AJC > Sports > Braves > Blog > Archives > 2007 > August > 20 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USHuddy up for some Cy talk
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I must be thinking right along with the editors at the AJC today because I had planned all along to get bloginacious today about Tim Hudson and his Cy Young chances. Then I opened the paper this morning to see an another centerpiece on the subject.
But hey, I still say there’s room to discuss. I didn’t see any Lew comments there, or BravesDave. So let’s toss it around here today. And with a little bit of seriousness.
I want to know what you think, who’d vote for if you had to today and if you weren’t a gigantuan Braves fan. Look at it objectively, if that’s possible, and tell me how you would cast your vote.
And just to simplify, let’s say you’re voting based on what you know right this very minute - not projecting how they might all do the last month of the season. Because a lot can happen from here on out - starting tonight for Tim Hudson in Cincinnati - and a lot will. The voting will get easier. But for the denizens, let’s make it hard.
Right now, you’ve got guys all bunched together, and that makes it interesting.
Coming into the series opener in Cincinnati tonight, here are the guys you’ve got bunched at the top with 14 wins to lead the National League - Hudson, Brad Penny, Carlos Zambrano, and Cole Hamels. We could toss Zambrano out because of his 3.86 ERA, which ranks only 21st among National League starters.
Then if you look purely at ERA, you’ve got Chris Young (1.93), Jake Peavy (2.19), Penny (2.59) and Brandon Webb (2.63). Hudson is fifth with 3.02. Not bad at all.
What’s killing Young is he’s pitched only 130 2/3 innings, behind the pace of the top starters, and he’s only 9-4. A terrible offense is San Diego is robbing him because the guy’s got a 0.66 ERA at Petco Park. He’s had 10 scoreless outings of his 22 starts. And we thought Hudson’s bad breaks were excruciating.
Anyway, he just can’t be considered yet. So if I were voting now, it wouldn’t be him.
Hudson at the moment is a bang-your-head-against-the-wall vote. If life was fair at all, he would have 17 wins, way ahead of everybody else. Remember the blown saves in Florida, Minnesota, and San Francisco? Am I forgetting any? And his ERA is right there, so you could totally justify a vote there.
Penny is right there with him with 14 wins and he’s third in ERA (second among those with 160 innings) at 2.59. He was 10-1 to start the season. If something has taken a little of his edge off, it’s the Dodgers’ 15-20 record since the All-Star break. And Penny has actually lost two games since the break. He’s now 14-3.
For Cole Hamels, the more important the games are for the Phillies it seems, the better he’s playing. He’s 5-1 with a 2.75 ERA in his last eight starts as the pennant races heat up. He’s got 14 wins too.
Then there’s Brandon Webb. Just saw him Friday night for the Diamondbacks. He’s the reigning NL Cy Young MVP. I haven’t seen as dominating a pitching performance - me with my own eyes - since maybe Randy Johnson’s perfect game a couple years back. And I’m talking about the kind of game where you knew nobody was going to score and you knew he was going to pitch the whole game. What more can you ask of a pitcher? The guy’s got 42 consecutive shutout innings.
So what do you do? Pick your poison. Me, I’d like to have the next five weeks to make up my mind. But for now, I take Jake Peavy. He’s 13-5 with a 2.19 ERA, second-best in the National League (first among pitchers with 160-plus innings). He’s leading the league in strikeouts. His ERA is almost half a run better than Penny.
I don’t know. I like him.
I believe in ERA as an indicator of starting pitching. I know a lot of folks will get into WHIP and such, but for me, who cares how many guys get on base so much as how many score. At least in this kind of analysis. (I’d rather have a closer with a low WHIP, so there wouldn’t be a chance of anything. But for a starter, I think of it differently.)
Anyway, let’s talk about this. What do you think? And are there others we at the AJC have totally ignored that need consideration? You guys could pick apart my thinking here, and that’s cool. Teach me something.
Oh by the way, it’s Carroll again - if you skipped the byline at the top - and I’m on the clock for the first two cities of this roadtrip - Cincinnati and St. Louis. So like it or not, you’ve got me, me, me for a couple days. (Actually a few more than that, I figured I’d just break it to you gently.)
I have Saudia Arabia and Canada playing a little Little League behind me on my hotel room TV in Cincinnati. It reminds me of something I wanted to tell you guys from the other day. You might know this already but the Braves watch this stuff. They must be just like us, and get a kick out of seeing the little dudes playing the kids’ game on TV. As the game was originally intended, you know?
Anyway, the other afternoon in the Braves clubhouse, we heard this loud roar coming from the players’ lounge, where they have a big screen TV and watch college football, golf, whatever it might be. Those of us in the clubhouse - which is adjacent - looked around at each other like huh? Are the Mets on? What happened? Turns out it was a kid from Massachusetts making a home-run saving catch on the last play of the game.
See?
Oh and apparently they’re only showing this game because there’s a rain delay. I’m right on top of things.
And speaking of young kids playing baseball….Julio….Ha….Julio Franco played his four first games with Class A Rome over the weekend, going 4-for-13 (.308) with two RBIs. All four hits were singles. He struck out twice, which is no big deal, unless you’re the opposing Class A pitcher, who gets to tell people, “Hey, I struck out Julio Franco!”
Julio is apparently going to rejoin the Rome Braves on their next homestand beginning Friday. In the meantime, he’ll celebrate his 49th birthday on Thursday.
Just read this on the Rome website, a recap of Sunday’s game: “Rome got on the board early in the first inning when Travis Jones led off the inning with a walk, moved to third on a double by Phillip Britton, and scored on a Julio Franco single for the early 1-0 lead….”
Hey, wait a minute. Sounds a little funny, doesn’t it?
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Comments
By A-ville Ranger
August 20, 2007 4:22 PM | Link to this
I posted on DOB’S site already but here it is again.1—Penny——-2—Webb(closing fast)——-3—Peavy——-4—Hudson.Hudson has time to close on these guys but as of today that’s my honest opinion.
By Eric from MO
August 20, 2007 4:23 PM | Link to this
Webb won the cy young last year not the MVP and if you think he doesnt deserve it this year you are insaine!
By DAP
August 20, 2007 4:27 PM | Link to this
welcome carroll! i didnt read the author, assuming it was DOB, and i thought he sounded a little…girly today.
my non-emotional pick for cy young is brandon webb again. hes got one less win than the other guys, but his ERA, shutouts and complete games do the trick for me. i think… i guess i just dont know. its tricky.
By LT (double A blogger)
August 20, 2007 4:30 PM | Link to this
I’d take Peavy. What’s interesting to me about Peavy is that his home ERA is actually much higher than away.
That is with the caveat Webb doesn’t break Herscheiser’s consecutive inning streak. That would almost make him a shoe in if he continues to win.
By KC
August 20, 2007 4:31 PM | Link to this
Yeah, strange… All of the people who told me I was an idiot for believing in Hudson heading into this season are now silent.
I think a few people should step up and admit they were wrong. =)
By Train Wreck Bystander
August 20, 2007 4:32 PM | Link to this
Sorry, but I don’t think nationally televised Little League games is “as the game was originally intended.”
Baseball should be fun when you are that age, not some pressure-packed arena.
Kids should be kids.
By Josh H
August 20, 2007 4:34 PM | Link to this
If Webb pitches two more shutouts, then that’s it. He’ll be the Cy Young hands down. The fact that the Diamondbacks are in first place really helps his cause.
Peavy is always a solid choice. And Hudson has re-emerged to old form. I couldn’t make a decision now. Hudson has pitched incredible but I don’t think he beats those other guys. Not yet at least.
By Big Easy
August 20, 2007 4:35 PM | Link to this
I gotta go with Webb right now, based on what I saw of him the other night. He just looks positively unhittable right now. Hudson would be my second choice, especially taking into account the fact that he has pitched even better than his record indicates.
But that’s just me.
~E~
By Mets rule You drool
August 20, 2007 4:41 PM | Link to this
Its over ‘necks! Why dont you get that? Lack of education? Inbreeding? General stupidity? Its time for you to start thinking about the Falcons.
Oh wait, theyre going to suck this year too. Hahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This bought to you courtesy of the almost wire to wire FIRST PLACE NEW YORK METS!!!!
Hate to say I told you so but weve been telling you how this was going to end up all year long. Now do you get it?
By Henry
August 20, 2007 4:42 PM | Link to this
Welcome Carroll, always nice to have you. I agree with you, right now Peavy gets the nod because of the far superior ERA, but Webb is very close competition. Hamels, Huddy and Penny are in the hunt, in that order, but could only get my vote if the other two really let up in the final month+.
Henry
By KC
August 20, 2007 4:43 PM | Link to this
Josh H. and Big Easy: Yeah, I would certainly give the nod to Webb over Hudson at the moment.
But the fact that Hudson is being talked about as a CY Young contender again is GREAT news for the Braves.
Where in the world would they be without Huddy this year?!
By JD
August 20, 2007 4:49 PM | Link to this
The only 2 stats that should matter for a starter are innings and ERA. Wins are something he can’t control. I’d take Peavy but Huddy’s been great all year.
By Chop Chop
August 20, 2007 4:50 PM | Link to this
Unless he falls apart in his final 6 starts, my guess is that Webb will be the man. As good as Peavy and Penny have been this year, Webb is the midst of an amazing run while his team is destroying the NL. It’s tough to argue with the hottest pitcher on the hottest team in the majors.
As Carroll noted, three or four more wins would make Huddy’s case awfully strong, but c’est la vie. I’m just glad Huddy’s living up to those high expectations we all had when he showed up in the ATL. No matter what happens in the division race or the wild-card, that dude has been on point.
By ncscoots
August 20, 2007 4:52 PM | Link to this
But, KC, folks saluting you for being right about Hudson might have incentive for looking at some of your OTHER February prognostications, LOL.
By woogidy
August 20, 2007 4:53 PM | Link to this
As the Mets enter play with some teams in contention for the Wild Card (Padres, Dodgers, Phillies), are we at that point where we as Braves fans root for the Mets? Or, Do we hope the Mets lose and the Braves win the division? I am rooting for the Mets. Beat the Padres!
By randy
August 20, 2007 4:56 PM | Link to this
I like Webb, after watching all of them this year hes got it. After that a strong 2nd is Hudson,he is on top of his game again. The next 3 weeks will seperate the men from the boys and give us a leader,I hope its Tim cause it will mean the Braves are hot.
By Chop Chop
August 20, 2007 5:01 PM | Link to this
IN the midst, I should say. I like leaving one word out of my posts. I really do.
By Miniscule tool
August 20, 2007 5:02 PM | Link to this
Hey, youse guys, guess what? Youse know how women won’t have anything to do with me ‘cause of my looks, personality, and bank account? Well, a guy’s still got feelings, ya know? So I snuck over the nighbors fence last night, plugged my k-mart boom-box in right next to his swimming pool, threw on some Bing Crosby to kinda “get in the mood” if ya know what I’m sayin, and got down in the water and proceeded to get stuck in one of those vacuum jets. Boy was it embarrassing when my neighbor called 911 and the EMT’s had to get me outta dere. ROTFL! Dey was just shakin’ dey heads while I was like “Whaddaya lookin’ at? Gimme a hand!” All dey did was go “HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!” I tought people up here was all class. Musta been stankees fans.
By Paladin
August 20, 2007 5:05 PM | Link to this
I think if Huddy doesn’t win, Wicky should pony up big bucks to Lew to do him(Huddy) a Wurlitzer. And no, it won’t be a “Wicky”.
By beach
August 20, 2007 5:07 PM | Link to this
Put me down for Webb unless he collapses over the final weeks winning by a shade over Peavy.
Looking back at some CY background over the weekend, do you think there will ever be the dominance of the ‘90’s when Atlanta pitchers won 6 of the 10 awards? Would be nice to have another one of those guys back right now.
By Interested Observer
August 20, 2007 5:08 PM | Link to this
Woogidy:
We have to sweep the Reds, it’s as simple as that. If we win tonight, we move 1 game behind San Diego. If SD wins 2 of 3 from the Mets, assuming we win the last three games of the Reds series, we’d be tied with SD and two games closer to the Mets.
I think as long as we keep winning and the Mets and wildcard contenders keep splitting series, we would be doing ok.
By Paladin
August 20, 2007 5:10 PM | Link to this
No throwing spitballs ‘cause we got a substitute teacher. And Mz Carroll, here is my apple.
By Coach (Hank Aaron Is The Real HR Champion)
August 20, 2007 5:14 PM | Link to this
Carroll , deserving candidates all the way around. I have to go with Brandon Webb. He is simply a cut above the rest at the moment. 18 quality starts , 4 complete games , 7 shut outs and of course the current 42 inning scoreless streak. Huddy is having an outstanding season for the Braves but he has been hurt by the three blown saves. I think Wickman most definitely won’t be back ( the Braves tried to trade him for Kyle Farnsworth) but I’m not sure if the Braves will have a better option for a closer in 2008. Manny Acosta has looked good so far since his call up , Dotel is a bit of a mystery for us fans. Is this guy damaged goods ? Did John Schuerholz get burned again like he did with Mike Gonzalez. Our GM has made more than a few questionable trades and free agent signings for this season. I just have one word/name of advice for 2008 , TOM GLAVINE. He is the only real short term solution to the Braves lack of quality depth in the rotation behind Smoltz and Hudson. Schuerholz made an error letting Glavine go and it’s time he corrected that mistake.
By ChampDawg
August 20, 2007 5:14 PM | Link to this
IF the Braves make the playoffs, even the wildcard, and Huddy keeps up his present pace— yes, he should get the CY. If the Braves don’t make the playoffs, No.
By Lucus
August 20, 2007 5:14 PM | Link to this
If the vote was now, it would have to be Brandon Webb. No better way to accentuate your point than shutting everyone out for 42 innings. Most starters cannot go one outing and relievers one inning without giving up a run; except you Mr. Moylan. You’re a good seed in my book.
By daniel
August 20, 2007 5:15 PM | Link to this
My vote goes to Webb also, even though his win total isn’t quite as impressive as some of the others. I don’t think any other pitcher in the NL has been/will be as dominant as Webb has been over his past few starts. Carroll, it’s like you said. You just know he’s not giving anything up from the moment he faces the first batter.
By Anders
August 20, 2007 5:18 PM | Link to this
Carroll With the most important games still in front of all the guys being considered it’s moot to even discuss this at this point. The next 6 weeks will seperate the Cy Young’s from the Cyonara’s . If any one of these guys coughs up 3 of 4 down the stretch they’re out. There’s no clear cut favorite and all are in the pennant race(Except Penny maybe) - should be fun.
By Randy
August 20, 2007 5:18 PM | Link to this
Right now, I feel like it’s Peavy and Webb and then everyone else. Peavy allows the fewest runs and Webb has shown dominance like no other. The reason I liked Webb for the Cy last year was his ability to go 9 innings. Webb has 4 CG and 3 shutouts this season. Hudson, Young and Penny make up the second tier, and Harang, Hamels, Smoltz, Oswalt and maybe Lowe and El Duque all head the rest of the pack, but have certain problems like ERA or injuries (fewer IP) that keep them from being real contenders.
By TampaBrave
August 20, 2007 5:19 PM | Link to this
Not that anyone cares, but yesterday I celebrated my 44th b-day with the family so I wasn’t on much. But I wanted to apologize about the RON incidents. At the time, I thought it to be a good idea to challenge his assertions, being so inaccurate, but I soon found myself spiraling through time warp to find the missing link. Hard as I tried, I couldn’t bring him back to the future: so there he remains. I left him a lighter, so he has either burned himself beyond recognition or is eating a well cooked brontosaurus burger. Who knows. I know how annoying it can be to keep reading that garbage. Again, I counter-punched when I should rope-a-doped and won on style points.
By daniel
August 20, 2007 5:19 PM | Link to this
Woogidy,
Interesting take on the situation, but I just find it hard to pull for the Mets if you don’t absolutely need to. If they are playing a team on the final day of the season that has to lose for the Braves to make the postseason, then we pull for the Mets. Otherwise, you just hope they don’t win another game and we can outplay the Phillies down the stretch.
By LT (double A blogger)
August 20, 2007 5:19 PM | Link to this
Woogidy,
I was asking myself the same question. As much as I know I should be, I just can’t root for the Mets. See the Mets Drool posts for my reasons why. That and their nickname is the “Amazins”. How gay can you get? Not that there’s anything wrong with that.
By A-ville Ranger
August 20, 2007 5:21 PM | Link to this
I try to leave out the subjective stuff when deciding who I’d vote for if I had a vote for the Cy.For me era-wins and innings pitched are the measure.I concede if Webb sets the consecutive scoreless innings record he’d have to stink it up afterwards not to win.To me Penny and Peavy are in a near dead heat with Webb closing fast,Hudson isn’t out of it by a long shot but others will have to stumble and he’ll need a strong finish.
By RedEyedAndBlue
August 20, 2007 5:21 PM | Link to this
Paladin aka Grumpy? Figured that would stick, particularly after the Braves’ performance this weekend.
Good piece, Carroll. Gotta go with Webb, though. I wasn’t a believer (and actually thought he was undeserving of 2006 Cy Young) until Friday night. Wow.
Renty back tomorrow?
By Overlord
August 20, 2007 5:23 PM | Link to this
Shaun I think 5 out of the 20 wins (not exact numbers) is way to high….. i dont think 25% of a team wins could be a result of good luck, they treated the braves with no respect…. i didnt see much of the luck factor when the kicked our butt in 2 different series. They are doing a very good job on the field. They have less talent than we do, but they are doing the little things that takes to be champs……. we dont.
By TampaBrave
August 20, 2007 5:24 PM | Link to this
Webb is Mike Scott reincarnated. Mike Scott ruled us for a time until the crime dog came. Fred liked them low pitches. Definitely a back to back winner this year. Huddy, a good 2nd.
By Bob, Journalist
August 20, 2007 5:24 PM | Link to this
Salty, I must admit that we seem to have several who deftly engage in the practice … at least I have great difficulty in understanding them.
Lew always cuts to the chase … there’s no obfuscation in “The one thing we should concentrate on that no one has mentioned is this … WINNING TONIGHT’S GAME. That’s it. That’s all.”
By \\\\\\\\\\BERIGAN//////////
August 20, 2007 5:28 PM | Link to this
Constarn it!!! Just made a long post in response to what Shaun said earlier, and there is a new blog!!! :(
Well, here it is again, in all it’s glory!!!
Shaun,
You said to TampaBrave….
TampaBrave, What does “knowing how to win” mean? All I know is it’s putting runs on the scoreboard on offense and keeping them off on defense. I’ll take baseball ability over anything else any day.
Yeah, I’m sure the D-Rays losing has nothing to do with them being first in runs allowed and fourth in fewest runs scored. It’s all because they don’t know how to win and nothing to do with a mediocre OBP or SLG or the most HR allowed in the league.
Sounds to me you are contradicting yourself. Read your last paragraph, then this line from the earlier one… you say ….* I’ll take baseball ability over anything else any day.*
Well, Tampa has about as much talent as ANY team in either league! Which 2nd baseman has more pure talent, B.J. Upton , or Kelly Johnson? Which left fielder(s) have more talent, Willie Harris, Matt Diaz, or Carl Crawford??? Right now, who would you rather have as your Center fielder, Delmon Young or that guy we have hitting about 75 points lower than Young’s .290??? If it was July 30th, who would you say was more talented a 1st baseman, Scott Thorman, or Carlos Pena?(.265 27 79)Brendan Harris is no Edgar, but still 295 8 46 are pretty good numbers.
James Shields while having to deal with 9 hitters every start is 9-8 4.18 ERA, with 154 K’s. Scott Kazmir is 9-7 with a 3.44 ERA with 168 K’s Yet, they are 47-76, 29 games under .500!!!
I imagine in the next year or two, they will be a decent team, but right now, even with all the talent in the world, they are still a last place team, with the worst record in baseball…..
By Carroll Rogers
August 20, 2007 5:29 PM | Link to this
good thoughts folks, and oops, i meant webb was defending cy young winner. think most of you knew what i meant. just moving too fast. the web folks are gonna change it for me.
but yeah, good thoughts on webb too. having watched him the other night as we all did, it’s hard to imagine anyone better right now. it’ll be interesting to see how this all plays out.
meanwhile NEWS. they posted a burst i think but chuck james is getting skipped tomorrow with a shoulder impingement. they are not disabling him, thinking he’ll be fine for his next start. calling up jo-jo reyes for tomorrow night and will make a roster move of some other sort.
also tex has been sick to his stomach since the braves got on their charter last night but says he’s ready to go and he’s in there tonight.
renteria is supposed to take some groundballs today but bobby still seems like he wants to be cautious about when he returns.
lineup: kelly johnson gets a night off and martin prado is in at second base.
octavio dotel threw from 100 feet today and felt much better than the time he tried to throw in philly a week ago. he was feeling much better about his shoulder. the next couple days if he can throw off a mound we’ll know a lot more about when he might be back.
other than that, not much going on today….and vick who.
By TampaBrave
August 20, 2007 5:30 PM | Link to this
How about the “Ackrazins”? I’m sure JR would approve
By BamaBrave
August 20, 2007 5:31 PM | Link to this
For me it comes down to Peavy or Hudson if I had to choose today. Tough call, because I suspect Peavy has done it without much run support…but Hudson should have at least two more wins, no thanks to Cheesehead Wickman. I give the nod to Hudson.
By \\\\\\\\\\BERIGAN//////////
August 20, 2007 5:38 PM | Link to this
KC,
Ok, I’ll admit it, you were right, I was wrong!!!!! I would have gladly traded him for a wonderful glove, or a bag of balls, perhaps photos of Erin Andrews in a bikini…heck, now to think of it, that would have been far more than he was worth! ;) But, glad to say I was very wrong! He adjusted whatever it was that was screwing him up so much(Back leg too bent? Not using the cream Barry sent him in the mail? ;))
Where in the world would we be without him this year??? Fighting the Nats for 4th I’d imagine….
By Dan
August 20, 2007 5:41 PM | Link to this
I guess it’s OK to debate it, but Tim Hudson doesn’t have a chance to win the CY Young this year. He could, and should, win comeback player of the year, though. Jake Peavy, Brad Penny and Brandon Webb are far more dominating that Hudson. And, in fact, I may even choose Zamabrano over Hudson just because of how he turned his season around, and possibly the entire team’s season. Hudson improved quite a bit from his woeful season last year. But right now, the Braves don’t even appear to be a playoff team. They just cannot win more than 3 games in a row. It was nice to get TEX, but failing to move in a new 4th or 5th starter is just bad managing. We needed that more than we needed a 1st baseman in my opinion. I could be wrong.
By Coach (Hank Aaron Is The Real HR Champion)
August 20, 2007 5:42 PM | Link to this
One more argument for Brandon Webb , he has twelve starts where he has given up one earned run or less. Jake Peavy has fourteen of those one run affairs but he doesn’t have a single complete game . Webb has four complete games and the scoreless streak which puts him at the top of the heap.
By Robert (Justice Is The Best)
August 20, 2007 5:46 PM | Link to this
I just read some stuff by Ken Rosenthal. He was speculating about what the Yanks will do with Johnny Damon and Bobby Abreu next year. He seemed to intimate that Damon will be the one who is gone and that he will be willing to waive his no-trade clause. One of the teams on his list of 12 teams to be traded to is the Braves. I find that interesting. I think Damon would be good for the Braves both on the field and in the clubhouse. Now, I think the Yanks would have to eat at least five mil per year for the remaining two years of Damon’s contract. Damon could play in CF while B. Jones platoons with Diaz in LF. Or Damon could play CF. I think he still has the ability. Damon still can hit and he can put some power numbers up.
That would displace Willie Harris but I think it would be silly to expect Harris to produce next season like he has this season. His track record just doesn’t suggest that is realistic.
Now, if B. Jones could play CF then Damon could platoon in LF with Diaz. But, DOB and others don’t believe that Jones can play CF and there is hesitation to move Francoeur there.
Damon isn’t going to replace Andruw’s production but he will get close enough and he will be cheaper than other alternatives like Mike Cameron. He would be cheaper even if the Yanks don’t eat any of the contract.
I could see this offense being pretty good with a lineup of: 1. Damon 2. Escobar 3. C Jones 4. Teixeira 5. Francouer 6. McCann 7. B. Jones 8. Johnson
By bravesfan
August 20, 2007 5:47 PM | Link to this
Carroll when do you think is the earliest we see Renteria back?
By \\\\\\\\\\BERIGAN//////////
August 20, 2007 5:48 PM | Link to this
Hey, people were right who thought ol’ Chucky might be hurt….Hopefully nothing too serious, and time off will help…a hurt Chucky means zip chance for the playoffs, IMHO….
By Lew
August 20, 2007 5:49 PM | Link to this
Carroll-All the stats being about equal, I just might have to go with Webb. That was probably the most dominating performance I’ve seen this season and I watch a lot more than Braves’ games. You’ve also got to figure this was against a team that had been averaging almost 7 runs per game recently. The consecutive scoreless innings streak is just too good to ignore, as well. Hudson might get my vote with the 17 wins, but to be fair, it’s got to be web. I’d be more than happy to do a Wurlitzer for Huddy if he doesn’t win the Cy Young.
By DonCoburleone
August 20, 2007 5:50 PM | Link to this
Peavy, Webb, Hudson, Penny in that order… Although if Webb keeps this up there is no way he doesn’t win another Cy Young. I really think Hamels is the sleeper though - He very well could end up leading the NL in Wins and strikeouts. I say if that happens and the Phillies make the playoffs he is at least 2nd in the voting… Hudson’s got a chance though if he can keep up what he’s been doing…
Where does John Smoltz land in this discussion? Top 10? Top 7? Top 5? He still has an outside shot in my opinion…
By journalist jimmy smith
August 20, 2007 5:52 PM | Link to this
if huddy wins an award it will have to be a blog award. sy rup award from vermont. much like the wurlitzer instead of pulitzer only sy rup rather than cy young. lew, work on it please.
By TennesseePaul
August 20, 2007 5:53 PM | Link to this
I’m leanin’ towards Peavy on that one. The guy is good. But three pitchers in the West right in the thick of it… sheeeesh… tough division over there.
I dislike Marteen Prado and it displeases me that he is in the line up over KJ. Hopefully the Braves can still pull out the win. I’ll just fill in for a few real quick:
Huge game tonight guys. If the Braves lose this one they are out. We can all look back and point to this one game, hell maybe even just 1 inning, and pin the entire results of the 161 other games on this one game. Must win tonight.
Aye. Now, let’s get serious. Go out there and play ball Bravos! I’d like to see Hudson improve on his numbers. It’s going to be tough. Cincy isn’t necessarily a pitchers park.
GO BRAVES!!
By \\\\\\\\\\BERIGAN//////////
August 20, 2007 5:53 PM | Link to this
Coach,
Good points. Peavy doesn’t go as far in games as Webb, many more pitches, strikeouts from Peavy. Webb has 3 straight shutouts, Hudson hasn’t been able make it thru 9 so far this year…nor has any braves pitcher….
By \\\\\\\\\\BERIGAN//////////
August 20, 2007 5:57 PM | Link to this
Umm, I think people missed what Miss Rogers said….
CHUCK JAMES IS SKIPPING A START!!!!!
CHUCK JAMES IS SKIPPING A START!!!!!
CHUCK JAMES IS SKIPPING A START!!!!!
CHUCK JAMES IS SKIPPING A START!!!!!
Sorry Carrol, but sometimes, you just gotta shout! ;)
By Anders
August 20, 2007 5:57 PM | Link to this
Robert Damon would be a huge mistake. The guy can’t play a week straight anymore. All that running into walls and diving has caught up to him. He can’t reach second base with a throw from a normal depth in center. I am not kidding about that. He has absolutely no arm! He has many leg problems as well. Believe me the Yanks would be happy to pay half his contract if the Braves took him. I’d venture to say you’d do just as well with Bobby Cox in center and leading off.
By chipdip
August 20, 2007 5:59 PM | Link to this
Braves will probably get swept again by the Reds!!!! Wickman will blow a few more saves…such a positive additude!!!
By Carroll Rogers
August 20, 2007 5:59 PM | Link to this
think if it were up to renteria he’d be back tomorrow. up to bobby, might be the day after that or ther one after that. but i see renteria out there on the field taking groundballs now, so that’s a step in the right direction. he’s not really going full bore at the moment so it’s hard to tell if the ankle is bothering him. but we’ll see, is what bobby keeps saying.
think it’ll be prado sent down tomorrow for reyes.
calling for serious rain here tonight. flash flood warnings and such. overcast and dry now. could be a long night….
By Robert (Justice Is The Best)
August 20, 2007 5:59 PM | Link to this
Now, I’m sure Chuck is hurt but he said his shoulder is okay and he will be able to make his next start. I just have to wonder if the decision to skip his turn in the rotation was made easier by the proposition of having him pitch in Great America. That could be an ugly site!
By TennesseePaul
August 20, 2007 6:00 PM | Link to this
RJIB: I read that same article and cringed. There is no way I could enjoy watching Johnny Damon in the outfield. I have to sit through enough Dodger ball with the jelly arms they have all over that field. It’s atrocious. I don’t think JS would bring him in. For one thing it’d require trading even more parts only to get a sub par defender and declining hitter. And for another, I’d imagine the off-season moves will be directed at pitching more than anything. The AJ situation will consume some head lines for sure. But pitching is the most dire need this team has. AJ walking… we’d be losing a .200 hitter from this years team. I’d like him to stay, but the truth is, next year, if he leaves, we have to replace a .200 hitter. I think we can do that for cheaper than 13 million a season and a handful of prospects.
By Salty
August 20, 2007 6:00 PM | Link to this
Scoots Saw you count yourself in on the other blog…I’m with you as well, although, I’m more to the obtuse side…’cept when engaging my wife!
Bob, J I hear ya! Can’t imagine jjs letting this debate pass without comment.
Hmm… do we have a new category: o.o.? See, Paladin, one can always shorten big words! :-)
By Mighty Mouse
August 20, 2007 6:03 PM | Link to this
Here I Come To Save The Day! Remember folks, when Coltrane is away, the mice shall not play - not even me, Mighty Mouse! And don’t be a bunch of evil cats like Oil Can Harry! Now, Paladin, me trusty wingman, Paula Pureheart and I are about to fly off to watch the game, do you mind if I pawn Mitzi off on ya? Holy Wikipedia!
By Colin
August 20, 2007 6:03 PM | Link to this
If chucky was to pitch in Cincy over or under 20 home runs allowed
By Salty
August 20, 2007 6:04 PM | Link to this
Is Kelly Johnson on a different fitness regimen than the rest of the Braves? How much rest does he need?
If the Cy vote was now, Webb would get mine. That was a complete mis-match last Friday…nothing like it since…Randy Johnson.
By Paladin
August 20, 2007 6:04 PM | Link to this
RedeyedandBlue I dropped that aka Grumpy two days ago. Too much MJ this weekend? :-)
By \\\\\\\\\\BERIGAN//////////
August 20, 2007 6:05 PM | Link to this
Chipdip,
is additude the opposite of subtractitude????
By Coach ( this is for the Jackass known as the Grinch)
August 20, 2007 6:06 PM | Link to this
By The Grinch
November 20, 2006 10:31 PM | Link to this
Back again. Ok, it’s roughly 10:30 pm EST. I will offer this deal one time and one time only. Any regular blogger (I.E. someone I have talked to in the past) who wants a piece of this action, contact me at Voton1066@yahoo.com before midnight tonight. I will bet a crisp, clean $50 bill (if I was richer I’d bet way more) that Hudson has worse than a 34/18-6/3.53/227 season this upcoming year. Screw that, I’ll make it $100. Anyone? Beuhler, Beuhler…
By hk
August 20, 2007 6:07 PM | Link to this
… we groan about Andruw, but while batting 7th, he has quietly moved back to the top of the hitter ‘MVP’ ratings …
Projected Runs - HR - RBI - Last Week - Now
Andruw - 85 - 29 - 101 - 216 - 214
Chipper - 97 - 26 - 89 - 217 - 212
Frenchy - 85 - 21 - 103 - 207 - 209
Johnson - 95 - 17 - 80 - 196 - 192
Renteria - 97 - 14 - 69 - 189 - 180
McCann - 54 - 16 - 88 - 161 - 157
Thorman - 44 - 13 - 46 - 106 - 103
Harris - 63 - 1 - 33 - 95 - 97
Diaz - 41 - 12 - 43 - 97 - 95
Team Average - 173 - 170
http://www.mindspring.com/~hk3/newton.htm
By VandyBrave
August 20, 2007 6:07 PM | Link to this
I think the wrong way to go about determining who is a Cy Yound candidate is by looking first at the wins column.
Wins are, in my opinion, if not meaningless, then close to meaningless as a measure for a pitcher’s effectiveness.
ERA, K/P, WHIP, are much better indicators of how ‘good’ a pitcher is.
You can give up 6 ERs and walk 5 guys and still get a win. Or, as Huddy knows, you can give up 1 ER and get no decision, or even a loss.
A Pitcher who has an ERA of under 3 is a great pitcher - it doesnt matter how many ‘wins’ they have. If they consistently give up only 2-3 runs then they give their team a chance to win every time out.
Scratch wins from this conversation, heck, I would like to see wins removed as a statistic altogether. I mean if Wicky comes in, tools around for a while and blows a save he will get a ‘win’ if we come back to win in the bottom of the inning.
That being said - Huddy has the stats to prove that he is one of the best, but not the best. He definately plays for the team with the best offense in comparison to the other pitchers listed.
By TennesseePaul
August 20, 2007 6:08 PM | Link to this
I’ll agree. I’m leaning towards Peavy, but if Web keeps his current pace up he’s a lock. 2 more CG SHO and it’s all his. Hell, he could wrap it up with just 15 more scoreless. We’ll see though. If for some reason he follows it up with 3 straight 1 inning outings he’d be out for good. It is baseball… anything can happen.
By Paladin
August 20, 2007 6:08 PM | Link to this
**Mz Carroll, how many times do we have to say, or read, some variation of the same three or four names before you “open” up the forum? Twisted minds want to know.
By Coach ( IM A GENIUS ,NOT !
August 20, 2007 6:11 PM | Link to this
By Head Coach
November 21, 2006 01:32 AM | Link to this
Playoff caliber teams are built around pitching and defense. Its the formula that J.S. and Cox have used successfully over and over again. Nathan hasnt figured that out yet. While I do believe the starting pitching will be much improved in 2007 I’m also aware of the bigger picture. Hampton is coming of surgery , so is Davies. Ramirez was injured and has much to prove. Smoltz is a free agent after 2007. James is solid and will be counted on to be in the rotation all season. So , unless Glavine and J.S. know something the rest of us dont at the moment…… Trading Hudson would be foolhardy at the present time. Nathan , Grinch who can replace a pitcher who consistently clocks in 34-35 starts , 200 plus innings and wins consistently at six million a season , who ? You didnt answer the question and you wont because neither one of you have an answer to my question.
By Robert
August 20, 2007 6:11 PM | Link to this
“I’d venture to say you’d do just as well with Bobby Cox in center and leading off.”
The Braves would win more games with Cox leading off than with him managing.
By TennesseePaul
August 20, 2007 6:13 PM | Link to this
Colin: JoJo doesn’t exactly keep them in the park either. Bums me out the Chuck James is down. Hopefully this pays dividends down the road. JoJo is on a quick path to Kyle Davies. Hope he’s on it tomorrow though.
By Paladin
August 20, 2007 6:16 PM | Link to this
Coach I figure that puts Grinch roughly 100 stupid statements behind you and I am not even counting the loss column.
By Coach ( IM A GENIUS ,NOT !
August 20, 2007 6:18 PM | Link to this
By Head Coach
November 21, 2006 12:45 PM | Link to this
Exactly right Wolf. Many would be fans will be eating crow and feeling stupid for wanting to trade an all-star caliber pitcher(Hudson) and a bonafide winner. I keep hearing them say it , trade a winner , trade a winner , trade a winner , trade a winner , trade a winner , trade a winner , trade a winner , trade a winner , trade a winner , trade a winner , trade a winner……What an assinine idea.
By LT (double A blogger)
August 20, 2007 6:21 PM | Link to this
M-O-O-N spells Mets, laws yes don’t it Drooly?
By Coach ( IM A GENIUS ,NOT !
August 20, 2007 6:29 PM | Link to this
Paladin , jealousy will get you no respect. Eat your heart out. I have been right about Tim Hudson for ten months and it is time to toot my horn.
By Josh H
August 20, 2007 6:35 PM | Link to this
Hopefully Jo-Jo was able to work on some stuff in the minors and will be ready to show some dominance.
And honestly, all Cormier has to do is go out there and pitch like he did against Webb. We’ll take 3 runs in 8 innings from the #5 spot for the rest of the season…
By heath
August 20, 2007 6:40 PM | Link to this
according to the doppler, most of the rain is north of the outer belt….looks like it is staying that way too….still look good at the park?
By Paladin
August 20, 2007 6:44 PM | Link to this
Well, Coach, before you knock yourself off the dunce-stool patting yourself on the back:
10:30 pm EST. Now, don’t you think at that time of night that Grinch just might have been imbibing? And when he is imbibing Grinch will not only bet you, he will give you odds, that the world is flat.
And, if all of us were held accountable for what we say when we are imbibing, we would all be in jail or married.
By Bay Area Steve
August 20, 2007 6:45 PM | Link to this
Just a random thought from a regular reader, and I’m sure I’ll get spanked for it but…
hasn’t Coach (insert random phrase here) lost all credibility after the Thorman situation?
By TennesseePaul
August 20, 2007 6:48 PM | Link to this
I think the wrong way to go about determining who is a Cy Young candidate is by looking first at the wins column
This is a valid arguement. However, Cy Young is known for his Wins. So for the most part, the guy is going to have to put up some serious wins. On the rare occasion that a reliever gets the award it is most often for accomplishing amazing stats in that role… Gange’s 84 straight comes to mind. But typically the sorting is… of all the top winners in the league, who was the best… In this way, the Cy will go to a guy who won a lot and pitched very well… Maddux was beat out by Pedro one year for similar reasons. Maddux had more wins, but Pedro has the better numbers elsewhere… Pedro was still in the top grouping for wins though.
Has there ever been a Cy Young winner, that was a Starter, who had a .500 or worse record? I can’t think of any. Wins are a big part of validating a candidate if said candidate is a starter.
By Robert
August 20, 2007 6:49 PM | Link to this
Paladin - Kindly refrain from mentioning Coach and Grinch in the same sentence together.
The latter has a brain. The former is dumb as rocks.
That said, he was right about Hudson.
Let the dipstick celebrate. It;s the first time he’s called one right since deciding to give up and drop out the third grade
By TennesseePaul
August 20, 2007 6:52 PM | Link to this
heck, I would like to see wins removed as a statistic altogether.
Of course this will never happen. As much as players say they love playing baseball because they love the game… this isn’t a feel good sport. These guys want the W because the W is all that matters.
By chrisklob
August 20, 2007 6:54 PM | Link to this
Paladin
And, if all of us were held accountable for what we say when we are imbibing, we would all be in jail or married.
What the he11 is the difference?
By Shaun
August 20, 2007 6:55 PM | Link to this
Did you also count how many losses were the result of bad luck? Didn’t think so. Nice one way ANALysis.
It’s not so much how many one-run games luck won or lost for the D-Backs, but that luck plays a big factor in those games (along with the way the team is built).
Overlord,
See above. When the D-Backs’ kicked the Braves’ rear ends, you’re right, luck wasn’t much of a factor. Of course the higher the score the less likely luck is going to play a big factor.
\\\BERIGAN//////////,
Does Tampa Bay have as much talen as anyone? Maybe they have as much potential talent as anyone, but there average age of their position players is 25.8 so far this season. That’s about two or three years younger than when players are typically at their peaks.
Kelly Johnson is a better player than BJ Upton this season. Believe it or not, Diaz and Harris have been better than Crawford. Delmon Young is actually a rightfielder but he hasn’t been that much better than Andruw.
Tampa Bay’s pitching is awful, even when you take into account they play in the AL. You named their two best pitchers and use that as evidence that they have as much talent as anyone?
Remember, the stats most important to run creation in order of importance are OBP and SLG. The Braves are clearly the more talented team if creating runs and winning is important to you.
They don’t have much talent right now. They may have as much potential talent, but there is a difference. Their young core of position players just needs time to peak and they maybe need to get some more pitching. That’s when they’ll start winning.
By Colin
August 20, 2007 6:56 PM | Link to this
Tennessee Paul All i said is if he pitches over or under 20 home runs……everyone gives some up but some pitchers not as often as CHUCKY…
By Braveheart
August 20, 2007 6:56 PM | Link to this
Coach, do you remember Anthony Young celebrating so hard when his 27 game loss streak was snapped back in 1993? But ole A.Y. did get to appear on The Tonight Show. Maybe you’ll be getting a call soon from Leno.
Robert, liked your points you made about Chuck on the last blog.
By Shaun
August 20, 2007 7:00 PM | Link to this
TennesseePaul,
Good points. Wins will always be a big part of the Cy Young voting because there are still folks out there who think certain pitchers just “know how to win” and they think this is different from knowing how to pitch.
Most of the time it doesn’t make too much of a difference because if a guy pitches well, it would be difficult for him not to win enough to impress the voters.
By Braveheart
August 20, 2007 7:04 PM | Link to this
Shaun, you made good points on why not to sign Wells. I really think 1 or 2 wins will be the difference in the end and that Wells could be that difference. But your points are well taken.
By Braveheart
August 20, 2007 7:09 PM | Link to this
Does anyone else think that the Tex trade was good for beyond the obvious reason? By that, I mean it takes pressure off McCann & Frenchy to step up beyond what 24 year olds should be reasonably asked to achieve next year.
With Dru gone next year, we all most likely would have been very impatient with them if they were asked to be the cleanup hitter. But getting Tex to replace Dru buys them an extra year of being insulated from having the weight of the offense placed upon their shoulders.
By Coach ( IM A GENIUS ,NOT !
August 20, 2007 7:13 PM | Link to this
Now that Ive turned the blog green , I shall retire to my coffin. O’yea , Hudson is going to win again tonight.
By Overlord
August 20, 2007 7:19 PM | Link to this
Mets traded for Conine…… that is a very good move for the mets…… they gave away kids from minors, and they get a guy i would say is going to make think more difficult for the braves to catch them.
By zimo z
August 20, 2007 7:20 PM | Link to this
I nominate Bob Wickman for the Thigh young award.
By Colin
August 20, 2007 7:21 PM | Link to this
Umm can someone tell me why Bumdruw is hitting 6th?…umm…becuz im lost….
By Overlord
August 20, 2007 7:22 PM | Link to this
what a difference does it makes to have mark at the 4th hole….. if that was andruw, he would have KKKKKKKed and…… mark walks and jeff drives matt in. Thats what championship teams do……
Ill bet AJ wont get to 1st base.
By Efrim
August 20, 2007 7:22 PM | Link to this
Yea Frenchy. Lets see if Druw can add on……
By Colin
August 20, 2007 7:24 PM | Link to this
The best thing he could have done…not swung the bat…YIPPIE….
By Superman
August 20, 2007 7:24 PM | Link to this
Did i hear them say the reds pitching coach is Dick Pole???
Thats a porn name if i have ever heard one.
By Stephen
August 20, 2007 7:24 PM | Link to this
Dick Pole?
LOL
By Overlord
August 20, 2007 7:24 PM | Link to this
Game over right there….. a pitcher that BB AJ is gonna get hammered.
By Stephen
August 20, 2007 7:25 PM | Link to this
AT’ A BOY BRIAN
By Steve from OH
August 20, 2007 7:26 PM | Link to this
Attaboy Mac!
By Braveheart
August 20, 2007 7:26 PM | Link to this
BMAC!
By RedEyedAndBlue
August 20, 2007 7:26 PM | Link to this
Paladin and MJ? —>> Really would’ve loved those all-you-can -eat seats this weekend. At least on Sunday. Probably would’ve choked on Saturday watching the pitcher knock out 2 HRs.
By Serbok
August 20, 2007 7:26 PM | Link to this
YES!
By Efrim
August 20, 2007 7:29 PM | Link to this
B MAC!!!!
There is that power!!!
Who is Russell Martin?!?!?!?!
By Overlord
August 20, 2007 7:29 PM | Link to this
Doesnt takes a genius to know the winner of this game and the 1st inning is not over yet.
Well….. at least we picked up half a game.
Let chipper, tex and brian rest after the 5th.
By BravesFanChris22
August 20, 2007 7:33 PM | Link to this
Grand Slam McCann Smiles
Good start so far. Come on Hudson, pitch an A game.
By Colin
August 20, 2007 7:33 PM | Link to this
Keep it in perspective its Cincy 5 isent many…
By MEB
August 20, 2007 7:34 PM | Link to this
Overlord… Game over, in the first inning, at the Great American launching pad? Not to jinx Huddy but it’s a little early for predictions.
GO BRAVES!!!
By Paladin
August 20, 2007 7:37 PM | Link to this
Now, that I seem to acquired a consensus… :-)
By Overlord
August 20, 2007 7:39 PM | Link to this
Hey yankee fans are excited because they are 4 GB the bosox…….. lets hope our braves get as hot as the yankees cause we are almost as far behind as they are…… difference is they are hot and we are not……
Go Braves!!!!!!!!!
By Greg in TN
August 20, 2007 7:41 PM | Link to this
Evening folks…
Ahhh, Cincinnati. The land of Forrest Gregg (a cool name for an NFL head coach if I say so myself), Skyline Chili (Yum) and Great American Ballpark. Skyline Chili has stands throughout the ballpark folks, wonderful chili dogs with shredded cheddar cheese on top. Tasty with a capital T.
Good to see these guys jumping out in the first. The Reds just scored on a sac fly, so that five spot is looking pretty big at the moment.
Carroll, really torn about the Cy. There are plenty of deserving folks out there at the moment and I am very glad to see Huddy getting some Cy love because he deserves it. Brandon Webb has been flat out electric during his scoreless streak and looked as unhittable as Hershiser did during his streak in ‘88. He had some bad outings early, and right now that is overweighing his recent streak in my mind. I look at the pitcher that has been the most consistent over the year and at the moment that guy is Peavy. At no point in the season has his ERA drifted north of 2.47 and his high mark in earned runs in a given start is 4, which he has done three times. All of this could change over the next few weeks, but that’s who takes the award in my mind if the season ended today.
By Overlord
August 20, 2007 7:42 PM | Link to this
Meb it is over…. you are right…. it is GAP but braves are hitting in the same park as the reds and we have the better offense….. and now we have a 4 run lead in an 8 inning game….. It is over.
By The Grinch
August 20, 2007 7:43 PM | Link to this
Coach, at first when I read that a moment ago I thought I’d go ahead and finally tear you the new one you’ve so richly deserved since the unfortunate moment you dragged your ignorant @$$ on this blog in the first place. However, a mental picture of you formed in my head (from reading approx. 10,000 posts in the last 18 months) and it looked a little something like this:
An old man in a rusty trailer in South Dakota who once had a family and a job coaching little league, but lost them both from alcoholism and an attiitude so vicious and negative your team lost every game and half your players got suicidal. When your family left (‘cause who in the HELL could possibly live with a douchebag like you), you’ve since spent your time living off PBR and Guv’ment cheese, running a pirate cable line through your neighbors house to steal an internet connection (‘cause SS won’t support one of your own) and hanging out here round the clock making angry, smart-@$$, smarmy, inflamatory, mostly incorrect statements in order to “get back at the world” for your lack of a personality and ED. The fact that you went so far as to pull up a bet I proposed a year ago (which you didn’t take by the way, suggesting you either thought I might be right or couldn’t afford it) just to be able to call me a jackass is so completely, utterly, mind-boggingly pathetic that all I can do is shake my head and pity you. Don’t worry, coach; cirrhosis, prostate cancer, and/or emphysema will come put your miserable soul to rest before long, and you can go with a smile on your face knowing you proved that I made a bet you didn’t have the stones to cash in on.
What a %#@%-ing loser.
You want to take it further and spare the blog, voton1066@yahoo.com.
By Overlord
August 20, 2007 7:45 PM | Link to this
well…… its raining and our game will be canceled…. this is as ugly as it can get for the braves…..
couldnt it start raining 2 hours later?
come on
By Greg in TN
August 20, 2007 7:45 PM | Link to this
Have to laugh at the Phil Niekro-eske knuckler off of the bat of Matt Diaz in the first that just totally played Josh Hamilton.
Hamilton had no chance at all on that ball. Kudos to the SportSouth television gang for the camera angle to pick the track of the ball up.
By Stephen
August 20, 2007 7:46 PM | Link to this
Insane Tex
By bravesfan
August 20, 2007 7:46 PM | Link to this
Thats what I am talking about O YEAH!!! ATTA BOY TEX
By ncscoots
August 20, 2007 7:46 PM | Link to this
Braveheart, far-seeing as always, re your 7:09. A year for those two to mature, to see how Ka’aihue matures, to judge the progress of other young players such as Escobar and Johnson, and then the Braves can see if re-signing Teixeira makes sense. Or maybe they see Tex at 3B after Chipper retires, assuming another good option at 1B. Lots of possibilities. But you hit on a prime “hidden” benefit of the trade, for sure.
BTW, this isn’t the first time Coach has been right, re Hudson. I believe he also made the call on global warming and the price of March wheat.
By Efrim
August 20, 2007 7:47 PM | Link to this
Yea Tex. 8 home runs and 22 rbi in a Braves uniform.
GOOD LORD!!!!
Sign the guy long term.
By MEB
August 20, 2007 7:47 PM | Link to this
Gotta a new red jersey that I’m gonna wear-uh
And written on the back is Mark Tuh-share-uh.
GO BRAVES!!!
By BravesFanChris22
August 20, 2007 7:48 PM | Link to this
Teixeira with a 3 Run Homer
By Colin
August 20, 2007 7:48 PM | Link to this
Since that song…he has been amazing…can anyone find the exact numbers after that song…
By Ron
August 20, 2007 7:48 PM | Link to this
Please dont tell me this game will get cancelled because of rain!!! PLEASE DO NOT CALL THE GAME!!! We have such a HUGE lead!!!
By Overlord
August 20, 2007 7:48 PM | Link to this
MEB do you believe me now?
It is over anyways………
its 8-1…… and heaven is falling in ohio.
By Steve from OH
August 20, 2007 7:49 PM | Link to this
Mark Teixiera is very good at baseball. Now if we could just get Andruw going…
By Greg in TN
August 20, 2007 7:49 PM | Link to this
Let’s go Mark T!
By Bob, Journalist
August 20, 2007 7:49 PM | Link to this
RJITB, isn’t it common practice to basically disregard track records when the track layout or surface surface is changed? Or, applied to baseball, … when a player’s approach changes?
I’m not suggesting that Willie will perform as well next season as he has this, but he is a different player now … and I’d like to see him given the chance … he’s a fun player to watch and one for whom it’s easy to cheer.
Of course, the grass is always greener but I don’t see the need for replacing our position players, other than Woodward and Thorman, who can be replaced from inside the organization, if you consider them to so be … and methinks that’s true, regardless of the Andruw Jones drama outcome.
The key need is still pitching and that’s awkward since we really won’t know where we stand with Hampton, Gonzalez, Smoltz and others for some time.
Given Bobby’s overwhelming desire to play Diaz … maybe he just likes the idea of having him available for key situations … both Edgar and Matt could well be traded for pitching. I don’t hold with that notion but I wouldn’t be surprised.
By Overlord
August 20, 2007 7:50 PM | Link to this
is that the real game? or are they televising BP?
By Lew
August 20, 2007 7:52 PM | Link to this
Small Ball-Yeah, right.
By GermanBravesFan
August 20, 2007 7:53 PM | Link to this
Wow… Grinch - what’s gotten into you? Time to sit back, open up a cold one and enjoy the Braves’ beating of the Reds! Some things are not worth getting all worked up about - especially not comments on a blog! Perhaps unwrap a stogie as well along with pouring yourself a cold one - life’s great!!!
By Bob
August 20, 2007 7:54 PM | Link to this
Boy, not sure we should have made that trade. Tex will have problems hitting home runs at Turner Field because it is not nearly as hitter friendly at the Stadium at Arlington. And Mahay, are you kidding me? We should have insisted on Gagne in that deal, not Mahay. LOL
Lets see, until tonight, all of Tex’s homers have been at Turner Field or Shea Stadium. Enough of that myth.
By Paladin
August 20, 2007 7:54 PM | Link to this
You got it Grinch. I was just trying to hold the fort ‘til you got here.
By MurphyRules
August 20, 2007 7:54 PM | Link to this
Hudson’s having a great year, but he’s not in the top three I don’t think.
Here’s my top five: 1. Peavy (a big lead, too) 2. Webb 3. Hamels 4. Penny 5. Hudson
By Overlord
August 20, 2007 7:55 PM | Link to this
God likes us…. its not raining as hard anymore…….gooooooo braves!!!!!
By ncscoots
August 20, 2007 7:57 PM | Link to this
Grinch, CHILL! Tell that Grinch to CHILL!
Oh, man, LOL, you gotta look for the humor in something like that, don’t ya? Grinch? Humor? Eh?
By Paladin
August 20, 2007 8:01 PM | Link to this
Bob Where have you been, big guy? I’m only allowed to speak for myself or I would say “we” missed you. Consequently, (notice that transition)you will have to settle for I missed you.
By TennesseePaul
August 20, 2007 8:02 PM | Link to this
Collin: I wasn’t disagreeing. Just stating that JoJo isn’t necessarily an improvement and the odds could still be in the 20 HR range…
By Paladin
August 20, 2007 8:05 PM | Link to this
Scoots May I call you that? Don’t tell Grinch to chill. He thinks that means a six-pack. :-)
By Salty
August 20, 2007 8:05 PM | Link to this
Grinch That was cutting to the chase…my, oh my!
By A-ville Ranger
August 20, 2007 8:05 PM | Link to this
I get to say again,I told you Prado has doubles power.
By Overlord
August 20, 2007 8:06 PM | Link to this
Cant bobby put james in and save tim for another game?
By The Grinch
August 20, 2007 8:09 PM | Link to this
GBF and scoots, you misunderstood me. I’m not angry, I was just pointing out the obvious. If y’all had the birthday weekend I had and came back tonight to see my team up 8-1 now, you’d know it’d be harder for me to be happier. I was just feeling sorry for those who’s lot in life leaves them incapable of anything beyond impotent rage when their colostomy bag backs up. :-) Prost!
By Dwight Fry
August 20, 2007 8:10 PM | Link to this
FWIW…
CBS Sportsline has NL pitchers ranked (as of today) as follows:
Jake Peavy ………. 111.60
Brad Penny ………. 101.35
Brandon Webb …….. 99.57
Tim Hudson ………. 92.19
Chris Young ……… 91.30
By MEB
August 20, 2007 8:11 PM | Link to this
Guv’ment cheese, Ritz crackers, Coke Cola and Braves baseball… Life doesn’t get any better!
GO BRAVES!!!
By A-ville Ranger
August 20, 2007 8:11 PM | Link to this
Overlord is there one god for the nl and al or one for each ?
By Overlord
August 20, 2007 8:12 PM | Link to this
what do you guys think of the muts signing jeff conine?
By Lew
August 20, 2007 8:13 PM | Link to this
Oh my. And Nathan thought he got reamed.
By Mets rule You drool
August 20, 2007 8:13 PM | Link to this
Who cares? At the end of the year it will just be another meaningless W for a 3rd place team that is golfing in October.
By Paladin
August 20, 2007 8:21 PM | Link to this
Grinch Colostomy bag back ups are sh!tty to say the least. Here at the home we handle them by hollering “Miss Lillian, XXXX has sh!t all over himself, again.” I guess it would work here too. Mz Carroll, Coach has ….
By Efrim
August 20, 2007 8:21 PM | Link to this
Boy, Hudson doesn’t seem to have it tonight. He better settle down. There is no reason he shouldn’t go 7 innings tonight……
By Paladin
August 20, 2007 8:26 PM | Link to this
And Drooler, where will you be drooling in October? Not here, I hope as we will be talking Braves and WS baseball.
By GermanBravesFan
August 20, 2007 8:26 PM | Link to this
Mets fool… wasn’t that your mom who just called your name? I think it’s time to change your diapers… Better hurry!!!
By Stephen
August 20, 2007 8:28 PM | Link to this
Are you kidding me tex, wow.
By Greg in TN
August 20, 2007 8:28 PM | Link to this
A side effect is mild hysteria The medical reason is Mark Teixeira
Let’s go Mark T!
He’s just crushing the ball. Amazing.
By Serbok
August 20, 2007 8:29 PM | Link to this
*TEX * AGAIN!!!! Maybe he gets 3 this game?
By Efrim
August 20, 2007 8:29 PM | Link to this
9 Home Runs…..25 RBI’s…….he is a force.
By The Grinch
August 20, 2007 8:29 PM | Link to this
Tex is a god. All hail Tex.
By reddawg
August 20, 2007 8:29 PM | Link to this
The best choice for the award this year is Andruw Jones ……….. He makes any pitcher look like Cy Young>
By BravesFanChris22
August 20, 2007 8:29 PM | Link to this
Is Teixeira a Deja Vu type of hitter? Two 2 Run Homers yesterday and tonight two 3 Run Homers.
By Overlord
August 20, 2007 8:30 PM | Link to this
what a difference does it makes having a CLEANUP HITTER
By TennesseePaul
August 20, 2007 8:30 PM | Link to this
Is this legal? Teixeira is murdering people every where we go.
GO BRAVES!!
By GermanBravesFan
August 20, 2007 8:30 PM | Link to this
Dump Texeira now! He’s terrible! What a horrible trade… We gave up 4 prospects for THAT??? Fire JS!!!!
By A-ville Ranger
August 20, 2007 8:31 PM | Link to this
The Teixeira trade only helps if we make the playoffs.Damned if the boy can’t hit though !
By MEB
August 20, 2007 8:32 PM | Link to this
Bobby says… “Lets go Mark T!”
GO BRAVES!!!
By heath
August 20, 2007 8:32 PM | Link to this
save a couple for tomorrow boys!!! especially you tex! 2 more tonight…. he is just tearing it up since the trade!
By Eric C.
August 20, 2007 8:33 PM | Link to this
SWEEEEEEEET!! The happiest person on the Braves team right now is Chipper Jones…he’ll be getting a lot more fastballs now! You rock TEX!
By Robert
August 20, 2007 8:33 PM | Link to this
“And, if all of us were held accountable for what we say when we are imbibing, we would all be in jail or married”
or at least very poor
By the way, I think we’re safe for tonite.
Even Donk cant blow a 9 run lead
Can he?
By The Grinch
August 20, 2007 8:34 PM | Link to this
Now, Paladin; Miss Rogers has paid her dues and should not be expected to perform such duties…that should fall on a mutts troll. It’d just be like cleaning off a seat a Shea, anyway; he wouldn’t know the difference.
How must McCann feel that he hit a grand slam and might not even be player of the game?
By Colin
August 20, 2007 8:35 PM | Link to this
TEX SONG HAS REALLY SPARKED HIM 4 hr since the song…and godly amount of rbi’s
By RedEyedAndBlue
August 20, 2007 8:36 PM | Link to this
I’d love to hear from one of the ‘tex is a disappointment’ crowd now.
By Overlord
August 20, 2007 8:36 PM | Link to this
Did anyone noticed that jeff was not able to get his AVG over .300 until tex got here?
What a coincidence!!!!!!
BTW…. AJ is approaching the Jones line AGAIN….. prepare for the landing…. he is gona go below surface (.200)
By bravesfan
August 20, 2007 8:37 PM | Link to this
Yall really why did we get Tex I mean he “only” has 9 hr’s and 25 rbi’s in about what 18 games thats awfully bad NOT!!!
By A-ville Ranger
August 20, 2007 8:37 PM | Link to this
BravesFanChris I can’t wait till he hits two 5 run homers.
By ncscoots
August 20, 2007 8:38 PM | Link to this
Grinch, as you say and make it so. :-) I’m not one who can chide, anyway. Seems to me that I’ve thrown some lip-high gas to bloggers leaning over the plate meself.
How did I miss that birthday thing?!? Man, I have GOT to start paying more attention. Hope belateds are acceptable to Your Grinchness.
BTW, I’d call that earlier stuff first degree, wouldn’t you? LMAO
By Stinky
August 20, 2007 8:38 PM | Link to this
Coach gets a Stinky salute.
He was right about Hudson rebounding in a big way this year and about the 2006 season being over in May of 2006. Coach’s got Blog CRED.
Still, he has detractors.
Like Dobra.
The exalted Music Man lobbied like a maniac to get Huddy traded to make room for Glavine. And that after Dub was sure the Braves were in the hunt for the postseason last year all the way up to the last two weeks of a very painful season.
How does Dub like Coach now?
By Mets rule You drool
August 20, 2007 8:39 PM | Link to this
You CANT win teh wild card from 3rd place in your own division - IDIOTS!
Get a freakin’ clue.
By Robert
August 20, 2007 8:39 PM | Link to this
Not to rain on anyone’s parade - but some thoughts on Teixeira
Why do I get the feeling that come crunch time, it will have been just long enough for some pitchers to begin to make adjustments to him
and of course, if by some miracle the Braves make the WS, he’d be up against pitchers who know him well from his time in AL
and of course Bobby Cox aint smart enough to realize or act proactively on any of this. He’ll just be scratching his ears wondering why when it really matters, Teixeira will suddenly be slumping
just like so many other Braves have seemed to slump for no apparent reason at crunch time
Not to rain on anyone’s parade
But we have seen this play before
By TennesseePaul
August 20, 2007 8:39 PM | Link to this
Lew: Small ball. I would have been happier had Teixeira bunted right there. I blame it on Cox. This team has to learn how to squeeze runs out.
HA! =)
By Bob
August 20, 2007 8:41 PM | Link to this
Yeah, that was a bad trade. Only 25 RBIs in three weeks. Can’t we do better than that?
Paladin, my laptop crashed and I am working off my desktop. Also been golfing and getting ready for Dawg Football. Got tickets to the 30 Aug Mets game, 1 Sep Okie State-Dawg game and 2 Sep Mets game. Didn’t get chances to do that in my Army career.
GermanBraveFan, wie gehts? Are you still in Deutschland or are you back in the States? Bayern is looking pretty awesome with that butt kicking of Werder Bremen.
By Carroll Rogers
August 20, 2007 8:42 PM | Link to this
easy on Dick Pole, my little kindergarteners. He’s a guy that used to coach Maddux in the Cubs, one of the guys he attributes a lot of his early success to. course then again, MDog would probably be right there with you making fun of his name.
They told me Tex was sick. He said he was sick. Had his head in a toilet on the Braves charter last night for goodness sake. And two more homers tonight? Studly. Somebody would need to write a song about him if they hadn’t already….
By journalist jimmy smith
August 20, 2007 8:42 PM | Link to this
tushy is hot tonight! can say that on a blog? 2 homeruns!
now, lots of cheese talk on tonight’s blog and journalist has just arrived back from lake lure - left early because of the hurricane warning.
and soon we may have jo jo pitching to corky. circus in town.
and how is “d-o-b” pronounced?
perhaps grinch can be a mediator for dob and wicky. grinch seems excitable though.
oh, the humanity! the insults that have been slung around here tonight! and sja has yet to appear with rr.
buddy, huddy, huddy, buddy. jo jo. kukla, fran, ollie, manny, moe, jack, uh, larry, moe, curly, dob.
By TennesseePaul
August 20, 2007 8:43 PM | Link to this
A-ville Ranger… Teixeira works nevertheless. We still got him for next season!
Or, I doubt it would happen because why would you do this but, he is still tradable in the offseason for a big time pitcher! Maybe, hmmmm… who was popular at one point on this blog. Oh yeah, we should have never let Schmidt go, perhaps we can pick him up. HA!
By ncscoots
August 20, 2007 8:44 PM | Link to this
Yes, I think we can put Teixeira down as fair to good.
Hudson’s reminding the dugout of Jack Morris’s old line: “I’ve never lost scoring 10, boys!”
By KC
August 20, 2007 8:46 PM | Link to this
Dwight Fry:
Of those starting pitchers you listed a little earlier… the Mets will face 3 of them in a 4 game span. And that’s before the 4 game series in Phili!
BIG opportunity for the Braves over the next 10 days.
By Mets rule You drool
August 20, 2007 8:49 PM | Link to this
Pailofdung, of course I won’t be talking baseball here in Oct. YOU WILL BE LONG GONE BY THEN.
Hahahahahaha!!!!!
Just checking into see when you are going to start giving props to the Amazin fans who predicted this would happen - no sore losers now.
Just think, your free to root for the whole national league instead of a 3rd place ball club.
Get behind the FUTURE WORLD CHAMPS! Get wit’ da Amazins!!!!!!!!!
By Colin
August 20, 2007 8:49 PM | Link to this
I just listened to the song because we he is MARK TEIXIERA….
By Mets rule You drool
August 20, 2007 8:54 PM | Link to this
You know if you think about it (hard for you necks I know) your better off rooting for the Mets against SD, LA etc because youre only REAL hope is the wild card. So your real competition these days is teams like that.
Did you ever think of that?
Are you going to be root, root, rootin’ the Amazin’ Mets. You should be.
Or is that over your heads?
By Wayne in Utah
August 20, 2007 8:55 PM | Link to this
Robert You are not happy unless you are trying to rain on somebody’s parade.
Conine to the Mets is a good move on their part. Dude is a pro hitter.
Cy Young Gotta be Webb, Peavy, Hudson, then Smoltz.
Gatorade Thank goodness for gatorade!
WW You hit the nail on the head with what Tex brings, beyond his immediate results. He DOES take pressure off Frenchy and Baby Huey, as well as providing some measure of protection for Chipper.
By Wayne in Utah
August 20, 2007 8:57 PM | Link to this
Gott think that Hudson is out after the 6th tonight, unless he turns it around. Not at his best.
JoJo would really be a shot in the arm if he could come through tomorrow.
By Lew
August 20, 2007 8:57 PM | Link to this
Carroll-If that’s what happens when one stares repeatedly at blue water, maybe BC should import a couple of gallons for the clubhouse. They need to sign this guy longtime. Andruw can basically kiss Atlanta goodbye.
By TennesseePaul
August 20, 2007 8:59 PM | Link to this
I don’t normally do this but…
Why do I get the feeling that come crunch time, it will have been just long enough for some pitchers to begin to make adjustments to [Teixeira]
You’re a pesimist. It’s well established. High time you embrace it.
if by some miracle the Braves make the WS, he’d be up against pitchers who know him well from his time in AL
These will be the pitchers that combined to aid him with the following numbers: .283 AVG, .368 OBP, .536 SLG. with 160 HR in 700+ games.
He should be alright.
of course Bobby Cox aint smart enough to realize or act proactively on any of this
Any of what, those exceptional AL stats of Tex? What would you have Cox do? Should Cox get to the post season and move Teixeira from the Clean up spot? Perhaps bench him? Maybe move him down to 8th to eliminate the AL “advantage”?
By Overlord
August 20, 2007 8:59 PM | Link to this
Hey….. some muts fan just found out we cant win the WC if we are in 3rd place….. that tells us how smart this people from NY are….. WOW!!!!!! Its amazing!!!!!!
I hope he feels so smart when braves kick their rear in the playoffs. If the muts get pass the 1st round that is.
By Stuart
August 20, 2007 9:00 PM | Link to this
How many of us play the song during Tex ABs now? I do.
Gutty effort tonight by Huddy, cleary doesnt have his best stuff, but thanks to the force of nature that is Tex (and a big GS from B-Mac, that is the type of hit we have no been getting lately).
Maybe the club can turn the corner, as bad as they have played, they are still only 1.5 out of the WC hunt.
By Paladin
August 20, 2007 9:03 PM | Link to this
PailofDung?? That is as close to originality as I have heard out of you Dribbler. I’m honored. If, and that is a big if, the “Amazins” make to the WS you will be watching on TV at Best Buy. You can afford neither a TV or a ticket on your salary from Ronald’s.
By Serbok
August 20, 2007 9:03 PM | Link to this
ROBERT Correct me if i’m wrong. When Spring training starts, Isnt it a general consensus that the pitchers are Ahead of the hitters? Hence if a player changes leagues, should that line of thought not still be applied as Had said player hasnt seen the pitchers in his new league b4? Seems to me. Chipper keeps Hitting and Hitting regardless of how many times the pitchers have faced him? Dude, YOU ARE just tryin to Flat out RAIN on the Parade! Seems to me the opposite of what you are proposing is true:o) Tex will have the advantage come playoff time, as HE has seen the pitchers b4? Not the other way around. Or maybe after 11 years the pitchers have suddenly adjusted to Andruw? Hence his poor performance at the plate?
By ncscoots
August 20, 2007 9:03 PM | Link to this
Mets Tool, as usual, your grasp of baseball nuance is stunning. Braves don’t root for either side when contenders are playing each other…optimal outcome is that all other contenders play .500 against each other. Braves gain ground on somebody each time they win. Try to keep up.
By MEB
August 20, 2007 9:04 PM | Link to this
The Mets are scared cause their lead is gonna nare-uh.
Cause ya know they’re shorter than Mark Ta-share-uh!
GO BRAVES!!!
By Lew
August 20, 2007 9:04 PM | Link to this
You Drooling Idiot-Over our heads? Give me a break. Your intellect is so sub- terranean that any comment you might make is basically a routine ground ball. Moron. Don’t you realize that being a Mets’ Troll definitely points to serious character flaws? It’s like I said earlier today. Even if the Mets won 110 games (which they certainly won’t), they’d still suck. And they do.
By Colin
August 20, 2007 9:04 PM | Link to this
Overlord
You left out they should leave him off there playoff roster all together….As we see he isent good enough…
By Mets rule You drool
August 20, 2007 9:06 PM | Link to this
After missing 18 games with a strained oblique, Carlos Beltran returned to the Mets lineup in a big way this past week. Beltran was 9-for-24 with four homers and 10 RBIs in six games against the Pirates and Nationals, and on Monday he was rewarded by being named the National League Player of the Week.
Just the news Neck Nation - not my opinion
By Overlord
August 20, 2007 9:07 PM | Link to this
Hey….. some muts fan just found out we cant win the WC if we are in 3rd place….. that tells us how smart this people from NY are….. WOW!!!!!! Its amazing!!!!!!
I hope he feels so smart when braves kick their rear in the playoffs. If the muts get pass the 1st round that is.
By Bob
August 20, 2007 9:07 PM | Link to this
Drooler,
Actually it is you who should pull for the Dodgers and Padres this week. After all, it shouldn’t make a difference if your Mets are going to win the division as you believe. On the other hand, you are absolutely paranoid about not letting the Braves into the playoffs. That would be your ultimate nightmare. Tough choices kid, tough choices. Tex and Chipper love playing at Larry Wayne Stadium…aka Shea.
By Mets rule You drool
August 20, 2007 9:09 PM | Link to this
…the Mets did Monday what the Marlins did en route to the World Series in 2003; they traded for Jeff Conine. At a modest price — two Minor League position players — the Mets imported the veteran right-handed-hitting first baseman/outfielder from the Reds.”
Anyone want to talk bench strength now Necks? And Carlos gets a breather to stay fresh for the stretch. Its a bad day in Necklanta!
By Braveheart
August 20, 2007 9:11 PM | Link to this
Grinch Colostomy bag back ups are sh!tty to say the least. Here at the home we handle them by hollering “Miss Lillian, XXXX has sh!t all over himself, again.” I guess it would work here too. Mz Carroll, Coach has ….
Uncle Paladin Did you ever think your last flight mission would require you to be the one who flew over the cuckoo’s nest? Stop being such a rebel - her name is not Miss Lillian, it is Nurse Ratched, you old huckleberry you.
By Robert
August 20, 2007 9:14 PM | Link to this
In the spring, I think it’s true that the pitchers start ahead of the hitters
I dont think the same is necessarily true when both hitter and pitcher are in midseason form but have never faced each other. I think it depends on who the hitter and the pitcher are
I wouldnt call Teixeira’s AL stats outstanding. Very good yes. But (contrary to what Donk thinks, if that oxymoron makes any sense), Teixeira is not an MVP caliber player. Never was. Never will be
On another note. Michael Vick. No words for it really. Just - WHY?
By ijonathan
August 20, 2007 9:17 PM | Link to this
Pickler? I hardly even know her.
Thank yuh, I’ll be here all week. Try the veal.
By TennesseePaul
August 20, 2007 9:20 PM | Link to this
Nice change of subject. Who said Outstanding?
Now, let’s see if the Bravos can add more to the that sizable lead.
By Paladin
August 20, 2007 9:23 PM | Link to this
Nephew It is Nurse Retched to you. Show a little manners.
By Serbok
August 20, 2007 9:26 PM | Link to this
Robert, Totally Agree on mike Vick!!!!!
The only question can be: WHY
As the cliche goes, Just can’t fix Stupid!!!!!!!!
By Serbok
August 20, 2007 9:29 PM | Link to this
I think it’s Nurse Ratchett?
By Overlord
August 20, 2007 9:29 PM | Link to this
Its nice to see how muts fans and front office are still so worried about the object on the mirror. Watching braves game, trading for more help….. Sorry muts fan, thats the way life is, there can only be one king in the east, we have already showed who that is.
By Paladin
August 20, 2007 9:29 PM | Link to this
I think Mike Vicksvaporrub should be thrown, naked, into a pit of hungry-and mean-pit bulls. Whether you are for, or against, capital punishment you should see the “justice” in that.
By ijonathan
August 20, 2007 9:31 PM | Link to this
Why would you ever throw Francouer a down-and-in breaking ball? Must have been a mistake.
By Overlord
August 20, 2007 9:32 PM | Link to this
Demolition man just hit a double….. This guy is nuts.
By Greg in TN
August 20, 2007 9:33 PM | Link to this
Annnnnnnd AJ tacks on the extra point.
Nice night from the plate to say the least.
By Savannah Guy
August 20, 2007 9:33 PM | Link to this
Ho hum…small ball.
The ball get’s small fast when it goes so far away. Looks like marbles at 400 feet. Like it.
By Paladin
August 20, 2007 9:36 PM | Link to this
Serbok A rachett is a wrench, not a wench.
By BravesFanChris22
August 20, 2007 9:36 PM | Link to this
Andruw with a 2 Run Homer :)
By Overlord
August 20, 2007 9:38 PM | Link to this
How about braves sweeping the reds and SD sweeping the muts……
Lets see…… that would put us 1 GB in the WC race and 2 behind the muts…. That would be a pretty scary situation for the muts wouldnt it???
YES IM TALKING TO YOU DUMB MUTS FAN.
By Overlord
August 20, 2007 9:40 PM | Link to this
Any word on when edgar will be activated?
By Mets rule You drool
August 20, 2007 9:41 PM | Link to this
Keep on scoring Braves. That should get it out of youre system for the week.
Thats whats stupid about your ranking so high in many O categories. You score like 2 runs over 4 games then put up double digits. So it looks like your a Mets-caliber offense when in fact your just a streaky bunch of strike out machines.
Enjoy the runs. Enjoy 3rd place tomorrw. Hahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!
By BravesFanChris22
August 20, 2007 9:44 PM | Link to this
All Braves need is for someone to hit a solo home run tonight and they will have hit the proverbial cycle (home run wise) in the game. Solo/2 Run/3Run/Grand Slam, a nice little interesting fact that would be sweet if it happens.
By Bob
August 20, 2007 9:45 PM | Link to this
Great night with the bats. Wish we could save some of this for the #3-#5 starters who might need two touchdowns and the PATs. We definitely need to make some hay on this trip to avoid having someone “rain on our parade”.
By Mets rule You drool
August 20, 2007 9:46 PM | Link to this
OverTurd- How about you grow some brains and make sense. That would be nice too. but none of those scanarioius is about to happen.
Hahahahahahaha!!!!!!
HOW FAR DOWN ARE YOU IN THE LOSS COLUM. CANT YOU DO MATH?
Tomorrow we add another.
By Paladin
August 20, 2007 9:48 PM | Link to this
Drooler Youre an idjit.
By Shaun
August 20, 2007 9:50 PM | Link to this
I guess the season’s not lost…a win!
By Mets rule You drool
August 20, 2007 9:50 PM | Link to this
My vacume cleaner doesnt work really well, how can I make it suck more?
I could get Bobby Cox to manage it.
Hahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No sh$t, I just made that up. Thats funny.
By Ray Kelsey
August 20, 2007 9:50 PM | Link to this
I know that we have all been dumping on Andruw for the better part of the year—and I am going to continue that trend tonight. CAN HE GET A HIT WHEN IT F-ING MATTERS?!?!?!? HOW MANY OF HIS HOMERS HAVE BEEN WITH A 7 RUN LEAD THIS YEAR? Frenchy, Chipper, Tex are infinitely better hitters when it matters. Hey Andruw—you can take your 23 meaningless home runs and get the hell out of Dodge for all I care. I’d take Diaz with serious flu symptoms any night over Andruw. Good riddance next year, millionaire.
By Braveheart
August 20, 2007 9:50 PM | Link to this
With apologies to Mr. Foxworthy, you might be a redneck if you look around and you are the one with the least ability to spell, read, write, think or comprehend. Drool, me thinks your neck is redder than all of ours combined.
But, then again, I never knew a true redneck who was not darn proud of it until I met you. Embrace the redness of your neck Drool. Your hatred for us is just an outward projection of your hatred for yourself. A wannabe Yankee with a neck too red to ever be one. How sad. To live your life never accepting who you are, always wanting to be what you are not, and hating yourself and everyone else everyday for it.
With apologies to Hannibal Lecter, this is what he would have said of you Drool:
You know what you look like to me, with your posts and your cheap thoughts? You look like a rube. A poorly scrubbed, annoying rube with no taste. Good nutrition has given you some length of bone, but you’re not more than one generation from poor white trash, are you Drool? And that accent you’ve tried so desperately to shed? Pure West Virginia. What’s your father, dear? Is he a coal miner? Does he stink of olean? You know how quickly the boys picked on you… all those tedious ugly beatings behind the back seats of bleachers… while you could only dream of getting out… getting anywhere… getting all the way to NYC.
Drool, just admit the NYC dream ain’t ever gonna happen for ya and that you’re a Braves fan and a redneck and that deep down you’re proud to be a country boy!
By TampaBrave
August 20, 2007 9:52 PM | Link to this
Mets Drool,
Gimme a push up and a Klondike bar beatchh.
By RedEyedAndBlue
August 20, 2007 9:53 PM | Link to this
Anybody get why this Mets Rule character spends so much time on a third place team’s fan blog? Frankly if it were a Monday, my team had a 6 game lead (in the loss column), and my team had a night off, I don’t think I’d be spending my time blogging on the opposing team’s fan site. A drink with the guys, evening with the lady, grill out some burgers, maybe. Whatsa matter Mets fan - dogfight cancelled?
By SteelCav
August 20, 2007 9:53 PM | Link to this
Mets Rule - please learn English or get the hell out of our country.
By ijonathan
August 20, 2007 9:54 PM | Link to this
Word of the day in Muttland:
scanarioius
By Paladin
August 20, 2007 9:56 PM | Link to this
I thought “youre” was bad, but “scanarioius”? Drooler, you are pitiful, and not worth any more of my time. Bye
By Braveheart
August 20, 2007 9:57 PM | Link to this
That Keppinger boy from UGA can hit.
By Overlord
August 20, 2007 9:57 PM | Link to this
Im not sure if this ydyot knows this aint a class room where you come to do math…… this is the blog of the team that always kicks the team you think is a good team…. Im sure you can do the math on 8 out of 12 if you know what i mean. Wake up.
BTW, i like finally liked the way bobby handled the bullpen tonight.
By mr baseball
August 20, 2007 9:57 PM | Link to this
Andruw must be among among the league leaders in late inning homers in games with run differentials of 8 or more. He is also challenging for the worst season in MLB history for a guy with 100 RBI.
For all the folks on the blog obsessed over what numbers starting pitchers are designated, the Braves’ pitching matchups the last 3 nights:
Webb vs. Cormier
Smoltz vs. Petit
Hudson vs. the guy headed back to the Reds’ AAA team.
According to some of you, shouldn’t No. 1 pitch against No. 1; No. 2 against No. 2, etc.? If that’s not the case, what’s the point of numbering starters?
But what about the playoffs????? Unless you clinch a playoff spot with several days to spare, the numbers still don’t matter. If the Braves have to pitch Smoltz & Hudson the last 2 days of the season to make the playoffs, will that make James or Carlyle the No. 1 starter if 1 of them has to pitch the first game of the NLDS? Of course not. But as Bill Murray said in Meatballs…. “It just doesn’t matter.”
Nice thing about playing the Reds in Cincy is getting to face their AA pitchers before the Reds come to bat. Hudson doesn’t need 14 runs, but the next few guys to take the mound might. Could have saved a few tonight.
By Bob
August 20, 2007 9:57 PM | Link to this
Droooooooler, you are hilarious. Can your New York mind explain what “scanariouius” means to us? You could not possibly mean scenarios, could you? No first grade for you kid….back to kindergarten until you learn how to spell. Hahahahahaha.
BTW, “Loss Column” is spelled with an “n” at the end. Not surprised that you can spell loss though. The Mets invented the word, loser.
By RON
August 20, 2007 9:58 PM | Link to this
I want to APOLOGIZE!!! to TampaBrave for my idiotic behavior the other night. I was on crack and lost my temper. Obviously, I WAS WRONG about TEX!!! He is raking it tonight. Ms. Rogers, my apologies for my RUDE behavior!!!
By Marc
August 20, 2007 10:00 PM | Link to this
Of course Andruw hits a homer in a blow out… again.
By Mets rule You drool
August 20, 2007 10:00 PM | Link to this
word of the day in “neckLanta
3rd place with a meaningless w.
By Serbok
August 20, 2007 10:01 PM | Link to this
Paladin LOL Keep’em commin dude!!! Enjoy your posts :o)
By Ron
August 20, 2007 10:02 PM | Link to this
Overlord I know you are talking to the Muts drool idiot, but we have been 2 and a half games behind the Muts and we end up at 4 or 5 games behind them once again!!! I AM gonna root for the Muts to SWEEP the Padres!!! Listen I dont think we will win the East, BUT I think we CAN win the Wildcard!!! I have been saying for 2 months forget the East, lets go for the Wildcard!!! Dude if we sweep the Reds and the Mets Sweep the Padres we are in first place in the Wildcard!!! I cant stand the Muts, but I am rooting for them against the Padres!!! To me it sounds better to be in First place this late in the season than TRAILING another team by 2 games!!! Like I said to me it just sounds better to be leading than trailing!!!
By Mets rule You drool
August 20, 2007 10:02 PM | Link to this
Hey SteelCav - do I p** you offf like a ride on the 7 train? Is that your problem, neck? Get over it - become an American. Jerk.
By Wayne in Utah
August 20, 2007 10:03 PM | Link to this
Whatever happened to the Yates who was so lights out about 5-6 weeks ago? Tired arm?
I think when we get to September 1st, if BC could bring himself to letting Devine/Ascanio/Paronto get in some time, we could give Yates and a couple of other guys a break.
By Overlord
August 20, 2007 10:03 PM | Link to this
Im not sure if all this muts players are really getting hurts or they are so ashamed of their team that they made up their injuries cause they dont wanna wear the uniform.
By Muhammid Mexico
August 20, 2007 10:06 PM | Link to this
Will Brian Jordan discuss Mike Vick in the post-game show? I bet he’ll have many intellectual insights. He’s an author!
By Mets rule You drool
August 20, 2007 10:06 PM | Link to this
Hey neicks - when does NASCAR season start. Isnt that when you all leave baseball so you can go cheer on the 3 car? or the 5 car? Do they get higher than 10 or is that against the rules becuase its some of htat new math?
By fastasballs
August 20, 2007 10:07 PM | Link to this
It’s been a while since I have been able to post, but judging by the standings I knew the resident Muts idiot would be stinking up the joint.
Enjoy your 5 game lead because it will be 3 or under by Sunday. The Muts only wish they had an offense as prolific as the Braves. Face it the Muts can’t beat the Braves so pray the Braves fall apart or it’s going to be a long, disappointing winter ahead for you & your fellow dirt bag fans.
By Greg in TN
August 20, 2007 10:08 PM | Link to this
“I think when you look at all of the different playoff scanarious it’s obvious to us that there’s an utter vacume in pitching this year and that’s primarily the reason so many teams are as far back in the loss colum as they are.”
Nice victory in Cincy tonight. Huddy wasn’t necessarily top shelf tonight, but the margin of error was as wide as the Ohio River on this night. Superb start to the road trip.
Can’t say enough for the August Tex is having. He can’t pitch in the back half of the rotation, but he’s doing everything he can to win ballgames for us.
By Overlord
August 20, 2007 10:09 PM | Link to this
any word on renteria anyone?
By Paladin
August 20, 2007 10:09 PM | Link to this
Carroll runs a tight ship and I am going to bed before I get called in for a Captain’s Mast.
It was a wonderful night, with the Bravos winning, big. And you know what will be as good? Not having to read all those posts in the morning, rippin’ the Braves. They couldn’t rip them after tonight, could they?
Nitey night.
By GermanBravesFan
August 20, 2007 10:10 PM | Link to this
Bob… I just got back from the homeland and brought a Boxbeutel of “Thuengersheimer Ravensberg” (2003 Bacchus). I will open that and light up a cigar after the Braves win the NL East this year! Prost!
By Robert
August 20, 2007 10:10 PM | Link to this
“As the cliche goes, Just can’t fix Stupid!!!!!!!!”
That pretty much says it for Vick.
And for Cox as well.
By SteelCav
August 20, 2007 10:11 PM | Link to this
Mets Rule - Tell me where you live and I’ll come over and show you how American I am. I’ll deport your a* faster than you can say no hablo ingles.
By Savannah Guy
August 20, 2007 10:14 PM | Link to this
I’ve wondered a time or two, why would a serial baseball fan call himself “Mutts Drool”? Is he a rabid yapper? Is he a self-deprecating loner? So I looked him up to settle it, once and for all. Googled his name and found pictures of him there. He’s kinda’ cute…think? Looks just like I pictured him. Now, each time he signs on to the blog, we have a picture of our favorite little yapmeister:
http://www.chiwawagaga.com/gallery6.html
By Ron
August 20, 2007 10:14 PM | Link to this
That 9:58 post was NOT mine!!! That damn jackal!!! For one thing idiot I NEVER said Tex sucks!!! I NEVER once said he did not do good offensively since he has been here!!! IF you are going to impersonate someone AT LEAST no what the HELL they were talking about you idiot!!!
By TNRON
August 20, 2007 10:15 PM | Link to this
Mets still suck.Phillies too.You too Drooler.
By Braveheart
August 20, 2007 10:15 PM | Link to this
vacume cleaner
AND IN THE ALL TIME CLASSIC:
scanarioius - I’m calling Q-Tip and having him make Tribe Called Quest change the song name to What’s the Scanarioius?
Hey Carroll, what is the latest word on the Dotel and Edgar injury scanarioius?
It’s good for DOB to get a few days off. Sometimes, he must feel like he is living in a vacume.
By TampaBrave
August 20, 2007 10:16 PM | Link to this
DROOL
Necklanta??? Is that all your feeble mind could conjure up????
Hey Horshack, you can do better than that. Mr. Kotter taught you some big words, didn’t he?
By Robert
August 20, 2007 10:16 PM | Link to this
Yup. The ole Donker managed that 14-4 game pretty well didnt he.
That was probably the best managing he has done since game 115 of the 1994 season
By TennesseePaul
August 20, 2007 10:17 PM | Link to this
Looks like DOB has a little side bet going on. To bad ESPN opted to out number him. This week, Stark of ESPN. In a month… Baseball Tonight… of ESPN. In between, DOB and a guy from another place.
I’m interested though DOB. Doesn’t sound like we get to vote on it? We aren’t Dodger fans so we probably wouldn’t vote for the most recent trade…
Check it out
By JJMB
August 20, 2007 10:17 PM | Link to this
It’s good to see Joe Simpson looking healthy and robust. Good on ya, Joe!
By A-ville Ranger
August 20, 2007 10:18 PM | Link to this
A necessary but not impressive win.Say what ? nope I’m not overly excited about knocking around a bunch of gofer balls.When we beat Brad Penny or Jake Peavy 4-3 when they’re on their game…now that will impress me.
By Overlord
August 20, 2007 10:18 PM | Link to this
ron i got your point, but i still prefer winning the east. Why let the muts win the division if they are within reach and we still play 6 games with them. Plus if we win the division we send them to play the Dbacks, a team that has east teams number.
Anyway, i dont think it really matter what the muts and SD do…. you know theyll play .500 the rest of the year, what we need to do is play .650 or .700 ball. and not .500 like we and the rest of the east have done.
By Mets rule You drool
August 20, 2007 10:19 PM | Link to this
see? that guy Ron gets it. Learn from your brothers necks…instead of marrying your cousins.
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
FIRST PLACE METS - NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO!!!!
How’s that taste?
See ya!
By Rip
August 20, 2007 10:19 PM | Link to this
What’s with this Teixeira dude? All he does is hit fly balls. This is the National League - better learn how to bunt and hit grounders to the right side to move the runner along. And no ability to steal a base. I think he needs more time at AAA.
By GermanBravesFan
August 20, 2007 10:20 PM | Link to this
Braveheart - that was an instant classic! The Hannibal Lecter piece… Priceless!
By Savannah Guy
August 20, 2007 10:20 PM | Link to this
Paladin You stayed up for a whole game? Is it snowing outside? I just checked. Meteor shower?
You picked a good one to stay up for. You know what that means, right? It means if you have one superstitious bone in your body…and if you really care about the Braves…you now have to stay up for all the games. Go ahead and plan it. Sleep late tomorrow.
By Braveheart
August 20, 2007 10:20 PM | Link to this
Uncle Paladin Good night, hold the fat lady tight. Make sure she don’t sing until we wear World Series bling.
By Greg in TN
August 20, 2007 10:22 PM | Link to this
And I’ll leave you tonight with this little ditty denizens…
‘Ol mets drool really can’t spell-a. He seems really distracted ‘bout Mark Teixeira…
G’night Planet Braves.
By TampaBrave
August 20, 2007 10:22 PM | Link to this
Robert,
Please list your qualifications. I will forward them to Brave’s management and you can be a candidate for manager when Cox retires. A sharp guy like you can’t stay behind the scenes. You were made for TV dude.
By fastasballs
August 20, 2007 10:22 PM | Link to this
I have a theory on the origin of drool boy. I believe he could be an illegitimate child of Geoff Bodine. It may explain all of his NASCAR references, poor grammar & a strange obsession for using the word redneck or misspelled versions of the word. He does seem to have an inferiority complex toward anything southern.
By Vinny Barbarino
August 20, 2007 10:25 PM | Link to this
What?
Where?
By Mets rule You drool
August 20, 2007 10:25 PM | Link to this
Two words - 3rd place!
Suck it up. Okay, time to go, who wants to kiss the mighty Mets hat before I go…Ill put it right above my butt. Hahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!
By the way, anyone hoping for a Mets loss tomorrow- twp words. John Freakin’ Maine. Shut it Biatches!!! Hahahaha!
By MEB
August 20, 2007 10:26 PM | Link to this
I’m sorry I messed up the words earlier.
The Mets are scared cause their lead is gonna nare-uh.
Cause they’re looking over their shoulder at Mark Ta-share-uh!
GO BRAVES!!! (Good night all!)
By Bob
August 20, 2007 10:26 PM | Link to this
GermanBravesFan,
Enjoy it. I will have to opt for the Franziskaner Hefe tonight.
Boy FCB really looks good in the early going. Hope they can keep it up.
Maybe you could, in your spare time, teach Mets Drool to speak and spell English. Obviously he is in need of English as a second language.
By Robert
August 20, 2007 10:30 PM | Link to this
Tampa - I guarantee you that if I had managed the Braves of the mid 90’s, that we’d have won more than one World Series.
Qualifications? When you can pencil in “Maddux” “Glavine” or “Smoltz” three days out of every five, the only qualification you need is to not be a donkey - and even that can be waived if you get to go up against Mike Hargrove or Bobby Valentine
By Mets rule You drool
August 20, 2007 10:33 PM | Link to this
Necks, Necks, Necks, (I gave you one neck for each place your off of first - hahahahaha!) I really do have to go now, I just wanted to see if htat DR. Susse guy would attack me, he usually waits until Ive been off for a while before he sacks up.
It’s all good here though. You win. Your still waaaaaay back. Let’s go Mets. Let’s Go Mets. Let’s Go Mets!
By GermanBravesFan
August 20, 2007 10:34 PM | Link to this
Bob… I have a certification as ESL (English as a Second Language) teacher, but only for adults. Mets Drool doesn’t qualify… He’s need a permission slip from his mom but I am sure she won’t let him leave the basement! Plus, the smell of stinky diapers makes me sick…
I guess I’ll pass teaching that drooling douchebag!
FCB looks amazing. I have been trying to find a website that broadcasts games live. Any idea? Ribery and Toni were great acquisitions!
Prost!
By Overlord
August 20, 2007 10:35 PM | Link to this
scanarioius on Answers.com
[http://www.answers.com/main/ntquery?s=Scanarioius&gwp=16]
By RON
August 20, 2007 10:36 PM | Link to this
I opoligize for my spellin. I was born in Tenesee and there werndt no scools aroun. My pappy taught me to read but he werndt to kean on the spellin. I no I can do better wonce I gets out of 5th grade.
By Bob
August 20, 2007 10:38 PM | Link to this
John Freakin Maine…now that is a scary thought isn’t it? Is that the same John Freakin Maine who has resembled one of the Braves #3-#5 since the all star break? That must encourage even the light hitting Fathers.
By Yars
August 20, 2007 10:39 PM | Link to this
Braves can’t afford to go 5-5 on this road trip. Less than 40 games left. Sweep the Reds, win 2 out of 3 against Cards, & sweep Marlins. The Mets vs. Padres series starting Tues. should be interesting.
By Braveheart
August 20, 2007 10:42 PM | Link to this
BRAVES WIN
MAGIC NUMBER FOR EAST IS 44!
MAGIC NUMBER FOR POSTSEASON IS 40!
Well, them’s be ye scanarioius.
All ye optimists, pessimists, realists, & sabermetricians, don’t live ye life in a vacume.
By TampaBrave
August 20, 2007 10:42 PM | Link to this
Robert,
Really, were they all going to pitch complete games. Seems I recall Maddux not pitching too well in the playoffs and Glavine struggled at times. Do you pitch too. Perhaps you could relieve them? You hit too? wow, you are the total package. Move over Lex Lugar.
By Bob
August 20, 2007 10:42 PM | Link to this
GermanBravesFan,
Have you tried Bayrischer Rundfunk? I would think you could get them. On the other hand, you know even in Germany it is hard to get live games. They love that studio show where they rotate to all the different Bundesliga games. I would give BR a try though.
Was ist “douchebag” auf deutsch? LOL
By Savannah Guy
August 20, 2007 10:42 PM | Link to this
Well alrighty then.
Good morning, good evening and good night.
By Mets rule You drool
August 20, 2007 10:44 PM | Link to this
Bob… I have a certification as ESL (English as a Second Language) teacher, but only for adults. Mets Drool doesn’t qualify… He’sneed a permission slip from his mom but I am … from German Braves Fan
What a jerk. “He’s”…nice jerk. Nice english language teacher you must be. What a tool!
By fastasballs
August 20, 2007 10:47 PM | Link to this
It seems like the majority of Andruw’s RBI’s & HR’s are in blow out wins or losses. I recall a few game winners from him, but also I recall a ton of strikeouts & DP’s when the game was on the line.
Tex is batting what, .280 since he’s been here? Below his career average but with 25 RBI’s & 9 HR’s. Anyone doubt he would have well over 100 RBI’s if he was here all year? Not to mention how many more good pitches Chipper would have seen.
I’m not sure Andruw’s defense can be replaced when he is gone, but I’m damn sure the offense will be a lot better off without him.
By Overlord
August 20, 2007 10:47 PM | Link to this
(http://www.answers.com/main/ntquery?s=Scanarioius&gwp=16)
By Braveheart
August 20, 2007 10:47 PM | Link to this
Drool is the illegitimate son of either Dick Pole or Dick Trickle.
By Bob
August 20, 2007 10:53 PM | Link to this
Hey, drooler. Since you are such a well known spelling Maestro, GermanBravesFan was testing you to see if you could advance from an educationally challenged kindergarten student to the basic course. A couple more months and good work like that and we will decide if you have made enough progress to make the leap. If you make the grade, we will send you an autographed copy of Robert’s latest work, “How to Successfully Manage a Big League Baseball Team”.
Now its past your bedtime and off to bed child. If you don’t turn off the light and go to sleep you cannot watch your hero John Freakin Maine tomorrow night. Lights out child.
By GermanBravesFan
August 20, 2007 10:54 PM | Link to this
Bob… there is no German word for “douchebag”… that expression is reserved for rude people from the Northeast of the U.S.
Thanks for pointing out my typo, Mets Drool. Now, could you go back to all your posts and correct your own typos? Wait… that would take all night. Never mind!
By Chop Chop
August 20, 2007 10:54 PM | Link to this
The best part of Drool ran down his mama’s leg. Oddly enough, his parents are Dick Trickle and Rusty Kuntz.
By fastasballs
August 20, 2007 10:57 PM | Link to this
Oh that’s just priceless….The most illiterate b******* on the blog calls someone else out for a spelling mistake. A little ironic isn’t it drool?
By Mets rule You drool
August 20, 2007 11:05 PM | Link to this
Shut up Nekcs!!!!My moms name is Anita.
By Robert
August 20, 2007 11:06 PM | Link to this
Douchebeutel
By gotigers72
August 20, 2007 11:08 PM | Link to this
I’d have to go with Huddy for Cy Young. He has been flat dominating for over a couple of months now. That’s for this moment, which is what you asked for.
But if Webb continues throwing goose eggs and breaks Hershisher’s record, I’d have to go with him. That is a hell of a record. Just think, going that long and not making a bad pitch, not even one, that somebody would run into and hit out.
Peavy ain’t too shabby either. If he played with a team that scores like the Braves, he would be approaching 20 right now.
By Bob
August 20, 2007 11:14 PM | Link to this
Oder, Duschbeutel.
By Braveheart
August 20, 2007 11:14 PM | Link to this
11-0 in Hudson’s last 11 starts. WOW!
By flbravesgirl
August 20, 2007 11:15 PM | Link to this
Wow.
Do y’all think we could get those 2 guys to write songs for everyone else on the team? It seems to be working for Tex.
Got the Reds’ broadcast on ExtraInnings tonight (they did a good job). Thom Brenneman was lobbying for ROY votes for Moylan.
By GermanBravesFan
August 20, 2007 11:18 PM | Link to this
Robert: I think it’s “Duschbeutel” or “Duschtasche” if translated literally… lol
I just ask myself why I am getting into a p*ing contest with a kindergartener like Drool. Damn, I must be bored!!!
By chrisklob
August 20, 2007 11:21 PM | Link to this
Greetings denizens! Unfortunately had to miss the game tonight due to a work obligation. But I did catch the highlights and it looked like an awesome display of power from many in the starting lineup. Let’s just hope they can continue the onslaught. Could this be the start of a long run that we’ve been needing and expecting for so long?
Some notes from perusing this evening’s blogs.
First of all, Carroll, your question is a tough one, and one that I don’t think has a wrong answer, given the choices. If it were up to me, I’d say that Peavy would take it. Webb has been on an incredible run lately but not as consistent all year. Of course, I’d love to give it to Hudson but I really think those three or four blown saves (not his fault, I realize) really hurt his case.
To Ron and TampaBrave, I say thank you for your apologies to each other and the rest of the blog. Only speaking for myself, of course, I appreciate you both “man-ing up” and acknowledging the error of your ways. Nicely done. Let’s try to get along and not attack each other. Remember, fellow Braves fans are not the enemy.
No, they are not the enemy, but the ignorant, spelling-challenged, Mets fans are. Notice that I didn’t say ALL Mets fans. Mets Drool, congratulations on getting out of the juvenile detention hall! We’re all pulling for you to do something positive with your life. You might start by getting your eighth grade diploma. Oh, and moving the refrigerator box you live in off the top of the sewer grate. We’ve got to use a lot of air freshener on the blog when you’ve been around and frankly, that stuff’s just not great for the environment.
Grinch, wow dude, are you still hungover? By the way, Happy Birthday! Sorry it’s a couple day late! Glenlivet 15 is awesome but it’s probably good you weren’t drinking the 16 year old because that stuff’s cask strength and has a tendency to catch up with people. And I say that from personal experience!
Salty said: Is Kelly Johnson on a different fitness regimen than the rest of the Braves? How much rest does he need?
There was speculation earlier this year that KJ was tired. As I recall this was brought out when he was slumping back in May or June (don’t recall specific dates). He worked all winter to convert to his new position so BC may be justified in giving him a little more time off than the other regulars. I suspect he’ll get more rest when Renteria is back and Escobar needs to play regularly to stay sharp.
We’ve even had a visit from Robert this evening and he has revealed to us, for the first time, this breaking news: He doesn’t like BC? Wow, who’da thunk it? Does the expression “broken record” mean anything to y’all?
Braveheart, please brother, please don’t insult rednecks by insinuating that Mets Fool is one! It makes us true rednecks look bad. He’s white trash, nothing more. And yes, I’m proud to be a Southerner, with my share of redneck in my background.
Bob, Journalist, you are clearly the most learned of this blog with the most acute knowledge of our language. Could you define the word “scanarioius” for us please? I couldn’t find it in my Oxford English Dictionary. Perhaps it is a new word, that has recently been coined. As recently as tonight!
SteelCav, Mets Fool can hablo ingles, he just can’t spello ingles!
And where are all the haters/negative nellies tonight?
Tonight was a great win. The offense showed what it can do and should do with much greater frequency. But let’s not lose sight on the fact that this was just one game of 162. The road to the playoffs is a long one and while tonight’s game was a step in the right direction, it was just that, one step. With any luck, and yes, I think luck definitely is involved, this is just the first (actually second) of a nice bunch of wins that will pull this team closer and closer to the Mets. Personally I prefer to win the East, but if they can’t, I’ll be satisfied with a WC slot. Wild Card teams in the playoffs have fared very well in recent years and as I’ve been saying for a while now, I like this team’s chances in the playoffs. If, and I emphasize IF, the starting rotation, bullpen, starting 8 position players and bench play as well as we know they are potentially able to, this team will go far, and perhaps all the way in post season play.
By DSGB
August 20, 2007 11:23 PM | Link to this
Oh man, I just got home from watching the game at a friends house and was catching up on the blog. Most times I skip over Muts Drools posts but I just happened to read the one with “scanarioius” and I can’t stop laughing. Seriously, I am crying. That made my night.
By Todd A
August 20, 2007 11:25 PM | Link to this
*”Tampa - I guarantee you that if I had managed the Braves of the mid 90’s, that we’d have won more than one World Series.
Qualifications? When you can pencil in “Maddux” “Glavine” or “Smoltz” three days out of every five, the only qualification you need is to not be a donkey - and even that can be waived if you get to go up against Mike Hargrove or Bobby Valentine “*
Robert, The Braves should have 3 WS championships from the 1990’s.* The Great Choke Job of 1996* hurts the most. Why Cox removes Bieleki, who was absolutely dominant in game 4, and puts in the head case Mark Wohlers to get 6 outs against that lineup, only Bobby knows.
Minnesota was a wash.It could have gone either way.Cox puts Liebrandt in to face Puckett, but the Braves win anyway if Lonnie watches the ball instead of Chuck Knoblauch.
Toronto was better.Ditto the Yankees in 1999, although, had the Braves won in ‘96, that series could have been more competitive imo.
Losing to the Phillies in ‘93,the Marlins in ‘97(similar situation to the Braves and Mets this year imo, Marlins had our number) and the San Diego Padres in 1998 lie at Bobby’s feet.The Braves were the better team each year.And I think the only chance at a World Series either of those years was 1997, when Bobby would have squared off against Hargrove again.
Braves should have three World Championships in the ‘90’s:1995, 1996, and 1997. Back-to-back-to back. All of it is not Bobby’s fault, but he is not absolved from blame either.One would think the Braves could have squeezed out at least one more title among those eight teams.
By uga-brave
August 20, 2007 11:25 PM | Link to this
well momentum is the next days starting pitcher. what a shame at this point of the season we have to endure absolute garbage in the 3,4,5 holes of our starting pitching staff.
i know that sounds harsh, but it has been the only thing that has been consistent about this season. the back end of the rotation is the primary reason this team has not been able to put together any kind of streak. too many times this season those guys have not got the job done. so this is how the season goes look good for two or three than ugh. gotta stop that pattern soon or SEASON OVER.
By Bob
August 20, 2007 11:26 PM | Link to this
Verleicht Duschsak auch. Oder ein Scheisse Sak.
By chrisklob
August 20, 2007 11:30 PM | Link to this
TampaBrave,
wow, you are the total package
You are correct, he is a “total package”.
Met’s Fool, My moms name is Anita. Yea, like Anita try to do a better job raising my mentally handicapped son.
By KC
August 20, 2007 11:33 PM | Link to this
The next 2 weeks will be kind to the Braves, and they will be 2-1/2 games back in the east, and in the Wild Card lead on September 3rd.
You heard it here first. =)
By uga-brave
August 20, 2007 11:40 PM | Link to this
some thoughts on this sudden phantom chuck james injury. bobby definitely was not looking forward to watching chucky pitch in that bandbox. i think he has been growing impatient with chuck for some time now. chuck has got by for a while on smoke and mirrors. it is real hard to be successful in this league with two less than dominating pitches.
we all know this guy is a fly ball pitcher and line-ups murder him the third time through the lineup. injury or no injury i think bobby is making a good gutsy call.
By Todd A
August 20, 2007 11:44 PM | Link to this
9 homers for Tex in a Braves uni….WOW.That’s not the stuff of a superstar?
I wish we would have saved 7 of these runs for Jo Jo tomorrow.
I would have liked to have heard the discussion between Tex and Keppinger over on first tonight.Maybe a friendly wager on the big showdown in November?
I hate to see the Mets pick up Conine. He is truly a professional ball player, and a good team guy who’s been through the playoff wars.I’ve followed his career ever since he left UCLA to play AA ball with the Memphis Chicks in 1990, when he led the Southern league in hitting.
By Overlord
August 20, 2007 11:47 PM | Link to this
I like your prediction KC but we need more than that… 1.5GB by that date would be better.
When is edgar coming back?
By Robert
August 20, 2007 11:49 PM | Link to this
Todd - I agree with most everything you said, except one thing
The 99 Braves were better team (minus the managers) than the 99 Yankees.
ONLY in the fantasyland of certain Braves fans, ajc sportswriters, and Braves management, where some excuse has to be made to absolve Donk of all blame no matter how often, how badly, or how obviously he blunders, do folks believe that the 99 Braves were somehow outclassed by the 99 Yankees
98 and 99 shoulda gone down to extra innings in game 7 both times.
We should have at LEAST three, more like 5, and could have as many as 8 WS titles.
We have one. In a year that didnt feature a full regular season, and where Cox got to face a fellow idiot manager in the decisive series.
Lo and behold - all it took was some Dave Justice heroics and a combined one hitter from Glavine and Wohlers
The losses in 93 to the Phillies - trailing the Expos badly in 94, the 96 WS fiasco, and the team no-shows in 97 and 98 should have clued people in that something was wrong in Braves-land.
But no. He’s a frickin genius they say
By Braveheart
August 20, 2007 11:50 PM | Link to this
what a shame at this point of the season we have to endure absolute garbage in the 3,4,5 holes of our starting pitching staff.
What the hell are you smoking Bravesdave? The Braves are 13-12 when Chuck starts, 6-4 when Kyle was the #4 for the first two months, 9-5 since Buddy has been the #4 since the first of June.
That makes the Braves 28-21 when the 3 and 4 pitchers pitch this season, a 93 win pace.
The problem Bravesdave is that the Braves are 4-21 in the starts of the #5 pitcher. THAT IS THE PROBLEM!
**#1: 20-7, a 120 win pace
2: 14-10, a 95 win pace 3: 13-12, an 84 win pace 4: 15-9, a 101 win pace 5: 4-21, a 26 win pace**Those are the facts, BravesDave. Accept them for what they are or continue to ignorantly state that the 3 and 4 spots are black holes. The #5 spot is the one sinking the battleship, not the 3 or the 4.
By GermanBravesFan
August 20, 2007 11:51 PM | Link to this
Bob… I don’t think your last translations will work.
By the way, where is Mets Drool? Did his mom send him to bed? I hope she changed his diapers before he went…
By Braveheart
August 20, 2007 11:52 PM | Link to this
I’m sorry Bravesdave. I made a mistake. That last post was meant for ugabrave.
By uga-brave
August 20, 2007 11:54 PM | Link to this
what a shame it would be to waste the effort of hudson and smoltz this season. smoltz and huddy have pitched up to or exceeded expectations. for this team to excel 3,4,and five dont have to be great, but they cant have perfomances like james and carlyle had their last time out. please just keep us in the game and lets see what happens.
By The Grinch
August 20, 2007 11:54 PM | Link to this
Scoots and Chrisklob, thanks for the belated wishes. Chris, I didn’t see a 16-year old version; there was 12, 15, 18 and 21 (I think). Regardless, it was plenty good enough with a Macanudo. I don’t drink scotch to get drunk, I enjoy the flavor and the rosy glow it gives me. The 5 liter mini-keg of Heineken I drank afterwards was to get drunk. :-)
Well, y’all, I got sidetracked and missed alot of the game. Looks like we took care of business anyhow.
FBG, I’m pretty sure the song those guys wrote for Woodward probably wouldn’t get aired on tv much. :-)
G’night, all.
By A-ville Ranger
August 20, 2007 11:56 PM | Link to this
I’m sure this has been mentioned but I haven’t seen it so here goes.Francoeur is now on pace for 198.5 hits this season.Somebody BraveDave maybe questioned whether any of these young guys will be superstars.Who knows for sure but this kid tops the bigs in outfield assist since he came up.Now he’s hitting over .300 with a .350 oba that’s star numbers there.I think a kid that’s just turned 23 with right at 250 rbi,60 hr and 43 assist who’s now looking like he could have 3000 hits some day and if he played in NY would be a GQ coverboy….superstar ? I won’t be at all surprised.
By chrisklob
August 20, 2007 11:57 PM | Link to this
Overlord this is from Carroll’s post earlier tonight…..
*By Carroll Rogers
August 20, 2007 5:59 PM | Link to this
think if it were up to renteria he’d be back tomorrow. up to bobby, might be the day after that or ther one after that. but i see renteria out there on the field taking groundballs now, so that’s a step in the right direction. he’s not really going full bore at the moment so it’s hard to tell if the ankle is bothering him. but we’ll see, is what bobby keeps saying.**
I think he’ll be back in the next day or so. Historically speaking, BC would rather have a guy spend an extra couple of days getting healthy than risk coming back a couple of days too soon. Better safe than sorry.
By Robert
August 20, 2007 11:59 PM | Link to this
18 games (good or bad) doesnt define a career - either a s a superstar or as a flop
By Robert
August 21, 2007 12:02 AM | Link to this
Pedro Martinez went 5 innings in a rehab start tonite. Got in 72 pitches, gave up 2 hits and no runs and struck out 4
But dont worry. We have Donk’s managerial wizardy going for us. And we’ll have Julio Franco back in September.
By chrisklob
August 21, 2007 12:03 AM | Link to this
A-ville Ranger, totally agree with your last post regarding Frenchy. I hope he gets that long-term deal, similar to Mac’s, this off-season. He’s matured so much offensively this year. I really think he deserves it.
By uga-brave
August 21, 2007 12:06 AM | Link to this
ROBERT,
sorry to disagree with you but the 99 braves were not better than the 99 yankees. our starting lineup that year featured EDDIE PEREZ, GERALD WILLIAMS, AND WALT WEISS.
quite frankly we were lucky to get by the astros and the mets in the playoffs that year. that being said, that was one of the few postseasons when we actually overachieved.
By TampaBrave
August 21, 2007 12:07 AM | Link to this
Robert
I95 north to NYC. You’ll be a great yankee fan!!
We’d all like to have won more, but we didn’t. So stop your cryin. Its easy to micromanage events that have already occurred. Congrats!!
I’m grateful to have had BC managing my team, and not your EASY BUTTON approach.
By Todd A
August 21, 2007 12:08 AM | Link to this
Robert, that 1999 Yankees team didn’t have a bunch of superstars like these Yankee teams do today, but they were a bunch of grinders that worked the count, and they had clutch at bats throughout the lineup. That always spells doom against a Cox led team with an aggressive approach to hitting. The only thing I lay at Bobby’s feet in that series was not pulling Maddux soon enough in the 8th inning of game 1.Things kind of snow balled from there as the Braves got hammered in game 2, then had to go on the road,down 0-2.
By Overlord
August 21, 2007 12:13 AM | Link to this
Thank you chris
By Robert
August 21, 2007 12:15 AM | Link to this
Hudson is having a fine season, and is among the best starters in the league this year.
That said, he shouldnt garner a single first place Cy Young vote
If Brandon Webb keeps it up, and if Chris Young gets to 30 starts and keeps it up, then you could argue to me why anyone other than Jake Peavy should get a first place vote
Folks. As good as Hudson has been, as good as Webb has been, Peavy’s ERA is half a run-plus lower than either.
Wins are going to be around as a stat, like it or not. Wins are going to be coveted by pitchers. And, for a career, wins are going to say something about a player’s abilities. But in the short term of a season, wins are a TERRIBLE measure of who the best pitcher might be
ERA - opposing ba, WHIP, percentage of really quality starts (sorry folks, but the current definition of quality start musta been made up by the Special Olympics crew - a real quality start is 7 innings or more, 9 or fewer baserunners, and 3 or fewer earned runs
Any of those measures, or some combination of them, you could argue to use to determine the Cy - but wins? NO, no, and again no
By the way - the biggest robbery perhaps EVER in Cy Young history was Smoltz over Kevin Brown in 1996.
Smoltz was great and earned 24 wins. Brown was even more dominant, and got outright hosed.
As good as Smoltz was in 1996, giving him the Cy over Brown was almost as bad a joke as naming Bobby Cox manager of the year
By uga-brave
August 21, 2007 12:21 AM | Link to this
BRAVEHEART, good point made about the 3 and 4 starters. but be honest, at this point in the season do you have any confidence that either james or carlyle would come up big in huge game, much less the postseason. i guess my point is we have been spoiled for a long time with our starting pitching.
i for one and there are probably a lot of you that thought we would not be depending on carlyle, cormier, and reyes in a pennant race.
By Todd A
August 21, 2007 12:22 AM | Link to this
“18 games (good or bad) doesnt define a career - either a s a superstar or as a flop”
No, it doesn’t. Hard to argue with the results thus far.
Carol, I would go with Webb if I had a vote for selfish reasons, of course. At no point in that game the other night did I feel the Braves had a chance. Not even when kelly was at second with one out and the heart of the order coming up.
By chrisklob
August 21, 2007 12:23 AM | Link to this
Robert could you clarify for me and the rest of the blog just exactly which team you are a fan of? I can’t figure out if you’re a Met’s fan (in disguise) or some kind of azz hat Braves fan that revels in negativity.
By Robert
August 21, 2007 12:24 AM | Link to this
The 99 Yankees were certainly a fine team. They had pitching depth, and they had disciplined (i.e. - well-managed) players
Todd - The thing about the late 90’s Yankees teams - All you needed to make was that one mistake.
That series was OVER after game one. The only person in the entire civilized universe that didnt know that right then and there was Donk.
Who started the rally that beat us?
Scott frickin Brosius. Any team that gets beat by Scott Brosius is poorly managed
And by the way - perhaps just to show that he is too stupid to learn, Cox made the EXACT same mistake in game 3 with Glavine
That series shoulda been 2-2 after 4 games - and we could have Maddux, Glavine, Smoltz bing band and bong in 5,6, and 7 - You know what - call me what you will, but those three guys, in their primes (as long as you remove Cox from the picture) I’ll take my chances against ANYBODY to take 2 of 3
If Cox manages the 99 Yankees and Torre the 99 Braves, then the Braves beat the Red Sox 4-0 in the World Series
By uga-brave
August 21, 2007 12:34 AM | Link to this
ROBERT,
i guess you forgot we only scored one run in game one in the 99 series. that was chipper’s dinger. maddux got squeezed in the 8th inning and the rest is history. cant see how you can possibly blame cox for that one.
By Todd A
August 21, 2007 12:35 AM | Link to this
“what a shame it would be to waste the effort of hudson and smoltz this season. smoltz and huddy have pitched up to or exceeded expectations. for this team to excel 3,4,and five dont have to be great, but they cant have perfomances like james and carlyle had their last time out. please just keep us in the game and lets see what happens.”
uga-brave Agree, good post.I was ready to send Hudson packing at the trading deadline last year.He has really rebounded in a big way. Smoltz has pitched with primarily a fastball since his shoulder strain in Milwaukee, but he managed to keep the Braves in vitually every game since that injury. just a great effort from a true professional.
By Robert
August 21, 2007 12:36 AM | Link to this
Tampa said “I’m grateful to have had BC managing my team”
Dude, I am a detailed oriented kinda guy. I want to be certain I have the facts straight.
So I ask you to clarify for me
Are you proud to be a moron?
Or are you simply unaware that you are a moron?
By Double Deuce
August 21, 2007 12:40 AM | Link to this
Great question about the NL Cy Young. There’s so much more to play out, pressure of playoff races to deal with, but if I had to pick one right now it would have to be Peavy. Webb is outstanding and has more complete games than Peavy, but that could be because Peavy has Trevor Hoffman in the pen and he gets the 9th more often than not. Would love to include Huddy, and it may very well be his after the season, but right now it’s Peavy
Todd A How easy it is to sit back after twelve years and declare that you could have won three WS with those Braves teams. If you know so much more than a HOF coach why are you blogging here? You should have a coaching job in the major leagues somewhere with all that ability. The only part of the qualification you got right was the donkey.
By Todd A
August 21, 2007 12:47 AM | Link to this
“That series was OVER after game one. The only person in the entire civilized universe that didnt know that right then and there was Donk.”
Oh, believe me….I knew it.Just like I knew it after game 4 in ‘96 too.We had too many guys on this team that were petrified of the pinstripes.That’s why I sort of admire the upstarts like Florida and Arizona.They stared down those Yankees teams and played clutch baseball when it mattered.They didn’t play with the weight of New York’s 26 World Championships hanging on their shoulders.
By Robert
August 21, 2007 12:48 AM | Link to this
uga-brave
Greg Maddux pitched seven great innings, but he was clearly tiring in the 7th (the awesome dead fish changeup he threw to strike out Ricky Ledee to end the 7th not withstanding)
Scott Brosius was due to lead off the 8th. This mediocre hitter already had two hits in that game off Maddux.
With a rested bullpen, in a situation where you normally would go to a set-up man and then a closer, against that killer-mentality team, explain to me why you need to take the chance of letting Maddux face Brosius again.
I quote you Joe Torre’s comment on that game
“It didn’t surprise us when we got a little crack,” Yankees Manager Joe Torre said. “We’ve been a very patient ball club.”
Why take the chance of giving them the “little crack” they needed?
In the name of all that makes any kind of sense, why?
You can ask the people I was watching the game with that night to verify things, but when Maddux trotted out to start the eighth, before he threw a single pitch, I tossed a beer bottle at the tv and swept a bowl of chips off the table
Letting that matchup occur was pure and simple idiocy.
And to show it was no mistake, he did it again with Glavine in game 3
That was the night I came to know for certain that no Cox-managed team would ever again win a World Series
By Robert
August 21, 2007 12:51 AM | Link to this
And here’s the reference for the Torre quote I just cited
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/baseball/longterm/1999/playoffs/worldseries/articles/series24.htm
As for “If you know so much more than a HOF coach why are you blogging here?”
The day Cox is voted into the HOF is the day the HOF becomes a joke
By Todd A
August 21, 2007 12:53 AM | Link to this
Double douche, where in my post did I declare that I could have won 3 World Series championships as manager? Reading comprehension isn’t your strong suit, I presume?
By Robert
August 21, 2007 12:58 AM | Link to this
Do you think they were afraid of the Yankees?
Or do you think that deep down, no matter how hard they try to bury it, or how much they like him personally, the Braves knew they’d be outmaneuvered
Dude. Cox vs Torre is like Bozo vs Einstein.
If Cox managed the 27 Yankees (or the 98 Yankees), he’d find a way to lose to the 62 Mets - and Braves fans would find a way to claim he bore no responsibility for it
By uga-brave
August 21, 2007 12:58 AM | Link to this
for all intents and purposes every game the rest of year is a postseason game and should be treated like one. i for one feel pretty fortunate to be even in this thing considering how we have played at home all season. the real wild card threat i think are the phillies. they are about to get utley back and myers seems to have solved their 9th inning problems.
to early to scoreboard watch, but it is really gonna take a 12 out of 15 to vault us into serious contention. just saw PEDRO had a lights out minor league start.
By Braveheart
August 21, 2007 1:00 AM | Link to this
ugabrave, no, i don’t have a helluva lot of confidence at all in james or buddy in the playoffs. but sometimes sterling hitchcocks happen in the playoffs, unfortunately.
overall, buddy and chuck and kyle (in the first 2 months) have gotten the job done. Would be more comfortable if they were doing that same job as the 4 and 5 and not the 3 and 4. but it is what it is. they are imperfect but for what we need, they are getting the job done.
that 4-21 mark out of the 5 spot is disgusting. heck, they might have been better off keeping kyle davies. at least they were 7-10 when davies started.
The Braves are 63-44 when Smoltz, Hudson, James, Buddy, and Davies start, a 95 win pace.
Clearly, Davies was getting the ever living snot knocked out of him in the end and the Braves were 1-6 in his last 7 starts but it could be argued that sending him down and then trading him might cost the Braves a playoff spot.
The jojos, redmans, larews, cormiers are 3-15 in their starts. Davies’ 7-10 was a helluva lot better than that.
I’m praying that Cormier can step it up and help the Braves go .500 in the rest of his starts and that the rest of the guys maintain the same winning % pace they have had so we can do something in the regular season.
we’ll worry about the postseason when we get there. I may be entirely wrong about this but maybe Smoltz will go for broke and go on short rest throughout the playoffs, saying there might never be a tomorrow again for me, so I gots to do what I gots to do. Not likely but you never know with that tough son of a gun.
By Robert
August 21, 2007 1:14 AM | Link to this
How many times have I been lambasted for criticizing Cox by folks who always ask me which pitch Cox threw, or which out did he make - and so on and so forth
Well, to those folks - If Cox cant ever lose a game because he doesnt play on the field, then show me, by similar criteria, how he ever positively impacted a game via a hit or a well thown pitch or somesuch
That said, Cox was a FAR better player than he is a manager.
Which says it all right there.
By uga-brave
August 21, 2007 1:16 AM | Link to this
ROBERT, as a constant defender of bobby cox i can understand some of your fustrations. i too have become somewhat jaded when the postseason arrives. but throw out the game six lineup against the padres and the game two lineup against the yanks in 99, i have a hard time atributing all the failure to COX.
look there have been a lot of players here who have failed miserably in the postseason or had one or two horrible moments. i know your hatred for cox has no bounds, but at some point 90 % of the braves failures lie with the nine on the field. i do appreciate your fervor though, right or wrong.
By The Truth Hurts
August 21, 2007 1:29 AM | Link to this
Robert, you’re boring.
Or as Mets Fool might say, “you’re boracious.”
Cox is neither has bad as you say nor as good as some believe. His strength is in managing people, a strength, by the way, that enabled the Braves to be in a position to win a WS many times over. He is not a tactician. He has made questionable moves.
You threw a beer bottle. Hooray. Mature.
The Braves were very rarely outpitched in any of their postseason series losses. They failed to get clutch hits when they had scoring opportunities. Opportunities that would have masked any bullpen deficiencies.
You may disagree. But you swept a bowl of chips off the table. So really, at this point, that is a badge of honor.
By Robert
August 21, 2007 1:29 AM | Link to this
Uga Brave - Doesnt the fact that so many different guys who have had highly successful careers have ALL failed in the postseason while Braves suggest to you that there is something underlying it all that is the root cause problem?
Logic.
Who was it that couldnt get performance out of all those different guys?
It was Donk.
Some of it was how he utilized them.
A lot of it was how he didnt prepare players, physically or mentally instilling with the self defeating and self fulfilling “the playoffs are a crapshoot” attitude, and not insisting on rigorous conditioning
Put it all together, and, barring the chance to match-up with an idiot, it has been and will always be, lethal to a team’s playoff chances.
I understand that players like him for keeping team business (a lot of which is small stuff that gets blown way out of proportion if the media gets wind of it) in the locker room
I understand that he is popular with players because he supports them unendingly -
He may give the players what they want. But he doesnt give the team what it needs
By Todd A
August 21, 2007 1:30 AM | Link to this
Robert, yes I do think there was an intimidation factor.Not necessarily with all of our starting pitchers, mind you. But a guy Like Chipper Jones grew up idolizing Mickey Mantle. Lemke grew up in New York. Glavine and Wohlers grew up in Mass. Look how we dismantled ST Louis in games 5 and 7 of the NLCS in 1996.We broke NLCS records for largest margins of victory in those games.The hitting barrage by the Braves continued in game one of the WS by a 12-1 score over the Yankees.At that point and time, the Braves were clearly the best team in baseball, and clearly the hottest team in baseball.Something happened to the Braves after the hanging slider to Leyritz, and it wasn’t Cox.So, what stopped this offensive juggernaut in it’s tracks?Great pitching?No.Why couldn’t this team manage one measly run at home off Andy Pettite in game 5, a guy they hammered in game one? How come the Braves couldn’t beat Jimmy Key in game 6 when they handled him in game 2? It was the mystic of the pinstripes in the Braves’ collective heads.
By Double Deuce
August 21, 2007 1:32 AM | Link to this
Todd A Right at the beginning of your 11:25 post. I do have trouble with large words, but it is right there unless you were quoting someone else.
By uga-brave
August 21, 2007 1:33 AM | Link to this
BRAVEHEART, i agree with you somewhat on davies, while i for one roasted him for most of the season i believe he does have a big league arm. he should of been in the minors for most of the year working on some kind of off speed pitch. so far the dotel trade looks like a waste, dont know if he will really be healthy again all year.
would of liked us to given villareal a start or two a month ago just to see what he would of done. i know that is not in their plan now thouh.
like you said “i guess you got to dance wth the girl you brought.” i just hope it does not take me 12 beers to look at her every night.
By A-ville Ranger
August 21, 2007 1:33 AM | Link to this
I’m reading a few of our old bud Robert’s post tonight.So he jumped up and threw his beer at the tv when Glavine wasn’t taken out in the 8th inning of game 2 of the 1999 WS ? Yea that happened.There is no concrete formula for when to go to the pen.I’ve watched Torre make a decision one game and under near identical conditions do it different next time.The one and only thing about Torre’s way that I think is better than BC’s is in hitting.I firmly believe in working a pitcher especially the best,smartest ones and MOST especially in the playoffs.I notice that even with Cashman signing every superstar who fits their mold of high ops, etc they haven’t replicated that great bunch of grinders though.The missing ingredient ? I think it’s O’neill more than anything else.Who can forget the way he fought,fouled and muttered every at bat like his life was on the line ? Yea.. we need us one of them.
By Coach ( Grinch , you are a Classic
August 21, 2007 1:34 AM | Link to this
By The Grinch
October 12, 2006 03:49 PM | Link to this
Glavine would solidify the rotation and give us a better chance. That said, my answer is: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! And on top of that, Hell no. Matthew, bro! Were you serious about him taking a “hometown discount?” This guy is the definition of what’s wrong with baseball (in my opinion) and I hope he never reaches 300 no matter what uniform he’s in. A guy who’s made a few hundred grand with the Braves and gets offered a multi-million deal from someone else and has to make a living is one thing. We’d all do it. But what he did and the way he did it to all of us, not to mention the example he set for kids and future players around the country…Benedict Glavine need not expect a hug from me if he comes back. I’ll boo him like the Phillies do Santa Claus.
By Serbok
August 21, 2007 1:35 AM | Link to this
By chrisklob
Ya Beat me to the question Bro!!! LOL I’ve agreed with Robert on BC many times! Unlike Robert tho, I’m not Static.
August 21, 2007 12:23 AM | Link to this
Robert could you clarify for me and the rest of the blog just exactly which team you are a fan of? I can’t figure out if you’re a Met’s fan (in disguise) or some kind of azz hat Braves fan that revels in negativity.
By Ron Roberts
August 21, 2007 1:35 AM | Link to this
Give attention to a moron and you only lower yourself to their moronic standards.
Ignore Robert.
By Robert
August 21, 2007 1:37 AM | Link to this
“90 % of the braves failures lie with the nine on the field. “
ONLY after you clear the hurdle of having the right nine on the field, at the right times, and properly prepared to be on the field in the particular situation at hand
This arguement about whether Cox is great or lousy boils down to one fundamental difference of opinion.
If you believe that a manager’s job is to be a babysitter, and that the definition of the best babysitter is based on who the kids are happiest with, then Cox is great.
If you believe that the manager’s job is to be the team’s principle strategist, starting with the mindset that he instills and the times and ways he used the resources he has at hand, then Cox is a big frickin buffoon.
Are ballgames won by not wearing sunglasses on the cap during batting practice or are ballgames won by consistantly trying to maximize players’ exposure to situations where they are likely to succeed and simultaneously minimizing their exposure to situations that are set-ups for failure?
By Todd A
August 21, 2007 1:42 AM | Link to this
I was quoting someone else, DD.
By Mackey Sasser
August 21, 2007 1:42 AM | Link to this
um, Glavine didn’t pitch Game 2 of the 99 WS. Millwood did. I was there. The Yankees beat the pee out of him in the first two innings. Bobby had nothing to do with that one. And as for Game 3, when Glavine actually did pitch, you may recall that the bullpen by that time was pretty much Rocker and pray. Jeez, the fact that the 99 team even made it to the WS was quite a triumph. If dumbass Robert wants to pick on Bobby he should choose another season (98 perhaps?). In 99 Bobby got a team with Gerald Freaking Williams in the leadoff spot into the world series. One of Bobby’s best seasons along with 91 and 05. Boo on you Robert.
By Braveheart
August 21, 2007 1:43 AM | Link to this
Yes. UGA Brave. Villereal needs to be the # 5 starter. He would not have worse than a 5.00 ERA probably. I don’t care if he does not go more than 5 innings. A 5.00 ERA would do the trick for a team with this offense out of the 5 spot. But, yeah, not in love with Davies myself but how can you dump him without a better option.
Anyone else notice that SOriano has only pitched once in the last week and 3 times in the past 2 weeks? Maybe he is being placed on the de facto DL?
By Robert
August 21, 2007 1:44 AM | Link to this
Paul O’Neil - Was in fact the heart and soul of those Yankee teams. He simply wouldnt accept failure.
We have Chipper Jones, who whines about an unfair schedule and sits out a week if he has an ouchy on his pinky finger.
Guts. Something no Cox team has ever had.
By Coach ( Grinch , you are a Classic
August 21, 2007 1:44 AM | Link to this
Tommy Glavine is 11-6 with a 4.12 ERA , he has 19 quality starts , the Mets are 16-10 when he is on the mound. If we had paid him 10.5 million instead of giving 10.85 million to Wickman , Wilson , Woodward , Redman and Sturtze the Braves would be in first place right now and the Mets/Phillies would be chasing us.
By Bob, Journalist
August 21, 2007 1:46 AM | Link to this
ChrisKlob, I can’t believe you’re not familiar with Scanarioius … the word isn’t new, it’s over 2,000 years old! He was the illegitimate son of Marcus Porcius Cato Salonianus, himself a son of the great orator and roman statesman Cato the Elder* … some accounts indicate that his mother was also his sister and because of Cato the Elder’s high station, the word scandalous is derived from his name.
After the fall of the Roman Empire, Scanarioius’ descendants secretly migrated to England, changing their name to Scenarios so as to avoid embarrassment and possible persecution.
The line survives to this day though, as a result of frequent inbreeding, most are unable to care for themselves and are institutionalized … some can be found in circus acts but are frequently mistaken for chimpanzees.
Confused though they may be, they are proud of their heritage and when excited, instinctively substitute their original family name when they cant remember how to spell or pronounce their current one.
It’s sad and scandalous I know, but my guess is that one of the family somehow got access to the Internet and was just trying to spell his name … or use it in a sentence.
By A-ville Ranger
August 21, 2007 1:50 AM | Link to this
ToddA I agree to an extent,I’ve said before that Leyretz stole our mojo and we never got it back.
By Robert
August 21, 2007 1:53 AM | Link to this
I am a Braves fan.
One who is honest enough to realize that division titles arent a measure of success or a goal unto themselves.
One who realizes that one WS title with the teams we had is not only a crying shame but a disgusting waste of opportunity.
One who realizes that while excuses can be found or made for every one of those playoff failures, that a prime feature of true champions is that they dont ALLOW excuses. They do, or they dont do. Period.
And one who thinks that the Cox-apologist attitude put forth by the Braves team and the Atlanta media is revolting, and who thinks that the fact that most Braves fans have fallen for it hook line and sinker is a shameful indictment against the collective intelligence of Braves fans
And one who thinks that while teams and organizations may in some way envy or look up to the Braves for their playoff run (gee - dont we all wish we could have that kind of depth and talent play relatively injury free for that long) that these same organizations and their fans laugh at the Braves, and that when they face the Braves on a playoff field, they are NEVER intimidated, and if respectful than only for courtesy’s sake - unlike our own team, who can be intimidated it seems
What CHAMPION has ever been intimidated by any challenge?
What CHAMPION makes excuses for failure?
Winning a lot of regular season games doesnt make a franchise a winner, much less a champion
It aint pretty, but it’s the reality.
And I am a Braves fan who doesnt revel in false glory to avoid having to deal with reality.
By Robert
August 21, 2007 1:53 AM | Link to this
I am a Braves fan.
One who is honest enough to realize that division titles arent a measure of success or a goal unto themselves.
One who realizes that one WS title with the teams we had is not only a crying shame but a disgusting waste of opportunity.
One who realizes that while excuses can be found or made for every one of those playoff failures, that a prime feature of true champions is that they dont ALLOW excuses. They do, or they dont do. Period.
And one who thinks that the Cox-apologist attitude put forth by the Braves team and the Atlanta media is revolting, and who thinks that the fact that most Braves fans have fallen for it hook line and sinker is a shameful indictment against the collective intelligence of Braves fans
And one who thinks that while teams and organizations may in some way envy or look up to the Braves for their playoff run (gee - dont we all wish we could have that kind of depth and talent play relatively injury free for that long) that these same organizations and their fans laugh at the Braves, and that when they face the Braves on a playoff field, they are NEVER intimidated, and if respectful than only for courtesy’s sake - unlike our own team, who can be intimidated it seems
What CHAMPION has ever been intimidated by any challenge?
What CHAMPION makes excuses for failure?
Winning a lot of regular season games doesnt make a franchise a winner, much less a champion
It aint pretty, but it’s the reality.
And I am a Braves fan who doesnt revel in false glory to avoid having to deal with reality.
By Coach ( What ? Me , right again ? Geesh
August 21, 2007 1:54 AM | Link to this
By Head Coach
October 13, 2006 02:05 AM | Link to this
The Mets have a 2007 team option on Glavine , this whole blog is concerning opinion and specuation regarding him. The Mets will exercise their option and Glavine will be a Met next season , end of story.
By uga-brave
August 21, 2007 1:58 AM | Link to this
A-VILLE RANGER,
agree with your view on o’neil the guy was a flat out grinder. thats one thing to this day we dont do against quality pitching, we just dont seem to see enough pitches. in order to beat top of the rotation guys it is important to get deep counts early in the game. i too am a big fan of the .ops. that being said i would take my chances with group of braves more so than any since 03.
By Braveheart
August 21, 2007 2:03 AM | Link to this
Robert, the Braves bench & pen sucked all of those years. Could not match up with the Yankees. THat is partly Cox’ fault, mostly the GM’s fault.
By Robert
August 21, 2007 2:09 AM | Link to this
The fact that the Braves had to go with Eddie Perez as catcher late in the season, when Javy got hurt, has led to this MYTH that the Braves needed some act of genius to get to the WS that year.
Why is it that every team in history just about has had to overcome an injury or ten along the way to a championship series, along with various other bad breaks or unfortunate incidents, but the minute the Braves lost one of their top six hitters it suddenly required some “managerial wizardry” to get them to the postseason?
Illogic. Rationalization. Denial.
Let’s use logic,and examine the TRUTH
Gerald Williams hit leadoff - and had 17 dingers and 19 steals and hit .275 - Not fantastic stuff, but not something that is such a burden that is requires to overcome
The 99 Braves got a MONSTER year out of Chipper Jones, had five players with 20 or more home runs, had six players with 10 or more steals, and between their top four starters and top six relievers - had ONE guy with an era over 4 (Glavine at 4.12)
The only miracle in that team getting to the WS was that bases loaded walk Andruw drew off Kenny Rogers. (cuz if that NLCS went seven, Cox was gonna blow it)
By Robert
August 21, 2007 2:20 AM | Link to this
“Leyretz stole our mojo “
That’s a sad, loser’s EXCUSE for what happened.
Leyritz played for the other team. It was his JOB to find a way to steal the mojo
The fact is that Cox should’ve had the mojo insured by Lloyd’s of London and then stored it behind glass in a safe deposit box, but instead he drove to Harlem and left the mojo in the back seat with the doors unlocked and the engine running while he went into the corner store to buy diapers for the kids he was babysitting
By Coach (Hank Aaron is the Real HR Champion)
August 21, 2007 2:22 AM | Link to this
Jo-Jo Reyes today , then Cormier and Carlyle. Better keep them hitting shoes on boys , these three stiffs are gonna need some run support.
By Serbok
August 21, 2007 2:26 AM | Link to this
Robert
August 21, 2007 1:53 AM |
Thank You for that Explanation!!!!!! I can live with that:o) Post On Bro~ As I also can only see the ONE common denominator in the fact that the Braves Have only 1 WS ring. Never forget however, Life IS fluid~ Lets hope Bobby has an epiphany. BC IMO does not belong in the HOF. He has been a very fortunate man, Indeed!
By Robert
August 21, 2007 2:29 AM | Link to this
99 Braves
John Rocker 2.49 ERA 38 saves
Mike Remlinger 2.37 10 wins and a save
Kevin McGlinchy 2.82 7-3
Rudy Seanez and Russ Springer combined for 101 IP at 8-2 with 4 saves and an ERA under 3.50
Swingman Terry Mulholland - the sixth starter/junkman - 2.98 ERA
The bench wasnt great.
But now the fact that one of the pieces wasnt perfect is gonna used as an excuse?
That perfect team that has the optimum distribution of quality resources among it’s starting offense, bench, and starting, middle, and endgame pitching comes along once in a generation. (most recently the 98 Yankees)
QUIT making EXCUSES.
By Random
August 21, 2007 2:53 AM | Link to this
By Bob, Journalist (August 18, 2007 7:04 AM):
“I wasn’t suggesting X… nor was I addressing Y though I’m not sure what that was.
“I wasn’t addressing Z but I have no doubt that W.
“Were I to guess at U, it was that we needed V… but, that we certainly didn’t need S and T.
“I agree that virtually everyone felt and continues to feel A… but, I don’t think there was overwhelming agreement on B… that doesn’t mean I’m right … maybe there was.
“Regarding C, it’s very possible that D… and if E, certainly not much at all … I haven’t seen him so do but, it’s my understanding that F and G… assuming that to be the case, I, for one, supported H.
“I personally would have I… but that was just personal opinion and my knowledge of the position is very limited.
“With regard to J, I’m not one but there are those who thought that K, or at least that was my read of the situation … should L, then I would agree with those who so thoutht, but I didn’t at the time, nor do I currently.
“However, I think that M… I qualified my comments, or at least so intended, with N… he has more power but even so, I wouldn’t expect O.
“I do think that P… and we should see some improvement in Q but that depends on a lot more than R and I still don’t think there was a consensus regarding the impact on the team’s success other than directionally … before or at the time of the trade.
“Just my opinion … no intent to be argumentative, sarcastic or humorous … and I wasn’t suggesting it was a majority opinion … everyone else may think that everyone was in agreement … I just don’t happen to think.
“Methinks Methinks Methinks Methinks Methinks!”
By Robert
August 21, 2007 3:23 AM | Link to this
“Lets hope Bobby has an epiphany”
You’ll get better odds playing the Powerball
By BravesDave
August 21, 2007 3:49 AM | Link to this
A-Ville, after the discussion regarding Francouer and his potential to be a superstar, I did say a little later on that I was coming around to thinking that Jeff might have the goods. My main points were that superstar players rarely struggle in any fashion…guys like Pujols and Vlad Guerrero have been excellent since the minute that they hit the majors. Watching Jeff struggle with certain aspects of his game led me to question whether he would become a superstar. I did state that if he was playing in the ’80s, his stats would make him an MVP candidate.
At the end of the day, he has shown me something this season. I am impressed. I think he and Hudson have proven how seriously they take their craft by working hard to improve. I am coming around…he is a potential superstar.
Good win tonight. Tex is a beast.
2 straight wins after 3 straight losses is not enough. Keep it going.
By GermanBravesFan
August 21, 2007 3:51 AM | Link to this
Robert - if you were here in the late 80’s and said these things about the Braves’ manager, fine… However, Cox turned things around and the Braves finally started WINNING again. I take 14 straight division titles and 1 World Series title ANY TIME! There are teams that would kill to have had the success the Braves have had.
G’night
By Serbok
August 21, 2007 3:54 AM | Link to this
Thats pretty much A thru Z Dont ya think? If I were a cop, I’d hall ya in for suspicion!!!!!! LOL
*By Bob, Journalist (August 18, 2007 7:04 AM):
“I wasn’t suggesting X… nor was I addressing Y though I’m not sure what that was.
“I wasn’t addressing Z but I have no doubt that W.
“Were I to guess at U, it was that we needed V… but, that we certainly didn’t need S and T.
“I agree that virtually everyone felt and continues to feel A… but, I don’t think there was overwhelming agreement on B… that doesn’t mean I’m right … maybe there was.
“Regarding C, it’s very possible that D… and if E, certainly not much at all … I haven’t seen him so do but, it’s my understanding that F and G… assuming that to be the case, I, for one, supported H.
“I personally would have I… but that was just personal opinion and my knowledge of the position is very limited.
“With regard to J, I’m not one but there are those who thought that K, or at least that was my read of the situation … should L, then I would agree with those who so thoutht, but I didn’t at the time, nor do I currently.
“However, I think that M… I qualified my comments, or at least so intended, with N… he has more power but even so, I wouldn’t expect O.
“I do think that P… and we should see some improvement in Q but that depends on a lot more than R and I still don’t think there was a consensus regarding the impact on the team’s success other than directionally … before or at the time of the trade.
“Just my opinion … no intent to be argumentative, sarcastic or humorous … and I wasn’t suggesting it was a majority opinion … everyone else may think that everyone was in agreement … I just don’t happen to think.
“Methinks Methinks Methinks Methinks Methinks!”
By Braves Fan 79
August 21, 2007 4:22 AM | Link to this
EVERYONE talking about the 99 yankees/Braves WS remember one thing…the Braves had the better team! They were just hurt! Javy Lopez, Andres G, insert those 2 in ANY lineup and thats a big change! That year made me proud how the Braves fought thou. I dont care if its the wildcard or what…i just wanna see my team in the playoffs. I want that rush of watching the first pitch and pulling hardcore for my team, i cant wait to see espn talking about the Braves and their chances in the playoffs when it happens. Every playoff game is bigger than the superbowl to me because its MY team! Last year i found it hard to watch the playoffs without the Braves in it. Cant wait for this year…Go Braves….go mets..sweep sandiego.
By Braves Fan 79
August 21, 2007 4:42 AM | Link to this
Mets fans know thed rather face sandiego or arizona in the NLCS than the Braves. We OWN the mets…and even mets fans know it! Sandiego is built to win the wildcard with their pitching…but they havent had enough hitting the past 2 or 3 years to advance in the playoffs and nothing has changed. The Braves on the other hand are built more for the playoffs…we have a ace going 4 times in a 5 game series. And with our lineup i like our chances! On the wildcard Im not 2 worried about the phillies, but i am worried about sandiego. But if we get serious about winning this last month…we win it easy!
By Greg
August 21, 2007 6:24 AM | Link to this
I’m not ready to root for the Mets against SD yet. We are only four out with a little more then a month to go. We need to go for the division. What would be really sweet is if both NY teams miss the playoffs and the Braves make it. That would make my year. Of course if that happens, it would guarantee that the Mets get Johan Santana next year. But even that doesn’t scare me. He only pitch every fifth. With Glavine likely retiring and Martinez a shadow of his former self, the Mets won’t be overwhelming even with Santana.
By ssiscribe
August 21, 2007 7:51 AM | Link to this
Top of the morning, denizens. A good win last night, for sure. Two victories in a row make a winning streak, if only technically, but you gotta start somewhere.
And for the Braves, this is a stretch where they really need to start putting together some good baseball. Not just good starting pitching. Not just good bullpen work. Not just good offense, of which there was an abundance last night in the bandbox by the Ohio River. Atlanta needs all of these facets to come together, and now would be a pretty good time.
Two weeks ago, the Mets struggled through a disappointing homestand. New York responded with a 5-1 week last week, as the Braves went 3-3 at home. Disappointed in going .500 in front of Braves Nation? Atlanta should be, even though they faced Cy Young (Brandon Webb) on Friday and Babe Ruth (Micah Owings) on Saturday.
So, hitting the road for Cincinnati for a four-game set is the perfect way to jump-start a surge back toward the top of the NL East. Given John Smoltz and Tim Hudson pitching Sunday and Monday, the Braves did exactly what we expect them to do, Smoltz winning the homestand finale against Arizona and Hudson benefiting from a ton of offense to win the road trip opener Monday.
Now what?
Chuck James was horrible in his last start, and maybe now we know why: a shoulder problem will force the Braves to bring up Jo Jo Reyes to start tonight. He wasn’t ready for prime time the last time he was up, but he’s pitched well since going back to Richmond. And, it’s my belief he has the potential to develop into a solid No. 2 starter someday. Can he show improvement this time around?
The Braves certainly hope so, and really need somebody — anybody — to step up and fill in the back side of the rotation. Buddy Carlyle has struggled of late. James was brutal against the Giants and in the first inning of his previous start against Philly. Lance Cormier? The Braves best pitcher in spring training, he pitched really well against Webb in a statistical mismatch Friday, keeping the Braves in the game with a strong outing.
You’ve got to be encouraged about the way Cormier pitched Friday night, even though Webb was untouchable (wow, that dude is something. CR, he gets my vote for the Cy Young, followed at this moment by Hudson second, Peavy third and Penny fourth). But back to Cormier: if he can grab hold of a spot in the rotation and pitch well (and almost as important, pitch six innings each time out), that’s going to help tremendously.
The next three games are big ones, no doubt, as the Braves look for the back side of the rotation to finally step up and settle itself. The Cards were cooled off by the Cubs this weekend at Wrigley until winning yesterday, but they’re back in the race and you know Redbird Nation will be in full regala when the Braves hit the Lou this weekend. Plus, Adam Wainwright of St. Simons Island — who has pitched like the No. 1 starter the Cards have desperately needed without the injured Chris Carpenter — will go Sunday against Atlanta in the series finale.
Then the Braves head to Miami to play the Marlins at Dolphin Stadium, the place where the Braves seem to struggle as mightily as anywhere. After that, home for the Mets, Phils and Nats.
The Braves need to get going. Now is the time, and so far, the past two games have been very positive steps in that direction. There is a little less margin for error in the East right now. Atlanta is five games out. True, the Braves have six left with the Mets. Win two out of three in the two remaining series with New York, and that cuts two games off the Mets’ lead.
The Braves, with 37 games left (and six against the Mets) are definitely in the midst of the division race. As for the wild card, the Braves stand one game out of the wild-card lead. A postseason berth is all this team needs; once it gets there, it’s got a great chance.
But it has to get there first, and to make those odds better, the Braves need to put it together this week and keep the pressure on the Mets and Phillies and Padres. The Braves just need to win, and the past two games have been positive steps forward.
The Scribe abides.
—30—
By Allen Hughes
August 21, 2007 7:58 AM | Link to this
Okay, so I know it is off the subject, but if Bobby Cox and the Braves want to win the World Series this year, here is the plan. Renteria returns this week, bench Andruw until he changes his swing to hit the ball instead of whatever it is he is doing. Then put Excobar in the outfield. Not a bad rotation out there with Diaz, Harris, Francoeur and Escobar. I don’t careif he has no experience, he will more than make up for it with guts, effort and his hitting.
By Will
August 21, 2007 8:27 AM | Link to this
If the cy young was decided today it would have to be Brandon Webb, that scoreless innings streak is very impressive and Hershiser’s is one of those records i have always thought may never be broken. Hudson has really taken one on the chin with blown saves this year or he would already be approaching 20 wins. I have to once again take my medicine and admit that Mark Teixeira is a hell of a player and i should not have been remotely oppposed to acquring him, no matter what the cost. Although it would be really nice to see the O hang up 14 runs for one of the pitchers that needs it.
By ncscoots
August 21, 2007 8:29 AM | Link to this
gosh, I thought I had been transported back in time. I think I might have seen those same 28 posts from Robert before, LOL. Guess it was time to recycle them for the more recent additions to the blog roll call.
That big bang you heard yesterday was the universe splitting, when I realized that Ranger and I agreed on the Cy Young. :-) gods be merciful, the apocalypse MUST be near!
Scanarious douchebaggery invasion last night, for sure. Much bytes signifying nothing, but I guess the blog was due for one. Even the Braves/MIB can’t bring its A game every night.
One game at a time, one win at a time. Sic ‘em, boys.
By Lee in S. GA
August 21, 2007 8:37 AM | Link to this
Mixed emotions about this Mets / Padres series. Suppose I will pull for the Padres to sweep them but the Braves will win either way. All Atlanta needs to do is keep winning. The Wild Card does not exactly mean you are settling for 2nd place in my book. MLB pretty much decided that when the Wild card was added to baseball years ago. Ask the Marlins (twice) and the Red Sox if they fill like they were a 2nd place team when they won the World Series each of those years as a Wild Card team.
I would just had soon forget the 99 World Series. The Braves got sweep did they not. No excuses for injuries (part of any sport). Too much should’ve, could’ve and would’ve - this does not matter. I am a not a Yankees fan and am a true Braves fan, but please; we got our butts kicked in that series.
By Julia
August 21, 2007 8:53 AM | Link to this
I want a SHRIMP SAMMICH so b-a-d-l-y! When you fall off the SHRIMP SAMMICH wagon it makes you feel like a real loser. I really need a SHRIMP SAMMICH but I know that the resulting unsightly POOCH will harm my acting career. I can’t let myself go like I am in radio. I must resist the urge for a SHRIMP SAMMICH!! It makes me CRAZY!! CRAZY!! Do you think Bob Wickman eats SHRIMP SAMMICHES? I rue the day that I ate my first SHRIMP SAMMICH. It was in New Orleans and we were on location and there was this l-o-v-e-l-y little Gladiola Grille with a po’ boy SHRIMP SAMMICH on the menu. Well, that is a story for another p-o-s-t.
By Shaun
August 21, 2007 9:00 AM | Link to this
Morning all.
I don’t think any member of the ‘99 Braves should be ashamed. The Yankees were a dynasty back then. We all know about the ‘98 Yankees and the ‘99 team was virtually the same players only a year older plus Roger Clemens and minus David Wells.
Some brought up an interesting point—Javy Lopez played in only 65 games, Galarraga and Kerry Ligtenberg played in none. It’s interesting to think about what might have been.
Almost certainly they would have jumped from sixth to the top three in runs scored. And they led the league in runs allowed but Ligtenberg may have saved a few more runs. Plus you have to consider Galarraga was probably better defensively than Klesko or Brian Hunter or Randall Simon.
I still think the Yankees would have had an edge in that World Series but maybe it would have been a lot more interesting. But that’s neither here nor there.
By AthensBrave
August 21, 2007 9:02 AM | Link to this
Tex is strong. I think he works out.
What a performance last night from our offense!!! I hope we have a little left in the tank for the remainder of the series.
I’m rooting for the Padres tonight. I still think we can win the divison, but need to close the gap soon.
After watching Webb the other night, he gets my vote for the cy young. That guy is filthy. Hudson is a close second
By Bobby Cox
August 21, 2007 9:11 AM | Link to this
Robert, if you had a brain you would be dangerous. You have to be be the one of the biggest idots around. Normally I don’t waste my time on such dribble but you are one sick puppy my friend. If you know so much about managing a baseball team, why aren’t you managing?? Oh I forgot you don’t know *. Get a life, better get a job you dead beat.
By Paladin
August 21, 2007 9:11 AM | Link to this
Paladin’s Prattles:
Yes, SG and Nephew I stayed up for the entire game, last night, but there are troubles. I missed bed check. But, Chief Bromden is going to help me get out tonight. However, if he keeps “helping” me get to sleep by placing that pillow over my face, I am going to suffer drooler-type brain injury.
I tried to wade through those alphabet soup posts but they, like many of BJ’s posts, mystified me. I’m going to try them again later armed with a dictionary, a thesaurus and an abacus. Pray for me.
I have learned that the Drooler opted instead of a Spell Checker, for a Stupid Verifier. Works well,too.
Speaking of the drooler: It has long been my suspicion that he is a “regular” who “moonlights” as the dumbest piece of sheet in the universe. I think I have him nailed. Will the real Drooler stand up?! Good morning, Robert.
By TampaBrave
August 21, 2007 9:35 AM | Link to this
Cormier and Carlyle need to be separated in the rotation. They pitch too similarly. Cormier will act as a warm up for Carlyle. I attribute some of this to Buddy getting lit up last start.
Is that closet Yankee fan Robert still hanging around? Best get to your hot dog stand little man. Still waiting on your resume for the Braves managerial position. Funny, I have never heard a player, past or present, blame BC for any Brave’s failures. IMO you have to be an only child because it sounds like you stomp your feet when you don’t get your way. Typical Yankee type.
By Robert
August 21, 2007 9:43 AM | Link to this
Paladin - I only drool when a member of the opposite sex rubs my belly
By Robert
August 21, 2007 9:47 AM | Link to this
“Okay, so I know it is off the subject, but if Bobby Cox and the Braves want to win the World Series this year, here is the plan. Renteria returns this week, bench Andruw until he changes his swing to hit the ball instead of whatever it is he is doing. Then put Excobar in the outfield. “
Add “Cox resigns” (since he wont get fired) and it becomes a feasible strategy to win it all
By Paladin
August 21, 2007 9:48 AM | Link to this
Good answer, Robert. Just funnin’
By Anders
August 21, 2007 9:48 AM | Link to this
Paladin Welcome to the other side of a playoff race my friend. Deep down you know you have to root for the Mets tonight. Just try to visualize how it will be if the Braves are down 5-2 in the 8th and you see that the Mets just scored 2 in their game to go up 4-2. What would have been a happy feeling just one night before instead brings no joy. Funny things these playoff races. Trust me, I speak from experience.
By Anders
August 21, 2007 9:56 AM | Link to this
Paladin My mistake - I meant that the Padres scored 2 to go up 4-2. Certainly loses it’s effect when you have to restate the scenario - My bad! I think you get the drift though.
By Paladin
August 21, 2007 9:58 AM | Link to this
Anders It is much too early to deal with your manufactured-negativity. We won last night, and we will win, again, tonight. We are taking care of our business, just hope the Muts take care of theirs. It would be hoping for too much, to ask you to mind yours.
By KC
August 21, 2007 10:00 AM | Link to this
*I have no doubt that Chuck James’ shoulder is sore, but I wonder if there’s more to this move today (to have Reyes start in his place). *
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think BC’s considering giving James’ job to Reyes. The Braves need James. Before Chuck’s last 4 starts… in his first 39 starts as a Brave heading dating back to last season… CJ went 19-12 with a 3.66 ERA. And less than a month ago, James had 3.55 ERA for the season after posting a 2.48 ERA for the month of July. Clearly, Chuck James is a much better pitcher than what he’s shown us lately.
But as to this decision today… is James’ shoulder the only reason for this move? I don’t know. But I wonder if it’s as much to give James a mental break as it is to give his shoulder a break. He might just be looking for an excuse to let Chucky catch his breath and hit the reset button.
The other possible reason for this move is to get another look at Reyes. Do you get the feeling BC just has a hunch about this kid? If so, I think I agree with him. He struggled in Atlanta, but then went down and dominated AAA over 3 starts again. Something tells me maybe this kid will be better adjusted this time, and I wonder if Bobby has that same hunch.
Let’s say (and I’m not expecting this, just making conversation) that Reyes fires a 2 hit shutout tonight. You know damn well he’ll get another start. But he won’t be taking James’ job. If Reyes comes through (which would certainly be a pleasant surprise), it’ll be up to Carlyle and Cormier to defend their jobs.
Back to my original point… If I had to guess, I’d say it’s probably a combination of all 3… giving Chuck a mental breather, resting his shoulder, and getting another look at Reyes.
By Braveheart
August 21, 2007 10:00 AM | Link to this
Uncle Paladin A pillow smothering by Chief Bromden for our favorite lobotomized vegetative denizens is the kindest thing the Chief can do.
Drool when Chief Bromden arrives with the pillow, it’s okay, he’s doing the kindest thing he can for you. Chief your friend.
By Braveheart
August 21, 2007 10:05 AM | Link to this
Certainly loses it’s effect when you have to restate the scenario
What the heck Anders? I thought you Mets fans all spelled it scanarioius. Just when I thought I was getting familiar with Queens culture…
By 1957 Braves Fan
August 21, 2007 10:05 AM | Link to this
Please sign Tex long term.
By Wayne in Utah
August 21, 2007 10:07 AM | Link to this
All the Braves can do is to play their games, and not worry about who wins what other games. Let the chips fall where they may.
I have a REAL hard time pulling for the Mets, unless mathematically we are totally out of the division race.
While it is true the the wild card gets you to the dance floor, there is still something “dirty” about pulling for the Mets, especially if Traitor Tom is pitching.
GoGo JoJo!
By moron
August 21, 2007 10:12 AM | Link to this
Ron Roberts f-i-n-a-l-l-y (comes) out of h-i-d-i-n-g to [make] a p-o-s-t. I was beginning to (t-h-i-n-k) that he is stuck to the sole o-f one o-f SJA’s {boots}!
By Anders
August 21, 2007 10:18 AM | Link to this
Paladin As Al Pacino said about Tessio in the Godfather when he found out he was the traitor “It’s the smart move” I would advise the same about your rooting interests tonight. Even AthensBrave has seen the light.
By Paladin
August 21, 2007 10:19 AM | Link to this
Braveheart Is that why the front of my tank top is wet? I’ll have to ask Nurse Ratchet-it-up for a bib.
By Shaun
August 21, 2007 10:21 AM | Link to this
I see Robert is on his high horse again. He thinks he knows more than John Schuerholz or pretty much any other baseball executive that would kill for Bobby Cox to be their manager.
General managers are pretty smart people, I think even smarter than a lot of us give them credit for, and basically every GM in baseball would love a chance to get Bobby Cox (or at least would have when he was younger and had some more years left as a manager).
What makes you think you are so much smarter than virtually every GM in baseball, Robert?
Also, you have failed to pay attention to the post-season, possibly ever. Power pitching, power closers/relievers and defense strongly correlates to winning in the post-season. That’s a fact that can’t be disputed.
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=betweenthenumbers/billybeane/060405
The evidence is there. You can dispute it and keep your membership in The Flat Earth Society, if you’d like.
It’s pretty obvious if you want to blame somebody it’s Schuerholz for not getting enough power arms. But I would again argue if he had acquired more power arms maybe he wouldn’t have been able to acquire or keep the other talent he needed to even reach the post-season in a lot of years.
Do you really think it’s a coincidence that the Braves’ only power arm here for most of the dynasty has more post-season wins than anyone, even though he missed the 2000 post-season and was a relief pitcher from 2001-2004?
If power pitching didn’t matter, why wouldn’t Glavine or Maddux have significantly more wins than Smoltz? Glavine has made 8 more starts. Andy Pettite has made 7 more. Maddux has made 3 more. Yet Smoltz has more wins than all of these guys. Could it possibly be that the fact that he’s more of a power pitcher ave a little something to do with it?
I guess Bobby Cox has just been smarter in Smoltz’s fewer starts. It’s just an amazing coincidence.
By Anders
August 21, 2007 10:23 AM | Link to this
Braveheart Very good!
By Lew
August 21, 2007 10:23 AM | Link to this
Braveheart-Queens? Culture? Oxymoronic,yes? Robert-Twinkies would help your affliction. Really, they would. All that sugar and those preservatives will help you rewsist your posting impulses.
By KC
August 21, 2007 10:27 AM | Link to this
IF IT COMES DOWN TO KEEPING EITHER TEX OR ANDRUW… KEEP ANDRUW!!!
I say that because I’m concerned about Tex’s health. You see, Tex strained a quad muscle running out a ground ball earlier in the season and missed some time.
But we’ll NEVER have to worry about Andruw straining anything running out a ground ball!!!!! =)
By KC
August 21, 2007 10:29 AM | Link to this
LEW: Come one man, we’re running out of season. Catch a flight to Nashville and make the short drive!
By JasonInMaine
August 21, 2007 10:31 AM | Link to this
DOB has voted Smoltz as the “Face of the Franchise” over on ESPN. ESPN went with the combo of JS/BC. What do you guys think?
By Anders
August 21, 2007 10:32 AM | Link to this
OK now we have Lew questioning New Yorkers culture - who’s next Mike Vick??
By Wayne in Utah
August 21, 2007 10:40 AM | Link to this
Guys, lets not be so hard on Robert. I too have lamented some of BC’s tactical moves in game situations, or series strategies.
While I resign myself to the fact that BC is not the best X’s and O’s type of manager, he DOES have other positive attibutes.
What BC brings to the table (and I am preaching to the choir, for the most part) is the ability to get a maximum effort out of most of his team. Again, that is not nor will ever be 100% (see AJ and Chris Woodward).
What Robert fails to realize is that with any other good tactical manager, the Braves would probably have been in less than half as many playoffs over the years. So, his argument that we should have won this many or that many WS titles are hollow, as we probably wouldn’t have gotten to most of those WS he is talking about, without BC.
So, unless there is devised a plan to let a manager get you to the dance floor, then hook you up with another manager for the actual dance itself, he is just whizzing in the wind.
By Braveheart
August 21, 2007 10:41 AM | Link to this
Braveheart Is that why the front of my tank top is wet? I’ll have to ask Nurse Ratchet-it-up for a bib.
Uncle Paladin Just don’t go all Billy Bibbit on us when Nurse Wretched catches you with the fat lady and threatens to tell your momma.
By KC
August 21, 2007 10:42 AM | Link to this
Anders: God PLEASE man, don’t bring up Vick. I’m so sick of hearing about that moron!!!!
I tune into the local sports talk thinking there might be mention of Teixeira and the Braves, but no… wall to wall Michael Vick. 24/7
F… Michael Vick. I don’t give a damn about him or the Falcons. That’s all you hear about now. I mean… what else is there to say for cyin’ out #$^&#@ loud??!!!!!!!
As you might be able to tell, I’m slightly annoyed by the uber-coverage of this Vick thing.
By AthensBrave
August 21, 2007 10:42 AM | Link to this
Anders,
Exactly what light have I seen?
By Paladin
August 21, 2007 10:44 AM | Link to this
Anders And as many wise guys in the movies have said,”furgedaboutit”!
By Paladin
August 21, 2007 10:48 AM | Link to this
I would get into the scrap between Lew and Anders but I don’t have a dog in that fight. Just kiddin’, Lew, you da man!!
By TennesseePaul
August 21, 2007 10:52 AM | Link to this
No. I do not intend to pull for the Mets. I’d be happy for the 1 team not in the East division to win while the Braves win. After this week, if the Braves are 1 game out of the Wild Card and 1 game out of the Division title, I’ll be just fine. Better than if the Braves are up 1 game in the wild card and down 5 in the division. I hope the Mets lose. But more importantly I hope the Braves win regardless of what the Mets or any other team does. Braves need to take care of their own business.
Payne: after all this time and you still go at it… well, if you need more fodder, scroll up to about 8:39 last night… what’s your take on that one?
By Paladin
August 21, 2007 10:52 AM | Link to this
Braveheart Leave me alone. I’m busy playing with myself.
By DAP
August 21, 2007 10:53 AM | Link to this
who in the reds lineup do you guys think will give jojo the most trouble tonight? no doubt the reds have a good offensive ball club. i think hed better look out for brandon jones. he is a great talent. first time i saw him play i actually kinda wished he was a brave…but hes a righty with power and jojo needs to handle him with care.
other than that, our offense need to hit it high and watch it fly tonight…against a good offensive club in thier home park, jojo will need plenty of run support.
By Shaun
August 21, 2007 10:54 AM | Link to this
JasonInMaine,
I voted for Bobby Cox. Smoltz is a good choice.
By Lew
August 21, 2007 10:56 AM | Link to this
KC-Wish I could make it down for some baseball, but it just won’t happen til Spring Training. My wife has to have ankle surgery and I just spent a fortune replacing the AC unit in the Orlando place-couldn’t let my son melt, now, could I?. I just don’t have the cash or time. I guess you and Grinch will just have to make those Wurlitzer presentations to the songwriters if we can get it all worked out. The Scribe and I are working on it as we speak. We’ll see. I WILL make it down for Spring Training this year, even if I have to buy snowshoes.
By Carolina Lady
August 21, 2007 10:57 AM | Link to this
Braveheart, uh….it’s “vacuum”. :-))
Y’all remember that monotonous TV commercial everybody was complaining about? The one that was shown over and over and over and over and over and over and over? That’s Robert’s posts. Johnny One-Note. My scroll button works beautifully and my temperament remains happy. Highly recommended! :-)
Root for the METS????? Is there ice skating in Hades??
By Braveheart
August 21, 2007 10:57 AM | Link to this
I would get into the scrap between Lew and Anders but I don’t have a dog in that fight.
Uncle Paladin You got no dog in that fight, but you got a Dawg in that fight. Come on already, you illegitimate red headed half-brother of my father.
By braveslifer
August 21, 2007 10:58 AM | Link to this
Just thought of this last night. Does anyone know what’s going on with Tanyon Sturtze? Not that we need him that sorely or anything…just wondering.
By Anders
August 21, 2007 10:59 AM | Link to this
KC I’m with you on the Vick story. Enough already.
Paladin When you drive into Brooklyn from Staten Island under the sign that says Welcome to Brooklyn. it say Fuhgedaboutit- Classic
AthensBrave I’m definetly having blog blockage today - interpreted your blog wrong - or maybe wishful thinking on my part - either way I stand corrected.
There - in keeping with my Godfather theme I believe I’ve settled all family business today.
By Shaun
August 21, 2007 11:01 AM | Link to this
TennesseePaul,
That’s good stuff. Yeah, every Brave has slumped at crunch time, haven’t they? How in the world did they ever win close pennant races or get to any World Series? It’s amazing given how many players fail at crunch time.
By Paladin
August 21, 2007 11:02 AM | Link to this
Would somebody please differentiate between Ron and Ron Roberts so we will know who is being ripped and who to root for. An old, vegetative,lobotomized denizen would appreciate it.
By JasonInMaine
August 21, 2007 11:09 AM | Link to this
Shaun: I voted the same as you…
By Paladin
August 21, 2007 11:09 AM | Link to this
Uncle Paladin You got no dog in that fight, but you got a Dawg in that fight. Come on already, you illegitimate red headed half-brother of my father.
And that is one of the reasons I told my fellow Dawg, you da man!! Also, see my earlier.
Red headed? Not,on your life. But, I do still have my hair.
By Alex
August 21, 2007 11:09 AM | Link to this
Anders Are you done yet, with your propaganda to root for the NY MUTS! I guess now that you added Jeff Conine…I guess it’s time for the Braves to give up on the NL EAST. Oh, you’d like that, wouldn’t you? You would like the Braves fans to just concede the NL East to your NY MUTS! But guess what, I am cheering for the Padres, I want the SD Padres to sweep your NY MUTS right out of Petco Park! That’s right. It could happen. The MUTS could go 2-4 on this trip, doesn’t that scare you? It should, it’s damn realistic right now, having seen the pitchers they have to face.
Meanwhile…the Braves get to feast on Cincy and hit in the cracker box that is Great American Ballpark, a poor excuse for a stadium but it gives the Braves lineup the advantage!
I am not cheering for the MUTS, ever! Frak the MUTS and their fanbase…like “MUTS DROOL”, the little, pimple faced troll that shows up here b/c it is the only way he can get attention, is by making an a&& out of himself on a Braves fan blog.
So Anders, be afraid, be very afraid for your NU MUTS are in a critical stretch where they may find themselves only 2 games when they show up at the TED!
On the Tim Hudson Cy Young chances…anyone who tells me that ERA and WHIP, and K’s matter more than wins…I give you…
Roger Clemens in 2005 stats.
KC, I’m learning how to look up stats man!
Anyways, here it is, b/c it was in the back of my mind, how awesome he was that year and just got no run support and also lost some games when he left with a tie score and the pen would blow it.
Wins: 13 Losses: 8 Games: 32 Innings Pitched: 211 K’s: 186 BB’s: 62 ERA: 1.87 WHIP: 1.008
That year, Roger finishes 3rd in the CY YOUNG NL voting to:
Chris Carpenter and Dontrelle Willis.
That season Chris Carpenter had 21 wins and an era of 2.83, also had more K’s but he also had 30 more Innings pitched than Roger. So don’t tell me WINS don’t count much. They count a lot.
Dontrelle that year 22 Wins, 10 Losses, ERA 2.63, 170K’s, 230IP, WHIP 1.130.
So basically Roger lead the league in ERA and WHIP, and would have led it in K’s had he pitched 30 more innings.
Wins matter people! I know that Brandon Webb is money right now, but this is an award that is supposed to judge the whole season! Not the last 2 months.
If Tim Hudson finishes 20-5, ERA under 3.00 and the Braves win the NL EAST, or get in the playoffs via the Wildcard, he should be the winner, esp. if these other guys are 4-5 wins behind him.
Tim Hudson should be 18-5 right now, but we can thank Bob Wickman and the bullpen for that, don’t we?
If Tim does not lose a game the rest of the season, how do you not give him the CY YOUNG? He would be the most consistant pitcher in the NL. I think the award should reward consistancy rather than who’s hot for 2 months.
Tonight will be a slugfest, let’s hope JoJo Reyes has learned something in AAA that will help him get his first ML win!
GO Braves!
By JasonInMaine
August 21, 2007 11:11 AM | Link to this
But, you can’t go wrong with Smoltzie…the only player still there from the magical ‘91 season as well as the reasons mentioned by DOB…
By Bob
August 21, 2007 11:12 AM | Link to this
Anders,
Actually if the Braves can get on a bit of a winning streak, I would love to see you guys and the Phillies split all six with the Dodgers and Padres. That works just fine. That would put us past the Phils and close enough to your Mets to reinforce the fear factor that they clearly have. At the same time, you pretty much knock the Dodgers out of it and wound the Padres for their Division and Wild Card. Of course a nice winning streak and the Braves #3-#5 might indeed be a bridge too far.
Guys, I think I found out a secret about “scanarious” and Mets Drool. Robert must be the father of this child. I mean they both keep repeating the same lines over and over and over and over. With son it is hahahahaha and with father it is Donk, Donk, Donk, Donk etc. Great minds think alike.
By Bob
August 21, 2007 11:12 AM | Link to this
Anders,
Actually if the Braves can get on a bit of a winning streak, I would love to see you guys and the Phillies split all six with the Dodgers and Padres. That works just fine. That would put us past the Phils and close enough to your Mets to reinforce the fear factor that they clearly have. At the same time, you pretty much knock the Dodgers out of it and wound the Padres for their Division and Wild Card. Of course a nice winning streak and the Braves #3-#5 might indeed be a bridge too far.
Guys, I think I found out a secret about “scanarious” and Mets Drool. Robert must be the father of this child. I mean they both keep repeating the same lines over and over and over and over. With son it is hahahahaha and with father it is Donk, Donk, Donk, Donk etc. Great minds think alike.
By Anders
August 21, 2007 11:13 AM | Link to this
Tenessee Paul You guys have been rooting for a team that’s been in front for so long that you don’t understand how hard it is to make up 5 games in less than 40. It doesn’t happen very often. The Mets are one of the teams that should be able to play with the Padres and therefore you need to put your dark feelings for the Mets aside and root for what helps your team get to the playoffs easiest. I guess you guys will root for the Padres over the Phillies next? So you’re giving the Padres 6 games this week? Then the Padres play the D’Backs, another team that will be in front of you. See how this works? You could be 5 out on both races by this time next week under that scenario - (spell check please)
By Paladin
August 21, 2007 11:18 AM | Link to this
Alex is in the lead for the most current-consumptive post of the day. But, I liked the first part before I scrolled away.
By Will
August 21, 2007 11:20 AM | Link to this
DAP, I am worried about that rookie Kepinger on the Reds, he has been pounding the ball lately and had a few more hits last night. Even if Reyes pitches well he will need some runs and i hope he is given some support, hopefully he can pitch with an early lead.
By TennesseePaul
August 21, 2007 11:22 AM | Link to this
Payne: Don’t know if I was as clear as I intended to be… but just to make sure, not my 8:39…
By Paladin
August 21, 2007 11:22 AM | Link to this
Got Bob for a double-dribble. Skins, take it out on the side. TWEEET!
By Carroll Rogers
August 21, 2007 11:25 AM | Link to this
i realize this is late in the blog to make this point and you guys have moved on to other topics (robert, some same old ones) but i wanted to give my two cents to what vandybrave said about wins being close to meaningless in judging a pitcher’s effectiveness…..
i hear what you’re getting at, and won-loss should never ever stand on its own. but at the end of the day, i think a pitcher himself would rather win a game 5-4 than lose 1-0. i think putting their team in position to win is what matters most to them. and i know i, for one, look a lot at whether a team won or lost when a certain pitching is starting. that to me indicates even if he wasn’t at his best, he figured out a way to hang in there, and that’s important to his team. and wins ultimately are what you’re going for. so the braves have won huddy’s last 11 starts. that means something. yes some of it is luck, and not based on how hudson pitched in the first inning necessarily, but i also think there’s a mindset when a certain guy is on the mound. and it is often reflected in how the team plays behind him.
am i making any sense? of course ERA is huge. no doubting that, but to discount wins as a rule is turning the game into some kind of mathematical formula. boo.
but anyway. enough on that.
top of the morning
By Anders
August 21, 2007 11:30 AM | Link to this
Bob As I said yesterday if the Mets play 1 game under .500 the rest of the way the Braves have to 24-14 including last night to win the division. If you guys feel that will happen, have at it. I don’t see the Braves playing 10 over or the Mets playing 1 under - just my feelings based on the first 122 games. That said, it only makes sense to turn to the WC at this point and look for every team fighting with you to lose every possible game to help your cause. You have 5 other teams within 2 games of you for the WC. Someones got to start beating those teams for you. Again -“It’s the smart play” Otherwise you’ll find yourselves begging for help in late September when the WC is out of your control - been there , done that. I believe this is the first time since the WC came into play that Braves fans have had to look to it for their playoff ticket so I understand how disconcerting it feels to root for the enemy.
By TennesseePaul
August 21, 2007 11:33 AM | Link to this
Anders: So you’re giving the Padres 6 games this week?
I can give the Padres 6 games?! Well hold on now, let me re-channel my wishes… I’m going to give the Braves the rest of the season. Let’s see… 40 straight wins, that should do the trick.
By Wayne in Utah
August 21, 2007 11:34 AM | Link to this
Anders
Can I try to explain the logic that some of us might us (not necessarily speaking for others, but maybe) feel toward who we “root” for?
To be honest, my rooting for the Braves has ABSOLUTELY no effect on their outcome. Same goes with other games.
As some of my blogging friends have stated, all the Braves can do is to play their games, and not worry about what they can’t control.
So, while maybe some logic might tell me it is better for this team to win, or that team to win, I really have NO ability to effect a win.
In that case, I will NOT root for the Mets. I will root for the Braves, and let the chips fall where they may.
Now, if we are at some point mathematically eliminated from the division race, then I would be tempted to root for another team to help my team get the wild card. I would do it quietly though, so as not to be caught by my friends.
GoGo JoJo w/ da MoJo!
By Paladin
August 21, 2007 11:36 AM | Link to this
Good points, MZ Carroll, and **you are never too late. How’s that for brown-nosing, guys?
By ijonathan
August 21, 2007 11:38 AM | Link to this
Folks, So if the Braves make it into the playoffs via the wildcard route (and unfortunately go no further) do we see a new banner atop the left field pavillion to signify that wonderful accomplishment?
By Wayne in Utah
August 21, 2007 11:43 AM | Link to this
Carroll makes much sense in her post. I don’t have the inclination to look it up, but I would bet that in the past 40 years or so I have been a fan of baseball, that usually the Cy Young winner comes from a pool of pitchers that have 20+ wins. If the winner doesn’t stand head and shoulders above the others, then maybe other factors might THEN come into play. (ERA, K’s, etc.)
By Lew
August 21, 2007 11:45 AM | Link to this
Anders-The point was that there is little culture in New York-especially Queens-maybe some in Manhattan where they at least have a museum or two, as opposed to auto body shops. As far as me giving a lecture on NY culture, Dude, I have done my a Masters in Art History and have been an artist all of my life. I have done costume design, set design and stage makeup for theater productions-professionally. I daresay I know a lot more about culture than you or a vast majority of New Yorkers. Remember, y’all are the ones that came up with that stupid flipping Apple in The Outfield, that rises out of the ground like the Great Pumpkin. Culture? I sincerely doubt it.
By Paladin
August 21, 2007 11:45 AM | Link to this
ijonathan Banner banana. How about WORLD CHAMPIONS?
By BamaBrave
August 21, 2007 11:47 AM | Link to this
Sheesh…I can’t believe we’re already back around to the weak part of the rotation. I have one simple request for these next three guys: KEEP THE BALL DOWN. That’s it. That’s all I ask. If I’m McDowell, I threaten these guys with a Tazer if I see two pitches in a row at the belt or above.
By Will
August 21, 2007 11:47 AM | Link to this
Anders, Hate to admit it, but you are right about the Wild Card. It will be very very tough for the Braves to catch the Mets at this point. You are also absoulutely right, and i said this several weeks ago, all of us Braves fans are used to being the one up 4 or 5 games in the division not down. I know i was not remotely worried when the Braves led by 5 games, that is a comfortable lead. Wild Card is still there for the taking and hopefully the Braves see the Mets in the playoffs.
By moron
August 21, 2007 11:48 AM | Link to this
Paladin, Ron Roberts is the overbearing, pompous, condescending, uneducated, obnoxious, ignorant, trollesque, childish, two-faced, fake-a*******ed, patronizing, plagiarizing, moronic, fat-a*******ed, limp-wristed, idiotic, troublemaking, cowardly, juvenile, hippocritical, braggadocios, know-it-all, wannabe, s#itheaded, punk——-Ron is the other @sshole.
By sportsmandh
August 21, 2007 11:50 AM | Link to this
Braves need to win at least 7 games on this road trip if they want to make the playoffs. This is possible. As for the James/Carlyle/Reyes talk going on. I’m still don’t understand why Villareal hasn’t gotten a look as a spot starter during the last month.
By Anders
August 21, 2007 11:52 AM | Link to this
Ten.PaulI’m not giving the Padres anything. The Braves fans on this blog have stated that they’d rather see the Padres beat the Mets 3 times this week to help the Braves win the division. Based on that logic and knowing that the Phils are only one game behnd you I assumed you would the apply the same theory to the Padres against the Phils later this week.
Wayne in Utah My point is that by the time you are actually eliminated from the division, should that happen, you may no longer have the WC race in your control and you would be wishing the Mets had won these games.
By Bob
August 21, 2007 11:52 AM | Link to this
Anders,
I agree with you that 6 games in the loss column is very tough. Only 5 teams have made up such a deficit at this time of year since the divisional playoffs were introduced in 1969. Unless the Braves can go on a winning streak the point is probably mute anyway. Nonetheless, IF the Braves were to win six in a row and the Mets split their next 6 with tougher competition that very difficult mountain goes from being the Matterhorn to say, Stone Mountain. Much different situation to deal with a 3 game deficit on 1 September and still six to play with your Mets.
With my way the damage is spread out. We help our wildcard prospects considerably..in this scenario we would then lead the WC (hate to use that acronymn). We would be much closer to you guys. Either way, if the Braves do go on a winning streak, we gain. Then, we would have momentum with the Mets and Phils coming into Turner Field at the beginning of September.
Nobody said it would be easy and with our #3-#5 starters it could be a real stretch. The pitching works out about as well as could be expected with our weak starters facing the Reds where both teams will score a ton and Smoltz and Hudson facing the Cards. The opportunity is there and the next 19 days will tell a lot.
By Paladin
August 21, 2007 11:52 AM | Link to this
Isn’t this the day that SJA was going to “meet up”” with Ron Roberts in N’Awlins? Do you think they may kiss ‘n’ makeup and have a SHRIMP SAMMICH? Probably not. Anyway, oh to be a fly, or frog, on the wall!
By Wayne in Utah
August 21, 2007 11:53 AM | Link to this
ijon
What do you want? Do you want your team to quit, because logic says they have no chance? I remember the scene near the end of the first “Lord of the Rings” movie. After the one dude had died, and the hobbits had been kidnapped, Aragon says to the others two when they appeared to be defeated, “Let’s Go!”
So Braves fans, “Let’s Go!”
By Thrillhouse44
August 21, 2007 11:54 AM | Link to this
ijonathan, instead of a banner, I say we put up a Joker playing card. Instead of a regular joker though, I say we put Chris Woodward’s picture on the card.
By Ron Roberts
August 21, 2007 11:55 AM | Link to this
SJA/Julia/Moron… all the same person. Heard it here first. Anybody shocked?
Sad, actually, that somebody is so obsessed with a person they’ve never met that they hang on their every word and statement so that they can continue to crack some sort of joke that (apparently) only they get and enjoy cracking on.
To hell with Vick’s dogs… I know a fictitious horse farm in Virginia where the horses have to be neglected with all the time their owner puts in on this blog obsessing over folks they can’t get the better of verbally, other than making veiled threats (and of course, putting them off for six months and into the offseason).
Paladin, bro, I dunno who Ron is, but I know that he, too, has been blogging awhile. I use my real first/last name, so the only way to end the confusion on your part would be for me to change my login name. But why, really? Any questions, don’t hesitate to ask, bud.
To baseball… Arizona gets hammered (again) last night, and yet it only cost ‘em one game in the loss column. So they keep adding to their run differential quirkiness, and yet they’re 4 games up in the NL West. Gotta love baseball.
To the Braves… does Jo Jo come back a better pitcher? His numbers in Richmond seem to indicate he’s too good for AA, too good for AAA, but will it translate (now) to the majors? Whew, what a ballpark to come back and find out in, eh? The good news is, the Braves get to bat in it, too, so let’s not be too hasty in judging Jo Jo on today’s game alone.
Dunno, personally, if I’m buying into this “give Chuck James a day off ‘cause his arm’s just a little sore” theory actually making him better upon his return. Dunno. Maybe the soreness has also kept him from using the third pitch he was working on in spring training and early in the season, too. If he ever masters it, he’s a dangerous starter. If not, he’s gonna keep getting shelled (I think) as time goes on.
Oh, and who was it a few days ago that was claiming Mark Teixeira was a disappointment? Poor guy’s only hitting .294 with 9 HRs and 18 RsBI for the Braves over 18 games. Over a 162-game season, that’d only be 81 HRs and 225 RsBI. Whew, what a let-down he’s been, eh?
Hey, if the Braves’ offense does its job and Lance Cormier pitches back-to-back gems, we might be able to return the favor on the Reds.
What’d be good about that aside from making up ground on the Mets and Phils while they battle the Padres and Dodgers, respectively, is that we go into a key series in St. Louis with Smoltz and Hudson pitching the first two games, thus setting the tone for that series, too.
Could this, then, be, that prolonged win streak (or 7 of 8, etc.) that we’ve been waiting for since the 7-1 start?
I would say “tune in,” but those of us not in the southeast only get one TBS game this week. Pity. The Braves and TBS used to be synonymous with each other, and now the Braves are but a footnote on the TBS grid schedule. Of the Braves’ 26 remaining games, only 10 are on TBS, and only one the rest of this month. ESPN and FOX have a game apiece, but for those of us outside Georgia, Alabama, the Caroinas, etc., we only get 12 of 36 remaining games to watch our beloved Bravos.
Y’all enjoy the day. Go Braves!!
By Anders
August 21, 2007 11:58 AM | Link to this
Carroll There’s a reason there’s a 300 win club and not an ERA club - ‘nuff said.
By chipdip
August 21, 2007 11:58 AM | Link to this
1 win…..3 more to lose!!!
By Paladin
August 21, 2007 11:59 AM | Link to this
Oh, thank you, Mr. Moron, I think I have it now. But, haven’t I seen your writing style before? Forgive me, I’m so forgetful these days.
By TampaBrave
August 21, 2007 11:59 AM | Link to this
LEW
Great Pumpkin!! That was priceless.
By Ron Roberts
August 21, 2007 12:01 PM | Link to this
See what some of us have to deal with, Paladin?
Moron’s name (and his intelligent banter) should say enough; should also remind you of other folks who’ve blogged here, before.
By Lee in S. GA
August 21, 2007 12:01 PM | Link to this
Anders
I may be one of the few Braves fans on this blog that actually think it may be better for the Mets to win this series against the Padres. You are right Braves fans have never had to contend much with the Wild Card rankings before. I hate the Mets as much as anybody. As a matter of fact if Atlanta does not make it to the playoffs, I will find a team to pull for in the post-season. It will not be the Mets. When you enjoy baseball as much as me the season does and will not end if the Braves do not make the playoffs. I will be very dissapointed but I will watch the playoffs. I enjoy watching baseball that much.
By AthensBrave
August 21, 2007 12:01 PM | Link to this
Anders,
No, you will not convince us to root for the mets. Good try….
If the Braves can cut the lead to 2 or 3 games before the Aug 31st-Sep 2nd series, then we will be back 1-2 games after we dominate ya’ll again.
That leaves us w/ a month of baseball left to get it done
By TampaBrave
August 21, 2007 12:06 PM | Link to this
Anders
Here’s a great idea for the new stadium. Build a replica of the empire state bldg in center field and every time the mets hit a home run, king kong climbs the bldg and rings a bell. People will go apeshit Whadda ya tink?
By Ron Roberts
August 21, 2007 12:09 PM | Link to this
Oh, and Paladin, that date has come and gone. I was ordered, repeatedly, to give a time and place, and I complied.
I also showed. I was alone.
So N O W the story is, Mardi Gras (early February) will be the day I meet my pending doom.
By Paladin
August 21, 2007 12:10 PM | Link to this
Ron Roberts Don’t take offense, dude, I really was confused; and I’m not sure I am any better off, now. All I know is, I like both you and SJA and I wish it would/could stop. I really do.
By Bob
August 21, 2007 12:12 PM | Link to this
RonRoberts,
Make that 9 homers and 25 RBIs since joining the Braves. Clearly a “bad” trade. One of our esteemed bloggers thinks that 18 games are not enough to determine whether Tex is a star. I guess he conveniently forgets that he is #4 all time as the first to get to 140 homeruns in his career. Oh well, can’t please everyone all the time.
By AthensBrave
August 21, 2007 12:13 PM | Link to this
looks like Anders has brainwashed a few of you….
not suprised you got to Will, he is a weak and scared Braves fan.
By moron
August 21, 2007 12:13 PM | Link to this
Paladin, you may have experienced my “writing style” somewhere along the way—-if you’re an oft reader of Hustler mag.
Also funny how R-o-n R-o-b-e-r-t-s) seems to always describe himself when making those feeble attempts at attacking other bloggers.
By Lew
August 21, 2007 12:14 PM | Link to this
Anders-What you fail to mention in your Mets/Padres scenario is that if the Pads sweep the Mets, then the Braves could easily be only two games behind the Mets, with six left to play against them. Dude, that scenario shows me that it’s the Mets that would likely end up in third place (you do realize we own the Mets, head to head?)-just like I told NoBrainZone would happen a long time ago. No way I ever cheer for the Mets. If the Mets were to represent the NL in the WS (which they won’t-just like last year), I would cheer for the AL. The Mets suck.
By Efrim
August 21, 2007 12:20 PM | Link to this
I hope Jo Jo has a solid outing tonight. I think he has a higher ceiling than Chuck. That remains to be seen, but he has pretty good command of all four of his pitches, or he did have it in the minors. I think we traded the right lefty prospect in Matt Harrison. Declining K rates and a rising hits allowed mark. Jo Jo was getting better by each promotion until the majors.
By Colin
August 21, 2007 12:20 PM | Link to this
Is there a award for relievers at the end of the year because if this is my vote would be for Moylan….He has been 100 times better than anyone could imagine…Also i think we over looked Mayhay coming over because he has been amazing as well.
By moron
August 21, 2007 12:21 PM | Link to this
“verbally defeat” the sja, ron roberts that was damn funny, kinda like a calico cat saying he ripped a lion a new one, think you already met up with your “doom”, your just too much stupid to know it.
ron roberts, king of the jungle, hahahahahahahahahaha
By Anders
August 21, 2007 12:23 PM | Link to this
Lew I have no idea what your credentials are and have no reason to doubt them, but to say there’s some culture in Manhattan? Guy, some of the most famous museums, art houses, opera houses, symphonic venues reside on that tiny island of Manhattan. I challenge you to show me a city that offers more in total culture.
As for Queens, don’t judge it by the narrow lens you get from behind home plate at a baseball game or the snide remarks DOB puts on this blog.All 5 boroughs of NY have many beautiful parks and landmarks and culture centers. There have been many documentaries done on them appearing on pbs. As an Art Historian you would probably find them more interesting than most. As for the Apple - not our greatest moment but I’m not sure I would judge the history of NY art based on it.
By Paladin
August 21, 2007 12:23 PM | Link to this
Moron They have writing in Hustler? I’ll have to unstick the pages and check it out.:-)
By CobbBrave
August 21, 2007 12:24 PM | Link to this
Who is this SJA? Does he post here?
By Charles Schultz
August 21, 2007 12:26 PM | Link to this
Good grief, Lew. Don’t ever again denigrate my great artistic accomplishment achieved with The Great Pumpkin. I worked too hard on that one for you to compare Phil Fulmer to that stupid apple that rises out of the auto body shops.
By Ron Roberts
August 21, 2007 12:26 PM | Link to this
I hear ya, Paladin. I usually only talk baseball w/folks, here, and can agree and disagree w/them and debate and discuss w/all them without resorting to the name-calling and smack talk.
I only r e p l y to that stuff when it’s hurled my way. And for some reason, it’s so personal w/this one particular blogger (and his various names) that he likes to take digs at what I voluntarily let folks here know about me; my job, where I live, etc.
I can’t keep up w/ every tidbit of information I’ve gleaned along the way about the vast majority of you folks, but I do know, all the same, that most of ya are decent, upstanding individuals who share a passion for baseball (and usually, the Braves) with me, so I can go ‘round and ‘round with Shaun all day, but in the end, I know he’s a good guy and worth holding discussions with without having to sling an @$$-clown label on him.
See the difference?
This blog would be nothing but baseball (and DO’B’s music chatter, too :)) if it weren’t the WWE-like smack-down drivel that tends to come from O N E particular blogger.
By Shaun
August 21, 2007 12:27 PM | Link to this
Carroll, Alex and others,
Almost every stat commonly used to judge pitchers is flawed.
Everyone pretty much realizes the flaws of W-L record. But there are also fundamental flaws in ERA that should not be overlooked when evaluating pitchers.
Obviously you have to look at the parks in which a pitcher played in to determine how much a run was really worth. But there is a more fundamental flaw that that.
ERA is affected by defense. How? Well, because hits allowed are affected by defense. Again, not much seperates a ball just out of the reach of a fielder and a ball just within the reach of a fielder as far as a pitcher is concerned.
I would prefer to judge pitchers by things like walks, strikeouts, extra-base hits allowed (because these are more likely to be the hard-hit balls), and hit batsmen.
Things like hits, runs allowed and wins should be taken into account—I don’t think all singles are a result of bad defense or bad luck—but they should not be weighted as heavily as walks, strikeouts, extra-base hits allowed and hit batsmen.
Also, when we take runs into account, we should take into account both earned and unearned runs. Why? Because ERA over-attributes runs to defense.
A guy could make an error on a ball that would have been out number three. The pitcher could then walk the bases loaded and give up a grand slam without it counting against his ERA. Shouldn’t at least some of those runs be attributed to the pitcher, if not all?
Also, what about hard-hit balls that may be judged as errors by one scorekeeper but hits by others.
By Anders
August 21, 2007 12:31 PM | Link to this
TampaBrave- That actually works for me! But then the Braves should have Richard Jewel setting off all fireworks displays to be fair.
AthensBrave I am not trying to brainwash you for obvious reasons.
Wait for it. Wait for it.
OK he just got it.
By Anders
August 21, 2007 12:37 PM | Link to this
Colin Yes there is and Billy Wagner is dusting off a spot on his mantle for it. Check out the numbers - Now I wish I could the same about him in the post season but that record speaks for itself. He’s the one that’s been dusted rather than the mantle. Hopefully (for Met fans like myself) that changes this year.
By King Kong
August 21, 2007 12:40 PM | Link to this
Tampa Brave I don’t appreciate you using my name and “apeshit” in the same sentence. I am “civilized” now. I sheet all over the “rest rooms” in Shea and I will do so in the new stadium, as well. Also, I am getting too long-in-tooth to play myself in your scanario. Do you think the Braves will trade Wicky to the Muts so he can play the role. ‘Course there’s always Wells.
By TennesseePaul
August 21, 2007 12:40 PM | Link to this
So, let’s get this straight… There are 6 games remaining between the Mets and Braves. The Braves added Teixeira, the Mets countered with Conine. I think the advantage is still the Braves. After all, the Braves have won every series against the Mets since 9/26/2006. 5 games seperate the 2 teams. 6 games to play head to head. And… ooop— looks like the Braves and Phillies are tied, 6 games remaining against them as well. Yeah, I’m going to cheer for the Braves to win and the division foes to lose. Since my wishes have the ability to grant games to teams, by the end of this week, the Braves will be tied for first in the east, and 1 game back in the wild card with 6 games remaining against the one team we beat all season long.
Now that the magic carpet ride is over, I just want the Braves to step up and support JoJo. We all know he’s going to need it. I mean, he isn’t as bad as Pelfrey yet, but he is marching down the same path. Let’s do this Braves. Get the kid a W!
GO BRAVES!!
By Paladin
August 21, 2007 12:45 PM | Link to this
Anders As my hero Ronnie would say, “There you go again”.
By Colin
August 21, 2007 12:49 PM | Link to this
Anders
Wagner haha…thats all i can say…haha
By Denzel Washington
August 21, 2007 12:50 PM | Link to this
King Kong ain’t got nuthin’ on me!
By Paladin
August 21, 2007 12:58 PM | Link to this
Ron Roberts and I guess I could say this to SJA, too. If you really want this to end, then say something like “‘Nuff said” or something similar. Don’t include a lot of digs to add fuel to the fire.
That’s my take, and if—by chance—I have struck a nerve, then fire away.
By 22oz
August 21, 2007 12:59 PM | Link to this
I wonder if JoJo fixed that toetap that causes him to fall down on occasion.
By Anders
August 21, 2007 1:01 PM | Link to this
Tennesee Paul How much closer are the Braves since they traded for Babe Texeria? As I said the same day you got him - pitching wins folks. The Braves of all organizations should understand this. You rode 3 hof’ers to division title after title. The Mets didn’t add bats because they had them already - they just weren’t producing as I said back then too They are now. I also said I wouldn’t get too excited about Dotel as he’s prone to the gopher ball - hmmm. How’d he do before he went DL for about the 10th time in his 5 year career? Believe me the Mets have their flaws too but I’d rather be playing from 5 games ahead than behind. If the Braves win all 6 games left between them and end up 14-4 against the Mets they better win the division or it would be an absolute embarrasment. I just wouldn’t count on that as my plan to happen. I look forward to your WC spin by mid September.
By KC
August 21, 2007 1:09 PM | Link to this
Lew: Sorry you couldn’t get down this year. Maybe next season. I’ll buy the beverage of your choice at the Ted when the time comes.
By Anders
August 21, 2007 1:11 PM | Link to this
Well I’m off to a meeting in midtown so I leave you all to talk amongst yourselves. BTW - heavy rain here in NYC - looks doubtful for a Met game but you never know. Peace.
By Ron Roberts
August 21, 2007 1:14 PM | Link to this
No nerve struck, Paladin. I got no beef w/you.
By Shaun
August 21, 2007 1:19 PM | Link to this
Anders,
The Yankees have done a pretty good job of winning division titles without much pitching in recent years.
By Lew
August 21, 2007 1:22 PM | Link to this
Y’all-The Awarding of Wurlitzer awards to the Tex songwriters is becoming a done deal. The incomparable Carroll Rogers has put me in contact with the powers that be and they have been quite receptive to the idea. They are, apparently, making it happen. Hopefully Grinch and KC can make the presentation, but it may have to be done by Carroll or DOB. I’ll keep y’all informed as soon as I know anything. KC-please email me at lewhartman@comcast.net
By BG
August 21, 2007 1:23 PM | Link to this
Yikes…the Rockies really are hurting. From the Rocky Mountain News:
Left-hander Mark Redman, an eight- year major league veteran, has signed a minor league contract with the Rockies and pitched for Double-A Tulsa (Okla.) on Monday.
He gave up five runs, five hits, two walks and struck out seven in five innings in Tulsa’s 6-5, 11-inning loss to Midland (Texas).
The Rockies are his fourth organization this season.
Redman, a 1995 first-round draft choice, is 64-80 in his career and was an All-Star for Kansas City in 2006.
He was unsigned this year until the opening days of spring training, when Atlanta signed him after losing Mike Hampton. He went 0-4 with an 11.63 ERA in six games (five starts) with the Braves.
The Rockies have three starting pitchers on the disabled list, but manager Clint Hurdle said Redman was not signed with major league needs in mind.
“This is something the minor league people did and made us aware of,” he said.
By Smeagol
August 21, 2007 1:24 PM | Link to this
Tell us more master Anders …. tell us more. Don’t leave.
By Lew
August 21, 2007 1:28 PM | Link to this
Mr.Schultz-I meant no disrespect, Sir. I submit myself to the .05 cent Psychiatrist for re programming.
By Carroll Rogers
August 21, 2007 1:52 PM | Link to this
shaun - i just don’t see the game as so black and white so therefore the numbers can’t all be black and white.
the same way a hitter can lace a ball and have it caught by an outfielder and not get a hit, is the same way a pitcher can have a better first baseman than another guy and get a few more outs that way. it’s what’s beautiful about the game. there are so many variables.
(and it’s why pitchers love andruw jones by the way. and trust me they’d rather have his glove than worry about his on-base percentage. probably saves a run a game because as we know a mistake in the outfield is often a run. a mistake on the infield is a baserunner.)
and why put so much emphasis on strikeouts. you’re gonna punish somebody like brandon webb or glavine or maddux because they get their outs more democratically? not me. plus strikeouts put more wear and tear on your arm. need more pitches to do what some guys do with one or two.
By Overlord
August 21, 2007 1:59 PM | Link to this
Dear muts fan, it is clear that when you say “if the braves kick our but in the next 2 series, they better win the division, if not it will be an embarrasment (which BTW i suppose you were trying to say embarrassment), you are feeling the pressure, and preparing yourself to jump all over the braves when we kick your azz and start saying we better do better and win the division also.
Braves will do both……. and use your weak team in order to win the division. How does that feels? Having a 5 game lead on the last week of august and not been able to hold to it because you couldnt beat the braves head to head?
By Renegator
August 21, 2007 2:05 PM | Link to this
Carroll:
I can’t believe you are going to try and argue with Shaun. You are going to be here all day…
By Overlord
August 21, 2007 2:06 PM | Link to this
Im not sure how can this muts fans talk about Wagner as a hero….. the only reason he did not gave away a game in the 9th and kept us from sweeping their team at home is a guy named andruw jones……. the worst hitter on the team. If it was anybody but him in that spot….. you would still be craying as we would be sitting at 3GB. But thats another story…. we will get it done anyway.
By iwalterp
August 21, 2007 2:12 PM | Link to this
The Braves are going to sit C. James for one turn, and this is good. Hopefully it will allow Cox to slip Carlisle or Cormier into the 3rd spot and drop Chucky to 4th. The only bad part about this scenerio is bringing Jo Jo back so soon. He really looked like a dear in headlights his last major league outing and I’m sure his confidence was shaken. The kid is going to be a good lefty pitcher, better than James I believe, but they are starting him in a hostile matchbox of a stadium against a pretty good hitting team. I know the Braves are in a pennant race and there is no ideal spot to start him, but I think his next start after the homer filled last start should be in the friendly confines of Turner Field. Joey Devine and the back to back grand slam outings that I think forever shot his confidence comes to mind. Cox does not baby his young players. To his credit he sticks them in tight situations and expects them to perform like major leaguers, but this kid’s future confidence metal is more important than one game. I would rather see another triple A spot starter right now.
By Chris
August 21, 2007 2:15 PM | Link to this
Umm…Brandon Webb. Anyone who actually watches baseball knows the answer to this.
Coming tomorrow: Carroll Rogers wants to know what your favorite type of cereal is!
By CobbBrave
August 21, 2007 2:23 PM | Link to this
Paladin, you “really wish” what “would stop”? And who is this mythical SJA character? A figment of your imagination, a ghost, what/who is this SJA? I’ve never seen/read any posts by SJA. Heard those initials mentioned numerous times on this blog however. On the other hand, some classless bloggers here are continuously making crude, uncivil, and obviously unlearned comments about someone of whom I have never seen on this blog, this SJA.
It’s clearly evident that the only “thing” that needs to “stop” is the childish, lowbred attacks by these other juvenilesque bloggers, bloggers which have a very selective sense as to when behavior is acceptable or not. It’s hard to have a conflict when only one party is in the fray. I only see one certain blogger droning endlessly on and on about this SJA, and with very childish and presumptive blather. Doesn’t make him look good at all, shows much envy, and possibly even the “little man” syndrome if anything at all. ‘Easy’ to talk ‘big’ when talking from afar I guess.
By Chop Chop
August 21, 2007 2:24 PM | Link to this
The AJC had a poll the other day which asked us who the best pitcher in Atlanta Braves franchise history is. I think Smoltz won it going away, but I’m here to tell you that Greg Maddux is easily the best pitcher Atlanta has ever seen.
The man’s closing in on 350 wins for his career, had a seven-year run (‘92 in Chicago, ‘93-‘98 in Atlanta) with an average ERA of 2.12, including back-to-back seasons (‘94 and ‘95, strike-shortened, but he started 25 and 28 games those two years) with ERAs under 1.65. He also struck out a ton of batters, including an average of 180 Ks a year from 1991 to 2001. Did you know that Maddog is still under 1000 walks for his career? His next start will be his 700th in the big leagues. Think about that for a second. That is an insane stat, especially when you consider that he’s given up 300 fewer hits than innings pitched in nearly 4800 innings. Maddux’s career WHIP is 1.14. The guy was absolutely amazing in Atlanta, but I guess he never really captured the imagination of people here.
I voted for Maddux three times on that poll and I’m a huge Smoltz fan, so that should tell you something.
By DAP
August 21, 2007 2:24 PM | Link to this
anders youve been telling us that pitching wins? wow, you are so smart!!! thats is a blanket statement that is really just an incomplete thought. to win a baseball game, you have to have more runs than the other team. you get runs with your offense, not pitching.
its a team sport anders! if you score an average of 6 runs a game like the braves and your pitching is decent, youre gonna do ok!
By RedEyedAndBlue
August 21, 2007 2:26 PM | Link to this
Anders,
The only NL team who is in danger of “an absolute embarrasment” is the budget-bloated Mets.
Carroll,
Agree with ya on the “wins vs. ERA” argument. Nobody cares about your ERA in the World Series.
Not gonna agree on AJ saving a run a game. Bill James crunched some numbers on Mattingly and Hernandez back in the 80s when baseball pundits were saying similar things about them. Don’t recall the results but it wasn’t that high. But pitchers aren’t the only ones who love AJ. AJ’s great defense and range makes Frenchy’s and Harris/Diaz’ jobs much easier.
By TampaBrave
August 21, 2007 2:27 PM | Link to this
Carroll Rogers
You rock!!
But please understand you’ll never get through to Shaun. He is a machine. He does not realize that he is not running software powerful enough to measure all those variables. Well said though!!
By Ron Roberts
August 21, 2007 2:34 PM | Link to this
CobbBrave… you have to be new to the blog, then.
No hard feelings. Welcome!
By Bob, Journalist
August 21, 2007 2:36 PM | Link to this
This blog would be nothing but baseball (and DOB’s music chatter, too) if it weren’t the WWE-like smack-down drivel that tends to come from O N E particular blogger … now that astute observation warrants serious comment.
There are things that do offend me and I sometimes overreact and jump to conclusions without performing due diligence into the “why” rather than the “what” … when those things happen I can only bite my tongue, cut off my hand, apologize … ask for forgiveness and move forward.
Yes, we all have our demons … Most Honorable Southern has his, I have mine … he can upset me like few others on this blog … my wife, my sister, my brother, my son, my close friends … they can upset me too!
I stay in the dog house with most of them … that isn’t apt to change. The Blog’s First Lady is probably the only exception … Tess Trueheart she is to me and My Lady she will always be!
Most Honorable Southern is an impact player, that’s for sure and he has certainly brought more to the dinner table than Baseball and/or Music, albeit he sometimes forgets to wash his hands and comb his hair … so too do I.
I agree with the Ron Roberts’ statement that it’s sad “that somebody is so obsessed with a person they’ve never met that they hang on their every word and statement” … but to be so in awe that you give that person sole credit for all the non-baseball related contributions to the Blog borders on the delusional.
Most Honorable may use multiple identities but can possibly he be My Lady, The Esteemed Ugandan, The Grinch, William Wallace, The Gentleman of the Savannah, LeTwan … the list is long indeed … could be also be me?
If he is, such awe is understandable!
Maybe there’s some of him in all of us … well, most of us … but, methinks Ron Roberts is giving him a bit too much credit … sounds like hero worship to me.
By Shaun
August 21, 2007 2:36 PM | Link to this
carroll,
Good points. Certainly it’s dumb to rely on one stat, strikeouts, for instance.
I think you have to look at all of the following in total: walks, strikeouts, extra-base hits allowed (particularly home runs), and hit batsmen because these stats are more defense- and luck-independent than wins and even ERA.
I think Maddux, Glavine and Webb wouldn’t be “punished” for relatively low strikeout rates because they strikeout enough hitters to get by but they also don’t give up many walks or hit many guys or give up many homeruns.
It’s not as if Maddux and Glavine in their prime and Webb had low strikeout rates.
With a few exceptions, striking hitters out at a decent rate is necessary to stay successful in the big leagues. You have to make hitters miss to a certain degree because if hitters always make contact, those balls are usually going to find holes. (Of course there are some exceptions like with certain lefties or certain guys with heavy sinkers or knuckleballers.)
By RedEyedAndBlue
August 21, 2007 2:38 PM | Link to this
Chop Chop -
Don’t take it to heart. Those polls are so unscientific. I wouldn’t make much of it. Imagine that Smoltz ran away with it due to his postseason success coupled with the fact that he’s still on the team. Best game I ever saw Maddux pitch was Game 1 of the ‘95 series. Think Game 1 is often overshadowed by Glavine’s Game 6 1-hitter. But in Game 1, Maddux threw a CG 2 hitter against one of the greatest offensive juggernauts ever to play in the WS. His pitching in that game set the tone for the entire series.
By TampaBrave
August 21, 2007 2:38 PM | Link to this
New blog anytime soon?
By Lew
August 21, 2007 2:42 PM | Link to this
CobbBrave-Most of what you said, notwithstanding, SJA blogs under the name of The Southern Jackass and is, indeed, someone who posts on a relatively continual basis. Unless SJA is a nom de plume of Paladin, he is not a figment of his imagination.
By Overlord
August 21, 2007 2:43 PM | Link to this
Chop Chop
Dont get things wrong. I voted for smoltz and i think maddux is the best pitcher i have ever seen pitch in my era. He is just a surgeon, student of the game. He was in atlanta like a god that knew what was gonna happen next and did something about it. I think lots of people that voted for smoltz know that smoltz is not better if they go head to head like 100%. But to me that poll was meant to ask what pitcher has done more for atlanta, if that aint the case, then it aint clear enough. Smoltz has done more for the braves than maddux, he is still winning games for us. And Glavine and maddux are winning games for the teams that lead us in the playoff race (SD and muts).
Pitching is about control and limiting competition to the least and maddux was the best doing that….. i dont think anybody here will disagree on that.
By Tomahawkin
August 21, 2007 2:47 PM | Link to this
I beg that we get 7 innings of 6 hit 3 run baseball from Jo-Jo 2Nite, if he does that we will easily outslug the Reds in the Great American Smallpark…
By Paladin
August 21, 2007 2:48 PM | Link to this
Braveheart Please furnish CobbBrave a copy of the RROE. I know, he or she(no disrespect intended)doesn’t know what that is either, but will (maybe) when it is furnished.
Respectfully submitted to the blog hierarchy: Paladin
By Paladin
August 21, 2007 2:54 PM | Link to this
Unless SJA is a nom de plume of Paladin, he is not a figment of his imagination.
Now, Lew, isn’t that a bit unkind to both me and SJA, or do I misread it? If I don’t, you disappoint me.
By AthensBrave
August 21, 2007 2:54 PM | Link to this
Over/under:
How many runs do we need to score to make JoJo victorious tonight?
By Efrim
August 21, 2007 2:59 PM | Link to this
Jason Heyward is doing well in his first 4 games with the GCL Braves. 4 doubles and a home run.
Cody Johnson is tearing it up at Danville.
Brandon Jones is having a great year between Mississippi and Richmond.
Too bad they are all corner outfielders.
By ncscoots
August 21, 2007 3:04 PM | Link to this
Braveheart, I’ve seen a couple of mentions about the RROE, but what is that? Remember, I wasn’t reading the blog in July, so I obviously missed something, LOL.
By Ron Roberts
August 21, 2007 3:04 PM | Link to this
Bob, Journalist… A- on the post, buddy. Solid points, all taken into consideration, except the last line.
By Paladin
August 21, 2007 3:07 PM | Link to this
The hounds of hell chased my Firefox into a hole…a blackhole.
By Shaun
August 21, 2007 3:10 PM | Link to this
Carroll,
Also, I agree that wins and ERA should NOT be discarded and ignored but I just think more stock needs to be put into things that the pitcher can control—walks, strikeouts, hit batsmen, homeruns/extra-base hits—things that aren’t as influenced by defense and chance.
By BamaBrave
August 21, 2007 3:13 PM | Link to this
Hard to argue with your passionate essay on Maddux, Chop Chop… I almost voted for Maddux. I wanted to vote for Maddux. But he’s a Cub. He never really became involved locally, and that’s OK, but that just reinforced the whole “hired gun” mystique he seemed to project. In fact, I’ll go so far as to predict that he’ll be wearing a Cub hat on his HOF plaque. We were lucky to have him in his prime…but he’s just not an Atlanta guy.
By Chop Chop
August 21, 2007 3:25 PM | Link to this
RedEyedAndBlue,
I didn’t take it to heart or anything. I’m just amused by the poll topics and results that we see on this site. Some topics are meant to rile people up, while others seem to be poorly thought out.
Overlord,
Smoltz’s postseason efforts, sacrifices for the team and his longevity in Atlanta are what make him nearest and dearest to most fans (including me). I’m basing my opinion on how Smoltz and Maddux measure up as pure pitchers. As great as Smoltz (who certainly has been more visible in the city, more outspoken, more accessible, etc. than Maddux) has been in Atlanta, I just happen to believe that Maddux is the quintessential pitcher. I’m damn sure that I’ll never see a greater pitcher than Maddux on the mound in Atlanta in my lifetime. There’s no doubt that Smoltz has always had electric stuff and the intensity and demeanor to go with it, but I think even ol’ John would tell you that he would kill to have Maddux’s consistency at clipping the corners with movement. Doggie was and is a pitching god.
By Paladin
August 21, 2007 3:27 PM | Link to this
ncscoots I had hoped that someone else would answer your question , but…
The “Rookie Rules of Engagement”(RROE) is a largely humorous set of “rules” for newcomers to the blog. But, it also contains some “good” advice, as well. DOB liked it/them so much that he asked t the “anonymous” author to make them permanently available. Somehow Braveheart is the custodian. I wonder why LOL? And I think they can be accessed on a “site” but BH would have to answer that.
I guess he is out feedin’ the pigs or something so that explanation will have to do for now.
By Carolina Lady
August 21, 2007 3:28 PM | Link to this
Lew, terrific news on the presentation!!! Way to go, Carroll!! Exciting!
Carroll, Renegator is correct about Shaun. DOT has had to replace several STOP signs that he has completely worn out! :-))
AthensBrave: “How many runs do we need to score to make JoJo victorious tonight?” Reds+1. :-)
By Julia
August 21, 2007 3:30 PM | Link to this
Hero? Hero? HERO SAMMICH!
HERO SHRIMP SAMMICH!!
SHRIMP SAMMICHES FOR EVERYBODY!!
AARRRGGGHHHH!! The POOCH MAKES ME CRAZY!!
I do love the SHRIMP SAMMICH though.
By Either Orr
August 21, 2007 3:31 PM | Link to this
Carroll,
The “Andruw saves a run a game,” thing has been debated time and again here and elsewhere.
It’s urban legend stuff. He’s a great outfielder. He HAS saved some games with his defense, quite a few games over his career! But “a run a game” just really doesn’t wash. It’s overstatement to say the least. I’m sure Bobby came up with that one a few years back…..sounds like some of his hyperbole.
There are any number of games throughout the season that Andruw has only routine plays and routine opportunities. Most Major League center fielders can cover the ground (some more) and get to balls (some more) that Andruw does.
Has anyone been watching ML outfielders the last few years? Plays that Andruw and only a handful of others used to make are being made by LOTS of guys.
Better athletes I suppose.
By Rodger
August 21, 2007 3:37 PM | Link to this
KC
I know I’m about a day late (and well over a dollar short!), but you’re right-you do deserve props for the Hudson prediction.
Now, if we can revisit the 18 wins for Chuck James…
Hell, has he even logged 18 innings? lol!
By Bob
August 21, 2007 3:44 PM | Link to this
Carolina Lady, good one on the runs we need tonight. Hope you are feelin` better.
BamaBrave, I suspect Maddux and Glavine will both go in the HOF as Braves. First, since some guys abused the hat thing several years ago, the player does not get the choice. Most of Maddux’s wins came in Atlanta and all but one of his Cy Youngs. I think you will see all three of these guys with a big A on their HOF hat.
I do agree that the most important of these guys to Atlanta has been Smoltz. But all of them were keys to our success…yeah, Robert I know you don’t consider anything but 1995 successful.
We need to find a way to win a bunch in a row now. I still want the Mets to lose, but if they don’t, we would at least get the consolation prize of knocking down the Pads. Needless to say, go Dodgers.
By RedEyedAndBlue
August 21, 2007 3:52 PM | Link to this
RROE were posted on 5 July, 4:50 pm. (and Carroll, you need to see #8).
Sincerely submitted by: A Rookie Posting Only to Assist the Wise and Mighty Veterans
By Carolina Lady
August 21, 2007 3:52 PM | Link to this
Bob, :-)))
Also, thanks for the inquiry; prayer works! Improvement is noted, another dr visit Thursday and I hope for more good news! :-)
By RedEyedAndBlue
August 21, 2007 3:54 PM | Link to this
New blog is up, if you didn’t notice.
BamaBrave and Bob,
Maddux’ll be a Brave in the HOF. Not only were all but one of his Cy Young’s with the Braves, so was his World Championship.
By Newbie
August 21, 2007 3:58 PM | Link to this
Man, I feel like I fell down the rabbit hole with all these references to shrimp sammiches and wurlitzers. What the F%$@ are you guys smokin? On 2nd thought, I don’t even want to know.
By journalist jimmy smith
August 21, 2007 4:00 PM | Link to this
it seems a blog that used to talk cheese and barbecue and pie now only talks sandwiches. the blog has come full circle. while little consideration was given to the health issues surrounding cheese, barbecue, or pie there has been considerable mention of a condition known as “pooch” resulting from too many shrimp sandwiches. again, the blog is coming full circle. this journalist joins with ron roberts in yearning for a return to yesteryear when this blog was a cheese, barbecue, and pie blog and not a blog for greasy sandwiches. and jo jo will be on the mound tonight! the question now becomes “will corky catch?” mccann had a good night with the bat last night so it is time for bobby to sit mccann for a rest and to get corky some at-bats. not sure about the matchup tonight. could see some p players, too. running out of p players, though. still have a w player utility man. oh, the humanity!
and there will be a wurlitzer presentation! this is as it should be. removing some of the grizzle from grinch should begin right now. there is no time to waste.
and will this be a speaking part? no one has mentioned. must have a good voice if representing the blog. can’t stutter or say, “uh”, or “you know”. wait! would fit right in! and maybe a little nose picking, too! carroll, do not shake hands with grinch! this night will live in infamy.
should we ask mrs. anthony for a pie for these songwriter/performers? perhaps a peach pie?
and will there be a blog photographer present? and how about a fly-over? many details. many, many details.
By KC
August 21, 2007 5:03 PM | Link to this
Rodger: Thanks dude.
I was on the mark with Hudson and W.Harris… but off the mark with HoRam (I thought he’d pitch well in Seattle) and Thorman. Oh well. Can’t call em all. =)
By BILLDAWG
August 22, 2007 8:56 AM | Link to this
Hudson and Smoltz, and that’s all folks!!
By Tink
August 22, 2007 11:46 AM | Link to this
Huson would be 18-5 if it werent for Wickman, not to mention his ERA would be lower than it is because when Hudson leaves the game, the bullpen always lets the runners on base score. Other pitchers have the luxury of a good bullpen that saves them runs and ends the inning without letting the runners in!!!