Link to this
Well pitched game by Carlyle, granted it was against the Nats, but a win is a win. It was especially a good outing considering he was shelled by Boston & Cox left him out there longer than he should have that day to endure more abuse than needed. I was affraid his confidence would be shaken, but it looks like it wasn’t. Maybe the other Braves players could use some of his mental toughness?
The object is to get good pitching from Carlyle, Davies & James 2 of 3 games each week. They are all so inconsistent right now. If Davies can master his pitches he can become a very good starter. He’s not lacking in the “stuff” department. It’s just a matter of knowing what he’s doing. He seems to lose consentration quite a bit.
I’m liking the line up, well except for Andruw at clean up. One three run bomb doesn’t mean he’s going to go on a tear, although I hope he does.
McCann is looking good again, hope his ankle is ok. I couldn’t watch the game, listened to Skip on the radio so I don’t know how bad he turned it. Since he stayed in the game I would assume it’s not bad.
Salty is going to make it really difficult to keep him out of the line up. Seems like he gets 2 hits every game he starts here lately.
It looks as though the offensive train is starting the leave the station with McCann, Salty, Harris & Chipper at the controls. If a few more can jump on board it may be a helluva good ride. As long as Bobby doesn’t let Andruw play brakeman things should be fine. Maybe TP can show him the caboose, a more suitable position until he is really out of his funk.
If they can finish off the Nats tomorrow with Smoltz going & take 2 of 3 from the Fish, things will actually be looking good. They will need the offense when they go out west before the break. Those teams have some stingy pitching staffs, but little in offense. After that the schedule consists of the Reds, Cards, Giants, & Pirates for 12 or so games.
I am liking the line up with Harris or Escobar leading off. Not taking anything away from KJ because he was the table setter for the first few months, but he’s slumping & those two guys can put more pressure on the denfense. Besides KJ is a super RBI guy & can be better used elsewhere in the order as long as those guys are hitting well.
By OVERLORD
June 27, 2007 12:36 AM | Link to this
Maybe chipper was not hurt at all these past 2 weeks, maybe his made up injury was a way to protest because of what he said about the braves having mayors toughest schedule (interleague). Just a though.
By Coach ( BRINGING THE WRECKING BALL)
June 27, 2007 12:39 AM | Link to this
Cox must be happy as a lark , he now has a platoon in LF , at 2B and 1B. Can we get a platoon going in the blog ?
By Gil in Mechanicsville
June 27, 2007 12:42 AM | Link to this
The Grinch Kimber eh? Nice piece.. You know quality. I use to carry a Sig P230 in .45. Not very concealable so I downsize a bit but must say it has been on of the most reliable hand guns in my collection.
Funny thing, I hear all the time about thugs who have escaped after being shot and all I can say is somebody is not using the right firearm, or is a poor shot.
Now baseball, Boyer pitched 5 innings of shutout baseball against Louisville tonight. 3 hits and three strike outs. Much better than the outing of Cormier last evening.
Palidan I salute you for your service to our country. I tried to enlist twice but could not pass the physical. My alternative was to do volunteer public service as an EMT and later as a Paramedic. Service which I performed for 42 years until my retirement due to spinal stenosis. (There comes a time when you realize you are in worse condition than many of the people you respond to)
That was in addition to working my regular job(s). I have the greatest respect for those who have served during Nam. Too bad so many of you did not received the thanks and recognition you so richly deserve.
By Gil in Mechanicsville
June 27, 2007 12:42 AM | Link to this
The Grinch Kimber eh? Nice piece.. You know quality. I use to carry a Sig P230 in .45. Not very concealable so I downsize a bit but must say it has been on of the most reliable hand guns in my collection.
Funny thing, I hear all the time about thugs who have escaped after being shot and all I can say is somebody is not using the right firearm, or is a poor shot.
Now baseball, Boyer pitched 5 innings of shutout baseball against Louisville tonight. 3 hits and three strike outs. Much better than the outing of Cormier last evening.
Palidan I salute you for your service to our country. I tried to enlist twice but could not pass the physical. My alternative was to do volunteer public service as an EMT and later as a Paramedic. Service which I performed for 42 years until my retirement due to spinal stenosis. (There comes a time when you realize you are in worse condition than many of the people you respond to)
That was in addition to working my regular job(s). I have the greatest respect for those who have served during Nam. Too bad so many of you did not received the thanks and recognition you so richly deserve.
By Gil in Mechanicsville
June 27, 2007 12:42 AM | Link to this
The Grinch Kimber eh? Nice piece.. You know quality. I use to carry a Sig P230 in .45. Not very concealable so I downsize a bit but must say it has been on of the most reliable hand guns in my collection.
Funny thing, I hear all the time about thugs who have escaped after being shot and all I can say is somebody is not using the right firearm, or is a poor shot.
Now baseball, Boyer pitched 5 innings of shutout baseball against Louisville tonight. 3 hits and three strike outs. Much better than the outing of Cormier last evening.
Palidan I salute you for your service to our country. I tried to enlist twice but could not pass the physical. My alternative was to do volunteer public service as an EMT and later as a Paramedic. Service which I performed for 42 years until my retirement due to spinal stenosis. (There comes a time when you realize you are in worse condition than many of the people you respond to)
That was in addition to working my regular job(s). I have the greatest respect for those who have served during Nam. Too bad so many of you did not received the thanks and recognition you so richly deserve.
By Trade Winds
June 27, 2007 12:45 AM | Link to this
THIS JUST IN: N8 and Coach have been traded to the Falcons blog for Ken Strickland, Najeh Davenpoop, and the infamous player to be named later. Let’s all hope the PTBNL does not turn out to Tito The Bear.
By flbravesgirl
June 27, 2007 12:46 AM | Link to this
N8, I laughed out loud at your Planes, Trains & Automobiles scene. Do you have something for “You’re going the wrong way!!!” & the car fire, too?
Sorry I missed you ,CL.
I’d imagine a lot of teams would like to get 7 inn/ 1 run out of their #5. Other than getting creamed by the Red Sox (& they’ve done that to plenty of pitchers) Buddy’s done really well. I hope he can keep this going, not just because we need him to but because I have a soft spot for underdogs. That MLB minimum must seem like multi-millions to him & his family after all the shuffling around the minors & everywhere else he’s been.
That double play was a thing of beauty, wasn’t it? :)
By Marty
June 27, 2007 12:46 AM | Link to this
Braves fans suck. We can’t even fill up the stadium, so why would you expect that we could fill up the ballot boxes? As you mentioned in another recent column, Braves fans (and Atlanta residents, in general) should be ashamed of themselves.
By chrisklob
June 27, 2007 12:50 AM | Link to this
Savannah Guy, your comment about the blind hog and the nut are exactly what I’m talking about. I’ll believe that AJ is back when he goes on a 25 for 50 run like we all know he is capable of doing.
Robert (Justice), I saw that bit last night with Morgan talking about AJ and the problems being between his ears. WHat is perhaps the most frustrating aspect of AJ is that it’s the same crap, game after game. He, like BC, never seems to learn from his mistakes. And if I ever see that smirk on his face after he strikes out swinging, with men on base, it’ll be too soon.
By Gil in Mechanicsville
June 27, 2007 12:54 AM | Link to this
And finally… Carolina Lady… You are welcome. Nice to have a little class grace the blog. Keeps us from getting too out of control.
Coach Never diminish an adversary. it only calls in questions to your own accomplishments. Washington may not be the Red Soxs but they can still take two out of three in a series. They have some really good young pitchers who are hurt right now. Let’s hope they can play good ball against the Mets and the Phillies.
By gotigers72
June 27, 2007 12:55 AM | Link to this
Great game tonight in every way, except for some sloppy defense. As I used to tell my Little Leaguers when I was coaching, “Two Hands”. Use 2 hands Matt. I wish all major leaguers would use 2 hands, but that’s a wish that will never be granted.
Carlyle looked sharp tonight. He has a really good fastball, and when he locates it, he’s a pretty fair country pitcher. But if you don’t locate it properly, there’s almost zero ML hitters that can’t drill it. If you can’t hit a fastball, you won’t play in the majors.
Glad to see Salty hit 2 big flies because that means he’ll probably get more playing time now. Even though Andruw hit a 3 run bomb, I still think it’s a bad move to hit him 4th until he heats up.
I have voted numerous times for the All Stars, and have voted for Edgar and Chipper every time. Even though Edgar will probably not get voted in, his numbers will probably get him in as a sub. I think Willie has All Star credentials, but just hasn’t played that much yet. I haven’t voted for any other Brave because I don’t think there are any other position players that are worthy. I voted for Fielder and Mark Holliday every time, and Griffey,Jr. several times. In the AL, I had to hold my nose, but voted for ARod every time. How can you not? I don’t like him. He knocked the ball out of the first baseman’s hand in the playoffs, and then he pulled that Bush League, “I got it” crap while running the bases in Toronto. But he’s also playing better than anyone in the majors right now. They’re 2 games under. Where the hell would they be w/o him? He’s hit at least 3 walk offs.
No. I didn’t vote for Bonds once. Just can’t do it. He can still HIT, but he’s not that good of a PLAYER any longer. Horrible on defense.
I do think the Braves have more All Stars than Chipper and Edgar, but they are on the pitching staff, and us peons aren’t allowed to vote for pitchers. Smoltz definitely, Hudson maybe, and Wickman AND Soriano although I know I’m dreaming. Wickman has 14 saves, but that’s a low number compared to the league leaders. If he hadn’t been on the DL, he would have been around 20. He’s blown 3, but think about it. BS #1- He was brought in with the bases loaded and no outs. BS #2 - One day before he went on the DL with back problems, which were causing him to be unable to locate, which is his strong suit and BS #3 - At Minnesota when the defense behind him in that inning was horrible [Remember Yunel playing off the 3rd base line and having 2 go between him and the bag?] So he has really had a stellar year as a closer, but isn’t getting any kudos for it. He has really been EXCELLENT since coming to the Braves last July.
By Robert (Justice Is The Best)
June 27, 2007 1:03 AM | Link to this
Savannah Guy, I think you may be on to something about sending Andruw “away” for a while.
By N8
June 27, 2007 1:09 AM | Link to this
“Regarding Francoeur in the #7 hole, how can you rationalize batting the top RBI guy #7, especially with no Andruw in the lineup?”
Because ANYBODY that would be batting in that spot in the order, with a decent batting average, would put Francoeur’s RBI numbers to shame.
Do you realize that Francoeur had 25 RBI in April, which is 4 more than he’s HAD SINCE (21)??
Yeah. THAT is the guy I want in the 4 or 5 spot in the order….Mr. Consistant.
I’ve said it 1000 times, you can argue with me if you want. I’d take 9 Tony Gwynn’s over 9 Mark McGwire’s in a lineup ANY DAY OF THE WEEK.
Francoeur has shown ZERO ability (I’ll actually be nice, and change that to limited ability), to be patient, take the ball to RF and NOT HACK AT THE FIRST PITCH (which only works if the pitcher is STUPID enough to throw you a strike). He is nothing more than a young Andruw Jones.
Salty is a young Chipper Jones. Switch Hitter. Hits for average. Hits for power. Takes the ball the other way, but mainly takes the ball right back up the middle. That tells me that he had patience at the plate.
Renteria would be a better cleanup hitter than Francoeur. Provided there was another “Renteria” to get on base ahead of him.
As for trading Salty for a Cy Young pitcher. You hit the nail on the head. In my opinion, he is (should be) literally untouchable. I honestly, would trade McCann before I would trade Salty. McCann is gonna have a good long career in the big leagues. I think Salty is going to have a GREAT long career in the big leagues.
Quite honestly, it’s McCann’s contract that I would get rid of. Everybody talks about “what a steal” it is. Yup. It is. He’s a good catcher, that when healthy is probably one of the better pure hitters in the game. PERIOD. But that contract is only a steal if you have no other option.
We have another young stud catcher, that will be considerably cheaper over the next couple of years. So a) That makes McCann expendable and b) it makes him VERY attractive on the trade market.
You said yourself, even Steve Phillips wouldn’t give up a Cy Young caliber pitcher for the “unproven” Salty. Would he for McCann?
You then have to ask yourself as a whole, are we better off with McCann at catcher and what ever pitcher (#3 or maybe a #2) we can get for Salty, or better off with Salty (unproven as he may be, yet electric and turning into every bit of the fan favorite that McCann has become) behind the plate and an ACE type pitcher we may recieve for McCann?
I know which way I would go, and it is not a knock on McCann, more of a testament to how good he is.
It’s called baseball economics when your payroll is barely gonna be over 80 million.
On one hand you’ve got Salty at league minimum, on the other you’ve got McCann making much more, with the longterm deal you just gave him (that surely saves you money in the long run vs. arbitration, yet costs you much more over the next few years.
Honestly, if I’m JS. I literally stand pat at the deadline. Maybe make some “fringe” moves that might help this year, but have next year more in mind. (See Wickman trade). Then I have Salty learn to play 1B (or attempt to), in the AFL.
Then I assess everything in the offseason:
1) Can we keep Andruw financially, and if we can DO WE WANT TO?
2) Can Escobar be my everyday SS? If he can, what can I get for Renteria?
3) Is Salty the answer at 1B? If he is, what can I get for Thorman? If he’s NOT, who do I want to be my catcher? Salty or McCann? Who brings us the better player in an area of need? (Starting pitching)
4) Is KJ the answer at 2B? Even though he put in hard work there, do I have a better option at 2B, and either move KJ back to LF (platoon with Diaz), or trade him? Maybe Escobar plays 2B and Lillibridge is ready at SS next year? Maybe Brandon Jones is ready for CF, maybe he plays LF, and we sign somebody else to play CF. Because Willie is gonna go. SOMEBODY is gonna overpay that guy to play everyday, but it won’t be us.
5) Do we dump Tim Hudson before he costs way too much money?
6) Do we assume that Hampton and Gonzalez will pitch AT ALL in 2008?
There’s a LOT of questions to be answered. I imagine some of them will answer themselves in the next few weeks, as there is no way in hell that JS “stands pat” as I said I would. He’ll make some moves, which will clear up the scenarios a little bit, or quite possibly muddy them up, if other prospects are aquired.
I do, however, still agree with my earlier comment of not having a problem missing the playoffs this year, if if means keeping these young guys for one more year, to weed out who is worth keeping. As opposed to accidently putting ourselves on the wrong end of a Smoltz/Alexander trade. Since we’ve all seen close up how being on the good side of it can work out.
L8R.
By Berigan
June 27, 2007 1:12 AM | Link to this
By The Truth Hurts June 26, 2007 9:03 PM |…. I think AJ should use a heavier bat. HR notwithstanding.
TTH, Thats an interesting thought! He does manage to get in front of a lot of pitches , a heavier bat would slow him down a bit, might make a difference. Wonder if it has been suggested to him?
I had a thought a few weeks back that perhaps he should move up in the box…Joe Simpson was talking about this the other day, not with Andruw exactly, but just how back in the day, if you got 2 strikes you might move up a bit. It makes sense. This B.S. about being deep in the box to get a better look at a pitch. Yeah, and it allows a breaking ball more time to break as well. If a guy doesn’t throw harder than 90, why not move up? His curves will have less bite, sinkers, everything! I’d sure try it if I was a major leaguer in a slump, what can it hurt??? Never was aware of it in the past, but Andruw has a terrible time with breaking stuff this year.
By N8
June 27, 2007 1:15 AM | Link to this
Trade Winds
I’m not sure I’d admit to knowing other bloggers that I might be traded for, from the Falcon’s blog.
Because admitting that you not only LIKE the Falcons, but actually waste time blogging about them, lets the world know exactly what intelligence level you’re at.
Where do you work? The Michael Vick Veterinary Clinic?
By chrisklob
June 27, 2007 1:17 AM | Link to this
Carolina Lady, I believe that your 10:48 post might have been refering to a post that I made earlier tonight (or actually Tuesday night, to be technical, as it is past 1 am EDT). Anyway, please understand the basis of my apology for the “God” reference.
I am a Christian, but not a regular church attender. I believe in the Bible, but I don’t preach it. My comment about God was in reference to what could have been a very, very serious accident with my daughter. My apology was in deference to the rule that politics, religion and The Great Pumkin shouldn’t be discussed in this forum. Essentially, I was trying to avoid the Wrath of Dob. Hmm, maybe that’s an idea for a t-shirt.
I am not ashamed of my relationship with my God and make no excuses for it to anyone. At the same time, I don’t force my views on anyone nor do I want any other knuckleheads on here to explain their views on their religion.
In hindsight, I probably should have just kept my fat trap shut and deleted that part of the post. But I didn’t, because every time I think of that incident, and what could have happened to my daughter, I remember how thankful I am for her.
In short, my apology about my God reference was NOT about being politically correct but being Dob-blog correct! I hope everyone understands.
By David O'Brien
June 27, 2007 1:19 AM | Link to this
Coach, why am I not surprised you wouldn’t get too excited about these two wins?
For sake of accuracy, Washington was 8-7 in its last 15 games before this series, with a series win at Minnesota, a sweep at Baltimore, and a series win vs. Cleveland (Nationals got swept by Detroit and lost a series 2-1 at Toronto in that 15-game stretch).
The Nationals entered tonight with a better record than Texas, Kansas City, the White Sox, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati and the same record as Houston.
By Berigan
June 27, 2007 1:26 AM | Link to this
N8,
I went out after the first Salty homer, missed the second…anyway, I KNOW you know baseball, just so ya know, I ain’t one of the haters. ;) I guess since you had posted more than once, DOB, if they trade Salty…, I assumed you were “ok” with him being traded. I thought you had said something like that, you were ok with it, if you haven’t, I’m sorry. I’m not digging thru tons of blogs to prove, or disprove my point! I do wish we had a search engine of some sort though. I seem to recall folks telling me no way in hell was Salty going to play 1st base with the braves this year…and no way could you even consider trading McCann.
By ElbravoX-- EbX
June 27, 2007 1:28 AM | Link to this
Give AJ’s bat to Bmac!
The catcher has a long-pull-swing from the left and the gold-glover has a quick -pull bat. Brilliant! Light bat to Bmac, heavy bat on AJ!
By David O'Brien
June 27, 2007 1:29 AM | Link to this
Chrisklob, I feel bad that you’d even think you needed to apologize or avoid using a religious reference, in that instance. Man, come on. Gimme some credit. That’s perfectly fine on this blog, and understandable. That’s an entirely different situation than the general politics/religion discussions I ask folks to avoid here, which only serve to polarize the crowd and incite angry dialogue that quickly turns personal.
Again, in your instance, please don’t even give it a second thought. That’s perfectly fine in this forum, and understandable. Please don’t feel you need to apologize for that, or to avoid such a comment in the future.
By MBATL
June 27, 2007 1:32 AM | Link to this
N8, I think you’re too hard on Francoeur. Somehow, the guy keeps hitting .330 or so with RISP. I don’t know how long he can keep that up, but he’s done it for 2 full seasons now, with amazing consistency. It’s counter to intuition, but it’s true and the sample size keeps growing.
But, beyond that, I totally agree on the personnel issues. My recommendation would be to keep McCann, move Salty to 1B (gradually this year, full time next year); but the other approaches you throw out all make sense to me.
Also, I’ve got a feeling that the media overstates what it will actually take to get a pitcher. If all we need is a rental, I think we could get someone (Jennings comes to mind) for something like Diory Hernandez or Brayan Pena, and Lerew (just as an example)… wouldn’t take Salty or Escobar. But, we’ll see.
Anyway, thought I’d take the rare opportunity to say, I agree.
By The Grinch
June 27, 2007 1:34 AM | Link to this
N8, While you’re a better blogger than Tito the Bear (anyone who isn’t on death row would be), I wouldn’t rush to be offended about Ken Strickland and Najeh Davenpoop. While they’re hardly in the proper arena to showcase their talents, they’re both quite intelligent and well-reasoned individuals and while you may be right about the Falcons blog (and you are save those two), you don’t know your @$$ from third base when it comes to sports if you think liking the Falcons automatically makes one a dumb@$$. Football is a far, far more complicated sport than baseball when taken as a whole; don’t even go there if you want to retain a shred of credibility as an analyst. Any douchebag can more or less effectively manage a baseball team if given some rudimentary pointers; there are only a handful of men outside the military who are smart enough to be head coaches in the NFL. Apples and microchips.
By Bob, Journalist
June 27, 2007 1:52 AM | Link to this
JJMB, I was going to use “hyper bole” to describe that which was festering in the clubhouse ‘tween Bobby, ‘Druw, Hoss and John … but they went and lanced it before I got the chance! Said it was a “mirage” and not a problem … seemed like a hyperbole in reverse to me, the way they ‘splained things away.
Gil, it’s not just mechanics who agree with your 12:18 … one would think it’s obvious but it’s obvious that it ain’t.
Grinch, Dr. Sam said a bunch of stuff worthy of ‘memberin’ … knowing a few of ‘em says a lot ‘bout them who do.
Coach, I’m beginning to believe Art Linkletter was right … Coaches do say the darndest things!
Platooning you and I might make good sense and platoons are needed in the Army … but I never liked them in baseball, except maybe while one is learning his craft.
Me thinks systematic platooning in baseball reflects the manager’s penchant for a self fulfilling prophecy that undermines self-confidence and stymies development … that’s what methinks.
Leave me in Coach, I can hit lefties, I really can. No you can’t! Yes I can! Sorry son, but you can’t! Aw Coach, at least let me try. You have to face reality son, you’re a part time player at best! If you say so Coach … sigh.
By The Grinch
June 27, 2007 1:53 AM | Link to this
Gil, glad you noticed. As for escaping thugs, I can only say they haven’t been shot by this Grinch. I use 185-grain Remington high velocity for target practice and Federal 230-grain Hydra-Shok for business purposes, and the $100 extra bucks for tritium night sights are well spent. SIG makes a fine weapon; my dad has a P-226. I thought the 230 was a scaled down piece as opposed to the 220 .45, though I’m prone to error and thus deffer to your knowledge. I, too was wounded prior to service (torn ACL and lateral meniscous playing football kept me out of Marines and Gulf 1); my alternative was to be the @-hole that I am and not benefit anyone other than myself, and rarely that. Too bad awards aren’t given out for selfishness. To be fair, while I’d more often than not let people sort out their own problems (have had bad experiences from the get go) I have saved many an animal and I’m damn proud of it. Beat your dog or cat in front of me and you’re far more likely to get your @$$ whipped or worse than if you’re mistreating a person; my experience tells me that the torture is probably mutual and I’d just be wasting my time.
By FOOTBALL SUX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
June 27, 2007 1:53 AM | Link to this
DONT NEED ANY TALENT TO COACH FOOTBALL, JUST LOTS OF HGH AND STERIODS!!!!
By The Grinch
June 27, 2007 2:08 AM | Link to this
On that note, I’ll take myself to bed. Up the irons, chipdip. :-)
By jbutler
June 27, 2007 2:12 AM | Link to this
Carolina Lady…this is really the first blog I’ve ever been to…there’s some peppered comments - but honestly - I kind of feel like I’m talking w/my brothers. Nothing personal - just yapping about a team we all follow. Probably true about AJ seeing other contracts being extended and his not..they’re human. They’re rich humans, but they’re human!!
By Luther
June 27, 2007 2:27 AM | Link to this
N8-I’ve said it 1000 times, you can argue with me if you want. I’d take 9 Tony Gwynn’s over 9 Mark McGwire’s in a lineup ANY DAY OF THE WEEK.
Here’s my arguement: Since there is no such thing as 9 Gwynn’s and 9 McGwire’s, what about 1 Gwynn and 1 McGuire. I don’t think any GM would take Gwynn and his .370 season over McGwire’s 70 HR season(He hit 300 that year). Case in point, Willie Harris had two nice hits Monday, but didn;t score a run or drive one in. Certainly, those hits did not have the impact that one 3-run homer from Andruw had. That’s why they pay the power hitters the big money. Guys like Reyes and Loften in his prime are rare players that can impact a game on a level that aproaches the middle of the order guys.
By sheesh
June 27, 2007 2:27 AM | Link to this
N8, since you exhibit the inability to reason, well I’ll try anyway. I wasn’t comparing Francoeur to anyone — McGwire, Gwynn, Pecota, Lockhart, Spikes, Lum, Chaney, Office, nobody — just pointing out the FACT that he has driven in more runs than any other Brave other than Andruw last season and this year combined. That is because he plays everyday and he is a very good, not great, but good, clutch hitter. And there is no reason to think that his knack for getting big run scoring hits is going to change over the course of the season or in the coming years.
A successful hitter is a product of where he bats in the line up. So of course a middle of the order guy should have more RBI than other batting order slots because it is his job to do anything he can to drive in runs. And just because a guy bats .330 hitting in one slot does not mean he can necessarily replicate that average in other slots. And even if he can, does it really help the team? You don’t get the same pitches to hit when you bat leadoff or #2 as you get when you hit #4 or #5. Hitters are pitched to differently depending on who surrounds them in the order, so if you put Diaz, for example, in the 4 or 5 hole, if he just tries to hit .330 like he does at other slots, he will likely fail the team. Each spot in the order carries with it an expected type of production and just because a guy is a good average hitter doesn’t make him a good RBI hitter.
If stacking the line up with 8 hitters whose forte is hitting for average and getting on base, don’t you think more teams would try to assemble lineups of that nature? But they don’t because they know it is a recipe for failure. The only teams that had any success with this are the Astros and the Cards in the 80’s because their ballparks were soooo huge. That ain’t true these days (all though the Braves do have one of the bigger parks in MLB).
You (and others) who throw out a stats over the course of a short period of time (less RBI for Francoeur since April than he had in all of April) to TRY to make a point show a total lack of comprehension of what it takes to play the game — you try to reduce the game to set of numbers and that shows that you just don’t get it. Baseball is a streaky game by nature and very few 100 RBI hitters drive in 17-18 runs every month to hit their final season total. Some months are up and some are down, but that’s just baseball. Even Andruw, for all his troubles this year, still has time to turn it around and have a pretty good year (except for the average).
By jbutler
June 27, 2007 2:35 AM | Link to this
Hey there Coach..What hatched in your Rock Star Energy Drink?? Tone down the rage…you’re libel to bust something.
By Bob, Journalist
June 27, 2007 2:37 AM | Link to this
Were it me, I wouldn’t let Andruw play, except under the influence of post hypnotic suggestion … however, it almost seems like that’s what he’s already doing.
No, Andruw would sit on the bench until I was satisfied that he was dutifully and energetically following Terry’s direction and instruction … and then he’d bat low in the order until he showed that significant progress had been made.
Methinks the pitcher is the most important of the positions as they are definitionally involved in every play.
However, from an individual player perspective, the pitcher aren’t on the field nearly so much as the others.
From whence then should leadership come? Given its importance and the difficulty in finding it, I don’t really care where it’s hiding, just so long as it’s on our team.
Methinks maybe, just maybe, it might have been hanging out over at first base tonight.
Maybe teams that are but a collection of players have great difficulty in overcoming errors … while a collection of players that are a team, don’t.
By Coach ( O'Brien likes censorship)
June 27, 2007 2:41 AM | Link to this
O boy , I caught our journalist friend censoring his own blog.
By Bob, Journalist
June 27, 2007 3:01 AM | Link to this
Gil, I’m impressed … you were sure typing fast at 12:42 … late date?
MBATL, everybody within the friendly confines … how many position players, on the active roster, do you think are realizing their potential or on schedule to so do? … I’m not talking about meeting expectations relative to what you thought they would do. Feel free to identify them by name … don’t be bashful just because I asked for a number.
From the other perspective, how many do you think are failing to realize their potential or are not on schedule to so do?
By Bob, Journalist
June 27, 2007 3:25 AM | Link to this
If you’re talking about my 9.23 Coach, I expurgate stuff all the time, but evidently the foxfire headers aren’t up to the task of getting the target to disregard the message when the “stop” command is given.
If it isn’t to me … or that … to which you refer, then please advise.
By Coach (O'Brien's NEMESIS)
June 27, 2007 3:59 AM | Link to this
Not you Bob , O’Brien. The yoyo has lost all credibility whatsoever. He accused me of wanting my team to lose in response to my 12:24 entry. His exact words were (you want the Braves to lose don’t you). He then changed his own blog entry at 1:19 a.m.(that must be nice) deleted my heated response and in fact deleted two more after that and is probably still lording over his precious blog as we speak. O’Brien , your lower than a snake.
By Bill
June 27, 2007 5:41 AM | Link to this
The only trade that I would make involving Salty is for Snell & McCutchen. It might be best just to keep him but let AJ go.
By Braveheart
June 27, 2007 6:55 AM | Link to this
THE MAGIC NUMBER IS 90! METS LOSE, BRAVOS WIN!
Some of ya really need to learn not to take your monikers sooooooooooooooooo seriously. If you didn’t, you would not get so insulted when DOB makes you hit the deck with purpose pitches…. DOB is not attacking any of us personally. He goes after the opinions expressed by our assumed monikers…… If you take your web identity that seriously, only the Lord can help ya….. Maybe some of ya need to change your monikers from time to time so that you will realize how meaningless your name is on here and how silly it is to get so insulted when the opinions of your fake name get slammed on here….. You sound like a bunch of bratty 11 year olds angry ‘cause daddy wouldn’t buy you that xbox 360……….
By Vonshawn
June 27, 2007 7:12 AM | Link to this
As happy as I am about the last two victories, I still for the life of me can’t understand why Bobby is still batting Andruw in the clean-up spot; and to a lesser extent why Willie Harris is not playing everyday (even against lefties).
Yes, Andruw hit a homerun last night, but that actually may hurt him more than it helps him. He didn’t change his approach at the plate and the pitcher through a magnet ball right to his bat.
Good hitters get good hits against good pitching. Andruw lucked up and hit a mistake and we’re supposed to think that he is now out of his funk.
McCann is heating up and needs to be in the cleanup spot behind Chipper.
And play Harris everyday, the kid has earned it!!
By rotomeister
June 27, 2007 7:36 AM | Link to this
David, why is Cox doing this to Kelly Johnson? Does he ever check the stats? Even with the slump he’s had recently he ranks 5th in the NL in on base percentage. This could shake his confidence.
And the comment that “I just can’t sit Escobar” has no statistical basis either. Prior to last night Yunel was 0 for his last 12. In 72 at bats he has had some moments but the overall numbers he has posted do not warrent such a comment.
I can understand why Kelly Johnson was speechless when you asked him about it.
By Bob, Journalist
June 27, 2007 7:45 AM | Link to this
Now Coach, you know that rank his it’s privilege … however, I doubt many folks that have it feel privileged to be considered rank … I’ve heard it said that though he’s a mild mannered, caring reporter during normal blogging hours, he can be a mighty mean hombre when he’s riled … he wears big boots so it might behoove us all to try and stay in his good graces.
It wouldn’t surprise me none if most folks, after they’ve thought things over, figure they’ve been done a favor when their posts are deleted … I sometimes wish that I could be so fortunate.
Why don’t yo do me a favor and respond to my 3:01 … I’d like to know what you think … you and everyone else, I really would!
By Salty
June 27, 2007 7:47 AM | Link to this
Schuerholz to BC: Play Escobar, the scouts are watching…and you do want a pitcher, right?
Cox puts Escobar in the lineup, explaining to the media: “I just can’t sit Escobar”; i.e., the boss says so.
OK…far-fetched perhaps, but it would play in NY!
By Lee
June 27, 2007 7:53 AM | Link to this
Great win for the Braves but this is still the lowly Nats. Lets see how it goes before the all-star break. Not that I ready care that much., but if Kelly Johnson is such a tremendous leadoff hitter why does Bobby sit him out of so many games. Could not see the Mets doing this with Reyes. Could not see any team doing this with their leadoff hitter. Just curious. I hope Cox at least realized last night that he needs to sit Thorman as much as Johnson, better yet how about forever. I just hope the Braves do not end up trading Salty. The guy will probably eventually smash 30 plus hrs, 100 plus rbis and at least 280 plus average yearly.
By Paladin
June 27, 2007 8:08 AM | Link to this
Good morning, all!! May the blue bird of happiness not take an ump(he’s not big enough to take a dump)in your oatmeal.
I see where Carolina Lady took us to task for our gutter language. Wellll little lady(John Wayne), if you are going to hang out with the boys, we will not expect you to join our efforts to whizz over the fence, but you will, from time to time, catch sight of us doing so. It’s a guy thing! I will, however, try to clean up my act somewhat and I’m sorry if I have offended—the lady.
By Braveheart
June 27, 2007 8:15 AM | Link to this
Hey Paladin, FU!
By Bob, Journalist
June 27, 2007 8:15 AM | Link to this
William Wallace, I can what you say about not taking my moniker seriously, but when I was little … and I was little even when I got big … I always got a whoopin’ when I didn’t.
Vonshawn, there are those who would say that Matt, Willie and Kelly should play every day and Andruw shouldn’t … such privilege has been well earned by each.
I personally think that whoever fills out the lineup card reads the Blog and purposely makes sure that, sans pitcher, it’s never the same simply to spite me!
By JasonInMaine
June 27, 2007 8:23 AM | Link to this
For those of you who do so, please pray for my father-in-law. He had to go to the emergency room the day before yesterday and had x-rays taken on his lungs. They think they might have found a spot, and he had to go in for more tests yesterday. We are waiting to hear the results of some of those tests today. Your thoughts and prayers are appreciated.
Regards,
Jason
By Braveheart
June 27, 2007 8:29 AM | Link to this
Bob, Journalist, that was not meant for you because you don’t take yourself too seriously….. You will throw yourself under the bus before the rest of us do……
BUT there are some who are taking far too much pride in their names on here….. It’s like they are actors who have assumed the name of a character in a movie or something but have walked away from the movie thinking they really are the character in the movie….. If you did not take so much pride in your moniker, you would not get your feelings so hurt because someone disagrees with your opinion or chastises you for acting like a childish, ignorant fool….. Some really seem to think they are auditioning for their own blog or something….. Silliness.
By Paladin
June 27, 2007 8:31 AM | Link to this
Is that “my good friend” Braveheart jumping in my shinola? Et tu, S**-zu.
By BigBravesGirl
June 27, 2007 8:40 AM | Link to this
A lot of Atlanta fans aren’t voting for their guys as all stars is because when Atlanta has had a run like they’ve been on, the fans get spoiled. They don’t remember what it’s like in the lean years in the 70’s or the late 80’s. A lot of them are bandwagon fans who are all gung-ho when the Braves are winning, but let them go through a tough stretch and those fans are off finding something else to adore.
Shame on you! If you’re going to be a fan, be a real fan.
By Braveheart
June 27, 2007 8:50 AM | Link to this
Paladin,
:-)
By Bob, Journalist
June 27, 2007 8:53 AM | Link to this
Jason, there’s something special about someone who cares enough to share and include us in personal moments such as yours … you’re good folks son; like I said … special.
Rest assured that I’m not alone is so feeling and that many thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
God Bless
By Hunter
June 27, 2007 8:54 AM | Link to this
Moylan is vicious! He could be a closer in the making; righties have to be a bit anxious stepping in against him.
By Train Wreck Bystander
June 27, 2007 8:55 AM | Link to this
Regarding last night: it’s amazing how much better the pitching staff looks with run support.
By Braves Fan 79
June 27, 2007 8:57 AM | Link to this
Well weve won the series already, time for Bobby to do as usual and start wodward and orr, might as well bring back redmen to pitch the game as well.
News to Bobby: WE NEED TO START GOING FOR SWEEPS! NOT JUST 2 OUT OF 3! and I dont care WHAT the lineup looks like…as long as it DOSENT include woodcrap or orr in it!
Man this kills me cause i really believe this team would be around 10 games over .500 now if not for bobbys stuborness. And how come he sits johnson for cooling off….but woodward….whos been cool all season and hit .050 in his last 20 games gets a start against one of the top teams in baseball?? dosent make any sence.
By Paladin
June 27, 2007 9:01 AM | Link to this
Braveheart You make a good point about “monikers”, and I think I will change mine. But, I don’t think y’all will have any trouble recognizing me. C’ya later.
By Dave
June 27, 2007 9:09 AM | Link to this
Chipper is batting under .200 with RISP which does NOT equal all-star consideration this year. That leaves Renteria ONLY. I only vote for deserving players so therefore NO Braves other than Edgar this year. Sorry.
By catzq
June 27, 2007 9:09 AM | Link to this
DOB, ..re fan voting. The ballot by Monster asks for personal info, date of birth etc. Maybe many are like me and tired of personal info requirements everytime you do something online. I do vote when I attend a game.
By Shaun
June 27, 2007 9:10 AM | Link to this
Lee,
I’m guessing Cox just wanted to give Johnson a night off because of his recent struggles and because he likes what he’s seeing from Escobar.
I don’t know if Johnson’s a “great” leadoff hitter but he’s just fine. I don’t think it’s fair to compare him to Jose Reyes, the best leadoff guys in the game. There are no leadoff hitters that are going to live up to those standards.
By JasonInMaine
June 27, 2007 9:16 AM | Link to this
Bob, Journalist,
Thank you very much. Your words truly mean a lot.
Regards,
Jason
By Shaun
June 27, 2007 9:22 AM | Link to this
Lastnight’s Yankees-Orioles game spoke to the value of Rafael Soriano.
In a tie game in the bottom of the ninth, in a game the Yankees needed to win to stay within a game of .500, with the top of their order due up in the 10th, who do they bring in from their bullpen? Do they bring in their relief ace—Mariano Rivera? No. Joe Torre goes with Scott Proctor.
Here’s a little something SSchulma posted on an espn.com blog:
…it absolutely makes me insane that no one in the mainstream media takes Torre to task for it. It would be as if he had a rested A-Rod on the bench in the ninth, two out, tying run on first, and decided to use Miguel Cairo instead. The media would NOT accept the excuse that he was waiting to use Rodriguez when he could drive in the winning run, not just the tying run. But the media somehow accepts his use of Rivera — BECAUSE OF A STATISTIC, INVENTED BY THE MEDIA, CALLED THE “SAVE.” It is the only statistic in sports — try to name another — that does not as much reflect how the game is played as influence how the game is played.
…This, my friends, is why Soriano should be an All-Star and another example of why Bobby Cox and John Schuerholz deserve to be in the Hall of Fame. Cox has resisted the temptation to move Soriano in the closer’s role to come in in less meaningful situations to rack numbers in a bogus stat. Schuerholz went out and got a true relief ace and, before that, went out and got a guy who could do the job of protecting leads in the ninth more often than not.
By Bob, Journalist
June 27, 2007 9:23 AM | Link to this
Atlanta, The City Too Busy to Vote for All-Star Teams … Though I no longer live there, it’ll always be home … I kinda like that distinction myself.
It’s a joke … the game and the selection process! It’s hard to imagine any credibility being given to a process not only allowing, but encouraging multiple voting?
A process that demands that at least one player from each team is deemed worthy of All Star recognition is bad enough. A name recognition, popularity baed exhibition game is fine if you’re so inclined … but why pretend it’s something that it’s not?
Why not allow just the managers to vote for one player at each position for their respective leagues … no votes for members of his own team? It would be simpler, would take less time, money and effort than the current process … would mean far more to the players and to the fans; except maybe those who get something out of being part of a corrupt process that demeans the sport and the game.
There are other and better ways to market the game, methinks.
Just an opine … Oh yes, I voted too … once!
By ncscoots
June 27, 2007 9:24 AM | Link to this
yes, yes, much love for Saltalamacchia on the blog last night, I see. Please try to hold that feeling, folks, when he has a multi-error game in the midst of a 1-for-19, LOL! Knowing the blog, though…
BTW, you can’t sub for him late (as someone suggested) unless and until Pena is recalled. Same scenario prevents Thorman from being used as a pinch hitter.
Andruw hits a three-run homer, but most of the posts railed about the strikeout after, or showed probably well-deserved skepticism. But since he didn’t get into this epic slump all at once, he won’t break out of it all at once, either. Shouldn’t expect it. Have a couple of good ABs a night (and last night he did) and build on it, that’s all you can ask. Hey, if he hits 20 dingers with 50 Ks in the second half, the blog can cast all the aspersions they want, but the Braves and Scott Boras will be tickled pink.
As far as the “lowly” Nats, they played a similar interleague schedule to the Braves, went 8-7, and came into the series on a winning streak. Some lowly.
By The Great Santini
June 27, 2007 9:26 AM | Link to this
I’m baaack! Conroy may have brought this to print and Duval to film, but I created this role. Ask my kids.
By Bigboi
June 27, 2007 9:27 AM | Link to this
Jason just want to let you knonw that your father-in-law was earnestly prayed for this morning and we’re believing for a good report.
By Ron Roberts
June 27, 2007 9:27 AM | Link to this
I think we’ll know if our starters have turned a corner this coming weekend. It’s nice to feel better about Hudson and Carlyle when they’re facing the Nationals, but the Marlins are more formidable, offensively. The way I see it shaking down, we’re gonna put Chuck James up Friday, then Huddy Saturday, Carlyle Sunday and Smoltz on Monday in LA. That puts Kyle Davies back on the hill in Dodger Stadium Tuesday.
This weekend should be a better barometer for our arms, I’d think.
Let’s hope Bobby goes for the sweep tonight instead of the Orr/Woodward crap. I swear, if we had Brayan Pena up, he’d put all three of ‘em in the lineup together, sometimes, eh?
By Lee
June 27, 2007 9:27 AM | Link to this
Shaun -
That is my general feeling also. Johnson has come a long way but with his streakiness as a hitter sometimes I think he is better suited to hit at the bottom of the lineup. I know you don’t feel it is that important where certain people bat within the lineup though. I would like to see Harris, when he plays, hit leadoff and maybe Esobar a little more also. I was all in favor of shaking this lineup up a little with their recent run production or lack of.
By Efrim
June 27, 2007 9:29 AM | Link to this
Apparently Buerhle is going to sign an extension.
Where are we going to get a pitcher???
By Ron Roberts
June 27, 2007 9:37 AM | Link to this
I’d still sub for Saltalamacchia at 1B late in the game if it were a late-and-close situation until he’s had an off-season and spring training to sharpen his 1B glove skills, though.
If anything, I’d take McCann out and move Saltalamacchia behind the dish while ya bring in a more sure glove at 1B in the 9th of a close game.
By Shaun
June 27, 2007 9:41 AM | Link to this
Lee,
I don’t know if Harris or Escobar can consistently get on base enough to come to the plate as often as leadoff hitters do. Harris has done a good job so far, but the real Willie Harris will likely show up at some point.
It’s a huge advantage when the first batter of the game has a pretty good shot at getting on in front of guys like Renteria and Chipper.
By Mike
June 27, 2007 9:42 AM | Link to this
William Wallace, If its not Scottish It’s Crap.
By Lew
June 27, 2007 9:44 AM | Link to this
Jason In Maine-Sorry to hear about your Father In Law, Dude. Hope they caught any problem early. Paladin-Good morning. Ready for another day on the ole Blog? Ready to take on the baggers? Plenty of the 4 Bagger variety last night. Maybe we’ll see more tonight. Now Last Nights Posts. Y’all-Andruw may or may not be coming out of his slump, but you can’t take his HR away from him. He DID hit it, be it on a bad swing, bad pitch, or whatever. Beats hell out of striking out, grounding out, or any of the numerous ways he made outs in the past weeks with all of those runners on base. Last night he drove them in. Be happy. Celebrate and be thankful. Renteria is not going to be traded. He’s our most consistent hitter. He has done nothing but hit .300 since coming to Atlanta and has been an All Star SS for two years. He’s under our contract control for two more years. Be thankful, For God’s sake. Where would we be without him? Yunel just isn’t in his category yet. Now McCann-After the past two games, I think it should be apparent to everyone that McCann has played through his injuries and is back to that sweet swing. No one is going to trade a catcher who can hit like we all know that boy can and will. His long term contract is definitely in our favor. Time to get real, y’all. McCann is excellent. Salty MAY get to be excellent, but despite his good start and that great two HR game yesterday, is still unproven. He won’t bring a CY YOung pitcher and maybe he WILL be our 1B of the future. Still to early to tell, but anyone who discounts McCann is a damn fool. Everyone gripes about Chipper taking time off for injuries, but just gave McCann major grief for playing through injuries. You can’t have it both ways. I think McCann just showed how much drive and guts he really has. You should praise the boy for it, not try to dump him for some schmuck that probably won’t help us, anyway. Now the Nats. All I’ve been hearing is how we have to sweep the Nats. How we should have beaten them like the proverbial drum all year. How we MUST beat the weaker teams, not just the Mets. Well, damn it all you Baggers-that’s exactly what we’re doing and now all I hear is well, IT’S ONLY THe NATs-don’t get so heated up. You can’t have it both ways. You need to learn to speak from your mouths, after making sure it’s connected to your brains. Talking out of your behind is stupid at best. Unfortunately it happens on a daily basis around here.
By Bob, Journalist
June 27, 2007 9:45 AM | Link to this
Thanks Jason! … adding a bit of levity to a serious situation … methinks there’s never been much question but that my words mean a lot … it’s just that a lot of folks are never quite sure what I mean when I use them! Hopefully, this is one time when there’s no question about either.
By Efrim
June 27, 2007 9:47 AM | Link to this
Kelly can’t hit tough lefties. He can hit lefties. He is struggling.
I HATE HAVING 3 PLATOONS!!!!!
By Lew
June 27, 2007 9:48 AM | Link to this
Stinky Santini-Did your mother feed dog food for dinner, too?
By Bull Meechum
June 27, 2007 9:49 AM | Link to this
Shut your little yaps! Now here it is sports fans, Beaufort S.C.!
By Braves Fan 79
June 27, 2007 9:54 AM | Link to this
I agree with Bob….the fan voting is a joke! I bet a player like Clemens would make the all star team (even thou hes pitched 2 games and not done 2 great), over a player like Smoltz (who clearly is among the elite NL pitchers). I will vote once as well…but dont have time to sit there and vote 50 times. I already waste enough of my time on these millionare babies as it is.
By The Great Santini
June 27, 2007 9:55 AM | Link to this
Tell ‘em Lew. But, don’t be so oblique. Say what you mean (:>). You got my, first ever, smiley face.
By Lee
June 27, 2007 9:55 AM | Link to this
As far as the “lowly” Nats, they played a similar interleague schedule to the Braves, went 8-7, and came into the series on a winning streak. Some lowly.
No saying much for the Braves play in interleague play. If they can’t beat teams like the Nats and Marlins they sure as he!! ain’t going to the playoff. It don’t take a genius to figure that out.
By scott
June 27, 2007 9:57 AM | Link to this
And play Harris everyday, the kid has earned it!!
And Diaz hasn’t? In case you didn’t know, Diaz has hit over 320 for the braves in almost 500 at bats. Willie’s hitting 370, yes, but he’s only had 120 ABS. How has Willie some how earned more play time that Diaz?
Also, how is it Cox thinks Escobar is lead off worthy and Johnson isn’t when Johnson has a 370+ OBP and Escobar has a 317? The kid hardly ever walks… he is NOT a good lead off option.
Also, I think platooning Kelly on a regular bases is insane. In 270 ABs, Kelly is 271, 373, 451. With 8 homers, 13 Double, 6 triples, almost 40 RBIs (out of the lead off spot) and a team high 44 Walks. He’s been great for the braves and even though Escobar is a good player, he has NOT earned half of Kelly’s starts. Cox is obviously p** about the bothched Bunt attempt the other night….
By Scott
June 27, 2007 10:00 AM | Link to this
And play Harris everyday, the kid has earned it!!
And Diaz hasn’t? In case you didn’t know, Diaz has hit over 320 for the braves in almost 500 at bats. Willie’s hitting 370, yes, but he’s only had 120 ABS. How has Willie some how earned more play time that Diaz?
Also, how is it Cox thinks Escobar is lead off worthy and Johnson isn’t when Johnson has a 370+ OBP and Escobar has a 317? The kid hardly ever walks… he is NOT a good lead off option.
Also, I think platooning Kelly on a regular bases is insane. In 270 ABs, Kelly is 271, 373, 451. With 8 homers, 13 Double, 6 triples, almost 40 RBIs (out of the lead off spot) and a team high 44 Walks. He’s been great for the braves and even though Escobar is a good player, he has NOT earned half of Kelly’s starts. Cox is obviously p** about the bothched Bunt attempt the other night….
By Shaun
June 27, 2007 10:03 AM | Link to this
Braves Fan 79,
Not trying to pick on you or aim this at you but you and I and all of the like-minded folks on this blog have a part in making these guys “millionaire babies.”
Just one of my pet peeves is when people complain about how much athletes make yet they’ll still watch the games and go to games. Actions speak louder than words. If it bothers you, show it with your actions.
By The Great Santini
June 27, 2007 10:03 AM | Link to this
Stinky Santini-Did your mother feed dog food for dinner, too?
Lew I don’t know what that reference is so I’m going to let it pass—for now.
By Lew
June 27, 2007 10:05 AM | Link to this
Stinky-Whatever else any may say of you-You do have your own style. That’s for sure. Just not so sure about that making out with Striesand thing, though. How’s your sister, anyway? Hanging in there?
By Bob, Journalist
June 27, 2007 10:05 AM | Link to this
It’s a guy thing to … intentionally say something that you know or strongly suspect others will find offensive … and then make light of it when called to task? I don’t get it?
By Lew
June 27, 2007 10:06 AM | Link to this
Or just hanging?
By journalist jimmy smith
June 27, 2007 10:15 AM | Link to this
journalist was just thinking about the lineup … how can bobby mess it up? salty had 2 homers last night - probably should sit salty. need to get orr some playing time and woodward, too. last night’s pitcher for the nats was the first in weeks to give andruw a pitch andruw could handle. the result was a 3-run homerun. that means andruw is restored and will be forever entrenched at clean-up, right? and what might this team do if the best hitters all played in the same game? and who are the best hitters? and if kj seems a little tender about being asked to sit - could kj be feeling a double standard since andruw cannot be removed from the lineup when andruw is far more a problem to this team than kj? and whither carroll rogers? and why has there been no discussion of toes on this blog for a time? and how about that smoltz! smoltz has cured chipper! and it seems long ago redman was out with a bad toe. redman could get andruw out and frenchy and woodward and orr and thorman. now, fourth of july is coming up and ideas for cookout are welcome. last year, journalist bob grilled sousemeat. not recommended for most bloggers.
By Braveheart
June 27, 2007 10:17 AM | Link to this
He does not make out with Streisand - only the side of her face she thinks is prettier than the other.
By Efrim
June 27, 2007 10:18 AM | Link to this
Scott,
I agree about Kelly. It better not be a straight platoon. Kelly is the only hitter in the lineup other than Chipper with any plate discipline.
By The Great Santini
June 27, 2007 10:20 AM | Link to this
Lew It’s funny that when I went by the moniker of “Paladin”, we were “friends”. Now, you seem to want to pick a fight with me. Well, I am always ready to fight, f—k or run a foot race but are you—with me? I refer to the first or third, of course.
BobJ I have great respect for you, Sir, but when did we hold an election and elect you the “conscience” of this blog?
By Carolina Lady
June 27, 2007 10:31 AM | Link to this
Had no idea that last night’s small bit of SOCIAL COMMENTARY would be problematic for anyone. I just found it interesting that one thing is perfectly acceptable while the other is not - and what it says about people.
Chrisklob, your use of God was perfectly understandable and (should) be acceptable anywhere. I’m totally in your corner!
Paladin, sorry, I missed the ‘No Girls Allowed’ sign on the clubhouse. My apologies.
By raindawg722
June 27, 2007 10:31 AM | Link to this
Is it fair to say that Johnson was “not happy” about sitting? We assume for the most part that every player who has been playing full time would not be happy about the prospect of seeing his playing time reduced. However, when a player sits in that situation the headline would usually read “So and So Sits,” and NOT “So and So Is Not Happy about Sitting,” UNLESS that player openly says they are not happy. Johnson’s exact words were “no comment,” presumably because he didn’t want to say anything that might show he was upset about Cox’s decision. In other words, he wanted to come across as a good team player. Instead, if you look at just the headline of the notes section, you might think that he was handling the decision poorly.
By Brand New Moniker
June 27, 2007 10:32 AM | Link to this
The subject of Monikers is currently being batted around. I post under various names. I used to post under a single name but found that I’m enjoying this forum much more now that I change things up. Some folks don’t like that people switch names. They want to feel that they can identify the words and personality with a concrete identity.
I have participated in a number of forums and user groups for many years. It started with AOL chatrooms, when AOL was brand new, (where I met my wife) and I eventually migrated to more specialty forums, like sports. Back in the day, only Trolls changed names. In fact, many Trolls still do that. (Some Mets fans on this blog) For years while chatting or posting, I created a name and stuck with it. I have found it more satisfying of late to switch names frequently.
Why? I don’t take responses as personally using multiple names. The humorous aspect of this is that I can be flamed by someone today, post under a different name tomorrow, and the person who flamed me is saying amen to my post! I don’t consider changing names to be Troll like behavior because I don’t post just to mess with people. I say what I want to say. I respond to posts I want to respond to. If someone goes off on me, I can respond, rebut or simply disappear. If someone wants to engage in civil banter. I can do that as well.
Having a static name can lead to developing online friendships with other “names.” It can also lead to making online enemies. I don’t care for having either.
He!! Folks have fun! It’s only the internet!
By Efrim
June 27, 2007 10:33 AM | Link to this
DOB
Would we consider dealing for Vasquez?? He is owed 6 million for the rest of the year. He is owed 11.5 million each year for the next three years. What worries me is that they would ask for Salty for Vasquez. If Schuerholz did that, I would be furious. I do like Vasquez as a #3 starter. Maybe not for 11.5 million a year for the next three years, but he is okay.
By Brand New Moniker
June 27, 2007 10:34 AM | Link to this
Goes into great detail about his affair with Granny Smith.
Lew, some guy had an affair with an apple?
hmmmm kinky!
By Carolina Lady
June 27, 2007 10:35 AM | Link to this
Paladin, that election was held long before you got here.
:-)
By David O'Brien
June 27, 2007 10:36 AM | Link to this
Scott, I agree with you on the KJ/Escobar 2B situation. I said to myself, what has Kelly done to lose starts, or be dropped to seventh in the order the other day?
I was convinced it was purely to showcase Escobar at 2B for another team or teams, but then when it was brought to my attention that Kelly’s hit .200 vs. lefties in May and June, it made me wonder if that weren’t a bigger part of the reasoning. Not sure, to be honest.
By Bull Meechum
June 27, 2007 10:38 AM | Link to this
LEW, I think we all know what your bag is. You’ve been ‘working’ with athletes for a hundred years, right.
As for Andruw, wouldn’t it be nice if JS could go back in time and trade AJ right before the deadline last year for a dozen bats and a hundred pounds of rosin. The money saved could’ve made room for Glavine last year.
You’re right about Renteria,though. He may turn out to be the best free-agent signing, after Maddog, thet Schuerholz ever made.
And nothing’s wrong with McCann, he just plays the most grueling position in the most grueling baseball city (weatherwise).
By Furman Bisher
June 27, 2007 10:39 AM | Link to this
Hey you kids, get off my lawn!
By David O'Brien
June 27, 2007 10:44 AM | Link to this
Rotomeister, Shaun: both of you make very good points about the KJ/Escobar situation. Can’t say I disagree with anything you two said on the matter.
Braveheart, fine post at 6:55 a.m.
By Bill
June 27, 2007 10:49 AM | Link to this
I don’t think it will take Salty to get Vasquez. There’s something in the works. I’d say that Salty,Escobar or Renteria will be traded. Which one who knows?
By David O'Brien
June 27, 2007 10:53 AM | Link to this
After talking to Schuerholz and a couple other Braves higher-ups yesterday, I was pretty convinced Braves were not players in the White Sox/Buehrle thing. They were asking waaaay too much from teams inquiring.
The pitching market is so thin with available impact guys, I’m having doubts whether the Braves will get one, at least not a big-timer.
Maybe closer to July 31 things will change, if a couple teams spiral out of contention and look to unload. But for now there’s so many teams looking for pitching and so few teams willing to consider moving good pitching, I don’t know if Braves are willing to give up what teams are asking for those select few guys that could definitely make an impact….
By the way, hearing very, very good things about Jo Jo Reyes. Expect to see him in the rotation next season. And who knows, maybe even a peak later this season. But I’d guess next year, for now….
Rarely do the Hawks warrant mention in this space, but just gotta say, I’d lift a can of RockStar in salute to the Hawks if they get Amare freakin’ Stoudamire.
Now THAT dude is a monster. Love his game.
By The Great Santini
June 27, 2007 10:55 AM | Link to this
Yes, fair lady, that is one of the problems here. You long-term seat warmers want to run this blog as a private member-only club. Well, wake up and smell the enchiladas, the nouveau riche with the flamingos in their yard have arrived and they have the same voting rights as you.
By N8
June 27, 2007 10:56 AM | Link to this
” I don’t think any GM would take Gwynn and his .370 season over McGwire’s 70 HR season(He hit 300 that year).”
Then it’s a SAD day in MLB, that GM’s would take the juicer over a good player. If that’s the case, why don’t the GM’s just “provide” HGH to all of their players in a little packet at Spring Training? Welcome to the season guys. NOW GO JUICE UP, we’ve got HR’s to hit.
I’ll rephrase my statement.
I’ll take 8 “guys that hit for average, and HAVE AN APPROACH” at the plate, vs. 8 guys that have the approach of Andruw Jones.
Hope that clarifies it up a little bit.
sheeesh
“And just because a guy bats .330 hitting in one slot does not mean he can necessarily replicate that average in other slots.”
Really, honestly? Do you really think that guys like Edgar or Chipper’s “numbers” would be all that different if you put them in different spots in the order?
I’ll conceed that Chipper’s RBI would go down, if he hit in the 2 hole, or leadoff spot. If you’ll conceed that Renteria’s would go up, hitting in the 3, 4 or 5 spots. Hell, even 6th. But make no mistake, they BOTH would still hit for a high average, wherever they were to hit in the order, you see……THEY ARE GOOD HITTERS WHO HAVE A CLUE WHILE STANDING IN THE BOX!
Or are you trying to tell me that if Francoeur was put in the leadoff spot, he “all of the sudden” would turn into a patient hitter who takes a ton of pitches, walks a lot and has an OBP over .400? I don’t think so. He is what he is. A first pitch hacker, who seems to have a knack for hacking at the right pitch once in a while. But GOOD PITCHERS can handle him.
I won’t disagree with you that he’s a good RBI guy. But then why not utilize him, lower in the order, and maximize his hack-n-jack style, by putting as many guys ahead of him, that get on base? Thus giving him more opporunities to drive in runs. Of course, that hasn’t worked out for AJ, has it? While AJ’s RBI totals are “nice enough”, the COULD be sky high, if the guy had a clue.
I’d take a healthy McCann, in the cleanup spot ANYDAY over Francoeur. Not to mention, from the looks of it, due to his approach at the plate, Salty will end up being a much more consistant RBI guy than Francoeur before long, if he hasn’t already. He just needs to be in the lineup, IMO.
Argue away.
By rammerjammer
June 27, 2007 10:58 AM | Link to this
When a player unexpectedly keeps coming up big, it’s time to re-evaluate. It’s clear Salty is forcing management’s hand by exceeding expectations.
Sure they can get pitching for him, but he is displaying the talents of a SPECIAL player, not just a serviceable one.
I was all for dealing him for pitching, but I’m having second thoughts. His body of work since coming up has been strong…from both sides of the plate.
And he’s athletic enough to learn to play first base.
I’m thinking perhaps the better move is dealing Thorman and/or Escobar for some middle-to-back of the rotation pitching. Salty, I fear, is TOO good to let go.
By David O'Brien
June 27, 2007 11:02 AM | Link to this
Efrim, he’s way overpriced. No way I’d give up talent and pay him those salaries. Just check his annual records and ERAs….
Bull, Edgar wasn’t a free-agent signing. Braves traded for him. Boston signed him to the four-year, $40 mill deal, then traded him after one error-filled season, really the first (and still only) bad season of his career.
By Bull Meechum
June 27, 2007 11:02 AM | Link to this
Lew, Babbs is rather scary.
By jbutler
June 27, 2007 11:04 AM | Link to this
DOB- please tell me your Rock Star salute would be minus the chew. Ew.
By Bob, Journalist
June 27, 2007 11:04 AM | Link to this
I think I should explain my previous post before someone thinks it was directed at Palidin or any specific individual … my choice of words only reflected the fact that I had recently read his post … I assure you it was not specifically directed at anyone!
I simply don’t consider it to be a gender related thing! There are boorish women as well as boorish men just as there gentlemen as well as ladies.
Unacceptable behavior is unacceptable behavor, regardless of sex … and ineffective use of the vulgar is unacceptable in polite society and on this Blog!
We all misspeak and that’s understood by all, at least within limits.
No, this is less about language than it is about respect … as I indicated in my 12:12, if you choose to use language or say something that you know others will find offensive then you are showing disrespect for those people, regardless of gender and regardless of whom it is that your words are actually directed.
While there may occassionally be special circumstances, methinks there is no general defense for such behavior and attempting to so defend it is showing additional disrespect as well as being self demeaning.
If you want to be a Mensch … then be a Mensch! Don’t indulge in such despicable behavior … and if you forget yourself and ocassionally miss the mark, apologize, don’t defend!
If you want to be a boor … be one!
The choice is yours … but don’t try to defend your behavior in a way that makes it appear to be something it is not.
It’s not a tirade but rather a beseechment that greater consideration be given, by all of us, to both our language and the feelings of others … it’s really not that much of an inconvenience and once you get used to it, methinks you’ll be gald that you did.
By Renegator
June 27, 2007 11:05 AM | Link to this
I think the reason KJ is now falling victim to the platoon is because he pi$$ed off Bobby. It might have been the failed bunt on Saturday because since then he was dropped to the 2nd spot on Sunday, dropped to the 7th spot on Monday and then benched on Tuesday. This after batting lead-off in every single game (that he has been in) this year. He did something to pi$$ off Bobby and now he is paying for it. Kind of like the way McBride got shipped out two days after Bobby got pi$$ed at hiim for having no control in that 9th inning. Thoughts anyone???
By Stewie
June 27, 2007 11:07 AM | Link to this
I thought that All Star teams were supposed to be made up of All Stars. Haven’t seen many of those this year on the Braves.
By diehardbravesfan
June 27, 2007 11:07 AM | Link to this
Maybe the reason many of us are not voting is due to the fact that we are not getting the ballots. This is the first time in 4 years i haven’t gotten mine.
By Lex Luthor
June 27, 2007 11:07 AM | Link to this
When was the last time I was handed an all-star ballot at the ball park:
ITS BEEN YEARS
Voting on the Internet feels dirty.
By Efrim
June 27, 2007 11:07 AM | Link to this
DOB
Bummer if the Braves don’t get a pitcher. They won’t make the post season without one. Jo Jo Reyes should be in the rotation next season instead of Kyle Davies.
Would you deal Josh Smith in a deal to get Amare???
Probably. The Hawks have 8 small forwards.
By Yars
June 27, 2007 11:08 AM | Link to this
All Bobby is trying to do is win ball games. If that means shaking up the lineup a bit, I’m all for it. The reality is, KJ has been struggling not only against LH pitching, but RH pitching as well. I don’t think Bobby is benching KJ because of that awful at bat Saturday where he was trying to bunt. I think once KJ starts hitting the ball consistently, you will see him in the lineup more. Maybe he would be better off if he stopped hitting leadoff and was put in the #2 or #7 hole the rest of the season. I also predict Escobar won’t be in a Braves uniform come July 31. He should be playing everyday whether it’s at SS, 3B, or 2B. There just isn’t room for him in Atlanta now, or in the future.
By BamaBrave
June 27, 2007 11:09 AM | Link to this
Do we know if Andruw hurt himself last night? He winced a few times after several of his Bruce Lee whiffs. I was actually a bit bummed that he hit that homer. Unless he’s hurt, the guy will REALLY start swinging for the parking lot now.
By Bravesfan
June 27, 2007 11:10 AM | Link to this
Who cares about the stats,just vote for your home team
By DirtyDawg
June 27, 2007 11:13 AM | Link to this
OK, here’s my two-cents worth…Anybody that knows anything about it will tell you the kid Escobar is a natural. He’ll be an all-star in a year or two at most - hopefully here - and will end up with a HOF career. Johnson has worked hard to make himself into a good leadoff man - mostly through taking a lot of pitches and hoping he draws a walk. He’s struggling at the plate now and if I were Bobby I’d be doing the same thing. By the way, Johnson is NOT a second baseman. He has absolutely no range - when’s the last time you saw him make a play behind second base and throw someone out?…never. He can’t turn the double play - and that includes starting it. Don’t get me wrong, he’s adequate, but he isn’t in the top thirty of defensive second basemen in MLB. And about his ‘no comment’. If he’d truly been handling it like a team-player, he’d have said, ‘Look, I’ve been struggling at the plate, as have a lot of the guys, and we’re not winning. Bobby’s got to do something to try and shake things up and maybe this’ll help. I’m willing to do whatever it takes for us to win.’ That’s what a true team player would have said - not ‘no comment’…be careful son, with that attitude it’ll be your fanny on the block, not Escobar’s. That kid’s a player.
As for Andruw, that home run may have been the worst thing that could have happened. Once again he was swinging from his heels - only this time he happened to connect. Did you notice the next at bat when he almost came out of his shoes swinging wildly at a fastball right down the middle. He may be the most stubborn kid I’ve ever seen at the plate. If I were Pendleton or Cox, I’d make him choke up on the bat for the next month at least. With that he’d be forced to change his entire approach at the plate - shorter, more compact swings…quick and through the hitting zone…and balls back through the middle. And don’t let him, or Boros, tell you he can’t generate power that way, look at Bonds - already the all-time homerun hitter that chokes up on the bat.
Well I suppose that’s enough to get you started.
By Carolina Lady
June 27, 2007 11:13 AM | Link to this
Welcome, Santini. Changing your screen name was an excellent idea. A Paladin should never be dishonored or tarnished.
Take over, big guy. You are no longer respected.
CL out.
By Gil in Mechanicsville
June 27, 2007 11:13 AM | Link to this
To whom it may concern…. A wise man once said, “I can respect a man whom I do not like but I cannot like a man I do not respect.”
Now baseball. Yes Kelly cooled off as of late but when you go into an offensive slump as a team like the one of recent Braves history, you have to do something different.
It would be great if all the “regulars” could play everyday but that is not realistic. I look for Kelly and Thorman to be a bit better when they return.
Okay folks, I have chores to do so I will give it a for a while.
By The Great Santini
June 27, 2007 11:14 AM | Link to this
I think I am going to change my moniker aain. How about: See no evil; Hear no evil; Speak no evil. Could I get back in your good graces then, O Great Guru?
By Bull Meechum
June 27, 2007 11:17 AM | Link to this
Anybody got a can of mushroom soup?
By Jersey Gil
June 27, 2007 11:20 AM | Link to this
DOB…The situation of KJ and Escobar is more that Stats..i think….The other day in the games was a situation with Kelly missing something…that when he was back to the dougout..he and bobby was in somekind of confrontation….Can you confirm that? or elaborate more. I think was on the game that ESPN.
By Efrim
June 27, 2007 11:22 AM | Link to this
ALL
Check MLB.com on the Braves home page. Braves notes reveal that they have looked into acquiring Akinori Otsuka from the Rangers.
I like it. He has been very good against lefties his whole career. I guess if you can’t acquire a starter, then you may as well have the best bull pen in the NL. Plus it would give Soriano some rest.
By Braveheart
June 27, 2007 11:28 AM | Link to this
The Hawks will trade Sheldon Williams for Amare and Sheldon Williams will turn out to be Amare. just kidding but you never know after Diaw. Why the hell are the Suns so desperate to trade Amare? I know money is an issue but…….. well, I guess I should finish this over at Sekou’s blog because like DOB, he writes a helluva blog as well…… he needs more patrons though….. getting a stud like Amare would certainly help him out there….
By N8
June 27, 2007 11:30 AM | Link to this
DOB
” I just don’t know if Braves are willing to give up what teams are asking for those select few guys that could definitely make an impact….”
That’s actually the best news I’ve read in a while. Of course to agree with that, one has to be willing to possibly miss the post-season this year (which I am) if things don’t “turn around” for guys like Andruw, and Chipper’s health.
I’m all for JS making a run at it, if we don’t have to give up the studs (Escobar & Salty). But, like I said last night, I’d hate to end up on the wrong side of a Smoltz for Alexander type of trade. And, YES, I would still say the same thing, if giving up Salty for Buehrle would guarantee a WS berth this year. Call me crazy if you must, but I enjoy watching the kids play.
With our “budget” we need to keep every good young player we’ve got, IMO.
As far as my saying that I’d still trade McCann over Salty? I’m ONLY saying that, if one of them HAS TO GO. In a perfect world, they both stay, and Salty learns to play 1B the rest of this year, and over the winter.
And I still believe (again, call me crazy), that Escobar “might” be able to reasonably replace Renteria at SS next year. Because, I believe that we probably would be able to get a good young “promising” pitcher for a guy like Renteria over the winter, as opposed to picking up somebody else’s “garbage/overpaid” rotation guy for young talent like Escobar.
I would much rather stockpile good, young, inexpensive talent for our veterans (I’ll refrain from using the term firesale as to not pizz anybody off), than give up our said young, inexpensive talent for guys that might not have an impact.
If Ted still owened the team, or we had and owner willing to skyrocket the budget, like years past. Then by all means, give away the farm for guys like McGriff, Neagle, etc…
But with guys like Hudson, Smoltz, Chipper, and Hampton on the books, (all guys that probably are not going anywhere), we can’t afford any more high priced talent AND still fill the roster, without having guys like Wilson, Woodward, Orr and Redman on the team.
Go with youth, athleticism, promise and CHEAP, mixed in with some veterans that can lead, while producing at the same time (Chipper, Smoltz, Hudson and even Hampton - though I’m DONE expecting that he’ll ever give us another good inning ever again - that way if he does, I’ll be pleasantly surprised).
I honestly believe that with this weak NL, (unless the Mets retool and run away with it), our best shot is staying with what we got, and crossing our fingers. It may fail, but I’m OK with that…..for now.
By ncscoots
June 27, 2007 11:30 AM | Link to this
Efrim, is there a single non-Braves pitcher in either league that you DON’T like? :-)
By bruce
June 27, 2007 11:33 AM | Link to this
Carolina Lady Thanks for your 10:48 last night. You said what needs to be said more often. Words like yours have more impact when the ladies on the blog say it and especially when greatly respected ladies like you speak. I suspect that Carroll Rogers would participate more often except that the blog seems to get more nasty when she is the blogmaster when Dave is away. May she could say similar words periodically to calm the waters. Thanks for yours. Bruce
By fastasballs
June 27, 2007 11:34 AM | Link to this
I really don’t think Kelly hitting 7th is a result of Bobby being upset with him over a bad bunt attempt. Cox has nobody but himself to blame when players that never practice a bunt are expected to lay one down in crucial situation.
I think Cox is finially shaking the line up a bit to spark the offense. Granted that still doesn’t explain why Andruw is batting 4th. If I were Cox I think I would be a bit more upset with Andruw & Frenchy than Kelly, but I’m not so I can only speculate as to what goes on or doesn’t go on between Cox’s ears.
There is no way Salty is traded, not now. I thought he would be myself, but he shows the poise & composure of a veteran player. He can hit for average & power.
Esbobar traded? Maybe. The Braves farm system is stacked with good infield prospects. There are not any more switch hitting, average & power hitters roaming around so I would say if either is traded it is Esbobar.
I would say JS waits until after July 15th to make a move if he does. That’s toward the end of the long line of losing teams the Braves play & he will have a better gauge on the team as far as making a legit run at the division.
By Lew
June 27, 2007 11:34 AM | Link to this
Fish are led to the hook by the use of worms or crickets-even the occaisonal fake lure. Deer are sometimes stalked using Estrus to attract the bucks. However, we are a supposedly more highly developed species and we should not be baited with the use of Foul Odors. Being the Kinder, Gentler person I am, I will not be baited as if I were a carp. I’m so inspired by this newfound spirit of humanity that in honor of the 40th Anniversary of The Summer Of Love, I’m going to get all psychedelic and go listen to Electric LadyLand-maybe some Blue Cheer, Strawberry Alarm Clock or some Waiting For The Sun. Bait on, Oh Ill Wind. I shall be far out, myself. Later, y’all.
By Pat Conroy
June 27, 2007 11:37 AM | Link to this
MEECHUM! SANTINI! HEEL!!!!
By Arkansas Hillbilly
June 27, 2007 11:38 AM | Link to this
A couple of minor league notables from Myrtle Beach. Check out Kala Kaa… oh, nevermind… Kala Hawaii’s numbers for the month of June:
AVG .407
R-22
H-35
2B-6
HR-8
RBI-24
BB-16
SO-19
OBP-.495
SLG-.756
OPS-1.251
Here’s some of Eric Campbell’s numbers in the last ten games after a horrible start:
AVG-.426
AB-47
R-10
H-20
2B-2
HR-3
RBI-11
BB-1
SO-3
SB-3
CS-1
By Efrim
June 27, 2007 11:39 AM | Link to this
NCScoots,
Ervin Santana.
By Soup Nazi
June 27, 2007 11:40 AM | Link to this
No soup for you!
By BamaBrave
June 27, 2007 11:40 AM | Link to this
The NBA…yawn… It hasn’t been the same since Rodman was a brunette.
By Lew
June 27, 2007 11:43 AM | Link to this
Oh Yeah-And maybe go paint by numbers for a while. Wonder where I heard that one in the past. Bye.
By Coach (BRINGING THE WRECKING BALL)
June 27, 2007 11:48 AM | Link to this
Trade Escobar ? Good idea. Just like when we traded Betemit last season and then Chipper went back on the DL two games later. Great idea , but can John Schuerholz spell D-E-J-A V-U ?
By Lew
June 27, 2007 11:54 AM | Link to this
Morning, Hillbilly-It’s been a while. Interesting-your mention of Kai’hue (or whatever). Has anyone figured him into the equation when we think of Salty at 1B? Which one is REALLY the 1B of the future. Coach (I Hope The Wrecking Ball Doesn’t Hit me In The Head), what’s your crystal ball say? Or do you rely on scrying?
By Arkansas Hillbilly
June 27, 2007 11:57 AM | Link to this
Lew,
As an avid hunter, I’ll also add to your analogy that deer are also attracted by occasional grunting, bleating, and rattling to go along with the foul odor…all of which seem to fit well in supporting your case in this instance.
By Silver Surfer
June 27, 2007 11:57 AM | Link to this
Anybody seen my movie?
By Renegator
June 27, 2007 12:02 PM | Link to this
I KJ is being sat because his numbers have dropped - how do you explain Francouer, Andruw, Thorman, Woodward, and Orr’s presense in the lineup. I’m telling you - there is more to the Kelly Johnson saga than just getting Escobar playing time. If Bobby wanted to sit someone for a day, it should be Chipper so he can rest his groin and hands.
There is something else going on here. I wouldn’t be surprised if Johnson was traded before the deadline. I’m not saying it will happen - I just wouldn’t be surprised.
By ncscoots
June 27, 2007 12:02 PM | Link to this
Lew, it’s no problem…when Kala comes up, has 80 ABs, and becomes the stud du jour, the blog can rave about moving Saltalamacchia to LF or CF or 3B to make room for him, LOL.
By Shaun
June 27, 2007 12:05 PM | Link to this
Coach (BRINGING THE WRECKING BALL),
Yeah, trading Betemit was terrible, wasn’t it?
He’s hitting all of .197 with a .434 OPS this season.
Aybar hit .313/.373/.391 for the Braves last season, so it didn’t hurt the Braves for him to replace Betemit last season.
This season looks like Yunel Escobar is playing the Betemit/Aybar role and so far he’s doing a decent job.
Hard to believe there are still folks out there who still think the Betemit trade was a bad one.
By Greg
June 27, 2007 12:11 PM | Link to this
Silver Surfer:
Your movie sucks. And you are by far the lamest of all Marvel characters. It doesn’t take much to imagine the marketing meeting that spawned your existence. Let’s see: What are the kids into today? I know, surfing. Let’s create a surfing character. We’re so lucky this meeting didn’t occur in 1988 or you would be the Burgundy Breakdancer.
By Bull Meechum
June 27, 2007 12:15 PM | Link to this
Don’t go, Paladin. I was gonna make espresso.
By Shaun
June 27, 2007 12:16 PM | Link to this
Renegator,
I don’t see KJ going anywhere. He’s too cheap and good to be traded. Plus he could play 2B, SS, 3B or LF in a pinch.
I wouldn’t read too much into a day off. He’s struggling, it’s getting hotter in Atlanta, Escobar is playing well.
What would a team be willing to give up for Kelly Johnson that’s virtually equal in production and contract value? And why would the Braves give up Johnson for someone either less valuable or significantly more expensive? And Johnson’s not young enough to improve drastically and become one of the best players in the game, so why would a team give up something like a top-notch pitcher for him?
Don’t think he’s going anywhere.
By Lee
June 27, 2007 12:20 PM | Link to this
Renegator
Don’t know if many teams would have interest in Johnson at present time or not. However, Johnson needs to prepare for a platoon situation because if Escobar is not traded he is going to start seeing more playing time. Cox just as well said so out of his own mouth.
By ernesto
June 27, 2007 12:21 PM | Link to this
Shaun, with all due respect, whatever Betemit is doing out in LA they got the better end of that deal. All we got was a rent-a-pitcher who had, what?, 2 decent outings, and an increase in our insurance premiums from the Aybar intervention. Whether or not we should have kept Wilson is up for debate, but we got little to no value back.
By brent a.
June 27, 2007 12:21 PM | Link to this
It makes no sense to me why the Wolves would rather have the Hawks picks than Amare Stoudemire.
Stoudemire is already inked to a long-term deal, so in reality, in my opinion, the Suns are still not willing to offer up Stoudemire to acquire KG, because if they were, the Wolves would have already completed the deal, and Amare would be wearing a Wolves uniform.
By BamaBrave
June 27, 2007 12:23 PM | Link to this
Don’t let the door hit you on the mistletoe, “Paladin”…
By Tomas
June 27, 2007 12:25 PM | Link to this
I’ve got a feeling, that the braves are starting to look like the teeam of old. They’re starting to come together, Andruw looks more confident, and he is starting to get out of the slump. Bobby really clicked the right botton by putting Salty at first base, I say no platoon just leave salty every day. In second base I think we put harris to platoon with Escobar, this will give Diaz big bat a spot everyday on the lineup. As for Kelly Johnson, and Thorman they have 3 options, one is get trade for starting pitching maybe a Mark Buerhrly, 2 is to be benched, and 3 for Thorman only is to go back to the minors.
By Renegator
June 27, 2007 12:26 PM | Link to this
Shaun:
I’m just saying something is going on here. First he’s dropped to 2nd in the lineup - then 7th - then dropped all together. There are plenty of other players on this team who are playing MUCH worse than Kelly is who still are in the line-up everyday or still hit in the same spot in the line-up.
I think Bobby is mad at him for something and you saw what happened to McBride when Bobby got mad at him…
By Lew
June 27, 2007 12:26 PM | Link to this
Uh Greg-Galactacus and the Silver Surfer are decades old, just like the Hulk, just like Spider Man, just like the Fantastic Four, Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman (to name just a few). He’s been part of the Marvel Universe back in my childhood (you know, sometime after the ark but before the dinosaurs died)T. he Surfer may not be the most interesting of the bunch or the most popular, but he was not created to cover a niche market in 2007. He’s probably older than you.
By Bob, Journalist
June 27, 2007 12:27 PM | Link to this
Santini, I respect you as well!
However, in no way, at any time nor any place … has it been my intent to suggest that I was speaking for you, your “conscience”, any one or anything else … regardless of anyone’s interpretation of the words or tone contained my rhetoric.
I’m unaware of any such election but would be willing to so serve if the salary and benefit package was attractive.
I would be surprised and somewhat disappointed if you’re suggesting that publicly engaging in an activity which one knows to be considered repulsive to others is not being insensitive to their feelings and showing them disrespect, regardless of contrarywise potestations.
If folks don’t hold themselves to a high moral standard set, I consider that to be their misfortune … and that it truly is, methinks … but I don’t think it’s inappropriate to express concern, displeasure and disapproval simply because of political incorrectness or because my standards are above the minimal standards that have been deemed permissable.
Not only do I not so think, I will continue to express both so long as I am permitted to so do, campaigning for what I consider to be appropriate behavior, regardless of any election(s) … and would hope that I am joined by others; regardless of their voting records.
That’s expressing it as well as i know how to so do … so I’m now leaving the friendly confines for my benfit and the pleasure of others …
By Lew
June 27, 2007 12:28 PM | Link to this
BYE. Don’t let the door hit you in the mistletoe.
By Lee
June 27, 2007 12:29 PM | Link to this
Noticed Langerhans almost had that average up to 180 at the start of last night’s game. Funny thing was the Nats still had a winning record when he started just like the Braves did. One of the announcers stated this. Talk about a good luck charm.
Betemit would not have helped this team. Aybar was as good or at least = to Betemit until he went on his drinking binge and needed help. Unfortunately Aybar is also the one who cursed us with Orr and Woodward this year.
By Jeff R
June 27, 2007 12:29 PM | Link to this
Kelly Johnson is fine for the time being. Call him a place marker until management comes up with a solid 2B prospect.
Salty needs to be the Braves 1B. Thorman is better as a back up or, at best, a platoon player (somewhere other than Atlanta). From Salty’s point of view, he’s got to want to play first. It’s a career extender. Catchers generally don’t have long careers due to wear and tear. Only way to deal him is for a young top flight starting pitcher. Not likely to happen. Good pitching is at a premium these days.
By Lew
June 27, 2007 12:30 PM | Link to this
BamaBrave-Apparently, great minds think alike.
By DAP
June 27, 2007 12:31 PM | Link to this
*Marty”” *Braves fans suck.
speak for yourself. you suck. im awesome.
By Thrillhouse44
June 27, 2007 12:31 PM | Link to this
Coach, Betemit’s batting average is lower than Andruw’s. We’re not missing much.
By BamaBrave
June 27, 2007 12:34 PM | Link to this
For what it’s worth, I agree Ernesto… We got nada in the trade with LA, and while Betemit has struggled mightily out West, he put up solid numbers here before the trade. Perhaps he was simply more confident and comfortable in a Braves uniform, playing within a Braves system he knew inside and out. Just a hunch. Alas…we’ll never know…
By snowball's chance
June 27, 2007 12:35 PM | Link to this
I don’t know if a link to the Allstar voting has been posted so here it is
http://mlb.mlb.com/index.jsp
Attention Voters From Florida and Ohio. your votes will be counted this time. Enjoy.
By Braveheart
June 27, 2007 12:36 PM | Link to this
Shaun,
The Betemit trade was a bad trade. It was. Correction on the stats you provided. While having a bad season, Betemit’s OPS this season is higher than the OPS numbers for Frenchy, McCann, Escobar, Thorman, and your fave Andruw Jones.
Betemit is hitting .197 with a .331 OBP and a .434 SLG., and a .765 OPS. Betemit is hitting a homer every 15 at bats.
Andruw, the guy you love to defend, is hitting .198, with a .300 OBP, and a .385 SLG, a .685 OPS. Andruw is hitting a homer every 23 at bats.
McCann is hitting .264, with a .315 OBP, a .423 SLG, and a .738 OPS. Betemit has more homers in 100 less at bats.
Frenchy is hitting .273, with a .318 OBP, a .411 SLG, and a .729 OPS. Betemit has as many homers in 180 less at bats.
Escobar is .273, .317, .364, .681 OPS.
You said yesterday Diaz should hit cleanup. Diaz’ OBP is .357 to Betemit’s .331. Diaz’ SLG is .457 to Betemit’s .434. Diaz has 11 extra base hits in 162 at bats. Betemit has 13 extra base hits in 40 less at bats. Diaz has 5 walks in 162 at bats. Betemit has 25 walks in 122 at bats.
Betemit has 29 Runs+RBIS-homers this year. Willie Harris has 32 in 4 more at bats.
I don’t think Betemit is a starter. Just a great sub. How good would this team be this year with both Betemit and Escobar coming off the bench instead of having to endure the pain of Orr and Woodward, neither of whom are MLBers. Don’t tell me money. Betemit was not going to be making that much money this year. Hell, Betemit, with his power, may have been a much better first base option right now than Thorman and Craig Wilson - a helluva lot cheaper and maybe a helluva platoon at first. Betemit had a lot of utility as a player. A team with guys like Harris, Betemit, and Escobar on the bench has great utility because they can play all positions almost on the infield and probably the corner outfield as well. Also, with super subs like harris, escobar, and betemit on the roster, it would have been easier to call up pena and salty so that salty can get more at bats. This team would have had a great shot in the postseason with a bench featuring Betemit, Escobar, Willie, Salty, and Pena. That would have been a helluva strong bench. No holes in it.
Shaun, it was just a horrible trade. i find it amazing you are still being an apologist for such a terrible trade.
By Shaun
June 27, 2007 12:39 PM | Link to this
ernesto,
We got rid of Betemit’s contract and got a younger, cheaper infielder with better overall hitting ability and a little more versatility. Granted, that player isn’t playing but hindsight is 20/20.
Also, Baez could have come in and helped the Braves to a Wild Card berth. Again, hindsight is 20/20.
Also, we opened up a spot for a younger, cheaper player in Escobar.
Don’t underestimate dumping players who are or are soon to be monetarily overvalued and who are taking up roster spots.
Betemit trade is over and done with. Braves didn’t lose anything and they did gain some things that are very important for a team trying to squeeze wins out of every penny of their payroll.
By Efrim
June 27, 2007 12:45 PM | Link to this
Jeff R.
Kelly is more than a place marker. Guy is struggling and he has a .373 On Base percentage. He is one of the best lead off men in the National League. I don’t care that he doesn’t steal bases. We just need him to get on base, which he is doing.
By dcarp23
June 27, 2007 12:46 PM | Link to this
DOB wondered what you took away from this article in the Chicago Tribune, which noted that the Braves had two scouts at last nights DRays-White Sox game.
http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/whitesox/chi-soxbrite27jun27,1,2012492.story?coll=cs-whitesox-headlines
Is it common for teams to send their professional scouts to every game and this writer just didn’t realize it? Would they have been there a day early to watch Buerhle throw tonight? Might the Bravos be interested in Jon Garland or James Shields? Or is there absolutely nothing to read into this?
By Coach (BRINGING THE WRECKING BALL)
June 27, 2007 12:48 PM | Link to this
Shuan , do you really think I’m going to let you get away with your little whitewash revisionist history ? the answer is NO. Betemit hit 9 HR with 29 RBI while batting .281 as a backup last season. Willy Aybar had all of 1 freaking HR and 8 RBI after he came to Atlanta. Where is Aybar now ? WHERE , GENIUS ? Go ahead and make fun of Betemit this season , at least he is actually playing ! HELLO , where is Aybar ? So , Shaun , What you believe is you would rather have the A.W.O.L Aybar over Betemit , who is actually playing , if you had the choice , right ? Brilliant ! Congratulation’s you have blown my mind once again.
By Jeff R
June 27, 2007 12:50 PM | Link to this
I’d gripe about giving up Wainwright before I’d gripe about giving up a once top prospect who’s proving to be a marginal bench player.
By Braveheart
June 27, 2007 12:52 PM | Link to this
Betemit’s 25 walks in 122 at bats are almost as many as the combined efforts of Salty, Willie, Diaz, Yunel in 446 at bats.
Again, Betemit has 25 walks in 122 at bats. Salty, Willie, Diaz, and Yunel have combined for 26 walks in 446 at bats.
Betemit’s 25 walks in 122 at bats are only 2 less than the 27 combined walks of Frenchy, Diaz, and Salty in their combined 545 at bats.
Betemit’s 25 walks in 122 at bats are more than the 23 walks of Frenchy and Diaz combined in their 466 at bats.
Again, Betemit ain’t hitting great. But it goes to show you how poorly some of the guys we got are doing when you start breaking these things down.
By Patrick
June 27, 2007 1:00 PM | Link to this
Forget about Buehrle, he’s off the market. 670 AM in Chicago is reporting that he re-signed with the Sox today at 4 yrs. 50 mil
By David O'Brien
June 27, 2007 1:00 PM | Link to this
Shaun, Braves also got a supplemental first-round draft pick (33rd overall selection) from Orioles as compensation for Baez, no small matter.
For those interested: Betemit is hitting .197 with five doubles, eight homers, 29 RBIs, 39 strikeouts and a .331 OBP and .765 OPS in 122 at-bats for the Dodgers. He’s been great this season as a pinch-hitter (7-for-16, three homers), and godawful as a position player (.160, 17-for-106, 5 HRs, 12 RBIs, 34 Ks).
He hit .280 with eight homers and 17 RBIs in his first 31 games for the Dodgers after the July 28 trade, and in his 87 subsequent games he’s hit .190 (36-for-189) with six doubles, nine homers, 27 RBIs and 55 strikeouts, with a .673 OPS (.308 OBP).
He’s 1-for-19 with a homer and eight strikeouts in his past nine games.
The third-base job was his to lose this season, and he’s hit .155 (16-for-103) with five homers and 33 Ks as a 3B this season.
By Jeff R
June 27, 2007 1:05 PM | Link to this
Efrim, Johnson’s played well at second—in fact, better than I thought he would at the outset of the season. I just think that management will want a younger player with more speed and a little more agility than Johnson. Gut feeling, but I don’t think he’ll be at second long term.
By Shaun
June 27, 2007 1:05 PM | Link to this
Braveheart,
If I’m not mistaken, Betemit is arbitration eligible again after this season. He’s probably going to play well enough to get a big raise. Either that or he’s a free agent and the Braves would have got absolutely nothing for him. (Maybe DOB can shed some light on Betemit’s contract situation.)
Instead the Braves got a better player in Aybar, although he’s obviously not contributing now, but again, hindsight is 20/20.
If Aybar were available it would be a good bench. Imagine a healthy Aybar, Escobar, Willie, Salty, and Pena. That bench would have been younger and cheaper and more versatile than one with Betemit.
Another thing to consider, Betemit doesn’t have the range to play middle infield regularly and doesn’t hit enough to play third regularly.
It’s only a bad move if you ignore contracts, ignore age, and ignore the fact that we have the benefit of hindsight.
By Devil's Advocate
June 27, 2007 1:09 PM | Link to this
Shaun, my brother! Keep it up!
By Joe Schmoe
June 27, 2007 1:09 PM | Link to this
Sorry guys, but I had to comment on the Betemit trade. That trade was one of Scheurholtz’s smart trades that we’ve come to see over the years. He traded a guy that, yes, did have some upside he hadn’t reached yet but was at the height of his trade value with us. What we got for him was a younger, faster, less expensive replacement who doesn’t have as much power but hit for a higher average and was almost as highly regarded as Betemit was coming up through the minor leagues.
The real steal of that trade was getting the Dodgers to throw in Baez just for the heck of it. That deal was basically a Betemit for Aybar swap and the Braves wanted Baez(a guy the Dodgers traded two descent pitching prospects for) thrown in. Yeah, they wanted him to help out in the bullpen last year, but they really wanted him to walk at the end of the year and pick up two additional draft picks which they did. When you look at it, the Braves traded a guy, who is very good defensively but who couldn’t keep an everyday job on a team that makes a personel move every other day trying to upstart their offense, for a guy who can back up all infield positions well and can run and hit a little, and got another infield prospect with big time power potential(with the first pick) and another power arm for the bullpen who could be up next year setting up for Soriano(with the second pick).
Sounds like a great trade to me.
By The Grinch
June 27, 2007 1:11 PM | Link to this
Why is everyone suddenly so mad at Paladin? I thought he was a pretty cool dude.
Gil, what do you think about single action revolvers? I’ve got my eye on a stainless Ruger Vaquero in .45 long colt. Peacemakers are just out of my price range, and all I’ve read about this one has been positive. Of course, they’re outdated for carry use, but to wear on the hip in the woods while hunting, plinking, practicing quick-draw and such I think it’d be fun.
By P-Town Brave
June 27, 2007 1:18 PM | Link to this
I as well as Carp am wondering, why would we be one of only two teams to have scouts at last night’s Chi Sox game, unless we are hot after Garland, whom I believe would be a better get than any of their pitchers. Just check out his career WHIP and you’ll see what I mean. Whats your status on this DOB?
By Shaun
June 27, 2007 1:19 PM | Link to this
Coach (BRINGING THE WRECKING BALL),
Hindsight! But I’m sure you knew all along Aybar would have the problems he’s having, right?
Also, you are ignoring the numbers that matter. When you take into account league and park, Betemit’s OPS was about 16 percent above average. Aybar’s was average. But OPS assumes OBP and SLG are of equal importance, which they are not. I imagine that 16 percent gap would close a bit once you take into account Aybar posted a better OBP.
Again, only folks who are ignoring the fact that we have the benefit of hindsight, ignoring age and ignoring contract status think this was a bad trade.
Can we please talk about something relevant? How about the fact that saves are the most bogus stat in sports history? Anything besides the trade of a fringe player.
DOB, some help against these people that think Schuerholz can predict the future and think contract status and age and defensive versatility means nothing, please.
By Robert
June 27, 2007 1:20 PM | Link to this
With due apologies to Arlo Guthrie, if they win three in a row, we can call it a movement
On the other hand, hitting one mistake by a AA caliber pitcher a long way does NOT constitute breaking out of a slump
When Andruw strings together a couple of multi-hit games, we can start to talk about him breaking out of his slump
3.5 games back. Should be 3.5 or so out in front, but, hey, 3.5 back is better than 4 back.
By 3trees
June 27, 2007 1:21 PM | Link to this
Late to the party as usual. Really late. Went to Cocoa Beach for a week of sun and surf and no Braves. A relief from their dispirited play at the time. Came back to even worse play. But I’ve been thinking about the great Richard Thompson tune “When the Spell is Broken” and hopefully their funk has been. We got absolutely schooled by the Tigers hitters in a couple of those games.
Grinch - Congrats on your new git! I’m more of a Tele into a Vox kind of guy, but whatever gets you there. No guns, though.
DOB - Do pro sports managers, coaches, etc. pull guys (like KJ) aside and say “listen, we’re shopping so-in-so, so I’m going to sit you. Just tell the press guys something, act p** or whatever and we’ll see how this plays out.” ? In other words, how straight are they with the players and do they orchestrate or suggest how to respond to you guys? I’m sure it varies a GREAT deal team to team and even situation to situation, but any thoughts? Obviously, they didn’t in the “Smoltz/Chipper Fiasco”.
Thanks to all who kept the humor through the last few weeks. GO Braves!
By Coach (BRINGING THE WRECKING BALL)
June 27, 2007 1:21 PM | Link to this
There are a lot of short sighted people looking at the Betemit trade. Exactly how are the Braves benefiting from this trade right now , this season ? Answer : There has been zero benefit in 2007 for the Braves. The Dodgers at least are getting some production from Wilson Betemit this year. The Draft pick for Baez may or may not pan out , we will have to see. If I had to do that trade over , it would have never happened. I’ll put it this way , would you rather have Pete Orr or Wilson Betemit on the bench right now. Don’t answer that !
By Mark
June 27, 2007 1:21 PM | Link to this
Dave, you brought up a great point about those hideous red jerseys and caps with the tomahawk through them. Are the powers that be ever going to shelve that idea? It is awful.
By ernesto
June 27, 2007 1:25 PM | Link to this
As I said, whether or not we SHOULD have traded Wilson is up to debate…and people will.
What, at this point , to me isnt’ up for debat is we got little value. DOB’s assertion “the draft pick is not negligible”, I get, but I don’t think that’s what JS had in mind when he made the trade, otherwise why not just trade for prospects?
And Shaun this it TOTALLY 20/20 hindsite, and in 20/20 hindsite we got very little and we basically dumped Wilson for little to nothing - that was my point.
By Shaun
June 27, 2007 1:28 PM | Link to this
For those of you who pay attention to such stats:
In 2006 Betemit created 6.16 runs per 27 outs while with the Braves. Aybar 5.46. So Aybar was worth about .7 runs less a game.
Oh, and Aybar is only 24. His career major league numbers are .292 AVG/.387 OBP/ .416 SLG. His OPS is about 10 percent better than average when you take into account league and ballpark.
If he gets himself straightened out, he’ll be a fine backup. And he’s still under contract for a few more years, unlike Betemit.
By Mitchie-san
June 27, 2007 1:31 PM | Link to this
“We’re so lucky this meeting didn’t occur in 1988 or you would be the Burgundy Breakdancer. “
The funniest thing I read all day!
By The Grinch
June 27, 2007 1:32 PM | Link to this
Thanks, 3trees; hadn’t heard from you in a while. Nothing wrong with the Tele; it sure worked for Waylon. Okay; off to the gym.
By Robert
June 27, 2007 1:33 PM | Link to this
Apparently the Braves arent too pleased about having another Sunday game moved from a 1PM to an 8PM start, cuz this time they will be leaving for a West coast swing right after the game
Now get this. Commenting on the situation:
“Somebody’s just not using their heads,” manager Bobby Cox said before Tuesday night’s game against the Washington Nationals”
If ever a pot has a called a kettle black.
And of course he’s whinin about it. Since it’s his job to set the example, he oughta just say “We will find a way to handle it”.
Anyway, Sunday is a long way off.
One game at a time - a three game winning streak beats a poke in the eye with a sharp stick
By Coach (BRINGING THE WRECKING BALL)
June 27, 2007 1:33 PM | Link to this
Shaun , the fact is , I was dead set against the trade when it was made and now I’m patting myself on the back. The Braves have N-O-T-H-I-N-G on the roster to show for it. The Dodgers have a productive bat coming off the bench in Betemit. The Dodgers got the better end of the deal this season , no question whatsoever. If you don’t believe me , call up the Dodgers brass right now and ask them if they would do anything different and see what they say.
By David O'Brien
June 27, 2007 1:35 PM | Link to this
Sorry, but I’m with you, Shaun — really don’t see the point in debating a trade of a fringe player ad nauseum. Don’t need to waste much breath on a former Brave hitting under .200 at the midpoint of the season (since we already spend enough of ours talking about a CURRENT Brave hitting under .200 at said point).
And yes, Joe Schmoe was correct _ Braves also got 69th pick of the draft as compensation for Baez. Man, the Orioles gotta be kicking themselves HOURLY for the contract they gave him, overpaying at both ends, with draft picks and a huge salary to boot.
By David-ATL14
June 27, 2007 1:36 PM | Link to this
Shaun you are wrong on a consistent basis, but this one can’t go unchecked.
Betemit has the versatility to play SS along with a good 3b and a passable 2b.
I personally think betemit could have been retained as a sub, but I digress, Ayabr is a hack defensively that Bobby would not play at SS under any circumstances. So stop with the more versatile nonsense.
By David O'Brien
June 27, 2007 1:37 PM | Link to this
Garland has a $12 mill salary in 2008. And I can’t see Sox paying any of that, not in this market. They’ll want talent back in return AND the full salary paid by team getting him. I wouldn’t give them anything significant and also take on that salary, not if I’ve got payroll constraints.
By Robert
June 27, 2007 1:38 PM | Link to this
Betemit is a zero. Trading him was no loss, even if the guy you traded him for is doing nothing
Betemit’s contribution to his current team is debatable
By DonCoburleone
June 27, 2007 1:38 PM | Link to this
Buehrle’s gone, but forget him anyway… I want Garland or Vasquez; although I’m quite sure both are out of our price range… Maybe we could get the ChiSox to pay a good chunk of Contreras’ salary in a trade?
By BamaBrave
June 27, 2007 1:41 PM | Link to this
Grinch… I can only speak for myself, of course, but I have (had?) two fundamental gripes about “Paladin”. I don’t read every blog, or scan every sentence of the hour upon hour of bloggery…but 1) the dude almost *never wrote about baseball, and 2) had the biggest man-crush on himself and his Marine Corps./pilot/military/whatever* background I’ve ever seen. And I grew up around Marine Corps families of all types during my high school years in Beaufort, S.C. Most don’t go on and on about it, fishing for compliments. I admire most Marines, but being one doesn’t *automatically gain my respect. There. That’s enough about that… Sorry. Back to the arts.
By Braveheart
June 27, 2007 1:41 PM | Link to this
Shaun, you keep dismissing Betemit as the trade of a fringe player. But that is because you are so focused on the sabermetric stuff, you often do not see what wins in the postseason. Often, in the postseason, the teams are all evenly matched. Any little advantage they can get matters.
The postseason is often where stronger benches, stronger bullpens, stronger tactical decisions from the manager, better fielding, an overpowering power pitcher or two, the execution of smallball, the threat of smallball, and the potential of smallball make the difference.
In the postseason, you are rarely gonna outslug or out OBP or out out avoid the other team based solely upon the prowess of your lineups and rotation against evenly matched teams, lineups, and rotations.
It is the little guys and the little things - the fringe players as you label them - that often make the difference.
What can seem like luck or a crapshoot in the postseason, and which albeit is oftentimes luck and crapshooting, is often better fringe bench players, better fringe relievers, better execution of fringe things like bunts, better tactical decisions from the manager, better hit and runs, better jobs moving runners over with a groundout and flyout, and better more well timed stolen bases.
What appears as fringe in the regular season against inferior competition, is often the most important come the postseason.
But, then again, you seem to only concern yourself very often with getting to the postseason and not walking away with the grand prize because you dismiss winning such as almost purely luck come postseason time.
By BravesFanInRockies
June 27, 2007 1:42 PM | Link to this
Actually COACH, we are getting benefit from the trade this year. As Shaun said, because Wilson is gone there’s a spot on the roster for Escobar who is producing more than WB right now, can play three IF positions, and cost the team less in salary than Wilson (much as I liked him when he was here).
The trade has impacts that go beyond the three players involved, even this year.
Now I can’t defend having Orr and Woodward on the roster; that’s another subject entirely.
By Bob, Journalist
June 27, 2007 1:42 PM | Link to this
I had not seen the “Not So Good Santini” Post of 10:55 AM until just now … I find it to be beligerent and unworthy of other comment.
Had I previously so seen, my earlier Santini post would have most certainly been of a different tone … methinks Santini is of the ilk of those who mock and flaunt and while he purports to respect me, his behavior refutes his assertion.
It would seem that perhaps he wears the sized shoe that fits my most recent posts on acceptable behavior and I would hope that those are carefully reread at his leisure.
Am I ehibiting aggression, unbecomming? Hopefully, but not at him … just his behavior!
By Braveheart
June 27, 2007 1:45 PM | Link to this
If Aybar was so versatile, then why is he not the starter at second? Why was he not even considered? Would he be in rehab right now if he had been seriously considered? Or is this selfish sulking by Aybar? Speculation, yes.
By sheesh
June 27, 2007 1:47 PM | Link to this
No need to argue with an idiot. N8 has convinced me he has not a clue. Enjoy the games, bud; you have the “gift” of taking one thing and making it completely into something it never was. You will never understand the game, and that’s ok. Just keep thinking you can run a professional baseball team the same way you manage a church softball team.
By David-ATL14
June 27, 2007 1:48 PM | Link to this
Let me repeat one more time, Shaun you could not be more wrong when touting defensive versatility as a strong suit for Aybar, he’s a terrible defensive player a utility infielder who can’t play SS at least not for BC.
Braves would have been better off to hold on to Tony Pena.
By ncscoots
June 27, 2007 1:50 PM | Link to this
I wouldn’t have thought it…a subject actually more irrelevant than the next White Sox pitcher the Braves are not going to get, but there you are: The Trade Of Wilson Betemit (capitalized purely as hyperbole and with all due sarcasm).
By Shaun
June 27, 2007 1:52 PM | Link to this
ernesto,
Maybe the Dodgers are getting something and the Braves nothing out of the deal this season, but that’s kind of a strange way to look at deals, especially deals involving fringe-type players. It’s important to look at the entire context—down the road, contract situations, etc.—and not just what this move has done for the Braves and Dodgers within the last 11 months.
I can almost guarantee that no GM evaluates a deal 11 months down the road. Deals are rarely that simple, especially these days.
Coach (BRINGING THE WRECKING BALL),
Of course, you’d rather have Betemit than Pete Orr. And I agree that Orr is probably less than a fringe player. But it’s not that simple. The Braves have never run their organization only looking one year down the road. And contract status of players is very important, especially with the payroll situation as it is.
If another team traded a backup for a younger, cheaper, similar type player and a decent relief pitcher, we wouldn’t think anything of it. I think some are analyzing it and can’t see the benefits of it because they are too close to the situation.
By MBATL
June 27, 2007 1:54 PM | Link to this
So, if Wickman retires after this year, and Max Ramirez (the catching prospect we gave up for Wickman) ends up as a starter in the majors (which he probably will), do we then say that was a bad deal too?
In addition to Aybar, and the 2 picks we got when Baez walked, we also got the use of Baez last year. That didn’t work out great, admittedly, but the point is, JS was trying to put together a bullpen to help with a pennant run. Really, it was widely thought that Wickman would be a half-season rental too, but he decided to stick around another year.
So in addition to whatever we do, or don’t, have on our roster today, you’ve got to consider that the Betemit deal was also a “try to win now” move - which was appropriate, in my view, even if it didn’t work.
Aybar is still young and talented. I have no idea how his rehab is coming… but the guy hitting so well at 1B for the Nats, Dmitri Young, almost lost his career to alcoholism too, and has come back to be a productive player.
By Lowermanor
June 27, 2007 1:55 PM | Link to this
Here’s a rumor to chew on, direct from the Bay Area airwaves this morning on KNBR. I live out here, but am a big time Braves supporter.
Salty for Rich Harden
Makes sense for both teams, though high risk/reward for the Braves. Harden is dominant when healthy, which is hardly ever it seems. Are they freak injuries, or is he the second coming of JD Drew. He’s signed to a nice multi-year, low cost contract.
And Salty solves the A’s offensive woes at DH, and is the long-term solution at Catcher, where Jason Kendall can’t find the fountain of youth.
Thoughts on Rich Harden in a Braves uni? Would this be The Fleece Part II (Hudson for Charles Thomas et al), or Billy Beane’s Revenge?
By Michael, Ex-Sports Editor
June 27, 2007 1:56 PM | Link to this
DOB - I’ve been pondering this for a while and I think it would make a good blog topic.
Since so many bloggers here feel that BC seemingly pulls a lineup out of a hat (or out of his a$$ as some might say) or uses a dart board, why not a blog about BC’s game-day management routine? You mentioned a few days ago (the day of the McBride trade I believe) that BC was not available because he was in meetings.
This is the good stuff I would like to know. What kind of meetings? I assume that there are scouting report meetings, medical staff meetings, coaching staff meetings, and probably more of which I am not aware. Can you provide some more insight? This kind of insight just might defuse some of the BC bashing by demonstrating that his decisions are not made in a vacuum and are actually the result of a management process and the best collective information he has available at the time.
By MGL
June 27, 2007 1:56 PM | Link to this
If you guys are going to continue to debate the Betemit trade, would you please put his name in caps first in your post so that it will be easier to skip. That dog is so old it doesn’t hunt anymore.
By dave
June 27, 2007 2:01 PM | Link to this
i want to see the national leauge win having those i don`t care braves would weaken the team
By mart
June 27, 2007 2:01 PM | Link to this
Atlanta fan are the smartest in the world, and only vote for players that deserve to be all-stars regardless of uniform.
By N8.."some sort of bada#$"
June 27, 2007 2:02 PM | Link to this
sheesh
As long we’re only down 30-love in the 2nd period, we can still score a TD with the 2-point coversion to tie, right?
That way, we can win it with a sudded death shootout.
I only hope, that if we don’t pull out a victory, it doesn’t effect our BCS standings. Otherwise, we’ll have get a first round TKO in our next duel, to climb back up in the standings, so we can qualify for the Final Four.
And since I think softball is a joke, (let me guess…you play? Go figure)and I don’t attend church on a regular basis, I won’t be doing that anytime sonn either.
By Thrillhouse44
June 27, 2007 2:02 PM | Link to this
Coach, I was dead set against Jay-Z announcing his retirement, but I’m not patting myself on the back. It just doesn’t matter.
Had Aybar stayed clean/healthy/whatever, I’d say he’d be hitting over .197. He didn’t though. But let me ask you this, if he was a Brave and hitting .197, would you be bashing him like Woodward and Orr?
By ncscoots
June 27, 2007 2:03 PM | Link to this
Shaun, stop, dangit! Let somebody have the last word on Wilson-freakin’-Betemit, and let’s desist whaling on that deceased equine!
By dcarp23
June 27, 2007 2:04 PM | Link to this
I almost wonder if the scouts weren’t at the game last night to look at James Shields, the DRay’s starting pitcher. He’s 25 years old, so is not a huge prospect by any stretch, but is in his first full year in the bigs meaning he would be controlled for a while. After a solid minor league career, he has been really solid in his first full year in the bigs, with 100 strikeouts in 115 innings, a 1.037 WHIP and a 119 ERA+, which is significantly better than any Braves starter not named Smoltz or Hudson. The one drawback appears to be his tendency to give up the longball (18 HRs allowed so far this year).
Obviously, this is pure speculation, but with a number of more highly touted pitching prospects on the horizon, maybe Tampa would be looking to deal this guy.
By Shaun
June 27, 2007 2:06 PM | Link to this
Braveheart,
Actually, I understand baseball is a game of inches and all that. Which is why the Braves have to move players that are or soon to be overpaid like a Wilson Betemit.
David-ATL14,
Actually, I’m not positive but I’m pretty sure Aybar has slightly more range than Betemit. Just a somewhat educated guess. Aybar played a lot of second in the minors. Betemit probably has better defensive skills (hands, instincts) but I’m not so sure about his range.
But I still say Aybar is a more polished hitter than Betemit, especially when you look at them at a similar stage in their careers. The only thing Betemit has an edge in is power.
By Efrim
June 27, 2007 2:07 PM | Link to this
Lowermanor,
Didn’t Harden just have another setback. I can’t see the Braves giving up Salty for someone who will never be healthy.
By Braveheart
June 27, 2007 2:09 PM | Link to this
Oh man, how did we get started on this Wilson Betemit thing again? It really is a tired subject. I guess we have found our version of the lazy summer day with no good news coming down in sports radio where the hosts starting fanning the flames about the whole stupid Pete Rose for the HOF thing yet again.
One last thing though, since the beginning of 2005, Betemit has a higher OPS than Frenchy. .788 OPS for Betemit, .769 for Frenchy. .336 OBP, .452 SLG for Betemit; .308 OBP, .460 SLG for Frenchy; .330 OBP, .478 SLG for Laroche. A homer every 23.8 at bats for the Frenchman. A homer every 24.8 at bats for Wilson. Are Frenchy and Laroche fringe talents as well? Can’t have it both ways.
By Coach (BRINGING THE WRECKING BALL)
June 27, 2007 2:10 PM | Link to this
Shaun , I don’t live in the future or the past. I live in the here and now. I want to win right now. I just have to convince O’Brien of that fact. The Betemit trade may somewhere in the future prove to be a benefit but as of right now , it’s all Dodger blue , figuratively and literally. BravesfaninRockies , We would be paying Betemit instead of Woodward and Escobar would still be on the Braves roster.
By N8.."some sort of bada#$"
June 27, 2007 2:12 PM | Link to this
sheesh
You know what I like about you? Well, actually I don’t like you, so the answer is NOTHING. But what amuses me about you, is that you’ve done nothing for the last 24 hours, but rip on every comment I’ve maid, while NOT ACTUALLY stating what YOUR lineup would be, who you WOULD or WOULDN’T trade.
It’s just easier to type: “No need to argue with an idiot.”, than to ACTUALLY state an opinion. There’s a word for guys like you…..WOMAN.
Enjoy your mangina. Post a remark when you grow a set and wanna actully state a point. Otherwise, this is the last time I’ll be responding to you.
I would rather read the other bloggers waste key-strokes arguing about such insignificant players as Aybar and Betemit, than respond to your insults.
If you wanna talk baseball, sounds good to me. If you wanna prove how much of an idiot I am….prove a point. Let the other bloggers “vote”. Cuz last time I checked, not a SINGLE person has agreed with you, while 3 or 4 others (that normally DON’T) have taken my side.
I guess that makes us a whole tribe of idiots.
Let’s hear YOUR theories, I’ll be waiting…..
By P-Town Brave
June 27, 2007 2:16 PM | Link to this
I just really would like to have an answer for why we would send a scout to the White Sox game if we aren’t interested in Garland, even if his salary is high…I mean cmon, the Rays aren’t giving us a kid who just got to the majors in Shields that makes absolutely no money! So someone needs to find out some more info about what the scout was looking at
By flange1
June 27, 2007 2:19 PM | Link to this
3trees,
tele through a Vox is great! I like an AC-15
Coach,
Sorry, you are wrong! The only thing that is worth anything in the Betemit trade is the draft pick we get for Baez. As the Dodgers said, our garbage for your garbage.
Lew,
The smell is really getting foul in here! I thought that smell was banned?
By TennesseePaul
June 27, 2007 2:23 PM | Link to this
So…What you believe is you would rather have the Aybar over Betemit, who is actually playing, if you had the choice?
Came in late in this conversation. Not sure what started it because I couldn’t scroll up past this post from Coach. I read all of DOB’s Joe’s, Paynes and so forth… I’m on that side. The side that says this isn’t a bad trade. I’m watching Betemit stink up the place out here and I’m glad he isn’t on the team. He’s a switch hitter that can only hit from one side of the plate. Fools gold.
Alright, I’m out. Gotta get to the day game in Los Angeles of A.
That reminds me, went to the Armada game last night(LaRue is still raking). They are now the official holders of the longest name in professional Sports. They are now officially the Long Beach Armada of Los Angeles of California of the United States of North America Including Barrow, Alaska
So they have that going for ‘em, which is nice.
By DonCoburleone
June 27, 2007 2:24 PM | Link to this
Coach who cares about Betemit? It’s not like we traded Kazmir for Victor Zambrano…
By Shaun
June 27, 2007 2:27 PM | Link to this
Braveheart,
Yes, Francouer is certainly hitting like a fringe player so far in his career. (I know this is going to open up another can of worms.)
But you have to take into account context—age, ballpark, position, number of plate appearances.
Playing like a fringe player doesn’t necessarily mean fringe talent. Players need time to grow and learn.
Francouer is 2 years younger than Betemit, which is pretty significant in baseball.
As for LaRoche, if you look at the entire sample, Rochey has been fairly significantly better. But also who said LaRoche was a superstar?
By Lee
June 27, 2007 2:31 PM | Link to this
I surely hope Aybar is not reading this blog. It cannot his helping his rehab.
Can’t wait to see the starting lineup tonight - see whose feelings get hurt tonight.
By Shaun
June 27, 2007 2:33 PM | Link to this
Coach (BRINGING THE WRECKING BALL),
If a major league GM were to only look at the hear and now, they wouldn’t field a team for long.
By kim smith
June 27, 2007 2:34 PM | Link to this
Have the Bluejays talk of trading Roy Holiday cooled? Also Salty should play 1st rest of season. Next spring see if McCann can play there. Salty has much better arm. We do need another starter though.
By Chop Chop
June 27, 2007 2:39 PM | Link to this
Lowermanor,
Why would the Braves trade a high-reward player (Salty) for a high-risk, high-reward player (Harden)? With Harden, you risk him having to undergo major shoulder surgery at any moment. The only thing you’re really risking with Salty is that he ends up being an absolutely terrible fielder. With Andruw’s bat (this year’s stats notwithstanding) out of this lineup after this year, the Braves will need the big-time power bat that Salty should provide.
By P.J.
June 27, 2007 2:40 PM | Link to this
I agree with you, David! Who are all the Atlantans and Atlanta Braves fans voting for…or are they just not voting. I don’t even live in Atlanta and I maxed out my All Star votes several weeks ago. I did my usual Braves Across the Ballot…with one exception with a write-in for Salty at first base. I know I know…he’s not an All Star calibre player yet, but I wanted to recognize his talents anyway. C’mon Braves fans!!! Get those ballots in! Even with all of our current problems, our guys are still our guys…and they are the best!!!
By Braveheart
June 27, 2007 2:42 PM | Link to this
I surely hope Aybar is not reading this blog. It cannot his helping his rehab.
How long is his freaking rehab anyway? I hope for the best for the guy but this has been going on for longer than 2 months now. How deep was that addiction? Most of these guys are back after a month or two. Whatever the case may be, I hope he gets the help he needs.
By bravesfan