AJC > Sports > Braves > Blog > Archives > 2007 > July > 03 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USHow quickly the game turned around
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Before heading back over to Chavez Ravine for the second act in this four-game series at Dodger Stadium, a quick reflection on last night’s eventful series-opening loss for the Bravos (don’t tell me — some of you were asleep and missed it, didn’t you? What, your work schedules don’t allow for 1 a.m. baseball viewing?)
Amazing how quickly that game turned, from a would-be inning-ending strikeout by James Loney to a two-run, tie-breaking homer by Matt Kemp after Loney reached on a strike-three wild pitch in the sixth inning.
(Less amazing, but at least notable, was seeing the ancient Larry King, starlet Alyssa Milano — and I honestly don’t see the supposed sex appeal there, folks — and a coterie of other well-heeled Dodger fans walk past us ink-stained wretches waiting to get in the Braves clubhouse after the game.)
(Wait, more. They all sit in their ultra-expensive seats behind home plate that were added in recent years as the Dodgers opted for huge revenue by cutting into their once-unmatched expansive foul territory to put seats there. Look close and you’ll see frequent blog subject Scott Boras in the front row, cell phone to ear most of the time. OK, now baseball….)
Yes, the bullpen melted down in the seventh, with the recently reliable Tyler Yates and Peter Moylan both squirting gas on the conflagration, and Chipper also making a throwing error.
But you gotta wonder what might have been if Smoltz got out of the inning with the strikeout, instead of seeing his nasty splitter hit the plate and squirt past Brian McCann to the backstop.
Then again, maybe not, since I asked Smoltz and he said he would have come out after the sixth inning even if Loney’s strikeout had ended it. Which says something about the state of Smoltz’s lingering sore shoulder….
The shoulder’s still not right. It’s been tolerable and he’s pitched fairly well — not great by his standards, for sure — since straining his right shoulder at Milwaukee. But we’re on Smoltz shoulder watch again this week, since he said last night he would take the next couple days and see how it responded.
He didn’t elaborate on what that meant, as far as what he’d do if it didn’t bounce back quickly fromm this game. But to me it meant he’d either ask for more rest before his next start, perhaps even skip a turn or go on the DL. Yes, the DL is always a possibility, as much as Smoltz hates the thought of doing it.
He’s been honest in appraising his shoulder and other injuries this season, not like in the past couple years when he tried to soldier through injuries and carry the team on his aging back when he felt like he was their best option, injured or not.
He’s left games after six innings and even earlier this season, something he’d have never done voluntarily in the past. He knows the Braves need him healthy down the stretch and if they’re so fortunate as to make the postseason, and knows that his attempts to carry the team through recent summers left him at lesser effectiveness in the stretch drive when the team needed him at his best.
In other words, he knows even he’s not immune to the effects of age and injury.
Taking a quick look at his results before and after that fateful slip on a warmup pitch in Milwaukee, which is when he strained the shoulder after reinjuring his pinky earlier in the same inning, it’s obvious that Smoltz hasn’t been the same pitcher since that game.
Beginning with that game, he’s 2-3 with a 4.18 ERA in six starts. He’s recorded 36 strikeouts (six Monday) and only four walks in 32-1/3 innings in that span, but allowed 38 hits for a .286 opponents’ average.
He hasn’t lasted more than six innings in that stretch.
Now contrast those figures to the six starts before Milwaukee: Smoltz was 5-1 with a 1.30 ERA and .229 opponents’ average in that span, and worked seven innings in five games and 6-2/3 innings in the other.
He had 38 strikeouts with six walks and 38 hits in 41-2/3 innings. The strikeouts and walks have stayed consistent, but the hits have risen and the innings decreased.
He can often be seen stretching the shoulder behind the mound, or on it, during innings as games wear on now, and only Smoltz probably knows if the shoulder is sore enough that it should be rested for an extended period, if there’s a chance it could worsen.
This much is certain: The Braves’ options are limited in his absence, and none of those options are attractive. Rather than hope that Anthony Lerew figures it out or Lance Cormier can regain some semblance of the form he showed in spring training, and certainly rather than rush a starter prospect to the majors before he’s ready, the Braves need to make a move as soon as possible to bring in a starter.
Doesn’t have to be a Mark Buehrle-level guy, or a guy making eight figures next season like Javier Vazquez. It’s not going to be Roy Oswalt, who makes way too much money to fit in the payroll when three other Braves starters are going to be making eight-figure salaries next season (Smoltz, Hudson, Hampton).
But the Braves have been shaking the trees, looking everywhere for a starter who could be pried loose, preferably one who’d be here longer than a few months and who could be had without mortgaging too much of the future in the form of multiple prospects and/or young players in return.
I think they’ll find someone. It might not be good enough to satisfy the denizens, but someone who can held solidify a rotation that could be in a bad state, indeed, if Smoltz were to be gone for any extended period.
Andruw not going to bench: But you already knew that, didn’t you? As frustrated as it’s been watching the 2005 NL MVP runner-up go half a season hitting under .200, all signs point to Bobby Cox sticking with him as long as it takes for Andruw Jones to snap out of this mother of all slumps.
Now, whether Bobby will continue to see logic in batting Andruw fourth is something none of us is qualified to answer.
But here’s what Bobby said about Andruw yesterday, to give you an idea of just how deep and unwavering is the manager’s patience and support for Jones: “He’s still the best center fielder in baseball. He’s always had some parts of the season where he’s looked like that [bad at the plate]. Not this long, but….
“At the end of the year, he’s going to have 100 RBIs, 30 homers, and hopefully get his average higher. And he catches everything that goes up.”
So hold on, and put Mr. Mendoza on notice.
For the record, here’s the update: Andruw’s .199 average remains the NL’s worst (among qualifiers), and his .140 average (13-for-93) after the sixth inning is the league’s second-worst.
His .193 average (29-for-150) with runners on base is also the NL’s second-lowest.
On a more positive statistical bent: Chipper Jones’ three hits Monday raised his league-leading road average to .375, 18 points higher than the NL’s second-best, which happens to be teammate Edgar Renteria (.357).
Next behind the Braves’ duo are Alfonso Soriano (.354) and Paul Lo Duca (.349). Kelly Johnson (.340) is sixth, giving the Braves’ half of the top six road averages.
Detroit’s Magglio Ordonez (.382) leads the majors.
Yates’ June doesn’t carry over: After allowing only one earned run and six hits in 12 appearances from May 28 through the end of June, Yates was knocked around for three hits and three runs while recording just one out in the seventh inning of Monday’s 8-2 loss.
And how ‘bou Moylan? He had a 2.27 ER and .193 opponents’ average in 30 games through June 25. But in three appearances since then, he’s given up six hits and three runs (one earned) in two innings, for a .545 opponents’ average.
Oh, and one more Andruw note: The Dodgers must be wondering what happened to him (wait, we all are, aren’t we? Nevermind). Anyway, Andruw hit .326 with seven homers and 19 RBIs in 12 games against the Dodgers during the 2005-06 season.
This season? He’s 1-for-14 with no RBIs and six strikeouts in four games against them.
Wrapping up this blog: Couple more stats to throw at you, then I’m out. Chipper Jones has hit .415 (27-for-65) with 10 RBIs and a .486 OBP in 17 games since returning from the DL, and last night’s error was his first since then…. Brian McCann is 14-for-73 (.192) with 19 strikeouts in 22 games since June 5, but does have four homers and 14 RBIs in that stretch.
Alright, take us out, mighty Lizard King:
”L.A. WOMAN” by Jim Morrison (The Doors)
Well, I just got into town about an hour ago
Took a look around, see which way the wind blow
Where the little girls in their Hollywood bungalows
Are you a lucky little lady in The City of Light
Or just another lost angel…City of Night
City of Night, City of Night, City of Night, woo, c’mon….
L.A. Woman, L.A. Woman
L.A. Woman Sunday afternoon
L.A. Woman Sunday afternoon
L.A. Woman Sunday afternoon
Drive thru your suburbs
Into your blues, into your blues, yeah
Into your blue-blue Blues
Into your blues, ohh, yeah
I see your hair is burnin’/Hills are filled with fire
If they say I never loved you/You know they are a liar
Drivin’ down your freeways/Midnite alleys roam
Cops in cars, the topless bars/Never saw a woman…
So alone, so alone
So alone, so alone
Motel Money Murder Madness/Let’s change the mood from glad to sadness
Mr. Mojo Risin’, Mr. Mojo Risin’
Mr. Mojo Risin’, Mr. Mojo Risin’
Got to keep on risin’
Mr. Mojo Risin’, Mr. Mojo Risin’
Mojo Risin’, gotta Mojo Risin’
Mr. Mojo Risin’, gotta keep on risin’
Risin’, risin’
Gone risin’, risin’
I’m gone risin’, risin’
I gotta risin’, risin’
Well, risin’, risin’
I gotta — wooo, yeah, risin’
Well, I just got into town about an hour ago
Took a look around, see which way the wind blow
Where the little girls in their Hollywood bungalows
Are you a lucky little lady in The City of Light
Or just another lost angel…City of Night
City of Night, City of Night, City of Night — woah, c’mon
L.A. Woman, L.A. Woman
L.A. Woman, you’re my woman
Little L.A. Woman, Little L.A. Woman
L.A. L.A. Woman Woman
L.A. Woman c’mon
Comments
By We Have Mets the Enemy
July 3, 2007 4:28 PM | Link to this
Chuck Berry’s “Promised Land” is much, much better than any and all things Morrison.
By journalist jimmy smith
July 3, 2007 4:31 PM | Link to this
oh, the humanity!
By Ryan
July 3, 2007 4:35 PM | Link to this
I am not looking for a huge pickup like Oswalt, but DOB is right, the braves need to bring in a SP very, very soon. Maybe a diamond in the rough that can turn the corner. I know the Reds have a couple of guys, and maybe McDowell can fix Bronson? Ok..maybe not. JS has to get it done, and get it done soon, very soon.
By geauxbraves2000
July 3, 2007 4:39 PM | Link to this
Right now there is absolutely no reason for any team to give CJ anything to hit as long as AJ is behind him. I know I wouldn’t. Even if it meant loading the bases.
I would not be opposed to Smoltz shutting it down until after the All Star break. Also it wouldn’t break my heart if he didn’t pitch in the All Star game. Give his shoulder some rest, the Braves are going to need him healthy in the second half if they are going to make a race of the East and/or the WC.
Geaux Braves!!
By Savannah Guy
July 3, 2007 4:41 PM | Link to this
Braves Fan Ingenuity
One morning, three Braves fans (Bravos) and three Mets fans (Mutts) were in a ticket counter line at a train station heading to a game at Shea Stadium. The three Mutts each bought a ticket and watched as the three Bravos bought just one ticket.
“How are the three of you going to travel on only one ticket?” asked one of the Mutts.
“Watch and learn,” answered one of the boys from the South.
All six boarded the train where the three Mutts sat down, but the three Bravos crammed into a toilet together and closed the door.
Shortly after the train departed, the conductor came around to collect tickets. He knocked on the toilet door and said, “Ticket, please.
The door opened just a crack and a single arm emerged with a ticket in hand. The conductor took it and moved on.
The Mutts saw this happen and agreed it was quite a clever idea. Indeed, so clever they decided to do the same thing on the return trip and save some money.
That afternoon when they got back to the station, they bought a single ticket for the return trip and watched, while to their astonishment, the three Bravos didn’t buy even one ticket.
“How are you going to travel without a ticket?” asked a perplexed Mutt.
“Watch and learn,” answered the three Bravos boys in unison. When they boarded the train, the three Mutts crammed themselves into a toilet and the three Bravos crammed into another toilet just down the way.
Shortly after the train began to move, one of the Bravos left their toilet and walked over to the toilet in which the Mutts were hiding.
The Braves fan knocked on the door and said, “Ticket, please.”
There’s just no way on God’s green earth to explain how the Mutts ever find their way to a baseball game in New York, much less get all the way to Turner Field.
By David-ATL14
July 3, 2007 4:42 PM | Link to this
Great Song DOB!
Any chance Reyes could come up to make one start only, in Smoltz’s spot on Saturday?
Bobby could skip JSmoltz on Saturday and slot him in the #5 spot after the break, that would be 14 days rest.
By DAP
July 3, 2007 4:43 PM | Link to this
i love it when the braves play out west. im the kind of person that likes to get the work out of the way and save the best for last, so when i get to end my day with baseball, im very happy.
i think were in store for quite a game tonight.
By Wayne in Utah
July 3, 2007 4:46 PM | Link to this
Amber From the last post. I think I know what Bobby is thinking, that just any moment now, AJ will break out of it, and when he does, how nice it will be with him hitting clean-up and driving in the go ahead run.
BC is certainly a much more patient man than I…..I can’t say I wouldn’t bench him, as I would for a few games, but at least he wouldn’t hit above 7th with a 199 average. Like I stated earlier today, I lay the blame for what could have been squarely at Andruw’s feet. An average year by him puts 4-5 minimum more wins in the W column, takes incredible pressure off the likes of Francoeur, McCann, and Thorman, and makes us forget about the ups and downs of our 4-5 starters.
BTW, nobody commented on my ascertion that during the off season, we should do some serious soul searching about who our catcher of the future will be. I see Saltalamacchia as having much more upside. And, if trading one of the two of them (B-Mac or Salty), which one brings a better bounty this winter? The one with all the potential or the one with two all-star appearances and the VERY club friendly contract for the next few years. I say we get more for B-Mac via trade, and in 2 years, we will be wondering why we ever thought Brian was better than Salty.
Just some blog fodder…..
By Chop Chop
July 3, 2007 4:46 PM | Link to this
This week has the potential to break the Braves. If the bats don’t produce, we’re going to have to pray that the Mets don’t beat up on the Rockies and Astros. You just don’t want to be down 7 games at the break to a team with better starting pitching.
L.A Woman? Gee, I didn’t see that one coming, DOB. Even so, it’s still cool to read those lyrics. I can’t think of a cooler transition in song than “Motel Money Murder Madness/Let’s change the mood from glad to sadness”. Corny, but damn cool.
It’s a shame the Lizard King could do anything but lay off the sauce. Here’s to you, Jim.
By Amber
July 3, 2007 4:51 PM | Link to this
I’d responded in the other blog, but I’m just too stunned to copy it over here.
Maybe Bobby could come babysit my kids? If Andruw doesn’t wear out his patience, he’ll think my daughters are perfect angels.
By Ryan
July 3, 2007 4:51 PM | Link to this
That was a lot of typing for a joke that wasn’t funny. Wow. That was the Kyle Davies of jokes…
By Wayne in Utah
July 3, 2007 4:52 PM | Link to this
Dave BTW, thanks for listening and not totally ripping me for my negativity on AJ. Any rumblings as to internal moves that might bolster the 4-5 starter positions? I notice that Jo Jo Reyes is pitching well at Richmond, and that Blaine Boyer is getting in some starters innings too.
Last thought. I would love to see Joey Devine get another shot. I understand the logic of getting him a good solid season under his belt in the minors, but he is pitching SOOOO well, that I hate to think we are wasting an opportunity. Problem is, which reliever would you send down, unless we package one or two for a starter????
Any rumblings???
By Wayne in Utah
July 3, 2007 4:58 PM | Link to this
I love LA. I hated the traffic everytime I went there, but the whole area intrigued me. What would it have been like to have lived there at the turn of the last century, when Orange County was still orange groves.
I digress…….I love the high desert too……great jeepin’ territory in those dried up creek beds!
By Wayne in Utah
July 3, 2007 4:59 PM | Link to this
I just can’t help but to think about the potential of Kyle Davies, especially two years ago when he came up and shut down the Red Sox. Guy’s gotta man up for us tonight!
By Wayne in Utah
July 3, 2007 5:02 PM | Link to this
Amber Good one!!
By SaltyWoody
July 3, 2007 5:02 PM | Link to this
DOB I have two questions, one way more important than the other.
(Most important) YOU DIDN’T THINK ALYSSA MILANO WAS FOXY?!?! Really? Granted, I’ve never seen her in person. But I’ve been in love with her since “Who’s the Boss?” and the love has never faded. Is there something that doesn’t translate from tv hotness to reality?
When you write about the Braves looking for starting pitching, you seem to use a tone that indicates you know or at least have an idea of who they might be going after. I know this is a relentless question on here and one you’re probably exhausted with answering. But, am I just grasping at straws? Or do you really have an inkling of who might work/fit?
By Don
July 3, 2007 5:03 PM | Link to this
I never thought I would think it, but an outfield without AJ and with Harris, Francoeur, and Diaz would no doubt be much more productive offensively. Maybe AJ needs more nights off.
By BravesFanInRockies
July 3, 2007 5:16 PM | Link to this
DOB,
Thanks for the new blog. I lived in the L.A. area on three occasions for a total of eight years. Loathed the traffic and the ridiculous cost of living. Loved PCH.
It was a wonderful place to live during droughts, when the temps would hit the 80s in January. Of course, people who lived inland didn’t care for the wildfires …
I also enjoyed hearing Vin Scully do the Dodger games solo. And Chick Hearn with the Lakers, rest his soul. What a character.
Past three starts, Davies has a 5.87 ERA; Wolf’s is 5.60. Hope the Braves put on their hittin’ shoes. …
By ernesto
July 3, 2007 5:16 PM | Link to this
So Smoltzy will be sitting out the All-Star game, no doubt? Why put any more mileage on a (mostly) useless game.
By jbutler
July 3, 2007 5:17 PM | Link to this
Hey SaltyWoody…you don’t think Larry King and Alyssa Milano were TOGETHER do you???? Ick. Ick. And Ick. I don’t think there’s any chance B.McCann would get traded- He will be fine- and the organization has already made a commitment to him- long term. They seem to be awfully reluctant to change their mind in some cases. Right Andruw??????
By ObiWanKobe
July 3, 2007 5:18 PM | Link to this
THE RAVEONETTES
“Ode To L.A.”
Come on let’s go to where it’s fun I want a slice of L.A. sun Whoa ho ho ho
Honey let’s go (Feels like you never have to) Honey let’s go (Come down you don’t really want to) Honey let’s go (Stay out is all you need to) Honey let’s go (Go to sleep you don’t really want to)
So come along and pay the price This ain’t New York this tasty slice Whoa ho ho ho
Take a minute listen to this town Don’t you ever feel you have to come Take a minute she won’t let you down
See you excited in her arms L.A. and all her crazy charms Whoa ho ho oh
By Ron Roberts
July 3, 2007 5:24 PM | Link to this
Let’s take a wait-and-see atitude, frankly, when it comes to this rotation. It’s found itself, of late, and yeah, I know it was against the Nats and Fish, but last I checked, they’re still fielding major league squads.
Hudson’s proving to be a worthy #2, Chuck’s a worthy #3 and, frankly, Carlyle’s better-than-advertised in the 5-spot. The question is Kyle Davies, and we’ll get the answer tonight, I’d think.
DO’B… when you spoke with Smoltz and/or Bobby… was this shoulder watch talk code for “shutting him down through the All-Star break?”
Heck, he could 15-day DL it, couldn’t he, and get us an extra bullpen arm from the minors, couldn’t he? Just thinking out loud here.
By StingerSplash
July 3, 2007 5:29 PM | Link to this
DOB,
Honestly, have you ever had the opportunity in your professional career to write the words, “woo, c’mon,” in anything meaningful until today? Don’t get the Alyssa Milano vibe? Carl Pavano sure did. So did Wayne McBean of the New Jersey Devils. And ….
By Savannah Guy
July 3, 2007 5:29 PM | Link to this
Requesting “Cheeseburger”, Part Duex
Oh, excellent and esteemed journalist who seemingly dislikes the attention of being named in blog responses: Your Cheeseburger poem was outstanding. Pure art. Keep that up and we’ll have to refer to you as: (your initials), journalist/poet in residence. Funny stuff. Oh, the cadence…the rhythm, the rhyme…ahhh, reminds me of an old friend, the late great James Dickey.
Side note: This blogger had the distinct pleasure of hanging with Jim D and dining together on many occasions. The first time, ironically, we had cheeseburgers at a dive near his home in Columbia SC. Many beers were consumed. Waitresses were flirted with. A good time was had. Hangovers were earned.
So, in honor of Mr. Deliverance, how about a follow-up Wicky poem with bacon and doughnuts and the all-you-can-eat buffet thrown in for good measure. (buffet as in food line, not Buffet, the Cheeseburger in Paradise song man).
By Ron Roberts
July 3, 2007 5:31 PM | Link to this
Ya know what I hear (or read, rather) anybody mention is that many contenders need relief pitching, and we seem to be awash in minor league prospects in the ‘pen.
Wouldn’t surprise me one bit if guys like Joey Devine and/or Will Startup used as trade bait.
By Chop Chop
July 3, 2007 5:34 PM | Link to this
Carmelita by Warren Zevon
I hear Mariachi static on my radio
And the tubes they glow in the dark
And I’m there with her in Ensenada
And I’m here in Echo Park
(Chorus)
*Carmelita, hold me tighter
I think I’m sinking down
And I’m all strung out on heroin
On the outskirts of town*
Well, I’m sittin’ here playing solitaire
With my pearl-handled deck
The county won’t give me no more methadone
And they cut off your welfare check
(repeat chorus)
Well, I pawned my Smith Corona
And I went to meet my man
He hangs out down on Alvarado Street
By the Pioneer chicken stand
(repeat chorus twice)
By Jack
July 3, 2007 5:34 PM | Link to this
Cox is not sticking with A. Jones because he is patient, he is sticking with him because he is stuborn and stupid
By Wayne in Utah
July 3, 2007 5:35 PM | Link to this
Ron R If Smoltz needs to shut it down for a little while, a DL stint might give us a chance to take a peek at JoJo Reyes??
BTW, is it Jo Jo, or JoJo?
By None But The Brave
July 3, 2007 5:39 PM | Link to this
Bob McBrayer?!?!?!? Come on, man. I tug on Superman’s cape and the Lone Ranger pulls off his mask?!?!?! Now, now Bob. Calling yourself Bob McBrayer is like the episode where McGyver reveals that his real name is Angus or where Kramer has it revealed that he is really Cosmo. I don’t wanna know Clark Kent or Bruce Wayne or Peter Parker. I wanna know Superman and Batman or Spiderman. I wanna meet the Wizard of Oz. Not the man behind the curtain. Fonzie must wear the leather, not the Member’s Only.
You’re not Bob McBrayer. That’s just a dude you play in real life. Stick to Bob the Journalist or Plain and Simple Bob or get any other Bob related name. Just not your real name. That’s not any fun.
As for Braveheart, there was a shootout in the mind of ole Kenny Doyle this morning, with None But The Brave killing off Braveheart, Willy Wally, and all their evil twin brothers. No more Duplicitous Diabolical Diatribing Douchebags from me for a while. When asked to comment on the slayings, None But The Brave stated he shot ‘em all in Reno just to watch ‘em die.
As for the song selection yesterday, perfect choice for this blogger’s mood over the last week.
Dave O’Danza, whoa, easy now, partna, watch what you say about my damn Samantha, er, I mean my Alyssa Milano or I might have to show you Who’s The Boss. She’s a fine looking woman, has been since she was 12 years old. As feminine as she is though, was anyone else really disturbed when they were kids that the most masculine people on that show in order were 1. Angela, 2. Mona, 3. Samantha, 4. Tony, 5. Jonathan? Even that goofy little kid they brought on the last few seasons was more masculine than Jonathan and Tony. Something very wrong about the masculinity/femininity of the actors on that show.
MAGIC NUMBERS IS 85! GO BRAVOS!
By Matt
July 3, 2007 5:44 PM | Link to this
Wayne in Utah, You can’t trade McCann.We just signed him to a six year to be our catcher!That’s what he is.A catcher!He’s not athletic to play any other position on the field besides catcher.Not 3B,not 1B,not anywhere else on the diamond.I love Mac but be real,he has the athletic ability of an old-woman.
Salty is our 1Bman of the future.That’s the reality.BMac is not going anywhere.BMac is our C,Salty is our 1Bman,that’s the way it is.
And if the BRaves ever traded McCann,I would cease being a fan of this team that I’ve loved since I was 10 yrs. old in ‘91.The sheer stupidity of trading a future carrer .300 hitter and acornerstone of this team would be too much.
We need to get value for Escobar and maybe Johnson while we can,not McCann.THat’s silly.
By Braveone
July 3, 2007 5:45 PM | Link to this
I do not believe there is a starter out there that is worth trading for that would be better than what we have the minors. I say call up Jo-Jo Reyes & give him a chance. He did super in AA & now has had 4 good starts at Richmond. I believe he could provide the same boost as James did last year. Why trade for a starter & give up way too much for him when the answer may very well be in the Braves system already. What do others think about this?
Here are stats for Reyes 4 starts at Richmond:
Date OPP W L ERA SV IP H ER BB SO
Jun 10 @BUF 1 0 1.50 0 6.0 4 1 4 6
Jun 22 DUR 0 0 0.00 0 6.0 5 0 2 5
Jun 27 @LOU 0 0 4.50 0 6.0 7 3 2 7
Jul 02 @COL 1 0 0.00 0 5.0 5 0 2 9
Totals 2 0 1.57 0 23.0 21 4 10 27
By Rono Roberts
July 3, 2007 5:48 PM | Link to this
Braves need to take advantage of tonight… Jose Vargas got the call-up from right here (where I live) in New Orleans to pitch in Denver tonight against the Rockies. Let’s hope the Rox rip him a new one whilest we pick up a game when we damn well should.
By DonCoburleone
July 3, 2007 5:50 PM | Link to this
Good article DOB. Completely agree with you about last nights game, definately could have gone either way… I even will go further back into last nights game (like I said in the last blog) and bring up the diving play made on Salty by Jeff Kent in the 6th inning after the Dodgers tied it… Talk about lucky, I’m surprised Kent didn’t pull a hammy on that one. An inch further towards first base and that ball squirts through for a 2 run single and a 3-1 Braves lead…
By Savannah Guy
July 3, 2007 5:51 PM | Link to this
But unseriously, Ryan: Kyle didn’t deserve a comparison to a too-long unfunny joke. Funny? Maybe not. Necessary, definately not. Your comment? Definately not necessary, but fair enough. Hey, just having a bit’o fun here. How ‘bout you?
Want a shorter joke? Try this.
What’s the difference between a crooked lawyer and a mad rooster?
The mad rooster clucks defiance.
By David O'Brien
July 3, 2007 5:54 PM | Link to this
Just got back from a lunch of fish tacos (start the jokes, like last year) and black beans & rice, and reading the posts. Funny Stuff.
Carmelita, awesome song. We’ve used the lyrics before, though. Can’t repeat.
Love that Raveonettes’ song, too. There’s about 200 great LA/Cal songs to choose from. But none, with possible exception of Calfornia Dreamin’ and Hotel California, makes me think of Southern Calif. as much as L.A. Woman. I mean, it IS L.A. Love it.
By the way, when they blast “I Love L.A.” at the end of wins here, it’s even cooler than “New York, New York” playing at Yankee Stadium (much as I love The Voice, Sinatra).
By DonCoburleone
July 3, 2007 5:55 PM | Link to this
Yeah, we really need to start taking advantage of the Mets struggles…
By gotigers72
July 3, 2007 5:55 PM | Link to this
Not necessarily go on the DL, but Smoltz should skip his next start and the All Star game. Don’t pick up a baseball except for a short throwing session about halfway through, just to see how he feels afterward. That would give him 10 days off. If he feels okay or maybe even a little better, then let him go, but put him on a pitch count for his first couple of starts after the break.
As far as Andruw, I realize BC is not going to sit him EVER. Not as long as he and the rally killer work for the same team. But why doesn’t someone, JS or one of the coaches, convince BC not to hit Andruw 4th. Hit him 7th, maybe 8th, until he heats up. It would probably help Andruw get some confidence back. He is pressing in the 4 hole as he is expected to drive in runs. Batting in a lower spot may relax him, and God knows the Braves have a few hitters [all of them] with averages above .199 that could hit 4th. Andruw is not driving in runs. He comes up with runners on, it’s almost an automatic out. What makes the situation worse is that pitchers are starting to pitch around Chipper. That will happen more and more if Andruw continues to bat 4th. Andruw continuing to hit 4th makes me believe BC is becoming senile.
The player closest to Andruw as far as falling off of the face of the earth with the bat is Pat[NOT the bat]Burrell. Charlie Manuel has not only dropped him some in the order, he has also started platooning him some. Smart move Charlie!
By Ron Roberts
July 3, 2007 5:57 PM | Link to this
Wow, couldn’t even spell my own name right. George Thorogood’s “One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer” was playing, too, though, while I typed it. That’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it.
By Harry Hawk
July 3, 2007 6:01 PM | Link to this
Yeah, DOB. I thought you’d used “Carmelita”, but I couldn’t remember. Here’s an idea…and I don’t think it’s been used:
Tom Petty - Free Fallin’
She’s a good girl, loves her mama/ loves Jesus and America too/ She’s a good girl, crazy ‘bout Elvis/ loves horses and her boyfriend too
It’s a long day livin’ in Reseda/ there’s a freeway runnin’ through the yard/ and I’m a bad boy, ‘cause I don’t even miss her/ I’m a bad boy for breakin’ her heart
Chorus
And I’m free, I’m free fallin’
All the vampires walkin’ through the valley/ move west down Ventura Blvd./ And all the bad boys are standing in the shadows/ All the good girls are home with broken hearts
(Repeat Chorus)
I wanna glide down over Mulholland/ I wanna write her name in the sky/ I wanna free fall out into nothin’/ Gonna leave this world for awhile
(Repeat Chorus)
By Savannah Guy
July 3, 2007 6:02 PM | Link to this
For Kyle and Ryan, by request:
July 4th Cookie Recipe
Ingredients:
1 cup of water 1 tsp baking soda 1 cup of sugar 1 tsp salt 1 cup of brown sugar lemon juice 4 large eggs 1 cup nuts 2 cups of dried fruit 1 bottle Jose Cuervo Tequila
Sample the Cuervo to check quality. Take a large bowl, check the Cuervo again, to be sure it is of the highest quality, pour one level cup and drink. Turn on the electric mixer…Beat one cup of butter in a large fluffy bowl. Add one teaspoon of sugar… Beat again. At this point it’s best to make sure the Cuervo is still OK, try another cup… just in case.
Turn off the mixerer thingy. Break 2 leggs and add to the bowl and chuck in the cup of dried fruit, Pick the frigging fruit off floor…Mix on the turner. If the fried druit gets stuck in the beaterers just pry it loose with a drewscriver. Sample the Cuervo to check for tonsisticity.
Next, sift two cups of salt, or something. Who giveshz a sheet. Check the Jose Cuervo. Now shift the lemon juice and strain your nuts. Add one table. Add a spoon of sugar, or somefink. Whatever you can find. Greash the oven. Turn the cake tin 360 degrees and try not to fall over. Don’t forget to beat off the turner.
Finally, throw the bowl through the window, finish the Cose Juervo and make sure to put the stove in the dishwasher.
By BravesFanInRockies
July 3, 2007 6:02 PM | Link to this
Fish tacos are da bomb. SoCal’s the only place you can find great ones. Even if you try to make them someplace else, they’re not the same. (As with Carolina BBQ. Have to give location its due.)
By Chop Chop
July 3, 2007 6:06 PM | Link to this
“Harry Hawk”, “Hairy Dawg”, “Great Falconi” and “Thrashy Thrashy” are my respective nicknames for the other blogs. I’m really inventive, as you can see (coughs). I had to try to quell some unrest on the Hawks board and forgot to go back to “Chop Chop”.
By Wayne in Utah
July 3, 2007 6:06 PM | Link to this
Matt: You might be 100% right, but take a look at my logic. Look at how many good hitting first basemen are out there, heck look at the All Star team for the NL. First basemen are MUCH easier to get than are catchers.
Now, some would argue that we don’t have a hard hitting first baseman, but take a look at Myrtle Beach. I really don’t think the Braves have totally given up on Thorman, which I haven’t either. Also, KK looks like he might be a decent power prospect.
Personally, I think that the Braves see this. One of the catchers will go, in my opinion, this winter. Which would you rather it be?? I love McCann too, but heck I loved Brett Butler (when you were in diapers), but we traded him. I loved David Justice, etc. etc.
So, which catcher would you rather have on your team the next 10-12 years, a non-athletic one that has injured his ankle both of the past two seasons, or a true physical specimen? Personally, I worry about some of these position players who are a bit heavy. Not many of them in the Hall (Babe, Tony Gwynn, not many others…)
So, if we got equal production out of them for the next 10 years, then which one brings the better bounty this winter?? I think it would be the two time all star.
Just trying to apply some logic to a sticky situation, not making any strong judgements against any one player. Whether you see my point or not, do you see the logic? Could we get someone like Eric Bedard or Matt Cain or Matt Snell for McCann? Just thinking out loud. Please don’t take offense, I like McCann a lot. Just not better than Saltalamacchia.
Now, if we could teach Salty to play CF??????? That would be different. Why hide that cannon at first base?
By Wayne in Utah
July 3, 2007 6:08 PM | Link to this
Matt Another thought: After what he has shown me, I would rather trade Elvis and keep Escobar. What would Elvis bring this winter???
By None But The Brave
July 3, 2007 6:09 PM | Link to this
If I were taking a trip to Kali, which songs with California in the name of the song that are in my IPOD right now would I make sure I played? Both versions of Going Back To Cali by Biggie and Ladies Love Cool James would have to be played, along with California Love by Dre & Pac, Going to California by Led Zeppelin, Hotel California by the Eagles, Dani California and Californication by Red Hot Chili Peppers, In California by Neko Case, California by Robert Bradley, even California by Phantom Planet and California Girls by the Beach Boys. Any other good songs out there with California in the title that I would need to get into my IPOD?
Going Back to Cali by Biggie is always a sad one for me because it came out right about the same time he got killed after daring to go back to Kali while rapping this song daring them to kill him if he came out to Kali. If I got to choose a coast I got to choose the East, I live out there, so don’t go there, But that don’t mean a n**** can’t rest in the West, See some nice breasts in the West, Smoke some nice sess in the West, y’all n**** is a mess, Thinkin I’m gon stop, givin L.A. props, All I got is beef with those that violate me, I shall annihilate thee, Case closed, suitcase filled with clothes, Linens and things, I begin things As it turns out, they called Big’s bluff and he could not rest in the west and they annihilated him. And, now, hell, DOB can’t even claim a suitcase filled with clothes, linens and things.
By Kentavo
July 3, 2007 6:11 PM | Link to this
I too, love the West Coast games. It’s just me, Braves baseball, perhaps a beer or six, and maybe a cat or dog. The wife’s asleep, all the work is done, and there are no interuptions. I don’t go to sleep until after midnight anyway. I would be more excited about tonight’s game if Kyle-5-run-1st-inning Davies weren’t starting.
By Efrim
July 3, 2007 6:11 PM | Link to this
NCScoots,
If you don’t think another starter like Vasquez or Buerhle would help the team, your insane pal. Now, would it be intelligent for the Braves to deal Salty or Escobar for them? No it wouldn’t, and they shouldn’t. But if they could acquire Buerhle for a Lillibridge. I would do it. But they couldn’t get Buerhle for Lillibridge. If we are going to deal for a starter, then deal for one that is going to help the team.
Jason Jennings or Matt Morris isn’t going to cut it. They just aren’t worth it.
By Savannah Guy
July 3, 2007 6:11 PM | Link to this
Ok, since I have it right here I’ll post it. Last one…promise. No, really….probably.
True story or urban myth?
I have a German Shepherd so I was buying a large bag of Pedigree at Wal-Mart and was in line to check out. A woman behind me asked if I had a dog. (!!!?)
On impulse, I told her that no, I was starting The Purina Diet again, although I probably shouldn’t because I’d ended up in the hospital last time, but that I’d lost 50 pounds before I awakened in an intensive care ward with tubes coming out of most of my orifices and IVs in both arms.
Continuing on, I told her that it was essentially a perfect diet and that the way that it works is to load your pants pockets with Purina nuggets and simply eat one or two every time you feel hungry & that the food is nutritionally perfect so I was going to try it again.
I have to mention here that practically everyone in the check out line was by now enthralled with my story. Horrified, she asked if I’d ended up in the hospital in that condition because I had been poisoned. I told her no. I’d been sitting in the street licking my privates and a truck hit me.
(I thought one guy was going to have a heart attack, he was laughing so hard as he staggered out the door.)
By Wayne in Utah
July 3, 2007 6:15 PM | Link to this
Gotta run for a few hours Matt. I will look for your response later…..
By DonCoburleone
July 3, 2007 6:18 PM | Link to this
And as far as the Braves not getting a big name starter, well, thats disappointing… So, if it’s not a big name starter, then who? Perhaps Kyle Lohse? Maybe Matt Morris? Or do they try and get a young arm whose fallen out of favor on a team? (Noah Lowry, Zach Duke)
By Wayne in Utah
July 3, 2007 6:21 PM | Link to this
Savannah Got me on that one! Classic!!!
By SaltyWoody
July 3, 2007 6:21 PM | Link to this
Savannah Guy Priceless.
By ObiWanKobe
July 3, 2007 6:28 PM | Link to this
They stole the “I Love LA” thing from the Lakers
By Scott
July 3, 2007 6:28 PM | Link to this
New to the blog…and don’t know how often I will post…but last night’s game did NOT turn on Smoltz’s wild pitch on strike 3 in the bottom of the 6th. The game turned when Bobby failed to let Escobar hit for KJ with the bases loaded and 1 out against a tough lefty. THAT was the opportunity for us to take control of the game!
We DEFINITELY need a pitcher. We will not make it to the playoffs with this rotation.
And as much as I love AJ…it is time to drop him to 7th in the order and leave him there for an extended period of time.
By Efrim
July 3, 2007 6:29 PM | Link to this
DonC,
Noah Lowry is interesting. He is okay. I wouldn’t say he is that much better than Chuck James. I think he is better, but not by much. Zach Duke is no good. Matt Morris is owed 10 million next year, I would rather have Vasquez at 11.5.
Remember, Hampton’s salary comes off the book next year. 15 Million. Renteria comes off the books, 6 million. Smoltz 14 million comes off the books unless he pitches 200 innings. Chipper needs 450 plate appearences or his 11 million comes off the books. The Braves are going to have a lot of money to spend after 2008.
By WakeUp
July 3, 2007 6:32 PM | Link to this
Savannah Guy - I liked how your joke started out with the Braves fans in the toilet. Just like the Braves themselves.
By TommyB
July 3, 2007 6:33 PM | Link to this
Yahoo Sports is reporting that the Braves are among teams inquiring with the Rangers about Gagne and/or Otsuka.
WayneInUtah (and others): I agree with the Salty as starting catcher thinking. Either try McCann at 1B or trade him. He would certainly bring a good bounty.
By Tomahawkin
July 3, 2007 6:33 PM | Link to this
I have a bad feeling that these west coast teams are gonna wipe the floor wit us during these games…Simply the fact that this offense tries to play longball too often, and that stuff doesn’t work well against good teams (Look at the last interleague series in Atlanta). This offense needs to manufacture runs. That along with 6 inning starts (Kyle could use one badly) Then we might have a chance of coming back to the “A” with a roadtrip record of .500 record or better…Hey!
By Tomahawkin
July 3, 2007 6:39 PM | Link to this
Scott I much so agree that A. Jones needs to hit seventh…and Better yet make him do pushups (Like Willie Hayes) after he pulls the ball with intent, instead of going the other way, This slump is painful to watch…
I’ll be throwing beer cans at the T.V. if we come out and get clowned early…
BTW The Music they play at Chivez Ravine Rules, Beats the Hell out of the crap they play at Turner Field…
By Efrim
July 3, 2007 6:45 PM | Link to this
Does anyone know why Tommy Hanson was on the DL for like 3 weeks in June??? It wasn’t arm trouble, was it?
Also does anyone know why Cory Rasmus was placed on the 60 Day DL?
I hope Hanson becomes a stud, he is like 6’6”. Medlen has some amazing numbers in the minors.
I hear Neftali Feliz and Tommy Hanson are the crown jewels of the Farm. Although Jo Jo and Harrison are much more polished.
By Tomahawkin
July 3, 2007 6:46 PM | Link to this
I dunno what It is about Free Agent Pitchers that go to Texas, but they all suck, Maybe Kevin Millwood needs a change of scenery, But his tag would be too high…Unless the Rangers are dumb enough to eat half of his salary… BTW where’s Hampton at??? He really hurt the rotation over the last 2 years…
By David O'Brien
July 3, 2007 6:46 PM | Link to this
SCOTT, since you’re new to the blog we’ll be gentle. But that was ridiculous, to say the game turned on the decision not to bat Escobar for K.J. In other words, a game turned on a play that never happened. A game turned on, let’s see, we’ll just have a fantasy game in our heads here … the game turned on Escobar’s three-run double that never happened. But would have. We’re sure. That was the turning point. The phantom turning point, if you will.
By David O'Brien
July 3, 2007 6:50 PM | Link to this
David-ATL, they wouldn’t bring up JoJo Reyes for one start, because that would also start his “option clock” and use the first of his three options.
By DonCoburleone
July 3, 2007 6:50 PM | Link to this
Yeah but Chavez Ravine is a dump in my opinion… I’ve been going to games there since the 80’s and I still think it is totally overrated. Most baseball people say it is a baseball shrine and one of the best places to watch a ballgame. I say hogwash, it is not even a top 3 stadium in the state of California, let alone in the major leagues (with Petco Park, Angel Stadium and Giants stadium ranked 1-2-3 in California IMO.) Do you agree DOB?
By Heath
July 3, 2007 6:50 PM | Link to this
DOB:
Exactly why is it that Andruw would not accept a trade to a contender (preferably in the AL)??? Based on the Braves recent history, Andruw has to see that there is a VERY good possibility that the Braves are not going to be able to resign him. If he is unsure about what he wants to do, wouldn’t accpeting a trade be advisable? He could see what another clubhouse is like….without Bobby’s never-ending, and sometimes rediculous, loyalty. If he finds that he doesn’t like life after Atlanta…not big deal…a few months later and he has an opportunity to sign for a smaller amount to play for the Braves again. Plus, he would be bringing in talent to help ensure that next year’s team(and probably further) will have more assets with which to compete. Has anyone broached this subject with him? Well, let me re-state, hasn’t anyone asked him to read this blog? (Specifially suggesting it directyl to him would be tampering, right?)
By chip
July 3, 2007 6:52 PM | Link to this
I figure the Braves have GOT to make a trade for a pitcher. What they really need is one more solid innings-eater — a #3 starter. But to get him…who goes? Nobody wants Thorman or Prado or Woodward or Orr, and surely JS isn’t going to give up Salty for a middle-of-the-road type of guy. So if it isn’t a bunch of minor leaguers, you figure there are only three guys on the roster that would fit the bill: Matt Diaz, Willie Harris, and Yunel Escobar. And it probably takes two of them to get a legit starter. Anybody else is just a throw in (though one of their promising outfielders in the minors could be a major piece of the deal). After having lost Aybar last year, I’d hate to see them drop Escobar, but…he’d be the key piece in a trade. One of the few players the Braves have who others actually want.
By DonCoburleone
July 3, 2007 6:57 PM | Link to this
Hey, everyone watch for me tonight at the game… I’ve been given a $100 bet to go running onto the field and if I’m drunk enough I’ll probably end up doing it… Anything you guys want me to do? Should I run over to AJ, slap him in the face and tell him to stop trying to hit every pitch 500’ into the left field bleachers??? Or maybe run over to Cox and scream at him to bat AJ 7th in the order; that way we can avoid the nobody out, runners on 1st and 2nd double-play???
By Savannah Guy
July 3, 2007 6:57 PM | Link to this
By WakeUp 6:32 “Savannah Guy - I liked how your joke started out with the Braves fans in the toilet. Just like the Braves themselves.”
Hey, it was just a stupid little Brave/Met ditty that I picked up somewhere. Not particularly funny (as I was reminded earlier). Hey, I’ll admit that your retort was actually funnier than the joke itself, but since you brought it up, who wound up in the dumper last? Did you find your way to the end of the joke? Didn’t think so.
By BravesFanInRockies
July 3, 2007 7:00 PM | Link to this
Why do free agent pitchers suck in Texas? Could have something to do with the hitter-friendly confines of Arlington and the intense summer heat.
I think it’s the only place that schedules Sunday night games during the summer months voluntarily, not because ESPN wants to televise them. (Didn’t the Marlins used to do that, too?) Little wonder the ballpark in Houston has a retractable roof. The heat in Texas just chews up pitchers and spits them out.
By Tomahawkin
July 3, 2007 7:00 PM | Link to this
Temps will be around 80 tonite at start time, maybe the ball will be lively since its been hot out there…
Maybe one thing to our advantage…
Someone mentioned trading McCann, No way Put Salty at first and Dump Woodward…after the all-star break, and It will be on like Donkey Kong in the final two months…
By Ron
July 3, 2007 7:01 PM | Link to this
Efrim you said Zack Duke is no good. Are you kidding me? The problem is the Pirates need a good Pitching Coach!!! Duke reminds me of Oliver Perez!! He just needed a good pitching coach!!! I would rather have Duke, or Lowry than Buehrle!!! Buehrle just does not impress me at all, and why does he impress you soooo damn much!!! He aint that good, I would not even trade Lillibridge for him!!! The most I would trade for him is Prado, Maybe Devine, and a outfield prospect OTHER than Brandon Jones or Blanco!!!
By Ron Roberts
July 3, 2007 7:04 PM | Link to this
DO’B… would you agree that our Startup and/or Devine might be as tangible pieces of trade bait as Escobar might be, at this rate, with so many contenders seeking relief pitching help?
Seems to me we could package something that included one (not both) of ‘em and get a decent starter out of the deal, eh?
By BravesFanInRockies
July 3, 2007 7:04 PM | Link to this
DonC,
Hope the guy offering the $100 will pay your court costs too …
By Jimbo
July 3, 2007 7:05 PM | Link to this
Three Questions for DOB
I’ve been over seas for a while, did AJ make the All-Star team?
Any further update on your underwear?
If Carroll was on the trip would you have borrowed a set of undies from her?
By DonCoburleone
July 3, 2007 7:06 PM | Link to this
DOB I actually disagree with your “turning point” in last nights game also (but I actually have a real play to reference, LOL) … I still say it was the diving stop Kent made on Salty’s grounder with the bases loaded when the game was 1-1…
By Efrim
July 3, 2007 7:08 PM | Link to this
They should definetly bump Kaaihue up to Double-A. The guy has big numbers.
By Savannah Guy
July 3, 2007 7:08 PM | Link to this
I think the game turned for these five reasons: (1) when KJ was allowed to hit instead of pinch-hitting Yunel, (2) When Chipper didn’t hit three grand slams (3) when our batters didn’t load the bases prior to Chippers grand slam at-bats, (4) when our pitchers gave up eight runs, (5) McCann would not have seen one of Bobbys fingers digging in the right notstril. (Brian thought it was a special sign, signaling him to not catch that third strike).
Other than that, we win about 15 to 0. It’s really a game of inches.
By Tomahawkin
July 3, 2007 7:09 PM | Link to this
**Thats A Damn fine Idea about the A. Jones contract…Lets see if A. Jones can handle fans in Philly, New Yawk, or L.A. . I don’t think they will take too kindly to his streakyness…
I just don’t want to see A. Jones in a Cardinals uniform, I’d be our luck that he’ll catch the fountain of youth up there
BTW Its this year is very similiar to A. Jones 1997 season…Painful
By Tomahawkin
July 3, 2007 7:13 PM | Link to this
Man, Zach Duke is a good Idea, Buehrle, I’m not impressed either, especially since he’ll sell out to a team like the Yankees in da offseason, Almost All decent pitchers who come to Atlanta via July trades do that…
By BravesFanInRockies
July 3, 2007 7:14 PM | Link to this
Savannah Guy,
ROTFL
By None But The Brave
July 3, 2007 7:14 PM | Link to this
What is the deal with the hatred for KJ? Still do not get it. .281, .383, .456, .839 from a second baseman not good enough? Wow! Lifetime, Derek Jeter is .319, .389, .464, .853.
KJ has the 4th highest OPS on the team, higher than Druw, McCann, and Frenchy, 74 points higher than Escobar, 11 points lower than media fave Jose Reyes. Yeah, let’s beat up the second baseman with a higher OPS than The Natural rightfielder, the All Star catcher, the $15 mil centerfielder.
KJ has the second highest OPS figure for all NL econd baseman, fourth highest OPS figure for all MLB second baseman.
His OPS only ranks behind Chase Utley, who is in a class of his own, and is only 10 points or so less than Pedroia and Brian Roberts, which means nothing.
BTW, Marcus Giles is in 19th place for MLB second baggers with an OPS number 170 points below KJ. AND I was a HUGE Giles fan.
Am I missing something?
Did he miss a bunt or something?
By Jimbo
July 3, 2007 7:16 PM | Link to this
Maybe the game didn’t turn on Bobby failing to make the obvious move of batting Yunel for KJ, but it was the wrong move along with several others last night. That’s two bad games in a row for Bobby. It’s too bad the suddenly awful pen took the spotlight off Bobby.
Yunel can hit left handed pitching better then KJ can hit right handed pitching. And for certain, Yunel can hit LHP better then KJ.
I wonder if its hard for the players to give their all when Bobby continues to blow games with his loyal to AJ, batting him 4th, as well as bad moves and non-moves?
By Savannah Guy
July 3, 2007 7:18 PM | Link to this
WakeUp: Don’t you think it’s really silly when one fan tells another fan of a rival team that “my team can beat your team, nah na na na nah”. Childish. Silly. Stupid. Kind of like “my daddy can beat your daddy”. Very immature. Lame. I won’t dignify any further rebuttals of this type with any sort of response.
By the way, my cat can beat your poodle.
By Bob McBrayer
July 3, 2007 7:31 PM | Link to this
Now Savannah, that’s not nice!
I’m envious … once infamous for such doins, folks no longer listen and regardless of what I say, I get the same response …oh, you poor dear!
By keylargo25
July 3, 2007 7:32 PM | Link to this
I can’t let a Private Parts joke be told without my favorite being included. Great story by Savannah Guy.
Bubba and LeRoy were at Sanford Stadium for a Bulldogs home game. At half time Bubba was scanning the sideline and saw UGA licking his privates - oblivious to the 90K+ fans. An envious Bubba remarked that he wished he could do that and LeRoy replied “that dog would bite you Bubba”.
By Savannah Guy
July 3, 2007 7:36 PM | Link to this
* BravesFanInRockies* Uh..thanks? Look, I have been on computers for twenty years, I text message, I MMS, ppt, I have a treo phone with bluetooth and obviously I know what a blog is. But what the heck does ROTFL mean? Seriously. Really.
Recently I asked my 23 year old nephew what the LOL abbreviation meant (he looked at me like I was knee deep in the tar pits…). Then he said, “it means laugh out loud, but nobody uses that stuff any more…passe”. So, I replied, oh, good because I don’t know any of those thingamajigs. Then he gave me that look again.
Hell, I know an analogy, an achronym, a palandrome and buzz words out the wazoo…but I don’t know a ROTFL from Adam. Help me out here.
By jbutler
July 3, 2007 7:36 PM | Link to this
Savannah Guy…ridiculous. Immature. Adolescent. Meet at the sandbox and my 2 year old will take on any of your said animals. Catfight.
By California Raisin
July 3, 2007 7:37 PM | Link to this
C’mon Mr. O’Brien, you consistently misspelled the word “raisin” in you post today. It should have read:
Mr. Mo jo Raisin, Mr. Mo jo Raisin
Mr. Mo jo Raisin, Mr. Mo jo Raisin
Got to eat those raisins
Mr. Mo jo Raisin, Mr. Mo jo Raisin
Mo jo Raisin, gotta get Mo Raisins
Mr. Mo jo Raisin, gotta eat Mo raisins
Raisin, raisin
Got raisins, raisins
I got raisins, raisins
I got raisins, raisins
Good, raisins, raisins
I got some — wooo, yeah, raisins
Clearly, Mr. Morrison wrote a profound and poetic declaration of his love for a certain kind of dried fruit!
By keylargo25
July 3, 2007 7:38 PM | Link to this
I can’t let a Private Parts joke be told without my favorite being included. Great story by Savannah Guy.
Bubba and LeRoy were at Sanford Stadium for a Bulldogs home game. At half time Bubba was scanning the sideline and saw UGA licking his privates - oblivious to the 90K+ fans. An envious Bubba remarked that he wished he could do that and LeRoy replied “that dog would bite you Bubba”.
By keylargo25
July 3, 2007 7:39 PM | Link to this
I can’t let a Private Parts joke be told without my favorite being included. Great story by Savannah Guy.
Bubba and LeRoy were at Sanford Stadium for a Bulldogs home game. At half time Bubba was scanning the sideline and saw UGA licking his privates - oblivious to the 90K+ fans. An envious Bubba remarked that he wished he could do that and LeRoy replied “that dog would bite you Bubba”.
By StingerSplash
July 3, 2007 7:42 PM | Link to this
Looks like the marketplace for pitching just got more crowded. Jon Lieber will have season-ending surgery, on his foot. The Phils already are holding together a pitching staff with spit and baling wire.
By jwshults
July 3, 2007 7:43 PM | Link to this
I agree with DOB completely Larry King is not an attractive man.
Thanks for the BLOG DOB … can we get some Steve Earle in here? :)
By Tonight on TBS
July 3, 2007 7:45 PM | Link to this
After the game, be sure to stay up for:
Deliverance (1972)
Several naïve Atlanta bloggers decide to cruise the wilds of cyberspace, looking for amusement. The trip turns into a nightmare when they encounter a band of savage cretins (Met fans) who send them through a crucible of danger and degradation. Oh, the porcinity! Fortunately, there is a Floridian (Burt Reynolds) in their party who has the cyber skills to deliver the Georgians to safety. (Based on the novel by James Dickey).
By ncscoots
July 3, 2007 7:46 PM | Link to this
Can’t do it. Thought I could gut it out, but I find myself too weak. I’ve come to the conclusion that I have only three options:
(1) schedule the lobotomy. (2) simply wait for my head to explode. (3) leave the blog until after the trading deadline.
I mean, I find myself cleaning weapons every day just on the off chance that I’ll run into a known blogger who has recently mentioned Mark Buerhle. I think we all know this could be construed as slightly-off-kilter behavior. For some.
So, as both a favor to my sanity and a wish not to be thought of as unusually homicidal, I’ll see you folks on August 1. Trade away. Maybe you can manage to replace the entire starting staff for Iker Franco and have Liberty raise the budget $30MM, all on the same day.
Hey…it could happen.
By cjohnson
July 3, 2007 7:50 PM | Link to this
DOB….luv the blog…your doing a great job.
I would love to hear what you think about a possible trade to pull Maddox in for either Escobar or Renteria. Edgar has been the most reliable player on the team …just ahead of Hoss….Id hate to see him go, but, the help Maddox could provide our young starters may be worth more than his arm. I really believe he is as much to credit as Leo for the prior success of the Braves starters….many of which have said the same. Thanks for all the great work….and please pass along the song Kryptonite( 3 Doors Down)to Andruw….he needs to take a good listen.
By David-ATL14
July 3, 2007 7:56 PM | Link to this
DOB,
Thanks for the reply about Reyes, I thought about the option clock. I also thought they might bring Reyes up in Sept anyway, not a lot of difference in July/Sept, but you are probably right.
By Savannah Guy
July 3, 2007 7:57 PM | Link to this
Bob, Journalist Is that really you? Is that a New hat? A new dinner jacket? Shouldn’t it be embroidered with a BJ?
Hey man. Missed ya. Come on now, we had a vote while you were out and it was unanimous: we all want you to keep your above referenced journalist moniker. You are an institution on this blog. We need the J man…your deserved persona. Don’t disappoint all of your denizens here. We ALL go through the “feel like a sheet of glass on this blog” syndrome.
But as Cher’s character would say to Nick Cage’s character in Moonstruck, “snap out of it”. Kind of a love smack if you will. Great movie by the way. Not quite the classic as Raising Arizona but almost…it was great.
Give us a little story about your day or your outlook on this game tonight from your unique journalists perspective. Or add to the cheeseburger mystery. Or canned hams. Andruw Jones. Anything. We need the comfort and joy of your familiar anonymity. Say yes.
By brewdawg
July 3, 2007 7:59 PM | Link to this
DOB,
Your blog shouldn’t have to be in until 7 p.m out here, since you are three hours ahead. Don’t get me wrong, we appreciate it, but if we’re gonna get through this year, we gotta have a well-rested Smoltz AND a well-rested DOB.
By WakeUp
July 3, 2007 8:01 PM | Link to this
I left an hour and a half ago and I just came back and noticed that Savannah Guy is still talking to me. That’s sad, man.
By Dave knockahomer
July 3, 2007 8:01 PM | Link to this
Hey, young un’s!
Lewis Grizzard was the author….and it was a bit longer than the one you claim. :)
Bubba and LeRoy were at Sanford Stadium for a Bulldogs home game. At half time Bubba was scanning the sideline and saw UGA licking his privates - oblivious to the 90K+ fans. An envious Bubba remarked that he wished he could do that and LeRoy replied “that dog would bite you Bubba”.
By macdwolfpack
July 3, 2007 8:01 PM | Link to this
So Dave, after reading you comments on McCann’s recent stats, tell me again why he’s the future for this club at catcher versus Salty? Not saying Salty is as good or better, just asking the question based on the fact that the Braves were in such a hurry to sign him long term last year and everyone since then has annointed McCann as the next Johny Bench.
By Savannah Guy
July 3, 2007 8:09 PM | Link to this
ncscoots: Funny. A bit dramatic and surely you exaggerate, right? But it worked well. Good post.
I for one have never mentioned trading for…well, you know…that pitcher guy. But before you turn up the AC, close the blinds, put on an old Connie Frances album and consider eating the cold-steel pipe, consider this…if you go away, the player who should not be mentioned in your company will become the hottest of topics - without your occassional sound rebuttals.
So, as I’ve told you a million times since this morning, don’t exaggerate.
By MS
July 3, 2007 8:14 PM | Link to this
DonC, I’m with you. The turning point was the play by Kent. That was HUGE. We go from being up 2 in the top of the inning, to being down two by the bottom. That took the wind right out of our sails (and also made Kemp’s homer even more painful, since we would have at least had a couple more runs by that point, to lessen the damage).
The strikeout to Loney was just plain old bad luck. I mean, the ball hit off the darn plate! What’s Mac supposed to do? If it’s only in the dirt, he probably gets enough of the ball to throw him out at first, and the inning is over. What a nasty pitch though, to start up enough to get Loney to swing at it, but then end up hitting the plate. Nasty!
By Savannah Guy
July 3, 2007 8:19 PM | Link to this
WakeUp: Dammit. Sorry Mets fan, I should have known that you left. My bad. What kind of fool doesn’t know your schedule. Oh well. Whew…if you would have missed my post it would have ruined my entire evening.
Oh well…all is well. I’ll try to remember that you have to go to knitting classes on Tuesday afternoons, reading class on Wednesdays and anger management classes on Thursdays. Did you prick that finger again on that pesky knitting needle again?
Hey, just kidding. But seriously, did you take your french poodle named Chaise Shea?
By Bob McBrayer
July 3, 2007 8:31 PM | Link to this
Jimmy Smith, Savannah,
One thing nice about not being Bob, Journalist … I can now plagiarize without feeling guilty … so there’s a story now floating around about a man who stopped at a grocery store to buy some food for his dog, while on his way to the Ted and wound up telling funny stories to both the Checkout Girl and St. Peter.
I suppose the moral of the story is that if you spend too much talking you’re liable to miss the game … whether the story is a comedy or a tragedy depends … on who wins.
Good stories can be copied but they can’t be duplicated … Thanks!!
Shaun, there are none who are more sincere than you, that I think is true but you are more stubborn than Andruw, though a little less than me.
Have you noticed that our conversations seem to always revolve abound the same topic … fruit … you apples, me oranges!
By Savannah Guy
July 3, 2007 8:33 PM | Link to this
jbutler Ok, now you’ve done it. You have called me out and challenged my animals. Well, sir…I’m calling YOU right OUT, RIGHT BACK…out, uh back, um…so there. Ahem…SO THERE Mr. Tough immature childish guy. If you are scared just say scared.
My cat will take on your two year old any time you want. I’ll even tie two of his arms together and GUESS WHAT MISTER, my cat is gonna lick that baby of yours all over that sandbox. It may tickle, but your baby will just laugh (cats have those rough little tongues). SO THERE MR. SMARTY PANTS TOUGH IMMATURE GUY WITH THE STRONG BABY.
By NASCARfan
July 3, 2007 8:38 PM | Link to this
Bobby Cox is either 1) a complete and utter moron or 2) couldn’t care less about this team and winning. I say it’s both.
You people realize he is putting one player above the rest of the team, right? How mush sense does that make? He keeps on hitting this guy 4th or 5th or 6th, when he should be hitting 8th. He won’t bench him (and he is no longer the best defensive centerfielder in baseball… that is an absolute fallacy, and I don’t need a book by Jason Stark to tell me that).
For this and for many, many other reasons… Bobby Cox needs to be fired and fired right now. He is holding this team hostage for ONE PLAYER!!!
This team needs new energy and a new direction. This team needs to fire the Nose Picker and pick up Joe Girardi before the Yankees do.
By jbutler
July 3, 2007 8:50 PM | Link to this
K there Savannah Boy…We’ll meet up in your sandbox- and my little 2-year old will make fuzz out of your kitten. She makes Serena Williams look fat and flabby. :)
By Carolina Lady
July 3, 2007 8:52 PM | Link to this
Savannah Guy - Rolling On The Floor Laughing.
I love your posts! :-))
By David O'Brien
July 3, 2007 8:57 PM | Link to this
macdwolfpack, I don’t have to explain to you why he’s the catcher of the future. that’s not my job. but if you don’t recognize that a 23-year-old, two-time NL All-Star who just signed a six-year contract extension is the catcher for the Braves’ next several years, at least, well, you probably need to get up to speed on the game and how things work. Seriously, I wouldn’t even know where to begin with you if you think long-term decisions are based on stats over the past two months….
THIS JUST IN: SMOLTZ WILL MISS A START, almost certainly. And there’s a chance he’ll go on DL, but he prefers the first option, which would probably put him starting the fifth game after the break as his next start.
He’ll know more after he throws tomorrow. That’s when they’ll probably decide the plan. He doesn’t feel too good today, though. No MRI planned. He’s certain it’s nothing major.
By None But The Brave
July 3, 2007 9:03 PM | Link to this
I often grab my cats by the tail and twirl them all around over my head. They don’t like it too much. Whenever I start crawling around the room after them, frantically asking Who Wants To Go For A Helicopter Ride?, they start flying all over the place trying to get away from me. I never understand their terror. I tell them not to worry because a ride on my helicopter is safer than a ride at Six Flags. At least with my helicopter ride, you know you will still have your feet on you when the ride is over.
Oh, the moral corruption!
Good to see you Bob. Here’s a handshake from me to you - at least we will know that if we get into it later, we started it off with sportsmanship. But I have to ask this of you, Bob McBrayer: Does Robert think that Bobby Cox should change his name to Bobby McBRAYer? Or would that be even too obvious for Robert and his incessant remarks about Bobby Cox making the braying noises of a donkey? And I am not making fun of your last name. Just remarking on the coincidence.
By songwriter jimmy smith
July 3, 2007 9:04 PM | Link to this
with apologies to johnny cash - ghost riders in the sky
*”his toes were sore,
his thumbs were bent,
his quads all tied in knots …
extra socks to ease the pain
from all the aches he gots …”*
*“‘cause he wants to play pain-free
in that line -up bobby wrote
on the bench snorting fire,
when Smoltzie got his goat
Yippie yi Ohhhhh
Yippie yi yaaaaay
cheeseburger and root-beer float
cheeseburger and root-beer float
cheeseburger and root-beer float”*
By Carolina Lady
July 3, 2007 9:08 PM | Link to this
jimmy, that’s your best one yet! LOL!
By HP
July 3, 2007 9:12 PM | Link to this
Andruw Jones again batting in clean-up spot tonight. This is making me sick more and more everyday. What in the world is Bobby Cox thinking? Does anybody have Bobby Cox Address so I can please go talk to him during All-star break? This is ridiculous.
By JJMB
July 3, 2007 9:13 PM | Link to this
“This team needs to fire the Nose Picker and pick up Joe Girardi before the Yankees do.”
Yeah, but it isn’t going to happen.
Cats are vermin. They pass a parasite called toxoplasma gondi in their feces. It nests in your brain. Now go give mister kitty a great big kiss.
By Acronyms-Are-Us
July 3, 2007 9:17 PM | Link to this
Savannah Guy, I don’t think anyone answered your question yet. ROTFL means Rolling on the Floor Laughing.
By Savannah Guy
July 3, 2007 9:23 PM | Link to this
California Raisin I love your Jim Morrison lyrics. But, het, is that Mr. T coming? Are you in the shower? Get out, now.
jbutler Ok then, it’s my cat and your buff little Buffy baby will meet and determine who is the toughest. It’s girl against cat. No fluff, no stuff. Only one change to your suggestion: let’s use your sandbox. My cat’s sandbox has, uh…stuff in it. Not sanitary for little girls to be rolling around in.
What About Bob, (Journalist)? Not sure, but someone said you were around somewhere. I don’t believe it though. Didn’t even see you come into the room. You ain’t right. C’mon back.
Carolina Lady Ohhhh…noow I get it. Rolling on the floor…Thanks. I guess it was a compliment earlier then from the denizen. Whew. Hey, I may be slow, but I’m stupid.
Here’s one for you: IIHIHOIIJY? See if you can remember my usual question for you.
By Bob
July 3, 2007 9:26 PM | Link to this
Grand Slam in Colorado. Rockies 10-3.
By P-Town Brave
July 3, 2007 9:26 PM | Link to this
DOB
With the Smoltz issue and the uncertainty of Davies into tonight and the problems at the back end of the rotation, do you believe we’ll be making some calls for a pitcher ASAP, and do you think by Smoltz being injured that it has now raised the bounty?
By Coach (BRINGING THE WRECKING BALL)
July 3, 2007 9:27 PM | Link to this
You people don’t understand ! Andruw is on a six game hitting streak. He has two home runs and six RBI in his last ten games with three walks. So what if he had ten strikeouts , hit .184 and left thirty (yea , 30 runners in the last 10 games) runners on base. Andruw Jones is the greatest center fielder in the game today , just ask Bobby Cox !
By N8
July 3, 2007 9:31 PM | Link to this
DOB
What’s your take on John from Cincinnati? I know I read at one point that you were watching it.
I just watched the first one “on demand”, and after the initial weirdness of it set it, pretty much laughed out loud for it’s entirety.
It’s so frickin weird, I don’t think I’ll be able to stop watching once I start.
I think “John” would be a great blogger, don’t you? LOL!
“Some things I know, Some things I don’t.”
Appears to me, that between his mindless babbling and “copycatting”, that he’d fit right in around here.
By Bill
July 3, 2007 9:34 PM | Link to this
We don’t need Zack Duke. He has arm problems and on DL. Looks like the Braves are in trouble for sure if Smoltz goes down. I hope they don’t go crazy and trade prospects. Just bring up Reyes and suffer with him.
By Carolina Lady
July 3, 2007 9:35 PM | Link to this
Savannah Guy, the correct answer is: Is It Hot In Here Or Is It Just You. Now you owe me a carton of Carolina BBQ (vinegar based)! :-))
Hyperextended elbows. Takes a long time to heal, huh? What is the treatment? Doc, where are you??
By The Grinch
July 3, 2007 9:38 PM | Link to this
That was hilarious, JJS.
Glad to hear Smoltz’ taking some time off. An extended DL trip or, god forbid, surury would be most severely uncool.
By Savannah Guy
July 3, 2007 9:40 PM | Link to this
To: Friends of David O’Brien
From: Delta PR Dept.
We still have not heard from Mr. O’Brien, so in the hopes of reconciling our little inconvenient and unfortunate misunderstanding, we wanted to relay a message to him through you. We apologize for seeming so LAX.
Delta is still examining Mr. DOB’s luggage. The K-9 team really appreciates that he has allowed us to use his luggage as training props. Our puppies are having quite a good time chewing on the little wheels.
In the spirit of customer service, we wanted to return a special item that we found in our search: the lyrics to a song, framed in his suitcase alongside the Captain & Tennille lunchbox. Regrettably we can’t return the frame or the original printed and autographed music sheet, since it was mostly eaten by our K-9’s during training.
So we wanted to pass them along to him. Since we found a little post-It note on the frame that said: “Post these lyrics tonight…they are my No. 1 FAVE!”, we believe his intentions were to post them on his blog, as we understand he does from time to time. Here are the lyrics:
Muskrat, Muskrat, candle light
Doin’ the town and doin’ it right in the evenin’
It’s pretty pleasin’
Muskrat Suzie, Muskrat Sam
Do the jitterbug at a Muskrat Land
And they shimmy, Sam is so skinny
And they whirl and they twirl and they tango
Singin’ and jinglin’ a jangle
Float like the heavens above
Looks like Muskrat Love
Nibblin’ on bacon
Chewin’ on cheese
Sam says to Suzie
Honey, would you please be my Mrs
Suzie says, yes, with her kisses
Now, he’s ticklin’ her fancy
Rubbin’ her toes
Muzzle to muzzle
Now anything goes as they wriggle
Sue starts to giggle
And they whirled and they twirled and they tango
Singin’ and jinglin’ a jangle
Floatin’ like the heavens above
Looks like muskrat love
(Signed by The Captain & Tennille)
By David O'Brien
July 3, 2007 9:44 PM | Link to this
I think Braves brass is close to doing something. They weren’t returning calls today, which tells me they’re very busy trying to get something done and don’t want to have to issue no-comment’s….
N8, same for me. After the initial oddity of the show, I really liked it. I’ve seen them all except Sunday’s latest episode, which I’ll watch when I get home on ondemand.
By chrisklob
July 3, 2007 9:45 PM | Link to this
Carolina Lady, I’m disappointed to see that you’re still on the vinegar-based bbq sauce. I guess I’m gonna have to send you up some of Melvin Bessinger’s mustard based sauce to make you change your mind!
By MBATL
July 3, 2007 9:48 PM | Link to this
DOB, looking at the schedule, seems like it would make more sense for Smoltz to go to the DL… he’d be back right around the same time anyway, and we could call someone up to replace him. He needs to take the time to get healthy, not just work through it, if possible.
Plus, he could legitimately beg off of the allstar game, which, in my view, would be a good thing to do.
I’m not arguing with you about it… just looking at the schedule.
He must be down. I heard him on the radio today. He was asked if this team can make the playoffs, and he really couldn’t muster a positive answer. Not his job to be a cheerleader, I guess, but you’d like to hear a little more confidence out of your ace.
By Bob McBrayer
July 3, 2007 9:49 PM | Link to this
None But The Brave,
Now I paid Jimmy and the Voice of Reason, but yours was unsolicited and greatly appreciated!
If I’ve heard a stronger, more eloquent appeal, I can’t remember when … it rivals or even exceeds the ones of the hillbilly from little Walter’s state, back in the day.
I truly share your view and your verve … but what’s a fella to do? I ain’t no Gary Cooper … the journalist said to me as he took his leave, “Did you hear all the applause? Methinks the silence was deafening!”
Neither the journalist nor the unostentatious one are truly dead and buried … but I’m more than a little tired of all the crap.
The journalist’s parting comments were sincere and perhaps there are better ways of calling out the evil interlopers and the contemptible self-righteous who do their dealing from the bottom of the deck through pompous innuendo, smugly delivered from behind their masks.
Yes, your comments are greatly appreciated, a cockles of my heart of the first order’ I’m open to suggestions …
One thing where you’re wrong though … being Bob McBrayer is a blast … all except the being old and broke part!
By Superman
July 3, 2007 9:51 PM | Link to this
Does anyone know tonights line up yet??
By Superman
July 3, 2007 9:57 PM | Link to this
Just saw Davies is 0-4 with an era of 6.64 in his last 4 starts on espnews. God i hope you are right dob about the “brass” being close to something.
On a different note i hope to be the brass of something one day. I dont really care what. It would just be cool to be the brass. lol
By Superman
July 3, 2007 9:59 PM | Link to this
mets 3 rockies 11 in the 6th. Please lets make up a game tonight.
By David O'Brien
July 3, 2007 10:03 PM | Link to this
BEST NATIONAL ANTHEM I’ve seen in baseball just went down — The great Wayne Kramer, of MC5 fame, did the Hendrix-like instrumental on a red, white & blue electric guitar. OUTSTANDING.
I love LA.
By P-Town Brave
July 3, 2007 10:05 PM | Link to this
Anyone checked out the Mets score lately…they’re getting drilled by Colorado AGAIN…maybe we can try something different and gain a game tonight!
By Savannah Guy
July 3, 2007 10:07 PM | Link to this
By JJMB said, “Cats are vermin. They pass a parasite called toxoplasma gondi in their feces. It nests in your brain.”
Hey Mister…you just ain’t right in the brain. Cats are clean and smart. My dog thinks so anyway. But you are dumb, fool. Why bring Toxoplasma Gondi into this? He led the largest non-violent protest in the history of India. He had nothing to do with cats. Dummy. Sheesh.
By None But The Brave said, “I often grab my cats by the tail and twirl them all around over my head. They don’t like it too much. Whenever I start crawling around the room after them, frantically asking Who Wants To Go For A Helicopter Ride?, they start flying all over the place trying to get away from me…”
Hey…it’s ok NBTB, just relax now…calm down. It’ll be fine. Just put that sharp object away, you are scaring the children and some of the adults too. You went on a bit too long for funny….a little too much description there. Have you seen anyone about this…um, feline domination/torture issue?
Acronyms-Are-Us Thanks for the ROTFL headup. Actually, I just got clued in from Carolina Lady. She likes me. I like her.
Since you were so kind, I’ll pass along my favorite palandrome: a man a plan a canal panama. (spells same thing backwards. From the meaningless silly stuff dept.)
By The Grinch
July 3, 2007 10:08 PM | Link to this
Captain and Tenille? Yowch. There was no cause for that, Sav. Guy. What did DOB ever do to you? :-)
Go Braves!
By Superman
July 3, 2007 10:09 PM | Link to this
nothing is cooler than the hendrix anthem!!!
By Lew
July 3, 2007 10:09 PM | Link to this
Just figured all you contestants at open mike night here on Comedy Central might like to know-The Rockies are beating the Mets 11-3 in the bottom of the sixth in Denver.
By Stephen
July 3, 2007 10:10 PM | Link to this
DOB
Since when does an airlines time become more important than your own? We can continue to try our customers patience, or we can change.
Delta Music plays
LOL :P
By Sonny
July 3, 2007 10:12 PM | Link to this
DOB…How many more games do you think we would have won if Andruw was hitting in the 7 or 8 spot?
Loyalty is one thing, but when it affects the entire team…that is just delusional managing.
By chrisklob
July 3, 2007 10:12 PM | Link to this
If Smoltz pitches in the All-Star game next week and it is determined afterwards that he needs to go to the DL will he be eligible to come off 15 days after last night’s appearance or would they start counting after his All-Star appearance?
Whatever happens, I personally hope that Smoltz sits this All-Star game out. He is such a warrior and we need him to carry this rotation thru the end of the season. He needs to be healthy for us to have any chance at the post season.
By Carolina Lady
July 3, 2007 10:15 PM | Link to this
chriskolb, what kind of mustard?
By journalist jimmy smtih
July 3, 2007 10:16 PM | Link to this
oh, the humanity! they are everywhere! what is happening here? and whither carroll rogers?
By BravesDave
July 3, 2007 10:17 PM | Link to this
Nice first inning by the Braves bats…
By bruce
July 3, 2007 10:20 PM | Link to this
Ok, if we joked several weeks back that Matt Diaz’s helmet is too small, how about Juan Pierre? Looks like he could fit a few more people in there with him… what do you think?
By PETA
July 3, 2007 10:20 PM | Link to this
JJMB, we don’t like people that twirl kitties by the tail. Better watch out or we’re gonna send Pamela Anderson over to your house to have a little sit-down with you.
By N8
July 3, 2007 10:23 PM | Link to this
Looks like it’s gonna be another 30-40 pitch 1st inning for Davies.
Better get on the bullpen phone Bobby and have em’ ready by the 4th inning.
By chrisklob
July 3, 2007 10:24 PM | Link to this
Carolina Lady, the best bbq sauces have a basic yellow mustard base. Now, I wouldn’t put that stuff on my boloney sandwiches of course but it does make the best bbq sauce!
By Bob McBrayer
July 3, 2007 10:24 PM | Link to this
Coach you got it mostly right, but it’s Shaun, not Bobby that you should ask!
None but the Brave, the secret handshake has been shook! You can well imagine that I am familiar with donkey jokes, many of my own initiation … but they pale in comparison to the number of people who wrongly hear “Briar” rather than “Brayer” … indeed when I was bowling well, folks wanted no part of the “Briar Patch”!
I can’t speak for young Robert, but I wouldn’t mind Bobby using the name … Identity Theft isn’t allowed but he could rent it, buy it or adopt me, wouldn’t matter much which.
By BravesDave
July 3, 2007 10:25 PM | Link to this
Things are looking good in inning one…
By Superman
July 3, 2007 10:27 PM | Link to this
quick question
Does anyone know why the call the bullpen the bullpen??
By journalist jimmy smith
July 3, 2007 10:27 PM | Link to this
oh, the humanity! small ball. if the dodgers keep this up the braves will need a 3-run homer tonight.
now, the announcers are talking about chino cadahia. journalist has been calling chino cadahia “chico” cadahia. oh, the humanity! it just struck this journalist that chino cadahia is named for a pair of pants! imagine this! and chino’s pants are so ill-fitting! needs a new pair of chino’s, right? this is all very confusing.
chinos full of cheeseburgers …
By N8
July 3, 2007 10:27 PM | Link to this
LHP on the mound for the Dodgers, 1 run in, in the first inning.
Odds are that this game is OVER.
Especially after Escobar gave the Dodgers another out, by botching that DP.
Does Kyle Davies show up to the park surprised that he’s STILL listed as the starting pitcher, when ever he is scheduled to pitch? Because it sure seems like he is NEVER prepared to pitch at the beginning of the game.
Maybe (based on results), HE TOO is shocked that Bobby hasn’t sent him back to Richmond.
By N8
July 3, 2007 10:31 PM | Link to this
Lew
“Just figured all you contestants at open mike night here on Comedy Central might like to know-The Rockies are beating the Mets 11-3 in the bottom of the sixth in Denver.”
Which means, that with a nice chance to gain some ground the Braves will get blown out of this game big time, right?
:-)
By JJMB
July 3, 2007 10:31 PM | Link to this
Savannah, we all like Carolina Lady. Now, if we could just have a picture of her riding that John Deere. That’d be something!
By Bob
July 3, 2007 10:31 PM | Link to this
Joe D. must be turnin in his grave. Andruw only 49 games from tying his hit streak!!!
By Carolina Lady
July 3, 2007 10:31 PM | Link to this
chrisklob, Hmmmmm. I’m trying to imagine that and it just isn’t ‘computing’. (Have I ever spelled your name correctly?? LOL)
By Savannah Guy
July 3, 2007 10:32 PM | Link to this
Carolina Lady You got that right! I am impressed at your recall and humbled that you remember. It would be my great pleasure to buy the Lady a carton of vinegar based (the best) BBQ. Only the best for you.
Baseball Pause…Whoa…a hit! Excellent. Let’s get going early boys. A double play…ahhh drats.
Ok, where was I? Oh…on other recent, late breaking news from the esteemed DOB - Re: The Braves brass close to doing something: Oh. Good. Great! Could it be a starting pitcher? Oswalt? A big bopper? Big Pappy? Kleenex for the manager? Popcorn? Cheeseburgers all around? Can’t wait to hear.
Well, I’ve hogged the blog long enough. It’s been fun. I’m gonna break for a cheeseburger and root beer float. That’s strange, wow…where did that craving come from all of a sudden?
By N8
July 3, 2007 10:34 PM | Link to this
Like I said.
We’re doomed. :-)
By Herschel Talker
July 3, 2007 10:35 PM | Link to this
Yeah, McCann’s a real bum.
By David O'Brien
July 3, 2007 10:39 PM | Link to this
McCann has four homers off lefties this season, and get this: All four have been hit since June 14.
By N8
July 3, 2007 10:39 PM | Link to this
Judging by his pitching and hitting, maybe Davies should be playing CF for us.
Davies OPS is .701.
Andruw? Try .686.
YIKES.
By BravesDave
July 3, 2007 10:41 PM | Link to this
I think the Braves need a supply of socks and bars of soap in the dugout for every game, that way the next time Francoeur swings at the first pitch everyone gets a few free shots at him. Maybe that will teach him some patience.
Nice to see Andruw and Brian show up tonight.
By Stephen
July 3, 2007 10:42 PM | Link to this
Why is kyle davies still pitching? No offense to kyle, but he is terrible.
By Savannah Guy
July 3, 2007 10:42 PM | Link to this
Ok just one more quick post whilst the burgers are cooking and cheese it added.
Grinch All in good fun. We usually hurt the ones we love. But that was really a Delta mmemo. Really.
Bob, Journalist You don’t need to thank me for my applause and requests that you c’mon back. No, really. But thanks anyway. A little Ogden Nash advice on ignoring rude bloggers that have engaged or discom-bob-ulated you:
If called by a panther, don’t anther.
By Herschel Talker
July 3, 2007 10:44 PM | Link to this
Uhhh…Davies is a bum. This guy really sux.
By BravesDave
July 3, 2007 10:44 PM | Link to this
Talk about a roller coaster ride. That was the shortest-lived lead in Major League history.
By N8
July 3, 2007 10:44 PM | Link to this
THIS JUST IN (for those wearing the rose colored glasses)….
KYLE DAVIES SUCKS!
If HE is the best option we have for the 5th starter’s spot in the rotation, our minor league system is in SERIOUS trouble.
He’s gotta go.
By Stephen
July 3, 2007 10:44 PM | Link to this
I think Davies wants to go back to Richmond.
By Bob
July 3, 2007 10:44 PM | Link to this
N8, Yeah, centerfield might be right. At least he would not be pitching any more. This is painful.
By cjohnson
July 3, 2007 10:45 PM | Link to this
DOB…Maddox could sure help Kyle Davies about now…..Cmon…gimmee the good ole DOB opinion….should we go after him or not???
Mets are takin a whoppin….would really be nice to pick up a game here.
No comment on the 3 doors down tune??
By chrisklob
July 3, 2007 10:45 PM | Link to this
LHP on the mound for the Dodgers, 1 run in, in the first inning. Odds are that this game is OVER.
N8, come on dude, your negativity is harshin’ my mellow man! I really like a lot of your posts but all that poison you carry around inside is going to kill you. Granted, it’s been a tough season but they’re facing Randy Wolf, who, as I recall, doesn’t exactly own the Braves. Of course, I’m sure you’ll find a way to prove me wrong with that last statement.
Carolina Lady, no you’ve never spelled my name correctly, but no worries here. The “klob” is short for my rather long, very Polish last name, which is constantly misspelled. So, I’m used to it. In fact, most of the people that I do business with know me as “Chris K”. They are mostly aware that “K” is not my last name but they usually don’t know exactly what it is!
Next time you find yourself in an area that is known for mustard-based bbq sauce, you must treat yourself if for no other reason than to have a new experience.
By The Grinch
July 3, 2007 10:49 PM | Link to this
THIS JUST IN: KYLE DAVIES SUCKS.
I’m sorry, y’all, but I swear I didn’t even get excited when we took that lead…in the back of my head that nagging voice just kept saying “Davies is still on the mound; nothing is accomplished yet.” I haven’t felt like that about a Braves pitcher since Reitsma, and at least you only had to watch him for an inning or two. What a loser. Please, Kyle, look good at least long enough for us to trade you or give up and do something you really want to and quit killing our season. At least Buddy Carlyle goes after hitters; he does twice as much with half the stuff. If he loses, it’s just ‘cause he’s overmatched. Kyle’s overmatched before he ever steps on the mound because he isn’t a pitcher. He’s a bank teller or a welder or an auto mechanic trapped in a pitcher’s body.
By Lloyd Christmas
July 3, 2007 10:50 PM | Link to this
*”Better get on the bullpen phone Bobby and have em’ ready by the 4th inning.”
You’ll have to excuse my friend, he’s a little slow. What he meant to say, is that Bobby should have the bullpen ready in the 2nd inning!
By BravesDave
July 3, 2007 10:51 PM | Link to this
I think JS built this team with one purpose in mind…to mentally destroy all Braves fans. As soon as we start feeling good about an inning where Andruw and Brian contribute in a big way, Kyle Davies shows up just in time to bring us back down to earth.
By Kyle Davies
July 3, 2007 10:54 PM | Link to this
Note to self: Try to keep fastball down in zone (around knees). Pitches left up in the zone tend to get hammered.
By Lloyd Christmas
July 3, 2007 10:55 PM | Link to this
“N8, come on dude, your negativity is harshin’ my mellow man!”
Yeah. Because it’s MY fault that we can’t beat LHP, and Kyle Davies makes what Lance Cormier did in his two starts seem semi-tolerable.
I like how Chip and Joe are trying to make “excuses” for Davies, like:
The ball is up, his location is off, his command isn’t what it needs to be.
I’ll sum it up for you in two words….
HE SUCKS.
By Matt
July 3, 2007 10:55 PM | Link to this
Wayne-You make intresting comments.But my mind is made up,as should be any knowing baseball fan.McCann and Francouer will be the cornerstone of this orginazation for the next 10 years.You don’t trade away the future face of your franchise and .300 hitter for a rental possibly.How many catchers can hit you .300-.310 w/20-25HR’s and 90RBI?Not many.They’re a commodity.This franchise would rue the day they traded BMac.It would be like the Hawks trading Nique.They wouldn’t win for at least 10 years.
Also,why trade someone you just signed a long-term extension to and are committed too?What’s that tell the rest of the team?Especially the young guys?
And your argument that we should trade him b/c he’s dinged up is silly.Catchers are always dinged up.It’s the nature of the position.
McCann is going nowwhere.He’s the C for this team for years to come.And neither he nor Salty is going anywhere.
TommyB-You must not follow baseball much.McCann is not athletic enough to play any other position but catcher.That’s it.To try him at 1B will be a colossal failure.Salty is the 1Bman of the future.
And just like I told Wayne on your crazy BMac trade proposal,they would rue the day they ever traded McCann.Mark my words on that.
Don’t know why everyone is so darn anxious to dump a 2-time all-star,23-yr,.old catcher.
By journalist jimmy smith
July 3, 2007 10:56 PM | Link to this
http://www.ifilm.com/video/2667866
this blog must come out against baby seal clubbing. caution: there is a guy in here with andruw’s swing.
By The Grinch
July 3, 2007 10:56 PM | Link to this
Now that he’s p.o.’d, he suddenly’s able to pitch. Which tells you what you already knew, he could pitch to begin with. He just doesn’t have the attitude. I wish him the best in whatever he decides to do; that nice guy attitude will serve him well.
By BravesDave
July 3, 2007 10:57 PM | Link to this
Wow…Kyle Davies breezes through two innings with only 49 pitches. I am impressed. It used to take Maddux six innings to throw that many. Times have certainly changed for the Braves.
By Carolina Lady
July 3, 2007 10:58 PM | Link to this
chrisklob, I’ll try that BBQ when the opportunity arises! :-)
True story you may find some humor in: told by Skip some years back about a player with a VERY long name made his first appearance in their clubhouse and was introducing himself to his new teammates. One of the teammates took one look at the name on the back of his shirt and immediately christened him “Eyechart.”
By Wilkun
July 3, 2007 10:59 PM | Link to this
Howdy from Bombay India, Blog Denizens!
Listening to the great Vin Scully call the game, and he just said they’ve had three inches of rain in LA this year. We’ve had almost seven feet of it in the last four days. Sure wish we could share some, man!
By N8
July 3, 2007 11:00 PM | Link to this
Why does this game feel like it’s gonna be still going on 4 hours from now?
Perhaps as a tribute to Rick Camp, we’ll play 20some innings on the eve of July 4th.
How would you like that DOB?
By Abner Doubleday
July 3, 2007 11:02 PM | Link to this
Superman, the answer to your question about the bullpen may be found here
By Bob McBrayer
July 3, 2007 11:06 PM | Link to this
Savannah, What About Bob? Not sure either, one things for sure, he’s not out making pornographic commercials for prime time TV distribution … maybe he’s out suing them for Identity Theft! What the heck, they’re funny and the kids like them too!
Hey, I may not be slow, but I’m stupid!
I’m given to understand that Christian groups throughout the land are spending the 8 O’Clock evening hours praying for our nation and those who defend it.
I can’t see why Christians should have all the fun … why not join the party, regardless of your faith or no … sounds like a good idea to me.
There I go plagiarizing again … and getting in more trouble … In God We Trust was someone else’s idea … still, I think it was a good one!
By Steve from OH
July 3, 2007 11:08 PM | Link to this
Lay off McCann…the guy’s just good, period, and he’s going nowhere. None of you were ripping him last year when he hit .333, were you?
BTW, JS isn’t dumb, either. I’d be willing to bet that he’s considering Salty as our 1B of the future, but right now he’s just too green to play there everyday. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Davies and Thor (and hopefully Woodward)packaged for a SP.
By chrisklob
July 3, 2007 11:09 PM | Link to this
Carolina Lady, I like your story and can certainly empathize with the poor guy! My name is misspelled and mispronounced more often than not!
All this talk about bbq is making me hungry. I think I’m gonna have to smoke me up some pork butts SOON!
By N8
July 3, 2007 11:11 PM | Link to this
“Granted, it’s been a tough season but they’re facing Randy Wolf, who, as I recall, doesn’t exactly own the Braves.”
Yeah, but the Dodgers getting to face Kyle Davies trumps ANY pitcher the Braves may be facing at the same time.
:-)
By Fed up
July 3, 2007 11:11 PM | Link to this
Andrew and Bobby need to go!!!!
By David O'Brien
July 3, 2007 11:14 PM | Link to this
I’m sitting next to Bowman, and when Salty comes up he says, “Salty’s about to hit his first grand slam.”
And I say, “This is the guy to hit it again.”
Then I add, “Knowing Salty, he’ll hit it to the warning track.”
Which is what he did. I swear, dude has hit 6-7 balls to the wall this year, another five feet on those balls and he’s got double-figure home runs already.
By BravesDave
July 3, 2007 11:15 PM | Link to this
Hmmm…let’s see how long it will take for Davies to give up this lead.
By The Grinch
July 3, 2007 11:16 PM | Link to this
Welcome, Wilkun. 7 feet of rain? Dayum. Yeah, we could use some of that. We could use a starting pitcher worse, though.
By chrisklob
July 3, 2007 11:16 PM | Link to this
HE SUCKS. N8, I think those words may be too strong to describe Davies. I think his biggest problem is inconsistency. He’s shown that he can be very good at times then he seems to lose his concentration. I don’t know if it’s a coaching issue or perhaps a visit to a sports psychologist is in order. I’m not ready to give up on him yet.
Most of the hits off him tonight were pitches he’s left up in the zone. When he keeps it down he’s fine.
Thankfully, Wolf isn’t exactly stellar tonight either so I think there’s still hope.
By N8
July 3, 2007 11:17 PM | Link to this
Steve from OH
You don’t happen to know John from Cincinnati, do you?
“I wouldn’t be surprised to see Davies and Thor (and hopefully Woodward)packaged for a SP.”
You know who that “trio” of players would get us? Randy Wolf, or quite possibly Horacio Ramirez.
Hell at this point, I’d take a 37 year old “hasn’t pitched since 2003”, Steve Avery over Kyle Davies.
At least I know that at SOME POINT in his career, he knew how to get hitters out.
By David O'Brien
July 3, 2007 11:18 PM | Link to this
Dodgers had “Sweet Home Alabama” cranked on the PA between innings….
By Superman
July 3, 2007 11:18 PM | Link to this
Hey DOB Do you think that if andruws stock drops enough to where he could be signed for roughly the same amount he makes this year that the Braves would bite and sign him?
By Carolina Lady
July 3, 2007 11:18 PM | Link to this
chrisklob, cigarettes are bad for you!
jjs, that is nothing short of barbaric and nothing can justify it. They find no shame in it. What kind of humans are these? Groups have tried to stop this is the past; what can possibly be done??
By Herschel Talker
July 3, 2007 11:20 PM | Link to this
Halleluyah. Cox pulled him. Miracle.
By P-Town Brave
July 3, 2007 11:20 PM | Link to this
And Kyle SUCKS as usual…when is this management going to get it and realize he just won’t cut it…we NEED new pitching!
By ernesto
July 3, 2007 11:21 PM | Link to this
how can anyone look at this rotation and say we don’t need to get somebody? I know those bodies are scarce, but Urrrrrrghhhh! The 4th and 5th starters are just killing us.
By BravesDave
July 3, 2007 11:22 PM | Link to this
Six runs just wasn’t enough for Kyle Davies. Do you think John Smoltz could have used a few of these runs last night?
Man, we have seen some real garbage trotted out to the mound for the Braves this season…Redman, Cormier, Davies. What’s next? This is a disgrace.
By N8
July 3, 2007 11:23 PM | Link to this
HEY BOBBY!!!!
Since Oscar always seems to pitch more innings in Kyles starts than Kyle does, you think you MIGHT wanna just start Oscar instead?
By Bob
July 3, 2007 11:25 PM | Link to this
Actually, Braves pitching in general sucks right now.
By Herschel Talker
July 3, 2007 11:25 PM | Link to this
DOB: to your 11:14 post, I say that is the logic to tell any idiot who says that steroids don’t help you hit HRs. A guy on roids with Salty’s warning track blasts would surely get his extra few feet and hence would have 10-11 HRs, not 4.
By None But The Brave
July 3, 2007 11:25 PM | Link to this
“Knowing Salty, he’ll hit it to the warning track.”
No longer Dave O’Brien. He is now Dave O’Damus.
Although if he were really Dave O’Damus, he would have told Bowman something really vague like in the years after the glories, a fella of many letters will deliver many a warning…….
By Superman
July 3, 2007 11:27 PM | Link to this
This game is gonna take forever. Im glad i dont have to work tommorow
By ernesto
July 3, 2007 11:27 PM | Link to this
You’ve definitely got to say we got screwed in the WB deal, we got nothing - and Wilson’s just been schooling us in his last 4 ABs.
By Yars
July 3, 2007 11:27 PM | Link to this
I hope the Braves brass are working the phones. As long as we trade for a quality starter, & not some AAAA starting pitcher. Hopefully, Smoltz won’t miss a lot of time. Let’s hope it is nothing more than a sore shoulder. I think we have plenty of trade bait to be able to acquire a solid starting pitcher. Yunel, Salty, Lillibridge, Prado, ect… It’s obvious now that Yunel & Salty should be playing everyday. A platoon at 2B I think is silly. KJ was in no way stinking it up. He was in a mild slump, & now has broken out of it. He should be the everyday 2B again. He’s too good to be in a platoon role. Since Yunel’s stock is rising daily, move him while he’s hot. What also helps his trade value is that he can play 3B, SS, & 2B. Regarding **Salty, man I would hate to see him go. What are the odds of him being the Braves opening day 1B in ‘08?
By LVChad
July 3, 2007 11:27 PM | Link to this
Could JS and Bobby please apologize to Wilson Betemit for trading him. Tell him it was a clerical error or something. Wilson is killing Atlanta this year. 4 RBI and it’s only the 3rd inning.
By Max Sand
July 3, 2007 11:28 PM | Link to this
6-5 Does anybody really think this team can make the post season ? There are just too many flaws.Six innings by a starter and they think it’s a complete game.The pen will be a nub by sep.
By Herschel Talker
July 3, 2007 11:28 PM | Link to this
Good night. This game is taking years off my life. I can’t watch this garbage anymore.
By Superman
July 3, 2007 11:30 PM | Link to this
first team to 50 wins
By N8
July 3, 2007 11:32 PM | Link to this
chrisklob
“Most of the hits off him tonight were pitches he’s left up in the zone. When he keeps it down he’s fine.”
And due to his LACK OF ABILITY to keep the ball down, I say he sucks.
Which came first, the chicken or the egg? We could go round and round on this subject all night.
In his last 7 starts (including tonight)dating back to May 27th, he is 1-5, with 29 ER allowed in 33.2 IP (7.75 ERA). While allowing 56 baserunners.
If you looked up “sucks” in the dictionary…
By BravesDave
July 3, 2007 11:32 PM | Link to this
This game is a study in garbage pitching.
By LVChad
July 3, 2007 11:32 PM | Link to this
What in the world is going on? I’m being blacked out on TBS. I’ve never ever been blacked out on TBS. Thanks Time Warner and MLB.
By LVChad
July 3, 2007 11:36 PM | Link to this
Braves might want to score 4 runs here. The way the Dodgers have been scoring they might score 4 in the 4th.
By Bob
July 3, 2007 11:37 PM | Link to this
Guys, anyone who knows anything about this game knows we need pitching. But I sure as hell don’t want to give up Salty or Escobar for a damn rental pitcher of mediocre status. There ain’t much out there to be had and I think this team needs lots more pitching help than one damn pitcher. The bullpen is starting to fray and we all know what the starters have been like.
As for this game, now that we are into each other’s bullpens, we are at a distinct disadvantage.
By Bob
July 3, 2007 11:40 PM | Link to this
LVChad,
Maybe Time Warner could not stand to let you see this pitching performance from the Bravos. It is a real horror show.
By None But The Brave
July 3, 2007 11:40 PM | Link to this
And the race is on. Betemit is now at .203, Andruw is at .202. The competition is riveting.
By chrisklob
July 3, 2007 11:42 PM | Link to this
N8, I asked you this question a week or so ago and never saw your response. You seem to be pretty handy with the stats. Where does the Braves pen stand in innings pitched versus the rest of the NL. I’m rather concerned with the amount of appearances/innings put in by those guys. The pen has been the strength of this team this year but I’m concerned with how they may fare later in the season. If they are done by Sept. 1 it may not matter what happens between now and then.
By Savannah Guy
July 3, 2007 11:45 PM | Link to this
Those Cheesburgers were so good. I had one and BLAM…it was gone. So I asked for another and BAMMO…it was gone. No fries…but sour cream ‘n onion ruffles. Mmmmmm. Sometimes a cheeseburger is better than a steak. Especially with vine ripened ‘maters from my very own garden.
I digress. Back to the game. I’ll be positive. Kyle Davies is consistent, I’ll give him that. What is up in that guy’s head? Is it just rookieism? Slow to learn? ADD? Concentration? Has anyone told him not to dodge balls hit back to him? Cheeseburgers are not the problem here. Maybe lollipops? Ice cream? Cotton candy?
Now Villarreal? Come on Villa, get rreal! There are only two possible outcomes for tonights game. One: We bash it out and win 14 to 12. Two: Cox throws in all the usual mid-relief suspects and we lose 14 to 8. We will need at least 12 runs to win this game. Are the bats ready and able? Is there plenty of popcorn in the dugout? Have we cleared the cotton candy out? Plenty of Kleenex? So many questions.
By N8
July 3, 2007 11:46 PM | Link to this
“What in the world is going on? I’m being blacked out on TBS.”
You’re not missing anything. Close your eyes and imagine the worst pitched game (by both sides) that you’ve ever seen.
Pretty much sums it up.
chrisklob
Please note that my last post about Davies’ last 7 starts INCLUDES the one on June 1st, where he went 7 IP, while allowing only 1 ER.
Without that start, he would be would be 0-5 with an ERA of 9.45.
People say that he’s just “inconsistant”. To that I say nope. He’s consistant as can be. Consistantly bad.
Counts for something, doesn’t it?
By None But The Brave
July 3, 2007 11:46 PM | Link to this
METS LOSE!
MAGIC NUMBER IS 84!
LOOKS LIKE MILFADELPHIA IS IN EXTRA INNINGS.
By berigan
July 3, 2007 11:47 PM | Link to this
ncscoots, Ron, Still high on Davies??? Just a friendly reminder that Davies didn’t make it out of the 3rd…Mark Buehrle just had his 15th straight start of 6 or more innings, but no way he’d be better than Davies.
By HP
July 3, 2007 11:50 PM | Link to this
Kyle Davies deserves to go back to minor league or to be traded. The guy got nothing left in him. He sucks! He never tries to be a consistent pitcher. He is a career 6.12 ERA and will get higher with tonight’s stats. I would like to see either Oscar Villarreal or Jo Jo Reyes to start from now on. Whoever in this blog thinks Davies will become a better starting pitcher. Forget it. Not happening with the Braves.
By LVChad
July 3, 2007 11:53 PM | Link to this
Bob, You might be on to something. Fortunately or unfortunately, I also get Fox Sports West. I can watch the Dodger feed if I can stomach the pitching performance.
By Bob McBrayer
July 3, 2007 11:56 PM | Link to this
Savannah, it’s not what I have to do but rather what I choose … that matters most, methinks.
Don’t confuse disdain for for anything other than what it is … there’s a difference between battles and wars but what good is it to claim victory if, in the process of so doing, everything is destroyed and all the good people have fled.
Methinks Mama Nash was rather proud of young Odgen … a poet who almost seemed not to know it … but he did most certainly … a stupid man he was not … hard to believe it’s been nigh on to 40 years!
Wayne told me that folks liked his poetry so much that they named a town after him … Nash, Utah I think.
By N8
July 3, 2007 11:56 PM | Link to this
chrisklob
I’m not sure as far as the overall “stats” of the pen, compared to how much other teams’ pens have worked. I too worry about eventual overuse of the pen.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/ATL/2007.shtml
The above link, is to the website that I get the majority of my individual stats from. Pretty cool site.
If you scroll down, it will show all the pitchers/hitters who have had ANY playing time this season for the Braves.
As for the starting pitchers, it will always list the 5 guys with the most starts. For instance, on the Yankees page, right now, Clemens would not be listed with the “starters”.
Herschel Talker
Your 11:25 post is DEAD ON. Well done.
By David O'Brien
July 3, 2007 11:56 PM | Link to this
Didn’t make it out of the third? He didn’t record A SINGLE OUT in the third.
By chrisklob
July 3, 2007 11:58 PM | Link to this
N8, I won’t argue with you about Davies performance to date. In 15 starts this year he has only pitched 4 quality starts. Of those four, two were against the Mets and one was against the Tigers. Most would agree that those two teams have pretty good pitching.
My point about Davies that his biggest problem is consistency. Tonight notwithstanding, he’s started MANY games this year and done well in the first four or five innings and ONE inning he implodes and gives up three or four runs.
I said in an earlier post that perhaps his problem is coaching or maybe he needs to go to a sports shrink to help him keep his concentration. I believe that the ability is there, he just needs to learn how to use it.
I’m no Davies Apologist, but I stand by my statement that when he keeps his pitches down he does fine. If you think back to those outings where he gets hammered, most of those hits came off of pitches he leaves up in the zone.
By The Grinch
July 4, 2007 12:01 AM | Link to this
Well, hell; long day tomorrow. Gotta get up and hit the music store for the 4th of July sale before everyone gets all the cool stuff, then go get fit-shaced. :-) Hold down the ft. Go Braves!
By Habeas Porpoise
July 4, 2007 12:01 AM | Link to this
This team stands accused of aggravating,sucky and smelly play.The fans of said team hereby refered to as poor bastards bring these charges.What judge in their right mind would dismiss this case brought forth by these poor bastards,none I think.
By David O'Brien
July 4, 2007 12:02 AM | Link to this
N8, now that was funny, the line about the worst-pitched game you’ve ever seen. Good stuff as we near the midnight hour (only 9 here “in the City of Angels,” as the great _ and I do mean great _ Vin Scully would say.
And whoever dropped Chick Hearn’s name earlier today, great call on that. He was The Man for hoops. Him and Boston’s Johnny Most. They don’t make ‘em like that anymore.
By N8
July 4, 2007 12:05 AM | Link to this
chris
Here are two links, the first is the NL teams IP by starters “leaders”.
The second is by the bullpen.
http://www.sikids.com/baseball/mlb/stats/2007/teampitching/nl127byINNINGSPITCHED.html
http://www.sikids.com/baseball/mlb/stats/2007/teampitching/nl128byINNINGSPITCHED.html
After looking, I think our “concern” is legit.
Ironic how the Nats and Marlins are the only 2 teams that have pitched more bullpen innings.
YIKES, to say the least.
By Savannah Guy
July 4, 2007 12:06 AM | Link to this
Herschel Talker ‘Roids don’t make any difference in, and give no advantage at all to hitting a baseball. It’s all hand-eye coordination. Steroids may not even have an effect on the distance one hits the ball. But here’s the problem: It gives an unfair advantage because of the durability of the player. Most normal humans get tired during the season. Even during the game. Especially when they are getting on in years (long-in-tooth syndrome).
“Roids have given certain players a cheating advantage over other players because thier inevitable injuries heal faster, thier stamina is higher, thier energy bursts are more intense and so forth. Gives an unfair, unsportsmanlike advantage. They play when normal players rest. And they can play like that into their late 30’s well into 40’s.
Hey, if it were not for the health problems associated with ‘em I’d probably condone it. But, before you get inspired by all those advantages…although it may seem to make the baseball look bigger…it makes the other ones…smaller. That’s a pretty big price to pay. Nothing could be worth the “shrinkage” factor. Not even for millions of bucks. Look at the wrestling wacko on the news.
On a lighter note: Do you know why mice have such small balls?
They find very few that can dance.
By Home boy upstairs
July 4, 2007 12:06 AM | Link to this
How ‘bout that Wilson Betemit trade now?
By MBATL
July 4, 2007 12:09 AM | Link to this
N8 and Chris, the ESPN site may be a little better for what you’re looking for: Try This
This is NL pitching stats “as reliever”.
By Mark
July 4, 2007 12:10 AM | Link to this
So…K.Johnson hits it to the warning track also…steriods anyone. i’ll put$110 says we lose this game!!!!!
By berigan
July 4, 2007 12:10 AM | Link to this
By David O’Brien July 3, 2007 11:56 PM | Link to this Didn’t make it out of the third? He didn’t record A SINGLE OUT in the third.
No one is perfect David! ;) He was real solid for those first two innings…..
By BravesDave
July 4, 2007 12:11 AM | Link to this
The Braves are cornering the market on Warning Track Power tonight. McCann, Salty, and KJ all hit ‘em to the track.
By Todd A
July 4, 2007 12:12 AM | Link to this
Wonder if Schuerholz still has Greg Olson’s number?Maybe we can get that bucket of balls back we gave for Kerry Lightenberg if he’ll take Kyle Davies off our hands.
By N8
July 4, 2007 12:14 AM | Link to this
chrisklob
Regarding your arguments for Davies.
I hear you. Just bustin’ your balls a little bit.
It could be coaching. It could be mental like it was for Smoltz early in his career. Maddux and Glavine used to struggle in the first inning sometimes, too. But that was after they each had won some Cy Youngs, so we at least KNEW that they could pitch successfully.
Davies gives me ZERO confidence that he can (and ever will) consistantly get hitters out. One could argue that he has talent. Of course he does.
I suspect that EVERY pitcher that makes it to the major leagues, has talent. What it really comes down to is coaches teaching the kids to harness their talent, or said coaches (and GM’s) ability at judging when to give up on somebody.
That’s why Bobby and JS make the big bucks I guess. But that doesn’t mean that I’m not allowed to sit at my computer and question their reasoning for keeping him around.
Like I said before, I think Davies ability (or lack there of) to get big league hitters out, shows the LACK of pitching that we have on the way at AAA.
NO WAY, should he still be “up” with the big club, but apparently they’d rather ruin his confidence than one of the other kids on the farm.
In a way, Davies exemplifies the Braves in general.
Mostly, not very good (as a team), while showing occasional signs of brilliance to get the hopes of fans up, then right when you think he (or the team), is a about to go on a hot streak, they lay one BIG AZZ EGG.
By definition, mediocrity in the simplest form.
By Todd A
July 4, 2007 12:20 AM | Link to this
Nice hussle there Chipper(roll eyes).
By chrisklob
July 4, 2007 12:22 AM | Link to this
MBATL, Thanks, I just found a similar page thru a google search right here.
Looks like the Braves are fifth in the majors in innings pitched behind only Texas, Kansas City, Washington and Florida and we all know what kind of records those teams have.
They also have the 12th lowest ERA (or 19th worst, depending on if you’re a glass half full or half empty kind of fan). I find no comfort in either of these stats. Yikes, to say the least. That may be the understatement of the year. I have a feeling that we may be in for a very rough ending to the season.
By Todd A
July 4, 2007 12:23 AM | Link to this
That would be hustle.
By N8
July 4, 2007 12:26 AM | Link to this
OK. Apparently my “linking” skills are as good as Davies’ pitching skills. :-)
Sorry.
MBATL’s link works just fine and is exactly the same “splits” that were on the si.com page. (Thanx MBATL)
You can “click” on any category (runs, wins, BB’s, etc…) and it will sort them out from most to least, based on the stat you chose.
In the upper right hand side, where it says “filter” you can scroll down and chose starters. It will then show the same stats for the starting pitchers.
The innings pitched are a little deceiving, since ultimately it’s about the quality of those innings NOT the quantity. Of course for our argument (over use), it doesn’t matter how good our pen has been, just how tired they might be come the end of August.
If you notice, SF has the MOST innings by starters, yet they aren’t a very good team either. Cincinnati is also at the top of starters IP. Didn’t they just fire their manager?
However, we are at the BOTTOM in IP by starters, and in the MIDDLE of runs allowed by the starters. Which essentially means that in fewer innings pitched, our starters are giving up too much. I’ll assume you didn’t need “stats” to give you that information. LOL!
By chrisklob
July 4, 2007 12:28 AM | Link to this
N8. It’s cool. Bust away, man. I’ll bust yours some too. The greatest aspect of this blog is that we all get to express our opinions, as different or similar as they may be. Some of the posts here are right on the mark, others aren’t. I think we’re on the same page although I’ll still argue this point:
I think Davies ability (or lack there of) to get big league hitters out.
As I said, the ability is there but the consistent execution is NOT.
By Todd A
July 4, 2007 12:30 AM | Link to this
Why did we get rid of Don Sutton for this Caray gravy trainer?Sheesh.
By Savannah Guy
July 4, 2007 12:32 AM | Link to this
Caution - Late Night Opinion Section More on ‘roids: whether you inject ‘em. rub ‘em on as cream, snort ‘em or just naturally sit on ‘em, (oh, that’s a different kinda’ roid) they are all bad.
Just ask Bawwy Bonds. He said he accidentally rubbed some on once. How unlucky was that? And more bad luck…it turned him into such an a-hole and the drug he accidentally used was so strong it actually worked retroactively and caused him to be an a-hole all of his life. Even before he partook in the mystery accidental cream. Amazing stuff. Dangerous.
Hall of fame for Mr. Bawwy? No. Hall of shame? Yes. Hank was and is a man and he will be the HR king until someone else and legitimately breaks the record. Babe was a man and got his numbers when baseballs were still so imperfectly stitched and soft that none of his peers were able to hit anywhere near the monster slams he was able to hit. His drugs of choice? Hot dogs and beer. Not exactly cheating. More like a slight handicap.
Take Jeff Kent for example: No roids. Just cheeseburgers and tooth-lengthness. But he plays through it with mustard to spare.
By Savannah Guy
July 4, 2007 12:35 AM | Link to this
Did Bobby Cox forget he just used Yates the last two nights? Did he see the game last night? More Red Bull needed? Kleenex?
By N8
July 4, 2007 12:38 AM | Link to this
chrisklob
I guess I take the mental side of the game into account when I say ability.
Like I said. EVERY pitcher on a major league roster, has to have some “ability” to get guys out. Why else would they be there.
Take boxing. For instance, the lowest ranked (or even unranked) contender/pretender has the “ability” to win a fight. See: Buster Douglas.
But, if over time, that boxer continuously loses and gets his azz kicked. I would say that he doesn’t really have the “ability” to win a fight.
There is no denying that Davies has “talent”. I’m just not sure he’ll EVER harness it and become a good big league pitcher. I’ll go out on a limb here, and say that if he does, it will be LONG after he’s off the Braves roster.
SO MUCH FOR THE TYLER YATES BANDWAGON. I think one of the wheels exploded.
By Wilkun
July 4, 2007 12:40 AM | Link to this
Wow. Another game being blown by pitching giving up 6+ runs.
Hey DOB, is there any team in baseball with 3-4 hitters that have lower RISP averages than ours? I think both our guys are sub .200, aren’t they? That’s killing us!
By Heath
July 4, 2007 12:41 AM | Link to this
Am I really staying up this late for this?… These guys are just soooo frustrating. After the past couple of years, I am just about ready to bust this team up. Get young…start over.
By David O'Brien
July 4, 2007 12:42 AM | Link to this
I just realized Betemit’s homer in the second inning gave him homers in THREE CONSECUTIVE at-bats vs. Braves. He had a pinch homer May 5 at Atlanta, a two-run pinch homer May 6 off Davies, and this one.
Betemit is 22-for-121 (.182) with six homers and 17 RBIs in 64 games vs. every other team this season.
By chrisklob
July 4, 2007 12:42 AM | Link to this
Joe Simpson just made a comment about how thin pitching is in baseball overall. I won’t/can’t argue with that but I don’t understand why this situation exists.
In 1957, the population of the US was approximately 172 million and we had 16 teams competing in major league baseball. Today there are 300+ million people in the US and 30 teams in MLB. Prior to 1957, there were NO African American players and there were very few Hispanic players and no players from Asia. I don’t know the percentage of players from the Dominican Republic, Venezuala, Japan, etc. currently playing in the majors right now but what I do know is that the potential talent pool is the same or greater than it was 60 years ago versus the number of MLB teams now.
Also figure in the number of pitchers whose careers have been extended by modern surgical procedures that did not exist in 1957. I believe that I read that approximately 10% of pitchers had undergone at least one ligament replacement surgery. And don’t forget the number of pitchers that are pitching into their late 30’s/early 40’s.
Have hitters gotten THAT much better than the pitchers? Is it time to raise the mound back to its previous height?
On another note, Mets AND Phillies both lose tonight. We gotta find a way to win this one!
By Stuart
July 4, 2007 12:46 AM | Link to this
This braves team sucks.
By N8
July 4, 2007 12:48 AM | Link to this
6 runs tonight off a LHP, and we’re gonna lose.
Un-Real. Thanks Kyle.
Add to that, our bullpen will have had to pitch, 6 innings tonight. So we got that goin’ for us (which is nice). After all, if we were winning, the pen would’ve had to go another inning.
By LVChad
July 4, 2007 12:48 AM | Link to this
It would appear that the woes of the Braves bullpen have not ended. Unfortunately the Dodger bullpen is performing quite well.
By Ron
July 4, 2007 12:52 AM | Link to this
berigan Dude I said 2 years from now he will be really good, not this year or next year!!! And yes I still do like Davies!!! Well dude if we trade Davies for Buehrle, in 2 years from now Davies will be a Very Good Pitcher for the White Sox and Buehrle will be long gone from Atlanta and we still would not have a Championship WITH Buehrle!!! JUST REMINDING YOU!!!
By MS
July 4, 2007 12:53 AM | Link to this
DOB,
Lucinda is on Leno right now on the east coast. I guess you’ll get her in about 3 hours out there, so I figured you could use the heads up.
By chrisklob
July 4, 2007 12:53 AM | Link to this
N8, I think the definition of ability is where we differ. I see ability as a physical attribute. Of course, the mental side is just as important and they are definitely linked. The physical side requires the mental ability to work.
It’s the same reason I quit playing golf. I’d have two or three really good shots per round and after a while I became very frustrated with my inability to shoot well consistently. My thought process was that it was obvious that I had the physical, mental and emotional ability to hit the ball well SOMETIMES but not with enough consistency to be a good, or at least, decent golfer.
By Wolfpack Man
July 4, 2007 12:54 AM | Link to this
I often tell people that a baseball season in some ways is like life. There are a lot of ups and downs and at the end of it all, you hope you lived up to your potential. That said, things are never as good as they seem when it is going good or as bad when they are going bad.
Having said that, the frustrating part about watching the Braves has been that they are the person that is focused on life for a week or two and then decide not to get out of bed or let a lot of stuff slide over the next few days or weeks.
It is very frustrating to watch the moving parts that is the Braves have a lot of aspects go well while others continue to struggle and then once one aspect is corrected, another becomes a problem.
That said, things are never as bad as they seem when they are going bad——- at least I hope.
By Chase
July 4, 2007 12:55 AM | Link to this
Lost a 2 RUN lead….Lost a 3 RUN LEAD. Lost the Tie… Down 7-6 This is Very Very Frustraiting!!!!!!
By Bob McBrayer
July 4, 2007 1:01 AM | Link to this
Pride is a sword with more than one edge … John’s is probably what defines him best but I hope it hasn’t and doesn’t bring him down.
Words spoken in the heat of the moment … during the feud that never was … could become haunting for those who wouldn’t have spoken them if the feud hadn’t been.
No, it’s not Odgen Nash, but we’re worrying about John’s next start … I rather think it’s time we worry about John. We can ill afford to lose his services and I truly hope we don’t … but, what price glory?
By Chase
July 4, 2007 1:04 AM | Link to this
I am the first to say that too many Braves fans on these blogs are too “knee jerk” and reactionary to the nightly ups and downs but that being said,
the Braves cannot keep up this lose 5 win 5 lose 5 pace they’re on
We have blown chances to close in on the Mets and leave the Phillies in the dust…
If we want the Division, we’ve gotta win games like tonight
That Loss was UNACCEPTABLE
By Ron
July 4, 2007 1:04 AM | Link to this
What A surprise the Mets lose and We lose the same day!!! This is becoming comical!!!
By Austin
July 4, 2007 1:05 AM | Link to this
DOB, with Davies ERA now 5.85 aree his starts numbered in ATL?
By Stuart
July 4, 2007 1:05 AM | Link to this
Why did I stay up for this bullsh1t? F*ck this team.
By N8
July 4, 2007 1:08 AM | Link to this
chrisklob
I think it’s safe to say, we feel the same way about Davies. We’re just using different terminology.
That and I say that he sucks, way more often then you do. :-)
On that note, this was a pathetic loss tonight. Letting a hack like Randy Wolf off the hook, is unacceptable.
For those that say we should’ve NEVER given up Betemit, I’ll give you these numbers (they include tonight’s game):
2007 vs. Braves:
5 for 9 (.555) with [1] double, [3] HR and [7] RBI.
2007 vs. Everybody else
22 for 121 (.181) with [5] doubles, [6] HR and [17] RBI.
Think he enjoys facing the Braves?
Then again, MANY below average hitters have had field days against our pitching this year, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise, should it? :-)
By Randy
July 4, 2007 1:10 AM | Link to this
DOB, a couple of questions.
Have you met Vin Scully? What is he like in person? I absolutely love him (maybe more than Skip or his father, hmmm that was tough to write, I take that back). Nonetheless, I have really enjoyed hearing Scully thanks to mlbtv the last few years. This is an aspect that mlb should use to market mlbtv in my opinion. I like Harry Kalas as well.
Second, why do you so often use McCann’s (now two-time) all-star status as justification of his value or as a reason that the Braves will keep him? I love Mac and see absolutely no reason to get rid of him. His approach at the plate is top-notch. He really knows when to take what the pitcher is giving him and when to let the power swing rip (much like KJ when he is going well). But being an all-star in baseball really means so little to me. So many votes are based on little more than like 50 games of a season. I just don’t see the power of a midseason honor. Do the Braves put any stock in whether a player made an all-star team? Maybe they do, see Mark Redman (just kidding). I love Mac. I love the all-star game (though it’s recent injection of artificial significance is second only to a 5-game series deciding the first round after a 162-game tournament in the blunders of the current commissioner, different argument, one I assume you will be addressing next week). I just don’t see why Mac’s all-star selections play such a role in your defense of a player with so many other more substantial positive credentials. Sorry, I know I’m nit-picking….so, what’s Scully like?
By Wolfpack Man
July 4, 2007 1:10 AM | Link to this
Having said what I said in my previous post, it is painfully evident that in order to make a legitimate run at a playoff spot, the Braves must have another quality starting pitcher. Plain and simple.
I am not suggesting a trade- I am just stating what has become very obvious over the past couple of months. Without adding someone to this staff (trade, Jo-Jo Reyes, ect.), I believe the Braves will continue to be very frustrating to watch.
It is hard to string together wins when 6 runs in the first 3 innings is not enough to get you a lead into the 4th.
By BravesDave
July 4, 2007 1:12 AM | Link to this
Phillies loss + Mets loss = Braves loss
This team is not a playoff team. As much as I want to believe that it is, it simply is not a playoff team. With the payroll as limited, and guys like Smoltz, Hampton, Hudson, Chipper, and Andruw making up so much of that payroll, this team can no longer compete. Payroll constraints have destroyed this team over the past few years, supposedly forcing JS to give up guys like Millwood, Glavine, and Maddux…having to let Sheffield and Drew walk away after trading for them. Wainwright and Marquis may not be Cy Young candidates, but they are certainly better than Buddy Carlyle and Kyle Davies.
Where does this team go from here?
By Josh
July 4, 2007 1:12 AM | Link to this
This team is terrible right now, we beat the Nationals and Marlins wow. Playing the Dodgers shows exactly why our team is pathetic right now, obviously just about everyone on our team aren’t situational hitters and everyone (save Diaz) is impatient at the plate Francoeur a 2-0 count, swing and a groundout, McCann 2-0 count hit into a double play, Bobby Cox mismanaging the pen again, and Andruw Jones in the lineup. Pathetic starting pitching with Smoltz probably missing a start (I still have no idea why Villareal or Moylan aren’t pitching over that garbage which is Davies) and most of all WE NEVER TAKE ADVANTAGE OF A MET’S LOSS, the Dodgers play like this was a big game (which it was) and the Braves always play uninspired. That’s my take on this team…. a mess.
By P-Town Brave
July 4, 2007 1:13 AM | Link to this
Bring me Javier Vazquez…14 straight starts now of 6+ innings pitched including the line tonight of a CG 9 IP only giving up 4 H and 1 ER and 7 K…Javier has also allowed 3 ER or less in 5 of his last 7 outings..Not only that, his record would be about 9-4 if the Sox gave him the run support that we could…LET’S GO GET HIM!
By Efrim
July 4, 2007 1:14 AM | Link to this
Forget the Mets.
Lets worry about OUR starting pitching.
Where are you NCScoots!!!!!
We don’t need starting pitching?????!!!!!
You want Davies running out there every fifth day???
Smoltz’s shoulder is in question.
GET VASQUEZ!!!!!
By Efrim
July 4, 2007 1:24 AM | Link to this
Get VASQUEZ!!!!
I don’t care about the money. Innings eater and pretty good pitcher. Yes, he has a high ERA, but he is a quality pitcher who has command of four pitches. If you have to deal Yunel Escobar to get him, then do it.
Although, wouldn’t Kenny Williams ask for more since Vasquez is locked up for three more years????
By Chase
July 4, 2007 1:24 AM | Link to this
The Braves have got to get more consistant!
To do that we are going to have to get another 3 or 4 type starter
Losing games like the one on Sunday and tonight are maddening
The last thing I told my wife after that loss on Sunday was that “I hope this type of loss dosen’t send them on a tailspin for the next week”
Now, they can still redeem themselves if they can take the next two from L.A. and two of three from the Padres. That would make them 9-4 in their last 13 before the all star break…not bad they just gotta make it happen
By chrisklob
July 4, 2007 1:27 AM | Link to this
N8, I’m with you brother. I think what is so frustrating to most Braves fan is the Hall of Fame caliber pitching that we’ve enjoyed since ‘91. We just don’t have that any more. Face it, we’ve got an old, injured Smoltz, a usually decent Hudson, Mr. Kyle “Inconsistent” Davies, Chuck “Five-Innings” Davies, and the “Number Five Starter-du-Jour”. We’re spoiled and we expect that every rookie that gets called up is going to be “The Next” or “Savior” for the franchise. Those expectations are unrealistic but because we are spoiled we find them inferior.
Go back and look at the web page I posted earlier regarding the bullpen. Here’s the link. As good as we’ve thought the ‘pen has been this year, the stats show that they’ve been pretty average. Pretty depressing considering that most on this blog would argue that the ‘pen has been the strongest part of this team.
By BravesDave
July 4, 2007 1:29 AM | Link to this
We can keep deluding ourselves by saying that the Braves are only 4 games out of first place, but the Mets are 4 games ahead of the Braves with Delgado providing nothing; Pedro providing nothing; Glavine stuggling lately; Valentin, Green, Alou, El Duque, and others spending time on the DL (their outfield has been so crushed by injuries that Ricky Ledee is playing now); and a subpar season out of Beltran. Facts are, the Braves regularly send out three pitchers that they are completely unsure of what they are going to get on any given night - James, Davies, and Carlyle. The bullpen is melting down before our eyes. The offense relies on the skills of rookies and second year players every night…at 1B, C, 2B, and RF.
This team is done. It is not even wild card material.
By Efrim
July 4, 2007 1:31 AM | Link to this
Chase,
With guys like Davies in the rotation for a long period of time, how can you expect this team to win?
When the Mets staff gets Perez and Sosa back, they will be better than us.
Davies shouldn’t be in this rotation. If it means dealing Lillibridge, Brandon Jones, Matt Harrison or Yunel Escobar to bring in a solid starter, I woudl do it. This is getting ridiculous.
By P-Town Brave
July 4, 2007 1:32 AM | Link to this
DOB
Could you please send this DOB/MIB bloggers request to Mr. Schuerholz, Mr. McGuirk, Mr. Cox, and whoever else matters…
GET JAVIER VAZQUEZ NOW!
By jed
July 4, 2007 1:34 AM | Link to this
3 obvious facts:
—davies needs to be in richmond.
—smoltz must be shut down until after the break.
—we’ve got to get a solid 3 starter if we stand ANY chance this year of doing anything.
By BravesDave
July 4, 2007 1:34 AM | Link to this
Someone has to give me one legitimate reason why this team is not done? Andruw is going to turn it around?? McCann, Francoeur, and ???? are going to have a huge second half??? Two pitchers are going to solidify the rotation?? The bullpen is not shot after being completely overworked in the first half due to our starting rotation being a joke???
I just don’t see it.
By Efrim
July 4, 2007 1:37 AM | Link to this
We need to upgrade the starting rotation if we are going to make the playoffs. Where is Lew or Chase?????
You guys honestly think we can make the playoffs with this rotation????
Where is NC Scoots???
You guys want to deal with anymore losses like that???
Smoltz isn’t going to pitch for two weeks!!!
What more do you all need to know?
Get Javier Vasquez. If it isn’t him, then get Noah Lowry or Jason Jennings or Matt Morris or anyone. We need to get someone to at least hold two leads of two runs or more.
By chrisklob
July 4, 2007 1:38 AM | Link to this
I don’t care about the money. With all due respect, that’s one reason that you’re not the Braves GM. This ain’t the glory days of the 90’s when JS could just go get a needed piece regardless of the price tag. We’ve been on a budget for years now. As nice as it would be to just go get a Vazquez, Oswalt, Buehrle or whoever, JS can’t just go do it. We’ve got the majority of payroll tied up in a few guys: Smoltz, Hudson, Hampton, C Jones, A Jones, Renteria and Wickman. The majority of the team is making peanuts (relative to MLB standards). That’s what is hurting us so bad.
Think back to when A Rod was with Texas. Best player in baseball on one of the worst teams. Tying up that much cash in one, or a few players doesn’t pan out, especially when you’re on a limited budget.
By Wayne in Utah
July 4, 2007 1:38 AM | Link to this
Matt You are probably not blogging, but I wanted to clarify a couple of items that you MISQUOTED me on: First off, when did I ever mention trading McCann for a rental. If you go back and read, I am talking about who to move in the winter months. Yes, I know my idea is contrary to common thinking, but I would NEVER trade him (or Salty for that matter) for a summer rental.
Next, I did NOT say I would trade McCann because he is dinged up. I said I would trade him because I would have chosen Saltalamacchia INSTEAD of McCann to be my regular catcher. One of the reasons I would have chosen Salty over B-Mac is because McCann seems to be more out of shape and injury prone than Salty. Now, it has only been 2 years, so it is still early for both.
Just doing some speculating dude. You gave me a bit of a back-handed slam there too with your statement : But my mind is made up,as should be any knowing baseball fan. Gotta tell you guy, I have probably forgot more baseball than you have watched in your short life.
But, just to show there is no hard feelings, I do forgive you. Now, you don’t have to agree with some of my thinking, and it’s ok if you don’t, but please read my comments correctly next time, and don’t misquote me.
One more thing, it’s called the space bar. Use it twice after each period. If not, the school marm might pay you a visit.
By Wayne in Utah
July 4, 2007 1:42 AM | Link to this
Matt Go ask David Justice if the Braves ever traded away the “face” of the frachise?
By Chase
July 4, 2007 1:42 AM | Link to this
BRAVESDAVE
I think you might be being a little too reactionary and knee-jerk to a couple of tough losses.
We could say the same thing about the Braves you said about the Mets.
The Braves are within 4 without Andruw doing anything, Smoltz missing starts, no production out of first base, a mind field at the 4th and 5th starter and the bullpen going through a rough patch lately, and not to mention Chipper missing 3 WEEKS!
Both teams have had similar issues and similar stats all around
By A-ville Ranger
July 4, 2007 1:46 AM | Link to this
They’re good,they’re bad,they’re up,they’re down and yet they’re right where most of us expect them to finish the season.This team looks like a 500 team give or take a game or two. Like we’ve been saying for two months or more.
By Efrim
July 4, 2007 1:46 AM | Link to this
ChrisKob,
Then get Jason Jennings. Someone. We can’t throw this kid out there anymore.
By jed
July 4, 2007 1:47 AM | Link to this
cox says villareal’s best used for long middle relief, but the main reason we need long relief is because we keep running guys like davies out there.
give villareal a few starts and he’ll settle in, eating innings and keeping you in the game. then perhaps you wont be so reliant on him for long middle relief.
or of course you could just keep starting inconsistent commodities like davies & carlyle for the rest of the season, which, if they leave it up to bobby, probably will be what we see. that along with thorman starting most games at 1b and andruw, sub-mendoza, hitting clean-up.
a bit maddening, yes.
By gotigers72
July 4, 2007 1:47 AM | Link to this
I’ve got my eye on you Dave. Seriously, I thought I was gonna go through some really bad withdrawal after The Sopranos ended, but I like “John From Cincinnati”. Quirky, but in a good way. Good actors, good writing, just like Milch did with “Deadwood”. And Rebecca DeMornay is as hot as she ever was, maybe even hotter. I think “The Wire” is scheduled for the fall, so my Sunday nights are looking good for awhile, even without “The Sopranos”.
Davies needs to go. Here’s a song sung to the tune of “Last Train to Clarksville”. Sorry for the Monkees reference. I hated them too.
It’s the last train to Richmond,
It’ll be waiting at the station,
Waiting for Kyle Davies, because he has a reservation.
No No No, Oh NO NO NO
It’s the last train to Richmond,
Make sure that Kyle is on it,
Before he destroys the bullpen,
Cause he can’t pitch in the majors
No No No Oh NO NO NO
Make up your own verses from there.
Next to “Moonlight Drive”, “LA Woman” is my favorite Doors song. I know “Light My Fire” was a huge commercial song and has been played to death, especially on “Classic Rock” stations, but that’s a not too shabby song itself. I even like the Jose Feliciano version of it.
As far as how the Braves are playing, “Some things I know and some things I don’t know” or; “I don’t know Butchie instead.” [You have to be a “John From Cincinnati” fan to understand the first and last sentences of this post.]
By Chase
July 4, 2007 1:49 AM | Link to this
EFRIM
I agree with you totally about getting another starter and I think they will. But obviously the Mets are no better off than we are!
I know you think that PEREZ is going to make all the difference for the Mets but remember, he only has 7 WINS and 3 of those are against the BRAVES (the mets only 3 wins)
By Efrim
July 4, 2007 1:50 AM | Link to this
If the Smoltz shoulder issue doesn’t press JS to get another starter, then what the heck would???
I’m not saying it needs to be Vasquez. But go get someone to eat up some innings. Look at out bullpen!!! They will be dead by August.
Shame on you people who say Chuck James is a #3. 5 innings every time out kills this pen, and now that Smoltz’s shoulder is an issue, you will all understand that a starter is a must.
Another reliever is a must as well. Need someone to lighten the load on Soriano, Yates and Moylan.
By Wayne in Utah
July 4, 2007 1:51 AM | Link to this
How long is Andruw’s hitting streak now??? And, it looks like Willie has dropped off to 370 for the season. He is hitting 333 for the past 30 days, and 200 for the past 7 days! Come on Willie, make a liar out of me. I was one of the ones that predicted you would come back to earth. I would prefer that your average stay in the stratosphere.
By Efrim
July 4, 2007 1:57 AM | Link to this
Chase,
I don’t care about the Mets!!!!
They are 10 games over .500!!!!
We are 43-41 and can’t get a long winning streak going unless our offense goes nuts.
Kyle Davies is in our rotation.
Chuck James should be our 5th starter.
Buddy Carlyle should be in Richmond.
If it were possible in anyway for next year, I would have Chuck and Mike Hampton battling for the 5th starters spot next spring. Too bad Hampton makes 15 million next year!!!
By Chase
July 4, 2007 1:57 AM | Link to this
What is funny is that there have been several of times during their 14 year run that the Braves were in second place at the all star break and nobody panicked like they do now!
The only reason people panic and nay-say now is because of last year…because before that we just believed that somehow someway the Braves would pull it out because they always did….
It amazes me how fast our fans give up now after one bad year!
If this were last year and our streak were still going, everyone would be confident that they’d get it done.
By Wayne in Utah
July 4, 2007 1:58 AM | Link to this
I wonder if Hoss will call out Smoltz for missing his next start?
:-)
By David O'Brien
July 4, 2007 2:00 AM | Link to this
MS, thanks for the heads-up. will try to get back to the hotel to see Lucinda.
By chrisklob
July 4, 2007 2:02 AM | Link to this
Efrim, I don’t disagree that the rotation needs help. To say that would simply be delusional. My point was that JS can’t just go get whoever he wants because of budget constraints.
Jed, you said: cox says villareal’s best used for long middle relief. This is also the same guy that thinks AJ’s best used in the four or five spot in the line up. ‘Nuff said.
By Chase
July 4, 2007 2:06 AM | Link to this
EFRIM*
Chuck James’ numbers are better than Glavine’s and he should be 5th starter?
If the Braves get a solid #3 starter via trade, then James instantly becomes one of the best #4 starters in the game!
And Carlyle is 2-2 with an era around 4.00 that’s not a bad #5
By David O'Brien
July 4, 2007 2:18 AM | Link to this
Wayne, Hoss said something funny regarding that situation today, but it was off the record and was entirely said in jest. But it WAS funny…
By jed
July 4, 2007 2:20 AM | Link to this
chase—people arent panicking. we’re looking at a crappy rotation and observing the obvious—get some help or pack it in this year.
efrim—i hear ya, man. good posts.
as for the doors, oh gawd how i freakin’ detest jim morrison! kinda like robert plant. matter of fact, those 2 goons ruined two very good bands. some classic rock schlep’s gonna want to argue, but i’ll let him try and justify the lyrics to ‘stairway to heaven.’ and jim morrison? he was just robert goulet on acid.
By Chase
July 4, 2007 2:21 AM | Link to this
Braves will make the playoffs
Everyone remember I said it!
IT WILL HAPPEN
By David O'Brien
July 4, 2007 2:22 AM | Link to this
Gotigers, you’re absolutely right about DeMornay. Yowza.
By the way, Boras was sitting next to Andruw’s wife and little boy tonight. They were in Boras’ seats in the front row. I asked Andruw after the game if that was his son seated next to Boras, and I told him Boras was playing around with him the whole game.
Andruw smiled and said, “He swings the bat. First-round draft pick.”
By Bob McBrayer
July 4, 2007 2:23 AM | Link to this
Efrim,
I don’t know VASQUEZ, shoes or pitcher but …
I can understand your not caring about the money … not unless your last name is Vasquez or you’re his agent … or responsible for managing the Braves’ Budget. But, are you saying get him, regardless of what it costs?
You describe him as an innings eater and pretty good pitcher with a high ERA.
I recall mark Redman being so described … and an All Star to boot!
From where I come from, quality pitchers with command of four pitches … aren’t usually described as pretty good inning eaters with high ERA’s.
I know that sounds confrontational and I have taken some license, I really know nothing about him … maybe even less after reading your post.
Giving up our 3rd baseman or shortstop plus assuming his salary, regardless of amount, sounds like a hefty price for a pretty good innings eater with a high ERA.
However, if you were talking about a quality pitcher with command of four pitches with an expectation of a low ERA … I might have at least a casual interest.
By We Have Mets the Enemy
July 4, 2007 2:23 AM | Link to this
DOB, two errors in your game story. First of all, the Dodgers scored first, so it was a 3-1 lead in the second that Davies couldn’t hold. Second, it was Jeff Kent and not James Loney whose seventh-inning double started the Dodgers’ winning rally.
And “Promised Land” still rocks.
By BravesDave
July 4, 2007 2:24 AM | Link to this
Chase, I agree, the Braves have had problems, too, but the difference is that the Mets have had more (if you can believe it). The Braves have not lost Francoeur, Diaz, and Willie Harris for any time, while the Mets have lost Green, Alou, and Endy Chavez for extended periods. In addition, the Mets are losing starters left and right…Pedro, Sosa, Perez, El Duque. The Braves lost Hampton and Cormier, but the Braves were always going to be relying on Davies and James this season no matter what the injury situation was. The Mets have also lost a few pieces of their bullpen to injury, just like the Braves lost Gonzalez. The Mets are still 4 games ahead and the Braves have shown no ability to make up ground on them.
Reactionary??? The tough losses have been coming since the middle of May. Remember, this team was 24-12 at one point. 19-29 since. That is not reactionary. That is a trend
By We Have Mets the Enemy
July 4, 2007 2:47 AM | Link to this
Can Andruw’s son hit to right field, or is he just as stubborn as his old man?
By Chuck Uga
July 4, 2007 2:48 AM | Link to this
Why waste time with this conversation? The Braves will not make the post season. Schuerholz has no plans to upgrade the horrid pitching staff until late August when it will be too late. And he’ll dump two or three of the top prospects for a washed up veteran who will sign elsewhere in 2008. Smoltz is done, Cox should retire and let’s move on to football.
By Bob McBrayer
July 4, 2007 2:51 AM | Link to this
Couldn’t we do a package deal involving Aybar, Orr, Woodward, Davies and Andruw … a five for one … assuming we could give Andruw a date rape drug and get him to agree? How about a five for none?
I’m just kidding …I have nothing against any of them and they have all contributed to our season’s first half … each more by what they haven’t done than by what they have.
Well, I see our Matt Diaz, at best a part time player, went 2 for 2 and was on base 4 times … now .349 against lefties … if only he could hit right handed pitching (.358) we could bench Andruw and let Willie play Center.
Happy 4th to all, and to all a good night!
By We Have Mets the Enemy
July 4, 2007 2:55 AM | Link to this
Forget the 19-29 record lately. The Braves are 122-124 since the start of last season.
Now THAT’s a trend!
Smoltz is done, Chuck Uga? Gee, I thought he was an all-star!
By We Have Mets the Enemy
July 4, 2007 3:04 AM | Link to this
Maybe Julio Teheran could step up and take the ball for Smoltz’s next start.
By Bob McBrayer
July 4, 2007 3:08 AM | Link to this
Chuck Uga, the last time I looked, this was a baseball bloging station … open 365-7-24 … seasonal blogs are down the street.
By Mike
July 4, 2007 3:12 AM | Link to this
Hey guys. I was actually at tonights game because I live in LA and love the Braves so I’ll tell you what I think from my perspective. First off, I was sitting in the bleachers and let me tell you sitting in the bleachers as a visiting team’s fan at dodger stadium is scary. I only saw one other Braves fan in my section and he got thrown out of the game because of a rucus he was starting and I got all kinds of s** thrown at me and said to me. And I love the braves enough that its worth it to go to the games even if I have to put up with these ridiculous fans. Let me tell you folks that the home fans here are not very welcoming to other teams fans like you southern folks are. With that said Davies is garbage. My stomach was in knotts every pitch he threw. He does not belong in the big leagues period. Remember a few years back when we traded some bats and balls for Kerry Lightenberg well maybe we can trade Davies to that Independent League team and get those bats and balls back. Aside from him the rest of the team looks great. The offense looks to be coming into its own. The Braves had a lot of hits tonight and a lot of hard hit balls for outs. Kelly Johnson, Saltalamachia, and Mccan had hard hit balls to the warning track that went for outs. Salty also had an at bat in the ninth were he hit a rocket right at pierre. And davies also had two rockets that were hit right at somebody. Im telling you that the Braves could have easily scored 10 runs tonight. In listening to the dodger fans tonight they felt like they dodged some big bullets tonight and last night as well. Remember at least three runs were saved last night from great plays like the ones Kent and Kemp made. This team is really close to things coming together, I really see it. Yes the smoltz injury concerns me a little bit but the team looks good overall. They could have easily come away with the first two games in this series and also have won the last marlins game. In my opinion Bobby cox has been outstanding in the last three games. He made every possible decision correctly in that marlins game 3. All the pinch hitters were used in the right places, the pinch runners were used at just the right time, and the relievers were selected correctly. It was just bad luck with what happened with Wickman. The right moves were made again tonight. Villareal came in the right spot and Betemit got a clutch hit. Ledezema came in against the lefties and looked great and a great player Kent hit a good pitch for a double. I absolutely agree with Yates coming in that situation because he is a strike out pitcher and he had a bad outing on monday so one would think that he would redeem himself the next night. Unfortunately Kemp hit a ground that snuck through. What can you do. Let me also add that Kelly Johnson and Willie Harris were used in just the right spot. Johnson should have had a homerun but its a f*in* pitchers park. I hate to hear people criticizing bobby cause hes done an outstanding job. So I guess what I really want to say is that the braves have had some bad baseball luck and they’re very close to having things come together. I honestly believe this a playoff team right. There needs to be a pitching change in the rotation and I believe that Schuerholtz will find a way to fix it. Don’t worry about the bullpen, just a stretch of bad luck. I think they’ll get hot again. Some of the Braves fans need to show some more loyalty. Look at the cubs fans, they’ve had nothing to cheer about for years and they sell out every game. As crazy as the dodger fans are they have 40 thousand people or more every night. Lets start filling up turner stadium, we do have a playoff team. Goodnight everybody, Tomorrow’s another day. I have so much faith in this team that Im going to the game again tomorrow and getting more nacho and peanut s** launched at me. Don’t quit just yet
By Serbok
July 4, 2007 3:31 AM | Link to this
as for the doors, oh gawd how i freakin’ detest jim morrison! kinda like robert plant. matter of fact, those 2 goons ruined two very good bands. some classic rock schlep’s gonna want to argue, but i’ll let him try and justify the lyrics to ‘stairway to heaven.’ and jim morrison? he was just robert goulet on acid YOU must be insane!!!!!**
Mojorisson Was one of the best Poets to walk the face of the earth in our time! To even desecrate Plant as anything less than The best Rock vocalist in our time is ludicrous! You must be a KC and the sunshine band kinda guy? Or maybe Little river band? I have never ever heard such drivel in my life!!!! It’s bad enuff to hear that Smoltzie may have to go on the DL! BUT to have to read complete Lack of understanding of 2 of the greatest artists in our time makes it even worse!!! Granted Plant is a vocalist~not a poet! JED I have enjoyed your posts in the past~ however! Dude!! Go fire up some Barry Manilow? Just curious Jed~ ever hear of a young lady named Georgia O’Keefe? Or a man named Clyde butcher? You my friend do not have a Clue!!!!!!
Now to BB it doesnt look good for smoltzie:o( To anyone who has read my posts in the past~ know I stand “pat” with the team we have. Chuck IS a very reliable #3!!!!! Davies is another story:o( I am an optimist~ however it looks as tho smoltzie is gonna be having probs:o( I do not know what to think at this point~
By BravesDave
July 4, 2007 3:37 AM | Link to this
Was this last post by Mike actually written by B9 posing as Mike?
By Serbok
July 4, 2007 3:56 AM | Link to this
Nice POST MIKEY!!!!! Thanx for helping me be “uplifted again:o) I agree Bobby has Started to Act like a major league manager lately. Just wish he woulda realized sooner that he needed to wake up and do something:o) He still hasnt figured it out tho~:o( He needs to stop the loyalty Crap and put the best players on the field? He is such a~~~~~~~~~~~~~ whatever! Hopefully he has realized that he does have something to do with the team winning and losing? (instead of just watching) Cuz he sure as hell didnt earlier in the year!
Bob McBrayer I posted something the other night that was a response to someone whom I thought was posting under a pseudo moniker that was closely related to yours~ I thought~(DUH to think?) I A*-u-me-ed It was another person trying to water down the blog~ If? that was really your post? I do want to Apologize to you~ I have nothing but respect for your postings and comments~! I agree with Wayne and Savannah that ~ well you know? I didnt think it was your post~ Again~ If it was you posting I sincerely apologize! If it was an “Imposter”(which I thought it was) Then~ I guess evil one that time:o(
By berigan
July 4, 2007 3:59 AM | Link to this
Andruw Jones has a 7 game hitting streak!!!(8 hits in the last 9 games even!!!) Lets see now….7 hits in 30 AB’s gives you a batting average of…. .233. .233???? I didn’t even know it was possible to hit below .250 during a 7 game hitting streak, but our Andruw is truly a special player….
By Serbok
July 4, 2007 4:00 AM | Link to this
Bob McBrayer I stated that incorrectly, IF it was your post~ then ~EVIL won~ due to my not realizing it was you???????? sumpin like that??????? :o)
By Coach (BRINGING THE WRECKING BALL)
July 4, 2007 4:10 AM | Link to this
Is everybody as fed up with Davies as I am ? Trade him , demote him , put him in the bullpen , but please do not let Kyle start another game. The Betemit trade is looking great isn’t it ? For the Dodgers , that is. Smoltz belongs on the DL , Davies belongs in Richmond and Carlyle is a journeyman stopgap at best. Hudson and James can’t win every start. The bullpen is suddenly coming unglued. At least the Mets and Phillies stink almost as much as our Braves , otherwise we wouldn’t be anywhere close in the standings. Mediocrity blows !!!
By Serbok
July 4, 2007 4:10 AM | Link to this
berigan GOOD Post! LOL
By Serbok
July 4, 2007 4:22 AM | Link to this
JED My last post~for the night~ I somehow seem to be the closer on the blog? I’m on the EST people. BEFORE YOU SLIP INTO THE DEEP SLEEP i HOPE YOU HEAR THE SCREAM OF THE BUTTERFLY?!!!!!! I doubt you will be able to understand the abstractual meaning of that~ Just didnt want ya to be left out my friend:o)
By Serbok
July 4, 2007 4:27 AM | Link to this
JED I forgot~ How rude of me:o( Please tell, Ellie May, Jethro and GRanny g’nite:o)
By berigan
July 4, 2007 4:33 AM | Link to this
Serbok, Say, you are a Morrison fan, ain’t ya??? I did have to look it up though! ;) I think Jim Morrison had about the best voice during the rock era, so it’s weird to hear people dis him. But then again, many here dis Chip, and Skip, and Joe. can’t make everyone happy!
By Marc
July 4, 2007 5:05 AM | Link to this
Davies still sucks, that’s all I have to say today, lol.
By TBFKB
July 4, 2007 6:34 AM | Link to this
Wow, another tough loss. The more games I see, the more I think the Braves are a .500 team at best. I am not so sure one starter puts us in the playoffs. Still have to rely on C. James and K. Davies to hold up the back end and I dont see both doing that. C. James will be a great #2 or #3 guy in the future but he is not better than a #4 right now. Won’t talk about Davies as most have pounded the poor guy enough already.
By JasonInMaine
July 4, 2007 6:38 AM | Link to this
The blown save Sunday completely changed the momentum of this road trip. They should be 7-1 on this trip, but of course; they find ways to lose. With this roster, especially the rotation, they are a .500 team. Man, this is one frustrating team. I agree that they need a pitcher, but it can’t just be a back of the rotation guy. They need to get that Braves’ mystique back! No one is scared of the Braves anymore! People need to expect to lose when they play us…for that to happen, we need to improve the rotation!!
And happy 4th to all!!!
Regards,
Jason
By bevsouth
July 4, 2007 7:14 AM | Link to this
IMO trading Salty or Escobar would be a mistake we are not going to make the playoff’s this year. Face it we are a 500 team. Now what about taling to the Yankee’s about AJ, they can pay him whatever ridiculos amout of money Boras wants and they certain need a center fielder. If AJ will agree to at least talk to NY and sign a multi year deal with them perhaps we could get Phillip Hughes.With questions about Smoltz and Hampton’s health for next year I think it’s time to rebuild with younger pitchers and to get them I would trade Jones if he will allow it, Edgar not Yuni, and cetainly not Salty. Put him at first base and leave him there.
By Bill
July 4, 2007 7:20 AM | Link to this
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. This team needs to be blown up and start over. Davies has had his chance. He’s a head case. The Braves have had their chances to get into the playoff’s. They can’t take advantage of the poor play of the Mets. They will have to win division to get in. There will be no wildcard from this division. Trade Renteria, Wickman , Hudson but keep all of their good prospects. I would hate to trade Renteria as he has been their best player. They need a big shakeup including BC & JS. They have had their day. Need some new blood that will light a fire under their a—.
By chris from md
July 4, 2007 8:04 AM | Link to this
DOB, They’ve got to send Davies down now, right? Call up Reyes? Maybe let him pitch for Smoltz and see how he fares?
Thx,
Chris from MD
By Efrim
July 4, 2007 8:41 AM | Link to this
Through the first four starts of his career, Davies was 2-1 with a 0.77 ERA. Since then, he’s 11-19 with a 7.21 ERA. In his 43 career starts, he’s got a 5.98 ERA, which ranks as the highest mark among all Major League pitchers who have made at least 40 starts.
MLB.COM
That is awful. Is this guy honestly still in our rotation??? Make a move for a starter now. After the break, we play scrubs, but I don’t want everyone to wake up in early September and freak when we play good offensive ball clubs. I actually think the Braves should go out and get two starters. There is no reason Jason Jennings should cost that much. He is a potential free agent and has elbow troubles. Take a flyer on him for the next three months. But don’t stop there. Acquire Javier Vasquez as well. After this year he has 3 years and 34.5 milion owed to him. I understand we have Hampton, Smoltz, and Hudson on the books for next season. Deal Renteria this offseason and put Escobar at SS. We could get a nice bounty for Renteria. I
I don’t know if I believe that myself, but JS has to do something. I don’t want to bring in just 1 starter. I want JS to go out and get 2 starting pitchers. With Smoltz’s shoulder problems, you can’t be too sure.
We have the resources to do so without dealing Escobar or Salty. Lillibridge, Brandon Jones, Matt Harrison, Joey Devine, Diory Hernandez, and Jo Jo Reyes (although I wouldn’t deal him, I’m hoping he will bump Chuck from the rotation next year). Now I am not talking about dealing all of those guys, but if it meant acquiring a starter for the rest of the season and the next three years, Vasquez, then I would do it.
By Bob, Journalist
July 4, 2007 9:25 AM | Link to this
Serbok,
I don’t know which post it is to which you refer but it probably was me … or somebody else. No need for apologies when you’re sincere, mon ami … even if you’re not telling the truth. While on the surface of the onion, that may appear to be utter nonsense, somewhere within the layers, you’ll find it really is the truth.
Even if I’m not me, I’m pretty sure that I’m closely related to myself, and while I may have been pretending to be something I am not, there’s nothing pseudo about my monikers, even them what’s fake.
Methinks the thing that probably bothers me most about myself, regardless of my moniker, is that while I know that most folks usually see and hear what it is they want and expect … rather than what I write or say, I continue to be surprised when they so do.
On this fourth day of July, 2007 A.D. as we celebrate our independence … let’s not forget to celebrate our dependence … on each other.
Happy 4th!
Unsalted watermelon is like Ice Cream made from skim milk!
By VaBravesfan
July 4, 2007 9:29 AM | Link to this
First of all, with all due respect to Mr. O’Brien, Allysa Milano is hot. Secondly, how many more times am I going to have to turn on my TV and see that useless Kyle Davies pitching?
By Chase
July 4, 2007 9:35 AM | Link to this
BRAVESDAVE
Again I have to disagree, First the Braves were not “always” going to count on DAVIES—-Remember, he didn’t make the team out of Spring Training. He was called up when Cormier couldn’t go. Also, I think losing one Chipper for 3 Weeks cancels out losing an Endy Chavez, Alou, and Shawn Greene at various times—-they can’t all play at the same time anyway!
The Braves didn’t have Willie Harris for the first month and half either!
Also, as for the Rotations of the METS and the BRAVES, I broke this down on another blog but as for the Current starters the Braves going into last night had an ERA of 4.03 and the Mets’ was 4.53 and they now have 2 starters on the DL that will miss 2-3 starts each at minimum!
By journalist jimmy smith
July 4, 2007 9:44 AM | Link to this
kenyan martin irungu held off american abdi abdirahman, from cordele, to win the 38th running of the peachtree road race this morning.
congratulations to kenyan martin urungu on this win. bloggers can all see that south georgia boys like abdi abdirahman are also fast. and now, baseball … what is going on with wilson bait-a-meat? if wilson betemit is so bad why does wilson betemit treat the braves so badly? this journalist thinks wilson betemit is a better answer than woodward. of course, that is only the opinion of this journalist. and now, HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY to all bloggers!! now, barbecue … preparation is underway. the watermelon is cold. the root beer is cold. the corn will be roasted. no souse meat. only barbecue. oh, the humanity! Happy Fourth!
By Chase
July 4, 2007 9:47 AM | Link to this
If the Braves (and I think they will) get a proven number 3 type starter here soon, They will suddenly have a very solid rotation.
When (if) that happens, James will be moved to the #4 spot, Carlyle will be put in the #5 (he at least keeps us in games) and Davies, if not included in the trade, will be sent to Richmond.
A rotation of Smoltz, Huddy, Vasquez/Buerhle/Morris, then James with Carlyle pitching in the occasional 5th spot is suddenly very formidable!
What is different with this team that nobody is talking about is that they are Well-Suited for short playoff series if they can make it.
A strong one-two starter right now, and if they add a third “medium name” starter they could be extremely tough in a short series.
By Efrim
July 4, 2007 9:52 AM | Link to this
Chase,
Stop worrying about the Mets. Worry about the fact that Kye Davies goes every fifth game for this team. He has an ERA of 5.98. He is useless.
By Bob McBrayer, Journalist, plain and simple
July 4, 2007 9:54 AM | Link to this
Happy July 4th!
The decision to send Bob, Journalist into exile was not an easy one to make and the articulated reasons for so doing were sincere, honest and true.
However, this identity problem made me stop and think … well officially, there really never was a problem, just a simple misunderstanding. We, the 3 faces of Bob, held a meeting and methinks we have it all resolved … and have a new and hopefully clearer perspective.
Stripped of dollar words and fancy rhetoric, it’s this: We care more about those who hold us in high regard than than those who do not.
That is to plain and simply say, “if good folks for whom we have the highest regard thought enough of my efforts to honor me with an invitation to wear the tile of journalist, that’s good enough for us … we think enough of them for me to continue so do without regard for those who don’t!
‘Tis Bob, Journalist I am, I am, plain and simple … that’s me!
Besides, anyone who finds our behavior unacceptable and holds us in contempt, it always welcome … even encouraged … to come out from behind their mask, respectfully state their case, and call any one or all three of us to task.
When two people disagree, chances are the neither is entirely wrong … knowledge is power … use it!
Enough of that, there’s a championship to be won … it might as well be us … let’s get it on!
By David O'Brien
July 4, 2007 9:56 AM | Link to this
Efrim, you took stats from MLB.com story (at least your credited them) and posted here. You could have just taken these from my game story already posted on this site (which are actually correct, unlike the 5.98 starter ERA you quoted from MLB.com; his ERA as a starter is 6.04, as reported in the game story on this site).
Anyway, here’s the stats from my game story:
Davies’ ERA climbed to 5.85 this season and 6.19 in his career, the highest for any active pitcher with at least 40 starts
Davies is 0-4 with an 8.06 ERA in his past five starts. He has pitched in 50 games in his career, and his record stands at 13-20, including 12-18 with a 6.04 ERA in 43 starts.
In 219 innings as a starter, Davies has allowed 258 hits (32 homers) and 110 walks with 161 strikeouts.
AND HERE’s A COUPLE MORE ADDITIONAL STATS:
His opponents’ average for his career now stands at .293 with a .376 OBP, including .305/.381 by right-handed batters.
On the road, he’s allowed a .315 average and .396 OBP … for his career!
Glav, Maddux and Smoltz all struggled early in their careers, but not like this, for this long. Much of their struggles had to do with being on bad teams. Their individual stats were far better for their first 40-some starts than what Davies has put up.
By journalist jimmy smith
July 4, 2007 9:57 AM | Link to this
uh, smoltz may have to shut it down. if that happens the rotation looks like this: hudson, james, little red hen, and carlyle. oh, the humanity! this team seemed to have lots of pitching when the season started. remember that bad toenail that robbed us of a great pitcher? toes are not to be trifled with - especially big toes.
By David O'Brien
July 4, 2007 10:05 AM | Link to this
Chris from MD: No, they don’t have to do that. I don’t anticipate them calling up Jo Jo Reyes this soon….
JED, you’re kidding, right? You don’t really believe that Jim Morrison “ruined” The Doors and Robert Plant did same to Led Zep, right?
If so, I’d suggest you not listen to either, ever again. Or better yet, try the Doors’ output sans Morrison. It’s, uh, not good.
Actually, you couldn’t have been more wrong, which is hard to pull off. Morrison was the ONLY member of the band that The Doors couldn’t have done without. Manzarek was important, but Morrison was the reason folks cared. Take away his voice, his theatrics, his aura, and no one is mentioning The Doors 40 years later.
By Efrim
July 4, 2007 10:08 AM | Link to this
DOB,
Knowing that, what do you think JS is going to do about it? I mean, even if this team does have an easy schedule after the all-star break, it just won’t matter if Kyle Davies is in the rotation.
By MEB
July 4, 2007 10:09 AM | Link to this
Happy 4th of July Braves/MIB Bloggers! Very strange to have this holiday in the middle of the week but it works for me.
I pray blessings on everyone and their families. Please be safe with them fireworks, because ya might put an eye out, and stay off them highways and by-ways if you can help it.
Hey… my money is on Joey Chestnut to out munch the famed Takeru Kobayashi at Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest. I say he breaks his 52 dogs in 12 minute record he set earlier this year. Too bad Bobby won’t let Wicky and Paronto have the day off to compete. Maybe next year for the Braves twosome. Smooth transition to baseball and I am tired of all the speculation so I am just going to root for our Braves to start a long win streak tonight.
GO BRAVES!!!
By Bob, Journalist
July 4, 2007 10:17 AM | Link to this
Oh Jimmy, you don’t know what you’ve been missin’, Oh boy! Sousemeat and watermelon is a southern July 4th tradition … you don’t eat sousemeat after the 4th nor watermelon before! I’ll bet even Abdi knows that!
Bon Appetit, mon ami!
By David O'Brien
July 4, 2007 10:19 AM | Link to this
Randy, yes, Scully’s in the pressbox all the time, says hi to everyone, nicest legend you’d care to meet. Good guy, from all accounts. Have spoken to him briefly….
McCann is a .300 career hitter (exactly .300, as of today) with 60 doubles, 37 homers and 160 RBIs in his first 260 games in the majors. A two-time All-Star in his first two full seasons in the majors, who won a Silver Slugger award as the best-hitting catcher in the NL in his first full season last year.
Has a .281 career average vs. lefties, .307 vs. righties.
Has a .307 career average in 218 at-bats with runners in scoring position.
Has exactly a .300 average in day games, a .300 average in night games.
Against the division foes, he has a .296 career average vs. the Mets, .291 vs. Phillies, .330 vs. Washington and .324 vs. Florida.
In 130 home games, has a .303 career average with 15 homers, a .363 OBP and 74 RBIs.
He has a .298 career average before the break, .303 average after it.
He has a six-year, $26.8 million contract extension that he signed 3-1/2 months ago, a deal potentially worth over $41 million including escalator clauses and a club option for 2013.
It’s by far the longest, most lucrative contract the Braves ever gave a player not yet eligible for arbitration.
When they did the deal 3-1/2 months ago (I’m repeating that time frame to remind everyone how recent it was), here’s what was said:
“This is really a historic and unprecedented kind of commitment for the Atlanta Braves,” said general manager John Schuerholz, who previously gave six-year contracts to only two players, Andruw Jones and Chipper Jones, who were both eligible for salary arbitration when they got those deals.
McCann, 23, wouldn’t have been eligible for arbitration until after the 2008 season or been a free agent until after the 2011 season. The Braves bought out one or two seasons of his free agency.
“It is an exception,” Schuerholz said on that March day at spring training. “We’ve never done a contract like this with one of our young players. But we’ve got a special guy here. We recognize that, and we did something special.”
I’ll repeat now what I said then: Brian McCann will be the face, or one of the two or three primary faces, of the Braves for the next five to seven seasons.
By None But The Brave
July 4, 2007 10:24 AM | Link to this
Kobayashi can not and will not go down to Chestnut. Kobayashi has Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods like desire and will power. Chestnut is our great white hope but I don’t think it will happen. BUT it would be very nice to see Chesnut, an American, take down Kobayashi on this most American of days.
I have always been embarrassed by our efforts in the hot dog eating contests. Why does he routinely blow us out of the water? Does he cheat? Does he have a tapeworm? As fat and as lazy me and many of my fellow Americans are, you would think one of us great American eaters would have emerged and dethroned Kobayashi?
I’m inspired now. Starting today, I will train to run in the Peachtree Road Race next year and to take down Kobayashi in the hot dog contest on the same day on the next Fourth of July. Can I do both? Anyone else game?
By Savannah Guy
July 4, 2007 10:25 AM | Link to this
Carolina Lady Just had my third cup ‘o coffee. It was a late night. Should not have had that 4th white russian. Oh and I hope I didn’t bog the blog last night. Guess I was on a roll. Time off…had fun. Whatever.
By the way, just saw an AJC blog on best BBQ. You may want to check it out. I threw one out for the NC vinegar/slaw.
DOB Hey man, someone posted at some point last night (during my romp) that I surely had p*d you with my Delta PR Dept. stuff. I didn’t bother telling them that you were a man, a writer and intelligent enough to know the difference between (attempted) humor and a personal slight. Right? Didn’t go too far with Muskrat Love lyrics, right? Ok then. Nuff said.
Hey, my blogging purpose is only to learn some inside Braves baseball, get some leads on new bands, share insights with the good folks here, get a chuckle and give a chuckle. Going back and reading all the posts is really entertaining. Sometimes social studies, sometimes psych studies and always culture studies. That’s the beauty of a blog. Amazing how so many different people of all ages and completely different tastes in everything with a demographic that is unchartable can gather in one place. One common thread for most: they like the Braves and your articles and posts. Cool stuff. All good and groovy.
journalist and songwriter jimmy smith Ok, this is not a manlove thing so don’t get embarrassed, but…man I love yer stuff. Songs, canned ham, raisins, fingers and toes. You crack me up. If you don’t publish something you should. I’d buy it. Now, could you please give us your thoughts on what the Braves need to do to win? Any angle. Special request. An ode would be fine, or a poem or a song or a ditty. Anything. I’ll be watching.
Happy 4th Yeah America, the best country in the history of the earth!
To all: see you this evenin’ after the lowcountry boil and everybody leaves. I’ll try to read more than write tonight. Promise. Now…another cup ‘o joe for me.
By Efrim
July 4, 2007 10:30 AM | Link to this
Well said DOB.
With McCann, Salty, and Fracouer in the middle of the lineup the next five years, the Braves have a bright future.
Of course, our starting pitching is a little less promising.
By Jim
July 4, 2007 10:34 AM | Link to this
I understand that the Braves are also a player for the top international lefthanded pitching prospect in the market. If we sign Heyward, Fields, Hicks, Shreve, and another top international prospect in the next few weeks, we will have a good infusion of talent into our system. Whatever else we can say about the work of the front office this year, on paper they have done a very good job of drafting and signing young talent.
By journalist jimmy smith
July 4, 2007 10:39 AM | Link to this
apologies to chino cadahia for this journalist’s calling chino “chico” cadahia for a time. is chino the strength and conditioning coach of the braves? not sure what chino does. throws bp, right? what else? consumes cheeseburgers with wicky and paronto? and those pants! chino appears ready to go on the d.l. in those pants. this organization must buy chino new pants. flbravesgirl was right about this from day one.
and now, pam cox states that bobbycox has mellowed. good for pam cox, right? and why are the hard questions never asked in such an interview? questions like: ” does pam cox approve of the nose picking done by bobbycox in the dugout?”
or perhaps, “does bobbycox pick bobbycox’ nose at the dinner table?”
much could be revealed by the answer to such questions.
and why does bobby cox no longer throw bobby cox’s cap? mellowed.
and speaking of melons … the watermelon is ice cold and ready for this journalist.
and more melons . . . what will barry bonds be doing on this fourth of july?
By Efrim
July 4, 2007 10:54 AM | Link to this
Jo Jo Reyes has definetly supplanted Matt Harrison as our #1 pitching prospect. If the top 10 for Baseball America was created right now for next year I think it would go like this:
1) Jo Jo Reyes 2) Brandon Jones 3) Elvis Andrus 4) Matt Harrison 5) Kala Kaaihue 6) Brent Lillibridge 7) Joey Devine 8) Jordan Shafer 9) Thomas Hanson 10) Kris Medlen
What do you all think?
By journalist jimmy smith
July 4, 2007 10:56 AM | Link to this
aw, shucks, savannah guy. that is very nice. journalist is hopeful dob will help jimmy smith catch a break with the ajc. journalist is available for a weekly column. of course, dob might want a column first - and that is okay with this journalist. in fact, jimmy smith has worked to influence anne cox chambers along those lines. unfortunately, everytime jimmy smith tries to do something nice for anne cox chambers on behalf of dob, something goes wrong. could be that anne cox chambers is a little wary of dob at this time, not sure. still, dob has the best of cox, a wurlitzer, and a change of underwear, so dob is doing pretty well for dob’s self. and a girlfriend … did jimmy smith mention dob has a girlfriend? life is good. happy fourth of july to all and stay tuned for a barbecue report to follow a little later in the day.
By TOMAHAWKER
July 4, 2007 11:00 AM | Link to this
IF IT WERE NOT FOR THE METS AND THEIR PITCHING WOES, THE BRAVES SHOULD BE OUTTA FIRST RIGHT NOW BY AT LEAST 10 OR MORE GAMES.
I SAY START WORKING ON 2008 !
JS SHOULD START TAKING OFFERS ON HIS MOST MARKETABLE PLAYERS: TIM HUDSON & EDGAR RENTERIA, & TRY TO OBTAIN AS MANY TOP PITCHING PROSPECTS AS POSSIBLE.
WITH ANDRUW JONES LEAVING VIA FREE AGENCY, THE BRAVES SHOULD HAVE A BOATLOAD OF MONEY TO WORK WITH AFTER THIS SEASON TO OBTAIN AT LEAST TWO QUALITY STARTING PITCHERS VIA FREE AGENCY. THIS IS ASSUMING THAT RENTERIA AND HUDSON ARE ALSO GONE.
THE OFT-INJURED CHIPPER JONES HAS LITTLE VALUE TO ANYONE, AND WOULD LIKELY VETO ANY TRADES.
HERE’S MY 2008 BRAVES LINEUP:
CF: WILLIE HARRIS 2B: KELLY JOHNSON 3B: CHIPPER JONES C: BRIAN MCCANN RF: JEFF FRANCOUER 1B: JAROD SALTALAMACCHIA SS: YUNEL ESCOBAR LF: BRANDON JONES
THE ABOVE EIGHT IS YOUNG, INEXPENSIVE, AGGRESSIVE AND HAS BOATLOADS OF POTENTIAL.
I’M ASSUMING BOOBY COX DOESN’T SCREW IT UP WITH HIS LAME PLATOONING.
WITH SMOLTZ & JAMES IN THE ROTATION, THERE SHOULD BE MONEY LEFT OVER TO OBTAIN A COUPLE STUD STARTERS, & PERHAPS A KID FROM THE MINORS (MATT HARRISON ?) WILL BE READY FOR PROMOTION NEXT SPRING TO FILL OUT THE ROTATION.
THOUGHTS ?
By None But The Brave
July 4, 2007 11:08 AM | Link to this
Bobby Mac, I shall call you Mac the Knife from now on. You told Braveheart many moons ago he should never apologize for a darn thing because William Wallace would never do such a thing.
I took that to mean two things: 1. Because his motives and acts were virtuous, Mr. Wallace would never do wrong and never have to apologize for anything; or 2. Mr. Wallace, even when doing wrong, would not have to apologize because the motives were righteous and even the best laid plans can lead to disastrous consequences from time to time.
I guess we never envisioned what Mr. Wallace would do when his intentions and his conduct were not virtuous. ‘Tis hard for Scottish & Irish men to ever envision one of their own acting like a diabolical Britishman.
How does this apply to maintaining the Journalist moniker? Being a journalist also means never having to apologize for being a journalist and calling it like they see it. No good journalist would. DOB never apologizes for anything except for the occasional factual inaccuracy (which is usually a typo or brainfart caused by deadline pressures) - and even then he zings a high hard one at the head of the guy who dares to point it out to him.
As long as you remained true to being objective, accurate, fair, and so forth, what the heck would you apologize for? And why change your journalist title because a young punk took cheap shots at you?
Once a journalist, always the journalist. A journalist pumping gas is still a journalist. A journalist however who abandons his professional title when the going gets tough, should be called a journalist nevermore.
Only four have been bestowed with the Journalist title on here: JJS, SSIScribe, Bob, and DOB. And four it shall remain until one of you quits or until there emerges another which I don’t see happening for a while. The candidates are few, their potential limited.
So, nice to see you back to being Bob, Journalist.
By The Truth Hurts
July 4, 2007 11:25 AM | Link to this
Happy 4th to all of you! It’s certainly a privilege to be able to complain about a baseball team from the greatest country on Earth.
Anyway, I saw that last night some people said that steriods don’t help people hit home runs.
That’s certainly not true. Do I even have to say that?
Given that most every major leaguer has the ability to hit a 95mph fastball (for example), what do you think is the difference in bat speed between someone who uses and someone who doesn’t? Distance is a derivative of bat speed and leverage. The bigger you are (i.e. the stronger you are), the quicker you’ll be through the zone with the added bonus of having extra weight behind the ball. Bats become toothpicks to guys who can bench 350+ pounds. Sure, pitch recognition and reaction is a prerequisite, but most every college player and most high school players have been playing so long that that becomes an acquired skill by the time they’re teenagers.
Steroids also help with durability (in the short-term). So, don’t tell me that they don’t help people hit HRs. I don’t remember McGwire/Sosa/Bonds/Juan Rodriguez hitting 50+HRs in their first 10 years in the league. Anyone seen skinny Pudge lately? How are his power numbers? Please.
Having said that, the Mets’ pitching staff is the walking wounded. They obviously don’t spend enough time around Mota’s locker. The hometown team has about 3 weeks to get it together for the homestretch. If we’re still playing like Kyle Davies pitches, let’s make an organizational commitment to the young guys and start thinking about how to rebuild that starting staff. You know, like look forward to Mike Hampton’s return in 2012 when he has his Darth Vader-like arm in perfect pitching form. By then, Chipper should look like the Tales From the Crypt guy, what with every ailment he’s had, has, and will have.
Is Smoltz’s shoulder insured by Sotheby’s?
By berigan
July 4, 2007 11:26 AM | Link to this
DOB, it was Jed at 2:20 AM that said that Jim Morrison sucked. SERBOK sounds like a huge Morrison/Doors fan.
By None But The Brave
July 4, 2007 11:41 AM | Link to this
TOMAHAWKER, you are are making my ears and eyes bleed with all of your caps lock shouting. But you have triggered some thoughts in my head that have been discussed ad nauseum by our compadres on here.
How would this team look next year: C - McCann, Pena 1B - Salty, Thorman 2B - KJ/Lillibridge SS - Escobar/Lillibridge 3B - Chipper/Aybar LF - Diaz/Brandon CF - Willie/Lillibridge RF - Frenchy
I think that would be a good team with a pretty deep and versatile bench. It would be cheap as well. Runs may be hard to come by for a season or two. But the cheapness of that lineup could make up for the lesser amount of runs by going and signing a stud free agent. Would it really cost more than $30 mil for that lineup?
This would be the perfect time to DL Smoltz, send down Davies and see if JoJo and Harrison can give us some second half magic like James did last year and like the Baby Braves did in 2005 and like Chucky T did in 2004.
By Chase
July 4, 2007 11:42 AM | Link to this
TOMAHAWKER
You are dreaming! Part of the deal for the sale of the Braves was that they keep Top Management in place and as long as JS and Cox are here they will not tank it in and rebuild with all young players for the “future”
Remember, they just signed an extension for Cox and Smoltz, they are not going to give them the “finger” by tossing out the next couple of years as rebuilding years.
Besides, GET A GRIP people who in the hell is so HEAD AND SHOULDERS better than the Braves in the weak NL!
Answer- NOBODY
QUIT being defeatists! If the Braves win even 3 otta the next 5 on this trip they will be 8-5 in the last 13 before the break….not bad
And if they come out and play well with their week post all star schedule then everyone will be singing a different tune.
EFRIM I don’t know what to do with you man. I am comparing the Braves current starters to the Mets (aka biggest competition) and the Braves’ CURRENT starters ERA is BETTER than the Mets’ but I bet you don’t see their fans packing it in for the season!
By journalist jimmy smith
July 4, 2007 11:46 AM | Link to this
it is said of tatiana honey that tatiana honey leaves a nice taste on the lips. yet, tatiana honey is not a ten. tatiana honey, though lovely, is only a five. why five? why not nine or ten? diane lane is a ten. virginia madsen was a ten (probably a fifteen by now the way virginia madsen eats ice cream). why is tatiana honey only a five? because tatiana honey is a googan. alas, it will not change. and jimmy smith has cried some this morning as bloggers reach out to journalist bob - the confused journalist. bob would do well to remember the words of famous broadcast journalist edward r. murrow: “the obscure we see eventually. the completely obvious, it seems, takes longer.” bob is finally seeing the light about bob’s rightful place as a journalist. bob sitteth at the right hand of dob. and now, how is a melon determined to be ripe? what methods can be used to make this determination? what if the player refuses to cooperate? and now, root beer float recipe: tall glass, ice cream, root beer, straw.
By Efrim
July 4, 2007 11:53 AM | Link to this
Chase,
We need another starter.
DOB,
What are your thoughts?
By We Have Mets the Enemy
July 4, 2007 11:54 AM | Link to this
DOB —
I’m citing information in your game story:
Kyle Davies couldn’t protect leads of 3-0 in the second inning and 6-3 in the third for the Braves…
The score going into the bottom of the second inning was 3-1 Braves. The Dodgers scored first.
The score was 6-6 after three innings and remained so until the seventh, when James Loney doubled against Braves lefty Wilfredo Ledezma…
It was Jeff Kent who doubled off Ledezma in the seventh.
I notice mlb.com didn’t get those details wrong. So you can’t fault Efrim for being unfaithful to you.
By journalist jimmy smith
July 4, 2007 11:54 AM | Link to this
just to show that the players are caught up in the patriotic fervor … this song was heard coming from the clubhouse today:
“Uh, I’m a Yankee Doodle Dandy … “
By David O'Brien
July 4, 2007 11:56 AM | Link to this
Berigan, thanks for setting that straight. I had to go back and re-read the post, to see that Serbok was actually quoting Jed from earlier. Serbok, my apologies. Glad to see we’re on same page regarding Morrison and Plant. Jed, go listen to some Fall Out Boy or some other band no one will remember 10 years from now, much less 40 years from now….
Savannah Guy, the airline PR thing didn’t bother me at all. It was funny.
By Bob, Journalist
July 4, 2007 11:57 AM | Link to this
Brian McCann, I don’t know …
While it’s true that Brian has a career ML .300 average, [.278, .333, .259] suggests an expectation of something less.
That seems to be reinforced by his minor league history … 2002-5, he averaged .275, hitting [.220, .290, .278, .265].
However, I hope David’s right about Brian because he appears always to come ready to play attitude wise, and his hitting approach seemed solid last year.
I don’t know anything about the catcher’s role in calling the game except that it’s pitcher specific, but we’re told he does a good job in handling the young pitchers.
Nor do I know much about his other defensive skills but most of his passed balls seem to result from reaching for, rather than blocking or smothering, the ball … and his setup, release and throws to second don’t seem to be above average.
How good is he? One wouldn’t think that he’d be selected as an All Star were his defensive tool set considered suspect.
The motivation for signing him to a long term contract, when it appeared unnecessary to so do, remains a mystery, especially given the Braves’ history of not so doing.
He may well be one of the faces of the franchise for years to come … I like familiar faces with which I can identify, especially clean cut youngsters who are focused and ready to play.
I don’t know exactly how existing contracts work when a player is traded but, on the surface, a $27 million, 6 year package with incentive bonuses seems more like a trade facilitator than an obstacle to one.
By David O'Brien
July 4, 2007 12:07 PM | Link to this
Bob, journalist: Fortunately for McCann and the Braves, it’s not very pertinent that you “don’t know” about him and his future with the Braves.
He’s as rock-solid set with this team as can be.
And if you’re really having trouble figuring out why they signed him to such a long-term contract, it’s because they really, really like him. Not so they could trade him.
In fact, they knew the risk of signing him to such a long-term deal potentially making it IMPOSSIBLE to trade him. If he got hurt like Jason Kendall years ago, or McCann just struggled mightily for two or three years, which team would take that contract?
It would have made no sense to sign him to that deal in order to facilitate trading him. None. And that was not any part of the motivation for signing him.
By Efrim
July 4, 2007 12:11 PM | Link to this
DOB,
I hope you were okay with me using something from MLB.com. I meant no disrespect.
By Efrim
July 4, 2007 12:20 PM | Link to this
So anyone hear of any trade rumors regarding the Braves?
Apparently, Vasquez would cost too much. So basically, guys like Jason Jennings are our only option.
By Chase
July 4, 2007 12:20 PM | Link to this
EFRIM
I TOTALLY AGREE that we need another STARTER!
I’m not arguing that point with you!
By Lonely Are the Braves
July 4, 2007 12:21 PM | Link to this
Ouch! Journalist Bob, methinks DOB is a rebuke facilitator.
Do youthinks he’s a little impatient today with thy pompous pontifications?
By David O'Brien
July 4, 2007 12:21 PM | Link to this
Efrim, no problem at all. I was just cranky before my coffee. But those stats I cited are correct for Davies. It ain’t pretty, his career resume to this point. I feel bad for him, because he’s a really good kid and a talented pitcher, but he’s just not put it together yet mentally and physically, seems to question too much, worry too much about situations and his struggles and what he should do to change things, etc., instead of just relaxing and pitching.
The big innings against him are alarming. Things snowball on him again and again.
By Boog, Journalist
July 4, 2007 12:26 PM | Link to this
DOB, you and McCann aren’t secret cousins or something, are you? Because if he was only as intense defensively as you are in your defensivesness over him, no one would be regretting the Braves’ overcommitment to him.
By Roaslynn
July 4, 2007 12:29 PM | Link to this
Hello Bloggahs, Happa Fouth of Julah! Jimma is beside himself with joah todah. Jimma was once the Commanduh-in-Chief and the Fouth of Julah remains vera special to Jimma.
Ah thought we should have a little Fouth of Julah fun on the blog todah. So heah goes: Which Braves playuh looks most like Uncle Sam?
Give it some thought foah it is not readila apparent. Those that guessed Wicka are wrong. Willa Harris is also a bad guess.
The ansah to this question requiahs some compahison. Fuhst, check the image of Uncle Sam on Google images. Paih pahticulah attention to the beahd. That is probablah a goatee. In anah case, that is a vera scraggla beahd. Now, do a Google seach for Chippa Jones and notice that chin haih on Chippa’s chin. Chippa has a scraggla Uncle Sam beahd! That, and an Uncle Sam oblique. So the ansah to the question, “which Brave looks most like Uncle Sam?” is, Uh, Chippa!
Bah the wah, it is impolite to point but Uncle Sam is alwahs pointin’. Between Uncle Sam pointin’ and Bobba Cox pickin’ this should be a verah festive Fouth of Julah.
Happa Fouth Everahbodah!
By We Have Mets the Enemy
July 4, 2007 12:30 PM | Link to this
Efrim, I’d like to point out on this Independence Day that you as an American are free to draw your stats from any source you choose. Don’t cower like a whipped dog in the face of DOB’s statistical tyranny! Be a man!
By Lonely Are the Braves
July 4, 2007 12:34 PM | Link to this
DOB, please refrain from using the term “snowball” as a verb. Ever since I saw “Clerks,” that word makes me a little queasy.
By snowball's chance
July 4, 2007 12:35 PM | Link to this
DOB, You wrote, “Things snowball on him again and again.” I swear I didn’t snowball Davies. I try to remain positive on Davies but it is excruciating to see him cough up runs when he gets a cushion. I try to remain a noun and not a verb,especially a negative verb.
By None But The Brave
July 4, 2007 12:44 PM | Link to this
If Bobby was managing the Dodgers tonight, would he bench Betemit for tonight’s game because he was too hot against the Braves?
By None But The Brave
July 4, 2007 12:49 PM | Link to this
Rosalynn, you spelled your name wrong. Gotta be more careful doing the ole switcharoo.
By ryan
July 4, 2007 12:55 PM | Link to this
DOB, What’s the status on Anthony Lerew?
Great Doors tune. “When the Music’s Over” is one of my favorites.
By None But The Brave
July 4, 2007 12:56 PM | Link to this
Time to sign off ‘til tonight. The creepy critters seem to be rearing their ugly heads.
By Wolfpack Man
July 4, 2007 12:57 PM | Link to this
If Smoltz is unable to start Saturday, who will the Braves send out there? Someone from the minors (Reyes or Smith), Villarreal, or move everyone up on short rest?
By brian
July 4, 2007 1:08 PM | Link to this
Looks like the Braves have big decisions to make. Do they give up on Davies? Do they send him down to AAA to work on his mechanics and the mental aspect of the game to avoid big innings? Who would they replace him with? If Jo-Jo Reyes is called up then he would need to be up for the remainder of the year, not simply a start or 2.
If they trade, who do they trade and who is available? Can they get anyone worthwhile without mortgaging the farm and keeping Salty, Escobar, and Harrison?
I agree with the above posts that the trade that would work the best right now for the Braves is Andruw, but that is not going to happen. Do you trade Edgar who would have high trade value, but also is the best #2 hitter in the league, a solid SS, and has a nice contract (thank you BoSox)?
By N8
July 4, 2007 1:26 PM | Link to this
While I consider myself a fan of The Doors, I’m not their biggest fan. I like some of their music, dislike some of it, and fairly neutral on most of it.
Add to that, Jim Morrison was a very talented “interesting” (in a train wreck kind of way), human being, who very much so saw things differently than most people do. Having said that, I think Denis Leary in his “No Cure for Cancer” stand-up from a while back said it best:
“Do we need a two-and-a-half hour movie about the Doors? No, we don’t. I can sum it up for you in five seconds, OK. I’m drunk. I’m nobody. I’m drunk. I’m famous. I’m drunk. I’m f’ing dead. There’s the whole movie, OK?”
Pretty much sums it up where I’m coming from. LOL!
Had to be tought for his band-mates, IMO. On one hand you’ve got this crazy drunk guy that is so unpridictable, that you have no idea what is gonna happen next, making it very hard to operate the way a band would like to operate.
On the other hand you have this you’ve got this crazy drunk guy that is so unpridictable, that you have no idea what is gonna happen next, making you arguably one of the most popular “need to see” bands around.
Thus living and dying with the “antics” of Jim Morrison.
By berigan
July 4, 2007 1:27 PM | Link to this
I imagine Davies is going to stay in the line-up especially if Smoltz goes on the DL, that would leave 2 holes in the starting staff.
I wonder if Edgar was traded, would Boston still have to pay part of his salary??? I know if A-Rod opts out of his contract, the Rangers no longer have to pay him, but this isn’t an opt out situation. DOB????
By Braves20
July 4, 2007 1:27 PM | Link to this
Brian - The answer to your question posted 1:08. The Braves give up on Davies only if they plan on staying in the race in the second half. The man is a cancer. Ridiculously straining our bullpen, putting our offense down early every game.
Pick someone (virtually anyone - Villareal, Harrison, someone from a non-contender) but get him the hell out of our rotation.
By the way did anyone else notice the diffence in the two shortstops in last night’s game? We slapped about six ball up te middle that Frucal got to easily. The Dogers did the same - all six being fielded by Andrew Jones in CF.
By Carolina Lady
July 4, 2007 1:27 PM | Link to this
The Declaration Of Independence
When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. - That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, - That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.
He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people. … He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers. …
He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance. …
He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power. …
He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution … giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:
For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:
For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:
For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:
For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury: …
He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation. …
In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.
Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our Brittish brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. … We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity … They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.
We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.
God bless those good men. Happy Birthday, America!
By journalist jimmy smith
July 4, 2007 1:35 PM | Link to this
mark bradley has dubbed bobbycox the “thumb king”. no doubt mark bradley meant that bobbycox has gotten the thumb so many times from umpires that bobbycox should be the thumb king … but maybe not.
maybe mark bradley realizes that bobby picks with bobby’s thumb. hence, thumb king. or perhaps mark bradley calls bobby thumb king because bobby has players who rely on perfectly healthy thumbs before entering the lineup. chipper jones comes to mind. in any case, reading bradley makes one appreciate dob.
and now, the unfortunate remarks made earlier about dob’s lost luggage. all bloggers should regret the sport that was made on the blog of this unfortunate circumstance. dob was reaching out to bloggers and bloggers offered dob no comfort in the storm. now that this blog is being read by so many it is important that bloggers lift up dob and cease to be mean-spirited. clearly, dob is a bit tender still about the luggage caper. journalist will refrain from “cheese in the luggage” remarks until a future road trip. imagine the condition of that luggage if the cheese spoils!
By Ron
July 4, 2007 1:38 PM | Link to this
Efrim No doubt we need another Starter, if not 2 Starters, but it is more to it than just pitching!!! Dude there are games we pitch great and no offense, and then there are no Pitching and alot of offense, then there are games with no pitching and no offense!!! The other day when Smoltz pitched, he pitched great, but no clutch hitting!!! And then Last Night good offense, But no Pitching!!! Do you understand what I am saying? Even if we do get pitching, our offense stuggles also!!! WE NEED PITCHING, BUT WE GOT TO STAY CONSISTENT WITH THE BATS ALSO!!!
By Steve from OH
July 4, 2007 1:43 PM | Link to this
Did anyone actually read DOB’s wrap on the game? After reading Bobby’s comments, I gotta think Davies’ days are numbered here (thank God). But who takes his spot? Hopefully Mark Buehrle or Joe Blanton…
By Braves Fan 79
July 4, 2007 1:46 PM | Link to this
Mike: a agree Bobby has been managing better the last week. But as you remember in that game 3 against Florida he started WOODCRAP! and of course who comes up durung our first chance for RBI’s?? he came up TWICE with pple in scoring position and both innings we didnt score a run! Im sorry but when your trying desperatly to win u dont play a no power weak hitting .198 hitter at first base! Having 2 outs back to back in the lineup (woodcrap/orr and the pitcher) is just 2 hard to overcome!
By All Spin Zone
July 4, 2007 1:46 PM | Link to this
I’m taking a different approach this year watching the Braves. I’m catching a couple of innings of the game on the West Coast swing or like last night NONE of the game. Last night was a “what the heck.” If I see a couple of innings, I’m still not going to know the outcome so I went to bed before the first pitch. In years past, I’ve sucked it up at work to stay up for West coast games. Age is catching up with me now. Can’t do it anymore. This is my first year of admission to that fact. I remember staying up late to watch the Braves play the West coast swing late in the season while fighting for a penant with Murphy, Niekro and Torre at the helm. I’ve continued this practice year after year…… until this week.
So it’s aloha to a way of life for many years. Aloha to the West Coast nightlife.
Besides, it’s almost like the Bill Murray movie “Groundhog Day.” All you have to know is how the Mets did and you know what the Braves are gonna do. Mets win-Braves win. Mets lose-Braves lose. Happens time and time again.
By Yars
July 4, 2007 1:49 PM | Link to this
What p** me off is that the NL East is kinda weak so far this season. The Mets aren’t running away with it, the Phillies aren’t much of a threat, & here we are still 4 freaking games out of 1st place, when we should be in 1st a couple games in front of the Mets. I guess Schuerholz will keep throwing Davies, James, Carlyle, and other AAA/AAAA starting pitchers out there and pray that we may win the game. The league has figured out James. He throws nothing but junk, & has now been exposed as someone who throws nothing but junk! Davies may just need a change of scenery. It worked for Jason Marquis. Carlyle has no business being in the rotation, but I’d rather take a chance on him than a Redman or Lerew. We gotta be realistic. There is just no way in hell we can make the playoffs with a rotation of Smoltz, Hudson, James, Davies, Carlyle. There’s just no way. Not trying to sound like a pessimist, hell man it’s 4th of July, I’m off until Friday, got a fridge full of beer, & a couple of joints on my dresser, but it would be quite funny if we lose the division by 1 game & the wildcard by 2. Now that would be weird luck, eh? DOB……..I thank you for saluting the Doors (LA Woman lyrics) Still one of the best bands in the history of rock & roll. Another great LA band from the 60s are the Byrds. I’m sure you dig them as well.
By journalist jimmy smith
July 4, 2007 1:54 PM | Link to this
from carolina lady: “jjs, that is nothing short of barbaric and nothing can justify it.”
oh, the humanity! jimmy smith is in trouble again with carolina lady! must have been the chino cadahia pants post.
and now, journalist has followed the declaration of independence post with a thumb post. jimmy smith is going to stop bloggong for awhile.
By bravesfan
July 4, 2007 1:58 PM | Link to this
I think Braves brass is close to doing something. They weren’t returning calls today, which tells me they’re very busy trying to get something done and don’t want to have to issue no-comment’s….
What do you think this might be?
By Efrim
July 4, 2007 1:59 PM | Link to this
Ron,
One problem at a time man. I’m confident in our offense. I really am. I think McCann and Francouer will get going and Andruw will at least have some 1 for 4 days where he cranks one out. But lets be honest, if Smoltz’s shoulder isn’t 100 %, the we need a starter.
Look at the Cubs. They are turning it around. They have 5 pretty good starters to run out there day in and day out. Zambrano, Hill, Lilly, Marquis and Marshall. If they had any decent arms in the bullpen, they would be the team we’d be chasing for the wild card, not the Dodgers.
I just want to get to the point to where we can run a good starter out there every day. Probably won’t happen till next season, but I can promise you JS will make that his goal. He went nuts this offseason repairing his pen. This offseason he will go all out for 2 more starters.
By Carolina Lady
July 4, 2007 2:07 PM | Link to this
jjs, No, that comment was in reference to the actions of those clubbing the seals to death. Sorry I didn’t express my disgust with them more clearly. I simply have no understanding of people capable of repeatedly carrying out the deliberate acts that they do. They have no human emotions and will have much to explain one day.
By Amber
July 4, 2007 2:09 PM | Link to this
Maybe we could convert Davies to a position player? He can hit, at least…
By None But The Brave
July 4, 2007 2:10 PM | Link to this
Were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers, or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter. - Thomas Jefferson
By None But The Brave
July 4, 2007 2:12 PM | Link to this
Where the press is free and every man able to read, all is safe. - Thomas Jefferson
By Kentavo
July 4, 2007 2:22 PM | Link to this
Each time I watch the Braves squander opportunities to win - Sunday’s game against the Marlins and these 1st two against the Dodgers - I think it’s time to build for the future.
Would Detroit take Smoltz for Verlander? Is that too over the top?
I say unload Renteria and Chipper (if possible) to contenders for young starting pitching.
By Efrim
July 4, 2007 2:27 PM | Link to this
Bravesfan,
Probably nothing. 20 other teams are looking for starting pitching, but we want to hold onto our beloved prospects.
If we have a chance to acquire Buerhle for Lillibridge and Harrison. I do it. Let Buerhle go this offseason and get two draft picks for him.
By David O'Brien
July 4, 2007 2:31 PM | Link to this
Yars, you better believe I do. The Byrds were remarkable. And Gram Parsons was a luminary, a giant of songcraft — plus he wore the cool “Gilded Palace of Sin” suit designed by Nudie, who also did Elvis’ gold suit and Hank’s white suit with the musical notes on the sleeves. That’s the stuff, man.
By None But the Boor
July 4, 2007 2:40 PM | Link to this
He who knows nothing is closer to the truth than he whose mind is filled with falsehoods and errors - Thomas Jefferson
By Ron
July 4, 2007 2:45 PM | Link to this
Efrim I dont know if Smoltz shoulder will be healthy enough until he gets Plenty of rest which may mean the whole Offseason!!! But I dont know exactly how serious it is though!!! If it wont be healthy enough until he gets plenty of rest, then why trade good prospects for a rental player in Buehrle? Smoltz is the only Pitcher that we can Truly rely on for the Playoffs!!! So without him healthy it would be stupid to trade the Good prospects!!! I think in the Offseason we should trade Renteria for a Starter or young CF!!! And put Escobar at SS NEXT SEASON, not this season!!! Hell if the Red Sox got Andy Marte, (at the time was probably one if not the Best Position Prospect in all of Baseball) when the year before he stunk it up, what the Hell do you think we can get for him when He is having A Fantastic Season!!! I say a Very Good Starter, or a Very Good Young CF!!! I think this offseason JS will make some Good trades that will help us be a Very Good team next season!!! If we cannot get a good Starter this season, why not just try Ledezma as a starter? Davies will be a good pitcher, but he should have never been up here this year, but injuries to other pitchers forced him into the lineup!!! No way we should trade him, we should not give up on him yet, send him down if necessary!!!
By truthteller
July 4, 2007 2:48 PM | Link to this
Every year it saeems we have to have daily reports on Smotz latest “twinge”. As a former scout, I can tell you that around baseball Smoltz is recognized for his physical talent, but is also viewed as a headcase. I think he and Chipper have figured out they can extend their careers (and big salaries) if they can spend substantial time on the DL, or “resting” their latest big injury. Too bad when your supposed “team leaders” seem more concerned with protecting their fragile bodies than being on the field when they are needed. Also, it seems both want to be sure they have a built in excuse when they turn in bad performances.
By GermanBravesFan
July 4, 2007 2:56 PM | Link to this
It’s still funny to see how many trade suggestions are being floated here. “Unloading” Chipper, Hudson, Renteria, etc.? What are you people thinking? Smoltz to Detroit for Verlander? Please - STOP!!!
This team is still in contention if DESPITE getting sub-par performances from a couple of players. We are not even to the half-way point of the season and people want the Braves to rebuild. Geez… I think if certain things come together (Andruw and Francoeur start hitting), the Braves acquire another solid (maybe number-three)starter, this team is STILL capable of winning the division.
I admit that I know nothing about baseball, but I do coach at the collegiate level and I would kick my guys’ (or, for that matter, my boosters’ or fans’) butts if they suggested to me that we focus on next season while there is still half a season left to play. As long as there is a chance to win, we keep playing hard!
GO BRAVES!
By Ron
July 4, 2007 2:58 PM | Link to this
Efrim I would not even give up Lillibridge or Harrison straight up for Buerhle much less both for him!!! Yes we do have to hold onto our Good Beloved prospects, you know why? Because this team relies on OUR BELOVED PROSPECTS MORE THAN ANY OTHER TEAM!!! Just say we make that trade for Buerhle and somehow he MADE ALL THE DIFFERENCE and we make the playoffs and we do not win the World Series, and then Buerhle leaves for another team, well that is 2 Good Young Prospects that we lose for what 2 louzy draft picks, which neither one will probably be half as good as the ones we traded away!!! You have to remember if a team that is bad like the Cardinals sign Buerhle in the offseason then the only draft picks we get is a supplemental pick and a second round pick from that team!!! WE do not get the teams 1st round pick IF they have one of the top 15 picks!!! YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER WE ARE NOTHING WITHOUT OUR PROSPECTS DUDE!!! That is the reason we have been a solid team over the years because we have prospects that can acually play!!!
By Jim
July 4, 2007 3:06 PM | Link to this
Efrim,
The folks at Baseball America are very high on Heyward, and even if he only plays a few weeks in rookie ball, he will likely rank high on their prospect list. They were not very high on Cody Johnson last year, but if he continues to put up decent numbers at Danville this year, he will probably make the list as well. Teheran is someone they may also consider for their list as they tend to rate more on projection than on actual performance. My guess is that the top 10 PROSPECTS in the Braves system will be 1. Heyward (when signed), 2. Jo Jo Reyes, 3. Andrus, 4. Hanson, 5. Jones, 6. Harrison, 7. Lillibridge, 8. Shafer, 9. Devine, 10. Teheran, Honorable mention — Kaihue, Johnson, Medlen, Richmond. Kaihue struggled after being promoted to high A last year and is repeating that level this year. He will have to maintain this level of performance as he advances to boost his prospect status. Medlen has put up some very impressive numbers but is “under the radar”. Why?
By Efrim
July 4, 2007 3:10 PM | Link to this
Got to upgrade the pitching Ron. How do we do that???
Trading Pete Orr and Chris Woodward???
For what?
A sack of potatoes?
Need to give up talent to get talent. If it isn’t Buerhle, then Vasquez.
By David O'Brien
July 4, 2007 3:18 PM | Link to this
Just got off the phone with someone who knows, and was told that the Mets and Cardinals were the other teams who were really going hard after the Colombian kid the Braves signed yesterday. Yankees and other teams also wanted him, but it was Cards, Mets and Braves that were competing hardest for him and spending the most time with him, etc.
By Coach (BRINGING THE WRECKING BALL)
July 4, 2007 3:22 PM | Link to this
If truthteller is a scout I’m Santa Claus. That’s a totally ignorant post. Your aware that Smoltz has been pitching hurt ? He should have been on the DL already and yet he is such a great competitor that he has took one for the team , risked his career and gutted it out right up to the all-star break. Chipper is playing in pain , but you knew that already didn’t you ? Again , yours is one of the dumbest comment’s Ive read in a long time.
By Coach (BRINGING THE WRECKING BALL)
July 4, 2007 3:43 PM | Link to this
GermanBravesfan , all thirty teams are still in mathematical contention but we know only eight will see the post season. If you think the Braves will be one of those eight teams , well good for you , your an optimist. I’m not even going to argue with you , I’ll just give you the numbers and you believe whatever you want. In April the Braves went 16-9 , in May 14-14 , in June 13-15 and so far in July 0-3. The Braves offense has finally started scoring runs ( 55 in the last ten games) with regularity and yet they are just 5-5 in those ten games. The Braves need help in the rotation , the bench , the bullpen , the defense ……you get the picture. I don’t like mediocrity and the Braves are just that , a middle of the road , mediocre baseball team.
By A-ville Ranger
July 4, 2007 3:46 PM | Link to this
I’m watching the best damn baseball plays on bdss before heading out for the fireworks at lake lure.Watching Ossie Smith I’m reminded of the funniest damn sports moment I’ve ever seen (heard).That would be Ossie’s Dorithy speech at his hof induction,just f—ing hilarious.
By TennesseePaul
July 4, 2007 3:46 PM | Link to this
Happy 4th everyone
So I guess I’m the jinx. I’ve only seen the Braves win 3 games… I’m not going to the game tonight. If the Braves win, I won’t go tomorrow. I’d rather not go and have them split the series than go and have them be swept. Last night’s game was way more entertaining than Monday’s game, but even still I would have perferred the win.
DOB: What’s the word on getting an X-Ray or MRI for Smoltz? Why hasn’t this been done?
Maybe they have but either they aren’t telling you, or you’ve been told off the record so you aren’t reporting it. It just seems like, after giving the guy a big contract, they’d want to know if his injury is something that needs more than rest. If it’s really bad in there, and needs surgery or something, doing it now would mean more of Smoltz over the life of the contract as opposed to waiting till the offseason and pulling a Hampton.
I still say you need to hit up Phillipe’s DOB. It’s good stuff.
Glad to hear the Braves signed another 16 year old. I look forward to this kid pitching in the majors in about 5 or 6 years…
GO BRAVES!!
By Efrim
July 4, 2007 3:48 PM | Link to this
Coach,
I’m not an optimist. But check the post all star break schedule. If we get a starter, we are going to start playing better. It is just a matter of time.
By David O'Brien
July 4, 2007 3:50 PM | Link to this
I’ll second Coach on that one. Absolutely absurd post from the self-proclaimed Truthteller (if there were ever irony in a screen name, that’s the one)
By GermanBravesFan
July 4, 2007 3:51 PM | Link to this
Coach… that’s your opinion. What I said is that as a fan, one should be a bit more optimistic. The bullpen is good (much improved over last season’s), we have good hitters on this team. It’s just the starting rotation that needs a little boost (and, maybe, Andruw needs to be moved down in the batting order until he starts hitting)…
By jed
July 4, 2007 4:09 PM | Link to this
serbok and d.o.b.
i repeat, yes, i hate jim morrison and robert plant.
plant had a great voice, yes, and so most of the blues stuff i can cope with him being on—i just focus on the rest of the band, which was sublime no doubt. but on songs where he actually tried to “say” something? dear heavens….banal, trite, and unlistenable. all his goofy-a$$ mysticism could have been written better by the guys from spinal tap. as a matter of fact, that whole stonehenge joke in “spinal tap the movie” comes directly from robert plant’s ridiculous schtick. some legacy, that.
now, jim morrison is an entirely more dreadful case. serbok—if you think morrison wrote “poetry,” i would speculate simply that you havent read any poetry. what morrison did was write 10th grade pot-smoke drivel and create a dangerous image for himself which high school kids everywhere fell in love with. you know why they loved it? because high school kids are stupid.
and youre way wrong to think that means i’m an easy-listening guy. it’s the opposite actually. i used to listen to the doors and led zep when i was younger. loved ‘em, no doubt. at the same time, though, i was listening to dylan, neil young, lou reed & the velvets, van morrison, rolling stones, beatles, the clash, etc & so forth.
point being: those guys hold up, whereas the doors (more specifically, jim morrison) do not. ‘exile on main street’ for example is smart, raucous, raunchy, wise, and far more convincingly dionysian than ANYTHING the doors ever did.
anyway, after listening to those guys, i just found morrison specious at best, and gradually came to loathe him and his dippy “poetry.” i think he’s a phony, actually. a huckster selling the most stupid and obvious aspects of rebellion to an adoring, idiotic group of kids. (the band behind him kicks though, no doubt. wanta know the real artist in the doors? ray manzarek.)
compare that to the other names i mentioned earlier, and you’ll see my point. some artists hold up as revolutionaries, wherass others just dressed the part. jim morrison certainly looked the part, but he’s ultimately lucky he died young. otherwise, he’d be a bigger joke than rod stewart is today.
(by the way, you wanta talk revolutionaries? elvis, buddy holly, little richard, chuck berry, muddy waters and all the blues guys who MADE rock music. too often, they’re viewed as quaint, when in fact they were, for their times, far more agents of change than the ’60s guys who receive all the glory. true. and you best believe it.)
By Coach (BRINGING THE WRECKING BALL)
July 4, 2007 4:10 PM | Link to this
Andruw needs to be on the bench , for an extended period of time , say a week ? The whole Bobby Cox/Andruw Jones soap opera has me sick to my stomach. It’s counterproductive to keep putting him in the four hole. AJ has left an incredible 28 runners on base in his last ten games(30 in his last 11 games). How in the name of God can a team expect to win with a .200 hitter batting fourth ? With all respect for Bobby Cox , if Joe Torre did this , General George would fire him in a heartbeat. I love Bobby , but this is one case where our hall of fame manager has his head up his butt.
By Ron
July 4, 2007 4:12 PM | Link to this
Efrim Vazques would be nice, BUT we can afford him!!! If we had that kind of money dont you think that we would go REAL hard after Roy Oswalt!!! DOB has done said we cannot afford Oswalt, so why do you think we can afford Vazques? Do you realize that Omar Minaya of the Mets has said multiple times that they will not trade their good prospects for a rental in Buerhle!!! And the Mets have more money than we do, they can go out and sign a good player from free agency, if they are saying that, then what does that say!!! After all the Mets are probably a Good Pitcher away from making alot of noise in the NL!!!
By Max Sand
July 4, 2007 4:14 PM | Link to this
DOB ——I googled the Colombian kid’s signing.He isn’t considered more than a middle of the order type by most.The more intriguing international is Carlos Flores from Venezuela.Apparently the Braves have cache with his agent and have the kid in seclusion away from other teams.The word is he has more upside than the Colombian (who’s name escapes me).Can you give more insite on Flores ?
By Efrim
July 4, 2007 4:15 PM | Link to this
Well the Phillies are winning today. Guess that means we’ll get a W tonight. We can sweep that Padres series. I have confidence. We can pound that Padre back end of the rotation. If Hudson comes out strong tomorrow night then we can end up winning five in a row, who knows??
By N8
July 4, 2007 4:17 PM | Link to this
“Were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers, or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter.”
What the hell would a newspaper write about if there was no government? Just sports?
Wouldn’t that be called Sports Illustrated?
LOL!
By Steve from OH
July 4, 2007 4:26 PM | Link to this
Tonight should be a definite W, with Hendrickson on the mound. 2 out of 3 against the Pads shouldn’t be too much to ask against the back end of their rotation. And if we can beat Penny, who knows?
By jed
July 4, 2007 4:27 PM | Link to this
dob
just saw your ‘fall out boy’ post. i’ve heard them once on a commercial and changed the channel. and i’m glad you think the doors have such a great reputation. i mean, they do, but that’s only on outlets like vh-1 or rolling stone. if you have respect for vh-1 and RS, well, that’s your problem.
seriously…talk to real music people: most view it like i view it with jim morrison. he’s a joke. a goon. a sideshow freak with a cucumber in his pants. as for plant, it’s a little better of a debate. i’m anti-plant in general, yes, but i can at least recognize the arguments in his favor. but those lyrics, ha! spare me.
By We Have Mets the Enemy
July 4, 2007 4:27 PM | Link to this
You’re welcome, Dave.
Story reads great now. I’m just going to trust that all your stats are correct.
By dadgum
July 4, 2007 4:28 PM | Link to this
Correct that the Braves are a mediocre team right now but with talent enough to pull out a wild card spot if they get to the point they can beat a good team. They are now 0-10 against the good teams (Boston, Detroit, LA)they have played leading up to the all star break. They will not get the number of wins Chipper said were needed a week ago. Wickman is appears to be waning but since he won’t be back next year anyway the set up guys in the bull pen need to start pitching like the decent talent they are.
Andruw will not be signed which will free up a ton of money to get the players needed. It is encouraging to see the young talent being blended into the lineup now like Harris and Escobar. My guess is that the Braves will be a fun team to watch in the next few years. Right now they will take their lumps but have a fighting chance in a weak NL.
JED….dude nobody needs to justify to you or anyone the lyrics to Stairway. One of those untouchable songs generated by more talent than you could most likely ever conjure up. Certainly you aren’t some punk that just wants to throw dirt on all rock deities that paved the way for the crap you probably listen to now…I mean you aren’t are you? Good, hope not. Apologies accepted.
Happy 4th all….remembering Jim Morrison. “show me the way to the next whiskey bar…oh don’t ask why…oh don’t ask why”
By SAL
July 4, 2007 4:30 PM | Link to this
If the Braves didn’t already have Kyle Davies, he would be the type of pitcher they would trade for. How else can you explain trading McBride for Ledezma? (a lefty with Davies type career numbers.
By Coach (BRINGING THE WRECKING BALL)
July 4, 2007 4:33 PM | Link to this
ESPN’s Jerry Crasnik has a nice article titled: What price freedom ? It starts with Andruw Jones and you should read it.
By N8
July 4, 2007 4:36 PM | Link to this
Jed
I’ll second you on Morrison. That pretty much sums it up for me.
However, my thinking he was (and still would be, if he were alive today) a moron, doesn’t stop me from enjoying some of the music.
I grew up a KISS fan. Still LOVE them. Why did I like them as a kid? Because they too where the ultimate “rebellion” band. Who sang about sex and partying and rock and roll. ALL things that pre-teen and teenage kids are “into” or curious about.
When I look back on them, they seem quite silly as a matter of fact. However, now as I’m in my 30’s, do you know why I like them? Because hearing those songs (which actually, lyrically EMBARRASS me in front of my kids), REMIND ME OF WHEN I WAS A TEENAGER!
Sometimes, music is what it is. IT’S MUSIC. It’s there to be enjoyed, and set a mood. Not dissected and ridiculed. If you don’t like it. Don’t listen to it. If you used to like it and NOW you don’t, because you’ve “grown up” or grown out of what caused you to like it in the first place…don’t listen to it.
I’ve stated many times on these blogs, that music is different than sports. People can argue over and over about “results” of a sporting event and how a team or individual got to those results. It’s fairly cut and dried.
However, music is in the ear of the listener. PERIOD. Music doesn’t have to stand the test of time, to be enjoyable, even if only enjoyed for a short period of time in history.
For example, I’m sitting here at home watching all of the Rocky movies on Spike TV (don’t ask why - too lazy to turn the channel). Just got done watching Rocky III. Eye of the Tiger by Survivor was on. Quite possibly one of the gayest songs, by one of the gayest bands of all time (who happen to be phenominal live - I was in a band that opened up for them in a club in the mid-90’s). But you know what? When I was 13, I loved that movie, and loved the song even more. It brought a little smile to my face, hearing it. One part for the memories, and one part for who ridiculous the song was/is.
Now as far as the Led Zeppelin comments. I almost can’t argue with you there as well. I’m more of a Who guy myself. But while I can understand why somebody would not care for Zep, you’d have to be silly to disagree with the fact that what they were doing wasn’t only an extension of what the great blues guys before them did, but put a whole new twist on it, that changed the face of hard rock/heavy metal for the rest of time. PERIOD.
Dislike them? Sure if it’s not your bag. But disrespect them? Now that’s borderline blasphemy, IMO. :-)
By We Have Mets the Enemy
July 4, 2007 4:38 PM | Link to this
Did anybody else notice in the eighth inning last night that Broxton threw eight balls and two strikes, yet he got three outs?
By Ron Roberts
July 4, 2007 4:44 PM | Link to this
Man, I’m ALL for us doing something about the rotation, at this point, but seriously, where would this team be in the standings if we’d gone to Villareal to start instead of the Lerew/Redman/Davies nightmares, say, a month to six weeks ago?
He has a 3.94 ERA in 29 games, and yet, we’re 4-25 in those games. That makes no sense. Last year, he started four games, we went 4-0 in those games. I swear, I wanna pull a Biff and knock on Bobby Cox’s cranium and say “Hello, McFly!”
Yeah, fine; go get us another decent rotation arm and that’ll solve a big problem for us, but still, this could’ve been at least “duct-taped” in-house, costing us no prospects and would have us, I think closer if not ahead of the Muts at this point. We’d be no worse than at or ahead of the wild card chase right now, for sure.
And I’m not saying give up on Kyle Davies, either. Hell, swap roles with Villareal if ya must; because trust me, if you’re gonna waste a pitcher’s efforts in long relief after the starter’s been blown out, I’d rather you waste the efforts of a lesser pitcher.
By jed
July 4, 2007 4:44 PM | Link to this
dadgum
no apology offered, friend. the lyrics to stairway?! you seriously want to defend that crap? oh let me guess! “dust in the wind” is “profound,” as well, right?
right?
go ahead, write a short essay illuminating for us all the cultural and philosophical impact of “stairway” and “dust in the wind.”
really…please do. i cant wait to show it to my friends. maybe i’ll even send it to the simpsons for homer to read as a monologue.
btw, go back and actually read my 4:09 post if youre gonna comment on it.
By N8
July 4, 2007 4:59 PM | Link to this
Why does music HAVE to be about the substance of the lyrics? They’re not poets. (well some are self proclaimed poets) THEY ARE MUSICIANS.
There are many songs, by many artists in MANY different styles of music that I don’t care for, (for listening purposes), yet lyrically might move me.
On the other hand, there are MANY MORE songs that DO move me from a music and mood standpoint, that might not be considered to be of substance.
To me music is all about the mood.
If I’m looking for something aggressive to work out to, I’m much more likely to grab the Metallica - And Justice for All - CD as opposed to Kenny G’s greatest hits.
On the other hand, if I’m makin a “play” on a lady friend, the Kenny G…..er…never mind. Metallica is still the better option.
Anyhow, you get the point. Some tunes (or CD’s) are just “meant for driving”, when you’re on a long trip. Others are for lounging around the house, on a cold, dreary winter day.
It’s all about the mood. If you happen to be fortunate enough in your lifetime to find a CD or a particular artist, that not only moves you lyrically, yet gives you great MUSIC to listen to. Then you best buy all of their stuff and treasure it. Some people spend a lifetime looking for both in one band/artist.
Mine is Kings X. LOVE every bit of just about every song they’ve ever laid down, and somehow at the same time, most of their lyrics are emotionally easy to grasp ahold of and “get”.
By jed
July 4, 2007 5:01 PM | Link to this
n8
never said i didnt like led zep. my point was that i hated plant. (er. “seriously dislike plant.”) i HATE jim morrison. (however, like some of the doors music, certainly.)
but no, i dont listen to them anymore. just cant do it.
and i completely get your point with KISS. i love rock kitsch myself and still like billy joel because i loved him so much as a kid. you should read one of those chuck klosterman books—yer point is basically his whole bag. i get it, you know, but guess i still prefer lester bangs’ approach, which actually finds something important and moving about certain music.
as for the who? oh god. here we go again. get this:
—i think pete townshend is a genius. love the who songs when he does them solo. —however, i hate the who.
i’m not even gonna bother trying to defend this one, but i’m not much for daltrey, and i think townshend’s songs come off much better without the bombast. i’ve always thought that, though. it’s not just age. and for comparison, i love crazy horse. would rather hear neil young with crazy horse. but would rather hear pete townshend alone. yep.
By N8
July 4, 2007 5:05 PM | Link to this
Ron Roberts
“I swear, I wanna pull a Biff and knock on Bobby Cox’s cranium and say “Hello, McFly!”“
To which his response would be:
“Yes. Yes. I’m George, George McFly. I’m your density.”
By N8
July 4, 2007 5:18 PM | Link to this
Jed
I hear ya on Daltrey. Not a huge fan of “him” either. But I do like his voice on certain songs.
Too many “frontmen” get all the credit with great bands (or bands that are considered by the masses to be great). When there usually is somebody else driving the MUSIC.
Jimmy Page vs. Plant
Eddie Van Halen vs. David Lee Roth
Pete Townsend vs. Roger Daltrey
Tony Iommi vs. Ozzy
J. Geils vs. Peter Wolf (well OK, maybe not - but you get the picture)
Yeah, yeah. I know. Spoken like a true guitarist.
I think one of the few bands that have have some bigtime commercial/critical success that the guitarist IS THE SHOW and their are no questions asked about it, is AC/DC. Bon Scott was great, they wouldn’t be what they are today with out Brian Johnson, yet if there is no Angus Young, there is no AC/DC.
One could argue that EVH gets the same treatment. But there were FAR too many teenage girls that drove the success of Van Halen, based on DLR back in the day. So to say they’d have been just as popular without DLR, is a false statement, IMO. But other than personality and flambouance, he offered very little (from what I’ve read), in any of the music creativity. That is unless, you give him credit for the seagull squeals he perfected and overused. :-)
By Efrim
July 4, 2007 5:30 PM | Link to this
Hey DOB, new blog???
By bravesfan
July 4, 2007 5:33 PM | Link to this
Hey DOB is what you were talking about yesterday the 16 year old pitcher?
By Glass Half Full (GHF)
July 4, 2007 5:34 PM | Link to this
QUESTION:
Anybody ever watched the fireworks from Panama City? Me, the wife and kids are down here staying at a condo near Pineapple Willie’s and we’re wondering how far we need to walk down the beach to see the fireworks? They shoot them from the pier and that’s 5 miles away.
By Lew
July 4, 2007 5:49 PM | Link to this
You can’t dissect or ridicule music, because it’s entertainment, but doing it to every Braves game is fine. I guess that’s not entertainment, too.
By brian
July 4, 2007 6:01 PM | Link to this
Eddie Van Halen is Van Halen. Not David Lee Roth. Their best albums were 5150 and OU812.
That being said it will be interesting to see what happens to VH with DLR returning.
Then again, I am not in middle school/high school anymore and prefer the Beatles and Johnny Cash.
By David O'Brien
July 4, 2007 6:09 PM | Link to this
NEW BLOG IS UP. Let’s rock that thing on a holiday, OK?
By None But The Brave
July 4, 2007 6:18 PM | Link to this
To be honest with you, I rarely know what the lryics are in a song other than a few catchy parts. I am much more of a beats and the sound of a voice kind of guy. I often also do not even know who sings the song - don’t usually much care either. Just much more into the sound of it all. Maybe that makes me shallow and superficial. But whatever.
I think people look waaaaaaaaaaaaaay too deeply into the lyrics sometimes. I have read quotes from Paul McCartney and John Lennon where they repeatedly express frustration with the eggheads who wanted to intellectualize everything they wrote and sang.
They would say that sometimes they’d be poolside at someone’s house and they would get jealous and paul or john would say to the other chrissakes, let’s get in the studio and write us a song that will make us enough money to get us a pool like this. It was often no deeper than that.
I think that is similar to the beach scene in the Doors movie where Morrison reads Manzarek some of his poetry, and Manzarek basically says Chrissakes man that’s awesome, let’s go get a band together and make a million dollars. I think many bands and singers have that attitude.
I think the music the kids like should not be dismissed because the music you like as a kid is usually a much more valid measure of what is enjoyable music. Often the adult eggheads do overintellectualize the whole thing.
Any musician can pretend to be deep, never get a catchy sound, never desire mass appeal, never make a hit but claim to be deep mysterious artists no one gets. The streets are lined up with talentless broke “artists” such as this.
Oh, the poor tortured musician who can’t write a hit song because that is beyond his artistic abilities but yet wants to rant against those with the abilities he does not possess. Yeah, they are such sellouts for selling out albums and concerts while your brokeass sings penniless in a half empty dive in some remote college town, pretending to be so much deeper than the “sellout” when you really don’t have the talent of the “sellout.”
Do you ever wanna say to those people, chrissakes, man, you’re not in a band to be poor, you’re in that mofo to make lots of money, be very famous, and get lots of women. And you can’t get that unless you make music that appeals to the masses.
Anyone can write a brooding deep song with no beat, no catchy verses for themselves and their fellow eggheads. The real challenge is can they write a song the audience can enjoy.
The ones who seek mass appeal are often viewed as the lazy ones when they are often the ones doing something far more difficult. It is very hard to make a hit song. Just ask the eggheads. That’s why they never attempt to do so. Easier to write little love letters to themselves and their fellow eggheads while ignoring the audience.
To say that Morrison and the Doors do not hold up today is simply not true. You would not have had to launch into your anti Morrison tirade if he had not held up and remained relevant.
Did Morrison have some of that undefinable mystic skinny little pretty boy waif quality that Paris Hilton has today? Sure, but there was a helluva lot more substance in his music than you are giving him credit for.
Okay, don’t know how much of that I agree with but just throwing it out there to play the superficial devil’s advocate in this discussion.
By Mike
July 4, 2007 6:26 PM | Link to this
Braves Fan 79 I understand the frustration in seeing orr or woodward start a game because they’ve been non exixtent but I understand Bobby’s decision for starting woodward in the 3rd game against florida. I cant remember the exact splits that dontrelle had versus righties and lefties but I remember that his numbers against lefties were jawdropping even in a lousy year for him. It made sense to me to think that woodward had a better chance to hit in that particular game than thorman or mccann did. I think woodward got a hit actually but I do see your point in that we are getting no production from two roster spots. If the braves just had one of the two that would be ok because everyone else that comes of the bench is raking. Salty, Diaz, Esobar. I dont think thats the reason they’ve been losing games though, just comes down to starting pitching. Like I said before Schuerholtz will find a way to improve the rotation for this year, not next. Davies has to go, I went to the game last night and I felt sick to my stomach with every pitch that he threw. How would everybody feel as to trading Escobar for one of the cubs young lefties? Marshall and I forgot the other one’s name(not lilly) but both of them dominated the braves and they are both having good years and are very inexpensive. The cubs need a shortstop also. It would help both teams. The fans got to find a way to stay positive. At the game last night it felt like the braves were very close to everything coming together despite Davies being horrible again. The offense got a lot of hits and there were a lot of hard hit balls that went for outs. Most notably from Salty and KJ. The Braves will be fine, they’ll get in the posteason and kick the crap out of the dodgers or brewers in the first round. Im going to the game tonight sporting a chipper jersey so hopefully I can find a few allies cause dodger fans are rough. I can only imagine what its like for a visiting fan to see a game in ny or boston.
By Rick Roberts
July 5, 2007 7:07 PM | Link to this
Keep our young talent, but package Davies in a trade—he needs out and new scenery. How about Houston for Jennings? AJ would go to the Dodgers—how about Billingsly and Loney? Doubt they would deal Kemp. Thorman to Toronto is still viable—for pitching. Bring Jo Jo Reyes up after the All-Star break. Garland would be the best choice in a trade—he has stuff. But, would cost us Salty, no doubt. Any big trade giving away our young talent would be a terrible mistake! Cox is just so in the past—Harris and Escobar have to play six days a week. AJ in the fourth spot is absolutely ridiculous—Bobby has lost it. Harris and Escobar prove how much that energy and speed can revitalize a team. We need more of it. The Royals here in KC are much more fun to watch than the Braves—not as many hitters, but they score runs! Maybe JS should pattern the Braves after the Royals and Dayton Moore?