Braves

By Stephen

August 13, 2007 7:31 PM | Link to this

Willie in center, Diaz in left. -_-

By PutMeInCoach

August 13, 2007 7:32 PM | Link to this

First or Last! Another great blog DOB.

By Dr. Jay

August 13, 2007 7:36 PM | Link to this

Nope…don’t care about Barry one iota, DOB. So, goodnight, goodnight Melonhead.

Yes, a 5-1 tear is what we need, and I hope someone pastes McKeon’s comments on a wall somewhere in the Braves clubhouse. Time to play ball with a little attitude.

By keylargo25

August 13, 2007 7:41 PM | Link to this

Thanks for the new blog. My computer is just now unlocking from a failed attempt to download a thousand posts on the last one. Martin Prado. He needs to be gone. I remember him playing bullfighter with two ground balls at second base and jumping out of the way just before he was sent back down last time. Then last night he is so scared of a collision with Rollins he lets the throw get past him into centerfield. Just gutless. I bet Glenn Hubbard was thinking “what’s this chicken sh!t doing to my position”.

By Ron Roberts

August 13, 2007 7:44 PM | Link to this

I don’t understand, frankly, why MLB is making the Giants and Pirates even play those two games tonight. They’ll obviously have no bearing on a playoff spot. That’s a curious situation they’re being put through.

I like your spin on this week. But I think, after the SF series, the Mets and Phls catch a break while we have the D-backs, before hitting the road to play the same Cincinatti team we couldn’t beat at home, then a suddenly-relevant St. Louis ballclub (5.5 games behind the Brewers, all of a sudden). The Phils and Mets both play the Nats and Pirates, both on the road, but still, neither of those teams are as good as the D-backs. Ehh, nobody thought the Fish would take 2 of 3 in Shea, either, so that’s why they play ‘em, right?

Sure would be nice to put together a nice 5-1 homestand followed by a 6-1 roadtrip. We haven’t had a nice stretch since our 7-1 start.

Here’s hoping your optimistic view plays out.

By Carolina Lady

August 13, 2007 7:45 PM | Link to this

Carry-over from last blog:

The only street name for BobJ has to be “Hot Tub.”

By gg

August 13, 2007 7:47 PM | Link to this

Why is everyone going on and on about the Braves and pennant fever. I am a huge Braves fan, but they are just one game over.500 since the all-star break. With the talent on this team, it should be much better than it’s record. They continue to blow leads late, they continue to score early and then score no more. Will someone explain to me how the Braves can even get into the playoffs much less win in the playoffs. Soriano can get anyone out, Wicky is just a lard a* that isn’t consistent, Dotel-well he is hurt. Our starters are terrible. Smoltz is questionable each night. I mean give the credit for going out and trying. Hudson is our only reliable starter. Carlyisle has heart but nothing else…i just don’t see it man.

By Carolina Lady

August 13, 2007 7:48 PM | Link to this

Barry has home runs?? How many are unassisted?

By The Grinch

August 13, 2007 7:49 PM | Link to this

JJS, I’m thinkin’ “H-Tubb,” “Dub-Tubb,” or “Tubby-B.” “B-Mac” is already taken.

Y’all quit talking about Mother’s, I’m on an excersize and training regimen. :-)

Does anyone here know how Andruw’s average stays over .200? Not trying to pile on or anything, but it seems to me he’s had like 4 hits since the all-star break (and he damn sure wasn’t tearing it up before). Langerhaans hit more often than ‘druw does and his avg. was well under .200. Just curious.

By Ron Roberts

August 13, 2007 7:50 PM | Link to this

DO’B… you mentioned the Mapleleaf Restaurant. Truly a brilliant concept in an all-night party town. You can go there late-nights and order a terrific prime rib if you’re out that late. I haven’t had the chance, myself, but I hear great things about it. Oh, and they advertise w/my company’s stations, so I hear the commercials all the time. :)

By Carolina Lady

August 13, 2007 7:55 PM | Link to this

gg, hope springs eternal and stranger things have happened.

By Ron Roberts

August 13, 2007 7:56 PM | Link to this

The Grinch… if you venture to Mother’s you can eat somewhat healthy. They make a decent grilled chicken salad, but they use that blase’ iceberg lettuce that’s all too often very bright green/white and sometimes uses a lot of the “heel” of the lettuce head. It’s space-filler, really; nothing of any nutritional value, there. The greener the leaf, the higher the nutrients, or so I’m told. So I just get a grilled shrimp po’boy when I decide to eat there. Damn fine.

There’s a Quizno’s around the corner from my office, too. I usually go there for salads and/or grilled chicken sammiches. :) Hard to believe there’d be a chain sandwich shop in the central business district of New Orleans, but for convenience and healthy eatings sake, it’s a godsend. And there really aren’t as many food options within walking distance as it is.

By StingerSplash

August 13, 2007 7:58 PM | Link to this

Time is of the essence. The team that was once 24-12 needs to play to that level again and soon. There’s no reason why it can’t, other than they have No. 5 starter, Soriano can’t keep the ball in the park, the back-end help they got at the trade deadline is on the shelf, their all-star caliber shortstop has one leg, their all-world center fielder has a bad elbow and can’t hit his weight, but I mean, other than that …. Still, that 24-12 team didn’t have the firepower this team has now and as we have seen with the Yankees, if you can bludgeon people, you still have a chance.

By TexasBrave

August 13, 2007 7:59 PM | Link to this

Carolina Lady that’s just cold, true, but cold. : )

By StingerSplash

August 13, 2007 8:00 PM | Link to this

Wilson Betemit just homered - again. What did we get for him, besides some Dodger Dogs?

By Eric from MO

August 13, 2007 8:00 PM | Link to this

GG “Why is everyone going on and on about the Braves and pennant fever.”

Well we are only 1.5 games out of the playoffs. Plus with we have the best lineup in the N.L. Plus with Hudson and Smoltz that almost guarentees us three wins in a series. Also last years champion was only 2 games above .500 after the season.

By Braveheart

August 13, 2007 8:01 PM | Link to this

Bobby Mac can be Tubbs and Lew Crockett.

By dadgum

August 13, 2007 8:03 PM | Link to this

I will go so far as to say the Braves will not make the playoffs unless they can go 5-1 on this homestand. I mean really folks you play the freaking Giants and DBacks at home. Come on…go 5-1 or stay home. Tourney teams win these games. Watch Bobby Cox throw some weird lineup out there during the homestand. Something on the order of Corky Miler at catcher then also give Andruw or Chipper the same night off. Gonna happen. Promise. Also Willie Harris needs to be considered the top LF on this team. Period. Regardless of what Diaz is doing he should be second fiddle to Harris. Pray Renteria gets back SOON. Real soon. Not enough good pitching to make up for the gaffs. Smoltz said as much last night on ESPN. I agree with him.

By gg

August 13, 2007 8:04 PM | Link to this

Give Andruw credit for going out each night and battling. I know his average is terrible, but he is obviously hurt and when you see how he got hurt (making a catch up on the wall), you can’t really blame him. I mean, it wasn’t like he was riding a motorcyle and got in a wreck. However, with his recent struggles, might it make sense to put Willie out there and Diaz in left and let Andruw rest his shoulder? just a thought.

By Paladin

August 13, 2007 8:05 PM | Link to this

Did you notice how the “first” on the new blog is rarely a name you recognize. They must wait in line.

BobJ I missed your comments on bands and symphonies on the earlier blog. Why dont we get together and attend a symphony? It isan’t that far from Lynchburg to Nashville.

Ron Roberts You made me hungry with your talk of “po-boys”. I like them almost as much as I like muffulettas. With a bottle of that rootbeer that I never can remember the name of, but which is in the cooler. Enjoy!

By Braveheart

August 13, 2007 8:09 PM | Link to this

DO’B… you mentioned the Mapleleaf Restaurant. Truly a brilliant concept in an all-night party town. You can go there late-nights and order a terrific prime rib if you’re out that late. I haven’t had the chance, myself, but I hear great things about it. Oh, and they advertise w/my company’s stations, so I hear the commercials all the time. :)

You’re a shameless company man Roberts. Glad to hear you like your job though. They should give you a bonus for that one. :o>

By hk

August 13, 2007 8:09 PM | Link to this

… amazing, Braves lead league in batting avg at .278 (Colo .277 Phila .276)

… latest hitter ‘MVP’ ratings …

Projected Runs - HR - RBI - Last Week - Now

Chipper - 100 - 26 - 91 - 208 - 217

Andruw - 85 - 29 - 102 - 221 - 216

Frenchy - 84 - 19 - 104 - 209 - 207

Johnson - 96 - 18 - 91 - 195 - 205

Renteria - 102 - 15 - 73 - 196 - 189

McCann - 52 - 16 - 92 - 162 - 161

Thorman - 45 - 14 - 47 - 110 - 106

Diaz - 41 - 12 - 44 - 96 - 97

Harris - 60 - 1 - 33 - 95 - 95

Team Average - 173 - 173

… Chipper back in the lead, despite many less at-bats:

http://www.mindspring.com/~hk3/newton.htm

By Carolina Lady

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

TexasBrave, I hope that was in reference to Barry…. :-)

By MariettaJoe

August 13, 2007 8:14 PM | Link to this

Ryan Adams article is here.

By ncscoots

August 13, 2007 8:15 PM | Link to this

Street Name: Jay-Bob Dollar (General). The man be having twice as much cred at 50-Cent (411, the man be eat up with cred, just eat UP!), and ALWAYS, say ALWAYS, be strapped with a Glock coathanger. Bad man. Ricky OUT!

On another note, no transition needed…CL, I’m sorry, but I have a bone to pick with you. How dare you allow yourself to become ill? I find that a wholly unacceptable state of affairs, and I don’t need a pole to know the temper of the blog in this matter. So you just get…your…self well, there, missy.

Don’t MAKE me come over there.

OR send R. Lee Ermey.

By StingerSplash

August 13, 2007 8:18 PM | Link to this

Hide the women and children. OK, hide the aging groupies and the Metamucil - Van Halen is back! Eddie, Alex, David and … Wolfgang? Does this mean Claudell Washington is signing with the Braves?

By Alan

August 13, 2007 8:20 PM | Link to this

gg’s 7:47 post hits it right on the head. The Braves are barely playing .500 ball since the break, and in fact since the first week of the season. That simply isn’t going to cut it. And what’s their record since Tex and Mahay got here? And they split their 6-game road trip against the Mets and the Phils. If anyone doesn’t think that’s exasperating, he/she is in la-la land. I won’t go so far as some who claim only 5-1 will do againt the Giants and the D-Backs, but 4-2 is a must. This team really, really has to step up. And frankly, it’s about time for Andruw to step down already. If he’s too hurt to swing the bat, he shouldn’t be in the lineup. He probably should be on the DL. He’s hurting the team, that’s for sure.

By Braveheart

August 13, 2007 8:21 PM | Link to this

Wilson Betemit just homered - again. What did we get for him, besides some Dodger Dogs?

Stop it. We got a season’s worth of the joy of watching the beauty of Billy Bob Woodward and a half season of Pete Orr. Plus, we got to learn what teams do with players on their 40 man rosters who go AWOL on ya.

Anyone else find it peculiar that Lohan, Spears, Richie and that whole Hollywood coke, speed, & smack crew have been to to more rehabs since April than Aybar but Aybar has spent more time in rehab than all of them combined?

Maybe it’s a good sign that he is taking it seriously and doing it, most importantly, for himself and not just doing some token effort to please others and to look good because it’s the IN thing to do to say you went to rehab. Hoping for the best for Willy. Still mad at him though but hoping for the best for him.

By gg

August 13, 2007 8:21 PM | Link to this

Eric from MO: I think our lineup is very good but did you see how last night and Sunday night they failed to put up any more runs late. Friday night, first ining-four runs just like that and then none after. Last night, two runs just like that and then one more after. We can sit around and claim how good our batting line up is but until it can figure out how to add on runs, it’s just what it is, the best lineup…on paper. I mean last night, those pitchers were not what i would even call quality starters and relievers and we still couldn’t do anything..imagine what it will be like against quality pitchers. And then when we do score lots of runs, our relievers blow it. I hope I’m wrong, but i don’t even see us making the playoffs.

By Paladin

August 13, 2007 8:22 PM | Link to this

I can’t get anybody to talk to me, and statistics, like computer jargon, stupefy me. I’m going to bed.

By The Grinch

August 13, 2007 8:23 PM | Link to this

RR, I’m not the kind of person that can go into a killer restaurant and order a salad (unless it’s a prelude to something more important), especially if I’m in a din of iniquity like the big easy. And I don’t care for iceburg, either. I tend to just eat what I want and spend more time in the gym. And truthfully I’m still fat, just muscular underneath. :-) Seems like I almost always post about four spots under you in the Falcons blog; happened again today.

Paladin, you and Tubbs better make sure to go to an afternoon show…and who will drive? I sense an engaged left turn signal forgotten for the duration…

By senior circuit

August 13, 2007 8:24 PM | Link to this

For you stats people out there, is Andruw having, arguably, the worst year in history for a clean up hitter (until recently, he was) for a pennant contender? Seriously, look at his “internals.” Also, would you rather have Smoltz, Hudson, or AJ at bat in a critical situation?

By David-ATL14

August 13, 2007 8:31 PM | Link to this

Great call on the tune DOB, May I suggest some summer Tv viewing.

I know you are keeping up with Rescue Me and Damages this summer, those are two top flight series, a third for your consideration.

Mad Men on AMC, strangely enough, considering it’s not a classic movie but a “period time piece” that takes place in an Ad agency. Written by some of the underlings from David Chase tree, that worked on the Sopranos.

Best dialogue on TV. it’s 4 episodes in to the arc,I’m sure it is probably available on Demand.

Give it a try you won’t be disappointed. it’s normal air time is Thursday’s at 10:00P. Reruns seems in plentiful supply.

By dadgum

August 13, 2007 8:35 PM | Link to this

Just got back from vacation and just couldn’t turn around and drive two hours to see DBT’s and The Allman Brothers in Norfolk. Frankly the Allmans have disappointed the last two times I have seen them and well the BBT’s are suppose to be great but couldn’t really risk the Allmans being anything but great. If they had been in Richmond (of course nobody is) I would have definitely taken it in. I have pulled up DBT’s on You Tube and they sound pretty good. Obviously nothing like live though.

By Carolina Lady

August 13, 2007 8:37 PM | Link to this

scoots, love you, too. Thanks, my friend. I really believe that all will be well. May be rather drawn out, but that’s OK, too.

By ncscoots

August 13, 2007 8:51 PM | Link to this

CL…well, OK, then. As you say, and make it so. Glad you checked back in with me quickly, thought I was gonna miss Bridezillas. Ha!

By Salty

August 13, 2007 8:53 PM | Link to this

CL Ma’am…that was a classic ‘Barry’ dig! You can be quite the stinker when you have a mind to do so! :-)

By Bob, Journalist

August 13, 2007 9:01 PM | Link to this

Ron Roberts, I don’t eat red meat very often … neither do I … the secret is to cook the meat … it changes color!

Regarding street names, I’ve been known to answer to “hey you” back in the day I was known as Bullitt

By Carolina Lady

August 13, 2007 9:10 PM | Link to this

Salty, there may be juuuust a hint of mischievousness now and then…. (innocent smile, blink, blink)

OK. Actually quite a lot! :-)))

By Eric from MO

August 13, 2007 9:10 PM | Link to this

gg “last night, those pitchers were not what i would even call quality starters” You dont think Jamie Moyer is a quality starter. Where have you been the last 15 years? The guy is a multiple all-star. There is a reason he is in his 40’s and still in the bigs. He knows how to pitch. Granted his ERA is 4.5 but in that ballpark that is actually not that bad. As for Friday, when you go out and get your pitcher a 4 run lead in the first and then gives it right back in the bottom half that is going to kill any offense.

Also you didnt even say anything to defend yourself about the Cards. Part of your arguement was the Braves were only 1 game over .500 since the all-star break. Well the Cards were under .500 after the all-star break last year but their fans never gave up on the team. You all should come to Busch Stadium and see some real fans. Not just fair weather fans like you. I visited Atlanta 2 years ago and thought it must of been an off night with fans because the ballpark was only half full and there was no cheering. Then I talked to a security guard and he said that was normal.

Well back to my point, the best team rarely wins the World Series anymore. That is why we have pennent fever.

By The Grinch

August 13, 2007 9:14 PM | Link to this

“Bullitt Bob!” I love it. Drives a green ‘68 Mustang fastback with an AARP bumper sticker. Hee-hee!

By Carolina Lady

August 13, 2007 9:18 PM | Link to this

Grinch, 9:14 - LOL!!!

By paul

August 13, 2007 9:18 PM | Link to this

I read somewhere that andrew’s elbow has been bothering hom since late may then I read somewhere that bobby aaid that andrew had never told him that that the elbow was causing his oerformance to suffer.do not these two ever talk . cannot bobby see some is wrong with andrew. we cannot sit andrew at 100% however i think we can ewplXW nsrew at 50$

By vegas bravezz fan

August 13, 2007 9:23 PM | Link to this

Smoltz said it best during conversation with Jon Miller, and Joe Morgan. “the Braves are losing to many close games, and not stealing enough wins”

By JJMB

August 13, 2007 9:24 PM | Link to this

I’m glad Bonds broke the record. He did it the old-fashioned American way. Cheat like a MF, don’t get caught, and reap the rewards.

Oh yeah, and stick it YOUR FACE!

By journalist jimmy smith

August 13, 2007 9:24 PM | Link to this

“quite the stinker”? that would be an appropriate street name for carolina lady, right? and if journalist bob is not fit, journalist bob can be hot tubby. if, however, journalist bob has been on a weight and diet training regimen like rr, then perhaps the street name can be shortened to hot tub. hot tub daddy?

grinch is right, left blinker all the way. and stops. plenty of stops.

now, baseball … andruw is much like the whale shark floating to the top of the tank … will bobby remove andruw before andruw falls to the bottom of the tank???? oh, the humanity!

and this elbow injury. tattoo related? did not hear from doc on this matter.

and who is missing tonight? someone has been banned. any ideas? this journalist would miss rosalynn. besides, rosalynn has secret service protection and is a friend of anne cox chambers. probably not rosalynn.

and speaking of anne cox chambers? no longer in the middle of the tank, herself. same age as liberace. same shoe size.

and that is not liber ace if your wondering out there, hippocrite. an better spellers … this blog should do some community service an help people become better spellers. who will voluntere?

By BravesDave

August 13, 2007 9:24 PM | Link to this

Uh oh…don’t look now, but the Giants are catching fire at just the wrong time as far as the Braves are concerned. They had been dominated by the Pirates in four straight games, but now they have a 6-1 lead late tonight. If they get hot, it could be a tough series for the Braves.

I hope everyone can sense the sarcasm here. Seriously, if the Braves split this homestand against the Giants and DBacks, like they just split the road trip, they are in trouble. I have been commenting on the need for a streak of wins for some time now and the Braves have not pulled it off. No time like the present.

By flange1

August 13, 2007 9:26 PM | Link to this

DOB,

Thanks for the new blog. The sentiment and the song remind me after the last few days why I read this thing!

By Julia

August 13, 2007 9:44 PM | Link to this

Lyle was a porker, too, when he and I first met. I INSISTED he go on a weight and diet training regimen and Lyle took off those horrible little rolls of fat around his waist and puffy little buttocks. I think they are called shrimp sammich handles :). Anyway, Lyle used to be on the radio, too, and most all those radio people have those big ol’ BELLIES and lots of GAS. Makes me CRAZY to think about it. CRAZY!!!

By A--ville Ranger

August 13, 2007 9:51 PM | Link to this

DOB—— Me thinks perhaps Rose is a metaphor for Ryan’s substance dependent past.Then again it could be some girl in Albuquerque.Either way I wish him the best of bright mornings.

By chrisklob

August 13, 2007 9:55 PM | Link to this

Just catching up on the end of the last blog and the start of this one after a long, hot day at the office…..

Mo, no problem. It was a legitimate question. Oh, and I caught three large mouth bass. One baby and two in the three pound range. There is a series of small, man-made lakes near my home. It’s nice to be able to get out and spend a couple of hours walking the banks of a lake in a nearly deserted park.

Carolina Lady, instead of burying said horse, you could have had it butchered and sent to some country that believes in eating that kind of meat. After the beating that horse has taken lately, the meat would have been most tender!

Thank you for pointing out to DOB about the disgusting poster from yesterday evening. Very little offends me personally, but that type of language is not suitable for a family blog like this one.

TampaBrave, I like your list of heroes (I think that’s what you called it, at least something similar). Amazingly similar to mine. As a Cowboys fan from around the age of six or so, Staubach was always (and still is) at the top of my list.

keylargo, you might want to try the web browser from Mozilla called Firefox. It’s a free download and is much, much faster that IE. It literally takes about five seconds to reload those really long blogs like the last one. I’ve recommended it so many times the past few days I should be getting commission, but alas, I’m not.

By JD

August 13, 2007 10:05 PM | Link to this

Any word on Andruw’s MRI on the elbow?

By Herschel Talker

August 13, 2007 10:05 PM | Link to this

Where all the white women at?

By A--ville Ranger

August 13, 2007 10:14 PM | Link to this

BravesDave If we can’t handle the SF Pigmys at home we’re not worthy anyway.At some point you have to take care of business,if not now when ?

By Ricky Bobby

August 13, 2007 10:14 PM | Link to this

If you’re not first, you’re last

SHAKE AND BAKE

By h_charles

August 13, 2007 10:18 PM | Link to this

This team is missing that intangible something. Yes, we are 1.5 out. Yes, we are only 3 away from the Mets. However, we strangely miss that winning vibe — that ability to find a way to win close games.

Braves teams of yore had a bit less talent than the competition, but we always found away to drive in that late run and win 1 run games.

This team is the polar opposite. With the trades we made, we now are as good or bettr as anyone else in the NL. This year (and last) we find ways to lose games, however. I’m not sure what it is. Perhaps it is too many young guys that don’t yet know how to win. Perhaps it is just a mediocre back-end of the rotation and an overtaxed bullpen. Three times a week though this team finds some way to blow a game they could have won. Either its an error opening the floodgates, a bullpun meltdown, or Andruw once again appearing at the plate with runners on late.

Unless we can find away to turn that vibe in our favor, however, there will be no postseason. What separates the playoff team from the near miss is really only a few games you could have won here or there. This season has seen the Braves on the losing end almost every time. That must change, and soon.

By David O'Brien

August 13, 2007 10:20 PM | Link to this

Ron Roberts, didn’t even know about the all-night food. I guess in the times back when we were frequenting that joint, that was about the last things on our minds. I just remember great, great music there in the wee hours. From Tip’s to Mapleleaf, with various stops along the way. What a town…

MariettaJoe, you’re the man. Thanks for linking. You music heads should read it. Dude’s pretty close to genius, if he ain’t one period. Brilliant songwriter.

By TampaBrave

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

chrisklob

I like guys with character.

By David O'Brien

August 13, 2007 10:27 PM | Link to this

Grinch, other locals: If you want to eat at a dive restaurant with food that can compete with ANYTHING you’d get in N’awlins or anywhere else, I’d strongly recommend Havana Sandwich Shop on Buford Highway, just a half-block south of N. Druid Hills Road. It’s flat-out phenomenal, and we just got out of there for $21, and that’s two big plates of food, plus two chicken/jalapeno empanadas on the side. It’s one of my favorite Atlanta places for great food, no pretense, on the same level of quality food and laid-back atmosphere as Six Feet Under, or the original Flying Biscuit for breakfast (the Southern Scramble there is the best thing on the menu, has collard greens in it and they’re done perfectly. Grits are great there).

At Havana, try the beef roast plate, comes buried under grilled onions, with black beans and rice on the side, and an order of Cuban bread. Phenomenal. But you can’t go wrong with the Cuban sandwiches there. The real thing. Seriously, as good as any I had in Miami while living in South Florida.

By journalist jimmy smith

August 13, 2007 10:30 PM | Link to this

journalist was reminded tonight of jimmy smith’s days as an entertainer. not many bloggers know that jimmy smith was once a pip - not a starter, but a backup pip. can remember many times shuffling and do-wahing to rainy night in georgia and other favorites. pipping was very important to this now-journalist a few years back, but now journalism is jimmy smith’s life. when will dob give journalist another shot at the big time? must we wait for the old journalist to expire? like a giraffe? like a wrestler? like cheese left on a radiator overnight? sometimes this journalist misses being a pip, but it was all for the best when gladys came by and said what gladys said. what did gladys say? all jimmy smith can say is jimmy smith is gladys over.

By journalist jimmy smith

August 13, 2007 10:33 PM | Link to this

word to the wise: stay off the elevator with dob!

By Braveheart

August 13, 2007 10:36 PM | Link to this

Paladin, you and Tubbs better make sure to go to an afternoon show…and who will drive? I sense an engaged left turn signal forgotten for the duration…

Oh, Grinch, that is gonna be one Odd Couple episode you’re not gonna wanna miss. Paladin will forget that he is in a car and not a fighter plane.

Paladin will show up in his leather bomber jacket. As Bob is getting in the car, Paladin will throw him an extra bomber jacket, and tell Bob no one flies in my plane solider without wearing one of these. Then Paladin will strap on his helmet and goggles and pass a helmet and goggles over to Bob and say put ‘em on soldier.

Then Paladin will start flicking all the buttons on the dashboard. Then they will sit there for 15 minutes. When Bob asks what are we waiting for, Paladin will say I am waiting to be cleared for takeoff, do you think we just hop in one of these things the government paid millions of dollars to make and fly right off? Come on, don’t be ridiculous. With your concern about wasted government expenditures, I should not need to explain that to you. Then Paladin will all of a sudden speed off.

Periodically, he will make announcements into a microphone he has in the car to talk to the passengers that are not there except for Bob. Every so often, he will flirt with a stewardess he pretends is in the backseat of the cockpit of his car.

Since he is the Have Gun, Will Travel guy, and he tends to get testy over any perceived slight, any time a driver cuts him off or looks at him the wrong way, the old fighter pilot will get road rage and start shooting at people, screaming “Take that Charlie!”

Bob will keep preaching at him the whole time, demanding he change his bad behavior. Bob will never allow him to turn left. Bob will keep saying right, right, right like my political leanings.

Paladin will keep saying listen here wingman, I’m Maverick, and unless you wanna go down like Goose did, you betta understand I take orders from no wingman. Wingmen are to be seen but not heard. And then he will turn around to the stewardess he pretends is there and say that goes for you too ma’am. Paladin tolerates no backseat drivers. Got that sweetheart?

Then Paladin will start pulling stunts and showing off. He’ll keep saying to Bob, let’s buzz the tower and then veer repeatedly at and away from telephone poles, with Bob in the passenger seat watching his life flash before his eyes. Then Paladin will ask him, ever wanna know what it’s like to break the sound barrier as he revs the engine up and starts going as fast as he can. Then he’ll start shaking the wheel and swerving the car to and fro and saying uh, oh Bob, we got ourselves alot of turbulence here. Then when Bob says what are you doing you madman, Paladin will say oh, come on Bob, I’m trying to shake the wheels off this sucker to show you what it’s like to land with only one wheel. Could be worse Bob, I could be showing you what it’s like to land without an engine.

Then Paladin will put the car on cruise control and take his hands off the wheel and say we’re going on auto pilot now Bob, looks like smooth sailing from here on out, I need a powernap. When Bob objects, Paladin will throw him a Fisher Price toy wheel and say, don’t like it, then you fly the plane wingman.

Then finally, they’ll get to their desired destination, have lunch, go to the orchestra, and enjoy their time together much to their shared surprise. But when Paladin offers Bob a ride back home, Bob will say no, I think I’ll walk. Ron Roberts has me on a rigorous weight, diet, and training regimen.

Paladin will feel insulted so Bob will feel obliged to reluctantly take a ride back. Paladin will behave on the way back and ask Bob as they are pulling into Bob’s drive, you had a good time on the way there, didn’t ya? To which, Bob will reply yes, as a matter of fact, I did. Then they will make cheesy made for television knowing grins of shared newfound understanding and appreciation for each other as the orchestra music plays on Paladin’s car radio speakers which are as weak as clock radio speakers.

Having enjoyed their time together, Bob will invite Paladin in for dinner but then shock Paladin by sprinting towards the hot tub and saying last one in is a rotten egg as he splashes down in his beloved hot tub.

By David O'Brien

August 13, 2007 10:36 PM | Link to this

A-ville, it’s a pretty powerful and beautiful song when you come at it from that angle, isn’t it? To be able to write lyrics like that, pack that much into 3-4 minutes, what a precious gift from God.

David-ATL, I gotta check out that show. heard great stuff about it….

Flange, speaking of brilliant tunes, you’ve got the Joe Strummer stuff with the Mescaleros, right? Just thought to mention about it because I’m cranking “Streetcore” right now, the last one he did with them before he died. Great stuff, essential for Clash fans. Got that Strummer documentary on DVD the other day. Very intense stuff.

By A--ville Ranger

August 13, 2007 10:38 PM | Link to this

h-Charles It’s more than the pitching.There’s a reason veteran teams win most chapionships in most sports.You hit it on the head I think.The young guys just don’t have the mojo,clutch,etc.The good news is they’re growing all the time.Maybe they’ll jell before it’s too late for the season.

By Braveheart

August 13, 2007 10:39 PM | Link to this

Paladin, you and Tubbs better make sure to go to an afternoon show…and who will drive? I sense an engaged left turn signal forgotten for the duration…

Oh, Grinch, that is gonna be one Odd Couple episode you’re not gonna wanna miss. Paladin will forget that he is in a car and not a fighter plane.

Paladin will show up in his leather bomber jacket. As Bob is getting in the car, Paladin will throw him an extra bomber jacket, and tell Bob no one flies in my plane solider without wearing one of these. Then Paladin will strap on his helmet and goggles and pass a helmet and goggles over to Bob and say put ‘em on soldier.

Then Paladin will start flicking all the buttons on the dashboard. Then they will sit there for 15 minutes. When Bob asks what are we waiting for, Paladin will say I am waiting to be cleared for takeoff, do you think we just hop in one of these things the government paid millions of dollars to make and fly right off? Come on, don’t be ridiculous. With your concern about wasted government expenditures, I should not need to explain that to you. Then Paladin will all of a sudden speed off.

Periodically, he will make announcements into a microphone he has in the car to talk to the passengers that are not there except for Bob. Every so often, he will flirt with a stewardess he pretends is in the backseat of the cockpit of his car.

Since he is the Have Gun, Will Travel guy, and he tends to get testy over any perceived slight, any time a driver cuts him off or looks at him the wrong way, the old fighter pilot will get road rage and start shooting at people, screaming “Take that Charlie!”

Bob will keep preaching at him the whole time, demanding he change his bad behavior. Bob will never allow him to turn left. Bob will keep saying right, right, right like my political leanings.

Paladin will keep saying listen here wingman, I’m Maverick, and unless you wanna go down like Goose did, you betta understand I take orders from no wingman. Wingmen are to be seen but not heard. And then he will turn around to the stewardess he pretends is there and say that goes for you too ma’am. Paladin tolerates no backseat drivers. Got that sweetheart?

Then Paladin will start pulling stunts and showing off. He’ll keep saying to Bob, let’s buzz the tower and then veer repeatedly at and away from telephone poles, with Bob in the passenger seat watching his life flash before his eyes. Then Paladin will ask him, ever wanna know what it’s like to break the sound barrier as he revs the engine up and starts going as fast as he can. Then he’ll start shaking the wheel and swerving the car to and fro and saying uh, oh Bob, we got ourselves alot of turbulence here. Then when Bob says what are you doing you madman, Paladin will say oh, come on Bob, I’m trying to shake the wheels off this sucker to show you what it’s like to land with only one wheel. Could be worse Bob, I could be showing you what it’s like to land without an engine.

Then Paladin will put the car on cruise control and take his hands off the wheel and say we’re going on auto pilot now Bob, looks like smooth sailing from here on out, I need a powernap. When Bob objects, Paladin will throw him a Fisher Price toy wheel and say, don’t like it, then you fly the plane wingman.

Then finally, they’ll get to their desired destination, have lunch, go to the orchestra, and enjoy their time together much to their shared surprise. But when Paladin offers Bob a ride back home, Bob will say no, I think I’ll walk. Ron Roberts has me on a rigorous weight, diet, and training regimen.

Paladin will feel insulted so Bob will feel obliged to reluctantly take a ride back. Paladin will behave on the way back and ask Bob as they are pulling into Bob’s drive, you had a good time on the way there, didn’t ya? To which, Bob will reply yes, as a matter of fact, I did. Then they will make cheesy made for television knowing grins of shared newfound understanding and appreciation for each other as the orchestra music plays on Paladin’s car radio speakers which are as weak as clock radio speakers.

Having enjoyed their time together, Bob will invite Paladin in for dinner but then shock Paladin by sprinting towards the hot tub and saying last one in is a rotten egg as he splashes down in his beloved hot tub.

By TampaBrave

August 13, 2007 10:41 PM | Link to this

DOB

Thanks for the tip. Coming to ATL for Mets game on 9/1. Have you ever really met anyone who blogs here?

Anybody know anything about Mary Macs?

By BravesDave

August 13, 2007 10:42 PM | Link to this

A-Ville Ranger, I agree you with you on the Giants. My only problem is that I felt that way when we played them out in Frisco. Splitting that series was a major letdown. Anything less than a sweep in this series will again be a monumental failure. And there is no reason not to take 2 out of 3 from the DBacks. I will accept a loss to Brandon Webb because the guy on a incredible roll right now (maybe that is all the more reason to beat him), but no other DBacks pitcher is scary. Then again Jamie Moyer is not scary.

By A--ville Ranger

August 13, 2007 10:43 PM | Link to this

Jimmy I used to do all of James Browns stunts…the b******* never let me drive the bus though.

By A--ville Ranger

August 13, 2007 10:48 PM | Link to this

Amen to that DOB, Ryan has a rare gift for sure.

By Yars

August 13, 2007 10:49 PM | Link to this

I remember seeing Steely Dan in concert back in the 90’s at one of those festivals with 15 other bands & they opened with Reeling In The Years. How lame is that? Wouldn’t it be something if Frenchy won a Gold Glove? I would have never thought he would be hitting over .300 this far into the season. I hope JS gives him a McCann type contract soon. I know it’s too early to start thinking NL Cy Young award, but if Hudson keeps doing what he’s doing, & if the Braves make the playoffs, we could be talking Cy Young in the near future. Hudson is still within reach of 18-19 wins. I can’t see any NL starting pitcher winning 20 games. I believe that how well your team does plays a big part now in who wins these awards such as Cy & MVP. The rookie of the year award in my opinion is always interesting because you then start to wonder how long before that player who won the award will be out of baseball.

By journalist jimmy smith

August 13, 2007 10:51 PM | Link to this

journalist must get to bed soon. american idol auditions tomorrow. will blog from blackberry. wish jimmy smith luck.

By Capt Caveman

August 13, 2007 10:52 PM | Link to this

Stinger Splash

If Claudell comes back then the Bravos will bring in Willie Montanez to compete for playing time.

Luv that catch and snap the glove move!!

FYI = You’ll Never Shut Down The Real Napster!!

By LaBrenda

August 13, 2007 10:54 PM | Link to this

I always enjoyed the Pips. Great looking group of guys. Which one were you, Jimmy?

By Braveheart

August 13, 2007 10:54 PM | Link to this

sorry about the double post of something that was much too long for one post. wireless is acting up. where’s serbok when i need him?

By Wayne in Utah

August 13, 2007 10:54 PM | Link to this

Dave, any word on AJ today? Too bad I am not in the ATL area. The food tips sound fantastic.

I remember a taco shack in NE Houston years ago, that was killer. Nobody there spoke English. It’s the small, hole in the wall places that are the best!

By Ron Roberts

August 13, 2007 10:56 PM | Link to this

Paladin, are you speaking of IBC Root Beer? That’s what came to mind when I read you talkin’ about root beer right outta the cooler.

Bob, Journalist…good one.

DO’B…they also recently re-opened the famed Magnolia Grill on St. Charles in uptown. It’s located right near the end of the St. Charles streetcar line. Now that’s a good local food haunt; as is the Clover Grill, where they cook their burgers (literally) under a hub cap to trap in all the flavor (and grease). It’s on Bourbon towards the residential side of the French Quarter. Service is surly (and often verrrrrrrry uh, “unique,” but ya can’t beat it for greasy drunk dining. And let’s face it, if you’re on Bourbon Street and you wind up hungry, it’s drunk duning you’ll be doing.

Tell ya what, though; this Georgia boy misses his Waffle Houses. I get to cheat one meal a week, and nobody makes a patty melt and hash browns (scattered and smothered, thank you) like the WH.

By David O'Brien

August 13, 2007 11:02 PM | Link to this

Yes, I have, TampaBrave. Met Choppinmama in Florida during spring training. She was all over the place at games down there. Met Lew and his wife at the team hotel in Boston. Met a dude in Washington at a game at RFK, blogger who stopped by near the pressbox to say hello. Met a guy and his girlfriend in San Francisco couple weeks ago, real good dude who had good seats for the Giants games, lives out there.

Mary Mac’s Tea Room. Traditional meat-and-three Southern food. Good stuff. A little on the family-dining side, not a dive or anything like that, more a dress-in-your-Sunday-best old-school place where Presidents have eaten through the years.

You should make sure to eat at Six Feet Under, which happens to be about a mile or two from Turner Field, in Grant Park area, real easy to get to, across the street from an historic cemetary on Memorial Drive. Terrific food, great juke box, and go upstairs on the deck and look in the little alcove where the wait staff has their stuff up there. There’s a big painting of famous photo of Cash giving the middle finger.

By Blake

August 13, 2007 11:02 PM | Link to this

Is there any chance that Andruw will be put on the DL? Oh well a man cant hope cant he.

By Capt Caveman

August 13, 2007 11:04 PM | Link to this

Too bad the Braves aren’t playing so all of you whiners would have more to complain about.

DOB - not fair dude, not fair at all.

By David O'Brien

August 13, 2007 11:12 PM | Link to this

Not sure if Andruw even had an exam today; I’m betting he didn’t. If he did, Braves wouldn’t announce results until tomorrow anyway….

He told me yesterday he was just going to try to not let it bother him, and he took a ton of early B.P., so it apparently wasn’t hurting him too much. Then again, he said when he doesn’t make contact it hurts most, and he went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts last night….

By chrisklob

August 13, 2007 11:13 PM | Link to this

TampaBrave, I guess that explains why Barroid Bonds isn’t on your list! All of those guys did/do things the right way. Not flashy, loud, obnoxious. Great human beings, on and off the field. From the list, I suspect that we’re from about the same age.

A-Ville Ranger, pardon me from butting into your conversation but there’s one point that really hasn’t been given much consideration regarding the age of some of the “kids” on the team. Frenchy, McCann, Yunel, Prado, Devine, Reyes, Davies, James, Lerew, K Johnson, Thorman. These guys are all either very young and/or don’t have much mlb experience. They all have a ton of potential but none of them can really be classified as veterans like Chipper, Andruw (in spite of himself), Smoltz etc. They haven’t been through the battles and learned everything yet.

I’ve spent many, many years around the restaurant industry, mostly in high-end, fine dining establishments. The difference between the great $200 dinner and the truly outstanding $200 dining experience is miniscule. It is the finest of details that separate the two experiences.

Such is baseball. And only if, or when these youngsters learn these most subtle of details and how to execute them will these young players be able to reach their great potentials.

By David O'Brien

August 13, 2007 11:15 PM | Link to this

Ron Roberts, man I’d forgotten about Magnolia Grill. My sister lived in New Orleans in the 80s, I’d go down and see her and she always took me to Magnolia Grill. Great food, pretty close to Tulane, right? You sit and eat at the stools around the counter if you want, right? Loved that place.

By journalist jimmy smith

August 13, 2007 11:19 PM | Link to this

andruw was on the golf course today, dob. saw it on the news awhile ago.

By chrisklob

August 13, 2007 11:22 PM | Link to this

he said when he doesn’t make contact it hurts most

In that case, that elbow must feel like it went thru a meat grinder.

By flbravesgirl

August 13, 2007 11:23 PM | Link to this

Enjoyed the story, Braveheart. For some reason I kept picturing the Coke commercial we saw last year during the games w/ the old gentleman in the senior home who has his first Coke & says “What else haven’t I done?”. They show him tearing down the road on a motorcycle wearing goggles & cannonballing off a high dive.

By Julia

August 13, 2007 11:26 PM | Link to this

Lyle l-o-v-e-d the PATTY MELT, too, and it melted right down to his disgusting buttery thighs. Same problem, huh?

By David O'Brien

August 13, 2007 11:26 PM | Link to this

Yeah, I knew he was going to be at the Francoeur/Smoltz/Hudson charity tournament today, but don’t know if he got an MRI before it. Again, I doubt it.

By Ron Roberts

August 13, 2007 11:30 PM | Link to this

Your memory is good, DO’B. That’s the place.

By gotigers72

August 13, 2007 11:33 PM | Link to this

Time for you people that are ready to trade Edgar for whoever or whatever to SHUT UP. Trade Edgar you say because we now have Yunel to play short. For one thing, Edgar has played like a mother all year, and for another thing, physical and mental errors by Yunel the last several games have really been crucial.

I’m on the Yunel bandwagon… for the future as a starter, for now as a utility guy, but Edgar ain’t that old and can still play this game like nobody’s business. He needs to stay as long as the Braves can keep him. Don’t know if there’s anyone I’d trade him for. Yunel is a rookie and only 24. Not much HR power and doesn’t steal bases like Edgar. There was one play where he should have stuck the ball in his pocket, but instead wanted to show his arm off and ended up throwing it away, and another play when he assumed something that he shouldn’t have assumed. Remember; A-S-S-U-M-E makes an A-S-S of U and M-E.

While I’m at it, McCann needs to improve defensively also. After he and his honey have been married for a month this winter, she needs to go out in the backyard and throw his balls in the dirt. Sorry, a little typo there, I meant to go out in the backyard and throw HIM balls in the dirt. Now that typo is corrected.

By TampaBrave

August 13, 2007 11:35 PM | Link to this

How many times did AJ miss hit the golf ball?

By Kentavo

August 13, 2007 11:35 PM | Link to this

This is not a dig at DOB or the blog, but it seems like since last year’s debacle of a season, the topics on here (written by the real journalist at the top of the blog) are always something like: if they can sweep this series they can get back into it, or Cormier could provide a big boost, or Braves must take care of business and beat teams with sub .500 records……

And on and on.

This team is too inconsistent, makes too many dumb mistakes and is managed too poorly to make the playoffs.

I love ‘em and will root like crazy for them to make it, but every loss chips away at the chances.

Until Bobby wakes up and stops experimenting and “getting guys work” and sits down AJ and uses the bullpen wisely, then this team is not going on an extended winning streak.

When the team was dominant and in first for most of the season in years past, he could do all of his “getting guys some work” bs without it having much effect, but that doesn’t work when you’re trying to chase down other teams. Baseball is about adjustments, they say, but Cox does not adjust. He does the same crap despite the talent level and experience level. If you truly want to win, you go with the hot hands and you don’t start a .213 hitter in the outfield, you don’t trot out a homerun-giver-upper every night, and you don’t use a light hitting utility guy to ph in key situations while .300 hitters sit on the bench. Well you can, and you get the results the Braves have been getting - blowing opportunities to win winnable games.

By TexasBrave

August 13, 2007 11:40 PM | Link to this

DOB I know you have always maintained that the Braves will win the East (my hope as well). But did you ever imagine that AJ would play as poorly as he is now? If no changes are made, either AJ gets better or heaven forbid BC changes AJ’s role, do you still see the Braves as East Division Winners? If so what(who) do you see as getting the Braves over the hump?

By Serbok

August 13, 2007 11:41 PM | Link to this

http://www.ajc.comhttp://youtube.com/watch?v=JNEgr6ua6VQ

By glorydays

August 13, 2007 11:43 PM | Link to this

**AJ will sign a one year agreement with the Braves for 14M, it makes perfect sense. He work on having a better year, the Braves can afford him before anteing up for Tex at 1B in 09.

It was said here first, write in down

By chrisklob

August 13, 2007 11:47 PM | Link to this

gotigers,nice post. The play that Yunel should have put in his pocket reminded me of Furcal when he first came up. He thought that he could get ANYBODY out with his arm strength. Time and experience taught him when to try to make a play and when to concede the base to the runner. Yunel will learn in time.

I’m disappointed with what McCann has done behind the dish this year. I can’t remember a year when there were so many balls that got past the catcher. Didn’t his little league coach teach him not to try to pancake the ball?

By A--ville Ranger

August 14, 2007 12:04 AM | Link to this

ChrisKolb When you look at the massive influx of young players it’s really impressive. The team finished just under .500 last season and they’re contending in mid-August this season.I’ve said before,whether they’re quite ready yet will play out in the coming weeks. The future looks bright however.The ceiling is just about unlimited with these kids.

By iwalterp

August 14, 2007 12:10 AM | Link to this

Matt Belisle got optioned to the minors yesterday. JS has tried to catch lightning in a bottle all year with Redman,Lerew,Reyes and Cormier, why not take a chance on an old Braves no. 1 draft choice. What is rule for making minor league player swap after trade deadline?

By BravesDave

August 14, 2007 12:21 AM | Link to this

A does of reality seems to have hit the blog today. No game after a tough loss has given many some perspective. A lot of the negativity that I have been trying to avoid is seeping in on some of the optimistic bloggers.

I am still trying to get over Kelly Johnson sitting last night. I really think that had a pretty significant impact on the game. Does he really need a rest?? I know he had elbow surgery, but he has not been starting every day up until the Edgar injury (a huge blow to this team, no matter what Yunel is doing out there). Jeff Francoeur never gets a day off. An injured Andruw Jones never gets day off. Somehow, our .290+, 13 HR second baseman needs days off. Stupidity.

Also, I haven’t checked the stats, and I am not coming down on Teixiera, but is it just me, or has it seemed like he has had some problems hitting right-handed since he got to Atlanta??

By Robert (Justice Is The Best)

August 14, 2007 12:28 AM | Link to this

Good Lord! Are people on here still bemoaning that Betemit trade? People, let it freakin go! Some of you are like a guy who just won’t accept a relationship is over. You just cry and whine and moan. Please, just stop it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The man is gone. So, he hit a couple of homers for the Yanks. Big deal. If he was so dadgum good the Dodgers wouldn’t have traded him.

By BravesDave

August 14, 2007 12:29 AM | Link to this

I meant dose at the beginning of my last post. Sorry.

By Support Hank

August 14, 2007 12:34 AM | Link to this

I’ll be at every game vs the Giants and each time Bonds comes up I’m standing up and turning my back to the field. No I won’t boo but the message will be clear if he see my Aaron shirt.

By Scott

August 14, 2007 12:34 AM | Link to this

I bought one of those Hank Aaron shirts that the Braves clubhouse has been advertising on the Braves telecast. The shirt is really nice. It was 33 bucks with shipping though, so it’s pretty expensive. I’m actually about to get an Eddie Mathews shirt from the Braves website. I don’t know why the Braves don’t have more stuff at the actually Turner Field clubhouse or the store at the CNN center with Hank, Spahn, or Eddie Mathews on it. The only retired numbered shirt I saw was Murphy and I think a Phil Niekro shirt. Online you can get all kinds of stuff. You can get all the retired players throwback jerseys. I have a Warren Spahn jersey and when the Braves were out in San Fran I saw a Braves fan with an Eddie Mathews throwback on. It was pretty cool.

By Todd A

August 14, 2007 12:48 AM | Link to this

“A_ _ _ _ _ said when he doesn’t make contact it hurts most,”

Then the pain must be unbearable at this point.

Kentavo You’re dead on with your 11:35 post. When all is said and done, and the dust is settled, this team will finish somewhere between 5 and 7 games over .500 (where they have been all but 3 weeks of the season). This team has major flaws, but Cox has done his worst job as skipper since he’s been back in the dug out.We all know what the Braves are and what they aren’t at this point, no use in me piling on.

“McCann needs to improve defensively”

Go Tigers without question, you’re absolutely right.Braves pitchers are at a disadvantage if they can’t snap off a slider or curve in the dirt with a runner on third for fear McCann won’t be able to come up with the ball.

You may see a couple guys get on base all year via the strike out and wild pitch. It happened to the Braves twice in the Philly series alone.Tough plays, but McCann has to come up with those balls.Brian needs to get in better shape this off season.

And whether you like the idea of trading Edgar or not, he’s most likely to be dealt this off season.Despite some youthful mistakes in Philly, Escobar can handle the job imo.He’s a good enough option at ss that the $$$ paid to Edgar could help shore up other areas of weakness.

By Savannah Guy

August 14, 2007 12:53 AM | Link to this

This David O’Brien Blog Has To Go Down. Sorry…Just Gotta Say It

(stat and lineup guys: no stats here…you may scroll now)

Just caught up on the DOBlog…what a great coupla’ blog days. Sorry I wasn’t there during the “flowing stream”. Missed you guys and the last game too.

Dead horses: excellent call and so far…evident outcome. CL came in and enforced in one fell swoop. Beautiful. It was a welcomed “hit” and quick burial like a Sopranos cement slippers. Now whoever it was sleeps with the fishes (no offense Marlins). Train wreck-bystander side of me wishes we all knew who it was. Barry’s home runs “unassisted”…a coinable baseball phrase if there ever was one CL. “Barry Bonds and his Traveling Carnival of Homers and Hostility”…classic DOB… just downright classic, memorable, hilarious and true.

Dead Giraffes, sad. Wrestlers, sad but says something about…never mind, just sad. And true. Melted cheese…messy. Stacked toes, hmmm. What ain’t sad…JJS continues with irony, social commentary and pure poetry (sorry jjs, I know you hate that), not to mention the Blanco’s and Mosca’s and such. Chrisklob with his common sense VOR. Lew and his own, patented and passionate Braves stuff that just makes you feel like a good place you want to visit because you love those Braves . SJA…what can I say? You meet him with both eyes open. Sometimes you have to close one eye to appreciate the…color. But dammit, he’s the real thing and he is one cool bad-%#$& (funny) dude. joebrave dittos. Shaun…I have given you a playful jab or twenty, but your earnest and well researched stats are appreciated (the Shaun vs Wall was just good fun, and long ago, eh?)

To make a long story even longer (stand back…on a roll here)…

Got home last night…late, just in time to post something on the Fly (pun intended). Wanted to say a special thanks to cuz BH and TB for keeping Fly in the presses and the “call up”. Kermit and Mrs. Piggy was inspired stuff and had that effect on Fly guy too. BH on the Paladin/Bob,J “ride”…very funny (I’d enjoy that sortee). Serbok, thanks for your 9:04 on my 1:13 of the last blog…but you lost me a bit. Not sure what some what you meant…probably over my head which, right about now, angst hard to do. Wayne, Mo…good stuff from the mountains to the boonies…wow, we’re spread out.

Sorry for all the name dropping and I’m leaving other great folks out but I just wanted to call some stuff out…good time, smart, funny and entertaining as hell (can I say that?)

Thanks DOB for this special place in time and the forum that makes Braves and BBQ and music and the eclectic collection of characters and fine folks so damn much fun. Being a Braves fan has never been so good. Sorry for the mushiness, but wanted to just say it. Life is way too short to not give it up for the good stuff when you see it.

Gotta go now…nealy choked on my ciggarette cuz i was just gettiig so faklempt. Ok…group hug (kidding).

Yep. This blog has to go down…as one of the most interesting, eclectic, humorous and informational blogs this side of sports. Bar-none. Thanks again DOB and thanks to the good denizens.

By Coach (Hank aaron Is The Real HR Champion)

August 14, 2007 12:55 AM | Link to this

This 2007 Braves team is sporting a .525 winning percentage , NO braves squad in history has ever made the playoffs with that number in mind. They are 55-55 since that 7-1 start. Thats 110 straight games of .500 ball , What is it exactly about this team that would lead ANYBODY to believe they will suddenly start playing .600 ball (haven’t done that since 2003) over the remaining 44 games. Inquiring minds want to know.

By A--ville Ranger

August 14, 2007 12:56 AM | Link to this

If you look at the Braves needs and the players ready to contribute in the minors sep 1st can’t come soon enough.I’m not very familiar with the Mets or Phillys prospects but I’ll venture to guess our Bravos stand to gain the most from roster expansion.Time to do some homework….night all. GO BRAVOS !!

By BravesDave

August 14, 2007 1:24 AM | Link to this

Coach, I have been saying the same darn thing as your 12:55am post for I don’t know how long. No one listens.

It is the reason that I keep saying they need a winning streak longer than five games (their longest this season). Unfortunately, I don’t see one coming. Just about every measure we can examine shows a .500 team - since the All Star break, since the 7-1 start, since the Teixiera deal, last 20 games, and on and on. They are .500 since the 7-1 start, and well under .500 since the 24-12 start.

When does it turn around? Can they start the turn-around against the Giants, DBacks, Reds, Cards and Marlins?? That is a 16-game stretch with only 3 games against a team with a winning record. How about a 13-3 stretch to take this team from 62-56 to 75-59??? Then, we can feel somewhat confident that a playoff spot is within reach.

By Savannah Guy

August 14, 2007 1:25 AM | Link to this

Tee Shirts for the series?

Barry, how many unassisted? (CL)

Barry: Anybody Care? (DOB)

Barry Bonds Traveling Carnival of Homers and Hostility. (DOB)

Or,

Barry: You Ain’t Hank.

Or, just…

BARRY*

Got More?

By Savannah Guy

August 14, 2007 1:28 AM | Link to this

Ok…one more:

Lotion in the Motion?

By Chop Chop

August 14, 2007 1:30 AM | Link to this

A—ville Ranger,

I think the Braves are in decent shape with position prospects. I just want to know when in blue Hell this organization is going to start producing some better starting pitchers down on the farm. Chuck James is strictly okay right now. He’s getting by on two pitches, which makes his #1 offseason priority to find a third pitch (a breaking ball, obviously). With Chuck’s average stuff, how did he ever make it to the bigs without someone teaching him how to throw an average curve or slider? The fact that he’s been “strictly okay” with only two pitches leads me to believe he could be a very solid starting pitcher with a breaker. Jo Jo Reyes may or may not be ready to contribute next year. He wasn’t ready this season. Beyond Jo Jo, who is the next starting pitcher coming down the pike? Tommy Hanson? It just seems like the organization is lacking in starting pitching, doesn’t it? Maybe it’s because Maddux, Smoltz and Glavine were around for so long that the organization didn’t feel a need to build up the pitching on the farm. I don’t know, but that part of the Braves’ scouting needs to change.

And now it’s time for bed…

Oh, yeah. Savannah Guy? This blog rocks. Best sports blog I’ve ever been to, so I wholeheartedly concur.

By Savannah Guy

August 14, 2007 1:47 AM | Link to this

Apologies DOB but I just listened (for the 4000th time)and had to put it here…seemed fitting at this point in life, politics, world events, music, recent DOB blog improvement and last but not least…the Braves season…

The Times They Are A-Changin - Bob Dylan

Come gather ‘round people Wherever you roam And admit that the waters Around you have grown And accept it that soon You’ll be drenched to the bone If your time to you Is worth savin’ Then you better start swimmin’ Or you’ll sink like a stone For the times they are a-changin’.

Come writers and critics Who prophesize with your pen And keep your eyes wide The chance won’t come again And don’t speak too soon For the wheel’s still in spin And there’s no tellin’ who That it’s namin’ For the loser now Will be later to win For the times they are a-changin’.

Come senators, congressmen Please heed the call Don’t stand in the doorway Don’t block up the hall For he that gets hurt Will be he who has stalled There’s a battle outside And it is ragin’ It’ll soon shake your windows And rattle your walls For the times they are a-changin’.

Come mothers and fathers Throughout the land And don’t criticize What you can’t understand Your sons and your daughters Are beyond your command Your old road is Rapidly agin’ Please get out of the new one If you can’t lend your hand For the times they are a-changin’.

The line it is drawn The curse it is cast The slow one now Will later be fast As the present now Will later be past The order is Rapidly fadin’ And the first one now Will later be last For the times they are a-changin’.

By Coach (Hank aaron Is The Real HR Champion)

August 14, 2007 1:51 AM | Link to this

Well ,BravesDave. Since you brought up the winning streak aspect I’ll give out some more mind numbing numbers. The FOUR game winning streak , in 2007 the Braves have 4 , in 2006 the Braves had 4 , in 2005 the Braves had 6 , in 2004 the Braves had 7 , in 2003 they had 10 and in 2002 there were 9 streaks of four in a row. Thats 2002 to 2007 = 9-10-7-6-4 and 4 , not good. They simply cannot play winning baseball for any length of time , they are 141-139 since the beginning of last season (.501 winning percentage over 280 games) , the numbers are completely brutal. I really don’t understand how the expectation is supposed to change over the next 44 games.

By Coach (Hank aaron Is The Real HR Champion)

August 14, 2007 1:55 AM | Link to this

Barry Bonds minus steroids = retired years ago. Barry Bonds + steroids = 758 HR’s. Any question , refer them to Balco Laboratories Inc.

By Capt Caveman

August 14, 2007 1:59 AM | Link to this

DOB

My question to you would be why is it that you can make threats to other bloggers here and not be banned ….

but make an , admittedly poor joke , and only “ONE” and be banned??

It’s not like a person couldn’t get on here if they really wanted to bad enough but it just seems like the law around here is applied haphazardly.

By \\\\\\\\\\BERIGAN//////////

August 14, 2007 2:11 AM | Link to this

The Grinch August 13, 2007 7:49 PM … Does anyone here know how Andruw’s average stays over .200?

A good question o’ Grinchy one! I did a quick check of Mr. Jones’ stats…guess what he did in July??? He hit 8 homers, drove in 23, and…..hit .263!!!!! I do not recall him hitting that well! I guess that must include his swell hitting streak of one hit per game…toss in a few 2 for 4’s and there you go. 8 Hr’s and 23 drive in for August and Sept. each would be fine for me. Thru August, 39 Ab’s, 1 HR. 5 RBI’s, and a .205 Average.

What did old man Julio do in his 36 AB’s here? no homers, but 7 RBI’s and a .250 Average. And was rewarded with a ticket to all the finest minor league parks in the Braves system. Meanwhile, AJ swings, misses, and winces for the big club.

By Bob, Journalist

August 14, 2007 2:12 AM | Link to this

Coach, are you saying that they haven’t gone 26-18 or better for any 44 game stretch since 2003?

Is Andruw’s problem that it hurts most when he swings and misses? … are we talking about his elbow or his ego?

By The Grinch

August 14, 2007 2:15 AM | Link to this

Good stuff Braveheart.

Sav. Guy, that post would’ve brought a tear to my eye if it had mentioned me.

RR, if you’re not already married you might ought to consider Julia. She’s good-looking, rich, and she obviously crazy about you. Plus, there wouldn’t be a name change involved. :-) And no, I have nothing to do with her posts.

Chop Chop, I’m wondering the same thing. We’ve even got some good looking bullpen arms coming up, but not much in the way of starters. That’s why I’m almost certain some major trades are gonna happen in the offseason for at least one front line starter (Smoltz isn’t getting any younger) and a solid #3. No way ‘druw’s getting re-signed at the cost of staying with the same rotation; that would be asinine. My guess is Renteria, a middle infielder and a couple or three RP’s are gonna depart for a couple of starters. Between everyone in the ‘pen now plus Boyer, Stockman, Devine, Gonzalez, Ring, Paranto, Acosta, Ascaino, etc. there’s no way some of ‘em aren’t heading out. Although Hampton’s return will be just like getting an ace free agent. :-)

DOB, will definitely check that Cuban place out; sounds yummy. I like the getting out of there full and happy for $21 experience a lot better than ChrisKlob’s idea of dining (unless you’re buying, Chris). I actually saw some Knob Creek at the liquor store Saturday and thought about it, but went all Hank Jr. instead with some Jimmy Beam. My head could tell the difference, too. Yowch. I’m not as young a Grinch as I used to be (hint, hint…birthday this Saturday).

G’night, all.

By The Grinch

August 14, 2007 2:23 AM | Link to this

Just saw your post, Berigan…he hit .263 in July? Wow, I honestly had no idea. That might be the quietest .263 ever. I remember a couple of the dingers (I thought at the time “MAN, that pitcher sure sucks”), but…hmm. You know the sad thing is Andruw’s been my favorite Brave for years (ever since Maddux left); it pains me to see how hard he’s fallen. To actually look at your favorite Brave who’s only 30 and know that if he doesn’t sit your team’s chances of winning drop considerably…that’s sad. Well, at least he’s not going broke, too.

I really am going to bed now.

By BravesDave

August 14, 2007 2:27 AM | Link to this

Coach, do you know what amazes me most??? The fact that the Braves have only one winning month all season - April, 16-9. Last season, which we all will recount as a horrible year, the Braves actually had 4 winning months. In 2006, the season was destroyed by the 6-21 June. Outside of June, they played well. This season, on the other hand, they have been more consistent in their mediocrity.

What is truly amazing is that they have been living off of that April record all season. Since the end of April, they are 1 game under .500, but are still somehow in the race for a playoff spot. Incredible. I know people will say that it shows that the Mets and Phillies are not much better, but remember the Phillies started the season 4-11. The have played well since. The Mets have not run away from the division. I guess we can be thankful for that. But if the Braves do not show that they are better than a .500 team, forget the playoffs.

By \\\\\\\\\\BERIGAN//////////

August 14, 2007 2:31 AM | Link to this

Chop Chop,

Even though you have likely gone to bed…. I got to wonder if the “signability” factor + plus signing folks who live nearby is the biggest problem. That, and the fact we seem to shy away from power arms, which I truly don’t get.

Smoltz “gets” the power arm thing. One of those sports south 1/2 shows on him had him mention the fact that playoff teams need a power arm if they were going to win a playoff series, and that he saw us lose year after year with him in the bullpen, never even getting a chance to even get in. Cards won riding Carpenter’s arm last year. But, you usually need more than just one. Marlins beat up the Yankees cuz they had Penny, Beckett, and A.J. Burnett.

I mentioned it much earlier today, but the Yankees now have two amazing power arms to add for their stretch drive. A now healthy Phillip Hughes(96-97 MPH) and the real deal, Joba Chamberlain who can hit 100. Who do we have with that kind of stuff? Jo-Jo??? Lerew? Davies could have gotten away with some mistakes if he had a 96 MPH fastball, instead of a 92-93 fastball.

By \\\\\\\\\\BERIGAN//////////

August 14, 2007 2:38 AM | Link to this

Grinch,

Andruw was never my favorite player, but I really thought he and the team would tank in 2005 when Chipper got hurt. But, he hit 51 homers, and seemed to get many a big hit. How did he do that with no real support behind him, to flop to the level he has this year??

By AZBravoFan

August 14, 2007 2:44 AM | Link to this

Ron Roberts and DOB I believe you guys talking about the Camelia Grille in New Orleans. I went to med school at Tulane. Nothing better in the world than a fat slice of pecan pie slapped on the griddle with butter and topped off with a huge scoop of vanilla ice cream.

By BravesDave

August 14, 2007 2:50 AM | Link to this

Berigan, I posed that same question a few weeks ago…did the Braves scouts, after the success of Maddux and Glavine, change their scouting on pitchers to look less for the guy with the big arm who can throw 95 mph + and look more for the guys with control and solid makeup? Ascanio has a good arm. Acosta was not a Braves draftee, but throws seeds obviously. Recent pitching prospects have all been average in the fastball department - Davies, Chuck James, Horacio Ramirez, Damian Moss, Macay McBride.

I wonder if this is an organizational philosophy.

By Dad

August 14, 2007 2:57 AM | Link to this

We Mets fans are so glad that Bobby Cox is blind to the struggles of Andruh Jones. The way Cox continues his blind loyalty to a player who is an automatic out every time he comes to the plate is a good indication of why the Braves could only win(remember Charlie Lembrandt)one World Series.If Willie Randolfh had been managing those very talented Braves teams, he would have won a minimum of five World Series. By continuing to play Andruh Jones, the Braves are assured of finishing third behind the champion Mets in the NL East.Thank you Bobby Cox and thank you Andruh for being so horrible in 2007.

By David O'Brien

August 14, 2007 3:11 AM | Link to this

Thanks, SG.

And no need to ever apologize for posting Mr. Zimmerman’s lyrics.

By BravesDave

August 14, 2007 3:12 AM | Link to this

Hey Dad, you and Willie Randolph should know all about underachieving players like Andruw Jones - LoDuca (.267, 5 HR), Delgado (.251, 18 HR), Valentin (.241, 3 HR), Beltran (.258, 20 HR), Shawn Green (.272, 8 HR), Mike Pelfrey (0-7, 5.92 ERA), Scott Schoeneweis (0-2, 5.10 ERA).

Looks like the Mets have cornered the market on overpaid, under-performing stars. How much does Beltran make annually, with his .258 average?? That Pelfrey is one hot prospect. Nice season out of Pedro for all that coin he is taking home, too. This Mets team is a just a few years away from becoming the SF Giants.

By \\\\\\\\\\BERIGAN//////////

August 14, 2007 3:24 AM | Link to this

BravesDave You may be right about this being an organizational philosophy. The thing is, we were always beaten by teams that had guys like Clemens, Jack Morris…

Just looked at the 1999 series at baseball-reference.com. Swept 4-0. The Yankees had El-Duque(He struck out 10 braves in that game), Cone, Pettite and for game 4, Clemens!

2001 Series, the Diamondbacks one because they had Schilling and Johnson….

Yeah, you can win the division with mainly soft tossers, but I think you have to have guys who can get guys to swing and miss if you want to go deep in the playoffs…

By \\\\\\\\\\BERIGAN//////////

August 14, 2007 3:37 AM | Link to this

Dad,

You know Beltran should move to left next year, less wear and tear. Perhaps you all can sign this here stud Andruw Jones! He totally rocks man! You can count on gold glove defense and 100 RBI’s for the next 8 years, for only 160 Mil, if your team is smart…..

By BravesDave

August 14, 2007 3:37 AM | Link to this

Berigan, I have always believed that the Braves lack of hard throwers has lead to their downfall in the playoffs. I know many will disagree, but when you are in the playoffs facing the best lineups in baseball, you tend to face intelligent hitters that know how to handle a Glavine or a Maddux. I am obviously not questioning either of those guys, but they have been fairly average in the post season. In the playoffs, teams with aces that throw top notch fastballs can dominate a lineup. We have seen it all too often. I discussed this with all my friends who were Mets fans last season. During the season, I told them that they might win the division, but come the playoffs, with a rotation of Glavine, Pedro, and Trachsel, none throwing above 87 mph, they would not win the World Series. Pedro did not make it to the post season…but look who gave them their best performances in the playoffs…Oliver Perez, a lefty who can dial up a fastball in the mid-90’s (although Glavine did pitch very well also).

By \\\\\\\\\\BERIGAN//////////

August 14, 2007 4:05 AM | Link to this

BravesDave, Couldn’t agree with you more! How many times during the playoffs did it seem a team would just go the other way time and time again with Glavine’s low and away pitches?? Lay off the stuff outside, and make Glavine (Or Maddux) throw you a BP fastball over the plate. Glavine learning to pitch inside more, and to throw the change-up to Lefties are reasons he did so well in the playoffs last year. But, he and Maddux will scare you come playoff time more often than not. Just like two pitch Chuck will if we get there this year.

By Charlie

August 14, 2007 6:08 AM | Link to this

I doubt that the Braves will make up any ground this week. As usual, Smoltz will pitch good enough to win, but get little run support, and/or the bullpen will spit it out for him. It’s a “same old/same old” thing for John. Andruw, no matter where he is in the batting will be a joke, with or without RISP. (Another “same old/same old” thing.) Add to that, the right handed gopher ball twins of the Atlanta bullpen will “do what they do”, and Bobby will play a hunch with the lineup that will prove to be a mistake. Chuckie will bring his 2 pitch arsenal to the mound (along his ballerina mechanics) to insure that the bullpen can get in 4 or 5 innings of work. If the past is any indication, the only ground that the Braves will deal with in 2007 is their own mediocrity.

By Steve0

August 14, 2007 6:11 AM | Link to this

Braves aren’t going anywhere in October but home, because Bobby Cox keeps Andruw Jones in centerfield. Jones is done for the season, cooked, toast, finito, aloha, etc. , mentally. He couldn’t hit the proverbial bull in the you-know-where with a bass fiddle. Scott Boras is driving him elsewhere next year anyway, and I say good riddance. Yes, he is a great fielder, but has never been a clutch hitter. Check the stats. Right now, for ALL position players in MLB with a minimum of 325 at bats, Jones has the LOWEST BATTING AVERAGE, that’s right, he is LAST in both leagues in batting. You will not make any kind of playoff run whatsoever with a centerfielder like that….remember the adage about strong up the middle? The Braves are shaky at best on the mound, but no bat in center means no playoffs in October.

By Bob, Journalist

August 14, 2007 6:56 AM | Link to this

Berigan, there’s some truth is that but methinks some of the problem lay in the high level of predictability associated with hyperactive Leo’s “system pitching” approach rather than the speed.

Paladin, it’s something I’ll definitely keep in mind. They have excellent programs and their performances are surprisingly good … fantastic is a better description.

We were active patrons/supporters of both the classical and pops symphony programs, plus the opera, for several seasons but unfortunately, finances and health issues currently make supporting and/or attending impossible … I haven’t been able to attend any of the performances since the new Center opened but have hopes of being able to attend one or two performances next season.

By David

August 14, 2007 7:39 AM | Link to this

DOB, why are we even wasting our time discussing this?

If Smoltz is hurt, he isn’t getting better and the playoffs are a dream without him and if we do make it, he’ll be ineffective or shut down. McCann hurt us earlier in the year playing and now Smoltz is prolonging the inevitable. Either get him rest or we’re done.

By \\\\\\\\\\BERIGAN//////////

August 14, 2007 7:42 AM | Link to this

Bob, Journalist August 13, 2007 9:01 PM | Link to this Ron Roberts, I don’t eat red meat very often … neither do I … the secret is to cook the meat … it changes color!

Bob, great minds think alike, I have said the very same thing before!!! ;)

By ssiscribe

August 14, 2007 7:50 AM | Link to this

Top of the morning, denizens, after a weird day yesterday … I actually had to drive to an office, instead of walking into my office here at home.

For the record, let me state driving to the northside of town during rush hour every day is far from a fun exercise. 35 miles = 130 minutes? Lovely. It amazed me how many cars with Henry, Clayton, Fayette license plates were creeping through Spaghetti Junction at 8:15 a.m.

But today, I’m back at home ready to work, and so are the Braves as a big six-game homestand begins against the horrible Giants and the white-hot Diamondbacks.

As DOB and others have pointed out already, this is a big chance for the Braves to move forward. A 3-3 roadie through Flushing and the bandbox in Philly isn’t bad at all, but it’ll look a lot better if the Braves follow it up with two series wins this week.

The Giants are reeling, folks, having lost nine out of their last 12. The Braves really, really need to take care of business this week at home, and with the D’Backs and Brandon Webb awaiting this weekend, a sweep of the Barroids would be a great step toward a 4-2 homestand.

Baby Scribe and I will be in the outfield Wednesday night, sucking down Gatorade as the temperature hangs around 100. Maybe if Bonds stands just right, his head will shade three or four sections of the seats. I’m thinking about dressing my kid up as an asterisk just for fun. I know I’m taking him to the spot where 715 landed and explaining — as best you can to a 3-year-old — why everybody will be booing Mr. Personality.

Now, food (noted transition by the Scribe): Y’all are killin’ me with all this food talk. I’m in the midst of my diet, doing very well (eight pounds in two weeks), then I log on this morning and see all this talk about food. Wow.

Mary Mac’s is awesome, y’all. If you’ve never been, gotta get up in there. DOB is right; it’s more Sunday best than dive joint, but Mrs. Scribe and I have ate there on gameday a couple of times this year (always nice to look around and see reps of Braves Nation in their T-shirts, jerseys and hats, chowing down before heading to the yard). The kiddies have been in there, too, and enjoyed the food as much as Mom and Dad.

It’s worth going in because the food is awesome, and the walls are covered up with old newspaper articles and famous pics of people who have dined there. Great place in a cool location on Ponce, and you can hit the Krispy Kreme for java and a hot doughnut after dinner. Yum!

If you’re ever down on the southside of town, there’s a place called Willingham’s on Hwy. 42, just down from where we go to church, that has awesome soul food. The fried chicken is some of the absolute best this Scribe has ever enjoyed, and the veggies are rockin. There’s another place just off the square in McDonough that’s good. Can’t remember the name (only been there once), but it’s a buffet that’s cheap and good, with fried chicken, a few other meats, a small salad bar and super good veggies. It’s slammed every day at lunch by the locals, which always is a good sign.

Now, N’Awlins (Cajun transition by the Scribe; you takin’ notes, JJS?): Cafe du Monde. End of story. Sitting out there the morning after the Sugar Bowl on two hours sleep after working all night, nibbing on a beignet and sipping coffee as a street performer played “Georgia on My Mind.” Absolutely awesome city, great food all the way around (even the food at the game was really good). But hearing the sounds of “Georgia on My Mind” in the early-morning coolness on that Jan. 2 morning is something I’ll always remember.

And how good those beignets tasted. Yum yum! Now, if you’ll excuse me, my shake awaits.

The Scribe abides.

—30—

By Julia

August 14, 2007 7:52 AM | Link to this

I woke up one morning and found a half-eaten shrimp sammich in bed with me. I looked over at LYLE and he was just a B-I-G BUTTERBALL.

During this time in our lives together, Lyle was able to sit up in bed and his tummy would make a nice little table for his Shrimp Sammich.

After a time, this became d-i-s-g-u-s-t-i-n-g and r-e-v-o-l-t-i-n-g to me and I left LYLE like so many girls leave radio men that have let themselves go.

LYLE swore he would go on a weight and diet training regimen to tone up a few things and take it to another level.

I think that little tummy table did shift just a bit.

By Dap

August 14, 2007 7:53 AM | Link to this

Thanks for the updates on the non-Brave related stuff. Great stuff.

Seriously, Let’s talk about baseball, about poorly timed platoons (Prado) about Bobby not wanting to rest AJ because he wants to play, about taking James out after retiring 16 in a row for the monster pinch hitter, Chris Woodward. Let’s talk about winning now because our opportunities are dwindling.

By Paladin

August 14, 2007 8:07 AM | Link to this

Some comments, but you knew that was coming, didn’t you.

Braveheart Your “account” of mine and Bullit Bob’s imaginary trip to the symphony, was hilarious. I would like to say “the first time”, but—my age and all-I read it the second time, saying to myself, “This is funny but very familiar.” :-)

Grinch Your comments about the turn-signals was cruel. :-) Actually, I had mine hooked up backwards for a while, but I found I put on the wrong one-which was really the right one—oh hell, you know what I mean. Now, I have them disconnected. Let the bustards guess.

Anyway BobJ, we are talking, civilly. That’s progress.

Savannah Guy In your “readings” of the old blog(s), have you seen any of the “nice” things I said about you? Or, are we still in “limbo”? :-)

By Will

August 14, 2007 8:18 AM | Link to this

With the Giants coming off a doubleheader and Smoltz on the mound tonight there is no reason this should not be a win. I am hoping for a Giants sweep and a 5-1 homestand

By \\\\\\\\\\BERIGAN//////////

August 14, 2007 8:19 AM | Link to this

ssiscribe,

Be careful with babyscribe in that heat!!! It sure isn’t cooling off much, is it? And boo for me, won’t ya???

By MEB

August 14, 2007 8:22 AM | Link to this

journalist jimmy… my best wishes to you as you pursue fame and fortune on American Idol. Certainly an individual with the talent to be a “Pip” will breeze through the preliminaries and on to the finals. A word of advice jjs… do not wear California Raisin “I Heard it Through the Grapevine” costume today. Not only is it going to be 101 degrees in the ATL today but acts with costumes never do well on the Idol. The Georgia Dome should be a real interesting place to people watch today.

Oh for the days of Motown and the great music that did come from the 60’s and 70’s. Now that’s some music that will stand the test of time.

GO BRAVES!!!

By chrisklob

August 14, 2007 8:23 AM | Link to this

Paladin, I asked you this yesterday but I think you’d already turned in for the night, but did you get Foxfire up and running alright?

By Will

August 14, 2007 8:25 AM | Link to this

Scribe, Why not hope for a 5-1 homestand? I think its time to shoot a little higher then “winning every series” especially with the god awful Giants in town and the 1,2,3 guys on the mound. Just wonderin.

By Paladin

August 14, 2007 8:33 AM | Link to this

Chris I haven’t yet; I’ve been busy. :-) But, today’s the day.

By ncscoots

August 14, 2007 8:39 AM | Link to this

Uh, fellas, there hasn’t been a team in the postseason in recent memory with more “hard throwers” than last year’s Tigers. That didn’t turn out so well, as I remember.

Lot more to it than just big arms.

By Paladin

August 14, 2007 8:47 AM | Link to this

Here is my “dream” for tonight’s game.

The Bravos build up a huge lead and bring in a midget(height-impaired individual)to pitch go-fer balls to Barroid. The problem with that is:

1. Bonds probably will not even be in the game now that he has “broken” the record. We know how much he cares about his team.

2. Where would you find a midget(a height-impaired individual) who would have so little self-esteem that he would want to be yet another asterisk on bond’s(the lack of capitalization is intentional)”illustrious” career?

By TrueBlueBravesFan

August 14, 2007 8:49 AM | Link to this

I see all this talk of next year and it makes me want to chime in.

First the Trading Edgar talk. Edgar is a bargain for us (we only have to pay half of his salary appx 3 mil). He is not busting the payroll so I actually would be very surprised to see us trade Edgar for anything unless its a top shelf innings eater starter. With Chippers injury history and the possiblility of keeping the platoon at secons there is still pleny for Escobar to due without having to make him the starting SS.

Andruw I hate to say but unless he comes in at bargain basement its time to dump him. His defense just can’t justify what he does to the lineup…and frankly I enven think his defense is starting to slip as well. I would love to see the braves go after Rowand but I would be surprised if the Phillies let him get away considering he’s a fan favorite. I also wouldn’t break the bank for a Stud FA….instead look for a middle tier FA that can cover ground and at least give you 260 BA. Maybe even move Francour to center and look for a good reliable Right Fielder. Generally you can find those easier than Center Fielders. Maybe we could strike gold again with another Diaz type player.

Pitching The Braves are going to get Hampton back and I think it would be unwise to consider him better than a #4 starter based on his rust and lack of innings. We’ll be lucky to get more than 5 innings a start from him for most of the first 2 months of the season. For this reason the braves need to go for a true innings eater starter. Preferably a lefty. Maybe a someone like Santana. When you look at the national league east most of the teams are loaded on the left side. Mets - Delgado, Beltran, Green. Phillies - Howard, Utley, Rollins. You need a quality lefty that can neutralize some of that firepower.

Bullpen I think were in good shape…I suspect that Gonzales will be back in good shape and some of these new relievers should fill in with Mahay, Moylan, and Sorianno to make a solid 6 man rotation. I would be surprised if the Bravos bring back Wickman because of his health issues this year. I suspect they will go for a close by committee approach with Sorianno and Gonzales. Assuming of course that Gonzales comes back strong.

Bench Has to improve on the left side. I think Woodward will be gone and Prado will take that spot. I would love to see someone like Sweeney added as a full time pinch hitter/bench player.

By The Grinch

August 14, 2007 8:50 AM | Link to this

Morning, Paladin. Setting aside a whole day for firefox will likely dissapoint you; it takes about 3 minutes (including rebooting your computer for the changes to take effect). Sorry about the turn signal thing; the ravages of time, however, are inevitable. My dad now turns to point his good ear at you while he’s driving which keeps his eyes off the road…most disconcerting. :-)

Oh, the humanity! Juliet the Swan has been found dead, her carcass picked clean! Giraffes, Whale Sharks, Monkeys, Gorillas, Belugas and now Swans! God is coming to collect the animals again two by two; the flood is coming and we all deserve it! Repent!

By \\\\\\\\\\BERIGAN//////////

August 14, 2007 8:58 AM | Link to this

ncscoots,

The Tigers got to the World Series after steamrolling the Yankees 3-0(The team that no one thought could be beaten) and the A’s 4-0. Remind me again, how far have we gone in the playoffs the last several years??? ;)

By Paladin

August 14, 2007 9:00 AM | Link to this

TrueBlueBravesFan Your analysis is pretty good, except for one thing! FRENCHY IS NOT A CF!! That has been “suggested” on here over and over and has met with the same general derision. Frenchy’s rocket arm is just where is should be—and where it will remain—in right field!

By TrueBlueBravesFan

August 14, 2007 9:01 AM | Link to this

I see all this talk of next year and it makes me want to chime in.

First the Trading Edgar talk. Edgar is a bargain for us (we only have to pay half of his salary appx 3 mil). He is not busting the payroll so I actually would be very surprised to see us trade Edgar for anything unless its a top shelf innings eater starter. With Chippers injury history and the possiblility of keeping the platoon at secons there is still pleny for Escobar to due without having to make him the starting SS.

Andruw I hate to say but unless he comes in at bargain basement its time to dump him. His defense just can’t justify what he does to the lineup…and frankly I enven think his defense is starting to slip as well. I would love to see the braves go after Rowand but I would be surprised if the Phillies let him get away considering he’s a fan favorite. I also wouldn’t break the bank for a Stud FA….instead look for a middle tier FA that can cover ground and at least give you 260 BA. Maybe even move Francour to center and look for a good reliable Right Fielder. Generally you can find those easier than Center Fielders. Maybe we could strike gold again with another Diaz type player.

Pitching The Braves are going to get Hampton back and I think it would be unwise to consider him better than a #4 starter based on his rust and lack of innings. We’ll be lucky to get more than 5 innings a start from him for most of the first 2 months of the season. For this reason the braves need to go for a true innings eater starter. Preferably a lefty. Maybe a someone like Santana. When you look at the national league east most of the teams are loaded on the left side. Mets - Delgado, Beltran, Green. Phillies - Howard, Utley, Rollins. You need a quality lefty that can neutralize some of that firepower.

Bullpen I think were in good shape…I suspect that Gonzales will be back in good shape and some of these new relievers should fill in with Mahay, Moylan, and Sorianno to make a solid 6 man rotation. I would be surprised if the Bravos bring back Wickman because of his health issues this year. I suspect they will go for a close by committee approach with Sorianno and Gonzales. Assuming of course that Gonzales comes back strong.

Bench Has to improve on the left side. I think Woodward will be gone and Prado will take that spot. I would love to see someone like Sweeney added as a full time pinch hitter/bench player.

By Henry

August 14, 2007 9:02 AM | Link to this

DOB,

Good point, very good point, about Aaron jerseys at the stadium, especially tonight. I’m going to the game, will be seated where I’ll be very visible, and I’d love to be on camera wearing a number 44 with a Tomahawk on my chest when the Great Pretender comes to the plate.

Henry

By Paladin

August 14, 2007 9:10 AM | Link to this

Grinch You forgot Muslim submarines. :-)

And don’t you think it is time our Father started collecting the trolls, jackals, cavemen and other vermin? And trade ‘em to the devil for some good ole boys?

By AthensBrave

August 14, 2007 9:14 AM | Link to this

scribe, please dress your 3 year old as an asterisk. you’ll definitely get on Tv…maybe sportscenter

DOB, love the optimism, but I don’t see us gaining much ground this week unless we absolutely tear it up

By Micah

August 14, 2007 9:15 AM | Link to this

Going to Turner to catch Smoltz and the Giant Flounder tonight. Kids want to catch batting practice….anyone know the time it usually starts?

Go Bravos!

By Coach (Hank Aaron Is The Real HR Champion)

August 14, 2007 9:22 AM | Link to this

For the record , Andruw Jones , Bob Wickman , Octavio Dotel , Buddy Caryle , Julio Franco , Chris Woodward , Willie Harris , Tanyon Sturtze , Corky Miller and Ron Mahay (10 players) are all potential free agents after the season is over. Considering the fact that Macay McBride , Mark Redman , Jarrod Saltalamacchia , Craig Wilson , Ryan Langerhans , Tony Pena jr. , Steve Colyer and Wilfredo Ledezma (8 players) have all come and gone already and four minor leaguers were traded , this is going to be an unusually high turn over in personnel , even for the Braves.

By \\\\\\\\\\BERIGAN//////////

August 14, 2007 9:24 AM | Link to this

TrueBlueBravesFan,

The Braves should get someone like Santana??? There really is no lefty like him, except fellow Twin Francisco Liriano (Recovering from Mike Hampton, er, I mean Tommy John surgery) and perhaps Cole Hamels. Don’t get me wrong, I’d Love to get him! He is having an “off” year this year, 12-9 will likely be the first season he will loose 10 games or more. But, he still struggles along with a 3.02 ERA. He is getting tired of playing for a team that makes the braves seem like spendthrifts. After he sees what the team is like after they don’t offer Torii Hunter the market rate, he will leave as well. I don’t think we have anything left to trade for him though. I know, we traded 3 of our top 5 prospects, but we are still loaded, LOADED I tells ya! Well, if they would take Jo-Jo and his AA stuff and Lillibridge….get him! Only one problem though….he will get more money per year than Zambrano will.

By Steeledawg

August 14, 2007 9:27 AM | Link to this

DOB- That was a good article about Ryan Adams, but I loved the GNR article about the making of Appetite. Great inside stuff. Axl is a total head case and egomaniac, but they made one for the ages with that album.

As far as the Bravos, I think anything less than 4-2 will be a disapointment. We need to get some runs for the Bearded Icon tonight.

By Pantera

August 14, 2007 9:28 AM | Link to this

Beyond the Bayou should go down as one of the better dives in the Atlanta area. Its up off Ashford Dunwoody just south of Marist. Great food with plenty of spice. Get past the shopping center it is in and you will get some great Crawfish, Andouille Sausage Corn Dogs, Gator Tail, and Louisiana Beer. Can’t recommend it highly enough for a fan of Cajun food.

By \\\\\\\\\\BERIGAN//////////

August 14, 2007 9:28 AM | Link to this

an interesting link on the state of the Braves prospects…. http://mvn.com/mlb-braves/2007/08/08/prospect-chat-with-bryan-smith/

By TrueBlueBravesFan

August 14, 2007 9:29 AM | Link to this

Paladin,

I know Frenchy is a great RF but if the CF market is dry it may just make more sense to try and use him there and find a servicable RF. I personally think that Andruw will stay a Brave because I don’t see any team taking the risk on Andruw as bad as this season has been and quite frankly I’m almost scared of that possibility. And I don’t see my first choice (Tori Hunter) going anywere for less than 12mil a yr. Hey maybe we could somehow talk the Yankees out of Melky Cabrera. (Fat Chance). Maybe Steibrenner will fall in love with Andruws stats. Hahahaha (I almost hurt my self with that one).

By Joe Schmoe

August 14, 2007 9:32 AM | Link to this

This is encouraging news that I thought you guys might be interested in.

Jo-Jo Reyes has made two starts since his demotion and his numbers look like this…

13IP/3H/2BB/12K and hasn’t allowed a run.

Also, Brandon Jones continues to kill the ball. Over his last 27 at bats, before going 0 for 3 yesterday with a walk, he’s hitting .481 with a home run and six RBIs.

Check these numbers out…

Lillibridge in August, has hit .383/.420/.617 with two homers and 10 RBIs in 47 at-bats before going 0 for 2 yesterday.

By TrueBlueBravesFan

August 14, 2007 9:33 AM | Link to this

Coach,

The only 2 names on that list I would put much energy into keeping are Willie and Buddy. Unfortunately both of their price tags have just gone up but since Willie is from GA he might take less to stay. (Of course we are in the Me generation so who knows.)

By TrueBlueBravesFan

August 14, 2007 9:37 AM | Link to this

Ooops….At Mahay to that list. Can forget the only Good Southpaw in the pen.

By Micah

August 14, 2007 9:37 AM | Link to this

Coach Little help on the approx. time on batting practice? Please. Anyone? (take some cheese with this wine:)

By KC

August 14, 2007 9:39 AM | Link to this

TrueBlueBravesFan:

I agree that Renteria is a bargain for the Braves, but those numbers a little off. When the Braves got him prior to last season… Boston agreed to pay 8 of the 26 million left on his contract. The left the Braves responsible for 6 million a season for Renteria (not 3).

6 million is not insignificant, but they won’t trade him just to free up that money.

Nor will they won’t trade him just to free up an everyday job for Escobar.

And they won’t trade him just to cash in on his trade value.

But put all 3 of the above incentives (to trade Renteria) together… and I think he’s gone.

The Braves will need a closer, probably a center-fielder, and they’ll most likely want to add one more quality starter, regardless of how Hampton’s recovery goes this winter (they don’t want to bank on him again).

Renteria will have very real trade value this winter, and getting that 6 million back would help the Braves in their quest to fill those other needs.

The Braves front office loves Renteria, as well they should. But with Escobar here, they don’t need Renteria. It’d be nice to keep him… but not as nice as it would be to go into next season without a gaping hole in center or at the closer position.

By Lee in S. GA

August 14, 2007 9:40 AM | Link to this

While I would love to see A.J. get the he!l out of Dodge next year; I also have this fear he may be able to resign with Atlanta. I really think Boras is going to get a little surprise on what some teams may be willing to spend after a 200 season average. I just don’t see a long term deal by anyone, maybe a 2 or 3 year deal. A.J. really has stunk it up this year. Last year the Yankees more-than-likely would have traded Milky Cabrera straight up to the Braves for A.J…..what a difference a season makes.

By Voice of Reason

August 14, 2007 9:41 AM | Link to this

This morning, my wife and I heard a radio promo for tonight’s Braves vs. Giants game in which they encouraged everyone to come to Turner Field to see “Barry Bonds and the San Francisco Giants.” Her line was: Don’t you know the Giants just love being Barry Bonds’ backup band? Man, I wish I had come up with that one…

By Rosalynn

August 14, 2007 9:46 AM | Link to this

This has been a difficult week foah all of us at the Carter Centah. Theah has been some talk of closing the Carter Centah due to lack of intuhrest in Jimma’s Presidenca. Ah do not believe that the Carter Centah will close though. Some nice wrestla boahs ah talking about renting some of the rooms for wrestlin’. If theah do so, we should remain viable for the neah futuah. That, and raising the prices of concessions should prove fruitful. A good patta melt is onlah $3.50 right now but will be going to $4.25 at the end of the week. A Jimma Carter jersah is onla $33 and a Miz Lillian game jersa can be had for less than $50.

That reminds me of a storah back when Miz Lillian was wrestlin on the touah. Young Jimma would tag along and wuhk the corner for his momma. One dah, Miz Lillian pinned both Madeline Albright and Janet Reno in a tag team match. When Miz Lillian was through, she threw up from uglah. The jersa she was weahing that dah is available foah sale on e-bah.

And Ah would like to say that Ah realla lahk that boah Tex at fuhst base. That boah can rake! Normally, Ah do not lahk anahthing to do with Texas for obvious political reasons but Ah do enjoah Tex at fuhst base.

In passing, Ah would lahk to sah hello to Ronna Roberts who was kind enough to mention me in one of his recent posts. Ah lahk you too, Ronna, but you should take bettah caah of yoahself.

By BT

August 14, 2007 9:46 AM | Link to this

Coach,

We could actually lose Woodward, Julio, Sturtze, Corky, Tubby (Wickman), Rally Killer (Andruw Jones). Oh no, we are doomed!!

By KC

August 14, 2007 9:48 AM | Link to this

TrueBlueBravesFan:

Also, if you believe recent reports… the Braves were about to deal Renteria as part of a deal for Buehrle before he re-signed with the ChiSox.

The payroll WILL be increased next year. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have traded for Tex. Because Hudson’s salary will jump up another 7 million next year, and Smoltz will get a 6 million dollar raise.

If the payroll weren’t going up, the Braves would be forced to use the money freed up by Andruw’s probable departure to cover the above stated pay raises. Instead, they’ll use it to pay Tex next year.

But even with that payroll bump, the Braves will need to trim where they can to patch holes in center, at closer, and to possibly strengthen the rotation.

Renteria is gone. I love the guy, and so do the Braves… but he’s out of here.

By ChampDawg

August 14, 2007 9:48 AM | Link to this

DOB— I respect and appreciate your work and insights……… but, let’s be honest ok. The Braves had a chance to “make ground” during the homestanfd against Concy and that road-trip out west— did not. The Braves had a chance to improve their standing against their 2 biggest rivals on the road last week— did not. Let’s just all be honest here. I like the addition of Tex…… but, he’s not the savior (not even batting .300) and the Braves pitching is just soooooo weak and Andruw just plain sucks. Nope, I just don’t see the Braves catching the Mets. It may be close but it just ain’t gonna happen. There are just way too many weaknesses. Folks that think otherwise— I can appreciate the optimism but it’s just not realistic.

By teoa

August 14, 2007 9:49 AM | Link to this

Ron Roberts, the famed Magnolia Grill sounds a lot like the famed Camellia Grill, which has just reopened. Is that what you were referring to? If so, I’m curious whether it maintained its character through the long hiatus? Man, that place used to be good pre-Katrina. Somehow I’m picturing it as sort of a touristy caricature of its old self though…hope I’m wrong.

By KC

August 14, 2007 9:53 AM | Link to this

Micah: Here’s the info from Braves.com…

BATTING PRACTICE SCHEDULE

Pre-game batting practice is a ritual exclusive to the game of baseball. The schedule listed below is subject to change by either team.

7:05 p.m. game:

Visitors Extra Hitting 2:00-3:00

Braves Extra Hitting 4:20-4:35

Braves Hit 4:35-5:35

Visitors Hit 5:35-6:15

Braves Infield 6:15-6:25

Visitors Infield 6:25-6:35

7:35 p.m. game

Visitors Extra hitting 2:30-3:30

Braves Extra hitting 4:50-5:05

Braves Hit 5:05-6:05

Visitors Hit 6:05-6:45

Braves Infield 6:45-6:55

Visitors Infield 6:55-7:05

1:05 p.m. game

Braves Hit 10:45-11:35

Visitors Hit 11:35-12:15

Braves Infield 12:15-12:25

Visitors Infield 12:25-12:35

By Efrim

August 14, 2007 9:55 AM | Link to this

KC

So why did you knock BC after last night’s game? Frustrations? I would never expect it from you.

By David

August 14, 2007 9:57 AM | Link to this

Agree on wearing the Aaron stuff to the Ted. Happened to take in Friday’s Pirates / Giants game out in SF, and I wore my Aaron-era royal blue Braves cap in my seat out in left-center.

By The Grinch

August 14, 2007 9:57 AM | Link to this

I tried to tell you about those submarines, but my post got deleted. Good idea about the trolls, though.

We ought to get someone like Santana? Brilliant. 160 IP, 170 SO, 39 W, 2.98 ERA in the American League. Only problem is, ESPN says he’ll get 20-25 mill per season on the open market. Small flaw in that plan. Even if they wanted to trade him, we’d have to give them Edgar, another position player, and the rest of our farm system to get a guy we couldn’t afford.

Ok, Y’all; time to get some work done.

By Paladin

August 14, 2007 9:59 AM | Link to this

Mz Rosalynn LOL, us usual. If I had your gift for dialect, I would never write in anything else. And say hello to Jimma for me, if he is not too busy hammerin’, or messing in other countries’ business.

By TrueBlueBravesFan

August 14, 2007 10:03 AM | Link to this

KC,

I love your arguments and they make perfect sense except.

A. You can’t reasonably expect Chipper to be healthy for all 162 games. If I was GM I would bank on about 140.

B. I also heard read rumors that stated that Escobar was part of the planned trade for Bronson Aroyyo. If you put your faith in trade rumors then who knows what your team would look like. Andruw was rumored to be traded last year too and that didn’t happen.

C. The Buhrle rumors were going on BEFORE Elvis was packaged for Tex. I don’t know if I would be that quick to ship off my middle infield now since it looks like they might be grooming Lillibridge for CF

By KC

August 14, 2007 10:06 AM | Link to this

Joe Schmoe:

Yeah… I think Reyes is better than what he showed us in his brief Atlanta stint. That’s the problem with being in a pennant race (and the Braves plan to be in one again next year)… you can’t afford to have too much patience with a guy at the big league level. But I’m sure he’ll be back.

Lillibridge has been great recently, and I hope to see him among the September call-ups here in a couple weeks. It’ll be nice to have him here even if it’s just as a pinch-runner!!!

I don’t know that it’s really any easier to steal bases at AA or AAA than it is at the major league level… And that guy stole 53 bases in 66 attempts last year on the farm, and he’s stolen 37 of 47 this year… including 23 of 26 at Richmond in 68 games.

By Juliia

August 14, 2007 10:06 AM | Link to this

The famed Gladiola Grille is also a DELIGHT. Best little salad in town. I ate there many times while filming Pelican Brief. Some radio types would frequent the place but they had g-o-o-d security at the GLADIOLA so it never bothered me.

By geauxbraves2000

August 14, 2007 10:07 AM | Link to this

The Braves need to start sweeping some of these teams. They need to learn how to hit soft tossing lefties. They don’t want to be behind Phil & NY when those two teams play each other. Now is the time to make their move if they are going to.

Geaux Braves!!

By TrueBlueBravesFan

August 14, 2007 10:10 AM | Link to this

One other thing. If your JS and you have to pick between Escobar as your utility guy and Woodward. Who would you pick. Both can play just about every position in the infield except Escobar can’t play first and you have THOR for that.

By Steve from OH

August 14, 2007 10:10 AM | Link to this

Everyone’s upset about Prado starting last night, but didn’t he have 2 hits, including an RBI double? A good use of statistics by Bobby if you ask me. And does anyone really expect that he’ll platoon Prado and Kelly the rest of the year? Honestly…

By Bill Robinson

August 14, 2007 10:12 AM | Link to this

I agree with Stephen, Willie in center, Diaz in left. Numbers don’t lie!

By Anders

August 14, 2007 10:16 AM | Link to this

DOB As Pittsburgh was Bonds’ first road series since he broke the record do you know if they acknowledged it in any way during or just before the game? I realize what a controversial area this is but I can’t see how all of baseball can just ignore it? Kind of awkward. What,if any, plans do the Braves have? Since Aaron took the high road I would expect the Braves organization to do the same - as they usually do.

I’m not a Bonds apologist I was just wondering how it would be handled?

By Bill in VA

August 14, 2007 10:22 AM | Link to this

I played a lot of ball, not on Andruw’s level, of course, but when a slump hits it’s time to change something. Me, I used to choke up a bit, try to hit to opposite field, change the dynamics. I coached a lot too. In Andruw I see a guy unwilling to act coachable.

By Rev. Zoldars

August 14, 2007 10:22 AM | Link to this

You got a date, Rev. Me and Howard Hughes will fly up on his private tri-motor.

I know that was rehashed from last night, but i gotta say, that was hilarious.

And speaking of delicious food, for a meal on the super cheap that is mighty good, I suggest eats on ponce. Im sure many have heard of it, but they have a turkey lasagna fit for a sasquatch and just as good. Its known for its jerk chicken, however.

I was also thinking that willie harris needs mascots in the crowd if he does not already. For pure insanity purposes, i would like too see “Harris’ Ferris’” where everyone dresses up as a ferris wheel. Or Willies Phillies- dress up as cigars roast our way to victory. Every reverend loves a cigar every now and then

By KC

August 14, 2007 10:25 AM | Link to this

Efrim: I knocked Bobby (even though I love the guy) for the same reason everyone else has been knocking him…

His use of Andruw Jones. The guy is hitting around the Mendoza line. What’s worse than a .200 hitter? A .200 hitter that isn’t even at 100% right now!

I am absolutely convinced that BC cost us the 2nd game of the Mets series. We should have swept it. Had we done so, we would be 1-1/2 back in the east (and still ahead of the Phillies, even with the series loss) and a 1/2 game out of the WC.

In that 2nd game at Shay, down by 1 run in the 9th… BC let a .200 hitter bat with the bases loaded and 1 out. He did that when there was a .340 hitter (Diaz) sitting on the bench. And of course he promptly grounded into a double-play to end the inning.

Andruw has grounded into 14 double-plays this year. Diaz has grounded into 5. And setting the numbers aside… Diaz was red-hot, while Andruw had never looked worse.

Inexcusable.

Chances are excellent that Diaz would have at least done something to get the tying run home, if not a hit to take the lead.

I know he doesn’t want to embarrass Andruw, but some things are more important than Andruw’s feelings… such as a division pennant.

Then in the Phillies series, AJ had opportunities to come up with some key hits, but of course did not. Right now, Andruw should be on the bench until he feels closer to 100%. Use him as a late-inning defensive replacement for now.

But BC won’t do that. He says “There’s no one like Andruw (defensively)” so he’s keeping him in the lineup. Unless he can play all 3 outfield positions simultaneously, there is NO outfielder good enough in the field to justify being an automatic out. If great defense atones for an automatic out… why isn’t Langerhans still in a Braves uniform?

By David O'Brien

August 14, 2007 10:27 AM | Link to this

I asked a couple of times during the road trip about whether they’d do anything regarding Bonds, and a Braves official told me they might have a video presentation, but nothing on the field….

ChampDawg, let’s be honest here (since that’s the way you want to be, judging from your use of the expression). You stated your opinion, they didn’t make up ground when had a chance, etc, Teixeira’s not great because isn’t hitting .300 (although most I know would take his four homers and 11 RBIs over a .300 average, but maybe you’re a traditionalist who really likes high average over all else).

Anyway, let’s be honest: You think they’re done. Fair deal. I think they’re 3-1/2 down in a mediocre division and two wins from potentially leading the wild card race with more than 40 to go. Sorry, far from done. Difference of opinion. Football starts soon, so you won’t have to worry about keeping up with this futile season, right?

But thanks for your honest appraisal.

Now I’m off to the dentist. Wish me well.

By Paladin

August 14, 2007 10:29 AM | Link to this

Julia You lured me out of baseball, yet again. You mean y’all actually went on location to butcher the “filming” of a good novel? The only one that was worse, that I can think of right now, was Midnight in the Garden, etc. As a result of that one, I haven’t even bothered to watch Eastwood’s two WWII films.

By SRF

August 14, 2007 10:31 AM | Link to this

I know that this blog is full of loyal braves fans with their fingers crossed, but I just do not see things ending well here. They just went 3 and 3 during a stretch of what was essentially playoff baseball and they proved that they just do not have the pitching or defense to win a playoff stretch. Key errors and gopher balls from relievers that translated to 3 run homers just is not good enough. Yes, yes I saw Willie’s catch and I saw Jeff gun down two runners but those were desperation because the hitters were creaming the ball. That does not equate to good defense - solid handling of a double play and infield grounders are more important.

Lucky for me - football starts up each year just as the Braves swoon and so I have something else to watch.

By Braveheart

August 14, 2007 10:32 AM | Link to this

Paladin From what the Sultan of Verbosity has been repeatedly told, “the first time” meandering through the maze that are his posts is never much fun. Quite often, no one gets to a second time reading, never mind halfway through the first time reading before nodding off or scrolling by. So, congrats to you.

The Sultan of Verbosity needs alot of tutoring during the offseason from the ssiscribe on the beauty of succinct writing. The Verbose One hopes he can learn and grow like Frenchy so he does not become Andruw. The Verbose One will keep in mind the mantra of Scoots: Brevity is the soul of wit.

The lesson of your teacher you spoke of the other day may also be very helpful. But I’m guessing since she was your teacher when you were young a century ago, she is no longer alive - especially, if she has had the misfortune of taking a car ride with Paladin.

Or was that before cars and you were doing that to her with horse drawn carriages? No wonder the horse is dead and buried in North Carolina.

By Paladin

August 14, 2007 10:40 AM | Link to this

Watch out everyone, DOB is going in to have his teeth filed. He will really rip-you-a-new-one now! :-)

By Braveheart

August 14, 2007 10:41 AM | Link to this

Yes, it ‘twas Paladin who killed the horse and Carolina Lady who buried the poor thing to stop the denizens from beating on it.

By KC

August 14, 2007 10:44 AM | Link to this

TrueBlueBravesFan:

You bring up good points, but I still say Renteria’s gone after this year.

Yes, they certainly like to have a solid backup for Chipper. But with guys like Lillibridge and Prado coming up… the Braves probably feel like they have solid young talent capable of taking over reserve-infield duty. But if not, it’s a lot easier to get a solid backup for Chipper than it will be to fill the holes the Braves will have to fill next year (closer, center, one more quality starter).

And again, that’s why Renteria will be gone. Because his trade value and the salary that trading him will free up, will help the Braves accomplish their primary off-season goals.

As for Lillibridge in center… that’s something us Braves fans have talked about… but I’m not aware of any credible evidence to suggest the Braves are grooming him for center.

As far as I know, they’ve still got him at SS. He’s said to be a gold-glove caliber infielder, so I think they’ll be reluctant to move him, even if he’s blocked at his natural position.

And again… he’s a guy that could help add infield depth if Renteria is traded, so I don’t think we’ll see Lillibridge in center.

BTW: I’m not sure I buy into the Escobar rumors, and if memory serves me correctly, I don’t think DOB was ever on board with that one either.

By Joe Schmoe

August 14, 2007 10:45 AM | Link to this

KC…

The one thing that worries me about Reyes was that he didn’t miss any bats while he was up. Every hitter he faced it looked like he was laboring just to throw a strike and when he did, they made contact. Pitching to contact is a scary way to pitch, if you’re unlucky or have shady defense, you’re in for a long season. You have to be able to strike some people out when you need to and that’s something he’s done in the minors. Hopefully he’ll figure it out with the big club.

The tough thing about the September call-ups, is that neither Lillibridge or Jones are on the 40 man roster. If one or both are called up, some room has to be made. I’d really like to see both of them up, though. With Andruw’s elbow and Renteria’s ankle, it couldn’t help to have another backup in each spot. With Lillibridge’s ability to play the outfield in necessary, it may just be him though.

By Anders

August 14, 2007 10:46 AM | Link to this

DOB I assume your trip to the dentist is to have your foot removed after our “What’s the difference? Wickman MRI incident”?

Sorry, it was just sitting right there and I couldn’t resist.

By Paladin

August 14, 2007 10:50 AM | Link to this

Braveheart I want to say this to you and I want to make it quite clear.ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ Huh? Oh! Now, where was I?

By Paladin

August 14, 2007 10:57 AM | Link to this

To all Just because I have horse-hairs and blood up to my armpits, I am not guilty! That is my story, and I’m sticking to it.

By journalist jimmy smith

August 14, 2007 10:59 AM | Link to this

-from jimmy smith’s blackberry- oh, the humidity! journalist has been in line since 6:00 a.m. jimmy smith feels good and is ready to sing. wish jimmy smith luck. more later.

By Efrim

August 14, 2007 11:00 AM | Link to this

I haven’t really freaked out about the Braves losing in a while, but I swear, if they lose a game to the Giants I am going to be as mad as I have been this entire season.

I hope all of you react the same way, because a loss to this Giants team would be unacceptable.

By Jay Dub

August 14, 2007 11:00 AM | Link to this

Andruw Jones’ home phone: RIIIIIIIINNNGGGGG! RIIIINNNNNGGGGG!

Hello Hey ‘Druw, this is Scott Boras. We need to talk. What’s up? Certainly not your batting average. Here’s the deal. With the Braves trading for Tex, I think we both know you’re looking for another team next year. So what? We were going to test the market anyway, right? We were going to test it ‘Druw, not tempt it. I was already going to have to convince GMs that your OBP and average with RISP wouldn’t hurt them. But now I’m going to be spending all my time trying to make them forget about this year altogether. We have to give them a reason. So what do you want from me? Nothing. Nothing. I was just calling to check on your elbow. My elbow? What’s wrong with my elbow? That’s right! We have no idea what’s wrong with your elbow. It just hurts. Well … now that I’m thinking about it … yeah, it does hurt a little today. No it doesn’t. It hurts a lot. As a matter of fact, it has been hurting all year, hasn’t it? Man, I hadn’t noticed how much it hurts. I should really get it looked! Nooooooooo! You should DEMAND to have it looked at. You should insist on an MRI, but unfortunately you are much too busy playing golf. Oh, I get it! But won’t playing golf hurt me even more? Only if you whif on your drive with runners in scoring position. See ya when the season’s over, ‘Druw.

By Savannah Guy

August 14, 2007 11:03 AM | Link to this

Paladin No, we are not in limbo sweetheart (wink)…and yes…I’ve read yours and thanks for those nice things you said. Always appreciate being…appreciated. Who doesn’t? Hey, I rarely miss anything written here. Wouldn’t miss it. Lately, I’ve been doing everything but hanging out here on the blog, which means I can only grab enough time to read but not post. In the meantime, hold the fort and keep the powder dry.

Braveheart Just about to reply and run…but then saw your post and wanted to shout a Hey Cuz! Dittos on ssiscribe yes…always interesting, pertinent and succinct. I aspire to that. “Sultan of Verbosity”…hmmm, sounds…just…like, uh…me. Guilty (sigh). But alas, there’s the off-season. Gotta’ run for now. Back late. Great stuff as always Cuz…been fun reading.

By Braveheart

August 14, 2007 11:04 AM | Link to this

Be wary, Paladin. The Muslim Submarine might be Mozilla Firefox.

By Braveheart

August 14, 2007 11:08 AM | Link to this

jimmy when you get in there with Paula, Simon, and Randy, will you please confirm for us whether Randy Jackson looks like a Seal in person like he does on television?

By Savannah Guy

August 14, 2007 11:08 AM | Link to this

DOB: Shouldn’t you wait until “two thirty” to go to the dentist?

By Robert (Justice Is The Best)

August 14, 2007 11:09 AM | Link to this

Folks, I am beginning to worry. Last night we may have received the kiss of death. Steve Phillips picked the Braves to win the division. He said the Mets won’t even make the playoffs.

By Shaun

August 14, 2007 11:09 AM | Link to this

KC,

Lillibridge played some outfield in college.

By ncscoots

August 14, 2007 11:13 AM | Link to this

Braveheart, did you really use Scribe and “succinct” in the same sentence, LOL? Man, he’s one of my best blog buddies, but when I see the Scribester start out with “dashing off a quick post”, I know I’m in for about a hundred column-inches minimum :-)

I can say that, of course, knowing that Scribe won’t take it as a slam!

By Jay Dub

August 14, 2007 11:16 AM | Link to this

I meant to space that phone call out. It doesn’t look good as all one paragraph. Rookie blogger mistake.

By Will

August 14, 2007 11:16 AM | Link to this

Its funny some of these comments about the previous 3-3 road trip being so bad. I am usually first in line to be a realist about the Braves, but bottom line is they are lucky they didnt get swept in Philly with the back end of the rotation going. Other then the first series this year the Braves never play well in that sandbox in Philly. On the other hand, a 3-3 homestand here would be awful and unacceptable.

By Braveheart

August 14, 2007 11:16 AM | Link to this

Dittos on ssiscribe yes…always interesting, pertinent and succinct. I aspire to that. “Sultan of Verbosity”…hmmm, sounds…just…like, uh…me. Guilty (sigh). But alas, there’s the off-season. Gotta’ run for now. Back late. Great stuff as always Cuz…been fun reading.

Savannah Yes, cuz, rumor is that DOB has made an organizational decision to send the two of us to report to the Arizona Fall League with the scribe and be tutored extensively on the art of succinctness. I must say though that although your posts are long, the writing is succinct. Mine however are just a lost cause. But I’m the Sultan dammit! You can be the Czar or whatever other title you like.

By PostseasonBlues

August 14, 2007 11:19 AM | Link to this

Doesn’t anyone here have a memory? what does the postseason mean to the Atlanta Braves? Thank you.

By TennesseePaul

August 14, 2007 11:20 AM | Link to this

So I’m coming in on this late. Seems to be my way of working these days. I’ll put down the pitcher to check the blog and a million posts are up already. By the time it finally loads, a new blog is posted with yet another million posts. This band wagon is getting crowded. But I’ll take it.

DOB: I love your blogs and I appreciate this one, but I can’t see this as any more of an opportunity for the Braves than it is for the Mets or Phillies. All three of these teams are starting the week by playing cellar dwellers and only one of them (the Braves) is playing a division leader. This is a key time for the Braves to step up though, I’ll agree to that. But I’m not sold that this week they will gain much ground. This is a time to hold the ground they already have.

I do believe that this season is shaping up to be the greatest penate drive in the history of the game. In the National League alone each division has 3 teams within 5.5 games of the division title. 6 Teams are within 3.5 of the Wild Card. This is going to be very very exciting. I hope the Braves pull it off. It’s going to be a struggle all the way to the end of October.

GO BRAVES!!

By Braveheart

August 14, 2007 11:22 AM | Link to this

Scoots While Scribe’s posts may be long, his logic and sentence and paragraph structure is succinct. No surplus verbiage. Hey, I’m a long winded one, I’m hoping to cut my two screen long posts into at least one screen to please you, okay? Work with me here, scoots.

By Anders

August 14, 2007 11:23 AM | Link to this

Robert JIB Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain named Steve Phillips. The guy changes his pick once a week.

By Braveheart

August 14, 2007 11:25 AM | Link to this

Savannah Let’s hope DOB does not send Scoots over to the AFL to work with us. If he’s that tough on the scribe, what the heck would he do to the two of us? Whew!

By Anders

August 14, 2007 11:26 AM | Link to this

*To all Word here in NY is that Phil Rizzuto “The Scooter” died. Looks like another horizontal stripe for the Yanks. Just what they need - more inspiration. That team is on fire. Plus if you haven’t seen this Chamberlain kid - he’s got some electric stuff. Looks like the post Mariano years are set now. The rich get richer.

By Christy

August 14, 2007 11:26 AM | Link to this

just announced that Phil Rizzuto has passed away.

By Shaun

August 14, 2007 11:33 AM | Link to this

Efrim,

Every loss would be fairly big at this point because the Braves are running out of games, are 3-1/2 games back and are behind two solid teams in the divisional race. But losing to the Giants isn’t any better or worse than losing to any other team.

You are always so obsessed with who the Braves lose to. Again, this isn’t college football or basketball. You don’t drop in the polls more if you lose to a bad team.

I would be disappointed if they lost the series to the Giants, certainly but it’s still not the end of the world.

A few weeks ago I pointed to the Giants as one of those teams the Braves need to hold their own against. My thoughts were the Braves need to hold their own against the good pitching clubs—Giants, Mets, D-Backs, and beat up on the bad pitching.

By doc

August 14, 2007 11:33 AM | Link to this

to be succinct this team needs to show some urgency or the ability to polish off or finish the lesser rans. yes, they have held their own in tough showdowns but have let up on the likes of cincy or in the series early with chicago when they were down. aside, we may have turned their season around. this team needs to make like the yankees or d’backs and win 15 of 20 to begin to take momentum into the post season. i just dont think they will be able to fall into it like the cards did last year if that is what everyone is hoping for. lightening like that doesnt come long too often to catch.

jimmy, if you make it i will watch idol for the first time in my life. just not sure i want to see what you look like, heh heh! i guess for that reason i am not sure i want to offer good luck so ….just break a leg.

By Nurse Patty

August 14, 2007 11:34 AM | Link to this

DOB, your teeth are ready, sugar. You may pick them up anytime before 5:00 PM. Thanks. Patty

By Braveheart

August 14, 2007 11:37 AM | Link to this

To all Just because I have horse-hairs and blood up to my armpits, I am not guilty! That is my story, and I’m sticking to it.

Paladin With your bogus proclamations of innocence, if you were a football player, would you be a Trojan or a Hokie, a Bill or a Falcon, wear number 32 or number 7?

There is no question of your guilt in killing that poor horse. So, did you kill the horse with your fighter pilot manner of riding her or did you punch her like Alex Karras in Blazin Saddles?

I guess I just answered my question. If Paladin were a football player, he would be Alex Karras.

By Paladin

August 14, 2007 11:41 AM | Link to this

Help!! I downloaded Mozilla firefox and made all the “choices” I thought y’all had told me to, but when I “opened” it there were no “favorites”. So, the only way, I knew, to get on here was to type in the Ajc, etc. and it’s still as slow as Andruw’s slump-recovery-rate. ???

By Will

August 14, 2007 11:42 AM | Link to this

Shaun, You seriously think losing to the Giants at home is the same as losing to any other team? What is the logic behind that. There are some teams you cant afford to lose to because they are bad baseball teams and the Giants are at the top of the list.

By ChampDawg

August 14, 2007 11:43 AM | Link to this

DOB— I didn’t say they were “done”. What I said was they have so far failed to “make ground” when having at least 2 previous chances. So what makes you think they’ll all of a sudden do it now? This team has time and time again failed to do so when opportunity presented itself. The facts are that the pitching is too weak and Andruw hurts this lineup.

By Braveheart

August 14, 2007 11:47 AM | Link to this

Anders, very sad to hear about Rizzutto, supposedly nicknamed the Scooter by Ty Cobb. In honor of Scooter, I’m going to go get a canoli. I will also stop calling people idiots and call them Huckleberrys like Scooter did. Very sad day.

Holy Cow! He did it! Sixty-one for Maris! Look at ’em fight for that ball out there!

Met Scooter once - the same day I met Deion Sanders when he was a minor leaguer. I was much more excited about meeting Scooter even though I loved Prime Time. That’s how much my pops and grandpa made me love the Scooter growing up.

By Will

August 14, 2007 11:48 AM | Link to this

Shaun, Not that this effects the Braves, but if you lose to a bad team in football or basketball you are much more likely to drop farther in the polls then if you lose to a good team. You saying if a #1 team loses to the 200th ranked team they will fall the same amount of spots as if they lost to the #2 team? Dont remotely wanna start debating college sports polling systems, but i have to disagree on that statement.

By Anders

August 14, 2007 11:49 AM | Link to this

ChampDawg Either drink the koolaid or leave the site! Thems the rules.

By Will

August 14, 2007 11:51 AM | Link to this

shaun, sorry misunderstood the college sports portion of your last post. Thank god i did was floored a sports fan would make that statement. My bad.

By Chris

August 14, 2007 11:51 AM | Link to this

I’m not sure if anyone has mentioned this, but can BC put Willie in Center and Diaz in Left?…ok in all seriousness guys, we know it’s not going to happen, so can we cut the blog in half each day by NOT mentioning that anymore? It is what it is, and that is a Mendoza-level hitter that will hopefully get a couple of clutch hits here and there and a 2 run homer in the other blowouts. Not to mention a Web Gem or 2 per week. Let’s focus on Tex, Chipper, KJ, Smoltz & Huddy, and getting that bullpen back in order eh?

By AthensBrave

August 14, 2007 11:52 AM | Link to this

KC,

excellent 10:25 concerning Andruw.

Bobby can be loyal to a fault. Andruw has struggled the ENTIRE SEASON Mr. Cox. Don’t let your loyalties stand in the way of a 2007 pennant!!!

By Efrim

August 14, 2007 11:56 AM | Link to this

Shaun

You are always so obsessed with who the Braves lose to. Again, this isn’t college football or basketball. You don’t drop in the polls more if you lose to a bad team.

Losing to the Giants is not the same as losing to the Mets or Phillies. The Mets and Phillies are dangerous teams. The Giants are a joke. We aren’t facing their good pitchers. Atchison and Ortiz should be destroyed by this Braves lineup, and to be honest, I want them to handle a rookie pitcher as well. No matter how hard he throws.

How can you not understand that they need to take care of business against teams like the Giants, good pitching or not. Hold their own against the Giants? A team that just lost 4 of 5 to the Pirates? Please. Do you not understand that our 3 best starters are going in this series? So if we lose two out of three to the Giants, what would you expect this weekend with Brandon Webb facing Cormier or Carlyle? I’d say thats a loss. Therefore we have just loss 3 out of 4 when the Mets and Phillies are facing the Nats and Pirates.

By LT (double AA blogger)

August 14, 2007 11:56 AM | Link to this

Hi, I’m LT and I’m a Braves fan!

Woke up this morning with a glass is half empty feeling.

Every time I think the Braves have a good chance to gain some ground they blow the should of’s.

Maybe it’s because of watching Andruw totally implode all season (and now blaming the elbow). Personally, I think it’s mostly contractitis. If it has been the elbow, sit yourself down man.

Is this going to be another Reds like home stand?

Eh, maybe it’s the heat.

Maybe it’s this wonderfully depressing/melancholy Sufjan Stevens I’ve been listening to since Saturday nights Austin City Limits.

By Paladin

August 14, 2007 11:57 AM | Link to this

Braveheart And you, sir, would be Slim Pickens or pickings, which describes, wonderfully, what we get out of you. :-)

By AthensBrave

August 14, 2007 11:57 AM | Link to this

Where was Anders after we won the mets series last week?

By Efrim

August 14, 2007 11:58 AM | Link to this

No logic behind that Shaun. You can’t even argue against it. I really can’t believe you even said losing to the Giants is the same as losing to any other team. No way. Not when our best 3 starters are going. No sir.

By Anders

August 14, 2007 11:59 AM | Link to this

Braveheart Scooter was classic calling Yankee games. Even though I’m a Met fan I listened to him all the time. He’d split after the 7th inning to beat the traffic over the George Washington bridge. They would show taillights on the bridge in the 8th and say “There goes Scooter”. Great stuff.

By Salty

August 14, 2007 12:04 PM | Link to this

Paladin To my knowledge, ‘favorites’ are browser specific. Of course you can open both browsers, copy the old URL (old browser favorites) and paste it into Firefox…and save it to favorites. That’s the extent of my tech know-how.

By Paladin

August 14, 2007 12:06 PM | Link to this

I, too, would like to be serious and mourn the passing of Scooter. He was a good baseball player, a “character”(in the good sense of the word)in the booth, and from what I know, a good man. Baseball will miss him.

By Anders

August 14, 2007 12:07 PM | Link to this

AthensBrave I’ve been right here fella. All the blogs are just to your left, open ‘em up and read them. I did miss a couple of days this weekend while I was at the shore enjoying the sun and surf. Is there anything you’d like to discuss?

By Bobo

August 14, 2007 12:08 PM | Link to this

PHIL RIZZUTO RIP. A great ball player during my early years and a great broadcaster for the last 40 years plus. Where have all the great ball players gone? To a field of Dreams….May God bless his family during this time.

By Efrim

August 14, 2007 12:09 PM | Link to this

Will

Not even focusing on the college football aspect of Shaun’s statement. The Braves need to take care of it against the bad teams. That 5-5 stretch to begin the second half still p** me off. If Cormier and Carlyle were pitching in this series, then I guess I would be less inclined to be p**. But John Smoltz, Tim Hudson and Chuck James are pitching. Need to win those games.

By DAP

August 14, 2007 12:10 PM | Link to this

will the braves could lose every game they play against the giants, and if they won every other game they played, they would have the best record ever. the point is, it doesnt matter much who youre playing when you win, as much as it does that you win.

if a team wins 100 games, it doesnt matter which teams they lost the other 62 games to, even if they were the worst teams.

By CC Rider

August 14, 2007 12:11 PM | Link to this

A quick Note to those on the blog that may not know Lillibridge’s college background. He was All-Pac First team in Centerfield for 2 seasons before moving back to shortstop because of need of the team. He has great speed and instincts in the outfield, as well as, a very good arm. So, I think a outfield of Diaz/Brandon Jones in left, Harris/Lillibridge in center ( Harris rakes against righthanders-Lillibridge rakes against lefthanders) and Francoeur in right with Lillibridge being a late inning defensive replacement for Harris is a cheap but effective possibility. It would allow the Braves to keep Renteria and upgrade the rotation (Glavine?) and perhaps the bullpen.

By Shaun

August 14, 2007 12:11 PM | Link to this

Will,

In baseball any team can beat any other team on any given day or in any given series.

In 2005 the Yankees won 95 games yet went 8-11 against the Devil Rays.

It will be a fairly big deal (although it still probably won’t be panic time yet) if the Braves lose the series because of where they are in the standings and how many games are left, not because of the team they are playing. Teams lose home series to inferior teams fairly regularly, even good teams do this.

By Anders

August 14, 2007 12:12 PM | Link to this

Paladin You’re taking quite a leap for a guy who probably still watches movies in Beta.

By Braveheart

August 14, 2007 12:14 PM | Link to this

Paladin Slim Pickens, huh? I’m gonna give you a Serbok nose and a Paladin smile on that one. :o>

Anders Grew up watching the PIX games myself. Loved the fun he and Bill White would have with each other. Tom Seaver however always was a bore when teamed with Scooter. Not as much of a bore as Bob Murphy, Tim McCarver, and Ralph Kiner when they were doing the Mets games on channel 9 but still an overbearing boor nevertheless.

And, yeah, he would never stick around past the 6th. Those were funny moments when they would show taillights going over the GWB. Although I thought it was funny, I would get kind of angry about it sometimes because that would mean I was stuck listening to Tom Seaver.

And, Anders, did you ever figure out what Scooter’s obsession was with Alvaro Espinoza and Stankiewicz? They could do no wrong in Scooter’s eyes.

By Paladin

August 14, 2007 12:15 PM | Link to this

Thanks Salty but that is a little over my head. I even failed “Computing for Dummies”. I may have to call in the guru.

By GeorgetownKid

August 14, 2007 12:17 PM | Link to this

KC You made a great point in your 10:25 post when you said:

“there is NO outfielder good enough in the field to justify being an automatic out. If great defense atones for an automatic out… why isn’t Langerhans still in a Braves uniform?”

Bobby is loyal to his guys. This is undoubtedly a big reason guys love playing for him. And often, his loyalty pays off, as he refuses to pull the plug on a good player.

But this season, his loyalty to A. Jones is rapidly becoming absurd. He is a liability at the plate, yet in some lineups Bobby still bats him 6th!

By Braveheart

August 14, 2007 12:17 PM | Link to this

Paladin You actually got alot of Scooter in ya with your posting style, you ole Huckleberry you.

By Ron Roberts

August 14, 2007 12:21 PM | Link to this

Yeah, Teoa and AZBravoFan were right; I meant Camellia Grill. Magnolia Grill’s the awesome place in Durham, NC. If you’re ever in the area, they make a vidalia onion & corn chowder with sausage and shrimp that kicks!

By Will

August 14, 2007 12:23 PM | Link to this

Okay guys come on with this talk about losing to the Giants being the same as losing to any other team. That is outrageous to say that, when you are at home with your 3 best pitchers going. Dont even compare the Devil Rays-Yankees because i am saying today 8/14/2007 the Braves have no business not sweeping the Giants if they wanna go to the playoffs. I dont buy any of this talk about one loss the same as the next. So a loss at home to the Giants is the same as a loss on the road to the Red sox. Whatever!

By Will

August 14, 2007 12:26 PM | Link to this

dont think that i dont understand that the baseball season is a long grind and even in a great season you are gonna lose at least 60 games, but to be posting that right now, with the situation in the NL East that there is any excuse or explanation for losing games at home to the Giants is beyond me. Sorry not even trying to be rude, i just dont remotely understand that logic

By TexasBrave

August 14, 2007 12:28 PM | Link to this

Bill in VA per your 10:22 post, Andruw’s current “slump” is because he is hurt and yes it is time to change something by placing him on the DL. Andruw is no longer coachable because he know’s Bobby is loyal and is not going to do anything about his poor plate performance. Did you see the act AJ put on for Bobby taking that extra batting practice just to appease BC just before AJ struck out three times in the last game. Pitiful. He will not even listen to Terry who was a great hitter. Look what he has done for Frenchy. You know I would even take the AJ before his elbow became a serios problem. At least he had more quality at bats than he does now. The thing I can’t get over is that AJ and BC think that Andruw is irreplacable and thus keeps putting AJ in the lineup. Their both killing this team and will probably cause us to not win the East division. Wild card I think is still within our grasp.

By Anders

August 14, 2007 12:30 PM | Link to this

Braveheart Have to disagree with you on Seaver. Aloof yes, but I thought he was good listening. He had no agenda. Told it like he saw it. Didn’t need the job so he could let it all hang out. He was the same with the Mets. He’d be a good commissioner for baseball but he doesn’t want or need to work for a living. Murphy is a Mets classic - definite hometown bias there from me. Kiner can be an annoying old timer. Constantly talking about the money players make today. Scooter always rooted for the underdog because he was one himself. I think thats where the infatuation came from.

By Fred Secunda

August 14, 2007 12:30 PM | Link to this

Dave and Ron Roberts, you’re thinking of Camellia Grill, not Magnolia Grill, in New Orleans.

By Paladin

August 14, 2007 12:31 PM | Link to this

Braveheart Thanks for the comparison to Scooter. I hate the Yankees, but I liked and admired him.

Anders Beta? I still watch ‘em on reels.

By Shaun

August 14, 2007 12:34 PM | Link to this

Efrim,

No doubt they need to win games. And now it’s more crucial to win games because of their place in the standings and how many games are left.

Doesn’t matter who you beat as long as you have more wins and less losses than any other team in the NL East or any other second place team. I could care less who the Braves win or lose to as long as they do that. That’s my only point.

By IT Department

August 14, 2007 12:37 PM | Link to this

Paladin, in FireFox, first, “favorites” are called “Bookmarks”. Click on the Bookmarks menu at the top of the page, and select Organize Bookmarks. A new window will open. Select File, then “Import”. You should have an option to import your favorites from Internet Explorer, if that was what you were using. Good luck.

By Ron Roberts

August 14, 2007 12:40 PM | Link to this

Never late to the dance, are ya Fred Secunda? :-)

By Anders

August 14, 2007 12:43 PM | Link to this

Paladin You know they have “Talkies” now?

By Shaun

August 14, 2007 12:43 PM | Link to this

Will and Efrim,

A win is a win and a loss is a loss in terms of the standings. Again, that’s my only point.

Say the Braves are swept by the Giants then lose only four or five or no other games this season. Would you still say a loss to the Giants?

But this discussion is really neither here nor there. Truth is the Braves need to win as often as possible against every team they are playing. And this was true all season, of course.

By TexasBrave

August 14, 2007 12:45 PM | Link to this

KC great points in your 10:25 post.

there is NO outfielder good enough in the field to justify being an automatic out. If great defense atones for an automatic out… why isn’t Langerhans still in a Braves uniform

I wish Bobby could get that point through his loyal head. Loyality has gotten Bobby far in his career, but it is time he recognized that it is not going to help him win more than 55% of the games for the rest of the season. With the state of the Braves pitching such that it is (and that it is not likely to improve) we need all hands on deck contributing if we are to win now and into the post season.

By Lew

August 14, 2007 12:45 PM | Link to this

LT-Sufjan Stevens? Do you prefer them with or without the fake Butterfly wings? I’ve got to say that group was one of the stranger spectacles I’ve ever seen in music.

By Bill Gates

August 14, 2007 12:46 PM | Link to this

Paladin Even I can’t help you!

By TennesseePaul

August 14, 2007 12:49 PM | Link to this

Payne: I agree. If we lose to the Giants or the Red Sox or the Pirates or any other baseball team, it all counts the same. At this point in the season though, all loses are extra painful and should be avoided at all costs. But I’m not going to get on the wagon that demands a sweep of every team the rest of the season. We lost to the Reds, and I recall someone proclaiming that the season ended right there. But from where I’m sitting, the Braves are still in the thick of things. It doesn’t matter so much where the wins and losses come from just so long as we end up with more wins than losses and most importantly more wins than the division rivals.
That said, the Mets and Phillies are playing the Nats and Pirates. All three of these teams, Braves, Phillies and Mets are going into this week looking for sweeps. The leg up we have is, only Renteria is injured. The Mets lost 2 catchers. The Phillies have crutches every where. But that hasn’t slowed them down. It’s on this pitching staff to get the job done and shut down the oppenent. No more giving away leads. And Yunel has to tighten up his defense. That Phillies series was sloppy.

By Will

August 14, 2007 12:50 PM | Link to this

Shaun, We are gonna argue this back and forth so i just agree to disagree. Fundamentally, you are right a win is a win, but there are series you CANNOT afford to lose and this is one of them. The urgency i feel towards sweeping this series is the combo of 1)playing one of the worst teams in baseball 2) having your 3 best starters going, when we all know the back of the rotation is atrocious and 3) the hottest team in the NL coming in this weekend.

By KC

August 14, 2007 12:52 PM | Link to this

GeorgetownKid: Yes, I don’t mean to trivialize the importance of showing confidence and patience with your players. It really has been a huge part of what’s made BC such a great manager throughout the years.

But there’s no doubt in my mind that it crossed a line in the 2nd game of that Mets series.

And he continues to dance on that line between showing faith in your players, and downright foolishness… when he bats AJ ahead of McCann the other night, against a lefty who statistically isn’t any tougher on lefty-hitters than he is on right-handed hitters.

We’re 3/4 of the way through the season. It’s time to accept that AJ’s a guy having an injury-hampered career-worst season… and use him accordingly.

By Shaun

August 14, 2007 12:52 PM | Link to this

Will,

There is an excuse or explanation for losing games at home against the Giants right now. Not saying it won’t make things more difficult or that it won’t be frustrating for us Braves fans. But the explanation is simple—sometimes good teams lose to inferior teams, even at home, in baseball.

I think you’re misunderstanding my point. My point isn’t a loss to the Giants is a small thing. The point is every loss in a baseball season is worth the same. Losing to the Giants isn’t going to make or break the season any more than any other win or loss. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be upset about a loss to the Giants (or any other team) at this time of year because truth is the Braves probably can’t afford to lose that many more games from here on out to win the division. But I don’t think it’s panic time quite yet if the Braves lose two of three to them.

By TennesseePaul

August 14, 2007 12:52 PM | Link to this

I should really refresh this thing more often. All my points are posted by other before I push the post button.

Whatever.

By Lew

August 14, 2007 12:53 PM | Link to this

Paladin-Dude-Even I managed to install Firefox and you can’t possibly have worse computer skills than I do. I promise. It’s easy. Efrim-I agree-we need to take out the Giants, especially with the likes of Russ Ortiz (though I have met him and he has always been a very nice person) pitching. However, if we could pick up Cain or Lincecum for the Braves, I’d love to see it happen. KC- Is there some particular reason you think Francoeur is incapable of taking over center field next year? I think he has plenty of range and Lord Knows, he has the arm. Why not Brandon Jones in right, Frenchy in center and Diaz/Harris right where they are now? Works for me and leaves all other available $$$$ to pick up the necessary pitching pieces that we will definitely need? We can always use Lillibridge for backup, or make Coach happy and bring Blanco up for the bench, or as another OF option.

By RedEyedAndBlue

August 14, 2007 12:55 PM | Link to this

Andruw may go on the DL but not until Edgar is back. His performance has been terrible offensively, and he should hit no higher than 7th. But if the Braves put Druw on the DL, who do they have on the bench as their 4th outfielder? TJ Bohn, Gregor Blanco, Pete Orr? Blanco has played well at Richmond but sticking a rook in the outfield or on the bench in the middle of a pennant race ain’t too smart. You gonna stick KJ in the outfield (best option) and possibly affect his defensive performance at second base? You gonna stick Thorman in leftfield (trust me, he’s already there when he’s hitting)? But those are the options, at least the ones on the current 40-man roster.

Frankly I think it is worth the risk to keep Druw in the lineup hitting 7th or 8th and hope that he can straighten things out in the next few weeks. It’s not likely, agreed. But the upside is a Druw swinging like its Yankee Stadium in 1996 by September and October. And if he has any way of salvaging a huge future contract, Jones must perform in Beltran-esque fashion come late September and playoff time.

By Wayne in Utah

August 14, 2007 12:55 PM | Link to this

Concerning AJ: I know that early on, Bobby stayed with Andruw because there was NO chance we had of winning the division without him coming through. One of those “dance with the one that brought you” deals.

Now, with Tex here, it is not as imperative that AJ be in the lineup. I would take a singles hitting 1 for 3 versus a possible homer in 1 for 5 (not to mention the DP’s and strikeouts!) any day from the 7th position.

So, while I understand why he has been in there from April through late July, there really is no reason to have him in the lineup everyday now. I can understand that you don’t just send a guy like AJ to the bench, only to play as a defensive replacement, but to give him 100% playing time is stretching it a bit.

By Pulpwood Smith

August 14, 2007 12:56 PM | Link to this

DOB-

This looks promising. Imagine 5 nights of this at the Tabernacle. From that beacon of music appreciation, the Wall Street Journal:

Look for Bruce Springsteen to possibly join Lucinda Williams at a show at Irving Plaza or Town Hall between Sept 5 and Sept 10.

Lu sources hint that Bruce could be one of Lu’s special guests when she performs five of her records - World Without Tears, Essence, Car Wheels on a Gravel Road, Sweet Old World and Lucinda Williams - in their entirety at upcoming shows. She’ll perform the discs in that order, one per night, over five nights in Los Angeles (Sept. 5th through 10th), at the El Rey Theater, and five in New York (Sept. 29th through Oct. 4th), at gigs at Irving Plaza and Town Hall. Each night, a second set will feature a medley of favorites.

Ms. Williams is playing the shows, in part, as “a big party to celebrate my work, I guess.” To that end, she has invited several prominent musician friends to perform with her during her second set. The guest list isn’t yet confirmed, but performers she has spoken with include Bruce Springsteen, Steve Earle and Elvis Costello.

By ssiscribe

August 14, 2007 1:03 PM | Link to this

Top of the afternoon, denizens. Just got in from lunch and got word of the Scooter’s death. Sad news. Phil Rizzuto was a treasure, a jewel of our game and among the great players on one of our sport’s greatest teams. RIP, Scooter.

Now, scribing (noted transition by the Scribe): Scoots, no slam indeed. It’s all good. See folks, I don’t have to worry about inch counts, word counts or — most importantly — trying to fit all of this into a hole with 500 other things going into the section, all under the gun and the ticking clock and glaring editors and ringing phones.

So while from time to time my postings run a bit long, just know it comes from far too many 300-word quick ones slammed out through the years. Just trying to even out all those stories well-meaning desk folks whacked through the years.

The beauty of the Internet? Your story never runs three paragraphs too long. And on the ol’ Braves/MIB, there are no editors to carve it up and shape it into something it’s not.

Now, instructional league (more transition): Nah guys, you’d want a real hack to show you the ropes, not some dude with 15 years experience. I’m outta that game now … well, sort of. Plus, Arizona’s too close to Vegas, and I wouldn’t be much help to you guys if you’re sitting in the press box in Mesa, and the instructor is sitting in a casino on the Strip.

The Scribe abides.

—30—

By Will

August 14, 2007 1:04 PM | Link to this

Shaun, I get your point, i really do. I just have a hard time buying that logic in the middle of August, when the Braves trail in the division and Wild Card. I saw the Reds sweep referenced earlier, well that was like 3 weeks ago, that was like 15 games ago. I still think the Braves have a great shot to make the playoffs, but its getting awful late in the year to not get on a more effecient winning pace. So if every loss is the same then if the Braves get swept at home the last week of the season is that the same as getting swept at home in April? The date my calendar says right now is the main reason i cant agree with you

By Paladin

August 14, 2007 1:06 PM | Link to this

Anders Talkies? Is that like you and Braveheart? :-)

By David O'Brien

August 14, 2007 1:08 PM | Link to this

Fred Secunda, indeed you’re right. Camelia Grill in N.O.

Magnolia Grill is in my birthplace, Durham, N.C.

WILL, actually, yes, a loss to the Sox on the road is the same as a loss to the Giants at home. When they go to determine the wild-card winner and one team has one more win than the other, nobody cares if that win came against the Red Sox on the road in September (if they played interleague then) or at home against the Giants in April.

And doesn’t matter if a team’s bad, doesn’t make it any easier to sweep them if they have a stud pitcher going in one game or your own starting pitcher stinks it up one day. Come on, man, you’ve watched baseball (I presume) long enough to know momentum is only as good as your next day’s starting pitcher, an axiom that’s entirely true.

Every series, every trip, you lay down the gauntlet — the Braves HAVE to do this, or HAVE to do that. Then if they don’t do it, and they’re the same place in the standings, you look silly. So why continue to do it when there’s more than FORTY GAMES LEFT?

By beachcomber

August 14, 2007 1:10 PM | Link to this

Reading over the past 20 or so hours of the blog, I believe Carolina Lady has come up with the next relevant stat ala saves etc. - Unassisted Home Run. Priceless!

On another note. Lest we consider tomorrow’s pitching match-up a walkover, I remember how grateful I and others were when we got Ortiz because we could never beat the rascal. But then was then and now is now.

By Will

August 14, 2007 1:11 PM | Link to this

Shaun Lets just hope Braves sweep of win 2 out of 3 so there is nothing else to argue about this series, i do have to say though losing 2 out of 3 with the top of the rotation going would be detrimental to the Braves at this point. There is alot to be said for keeping a cool head when you need to and there is also alot to be said for playing with a sense of urgency when you need to. I have no doubt the Braves players are gonna play with a positive sense of urgency this week. Its too late to lose the Giants at home.

By Ron Roberts

August 14, 2007 1:15 PM | Link to this

The bottom line is, if you have a star player who’s hurting, and rest might help him recover from it quicker, AND you can have somebody else capably fill in for him and do close to as well as he did defensively, and probably better than he’d do offensively with the injury, then you should sit him.

Loyalty should play no role. I’ve been saying this awhile now, I dig Bobby Cox, but his sticktuitivness with regards to Andruw is maddening. It cost us a sweep of the Mets, I believe, and clutch-ABs becoming clutch Ks and DPs are all too common with Andruw this season.

By Will

August 14, 2007 1:17 PM | Link to this

DOB, Fair enough on the Red Sox/Giants analogy. Yes i do say they have to do this or that every series and they dont do it and yes they are still in the SAME place in the standings, which is out of the playoffs across the board. I have absolutely watched baseball long enough to fully understand that there are alot of games to be played. The Braves did not erase defecits in 91 or 93 playing .500 baseball though. They won so damn much that one way or another they were gonna catch the Dodgers/Giants. Braves have never been the chasers to that extent any other year in this 15 year run (excluding 1994)

By Lew

August 14, 2007 1:18 PM | Link to this

Efrim-Dude-Yesterday you said the Braves needed to pull off a 10-5 run. Did you realize that if they take the first two games of the Giants’ series, they will have done just that? Make you feel any better? Keep up with your optimism. You’re doing much better this week.

By TennesseePaul

August 14, 2007 1:19 PM | Link to this

It’s a procrastination point. Should we win early and cruise to the finish line, or put off the heavy lifting forcing ourselves to be perfect at crunch time… a crunch time we created because we procrastinated.
A loss is a loss. We don’t make this season happen, I’ll point to May 14th-16th series loss to the Nats. The next guy will point to the July 16th-18th Series sweep by the Reds. Others will point to the 2-13 loss to the Pirates on May 13th. And still some will point to the mid August series against the Phillies. The problem with all of that will be this… They all counted the same and it was the sum of everyone of those disappointments that would result in the failure of a season. If we win, you can point to a Willie Harris Catch, a Francoeur Gun Down show. Tim Hudsons early season domination. An opening series Sweep of the Phillies. Anything. And again, it would be the sum of all those things that resulted in a success.

The Braves need to win. No doubt. But suffering 1 loss to the Giants in this homestand will not spell the end of the season. But like every other Braves fan, a sweep would be nice. But this team doesn’t need to think about that. They need to think about winning tonights game. Then go to sleep and wake up the next day and think about winning that game and so on…

By Paladin

August 14, 2007 1:20 PM | Link to this

Ok, who-ever-you-are, thanks for the tip about bookmarks. What, is “favorites” trademarked by Gates. So, I’m cool on that. Now, here is my problem. before, I had a “refresh” button and when I hit it and I was at the bottom of the page it, eventually, returned me to the bottom of the page. I now have a “reload the current page” button that always returns me to the top of the page. Please help the dummy, one more time. And hurry, it’s time for my nap.

By Shaun

August 14, 2007 1:22 PM | Link to this

TennesseePaul,

Exactly. Great points.

If the Braves lose two of three or get swept by the Giants then don’t make the playoffs, do we point to the Giants series as the games that cost them? Well, yes and no. We point to the Giants series…and every other loss.

If they lose to the Giants and make the playoffs, no one will remember that it was “unacceptable” to lose to the Giants.

Baseball teams don’t pick and choose and say “we have to sweep this team, we have to take two of three from that one, it’s okay to get swept by this one.” They try to win every game. It’s just as unacceptable to lose one game as it is another.

By DonCoburleone

August 14, 2007 1:23 PM | Link to this

“Every series, every trip, you lay down the gauntlet — the Braves HAVE to do this, or HAVE to do that. Then if they don’t do it, and they’re the same place in the standings, you look silly. So why continue to do it when there’s more than FORTY GAMES LEFT?”

I agree with that DOB, but the Braves just can’t keep letting opportunities to gain ground get away from them. This Giants series should without question be a sweep by the Braves. Its like you wrote in your article, this Giants team has got to be flat and worn out. And tomorrow they have Atchinson?? starting in what is a bullpen game for them against our Ace. Then Russ Ortiz (can’t believe he’s still even in MLB) against Hudson. The D-Backs worry me a little bit, Webb has been absolutely lights out and actually so has Doug Davis over the last month or so. Still, if we wanna set ourselves up so we don’t HAVE TO WIN 10 of the last 12 games of the regular season this is the type of homestand where 5-1 is needed…

By DSGB

August 14, 2007 1:25 PM | Link to this

DOB or anyone else, I read the blog everyday however I rarely post. My friends and I are planning on going to the game tonight but we don’t have tickets. What kind of seats can you get at the door? Is it worth it to try and scalp or should we try our luck at the gate and what can we expect to pay?

By Braveheart

August 14, 2007 1:26 PM | Link to this

Scribe, LOL! Then Vegas it is! Neither Savannah or I wanna sit in the Arizona heat all day anyway. They can spare me that nonsense about dry heat. Hot is hot. But I think your woman might have a problem with me and Savannah ruining your anniversary trip out there in October. Don’t worry we’ll lie to DOB and tell him we are all in Arizona working on our craft under your tutelage but we’ll all be in Vegas. You and your wife will go and have a good time together. Savannah and I will stay out of your way and get drunk and gamble all over town. On second thought, Savannah and I getting drunk together may not be such a good thing. We might end talking about rules and end up almost killing each other again. Don’t write off the instructional league thing just yet. It might be your way of getting DOB & the AJC to pay all the expenses for your anniversary gift to your wife.

By Braveheart

August 14, 2007 1:32 PM | Link to this

Anders Good points about the broadcasters. Just had to throw in digs against the Mets anyway. Are you shocked by that? You didn’t address McCarver though. I always hated that guy. Don’t get what the big fascination is with him that he has to be the lead color analyst for every big game.

By DonCoburleone

August 14, 2007 1:33 PM | Link to this

I saw recently that Josh Towers of the Blue Jays passed through waivers. Why not try and trade for him? Isn’t it time the Braves stopped kidding themselves with Lance Cormier and Jo Jo Reyes? I mean how long do we have to hear about Cormier “regaining” his spring training form? Or how Jo Jo is dominating in the minor leagues? THESE GUYS ARE NOT READY TO CONTRIBUTE TO A PENNANT CONTENDING TEAM! Shouldn’t we roll the dice on someone elses #5 starter just to shake things up? Just the switch from the AL to the NL will help him alot IMO. (And for the record, I was CLAMORING for the Braves to get JC Romero from Anaheim when they designated him for assignment earlier this year, and now look what he’s done for Philly)…

By Lee in S. GA

August 14, 2007 1:37 PM | Link to this

All of the division races seemingly are going down to the wire this season. Even the mighty Red Sox once considered by many on here the best team in baseball this season are arguably not even the best team in their division any longer despite the fact they lead it by 4 games. All remaining games are very important to say the least but this is not a must sweep series for the Braves against the Giants to remain in contention. Now if the Giants sweep the Braves and the Mets and Phillies sweep their opponents….maybe then it will be time to panic, but folks I just don’t see that happening.

By Paladin

August 14, 2007 1:39 PM | Link to this

Braveheart Can I go, please!? I succinct that Vegas stuff, too. Besides, I don’t want SG teaching you how to drink White Russians. You are a big boy, but you ain’t ready for them, yet.

By P-Town Brave

August 14, 2007 1:39 PM | Link to this

DOB

Hope your trip to the dentist went well..

Whats the latest on Andruw and the MRI…did he or didn’t he?

I’m thinking we need to go 4-2 over this homestand and then go 7-3 or 8-2 on our next roadie with the Mets playing Pitt, Wash, and a slumping LA in the next two weeks, and the Phills playing w/ the same contests.

12-4 over the next 16 should keep us in contention for sure and we may even get closer to our goal.

By Efrim

August 14, 2007 1:42 PM | Link to this

Okay. I was in meetings, but I guess after reading everyone’s posts, everyone could give two s** if we lose two out of three to the Giants. OK….. So much for this being a big week for the Braves, right DOB? Not like we are facing a man Friday night who has throw 100 consecutive scoreless innings. Why even blog? Whats the point?

DOB

Every series, every trip, you lay down the gauntlet — the Braves HAVE to do this, or HAVE to do that. Then if they don’t do it, and they’re the same place in the standings, you look silly. So why continue to do it when there’s more than FORTY GAMES LEFT?

So why would you write that this was a big week for the Braves? I guess it isn’t. Screw it.

By GeorgetownKid

August 14, 2007 1:43 PM | Link to this

Jo Jo Reyes is only 22 and he has 2 more option years left. I don’t think it would be a good idea to trade a pitcher like that, especially one who is left-handed, throws in the mid- to upper-90s, and dominates AAA hitters.

Cormier is a different story. He has no more options, so whichever team he plays for next year will have to keep him in the big-leagues. When this fact is combined with the fact that he isn’t very good, I don’t think very many teams will be lining up to trade for Lance.

By Mackey Sasser

August 14, 2007 1:43 PM | Link to this

DSGB,

Wait till about 3 this afternoon and go to the ticket office at Turner Field. Ask for “best available” and you will likely get something in the low 200’s sections. Those are great seats. Day of game is the way to go (unless the Cubs or Mets are in town) because that’s when the unused employee and player tickets go back on the market. The only thing is, you have to go to Turner Field. Can’t pull that one on Tickmaster.

By David O'Brien

August 14, 2007 1:45 PM | Link to this

I forgot who gave the evaluation of Teixeira, that he’d been a disappointment based on his .255 average (regardless of his four homers and 11 RBIs in 10 games), but part of your justification was that he’d not come through in the clutch, right?

Yeah, good point: With runners in scoring position, since joining the Braves he’s 6-for-10 with a triple, two homers, 10 RBIs, two walks, two hit-by-pitches, one strikeout, one GIDP, a .667 OBP and a 1.400 slugging percentage.

So, what else you want to rip him for? Since that little point is kinda, well, absurd.

PANTERA, gonna make a note of that Beyond the Bayou. Not too far a ride from my house. Certainly not too far to go for some good cajun food.

By Double Deuce

August 14, 2007 1:47 PM | Link to this

gg

Re your 8:23 post. Take that post and put it either on a Mets or Phillies blog, change the name to whichever team blog you are on, and it sums up that team also. The point is, that’s such a generic statement that it not only fits the Mutts and the Phillies, you could probably drop it on 80% of teams in MLB. It’s mid August, teams are tired and all at some point struggle with consistency. I’m not disagreeing with your statement, rather pointing out that our competition are all facing the same issues. I still believe the Braves are the team to beat in the NL East because of our lineup, and if we get Edgar back soon we get even better.

By AthensBrave

August 14, 2007 1:48 PM | Link to this

DSGB,

I imagine it will not be that crowded tonight, so you should be able to get any section you want at the box office….from $5 to $100

If you find the “right” scalper, you can save a little money. Just bring your best negotiating skills and watch out for the police

By IT Department

August 14, 2007 1:49 PM | Link to this

Paladin, that’s an interesting point. Unfortunately, returning to the top of the page is just how Firefox works. I hadn’t really noticed the difference, but you are correct, sir.

I’m so in the habit of reloading the page and just automatically hitting the “end” key on my keyboard, and then the “PgUp” button, to get back where I started. That sounds cumbersome but becomes routine real quickly.

I’m not aware of any way to adjust this setting (though Firefox is what’s known as “open source” software, and there are a lot of “add ons” that change how it works. But I fear we’re getting way to far ahead of ourselves with that).

It’s worth sticking with, though. FF is much lighter, quicker, and MUCH more secure against hackers and viruses than MIE.

By David O'Brien

August 14, 2007 1:49 PM | Link to this

NL leaders in OPS are the cuddly Giants LF (1.081), Miguel Cabrera (1.025) and Chipper (1.024).

The NL’s worst? Marcus Giles (.602). Wow, what a fall from grace. Dude was probably the best-hitting 2B in baseball four years ago.

By David O'Brien

August 14, 2007 1:51 PM | Link to this

NL’s worst home batting averages: 1. Andruw Jones .195, 2. Marcus Giles .201, 3. Austin Kearns .209

By Will

August 14, 2007 1:51 PM | Link to this

Efrim, kind of what i was thinking.

By Shaun

August 14, 2007 1:52 PM | Link to this

DOB,

I think that’s an excellent point. And contrary to Robert’s beliefs, your points are what makes Bobby Cox one of the best managers in the game, from this humble outsider’s point of view.

He understands that all wins and all losses in baseball are fairly big but not too big. He’s going to try to win every game and he wants his players to put the effort in in every game but he refuses to say one game is bigger (or not as big) as any other.

This is the most challenging mental part about baseball, it seems—trying to win every game you play but not hanging everything on just a few games. Or keeping players motivated to try to win every game but not letting them blow their whole season on one game. Bobby Cox knows how to deal with this paradoxical aspect of the game better than anyone around, it seems. He seems to know exactly, to the penny, how much a win and a loss is in baseball.

By ssiscribe

August 14, 2007 1:56 PM | Link to this

Braveheart: My wife will tell you, our anniversary present IS the fact I now can take a week off in the first week of October. I covered football for the three days before we got married (preps-college-pro), and both of us went back to work the day after we said “I do.” Trust me, she’s happy enough I can shut it down now no matter what season it is.

And, the baseball playoffs starting that week is a big draw for both of us. Games on all day long, all over town. Sweet indeed! And while I certainly don’t partake in the adult beverages anywhere near like I used to, I’ll enjoy a Scotch or three while in the desert, for sure. So you and Savannah running up and down the Strip, debating rules and tossing back a few while casino-hopping, won’t bother her at all (I’ll join y’all and we can talk about, eh, journalism. Yeah, that’ll work! Instructional league stuff).

And like I told Grinch when the Braves traded for Tex, if the Braves win the World Series, then all the denizens should fly to Vegas for the post-World Series party. We’ll leave when the parade ends.

Gotta jet. The Scribe abides.

—30—

By Ron Roberts

August 14, 2007 1:57 PM | Link to this

A loss matters more now than it did in April/May because there are fewer opportunities to undo the damage when you’re in a pennant race, no matter who you play.

If you fall 1-2-3 games shot of making the playoffs, though, if you’re the Atlanta Braves, you have to look back to…

1. Getting swept at home by Cincinnati

2. All the extra-inning and late games lost when we had the lead going into the 8th or 9th inning

Losing 2 of 3 in Philadelphia’s not a crime; they’re a good team with a fervent fan base and a stadium they’re more used to playing/hitting/pitching in. The 4-run lead in the 1st getting lost the very next half-inning sorta stings, though. The occasional series loss to teams you’re far better than are going to happen, too. Getting swept by last place teams, though, at home, aren’t good.

That being said, it’s hard to judge the Braves on past indiscretions because they’re not the same team since the trde deadline. The current assemblage, you have to point to (again) the close and late games blown. The home loss to the Astros that was in-hand before Soriano got blasted…the middle game of the Mets series last week come to mind.

By Braveheart

August 14, 2007 1:57 PM | Link to this

Can I go, please!? I succinct that Vegas stuff, too. Besides, I don’t want SG teaching you how to drink White Russians. You are a big boy, but you ain’t ready for them, yet.

Paladin You got me pegged perfectly. I’m a cheap beer man. Get me a case of Bud and there’s nothing more I would want, except for a shot or two or ten of Patron.

By Shaun

August 14, 2007 1:57 PM | Link to this

Efrim,

The reason DOB would write that it’s a big week is because of the amount of losses they already have and the number of games left.

If you read carefully you’ll see he says something to the affect of it’s not the end of the world if the Braves lose some ground but it’s a big opportunity to gain some.

And no one is saying the Braves can relax this week. They are saying these games are just as important as any other week’s worth of games.

By Lee in S. GA

August 14, 2007 1:58 PM | Link to this

The NL’s worst? Marcus Giles (.602). Wow, what a fall from grace. Dude was probably the best-hitting 2B in baseball four years ago.

One of the best decisions ever made by the Braves dumping this guy and giving Johnson a chance at 2nd.

By 3trees

August 14, 2007 1:58 PM | Link to this

Holy Cow! Phil Rizzuto died. Back in the late ’80s we lived in Brooklyn and I became (briefly) a Yankees fan. Don’t hate me, it was easy - they stunk. All they had was a hurtin’ Don Mattingly and Dave Winfield. NO pitching. Plus, the stadium is easy to get to and a great place to watch baseball AND CHEAP! Anyway, by then Phil was like an older dotty uncle the way he called the games, but it was always sincere and he could really go on about the “old times” of the city, the players and teams with such passion. I played with a drummer up there who could do the best Scooter imitation (he was about his stature) and he’d do whole monologues on the guy when we’d play catch.

Sorry for the ramblings. Thanks, Scooter!!!

BTW - Good comments on here from last night and today on the state of the Braves. If the team is really a reflection of the blog they inspired, maybe they’ll find their balance as we seem to have. =)

Go Braves!

By Kentavo

August 14, 2007 1:58 PM | Link to this

If Andruw doesn’t go on DL he needs to sit. Plain and simple. We haven’t won any WS rings with him, we can’t really do any worse without him.

By DAP

August 14, 2007 1:59 PM | Link to this

paladin i love using firefox, except when im on this blog. it does load faster though. what i do sometimes is before i refresh the page, i click on the “link to this” link next to the blogers names. firefox will then refresh the page at least close to the post you linked to. bad news is, youll have a pile of URLs saved in your address window.

By Carolina Lady

August 14, 2007 2:00 PM | Link to this

Paladin, (1) put the cursor on a blank space on the page.
(2) RIGHT click
(3) this brings up a Menu. Select: Reload every….
(4) Select: Enable
(5) Below that you have a choice of times from which to choose. (6) If you don’t want one of the auto-sets, click on CUSTOM which will bring up a box on which you can set whatever time you want.

When the page auto-refreshes, it will put you right back where you were when it refreshed, or if you leave the page and return later, it will still put you right where you were when you left.

One word of caution: I have learned to RIGHT click and deselect ENABLE when I’m going to write a post. If the page refreshes while you’re still writing, whatever you’ve written is wiped out and you have to start all over again. Several incredibly brilliant posts were lost that way. Deselecting Enable only takes a second, as is reselecting it.

By DonCoburleone

August 14, 2007 2:00 PM | Link to this

You got that right about LA P-Town. I have basically written them out of playoff contention. They are not as good as the Padres, D-Backs, Mets, Braves, Phillies, Cubs, Brewers or even the Rockies… They’ve got Brad Penny and ???? for their starting rotation. Their bullpen is basically Broxton and Saito (and Beimel’s okay). But then you look at their offense, YUCK! Their 2 best hitters outside of Russell Martin could very well be rookies (Kemp & Loney), while everyone else is either way over the hill (Luis Gonzalez, Jeff Kent, Nomar Garciaparra), underperforming (Furcal) or just not that good to begin with (Pierre & Ethier). YOU HEARD IT FROM ME FIRST - THE DODGERS ARE A NON FACTOR THE REST OF THE WAY.

By Wayne in Utah

August 14, 2007 2:00 PM | Link to this

Efrim: Don’t get so dramatic man. The Giants series IS important, but what DOB and others are saying is that until we are mathematically eliminated, it is foolish to say a series is do or die. It ain’t over till the fat lady sings.

Too many times in my 40 years of following sports, teams have been written off early only to return and emabarras those (me on ocassion!) who had written them off. Braves have done this to me several times.

Will they pull out the division if they don’t win 2 or 3 from the Giants, and 4-5 over the next 6? They definitely decrease their chances, but like DOB has stated many times: the eastern division stinks this year. It’s anybody’s division.

By 59bulldawg

August 14, 2007 2:02 PM | Link to this

DOB, you know … I really like Andruw … think he’s a great centerfielder when he’s healthy … but there’s no doubt he’s hurting the team with his lack of hitting at the moment. Although his effort to keep playing while hurt is admirable, he’s not been able to get the job done … and while he’s done a lot for the team over the years, no game is more about “what have you done for me lately” than the game of baseball. Willie needs to start … at least until Andruw can find his swing again … and Bobby needs to just make the decision … if that’s possible.

By Braveheart

August 14, 2007 2:03 PM | Link to this

And Paladin you can only come with us only if you are willing to fly us all out there. Maybe we’ll even bring Carolina Lady to be the stewardess.

And DOB Was I and many others dead wrong about Marcus Giles or what? Imagine if he had been the everyday second baseman this year? He and Andruw would have created two black holes in the lineup dragging the team down. All I can say is thank goodness for Yuni and Kelly and Glenn Hubbard for working with Kelly. Cox and the Homeboy Upstairs look like geniuses with that foresight. (just as Shaun predicted).

By flange1

August 14, 2007 2:03 PM | Link to this

DOB,

Thanks for making me remember the Joe Strummer album. I love that album and the last George Harrison album as much as any of their solo stuff, but each time I listen , Ijust get sad…. I haven’t listened to either in awhile, I think maybe now is the time!

I read where everyone is so up on getting someone else’s #5 or 6 starter. I would love to see us stick with Cormier and really see what he has got! He looked so good this spring, if he can get close to that place again the Braves are in good shape.

I still think with the new additions to the team it will take awhile for new roles to be set and for everyone to get comfortable with their new teammates and their new roles.

I think an 8 game win strak is going to start TONIGHT!

By ncscoots

August 14, 2007 2:05 PM | Link to this

Fellas, you’re killing me with succinctness :-). Suffice it to say that you three guys post quality content in any length, and I’ll fight any blackguard who says nay. Hope that clears up my feelings on the matter, LOL.

Far as I’m concerned, you guys are downright pivotal!

By Carolina Lady

August 14, 2007 2:06 PM | Link to this

Now isn’t this a GREAT blog?? Everyone enjoying the companionship and talk of baseball, good food, music, good humor, wit, etc?? Nobody’s fighting, name-calling, cursing or behaving like a spoiled brat. Congratulations to all! :-)))

By Robert (Justice Is The Best)

August 14, 2007 2:08 PM | Link to this

DOB, I don’t necessarily want to put you in an awkward position. But, isn’t a coincidence how Giles production went steadily down after the steroid testing policy went into effect. I was one on here who always scoffed at the accusations but I have to admit the numbers don’t lie. He is only 29 years old. It is a bit unusual for 28 or 29 year olds to tank all of a sudden.

By Wayne in Utah

August 14, 2007 2:08 PM | Link to this

Lee in S GA Can you say “Steroids Testing!”

By RedEyedAndBlue

August 14, 2007 2:09 PM | Link to this

What color’s the new toothbrush, DOB?

I think one of your five “big questions” prior to the season was whether KJ would make fans forget Marcus Giles. Ummm, yep.

By 59bulldawg

August 14, 2007 2:09 PM | Link to this

3trees, no apologies necessary! Scooter was a great one. I’ll miss him too!

By Chuck James is solid until the 6th!! (Formerly Steve-O)

August 14, 2007 2:11 PM | Link to this

Put Andruw on the 15-Day DL NOW. Let him heal his elbow that he SAID HIMSELF “I CANT SWING.” What more does he have to say?? Put Willie in for the next 13 games, DL ‘Druw. Please. It’s getting more painfull by the day watching him strike out and ground out to the pitcher…Sickening.

By IT Department

August 14, 2007 2:13 PM | Link to this

Carolina Lady and DAP, great suggestions.

Carolina Lady, I think you must have some kind of add-on or extension loaded; I don’t have the Reload Every… option. However, if I right-click, and use the regular Reload option in the popup menu, it DOES bring me back to my starting point. Cool! Paladin, give it a try!

By Carolina Lady

August 14, 2007 2:13 PM | Link to this

Braveheart, if I ain’t in the left seat, I ain’t agoin’! :-)))

Off on an errand. Have a great afternoon, everyone!

By Shaun

August 14, 2007 2:13 PM | Link to this

Ron Roberts,

You point to those games, I’ll point to losing 7 to the Marlins, or 6 to the Phillies or 5 to the Nationals. Every game is 1/162 of the season.

I’m sure there are games they won that they shouldn’t have won.

How about winning two extra-inning games on the road to start the season? How about going 5-2 against a Padres team that could be the best in the NL? Or going 8-4 against the Mets? Or 2-1 against probably a better Cleveland team? Or any fairly significant comeback win?

See, it works both ways. Perspective, taking the season as a whole, is important.

By Wayne in Utah

August 14, 2007 2:15 PM | Link to this

CL Except some of the “guys” want you to be the stewardess!! I thought that word was banned from the English language.

I thought I would be killed a few years ago when I accidentally called a flight attendant a stewardess!

:-)

By Braveheart

August 14, 2007 2:17 PM | Link to this

Fellas, you’re killing me with succinctness :-). Suffice it to say that you three guys post quality content in any length, and I’ll fight any blackguard who says nay. Hope that clears up my feelings on the matter, LOL. Far as I’m concerned, you guys are downright pivotal!

Oh, look at Scoots now! He hears a trip to Vegas, ahem Arizona, is in the offering and all of a sudden he sees us as diamonds in the rough he can work with if he is allowed to make the trip.

By Bill Gates

August 14, 2007 2:21 PM | Link to this

Braveheart Took a meeting outdoors for awhile - spectacular day in NYC today. Anyway on Mccarver - he cut his broadcast teeth with the Mets in the 80’s. He was a fresh face with a different schtick so I enjoyed him. He nrought a country edge to the big apple so all his sayings and what not were kind of new to us. Overall I thought he was real good with the Mets. The Mets really screwed him because he wouldn’t tow the company line on the air and he left for the Yanks. Then like most of them do he went National and became a caricature of himself. I think that’s what we see today which isn’t too appealing. It happens to the best of them. See John Madden.

By Thrillhouse44

August 14, 2007 2:22 PM | Link to this

Yo, when is this trip to Vegas? I have the worst luck in the world, so the best seats at the table are to the left or the right of me.

I always liked Giles’ grit and wish him the best, but JS definitely made the right move there. He’s the master of getting more for less. It’s like it’s always happy hour for that guy.

By TennesseePaul

August 14, 2007 2:23 PM | Link to this

Dry Heat… you mean like an oven?
I’d rather be in a dry heat than in the humidity.*
You know, Hell is a dry heat, why don’t you go there.

By Braveheart

August 14, 2007 2:24 PM | Link to this

if I ain’t in the left seat, I ain’t agoin’! :-)))

Ain’t that just like a woman, if she ain’t in the window seat, she ain’t coming. So predictable, Carolina Lady. So predictable.

Okay, one of these days she is gonna kill me like she tried to do to the ugly green sock and then bury me like she did to the horse Paladin punched to death.

Alright, gotta go. Enough of my shamrocks & shenanigans.

By GeorgetownKid

August 14, 2007 2:24 PM | Link to this

I don’t understand those who opine that the Braves are “not as good” as the other top teams in the NL.

I am a firm believer in Bill Parcell’s old saying that “you are as good as your record says you are.”

The Mets, Phillies, Braves, Brewers, Cubs, Padres, Dodgers, D-backs and Rockies all have very comparable records. If any one of these teams gets hot for a 3-week stretch, they could all but clinch a playoff spot. Conversely, were any of these teams to go into a tailspin for 2 weeks, they could all but take themselves out of contention.

The Braves are right in the thick of things, as are the rest of the aforementioned teams. If the Braves play .500 ball the rest of the way, they will remain in the hunt but will fall short. The same can be said for the rest of these teams.

I see no reason, however, why the Braves are not capable of a hot streak. Indeed, their lineup makes them more capable of such a streak than the other teams.

In summary, a good argument could be made for why any of the aforementioned teams will or won’t make the playoffs. But to say that any of these teams, especially the Braves, have “no shot” is a factually indefensible statement.

By AZBravoFan

August 14, 2007 2:24 PM | Link to this

While it’s frustrating to see the Braves let opportunity after opportunity get away to make up ground on the Mets and Phis, the bottom line is, as DOB keeps pointing out, they are only 3 1/2 back in the division and 1 1/2 for the wildcard. If this were a bike race you could say they are drafting. I still think this team has a run in them. They just need to continue to stay close until it happens. That means winning series, winning when the Mets win, and taking at least 2/3 each time they play the Mets. I think this is a much better position to be in than the Red Sox right now. Can you imagine the angst and vitriol we’d see on this blog, if the Braves had coughed up a 14 game lead and the Mets or Phils were charging and the noose was tightening? Yikes!

By AthensBrave

August 14, 2007 2:25 PM | Link to this

actually Carolina,

I prefer a hostile blog

By Colin

August 14, 2007 2:32 PM | Link to this

We have to remember something…we have Smoltz and Huddy…Tell me who the Muts have or Phillies have that can match them 2 in a head to head….Our O will dominate the pitching of the teams we face the next few weeks….

By DonCoburleone

August 14, 2007 2:34 PM | Link to this

I have to admit watching Andruw this year has been downright painful. I just cringe thinking about him being up with runners on base in an important situation (see game 2 of the Mets series). It almost seems like even if he tried to do worse he couldn’t. I mean, if theres one out and runners on then you know hes gonna hit into the DP, and if there is 2 outs and runners on you just know he ain’t putting the ball in play (to at least give himself a chance). I love the guy and I love his defense, but I really believe offensively he has hurt this team more than he has helped… Andruw Jones is to our offense what the #5 spot is to our rotation!

By Anders

August 14, 2007 2:34 PM | Link to this

Braveheart The Bill Gates blog above is mine. I used that as a joke to Paladin earlier.

By Ron Roberts

August 14, 2007 2:35 PM | Link to this

Shaun, I’m curious as to what games have the Braves won that they shouldn’t have? The June 9th game against the Cubs is about the only one that comes to mind.

And besting the Padres doesn’t look like such a fine indicator since we’re only 1.5 games behind them and probably well ahead of them in the wild card standings when it’s all said and done. They have pitching and a paltry offense. We have a little pitching and a terrific offense.

Extra inning games can, by nature, go either way. But when you lose an extra-inning game that you had the lead in late, you have to view that game as a lost opportunity more than if you’d made a comeback to take it to extra innings.

By ncscoots

August 14, 2007 2:40 PM | Link to this

AZBravoFan’s excellent usage of “angst” makes it now official: the original use of the word, and the original poster using it, will now be forever shrouded in mystery. The word is now blog-domained. jjs may be able to investigate further, but I fear the task to be a windmill. So be it, and hurrah says I.

Also, a Tippicanoe to GeorgetownKid for “factually indefensible”. Boo-yah! God love a man who wields the sharp blade of language.

By Shaun

August 14, 2007 2:41 PM | Link to this

Braveheart,

I was way off on Marcus Giles, I must admit. But I also did say everyone would fall in love with Kelly Johnson as the Braves second baseman and lead-off hitter by the time a month-and-a-half of the season was up.

To think, there were folks who thought a certain player now in New York would solve the Braves lead-off/second base “problem.”

By DonCoburleone

August 14, 2007 2:42 PM | Link to this

AZBravoFan good points in your 2:24 post. One thing I totally agree with is that I too believe the Braves have a run in them. How could they not have a run in them? The offense is good enough to go on one of those 8-10 game outbursts where we score 8-10 runs a game. When that happens, I say we either catch the Mets or pass them for good…

By geauxbraves2000

August 14, 2007 2:43 PM | Link to this

Sweep.

Geaux Braves!!

By Braveheart

August 14, 2007 2:43 PM | Link to this

Anders, you made a rookie blogger mistake with the forgetting about the ole moniker switcheraroo. We all do make that mistake at times. But the Bill Gates things were a funny way to taunt Paladin. As for McCarver, you’re right. Perfect analysis. I always hated the guy though because my dad always hated him and anything related to the Mets. If you think Lew has passionate Met hatred, just be glad my father does not blog.

By Nurse Patty

August 14, 2007 2:44 PM | Link to this

DOB, did I give you the right teeth, sweetie? We were also working on a horse when you came in this morning …

By David O'Brien

August 14, 2007 2:44 PM | Link to this

Agreed, Georgetown Kid. Except that the Dodgers are just flat-out reeling. But you’re right _ any of those teams gets hot for an extended run, the wild card is there for the taking (unless that team wins its division, of course).

If I were you, I wouldn’t worry too much about trying to argue your point. Of course it’s correct, don’t let the “We’re doomed” folks get you frustrated. Just the nature of the beast.

If the Braves go 5-1 on this homestand, the same folks will tell you they beat up on terrible opponents and SHOULD have gone 5-1, but that the real test is to come and blah blah blah.

By Anders

August 14, 2007 2:48 PM | Link to this

Georgetown Kid Have you ever heard the other Bill Parcells saying? “Never use the word aforementioned twice in one sports blog. You confuse your audience.”

By Lee in S. GA

August 14, 2007 2:49 PM | Link to this

DonC

A.J. absolutely sickens me also. As mention earlier in the morning blog (cannot remember who) A.J. and his share of hits have come far and few between lately……for that matter most of the season. A 225 average would even be impressive now. Any team that signs him to a long term contract is really taking a chance. Cox is probably one of the few managers in baseball that would have kept him in the clean-up spot most of the year and the sad thing about it, if Tex had not became a Brave, A.J. would still be hitting clean-up.

By journalist jimmy smith

August 14, 2007 2:49 PM | Link to this

-from jimmy smith’s blackberry-

over! finished! too bad! all was going well for jimmy smith in american idol tryouts until jimmy smith was asked to sing “impossible dream”.

jimmy smith proceeded to sing like a song bird and all in attendance were captivated by the melodic sounds of jimmy smith … “to dream the impossible dream … .”

then, jimmy smith got to these lyrics:

and jimmy smith knows if jimmy smith’ll only be true

to this glorious quest

that jimmy smith’s heart will lie peaceful and calm

when jimmy smith’s laid to jimmy smith’s rest

and the world will be better for this

that jimmy smith, scorned and covered with scars

still strove with jimmy smith’s last ounce of courage

to reach the un-reach-able star !!

no third person singers indeed!

jimmy smith did not wish to be american idol anyway.

and doc, jimmy smith is a very handsome man. once a pip.

By DonCoburleone

August 14, 2007 2:53 PM | Link to this

And I just looked this up out of curiosity (and I’m sure it’s been pointed out already) the Braves are 6-5 with mark Teixera in the lineup… If I extrapolate that out for the rest of the season (44 games remaining for Atlanta) that gives us a 24-20 mark the rest of the way and an 86-76 record at the end of the season… Does 86 wins get us into the playoffs???

By Ron Roberts

August 14, 2007 2:55 PM | Link to this

I think 4-2 is the more realistic scenario on this homestand, but a 5-1 ‘stand sure would be nice, and very do-able. That being said, I don’t think the Mets and Phillies’ roadtrips to Washington and Pittsburgh is all that scary, either. So to make up ground on ‘em, I think the Braves may have to go 5-1 to grab a game (or two).

But that’s what’s so neat about baseball. The lowly Marlins took 2 of 3 in Shea so anything’s possible, right?

By Efrim

August 14, 2007 2:59 PM | Link to this

If the Braves go 5-1 on this homestand, the same folks will tell you they beat up on terrible opponents and SHOULD have gone 5-1, but that the real test is to come and blah blah blah.

No. No that couldn’t be more wrong. No real test. Keep winning series and the negative bloggers will shut the f*** up. I’ve been more optimistic lately because the Braves are winning series, Philly aside, I have no problem with them losing that series, very tough to win with the back end in that ballpark.

By DonCoburleone

August 14, 2007 3:01 PM | Link to this

“The Phillies are 14-7 since July 20, the best record in the division. New York and Atlanta are both 11-10 over that span.”

There are many reasons other than just this stat but, am I the only one who is more worried about the Phillies than the Mutts???

By Pantera

August 14, 2007 3:02 PM | Link to this

DOB,

Definitely give Beyond the Bayou a shot…if you go on Thursday-Sunday don’t bother with the menu…whatever they have on special is always good

By Braveheart

August 14, 2007 3:02 PM | Link to this

Shaun,

I don’t know if you misread what I was saying. I remember in spring training that you were the one telling me and many other skeptical ones that KJ would be really good at second/leadoff.

Looks like you were probably more right about that than you even thought you were going to be. Did not realize you were in the keep Giles camp last winter. I was kind of new on the blog at the time, so not yet aware of who was who and who said what. But I do remember you telling me in ST about how good Kelly Johnson was going to be. So I just assumed you thought not paying Giles that $$$ was a good idea.

If the player you are referring to is Wilson Betemit, I have never been one to think that he should be a starting player. But I don’t think the Braves should have gotten rid of him because I think he is a very valuable bench guy/fill in starter type that you need on a contender. I think that’s why the Yankees who needed bullpen help traded one of their better relievers for him.

But I also understand all the arguments you have made in that Aybar was similar and better with OBP, Baez could have been good for the last two months, Aybar was cheaper and younger and not as close to arb eligible years, and the Braves got an extra draft pick for trading Aybar.

By Nurse Patty

August 14, 2007 3:03 PM | Link to this

Yes, I’m afraid there’s been a mistake. These teeth are much too big for this horse!

DOB, will you please bring the teeth back? We’ve gotta do some swapping. Patty

By Braveheart

August 14, 2007 3:05 PM | Link to this

Shaun, meant to say an extra pick for Baez being signed away.

Alright, gotta go, annoy you fine folks later.

By Shaun

August 14, 2007 3:07 PM | Link to this

Ron Roberts,

I’m sure there are a few that you can just as reasonably argue the Braves should have lost but didn’t as they should have won but didn’t.

You seriously are going to argue that there are games they should have won but let get away but there were none that they should have lost but somehow won?

By ssiscribe

August 14, 2007 3:08 PM | Link to this

Oh, look at Scoots now! He hears a trip to Vegas, ahem Arizona, is in the offering and all of a sudden he sees us as diamonds in the rough he can work with if he is allowed to make the trip.

Braveheart, shhhhh! You’ll blow the cover, dude.

And I see Scoots now is in on the “Arizona Fall League Scribin’ Seminar” we’re planning for the first week of October. Vegas? Nah, you guys aren’t going to Vegas. Just myself and my best girl heading to that oasis in the Nevada desert, with a side trip to Arizona to teach Scribing 101 to some of the good denizens of the Braves/MIB.

The REAL trip comes as October closes: The finest representatives of O’B’s Blogosphere, adorned in World Series Champs T-shirts, descend on Vegas for a party the likes Sin City never has seen. Call it Invasion of the Tomahawk Choppers and World Champions (sounds like a bad ‘B’ movie from the ’50s, eh?).

Of course, for that to happen, the Braves gotta win the World Series first (and about 10 of us need to win the lottery, or hit Chipper up for some cash). No better place to kick the October push into high gear than tonight at Turner Field against Barry and the G-Men.

Duty calls. The Scribe abides.

—30—

By Shaun

August 14, 2007 3:15 PM | Link to this

Ron Roberts,

Oh, to answer your question: By your definition the Braves shouldn’t have the record they do against the Mets, they shouldn’t have gone 2-1 against a better Cleveland team and they shouldn’t be 5-2 against a San Diego team that is just as good if not better than them. This is all just by at least one of your definitions of games they should have won or lost—games against more talented or equally as talented opponents.

See, you pointed out losing to the Reds as games they should have won. So I’m pointing out the games they won against teams probably better or just as good as them, in case you needed me to expound.

By Shaun

August 14, 2007 3:20 PM | Link to this

Braveheart,

Yeah. I thought Johnson would be solid at the very least. But I also thought Giles would be in the top half of all second basemen in terms of production. That’s why I was referring to.

I think I was in the keep Giles camp before I knew Johnson could play second base or would be given a shot. I thought he would at least offer close to enough production to what he was getting paid.

By AuburnBrave

August 14, 2007 3:21 PM | Link to this

Saw on MLBTradRumors.com that Jose Contreras has cleared waivers, we didn’t get Beuhrle, nor Garland, any chance we’ll try to snag the latest ChiSox pitcher on the trading block?

By TampaBrave

August 14, 2007 3:23 PM | Link to this

DOB

With everyone using Firefox, your blog activity will increase more quickly. You will need to work overtime to satisfy all of our voracious appetites for blogging. Paladin and Braveheart are nearing a carpal tunnel meltdown. Shaun is calculating statistical ANALysis like the WOPR in WarGames. Perhaps this flurry of increased activity justifies a big rai$e for you? CHA CHING!!

Good Luck!!!

By Braveheart

August 14, 2007 3:23 PM | Link to this

The REAL trip comes as October closes: The finest representatives of O’B’s Blogosphere, adorned in World Series Champs T-shirts, descend on Vegas for a party the likes Sin City never has seen.

Even more debauchery & treachery than the NBA All-Star game in Vegas last year? Let’s just hope the Pacman ain’t a denizen. If Jimmy’s posse & Pacman’s posse meet up in a strip club, Have Gun, Will Travel & Bullit Bob might be a little too trigger happy for the rest of us. But I would love that scene in a strip club of Bullit & Pacman sitting down together and Bullit preaching to Pacman the error of his ways. I dare say that’s when the shooting just might start and Pacman would find another year tacked onto his suspension.

By Mo in the boonies

August 14, 2007 3:27 PM | Link to this

I’d like to see the braves management have a Hank Aaron shirt give-away one night of this series. :>)

Robert(JITB) I saw that comment on ESPN this morning, the guy also said that the Yankees didn’t have a chance of winning their division, but the Braves do! I’d like to be able to believe that… but it is ESPN after all.

Don’t know why everyone is so sure that the Braves are going to sweep the Giants this time. Remember those old men showed the Braves they still have plenty of fight in them in San. Fran.

Chrisklob not too shabby for a couple hours fishing. And part of the fun of fishing is enjoying the atmosphere.

Sure hope the game tonight is on TBS or some other station I can get…and hope Cox doesn’t pull any dumb stunts.

By TampaBrave

August 14, 2007 3:27 PM | Link to this

6-0 this week. You heard it here 1st.

Cormier will conquer Webb when offense goes on the attack with gappers and chalk flying everywhere.

By chad

August 14, 2007 3:28 PM | Link to this

DOB, anything new on Renteria? How is he progressing? Any comments from the Braves about sitting Andruw for a couple of days?

You would have to think that they’ve at least thought about trying to get Harris and Diaz both into the lineup more. I dont understand how Druw can continue to play while you sit one of your other OF’s while their hitting over .330. I also dont understand that when another player on the team is hurting they make sure to get them some rest, but they dont with Druw. No matter where he’s put in the lineup he’s not producing and it seems as if he always comes up in crucial situations. Thoughts?

By Paladin

August 14, 2007 3:29 PM | Link to this

Paladin returns from the depths of cybo-purgatory. I didn’t crash, but I sure had a wheels-up landing. So, being the old farth I am, I took a nap. Behold, time heals all wounds and cranky computers.

Thanks to all of you, and particularly the most esteemed lady, for your tips. I am, as we speak, putting them into practice.

Braveheart I think we might be better off with CL in the left seat. These days, I fly like I drive. Get in, sit down, shut up and hang on!

By Baron

August 14, 2007 3:31 PM | Link to this

I think the problem with benching or DL’ing Andruw is the hole it leaves in the defense. The Braves are already a poor defensive team- Shaun, I eagerly await your statistical dis-proval of that statement- and other than Andruw, their weakness is up the middle. I’ve heard somewhere that’s real important. By way of backing that up, I’ll rely on my eyeball observations of this season.

Whatever else you want to say about Kelly, don’t deny that his range going toward second is BAD. Edgar is steady as a rock but also lacks range. And McCann has been inexplicable this season. He’s failed to block, missed pitches completely, and continued to get beaten on steal attempts.

If you pull out Andruw you’ve got weak armed Willie in center or Frenchy out of position there, Magellan playing full time, average to below average middle infielders (and two rookies with Escobar and Johnson) and a struggling McCann. And I’m surprised at the errors and mis-plays Teixiera has committed so far. Granted, small sample size, and he has made some GREAT plays- I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt.

I think Bobby looks at his lineup and says, well, we’re basically third in hitting with Andruw badly under performing all season. And now we’ve added a true power piece in Teixiera- probably giving us the best lineup in the NL. So if our weakness is fielding, why would we make that bad situation worse to marginally improve the best part of our game?

I’m assuming here that the elbow can conceivably improve without a trip the DL. If not, or if it could get worse, all the arguments go out the window.

By Bay Area Steve

August 14, 2007 3:31 PM | Link to this

To the Denizens:

Would someone be so kind as to enlighten me as to how JS came to be known as “The Homeboy Upstairs.”

I’ve been reading the blog since the beginning of spring training, and see it mentioned repeatedly. But, as an out-of-area Braves fan for 25 years, I’ve never heard the moniker before. I even understand that JS himself recently acknowledged he was called that in an interview.

So please, a brief history is greatly appreciated. Thanks, Steve.

By Anders

August 14, 2007 3:35 PM | Link to this

Shaun Expound probably in the minority, but I never heard the word before. Looked it up - To present a detailed argument, to explain at length. Excellent choice! Who says we can’t grow brain cells while blogging each other senselessly?

By Lee in S. GA

August 14, 2007 3:37 PM | Link to this

I think Wayne In UT possibly hit it on the nail with “steroid testing” relating to Giles. You want to give any player a benefit of a doubt until testing positive but it does make one wonder. His brother Brian’s homer production also declined faster than A.J. avererage also. I credit that to the San Diego’s ball park mainly.

By Efrim

August 14, 2007 3:37 PM | Link to this

TampaBrave

6-0 this week. You heard it here 1st.

People on this blog will be crowning the Braves World Series Champs if that happens. 68-56??? It would be great, but I just can’t imagine beating Brandon Webb Friday night. Unless Buddy throws 8 inning of shut out ball. I guess it’s possible.

By geauxbraves2000

August 14, 2007 3:40 PM | Link to this

How about making a statement this homestand. 6-0. Nothing less.

The next road trip has the Reds (swept Braves at Turner), the Cardinals (playing better as of late) and the Marlins (seems to always own the Braves), then back home to face the Mets.

This homestand, right now, show the rest of the league who is the beast in the east.

Geaux Braves!!

By Braveheart

August 14, 2007 3:40 PM | Link to this

Tampa Brave, thanks, I’m passing the baton to you now, you can take over from here.

Show us again how to say ten different times in ten different ways in ten different posts within the span of an hour how much the Braves suck.

Then magically sprinkle in another five posts within that same hour personally attacking another blogger but claim yourself as a counter puncher.

I know you can do it. You always do!

Spread the love, ahem, I mean the hatred!

:o>

Good luck!!!

By Paladin

August 14, 2007 3:44 PM | Link to this

TampaBrave I can’t speak for nephew Braveheart but my carpal is alive and well. Now for tunnel(s).

Do y’all hear those “noises” in your machine? Those are SJA’s “tunnel rats” searching for the right IP. And when he finds it he is going to check your oil with a size 17EEE boot. In that case, you better hope you are at least a quart low.

By George

August 14, 2007 3:45 PM | Link to this

With his mental/physical “I can’t hit the ball phase Andruw has been in all year. why is he still playing when he himself knows he is hurt. I know, I know…..He wants to HELP the team. Well let him help the team by sitting down. We have quality people to handle that position. OK Bobby stay loyal *to the rest of the team.. sit Andru out for one series, so he can really help the team

By bruce

August 14, 2007 3:45 PM | Link to this

Dave: Hope your dental appointment was at least not painful and hopefully uneventful.

Looking over our pitching for the next few days, I believe the Mets and Phillies series have substantially changed my perspective… For the first time all year, I don’t feel an “uh-oh” anymore or a concern about a recent injury. Sure any of them can have a tough outing, but they all seem reasonable healthy. I feel like all five are capable of doing well and taking us into winning or winable position for the bullpen every night. And with Yates seeming having his ship righted in Philly and Moylan being so consistent, I am feeling really good about the pen and with Dotel coming back hopefully ok and Edgar in a week or so (right?)… we should be able to run smooth for a while which will be really nice…. so I am very optimistic about your headline for this blog and looking forward to a very good week.

Not discounting how much I enjoyed being at the games in New York and Philly… they were very exciting to watch and fun to be in the opposition crowd cheering… I particularly enjoyed responding to Mets yelling Larry after Chipper would come through with a hit or home run. (have enjoyed that alot in DC too.)

This Philly trip seemed much better Philly-fan-wise than all of my trips last year… last year the cursing of Bobby Abreu just before he was traded was awful… Last year they posted an 800 number before the game to call if someone was abusive or out of line… this year they say contact any usher… I believe that may be the difference… they are doing a better job of curtailing the really nasty comments, I did not hear any on this Philly trip, which is amazing to me.

Anyway… this should be a good week for us. Thanks too, again, for keeping it fun to follow…. I have to admit, I have greatly cut back on how much of the non-DOB comments I read… some of the regulars who keep it up and up I really enjoy… the bickering back and forth though has gotten too much to tolerate, so I just pick a few participants to read, especially when you comment on their posts… I really appreciate that. You’re the man…. next trip in Philly, the crabfries are on me, if you will allow it, and I’ll bring’em to you. Thanks, Bruce

By Shaun

August 14, 2007 3:46 PM | Link to this

Baron,

Well, there are eight teams in baseball worse than the Braves at turning batted balls into outs.

Yeah, I think defense and the fact that they still have a glimmer of hope that Andruw will turn into the real Andruw offensively for the last month and a half of the season. No one they can replace him with is probably going to provide all that much of an upgrade when you take everything into account—offense and defense.

By TampaBrave

August 14, 2007 3:49 PM | Link to this

If you can’t imagine it, you CAN’T do it.

Has Webb lost a game this year?

By FLBRAVESFAN

August 14, 2007 3:50 PM | Link to this

Baseball lost an icon today - wonder if Scooter’s passing will again stir the pot as to who’s in the HOF who shouldn’t be etc.

The Scooter was an icon but a very marginal HOF member as are Mazeroski and a few others. And Maris and Murphy continue to be on the outside looking in.

There has to be a better system for electing these folks - particularly when they were dominant in their eras as were Maris and Murph as their pair of MVP’s attest.

Having guys voting on people like Murph who played when they were in nursery school is part of the problem as is the cronyism that led to some unqualified guys entering Cooperstown via the Veteran’s Committee. Wish I or somebody had the answer.

By Tonight on TBS

August 14, 2007 3:52 PM | Link to this

After the game…

Interview with the Vampire (1994)

An AJC journalist approaches an eerie man and asks for an interview. The man says that he is a vampire and shows, as proof, his unusually large skull and feet. He says that his name is Barry and long ago he was bitten by Balco, a vampire, and was turned into a vampire himself. He soon found himself possessing supernatural abilities and longevity, but he was not happy because no one loved him. (Horror).

By Tad

August 14, 2007 3:53 PM | Link to this

Bay Area Steve

John Smoltz referred to JS as “The Homeboy Upstairs” during his contract extension talk last season.

“I wonder why it hasn’t [been picked up yet],” Smoltz said of his option. “I know what the pat answer is: That’s how we do business around here. But even if it’s going to ruffle some feathers me saying something — you know what? I just don’t understand it. You’ve never heard me be bitter about something, other than bitter that we lose another chance at a World Series. But when people ask me questions, I have to be honest and say I can’t talk about next year because I don’t know what next year is going to [bring].

“I’ve come back from so much, I’ve worked so hard that I’m not going to concern myself with being the prisoner of an environment. I’ve been here 19 years, so the overwhelming feeling is, ‘They’ll never get rid of you.’ But after every single year, I’ve had to work 10 times harder just to work this out.

“All I know is, after these last two years and with my desire to work out, I’ve got two or three more years, easy. I used to always be of the mind-set that, ‘If it’s not here, it won’t be anywhere else.’ But that’s not the case any more. I’ll pitch somewhere else.”

The Braves need significant fixes if they’re going to become a playoff team again. But when Smoltz was asked what areas he would try to improve if he was general manager, he smiled.

“Every time I answer that, homeboy upstairs criticizes me,” he said, a reference to Schuerholz.

By Bob, Journalist

August 14, 2007 3:53 PM | Link to this

Wayne, I can understand that you don’t just send a guy like AJ to the bench, only to play as a defensive replacement … since you understand it, please explain it to me.

I wasn’t aware that Andruw played golf yesterday … has anyone ever tried to play golf with ailing elbows, especially with a disconnected swing?

By DAP

August 14, 2007 3:54 PM | Link to this

i dont know about beating brandon webb on friday, but the braves WILL end his consecutive scorless innings streak! im looking forward to this week.

By d-rock in Scotland

August 14, 2007 3:55 PM | Link to this

Bay Area Steve:

I believe I heard JS call Teixeira “homeboy” when he was on the broadcast the night Tex got to Atlanta, while discussing the trades made at the deadline. Both are from Baltimore.

Let’s hope Smoltzie can reset the ‘pen tonight.

By monty

August 14, 2007 3:58 PM | Link to this

THE Braves as of yet lack that killer instinct. THey are as talented as any other team I have seen them play this year, with the exception of the American League teams they have played, Boston and Detroit, but as we speak who would have forseen Detroit’s demise back when they were blanking the Braves. THat just shows you how at any given time a team that looked unbeatable can get in a funk. THe Braves have the talent, but they seem to squander too many close ones. THey still need to get that chip on their shoulder attitude. Right now they just look like a bunch of young guys with a carefree atttitude. If they win fine if they don’t there is always tomorrow.

By Ron Roberts

August 14, 2007 4:05 PM | Link to this

Shaun, I cited the 1 game I think the Braves probably shouldn’t have won but did.

And I didn’t say the Braves shouldn’t have lost games to lesser teams. They should not, however have been swept by a Cincinatti Reds team that’s battling the Pirates for last place, man. Do not try to twist my words, man. Won’t work.

Any team that’s capable of beating up on the Mets the way they have should win at least one home game out of three against the Reds.

By the way, we’ve won all of three games less than Cleveland, so that’s a bit too close, I’d say, to be calling them a superior opponent.

My point is, if this team falls a game (or a few) short of making the postseason, the games that folks will look at will be the five (of seven) extra innings losses that the Braves gave up late leads, and a series sweep at the hands of the lowly Reds (one of which was an aforementioned extra-inning loss).

You can’t fault a quality team for losing games and/or series to other quality teams; you can - I think - say a quality team getting swept at home by a last place team is something that shouldn’t happen. And if Atlanta falls short by a game or two, that, to me, will be the series I look back to first, followed by the extra-innings games lost that we had in-hand late.

By Paladin

August 14, 2007 4:08 PM | Link to this

Your Honor, I object. Counsel for the Offensive(tampaBrave)has made the same objections repeatedly, and just as repeatedly they have been over-ruled. And, he has made some “objectionable” comments to opposing counsel out of hearing of the bench. I respectfully request that he be censured and/or found in contempt. He has? Thank you, your Honor.

Tampabrave Report to the jail for a few days of cooling off; or in your case, warming up.

By AthensBrave

August 14, 2007 4:13 PM | Link to this

Pedro struggles again giving up 3 runs in 4 innings in class A

By Double Deuce

August 14, 2007 4:13 PM | Link to this

Don C

I posted the same observation last week. The Phillies pose more of a threat to the Braves than the Mutts. Whether it’s matchups, attitude, team speed I’m not sure. But I do know they concern me more than NY.

By X- Factor

August 14, 2007 4:14 PM | Link to this

Whats up with Andruw, is there any info on his MRI? I like the guy but if he is not up to par then he should sit, and another un-injured player should play in his place. We are looking a play off spot here. !! Come on Coach?

By Either Orr

August 14, 2007 4:14 PM | Link to this

I understand DOB’s logic on some of what he was writing to start this blog. But virtually every valid point he made, could be argued to the exact opposite conclusion.

Braves sent a message to the Mets. Yep and Philly has sent a message to the Braves the last couple of series as well. So who is up on this one?

Braves should handle the Giants and Arizona. Both games are at Turner field and Arizona is due for a correction.

Someone remember to tell Brandon Webb Friday night that he’s due for a correction.

Braves find ways to lose to the Giants, the Reds, and other inferior teams…have all year long. The difference between the Braves and Mets are that the Mets generally wear out inferior teams and the Braves don’t. Arizona ate the Braves’ lunch last year and have won 2 of 3 this year. AND….they are playing at Turner field where the Braves have NO home field advantage. Maybe there will be no correction. Maybe the D backs are handling the Braves….end of story.

Meanwhile. the Mets are playing the Pirates this week and the Phillies are playing Washington. I keep waiting for the Phillies to falter, but they’re winning without half their starting position players it seems! So are they gonna get worse when Utley and Victorino get back? Don’t think so. And I really am not looking for the Pirates to strike fear in the hearts of the Mets.

DOB made valid points and it could go just as he said it might. But it could go just as I say it might as well.

The NL East is nothing but a crapshoot this year. Gonna be interesting until the end.

By Lew

August 14, 2007 4:21 PM | Link to this

Ten Paul-I don’t know about dry heat vs. humidity. I do know that central Vermont today is 72 with clear skies, and no humidity. It’s going down to 50 tonight and by the weekend it will be highs in the 60’s and lows in the lower 40’s. Remind me how beautiful I said it was when I try to fly to Orlando in February for Spring Training-and get hit with a 34” snowfall.

By Ron Roberts

August 14, 2007 4:25 PM | Link to this

FYI, station I work for…we’re hosting a sneak peek of the movie SuperBad tonight, so I’ll give a review for those who’ll want it. Looks H I L A R I O U S.

By Bob, Journalist

August 14, 2007 4:27 PM | Link to this

Anders, limited word recognition and/or familiarity places you in the majority rather than the minority … it’s the looking up of the definitions and/or appropriate usage when you’re unsure that places you in the minority.

Still waters run deep but you can rest assured that a majority of those who use words with which you’re unfamiliar have the same difficulty … yours is but a misdemeanor, theirs is the felony.

By Anders

August 14, 2007 4:27 PM | Link to this

Either Orr If you’re going to start talking all logical be warned, you’ll be shown the door or worse yet -Banned!

By Bay Area Steve

August 14, 2007 4:28 PM | Link to this

TAD and d-rock,

Thanks. Exactly what I was looking for. I think it’s awesome that Smoltz seems to have coined the phrase. And it may be even better that perhaps the best GM in the game, the guy in the Brooks Brothers and suspenders, not only acknowledges, but seemingly embraces the term. And then as soon as Tex arrives, he’s using it.

Great stuff. Thanks again fellas.

By Coach (Hank Aaron Is The Real HR Champion)

August 14, 2007 4:40 PM | Link to this

You want to know what is wrong with our organization ? John Maine , John Lester , Josh Beckett , Philip Hughes , Brandon Webb , Chris Young and Jake Peavy etc. etc. etc. were all draftable by the Braves. We traded Adam Wainwright and Jason Marquis to rent J.D.Drew for one season. My beef with Schuerholz is this , he drafts the best athlete , not the best pitcher. So many other organizations are emphasizing pitching , particularly starting pitching as the number 1# priority at draft time. The Braves don’t generally do that on a yearly basis and it has come back to bite them in the butt. The last great young potential starting pitcher we drafted was Wainwright(2000) , before that……Jason Marquis(1996) , Kevin Millwood (1993) and Steve Avery (1988). it’s no coincidence that we have not been to the World Series since 1999.

By Paladin

August 14, 2007 4:40 PM | Link to this

Gettin’ close to quiting ain’t it? You can hear the computers being turned off as some of our most prolific bloggers straighten their desks and get ready for the “Great Race” to the parking lot. See y’all tomorrow.

By Nurse Patty

August 14, 2007 4:42 PM | Link to this

Mr. O’Brien, I need those teeth back now! The horse does not want beat writer teeth. Are you on your way here now?

By Lew

August 14, 2007 4:47 PM | Link to this

Anders-Banned? If it were really the case that people were indiscriminately banned for holding opposing points of view, Dude, you wouldn’t be here right now making a not very valid point, now would you? I’ve been on this blog for over two years and the only ones ever banned made obscene nuisances of themselves-using language and personal insults that are hardly to be condoned in social settings. Not only that, but the abusive posts lasted for many, many months. The powers that be are hardly noted for itchy trigger fingers in that regard. Could your own troubles here in regards to disagreement perhaps have more to do with the fact that you’re a Mets’ fan on a Braves’ blog, trying to convince rabid Braves’ fans that their team is inferior to yours?

By Paladin

August 14, 2007 4:49 PM | Link to this

Anders As I have told you before, you talking to someone about being “logical” is like Paris Hilton talking to someone about virginity.

By TampaBrave

August 14, 2007 4:50 PM | Link to this

Paladin

Surely, you can take one/tenth of the ribbing that you give out. Just busting your chops in a good natured way. I pledge not to get personal. As for SJA, I have fortified the compound with unfed pit bulls, some I acquired from Mikey AND laid concertina wire around the perimeter. The only way he’s getting in is by parachute.

Braveheart

Can’t see where you think I’m negative on the Braves. My wallet says otherwise. I’ve been on two road trips to ATL this year already, planning a 3rd, laid down 400.00 easy on hats, jerseys, shirts, photos, etc.. I think I just said we’d go 6-0 this week. Sorry if my accurate depiction of your blogging habits offended you. It was all in good fun.

Shaun

I hope you don’t despair that I accentuate your over-ability to crunch the numbers.

By dgd

August 14, 2007 4:53 PM | Link to this

If Cormier continues to struggle, wonder if the Braves might try to get Tim Redding from the Nats? He’s pitched extremely well the past month and the Nats have a couple of their disabled pitchers coming off the DL (Shaun Hill pitches against the Phillies tonight). Redding is old enough that he probably doesn’t figure into the Nats’ rebuilding plan. Nats GM Jim Bowden always asks for the moon, but I would think the Braves would have to give up too much for a Redding…….

By Paladin

August 14, 2007 4:53 PM | Link to this

Nurse Patty wasn’t Mr. OBrien’s appointment at tooth:30?

By Paladin

August 14, 2007 5:01 PM | Link to this

Anders Now you’ve done it! You have poosed off Lew! Remember our conversation about Yes sir, thank you, sir. You would be well advised to use that. Unlike BobJ, I think Lew would regard anything else as a felony.

By MetsFan

August 14, 2007 5:02 PM | Link to this

AthensBrave - Once again, the lack of baseball knowledge on the part of Atlanta fans is clear. Pedro did not “struggle,” as you put it. He threw 47 out of 60 pitches for strikes, which is the real focus of a start like that—regaining command, testing the shoulder, etc. ALL signs on Pedro’s rehab have been nothing but positive. They’re thinking maybe two more rehab starts, and then it’s back to the big club. So, sorry to disappoint you. By the way, how’s Dotel working out for you?

By GSU-Lee

August 14, 2007 5:08 PM | Link to this

DOB, saw you posting some cajun food stuff earlier, ever been to Henry’s Louisianna Grill in OLD downtown Acworth? If not, you will not find better food and service. Phenomenol, and nice N’awlins beer there.

By Paladin

August 14, 2007 5:09 PM | Link to this

TampaBrave As some on here can attest, I, too, am just “busting your chops”, a little. There has been nothing malicious in any of my posts. And, the SJA thing wasn’t even aimed at you, unless you are stinky. In closing, as Braveheart pointed out, for a self-avowed “counter-puncher” you have been on the offensive quite a bit.

By GSU-Lee

August 14, 2007 5:10 PM | Link to this

By the way, just so everybody knows, I CAN spell the word phenomenal. Go Braves.

By bruce

August 14, 2007 5:10 PM | Link to this

What number is Julio Franco wearing this year for the Braves… found a photo with 4 as second number… I want to get a T-shirt… thanks alot. Bruce

By BosnianBaller

August 14, 2007 5:16 PM | Link to this

Who’s the last Brave to win 20 games Russ Ortiz.

How did he fall off so fast

By Paladin

August 14, 2007 5:17 PM | Link to this

I know. I know. I’ve been posting too much. But, I’ve got a new toy(Firefox)and I’m loving it. It’s like when I transitioned from Helos to Jets. Man, this thing is fast.

By BravesfanAtlanta

August 14, 2007 5:19 PM | Link to this

They want to win, bench Andruw. It is hard to think of a worse hitter. Is he the bottom yet. Heck there are pitchers hitting better then he is.

If we want to win we need to put the best lineup on the field. That is not Andruw, Prado, or Woodward. Its Francoeur, Harris, Diaz, Johnson, Escobar (right now) Chipper, Tex and McCann. When Renteria gets back then platoon Johnson and Escobar to keep them both sharp but none of this lefty righty stuff. Johnson one day, Escobar the next. Thats that. Let the hitters play. Besides Harris’s defense is as good as Andruws now. Harris gets to more plays.

You want to win, play the players who are getting the job done. Andruw is leaving after this year, let him go now. In his mind he has already left and his playing has shown it all year. Let him sit.

By BravesfanAtlanta

August 14, 2007 5:19 PM | Link to this

They want to win, bench Andruw. It is hard to think of a worse hitter. Is he the bottom yet. Heck there are pitchers hitting better then he is.

If we want to win we need to put the best lineup on the field. That is not Andruw, Prado, or Woodward. Its Francoeur, Harris, Diaz, Johnson, Escobar (right now) Chipper, Tex and McCann. When Renteria gets back then platoon Johnson and Escobar to keep them both sharp but none of this lefty righty stuff. Johnson one day, Escobar the next. Thats that. Let the hitters play. Besides Harris’s defense is as good as Andruws now. Harris gets to more plays.

You want to win, play the players who are getting the job done. Andruw is leaving after this year, let him go now. In his mind he has already left and his playing has shown it all year. Let him sit.

By bruce

August 14, 2007 5:19 PM | Link to this

Is Julio number 24? Seems possible since Prado is 1 now and not 24 anymore.

By TampaBrave

August 14, 2007 5:21 PM | Link to this

Paladin

Offensive is a relative term, however, I try to keep it light. No, I am not stinky, though my wife might beg to differ.

MetsFan

The question is, How is his velocity and movement? It appears they are hitting those strikes, and pretty well too. I can throw 50 strikes out of 60, but the ambulances will be in the left field bleachers.

By Lew

August 14, 2007 5:25 PM | Link to this

Paladin-Lord No. Don’t call ME sir. Anders didn’t p!$$ me off, I was just pointing out to him that it takes more than disagreement with one of us to get banned from the MIB BBQ Blog-that if that was all it took, Mets’ fans would have been forced to depart long ago. However, if he doesn’t like us disagreeing with his view, vis a vis the Braves/Mets, he could go to a Mets blog and likely not be missed.

By TK

August 14, 2007 5:26 PM | Link to this

Afternoon all-

When I looked at these RISP numbers, I was astonished of the gaping difference in performance and can only think what the Braves record might be if someone more productive were to have hit in the cleanup spot (pre-Teixeira) this season.

RISP Statistics: Andruw Jones (AJ) vs. Jeff Francoeur (JF)

AJ 30-137 (.219), 55 RBI, 37K. JF 47-135 (.348), 64 RBI, 17K.

I would be interested in seeing a comparison in RBI/RBI+LOB statistics to prove that Andruw should have well over 100 RBIs by now because of all the chances he had while not producing in the cleanup spot this season.

I can’t believe people are excusing his pathetic batting by the moderate number of HR & RBIs he has! That’s like saying Allen Iverson scored 35 points per game, but he took 70 shots!

K-Druw: Are you using your batting cage? Set it permanently on outer half pitches because that is all that is on your scouting report!

Quit smiling, keep both hands on the bat, and start hitting the ball where it is thrown! Are you listening at all? Please alter your focus to situational hitting (see Chipper, Francoeur, and others), rather than all-or-nothing meaningless HR or K!

IT’S NOT FUNNY THAT YOU STINK! It is actually pretty pathetic that the fans are paying your $15 million salary for 0.8 hits (92/115) and 0.98 K’s (112/115) per game!

3 pitchers have a higher batting average than you! (Reyes, Villareal, Hudson)

12 active position players have a higher batting average than you!

“K” is the new Roman Numeral for #25.

0 K Games: 44, 1 K Games: 43, 2 K Games: 18, 3 K Games: 8, 4 K Games: 1, 5 K Games: 1,

Your record for consecutive strikeout-free games is 6 (miracle). Let’s start a new streak tonight or get someone in there that is more capable of hitting than a relief pitcher!

By doc

August 14, 2007 5:27 PM | Link to this

jimmy, the operative word in your comment is WAS. we are all legends in our own minds. cool though to think you sang the original rainy night in uganda.

By Paladin

August 14, 2007 5:29 PM | Link to this

Don’t you love it when a Muts fan comes on here and talks about our lack of baseball knowledge and then tells us that their Ace couldn’t put but 47 out of 60 pitches in the strike zone? An A-ball pitcher better do better than that! I’m glad you are “satisfied”, Mutsfan and I hope your powers-that-be are. I personally, can’t wait for Pudro to come back, pitching like that.

By DonCoburleone

August 14, 2007 5:30 PM | Link to this

MetsFan you just keep telling yourself that. All I know is the Braves players are licking their chops in anticipation of “Pedro”. Please, I love how “knowledgable” Mets fans like yourself think Pedro is going to come back and be the Ace you guys desperately need… Why don’t you go educate yourself on the difficulties pitchers face when coming back from a torn rotator cuff; and then come back here and give me an example of someone who has done it successfully.

By Robert (Justice Is The Best)

August 14, 2007 5:31 PM | Link to this

Okay, Metsfan. Keep telling yourself that about Pedro. You do realize that any ball this is hit and put into play is called a strike? He has had two starts against a single A team and he has been shelled both times. Just stop, dude! By his own admission Pedro was only hitting in the mid 80s with his fastball. Do you seriously think he can get away with mid 80s fastballs against offenses like the Braves, Phillies, and Marlins? C’mon, man! Get outta here!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey! Kyle Davies threw mostly strikes in his first outing with Kansas City agasint the Yankees. The problem was he got lit up for 8 runs and who knows how many hits.

I’m not saying Pedro won’t be back but you can’t be seriously implying that his first two rehab starts have been positive. If I followed that kind of logic Lance Cormier should win a Cy Young.

By Lew

August 14, 2007 5:31 PM | Link to this

Paladin-Besides, I’m not even mildly upset. Haven’t called anyone an idiot or a moron all day today. It’s A Beautiful Day up here in the Great White North-The dictionary defintion of Beautiful day (and No, David LaFlamme is not playing violin, though there are probably White Birds flying around-obscure music reference). No way anyone could possibly get bummed out on a day like this-not even by a Mets’ homer.

By Adirondackdave

August 14, 2007 5:31 PM | Link to this

Andruw needs to go to the American league where they have designated…. oh wait, it’s designated hitters they have in that league. Never mind.

By Lew

August 14, 2007 5:35 PM | Link to this

Bruce-Teixeira is wearing number 24.

By Paladin

August 14, 2007 5:38 PM | Link to this

I feel better now. TK took up more space in one post than I have in all of mine. :-)

By Paladin

August 14, 2007 5:42 PM | Link to this

Whew Lew, that’s good news. He is really a nice guy, just terribly misguided.

By David O'Brien

August 14, 2007 5:43 PM | Link to this

THIS JUST IN: Willy Aybar had season-ending surgery to repair broken hamate bone in his right hand. This might be why his wrist wouldn’t heal in the spring, but it’s impossible to know for sure if that was same injury, according to the Braves.

When he started hitting last week after a three-month stint in a rehab facility, it was sore again. But Braves person said he was allowed to hit near end of rehab, and they’re not sure if he might have done it then or after he began playing last week.

If it’s same injury as he had in spring, it would mean someone might have missed something in the MRIs and X-rays done in the spring, so don’t expect to hear anything definitive as to when this happened.

Recovery is 6-8 weeks, so he should still be ready to play some winter ball.

This is a pretty common baseball injury, usually occurs when a guy’s hit by a pitch, from my experiences covering such injuries, but can also occur on an awkward swing.

It does sound like the Braves are leaning toward bringing him back next season, from what I’m told.

ANDRUW told me this afternoon he hasn’t had an MRI or X-ray, but was probably going to get an X-ray today at the ballpark. As of batting practice (going on now), he hadn’t had one, he said when I asked. He’s out there hitting balls over the fences right now.

By Lew

August 14, 2007 5:44 PM | Link to this

Anders-You do realize, don’t you, that when a batter gets a hit, no matter if it’s a single or a HR, that the pitch is counted as a strike in the pitch count?

By Bob

August 14, 2007 5:46 PM | Link to this

Good to see all the regulars on the blog this afternoon. Hate off days on one hand, but on the other wish we had one coming up for the sake of the pen.

Does anyone know if Andruw had an MRI or not? I saw that Dave mentioned he was hoping to get one on Monday. Just seeing if anything came out of that.

By journalist jimmy smith

August 14, 2007 5:52 PM | Link to this

well, it was a tough day for jimmy smith at the american idol tryouts. journalist went in feeling pretty confident having been a performer (pip) earlier. jimmy smith was all set to go, and already paula abdul was making flirtatious glances toward this journalist, when the song selection was announced! impossible dream! impossible good luck for jimmy smith - one of this journalist’s favorites. well, as jimmy smith has already told the bloggers this journalist was disqualified for third person singing. sent home. to the house. don’t pass go. don’t collect $200.

and now, doc, this journalist’s best lower case buddy, has all but called jimmy smith a has-been. oh, the humanity! this hurts!

jimmy smith cannot say for sure who will win these tryouts. there were some bad entertainers and some good entertainers in the room with jimmy smith. one in particular caught this journalist’s eye - a toothless man attempting to whistle dixie. sad. this man was escorted off the stage. jimmy smith could hear just a little of what was being said: “thith ith an outwage, do wu know whu i am? i have my own bwog.” have no idea who it was but they threw him out.

By bruce

August 14, 2007 5:54 PM | Link to this

Lew: thanks, now that I read your post, I remember Teixeira was 23 Rangers and Diaz has 23… Prado started out with 24. I really want to have a Braves Franco T-shirt to wear in NY in Sept to Mets game… maybe I should just put his age on it… Franco was 23 in NY for sure.

By Bobby Cocks

August 14, 2007 5:54 PM | Link to this

If not for Glavine being a Scrooge-like, Silas Marner-like, Milburn Drysdale-like, Imelda Marcos-like, creature of greed, he’d be here now and we’d be several games out front…

By Paladin

August 14, 2007 5:55 PM | Link to this

Bob According to DOB, Andruw ain’t had nuttin’ but two Whoppers w/cheese.

By Bob

August 14, 2007 5:56 PM | Link to this

Good timing on my question. Thanks Dave.

Lew, I think MetsFan was the one touting Pedro’s comeback by pointing out the strikes. Most of the time Anders has been saying he was not counting on Martinez and that if they did get something from him it would be a bonus. Lance was throwing lots of strikes in the 5th inning in Philly. Unfortunately they were being slapped all over the place.

By Kermit

August 14, 2007 6:00 PM | Link to this

Mercifully, the final chapter. It was believed until early this morning the ugly green sock, having been duped by The Fly, had ended the life of the clone of The Fly by eating him. The Fly, attempting to escape the murderous plot of the ugly green sock, had cloned himself. However, The Fly had not only used his own DNA but also the DNA samples of Jimmy Snuka and Curtis Mayfield to create an indestructible soulful fly the ugly green sock could not kill no matter how hard he tried.

This morning, the ugly green sock was laying about pondside and his belly started rumbling, causing tremendous pain. It felt to him that there was a wrestling match going on inside of him. It felt to him like Jimmy Snuka had come out of retirement and kept jumping off the top of the large intestine, doing the notorious Superfly Splash followed by a series of suplexes, piledrivers, headbutts, and Somoan Specials.

Then, all of a sudden, as the pain became too much to bear, nature took its course. As the clone was coming out, the ugly green sock heard the soulful sounds of Curtis Mayfield blaring Oooh, Superfly, You’re gonna make your fortune by and by, But if you lose, don’t ask no questions why, The only game you know is Do or Die, Ah-ha-ha.

And then the clone of The Fly, now properly known as Superfly, fluttered about, smiled at the green sock, used his signature sign language to say I love you, and flew away.

So, the ugly green sock is not a murderer. The ugly green sock & The Fly are rejoining the Braves beat.

Since Superfly is indestructible, Superfly has decided to alleviate the concerns of Journalist Jimmy Smith about the potential extinction of professional wrestlers, by strapping on the tights of one of his fathers, Jimmy Snuka, and becoming a wrestler. Someday, thanks to his unnatural indestructible nature, Superfly will become the last of the professional wrestlers. At least, thanks to Superfly, there will always be one wrestler.

Or maybe wrestling will claim even his life and he will go the way of the giraffes and The Ultimate Warrior.

BH

By chipdip

August 14, 2007 6:04 PM | Link to this

It’s a cryin’shame about Aybar…he was such an important piece in the Braves quest for a playoff run..i don’t think this team will be able to survive without him and i know the guy was such a fantastic player and a real team leader..the next Derek Jeter comes to mind…i’m sure Bobby and Chipper and the rest of the guys will be really bummed out. I think i will peel back a 5th of OLD GRAND DAD put on some MOTORHEAD and read CHARLES BUKOWSKI to get me through the night.

By David O'Brien

August 14, 2007 6:04 PM | Link to this

Changed my post a bit about Willy Aybar above, after getting some new info.

By Lew

August 14, 2007 6:05 PM | Link to this

Well, It certainly seems like this season for Willy Aybar is better off forgotten. Hopefully, he will come back strong for the Braves next year-for his sake. I think he was marginal enough to begin with, though, and this might spell the beginning of the end. Hope not, but I fear it may be so-it may depend on the wiilingness of the Braves to show patience with his recovery (again). Injury proness as well as psychological issues is a bad combination. Wish him luck.

By Paladin

August 14, 2007 6:09 PM | Link to this

Bob Good comment on the strikes and a point I failed to make. It is not the strikes that count; it is how many times did he hit his target, the catcher’s mitt. If you just throw down-the-middle-strikes in the bigs, you ain’t going to be in the bigs for long.

By Efrim

August 14, 2007 6:12 PM | Link to this

LINEUPS

LF Harris 2B Johnson 3B Jones 1B Teixiera C McCann RF Francouer CF Jones SS Escobar P Smoltz

Giants lineup

CF Roberts 2B Durham RF Winn LF Bonds 1B Klesko C Molina 3B Feliz SS Vizquel P Correia

Wow, Correia is starting? Are they going bullpen tonight? He has pretty good stuff. Can’t imagine they would get anymore than 5 innings out of him tonight. At most.

By Lew

August 14, 2007 6:12 PM | Link to this

Bob-Maybe, but they’re all Mets fans. That points to character flaws, no matter what their point of view on Pedro. Anders is just more pleasant in his dubious preferences, that’s all. Personally, I hope they all think of Pedro as their savior. That way, when reality smacks them upside their Mets’ heads, their dejection will be all the more pleasurable after the tons of Troll excrement we’ve been forced to endure on this blog for two years.

By doc

August 14, 2007 6:15 PM | Link to this

jimmy, no, it has nothing to do with being a has been as you have created anew. you are in the spring of your years as a journalist. sorry you got disqualifed. shame folks dont appreciate crativity of your magnitude. it is all about moving on.

By journalist jimmy smith

August 14, 2007 6:19 PM | Link to this

hamate bone? interesting. much like the hammock bone, right? and who told chipper it was a hammock bone? playing a joke on uh, chipper? reported in this paper as a hammock bone - must have been a hammock bone.

and why does one player require surgery and another require only additional socks? wait! journalist is now confused. not socks, bed rest. socks were for the toes, rest for the hammock bone. rest and hands in pudding between innings. no starches and slight darkening of the stool. can say that on the blog? now, baseball … tonight is melon night at the ballpark.

By Lew

August 14, 2007 6:20 PM | Link to this

Esteemed Journalist-Sometimes you just have to acknowledge that the windmills just have a better bullpen. Oh. To right the unrightable wrong.

By Bob

August 14, 2007 6:31 PM | Link to this

Efrim,

I think they said they were going to have to dip into their pen tonight. The played the weekend series with the Pirates in San Fran and then had to play two more makeup games yesterday in Pittsburgh. I imagine they are out of starting pitchers right now. Russ Ortiz supposedly going tomorrow.

By journalist jimmy smith

August 14, 2007 6:39 PM | Link to this

alas, doc and lew have made this journalist feel better by putting this unfortunate episode into proper perspective. jimmy smith will continue to be a third person blogger and a third person singer. perhaps a market will be developed for a third person american idol.

and welcome back southernjackass. jackass is correct that rr has been most congenial with all since the tete a tete with sja. as a fitness expert, perhaps sja can be of some help to rr who, from reading some of today’s posts, is in decline.

and whither julia? sja perhaps? mr. hand? can say that on a blog? oh, the humanity!

By Paladin

August 14, 2007 6:40 PM | Link to this

jjs It could have been worse. They could have asked you to sing The Star Spangled Banner. But then, if you could have done it you would have been set for life since no one else in this country can sing it.

By AZBravoFan

August 14, 2007 6:42 PM | Link to this

Amusing stat as I was perusing the Braves hitting statistics for the season: Tim Hudson now has more hits and RBI than Pete Orr and Craig Wilson. And no, I know what you guys are thinking, Woodward has him beat by 12 hits.

By Bob, Journalist

August 14, 2007 6:44 PM | Link to this

Baron for several seasons, I’ve said that Andruw should play Center regardless of his offensive contribution … that may have been taking a bit of license but I believed it to be true. I still support the notion that defense and pitching are the keys to winning.

It was good to see Andruw more fit in spring training, but it would still appear that his wonderful defensive skills are suffering somewhat from erosion … he continues to make some great plays … but his overall level of defensive play doesn’t seem quite the same … maybe it’s his focus that’s different; maybe it’s mine, but it seems that way to me.

Regardless, I don’t view him as having been in a slump and I would have benched him when he and TP couldn’t get on the same page … from my perspective, he was, and that was, an embarrassment … as was Bobby’s continuing to insert him in the cleanup position in the lineup.

He’s supposedly has problems with his elbow and unable to perform at the 100% level … I’ll accept that, though some doubt has been expressed as to whether or not he bothered to have what I thought was a requested and scheduled MRI … and it evidently didn’t prevent him from playing golf yesterday … from the outside looking in, he’s a piece of work.

Characterizing Willie Harris as weak armed, while perhaps directionally correct, in your argument is to suggest that Andruw has a strong, accurate arm … last year, Andruw had 4 outfield assists, this year 2 in 1001 innings … Willie has also had 2, in 519 innings.

It appears that Willie needs to improve his base stealing technique but he’s certainly not bad defensively … seems pretty doggoned good to me … and we are a better club with both Willie and Matt in the lineup … especially against right handed pitching.

I’m not against Andruw … I want him to wise up, modify what he’s doing so that he can realize his true potential … not the .265 norm with which he has been saddled because of his history … and I want the Braves to resign him.

I’m again reminded of Macbeth’s reaction to the announcement of his wife’s death … “there would have been a time for such a word”. No, it’s much too late, and that probably isn’t going to happen but it’s definitely not going to so do if things are allowed to take their course without intervention.

It’s unpopular to so say, but Andruw was too valuable of a property not to have done more to help assure that he realize his potential … to have allowed it to come to this gives one pause.

The Braves have to find it above the neck if they are to get the job done this season … below the neck is fine, excepting toes, obliques and elbows of course.

By Ray Kelsey

August 14, 2007 6:44 PM | Link to this

DOB - So glad to hear that Andruw is hitting balls over the fence during BP—again. Is Bobby lending his avuncular smile behind the cage? AJ sure does seem to hit better when the pressure factor is removed, doesn’t he?

I am so sick of ESPN analysts making risible comments like “Andruw DOES lead the team in RBI’s” A two run shot in the 8th to give the Braves a 13-2 lead doesn’t impress the hell out of me. Anyone else? He has been in the majors for over a decade—he does not perform when it counts.

By Ray Kelsey

August 14, 2007 6:47 PM | Link to this

DOB - So glad to hear that Andruw is hitting balls over the fence during BP—again. Is Bobby lending his avuncular smile behind the cage? AJ sure does seem to hit better when the pressure factor is removed, doesn’t he?

I am so sick of ESPN analysts making risible comments like “Andruw DOES lead the team in RBI’s” A two run shot in the 8th to give the Braves a 13-2 lead doesn’t impress the hell out of me. Anyone else? He has been in the majors for over a decade—he does not perform when it counts. He doesn’t have to be David Ortiz for us to love him—just occasionally WIN a game for us, rather than lose one.

By Bob, Journalist

August 14, 2007 6:52 PM | Link to this

One final note of interest … From the Braves site!

The Rome Braves announce that Atlanta Braves star Julio Franco will join the team beginning Thursday, August 16th.

Franco is expected to be with Rome through Saturday and possibly longer.

By David O'Brien

August 14, 2007 6:52 PM | Link to this

Ray, when have you seen the avuncular smile behind the batting cage? I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve seen Bobby behind the batting cage during the regular season. He sits in the dugout watching BP, or in his secondary office adjacent to the dugout. He used to take ground balls frequently at first base, but pretty much has stopped doing that.

But no, the avuncular smile is almost never seen behind the cage, only during spring training.

By doc

August 14, 2007 7:01 PM | Link to this

if i were andruw i dont think i would go to get an mri where ayabar and hampton went that missed the obvious. geez, for months before rehab this organization was down on the guy thinking he was faking it. it aint an excuse but drugs might have been his only alternative without much of a support system. and, yeah right, same pain but maybe just maybe it was after his rehab stint. time to invest in something other than a mobile mri machine maybe one like they have up there in the big apple?

By Ron Roberts

August 14, 2007 7:01 PM | Link to this

Is it just me, or does it seem like Andruw Jones and/or the Braves are avoiding the visit to the doctor? What are they (or is he) afraid they’ll find out?

Or maybe it’s not as seriously painful as we’ve been led to believe. I say, shut up, stop grimacing about it, or go get it checked out.

I mean either the elbow is a valid excuse or it isn’t. If it is, Andruw should’ve had it checked out ASAP. So why’s it still an issue but not big enough an isse to actually get looked at?

By TampaBrave

August 14, 2007 7:04 PM | Link to this

Free Willy

By Savannah Guy

August 14, 2007 7:06 PM | Link to this

Lew It’s A Beautiful Day - a classic. LaFlamme was ahead of his time. Never got the rep they deserved…overshadowed by all the other great stuff coming out of San Francisco I suppose…then Moody Blues, etc. Earlier this year I finally ordered the CD of that old album (original track version). I gave away my old scratched album years ago to a friend/collector. The music still sounds great, holds up to the test of time and will remain a classic in my collection. Now, if I just had 72 degrees here…

By Bobby Cocks

August 14, 2007 7:10 PM | Link to this

I honestly believed, from the time he played A-A ball, that Andruw would retire as the greatest player of ALL time; the Michael Jordan of baseball…

I still think he HAD that potential, but hard-headedness in the batting cage might have cost him. I never understood why somebody with such strength didn’t take advantage of right field. We’ll never know how great he might have been. Guess power hitters think they’re sissies if they can’t get-around-on, and pull, every ball…

By TampaBrave

August 14, 2007 7:11 PM | Link to this

Anybody know why mlb.com won’t play using Mozilla?

By DonCoburleone

August 14, 2007 7:19 PM | Link to this

PIRATES!!! Our ol’ buddy LaRoche just singled in a run in the first, 1-0 pirates nobody out runners on 1st and 3rd…

By Colin

August 14, 2007 7:20 PM | Link to this

Bucos 1 Muts 0…1st and 3rd

By Bob, Journalist

August 14, 2007 7:23 PM | Link to this

I’m playing hurt … but that’s not an excuse for my poor performance.

Translation … The jury is instructed to disregard the defendant’s admission of guilt … as the question was improper and without foundation.

By BravesFanInRockies

August 14, 2007 7:23 PM | Link to this

Lew and SavannahGuy,

The great Sam Bush covers “White Bird” on his most recent CD, Laps in Seven.

Saw Sam and the band perform it at Merlefest in NC this past April. Thought I’d died and gone back to the ’70s, or something like that.

By David O'Brien

August 14, 2007 7:26 PM | Link to this

I actually see quite a few of those Aaron 44 blue T-shirts tonight, including on all the members of the quartet that just sung the anthem.

Nice night out here, not nearly as hot as I anticipated. Doesn’t feel bad because the humidity’s down and there’s a slight breeze.

By DonCoburleone

August 14, 2007 7:27 PM | Link to this

Jose Castillo!!!! Looked like El Duque was gonna skate out of that first with only 1 run scoring, at least its 2-0 now…

By heath

August 14, 2007 7:27 PM | Link to this

pirates are looking good tonight!

By Bob

August 14, 2007 7:29 PM | Link to this

Rochy just drove in a run for Pirates off El Duque. Pirates up in the first 2-0.

By David O'Brien

August 14, 2007 7:30 PM | Link to this

They just played the Hank video speech that he did for the record-breaking night. Played in on the video board. Showed Barry in the dugout, and he waved for the camera to a smattering of boos and applause.

Now they just showed his face on the huuuge video board during the lineup intro, and he was roundly booed.

But frankly, the place is only half full and it wasn’t very loud. Still lot of people filing in. What is this, L.A. with the late arrivals?

(Hey, we have L.A. traffic and smog these days, might as well have their late-arriving fans, huh?)

By DonCoburleone

August 14, 2007 7:34 PM | Link to this

Looks like Ian Snell might be on his game tonight! Lets go Pittsburgh lets go! Ch Ch ! Lets go Pittsburgh lets go!

By heath

August 14, 2007 7:40 PM | Link to this

nice short inning for smolts to start the game…that is exactly what we/he needs… now let’s go get some runs boys!!!

By Superman

August 14, 2007 7:42 PM | Link to this

BOOOO Barry

By Greg in TN

August 14, 2007 7:44 PM | Link to this

Game time denizens…

Big bad Mr. Asterisk is in town. It’ll be interesting to hear how the surly one is greeted by the Georgia faithful tonight at 755 Hank Aaron drive. Pondering this on the drive home… Wonder what would get under the surly one more? My money is no cheers, no boos, just indifference. Perhaps the sound of crickets chirping after his name is announced. It’ll never come to that, but it would be amusing for this fan to see.

Lew, wonderful weather from the sounds of it up in the Green Mountain State tonight. Now if you could just box a little of it up along with a gallon or two of the state’s finest maple syrup and you’d make a ton of cash.

Aybar’s season is done. Kind of odd to say something like that with the year he’s had, but can’t bring myself to pile on the guy when he’s had the problems that he’s had this year.

Folks I am a firm believer that the only must win situation is when your back is to the wall and you are facing elimination (whether it be from the division, from the wild card, or in a playoff series). Everything else just builds the crescendo to that point.

When I look at our record since Edgar went on the DL (5-4), I am convinced that the only way we let him change ZIP codes in the offseason is if someone dials JS’s number and offers a premium pitcher. Nothing against the kid, he will be a star, he showed me something in Arizona when he swiped a base while the Snakes were dozing, but he’s gone 9 for 35 since that time.

Good first inning for Smoltzie.

By Greg in TN

August 14, 2007 7:49 PM | Link to this

I should reiterate, Escobar has been 9 for 35 since Edgar was placed on the DL.

By David O'Brien

August 14, 2007 7:50 PM | Link to this

He just came to bat, and that round of boos was a LOT louder. Of course, there’s also flash bulbs popping all over the place.

By Lew

August 14, 2007 7:55 PM | Link to this

Savannah Guy-LaFlamme has had his two solo albums (post I A B B) re-released on one cd. The first solo covers White Bird and Hot Summer Night and is excellent. The second album is, strangely enough, somewhat harder rock and roll. You should check it out.

By chrisklob

August 14, 2007 7:55 PM | Link to this

tampabrave, Anybody know why mlb.com won’t play using Mozilla?.

I had the same problem also. You need to load Adobe Flash player. Only takes a second and you’ll be back.

By Colin

August 14, 2007 7:56 PM | Link to this

SMOLTZ COME ON

By heath

August 14, 2007 7:58 PM | Link to this

…great… braves don’t do ^%$# in the bottom of the 1st and now that smoltz gives up the lead… probably going to be a long night. …for some reason, these guys just don’t score runs for smoltzie…. do they just relax in games he pitces or something thinking they don’t have to work as hard on a night when pitches or something?

By TampaBrave

August 14, 2007 8:00 PM | Link to this

Love that big Yankee mug in between innings on MLB.com. Imagine they’d come up with something better than that

By N8....What the hell do I know?

August 14, 2007 8:02 PM | Link to this

I don’t care if he IS Barry Bonds. Leadoff walks comeback to haunt you with runs on the board, more often than not.

Just another sign that Smoltz ain’t feeling right. If he’s “on” his game, he attacks Bonds in that AB.

As for Aybar being done? Wasn’t that a foregone conclusion about 4 months ago?

Might as well be a headline that says Sid Bream was safe at the plate in 92. :-)

By TampaBrave

August 14, 2007 8:03 PM | Link to this

ChrisKlob

Does it matter that it works in IE just fine, but not with Mozilla??

By heath

August 14, 2007 8:05 PM | Link to this

…these braves are so hard to figure…they look so good…and then, well, just awful… tonight is starting to look like the latter.

By BravesDave

August 14, 2007 8:06 PM | Link to this

Just a comment that I wanted to post earlier, but I was away from the computer…

I seem to remember that during the SF series out in Frisco, the Giants bullpen dominated the Braves hitters. Not a good sign considering this game is a bullpen effort for the Giants.

Just throwing it out there.

By TampaBrave

August 14, 2007 8:07 PM | Link to this

Nice breeze AJ.

By Colin

August 14, 2007 8:07 PM | Link to this

Corriea is a grade A pitcher….he will make 100 mill next time his contract is up…O WAIT THAT IS WHAT OUR O IS MAKING HIM LOOK LIKE….

By N8....What the hell do I know?

August 14, 2007 8:08 PM | Link to this

It appears to me after that last strikeout (I’m sure the first of many tonight) for AJ, that the fans at Turner Field are booing the WRONG guy wearing #25 on his jersey.

But what the hell do I know?

By BravesDave

August 14, 2007 8:10 PM | Link to this

Yes, my memory did serve me correct…the Giants bullpen threw 15 2/3 scoreless innings against the Braves in that 4 game series at the end of July.

Should be interesting to see how the next 7 innings develop. So far, take that to 17 2/3 innings scoreless against the Giants bullpen.

By Paladin

August 14, 2007 8:11 PM | Link to this

Greg in Tn Are you talking about Edgar Renteria or Yunel Escobar? In either case, they are not “kids”.

By Paladin

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

Chrisklob I’m flyin’!!

By Colin

August 14, 2007 8:16 PM | Link to this

Basically AJ is to us as the 3rd string punter…USELESS!!!…I think Diaz deserves a shot….Atleat he could hit the ball some…Move Willie to Center…

By Colin

August 14, 2007 8:17 PM | Link to this

GOODNIGHT ATLANTA…this is for sure a playoff team…

By David O'Brien

August 14, 2007 8:18 PM | Link to this

Weren’t the GIANTS supposed to be the tired team? Braves, specifically Smoltz, appear to be the ones dragging.

He’s lifting his arms in that now-familiar stretching motion between several pitches.

By DAP

August 14, 2007 8:18 PM | Link to this

the night isnt looking good so far for the braves. mets just tied their game on a beltran homer, and smoltz seems to be struggling a bit.

By Tomahawkin' Again

August 14, 2007 8:18 PM | Link to this

Has the meltdown of the blog started yet?

By ernesto

August 14, 2007 8:18 PM | Link to this

It’s all well and good for John to come out and say the team has to quit losing games like we lost Sunday but then to come out and spot the Giants 3. That aint’ exactly putting the team on your back.

By BravesDave

August 14, 2007 8:19 PM | Link to this

I would rather see this ‘roided out freak Bonds jack a 2-run homer than be walked by Smoltz. Screw respecting this clown. I don’t see the Giants walking Jones and Teixiera.

This is an f’ing disgrace. Just as I type this, after Smoltz walks the 49-year Bonds, the 36-year old Klesko rips a 2-out, 2-run double. I am sorry, but to the people that were claiming earlier tonight that it doesn’t matter if you lose to the Giants or the Red Sox, you are all nuts. There is no way that a team struggling for playoff position can be on the verge of losing three straight games to the SF f’ing Giants.

By Del

August 14, 2007 8:19 PM | Link to this

This years Braves team sure has a knack for dishing out frustration at the most inappropriate time. Get it together boys before you start this homestand on a very sour note!!!

By Bob

August 14, 2007 8:22 PM | Link to this

I am afraid N8 is right. I don’t care what Bobby or Smoltzie say…he is not right. Not anywhere near right. I am less worried about the 3 runs that I am about him already being over 55 pitches in the 3d. The bullpen has to have someone other than Hudson go deep. I know Smoltz is gutty and he will make the best out of each start, but he looks like he is really suffering.

By JJMB

August 14, 2007 8:23 PM | Link to this

How about putting some runs on the board!

what is it about Smoltz? No f-ing run support. Do they hate bibleboy?

By OhMy

August 14, 2007 8:24 PM | Link to this

This team is definately hard to figure out. Not that they can’t win this game, it is only the 3rd inning after all. However, digging yourself a 3 run hole and having your starter at 57 pitches in the 3rd…..I guess we’ll see how the 2nd time around the lineup goes.

By chrisklob

August 14, 2007 8:24 PM | Link to this

tampabrave, mlb.com has always worked fine with IE for me but I STILL had to reload Flash player. Mlb.com actually threw up a message box for me identifying that as the problem. Just google Adobe flash and you should find the link pretty easy. Assuming your have broadband, it only takes a couple of seconds.

Paladin, I’m proud of you! I knew you could do it! :-)

By BravesDave

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

Can’t hold this rabid Giants’ offense down. They are unstoppable. Kind of like a rabid racoon.

By N8....What the hell do I know?

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

If this game ends in a Braves defeat, I’m just reminding people that it would be three Smoltz starts in a row that we’ve lost.

Anybody STILL think we can win ANYTHING without Smoltz leading the way?

He ain’t right people. And without him teaming with Hudson, our 1-2 bunch isn’t plural anymore. Find me a team in recent history that took command of the final playoff spot with ONE pitcher they could count on down the stretch.

Actually, don’t bother. You’re NOT gonna find one.

Oh yeah, I forgot. We have Tex. We’ll just slug our way to the post-season. Only problem is, is that the team actually has to hit to do that.

But hey, let’s just sit back and count the days until Andruw isn’t wearing a Braves uniform anymore. 43 games after tonight, by my calculations and counting…..

Unless you think this team is making the playoffs, but if you do, you are also part of the dwindling group of people that think Andruw will “turn it around” in the next series.

By JasonInMaine

August 14, 2007 8:26 PM | Link to this

Smoltz can’t be right…and he hasn’t won at home since June 24th…we will not catch the Mets without an effective Smoltzie!!

Let’s hope our offense wakes up and carries us tonight…still early!

By Paladin

August 14, 2007 8:27 PM | Link to this

My cigar ash is longer than the stub and my wine glass is empty, so guess what? Pulling them through against Barroid and the buttwipers shouldn’t be hard. Should it?

By Colin

August 14, 2007 8:29 PM | Link to this

Atleast BUMDRUW isent comin up w/ 1st and 3rd two outs…we know what would happen then…Atleast we have a slim chance

By Greg in TN

August 14, 2007 8:29 PM | Link to this

Paladin,

Certainly more fitting for Escobar being 24 years old and in his rookie season wouldn’t you say? It’s a term I throw out there often for rookies regardless of age.

By BravesDave

August 14, 2007 8:32 PM | Link to this

Yes, Tomahawkin’, the meltdown has started. But I know, you think this 3-0 deficit against 50-68 Giants with a bullpen committee facing the Braves ace is all good. No problems. The Braves are looking solid tonight. As long as the Mets and Phillies lose, this is no big deal. Lose tonight and there will be real potential to lose the series with Lincecum pitching a game, but hey, that’s OK.

By El bravo (EbX)

August 14, 2007 8:33 PM | Link to this

Oh no, I smell a sweep.

By BravesDave

August 14, 2007 8:36 PM | Link to this

Has the game started, or is this Giants batting practice?

By David O'Brien

August 14, 2007 8:36 PM | Link to this

N8, so we’ve established that “he ain’t right” and you’ve made it clear (for the 1,703rd time) that the Braves aren’t going anywhere. Anything else to add, anything new along those lines? If not, we’ll consider your points noted and placed for the record. No sense providing them again.

You’ve made your point clearly and succinctly, sir. You’ve sold your wares to us, no need to sell it to us again. Please, for all that’s holy, don’t sell it to us again.

By TampaBrave

August 14, 2007 8:39 PM | Link to this

chrisklob

Did it. Still not working. No messages

By David O'Brien

August 14, 2007 8:39 PM | Link to this

Just had a Giants beat writer tell me he couldn’t remember another time this season when the Giants made an opponent pay twice in the same game for walking Bonds.

Remember, folks, Giants are using relievers tonight. Braves have plenty of chances — and no one to blame but themselves if they don’t take advantage.

By BravesDave

August 14, 2007 8:40 PM | Link to this

By the way, that potent Phillies offense has 0 runs and 1 hit through 6 innings against the Nationals and Shawn Hill (who??).

I guess it is possible after to keep that offense uner wraps…unless your name is Chuck James, Lance Cormier, or Buddy Carlyle.

By Yars

August 14, 2007 8:41 PM | Link to this

It’s hard for some of us not to root for Klesko. He used to be my favorite player growing up when he was with the Braves. I remember back in ‘96 sending him one of his baseball cards so he could sign it. About 2 months later, I received it in the mail! What a cool guy.

By David O'Brien

August 14, 2007 8:42 PM | Link to this

Any NL team that saw that indifference from Barry on that Mac double, could not possibly sign him to play left field next season. That was disgraceful. He didn’t even show any inclination to try to get to that ball, which really was catchable.

By Ron

August 14, 2007 8:45 PM | Link to this

I gotta agree with Bravesdave we CANT lose 3 straight to the Damn Giants!!! I mean come on!!! Playoff teams do NOT lose 3 straight to the pathedic Giants!!! They just dont!!! This team is TRYING to prove to me that they Cant make the playoffs!!! I think they can win the Wildcard, but man are they trying to prove me wrong!!! Great game guys!!! LOL!!!

By Colin

August 14, 2007 8:45 PM | Link to this

BJ(BUMDRUW) IS TERRIBLE WOW HIT A BALL TO RIGHT FIELD….HE NEEDS TO LEAVE AND LEAVE NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By Superman

August 14, 2007 8:45 PM | Link to this

here here

By N8....What the hell do I know?

August 14, 2007 8:46 PM | Link to this

Pete just said: It’s uncanny how much Andruw has come up with RISP, since he’s been struggling the last 2 weeks?

What the hell hitter has he been watchng? Andruw has been struggling since LAST AUGUST!!!!!

Prediction: Russ Ortiz will shut us down tomorrow (making Hudson the tough-luck 1-0 loser), which will prompt JS to make a trade for Ortiz in the offseason. Reverting back to the old “if you can’t beat em, trade for him” routine.

Oh wait…..we did that once before, didn’t we.

Never mind.

By Tomahawkin' Again

August 14, 2007 8:46 PM | Link to this

BravesDave, I’m with you. This has to be the most maddening, frustrating Braves team I’ve ever watched. You think they should be better, you hope that they have turned the corner, but as I typed Sunday night, us fans have to face the truth. The Braves are what we think they are. 46-47 since May 1, 15-14 since all start break, they’re going to finish with 83-86 wins and that’s not going to cut it…even in the lousy NL this year. And Andruw just bounced out…BOOOOOOOO!

By BravesDave

August 14, 2007 8:48 PM | Link to this

OK…serious question…does anyone remember the last time that Andruw Jones got a ball out of the infield?

We caught a break that inning when McCann’s ball dropped in, still couldn’t take advantage. Pretty clutch.

By Bill Melater

August 14, 2007 8:52 PM | Link to this

Yars, I got a xmas present in 97 that was the best one ever. It was a randomly signed ball by 12 or 15 players, whatever. Like Yogi Berra, Javy was one, all name players I guess who needed xtra money. Opened it, and It was a 95 series ball with Klesko’s signature. Best present I ever got. Klesko was always interesting in LF. But he did give 110%

By chrisklob

August 14, 2007 8:52 PM | Link to this

tampabrave. Don’t know what to tell you. At least it works for this site.

By NCBravesFan

August 14, 2007 8:53 PM | Link to this

Time to get some runs, baby! I feel a rally coming soon.

By Colin

August 14, 2007 8:53 PM | Link to this

IF BUMDRUW got a hit the city would have a parade for that..dont even need a WS jus him getting a hit would be enough…

By Eric C.

August 14, 2007 8:54 PM | Link to this

No offense to the pollyannas…but the start of this series is a bit frustrating. We’ve been waiting for the 12-3 or 16-4 stretch that has been so elusive. Since the big trades, we are staring at a 6-6 mark…will this team ever stop underachieving?

By Tomahawkin' Again

August 14, 2007 8:54 PM | Link to this

Do you think the phones have been ringing off the hook at the Braves ticket office so far tonght? Does everyone have their Pennant race package tickets yet? I love you Braves, but you’re making this real tough to keep hope alive of October baseball.

By A--ville Ranger

August 14, 2007 8:54 PM | Link to this

If this guy shuts our guys down tonight I don’t want Bobby to say the pitching was too good.He used that excuse after the Reds and Nats series.The honest thing to say is we weren’t good enough.Maybe I was wrong in my assessment that this team is built to handle good pitching.Either you can get it done or you can’t,if you can’tyou’re not good enough.

By Colin

August 14, 2007 8:55 PM | Link to this

Corriea is worth 120 mill…

By Carolina Lady

August 14, 2007 8:55 PM | Link to this

TampaBrave, I found that I had to reload the flashplayer using the FireFox browser, then it worked fine. Have no idea why, but it solved the problem here.

By BravesDave

August 14, 2007 8:56 PM | Link to this

Back to one of my earlier posts…what is the point of walking Bonds in this game or this series?? The guy is hitting .281 with 24 HR. Chipper Jones is hitting .335 with 19 HR. Are the Giants walking Chipper?? C’mon.

The Giants are not worried about any of our hitters tonight, because their pitcher with 49 bullpen appearances is buzzsawing through our lineup like he is Dwight Gooden in his prime.

By ijonathan

August 14, 2007 8:56 PM | Link to this

Swap Andruw and Yunel in the batting order tonight and we might at least have a run.

By cricket

August 14, 2007 8:56 PM | Link to this

Looks like Jeff is reversing his progress a bit lately (very recently). Giants are nearly perfecting the pitch sequesnce to him - high, outside, high - to get the strikeout. If this continues, from both him and the pitchers, he’ll be our second sure strikeout bet to Andruw, who off course can be struck out be any number of pitch sequences.

By Bob

August 14, 2007 8:57 PM | Link to this

BravesDave,

Yeah, Saturday night Andruw got a pretty long double to right center that drove in a key run to make it 7-4. But that was the only one I can recall in at least 2-3 weeks.

By Carolina Lady

August 14, 2007 9:00 PM | Link to this

Someone asked earlier: I think Julio is wearing #14.

By OhMy

August 14, 2007 9:01 PM | Link to this

Well, 2nd time through the lineup did produce 2 hits and a walk an improvement over the 1st time through. Can’t believe Braves have been shut down through 4 innings against this team. 3rd time through the charm?

By Superman

August 14, 2007 9:01 PM | Link to this

Nice hustle Willy Harris. You gotta love the way he plays the game.

By David O'Brien

August 14, 2007 9:02 PM | Link to this

THIS JUST IN: Andruw had X-rays on left elbow before game, revealed no damage. Negative, as they say.

By Tomahawkin' Again

August 14, 2007 9:02 PM | Link to this

They HAVE to score in this inning. 2nd & 3rd, 1 out w/KJ up. LET’S GET SOME RUNS!!

By Ron

August 14, 2007 9:03 PM | Link to this

2nd and 3rd with ONLY one out!!! Are we gonna score? We better if we wanna win!!!

By JJMB

August 14, 2007 9:03 PM | Link to this

I see Klesko is still smoking a lot of weed. What a dumbašs.

By Bandwagon Fan

August 14, 2007 9:03 PM | Link to this

C’mon Braves! You’re making this way too hard! I’m wanting to start thinking more about football and you guys are playing just good enough to keep me checking you out!

Smoltzie, just throw a few more of those inside hanging breaking balls to lefties and someone will take you out! Maybe you still have that knuckleball in your bag of tricks!

Brian! why don’t you keep calling for those inside breaking balls to lefties? You’re brilliant!

Offense! You have supposedly scored 10 runs off this guy in 13 innings before tonight! You’re looking great!

But hey!…… You look like the ‘27 Yankees one night and the 62’Mets the next! You’re like Jekyll and Hyde!

The only thing consistent about this team is that they are inconsistent!

How can anyone think this team is a playoff team? This bullpen rag arm spot starter is sticking up your…..

Braves…. you deserve what you’re getting. Playing like major leaguers involves playing every day, not just when you feel like it!

And Andruw……. find another sport where your defense is all that’s needed. How ‘bout some midwest 6 on 6 girls basketball where two players don’t even cross half court to play offense. That would suit you perfectly! Just play defense and let the other players worry about scoring.

By Greg in TN

August 14, 2007 9:03 PM | Link to this

Willie’s made some outs in the last few weeks on the bases, but great to see the head’s up play taking second on his single.

By N8....What the hell do I know?

August 14, 2007 9:05 PM | Link to this

DOB

“You’ve sold your wares to us, no need to sell it to us again. Please, for all that’s holy, don’t sell it to us again.”

Problem is, is that nobody’s “buying it”. So, as any person who’s ever been a salesperson at one time or another in their life knows, you keep “selling” until somebody buys it. Imaging if the telemarketers only called once. Or if the Girls Gone Wild infomercial was to only air, one time. Nobody would ever order it. :-)

You stated that I have made these comments for the “1,703rd” time. Is this an actual fact, or are you just being silly? Because usually I like to “back off” a bit, once I’ve attempted to make a point for the 1000th time. It’s not like me to try 703 more times. Seems like a little overkill, huh?

As far as “anything new along those lines” to add?

Have I mentioned that Andruw sucks and we are 5-5 in games that Mark Teixeira has played in?

If not, please consider those points “noted and placed for the record” as well.

Many thanks for your time.

Mock me all you want my good man. I appreciate your sarcasm and tone just the same.

But UNTIL people (including you) stop making arguments for why this team is in good shape, and gonna win the division, I’ll keep arguing.

You know, since this is a public forum/blog for us to state our point. Even if it’s made 1703 times. I’m quite certain that no where in the constitution does it state that I’m only allowed to make a point twice.

Correct me if I’m wrong.

DOB, I know you are not a Braves fan. you cover the team for the AJC. I also know that you actually talk to the players on a daily basis, which I don’t. So all I can go off, is my 20+ years of being a Braves fan, and what my eyes tell me, and what the standings in the paper I read in the morning tell me.

So far through 118 games, all of that has told me that this team (as they are playing right now - or like they have played for the better part of 14 months) are NOT a playoff team.

Are they close? Sure they are. But we are JUST as close to losing a few in a row and being behind a bunch of teams in the wild card chase as we are to realing off a big winning streak and taking the lead.

WE CAN’T BEAT THE FRICKING GIANTS WITH OUR ACE ON THE HILL!!!!!

It’s not looking good. Tell me otherwise. You do realize that you are entitled (as the Blog-master) to state your case 1703 times as well, don’t you?

By Superman

August 14, 2007 9:08 PM | Link to this

Runners in scoring position with less than 2 outs in 3 different innings and nothing to show for it. Come on guys

By BravesDave

August 14, 2007 9:10 PM | Link to this

Once again, 2nd and 3rd + less than 2 outs = 0 runs

By Colin

August 14, 2007 9:10 PM | Link to this

Way to swing that bat!!I think i could a hit more often than this team

By ijonathan

August 14, 2007 9:11 PM | Link to this

Just checking, did the Giants follow the Phillies’ lead and present the umpire with a gift before tonight’s game?

By A--ville Ranger

August 14, 2007 9:11 PM | Link to this

Chipper has failed way too many times in these rbi situations in the last few weeks.At least he changed it up this time.He’s been tapping weak grounders to the infield,this time he didn’t waste the energy.

By The Grinch

August 14, 2007 9:11 PM | Link to this

I don’t think I’ve ever seen a lineup full of players with such excellent numbers look so pathetic against such repeatedly mediocre pitching as this team has this season. It just defies explanation. Add that to our own mediocre pitching, and you get what we currently look like. Now, this team OUGHT to be tearing it up, there’s still time to do so and our competition still isn’t any better so I won’t conceed anything yet…but it sure is frustrating.

Go Bobby! History in the making.

By N8....What the hell do I know?

August 14, 2007 9:12 PM | Link to this

“THIS JUST IN: Andruw had X-rays on left elbow before game, revealed no damage. Negative, as they say.”

Neat. Just the news we were all hoping for. Hurt just enough to NOT be effective, yet not enough to be put on the DL. Awesome.

But I guess that at least makes it official. He has no excuses, he just sucks, right?

By Ron

August 14, 2007 9:12 PM | Link to this

I am so surprised what happened!!! Unbelievable!!! Good Job KJ and Chipper that what I am talking about!!! LOL!!! Chipper was complaining that WE had to get a run against Billy Wagner with bases loaded 0 out, but yet he has not come through today!!! That was a key at bat in the Bottom of the 5th!!! What I guess that was not as important of an at bat!!! Great job Chipper!!!

Its about time BC get ejected!!! Congrats on the Record BC!!! It is time for some damn fire on this team!!!

By journalist jimmy smith

August 14, 2007 9:12 PM | Link to this

monkeys in the news …

TUPELO, Mississippi (AP) - A monkey that freed himself two weeks ago from a Mississippi zoo has escaped again, zoo officials said.

This marks the third time Oliver has escaped from the zoo. About six-years ago the monkey escaped and ran amok on the grounds of Tupelo Country Club before being captured and returned to the zoo.

On Friday, the zoo bought $300 worth of new locks for the monkey cage.

this monkey could be taught to hit behind the runner. should trade for oliver.

By TexasBrave

August 14, 2007 9:12 PM | Link to this

Can anyone who is watching the game tell me how Escobar doesn’t score on Willie’s single?

Then runners on 2nd and 3rd and one out and we strike out twice. What is the world coming too.

But I am keeping the faith. Positive thoughts, positive thoughts!!!

By Tomahawkin' Again

August 14, 2007 9:13 PM | Link to this

Congratulations Bobby! Did ESPN break into their regular programming to cover the record breaking ejection? No message from John McGraw or Earl Weaver on the message board @ Turner Field?

By Bob

August 14, 2007 9:13 PM | Link to this

What a real bad call on that third strike on Chipper. Braves aren’t getting clutch hitting, but that was a pathetic call. At least Cox got thrown out on a really bad call.

By Savannah Guy

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

Against the odds, I still like our chances tonight Smoltzy looks, well…hot tonight. Temperature hot, not, uh…the good sports kind. Hot and bothered (1). McCann told him about that gracious inside pitch called while he was at bat and…next thing you know, Smoltz is throwing in there and getting bopped around (2). Just a few inches too sweet it seems (3). Anyway, I can’t help but always worry when the lineups strongly favor the Braves (4), especially when it’s the first night back home (5) and against an inferior team (6), against a guy that’s had only 19 starts that they haven’t seen (7). Bad combo. Oh, and AJ’s still in the lineup (8).

So much for taking a bench-break for the teams best interest. Does AJ even realize it? My guess is no. Has Bobby, uh…told him? Nope again. Do AJ think he’s just being tough…playing through the pain? Does he know the pain of him playing is mostly the Braves team pain (and ours)? Am I just being negative? Superstitious? True? How about Lucky nines…does that work in Vegas?

Braveheart Looks like “Arizona Fall League Scribin’ Seminar” in…Vegas (right after the World Series in which the Braves take it in 6). Looks like we’ll be taking journalism writing instruction from the Scribe hizzown self, brevity and pivotal lessons from Scoots. After that, Scribe has signed on to have a scotch or three with us and then we can all crank it up a notch with a few triple voodoo yoohoo’s (white Russians) and find some rock’n roll somewhere. Rules discussions will be off limits unless we have a referee. We may have trouble finding a volunteer for that, although I’m a happy drinker…wouldn’t hurt a fly (naturally). Then again, what happens in Vegas…

By ijonathan

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

Too bad BC got thrown out. He should be watching the Giants bat this inning. He’d see that you don’t have to take your reliever out of the game when his spot in the batting order comes up.

By StingerSplash

August 14, 2007 9:15 PM | Link to this

Congratulations, BC! Nobody does it better, or more often, when it comes to getting the heave-ho from a game! Whoooo!!!!!

By chipdip

August 14, 2007 9:16 PM | Link to this

Must be tired from playing golf yesterday.

By BravesDave

August 14, 2007 9:16 PM | Link to this

Thanks, Bob. I forgot about the double on Saturday night because I wasn’t able to watch that game. But seriously, other than that, I cannot remember the last time this clown got the ball out of the infield.

Wow, some excitement. Bobby Cox gets run by the umpire. Too bad SportSouth went to a commercial there, considering it is the only excitement a Braves fan will have tonight.

By chrisklob

August 14, 2007 9:17 PM | Link to this

Carolina Lady, I thought the horse died yesterday and was subsequently buried!

By Superman

August 14, 2007 9:18 PM | Link to this

Who did you grow up rooting for DOB?

By Bob

August 14, 2007 9:19 PM | Link to this

Nice one Tex. BTW N8, the Braves are 6-5 with him in the lineup.

By TexasBrave

August 14, 2007 9:20 PM | Link to this

I take it Bobby was ejected because he was arguing the third strike on Chipper?

By Savannah Guy

August 14, 2007 9:21 PM | Link to this

Lew I’ll check that out. I know they were still touring as late as a few years ago…minus a few members, but not sure about now. That would be a great live show to catch.

By Greg in TN

August 14, 2007 9:27 PM | Link to this

I think Chipper got jobbed a little bit on the call by Ted Barrett.

TexasBrave, Willie’s single held up in the air enough that Escobar had to wait to make sure it landed before he could take off.

Move over John McGraw…

By chrisklob

August 14, 2007 9:28 PM | Link to this

TExasBrave, that’s correct. And BTW, that pitch was easily six inches inside. Chipper was right to complain and BC was right as well.

By OhMy

August 14, 2007 9:29 PM | Link to this

Marlins are hammering the Diamonbacks 14-1 with the bases loaded in the 4th.

Phillies took the lead on the Nats. Braves better do something or they could be 1 1/2 out of 2nd.

Mets tied top of the 8th.

By Colin

August 14, 2007 9:30 PM | Link to this

I guess BC ejection lit a fire maybe…Escobar is huge for us…

By Bandwagon Fan

August 14, 2007 9:30 PM | Link to this

N8! I agree about Andruw….hurt but not bad enough to DL. Wish he was DL’ed

Ron? Don’t be surprised by KJ not coming through with those guys on. KJ HAS NOT HIT A GOOD LEFTY ALL YEAR! He hasn’t hit good lefty starters….. he hasn’t hit good lefty relievers. He has hit some lefties,(garden variety, I’m a lefty who is in the major leagues simply because I throw left handed, guys) but he looks helpless against lefties who can throw hard breaking stuff.

By Greg in TN

August 14, 2007 9:30 PM | Link to this

Nice double by Escobar to tie it up. So much for the 9 for 35. He’s hitting huge tonight. I’ll take my crow with BBQ sauce on the side, please.

By Bob

August 14, 2007 9:30 PM | Link to this

Great night for Escobar. Lets get at least one more run for Smoltz. He has gutted through 6 again. Phils lead Nats 3-2 in 8th and Mets and Bucs 3-3 in 8th.

By Bob

August 14, 2007 9:31 PM | Link to this

Great night for Escobar. Lets get at least one more run for Smoltz. He has gutted through 6 again. Phils lead Nats 3-2 in 8th and Mets and Bucs 3-3 in 8th.

Way to go Matty!

By chrisklob

August 14, 2007 9:31 PM | Link to this

What do you haters have to say now?

By ijonathan

August 14, 2007 9:31 PM | Link to this

How is Diaz not in the lineup on a regular basis?

By Ron

August 14, 2007 9:31 PM | Link to this

Escobar!!!!!!!!!!!! #1!!!!!!!!!!!! He the Man!!! And people wanting Lillibridge to replace him this year!!! LOL!!! Those people are fools!!!

Diaz!!!!!!!!!!!!! You the man also!!! Do I see some life in this team? I think so!!! Its about damn time!!!

By Superman

August 14, 2007 9:31 PM | Link to this

Anyone know how the mets and phils are doing tonight?

By Geaux Braves

August 14, 2007 9:32 PM | Link to this

Alright Big E!! Alright Big D!!

Geaux Braves!!

By NCBravesFan

August 14, 2007 9:32 PM | Link to this

Yeah baby, YEAH!

By journalist jimmy smith

August 14, 2007 9:32 PM | Link to this

yes, chino cadahia is the answer! chino has them hitting.

By The Truth Hurts

August 14, 2007 9:33 PM | Link to this

Tex’s homeruns just seem monstrous.

Anyway, N8, you’re not the only one on here who has expressed doubts about the quality of this team. You’re probably the most vociferous, certainly, but there are others who don’t fall prey to the manic-depressiveness of in-game blogging, and see the forest for the trees.

Blogging about baseball teams is largely counterproductive b/c only so much can be said other than, “Frenchy rakes,” or “Frenchy is regressing.”

Blogging is a 100 meter dash. The baseball season…

How many times can we all agree…AJ is KILLING this team. I mean, just committing an OJ Simpson on rallies. I’d rather see Corky Miller up there…hell, I’d rather see Corky from Life Goes On up there.

Anyway, sometimes N8 you get a bad rap. Sometimes you don’t. In this instance, I’d have to agree with you. Blogging is by nature pretty repetitive if only b/c we’re blogging 100MPH while the race ambles along at 5.

See? Bottom the 6th…plenty of time left…and Yunel comes through…

Sort of reinforces the 3rd inning, down 3-0…”we’re going to lose” naivete of many on here…I’m not exactly rosy in my outlook, but fall probably somewhere b/t N8 and DOB…by that, I mean we can’t have another losing streak this season.

See? Diaz comes through…

Still plenty of time to pad the lead or lose…

By N8....What the hell do I know?

August 14, 2007 9:33 PM | Link to this

Bob

“Nice one Tex. BTW N8, the Braves are 6-5 with him in the lineup.”

Uh….NO. The TEAM is 6-5 since the Tex trade. Tex didn’t play in the 12-5 victory against the Astros. Thus, the team is 5-5 in games he has been IN THE LINEUP.

Youth is the future people. To those thinking Renteria is not expendible, I give you Yunel Escobar.

Well, color me wrong. The offense woke up to give the Braves the lead. But let’s let the bullpen do their job before we get all excited about it.

By Superman

August 14, 2007 9:34 PM | Link to this

didnt see the post on the mets and phils updates sorry

By The Grinch

August 14, 2007 9:34 PM | Link to this

That’s more like it. Note it isn’t surprising when they bust loose; they ought to. Schweet. Give Bobby props for using Diaz there.

By OhMy

August 14, 2007 9:34 PM | Link to this

The 3rd time through was indeed the charm for the Braves. Just need to hold the lead now.

Mets about to take the lead on the Pirates. 2nd and 3rd no one out in the 8th.

By Bob

August 14, 2007 9:34 PM | Link to this

Yeah Texas Brave, he was arguing that one and he was right to. That ball was at least 6 inches inside. Cox probably saved Chipper from going on that one.

By Greg in TN

August 14, 2007 9:35 PM | Link to this

Just a great hit there by Diaz, stayed back on the breaking ball and smacked it for an RBI single.

By Savannah Guy

August 14, 2007 9:35 PM | Link to this

Carolina Lady Welcome back. Did you ever get my email from last week?

By geauxbraves2000

August 14, 2007 9:37 PM | Link to this

I tried the post dropping the 2000 in my moniker and doing it a little different, but I don’t like it.

If anyone actually cares.

Geaux Braves!!

By TampaBrave

August 14, 2007 9:37 PM | Link to this

TEX rocks

AJ did the only positive thing he could do…NOT SWING!!

YUNEL!!!!!!!!!!

MATT #%$$@& DIAZ

YEAH

By David O'Brien

August 14, 2007 9:38 PM | Link to this

N8, indeed, what the H do you know? Guess you’ll let others have the floor until the Braves aren’t leading….

By the way, who was the guy ripping Texeira earlier? Couple of them, actually. Is five homers and 12 RBIs in his first 11 games any good, or still not a good enough batting average for you? Just wondering.

By TexasBrave

August 14, 2007 9:38 PM | Link to this

Ok, This positive thinking thing is working!!! 4 runs. So more positive thinking, positive thinking!!!

Let’s Go Braves!!!

By Tomahawkin' Again

August 14, 2007 9:39 PM | Link to this

Can we teach Yunel to play centerfield? Have to keep his bat in the line-up once Edgar gets back.

By chrisklob

August 14, 2007 9:41 PM | Link to this

Okay, brace yourself people as I am about to make a negative comment……

Is it just me or are you ALL sick and tired of that stupid Pepsi commercial with all the yawning?

I have to change the channel every time it comes on.

By OhMy

August 14, 2007 9:42 PM | Link to this

The Pirates are on their 3rd reliever of the 8th inning. Mets have the bases loaded with no outs tied 3-3 and Alou is up.

Phillies up 3-2 top of the 9th.

By Ron

August 14, 2007 9:42 PM | Link to this

BC we finally have the lead, I know you are not in the game, but you are STILL managing in this game, so in the TOP of the 8th DO NOT bring in Soriano!!!

By B9

August 14, 2007 9:44 PM | Link to this

I watch the game but mostly I’m benign.

By LVChad

August 14, 2007 9:45 PM | Link to this

Alou singles in 2. 1st and 2nd with no outs in the 8th Mets 5-3.

Phillies up 3-2 top of the 9th.

By Bandwagon Fan

August 14, 2007 9:47 PM | Link to this

Hey ChrisKlob

What do you haters have to say now?

Tell you what I have to say…. the Braves still have HOMERUN Soriano who is going to pitch the eighth! Unless, Bobby was thrown totally out of the park and can’t make that call.

I can also say that it really doesn’t matter if they win tonight, they will be no better than .500 on this home stand. Why do all of you homers refuse to believe what the team has done so far this year? The inconsistent play is not a blip on the radar, it IS THIS TEAM! It’s who they are! They are going to break your heart if you’re still waiting for that pony under that big pile or horse…..!

By Bob

August 14, 2007 9:47 PM | Link to this

N8, YOU are not only negative, you are wrong AGAIN. He started playing in the 2d game of the 6 game homestand. They won that game and then lost the last one. They then took 2 of 3 from the Rockies. They then split the road trip at 3-3. In MY MATH that makes 6-5. If you have to be so damn negative, at least get your numbers right. Learn to count!

And by the way, the trade for Tex and Mahay has looked pretty good so far.

By N8....What the hell do I know?

August 14, 2007 9:50 PM | Link to this

DOB

“Guess you’ll let others have the floor until the Braves aren’t leading…”

After all this time I’ve been blogging, have I EVER appeared to be like the Muts A-holes who only blog when things are going their way?

You think the Braves taking a 4-3 lead is gonna “turn me around”? Skip just said Soriano is warming up in the pen.

So for those who want to “have the floor until the Braves aren’t leading…”, should hurry up.

Times a tickin’. :-)

By MurphyRules

August 14, 2007 9:51 PM | Link to this

I’m going to say it BEFORE Soriano throws his first pitch: Why, why, why is he in the game?

By BravesDave

August 14, 2007 9:51 PM | Link to this

Oh good God, here comes Rafael Soriano.

By geauxbraves2000

August 14, 2007 9:51 PM | Link to this

YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME.

By Colin

August 14, 2007 9:51 PM | Link to this

WHAT IS SORIANO DOING IN THE GAME..WELL 4-4

By LVChad

August 14, 2007 9:51 PM | Link to this

Soriano in the 8th with a 1 run lead. anyone else a little nervous?

By Superman

August 14, 2007 9:53 PM | Link to this

I 100% agree chrisklob. That commercial freakin SUCKS!!!!

By TheSouthernJackAss

August 14, 2007 9:54 PM | Link to this

TheJackAss is a bit perturbed to say the least…Bobby Cox breaks the all-time career ejections record by getting tossed for the 132nd time…and no Bud Selig to congratulate the ol’ Skipper…not even a low-level representative of MLB…not even an appearance by the ghost of “Little Napoleon” to pass the torch…what a travesty…

By LVChad

August 14, 2007 9:55 PM | Link to this

Phillies beat the Nationals 3-2.

Pirates score 1 to make it 5-4 Mets in the 8th, runner on 3rd 2 out.

By Tomahawkin' Again

August 14, 2007 9:56 PM | Link to this

Final from Washington, Phils 3-2. But, battlin’ Bucs have cut it to 5-4 in the 8th w/a runner on 3rd.

By Superman

August 14, 2007 9:58 PM | Link to this

I personally would much rather read a B9 blogger than one who is so damn negative ALL THE TIME. I have to agree with dob It just gets so old. You obviously care about this team but you cant even force yourself to see when the team does something good. Just focus on the negative. You might want to try the positive thinking thing for once. Or else you are gonna have a heart attack or a stroke.

By chrisklob

August 14, 2007 9:59 PM | Link to this

Bandwagon Fan, wow, you can predict the future? Do you REALLY know that this team is going to do no better than .500? If that’s the case, you are wasting your talents on this blog. You really should be buying up lottery tickets seeing that you’re psychic and all.

Listen up. I’m no homer. I’m a realist. This team has serious issues, but so do almost all the teams that we’re competing with for a playoff spot. Unlike you, I prefer to let the games get played before I get all ticked off about losing them. And yes, I think this teams chances are at least even with our competitions to making a run in the post season.

Why do you even bother watching this team or reading this blog? Seems like it would be really boring for a savant such as yourself to watch a game or series already knowing the outcome.

Oh, and next time you address me, have the ballz to use your real name, not an assumed one.

By geauxbraves2000

August 14, 2007 9:59 PM | Link to this

Phew.

Geaux Braves!!

By Colin

August 14, 2007 10:00 PM | Link to this

WOW NICE SORIANO…

By MurphyRules

August 14, 2007 10:00 PM | Link to this

EXXXXHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLEEEEEE!!!

By Ron

August 14, 2007 10:01 PM | Link to this

Soriano got out of the inning without giving up a run!!! Good Job!!! But he did throw a few FAT pitches to some of the Giant hitters ESPECIALLY to Feliz!!! Feliz should have took him deep!!! But Good for us he did not!!! Anyway it still was a stupid move bringing him in, but it worked and thats all that matters!!! Lets close this game out!!!

By Savannah Guy

August 14, 2007 10:02 PM | Link to this

Lew Other obscure classics: Super Session, with Mike Bloomfield, Al Kooper and Steven Stills. Ok, here’s another one for you: Siegel-Schwall Blues Band. Hot Chicago group. Classic stuff. Old faves…bet you have’em. Great late 60’s stuff but would blow you away today.

By Greg in TN

August 14, 2007 10:02 PM | Link to this

And just to clarify, while I am eating crow since Escobar has broken out of his minor skid in a big way tonight, I still stand by my assertion that I’d rather have Renteria here next year and have Escobar as his understudy for one year longer, then give him the job when Edgar’s contract is up. Unless of course JS can fill a big hole for next year.

Soriano looked to have overthrown his first two fastballs tonight to Davis then seemed to settle down and hit his spots much better after that.

By N8....Now what will I do that DOB hates me?

August 14, 2007 10:02 PM | Link to this

Bob

I stand corrected, AGAIN (I guess).

You are correct. I looked at his game log and just assumed that the first game it listed was the one he didn’t play in. Of course by looking at his GAME LOG, it would only show the games he’s played in.

My mistake.

Of course even with the 6-5 record (.545) it really isn’t THAT MUCH better than the 56-51 (.523) record without him in the lineup.

Please note, I get that it’s NOT his fault that we aren’t winning. At least not his bat, his defense (which I also get is pretty good), could however be a little to blame. Wouldn’t want DOB to lump me in with the Tex-haters.

I just think it’s silly how people keep talking (even Pete on radio) how we have the best lineup in the NL. Maybe. Maybe not. But it sure hasn’t translated into wins.

My KC Chiefs had plenty of offense for 5 years as well. Which translated to ZERO playoff wins. NADA. ZIP. NOTHING.

JS did the best he could. I have acknowledged that. No pitchers (of substance and worthy of trading Salty) were available. But that doesn’t mean that aquiring Tex is gonna jumpstart this team to the post-season. At least it doesn’t look that way so far.

Unfortunately all it’s proved is how pathetic our pitching staff as a whole is.

By TexasBrave

August 14, 2007 10:02 PM | Link to this

Well did Soriano look as good as his two strike outs and one hit? Or is the jury still out?

By brian

August 14, 2007 10:08 PM | Link to this

a plain film of the elbow is a waste for Andruw and really doesn’t tell us much. Unless it was an acute injury it does will not yield that much info. He needs an MRI of his elbow (which I assume he has had).

Andruw’s hitting is pathetic and the announcers are right on. He is not hitting for much average this year (understatement) and now with his elbow he is not hitting for power. Basically he just is not hitting.

Hopefully after Yunel’s night Bobby will realize that maybe Yunel should hit before Andruw, even when righty;s are playing

By Carolina Lady

August 14, 2007 10:10 PM | Link to this

Savannah Guy, indeed I did! Replied as well. You didn’t receive the answer? Phenomenal story. Truly!

By Savannah Guy

August 14, 2007 10:10 PM | Link to this

chrisklob HA! I do the same thing to the same yawing Pepsi commercial. It’s weak…very weak indeed. Fortunately the remote is somehow always near me…who would’ thunk it?

By cricket

August 14, 2007 10:10 PM | Link to this

You barely get an at-bat and still decide not to see more than 1 pitch !! Welcome the mighty Thor - most intelligent hitter in baseball ..

By The Grinch

August 14, 2007 10:10 PM | Link to this

That umpire is f&%$ing blind.

By NCBravesFan

August 14, 2007 10:11 PM | Link to this

SJA Informed sources tell me that to honor Bobby’s ejection, MLB had Journalist Jimmy Smith lip-sync Whitney Houston’s “One Moment in Time” in the tunnel.

By Ron

August 14, 2007 10:11 PM | Link to this

I think Wickman is faster than McCann!!! That is sad too!!!

By Tomahawkin' Again

August 14, 2007 10:14 PM | Link to this

Now a final, Muts 5-4. And, where the heck was that last pitch to Ortmeier? Yeesh, the homeplate ump was really bad tonight.

By Efrim

August 14, 2007 10:16 PM | Link to this

Wickman……

tisk tisk.

By Bob

August 14, 2007 10:17 PM | Link to this

N8,

Understand your frustration. Me too. In fact 99% of the people on the blog. I still think the bullpen has been pretty damn good overall. Starters other than Smoltz and Hudson have killed them. If the Mets or Phillies had Padre pitching I might have a hard time thinking that this team could get into the playoffs. But they don’t so anything is possible.

Great play by Escobar, but looking tough in the 9th.

By JJMB

August 14, 2007 10:18 PM | Link to this

Moylan for christsakes!

By John McGraw

August 14, 2007 10:18 PM | Link to this

A Brave great was gracious enough to congratulate a Giant on breaking his record last week. So, a Giants great has been gracious enough to congratulate a Braves great on breaking his record this week.

In case you missed my speech that was played on that monstrosity of a videoboard (which BTW is still not as much of a monstrosity as our current left fielder):

“I would like to offer my congratulations to Bobby Cox on becoming baseball’s career ejections leader. It is a great accomplishment which required skill, longevity, determination, and an ill-mannered nature.”

“Throughout the past century, the ejection has held a special place in baseball, and I have been privileged to hold this record for 75 of those years. I move over now and offer my best wishes to Bobby and his family on this historic achievement.”

“My hope today, as it has been since May of 1932, is that the achievement of this record will inspire others to chase their own dreams.”

BH

By ijonathan

August 14, 2007 10:18 PM | Link to this

For anybody who doesn’t think it is important to have a closer that can consistently miss the bats of opposing hitters, Exhibit A tonight.

By Carolina Lady

August 14, 2007 10:18 PM | Link to this

N8, you are boring the daylights out of the rest of us. You think we aren’t aware of the shortcomings, flaws and warts?? We are, but the constant negativism is depressing. Nobody needs that, not even you. The sun will come and the world will continue even if the Braves never win another game. Guaranteed! :-) Bless your heart!

By LT (double A blogger)

August 14, 2007 10:18 PM | Link to this

As Seinfeld would say, “Newman!”

Wickman is officially Newman to me!

By TheSouthernJackAss

August 14, 2007 10:20 PM | Link to this

NCBravesFan—now that makes me feel much better…class act for sure…

By art

August 14, 2007 10:21 PM | Link to this

what is the score

By Stephen

August 14, 2007 10:23 PM | Link to this

Way to go fat @$$ wickman, this guy is complete garbage.

By N8

August 14, 2007 10:24 PM | Link to this

Anybody know where I can get playoff tickets?

By JJMB

August 14, 2007 10:24 PM | Link to this

Well Hellsbells, bibleboy gets reamed again. Against this total crap SF team.

By Geoff

August 14, 2007 10:24 PM | Link to this

this is ridiculous!

By Carolina Lady

August 14, 2007 10:25 PM | Link to this

Chrisklob, indeed the poor horse was buried - but, as always, there’s always somebody who doesn’t get the word. :-))

By Ron

August 14, 2007 10:25 PM | Link to this

This team is so damn backwards!!! Finally the bullpen pitches good, and Soriano actually pitches good, and then Wickman who was pitching pretty good since the All Star break just blew the lead for us!!! This is so pathedic!!! This is WHY we are a .500 ball club, but the NL is so pathedic that we ACTUALLY have a chance to win the Wildcard!!! What an Unbelievable team!!!

By jon

August 14, 2007 10:25 PM | Link to this

id much rather see wickman as the 7th inning pitcher for us..this is nonsense!!! Another no decision for Smoltz! Wickman should be asame

By Colin

August 14, 2007 10:25 PM | Link to this

I nominate Moylan for the 6-9 inning if anyone agrees please tell me..

By Bobby Cocks (I suck in game strategy)

August 14, 2007 10:26 PM | Link to this

Willie Aybar can hit the f%^king road, tired of wasting ink on him. How can a season be ended that never started.

By jon

August 14, 2007 10:27 PM | Link to this

why in the hell is wickman still pitching????? WHERE IS MAHAY AGAINST KLESKO…WHERE IS MOYLAN??? GIVE ME A BREAK!!! GIVE THEM THE FREAKING WIN

By Superman

August 14, 2007 10:28 PM | Link to this

Ok N8 go ahead and tell us how stupid we all are.

You know the main reason most of us watch the braves is to give us some relief from our real lives. We watch and believe even when its hard to do we believe. If you already have your mind made up that this team sucks and we are going nowhere then why do you even watch? seriously you just bring the entire vibe of blog down man. Maybe those are just my thoughts. But maybe not!

By Bandwagon Fan

August 14, 2007 10:29 PM | Link to this

ChrisKlob

If that is your real name, maybe you should consider an “assumed” name.

If you were truly a realist, you would base your opinion on what you’ve seen from recent history with this team. They have shown that they are barely a .500 team who play mediocre to badly at home. The Mets have beaten teams they should beat this year. Phillies have done the same. Braves have lost too many games to teams they should be beating up on. Beating the teams you should beat is how you make the playoffs. The Braves were successful for years following that recipe. (beating up on the subpar teams)

By the way….. Braves are tied after a blown save. Like I said, .500 home stand, could be under .500 after the first game.

By jon

August 14, 2007 10:30 PM | Link to this

WICKMAN TRIPS ME OUT! He stikes Klesko out and runs off the field like he just did something good! He has NO STRIKEOUT PITCH AND THAT WAS EVIDENT TONIGHT!PUT MOYLAN IN THERE PLEASE!!!

By A--ville Ranger

August 14, 2007 10:30 PM | Link to this

There must be a better alternative to this sweaty donut to close.This is the M.O. of this team, in the clutch…they’re not.

By Tomahawkin' Again

August 14, 2007 10:31 PM | Link to this

That was quite the 37 pitch gem of a 9th Bob. Sigh, it’s never easy with us, is it?

By Savannah Guy

August 14, 2007 10:32 PM | Link to this

OK…a tie…bottom 9…now we strike. LIKE our chances.

N8 For mjost effectiveness and to be correct, add the word “now” to your new moniker. Don’t fret, it’s not really “hate”…just nattering nabob brushback(s).

By \\\\\\\\\\BERIGAN//////////

August 14, 2007 10:33 PM | Link to this

I still had this page up from earlier today, so won’t know if anyone has mentioned this, but didn’t it seem like the outfield was playing way too shallow for Ortmeyer(SP?) ANd as I am sure others have said, that ump it F_ing blind!! For both teams! Good Grief!!!

By MEB

August 14, 2007 10:33 PM | Link to this

Now would be a great time for a possible MVP this year and potential hall of famer to win this game in the bottom of the ninth.

GO BRAVES!!! (Willie take your base)

By Savannah Guy

August 14, 2007 10:34 PM | Link to this

Carolina Lady Didn’t get the reply. Glad it got to you though.

By Greg in TN

August 14, 2007 10:34 PM | Link to this

These guys seem to be the second coming of the cardiac kids lately.

Nice patience at the plate by Willie and a superb bunt by KJ that forces the error.

By Julia

August 14, 2007 10:35 PM | Link to this

WICKMAN is a double shrimp sammich with fries and a drink.

By David

August 14, 2007 10:35 PM | Link to this

Way to go, Kelly!!! Great bunt!!!

By BravesDave

August 14, 2007 10:36 PM | Link to this

N8, as opposed to Carolina Lady, I love your negativism. I feel it is quite the proper reaction to this team for the past two seasons. I see nothing to be positive about. Big trades are fun. I like them. When they help, it is even better. I want more excitement, though, like wins.

Joe Simpson after the blown save: “I can only imagine what is going through John Smoltz’ mind right now.” Hmmm, Joe, how about who cares about Smoltz’ win, **the Braves need this win, not just John Smoltz, who by the way, was not overly impressive tonight.

By Bob

August 14, 2007 10:36 PM | Link to this

Those of you not seeing the game, in my opinion the umpiring behind the plate has been atrocious. Not Eric Gregg, but pretty bad. And there have been calls against the Giants too. Very inconsistent to put it mildly. Bobby gets a gold star for being thrown out by that ump.

By Steve from OH

August 14, 2007 10:37 PM | Link to this

Colin

I would also like to nominate Smoltz for innings 1-9 on days ending in “y.” You don’t see a problem with that, do you?

By Greg in TN

August 14, 2007 10:38 PM | Link to this

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Chipper.

By NCBravesFan

August 14, 2007 10:38 PM | Link to this

Had ‘em all the way baby … had ‘em all the way!

By David

August 14, 2007 10:38 PM | Link to this

YES!!! Game over!!!

By BG

August 14, 2007 10:39 PM | Link to this

Jon —

Relax a bit — Mahay pitched the 7th. This ain’t some beer league where you can bring pitchers back into the game.

By The Grinch

August 14, 2007 10:40 PM | Link to this

Yes!!!

By Savannah Guy

August 14, 2007 10:40 PM | Link to this

LOVE IT. I LIVE FOR THIS (and other things).

By parks

August 14, 2007 10:40 PM | Link to this

Nice Chip. Sorry that had to happen to you N8. There is always something to complain about tomm.

By journalist jimmy smith

August 14, 2007 10:40 PM | Link to this

and wickman wins the game. oh, the humanity!

By BobbyDewayne

August 14, 2007 10:40 PM | Link to this

Yep. Gotta win 5 this week. Or 4 minimum. Mets and Phils won tonight. Wick blew it. Moylan needs to pitch the 9th.

By Bob

August 14, 2007 10:40 PM | Link to this

Chipper! Finally we win in the late innings.

By \\\\\\\\\\BERIGAN//////////

August 14, 2007 10:40 PM | Link to this

Geez guys, come on, have some faith!!! I knew alllll along we would win this game!!!! ;) Great to see some excitement towards Chipper, and a big smile on his face as well!

By Superman

August 14, 2007 10:40 PM | Link to this

MEB

Nice call on your 10:33

By Ron

August 14, 2007 10:41 PM | Link to this

I guess that ejection of BC was the key to this game!!! It seemed to me like it lit a fire under their @$$es!!! Great win tonight by the Braves!!! Chipper comes through!!! Good job, I had a beef with you earlier, but good job!!! Great Win!!! We HAD to have this game!!!

By BravesDave

August 14, 2007 10:43 PM | Link to this

I was just about to inquire as to whether there was any way to move Andruw Jones up in the order in the 9th inning so that he could kill this rally, but I guess we will have to settle for Chipper Jones bailing this team out.

Boog Sciambi: “Great way to get this homestand under way.” Ummmmm, not really. Blowing a save, going scoreless against the Giants bullpen for 5 consecutive innings, needing a 9th inning rally to beat a 50-68 team using a reliever as a spot starter. Not too great.

And for the bloggers discussing the Pepsi yawn commercial, that commercial is going to drive me to mass murder. Alert the authorities.

By Tomahawkin' Again

August 14, 2007 10:44 PM | Link to this

Ho hum, just another boring win. We had ‘em all the way. LOL! They’re maddening to root for, but you got to love our Battling Braves.Okay everybody, back on the bandwagon. See everyone tomorrow night, drive safely.

By Sir Stealth

August 14, 2007 10:44 PM | Link to this

Go Braves, long live Bobby Cox and all true Braves fans (you know who you aren’t)

By Greg in TN

August 14, 2007 10:44 PM | Link to this

Nice job of coming through in the clutch by Chipper there.

Escobar played big at the plate and in the field tonight, can’t stress that enough. Smoltzy deserved a better fate tonight, but Barrett and Mark Carlson didn’t seem to be on top of their games tonight on some of the balls/strikes/check swing calls. Very inconsistent, especially on the inner side to the right handed batter, but hey. Gotta win those in spite of that, and for at least tonight, we did.

mets win, phillies win, so tomorrow we do it all over again.

By B9

August 14, 2007 10:46 PM | Link to this

Guess we won tonight but I remain benign.

By \\\\\\\\\\BERIGAN//////////

August 14, 2007 10:47 PM | Link to this

Grinch,

They have run this Pepsi Max commerical 3 times in about 15 minutes….PLEASE MAKE THEM STOP!!!!! Were is that nice, pleasant rollover minutes ad???

By BravesDave

August 14, 2007 10:49 PM | Link to this

Brian Jordan on the postgame: “I have to tell you, for me the player of the game was Yunel Escobar.” Really? I would have thought it was Corky Miller.

By Lew

August 14, 2007 10:52 PM | Link to this

Savannah Guy-Dude, I’ll go you a couple better. How about Ballin Jack and Coliseum?

By Ron Roberts

August 14, 2007 10:52 PM | Link to this

Good grief this team is a piece of work, ain’t it?

Another decent game from Smoltz and he gets no W for it, but he’s a team guy and the team won, so I’m guessing he’s happy just the same.

Good to see Chipper lose the 0-fer with the game-winning double, too. Too bad this Teixeia guy’s been a bust, too, eh, Del?

Good work outta the ‘pen, aside from Wickman tonight. I’m supposing Moylan was unavailable for some valid reason?

Congrats on the monumental feat, tonight, Bobby.

By brian

August 14, 2007 10:52 PM | Link to this

now that is what champions are supposed to do. Pull it out on the bottom of the 9th. Best player and future hall of famer comes through with the clutch hit.

Good job Chipper.

By Superman

August 14, 2007 10:53 PM | Link to this

I would even prefer one of those aflac commercials that they have played for about 3 or 4 years straight

By Savannah Guy

August 14, 2007 10:53 PM | Link to this

TheSouthernJackAss That’s what I’d like to know too friend…where the &%@$ was that ^%#& Bud #$@%&$ Selig tonight? It was an all time record for Cox. He was a no show. Disgraceful.

SouthernJA, how about a comment or two on the naysayers that were hand-wringing right up to the winning hit? Love to hear your post game analysis.

By Bob

August 14, 2007 10:53 PM | Link to this

I guess there is one myth that we can finally put to rest. You know, the one that Tex could only hit homeruns in that hitter friendly park in Arlington and would find the going rougher in Atlanta. That is 4 here at Turner Field and the other at Shea.

By Wayne in Utah

August 14, 2007 10:54 PM | Link to this

That dadgum Bobby Cox almost screwed this game up again. He stinks. He is too old. He is too loyal to these lousy players. He never knows when to leave in a pitcher, or when to take one out……..WAIT A MINUTE!!!

Bobby got tossed in the 5th, and we still made “mistakes” in the dugout!!???!!!!??? Could it be that managing is a little harder in real time and DANGED EASY from behind a keyboard????

Sorry folks, just trying to emulate my hero, BravesDave!

When all is said and done, a win is a win.

By chrisklob

August 14, 2007 10:54 PM | Link to this

Bandwagon Fan, I AM realistic about this team and I understand that for most of the season they’ve been essentially a .500 club. I’m painfully aware of that fact. Gone are the days of 3 HOF’ers in the starting five. Jeez, do you remember when Smoltz was considered to be the weakest of the three? How spoiled we were. But this is a different team in a different era with different ownership now.

My issue with all you negative bloggers is the constant beatching and complaining about the same crap, game in and game out. Seriously, some of you guys are downright Robert-like in your insistence in driving home your point. That is so fatiguing to read that I often find myself scrolling through certain bloggers because I know their message is just another version of the same garbage they’ve been spewing for months. Seriously, I think that NFL, NCAA football or Nascar would be better suited to some of you folks. I’m not knocking those sports or anyone for liking them but I think the pace might suit some of y’all better.

They have shown that they are barely a .500 team who play mediocre to badly at home.

If you really believe that statement (which you wrote) then why do you people get PO’d EVERY SINGLE TIME SOMETHING BAD HAPPENS??? Shouldn’t you be expecting a sub-par performance? See, told you I was a realist!

As for the comment on your screen name, I may have been mistaken. I don’t recall ever seeing your name up here before and assumed, as is common (unfortunately) on this blog that you had adopted a false screen name to protect your identity while you tried to make a point. If, in fact, this is your regular screen name, then I sincerely apologize. If you are, in fact, hiding, then apologies are redacted.

By Matt

August 14, 2007 10:55 PM | Link to this

Bob, thanks for the confimation on the umpiring. I was watching a little bit on gameday and I’ve never seen anything like that on gameday. I don’t know how accurate gameday’s pitch location feature is, however. That last AB from Chipper looked terrible. Were there two called balls that should have been strikes? And was there one strike that should have been a ball?

By Eric from MO

August 14, 2007 10:55 PM | Link to this

Not able to watch the game. How did Chipper win it?

By ernesto

August 14, 2007 10:56 PM | Link to this

Just a few questions.

When did the Phillies turn into freakin Jason Vorhees? Their starting rotation takes an axe to the forehead - they keep coming at you. Their centerfielder gets blowed up, they keep coming at you, etc. What’s gotten into them? You’ve got to think they’re due for a correction.

And what our YTD W/L from the 5 spot, is it 3 wins or 4? What’s the lowest ever win total from teh 5 spot for a team for a season? I think we’ve got to be close to the all-time low.

By \\\\\\\\\\BERIGAN//////////

August 14, 2007 10:58 PM | Link to this

For all the folks that CANNOT stand “the fat Donut”, that was the one and only run he has given up at home. And that ump with 20-200 vision sure helped the Giants out. How many runs has Sorryiano given up at the Ted this year? Give up??? 15!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But, he’s not overweight. He blew the save for Smoltz, which really is too bad, but as Joe Simpson mentioned, he held the damage to 1 run.

By Wayne in Utah

August 14, 2007 10:58 PM | Link to this

Lew Got your email. Thanks! Life has been a bit hectic. I will get back to you, but it probably won’t be until the weekend. Lots going on…..

By Savannah Guy

August 14, 2007 10:59 PM | Link to this

jimmy…did you see Wicky run? He ran. Ran hard he did. All the way to first. Is he on a diet?

By \\\\\\\\\\BERIGAN//////////

August 14, 2007 11:01 PM | Link to this

Ron Roberts, Moylan was warming up…

By BravesDave

August 14, 2007 11:01 PM | Link to this

Padres already have a 7-spot on the board in the 2nd inning. I guess we will not be picking up any ground on the wild card leader tonight. A loss tonight would have been a little painful…losing ground on the Mets, Phils, and Padres. Ouch. Good thing we were not facing the Red Sox or Yankees…oh, wait, that doesn’t matter. We blew a lead in the 9th inning to Daniel Ortmeier (who?), Dave Roberts, Ray Durham, and Randy Winn. Almost as bad as blowing one in the 9th to Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada, and Bobby Abreu. Or David Ortiz, Manny Ramirez, and Mike Lowell.

By Efrim

August 14, 2007 11:02 PM | Link to this

Phillies 15-7 since July 20

By MEB

August 14, 2007 11:02 PM | Link to this

Superman… thanks for the complement but you know Chipper has had plenty of opportunities recently. It just felt right that tonight would be his night. Great to see a win like that and I think it can propel us to a great home stand.

I also appreciate your comments to N8 who is responsible for harshing our mellow on this blog. Even Carolina Lady’s gentle nudging will have no effect on our resident downer. But hey, that is how N8 enjoys his baseball so more power to him.

GO BRAVES!!!

By Carolina Lady

August 14, 2007 11:04 PM | Link to this

Savannah Guy, you have mail (hopefully)! :-)

By Greg in TN

August 14, 2007 11:04 PM | Link to this

Chris, I think you’re right earlier on the Pepsi commercial. I find I’ve been sleeping much better on the nights SportSouth runs it 200+ times.

Eric from MO, Chipper took a low fastball and smacked it into the gap in left-center for the game winner.

Carolina Lady, always a pleasure having you about on the blog. Sorry I didn’t address this earlier, but I hope you get to feeling better soon, if you aren’t already.

By Lew

August 14, 2007 11:05 PM | Link to this

Tonight was a perfect example of why blogging in the middle of the game is-well, whatever. I usually don’t rag on the officiating all that much, but I must agree with The Grinch’s assessment of the Home Plate Umpires vision deficiencies. That Dude was flat out terrible. Not only did he tick off both teams, he changed his strike zone while Wicky was pitching. Nathan-Now you see it isn’t only me. Lots of people think you bark at people walking down your street. Wouldn’t surprise me if you nipped an ankle or two, as well. Beware of full moons. Savannah Guy-Just picked up a copy of The Amboy Dukes Greatest Hits-young Gonzo Ted.

By Braveheart

August 14, 2007 11:05 PM | Link to this

Boog Sciambi: “Great way to get this homestand under way.” Ummmmm, not really. Blowing a save, going scoreless against the Giants bullpen for 5 consecutive innings, needing a 9th inning rally to beat a 50-68 team using a reliever as a spot starter. Not too great.

Sorry BravesDave. Next year, we’ll be sure to schedule Louisiana Monroe for homecoming so we can win 70-3 for ya.

By Wayne in Utah

August 14, 2007 11:06 PM | Link to this

A thought or two on AJ before I hang em up tonight. An X-Ray will basically show broken bones, and not the more common soft tissue injuries, like tendon and ligament injuries, or even inflammation.

I wouldn’t have an MRI either if I didn’t want the truth to come out. I think he is scared of what the Braves would do (DL or rest) if they knew the truth. Why doesn’t someone with some kahones just TELL him he is getting an MRI? I would think as an athlete, his employers could do that. But then again, what do I know anyway?

By TexasBrave

August 14, 2007 11:07 PM | Link to this

I think a change in the scoring rules needs to be made. How can a guy blow a save yet still get the win? They need to give the win in that case to the most effective pitcher. John deserved the win.

Another O’fer night for mighty Andruw, will the maddness ever end? So did his defense save us any runs tonight?

Still it was good to come back and win one. Shows a little fortitude, even if it was against the giants.

By \\\\\\\\\\BERIGAN//////////

August 14, 2007 11:07 PM | Link to this

Eric, Chipper hit a very good low outside pitch into the left-center gap…woulda been a double if the game hadn’t ended with the hit! I’d tell you to watch the highlights on baseball tonight, but there doesn’t seem to be a baseball tonight, tonight! But, thank God there were 2 hours of world series poker!!!! Televised card games are what’s now! Soon, we will get to see the Old Maid championship of the world!!!

By chrisklob

August 14, 2007 11:08 PM | Link to this

Has anybody seen N8 lately? I hope he hasn’t taken any drastic measures since the Braves screwed up and won. :-)

By Bob

August 14, 2007 11:09 PM | Link to this

Wayne in Utah,

Great one. You are too funny. It doesn’t matter what happens…win, lose or draw there are enough folks out there who will find a way to blame Bobby.

Chriskolb,

Good one by you too. Of course none of the negative guys have any problems talking about how they have been a 500 ball club since that first week. On the other hand, they don’t bring up that the Braves have won 9 of last 14. You can never win with some of these guys.

We all know that the team has some serious flaws. But the other teams do to.

By Superman

August 14, 2007 11:10 PM | Link to this

MEB

Ya know someone the other day called N8 Debbie Downer. Im not sure who said it but thats funny. I think from now on we should all refer to him as Debbie Downer or maybe just DD. Not to be confused with Dee Duh Dee but pretty darn close.

By BravesDave

August 14, 2007 11:10 PM | Link to this

Hey, Wayne in Utah, where are all my posts criticizing Bobby Cox??? I don’t remember those. I save my criticism for players that can’t get a go-ahead run in from 3rd base with no outs, or guys that make errors in big spots, or guys that blow saves against the bottom of the order of a horrible team, or guys that give up 10 HR is 20 innings out of the bullpen, or guys that can’t block pitches in the dirt, or hitters that get the ball out of the infield once every 4 games. But I rarely criticize Bobby Cox, so nice try with your unfunny, uninteresting post.

By Braveheart

August 14, 2007 11:11 PM | Link to this

BRAVES WIN! MAGIC NUMBER IS 48!

Or if you tragically are N8 & BravesDave,

BRAVES ALMOST LOSE! TRAGIC NUMBER IS 41!

By Eric from MO

August 14, 2007 11:11 PM | Link to this

ChrisKlob I completly agree with you on your 10:54 post. I too skim through certain posts by certain people. I also never pay attention to the in game blogging regardless if I can see the game. Can someone answer me a question? It appears many of you hate the Braves, so why do you watch? No matter what happens you complain. Take tonight for example. Yeah I would of liked for Smoltz to get the win, but we won so who cares.

By The Grinch

August 14, 2007 11:12 PM | Link to this

Man, Berigan, if I wanted to keep listening to that rollover minutes ad over and over I’d just get married. :-)

Wicky looked a bit rough, but to his credit the umpire called about six critical strikes balls and he still got out of it with minimal damage. I’ve seen a lot worse. And whoever said he could beat McCann in a footrace, I agree. He was chuggin’ on that one play.

Jimmy Smith, don’t let today’s dissapointment keep you from groundbreaking journalism. You’ll always be our backup pip.

By Carolina Lady

August 14, 2007 11:13 PM | Link to this

Greg in TN, you are kind, sir, and this lady appreciates it very much! Very much! :-))

By Tomas

August 14, 2007 11:13 PM | Link to this

DOB,

Is there any chance on the Braves getting a Torri Hunter or Aaron Rowand as Andruw departures. I sure hope he departures I can stand his inability to be clutch. The only he carried this team was on July of 2005 apart from that he has been mediocre in clutch.

By Lew

August 14, 2007 11:13 PM | Link to this

Wayne-No problem. Whenever you get time. Savannah Guy-E mail me lewhartman@comcast.net. I’ll talk some real obscure music with you. Got some great late 60’s and early 70’s stuff. Ma’am-you staying away from garden utensils and off of the roof?

By Bob

August 14, 2007 11:18 PM | Link to this

Matt,

I can’t recall all the bad calls. The third strike on Chipper was totally ridiculous. But to be fair, everyone was griping all night. He was very inconsistent. I think someone else mentioned he missed a lot over the right handed batters box. The guy at first wasn’t much better especially on a couple of check swing calls. Overall, a very bad performance by the home plate ump.

By rotomeister

August 14, 2007 11:18 PM | Link to this

Here’s some additional praise for Chipper. In case you haven’t noticed he’s climbing the all-time hit chart having passed 2000 earlier this season.

A few weeks ago he moved past hall of famer Johnny Bench who now ranks 228 in hits with 2048. Tonight Chipper got hit number 2066. Those last 18 hits have moved him from #227 all-time to #217 all-time — he’s passed 10 people in just a few days.

Next up: Carney Lansford who has 2074. Dale Murphy is on the horizon with his 2111. Once Chipper passes Dale, he’ll move into 193 all-time, but he’ll do it in about 1000 fewer at-bats than Murphy had.

Way to go Chipper. Great job tonight with the clutch hit.

By Eric from MO

August 14, 2007 11:18 PM | Link to this

Berigan “I’d tell you to watch the highlights on baseball tonight, but there doesn’t seem to be a baseball tonight, tonight!”

Even if there was baseball tonight you have to make sure you dont blink. If it aint the Yanks, Sox, or Mets they dont show more than 2 seconds.

By chrisklob

August 14, 2007 11:19 PM | Link to this

TexasBrave, I wholeheartedly agree. Even Wicky said it in his post-game interview “I’m here to save games, not win games”. He genuinely felt bad about blowing it for Smoltz who deserved the win.

I’ve always looked at this situation as a Stolen Win. Not exactly a stat that one would call “honorable” to rack up.

By Savannah Guy

August 14, 2007 11:20 PM | Link to this

Lew Ballin Jack…now don’t be breakin’ bad on me wid dat man. He is bad. One’u tha baddest. I think the great Taj Mahal got some of his licks and lines there…and was cakewalkin’ ever since (when not gettin’ that hambone boiled). Can I say that?

Coliseum? No clue. I’ll check’em out.

Sonny Terry and Brownie McGee. Turrentine. Monk. Stanley Clark. Man…bringing back some times…Jazz and blues. I’m a rock guy, but love those jazz and blues guys too. Roots stuff.

By TexasBrave

August 14, 2007 11:21 PM | Link to this

Matt I also have to watch the game on Gameday. I have tried to see how accurate it is when the game is on TV. For the most part it is. However, it seems like the last few games played in Atlanta the strike box needs to be a little towards the right hand hitters box, almost on the chalk.

Can’t wait until I can afford to buy a new computer so I can get MLB.TV.

By BravesDave

August 14, 2007 11:23 PM | Link to this

Oh, that’s right Braveheart, there are no teams that you are supposed to beat if you are a winning team. Every team is equal. The Yankees $200M payroll does not matter, nor does the Red Sox $170M payroll. Actually, last place teams are only in last place because they lost a coin flip, not because their players are not up to the standards of winning teams. Randy Winn is just as good as Vlad Guerrero and Daniel Ortmeier is just as good as Ryan Howard. Seriously, I don’t know how the Braves win any games, considering every team they play is their equal. Your post could be the most ridiculously assinine post I have ever read. If you want to say that it is not logical to expect that the Braves should beat the worst team in the NL with their ace on the mound, be my guest. I am not buying that lemon of a post. Teams are winning teams because they have more talent and skill than losing teams. The Giants may not be La.-Monroe, but they sure as hell might be the NL Northwestern while the Braves are the NL Penn State.

By \\\\\\\\\\BERIGAN//////////

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

ernesto,

You are right, the Phillies really have no business still being in this race! Pat the bat was Andruw-esque for the first half of the season. Ryan Howard, Brett Myers, Flash Gordon, have spent time on the DL this year. Chase Utley, Shane Victorino, Michael Bourn and Freddie Garcia ARE still on the DL! Hats off to them. I fear them more than the Mets.

By chrisklob

August 14, 2007 11:26 PM | Link to this

Braveheart

*BRAVES WIN! MAGIC NUMBER IS 48!

Or if you tragically are N8 & BravesDave,

BRAVES ALMOST LOSE! TRAGIC NUMBER IS 41!*

Thanks jerk, I just spilled my drink all over my desk laughing at that one! :-)

Seriously, does anyone know where N8 lives? Are there any tall buildings or bridges there? Should we call the authorities? I’m really concerned about him. :-)

By Steve

August 14, 2007 11:28 PM | Link to this

With Hudson, a ground ball pitcher, on the mound tomorrow night, the defensive advantage of playing Andruw Jones is less pronounced than would be the case with a fly ball pitcher such as, say, James.

So why not sit Andruw tomorrow night and put Diaz in left and Harris in center? Diaz is just too remarkable a hitter to not be in the lineup in lieu of Andruw Jones. Diaz is batting 132 points higher than Jones, plus he’s shown a pretty decent proclivity for hitting in the clutch.

Are we as yet at the point where it should be a no-brainer, especially with a sinker ball pitcher on the mound?

By Brittle Bones

August 14, 2007 11:29 PM | Link to this

Did anyone else get really nervous when they were congratulating Chipper Jones after the hit? That had “15 Day DL: Strained Neck” all over it, knowing Chipper :)

By Chase

August 14, 2007 11:29 PM | Link to this

BravesDave and N8

you guys must have ulcers the size of trash can lids in your stomachs!

YOU ARE SO NEGATIVE THAT IT BORDERS ON VILE! If you hate this team so much that you can never have anything positive to say then DON’T SAY ANYTHING!

Your venom is never constructive and frankly you are exhibiting the same defeatist, passive, and pessimistic attitude you complain about the players having!

Good Grief!

Also BravesDave,

Winning in bottom of the 9th walk-off fashion can be far more energizing to a team than a 3-1 ho hum game! This type of win can create momentum!

By Help!

August 14, 2007 11:29 PM | Link to this

Great win! Great comeback! What a night! We’re gonna win the World Series! Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Don’t mean to be a downer to all the euphoria. We were extremely LUCKY to win thanks to Chipper. The 9th was atrocious!

One run lead and Wickman gives up a triple. Man on third with one out. A great play to prevent the run by Escobar but should have gotten an out as well. But 1st and 3rd with one out. Dave Roberts shows steal on the previous pitch. What the hell are we doing to let the potential winning run advance to scoring position at 2nd without a throw. I have to believe that is Wickman’s fault. Incredible. (If we were batting Harris would be thrown out by three feet). The double play is no longer an option so we then walk the batter to load the bases.

Bases loaded, one out. The grounder is hit to Johnson at 2nd. The runner at 1st has not even gotten half way to 2nd base and Escobar is on the base and Johnson throws to 1st. What the hell is that all about? An easy flip would have gotten the runner so at worst we are left with 2 outs and runners on 1st and 3rd, not both in scoring position. LUCKY! A good team then beats your brains out!

Lucky to strike out Klesko so we have a chance in the bottom of the 9th. Talk about the great OFFENSE all you want. Pitching and defense win championships and we have neither. I am as thankful for the win as anyone, but we must be realistic; we are not a championship team!

By Efrim

August 14, 2007 11:29 PM | Link to this

Nice job to win it in the ninth. Save the bullpen. Bummer with Wickman. I really wanted Smoltz to get that win. Can’t say I am suprised with Wickman, he had to blow it at home at some point. He really can’t miss any bats in crucial situations. Can’t believe Klesko didn’t swing at that call third strike. Lets keep the momentum going tomorrow night. By the way, the Phillies scare the you know what out of me. Their bullpen has been really good since July 1. Their starting pitching other than Eaton has been fair. It amazes me how close the Phils, Mets and Bravos are in terms of talent.

Hudson will pitch a big game tomorrow, but he won;t really have too, Braves will clobber Russ.

By Savannah Guy

August 14, 2007 11:29 PM | Link to this

Carolina Lady Nope. Just checked…

By geauxbraves2000

August 14, 2007 11:30 PM | Link to this

Sure hate to see Smoltz denied of another win because of this year’s version of the blowpen. But, the Braves won the game, and in the end that’s what matters, so WTG Braves.

Geaux Braves!!

By Chad

August 14, 2007 11:31 PM | Link to this

DOB

I love the Havana spot near N Druid Hills too, but not for the Cuban sandwiches. Best Cuban in town, bar none, is at Kool Korners Grocery. On 14th street, in betw Peachtree and Northside drive, right by the big huge (and quite pleasing on the eye, architecturally) mosque on 14th. GREAT sandwiches, packed every day at lunchtime. Give it a shot…cash only!

By Braveheart

August 14, 2007 11:32 PM | Link to this

Good thing we were not facing the Red Sox or Yankees…oh, wait, that doesn’t matter. We blew a lead in the 9th inning to Daniel Ortmeier (who?), Dave Roberts, Ray Durham, and Randy Winn. Almost as bad as blowing one in the 9th to Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada, and Bobby Abreu. Or David Ortiz, Manny Ramirez, and Mike Lowell.

BravesDave

On April 15th, Mariano Rivera blew a save to Todd Walker (who has been since cut and works for ESPN), Jason Kendall (who sucked so bad they traded him), and the immortal Marco Scuttaro who hit a 3 run bomb to end the game.

On April 20th, Mariano blew a save by giving up a hit to a now very average Varitek, a triple to crappy Coco Crisp and then a single to the even crappier Alex Cora.

On August 13th, Mariano blows a save to the horrible Orioles by giving up hits to Melvin Mora, the immortal Tike Redman, and to Brian Roberts.

By BravesDave

August 14, 2007 11:32 PM | Link to this

For anyone who didn’t get to see the postgame show, a few notes (hopefully, they are not too negative and can get through to the people wearing blinders):

Bobby said that Wickman threw the ball great in the 9th inning.

He also said the Soriano is obviously “back” after tonight’s performance.

Just some fuel for the Bobby-Haters, even though I am not a member of that select group.

By Sir Stealth

August 14, 2007 11:33 PM | Link to this

The disapproval of the wallowing, negative DDs on the blog tonight is heartening to this Braves fan. I’m also glad that we got another record back to Atlanta tonight. Most importantly, we got the win. I see more reasons to think that this team can succeed than reasons that it can’t. We should acknowledge the phenomenal season that Chipper Jones is having.

One thing that is tough for me has been the inability of this team to get wins for Smoltz for as long as I can remember. I’m gonna cringe and hold back vomit when it comes time for him to go into the HOF and crap writers who don’t know what they’re talking about say that he needs to have more wins. I would love for some baseball geek to come up with stats demonstrating how many times a pitcher got no run support or had a bullpen blow a lead for him. It seems like Smoltzie has been on the wrong end of this stuff for as long as I can remember.

By Wayne in Utah (closet BC basher!)

August 14, 2007 11:36 PM | Link to this

BravesDave I really didn’t mention you as a BC basher now, did I? What I did was just lumped you and all the other “negative nellies” together. I really don’t care what you are so negative about, but it starts sounding the same to me…..blah blah blah blah blah blah blah.

Hey, if you can’t stand the criticism, get off the blog. You like to criticize the team, we positive fans like to criticize you. No harm, no foul.

Actually, I agree with some of your assessments about certain players and plays and decisions, but I think we are better off than the average team out there. We have a legit shot at the playoffs, and remembering back to last year (Cardinals), if we can get there, we might just win.

We might lose out too, but until we are mathematically eliminated, I will continue to tease the “negative nellies”.

You made your bed dude……but as Rodney King said, “Can’t we all just get along?”

BD: Don’t let me deter you from what you feel/believe. Of the “negative nellies” you actually have some decent posts on ocassion, just a little too negative for me, but it’s all good. We all want the same thing. Another World Series championship.

Are you N8 the great tonight, or just feeling B9. (wish I had thought of that one!) Are you still with us?

As Ricky Bobby said, “If you ain’t first, your last!”

By Sir Stealth

August 14, 2007 11:38 PM | Link to this

I fail to see how it’s LUCKY for a star hitter to drive in a winning run in the clutch.

Another thing that wasn’t luck was the fact that Chipper was still in the game to drive in the run. A big part of Bobby’s record has been going out to make sure that he’s the one to get tossed instead of his angry players. Chipper was obviously demonstrably unhappy about the third strike call and it could easily have been Chris Woodward up in that spot in the ninth inning.

By \\\\\\\\\\BERIGAN//////////

August 14, 2007 11:44 PM | Link to this

Sorry to call some folks out, but I just thought I’d post some comments that were, say…less than positive, by people NOT named N8

By David O’Brien August 14, 2007 8:18 PM | Link to this Weren’t the GIANTS supposed to be the tired team? Braves, specifically Smoltz, appear to be the ones dragging. He’s lifting his arms in that now-familiar stretching motion between several pitches. By JasonInMaine August 14, 2007 8:26 PM | Link to this Smoltz can’t be right…and he hasn’t won at home since June 24th…we will not catch the Mets without an effective Smoltzie!! Let’s hope our offense wakes up and carries us tonight…still early! By Bob August 14, 2007 8:22 PM | Link to this I am afraid N8 is right. I don’t care what Bobby or Smoltzie say…he is not right. Not anywhere near right. I am less worried about the 3 runs that I am about him already being over 55 pitches in the 3d. The bullpen has to have someone other than Hudson go deep. I know Smoltz is gutty and he will make the best out of each start, but he looks like he is really suffering. By Eric C. By El bravo (EbX) August 14, 2007 8:33 PM | Link to this Oh no, I smell a sweep. August 14, 2007 8:54 PM | Link to this No offense to the pollyannas…but the start of this series is a bit frustrating. We’ve been waiting for the 12-3 or 16-4 stretch that has been so elusive. Since the big trades, we are staring at a 6-6 mark…will this team ever stop underachieving? By Tomahawkin’ Again August 14, 2007 8:54 PM | Link to this Do you think the phones have been ringing off the hook at the Braves ticket office so far tonght? Does everyone have their Pennant race package tickets yet? I love you Braves, but you’re making this real tough to keep hope alive of October baseball. By A—ville Ranger August 14, 2007 8:54 PM | Link to this If this guy shuts our guys down tonight I don’t want Bobby to say the pitching was too good.He used that excuse after the Reds and Nats series.The honest thing to say is we weren’t good enough.Maybe I was wrong in my assessment that this team is built to handle good pitching.Either you can get it done or you can’t,if you can’tyou’re not good enough. By A—ville Ranger August 14, 2007 9:11 PM | Link to this Chipper has failed way too many times in these rbi situations in the last few weeks.At least he changed it up this time.He’s been tapping weak grounders to the infield,this time he didn’t waste the energy. By The Grinch August 14, 2007 9:11 PM | Link to this I don’t think I’ve ever seen a lineup full of players with such excellent numbers look so pathetic against such repeatedly mediocre pitching as this team has this season. It just defies explanation. Add that to our own mediocre pitching, and you get what we currently look like. Now, this team OUGHT to be tearing it up, there’s still time to do so and our competition still isn’t any better so I won’t conceed anything yet…but it sure is frustrating. Go Bobby! History in the making. By Ron August 14, 2007 9:12 PM | Link to this I am so surprised what happened!!! Unbelievable!!! Good Job KJ and Chipper that what I am talking about!!! LOL!!! Chipper was complaining that WE had to get a run against Billy Wagner with bases loaded 0 out, but yet he has not come through today!!! That was a key at bat in the Bottom of the 5th!!! What I guess that was not as important of an at bat!!! Great job Chipper!!!

By Savannah Guy

August 14, 2007 11:44 PM | Link to this

Naysayers and Nabobs I have a sincere suggestion. I’ve had close friends…even family members, that would get so negative and doom and gloom and PO’d during a game when something would go wrong or Braves got behind that they would become miserable…ruin it for themselves and everyone else around them.

So this is what I suggested to my friends then and now to you. DVR the game. Don’t watch it live. Don’t watch it until you know who won. If the Braves win…watch it afterwards. It’s amazing what happens. You’ll watch, knowing the outcome, and you will…perhaps for the first time…be relaxed enough to enjoy the finesse, the nuance, the human aspects and the ups and downs of the game. Try it. After a few games like that you learn to…well, you know.

By chrisklob

August 14, 2007 11:46 PM | Link to this

Sir Stealth, I agree with your assessment of Smoltz’s lack of run support. It’s been tough for him. While I have high hopes for him when he becomes HOF eligible I have doubts if he’ll get serious consideration from the writers who don’t delve deeper than the “basic” stats.

Also agree on BC’s role in keeping CJ in the game. I was called away from the TV by my daughter during the exchange between CJ and that idiot ump. I assumed he was going to be thrown out and was VERY surprised when I came back and he was still in the game.

By TexasBrave

August 14, 2007 11:46 PM | Link to this

Steve I am with you all the way. But if Bobby hasn’t done it by now, he is not going to. AJ’s arm is going to have to fall off before Bobby sits him. I have resigned to the fact (and you might as well also) that AJ is going to be in there through the good and the bad.

Sorry

By Braveheart

August 14, 2007 11:47 PM | Link to this

Klobber, (getting all Bobby on ya!) N8 lives in Minnesota. Don’t worry about him too much. He’s fine. He’s just very passionate and, from talking with him many times since the winter, he has just seen the writing on the wall from well before the season started and I think he is simply as astounded now as he was in January that we still have not seen it yet.

But he’s fine. He’s too narcissistic to commit suicide. He wants to prove his point. He wants to be able to say at the end of Game 162, see I told ya on New Year’s Day of 2007 we should have blown this darn thing up and started over.

He thinks the Braves have merely halfassed it - not quite rebuilding, not quite competing. It drives him nuts that we don’t see it. N8 merely wishes the Braves would do one or the other and remain committed to it.

I think he has said countless times that he either wants this to be a 100 win team with a real shot at the World Series or he wants them to be a 60 win team with a bunch of kids giving you a reason to believe true greatness is coming in 3 years. He just believes there is no real plan except to stay marginally competitive. He can’t accept wasting an entire season he believed was going to be an 80-85 win team before the season and then watch them do exactly that.

Well, that’s my interpretation of ole N8.

N8, you can correct me if I am wrong.

By Carolina Lady

August 14, 2007 11:48 PM | Link to this

Savannah Guy, I’m sending it to the hausergroup return address of your original. It’s gotta be there somewhere.

By N8

August 14, 2007 11:52 PM | Link to this

Chase

“If you hate this team so much that you can never have anything positive to say then DON’T SAY ANYTHING!”

Alright was gonna put my ulcer to bed next to his little sister (we call her Heart Attach). But I couldn’t let this post go un-responded to.

Find me a post where I have stated that I hate this team, and I absolutely PROMISE that I will never post on this blog again.

You guys just like focusing on MY negative comments, because to say that I never say anything positive is just silly.

“Winning in bottom of the 9th walk-off fashion can be far more energizing to a team than a 3-1 ho hum game! This type of win can create momentum!”

You don’t remember the effect that Chris Reitsma or Dan Kolb had on the REST OF THE BULLPEN AND TEAM, do you?

While it might energize the team and some fans as being exciting. It surely cannot and will not give this team any confidence going into the 9th with a 1 run lead. And if you think playoff team caliber closers are gonna give us the satisfaction of an easy walk off win like tonight you’ve apparently forgot about all the playoff 1-run and extra inning losses we’ve endured over the years.

Don’t you find it a little ironic that on the one night in the last month that Soriano looked good, that Wickman comes in and completely implodes?

Having said all of THAT. Nice AB by Harris leading off in the 9th. Nice bunt by KJ (as he was laying down the bunt, I was typing a post saying how silly it was asking him to bunt - since he has literally failed miserably at it when asked to do so), and of course another clutch AB from Chipper.

I will also go on the record as saying how Tex effected that AB for Chipper, because you can bet the farm that if AJ was batting cleanup, Chipper doesn’t see a pitch to hit there. Not to mention the lucky break on the bunt, pulling Klesko off the bag. Because if that was a regular sac-bunt, you could also bet the farm that they intentionally walk Chipper to pitch to Tex.

There. Is that “positive” enough for you.

The kool-aid drinkers will say GREAT WIN.

The realists will say we got LUCKY.

The negative beings like myself (allegedly) will say this game showed more weakness than strength on our team.

I didn’t notice anybody commenting on the fact that the AB that ended the Giants rally in the top of the 9th, was Bonds’ spot in the order. You think the outcome of the 9th might have been a little different than it was, if he had not been pulled?

Now, I will admit that the last comment, is scraping for something to be negative about. But again, all I’m doing is pointing out facts. Not spewing idiodic comments to get a rise out of folks.

I have a lot of work to do in the next few days, so as a favor to the rest of the regular bloggers, who HAVEN’T complained about me tonight, I’ll take a break for a few days, out of respect.

But don’t EVER accuse me of “hating” this team. You couldn’t be further from the truth with that comment. Having said THAT, I’m on the verge of “hating” AJ. Don’t hate him yet. Just can’t wait for him to go away. Hope he has great success wherever he plays next year. But I’m as tired of him, as y’all are of me.

On a side note, our victory was SO HUGE tonight, that ESPN focussed all but about 10 seconds (Chipper’s GW hit was the only highlight), on Bobby getting the boot. Funny, isn’t it, that Bobby’s temper tantrum makes the team’s victory take a back seat, don’t you think?

Goodnight all. Enjoy your “sans-N8” time.

But don’t get to comfy…..I’ll be back.

By Steve

August 14, 2007 11:56 PM | Link to this

What’s tougher to come by, a good starter or a great lights-out closer? And which is more important to have?

From my several decades of watching baseball, my opinion is that the closer is the most important single position on a team.

As effective as Smoltz has been in the 3 years since returning to the starting rotation, I think he was more valuable to the Braves as their closer.

How many times have we seen a great starting pitching performance blown by a mediocre closer resulting in a game being lost?

When that happens, a good to great starting pitcher can end up going a couple of weeks or more without contributing to an actual win.

Yet a lights-out closer usually contributes to between 3 and 5 wins during that same 2 week time frame.

And nothing takes its toll on a team more than a seemingly won game which is blown in the last inning. The carry-over effect of that sometimes leads to a loss the next day as well.

By Wayne in Utah (closet BC basher!)

August 14, 2007 11:59 PM | Link to this

Braveheart I think you might have N8 pegged. Problem is, the front office is all about winning. They are not about going through a 3-4 year rebuilding routine. Until we get a different GM, that, I think will be their mentality.

In some respects, I agree that maybe it would be good to rebuild. But, I am in sales, and sometimes, all you can think about is that sale. Never giving up. Staying at it until the fat lady is in the second verse, and then go kicking and screaming into the offseason. I can see both sides.

By BravesDave

August 15, 2007 12:04 AM | Link to this

Yes, Chase, I appreciate the kindergarten lesson from you, Mom. If I don’t have anything nice to say about the Braves, don’t say anything at all. Makes sense, although I was not aware that this was the Braves/MIB/BBQ/Power of Positive Thinking 101 Blog. Being frustrated by the Braves does not equate to hating the Braves. I will argue until my voice gives out with any Mets fan (and I have plenty of friends who are Mets fans) that the Braves are a better team. I absolutely give them credit on this blog every time they win a game or someone makes a great play or has a big hit. Fact is I am disappointed and negative because of how overly-positive I am regarding this team. Does that make sense to you, smarty-pants? I think the Braves are so good that they should not be struggling to win against the Giants bullpen for 9 innings. I have so much confidence in them that I think they should sweep this series, and should have swept the Mets, and should have won 2 out of 3 against the Phils. I am negative when they play down to their competition, when they lose games they should win.

So sue me.

By David O'Brien

August 15, 2007 12:05 AM | Link to this

N8, is that your assigned duty or something? Whatever. If you don’t like pulling for this particular team as it’s constituted, that’s fine. Just say it. But this perverse watchdog role you’ve assigned yourself is getting a bit silly.

His “temper tantrum,” huh? Well, I know it means nothing to you (what goes on in the clubhouse seems not to matter to you), but to a man, every player interviewed tonight pointed to Cox’s ejection as both a reason they love playing for him and the reason they rallied tonight, as one said, he lit a fire under our butt.

Just to let you know. I know you’ll pick that apart and turn it into yet another reason this team isn’t up to snuff, but just to let you know how that “temper tantrum” was perceived by Braves players.

As opposed to your little emotional rants. And I know you’ve not left for the night. Don’t kid yourself.

By Sir Stealth

August 15, 2007 12:07 AM | Link to this

I really don’t know how anyone could say this team isn’t trying to be great. I can’t name one player on the infield that isn’t one of the best players in the league at his position. Francoeur is great and is 23. Andruw has been a miserable disappointment, but I don’t think anyone predicted he would be anywhere near this bad, no matter how frustrating he has been in the past. He may well still be a future Hall of Famer. Our left field platoon has certainly not been anything to complain about.

Smoltz is not 100%. I agree. But the man is a warrior and I think he still is a huge asset to this team. Hudson has been a top of the line starter for most of the year. Chuck James and Buddy Carlyle are not bad at all as number 3 and 4 in this day and age. The fifth spot has largely been our downfall as many have correctly pointed out. Should we have blown up the team because we weren’t positive we could find a competent fifth starter?

And I don’t know how you can say we haven’t tried with the bullpen. At one point or another, Wickman, Soriano, Yates, Moylan, and even Paronto have all been very effective. Gonzalez was but he got hurt. We’ve tried to replace guys that went down or became less effective by bringing new guys in. Hard to convince me we haven’t tried to make that area better. People still complain that we dumped ADDam LaAlways good for an inconvenient strikeout, double play, or mental errorRoche to try to make absolutely sure that our bullpen wouldn’t be a sieve this year.

Seems like a damn fine team to me. Good mix of veterans and youth. Fairly banged up but not the kind of guys to run up a white flag because of it. They’ve lost too many close games, but maybe they’ve got those coming back to even things out. Hall of Fame manager. I know I have no authority in the matter and am just one person, but I really have no problem saying that anyone who says the team should be blown up or is crappy and doesn’t have a chance is not a true Braves fan. I’m all for having your own opinion and expressing it or whatever but give me a break. If you can’t cheer for this team than you may just be incapable of properly cheering for the Atlanta Braves.

By David O'Brien

August 15, 2007 12:08 AM | Link to this

And please, stop with the line “negatives like me (allegedly).” Dude, you and a certain other regular who’ll remain nameless (not Robert, by the way; he’s not negative, just doesn’t like Cox) are about the two most negative folks I’ve come across here online.

Stunning negativity on your part, but at least your consistent.

By Wayne in Utah (closet BC basher!)

August 15, 2007 12:08 AM | Link to this

Hey, N8. Many of us appreciate your input. When you get too negative, I just skip your posts!!

Maybe we don’t always agree, but you always treat me with respect when we are communicating, even if I do like to slam you a little bit!

:-)

I got a lot to do for the next few days myself. Later.

By Braveheart

August 15, 2007 12:11 AM | Link to this

Oh, that’s right Braveheart, there are no teams that you are supposed to beat if you are a winning team…. Seriously, I don’t know how the Braves win any games, considering every team they play is their equal…. If you want to say that it is not logical to expect that the Braves should beat the worst team in the NL with their ace on the mound, be my guest. I am not buying that lemon of a post. Teams are winning teams because they have more talent and skill than losing teams.

Correct me if I am wrong but I believe the Braves did beat the terrible Giants tonight with their ace on the mound. Didn’t they?

AND by your logic, half of the teams in baseball should be 162-0 and the others should be 0-162 right because no good team should EVER lose to a bad team?

By chrisklob

August 15, 2007 12:11 AM | Link to this

Braveheart, if BC were addressing me, he’d probably call me Klobby. :-)

I agree with your thoughts on N8. I do agree with your assessment on his level of passion. And that’s great. We should ALL be passionate about the teams that we love. And I have no doubt that he loves this team, like so many others here.

QUICK ASIDE: ESPN just did a three-second blip on BC getting booted tonight. A whole three seconds. I’m amazed that even showed up on their radar since they don’t play in either New York or Boston.

Anyways, one aspect that I think that most have forgotten is that this is a team in transition. That transition is at the ownership level. Remember, at the beginning of the year this team was consider a “Discontinued Operation”. Actually TW/A-Hole-L had a longer, more descriptive name for it but it is too late for me to remember it. Anyway, JS had serious budget issues to contend with. During the course of the season ownership changed. With this change, there was no officially announced (that I heard of) change to the budget. Obviously with the addition of Tex the budget has been modified to some degree (although, again, no public definition of said budget has been issued). If team payroll had been raised in the off-season, JS might have been more able to address starting and bullpen issues. But he couldn’t. JS wasn’t able to truly address those issues until well into the season. While I’m sure he would have loved to have picked up a #3 or 4 starter, none were available so he did what he could. He got a masher.

This team is what it is. They can mash with the best of them. They can pitch with the middle of the pack.

I know N8 is okay. I’m just bustin’ on him. I do like N8 and think that many of his posts are valid, although far to many are repetitive. Truly though, I’d love to know how all the Negative Nellies will respond if this team makes the playoffs, or god forbid, wins the WS. Maybe they’ll stage a mass suicide at the Ted for it will surely be more than their negative minds can handle.

By BravesDave

August 15, 2007 12:12 AM | Link to this

Wayne, you posted about everything being Bobby Cox’s fault and then said that you were trying to emulate me, so I would have to assume that you were claiming that I am negative about Bobby Cox. Incorrect.

Braveheart, you missed the point about blowing the save against the Giants batting order. Earlier, there was a discussion about it not mattering whether the Braves lose to the Giants or the Yankees. I making the point that a blown save vs. the Giants is a hell of a lot different than a blown save against the Yanks or Red Sox, wouldn’t you agree??

And as far as being all-negative, all-the-time, I think there were plenty of informative posts tonight that may have had a negative tinge, but made sense…like the fact that the Braves had not scored a run in over 15 innings against the Giants bullpen this season. I said it might make this a more difficult game than some thought. That may be negative, but it was also correct.

By David O'Brien

August 15, 2007 12:12 AM | Link to this

Chad, I’ll have to remember that Cuban sandwich place. Thing is, Havana Sandwich is only about a 5-minute drive from my house. So it’s too good and too convenient. Love it. Absolutely love the place.

By Savannah Guy

August 15, 2007 12:14 AM | Link to this

Wayne and Chris Hey, good bro’s. Don’t get sucked into the black hole trying to make sense. But you are making valid, logical and reasonable points to the naybobs. Therefore…you may just be outnumbered tonight.

By The Grinch

August 15, 2007 12:14 AM | Link to this

Berigan, I made ONE negative post (at the end of which I made sure to reiterate I hadn’t given up hope)…I’ve by far been one of the more positive team supporters out here. I’ve said all along (even in the midst of ugly losing streaks) that I still think we’ll win the division. I’m the only one here I know of with cash on the line to back that point of view up (and I made that bet when we were several games back). This team has either looked real good or real bad this year, and sometimes it gets frustrating when the “real bad” tends to be against crappy teams and crappy pitching. That’s just reality. I won’t have to hide my head when it’s all said and done; I’ll be the one holding MetroMan’s cash and chillin’ at the Ted for the playoffs.

Now, sleep.

By Greg

August 15, 2007 12:14 AM | Link to this

I believe the Braves can win a Wild Card. I think if they can win 5, 6,7in a row that would catapult them to the top of the WC standings. If Andruw Jones was hitting his normal 260-270, the Braves have a 3rd quality starter, and the bullpen gets hot, then they can take over the mets. I’m more confident in the Braves getting a WC berth. I believe that all playoff teams in the NL when it is said and done will have at least 85 wins and a maximum of 90 wins. The NL is sooo mediocre. I think the braves will finish 85-77 and win the W.C, but it depends on the if they can get Smoltz some run support, Renteria comes back from the DL strong, Andruw Jones hitting better, them beating left handers, Chuck James going longer than 5 innings, Soriano returning to form, and Wickman stop having stupid innings when he closes, he makes me nervous!!!!!!!!!!

By Greg

August 15, 2007 12:14 AM | Link to this

I believe the Braves can win a Wild Card. I think if they can win 5, 6,7in a row that would catapult them to the top of the WC standings. If Andruw Jones was hitting his normal 260-270, the Braves have a 3rd quality starter, and the bullpen gets hot, then they can take over the mets. I’m more confident in the Braves getting a WC berth. I believe that all playoff teams in the NL when it is said and done will have at least 85 wins and a maximum of 90 wins. The NL is sooo mediocre. I think the braves will finish 85-77 and win the W.C, but it depends on the if they can get Smoltz some run support, Renteria comes back from the DL strong, Andruw Jones hitting better, them beating left handers, Chuck James going longer than 5 innings, Soriano returning to form, and Wickman stop having stupid innings when he closes, he makes me nervous!!!!!!!!!!

By Alex

August 15, 2007 12:15 AM | Link to this

First…putting a whole post in bold is a fast way to guarantee skipping it all together, same as CAPS. When will you people ever learn? Unbelieavable!

Second…Lay off N8 guy. He’s expressing his opinion. So you don’t agree with it, big fraking deal! I guess you are entitled to think the way you want to, so is he. This is a public blog, he is not derrogative towards other bloggers, he is not personally attacking any of you, leave the guy alone. I guess you are one of those, if someone says something you don’t agree with, he’s wrong & you are right, the other guy must take a hike. Having a difference of opinion comes with the territory of blogging, you are more likely to have 10 people feeling 10 different ways about something they all care about. At least N8 cares enough to be negative. Look at it that way at least. Alright, I’m done with that…just reading through the blog, I don’t post all that regularly, but it bothered me how people tried to gain up on this one blogger, and were also encouraged by DOB posts.

By Wayne in Utah (closet BC basher!)

August 15, 2007 12:16 AM | Link to this

I like that: The Power of Positive Thinking Blog!

Steve I agree with you that the closer is EXTREMELY important. BUT, if not for Smoltz as a starter, no way do we get to the playoffs so that he can save a bunch of games.

So, in analyzing our rotation, we are probably better off with JS starting, than coming in a saving meaningless games, while we play .450 baseball.

Does that make sense?

By Sir Stealth

August 15, 2007 12:16 AM | Link to this

N8, we all know that you will be back. If anything, I think that the most absurd thing about your ultranegativity is how constant it is day and night. I have often questioned why I devote so much energy to following sports when they constantly make me miserable - probably more than they actually make me happy, because losses seem to sting harder than wins feel good for some reason. However, if I wallowed in my misery for 20 hours out of every day and didn’t even allow myself to be happy when my team was winning, well, I would probably try to sort my life back out a little bit for fear of exploding, crying, or jumping off of the highest building I could find.

By David O'Brien

August 15, 2007 12:17 AM | Link to this

Sorry, just went back and saw my post after the Teixeira homer. It’s not five homers and 12 RBIs in his first 11 games for Braves. It’s five homers and 13 RBis in his first 12 games.

He’s hitting .275 with eight extra-base hits, five homers, 13 RBIs and a .992 OPS in 12 games for the Braves, and .600 with runners in scoring position.

Seriously, the two guys who said he’s been a disappointment … explain if you will. I’m curious.

By BravesDave

August 15, 2007 12:22 AM | Link to this

And as far as gaining momentum from a blown save which required a walk-off win in the bottom of the 9th inning, what happened to the momentum that should have been gained from watching Willie Harris dramatically bail out Tyler Yates in Queens last week? That momentum lasted exactly zero games. In the past, I would have bought the “big win = momentum” argument, but it just doesn’t seem to apply this season. It definitely applied in the past for Braves teams. I remember a huge comeback against Cincy in the 90’s on a David Justice HR that got the Braves on a huge roll, or a big win against the Dodgers in 1991 that did the same, but it hasn’t happened this season with some great wins.

By Sir Stealth

August 15, 2007 12:32 AM | Link to this

As much as I want to join all the warm and fuzzy reconciliation with N8 and his “passion,” I think that there is a disease among the Braves fanbase that causes people to try to dump on the team a helluva lot faster than they want to go out and cheer for them. I think there’s a direct connection to the fan apathy that Atlanta seems to often be accused of. And believe me, there are a ton of great Braves fans out there. I’ve seen them in the Ted at great, emotional games like Smoltz’s 200th, and I’ve also been mobile enough to see them outnumber Nats fans in RFK, and to come out in vocal force enough to cause about 35 Mets fans in my section to get kicked out of Game 1 of the last series at Shea. But this blog is very often a cesspool of negativity, bandwagon hopping, and Bobby hate, and I think that the team that’s been put together deserves better, especially when they still might end up accomplishing a lot when all is said and done.

By Wayne in Utah (closet BC basher!)

August 15, 2007 12:32 AM | Link to this

BravesDave Oops, you used the A*-U-ME word. Be careful. I really don’t delve deeply into the negative posts.

As I stated in another post, I did NOT say you were bashing BC. I said you were lumped in with all the other “negative nellies”. That is all. I picked on you, because I didn’t see any other “negative nellies” around at that exact point in time.

So, be careful ASSuming dude.

Greg Let’s not shoot for the wild card, until we are mathematically eliminated from the NL East. Also, Wickman is NOT the type of closer who will instill total confidence in the fans, but throughout his career, when not injured, he has been fairly consistent. Not a K pitcher, but gets the batter to hit the ball.

If AJ had a .250 season, we would be 5 more games to the win column, and in first place. We still can be, if he turns it around. I hope he has a great career somewhere else next year. I have always been a huge AJ fan, but his attitude is real disheartening right now. I think he needs to go.

By BravesDave

August 15, 2007 12:35 AM | Link to this

Braveheart, the “162-0 vs. 0-162” post was pointless. You take something valid and bring it to the extreme. Does Vegas have odds on baseball?? What do you think the odds of a Braves win tonight was…Smoltz vs. TBD?? I am sure there were pretty steep odds for laying a bet on the Braves. Not saying that means much, but obviously there are good teams in baseball and there are bad teams in baseball. Granted, any team can win any night, but to act as if everyone goes to the field on equal footing is nonsensical. Winning teams are winning teams because more often than not, they abuse the teams that do not stack up. Teams that lose, lose because they do not have the talent, payroll, whatever of winning organizations. If you are somehow convinced that the Braves should not have a steep advantage over the Giants, so be it. The title of this blog entry was “Braves have major opportunity this week”. Did DOB mean that the Braves had an opportunity to beat a tough, equally good SF Giants team?? No, he meant they had their top pitchers going against a reeling squad that just got wrecked by the Pirates.

By Wayne in Utah (closet BC basher!)

August 15, 2007 12:43 AM | Link to this

See BravesDave, sometimes I like your posts. Momentum is a funny thing. Who was it that said earlier that “MO” is tomorrow’s starting pitcher?

I think that momentum is hard as heck to put your finger on. I think our inability to get any great momentum going is due to some of the struggles we have had to endure (back side of the rotation at times, bullpen at times, offense at times, defense at times)

We DO have enough to put it all together though. But will we? We will know in another 5-6 weeks. We have the potential (rotation, bullpen, offense, defense) to make a serious run if we do put it all together.

I am rambling, so it must be bed time!

Nite, Braves fans!

By Stuart

August 15, 2007 12:43 AM | Link to this

I read a post on here that it was brillant, the one about the DVR. I need to look into that.

The thing that frustrates me about this team (this year and the last handful) is that when describing their chances, one has to include the word IF alot. If they do this or if so and so stays healthy, the braves can be really good, or if someone gets hurt or if so and so struggles the braves are in trouble.

The season is not over, but I am firmly in the camp of the frustrated. That can change if some of the IFs happen (Soriano getting back on track, Chucky James stepping up, Buddy and Willie’s market corrections not happening, Andruw actually hitting, all the problems discussed on here ad nauseum) get fixed or just some of them, the braves can get into and maybe do damage in the playoffs.

However, at some point in the VERY near future, this team HAS to make some sort of a run. For all the positive DOB writes on here, and there are positives, the team is only 16-14 since the break after tonight. There is also no more room for anymore woulda, coulda, shoulda, didnt get it done games, gotta start locking up games. Close aint enough anymore.

Hope to be at the Ted on Thurs. Good night all.

By Alex

August 15, 2007 12:46 AM | Link to this

Wayne, you could not be more right about AJ…but you also have remember that the pen has not been stellar lately, especially in those late innings…Soriano, Dotel, others have given games away as well. It’s not all AJ.

However, on the offensive side…it feels like it’s been almost all on AJ. In the scenario that if he hit .260 or so, especially with RISP, probably the Braves are in 1st place in the NL East. He has been up to bat in that many critical situations the last 2 months or so.

By BravesDave

August 15, 2007 12:48 AM | Link to this

And by the way all…Braveheart, Wayne, Lew, Savannah…I post much more than just negative nonsense. I consistently give credit when the Braves come up with important wins. I rarely, if ever, criticize Cox. I talk up Kelly Johnson every chance that I get. I give huge amounts of credit to Escobar and Diaz. I am becoming a believer in the potential superstardom of Jeff Francoeur. Occasionally, yes, I will get down on the Braves when they lose. I think that is the nature of a fan…sports radio might be out of business if not for that one characteristic of fans. I listened to WFAN after the Mets lost to the Marlins Saturday night and you would have thought they were 20 games behind the Braves. It is human nature to be emotional about your passions. I come on here to discuss the Braves and rant and share excitement, when appropriate, sometimes talk music. Other might come on to talk about themselves, flies, Kermit, etc. I do not typically criticize people for their comments. If they are negative, I read to see if they agree. If they are positive, I read them to see if I agree. End of story.

By Braveheart

August 15, 2007 12:49 AM | Link to this

I making the point that a blown save vs. the Giants is a hell of a lot different than a blown save against the Yanks or Red Sox, wouldn’t you agree??

I guess you can look at it that way. But I don’t really. I just think all closers, even the best, are going to blow 3-6 saves a year. It’s just going to happen and there’s no telling when it will happen. It’s often hard to get any rhyme or reason for why this save was blown but not the one against a tougher opponent. Sometimes, they tend to happen against crappy teams as opposed to good teams.

In fact, purely as a fan, I would be much more concerned about Wickman blowing a save against the Mets than I would if he did it against the Giants. That would cause me to believe he was not a big game money pitcher. That might not be the best way to look at it but …..

I just think closers are going to blow a handful of saves every year ….. alot of them seem to do it in seemingly meaningless games against crap teams …. Kinda like Rafael Soriano in the first half excelling in all close games but giving up gopher balls when he pitched in blowouts …. wish that was still our biggest concern about Soriano….

BUT is Mariano Rivera going to kill himself because he gave up big hits to blow saves this year against Tike Redman, Alex Cora, Todd Walker, Jason Kendall, Marco Scuttaro, and Coco Crisp?

Is Joe Torre not going to pitch Mariano in a big spot against the Red Sox or the Mets or the Braves because Mariano happened to give up hits to those scrubs leading to blown saves against the A’s and Orioles?

By Ron

August 15, 2007 12:49 AM | Link to this

Got a question for some of yall!!! On that diving play by Escobar in the 9th did he fake to first at any time? Just curious!!! He made a great play!!! I am just curious!!!

By Coach (Hank aaron Is The Real HR Champion)

August 15, 2007 12:50 AM | Link to this

Greg , the longest winning streak this season is fives games and the Braves have done it twice. Teixeira has been everything as advertised and more , but the Braves still traded way to much for him in my opinion. Bob Wickman won’t be back next year , he is a decent closer and the Braves need a lights out closer. I don’t have any idea what the Braves will do with Dotel but he sure would fit in nice with Soriano , Gonzalez and the rest of the bullpen. 43 more games , it’s getting down to brass tacks.

By TheSouthernJackAss

August 15, 2007 1:00 AM | Link to this

Savannah Guy—some of these Braves fans are kinda like this family of rednecks that used to live up at the head of Possum Hollar when I was just a young boy…they had this boy who wasn’t the sharpest knife in the drawer…couldn’t run…couldn’t throw…couldn’t kick…couldn’t catch…short…fat…no athletic ability or talent whatsoever…well they insisted that the poor kid join the high school football team…and “make ‘em proud”…so he did…and he made the team(wore #99)…mostly because there were hardly enough players to put together an entire team, and have a few subs on hand too if needed…so luck had it that the youngster got to suit up, and sit on the bench…just in case a good player got hurt…or got tired…

Now that bunch of rednecks would all pile into their flatbed truck every Friday night, and go to every football game on the school’s schedule, home and away, and they would all sit there waiting to see if their boy would get to play in a real game…so happens, on the night of the school’s homecoming game…one of the regular, starting defensive players got into a bottle of MD20/20, and was unable to play…so that ol’ boy(#99) got to start the game playing defense…

He couldn’t do nuthin!…on every play the visiting players would run right over top of him…he would barely get set, and here they would come again, they ran over top of him like stampeding steers in a hail storm…well everybody in the stands, visitors and home team fans, were all laughing and booing(#99), right into the dirt…before long, the boy’s own kin started to join in with the rest of the crowd, and mercilessly lampooned that poor sap…even shamelessly pretending that they didn’t even know the boy, much less that he was their own kin…

Well it came down to the last few seconds of the game…and the home team was ahead by 5 points…the visitors would have to score a TD or lose the game, anything less than 6 points just wouldn’t do…and they had the home team backed up to their 1 yard line, goal to go…the quarterback took the snap, and immediately handed the ball off to their biggest fullback, and then that entire team headed straight for poor ol’(#99), at full force…I could hardly stand to watch…they hit that boy so hard that he did about 4 complete somersaults before heading back towards earth…in the meantime, the force from that collision had jarred that ball loose from that fullback, and he had fumbled that ball…it landed right their at the 6 inch mark, just shy of the end zone…and as luck would have it…ol’(#99) came right down on top of that ball…the official blew the whistle indicating that time had expired…as they rolled his breathless carcase over, and discovered that the football was wedged between his helmet and his face mask…thus he had technically recovered the ball…and the game was over…

That poor boy had single-handedly, unknowingly won that football game by recovering that fumble…well the boos turned to cheers, and all of a sudden when that bunch of rednecks had realized what had transpired, they all yelled out at the top of their lungs…YEA, THAT #99…THAT’S OUR BOY!!…YES SIR, THAT THERE SURE IS OUR BOY!!!… kinda like some Braves fans, huh?…

By Ron

August 15, 2007 1:02 AM | Link to this

Just got back on the blog a few minutes ago and saw all the N8 bashing!!! Wow, some of yall are unbelievable!!! I did not read anything that he typed that was bad!!! Hell I said some negative things about Chipper earlier!!! I read where Alex has his back and was defending him!!! I agree with what he typed, he should NOT have been bashed like that!!! How many people bashed him? 10? 15 people? I mean really come on folks, I agreed with some of what he said!!! This team is maddening!!! I think we will win the Wildcard, BUT only because the NL sucks!!! And for one thing somebody earlier said he HATES the Braves!!! That is NOT the case, he has NEVER said he hates the Braves!!! I tell you ONE thing he is probably writing ALL of your names down that Bashed him tonight and he is gonna give it to YOU IF something does not go like you want it too!!! Dont worry guys he will have a bash party with yall!!! I mean it is one thing when 3 or 4 people dissagree with you, but 10 or 15 people jumped on him and the Big Blog dude DOB!!! Come on now, no reason for the harshness!!!

By Wayne in Utah (closet BC basher!)

August 15, 2007 1:07 AM | Link to this

Alex If you haven’t already, check out Bravehearts comments at 12:49. He mentions that closers are going to blow games. And, our other ‘pen members are too going to blow games. Rarely do we have a guy who will have a 1.00 ERA for a year. So, if a reliever has a 3.00, then once every 3 games on average, he is going to give up a run (it usually comes in bunches though).

So, it is not realistic to expect the bullpen to come through every time we have a lead. But when certain facets of our offense (AJ in particular) are struggling, sometimes that 2-3 run lead is only a 1 run lead. That makes the imperfection of the bullpen more apparent.

So, while we can blame our pen on more blown saves than we would like, the real culprit might have just been the offense.

Another thought: Many have stated that JS should have gone out and gotten a starter. In his experience and wisdom, I suspect he thinks that the extra 2-3 arms he picked up for the pen and the one MAJOR masher is a better move, than getting Jose Contreras or some other washed up starter.

It is obvious what Tex has done for the lineup. He is minimizing the damage caused by AJ’s stubborness.

If we stay healthy, when September 1st rolls around, I think our additions will be WORLD’s better than what the Mets or Phillies can bring up. Just think about it: Paronto, Devine, Ring, Ascanio, Dotel (back from the DL), and Reyes. On the offensive side: Lillibridge, Orr (yeah, yeah, I know how beloved he is here!), Brandon Jones, Blanco, Bohn, Brayan Pena, etc.

While some of these names won’t be up due to not being on the 40 man roster, many will. If we are within a few game on Sept 1st, I like our chances.

Whaddya think, Braves Nation??

By TheSouthernJackAss

August 15, 2007 1:18 AM | Link to this

I realize that TheSouthernJackAss is very much held in disdain here on the MIB blog…but what I’m about to say has nothing to do with that…

Do any of you happen to remember how it felt just after the terrible events of September 11th. 2001?…when there hadn’t been any baseball…then they resumed play there in New York…do you remember how good it felt just to be able to watch a baseball game again…how soon we forget…you would never know from the tone of some of these posts that our country had ever suffered through such a time as that…TheJackAss out…

By Wayne in Utah (closet BC basher!)

August 15, 2007 1:20 AM | Link to this

Ron Yes, N8 is a negative cuss, but if you notice in my posts tonight, I do say that we have an understanding. I tease him for being more negative than I prefer, and he gives it back to me. It is almost always done with a smiley face at the end, which means no harm, no foul.

But, my buddy N8 does know how to push some people’s buttons! Don’t worry Ron, he is a big boy, and can easily take care of himself, as you have mentioned. BTW, how have you been??

Southern Gentleman Dude, many of my relatives were born, raised, and eventually planted in Possum Kingdom, South Carolina. About 20 miles or so south of Greenville, just before you reach the Saluda River and Anderson County! So some of that stuff you are writing is hitting close to home. When you see the pix of that dude taking a dump on his outside toilet on the front deck of his single-wide, he is one of my cousins.

By Wayne in Utah (closet BC basher!)

August 15, 2007 1:29 AM | Link to this

Ron I went back and did a quick count. I think about 8 guys jumped on N8 tonight, and I sincerely think that 3-4 were doing so with no malice whatsover, myself included. Just busting his chops a bit, as he is also wont to do.

I think N8 will probably be ok.

By Coach (Hank aaron Is The Real HR Champion)

August 15, 2007 1:33 AM | Link to this

Wayne , everybody else will have the same 40 man roster come Sept. 1st , making it that much tougher to win consistently. After the Giants and Diamond backs series the Braves have a ten game stretch against the Reds , Cardinals and Marlins. The Mets play the Padres , Dodgers and Phillies. The Phillies play the Dodgers , Padres and Mets. If the Braves are to make up ground this ten game stretch (August 20-29) is critical. Come September 1st and the Braves are still 3 or 4 games back , you can simply write off the last month of the season because if the Braves fail to take advantage of this huge ten game mismatch , they have no chance over the remaining very tough 28 games in September.

By uga-brave

August 15, 2007 1:33 AM | Link to this

just got back from the game and a little pit stop with some friends. blog is just about what i expected.

as for me I KINDA LINE UP WITH BRAVE-DAVE AND N8. their views are more pragmatic than negative. no excuse for this team not being able to put early pressure on a pitcher TBA. but as i have said there is no reason to think teams reinvent themselves at this point of the season.

for this team to win aything they are going to need to put together a six or seven game steak and a 12 out of 15.

for whatever reason kind of think we are going to pick up the human rain delay (STEVE TRASCHEL) for the five hole.

anyone know if brandon webb will go on his normal four days rest thursday (they had off day yesterday and he pitched saturday) OR if he is scheduled for fridays start against us? DOB?

By Bob, Journalist

August 15, 2007 1:40 AM | Link to this

Nathan, you should be more selective in your choice of words … you’re indulging in the hyperbole with ever increasing frequency. You’re not unique … most pessimists think of themselves as being realists and consider optimists.

Shaun Payne will tell you that the statistics are on your side … the East is a 3 team race, probably 6 realistically in the hunt for the wild card … a total of 7 teams and only 2 will make the playoffs.

Each of the seven has its share of optimists and pessimists, predicting success and failure, all claiming to be realists … on the average, statistics prove that the pessimists will always win! Dewey said that too!

There’s good reason for teaching that can’t never could … if you believe that you can take the negative albeit realistic view without it impairing your ability to succeed, then you are indeed an unrealistic optimist.

The realistic optimist sees the same situation as you … recognizes the same weaknesses and the same mistakes … and then looks for reasons or scenarios under which success is a possibility, if not a reasonable expectation. Methinks the optimists the better fans … the real supporters … because they empathize with the manager and players where the pessimists are primarily interested in being right.

Just my opine

It was good that Matt got a chance to bat tonight … he tries so hard, part time player at best though be may be.

Chipper got a lot of the press and glory for his hit in the ninth “Chipper’s Big Hit Gives Braves Walk Off Win” … and good for him … but he sure “sounded bad” at the plate his other times up with runners on board.

Braves relievers have blown seven of 12 save opportunities since the All-Star break … goodness.

David wrote “the ninth-inning turn of events overshadowed another four-hit game by rookie sensation Yunel Escobar” … which I’m sure is correct in the mind’s eye of many if not most but I thought the rookie’s performance was more impressive and shined through just fine.

A win is a win is a win …

By BravesDave

August 15, 2007 1:46 AM | Link to this

SJA, yes, I am a redneck from New Jersey. I am going to talk to my wife tomorrow morning to see if we have a fat, unathletic son that I don’t know about. If so, I am going to force him to play football against his will. I will then jeer him when he plays terribly. Don’t worry, if he miraculously succeeds through some twist of fate, I will tell everyone about how I raised him to be a winner.

Either that, or I’ll just watch the Braves tomorrow night, like I always do. If they win, I’ll be happy. If they lose, I’ll discuss the reasons that they lost and how if affects the pennant race.

Or maybe I will break out my creative writing book from 6th grade and refresh my memory regarding how to write an entertaining anecdote. After I refresh my memory, I pass the book on to you so that you can take some pointers.

By \\\\\\\\\\BERIGAN//////////

August 15, 2007 1:51 AM | Link to this

Grinch,

I was only using yours and everyone else’s negative comments to show there really wasn’t much difference from what N8’s comments. Yeah, he posts more negative comments than others, but I know that deep down, he wants to see the team do well. Winning, winning a lot shuts up most everyone from saying something negative about the club.

Here is a thought. What, if God forbid, the Braves lose the next 2 games to the Giants, and the Mets win 2??? Can you imagine the comments from most everyone here??? The season is over!!! We are toast!!!! It’s the end of the world as we know it!!! Yet, it wouldn’t really be the end of the season. But it sure would feel that way…..

By uga-brave

August 15, 2007 1:57 AM | Link to this

RIDDLE ME THIS whats more likely the braves going on a huge run or the stock market returning to normal? neither, both seem to be enigmas wrapped in a question. both are fustrating to watch on a daily basis but we cant look away.

as someone who watches 162 every season this by far has been the most fustrating. close the window and bad things come through the door, close the door and it comes through window.

tonight was a must and they got it done, good start. thought the klesko strikeout was the biggest of the second half. if he gets a hit there the braves dont comeback. time to go out and treat each inning like THEIR HAIR IS ON FIRE. got to find that sense of urgengy NOW. time is growing nigh.

By BravesDave

August 15, 2007 2:04 AM | Link to this

Coach, I agree with you on all points in your 1:33am post. This stretch of games (and I would include the Giants and DBacks series only because the Phils and Mets are playing the Pirates and Nats) is absolutely critical to the outcome of this season, one way or the other. We need to take advantage of this 16-game stretch. Last night I mentioned a 13-3 run would do the trick. There are only 3 games against a team with a winning record over this 16-game portion of the schedule. This is where the rubber hits the road. Time to make a statement and claim this division. I really think it is now or never. After this 16 games, there will be only 27 games left, 12 of them against the Phils and Mets. If we expect another split of those 12 games, it does not leave much room for the Braves to pick up ground elsewhere. The Braves also do not have the opportunity to play other wild card contenders outside of the Phillies/Mets and 3 with Milwaukee. They need to gain a little separation now, while they can.

By Wayne in Utah (closet BC basher!)

August 15, 2007 2:06 AM | Link to this

Bob J No truer words were ever spoken!

BravesDave An example of how we differ: Your post:

Either that, or I’ll just watch the Braves tomorrow night, like I always do. If they win, I’ll be happy. If they lose, I’ll discuss the reasons that they lost and how if affects the pennant race.

If you just “discussed” the reasons they lost, that would be one thing. Normally, you are a tad more agressive than than. I think that sometimes we get way to wrapped around the axle on a single game. Yes, I am sure the Braves management team looks at trends to try to make improvements. But, to pick apart every single loss is counterproductive, I believe. Some nights, you just have a bad night. Sometimes, you boot the groundball. Some nights, you groove the fastball.

The trends are when Soriano grooves 10 gopher balls. McDowell and BC I am CERTAIN have been and are looking at that situation, and have a plan. We are not going to hear much of this corrective action, as it might also “sneak” out to the league.

What tires me the most is the folks that come on and armchair the game, after the fact. That solves absolutely nothing but to be negative. Hence, my first post tonight (and my new screen name) about all the negatives being Bobby’s fault, when he wasn’t even around to be personally involved.

Does that make sense?

By uga-brave

August 15, 2007 2:14 AM | Link to this

cant believe i am going to say this cosidering how much we all roasted this guy but the trade we will all regret might be kyle davies. the guy for all intents and purposes should of been in the minors all season long learning another pitch. if dotel is more seriously injured than thought what a potential waste. lets hope not, but our track record involving relievers lately has not been good.

By uga-brave

August 15, 2007 2:23 AM | Link to this

BRAVE-DAVE sure hope you got your flack-jacket on tonight. you sure are catching some serious ground fire, keep your head up soldier you are right on target.

By Wayne in Utah (closet BC basher!)

August 15, 2007 2:30 AM | Link to this

uga-brave THAT is my point, exactly. Please, don’t take this post as coming after you, as it is not. To be honest, I can’t remember much about what you or any specific person said about our players that we traded. (not overly curious, I guess)

BUT, I do remember, that Davies was repeatedly ripped to shreds on this blog. Many were kind to him, but others were brutal. I have always thought that given some time, he could be a #2 or #3 starter. Another guy who is unmercilessly assailed is Chris Woodward. I hope his little daughter doesn’t ever have to listen to the venom spewed toward her daddy.

My point is this: After wanting his head on platter, or to be traded for a sack of potatoes, there will be the same who come back later and say, “Can you believe what an idiot Schuerholz is for trading that guy away, and for what? A 2 month rental??? (remember Adam Wainwright?)

It just seems to be too easy to castigate the Braves management and the Braves players on a daily basis.

Bob J has the right attitude about trades. He has said something to this affect: “I wish we could have kept that young man longer, so we could enjoy watching him play this wonderful game of baseball.”

But heck no, we gotta call them “Woodcrap” and other demeaning names.

Let’s remember these guys are people like us, with families, and little daughters and sons.

By Bob, Journalist

August 15, 2007 2:36 AM | Link to this

Apologies Nathan, … “most pessimists think of themselves as being realists and consider optimists to be … well, you can complete the thought for yourself, each pessimist seems to have his own realistic ideas on that”

Wayne, of which words do you refer?

By Double Deuce

August 15, 2007 2:37 AM | Link to this

N8 You can get playoff tickets for the Yomiuri Giants online. Need travel money?

By Ron

August 15, 2007 2:39 AM | Link to this

Wayne Yeah I know YOU were not being hard on him like others, but maybe I saw it the wrong way!!! It just looked to me that everybody was ganging up on him!!! Yeah I know he is negative, BUT seriously IF you have been a Braves fan for that WHOLE run of division championships you would HAVE to be a little bit negative!!! I am a little bit negative!!! So much dissapointment those years especially when we could have won the championship in 91 if it was not for that stupid baserunning mistake, and back in 96 if Wholers would have thrown ANYTHING other that that gowfer ball to Leyritz!!! That is 3 Championships that we SHOULD have!!! So that is why I am negative, Braves are still my team, but negativity goes along with being a Braves fan!!! At least thats what I think!!! But yeah I know he is a big boy, he can take care of himself!!! But anyway I have been doing pretty good!!! School starts today for me which really sucks!!! I need to go to bed because it is 1:38!!! I will do even better IF the Braves can really make a run, I just hope we can at least win the Wildcard!!! How you been dude?

By Wayne in Utah

August 15, 2007 2:40 AM | Link to this

“we all” didn’t roast Kyle Davies. Some of us will actually hope he does well for KC, as we wish Adam Wainwright does well for STL, without blaming John Schuerholz for trading them.

Those that would bash JS, should study the man more.

But, it’s a brick wall, I guess……

By TheSouthernJackAss

August 15, 2007 2:41 AM | Link to this

BravesDave—New Jersey huh?…that just about explains it…you may be capable of “writing”…doubt you’ll ever have much luck when it comes to the creative part!…a couple New Jersey snipe hunters are out in the woods when one of them falls to the ground…he doesn’t seem to be breathing…his eyes are rolled back in his head…the other guy whips out his cell phone and calls the emergency services…he gasps to the operator: “my friend is dead!…what can I do?”…the operator, in a calm, soothing voice says: “just take it easy…I can help…first, let’s make sure your friend is dead.”…there is a long silence, then a loud shot is heard…the guy’s voice comes back on the line…he says: “OK, now what?”…

By BravesDave

August 15, 2007 2:43 AM | Link to this

But Wayne, what I don’t understand about your point of view, is why it is somehow invalid to come to a blog that is centered around Braves baseball and rant about Braves baseball. I notice that some people come here and discuss anything but Braves baseball. They have that right. I enjoy coming here and discussing the games. Come football season, you can get together with pals and watch games on a Sunday, discuss individual great plays, mistakes, rant, rave, enjoy everything. With baseball, you can’t do that every night, so I enjoy coming here, seeing what other people are thinking about the game. If, for instance, I think Kelly Johnson should have been in the lineup on Sunday night, I will say it, and be interested in whether others agree. If I am watching Wickman struggle, I enjoy reading what other people have to say about it. If Chipper jacks one, I enjoy sharing the excitement. It is an attempt at camaraderie without having your pals sitting on your couch watching the game with you.

Being negative, being positive…I don’t see it. I see people discussing the game.

By Ron

August 15, 2007 2:50 AM | Link to this

Wayne Dude I agree about Davies!!! I was against him being traded for Dotel!!! I realy like Davies!!! I think he can be a #2 Starter also!!! He should have been pitching in AAA the WHOLE year!!! The Royals GOT a Steal with Davies!!! Their GM is NOT an idiot!!! He knows what he is doing!!! Others that are fans of the Royals thought they could get way more than Davies, but Davies is gonna be real good!!! You gotta remember he had glimpses of Brilliance this year!!! Had a great game against the Tigers and against a few other teams!!! We will end up regretting that trade, BUT all I know is we better win the World Series this year or Next year because We aint gonna be able to resign Tex!!! Plain and simple!!! The Yankees, Red Sox, Mets, Angels, maybe the Mariners, potentially the Tigers, and OTHERS that you cant think of right now!!! Tex will PROBABLY be the Best First Baseman on the Market and many of those teams will throw 20 million or more at him!!! He will Probably get 25 million a year for 6 or 7 years!!! Plain and simple!!!

By Wayne in Utah

August 15, 2007 2:55 AM | Link to this

Bob J Your 1:40 post is what I was referring to.

Ron Go back and read Bob’s 1:40 post. I do think you can be a true Braves fan without being negative. I completely disagree with your ascertion. I think of the rain delays in 1980, I think, that killed our weak rotation against the Cardinals. They won. We lost. The examples you gave. Sometimes guys have a bad game, or miss a throw. If Frenchy blew a throw to the plate and we lost the WS, who would we blame???

You see my point? You really don’t have to be so negative. Sure, we can get frustrated, but there is a big difference.

Ron Actually, things are a bit tough around here these days. Got a 23 year old son recuperating from a major foot/ankle surgery, and my wife is having major knee surgery on Thursday. Blew it out, but good. I am the only driver left at home, and I am a traveling sales rep…. BUT, we do not have any incureable diseases, so we are just fixing stuff.

Gotta be positive!!!! Can’t handle those negative vibes, man!

Good luck in school. (and let’s not settle for the wildcard, not just yet!) Talk with you guys later, as I have come to the end of the line for me tonight!

Cheer up BravesDave and UGA-Dude!

By BravesDave

August 15, 2007 2:56 AM | Link to this

Wayne, I don’t call Chris Woodward “Woodcrap”, but I certainly see no harm in pointing out that he has not contributed to this team in any meaningful way this season. I can absolutely remember him contributing to some losses, but I have yet to see him come through in the clutch, make a great defensive play, or even land a solid high-five with one of the guys that does contribute to wins. In all seriousness, Chris Woodward makes a $1M a year for the privilege of playing baseball for the Altanta Braves. If fans want to get on him, so be it.

uga, I am taking some fire, but I am trying to fire back.

By Double Deuce

August 15, 2007 3:08 AM | Link to this

BravesDave You go out of your way to point out that you aren’t negative. So how do you explain your 8:19 post where you have the Braves on the verge of losing three in a row to the Giants when we had only played four innings of the first game? You should blog after the game dude.

By BravesDave

August 15, 2007 3:13 AM | Link to this

Yes, SJA, you know so much about me and my ability to write creatively.

I don’t come on this blog to prop up my ego, like some Southern “gentlemen” seem to do. I just come here to talk baseball, particularly Braves baseball.

I see no need to discuss my financial wherewithall, my occupation, my property ownership, my size, my fighting prowess, or my horses. If that is your thing, fine.

And what does New Jersey explain exactly? Tell me some of your thoughts. I would love to hear all of your stereotyping, funny ha-ha’s, and vast knowledge of New Jersey geography and culture. So, hit me with it. And I don’t mean literally hit me. I know you can sometimes get confused in that respect.

By BravesDave

August 15, 2007 3:25 AM | Link to this

Ummm, Double Deuce, I think when the Braves were trailing 3-0 in the 4th inning, they were on the verge of losing three straight to the Giants. They had lost the last two games of the series out in San Francisco. Facts are not necessarily negative or positive, but they can be either.

Seeing Smoltz in a 3-0 hole and watching a spot starter out of the bullpen carving up Braves hitters did not instill much positivity in me at that point.

Guilty as charged, but not because I was suddenly saying that the Braves were going to lose the rest of the series, as you insinuate.

By Double Deuce

August 15, 2007 3:57 AM | Link to this

Bravesdave Fair enough, but it didn’t come across that way. Funny thing is I was about to agree with you on the Bonds intentional walk deal. I’m sure there are some situations where it is appropriate to walk him, but those are few and far between. There are a few sluggers in baseball who deserve that respect, but I can in no way see Bonds in that company. If I wanted to pitch around him I’d rather deck him than give him a free pass. My opinion is the MLBPA has banded together to support him and all other suspects of the steroid era, thus the reluctance to just knock him off the plate. The reasons are the obvious …baseball profited greatly from the long ball while the owners and MLB looked the other way. That’s the only reason I can think of that teams would consistently give him free passes at this point in his career.

By Bob, Journalist

August 15, 2007 4:00 AM | Link to this

Ron,

IF you have been a Braves fan for that WHOLE run of division championships you would HAVE to be a little bit negative!!! … I suppose i know where you’re coming from, but I’m not sure I understand it.

If you had been a Braves fan from the 1940’s and had experienced the ups and downs … and especially the lean years after coming to Atlanta, when a .500 season was at best an optimistic objective … and then witnessed the worst to first and the ensuing, amazing run of divisional championships … with a few notable exceptions, they all left it on the field, each and every game … never giving up!!

What’s there to be negative about? … disappointed, yes!

Those who played the game, gave their all and, in the eyes of some, came up a bit short; they deserve better than that! We might want them to be better and they might wish that they were … but so long as they give their best, I’m not sure that we’ve earned the right to be critical.

Sometimes I think that we’re so concerned with buying the best players and winning that we forget to enjoy the game and applaud the efforts of those who coach, manage and play.

BravesDave, make no mistake, there’s considerable differences between those of the South and New Englanders … very few Southerners retire to the northeast … suggesting that when you’ll older and can choose your neighbors ….

By BravesDave

August 15, 2007 4:29 AM | Link to this

Bob, Journalist, interesting take on Southerners vs. New Englanders. Unfortunately, I could not be less interested. I don’t remember passing judgment on either. I simply asked everyone’s pal SJA to explain his comment about New Jersey.

Funny, though, I always thought that Northerners retired to the South to escape the harsh winters in the Northeast. I didn’t realize it was because they wanted to be neighbors with people like SJA.

By BravesDave

August 15, 2007 4:39 AM | Link to this

Double Deuce, I really feel that walking Bonds at this point in his career is pointless. Sure the guy is a tough out and still has some power, but he is hitting .280. These are not the days when he was hitting .370.

Is there any reason why the Giants pitcher should have the confidence to face Chipper Jones or Mark Teixiera, but Braves pitchers should be too concerned to pitch to Bonds?? I don’t think so. If Bonds burns you, he burns you. Klesko burned Smoltz tonight…should we walk him three times tomorrow?

By Stinky

August 15, 2007 5:14 AM | Link to this

I realize that TheSouthernJackAss is very much held in disdain here on the MIB blog

Somebody’s got a persecution complex.

By Paladin

August 15, 2007 7:52 AM | Link to this

Glad y’all pulled them through despite the handicap of the usual bunch of nay-sayers. Good job!

CL and SG That guy that rides his horse up and down our street(s) hollering,”The British are Coming!” has volunteered to carry your messages that e-mail won’t. Of course, you will have to assume responsibility for him during his “leave” from the home and clean up the piles of N-8 and BravesDave that inevitably will occur. Wire Paladin, Sticksville, USA if you are interested.

By TrueBlueBravesFan

August 15, 2007 8:05 AM | Link to this

You know all this discussion on the blog about positive and negative fans got me doing some soul searching. Am I a positive or negative fan. Do I watch this team through the good and bad? Yes. Do I sometimes lose my temper at this team? Most definately. Do I think that Bobby Cox makes all that right moves. Not always.

But the reality is I love this team. I’ve loved it for 35 years and even if they go through another mid 80’s stretch I will still love it. This season I think I’ve loved more than the last 10 because it reminds me so much of the season of 93 when the Braves barely made into the playoff’s on the last game of the year. That was perhaps my favorite Season ever. Yes the Phillies went on to beat an exhausted Braves team in the NLCS but it was still a hell of a ride. I got married that year and my wedding day was the second to last game of the year. I remember my wife’s frustration when I asked one of my groomsmen to give score updates during the photo sessions and the reception. I then had to sneak off and listen to the last inning of that game on the radio while my wife was off with her bridesmaids.

Anyway……my son is now old enough to understand and get into the Braves and I’m having a ball sharing this season with him. I hope the Braves go all the way. I will watch as many games as I can with my son and enjoy the rush with him. If they don’t make it I hope I can look back on this season the same fond way I look back on the 93 season.

Is this a flawed team. Absolutely. This is kind of like the Spahn and Sain and pray for rain days. But if nothing else I can’t say the season is boring or over……I’ll take a season like this over a romp into the postseason or 15 out by August any day.

Just some thoughts…….sorry for the long winded ramblings

By ssiscribe

August 15, 2007 8:26 AM | Link to this

Top of the morning, denizens, after a rousing victory that dodged what would have been one of the worst losses of the season last night.

Seems we’ve said that before a time or two lately. Just the nature of fighting for your lives and being in the midst of a pennant race.

Yes, losing to the Giants and their squadron of bullpen pitchers last night would not have been great, especially with both the Mets and Phillies rallying to win. But the Braves rallied twice, picking up John Smoltz — who wasn’t sharp — and Bob Wickman, who didn’t pitch poorly and was squeezed by a ridicilous strike zone.

But you gotta win games like this, against lesser teams at home with your ace on the mound. Forget the fact Wicky blew the save. Forget the fact the ace was down three runs three innings into the game. Forget the fact Cox set the ejection record or the ump blew at least eight ball/strike calls (combined total, for both teams, and he changed his strike zone during the game, which is unacceptable).

You win. You keep pace. It’s a dogfight to the finish, folks, and it will come down to the final week of the season. All you have to do is focus on winning, and the rest of the details are just that. Details.

Great win for the Braves last night. Certainly lucky in a way, but don’t you think luck plays a little bit of a role in it? You better believe it, and it’s such a long season. You’re gonna hit some good luck (like last night) and some bad luck (like Castillo’s fist job off Mahay the other night in New York to tie the game; great pitch, but two runs score in a game the Braves lose).

Now, today (noted transition from the Scribe): Baby Scribe and myself, with plenty of fluids for hydration, venture into the outfield seats tonight for the second game of the homestand. Need to get this one, obviously, with Huddy on the mound for the hometown nine. Of course, I’m stating the obvious. Braves need every win they can get from here on out. I’m not saying they have to go 6-0 on this homestand, and I know some folks don’t think 4-2 is acceptable.

I will tell you this: Win tonight, and 3-1 on the rest of the homestand indeed is possible, more so than if you lose tonight and have to win four in a row to finish the homestand 5-1. I still say 4-2 is OK at this point. Win four out of every six, and you’re going to get there.

And isn’t that the goal, folks? Is the goal to never blow a save, never fall behind, never give up a hit or a run or make an error? Is the goal to hit a homer every time up, to bat 1.000, to lead the world in hits and runs scored and OPS and WHIP and quality starts?

The goal is two-fold:

— Win enough to get to October.

— Win 11 games once you get there.

The Scribe abides.

—30—

By Will

August 15, 2007 8:27 AM | Link to this

Nice to see Braves could pick up the bullpen and get the last at bat win last night. Would not have been a good loss to take with the Phils, Mets and Padres winning. Closer situation is still very unnerving, one of the positives of Wickman was that he had been darn near untouchable at home. I will reserve judgement though, did he pitch real bad last nigh? My satellite dish picked a very inopportune time to succomb to thunder storms!

By flange1

August 15, 2007 8:32 AM | Link to this

Interesting night on the blog.

SJA, 2 great posts. The Football story was a hoot. You are right about some of the folks on this blog.

I was oit of town last night and missed the the last couple of innings. How did Soriano look? I read the box score and that looked ok. I think he is turning it around, but am interested in what he LOOKED like.

8 game win streaks have to start with the first game. That one is under our belt, lets go for #2.

As my father used to tell me, the key to life is a positive mental attitude or PMA as he would call it. Remember ist is AmeriCAN not AmeriCAN”T!

By Will

August 15, 2007 8:44 AM | Link to this

TrueBlueBravesFan, funny stuff about your wedding, i would have been doing the same thing. The thing with positive/negative fans on here is that the bottom line is everyone on here is a big braves fans(minus a couple mets stragglers) and would not take the time to come on here if they were not. The only problem is seems like some on here confuse negativity with being realistic. The real negative ones are who say things “like who cares what happens they will p** it away in the playoffs anyways” I am quick to point out Braves flaws (they have many) but never say stuff like that.

DOB, Have to say i think your 2:44 post yesterday was BS! I am sure i would be classified in your “We’re Doomed” category because i am a realist, but that is just not the case. I said i hope the Braves go 5-1 this homestand and i am not gonna turn around and be anything but happy about it if they do go 5-1.

By Shaun

August 15, 2007 8:52 AM | Link to this

My point is, if this team falls a game (or a few) short of making the postseason, the games that folks will look at will be the five (of seven) extra innings losses that the Braves gave up late leads, and a series sweep at the hands of the lowly Reds (one of which was an aforementioned extra-inning loss).

What about the games they were behind in late but came back to win? If you are going to look at games they blew late shouldn’t you also look at games they came back in? That’s only fair, isn’t it?

You can’t fault a quality team for losing games and/or series to other quality teams; you can - I think - say a quality team getting swept at home by a last place team is something that shouldn’t happen. And if Atlanta falls short by a game or two, that, to me, will be the series I look back to first, followed by the extra-innings games lost that we had in-hand late.

If you look at those games against the Reds, don’t you also have to look at all the wins against teams that will likely finish with a better record if the Braves miss out on the playoffs? All those wins against the Mets (because they will almost certainly have a better record that Atlanta if the Braves miss the playoffs)? Possibly all those wins against the Phillies? Padres? Cubs? Indians? All or at least some of these teams have a decent shot at finishing with a better record than the Braves (if they indeed miss the playoffs). Isn’t it only fair to view at least some of those wins as games they shouldn’t have won if you are going to view losses to Cincinnati as games they shouldn’t have lost?

By Ricardo

August 15, 2007 8:53 AM | Link to this

DOB -

Take Chad’s advise on the Kool Korner. I live between the two places and I promise you - it ain’t close. Kool Korner has the best cuban sandwich in Atlanta. The only downside is that it’s not a restaurant and you order your food and go. You ought to hit one day on the way to or from Turner. I promise you - if you don’t like it, I’ll pay for it. (No, I don’t work there.)

By Lee in S. GA

August 15, 2007 9:06 AM | Link to this

Good win last night considering the Braves not only had to hold off a determined Giants club but to also contend with a umpire who interpretation of the strike zone was questionable to say the least. Nevertheless an exciting win. Those kind games are fun…. if your team wins that is. Escobar really had a night also. Would have been nice to see Smoltz get the victory. Seems like he has been snake-bitten lately, but winning is more important than individual stats when you are contending for a playoff race.

By Will

August 15, 2007 9:10 AM | Link to this

Shaun, Sure the Braves have come back late and won a game or two this year, although not many. Erasing last nights defecit was a pleasant surprise. That does nothing to change the fact that the Braves have given away several games the last few weeks in the heat of a pennant race. As for the 2nd quote you responded to, your logic is understandable that every game only counts as one game, but i feel like you are somewhat downplaying games they p** away such as the 4 run 8th inning lead to HOU. If you miss the playoffs by one game its very easy to look at that Hou game, or Wickman’s at Fla and at Col blown saves early in the year. Nobody is gonna go back and point to a game like when Buddy Carlysle threw batting practice to the Red Sox. That game was over before it started.

By KC

August 15, 2007 9:11 AM | Link to this

Well, Wickman struggled a bit, but at least Soriano looked good.

By bruce

August 15, 2007 9:12 AM | Link to this

Carolina Lady:

Thanks so much for the scoop on Julio’s number being 14… I am really looking forward to wearing a Braves Julio T-shirt in Sept to the Mets games… it would be so cool for him to pinch hit in NY too. Thanks, Bruce

By TampaBrave

August 15, 2007 9:28 AM | Link to this

Wick’s performance was gutty, considering he didn’t have his best stuff and the umpire was on crack.

AJ made the biggest contribution he could possibly make last night when he didn’t swing at ball 4. He later scored on Escobar’s double.

Still calling for 6-0 this week.

By Alex

August 15, 2007 9:30 AM | Link to this

Need a strong game from Huddy Tonight! Let’s make it 2 in a row, and let’s hope that Wickman won’t be making the top of the 9th “that interesting” again!

Isn’t Edgar supposed to be coming back soon? What’s the word on how he is rehabing and when he may be back in the lineup? Is this an injury where he’ll have to play 1-2 games in the minors somewhere to “test” the ankle?

I also agree, Wayne, when the rosters expand the Braves will breathe a little easier, bringing some much needed relief pitching to save the pen some innings, and also some of the young prospects, like Littlebridge and Jones will be very interesting to see how they contribute in their limited roles.

By Efrim

August 15, 2007 9:31 AM | Link to this

Soriano would sure be a lot better if he threw a changeup or splitter. I thought he threw a splitter when he was with Seattle. Oh well. He’ll figure it out. We still need a closer for next year. Maybe Huston Street? Hasn’t he fallen out of favor in Oakland?

By NCBravesFan

August 15, 2007 9:33 AM | Link to this

Flange My take on Soriano - he looked a little better, but he also tossed up a few hittable pitches. The Giants luckily missed them.

McCann set up outside on one pitch sequence and the pitch sailed over the plate and rather high.

Perhaps he’ll be able to build his confidence a bit and string together some good outings. We’ll see!

By RedEyedAndBlue

August 15, 2007 9:36 AM | Link to this

Btw, DOB, the “Tex is a disappointment” guy hasn’t posted since a few folks, myself included, shot down his ridiculousness with a few stats, including Chipper’s downright dirty numbers since the trade. And I gotta say that I agree that Cox’s ejection got the team (and the crowd) fired up last night. But I thought that the homer by Tex. was the on-field moment that sparked the offense. The bats were dead cold until his monster blast ignited a rally.

A lot of long-time Braves fans probably expected a McGriff-esque entrance by Tex. I mean when McGriff came to the Braves in ‘93 he hit a sick 1.500 OPS or something his first two weeks and the Braves won like 10 of 12. Well, some folks consider that the greatest trade deadline move of all-time. And they shouldn’t expect any GM to regularly pull off those kinds of moves. But as you know, a lot of the folks who do not live in Negativity Land on the blog live instead in the Land of Unreal Expectations.

Keep in mind that after 119 games, the 1991 Braves were 65-54, only 2 games better than the 2007 Braves.

By Shaun

August 15, 2007 9:39 AM | Link to this

Will,

I honestly don’t know how many games they’ve come back to win late.

But I’m sure if you take into account those late comebacks and some of those games against superior or equally talented opponents, I suspect there are just as many games the should have lost as should have won, if we choose to look at a team’s season by your logic or Ron Roberts’s logic.

I seriously doubt they’ve blown more games than they should have lost, if you apply the same logic equally to both sides of the coin.

The first two games of the season are games they should have lost, by your and Ron Roberts’s logic.

See, if you are going to talk about games they should have won, you have to open yourself up to the possibilities that there were certainly games they should have lost.

And what does it matter whether they are “giving away games” in July or August or in April or May? Teams have started off hot then played merely okay to win pennants, so why should we discount wins and losses until August and September?

I will go back and point to every win and every loss when evaluating this team.

By Efrim

August 15, 2007 9:44 AM | Link to this

Matt Diaz on Wickman’s night:

“Wickman’s as solid a closer as it comes,” Diaz said. “We thought we had it wrapped up, but when they tied it up and he shut them down with the bases loaded, that was huge. Him getting us back in the dugout tied was huge. He girded up his loins and pitched unbelievably there.”

I guess that is one way too look at it.

By Will

August 15, 2007 9:47 AM | Link to this

Shaun, Just saying its human nature to look back at games you had no business losing. You say giving away games in April is the same as August??? Dont buy it, and i am not gonna buy it. I tip my hat to you, you are the most even balanced sports fan i have ever seen. We just disagree, its okay.

By Mackey Sasser

August 15, 2007 9:49 AM | Link to this

DOB, here’s another vote for Kool Korner. Not that it’s so much better than Havana Sandwich Shop. KK just has something else to offer. They’re just different - it’s an Ichiro v Pujols kind of thing. You can’t lose either way. Better go quick, too, because the old dude making them is pretty close to kicking. Gotta blow doors tonight y’all. It’s Lincecum on Thursday. That guy is filthy.

By beachcomber

August 15, 2007 9:52 AM | Link to this

Last night’s game is one we have to remember the next time we lose a tough one. Could have gone either way - Smoltz again not having his best stuff and Wicky shaky in the pen. But the guy some folks on this blog mysteriously love to hate, Chipper came through after Willie C. does what he does best - get on base in key situations.

A good, and given the Phils and Mets outcomes, necessary win. Now let’s make it two!

By Will

August 15, 2007 9:55 AM | Link to this

Efrim, Wow, obviously teammates on the Braves are gonna back each other up no matter what, which is a good thing, but i wish Wickman could “gird up his loins” with nobody on base for once. Not gonna say anybody else should close though cause i dont have another solution in mind.

By NCBravesFan

August 15, 2007 9:56 AM | Link to this

I love Matt Diaz, but I wish he would refrain from talking about Bob Wickman’s loins.

By Shaun

August 15, 2007 10:08 AM | Link to this

Will,

Well, a win is a win. Games don’t count more according to month or time of year. A team can go 50-0 to start a season and a different team can go 50-0 to end a season. And they can have the same record in between. What do you think their records will be?

It’s just wrong to think pennants are lost and won down the stretch. They are lost and won from Game 1 to Game 162.

By Braves20

August 15, 2007 10:09 AM | Link to this

Have to agree with some earlier posts. Last night’s game is one that probably would have gotten away last year.

Would have to disagree with someone in the middle of the night’s anticipation of September call-ups - virtually half our farm system. Bobby traditionally doesn’t go for crowded dugouts.

Lastly, be careful throwing around RISP stats to prove or disprove a player’s worth. It’s the situation that matters. Ask some old time Yankee fans about Joe Pepitone - five RBIs in a 12-3 laugher but 0 for in a 3-2 game. Seem to remember the same about Sheffield when he played here - especially in post season.

By Efrim

August 15, 2007 10:14 AM | Link to this

Will,

Wickman is the guy. He really isn’t that good, but other than Peter Moylan, there isn’t any better option. I would rather have Moylan pitching in middle relief anyways. We will definetly need a closer next year. Closer, Starter and Centerfielder.

By Thrillhouse44

August 15, 2007 10:20 AM | Link to this

Aybar is having surgery? Is it really a good idea to give pain meds to a guy who just got out of substance abuse?

By Will

August 15, 2007 10:21 AM | Link to this

Shaun, I was fully prepared to let our debate go, but i cannot let your last quote pass. you say “its just wrong to think pennants are lost and won down the stretch” okay?? So the 91 or 93 Braves did not win the pennants down the stretch? They sure as hell did not win them in april or may. I agree to disagree with you, i am not trying to convince you of anything here and you are absolutely not going to convince me that game 1 matters the same as game 162 in a pennant race. no way.

By d-rock in Scotland

August 15, 2007 10:21 AM | Link to this

Outstanding win last night. That would have been a tough one to lose to the limping Giants. It was a great grind-it-out win, and that’s what we’re going to have to do down the stretch to win this division. We’re 6-4 over the last 10 games. If we keep on that pace, we’ll have some exciting baseball to watch in October.

I just want to agree with DoB on Bonds falling asleep for McCann’s double, which probably should have been an easy flyball out for the pitcher. He’s not really a ball player. Everything I’ve read about Hank Aaron indicates that’s the last thing he would have done, and it’s another reminder of the sideshow Barry has become. He gets walks, and hits home runs, and act’s like a jerkstore. That’s about it. It was fitting that was how he played his first game in Atlanta after breaking the HR record.

By Shaun

August 15, 2007 10:23 AM | Link to this

Pennants are lost and won from Game 1 to Game 162 and not down the stretch or in April. I think this is awkward and seems wrong to some people because they don’t know how to reconcile in their minds the fact that all games are equally important in terms of their worth yet defeat is more meaningless in baseball than pretty much every other sport.

By RedEyedAndBlue

August 15, 2007 10:29 AM | Link to this

Hey, how about this: Yunel Escobar for Rookie of the Year? Most of what I’ve read concerns the qualifications of Hunter Pence (out hurt the last three weeks) and Turlowitski (Colorado SS). Yeah, yeah, I know Escobar only has 180 ABs and has only played since 1 June. But seriously, folks, consider what he has done for this franchise this summer, particularly of late. This blog and, I think, DOB have addressed the qualifications of Moylan (another good choice) but wherefore art thou Escobar fans? Hast thou not forgiven him for taking KJ’s playing time?

Keep in mind that Escobar was called up in part to play 3B in Chipper’s absence in early June because Orr and Prado weren’t cutting it. Talk about your Charlie Hayes/Mike Schmidt moment. But Escobar did well and allowed Chipper to heal, at first on the DL and then as the DH in the IL series.

And sure Escobar made a defensive goof in the Phillies series, but imagine how the Braves might have fared in the Mets/Phillies series with Woodward as their SS. Overall Escobar’s hitting has been superb for a rook and his fielding (particularly his range) very good. Edgar’s absence has been noticeably minimalized by the good play of Escobar.

Oh, and there is the thing of the Tex trade. Had Escobar not shown he was Major League talent prior to the deadline, I’m not sure the Bravos would have traded Andrus along with the pitchers and Salty for Tex. Not including Andrus a dealbreaker? Perhaps not. But I think Andrus sweetened the deal in the way that other clubs could not.

By the end of September Escobar’ll have about 320+ ABs and 95 games under his belt. If he’s still hitting .320 and hasn’t developed fielding hands of stone, I’d say he’s worthy of RoTY consideration. If he’s not, that’s fine too. His solid play has allowed the Braves the option of improving their team in the offseason and possibly trading Renteria.

By Mackey Sasser

August 15, 2007 10:35 AM | Link to this

Red Eye, I love Yunel but it should be Ryan Braun in a walk.

By Will

August 15, 2007 10:35 AM | Link to this

Shaun, I know every game counts the same, i dont care what you say you can recover from a 7-8 game losing streak in mid-April, you cannot recover from a 7-8 game losing streak in mid-September my head hurts, lets move on.

By Robert (Justice Is The Best)

August 15, 2007 10:36 AM | Link to this

It sure looks that Teixeira guy and that Escobar dude will never be able to play baseball. What are the Braves going to do? You can’t have a couple of posers like that on your team. Well, unless you want to win. How can any sane person say that Texieria has been a disappointment and how can any sane person not see that Escobar is a star in the making?

By Efrim

August 15, 2007 10:37 AM | Link to this

RedEyedandBlue

It’s Ryan Braun and then everyone else…..

All

If Milwaukee misses the playoffs somehow, and the Braves make the playoffs, who is the MVP? I can’t imagine Jose Reyes getting the award. Ryan Howard won’t get it either. y pick is Chipper Jones. If he plays every game for the rest of the year, that will be 138. 30 homers 100 rbi 100 runs and a 1.019 OPS. Good lord how can you not give it to the guy? If the Brew Crew make it, Prince Fielder is easily the MVP.

By Matt

August 15, 2007 10:39 AM | Link to this

Make no mistake folks this pitching staff is not good enough to get us into the postseason!! I was hoping to get some quality pitching for Salty (not that I don’t think Texiera won’t produce). Tex is a great player but our biggest deficit is with the pitching, starting and bullpen. Outside of Smoltz, Hudson, and Moylan, do we have anyone that we can depend on? Carlyle is decent and the other two spots are a crapshoot!!! The bullpen is shaky outside of Moylan. We need spend that money from AJ contract and get us some QUALITY (not Mark Redman, John Thompson types) pitching!!!!!

By Anders

August 15, 2007 10:48 AM | Link to this

Just so Athens Dave doesn’t accuse me of ducking this blog again should the Mets lose the next couple of games this is my notice that I will be away on business with no time to blog for a couple of days.

By Chase

August 15, 2007 10:48 AM | Link to this

Why does ESPN HATE the Braves?

They just had the PHILLIES’ BEAT WRITER on “FIRST TAKE” asking about the BRAVES’ Chances of making the playoffs! ARE YOU KIDDING ME!

OF COURSE HE IS GOING TO SAY IT IS BETWEEN THE PHILLIES AND METS!

But it is the sheer Uninformed and Irresponsible reporting that made it crazy!

Talking about the Braves he said

” Wickman blew his 6th save last night and hasn’t been good lately, Moylan is leaking oil and has been inconsistant, you don’t know what you’re going to get from Soriano, Mahay, or Yates, and Dotel is hurt”

He then went on to say that

“You don’t know what you are going to get out of their starters… SMOLTZ is worried about this team right now, CHIPPER is worried about this team right now…I don’t know, maybe Chipper and Tex can hit them into the playoffs but I doubt it”

THANKS ESPN for your “UNBIASED OPINION” YEAH RIGHT!

By RedEyedAndBlue

August 15, 2007 10:49 AM | Link to this

Efrim -

If Chipper wins the batting title, he’s got a better shot at the MVP IMO. But I wonder how his recent comments to the NY media (some of whom vote) might affect his chances, too. That said, if the Brewers win the division, it’ll be hard to overlook Prince Fielder.

Still like Escobar, but you’re right. I’d forgotten about Braun. Time for a second cup of coffee.

By Shaun

August 15, 2007 10:50 AM | Link to this

Will,

Actually, the ‘91 Braves wouldn’t have won without going 39-40 in the first half. The ‘93 Braves wouldn’t have won without going 50-39 in the first half. All of those 39 or 50 wins were needed in those respective seasons.

And for every team like those Braves teams you can point to a team like the ‘84 Tigers. They went 37-9 in April and May and a rather unspectacular 33-25 in August and September, yet won the division title and went on to win the World Series.

Every game matters. A lot of times it’s hard to grasp how much they matter so it’s human nature to think what happens last matters most, I suppose.

If the Braves finish around .500 and lose out on a playoff spot, a lot of people will blame it on August and September without looking at their somewhat mediocre 47-42 first half.

By Shaun

August 15, 2007 10:57 AM | Link to this

Will,

If you’ve won enough games early, you certainly will have no problem “recovering” from a 7-8-game losing streak in mid September.

But actually not many teams will “recover” from a 7-8-game losing streak at any point in the season.

By David O'Brien

August 15, 2007 11:10 AM | Link to this

RedEyedAndBlue — only two MVP votes come from NY, just as they do from every other NL city for all the BBWAA awards, including Rookie of Year, Cy Young and Manager of the Year.

And two NY writers told me they were glad Chipper did what he did, said what he said. It’s the headline writers at the two tabloids, plus a few sensationalistic writers at those tab papers who like to interject themselves in a story, who give the rest of NY media a bad name.

Chipper would probably finish in the top five if the voting were today, maybe in the top three. Look at the leaders in average, OBP, slugging, OPS, he’s in top three in all (maybe not average, I haven’t checked this morning after his 1-for-5). And the homers, doubles and RBIs are on a much quicker pace in recent weeks.

By David O'Brien

August 15, 2007 11:20 AM | Link to this

Chase, why do some folks here have this idea that ESPN has a conspiracy against the Braves? Frankly, that’s ludicrous. Most guys I know at the network actually like the Braves and love covering games with the Braves because the stars of the team are so cooperative. The network added the Braves to their Sunday schedule the max five times allowed this season, adding four of those games during the season.

You’re quoting a Phillies beat writer; the network does NOT tell its guests what to say. He’s just spouting his opinion, an uninformed one, as you noted (Moylan is leaking oil? Hmmm).

Some here select certain quotes from ESPN analysts or, in this case, a beat writer from a paper who they’ve just hauled into some studio to fill time and spout opinions, which they most certainly to NOT script for them. They do NOT tell us what to say when they have us on that network, ever.

How do you explain Steve Phillips again picking the Braves yesterday to win the NL East and neither of the New York teams to even make the playoffs? Do you just selectively pick the quotes that fit your theory and discount the ones by one of their main baseball analysts?

By Paladin

August 15, 2007 11:22 AM | Link to this

Holy cow! you huckleberries, get behind the Braves and push!! Save the “post-postmortems” for when the horse is dead, not when he is gathering momentum for the stretch run. Jees.

And, as to Tex(noted Paladonian transition)he ain’t exactly John Wayne, yet, but he ain’t Wally Cox either. He and Mahay are like the Lone Ranger and Tonto, come to save this wagon train and get it back on to the road to the promised land. Hi Ho Tex, ahere!!

By TheSouthernJackAss

August 15, 2007 11:25 AM | Link to this

BravesDave—New Jersey is simply a trashy $#!thole full of ignorant, uneducated @$sholes like you…not a place TheJackAss cares to experience…that explain it succinctly and clearly enough for you’s?

By Efrim

August 15, 2007 11:27 AM | Link to this

I know I always do this, but good lord, the Braves have to be able to go 27-16 the rest of the way. That gets them to 90-72 and at least a wild card berth. This team is going to the playoffs.

By TexasBrave

August 15, 2007 11:29 AM | Link to this

Question to anyone watching the game last night. Do you think that Bonds was pulled last night because he didn’t give maximum effort to get McCann’s double?

By Efrim

August 15, 2007 11:31 AM | Link to this

DOB

What are your thoughts on what Steve Phillips said? Not so much the Mets pick, but can anyone actually say with a strait face that the Yankees aren’t going to make the playoffs? Has anyone seen Joba Chamberlain? The man is Joel Zumaya if he is a reliever and Justin Verlander if he is a starter. That frightens me that those two are on the same team…….

By Ron Roberts

August 15, 2007 11:34 AM | Link to this

Shaun… you said….

What about the games they were behind in late but came back to win? If you are going to look at games they blew late shouldn’t you also look at games they came back in? That’s only fair, isn’t it?

Uh, how many games were the Braves behind in late and actually won? After the 7-1 start, you’d be hard-pressed to find many comeback wins by the Braves. And once again, you’re trying to twist the debate off-topic; you do that quite a bit, actually.

If you’re a team trying to reach the post-season, games in August and September (aka “down the stretch”) do have more meaning because there are less opportunities to undo damage of a loss in September then there are in May. You can make up a five-game deficit in May-August. By September 27th, you can’t. A loss on September 27th, when trailing a team by 4-5 games, could eliminate you from the post-season. Does that mean that a prior loss in April didn’t contribute to the team being eliminated? Of course not, but the losing team has 140+ more games to negate that loss than they would in late September.

Shaun also said…

If you look at those games against the Reds, don’t you also have to look at all the wins against teams that will likely finish with a better record if the Braves miss out on the playoffs? All those wins against the Mets (because they will almost certainly have a better record that Atlanta if the Braves miss the playoffs)? Possibly all those wins against the Phillies? Padres? Cubs? Indians? All or at least some of these teams have a decent shot at finishing with a better record than the Braves (if they indeed miss the playoffs). Isn’t it only fair to view at least some of those wins as games they shouldn’t have won if you are going to view losses to Cincinnati as games they shouldn’t have lost?

Sorry, but if the Atlanta Braves fall just short of reaching the playoffs, every damned player in that locker room is going to wonder “what if” about the blown saves/games and a pathetic home sweep at the hands of the lowly Cincinnati Reds. Shaun, you can take your “logical” unemotional look at the season all you want, but not winning one damned game against the Reds at home would be something folks would point to if the Braves fall just short.

You keep wanting to bring up wins the Braves have against winning teams, too. Dude, everybody has a win against winning teams. Every team. That’s a pointless argument. How many contending teams have been swept by last-place teams at home, Shaun?

I mean, it’s akin to when the Falcons missed the playoffs two seasons ago; when the Falcons lost at home to a Green Bay team that came in 1-7, folks pointed to that loss as the pivotal loss in Atlanta’s season.

Evaluate how you wish, but most folks look at their contending teams with some emotion and point to losses that shouldn’t have happened (blown saves, extra innings games lost that they led late) and sweeps (not losses, Shaun, sweeps) against last place teams and think “what if.”

This ain’t the Enterprise, and you aren’t Dr. Spock.

By The Grinch

August 15, 2007 11:34 AM | Link to this

Will: “I like my bacon crispy.”

Shaun: “Actually, Will, bacon is bacon whether it’s crispy or chewy.”

Will: “I understand that, Shaun, but I just happen to like my bacon better when it’s crispy.”

Shaun: “Will, crispy bacon or chewy bacon is the same. It shouldn’t matter to you one way or the other.”

Will: “Shaun, I’ve had bacon cooked both ways and I happen to prefer it crispy. No big deal. Nothing to see here; move on.”

Shaun: “A lot of people find it difficult for some reason to grasp the fact that bacon is just as good chewy as it is crispy. You’re just one of those people who are incorrect. Not that there’s anything wrong with that…”

Will: “Shaun, I don’t give a %#@% how you cook your bacon, please go away and leave me alone.”

Shaun: “Easy, big fella. I guess if I was wrong I’d be snippy, too. must be all that extra carbon in your burnt bacon.”

Will: “!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” WHY? WHY, SHAUN….WHY? WHY MUST YOU PERSECUTE ME SO? ALL I SAID WAS THAT I LIKE MY &%#@-ING BACON CRISPY!”

Shaun: “Bill James likes his chewy.”

Will: “I’m going to slit my wrists, Shaun.”

Shaun: “It’s not going to change the fact that…Will? Will?” (Long Pause) “Tennessee Paul?”

Tennessee Paul: “What?”

Shaun: “You’re wrong about OPS.”

By TheSouthernJackAss

August 15, 2007 11:34 AM | Link to this

Now that was hilarious!—every time the Mets lose…their loudmouth fans disappear from the blog for a couple days…then when the scourge returns, they always use the same old excuse that “they were out of town on business” during that time period…

Anders just tried to cover his @$$ in advance!

By beachcomber

August 15, 2007 11:35 AM | Link to this

Much as I enjoy watching Yunel nightly, the ROY has be the Braun kid who wins only because of an injury to the kid in Houston.

But at least somebody from the middle of the country wins it. Is anybody as old as me and remember some of the jokes from LA who won ROY back in the late 60’s and early 70’s despite much better candidates in St. Louis, Pittsburgh and a few other “smaller cities” depending on the year.

By texbravesfan

August 15, 2007 11:41 AM | Link to this

I believe everybody just needs to back this team no matter what happens from day to day. Think about it, there is still about 40 games left with 12 against the Mets and Phillies and if we just go 8-4 or 7-5, that is still gaining either 4 or 2 games in the standings with us only being 3 1/2 back. I figure that we can catch the Mets but if we dont, we still have the best chance to make the wildcard because the dbacks arent going to go 17-3 again in the next 20 games and the padres and dodgers are finally showing their true colors with their lack of hitting. And dont let me go on about the central teams since that is the weakest division in baseball. If we could just stay ahead of the Phillies in the standings, we will make the playoffs. Then once there, we all know how we own the Mets right now and it would just take a little pitching from our 1st 3 starters and I believe that we have 3 solid starters. DOB, I dont speak for everybody but I know a lot of people on this blog really appreciate what Chipper has done for this team, not only this year but for his whole career. I felt that he has been our best hitter for 10 years now,(when he is healthy) and has been a model teammate. If it wasnt for him restructuring his contact 2 or 3 times, we wouldnt have players like Hudson, re-signed Smoltz, made deadline trades for Tex, Dotel. He came to management on his own and was willing to do this for the betterment of the team for a chance at a title for himself, teammates, organization and the fans. In an age where players and agents are clouded by greed and not what the game is all about, we as fans of the Braves have the priviledge to watch somebody play the game with passion and giving 110 percent for the love of the game. I can really admire that and the reason that he has been my favorite player ever since his rookie year. Hope these players know that there are a lot of fans like me that appreciate what they are doing and not all of us are bandwagoning fools that jump off and on with every bump in the road. Go Braves!!! Hopefully this is our year.

By Efrim

August 15, 2007 11:41 AM | Link to this

Grinch

Classic. Well done.

By Robert (Justice Is The Best)

August 15, 2007 11:46 AM | Link to this

DOB, I agree with you about ESPN. They do have a bias toward the New York teams and the Red Sox, but so does every other network. I think it appears to be a hatred of the Braves because of the obvious bias toward the Yanks, Mets, Red Sox, and Cubs to a certain extent. The Angels don’t get much coverage and they have been playing well all year. They don’t because they aren’t the Dodgers. Look at the Mariners. They are the true “feel good” story of the year. Several people felt the Brewers would win their divison (myself included) but most people thought the Mariners at best would finish 3rd in the AL West if not last. Yet here they are going toe to toe with the omnipresent Yankees.

Steve Phillips, Peter Gammons, and Buster Olney have all said the Braves will get into the playoffs. Gammons and Phillips both picked the Braves to win the division in spring training and haven’t backed off those picks. While I think John Kruk is an idiot, he has given the Braves respect all year.

Besides it really doesn’t matter. If the Braves make the playoffs, they will have no choice but to pay attention to them.

By bruce

August 15, 2007 11:46 AM | Link to this

Dave: I’m a bit disappointed that Andruw did not have the MRI…. I really would like them to find something physical wrong so it can be fixed or properly rested… He is truly not himself for the last year per your stats and while I never wish an injury on anyone, I wish for a reason for his prolonged troubles. Thanks, Bruce

By journalist jimmy smith

August 15, 2007 11:57 AM | Link to this

the disappointment has set in for this journalist and jimmy smith must admit to being a bit down today. almost an american idol. still, an ugandan american idol could be in poor taste, so maybe it is for the best that jimmy smith was disqualified yesterday.

and speaking of disqualification … why is n8 disqualified for expressing n8’s opinion? is n8 not allowed to think differently here? n8 is not an ugly blogger and some of what n8 says is correct - only not popular. jimmy smith remembers when letwan first blogged here and had a few things to say about bobby cox before it was okay to do so here. letwan was told letwan was not a “true fan”, not a “real fan”. letwan was called “and idiot”. not so. letwan was a fan that thought bobby made mistakes and had poor personal hygiene. that sort of thinking once was not fashionable on this blog. so, n8, keep the faith. letwan would be proud of n8. of course letwan almost never blogs here now. and of course, n8 will never be blog idol with such behavior.

By JasonInMaine

August 15, 2007 11:59 AM | Link to this

Berigan,

Is this post really negative?

“*Smoltz can’t be right…and he hasn’t won at home since June 24th…we will not catch the Mets without an effective Smoltzie!!

Let’s hope our offense wakes up and carries us tonight…still early!*”

I was simply stating a fact about Smoltz and voicing an opinion that we need him healthy…why it may have been an unnecessary statement as most people would agree, I don’t think it is overly negative.

But, I admit, I do get a little negative at times…pretty reactionary to the current events throughout a game…but, I don’t think I am overly negative. Well, excluding my posts the other night for which I nominated myself for worst post of the year award.

By Ron Roberts

August 15, 2007 12:01 PM | Link to this

DO’B… glad ya talked about all the ESPN-bashing that goes on here. I think many of us are just spoiled with the daily coverage we get from local TV, radio and/or here. I mean, you’ve (objectively, I believe) said from day one you thought the Braves would win the NL East, and I’m sure Phillies and Mets fans would’ve been howling like mad if you’d been on a guest panel on ESPN and done so.

I’ve never been fond of Joe Morgan, but I think that just goes back to 1993 when (I believe) he had a hard time hiding his Giants bias in that pennant drive. I also think he’s a bit over-enamored with Barry Bonds, which bothers me because he’s a throwback player, and I’d have expected him to be a bit more cynical about “steriods-era” superstars claiming records from ballplayers of his era. Other than that, I think ESPN gives the Braves their due pretty well.

If anything, I think ESPN doesn’t harp enough on fan apathy at the Turner Field turnstiles when it’s warranted. Sure, they may mention it come playoff time, but they certainly don’t make the big deal of it the rest of us do.

But let’s be real, folks. The Braves aren’t the audience draw for ESPN that the Yankees, Red Sox, Mets, Phillies, Cubs, and Dodgers are. You could argue that they may not even be on par with the draw that the Giants, White Sox and Cardinals are, either. We’re an above-average fan base supporting a team that’s performed well above-average the last 15-16 seasons. I think ESPN does a fairly credible job covering us.

By Carolina Lady

August 15, 2007 12:01 PM | Link to this

Grinch, thanks for a good laugh! :-))

By Chase

August 15, 2007 12:03 PM | Link to this

DOB

You make a fair point. However, my point was more of Why would you put a Phillies’ Beat Writer on TV to talk about the Braves’ chances?

Also as for him being uninformed, Last night’s Braves broadcast showed that WICKMAN was 0-0 with a 0.87 ERA in his last 11 games since the break… then this guy says Wickman hasn’t been good lately.

Moylan leaking oil? He has been far and away the Braves’ best reliever and if you are basing him “leaking oil” as giving up an Unearned run in Philly then that is not very smart.

If you listen to KINCADE on 680 who is at ESPN often he says that many there, like Linda Cone are Mets, Yankees, and Red sox fans…

Also it seems that a walk-off exciting win by the Braves who are in a tight race would not be buried over half-way through their program!

Bottom line is that ESPN is responsible for putting people on the air! When on the air they represent ESPN. Why put a rival’s beat writer on to talk about the Braves?

By Robert (Justice Is The Best)

August 15, 2007 12:04 PM | Link to this

TexasBrave, Bonds was pulled because he is an old man and can’t go much past the 7th inning. That is why if he plays next year it will have to be as a DH. He is a liability defensively and as far as using the bench.

By Ron Roberts

August 15, 2007 12:06 PM | Link to this

Grinch… now that’s funny!

By Lew

August 15, 2007 12:09 PM | Link to this

RonRoberts-Dude, I think you just summed up the entire argument. Why can’t we all just wait and see if we make the playoffs (or not) first before we decide what the critical reasons for not making the playoffs are? That’s exactly what people are upset with (those who are, anyway). The season still has a month and a half left and y’all are already figuring why we lost (in case you missed it, their has been no division winner crowned nor a Wild Card team determined). Wait until it happens and then give us your evaluation. That’s the difference between optimism and negativity. Yes, the optimists are just as realistic about what’s happening as the pessimists. This team has been one of the most frustrating in recent memory. We optimists just happen to believe that stranger things than the Braves winning the division have happened many times-just look at last year. You’re all evaluating failure, when no one knows if failure is in store for the Braves. Let it play out before you give up on our chances. Yes, there are definitely problems. There are definitely shortcomings. There are holes and weak spots-no doubt. However, all the contenders in our division have holes and weak spots-so do the WC contenders-there is no clear favorite in any division or the WC race-NONE. It ain’t over until it’s over, as a sage person once said. Convoluted but true. We’ve won 9 of our last 14 games. If we win tonight, Efrim gets his 10 of 15 that he rightly claims we need. Let’s see how it all shakes out. If we do, indeed, lose out on a playoff berth, you’ve got all fall and winter to come up with why it happened. Why not wait and see? Whether or not you are right or wrong is a moot point.

By Kentavo

August 15, 2007 12:09 PM | Link to this

Dr. Spock is actually a child psychologist, Mr. Spock was on the Enterprise.

By Paladin

August 15, 2007 12:12 PM | Link to this

Since I’m a total heretic anyway: I like sausage, on a biscuit with yellow mustard and a slice of hamburger dill. Put that in your computer and compute it!

It doesn’t compute? Well, as they told the constipated mathematician, take your pencil and work it out.

By Va Brave

August 15, 2007 12:12 PM | Link to this

DOB - Don’t you think the Braves would have been better off if they had never let Smoltzie go back to being a starter? I bet ‘cha they would have had more wins with him closing then him starting. He was saving 40 sum per year. They will never have that with these bums they have now. I wish we could go back to last year and see how many game the Braves would have won if Smoltzie was closing them out.I am so tired of these late inning loses.

By Ron Roberts

August 15, 2007 12:13 PM | Link to this

Chase, sorry, man, but the Braves’ win over the Giants shouldn’t have been anywhere near the lead for SportsCenter last night.

There’s this little story about a moron QB and his “cuzzins” and something about dogs, killing dogs and gambling, that they keep having to discuss. Then they talked about some NBA referee who was (allegedly) betting on games he was officiating… sounds trivial to me… (note: sarcasm).

Also, the Braves are a third-place team in a three-team divisional race, and they struggled to beat a bullpen arm on the last place NL West team - at home. If anything, the key note of the game is Bobby Cox breaking the ejection record. But I could see ESPN going with the Mets & Phillies highlights even ahead of ours. That’s how the standings are, anyhow.

Besides, there was an AL Central game between the co-leaders, and admit it, the AL East race is alluva sudden interesting to keep an eye on now that the Yankees had pulled to within 4 before last night’s blowout.

Which of those stories should the Braves have trumped?

By TheSouthernJackAss

August 15, 2007 12:13 PM | Link to this

TheJackAss has finally finished his bead shopping…and is now well stocked, and ready for his upcoming trip to the “Big Easy”, and Mardi Gras…was just wondering if anyone could recommend a few good eateries there in Nola, and possibly a shop where one could pick up a few fine cigars?…

By Ron Roberts

August 15, 2007 12:16 PM | Link to this

Kentavo… noted. :)

By JasonInMaine

August 15, 2007 12:19 PM | Link to this

Lew, fine points yet again…

By Chase

August 15, 2007 12:20 PM | Link to this

DOB

You can’t argue that here is at least SOME regional bias and it carries over to football as well.

It was shameless last year the way many at ESPN and ABC were lobbying for Michigan/Ohio State NCG rematch! There coverage and builing up of the Big Ten, USC, and Notre Dame also borders on disgusting.

Also here is something interesting for you to consider.. The Braves have a walk-off win last night and there highlights are 20 minutes into Sportcenter and are mostly about COX

while on the “RUNDOWN” on the side of the screen there is a heading that reads “Walk-off win” and who is it about? The RED SOX and there win against the D-RAYS! Give me a break!

I don’t have to selectively pick things that prove regional bias…they give me plenty of fodder.

But I respect your opinion.

By David O'Brien

August 15, 2007 12:21 PM | Link to this

Chase wrote: “However, my point was more of Why would you put a Phillies’ Beat Writer on TV to talk about the Braves’ chances?”

They don’t put a Phillies beat writer on to talk about the Braves’ chances. They put a guy on to talk about baseball. Since they don’t pay most such persons to come on air, they have to ask a bunch of different people to come on (they only pay a couple who are on their regularly). Once they’re on, they’re not just going to talk to them about the Phillies, but about the whole division or the playoffs or whatever. They presume the Phillies beat writer knows something about other teams in the division, especially since the Phillies just played the Braves.

When he says what he did, what do you want them to do, stop the broadcast, check the facts and edit it out? Geez, dude, relax and let some things slide. Who gives a crap what the guy said? He’s NOT an ESPN employee, and if you think he represents the network just because he’s a guest answering questions, well, I don’t know what else to tell you. You’re wrong. He represents nothing but himself, his opinions, and his newspaper (they put the name of his paper up there, I’m assuming).

Just can’t understand the amount of hand-wringing that goes on about pithy comments made on that godawful First Take show. If you watch it, fine, but don’t compound that by actually wasting time debating something you hear on there.

Again, Steve Phillips picked the Braves to win the division and both NY teams to miss the playoffs. Sorry, but that flies in the face of your conspiracy theory. And if they have a bunch of NY and Boston fans up there, you ever think maybe that’s because a lot of TV folks are from the NE and ESPN is based in Bristol, Conn., not Atlanta or Birmingham or Charlotte?

By Robert (Justice Is The Best)

August 15, 2007 12:22 PM | Link to this

Chase, part of the problem is exactly what Ron Roberts said and that is the fanbase. Braves fans complain about the perceived lack of coverage but don’t say anything directly to ESPN. Cardinal or Cubs fans would never allow such a thing. Why get excited about a team that its own fans don’t excited about.

Lets be honest about this. I remember 1991, ‘92, and ‘93 quite well. The Tomahawk Chop was rampant throughout the crowd and the noise level was through the roof. Now, you hear a smattering of cheers but most people just sit on their hands. I don’t want to hear about fans being disappointed or the winning getting old. You don’t hear Yankee Stadium or Fenway Park or Busch Stadium sound like that.

Honestly, there is no reason for the Braves not to draw 42,000+ every home game the rest of the year. But, it won’t happen. It’ll happen on weekends but that is it.

By David O'Brien

August 15, 2007 12:25 PM | Link to this

Very well stated, Lew. So true.

By David O'Brien

August 15, 2007 12:28 PM | Link to this

Va Brave, no, I don’t. Sorry, but don’t agree with you at all. For one thing, he wouldn’t have stayed for this latest contract if they kept him at closer. For another, he hasn’t had the elbow problems he was having as closer, hasn’t had to have surgery like he did after that painful-to-watch division series against the Cubs.

But no, to answer your question. I do not.

By Shaun

August 15, 2007 12:28 PM | Link to this

Ron Roberts,

I’m sure it’s not unheard of for contending teams to get swept by last place teams in August and September.

And I don’t doubt if the Braves miss by one or a few games players will think back to blown games and games they lost to bad teams or one-run games, but I think they will be thinking about more than one or two or three games. They will probably reflect on every close game that sticks out in their mind.

And I’m sure some players or fans with the proper perspective will eventually think about the games they could have just as easily lost instead of won.

Also, with concern to making up ground late in the season, of course it’s hard to make up ground in the standings for losses the less games you have. But the point is, those early season losses cost the Braves a chance to not worry about those late-season losses.

By Julia

August 15, 2007 12:30 PM | Link to this

I always enjoy the GLADIOLA GRILLE when I go to New Orleans. It was my favorite hangout during the filming of my movie. Some undesirable r-a-d-i-o types sometimes frequent the place but I am so hot that they know they need not even look at or speak to me. Most of them just eat their shrimp sammiches and leave. There’s something about a man that eats shrimp sammiches that I do not trust.