Braves

By Illinois_Brave

August 3, 2007 3:59 PM | Link to this

Bobby Cox gets credit for the loss last night. He used up too many guys trying to get some of the boys playing time. He had some guys pitching well and should have used them for more than 1 inning.

Hopefully this team will reap some benefits from getting everyone in the game…..

By Billy Walsh

August 3, 2007 4:03 PM | Link to this

I totally agree…playoff teams do not lose the type of game the braves lost last night. I give the suit a lot of credit for making the trades he did, unfortunately the lack of depth in the starting rotation is going to be the braves undoing (nothing the suit could have traded for). As for the braves pen, too many appearances which constitues a lot of tired arms.

By Ron Roberts

August 3, 2007 4:04 PM | Link to this

Carrol… you put into words what a lot of folks here have thought, off and on, all season.

Problem is, you can’t just point to last night’s game as the type “champions” wouldn’t lose.

You could say that about any number of the extra-innings games the last couple of weeks.

You could say that about the Miami meltdowns, or the bevy of games lost when we needed a clutch hit from a clutch hitter late in a 1-run game and wound up watcihng our clutch hitter(s) strike out, fly our or ground into double plays.

Yeah, we’re 1.5 games back of the wild card, and only 4.5 back of the Mets. But we’ve been this close (and closer) most of the season and never seem to just flip a switch.

Maybe last night’s the anomaly for this re-tooled Braves squad. But for this current assemblage to succeed, you have to get better results out of Soriano, or we’ll just watch Bobby Cox avoid using him and instead wear out Octavio Dotel in similar circumstances.

I just wanna see us go on one of those 9-1 spurts you see other contenders go through. We win three, lose four, win four, lose three - ad nauseum, and those streaks tend to either start or stop with weird games like we witnessed last night.

What should be a confident team going into a key series against Colorado (isn’t it just a little strange thinking any series against Colorado is “key?”), is now a team limping into the weekend wondering if even the re-tooled bullpen is well-rested enough and worthy of holding a lead. I mean, if a 4-run lead isn’t safe, what kind of lead is?

This should-be confident team goes in wondering if they’re going to miss their .330ish steady-handed shortstop in this revitalized lineup. This should-be confident squad might well wonder if Smoltz’s shoulder will give most of the ‘pen the night off or if his arm will finally just fall off at the shoulder. Or if Willie Harris’ bumps and bruises around the three-foot mark of his legs are going to hinder him, or if Bob Wickman’s gonna wake up with one hell of a back ache after that earth-rattling tumble he took.

Eh, maybe that stuff’s just in the minds of us fans.

By d-rock in Scotland

August 3, 2007 4:06 PM | Link to this

I think the loss was disappointing, but the blow came from Soriano. I think he needs some rest; he just isn’t the same since he appeared in a bunch of games a few weeks back.

By Vol

August 3, 2007 4:06 PM | Link to this

Weren’t going to win 50 in a row, and that makes 4 straight with double digit scoring. I’ll still take it as a positive even with the L in the end. Wouldn’t be as fun if we just coasted to the title anyway.

Is Royce Ring not on the roster? Just wondering why he didn’t make an appearance last night.

By PocorobaNaharodny

August 3, 2007 4:06 PM | Link to this

I know what you mean about losing that kind of game, but I think the real test is how they react after a loss like that. And that might be especially interesting since so many guys are banged up now. It will be interesting to see if Chipper and Andruw can play tonight and how bad Frenchy’s hand is after being hit. The thing I really liked about last night’s game is how so many guys gave gutsy performances - Mahay pitching 3 innings, Chipper playing shortstop (always willing to do what the team needs), Harris playing third and running full speed into the wall (he didn’t look polished over there but at least he was willing and gave it his best), Wickman’s “diving” catch, even Corky busting it down the line to get on base for Diaz. I think it was one of those games that you just lose, despite some heroic efforts. Let’s see how they come out against a very tough Rockies team.

By Vol

August 3, 2007 4:08 PM | Link to this

I just checked and it doesn’t look like Ring is on the roster. I guess I don’t know who I would send down to make room.

By StingerSplash

August 3, 2007 4:08 PM | Link to this

And the crowd goes “Mooooose” for the official scorer. But the Braves cannot continue to get less than nothing from the No. 5 starter and at best six innings from its alleged No. 3 starter. Buddy Carlyle’s a nice story, but do the Braves really want to pin their hopes on him down the stretch and in the postseason? James has to, just has to, go deeper in games, especially when the No. 5 spot has been dreadful no matter if it’s Redman, Davies (who had a few good starts mixed in with a few rotten ones), Cormier, Reyes or Billy Chapel. Because Carlyle’s at the No. 4 spot and he’s hurt right now. The Teixeira trade is still a good one and everyone knows there was zero starting pitching on the market. But the Braves have to find something somewhere to stabilize the rotation after Smoltz and Hudson. And even Smoltz isn’t an eight or nine inning guy anymore.

By RichmomdBrave

August 3, 2007 4:09 PM | Link to this

I agree Illinois. He totally missmanaged it last night. The one inning per reliver is stupid. Keep Soriono out of the 8th inning. he needs to be dropped from the setup spot. It seems like every time he has come out lately he give up a home run. It’s gonna suck to having Rentatia for a while, but hopefully escobar will pick up the slack. We HAVE to take 6 or 7 of our next 9!!

By Efrim

August 3, 2007 4:11 PM | Link to this

Can’t wait to see KC and Lew’s thoughts on this piece Carroll wrote. I wrote that same thing in the last blog.

WHATEVER!!!

THIS TEAM IS MAKING THE PLAYOFFS!!!

By Paul Hamilton

August 3, 2007 4:13 PM | Link to this

Its time to remove Soriano from the bullpen rotation, he is absolutely killing us. He wouldn’t pitch again until he gets his head straightened out. There is no reason for this to continue costing the Braves. He has clearly lost it.

By Ron

August 3, 2007 4:13 PM | Link to this

Carroll, and OTHERS Got a question for yall!!! When they call it September call ups is it the Last day in August or is it the First Day in September? Because for a player to be ELIGIBLE for postseason PLAY he has to be on the ROSTER on the LAST day of August!!! At least thats what I think!!! Can somebody help me out on this one?

By SomeYahoo

August 3, 2007 4:15 PM | Link to this

If we’re going to win the division or Wild Card this has to change: Extra Inning games: 3-7 1 Run Games: 12-16

The Mets are ahead of us because: Extras: 6-4 1 Run Games:14-6

The 1995 Braves, our standard bearers in the run, were: One run games: 31-17 The silver lining is that they were 3-9 in Extra inning games.

By Eric from MO

August 3, 2007 4:15 PM | Link to this

Let me start by saying every World Series team loses games like these. It just happens. It motivates you. In 2003 when the Marlins won it, do you all remember when they turned around their season. It was when the Red Sox was running the score up.

Speaking of the Red Sox in 04 do you all remember them blowing a lead and losing to the Yankees 19-18. Also do you remember them getting blownout in the first 3 games of the ALCS.

Do you remember last years Cardinals. The played horrible the entire month of September. I think the finished okay.

Im not saying that the Braves will win it all. Im just saying you cant count them out because they lose a couple of bad games.

As for Illinois Brave when your starter only lasts 3 inning and you go 14 innings you have to use damn near everyone. Especially when the last couple of games your starter didnt past the 6th inning.

By bigboi

August 3, 2007 4:15 PM | Link to this

Soriano doesn’t need to be dropped to the 6 or 7th inning, he needs some rest.

By Chop Chop

August 3, 2007 4:16 PM | Link to this

Some business to clear up from the previous blog:

Guys, I was just giving my rating of the starters for both teams. I’m not talking about head-to-head matchups. If I had been, I would have taken Oliver Perez over Hudson because he’s 3-0 against us. I was trying to describe, in general, how I see the starters from these two teams matching up against all comers in the last 50+ games of the season. In my opinion, the Mets have a better overall pitching staff. If that means that they’ll win the division, then it will be no different than all those years that the Braves had better pitching.

And Chase…? Lighten up, man. All the positive (or negative) thinking in the world isn’t going to change the situation. The Braves will either sink or swim on their own merit, not yours or mine. I’m realistic about the Braves’ chances and I’m not going to have an aneurysm if they can’t overcome their own problems. That doesn’t make me want them to win any less than anyone else. I just tend to temper my enthusiasm when reality is staring me in the face.

By Dylan w/o the dead

August 3, 2007 4:17 PM | Link to this

Bad luck cost us that game I mean Soriano had 2 double play balls hit before the grand slam. one renteria had that freak injury the next was right to the one guy on the infield that isnt supposed to be on the infield. I agree with Carroll on this much teams that win tend to get the luck going their way and so far that hasnt happened to u in those extra innings games it felt like the guys were coming up trying to win the game in one swing instead of just getting a few base hits in a row to drive a run in.

By Efrim

August 3, 2007 4:19 PM | Link to this

2-1 Mets. Marlon Anderson with a 2 out single. MARLON ANDERSON. Awful.

By Anders

August 3, 2007 4:19 PM | Link to this

Ron- You’re right on both counts.

By Brando

August 3, 2007 4:19 PM | Link to this

Cormier is right-handed, not left-handed like the caption under his picture says on the Braves page.

By Wayne in Utah

August 3, 2007 4:23 PM | Link to this

Thanks Carroll. You just fed into the “negativism machine” that likes to rear it’s ugly head here on the blog.

Looks like I can just go away for at least another day or so. No need to stick around here and listen to all this “this team doesn’t have it”, “Bobby lost us another one”, “I told you these guys sucked” BS for the next day or so.

Good teams DO lose tough games! Get over it you whiners!

Will we win the WS, or even get there? Who knows, but I like our chances better than the geriatric Mets. Could we beat the Cubs or Dodgers in a playoff? Maybe, maybe not. NOBODY thinks this team is a juggernaut, but they certainly aren’t mediocre as some would have you believe.

For those on the blog that I call my friends, I will talk with you soon, but not too soon! I get too frustrated reading all the negative crap.

All in the attempt to be fair and balanced………..

By BravesDave

August 3, 2007 4:23 PM | Link to this

When Cormier went to Richmond, did he learn to pitch left-handed? The main page refers to him as ‘the lefty’.

Again, my point from the other blog applies…another unexpected Mets hero. Marlon Anderson hits a huge 3-run HR against the Brewers the other night, now he drives in the go-ahead run this afternoon. C’mon…Marlon freakin’ Anderson???????? Playing in CF???????? Ridiculous.

By JEB

August 3, 2007 4:24 PM | Link to this

All of the problems, from last nights loss, is directly pointed to Jo Jo Reyes’ early exit. Then having to come from behind to win. When Jo Jo goes out that early, you put too many innings into your bullpen, you then have to pinch hit them to capitalize on scoring opportunities, you then use up your bench, then an injury comes along (Edgar Rentaria) and you have to use a makeshift infield, which then created the error by Willie Harris (playing out of position). If that out is made, even the homerun given up by Soriano just makes it a 9-8 game and the Braves still go home winners. It ALL started with Jo Jo’s collapse, the dominoes then took over!

By Eric from MO

August 3, 2007 4:25 PM | Link to this

What the f*** is everyone talking about. Mahay went pitched 3 innings. Besides our relievers are tired. James only went 5 innings 2 nights earlier and Caryle also left early the night before because of injury. Its the Dog days of August Bobby is trying not to overwork everyone. He had no idea it would go 14 innings. How many games go 14 innings.

By Wayne in Utah

August 3, 2007 4:27 PM | Link to this

Ron They have only played 2 games since the new arrivals. Three since the announcements. 3-1 since then. Can we at least wait until we have played TEN FRICKIN GAMES before we ask for a 9-1 run!

Also, a player added in September can replace a player who was on the 25 man roster, if one of the “25” is DL’d. That’s how that rule is gotten around.

By DrHoo

August 3, 2007 4:31 PM | Link to this

Bullpen pitched great last night. Problem was defense. Although they didn’t give Edgar an error on the sure double play ball hit to him in the 8th, he sure deserved one. Final score would have been 11-4 if we see typical defense.

By Alan

August 3, 2007 4:32 PM | Link to this

Carroll, I think you’re 100% correct. Playoff teams don’t lose that kind of game. We’ve got to give the Braves credit for coming back time after time, but in the end they failed. Playoff teams also don’t get swept - at home, no less - by the Reds. Soriano is a serious liability right now, and that’s absolutely astounding considering his incredible pitching the first 2 months of the season. I don’t buy that he’s worn out. He’s a big guy - a professional athlete for crying out loud. He had 4 days’ rest just a couple of weeks ago (All Star break), and his first game back he messed up. Not worn out, but maybe injured in some way. And the #5 spot in the rotation has to be fixed. I hope it’s Cormier, but I’m skeptical. Let’s get a vet via waivers. Don’t know who - Matt Morris wouldn’t have been bad - not nearly as bad as poor Kyle Davies or poorer JoJo Reyes. This team has to start stringing multiple series wins together - let’s hope it continues now with the Rockies. The Mets are looming next.

By Chop Chop

August 3, 2007 4:32 PM | Link to this

Ahhh…there we go! El Duque gave up a run-tying double to Jason Kendall. 2-2 tie in the 7th.

By Ron Roberts

August 3, 2007 4:33 PM | Link to this

Wayne In Utah…let me get this right. The Braves losing games they were very much in control of last night, six outs shy, don’t frustrate you, but those of us who are tired of seeing stuff like that happen, then blog about it, do frustrate you?

By TexasBrave

August 3, 2007 4:35 PM | Link to this

I think we are about to see if Escobar is completely ready to take over for Edgar if JS decides to trade him during the off season. I don’t know just how bad Egar’s ankle is (depends on how much swelling) but I can’t see him returning for at least 4 days. Most definitely will not see him during the Colorado series, then a day off, then hopefully back for New York. So here is hoping for two things: one that Escobar plays well enough that we don’t miss Edgar and cause him to rush his return and #2 that Bobby does not play Woodcrap at SS.

By Brian Murphy

August 3, 2007 4:36 PM | Link to this

CR, That’s easy — “Beautiful Girls.” A classic. Stay cool. Stay cool forever.

— murph

By KC

August 3, 2007 4:38 PM | Link to this

CARROLL: Come on now… REALLY.

This loss can be hung squarely on 2 people… JoJo Reyes, and Rafael Soriano.

Reyes doesn’t concern me, because he’s back at Richmond. =) Soriano DOES concern me because it’s hard to figure out what’s happened to him. But I’m not panicked at all, because the Braves have Dotel down there now as well.

Speaking of Dotel I really think the Braves need to hand him Soriano’s setup job. At least for now, until Soriano proves he’s over… well… whatever the hell has gotten into him.

But the Braves toughed it out last night, and battled the whole way. Matt Diaz’s homer to knot it up again in extra innings showed a lot of grit to me.

They lost, but they never gave up. It was a great letdown, but come on… you’re questioning this teams spirit???

This team is energized, hungry, and confident. You’re reading way too much into that game.

By Ron

August 3, 2007 4:44 PM | Link to this

Well, August Is the month we need to look at!!! If we have ANOTHER mediocre record and play right at or at .500 then that is WHAT we are!!! This month will TELL me EVERYTHING I need to know!!! I know Renteria is hurt, but so is Beltran of the Mets!!! We gotta get over it and STILL win!!! This IS the month that WILL tell it all for us!!! Because this is a different team than July!!! With ALL the new additions!!! We will see, we will see!!!

By Ron Roberts

August 3, 2007 4:45 PM | Link to this

Wayne in Utah… Yeah, I can wait for the “new” squad to play ten “frickin’” games to get a 9-1 run…I’ll give ‘em more than that. You wanna wager odds that we’ll go on one between now and the end of the season? Show me the money, sunshine…

Last night should have been in the win column; that’s the point most of us are tryin’ to make. Sorry to pull the shades open to let all the cloud cover in on your sunny disposition.

On paper, we have all it takes to win the whole thing. But games like last night are a stark reminder that there’s just a certain something not happening with this team, new guys or not.

By Double Deuce

August 3, 2007 4:48 PM | Link to this

I think the problem lies in our comparisons of this team to the teams of the of the 90’s and early 2000’s. We definitely don’t have the pitching, but the offense stacks up well with those teams. What is different, and is the reason I don’t agree with the premise to your story, is the teams we are competing against aren’t much better than the Braves and both the Mutts and the Phillies are dealing with the same pitching issues we are dealing with. So to try and hold this team up to one with Smoltz, Maddux, and Glavine serves no purpose.

We are playing as well as anyone in the NL East, are only 4 back and have the Mutts and Phillies I believe twice each before the season is over. So all is not lost. We have the opportunity to control our own destiny late in the season and with the offense we have anything is possible. Yes, here we are in early August awaiting the return of Lance Cormier. That in itself speaks volumes to the already discussed back end of the rotation. But even with all of the struggles, all of the games we could have won, even with the current injuries, we are not out of this race yet.

So, back to your “Title teams don’t lose this way” premise. In other years I might have agreed, but I believe the Braves not only have a chance at the NL East title I believe they are the favorites, the same as most of you thought in the euphoria of the Tex trade. A bad loss shouldn’t change that outlook.

By ArkyTech

August 3, 2007 4:50 PM | Link to this

Last nine losses have been brutal….5 in extra innings plus 6-5 to CIN, 4-2 and 2-1 to SF, and 4-2 to STL with 1-1 score in 8th! That’s 9 straight L’s in either extra innings or by less than 2 runs! Meanwhile, Braves have a 5-9 record over that span while outscoring opponents 110-67!

Either this team doesn’t have it, or they’ve run into a string of bad timing.

By ncscoots

August 3, 2007 4:50 PM | Link to this

An “epic loss”? Please. “Title teams don’t lose this way.” Even Please-er. Dynastic teams such as the Reds, A’s, and Yankees ALL lost games similar to last night. Games they should have won, but didn’t. They also won games they should have lost, but didn’t. That’s baseball.

Certainly, anyone is entitled to the opinion that the club is or is not mediocre/playoff-bound/whatever; to opine that they lack or possess some magical ingredient essential to success; or to think that “this series is CRUCIAL!”, as opposed to all the OTHER series that bloggers have nominated as the defining moment of the season. It all works for me. Simply because it doesn’t mean anything in the context of the actual season outcome.

BTW, I know EXACTLY how many games the Braves have to win to take the division…one more than the Mets or Phillies.

By BravesFanInRockies

August 3, 2007 4:52 PM | Link to this

Question, denizens:

Given how banged up and exhausted the guys on the field were last night, did anyone else actually cringe when Diaz hit that homer?

Love the grit and determination, but I was ready for the game to be over a few innings earlier so that nobody got killed out there …

By TexasBrave

August 3, 2007 4:52 PM | Link to this

I really wish people would cut Soriano some slack. At most he should have only given up 3 runs and at best should have gotten out of the inning giving up no runs. First, eventhough Edgar did hurt his ankle he didn’t hurt his arm. It was a hot shot that he had plenty of time to flip over to Kelly for at least one out. In that case the most Soriano gives up is three runs. Second, if Willie comes up with the grounder (but I can’t really fault him coming in and playing 3rd cold turkey like that) he at least gets one out at second and possibly a double play. So that means a maximum of 2 runs if we get one out and no runs if we get the double play.

So I don’t think we can totally fault Soriano, if at all, for the 4 runs. He got the grounders our defense just failed us and him.

By REFMan

August 3, 2007 4:53 PM | Link to this

Tough loss last night but this team as it’s currently constructed is more talented that the Cardinals that won it all last year. On Paper the most talented team in the NL. If the Braves can get to October, they can get hot and win it all like St. Louis did last year. Unfortunately I don’t know if they have the depth to make it to the playoffs.

By Gil in Mechanicsville

August 3, 2007 4:55 PM | Link to this

Carroll, I really expect more from a Blue Devil but I guess you have been reading all the troll postings and it has worn you down.

Yep, I was frustrated by last night’s lose but the Braves were down big early. I am beginning to think that you folks in Atlanta don’t deserve a team like the Braves. Go jump on a band wagon somewhere so you don’t have to be very smart but can enjoy the winning.

I sure hope the Braves don’t pick up the vibes of all you “woe is me” fans. David Justice was right I think.

By Paladin

August 3, 2007 4:56 PM | Link to this

It sounded kind of “hollow” while I waited for this to post on the other blog. Like everybody was gone. So, I brought it with me. It’s not that I am so proud of it, but hell, I wrote it. Why not post it?

I have returned after my mid-day activities. Following my lunch of milk toast topped with a 1 minute egg and a tall glass of Metamucil I joined the rest of the residents in a rousing sing-a-long. We sang Jesus loves me with gusto. Then, we sang Shall we gather with less..gusto. Then, Julio and I played dominoes.

I see where ACB was the only one to take a swipe at me, in my absence. But, he bores me and I won’t even respond.

By TennesseePaul

August 3, 2007 4:57 PM | Link to this

Carroll, you had a long long night didn’t you? Lucky me on the West Coast, the game ended in time for a night cap and a conversation.

Last nights loss as tragic and frustrating as it was, is only one loss. But, I think I can point a few fingers at reasons behind the loss. I haven’t read the last blog. As soon as it went extra innings the posts got too many for the page loading and honestly, I had a nice pitcher of beer and a good conversation going so I passed on posting. Any way here it is, mark it down, I don’t do this often, debate amongst yourselves… the blame…

By Chase

August 3, 2007 4:57 PM | Link to this

CARROLL I hate to say it but you sound like many of the other KNEE-JERK FRONT RUNNING FANS on here!

IF the BRAVES had WON…Your article would have been about the “Toughness” and “Guts” of this team because of how they battled back again and again!

Instead…They lose and you are ready to write them off! SAD!!!!!!!!

By NCBravesFan

August 3, 2007 4:58 PM | Link to this

Carroll - interesting perspective … these thoughts have crossed my mind during this season. Overall, I’m still pretty optimistic this team has what it takes to make the postseason.

However, something that concerns me beyond the pitching issues is the way that the offense seems to not play very good situational baseball. It’s all sunshine and smiles when everybody’s jackin’ three run homers. But it seems like when the game is tight, guys forget how to do the little things that move runners along.

At a time when one swing will end it - it’s time to relax and take what’s given you by the pitching staff. I don’t know that this offense is very adept at doing that.

By bryan

August 3, 2007 4:58 PM | Link to this

This goes back to that loss in houston … the last time we were in the playoffs … . you could look on the braves faces … they were ready for the game to be over . . . i think there was even a quote from chipper … something like “i was just ready for the game to be over” …

Every time i watch the braves go deep into a extras game i think of that night … Carroll what is the braves record in 12 plus inning games since that loss?

By Larry (brittle bones) jones

August 3, 2007 4:59 PM | Link to this

Something to get off my chest… Two games yesterday were perfect examples of why Escobar trying to tag up with a 8 run lead Wednesday was not “showing up an opponent” White sox blew an 8 run lead, the braves blowing a 4 run lead. “Unwritten rules, showing up an opponent, etc.” do not really apply in baseball. Football or basketball yes, baseball no.

By jason

August 3, 2007 4:59 PM | Link to this

My thinking on BC managing last nights game.I got why he used his bench up. The game should have been oner in the seventh. What I don’t get is why “Cairo” was at third. He should have been at 2B or SS. KJ played SS all through the minors. I know bad throwing arm. Well Thorman could have played 3B with Chip at SS. Thor has expierence at 3B in the minors. If you went that route you would have had Diaz on the bench. Tough loss, bad luck whatever you want to call it. Renteria’s freak injury. Has Atlanta even won 5 in a row this year? Soriano needs the week off. It seemed to me that he has lost confidence in his slider.On a different note. JoJo Reyes plain out sucks. I know he came up from double A. He should have never been brought up. This stint in the Majors could very well ruin his career. When will ATL ever get a power arm in the rotation. Alot of people like Chuck James, me included, but if he can’t get pass the 5 inning, or the 75 pitch mark… Then really what good is he? Even if ATL wins the division or wild card, it will be one series and done. They have too many holes in this team. I love McCan, but damn he needs to learn how to catch the ball. After all he is a catcher. Why was Diaz bunting last night with the middle of the lineup coming. Let cairo steal 2b, or hit and run… I’m sorry, just venting. I love the Braves, but they are not playing very good baseball. I know 4 games with double digit runs. That’s the easy part. Last night’s game was the hard part.

By Efrim

August 3, 2007 5:00 PM | Link to this

KC

Again, before you read this, understand I think this team is making the playoffs. I see where Carroll is going. Lets break down every loss in the second half:

July 16th vs. Reds- L 10-3. Davies sucked

July 17th vs. Reds- L 6-5. Jo Jo gave up some runs in the 6th, but pitched well through 5 innings. Offense stormed back but we still lost.

July 18th vs Reds- L 5-4. Marathon game. Soriano blew it in the 8th, but we didn’t get one clutch hit to when it mattered. And not to tie, but to win the game.

July 20th vs Cards- L 4-2. Wasted a great effort by Chuck James because we couldn’t get the big hit. Soriano gave up runs in the 8th again.

July 22nd vs Cards- L 7-2. Soriano gave up the solo homer to Pujols in the 8th. The offense couldn’t get a big hit against the Cards pitching.

July 25th vs. Giants- L 2-1. Lowry pitched a great game. But come on, win the game. Chuck pitched great and the O let him down again.

July 26th vs Giants- L 4-2. Lincecum was good. Frenchy provided the only pop. Braves offense fails them again. But looking deeper into it. Buddy didn’t make the clutch pitches with 2 outs. That is the reason we lost.

July 27th vs D-Backs- L 8-7. Jo Jo killed us. Offense came back only to lose in extra innings. Nice job to tie it, but the go ahead clutch hit would of helped.

July 28th vs D-Backs- L 4-3. Well pitched game by Smoltz. Doug Davis, another lefty takes us down. We should score more against him. Lost in extras, again….

August 2nd vs Astros- L 12-11. Better be the last one we lose like this. Yes Soriano blew it again, but Edgar booted that ball, and got hurt. That was a hard hit double play ball. Then Willie Harris booted another double play ball. He gave up the home run. The Braves again came back in the 12th inning off Brad Lidge, but lost in the 14th. We were at home and should of one that game, even in extra innings. We have the last ups….Someone go deep when the game is tied. Anyone. Please.

By Bill Melater

August 3, 2007 5:00 PM | Link to this

Same old story. Booby, you gotta go out there with the HOOK, and one batter earlier. The entire planet knows when to pull a braves pitcher better than you do.

By Kaye

August 3, 2007 5:01 PM | Link to this

The team last night should not have lost. Soriano should not have gotten past the first baserunner. Had Bobby just taken him out then, Renteria would not have sprained his ankle and we would have won. Thats the problem with Bobby is he always sticks by his pitchers till the damage is done. We are in a race. You are right the real team would not have blown up this way. I blame Bobby not Soriano, not any of them. They are playing great. Bobby should start reacting to these pitchers. If they dont have it, them pull them. We do have more then one pitcher in the pen. Someone should tell Bobby Cox that.

By Carroll Rogers

August 3, 2007 5:01 PM | Link to this

gold star murph! long time no see!!

vol, ring was sent to richmond. could come up later.

i hear renteria is on crutches today though i haven’t seen him yet to talk to him.

ron, the roster question. it’s my understanding that you need to be on the braves 25-man aug 31 to be eligible for the postseason roster UNLESS you are filling in for someone on the disabled list. for example, if chipper were on the DL, the braves could add an extra infielder to the postseason roster from somebody called up in september.

By Efrim

August 3, 2007 5:04 PM | Link to this

TexasBrave

Agreed. Edgar has to make that play. That is a double play ball and game clincher. But Soriano has to spot his fastball better. He is looking like Kyle Farnsworth lately.

By Mark

August 3, 2007 5:06 PM | Link to this

RELAX PEOPLE!!!! GEEZ!!! Yes, last night was a tough loss. Yes, the back end of the pitching rotation is a little scary, but we weren’t going to go undefeated the rest of the year. This teams starting eight is incredible. I’m more excited about this team than any other since 1991. It’s all going to workout people. Just relax and don’t let one tough loss make you give up on a team that can go ALL THE WAY. Yes, I stayed up until 1am this morning and I was disappointed, but today is a new day. I feel a 10 plus game winning streak coming soon. Let’s hope it starts tonight.

By nfieldr

August 3, 2007 5:07 PM | Link to this

I agree that this team, as currently constructed, is a very talented “offensive” team. I still think that the 4th and 5th starter positions and a couple of bullpen spots are very suspect. I also think that it may take a couple of weeks for the next guys to gel into the Braves’ clubhouse chemistry.

As of that being said, I agree with Carroll that this kind of loss is something that championship teams tend to avoid. If this was an isolated case, I wouldn’t be so concerned, but it’s not. You only have to look back to Huddy’s start in SF for yet another example of this kind of tough loss. When the battle for playoff spots get close, as I suspect this season’s NL East race as well as the NL wild card race will be, every win is important. And the one that we should have gotten last night and the one that we didn’t get in SF may come back to haunt us.

Just my $.02

By Lew

August 3, 2007 5:09 PM | Link to this

Efrim-My thoughts? Whatever-like Colbert’s THE WORD. Y’all will believe whatever you want to and I’ll probably keep on believing that there’s a chance until they’re mathematically eliminated. I’m fully aware of what the problems are and I’m fully aware lack of consistency will be essential for a division title (I see absolutely no reason at this point to believe that is not a possibility-screw the wild card while the division is unsettled). Now some people here give me grief because of my age (believe me here, too, you 20 somethings-50 comes around a lot quicker than you think and all it brings is more experience and a lot more grief-like putting up with your kids and other younger people who think they have a clue what life is all about), but I have seen stranger things happen in pennant races. Look at the Astros the past couple of years. Most of you here, or at least SOME of you should be able to remember three or four years ago (though occaisionally I DO wonder). How many games back were they at this point of the season? I promise it’s much further back than WE are NOW, and they still beat US in the playoffs, TWICE. So yeah, I’ll pay my $$$ and take the ride and hope all the way. Do whatever the hell suits you best. Whatever. And that’s the word.

By BravesDave

August 3, 2007 5:10 PM | Link to this

Chase, front-running fans??? We are all fans, win or lose. We complain about poor managerial decisions or poor play when the Braves lose. That does not make you a front-runner. Now, when the Mets don’t win the NL East for years and years, and get 13,000 people at Shea, but get 50,000 win they are finally winning, those are front-running fans.

By About Time

August 3, 2007 5:11 PM | Link to this

Carroll,

Does DOB know you’re writing this stuff? If he reads this, he’ll never take another day off! If the opinions you wrote had been written by a blogger, DOB (and many others here) would be tying you to a post and burning you at the stake! I wonder if some of the bloggers will label you a bandwagon beat writer? lol

I think it’s refreshing to see a viewpoint that isn’t along the normal “company line” we often hear here. I also happen to agree with you on much of what you said.

Who lost the game last night? Was it Jo Jo doing his best to look like Ho Ram? Was it Edgar getting his feet tangled and getting hurt on a sure dp ball? Was it Willie letting another dp ball go between his legs? Was it Kelly trying to ole’ a ball that he clearly should have kept on the infield? Was it Bryan showing some more of his less than stellar defense allowing his daily passed ball to put the go ahead run in scoring position? Was it Soriano for not coming through even though the defense had given the Stro’s about 5 outs that inning before the blast? Or was it Soriano just being the pitcher he has been the last 6 weeks? (throwing a flat, ill located fastball and a slider that breaks about 2 inches, that the opposition has been teeing off on)

Or…… was it Bobby for getting Woodward an ab that he clearly really didn’t need to get, which made him unavailable when Edgar went out. Was it Bobby for continuing to use Soriano in a setup role now that he has Dotel?

I agree wholeheartedly on your last points as well. At least they have shipped Jo Jo back. Cormier couldn’t be much worse. NOW if Bobby will just accept the fact that Dotel needs to pitch the 8th until or if Soriano gets straight. I only use Soriano in earlier innings until he gets his stuff back. And if he doesn’t get it back, hopefully Dotel can pitch well.

I’m not giving up yet, but the Braves aren’t going to become winnerst until there is a team attitude change.

It’s like the team has ADD. They just can’t seem to focus for more than a few games without throwing in a stinker or two.

By Overlord

August 3, 2007 5:12 PM | Link to this

Does anyone knows why wasnt alou on muts lineup¿? i dont see him in any site as injuried.

Cubs arent doing us the favor today…….losing in the 9th

By BravesDave

August 3, 2007 5:13 PM | Link to this

Mets are leading again. As I said earlier today, they win games they should not win. They are going to win a game today when they faced the best pitcher in the NL with Marlon Anderson, David Newhan, Raul Castro, and Ruben Gotay in the lineup.

Are the Braves going to win tonight with Woodward and Corky Miller in the lineup????

By Jeff321

August 3, 2007 5:13 PM | Link to this

Bobby Cox is the problem. He’s been making p**-poor decisions for a long time now.

By Wayne in Utah

August 3, 2007 5:14 PM | Link to this

Ron Roberts As a 40 year Braves fan, yes, they frustrate the heck out of me. BUT, what frustrates me more are the folks that can’t see the forest for the trees. It was one game. EACH loss is ONE game. As my friend ncscoots said so adeptly, we only need to win ONE more game than the Mets.

I would love it if we went on a 15-5 streak. We might. We probably won’t. I just see so many on here that will beat the dead horse until it is a greasy spot on the ground. And what does it prove? That we can rant and whine and complain. Now Carroll feeds the machine today! Thanks!

I too suffer just like all the rest of you folks, but I see last night as a comedy of errors, where blame can really only be laid at the hands of Reyes and Soriano. Yes, Soriano deserved better……he should have only had 2-3 rus given up. Truth is, he failed in his assignment.

And darn it, why didn’t Edgar think to flip that ball to KJ. Besides, he had only just injured his ankle and back. Give the guy a break.

And the folks on here blaming it on Bobby, should go read Hal Bodley’s article today in USA Today. These are the same guys who boo’d Santa Claus because he brought them a “blue” truck instead of the red one they really, really wanted. Never satisfied.

I did say I was going away, but I did want to see if you would respond. I don’t want to come across as a rah-rah positive at all costs guy. I just tire more of the idiocy of some here more than I do of the Braves on-field mistakes.

Gotta run to catch a plane.

Thank goodness for TBS!

By bears51

August 3, 2007 5:16 PM | Link to this

Carroll,

By Efrim

August 3, 2007 5:17 PM | Link to this

Delgado doubles to score David Wright to put the Mets up 3-2.

Makes me sick. They are 13-8 since the break and 14-8 if today’s score holds up. They need to start losing games against other teams not named the Braves.

By Stink It Up

August 3, 2007 5:17 PM | Link to this

Hey Mark, forget the start. The Braves went to the eighth with a four run lead.

By BravesDave

August 3, 2007 5:17 PM | Link to this

Edgar on crutches????? I hope that is just precautionary.

I am feeling sick to my stomach.

By BravesDave

August 3, 2007 5:20 PM | Link to this

The Mets are pouring it on the Cubs in the 9th. We are not picking up any ground tonight. Now we just have to pull this game out of the bag with Smoltz on the mound. 5.5 games out is unacceptable.

By Hotspur

August 3, 2007 5:21 PM | Link to this

Carroll -

I understand your melancholy and that of everyone who feels the same way. I felt that way last night for a few moments. But the fact is, the Braves lost last night for two main reasons, only one of which is material.

The irrelevant one is the injury to Edgar, which opened the door to a horrendous inning. That’s the kind of highly unusual accident you can’t prepare for, and it’s non-repeatable in the sense that it’s not going to happen most nights. That doesn’t worry me.

The relevant reason is Rafael Soriano, who has become a home-run derby pitching machine. My sense is that this is a consequence of overuse, and I’m hoping that, with the arrival of Dotel and Mahay, Soriano will get the rest he needs. (Same for Tyler Yates.)

But the truth is that it took several accidents in a row for that game to be lost, and nine times out of ten - now that we have this lineup - the Braves aren’t going to lose it. I know it screws up the storybook arrival of Tex in a way that emotionally hits us all hard, but today is another game. Honestly, how many games in which you get 21 hits and 11 runs are you going to lose? Not freakin’ many, not in this league. (AL, maybe. :-) )

So chin up, Carroll and all who share her sorrow. It sucked, we should have won it - but it’s over and gone. Momentum is tomorrow’s starting pitcher - and his name is John Smoltz.

We’ll win the Wild Card, at a minimum. Just watch.

By BravesFanInRockies

August 3, 2007 5:22 PM | Link to this

Don’t look now, folks, but I detect the stench of a Mets troll or two drawing near …

By Robert (Justice Is The Best)

August 3, 2007 5:22 PM | Link to this

Carroll, I actually think a player has to be on the 40 man roster to be able to be added to any playoff roster. The reason I say that is teams have finagled things in the past and might have an extra position player for the wild card series but drop that player for a LCS and add a pitcher. It seems like the Tigers did that last year.

Now, as for your column. I cannot say that you are wrong. I think championship teams do find ways to win games like last night’s; however, this team was and is tired. That isn’t an excuse. Its the truth. The bullpen was spent. Villareal was not supposed to pitch at all last night. That tells me he was tired. And, quite honestly, that ball that Jennings hit is an out if Teixeira isn’t guarding the line.

I think this team can win the division. They just have to get it together at one time. I think all those unnecessary appearances by Soriano are catching up to him.

I hope Cormier can bring some relief. I am hoping his struggles from earlier in the year were due to the fact that he still wasn’t really healthy and was being rushed back into the rotation thanks to the horrendous performances of Redman and Davies.

The next nine games will tell the story for the Braves. They have to go at least 5-4. That means they would almost have to take no less than 2 of 3 from the Rockies and 2 of 3 from the Phillies.

By Efrim

August 3, 2007 5:23 PM | Link to this

6-2 Mets.

They need to start losing games…..

By Bring Me the Head of Francisco Cabrera

August 3, 2007 5:23 PM | Link to this

Zambrano walks 7, wilts in heat. Mets take advantage.

Mets 6, Cubs 2 in the ninth.

By bears51

August 3, 2007 5:23 PM | Link to this

Carroll,

Thanks for keeping the blog going today! Here’s a number that makes me wonder. The Braves have scored 59 runs in their last 6 games (just short of 10 runs per game) and yet they have only gone 3-3 during those games. I’m hoping for the best as a true Braves fan, but that really makes me wonder if they can win enough. Thanks.

By bushwacker

August 3, 2007 5:24 PM | Link to this

Yes whats up with taking out the reg’s with only an 8 run lead in the top of the 7th weds nite and why did they get mad at escobar for trying to score with an 8run lead?

I’ve seen 10 run leads disappear in one inning.

I think these double digit run nights are making the not so knowledgable fans think we should win every game, Bobby said don’t expect this every night and knowledgable baseball fans know not to.

We’ve won 3 out 4 and scored 50 runs in 4 games,WHY SO NEGATIVE.

If we lose 3 of 4 will you “Carroll” be on a suicide watch?

By Hey KC

August 3, 2007 5:25 PM | Link to this

KC?

Soriano stunk, but the ball hit to Edgar was a dp ball. The ball hit to Willie was a dp ball.

How many outs do you have to give away before you lay some of the blame on the defense?

Either of those balls fielded and even a single out made, it’s not a tie game even if they hit the homer.

What about Kelly and Brian? Ya know Brian’s defense stinks! It’s a fact! Brian put the run in scoring position and Kelly played the ball off to the side instead of knocking it down to let the run score in the 12th.

So KC, they lost, but there was plenty of blame to go around.

By rupert

August 3, 2007 5:26 PM | Link to this

i have to dissagree with the premise of this blog, i and im sure plenty of the other long standing braves fans can remember tons of games over the last 15 years that went like last night, the difference, or what made those teams so great is that they would simply forget it and move on, its the next game that shows if you are championship material, its how you respond, those past braves teams would always bounce back the next night….

that being said its time for the braves to fix one more problem, soriano, guy has a great arm but needs to take atleast a week off to rest, recover, regroup etc, we got plenty of live arms with dotel, moylan, maybe yates, that can get the ball to wick, soriana has single handedly cost the braves some painful games over the past few weeks, without those struggles they would be in or around first right now, the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results, quit throwing him out there and hoping he figures it out

GO BRAVES!! need a big win tonight!!

By BravesDave

August 3, 2007 5:27 PM | Link to this

What is it with guys named Jones grounding into double plays??? Cubs get the first two on in the 9th against Wagner and Jacques Jones ground into a twin killing. Chipper and Andruw have company.

By Bo

August 3, 2007 5:28 PM | Link to this

Big John its time to put some players on Waivers to see if they go unclaimed so you can trade for a pitcher. Good luck JS ,I know you can pull it off.

By Savannah Guy

August 3, 2007 5:28 PM | Link to this

Johnny Mercer, my homeboy might have said it best: Accentuate the positive…Eliminate the negative. Therefore, I will not say anything negative about recent Braves events or that, uh…game last night. Nope. Not gonna do it. Wouldn’t be prewwwdent. Not going to mention how we keep seeing pitchers like Buddy get injured swinging for the fences or the wisdom of managers allowing that especially with big leads. Not a peep of negativity.

Lips are sealed, hands are washed and keyboard is clean. Not even going to throw in on the error-riddled, injury plagued debacle of a game last night. Won’t go near that manager’s masterpiece of strategy. Will not mention Alfonso. Could Soriano be “sore” about not being the king of the hill? Is that effecting his pitching? Should he be deemed “Sore-iano”? No, he’s just tired from overuse. Ok…keep it happy and upbeat. That’s it. Anyway, it’s time to be positive so I won’t mention the negatives…like Kelly’s defense or Willy’s defense or Andruw’s rally-killing ways in the 5 spot or bunting a .350 hitting Diaz. Not gonna do it. I won’t even go there. No siree. If we stay positive, rub our bellies and chant in unison, our team will surely win.

Oh…um, Accentuate the positive. Time to look forward. We had, what…five amazing comebacks last night? That was positive. Bullpen held up (except for, well, you know). That’s good. Anyhoo…how about that Wickman last night? Man, that…uh, catch! Priceless. Wow, the thunderous drop and roll!

He went all Sumo on that.

By Mike

August 3, 2007 5:28 PM | Link to this

I was just as upset as anyone about the loss last night. I probably didnt fall asleep till 3:30 or 4 thinking about it. As hard a loss as it was I am grateful for the outstanding effort the braves gave. from willy to chipper to wickman to diaz to mahay to villareal. You can point the finger all you want at renteria, soriano, and cox but everyone seems to forget that there was another team out on the field against the braves and they battled hard as well. Give them credit, the astros have had a terrible year but they fought hard and had some clutch hits. They deserved to win that game as hard as it is for me to say that. For the longest time my friends have called me a front runner fan due to the fact that the braves were in first place for 15 years. But I’ll tell you this I was never more proud to be a braves fan than the last two years. The effort has been outstanding and as a fan thats all you can truly ever ask for. Last year the bullpen was very shaky because a lot of guys were rushed to the big leagues and werent ready yet. They did the best they could. Reitsma was absolutely terrible but I was appreciative of the effort he gave. I am also appreciative of the effort Reyes and Davies have given this year even though it hasnt worked out for them. Folks on here talk like these guys wanted to give up runs. Soriano and yates were outstanding earlier and they will be again. Its just a really bad stretch. Win or lose Im thankful for the effort and proud to be a braves fan this year. And I honestly do think they have all they need to win it all this year

By geauxbraves2000

August 3, 2007 5:30 PM | Link to this

If last night’s game just happened every blue moon or so, then those things just happen, it’s when they keep happening over and over again, that is the discouraging part. How many games have the Braves lost while leading in the late innings the past two seasons? Blame it on the starters, blame it on the blowpen, blame it on the inability to get the GW hit, blame it on the rain if you wish, but something has to be corrected if this team wants to make it to postseason.

That being said, last night was just one loss, a hard loss, but just one loss nonetheless.

Okay, enough of that. Hopefully the Braves offense will keep it going, got a tough LHP tonight. The offense is hot and Smoltz, well, I can’t say anything that hasn’t already been said.

So, with that:

Geaux Braves!!

By Sandy B

August 3, 2007 5:31 PM | Link to this

Last night reminded me of a book series that my son has read….”A series of unfortunate events”…Johnson misses the ball to his right, willie can’t get the DP ball at 3rd, Edgar gets hurt…I have to keep remembering “school is in, school is in.” I can’t stay up and scream at the TV any more. But we still have a chance…we’re counting on ya, Smoltz.

By bravesfan

August 3, 2007 5:31 PM | Link to this

Carroll when you hear the lineup and more on Renteria and the other guys injurys, let us know please. Thanks GO BRAVES!!!

By Haze Gray

August 3, 2007 5:32 PM | Link to this

If any player starts off hot or has a good season or two,Cox will play him forever. Take Diaz, he should demand a trade. By keeping Andy Jones in the lineeup is pure stupid. Cox is the one who should go and take Jones with him.

By chopper

August 3, 2007 5:33 PM | Link to this

K.J. as much as I like him has to play better defensively and at the very least knock the ball down . McCann is too hap hazard with pitches in the dirt and ones like the key one which he just flat out missed last night.

By rupert

August 3, 2007 5:33 PM | Link to this

we get to hear chip carey say all night ” the mets have allready won today, so the braves need to win or else they’re gonna be 5.5 games back”

no s**, we get it when you say it once, hold off on the other 34 references to the mets and phillies winning and that forcing the braves to win, gets really old

By NO CHOP ZONE

August 3, 2007 5:34 PM | Link to this

Don’t lose again or it’ll be 5 1/2 games to make up….LETS GO METS!!!

By BravesFanInRockies

August 3, 2007 5:34 PM | Link to this

Edgar on crutches is not a happy thought. I know they’d hate to DL him if he might be ready in less than 10 days, but what about the bench until then?

That was a pretty tired looking bunch last night.

By BravesDave

August 3, 2007 5:35 PM | Link to this

Robert (JITB), if the Braves go 5-4 over the next 9, we can basically forget the playoffs. Remember, in the wild card race as currently constituted, some team that the Braves are competing with is always going to win on a given night. They cannot afford to lose 4 of the next 9. Forget it. They need at least 7 wins out of the next 9. A sweep of the Rockies and 2 out of 3 minimum from both the Mets and Phils. Even that means they will only pick up one game on the Mets and Phils in each series and will be relying on the Cubs, Brewers, and Marlins to do some additional damage to the Mets and Phils over the next week and a half…and that hasn’t started well with the Cubs losing with Zambrano on the hill today.

By Sir Stealth

August 3, 2007 5:38 PM | Link to this

Since when do they let N8 ghost write these blogs? The killer instinct on this team is fine. If anything, they have a lot’ve extra inning wins due to come back to them in the near future. The Renteria (and Carlyle if it turns serious) injury is the real problem. We need Edgar back, he’s been our MVP. However, Yunel does provide some nice depth. Do we know what the lineup will be in Edgar’s absence?

By Overlord

August 3, 2007 5:39 PM | Link to this

no chop zone i hope we can meet here in the blog come october…… it would be so nice to have you around… hahaha

By Ron Roberts

August 3, 2007 5:41 PM | Link to this

Five extra-inning losses out of the last six extra inning games in the last two weeks, though; you have to notice those trees in the forest, right? Or seven of the last eight extra inning games… or losing seven of ten extra inning games lost this season.

Going 3-7 in extra innings wouldn’t be so bad… it’s the fact that we’ve lost five of the last six, and done so in the last two weeks.

I think, honestly, our window of opportunity for catching the Mets may have passed. They’re playing well, again, and doing so w/a good chunk of the New Orleans Zephyrs starting lineup playing for ‘em.

I know, all too well, that we have 9 games left w/them, and still think we’ll win all three series (6-3 or better), so that’ll help. But hell, we’ve done that already and it’s what we do (or don’t do) against the lesser opposition that gets us behind them. They beat teams they’re supposed to, and their bullpen doesn’t blow many. We don’t always beat teams we’re supposed to, and as was evidenced, again, last night… our bullpen does still blow leads.

By ManOFWar

August 3, 2007 5:42 PM | Link to this

The movie…. Beautiful Girls starring Natalie Portman.

I think you are wrong… the Braves will catch fire and win the World Series.

By NO CHOP ZONE

August 3, 2007 5:43 PM | Link to this

bravefaninrockies….You’re not supposed do it with farm animals. That’s the stench you’ve been smelling. Go take a bath and the scent should subside.

By Dynesh

August 3, 2007 5:43 PM | Link to this

This team would have won the game last night had Renteiria not got hurt,plain and simple. Sometimes things just happen. I still think these braves have a great chance to make it to the playoffs, because the team we had a couple of weeks ago would have never even came back as far as the Braves did last night.

By Chop Chop

August 3, 2007 5:44 PM | Link to this

If Renteria is going to be out for 8-10 days and the Braves don’t put him on the DL, I guess the last 15 games haven’t meant anything to Bobby Cox or John Schuerholz. You have to have a full 25-man roster at this time of year. A Triple-A infielder who can play is better than an All-Star who can’t.

By D-Cider

August 3, 2007 5:46 PM | Link to this

Why the braves won’t make the playoffs. The Braves will probably finish a few games out of the playoffs this year and it will come down to a few games that Cox put Soriano in to pitch the 8th, when he hasn’t pitched effectively for over a month. So, I place this firmly on Cox’s fake knees. Of course, since many fans consider Cox some sort of deity, other excuses will be forthcoming.

By dannyboy

August 3, 2007 5:46 PM | Link to this

As long as Bobby Cox is the Braves’ manager, the Braves will be a bunch of complacent, under-achievers.

By Anders

August 3, 2007 5:49 PM | Link to this

I tell you what - Carlos Zambrano has to show me more guts than leaving a one run game with “heat cramps” . What is that. Sweet Lou should have given him a pamprin an moved on. Zambrano looked fine the inning before when he struck out Anderson with the bases loaded and he ws jumping up and down on the way to the dugout.

By Blogger X

August 3, 2007 5:49 PM | Link to this

I coulda been a contender. I coulda been someone, instead of a bum, which is what I am, let’s face it, Charley.

I coulda been Senator Corleone; Governor Corleone. There wasn’t enough time, Michael.

She looked at me as if I was a bug!

Don’t you remember that night in the Garden, when you came down to my dressing room and you said, “Kid, it ain’t your night. We’re going for the money on Wilson.” You remember? Not my night.

So, what happens? He gets a shot at the title on the ballpark outdoors. I get a one-way ticket to Palooka-ville.

So we got in this state, a Napoleonic code. So what’s that of the husband is that of the wife, visa versa.

What are you two, a couple of queens?

Here lies Caesar! When will come another?!

Get me the butter.

Aye aye, Captain Bligh.

Luck be a lady tonight.

John Friendly, get out of there! Take away your heaters and your pistoleros, and you’re nothing! Maybe from where you’re standing, but from where I’m standing I relied on myself all these years! You’re nothing but a lousy, rotten, lousy, nothing - I’m glad what I done to you! You hear me?! I’m glad!

Stellaaaaa!! Stellaaaaa!! Stellaaaaa!!

By Carroll Rogers

August 3, 2007 5:50 PM | Link to this

should be a burst up by now but edgar renteria is going on the disabled list because of a high ankle sprain. worse than the braves thought. came in on crutches today, could put no weight on it. cox said might be more than 15 days. these are pretty serious ankle injuries. javy was lucky to play with one in the postseason a couple years back.

they’re bringing up joey devine from richmond since the bullpen is so taxed.

chipper and francoeur are both banged up but both in the lineup.

By Robert (Justice Is The Best)

August 3, 2007 5:53 PM | Link to this

I said the Braves have to a minimial of 5-4. Nobody is going to run away with the wild card so if the Braves did go just 5-4 they wouldn’t likely lose any ground and if they did it wouldn’t be that much.

I think the addition of Teixeira may help in more ways than one. He seems to be very confident and very hungry. Losses like last night are usually received with a ho-hum approach. I know DOB says that the guys take every loss hard but I think the team as a whole just stays even kiel, which is a reflection of their manager. Most of the time that is a good thing but sometimes it is not. I think a guy like Tex will get these guys fired up and make them act like every game is their last. The only way for the Braves to win enough games to get into the playoffs is to act like every single game will be their very last.

By FairWeatherBraveFanHater

August 3, 2007 5:55 PM | Link to this

I just read something that at least makes me optimistic about Cormier. He pitched a complete game shutout 2 games ago. Looks like he’ll be in the pen tonight to give ALL 7 of the guys used last night some much needed rest, then start in place of JoJo.

I hope everyone else hurt in last nights game are alright. Carrol said Renteria is on crutched, I hope that is to just keep pressure off. That pitch that hit Francoeur sure looked hard. When it hit his hand the ball went straight down which meant it was a pretty solid hit. I can’t believe he’s not hurt worse…or is he? I guess we’ll see how everyone is tonight. We have to win after the Cubs lost it in the 9th. We NEED to start another streak!!!

By BravesDave

August 3, 2007 5:57 PM | Link to this

Edgar on the 15-day DL and might miss more than 15 days according to Cox. that sucking sound you hear is the life being sucked out of the Braves.

And calling up Devine????? Why call him up when Bobby refused to use him???? How about Pena, Prado, or Lillibridge.

By Efrim

August 3, 2007 6:01 PM | Link to this

Thats a rough blow. Edgar will miss series against the Mets, Phillies, Giants and D-Backs.

I bet you he isn’t back until September 1st.

By beki

August 3, 2007 6:01 PM | Link to this

I may not be the most erudite of baseball strategists; but, I have at least 25 years of watching the Bravos; and,BC’s greatest fault ( to my way of thinking )is going with ” the hottest hand” of a pitcher and using him until his arm falls off.That’s been his history as a manager; aside of that,he needs to make James and Reyes go deeper into the innings so the bullpen wouldn’t have to eat up so many innings. Yet, I must remember that this team’s bullpen has been, at worse,a mishmash of average arms, for almost three years regardless of Wickman, Soriano, and the now disabled Gonzales.

By Bob

August 3, 2007 6:01 PM | Link to this

Thanks for the update Carol. Not good news but appreciate the info.

By bravesfan

August 3, 2007 6:01 PM | Link to this

Carroll thanks for the info thats bad news glad we didn’t trade Escobar

By BravesDave

August 3, 2007 6:02 PM | Link to this

Robert (JITB), I completely disagree. 5-4 just continues the 50 Ws - 51 Ls stretch that the Braves have been on since the second week of the season. The Braves need a 7-2 or 8-1 stretch right now. The Mets need to feel some pressure instead of sitting back knowing they can play .500 ball and not lose their division lead.

By Anders

August 3, 2007 6:03 PM | Link to this

Fairw -Bad omen for your boys - The Mets had 8 hits with two outs yesterday and 4 in the 9th alone today. I think they’re starting to roll. This is how they hit last year.

By Don

August 3, 2007 6:03 PM | Link to this

I like Cox, but this has not been a good year for him. This team, even before Tex and Dotel, should have been slightly better than 4 games over .500. The lineup has hit all year and the pitching, albeit suspect, has been good enough to win a few more. This team finds ways to lose and cannot seem to move beyond 5 games over .500 without going on losing streak.

Cox has got to get better and pull the right strings and get this team on a 7 or 8 game winning streak (then not turn around and lose 5 or 6 in a row). And, why wasn’t Smoltz up last night. He had 5 days rest. I think every game from now on is big. Too many fish in the pond for the last playoff spot to be dropping games like last night.

I agree that the Braves will have a good time watching the playoffs.

By Paladin

August 3, 2007 6:03 PM | Link to this

Somebody is in to the sauce early tonight.

By pinkygonzales

August 3, 2007 6:05 PM | Link to this

well, even though he’s hitting like .337 or something, if there was one player on this offense that we could somewhat afford to lose, it would have been either Edgar or Kelly because we have escobar. don’t get me wrong. this sucks. but it’s not nearly as debilitating as it was when our only option was Prado … who I imagine will be brought up at some point once the bullpen gets a little bit more rest. tough blow. but we can survive it.

By David-ATL14

August 3, 2007 6:06 PM | Link to this

Yes, someone else mentioned it, but the line that CR quoted was some of Natalie Portman’s finest work in a very under rated “Beautiful Girls”.

Stay cool forever Willie C. great line.

By bravesfan

August 3, 2007 6:07 PM | Link to this

Well I guess this will be the lineup. Is that right Carroll Escobar SS Francoeur RF C,Jones 3B Tex 1B A,Jones CF Diaz LF McCann C Johnson 2B Smoltz P

By FairWeatherBraveFanHater

August 3, 2007 6:08 PM | Link to this

I hate to say it but Pedro’s #’s from his simulated game look better than I was hoping. He pitched 5 1/3 innings against minor league guys throwing 50 of 67 for strikes. He gave up 2 runs(1 earned) and 4 hits. I was hoping it would take more time to get going. I know a simulated game against minor leaguers is far from the big show but still.

I don’t think when he gets up here, he’ll be that competitive. He missed too much time to get it going this year.

By Anders

August 3, 2007 6:11 PM | Link to this

Paladin - Any thoughts on my Mets today?

By FairWeatherBraveFanHater

August 3, 2007 6:11 PM | Link to this

WOW, that news hurts. Pretty depressing way to start a weekend.

By TennesseePaul

August 3, 2007 6:12 PM | Link to this

they’re bringing up joey devine from richmond since the bullpen is so taxed.

This move makes no sense. Thanks for reporting Carroll, but this is not to relieve the pen. If they’d brought up Bobby Nobody he’d be given more innings than any one in their right mind would offer. But Joey Devine to relieve the pen? Don’t think so. Only thing Joey is going to do down in that pen is fold towels and clean baseballs. Cox is allergic to Joey or something.

By BOBO

August 3, 2007 6:13 PM | Link to this

The Braves win last night’s game with Julio on the team

By SomeYahoo

August 3, 2007 6:13 PM | Link to this

Cubbies got screwed with that Wright walk this afternoon. Two good strikes were called balls, and Dempster and Pinella were hopping up and down about them. If he goes down on strikes, they don’t score. But they take advantage of their luck. That’s all you can say.

That said, Dempster is a terrible closer. If we think our pen has trouble, the Cubs have a downright terrible one.

By Anders

August 3, 2007 6:14 PM | Link to this

Fairw - No way you can use those numbers on Pedro in the minors to correlate. Look ar Clemens. I’m more interested in how hard he can throw consistently.

By NCBravesFan

August 3, 2007 6:15 PM | Link to this

In the spirit of Carroll’s post, though … losing Edgar will be a huge test of the “suck it up” quality of this team.

Don’t get me wrong, losing Edgar hurts … but look at what the Mets are doing right now without some of their better players in the lineup.

Championship caliber teams find a way to win when the going is tough.

By Efrim

August 3, 2007 6:16 PM | Link to this

Escobar has to step it up. At least Kelly will get consistent playing time against everyone.

By Del

August 3, 2007 6:18 PM | Link to this

To my way of thinking you can draw a direct comparison between Soriano and Hudson as regards their first season in Atlanta. Both were used to West coast weather, and the hot and humid Atlanta summer weather did them in. Hudson finally realized he was going to have to change his off season conditioning program this past year, and look what’s happening to his performance this year. It’s not unreasonable to assume that Soriano is going through the same thing that Hudson did. Your thoughts?

By Ron

August 3, 2007 6:19 PM | Link to this

Why even bring up Devine? Bobby Cox aint gonna pitch him much!!! Maybe 4 games the WHOLE time he is here!!! Thats how BC does things!!! BC does NOT trust the guy!!!

By Anders

August 3, 2007 6:19 PM | Link to this

Someyahoo - Come on. The last two days I had to listen to how Milwaukee is imploding and now it’s bad calls and the Cubbies bullpen? The Cubs have the best record in baseball the last 70 games or so. Any chance the Mets are palying well? I appreciate the comment about the Mets taking advantage of break though.

By FairWeatherBraveFanHater

August 3, 2007 6:19 PM | Link to this

Said sometimes at 86-88mph.

By Robert (Justice Is The Best)

August 3, 2007 6:19 PM | Link to this

BravesDave, I agree with you. I am just saying the Braves can’t do worse than 5-4.

This sucks about Edgar but I don’t feel that bad because I have total confidence in Escobar.

What about Devine? Is that dude racking the frequent flyer miles or what?

I would assume that Devine will only be up tonight so that the bullpen can rest. It would make more sense for Prado or Lillibridge to get called up tomorrow or at the lastest Sunday. A team just can’t go with a four man bench with one of the players being a catcher who can only catch.

I was one of the people on here bemoaning the fact B. Pena wasn’t called up but when you think about it makes sense. Not only has Pena been playing in the field more than catching lately but the Braves don’t want to be in the position of using up all of Pena’s options. I think he only has one. That is what happened with Thorman. The Braves have to send him down last August because of the starting rotation issues and call him up August 31. That caused him to use his options and now he has none. I’m sure the Braves don’t want to be in that position with Pena.

By stew

August 3, 2007 6:21 PM | Link to this

Funny thing about last night’s game was when Renteria got hurt Cox didn’t really dwcide who was going to play short and third. To me, it seemed as if they had a meeting on the mound and Chipper said casually, “OK, I’ll play short.” The very next play Harris botches a DP grounder leading to Lamb’s grand slam. If Chipper’s at third, we turn two at that point and win the game. It’s better to play one player out of position than two. As for winning the division, we better start making hay right away. We’re better than the Mets. Don’t forget right now they don’t have Beltran and don’t know when he’ll be back. Soriano was hot when Wickman got hurt. Let’s face it, Wickman’s become very iffy and should be released. Hopefully we can string five or six wins together and make a real dent into the 41/2 game deficit. We’re the better team. I just hope we don’t run out of time.

By Savannah Guy

August 3, 2007 6:21 PM | Link to this

There seems to be a lot of increasingly negative back and forth over whether to be positive or negative about the Braves chances this October. There is a civilized solution:

Those that find only the positive, all is well and do not think the Braves are up against a wall, go to www.straightdope.com/classics/a980911a.html.

Those that believe everything the Braves do is bad and they will surely not make the playoffs can go to www.rickwalton.com/funstuff/skyfall.htm.

Trolls and “Changelings” (those denizens that mock under cover of false names) can go to www.whitesnake.com.

All others, who find themselves with mixed feelings, concern about the bullpen, management strategy, starting pitching (jo jo mojo), injuries and all such manner of difficulties…yet they maintain a never ending optimism that the Braves will right the ship and make the playoffs…can simply stay put and continue forwarding their differing ideas on the Bravos right here.

All is well in Carrolltown.

By Chop Chop

August 3, 2007 6:22 PM | Link to this

The Braves should petition Bud Selig for a temporary 27-man roster.

By Anders

August 3, 2007 6:24 PM | Link to this

FairW Thats not great. He has to have real good hook on his curve at that speed. That won’t be good for the repaired shoulder though. I still view him as gravy until I see more.

By SomeYahoo

August 3, 2007 6:26 PM | Link to this

What did I say? I said they took advantage of their luck. What more props do you need? The Mets are the masters of the universe. Willie Randolph should join Mensa and take over the war in Iraq.

But that doesn’t change the fact that you got a couple of bad calls that went your way around the dish today so you shouldn’t be puffing your chest out too much. Be happy that the wind was blowing in today because it kept a good handful of fly balls in the park for your boys in ugly orange.

By Anders

August 3, 2007 6:27 PM | Link to this

NC Braces Fan - Right on. The Mets won today with a back up catcher and second baseman, two back up infielders playing the outfield and a 40 something pitcher against Zambrano and the hottest team in baseball.

By Ron

August 3, 2007 6:28 PM | Link to this

Anders To be honest with YOU, I can Care less about the Mets anymore!!! Im more concerned with the Wildcard, so good job of your team beating the Cubs!!! Not worried about the Mets ANYMORE!!! Somebody earlier today on this blog or the other blog said lets do what the 97 Marlins do!!! The Marlins had a winning record against the Braves and won the Wildcard!!! We might have a Better record against the Mets and end up winning the Wildcard and then might can beat yall in the LCS!!! Like how the Marlins did against US!!! And then MAYBE we can win the World Series!!!

By Sauce-er-ror

August 3, 2007 6:29 PM | Link to this

Paladin, happy hour starts at 4 pm. Whats the problem.

By bravesfan

August 3, 2007 6:29 PM | Link to this

Here’s the lineup Escobar SS Johnson 2B C,Jones 3B Teixeira 1B A,Jones CF Francoeur RF Diaz LF McCann C Smoltz

By KC

August 3, 2007 6:32 PM | Link to this

CARROLL: “But the killer instinct, I question. Not from any one player”… “but as a whole.”

That is EXACTLY the opposite of what you should be doing!

YOU’VE GOT IT ENTIRELY BACKWARDS ON THIS ONE.

You SHOULD be questioning JoJo Reyes (not that it matters) and Rafael Soriano… not the team as a whole.

By Ed Starks

August 3, 2007 6:36 PM | Link to this

Totally agree. This loss is credited to Bobby Cox. I am a huge support of Bobby but as evidence has shown, he gets out managed consistently. Late in the game with the lead off runner on, he should have called a bunt to move the runner over (even if it is a power hitter). Another point, relief pitcher are pitching well and he takes them out after only one inning. Isn’t there someone that can whisper in his ear?

By Paladin

August 3, 2007 6:37 PM | Link to this

Andurs I guess all I can say is congratulations. But, we sure ain’t giving up!

By jason

August 3, 2007 6:37 PM | Link to this

Escobar SS, Johnson 2B, Jones, C 3B, TEX 1B, Jones,A CF, Frenchy RF, McCann C, Diaz LF I believe this will be the line up.Smoltz will pitch well. Last night was just one loss, but it was a team effort, even the mgr. I did like the heart the braves showed, the fight. I guess that why we can’t give up until their season is over.

By Anders

August 3, 2007 6:40 PM | Link to this

Ron - Dude. I spent this week getting hammered by Braves fans telling me the Mets were smoke now that the Braves had Tex and Dotel so I’m not puffing out my chest just answering in kind. The wild card is another way to get there I agree. Actually the Mets are helping you there this week by beating the Brewers and now the Cubbies. Personnaly I don’t think the Braves are dead.

By Ron

August 3, 2007 6:42 PM | Link to this

bravesfan Are you talking about that lineup for the duration of Renteria’s injury OR are you talking about TONIGHT’s game? If your talking about Tonights game then I would think that Miller would be the Catcher TONIGHT!!! Mainly because of the 14 inning game, and McCann caught ALL 14 innings!!! I would be STUNNED if McCann STARTS tonight!!!

By Anders

August 3, 2007 6:43 PM | Link to this

* Paladin* - I agree with you. I really believe JS will find relief help. It might be Farnsworth but he’s probably the livest arm that can be had.

By Paladin

August 3, 2007 6:45 PM | Link to this

Sauce-er-or Well, sauce on ole buddy but remember: He who hoots with the owls at night, can not soar with the eagles by day.

By bravesfan

August 3, 2007 6:46 PM | Link to this

jason I just told you the real lineup off gameday so you just had Diaz and McCann mixed up. Escobar SS Johnson 2B C,Jones 3B Teixeira 1B A,Jones CF Francoeur RF Diaz LF McCann C Smoltz

By bravesfan

August 3, 2007 6:48 PM | Link to this

Ron yes I am talking about tonight’s game I got the lineup off gameday

By BravesFanInRockies

August 3, 2007 6:50 PM | Link to this

Holy crap.

You think Joey might get some work this time up?

And Robert (JITB), I’m with you. I hope there’s a position player on the way to Atlanta as soon as the disorder in the house (for you Zevon fans) is taken care of.

By Sauce-er-ror

August 3, 2007 6:53 PM | Link to this

Paladin, I got too many friends in low places. I gave up soaring with the eagles long ago. And where is that waitress with my beer?

By HP

August 3, 2007 6:57 PM | Link to this

It was sad to hear that Renteria was placed on 15 day DL and might miss more. I hope he takes much as time he needs to get healthy so he doesn’t have to go back again when we reach playoffs. But I still think we have a good lineup and if you had to choose one person to replace Renteria it would be Escobar. I hope everyone is healthy after the last night marathon. I still think we have a good chance to win division or Wild card. Glad they sent Jo Jo back to Richmond and bring up Cormier. I hope Cormier pitches old like last year and during spring training. We need a good outing by Smoltz today to keep up with division. GO BRAVES!!

By Paladin

August 3, 2007 6:58 PM | Link to this

Anders I’m in the minority, but I wouldn’t mind having Farnsworth back. Sure he blew it in the DCS, but with some of the “performances” out of our bullpen this year, could he hurt?

By BravesFanInRockies

August 3, 2007 6:58 PM | Link to this

So much for the platoon, huh? Mac must have said he feels OK, and I guess as banged up as everyone else is, it must be all hands on deck until Edgar returns.

By Lew

August 3, 2007 7:00 PM | Link to this

RonRoberts-How many of those extra inning games were due to a blown save? And how many of those blown saves were charged to someone named Soriano? There’s a good deal of your problem, right there. I’m beginning to think he has a physical problem that he isn’t acknowledging. At the very least he needs to figur out what the problem is. He got hit real hard last night. Even the infield mistakes were hit like rockets. He ain’t fooling much of anyone in recent weeks. Look at the performance by the pen last night. They pitched ten innings and only one was bad. Mahay should have been out of his thrid inning if KJ gets the ball he should have. But it was Sorinao that was the problem. 4 run leads must be protected.

By Chop Chop

August 3, 2007 7:02 PM | Link to this

Farnsworth could hurt really bad, Paladin.

By Efrim

August 3, 2007 7:04 PM | Link to this

KC

But you have to understand that your teammates have to pick up eachother when they mess up. No one has done that in the second half. All of those losses. All of the blown saves by Soriano, no one picked him up. Every mistake the Braves made has been capatilized on by the opposition. You have to pick up your teammates. That is the mark of a great team.

By SomeYahoo

August 3, 2007 7:05 PM | Link to this

Andershow are you feeling about Pedro coming back? Think he’s going to give you the Pedro of Old?

I for one have my sights on the NL East. God knows we need to make a run because we’ve got the club to do it. 50+ games left is a long way to go, and 9 head-to-head, so theres’ no way in hell we should be thinking about settling for the WC.

By Paladin

August 3, 2007 7:06 PM | Link to this

Sauce-er-or I had to give up soaring with the eagles, too—reluctantly. In those days, I bet I could have drunk/drank/fell on our @$$es under the table, you. Now, would you like to out chug-a-lug me in a glass of Metamucil?:-)

By Stinky

August 3, 2007 7:09 PM | Link to this

Anybody want to date my mom?

By Chop Chop

August 3, 2007 7:09 PM | Link to this

Hmm…Lew, if Soriano has a physical problem, then that will mean that both Soriano and Gonzalez (the two big bullpen acquisitions in the offseason) will have lived up to their “injury-risk” reputations. Mother**! I was hoping Schuerholz would get lucky.

I guess I should put my hands over my eyes and think happy thoughts of ‘95 or something.

By Frank Furter

August 3, 2007 7:11 PM | Link to this

Hey Hey Ho HO Bobby Cox has got to GO!

By Paladin

August 3, 2007 7:12 PM | Link to this

Chop Chop I was just stringing along the Muts fan. If they think we want Farnsworth, they will get him. :-)

By Ron

August 3, 2007 7:13 PM | Link to this

bravesfan I cant Believe BC would do that!!! McCann should NOT be catching tonight, after that LONG game last night!!!

By Chop Chop

August 3, 2007 7:15 PM | Link to this

I’m outta here. Come on, Smoltz!

By de mouche

August 3, 2007 7:15 PM | Link to this

Habiendo sido lejos y después de leer los pocos días anteriores en este blog, puede ser que me escabulliré silenciosamente. Por supuesto tomaré la Mosca conmigo, cuando él encontró sólo la burla. Pienso que esto es el demográfico.

O tal vez el zumbido diario sólo carece del humor. Suspiro. Este complacerá muchos, decepcionará unos cuantos y el más no notará. El nombre stealers y estos a quien llaman arrastran casi han asumido aquí. Es deprimente. No es para qué vengo aquí.

By Overlord

August 3, 2007 7:17 PM | Link to this

I dont understand why some babys are crying……. i remember some 5 days ago lots of you were saying we could ship edgar and play escobar at SS, well, your dream came true.

The last time the braves got a hard blow in their faces of this magnitud on the last 3rd of the season i think it was gregg olson.

This hurts bad…. Only thing i can see as positive is that edgar is gonna get lots of rest, so he will play every game when he comes back.

By Paladin

August 3, 2007 7:27 PM | Link to this

I was just watching our local Tv and on a pickup from the fair they were interviewing a guy with a big black Burmese ape on his shoulder. The ape took a dump down the back of the guy’s shirt on live TV. There must be a moral there, somewhere.

By Chris

August 3, 2007 7:28 PM | Link to this

Well, ladies and gentlemen, enjoy the next few weeks. You will be getting an up-close look at the Braves’ shortstop for the next several years.

By tony

August 3, 2007 7:30 PM | Link to this

I’ve been saying for 10 years that Bobby Cox is the reason we have only 1 championship. His decision making have cost us big time. EXAMPLE:(1) Before the trade he had AJ hitting clean up instead of JF (2)Twice this season he left Tim Hudson in the game too long instead of using his relievers (3)He will continue to use B.Wickman as the closer instead of going with the young stud Dontel Octavio(4)He got JF and KJ hitting behind AJ and BM. We would be in 1st place had he made the right decisions.

By Paladin

August 3, 2007 7:32 PM | Link to this

I’m outta here too. I have confidence that Smoltz and our bats will get the job done.

By Stinky

August 3, 2007 7:33 PM | Link to this

Paladin, that is some FINE TV.

By Niekro35

August 3, 2007 7:35 PM | Link to this

Soriano is not hurt. He wouldn’t be throwing as hard as he is if that were the case. Pitchers go into slumps just like pitchers do, and for obvious reasons, it’s especially apparent when relievers go into funks.

There’s no reason to hyperventilate. The Braves will take the Mets down. We have the better team and an easier schedule. They’re resting their hopes on Pedro; that’s a pretty thin reed to cling to.

By Bobby Cox

August 3, 2007 7:43 PM | Link to this

Yes, I suck. I suck out loud. I suck in 3 languages. I am touched in the head and will likely die on the field, uttering expletives and sucking up to my own players till the end.

I was a .225 batter with the Stankees, though.

By SourPatchKid

August 3, 2007 7:47 PM | Link to this

julio would have had that. salty too.

By Andy

August 3, 2007 7:49 PM | Link to this

Smoltz has already thrown 30 pitches, and its only the 1st inning.

By Skip Caray

August 3, 2007 7:49 PM | Link to this

That little Brat. He can’t be the fruit of my loins. If he walks all over me again I’m gonna recircumcise that little batard with a butcher knife.

By jbutler

August 3, 2007 7:51 PM | Link to this

I’m not sure what’s worse. The game last night, the first inning today…or the TV announcers. The TBS game is blacked out in Denver - so we get the Rockies crew. Granted- no one watches the Rockies, so quality wasn’t a concern for this hire. I’m guessing between the two announcers, one is the son of the owner, and the other has pictures of someone higher up. They spent 4 minutes talking about how Smoltz isn’t known outside of Atlanta. OK. Sometimes, I wish I drank.

By Overlord

August 3, 2007 7:56 PM | Link to this

Niekro35 I do think as you do, but u have to agree that what happened to edgar was one of the worst news braves could get, id say more than the one of chipper earlier in the year since this is late in the season and more serious.

By Skip Caray

August 3, 2007 7:58 PM | Link to this

Don’t tell me that none of you have thought the same thing.

By bfan54

August 3, 2007 8:03 PM | Link to this

Carroll, Thanks for a great column. This blog comes just after reading your column - I skipped the responses, but when I go back, I expect that many of the “Braves suck” crowd (the six-beer ones) will now be critical of you.

I applaud you for holding back on the blame- too much to go around, but…all of the problems have a P in it(as in SP,RP,BP), the culprits have come (and some gone)but the story is the same.

I hold Bobby in great esteem, but I have to question many of his judgments. Diaz consistently puts the ball in play, so why have him bunt? Why stay with some of these pitchers so long after the writing on the wall was “writ large”. Why no starting slot for the Aussie? Why let Andrew try the steal - he doesn’t do stolen bases since when (2004?). Lots of little things are starting to bother me.

This club is a good club, but not a playoff club, or, if so, a one-round and out. I am not a pessimest. I have followed this team since 1954. Winning teams don’t lose 10 of 15 extra inning games - they just don’t.

By Niekro35

August 3, 2007 8:07 PM | Link to this

Overlord: Renteria is the best player on the team. But the team is deep, especially in the infield. We’ll be fine with Escobar. What we can’t afford is losing is a pitcher, especially a starter.

The weak starting staff puts a lot of pressure on the pen, and on Smoltz and Hudson. I’m damned sick of these guys who can’t make it past the 5th inning.

By Overlord

August 3, 2007 8:09 PM | Link to this

I though jojo pitches last night, why is he on the mound again? isnt he gonna rest?

By Efrim

August 3, 2007 8:09 PM | Link to this

Not good. This team has to get it together. 5.5 back if we dont get it going.

By Skip Caray

August 3, 2007 8:10 PM | Link to this

Steroid awareness night. I love it.

By Colin

August 3, 2007 8:10 PM | Link to this

Well we lost this game 5.5 back and probably 2.5 in WC by end of the night

By Bobby Cox

August 3, 2007 8:12 PM | Link to this

I love Joey Devine. 9.42 ERA. Gotta love that.

By Chase

August 3, 2007 8:13 PM | Link to this

Thats tough!!! OUR TIRED OFFENSE has to SCORE at least 5 again tonight!!!

By Chip Caray hater

August 3, 2007 8:14 PM | Link to this

sound turned off at 2011hrs. just can’t take it another night. between the lines ?

By NO CHOP ZONE

August 3, 2007 8:15 PM | Link to this

By the time the braves get to New York they won’t have a bullpen. How many pitches has 40 year old Smoltz thrown already? 4-0 rockies…….NICE!!

By Colin

August 3, 2007 8:15 PM | Link to this

I dont think we could beat a little league team now..WE ARE HORRIBLE

By Smotzie

August 3, 2007 8:16 PM | Link to this

Homeboy upstairs done inked my deal for next year. I can cruise from here on out.

By HP

August 3, 2007 8:16 PM | Link to this

Smoltz is not looking like the old Smoltz we see after a tough loss. I hope he can bounce back rest of the innings. But if you look at the Rockies lineup, they are no worser than Braves lineup. They are 4th in NL BA AVG. The Braves offense needs to pick it up today.

By NO CHOP ZONE

August 3, 2007 8:17 PM | Link to this

That was a f-ing ugly swing by Jones………Sure he’s better than Beltan.

By Chip Caray hater

August 3, 2007 8:17 PM | Link to this

Hey! the radio is synchronized tonight. sweet. Pete and Boog.

By Skip Caray

August 3, 2007 8:19 PM | Link to this

Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar begat their 17th child. Must be something in that Arkansas water. Woohoo.

By Chase

August 3, 2007 8:22 PM | Link to this

They look TIRED and IMPATIANT….SWINGING at EVERYTHING!!!

By Carroll Rogers

August 3, 2007 8:22 PM | Link to this

nope, no suicide watch. i don’t have to live and die by the braves. if they don’t play in october, that’s actually less work for me. but i’d rather them be there. it’s more fun. and it’s much nicer to cover a happy team. and i’m not saying they won’t get there. just don’t think they’ll be playing long if/when they do. sue me.

when i write stuff like what i wrote, i’m thinking about things like the 95 team, which won 25 games in their last at-bat, something like that. that was magical. haven’t seen a ton of that in the last couple weeks anyway.

and y’all are right, DOB might have my head on a platter right now. maybe this will shake him out of the woodwork for a comment….nah hopefully he’s taking a real break. i’ll just tell him i got everybody nice and razzed up for his return….and hey, i razz another half of you up if i wax all sweet all the time. so consider it a changeup after a long night, ok?

By Colin

August 3, 2007 8:23 PM | Link to this

Does anyone think we can score 10 runs a night. I dont, so we LOST. HAHA i thought i saw Soriano pitching they gave up 4 but not with one swing.

By Chase

August 3, 2007 8:24 PM | Link to this

I don’t think this performance has anything to do with SMOLTZ’S shoulder…He just don’t have it tonight….And it is LOCATION not VELOCITY!

By Skip Caray

August 3, 2007 8:25 PM | Link to this

Chip Caray Hater, what’s up with you? Chip looks nothing like me, but I call him mine because no one else wants to be with me. Give me a break.

By Chase

August 3, 2007 8:26 PM | Link to this

Why take the chance of pitching to the 8th hitter? I’m first guessing here!

By Overlord

August 3, 2007 8:26 PM | Link to this

no chop zone sit down and what your daddy play, you werent following the braves if you werent scare dummy.

By Chip Caray hater

August 3, 2007 8:26 PM | Link to this

That darn Escobar can play some ball.

By Ron Roberts

August 3, 2007 8:27 PM | Link to this

Chase… if his shoulder were bothering, (and I’m not saying it is…), then his location could be off if he were favoring it to avoid pain.

By Eric C.

August 3, 2007 8:28 PM | Link to this

Folks…this game means nothing compared to losing Renteria. Losing him pretty much wipes out everything gained getting TEX. Also, going down 5.5 games at this point…is getting tough. The division isn’t looking that winnable.

Blame Renteria’s injury on Soriano for his lousy pitching yesterday putting the defense in a tougher situation. Ultimately…put it on Cox for continuing to pitch a head-case in the 8th. Sigh

By Colin

August 3, 2007 8:28 PM | Link to this

O WELL THAT ENDS THERE PACE OF 18 RUNS TONIGHT DANG IT

By HP

August 3, 2007 8:28 PM | Link to this

Someone please tell Teixeira to change his glove. He is not catching any balls on the ground today.

By Chase

August 3, 2007 8:31 PM | Link to this

COLIN I am beginning to think you are a MUTS TROLL!

By FairWeatherBraveFanHater

August 3, 2007 8:33 PM | Link to this

Colin Lets just hope our guys aren’t as big of a punk as you. We go down in the 1st couple innings and you make 2 pathetic posts like that. This is getting old on here.

I’ve read this blog for a while and saw many good guys w/ intelligent posts and insight so after adding a few here and there I wanted to join the discussion. What happened?

By Overlord

August 3, 2007 8:36 PM | Link to this

Eric you cant blame soriano, but your point is near truth, if he was pitching better renteria would be in the lineup today, but yet, sorianos problems are not his fault, i think we all agree on that. Lets hope bobby works his magic and brings this team together again.

By Colin

August 3, 2007 8:39 PM | Link to this

well for one thing dont ever say im a muts fan, and another is we cant score 10 runs a night so we need pitching which we didnt get tonight so far

By jbutler

August 3, 2007 8:39 PM | Link to this

Carroll…I’m going w/you on this. This team just doesn’t have a championship feel. How many late inning games have been lost? How many times have they blown a lead? How many times have they dug a huge hole (hmm!!) in an early inning?? Even w/the Tush man coming over - a lot of power doesn’t translate if you can’t close the deal… If they make the post season (big if) they will most likely be 1 and out. But…I’d sure like to see the Wickman flop again!! Is he on the DL today???

By TennesseePaul

August 3, 2007 8:40 PM | Link to this

Came in late but I see a lot of doubles given up. Is everyone playing tired today or what?

By Overlord

August 3, 2007 8:42 PM | Link to this

seems like if we have been taking it easy and been patient for more than 100 games now, hahaha Go braves-

By ThedamnSouthernJackAss

August 3, 2007 8:43 PM | Link to this

I get so damned tired of always hearing about how Smoltz is out there giving it all he’s got, while working through the pain, oh woe is he!…been hearing that same ol’ bull$#!t for the last few years…nothing but excuses…Smoltz if you’re too damned old, or too damned busted up to give 100% without all that trolling for sympathy…then do the Braves a favor by retiring, both you and that big ol’ ego…free up that money so the Braves can afford to sign a good starting pitcher who is physically able to do the damn job…and tired of these A$sClown announcers always making it sound like Smoltz’s damn arm could drop off with the very next pitch…and tired of Smoltz trying to show up the umpires every time a call doesn’t go his way…and trading every other damn ball that the umpires toss to him…

By Bloggist

August 3, 2007 8:46 PM | Link to this

Stinky’s 8:37 post should earn him that banishment from this blog that he’s so been striving for!

By Lew

August 3, 2007 8:47 PM | Link to this

Carroll-I don’t usually disagree with you, nor do I usually question your judgement, but you think of the 95 team? Well, isn’t THAT special? I like the 27 Yankees, myself (and I’m sure Joe Torre would, too, come to think of it), but guess what? That was then and this is now. Think all you want of the 95 team and we still have to try to win this year without a considerably younger Glavine, Maddux and Smoltz, although JS did try to get his Fred McGriff, this week. I prefer to think of the 06 Cardinals or one of the Astros teams from a couple of years ago that were in 5th place at the break and came back to the NLCS and The World Series. Or even the 64 Cardinals (though as a 13 year old that summer, I was a Phillies fan and THEIR collapse damn near did me in-this won’t, one way or another). Choose your analogies with a bit more care-at least for accuracy’s sake. You don’t have to have the best team of all time to win-it’s been proven more times than we can count. Sometimes you just have to go to war with the Braves you have and not the Braves you wish you had. However, if Smoltz goes down, all bets are off. It’s one thing replacing Redman/Davies/Reyes et al. It’s still another replacing Smoltz. I doubt the Homeboy Upstairs could pull that one off right now.

By Robert (Justice Is The Best)

August 3, 2007 8:48 PM | Link to this

A few things:

1. This team’s inability to lay down bunts and play small ball just kills me. Isn’t this crap you go over in spring training? Just wondering.

2. If every one of these guys had the fire and competitiveness John Smoltz has this team play .800 baseball the rest of the way.

3. This Rockies team is just proving what I said earlier about the wild card being winnable without having to win 90+ games. This is a good team that isn’t going anywhere. They are in that NL West race to the end.

And, whomever was wondering where Chipper’s ability to drive the ball had gone, I think he just answered you.

By FairWeatherBraveFanHater

August 3, 2007 8:48 PM | Link to this

Obviously we know we can’t score 10 a night, but if we could score as many runs as negative comments you’ve made the last hour or 2 we’ll be doing fine. When I made my last comment you only made a couple, since you’ve made MANY more. Chase might be right!!

By Bloggist

August 3, 2007 8:48 PM | Link to this

The first volcanic rumblings of another Stinky meltdown have just been felt.

By HP

August 3, 2007 8:49 PM | Link to this

ThedamnSouthernJackAss: I think it is more of announcers than Smoltz complaining about shoulders.

By Lew

August 3, 2007 8:50 PM | Link to this

The Real SJA never posted that 8:43 post. It isn’t even a good imitation. Trolls are out.

By Braves Fan 79

August 3, 2007 8:51 PM | Link to this

Don: i agree man, and i got grilled on here last night for saying bobby should of brought smoltz in the game instead of oscar. A wins a win, and smoltz working a good 2 or 3 innings tonight instead of 6 or 7 tonight would of helped save his arm. Then cormier could of started tonight. Its like once the game goes so far bobby just gives up and says owell lets loose it and get on home. I like Bobby and all for what hes done for my team over the years…but man he fustrates the hell out of me. Ive known all year we had the TALENT to win big…but man bobby make some flat out dumb decisions somtimes!

By bill

August 3, 2007 8:52 PM | Link to this

Smoltz is not himself but he is doing a little better. I was taken to the wood shed when I came out against these trades. The pitching staff is in shambles. You just can’t win unless you have three good starters. Good starting pitching is a must. Hudson is only safe bet right now. Their only hope is to sweep the Mets and Phillies and that’s going to be hard to do. Hopefully they will score alot of runs tonite.

By Overlord

August 3, 2007 8:54 PM | Link to this

way to go AJ, what a way to drive in runs….. thats it trade runs for outs. Its time to push him lower in the line up, it is clear to everyone here.

By Alan

August 3, 2007 8:55 PM | Link to this

DamnSouthernJackass:

“Jackass” is the right name for you my friend. I was just getting online to blog that Smoltz is again proving why he’s one of my all-time favorite Braves players…he doesn’t have his best stuff tonight, but he’s busting his butt out there, making the other pitcher throw lots of pitches to him, making a great plays in the field, and generally doing whatever he can to minimize the damage and eat up some innings so that the bullpen can rest. He’s playing like a true professional tonight and I’ll be he goes AT LEAST seven innings, win or lose. You, jackass, are full of sh*t. Smoltz is a winner, always has been and always will be. BTW, you need to take the “Southern” out of your name, because everybody on this blog knows that there’s no way you grew up anywhere near the South.

By Robert (Justice Is The Best)

August 3, 2007 8:55 PM | Link to this

Man! Is Andruw the ultimate rally killer or what?! I love the guy! I really do, but I am so tired of seeing this day after day. I know he is hurting, but he isn’t hurting any more than Chipper, Francoeur, or McCann. Besides I won’t accept injuries as an excuse because this has been going on for years. I really do think that Cox has got to seriously consider putting Francoeur in the 5 hole against lefties and McCann against righties.

By HP

August 3, 2007 8:57 PM | Link to this

Andruw Jones needs to either learn how to bunt with 1st and 3rd with no outs or needs to get a hit or a fly ball. Double Play is not a productive out. Believe me he has done that a lot lately. 3 more runs to go to tie game. We can do it guys. Lets go Braves!!!

By Colin

August 3, 2007 8:58 PM | Link to this

Overlord

Its time to push him out of the lineup Smoltz had a better atbat than AJ put together!!!

By Chase

August 3, 2007 9:00 PM | Link to this

FairWhetherBraveFan I’m beginning to think that Me, You, Lew, Chrisklob, and sometimes Efrim are the ONLY POSITIVE PEOPLE IN HERE Who BELIEVE in OUR TEAM NO MATTER WHAT!!!!!!

By FairWeatherBraveFanHater

August 3, 2007 9:01 PM | Link to this

SouthernASS Are you out of your mind? Smoltz has given it his all EVERY time out there. He cares about every facet of his game. You are out of your Jack Daniels infested mind. There, I answered my own question. That takes the cake!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By Lew

August 3, 2007 9:05 PM | Link to this

Bill-It’s really too bad you didn’t read my last post on the previous blog more closely. Jason Jennings and Kyle Loshe are sure the answer to our prayers if Smoltz goes down (or even if he doesn’t), aren’t they? You’re right, I may be arrogant, but your lack of any sense whatsoever or insight into player analysis is a crime. Talk about idiots, well, I guess you would know having been one all your life. I just can’t understand why JS passed those scrap heap rejects up when he could have traded Salty for them instead of Teixeira. Do you even have a vague idea how stupid that sounds? Yeah, picking up Steve Trachsel would really do the trick, wouldn’t it. Maybe Kyle Davies, Matt Harrison and Beau Jones for Woody Williams, whose behind we handed to him last night. Noted Braves’ killer, right? Moron.

By jbutler

August 3, 2007 9:05 PM | Link to this

Hey Stinky…I’ll hold off on having any more offspring. I have 4 of my own, and if I did - I would choose my husband to be the father. Not Carroll. Sorry!!
Great barehanded throw by the 40 year old!!! Southernmule…turn the volume down if you can’t stand the rhetoric about Smoltz. Yes, he’s played hurt. He’s also super competitive, which is why these athletes have all these “annoying” habits of nitpicking umpires, tossing balls back. I’d take a competitive player over someone not wanting to take the ball anyday.

By Lew

August 3, 2007 9:09 PM | Link to this

Are we, perhaps, getting a bit-Oh, shall we say Whiny again?

By Robert (Justice Is The Best)

August 3, 2007 9:09 PM | Link to this

While I agree there are a lot of negative people on here, I think you have to be careful not to confuse legit criticism with negativity. For instance, saying Andruw needs to hit lower in the lineup is not being negative; its providing legit criticism. He comes to the plate trying to yank everything out of the park. You couuld look at his at-bat and Tex’s at-bat and tell the difference in hitters. My deal with Andruw is that he has been doing this for 10 years. Francoeur learned after one season that there is a time to swing for the fences and a time to just put the bat on the ball. You can call it negativity if you want. I call it fair criticism.

By Lew

August 3, 2007 9:10 PM | Link to this

You know, that really sounds more Like NoBrainZone than the real Stinky.

By Savannah Guy

August 3, 2007 9:14 PM | Link to this

Tonight:

Tex is not Tex.

Andruw is Andruw.

Chip is not Skip.

By Eric C.

August 3, 2007 9:14 PM | Link to this

Overlord, I hope you are right about Cox. Also, I agree completely with you about AJ…I’m sure Tex loves him batting behind him. AJ shouldn’t be hitting higher than 7th.

By Braves Fan 79

August 3, 2007 9:15 PM | Link to this

ThedamnSouthernJackAss: man from your post is sounds like your not only drunk…but half retarted A Braves fan….diss Smoltz? are you nutz? The mans the all time winningest post season pitcher ever. He guts it out and saying he should retire is like everyone saying we should get rid of chipper and everyone and just build for the future. The man had 1 bad inning tonight and some unlucky breaks. I for one will be VERY sad when he retires.
Hes still got DOMINATING stuff. Which you really cant say about that many pitchers. You might can say he looks tired tonight..but to say he whines and that he should retire your either A: a mets fan. or B: freakin RETARTED.
Ill stand up for Julio anyday…and ill definitly stand up for Smoltz any day. Now woodcrap….thats another story!

By HP

August 3, 2007 9:15 PM | Link to this

Smoltz has 88 pitches in 6 innings. Not too bad. Good come back after pitching lot of pitches in first two innings. I hope he can go to seventh. Lets get some runs on the board.

By FairWeatherBraveFanHater

August 3, 2007 9:15 PM | Link to this

There are a few of us. I do have to say that usually there aren’t this many haters on here. I get just as frustrated or mad as the rest, but my love for the game and the Braves in general, keep me thinking we always have a chance. I am bothered and even worried since both Renteria and Smoltz(and many a few others it seems) are banged up but we have a solid line-up. We will turn it around. I bet we’ll score more than 5 runs tonight!!

By Carroll Rogers

August 3, 2007 9:15 PM | Link to this

just sent this into the editors… The Braves signed right-hander Ryan Drese to a minor league contract and sent him to Class A Myrtle Beach where he will start Friday night.

Drese, 31, has started 96 games in parts of six seasons for the Indians, Rangers and most recently the Nationals before undergoing elbow ligament transplant surgery last April.

Drese is 34-29 with a 5.31 ERA in 105 games overall. He could serve as some insurance for the back end of the Braves’ rotation if he shows he’s recovered from surgery. Or he could be an arm for the future.

By Anders

August 3, 2007 9:16 PM | Link to this

FairW - Smoltz is really gutting it out for his team. I realize he gave up the 4 early runs but HOF type pitchers get things back under control which is what he did. Even if this game is lost (which is far from over) he didn’t burn out the bullpen again tonight. If they get another inning out of him that would be incredible considering where he was in the 2nd.

By uga-brave

August 3, 2007 9:19 PM | Link to this

man do we swing at a lot of balls out of the strike zone. the last 18 games have been a microcosim of the whole season. we are just consistently inconsistent. the fact we are 23-45 in ganes that we score 6 or less runs speaks volumes. hard for me to think this team makes the playoffs without a 7 or 8 game win streak somewhere down the line.

By Chase

August 3, 2007 9:20 PM | Link to this

LEW, FairWhetherBraveHater, and other likeminded supporters…

You know its bad enough fighting off the MUTS TROLLS everynight that have to come here to try and EASE their INFERIORITY COMPLEX and because their OWN HOMETOWN PAPERS DON’t EVEN THINK ENOUGH of THEM to GIVE THEM THEIR OWN BLOG

But what is more furstrating is the MULTITUDE of fairwhether, knee-jerk, front running, trurncoat so called Brave’s fans who repeatedly come on here an TALK about “How Great the Braves are” or “How this team is going to the WS” when they WIN a few in a row…

BUT WHEN THEY LOSE one or two and those same people can’t wait to jump off the bandwagon and say we’re horrible we suck or they can’t do it or its over

SORRY but Those people are not true fans!

By Lew

August 3, 2007 9:20 PM | Link to this

Retarted? Oh, the Humanity. Double entendre, perhaps?

By FairWeatherBraveFanHater

August 3, 2007 9:23 PM | Link to this

Robert…I have no problem w/ constructive criticism is one thing. Bashing guys just to be negative is another. Go back 2 hours and read Colins’ posts. There are at least 7 that are just ignorant. Actually, you probably don’t want to bore yourself. Giving your opinion if you think JS made a bad trade or if Bobby made a move you don’t like or Francoeur strikes out too much is 1 thing. Calling out your franchise player who has given SO many great memories is another.

By Lew

August 3, 2007 9:24 PM | Link to this

Carroll-Thanks for that tidbit. It just goes to show JS is on top of things and like he said the other day, there just isn’t much out there. Jason Jennings? Right.

By uga-brave

August 3, 2007 9:25 PM | Link to this

once again 1 and 2 get on and then nothing. just no consistency. this team will break your heart.

By Superman

August 3, 2007 9:28 PM | Link to this

I wonder what percentage of Andruw Jones at bats have ended an inning

Or even an inning with runners in scoring position.

By uga-brave

August 3, 2007 9:30 PM | Link to this

eight k’s through six innings, basically not putting the ball in play for half the game. 3,4,5 cant even get the ball out of the infield. look like another .500 homestand.

By supa

August 3, 2007 9:30 PM | Link to this

We continue to show all indications of being a mediocre .500 team.

By JasonInMaine

August 3, 2007 9:33 PM | Link to this

Good pitching beats good hitting. Huddie going tomorrow, and he has pitched great after Braves’ losses. Call it negative, but I call it a fact…this team is 3 games under .500 since April…maybe we can go on one of those patented runs we used to always go on!

By FairWeatherBraveFanHater

August 3, 2007 9:35 PM | Link to this

I know. I think I’ve said this before, but I’ve gone to games and kinda(sweet word huh?) hoped the game stayed close so the crowd would get into it. Besides last year it actually began to get a little better w/ the baby Braves here. I don’t know what it is, we need more people to show there excitement for the team. This is worse though. Getting on here to talk to some passionate Braves fans and this is what I get. There are many on here, so it will get back to where it needs to be.

By uga-brave

August 3, 2007 9:36 PM | Link to this

flat out gutsy peformance by smoltz. these last two games really magnify the point that pitching and defense never slump.

By Chase

August 3, 2007 9:36 PM | Link to this

HEY ANDRUW BASHERS!

Why aren’t you ALL OVER CHIPPER and TEX for being Rally Killers

First two on and nobody out and they both STRIKE OUT!

3-RUN HR….That will probably do it for tonight!

By BravesDave

August 3, 2007 9:36 PM | Link to this

Game over. 5.5 back. Tough two days in Braves-land.

By NO CHOP ZONE

August 3, 2007 9:37 PM | Link to this

You’re getting sleepy. When I count to ten you will be 5 1/2 games out of first place……One, Two, Three.

By Wayne in Utah

August 3, 2007 9:38 PM | Link to this

Overlord/Efrim I agree with both of you gents that losing Renteria is a big blow. It is Escobar and KJ’s chances to really shine and pick up the team. Teams do go through this sort of stuff in a season. The cream rises to the top, and the truth will be known in 2-3 weeks, huh.

RJITB and BravesDave I hear what you are saying about not wanting to go 5-4, but until the magic number is zero, there is ALWAYS a chance. Granted, it is not good if we go through another bad stretch, but I can promise you that the JS/BC Braves will NOT give up until the fat lady sings.

Had an interesting flight from Denver to SLC this afternoon. I am changing my approach to the guys I have called “whiners” in the past. I apologize if I have offended anyone. I will continue to monitor the blog, and respond as I see fit. Please, be as negative or positive as you wish, and you will not hear any more complaining from the west……

Although I do reserve the right to tease my friend N8 on ocassion.

Sorry for such a long post.

Smoltz just gave up the tater….ouch!

By Eric C.

August 3, 2007 9:38 PM | Link to this

uga-brave,

“…the fact we are 23-45 in ganes that we score 6 or less runs speaks volumes.”

Wow…that’s pretty bad. What’s worse, they’ve lost 7 games when scoring 7 or more runs.

By Wayne in Utah

August 3, 2007 9:40 PM | Link to this

Bobby’s gotta do something about AJ’s spot in the lineup. Frenchy or McCann would be a much better option.

Escobar has a CANNON for an arm! If he makes the routine plays as good as Renteria, he might make us forget about Edgar on the defensive aspect of SS!

By Braves Fan 79

August 3, 2007 9:40 PM | Link to this

This sucks, smoltz shouldnt of been in the game after the 6th tonight, he looked tired from early on. Once again…bobby gets the pitcher out of the game AFTER they give up the big hit. It seems the past couple of weeks after we throw away a game like we did last night the next night we either run into a hot pitcher, or we get spanked and its not even close. WEVE GOT TO WIN THE CLOSE ONES! Damnit Bobby!
I still believe in this team….well win saturday and sunday.

By BravesDave

August 3, 2007 9:40 PM | Link to this

This game is so predictable. The Braves get the first two on in the last inning…don’t move the runners over, don’t score. The Rockies come back and put them away with a 3-run HR.

I guess all my lobbying for a sweep of the Rockies this afternoon fell on deaf ears.

Once again, this team is not playing like a playoff-caliber team. Can’t botch routine plays and have your ace get you in a 4-run hole in the first two innings…especially when you know the Mets won earlier.

By Chase

August 3, 2007 9:41 PM | Link to this

The BRAVES are TIRED tonight and it shows…before the Homestand I said the Braves would go 4-2…

We just need to wint he next two…And if the Mets lose the next two we’ll be right there!

By NO CHOP ZONE

August 3, 2007 9:42 PM | Link to this

LEW, Let me here some of your IF’S and Maybe’S BE-ATCH!!!!!

By Robert (Justice Is The Best)

August 3, 2007 9:42 PM | Link to this

Smoltz gave it everything he had. That sucks he gave up the homer but if the Braves lose (which they likely will) Smoltz can’t be blamed for the loss. The Braves should have at least four runs on the board. Smoltz showed once again why he is the ultimate gamer. He didn’t have anything near his best stuff but he kept battling. Like I said earlier, if the every one of the 24 other guys on the team had the same intensity and pride night in and night out like Smoltz does, this team would be damn near unbeatable. But….they don’t.

By Lameculas

August 3, 2007 9:42 PM | Link to this

Fire Bobby Cox NOW. This team will go nowhere as long as this dry drunk is in charge. Or maybe Bobby needs to start drinking again. Seems like the team was better when he was beatin the wife.

By Wayne in Utah

August 3, 2007 9:42 PM | Link to this

JasoninMaine We certainly have the tools to go on one of those patented runs. Will these guys have what it takes to do it? That is the 64 thousand dollar question.

OK, we are into their bullpen. If we are going to make a move, it is now or never.

By The Grinch

August 3, 2007 9:43 PM | Link to this

Can anyone explain to me why Yates is being used AGAIN tonight instead of Devine in a 7-1 game late? I guess we won’t really need him later on, huh? Oh, well. Have no fear, folks; it won’t go on like this forever, though Yates and Soriano might need TJ surgery before the season’s over. It’ll get better.

By Southbeachdietfreak

August 3, 2007 9:44 PM | Link to this

Getting Texiera seemed to put a charge into the team… bad night for Smoltz, but to be quite honest, he is probably pitching beyond himself anyway; he doesn’t have a choice but to try to eke out 6 or 7, just because an already overused bullpen was drained last night. I will admit I get down when i see them play like tonight, but they’re playing a contending team. This isn’t your typical Rockies team. They can actually pitch AND field this year. Give them a little credit. I’m not so sure that Texiera will valut them over the top, or even into the playoffs, but I’ll admit they’re a lot more fun to watch! GO BRAVES!

By Del

August 3, 2007 9:47 PM | Link to this

Sure didn’t take long to convert Tex to Atlanta style baseball. UGLY!!!

By uga-brave

August 3, 2007 9:47 PM | Link to this

i gotta believe college football is going to start, for a lot of us in about 10 days. down 7-1 and francouer strikes out on 3 pitches. we really look like a beer league softball team.

By Robert (Justice Is The Best)

August 3, 2007 9:48 PM | Link to this

Chase, the difference between Andruw’s at-bat and those of Chipper and Teixeira is that Chipper and Tex went to the plate with a plan and made the pitcher throw some pitches. What does Andruw do? He swings at the first pitch he sees. It didn’t matter it wasn’t a strike. He just goes up there swinging hoping he makes contact. That is okay for a rookie but for a guy in his 11th season it is inexcusable.

By BravesDave

August 3, 2007 9:49 PM | Link to this

Hey Jason, we have been waiting for one of those runs all season. Outside of the 7-1 start, this team has played to the level of a mediocre team. We all know they have a huge amount of talent…some of the best players, position-by-position in the NL. Two top starters. All-Star quality infield, C, and two out of three OF positions. Solid bullpen. Fact is, the team has not put it together all season.

Two five-game winning streaks this season…unfortunately cancelled out by one five-game losing streak and two four-game losing streaks. This team is not ‘streaky’, they are inconsistent. The lack of an acceptable 5th starter (and 4th starter for some of the season) has made it impossible for any type of consistent run or streak.

The Braves are not going to make the playoffs this season.

By Southbeachdietfreak

August 3, 2007 9:49 PM | Link to this

FWBFH

I agree about the crowd… seems like they’re watching a movie instead of a ballgame!

NO CHOP… so it takes a 5.5 game lead for you to be comfortable enough to show your face on our blog!

By dannyboy

August 3, 2007 9:50 PM | Link to this

Way to go Bobby Cox. Let a 40-year pitcher with a sore shoulder throw more than 100 pitches in a game for the Nth time. Your handling of pitchers and your stupid insistence on using Andrew Jones as a cleanup hitter ought to get you investigated for fixing games. If the new Braves owners have any business sense, they will get rid of your worthless a** and hire someone who is results oriented rather than a “players’ manager.”

By BravesDave

August 3, 2007 9:51 PM | Link to this

Well, leadoff walk issued by Joey Devine. That just earned him another demotion to AAA.

By NO CHOP ZONE

August 3, 2007 9:51 PM | Link to this

Not much you can say, is there LEW?? You’re right, You better plead the 5th and shut the FU-K up!

By Southbeachdietfreak

August 3, 2007 9:54 PM | Link to this

I’m not saying the Braves will overtake the Mets… but is it me, or does it seem that we only see the NO CHOP, METRO MAN, etc., when they’re winning?

By TheSouthernJackAss

August 3, 2007 9:54 PM | Link to this

TheSouthernJackAss returns to the blog to discover that he has once again fell victim to a worthless jackal, which is to be expected…however, it’s another thing to be ripped by some of you presumptuous A*******holes who automatically assume that I made those statements concerning Smoltz…

So allow me to set the record straight…TheSouthernJackAss has never professed to be a Braves fan…TheJackAss is a baseball fan, big difference…however, TheJackAss has defended the Braves, and their fans on many an occasion…

And for all you pukes that think you can call TheJackAss any ol’ profane or disparaging name that you like…TheSouthernJackAss will meet any one of, or all of you pathetic pukes face to face, in person…your choice of location…then I want to see you call me those names to my face…I guarantee you that you will not enjoy the outcome…that goes especially for Braves Fan 79…jbutler…FairWeatherBraveFanHater …Alan…the b!tc# known as Stinky…and any other A$sClown that I may have missed!…

So until you have the balls to run your pieholes to my face…I will consider all these cowardly little comments from you pukes as nothing more than pu$$y farts!…

I don’t need any help…I don’t need anyone to defend me…and you better pray that I don’t revert back to being TheJackAss that I once was…for I will rain hell down on this blog…so unless you want to “meet up” with TheJackAss, I will be ignoring your ignorant posts…

By Navigator

August 3, 2007 9:56 PM | Link to this

I’ve said for years, that the worst possible future for the Braves is Cox at the helm. He’s been good (not great) with a great pitching staff, but his inability to engineer a critical run goes back to his roots. He believes in big innings, and doesn’t practice or put into practice basic baseball strategy. Last night was a good example or not knowing how to win one of those tight games that only needs a run to win. I might be in the minority, but with a young team we need a manager that has or can win with a youth. The GM had to get rid of a 50 year player to keep Cox from platooning him, rather than give the necessary experience that the young guys need. That says it all.

By Wayne in Utah

August 3, 2007 9:56 PM | Link to this

BravesDave Way too early to throw in the towel, for all the reasons you just stated in your response to Jason. You might be right about not making the playoffs, but WAY too early to give up.

Not necessarily sent to anyone in particular….but,

Bobby Cox is a terrible manager. Why did he leave one of the greatest clutch pitchers in there for that last inning. Didn’t he have ESPN to let him know that Smoltzie was out of gas.

He either leaves them in too long, or he takes them out to quick. What a bum! What does Hal Bodley know, anyway!!

:-)

By gotham man

August 3, 2007 9:57 PM | Link to this

METS won today and your mighty braves are getting beat by the lowly rockies. How does 5 1/2 sound, it will be 8 this time next week. Braves and playoffs in the same sentence, give me a break. Go ahead and start getting ready for next year, you will need the extra time. HA! HA! HA!

By bill

August 3, 2007 9:59 PM | Link to this

NEWS ALERT!!!!!NEWS ALERT!!!!! Lew is going to be the Braves New GM in ‘09.

By NO CHOP ZONE

August 3, 2007 10:00 PM | Link to this

No Southbeach, I was here b4 the season started saying the Mets were the best team in the NL East and I’m still here saying it. The problem is brave fans keep living in the past and are so full of bull-crap that they refuse to acknowledge the truth.

By Andy

August 3, 2007 10:01 PM | Link to this

The Rockies will have a better record than the Braves after tonight.

By bill

August 3, 2007 10:03 PM | Link to this

Lew, I’ll finish my post. I can understand why you are crazy. When you were a teenager, you were brainwashed by the Phillies. Now here is a pitcher for you. The Braves sign Ryan Drese. They will win the division now.

By Andy

August 3, 2007 10:03 PM | Link to this

There are 5 teams ahead of the Braves in the Wild Card race and the Mets are ahead of the Braves by 5 1/2 games, 6 games in the loss column. The Braves have a lot of catching up to do and they better not wait until September.

By Wayne in Utah

August 3, 2007 10:04 PM | Link to this

Too bad that AJC can’t control the whole Blog name deal. I hate that my friend, the Southern Gentleman is being singled out. Granted, he does not need me to defend him, as he is quite capable. I just think it is quite despicable to use anothers name to post.

SJA Don’t let the pukes get to you, my friend. Most of your friends here can tell when it’s you and when it is not.

By Robert (Justice Is The Best)

August 3, 2007 10:04 PM | Link to this

I saw where Kim was claimed off waivers by the Diamondbacks. I love to know why the Braves didn’t claim him since they would have had first choice over the D-Backs due to the D-Backs having a better record. Sure, Kim has his control issues but he piles up strikeouts and would be better than any of the current 5th spot options. Perhaps, a gift like Carlos Silva or even Russ Ortiz will fall into the Braves’ lap.

Chase, I do think this team is tired. All of the extra inning games and the west coast trip has taken a toll on them. They need to take the next two from the Rockies, fly to New York Sunday night and spend the entire day Monday in their hotel rooms relaxing.

By BravesDave

August 3, 2007 10:04 PM | Link to this

0-3 against Cincinnati; 2-2 against SF; 2-2 against St. Louis; 5-7 against Florida; 0-3 against Minnesota…

9-17 record against weak competition. I throw Minnesota in the mix because the Braves lost to Kevin Slowey and Carlos Silva.

This, more than anything, is the death knell to the season. Playing poorly against poor competition. Losing games that the team should win. Not capitalizing on the schedule.

By Fire

August 3, 2007 10:04 PM | Link to this

FIRE BOBBY COX

By Southbeachdietfreak

August 3, 2007 10:04 PM | Link to this

NO CHOP

I will certainly miss hearing from you after the Braves take the next two and the Mets drop 2 to the Cubs. After all, the Mets will only be 3.5 ahead, and that’s way to close for you to blather on…

By Wayne in Utah

August 3, 2007 10:05 PM | Link to this

It’ll be interesting to see how Mad Dog handles Barroid Bonds tonight!

By JasonInMaine

August 3, 2007 10:06 PM | Link to this

Wayne,

I tend to agree that they can, but they will need to get better pitching with the 3-5 starters going deeper in the game…if they do that, they got a shot…

That’s Woodward at hs best…warning track power…

By No

August 3, 2007 10:09 PM | Link to this

nobody reads this shat I you did you’d be offended you jews, n**** and spics.

By Andy

August 3, 2007 10:11 PM | Link to this

BravesDave, i hope you are not saying the Rockies are weak competition, since they DO have a better record than the Braves.

By gotigers72

August 3, 2007 10:12 PM | Link to this

Last night’s loss was a horrible one. Demoralizing, depressing, deflating and probably several more DE words that I can’t come up with right now.

There have been several of those lately, and Soriano and Wickman have been the reasons for most of them. Mostly Soriano. Since Dotel is here, isn’t it about time to sit Soriano down in close late inning situations? He has given up bombs to either tie games or let the other team go ahead FOUR times SINCE THE ALL STAR BREAK!

I thought the bullpen was supposed to be fixed since last year, but they have really been hurting the Braves lately. Specifically the 2 guys that are supposed to be ending games.

By BravesDave

August 3, 2007 10:13 PM | Link to this

Wayne, I am throwing in the towel. I was on the verge when we lost 3 out of 4 to the Nationals. I was on the verge when we shutout in 4 out 5 games in interleague play. I was on the verge when we swept by Cincy. After last night’s debacle and the listless performance tonight as a response, I am done. The towel is out of my hands and is soaring into the ring. I think the referee just noticed it and he is putting a stop to the beating. It’s over…I hear the bell.

By dadgum

August 3, 2007 10:15 PM | Link to this

Folks a few blogs ago I said that the Braves have no chance to make the playoffs without Renteria. I will stick by that statement. Also we simply don’t have that many games to play and we are not looking like a playoff team anyway.

After Smoltz got shelled tonight they are 5.5 back. That game last night just simply was a killer let alone tonight. The Braves looked deflated to start the game to be honest. Maybe it will all come together but don’t bet heavy. The Braves may have to sweep New York next week to realistically have a shot. They will either be in it or out of it after the Mets series. Real tough time for Renteria to be on DL which may last until Sept. and have their pitching in disarray.

Heading for a week at the beach. No computer, no blogging, cold beer. Ya’ll think about it.

Rock on……remembering Joe Strummer.

By Southbeachdietfreak

August 3, 2007 10:16 PM | Link to this

BravesDave

AS I mentioned earlier, the Rockies are right in the middle of the Pennant race… they are not a discount team!

As bad as tonight was, they’ll pick it up tomorrow!

By Ron

August 3, 2007 10:16 PM | Link to this

TheSouthernJackAss Didn’t you say you were a Tiger fan? But yeah I can envision what you look like right now in my head!!! I bet you are a big ole dude, a beer drinker and bad SOB!!! Am I right!!! If I am I damn sho aint gonna mess with you!!!

By jason

August 3, 2007 10:17 PM | Link to this

WHY IS CORMIER PITCHING RIGHT NOW AND NOT DAVIES????

Cormier is a STARTER.

What is wrong with Cox?

By Daniel

August 3, 2007 10:18 PM | Link to this

This devastating loss, including the injuries is just the start of a bad homestand… after we lose 2 of 3 from the rockies and mets, we may very well be 8 games out of first place!

By BravesDave

August 3, 2007 10:21 PM | Link to this

Hey Andy, did you see me mentioned Colorado anywhere in my comments??

Reading comprehension is a precious skill.

By uga-brave

August 3, 2007 10:22 PM | Link to this

well it looks like all the MO got sucked out of this team last night. combine the fact we lost the game and we probably have lost renteria, really has a sobering effect. you could really see this coming. in fact this is the braves MO look geat for three and then ugh. i agree with a lot of what BRAVE-DAVE says the lack of ANY pitching from the five-hole has prevented any type of streak. winning breeds winning.

really got a feeling we will all look back at the reds series and the eighth inning last night and think what could of been. oh by the way cormier just gave up his 10th extra base hit in eight innings. yeah he is the answer. well it took chip till august to say something intelligent “CMON LANCE ITS 7-1 THROW STRIKES”

By BravesDave

August 3, 2007 10:23 PM | Link to this

Hey SouthBeach, I’ll ask you the same question that I asked Andy…where did I say Colorado was poor competition??

By Ron

August 3, 2007 10:25 PM | Link to this

Well, for all you folks that THINK that Cormier is our savior you are fools!!! I said it yesterday, and I will say it again, WE have to get a descent starter!!! Simple as that!!! Guess whay Cormier sucked earlier in the year, and he sucks AGAIN tonight!!! What A surprise!!! I suppose we should get ready for a beating the next game Cormier starts!!! Its really a f*** SHAME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By BravesDave

August 3, 2007 10:25 PM | Link to this

Apparently, Lance Cormier is not the answer as the 5th starter. Maybe we can sign Lance Bass.

A great question posed earlier was what the heck was Cox thinking pitching Yates with a 7-1 deficit??

By HP

August 3, 2007 10:25 PM | Link to this

Lance Cormier is no help. He looks like same player that was before he was sent back to minors. But lets what he can do as a starter. GO Braves!!

By Andy

August 3, 2007 10:27 PM | Link to this

We absolutely have to sweep the Mets.

By Chase

August 3, 2007 10:27 PM | Link to this

NO BRAIN ZONE

Will you still be talking after the BRAVES win the NEXT 4 GAMES and the MUTS LOSE the NEXT 4!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Typical MUTS TROLL…Has to come on here when he is secure and help EASE HIS and the MUTS’ INFERIORITY COMPLEX to the BRAVES!!!!!

By HP

August 3, 2007 10:29 PM | Link to this

jason: Davies was traded to Kansas City for Octovial Dotel.

By Stuart

August 3, 2007 10:29 PM | Link to this

Carroll, you hit the nail on the head. I like DOB, but he too much like Bobby in that everything is always fine and dandy and they are not.

This team takes terrible at bats in clutch situations. They try to jack everything out of the park when they game is close. The back end of the rotation is a joke. Bobby had jerked with that bullpen all year and worn them ALL out. Hell Yates ought to punch him in the face the way he has abused him.

I am tired of the apologests for this team. They have plenty of talent, but they are wusses. I wanted to throw up last night when Soriano was on the mound and Chipper and Willie were laughing after Edgar got hurt. Be Serious, the game was on the line!!! Being p** off at this team does not make me a bad fan, it makes me a human being.

Last year the team was bad and was beaten by 2 better teams, but this year they have squandered chance after chance because they have no sack or excuses, they have blown it.

By Carroll Rogers

August 3, 2007 10:29 PM | Link to this

I called it! Teixeira’s home run…..It was all here in back, white and blue….just sayin

By Robert (Justice Is The Best)

August 3, 2007 10:30 PM | Link to this

Bill, you’re an idiot!

I know Bobby loves to have Villareal pitch long relief but I think Oscar is the solution for the 5th spot in the rotation. With the addition of Dotel Moylan could take over the long relief along with Cormier or a better option would to be promote Royce Ring. Anyway, Villareal did a terrific job last year when started. Cormier did as well. The difference is Villareal has continued to pitch well while Cormier……. Of course, that will not happen.

By BravesDave

August 3, 2007 10:30 PM | Link to this

I hate meaningless HRs.

By TheSouthernJackAss

August 3, 2007 10:33 PM | Link to this

Just as I expected…No takers!…

I’m out of this trash heap…

By Chase

August 3, 2007 10:33 PM | Link to this

Great HR by TEX but to be fair it was his two bad plays in the 1st that set the tone for the night!

Baseball is an amazing game… as bad as the past two nights have been… we win the next two and the MUTS lose their next two and we’re right back to 3.5 GB… And the bad taste is washed away!

By NO CHOP ZONE

August 3, 2007 10:34 PM | Link to this

Southbeach must be too bz jumping back and forth from his favorite porn site back to the AJC. He’s to distracted to post an intelligent comment. Go wash your hands and try again you stupid cross dresser.

By Ron

August 3, 2007 10:36 PM | Link to this

Robert(JISB) I agree man, why cant we go after a starter!!! DOB sits there and says you cant put a gun to there head and MAKE them trade anybody!!! Yeah he is right, but JS made ALL those OTHER moves, why not the MOST important move!!! I said it at the time we were close to getting Tex, WE NEED ANOTHER STARTER!!! And guess what WE NEED ANOTHER STARTER!!! And DOB and others dismissed it!!! Wonder what those same people are thinking!!! Those are the ones that make me sick!!! The ones that thought that getting Tex and getting NO Starter was gonna put us OVER the Top!!! I still THINK we can win the Wildcard, but man is it gonna be TOUGH without a GOOD 5th Starter!!! Cormier IS NOT THE DAMN ANSWER!!!

By Elaine's Friend

August 3, 2007 10:37 PM | Link to this

You’re all winners!!!

By uga-brave

August 3, 2007 10:40 PM | Link to this

HEY CARROLL YOU SOOTHSAYER, THIS IS NO CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM. truth hurts but to use a tired cliche “it is what it is”

anyone else but me and BRAVE-DAVE think that brian mccann is a total liability behind the plate? for as much crap as javy caught for his defense mcaann just flat out looks really LAZY.

By bravesfan

August 3, 2007 10:42 PM | Link to this

Chase we aren’t going to play the Rockies minor league team the next two days so we aren’t going to win the next two. Mark IT DOWN

By Ron

August 3, 2007 10:44 PM | Link to this

Robert (Justice Is The Best) I wish you were right about Villy!!! But if he aint started yet he aint gonna start now!!! Stuff like this crap, make me want to TURN on BC!!! We NEED another starter so bad, but he wont put a guy right under his damn nose to start!!! I respect him, but he has made me question ALOT of his moves this year!!! In the past I did not question them so much, but just about EVERY game I question something he does!!! He has lost it as a manager in a year time!!!

By PostseasonBlues

August 3, 2007 10:45 PM | Link to this

Why worry about winning the division when plain and simply we know what the ultimate result will be. Postseason pain is a way of life in Atlanta and that is what our bandwagon fans deserve. Garbage time at Turner Field featuring a half liqoured “Bourbon” Bobby Cox.

By NO CHOP ZONE

August 3, 2007 10:47 PM | Link to this

Chase…..Are you drunk? at what time this year have the Mets lost 4 games while the braves were winning 4?? you just lost at home to the Astro’s and the Rockies. say NO to drugs Chase or you’ll turn into a comatose idiot like LEW.

By tbo

August 3, 2007 10:49 PM | Link to this

Dannyboy you are so right. I have been saying the same thing for the last three years. Bobby Cox is a terrible manager. He needs to be GONE!! We would be 4 to 5 games up now if we had anyone else as manager. JS get that old fool out.

By Efrim

August 3, 2007 10:53 PM | Link to this

Rough loss. Need to win the next 2 games. See folks…..

This is why you can’t let the games go when you are up 4 runs. Its called momentum.

What is the Braves record after a loss this season? Last two months?

Probably very bad.

By Stinky

August 3, 2007 10:54 PM | Link to this

Good stuff tonight, Carrol. Keep up the good work.

By PostseasonBlues

August 3, 2007 10:56 PM | Link to this

The umpire gave Smoltzie 6 inches off of either side of the plate tonight and he still couldn’t pull off a Maddux like shutout. Now we have “Red” Tim Hudson to end our misery tomorrow before he goes out on a date with Joey Harrington. I figure Coxy drinks this one off and gets run around the 2nd or 3rd inning tomorrow night so he can get to his bottle of jack in his office quicker.

By The Truth Hurts

August 3, 2007 10:59 PM | Link to this

So….it appears as if the trade motivated the wrong team.

By BravesDave

August 3, 2007 11:06 PM | Link to this

It amazes me that we once won a division title with a pitching rotation of Russ Ortiz, Mike Hampton, John Thompson, Jaret Wright, and Paul Byrd…but we cannot put anything together with John Smoltz, Tim Hudson, Chuck James, and two stiffs for two straight seasons. It proves that even five average starters make a better rotation than three well above average starters and two bottom-dwellers.

And it wasn’t all offense with that 2004 team. Chipper missed 25 games and no Braves hitter drove in 100 runs.

By uga-brave

August 3, 2007 11:08 PM | Link to this

RON gotta disagree with you on bobby. the only bad decision bobby has made all year is the fact he has treated some players like men when instead they needed a foot in the rear. its a lot easier to score runs when you have a five run lead and you are facing their 5th pitcher in there bullpen. bobby is old school. just think at least hes not bowa, valentine, or larussa, all egomaniacs. just think the great larussa tried to justify hitting his pitcher eight hole.

By Todd A

August 3, 2007 11:09 PM | Link to this

*”HEY ANDRUW BASHERS!

Why aren’t you ALL OVER CHIPPER and TEX for being Rally Killers”*

I’m right here, and I’ve never been a huge Chipper Jones fan either.So nice try.Andruw is a rally killer.He’s the king of rally killers world wide.I’m counting down the weeks until his sorry @%% becomes a free agent. Good riddance.

By Cox (must be on crack)

August 3, 2007 11:10 PM | Link to this

Did anyone hear the “Bobby Cox Show” on radio before the game? You know that little two minute thing they do before the game where Cox slips in as many baseball cliche’s as he can in two minutes.

He said basically, that the pen wasn’t tired. He said that people were suggesting the pen was tired but that just wasn’t true. They still have their velocity and it’s just they aren’t hitting their spots.

Why is it that most every person who follows and knows anything about baseball (including virtually every analyst who is asked to comment)says the Braves pen is gassed…..except Cox?

He’s a very odd man.

And Carroll…. great blog. Even if the Braves win it all, you bring up some really valid points. Glad someone who covers the Braves on a regular basis has enough guts to state what on her mind instead of more rah rah crap.

By Anders

August 3, 2007 11:10 PM | Link to this

Hey look at the bright side - Friends went on only 10 minutes late tonight instead of 2 hours like last night.

By Todd A

August 3, 2007 11:12 PM | Link to this

We’ll probably score 15 runs tomorrow night.

By Anders

August 3, 2007 11:17 PM | Link to this

Hey Uga Valentine took the Mets to the 2000 World Series with an outfield of Jay Payton, Benny Agbayani and Timo Perez and Todd Zeile was his #4 hitter. Definetly had an ago but I had no issue with him as a manager. He’s making a fortune in Japan by the way.

By BravesDave

August 3, 2007 11:21 PM | Link to this

I hate to bring up an old topic, but this team has not been the same since Leo Mazzone left. We had payroll constraints when Leo was in town, but we still found ways to field winning teams. We won with reclamation projects like Chris Hammond, John Burkett, Jaret Wright, John Thompson, Jorge Sosa, Antonio Alfonseca, Shane Reynolds, Darren Holmes, etc, and on and on.

We have not had success like that since.

I don’t care what he has done in Baltimore. Although, I know Erik Bedard has turned into an ace under his tutelage.

By monty

August 3, 2007 11:24 PM | Link to this

Hey, the Cardinals were not a championship team this time last year either. But, they got hot at the right time.What bothers me about the Braves this year is their inability to win in extra innings, something like 1-6 as of late. That speaks of a will to win, to grind it out. Also, does Soriano not throw the easiest to hit 96 mph fastball in the league? Like no movement whatsoever, 8 homeruns in 24 innings. Puts some spin on the dearn ball! Put Soriano in in the 7th and bring Dotel in the 8th. Also Smoltz needs 6 days reat and not 4 or 5. Once a week is all your going to get out of him. Even the best get old.

By Hey Chase!!!

August 3, 2007 11:27 PM | Link to this

Chase, you’re in high school, right?

Do you wear your school colors on Friday and attend all the pep rallies before the big games?

Do you have a geeky History teacher who wears the funny hat on game days while he tries to get students to take him seriously?

Most Braves fans who blog here are adults. Most, not all. The blog is a good place to vent frustrations and make comments about the team. Some of the most knowledgable fans here do point out the shortcomings of the team.

A fan who vents a bit is no less fan than some guy like you who chooses to look at every aspect of what the Braves do with Rose colored glasses.

So listen up Chase, you can wear your pink panties and jump up and down with your cheerleader pom poms all you want. But don’t even think you have a real clue or the right to dictate to others how they should act as fans! They spend their valuable time watching the same crap as you do…..they just expect a better product than you do.

By gotigers72

August 3, 2007 11:31 PM | Link to this

Well, doesn’t look like Cormier is the answer for the #5 spot. Looked as bad as he did when he was up last. Here’s my solution, see what you think. Every time the #5 spot is due to pitch, the Braves should forfeit. They’re losing all of those games anyway. If they forfeit, no ragarm starter or ragarm reliever can cause the bullpen to be used like a Michael Vick pitbull. Just forfeit, take the loss that was coming anyway and give all the pitchers a day of rest. Save them for when #s1-4 are going where they might make a difference. Or if Bud “Jelly Spine” Selig won’t allow that, let a different position player pitch each inning. You may end up with scores like 30-7 and such, but as I said, they’re losing almost all of those games anyway and the pitchers arms would be saved.

I thought moving Andruw to the #5 spot in the batting order may help him relax some and bring him out ofthe funk he’s in. Doesn’t look like it though. 2 Ks and a GIDP ain’t exactly coming out of it. Looks like the #5 is the Braves unlucky # this year. #5 in the rotation, #5 in the batting order [now], and 5 1/2 games out.

By BravesDave

August 3, 2007 11:31 PM | Link to this

So what are you saying Anders, that Willie Randolph is a crap manager? I mean, Minaya has purchased Pedro, Glavine, LoDuca, Beltran, Delgado, Shawn Green, Jose Valentine, Moises Alou, Cliff Floyd, Orlando Hernandez, Billy Wagner in the past few years and the Mets have not been to the World Series.

Do you long for the days of Timo Perez and Benny Agbayani???

By Todd A

August 3, 2007 11:35 PM | Link to this

Carol, your comments today were dead on target. Last night’s game was just one of many times this year the Braves have snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. Playoff teams have their dry spells, but they get it figured out at some point,and the Braves haven’t.

This team isn’t mentally tough. You see it in every facet of the team: back-breaking defensive lapses, failure to get a clutch hit for the go ahead run late in the game, pitchers making too many mistakes with runners in scoring position (many on pitcher’s counts).This is all mental, and when you combine the black hole that is the 5th starters spot, that’s causing a trickle down effect on other aspects of the ball club. This is not a playoff team.I think most people already know it, they just don’t want to admit it.

By Anders

August 3, 2007 11:37 PM | Link to this

Monty The Cardinals ran into two teams in a row who’s hitting went ice cold. The Mets and Tigers. They still did what they had to do and their pitching definetly came through -but that was a perfect storm scenario. They also had a closer to slam the door every time.

By Stinky

August 3, 2007 11:41 PM | Link to this

Anders longs for something alright, but it’s not Perez or Agbayani! If you know what I mean.

By Anders

August 3, 2007 11:44 PM | Link to this

* Braves Dave* No , Randolph has done a great job. He took them to game 7 of the NLDS last year. I was just responding to the Valentine bashing which is quite common. I agree he was “Top step Bobby” Who cares? The guy got results. He took a pretty average team to the WS. BTW, most of those guys you listed have been bashed as over the hill under achieving old men on this blog.

By The Grinch

August 3, 2007 11:45 PM | Link to this

Now Stinky, whatever did I do to get on your @%#& list? I thought we were pals, like Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan. Maybe it’s just all those %$#@ing repeated commercials. I’d really like to smack the crap out of that woman complaining about wasted anytime minutes: shove her upside down into that garbage disposal she fished them out of. Sadly I thought it wasn’t too bad a commercial the first 1500 times I saw it. And don’t even get me started on Delta. Or all those people yawning. Or that oh-so-sincere gentleman who’s restoring an old house. Or the guy who orders the mermaid sandwich. Or Aflack. At least Sonic has the decency to vary theirs every 3 games or so.

What in the name of Vishnu are we going to do for a 5th starter?

By Jason

August 3, 2007 11:46 PM | Link to this

Looks like you guys are becoming the new repository for Met failures….Royce Ring, Octavio Dotel, Tyler Yates, and for a while…Julio Franco…..Also looks like that whole “we build from within” nonsense is out the window as you have sold your soul for Tex. Enjoy the pergatory of 3rd place.

By uga-brave

August 3, 2007 11:49 PM | Link to this

HEY ANDERS DO YOU REALLY THINK VALENTINE WAS A GOOD MANAGER? dude as a person who grew up in scarsdale,NY AND moved south by the grace of god i think i have a pulse for NY. val always had the napoleon complex, or as i like to say short mans disease. players HATED HIM. the job of a MANAGER IS TO MANAGE. THATS WHAT BOBBY DOES OVER 162. HE DOES NOT PUT UP WITH CRAP JUST ASK LOFTON, BOONE, AND DEION. ask any player in the majors who is the best manager they played for or who is the manager they want to play for and it is BOBBY.

CMON BRAVE- DAVE CHIME IN

By bravesfan

August 3, 2007 11:49 PM | Link to this

Carroll what’s the mood in the club house?

By Todd A

August 3, 2007 11:51 PM | Link to this

“t amazes me that we once won a division title with a pitching rotation of Russ Ortiz, Mike Hampton, John Thompson, Jaret Wright, and Paul Byrd…but we cannot put anything together with John Smoltz, Tim Hudson, Chuck James, and two stiffs for two straight seasons. It proves that even five average starters make a better rotation than three well above average Mtarters and two bottom-dwellers.”

Braves Dave, the main difference is the Mets.They are just a much better organization than they were for the last 15 years, as much as I hate to admit it.Now they have a competent GM and mgr.What many fail to realize is that the Braves have been pretty mediocre for most of this decade, but the division was so weak none of the teams could expose them over the course of a long season.Now, the Braves are the ones playing with mental paralysis, not the Mets.

By The Answer

August 3, 2007 11:52 PM | Link to this

It amazes me that we once won a division title with a pitching rotation of Russ Ortiz, Mike Hampton, John Thompson, Jaret Wright, and Paul Byrd…but we cannot put anything together with John Smoltz, Tim Hudson, Chuck James, and two stiffs….

Hey Braves Dave…Two words. Leo Mazzone.

By Anders

August 3, 2007 11:52 PM | Link to this

Brave Dave I meant Randolph took them to game 7 of the NLCS.

By BravesDave

August 3, 2007 11:55 PM | Link to this

C’mon Anders, every one of the guys that I mentioned outside of El Duque and Valentin were high profile, high salaried acquisitions. I am not bashing those guys as over-the-hill. The Mets team on the whole is fairly ‘veteran’, but I think anyone on this blog right now would love to have El Duque in the rotation, Billy Wagner in the bullpen…and probably Pedro, Glavine, and Beltran on the team somewhere. Minaya has gone all-out over the past few years, and it has not translated to a World Championship. You know that hurts. I have so many Mets fan friends that constantly tell me they would rather not make the playoffs than make it 14 straight years and only win one title. I laugh at them. They are liars and are only looking for some miniscule way to degrade the Braves. After Minaya spends all this money in the past few years, every Mets fans knows how difficult it is to win a championship. You lost to a horrible Cardinals team last season in the NLCS. That must have burnt the entire offseason. It must also burn you up that the Mets have yet to put away the Braves and Phils this season.

By Anders

August 4, 2007 12:02 AM | Link to this

Uga I have no issue with Bobby Cox. If you saw my blogs yesterday I was defending him from his own fans!!! I was just defending Valentine as well. I don’t care wether players like him or not. It’s about results. As a Met coach he did the job. He and Phillips had a power struggle that he lost. Turned out Phillips was in over his head and went out the door the next year. I’m not saying he’s a HOF mgr but he did the job for us.

By Chop Chop

August 4, 2007 12:06 AM | Link to this

Regarding the Home Depot commercial:

I think the Marine restoring the old house should say, “I plan on converting this old place into the Mecca of the dogfighting world. Thank you, Arthur.”

As for the game tonight, uh…it sucked. Smoltz is hurt but had been pitching well, so I’m guessing that he just had a bad night. The defense was shoddy, which isn’t good. I’m not surprised that the bats cooled off, so I’m not too worried about that. It was bound to happen and we all know Smoltz doesn’t get a lot of run support.

As far as Lance Cormier goes:

“He is who I thought he was! That’s why I closed my eyes! If you wanna crown him fifth starter and continue to lose games, crown his a$$!”

(By the way, I heard The Bobby Cox Show tonight. He may not be on crack, but I want some of what he’s smoking. The man is delusional.)

By uga-brave

August 4, 2007 12:06 AM | Link to this

GO TIGERS GREAT POST. if we would of forefitted every game by a five starter it could not be much worse. BRAVE-DAVE kinda thinks this way, BRIAN MCCANN really has trouble calling a game. he kinda looks like a guy if you threw him in box of 12 kittens he would lose. BRAVE-DAVE you are right again braves really miss LEO in more ways than one. FOOD FOR THOUGHT HAS ANYONE HEARD A RADIO INTERVIEW WITH ROGER MCDOWELL OR QUOTE IN THE PAPER, KIND OF WEIRD IF U THINK ABOUT IT.

By BravesDave

August 4, 2007 12:06 AM | Link to this

Todd A, I understand that the Mets are better now, but the Braves didn’t play the Mets 162 games a year in those seasons. They still had to play the rest of the majors for over 140 games. And they still managed to win 90-100 games a year.

The Answer, I posted my thoughts on Leo about 15 minutes after the post that you quoted. My sentiments exactly.

Jason, the Braves don’t build from within??? Chipper Jones, Yunel Escobar, Kelly Johnson, Scott Thorman, Brian McCann, Andruw Jones, Jeff Francoeur, Chuck James, and various other players that have been on the squad this season were all drafted and developed by the Braves. That is 6 of the 8 everyday position starters currently. Don’t make yourself look like an idiot.

By Anders

August 4, 2007 12:13 AM | Link to this

Brave Dave -The whole team you mentioned only came together last year. They went to the NLCS. I can live with that. I give the Braves all the credit in the world for their 14 year run. I wish the Mets could have a 5 year run. That said, the Mets were pretty good a lot of those years but because they had to play the Braves (best team in the NL) 19 times and the Yanks 6 times every year it was tough for them to win a wild card too. It was tough having a team in your division with 3 HOF pitchers on their staff for 10 years. Thats a once in a lifetime thing and I’m sure Brave fans appreciated it.

By Jason

August 4, 2007 12:16 AM | Link to this

I forgot Woodward…I agree that you HAVE built from within…but this last trade really was ominous…essentially, your top 4 organizational prospects gone in the blink of an eye.

By Tonight on TBS

August 4, 2007 12:21 AM | Link to this

The House on Carroll Street (1988)

Carroll Rogers (Kelly McGillis) is fired by the AJC after refusing to rabidly support the underachieving Atlanta Braves. She takes a part-time job as companion to an elderly ex-ballplayer (Carroll O’Connor). One day her attention is drawn to a noisy argument being conducted largely in Spanish in a neighbouring house. Deciding to investigate, with the help of fellow journalist Senor Blanco (Leo G. Carroll), she uncovers a plot involving Omar Minaya (J. Carroll Naish) and the Cuban secret police to kidnap Yunel Escobar. She soon finds herself in a nightmarish wonderland straight out of Lewis Carroll. (Suspense).

By uga-brave

August 4, 2007 12:21 AM | Link to this

hey ANDERS WELL PUT. while i did not like valentine, he is alot like OZZIE GUILLEN. they were both fast burning stars. they both put themselves ahead of the team. WOULD MUCH rather HAVE MANAGERS LIKE COX AND TORRE THAT SHY AWAY FROM THE HEADLINES. when was the last time you saw bobby jumping up and down on the field, after a braves win.

cant tell you how many times i saw VAL AND BOWA DO THAT. REMEBER GAME 5 OF THE NLCS WHEN VENTURA HIT THE HR, VAL WAS RUNNING AROUND LIKE HE ACTUALLY WON THE GAME. BOBBY WOULD NEVER DO THAT

By Jeff

August 4, 2007 12:21 AM | Link to this

I have said from the beginning of 07 the Muts will win The East. We will get thw Wild Card. I think Smoltz and the rest of the Braves were tired tonight. As bad as we have played we are only 2.5 back of the Wild Card. The Cardinals won 83 games last year and won the World Series I don’t even follow the East race anymore. I care more about the Wild Card. The Muts never beat us when it counts. The NL blows. Lets forget about the last two days todays. Lets forget about winning the East. The Wild Card is our only hope. Lets go drill Jimenez and Cook the next two days.

By Kentavo

August 4, 2007 12:24 AM | Link to this

This team seems to be unable to get in a sustained groove. It’s win 3, lose 2, win 2, lose 4 and so on.

What happened to the vaunted offense tonight? It was back to hack n’ jack. I don’t get it. Didn’t even look like the same hitters from the previous 4 games.

By BravesDave

August 4, 2007 12:35 AM | Link to this

Jason, this trade was no more ominous than when the Mets sent Mike Jacobs, Yusmiero Petit, and another prospect to the Marlins for Delgado. Or trading Kazmir for Victor Zambrano (who?). Give me a break. We traded two prospects who were blocked by young major leaguers and a couple of other “prospects”. We have traded prospects before…do you remember anyone that we traded for Fred McGriff or Tim Hudson??? We have a pretty good track record with selecting the prospects that we trade away. Unlike the Mets.

By uga-brave

August 4, 2007 12:35 AM | Link to this

PROBLEM WITH THIS TEAM, besides smoltz, andruw, and chipper, i think there are alot of guys just drawing checks. sorry gwinnett county residents but since ur beloved brian and jeff have showed up, the braves are under .500 for the last 2 AND 1/2 YEARS.

By Interesting observations

August 4, 2007 12:36 AM | Link to this

Kinda interesting that Stinky has slung insults at our Anders for a couple days now, and Anders has made no reply to Stinky’s obvious badgering, yet our Anders has been quick to jump at all other bloggers’ negative comments. Maybe Anders fears Stinky, maybe the things Stinky says about Anders are true, then again, maybe Anders and Stinky are one in the same. What say you?

Anders/Stinky…Stinky/Anders

Also kinda interesting that Anders claims to have knowledge of things that were said on this blog weeks or months ago, yet Anders claims to have arrived on this blog a mere 3 days ago.

Stay tuned. Many many more interesting observations to follow.

By uga-brave

August 4, 2007 12:52 AM | Link to this

BRAVE-DAVE THE ONLY ONE ON THIS THREAD I THINK HAS A CLUE. 52 left gotta go 34-18 right? watchted maddawg pitch tonight looked really good. what if we still had the boys? HEY DOB OR CARROLL has there ever been a pitching staff that had 3 over 40 aged hof’s kind of interesting.

By Jason

August 4, 2007 12:53 AM | Link to this

Kazmir for Zambrano (the horror!) is exactly my point! We will see how it plays out. As for the Mets track record, I do not dispute the woeful actions of Duquette. However, Omar has been pretty shrewd for the most part. But lets face it, spending $120 million can make a lot of people smart.

By gotigers72

August 4, 2007 12:59 AM | Link to this

uga - I agree with you 100% regarding McCann being a defensive liability. The proof is in the pudding [stats]. He has the worst fielding percentage of any catcher in the NL. 8 errors and 6 passed balls, and has thrown out only 15 of 59 baserunners attempting to steal. That is better only than Michael Barrett and Johnny Estrada among starting catchers.

DOB takes up for him, he has made the All Star team twice in a row, and the Braves thought enough of him to sign him to a 6 year deal. However, none of that makes him a good defensive catcher. Can’t say I blame the Braves for signing him for 6 years at what appears to be a good price. The guy looks to be an above average ML hitter, but he definitely needs to improve on defense. It’s a shame that Pat Corrales left, because I think he was a good teacher of the catching position.

McCann may end up being a star in this league, but he has a way to go. It is said that he calls a good game, but there’s a lot more to being a defensive catcher than calling a good game.

By uga-brave

August 4, 2007 1:04 AM | Link to this

HEY ANDERS I AM A FAN. FOR EVERYBODY ELSE i watch 162 just like the rest of u. THIS IS WHY INTELLIGENT PEOPLE LIKE BASEBALL WIN OR LOSE IT IS CHESS, NOT THE NFL, WHICH IS CHECKERS. WELL IT LOOKS LIKE THE PADS ARE ABOUT TO WIN. hey dob too many teams to catch. TELL ME IT WOULD NOT BE COOL TO SEE BRUCE AT CHASTAIN ESPECIALLY SINCE MY HOUSE IS ON DUDLEY.

By BravesDave

August 4, 2007 1:08 AM | Link to this

Don’t worry Jason, the Braves did not give up a Kazmir in this deal. If Kazmir was with a team other than the D-Rays, like say the Mets, he would be a 20-game winner. None of the pitchers that the Braves traded to the Rangers will be in that class.

As far as Saltalamacchia is concerned, I was not completely sold on him offensively. I think it is crazy that the Rangers are playing him at 1B. I thought he looked excellent behind the plate for the Braves. He has a gun. As a hitter, though, I am not completely convinced. Time will tell. But Teixeira is young (27) and plays defense and is one of the best players in baseball. Delgado, for instance, was not young and was not great defensively. Victor Zambrano was neither young nor good.

The Braves minor league system is still pretty stacked.

UGA, I think I am just about the only one left on this thread…maybe that is why I am the only one with a clue.

By Interesting observations

August 4, 2007 1:10 AM | Link to this

Now if I were Anders, and someone accused me of being Stinky, I do believe that would definitely anger me. I would most likely try to defend myself. However, if I were Anders/Stinky, then I might have to figure out a way to talk my way out of it. By the same token, if I were Stinky, and someone accused me of being Anders, I would also be extremely upset and angered. Yet, neither of those interesting individuals have stepped up to the plate(keeping with baseball theme)to rebut any such accusations. Hell of a formidable predicament if I must say so. I think if I were to be that easily exposed as being Stinky/Anders…Anders/Stinky, I would just quietly leave the blog before complete and total embarrassment. Could it be the meltdown?

Stay tuned. It’s only going to get more interesting.

By uga-brave

August 4, 2007 1:19 AM | Link to this

thanks TIGER FOR YOUR INPUT. macs footwork is terrible but i like him as a person . I PLAYED BALL WITH DON PERNO AT UGA. he has told time again that clint sammons is a great defensive catcher. though i really think brian will be fine long time. just need to move his body.

By uga-brave

August 4, 2007 1:26 AM | Link to this

BRAVE- DAVE you have it right. DONT LET ANYONE TELL YOU THAT YOU DONT. KEEP PREACHING.

By uga-brave

August 4, 2007 1:35 AM | Link to this

ANY ONE ELSE THINKS THE X GAMES SUCK. KINNDA LIKE YO MTV RAPS. the depravity of our society. too many liberals, sorry for all you left coast guys, i really hate hillary and osama. go rudy and fred.

By Interesting observations

August 4, 2007 1:38 AM | Link to this

Very interesting, Anders has not responded in over an hour, maybe he finally found that enlightenment that he so desired. Stinky hasn’t graced the blog with his imbecilic mutter in over two hours now, maybe he found something to play with. Seems the roaches have scurried away for the night, regrouping with ones self you might say. Anders/Stinky…Stinky/Anders

Most interesting observation, Anders and Stinky exhibit an identical trait when posting their/his comments(sort of tipping their pitches, in keeping baseball theme). Have any of you fine upstanding baseball gurus picked up on it yet?

Stay tuned. This is only going to get better and better.

By Libertine

August 4, 2007 1:40 AM | Link to this

Speaking of delusional, I just read Smoltz’s quote about infield hits doing him in tonight. Infield hits? The Rockies absolutely scorched the ball. Some of their lasers were hit right at someone or Smoltz would have given up more runs.

I think he needs to change shrinks and get some fresh delusions.

By BravesDave

August 4, 2007 1:50 AM | Link to this

UGA, the X Games are about as boring as the ESPYs. Ridiculous contrived nonsense from ESPN.

Don’t want to get too political on here, but I am no fan of Hillary or Obama. I am with you on Rudy…not sure about Fred, yet, though.

I am calling it quits early tonight. Big bachelor party Saturday night, so I need to rest up. I will miss the Hudson start tomorrow, but will TIVO. Can the Braves please win 2 of 3, since they already ruined my hopes for a sweep???

G’night UGA and Not too Interesting Observations.

By uga-brave

August 4, 2007 1:50 AM | Link to this

hey guyys BRAVE-DAVE THE next 8 games define our season, go 6-2 we are in it. go 3-5 bye-bye. any thoughts?.

By BravesDave

August 4, 2007 1:58 AM | Link to this

Libetine, I read those quotes and chuckled, too. “I kept us in the game when I did not have any rhythm whatsoever” was my favorite. The Braves offense was down 4-0 before hitting in the second inning, but Smoltz kept them in the game.

Another sign that this team is melting down. They can’t even be honest with themselves.

By uga-brave

August 4, 2007 1:59 AM | Link to this

HEY by LIBERTINE U ARE A NOT A SMART MAN (NOTICE I DID NOT CALL YOU A IDIOT) smoltz is right two bad hops at tex and another by the chink and who knows. this is just the way this season has gone.

tough year to be a fan, more talent now than any time in the last 3 years.

By Interesting observations

August 4, 2007 2:00 AM | Link to this

Finally Stinky reappears, and using one of his old screen names. Can anyone identify who it is? Can you tell me who it is…………pee pot???

What a stupid, juvenile move.

More to come.

By BravesDave

August 4, 2007 2:05 AM | Link to this

UGA, before tonight’s game, I had an exchange with a blogger who said the Braves can go 5-4 over the next 9 games with no problem. I think if they go 5-4, they are done. Period.

They need to go 7-2 over the next 9, I think. And that actually means 7-1 over the next 8 since they lost tonight. They need to make a move and get on a run. They are now 50-52 since the second week of the season. They cannot have any more stretches of .500 ball, especially since they 3-6 in their last 9 games.

Now I really going to sleep.

By \\\\\\\\\\BERIGAN//////////

August 4, 2007 2:06 AM | Link to this

Carroll, and/or DOB, PLEASE, do something about the 9:55 and 10:02 PM posts by “bill”!!!! They are about the most vile posts EVER on this board! I CANNOT believe they are still up 4 hours later! Jesus!

And can you ban SJA and Stinky once and for all??? Brain dead idiots that threaten violence in every other post, (Well, at least SJA does)Just complete wastes of time, and like the racist I mentioned above, they too drive folks away from this blog and the AJC site, which should be reason enough to can them.

And SJA, pretend you are a grown up(We know stinky is a 9 year old in real life) You are NOT funny, not even a little bit. Threatening to beat people up, isn’t that a violation of your parole?

SJA, you know who I think of every time you try to make yourself sound like some supreme bad *ss??? Comic book guy, from the Simpsons! That is who I see. Only you are no doubt a shorter, fatter version…..who goes to even more sci-fi conventions than a fictional cartoon character does. Go blog on some knitting forum or something. You are not only not a braves fan, but you are clearly not a baseball fan either.

By uga-brave

August 4, 2007 2:10 AM | Link to this

brave-dave would love to smoke a cigar and drink a bud with you. i am always at 755 after the game. have fun tomorrow hope you are in vegas.

By Interesting observations

August 4, 2007 2:21 AM | Link to this

Interesting that so many Stinky’s have been lured out into the open tonight. They just keep coming and coming. The more they pop up, the dumber they get. Now Berigan has also tried to sound like a bad man. Calling out the SJA, from behind a PC monitor, truly a ballsy move, a thug indeed. Not very smart though. I do believe you sounded like a high-pitched schoolgirl with that whimsical little post. Oh they’re dropping like flies. What say you pee pot?

Berigan you might get better results if you wait till the SJA is here before trying to be mr. bad man behind his back.

Right, pee pot?

Still more to come.

By BravesDave

August 4, 2007 2:23 AM | Link to this

UGA, unfortunately, I am not in Vegas. I am going to be in NYC…more expensive, less fun. But what can you do, right?

Cigars and Buds sound pretty good, though. I don’t know if I am going to make it to Atlanta before the end of the season, though. The wife is pregnant, which puts a little dent in my sports travel plans. I am probably going to make it to one of the Phillies games next weekend.

By Barker

August 4, 2007 2:29 AM | Link to this

I really don’t think the SJA threatened violence with anyone. I think he simply invited the name callers for a little face time, which he said might not be too pleasant. You people ask for it, you might get it.

By Interesting observations

August 4, 2007 2:35 AM | Link to this

The meltdown has definitely begun. But now I’m bored. I shall return tomorrow with even more interesting observations, and a couple new revelations, and some enlightenment.

The end is near.

Like one blogger stated: “If you’re going to dance with lightning, better wear your rubber shoes!”…

By uga-brave

August 4, 2007 2:37 AM | Link to this

good luck in NYC TOMMOROW BRAVE-DAVE. HAVE FUN. GO EAT A STEAK AT SMIHTS AND WOLENSKYS FOR ME. WHILE YOU ARE AT IT TELL THOSE GUYS AT BAER STEANS TO SHUT UP ABOUT THE CREDIT CRUNCH THAT THAT IS AFFECTING THE STOCK MARKET.

By uga-brave

August 4, 2007 2:42 AM | Link to this

YOU really think SJA IS A BADASS, I KINDA THINK HE IS ABOUT FIVE FOOT. just another guy who has no job and is angry about his life.

By BravesDave

August 4, 2007 2:49 AM | Link to this

UGA, I prefer Morton’s for steak, but we’ll see where the night leads us.

And I hear you on the market. It’s as volatile as the Braves performance lately…hitting 14000 was like aqcuiring Teixeira, Mahay, and Dotel. Dropping back towards 13000 is like the Braves being 3-6 in their last 9 games.

By Barker

August 4, 2007 2:52 AM | Link to this

Hardly, I met the SJA at a Tigers game last year. Man is 6’ 11” and a good 345 lbs. and still in pretty good shape. Used to be a professional wrestler I believe, when TNT still had wrestling on. All I know is that I want no part of that man.

Good night blog.

By MS

August 4, 2007 3:11 AM | Link to this

Forgot who asked earlier today, but they stop selling beer after the 7th even during extra inning games. However, the Chop House still serves until the very end of the game (and then boy do they kick you out of there fast). I was at the game Thursday night and we were having a blast up there in the extra innings (moved up there from our outfield seats once it went to extras). The place went absolutely nuts when Diaz tied it up (there were a lot of incoherent folks there by this point). It was a shame they couldn’t pull out the W, cause that would have topped off a great night.

How about Tushy’s line so far as a Brave (JJS, it kills me every time you call him that. Love it. I can’t wait to hear it outta Bobby’s mouth during an at bat some time.). In 3 games he’s hitting .333 with 3 HR’s and 7 RBI’s (he has K’d an alarming 6 times however).

I was hoping Smoltzie would be the old faithful stopper he normally is tonight, but no such luck this time. Hopefully Huddy will keep his stretch of solid starts going and get us back in the right direction…

By Train Wreck Bystander

August 4, 2007 3:13 AM | Link to this

Well I, for one, am not ready to push the panic button just yet. Smoltzie’s entitled to an off night.

I just hope he’s not playing hurt and making things worse for the long run.

We’ll get those Rockies tomorrow!

By Wayne in Utah

August 4, 2007 3:13 AM | Link to this

Just came back from seeing the latest Bourne movie. Great movie, but the “herky-jerky” cinematography will give you a head ache.

If you look up lilly livered in Webster’s dictionary, it tells you to visit the AJC/DOB/MIB blog. Lot’s of examples of such there.

After the trade, everybody was sooo lovie dovie. Then Jo Jo blows a game, and Ron starts ranting about HOW WE NEED A STARTING PITCHER! I thought you were smarter than that. Have you been drinking tonight. How many other teams needed a starting pitcher? LOTS. How many teams went out and got an effective starting pitcher? NONE. The price was astronomical. JS did the next best thing. He filled out last hole in our starting lineup, and solidified the bullpen.

There were lots of guys available, but at what price? Funny how nobody really bit at the bait, unless you think Lohse would be an upgrade.

Cormier might suck the rest of the year, but jeez, he has only pitched 1 inning since coming back. Give him at least a couple of starts before you crucify him.

BravesDave: You are very hard to figure. Sometimes you say things that make perfect sense, then other times, it sounds like, well, I better stop. I said I wasn’t going to offend anybody anymore.

What a bunch of front runners…….but, like they say, there’s really nothing wrong with that, huh.

By \\\\\\\\\\BERIGAN//////////

August 4, 2007 3:16 AM | Link to this

Interesting observations,

I’ve never seen you on this blog until quite recently,(Perhaps you rarely post, or is it that you just aren’t very interesting, and that is why I never noticed you until a few weeks ago! ;) I have been on it for the past two years. Perhaps you don’t quite know what brain dead dolts SJA and Stinky have been over this time frame. I am tired of this crap. Doesn’t matter if you ignore them or not, they don’t leave,. even when they say time and time again they are done here. But when they and the Mets trolls post more and more, you see less and less posts by Carolina Lady, Bob, Journalist, etc most likely because of their posting here.

I want to talk baseball, and have others talk about baseball, with some pleasant music conversation tossed in. SJA serves no purpose.

IO, I spent(wasted?) quite some time reading almost all of the 400+ posts, after the game ended. That is why I commented when I did. Didn’t know or care if SJA was on then, get it? Seeing the hateful racist crap here first, really P*ssed me off, it has no place here. I see the 10:02 post is still here, but at least the earlier one is gone. Then seeing the “Fake” SJA, then the real one later, was just the cherry on top. I am not trying to be a “thug”.

But, I guarantee you, I am not the least bit afraid of drips that act tough as nails behind monitors, while they eat their 20th twinkie
of the night..

By Ray Kelsey

August 4, 2007 3:32 AM | Link to this

Carroll’s blog was dead on accurate.

There’s something about this Braves team that is undeniably troublesome—yet difficult to put your finger on. It’s more nuanced than losing in extra innings, risible starting line-ups, taxed bullpens. All year long, like squinting into a microscope and trying to make out bacteria, I keep thinking I can see something fuzzy, something that resembles a pattern, but it’s just too difficult to identify.

And like a virus, it endures…

I did a very sobering thing last night; something I suggest you all do as well—for some startling perspective. Youtube ‘Atlanta Braves’ and click on one of the highlight reels from 91, 92, or the Series Year, and then sit back and watch in horror as you realize that the current roster, comparatively, is woefully inadequate. It hits you like a punch in the face.

Look closely…See that glimmer in the eyes of Deion Sanders, Mark Lemke, Tom Glavine, Sid Bream, Dave Justice, Otis Nixon, Ron Gant and TP? Those guys had heart. They were, quite simply, winners.

Do this, Braves fans, but beware: it’s such a stark study in contrast, you may not turn on TBS again until next year, after Andruw’s welcomed departure, to see if Tex adjusts the aperature and brings the Braves franchise into focus for the first time in a decade.

By Serbok

August 4, 2007 3:59 AM | Link to this

You guys are a Trip! Stinky~ nice poem!!!!! Made me laff! To me laughter is the spice of life! Appreciated it man! The Braves WILL be back~ I feel. But don’t really know~ I get a kick outta ppl who claim to know SO much? (Ahem, Ron?) Sorry dude, you were the first one to come to my mind. There’s many many ppl who also post that way! I’m not criticizing, you guys make the blog fun! One thing I have learned in life is that I actually DO Not know anything! Wayne! Good buddy! Very even keeled. One question for ya tho? Awhile back, If memory serves me correctly?(which it may or may not) Did you and I discuss however so briefly the value of Escobar over Salty? Memory may have failed me? But I ‘member you saying that If a trade is made It should be Escobar b4 Salty? Does my memory serve me well? Also, glad to see that you have come over to the Bobby is not a very good mgr, side of the blog? Enjoy:o)

By Serbok

August 4, 2007 4:02 AM | Link to this

GRINCH This posts for YOU!!! Joey HARRINGTON? LOL Sorry bro~ couldnt resist! Lmao!

By Serbok

August 4, 2007 4:56 AM | Link to this

By uga-brave

August 4, 2007 2:42 AM Couldn’t Agree more Bro!!!!!!! I have the feeling, SJA is also posting under different names. Course, that may be common knowledge, that wasn’t so common to me? I really despise Ppl like SJA~ I wonder what “moniker” He usually posts with? Sounds like IT could be Wayne in Utah? Then again it could be Savannah guy? NAH Both of those guys are far more intellectually superior to play such asinine games? Could it be? hmmmmmm Carrol? Yeah thats the ticket? Way to go Carrol!!! Then again? Could Carrol be DOB’s alter Clark Kent type of super hero? Hm DOB WoW Dude! You are the MIB!!!!! LOL

By A-ville Ranger

August 4, 2007 7:03 AM | Link to this

I’ve said for awhile,this team just isn’t clutch.Why is that ? damned if I know ! It’s not a tangible thing,at least not for a team like this one with so many good hitters.Put these guys in a position to need one hit to win a game and they seem to always fall short…go figure.

By ncscoots

August 4, 2007 7:05 AM | Link to this

random thoughts on the overnights…legit criticism versus negativity? I don’t think most here are Pollyannas who wish only to hear the good news. I can’t quite call “these guys suck!” legit criticism, though…on the flip side of that coin, those bloggers who try to maintain an even keel often get bashed for rose-colored glasses…I expect saying to these players “you have no heart” might get Cuba Gooding’s reply. After they opened up your skull…Carroll, meant no disrespect by disagreeing with some of your assertions. My daddy taught me better. Luv ya, babe, mean it…any other Braves pitcher with Smoltz’s line last night would get blog calls for a Richmond trip. Smoltz gets a pass. I’m not knocking Smoltz; nobody has their A game every night. Just interesting. Especially considering his comments after the game…will there ever come a day when no one places the blame for any, and I mean any, Braves problems on the loss of Leo Mazzone and Wilson Betemit? I’d like to see it, but I’m not that young anymore…another day, another game. Can still win 2 out of 3. Win series, boys, everything else will work itself out.

By Yars

August 4, 2007 7:17 AM | Link to this

I try to keep an open, positive mind about the Braves, but it’s time most of us become more realistic about this team. We are 5.5 games behind the Mets. After watching the Mets/Cubs game Friday afternoon on WGN, I came to the conclusion that the Mets are a tough team to beat. I’m not waving the white flag just yet, but it’s going to be hard to catch them. Like so many of you have been stating the last few months, winning 3, then losing 3, winning 2, then losing 4, against teams you should be winning against will likely be the Braves downfall for not winning the NL East this season. I think our best chance right now is winning the NL Wildcard. Teams like the Dodgers, Padres, Cubs, & Phillies are the type of teams that could lose 5-6 games in a row. Those are teams that really don’t impress me. All this talk about having to win the NL East is over-rated. Winning the NL East or nothing at all is total bull*hit. If our only hope is winning the Wildcard, how can anyone frown at that? The NL is so pathetic this season, perhaps we’ll have a better chance of doing deep in the playoffs winning the Wildcard as opposed to winning the East.

By NCBravesFan

August 4, 2007 7:30 AM | Link to this

Morning Yars - well stated. I posted yesterday … and it bears repeating … that the loss of Edgar is tough, but good teams figure out a way to win when the going gets tough.

It’s an intangible thing, but as I think Carroll is saying - there’s just something missing in this team for whatever reason.

I agree with you that the WC would seem to be more realistic, although like you, I feel the Braves should concede nothing.

If they get to the playoffs, they’ll either hit their way to a title (and rip some teams a new one in the process), or they’ll be out in the first round. Thats just my gut feeling.

By TampaBrave

August 4, 2007 7:53 AM | Link to this

We need a posse to find that Mets witchdoctor who is inflicting all these bizarre happenings.

Anybody know how to perform an exorcism?

By Coach (Hank Aaron Is The Real HR Champion)

August 4, 2007 7:57 AM | Link to this

A season high five and a half games back and that pretty much says it all. It’s the starting pitching stupid , unless the rotation rights itself in a hurry , this team can start registering their tee time schedule at the local golf country club for October and the rest of the off season.

By Todd A

August 4, 2007 7:59 AM | Link to this

“Todd A, I understand that the Mets are better now, but the Braves didn’t play the Mets 162 games a year in those seasons. They still had to play the rest of the majors for over 140 games. And they still managed to win 90-100 games a year.”

Braves Dave, my point is,the Braves don’t play like a front runner any more.I think last year is in their heads a bit.Look at Thursday night’s game with Houston…all mental(except Jo Jo who just isn’t ready).No Braves team of the last 15 years would have lost that game except this one and the’06 team.I don’t think the Mets are any better right now, top to bottom, but they are the ones playing like they expect to win the division, just like the Braves did for so long.The way the Mets ran away with the division might be in the back of the mindsof some of our young guys right now.The roles are reversed.We’re playing like the Mets used to, and they are playing like we used to.

By Paladin

August 4, 2007 8:21 AM | Link to this

Our mommas always told us, “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.” For this morning-and as it relates to the Braves-I’m going to follow that advice.

But, it sounds and seems as if Carroll is a pretty good beat reporter, herself.

By Metropolitan Man

August 4, 2007 8:26 AM | Link to this

And this is why I didnt blog when you guys got Tex and Dotel and was trying to get Arroyo. I know it was an upgrade but it didnt scare any knowlegble baseball fan becasue Booby Cox is still running the show. Until he learns to manufacture funs when its obvious the big hits arent there on that particular night,then he needs to learn to hang in there. I’m not talking about last nights game, but the GAMES he will cost the braves because he reufuses to bunt/hit and run with a runner who can actually swipe the base in case of a strikeout. I’m actually suprised at the lead the METS were able to gain. I truly thought the trade the braves made had evened things out but now you guys look more offensively functional, but completely pitching disfucntional. I know it aint over but hey, somebodys wife somewhere is getting ready to sing. You guys will end up being the best 3rd place team in baseball if you guys dont get your heads out of your arses. Keep the race going or bow out gracioulsy.

LETS GO METS!!!

By Efrim

August 4, 2007 8:39 AM | Link to this

Todd A

Braves Dave, my point is,the Braves don’t play like a front runner any more.I think last year is in their heads a bit.Look at Thursday night’s game with Houston…all mental(except Jo Jo who just isn’t ready).No Braves team of the last 15 years would have lost that game except this one and the’06 team.I don’t think the Mets are any better right now, top to bottom, but they are the ones playing like they expect to win the division, just like the Braves did for so long.The way the Mets ran away with the division might be in the back of the mindsof some of our young guys right now.The roles are reversed.We’re playing like the Mets used to, and they are playing like we used to.

Spot on. You nailed it. I agree. This team has to turn things around. It has to happen tonight. Need to win the next 2 games. It is almost a must. How in gods name can a team that is going to make the playoffs go 3-3 against the Astros and Rockies? Momentum folks. Your only as good as your next day’s starting pitcher. Francis out pitched Smoltz. He struck out Chipper and Tex. Then got Andruw to ground out in that crucial inning.

By the way, Smoltz is not going to be the same pitcher for the rest of this season. So that means we are going to have to get even more from James and Carlyle. Cormier is not the answer for us in the #5 spot.

By ssiscribe

August 4, 2007 8:40 AM | Link to this

Well, a few disheartening twists and turns in the past, oh, 34 hours or so for Braves Nation.

Last night’s game — which I didn’t see (chose to watch movies with the family and follow the scores on my phone periodically) and didn’t really read about until this morning — wasn’t pretty.

The news of Renteria landing on the DL for at least two weeks is pretty tough. He’s a big key to a lot of the good things the Braves do (and, as an aside, aren’t you glad he didn’t go to Cincy in the rumored Arroyo deal?).

Smoltz didn’t have his A game last night, it appears … for that matter, he didn’t have his B game, either. Average performance from one of the greats of our generation.

So, here’s where we sit: 5 1/2 games out of first, two games out of the ever-crowded wild-card chase. There certainly are worse places to be, but the Braves can’t be happy about getting their clocks cleaned at home.

Just need to bounce back, that’s all. Guys, we’re not going to lose a shot at the playoff berth by losing one game in 14 innings (a game we should’ve won; I was there for 11 of the 14 innings, only leaving to get our kids in bed) and by losing a game in which our No. 1 pitcher didn’t pitch well.

But two losses like that can turn into a five-game losing streak real quick, and that can really make the hill steeper. Time to bounce back tonight with Hudson and tomorrow with James.

And did I see a post from a scribe who fled to the Great Northwest? Murph, hope you’re well, dude. Still in the Land of Potatoes and Blue Football Fields?

Gotta run. Denizens, hang tough (and go Cubs!).

The Scribe abides.

—30—

By Metropolitan Man

August 4, 2007 9:09 AM | Link to this

Hey Scribes, how the heck have you been??? If I didnt know better (but I do), when say go CUBS, I thought you finally came to your senses and began rooting for a team that could possibly make the playoffs, but then I realized it was only sarcasm. Anyway good luck with your squad, mybe if you complain enough, you can get Booby and Co. to play like they want more than the occasional atta boy’s, play smart baseball and not go away form things that made you a success. I hate to see such talent wasted.

By Tyler

August 4, 2007 9:18 AM | Link to this

I know what is wrong with this team.

They have no chemistry. They don’t play as a team.

By Efrim

August 4, 2007 9:24 AM | Link to this

57-53.

I figure we have to go 93-68 to win the division. The Mets are going to win 92 games. So lets see.

36-15 the rest of the way. With 18 games against the Mets and Phillies…..

I think I’m going to be sick.

By monty

August 4, 2007 9:52 AM | Link to this

Is anyone else thinking like me, that when Soriano comes into pitch, there’s a homerun coming from someone, anyone, it doesn’t really matter if the guys he’s pitching to are the 7th, 8th, and 9th place hitters. Maybe Barry Bonds just needs to face soriano. Hmm~ I smell a fastball down the middle belt high. Bobby says his location has just been off.

By Paladin

August 4, 2007 9:54 AM | Link to this

I noticed where Savannah Guy took to task all that post under Nom de plumes. Does that, SG, include Senor Blanco and others that poke a little fun?

I realize that they’re those that hide behind many names so that they can say vile and vulgar things about other posters. That is way over the top, or more aptly put, out the bottom.

But, if you were to post under “Buffalo Bob” and it was not a vicious attack on another, and it was topical and/or funny, what would be the harm? And I emphasize, “topical” and “funny” are in the eye of the beholder.

So, ole buddy, do satire—you do it well. Do erudite—you do it well. Do funny—you do it well. But, leave the preaching to the preachers.

Your friend, Paladin

By Jeff R

August 4, 2007 10:04 AM | Link to this

Last night’s game is telling in terms of what’s wrong with the team. The 1-3 starting pitchers need to be nearly flawless to win the games that 4-5 starters probably will lose (well, Carlye has stepped up, but we’ll see how his arm is). The team didn’t need another bat, no matter how good Tex is (and he’s good); it needed a bona fide #4 starter along with the bullpen help that management picked up.

By Mickey Featherstone

August 4, 2007 10:11 AM | Link to this

So, Ole Coonan and Ole Mickey was in a Kitchen bar one day, wasted as always, just got finished watching the Yanks whip up on KC and now were watching the Braves kill the Mets, which filled Ole Coonan and Ole Mickey with great joy. Ole Coonan and Ole Mickey have two favorite teams: the Yanks and anyone who beats up the Mets. Since the Braves always kill the Mets, Ole Coonan and Ole Mickey love the Braves. It also don’t hurt much that, come World Series time against the Yanks, the Braves lie down faster than one of the two dollar wenches Ole Mickey and Ole Coonan pimp out.

Ole Coonan, although a Yankee fan and pleased with the results of the day’s action, was kind of heartbroken about the plight of KC. He remembered dem days when KC & the Yanks were equals. George Brett, Saberhagen, Willie Wilson, Hal McRae, Bo Jackson, Dennis Leonard, the Pine Tar game, and so on. Ole Coonan had played sandlot against Leonard. But now KC sucks and has for a long time. Ole Mickey tells Ole Coonan you better watch what you wish for, KC just picked up Kyle Davies. Ole Coonan lets out a belly laugh and says to Ole Mickey, you might wanna lay off the ole Patron shots for the rest of the night. Ole Mickey says no, no Ole Coonan, Dayton Moore is there now and he seems determined to make Kansas City the Land of Misfit Braves toys. Ole Mickey wonders whether Dayton will take on Woodward and Orr to supplement Pena and Davies. Ole Mickey says one can only hope – it will make the Royals bad so our Yanks will win and will make the Braves better so they’ll kill the loser Mets.

Ole Coonan and Ole Mickey do a line of blow off the bar and start talking about Cox and Torre. Ole Coonan thinks Torre is a great manager. Ole Mickey likes Cox ‘cause he might be Irish with that last name. Ole Coonan swears by Torre, just like he does with all dem guineas. Ole Mickey can’t stand him ‘cause he is a guinea. Ole Mickey says I wish Cox had been the Yanks skipper and not Torre. Ole Coonan says why? Ole Mickey says ‘cause Cox might be Irish with that last name. Ole Coonan calls Ole Mickey a darn fool.

Ole Mickey says Ole Coonan you’d better stop sucking up to dem guineas or you gonna find us both dead or in prison. Ole Coonan thinks Ole Mickey don’t respect the greatness of the guineas, too trapped in the mind with small things like Irish pride. Ole Mickey says Torre is like all dem guinea gangsters, making big money and a big name for himself off the blood, sweat, and tears of others. Dude’s been getting fat off the vig Jeter, Posada, Rivera, and Pettitte kick up to him. Torre ain’t ever had to kill no one.

Ole Coonan says Torre killed plenty a man back in his day when he was a catcher and third sacker. Ole Coonan says Cox is the one who never killed no one back in his day when he was a Yank scrub. Ole Coonan thinks Cox to be a fake gangster, collecting vig off of Maddux, Smoltz, and Glavine. Ole Mickey says I don’t care, Cox might be an Irishman, and Torre is a guinea, so Cox is my kind of gangster and I’d rather kick back vig to a man who might be Irish rather than a darn guinea any day.

Just then, Ole Jackie, Ole Coonan’s older brother, comes out the bathroom, surely having just shot himself up full of heroin, and proceeds to start beating the living hell out of some dude. Conversation over. Time to clean up another of Jackie’s messes. Ole Mickey thinks hopefully we won’t have to kill this guy, chop up his body, and throw him in the freaking river. Ole Mickey thought that, well, if we do, we’ll have to remember this time to slice up the organs to get the air out of his body so that the sucker won’t float back up to the top of the river………

By Efrim

August 4, 2007 10:16 AM | Link to this

Jeff R

We needed Tex. We needed Dotel. We also need another starting pitcher and guys to be healthy. Chipper will always be banged up and the injury to Renteria kills us. Yunel is good, but he is not Edgar Renteria. That absolutely kills us.

By Efrim

August 4, 2007 10:17 AM | Link to this

Jeff R

We needed Tex. We needed Dotel. We also need another starting pitcher and guys to be healthy. Chipper will always be banged up and the injury to Renteria kills us. Yunel is good, but he is not Edgar Renteria. That absolutely kills us.

By Paladin

August 4, 2007 10:23 AM | Link to this

And BTW, last night’s attacks were some of the most vile and vicious that I have “witnessed” during my 3+ months on here.( I discount the “responses”, because I have been rather “vicious” in some of mine. But, provoked and totally-off-the-wall are, IMO, two different things.)

Freedom of speech, in this case, be damned. The AJC, or the blog-master, is going to have to step in—soon!

By Efrim

August 4, 2007 10:24 AM | Link to this

The next 8 games for this team will decide the season in my mind. The Braves can pack it in (in terms of the division), or let it be known that they want to win the NL East. 6-2. Need to win these series though. These next two games against Colorado are so important. You can’t lose this series going into such a big week. With Buddy’s elbow problems and Lance Cormier starting against the Mets those first two games, the Braves can’t afford to be riding a 4 game losing streak. The Mets just might bury them for good.

By Anders

August 4, 2007 10:25 AM | Link to this

* Interesting Observations* Not sure i agree with your name but anyway. I left the Blog after 1:00 AM. Not sure about you but I actually have a job during the week and I had reached my limit. I never claimed to hear anything beyond three days ago. Not sure where that came from. I am not Stinky as well. I just ignore those who poke at me for response, this one time not withstanding, so as to not cast nyself in the Met blogger looking to annoy Braves bloggers. Do you have anything remorely baseball related to discuss? If not I’ll move along -

By Chase

August 4, 2007 10:30 AM | Link to this

Whoever posted as “HEY CHASE” at 11:23 pm Aug 3

HAVE THE GUTS TO POST UNDER YOUR REAL NAME

Taking shots at someone is one thing… but to be such a LITTLE PUNK that you have to post under a one-time fake name IS PATHETIC…

And not that I have to prove anything to you or anybody but I AM 27 with a MASTERS DEGREE in HISTORY from UGA…

I’m just not a fickle front running fan.. I get frustrated with the team but I am not gonna Talk them UP one day and Run them fown the NEXT!

By Paladin

August 4, 2007 10:35 AM | Link to this

Another btw: I think that the post by “Mickey Featherstone” is “funny”, so it qualifies. But, that’s just me.

By Efrim

August 4, 2007 10:36 AM | Link to this

Tim Hudson is 6-0 with a 1.94 ERA in nine starts following Braves losses this season.

We will need that tonight. The pitcher we are facing tonight is pretty tough. 3 solid starts. Hopefully we can get to him.

The Sunday game is going to be tricky. Hopefully we can bash Cook.

By Chase

August 4, 2007 10:41 AM | Link to this

Efrim

If you look on the Braves’ website at “pitching probables”

Because of the Day off Monday, The Braves are pitching CARLYLE, SMOLTZ, HUDSON in that series!!!!!!!!!

And they are going against, PEREZ, TBA, and EL DUQUE!

and Judging by matchups in this series and that one, We should WIN these next two against the Rockies and at least two out of three at NY…

I know its no gaurantee but I like our chances at taking 4 out of the next 5 overall! And Kudos for arranging the rotation to get Smoltz and Huddy in that series!

By Anders

August 4, 2007 10:42 AM | Link to this

* Chase* I saw that last night and thought it was pretty low. Way to personal. Hang in their brother.

By Paladin

August 4, 2007 10:43 AM | Link to this

Chase You graduaed from UGA? I knew I liked you, dude!

By SomeYahoo

August 4, 2007 10:45 AM | Link to this

This division is going to be decided in the next 10 days. If the Braves are 7-9 games back after we play the Mets and Phils next week, we’re toast. We don’t have enough consistent pitching to win 8-10 in a row and at that point that’s what it’s going to take to muscle up to the Mets. The fact is the Mets have found ways to win close and late games. We haven’t. Until we do, we’re not going to make a run at anyone.

Smoltzy worries me. He’s a soldier but he’s getting old and I don’t know how much HOF caliber pitching he has in an shoulder that kills him every night, and has since May. If he goes down we’re screwed, plain and simple.

I know this team has a run in it, if they could just start clicking in sync. One night it’s the offense. One night the pen. One night the SPing. They just don’t seem to fall together enough to put together a meaningful winning streak.

And this blog IS getting pretty lousy with all the morons who taint it with their racist rants and insults towards the home team. The AJC needs to put a disclaimer in saying that any comment deemed offensive will be deleted. That frees them up to clip out anybody who is being an a-hole.

By Paladin

August 4, 2007 10:47 AM | Link to this

Sorry about the dropped “d” in my post to Chase. I majored in Partying.

By Anders

August 4, 2007 10:48 AM | Link to this

* Paladin* - Good news for Carroll Rogers - She won’t have to think up a new title for todays blog!

Come on Paladin - admit that your mouth twitched a little smile there.

By JasonInMaine

August 4, 2007 10:49 AM | Link to this

From ESPN.com:

“Tim Hudson is 6-0 with a 1.94 ERA in nine starts following Braves losses this season.”

Let’s hope he keeps it up tonight! We need to get a W tonight at the very least. Hopefully, the Cubbies will pull out a victory as well. We can’t lose any more ground. The time to start gaining is now. Let’s put the memory of the meltdown from Thursday night and last night’s butt kicking behind us. We are starting our run…TONIGHT!

By Anders

August 4, 2007 10:57 AM | Link to this

Efrim I agree the Braves have the advantage in those pitching natchups although I don’t know much about Carlyle. Perez is an enigma. He can be lights out and lose it in an instant or just roll right through 7. I can never relax when he’s pitching.

By Blaster

August 4, 2007 11:01 AM | Link to this

If I was an opposing manager, Tex would never see a hitable pitch. I would walk him and have the “automatic” hit into the double play.

By Efrim

August 4, 2007 11:02 AM | Link to this

Chase

That hasn’t been announced on the Braves web site yet.

And if the Braves want to focus all of the pitchers on the Mets, then that is fine, but understand that we have to throw Chuck James, Lance Cormier and Buddy Carlyle against the Phillies.

I think we should be looking to make a waiver trade real soon. How about Carlos Silva?

And Chase, there is absolutely no guarantees in baseball my friend. None. Perez has owned us and El Duque isn’t too shabby either. He has struck out 35 batters in his last 30 innings. Lets just take the wait and see approach. Lets take care of the next two games against a team that kicked our butts last night. We haven’t been dominated like that since the Reds whooped up on Kyle Davies.

Just keep winning series.

By JC FROM UT

August 4, 2007 11:07 AM | Link to this

What is going on with Blaine Boyer? Could he be the answer as the 5th starter? Does anyone out there have any info on any one who has passed through waivers? I see that B. Kim got through and was picked up by AZ.

By Mickey Featherstone

August 4, 2007 11:11 AM | Link to this

So, Coonan and Mickey are sitting on a Kitchen stoop drinking some Guiness one day. Up comes a fella named Berigan. They’d known and liked Berigan for years.

Berigan has some complaints about Coonan’s older brother Jackie. Coonan ain’t listening. Berigan says you gotta listen and do something about Jackie, Coonan, he’s been acting like a jackass. Coonan grabs Berigan by the throat and slams him to the floor and tells Mickey to pass over the switch blade. Mickey gives Coonan the blade but tells Coonan to watch out, we got a lot of eyes looking in here. Coonan tells Mickey that this is the Kitchen and the Kitchen tells no tales. Mickey then tells Coonan, come on man, we all like Berigan, he’s just fed up with Jackie just like everyone and just like you but Jackie is your brother, so he’s protected. If Jackie had not been your brother, someone would have whacked him years ago. Coonan glares at Mickey.

Mickey senses Coonan might turn the blade on him so Mickey says to Berigan, Jackie’s untouchable but we’ll talk to him, anyone else you got a problem with. Berigan says yeah. At his bar, he’s got this loser who keeps coming in every night starting trouble and he wants Mickey and Coonan to do something about it. Mickey asks what his name is. Berigan says I ain’t quite sure, he shows me a different fake ID every night.

Mickey says then what does he look like. Berigan says he looks like a prepubescent little boy with a Southern accent who wears a Mets cap all the time. Mickey immediately smells blood and wants to kill this guy. Mickey wonders why a Mets fan would want to come into a Kitchen bar and cause trouble. Coonan says he ain’t really a Mets fan. Did you listen Mickey? Dude’s a Southerner. He should be a Braves fan. Dude is just a troublemaker posing as a Mets fan. This makes Mickey want to kill him even more.

Mickey says who the hell would pose as a Mets fan? I thought we were sociopathic lowlifes but we ain’t so bad to put on a stinkin’ Mets cap. You’d never get the B.O. off of you after putting on a Mets cap. This dude needs to get whacked.

Coonan says wait ‘cause Berigan said the dude is like 13 years old and we ain’t gonna whack a kid. Mickey says kid or not, if this chump is a sociopathic lowlife when he is 13, what’s he gonna be like at 23? I ain’t waiting around to see him come try and bump us off. The streets is watching and if we let him live, he will be the end of us someday. Coonan begs to differ and says we are such disorganized sociopathic lowlifes, someday we’ll end up being the end of ourselves. No one else will take us down. The best way to take ourselves down would be to waste our time chasing after and messing around with a darn little kid. Mickey says to Coonan then why don’t we just get your brother Jackie to unleash his jackass treacherous ways upon this dweeb. Coonan says maybe that is what we’ll do. Berigan rolls his eyes.

Mickey then tells Coonan to get the hell off Berigan. Coonan starts to get up but then viciously slaps Berigan in the face and says don’t you say another bad word about my brother Jackie or I’ll end your life like I almost just did, you understand? Berigan rolls his eyes again. Coonan gets up and says alright now go inside my wife Edna has got some corn beef and cabbage ready to go. Should be good. Coonan tells Mickey don’t ever again question me in front of a denizen. Mickey says whatever Coonan. I ain’t going to prison ‘cause you killed a good guy in broad daylight for all to see. The coppers ain’t gonna be nice to us over a killing like that. It wouldn’t be worth it just ‘cause you’re angry Berigan was telling the truth about Jackie.

Coonan pretends he did not hear that and asks Mickey if he has got any blow. Mickey says yep in my car. Coonan says alright then let’s do a line before we have to go in and listen to freaking Edna.

By Chase

August 4, 2007 11:12 AM | Link to this

For arguement’s sake less see how you think your PERSPECTIVES WOULD CHANGE IF…..

What if the Braves had been 7.5 GB when they got TEX and over the last two nights they had won and WERE NOW 5.5 GB…..

If it had happened that way…I dare say that MOST EVERYONE’S PERSPECTIVE on the BRAVES’ position WOULD BE DIFFERENT!

By JasonInMaine

August 4, 2007 11:13 AM | Link to this

Sorry, Efrim’s post must have been in the 5 minute purgatory while I was typing mine…

I agree…I like how the Braves have lined up their rotation…but, for it to really matter…we have to win these next two against the Rox as has been mentioned!

By KC

August 4, 2007 11:17 AM | Link to this

What’s the deal with Cormier??!!

The guy was brilliant for the Braves late last season and over this spring. Every time he seems healthy and they call him up, he gets shelled. Now, it was just one relief appearance this time around, so maybe he’ll yet come through. But so far… I don’t get it.

If Cormier isn’t the answer… PUT VILLARREAL IN THE ROTATION!!!!!!!!!!

I don’t know how well he would fare over a prolonged stretch in the rotation… but I’d bet money he’ll keep an ERA under well under 5.00, which is a hell of a lot better than any other failed 5th starter has done this year!

By KC

August 4, 2007 11:20 AM | Link to this

GO CUBS!!!!! somebody win a damn game against the Mets!!!!!!

By Chase

August 4, 2007 11:21 AM | Link to this

EFRIM

I said “There are no gaurantees”

Also if you go to the Braves’ website, click on “Pitching Probables” under the pictures of Huddy and the Rockies’ guy for tonight’s game

then scroll down you will see were they have Carlyle on Tuesday, then Smoltz listed for WED’s Game on the 8th, I assume Huddy will follow Smoltz as he always does!

Yeah PALADIN I graduated From UGA this SUMMER with my Masters… But I still get my STUDENT TICKETS FOR THE FALL!!!!!!!

By Overlord

August 4, 2007 11:24 AM | Link to this

As soon as we the fan think the braves are going to win or do something positive, they do exactly the opposite.

We need edgar very bad, even if the hole is filled better than any team could have done that, his presence by itself is way too important, i think it distracted them yesterday and it could do the same today, they need to focus again, they were about to catch fire when bad luck hit us. Lets hope we get on the right track again. Muts are even more banged up than us and they are still winning, that could change in a hurry, but we need to start gaining ground or at least stay close until they start to melt down again.

By Coach (Hank Aaron Is The Real HR Champion)

August 4, 2007 11:29 AM | Link to this

Perspective is Maddux , Glavine and Smoltz anchoring all those great teams of the 90’s. We have still have Smoltz along with Hudson but Hampton has been A.W.O.L for two and a half seasons and that is what the Braves are really missing.

By KC

August 4, 2007 11:29 AM | Link to this

Chase: Good point.

Bottom line is that this offense scored 11 or more runs in 4 consecutive games heading into last night. The offense has been going great, but from time to time… you’re going to run into a pitcher who has a great night. It happens.

The night before that… well, I’ve already voiced how asinine I think Carroll’s take on that game was (no offense to Carroll). Some things DO come down to luck in baseball. That’s why truly great teams still lose 1 out of every 3 games over the course of a season.

If we can pick up one game between now and the Mets series, and then take 2 of 3 in that series… we’re right back to only 3 games back.

This Braves team (barring major injuries) will play better than .600 ball between now and the end of the seaon… and they will play October baseball. There is way too much talent here for that not to be the case

By TexasBrave

August 4, 2007 11:29 AM | Link to this

Chase I could be wrong, but do you really think Bobby is going to skip Lance’s spot in the rotation? I would like to see both Smoltz and Huddy go against the Mets, however, John has looked a little down lately and could use the extra rest.

By Ron Roberts

August 4, 2007 11:31 AM | Link to this

Waiver trades don’t usually garner “Carlos Silva” type pitchers. There are TOO many teams ahead of us in the pecking order, I think, that might claim him. Kansas City comes to mind. Dayton would be putting together a really solid, young rotation if he were grab him before we could, ya know?

Fact is, the Smoltz we’ve enjoyed most of this season may not be the same Smoltz we see the rest of the year, guys. He’s laboring through something. He may not say it, the Braves’ trainers may not say it, but the results and his shoulder wobble thing tells us all plenty.

We’re gonna have to ride our bats into the postseason, I think; Hudson’s been the stabilizing factor of late, and Carlyle’s been a god-send. What we need now is to keep getting what we’re getting out of James and start using the bullpen arms better. I could go on and nit-pick where Bobby’s not made the right bullpen move(s) here or there, but there’s no point.

I will say, though, that if Chad Paronto had been still with the squad, and he’d pitched with the bases loaded against the Astros a couple of nights ago, we probably win that game in regulation. Soriano didn’t get a fair shake, with all the defensive lapses and all, but he does throw heat, and guys who throw heat can watch their pitches travel just as fast and even farther, going the other way, too. Paronto’s a double-play inducing arm. We needed that against Mike Lamb.

But last night should be an indicator, for us Braves fans, that John Smoltz probably won’t be the Cy Young-caliber pitcher we’ve seen most of this season, the remainder of this campaign. We’re a “team” now, with big bats and a solid bullpen. It’s time to pick up the slack and do this thing together, or not at all.

One more thing; cut Lance Cormier some slack. I’m sure he had nerves and adrenaline flowing freely through him. Once he settled down, he did alright. Getting him in last night, to me, was genius. Get that out of the way so when he goes out for his first start, we don’t deal with it, then.

By Anders

August 4, 2007 11:34 AM | Link to this

Chase I guess Fox TV figures the Braves are done. A couple of weeks ago they moved todays game off the game of the week. Instead they’re showing Mets /Cubs - Plus Mets/Cubs tomorrow night ESPN. This is network TV wet dream - NYC vs. Chicago.

By Overlord

August 4, 2007 11:37 AM | Link to this

Very accurate and positive post KC, i dont think cormiers problem is his stuff but his mind, that move by bobby to put him in as reliever was very very good to me as he did to positive thing with only one move. I still think our chances are pretty good. Just tink about this…… What if i would say “lets hope cormier could equal james and carlyles work” Thats way to much to ask in some minds, why? because james and carlyle are doing a job so good and i mean so good that if cormier equals the performance those 2 guys are putting this team would be so far above other team in the NL, the there would be no chance we would not win the pennant, so lets keep the faith, we are gonna be just fine.

By Chase

August 4, 2007 11:39 AM | Link to this

TEXASBRAVE Just go to the Website and see for yourself who the probable pitchers are for that series…And don’t forget Lance pitched last night and may have to pitch again this weekend (especially with James not going deep in games)

By KC

August 4, 2007 11:42 AM | Link to this

TexasBrave: Yes, I think in this case Cormier will be skipped. He wouldn’t pitcher either Smoltz or Hudson on 3 days rest in order to get them into the Mets series, but that’s not the case here. Cormier is the 5th starter, and the 5th starter often gets skipped in order to keep everyone else on their normal every-fifth-day schedule.

By Anders

August 4, 2007 11:43 AM | Link to this

KC .600 ball?? For 50 plus games? 10 plus games over .500? I don’t see that. The Braves don’t have the bullpen for that. Two nights ago proved that. They couldn’t put the fire out . Up 4 in the eighth and then give up runs in three different innings after that. Not a good sign. And that was against Houston.

By Chase

August 4, 2007 11:46 AM | Link to this

ANDERS

I would rather not have the BRAVES televised on FOX they are another network in LOVE with the Yankees, Red Sox, Cubs, and Barry Bonds….MAKES ME SICK!

Another thing EVERYONE… I have seen the BRAVES COUNTED OUT, MANY MANY TIMES BEFORE for many different reasons just to COME BACK and stick it in everyone’s faces…

so Untill they are MATHEMATICALLY ELIMINATED I WILL BELIEVE THEY CAN DO IT

By KC

August 4, 2007 11:49 AM | Link to this

From Mets.com:

CHICAGO — Pedro Martinez remains prominent on the Mets horizon, though it now appears that horizon almost must be identified as September. The Mets don’t say so. Indeed, they say little about him that is touched with certainty. And, increasingly, the words they use to characterize his progress and status are measured. Most statements are qualified as they were not in June.

It may be only corporate caution that has created the vagueness. And no one has said Martinez has taken a step in the wrong direction during his rehab. But the increasing lack of definition occasionally raises eyebrows, even those in the clubhouse.

“We don’t know anything — at least I don’t,” one player said Friday. “We just know what we read. And you know Pedro makes his own schedule. But it just seems like with what you hear now, it’s harder to tell when he’s coming back. I know they’re saying we’re not counting on him. But it seems like they were a little bit. But not now so much.”

General manager Omar Minaya, who watched Martinez pitch in simulated game conditions in Port St. Lucie on Thursday, said Martinez’s next activity — the timing and the type — is undetermined, though it is likely to be in a Minor League game. “But that can change,” Minaya said.

He characterized Martinez’s performance with these words: “He didn’t feel too comfortable at first. He was a little apprehensive … I want to say it was a positive outing.” He said Martinez could pitch again in “five, six or seven days” and that Martinez’s velocity was about 85-86 mph — about where it was last season.

Changes: Moises Alou and Luis Castillo were removed from the original lineup, replaced, respectively, in left field and at second base by David Newhan and Ruben Gotay. Alou, according to Willie Randolph, “has a bump on his [left] arm,” and Castillo, the manager said, was merely given a day off.

Alou had crashed into the left-field wall in Miller Park on Thursday, chasing a home run. He had jammed his left thumb sliding into second base Tuesday. Castillo, meanwhile, often ices his left knee.

By Coach (Hank Aaron Is The Real HR Champion)

August 4, 2007 11:50 AM | Link to this

Alright , I’m known to gripe more than most but this situation has me about to go B-E-R-S-E-R-K !! Chad Paronto made ten appearances in July , pitched 12 innings ,(11.2 innings , 0.77 ERA in July) gave up one earned run and he is left in Richmond while we call up Joey Devine fully knowing the rest of the bullpen is gassed. What in the name OF ALL THAT IS HOLY ARE THE BRAVES DOING ????? WHO MADE THIS M-O-R-O-N-I-C DECISION ???? I WANT TO KNOW , SO WE CAN STAND YOUR SORRY BUTT OUTSIDE OF TURNER FIELD WHILE WE ALL WALK BY AND THROW EGGS AT YOU !!!

By Mickey Featherstone

August 4, 2007 11:52 AM | Link to this

So Coonan and Mickey was drinking a pint and talking ‘bout dem Braves. Mickey and Coonan had both just finished reading Carroll’s insightful piece about the Braves and could not have agreed more with her.

The eternal optimists seem angry about it but how long can an ostrich keep sticking their head in the sand? The Braves are looking so darn mediocre but people want to act like Carroll and others are overreacting to one loss or another. It ain’t one loss. It’s all the losses. Over the last 100 games, the Braves have been under a .500 team but the eternal optimists keep ignoring this fact. When, over a 100 game stretch you lose more than you win, there is no such thing as overreacting to one loss or the other. Each loss is horrible because it continues an awful trend.

Coonan and Mickey are disgusted with the gross indifference demonstrated to the Braves by so many of their eternal optimist fans. The Braves will be 79-75 with 8 to go and the eternal optimists will still act like people are bad fans because they are angry about losing yet another game that gets them further away from first and the wild card.

Mickey and Coonan agreed that is what the Braves problem has always been: Too many of their fans settle and don’t demand excellence. Baseball is just something they use to pass time until the SEC season kicks off.

Mickey and Coonan are glad they are miserable sociopathic Yankees fans. But they wish the Braves fan would push the Braves harder so that the Mets can continue to be a joke as they have been for the past 45 years.

By Metropolitan Man

August 4, 2007 11:53 AM | Link to this

Hey Anders, would you rather watch a 3rd place team take on a 4th place team, or a 1st place team playing a team 1 game out of 1st place??? The critics have spoken. When they made that Sunday ESPN game a night game knowing the braves had to go to the west coast just proved how much MLB really thinks about the braves.They had better prove they still belong if they want to be taken seriously again.

By TexasBrave

August 4, 2007 11:57 AM | Link to this

Chase I am not questioning what you are reporting. And remember those probably starters are set in advance and probably do not include Bobby’s most recent moves/decisions. Yes I agree that it doesn’t make much sense to pitch Lance last night and then bring him back to pitch on Wednesday. However, if you don’t use him again until Wednesday, then that would give him 4 days rest and being young he could possibly start Wednesday against the Mets.

I think it is possible that Bobby used Lance last night to give the bullpen some much needed rest. They shouldn’t be needed much tonight with Huddy on the mound, thus the pen can be ready for Chucky’s start Sunday with an off day Monday.

Eventhough Smoltz gave us a gutty performance last night, I would much rather see him pitch against the Mets fresh with an extra days rest.

By Anders

August 4, 2007 11:58 AM | Link to this

KC - Pedro hasn’t pitched for the Mets since last August. He’s a non-factor and would be gravy if he shows up. While Met fams would love to have him back few are counting on it fully. As for Alou -what else is new. However, the Mets did beat Chicago yesterday with a back up catcher and second baseman as well as two back up infielders playing the outfield. They appear to be going on a roll which doesn’t bode well for your boys this week. Even Delgado has started to produce - He’s they key to the offense.

By TheSouthernJackAss

August 4, 2007 12:00 PM | Link to this

TheSouthernJackAss ain’t going anywhere—BERIGAN…it’s better to be p!$$ed off than p!$$ed on…if “people like” Carolina Lady, Bob, Journalist, etc. quit posting here because of me, well that’s their prerogative…and what any of you weak-kneed, parasites think, or say about TheJackAss carries less weight with me than a bean fart in a pair of old ladies busted bloomers…so until you lose the booze-balls, come out from behind your little computer monitors, and address me face to face…TheJackAss will continue to disregard whatever cowardly, childish drivel that your bony little fingers type here…

TheSouthernJackAss will make one absolute guarantee—the blatant identity theft on this site is about to come to a sudden halt!…

Go Tigers!!!…

By Coach (Hank Aaron Is The Real HR Champion)

August 4, 2007 12:00 PM | Link to this

KC my friend you are living in LA LA LAND. The 2006 Braves went 79-83 and in 2007 they are 57-53. Count it up : 136-136 , that is .500 , so explain to me one more time how Mark Teixiera makes the Braves a .600 team…….. I’m waiting with bated breath , ready to fall out in the floor laughing uncontrollably at your reply !

By bravesfan

August 4, 2007 12:00 PM | Link to this

Ok look we lost one game because Soriano gave up a pinch-hit grand slam (take that out and we win) and we lost to a pitcher that is 11-2 in his last 18 games(so he is pretty darn good). We have Hudson going tonight, he has been pitching good lately(so hopefully we will get a win). Then we will have probably our three best pitchers pitching against the Mets so hopefully we will win 2 out 3 against them. So lets not give up on them yet(or atleast I am not). GO BRAVES!!!

By Anders

August 4, 2007 12:04 PM | Link to this

* Hey Metro Man* - I’m on your side. We’re making the same point.

By TexasBrave

August 4, 2007 12:05 PM | Link to this

Coach - I agree, that is kind of curious as to why you would bring up Devine (someone Bobby has shown he doesn’t like to use often) and not bring back Chad or even that other left hander (his name eludes me at this time) that we picked up from San Diego.

Can or would Carroll or DOB please give us an explaination?

By Paladin

August 4, 2007 12:07 PM | Link to this

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN I have had the opportunity to look carefully at Anders over the past few days. AAMF, I may just know the guy who posted yesterday the number of posts by Anders. I said, may. But, “my friend” and I have come to this conclusion:

We think that Anders is what he says he is. A Muts fan who gets tired of reading THE BRAVES SUK(they can’t spell either)and who has come on here for some intelligent and prospective conversation about Mets vs. Braves. He has taken nothing but “good-natured” swipes at the Braves, and has taken his share of grief, in return. He appears to know his baseball.

For what my endorsement is worth: I vouch for him. I don’t say make him a “made” man; just give him some slack.

By Anders

August 4, 2007 12:10 PM | Link to this

Chase _ I happen to agree with you that I don’t like my games on FOX. Simply because it’s more of a television show than broadcasting a game. However, this will be the Mets 3rd day game in a row. If they win again I wonder how much pressure the Braves will feel knowing they need to win just to stay 5.5 back? It’s got to be tough coming to the park 3 days in a row knowing the Mets won already and were out having steaks in Chicago already.

By Metropolitan Man

August 4, 2007 12:11 PM | Link to this

I just cant believe how quickly you guys have given up on your team. Just 3 days ago, you couldnt post here because all the HOMERS were out in full force boasting and predicting and downing my METS. Stay with your team guys, plenty of time. Do I think you can catch the METS, possibly. But you guys are so division title driven, I think you guys forget there IS a thing called the wild card. What 14 titles and then it becomes “title or bust”??? We should never have another cloudy day in GA with all the FAIR WEATHER FANS residing here.

Lets Go Anybody Who Is playing the braves!!!!!

By Chase

August 4, 2007 12:12 PM | Link to this

ANDERS and anybody who thinks the METS have a better BULLPEN than the BRAVES…

Here are the Cold Hard Facts

Braves: Dotel 3.60era, 11svs, Mahay 2.72 and 1 save, Moylan 1.94 1sv, Soriano 3.94 5svs, Villarreal 3.75, Wickman 4.10 17svs, Yates 5.01 2svs

TOTAL: 15-10 record, 3.58 ERA, 37 saves

METS: Feliciano 2.90 1 sv, Hielman 3.49, Lawrence 5.40, Mota 4.84, Schoenweis 5.49, Sele 4.42, Wagner 1.33 25svs

TOTAL 14-8 record, 3.99 ERA, 26 saves

There you have it…Research yourself if you like but the BRAVES BULLPEN IS BETTER!

ANDERS you can’t ingore all the extra inning games lately and the fact that there were 3 ERRORS that greatly contributed to the runs in the game against the Astros!

By Savannah Guy

August 4, 2007 12:21 PM | Link to this

I apologize in advance for an extremely long post but I obviously thought it was important enough to spend my time writing it. Maybe Carroll will soon create the new blog and everything will be fresh and new. In the meantime…

It’s Not About The “Hits” People A Letter to Denizens: This really is not intended to be a sermon, although it may look a lot like one. It’s about holding onto a sustainable, respectable forum. After being away a few days and finally having the time to catch up on about four days of the blog before posting (a habit that I wish all shared), I wasn’t sure I even wanted to return. What I found this past week was a forum that had become a repository for foul language, changing ID’s and incessant anonymous and immature, inflammatory commentary. I was going to post a response to all of this but decided that it would not be a valuable use of my time or yours.

So I resisted. Maybe “they” would just go away. Yesterday before the game, the blog seemed to come back around a bit. Some of the denizen community had returned and it seemed like things were getting back to normal. Sure, we had our Braves gloom and doomers and our homer cheerleaders and everyone in between, but posts were well within the lines of fair, reasonable and respectable discourse (most from known denizens). So I jumped in with a few little posts about the team…nothing important or particularly clever…just a post or two. Within a few hours, it became apparent that the blog was being overrun once again by disruptors. Because the trend was continuing from the last few days, I thought about posting a plea to AJC about ID theft and registration. Nope. Decided it would probably just provoke the intruders. Besides, I’ve said all of that before and so have many of you, to no avail. Won’t even go there. It’ll go away. Or I will.

The point really is, what has been and could be again an intelligent, respectable baseball community is becoming a chat room of the worst kind. Hey, I’m a freedom of speech guy from way back, but recently this blog has been sliding down the slippery slope of chaos with the recent backbiting, race baiting and porn laced chat-room dialog. For several days this blog was mired in the pits of trollism (and the constant feeding therein). These destructive and annoying “visitors” have dominated the conversation on this blog. They have owned it. Thing is, these posts are not illegal. Most of it is not immoral. However, they are destructive to what David O’Brien and AJC is trying to build and disruptive to what you and I want to be a part of. Right? Am I off base here? I don’t think so.

Many of these newbie’s are intruders of the worst kind. They do not contribute…they destroy. They disturb the peace. They pick “fights” with willing participants and are even goaded on by a few self-appointed fight club-cupids, playing matchmakers to the pseudo-macho nonsense. Their only intent is to draw attention to themselves and disrupt the enjoyment, humor, information sharing, collegial atmosphere and the flow of the Braves blog. That is their only mission and they are unfortunately succeeding.

Feeding Trolls does not help Good denizens don’t consider other good denizens “weak” if they don’t take up the “sword of retribution”. Good denizens must consider the source of vile or hurtful criticism. Right? Don’t we think that, after, oh…say a dozen back and forth meaningless interactions with these trolls, the “argument” will never be concluded or “won”, regardless of the logic or facts we might present. Logic and reason does not work with trolls. They are immune to it because they do not possess it. That’s why they are doing what they are doing in the first place. That’s why they are trolls. The trolls are fools to be sure. But those that incessantly argue with them, all the while expecting a logical or successful outcome are attacking windmills. Is it a matter of baseball knowledge, macho pride, winning a debate or an attempt at conflict resolution based on facts and statistics? Truth is, the troll is a troll before, during and after the exchange, but they are always more empowered and satisfied after the attention than before.

In all fairness, I too have committed the crime of troll feeding in the past…but usually one or two posts either took care of it or I stated my case and simply moved on. Either that or I just smacked ‘em and then ignored, even if they continued to insult or call me filthy names. Interestingly, very few of those perpetrators had a recognizable moniker. These were usually trolls, “supposed” Mets fans or closeted denizens. That said, I will no doubt and against my better judgment, smack trolls again. But I will not go on and on and on with it. Hey, we’ve all done it. We shouldn’t.

“Changelings” are just as disruptive. These folks fall in the troll category. They hide behind new names to criticize. Unfortunately a few home-grown Changelings that have stooped to join in this teenage wasteland. Note: I’m not talking about those that create a new moniker for the sake of humor. Some good denizens change their moniker for fun and humorous reasons but they are the appreciated exception. Trouble is, most change identities to hide their nasty criticism of fellow denizens. But I’m getting off point here.

Is it about quality or quantity for AJC? The number of new identities and “touted” quantity of “hits” should not make AJC, DOB or anyone here proud when you consider the content and attitude of the majority of those posts. At the end of the day, bloggers are actually a constituency of consumers. Our “hits” add up to “eyeballs” in marketing terms. Our “stickyness” (amount of time online) adds up to value for advertisers. Our community could and should be regarded as a viable “target” for advertising opportunities.

Our demographic is scattered, but no less a captive audience and value to marketers of brands relative to our group. Therefore, the quality of the constituency, directly or indirectly affects the advertising revenue of AJC and the interest of the advertiser that buys media around that. If AJC does not see this, they are missing a huge opportunity. It would be myopic for any brand to ignore the Internet and blog community. But they have to clean up the act with ID registration and some (minimal) monitoring of racist or immoral/illegal posts. Not much difference in how some posts are deleted already. Brand categories that sell products around the sports fan does not require church Choir audiences, but you can’t sell chaotic, smut filled blogs either. You get the picture.

Hope our blog overcomes the inherent obstacles of this new communication technology and has great success. The blog is still a relatively new media. But remember, Trolls can destroy it. Identity theft and misuse can diminish it greatly. Ignoring it will also threaten its existence. At first blush, blog registration may seem limiting, but I believe there can be a symbiotic relationship between internet/identity security and free speech. It is my understanding that no AJC IT improvements (for secure sign-in and moniker protection) have been attempted.

I’m also not aware of any DOB or AJC feedback on the many comments and suggestions posted in the recent past. I am left to assume it is currently deemed a non-issue. Let the blog simply run itself. It’s the Wild West, Internet frontier out there and if it turns into a locker-room or a teenage chat room…so be it, right? Wrong. As long as the “hits” keep on coming everything is cool. Wrong…it just gets killed. Or maybe, it’s just a low-cost extension of a newspaper, right? Wrong again.

Are we losing good people? There is now the possibility of losing good blog talent and decent community members. It’s a shame that recent pleas by others, like our esteemed Lady in Carolina, SouthernJackAss and others that have just this past week warned against troll feeding will go unheeded. Bob, J has all but vanished with his interesting prose. Lew has recently been roundly attacked by the trolls.

That’s a shame, because he is one of the longest and best denizens on this blog. When he’s not swatting these pests he writes great stuff. Braveheart wrote a tongue-in-cheek rulebook and linked it here for us that contained the folly of troll feeding. This incessant swarm of pests may cause them and/or other good denizens to stay away, become scarce or just leave. If that happens, it will be a sad day in this Braves Blogville. I wish we all possessed the ever-positive attitude and the ability to simply ignore all of the trolls and continue to post humorous Wurlitzer gems like Journalist Jimmy. Or the immaculate baseball POV’s like the ssiscribe. Or personal, sincere stories like Gil posted about his childhood baseball experience. I could go on but you get the point.

Penalty Box for long posts? So be it. Finally, if you are upset because you just wasted your valuable time on another long post that didn’t contain a single useful stat, just hand me your “Penalty Box Slip”. I’ll gladly go there and consider it my last for the day, the week, whatever. But ask yourself this first: Is it better to have a long, yet sincere post on occasion that is easy to simply scroll through and ignore or about 50 short posts that are impossible to ignore because of their frequency that wreak of nothing but profanity and incessant smut, ridicule and childish insult?

Which would you prefer? Think about that for just a minute. Oh, but the ones who need to read this just skipped it because they were on a mission to disrupt. Or they just don’t read other posts. They like to talk. To the good denizens who do read, consider this just a sincere and heartfelt point of view around the condition of the blog, directed to those I respect that contribute baseball information, collegial repartee, humor and value here.

My apologies for the length of the post, but I just had to get it out. Consider it as my last attempt to draw attention to the folly of troll feeding and the necessity of user-friendly yet secure blog ID registration.

So, let’s do something about ID/User Registration. We can gripe about it from now until the end of the season or we can do something. Your feedback will determine whether I continue to think that we should, in numbers, send AJC an email requesting ID registration. If you agree, I’ll volunteer (or gladly welcome another volunteer) to write a brief, concise request that we could all copy and send. We’ll just need the email address and contact name. If we don’t do this, we deserve what we get. Any ideas?

By Anders

August 4, 2007 12:24 PM | Link to this

Paladin I appreciate the support. I look forward to the balance of the pennant race. But for now I’m going to spend a few hours at the beach until my Mets come on at 4:00.

Later.

By Chase

August 4, 2007 12:26 PM | Link to this

METRO MAN and ANDERS..

I’ve been saying all along (go back to other blogs and look) that I not only think that BOTH the BRAVES and METS make the Playoffs…but I think they meet in the NLCS!!!!!!

NO TEAM from the Central or West are as good as the BRAVES or METS (and please don’t bring up the Phillies b/c they are on borrowed time)

By Metropolitan Man

August 4, 2007 12:28 PM | Link to this

Didnt realize it until now Anders, welcome aboard. Usually its NCZ who rolls with METRO MAN, but even NCZ can be a handful. Other than that I try not to get to crazy. Way to many obnoxious METS fans make it hard for this METS fan to talk baaseball with the rivals without it getting ugly. Just like you guys have great loyal baseball fans, same goes for every other team. Difference is no other team has one 14 straight titles (Natural High) and know how to cope with not winning or how to sell losong to their spoiled fasbase. Only true fans stay no matter how bad things may get. You may stop watching, but you never stop following!!!

By Kentavo

August 4, 2007 12:31 PM | Link to this

Why won’t Mets fans stay off Braves blog? Just like they won’t stay in N.Y. and have to move to Atlanta.

By NCBravesFan

August 4, 2007 12:33 PM | Link to this

Paladin I concur - Anders seems like good people.

Lord knows how many weird people show up at a Southern family reunion … there’s plenty of room under the tent in my opinion for a knowledgeable fan (with misguided team loyalties). ;)

By jimmy smith, ugandan journalist

August 4, 2007 12:34 PM | Link to this

sad that this blog is being hijacked by the vulgar ones. can the new bloggers not see the same culprit posting under many names? the culprit blogging with the culprit’s own self? and not all the “mets fans” believed to be posting are really mets fans. a good number of these posts are from our resident troublemaker.

as sja alludes to above, in collaboration together, the sja and jimmy smith have uncovered the dastardly one and will soon act upon information that will restore this blog to its previous good health.

in the meantime, it is worth noting that the bad behavior increases when dob is not here to protect dob’s own blog turf. emboldened by dob’s absence (while eating cheese and listening to music), the ugly blogger gets closer and closer with each post to crossing the line of unacceptable (by the most liberal standards of the ajc) blog behavior.

and as lew pointed out, a meltdown begins. a whiny little meltdown at that. when the neighborhood watch improves the neighborhood, some of this blog’s most valuable contributors will likely return. until then, let this journalist offer this poor substitute for a journalist bob post: “polonius and alberta waxed eloquently upon the throne of dismissal while pondering the fate of the earlier missive and the nine, and contemplating the necessity of yet another written exchange.” that means the braves need to win today and that journalist bob will soon be blogging again.

By Metropolitan Man

August 4, 2007 12:36 PM | Link to this

Chase, you may have a better pen by the numbers, but what have the braves done with the bats from thwe ninth innning on??? Its ok to shut a team down in late games, but those stats soon becoming meaningless if you cant win those late, close, extra inning games. Better stats but a worse record, which one do you prefer Chase….nevermind I already know!!!!

By Paladin

August 4, 2007 12:39 PM | Link to this

Savannah Guy I read every word. Well written.

Anders No problem. However, I should have written (per)spective and not, (pros)pective. But, my sugar high(I had 3spoons of it with my pablum, this morning)is wearing off.

Now, to lunch and a power nap.

By bravesfan

August 4, 2007 12:41 PM | Link to this

Ok how many of yall think A-rod will hit #500 off Kyle Davies today?

By Anders

August 4, 2007 12:44 PM | Link to this

Chase Check out their whips That’s how relievers are measured today. The key guys in the Mets bullpen are Wagner, Heilman, Feliciano and Mota. Schoenweis has been a dissapointment and Sele is a mop up guy. .

By Lew

August 4, 2007 12:46 PM | Link to this

MetroDude-Not all of us have given up on the Braves. There are a few of us who will never give up until mathematical elimination occurs and then we concentrate on winning next year. Efrim-I’ve been going back and forth with Bill for a couple of days now. He seems to think getting Tex was a mistake and listed Jason Jennings, Steve Trachsel, Woody Williams, Kyle Loshe and Carlos Silva as pitchers we should have targeted instead. My question to you is this, since you bring up Silva. What should we pay for him (or any of them), in your estimation? Do you think it would be equitable to have traded who we did for what we did for one of those pitchers? What do you think their teams would ask for now if they were to clear waivers? I ask this with no animosity towards you-I’ve called of any hostilities toward you-I’m interested in knowing. Now, I’m in favor of what JS did at the deadline. I believe he tried for a good starter and wasn’t willing to pay the absurd prices that were being asked for mediocre talent. Many complain about getting Tex, insisting we needed pitching (yes, we do need it). However, it is widely considered that Andruw will be gone after this year and is Tex not an excellent addition when viewed from this vantage? If all we needed (and at the deadline it is all we needed) was a #4-5 starter, were any of the aforementioned pitchers an improvement over what we had with Davies? My contention was no, they were no better. Couple this with the price being demanded for ANY pitching and it would have surprised me if JS HAD done a deal for them. If Smoltz does go down, would Jason Jennings and his 6.03 ERA have been a worthy replacement? I think not. As for Silva-isn’t he with the Indians and aren’t they in first place? Why would they get rid of him? What would they ask in return, if they did? One last point. All contenders (Dodgers in particular) need pitching, some desperately. Given the need, then why did NO ONE pick up these pitchers at the deadline (except Loshe and the Phillies WERE desperate)? Makes one wonder.

By Lew

August 4, 2007 12:48 PM | Link to this

Chase-Fellow Dawg. When did you attend UGA?

By Savannah Guy

August 4, 2007 12:55 PM | Link to this

Paladin 9:54: ”I noticed where Savannah Guy took to task all that post under Nom de plumes. Does that, SG, include Senor Blanco and others that poke a little fun?”

You are referring to my 6:21 post yesterday afternoon. To answer your question: No, not at all. I am actually a big fan of Senor Blanco and a few others that create new names for the sake of good-natured fun and humor. I thought my description of “Changelings” was clearly intended for the ones that are disruptive and mocking. The “Whitesnakes” if you will. In fact, I just posted my thoughts on the whole thing. I’m sure you won’t miss it (very long). Don’t know about you, but I’ve had it with the trolls.

”So, ole buddy, do satire—you do it well. Do erudite—you do it well. Do funny—you do it well. But, leave the preaching to the preachers.”

Ok Paladin…got it. But also take my advice friend: Don’t appoint yourself to be the resident gate-keeper of what is pertinent and try to position yourself as the blogs hall-monitor of non-baseball, chat-roomish opines and I’ll try not to preach. Deal?

By Metropolitan Man

August 4, 2007 12:56 PM | Link to this

No Pedro, no problem. No Beltran, No problem. Delgado Not hitting, No problem. No reliable 5th starter, No problem. Bench made up of moslty castoffs and minor leaugers, No problem.Manager in a sling. No problem.Bullpen roles keep changing. No problem. Best 10th man gone (Chavez) No problem. Now what are the braves complaining about again????

By TexasBrave

August 4, 2007 12:58 PM | Link to this

Savannah Guy - I have only been posting for a few weeks so my support might not mean much to you and the rest of the honest long term denizens that have posted on this great blog. Living in Texas I don’t get to talk with many Braves fans. I was overjoyed upon stumbling upon this blog and read the wonderful bantering over our beloved Braves. I agree that since that time the blog has gone downhill fast. I have chosen to skip those entries by bloggers who scum up this blog. I also refuse to add to the nausium of answering those who do not have any moral turpitude.

I give you my support in finding a way to bring this blog to its once great forum. I would be more than willing to got go along with you and any other respectible denizens to clean up this site. I thank you for being the voice of reason.

By Lew

August 4, 2007 1:03 PM | Link to this

MetroDude-The Wild card is what a team strives for if the Division is not attainable, The division, at this point is still winnable by the Braves-as well as by the Mets, Phillies or Marlins (for that matter, I’m not sure the Nats have been eliminated yet). Exactly why should we strive for second best? Makes zero sense to me. Why don’t the Mets concentrate on the Wild Card? They haven’t won anything yet, either, nor will they today, tomorrow, or even this month. They just have a lead that is hardly insurmountable. Tell me where things stand after the season ends-not when 50 games remain and none of the 3 contenders in our division have distinguished themselves as of yet. I certainly see room for improvement in all three of the front runners.

By NCBravesFan

August 4, 2007 1:11 PM | Link to this

Lew -

Great point about getting Tex. It sure looks like the fortunes of this team hang ultimately on Smoltz’s health, but that doesn’t mean you make a bad deal for a pitcher who probably won’t be able to help.

The good thing about getting Tex (beyond the offense and defense) is that you punch up the offense this year to give yourself the best possible chance to win.

As for next year, I suggest the Braves let Andruw leave, look to acquire a leadoff/good defense type CF to replace him … a guy who can lead off, get on base at the top of the order, etc.

Having a speed guy in the leadoff spot should help the Tex-enhanced offense be more consistent next year.

They should also get a SP by either free agent signing or by trading Renteria.

By Robert (Justice Is The Best)

August 4, 2007 1:12 PM | Link to this

I was looking at stats from the minor league pitchers and sadly Cormier is the best option. Dan Smith’s numbers don’t look good at all. That is not to say that he wouldn’t pitch well in the majors right now but it would be a risk. Blaine Boyer’s numbers are not impressive at all. Trey Hodges is a possibility but I really doubt he would be any better than Cormier. Ryan Drese illicits no confidence whatsoever. One guy the Braves could go after is Casey Fossum from the Rays. He isn’t the greatest pitcher but does have moments of brilliance. Its hard to say what the Rays would ask in return. I think perhaps Tyler Yates could do the trick. I would hate to lose Yates but Paronto is down in the minors. Fossum is no savior but he would be better than any option the Braves have right now.

By Lew

August 4, 2007 1:13 PM | Link to this

Look Y’all-As a Wise Person once said in relationship to our impoverished Brethern, There will aways be Trolls. Trolls are a part of life. Contact with lower life forms is a fact of life-All Life, not just Blog Life. Whining, p!$$ing and moaning about their existence solves nothing-you are left with hungry Trolls One must learn to rise above Trolldom and occaisionally hit them in the nose with heavy objects (or words as the case may be), to keep them under control. However, if kept at bay, they tend to self cannibalize anyway, so why worry? They will eventually eat themselves. Bat them in the nose every once in a while and they will skulk away and put their feet in their mouths, attempting to satisfy their voracious appetites. One need not worry. They are radically stupid.

By Robert (Justice Is The Best)

August 4, 2007 1:15 PM | Link to this

MetroMan, can’t agrue with you. You’re right. The Braves have no excuses.

By TheSouthernJackAss

August 4, 2007 1:17 PM | Link to this

TheSouthernJackAss will now do his part to improve the blog…Good Day!…and Good Luck!…

By NCBravesFan

August 4, 2007 1:21 PM | Link to this

Lew - I agree that the acquisition of Tex was a good idea. He punches up the lineup and gives us great defense at first.

The fortunes of the team the rest of the regular season apparently will ride on John Smoltz’s health and (insert name of fifth starter here). If we get enough pitching, we should have enough to get in to the postseason.

Next year, Tex can help as well. Here’s what the Braves should think about doing, IMHO …

Let Andruw leave, and seek to replace him with a speedy CF who is a top of the order type guy. Hopefully, this replacement would combine with the heart of the order to make the offense more consistent, and able to play for a run when the game is tight (which is a glaring weakness of this version of the Braves).

They should also trade Renteria after the season ends to get said CF, or a front-line SP.

By Lew

August 4, 2007 1:24 PM | Link to this

NC Braves Fan- I pretty much agree with you, though I think if we let Andruw walk, Francoeur can handle center. WE still have Diaz/Harris, Brandon Jones on the horizon and we can always put Kelly Johnson in left. That boy has flat out proven he can hit as a full time player- hit for power and average and hit ANYWHERE in the order-whether he’s played the last day or two or not. I’m not particularly worried with our outfield options as they are (there’s always Blanco, too, for those small ballers). I think Wicky will be gone and there will be some $$$$ freed up from Andruw’s departure (though Hudson’s raise will take half of AJ’s savings). With that $$$$ in addition to the salary bump (and I think the moves lately indicate there WILL be a bump), pitching will be attainable-and Yes, we do need more pitching. In my opinion, the future is still bright and sunny.

By Lew

August 4, 2007 1:27 PM | Link to this

RJIB-There are two things that worry me about Fossum. 1. The Rays-they will want ten times more than he’s worth and 2. Fossum has spent a LOT of time on the DL both this year and last. He probably wouldn’t be worth what we’d have to give up-if he cleared waivers.

By bravesfan

August 4, 2007 1:28 PM | Link to this

a-rod just hit #500 of davies

By Robert (Justice Is The Best)

August 4, 2007 1:33 PM | Link to this

The problem Andruw will have is that he is not giving the Braves any reason to think it would be wise to invest $18 mil a year over the next five to seven seasons for him. Some have suggested that because of his poor season Andruw will be forced to accpet $15 or $16 million. That is simply incorrect and naive. For one thing Boras is his agent. More importantly somebody will pony up $18 to $20 mil a year hoping that this year is an anamoly and that even if his offense is declining his defense will make up the difference. Teams like the Yankees, Angles, Dodgers, Rangers, Giants, White Sox, and Astros will all make strong bids for him. I don’t really think the Mets or Red Sox will simply because they don’t really need Andruw. That is why I and several others have said Andruw is out of here next season. It doesn’t matter what kind of season he is having. If some jobber like Gary Matthews Jr. can get a 5yr/$10 mil contract than Andruw can most certainly get a 5yr/$18 mil contract.

I personally believe that Brandon Jones will be in CF next yar. If the Braves feel that Jones can give them 20 to 25 HRs and 80+ RBI, then he will be the preferred choice over Andruw. The Teixeira deal by JS was a very shrewd deal and it covered the team for next year. I think giving B. Jones $360,000 next year is better than giving Andruw $18 mil if you think Andruw is just going to go up and stikeout 150 times which he will likely do this year. The money used on Andruw can be used to get a good starting pitcher. It won’t yield a Carlos Zambrano but it’ll be pretty close. Not to mention that if Johan Santana makes a stink about getting traded this winter he could definitely be a target for the Braves even if he is a one year rental.

Also, I would be shocked if Renteria is on this team next year. He can yield a good starter through trade and Escobar is ready to assume the everyday role.

By NCBravesFan

August 4, 2007 1:34 PM | Link to this

Sorry for the double post everyone - wireless is acting up!

Lew - thanks for the update - I wasn’t aware of all the options you outlined so well. I was coming from the angle of the offense doesn’t play for one run very well in tight situations, and I think a little more speed up top would help.

I agree the overall picture is good - I salute JS for pulling the trigger and giving the team the best chance to play in October with the talent that was available to acquire.

By N.Y

August 4, 2007 1:37 PM | Link to this

The way things are shaping up,it looks like the pitching matchups for the Mets vs Braves series are- Perez vs Carlyle, Smoltz vs Lawrence,and El Duque vs Hudson. I’m A Mets fan so take my opinion as you may. I would’ve gave Smoltz the extra day giving the promblems with his shoulder.Nothings official but it looks like he is going to pitch the 2nd game of the Met series. If you are the Braves you can understand pitching him on regular rest because you want your 2 best pitchers going vs the Mets.But if I were the Braves I would split the pie by having Smoltz pitch Thursday and save Hudson for the Phillies.That way I have one of my best pitchers go vs Philly instead of neither.I’m not scared because Smoltz and Hudson are pitching vs us but the way the ball travels out of Citizens Bank Park, I would want one of my best pitching.

By Robert (Justice Is The Best)

August 4, 2007 1:38 PM | Link to this

Lew, I agree. But, at this point the Braves are desperate. To me Fossum would be worth the risk as long as the Rays are reasonable in their demands.

By Stinky

August 4, 2007 1:41 PM | Link to this

Lew, I think Andruw will be hard to get rid of. His crappy year has damaged his options for next year. The Braves will offer him arbitration to get draft picks, but he’ll accept. And then we’ll be stuck with an older and fatter headcase centerfielder who gets a raise in a rigged kangaroo court.

By Lew

August 4, 2007 1:43 PM | Link to this

NCBravesFan-As for speed, weren’t amphetamines banned? Sorry, couldn’t resist. However, your point is valid, but KJ can motor (look at his NINE triples), Brandon Jones can burn, so can Blanco and Harris. Let’s also keep Lillibridge in mind as well. It has been said here before he is considered for outfield conversion and he flies-steals bases, too. Optionally, Lillibridge could go to second and Yunel to short IF Renteria is traded. Let’s see how Yunel fares for the next few weeks, though, as a full time replacment for The Esteemed Mr. Renteria (wasn’t THAT deal a coup for JS?). I think our options for playing small ball next year (if necessary) are pretty bright and sunny as well.

By NCBravesFan

August 4, 2007 1:45 PM | Link to this

Welcome back to the show, Kyle. YIKES!

By Lew

August 4, 2007 1:49 PM | Link to this

RJIB-I don’t disagree-totally- but it IS the Rays, They WILL be unreasonable as they always are, especially where pitching is concerned. They would probably ask for Reyes and Hanson and two others as well. I’d rather look elsewhere for somewhat of a better option than Casey Fossum. His rash of recent injuries scares me. He has missed considerable time this year and last.

By laurance maney

August 4, 2007 1:55 PM | Link to this

The loss was Bobby’s. Putting Harris at 3rd and Chipper at SS recalled my father’s saying: “Managers are like dogs, they’re only stupid when they try and think.” He should not have used Dotel in the 7th either with both Wickman and Soriano off their games lately. Yates was throwing peas and could have managed 2 innings. On the larger scale, I do hope that AJ leaves. He needs a manager that will move him up, not down, in the order to get his swing back and a batting coach who’ll not tinker with him constantly. He also could use some respect. Up here in the frozen North we watch the Braves when we can on the enemy telecast to not hear Joe Simpson’s constant complaining about AJ. His comment on the night of the Texiera trade that he hopes “Andruw will apply himself” when moved down in the order was idiotic at best coming from a guy who can’t get into Cooperstown without a ticket and isnsulting to someone who plays day in and day out with bad knees and bad shoulders.

By Lew

August 4, 2007 1:56 PM | Link to this

RJIB-I just did some research and I was wrong (to some extent). Fossum hasn’t spent the DL time this year that I thought he had. However, he has not started a game since early May. He is being used exclusively in relief. He has not pitched more than 2 2/3 Innings since early May. Real BAD starting option, I’m afraid. Back to the drawing board.

By Lew

August 4, 2007 2:00 PM | Link to this

Stinky-You could be right. However, there will be some boneheaded team that will offer Boras the Moon, Sun and a Nebula or two (maybe even an immature Galaxy replete with Black Hole)for AJ’s services. Depends on whether or not Dad takes over the negotiations like last time. JS may be gun shy about offering the arbitration, though, if he remembers what happened with Maddux. I bet his rear end still burns from THAT deal. He better stock up on Preparation H if he goes that route, yet again.

By Savannah Guy

August 4, 2007 2:01 PM | Link to this

TexasBrave Thanks for the support. Hey, welcome to the Braves forum…the best baseball blog anywhere. Your post means as much as any, whether you’ve been here two weeks or two years. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do. With a few IT moves it’ll get better. In the meantime, check out the below link for new members. This hilarious site was created by our very own Braveheart. Just remember, “many a truth is told in jest”:

http://www.geocities.com/rookierulesofengagement/

By Efrim

August 4, 2007 2:02 PM | Link to this

Lew and others,

The future is fine. We have a very talented farm system and young players that will be great in Atlanta uniform for many years to come. But here it goes folks….

BC and JS have put all the chips into the center of the table the next 15 months. The Tex trade needed to happen. He is a GREAT player. He makes us better. I love the trade. This is the team they believe can win the world series either in 2007 or 2008. I’m not saying that it is those two years, then we are screwed, not at all. Great farm, great young players. But this version of the Braves has 15 months to get a ring. I’m not sure who will be back in 2009. JS and BC could retire at the end of next year. It could very well happen. Tex, Renteria, Jones, Jones and Smoltz could all be gone at the beginning of 2009. Not saying they all will, but it is possible. It really is. Smoltz could retire. Chipper might not get those plate appearences, want too much money and leave. Could happen with a new GM and Coach. Its possible, but not probable. They are an inconsistent ballclub right now. To be honest with you, I am not sure why. This team has the talent, even with Renteria hurt, Soriano struggling, Smoltz shoulder, and our 5th starter’s spot being a question mark, this team can make the playoffs. 57-53. It comes down to the next 8 games folks. I can’t stress it enough. I know, 52 games left, how can you say that? Nah. It really does come down to the next 8 games. They need to go 6-2, 5-3 at the very worst. I know they are only 3 back of the wild card and 6 back in the division. 3? 6? Yes, I go by the loss column. You all should too. I don’t trust other teams to lose. I can only trust the Braves.

We have the ability to make the playoffs and win the division, but it starts tonight. If they have a poor showing the next 8 games, then I really will have my doubts about this team.

Now, Lew, I am sure you think I am crazy, but dude, the Mets are going to win 92 games. Don’t ask me how, but they will man. They are 15 games over .500 and 14-8 since the break. They dont have a difficult schedule the rest of the way and neither do the Braves, but we haven’t shown we can take care of business yet. They’re gonna get to 92 victories. Meaning the Braves need to go 36-16 the rest of the way to win the division. 36-16 from the Braves and 30-24 from the Mets for the Braves to get the NL EAST crown back.

Can it happen???

Yes.

If the Braves have a good 8 games. After the 8. Its Home versus the Giants, D-Backs and away at the Reds, Cards and Marlins. 16 games to make the push for the division.

And regarding Silva. Its a body that throws strikes and battles. I really dont think the Twins would ask for a lot. Not much at all. Maybe RHP James Parr. They gave Castillo away for absolutely nothing. Those Mets prospects were not good.

By KC

August 4, 2007 2:03 PM | Link to this

Anders: “KC .600 ball?? For 50 plus games? 10 plus games over .500? I don’t see that. The Braves don’t have the bullpen for that. Two nights ago proved that.”

What happened 2 nights ago wasn’t the result of a weak bullpen… it was the result of Rafael Soriano throwing the damn ball over the fat part of the plate.

I don’t know what’s up with Soriano, and it is a concern. But we now have Dotel and a solid lefty (Mahay) to go along with Wickman (who has been solid lately), and Peter Moylan, who has been incredible.

Yates and Villarreal have also been pitching nicely of late.

It may involve taking Soriano out of that setup role for a while - I don’t know - but one way or the other… the Braves bullpen will be just fine. I wouldn’t have said that a week ago, but Schuerholz gave this bullpen the depth it needed to overcome Soriano’s struggles.

As far as the rest of the relievers the other night… Mahay and Villarreal were the other relievers to give up runs, and that didn’t happen until each was working his 4th inning in two nights.

This bullpen is in good shape.

And if you would like to make a friendly wager as to whether the Braves will play .600 ball from here on out… I’m up for it. Seriously.

By NCBravesFan

August 4, 2007 2:03 PM | Link to this

Good deal Lew … I say let Andruw go and let’s lock Tex up for a while!

Kyle has now cut his AL ERA in half … from 36 to 18. Seriously though, I hope the guy finds a home in KC.

By Tyler

August 4, 2007 2:03 PM | Link to this

No more deals will be made this year. JS has done all he can for the Braves. Next year, I think Lillbridge will be the starting CF. He will also be the leadoff guy.

As for SP, we need to go after Zambrano, if possible. Trade Renteria for a top notch starter, move Yunel to short. That sounds good to me.

By KC

August 4, 2007 2:05 PM | Link to this

• The bad news is: The Braves lost a heartbreaker (among other things that were broken) on Thursday, follow by having their high octane offense silenced last night for a second consecutive loss (while the Mets won each of their last two games). So now here we’re 5-1/2 games back in the East.

THE GOOD NEWS IS: We’ve got nearly 1/3 of the season still ahead of us, including 9 more head-to-head games with the Mets, so the division is by no means out of reach. We’ll have to win 6 of the 9 head-to-head games (which is in line with what we’ve done against them so far), and play 3 games better than them in non-H2H games from here on out. Unless the Mets play out of their minds the rest of the way… the Braves are definitely capable of pulling that off. They’ve created a hole for themselves over the past 2 days, but it’s not too deep to crawl out of.

But if all else fails, we’re only 2 games out of the Wild Card, and the Braves are hands-down the most talented team in the NL Wild Card race.

• The bad news is: The recent performance of formerly unhittable Rafael Soriano. He’s blown leads in 5 of his last 9 outings.

THE GOOD NEWS IS: Everything Soriano’s done over his career tells us he’ll be fine… but either way, we’ve got Dotel who can take over the setup job if needed.

• The bad news is: Cormier did not look good at all in his first outing since his recall to Atlanta.

THE GOOD NEWS IS: We’ve got Villarreal who can step into the 5th starter role if Cormier falters. Ring can be called up from Richmond to take Villarreal’s place in the bullpen.

• The bad news is: We’ll be without Renteria for at least 2 weeks.

THE GOOD NEWS IS: We’ve got Escobar to save us from 2 weeks of watching Chris Woodward in the starting lineup!!!!!

• The bad news: The Mets are hot right now.

THE GOOD NEWS: They’ll cool off. And when they do, the Braves will gain ground.

Also, the Mets have health issues. Pedro probably won’t be back until next month… and then who knows what they’ll get from him. (Hey, it’s natural justice. We lost Hampton and Gonzo. It’s only fair if they don’t get Pedro back at anything close to 100% this year.) Then you’ve got the health issues of Beltran, and other bangs and bruises with guys like Castillo and Alou.

By Efrim

August 4, 2007 2:10 PM | Link to this

KC

I don’t worry about the pen either, but BC has to take Soriano out of the 8th inning for a little. I can see him giving up a jack to Howard or Wright this week. I couldn;t take that.

By Robert (Justice Is The Best)

August 4, 2007 2:11 PM | Link to this

Lew, I definitely agree there are more attractive options but unfortunately at this stage there may not be better ones. I like Cliff Lee from the Indians but I highly doubt the Indians would give him up without getting something of great value in return.

Another option is someone I hate to even bring up but he may be the best available option….Steve Trachsel. The guy is a jobber in every sense of the word, but he is a pitcher who eats up lots of innings and on occassion can look like a major league pitcher. He has a one year contract with the Orioles so the Braves could get him and then cut ties at the end of the year. Now, I don’t know if the O’s would play hardball or not and ask for a hefty return. Its not like they will receive any top notch picks fro him leaving via free agency so I wouldn’t think they will try to hold onto him at all costs.

By KC

August 4, 2007 2:17 PM | Link to this

Tyler: “Next year, I think Lillbridge will be the starting CF.”

I don’t mean to be contrary, but that’s not going to happen. If Andruw leaves, Mike Cameron is a much better bet.

First of all, Lillibridge has shown he’s ready to leadoff in the big leagues. He has 97 strikeouts in 417 at-bats this year between Miss. and Richmond.

The average leadoff hitter gets 600-plus AB’s. If you project that strikeout ratio to 600 at-bats… you come out to 140 strikeouts. That’s an awful lot for a leadoff hitter. He’s going to have to cut down on that before the Braves are going to hand them the leadoff job in Atlanta.

And while I’m sure Lillibridge could play center, but from what I hear, he’s a gold-glove caliber SS… so they’ll be reluctant to move him, even if he’s blocked at Short.

By TexasBrave

August 4, 2007 2:18 PM | Link to this

Savannah Guy - Oh I have read the RROE. Before I started posting I just read the Blog for a couple of weeks just to get a sense of who, what and when. I have tried to the best of my abilities to adhere to the RROE eventhough they were mostly said in jest. It would great if the rules from the esteemed Braveheart were followed.

By KC

August 4, 2007 2:20 PM | Link to this

Efrim: “I don’t worry about the pen either, but BC has to take Soriano out of the 8th inning for a little. I can see him giving up a jack to Howard or Wright this week. I couldn;t take that.”

I agree. He’s blown leads in 5 of his last 9 appearances. It’s time to demote him and make him earn his way back into an 8th or 9th inning role.

We’ve got Dotel now, so there’s no reason to keep allowing Soriano to hurt the team while he’s struggling like this. I’m sure Moylan could also handle setup duties.

By KC

August 4, 2007 2:24 PM | Link to this

CORRECTION: I mean to say that Lillibridge has NOT shown he’s ready.

By Stinky

August 4, 2007 2:26 PM | Link to this

Lew, We can only hope that JS doesn’t get caught holding the Andruw bag. But the way an overly loyal (or visibly senile) Bobby Cox seems to think that Andruw is still in 2005 form fills me with fear.

By Robert (Justice Is The Best)

August 4, 2007 2:32 PM | Link to this

Efrim, you are right. If you look at the stats from Myrtle Beach, Mississippi, and Richmond the kids are simply raking. That Richmond team is loaded. Hell, Pete Orr has one of the worst batting averages on the team. B. Jones has struggled so far at Richmond but in AA he was putting up MVP like numbers. Doug Clark, Martin Prado, and Brent Lillibridge are just tearing it up. Kaailhue was hotter than hot in Myrtle Beach. He has cooled off since joining the AA team but I assume that he just has to get adjusted like B. Jones. Our farm system is fine. Look at B. Pena. If he can hold his own at 1B and LF, he will win a spot on the 25 man roster next season.

This team is in better shape than some want to believe. People can rip JS for “gutting” the system all they want. It simply isn’t true. The big league club will be in really good shape in 2009. I don’t think its a given Tex will leave. First of all a lot of the big market teams will have firstbasemen already in place. Also, the Braves will have a ton of money freed up. Hampton’s contract will be gone and Renteria’s if he is not traded by then. If the pitching in the minors can mature like it is hoped they will, then Hudson will become expendable and his contract will be gone. Chipper will still be here but I really wouldn’t be that surprised if he doesn’t retire at the end of next year. Say what you want about Chipper but he is a gamer. The man should probably be on the DL right now.

Think about it. The only players at the end of the 2008 season that will be making substantial money are Smoltz, Chipper, McCann, and Francoeur (arbitration will be very kind to him). This is assuming Renteria and Hudson are gone by that winter. That would leave a lot of money to sign Teixeria. The Braves have 2B and SS covered with relatively inexpensive players in Johnson and Escobar respectively. If B. Jones can produce like the orginization thinks he can, then you have an inexpensive CF. I’m sure Diaz will still be raking and he will still be in his arbitration eligible years. Francouer and McCann will already be covered as will Smoltz. James will be a rotation fixture and also relatively inexpensive. If Reyes and Dan Smith can come along (and I believe they both will; Reyes was brought up before he was ready) then the Braves would have 4 of the 5 spots in the rotation filled. Soriano and Gonzales will be making a bit of change but neither of them will be making more than $ 5 mil a year. By then Devine, Boyer, Ascaino, and Stockman should be ready to contribute in the pen. All of them making league minimum. If the cards are played right and Liberty gives the Braves just a bit of flexibility in payroll, which is something Terry McGirk has all but said will be the case, the Braves would not only have the money to sign Teixeira but could possibly have the coin to sign a Johan Santana. If not Santana, pitchers like Willis, Haren, Harang, and Bedard should be on the market. If free agency isn’t the way then the Braves will have the flexibility to make trades.

Not to even mention that players such as: Lillibridge, Esquivel, Hernandez, Holt, and Prado will be available to contribute off the bench. This team is in a great position for the future.

By TexasBrave

August 4, 2007 2:41 PM | Link to this

Great post KC!!!

I agree that we should give Oscar a chance, but if Bobby hasn’t used him yet with all the 5th starters we have had out there then I don’t think he is going too. Lance is going to get his chance for at least 3 starts. I don’t see any trades happening like everyone else wants to happen, the pitching is just not available at this point of the season and by the time it is it may be too late, either good or bad.

I also agree that Soriano is going to get better especially with the additions of Dotel and Mahey. He will not be call on as much. He is a power pitcher and even though he may only pitch one inning per night it takes a toll on the guy to have to warm up and come into pitch 3 games in a roll on a consistant basis.

Another thing that will be interesting to watch is how well Escobar does in Edgar’s absence. If he does well then for sure Edgar is trade bait after the season. If not????? Lets just hope he gets well fast. But a high ankle sprain usually takes two weeks for the swelling to go down and then another week, possible two to build up enough strength to play.

We just need to worry about getting into the playoffs. I would like to win the division but the WC will work for this year. One game at a time.

By Double Deuce

August 4, 2007 2:42 PM | Link to this

* Savannah Guy*

Well spoken. Hard to believe a surfer dude can have so much insight and be able to get it down on paper. I’ve tried, but I spend too much time in the water:)

This blog is the best forum there is for expressing views on the Braves, and baseball. When it becomes personal it turns ugly. Let’s keep the spirit of the blog where it was intended.

By Wayne in Utah

August 4, 2007 2:42 PM | Link to this

Just a couple of quick thought before heading off to take care of the honey do list.

I agree with my friends that the next 2-3 weeks will tell us a lot about the capabilities of Escobar as a future shortstop. Many of us here believe that while he is an MVP for the Braves, Edgar might be our best bargaining chip for obtaining a decent 3-4 starter this winter.

Depending on what happens over the next 2-3 weeks, I would think the Braves will have a lot of soul searching to see which middle infielder should be tried out in the outfield. Lillibridge, Escobar, or return Johnson to the outfield. Maybe even put Scott Thorman in the mix. So, that gives us a pool of potential outfield candidates for 2008 to replace AJ. Matt Esquivel, Brandon Jones, Gregor Blanco, Scott Thorman and maybe one of the infielders to go with Frenchy, Diaz, and maybe Harris.

Personally, I would love to see Willie Harris get some quality time in the fall league or in a winter league to try to see if he is capable of playing short and third. He might make a good utility man?? I don’t see him being a long term OF fixture. Too much of a defensive liability.

I liked what I saw of Devine last night, except for that leadoff walk. Maybe BC can use this lad some more in the next couple of days.

Have a great day, my friends! (Stay Positive!!)

By Paladin

August 4, 2007 2:49 PM | Link to this

Savannah Guy I just returned from my power nap and read your response to me. Relax everyone, I said the one to me, not the novelette.

I haven’t appointed myself the gatekeeper of a damn thing. I took my lumps yesterday for my, i thought, joking reference to me being an “enforcer”. I can’t even make “crossing guard” here at the home. And I so crave that white belt with a real BADGE on it.

But, back to our discussion. I was only taking up for myself, and maybe a couple of friends, who have some “harmless” fun, playing “roles”. We don’t attack people, or use names of other posters. And we don’t use foul language.

OK, I will take you assurances that your remarks were not aimed at us. Now, let’s get on with baseball—and occasional “fun”—shall we?

Your friend, Paladin

By Efrim

August 4, 2007 2:50 PM | Link to this

Sad but true. Escobar or Renteria will not be on this team next year. One of them will be in a deal to bring a #3 starter to slot right behind Hudson and Smoltz.

By Savannah Guy

August 4, 2007 2:53 PM | Link to this

Mickey Featherstone 10:11 and 11:11: Whoever you are…well written and funny as hell. Pure art. More to come on the 11’s?

TexasBrave You sir, are a model citizen. Maybe you should give rookie orientation.

By Stinky

August 4, 2007 3:02 PM | Link to this

journalist jimmy smith, Why can’t we be friends?

By Tonight on TBS

August 4, 2007 3:04 PM | Link to this

Tonight after the game, first time on television…

The Simpson Movie (2007)

Joe Simpson (voice of Dan Castellaneta) is a bland Braves broadcaster who always sucks up to the home team (a real “Homer” if you will). One day, TBS orders a clean up of the broadcasts: no more trite cliches, boring anecdotes, lame jokes - just report what’s happening. However, someone forgets to tell Joe Simpson and he accidently says “Pig Crap” on the air while telling a three-inning long story about how he batted .283 in 1979 for the Seattle Mariners. He thus incurs the wrath of the FCC and inadvertently dooms the network, the Braves, and himself. (Animated comedy).

By KC

August 4, 2007 3:08 PM | Link to this

Efrim: You may well be right. If there is a quality starter available and Renteria could help bring him here, he’ll probably be gone next year. HOWEVER…

At this point, the Braves like having a very capable player to back up Chipper at 3B. If Renteria can’t serve as a centerpiece in a deal to bring that 3rd starter in… I could see the Braves keeping the infield arrangement as is for one more year.

By Savannah Guy

August 4, 2007 3:11 PM | Link to this

Double Deuce 2:42: ”Well spoken. Hard to believe a surfer dude can have so much insight and be able to get it down on paper. I’ve tried, but I spend too much time in the water.”

Thanks for the support and kind words. Hey, I’m certainly not trying to be the moral compass here, or the arbiter of good taste and acceptable language. I think a few well-placed expletives deleted makes for a damn fine &%$#@ sentiment in a post on occasion and only adds to the color of the blog. It’s really all about ID theft and ID registration. It’s by no means about censorship or content control. As soon as we try to monitor content and language that some of us may not like or agree with, we begin to fall into the censorship arena, which I would always protest.

Hey, my best surfing days are unfortunately behind me, but I did recently get some good waves in Jax Beach, FLA. Tried to find some a few weeks ago in southern CA but we were skunked with 1-2 foot mush everywhere we looked. But, like fishing…you don’t know if you don’t go. Where do you surf?

By KC

August 4, 2007 3:11 PM | Link to this

Texas Brave: At this point, if Cormier falters… BC might just put Villarreal in that 5-slot. The fact that Ring is waiting at AAA helps. We’ve got a big league reliever ready to step in take Villarreal’s place in the pen.

By Amber

August 4, 2007 3:11 PM | Link to this

KC said

*• The bad news: The Mets are hot right now.

THE GOOD NEWS: They’ll cool off. And when they do, the Braves will gain ground.*

Yeah, unfortunately the Mets already have cooled off, but we froze at the same time and couldn’t take advantage to gain ground.

I’m still waiting to hear that Soriano has been placed on the DL. It’s de rigeur for formerly good pitchers who suddenly suck, right? At least it would save us from watching him blow games and give us a fresh arm for two weeks.

By Efrim

August 4, 2007 3:15 PM | Link to this

KC

Lillibridge is 24 in September. Gotta make a decision on him soon. Maybe he can provide to be the starting SS. We’ll see. I’d like to keep Renteria. He is so good. A starting lineup of:

2B Johnson SS Renteria 3B Jones 1B Teixiera C McCann RF Francouer LF Diaz/B. Jones CF Free Agent/Anyone who can play defense

We definetly need to upgrade the starting pitching next year. In anyway we can. I guess Hampton has to be in the rotation. James at 4 and someone like Joe Blanton would be great.

By bill

August 4, 2007 3:15 PM | Link to this

Lew, I’m not against the trade for Tex. Saw him at Tech. What I was saying about some of these washed up pitchers, is the Braves need a vet. in 5 spot. It’s desperate times. The other GM’s are asking a king ransom for a washed up pitcher. I would let AJ walk and put B. Jones in left. There will be plenty of CF’s out there next season. Someone had mentioned moving KJ to the OF. I don’t think they would take a chance on him hurting his arm or shoulder. I’m concerned about Smoltz. He’s just not right but he gives his best. If they could get Silva or Fossum off waivers, it might be worth taking a chance. I wouldn’t give up much for either one. The Braves have a prospect but it will probably be two years before he’s ready for CF.

By Savannah Guy

August 4, 2007 3:20 PM | Link to this

Paladin Hey, there was no “us” in my aim…only you pal. But not intended to incite, insult or get you to “bow up” or anything…it was just a friendly poke and a bit of something for you to consider. It’s all with best intentions. You’re ok, I’m ok, “they” are crazy. No biggie. All good.

By KC

August 4, 2007 3:21 PM | Link to this

Amber: With the roster we have now, and the healthy problems the Mets have at the moment… I don’t think they’re going to play better than .600 ball the rest of the way.

so if the Braves play better than .600… (and they definitely have a roster capable of doing so) they’ll have a great shot at the division.

Again, either way… I think both the Braves and Mets will make the playoffs.

By Pierre

August 4, 2007 3:24 PM | Link to this

Amber - vous parlez français ? C’est merveilleux ! Je suis venu à ce blog après que Jeff Francoeur ait frappé un basball en la Belgique. Maintenant, je suis un grand ventilateur de brave. Vous aussi ?

By Paladin

August 4, 2007 3:30 PM | Link to this

I’m off to watch my grandnephew play ball. He is a light-hitting(with a beanpole build)right fielder in a 78-82mph league, who dreams of “going on”. We don’t tell him. Would you?

By Lew

August 4, 2007 3:30 PM | Link to this

RJIB-Sorry Dude-I don’t care how desperate we may be-Giving up anyone for Trachsel, Woody Williams, or Jason Jennings at this point would be insane and counterproductive. For crying out loud. Trachsel had an ERA well in excess of 5 runs per game with the Mets last year-that’s why he is no longer there. They dumped him in favor of Chan Ho Park and Jorge Sosa. Shouldn’t that tell you something? No one grabbed them pre deadline, despite a major lack of pitcing in all the contenders. That should tell you something, as well. The Dodgers are dying for pitching and they didn’t sign them. The Phillies are dying for pitching and they didn’t sign them. This should all tell you something. Trachsel has an ERA of almost 5 again this year, even working with Leo Mazzone. No way. Jennings is even worse at 6.03 and Woody Williams is about as bad-didn’t you watch the Braves hand him his @$$ the other night? And that with him having dominated the Braves through his career. Just who would you give up for these scrap heap rejects, considering their teams would view it as a desperation move by the Braves? They would jack the price way beyond the bounds of propriety, for what-more of the same crap performances? If it becomes a case of trying to wrangle a deal for players unlikely to pass waivers, anyway and giving up even more prospects for used junk, Id rather concede the season and look to next year. Enough is enough. It is time to take JS at his word and acknowledge there is no one out there worth the price to be paid. Forget what happened the past two nights and play some ball with who we have. If Smoltz goes down, we’re screwed anyway-he is not replaceable at this point of the season. The rest mentioned are no better than what we had so far that failed. Efrim-No I don’t think you insane. Yes, the Mets could end up winning that many games, but I refuse to acknowledge that the Braves, with as much talent as they have, cannot go on a streak and win that many themselves. Will they do it? I have no idea. They sure haven’t yet. However, they damn well have the horses (or Hosses) to pull it off. Lack of consistency is their problem (one which I have no idea how to remedy), not not having the players to do it. That is what has been so frustrating.

By Lew

August 4, 2007 3:36 PM | Link to this

Bill-Look Dude. The other teams would want a King’s ransom for those guys and their track record is not very good. If you just want experience, well Cormier and Trey Hodges have that experience. Their numbers are no worse than Fossum and Trachsel’s and they are on our payroll. If Smoltz goes down we’re screwed and none of those could replace him, anyway. How much is a fifth starter with no decent numbers worth to you for a desperation drive? I promise you one thing-They will NOT be cheap. Not at all. We need consistency from who we already have. That would help much more than these rag dolls.

By Lew

August 4, 2007 3:41 PM | Link to this

Bill-As far as KJ. It was me who suggested his outfield return-if necessary. His problem was his elbow and from some of those laser beam relay throws he’s made, I think it’s pretty obvious he has no more problems-plus he is not great at 2B-serviceable, but could be better. We HAVE to get his bat in the lineup on a regular basis. At the start of next year he will be two years removed from his TJ surgery-more than enough time for a pitcher to recover, much less an outfielder. He’s fine now. Let him roam. He can hit, he can run and he can throw-and he’s real inexpensive.

By Mo in the boonies

August 4, 2007 3:45 PM | Link to this

I have read every post on this blog, and have a few points to consider: Is it a possibility that Carroll may be a man rather than a lady writer? The spelling of the name leads me to think so, but then, I don’t read the paper except online.

The matter of people impersonating others on here might be solved if everyone just checked the space that says “remember me?” That way when imposters try to post under other’s names they wouldn’t have the correct matching e-mail address, and wouldn’t be able to post.

I think this whole team has the potential to be great. Given a different manager. They were just beginning to be on a roll, when BC spoiled everything Thursday night, and completely took all the air out of their sails. Last night they were not only tired, but definitely deflated. And Smoltze deserves a Purple Heart for duty above and beyond the call of duty.

I can’t understand how many Bobby Cox fans on here continue to blindly stand up for him, especially when I see so many posts that begin: “I love Bobby, but…. So what if the sports writers all extol his virtues, do you want to believe them or your lying eyes?

And to all the Leo fans, I think he was a rat leaving what he thought was a sinking ship, he could see the way the Braves pitching was headed and leaped overboard. He is not a great pitching coach, all he did for the braves was to hold Cox’s hand during games…geeze the guy never even played pro-ball! Those good pitchers were not because of Leo, they were good before he had anything to do with them.

As for McCann, I think he needs glasses, no, not being sarcastic…mean it, every time he gets up to bat, he squints really badly, and probably is also doing it while catching behind the mask. It is time someone noticed on the braves training staff. McCann either doesn’t realize it or just doesn’t want glasses like most guys.

Stew, RE: Cox letting Chipper decided who played short, haven’t you learned yet, that what Chipper wants, Chipper gets?

ED Starks Wouldn’t do any good to have someone whisper advice in BC’s ear, he turns a deaf ear to it.

Who was it, * Savanna Guy,* who did the take off on the Church Lady? LOL

By Gil in Mechanicsville

August 4, 2007 3:45 PM | Link to this

Wayne in Utah Willie can play third. At least he doesn’t try to ole’ those hard smashes hit to him. He has grit.

Next season is too far off to project right now when we are very much in the hunt for this season’s playoffs. There is some talent left in the Braves’ farm system but I don’t think the Bravos are ready to part with all of them. Look at what happened to the Dodgers when they went for broke and traded all of their prospects. They are only now recovering.

By Metropolitan Man

August 4, 2007 3:46 PM | Link to this

Good to see the real fans woke up and are still motivated by their team. I too Lew understand every team except the Nats can make a run for the NL east. Thats why I was so suprised by all the bandwagon jumping, but I see it was from 14-16 year old brave fans living in the past. The METS keep me glued becasues they have sucked for a couple of months and yet they are right there battling for the best record in baseball. The most humbling thing to know is that when your team is hot, the METS are hotter. When the METS are cold, the braves get colder. I watched this happen for too long. I watched the braves beat the METS for the division in so many embarrassing ways. You guys dont think what goes around wont come around. My hat is tipped to your past, but you guys have to make the future, not rely on past success to thwart you over more competitive clubs this year. Who do you think would be the 1st player on the braves to conceed??? (if any)

By Efrim

August 4, 2007 3:49 PM | Link to this

This is impressive. I haven’t seen this blog so mad after a loss like last nights. Probably because we were handled by them in every way. It is insane. We haven’t lost a game like that since the first loss of the second half when Kyle Davies got his s** taken.

By the way. Kudos to JS on the Dotel trade. Davies will never be anything unless he develops a 2 seam fastball. He doesn’t have the velocity to blow that 4 seamer by hitter like the Yanks got. Good lord they took him.

By KC

August 4, 2007 3:49 PM | Link to this

Bold Prediction:

Lilly out-duels Maine today… Hudson gives the Braves a lift, and we pick up a game on the Mets today. Both the Braves and Mets win tomorrow. Then the Braves will win 2 of 3 at Shay.

Braves will be back within 3-1/2 games on Friday.

The Braves will be 2-1/2 games back heading into the next Mets series at the end of the month. They’ll also be leading the Wild Card race by the end of the month.

By KC

August 4, 2007 3:51 PM | Link to this

LEW: Would you have the Braves leave both Matt Diaz AND Willy May Hays out of the lineup next year to make room for KJ in left??????

By Lew

August 4, 2007 3:52 PM | Link to this

Well-Maybe I should win the Wurlitzer for Verbosity. I’m out of here, having used my daily allotment of words. Gil’s Wurlitzer is on the way to Mechanicsville. Who will win the next one? Keep posting and maybe we’ll find out soon. No Trolls need apply. See ya.

By Dwight Fry

August 4, 2007 3:54 PM | Link to this

Salty went 0 for 4 in his game today (played 1B). Now 1 for 13 for the Rangers.

By Chop Chop

August 4, 2007 3:57 PM | Link to this

The Braves gave up a “king’s ransom” for Mark Teixeira. There’s no doubt in my mind that Schuerholz could have gone to any number of teams and snagged a solid starter for most of that trade. I have no proof, of course. I’m just pretty sure that if the Braves went to the A’s and offered Salty, Harrison and Andrus for Joe Blanton, the deal would have been done.

You know what, though? People here would have whined that we were giving too much up for a third starter. And hey, Joe Blanton is not a flashy name like Teixeira. So be it. Starting pitching is an absolute necessity and the Braves failed to address their problems in that area.

By Efrim

August 4, 2007 4:01 PM | Link to this

KC

We better gain a game before this week’s series. If not 2 games.

Regarding Villareal into the rotation. He is a better option than what we have, but check out his numbers against left handers this year:

In 103 At Bats versus lefties he has given up 30 hits for a .291 Opp BA. They have a .831 OPS off of him.

Righties have hit .202 off of him with a .547 OPS.

Big difference. He leaves that fastball up against lefties a lot. I’m not sayign he can’t start, but the fact that he can’t get lefties out might be an issue.

By Efrim

August 4, 2007 4:04 PM | Link to this

Chop Chop,

I am luke warm on Blanton. He is a nice pitcher. But he wasn’t going to get this team to the playoffs. If Tex gets going, the whole lineup goes with him.

I wouldn’t deal Salty, Andrus and Harrison for Blanton. He isn’t worth it.

I wouldn’t of dealt Lillibridge and B Jones for him.

By bravesfan

August 4, 2007 4:06 PM | Link to this

Mets leave two on in the first, Cubs coming to bat. GO CUBS!!!

By Braveheart

August 4, 2007 4:06 PM | Link to this

I’m off to watch my grandnephew play ball. He is a light-hitting(with a beanpole build)right fielder in a 78-82mph league, who dreams of “going on”. We don’t tell him. Would you?

Damn Uncle Paladin, that’s kind of cruel, don’t you think? You said the same thing about me and I ended up playing college ball. Maybe if you tell him he’s not good enough that will light a fire in him that will make him prove you wrong like I did. You’re a cruel uncle.

Cousin Savannah very well written treatise. Thanks for the props. But I think the RROE probably needs to be burnt. It seems to have caused more trouble than it was jokingly intended to do. The problem with RROE and other proposed rules and regs is it is similar to how legal alcohol causes enough problems but not as much as when the bootleggers, rum runners, and moonshiners were allowed to control it during Prohibition. There will always be trolls and jackals but there may be more with the imposition of rules and regs just like how moonshiners, bootleggers, and rum runners multiplied during Prohibition. The more taboo you make it, the more the children want to do it.

Cousin Texas Brave, thanks for calling me Esteemed. I have not yet earned that though. Maybe someday. Got to finish my rookie season and seek penance for past blog atrocities. But keep up the good work. You’ve been a great midseason callup.

Uncle Lew, you brought the goods today dude. Truer words were never spoken in your 1:13. And all of your other posts have been great. What the heck did you eat this morning?

Brother KC It’s great having you back more often. This place ain’t the same without you giving us rays of sunshine. We need you to bring balance to The Force. Sith Lord Grinch needs to stop teaching you that your wife, children, and job are more important the darn blog man. The First Priority is always the blog.

By Overlord

August 4, 2007 4:09 PM | Link to this

Efrim I hope i dont disappoint you, but John wont be our #1 starting pitcher next year, and i really hope it aint the case, i think this will be the last spectacular year for john, he is about to turn the corner and turn into what maddux is right now, a goog pitcher but not your #1, I guess tim will become #1 or maybe we will find one, or who knows, maybe hampton comes up and becomes the dominant pitcher he once was. John is having shoulder problems and i think they will carry and become more evident next year, dont get me wrong, he will still be a great contribution to the team but he wont be any younger nor more dominant.

By KC

August 4, 2007 4:18 PM | Link to this

Efrim: Yeah, but the opposing averages of the other starters we’ve tried are a hell of a lot higher than that from BOTH sides of the plate! LOL

If Villarreal could keep an ERA well under 5.00 (and I’m sure he could, unlike the others we’ve tried there so far)… that would be just fine.

By brent a.

August 4, 2007 4:22 PM | Link to this

A championship team would’ve scored Willie Harris after he led off the 10th inning with a single.

And no, Matt Diaz’ homer in the 12th didn’t make-up for him failing to get the bunt down.

Get the bunt down - win the game.

His homer simply prolonged the misery.

Note to Bobby: Diaz can’t bunt.

By TexasBrave

August 4, 2007 4:24 PM | Link to this

Quite a few of you have expressed concern about KJ returning to the outfield and hurting his arm. I don’t think your concerns are warrented. Three or four long throws a game will not put enough stress on him for his elbow to give out again. I also would like to see KJ moved to right field, Frenchy to center and keep the platoon of Diaz/Willie in left. Then if you keep Edgar, Escobar plays second or if you Trade Edgar, Escobar plays SS and let one of the farm kids play second. Hell if you wanted to you could even let Willie play second (I think I read somewhere his natural position is second) and Diaz can play full time in left field we need to get that man more at bats anyway.

Forgive me, I just came in for a break out of the hot Texas sun and my brain is probably a little fried.

By David-ATL14

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

* Attention Coach*

At the risk of waving the matador’s cape in front of the thrashing bull,you are wrong again about the rules of the Game.

Pertaining to your rant about Devine being recalled and not Paronto.

Paronto was optioned to Richmond and thus has to spend 10 days on the requisite assigment in the minors.

He can only be recalled before the 10 day stay when another player of the same position is placed on the DL.

Thus a pitcher(not Renteria) would have to have been placed on the DL for Paronto to return.

Had a pitcher been placed on the DL either Paronto or Ascaino could have been recalled. Ascaino probably would have been the one.

Bone up on the rules Coach the Options/DL jargon seem to trouble you greatly.

By jiommy smith, ugandan journalist

August 4, 2007 4:26 PM | Link to this

sja, it is time. you may apply the product and proceed with the detonation. instructions are under the lid. your friend, jimmy smith.

By Hey Chase!

August 4, 2007 4:27 PM | Link to this

Let’s make it posting twice under this name. Chase, you wouldn’t know me anyway. I post here on a semi-regular basis but never use the same name. Why? Because it’s about the topic, not the screen name. I’m not here to develop lifelong relationships so why use a static name? “Hey Chase” got your attentiuon didn’t it?

You could have a PHD and you still act like a kid calling out others on the blog for voicing their opinions. Do you think the Braves are sitting in the dugout today saying, “Wow Chase still believes in us…. it’s gonna be ok!”

Grow up. Be the fan you want to be. Tell everyone you think the Braves are gonna win. Go to the Ted. Applaud all you want. Live by the mantra, “we’ll get ‘em next time.” But DON”T be calling people out who don’t agree with you like they don’t have a right to question the direction and motivation of this club.

I saw a post after you posted this morning when someone said they saw my post to you and thought it a little personal.

Calling out people who voice an opinion that the Braves may be in trouble and calling them “fairweather fans” etc isn’t personal? If I post and say the Braves are in trouble and you post and say anyone who says the Braves are in trouble are not good fans….then you made it personal.

Get a life you big baby! Learn to live with the boos as well as the cheers. Rah Rah never won a game.
the guys playing are pros. Your cheers aren’t gonna make then win and my boos ain’t gonna make em lose.

By \\\\\\\\\\BERIGAN//////////

August 4, 2007 4:31 PM | Link to this

I’d be all for claiming someone like Carlos Silva, but the Mets, or Phils would claim him as well, perhaps just about any team who thinks they are still in the playoff hunt would!

I am a bit confused on one thing though. For a player to truly pass thru waivers, every team has to pass up on him, then he can be traded to any team, correct? So, say Silva was going thru, who has the first chance to claim him? Does it go by the team’s record? Someone almost made it sound like since the Mets were in 1st, they would get first crack….Steve Phillips said when he was a GM, he’d claim everyone he thought could help the braves to keep the Braves from getting him. Big contracts seem to be the only reasons not to claim guys…..

By \\\\\\\\\\BERIGAN//////////

August 4, 2007 4:32 PM | Link to this

KJ had Tommy John surgery, which means if anything, he would throw better than ever….

By Double Deuce

August 4, 2007 4:34 PM | Link to this

Savannah Guy

I’ve been surfing for 40+ years now. Don’t get to travel as much as I used to, but California and Hawaii are my favorites.

I enjoy surfing but baseball has always been big in my life. I have played and coached at different levels and that’s why I love this blog. It allows me to share my views and read other people’s perspectives as well. I am of the firm opinion I’m always right but I’m willing to tolerate others thoughts:) It ‘s that endearing quality of mine that makes me special and is probably the reason my wife is now my ex! Anyway, I appreciated someone standing up and saying what I was feeling in a much better way than I can.

By TexasBrave

August 4, 2007 4:38 PM | Link to this

David-ATL14 - Thanks for the info. I too questioned why Devine was brought back up and not Paronto. Although I must say I am still stumped why they brought up Devine and not someone like Ring. Bobby doen’t like Devine for some reason. But as DOB said one time, Bobby doesn’t have as much input on who is called up.

By bill

August 4, 2007 4:41 PM | Link to this

Lew, I guess the Braves will have to weather the storm with what they have. I agree KJ has to be in line up every day. Only he and Braves know if he can return to OF. He has trouble going to his right. I reckon the D’Backs are claiming everybody off waivers.

By Overlord

August 4, 2007 4:43 PM | Link to this

brent you are right on that one, if you get to off season teams like dodgers, cubs, mets, bosox, detroit, angels, will have no mercy on you if you dont do basic things, something as basic a getting a bunt down. Im sure those things will get fixed as smoke starts to disappear and braves start gaining ground.

By bravesfan

August 4, 2007 4:45 PM | Link to this

At the end of the 3rd Cubs 1 Mets 0

By Darth Stinky

August 4, 2007 4:51 PM | Link to this

There is no escape. Don’t make me destroy you.

By Overlord

August 4, 2007 4:54 PM | Link to this

Is there something said about smoltzs arm yesterday?

Is he having a problem with his shoulder?

John Maine is having big trouble with cubs as he has given up 5 runs…… looks like a perfect day to pick up a game.

Their only secure win is el duque, after that everything is wide open for us to pick up games i we win more frequently.

By \\\\\\\\\\BERIGAN//////////

August 4, 2007 4:54 PM | Link to this

Diaz’s bunt, or non-bunt, got me to thinkin’. Is there anything else in baseball you are expected to be successful at, that you may only attempt 2-3 times a year?(Hit and run doesn’t count, IMO)

Bobby almost never asks guys to bunt. Bunting in B.P. off a guy throwing 60 mph, is not the same as trying to hit a 95 MPH pitch every 2-3 months. Bobby would never do it, since it’s against the unwritten rules of baseball, but if everyone bunted in blowouts, or even once a week, they might be able to do it in a pressure situation. Otherwise, bad bunts are really Bobby’s fault.

By Efrim

August 4, 2007 4:55 PM | Link to this

Nice……

Knocking out John Maine in the 3rd. Bullpen killer.

6-0 Cubbies.

By bravesfan

August 4, 2007 4:55 PM | Link to this

Ha I thought if I put that they would score more runs which they did. NYM 0 CHC 6 BOT 3rd(Mets just pulled Maine out of the game)

By Overlord

August 4, 2007 4:58 PM | Link to this

HAHAHA Wonder where is no chop zone, Their best pitcher as far as numbers is out of the game after 2 2/3 IP, shame shame, so as some muts fan said a just this week…..burn baby burn (bullpen). Guess its time for muts bullpen to burn even worse than jojos outing. Keep the faith muts, your time will come……….in a few decades more….

By The Grinch

August 4, 2007 5:08 PM | Link to this

Berigan, how dare you imply our stalwart manager is anything less than perfect. You’ll get lynched around here doing that. And the answer to your question is…pitching with a hangover?

Hmm…glancing back over some recent posts Lew and Stinky are both in fine form today. Coincidence?

MetroMan, you’re still gonna lose the bet; you might as well come on over to the dark side and enjoy being in the car that passes instead of the one that gets passed. C’mon, man; the Tomahawk’s calling you…

By Mickey Featherstone

August 4, 2007 5:11 PM | Link to this

Ole Mickey is fired up. Ole Mickey is angry AFraud hit number 500 for ole Mickey’s beloved Yankees. Ole Mickey hates AFraud. Ole Mickey don’t believe AFraud to be a true Yankee.

But Ole Mickey would like to thank Braves fans for sending Davies to the Island of Misfit Braves Toys being run by Dayton just in time to play his Yankees. A 16 spot and the Yanks ain’t even out of the 7th yet. Thanks Braves fans. You don’t know how much this has meant to ole Mickey. You all say he was undependable, as a Yankee fan, ole Mickey thinks y’all don’t appreciate just how dependable Davies is for the opposing team. Many thanks as well for Wilson Betemit – 4 for 6 so far in pinstripes, a homer and 6 RBIs.

Ole Mickey is very distressed because ole Mickey sees that the guy who played ole Mickey in a movie is a Hugo lover and ole Mickey is unhappy. First, ole Mickey was angry because the movie did not truly depict ole Mickey and his boys the way it went down. But that was a long time ago and it was a good movie, so ole Mickey sort of got over it. Ole Mickey was actually annoyed because they made ole Mickey into two characters in that movie. Oldman played one and the Hugo lover played the other. The Hugo lover played the rat sellout side of ole Mickey. Oldman really combined two characters: ole Mickey and Coonan’s older brother Jackie. So, ole Mickey wishes to let everyone know that although he turned out to be a rat like the one the Hugo lover played in the movie, he’d prefer to be associated with the character played by Oldman. But it puts ole Mickey in a bad spot ‘cause he don’t like his name associated with ole Jackie and he don’t like it being associated with a Hugo lover either. But ole Mickey prefers to be associated with his ole partner in crime ole Jackie rather than the Hugo lover.

Ole Mickey would never be a copper anyway like the Hugo lover played in the movie. Ole Mickey would just take a deal to be a witness for Ole Rudy for the coppers and enter the Witness Protection Program. But ole Mickey wants to make it clear ole Mickey is not a Hugo lover and is angry that the Hugo lover partially played him in a movie. Ole Mickey’s ole buddy ole Rudy is gonna be the next Prez and ole Rudy don’t like a man he made a deal with being portrayed by a Hugo lover and neither do ole Mickey. As for ole Coonan, he was happy he was played by Harris ole Mickey is sure but ole Coonan will be in prison until he’s at least 89 years old, having received a 75 year sentence thanks to ole Mickey and ole Rudy, so who cares what that ole Coonan thinks.

Well, ole Sissy just made ole Mickey some chili cheese fries, a.k.a. the Irish taco, so ole Mickey is gonna go grab some whiskey, chow down, and watch the Mets get beat followed by a Braves victory. The perfect tripleheader. Yanks beat the hell out of KC thanks to Davies, followed by the Mets losing to ole Mickey’s ole fave Sweet Lou, followed by the Braves gaining a game on the Mets. What more can an ole mick gangster like ole Mickey ask for?

By Anders

August 4, 2007 5:20 PM | Link to this

Overlord - That was me with the burn baby Burn comment. Sele’s job is to give them a few innings to without too much damage. The Braves didn’t get that the other night. Sele gave the Mets two innings a couple of games ago. I’ll take that from the basement of the bullpen when I need it.

Let’s see how he does today. Baseball is a long season. how you handle these types of games affects the next one or two. That’s what I was referring too.

By Bob, Journalist

August 4, 2007 5:25 PM | Link to this

Most eloquent one of the Savannah, your 12:21 had the aroma of sincerity and was very well written … well said young man!

While I can’t compete with such eloquence, you know that I concur.

While Polonius and Alberta may well be waxing their chariots, it would be giving them benefit of the doubt to suggest them capable of eloquence and pondering.

The parasites believe that they can thrive in this environment … hiding behind the mask and pretending to something that they are not. Were they not losers in their own mind’s eye … they would not be parasites and no mask is going to change that. They know themselves better than we … but, based on their behavior, we must conclude that they are hapless with nothing of worth to offer and can effectively compete only in the gutter … and it is to there they will return.

They are themselves humorous in that they are pitiful jokes … society rejects … it’s stamped all over them like a fragile parcel post package!

Savannah, there’s no reason to qualify or explain anything which you have written. Those who would self-righteously take you to task for that which you’ve expressed are what they are … and should recognize that while we all express ourselves differently; honesty, sincerity, integrity, morality, respect … dishonesty, insincerity, amorality, disrespect … all shine through the mask!

The silent majority becomes the silent minority if it remains silent … kudos!!

I’m reminded of something I read earlier today … “calling an illegal alien an undocumented immigrant is like calling a drug dealer an unlicensed pharmacist”.

By Lew

August 4, 2007 5:27 PM | Link to this

Grinch-Me and the Stinkmeister must just be having good biorhythmic days, today. Braveheart-I had a Spanish omelette with jalepenos and salsa. Those spicy peppers get the cerebral circulation moving, I guess. Glad you enjoyed the Troll report. KC-Dude, I was just listing possible outfield options that did not require getting someone from outside of the organization. I would much prefer any $$$$ spent in the offseason to be used in the acquisition of pitching. I really think Diaz deserves a full time chance-you’ve convinced me and so has he-he can hit- I’m converted. However, Willie Harris is another story, in my estimation. I appreciate the job he has done this season-he has succeeded well beyond any expectations I had-no doubt. I’m still not convinced that this will carry over to next year. I can’t explain it, but I feel he is going to pull a Chuckie T and revert to type next year. Sorry, I know you like him, but I am still just not convinced, though I have little concrete basis for this view, I admit. However, I really don’t see the need to run out and get a high priced free agent to replace Andruw-we have enough pieces.

By Darth Stinky

August 4, 2007 5:28 PM | Link to this

Grinch, you do not yet realize your importance. You have only begun to discover your power. Join me, and I will complete your training. With our combined strength, we can end this destructive conflict and bring order to the blog.

wwhhoooooooo - PPaaahhh.

By Lew

August 4, 2007 5:33 PM | Link to this

Our bullpen has been much maligned after the other night’s game. Maybe it would be good to realize that they pitched ten innings. Runs were only scored against Soriano (in ONE IP) and against Mahay in his third IP-this the result of errors and lousy defense. Exactly why is everyone distressed about their performance? One poor inning out of ten in one game? Pretty good in my estimation.

By bravesfan

August 4, 2007 5:37 PM | Link to this

MYM 2 CHC 6 TOP 6TH

McCann is in the lineup again. Neither Holliday or Taveras is in there’s. LINEUP’S C Sullivan, CF K Matsui, 2B G Atkins, 3B T Helton, 1B R Spilborghs, LF B Hawpe, RF T Tulowitzki, SS Y Torrealba, C U Jimenez, P

W Harris, CF K Johnson, 2B C Jones, 3B M Teixeira, 1B B McCann, C
J Francoeur, RF
M Diaz, LF Y Escobar, SS T Hudson, P

By Carroll Rogers

August 4, 2007 5:40 PM | Link to this

time out from the riff raff for some news: andruw is out of the lineup tonight. had a cortisone shot on his left elbow. probably out rest of the series to return for the mets on tuesday.

willy aybar has been re-instated with the braves, joining their minor league system after i quote: “successfully completing a rehabilitation program for substance abuse.” not sure where he’s going in the minors and what his chances of playing this season are. more info to come.

By David-ATL14

August 4, 2007 5:42 PM | Link to this

Texas Brave, your welcome on the option,recall,DL info.

Ring had pitched 2 innings on Thursday Night for Richmond, this could have figured in their thought process. Just a guess on that particular call though.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see Ring added before the next road trip.Mets and Phillies both have several hitters that are more vulnerable to southpaws.

By Anders

August 4, 2007 5:43 PM | Link to this

Lew - I don’t think it’s a bad bullpen. I think it’s average. Your closer is below average. Check his ERA and WHIP. Not pretty. Dotel’s a question mark at this point. KC was not in a position to give away a closer but they did??? The guy they got back was lit up by the Yanks today.

By Darth Stinky

August 4, 2007 5:45 PM | Link to this

Tear this blog apart until you find those trolls! And bring me all Met Fans, I want them ALIVE!

By Efrim

August 4, 2007 5:47 PM | Link to this

As bad as Andruw has been. That is a tough blow to this team.

Damn, we really have a lot of injuries right now.

By Wayne in Utah

August 4, 2007 5:48 PM | Link to this

Lew Everyone is stressed because they like to be stressed. That’s why after 3 games of having our “new team” many are willing to write off the season. Or, after Cormier has ONE inning of relief, they are ready to say he “sucks” and will never be a decent 5th starter. The nature of many on this blog, unfortunately. I think that patience sometimes comes with age. Maybe we are dealing with a lot of youngsters who are ready to give up.

I, like you, will wait until we are mathematically eliminated before giving up the flag.

Off to do some 4-wheeling for a couple of hours. Be back around mid game.

By Anders

August 4, 2007 5:50 PM | Link to this

Lew 1st and 3rd nobody out and Sele gets a rare ground ball out with the runner not scoring. Soriano grounds out to end the inning.

Just try and tell me your not getting a bad feeling about this game.

By Chop Chop

August 4, 2007 5:51 PM | Link to this

Efrim,

I wouldn’t have traded all of that for Joe Blanton. I’m just pointing out that the Braves probably could have acquired a good starter and a reliever (Snell and Marte from Pittsburgh, for example) for less than what they gave up for Teixeira. Schuerholz just really wanted Teixeira, was willing to give up a ton to get him and figured Mahay could fill the lefty role (he’s not just a LOOGY, so that’s good) in the bullpen.

For the record, I had no problem with the Dotel trade. Davies needed to start over somewhere else. The Royce Ring deal was confusing to me, but the Braves must not think a whole lot of Will Startup and that’s why he was moved.

In the end, I think Schuerholz is going to wish that he’d acquired a good, solid, reliable starting pitcher this year instead of Teixeira. Next year could be a different story. We’ll just have to wait and see.

By TexasBrave

August 4, 2007 5:51 PM | Link to this

Good to hear someone talked Andruw into taking a couple of days off and giving his elbow a rest.

It is also interesting seeing how some of us have been talking about Andruw and Edgar possibly not being here next year that we might be getting a small glimpse into the future. I don’t think Willie is the answer in center, but if we win tonight I know that it will give many in the Braves Nation comfort to know that we can do without those two and possible improve our starting pitching staff to boot.

By KC

August 4, 2007 5:53 PM | Link to this

LEW: Do you think Frenchy has the range to play center?

By Paladin

August 4, 2007 5:53 PM | Link to this

I’m back from g.nephew’s game. It was the mercy killing ending that they use at this level; when one team is so far ahead… and Braveheart we do tell him how good he is and try to keep a straight face, while doing it. :-) I am only cruel to you.

Savannah Guy A couple of things came to mind…hey, it was a boring game. First.

Paladin Hey, there was no “us” in my aim…only you pal.

Once again, you say something that I’m not quite sure how to take. But, you ended on a “high” note, so I’ll let it go.

The other thing is the use of the word, or term, “rookie”; and you do so about as much as anyone. I think it is demeaning and condescending. I thought so 3(or so)months ago and I still do. Although several of the full-scale denizens have told me I am a “made” man(so I guess that means I am no longer a rookie)I still find it demeaning and condescending.

I propose these new categories. Visitor—denizen—long-time denizen. I considered Jr. and Sr.(I would *love to be a Jr.)but I didn’t think some of the more renowned denizens would appreciate the Sr. In addition, we would still have trolls, jackals, etc.

I know I’m sort of like the guy who came to the party and started giving away drinks, but what do you say?

By Chase

August 4, 2007 5:54 PM | Link to this

LEW

Yeah I’m a DAWG through and through!

Just finished my Master’s degree this summer! Finished my BA at UGA last year!

Hey nobody can complain about ANDRUW tonight…thank GOD!

By Anders

August 4, 2007 5:56 PM | Link to this

Overlord Sele did his job. Burned up innings and stopped the fire.

There’s a better chance of me closing this game than Dempster. Does Sweet Lou dare???

By Efrim

August 4, 2007 5:58 PM | Link to this

KC

I know you asked Lew, but I don’t think he has the range to play center. The Braves are going to have to give the job to Lillibridge or look outside the organization for help.

Keep Frenchy in right and Brandon Jones in Left for next year. Diaz can platoon with Brandon Jones. Although Jones, for a lefty, rakes left handed pitching.

By The Grinch

August 4, 2007 5:59 PM | Link to this

Lew, Diaz is a hitter but Willie isn’t? You’re a racist; ask Terrence Moore.

Stinky, does this mean you’re my daddy? How come I never got the King Cobra big wheel I wanted back in ‘77 before you left mom?

Kudos to Kyle; at least he made himself famous today, and glad Aybar apparently ran out of smack money. Maybe we can cut Woodward soon.

Later all; I’ll check back in tonight when (if) I get home.

By A-ville Ranger

August 4, 2007 6:04 PM | Link to this

Bobby says the same thing about every pitcher that struggles,their location is just off.Well location is a sympton not a cause.With Mcbride it was his short release,with Soriano it’s…a dead arm ?…a meltdown between the ears ?….a result of a lack of true belief in himself ?….some of all this ? Bottom line is we need somebody like Leo who has real insight,not Mcdowell who seems to be out of his depth.

By Chop Chop

August 4, 2007 6:09 PM | Link to this

Wayne, the past is not necessarily prologue, but Lance Cormier has generally been a bum in the bigs. His stats bear it out, so anyone who claims that Cormier can’t get the job done is, consciously or not, rooting his assertion in cold, hard facts.

I probably qualify as one of those “youngsters” (I’m 27), but I’ve followed the Braves for nearly my whole life. I’m not blinded by 14 division titles, 5 World Series appearances and a World Series championship. I also don’t sense the complete indifference of the mid-to-late 1980s settling into this present clubhouse. All I know is that I live in the here and now and trust my judgment of this team. I base my judgment of this team’s chances on what has happened all year long: overworked bullpen, inconsistent starting pitching in the 3-4-5 spots.

Believe me, Wayne. If the Braves can turn those two things around, I will be as happy as anybody else here. If they don’t turn those things around, I won’t be let down. I’ll just shrug my shoulders and wait ‘til next year like the rest of ya.

By Coach(Hank Aaron Is The Real HR Champion)

August 4, 2007 6:14 PM | Link to this

• Attention Coach*

At the risk of waving the matador’s cape in front of the thrashing bull,you are wrong again about the rules of the Game.

Pertaining to your rant about Devine being recalled and not Paronto.

Paronto was optioned to Richmond and thus has to spend 10 days on the requisite assigment in the minors.

He can only be recalled before the 10 day stay when another player of the same position is placed on the DL.

Thus a pitcher(not Renteria) would have to have been placed on the DL for Paronto to return.

Had a pitcher been placed on the DL either Paronto or Ascaino could have been recalled. Ascaino probably would have been the one.

Bone up on the rules Coach the Options/DL jargon seem to trouble you greatly. David , Your a total M-O-R-O-N. Paronto should have never been sent down in first place and I know all about the ten day rule. Paronto could have stayed but Schuerholz got lost in his roster management. If Julio had been designated for assignment a day earlier the Braves would now have Paronto in the bullpen instead of Cormier , who by the way , won’t be needed to start for another eight days and should be in Richmond to make his next regular start before being called up to start next Sunday. But thanks anyway for allowing me to show you what a mess the Braves made of the roster during all that trade hoopla.

By Darth Stinky

August 4, 2007 6:21 PM | Link to this

Grinch, I am your father.

wwhhoooooooo - PPaaahhh.

But you have to understand, I was under a lot of pressure… And your mother, allways complaining about the resperator… And you… you were not a normal kid, with the green skin and really bad attitude…

wwhhoooooooo - PPaaahhh.

Got a cigarette?

By ncscoots

August 4, 2007 6:24 PM | Link to this

I don’t usually check in this time of the time of the weekend, but what the hey, it turned into a too-fine, super-fine day…ran into a roadside fund-raiser for a church with “Mt. Zion” in its name, and with a belly full of BBQ ribs and a snack of boiled peanuts, I’m ready for a fight or a frolic, LOL.

For those concerned about the trolls, nom de plumes, etc., etc….fear not. The blog has been through slumps before, and it has always pulled out of them. Without drastic ploys or draconian measures, and in spite of dire prophecies and despicable bloggers. The blog abides. Has since the beginning. Contribute not to the detritus, and, eventually, the neighborhood cleans itself up.

The blog doesn’t need passwords, IDs, and six levels of security to make sure that the content suffices. You folks do that…or don’t, depending. When the former, everything’s cool. When the latter, scrollbars work magnificently. This I know to be true (posts longer than a screen usually get immediate action :-)…unless it’s Bob, of course. Unfortunately, this one is reaching auto-scroll length its own self).

So relax. Untwist the knickers. Enjoy. It ain’t nearly as bad as you think, and likely has been worst in the past. And the blog is still here, n’est-ce pas?

By Savannah Guy

August 4, 2007 6:32 PM | Link to this

Hey…Mo! (Mo in the Boonies) Pardon the Three-Stooges header…could not resist. It was stupid. Anyhoo…Man, you gotta get outa the boonies a little more. Hate to break it to you but, all one has to do is simply type any moniker you want any time you want. You can just as easily change from “remember me” to “don’t remember”. But you knew that. Right? Now, that’s just a secret between us. Don’t misuse the info.

Leo leaving a sinking ship? No man. He was paid double money to play with a lifelong friend (who has since been fired). Two good reasons to move on if you consider it. I do think he would have preferred to stay but the Bravos didn’t match the bucks (can’t blame them either). Just biz. I happen to think he was a very good pitching coach. No, he didn’t create Maddux, Glavine or Smoltz. Nor does any coach. Sometimes being a good coach is knowing what you’re talking about, knowing how to help and knowing when to stay the hell out of an ace’s way.

McCann need glasses? I could be wrong, but I think he wears contacts. Whatever the case, he seems to hit just fine. He may however have a bit of trouble seeing second base. My advice would be for him to lay off the cheeseburgers just a bit.

”Who was it, * Savanna Guy, who did the take off on the Church Lady? LOL.”*

I don’t know who that was but it wasn’t me. Now…isn’t THAT special?

By Paladin

August 4, 2007 6:41 PM | Link to this

Scoots If you scrolled past the novelettes, you missed half the posts, today. It is so.

By gotigers72

August 4, 2007 6:49 PM | Link to this

Teixeira has hit homers in all 3 games he has played as a Brave, yet the Braves are 1-2 in those games thanks to Reyes, Soriano and Smoltz. Smoltz can be forgiven as all great pitchers have bad games occasionally.

However, Soriano. Has now given up 4 bombs that have cost the Braves games ALL SINCE THE ALL STAR BREAK. Throw in a couple of blown saves from Wickman and the Braves are fading fast from a chance to win the division OR the Wild Card. These were the 2 guys that were supposed to stop the end of game losses the Braves suffered last year.

The Black Hole that is the #5 spot in the rotation is now FIFTEEN games below .500. Looks like they could have dipped in the minors and found somebody that could have done better than that. That is just a horrible stat. If the Braves were only 10 games below .500 in that spot, they would be tied for first place.

At least Davies problems weren’t just as a Brave. He pitched against the Yankees today and threw 80 pitches in THREE INNINGS. Gave up A-Rod’s 500th, in addition to a total of 5 runs, 6 hits and 3 walks, all in THREE INNINGS!

By Steve McP

August 4, 2007 6:51 PM | Link to this

Can anyone remember a Braves line up when McCann had the worst average? Despite the loss of Andruw’s defence it looks a good hitting line up

By ncscoots

August 4, 2007 7:00 PM | Link to this

Roger that, Paladin, but that’s my story and I’m stickin’ to it, LOL. Bob’s elegant prose is like a meandering trip down a wooded lane; some (not all) of the other long ones are more like trudging along an asphalt highway during dog days. Triage is brutal, but necessary. :-)

Too much public speaking in my history, I guess…I’m used to making points succinctly to audiences, else risk not making them at all. And hey, “brevity is the soul of wit”, I’ve heard. Just a rumor.

By FairWeatherBraveFanHater

August 4, 2007 7:01 PM | Link to this

I had a few minutes so I thought I’d check in. Cubs are taking care of us today. Rare we get help lately.

Anders Our pen really didn’t let us down the other night. It was actually pretty much 1 guy. Our pen used 7 guys to pitch 11 innings and Soriano was the let down. Mahay didn’t give up a run until his 3rd inning and Villarreal. In fact only 3 of them even gave up hits and they struck out 12. Actaully not too bad when you think about it.

Also about Wickman, he was injured right before the break and pitched in 2 games that he shouldn’t have. He was shelled in those 2 games and mainly 1 other game. If you take out those 3 his era and whip would be much better. Obviously, you can say that about many pitchers or anyone for that matter and they would have better #’s, but it is a legitimate gripe. I don’t know if you’ve seen his #’s at Turner Field. He has an ERA under 1 and has pitched lights out. That is b/c the 3 games I said blew up his totals were on the road.

Whoever was bashing Chase earlier you are wrong. There is nothing wrong w/ staying positive about your team until they are mathematically eliminated. As we’ve said many times, we have no problems w/ being down on your team or saying you disagree w/ moves or how a guy is playing. We all do that, that is what makes sports so great and allows us to have our own opinions(well most of us have our own…some only repeat what others say). The problem is pretty much w/ 2 occasions. One is when you are cheering and rooting them on when winning and then a day or 2 later bashing the same ones you trashed and saying you were done w/ them and they have no hope. The other is when you NEVER have anything positive to say. There are quite a few on here that are big time critical, and that’s fine b/c you also have positive, intelligent things to add. I don’t have to point fingers, we know. I have no problems w/ you. Then there are a couple that I don’t think I’ve ever heard a use real critique or say anything they liked.

What makes this blog or any blog so good is different people giving there different opinions. Whether they agree w/ what there team is doing or not.

Other than that, I enjoy many of you. This blog has so many regulars its great. We have Braveheart, Overlord, Gil in Mechanicsville, Ron Roberts, David-Atl14, Robert(Justice…), Lew, NC Braves fan, KC, Yars, Wayne in Utah, Jason in Maine, DAP, Voise of reason, Efrim, Braves Dave, chriskolb, bigboi, uga-brave, Chase, Tenn paul, Savannah guy, A-ville Ranger, Ron, and even Anders, No Chop, Paladin, and SouthernJacka$$.

I know I am forgetting many and some I’ve listed haven’t been on in a few days(maybe b/c all the crap going on b/n us) but we have many good personalities here and it is enjoyable. The thing that could make it all work out is a big run by the Bravos. Starting tonight!!!

GO BRAVES

By Savannah Guy

August 4, 2007 7:02 PM | Link to this

Lew: Damn, don’t go. You were on a good roll there. Good stuff over and again. Verbose you say? Hell, I guess I’d best disappear for a week then.

Bob, Journalist: There you are! Don’t know where you’ve been but it feels more like home when you’re back. Thanks for the good words.

Braveheart: Cuz, I don’t disagree. Trolls and such will always be in every group. But the ID registration will just keep it down to a sane level. No way taboo or censor anyone. That would truly suck. Now, the old moon shiners had a way of not getting busted. They would have a lead car “blocker” that, when the “revenuers” started the chase, the blocker would ram them. The rest would get away. Now if blogs only worked that way we could take turns, eh?

ncscoots: Ditto above comments to Braveheart. I don’t suggest anything cumbersome or limiting…just have a damn name and become known for it, that’s all. Thing is, I don’t disagree with your sentiment…which was compellingly stated. I’m not buying it, but I wish it were the case…that the blog would just naturally come around like you say. Regardless, I hope I’m wrong and you’re right. How’s that?

Double Deuce: Damn man, Duke Kahanamoku has nothing on you dude. I’ve been all over the east coast and Peru but I’ve never surfed Hawaii. Would love to get there sometime. What’s your home break?

Mickey Featherstone: Looks like you’re back on the 11’s. Good stuff.

By Savannah Guy

August 4, 2007 7:05 PM | Link to this

Paladin: Well? Who won? Nephew & good guys or the other guys?

”Once again, you say something that I’m not quite sure how to take. But, you ended on a “high” note, so I’ll let it go.” Consider it a chest bump and not a hug. Not a dig.

”The other thing is the use of the word, or term, “rookie”; and you do so about as much as anyone.” What? You sure it was me? Was it when I referenced the RROE? I plead not guilty, or at least not intentionally condescending. Ok?

By FairWeatherBraveFanHater

August 4, 2007 7:09 PM | Link to this

I really doubt Francoeur will be in center nest year. First of all, we need his arm in right. 2nd, he doesn’t take the best of routes yet to play center. If(and I say if) AJ isn’t here then we’ll probably get 1 of the many free agent center fielders available this year. I hate to say it but I agree w/ an earlier comment. We are going to trade Renteria for SP help and play Escobar at short. Not that he isn’t worth playing, but Renteria has been our anchor this year and a lot of last.

By FairWeatherBraveFanHater

August 4, 2007 7:17 PM | Link to this

Oh yea, how could I forget the journalist and his “humanity”? I know there are so many I forgot, if so I apologize. Many names to remember.

TRIPLE Harris

By FairWeatherBraveFanHater

August 4, 2007 7:20 PM | Link to this

I love Kelly at the top of the order!!

By Godfrey

August 4, 2007 7:22 PM | Link to this

Daddy Downer and Brother Bummer would be “Beautiful Girls.” Nice choice, Carroll.

thegodfreyshow.com

By FairWeatherBraveFanHater

August 4, 2007 7:23 PM | Link to this

Looked like Tex gave himself up to let Kelly steal. He thought it was off the plate.

By FairWeatherBraveFanHater

August 4, 2007 7:30 PM | Link to this

Diaz played that off the wall nicely. He’s getting better and better. The only problem that anyone can say about him is he lacks power. He’s been great for us.

By Coach (Hank Aaron Is The Real HR Champion)

August 4, 2007 7:33 PM | Link to this

Mets lost , Hudson is on his game and we are winning. Just maybe the Braves can get a game back tonight.

By Colin

August 4, 2007 7:35 PM | Link to this

Well I guess atleast AJ is out but i rather not have him hurt but jus benched.

By FairWeatherBraveFanHater

August 4, 2007 7:37 PM | Link to this

Did I say people thought he lacked power. Little help from the pitch, but the was a nice hit.

How about the last 3 pitches from Hudson. They were sweet.

By TexasBrave

August 4, 2007 7:44 PM | Link to this

And Just like that and Diaz hits a homer.

FairWeatherBraveFanHater - Keep talking about others shortcommings. We need some more runs. :)

By Carroll Rogers

August 4, 2007 7:52 PM | Link to this

journalist jimmy might be right that i’m substitute-teacher-esque as far as controlling the blog. maybe part of that is being female. fight starts i wanna duck and run out of the room. but let’s keep it constructive, if you don’t mind, and mr. o’brien will be back tomorrow to keep you guys in line.

and for the real stuff: texasbrave, chad paronto’s gotta be in the minors for 10 days before they can call him back up, unless the guy going on the disabled list is a pitcher. renteria is a position player, so they had to go for another pitcher - hence joey devine.

somebody asked about boyer. his numbers in richmond are 2-2 with a 5.30 ERA in 17 games, including 10 starts. the ERA probably has something to do with why we’re not hearing about him as a backup plan.

ssiscribe, you know murph? do i know you?

By Steve from OH

August 4, 2007 7:57 PM | Link to this

Pete just said Chipper spoke at the ceremony where Tex won the Jason Varitek award “Uh, I’m thrilled to, uh, be here tonight.”

Good to see that Willy Aybar’s out of rehab. At least he’s got the balls to admit he’s got a problem, and I’m happy for him that he’s better now (of course, imagining a Woodward-less Braves sure helps).

Tonight is a must win with Huddy on the mound. Gotta pick that game back up, and hopefully gain some ground in the wild card.

GO BRAVES!

By Gil in Mechanicsville

August 4, 2007 8:08 PM | Link to this

Wow, can we start calling Chipper Brooksie? Nice start to that twin killing….

By FairWeatherBraveFanHater

August 4, 2007 8:09 PM | Link to this

Wow, that is the kind of play at 3rd that would have saved us the game the other night. It was that 1 boot that caused us the game and ripple effect. Chipper hurt his thimb, Renteria and his ankle, Francoeur was hit in the wrist, etc.. Great play by Chipper though.

By Gil in Mechanicsville

August 4, 2007 8:10 PM | Link to this

Good for Aybar, at least the substance abuse explains why he kept missing the bag while running the bases last year.

By A-ville Ranger

August 4, 2007 8:11 PM | Link to this

Yes this team is short on Starting pitching.Still if they had won both series against last place teams (Marlins,Nats)that’s 5 games.If they’d gotten 1 hit at the critical point in 2 of those extra inning games that’s a total of 7 and 1st place with the best record in the NL.Carroll is exactly right,this is the difference in those gamer division winners and this bunch.

By Carroll Rogers

August 4, 2007 8:12 PM | Link to this

by the way, the pitching matchups for the mets series are in: buddy carlyle vs oliver perez on tuesday, john smoltz vs. brian lawrence on wednesday, tim hudson vs. orlando hernandez on thursday

By FairWeatherBraveFanHater

August 4, 2007 8:16 PM | Link to this

Alright, I have another for you TexasBrave. We need to work on our short ball game. Lead off w/ a single and steal or lead off w/ a double…then bunt or hit to the right side and then drive the ball. We’ve shown we can do it w/ the HR…work on the short game to make it complete.

By A-ville Ranger

August 4, 2007 8:20 PM | Link to this

That should have been Reds and Nats as the last place teams we could have picked up 5 games by winning both series,not Marlins and Nats.I’m a bad,bad boy.

By Paladin

August 4, 2007 8:23 PM | Link to this

I stand properly chastised, I guess, and available for duty.

Those of you who think SJA is gone: He lurks in the shadows with Lamont Cranston, watching every move you make. Any minute he may pounce upon your worthless a$$ and you ain’t lived,or died,until the SJA has pounced on you. Be warned.

By Gil in Mechanicsville

August 4, 2007 8:26 PM | Link to this

That bad thumb is affecting Chipper’s bat. Good thing it has not bothered his defense.

By jimmy smith, ugandan journalist

August 4, 2007 8:26 PM | Link to this

carroll rogers, nothing wrong with being a girl. and you write very well, thank you. and carroll, all journalists know murph.

and now chipper jones statue night … baby seal has found a job helping jeff porter and eddie perez prepare the statues. these are left-overs from last season and baby seal, jeff, and eddie must add this year’s chin hair to all the little statues before they are distributed to the children of atlanta. call them anatomically correct.

“what? what baby seal?” not anatomically correct in all respects? oh, the humanity! still, count the toes! count the socks. count the hammock bones! this can be a learning experience. will rumors be dispelled? and if really anatomically correct stinky will want a half dozen or more.

and now, sja has not been heard from. hope everything went well and sja is okay.

and bob is back with polonius and alberta. whew! the load was too much for this journalist.

now, carolina lady left the blog for a time and now must be encouraged to return. and where are all the lady bloggers? run off by the ugly one(s)? prince charming jackass is working on that right now.

now, men left on base … this will haunt us later jimmy smith fears. why can’t this team advance runners and score? waiting for the 3-run homer? oh, nobody can bunt and nobody hits behind the runner with willie on the pines. mccann. mccann will.

chino and andruw are talking cheeseburgers and shakes.

and new song later.

By Lew

August 4, 2007 8:29 PM | Link to this

KC-Absolutely. Just watch Francoeur in right. he can come in and go to the wall and ranges from right center to the wall in foul territory. He has a roket launcer on his shoulder. You’ve seen him airmail throws from the wall in right to the stands behind the on deck circle. He’s got plenty of range and arm for a centerfielder. Grinch, You’re right. That’s exactly what Terence Moore would think. However, when was the last time he was right on anything, anyway? Savannah Guy-Where’s the Fly Been Lately. No reports? Don’t you want to win a Wurlitzer for off the wall reporting (or is that on the wall)?

By Carroll Rogers

August 4, 2007 8:32 PM | Link to this

and for some good news of the totally real kind….john smoltz did his annual Strike Out Hunger food drive tonight where he gives autographs to fans who bring in 20 cans of food or made a $20 donation. I’m told it was the most successful one they’ve ever had, hauling in so much food the Atlanta Food Bank truck filled up and they had to go back and get another one.

I’ve volunteered before at the food bank and folks, there is no greater cause is there? good job to all who participated.

By Steve from OH

August 4, 2007 8:43 PM | Link to this

KC,Lew:

I think putting Frenchy in center next year is a viable option while putting Brandon Jones at one of the corner spots and keeping the Harris/Diaz platoon going. If B.Jones doesn’t perform, we can always call up Blanco or just start both Willie and Matt. It certainly makes sense from a financial standpoint.

By Paladin

August 4, 2007 8:52 PM | Link to this

I’m off to bed. I’ll see the comnents, and the results, in the morning. I hope that both are good.

By Steve from OH

August 4, 2007 8:54 PM | Link to this

It would be nice to see Huddy go 8 tonight so Bobby can use Devine to finish the game. It would leave the ‘pen nice and rested for the NY series.

By Gil in Mechanicsville

August 4, 2007 8:55 PM | Link to this

Just to let you guys know, Pete Orr has been playing centerfield a lot during his stay in Richmond, Brandon Jones primarily has been playing in left.

By Gil in Mechanicsville

August 4, 2007 8:58 PM | Link to this

Also, Brynan Pena has caught his share of games during this stint.

By Yars

August 4, 2007 8:58 PM | Link to this

Hudson pitching great tonight. Mets lost to the Cubs! We’ll be 4.5 games behind after tonight. If all goes as planned, we’ll be 3.5 games behind the Mets after tomorrow. I agree with Joe Simpson about how exciting it is to watch KJ’s at bats. Bobby can put KJ anywhere in the lineup & he’ll produce. I really enjoy seeing him in the #2 spot in the order.

By Lew

August 4, 2007 9:02 PM | Link to this

Steve From OH- I think tonight’s line up may well be our starting lineup next season.

By HP

August 4, 2007 9:04 PM | Link to this

Hudson has 77 pitches in 6 innings pitched so far. He should be able to go 8 tonight. Give the bullpen rest for tomorrow night because we know James is not gona go beyond 6 innings at most.

By Lew

August 4, 2007 9:06 PM | Link to this

Yars-How about just .5 games behind after the Mets’ series this week? Think that might shut the Trolls up for a while?

By Steve from OH

August 4, 2007 9:08 PM | Link to this

Lew-

That wouldn’t be a bad lineup at all. I think we’ll be stronger next year than this, especially with AJ’s money off the books and Hampton back. Would like to see B. Jones get a shot, though, when he’s ready, be it 08 or 09.

By Yars

August 4, 2007 9:12 PM | Link to this

I think it’s too early to tell what the Braves OF will look like in ‘08. Andruw will be gone. I can’t see KJ moving back to LF, especially if Renteria is traded. If Edgar is traded, Escobar moves to SS, & KJ stays at 2B. What are the odds of Schuerholz signing/trading for a CF? Someone like a Mike Cameron or Corey Patterson?

By Coach (Hank Aaron Is The Real HR Champion)

August 4, 2007 9:12 PM | Link to this

Carroll , if the Braves had released Julio Franco the same day they got Mark Teixeira they could have kept Chad Paronto on the roster. It was a brain fart on the part of the front office.

By FairWeatherBraveFanHater

August 4, 2007 9:14 PM | Link to this

I had to pause the game while I ran to the store. I just got through our part of the 5th. Way to take advantage of a struggling pitcher. Great inning. Hudson is taking care of our tired pen…I hope. We’re in the 6th. Nice catch by Willie.

By Yars

August 4, 2007 9:16 PM | Link to this

Lew…..I think we have a really good chance of winning 2 out of 3 against the Mets, especially the last 2 games with Smoltz & Hudson pitching. I’m skeptical about Buddy’s start though. We’ll see..

By MEB

August 4, 2007 9:19 PM | Link to this

So… does Huddy hand the ball to Wicky tonight?

By Gil in Mechanicsville

August 4, 2007 9:24 PM | Link to this

Brandon has nice range, average arm, I think he is batting around .250. He is still a season away from being a major leaguer.

I think Bobby had that problem around 1989 or ‘90. I am sure it is in the AJC archives.

By TexasBrave

August 4, 2007 9:24 PM | Link to this

Well I was hoping Tim could go 8, but probably not a good idea. Ok guy and gals time to play manager. Who do you bring in for the 8th and 9th? I say Devine and Dotel.

By Dwight Fry

August 4, 2007 9:29 PM | Link to this

The Braves plan for Thorman: wait until the off-season and have Dr. Frankenstein get him back on the table to try some new parts. Fire BAD!

By TexasBrave

August 4, 2007 9:30 PM | Link to this

Man I can’t believe Thorman struckout!!!! He never does that.

Common at least put the ball in play!

By bravesfan

August 4, 2007 9:30 PM | Link to this

PHI 5 COL 6 TOP 9TH Fielder 2 run homer

By Gil in Mechanicsville

August 4, 2007 9:36 PM | Link to this

Poor Scott, just a big old strong boy…. He really needs some time back in the minors to relearn the art of hitting.

By A-ville Ranger

August 4, 2007 9:40 PM | Link to this

I would sooner have Ascanio on the roster as Dotel.Management doesn’t seem to have very good judgement (in my opinion) on these things without Leo’s input.

By HP

August 4, 2007 9:41 PM | Link to this

Does anyone here think that Thorman is a productive bat of the bench? Can he help us to get to the World Series? All the answer to these question in my opinion is no. I still think Julio is a better option. Teixeira is going to be here for while. So what is the point of having him in the bench. He has no options. I understand that? So you are going to get an automatic out each time he comes up. Even when he comes up in RISP he always struggles. To be honest, he is not going to get much time to play. I just don’t see the reason for having him on this roster.

By Braves20

August 4, 2007 9:42 PM | Link to this

For God’s sake, get Moylan in the damned game. He seeems to the only guy in the pen who can get anybody out!

By Yars

August 4, 2007 9:44 PM | Link to this

No way Dotel just gave up a grand slam, or was that Soriano wearing Dotel’s uniform? Hudson cannot be denied his 12th win. I feel sorry for the guy. He should have around 14 wins right now.

By HP

August 4, 2007 9:45 PM | Link to this

I don’t know what Roger McDowell tells his pitcher when he goes to the mound. But the opposing team always score runs after he goes to the mound. Remember McDowell going to talk Soriano other day and then he give up a Grand Slam. Now he goes talk to Dotel and then he give up a Grand Slam. We need Leo Mazzone back next season!!!

By A-ville Ranger

August 4, 2007 9:48 PM | Link to this

If anybody cares to research it. I said there was no good reason to think Dotel is worth a damn before we aquired him.I’ll make my point again,Ascanio looked like he could help the team alot….this is just stupid.

By HP

August 4, 2007 9:48 PM | Link to this

I want to see Peter Moylan in the 9th inning today. Not Wickman please!!!

By Dwight Fry

August 4, 2007 9:49 PM | Link to this

Beware the Spilborghs! Resistance is futile.

By TexasBrave

August 4, 2007 9:50 PM | Link to this

Why can’t we just have a nice easy game. Is it too much to ask to come in after Tim throws a gem and get the final 6 outs without giving up runs? Sheeeeesh!!!!

By Colin

August 4, 2007 9:53 PM | Link to this

Not to say much but Soriano look relaxed and pitch very good yes only 2 guys but he threw 96 real easy. Dotel will rebound from this Atkins is on fire.

By JDG123

August 4, 2007 9:53 PM | Link to this

Hudson has had 3 wins erased by the efforts of Bob Wickman blowing 3 saves. Now Dotel pulls this garbage. If we don’t win, Hudson should go on strike.

By beachcomber

August 4, 2007 9:53 PM | Link to this

Confined to radio tonight. Pete and Skip didn’t say much about Soriano was throwing. It was good to see him get a couple quick outs but was he throwing any better?

By Ron

August 4, 2007 10:00 PM | Link to this

We better NOT lose this damn game!!! Unbelievable!!! I think we are in the damn twilight zone!!!

By Tomahawkin' Again

August 4, 2007 10:02 PM | Link to this

It’s Wickman time, so I’m off to throw up now. I’ll check back in a few minutes so I am spared the roller coaster ride that is the Braves bullpen

By Steve from OH

August 4, 2007 10:06 PM | Link to this

One thing does worry me about Dotel: he’s had arm trouble before, and this year, he’s pitched only 23 innings. Compare that with 46 by Tyler Yates. I hope his arm is ready for the overuse Bobby is about to subject it to.

By Steve from OH

August 4, 2007 10:09 PM | Link to this

Nice win, Braves!

Let’s keep it going and start a nice long winning streak.

By FairWeatherBraveFanHater

August 4, 2007 10:10 PM | Link to this

I’m behind in the game, just at the freekin Grand Slam. I sure hope we can close this 1 out. Dotel really isn’t pitching that bad. That pitch cost us.

Now Soriano in, Bobby trying to get his confidence back…I guess. Please don’t give another 1 away.

By MEB

August 4, 2007 10:12 PM | Link to this

I think if Wicky takes that final out himself all the way to first there is no way he stops before he crashes into the dugout. I could not breath for the bottom of the ninth. Cruising six to zip and we scratch out a 6-4 victory. Oh, the humanity!

BRAVES WIN!!!

By Señor Blanco

August 4, 2007 10:14 PM | Link to this

Mi dios, el juego es excesivo y el Braves se ha escapado.

Ahora para relajar con un cigarro fino y un Dos Equis.

By Tomahawkin' Again

August 4, 2007 10:15 PM | Link to this

I can take the plastic bag off my head, right? We’re not exactly the ‘27 Yankees, but a win is a win. Your Braves are back in 2nd place (thank you Prince), win the rubber match tomorrow afternoon and get ready to rumble starting Tuesday.

By bravesfan

August 4, 2007 10:16 PM | Link to this

ARI 2 LAD 0 GO D-BACKS!!

By FairWeatherBraveFanHater

August 4, 2007 10:18 PM | Link to this

I still haven’t read your posts b/c I am not at WICKMAN. PLEASE WICK!!

By Yars

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

Steve from OH……….exactly man. That’s what we need to do. Start a long winning streak.

By FairWeatherBraveFanHater

August 4, 2007 10:26 PM | Link to this

Alright, the Braves have given me the worst ulcer this year.

Humpty almost fell again. That was funny as he((. Good job by Soriano and Wick. ! game down 4.5 to go.

By Robert (Justice Is The Best)

August 4, 2007 10:26 PM | Link to this

Man, that is great news about Aybar. For his sake, it is really cool that he got himself together. From a Braves’ fan sake, I hope is able to come back show he is ready to play by September. Hopefully, that would mean that Chris Woodward’s useless behind will be placed at the very end of the bench almost where it belongs. I say almost because he actually needs to be on a waiver wire being shipped to the Mexican fall league or something.

By MEB

August 4, 2007 10:27 PM | Link to this

Senor Blanco… I think that Wicky is excessive as well. I am indeed surprised that you have any Dos Equis left after such a game. I quit drinking many years ago, however this Braves team is forcing me to reconsider.

GO BRAVES!!!

By Dwight Fry

August 4, 2007 10:29 PM | Link to this

Speaking of the bullpen: Lefty Alan Embree (now with the A’s) pitched a perfect ninth for his 13th save in 15 chances. He used to be a Brave (‘97-‘98). Why did we let him go?

By Dwight Fry

August 4, 2007 10:32 PM | Link to this

Bonds tied Aaron.

By Señor Mosca

August 4, 2007 10:35 PM | Link to this

Sí, Afrontar tirado por. Nuestra pluma de toros ha sido una pluma de vacas. Esto toma al menos dos cervezas o dos rusos blancos para mirar. Pero ay, ganamos. Todo está bien en la ciudad Valiente. Mosca libre.

By TexasBrave

August 4, 2007 10:37 PM | Link to this

Well besides hitting a guy, Wickman looked better tonight getting two strikeouts and an easy grounder. Perhaps the fall the other day jared something back into place.

Although I must appologize to everyone. I said we should bring in Dotel and then I also had the thought “Just don’t give up a grand slam”. So again I am sorry if I aided the addition of any grey hairs, vomiting, the causing of denizens to cover their eyes or the pulling out of any hairs.

By FairWeatherBraveFanHater

August 4, 2007 10:41 PM | Link to this

I am watching the Bonds game and it looked to me like Hensley wanted to give up that ball. He pitched only 2 balls previous to Bonds coming up. On the 3rd ball to Bonds, he hit it out. Oh well he gets #755*. No doubt he is a great player, but this record is so tainted.

By Savannah Guy

August 4, 2007 10:42 PM | Link to this

Once again Wicky makes the play. Tex almost ran off when he saw him coming. Was the ball lodged in his belly?

Wicky went all Sumo on that.

By Robert (Justice Is The Best)

August 4, 2007 10:43 PM | Link to this

A couple of observations.

For all those who wanted Giles to stay will you now admit that JS knew what he was doing and was right about Kelly Johnson. Yeah, I kind of doubted you would.

Also, Barry just tied the record. It is sad that this record will be tainted but steroids or no steroids (of course he took them) it is a helluva an accomplishment. When you think that anywhere from 40% to 70% of baseball players were taking roids during the “steroid era” and Barry is the only one who really sustained success it does say something for the man’s talents. Bonds is a jerk. He is a cheat perhaps. He is definitely cocky. But, he is also one of the best players to ever play this game. That is what makes this so sad. It sin’t celebrated like it should be because of all the controversey.

I do have this question and I ask myself the same thing. If Barry Bonds was a Brave, would my disdain be as intense for him. I have this theory that most of the people on here and the fans on oppossing teams who boo him would have a much different feeling if he were on our team. What does that say about us fans? I don’t know. But, it is what it is.

By Bhamtiger

August 4, 2007 10:44 PM | Link to this

Wicky looked good tonight…fastball was hitting 92-93 consistently…his home/road split is ridiculous.

By Gil in Mechanicsville

August 4, 2007 10:45 PM | Link to this

It was funny how quiet the blog was until Dotel gave up the 4 run dinger and poof, the boo birds showed up. What’s wrong guys, can’t stand it when the team is doing well? Chill dudes, it is still too early to go into panic mode with every pitch.

By jimmy smith, ugandan journalist

August 4, 2007 10:49 PM | Link to this

aybar and escobar - hmmm….which one will receive a candy bar endorsement? wicky? wicky would be a dark horse. dark chocolate, probably. wickybar? oh, wicky!

now, men left on base … hurtful.

corky is a clown name. there, it had to be said. when journalist pointed out that jo jo is a monkey name some thought journalist was not politically correct in doing so. and guess what? jo jo had to go back to the minor leagues for a time. now, this team has replaced a monkey name with a clown name. what happened to baseball players named babe or mel or ty or ted? why all the jo jo’s and corky’s and chipper’s and tushy’s? mark this journalist’s words … there will be an embarrassing incident this year involving bobby cox calling one of these new players a pet name.

can say pet name after mike vick? pet named “lucky”. should have bought a cat. nine lives.

and davies made the news tonight. somebody had to do it.

By FairWeatherBraveFanHater

August 4, 2007 10:50 PM | Link to this

I am not positive but I think Embree was involved in the Loften trade. I’ll have to check.

By Gil in Mechanicsville

August 4, 2007 10:53 PM | Link to this

Wickman looked sharp tonight, I think the rest has done him good. Most of his problems have come when his shoulder has acted up.

Dotel looked tired, Sorianto didn’t. Too much partying? Who knows with this staff. Huddy looked really good.

Chipper played excellent defense. His hands are letting him down during his at bats though.

By HP

August 4, 2007 10:55 PM | Link to this

Question for Everyone: What is the most prestigious record in the sport?

By chipdip

August 4, 2007 10:58 PM | Link to this

F—K BARRY BONDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!UP THE IRONS YOU FOOLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!MOTORHEAD RULES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By ernesto

August 4, 2007 11:01 PM | Link to this

Bonds did it, and when he hit htat shot he just sat there admiring it…and admiring it…admiring it.

Well, he broke that record like he set the record. Crowd was pretty indifferent.

By Gil in Mechanicsville

August 4, 2007 11:01 PM | Link to this

jimmy smith, ugandan journalist As long as together they can raise the bar and Aybar can pass a bar then perhaps the team will not be fubar….

And what of names? We might well have had CoCo playing centerfield this year if JS had made the trade to Boston last year. Could the AJC have handled JoJo and CoCo in the same game? Maybe Terrance Moore would have gone loco but then again, maybe he already has. Oh the humanity….

By Gil in Mechanicsville

August 4, 2007 11:09 PM | Link to this

Depends on the sport HP, and the country…. Are you thinking baseball? Is professional wrestling a sport? I think it depends on the motivation of the person asking the question. Are you looking for the real answer or reinforcement of your beliefs?

By TexasBrave

August 4, 2007 11:09 PM | Link to this

I didn’t get to watch the game live, but knowing that Chipper struckout three times proves to me that his “thumb” is hurting and causing him to be ineffective against RHP’s. I said it once before that this type of injury does not go away quickly.

So knowing that why doesn’t Chipper just go ahead and bat right handed until he feels more comfortable batting left. I mean we didn’t need his offense as much tonight, but that will not always be the case. I would much rather see him bat from the right side against RHP than see him go o’fer leaving runners (6 tonight) on base and struggle from the left side.

By Carroll Rogers

August 4, 2007 11:11 PM | Link to this

just an fyi….after chipper struck out three times in the game, he went to the batting cage afterward. we saw him heading that way as we came into the clubhouse hallway for the postgame stuff. says he was trying to get right, to swing his way into feeling right at the plate. he said he couldn’t blame the thumb for his night, maybe friday, but not tonight.

he also said the injury was not the same thing as the thumb deal that landed him on the disabled list, which was the base of his thumbs. he pointed to the webbing of his left thumb, which was bruised, but said that’s something hitters go through after getting jammed. so that’s good news, as it always is that he doesn’t accept a bad offensive night.

By Gil in Mechanicsville

August 4, 2007 11:13 PM | Link to this

Okay folks, it’s happy hour for me. Catch ya’ll tomorrow.

By HP

August 4, 2007 11:15 PM | Link to this

Dave O’Brien just said on ESPN2 that no one on the earth has hit 756 homeruns. Just to remind him that Sadaharu Oh “The Japanese Babe Ruth” has hit 868 home runs in his career. So he shouldn’t run his mouth like that without knowing that Japan is also on earth.

By HP

August 4, 2007 11:17 PM | Link to this

Gil in Mechanicsville: I am talking about all the sports that exist in the world today and in the past?

By jimmy smith, ugandan journalist

August 4, 2007 11:24 PM | Link to this

carroll, please, don’t call it webbing! dob will explain.

and now duck jokes: A duck walks into a bar and asks the bartender for corn. The bartender says “We have no corn, get out of here.” So the duck leaves. The next day he comes back and asks for corn again, and the bartender says “I told you, we don’t have any corn! Get out!” So the duck leaves. The next day he goes in again and asks for corn, and the bartender says, “For the last time, we don’t have corn! If you ever come back, I’m going to nail those webbed feet of yours to the floor!” So the duck leaves. The next day the duck comes and asks, “Do you have any nails?” The bartender says, “No, of course not. Why would a bar have nails?” The duck then says, “Good. Can I have some corn?

and … There was a man who owned a duck who danced on a tin box. He sold it to another bar man who phoned him later asking how to make him stop. He replied “Open the tin and blow out the candles!”

By Wayne in Utah

August 4, 2007 11:29 PM | Link to this

Chop Chop Saw your earlier response to one of my infrequent posts today. Saturdays are tough to stay online. Too much to do.

I hear what you are saying about Cormier, and it is true that his first two years in Arizona were not productive. But, last year, he was a serviceable pitcher, and actually did well in his overall tenure as a spot starter.

So, I would disagree with you about him. I think we have to grade a guy on what he has done recently. You really can’t count this year so far, as he was injured. So, I stand behind my statement that it is WAY to premature to say that Cormier can’t help us. We have to give him that shot.

Also, I am not sure we could have gotten the Pittsburgh players you mentioned for the same package that brought along Tex. But, we will really never know.

Tough thing about being where we are is this: We are big Braves fans, with absolutely NO say so in what happens. That is JS and his staff’s decision. So, like it or not, that is what we have to live with. Granted, he has done well in his career.

FYI For the JS/BC bashers, please go to the USA Today website, and read the article that Hal Bodley did on the Braves that was published in Friday’s edition.

Good night, and good luck to Chuckie tomorrow.

A parting thought: For those with any religious convictions, lets say a little prayer tonight for Willie Aybar, the man. For my non-religious friends, have some positive thoughts. Whether Willie ever steps foot on the diamond again, is not relevant. I want to see him have a long and happy life, and he has gotten a start now in that direction. Good luck and God Bless, Willie!

By Savannah Guy

August 4, 2007 11:34 PM | Link to this

ncscoots 6:24 and 7:00: I appreciated your comments on the ID registration and sound advice on avoidance of wadded panties. Now, denizen…did you really have to go there like that? Hey, I got the point with your “brevity, soul of wit” quote. I am admittedly guilty of writing “long” as you so nicely and subtly noted. Was that really necessary? Marking your territory, and with a French finis, as it were?

So, you are an occasional public speaker? I’ve done a bit of that too, but I find that it has very little to do with writing style or content. Maybe short speeches?

So, as you say, you have been around blogs for a long time and seem to know the trends there. Perhaps you can educate me. Do sports blogs have historic trends and metrics that have played out over time or were you just, uh…throwing a guess out there? Do you know the dynamics of subterfuge in an open blog forum, or was that conjecture as well, n’est-ce pas? Convenez-vous que vous étiez moi importants et condescendant dans votre référence à ma lettre?

By KC

August 4, 2007 11:34 PM | Link to this

Bonds ties Aaron… this is a very sad day for the game of baseball. What a shame that Bonds didn’t have the dignity to leave this game a year ago, rather than render the most sacred record in sports completely meaningless. The man cares nothing about the game. He has no honor, and deserves none.

By GIVE ME A BREAK

August 4, 2007 11:52 PM | Link to this

As a baseball fan I am appauled you would say this. Flatter me and tell me what evidence has been brought out against him. Your response will probbaly be ohh duh well he was so skinny coming up and know he is a juiced mind freak. Hank Aaron said in an interview on Sports South and I quote-” Until the evidence comes out I will make my decision then” “He also said no matter what he did he is still the greatest ball player he has seen in his eyes” Give it up Barry may be a jerk but he still knows how to hit the baseball” give the man his due. What happen to all the Mike Vick innocent until proven guilty. GiVE THE MAN HIS CREDIT HIS IS ONE OF THE GREATEST PLAYERS TO EVER LIVE AND EVERYONE KNOWS THAT!

By TexasBrave

August 5, 2007 12:00 AM | Link to this

Give Chipper props for not accepting a bad night and trying to work things out. However, Carrol I must ask did Chipper go to the cages with one of those pads like Tex uses to protect the “web” area of the hand. It could be he went to take batting practice to get used to using one. Being a lefty and having played my fair shair of college games with that same injury I know it is near impossible to hit anything inside to middle of the plate. An outside pitch isn’t so bad as long as you go with the pitch instead of trying to pull it.

By Chop Chop

August 5, 2007 12:00 AM | Link to this

Well, I hope Cormier can do some good, Wayne. That’s all any of us can do. It’s out of our freakin’ hands. Bah!

I read FairWeatherBraveFanHater’s post earlier and I’m trying to figure out what Grinch, jimmy smith and good ol’ Chop Chop have to do to get noticed here. I’m thinking that I’ll have to up my post per blog rate (PPB). Otherwise, I’ll just have to start calling out Mets fans and challenging them to “man up” and meet me in the parking lot after school. I’ll be really f*** cool then.

Nice to see Huddy do his thing again tonight. Two consecutive games with starters going into the 7th inning. Can we keep this up for a while, guys?

As for the bullpen, Dotel gave up the big fly tonight. I’ll be more concerned about that if he has a bad outing his next time out. Wickman was once again the “Mo Rivera of the Ted”, so I feel pretty safe with him on the mound in the ninth. Soriano looked good in relief of Dotel. Everyone else got the night off. I don’t think the importance of bullpen rest can be stressed enough right now.

Overall, a good night at the park, Braves fans.

By Stinky

August 5, 2007 12:03 AM | Link to this

FYI For the JS/BC bashers, please go to the USA Today website, and read the article that Hal Bodley did on the Braves that was published in Friday’s edition.

USA Today is for illiterate retards who like pretty pictures!!! I pity the fool who would cite USA Today as areference for anything!

By gotigers72

August 5, 2007 12:05 AM | Link to this

Robert - I was one of the “Please don’t leave Marcus” fans. I just loved watching Marcus play. However, I will now be a man and admit letting Marcus go and putting KJ at 2nd was the right move. I’m kind of getting used to the taste of crow.

I agree with Joe Simpson that it is indeed a pleasure to watch Kelly swing. He has a sweet swing. Reminds me of Eddie Mathews’ swing, although Eddie had a lot more pop. Some well respected old timer [can’t remember who] said Mathews had the purest swing ever. KJ is not far behind. Saw KJ play a lot in the minors when he was at AA Greenville [now Mississippi]. Never thought he would make it to the majors. He was a SS then and a horrible fielder. Made near 50 errors one year. Fans sitting behind the first base dugout were offered insurance when they came through the gate. He wasn’t a consistent hitter either, but he had some good streaks. Just goes to show you that some players take some time to mature.

Now please excuse me while I go puke since Bonds tied The “Hammer’s” record. Of course Hank will always be #1 in mine and a lot of other people’s minds.

As far as Bonds goes, why would you want to have a record that you know you got because you cheated? How could you ever think of yourself as the best? How does he look at himself in the mirror every day? The shame of it is, he was a fantastic player prior to his use of performance enhancing drugs. Would have been a no doubt first ballot Hall of Famer. Just a wonderful baseball player. But that wasn’t enough for him. He got greedy and will now forever be thought of as a cheater and any record he has will be tainted. Anybody that says Bonds is looked down upon due to racism is ignorant. After all, isn’t he breaking another black man’s record? Using steroids has nothing to do with color. Whoever uses them is a cheater, black, white or brown. I abhor Mark McGwire and Rafael Palmeiro and their records as much as I do Bonds.

By DAD

August 5, 2007 12:08 AM | Link to this

The loss to Houston is a good example of why the Braves will not win the NL East in 2007. The Mets would have won that kind of game with ease. I believe that the Braves realize that the Mets are too good to even consider the Braves as a threat. The Mets will sweep the Braves in the upcoming series in New York. Then,the Braves will be put out of their misery. The Mets will be on their way to the NL East title with no competition from the Braves.

By stinky's conscience

August 5, 2007 12:10 AM | Link to this

“Stinky is the best blogger ever.”

• Hal Bodley, USA Today

By Wayne in Utah

August 5, 2007 12:14 AM | Link to this

Give Me a Break Please, give me a break, don’t insult my intelligence. Yes, Barry is one of the 5 best players ever. Yes, Barry is a jerk. Yes, Barry is definitely a Hall of Famer (that was obvious before the “new Barry” showed up). And, YES, Barry is a juicer.

There are certain things that are obvious, and Barry’s transgressions are obvious.

Hank Aaron has more class in his little pinky than Barry Bonds has in his whole entire, steroids inflated, body!

Please, give ME a break!

Innocent until proven guilty is a courtroom statement. Barry is not on trial here, so that doesn’t apply to us true baseball fans.

By Stinky

August 5, 2007 12:16 AM | Link to this

DAD, apparently MOM sees you as the impotent karma b*** that you are and has cut you off like a sane woman should. Do us all a favor and cut your fingers off so we won’t accidentally read your worthless drivel.

By KC

August 5, 2007 12:16 AM | Link to this

GIVE ME A BREAK: Your name is my exact response to your post. You know damn well he’s juiced.

He’s admitted to using steroids. OH WAIT… I forgot… he thought it was Bengay or some sh!t like that. He didn’t know they were steroids.

Yeah, right.

Get real man.

By KC

August 5, 2007 12:19 AM | Link to this

Screw Barry Bonds! I’ve wasted all the thought I’m going to waste on that SOB. The important thing tonight is… THE BRAVES GAINED A GAME ON THE METS, PHILS, AND WE PICKED UP A 1/2 GAME IN THE WILD CARD!

So it’s still a good night overall.

By Wayne in Utah

August 5, 2007 12:25 AM | Link to this

DAD What kind of cigarette is that you’re smokin’ tonight? Mets sweep the Braves! Wow!

Stinky: your user name is dead on! The article I referenced IS still relevant, and you are a joke!

By Savannah Guy

August 5, 2007 12:30 AM | Link to this

Wayne in Utah Right on Barroid. Right on prayers for Willy A. With you brother.

By Stinky

August 5, 2007 12:32 AM | Link to this

Wayne in Utah, Do you have three wives like everybody else in Utah? How does that work? Do you have to take the blue pills like what’s his name on ‘Big Love’?

By Wayne in Utah

August 5, 2007 12:36 AM | Link to this

JS/BC Bashers Please read this article.

By Hal Bodley, USA TODAY

John Schuerholz isn’t a miracle worker. He’s just the best general manager baseball has ever known. It amazes me that this one-time junior high school teacher always knows exactly what the Atlanta Braves need and then goes out and gets that ingredient.

Schuerholz obtains the players, then turns them over to Bobby Cox, whose managerial wizardry is legendary.

No team wins a record 14 consecutive division titles by accident. Schuerholz — and Cox — is why the Braves reeled off that many before 2006’s tumble into reality.

Now Schuerholz has done it again, and there’s every reason to believe the Braves have an excellent chance to return to the postseason.

While other GMs were struggling to improve their teams, Schuerholz methodically pulled off the most important deal at Monday’s non-waiver trade deadline.

All he did was land power-hitting first baseman Mark Teixeira from the Texas Rangers, one of the premier young players in the game. That done, he went out and got reliever Octavio Dotel from Kansas City.

Teixeira hit a three-run homer and drove in four runs in a 12-3 rout of Houston in his first Atlanta game Wednesday night. Dotel pitched a perfect eighth inning.

“There’s a couple different groups of negotiators,” says Rangers GM Jon Daniels. “John certainly represents the first group of guys who clearly know what they want. He’s very up-front and straightforward. He approaches you with a plan and objective and doesn’t beat around the bush.”

Schuerholz, in Cooperstown, N.Y., for Hall of Fame induction ceremonies, sat on the Otesaga Hotel veranda Saturday afternoon punching messages in his Blackberry.

“Times have really changed,” he said, looking out at picturesque Otsego Lake. “Normally, I’d have to stay on the telephone as the deadline approaches. Now, my office never leaves me.”

Schuerholz had just about completed the seven-player deal with Texas for Teixeira over the weekend. He was also working the Dotel trade.

I’ve always been curious how Schuerholz, more than many of his peers, can pull off such important deals.

Or better put, how he could gamble in the Teixeira trade by giving up rookie catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia and four other highly rated prospects?

Saltalamacchia, rated the Braves’ top prospect by Baseball America prior to the season, has the potential to be a franchise-type player.

Schuerholz says making deals like this is all about home-grown talent.

“As long as we can keep the pipeline filled with high-caliber, young talent, as a general manager I’m going to be more prepared with the assets I have to make the big deals like the ones we just made,” he says. “Without that, we cannot do those deals.”

He adds scouting and player development make it possible.

“Without that, we wouldn’t have won 14 consecutive division championships. Or been able to trade five dynamic young players in one deal to get the most dynamic young hitter (Teixeira) available at trade time,” he says.

But couldn’t trading away a potential superstar like Saltalamacchia be scary?

“Sure, it’s risky,” he says. “We live at this time of the year on the edge. The most important thing for any organization, not just the Braves, is to more accurately evaluate its own players. We do that daily. It doesn’t make it any easier to trade these great young players, but we know what the other players in our system can do and who we have behind them. That gives me a sense of assurance.

“We do all of these things to make our major league club better. If we have a chance to win, we have an obligation and responsibility to try and do it. I’m not just trading these guys away willy-nilly.”

Schuerholz has two objectives when he makes a trade: “To make the Braves better and to make the team I’m dealing with better.

“If we create trade partners who know they’re getting fair return and players who have a chance to grow and be good, they’ll want to deal with you more,” he says.

Kansas City GM Dayton Moore, a Schuerholz protégé who worked for the Braves for 12 years before joining the Royals in June 2006, says, “At the end of the day he wants you to get value. Conversations with him are very direct and to the point. You know right away if you have a chance to do a deal.”

Says Schuerholz: “My objective is not to have somebody judge that the Braves have the advantage in a certain deal. That’s counter-productive.”

It is that philosophy that has elevated him to the top of his profession and made the Braves perennial winners.

By Wayne in Utah

August 5, 2007 12:41 AM | Link to this

KC Not that I care much, but it would almost be poetic justice if BB hit the tie-breaking HR on the road.

Too bad that Barry didn’t realize that all he had to do was be a decent person to fans, and they would have loved him. Fans just want any reason to get behind a popular player.

Then, the McGwire/Sosa thing happened, and his insane jealousy took over as people were not talking about him being the greatest player of the decade, so he did something about it.

For those who wonder, just check the mans stats. NOBODY increases their Slugging percentage that drastically at that age.

Again, it’s too bad that he didn’t realize that he only needed to be outgoing and decent to the fans.

By Stinky

August 5, 2007 12:44 AM | Link to this

A gutless, candya$$ polygamist from Utah has no room to talk!!! Grow the stones to cheat, Opie!!! Move back to the ATL!!!

By MegaBravesFan

August 5, 2007 12:47 AM | Link to this

For the record…Salty isn’t doing so great. Looks like JS’s reputation for trading the right players is still in tact…at least for now.

-Of course I say this and tomorrow he will go 6 for 6 and hit for the cycle…

By Wayne in Utah

August 5, 2007 12:48 AM | Link to this

Stinky Sorry, my friend, but I can only handle the one wife that I have enjoyed the last 30 years with.

And, BTW I don’t need any pills! Why, does Mrs. Stinky want you to check into the “blue pill?”

Sorry, dude, but you fell face first into that one!!

:-0

By Give me a Break

August 5, 2007 12:50 AM | Link to this

KC what in the world are u talking about. You were probbaly one of the guys outside the Georiga Dome and lent your nike shoe to burn. Dude Innocent until proven guilty is a courtroom term but ALL OF AMERICA HAS PUT HIM ON TRIAL, THERE IS SOMETHING CALLED THE COURT OF PUBLIC opinion that he is getting basiccaly excecuted here. One of our greatest presidents ever George W. Bush said the same thing as Aaaron about evidence. Stop calling the guy a cheater and a lier, what happens if this happened to ur dad or to ur son, or daughter. Don’t give well George Bush is dumb. Be quiet “Graduated from Yale, Ran the Texas Rangers, Ran for Governor and won in Texas, people elected him twice. This country is heading straight for a painful detah because of the stupid liberal media and liberals spewing our soldiers and country everyday. Giving the terroists one more reason to come over here and hurt us. These liberals are the same people condeming Barry Bonds. THIS IS WHAT I MEAN KC, True baseball fan. How old are you 5 in some special club. My gosh

By Tim aka Give me a break

August 5, 2007 12:53 AM | Link to this

I love this state and city to death but some times we can be the biggest fair weather fans ever. Every time we lose we want Arthur Blank to leave, or Bobby Cox to go fishing and hang it up, or Mark Richt to go back to FSU. Stick by your team, I know this is a blog vent what have you. All of you using your quotes from the USA Today and your wrong there I have done it to it’s time to stop knocking the Braves this town and clean up. Let’s stick by our teams and not cry over spilt milk. I will be the first one to do it, That is all

By The Grinch

August 5, 2007 12:56 AM | Link to this

Good evening, all…I’ve been at Vino Libro in Little Five watching some really hot Spanish chicks dance the Flamenco. I came home to find we’ve gained a game; this is good. Dotel will occasionally give up a run or two; nothing to get excited about (especially since Bobby Brilliant has decided to pitch him every night to make sure he winds up like Yates and Soriano).

Barry Bonds, a man who based on his natural talent could have been a .300AVG, 600HR, 500 SB guy on his own and been a first ballot HOF’r and an ambassador for his sport is instead what he is today: a “man” who was so incredibly undersized in the manhood dept (both figuratively and litteratly) that having Mark and Sammy juice up to come within 75% of him couldn’t be countenanced. He had to out juice them so he could say “Look at ME, everyone; if necc. I’ll make my children props too in addition to doing illegal drugs I don’t even need so that you’ll see that nobody ever passes me in any area.” Barry Bonds may be the single most pathetic “man” that ever came to the spotlight in the latter half of the 20th century. How ‘bout the rest of Y’all; would 600 HR’s, 500 SB’s and a 6” wee-wee be enough? How many extra HR’s and such does one need to shoot up for having less? 50 Hr’s for every inch he’s missing? Folks, I’m a writer by trade, and a pretty damn good one, and I honestly don’t think I could create a more pathetic character than Barry Bonds. Should he be booed and made to feel inadequate? Why bother; if he had any equipment he would have shunned the needle in the first place, or stopped short of the record to do the decent thing by now. The guy has as much class and credibility as Vladimir Rasputin (only he actually really WAS hung; hence HIS ability to brainwash the higher-ups). What an absolute F-ing loser. When he dies, I’ll make a special trip to pi$$ on his grave. Whatever, Barry; I think as much of your “record” as I do my morning intestinal voidings. I take that back; they were at least involved with food I respected. F&%# you, and the needle you rode in on, you coward.

By Stinky

August 5, 2007 12:56 AM | Link to this

The blue pills apear prominently in USA Today, Polygimast Wayne who must explain things to his wife of 40 years. But You just read the sport pages, wink, wink.

By SOrry kc

August 5, 2007 12:59 AM | Link to this

WAYNE IN UTAH, COurt of Public opinion and by the way is there any Baseball team in UTAH. No get out of your club of true baseball fans because that is hard to believe the way you are trashing the game

By Stinky

August 5, 2007 1:05 AM | Link to this

Tim aka Give me a break, gauge out your eyes, grab a mattock, and Skull F*** yourself.

Leave the blogging to Grownups. Go join the Vienna Boy’s Choir.

By The Grinch

August 5, 2007 1:09 AM | Link to this

Wayne, you’re my boy but when an article lauds JS and Bobby’s “Managerial Wizardry,” then proceeds to back things up with JS’ exploits…well, no %#$@. I agree JS is a genius, and the best GM in the business. What the hell does that have to do with Bobby? I don’t suppose you’;ve got THAT part of the article, do you? I love the man as much as most Braves fans, and I respect his ability to keep clubhouse business in the clubhouse. He doesn’t worry people, and he helps keep them on an even keel no matter what, which has been mighty helpful in the past and he desrves credit for it. However, his in game strategy (this year especially) rivals Don Knotts’ most ridiculous characterization of a retarded man. Nobody, NOBODY ANYWHERE claims to know what the hell he’s thinking anymore, which is fine and dandy except we’re smack dab in the middle of a pennant race. Bueller? Bueller? Do tell; I expect there’s lots of us who’d like to know.

By MegaBravesFan

August 5, 2007 1:11 AM | Link to this

Don’t look now! Le-DISMAL is pitching for the Padres…hope they don’t expect to win.

By Stinky

August 5, 2007 1:13 AM | Link to this

And to whoever had the nerve to pretend to be “Stinky’s Conscience”: I found that b***, poked out her eyes, and skull f*** her!!!

By Lew

August 5, 2007 1:18 AM | Link to this

Oh, The Humanity. We’re never alone with a schizophrenic are we, Ian? Oh the Mania. We can’t let it get the best of us now. It just wouldn’t be for the best. Sometimes one must sit back and just go with the flow. Chant a mantra or some such thing. Mellow our chi or find a way to maintain our wah. Ohhhhhhmmmmmm-My God. Put those shades back on and beware of the Crash Street Kids. Good night.

By Stink

August 5, 2007 1:19 AM | Link to this

I am going ot be a sports journalist some day and make it to the top while u are still here insulting people on the AJC Blog. U vulgarness won’t get u a date let’s just say that

By STINKY IS A NOOB

August 5, 2007 1:20 AM | Link to this

STINKY Is this your job to monitor your job and slam everybody else’s opinion to the groun if you can’t COMPREHEND IT. Go read cat in the hat and go to bed ok bye now

By Stinky

August 5, 2007 1:21 AM | Link to this

Grinch, is that you Grinch?

And wither Lew?

And how can you mend a broken heart? How can you stop the rain from falling down? How can you stop the sun from shining? What makes the world go round?

And can we poke out the eyes of Bobbly Cox and skull f*** some sense into him?

By The Grinch

August 5, 2007 1:23 AM | Link to this

Ok, I’m being distracted. Y’all sort this out amongst yourselves. :-)

By Wayne in Utah

August 5, 2007 1:24 AM | Link to this

Is this the night of the idiots?

This SOrry kc is telling me I am trashing the game. What in the heck are you reading? I am a true fundamentalist, who, for your information, watched Eddie Mathews and Hank Aaron back in 1967 in Atlanta.

I was born and raised in the south, and still love the south, but I work now and live in the west. No law against being loyal to a team for 40 years is there?

And this “GiveMeABreak”. Dude, I am so far to the right, I make Rush Limbaugh look like a moderate! AND, I think Barry Bonds is a frickin cheat and a joke. Great baseball player, lousy excuse for a man. And, yes, I don’t have to prove a dang thing, but I can tell you, the man is a juicer. Open your eyes, and quit buying the BS.

BTW, the USA Today article supports and claims that our current GM is the greatest one to ever run a baseball team. NO Braves slamming going on here. Why don’t you read before you respond?

Grinch: Sounds like and eventful evening. And, I agree 100% on BB.

Stinky Say what you will, as nobody takes you serious anyway, as you are a pathetic little man.

By Sorry Utah

August 5, 2007 1:30 AM | Link to this

Sorry Utah, stink find a new hobby go see the Bourne Ultimatum you can ger ur anger out there

By Stinky

August 5, 2007 1:31 AM | Link to this

I’ve been censored again by the Fish Wrap brigade! But that’s OK!!

Cause I was born a Rebel!!! Down in Dixie, on a Sunday Mornin’!!! One foot in the Grave!!! One foot on the Pedal!!! I was born a Rebel!!!

By uga-brave

August 5, 2007 1:32 AM | Link to this

hey we are now 24-45 when we score six or less. congrats, once again next seven games defines the fact, whether or not we will be debating baseball or college football.

By Wayne in Utah

August 5, 2007 1:38 AM | Link to this

Grinch I don’t think there is anyone who would say that Bobby is a great tactician. That is not what he is known for. I have scratched my head over some of his decisions for the past 15 years.

But, to a man, almost every baseball insider will laud the man and his results. I think the things that makes Bobby great are some of the same things that will drive us ocassionally crazy about him.

Does that make sense? I think this year what drives folks nuts is his handling of AJ. As far as his bullpen handling, I suspect he missed Leo more than he might say.

Just my thoughts. I do prefer stability, and Bobby is the nothing if he is not stable. Ask Wicky, AJ, Soriano, Yates. He will not let a guy get to far down without giving him a chance to redeem himself. Sometimes it backfires, maybe it seems like it has backfired more this year than other years.

Time to turn in.

Stinky, please turn out the lights when you leave. (Let me give you some advice. From an over 50 guy to one who personally claims to be a stinky. Never, ever trust a fart!)

Lew 2-2 under the “TEX” regime. Can we sweep the Mets next week? It is possible, I think.

By STINKY IS A NOOB

August 5, 2007 1:39 AM | Link to this

like I said stinky find a new hobby

By Stinky

August 5, 2007 1:40 AM | Link to this

Wayne, go try to satisfy one of your SSI collecting retard wives!! Just don’t poke her in the ear, even though that’s the best fit, pencil wick!

By Wayne in Utah

August 5, 2007 1:45 AM | Link to this

Sorry Utah Went late last night and watched the Bourne movie with my 15 year old. Great flick!

uga-brave Though I love football (and basketball, for that matter), I will ALWAYS put baseball first. It’s a personality flaw I have. A curse!

:-)

By Midnight Poet

August 5, 2007 1:47 AM | Link to this

Late Lament

Breath deep, the gathering gloom,

Watch lights fade from every room.

Bedsitter people look back and lament,

Another day’s useless energy spent.

Impassioned lovers wrestle as one,

Lonely men cry for love and have none,

Senior citizens wish they were young.

Cold hearted orb that rules the night,

Removes the colors from our site.

Red is gray, and yellow white,

But we decide which is right, and which is an illusion.

By PDIDDY

August 5, 2007 1:50 AM | Link to this

STINKY GO HOME

PDIDY>STINKY

STINKY go worship Nick Saban with your fellow Alabama Fans WAR EAGLE

By uga-brave

August 5, 2007 1:52 AM | Link to this

well for all you KYLE DAVIES fans, another typical line 3 ip. 6 hits 3 bb. 6 er. ONCE AGAIN 9 BASERUNNERS IN 3 INNINGS. what a knuclehead. kinda hard to believe the only team he beats is the METS. he has three great starts against them. LOOK I KNOW there a lot of you who question BC in game decisions, but he is a great evaluator of talent and character.

hey guys we have to put together a 12 out of 15 game streak to make the playoffs. JUST KINDA THINK THAT AINT GONNA HAPPEN. teams dont reinvent themselves after 110 games. SMOLTZ LOOKS LIKE HE IS OUT ON NOTHING ELSE BUT DETERMINATION.

By UTAH DUDE

August 5, 2007 1:54 AM | Link to this

yes it was best bourne flick by far, first one I really saw in depth

By Wayne in Utah

August 5, 2007 1:56 AM | Link to this

Have a great night folks, and go Braves and Chuckie James tomorrow (today, actually) afternoon.

By Stinky

August 5, 2007 1:59 AM | Link to this

Midnight Poet, The term ‘Senior citizens’ doesn’t work. It’s too sterile. Try: ‘Old men’ or ‘Those too far gone’ or something way better, but know that ‘Senior citizens’ lacks zing apart from the AARP world of reality. Maybe ‘wizened ones’.

By Wayne in Utah

August 5, 2007 2:03 AM | Link to this

Utah Dude: The only thing I didn’t like was all the herky-jerky camera work. I guess that is the new style. Didn’t make me feel like I was part of the action or anything like that, just made me want to look away to re-orient myself.

Good story though, if you like that sort of thing, which I do.

Nite all…

By Stinky

August 5, 2007 2:08 AM | Link to this

Pdiddy, So you couldn’t satisfy J-Lo and that delicious Booty! What does that sa about you? Oh wait. You’ from the ATL. Its all just pretend anyway.

And Wayne in Utah, You think anybody gives a @#$!@#$ about a georgia expatriot living in Boomf()ck Utah? Do you guys even have a short season low A league out there? Probably not. You just know what Chip Caray tells you.

What a baseball man!!

By To Wayne in Utah

August 5, 2007 2:08 AM | Link to this

Camera was like that W to make the action seem more real like a real car chase

By pDIDDY

August 5, 2007 2:14 AM | Link to this

STINKY GET A LIFE A JOB AND out of this blog

By uga-brave

August 5, 2007 2:15 AM | Link to this

THERE IS NOTHING BETTER THAN LATE NIGHT FERVOR. hope, desperation, and genuine full blown hopeless optomism.

FOR ALL US PRAGMATIC FANS WHAT IS IT GOING TO MAKE THE POSTSEASON? i for one think it is going to take something we have not done all season. THAT ONE THING IS CONSISTENCY. look to use a tired cliche ” it is what it is”.

our bullpen is 4th in the league in innings pitched. no team in the top 5 in that category has a winning record. that has got to tell you something. no pitcher has a complete game. think about that. we are 24-45 in games where we score 6 or less, mind numbing.

hey man i watch 1

By uga-brave

August 5, 2007 2:28 AM | Link to this

to finish a thought we all watch 162, if somehow we make playoffs, and smoltz is healthy we would be the favorites in the N.L. HUDDY HAS BEEN GREAT.

just cant get over the fact look great for 3 and terrible for 3.

By Ron

August 5, 2007 2:59 AM | Link to this

Of course Barry Bonds Used steroids!!! I remember people talking about the book called “book of shadows” written by San Francisco Chronicles writters wrote all kinds of things!!! One that I remember is about the shoe size!!! When he FIRST signed with the Giants he had a shoe size of about 10 or 11!!! Back in 2001 or whenever his shoe size was about 13 or 14!!! BIG difference!!! Your shoe size will not get ANY bigger when your at that age!!! My shoe size is 16 and it has been the SAME size for the last 3 years!!! And I am 21!!! Hell yeah, he is a f*** cheater!!! And everybody KNOWS it!!!

But this steroid crap IS rampant in Baseball!!! Power hitters use it, Little hitters such as Alex Sanchez used it!!! He was a guy that was FAST, but was NOT a power hitter!!! Power Pitchers use it, Control Pitchers use it!!! I have heard Clemons and Pettite used it, Grimsley said they used it!!! It does NOT mean they did, but you never know!!! What MY POINT IS, there are alot of people using it, and it is a shame!!! Should we put an asterick by Barry Bonds name in the Hall of Fame? Hell NO!!! Because it is NO telling HOW many people USED it or USES it NOW!!! But Yes he is a damn cheater and SO ARE ALOT OF OTHERS!!! I know baseball is trying to control it, but I dont EVER see it being controled permanently!!! You put an asterick by his name put by EVERYONE’S Name!!! NOBODY IS SAFE FROM THIS STEROID SCANDALL, NOT EVEN THE INNOCENT ONES!!!

By Train Wreck Bystander

August 5, 2007 3:33 AM | Link to this

Well, well, well… turns out Dotel isn’t the bullpen savior some of you have been praying for. A few blogs ago, I asked if perhaps he wasn’t one of the more overrated players in baseball… but hey, we got him for Kyle Davies… what a steal, right?

This blog should run a fantasy league next year against DOB - see who really stacks up and who doesn’t.

Anyways, good to see Huddy’s night of work wasn’t wasted. I watched the Cubbies paste one on the Mets earlier… they aren’t nearly as invincible they were last year.

Lat’s make it 2 in a row Sunday!

By uga-brave

August 5, 2007 3:47 AM | Link to this

hey one scout once said dotel is a a top of the step guy. meaning a quick hook. dont see him as the answer.

if the braves make the playoffs it is because they outslug everybody else. gotta think the renteria injury will cost us defensively down the line. name one team that has stayed compettitive down the line with a first year 2nd bagger and a rookie ss.

By Double Deuce

August 5, 2007 3:50 AM | Link to this

The saddest commentary on Barry Bonds is that he didn’t need steriods. He was, pre steriods, one of the best players to ever play the game. He would never have been the home run king, but his speed, power, and defense would have made him a first ballot HOF’er and one of the best to ever play the game. He might have been a jerk, but he was an incredible baseball player.

His ego got in the way of ability, he made some poor decisions on his future, and now will go down in history as an asterisk to the steriod era. What a shame that someone with so much ability thought he was bigger than the game. The game of baseball will last forever. Guys who think they are the game become footnotes in history. It really is a shame that Barry Bonds is so tainted. If he would have just played the game like the rest he would have been remembered for all the right reasons. As it stands now, the holder of the most coveted record in all of sports will be remembered for what he took from the game, rather than what he contributed. Oh, what might have been.

By uga-brave

August 5, 2007 3:55 AM | Link to this

seven games to decide everything, sure hope we are not talking college football in 10 days. nothing would be better if we took 6 of the next 7, or 5.

By uga-brave

August 5, 2007 4:05 AM | Link to this

loook for all u BARRY SUPPORTERS OR DETRACORS THE GUY WAS A GREAT PLAYER.

YOU are right he hated watching MAC AND SOSA GET ALL THE PUB. those guys could not even hold his jock.

i think we all dislike him for one reason. kinda like CLINTON, he lied told us it was raining when he was just p** in our ear.

By ncscoots

August 5, 2007 6:56 AM | Link to this

Savannah Guy, I had no specific poster in mind for the posts to which you refer. I don’t do back-handed slams; if I have a bone to pick, I do it in the open.

As to topic, length, or any other characteristic, posters are free to have at it, and hurrah says I. My personal choices and preferences have zero relevance to that, as is right.

On the security issue, I only wanted to point out that we’ve had the same problem occur here before, had the same solutions proposed, AJC did nothing to forward those solutions, and the problem eventually cleared up by itself. If that came off as patronizing, well, that wasn’t my intent, but I’ll plead guilty to save the expense of a trial.

BTW, I actually DO read some of your stuff, LOL!

By Paladin

August 5, 2007 9:04 AM | Link to this

For what it is worth: I found NCScoot’s posting to be as “indefinite” as the ones by BobJ and Savannah Guy. As a matter of fact, I found more “veiled” insinuations in the latter two than in the former. It was almost like “let’s see if we can get so-and-so to ‘squeal’”, and then all of us Denizens-1st-Class, can jump all over him, or them.

Also, to both Bobj and Savannah guy. You both claim to be talking to someone with a .50 intelligence, yet you use $2.00 words and phrasing. I’m not advocating that you get “down in the gutter” with them,, but write less like you are addressing a Logics class, will you.

BTW, I understand what you are saying, quite well.

By David-ATL14

August 5, 2007 9:09 AM | Link to this

Coach you didn’t know the rules despite your protestations otherwise.

paronto was optioned before Ascaino. had both been elgible to return paronto would still be in the minors. Your scenario about Franco and his DFA rings false across the board.

Of course you are still bathing in the embarrassment of the Thorman options debacle.

Keep up the good work though coach, railing against the machine and all the contrived injustices in that pea brain of yours.

Good stuff. you are consistently wrong every time you bellow. LOL

By MEB

August 5, 2007 9:10 AM | Link to this

Whewwwww… I do believe the blog needs an air freshener and some trash removed.

Did Dotel just have a bad night last night or does his fastball have like no movement on it at all? Dotel just looked very hittable last night. Surely we didn’t just take someones word that all was well with Dotel’s health and ability. The Rockies are a formidable opponent with some outstanding hitters. I do believe that if we want to be contenders that good hitting teams are on the horizon. Have we learned the amount of use that each of our relievers can handle?

GO BRAVES!!!

By Salty

August 5, 2007 9:36 AM | Link to this

MEB Stinkbomb went off.

By Yars

August 5, 2007 9:38 AM | Link to this

I just can’t believe how fans in San Diego cheered for Bonds after he hit #755. What the hell were they smoking? That must have been some good herb. Bonds deserves to be booed at every opportunity. I wonder how Braves fans at Turner Field would react if he were to have hit #755 in Atlanta? There would probably be more Giants fans in the seats than Braves fans anyway. We win today & the Mets lose tonight, 3.5 games out, & could even be 1 game out of Wildcard race.

By Paladin

August 5, 2007 9:45 AM | Link to this

Before I felt “compelled” to post my 9:04, I had intended to post:

GO BRAVES!!!!

And see who took exception with that. Coming from me, and all.

By Metropolitan Man

August 5, 2007 10:12 AM | Link to this

If you cant count on your aces, then who can you count on?????

By Savannah Guy

August 5, 2007 10:36 AM | Link to this

Paladin: Now…there you go again…with that hall monitoring and playing self-appointed chat room referee. Are you TRYING to get on my bad side? Why?Lighten up Dude. Why did you have to say that? You are over thinking the situation. I have no problem with Scoots and when he and I have a disagreement (between ourselves) we can adequately handle it without you interjecting yourself and trying to take up “sides”. So don’t go stirring the pot.

Then you said, referring to Bob, Journalist and myself: ”You both claim to be talking to someone with a .50 intelligence, yet you use $2.00 words and phrasing. I’m not advocating that you get “down in the gutter” with them,, but write less like you are addressing a Logics class, will you.”

That is bullcrap and you know it. When did I “claim” to be talking to someone with a low IQ? Find it and prove it. I resent that because it is a misrepresentation intended for the sole purpose of starting some stupid. Meaningless…what…fight? As Bob, J and myself using $2 words, well…to each his own. I just write what I write, he writes what he writes and if you have a problem with that just scroll on by pal.

So, I suppose you are saying that YOU are smart enough to understand those words but MOST DENIZENS here on the blog are too stupid to understand? Dumb it down for them? They are in the gutter? What the HELL are you talking about? That is exactly what you said. Hey, don’t sell the denizens short. My perception is that the contributors of this blog have a pretty high IQ. Besides, who measures? Oh, uh…you do. Try reading some of the stuff sometime instead of selecting a few chat buddies and posting little campfire one-liners. You might try reading a bit more and announcing your arrivals and departures a little less.

Advice: let’s drop this idiocy and get back to something half-related to Braves baseball. You should watch a game sometime and talk about that instead of constantly playing chat buddy. C’mon man. Knock it off. This whole thing is just stupid by I grow weary of your digs. Drop it please. Sheesh.

And a nice, pleasant morning to you.

By Metropolitan Man

August 5, 2007 10:38 AM | Link to this

Dont know if your on Grinch but you know I’m never jumping ships. I will always root for the team that plays the braves just like braves fans rooting for anybody who plays the METS.
Qucik note/question. I was talking to a Texas Rangers fan and he had this to say about your boy Tex: He is a great player and easy to like but he will upset you by not being a clutch hitter. His big hits will come when the team is way down or way up, not like the one he hit in his second braves game that ultimately counted. Has any braves fans heard this????

By Todd A

August 5, 2007 10:59 AM | Link to this

“LOOK I KNOW there a lot of you who question BC in game decisions, but he is a great evaluator of talent and character.”

Uga Brave, I concur with that statement.I’ve always felt Bobby was out of place in this organization as a gm and mgr,and he could have best served the Braves as a chief scout.The man does know talent, I’ll give him that.But, we already had Paul Snyder, who was very good in his own right.

Wayne, I saw Bourne last night too.Great flick.Best of the three by a long shot imo.My ears are still ringing…very loud.

By Chase

August 5, 2007 11:05 AM | Link to this

TO EVERYONE

It sure is FUNNY how we DIDN’T GET ONE SINGLE POST FROM ANY of the METS TROLLS (or mets non-trolls) ALL DAY YESTERDAY and this MORNING after their LOSS!

Look back at the blog!

Not one single post from ANDERS, NO CHOP, MUTS RULE, or even METRO-MAN

That is my point to those guys… For the most part they only post when they feel SAFE and SECURE like if the MUTS win or if the BRAVES are losing….

Otherwise they are no where to be foud when it is Time for them to take their Medicine!

By Paladin

August 5, 2007 11:08 AM | Link to this

Savannah Guy I post GO BRAVES and almost immediately I get another of your tirades in which you tell me—among other things, to “watch baseball”(I do. On tape-delay without commercials and with a minimum of inane “commentary”) and that you “write what I/you write”. I do, too. And if you don’t approve, well…

You talk of me wanting a fight? I gave you ample opportunity, yesterday to withdraw, or drop, your “fighting words” and, yet, you made sure I knew what you meant.

Well, surfer dude,(at the risk of sounding a little SJAish)in my youth if you had “bumped chests” with me, you would have needed some serious orthodontic work and maybe some jaw-reconstruction, too. As it is, you have to take my word for it, or Believe it or Not. I care not.

Now, when you want this to end: STOP talking trash to me and get down off your high horse!

By Efrim

August 5, 2007 11:14 AM | Link to this

I worry about the Phillies series way more than I worry about this Mets series.

By Paladin

August 5, 2007 11:22 AM | Link to this

• His big hits will come when the team is way down or way up, not like the one he hit in his second braves game that ultimately counted. Has any braves fans heard this????*

Yeah, MetroMan, we have heard that. Your buddy, NCZ posted it on here. But, we ae willing to let Tex, and his bat, do their own talking.

By Gil in Mechanicsville

August 5, 2007 11:28 AM | Link to this

What are you guys smoking? Take this tripe outside will you? The rest of us are getting tired of it.

I am glad to see the AJC removed the Stinky post form overnight. It would be nice if the powers that be upgraded the blog identity security a bit. However, when they sell space to advertisers they only mention the total number of blog hits. I am sure they don’t care about who as much as how many.

By Lew

August 5, 2007 11:31 AM | Link to this

Oh The Humanity-Or Lack Thereof. It’s Sunday y’all. Peace should reign. The Braves won well last night with a team lacking two regulars and with a team that may well be our starting lineup in the post Andruw days. Not bad. Not bad, at all. There may be hope for the future, but I’m concerned for the future of some bloggers. Too much stress and tension makes Jack a dull boy-or something to that effect. It leads to all sorts of unpleasant health issues, only controllable with heavy medication and institutionalization. Now we don’t desire that, do we? Of course not. ‘Tis time to rein in our evil alter egos and not rain on the proverbial parade. The Braves divisional win parade that is. Now, Scribe-not only a transition, but the use of three variations of the word rain in the same post. Should I just award myself a Wurlitzer? Oh, The Homonymity!!!!

By KC

August 5, 2007 11:35 AM | Link to this

Metro Man: Tex is hitting (total, not just ATL):

With runners on base: .310

With runners in scoring position: .354

“Close and late”: .344

I’m not sure exactly what “close and late” means… it’s an ESPN stat. I’ll take their word for it.

Please spare me the “he’s not a clutch hitter BS”.

One Texas fan in a chat room tells you he’s not clutch, and you come over here and trumpet it as though it were a Harvard double-blind study? Please. There are Braves fans that will tell you John Schuerholz is a bum.

By Gil in Mechanicsville

August 5, 2007 11:36 AM | Link to this

Now a little minor league baseball Richmond beat the Pirates’ triple A club last night. Lillibrige was his usual outstanding self with three hits. Paronto got the save but he let two inherited runners score before getting the final outs.

I have noticed that the majority of the starting pitchers for the Braves rarely go more than 5 innings. That is even if they are pitching well, they are not exactly stretching anyone’s arm out to go deep.

By Braveheart

August 5, 2007 11:41 AM | Link to this

BRAVES WIN! METS LOSE! MAGIC NUMBER IS 57!

Bourne was a really good movie. Saw it last night as well. Very advisable not to go slightly wasted to a packed theater where you get stuck in the front row at a movie with a ton of choppy quick cutting action scenes. It leaves you kind of cross eyed and disoriented. But good movie.

By Paladin

August 5, 2007 11:44 AM | Link to this

Speak for yourself, Gil, that’s what I am trying to do. And note my post to Metroman. I’m on here trying to talk baseball. Isn’t that the idea?

By Savannah Guy

August 5, 2007 11:45 AM | Link to this

Paladin: Just “when you post Go Braves I jump on you”…right. That’s more BS. Maybe you forgot, so I’ll remind you of your 9:04 post this very morning. Have you forgotten that? In just over two hours? Hey, it’s really no big deal, but you just keep on and on. On a blog, you are what you write. And you literally and continuously prod and poke. Your reason? Only you know.

Jawbreaking? Whoa. Whatever. But I’ll take you at your word tough guy. You might consider this: “when men run out of ideas, they fight”. By the way…chest bumping is a sports activity that in no way signifies disrespect. Quite the opposite. But I guess you didn’t know that. Whatever. I wish only the best for you and others. Really. So, let’s just move on and have a good day.

By \\\\\\\\\\BERIGAN//////////

August 5, 2007 11:49 AM | Link to this

If the crap said by Stinky last night against Wayne in Utah (and the Mormon faith)doesn’t get him banned, nothing will….

By Gil in Mechanicsville

August 5, 2007 11:52 AM | Link to this

Paladin I don’t remember mentioning your name, Guilty conscious?

By Paladin

August 5, 2007 11:57 AM | Link to this

And Gil, thanks for the report on the Richmond Braves. I hope that the “the Braves sold the farm to get Tex” types will read that Lillibridge—for one—is doing quite well, thank you; and the “farm” is alive and well.

By \\\\\\\\\\BERIGAN//////////

August 5, 2007 12:02 PM | Link to this

Well, the Diamondbacks have know managed to find 2 starters in the last few days!!! A lefty like Joe Kennedy would look pretty good right about now, wouldn’t he????

Kennedy was 3-9 with a 4.37 ERA in 27 games, 16 starts, with Oakland. He began the season in the A’s starting rotation but moved to the bullpen on July 6. The 28-year old left-hander posted a 4.03 ERA in his 16 starting assignments and a 6.94 ERA in 11 relief appearances. Kennedy was acquired by the A’s from Colorado at the 2005 All-Star Break and went 11-15 with a save and a 4.03 ERA in 85 games, including 24 starts, in an Oakland uniform.

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/diamondbacks/articles/0803dbnotes0804.html

By Paladin

August 5, 2007 12:05 PM | Link to this

Gil and SG, I’m “moving on”. Are y’all?

By Savannah Guy

August 5, 2007 12:08 PM | Link to this

Gil: Agreed…it is tripe. Unnecessary, stupid, silly tripe. Trust me, I know that as well as you my friend. There are times when we all stoop to debunking an insult or clearing the record, but it’s no reason to get bent out of shape. If you’ve never done it you are a better man than I. Anyway, said my peace and I’m over it. Nuff said.

Lew: Agreed. It is Sunday when peace should rein and joy should fill the air. I could not agree more. Mine started that way but was temporarily sidetracked. So, your good points were made and taken and wholeheartedly agreed with. And you made them so poetically. “The Shining” reference too. Nice.

By Lew

August 5, 2007 12:09 PM | Link to this

Y’all know what? Enough is enough. This is not the night shift. There are no bounding Trolls abounding. Trolls self cannibalize-regulars such as are here right now don’t-it’s time to grow up just a bit. Gil-Give us a minor league update. Savannah Guy-We need a fly on the wall report. Paladin-time for your high fiber cereal, my friend, the persecution complex thing does not wear well on you-you’re better than that. You’re a Bulldawg, Dude. Berigan speaks truth-nothing is going to happen with respect to offending posts-very few are deleted. Save the vitriol for the Trolls. Wait until the opportunity arises to bat them in the nose and quit eating each other. It’s not a beneficial dietary decision, nor is it Wurlitzer Worthy.

By Bob, Journalist

August 5, 2007 12:13 PM | Link to this

GoTigers72, lots of folks have said that about Eddie’s swing … The Georgia Peach being one.

I too like his swing and he appears to have a plan when he comes to the plate … my guess is that he may well become the best on a team with several fine hitters but … methinks he sometimes thinks a bit too much … as he has periods where he almost seems inept, beaten before he starts, so to speak. When he so does, it’s almost like his patient aggression is replaced with indecision as he tries to adjust and improve.

Kelly, Matt, Willie, Yunel … they’re something special!

I can’t agree with “anybody that says Bonds is looked down upon due to racism is ignorant” … most of those who so say are well aware that the vast majority of those who hold Bonds in disrepute so do for reasons other than race.

The technique is as despicable as it is simple and it belabors the obvious … but attempting to use the irrelevant to discredit those who oppose your agenda is the artifice of those who have no defense … it may be misdirection but it’s not ignorance.

You need not look to high profile situations to find this jaundiced defense mechanism at work … just read the blog entries of the parasites!

Carroll said that “title teams don’t lose this way” … you can dissect the team and losses in many ways … we’ll see.

By Savannah Guy

August 5, 2007 12:18 PM | Link to this

A little levity to transition my Sunday:

UCLA Psychiatry Study

A study conducted by UCLA’s Department of Psychiatry has revealed that the kind of man a woman finds attractive can differ depending on where she is in her menstrual cycle. For example: If she is ovulating, she is attracted to men with rugged and masculine features.

However, if she is menstruating or menopausal, she tends to be more attracted to a man with duct tape over his mouth and a spear lodged in his chest while he is on fire. No further studies are expected.

By Paladin

August 5, 2007 12:27 PM | Link to this

No,I didn’t get a chance to play many sports. During my prime years I was flyin’ airplanes and helpin’—they told me—keep this country free so that you can come on here and say anything you damn well please. I think it is only fair that I, now, get the same opportunity. But, enough of that.

Here is a little “topical” tidbit that I am going to throw in during “slow” time.

When I was in the service a “world-class” organization did a study. It was to determine the group(s) with the world’s best reflexes. Their findings:

1. Grand-Prix drivers. 2. Position-players in major league baseball. 3. Fighter/Attack Pilots.

You may, or may not,find that interesting and/or topical.

By \\\\\\\\\\BERIGAN//////////

August 5, 2007 12:29 PM | Link to this

Bob, Journalist,

I can’t find it now, but I read somewheres a few days ago were Kelly said the same thing, thinking too much! He would be late on a good fastball, and would convince himself that he can’t catch up with a good fastball…now he realizes that some days you are better than other days, and just tip your cap if a pitcher gets you out. Anyone read this? I thought it was on ESPN, but can’t find it now…

By Wayne in Utah

August 5, 2007 12:32 PM | Link to this

Berigan Sticks and stones, my friend, sticks and stones.

Now, I am off to church this morning with all my wives in tow. I shall miss part of the game due to my religious convictions, but I shall return to the fair blog for a late game update!

Lew How are you today, my friend? Dale is still looking great on my wall!

By Lew

August 5, 2007 12:32 PM | Link to this

Paladin-Do you know if Ted Williams drove Grand Prix cars, too?

By Salty

August 5, 2007 12:41 PM | Link to this

Berigan It was an AJC article on KJ the other day, I believe.

By Lew

August 5, 2007 12:42 PM | Link to this

Wayne-I’m doing just fine. The heat broke in Vermont last night. It is now 68 degrees with very low humidity (it was mid 90’s with 90% humidity all week and we have no AC). There is not a cloud in the sky and the Braves are on a one game winning streak. I just made a pot of sausage/chicken gumbo with lots of good veggies and peppers (got to love that protein and B vitamins). Life is good.

By Wayne in Utah

August 5, 2007 12:48 PM | Link to this

Paladin I think that the 4th and 5th groups on that list were 4th: Artists, and 5th: Traveling Commercial Salesmen.

:-)

By Paladin

August 5, 2007 12:50 PM | Link to this

Lew I always agree with you and SJA, for the same reason(s). And, as you told me when you and Grinch were duke(ing)it out: Don’t sweat it, dude, SG and I are the bestest of friends.

As for a Wurlitzer, I have my own. I crank it up every night and listen to my Al Jolson collection.

Now, if I can just find the SOB who put razor blades in my pablum, this morning.

By Coach (Hank Aaron Is The Real HR Champion)

August 5, 2007 12:59 PM | Link to this

May 14-14 , June 13-15 , July 13-13 , August 2-2 and the beat goes on……. only 51 more games of this nonsense.

By Paladin

August 5, 2007 1:03 PM | Link to this

Lew No, I don’t think the “Splendid Splinter” drove Grand-Prix cars, but he is my all-time hero because he wasa Marine Fighter/Attack Pilot. Had he not been, Barroid would be still chasing his record, and needle-in-the-@$$ boy wouldn’t even be close.

By Coach(Ted Williams SHOULD be the Home run King)

August 5, 2007 1:18 PM | Link to this

Guess who this is? :-) And PLEASE don’t banish me.

By TheSouthernJackAss

August 5, 2007 1:31 PM | Link to this

TheSouthernJackAss notices that there was excessive discord amongst the denizens of the ol’ MIB blog this morning—and to think…TheJackAss can’t be blamed…but I could care less about any of that…ditto the AJC…

I want to talk a bit about history—sort of uncanny in that Barry Bonds hits his 755th. homerun, which ties Hank Aaron’s last homerun, on the very same day that A-Rod hits his 500th. homerun—(and possibly the only exploit that Kyle Davies will ever be remembered for…serving up A-Rod’s 500th)…uncanny in that Bonds and A-Rod both achieved their respective milestones on the very same day…could be a subtle reminder that it might not be long until Alex will be sitting where Bonds is sitting now…and Bonds will be sitting where Hank is sitting now…and Hank will be…but another distant memory…

But none of that is relevant to my main thought—I want to talk about hypocrites…hypocritical Bud Selig and MLB, who are now behaving as if they have enough proof that Bonds used illegal, performance-enhancing substances, that at this time in history, they are trying to distance themselves from Barry Bonds…hypocritical in that Bud Selig and MLB seemed to have no problem when Barry Bonds, Sammy Sosa, Mark McWire, or the likes of Rafael Palmeiro, were sending baseballs into outer space, and fans were filling stadiums to watch the launches…all for the sake of “saving the game”…

Hypocritical in that Bud Selig and MLB should have acted on that proof, and prevented Barry Bonds from getting this far…if they have that proof, that is…and the hypocritical fans…treating Barry Bonds with utter disdain, but not until he started getting within reach of beloved Hank Aaron’s record…very selective disdain indeed…hardly based upon principle…

Chicks dig the long-ball…and so do all those hypocritical fans—so don’t point your long, bony fingers of blame at the players for using illegal, performance-enhancing substances—point those fingers of blame at Bud Selig and MLB for knowingly allowing players, who were believed to have been using these substances, to fill stadiums, and to fill pockets with profits…point those fingers of blame at all those fans who paid to see, and cheered on, all those performance enhanced long-balls which left the yard…

What a pathetic display on the part of Bud Selig yesterday as Bonds sailed that baseball into MLB history…pathetic in the sense that a MLB record had been tied…and ol’ Bud is the chief representative of MLB…matters not who tied that record…Selig should have at the least acknowledged that a MLB record had been tied by “someone” out of respect for MLB…instead of acting like an ol’ drunk, confused hobo who had just been awakened from a drunken stupor by an approaching train whistle, while helplessly lying in the middle of the tracks!…

So if TheJackAss’s post is too long for you…scroll past it…if it’s not your cup of tea…don’t drink it…if you don’t agree with it…who cares?…I personally dislike both Barry Bonds and A-Rod equally, but I do enjoy a good baseball game…

By David O'Brien

August 5, 2007 1:37 PM | Link to this

I’m home, honey. NEW BLOG, denizens.

By Robert (Justice Is The Best)

August 5, 2007 1:38 PM | Link to this

Berigan, I’m with you about Joe Kennedy and Kim. How did these guys go without the Braves laying a claim. Both of those guys are better than our current #5 option.

By Chase

August 5, 2007 1:45 PM | Link to this

COACH

I still believe that *BABE RUTH is the REAL HR CHAMPION!!!

I mean come on, I love Hank and he is a Brave but… It took him almost 2500 MORE At Bats to get to 714 than it did for RUTH

That is around 5-6 more seasons…

Could you imagine if Ruth had not pitched the first 6 years of his career or if he had had 2500 more at bats!

Also when he did it the Ballparks were HUGE!

By Metropolitan Man

August 5, 2007 2:03 PM | Link to this

Chase: I posted around 10, 10:30 this morning. Not hiding one bit. Why would I? I went to bed and the METS were in 1st, woke up this morning and what do you know, they were still in 1st. I blog when I can, (mostly at work) so dont look for me after every win and lost, Im not THAT type of fan. However I see you guys go looking for METS fans when they lose and this blog gets quiet after fans finish venting immediately after a braves lost. Dont throw stones man……

KC: My info comes from a buddy who attends games and is a resident of Texas. I TALK live baseball with people, not just net baseball. Dont be upset becasue I relayed a fans opinion of Tex who has seen him play on a daily basis compared to braves fans who hasnt heard his name since he left GT. Of course all of this will be proven by the end of the season whether he is clutch or my buddy’s scouting report has any merit.

Chase, I could have buried the braves when they played sorry stretches but saved the blog from my venom. Dont get it twisted, I know the rules here and who is thick skinned and who needs a pacifier. You guys make good points but the personal attacts have got to stop…..one day

LETS GO METS and Rox for 1 day!!!!

By Metropolitan Man

August 5, 2007 2:15 PM | Link to this

Chase, Ruth played in parks where there were mostly no walls. If you get the ball over the outfielders head, you got to run for days and we all know he didnt have any wheels. So we cant even include what Ruth had done until we can prove he wasnt on those steroids they used for horses!!!!

By Bob, Journalist

August 5, 2007 2:40 PM | Link to this

BERIGAN, apologies for being a bit late in responding … I would think that the frequency and nature of participation by many are related to the environs and that the current state of ours is less conducive than is desirable … I for one certainly do find that to be the case.

Most Honorable Southern is held in disrepute by many, friends and foes alike … that’s understandable because of his style and history.

I can’t speak for others but while he may on occasion disappoint, I hold him in high regard as a blogger and bona fide member of the 3 digit club … Most Honorable is flawed as are we all but his flaws are no worse than mine and he knows when I disapprove … the Blog is certainly in disrepair but it is not he who makes it unpleasant for me.

Neither can I speak for him but methinks we share a mutual disdain for the insidious parasites now plaguing the Blog.

By Savannah Guy

August 7, 2007 12:56 AM | Link to this

Paladin: This note to you is to clear the air and make peace. Recently you brought up your service as a fighter pilot again. I don’t think that the timing was particularly good to bring that out, due to “blog repartee” timing and circumstances. Sort of like “I just got in a public fight and I want everyone to know that yesterday I saved a bunch of kids from a burning bus…therefore, whatever you think has to be over-laid with that”. See what I mean? I’m sure you didn’t mean it that way, but it could be interpreted as such.

Regardless, I Don’t know if you ever remember seeing it, but when you first came onto the blog, I called you out. Yep, I called you a “hero” for serving our country…and I thanked you for your sacrifice and the risk that you took for all who love this country. I sincerely meant it then and still do. Back in the day, while you were defending our country and/or fighting a just cause, I was a longhaired hippy surfer, going to college…chasing women, waves and knowledge. Not as a foggy “dude”, but as a thinking, peace loving and idealistic young man. Was I naive? Absolutely. Did I possess historical context and perspective? Partly. I protested the war in Vietnam and I still believe it was a wrong war…but that it was started for the right and just reasons. The politicians botched it mid way.

That war became a political football and a cultural divider. It was tragic. Mostly, it was tragic how this country treated our fighting men when they returned. It is also known how history repeats itself. Today we have a very “just cause” against despotism and terrorism, yet the politicos are back at it from both sides of the aisles. This time more absurdly than Vietnam, because with WMD’s, the world is so much smaller and the risk is greater.

Regardless of my beliefs back in those days, I always held those that served in high esteem, even though I disagreed with how the war was being managed. My college roommate (not forced but chosen) was a tail-gunner in a chopper squadron in ‘nam. He was shot down and within minutes of being murdered as he lay wounded in a rice patty, before recon scooped him up and med-vacced him out and to safety. He spent a year in hospital before getting out and rejoining his life and college. He became a great friend. My friends (surfers all) and I were in the minority of people our age that not only befriended, but supported our brothers in arms…even though we didn’t hold those arms, risk our lives or fight with them.

That said, my passionate and sincere belief back then and now, is that the warriors, those that put themselves in harms way, from start to finish, fought it for the right reasons. In Vietnam just as today in Afghanistan and Iraq, the soldiers by air, land and sea fight valiantly for the highest of causes…freedom and as a barrier to the spread of communism then and terrorism now. Those that go have the “right stuff”. They are heros.

That brings us to today…fast-forward to today. Here we are, you became a citizen…and years later, a denizen of this blog. You got off to a rough start as was duly noted by many and by your own admission. I didn’t really think too much of it…many (if not all) here, including myself, got off on a bad foot, so to speak. The medium is basically anonymous, we have our political opinions and, in the heat of the moment or the whim of the hour, we blurt out things we would not consider saying…right there in front of the world (which is commendable) and the baseball blog (which is not). It’s really just part of the “break in” to this brave new world called “blog”- in this case and specifically…pro sports blogs. Like emails…it is so easy to say things without considering the consequences.

The Internet, emails and blog posts are amazing and wonderful…but the “real time” aspects and anonymous nature of blogs are inherently fraught with the posting of sentiments that are contrary to who we are and how we normally treat one another. It is a medium that must be treated with some modicum of respect and reflection prior to pushing “send” or “post”.

So, why am I writing this long note? Because I wanted to let you know that I think you are a good guy and a solid citizen. I think you know why I had to correct what you said that I said, blah, blah and etc. Being misquoted is a hot button, especially when the misquote hangs such a negative tag on me and is contrary to who I am as a person. Regardless of any of that stupid stuff, it’s all just so unimportant in the grand scheme of things isn’t it? You obviously enjoy hanging here, others enjoy you here (as I do) and I would not want that to change that…or you, or it, one bit.

The words I said were correct and accurate, but they were said in the context of a place (a forum) that is literal and unfeeling. I am not a cruel person, I am not competitive with those kinds of debate/argumentative issues and I truly regret that I didn’t just let you swing away, even if I didn’t deserve it. I could and should have just ducked, or said a few words that were not so pointed, and moved on. Please forgive me for that.

I’m sure you are a great husband, father, uncle and friend. I’m also sure that you are a great American and a good man. Those are the things that count most. We’ll get the hang of this blogging denizen thing. If not, we will still be just fine as citizens and as people. Take good care and peace to you.