AJC > Sports > Braves > Blog > Archives > 2007 > August > 24 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USChange of scenery good for Braves
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Ah, you know you’re in a real baseball town when the woman behind the counter at the hotel desk is wearing a Cardinals baseball jersey.
It’s not the playoffs, not a Cubs series, just your average, run-of-the-mill, pennant-influencing baseball weekend.
Maybe the Braves will perk up in this baseball mecca. They need something. As we all know, things couldn’t get a whole lot worse.
This is what Brian McCann had to say last night after the Braves lost their third in a row to the Reds, to fall to 1-6 against them this season and three games back in the wildcard. (Is there another race? Hasn’t been lately, it seems.)
“You can’t come up here in a playoff atmosphere and only win one game,” McCann said.
And really, it was a playoff atmosphere for one team. The Reds crowds were nothing special, in the 20,000s — probably because of the heat and the lack of something at stake for the Reds. These next three days in St. Louis can have playoff implications for both teams. And the ballpark will play more like a regular ballpark, thank goodness.
And at its most basic level, the Braves need the change of scenery in the worst kind of way.
The Braves are at the right point in the rotation to turn things around with Smoltz going tonight and Huddy tomorrow. That right there could get them a series win. But I know, I know, first things first: any kind of win will do.
And as Chipper said last night, when I asked him if he thought things were going to turn around after he tied the game 5-5 with a three-run homer: “I don’t take anything for granted this year.”
Nope, nothing is sacred.
This weekend we’ll have a couple of third-place teams going at it, strange as it is to say, and one of those third-place teams is on the rise.
The Cardinals came into this series only three games back in the Central. Granted, the Central has been pretty weak this year, and the Cardinals are still under .500 at 61-63 coming in. But the Cards are 26-21 in July and August. The Braves in that time are 23-24.
The team that’s reeling right now is Atlanta, which seemed to play its best ball in April when the Cardinals were fading. Now roles have reversed.
In fact, the Braves are only three games ahead of St. Louis in the wildcard.
Believe it or not, Smoltz actually has a losing record against the Cardinals - 10-11 for his career - one of only two NL teams where that’s the case.
And Albert Pujols is smoking hot right now (and for more than just his good looks). He had homers in five games in a row until last night. And he’s pretty well raked against Smoltz, hitting (.467) 7-for-15 with three homers. Smoltz needs to take care of the hitters around Pujols so it’s not that big of a deal if Pujols does his usual damage. Easier said than done of course.
Oh, and the Braves shouldn’t expect to save their offense for late in games. The Cardinals starters are 38-55 with a 5.04 ERA this year, but the relievers are 23-8 with a 3.90 ERA. Jason Isringhausen has converted 25 of 27 saves. He hasn’t blown a save since June 26.
Meanwhile, a couple numbers for thought:
Chipper is back in the lead in the NL batting race, hitting .337 after going 3-for-7 with two doubles and a homer Thursday night.
After going 12 outings without allowing a run from July 19 -August 10, Peter Moylan has allowed runs in three of his last six. He took the loss on Wednesday night against the Reds and a blown save on Thursday.
Andruw Jones’ three hits Thursday night was his first three-hit game since July 18. That last one was also against the Reds, and also in a loss.
Manny Acosta has pitched 6 2/3 scoreless innings to start his major league career, with two walks and six strikeouts and three hits allowed.
Jeff Francoeur went 0-for-6 Thursday night to fall make that 4-20 (.200) on the trip heading into St. Louis.
Off to the ballpark. It’s my first time to the new Busch Stadium. Saw it going up from inside the old one. Still, I think it’s the people that make the place in this town.
I was here as a spectator a couple years back and even in a game the Cardinals were losing to the Braves, their fans would still ask us Atlantans questions about the team, young players, what the stadium was like in Atlanta, etc. Very cool.
Do denizens do road trips? I highly recommend this town — though perhaps not in August.
Comments
By random word guy
August 24, 2007 4:12 PM | Link to this
VESTIBULE
By The Metallurgist
August 24, 2007 4:14 PM | Link to this
Glad to see Carroll’s use of the word alloy. Made me proud.
Keep up the good work!
By Colin
August 24, 2007 4:22 PM | Link to this
Maybe we could win a game…thats what i call wishful thinking
By Stuart
August 24, 2007 4:26 PM | Link to this
THIRD????
By Tonight on TCM
August 24, 2007 4:26 PM | Link to this
Meet Me In St. Louis (1944)
St. Louis, 2007. The Jones family has two beautiful daughters: Druw and little tomboy Chipper. Chipper has fallen in love with the boy next door who has just moved in, Tex. He however, barely notices her at first. The family is shocked when family patriarch, Bobby, reveals that he has been fired from his job. Will this result in the breakup of this once happy family?
By Stuart
August 24, 2007 4:27 PM | Link to this
TOP FIVE???????
By Coach ( This is how the Braves get over the hump.)
August 24, 2007 4:31 PM | Link to this
Ya’ll can sit down and listen to some plain old common sense. How to improve the Braves odds in the wild card chase ? It’s addition by subtraction. Come September 1st , bring up every single pitcher on the 40 man giving the Braves 21 total pitchers. Junk the five man rotation , it’s killing the Braves. The old four man rotation would give Hudson and Smoltz 18 or 19 starts over the last 34 games. Limit them both to 75 pitches or five innings , which ever comes first and use that 17 man bullpen over the last three or four innings. It’s not rocket science , it’s baseball. Smoltz and Hudson are winning at a .700 clip over the last two months. Do the math , 66 wins plus 13 or 14 wins from the two aces. The remaining 15-16 games would require nothing more than .500 from the other two starters ( Cormier/James). That would presumably put the Braves around 87-89 wins , well into wild card territory. It’s better than sticking with the five man rotation and limiting the pitch count , not throwing on the side would be the same as pitching every fifth day. There ya go , maximize the two aces , limit the damage from the rest of the rotation. Lew , would have never thought of this. NEVER.
By Brooklyn Braves Brawler
August 24, 2007 4:31 PM | Link to this
I like Smoltzie tonight against Kip Wells.
Let’s hope we don’t get punched in the mouth early and then go crawl in our hole. We are in this viscious cycle of two game winnig streaks and threegame losing streaks.
Contreras or Trachsel within the next 5 days or we are toast.
By Señor Blanco
August 24, 2007 4:33 PM | Link to this
Esto es un rato muy triste para los ventiladores de los Bravos. Debemos ganar por lo menos dos de los juegos en St. Louis o bien nos acaban. Llevo a cabo mi respiración.
By N8
August 24, 2007 4:36 PM | Link to this
“TOP FIVE???????”
Yup. The Braves will finish in the Top 5 of the NL East……maybe.
By Robert(Justice Is The Best)
August 24, 2007 4:40 PM | Link to this
No Chop Zone, understand this sentence. That baked Cod isn’t going to bake itself. Get back to work!
By gone with the wind
August 24, 2007 4:45 PM | Link to this
what was it that the “Don” said on Monday nite football…”.turn out the lights,the paaarrty’s ooooover!”
By Charlie B.
August 24, 2007 4:46 PM | Link to this
Someone needs to tell Mr. Cox that getting thrown out of ball games can be counter productive such as last evening when we went into extra innings with inexperienced managing. We need him in the dugout much more than arguing silly calls he can’t win. He is too good at managing the Braves to allow this to happen.
By D-Cider
August 24, 2007 4:46 PM | Link to this
Sooner or later the AJC staff has to realize this is a .500 ball club and probably should not (and will not) make the playoffs. Starting pitching is the problem. Scoring 7 or 8 runs a game and losing and starters only going 5 or less innings will keep the Braves at home in Oct.
By Colin
August 24, 2007 4:47 PM | Link to this
We will finish 3rd….and 2nd in WC
By GB
August 24, 2007 4:47 PM | Link to this
Coach,
FINALLY…..Someone out there with a brain agrees with me on the 4-man ratation. I brought this up a couple of weeks ago and no one had the guts for different thinking (including DOB)Thanks Coach…you made my day!
By Train Wreck Bystander
August 24, 2007 4:47 PM | Link to this
I still believe in these Atlanta Braves.
By GW
August 24, 2007 4:48 PM | Link to this
Braves great run should have taught them that pitching wins games. Tex was a good pickup but I stated when the deal was made that scoring 7 runs and giving up 8 will be the end result of this mistake. No playoff for the Bravos
By geauxbraves2000
August 24, 2007 4:49 PM | Link to this
The last time I saw the Braves play in person was in STL. That was the game McGuire was tossed for arguing a third strike from Glavine. I was getting a little concerned for a while, the stands were shaking from the outburst of the crowd. I at one time thought the game may have to be called. But alas, it continued. I believe Javy hit a HR, and the last out was Galarraga’s throw to 2nd to force the runner for the win.
It’s been a while.
Geaux Braves!!
By doc
August 24, 2007 4:49 PM | Link to this
dead, dead, dead, dead?
By Double Deuce
August 24, 2007 4:49 PM | Link to this
Coach You’re right. Lew would never have thought of that…….nor would anyone else. If only you were the GM…of the Mets.
By Robert(Justice Is The Best)
August 24, 2007 4:51 PM | Link to this
Actually, I do think that the September callups will be a big help. If the Braves can just hold on for one more week, help is on the way. Blaine Boyer, Kevin Barry, Chad Paronto, Brandon Jones, Brayan Pena, Joey Devine, Jose Ascaino, Brent Lillibridge, Carlos Melendez, Dan Smith, Trey Hodges, and TJ Bohn are all possible callups. If Cox has to go by starter by committee for the last two spots in the rotation then that is what he needs to do.
By JD
August 24, 2007 4:53 PM | Link to this
Pretend we’re Yankee fans for a minute: when does Manny Acosta start getting Cy Young consideration along with Joba Chamberlain.
By Bob, Journalist
August 24, 2007 4:55 PM | Link to this
Carroll, it’s almost like you gave a party and nobody got their invitations … while probably not worth replication, here’s my last post from the previous blog.
By Bob, Journalist 4:32 PM
From the wee hours comes the joke of the day … By uga-brave
“BOB J, you defintely have mastered the english language. i really like your blogs, they make me laugh. but some times i think your intentions are to condescend the rest of us that aint so smart. METHINKS”
Powerful words, any time of the day … kudos, uga-brave!
Was it not Polonius who said “you can always fool some of the people Abe, just be careful not to fool yourself!”
For the rest of you who ain’t so smart … just remember that those who think they are, ain’t! I may sometimes appear to be condescending but that’s never my intent … it’s just that sometimes methinks situations call for better attention getters than four by sixes.
Something that might be worth pondering … were I to consider you stupid, would I not also think it stupid to expend the energy required for indulging in what some consider the obfuscatory?
If we’re not supposed to laugh at ourselves and with others, then why did God make mirrors?
And most definitely not am I a master of the language, as some hereon who truly are, can duly attest … as does the above syntax … however, I wish I were and certainly appreciate and treasure the misguided sentiment as a compliment.
He also made a bold prediction that I like too!
That we are all somewhat frustrated is to be expected as are the many different forms of manifestation that we are seeing … we can expect the players, coaches and management to be frustrated as well … what is somewhat surprising is seeing such frustration publicly expressed … or at least the manner in which it’s being done.
I remember riding with my sister just after she got her license … we came to an intersection … she hit the gas instead of the brake … screamed help, threw up both her hands … and safely glided through the intersection!
Afterwards, she shook like a leaf … I doubt that it was a religious experience but keep the faith … God answers prayer!
By Dirty Harry
August 24, 2007 4:57 PM | Link to this
A man has got to know his limitations.
Dirty Harry sez the only thing the douchebag ever got right was the self demotion from Head Coach to Coach.
By Coach ( This is how the Braves get over the hump.)
August 24, 2007 4:58 PM | Link to this
Hey , thanks guys. The Braves used a four man rotation all of 1993 and it worked like a charm.
By Colin
August 24, 2007 4:59 PM | Link to this
I say we just let it play out..we sorta hold our own destiny…we just have to WIN!!!!..
By rammerjammer
August 24, 2007 5:00 PM | Link to this
Braves will lose a minimum of four of the next six games on this trip, and will spend September auditioning Brandon Jones and Brett Lillibridge.
The anxiety is so obvious. A pressing team makes mistakes. You know that. That’s what you saw last night and you’ll see more of it this weekend.
Sorry. Gonna be a cold winter.
By Jonathan Swift
August 24, 2007 5:00 PM | Link to this
Coach - an even better proposal: we make sure that every position player has a good arm. Then let each position player alternate as pitcher. Pitch by pitch, i.e. Chipper throws a pitch, then Escobar, then Johnson, etc. Imagine how disruptive that would be to the other team.
By Stu
August 24, 2007 5:01 PM | Link to this
I read that Devine has been called up, or at least is in St. Louis.
Efrim (if you’re out there), you said the other day that Boyer was not in consideration as a starter this year or next; is there some authority for that statement?
Seems to me he’d be a pretty good option if the starting pitching woes continue, but maybe there’s some reason that’s not possible.
Sounds like a lot of rain in St. Louis tonight - we’ll be lucky to get the game in.
By Stan, Cycle Man
August 24, 2007 5:01 PM | Link to this
DOB, the pegs are ready and the drool cup. Pick the bike up before 6:00 PM. Stan
By Yars
August 24, 2007 5:02 PM | Link to this
What can be said that hasn’t been said already? The Braves need to go on a realistic winning streak. Something along the lines of a 7 or 8 game winning streak. The Cardinals have awesome fans, but it’s a team that has been playing under .500 ball all season long. Sweeping the Cards, then going down to Miami & sweeping the Fish who have been playing really bad as of late. Weren’t they on some 8 game losing streak up until last night? I don’t think any of the teams that are in the thick of the NL Wildcard at the moment are going to run away with it. I think it’s quite possible that after Sunday’s game, the Braves could only be 1 game out of the Wildcard. We can crunch numbers all we want, but both the Cards & Fish are not good teams. *hit man, wasn’t that also said about the Reds, & we lost 3 out of 4 from them!?! I know it’s hard to be optimistic about this Braves team. The reality is, there are still 34 games left. Let’s hope they get the game in tonight. Thunderstorms are predicted for the St. Louis area throughout the night.
By John B.
August 24, 2007 5:04 PM | Link to this
GB + Coach: Well, that’s nice thinking. Have 21 pitcher on the roster, and make it a 4-man rotation. Quick question. Who are the other 2 starts outside of Hudson + Smoltz going to be? What good does it do if you still have 2/3 inconsistent pitchers going every 4 days? What happens if the other 19 pitchers STILL can’t get it done like right now? I’d rather have Smoltz + Hudson pitch 6-7, maybe even 8 innings, than limit them to 75 pitches or 5 innings.
By Abbie Hoffman
August 24, 2007 5:04 PM | Link to this
OK. Here’s our plan - when anyone other than Smoltz or Hudson pitch, if we are behind at the end of the fourth inning, Eddie Perez phones in a bomb scare using the bullpen phone. Game cancelled.
By flange1
August 24, 2007 5:06 PM | Link to this
Oh my god LEW,
Can you believe it? A 4 man rotation! WOW, we could have never thought of that!
A 41 year old pitcher with a sore body and an surgically repaired sholder and elbow should be able to go from pitching on 4 days rest for his whole life to pitching on 3 days rest after 3/4 of a season and then be fresh for the playoffs,
SURE IT’S GOT TO WORK, IT CAME FROM COACH!!!
By rammerjammer
August 24, 2007 5:07 PM | Link to this
Did someone say “help is on the way” and “Kevin Barry” in the same sentence? Surely that was sarcastic.
I have a news flash for you. The “help” is already here, under the names Carlyle, Cormier and Reyes. They are the best our minor league system has to offer.
Man, now I’m depressed.
By Paladin
August 24, 2007 5:08 PM | Link to this
Hey MZ Carroll, DOB gives us a “heads up” when he posts a new blog. It is sort of a “courtesy flush”, but y’all probably don’t have those in the ladies’ room.
By Bobby Boucher
August 24, 2007 5:08 PM | Link to this
Last year, the Head Coach. This year, the Coach. Next year, the Head Waterboy. The year after, just the Waterboy. The year after that, any guesses?
BTW, Bobby Boucher’s movie was filmed in Deland, Florida. Know anyone else from Deland?
Holy Wikipedia!
By Fairuza Balk
August 24, 2007 5:11 PM | Link to this
Fairuza thinks Coach is gonna be cute when he is the Head Waterboy next year. Even cuter when he is just the Waterboy the year after that.
By Dirty Harry
August 24, 2007 5:12 PM | Link to this
A moron has got to know his limitations. Lew lacks the brains for true baseball knowledge.
By Overlord
August 24, 2007 5:14 PM | Link to this
By Overlord
August 24, 2007 4:26 PM | Link to this
Shaun wickman is no closer. Period.
A closer by definition…… closes the game out!!!
When he comes in the door is shut.
Game over lights out……….. Wickman is no close to that, i cant remember a game where he left the bases empty, just last night of course after the HR.
Soriano is obviously a better choice, but Cox, as always, finds something misterious, that is only in his head, (because noone else can really understand) and uses wickman as closer. He doesnt have the stuff, not even the personality, not even the apperance to be a closer…… In life, to be something first you have the looks, im not talking pretty here, but you have to look like a dominant pitcher, and wickman looks to me as if he is coming into the game with a beer on his pitching hand.
By Overlord
August 24, 2007 5:16 PM | Link to this
By Overlord
August 24, 2007 4:40 PM | Link to this
I dont understand why the heeell does this muts fans, if you can call them fans keep coming here to tell us how good their muts are….. They didnt showed that against atlanta in any of their series, they didnt showed that against SD.
Muts sououock, plain and simple.
It is well known in all of baseball, the league has no respect for them whatsoever, what do you have to show? 2 flag for the last 2o years? 1WS (not to mention you would have none if they had changed buckner for someone that could go down for a groundball).
You use more and more and more money just like the yankess and what do you have to show for all that money????????
Nothing, just another mediocre team, that wouldnt even make it to the playoffs if hampton and gonzo was around, and i dont care if pedro was around also……. youll see, i hope you people dont go into the closed or under the bed when october is done.
By Paladin
August 24, 2007 5:16 PM | Link to this
Coach After brain-flatulence like that you could at least have the decency to fan behind you. And it smells like the drooler crawled up inside you, and died.
By StingerSplash
August 24, 2007 5:16 PM | Link to this
Change of scenery? Not from last October if you lose 6 of 7 to the worst team in the league. In fact, the Braves will get the same thing in six weeks they had at the same point in time last year - tee times, everybody!
By Overlord
August 24, 2007 5:17 PM | Link to this
By Overlord
August 24, 2007 4:51 PM | Link to this
Robert its is simple, im sure this braves players dont practice the bunt, cause they will hammer the other team, so they go……..BUNT? WHAT THE HELL IS THAT??? Torre even sat bernie when he stopped performing well.
Check out some of the players that are performing the better……Acosta, Tex, Mahay. What do they have in common? They have not been infused yet by the passive game of Cox, they still know they have to put fire into their games. Look at Mccan and jeff, they already look like chipper, Not even a Grand slam means anything. You think last night single back brian off the wall would have been a single last year? of course not 100% sure. Now he runs slower than wickman, come on he is a catcher not a 100 year old grand ma.
By Lew
August 24, 2007 5:17 PM | Link to this
Coach-You’re absolutely right. I wouldn’t have thought of destroying Smoltz’s arm with extreme overuse. AS far as bringing up the other pitchers, Do you even realize that KC has advocated this for the past week? Do you even bother to read anyone’s thoughts besides your own? This is what we waited for all of this time you pounded your chest and bragged about how smart you were? Talk about a let down. I thought maybe you might have a plan worth something. According to you, something no one else was capable of coming up with and what we end up with is expand the rosters? And of course, James is out of the equation for at least another week and a half. Yeah, that works.
By rammerjammer
August 24, 2007 5:18 PM | Link to this
OK, there is ONE reason to hope. There’s an 80 percent chance of storms tonight in St. Louis.
No, wait. That’s bad. We need the rain when C, C or R is on the mound. Not Smoltzie!
Argh.
By Urban Dictionary
August 24, 2007 5:18 PM | Link to this
courtesy flush
Flushing the toilet at the exact moment of a smelly bowel movement hitting the water as to minimize lingering oders that may eminate off the perpatrating poo. Keeping the bowl poo free will keep the bathroom odor to a minimum.
By Overlord
August 24, 2007 5:18 PM | Link to this
By Overlord
August 24, 2007 5:00 PM | Link to this
This player dont play like if their life depends on winning the game. Thats all. And if you dont do that. You lose.
By Overlord
August 24, 2007 5:08 PM | Link to this
Muts Fans are wishing hard for the braves not to get into the playoffs than they are for their mets to get there, as they know that if the braves get there it would like if the muts never did……. do i need to explain???????
By Robert(Justice Is The Best)
August 24, 2007 5:20 PM | Link to this
Okay, the ripping of my posts needs to be taken into context. No, Kevin Barry is not a savior. However, for the Braves they now have to rely on quantity instead of quality in regards to their pitching. For instance, on days Carlyle starts have Kevin Barry or Boyer as his “stand-in” so to speak. Enough pitchers will be on the staff that this can happen. Barry, Boyer, Hodges, and Smith can be used as co-starters for James, Carlyle, and Cormier. It is outside the box thinking but at this point what choice do the Braves have. The hope is that James, Carlyle, and Cormier can at least get through three or four innings without imploding. This will save guys like Villareal and Moylan from having to pitch two and three inning outings two and three times a week.
By Head Janitor, Next Year just the Janitor
August 24, 2007 5:20 PM | Link to this
Hey MZ Carroll, DOB gives us a “heads up” when he posts a new blog. It is sort of a “courtesy flush”, but y’all probably don’t have those in the ladies’ room.
Ever been in a ladies room, Paladin? You would swear the whole 40 man roster had done their business in there.
The Head Janitor, to be called simply The Janitor next year, is suggesting a 4 woman rotation for the toilets for the rest of the year.
Upper management won’t listen to me. The best I could get out of them was to call me Head Custodial Technician instead of Head Janitor. Of course, next year, I’ll just be a custodial technician though.
By Coach ( Hank Aaron Is The Real HR Champion.)
August 24, 2007 5:23 PM | Link to this
The children have come over from the other blog. Lew , Flange1 or whatever you multiple personality bloggers call yourselves , your not fooling anybody. I’m out , nursery school isn’t my cup of tea.
By Dirty Hairy
August 24, 2007 5:23 PM | Link to this
Phewww! I stink! I must have gotten hold of a bad SHRIMP SAMMICH!!!!
By Robert(Justice Is The Best)
August 24, 2007 5:24 PM | Link to this
Wickman’s problem is that he doesn’t have that one pitch to get hitters out. Hoffman has that changeup. Wagner has that fastball. Although those two aren’t the best examples after last night. Anyway, Rivera has that cutter. Papplebon has the ability to use his fastball and changeup. Wickman doesn’t have a pitch that is intimidating and because he doesn’t throw hard it makes him hittable. That kind of pitching can work in Atlanta. In Cincy it will get him shelled. Don’t forget his biggest meltdown last year happened in Cincy while he was still with the Indians.
By Salty
August 24, 2007 5:25 PM | Link to this
Now John B
That plan’s been teased to the blog for days now! Know your place..and never question genius! ;-)
By Overlord
August 24, 2007 5:25 PM | Link to this
GB i also think 4 man rotation is better for us, what are we using a 5th guy for? 3 innings? i prefer using smoltz or tim for 6 every 4 days…. that gives us a better chance to outslugg anyone.
By Dirty Harry
August 24, 2007 5:27 PM | Link to this
Dirty Harry is angry. Dirty Harry just got jacked by a jackal. Dirty Harry is going to report this to the AJC staff. Banishment to whomever stole Dirty Harry’s name. Dirty Harry would never say a bad word about Lew. Lew is Dirty Harry’s friend and Dirty Harry is going to stick up for Lew.
SO, whomever stole Dirty Harry’s moniker to attack Lew best step away from the blog a while and leave Lew alone and stop stealing Dirty Harry’s name. Dirty Harry will report you if you don’t leave.
Don’t believe Dirty Harry, then all Dirty Harry has to say is Feeling lucky punk?
BTW, Dirty Harry still thinks Coach is a douchebag.
By Robert(Justice Is The Best)
August 24, 2007 5:29 PM | Link to this
The dinner rush must be on at the Silver’s. A certain crazed Met fan has been inconspicously quiet the last hour or so. Maybe he got caught blogging on company time and he is getting punished by having to mix the coleslaw or something.
By Cladwell
August 24, 2007 5:31 PM | Link to this
(Dear Braves - don’t be the bunny:)
A little bunny in the meadow
Is nibbling grass without a care
He’s so delightful as he hops for you
You say, “Hi, bunny”
And he stops for you
You pull your trigger
And he drops for you
Goodbye, bunny-boo
Hello, rabbit stew!
Get me, boys?
Don’t be the bunny
Don’t be the stew
Don’t be the dinner
You have better things to do
That’s why it’s funny
So take your cue
Don’t be the bunny
Don’t be the bunny
By KevinM.
August 24, 2007 5:31 PM | Link to this
Who came up with the roster change in a great baseball town in St. Louis ???
By Arthur Bach
August 24, 2007 5:32 PM | Link to this
Coach, you must have hated this moose.
By Chop Chop
August 24, 2007 5:32 PM | Link to this
Holy Mother of God, Wickman was DFA’d. Wow.
By The Duke
August 24, 2007 5:34 PM | Link to this
Does a grown man refer to another grown man as “smoltzie”?
No.
By grippy guy
August 24, 2007 5:34 PM | Link to this
You know what would work better than a change of scenery ? shopping…yes perhaps a new pair of shoes and some boy time will do the trick.
By Head Options Expert
August 24, 2007 5:34 PM | Link to this
Will someone please explain to ole Head Cooch what the options consequences are for bringing up the entire 40 man roster to pitch?
Does anyone dare do that after the retarded insistence of the Head Cooch the last time?
By Sergeant Salmonloaf
August 24, 2007 5:35 PM | Link to this
Can anyone on this blog tell me what has happened to the Braves relief pitchers? Why are they so inconsistent?
How is it possible Wickman, Soriano, and now Moylan were so lights out early in the season, and now have gone down the tubes?
It’s shocking to me that Wicky was so intimidating for his first few months on the Braves, and now after last nights blown save in extra innings has been assigned. He has just been awful lately—-a complete 180 degree turn.
And what happened to Soriano? He was amazing early on.
And Moylan seemed to be the most consistent until recently getting lit up.
Why has it all gone to hell so quickly in the bullpen?
Mahay looks so great now, but I fear the same fate awaits him, that after a few months, he will go to $hit as well.
I just scratch my head and wonder why? Anyone got any ideas why this is happening?
By PA Man
August 24, 2007 5:36 PM | Link to this
“Coach” has left the building.
By Tomahawkin' Again
August 24, 2007 5:36 PM | Link to this
Whoa, just returned to the blog after taking my nearly 48 hour sabbatical after Wednesday night’s debacle and I read that the Wick has been s@#$-canned. THANK GOD! Warm up that bandwagon, I’m back on board.
By ernesto
August 24, 2007 5:37 PM | Link to this
Holy Sh%T! They released Wickman???? He hasn’t been greatl lately but who other than Smoltz or Hudson has? Moylan’s been good but whooo-boy, I don’t know…releasing him????
By AZBravoFan
August 24, 2007 5:38 PM | Link to this
Did anybody see that the Braves just designated Wickman? Wow! Guess they figured they better do it before Huddy’s next start. Who closes now? I’m not comfortable with Soriano yet. Anybody opposed to giving the new kid Acosta a shot? Don’t know much about his makeup. Hopefully he wouldn’t be another Devine.
By Stu
August 24, 2007 5:39 PM | Link to this
Wow, Wickman sent down!
By Steve from OH
August 24, 2007 5:39 PM | Link to this
Wow. How can we cut Wicky and NOT cut Woodward. Amazing.
By Willy Wally
August 24, 2007 5:39 PM | Link to this
I’m out , nursery school isn’t my cup of tea.
Oh, what’s the matter Cooch? Are you now admitting to being a failure as a Coach for nursery school kids as well?
By Lew
August 24, 2007 5:40 PM | Link to this
Yeah-Coach’s idea is put down about 15-1 and he blames it on multiple bloggers. It isn’t me. I post under my own name only. Just can’t handle the fact that most of the bloggers here know you for the fool you really are. Tried to fake posts and when the fraud was exposed, you blamed bloggers posting under multiple names. Could it just be that we all know what an @$$ you are, Coach and you just can’t handle it? Children? Does this mean they need coaching from you? God Forbid you get anywhere near children/ Moron. Too stupid to realize most here can’t flipping stand you or your absurd crap.
By Gustopher
August 24, 2007 5:42 PM | Link to this
Great blog CR.
Goodbye Fat Bob
By ijonathan
August 24, 2007 5:42 PM | Link to this
Hey Shaun
I guess the Braves didn’t agree with you that Wickman was having “a decent year” and was pitching “okay”. Geesh
By Overlord
August 24, 2007 5:43 PM | Link to this
What about this for a change of scenery: Send the Braves back to AAA and teach them bunting, hit and run,stolen base, Base on balls and running the bases. AH and showing emotions.
By Braveheart
August 24, 2007 5:44 PM | Link to this
Alright, grown up time for the blog and the Braves. Enough with the grade school foolishness.
There will be no yesterday if you play tonight like there is no tomorrow.
By SNIPER-69
August 24, 2007 5:46 PM | Link to this
Are the Braves eliminated yet???
By Salty
August 24, 2007 5:46 PM | Link to this
Wickman’s gone? So…Paronto’s back up? Or has a transaction gone down, not yet announced? Hmmm.
By Overlord
August 24, 2007 5:46 PM | Link to this
WWOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That guy acosta just made an impression on JS.
Maybe Devine is close to be given another shot.
By Steve from OH
August 24, 2007 5:47 PM | Link to this
Whew. At least Coach didn’t suggest Villarreal. My head might have exploded there. 4-man rotation is a mistake, BTW. Smoltz wouldn’t survive.
By Robert(Justice Is The Best)
August 24, 2007 5:47 PM | Link to this
Who is the closer now? My guess would be Soriano. I can’t see them handing it over to Devine. Wow! I wish I had seen a couple of other names designated. Mainly, Chris Woodward. Well, the Braves will get something for Wickman. Somebody will pick him up. I could see the Mariners making a play. Definitley a team like the Dodgers or Cubs would be interested. It’ll be interesting to see who makes an offer to the Braves.
By Shremp
August 24, 2007 5:48 PM | Link to this
Has anyone seen Moe and Curly? Leave those guys alone with a computer and they can get into all sorts of trouble. Those two are nuts! But, don’t you say it. We stick together. Make any cracks about my boys and I will slap you on both cheeks at one time! I call it a SHREMP SAMMICH!! Nyuk Nyuk!
By Overlord
August 24, 2007 5:48 PM | Link to this
Why didnt they trade wickman for some bench player? Well prado is doing well lately.
By Braveheart
August 24, 2007 5:52 PM | Link to this
Wicky got DFA’d? WOWSER! I guess Liberty Media is trying to cut down on the expenses of the postgame spread. McBride traded, Paronto sent down, Wickman DFA’d. Liberty Media seems very serious about cutting down on expenses wherever they can to have more available for payroll. That postgame buffet spread might have been the most glaring overexpenditure they could cut down on.
By Robert(Justice Is The Best)
August 24, 2007 5:52 PM | Link to this
Very profound and true, Braveheart.
While I’m a bit unsure about the move, I like it! This shows me that JS is realizing all that stupid player loyalty isn’t getting this team anywhere. Next to go needs to be Woodward. He has stolen enough money. I would rather have Lillibrdige up here and have him take his licks than to see Chris Woodward hit one more first pitch 450 ft foul and then whiff on the next two. That has gotten really really old!
By Lew
August 24, 2007 5:53 PM | Link to this
There has been another Wurlitzer Awarded for Having The Artist’s Back In a Creative Manner. Gee Coach, don’t you wish I could give an award to someone for having your back? Oh yeah. The only person who likes what you have to say is NoBrainZone. Whatever. Congratulations, Salty.
By Overlord
August 24, 2007 5:55 PM | Link to this
Shaun maybe you could buy wickmans services…. do you have a MLB team?
By zimo z
August 24, 2007 5:55 PM | Link to this
There is no way that Wickman can go to the minor leagues.
The food allowance is not great enough. He would starve.
By MS
August 24, 2007 5:56 PM | Link to this
Wow! I can’t believe they DFA’d Wicky.
Even through his struggles, the guy still has a sub-4 ERA and has closed 20 of 26 games. I don’t get it really. I’m actually fine with Soriano in there, but moving him there thins out the setup guys. I wonder if something happened behind the scenes after last night’s game. DOB, CR, there must be something more out there to give us???
By Paladin
August 24, 2007 5:57 PM | Link to this
What’s the matter, Braveheart, did you run out of “material”? :-) OK, I’ll go eat my dinner and come back with my game face on. Let’s hope the Braves don’t continue the “yokes”.
By Robert(Justice Is The Best)
August 24, 2007 5:58 PM | Link to this
Could it be possible to trade Wickman back to the Indians for Cliff Lee? Could Sean Marshall from the Cubs be a possibility? But, Wickman at Wrigley could be ugly!
By Bob, Journalist
August 24, 2007 5:58 PM | Link to this
GB, if you search the archives methinks you’ll find some four man rotational comments, if not suggestions … with variations and their derivatives, including one or more of my own … starting in the off season and continuing through spring training … and into the season.
The relevant thought triggers being the shift in focus brought about by the acquisition of Wickman, Gonalez and Soriano … for, methinks, it was reasoned, if the end came is triggered at an earlier point in the game, then the feasibility and advantages of such rotations are heightened.
I think that the Gonzalez injury changed that as well as concern for John Smoltz’ and his being able to perform well under such schedules … at this point, as I recently opined, it may well be worth revisiting.
By Todd A
August 24, 2007 6:00 PM | Link to this
I thought Bobby said ‘Wicky’ was pitching great?
By AZBravoFan
August 24, 2007 6:03 PM | Link to this
Overlord: they still have 10 days to trade Wickman. Maybe they can unload him on an AL team that thinks they’re still in the race and needs bullpen help and steal a decent starter.
By Ron Roberts
August 24, 2007 6:05 PM | Link to this
Maybe I’m wrong, but I don’t see the Braves getting anything for Wickman. Isn’t this a one-year deal we signed him to? In essence, somebody would get him for a month and a week, if they traded for him. Who’d think that’s worth trading anything for? Am I wrong?
By Bob, Journalist
August 24, 2007 6:12 PM | Link to this
Apologies … it seems Foxfire has a mind of its own … maybe it’s good that one of us has … the Internet connect went down and when it came back up, it automatically posted what was in the textbox area … had that not happened, “if the end came is triggered at an earlier point in the game” would have been edited to read “if the end game is triggered at an earlier point” … or words to that effect.
By TennesseePaul
August 24, 2007 6:15 PM | Link to this
Hotdamn! Can I get a Hot Damn!?!?!
My phone was flooded with text messages and phone calls… Wickman Canned. I had to long on to see the news for me self. I’m amazed. Simply Amazed. I feel good about it really. The guy has been a let down this season. He helped at the beginning but we got a game to win and we don’t need the head ache.
Good luck to ya Wicky. You did well overall, but terrible lately. Rest in peace…
W L ERA SV SVO G
3 5 2.84 38 45 77
Time to win tonight guys. Take it as a lesson to the rest of ya!
GO BRAVES!!
By Steve from OH
August 24, 2007 6:16 PM | Link to this
Ron Roberts:
Don’t forget that there are GM’s dumb enough to do that. Like Steve Phillips.
By Efrim
August 24, 2007 6:16 PM | Link to this
See ya later Wick. Can’t say I didn’t see it coming.
Folks. The man is not a closer. Not anymore. We may as well throw Soriano, Moylan or whoever in there.
Thank god.
Well done JS.
By Hotspur
August 24, 2007 6:16 PM | Link to this
Couple of thoughts on the Wickman thing: I’m betting he told them he thinks he’s through. He’s been saying all year that he wouldn’t hesitate to quit if he thought he couldn’t bring it anymore; he clearly didn’t have the stomach for pretending and knew he was close to being done, one way or another. I can’t help wondering if he suggested this move as a way of getting the Braves someone who really can help the rest of the way, prior to his hanging it up at the end of the season. I’m also with Salty - this smells like it’s the only the first shoe to drop. I’m guessing Acosta’s here to stay, as well.
May all be too little, too late, though. We shall see. Start up the Caroll Rogers Suicide Watch clock - I’m feeling like a little hemlock tea myself, lately. :-)
By Braveheart
August 24, 2007 6:17 PM | Link to this
Have Gun, Will Travel Actually, no. The problem was the material was coming fast and furious. I needed to reign myself in before I got too carried away and got myself in trouble. We did some good for our boy today. NaCLy even got himself a Wurlitzer. Congrats Salty.
By Overlord
August 24, 2007 6:18 PM | Link to this
Cox will always say everybody is doing great. I dont think anybody is giving us the starter we need if wickman is the bait.
What i dont understand is why they want wickman to go and AJ is still not benched.
I rather have wickman than woodward (i would also add thorman to the equation but he is just a kid, but i dont see much future on him if he does not stops thinking about the fence).
By Bob, Journalist
August 24, 2007 6:19 PM | Link to this
Long tall sally and great balls of fire … the Braves haven’t given up hope and why should we?!!
Bye bye Bob … hello John!!
It could be interesting … maybe they’ve got rookie rules too, even for veterans.
Seriously, there have been signs …
By Stu
August 24, 2007 6:19 PM | Link to this
Ron Roberts, I wouldn’t think any team OUT of contention would pursue Wickman. Maybe someone like the Phillies would be interested, if they want to move Myers back to the rotation. I doubt we’d get much in return, but we’ll see. He’ll probably just retire.
I read somewhere that Wickman “whined” about being asked to pitch in non-save situations. Don’t know if that’s true or not, though.
By Overlord
August 24, 2007 6:21 PM | Link to this
No Ron R we are not getting anything for him, maybe another woodward or something like that, id rather give chance to another kid from AAA.
By TennesseePaul
August 24, 2007 6:22 PM | Link to this
OK Carroll Nice use of the bullet points. DOB never does that. But then, DOB covers a winning team and you cover the sub .500 version of the Braves so I guess you have to do something to spice it up..
And as Chipper said last night, when I asked him if he thought things were going to turn around after he tied the game 5-5 with a three-run homer: “I don’t take anything for granted this year.”
Nope, nothing is sacred.
Reminds me of Janes Addiction… could have read…
And as Chipper said last night, when I asked him if he thought things were going to turn around after he tied the game 5-5 with a three-run homer: “I don’t take anything for granted; I’m done with Sergio!”
Nope, Nothing is Shocking.
Come on Bravos!… Fail tonight and your canned!
GO BRAVES
By Overlord
August 24, 2007 6:28 PM | Link to this
MS good point, maybe something happened lastnight, as it was clear that if wickman was serving as closer, bobby liked him, i think that taking him out of that role and sending him for setup first before sending hi FA was the 1st step. Maybe we will never know. Good thing acosta is here and i hope devine has mature.
By Overlord
August 24, 2007 6:32 PM | Link to this
While Cox was diplomatic, Andruw Jones provided an indication that Wickman sometimes complained about pitching in non-save situations, like the one he entered in Thursday night’s extra-inning loss to the Reds.
By bravesfan
August 24, 2007 6:33 PM | Link to this
Off atlantabraves.com Wickman designated for assignment Veteran closer converted 20 of 26 save opportunities
ST. LOUIS — Adam Dunn said goodbye to Bob Wickman’s 12th-inning fastball on Thursday night, and the Braves said goodbye to Wickman on Friday afternoon. Somewhat surprisingly, the Braves announced Friday that they’ve designated Wickman for assignment. This wasn’t a move made to free up a roster spot. Instead, it’s one that essentially puts an end to the veteran closer’s days in Atlanta.
“I just want to try something else,” said Braves manager Bobby Cox, while seemingly attempting to avoid saying anything negative about Wickman, who posted a 3.92 ERA in 49 appearances and blew six of his 26 save opportunities this year.
While Cox was diplomatic, Andruw Jones provided an indication that Wickman sometimes complained about pitching in non-save situations, like the one he entered in Thursday night’s extra-inning loss to the Reds.
By the time the 12th inning arrived Thursday, the only remaining available relievers were Wickman and Oscar Villarreal, who would have pitched every inning that followed the 12th.
“We need guys who want to pitch,” Jones said. “If you don’t want to pitch you shouldn’t be here.”
By HawaiiBrave
August 24, 2007 6:35 PM | Link to this
Come Home Leo!!!
By Bob, Journalist
August 24, 2007 6:36 PM | Link to this
Salty, you done good kid!!
However, you may have to give up your day job … there are some, not me, but some who think that keeping Lew’s back is a full time job … methinks he’s married to lawyeress, what does that tell you?
Like I said, you done good!
By Train Wreck Bystander
August 24, 2007 6:37 PM | Link to this
While Cox was diplomatic, Andruw Jones provided an indication that Wickman sometimes complained about pitching in non-save situations, like the one he entered in Thursday night’s extra-inning loss to the Reds.
So who is the closer now? Or is it closer-by-committee?
By This Year, Next Year
August 24, 2007 6:37 PM | Link to this
From AJC article 8 days ago, Bobby said he thought “Wickman was pitching great!”
The same old story…. if you want to find out what is REALLY going on with the Braves….better find another source than Bobby.
If Stevie Wonder played for the Braves, Bobby would swear that he just needed a few more at bats to get his swing going. “Stevie isn’t seeing the ball real well right now…. but gosh darn it… he’s gonna come around I know it!”
By ijonathan
August 24, 2007 6:43 PM | Link to this
This Year, Next Year
And Joe Morgan would roll into town with the ESPN Sunday Night crew and talk about how Terry Pendleton was putting in extra hours with Stevie W. and was really starting to make some progress with him.
By Bob, Journalist
August 24, 2007 6:45 PM | Link to this
10 Paul, it won’t get me a “W” but I’ve got your back … Hotdamn!!
There are those of us who think Andruw’s calling the kettle purple … but I like his smile!
Hotdamn!!
By TheSouthernJackAss
August 24, 2007 6:49 PM | Link to this
Pathetic that the city of Atlanta has to enact separate laws to force these ignorant morons to pull their damned pants up!!…
By Lee
August 24, 2007 6:51 PM | Link to this
No, actually, Joe Morgan would roll into town with ESPN Sunday Night crew and talk about A-Rod and if the Yankees can catch the Red Sox and Gagne’s struggle in the Red Sox bullpen and Barry Bonds’ season and Derek Jeter’s childhood and how Joe Torre is an underappreciated culinary whiz…
By mr baseball
August 24, 2007 6:52 PM | Link to this
Let’s see if Ms. Rogers carries on the well-established tradition of Braves beat writers and is unable to get to the bottom of exactly why Wickman was dumped. The GM and manager will NEVER EVER provide a straight answer when something like this happens, leaving the person doing DOB/CR’s job to dig into unpleasant territory and risk alienating the wrong people. Good luck Carroll.
If it was Marvin Freeman, you could get Terence Moore to ferret out the real skinny, or at least make something up. Does the AJC have an obese sports writer who will take up the cause of aggrieved overweight closers? Probably not. Speaking of which, where’s Paronto?
One of two things will happen in the wake of the Wickman dismissal. Either someone will step up as an effective (?) closer (don’t have a clue, and the manager probably doesn’t either) and the Braves will get back in the wild card race. Or the bullpen will totally implode and this team will be out of contention before the Falcons play their first game.
Survey says …….
By Charlie
August 24, 2007 6:57 PM | Link to this
I’m glad Wickman is about to be gone. His career is clearly over. He has been horrible on the road this year. The Braves season is over. (Although not mathmatically) I watched Wichman blow Hudson’s 2 hit shutout in Minnesota, by giving up 3 runs in the 9th. It was brutal. With a good closer, Hudson would have at least 18 wins. I don’t think we have a closer ready to take over, but they can’t be as unreliable as Wickman’s become. Soriano? Dotel? It really doen’t matter. With their lousy 3-4-5 starters, a winning streak of more than 2 games is impossible, and without a run of 7 or 8 games, we can’t make up the ground that has been lost. Perhaps some kid called up on Sept. 1 can be a positive to the rotation, but it surely hasn’t happened earlier in the season, so I doubt it will happen in a few days.
By Bob, Journalist
August 24, 2007 6:57 PM | Link to this
It sounds like this comment might be intended as a criticism “The same old story … if you want to find out what is REALLY going on with the Braves … better find another source than Bobby” … I like straight answers and have so said … but Bobby tells us a lot more than we sometimes think … and not always with words.
I do wish the game wasn’t on SS tonight!
By Overlord
August 24, 2007 6:58 PM | Link to this
For those of you thinking Wells is a good option for the Braves…….You can now forget about it.
Wells agreed to a contract with the Dodgers, he is pitching against muts this weekend.
By AuburnBrave
August 24, 2007 7:04 PM | Link to this
pretty shocked about the Braves dumping Wickman just out of the blue.
As for who’ll take his spot, I’m betting on Peter Moylan, and Manny Acosta has been lights out in his first few appearances so I think he’ll get a shot at a pretty important role.
By Bravesfaninmetsland
August 24, 2007 7:04 PM | Link to this
So, who do we route for tonight? Philly vs SD. This may be nuts, but i honestly feel at this point the wild card is the easiest goal to ascertain, so in that case we route for Philly. Am I completely nutes?
By Mr. Fly, Sleuth Reporter
August 24, 2007 7:06 PM | Link to this
Braveheart, say it ain’t so. Oh my my my. Wicky gone? DFA’d? Is that “Doomed For Atrociousness”? Cheeseburger is no longer in paradise? Postgame Buffet Spread to go next? Oh…the horrors. I must protest. Now I am left without food material partnering for my reporting.
Fly needs a sidekick. The Lone Ranger needed Tonto. Zorro needed Pedro. Chip needed Dale. Roy needed Dale. Richard needed Liz. Sonny needed Cher. Mick needed Keith. Moe needed Curly and Larry. Mutt needed Jeff. Heckle need Jekyll. Lassie needed, uh…whoever that smarmy kid was. Fly loves the pairing off ceremony, but now Fly has no Wicky…sigh!
Wicky and Fly were together just last night before the game after I returned from reporting a vampire blogger at the Holiday Inn. Fly was interviewing a nemesis of Lew the artist. Fly no like vampires attacking Lew or other friends of Fly. Sleuth reporter barely got out of interview with his life. DOB rode Fly back to the Ted but never mentioned Wicky stickyness. Fly posted his report last night but was lost in the swarm of pesky ventilations and mosquitos and other trollishness.
Oh, something Wicky that way goes. Who will my new cheeseburger partner be? I must seek new friends and new food sources. Oh, my. The horrors…
I must talk with my friend John. He will know who Fly should seek. Will David Wells be my friend? Friend must like food. Friend must like big food. Who will it be? So many questions this reporter has tonight.
By Bob, Journalist
August 24, 2007 7:06 PM | Link to this
Mister BB”, … without being on the wall, some things will never be known … but, it, like the ejections could have a positive influence on the entire team, I’ve found that when the boss starts throwing things, it’s best to remain quiet and stay out of his line of vision.
By BravesFanChris22
August 24, 2007 7:06 PM | Link to this
With Wickman DFA’d, I wonder who will be the closer. Moylan/Soriano/Dotel, perhaps?
I still believe Braves can turn it around. They showed with last nights game, they did their best to stay in the game and a glimpse of the passion they had earlier came out a bit. I think with Bob Wickman DFA’d, it’ll give Braves incentive to give it their all.
By Bob, Journalist
August 24, 2007 7:11 PM | Link to this
Bravesfaninmetsland, nobody is completely nuts but rooting for those above you in your division is a bit suspect; especially those in second place.
By Overlord
August 24, 2007 7:13 PM | Link to this
Phillies are our friends right now….. we will worry about them when time comes….. right now we need them to win.
By Mr. Fly, Sleuth Reporter
August 24, 2007 7:13 PM | Link to this
Must now take self to taco dinner. Will try to contact John for trade talk. Will avoid swatters, spiders and vampires on the way so can come back and visit friends.
Must Fly away.
By Overlord
August 24, 2007 7:16 PM | Link to this
SD already winning…….not good
By Lew
August 24, 2007 7:17 PM | Link to this
Well-The Braves haven’t hesitated to dump players with big salaries this year. Maybe it’s an indication money is there. Bob, Journalist-Not a full time job, I just have so many here watching my back. Salty just got creative while doing it. All efforts were appreciated.
By Overlord
August 24, 2007 7:18 PM | Link to this
Perez walks the bases loaded…… at least the muts dont look goo tonight.
By Ron
August 24, 2007 7:22 PM | Link to this
Im surprised what happened!!! The dude did have a DAMN good ERA at home!!! What p!sses me off is BC leaves him in the Closer role ALL year long and NOW gonna release him INSTEAD of making him a 7th inning pitcher!!! Im guessing he will be traded for a descent starter!!! Thats ALL I can think of!!! BC stuck by him ALL year and NOW gonna release him INSTEAD of pitching him in the 7th!!! I expect to see Wickman traded for a Starter!!! At LEAST we could have him pitch at home games!!!
By Overlord
August 24, 2007 7:24 PM | Link to this
Bob i dont think the braves want it to get any harder to catch the padres. So the closer they stay the better. Phillies are 2nd…… but then again, the padres could start running away and the club could lose even more interest in winning (even more, its not impossible).
By chipdip
August 24, 2007 7:28 PM | Link to this
braves gotta win baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By AJK
August 24, 2007 7:28 PM | Link to this
Carroll:
You hearing any noises about the Braves acquiring Farnsworth again? I know the Braves were in on him before the break. He’s had a rough year, but would be a serious upgrade over Wick.
By Overlord
August 24, 2007 7:28 PM | Link to this
Phillies already tied game. Muts up 1-0
By MEB
August 24, 2007 7:30 PM | Link to this
Bob.Journalist… you crack me up!
Wow!!! The Braves have really impressed me today. What will really be awesome… if this motivates the team to a long winning streak. Motivation is a funny thing and I believe the Wickman release could just do the trick.
GO BRAVES!!!
By eric the elder
August 24, 2007 7:31 PM | Link to this
An AJC web page has the following headlines:
“Cox Still Confident in Wickman”
“Braves Cut Ties With Wickman”
This is a prime example of why I chided DOB a few months ago about even bothering to interview Bobby Cox. I know it’s his job, but it’s a little like interviewing Rumsfeld about Iraq. Why waste time with a guy who is all spin and no truth?
By Braves Fan 79
August 24, 2007 7:34 PM | Link to this
So we set up wickman for failure by bringing a terrible road pitcher in the game….he gives up alot of deep fly balls and we let him face Griffy and Dunn in extras where one swing and its over. Not to mention its cinn where regular popups in turner field are homers there.
So now we loose our best home relief pitcher!?? This is dumb, kinda like how Bobby cant realize whos hot (diaz) whos not (andrew)….and who just plain sucks (woodward).
You use wick at home and unless its a blowout u dont use him on the road! Just like how a few years back Bobby kept giving day game starts to players who were clearly better pitchers at night!
By Paladin
August 24, 2007 7:35 PM | Link to this
I’m back. I had birdmeat and chicken livers. That way, I’m ready either way.
By Carroll Rogers
August 24, 2007 7:40 PM | Link to this
mr. baseball…….Let’s see if Ms. Rogers carries on the well-established tradition of Braves beat writers and is unable to get to the bottom of exactly why Wickman was dumped
that’s not very nice. tho i know what you’re saying about the front office being on shutdown. but read my story and tell me if you don’t have a better idea of why wickman is no longer a brave. it’s up on ajc.com.
and SORRY!!! that it’s taken me five days to figure out that you guys want me to tell you on the old blog when the new one is up. my bad!
as for the wickman move. pretty surprising thing to come in to find out today in the clubhouse but it says to me the braves were not happy with him at all, on the field or his attitude in the clubhouse. no better time than crunch time to go on and cut ties apparently. the bullpen just got younger, but maybe hungrier as andruw pointed out today.
andruw also made a good point about soriano. that his problems have been pitching to the same spot, away, away, away and now by coming inside to lefties some, he’s setting up that fastball away better and it’s made him more effective recently.
and it’s raining here folks. tarp is on, steady rain coming down and another more intense system is supposedly moving in in an hour or so.
By Robert
August 24, 2007 7:46 PM | Link to this
This team, no, correct that, this ORGANIZATION, is the personification of corporate bs
Wickman is misused by the manager - and then summarily released.
After which we hear that he alienated his teammates - of course, it has to be Wickey’s fault, cuz the management boys are unaccountable for anything
And then, as a capper, we get ANDRUW JONES saying
“It’s not fair to the team. It’s not fair for the manager. The way he was going about this business, separate from everybody.”
Lemme see - it was fair to everyone for him to be nothing but a pull hitter, who doesnt have to listen to anyone.
This is what happens on this team. Donk misuses you - you fail and make Donk look bad, and you get cut like smelly bait
The organization seeks to make profit. Thats what they care about. The result, however, is what you see here. An embarrassing legacy of underachievement, all swept under the rug with the primary concern being to make sure that Donk and JS save face
By BravesFanInRockies
August 24, 2007 7:51 PM | Link to this
Denizens,
This move shows some cajones by the front office. You’ve got a bullpen that’s ragged from overwork and your closer (who was not going to be re-signed after the season) is griping about pitching in a non-save situation.
You could let the situation fester or end it, send the guy packing while the team is still in contention. I like this move a lot, and it shows there’s a sense of urgency that hasn’t been apparent to us outsiders.
By Braves Fan 79
August 24, 2007 7:54 PM | Link to this
Vick suspended without pay! Good now maybe we can use that $$ to get a actual leader who can throw the ball! And why is anyone worried about the mets anymore…ive known we werent catching them since i saw us throw away so many games in the spring by giving orr and woodward start after start. All the while escobar was tearing it up in AAA. Just stupid. Ive seen more bad managerial decisions over the past 3 years …starting with pitching hampton (whos not a big game pitcher) over Smoltz (the winningest pitcher in postsason history) in that game 5 against houston. Its been all downhill since then. I cant even count the # of terrible decisions made this year! I STILL think we can win the wildcard!
By Robert
August 24, 2007 7:56 PM | Link to this
I never thought I;d be defending Coach
But the guy puts forth an idea, and then someone immediately lambastes him for it, and doesnt even say why?
His idea aint bad.
The Braves would never do it. Why not? Because it would mean going against “the book”.
See, so long as Cox plays “the book”, he can always just shrug and say it was bad luck.
This move would require balls - it would require a guy to say “I am gonna try something a little unusual in this day and age, and if it fails, I will take responsibility”
Donk would never do that. All he can do is pitch about ball and strike calls, and then passive-aggressively screwing him over to save his own skin -
Sure, Donk still says he just wanted to try something new, but he lets other Braves now bad mouth “Wickey”
Coach - Keep working on it. Three of your five working brain cells made a temporary there for a moment. If the stars ever align all five, and the power surge doesnt kill you, you might realize that running a good idea by Bobby Cox is a total waste of time
By Bob
August 24, 2007 7:58 PM | Link to this
Brian Jordan said on the pre game show that he suspects something blew up in the clubhouse after last night’s game. I suspect he is right. Andruw almost never says anything at all about another player so that is telling. It is pretty obvious that everyone on the team and Bobby had lost confidence in Wickman. Hate to see someone dumped like that, but I suspect this needed to be done.
Regardless, the main problem continues to be starters #3-#5 and unless we can plug that gap it will not matter what we have in the bullpen. Maybe the Mets are fed up with Wagner or the Padres with Hoffman after the last couple of weeks…yeah, wishful thinking for sure. In fact, fantasy.
Lets go John tonight if the rains go away. Last thing we need is to start the game, have a long delay and go right back to the pen.
Prado sent down. Ascanio and Joey Devine called up.
By Paladin
August 24, 2007 7:58 PM | Link to this
Robert why don’t you just post something one here and we will move it from blog to blog. It is not necessary to come on here and say the same thing over and over. Is it?
By MrC
August 24, 2007 7:59 PM | Link to this
This is for Robert…..Instead of blaming Bobby C. for every woe the team has why not blame the GM? He is the one that controls the roster and for that matter the manager.
By Ron Roberts
August 24, 2007 8:02 PM | Link to this
Tell ya what, if we get rained out, that might not be such a bad thing. I’d bet Smoltz’s shoulder could stand an extra day of rest, and I’ll take my chances against any team with Smoltz and Hudson pitching to ‘em on the same day.
Also wouldn’t hurt for the over-worked bullpen (again!!!) a day of rest.
Not saying it’s gonna happen (I’m no weather man), but it wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing, would it?
So the question is, who’d the Braves call up now that Wickmans’ been DFA’d?
By Paladin
August 24, 2007 8:03 PM | Link to this
I’m going to bed. This game,mercifully, is not going to be played. Maybe by tomorrow we can call up the entire Mississippi Mudbugs to play it. G’night.
By Bob
August 24, 2007 8:14 PM | Link to this
Robert has all the answers and they are always that Cox is wrong whatever decision he makes. Pathetic soul, but unfortunately that is what he says every time he comes on the blog. You don’t even need to read who the author is, to pin the tail on the Donk..er, Robert. Oh well, at least it gives everyone a chance to rant and rave since a game appears doubtful.
By Interested Observer
August 24, 2007 8:16 PM | Link to this
Ron Roberts:
Devine and Ascanio called up, Prado sent down. Hopefully Bobby will actually use Devine this time. My question though is what in the heck happened to Chad Paronto?
By KC
August 24, 2007 8:23 PM | Link to this
WOW.
I am really, really surprised by this move (releasing Wickman). I don’t disagree with it… I’m just surprised by it.
Between Soriano, Moylan, and Dotel (when he returns)… we should be fine.
I wouldn’t have guessed this, but when you hear that he wasn’t gelling as a teammate, it’s considerably less surprising.
By Overlord
August 24, 2007 8:28 PM | Link to this
Ron Roberts and dont wanna spoil your observation, but if the game gets called……. then smoltz will pitch on 4 days rest in florida…….. i bet you wont like that situation.
By MetsFan
August 24, 2007 8:30 PM | Link to this
I can’t believe you guys were so shocked that the Mets said a few negative things about Franco after DFAing him, and here are the Braves doing the EXACT same thing to Wickman.
By AZBravoFan
August 24, 2007 8:32 PM | Link to this
I agree with Bob, something must have blown up last night. I’ve been wondering lately how Chipper can go into the clubhouse after playing his butt off and trying to put the team on his shoulders and face these guys that keep on jumping right off his shoulders. At some point you’ve got to say something I would think. So does this mean Huddy can have his wins back?
By Salty
August 24, 2007 8:32 PM | Link to this
Lew I’m stunned, and humbled, regardless of what’s accepted!
Braveheart and Bob, J Thank you…means a lot coming from two whose posts I regularly seek…and believe me, I know how to scroll!
As for covering Lews back, I seriously doubt he needs it, but he does deserve it.
By Lew
August 24, 2007 8:32 PM | Link to this
Carroll-Now you’re getting the hang of it. Give em hell. A finely developed sense of sarcasm is absolutely essential for survival here.
By Overlord
August 24, 2007 8:33 PM | Link to this
Theyll wait forever to get this game started, and that is good for the braves. The forecast says it will rain tomorrow again and since both teams are in the pennant race, theyll try to play it today, which i think they wont be able, forecast says it will rain till tomorrow with no mercy.
By Overlord
August 24, 2007 8:37 PM | Link to this
So we are looking at a well rested smoltz tomorrow, well rested tim on sunday. Then a 4 day rest for smoltz in florida and 5 days rest for team until NY.
By fastasballs
August 24, 2007 8:41 PM | Link to this
After all these years of following this team you know Wickman’s DFA was not as much based on performance as it was attitude. This team has enough problems without a cancer in the clubhouse.
The pen just got a LOT younger with Devine & Ascaino coming up. Will Cox actually use Devine or is he just going to take up a roster spot like the last 2 or 3 times he was here? It’s almost like Sept 1 came a few weeks early by getting the fresh, young arms in here.
I don’t ever recall the last time Andruw was vocal about another player in a negative tone. Ole Beefy Bob must have really stepped in it.
By the looks of the radar this game may not be played & if it is don’t count on it starting until well after 10pm est.
By Salty
August 24, 2007 8:44 PM | Link to this
For those wanting passion…perhaps a sea change is afoot. Maybe the veterans…even JS and BC have decided now is the time, and no amount of ‘buttoned down’ protocol will stand between the present and the objective…playoffs.
MetsFan
There’s a difference, bud: Randolph and some of his prima donnas think they know it all without experiencing how to get it all. Franco knows the work that’s needed. Braves veterans earn status and are listened to…Mets go out and by their version of veterans…it ain’t the same.
By Overlord
August 24, 2007 8:45 PM | Link to this
BravesFanInRockies agree with you.
By Ron Roberts
August 24, 2007 8:45 PM | Link to this
Good question…what is wrong with Chad Paronto that he’d not be recalled?
By Overlord
August 24, 2007 8:47 PM | Link to this
Things not looking good….. no help in the 2 important games going on.
Lets play this game and help ourselves.
By Todd A
August 24, 2007 8:48 PM | Link to this
“starting with pitching hampton (whos not a big game pitcher) over Smoltz (the winningest pitcher in postsason history) in that game 5 against houston. Its been all downhill since then.”
Actually, Bravesfan 79, it has been downhill since the Leyritz homerun. The Braves haven’t been relevant since.
1997 Atlanta Braves 101-61 .623 Lost NLCS to Florida, 4-2 1998 Atlanta Braves 106-56 .654 Lost NLCS to San Diego, 4-2 1999 Atlanta Braves 103-59 .636 Lost World Series to New York, 4-0 2000 Atlanta Braves 95-67 .586 Lost NLDS to St. Louis, 3-0 2001 Atlanta Braves 88-74 .543 Lost NLCS to Arizona, 4-1 2002 Atlanta Braves 101-59 .631 Lost NLDS to San Francisco, 3-2 2003 Atlanta Braves 101-61 .623 Lost NLDS to Chicago, 3-2 2004 Atlanta Braves 96-66 .593 Lost NLDS to Houston, 3-2 2005 Atlanta Braves 90-72 .556 Lost NLDS to Houston, 3-1 2006 Did not make playoffs 2007 ?
By TheSouthernJackAss
August 24, 2007 8:52 PM | Link to this
Wickman designated for assignment…now maybe he can sign with Jenny Craig…
By Coach(Hank Aaron is the real HR Champion)
August 24, 2007 9:01 PM | Link to this
four man rotation = 87-89 wins and a 50/50 shot at the wild card. Five man rotation = 81-83 wins and another season lost. Throwing Wickman under the bus is priceless , missing the post season is all but guaranteed. Remember this post , in five weeks I will be totally correct.
By Overlord
August 24, 2007 9:03 PM | Link to this
Does anyone knows why is cardinals pitcher hitting 8th and their 2B hitting 9th¿?????? Thats how the lineup card is showed MLB.com
Can we do that with AJ also?
By Carroll Rogers
August 24, 2007 9:03 PM | Link to this
first pitch at 9:25 eastern weather permitting….
By Bob
August 24, 2007 9:07 PM | Link to this
Looks like first pitch at 9:25 PM EDT.
By GermanBravesFan
August 24, 2007 9:07 PM | Link to this
Bob… I agree: maybe Robert is the Donk here. Hmmmm… never thought of that. Let’s hope this latest shake-up will light a fire under those Braves!
Will be chilling the Boxbeutel tonight and light up a cigar… Life IS good!
By Bob
August 24, 2007 9:13 PM | Link to this
Zum wohl GBF. I will just settle for my Erdinger Hefe tonight. Guess you saw that der Deutsche Nationalelf whipped England AGAIN at the new Wembly 2-1. My oh my, Bobby Cox must have been coaching the Three Lions.
By MEB
August 24, 2007 9:15 PM | Link to this
Can we designate Robert for assignment or give him his outright release? Just a thought.
Wickman is misused by the manager - and then summarily released.
Robert… this has to be one of the most ridiculus statements I’ve ever read. They needed Wickman to pitch in an extra inning game and Wicky apparently has a problem with it. Are you kidding me? Pick up your glove and waddle out to the mound and get three outs.
GO BRAVES!!!
By Lee in S. GA
August 24, 2007 9:15 PM | Link to this
Overlord
Tony L. has been known to do this in the past. That is all I can say about it.
By Savannah Guy
August 24, 2007 9:20 PM | Link to this
Another Wurlitzer! Kudos all around. Will artists paint run out? And which player will be chosen as trophy?
Congratulations to Salty for the creatively “watching Lew’s back”, sticking up for the artist and posting Wurlitzer worthy material…Perhaps you should now be known as,Sir Salty.
Now I’ll finish catching up on my required blog reading and see if I can find your post…not there yet.
By Lee in S. GA
August 24, 2007 9:20 PM | Link to this
Listening to Chip and Mark Lemke on the radio. Chip comparing the Braves to the Boston Celtics and Chicago Cubs for rebuilding ahead…..go figure.
Most of the callers make the majority of the bloggers on here seem like baseball geniuses.
By GermanBravesFan
August 24, 2007 9:21 PM | Link to this
Bob… I guess the German team is on a roll - a carry-over from last year’s World Cup! At least I had something to be excited about. Darn, it’s hard to stay positive about this year’s Braves team. Too inconsistent…
By GermanBravesFan
August 24, 2007 9:23 PM | Link to this
Well said, MEB!
By Bob, Journalist
August 24, 2007 9:25 PM | Link to this
MEB, crack ups are thinks for which I’m well known … usually things with wheels. If you want to crack up, try listening to Lemke and Carey the younger during rain delays … pieces of work, without a doubt.
Play Ball!!
By Lee in S. GA
August 24, 2007 9:27 PM | Link to this
Salty’s bat is going to the HOF because of his performance the other night in the 30 - 3 game. This according to Mark and Chip.
By ernesto
August 24, 2007 9:28 PM | Link to this
Just tuning into the Mets game to find that tonight, on their uniform , if not in their clubhouse, they are “Los” Mets.
Got to think that’s got something to do with Manaya, or maybe it’s Latino night.
Either way they’re up 3-0 in the 8th but the Dodgers just put 2 on with only 1 out against Jorge…so who knows….
By ncscoots
August 24, 2007 9:29 PM | Link to this
*August 23, 2007 9:33 PM | Link to this
I don’t believe in pitchers calling out position players, or vice versa. But sometime tomorrow, a pitcher might just have to die. Chipper may take out half the staff himself.*
Wow, LOL, folks, I didn’t actually MEAN that, you know, LMAO.
By mr baseball
August 24, 2007 9:30 PM | Link to this
Carroll: sorry if I seemed a little harsh, but it was mostly directed at one of your predecessors, who was more interested in keeping good relations with his sources than providing honest information on players who were traded/released and why they were discarded. Nice job on the story.
On the surface, this appeared to be another knee jerk move similar to that of McBride, but given that the Braves reportedly offered Wickman to the Yankees for Farnsworth, there was clearly dissatisfaction with his pitching, and evidently his attitude as well. It’s refreshing to hear one of his teammates speak so candidly about the situation. It puts an entirely different perspective on the whole thing.
If Wickman really did complain about having to pitch last night, he deserved to have his fat rear end tossed out on the curb. Oscar was all that was left, and in extra inning games like that, you save your long man for last. Guys like Wagner, Hoffman & Rivera have earned the right to set some conditions on how they’re used. Not Beefy Bob.
It will be quite interesting to hear Wickman’s version once he lands elsewhere, if he’s still interested in playing. You wouldn’t expect anyone to pursue him as a closer, and he may not be willing to pitch in a set-up role.
With Prado going down, the Braves are left with may be worst bench for a contending team in the history of baseball. Other than the LF half of the platoon not in the lineup, the Braves bench consists of 2 absolutely useless pinch-hitters and a catcher who plays once every other week. Maybe Reyes can help more with his bat than his arm.
By Bob
August 24, 2007 9:30 PM | Link to this
Lee in S. GA: Most of the callers make the majority of the bloggers on here seem like baseball geniuses.
Lee, now that is a real scary thought.
By BravesFanChris22
August 24, 2007 9:31 PM | Link to this
Lead Off Triple - Atta Boy Willie
By Efrim
August 24, 2007 9:32 PM | Link to this
KC
I wish I could bring up one of our arguements this offseason about Wickman and Wagner. Wickman isn’t a good pitcher anymore. I am glad that we decided to go this route. I hope Soriano finishes the season strong and assures everyone that he is more than capable of taking over the closer’s role next year. And if he isn’t, then lets use that money we were going to sign Tom Glavine with, as you said, and make a run at Coco Cordero. Otherwise known as Francisco Cordero. If not, then I am fine with Soriano or Moylan for next year. The Braves are definetly going to have give Devine a shot sooner or later. I think next year is a good time. Keep Acosta as well, and Ascanio too. Those are power arms that strike out a batter an inning. That is what we need. Not a “closer” who has a f*** WHIP of 1.51. And more than a hot per inning. Wickman was a joke.
By Bob, Journalist
August 24, 2007 9:33 PM | Link to this
Overlord, I don’t know about the Cardinal order … but batting the pitcher eighth is something I’ve long supported.
By John B.
August 24, 2007 9:35 PM | Link to this
Are you callin that like you called the Thorman situation, Coach?
By Ron Roberts
August 24, 2007 9:38 PM | Link to this
And the beat goes on.
Another runner at 3rd, nobody out scenario for Atlanta, and they fail to score.
We HAVE to lead the league in that statistic. It’s ridiculous.
By ncscoots
August 24, 2007 9:39 PM | Link to this
Most of the callers make the majority of the bloggers on here seem like baseball geniuses.
Lordy…that would mean the career of radio talk show host is the equivalent of a lashing with a barb-wire whip. Mercy.
Salty, I have not yet seen the Wurlitzer-worthy content, but I would have expected no less from a young man possessing the elegant education and the upstanding character produced by our fine alma mater. Sic ‘em, boy!
By ijonathan
August 24, 2007 9:41 PM | Link to this
Yup, the Braves are money with a guy on third and nobody out. Pure money. Not sure what kelly was waiting for, sometimes you can’t be waiting for a walk, despite Bobby in the dugout yelling “ball four kid” every time a batter gets three balls in the count.
By mr baseball
August 24, 2007 9:41 PM | Link to this
Missed in the hubbub surrounding Wickman’s release was the 2 relievers called up. The Braves have an 8-man bullpen and exactly one lefty. Ring is evidently pitching effectively at Richmond and the Cards have several lefty hitters. He would have been a logical choice for recall, but when do the Braves apply logic to such things. Coulda used a second lefty last night in the 12th inning instead of the departed portly reliever whose name shall no longer be mentioned.
By Del
August 24, 2007 9:43 PM | Link to this
The Braves are either snake bit, jinxed or just plain unlucky the past few weeks. Lead off with a triple and don’t score. Man-o-man. I hope the law of everages kick in pretty quick.
By Steve from OH
August 24, 2007 9:45 PM | Link to this
2 reasons a 4-man rotation won’t work:
Smoltz’s shoulder.
Chuck’s shoulder.
Nuff said.
By Overlord
August 24, 2007 9:52 PM | Link to this
Typical brave inning
Ill said it again
Teach this guy how to play small ball. For gods sake.
By ncscoots
August 24, 2007 9:53 PM | Link to this
mr b, I too found that odd, re Ring. A headscratcher.
By ijonathan
August 24, 2007 9:54 PM | Link to this
Del
How is not getting a runner home from third with none out “being jinxed”? It is perfectly explainable by very earthly phenomena…the #2 hitter stares at strike 3 across the outside corner when a fly ball or grounder would bring in a run, and the #3 hitter hits a weak grounder to a corner infielder when a fly ball or grounder anywhere else would bring a run. No jinx or snake bites needed.
By Ron Roberts
August 24, 2007 10:00 PM | Link to this
Nice…. this time we wait to load the bases with two outs and get nothing, with the PITCHER actually reaching base w/2 outs. Sheesh.
By StingerSplash
August 24, 2007 10:01 PM | Link to this
Wow. That’s bad. Not getting a run home from third in the first with no outs. Against Kip Wells. And he stinks like butt.
By Robert
August 24, 2007 10:08 PM | Link to this
Why is Woodward still here? Why is Andruw not benched?
Cuz those guys worship at the hooves of the BIG Donk.
This team is about Big Donk. If you dont show reverence, you are let go, and called a troublemaker
Overlord was right - The guys who are doing best are the ones who havent yet been fully poisoned by his assinine mentality
You know - The Braves are the IBM of baseball.
There was a time when IBM was the leader of the computer industry, and the envy of the corporate world
And if you ask Apple or Microsoft, they’d probably tell you all about how IBM is a great company blah blah blah
By MrC
August 24, 2007 10:10 PM | Link to this
Remember this comment……I believe in something special tonight from Smoltz……..
By ijonathan
August 24, 2007 10:11 PM | Link to this
Okay Kelly, nice. Too bad it wasn’t in the first inning. Now will chipper pull something to advance him to third? NO…WTF?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Robert
August 24, 2007 10:13 PM | Link to this
“Wicky apparently has a problem with it”
Maybe Wickman had a reason to have a problem - like knowing he wasnt ready to pitch that night
We cant get both sides of the story. Wickman doesnt want to get blackballed (and if you dont think that happens to those who cross the BIG Donk, you are kidding yourself or dumb as rocks)
By Wurlitzer Winning Effort by Salty
August 24, 2007 10:14 PM | Link to this
By Salty August 24, 2007 4:14 PM
With props to Styx:
Yeah, I’m sittin’ on this bar stool ‘bloggin’ like a dam# fool
‘Bout what Altanta’s Braves should do..
and I’m givin’ up hope for knuckle-draggin’ dopes and that idiot ‘Old Lew’
Is it any wonder I’m not GM????
Is it any wonder Schuerholz is at all???
Well, I’m a test-tube genius
I can solve the Braves problems without even tryin’
I have dozens of friends , Uh, make that denizens
At least whenever I find ‘em
Is it any wonder I’m not the Manager?
Is it any wonder Bobby Cox is at all?
Is it any wonder I’ve got too much time on my hands
It’s hard to believe DO’B’s blogs’ humanity
I’ve got too much time on my hands
It’s due to the Braves sad calamity
I’ve got too much time on my hands
The season’s tickin’ away, tickin away without me
By Señor Mosca
August 24, 2007 10:15 PM | Link to this
Está en efecto muy triste para los Valientes. Esta mosca es también la mirada muy triste de bloggers grosero y los inscessant aquel ataque sin parar. El premio de arte es ahora un escudo de atacantes. La mosca no está triste de ver el gordo ir lejos. La mosca conseguirá a otros amigos que disfrutan de hamburguesas con queso y juego de béisbol bueno.
By Salty
August 24, 2007 10:16 PM | Link to this
Savannah Guy Sir Salty…funny…thanks! Lew, does not take no, let’s leave it at that!
Scoots Young? Sounds good…delusional, but it’s all perception anyway, right Bob, J? ‘Hold that Tiger’…with you all the way!!!
By BravesFanChris22
August 24, 2007 10:17 PM | Link to this
Alright McCann.
By GermanBravesFan
August 24, 2007 10:17 PM | Link to this
Robert… the only big DONK is you. Change your tune or go elsewhere - this is getting boring!
By Ron Roberts
August 24, 2007 10:17 PM | Link to this
Second and third w/one out; the Cardinals got us right where they want us, right?
Brian McCann’s the man though!
By Robert
August 24, 2007 10:18 PM | Link to this
“Another runner at 3rd, nobody out scenario for Atlanta, and they fail to score.
We HAVE to lead the league in that statistic. It’s ridiculous”
But there is no way, no way at all, that it’s even POSSIBLE that the way the team is managed has anything to do with that
The Braves are just the unluckiest team in the big leagues
Again
Ron - Make sure you kiss the BIG Donk’s ring so he doesnt become displeased with you
By Dwight Fry
August 24, 2007 10:20 PM | Link to this
Carroll Rogers - nice job of reporting on the Wickman situation.
Echoing “mr. baseball” it would be interesting to know what you or DOB knew about the situation prior to today.
By GermanBravesFan
August 24, 2007 10:24 PM | Link to this
Robert… go have another Captain and Coke or whatever your are drinking…
By Das Budster
August 24, 2007 10:29 PM | Link to this
This is the sweetest team.If they have 2 runs they make sure their friends get 2.
By Ron Roberts
August 24, 2007 10:30 PM | Link to this
Is this organized torture, or what?
By Ron
August 24, 2007 10:30 PM | Link to this
MrC Dude you call 2 runs in 3 innings special? If so then yes it is special!!!
By fastasballs
August 24, 2007 10:32 PM | Link to this
Wells has nothing tonight, if the rest of the team other than McCann, KJ & Tex get a little more patient they will get something to hammer.
McCann is locked in on anything down & in, he’s been driving everything in on him.
By Bob
August 24, 2007 10:34 PM | Link to this
GermanBraveFan,
You can forget it. Talking to Donk Robert is like talking to a wall. Talk about dumber than a rock, he should know. His tired old line is so juvenile that it is ridiculous but he loves to hear himself pontificate.
By Braveheart
August 24, 2007 10:35 PM | Link to this
Domo Arigato Mr. Roboto!
By Ron Roberts
August 24, 2007 10:36 PM | Link to this
Robert… so, strategically, what was Bobby Cox supposed to have his batters do with a runner at third and nobody out?
Kelly Johnson was apparently swinging to get on base, not bunt. Can’t argue with that.
Chipper Jones, arguably one of the best hitters in the game, was doing the same. Did Bobby magically coach 3B tonight, too, and send Willie, or somehow flash a quick sign in to send him once the ball was hit? No.
So when Teixeira was hitting, what, then, was Cox supposed to have him do? Not swing?
Robert, you hate the manager, you hate the corporation(s) that do or have owned the team, so what the hell do you stick around for?
Take a freakin’ sabbatical til 2009, dude. It’d do you (and the blogosphere) some good.
By MrC
August 24, 2007 10:40 PM | Link to this
Boy was I wrong
By The Grinch
August 24, 2007 10:42 PM | Link to this
Howdy, all…just came in and heard the news. While it is indeed possible Wicky had a bad attitude and was cut for all the right reasons, I must admit a different scenario popped into my head first. ALL season long I’ve found myself asking “Wait a minute…we’re up by six or down by six and Wicky’s pitched 6 of the last 8 games…what the hell is he doing in there?” Keep in mind, Wickman has been around an awful long time and doesn’t have a reputation as being a malcontent; quite the opposite. He was beloved and consumately professional everywhere he went, including here last year.
I’m thinking he may have committed the same sin most of the fans have all year and asked “Bobby, WTF?” Then, all of a sudden, the cake and ice cream party stopped and he got unceremoniously cut in the middle of a pennant race. AJ, of all people, gets extra cake and ice cream for “Telling it like it is” behind Bobby saying “We cut him for just one bad pitch” or some such silliness. I’m not sayin’ that’s what happened, ‘cause I wasn’t there, but it seems the most likely theory to me. Anybody who remembers Jeff Reardon knows Bobby doesn’t cut veteran closers just because they suck, and Wicky is way better than Reardon was when we unfortunately stck with him. Ask Wicky’s former teamates from the last 15 years, and I expect we’ll find out the truth one way or another.
Assuming we want to. I know I do, ‘cause this smells kind of funny to me. Like a bad shrimp sammich. We ain’t talking about T.O., here. I think Robert may have a case.
By MrC
August 24, 2007 10:42 PM | Link to this
Chipper is no doubt the MVP of this team
By \\\\\\\\\\BERIGAN//////////
August 24, 2007 10:43 PM | Link to this
Alright Chipper!@!!! 5-2!!! Can we have a 12-3 laugher, pretty please????
By Southern Jack Rabbitt
August 24, 2007 10:44 PM | Link to this
What is the real story on the release of Wickman? Any insider info been divulged?
By The Grinch
August 24, 2007 10:46 PM | Link to this
Now we’re talkin, offense! Jim Edmonds my behind; he went after that ball about like Fat Albert would have.
German Braves Fan, I’m drinking some Sam Adams Oktoberfest. It’s never too early for me. Prost!
By N8
August 24, 2007 10:48 PM | Link to this
Not sure if our bullpen will be better or possibly worse without Wickman, but I commend Bobby and (or) JS for dumping his azz if he didn’t wanna pitch in non-save situations.
Just goes to show that the Braves won’t put up with whiners and or guys that don’t wanna be here.
Even though it might be a move that’s too little, too late….I LIKE IT!
Out with the old, in with the new. Move along.
Hey, on a good side note, now DOB can say whatever he wants about the man, and not worry about getting picked up and chewed whole by the man in the clubhouse. :-)
By GermanBravesFan
August 24, 2007 10:49 PM | Link to this
Bob… thanks for the advice…. The Great Donk Robert with his infinite wisdom is just too much for me today. I am surprised that he still sticks around. Bobby Cox has managed the Braves for 17 years and will do so for at least one more year, so perhaps Robert SHOULD take a couple of years off and focus on some other team’s manager, like the Royals, Devil Rays…
By Southern Jack Rabbitt
August 24, 2007 10:51 PM | Link to this
I chuckled when I heard some of Andrew’s comments about Wickman. Who is he to talk? Is this the pot calling the kettle black?
By BravesFanChris22
August 24, 2007 10:51 PM | Link to this
Lets go Braves. They are getting back into it now.
By Mike Mussina
August 24, 2007 10:52 PM | Link to this
Carroll, what is this business about talking about how smoking hot Albert Pujols is? I’m just dreamy and Pujols is smoking hot? The nerve of you, Carroll. Mike Mussina is hurt dammit!
Hurt feelings aside, Mike Mussina congratulates you on a very good job with the Wickman story and for a good job with the blog all week and putting up with all the shenanigans of this cuckoo’s nest.
WWBH
By Ron Roberts
August 24, 2007 10:52 PM | Link to this
Say this for Tony LaRussa… he’s not burning through his bullpen by taking Kip Wells out too early, eh?
By BravesFanInRockies
August 24, 2007 10:56 PM | Link to this
Ron Roberts and GBF,
Thank you.
Again on Wickman —
Recall that the Braves were really trying to dump him at the deadline. My reaction was WTF … but now we may know why.
This is yet another indication though that the Braves may be without equal in keeping their bidness to themselves, or at least inside the clubhouse.
By N8
August 24, 2007 10:59 PM | Link to this
This quote is from Chipper on the Wickman situation:
“Wins are important. Certain games are more important than others. If we need a win, Bobby [Cox] is going to make sure that we get it.”
Looks like somebody needs to sit down and tell Chipper that all games are equal, right? Shaun, you readin’ this? :-)
Then Andruw chimed in with:
*” Those guys all got the talent, and I think they’re young and hungry,” Andruw Jones said. “We need guys who want to go out there and pitch. If you don’t want to pitch you shouldn’t be here.”
Wich, on one hand is kinda cool that he (when he’s about to be a ex-brave) would show some leadership ability, on the vocal side anyhow. Yet, is ultimate ironic that the most stubborn hitter in franchise history would rip somebody for not “wanting to pitch”.
That kinda made me chuckle
By Bob
August 24, 2007 11:00 PM | Link to this
GermanBravesFan,
Yeah, that would be nice. Ron Roberts suggested the same thing. Too bad Mike Hargrave isn’t managing somewhere so he could go whup up on someone he considers lower than a donk.
Chipper has been pretty awesome this year and Tex too. Too bad we can’t elevate starters 3-5 from awful to simply bad. We might be able to outslug someone once in a while in those games.
By GermanBravesFan
August 24, 2007 11:01 PM | Link to this
Grinch: go for it! I am having some good Frankonian wine here…
By Tomahawkin' Again
August 24, 2007 11:01 PM | Link to this
Of course we’re winning tonight…Smoltzie’s pitching. And, we’ll win tomorrow night too. Come Sunday through Tuesday, well…
By Señor Roberto Blanco
August 24, 2007 11:05 PM | Link to this
Se parece que cada uno en América está nombrado “Robert”. Hay Roberto, Bob, Bob el periodista, Bob el principal periodista, Ron Roberts, etc…. Hay demasiadas “bobs” para que Señor Blanco no pierda de vista.
By Braveheart
August 24, 2007 11:08 PM | Link to this
This is not Wickman’s first time being booted off a squad for being a surly malcontent. In 1996, although a good young reliever, the Yanks traded him away in late August.
He was reportedly known as a malcontent and cancer in the clubhouse when he was with the Yankees, always complaining about the lack of respect shown to him. At first, he was angry about not being a starter and then angry about not being more of a featured reliever.
And then finally being jealous as hell at Mariano Rivera during Rivera’s magical 1996 season. In the Birth of A Dynasty, a book written by Joel Sherman, a NY Post reporter:
“The churlish Wickman sensed his job slipping away, and in the bullpen during games complained about how his new manager (Torre) was using him. He also railed against the expanding role of (Mariano) Rivera, slamming the notion that any hurler with just one pitch could thrive for an extended period.
It was just a matter of time, Wickman told the veterans in the pen, before the league deduced the parlor trick and began walloping one-pitch Mariano Rivera. Plus, if the one-pitch inventory did not eventually nullify Rivera, then he was certain to be undone by his size—or lack of it.”
Wickman sounds like a real piece of work and a real joy to be play with.
Oh, he also seems about as correct in his predictions as Head Cooch.
By The Grinch
August 24, 2007 11:13 PM | Link to this
This alone will disprove Andruw’s testimony:
One thing’s for certain, the bullpen sure didn’t get “hungrier” after Wicky left! (rim shot) Thank you, thank you.
Paranto must come up and fill the spare pants.
By Todd A
August 24, 2007 11:14 PM | Link to this
“Wins are important. Certain games are more important than others. If we need a win, Bobby [Cox] is going to make sure that we get it.”
What is that supposed to mean? That doesn’t even make sense.
By BravesFanChris22
August 24, 2007 11:14 PM | Link to this
I just found out/realized both Dodgers & Phillies lost, so Braves could gain some ground with a win.
By ssiscribe
August 24, 2007 11:15 PM | Link to this
Top of the evening, denizens, an evening in which Bob Wickman’s career with the Atlanta Braves ended.
Weird game, this baseball. In spring training, the Braves had a three-headed monster in the bullpen, waiting to shorten games to six innings. Tonight, only one of those guys is left on the team.
And I’m assuming that one remaining survivor of the vaunted three-headed closer trio — Rafael Soriano — will take over closing now that Wickman’s been designated for assignment. How would Mike Gonzalez, he of the 24 saves in Pittsburgh last year and he who is out until next summer, look right now in the Braves’ bullpen?
I see Joey Devine is back up. Maybe Bobby will pitch him now. Kid has put together a great year. Braves need fresh arms in the bullpen. Bobby, pitch Devine. Jose Ascanio, who pitched well when called up earlier this year, also is up.
Use these fresh arms, and have confidence in them. Gotta get them in there. Most of the bullpen is running on fumes right now, thanks to the lack of production from the back end of the starting rotation.
So, lemme toss this out there just for the hell of it, after having this discussion with somebody earlier today. We ALL agree the root of the Braves’ problems is the starting rotation, right? Most of us also realize there isn’t much help available out there.
Last night, it was mentioned that Manny Acosta — who has looked GREAT so far in his brief major-league career — was pitching three-inning stints at Richmond. Blaine Boyer has been starting at Richmond (he’s started 11 of his 20 appearances, including tonight, when he allowed two earned runs in 5 2/3 innings).
Why not combine Boyer and Acosta as one starter? I’d rather see Boyer pitch three or four innings, and Acosta follow with three innings, then see Jo Jo Reyes get knocked out in the third or fourth inning.
It’s unconventional as hell, but you know what? I think it could work. Look, if Lance Cormier can continue to pitch as well as he has so far since coming back to the team, and if Chuck James can pitch well after resting his shoulder on the DL, then I really think — as KC said several times earlier today — the rotation settles.
But I’d certainly take a long, hard look at combining Boyer and Acosta to fill a spot in the rotation. As for Buddy Carlyle? If you go with Boyer/Acosta as one rotation spot, you use Buddy if James or Cormier gets into trouble in a start.
Once next Saturday arrives, the Braves will receive a big boost from the roster expansion, getting Chad Paronto, Royce Ring and a couple other arms up here. Again, Bobby’s gotta be willing to use them, plain and simple. Again, it’s not “by the book,” but the hell with the book.
If the Braves can get to October, then I say it’s Smoltz, Hudson, and a combination of James/Cormier/Carlyle in Game 3, followed by Smoltz in Game 4 and Hudson in Game 5. If you run out of gas or Smoltz and/or Hudson can’t make it on three days rest, so what? Would you rather run out of gas in the NLCS or in early September?
Anyway, some thinking outside the box as the ballclub is getting back on track (to this point) tonight in St. Louis.
The Scribe abides.
—30—
By Shaun
August 24, 2007 11:17 PM | Link to this
Good evening, all. Did anyone here Sciambi and Simpson discussing the pitcher batting eighth and batting order? Sciambi actually brought up the research that estimates the difference between a the best possible batting order and the worst is only a few wins per season. See, I’m not insane, folks!
Also, I’ve started my own blog. http://shaunpayne.blogspot.com/
Robert, I’m sure you’ll enjoy my first post.
By fastasballs
August 24, 2007 11:20 PM | Link to this
We don’t need a four or five man rotation to win it all, a one man will do the trick, Chuck Norris.
Ink Chuck Norris to a deal & the World Series is ours. He would simply scare the opposing hitters into striking out & if BC tried yanking him from the game we may witness our first attempt at a roundhouse kick on the mound since that kung fu move Otis Nixen pulled back in the early 90’s.
By The Grinch
August 24, 2007 11:24 PM | Link to this
I didn’t realize that, Willy Wally. My bad. Perhaps I was hasty, like Wicky with a pudding. (Hasty pudding? Oh, the humanity!) I just heard Cleveland fans liked him, plus I checked out Wicky’s Warriors website, and I remembered how positive his impact was last year. I knew not the beast that lurked.
That doesn’t make Bobby’s use of him any less inexplicable, however. :-)
By Robert
August 24, 2007 11:24 PM | Link to this
“Robert… so, strategically, what was Bobby Cox supposed to have his batters do with a runner at third and nobody out?”
Make contact in such a way as to get the run home.
Once again the excuse that Cox wasnt the batter, or Cox couldnt order up a double -
So it’s just bad luck right. The Braves draw the black time every time. The Fates must not like Atlanta. Pure coincidence.
What Cox shouldve done was to have his hitter be able to change their focus depending on the situation. Fundamentals. Discipline
Things always lacking on a Bobby Cox team
Cuz they’re too busy making sure noone is dissing the BIG Donk by wearing sunglasses on their caps during batting practice
By Mr. Fly, Sleuth Reporter
August 24, 2007 11:24 PM | Link to this
Sittin’, thinkin’, sinkin’, drinkin’, Wondering what I’d do when I’m through tonight… Smokin’, mopin’, maybe just hopin’…
HEY! I will see if Woody wants a cheeseburger. Or Thor maybe. They would be good buffet buddies. But will they get DFA’d just when Fly has them trained to bring food? Hmmm…
By Bob
August 24, 2007 11:25 PM | Link to this
Thanks Braveheart,
Appreciate the information and feedback on Wickman. I realize that authors have their own bias so I will take it for that. It must have been more than just performance that caused this because Andruw is the last guy I would expect to call someone out.
By GermanBravesFan
August 24, 2007 11:27 PM | Link to this
Seems to me that many of us will need to do the unthinkable: root for the Mets… Why? They’ll keep us in the Wild Card race AND they may give us a good match-up in the NLCS… ;-)
By Braveheart
August 24, 2007 11:29 PM | Link to this
August 23, 1996 - The Yankees finally have enough of Wickman’s act.
August 23, 2007 - The Braves finally have enough of Wickman’s act.
By fastasballs
August 24, 2007 11:30 PM | Link to this
Smoltz doesn’t seem to have the discomfort in the shoulder or if he does there are no signs of it on the mound like his recent starts.
By Robert
August 24, 2007 11:30 PM | Link to this
And how can you guys let Andruw Jones off the hook for his comments back-stabbing Wickman?
The single most selfish, undisciplined, unreachable by the coaches player on the team has his first truly good game since May and now he’s king of the world and the one to be calling someone out questioning whether they are playing for the team?
Pathetic.
And it shoulda be severely punished.
But of course, it was within the party line - Wickman bad, not Donk bad - so it will probably be sugar coated and cited as “leadership”
By GermanBravesFan
August 24, 2007 11:31 PM | Link to this
I get it: Without Bobby Cox, Robert’s life ends. He will have no purpose in this life and, much worse, on this blog! Robert NEED Bobby Cox - I hope the Braves sign him to a five-year extension!
By Superman
August 24, 2007 11:32 PM | Link to this
Scribe
I have never thought about such a combo but I like the idea. I have been impressed with Acosta thus far and if Boyer can give ya three innings then it could work. The only problem is you loose one bullpen arm that way but with the september callups this should not be a problem.
But on the other hand I dont see Bobby Cox going for something like that. At this point I would like to see them try something a little different.
I dont really keep up with the minors but dont the braves have anyone the can give a chance in AAA or even AA. I dont even know who they have other than Jo Jo.
By KC
August 24, 2007 11:32 PM | Link to this
Efrim: For God’s sake dude… if I had a nickle for every time you’ve brought up our Wickman-Wagner conversations… Geez!
My argument with you was over what Wickman did over the past 2 seasons as compared to Wagner over that same period… and that argument holds.
Over the 2005/2006 seasons, Wickman converted 79 of 87 save opportunities, as compared to Wagner’s 79 of 86 over that same period. Wickman also posted an ERA in the mid-2.00’s over those 2 seasons.
His success as a closer Was on par with Wagners over the past couple of seasons.
Did I expect Wickman to fizzle out this year? No, I didn’t. But neither did I predict that Wickman would be near as dominant this year as he had over the past couple.
If I were a GM who could have chosen before the beginning of this season between Wagner and Wickman, I would have chosen Wagner because he’s younger and has better stuff.
And obviously, at no point in THIS season would I have made the argument that Wickman was Wagner’s equal. But over the past 2 seasons, he was pretty much on par with Wagner. That’s what I said, and it was true.
By Braveheart
August 24, 2007 11:35 PM | Link to this
Ink Chuck Norris to a deal & the World Series is ours. He would simply scare the opposing hitters into striking out & if BC tried yanking him from the game we may witness our first attempt at a roundhouse kick on the mound since that kung fu move Otis Nixen pulled back in the early 90’s.
I dunno fastasballs. For Chuck Norris to be the answer, the opposing team might have to be as cheesy and unimposing as the poorly written and poorly acted villains on Walker, Texas Ranger.
By Chop Chop
August 24, 2007 11:36 PM | Link to this
I was just scrolling through the posts and, although Grinch beat me to it, I have to also say that Robert has a valid point about Wickman’s departure and Andruw’s comments regarding it. The guy’s 38 years old and has enough sense to know how he needed to be handled at this point in his career. According to Carroll’s story:
“…Wickman also alienated himself from his Braves teammates for reasons such as showing displeasure at pitching in non-save situations.
Thursday was such a situation, and came after he had to warm up a couple of times before he pitched.”
If I were 38 years old and possibly having arm trouble, I would rather not have to warm up a few times before having to come into a game. Andruw is an ironman, but he’s also been an ironhead this season. When he comes out as the proverbial “teacher’s pet” in defense of the team and Bobby, it just doesn’t jibe well with the reality of his own stubbornness and the poor season he’s had.
So there you have it. Robert, if you’re going to refer to Bobby as “Donk”, you’re going to have to give Andruw a nickname befitting a brown noser. If you do that, I’ll cut you some slack for a day or two.
By The Grinch
August 24, 2007 11:38 PM | Link to this
Ladies and Gentlemen! Come one, come all…it doesn’t matter if you’re into analysis or anilingus, anyone and everyone will be irrevocably touched, moved, be-goosebumped (is that a word?) and flat out flabbergasted by the wonder of culturally diverse, scorchingly soul-stirring, touchingly poignant and wholly human intercourse of…
Shaun’s blog.
:-)
Love ya, man.
By Ron Roberts
August 24, 2007 11:40 PM | Link to this
So, Robert, as equally, then as Bobby Cox deserves your derision for first and second inning shortcomings, Robert, does he then deserve high praise for making everything work so gloriously in the 5-run fourth inning?
It has to go both ways, or neither way at all, Robert.
By Bob, Journalist
August 24, 2007 11:42 PM | Link to this
Salty, I didn’t realize that you were one of Mister Howard’s … that helps explain a lot, a true gentleman of the first order he was … he and his boys always came to play … and did, regardless of the score.
I ate many a Varsity dog and many a fry … watching them play, back in the day.
They lost their share of games but never knew what it was to be beaten; sometimes winning when they were … as I would like to think did we.
By MrC
August 24, 2007 11:43 PM | Link to this
Smoltz looks comfortable tonight….no long stretches of his arms in the air. Good sign?
By Shaun
August 24, 2007 11:46 PM | Link to this
KC,
Well, Wickman obviously isn’t over-powering as Wagner and I don’t think you can say Wickman was as good a pitcher.
Oddly enough, both pitchers gave up 17 runs in 2005 and 22 runs in 2006. But Wagner threw over 70 innings both years and Wickman threw under 62 or under both years.
By TheSouthernJackAss
August 24, 2007 11:46 PM | Link to this
TheSouthernJackAss has the true scoop on why Wickman was so abruptly designated for assignment today…word has it that Wickman ate all the potato salad that was on the clubhouse spread last night before anyone else had a chance to get any of it…then to add insult to injury, Bobby Cox caught him with his head buried shoulder deep in Cox’s own personal carrot sack…that sealed Wickman’s fate!…
By Columbus Buckeye
August 24, 2007 11:47 PM | Link to this
Didn’t the Beatles once say let it be? I think that dumping Wickman was a good move… Hopefully the Bravos can get back in the mix. Sometimes youth is a good kick in the pants…….
By Walter Brennan
August 24, 2007 11:47 PM | Link to this
Joe Simpson endorsing Tim Hudson as the Cy Young Award winner. Now there’s a surprise. He endorses a Braves pitcher every year, usually Smoltz. Until he learns to be a little more objective, I don’t think he’ll ever be taken seriously on a national level.
By ssiscribe
August 24, 2007 11:48 PM | Link to this
There has been a lot of discussion about Andruw’s comments in regards to Wickman’s departure. Some of you believe AJ should shut up and keep it to himself, while some of you said it is a refreshing change-of-pace from what we normally hear out of the Braves clubhouse.
I’m biased as hell, since I spent more than 15 years in the newspaper business trying to get people (including, from time to time, major league baseball players) to tell me what they really were feeling and thinking. I’m glad to hear Andruw speak out. I think it’s ironic he’s the one to say it, given his stubbornness and the type of season he’s experiencing.
At the same time, it shows me there is an element of the players being upset with the way things are going (heaven knows the good denizens of the Braves/MIB and other representatives of Braves Nation are sick of this maddening roller coaster). The hell with the button-down attitude. It’s time to show some emotion and play like it’s October. If that means speaking bluntly to the scribes in the locker room, so be it.
It’s time to get this thing rolling. Smoltz has been outstanding. Just gotta close this one out and keep on keeping on. Get this win, go forth with Huddy tomorrow, and see what you can do against Wainwright on Sunday.
The Braves, if they get six more outs, are three games out of a playoff spot with 33 games to go. Certainly, this thing is doable.
The Scribe abides.
—30—
By TheSouthernJackAss
August 24, 2007 11:50 PM | Link to this
More good news today…Shaun gets his own blog!…
By Bob, Journalist
August 24, 2007 11:50 PM | Link to this
See, I’m not insane, folks!
Who’s kidding whom?
By Bob
August 24, 2007 11:51 PM | Link to this
KC,
I agree with you on Wickman and Wagner. But right now, ole Billy boy ain’t a whole lot better than Wicky was. He escaped trouble tonight but has blown 3 games in a little over a week. Trevor Hoffman has had similar “success” over the last week.
By Robert
August 24, 2007 11:54 PM | Link to this
Hmmm - How about ……..
Jonesey
It’s cute in a kinda paternal-love kinda way, and it could be applied to Chipper too
(who also got extra ice cream for his comment on Bobby making sure the team wins the games it needs to)
Chipper’s comment made me think, and I realized that maybe I’ve been wrong all along
Maybe we really didnt need to win any of those playoff games we lost
By Robert
August 24, 2007 11:57 PM | Link to this
“Bobby Cox deserves your derision for first and second inning shortcomings, Robert, does he then deserve high praise for making everything work so gloriously in the 5-run fourth inning?”
Certainly. Cox watched the game marvelously that inning
By Chop Chop
August 24, 2007 11:59 PM | Link to this
Not good enough, Robert.
Much like Bobby Cox costing the Braves Game 7 of the ‘91 World Series by not coaching Lonnie Smith up, you have failed in your attempt to come up with an adequate nickname for Andruw.
You have become what you hate.
By Savannah Guy
August 25, 2007 12:00 AM | Link to this
Braveheart Cuz…good Wickman info on this night. “if the one-pitch inventory did not eventually nullify Rivera, then he was certain to be undone by his size—or lack of it.” Seems “undone by his size” was foretelling… in the mirror for sumo fella. Fly will miss him as a cheeseburger vehicle, but the Braves won’t. They may have actually saved him from hurting himself.
Scribe Good post as always. Several months ago I remember suggesting a doubling up of relievers for one or two of the 3-5 SP’s and was roundly, um… “corrected”. Too non-traditional. Had I proffered that with your eloquence and baseball creds (and during our current situation), I may have found a more receptive hearing (uh oh…sounding like crystal ball Robert?). Anyway, donk’s and bonk’s aside, I’m right there with you and in agreement with some the out of box thinking needed there.
Grinch Oktoberfest in August. Works for me.
Smoltz A clinic tonight.
Four HOF’ers.
By Savannah Guy
August 25, 2007 12:04 AM | Link to this
I meant Coach…sorry R. You get enough grief without getting blamed for something you didn’t deserve.
By Superman
August 25, 2007 12:05 AM | Link to this
I like Druwpy for AJ
By KC
August 25, 2007 12:05 AM | Link to this
GRINCH: You’re just upset that you’re going to have to trash your “I’m gay for Wicky” Braves shirt! =) lol
By Robert
August 25, 2007 12:06 AM | Link to this
Wait a minute! Cox has been calling them Jonesey forever, and he is a genius
By The Grinch
August 25, 2007 12:08 AM | Link to this
Smoltz continues to amaze. I’ve said since I started posting here about 18 months ago that I’ve never liked Smoltz much as a person, but by Godfey that sumgun has got something more than talent going for him. He’s about as true grit as Rooster Cogburn.
Great catch by Andruw, obviously.
Braveheart, your Freudian “slip” on Coach is classic.
SG, you said something earlier I found clever and amusing, but I’m too drunk to remember what it was. Just accept this generic tip of the hat.
By Lee in S. GA
August 25, 2007 12:08 AM | Link to this
A.J. hustled and beat out a charged error by their 3rd baseman. The world is coming to an end tonight.
By Shaun
August 25, 2007 12:08 AM | Link to this
N8,
Certain wins are more important than others only in the loosest sense. All games are worth the same. A win in April against the Pirates is the same as a win in September against the Mets. If the Braves had won enough games earlier, there wouldn’t even be this discussion about some games being more important than others.
By Lofton
August 25, 2007 12:09 AM | Link to this
Is there a bigger whiner in major league baseball than John Smoltz? I’m getting so sick of his little league antics on the mound. He does his pouty act after close calls at least half a dozen times a game. This is a future Hall of Famer?
Smoltzie…SHUT UP AND PITCH.
By Chop Chop
August 25, 2007 12:10 AM | Link to this
Face it, Coach. You’ll never measure up to Tom Emanski. I laughed quite heartily upon reading your suggestion for a four-man starting rotation. You are such a fool. Isn’t it plainly obvious that the Braves should go to a two-man rotation? They’re about to be 18 games over .500 in games started by Hudson and Smoltz. You don’t win back to back to back AAU National Championships by being a pansy, Coach. Risks have to be incurred.
By jbutler
August 25, 2007 12:14 AM | Link to this
Hey grinch…..rooster cogbum???? That befuddles my encyclopedic brain.
By Ron Roberts
August 25, 2007 12:15 AM | Link to this
Like I said, Robert… it either works both ways or it doesn’t. Inconveniently for YOU, you can’t give Cox credit for the 5-run fourth inning any more than you can blame him for the shortcomings of the first or second.
He made out the lineup; that’s it. Everybody in the lineup got a hit tonight, aside from Smoltz. I don’t give Cox credit for that, and if they’d gone w/out a hit against the likes of Brandon Webb or an ace Cy Young-worthy pitcher, I wouldn’t put the blame on him, either.
Baseball is not a game for simpletons, and yet you (and only you) seem to believe the fortunes of a baseball team rest solely on the person who manages them.
You are a simpleton. This is not your game. You’re a second-guesser, and not even good at that. Maybe we can blame Bobby Cox and his years of management on making you such a below-average second-guesser.
If so, that’s his one fireable offense, in my book.
By Overlord
August 25, 2007 12:16 AM | Link to this
So what do we have here in resume….. Bobby cox didnt have the balls to put soriano as closer all season because if he did wickman would have kicked his azz, so wickman was the ruler in the club.
Was Bobby intimidated by wickman? Or was he trying to avoid wickman to break down in tears?
By KC
August 25, 2007 12:17 AM | Link to this
Lofton: Dissing Smoltz? What are you doing in this blog?? Oh right… the Mets game is over. You must be bored.
By ssiscribe
August 25, 2007 12:17 AM | Link to this
Real quick, before I go to bed: Why is Mahay in? Why isn’t Devine or Ascanio in to start the inning, up by five? The top lefty in the pen, and he’s pitching in a five-run game? Whatever.
Sometimes, I just don’t understand the methodology of the way the Braves use the bullpen.
The Scribe abides. Selah
—30—
By ijonathan
August 25, 2007 12:18 AM | Link to this
Why does Bobby Cox continue to pitch our only lefty specialist Mahay in these types of games???? 3 of his last 4 appearances have been in games with either very large leads or deficits. Does Mahay absolutely require work every other day or he’ll lose it?
By S T I N K Y
August 25, 2007 12:19 AM | Link to this
Oktoberfest in August. Works for me.
Somebody is not a real beer drinker.
By Savannah Guy
August 25, 2007 12:21 AM | Link to this
Grinch Clever and amusing is good. Memorable may be even better. I’ll work on that…but am I competing with brewskies? If so…not a chance. How are the “ears”?
By TheSouthernJackAss
August 25, 2007 12:21 AM | Link to this
Now some bad news…Shaun’s blog sucks!…he’s back…
By Chop Chop
August 25, 2007 12:21 AM | Link to this
What the…?
Bobby’s taking Mahay out of the game with a 5-run lead and two outs?
I have an idea. Let’s use every pitcher every night. Does that sound good?
By Overlord
August 25, 2007 12:22 AM | Link to this
I said it yesterday and ill say it again. Why the hell is mahay been used again tonight? His shoulder is gonna explode….. he is the only lefty, no reason to use him tonight AGAIN.
By KC
August 25, 2007 12:22 AM | Link to this
Grinch: Guys like Smoltz and Schilling are cut from the same cloth. They are special competitors. Most everyone at this level likes to compete, but these guys take a competitive mindset to a whole new level.
It’s that strooooong personality that makes them so great on the mound. But off the field, it probably also makes them the type of people you either like or don’t like.
By The Grinch
August 25, 2007 12:23 AM | Link to this
Also, we witnessed something tonight we may never see again: an infield hit by Brian McCann. I love him like a brother (as much as I can for someone I don’t know), but have any of you ever known a 23 year-old man that wasn’t 400 plus pounds or in a wheelchair that runs slower than Brian? I mean really, I’m a big, big dude for 5’10 with an unusual amount of upper body weight (both fat and muscle) and a surgically reconstructed left knee, foot and ankle and at 34, I’d be willing to bet a crisp Hamilton I’d beat Brian to first by 3-5 steps.
I forgot the seond point I was going to post with this. I hate it when that happens.
WHAT? HE’S BRINGING IN THE TOTALLY EXHAUSTED MOYLAN WITH TWO OUT IN THE 9th IN A 7-2 GAME?
Umm, folks, I think Wicky’s just been about as vindicated as he could possibly have been without a grand jury. Wow. You’d think Bobby would have at least have waited a game before pulling this utterly inexplicable crap. Astounding.
By BravesFanChris22
August 25, 2007 12:24 AM | Link to this
YAY. We gain some ground in the WC.
By KC
August 25, 2007 12:25 AM | Link to this
I agree with a few of you who have commented on this already…
Why use Mahay tonight??? Isn’t he due for some rest?
Should have been Acosta or Devine.
By Overlord
August 25, 2007 12:25 AM | Link to this
There you go……….didnt take a genius to know that that guy was taken in for nothing…………bad move, then again he used 2 relievers….. Only 1 pitch by moylan, but i guess you get the point.
By Lee in S. GA
August 25, 2007 12:26 AM | Link to this
Well even though a 2 and 3 road trip so far is nothing to jump up and down about, tonight’s win was SO IMPORTANT.
Huddty wins tomorrow and we are back in business.
By Savannah Guy
August 25, 2007 12:28 AM | Link to this
Andruw nickname I started this season with an Andruw nickname, “Android”, but the worse he got, the more like kicking a mule it seemed (no political reference intended). Pitiful does not funny make.
But if he goes to the Mets next year…say, for Glavine and some young guns…then the nickname will be way easy: Androol.
By Chop Chop
August 25, 2007 12:28 AM | Link to this
Grinch, Bobby is designating Moylan as the one-pitch, non-save situation closer. Congrats to Peter on the promotion!
By KC
August 25, 2007 12:30 AM | Link to this
BravesFanChris22:
Actually, the Padres won tonight. We gained a game on the Phillies… I guess that’s what you’re referring to.
By ijonathan
August 25, 2007 12:30 AM | Link to this
Why can’t a reporter, beat writer, talk show host…SOMEBODY ask Bobby to explain some of his inexplicable pitching changes? Some of you on this blog will shrug off tonight as, “ah, they won, who cares”…but it DOES matter. A MLB manager needs to think multiple moves, innings and games ahead in setting up his pitching staff. Now, tomorrow night, if it is a tight game, and let’s say Edmunds is up in a key spot, Mahay may not be completely rested/sharp. And don’t even try to justify Moylan coming in. Boog and Simpson tried to cover it as a “confidence gainer” move, don’t buy it.
By Overlord
August 25, 2007 12:32 AM | Link to this
ijonathan i could help you with that last question. But i guess you already have the answer. We all do. Bobby Cox is not aware that mahay is his only lefty.
By Southern Jack Rabbitt
August 25, 2007 12:32 AM | Link to this
Did the Braves win? I fell asleep and somebody stole my carrots. Had BC been snooping around again. Can’t be Wickman, he is gone……..
Who is this Southern Jackass person?
By KC
August 25, 2007 12:33 AM | Link to this
Good news I think, the release of Wickman. He wasn’t cutting it. Let’s get a look at Soriano. I bet he’ll be a good closer. If not, we can look at Moylan.
Good night all!
By Savannah Guy
August 25, 2007 12:33 AM | Link to this
KC Right on the money. Two of my favorites. When they take the field they are warriors. Rare breed.
By Serbok
August 25, 2007 12:37 AM | Link to this
By ssiscribe
August 24, 2007 11:15 PM
Nice Post!
By Bob, Journalist
August 25, 2007 12:37 AM | Link to this
I missed the last inning on WGST … why was John lifted?
By Overlord
August 25, 2007 12:42 AM | Link to this
This team is so good they find a way to win even with COX as their manager…… That talks about the talent of the players….. if they can overcome bobby cox and find their way into the playoffs, they should be awarded with something, some reply of the world series trophy or something.
By BravesFanChris22
August 25, 2007 12:43 AM | Link to this
KC (12:30am)
Yep. I was referring to gaining ground on both Dodgers and Phillies. We have to climb over them before the Padres. So, yea.
I wasn’t sarcastic there at all, just saying.
By Mark
August 25, 2007 12:45 AM | Link to this
KC weren’t you defending Wickman on sunday giving me all those stupid stats. You still want to bet me on this road trip.
By Overlord
August 25, 2007 12:46 AM | Link to this
Finally a smooth game, it has only been 3 days but it felt like a month since some major league started a game for us. Good god.
Ill keep the faith on buddy and cormier. Cormier is doing ok, and buddy has just lost it, maybe hell find it again.
Maybe this wickman thing could work as a big time trade move, who knows….. Maybe it was producing lots of tension in the clubhouse and on the field, we will see.
GOOOOOOOOO Braves!!!!!!!!!!!!
By A-ville Ranger
August 25, 2007 12:46 AM | Link to this
It’s just one game,that said I like the way the team played.I’m not talking about the bashing I like that the Card pitchers threw 174 pitches that’s over 19 an inning.They drew 6 walks and St louis wasn’t that wild they threw a lot more strikes than balls.The announcers and ESPN have finally caught on to what I’ve been saying since april that Kelly Johnson is the best base runner on the team and one of the best in the game.I’ll say again he reminds me of Larry Walker(in his prime)he just knows what it’s about…….last —-John Smoltz,the old man keeps going out and giving high quality innings while the pups give low quanity and low quality…he’s the man.
By N8
August 25, 2007 12:49 AM | Link to this
Shaun
I get it dude. Just giving you crap. I actually agree with you on THIS topic. ALL games are important, as are ALL at bats, ALL innings pitched by a pitcher, etc….
I just had a similar argument about John Elway, while discussing QB play. I was arguing that essentially Elway was a mediocre QB (stat-wise) for the first 10 years of his career, due to throwing for 158 TD’s and 157 INT’s (for the record the Broncos were 98-60-1 in those 10 years).
His repsonse was: “Yeah, but what about all those comeback victories?”.
To which my response was: If he had played better in the first 3 quarters of those “comeback” games, he wouldn’t have always needed to comeback.
Same basic idea. EVERY possesion in football, is as important as the other. It’s just that the “last minute” TD drive gets all the attention from the fans and media.
Similar to a “save”. Maybe the set-up guy pitching the 7th inning of a 1-run game had the “toughest” job to due, if he faced the heart of the order, and the closer faced the bottom of the order. But because of the “save” stat, closer’s get all the glory. ANYBODY with a brain could tell you that the 96 Yankees (even with Whettland in the closer’s role), go NOWHERE without Rivera and Lloyd pitcher the 6th, 7th and 8th innings.
But, in all fairness, a team’s “true character” and ability shines through when their back is against the wall, IMO. And this team has failed miserably to do anything about it. So it is “fair” to judge them on their play down the stretch, IMO. Even though their bonehead play in April-July have just as much to do with being as far out as we are, as the August games have.
Maybe dumping Wickman and infusing some youth into the pen, will be addition by subtraction and bring the team together.
I doubt it, but they looked good tonight. We’ll see…
By The Grinch
August 25, 2007 12:50 AM | Link to this
Really, y’all; most of us (including me) have hemmed and hawwed all year about whether or not this is the year Bobby’s finally put the eggs in the coffee cup and can’t tell the difference…tonight has flat out told us one of two things. Either he really is so freakin’ out of it he isn’t aware how much he’s just made Wicky look like a hero and himself look like Mr. Magoo, or worse, he’s flaunting it purposefully and doesn’t care, much like big D Cheney shooting the finger in congress. I doubt it’s the latter, which makes the situation more sad than alarming. Unless you’re interested in the playoffs. Sorry, everyone; there aren’t any other viable explanations. Feel free to put one or more forth; I’d love to hear that I missed a possibillity and am wrong. Really. Because I genuinely do like Bobby and I have unpleasant memories of having to take the car keys away from the eldest Grinch, who subsequently wasted away and died. Reality’s a %#$@&. Wonder if Moylan enjoyed warming up to throw that one pitch after throwing about 150 pitches in the last 5 days?
Jbutler, you know who I meant, butt-munch. :-)
By Katie Temple
August 25, 2007 12:51 AM | Link to this
I can suck the chrome off a trailer hitch.
Really.
How do you think I got my job?
By Overlord
August 25, 2007 12:55 AM | Link to this
The good news here is that SD has a very tough schedule coming…….. arizona twice, LA twice, Philly, Milwauke, but they also play SF, colorado, pitts and hou. At least SF and Colorado which are in their division, could try to play spoilers, you never know. Philly has not looked good last 3 games or so.
By Bob, Journalist
August 25, 2007 12:58 AM | Link to this
Shaun Payne you might try being more succinct and less subjective on your blog … try removing the colorful modifiers like “In an age when broadcasters impress viewers with their knowledge of the game, Sciambi and Simpson offer a different approach” … it’s easier to read and more on point.
By Bobbby Cox
August 25, 2007 12:59 AM | Link to this
Et tu Grinche’?
By The Grinch
August 25, 2007 1:01 AM | Link to this
Katie, voton1066@yahoo.com. I just so happen to have a trailer hitch I was just saying today has WAY too much chrome.
BTW, I made that last post into three paragraphs; not sure why it didn’t come out that way.
By Savannah Guy
August 25, 2007 1:01 AM | Link to this
Stinky…real men drink what? Hey, I’m from a town who’s citizens find out what you drink before your name, rank, serial number, occupation or if you came over on the Mayflower. Kinda’ nice if you think about it. It’s a drinking community with a fishing problem.
Good morning, good evening and good night. Erin go Bragh if you are so inclined.
By S T I N K Y
August 25, 2007 1:05 AM | Link to this
Shaun Payne you might try being more succinct and less subjective on your blog…
Talk about the pot calling the kettle black…
By A-ville Ranger
August 25, 2007 1:13 AM | Link to this
N8 Your case that all runs etc are equal regardless of when they’re scored doesn’t hold water.Look at all the runs this team scores in routs,then look at all the games lost when one hit would have won the game.Same goes for closers, champions whether it’s Jordan in basketball or Reggie Jackson in baseball rise to the occasion,it’s true for teams as well.If what you say was true the Braves would be about 14-6 over the last 20 games.
By Katie Temple
August 25, 2007 1:14 AM | Link to this
Grinch, something tells me that you’re green (with envy) for a reason.
By Todd A
August 25, 2007 1:23 AM | Link to this
Grinch, you’re on a roll tonight.
By The Grinch
August 25, 2007 1:28 AM | Link to this
Bob, for better or for worse, Stinky got you on that one, my friend.
SG, Jim Beam and Jim Beam: shaken, not stirred. Actually, not shaken either.
Katie, there’s a part of me that remains purple for a reason. Why should I be envious? If I can beat B-Mac down the line I should be able to get an exclusive…
By fastasballs
August 25, 2007 1:44 AM | Link to this
What’s with these questionable bullpen moves on a nightly basis. I know Mahay was warmed up as was Moylen so why not run them out there, right? Well one might ask why they were even up to begin with, but once Smoltz got out of the 8th it was time to bring in one of the kids & let those two rest because they will be needed if tomorrow’s game is close & for sure on Sunday. Why burn out the lefty specialist in non lefty specialist situations? He’s been in virtually every game as of late.
The use of the bullpen by Cox is not very indicative of a manager who is dubbed as the master of the 162 game schedule.
By jed
August 25, 2007 1:46 AM | Link to this
it must be that the braves just could not stand wickman as a teammate anymore. if it werent personal, they’d have just demoted him to 7th inning work. i’d imagine DOB’s been biting his lip this whole season, so hold back no more, please. what in gawd’s name has been going on in the clubhouse, dave?
By uga-brave
August 25, 2007 1:52 AM | Link to this
just got back from downstairs at CHOPS, and yes CARROL you are right about st. louis, all braves fans i encouarge you to go there. stay at the hyatt where the braves usually stay. from there you can walk to the stadium and then walk to the casinos, though the better casino is on the other side of the river. the people of st. louis are true baseball fans. these people really love the cards, not to many transcients there. had dinner at anthonys great steak house.
on to the braves, kudos for getting rid of wick. i had no idea this guy was as selfish as he is. what a difference it makes when we get a quality start. if we only had one more dependable stater, we would not have this angst. i encourage WAYNE FROM UTAH to end his hiatus, BRAVE-DAVE is without a doubt the most intelligent poster i have read, but we all really like to argue and without you WAYNE, me and DAVE HAVE NOBODY THAT IS SOMEWHAT INTROSPECTIVE TO ARGUE WITH. so come back.
like i said last night got a weird hunch about this team. i know it looks easier when smoltz and hudson are out there, but got a strange hunch. things even out over 162, and i think the breaks are coming our way. I.E. ECSTIEN DOES NOT MAKE ERRORS OFTEN, and for once we went through the door.
By joebrave
August 25, 2007 1:56 AM | Link to this
News Flash!!Bob Wickman was just seen at the local Krispy Kreme,with an Andruw Jones wanted poster,Lofton,and Anders were also spotted in this vicarious part of town sporting a new pair of thongs and smelling of cheap whiskey as the two peckerchompers checked in down at the local Roach Coach Motel together!!!!!!!
By The Grinch
August 25, 2007 2:01 AM | Link to this
Fastasballs, you said something funny and or witty earlier, but I don’t recall it. Kudos, anyway. And the same should be said for a half-dozen or so others. Now’s the time when I normally grab someone and put ‘em in a headlock while I forgive them of their sins (both real and imagined), but this is a blog so I’ll just go eat a sandwich and pass out instead. Rock on, all who know who you are. BTW, I took a recent hiatus to check out about 5 versions of Stranglehold and Great White Buffalo by Uncle Ted on YouTube and he’s still the ^&#@-ing man. Not sure what that’s appropos of…oh, yeah; rocking on. :-) Time for a bowl and Sabbath.
Thanks for reminding me I’m hungry again, ToddA (speaking of rolls).
By uga-brave
August 25, 2007 2:05 AM | Link to this
hey for cryin out loud quit rippin ANDRUW, he aint the reason why the braves are where they are. he is a great teamate and he ACTUALLY
LOVES THE UNIFORM HE WHERES ON HIS BACK. i know his season has not been up to standards, but he could of easily said he was really hurt and used it as an excuse. THIS GUY BASICALLY CARRIED US THE LAST TWO YEARS.
if he is gone next year, we including myself will all be saying DRUW WOULD OF GOTTEN THAT BALL.
By joebrave
August 25, 2007 2:06 AM | Link to this
Fly you should consider Chino as your new sidekick,he’s large VERY LARGE and round too..maybe you guys could be the team of Chino and the Fly???or a sitcom called Cadahia soup???just a thought..
Meanwhile Local Authorities have raided a certain Roach Coach Motel where two Identified males were taken into custody in their new leather thongs,for filming illegal movies in the US yes the movie Eau deMasclinde Tart washalted during this raid as the films co-stars Anders,and Lofton were jailed for impersonating a man!!!
Back on the Wickman front He was last heard Screaming take that Andruw,I just eat the last Jelly filled Doughnut Doughboy!!!I’ll Get you Yet!!!
By joebrave
August 25, 2007 2:10 AM | Link to this
Now before I turn in for the evening,Hello to my friends Savannah guy,Paladin,Lew how are you my friend,and SJA how the hell ya been??? you never answered my email…Coach dude just SHADDUP!!!!
By BravesDave
August 25, 2007 2:12 AM | Link to this
Hey, I miss one night on the blog because I have to go to a wedding and all hell breaks loose. I was absolutely shocked to Wickman dumped. I love it, but it was still shocking. I think this may go back to a discussion that some (including me) were having with Shaun this afternoon about fire and desire. Apparently, Wickman didn’t have it. So, see you later, pal. Maybe a little message there, if you don’t want to give 110% for this team, you don’t need to take our $6M.
Tivo’d and watched the game a little while ago. Looked scary early with the continuous stranding of leadoff runners. Overall nice win. Not unexpected with Smoltzy on the hill against Kip Wells. Bad/strange bullpen management using two relievers in the 9th in a 7-2 game.
uga, thanks for the compliment. Good info on St. Lou. I hope we can call you Nostradomus-uga next week after the win streak that you are predicting.
By BravesDave
August 25, 2007 2:21 AM | Link to this
Another note on Wickman. Very interesting that Chipper calls him out after the game on Thursday saying “we can execute a pitcher covering first” and the next day, he is gone. Maybe if some guys in this clubhouse stepped up a little sooner this season and showed some fire, called out some teammates, things would have turned around here. Maybe if someone said “Woodward needs to get his head in the game”, Woodward would have been dumped the next day. Look, Smoltz was perceived to call out Chipper when he was on the verge of going on the DL with a groin strain. Since then, Chipper has been on one of the hottest tears of his career outside of his MVP season.
Just saying…end the business-like approach and maybe this team turns it around in the last 30 games. We caught the Phillies, now let’s pass ‘em and get after the Padres.
By uga-brave
August 25, 2007 2:22 AM | Link to this
TONIGHT WE MADE IT LOOK EASY against a hot team, for whatever reason we made the REDS look like murders row. BLAH BLAH BLAH, i know that most of you are going to say well that was SMOLTZ. MY POINT is why do our young pitchers not pitch to contact more. MCDOWELL at some point must take responsibility, dont get behind in the count, dont walk people. for the love of baseball if they know ur 3-1 fastball is coming they are probably going to hit it.
By uga-brave
August 25, 2007 2:49 AM | Link to this
130 or so in the book and we have lost games that make a root canal look like a day in the park. what really makes me squirm is just think if we had better pitching. take away hudson and smoltz and our team e.r.a is around 5.5. I FOR ONE do not believe that chucky was hurt. methinks that chuck the window framer is just kind of indifferent. i think that bobby is pulling a ROBERT DENIRO IN GOODFELLAS, he is getting rid of guys that just dont care.
i for one applaud him, this team and their leaders sure seemed to think the same way, just read mark bowmans article.
By uga-brave
August 25, 2007 3:12 AM | Link to this
ACTUALLY BRAVE-DAVE,
i am somewhat basing my prediction on matmatic progressions, the odds of the braves not winning more than five in a row all season are somewhat around 16%. that being said still got that weird baseball hunch that bobby has laid down the final gaunlet. really think that ANDRUW is going to step up. and no i might have had a few glasses of pinot, but i think it is coming. way to go BOBBY get rid of somebody that puts himself ahead of the team.
By Carroll Rogers
August 25, 2007 3:25 AM | Link to this
good conversation tonight, good people…..tho i do have a bone to pick. i read all about how bobby is so frustrating because he says one thing one day and then another the next, and now you guys (robert) are miffed that andruw came out and threw wickman under the bus? do you want the perspective of what’s going on in the clubhouse or would you rather a bunch of no comments all over the place? i, for one, was pleased with andruw’s frankness because i believe it brought us closer to the truth. and by the way, robert, he even addressed your comments about the shots wickman could take back at him. wish i’d have put it in my story but i was kinda scrambling.
“Probably he thinks something about me - hopefully I can starting hitting or doing the job I’m supposed to do - but I go out and play.” - said Andruw. i’m sure you’ll feast on that, but i wanted to at least throw it out there.
look, it’s interesting to look at this thing from another perspective, and i applaud your outside-the-box thinking, grinch, etc. if wickman had been the kind of guy to say hello to reporters, much less give them a phone number, i’d gladly have given you his perspective today. but my impressions of what’s going on are in line with what i wrote today. really don’t think i would lead you guys that far astray.
yes it’s one thing to pitch for the fifth time in eight days in a five-run game, but not necessarily, if you’ve already been up in the pen when the game was only one run. and most certainly that’s not a big deal to me when you’re in a tied 12-inning game in cincinnati and you’re down to one other reliever who is your long guy and can pitch three innings if need be, and you’re a closer and not happy about going in.
braveheart is on to something. read his post, about the yankee book. and very impressive on the research, by the way. he’s come as close to anything i’ve heard behind the scenes as any of these theories online today. and yes i’d heard rumblings about this just in the last couple weeks, about him alienating himself from teammates for various reasons. and it wasn’t that hard to see just looking around the clubhouse and seeing him alone at his locker.
anyway, it’s 3:20 in the east and i’m still up. i must be under the influence of the Braves/MIB now. it only took a week, eh?
oh and completely uncalled for and bogus rip of katy temple on the blog. and to say something like that on the blog of a female sportswriter is just ignorant. take that talk somewhere else, it’s not welcome here.
By BravesDave
August 25, 2007 3:35 AM | Link to this
Well, mathematics, gut feelings, whatever, I still hope that the winning streak happens. Even though I have been feeling pessimistic, there is still some room for hope in the far recesses of my mind.
By BravesDave
August 25, 2007 3:48 AM | Link to this
Carroll, I absolutely loved the comments from Andruw and Chipper over the past two days. Just like I loved the mild controversy between Chipper and Smoltz earlier this season. There is just something about a team that rarely has a public comment on anything that passes as news. Maybe they internalize too much. I don’t expect Cox to be out there ripping his players on a nightly basis, but when you see someone like Chipper make a statement, I think it resonates. Also, as poorly as Andruw has played, the man gives up his body for the team every night. He may not be producing, but I don’t question the fact that he will dive for any ball remotely within his range. I would love to see him hustle down the line a little more, maybe take a different approach at the plate, but I do think he is committed.
I really hope that dumping this guy lights a spark for this team. Hey, you are the ‘closer’, you make $6M a year……you’re gone. What do you think about that Buddy, Chuck, Lance, Tyler, etc??? There is not much time left.
By Robert
August 25, 2007 4:02 AM | Link to this
“August 23, 1996 - The Yankees finally have enough of Wickman’s act.
August 23, 2007 - The Braves finally have enough of Wickman’s act.”
Looks likes Cox thinks about 9 years slower than Torre
Sounds about right
By Robert
August 25, 2007 4:09 AM | Link to this
Or maybe it’s 11 years slower
Now I know how Bobby thinks
By Train Wreck Bystander
August 25, 2007 4:27 AM | Link to this
My final comments on the Wickman departure:
I hate to see a good arm leave - and Wickman is a good arm at times. Last year he was hailed as a bullpen savior and he gave the pen some leadership and stability last fall when it was desperately needed.
I found it interesting to hear the comments from all the reporters who cover the Braves - not one seemed surprised at the move. That speaks volumes.
It will be interesting to see who ends up being the go-to guy. I am wagering Soriano is able to take the role and run.
=====
I still believe in these Atlanta Braves.
By Robert
August 25, 2007 4:32 AM | Link to this
The scene opens with a birds eye view of the room from the ceiling cam. It pans the room, and we see — a mess - three empty pizza boxes on the floor, about a case worth of beer bottles scattered on the ground, window open and curtains fluttering in the summer night’s breezes, and the mini-fridge open with a few brewskis still in the door. As we zoom in on the bed, the phone rings. The covers are thrown back, and the disheveled mug of Corky Miller appears.Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, Corky answers the phone
Corky - (sounding tired and a little irritated) Yeah hello? Oh yes sir. Just a minute sir.
He turns back to the bed and puts his arms on the shoulder of the formless mass lying next to him in bed. Sweetie wake up. Snookems? Wake up man
Wickman - (slowly rolling over, nearly crushing Miller, rubbing his eyes, stretching, burping, and releasing a “motorcycle engine” burst of intestinal gas - Jeezus, what.
Corky - Phone for you
Wicky - What? What time is it
Corky - 9AM
Wicky - What the frick kind of moron calls me at 9AM
Corky (frantically, and trying to cover the mouthpiece with his other hand) SSSHHH!!! (points at mouthpiece) It’s HIM!
Wicky - Whatchu talkin about you little troll? Who is him? Leamme alone man -
Corky - (anxiously poking at Wickman’s shoulder, and then, when he rolls over again, mouthing the letters D-O)
Wicky - Oh Ok. Gimme that. (trying to sound cheerful but it comes out in the middle of a yawn (and another explosion of pent up bowel gas) Mornin Donk. What can I you for?
Corky Miller almost faints at hearing this
Donk - You listen here. Me BIG Donk. Me Boss. You no do what BIG Donk say. You go now
Wicky - What? Wait a minute - Slow down you rat-eared …
Donk - You no talk back at BIG Donk. I said you GO now
Wickman - Fine. Your welcome for the carrots. (lays the phone receiver next to the phone on the table and gets out of bed and heads for the restroom, giving his expansive gluts a good scratch.
Corky - (picking up the phone) I had nothing to do with it sir. I tried to tell him. Dont worry sir. I know you’ll find a way for us to win the games we need to win
Wickman - calling out as the shower starts running - Hey Cork. Hang up the phone woulda man
Corky - (loud and angry, no hand on the receiver) Hey, I dont KNOW you man. Ok? I dont KNOW you. Getta out my room man. I aint goona have you talkin bout him like that man - (and now into the phone) I was gonna tell you sir, but he threatened me. I never liked him sir
By Robert
August 25, 2007 4:43 AM | Link to this
Carol - So frantic to toe the party line that we forgot to capitalize?
You know what? I think Andruw knows he’s in BIG Donk’s favor, and he’s working hard to keep those long ears wrapped around his pull-hitting fingers.
I wouldnt be surprised if he was nuzzling the Donk and feeding him a sugar cube when he made his comments
By Bob, Journalist
August 25, 2007 5:28 AM | Link to this
Grinch, “Bob, for better or for worse, Stinky got you on that one, my friend” … I think not but, ‘twas beauty that killed the beast and, as always, is in the mind’s eye of the beholder.
If you didn’t see Shaun’s homepage, the actual rhetoric was “In an age when broadcasters are often trying to impress viewers with their superior knowledge of the game, Sciambi and Simpson offer a fresh, intelligent approach” … which I thought was very nicely expressed, on point and easy to read … rather succinct too.
Shaun was being complimentary toward the two broadcasters, recommending that folks listen to their broadcasts … methinks it’s impossible to get from his to mine by simply eliminating the modifiers.
Mine was obviously nonsense that reversed Shaun’s meaning and was intentionally expressed so as to evoke the equally obvious “pot - kettle” mind trigger that would hopefully provide a “knowing” laugh for Shaun and others who had read actual language … without the aid of a “laughter” cue card such as the one provided by little Stinky.
As an aside, methinks that unless you’re bottom fishing on a party boat, you cut bait rather than fish when little Stinky gets on the line … trash fish aren’t good to eat and he’s much too small to otherwise keep.
Unless you believe that I wasn’t aware or hopeful that the “pot - kettle” mind trigger would be evoked, then you know that it was I that got me, not little Stinky.
I do hate canned laughter and audience prompting cue cards but if you think or believe I was bested then ‘twas little Stinky triggering the laughter … I laughed too, ‘tis something of which we’re all in need!
So mon ami, it was for the better rather than the worse, regardless of who got whom.
By Serbok
August 25, 2007 5:29 AM | Link to this
Carroll Hope ya made it to 4:20? :o)
By Serbok
August 25, 2007 5:43 AM | Link to this
I really wish I could post how I really feel~ about ~~ Shyte Whens DOB gonna be back?
By Serbok
August 25, 2007 6:00 AM | Link to this
DOB Thanx for the Heads up bro?
yes i’d heard rumblings about this just in the last couple weeks, about him alienating himself from teammates for various reasons. and it wasn’t that hard to see just looking around the clubhouse and seeing him alone at his locker.
I dont wanna say goodbye to the blog~ But Damn man:o( Guess I will go back to reading~(maybe?) LOL
By ncscoots
August 25, 2007 7:21 AM | Link to this
random thoughts on the overnights…Bob, in a conversation with Coach Howard once upon a time, I mentioned that I thought it presumptuous of me to call him “Coach”, since I didn’t play on his football team. His reply was, “Son, my friends call me Coach, too”. That implication was a highlight in a young man’s life…SG, I’ve long meant to tell you that Savannah was my first port of call after college and government-sponsored firearms training. Absolutely loved that town. Mrs. Wilkes’, St. Patrick’s Day, the little street squares, and major babe-itude. And who WERE your mama’s people, LOL?…would the Braves not want Ring on any postseason roster? Then why not have him up if you’re going to carry 13 pitchers right now?…I can understand that Bobby wants to get a feel of where he can use newer arms such as Acosta, Ascanio, and Devine; but what safer situation is he going to find than a 5-run lead in the 9th? Seems that would have been a good place to use one of them…Soriano as closer, I’m good with that. Most likely that would have been the call next year, anyway. Might as well find out now.
By Will
August 25, 2007 8:10 AM | Link to this
Thank God Wickman is gone. He had obvoiusly lost his game this season, and if he is gonna bring attitude problems to top it off then screw him. At least they are making an effort to shake things up. Another great performance by Smoltz last night, it was much needed.
By TampaBrave
August 25, 2007 9:16 AM | Link to this
What the hell? I thought all closers were supposed to be weird selfish a*****. I hope this move pays off. If this doesn’t light a fire under the team, I don’t know what will. Personally, I think we are done. Saw that we are 4 games back in the loss column to SD, who appears to realize its GO TIME. How about the Braves shut their pieholes with the media and all climb in the bunker and lets get rolling.
By Paladin
August 25, 2007 9:25 AM | Link to this
Some “commentary”:
My God, I found myself in agreement with BravesDave on several posts. In the interests of our truce I will leave who is smartening up, and who is dumbing down, to the eye of the beholder. :-)
Grinch was indeed on a “roll” last night. I wonder who rolled him to bed. :-)
Mz Carroll issued a well-deserved “watch it!” on one line of “humor”. As one who approaches the line, himself, I found that to be offensive.
jbutler I’m not sure Grinch knows that you are a lady. In answer to your question: “Rooster Cogburn” was John Wayne’s character in True Grit. I don’t remember what the reference was to “him”; you will have to work that out for yourself.
Salty Congratulations on your induction into the blog’s HOW(Hall of Wurlitzer). Grinch is purple(since green is his normal color)and I am green, with envy. Good job, however.
I visited Shaun’s blog, but after 5 minutes of scrolling I was still in the introduction.
Welcome back to my buddy, joebrave. What do you say, old friend, and who made your bail? :-)
Enough for now. This is becoming a “tome”. But first, congrats to the Braves. GO BRAVOS!!
By SNIPER-69
August 25, 2007 9:55 AM | Link to this
Things are looking up in Mets nation. The remaining schedule seems managable. Pedro is a week away. Endy Chaves is back and Lo duca will return by the end of the month. Everything is coming together at just the right time. This ia all bad news for the Braves who their fans insist are better than the Metropolitans. I guess not.
By Paladin
August 25, 2007 10:10 AM | Link to this
Just what we need on this lovely Saturday morning, a Muts fan posting something that “it” thinks we will find “interesting”. Not!!
By brent a.
August 25, 2007 10:13 AM | Link to this
Way to early for a 4-man rotation.
Old, tired pitchers. Hudson might pitch a game or two okay, on short rest, but ultimately, we’ll wear the top 2 guys out.
Talk to me the last week of the season.
Back in ‘91, Cox brought Glavine back early to face the Dodgers, and it backfired. It’s okay. You learn from experience.
Again, last 2 weeks of the season, I can certainly see skipping the likes of Carlyle or Cormier (whose last 2 starts have been good, by the way), and see if Huddy and Smoltz can deliver, but until then, you’re just asking for trouble.
By Will
August 25, 2007 10:14 AM | Link to this
Tampa, I bet you are especially upset getting rid of Wicky! It made my day. It will still be a gut wrenching mess no matter who is closing. I do agree with though, i am not sure it matters all that much as far as getting the Braves to the playoffs. I will no longer have my hopes up at all until somebody other then Smoltz/Huddy gets a W!
By SNIPER-2007
August 25, 2007 10:14 AM | Link to this
SNIPER-69 Bang! You’re dead.
By brent a.
August 25, 2007 10:20 AM | Link to this
I looked up the Glavine thing in ‘91.
Glavine pitched on Sept. 13, 18, and 22nd, the first and last against the Dodgers.
The Braves lost both games against the Dodgers, and the second game, Glavine lasted only 4 innings, giving up 3 runs on 8 hits, and walking 2.
For the record, Glavine did win the middle game, a solid performance on a Wednesday night at San Diego.
By Will
August 25, 2007 10:20 AM | Link to this
Sniper-69, The funny thing is the Braves are better then the Mets, they will just not be catching them in the division cause of their troubles against everyone else. Head to head the Braves have pounded the Mets this year, and for years before. Other then last year the Mets are the Braves b***!
By Paladin
August 25, 2007 10:24 AM | Link to this
Again, last 2 weeks of the season, I can certainly see skipping the likes of Carlyle or Cormier (whose last 2 starts have been good, by the way), and see if Huddy and Smoltz can deliver, but until then, you’re just asking for trouble.
brent a. If that “strategy” is successful, and it helps us to reach the playoffs, who will you pitch then? Jo Jo?
By Savannah Guy
August 25, 2007 10:25 AM | Link to this
Just catchin’ up with some folks before I hit the pavement and pay for last nights Voodoo Yoohoos:
Paladin Top o’ the mornin’. When I came back from taco dinner, there you were…gone. Early to bed again I see. Well, I guess the jinx of you hitting the sack equals Braves loss has been broken. Now it’s time for my morning run but it’s gonna be tough…up too late. On the other hand, Grinch may not see daylight for a while…hit in the forehead with a Beam. When he does roll out, have him do 100 pushups.
Scribe Yep, this old coastal town is a charmer. That’s why I stayed. Let me know if you get back this way. As far as my “mama”…just regular folk from NC. Not a drop of Mayflower blood. Just good NC vinegar.
Grinch “SG, you said something earlier I found clever and amusing, but I’m too drunk to remember what it was. Just accept this generic tip of the hat.” That may be the nicest thing I heard all night. And kudos back at ya for, uh…whatever it was that you said. Oh, just got an email…my pal Cheney asked me to invite you on a quail hunt. He said to bring ear protection. Hey, did you finish those pushups?
joebrave Hey back…and co’mone back, ya hea’. I see you were midnight ramblin’ but I was gone from the joint way before closin’ time (aka pairing-off ceremony). Tell Southern to get his azz back in here too. Both you guy’s have been hard to track lately.
By Washington Irving
August 25, 2007 10:29 AM | Link to this
Almost 200 years later, Washington Irving is pleased his stories continue to live on in the MIB blog.
Have Gun, Will Sleep plays the role of Rip Van Winkle, seemingly sleeping for 20 years, er, hours a day.
The Headless Horseman is now known as the Headless Coach, having been beheaded in “some nameless battle” by Lew & Grinch, and having his moniker changed during the offseason from Head Coach to Coach.
By Savannah Guy
August 25, 2007 10:30 AM | Link to this
Robert 4:32: Funny stuff. Was the scene by chance staged in an old Holiday Inn on the outskirts of Atlanta?
By JC FROM UT
August 25, 2007 10:39 AM | Link to this
Does anyone out there think Wickman would draw the interest of another team? Maybe Cleveland would want him back, but they would probably wait the 10 days in order not to give anything up for him.
By The lady Chablis
August 25, 2007 10:44 AM | Link to this
Now, Mr. Savannah, you have to stop all this talk, darlin’. Talk promotes talk and you and me is our secret, y’hear? How are you ever going to get a Wurlitzer if they find out you swing upside down, from time to time?
Now, you go on for your run, but after a night of tacos and White Russians, you just might get the “runs”, so to speak. So you stay close to a “relief station”, honeypie.
Do we have our regular “appointment”? If so, don’t bring that fly. He talks “out-of-school” and he eats too much, too.
Yours, forever ChablisBy Paladin
August 25, 2007 10:51 AM | Link to this
With all the “flys”, “frogs” and other creatures on here, why not change “Coach’s” name to Head Roach? Has a ring-of-truth, don’t you think?
By TheSouthernJackAss
August 25, 2007 10:53 AM | Link to this
Hello joe brave—yes TheJackAss remembers receiving your email, but wasn’t sure if it was really you that sent it because TheJackAss was being inundated with emails from one certain pukeA$$ on this blog with links to his gay porn site!!…so here is another email address if you(or any other decent person) wants to message TheJackAss again(vintagejackass@yahoo.com)…TheJackAss can’t remember yours…
By J-u-l-i-a
August 25, 2007 10:54 AM | Link to this
Tampa Brave scolded me for talking about the SHRIMP SAMMICH and said it was getting o-l-d. TB is probably o-l-d and doesn’t have all his teeth and would have to GUM a SHRIMP SAMMICH if somebody were to buy him one. A few bloggers have already mentioned the SHRIMP SAMMICH on this blog so I guess I can, too. And besides, it was that radio boy who first started talking SHRIMP SAMMICHES here. And, speaking of the ultimate SHRIMP SAMMICH - that’s what Bobby gave Wicky yesterday. This, too, shall pass. And here is a big shout out to all you sammich-eaters out there who have a POOCH and remain proud of that POOCH. There are many SHRIMP SAMMICHES sold in Tampa and plenty of POOCH to go around. Wicky will now take his POOCH* to the house. Did I mention POOCH?*
By Paladin
August 25, 2007 11:07 AM | Link to this
J-U-L-I-A I love it when you talk dirty.
By Paladin
August 25, 2007 11:12 AM | Link to this
Oh, and J-u-l-i-a TampaBrave is addicted to foot-sammiches.
By Overlord
August 25, 2007 11:12 AM | Link to this
Have you guys realized what i just realized last night? And im pretty serious on this one.
This Braves team is the Braves team with the more chance to win it all since 98. And i will be more tenacious and say that is the team with more chances to win it all since 1996.
The reasons: 1.a. Chipper Jones is having such a monster year, number dont show it, but i can recall this guy seeing the ball so well, teams just cant shut down him. When they do is just because of a really perfect pitch or chipper taking a swing he didnt mean to, and that occurs on 1 out of 5 times. I PREDICT THAT IF BRAVES GO TO PLAYOFFS CHIPPER WILL EITHER SCORE OR DRIVE IN HALF OF THE BRAVES RUNS AND THE NUMBER WILL AVG 2.5 PER GAME.
1.b. Smoltz and Hudson ready to shut down any teman in the majors they want to, they seam to be in overdrive right now, their level of confidence is way to high and it has been translated into unbelievable performances, this 1-2 is second to none. In a series of 5 theyll pitch 3, and in a series of 7 theyll pitch 4, and thats all we need.
By TheSouthernJackAss
August 25, 2007 11:17 AM | Link to this
TheJackAss would like to thank the ignorant, uneducated, juvenile troublemaking A$sClown that calls itself J-u-l-i-a for posting it’s stupid trash exactly one minute after TheJackAss posted his pithy comment…
Proves that all these pukeA$$ morons that insinuated that TheJackAss and this Julia are one in the same were dead wrong in their assumptions…
But you have to have the a$s before you can have the a$sumption!…you pukes…
By joebrave
August 25, 2007 11:19 AM | Link to this
Top of the Mornin,Grits,Eggs,Bacon,and Biscuits wit somma dat MeMa’s Gravy,Hello to all of Joebraves pals. SJA the email address is kdapps@gmail.com.
Now Back to Mornin reports,When last seen at Hartsfield,a suspicious looking Character of great dearth,was seen pilandering through some baggage that read Andruw Jones,when asked for His Id for the Ticket counter and subsequent trip to Wisconsin,the Enraged big fella was heard stating.That $%^%$#%%Jones did it again!!! As it turns out The bag in Question was an empty Krispy Kreme Bag….
Now more newsd on the two Hotel Bandits,it now seems that the Perps Named Lofton,and Anders have been involved in such activity for a while now.Co-starring in such miniscule roles in the film Eau de Vaseline……
By Paladin
August 25, 2007 11:19 AM | Link to this
Overlord Sounds good to me. Let’s do it!
By Paladin
August 25, 2007 11:22 AM | Link to this
Savannah Guy I go to bed early but what I do then is mine and the fat chick’s business.
By Overlord
August 25, 2007 11:23 AM | Link to this
2.a. Mark teixeira is one of the most dominant cleanup hitters since the brake, and make no mistake, the reason is chipper is in front of him and jeff behind him, plus the guy finally has the chance to make his dreams come true and he will perform the best he can to live his dream, winning it all. He looks so relaxed at the plate. I have not seen this guy fooled a single at bat since he got here, he has KKKKK, but boy, HE ALWAYS HAS SUCH A PRETTY GOOD IDEA WHERE THE BALL IS, that i dont see him falling into a slump, not a chance. This 3-4 punch is second to none.
1.b. Edgar Renteria will play the day his sentence on the DL ends, 100% sure. And that day braves will experience a similar boost than the one they got when tex got here. Edgar has all the experience in the world. Do you think there is a pitching staff that can take care of 2-3-4-5 (francour) constantly, i dont think so, the number is 0.
By Will
August 25, 2007 11:30 AM | Link to this
Overlord, That would be great if it happened. Although they need to make the playoffs first, and I cant remember the last time Tim Hudson pitched well in a playoff game.
By Paladin
August 25, 2007 11:30 AM | Link to this
SJA I, for one, never thought you were “Julia”. You are definitely a meat ‘n’ potatoes type of guy. SHRIMP SAMMICHES are for poosies.
Say hello to Joe, for me.
By Overlord
August 25, 2007 11:30 AM | Link to this
Reliever corp is good, and i mean good. They have not played up to their capabilities, but i can bet the muts rather have MAHAY, SORIANO, DOTEL, MOYLAN, ACOSTA AND VILLARREAL than what they have right now, even if they have wagner, you first have to get to him, and soriano if he continues doing as in the last 5 games, is as good as wagner.
Best 8th hitter in the game, plain and simple, patient enough as he knows he wont see any strikes as the pitcher comes after him, power, contact, speed, knowledge of the game.
By JEB
August 25, 2007 11:33 AM | Link to this
Braves record at end of season: 87 - 75 (or 85 - 77) Where will they be with that kind of record?? Hmmmmm….. Let’s see!
By Paladin
August 25, 2007 11:36 AM | Link to this
I have to tear myself away and go do something useful. I’ll see you “crazies”, later.
By Overlord
August 25, 2007 11:37 AM | Link to this
Ill call it the X factor. Having matt diaz (or harris) and yunel on the bench is a luxury not seen in atlanta before. Woodward and Thorman are a problem but even as bad as bobby cox is, im sure he will find a proper way to solve it.
Last but not least, what would you say are the chances of a team that its only hitter that is an easy out is Andruw Jones??? Come postseason and even as much as i hate AJ, i would pick that team on any day against anyone.
By joebrave
August 25, 2007 11:39 AM | Link to this
Steppin out for awhile see you guys later…
By Will
August 25, 2007 11:39 AM | Link to this
Overlord, Are you drinking for breakfest. Good grief! “Reliever core is good and i mean good” Wow!! I bet the team leading the Braves by 6 games would rather have what they are already working with.
By Overlord
August 25, 2007 11:41 AM | Link to this
seam = seem
menan = mean
By joebrave
August 25, 2007 11:41 AM | Link to this
Paladin hold down the fort whilst I’m out gotta go take care of the Baby bra for a minute…
By brent a.
August 25, 2007 11:41 AM | Link to this
Paladin,
FYI, you go to a 3 or 4 man rotation in the play-offs.
In case you didn’t know, you get a day off after games 2 and 4 in the first round.
You don’t get breaks like that during the regular season.
In case you missed it, I am opposed to the shorter rotation, accept for as a last gasp effort.
That’s why I noted how the Cy Young winner, Glavine struggled on short rest in a pennant race in ‘91.
It’s a last resort, but one that you may resort to, to get into the post-season.
It’s not rocket science.
By Overlord
August 25, 2007 11:43 AM | Link to this
way to high = way too high
There must be some other misspells guys, didnt check before posting, but you get the idea.
By TheSouthernJackAss
August 25, 2007 11:43 AM | Link to this
Paladin—TheJackAss thought you had been fed to the lions…but even lions couldn’t stomach you…and that’s a compliment, if you understand TheJackAss’ way of thinking!…
By Overlord
August 25, 2007 11:44 AM | Link to this
Since the brake = since the break
By **JULIA**
August 25, 2007 11:52 AM | Link to this
Jackass, honey, we were probably posting at the very same time. No one really believes you are J-u-l-i-a. I am a recovering SHRIMPSAMMICHOLIC and you, sir, are merely a Jackass. We both seem to have a thing for RadioBoy though. Methinks the only way we could be the SAME POSTER is if you did a little c-u-t and p-a-s-t-e and hit the enter K-E-Y rather quickly. Let me clear this up for everybody: Julia is not Jackass and Jackass is probably not Julia. Julia is fighting the POOCH and Jackass claims to be fit. Julia agrees that most Jackass posts are pretty pithy.
By Overlord
August 25, 2007 11:52 AM | Link to this
will out of the guys i mentioned as reliever, please mention a guy that you think is not capable of pitching very well, the worst one is villarreal, and i really like the guy, he has done as asked and he does ok to me, when he comes to pitch, i always say, ok, we ha ve a chance. Maybe wickman was a cancer, we dont know. What is clear is that we have quality men there, they just need to find a way to put this core in order but they are good pitcher, with the exception of wickman and yates…….and even yates got out of a jam the other day. Ill come back before august ends and tell you……see……”i told you Will, they are good”.
By Will
August 25, 2007 12:04 PM | Link to this
Overlord, Of course all the relievers are capable of pitching well, but i wanna see it. They are totally overworked, which is the starters fault, and i do not blame them for that. Yates got lucky as hell the other night by the way. My main issue is that 3/5 of the starting rotation is going to continue to put the bullpen on the ropes, its gonna be hard for them to do anything. One other thing with all the potentials for the playoffs you mention. Many of them are very good points, but it leaves out the fact that basically everyone in an ATL uniform inexplicably puts his bat up as his a* as soon as the calendar turns to october.
By Carroll Rogers
August 25, 2007 12:09 PM | Link to this
robert, so frantic to be anti-establishment we forget to spell my name right?? gee thanks, robbert.
what can i tell you, i’m not big on the shift key when i don’t have to be.
Serbok, DOB is not writing this blog. and you guys are in pretty good shape on this blog, you’re getting about as big a heads up on all braves news as anyone i know. but there are some things that go on in the clubhouse we can’t write about if we’re going to continue to cover the team. and sometimes the time becomes right to say something. having a closer designated in the middle of a pennant race would be that time.
By Richard
August 25, 2007 12:10 PM | Link to this
Did DOB get fired?
By Overlord
August 25, 2007 12:11 PM | Link to this
Important points:
Division is out of reach, the only way we can get the muts is a 6-0 record in august, that aint gonna happen.
Last night we played a hot team, we beat a hot team, and most importantly, we did not let pujols beat us.
I bet SD wont get hot, the best theyll do is .520-.540 ball, and i think we will play a little better than that now that wickman is gone and that the front office showed some balls, you could tell the difference last night, even at the end of the game when mahay was not allowed more than one mistake (walk).
By GermanBravesFan
August 25, 2007 12:15 PM | Link to this
I guess there’s only one true Jackass (Donk) on this blog and it’s Robert. Sorry, SJA…
By Overlord
August 25, 2007 12:20 PM | Link to this
Will that was another story on the october issue. It was an automatic because the season was an automatic. Now it is costing them some work, i think if they get to the playoffs, you wil notice the difference.
And yeah, the muts relievers are doing better, but only because they starters 1-5 are doing better, not because muts relievers are better. You will se some difference when roster is expanded.
By Will
August 25, 2007 12:23 PM | Link to this
Overlord, At this point i dont see how we can base anything on any games Smoltz and Hudson pitched. I think they have pretty much established they are gonna win those games. No reason to get overly excited when Smoltz goes out and pitches great.
By Overlord
August 25, 2007 12:24 PM | Link to this
Lets get ready to rumble!!!!!!!!!!
Goooo Braves!!!!!!!!!
By TheSouthernJackAss
August 25, 2007 12:27 PM | Link to this
TheJackAss is glad to see that Julia knows Julia’s place…Julia is dead wrong about one thing though…only one of us has “a thing for RADIOBOY“…and it ain’t TheJackAss!…if you’re going to dance with lightning…you best wear your rubber shoes…
By TexasBrave
August 25, 2007 12:30 PM | Link to this
One would have to wonder why JS would bring up Devine and Ascanio at the same time. Yes the bullpen is overworked, but I think there was a greater need to keep Prado on the bench because after him (save Willie or Diaz) there is not a better pinch hit option.
I believe that JS and the rest of the Braves upper management think Joey is read and able to pitch in the bigs. However, Bobby hasn’t shown much confidence in him lately. So perhaps JS also brought up Ascanio just in case Bobby still shows he is not going to use Joey unless he has too.
It is also curious why with a 5 run lead you don’t throw one of the two fresh arms to give the other arms a break. If they do get into trouble you still have Moylan to bail them out. But I suppose Bobby didn’t want to take a chance losing this game.
By Overlord
August 25, 2007 12:31 PM | Link to this
The most important thing here is that our 3 most important veterans are showing they want it….. and they will find a way to get it.
Gooooo Chipper
Goooo Smoltz
Goooooooo Tim
Gooooo Braves!!!!!!!
And if you cant recall hudson pitching well in the playoffs…. he will give you your first taste to it.
By TheSouthernJackAss
August 25, 2007 12:34 PM | Link to this
Damn!…Now I gotta get a new name…
By Overlord
August 25, 2007 12:34 PM | Link to this
Will i do get excited because i think cormier is doing good and buddy has the ability to win, he lost it, he can get it back.
Lance has given us the chance to win last 2 starts.
By Savannah Guy
August 25, 2007 12:35 PM | Link to this
lady Chablis Now, now…you know what I’ve told you about sittin’ on that barstool listening to other peoples conversations. There you go again, stirrin’ that ol’ “P” pot, right P-girl? You might have a gun but you will unravel. You old cheap-drink floozie.
You ain’t no lady but you are a beach in this old coastal town. Fly talkin’ outa’ skool? Wurlitzer? Wha’chyou talkin’ shady? That’s what Mr. Fly does. No boundaries…no expectations, nobody to please but hizzown self and me…just off the wall stuff you just can’t hear anywhere else, not even from your old tattered bar stool. Fly’s does not report for glory… he’s in it for the story.
Mr. Fly eats too much? Well, dear, now you iz talkin’ trash, which he leaves to MetFly. For your info, he’s sworn off cheeseburgers since that bad-influence runnin’ buddy left town. So mind your mouth shady dancer, he’s not a bad fly…he’s just drawn that way.
Besides, you ain’t Mr. Fly’s type. He likes a nice glass of Chanti. So get back to swingin’ on that brass pole…there are paying Mutts fans lined up waitin’ for your show. You ain’t right. You jes’ ain’t right at all.
By Will
August 25, 2007 12:41 PM | Link to this
Overlord, I just wanna see with my own eyes somebody else win a game. I agree with you on Cormier, although i think we have seen the peak of Buddy C. He won some games they needed, but most all were against bad teams (except for the Mets). We have been riding this rollercoaster for weeks. Right now we are at the peak with Smoltz and Huddy, but then Sunday-Tues you have no idea what is gonna happen out there. Chipper tied the damn game twice in three innings thu, i know he wants, i know smoltz and Huddy want it. But yet its still the same story every week.
Texas Brave, Prado is not very good, they might as well stock the bullpen with an extra arm.
By philosopher robert cox
August 25, 2007 12:44 PM | Link to this
I hear the criticism, the complaints, the curses, the vitriol.
Well… I will take it all: tongs, molten lead, prongs, garrotes, all that burns, all that tears, I want to truly suffer. Better the whip than this suffering in the head, this ghost of suffering which grazes and caresses and never hurts enough.
By Amy Winehouse Ode to Bob Wickman
August 25, 2007 12:45 PM | Link to this
They tried to make him pitch the 12th, he said No! No! No!
They tried to make him save close games, he said No! No! No!
They tried to make trustworthy, he said No! No! No!
They tried to make him pitch in non-save situations, he said No! No! No!
They tried to make him mix in a strikeout pitch, he said No! No! No!
They tried to make him preserve Huddy’s Cy, he said No! No! No!
They tried to make him pitch good on the road, he said No! No! No!
They tried to make him change his ‘tude, he said No! No! No!
They tried to make him friendly, he said No! No! No!
They tried to make him part of the team, he said No! No! No!
They tried to be his friend, he said No! No! No!
They tried to make him not jealous of Rivera, he said No! No! No!
They tried to make stop being a loner, he said No! No! No!
They tried to make him less of a social recluse, he said No! No! No!
They tried to teach him social graces, he said No! No! No!
They tried to make him lose weight, he said No! No! No!
They tried to make him mix in a salad, he said No! No! No!
They tried to fit him in a cab with Paronto, he said No! No! No!
They tried to make him talk to reporters, he said No! No! No!
They tried to make him say hello to DOB & Carrol, he said No! No! No!
Ever tired of him saying No! No! No!, Bobby said you must Go! Go! Go!
By Paladin
August 25, 2007 12:53 PM | Link to this
And that, Brentass, is extremely fortunate, for you.
By philosopher robert cox
August 25, 2007 12:58 PM | Link to this
Robert my primary antagonist…
we are both Robert, you and I.
The self requires the other to define itself.
Your consciousness pursues the death of the other: me.
But my thought is me: that’s why I exist - because I think … and I can’t prevent myself from thinking.
By Overlord
August 25, 2007 12:59 PM | Link to this
OK so we are all in agree that our biggest problem is not the padres nor the phillies since they wont get hot and play .600 ball right?
So our biggest problem is how are we going to play .600 ball.
It aint that hard if you go by the numbers.
You need to get a W out of the 3-5 spots everytime around, that is if tim and john keep up the magic.
Is that imposible? hell no.
An what if cormier and lance win in the same week? That would be something.
Dont lose hope.
By joebrave
August 25, 2007 1:00 PM | Link to this
Hey,Julia wanna try my trailer hitch????
By chrisklob
August 25, 2007 1:01 PM | Link to this
Greetings denizens! Been out of town on business the past few days and missed the last three Cincinnati games. Seems like I didn’t miss much. And before anyone asks, no I wasn’t “out of town on business” like our favorite Drooler sometimes claims to be!
Addition by subtraction. Interesting, and I think gutsy move by JS to release Wicky. Not performing great but not performing horribly either. But a club house cancer simply can not be tolerated. Braves clubhouse has way too many young, impressionable minds in it to allow such negative influence. Will this be the spark that sets this team on fire?
Salty, congratulations are in order to you sir! I haven’t found the passage yet for which you earned your award but undoubtedly it was outstanding. Pretty good for an ‘ol Rock, huh?!
Robert, seriously dude, can you please find something or someone else to talk about? You remind me of an autistic child that has one simple thought and can only repeat it, ad nauseum.
(Sincerest apologies to any and all bloggers that have an autistic child.)
Robert, are you some kind of idiot-savant (without the “savant”), of course?
This team has been so frustrating this year. It’s like a high-performance car that refuses to run well. At various times this year they’ve shown great starting pitching, great bullpen work, and great offense. But it seems that on so many nights one of those three groups isn’t performing to par. When are they going to start playing like a team? When is this team going to start hitting “on all eight”?
This team has GOT to go on a tear and start putting together a winning streak. I really thought they’d do that at Cincinnati. And they’d better do it soon or they’ll be playing golf in October again.
By Paladin
August 25, 2007 1:02 PM | Link to this
MemphisChump Kiss my jackass.
By TheSouthernJackAss
August 25, 2007 1:04 PM | Link to this
MemphisUmp—Thought you were the guy with all those nads that always uses his real name when blogging…well it’s as glaringly obvious as the stink on a dirty monkey’s A$S just who the hell you really are—you’re that fat little uneducated, cowardly, attention craving, punkA$s radio boy from the “Big Queasy”…hey Mardi Gras really ain’t that far off…you worthless chunk of monkey$#!t!…
Exposed again…you even surprised TheJackAss with that ignorant-a*******ed post!!…
By philosopher robert cox
August 25, 2007 1:07 PM | Link to this
Brave fans - despair!
This is what your despair is: chewing over the time going by like a cow, looking down stubbornly at your feet like a dumb jackass, cutting your soul off from the future and locking it in the present.
If you do that, Brave fans, you won’t be a man anymore. Just a hard black stone by the side of the road.
By Will
August 25, 2007 1:08 PM | Link to this
Overlord, I do agree with you that the Wild Card is still there for the taking if the Braves can just put together some freaking winnning streaks. The .500 baseball has to stop right now or it is a moot point.
By Paladin
August 25, 2007 1:08 PM | Link to this
Oh, and one other thing, Chump. Yes, I have “masticated” a lot of shrimp in my time. I love shrimp in all forms. Although, shrimp grits is not one of my favorites. I also like SHRIMP SAMMICHES when they are Po-Boys. That’s a real man’s food.
As for you, it is no telling who, uh I mean what, you eat.
By Savannah Guy
August 25, 2007 1:13 PM | Link to this
SouthernJackAss Hey partna’. New name? I like yours the way it is. Ok, here’s an alternative if you decide change your moniker: SouthernGent. Or,as esteemed Bob, J refers to you: Southern.
Nah…don’t change it. It has a nice ring of no BS authenticity… just like you good denizen. No beatin’ around bushes, eggshell-walkin’, p-footin’, mamby-pamby stuff or tippy-toe’in around for you. Yep, bull in china shop…that’s the SJA we know and respect.
Already, I can just tell it’s gonna be a good day for the Bravo’s faithful. Sumpin’ in the air…
By Overlord
August 25, 2007 1:14 PM | Link to this
What if we pick up a game before weekend ends and sweep the muts next week…….. WOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWW that would be a nice start for september.
By TheSouthernJackAss
August 25, 2007 1:18 PM | Link to this
no-balls STINKY is also gracing us with more priceless gems picked fresh from his lofty intellectual orchard…
By The Grinch
August 25, 2007 1:20 PM | Link to this
Morning, all. I feel less than stellar for some reason. OK, first order of business: apologies.
Carroll, I did not write the Katie Temple posts but I did make a somewhat crude response or two (that had nothing to do with her personally; rather just my terrifically overcharged libido). I occasionally forget it’s your blog sometimes and not DOB’s and I may be being offensive (CL and FBG both are quite familiar with my behavioral habits and have agreed to take the good with the bad). No offense intended whatsoever to you or Katie, who I’m sure is a nice girl and a fine reporter. Now, keep in mind I’m not apologizing for being me, because I yam what I yam as Popeye would say and thus have no reason to. I’ll try to tone it down a bit more, though.
While I’m apologizing to women, my bad jbutler. I completely forgot you weren’t a man and wouldn’t have called you a butt-munch had I remembered. Your post questioning Mr. Cogburn sounded sarcastic to me at the time, so I thought you were just messing with me for spelling it wrong. Yes, it was a John Wayne/John Smotz referrence having to do with the movie “True Grit.”
All this apologizing is making me nauseous.
Everyone go ^%$# yourselves; it’s time for breakfast. :-) There, now I feel better.
By philosopher robert cox
August 25, 2007 1:24 PM | Link to this
As a child, your family gave you the impression that your existence was of intrinsic worth. But upon entering school, you discovered that you were an ugly little shrimp whereupon you retreated into a life of imagination…and baseball.
By TheSouthernJackAss
August 25, 2007 1:24 PM | Link to this
TheSouthernJackAss—Often imitated, never duplicated!!!…
By Overlord
August 25, 2007 1:24 PM | Link to this
Will it is as easy as some good luck for any of the back 3, some bad at bats by opposition, and even if 3-5 are bad, they can win a game.
SD is putting a rookie today against phillies, maybe they will make him cry.
By Colin
August 25, 2007 1:25 PM | Link to this
Overlord
I like your wishful thinking….BUT the only way that would happen is if Smoltz and Huddy were set to pitch games 1,2 and whoever goes third pitched amazing…i feel like we can sweep the Cards then 2/3 from the Marlins which would make us 6-4 on the road which isent bad but should be some where around 8-2….
By philosopher robert cox
August 25, 2007 1:29 PM | Link to this
The only constant is change… and the attendant stink.
By Paladin
August 25, 2007 1:30 PM | Link to this
no-balls STINKY is also gracing us with more priceless gems picked fresh from his lofty intellectual orchard…
SJA we use to call those dingle-berries. And they only grow in a dark and, for some, moist location.
By Overlord
August 25, 2007 1:33 PM | Link to this
Its raining in St Louis as we write, but it will clear as afternoon progresses and clear at night, so we will have a game tonight. Sunny for tomorrow.
By Paladin
August 25, 2007 1:35 PM | Link to this
Grinch What are you having for breakfast? Wheaties with huckleberries on top? Holy cow! :-)
By Overlord
August 25, 2007 1:38 PM | Link to this
Colin jojo is scheduled for sunday, that aint good news for a sweep but have to keep faith, could be one of those days where a bad pitcher has good luck, you never know.
By MemphisBump
August 25, 2007 1:42 PM | Link to this
From a MemphisJump happed a MemphisHump causing a MemphisDump then out popped a MemphisLump named MemphisUmp dumber than ForrestGump!
By Colin
August 25, 2007 1:43 PM | Link to this
Overlord
O shoot i did not know he was scheduled for Sunday…Well 2/3 is not to bad to hope for then…well then we have to sweep the Marlins…then hopefully 2/3 from Muts…2/3 from Phillies and then Sweep the Nats to have a good start to September and get some confidence back…
By Overlord
August 25, 2007 1:44 PM | Link to this
Well, we have given the league enough time to put us 10ft under ground, they have not take advantage, lets make them regret it boys……….. Gooooooooo Braves!!!!! Positive thinking!!!!!!
By philosopher robert cox
August 25, 2007 1:45 PM | Link to this
I can’t say I feel relieved or satisfied; just the opposite, I am crushed.
Only my goal is reached: I know what I wanted to know; I have understood all that has happened to me.
The Nausea has not left me and I don’t believe it will leave me so soon; but I no longer have to bear it, it is no longer an illness or a passing fit: it is I.
By Overlord
August 25, 2007 1:47 PM | Link to this
Im having cardinals for breakfast!!!!!! And im planning on having fish next week.
Lets goooooooooo chipper!!!!!!!!!
By Bob, Journalist
August 25, 2007 1:49 PM | Link to this
“Son, my friends call me Coach, too” … ‘twas a lot of folks what called him coach. One I knew and held in awe called him a gentleman, a giant among men; albeit a little one, and from what I know, he was that too … for some reason, he was, and will always be to me, the face of the “Tigers” … and why Death Valley is located in South Carolina.
There have been a lot of Mister Howards … including Frank’s brother Jesse … but only one best known as “Coach”.
Methinks we were lucky to have the likes of him to guide us boys back when we were trying to become one and twenty … I understand he knew and loved his baseball too.
Yes, I do have a different perspectives from most, … when folks mention Coach Dodd, I think of Indian River fishing and Badminton.
My greatest baseball memories are having lunch with Eddie Matthews, Gene Verble and Country Brown … and playing catch with Whitlow Wyatt.
Speaking of different perspectives, I frankly don’t understand the one that suggests Bobby’s behavior turned Wickman into a hero … it may have taken a couple of short paragraphs to set up the transition but I just can’t connect those dots.
Winning ain’t everything boys … but it’s more fun than losing … let’s do it!
By The Grinch
August 25, 2007 1:52 PM | Link to this
Wow…I guess MemphisUmp doesn’t like SJA.
Paladin, I will respond to your question like the great Orson Welles did when asked what he breakfasted on. “I have the same thing every morning. One cup of strong black coffee and half a whale.” Really, though; I’m fixin’ to hit Waffle House. Y’all hold down the fort.
By Robert Atwan (The Atlantic, May '87)
August 25, 2007 1:52 PM | Link to this
In the second game of a double-header in Detroit in 1919, the Boston firstbase coach began pointing his finger at the mound and gesturing wildly as Detroit pitcher Frank Kafka started his delivery. The home-plate umpire went out to the mound to ask Kafka what the hell he thought he was doing. Kafka protested that he had not committed a balk. The umpire said that a balk was not the issue and ejected Kafka from the game. The following day, after a short inquiry conducted by the American League commissioner, Kafka was permanently suspended from organized baseball. The commissioner never disclosed the nature of Kafka’s violation.
At the hour of twilight on a soft summer day toward the end of June in the year of Our Lord 1929, towering, barrel-chested St. Louis slugger Tommy Wolfe marched to the plate with the score, incredibly, tied in the bottom of the ninth inning and two outs. With a furious swing that thundered with the sound of a million bats hitting a million baseballs, Wolfe drove the ball high into the all-engulfing American sky. It seemed to take an eternity both for the left fielder to retrieve the exhausted baseball and for Wolfe to pursue, despite his rapid, loping strides, the always terrifying journey around the illimitable diamond. Then, for a reason that no one has ever completely understood, Tommy Wolfe stopped dead at third. “Home! Go home!” screamed a million voices. But Wolfe knew better. The next day he retired from baseball.
Hit in the shoulder by a pitch during an exhibition game in Key West, Florida, in 1933, Cubs catcher Ernie Hemingway refused to take first base. The next pitch hit Hemingway in the nose. Hemingway stood his ground. The third and fourth pitches hit him in the shin and the ear respectively. He dug in deeper, though in noticeable pain. The fifth pitch felled him. The home-plate umpire allowed the seriously injured Hemingway to be carried to first base on a stretcher.
All-star Cincinnati shortstop Johnny P. Sartre in 1964 became the first major leaguer to refuse the Most Valuable Player Award. Sartre declined the prestigious award because of his long-standing opposition to the infield-fly rule. He denounced the rule, claiming that it severely limited human freedom and that it introduced into the game “a momentary paralysis in the midst of movement—all play suddenly assumes an automatic quality.” The lifetime .350 hitter had made news several years earlier when he referred to the Ground Rule Double as an “absurd bourgeois convention.”
By TheSouthernJackAss
August 25, 2007 1:53 PM | Link to this
Paladin—they’re still called dingle-berries…TheJackAss was merely trying to keep with the blog’s predilection for prolixity…
By David O'Brien
August 25, 2007 1:54 PM | Link to this
Grinch, end of your 1:20 p.m. post just about made me fall out of my desk chair laughing….
Speaking of laughing, “Superbad” is even funnier than “Knocked Up,” which I thought was the funniest movie in a few years. I laughed so hard at “Superbad,” it literally hurt my sides….
Richard: No, not fired. Just taking my only full-week off of the season. Well, other than making some travel reservations for last couple road trips and attending a staff meeting Friday. Otherwise, off for two whole road series. Feels a bit strange being away from team this long. But I tell you, I’m recharged for the last month (can’t say the same for the Braves, but still wouldn’t surprise me if they made a little run. Not saying seven or eight in a row, but a 5-1 run, that type of thing, to tighten up the wild-card race)….
It’s a shame to see what Teixeira and Mahay have done since the trade, and to see the Braves’ record in spite of it. But even the pessimists gotta admit, in a playoff series, with Smoltz and Hudson handling three and possibly four of five starts in a potential five-gamer, and perhaps five starts in a seven-game series, this Braves team, with that lineup, can beat anybody.
Just a big question of whether they’ll get to play a playoff series, obviously. Gonna be an interesting September.
By philosopher robert cox
August 25, 2007 1:58 PM | Link to this
Robert words are meaningless labels we use to rationalize actions.
For example a seat may just as easily be the bloated belly of a dead donkey.
By Colin
August 25, 2007 1:58 PM | Link to this
DOB
YES SUPERBAD IS THE FUNNIEST MOVIE OF 2007 by far…I LAUGHED THE WHOLE TIME…
By Braveheart
August 25, 2007 2:00 PM | Link to this
• The Braves were 7-1 once, 7-0 without the fifths.
• 10-5 once, 10-2 without the fifths.
• 24-12 once, 22-8 without the fifths.
• 30-23 once, 28-16 without the fifths.
• 43-38 once, 41-26 without the fifths.
• 56-51 once, 53-33 without the fifths.
• 67-62 now, 63-39 without the fifths
• #1 starter is 20-7.
• #2 starter is 15-10.
• #3 starter is 13-12.
• #4 starters are 15-10. (Davies from April 1-June1, Buddy from June 2- present).
• #5 starters are 4-23. (Davies is included from June 2nd onward, and Buddy for his one start in May)
• 57-36 when Huddy, Smoltz, James, & Budster start. 10-26 when they don’t.
• 64-46 when Huddy, Smoltz, James, Budster, & Kyle start. 3-16 when they don’t.
• The top 4 were 15-6 in April, 13-11 in May, 13-9 in June, 12-7 in July, 10-7 in August.
• The fifths were 1-3 in April, 1-4 in May, 0-6 in June, 1-6 in July, 1-4 in August.
• How the heck can a team be 57-36 over 93 games but only 10-26 in the other 26 games?
• How the heck can a team be 64-46 over 110 games but only 3-16 in the other 19 games?
• How the heck can a team be 63-39 over 102 games but be 4-23 in the other 27 starts?
• How the heck can we not find one friggin’ fifth starter to give us a 5.50 ERA and allow this offense to win half of those starts?
By joebrave
August 25, 2007 2:03 PM | Link to this
Memphis Chump is spewing what he ate for Dinner last night!!! you better take that Dude back to His Ol’Lady she prolly Misses Him…. Before you grace us with your unpredicated inuendo bassturd ya better learn who to pick a bone with,or in your case a boner!!!lmao
By TheSouthernJackAss
August 25, 2007 2:04 PM | Link to this
MemphisUmp TheJackAss could care less what you are, or what you think…it is evident from your posts that you’re in awe of TheJackAss…wholly enamored…sorry but those are some shoes that you will never be able to fill…can’t fault you for trying though…as for Ron Roberts…who gives a good $#!t about that fat, little, cowardly puke?…
By hk
August 25, 2007 2:11 PM | Link to this
Grinch …
… I laughed and laughed at your contributions last night, particularly as the night wore on, so to speak … mentioned to you some months ago that you scared me, reminded me of me 40 years ago (make that 41, just turned 75 last week … that day my kids take my car keys away is probably not far off :))
… totally flabbergasted to see Wicky go … thought maybe I was crazy, so I just finished reading the blog (not the Wicky critique blog, but the dozen or so guys I know and trust in this regular blog) on the subject, and looks like I’m not alone … my take is as follows:
… the decision is totally wrong, looking on-the-field, so to speak … Wicky, though he has given me heart failure recently, is still far and away our best closer … he is smart, pitch selection excellent, and he has long long experience (282 saves over 16 years in the majors) … our next best is Soriano, who is not smart at all, very emotional, and has only 9 saves over a six year career … next possibility is Dotel, has 82 saves total, but only 25 the last 3 years in the majors, has been injured a good bit of that time, and is of course injured now … the 4th guy they’re talking about is Moylan, who of course has been terrific, but has one save in his career (two opportunities) … in short, we have gone from one savvy experienced closer to no closer at all …
… now off-the-field, that’s something else again … my take is that Wicky got mad, said some things, and Bobby will not take that, acted immediately, as he has done in the past in these situations … in Bobby’s mind, club house chemistry outweighed all other factors …
… I think Wicky’s anger was justified … Wicky is 38, and needs to conserve all the energy possible over a long season … Bobby has used him over and over again in non-save situations where he should have been rested … from what I gather, Wicky had warmed up 3 times by the 12th inning the other night, came in with the score tied 7-7, gave up that 2 run homer … somebody accused him of not trying in a non-save situation and he blew up (I can sympathize with old guys that blow up :)) …
… but I think the key is that Bobby and Leo were the perfect good cop / bad cop combination … I think Bobby greatly misses Leo’s judgement on handling relievers, as well as mentoring the whole staff … while Roger McDowell is a nice guy, this is his first year as a major league coach, and as such has yielded to Bobby’s in-game judgements most of the time … we are seeing a gap in Bobby’s management skills that was all those years masked by Leo’s presence …
… long and short, Bobby has messed up, he needs Leo back (and Leo needs Bobby, that bad cop needs his good cop too :)) …
By Savannah Guy
August 25, 2007 2:13 PM | Link to this
Memphis Ump Ok, first, I doubt you are a first timer but I’ll give benefit of the doubt. Why the hell are you soiling this blog with such harsh crap? Are you just trying to stir up an old fight with SJA using another name and another style to cover yourself? Whatever dude. If you are a long time blogger here then you know that the only thing you’ll accomplish here is to take away the comraderie and repartee and add misery to what was a good day here.
Is that what you want for some reason? Some denizens spend time here because they enjoy it. They do have a meaningful, good life and the blog is a hobby, an outlet, a place to get together with other diverse Braves fans. Some probably consider this blog a surrogate main street…or a “Cheers” Bar where everyone knows your name (unlike yours).
Whatever their (our) reason for being here is no reason for you to be flinging insults at SJA or all of us. I suppose you just dropped in for a brief moment to spew spew your venom and now you’ll get back to your wonderful life, right? Could you be letting your own lack of life purpose spill out like trash onto the rest of us here on Braves Street?
You seem to just have a bone to pick with SJA. Fine. If you were a long timer you would know that he is a big, bad teddy bear that wouldn’t hurt anyone. He uses the kings english in a hilarious, intentional way that most of us here find very entertaining. Colorful yes…purposefully hurtful, no. Lewd, almost but he doesn’t get in the gutter. But you knew that right?
So if your purpose is to disrupt the blog, then have at it and know that you are marked for the scroll bar. If you want to settle an old score with SJA, then you have his email address just up a few posts. Take it outside and stop trashing this place. Everyone here would greatly appreciate it.
Oh, and thanks so much for letting us know what’s on your mind. What a pleasure that was. No go.
By joebrave
August 25, 2007 2:17 PM | Link to this
Oh,and One more thing,Memphis rump,You should spend a little more time in the basement and stay out of the Ladies room.I have no problem as most here know with taking you to task,girlieman.. You should stick with the kind of trash that communcates well with you,i.e. Ron,Robert the Donk basher,Coach,and that nasty little turd named Stinky!!!
Joebrave would like to extend his apologies to JJS.for giving him the undue grief that I heaped on Him in the past. JJS I would hope that you would accept Joebrave’s apology?
By TheSouthernJackAss
August 25, 2007 2:18 PM | Link to this
Damn MemphisUmp…you seem to know an awful lot about Ron Roberts…are you an admirer of his…or a gay lover?…you sonofabitch!…
By TexasBrave
August 25, 2007 2:22 PM | Link to this
Will if you had to pinch hit someone in a key situation and you only had Prado, Woodward, Thorman and Corky left on the bench, who would you use? For my money it would be Prado. If Bobby would just show a little confidence in Joey we would not need an extra pitcher or why didn’t they just bring up Ascanio? I’m sorry but we don’t have much of a bench now since Prado is gone. I am not saying that Prado is great or anything, but he sure beats the he!! out of the other three.
By TexasBrave
August 25, 2007 2:30 PM | Link to this
DOB when will you be back for good? The blog misses you man (no offense Carroll).
By TheSouthernJackAss
August 25, 2007 2:31 PM | Link to this
That’s right MemphisUmp…go take a long stroll on a short pole…before TheJackAss slams one of these size 17EEE’s right into your piehole…you A$sClown!…
…and here’s a little test for you Ump…go ahead and email TheJackAss at that above email address that he posted earlier…TheJackAss would like to compare your IP address with others that TheJackAss has received in the past…see if they match!…
By Braveheart
August 25, 2007 2:33 PM | Link to this
TexasBrave I agree with you about Prado. If I needed a hit, he would be my man as well. BUT I also think that Scott Thorman is going to have a big pinch hit homer or two over the last five weeks and in the postseason. I really do think that for some reason. He seems destined to do it to me. No factual support for that hunch but… Plus, when Edgar gets back, that will free Yuni or KJ to come off the bench in a big spot
By Overlord
August 25, 2007 2:35 PM | Link to this
Will and to make things worst, wainwright is the pitcher that will beat us on sunday….. twice the pain.
By MemphisUmp
August 25, 2007 2:37 PM | Link to this
GRINCH- no, I dont hate SJA. Lifes too short to hate people. I hate his meaningless putdowns and insults. I mean what honor is there in taking digs at people when they arent even around to respond or havent taken digs ath them to start with? Fire away at me all ya want, because Im here and Im stating my disdain for the knuckledragging bravado, no matter who it came from. SAVANNAH GUY - Ive read your stuff over the last few weeks, too, and you’re not much of one to try and bring honor to your login name, now, either. It won’t float. I have no score to settle with anybody, SJA, Julia, (stil say its the same person) or you, either. Im just tired of the back and forth digs. That stupid shrimp “sammich” crap has gone on forever now, and I dont recall SJA’s nemesis saying one harsh word towards him, and if my memory’s correct, “radio boy” hasn’t ever had a conversation or confrontation with “Julia.” So the “Julia” stuff is an extension of SJA’s insults to his enemy. If you cant see that, then you’re blind. What sucks is that you’re right, Savannah, SJA has made some good commentary over time, and some damn funny and pithy remarks to lighten the mood. So why then does he need to ruin what people would think of him with the false manhood-enhancing gutter-filth? It’s a damn baseball blog, and most of those who read and post here are Braves fans, so why can’t the two people Im referring to get along more often than not? Anybody who wants to blame RR more than SJA is ridiculous. They’re both to blame, but I don’t see RR continuing the venomous dialogue with continued digs at SJA. Quite the contrary, actually. I don’t know SJA or RR or Savannah, or uga-brave, or any of ya, for that matter, but I know good people when I read their words, and I know fake bull$h!tters when I read their thoughts, too, and as much as SJA can be enjoyable to converse with here, he just ruins it with his gutter talk. So RR stands up to it and he’s a bad guy for it? I disagree. So be it. Hammer away at me, then. I’ll be taking my girls to see the Lion King at the Orpheum. So in true coward style, I’ll be gone so SJA can take digs at me, too, like he does anybody else he dislikes when their not around to stand up for themselves. Go get ‘em Braves.
By philosopher robert cox
August 25, 2007 2:40 PM | Link to this
Today I tried this recipe:
Tuna Casserole
Ingredients: 1 large casserole dish
Instructions: Place the casserole dish in a cold oven. Place a chair facing the oven and sit in it forever. Think about how hungry you are. When night falls, do not turn on the light.
By MemphisUmp
August 25, 2007 2:49 PM | Link to this
SJA, gay innuendo, and physical threats, too. You’re as redundant as Robert the cox-basher. JOEBRAVE- learn how to spell communicate and I’ll be glad to do so with you. Wife and daughters are waiting on me. I’m out. Have at it.
By TexasBrave
August 25, 2007 2:50 PM | Link to this
Braveheart I don’t know man, but I hope you are right. I get just about the same feeling about Thorman every time AJ go up to bat in a key situation. I hope Bobby keeps giving him at bats, just perhaps not in key situations.
By Overlord
August 25, 2007 2:51 PM | Link to this
Braveheart ill take my chances with Prado better, he makes more contact, faster, better chance of a Hit & Run even if we never do that. Better chance to avoid a DP. Better fielder. I think the braves would even a better team if chipper agreed on back up Tex if needed and getting rid of thorman.
For example, if tex needs to take a day or bobby wants to take him out in the 8th for a pinch runner. Chipper could go to 1st instead of thorman and then put prado or Escobar (when renteria is back) at 3B. I dont think Chipper would do bad at 1B, he has fielding like a gold glover at 3B.
By Bob, Journalist
August 25, 2007 2:54 PM | Link to this
Methinks those who don’t understand what makes Most Honorable Southern honorable just don’t understand honorable … he’s a special person, that one! As are we all … well almost all.
Me thinks you could trust him with your money, your sister and your back … ain’t many about whom I so think.
Of course, my perspectives are considered suspect by some … but they are what they are and I is what I is … pieces of work … goodness, ain’t it the truth!
Another favorite baseball memory … spending two or three afternoons sitting on a grassy hill, watching highschool soccer practice with Cal Ermer … I remember talking about an infielder named Harmon and an outfielder named Bob … but mostly we just watched the kids … he really loved watching the kids … probably wouldn’t remember those days or me from Adam, but I’ll never forget it!
By Overlord
August 25, 2007 2:57 PM | Link to this
Maddux first 10-20 pitcher, leads Padres in rout of Phillies Aug. 24, 2007 CBSSports.com wire reports
*PHILADELPHIA — Passing Cy Young didn’t faze Greg Maddux. Moving ahead of his older brother was a bit more exciting.
Maddux became the first pitcher to win 10 games in 20 consecutive seasons, tossing seven solid innings in the San Diego Padres’ 14-3 rout of the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday night. *
THAT GUY IS JUST ONE OF THE BEST 5 PITCHERS EVER. NOTHING ELSE TO SAY.
By Overlord
August 25, 2007 3:03 PM | Link to this
Texasbrave i agree, cox cant give thorman another chance in key situation. Not one. Use better options 1st. And im not sure why send prado down if he is better than thorman in multiple ways. We have enough “going for the fence” hitter, what do we need one more that doesnt even makes any contact??????
By Savannah Guy
August 25, 2007 3:04 PM | Link to this
MemphisUmp “Ive read your stuff over the last few weeks, too, and you’re not much of one to try and bring honor to your login name, now, either. It won’t float.” Well, guess you told me then. And I thought I repped Savannah just fine. Ump, thanks… that sure as hell is clear as mud. Settles it then I suppose. Glad you can go out and enjoy Lion King now and leave us no-life, dishonorable plebes to wallow in our grief after getting that off your chest. Right. Thanks for the input. Valuable stuff there. I’ll be sure to file it.
Just how narrow is that strike zone ump?
By jordan j
August 25, 2007 3:05 PM | Link to this
Bob, “Journalist” what are you smoking, dude?
By chrisklob
August 25, 2007 3:07 PM | Link to this
MemphisUmp, Whothehell do you think you are insulting Savannah Guy? What makes you think anyone, and I mean ANYONE, cares what you think? If you’ve been reading this blog for over a year then you would know what SG brings to it. He, and many, many others contribute more to this little “community” than you could ever dream of.
Why don’t you slither back into the miserable little hole you came from and shut up. Don’t come back until you can conjure up something worthwhile to say. Then, and only then, will your feedback be welcome on this blog. And maybe after you quit showing your azz on here you might be able to garner a fraction of the respect that Savannah Guy has earned from the rest of us.
P.S. Have fun at Lion King. Let us know if you need someone to explain it to you.
By Jonny B Good
August 25, 2007 3:07 PM | Link to this
Carroll You know, before you were talking about .500 ball for the Braves and you were trying to come up with something else. Against teams that are playing .500 and below, they Braves are 27-25, if for some strange reason they lose the next 2 to the Cards, then the Braves will be .500 against teams that are .500 or lower. Oh and BTW, they are only 3 games above .500 against teams that are playing above .500
By Bob, Journalist
August 25, 2007 3:10 PM | Link to this
However, I feel that sometimes Most Honorable gets carried away and goes to far … imagine his suggesting that someone succinct like myself has a predilection for prolixity … cuss words like that just ain’t nice and it’s most unfair if not outright dishonorable.
I know he didn’t single me out but everybody knows he was picking on me … and after I said all those nice things about him too.
By Savannah Guy
August 25, 2007 3:17 PM | Link to this
Apologies to denizens trying to talk baseball this fine day only to have to leapfrog over or cringe at stupid stuff. There are times that, wisely or unwisely, we must speak our unpleasantries against the same. I’m better at letting stuff aimed at me roll off of my back than I am at watching someone else I like get lectured and scorned.
So, I’m done. Nuff said. Outa’ here.
By TexasBrave
August 25, 2007 3:19 PM | Link to this
Overlord since we can’t/won’t do anything with Thorman we have to keep giving him at bats. Because like Braveheart said there will come a time with the game/season on the line when he is going to be the “best” option at the time.
However, I did just think about this. Once September call ups are here, he might not get as many at bats. Some of the guys that have been tearing it up at AAA will get their chance.
Another thought, and I need help answering this question, if any of those September call ups are on the 40 man roster and we make the playoffs can we keep one or more of the kids and leave off say Thorman and even Woodward but not have to place them on waivers or DFA?
By i zimbra
August 25, 2007 3:22 PM | Link to this
Gadji beri bimba clandridi Lauli lonni cadori gadjam A bim beri glassala glandride E glassala tuffm i zimbra
By Shaun
August 25, 2007 3:24 PM | Link to this
hk,
I don’t care if anyone thinks I’m an idiot for anything else I say, but I hope people listen to me a little when I say the save is the most bogus stat in sports.
It tells us nothing but a lot of teams build their whole bullpen around a bogus stat.
What does the save really tell us? Most often it just tells us a pitcher could hold a lead of three runs or less for one inning. How many major league pitchers could hold a lead of three runs or less 20-30 times a season, if given the opportunity. Probably a lot. Even a sub-par major league pitcher could rack up 20-30 saves in a season relatively easily.
By Underlord
August 25, 2007 3:26 PM | Link to this
According to southerncurrents.com, Lester Maddox “left the Office of Governor with a favorable poll rating of above 84% and won the Office of Lieutenant Governor in a landslide vote of over 73%, which remains the greatest percentage of votes for any governor or lieutenant governor against a Republican opponent in a Georgia General Election”.
And he appointed more African Americans to state government positions than any other governor before him.
THAT GUY IS JUST ONE OF THE BEST 5 GOVERNERS EVER. NOTHING ELSE TO SAY. DICK CAVETT NOTWITHSTANDING.
By Bob, Journalist
August 25, 2007 3:29 PM | Link to this
Bob, Journalist what are you smoking, dude? well, since prices went through the roof, what I’m smoking is “less” … which is still probably more than anyone else on the Blog … and what I’m smoking is also “cheap” quality tobacco, sorta like the cheap seats at the games that cost a fortune.
Just don’t talk bad about my boys or my friends … when mama would get upset with my sister and tell me of all her faults … she’s get real mad, and I mean real mad, when I agreed with her … I guess it’s an inherited thing that some folks can’t understand!
By TheSouthernJackAss
August 25, 2007 3:30 PM | Link to this
TheJackAss never ceases to be amazed with the diaphanous stupidity of some of these loudmouthed trolls…TheJackAss can’t believe that MemphisUmp was dumb enough to email him…while using a name, and an email address that was created just today…hnkbridgman@yahoo.com…
How much dumber can someone be?…and I have a match on an IP address as well…
Oh well…he knows where he stands with TheJackAss…
By Braveheart
August 25, 2007 3:30 PM | Link to this
Texas Brave & Overlord I’m not quite sure why I feel that way about Thorman. Maybe it’s just a wish, hope, prayer, belief, feeling, thought, blah, blah, blah more than anything. It’s obviously not something one can say with certainty because there ain’t any track record there of him doing something like that.
Prado reminds me of Mark Derosa for some reason. AND Derosa had some big hits for us, even in the playoffs. So, I like Prado.
I do think they might have to find a way to get Thorman more at bats if they expect him to possibly get some at bats in big pressure spots later on.
One big problem is that Thorman is out of options and can not be sent down although there is more utility with Prado.
By Shaun
August 25, 2007 3:33 PM | Link to this
TexasBraves,
I’m not sure, but I think a team can select any 25 players on thier 40-man before August 31 for the post-season and can leave off any player without having to place them on waivers.
The reason I think this is the case is because you’ll often see veteran, past-their-prime players not on active rosters—Ellis Burks, Dave Winfield.
By Paladin
August 25, 2007 3:38 PM | Link to this
I just came back from my “power” nap and saw where I didn’t even get “honorable” mention in “Chumps” latest. So, I’ll stay out of it, for now, since he’s got all he can handle with some of the blog’s best blisterers on his—“trail”.
I will say this though. RR, if you don’t want to be “recognized” then don’t write in mega-graphs. You are not the only one that does it, but that, with the content, is a dead giveaway.
OK, I’m off to run some errands so I will leave it with you knuckle-draggin’ predilectors for prolixity. :-)
By TheSouthernJackAss
August 25, 2007 3:42 PM | Link to this
That’s right Ron Roberts…I mean MemphisUmp…gay innuendo…if you aren’t gay…then why are you so enamored with RR?…it ain’t natural…and you say that RR hasn’t posted some truly nasty and profane trash in the past?…you should know that’s not the truth if you’ve been reading the blog for as long as you say you have…so get lost moron…you’re boring us…
Ron Roberts—what a pathetic ruse you tried to pull over on everyone…”MemphisUmp”…
Guess what Ronnie—TheSouthernJackAss will still be TheSouthernJackAss long after your ignorant a$s is gone!…
By Braveheart
August 25, 2007 3:42 PM | Link to this
This is going to be pretty negative and kind of Robert like and kind of hypocritical on my part BUT…….. I think Cox is a great manager but these are questionable personnel decisions made by Bobby Cox this year. Questionable because they don’t seem to be made based upon performance.
Cutting Wickman for personality conflicts combined with subpar performance. Good enough to be the closer one night, not good enough for the team the next? Very confusing. Clubhouse cancers can’t be tolerated BUT how can your cancerous ways be tolerable enough for you to be the closer one night, off the team the next? How can your performance make you the closer one night, but out of the majors the next? This honestly begs the question: Is this an implicit admission by Bobby that he was mistakenly and stubbornly sticking with Wickman as the closer even though he thought he was not good enough? So, when exactly did he start thinking Wickman was not good enough? What took him so long to act on that feeling? Of course, it seems that performance had little to do with it. A clash of egos had everything to do with it.
Yanking Davies off the mound with none out in the first, the demotion of Kyle Davies, and the trade of Davies with no one better than Davies to take his place. They were 1-6 in his last 7 starts so it was understandable. But they were also 7-10 in his starts whereas they are 3-16 in the starts of anyone else they have tried. Davies has pitched better since being traded. Giving up on the kid due to poor performance made some sense but after reading Carroll’s article about Davies after he left, it seems he was not fitting in or something.
Keeping Orr and Woodward on the MLB roster This is bizarre. They bring absolutely nothing to the table. Prado is a better player than either.
Why is Willie only used as a leftfielder and not as a super utility man?
Demotion of Pena after he got hurt and never bringing him back even after Salty was traded. Very confusing.
Letting Salty rot on the bench the last 2 weeks he was here Might have been protecting him to protect his trade value but who the heck knows when you consider Cox’ other decisions. Was playing Franco really worth it? Salty is not good enough to play over Franco?
Yanking KJ out of the leadoff spot and platooning KJ seemingly because he failed to drop a bunt. The offense has actually been better since this happened and KJ has been more consistent with more rest because of the platoon. BUT was that really the intent or just happenstance?
Keeping Andruw at cleanup for seemingly forever to the detriment of the team. Loyalty and his guys seemed to reign supreme over what was best for the team. Of course, if Andruw did not have a big smile, when would he have been yanked out of cleanup, the lineup, or the team altogether?
Insisting on pitching Soriano in the 8th and in big spots when the man needed a rest or a less intense role until he figured things out. What was that intellectually dishonest wiseass thing he said to DOB about insisting on pitching Soriano in big spots?
Seemingly making up a Chuck James injury to DL him. From the quotes, Chuck does not seem to think he is so hurt that he can’t pitch. It seems like he might be hurt, not necessarily injured, but he may not be showing the moxy or personality Cox likes, so Cox yanks him out of the rotation although the Braves are 13-12 in his starts and replaces him with JoJo even though the Braves are 0-6 in JoJo’s starts and even though the Braves have given up 6 or more runs in all of JoJo’s starts.
Not giving Oscar a shot at being the fifth starter Could Oscar be any worse than all of the Braves fifth starters? Hell no. All you would need out of him is 5 innings per start and a 5.00 ERA and the Braves would most likely win about half of his starts as a fifth starter. What the heck is the point of having a decent guy like Oscar pitch mop up duty? Make a scrub pitch mop up because the game is usually over by then.
Getting angry and getting rid of McBride Granted McBride was walking too many. But that was not really the problem. It was something personal. McBride got traded because egos were rubbed the wrong way and we ended up with Ledismal.
Calling up Devine repeatedly but never pitching him. What’s the point of bringing him up then? He’s either good enough and ready to be up or he is not.
Not finding more at bats for Diaz. Does he realize he has a batting champ on the bench?
Too many at bats for Langerhans Good enough to platoon with Diaz, good enough to waste tons of at bats in April but then all of a sudden one day, not good enough, get rid of the bum. Was he good enough to be playing or not? AND if he was not good enough one day at the end of April what took you so long to realize that when you have been watching him hit for years? Evidently, it did not take the Nats or A’s too long to figure out he was not good enough.
Not pursuing David Wells because he “would not fit in in the clubhouse.” At what point do we say enough with everyone getting along in the clubhouse and say let’s rock the boat and go for broke here. Is the goal clubhouse harmony or World Series championships? The clubhouse harmony thing worked well for years in the regular season but not so much in the postseason. How about a little bit of change in philosophy on clubhouse chemistry? When your fifth starters are 4-23 and when you are 10-26 when Smoltz, Hudson, Chuck, and Buddy are not pitching, and David Wells is available even if is not what he once was, you grab that sucker in a heartbeat.
I don’t believe in getting too much into damned if he does, damned if he does not speculation such as when to pull a pitcher, when to keep a pitcher in. But these have been kind of disturbing things for me done by Bobby – most disturbing because they don’t seem to have anything to do with performance – they seem to have more to do with personality conflicts. As bad as they were playing, he does not yank them. BUT if they dare rub him or the clubhouse the wrong way, they are gone no matter what. That is not a sound way to do things. If it was about performance, Woodward, Orr, Andruw would have met similar fates as the rest.
By Chop Chop
August 25, 2007 3:47 PM | Link to this
Shaun,
I agree with you about the save stat. There is a problem, though. The last team that really seemed to discount the importance of who pitches in the ninth inning (where most saves are “earned”) was the 2003 Boston Red Sox. Bill James, Theo Epstein and the other sabermetrician types decided to test the theory of bullpen-by-committee at the back end of games. In theory, it really shouldn’t matter who pitches that one inning as long as he’s a decent pitcher. However, the experiment ended up being a big mess for the Red Sox, so much so that they had to make several trades at the deadline to try to rectify the mistake.
As I commented at the top of this post, you’re right about the stat itself not really being that significant, but the guy who does pitch in the ninth inning is significant. There is a certain type of mentality involved. Some guys can’t pitch in the ninth inning due to those human variables (anxiety, fear, whatever). For example, as much as I’d like to take Peter Moylan’s overall stats and plop them into the closer’s role, that doesn’t mean he’ll match those stats and be any good at closing out games. It almost seems that, unless your relievers are brainwashed and indoctrinated with the belief that the ninth inning is no different than any other, the odds are great that you won’t have many pitchers on your team that can be successful at closing.
By journalist jimmy smith
August 25, 2007 3:48 PM | Link to this
journalist returns to the blog to find a nice apology from joebrave. apology is accepted, joebrave. not sure why joebrave came after this journalist with vowels and verbs and venom, with vigor and vitality and vehemence, with vulgarity and viciousness, but jimmy smith has no voracity for vengeance and joebrave’s apology is appreciated and joebrave is forgiven by this journalist.
now, bloggers attacking other bloggers … why can’t bloggers all just get along? because of busybody bloggers who try to police the blog for others. only miss manners can do this and only because journalist bob knew miss manners’ daddy.
and journalist is also going to the food lion today. may see another blogger there. “what?” “what baby seal?” “not the food lion?” oh, never mind.
By TexasBrave
August 25, 2007 3:51 PM | Link to this
Thanks Shaun,
So the question is will JS and Bobby keep on one or more of the kids if they show more fortitude in the final month than Thorman or Woodward? In my book (no it is not the same as Bobby’s) you keep who is hot and has proven to come through in the clutch. Plus what a great experience for some of these new guys who will probably be with the team for next years drive for a championship.
By Chop Chop
August 25, 2007 3:55 PM | Link to this
Braveheart,
If I had a Wurlitzer to give you, you’d get it for your 3:42 post. You’re not being negative. You’re being honest. There are plenty of situations that Bobby should have to answer for this year and it’s just not happening. After all, it sure does seem like there’s an awful lot going on in that clubhouse this season that we just don’t know anything about. I hope we’ll get some more insight into this stuff in the coming weeks.
By Overlord
August 25, 2007 4:00 PM | Link to this
I cant recall the braves “releasing” so many players they once had faith on to begin the season. This could be called the “Phantom Braves”.
Davies.
Wickman.
Orr.
Salty.
Peña.
Paronto.
Redman.
Thats way too much (AND I COULD BE MISSING SOMEONE). That speaks for itself.
What i dont get is how Woodward has survived this STORM !!!!!
By Shaun
August 25, 2007 4:03 PM | Link to this
Chop Chop,
Yes, but the Red Sox’s bullpen ERA was the third-worst in baseball in 2003, the year they tried the “bullpen-by-committee” approach. So you could make a very valid argument that it didn’t work because they didn’t have many good pitchers to being with.
I understand what you’re saying about roles. Maybe some players are more comfortable in specific roles, which can’t be quantified.
But I reject a pitcher like Moylan can’t or is less likely to succeed in the closer’s role than another pitcher for one reason or another. The reason is because often games are on the line in the sixth, seventh or eighth innings. And often times there is just as much or more pressure on pitchers in those innings as their are in a ninth-inning save situation.
I would guess non-closers inherit significantly more baserunners than closers. And what could be more stressful than not wanting to cost not only your team runs but your teammate runs on his ERA?
I do think roles may matter for some guys a little but I think the necessity of roles is vastly overstated. And I’m not talking a pitcher being a starter as opposed to a reliever so much; I’m talking about specific roles within the bullpen.
I think for the most part if you can pitch, you can pitch.
By The Grinch
August 25, 2007 4:03 PM | Link to this
Texas double patty melt plate scattered, smothered and covered with a large OJ. Now THAT and a subsequent power nap will cure a hangover. Before the nap takes place, however, I will give props to both hk and Braveheart for excellent observations about Bobby. Like I said last night, I really like the guy and always have. I’d like nothing better than to hear a rational explanation or two for even some of these alarmingly senseless-looking decisions that have always been there occasionally but seem to have increased by several thousand percent this year. It’s easy for me to bash people I don’t like; it hurts to watch this happen to Bobby.
Hk, if I truly remind you of you 41 years ago, you must have really been an @$$-hole. :-) Really, though; I’d be utterly amazed and blessed if for some reason my terribly abused body and mind could make it another 41 years. And more importantly, if it does I hope to retain even half your mental acuity and reasonable disposition. And hopefully I’ll have the energy to beat the snot out of anyone who tries to take my keys.
G’night, all.
By Lew
August 25, 2007 4:04 PM | Link to this
Esteemed Journalist-I agree that we should attempt to get along. SJA will not give you grief if you don’t give him grief. He can even be nice upon occasion, as witnessed by his post regarding me the other day. It was appreciated. Even Stinky can be come to terms with. He and I declared truce several monthas ago and he has kept it-so have I. Even SJA mentioned Stinky’s intelligence. He also, has been tempted towards niceties, in my experience. Joe Brave is a fine individual. He may use colorful language, like our friend The Grinch, but if you give him the time of day without trying to p!$$ on his leg, he will always have your back. Coach, however is a supreme douchebag and deserves every bit of grief we can possibly push down his pompous, Neanderthalithic throat. Now baseball-I think perhaps Wicky was a scape goat. Now scapegoats are not usually desireable, but if it leads to a winning streak, then I will feel alright about it. Wicky looked very tired and perhaps time with his family and retirement is best for him. I think you may just see him retire. I doubt he would have returned, anyway. It also would not surprise me if he were sick. He just hasn’t looked healthy -and No, I don’t mean his weight-he’s always been a big guy and he was fine last year, though in no worse shape than now.
By Overlord
August 25, 2007 4:07 PM | Link to this
El Duque is on the mound and tossed a scoreless 1st…… no surprise on that one.
There is no chance on picking up a game on muts today.
Better concentrate on SD.
By Ron Roberts
August 25, 2007 4:10 PM | Link to this
Gonna sit here and gnash my teth through a Mets/Dodgers game. Anybody game?
Wow. Looks like I missed some early fireworks, eh?
SJA, why do you insist on continuing to try and nag me, dude? It doesn’t work; it’s actually comical. Looks like somebody came in today with a hint of clarity and said it like it was.
Now, just to point out, I scrolled up and saw what your new email address was. Folks going to profiles.yahoo.com/vintagejackass will see that this email address created W A Y back on August 16 in the distant year 2007. Secondly, the email address you gave before was created the day you published it, then. So if the Ump sent you an email from an address he’d just created, I’m guessing it’s because he chose not to soil his other address(es) with your bile. Just guessing.
Now, if you wish to forward anybody his IP and mine, then let’s pick a neutral third party and let them compare them so that they can tell us all if the IP addresses do indeed match. I know the answer, and have no concerns in letting somebody else verify it.
That’ll be hard to do, though, because the former email address you’d made up (thesouthern.jackass@yahoo.com) no longer exists, which means you have no remaining record of the email I’d sent you, and hence, no IP address to compare, either. Folks wishing to see that, can go to http://profiles.yahoo.com/thesouthern.jackass to see that for themselves.
So again, your dialogue is empty, at best. And point to be made: I’ve not said a thing to you, about you, or even made a reference to you or your bloviating; you’re the one with the hang up - and it’s on me. So if there’s a gay crush, here, it would seem the ruby red slipper’s on your foot, Dorothy.
I don’t know the Ump, never even been to Memphis (everybody tells me that the town’s a dump outside of the touristy areas) and care not to stand up for him or begrudge him his right to say his peace.
But rest assured, SJA, Mardi Gras gets closer and closer every day, and like the “time and place” you barked at me to provide you weeks ago, those days, too, will come and go and there’l be nobody calling himself the Southern Jackass making his presence known in New Orleans.
I’ve P U R P O S E L Y avoided speaking to you or about you for a long while now, because I stood my ground w/you, and you wilted in the heat. You no-showed then you deferred to February, 2008. So I have nothing more to say to you until that time. If you wish to continue, with your childish insults, and your many login names and nicknames like radio boy, have at it.
I have better things to do and better people to communicate with than the likes of you.
Others… my apologies.
By jordan j
August 25, 2007 4:11 PM | Link to this
Nice post Braveheart.
More baseball, less jimmy smith type crap!
By Shaun
August 25, 2007 4:13 PM | Link to this
Overlord,
To be fair, Salty and Davies were used to get key players (or who were thought to be key players) for the stretch drive.
Also, some of those guys weren’t really expected to be key players. Teams move around utility players and relief pitchers and young players (because they have options) often during a given season, even good or great teams.
With the exception of possibly Wickman and to a lesser extent Davies, I’d say those moves aren’t indicative of why the Braves are out of a playoff spot at this point.
By Overlord
August 25, 2007 4:14 PM | Link to this
I didnt meant “releasing” i meant they are not on the map anymore…….
By Overlord
August 25, 2007 4:15 PM | Link to this
I didnt mean “releasing” i meant they are not on the map anymore…….
By Ron Roberts
August 25, 2007 4:17 PM | Link to this
Paladin… when have I ever written long posts without seperating my paragraphs, dude? C’mon… we’ve been here a long time, and I know to double-pump the enter key to break up my posts, quite well, thankya.
Sorry, but just because somebody else takes umbrage to a same particular person’s arrogance here, that doesn’t mean it’s the same person. You’ve been here awhile and ya know full well I’m not alone in that group.
By philosopher robert cox
August 25, 2007 4:18 PM | Link to this
Braveheart my detractor - all I can say is:
all human actions are equivalent and all are on principle doomed to failure.
By Chop Chop
August 25, 2007 4:19 PM | Link to this
Shaun,
I remember watching the Sox’ bullpen that season and it certainly wasn’t very good. However, the Sox did have some decent arms in the pen that year. Kim, Timlin, Embree, Todd Jones, Scott Williamson…all of those guys had been good relievers in the bigs prior to that season, so Theo certainly thought they had the pitchers to make his theory work.
Believe me, I see what you’re saying about the pressure being high in earlier innings in close games, but there just seems to be a mental block for a good number of pitchers that just cannot be predicted by stats. After all, as you’ve guessed (probably an accurate one), most closers don’t inherit as many runners when they come into games. The ninth inning is usually a clean slate for them. Any trouble they encounter is generally of their own making. It seems contrary for a pitcher to handle pitching with runners on base better than starting an inning off, but maybe it’s that pressure of having to be good from the beginning that causes some pitchers to succeed and others to fail. Maybe those pitchers who fail when presented with inherited runners on base would actually be better suited to closing games? That would be an interesting case to test.
With that, I slowly back away from the world of analysis.
By TexasBrave
August 25, 2007 4:23 PM | Link to this
Braveheart some good thoughts about performance vs. personalities. Some of which I didn’t know anything about previously.
I think it also has a lot to do with Bobby having confidence in someone. Look at Davies, yes he was battered around but has great stuff. All he needed was time down on the farm to get himself righted again. But I think JS noticed that Bobby lost it with Kyle and traded him for someone Bobby would use. Devine is sort of in the same boat. Bobby will not use him unless he has no other choice. You have to know that Bobby doesn’t have too much input on who comes up from AAA. Seriously, if Bobby had any say why would he bring a guy up and not use him?
I think overall you hit the nail on the head. If Bobby doesn’t like you, you will not play much or eventually be off the team.
By TheSouthernJackAss
August 25, 2007 4:23 PM | Link to this
Ain’t that some sweet $#!t?…I think you’ve already made enough of an a$s out of yourself today ron roberts…posting as memphisump…mr. class…
By brent a.
August 25, 2007 4:24 PM | Link to this
Paladin,
Why be a jerk?
People like you make life less fun.
By Coach(LEW CANT GET ME OUT OF HIS HEAD , LOL)
August 25, 2007 4:25 PM | Link to this
Bob Wickman was a 6.5 million dollar mistake , period. Soriano should have been the closer right from the start. Between Wickman , Craig Wilson , Tanyon Sturtze , Chris Woodward and Mark Redman the Braves paid out 10.85 million. Tom Glavine resigned with the Mets for 10.5 million. We are short on starting pitching , do the math , John Schuerholz screwed up.
By Braveheart
August 25, 2007 4:27 PM | Link to this
Shaun, I do agree with you on how meaningless saves are for the most part. That 30-3 game the other night with Texas proved that point. Yes, a reliever actually got a save in a 30-2 game. BUT I do think that closer requires a certain mindset at times.
For example, you write great posts committed to sabermetric analysis. BUT what would happen if ESPN noticed your posts, and Rob Neyer decided to retire, got fired, or got another job and ESPN asked you to take his place?
While your posts and writings may be just as good or even better as Rob Neyer when the pressure is not on you and you can just wing it on here, what would happen if they asked you to replace Rob Neyer at ESPN?
Perhaps, you could step in his shoes and do even better than him. Or maybe you could feel too much pressure and start messing up? Or maybe your editor starts asking you to shoot off controversial opinions you find intellectually dishonest and not reasonable or objective but you have to do it to keep your job? Maybe the pressure from the editor affects your abilities? Or maybe scathing remarks from the general public like Rob Neyer gets makes you start doubting yourself? Or maybe you are not getting as many hits on your articles as you need to, so you need to change something about the way you go about it?
SO, although you yourself may be just as talented as Rob Neyer, you might become overwhelmed by having to step in his shoes.
I don’t think you would but I am sure you personally know many others who could do his job when the pressure is not on but who may be overwhelmed by being employed by ESPN and being open to attack by the entire world and by editors when the pressure is on.
You yourself may be able to withstand personal attacks from the entire baseball world based upon mistakes or controversial opinions or flawed analysis but there are those with the talent of you and Rob Neyer who may not be able to.
What is forgivable when you are not the closer is not as forgivable when the pressure is on when you are the closer.
What is forgivable when you are a mere poster on someone else’s blog, is not as forgivable when your name appears in the byline with your picture with all the pressure that comes from working for ESPN.
Talent and ability are one thing. The ability to do it under pressure is another.
Yates has blown as many games as Wickman but we don’t jump on Yates as much as we do Wickman.
By fastasballs
August 25, 2007 4:28 PM | Link to this
William Wallace A very applause worthy post you made at 3:42. It wasn’t negative in the least.
I’ve lost count of questionable moves by Cox & JS this year. You covered just about every one of them.
In alluding to your post about Soriano, it now seems Moylan & Mahay are next on the “worn out” list. Both have not been sharp in recent games IMO due to overuse in meaningless situations.
You don’t step on Cox’s toes & remain with the team for long. He has his favorites that no matter how bad their play they stay in good favor.
By journalist jimmy smith
August 25, 2007 4:29 PM | Link to this
well, lew, whiny little jerks sometimes cease publicly whining when losing a battle of wits. lew sent lew’s “whiny little jerk” nemesis away whimpering many a night. that same whiny little jerk still partakes at the blog table and lew and this journalist both know it is our little “whiny” when the whining begins.
joebrave and this journalist are cool. journalist wishes joebrave well on joebrave’s next fishing trip.
now, the matter of shrimp sandwiches. these cannot be healthy sandwiches. slathered in butter and oozing from the bun … sounds most unhealthy. the bloggers should turn to alberta peaches. that’s right - alberta peaches - for healthy eating.
and a thought on big bob wickman - kinda like the scapegoat, right? bad attitude? with all the sore armed pitchers running around here maybe wicky thought wicky could make better decisions than the present staff. most bloggers feel they could do better. just read the posts.
By Ron Roberts
August 25, 2007 4:29 PM | Link to this
Believe what ya wish, SJA. And claim what ya wish, too. There’s a man living in the White House who spoon-fed half the country with $h!t, too, and they ate it up. There’ll be those who buy into your drivel, and those who don’t. C’est la vie.
By Shaun
August 25, 2007 4:30 PM | Link to this
Chop Chop,
Yeah. Maybe roles matter more for some than others. But I’m a firm believer that if you can get hitters out, you can handle any role.
I don’t imagine there are all that many pitchers who have gone back and forth between the closers role and other relief roles, so it’d be difficult to study how roles affect individual pitchers. And much like batting order studies, you can’t just experiment something like this in the real world. And using a computer simulation would kind of defeat the purpose because your are testing a largely psychological phenomenon.
By Ron Roberts
August 25, 2007 4:33 PM | Link to this
By the way, SJA, you’ll choose to believe I was pretending to be a married man with kids who lives in Memphis, and I’LL choose to believe you’re a Julia Roberts impersonator. There; we’re even.
By TheSouthernJackAss
August 25, 2007 4:35 PM | Link to this
Ron Roberts—this may just be a coincidence…but TheJackAss thought it a bit interesting that both you and memphisump have the same girlish habit of using the pronoun ya instead of ‘you’ when referring to other people in your posts…quite telling, among other things…
You’re right about creating email addresses…TheJackAss isn’t dumb as you would hope…not giving my regular email address to dip$#!ts like you!…
I’m afraid you’re about to find out firsthand just how cunning TheJackAss can be…I’m starting to get a bit perturbed with your stupid a$s…
By TexasBrave
August 25, 2007 4:36 PM | Link to this
Coach
I don’t think Lew is painting a portrait of you!!!
By bill
August 25, 2007 4:37 PM | Link to this
The Braves don’t need Leo Mazzone. He has his hands full in Baltimore. The trouble here, McDowell don’t have the pitching like Mazzone did when he was here to work with. Had anyone heard of Mazzone before he became the Braves pitching coach. The only thing that I knew is that he was a minor league coach. McGowell will be fine. At least he has pitched in the majors. I don’t believe Mazzone had much experience in majors but that doesn’t mean that he wasn’t a good coach. He was a great coach. Just got to give McDowell a chance.
By journalist jimmy smith
August 25, 2007 4:38 PM | Link to this
jordan j. this journalist will kick you’re @$$. now, talk some baeball.
By Overlord
August 25, 2007 4:42 PM | Link to this
Shaun i didnt say that it was the reason for the braves not to be in 1st or something……. it just surprises me how many players they have been moving. I know they moved salty to get key players, but that does not erases that it was salty taken down. And sure Orr was counted on, he was a cox favorite. And sure paronto was counted on, to many games pitched for you to tell me he was just a hitchhiker that passed by.
What i meant to say was only that i cant recall so many players on the move in a single year.
By TheSouthernJackAss
August 25, 2007 4:45 PM | Link to this
Damn!…you tell ‘em jimmy smith!…
By fastasballs
August 25, 2007 4:52 PM | Link to this
I do believe Bush hatred has become an incurable disease for some, but do us all a favor Ron Roberts & keep your political opinions to yourself.
Why don’t you & your buddy SJA take your little spat to email or IM & leave it off the blog. Nobody gives a rat’s a*s about the hardons you two have for each other.
By TheSouthernJackAss
August 25, 2007 4:52 PM | Link to this
Lew did attempt to paint the Coach…but his model kept messing him up…that cat just wouldn’t hold it’s a$s still…
By Ron Roberts
August 25, 2007 4:53 PM | Link to this
SJA, Coach, TennPaul, Efrim, Grinch, Superman, JoeBrave and Serbok have all used “ya” instead of “you” on this particular blog. Way to go, detective.
By Overlord
August 25, 2007 4:55 PM | Link to this
Im little confused.
How come noone was talking about this guy, Acosta, the whole year. Was he in some STEALTH MODE or something? I didnt hear anyone talk about him, he comes here and looks like Smoltz with 4 2 years under his belt.
By jordan j
August 25, 2007 4:55 PM | Link to this
kick? or did you mean lick?
sounds like you long for a nice fuzzy alberta peach close to your lips.
By journalist jimmy smith
August 25, 2007 4:57 PM | Link to this
good ol’ days on this blog are back. rr and sja are at it again. but where are the goats? no goat talk in a long while. used to talk goats all day. soon, letwan will be here. and carroll, (not the sportswriter) seems to be posting as someone else. can this be? yes, old times on the blog are being revisited. now, there must be a reunion. someone must plan it for the old-timers and the new-timers. everyone meets everyone - sometimes may have to meet someone several times depending on how many monikers. and, controversy on this blog - imagine! and the same little blogger that uses all the different little names to take shots at this journalist - sticks and stones can break this journalist’s bones but words can never hurt this journalist unless someone doesn’t love this journalist’s journalism. now, that would hurt.
By Overlord
August 25, 2007 5:00 PM | Link to this
Luis Castillo is down with a KNEE, i think thats the problem he had before he came to NY. Im i right on this one?
By Colin
August 25, 2007 5:01 PM | Link to this
Have anyone heard anyword on Wickman, any takers yet?
By Ron Roberts
August 25, 2007 5:02 PM | Link to this
Sorry to ruffle your feathers, fastasballs.
You see not liking “Shrub” as a disease; I tend to think of it as clarity, and I think the track record speaks for itself. To each his own, but you’re right about politics and this blog.
By TexasBrave
August 25, 2007 5:03 PM | Link to this
I am having a thought here; I wonder how much input Bobby asks for from his pitching coaches upon making a decision on pitching changes, counts, etc? It seems to me that we did not have the types of problems we are having now with the pitching staff when Leo was here. So is Bobby getting bad calls by Roger or is it totally Bobby’s call?
By jordan j
August 25, 2007 5:06 PM | Link to this
Oh, and a real journalist would know when to use “your” instead of “you’re”.
By Braveheart
August 25, 2007 5:09 PM | Link to this
When Coltrane is away, it does not mean the mice can play. Can you all take the fighting out to the back of the bar already please? By that, I mean take it over to the tail end of the last blog posted? Or at least take it over to the Wickman blog? Nurse Rogchett strongly prefers Cuckoo’s Nest to be orderly.
JJS I was not saying I could do it better than Bobby. I was just pointing out that some of those moves were kind of puzzling for the reasons given for them.
Usually, in the workplace, when you get the ax, they tell you it is business, not personal. But with the Braves, the reason seems too often to be it’s personal, and only kinda business.
By Overlord
August 25, 2007 5:10 PM | Link to this
1-0
Bottom of the 4th.
muts.
By journalist jimmy smith
August 25, 2007 5:12 PM | Link to this
nothing worse than a whiny little peach@$$ pretending to be tough.
By Bob, Journalist
August 25, 2007 5:13 PM | Link to this
Esteemed William Wallace I’ve yet to read your post though I’m sure when time permits I’ll find it’s a good read and equally sure that I’ll probably concur with some if not much of your thinking … however, the “Questionable because they don’t seem to be made based upon performance” caught my eye and prompts me to observe that while we may choose to question something because of not understanding its apparent basis, that doesn’t, within itself, make it questionable in the usual sense.
Then too, individual performance is but one of many decision making criteria … some decisions are rashly made and some things are agenda based and it’s impossible to evaluate those without knowing the complete agenda.
One has to think that while we generally have a good idea of the back disabling straws and the field manager is the focus of our attention while his troops are engaging the enemy, there’s much we don’t see and he does not operate in isolation.
As an aside, I’m still not sure of the quality of the relationship between the new ownership and existing management or any impact the change might have on either John or Bobby … but, that’s another story.
If it is felt by the powers that are that Bobby’s judgment or attitude has become significantly impaired, then he should, and I’m sure would, be replaced but that would be a very delicate situation and it would have to be done so as to allow him and his to withdraw with honor … and we should be understanding of the dilemma. There are those who would argue that MLB has addressed this situation and that ownership’s hands are tied … but there are many ways to accomplish one’s agenda; indeed it’s possible to render one insignificant without them even suspecting.
However, if it is felt by the powers that are, that Bobby’s judgment and attitude are intact, then we should expect that he will continue to run on the well grooved track we’ve come to know as baseball management, Bobby Cox style … and I would imagine that like the General was known to say, Bobby feels that it’s not important that we know, only him and his.
Regardless, we can rest assured that we are not the only ones who follow the games and observe Bobby on a daily basis; some of whom are on the inside looking out … and some carrying big sticks and having more of a voice than we, though they speak more softly.
My guess is that should we miss the playoffs, some of the rich and famous will assert themselves, or at least so try … though my hope is that we don’t so they won’t.
By SNIPER-69
August 25, 2007 5:14 PM | Link to this
If you can’t beat the Reds and Nats of the world you don’t deserve to go to the playoffs. So you might as well find a comfortable couch to watch it on TV.
By Paladin
August 25, 2007 5:16 PM | Link to this
I just returned from giving my dog his semi-weekly run in the country. He is not the Lion King but he thinks he is when he can chase rabbits and other “varmits” unimpeded.
He never catches anything, but he is an eternal optimist with a firmly- entrenched-wait-‘til-next-time attitude. And every day out is a “fresh” one with dreams of glory in what will be, while not dwelling upon the gloom of past failures. As a matter of fact, there is no gloom associated with “failures” because the “game” is his goal, whether he “wins” or “loses”.
Unfortunately, I never write about baseball ‘cause there should be a baseball—or baseball fan—moral there somewhere. Shouldn’t there be?
By fastasballs
August 25, 2007 5:16 PM | Link to this
I only see dislike of anyone as a disease when it dominates one’s thinking to the point that one must reference to their dislike on a constant basis no matter the subject or situation.
I just fail to see how when posting to a baseball blog the thought of the President even enters one’s mind, but to each his own I guess.
By Miss Manners
August 25, 2007 5:19 PM | Link to this
By jordan j
August 25, 2007 5:06 PM | Link to this
Oh, and a real journalist would know when to use “your” instead of “you’re”.
Jordan J, you are right, sweetie. Now, are you smart enough to use (realize) what you have just learned?
By Efrim
August 25, 2007 5:20 PM | Link to this
Lets get the job done tonight.
By Overlord
August 25, 2007 5:21 PM | Link to this
I you can not win a single series to the team thats 3rd in your own division, you dont deserve to go to the playoffs.
Wonder why is a muts fan talking about when a team deserves or not to go to the playoffs, sounds like the muts have won so many division titles and playoffs games that their fans can talk about deserving playoffs or not.
By jordan j
August 25, 2007 5:22 PM | Link to this
nothing worse than a whiny little peach@$$ pretending to be tough.
Exactly, peach-boy - who is the one threatening to kick-@$$?
By journalist jimmy smith
August 25, 2007 5:29 PM | Link to this
peachboy? radioboy? is jordan j the blog troublemaker? jimmysmiththinks maybe so. now, carroll, a banishment seems in order. bye, fuzzy.
By Robert
August 25, 2007 5:36 PM | Link to this
“He never catches anything, but he is an eternal optimist with a firmly- entrenched-wait-‘til-next-time attitude. And every day out is a “fresh” one with dreams of glory in what will be, while not dwelling upon the gloom of past failures”
Does he growl at umpires?
Sounds like Cox-on-a-leash
By Paladin
August 25, 2007 5:37 PM | Link to this
I just went over to the “new” blog and recognized almost no one. Are all the “regulars” still here?
By TheSouthernJackAss
August 25, 2007 5:38 PM | Link to this
Braveheart and fastasballs both need to tend to their own business…
By Paladin
August 25, 2007 5:40 PM | Link to this
jjs in a “food fight”? Methinks there are jackals, jackals everywhere with ne’er a drop to stink.
By Paladin
August 25, 2007 5:45 PM | Link to this
Robert You are one of the main reasons I almost never write about baseball. There are too many smartasses like you to contend with. Bring it on, bunghole.
By Lew
August 25, 2007 5:48 PM | Link to this
TexasBrave-I don’t have to paint a portrait of Coach. Just go look in the dictionary under “Douchebag”. His picture is already there.
By joebrave
August 25, 2007 5:52 PM | Link to this
COMMINUCATE!!!!There you go Memphis Rump.I looked it up Genious,Now ga away little butt goblin,before you get yourself BEATCH SLAPPED!!!!!
Joebrave wishes to thank JJS for his kind words,not too often I get those,due to the fact that I’m taken completely out of context.
Lew how you been,how’s the foot,and congrats on the Award.
Savannah Guy,dude I got your back too.
Now back to the Breaking News,At Chicago O’Hare today while on layover for Flight 228 for Milwaukee Wisc.a Large Burly sort was seen mentally breaking down,as he attempted to fleece a little old lady in the concourse,It seems the aforementioned Big Guy was,a little disturbed as to his whereabouts,as he was overheard,screaming Gimme Back those Kruellers Jones you sonofabitch. Authorities quickly subdued the big man an quietly seated him on the plane,after Airport Doctors sedated Him………..
By Bob, Journalist
August 25, 2007 5:55 PM | Link to this
Why are we so intent on self-destruction … seems to me we should have a different agenda.
Photoshop has yet to come up with a mask behind which we can effectively hide … face it, we’re unique … treasure the differences … vulgar one-upmanship is the toy of a child … the only you’re showing up is yourself but if you’re so mentally impaired that you don’t realize it or so weak that you need such a crutch, stop embarrassing yourself … try putting it back in the box and sucking your thumb instead … no one here can see you do that.
Belaboring the obvious, being vulgar doesn’t require the use of hard language and while exceedingly difficult to effect, the reverse is also true.
bye
By Braveheart
August 25, 2007 5:57 PM | Link to this
Braveheart and fastasballs both need to tend to their own business…
SJA I’m not even talking about you. I actually miss your posts when you disappear. This place gets very boring without you creating mayhem. When you and RR get into it, I leave it alone as everyone else should. Your neverending saga with RR is very entertaining. I don’t pick sides because I like both of you and your posts.
The whole ordeal gets tedious and watered down when all of the others start jumping in. Things get out of control when everyone else does not let you and RR tend to your business with each other.
SO, I ain’t taking you to task. Actually taking the others to task. Telling them to stay the heck out of it and mind their own business.
To me, watching you & RR go at it is like watching a good kung fu movie where two masters of the martial arts are facing off with each other.
The movie gets annoying when all of the retarded ninjas start getting involved with attacking the two master ninjas and the whole audience gets bored to tears knowing it is a tedious waste of a half hour of the movie because the two master ninjas can both easily dispose of the retarded ninjas and because the master ninjas and the audience don’t respect the retarded ninjas at all.
It’s like alright we get the point, the retarded ninjas will go down and we’ll get to see the two masters go at it. So, stop wasting the audience’s time with the incompetence of the retard ninjas.
OR something like that.
:O>
By Braveheart
August 25, 2007 6:02 PM | Link to this
I just went over to the “new” blog and recognized almost no one. Are all the “regulars” still here?
Have Gun, Will Travel Have you not yet learned that unless the new blog is written by a Braves beat writer, we dare not venture outside of the Cuckoo’s Nest? We’ve all become institutionalized.
By Lew
August 25, 2007 6:03 PM | Link to this
JoeBrave-The foot’s doing fine, Dude, but if I have to keep sticking it up Coach’s (I’m a Fraud and Have Been Exposed) @$$ many more times, I’m sure the infection will return.
By joebrave
August 25, 2007 6:05 PM | Link to this
Now to those who tend to believe ronnie’s BU11shit,I can assure you that SJA’s Email address is valid,Jordan j,who in the blue he11 dost thou,thinkest thou art? You little p**,bout to meet the brutal joebrave first hand… Coach,stinky,ron roberts,robert not jib,and the rest of you xoy morons,no baseball gets talkd because of you,you guys think,that your smart@ss know-it-all ways,impress people,Know what will impress me?Eat a monkey’s turd that will impress Joebrave you ignorant little turdburgling,sockcuckers!!!!
By TheSouthernJackAss
August 25, 2007 6:08 PM | Link to this
sorry…Braveheart…
By joebrave
August 25, 2007 6:09 PM | Link to this
braveheart,boy you callin mea retarded ninja? if so watch your @ss puke!!!
By Casting Director
August 25, 2007 6:18 PM | Link to this
Need some extras for a Kung fu movie, produced by Braveheart titled: The Nasty Name-calling Ninja Nadir Near N’Awlins
I want two lines. Retard ninjas on this side. Retarded Ninjas over here.
Let’s move folks, let’s move!
By Paladin
August 25, 2007 6:23 PM | Link to this
Lost my head and direction oh great guru. I’m back in the fold now. “Fold” sounds so much better than “Pooch”, don’t you think? :-)
By The only living boy in New York
August 25, 2007 6:36 PM | Link to this
Whoa! You folks sure like to use the word @$$ a lot here.
It seems like I walked into the middle of Deliverance.
Is it like this in the Braves’ clubhouse?
By Robert (Justice Is The Best)
August 25, 2007 6:42 PM | Link to this
I was hoping to log on and see that Chris Woodward had been DFAd but I guess my wish has still not come true.
By The Grinch, Retarded Ninja
August 25, 2007 6:44 PM | Link to this
私はここにある! Ronロバーツは、あなたのKung-fu私の物にマッチではない! 死ぬことを準備しなさい! Douchebag! :-)
By Overlord
August 25, 2007 6:45 PM | Link to this
Muts leading dodgers in the top of the 9th 4-3.
Heilman is pitching, any idea on why is wagner not in?
By Braves Fan 79
August 25, 2007 6:48 PM | Link to this
Anyone else glad the mets just beat the Dodgers?
By joebrave
August 25, 2007 6:48 PM | Link to this
New york boy You can get your @ss kicked,If that’s what you want!!!!
By joebrave
August 25, 2007 6:52 PM | Link to this
Now on to Braves baseball,Wickman was dfa’d at the behest of Andruw Jones,Too many buffet platters and always no charmin left in the clubhouse,itseems Bobby has the patience to molly coddle,one doughboy at the time!!!1
By NO CHOP ZONE
August 25, 2007 6:54 PM | Link to this
Mets win…….NICE
By Ron
August 25, 2007 6:55 PM | Link to this
Joebrave Dude Dont be using my name as bashers you little p!ss ant!!! You NEED to mention more people INSTEAD of just ME, Coach, Robert, and Stinky!!! You need to name ALOT more than JUST 4 names!!! Get it together dude or you may get an @ss stompin!!!
By joebrave
August 25, 2007 6:59 PM | Link to this
I wonder if Tex could get mad enough tonight to beat the living he11 out of C.Woodward…….
And to the @ssholes,over at TBS,Thnks for ruining the best damn T.V. station in the entire Universe…Who is the Idiot that thought Old @ssed reruns of Sh1tfeild,and Frasier,were legitimate programming….TBS NOT FUNNNY NOT FUNNY AT ALL.Man I’m glad I dumped my time warner stock,these Idiot bassturds are a joke!!!!
By Bob, Journalist
August 25, 2007 7:02 PM | Link to this
I only see dislike of anyone as a disease when it dominates one’s thinking to the point that one must reference to their dislike on a constant basis no matter the subject or situation … that’s a mouthful and three quarters that deserves repeating and serious consideration!
By fastasballs
August 25, 2007 7:02 PM | Link to this
Damn NCZ, nice timing. Glad you made it back into the country in time to see the Muts win. Whew, that was close.
By Bob, Journalist
August 25, 2007 7:07 PM | Link to this
You NEED to mention more people INSTEAD of just ME, Coach, Robert, and Stinky!!! … say it ain’t so Joe!
Goodness!
By NO CHOP ZONE
August 25, 2007 7:07 PM | Link to this
How’s that trade for Tex and dotel working out for you?
By NO CHOP ZONE
August 25, 2007 7:14 PM | Link to this
It’s ok Blueballs(fastasballs) if you want to direct your frustation at me. I know the real problem. Your team has not fulfilled your expectation/needs thus the Blueballs. just remember 6 1/2 doesn’t mean inches. It’s how far out of first your redneck braves are……..vent on bro.
By Braves Fan 79
August 25, 2007 7:15 PM | Link to this
When are we gonna get rid of woodward and keep prado? As i said on here before…we should get the fastest guy we can find to take woodwards place…since all we use him for anyways is a pinch runner. (is it pitch runner , or pinch runner?) Anyways i say we train a track star (someone like michael johnson a few years back)…and use him only as a pinch runner. That alone would be so much more valuable than woodcrap…man i hate that guy. Hes alot more likeable recently since he hasent been playing! (abou