Braves

By Colin

August 26, 2007 2:02 PM | Link to this

So who will cost us today?..any guesses

By Will

August 26, 2007 2:06 PM | Link to this

What a terrible time to have a lineup like the bravos are running out there today. how are the Braves gonna get relief in Florida? I dont care what the Marlins record is the Braves are playing god awful and have the goof troop pitching the first two games.

By Matt

August 26, 2007 2:06 PM | Link to this

Fantastic, lets scramble and shuffle in the middle of a pennant race.

By Kim

August 26, 2007 2:10 PM | Link to this

Read a quote by Francouer that said “I think this trip will tell us if we are in the race or out of it.” or something to that effect.

Looks like the Braves are the latter. Have to think todays game is already lost with a weak lineup and JoJo going.

Maybe they will surprise us, but we are surely running out of games. Unless they pick it up soon and go 20-10 or something, they are toast.

By Braveheart

August 26, 2007 2:13 PM | Link to this

Great job this week Carroll! Saw your response about Wells. Can’t you let me get all carried away with myself? No? I have to be accountable as well? Okay. Fair enough. :o>

Salty & Paladin Thanks for your kind words this morn and right back at ya.

Since Druw & Chipper are taking the day off, so is Braveheart. In other words, Paladin, the hangover hurts too much. Anheuser-Busch got the best of me. Yes, ole Willy Wally might just have to sleep through this one. Mickey Mantle is looking down on me from the heavens calling me a wuss.

Go Braves!

By journalist jimmy smith

August 26, 2007 2:22 PM | Link to this

tweaked a groin … can say that on a blog? can do that on the field? this team needs less groin tweaking and more good pitching. and woodward is looking good at third today - but has yet to take the field so things may change. hmmm…. prado? sad.

By beki

August 26, 2007 2:26 PM | Link to this

Amid a pennant race and the wild card race, we put the Joneses out on the same day can only mean that BC is dreaming that the other team will bow to his “better team.”

By TexasBrave

August 26, 2007 2:29 PM | Link to this

I know that Jo-Jo hasn’t been real good so far for the big club. But if he will keep going after hitters like he did Albert, he is going to be a good one.

By Overlord

August 26, 2007 2:34 PM | Link to this

Colin my guess for today will be willie again and jojo, woodward will do more good than bad.

By Kendell

August 26, 2007 2:35 PM | Link to this

Both Andruw and Chipper needs some rest!! These last 30+ games will be critical. Go Braves!!!

By Overlord

August 26, 2007 2:36 PM | Link to this

SD is giving us hope as they are losing 6-1.

By Colin

August 26, 2007 2:37 PM | Link to this

Overlord

totally agree…we are average

By Colin

August 26, 2007 2:46 PM | Link to this

Over or under

Jo-Jo going 7 innings and giving up 2 runs…

By Joe Said It

August 26, 2007 2:50 PM | Link to this

I agree with what Joe Simpson just said. In effect he said that the Braves needed to go with the hot hand and forget the platoon thing during the final push. If there is going to be a push. Matt Diaz in and the slumping Willie out. I have to agree. There comes a time when there is no tomorrow and you have to do that. Well most teams would do that but most teams aren’t run by Bobby.

Jo Jo is dealing with a favorable home plate ump today. That could be a BIG plus to the Braves chances.

Andruw resting today? Geez the guy finally starts swinging decent and he takes a day off! When he was sucking most of the year…. couldn’t get him to sit at all! Wish he had “sat” a few when he was stinking it up.

By MEB

August 26, 2007 2:50 PM | Link to this

jjs… Tweakin-a-groin sounds like it has potential for a country song.

**And it burns, burns, burns

Tweakin-a-groin, Tweakin-a-groin**

Hey… enough of the negative waves on this blog. I think the negative waves on this blog has cost the Braves at least 5-6 games. To quote Oddjob…

“Why don’t you knock it off with them negative waves? Why don’t you dig how beautiful it is out here? Why don’t you say something righteous and hopeful for a change?”

GO BRAVES!!!

By Colin

August 26, 2007 2:50 PM | Link to this

Worried about Willie getting a bunt down..hahaha he couldn’t get a bunt down if his life depended on it…

By Overlord

August 26, 2007 2:54 PM | Link to this

Does willie thinks the dogout is at 1B? That pitch was as perfect as thrown by a robot……. 100% over the middle. Got to swing at that…… even foul it if you got it late.

By Gene

August 26, 2007 2:55 PM | Link to this

I am glad that the Braves dumped fat Wickman, and they might be better off if Andruw joined him. The hopes for post season have all but vanished, which is a shame. I would like to see Bobby Cox retire with another World Series ring, but I don’t think that will happen either. Chipper really came on strong the last half of the season, and Tex is a great addition, but when you lose six out of seven games to the Reds, you don’t deserve the playoffs.

By Efrim

August 26, 2007 2:56 PM | Link to this

Colin

Way under. He has had two good innings. Way under. A lot of time bro.

By Colin

August 26, 2007 2:59 PM | Link to this

MEB

When they win ill quit with the negative comments…so next opening day

By N8

August 26, 2007 2:59 PM | Link to this

Earlier in the game, Joe Simpson made a comment about going with the “hot hands” in the lineup down the stretch, because there is no room for error. While stating this, he made the comment that Willie is 3 for his last 30.

Makes too much sense for Bobby to do it. Too bad Joe Simpson isn’t our manager.

Also, he was commenting how Bobby “wanted” (intended) to give McCann a day off, but since Andruw was going to be given a day off and Chipper was a late scratch, he was “forced” to have McCann’s bat in the lineup.

Uh….NO! He could have Brayan Pena up as the backup catcher/utility guy and HE could be in the lineup at catcher.

Again. Makes too much sense for Bobby get it. But by all means, put Woodpile in the lineup. Maybe we should call up Pete Orr to play 1B when Tex needs a day off.

ON A SIDE NOTE:

Jo Jo is getting the ball down, and for the time being, looks pretty darn good out there. Flashes of why he is so highly touted. I think he’ll be a good one as soon as he finds some consistancy. Of course I said the same things about HoRam, Davies and Chuckie too. :-)

By Paladin

August 26, 2007 3:00 PM | Link to this

Mz Carroll Certainly appreciated the “courtesy flush” today. And we are glad you got to enjoy a few cold ones last night. And cirusly, thanks for a good job with the blog. You done good.

By Joe Said It

August 26, 2007 3:00 PM | Link to this

Ump has a very consistent strike zone today. Both teams better be swinging. I think this helps the Braves considering that Jo Jo has been in trouble most of his starts because of strike zone.

With this strike zone, the game will be over in an hour and a half! But no complaints, umps calling it the same for both teams.

Chris Reitsma or Mark Redman could be effective with this strike zone!

By Overlord

August 26, 2007 3:02 PM | Link to this

positive positive positive…….. we are gonna win.

Have they scored yet?

positive positive positive

What about now??

guess im not positive enough.

By LeTwan Anthony

August 26, 2007 3:05 PM | Link to this

LeTwan is concerned with the current state of Braves baseball and has these things to say:

“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. If that means the closer is pitching with a four-run lead in the ninth, then that’s the way it’s going to be. It’s never been a problem with any [other Braves closers].” - Chipper Jones

LeTwan thinks Chipper is full of dip. Are some games really more important than others? All the games count. When does the team “need” a win? And “why” does a team “need” a win? Usually a team “needs” a win when that team has been losing for a time. A team especially may “need” a win when not everything possible was done to win earlier. Having “must win” games is a result of not out-pacing the other teams early. A loss in May counts the same as a loss in September. Losing early means the team has more “must-win” games to stay in the race. This team is there now - and this team does not do well when it must win.

Some bloggers say Bobby doesn’t need to teach the bunt - that players should be able to bunt when they get here. True, they should be able to bunt but when it becomes evident that they cannot bunt successfully, bobby should get his coaches to teach the bunt and ensure that the players can be called upon when needed with a reasonable chance of success. Golfers know how to play when they hit the tour but they still practice all aspects of the game so that they can execute the shots that are demanded.

BobbyTalk is a lot like BobbyBall. “He pitched about as well as you could ask.” Well, then, Bobby is not asking for enough. Not demanding enough.

The Braves have a professional clubhouse. Fine. Now, consider why do no leaders emerge? Followers. This team wants followers. Those who don’t fit the pattern have “attitude problems”. Not much is heard of performance problems. It is when a player exhibits an attitude that the player is deemed unfit for the team. Is this why marginal players who don’t rock the boat fare well with Bobby?

There have been instances of misuse and abuse of the bullpen. Wicky is a professional closer. That’s what they brought Wicky here to do. Wicky doesn’t want to throw meaningless (no save) innings. Tiring Wicky in these games could mean that when Wicky is called upon for a crucial (they are all crucial) save, Wicky will be out of gas and not perform well. A proud man with a closer mentality will react to stupidity. Bad attitude indeed.

Consistently sending the same players out to do the same job with the same poor results. After a surgeon loses two patients on the table does anyone else want to climb on the table and be next? Why continue to bat Andruw cleanup for so long? Why continue to make the same mistakes?

“Letting the players play” is how Bobby describes Bobby’s style. Expect nothing more at this point in Bobby’s career.

By Paladin

August 26, 2007 3:07 PM | Link to this

Speaking of groin-pullers: Where did all of these loud-mouthed-long-winded-self-righteous Muts mouthers come from today? Is it Bastille Day or something?

By N8

August 26, 2007 3:08 PM | Link to this

Joe Said It

Obviously by my last post, I agree with you (and Joe), about playingthe hot hands.

However, you said:

“Jo Jo is dealing with a favorable home plate ump today. That could be a BIG plus to the Braves chances.”

While in theory, I can’t disagree with you, byt let’s noy forget, Wainwright has the same luxury & he is the better pitcher…..

Advantage Cardinals, IMO.

Here’s a question for everybody:

Is the lineup better or worse with BOTH Chipper and Andruw out of the lineup?

On one hand, we’re without our best hitter. That always hurts. But on the other hand, we are without arguably our worst hitter, that not only CANNOT come up with the big hit, but is more likely to kill any and all rally’s with a strikeout or worse yet a double play.

From my angle, taking the two of them out of the lineup at the same time is a wash. :-)

No offense towards Chipper intended.

By Colin

August 26, 2007 3:09 PM | Link to this

Efirm

sorry but 2 innings o wow…i think i could pitch two good innings…

By Overlord

August 26, 2007 3:09 PM | Link to this

Cant believe my eyes……..just by saying positive positive positive, jojo is gonna go 4 IP of shutout ball…. That hurts anyways since sweep was not so far away then.

By Six Four Three

August 26, 2007 3:12 PM | Link to this

First of all, Carroll, great job with the blog. You and DOB makes a superb tandem—-I mean that! IMO, you can’t sit both Chipper and AJ unless they are both hurt. Chipper is the only one who qualifies as hurt, so give him some rest for that groin, but it makes no sense to also sit AJ—-especially since he’s started to heat up a bit. I’d vote for sitting Willie and replacing him with Diaz. By the way, AJ’s catch last night was sensational (very “Mayesque”).

By Joe Said It

August 26, 2007 3:13 PM | Link to this

Don’t want to be too negative…. but if Jo Jo has a good one with this ump today, it doesn’t mean we have found a solution! Most guys who will be calling Reyes’ games won’t have such a liberal strike zone.

But hey, maybe if he has a good one it will give him some confidence that will translate to better command in his next start, no matter who the ump is.

Or maybe not.

By Chop Chop

August 26, 2007 3:13 PM | Link to this

With all due respect to Judas Priest…

Atlanta Braves are slowly sinking, sinking further down

Deep inside, it’s so frustrating as we leave this town

Seems as if our playoff hopes are dwindling away

Chipper Jones done hurt his junk and cannot even play

Chorus

Tweakin’ a groin, tweakin’ a groin!

Tweakin’ a groin, tweakin’ a groin!

Tweakin’ a groin, tweakin’ a groin!

Tweakin’ a groin, tweakin’ a groin!

So much for division titles and the wild-card

All our hopes are dashed and broken. God, it seems so hard.

But we all know what that’s like and we will all pull through…

Chipper Jones pulled something else. Better ‘im than you.

Chorus

We all know what that’s like!

Chorus

Tweakin’ a groin!

By Colin

August 26, 2007 3:14 PM | Link to this

Overlord Yet again wait till the third time through

By Will

August 26, 2007 3:15 PM | Link to this

You know it would be really nice if this damn team could get Reyes a run or two of support when he is actually pitching okay. What a joke!

By N8

August 26, 2007 3:16 PM | Link to this

“With this strike zone, the game will be over in an hour and a half! But no complaints, umps calling it the same for both teams. Chris Reitsma or Mark Redman could be effective with this strike zone!”

You mean the way it’s SUPPOSED to be called according to the rule book? There lies the problem. MLB doesn’t WANT a game to be over in an hour and a half.

If they DID, they would re-raise the mound, call the strike zone the way it was meant to be called (letters and knees), ban ALL body armor, and NOT toss a pitcher for coming inside after being “warned”.

Make no mistake about it, no matter what congress or Bud Selig says, they LOVE the longball, because the causual fan that has no clue about the game likes the longball. Steroids whether anybody likes it or not, “saved” baseball in the average fan’s eyes, if one is to believe that the McGwire and Sosa HR chase of 98 “saved baseball” after the strike.

So, on that note, if you like the longball and 3.5 hour games, not only should you be AGAINST banning steroids, you should be for making them manditory. LOL!

By Overlord

August 26, 2007 3:18 PM | Link to this

Maybe woodward will make me look like genius. And bobby. hehehe.

By Joe Said It

August 26, 2007 3:20 PM | Link to this

N8

My reasoning for saying the strike zone favors the Braves was not so much that it actually “favors” the Braves.

What I meant is that Wainwright can throw strikes and be effective with a normal strike zone. Jo Jo hasn’t proven he can do that. So what I mean is that today’s matchup greatly favored a proven starter over a struggling rookie. The ump has to some degree negated that. So any advantage the Cards had on paper have been pretty much negated by the ump. Where the Braves shouldn’t have had a chance, now it’s a wash…. or at least has been through 4.

Oh yeah… any player who takes a close pitch with 2 strikes today should be benched!!!! If it doesn’t bounce, better be swinging!

By Colin

August 26, 2007 3:22 PM | Link to this

Woodcrap should be playing every day..he is a quality player

By Carroll Rogers

August 26, 2007 3:22 PM | Link to this

you guys are as bad as me….favorite female sportswriter question?! “so said athlete, how’s your groin?”

thx for the positive feedback. you guys must know i’m dragging a little bit and needed a pick-me-up to finish things off today. interesting stuff going on on the field too. looks as it jo-jo is prepared to take it to the hitters today. i have him with 13 pitches in the first inning, 12 in the second, 12 in the third, 14 in the fourth. that’s throwing some strikes.

By LT (double A blogger)

August 26, 2007 3:23 PM | Link to this

Woodward is still a Met!!! How is it possible that he wears a Braves uniform but still produces more for the Mets? Isn’t this breaking some fundamental law of physics?

By N8

August 26, 2007 3:24 PM | Link to this

Chop Chop

Now, THAT was funny. For added sound effects, during the middle of the song instead of police sirens, you could have the tornado sirens whaling, since this team is just like a bad storm. LOL!

By Kim

August 26, 2007 3:24 PM | Link to this

That is why I hate this team. Woodcrap can’t even put it in play, another failed bunt attempt.

And yet another guy at 2nd and not only does he not score, they can’t even advance him to 3rd.

Absolutely pitiful!

By Bernie

August 26, 2007 3:25 PM | Link to this

How About Woodward bunting and Reyes hitting away? That probably would’ve worked since Reyes is doing a pretty good job with the bat this year, and Woodward, what can I say.

By Six Four Three

August 26, 2007 3:25 PM | Link to this

Why is Woodward playing??? The guy simply can’t hit.

That’s it, I would like to hear of a 2 hour bunting drill for our lead off hitters and pitchers. Not being able to get a bunt down is ridiculous!!!!!

By Overlord

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

Colin This has been by far the best outing by jojo, no stress.

By Braveheart

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

You know it would be really nice if this damn team could get Reyes a run or two of support when he is actually pitching okay. What a joke!

Will, the offense averages over 6 runs a game for JoJo in his 6 starts and they are 0-6 because of his poor pitching. I’m not going to start having a pity party for JoJo any time soon. Maybe he is pitching well because the strike zone is so big which makes it harder for both teams to score?

By will

August 26, 2007 3:28 PM | Link to this

This lineup today is punchless. I agree with all about Willie Harris. The joy ride with him is over. Lets put that jerk off on the bench where he belongs.

By Colin

August 26, 2007 3:29 PM | Link to this

Told ya..thats all i can say..told ya…AVERAGE

By Overlord

August 26, 2007 3:29 PM | Link to this

Ok…….. ill try to say something POSITIVE about this team, i wont promise anything, ok??????

1 day later………..

Let me try harder………….

Come april…….

Lets see, new season, we are in first place

How is that for positivism???

By Steve from OH

August 26, 2007 3:32 PM | Link to this

Can we DFA Woodward now?

By Colin

August 26, 2007 3:33 PM | Link to this

I guess ill cheer for the Pirates to make a run..only 9 games out in the central..central is terrible never know..GO BUCOS

By KC

August 26, 2007 3:33 PM | Link to this

WHY THE F#@^ IS WOODWARD STILL ON THIS TEAM??????!!!!!!!!!!!

By journalist jimmy smith

August 26, 2007 3:34 PM | Link to this

Some nice songs on the blog today. journalist was thinking a little ray charles when hearing of chipper’s tweaked groin:

Ode to Chipper’s GROIN

(I can’t stop tweaking you)

Uh, I’ve made up my mind

To live in memory of the untweaked times

(I can’t stop tweaking you)

Uh, It’s useless to say

So I’ll just live my life with a tweak-ed groin

(With a tweak-ed groin)

Those happy hours that we once knew

Tho’ long ago, they still make me blue

They say that time heals a tweak-ed groin

But time has stood still since I hurt my loin

(I can’t stop tweaking you)

Uh, I’ve made up my mind

To live in memories of the untweaked times

(I can’t stop tweaking you)

Uh, It’s useless to say

So I’ll just live my life with a tweak-ed groooiiiinnnn

By Stephen

August 26, 2007 3:34 PM | Link to this

WOODWARD YOU ARE TERRIBLE

By Tomahawkin

August 26, 2007 3:34 PM | Link to this

Everytime Woodward starts that equals a loss, Why da hell r both Joneses out…we are in a middle of a pennant race damnit…you’re supposed to play hurt…Go Figure

By Tyler

August 26, 2007 3:35 PM | Link to this

Bobby doesn’t have Woodward bunt, and he strikes out. Bobby has Reyes bat now that there’s one out, and he strikes out. Willie can’t get a big hit either.

Then, just like that, the score is 3-0 Cardinals on Woodward’s error.

By Steve from OH

August 26, 2007 3:36 PM | Link to this

Good job by JoJo striking out Pujols there. Kid looks good today.

By Will

August 26, 2007 3:36 PM | Link to this

Chris Woodward, that stupid SOB!!! F***!!

By The Grinch

August 26, 2007 3:36 PM | Link to this

Over at mom’s today…she just watched that last run score and the subsequent next pitch in the dirt and goes “What time is that chilren’s game on?” LLWS it is, mom; Go Warner Robbins! :-)

Chop Chop, that was classic.

By bravesfan

August 26, 2007 3:37 PM | Link to this

If Woodward makes that play it’s only 1 to 0. They need to get rid of Woodward, he is useless.

By Rodger

August 26, 2007 3:38 PM | Link to this

Well, we have as many homers as bunts today —0!!

Why not have pitchers hit instead of Woodcrap? I thought last nite they should have left Huddy in for that & he surprised me, but miracles happen so rarely…

By Will

August 26, 2007 3:38 PM | Link to this

Braveheart, At least two of the games in your stat you gave me were the Hou home game and Arz road game. Granted Reyes pitched awful, but they hung up a ton of runs both games after he left. And of course lost both in extra innings. I have no sympathy for Reyes at all its just frustrating the s** out of me cause they cant put anything together.

By TexasBrave

August 26, 2007 3:39 PM | Link to this

Who was it that was discussing what having Chipper and AJ out of the lineup today? Offense may be a wash, but defense I think has already suffered. Chipper makes that play every time. And with AJ in center Diaz doesn’t have to play so far over.

By Overlord

August 26, 2007 3:39 PM | Link to this

Wow….Wainwright knows how to bunt, so that makes me think the problem is not the farm system teaching our kids how to play.

Maybe they pay attention to it in st louis.

BTW………bobby……you are responsible for todays lose…….keeping woodward on this team is your fault. Starting him also is…. You are the only that deserves so much misery, not braves players nor braves fans.

The guy cant hit, cant field, cant do sheeeet……. if he is a major leaguer my dog could win a spot in the lineup also.

Guess the braves in general gave up already, no other explanation to see woodward on the field….

I tried to be positive ant think he would do something good and take advantage of the oportunity……. wronggggggggggggggggggg…… he is no MLB player…… period. I think Muts are still paying him to do some damage to us.

By ssiscribe

August 26, 2007 3:39 PM | Link to this

Way to go Woodward. Why is this guy even on a major-league roster after the way he has struggled this season.

Wow … Jo Jo’s starting to get the breaking ball up, and AW’s got out of two jams.

Wow … the wild-card leader is losing by 13 runs and it looks like we’re not going to be able to take advantage.

Wow. This sucks (at least AW is pitching well; four pitches, two outs in the top of the sixth as the road to October continues to get steadily steeper).

The Scribe abides.

—30—

By KC

August 26, 2007 3:40 PM | Link to this

Chris Woodward can’t hit, he hasn’t been sharp in the field since coming to Atlanta… so WHY IS HE HERE??!!!!!!

Woodward needs to be out the door TONIGHT!!!!!!!

By Colin

August 26, 2007 3:41 PM | Link to this

LETS GO BUCS LETS GO BUCS

By Will

August 26, 2007 3:42 PM | Link to this

This team is rolling over right before our eyes. Its f*** laughable. Mark Texieria is arguably having the best August in major league baseball and the Bravos still totally suck, this is unbelievable. Braves are 2-4 on this trip, counting todays loss because we all know come the 6th if these boys are trailing they mail it in.

By Chipper's Groin

August 26, 2007 3:43 PM | Link to this

Thanks for the day off Chippy. I’m feeling better sitting over here in the dugout.

Bad about Woody striking out with 2 on and no one out. Also bad about Woody booting the ball at third and extending the inning and another run. Hey Chippy, never mind that by not playing today you just as well said you think the Braves are done so you may as well sit.

By N8

August 26, 2007 3:44 PM | Link to this

Joe said it

I hear what you are saying. But if Wainwright CAN throw strikes and be effective, with what you call a “normal” strike zone, it just makes him that much MORE effective if the zone is expanded. Especially with that curveball of his. If the hitters have to “expand” their zone, that pitch will be devastating. Or have you forgotten about the Livian Hernandez game in the 97 NLCS?

Having said all of that, it doesn’t matter what the strike zone is, if our hitters continue to swing at the first pitch every other AB.

But like I said, I get your arguement. It was a valid point, just giving you some crap.

By The Big Liebowski

August 26, 2007 3:44 PM | Link to this

At any rate it’s nice to see Jo-Jo Reyes pitch well at this level , he gives hope for the future of the starting pitching. 1-0 Braves , let’s go boys , take two out of three from the Cardinals !

By Drill Instructor

August 26, 2007 3:44 PM | Link to this

Your groin hurts? Well, turd, after I put my foot about 14 inches up your (expletive deleted)you won’t even know you have a groin.

By Six Four Three

August 26, 2007 3:45 PM | Link to this

Obviously, TEX is a big time hitter. Wow, a nice 2 out hit and RBI by McCann. Great timing as the Reyes needed some support. McCann has been terrific all year, but definitely needs some time off and rest. Catching everyday in this heat has got to take its tool. Did you hear the ump hell “shut up, just shut up” to BC after all the barking from the dugout after he blew that check swing by Frenchy???

By The Big Liebowski

August 26, 2007 3:46 PM | Link to this

3-1 Cardinals ! , I missed a half inning and though the Braves were up 1-0.

By Overlord

August 26, 2007 3:46 PM | Link to this

Take it easy will if it was not for harris, we could be some 15 games behind the muts. Thats a fact. He is struggling lately. The problem is with people that has done nothing……..only superstars perform all year long……. jeff is, brian is, carlyle is, soriano was, cant blame him. Plus he is a platoon player, he did a lot by staying sharp as he did not played everyday.

AJ, Woodward and thorman those you can blame and the 5th spot and james.

Noone else there is to blame.

By journalist jimmy smith

August 26, 2007 3:47 PM | Link to this

oh, the humanity! bobby is in bobby’s nose today! deep in the nose. carroll, be advised that bobby cox is picking in the dugout.

let’s see, can’t bunt, can’t play abc, can’t get the big hit - but can pick with the best of them.

woodward needs to develop a bad attitude so we can get woodward off this team.

now, why can’t they bunt? this team practices putting in the clubhouse - not bunting.

By Braveheart

August 26, 2007 3:50 PM | Link to this

You know things are something awful when you read Scribe being as negative as he was at 3:39. You just never see him do that. That is how ridiculous and frustrating this is getting. Weren’t we just like 2.5 games out of first?

By Will

August 26, 2007 3:50 PM | Link to this

I think the Braves organization should do Mark Tex a favor and let him go, he is too good of a player to get worn down by this team. He has not been tainted yet by the Braves mentality. Do the guy a favor. He is too good to be on this team. He is the only guy who is not gonna roll over. Chipper is battling, but he will roll over injured and that is no surprise.

By Adam Wainwright

August 26, 2007 3:51 PM | Link to this

Anybody miss me yet?

By bill

August 26, 2007 3:51 PM | Link to this

Jo Jo is not doing bad, only 2

By Yars

August 26, 2007 3:52 PM | Link to this

Why in the hell is Woodward on the 25 man roster? The guy sucks. I’d take Prado any day over Woodward. Cardinals winning 4-1 6th inning. Game over. Jo Jo will lose this game, yet Bobby will keep pitching him every 5 days. I can’t say I blame him. No post season on the horizon. I agree with a lot of you, until Bobby Cox is not the manager, maybe then the Braves will have a chance at the post season again. The guy doesn’t know how to manage. I’m so sick of him praising every player. That’s getting really old. Braves could get blown out 20-0, & Bobby will say nothing but positive things about his players. When Bobby retires, which I kinda hope is after the season, the Braves need to get a Rick Pitino-Billy Martin-Sparky Anderson type manager, not a Terry Pendelton type. I like people who tell it like it is. It’s not that they’re trying to be mean spirited, they’re just being brutally honest. I’m sick of Bobby sugarcoating everything. These players are over-paid grown men, not over-sensitive babies. Bobby was blessed with good teams in the 1990’s, when the payroll didn’t matter. Looks like a 3rd place finish this season. The Braves only goal now is to try to at least finish the regular season above .500. Being the optimist that I am, I’ll give it another game or 2. If the Braves don’t sweep the Marlins, that’s it. I will not watch another Braves game again this season. What would be the point? Just think, the Phillies are killing the Padres. If we had won this game, then only 3 back in the wildcard. I really hope Schuerholz addresses the starting rotation after the season. What the hell was he thinking this season? The trade for Tex was good, but why didn’t he do anything about the starting rotation? I said it before, & I’ll say it again, a starting rotation of Smoltz, Hudson, James, Carlyle, Jo Jo/Cormier will NOT get you into the playoffs. Live & learn, eh Schuerholz?

By Overlord

August 26, 2007 3:52 PM | Link to this

I cant understand, if prado was in the minors why the hell did we get woodward for? At least Orr is a good fielder. This guy is plain bad. I prefer orr, he is just bad, not the worst of the 2.

Bobby….. watch the ship sink…… i know you know its your fault.

Cant wait for the day he is gone.

By Braveheart

August 26, 2007 3:52 PM | Link to this

Fair enough Will

By Will

August 26, 2007 3:54 PM | Link to this

Overlord, So you are saying if not for Willie Harris the braves would be 8 further games behind the Mets, uhhhhhhh okay??

SixFourThree, Yeah i heard that. I posted earlier today about how it is starting to get embarrassing how much whining the braves are doing. Right or wrong i am tired of it, they cant take anything quietly.

By Chipper's Groin

August 26, 2007 3:55 PM | Link to this

Hey Chippy….. man why don’t we take a few more days off? It won’t matter dude. You play, you hit, we still don’t win. You go three for 4 and a couple of ribbies and your pitcher can’t hold.

C’mon Chippy…. doesn’t this feel good? We’re making big money to sit here!

Wonder if we can knock back a few cold ones while we’re sitting here in the dugout? Maybe no one will notice. Be great if we could. Wonder if Andy’s shoulder could sneak a few in?

By Chief Bromden

August 26, 2007 3:55 PM | Link to this

Chief not like these “Braves”. They sit in the teepee when their peepee hurts. Should be taking scalps or tearing up sinks.

By Braveheart

August 26, 2007 3:56 PM | Link to this

JJS Your 3:47 was my favorite of yours. I’m still laughing. As DOB would say, that one needs to be saved for posterity and hilarity.

By Lew

August 26, 2007 3:57 PM | Link to this

Trolls-I’m going to post this one more time, in VERY simple language so all of you Mets’ Trolls can understand it for once and for all. THIS IS A BRAVES’ WEBSITE. Do you have that? Is it possible for y’all to understand this? Is it possibly within the realm of your meager capacity for understanding? WE DO NOT LIKE THE METS. Do you understand THIS? Can you get down with it? Can it be assimilated by that which passes in your stupid brains for cognition? If the Mets were to go 110-52, scored more runs than any team in baseball history and had five bona fide Cy Young Candidates and the Braves LOST 110 games, we would still say that the Mets suck. They are Mets. By definition, the Mets suck. We are Braves fans-no matter how badly the Braves may perform, the Braves will never suck. Do you understand THIS. We really don’t care what you do or how well you do it. We don’t care if Del Gado has a bad season. We don’t care if peeing on his hands makes Moises a better hitter, or puts him on the DL with weird skin conditions. We don’t care if Pedro Martinez ever pitches in another ML ballgame or not. Makes absolutely no difference to us. It matters not a bit if Beltran hits 75 Home Runs, or pees his pants every time he sees a curveball. WE ARE BRAVES’ FANS. Getting the picture here? We don’t give a damn how many bases Jose Reyes steals or if he sprains his ankle and misses two months. We just don’t care, any more than you care what Chipper Jones names his next son.

Now y’all come to our blog and spout crap to us on a consistent basis. Y’all have done this for the two+ years that I’ve been posting here. It may be under different names, like last year’s NL Champs (just how did THAT one work out?), or NL East, or Anders, MetroMan (though he doesn’t talk too much trash), The Drooling Idiot (why do y’all let him live? Please don’t let him reproduce-for your own good as well as ours), Mets Fan In Atl, and NoBrainZone, but the message remains the same. You want our approval for some esoteric or perverse reason, though none of us can figure out why, or for that matter, really care why. You come here and talk your crap and then wonder why no one cares what you think. You constantly seek our agreement on your feelings about the Mets. You constantly ask for our acknowledgement of the Mets success or lack thereof.

It’s about time y’all came to the realization that we aren’t going to sit here and praise the Mets. Exactly why we should remains shrouded in mystery-a veritable enigma of modern sports. As we’ve stated numerous times in the past-WE’RE BRAVES’ FANS. We don’t like the Mets. We are not Mets’ fans-not now, not ever. Can y’all possibly grasp this concept? If it’s agreement you want. If it’s acknowledgment of the Mets’ accomplishments you want. If it’s praise you desire. GO TO A MET’S SITE. Maybe you will find this acknowledgment among others who actually give a damn about the Mets. I guarantee this-you aren’t going to find what you desire on this blog. We don’t like the Mets. Y’all can go and be imploded with that substandard rat hole of a stadium, for all we care, or go to live in one of the adjacent auto body shops. Just leave and take that stupid flipping apple in the outfield with you. Good riddance.

By Overlord

August 26, 2007 3:58 PM | Link to this

It doesnt matter….. JD Drew will hit a Grand slam off wianwright next inning.

By TennesseePaul

August 26, 2007 3:58 PM | Link to this

Woodward sucks. Been saying that since day 1. Why is he still on the team? Because he can suck at all 4 infield positions. I don’t like Marteen much but I’d rather have him on the team than Woodward.

No Joneses in the line up… The Braves are giving up. They have no pitching. You can’t trade for pitching. And there will be no pitching to sign this offseason. The good news is, AJ is the only pending free agent in the starting line up. So perhaps we can focus on securing the line up with long term contracts to players such as KJ and Francoeur. Teixeira too if he’s interested. But honestly, I get the impression Teixeira is playing for the money. I expect him to walk in free agency after next off season.

One thing Bravos… Sign off on the season if you must, but you better damn well show up to play the Mets and Phillies.

By Braveheart

August 26, 2007 4:03 PM | Link to this

Well, hot diggety damn, someone give Lew a Wurlitzer for his rant against the Mets losers.

By Overlord

August 26, 2007 4:05 PM | Link to this

Will all im saying willie gave the braves as much as anyone around except for chipper and tex. Did you already forget the HR he stole? We won lots of games because of him, you have not been watching if you cant accept that.

By Steve

August 26, 2007 4:06 PM | Link to this

As is the case with Bobby Cox, he often bunts when he shouldn’t and doesn’t bunt when he should.

Is it just me in thinking that it was beyond obvious that Woodward should have been bunting in that situation with a decent hitting pitcher on deck?

I’d be very surprised if Cox’s IQ was much above 100, if even that high. Cox has been killing this team with one dumb tactical decision after another. They seem to be coming on a near daily basis now.

But that will continue into next year unless the Braves get a high IQ bench coach to advise Cox on tactics and strategy.

I think the Braves won all those years during the regular season because relatively few games came down to tactics and strategy, though the Braves weren’t so lucky in post season as tactics and strategy were needed in a far higher percentage of those such games.

But now that there is a lot more parity among the teams, and that the Braves don’t have the deep pitching as in the past, far more games during the regular season are coming down to tactics and strategy. And Bobby Cox is one of the worst managers in the game, if not the worst, in being able to analyze a situation and think several moves ahead. I suspect that John Schuerholz must know this, but what can he do?

By Will

August 26, 2007 4:08 PM | Link to this

I find last innings outs so fitting. Woodward, Thorman and Big Willie Styles all go down in flames right in a row. Freaking hilarious!

By Overlord

August 26, 2007 4:10 PM | Link to this

Something positive about all this losing. We wont have to worry anymore…. we can watch the games more relaxed, hahaha.

By will

August 26, 2007 4:13 PM | Link to this

Overlord, At this point i look at Willie Harris homerun saving catch as delaying the inevitable. I was irate after that catch that it came to that point in the game. I didnt feel much excitement that you should feel after winning a game like that.

By Chipper's Groin

August 26, 2007 4:13 PM | Link to this

Pretty cool how things work. Bobby decides to go with 13 pitchers and sends Prado back. Short on position guys.

Chippy (my daddy) decides to take a few days off so Woody can play third.

At least Prado was hitting when he was up.

Seems like everything Bobby touches turns to ….. well you know…. it ain’t gold.

By Big Ed

August 26, 2007 4:13 PM | Link to this

What’s the difference. Andruw has taken most of the season off anyway.

By Mz Manures

August 26, 2007 4:13 PM | Link to this

Darlins, I have an urgent message for all of you with wee ones. The Toy Lounge has recalled all Chris Woodward Bobble Head Dolls. It seems that the heads were installed facing forward, instead of backward as they should have been for authenticity.

You may return them, or work out your frustrations and twist them off and stuff them back on yourself.

                      Ta ta

By bill

August 26, 2007 4:15 PM | Link to this

AJ needs to take the rest of season off. Jo Jo getting better. 6In. 2ER 0 walks 6 K’s Why don’t they go ahead and release Woodward and Harris bring up more prospects. They couldn’t be no worse. This team is a mystery.

By Overlord

August 26, 2007 4:18 PM | Link to this

Steve i must applaud your post. 100% accurate.

By N8

August 26, 2007 4:19 PM | Link to this

You guys can keep b!tching all you want. But that pitch to Thorman, by definition of the strike zone…WAS A STRIKE.

Even if it wasn’t, or hasn’t been consistantly called (which today, it has been), it was too close to take. He’s gotta at least fight it off there. Which is why Scott Thorman will end up being your classic AAAA player. Too good for the minors, not good enough up here.

THIS JUST IN….

Woodward STILL sucks.

I was just trolling on the old blog (checking in on some responses to my latenight posts from last night), and noticed somebody (forgot who already), made a comment saying that these losses are NOT Bobby’s fault because one can’t “make chicken salad out of chicken sh!t”

I couldn’t disagree more as far as the bench and the “use” of the guys in the lineup is concerned. Maybe, just a little, I’ll conceed that the pitching isn’t his fault. But when you’ve got a guy like Diaz hitting .343 that constantly sits on the bench, and a guy like Willie Harris struggling in the leadoff spot THAT can be changed. When your best “option” (and I use that word loosely) to replace Chipper at 3B when he needs a day off is Woodward, THAT is Bobby’s fault. When you CAN’T give McCann a day off with Chipper and Andruw out of the lineup, because you need his bat (or A bat in the lineup), and you have a guy in Brayan Pena hitting .300 with 6 HR and 47 RBI for Richmond, who’s career big league numbers aren’t all that great but better than Corky Miller’s .193 lifetime BA, THAT is Bobby’s problem. When Scott Thorman is kept on the roster because he is “out of options”, yet he is of NO HELP to this team whatsover THAT is Bobby’s problem.

The lineup of regulars for this team is as good as ANY team in baseball (if they are put in spots of the batting order in which they can and have succeeded), but anybody knows that the bench is what seperates the men from the boys, not only in the post season, but in the regular season as well. Having said that, this is quite possibly the WORST bench that a Braves team has had since before the 14 straight division title streak began.

So for everybody blaming the pitching (justified, IMO), let’s not forget how many games this bench has cost us this year by being pathetic, and that adjective is considerably nicer than the one that I would like to use but would get blocked by the censors of this blog.

Ask yourself the question, who decided/decides who makes up our bench. Then you’ll have the answer as to why this team has struggled to win close games, along with the shoddy pitching of course.

By Will

August 26, 2007 4:19 PM | Link to this

I will save us all the trouble of reading the morning newspaper tommorow.

bobby cox: “Jo-Jo really had tough luck, blah blah blah, pitched great they just found holes, etc…”

Chipper Jones: “Its sore, i just hope i can get back out there tommorow, even though theoreitcally it doesnt matter cause i am destined to tweak something again soon enough”

Jeff Francoeur: “Its gut check time. I think this next week of games will really show us if we are in this. Its time to get going. Wait, didnt i say that last week and we went 2-4. Crap!”

Brian Mccann: see Francoeur quote

By Braves MO

August 26, 2007 4:21 PM | Link to this

This team has a businesslike clubhouse.

This team has pride.

This team had 14 consecutive division titles.

Sadly, this team has no heart.

By Will

August 26, 2007 4:23 PM | Link to this

Overlord, In theory i agree about relaxing, but the sad part is in this mess of a NL these jokers are not gonna be out of it for several more weeks.

By Overlord

August 26, 2007 4:25 PM | Link to this

where has all that 2out RBI magic gone? they cant get an RBI even if given 5 outs in an inning.

By Metropolitan Man

August 26, 2007 4:25 PM | Link to this

Here we go again. One of the loyal bloggers falls off the deep end becasue the braves are a non factor (at this point) and obnoxious METS fans are returning his venom he spewed before the season started.
LEW:, its ok to be upset and I know the “I told you so”, Mets fans are giving it to you in full doses. But you and some bloggers did deserve the nastiness becasue no matter if the braves are winning or losing, we know you hate the METS and made that point clear. Dude, dont you know us METS fans feel the same way and thats ONE of the reasons METS fans take pride in your demise and even more pride when you have to write a story saying “Leave Us Alone”. Even the predictions you made that came true still didnt help the braves. Maybe instead of predicting how bad our pitchers would be after over- achieveing, you should have wished starters 3, 4, 5, A. Jones, and a bench would have achieved minimal success this season. I have actully come to respect some braves FANS here who tell it like it is, but then there are the ones who talk hella trash, but cant take it…especially when they no longer have a leg to stand on. Predictions aside, if you hated the METS before, you are really hating a playoff bound METS team even more. If you hated the braves, well lets just say they dont look so bad and mean anymore. The only sad thing about this season is possibly losing the season series to the braves and end up owing GRINCH. That may not be so bad becasue I will have some rooting to do in OCT, while all braves fans will root against the METS.
So have a good day braves fans, dont let LEW’s attitude stop you from socializing with good METS fans because the otherS are still trying to catch up on 14 years of frustration. It may take a while for all of them to get it out of their system.

Heres to sweeping the L.A>

LETS GO METS!!!!

PS Arguing balls and strikes just makes you a target of the Umpires and makes the team look whiny!!!

By N8

August 26, 2007 4:27 PM | Link to this

How many F#%!ING called third strikes on close pitches are we gonna take today, and then COMPLAIN about it????

I’ll hand it to Bobby, one thing he teaches his team to do well, is complain and whine. If that were a stat that showed up in the leaderboards, we’d have AT LEAST 3 of the Top Ten in that category.

Unreal.

The ball 3 pitch to McCann was too close to take, the ump flinched and decided to call it a ball. He got lucky. THEN the strike 3 pitch got more of the plate and he gets rung up and stands and whines about it.

Classic. Swing the DAMN BATS. You never know what might happen. Quite possibly some contact if you play your cards right.

By Braves MO

August 26, 2007 4:28 PM | Link to this

It’s now official! Even the hanger oners have to face the facts! This team is simply not one of the best teams in the NL! No longer will it flush to say they were beaten by an inferior team! No longer should it be accepted that they are playing in tough luck!

They are playing to their level, which is mediocre at best.

They are DONE!

By Stu

August 26, 2007 4:30 PM | Link to this

Bryan Pena has somehow become sort of a legend despite himself, hasn’t he? For his major league career, he’s hitting .223, with a .245 OBP, and a .320 SLG. Corky Miller is not much better, but is better defensively. Pena is a very good minor league hitter, but has shown nothing, offensively or defensively, at the majors.

And I think Jo-Jo DID pitch very well today, for whatever it’s worth. 6 IP, 0 walks, 6 K’s, and 2 earned… hope he can build off that.

By Mark

August 26, 2007 4:30 PM | Link to this

Ok, I’m not living in a fantasy world anymore. WE ARE DONE. NO WILD CARD or anything else this year. I hope in 4 weeks someone can laugh at me for giving up before September, but we have way to many holes to be a real contender this year.

By Chop Chop

August 26, 2007 4:31 PM | Link to this

I was looking at ESPN.com’s home page and saw this headline:

“American Gay grabs gold in 100 meters at worlds”

Oddly enough, the AP chose a slightly less interesting headline:

“After slow start, Gay surpasses Powell to win gold in 100 meters”

I guess there’s just no good way to write that one.

By Emeril

August 26, 2007 4:32 PM | Link to this

This team has had too many “frenchies”, “chippers” and “salties”; how about some “health food” like a “rutabaga”? Bam!

By Mark

August 26, 2007 4:32 PM | Link to this

Can someone tell me if Joey Devine has ever gotten someone out??? I can’t remember when if he has.

By Will

August 26, 2007 4:32 PM | Link to this

Braves MO, Sadly i agree, i am not sure this team has ever had much heart. Thats why they got sent home by inferior teams time after time in the playoffs. They play baseball like they have a “right” to win and now they are not even good enough to fight through that mentality in the regular season.

By The Grinch

August 26, 2007 4:33 PM | Link to this

Y’all, that LLWS game is pretty danged good so far. Georgia just tied it up 2-2 in the 2nd and the crowd is chanting “USA! USA!” I’ll keep you posted.

By Tomahawkin' Again

August 26, 2007 4:34 PM | Link to this

What the last 2 years have done is made me long so much for those horrible, “all we do is win the divison” seasons, doesn’t it? Our fate was sealed in spring training when Hampton’s arm imploded again. #1 in the off-season agenda for the ‘08 season: starting pitching. #2, starting pitching. #3, you get the idea. If the answer is Chuck James is your #3 starter, then I don’t care too much for the question.

By N8

August 26, 2007 4:37 PM | Link to this

NICE JOB by Devine to get out of that mess after the leadoff walk.

THAT is what that kid can do with his live arm, if he harnesses the control.

If he has a good month and a half for the remainder of the season, he could be a BIG addition to this club’s bullpen next year.

See. That’s what this team has me doing in August. Looking towards next year.

Gotta find a silver lining in everything, I guess.

By Will

August 26, 2007 4:37 PM | Link to this

N8, you are absolutely right about Bobby, i posted that on the last blog earlier today, it is becoming ridiculous and these guys all learn from the best. Bobby will never tell them to sit down and shut the f*** up cause he doesnt do it. The whining is becoming embarrassing. The Braves are a joke and notorious for whining to all of my friends who are fans of other teams. As i also said earlier it is a FACT that the Braves got 6 inches off the strike zone for years with the Big 3 pitchers. I am a die hard braves fan, but dont have a damn bit of sympathy for them.

By jch

August 26, 2007 4:40 PM | Link to this

So, now that this season is over (has been since June in my opinion), what moves should be made in the offseason?

The offense next year should be fantastic - even if we lose Andruw.

The questions in my book are

Diaz/Harris

Escobar/Rentaria

Does Harris move over a slot and play center? We’d lose alot of power and who knows if this year wasn’t a fluke for him. Is he really a consistent .300 hitter???

If not, I think he’s trade material - even if he’s a really good “local boy” story.

Diaz needs to prove he can hit lefties and he gets the LF job in my opinion.

The big question is Renteria/Escobar. Yunel would be fantastic to have sitting on the bench to back up Chipper, Renteria and Johnson but I’d hate to see those numbers and his glove spending more time on the pine than the field.

Pitching has the potential, just like this year, to be incredible.

If we get everyone back and healthy that is.

1-3 would be set and the bullpen should be solid as well. The only question marks are 4 & 5…

What do you guys think?

By MEB

August 26, 2007 4:40 PM | Link to this

If you wanna hang out you’ve got to take yourself out; I tweaked-a-groin,

If you wanna sit down, down on the bench; I tweaked-a-groin,

I don’t lie, I don’t lie, I don’t lie; I tweaked-a-groin.

If your teams got the blues, you wanna kick them blues; I tweaked-a-groin,

When your day is done and you and cannot run; I tweaked-a-groin,

I don’t lie, I don’t lie, I don’t lie; I tweaked-a-groin.

If your seasons done and you don’t wanna play on; I tweaked-a-groin,

Don’t forget to stretch, you’ll feel like a wreck; I tweaked-a-groin,

I don’t lie, I don’t lie, I don’t lie; I tweaked-a-groin.

By The Grinch

August 26, 2007 4:42 PM | Link to this

N8, if we played the cards right, we’d be ahead right now. (rim shot). Thank you, thank you; I’ll be here all week.

MetroMan, if I do win the bet I’ll buy the beer with it if we can watch a football game instead. :-) I think Lew was mainly getting ill with the other Mets fans: NCZ, Drool Tool and BravesDave.

By Head Rat

August 26, 2007 4:42 PM | Link to this

All you rats that are abandoning the Braves ship, please go to your pre-assigned lifeboat stations where 1st Officer Jim Mora is in charge.

BOATS? BOATS? There are no boats, you vermin. Now jump!!

By Efrim

August 26, 2007 4:43 PM | Link to this

I can’t believe we are 67-64 after this game. Really think about that.

We were 50-42 after that Pittsburgh series and riding high.

Then we went 2-5 against the Reds and Cardinals, which effectively ended our momentum that we had gathered after winning 12 of 16.

Last Sunday, we were 65-59, hoping to gain some ground on the Mets and Padres while they were in the midst of a tough stretch.

Again we go 2-5 against the Reds and Cardinals to end our season. And yes folks, our season is over barring a complete collaspe from the Mets or Padres.

Because we would have to go 20-11 to finish the season. It just isn’t going to happen.

By Metropolitan Man

August 26, 2007 4:44 PM | Link to this

Question????
Why couldnt I get any good tickets to next weekends METS-braves series??? Is it more METS fans showing up to turn the Ted out, or is it braves fans coming out to gives METS fans a hard time. I couldnt beleive it, that lets me know the real fans havent given up or METS fans have taken over. I would have a new respect if the Ted was full of bravos fans willing their team on as opposed to just mailing it in for the rest of the season. Anyway hope to see some of you guys there, 1st round is on me!!!

By Mark

August 26, 2007 4:44 PM | Link to this

Tomahawkin………..Even though it has been frustrating lately……….no I don’t want to go back to those “all we do is win the division days.” If we make the playoffs, I want to feel like we have a real shot to go all the way. Sadly we don’t have that kind of team this year.

By Overlord

August 26, 2007 4:45 PM | Link to this

Next jojo outing will be a 8-10 loss and he will last 3 innings, but hey….. will score lots of runs Go Bravos!!!!!!!!!!

By Will

August 26, 2007 4:46 PM | Link to this

There is one for the road for good ole Woody!! This game could have been totally different today if this guy doesnt make the error to allow the second run. Screw you Woodward.

By uga-brave

August 26, 2007 4:47 PM | Link to this

n-8 ,

payroll is probably the the biggest culprit here. braves are like one of those cheesy kit cars, look geat from a distance but once you really look at the colllective work ugh.

nice job FRANCOUER, down three in the ninth and you swing at the first pitch, note to self, cant hit a three run homerun with nobody on base. what the heck you dont hit homers anyway.

By N8

August 26, 2007 4:47 PM | Link to this

Chop Chop

“I guess there’s just no good way to write that one.”

How about just write what his name is, and state that he won?

Back to baseball.

How fitting is it, that Woodward is the final hitter in today’s game? (sigh)

If I hear Chip say that Woodward is “swinging the bat really well”, one more time I’m gonna drive to Atlanta and smack him in the head with a bat. Fortunately for Chip, I emulate my batting stance after Andruw Jones, so more than likely, I won’t make contact.

By Six Four Three

August 26, 2007 4:48 PM | Link to this

The announcers actually just said that Woodward “has had three good at bats today, and is swinging the bat well”. This after a foul ball to left field. I didn’t realize that 0 for 3 with a K is a good day at the plate. It’s embarrassing that they are making excuses for him. The fact is that Woodward is a weak hitting utility player who is simply average in the field.

By southbeachdietfreak

August 26, 2007 4:48 PM | Link to this

This team is as dead as dead can be…

I can’t believe living in an out-of-market area that I was so excited to see this team play…

One of their big question marked starters has a reasonably good game, and the lineup can’t produce.

Hard to believe this team has a winning record.

By The Big Liebowski

August 26, 2007 4:49 PM | Link to this

This game is a tale of two teams headed in opposite directions. The Cardinals are winning and getting back into the playoff picture. The Braves are choking and playing their way right out of the playoff picture.

By Talk About Next Year

August 26, 2007 4:52 PM | Link to this

TA

I agree. If Chucky is your #3 starter again next year, it just says the Braves will again be a disappointment with no chance to make the playoffs. The Braves can’t afford to go into the spring counting on Hampton. They have to address this Winter with the assumption being that Hampton will not be there. Just as soon as the Braves count on Hampton, he’ll throw a shoe or something. If he’s healthy, then it’s gravy! If he isn’t, then they will have a rotation without him. I cringe to think that the Braves won’t address their starting pitching this Winter. Remember this spring? Smoltz and Huddy smokin! Cormier unhittable! Davies throwing like we knew he could! Carlyle, what a find! Just not enough room for him on the big league roster! We got more starting pitching than we know what to do with!!!! Spring can fool ya can’t it???

I think Edgar’s high ankle sprain sealed his fate. The Braves have few trading chips to get starting pitching. Edgar may be the only real chip they have. His absence has proven that Yunel can play every day. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Edgar dealt for a number 3. Now who would that be? Who knows but Edgar’s performance this season is worthy of at least a number 3.

By Lew

August 26, 2007 4:52 PM | Link to this

MetroDude-No I’m upset because of the continued abuse heaped on us by NoBrainZone and Y’all’s Troll denizens. Go to the last blog and check out NoBrainZone, MetsFanInAtl and some other moronic Mets’ Troll’s posts. That’s where you will find the motivation for my rant. I’m certainly not thrilled with the Braves’ recent performance. Quite honestly, they haven’t found their gonads and I’m not even sure where they lost them. There has been no fire or sense of urgency to their play. See, I can acknowledge our deficiencies. I just have little love for the Mets or their Trolls. But, whatever. I couldn’t put it any more plainly for you in that post. Don’t tell me your brain is as mushy as the rest of those Neanderthals you associate with in Metsland. Must be the fumes from Moises hand treatment getting to you. Or perhaps the whiff you are getting from Beltrn’s wet pants.

By Ed Grimley

August 26, 2007 4:54 PM | Link to this

We’re as doomed as doomed can be!!!

By Braveheart

August 26, 2007 4:56 PM | Link to this

10-27 with JoJo, Redman, Davies, Cormier, Larew.

3-17 with JoJo, Redman, Cormier, Larew.

0-7 with JoJo.

1-4 with Cormier

1-4 with Redman

1-2 with Larew

‘nuff said.

By Lew

August 26, 2007 4:58 PM | Link to this

Mark Fein just mentioned the Braves fighting for the Wild Card. Damn! That’s just the problem. There has been no fight. Their play is so lackluster, even I’m becoming skeptical of their chances. Ive also got to agree with Nathan. Next year that bench MUST be improved. This year’s is a joke.

By N8

August 26, 2007 4:59 PM | Link to this

jch

“Diaz needs to prove he can hit lefties and he gets the LF job in my opinion.”

Uh….OK.

I’ll assume you meant RHP, not lefties.

But even so, 2007 vs. RHP: 37 hits in 114 AB’s for a .325 batting average. This year just a fluke, you say?

For his career vs. RHP, he has 97 hits in 312 AB’s, for a .311 BA.

WHAT MORE DOES THE GUY HAVE TO DO????

Give the guy an everyday job already.

If you were actually talking about LHP, then I should’ve ignored you, because that would be silly as per his .328 lifetime BA against lefties (.357 in 2007).

By Metropolitan Man

August 26, 2007 4:59 PM | Link to this

Are you talking NFL football GRINCH???? You know I root for the Giants and Saints and I know you surley couldnt be a FalcanTs fan…anymore at least????

Anyway I would be a LEW if the show was on the other foot but he did ask for these repsonse when he blasted early and often on the METS. Now his personal attackts to those bloggers are a little justified. Sometimes I wonder when they will tone it down and just accept a METS win and a braves lost, then I thinks about how the number 14 was rammed down out throats!!!! Karma has returned to Queens, and the Piazza’s, Leiters, and Francos (Julio and John) and overprice junk is no longer here!!!

By Ron

August 26, 2007 5:02 PM | Link to this

I think it is over!!! I said I was gonna wait until the END of the month, referring to the Very last day, but this is close enough!!! This will be the FIRST time that I say this but season over!!! No way we can lose 5 of 7 to the Reds and Cards!!! No way!!! And the Marlins dominate us this year, and we got them next!!! Just wondering, have not looked it up, but I think the LAST series that we won was in NY!!! It is pure crap that we GET UP for those games and Apparently dont get up for these crappy team games!!! I dont know WHAT the problem is!!! Teams are NOT scared of the Braves like they USED to be!!! Teams WANT to face us NOW!!! In the Future we gotta get our edge back!!! Dont know how but we have to!!! Im still gonna watch the Braves, but no way we will win the Wildcard now!!! Whats gonna change in 5 weeks? And EVEN if it does change who do we HONESTLY think that we will beat in the Playoffs even IF we own the damn Mets?

By LT (double A blogger)

August 26, 2007 5:02 PM | Link to this

Met Man, an actual Met fan with a little class. I like it. I still hate the Mets but you’re alright.

In all honesty, there is a small part of me that is happy the Mets will make the playoffs. It gives me a team to root for (being the opposing team of the Mets) as far as they go. I couldn’t really care less bout the Fish or Phils.

The Braves season is done. Maybe JS will find a 3 and 4 in the off season to fill the void between Hudson and James next year. This year has officially collapsed.

By Chop Chop

August 26, 2007 5:03 PM | Link to this

Woodward swings the bat really well, N8. It could be worse. He could hit himself in the face with it or something, right?

(Yeah, yeah…I know. That would be much better for the team. Much like Wick, Woody’s not a real “team player”.)

By Lew

August 26, 2007 5:07 PM | Link to this

One More thing Metro Dude-I never posted on a Mets’ blog. Every single thing I’ve said, I’ve said on a Braves blog. Y’all have come here to talk trash-not the converse. Y’all are p!$$ed that I talk trash about the Mets on a Braves blog? Just what the hell did you expect? Are complimentary thoughts expressed about the Braves on a Mets’ blog? You see, I wouldn’t know. I don’t go where I’m not welcome. Try it sometime, yourself. Still haven’t figured a good reason for y’all to even be here. And BTW, MetroDude. You are rapidly approaching Troll status yourself. Haven’t heard much in the way of cutting edge analysis spewing forth from you, either. Just a bunch of trash. You just don’t cuss, is all. Doesn’t change your sentiments, though, does it?

By Talk About Next Year

August 26, 2007 5:09 PM | Link to this

So now that the Braves are done, who are you rooting for in the playoffs?And before anyone tees off on me… I’m not the Pharaoh’s wife. Just because the old boy dies doesn’t mean I have to get sealed up in the tomb with him! I love baseball even when the Braves aren’t in it.

I’ve always been a Braves and Red Sox fan. (even while both were stinking)

Guess I’ll root for the Sox and Brewers.

By Supes

August 26, 2007 5:13 PM | Link to this

Lew I liked a lot of what you said man, keep it up.

MetroMan, Out of curiosity, do you post on a NY METS Blog as well? I’m just wondering, if this is the only place you post/discuss MLB and your favorite team? Your answer will have a lot to do with how I view you as an “intelligent” and “well spoken” fan that you claim to be.

How do I feel about Mets fans posting here? It depends on what they post! It’s that simple. Do they just talk trash and act like 12 year olds, show up when their team wins, and disappear when they lose. Show up after a Braves loss, even though their METS also lost and talk trash, etc.

Do they respect the Braves fans here? Last time I looked, this is a Braves fans blog?

I have seen some who straddle the fence, I guess you can’t control yourselves at all times, so you do talk some occasional smack…yes even you MetroMan, I’ve been a lurker here long before I started posting around some.

Now on to the game today.

JoJo Reyes showed some signs of “life” and “promise”, but he is still a long ways away from being a 4 or 5 starter on this team that the Braves can count on.

To me, the WC is lost. They will not be in the WC chase, so let JoJo and the rest of the kids you call up play and see what you may have for next year. Build for next year is correct. This team is has way too many problems to overcome the San Diego Padres, barring a collapse of their own, will most likely win the WC b/c they have a better pitching staff depth and pen at the moment. Yes Hoffman has struggled closing games out on the road lately, but he is still one of the best in the business.

I have officially given up on the Braves chances of them winning the Wild Card, today…and it’s not even September. They just have not shown me anything as a loyal Braves fan, to make a believer out of me. Will I still continue to support and cheer them on, of course! Like I said, just b/c I believe they will not make the playoffs doesn’t make a “bandwagon jumper”, or whatever people may say. It just makes me realistic! I will be there for a few games on the upcoming homestand, cheering them on, and hoping they can win some games against the Mets and the Phils.

To me, the future doesn’t look so bad. This team needs to make some moves, but more on that in September as we get closer to the end of the season.

I expect them to go 1-2 against the struggling Marlins, and go 3-7 on this trip. Before this trip started, I believe KC said that they have to go 8-2, 7-3 to have a chance at the WC. Well, they are doing exactly the opposite and played themselves right out of the WC.

By N8

August 26, 2007 5:16 PM | Link to this

uga-brave

I know that payroll has had it’s role in what’s gone on around here the last few years. You’d have to be blind to not realize that.

But when you DO have better options on your roster, and (or) in your system, that’s just bad decision making.

DOB has said MANY times that Thorman is out of “options”. They refuse to try and squeeze him through waivers out of fear of losing him? Why? I don’t get it.

JS and Bobby preach to the fans that they are trying to win NOW, and they backed that up by trading 5 PROSPECTS to Texas for Tex. So let me get this right. We’re willing to trade 5 prospects (3 of which were among our “top” prospects), for a guy that more than likely won’t be here for more than a year and a half, but we’re NOT willing to send Thorman down out of fear of losing him to a waiver claim.

Which is it, trying to win now, or worried about the future? Most Braves fans that were OK with trading all the prospects for Tex, would be OK with losing Thorman for nothing, if whoever replaced him on the roster helped us NOW. Besides, if we do end up signing Tex long-term, what the hell do we need Thorman around for anyhow?

This is hard for me to say, but I’d rather have 358 year old Julio on the 25 man roster than Thorman at this point.

Why didn’t JS try and trade him for ANYTHING at the deadline, like another arm fot the pen, just to clear up roster space? Or include him in the Tex deal? Maybe he did, who knows? Since he doesn’t publically talk about that stuff.

But I just want this team’s brass to take a stand one way or another and go with it.

Either:

1) Rebuild and sacrifice the “NOW”, by stockpiling talent, similar to the way Arizona did 3 years ago (look at them now, btw).

or

2) Don’t leave any rock unturned. Get rid of ALL the crap on the roster, and really go for it. This of course is where the payroll comes into play.

But any team that has won the world series can attest that the bullpen and bench are NOT places to scrimp and save when it comes to payroll.

JS tried to fix the pen last off-season and at the deadline. So I’ll give him credit for that. But this team has a pathetic bench and it has been that way since day one of this season. They NEVER actually tried to improve it. Just kept rolling with the crap we started with.

If Wickman can be DFA with his salary, why can’t Woodward be dumped and Prado brought up?

Lucy’s got some splainin’ to do.

By Paladin

August 26, 2007 5:16 PM | Link to this

Metro Man I haven’t been on the blog all that long, but long enough to be considered a semi-regular, at least. So, let me answer you.

We didn’t come on your blog and blow off about how good our team was. We defended our team on our blog against intruders, such as yourself. On that subject, when I came aboard you were held up to me as being the “model” troll, almost the only one that should be treated with some measure of “respect”. I only speak for myself, but I have no respect for you, now.

You have come on here today when we are “down” and done your best to rub it in—hard. Well, I guess if we are going to get lessons in “losing” what better teacher than a Mut.

And in regard to that “first round is on me”: No thanks, I only drink with my friends. But, send the money to Grinch and we will drink it up. After taking it to a branch of Banco Bandito to get it laundered.

By southbeachdietfreak

August 26, 2007 5:17 PM | Link to this

how about a Mariners/Cubs WS?

By N8

August 26, 2007 5:19 PM | Link to this

Lew, Lew, Lew. Don’t do it man. Don’t allow yourself to be sucked in by my (and other’s) negativity. LOL!

Man. This team must REALLY suck for Lew to be on the verge of griping about them.

Looks like I better bring my parka on my next trip to hell. :-)

By Lew

August 26, 2007 5:21 PM | Link to this

Metro Dude-One last post to you, then never again. To be a Lew would require you to have talent and intelligence-attributes never to be associated with the Mets or their Trolls. Later, Dude. I look forward to seeing your @$$e$ handed to you not only in head to head with the Braves, but will take particular delight in your playoff demise, as well. Why don’t you ask Grinch sometime about my play by play of the end of the Mets/Cards series last year. That was almost worth the price of finishing out of the money ourselves. What a priceless look on Beltran’s face. Would you like a Lew drawing of it? I’m sure it can be arranged. I’m quite good at capturing expressions. Ta Ta

By The Grinch

August 26, 2007 5:21 PM | Link to this

I most certainly am still a Falcons fan, though the storied Falcons-Saints rivalry isn’t likely to be very exciting this season. Dammit, why can’t you be a Ga Tech fan! That’s ok, I’m not a fair-weather fan. I can take the lean times, as long as the beer flows freely. It makes the triumphs (like the Falcons four good seasons since 1966) that much sweeter. You know what it’s like; even though you can crow about the Mets and Saints this year between the two of them you’ve sat through an awful lot of embarrassing play in the past. That’s one of the reasons I respect you; you’re man enough to like historically crappy teams. Any douchebag can be a Yankees, Cowboys or Niners fan; it takes a real man to be a Falcons or Saints fan (pre-Vick and pre-Katrina). I love the Braves, but not as much as the Falcons or anywhere near as much as the Dawgs.

Still 2-2 in the 5th.

By Metropolitan Man

August 26, 2007 5:22 PM | Link to this

Lew, my sentiments would never change. I hate the braves just as the fans who come here and voice their opinion to braves fans. I can say I came to respect fans here becasue of their love for their team. I know you love the braves, but hating someone becasue they love the METS is not very respectful. You make your points clear, but METS fans/baseball fans enjoy interacting with each other, and the enemy. We go through this with stankees fans all the time in good fun, on this blog it always get nasty and testy becasue someone refuses to realize its only a game. I remember when I started blogging, the METS were a joke, now they are playoff bound AGAIN, the hate has creeped in and in full force.

By Efrim

August 26, 2007 5:23 PM | Link to this

67-64. I am in utter disbelief. I can’t believe we were 50-42. What the hell happened to this team? I said to my friends who are Mets fans that we would go at least 40-30 the next 70 games to finish the season at 90-72. At least.

Since then we are 17-22.

Incredible.

So much for Mark Teixiera’s impact. They guy is a great player, but he can’t pitch.

DOB

Where you at? What do you think about this team?

By Robert

August 26, 2007 5:23 PM | Link to this

So which Brave got incredibly unkucky today?

By N8

August 26, 2007 5:23 PM | Link to this

Braveheart

Not sure what you’re getting at by showing our records when anybody but Smoltz, Hudson, Chuckie and Buddy pitch.

EVERYBODY knows we have the most potent lineup in the NL. Pitchers are secondary. A minor inconvinience that get in the way of the game of baseball. :-)

By FIRE BOBBY

August 26, 2007 5:25 PM | Link to this

FOR THE LOVE OF GOD!!!!!! FIRE BOBBY COX!!!!!!!!!!!

By Bentos

August 26, 2007 5:28 PM | Link to this

Why does Bobby keep playing Chris Woodward? Why is Chris Woodward even on the roster?

By Lew

August 26, 2007 5:33 PM | Link to this

Nathan-No, I’m still not counting them out. I’ve seen stranger things happen then what the Braves face. Seen it happen too many times, as a matter of fact, However, I’ve always been realistic. Saying the world is still at their feet when there’s two months left and we’re only 3 games back is one thing. A month later, having played sub .500 during that time, is yet another thing altogether.

This has been a horrendous week. They have not played well. I wouldn’t try to sell you a load of crap that they have. It’s like I said-They are playing with no fire. The Cards last year were a team that I feel was not as good as the Braves are now. But the difference was that the Cards were determined to win. They had the fire. I haven’t seen that from the Braves this week, or honestly, most of the season-just the opposite, actually. Even I don’t deny this. To be honest, I haven’t NOT acknowledged their deficiencies this year-I’ve just kept saying that they still had plenty of chance to turn it around and tried to maintain an optimistic attitude. Who knows? They may turn it around, yet. But if they continue to play in a lackluster manner any longer, the window will be slamming down on their fingers.

Like someone said earlier-I don’t think the Braves have been beaten, they just haven’t let themselves win. Hope springs, but the leaps are getting greater and their legs are tired.

By southbeachdietfreak

August 26, 2007 5:33 PM | Link to this

IT doesn’t seem to me that these guys are even interested in winning anymore…

This is as lifeless a team as I have seen in quite a while. I think they have resigned themselves to their fate. When their pitchers do reasonably well, they can’t hit; when they knock the cover off the ball, they give up 10 runs a game after scoring 9!

Maybe Chris Deadward and co. can get sent down to Warner Robbins and learn a thing or two about fundamentals!

By Charlie

August 26, 2007 5:34 PM | Link to this

Woodward has no business in a major league uniform. What a loser! Joe and CHIPHEAD talk about his 3 good at bats…wait…Woodward is 0 for, with a strikeout with 2 on and none out. How were the other 3 at bats acceptable? Why save Chipper Jones, and PH Thorman? Thorman is an instant strikeout. Booby Cox is brilliant. It’s sure was a good idea to have JD Drew for a year, and give up Wainwright. Dotel has been a positive though, JS. This team is a joke from JS to Woodward. Apologies to Smoltz and Hudson, to have to be a part of this group. Andruw, see ya. I wish I had kept track of how many times you have struck out with games on the this year. You take CHOKE to another level. I’m done watching this group of clowns. TBS is pulling out 2 years too late.

By The Grinch

August 26, 2007 5:34 PM | Link to this

I won’t defend MetroMan’s coming on here at the end of a crappy loss to post; that’s not a move likely to engender much love. However, in person he’s both arrogant and respectful at the appropriate respective times and he can hold his alcohol. That makes him ok in my book.

After that, man, you’re on your own here. :-)

By RentAPlayer

August 26, 2007 5:34 PM | Link to this

This game was not about Chipper (or Andruw). It was getting BEAT AGAIN by a player we gave up to rent Drew for a year. Congratulations!

Nothing against Texeira! He has been everything and more we hoped he could be. But he doesn’t pitch and can’t keep the young players from making mental defensive mistakes.

He’ll be gone in a year and we won’t have the 5 players we gave up and their minimum salaries. How many Wainwrights or better were in that package?

By Paladin

August 26, 2007 5:36 PM | Link to this

Why does Bobby keep playing Chris Woodward? Why is Chris Woodward even on the roster?

My God, Bentos, did you and Rip Van Winkle have a nice nap? If I had a dollar for every time that exact question has been posed to us, I could buy us a starting pitcher.

By Talk About Next Year

August 26, 2007 5:37 PM | Link to this

Supes wrote:

I have officially given up on the Braves chances of them winning the Wild Card, today…and it’s not even September. They just have not shown me anything as a loyal Braves fan, to make a believer out of me. Will I still continue to support and cheer them on, of course! Like I said, just b/c I believe they will not make the playoffs doesn’t make a “bandwagon jumper”, or whatever people may say.

Supes, dude no reason to appologize! A person can be a fan and still use his brain to make realistic observations about their team. Many here don’t subscribe to that thought as evidenced by the repeated attacks against folks who have questioned whether this team has the tools to be a playoff team. I love the Braves but can accept the fact that they don’t have the tools in place to make the playoffs.

By southbeachdietfreak

August 26, 2007 5:38 PM | Link to this

Bentos… it’s really simple… Chipper and Andruw needed a day off…

Chipper, I understand… but you know, when you’re fighting for your playoff lives, sometimes you just have to suck it up and play on! Heck, Cal Ripken played how many straight games?

Give me a break… make these guys earn their checks (why else are you paying them), and run them into the ground if you have to!

By Lew

August 26, 2007 5:41 PM | Link to this

MetroDude-One final point. I don’t hate you, or anyone else because they are Mets’ fans. Check my posts to Anders and yourself in the past if you have doubts on that score. However-How many times have you seen MY NAME mentioned prominently in Troll Blogs. Go count them up and tell me it isn’t personal. They made it so, and I damn well don’t back down to those I consider to be my inferiors. Never really thought of you in that manner, but apparently YOU do have the fire. You are certainly striving to P!$$ me offand prove yourself to be extremely Trollish in your own right.

By Paladin

August 26, 2007 5:42 PM | Link to this

Well, Metro Man, if Grinch says you are OK——then I stick by what I said. :-)(that smiley is for Grinch, not for you) One of the reasons I stick by what I said is that Grinch would drink with Osama if the rag-head was buying. :-)

By Chop Chop

August 26, 2007 5:46 PM | Link to this

Lew, how can you really hate the Mets as much as you do? Are there Met fans crawling all over the People’s Republic up there? In my opinion, the Mets are not worthy of hatred. We’ve owned their a*******e$ for years. I don’t hate the Mets. I laugh at them. I’ll laugh at them if they’re 20 games ahead of the Braves. They’re just a funny team with funny fans who want to beat their chests like all other Northeast sports fans. Their team is considered second-rate in their city and an afterthought by almost everyone else so their chest-thumping falls on deaf ears. It is true that I do have respect for a true Met fan who has suffered through a lot of crappy baseball, but I’ll be damned if I still wouldn’t laugh in his face. I’ll never hate the Mets, though. They’re not the Yankees.

Grinch, I’m with you 100% about the Falcons and the Dawgs. A gut-wrenching Dawgs loss hurts me a lot more than a failed regular season/postseason for the Braves ever could. I’ve been a Falcon fan my whole life. They’ve been bad for years, so whenever they lift their sorry heads (and our flagging hopes and spirits) out of that Whack-A-Mole hole to get beaten down again, I feel it.

By Colin

August 26, 2007 5:47 PM | Link to this

USA USA USA!!!! lets go GEORGIA

By southbeachdietfreak

August 26, 2007 5:47 PM | Link to this

Supes,

I also agree! Sometimes the truth hurts! Too many people in this lineup have had a chance to make a name for themselves and failed miserably!

By Lew

August 26, 2007 5:50 PM | Link to this

Trolls-Here’s some fodder for y’all’s meager brains to assimilate and cogitate upon. How much longer does this team even have to exist? How much longer will Alou, Green, Castillo, DelGado, Glavine, Conine, Sosa, Pedro and others even be Mets? Y’all had better hope that Wright, Maine, Milledge and Reyes will form a good enough nucleus to let you continue winning anything. Do y’all realize the changes that will be required of y’all for any continuity? I can seriously say that although the Braves have some changes of their own that need to be made, we at least have a nucleus of Francoeur, McCann, Kelly Johnson, Diaz, Escobar, Hudson, Brandon Jones and many others to build upon. Y’all have a whole bunch of really old players that will have to be replaced- but, by whom?

By Charlie

August 26, 2007 5:54 PM | Link to this

Ten days ago, the Braves had their own fate in their hands. The players knew it. It was (and is) a matter of how they respond. Their losing record show how they have responded. This team has talent, but no character. When it’s on the line, this group folds. They need to be sure, in this last month of the season, that they keep their pant legs down to their shoe tops; otherwise the world will see that their stirrups and sani’s are all yellow.

By Paladin

August 26, 2007 5:54 PM | Link to this

A woman calls her boss one morning and tells him that she is staying home because she is not feeling well.

“What’s the matter?” he asks.

“I have a case of anal glaucoma,” she says in a weak voice.

“What the hell is anal glaucoma?”

“I can’t see my a* coming into work today.”

By gotigers72

August 26, 2007 5:55 PM | Link to this

Thank God college football starts next Saturday because the Braves are done.

These players need to be gone from the Braves roster for 2008. Harris, Woodward, AJ, Corky, Chuck, Cormier, Carlyle, Yates, Thorman. Probably somebody else that I can’t think of right now. Players like Harris and Woodward and Carlyle and Corky that the Braves bring on board and hope to resurrect their careers are working out less and less. May as well stop doing that. How many World Series have you won by doing that resurrection s**t?

By southbeachdietfreak

August 26, 2007 5:57 PM | Link to this

Sorry, Chop Chop… I’m afraid the Vols are going to hand your Dawgs one of those heart-breaking losses!

By Efrim

August 26, 2007 5:57 PM | Link to this

Chop Chop

I agree. I actually live in the NorthEast and it is very difficult to hate the Mets. They don’t win enough. I hate the Yankees. I hate them more than any other sports franchise. I hate them with every bone in my body. I do not hate the Mets. I dislike the Mets. I dislike the Phillies. But I do not hate either of them. The Yankees? To hell with them.

By Ron

August 26, 2007 5:58 PM | Link to this

joebrave

August 26, 2007 4:40 PM

Carroll did you read that post? I mean come on!!! That post is STILL up!!! That post was WORST than mine!!! At least my words were blanked out!!! One of his words was NOT at all!!! I will EXPECT to see that Post off of this site before the day is over!!! You cant JUMP on me about MY post when HIS was worst than MINE!!! There is NO reason why that post should NOT be deleted!!! I will check in later to see that it will be gone!!!

By Lew

August 26, 2007 5:58 PM | Link to this

Chop Chop-Hating them. Laughing at them. No big difference. They are a pitiful bunch. We just dislike them in slightly different ways, that’s all. Like I told Metro Dude-go count how many times my name appears in posts by Trolls. I guarantee you my name is mentioned more than anyone else’s and it’s not even close. I’ve taken their abuse for over two years on OUR blog. They have nmade it poersonal, mostly in an extremely derogatory, foul mouthed manner. Hell yeah, I hate them. So what?

By A-ville Ranger

August 26, 2007 6:00 PM | Link to this

I’m not going to belabor the obvious,we all know we’re very weak in the lower end of the rotation.Two ways we could be in this despite it is if we could hit good pitchers or beat bad teams…sadly we do neither.

By DON"T GIVE Up

August 26, 2007 6:00 PM | Link to this

We still have a month left and have big games at home and Florida and the nationals. Look we can beat these teams, I really feel the Braves are going to look themselves in the mirror and say hey this ain’t over we are 4.5 games back in the Wild Card with 30 games to play LETS GO. Come on Braves fans support your team, I am still believing we have a shot.

By The Grinch

August 26, 2007 6:01 PM | Link to this

Paladin, I could drink Osama under the table. He might could hang ‘till it was pee time, but then that kidney failure would kick in and it’d be all she wrote. My kidneys are the envy of the entire malted barley and hops consuming world.

Chop Chop, best not even stick the head up out of the hidey-hole this year…yowch. I’ll still go to as many games as I can, though. Might even get me a Joey Jersey.

By Mark

August 26, 2007 6:01 PM | Link to this

I am glad some people have finally joined the bandwagon and have given up on this pathetic team. I told you people a week ago that this team was nothing more than mediocre.

By Lew

August 26, 2007 6:05 PM | Link to this

Now, I’m a Dawg fan through and through. But screw the Falcons. I’m a Bucs fan. I suffered through 14 straight losing seasons that led to the Bucs being, literally, the worst team in the history of sports franchises. I just can’t desert them after all that I’ve been through with them. I was doing art work for Vinny Testeverde before he got half decent. No, Can’t desert my Bucs. At least they lost those creamsicle unis-the ones featured prominently in Barry Sanders high light reels-mostly with Barry’s cleat marks and turf stains on them.

By southbeachdietfreak

August 26, 2007 6:05 PM | Link to this

On a bright note..

Got to watch a couple of really awesome classic war movies…

Dirty Dozen and the Longest Day!

By The Grinch

August 26, 2007 6:09 PM | Link to this

Whoever just brought up the Volvas may feel free to take a flying leap off Rocky Top. :-P

By Paladin

August 26, 2007 6:09 PM | Link to this

Hey Ron; Repeat the post. I missed it.

By Chop Chop

August 26, 2007 6:09 PM | Link to this

Lew, your problem with Mets fans reminds me of some guy who used to go to the old MSN Sports chatrooms. He was a huge Randy Johnson fan and would argue with anyone who dared to say that Randy Johnson wasn’t the greatest pitcher of all-time (“RANDY JOHNSON IS THE MOST DOMINATE (sic) PITCHER EVER!!!”…that was his constant refrain). He would butcher people’s nicknames when belittling them, call people “RUMBLETARDS” and other such inanities. Anyway, as a result of this guy, I grew to hate Randy Johnson. I still can’t stand the guy and it’s all because of one loud-mouthed fan who only cared about baseball because of one stinkin’ player.

I’m just saying that I know where you’re comin’ from, brother.

Oh, and southbeachdietfreak? Richt’s 3-0 in Knoxville, baby. Choke on that, slapnuts. ;)

By southbeachdietfreak

August 26, 2007 6:11 PM | Link to this

I enjoyed most of the game watching the Dirty Dozen and then flipping to the game during commercials… seemed like the Braves’ at-bats went by so quickly, I barely got to see them hit at all.

By Chop Chop

August 26, 2007 6:11 PM | Link to this

Grinch, I haven’t found a suitable fate for my Vick jersey yet. I’m still thinking about that one…

I’m outta here for now. Rock on, dudes.

By Mark

August 26, 2007 6:12 PM | Link to this

Where is KC at? I know he can put some type of positive spin on this road trip with his stats and all. Hell, the man wanted to actually bet me that this team would go 6-4, 7-3, and 8-2 on this trip.

By The Grinch

August 26, 2007 6:13 PM | Link to this

Man, the further into extra innings this game goes, the better the Japanese seem to be getting. It reminds me of Apocalypse Now, with Charlie squatting in the bush with a little cold rice getting stronger while we were drunk at a USO show getting weaker. “Charlie doesn’t get much USO…”

By Robert

August 26, 2007 6:13 PM | Link to this

Come on folks. How did the Braves get unlucky today? What incredible never before seen in baseball act of misfortune happened that singlehandedly took all the wizard’s work and made it for naught?

By Efrim

August 26, 2007 6:15 PM | Link to this

Is KC around?

He predicted a 7-3 homestand. Maybe even 8-2. We’ll need to sweep the Marlins to get even.

After reading more articles on the subject, it sounds like the Braves will deal Renteria this offseason. I don’t like it. I just don’t think we are going to get enough for him. We may as well keep him. 6 million isn’t a lot of money. I guess he is our only tradeable piece.

Tigers, Athletics and the Cardinals sound like a great match.

No way the A’s give up Blanton for Renteria. Can’t imagine they even give up Huston Street.

Tigers would offer Nate Robertson, but JS would not bite on that guy. Fernando Rodney would be interesting. Maybe they are souring on Jeremy Bonderman. He isn’t pitching to his potential.

Not sure what we could get for him from the Cardinals, and I am not sure I would want to trade him in our league. Isringhausen?

The more I think about it, the more I don’t want to trade the guy……..

By Train Wreck Bystander

August 26, 2007 6:16 PM | Link to this

6 days to the return of Julio!

Hey, I gotta have something to look forward to…

=====

I still believe in these Atlanta Braves, but it’s getting more difficult with each passing day.

By southbeachdietfreak

August 26, 2007 6:16 PM | Link to this

Hey, Chop chop

I’m glad you brought up the word ‘choke’, since that’s exactly what your mutts did last year in Athens!

By Paladin

August 26, 2007 6:16 PM | Link to this

Grinch Chop chop Go Falcons! Go Dogs! Go Dogs! Go Falcons! Now, if the Dawgs could trade one of their QBs to the Falcons for the Falcon’s O line, we’d be set.

By Lew

August 26, 2007 6:17 PM | Link to this

ChopChop-Dude, The word fan is a derivative of Fanatic. Yes, I’m over the edge on the Mets. Again, I ask, So What? That’s sports. It’s not like I’m going to start a riot or threaten MetroDude’s life like those crazy British (or anywhere in the world for that matter) soccer fans. No one will ever die from my Mets dislike. Dude, be careful, you could get me started on being a Gator Hater, too-THAT hate is way deeper than the Mets’ hate-and they have handed our a*******e$ to us for more years than I care to contemplate. Comes with the territory. I’m perfectly logical about all other things, I assure you.

By Braveheart

August 26, 2007 6:18 PM | Link to this

Ron, you ratted on JoeBrave worse than Mike Vick’s crappy father. It’s not that you object to the post, it’s just that he is getting away with it when you didn’t, right? Come on, now, Ron.

By southbeachdietfreak

August 26, 2007 6:18 PM | Link to this

Robert, you’re killing me!LOL

By hk

August 26, 2007 6:19 PM | Link to this

… think a little home cookin’ out there, definitely a foul tip, and their little guy safe at 3rd a while ago …

… refreshing young earnest faces, both teams …

By Del

August 26, 2007 6:22 PM | Link to this

I guess the one word that describes hoW I feel about the 2007 Braves season thus far in UNDERACHIEVING, That goes for the owners, the GM, the field mgr, the coaches and the players. However, the bat boys did OK.

By southbeachdietfreak

August 26, 2007 6:24 PM | Link to this

Lew,

with you on the Gators… 21-20 loss in Knoxville very painful to watch last year.

By Chop Chop

August 26, 2007 6:25 PM | Link to this

Lew, aside from the fact that this is a baseball blog, I deliberately don’t bring up the Gators here. I want my posts to make it past inspection. I’d start a soccer-style riot in Jax this year. Who’s with me??????

By The Grinch

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

HK, you saw that too, huh? ESPN showed that replay at third at least twice and didn’t have the ‘nads to say anything about it. It’s a bit embarrassing, but then that’s what they get for not being American. :-)

By hk

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

… Warner Robbins World Champions !!!

By Lew

August 26, 2007 6:28 PM | Link to this

ChopChop-Dude- Like I said earlier, I’ve been a Bucs fan for over 20 years. Twentyn years, primarily of futility. However, you say the Mets have been so bad they are not deserving of hate, yet look how many here do hate, or at least dislike them. Can you say the same about the Bucs? Now there was a team that you could laugh at-utterly and uproariously laugh at them. The Mets? Not so lovable, are they?

By A-ville Ranger

August 26, 2007 6:28 PM | Link to this

The best game I’m seen all year is the real ‘WORLD’S SERIES’.Congratulations Warner Robbins great show…AND A WALK OFF HOMER WINS IT !!! WORLDS CHAMPS FOR LIFE !!

By beki

August 26, 2007 6:29 PM | Link to this

Warner Robbins wins! Warner Robbins win! Warner Robbins! Georgia wins 2 World Series titles!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By Lew

August 26, 2007 6:32 PM | Link to this

SouthBeach-All Dawg losses, especially those to the Gators, hurt like a cancer twisting in your guts-almost not to be endured. I always loved that old bumper sticker-My Favorite teams are The Dawgs and Whoever plays Florida. The Ski Clemson poster was always good, as well. A guy on snow skis in a plowed field. I bet Wayne In Utah would like THAT one.

By Colin

August 26, 2007 6:32 PM | Link to this

Atleast one team for THE ATL can win…

By The Grinch

August 26, 2007 6:33 PM | Link to this

Well, at least one team from Ga won today. I really felt for the Japanese team; they got hosed on a couple of calls. It was a very even match.

By The Grinch

August 26, 2007 6:36 PM | Link to this

You got one here, Chop Chop. %&#@ the Gators, and the sybian they rode in on.

By A-ville Ranger

August 26, 2007 6:37 PM | Link to this

Charlie—- come on now ‘yellow’ ? ‘no character’ ? get a grip.This team is very flawed and they haven’t been very clutch,but yellow ? get some perspective fella.

By Robert

August 26, 2007 6:40 PM | Link to this

They’re 12 years old, dont make a red cent, and dont have a wiard manager, and yet

They overcame adversity, peaked at the right time, and beat a better team to win the championship.

Congratulations to some kids with heart and pride (and solid fundamentals)

You’re up, Braves

By Sean

August 26, 2007 6:41 PM | Link to this

I’ve been a Mets fan most of my life and I have never posted here before. I usually enjoy just reading the comments from fans of the teams we compete with, win or lose. I know the frustration that you guys are feeling and I think there are several things that I could say from a dispassionate observer that might be helpful. The biggest problem with the Braves is that they consider the Mets to be their arch enemy. Your team plays them like its the World Series every time out, then they have nothing left for the crappy teams that come along after. I’m still expecting to hear the news this week that the Braves are moving Smoltz back to Friday so he can pitch against the Mets instead of the final game of the Marlins series. Right now, the Braves need to concern themselves with the six games they have left with the Phillies. That is far more important to your playoff chances than claiming victory over another Mets series. Although he still is a fine player, Andruw Jones should be benched, he has no heart. Chipper Jones should be told that he either plays or has to go on the DL. In the midst of a pennant race you can’t afford the luxury of sitting around when someone else could be called up to take your place. Matt Diaz should play every day. That guy can really hit. Francouer, McCann, Tex, Smoltz and Hudson are all gamers. I’d have them on my team any day. In spite of Escobar’s performance, you guys have really been hurt by the absence of Renteria. I don’t think it would be a smart idea to flip him in the off season. Gonzalez going down was your biggest loss of the year. The Braves are a good team. They just have to stop treating the Mets as their personal nemesis, expending all their energy and spirit on beating them alone. I respect the Braves for the fight they put up against my team, but they have to start playing smarter if they want to win a MLB championship again.

By tbo

August 26, 2007 6:42 PM | Link to this

The only thing to do is FIRE Bobby Cox. He is absolutely pitiful as a manager. Of course he has been for the last three years.

By Peter, Paul and Mary

August 26, 2007 6:43 PM | Link to this

Where has all the pitching gone?…long gone passing.

where has all the hitting gone?…long gone passing.

Where have our Bravos gone?…taking gassin’

When will it ever end? When will it ever end?

With all due “respect” to these Ho- Chi-Mihn-hugging-hippies.

By Charlie B.

August 26, 2007 6:44 PM | Link to this

Evidently I have fell behind in my knowledge of baseball so I’m asking you guys just what is the job of a pitching coach. At one time I know they played a part in developing pitchers.

By Chop Chop

August 26, 2007 6:44 PM | Link to this

It’s the fans, Lew. They’re just like that Randy Johnson fanatic I mentioned (his handle was Hobbs, denoting that he was “The Natural” of viral sputum). Basically, many (not all, but many) Met fans are wired to be insufferably arrogant pricks. Their team just hasn’t always allowed them to be that way. With the Braves knocked off the pedestal and the Mets taking advantage of it, these oft-moustachioed fans have finally ascended to a height that allows them to rain their churlish, insipid, and hopelessly adolescent barbs down on us. We’re left to either fight them off, laugh them off or just ignore them.

Congrats to Warner Robins on winning the Little League World Series. Maybe we can borrow their pitching staff?

By Robert

August 26, 2007 6:54 PM | Link to this

From the ajc’s on-line article about the Little League champs

“The Warner Robins team was considered a heavy underdog- even some parents weren’t sure the team could beat Japan. The manager of the Lubbock, Texas, team that Warner Robins defeated in the U.S. championship Saturday flatly said that “Japan will win that ballgame.”

The manager of the Lubuttock team probably thinks Bobby Cox is a genius too

By Overlord

August 26, 2007 6:56 PM | Link to this

tbo join the parade “bobby haters parade”.

By doobird

August 26, 2007 6:57 PM | Link to this

I believe BC and Pete R have more in common than most people realize. It’s like BC deliberately plays his worst players when a borderline pitcher is on the mound … you know one of those games that’s not that important!!!! When Smoltz or Hudson is on the mound he plays his “1st team”.

By Braveheart

August 26, 2007 6:59 PM | Link to this

Sean, you make many good points. BUT I don’t think it is so much that the Braves get up to play the Mets as it is the Mets lay down when they play the Braves. The Mets have always had that inferiority complex about them and play scared. Does not matter if the Braves are not that good, the Mets think the Braves are. Hence, it ain’t really the Braves getting up for the Mets so much as it is the Mets assuming the position whenever the Braves come to town.

By The Grinch

August 26, 2007 7:02 PM | Link to this

“Their oft-mustachioed fans…” C’mon, leave those northern women alone.

Sean, you seem like a nice guy, so I won’t laugh quite as loudly when I tell you that your theory is hopelessly inaccurate.

Robert, upon reflection, I think the Japanese team was built a bit more for the long haul despite the results. Your point is taken, though.

Time for a time-out.

By Carroll Rogers

August 26, 2007 7:07 PM | Link to this

bobby said he’s not sure about chipper tomorrow because he feels it more right-handed and there’s a lefty tomorrow….not kicking up more dirt here, just letting the denizens know the facts.

ron, i’ve sent an e-mail to the proper folks on that post. hopefully it’s down shortly.

interesting post by sean on the mets. keep your friends close but your enemies closer? you guys should have fun analyzing what he said. sounds like he does his homework though.

efrim, i’ve said it bout five times but DOB is coming back on the clock from Florida tomorrow. I’m sure you’ll get plenty of his thoughts in no time.

By Braveheart

August 26, 2007 7:09 PM | Link to this

Robert The manager of that Lubuttock team is probably about as much of a phony as the coach of that other Lubuttock team.

By Robert

August 26, 2007 7:10 PM | Link to this

http://www.ajc.com/news/content/living/stories/2007/08/26/orangutan0827.html?cxntlid=homepagetab_newstab

I quote

A 66 year donkey got loose Sunday at Turner Field, spending about 30 minutes outside his compound before Braves officials tranquilized the animal and returned him to his habitat.

Team officials arent sure how the donkey got out. The donkey may have obtained “some sort of equipment” to get out.

Bench players Chris Woodward and Scott Thorman have been detained for questioning in relation to the case

Cox got out at about 2:43 PM, said John Scheurholz, the team’s general manager. He roamed no farther than 100 feet from the dugout.

No one was injured.

The team declared a code brown, in reference to what Cox had done in his diaper, JS said. Cox, he said, seemed confused, and didnt venture far from the site.

A scout using a radar gun shot a tranquilizer dart into Cox,who soon fell over in a deep slumber, JS said. He was back in the clubhouse by 3:20 p.m. Sunday.

“He’s resting very comfortably right now, I might add,” Kelly said.

Team officials arent sure how the donkey got out

By A-ville Ranger

August 26, 2007 7:12 PM | Link to this

Robert I don’t know who you are but you must be the most anal person I’ve ever encountered.For the life of me I can’t figure out what would motivate you to keep this silliness up month after month.

By Robert

August 26, 2007 7:12 PM | Link to this

Other Lubuttock team?

By joe

August 26, 2007 7:16 PM | Link to this

Toast

By journalist jimmy smith

August 26, 2007 7:18 PM | Link to this

question: uh, chipper could not play today but would chipper have gone a huntin’?

and mark davis reports an orangutan got loose today at zoo atlanta.

was traquilized and moved back to the orangutan area. jimmy smith has been to see these orangutans. they are voracious nose pickers.

By Braveheart

August 26, 2007 7:20 PM | Link to this

Robert You’re a big fan of the coach of that other Lubuttock team. Or at least you have said so in the past.

By Robert

August 26, 2007 7:23 PM | Link to this

“For the life of me I can’t figure out what would motivate you to keep this silliness up month after month.”

I’m a fan, and I want to see my team get better

By Overlord

August 26, 2007 7:26 PM | Link to this

Ill root for the bosox, just hoping to watch yankees life miserable, root for the tigers and angels as both their managers deserve another championship, and it will show JS even more, how bad is bobby cox.

Or maybe ill root for the muts, maybe it will be good for the braves for the muts to win it all, maybe in that way, JS and the team will finally understand that they must do something since they are no longer the powerhouse in the east.

Ill root against the Dbacks and cubs.

Ill root for the cards, that organization deserves championships, they have shown balls this season as well as last october.

Ill root for the braves in spring 2008.

By Ron

August 26, 2007 7:30 PM | Link to this

Carroll As long as your consistent it is COOL with me!!! Appreciate it!!! No doubt My post SHOULD of been deleted and it was, just like Joebraves post!!! So I commend you on that!!! Good Job!!!

Braveheart Dude come on now, IF you posted like I did and it was deleted and THEN YOU saw somebody that posted WORST than You did you would say the SAME thing!!! Now wouldn’t you? But anyway we are cool, so lets keep it that way!!!

By Robert

August 26, 2007 7:31 PM | Link to this

Ok ay I gotya. Bobby Knight has never managed a baseball game in his life (to my knowledge) but if he did, he’d gather his team around him, point to the Braves dugout and tell his team

“Do y’all see who’s managing over there? Relax. We’re gonna be ok”

Which is basically what Knight once did against LSU

And which I wouuld bet Torre did in the 96 WS

By Jeff R

August 26, 2007 7:34 PM | Link to this

Perhaps the Braves can turn things around and win the wild card, but I’m not holding my breath. Maybe too early to think about 2008, but the pitching needs serious upgrading. That means Liberty Media breaking open the wallet and allowing JS to spend on pitching. Definitely a #3 starting pitcher, and, depending on what Devine does, perhaps a closer (don’t know who will be available).

By NO CHOP ZONE

August 26, 2007 7:35 PM | Link to this

OK LEW, I get it. You don’t want to talk about the Mets. Well then lets talk about the braves. Go ahead, you start. No, I’ll start. They were supposed to be better than the Mets but they’re not. They were supposed to win the division, but they won’t. They were supposed to make all your *IF’S and MAYBE’S come true but they didn’t. They were supposed to have a better pitching staff than the Mets, but they don’t. OK now it’s your turn you maple syrup sipping vermont turd. Oh, and it cracks me up everytime you write *Y’ALL since you’re a new englander. Let me hear you say “Who fadded(farted)”. They don’t pronounce their R’s for those who don’t know the new england accent…….

By Robert

August 26, 2007 7:35 PM | Link to this

But will you ever find the apostrophe button on your keyboard?

By beachcomber

August 26, 2007 7:35 PM | Link to this

If the Braves were willing to bite the bullet and release Bob Wickman why are they not willing to do the same with Chris Woodward?

Today’s performance should have been the last nail in the coffin. Unable to even put the ball in play with two on - no out followed by a critical error in the bottom of the same inning.

It’s not like we don’t suitable replacements down on the farm.

By orange and blue suede shoes

August 26, 2007 7:36 PM | Link to this

Hmmm? Who is a worse coach/manager, Phil Fulmer or Bobby Cox?

I think it’s a tie. They are both absolutely terrible. Apples and oranges, you say?

Yes - rotten apples and moldy oranges.

By zimo z

August 26, 2007 7:38 PM | Link to this

Overlord looks like the Braves have made you Ill.

Get well soon.

By BravesDave

August 26, 2007 7:41 PM | Link to this

Shock of all shocks…Diaz starts against a right-hander and gets two hits. Meanwhile, he has started 3 games in 2 weeks. Willie Harris goes 0-fer again and is now under .300. Andruw finally gets a few hits and Cox sits him on the same day as Chipper (raising the white flag??), similar to Cox sitting Renteria and Chipper on the same day in SF.

Terrible pitching, poor defense, lack of timely hitting, poor managerial decisions…a recipe following up 24-12 start with a 43-52 stretch.

Great posts on the bench situation, N8. Woodward should have been DFA’d when Tex was acquired (at the latest) and Prado and Pena should be with the big league club. Corky Miller????

By A-ville Ranger

August 26, 2007 7:42 PM | Link to this

Robert—— There’s a difference in being a concerned even critical fan and whatever it is you are…..and you’re not in the ballpark(or zip code) of a normal,concerned fan.Now I bid you all ado,you included Robert and once more…CONGRATULATIONS WARNER ROBBINS LITTLE LEAGUERS!!! YOU’RE CHAMPIONS OF THE WORLD AND ALWAYS WILL BE.

By Overlord

August 26, 2007 7:43 PM | Link to this

I think SEAN was accurate entirely on his post. It shows this guy follows the braves, even more than bobby cox.

One more thing on renteria. If he was not on DL, Escobar could have started at 3B and you know chances were better if that was the case. So as SEAN said, we miss renteria i think as much as we dis miss chipper. Can let him go, you cant let chipper be the only position player considered a veteran with credential. Yunel will have to be back up again next year, i think chipper will be playing less games next year and yunel will be needed.

By Metropolitan Man

August 26, 2007 7:43 PM | Link to this

GRINCH: Once again thank you for the courtesy. The fact that I have met, dranked, and talked baseball with 2 of the biggest braves fans I ever met (Grinch, Scribes), should prove that I love the game more than I hate the braves. The METS lost the night I met Grinch and Scribes but it didnt matter. We still talked baseball ( and other subjects) and thats what I look for when I blog here. Of course I take offense when someone talks trash or LAUGHS at my METS. Its like the old saying: Be carelful who you are mean to on the way up becasue its the same people you will see on the way down.

And yes I tried blogging on the NY papers but they cannot garner much interest becasue of the ‘Talkback” (something like a blog) takes all of our post and we gripe and complain through that. Grnated, the braves blog is much better than any NY papers blog, but our talkback has just as many hits as this blog on a good day. Now if I still lived in NY, I would do both, but living here in GA makes more sense to blog here on the AJC. Besides, we have multiple papers and multiple blogs, take you pick. Its not hard to blog here, where else your gonna blog???

As far as those drinks goes, if you dont want one, dont show up. Wow that was simple.

By Efrim

August 26, 2007 7:45 PM | Link to this

Carroll

Well what do you think about this team? I want to get some kind of perspective from someone that is around these guys? What do ya think? Thanks!

By Overlord

August 26, 2007 8:00 PM | Link to this

Its just out of this world that the same day that finally the 5th spot throws a great game, offense takes the day off. Is there another team in the majors capable to do such a task?

waiting for weeks if not months for #5 to wake up for what? TRASHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By Tonight on PBS

August 26, 2007 8:03 PM | Link to this

Bill Moyers host the documentary Twilight of the Braves which features a panel discussion including George Will, Zbigniew Brzezinski , and Charles Barkley on reasons for the collapse of the Braves’ dynasty. Will maintains that it was due to ideological deficiencies of Braves’ leadership; Brzezinski argues that the offensive buildup of the rival Mets was largely responsible; Barkley’s position is that they just suck. (90 minutes).

By Robert

August 26, 2007 8:06 PM | Link to this

Fulmer aint no genius but could run circles around Cox.

Sh&t - Chan Gailey could run circles around Cox - and that’s saying something, cuz I remember when he had his surgery, Tech moved up from 25th to 3rd in the polls without playing a game

Two weeks later when he was back on the sidelines, the Yellow Jackets fell out of the polls despite remaining undefeated

By Lew

August 26, 2007 8:07 PM | Link to this

NoBrainZone-Now Mosquito Boy, don’t you ever accuse me of not being Southern. I’ve lived here in The Great White North for 6 years-because of a job. I went to school and got married in Macon, Georgia. Went to graduate school and my son was born in Athens, Georgia. I lived in Georgia for almost 20 years and another 20 in central Florida. Don’t ever make the mistake that I’m not southern. I’ve fished in Lake Sinclair, Lake Tobessoffkee, Lake Lanier, Lake Oconee, the Ocmulgee River, the Chattahoochee River and the Oconee River, and the St. John’s River as well as more farm ponds in rural Georgia than you could count with your elementary school education. I attended every single game between the Hedges that Herschel Walker played at UGA. I’ve seen the Fridge play at Clemson, Willie Gault play at Tennessee, George Rogers, another Heismann winner play at South Carolina and Bo Jackson play at Auburn. I’ve seen Duane Allman and the Brothers play in Piedmont Park and Wet Willie and Grinderswitch play in Macon. I went to school with REM and The B52’s. I’ve even taught HS in Georgia. I’ve eaten more BBQ and Brunswick stew in more places run by Dudes named Bubba and Billy Joe than you imagine might exist and drunk more sweet tea in Mason jars than there is water in any of those lakes I already mentioned. I’ve spent time in Georgia, North carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Virginia and Lousiana. Go spend a couple summers in and around Macon in that heat, humidity and the stench of the pulp mills and then tell me about being southern. You couldn’t handle being southern, You Little Troll. I’ll use the term y’all all I want to. I’ve earned it and use it with pride.

By Paladin

August 26, 2007 8:13 PM | Link to this

As far as those drinks goes, if you dont want one, dont show up. Wow that was simple.

No, MM, you are simple, or a simpleton. If Grinch wants to drink with you, that’s his business.

By c kelly

August 26, 2007 8:19 PM | Link to this

Lew I live in Cincinnati. Am I southern?

By Overlord

August 26, 2007 8:19 PM | Link to this

I was wondering………..What if we go undefeated in september? I mean ………it is possible, we still have the greates manager of all time!!!!!!! I Bet he will find the way now that jojo has joined the team officially.

I love marijuana!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By uga-brave

August 26, 2007 8:23 PM | Link to this

LEW, note the similarities, the typical mets-gator fan all where blue jean shorts, they all where tank tops, they have a propensity to where gold chains and nugget rings. they still prefer mullets and facilal hair

the worst thing though is they do it all at the same time.

By journalist jimmy smith

August 26, 2007 8:23 PM | Link to this

oh, the humanity! a wurlitzer worthy post from lew on being southern. too bad the wurlitzer is drawn up north :-) and now, sweet tea cannot, must not, contain artificial sweetners. this is a common mistake made by yankees attempting to create sweet tea. likewise, cornbread contains no sugar. cracklins sometimes go in cornbread and the cracklin corbread sometimes goes into a glass of milk. complicated, but good.

By Braveheart

August 26, 2007 8:27 PM | Link to this

Ron I have had several posts deleted and don’t concern myself with whether others have their posts deleted. If my hands were clean and I was truly offended, that would be one thing. BUT to point fingers because you are suffering a persecution complex is quite another. BUT whatever. We’re cool. Actually the only reason I got onto you back when was because I like you as a blogger and did not want to see you face the consequences I have had to deal with when I get carried away with myself in the name of a tasteless joke or a vendetta.

So, yes, I have had posts deleted but I don’t concern myself with the content of other’s posts to ensure I am not being persecuted. The only time I do it is to protect friends like you.

By Metropolitan Man

August 26, 2007 8:27 PM | Link to this

Paladin: Now why wouldn’t you want to drink and talk baseball again??? I’m sorry you didnt give a good HUMAN reason besides hate. After reading what you wrote, I’d pour that beer down the drain before offering it to you. Dont let this METS-braves ambassador writing confused with the Metro Man blogger you met 2 years ago. I’ve collected my bearrings and realize fans like you make the stankees/boston rivalry look tamed. Get a grip dude, its a game and you meet good people who root for other teams along this journey. Besided, this city is “TOO BUSY TO HATE”, anyway…right?????

By Lew

August 26, 2007 8:29 PM | Link to this

c kelly-I don’t know. What’s your resume? Just living there now, or have you always lived there? Big Ten country is NOT Southern. Kentucky is pushing it, but since we beat them in football so much, we’ll let them stay in the SEC. Even Maryland is below the Mason Dixon line, but that’s really cutting it close..

By Kenneth Simpson

August 26, 2007 8:29 PM | Link to this

Just think where the braves would be in the standings if they hadn’t given away Jason Marquis and Adam Wainright? They are 2 qaulity pitchers with 22 wins. The braves gave them away to rent JD for one year.

By Paladin

August 26, 2007 8:30 PM | Link to this

Hey Lew, My Daddy, in order to “teach” me something, put me to work in Macon, in the summer; unloading-over your shoulder-50 # bags of cement. It must have been 140% in those boxcars.

Then, he sat me down and said son, if you get an education you will be supervising or “requiring it done” from the people who do that manual labor. But,If you continue to screw around in college, you will still be doing it. What will it be? I got the message.

By journalist jimmy smith

August 26, 2007 8:32 PM | Link to this

count the groin injuries this year. one, two, three, four … there have been many groin injuries to several different groins. and is there no protection for these groins? groin wrap? trainer jeff porter would be the likely groin wrapper but chino cadahia could assist as needed. and a tightly wrapped groin is less likely to tweak. and what noise does a groin that is tweaking make? and if no one is there to hear is a noise made? and tweak sounds so sissy why does chipper use the term? more on these groin issues in a later post. and, carroll, on days that chipper does not play - how many socks does chipper wear on those days? thank you.

By Kenneth Simpson

August 26, 2007 8:35 PM | Link to this

Why do the braves keeping made these dum trades for pitchers who have arm trouble? First the pirates shipped a defective pitcher to the braves and now Dotel lasted 4 games.

By Paladin

August 26, 2007 8:35 PM | Link to this

Metro man I don’t live in that city. I live out here where “hate” is a healthy outlet—particularly for people from “off”.

By Robert

August 26, 2007 8:40 PM | Link to this

“Just think where the braves would be in the standings if they hadn’t given away Jason Marquis and Adam Wainright?”

Probably third. You see, if those two had remained with the team, some other act of unique-in-the-annals-of-baseball misfortune would’ve occurred.

This team is just unlucky

Overlord, gimme the bong back

By Metropolitan Man

August 26, 2007 8:40 PM | Link to this

Excerpts from those wonderful NY papers:

IT’S NOT OFFICIAL, BUT NL EAST RACE IS OVER: MEMO to Jimmy Rollins: The best team won.

Yes, it’s still the dog days of August and the Mets have to travel to beautiful Philadelphia tomorrow, but the NL East race is over. Though the Yankees are fighting for their playoff souls, the Mets are merrily on their way to another October.

This really wasn’t much of a race. Despite all the Mets problems, despite the fact they left the door wide open in the division, the Phillies and Braves have not been able to step through the portal.So at 6:47 last night when Aaron Heilman got Luis Gonzalez to bounce into a 1-6-3 double play to give the Mets a 4-3 win over the Dodgers at sweaty Shea Stadium, the NL East race came to a close. Sure, there are magic numbers ahead and the official champagne clinching, but the Mets have no worries until October.

As soon as Delgado made his statement, the first baseman was reminded the Mets lead was 6 ½ games (the Braves and Phillies played last night).

“But who’s counting,” he said with a smile, later adding there is still a long way to go.

No there isn’t. The Mets biggest challenge is to stay interested in the final five weeks of the season and to have the eye of the tiger when they get to the postseason. The Mets simply have more weapons than anyone else in the East.

What the Mets were missing was a resolve to win at home. Tom Glavine, who was with the Braves when they used to be automatic division winners, noted that has changed. The Mets know they are good, even though they haven’t always played like the best team.

The players will not admit that the race is over, but the Mets are confident in their abilities and have been from Day 1.

“We have the talent to win,” Glavine said. “When you come off a year like we had last year and you have as much or more talent in the room the following year, you just look around and see a team that you think is a good team and a team that can win, regardless of what everybody else is doing or what other people think.”

The Mets didn’t think this would be a runaway like last year.

“We knew that our division was going to be tougher this year because the other two teams that we beat last year struggled, and you knew they were not going to do that again,” Glavine said.

Wagner agreed.

“We just have to continue to play.”

“We’re in a great position,” Glavine said. “All we have to do is take care of business and win our games and it doesn’t matter what anybody else does.”

Considering the talent disparity in the division, it never really mattered.

By Kenneth Simpson

August 26, 2007 8:42 PM | Link to this

Bobby should have let Corky Miller catch today and then the braves would not have scored at all. How can the braves justify having Woodward and Miller playing at at this level? Both of them combined are not hitting their weight. There has to be someone in the minors better than these 2.

By Lew

August 26, 2007 8:46 PM | Link to this

All Right-Four Coll scores on a Pierre triple. One nothing LA.

By Herschel Talker

August 26, 2007 8:47 PM | Link to this

Forget this year. Here’s the bigger problem: The 3-5 spots aren’t getting better in 2008.

This is the worst crop of free agent pitchers in 10 years. So, who is actually crazy enough to think that it’s going to be better next year?

By TheSouthernJackAss

August 26, 2007 8:48 PM | Link to this

Where’s my good friend MemphisUmp this evening?…

By Robert

August 26, 2007 8:49 PM | Link to this

The Bobby Cox fraud - news at 10

By Lew

August 26, 2007 8:50 PM | Link to this

Paladin-I worked for a parking lot painting company while in school in Macon. Painted the parking lots of the Pabst Brewery in Pabst, Ga. and the Macon Mall parking lot. That asphalt hits 140 degrees in July in Macon. I know exactly what your Daddy was telling you. Esteemed Journalist- I did plenty of art work in Georgia, fear not. Is there anyone here tonight that was at UGA after 83? Maybe until the mid 90’s-maybe even a bit later.? You might have seen some of my work.

By It aint over ;'til the fat lady sings

August 26, 2007 8:52 PM | Link to this

Chino Cadahia: “Brassiere, a dollar ninety eight at Sears…”

By Robert

August 26, 2007 8:54 PM | Link to this

Pickin in the mornin sun

I’ll be pickin when the evenin comes

Watchin the runs come in

And then throwin it away again

I’m pickin my nose all day

Watchin the playoffs slip away

By Joey Bailey

August 26, 2007 8:55 PM | Link to this

Pitching, pitching, pitching, how many times does it have to be said for it to be heard? Let’s face it Braves fans, in the remaining twelve starts of the season for the Smoltz-Hudson tag-team-duo, if they do not put up no less than TEN WINS, there will be no Post Season at Turner Field. I am not sure of how to say it any better but 2/5’s of a FIVE MAN rotation cannot win every game but they will have to win all of their starts to even hope that of the remaining the 20 games that the other 3/5’s of the rotation may break even.

By Fred34

August 26, 2007 8:56 PM | Link to this

What a tease this season is. You think they’re in the race and they fall apart during the most critical time. I feel like I wasted all of that time thinking the Braves were shoe ins for the playoffs.

By Overlord

August 26, 2007 8:58 PM | Link to this

Lets face it……. where would joe torre and tony larusa be if they were managing the braves (and i dont mean in atlanta, i mean 1st place) Look at torre…….he has no pitching and he has the best record since the break, or the 2nd best not sure.

By Metropolitan Man

August 26, 2007 8:58 PM | Link to this

Wow, its amazing that D. Wright has not been thrown out by a catcher attempting to steal all season. The pitcher always seems to pick him off becasue he knows he gets a great jump and the catcher wont get him. This team has so may weapons that even boneheaded mistakes can be overlooked when your winning.

Now I see why you guys are so upset.

By Paladin

August 26, 2007 9:00 PM | Link to this

I’m going to bed. I can, can’t I? There is certainly nothing going on here, or at the ballpark, to prevent it, or cause one to want to. Bye

By Munson

August 26, 2007 9:03 PM | Link to this

“Is there anyone here tonight that was at UGA after 83?”

Yes, I am 84 and I’m still there. Sometimes I forget why but I’m still … I can’t remember.

By uga-brave

August 26, 2007 9:05 PM | Link to this

lew, there from 85-92, lived at 320 south lumpkin street.

By daxxed

August 26, 2007 9:11 PM | Link to this

I called it…or did I…I predicted the braves would be 10 back when the Mets come to Atlanta, but it will probably be 11….The Tex trade was great….but once again teh pitching and the lack of BC teching his players how to play small ball and bunt in runners at 3rd has cost the Braves the playoffs….No maybe BC needs to have the minor league coaches teach bunting fundamentals and the Braves need to practice it during spring training also….But there is one good thing about today….GA Alltars won the Little League World Series again….Maybe the Braves should watcha replay of that game and see what it is like to never give up….

By Lew

August 26, 2007 9:12 PM | Link to this

Larry Munson-I meant after 1983. I look forward to hearing you announce one last Dawgs season before you retire as the best Football analyst and biggest Dawg fan to ever do play by play. Thank God XM will be carrying all of those Dawg games this year. It will make the cold fall in Yankee land bearable.

By Professor Smarty

August 26, 2007 9:14 PM | Link to this

Tonight on PBS—My most esteemed fellow.After much study(literally hours) I cannot determine the exact cause for the decline of our great empire of the Braves.Was it a weakened senate ? perhaps it grew beyond a manageable scale.Did it rely too heavily on foreign armies to defend it.Could it have been that something as seemingly innocuous as lead in the drinking water was the culprit.All these and other reasons must be considered however my best guess is this,nothing last forever and no team can win every year…..AKA…$H!t happens !

By Lew

August 26, 2007 9:16 PM | Link to this

UGA Brave-Do you remember the Sub and Steak at Five Points? It had all the SEC Mascots eating sandwiches and drinking Beer. I painted that mural. TYhe owner paid me with free food for a month. Tat’s one way I fed my family while in grad school. Also, I worked for Classic signs. At Yudi’s across from The Arch there was a poster of Herschel breaking the SEC scoring record. I painted that, as well. Not Southern? Ha.

By journalist jimmy smith

August 26, 2007 9:17 PM | Link to this

not many bloggers realize this but bobby is quite the sportsman away from baseball. do you realize how handy it is to be a nose picker and a fisherman, too? always have bait.

By Robert

August 26, 2007 9:19 PM | Link to this

“Pitching, pitching, pitching, how many times does it have to be said for it to be heard?”

Except when you have Maddux, Glavine,and Smoltz (and Avery, and Neagle, and Millwood, and and and)

Then pitching isnt enough, and there’s another excuse

By chipdip

August 26, 2007 9:21 PM | Link to this

LETS FACE IT…THE FRIGGIN’BRAVES ARE DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!SEE YA’NEXT YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!pathetic weak no hungry losers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!THEY DOWN RIGHT SUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By N8

August 26, 2007 9:23 PM | Link to this

Lew

I hear you with the whole “not given up hope” thing. I keep trying to convince myself that we are one 15 of 20 game stretch away from getting right back in it.

But the little guy sitting on my shoulder keeps telling me that I’m crazy. Why on earth would I expect this team to win 15 of 20 games, when they haven’t done that ALL YEAR. It surely isn’t about to happen suddenly, is it?

Are we still “in it”? Technically, sure. Anything can happen. Unfortunately what I think is gonna happen, is that we’re gonna end up with less wins than last year’s version did. We need to go 13-18 for that NOT to happen. I’m not sure that this team has shown me ANYTHING that convinces me that they’re capable of winning 13 of the last 31 games, much less winning enough to take the wild card over.

YIKES.

By N8

August 26, 2007 9:27 PM | Link to this

Something just hit me.

Carroll’s “headline” states:

Chipper, Andruw taking day off

Huh. Apparently, taking the first 130 games off wasn’t enough for Andruw? :-)

By SAL

August 26, 2007 9:30 PM | Link to this

Less than one week until rosters can expand. Then, maybe Braves will release Woodward and give the Jones boys the rest of the year off (Chipper can hang out at Hooters and Andrew can start spending next year’s FA salary) and get a look at some youngsters. Just like in the 1970s and 1980s.

Not that Tex hasn’t done his part, but JS under estimated the Braves mediocrety when he sent Salty to Texas. If Tex leaves after next year it will be a shame.

By Lew

August 26, 2007 9:32 PM | Link to this

Nathan-Yeah, I keep waiting for the winning sreak to start, myself, and am constantly amazed when we find a new way to not win. Like someone said, we’re not getting beat, we’re just not winning. I don’t know what kind of firecracker up their collective behinds would do the trick and break them out of their doldrums, but time is indeed, a wastin’. I want to see the fire that’s been missing. Un fortunately, it’ only my innate optimism that keeps looking for it. My older, wiser self wonders where it went and why they can’t get it back. Kind of like Wayne’s lost MOJO. It’s Party Time, but no one brought the party favors.

By TheSouthernJackAss

August 26, 2007 9:34 PM | Link to this

Don’t you witless Metsuckers have a damn game to watch?…

By Todd Rundgren (Braves fan)

August 26, 2007 9:48 PM | Link to this

I’ve been listening to what’s been going down

There’s just too much talk and gossip going ‘round

You may think that I’m a fool, but I know the answer…

The time has come to take the bull by the horns

We’ve been so downhearted, we’ve been so forlorn

We get weak and we want to give in

But we still need each other if we want to win

If you don’t know what to do about a world of trouble

You can pull it through if you need to and if

You believe it’s true, it will surely happen

Shining still, to give us the will

Bright as the day, to show us the way

Somehow, someday,

we need just one victory and we’re on our way

Prayin’ for it all day and fightin’ for it all night

Give us just one victory, it will be all right

By Ron

August 26, 2007 9:49 PM | Link to this

Braveheart Its cool dude!!! Maybe I was just wanting to have a little bit of payback!!! But its over now!!! Its NOT like I am gonna do this all the time!!! I just wanted a little bit of payback!!! It made me feel better!!! Its all good now dude!!! I dont see myself ratting on anybody else UNLESS I have to!!! Its ALL good now though Braveheart!!!

By journalist jimmy smith

August 26, 2007 9:52 PM | Link to this

journalist is glad there are no shrimp sandwich posts today. those posts had become tiresome. still, if it was julia roberts posting we should try to keep julia blogging so there is a celebrity blogging here. and there are definitely some trolls here (troles for some, trools for others) and a very poor imitation of jimmy smith and of miss manners. even sja posts cannot be taken for granted as the real sja. and who is munson? larry munson perhaps? please, it is well past munson’s bedtime. probably in the tub with journalist bob sound asleep. wait, that doesn’t sound right. bulldog and jacket, right? probably in different tubs at the same time. bulldog tub probably leaks. and joebrave, this journlist was quick to acknowledge joebrave but joebrave must post nicer posts or joebrave posts will be deleted by carroll rogers and by dob. and jeff kent got tweaked by a pitch earlier in tonight’s game.

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

August 26, 2007 9:52 PM | Link to this

The guy no one seemed to want, David Wells, has gone 5 innings against the mighty mets and leads 3-2. He also has a bunt hit, natually.

By Braveheart

August 26, 2007 9:54 PM | Link to this

Ron, admit it dude, you’ve turned state’s witness. :) Just kidding.

By S T I N k y

August 26, 2007 9:56 PM | Link to this

they are voracious nose pickers.

Now jjs knows nose picking. Gotta give him that.

By Robert

August 26, 2007 9:57 PM | Link to this

Donk brought cake and ice cream, and funny hats too

By mark

August 26, 2007 9:59 PM | Link to this

First of all folks i like and respect Bobby Cox but its time for a change let bobby go up stairs and help Let TP take the team and let him hire a pitching coach .Ask that new ownership invest in a few starting pitching.JS has trasded all the potential starters away( Adam Wainright, EtC)I just think Cox is getting boring and I do not like way he handles the pitching staff.So there you have it

By journalist jimmy smith

August 26, 2007 10:07 PM | Link to this

stinky can blog with stinky. g’night.

By Efrim

August 26, 2007 10:12 PM | Link to this

“Last year, at this point, we were not a good baseball team,” said Matt Diaz, who accounted for two of the six hits surrendered by Wainwright. “Right now, we’re a good baseball team, just waiting for the breaks to come.”

Matt………quiet down. As a team, you make your owns breaks. We haven’t.

By bruce vilanch

August 26, 2007 10:18 PM | Link to this

is stinky kryptonite to jjs’s superman?

moriarity to sherlock?

bacteria to martians?

By S t i n k y

August 26, 2007 10:20 PM | Link to this

cleaning up the blog one nose-picker at a time.

By N8

August 26, 2007 10:23 PM | Link to this

Robert

Lew stated:

“It’s Party Time, but no one brought the party favors.”

Which you followed up with:

“Donk brought cake and ice cream, and funny hats too”

Now come on man. Are you really gonna tell me that you didn’t see the obvious response to Lew’s response?

I would’ve expected something having to do with pins, tails and blindfolds.

I can’t believe you didn’t nail that one. I’m disappointed. :-)

By joebrave

August 26, 2007 10:24 PM | Link to this

smoking the weed and,telling folk tales,popping the cork on weasel city!!!Ron dude what did I do to yopu Pal? I have already reiterated the fact I was on Ron Roberts,not you But if you wanna play that way!!!!!Semms you need to quit watching the Sopranos dude…

By Jefferson JW & Thompson TD

August 26, 2007 10:32 PM | Link to this

Rhinotillexomania: psychiatric disorder or habit?

BACKGROUND: Conditions once considered bad habits are now recognized as psychiatric disorders (trichotillomania, onychopagia). We hypothesized that nose picking is another such “habit,” a common benign practice in most adults but a time-consuming, socially compromising, or physically harmful condition (rhinotillexomania) in some.

METHODS: We developed the Rhinotillexomania Questionnaire, mailed it to 1000 randomly selected adult residents of Dane County, Wisconsin, and requested anonymous responses. The returned questionnaires were analyzed according to age, sex, marital status, living arrangement, and educational level. Nose picking was characterized according to time involved, level of distress, location, attitudes toward self and others regarding the practice, technique, methods of disposal, reasons, complications, and associated habits and psychiatric disorders.

RESULTS: Two hundred fifty-four subjects responded. Ninety-one percent were current nose pickers although only 75% felt “almost everyone does it”; 1.2% picked at least every hour. For 2 subjects (0.8%), nose picking caused moderate to marked interferences with daily functioning. Two subjects spent between 15 and 30 minutes and 1 over 2 hours a day picking their nose. For 2 others, perforation of the nasal septum was a complication. Associated “habits” included picking cuticles (25%), picking at skin (20%), biting fingernails (18%), and pulling out hair (6%).

CONCLUSION: This first population survey of nose picking suggests that it is an almost universal practice in adults but one that should not be considered pathologic for most. For some, however, the condition may meet criteria for a disorder-rhinotillexomania.

published in: J Clin Psychiatry. 1995 Feb;56(2):56-9.

By Choppinmama

August 26, 2007 10:32 PM | Link to this

jjs: Your 9:17 wins “The Top Chop of the Day”! An absolute classic in the great body of work by jjs. I like the way your mind works.

I’m not as up-to-date on the team as I used to be, so I count heavily on all of you denizens to keep the pulse of the team alive for me here. DOB and Carroll keep it real - and try and talk a lot of us down from the 15th story ledge when needed.

I have thoroughly enjoyed catching up on today’s blog - the songs have been great. Why can’t we all get together with the Renteria guys and record a “Best of the Blog/YouTube” CD?

And - I can’t believe that Woodward and Thorman are still playing either! Unproductive and Ineffective.

By Efrim

August 26, 2007 10:46 PM | Link to this

Rotoworld.com

Filling in for Chipper Jones, Chris Woodward went 0-for-4 and committed an error that led to two runs in Sunday’s loss to the Cardinals.

Woodward is arguably the NL’s worst player right now. We’ll give the Braves the benefit of the doubt and assume they wouldn’t have kept him over Martin Prado last week if we weren’t so close to the September roster expansion. They should be regretting it anyway. Not only does Woodward have a 523 OPS in 123 at-bats, but he’s committed six errors in the equivalent of about 25 full games on defense. That’s simply brutal.

Yet he is getting meaningful August at bats. Who is making these decisions????!!!?!?!?!?!

By Charlie

August 26, 2007 10:48 PM | Link to this

I just want to know, if JS is willing to GET a decent pitcher soon. Steve Traschel and Josh Towers(just to name some)already cleared waivers. Get the Braves a Starter NOWWWWWW JS!!! Even if it is Brett Tomko.

By A-ville Ranger

August 26, 2007 10:55 PM | Link to this

I’m not going to pretend to have any great confidence this team will make the post season this year.One thing about today’s game that encourages me for the future is Reyes play.He obviously has the stuff to be successful but he’s looked scared to death.In the first inning his eyes were big as saucers and his face was twitching all over.Then he seemed to settle down and for three innings we saw what got him to the bigs.I believe the potential is there to be a three or even a two starter.No way would I write him off regardless of what happens the rest of the season.

By TheSouthernJackAss

August 26, 2007 10:58 PM | Link to this

Stinky—single-digit IQ…lacks the ability to form a complete sentence…

By BravesFanInRockies

August 26, 2007 10:59 PM | Link to this

Depending on the outcome of the Dodgers-Mutts game, the Braves will either be 4th or 5th .. in the Wild Card race.

I had guessed they’d at least be within a game or two of the WC until the rosters expanded Sept. 1 but that may be a pipe dream.

Wow. What a collapse.

By Supes

August 26, 2007 11:04 PM | Link to this

If Woodward and Throman are on the Braves roster next year when the season starts…well there is nothing I can do about it, but WHY waste 2 roster places on those guys, when clearly neither can perform in the clutch and get pinch hits when they count!

I want to see changes next year.

The pen: I want Acosta, Ascanion and Devine to be with the team. Need some flame throwers that don’t look like they swallowed a water mellon whole last parting shot at Wicky! Need Gonzalez healthy, need Soriano and Moyland to be dominant. Tyler Yates to avoid being “pitched” to death, so he’s more effective for the entire year. It could be a very solid pen next year.

After that, gotta trade for another top tier pitcher, or at least a number 3 starter or two. Nobody that is over 40 and washed up…so no, I don’t want Benedict Glavine on this team.

I would think John S. should trade with either the A’s or the White Sox for a starter.

Hope that Mike Hampton can be the number 5 starter next year, I mean anything would be a bonus out of him at this point, but he can’t be worse than Redman was in the beginning of this season!

Give Matt Diaz a chance to start in LF on an everyday basis! Enough of that platoon crap…the guy has now enough at bats to project he can be a .300 hitter, with 10-15HRs, 25-30 2B’s and play decent enough outfield defense to justify being a starter.

Also, give Kelly Johnson an everyday job. If they deal Rent in the off-season, even better, you will never have to sit down Yunel or Kelly.

Next year’s lineup possibly:

1. Johnson
2. Escobar
3. C. Jones
4. Tex
5. BMac
6. Jeff F.
7. Either AJ or bring up Brandon Jones to play CF, or another free agent…Mike Cameron possibly?
8. Diaz
9. Pitcher.

Unless you are Tony LaRussa and want to bat the pitcher 8th and Diaz 9th!

By say what !!

August 26, 2007 11:12 PM | Link to this

Choppinmama So you dig the nose picking jokes……classic…yea that’s the word alright.I bet you like armpit music and belching contest.

By Kentavo

August 26, 2007 11:19 PM | Link to this

I see that Cox’s plan to “save” chipper for later and use thorman to ph really worked out today.

By GermanBravesFan

August 26, 2007 11:21 PM | Link to this

Robert: GET A LIFE!!!

By A-ville Ranger

August 26, 2007 11:36 PM | Link to this

Supes——-I think AJ is as good as gone.Use the money saved to acquire a strong reliable starter who’s healthy and has a history of pitching 200+ innings.I hope Brandon Jones is ready,if not try our hand in the market.The pitchers currently on the team who should definitely be in spring training are Smoltz,Hudson,Reyes,Gonzo (if healthy),Moylan,Yates,Villarreal,Devine,Ascanio and Acosta.I know I left Soriano off,if we could include him in a trade for a starter I’d think hard about it.I didn’t mean to skip over James but it may have been a Fruedian slip….I just don’t know about his mechanics long term.

By Since 1966 One Less Title Than The Marlins

August 26, 2007 11:39 PM | Link to this

If Scott Boras can put together a prospectus that demonstrates that the Smiling Strikeout Artist from Curacao is anything more than a radidly degenerating athlete that finally became the victim of not taking care of himself——WELL if he can pull that off I want him writing position papers for the State Department.

This hustler is already describing Slim—-I refuse to call him Pudge after he quit steroids and lost his body plus his skills—as being worthy of a 13 million extension from the Tigers.

If the Braves do anything besides laugh at Scott they will regret it for a long time. If he wants to take a hometown strip club discount that is fine—-But where exactly is a chubby, lost 4 steps, whiffing, laughing boy going to get a deal like Boras is going to propose.

By Bobby Cocks must be fired immediately

August 26, 2007 11:41 PM | Link to this

Without a doubt, the biggest idiot who ever coached a professional sports team.

By Train Wreck Bystander

August 26, 2007 11:44 PM | Link to this

Julio will be back in a few days and he will CARRY THIS TEAM.

So say we all.

=====

I still believe in these Atlanta Braves, but it’s getting more difficult with each passing day.

By TheSouthernJackAss

August 26, 2007 11:54 PM | Link to this

“Boomer” Wells beats the amazing Mets tonight…damn!…how bout that…

By B(( * ))(( * ))ger

August 26, 2007 11:59 PM | Link to this

The best thing about it is that I always get picked by the manager!

By Robert

August 27, 2007 12:02 AM | Link to this

N8 -That was priceless

By Ron

August 27, 2007 12:25 AM | Link to this

Joebrave Dude wrong place at the wrong time!!! I dont have no beef with you anymore since yesterday when you said you were talking about Ron Roberts instead of me!!! Like I said your post was at the Wrong place and at the Wrong time!!! No big deal though dude!!!

By fastasballs

August 27, 2007 12:46 AM | Link to this

I’m throwing a flag on the field because using the word beef on this blog in referring to anything other than Bob Wickman is just plain wrong, lol.

By BravesDave

August 27, 2007 1:14 AM | Link to this

The blog looks like a quiet place tonight. Another series loss. Three series losses in a row. I think we all see that you can’t make the postseason by losing series at this time of the year. The winning streak just never came this season. They needed it, but it never came.

Now we can sit back and wonder what happened. Why did Diaz spend so much time on the bench? Why is Woodward still a Brave? Why is Corky Miller on this team? Why do the Braves trade for pitchers will past arm troubles? Why does Bobby Cox want to try something new in the bullpen, but never tried anything new in the outfield? Why was Kelly Johnson permanently moved out of the leadoff spot when his OBP was at .400? Why did the Braves trade for a bullpen lefty like Royce Ring but never call him up to the majors, instead going with one lefty who was used in exactly every situation besides as a situational lefty? Why is Jeff Francoeur playing so poorly at the most important time of the season? Why did Andruw play so poorly all season - not one hot streak of note? Why hasn’t the acquisition of Tex sparked this team in any way (pitching)? Why does Bobby Cox pick his nose on camera so often - doesn’t his wife watch the games and tell him to stop?

By Todd A

August 27, 2007 1:49 AM | Link to this

Well, Robert, at least Fulmer has Cutcliffe now, so it’s not even debatable who the better coach/manager is. Cox has who to bounce ideas off of? The big Mexican? Does Cox even have any ideas to begin with? Ron Zook would be the better comparison at this juncture.

““Boomer” Wells beats the amazing Mets tonight…damn!…how bout that…”

Looks like Schuerholz was asleep at the wheel…AGAIN.Oh, that’s right.Wells is a fiery competitor, he wouldn’t fit in here. Carlyle, and his 8.00+ era in August, is a much better option at this point.

By Coach ( 2008 OR BUST

August 27, 2007 2:24 AM | Link to this

Seven back in the division in third place behind the Mets and Phillies. four games back in the wild card with four teams in front of us. Shall we give last rights to the 2007 Braves ? I wish I could say I saw this coming , NO WAIT ! I did see this coming. Never one for humility am I. Admission is good for the soul. I’m an A.S.S , So sorry for ticking off Lew and the Grinch , but hey , all is fair in love and War. There just isn’t much left to say or argue about except two things : Go get Tom Glavine in the off-season and Cox should retire immediately after the season ends. Bobby’s best years are far behind him as the steady decline of this team should be evidence enough of. They have not been to the playoffs since 2005 , they have not won a playoff series since 2001 , they have not been to a World Series since 1999 and last but not least they have not won it all since 1995 , twelve years ago. Which of course , is the only World Championship in the 41 years of Braves baseball in Atlanta. Just one more prediction for 2007. I correctly predicted the Mets to win the division back in April , but they are not built for the playoffs. They are just about the worst defensive unit in the division and sometime during the playoffs they will get spanked. Sorry fella’s your just gonna have to argue with somebody else , I’m speechless at the moment.

By AZBravoFan

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

Yikes! August 29th last year the Braves sat 4 games back in the wildcard race. Then came that disastrous rainy weekend in Philly. The more things change, the more they remain the same.

By Robert

August 27, 2007 2:30 AM | Link to this

You can talk about bad habits, about things that aren’t nice, Talk about dysfunction, ‘bout your favorite little vice, But I’ve got me an obsession that’s as crude as it goes, I’ve got Rhinotillexomania, I just have to pick my nose.

Rhinotillexomania, excavating all day, Rhinotillexomania, clearing stuff out of the way, You can try a facial tissue, even toilet paper too, But it’s Rhinotillexomania when nothing else will do.

Call your fine psychiatrist, let him mess with your head, Talk to your group therapist, relate until you’re dead, All the counseling in the world won’t raise you from the mob, Rhinotillexomania is a hands-on kind of job.

Rhinotillexomania, puts your hygiene on hold, Rhinotillexomania, going straight for the gold, You can try a Roto-Rooter, or an ice cream scooper too, But it’s Rhinotillexomania when nothing else will do

Rhinotillexomania lets you get back in touch, Lets your fingers do the walking, and it doesn’t cost you much. It may be a filthy habit, but some things you gotta do, And you gotta get the the Boogermen, before they come get you.

Rhinotillexomania, never minding the pain, Rhinotillexomania, careful, don’t hit the brain, When it comes to filthy habits of the solitary sort, you know that Rhinotillexomania is my second favorite sport.

Rhinotillexomania, strip mining your way, Rhinotillexomania, keeps congestion at bay, When other methods fail you, You can’t smell the rose, It’s Rhinotillexomania, Yeah, Rhinotillexomania, It’s Rhinotillexomania, where the digit meets the nose.

By Robert

August 27, 2007 2:33 AM | Link to this

This stuff is REAL

Background: Rhinotillexomania is a recent term coined to describe compulsive nose picking. There is little world literature on nose-picking behavior in the general population.

Method: We studied nose-picking behavior in a sample of 200 adolescents from 4 urban schools.

Results: Almost the entire sample admitted to nose picking, with a median frequency of 4 times per day; the frequency was > 20 times per day in 7.6% of the sample. Nearly 17% of subjects considered that they had a serious nose-picking problem. Other somatic habits such as nail biting, scratching in a specific spot, or pulling out of hair were also common; 3 or more such behaviors were simultaneously present in 14.2% of the sample, only in males. Occasional nose bleeds complicating nose picking occurred in 25% of subjects. Several interesting findings in specific categories of nose pickers were identified.

Conclusion: Nose picking is common in adolescents. It is often associated with other habitual behaviors. Nose picking may merit closer epidemiologic and nosologic scrutiny.

(J Clin Psychiatry 2001;62:426-431)

By Bob, Journalist

August 27, 2007 2:33 AM | Link to this

My computer has been down since noon … so with apologies, here’s some late comments written earlier … while I review some of of today’s news and blog entries.

It ain’t how many times you get knocked down but how many times you get up that counts.

Bandwagon Fan,

“People here who have been doubting this team this year have been catching grief for months now” … I’m sure that is, to some extent, at least directionally true.

I so qualify my remark because I rarely pay much attention to the “t** for tat” type exchanges designed to give grief to those expressing opposing views … but there have certainly been those on both sides of that fence who have so engaged.

It’s only natural that we have more gloating and disruptive Mets’ fan activity when they win and we lose than when the reverse it true. We should also expect more activity from the Braves’ fans that previously expressed pessimism should our chances continue to diminish … and just as the opposite should the trend be reversed.

I think that, regardless of rhetoric, there are few of among us who have not long recognized the fact that the current edition has its flaws, its weaknesses and its unproven elements. There are different views and attitudes regarding each of these as well as different levels of satisfaction with the quality of the contributions being made by the coaching staff. However, the number of blind optimists who actively participate on this Blog is quite small … most of us realized that making the playoffs would require many pieces to fall into place and much good fortune.

Among the concerns shared by many, optimists and pessimists alike … Injuries, especially to key members of the expected starting rotation and bullpen … a failed experiment at first base … a chronically disabled veteran third baseman … a bench, weakened by the loss of a player to substance abuse, that failed to meet expectations, inadequate offensive production out of the leftfield and centerfield positions resulting in the call up of Willie Harris … and a manager whose decisions became increasing suspect as the season progressed.

“Guess what you baseball gurus who have thrown stones at those who doubt this team…. THIS IS NOT A PLAYOFF TEAM AND THEY ARE PROVING IT MORE EVERY DAY!” … no, the stones that were thrown, were cast not because you had doubts and concerns … virtually all of us had those, … they were thrown because of attitude and the way those doubts and concerns were expressed. Granted there was some unnecessarily harsh rhetoric from both sides, but the rather haughty So who are the know nothings now?” is reflective of the referenced attitude. Methinks those who continually speak disparagingly of the team and/or those who applaud their efforts, regardless of outcome, are generally indulging in compensation and such posturing should be pitied rather than scorned … they are certainly of a different ilk than I.

It’s less important that the Braves make the playoffs than it is that they make the effort and we continue to embrace that effort … express your frustration but be proud and enjoy!

This Blog provides us with the opportunity to share ideas, opinions, stories, information and feelings … to talk about the Braves … but I think primarily to make new friends! If your agenda is to impress folks with how accomplished, important or intelligent you are, then you’ve come to the wrong place … we already have a strong contingent of truly accomplished, important and intelligent participants in residence and we’re not easily impressed by the self-acknowledged.

By Robert

August 27, 2007 2:41 AM | Link to this

Coach said “Cox should retire immediately after the season ends”

COACH! OMG! WOW!

I am so proud of you!

The worm is turning.

By southbeachdietfreak

August 27, 2007 2:51 AM | Link to this

Having Cutcliffe back makes me excited to watch UT again! Randy Sanders was a complete DUD of an OC!

By The Invisible Man

August 27, 2007 3:49 AM | Link to this

Robert you are more cool than I imagined.

Peace. And keep your nose clean.

By where bobby cox will go to retire

August 27, 2007 4:10 AM | Link to this

Borger is a city in Hutchinson County, Texas, United States. The population was 14,302 at the 2000 census.

(Around 1926-1927) the city became known as “Booger Town” as it attracted criminals and fugitives from the law.

By David O'Brien

August 27, 2007 7:45 AM | Link to this

Morning, good people.

Wow. The lines at security this morning at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson-Smith-Hancock-Jones-Myer-Rubin International Airport are approaching, in terms of length, anger and frustration, those at the Falcons (or perhaps Braves) refund counter. Ba-da-bum … help me out, folks, it’s early and my timing’s off from a week in a somewhat relaxed state of being.

I didn’t miss anything, did I? Aye yi yi….

Got an 8:30 a.m. to Fort Lauderdale. Can’t wait to enter that clubhouse….

By Overlord

August 27, 2007 8:01 AM | Link to this

Goog morning DOB.

By Paladin

August 27, 2007 8:23 AM | Link to this

Robert You never cease to amaze me. You are a very intelligent person and, when you want to be, one of the sharpest-wits on here. Wish you didn’t have your obsession.

By Will

August 27, 2007 8:26 AM | Link to this

Feel sorry for DOB, that is definitely gonna be a really fun locker room to deal with today lol!! Its cool though im sure they still think they are in the race, even though they may as well start making October tee times.

By ssiscribe

August 27, 2007 8:29 AM | Link to this

Top of the morning, denizens, as the clouds hang over the southern rim of the capital city, and last night’s rains remain fresh on the ground.

Kinda fitting, don’t you think, some nice scene setting from Mother Nature after the gloomiest week Braves Nation has experienced in 2007.

Allow me to be that annoying ray of sunshine in the sky of impending doom this morning. I’m the waiter serving you a warm, frothy cup of perspective and possibility with that plate of cold eggs, burnt bacon (everybody knows soggy bacon is better than Bacon BBR) and stale toast.

The Braves have not played well lately (duh!), losing seven of their past 10 games to plunge seven games out of first place in the NL East and four games out of the NL wild-card spot. But, as bad as it’s been for the boys wearing tomahawks across their chests, it’s been even worse for the team welcoming the limping Braves for a three-game series starting tonight.

The Marlins have lost nine of 10, 11 of 12, 12 of 14 and have the worst record in the National League. Former Braves’ coach Fredi Gonzalez watched as the Fish gave up six runs in the first inning yesterday in losing to the Reds (who, by the way, haven’t lost since Tim Hudson beat them Monday, running their winning streak to six with yesterday’s victory over Florida).

So, if there was a team the Braves needed to face now, it’s the Fish. The only problem? The venue. Dolphin Stadium, which I can tell you from first-hand experience is perhaps the worst place on planet Earth to watch a major-league baseball game (I’ve never been to St. Pete or RFK, but I can’t imagine it being any worse), hasn’t been kind to the Braves through the years. Just one of those places where, for whatever reason, the Braves don’t play well.

Jo Jo Reyes deserved a much, much better fate after, by far, his most outstanding effort of his brief major-league career yesterday. He got ahead in the count, and should’ve allowed just one run. An error by Chris Woodward — who has no business whatsoever playing in an important game in the midst of a pennant race — kept an inning alive that saw the Cardinals score two runs, turning a 1-0 game into a 3-0 game.

Lance Cormier continues to pitch well, and he’ll toe the slab tonight against the Fish. He easily could have won his past two starts. Get Reyes and Cormier pitching well, and get Chuck James back, and maybe, just maybe, the Braves can get some much-needed stability from starters not named John Smoltz and Tim Hudson. Buddy Carlyle goes Tuesday, and the Braves really need him to step up and pitch like he did in July.

The Mets and Phillies play each other this week, and the Padres play the Diamondbacks. As crazy as this may sound, the Braves can play themselves back into the race almost as quickly as they have slipped. If the Braves can sweep the Marlins (and granted, nobody out there probably thinks that can happen, but the Braves have a real chance to do just that), they will gain ground every day on either the Mets or the Phillies. And should the Phils win two of three from the Mets, the Braves would find themselves just five games behind the New Yorkers as the Mets then come to Atlanta this weekend.

Should the Braves sweep the Marlins and the Padres lose two of three from the D’Backs, then Atlanta would be just two games out of the wild-card spot heading into the weekend.

After the past week, would you take being two games out of a playoff spot entering the frantic final month of the season? You bet your buns you would.

But it all sits squarely on the shoulders of the hometown nine at this point. And time is ticking. Tomorrows are going to run out soon. There is no luxury of trying to gain a game here, a game there. The Braves have to rebound from last week with a winning streak of more than two games.

Three wins in Florida would be a good start. After that, the Braves are home for nine games. The rosters expand, bringing in much-needed help for the bench and bullpen. This still is doable, but the time for talk is just about over.

With a floundering team in front of them, the Braves today stand at a major crosspoint of the 2007 season. The Marlins have nothing but pride to play for. The Braves have everything on the line, and a sweep of the next three games is the only way to jump-start the push to the finish line.

The Scribe abides.

—30—

By MEB

August 27, 2007 8:34 AM | Link to this

DOB… man am I glad you’re back! The Braves have been in the tank since you left. Carroll’s winning percentage is absolutely subterranean. She does a great job on the blog but when we get some pitching we can’t score runs and when we score runs we get no pitching. Worst part of your absence is the Robert infestation has reached epidemic levels. Welcome back and lets put together something down there in Miami.

GO BRAVES!!!

By Braveheart

August 27, 2007 8:40 AM | Link to this

Robert You never cease to amaze me. You are a very intelligent person and, when you want to be, one of the sharpest-wits on here. Wish you didn’t have your obsession.

Good morning Paladin and how do you do, kind sir? Those are my thoughts on Robert as well.

By Will

August 27, 2007 8:49 AM | Link to this

I would like to think the Braves have a shot to turn it around yesterday, but i do not have my hopes up. I dont care who they are playing right now, they are finding ways to lose. Not to mention the fact that Buddy and Lance are pitching. I just dont see it with this team. Now they have made it even worse and let 3 teams in between them and the Wild Card leader. Why do the Braves always seem to quit when they are losing in a game?? Its a head scratcher.

By Mz Manures

August 27, 2007 8:52 AM | Link to this

Grinch darlin’, you are a very funny man and a normal master of the written-word, but I must take exception with you on one thing.

You often accompany your humorous remarks with the notation (rim shot). A rim shot is an act of “love” that doesn’t quite make it. Bad! A (drum roll) or (rim rap) would be more appropriate to use, particularly for an accomplished lover such as yourself. Do try to do better, won’t you, sweetheart?

I know I am a “cheap substitute” for Miss Manners, but she is busy with boogers, peaches and such as that. I’m just trying to fill the void.

By Jumping the Gun

August 27, 2007 8:56 AM | Link to this

DOB a couple weeks ago:

The Braves are going to win the NL East. Sorry, they just are.

Hey, Dave, could you pick some weekend college football games for us? I’ll bet the opposite and split the profits with you.

By J.D. Phillips

August 27, 2007 8:57 AM | Link to this

Hopefully at some point today news will come that that bum Woodward is no longer associated with the Braves organization. Someone like Wickman who struggled but also at times was productive gets put on waivers and if a meaningless no-hit, non-productive, error prone reserve like Woodward remains on this team it will simply baffle me to no end.

Frustration is starting in on the players as much as the fans. Constantly whining to umpires about balls and strikes is just an example. I have come to the conclusion that I am a selfish fan because I want the Braves to make post-season even if they do not deserve to be there. This team does not deserve to be a playoff team with this lackluster type of play. This series will tell the story if this team has any desire left in them at all. The Marlins are truly a pitiful team in complete disarray at present time. The Braves need a sweep of this team just to build confidence if nothing else.

By Paladin

August 27, 2007 8:59 AM | Link to this

And a good morning to you, as well, Mr. Braveheart. How’s that head, this morning? Is a little hair-of-the-dog required? :-)

By TrueBlueBravesFan

August 27, 2007 9:07 AM | Link to this

Hey DOB

Good to see you back! Not that Carrol was doing a bad job or anything.

I’m opening today with my list of What-if’s. Because I think the season is slipping away.

1) What-if Hampton’s Elbow had recovered and he was our 5th Starter. 2) What-if Craig Wilson hadn’t been a waste of 2 million in payroll. 3) What-if Andruw had at least hit is weight with RISP. 4) What-if Wickman hadn’t blown 3 of Hudson’s wins. 5) What-if the Braves hadn’t signed Chris Woodward. 6) What-if the Mets hadn’t gotten Luis Castillo as basically a freebe from Minnesota. 7) What-if the Braves could have played at least .500 ball against the Reds and the AL. 8) What-if the Mike Gonzales arm hadn’t fallen off. 9) What-if Lance Cormier hadn’t developed a bad Triceps at the end of Spring Training. 10) What-if Kyle Davies could have put it together and contributed to this team.

There’s more and I’d love to hear other’s what-if’s except for you Robert

By The Grinch

August 27, 2007 9:08 AM | Link to this

Morning, all. MEB, don’t go blaming all this on Carroll. Even though she’s just a girl, she did a fine job. :-) I hope that goes over as well as I meant it, rather than as well as it probably will.

BravesDave, you are one morbidly gloomy individual; you resemble Eyore emotionally more than Cox does physically. However, I’ll give credit where credit is due; you asked some mighty fine questions in the second half of your 1:14 post. Why, indeed?

Much as it pains me to say it in light of all the poor play of late and even poorer managing, Scribe is right. This thing still ain’t over. It’s possible even with Woodward in the game and Diaz on the bench to sweep the Marlins, and with the expanded rosters SURELY TO GOD some combination of our best players will be utilized. And when that happens, this team is capable of overcoming its starting pitching, especially with the added bullpen help. Provided more than the same three are used every night, that is.

Ok, folks; time to get some work done. Keep your heads up.

By NO CHOP ZONE

August 27, 2007 9:12 AM | Link to this

OK LEW, my bad. I read your resume and realized you qualify to offically be called a redneck. My apologies. Let me ask you this. When you were young did you go to family reunions to pick up chicks? Just wondering if the myth is true.

By Jumping the Gun

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

Denouement from “Aging Hoss”

A burned-out Chipper Jones sits in a dark and dingy clubhouse in south Florida, staring into a cracked mirror:

Chipper: You remember that game in St. Louis, Bobby? You came to me and said, “Kid, this ain’t your night. We’re goin’ with Woodward at third?” Not my night! I coulda taken Wainwright apart! You was my manager, Bobby. You shoulda looked out for me a little bit. I coulda had class! I coulda been a contender. I coulda been somebody. It was you, Bobby!

Clubhouse manager: Five minutes, Chip.

Chipper: Yeah, OK.

Clubhouse manager: You need anything? Cortisone? Greenie?

Chipper: Nah.

Clubhouse manager: You sure?

Chipper: Nah. I’m good.

(Clubhouse manager exits)

Chipper (stands and flexes aging body, psyching himself): I’m the Hoss! I’m the Hoss! I’m the Hoss! I’m the Hoss! I’m the Hoss! I’m the Hoss! I’m the Hoss!

(fade to black)

By The Grinch

August 27, 2007 9:16 AM | Link to this

Mz Manures, my apologies. I always thought what you were referring to was a “rim job.” A drum roll would seem more appropriate to me as something that would preceed my standing at a urinal (won’t go further here; it’s a family blog). “Rim Rap” sounds like rhyming to a beat about the four wheels supporting the Grinchmobile…too early for that. I’ll take your advice into consideration, however.

Now, breakfast…

By Efrim

August 27, 2007 9:24 AM | Link to this

Scribe

It is asking the Braves alot to sweep anyone.

By Will

August 27, 2007 9:30 AM | Link to this

If the Braves cannot even manage to sweep a home series, i am definitely not holding my breath for a road sweep. The Braves “playoff” mentality has already kicked in in August. Cant put anything together anytime, anywhere. I know Bobby Cox does not hit, pitch or field, but the Braves mentality as a whole is starting to get really really old. If these guys spend one more game complaining to the umpires i think i am gonna lose it.

By BamaBrave

August 27, 2007 9:31 AM | Link to this

Several weeks ago - around the trade deadline - I made a wager with Ron (I believe) that the team would settle down and play better once that turmoil had subsided.

Boy, was I wrong.

I’ve even given it an extra week to see if we’d play above .500 ball on this roadtrip.

Nope.

So, I owe you a Coke, Ron. You (and many others) have been saying that this is nothing more than a .500 team. I, for one, finally accept that.

I’m not ready to wave the white flag yet. But I have it out of the box.

By Lee in S. GA

August 27, 2007 9:32 AM | Link to this

That kid from Warner Robins looked good on 3rd base yesterday in the little league world series yesterday. Maybe the Braves can sign him to replace Woodward until Chipper gets healthy.

By Lew

August 27, 2007 9:39 AM | Link to this

Now, Now, Little NoBrainZone-When the administrators at that special school asked your parents for your pedigree, it really didn’t mean they had to put newspapers on the kitchen floor for you. Have you enjoyed your kibble this morning?

By Mz Manures

August 27, 2007 9:40 AM | Link to this

Believe me! Mz Manures has had “experience” with that “all hat and no cattle” stuff. Bummer! And we are glad to hear you can stand at a urinal. It had been reported that you were seen at the Ted in the sit-down-to-pee line. Must have been NCZ.

You have a nice breakfart, and a really good day, ya’hear?

By don

August 27, 2007 9:41 AM | Link to this

A starting rotation of Maddux, Glavine, Wainwright, Byrd, and Marquis with Borowski as the closer looks pretty good.

Question for the day? Old “KTex” has accumulatied some impressive numbers since coming to Atlanta. However, just how many wins has he been responsible for providing with the decisive hit? Answer: 0.

It shows that mere raw numbers mean little if they are irrelevant in the end result.

By Tomahawkin

August 27, 2007 9:41 AM | Link to this

Can’t believe we got Punked by those wack arse cardinals…I called it yesterday we I saw Woodard starting, He and this team just flat out sucks rite now, we definitely need to sweep the marlins, while the Phillies and Mutts beat up on each other, but on the other hand Dolphin Stadium has been a house of horrors for us…

By BT

August 27, 2007 9:41 AM | Link to this

What was the reason again that we did not go after David Wells?

By Mz Manures

August 27, 2007 9:45 AM | Link to this

Grinch I inadvertently “dropped” your name from my previous post. It went SPLATT!, but that is another “story”….

By Tomahawkin

August 27, 2007 9:46 AM | Link to this

MEB

“when we get some pitching we can’t score runs and when we score runs we get no pitching.”

The whole second half has been like that…that’s whats really p** me off about this team…

By don

August 27, 2007 9:46 AM | Link to this

Won 11

Lost 13

By TampaBrave

August 27, 2007 9:48 AM | Link to this

If we are going to go on a streak, here’s the way I’d push the buttons. Pitching Order: Smoltz Hudson Cormier Reyes/James Carlyle

Batting KJ-L Escobar-R CJ-L/R Diaz-R TEX-L/R AJ-R BMAC-L JF-R Pitcher

Regarding the pitchers, Buddy and Lance must be separated. They pitch almost identical. Put the lefty in between them so that opposing batters have a harder time calibrating them.

On the line up, I am a big advocate that Matt Diaz s/b batting fourth. The proposed lineup, when facing a RHP, staggers the lineup with a l,r,l,r,l,r attack. Throwing all lefties against RHP allows the pitcher to get into a groove. We need to shake that up. Against lefties, we need to allow KJ to remain in the game.

CJ and Tex need a buffer between them. Diaz is hungry and might even motivate these guys to get it going. I know this. What we are doing is not producing. We all know the talent is there. How do we get them to play to their potential? Any other ideas out there?

By sportsmandh

August 27, 2007 9:49 AM | Link to this

J.D. Phillips, Your 8:57 post. You stole my thunder and I couldn’t have said it better myself. If Woodward isn’t cut today, then I will be completely bumfuzzeled. We cut Craig Wilson, Julio Franco, and now even Wickman, but not Woodward? I don’t get it! Martin Prado should be brought up today. If the worry is there’s no backup shortstop, I say so what. Kelly Johnson or even Willie Harris could probably play short in an emergency. Cut Woodward, bring up Prado and let him get more big league at bats as he can. He showed a lot of signs of improvement in the last stint up here. And, cutting Woodward will send a message that hey, we’re still not giving up and we’re not excepting mediocrity.

As for arguing with the umpires. It’s amazing. It now seems everyone on the entire roster is doing this. If I were the manager, I would have a strict crackdown on this. Of course Blobby would never do such a thing, b/c everyone is just following his lead. I completely understand the players’ frustration b/c they have clearly been getting some bad calls. And it is also a sign of a team that is pressing very hard and wanting to win. BUT, what they have to understand is that word gets around with the umpires, and they will wind up not getting ANY borderline or grey area calls with this attitude. The proof is in the pudding on this theory. If you have been watching this team recently, then you realize this trend is NOT a coincidence. All the bad calls are going against us and the whining is a big part of the reason why. Take it to the bank.

Oh well, I’m still hoping for some drastic turn around but I just can’t see it happening. I am through getting mad at this team and getting my hopes up. This is not a playoff team, we had our chances to make some hay in the last week and have done the exact opposite. I will continue to watch the team for the rest of the season and pull for the best, and hope to see some young guys get more chances to build for next season if things continue to go south (see Prado above). And I promise not to mention again why didn’t Oscar Villareal get a chance to start some during this crucial last month when starting Reyes was just throwing a game away.

On a lighter note, is there any truth to the rumor that Corky Miller had a pro-wrestling career prior to getting into baseball under the name of Robert Gibson of the rock & roll express?

By Tomahawkin

August 27, 2007 9:49 AM | Link to this

BT and for all the other cats up in here, Ireally missing the fact that we didn’t go harder after Glavine…as well as David Wells, but David Wells has been known for his hatred of the Braves…thats probably why we didn’t go after him…

By Will

August 27, 2007 9:54 AM | Link to this

Wells would have come in for the Braves and got shelled, thats the way things are going right now. No reason to say “what if” about David Wells, this team has so many more problems that would not be solved by a 40 something fat b*******. We just relieved ourselves Wickman, they do not need another one.

By BamaBrave

August 27, 2007 9:54 AM | Link to this

Why would David Wells hate the Braves, Tomahawkin? I’ve never heard that one…

By joe smith

August 27, 2007 9:55 AM | Link to this

When you start Woodward , you are saying we are not trying to win

By Yars

August 27, 2007 10:01 AM | Link to this

ssiscribe…..A very optimistic post of yours to say the least. Like BamaBrave just said, the white flag is out, but let’s not wave it, just yet. The Padres playing the D’backs for a 4 game series starting tonight. Man, the D’backs winning 3 out of 4 would be sweet. As for the Phillies playing the Mets starting tonight for a 3 game series, I can’t really see either the Phillies or the Braves catching the Mets. Perhaps we should root for a Mets series win to further knock down the Phils in the Wildcard standings? Or, if the Braves somehow sweep the Marlins, & get a lot of help from the D’backs, and/or Mets/Phils? Ok, now I’m confused!?!? In any case, the Braves need to go on a 6 or 7 game winning streak starting tonight. No ifs, ands, buts about it. Didn’t we win 5 in a row a couple times this season?

By Paladin

August 27, 2007 10:01 AM | Link to this

If one of you, now present, tried to send me an e-mail, it was “denied” by my postmaster because of a virus detected. You will have to use your “clean” site, or forget it.

By Lee in S. GA

August 27, 2007 10:08 AM | Link to this

sportsmandh

On a lighter note, is there any truth to the rumor that Corky Miller had a pro-wrestling career prior to getting into baseball under the name of Robert Gibson of the rock & roll express?

That team was back in the glory days of WCW when ted Turner owned the comapny. Miller is not the Robert Gibson I remember wrestling at that time. Ricky Horton and Ricky Gibson were the rock and roll express.

By TheSouthernJackAss

August 27, 2007 10:09 AM | Link to this

This crop of Braves couldn’t ‘sweep’ a parking lot…

By Tomahawkin

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

BamaBrave Read David Wells’s Book… he used to always cuss out the Tomahawk chop back in the days when he used to play us in the playoffs (When he was with the Yankees, and Reds) He used to absolutetly hate it when he heard the chop in the days of Fulton county Stadium…

He has it document in his biography of how much he hated the braves…

By STRETCH

August 27, 2007 10:15 AM | Link to this

Just face it everyone, these guys are just OVERRATED and more so on offense than anything. Besides TEX and CHIPPER they are probably NO better than the ROYALS right now.

When you have played this much during the season and you have NOT made any progress behind the plate since the break, then its time to swing the bat more. Heck….things cant be any worse!

By chipdip

August 27, 2007 10:16 AM | Link to this

We need a new manager.Someone like a lou pinella type to light a fire on this sorry excuse of a team!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!NO HEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By Robert (Justice Is The Best)

August 27, 2007 10:17 AM | Link to this

What is there left to say. I saw a team going through the motions yesterday. I saw a team (except Teixeira and Francoeur) that acted like they were defeated before the stepped on the field.

I think JoJo Reyes is going to unfairly get blamed for yesterday’s loss. It wasn’t his fault. Two of those runs should have never scored. Woodward flat out missed that ball. It didn’t “hop up on him” as Chip Caray said. As Rotoworld.com said, Woodward is the worst player in the NL and is stealing money from the Braves.

One thing I did see yesterday that could be a good sign was the expression on Bobby Cox’s face. He looked angry. Not frustrated. No disappointed. Not annoyed. He looked p**! He looked like he was going to explode. No cheerleading and hand clapping with that silly look like everything is “okay”. He looked mad. Maybe….finally…..he closed the door and let these so-called major leaguers have it.

Its crunch time. It is now or never. A 10 of 11 wining stretch must be had now. The Braves have to get it together. I love Willie Harris but the feel good story is beginning to feel like sour milk on the stomach. B. Jones needs to be called up now. Chris Woodward has to be released and Prado or Lillibridge called up. And, a starter has to be found.

By the way that David Wells sure looked like hell last night. I mean did you see him lay that bunt down for a hit. Real major league baseball players don’t bunt!

By Tomahawkin

August 27, 2007 10:18 AM | Link to this

I tell you guys what If I see Woodard start another game this year I’m gonna Throw the TV across the room…always a bad omen when you see his name in the lineup

we seriously need to play like we did in April (.666 baseball) in order to have any chance whatsoever…

Oh yea if we finish 2 or 3 games behind, is the team gonna blame the season on the Interleague schedule…?

By Jim Valvano

August 27, 2007 10:23 AM | Link to this

Don’t give up!!! Don’t ever give up!!!

By Ciccio

August 27, 2007 10:23 AM | Link to this

Braves should have taken a chance on Wells since he can,at times, still pitch effectively and is a much better alternative than the pitchers starting behind Smoltz & Hudson. Also there postseason hopes are slipping away due to brutal pitching by the 3-5 starters and a bullpen than has imploded in the second half. Although, John Schuerholz improved the offense and defense with the aquisition of Teixeira and somewhat attempted to upgrade the bullpen with the Dotel trade. However, his focus should have been on the starting pitching. I wondered if Davies could have been packaged in a deal for Reds’ starter Arroyo.

By BamaBrave

August 27, 2007 10:25 AM | Link to this

10-4, Tomahawkin…I’d forgotten that he’d “written” a book. Thx.

By Paladin

August 27, 2007 10:29 AM | Link to this

Uh, Jim. Aren’t you dead?

By BT

August 27, 2007 10:30 AM | Link to this

Proper bunting obviously is out of the question with the Braves. Bobby should have gone crazy with those back to back pitiful efforts yesterday.

By Overlord

August 27, 2007 10:35 AM | Link to this

chipdip you find the manager, hire him and ill find a way to pay for him and get cox executed.

By Robert

August 27, 2007 10:38 AM | Link to this

Paladin and Braveheart - Thanks, I guess

My job basically consists of problem solving. I’m hard wired to analyze a situation, identify, and then solve problems, starting with the most pressing

The rest of it, is, to my way of thinking, fluff and minutia that can be dealt with later if it doesnt happen to sort itself out during the repair of the big problem

‘09 - Y’all will see - I dont guess those of you who dont have a taste for me will like me any better (c’est la vie) but y’all will have to conced I was right.

By George Custer

August 27, 2007 10:38 AM | Link to this

OK boys, we have these fish-eatin-Mut smellin-Phillycheesesteakin’-“red” men just where we want ‘em. In front of us, behind us and OH SH!T—on top of us. “What a friend we have in Jesus”.

By bill

August 27, 2007 10:41 AM | Link to this

I was taken to the wood shed for even suggesting, Wells.Trachel, Tower and others. Alot of these washed up pitchers have been to war. They would have been alot better than what they have. It’s to late now. Wells gave the Dodgers a big lift.

By Efrim

August 27, 2007 10:41 AM | Link to this

KC

Where are ya? Get off the ledge man!!!!

By Robert

August 27, 2007 10:41 AM | Link to this

Who was it that said we would get finally get some relief playing the Marlins, since they’ve lost 11 of 13.

I guarantee you the Marlins are thinking they’re finally gonna get some relief, back home and getting to play the Braves

By Overlord

August 27, 2007 10:43 AM | Link to this

jim valvano, im not giving up, im just being realistic. This is not mentally healthy for any of us.

By geauxbraves2000

August 27, 2007 10:43 AM | Link to this

I started watching yesterday’s game, absolutely knowing the Braves were not going to win that game. Even the Cardinal announcers the night before pretty much knew the Cardinals were going to win Sunday.

All this time has passed, and I’ve seen no improvement. I’ve seen no sweeps since the pirates, I’ve seen few winning series, and if it ain’t Smoltz or Hudson then it’s pretty much a guaranteed loss. Not going to go anywhere but backwards winning 2 out of 5, which is exactly what they’ve done.

I want to the Braves to make the playoffs, I really hope they do, but right now I’ve resigned myself to believing it’s not going to happen this year. Spotty pitching and not much clutch hitting.

There is still time, but they are going the wrong way right now.

Geaux Braves!!

By Robert

August 27, 2007 10:45 AM | Link to this

“One thing I did see yesterday that could be a good sign was the expression on Bobby Cox’s face. He looked angry. Not frustrated. No disappointed. Not annoyed. He looked p**! “

How p** you think he’s gonna be when he realizes he’s the cause of this mess?

Aint a rodeo cowboy in the world that could stay on his back 3 seconds if and when this little factoid finally seeps into the inner recesses of his oxygen-wasting brain

By Ciccio

August 27, 2007 10:47 AM | Link to this

I’m in complete agreement with Tomahawkin and Robert regarding Woodard. Martin Prado should have been at 3rd base yesterday and on the 40-man roster. Also, the team should have taken a chance on David Wells since he,at times, could still pitch effectively. Furthermore, he is a much dependable option than the pitchers starting behind Smoltz and Hudson. Although, John Schuerholz upgraded the offense & defense with the acquisition of Teixera and somewhat attempted to improve the bulpen with the Dotel deal. I feel that his focus should have been on trying to obtain a starter. I wish they could have traded Davies and prospects for Reds’ starter Arroyo. Finally, if the team does not reach the postseason their failure could be attributed to the third-rate pitching from the 3-5 starters and the implosion of the bullpen in the second half of the season.

By Overlord

August 27, 2007 10:48 AM | Link to this

Tomahawkin, if i give my address would you rather send me your TV set instead of making something violent with it?

If i were you i wouldnt say that, since chipper could still be aching.

By Jim Valvano

August 27, 2007 10:49 AM | Link to this

Overlord You are not listening to me. Don’t Give Up! Don’t Ever Give Up!

By robo

August 27, 2007 10:52 AM | Link to this

The Braves are running out of games and too many teams vying for wildcard (forget about division). The Brovos must put together 7 or 8 wins out of ten games to even have a chance-.510 ball won’t cut it, and if they think Wickman was the scapegoat, the pitching will make or break the team. I think I know where the big money will be spent this off season (besides filling Andrews shoes).

By NO CHOP ZONE

August 27, 2007 10:54 AM | Link to this

Did you enjoy the standings this morning LEW?? I heard the undertaker was looking for your 2007 braves to put the finishing touches on them before burial. Any last wishes must be submitted soon because the end is just around the corner.

By Overlord

August 27, 2007 10:56 AM | Link to this

This is even more ridiculous than last year.

I have to accept that bobby has limited options since thorman and woodcrap are in the roster, but he could do something for them not to be there. I hope this team can win some games this week, at least 5, because we need to make an impressive shortening of the lead the padres are holding right now. It really is a joke to be behind the rockies in the standings. Completely frustrating.

Cox signed a 1 years extension, right? so he is to be here in 2008. Is this correct?

By Lee in S. GA

August 27, 2007 10:58 AM | Link to this

It is a shame to what is being lost in the midst of all of this. That is Tex’s performance since becoming a Brave. It sure looks like he enjoys being in a Braves uniform. Too bad I can’t say that about some of the other players.

By Robert

August 27, 2007 10:59 AM | Link to this

“I saw a team going through the motions yesterday.”

Ok, now I know that every game is vital, and that it’s crunch time, and all that.

But let’s say I’m a Brave. How exactly am I supposed to feel, when, knowing what a critical juncture we’re at, I find out that the team’s best hitter, and their best defender, are out of the line-up, and that monkey man and his 8 ERA are pitching? - Yeah, it’s gonna be easy for me to think we’ve got a great chance to win - Even if I WANNA be enthused

I mean, it’s like you walk into a w******* ready to go, pay your money, open the door, and find Bea Arthur - shhhhhoooooooooooommmmmmmmmp

(not to offend anyone who might find Bea Arthur arousing)

By Paladin

August 27, 2007 11:00 AM | Link to this

Robert I was quite sincere, and I’m sure that Braveheart was, as well. And the amazing thing is your “answer” contained no animal or vegetable references. There is hope for you yet, son. We will have Rev. Zoldars and GermanBravesFan pray for your salvation. :-)

By Robert (Justice Is The Best)

August 27, 2007 11:02 AM | Link to this

Ah, I see someone let that stray dog in again. Speaking of strays, how are you doing, No Chop Zone. I guess life must be good for you. The Mets are in first and the Yanks are fading. Well, despite what you may think I am not a spoiled sport. So, congratulations on your Mets seemingly back to back division titles. Just keep in mind the season isn’t over yet and miracles do happen. The Braves could still win that wild card!

By TheSouthernJackAss

August 27, 2007 11:03 AM | Link to this

What’s wrong with Bea?…

By journalist jimmy smith bids bloggers goodbye

August 27, 2007 11:05 AM | Link to this

breaking news …

ATLANTA, GA

jimmy smith leaves the blog forever

choppinmama and braveheart, journalist thanks choppinmama and braveheart for the nice comments. glad choppinmama and braveheart enjoyed this journalist’s posts.

choppinmama, jimmy smith is sorry that the ugly, stinky blogger was ugly to choppinmama - just as that blogger was ugly to carolina lady (who seldom blogs here now) before.

it is because choppinmama had something nice to say to this journalist that choppinmama was attacked. that is unfortunate and jimmy smith apologizes to choppinmama.

the ugly blogger is “banned” (for what that is worth) but blogs here daily under many names. fine. let him continue to blog with himself.

journalist went through this for months earlier on this blog and knows what to expect- ugly, odious, nastiness from one who lacks basic social skills.

jimmy smith can choose freely what to do for amusement - and this blog ceases to amuse jimmy smith with the stinky blogger’s ugly posts, identity theft, and provocation. can choose friends and where to spend time.

so, jimmy smith takes leave of the blog.

in short, would rather not blog than blog with the ugly, stinky blogger.

journalist will stay busy - and will devote time to reading more mark davis and to calling songbirds.

journalist is gone, blog friends. gone forever, like the sja, from the dob & carroll/braves/man in black/pie/toes/barbecue/music blog.

if carroll rogers answers the sock question, someone please e-mail jimmy smith with the answer. journalist will not be monitoring stinky’s blog.

go braves!

g’day. g’bye. selah. -30- goodnight, gracie. “goodnight, anne, honey, see you in the morning.” “goodnight, dob.”

toodaloo, bloggers.

By Bea Arthur

August 27, 2007 11:06 AM | Link to this

Robert, sweetie. Don’t knock it ‘til you’ve tried it. And like Mikey said, “I like it!”

By J.D. Phillips

August 27, 2007 11:07 AM | Link to this

It appears A.J. may get that average up to about 230 by the close of the season. That may be Boras’ ticket to get the money he wants. Yep a 230 batting average. I’ll take a chance on someone else’s defense next year - good bye Mr. Jones.

Cannot blame him much since all he does is fail at pinch-hitting these days; but Thorman looks like he has completely given up. He knows his future is history with the Braves with Tex here. He is as good as gone by way of some sort of trade before next spring begins.

I am already excited a little about spring training. Gone are A.J., Thorman, Woodward and hopefully 2 out of the 5 starting pitchers are gone.

By Overlord

August 27, 2007 11:10 AM | Link to this

Jim you give me a good reason please, cause i have been trying hard not to quit on braves, but they just keep giving me more and more reason to think season is over.

By Robert (Justice Is The Best)

August 27, 2007 11:11 AM | Link to this

Robert, man, shutup! I haven’t laughed that hard in a long time. Your Bea Arthur analogy, while disturbing, was very accurate. It is hard to get into a game when you see Woodward’s name on the lineup card. Now, in fairnes to Reyes, he pitched a good game. His defense and offense let him down.

By Lew

August 27, 2007 11:14 AM | Link to this

NoBrainZone-Did Mommy give you a Milk Bone after you used your papers? Was it a good Milk Bone. Hope so. Maybe if you’re real good, they’ll let you have a squeaky chew toy. But only if you’re good and don’t mess the florrs.

By anti-Robert

August 27, 2007 11:14 AM | Link to this

“Robert>>My job basically consists of problem solving. I’m hard wired to analyze a situation, identify, and then solve problems, starting with the most pressing“<<

You’re not doing your job Robert>>you are the problem!<

By Jumping the Gun

August 27, 2007 11:22 AM | Link to this

Robert’s like Winston Wolf: He solves problems.

So pretty please, with sugar in top, fire the f—-ing manager.

By TheSouthernJackAss

August 27, 2007 11:23 AM | Link to this

TheSouthernJackAss will now leave the blog forever….once again…

TheJackAss will not continue to blog on a journalistjimmysmithless blog…

Ron Roberts/Stinky…enjoy…

By Overlord

August 27, 2007 11:23 AM | Link to this

Just some more unbelievable numbers:

Last 10 games:

Pirates 7-3

Reds 8-2

Giants 7-3

Braves 3-7

Could tell by this records which of those teams is or are in the playoff hunt?

By Robert

August 27, 2007 11:27 AM | Link to this

Paladin and all - Yes, the bench is weak. Yes, the back of the rotation is iffy. But y’all act like no team has ever had to face these kinds of issues before, let alone overcome them

There’s only a few folks who flat-out let it be known that they agree with me about Cox

But what there are is a lot of folks who have a “yes-but” attitude about Cox (yes he’s suspect, but)

Yes-but, WHAT? And they’ll probably say something , yes but 14 division titles (or the even weaker, yes but I love him so)

And to my thinking, if yes, he’s suspect, then time to go back and see if he really merits getting a pass for that division title streak, or if possibly it happened not because he was here, or maybe even despite the fact he was here

Take the name Bobby Cox out of it for a moment

If manager X repeatedly

a. misuses relievers such that situational guys pitch when they dont need to and thus are not at optimum when they ARE needed

b. continues to play players in key roles who are performing poorly, not giving the fully needed effort, or not able to execute basic baseball skills

(and dont give me that he doesnt have a responsibility in teaching, or in making sure that skills sets are appropriatey practiced and perfected)

c.when discussing the team, either utters total nonsense or outright nontruths that are a waste of time effort and print space

that manager is gonna have a short life span

EXCEPT if his name is Bobby Cox

WHY?

(all in unison now, and with feeling)

“Cuz, Robert, he won 14 straight division titles” (when he had ungodly depth and range of talent, and when he shouldve been winning WS titles)

“But we got unlucky, Robert, or those teams really werent that good, Robert”

No folks. Time for the wake-up call. (and it’s happening - ever so slowly, ever so grudgingly)

This year’s team wasnt filet mignon. But it was a nice tasty ribeye going in to spring training. Chef Bobby will have your overcooked hamburger ready in about 35 days

By Efrim

August 27, 2007 11:28 AM | Link to this

0-7 in Reyes starts….. ouch!

Frenchy is struggling to the umpteenth power right now.

He really needs to have a strong September.

By Jersey Gil

August 27, 2007 11:30 AM | Link to this

DOB Be careful this days…Player are very emotional when a beat-Reporter asking silly question….look what happen in Philadelphia when Sam Carchidi a reporter with the Inquire, he ask Myer about the pitch that he surrender a tied run with a home run and he lost the game….I just wonder if you confont wicky when he lost that game in cinci?…i now you was in Vacation, but what you can said to him about that pitch?

By NO CHOP ZONE

August 27, 2007 11:34 AM | Link to this

Robert(JITB), what a surprise. There is honor and integrity in the blog afterall. Thank you for your kind words. That’s a sincere THANK YOU. I Know how you’re feeling with your team. I have had my share of heart ache and frustration. I guess it’s the cross we bear for being fans. keep your chin up. Afterall it’s just a game. Sometime when I’m p** at my team I realize this: If I lose my job or don’t get that promotion Wright,Reyes, Beltran ect ect aren’t at their locker feeling uninspired because of it. So why should I feel that way when they fail or underperform. This helps me keep things in perspective.

By BravesDave

August 27, 2007 11:37 AM | Link to this

Grinch, morbidly gloomy???? Me??? Eyore??? I always thought Eyore was an upbeat, happy sort of donkey.

By Overlord

August 27, 2007 11:41 AM | Link to this

My opinion loud and clear is:

Bobby Cox is a bad manager, he treats player right but his tactics ara bad and what i see from lots of players, there is not much discipline, which talks of lack of practice time.

once agains, his success in the 90s is not a result of his capacities but of JS capacities, nothing to discuss about that

I think what robert says about Cox is nothing but the truth.

By Dave

August 27, 2007 11:43 AM | Link to this

It is clear that the Braves have hit hard times in the last two weeks, primarily because the PITCHING has not delivered.

However, there ARE signs of hope.

Even though he lost yesterday, Jo Jo Reyes pitched okay. The same applies to Cormier on his last start. If they can go six innings and give up 3-4 runs, the Braves offense should produce enough runs to win most of those games. Carlisle and James are the big question marks now.

Yet, despite the downslide, the Braves STILL have a good chance for the palyoffs.

They are playing a Marlins team that, though dangerous, is in a REAL slump right now. With the Mets and Phillies playing one another for the next four nights, the Braves can put a REAL dent in that 7 game lead if the Phillies take 3 of 4 and the Braves take 2 of 3 or maybe even sweep (I can dream, can’t I??).

Then, starting Friday, they play three against the Met and three against the Phillies. Win two out of three in each of those series, and the Braves are RIGHT THERE with three weeks to play.

Of course, if they continue playing like they have for the past three weeks, they will be OUT OF IT come Monday, September 10th, and Bobby Cox can play all of the call ups to see what he has for next year.

Let’s see where the Braves stand in two weeks, shall we??

Just my humble opinion…

By Robert (Justice Is The Best)

August 27, 2007 11:51 AM | Link to this

No Chop Zone, that is a very balanced way to look at things. But, we are fans. We love our teams. I know you love your Mets and I along with many others here love the Braves.

I know I bust your chops and you bust mine and many others especially Lew. But, I really don’t hate the Mets like some others on here do. Do I like the Mets? C’mon! Do I hate them? No. I hate the Yankees! Despite their medicore play and often uninspired play this year the Mets have found that fire. I just hope the Braves do before it is too late. Last year they found the fire but it wasn’t until the last two weeks of the season. They need to find that fire today and keep it burning through the end of the season.

By Anders

August 27, 2007 11:57 AM | Link to this

Paladin I go up to the mountains for 3 days and the Braves have come completely off the tracks? What the heck happened this weekend? I feel like a parent who comes home to find the house trashed after a weekend away! “When I left we had a closer neatly stored in the bullpen and now I come home and find him upside down in the trash bin on the side of the house - someone has some ‘splainin to do!”

Truly sorry I missed those blogs that day. I don’t have the energy to go back and read them - but I’m sure DOB had some sensible reason why the guy I was attacked for trashing 3 weeks ago was sent packing while his team is on life support with bullpen issues. I believe the expression at the time was Whatever.

By Anders

August 27, 2007 11:57 AM | Link to this

Paladin I go up to the mountains for 3 days and the Braves have come completely off the tracks? What the heck happened this weekend? I feel like a parent who comes home to find the house trashed after a weekend away! “When I left we had a closer neatly stored in the bullpen and now I come home and find him upside down in the trash bin on the side of the house - someone has some ‘splainin to do!”

Truly sorry I missed those blogs that day. I don’t have the energy to go back and read them - but I’m sure DOB had some sensible reason why the guy I was attacked for trashing 3 weeks ago was sent packing while his team is on life support with bullpen issues. I believe the expression at the time was Whatever.

By Paladin

August 27, 2007 11:59 AM | Link to this

I, for one, am really sorry to see *jjs take leave. I hope he reconsiders, but I think he means it. He is/was a unique talent and one that I thoroughly enjoyed. God speed, jjs.

But, that gives me a chance to make my exit, as well. I, from what I have read into things, have worn out my welcome. I’m truly sorry, ‘cause I only intended to have a little “fun”. Yes, I have posted under other names, but only once have I posted under a “real” blogger’s name. That is “coach”. But the material contained in the ( ) would have indicated to all but the severely brain-damaged that it was not Coach. The other names have been those of “personalities” or names I made up. Again, if I have offended, that was not my intent.

I hate to be a “giveup”, but I don’t think much of the Braves’ chances to get into the tournament, and even less of their chances should they get there. And, as we remember 1/4, semi or even finals is not good enough. Only the most rabid fan remembers who finished second.

I’ll be seeing some of you on the Dawgs and Falcon blogs and the rest of you, I will see you(the good Lord willing and the creeks don’t rise)next spring. Maybe even “in person” at spring training.

So, I leave you with the words of Edward R. Murrow(my middle name, btw) Goodbye, and good luck.

By Efrim

August 27, 2007 12:01 PM | Link to this

If you all want to read some interesting articles, go to Rotoworld.com and read up on the upcoming free agents and trade canidates the next few years. Lots of opportunity to make the team better. I figure the Braves will finally be a free agent player again in the next few years.

By Overlord

August 27, 2007 12:04 PM | Link to this

There is something even more painful that could happen to us……. this team could be left out of the playoffs by 1 game………. do you have an idea of the magnitud of that?

maybe yesterdays game will finally come hunt us, or maybe the game got wickman fired.

BTW, is there any news on a trade after sending him on A.

By Jersey Gil

August 27, 2007 12:07 PM | Link to this

Anders…..sorry i was also away for a while…what happen was samo…samo…no offense when good pitching….offense and no pitching….and also, 3,4,5 in the roto not good at all….But i say what berra said…if not over until the fat lady sing…..I be watching all the game until Sept 30…and if we don’t make it…i see ya next year….still the Braves will have a Good team next year…I hope so…

By Lew

August 27, 2007 12:08 PM | Link to this

Attention Braves MIB Bloggers. There has been a change of plans for the presentation on Friday. The presentation will take place in the Fan Plaza right before the Guys perform their song on the Plaza stage. And The Grinch has been approved to represent the blog (without a handler, no less) and to make the presentation. How’s that for accommodation by The Braves’ PR Office? Now the song is at 6:30 before the game and the presentation will immediately precede the song. Let’s have all the blog meet in the Plaza for the presentation. Metro Dude-If you’ll be there, MAYBE I can do that Beltran drawing for you.

By Robert (Justice Is The Best)

August 27, 2007 12:14 PM | Link to this

I think Robert goes a bit overboard on his ranting and raving about Cox. However, he does make a lot of valid points. I think as a strategist goes Cox is not very good. He has never used his bullpen well and nobody in their right mind can say that he has. I think he gives a bit too much freedom to his veterans and doesn’t trust his young players enough. Cox doesn’t stress fundamentals. The fact that he doesn’t require stretching before a game just kills me. I am really surprised that the Braves don’t have more injuries.

I think the one thing those division title winning teams had except for the 2005 team that this team doesn’t have is good solid veteran presence that didn’t come up under Cox. Think about the Grissom’s, Bream’s, Pendleton’s, and Neagles. The veteran presence on this team is comprised of Chipper, Andruw, and Smoltz all of whom were brought up under Cox and Chris Woodward who is…well…..USELESS!

By Anders

August 27, 2007 12:17 PM | Link to this

Paladin I’m sorry to see you go. I’ve enjoyed our jousts. And while I may have inadvertently created some blog faux paus’, please know none was meant in a personal way. I guess I’m not suprised that some of the Brave faithful are moving on as even The AJC has done so. When I opened up the sports section on line today I’m met with an ad for Thrasher season tickets. Perhaps DOB can check for us wether this was where the Braves playoff ticket ad was to appear had things broken differently?

By geauxbraves2000

August 27, 2007 12:18 PM | Link to this

Saying the bench is weak is giving them waaaay too much credit.

Geaux Braves!!

By Braveheart

August 27, 2007 12:23 PM | Link to this

Paladin Cut the crap. We need you around. If you are going to drive through the ghettos that are the Falcons and Dawgs blawgs, all I am gonna tell you is roll ‘em up and lock your doors. It gets fugly over there. I would hate to see your plane crash with all the terrorists over in those blogs. The Falcons ones are pretty darn horrific.

By Robert

August 27, 2007 12:23 PM | Link to this

“Only the most rabid fan remembers who finished second.”

Paladin - How could a man who feels this way hang with the crowd that makes a big deal out of division titles?

By The Grinch

August 27, 2007 12:28 PM | Link to this

Man, I go to the local greasy spoon and come back to find that Paladin and JJS have left the blog, and I’m gonna be standing in front of a whole %#@%-load of people and a jumbotron by myself. Umm, anyone know how to lose 50 pounds in 5 days without removing various parts of my anatomy? Yikes. But then, think of Braves Girls…hmmm. Ok, y’all have got to come out to support the blog and consume mass quantities with me afterward; I’ll likely need to settle my nerves.

JJS and Paladin, come back! We need you! I need you! SHANE! SHAAAANE!!

Wait, I know…I’ll go to lunch now and when I come back everything will be ok again. Except there will still be Braves Girls. :-)

By Anders

August 27, 2007 12:32 PM | Link to this

Jersey Gil I think your Braves have some longer term issues than just this year. Smoltz and Chipper are clearly on the down side of their careers. No closer, trouble in center, weak backend of the rotation. Strengths - Tex, Frenchy, McCann (though I’m not a big fan because I think his body type will catch up to him), Hudson, Johnson and I’m sure I missed a couple. But when the ace of your staff, the team leader and arguably the most physically gifted player on your team the last 10 years all decline or leave at once, you’re in for a few years of rebuilding. I think it’s fair to give the organization that time too. They certainly delivered for you for the last 15 years.

By Lew

August 27, 2007 12:33 PM | Link to this

Anders-I think Wicky being waved bye bye to took almost everyone here-including DOB-by surprise. The move was very out of character for Bobby Cox and The Braves organization, in general. Not that it wasn’t merited, but out of character, nonetheless.

By Stuart

August 27, 2007 12:33 PM | Link to this

The division is out of reach, but WC can still happen. However, the bravos have to handle their business. The braves have to handle the phils when they get the chance, (or get help from the Mutts). Then the west has got to start eating each other (especially SD).

The caveat to my theory is the the BRAVOS have to WIN!!!!!!!!! Maybe that is too much to ask.

By Jim Valvano

August 27, 2007 12:39 PM | Link to this

Paladin, Jimmy V will never be dead. Jimmy V’s immortal spirit lives forever. Know why? Because Jimmy V’s spirit Never Gives Up!!! Don’t Ever Give Up!!

Go Braves!

By Arkansas Hillbilly

August 27, 2007 12:41 PM | Link to this

A toast to JJS,

“Here’s to the duck that swam the lake and never lost a feather,

Maybe this time in another year we’ll all be together.”

By Lee in S. GA

August 27, 2007 12:43 PM | Link to this

The Falcons ones are pretty darn horrific.

Braveheart - You are correct. Falcons and Dawg blogs require a certain mindset of evil to survive and speak your mind on them. It is almost like a Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde approach compared to the harmless posts on the Braves blog. I post under a different name under each blog.

By TrueBlueBravesFan

August 27, 2007 12:43 PM | Link to this

DOB

I don’t pretend to be an expert about baseball but in watching the latest games it sure looks like the following is evident.

1) Francour desperately needs a day off his bat is slowing down. (Can’t seem to catch up to mediocre fastballs).

2)McCann…..see #1) above

3)Harris….see #1 above.

4)Moylan’s starting to level out on his sinker.

Is there any help in the minors come September that can give a couple of these guys more time off without a lot of drop-off. Expecially for Francour.

By Will

August 27, 2007 12:44 PM | Link to this

Robert, I have to take my medicine and agree with you on Bobby Cox. Im done even half defending him anymore. The braves mentality irritates me so much i dont even know what to say anymore and he is the reason behind it. It is time for him to go. Thanks for the memories Bobby, but its over. The teams of the 90’s were too well balanced and talented to fold until the postseason. The last two years teams couldnt even wait that long. I hope he resigns at the end of the year. I am especially done with all the whining and complaining to the umps that is obviously carrying down to the players more and more lately.

By Jersey Gil

August 27, 2007 12:48 PM | Link to this

Anders I agree for much what you said, but i think the braves still have a good team next year….In the pen i think soriano and Gonzo and now with that kid from panama we still have a good strong pen…i agree with Chipper/Smoltz going down hill type of player, but without any injury i think chipper can have a good season, in center field let see what the braves do it the off season…this is the only position that in the free agency we can have still a good player(Rowand,Cmeron,Hunter, etc)less expensive one…also Tex still in contract for next year…i think the braves can have a good average Pitcher for Renteria, next year Escobar is our regular SS.And i hope JS recontruture the Bench next year.

By Braveheart

August 27, 2007 12:51 PM | Link to this

Lee, I don’t venture over there with this name either. Look for Dirtie Birdie over in the Falcons blogs and you’ll know who I am.

By Harry the Hat

August 27, 2007 12:52 PM | Link to this

Long time reader, first time writer. Looks like a mass exodus: Journalist Jimmy, Paladin, SJA (again)…..and where did Wayne go?

Good luck on Friday Grinch. I would come out, but I am on limited budget in LA, Lower Alabama:Hank Aaron country.

By Lew

August 27, 2007 12:52 PM | Link to this

Anders-With the exception of the pitching, I wouldn’t worry too much. We will cover the position players from within, for the most part. Our minor league system has been producing position players by the dozens for years and the farm is still well stocked. Considerable payroll has been deleted, or is about to be. JS will find pitching and we will be able to afford it, as well. I’m sure every effort will be made to sign Tex long term. The Mets, however, are going to be in trouble themselves. Age is catching up. Alou, Glavine, El Duque, Castillo, Conine, Green, Wagner, Pedro, LoDuca and DelGado are either approaching retirement, or at the very least, the back end of their careers, as well. Reyes, Maine and Wright are a good start, but they will not be enough on their own. Pelfrey was sure a disappontment, though maybe he will develop. One thing you should take into account, too, is that we have a farm system, y’all-well, not so much. Apparently y’all don’t have all that money you thought, either. See Dude, no trash talking, just analysis.

By Lee in S. GA

August 27, 2007 12:52 PM | Link to this

Yes the Wickman appeared to take everyone by surprise. Some blogger stated earlier Cox almost had a viscous look in his eyes yesterday and he did. I honestly believe Cox and J.S. are at the point the majority of this team (except for a selected few) will not be safe from trades before next season, if they think it can bring them another championship. Chuck James beware; Cox appears to getting a little less forgiving the older he gets especially with pitching. You better lose that sophomore jinx or you will be the next Davies out of town.

By Anders

August 27, 2007 12:58 PM | Link to this

Lew - The fact the Wickman was released was suprising only because the Braves have no other viable option at closer. The fact that he’s washed up and inneffective was far from a suprise to me - I stated such weeks ago and was roundly dismissed for it, much the same as I was for advising the Braves faithful to turn to the WC before that got out of reach which is now on the horizon. I think the further Braves fans get from the 90’s the more they’ll appreciate how powerful having the 3 HOF starters in the same rotation was. Believe me as a guy who rooted for the team chasing them I knew. The Braves never lost 3 in a row so you better stay close or you were done by Labor day. That 90’s team could carry 3 Woodwards!

By Anders

August 27, 2007 1:09 PM | Link to this

Jersey Gil I don’t expect the Braves to bottom out - I just think it will be a scramble for a couple of years. Signing Tex is huge to them. The sooner, the better too. You don’t want to wait until after next year to settle that matter. However, that means overpaying for him. So far he looks worth it to me.

By Anders

August 27, 2007 1:09 PM | Link to this

Jersey Gil I don’t expect the Braves to bottom out - I just think it will be a scramble for a couple of years. Signing Tex is huge to them. The sooner, the better too. You don’t want to wait until after next year to settle that matter. However, that means overpaying for him. So far he looks worth it to me.

By flbravesgirl

August 27, 2007 1:11 PM | Link to this

Much better effort from JoJo. Wish I could say the same for some of his teammates. Good thing Bobby was “forced” to play Mac since he drove in the only run.

Scribe, let me assure you that Tropicana Field is much worse than whatever-the-Marlins’-park-is-named-this-year. The only good points about the Trop are the A/C & the Outback & Columbia concessions. The exterior closely resembles a wastewater treatment tank.

Esteemed JJS, please reconsider. If all the interesting, enlightening and/or entertaining folks such as yourself left the blog it would lose all its character & simply be another Vent with a few people arguing & insulting each other. I’m sure that DOB & Carroll, as well as the majority of the bloggers, don’t want that to happen. We denizens have to stick together for the sake of the blog.

Lew, thank you for bringing us some good news. Glad to see the Braves’ PR dept. is giving the blog autonomy in this. Now, Grinch, behave yourself (at least before & during the presentation). Remember you’re representing all of us. I’ll expect a full report from those who are able to attend.

By The Grinch

August 27, 2007 1:12 PM | Link to this

3 Woodwards? Oh, the humanity! What’s three times poop? Actually, I guess I’d better quit saying stuff like that; he’s liable to kick my @$$ on Friday. :-)

Time to get some work done.

By A Bronx Tale

August 27, 2007 1:17 PM | Link to this

We named Anders Andy Two Times because he always posts two times.

By BravesDave

August 27, 2007 1:17 PM | Link to this

Everyone is leaving the blog. Such a sad day. I would leave, too, but then I would miss out on the morbidity of goodbyes.

I need to maintain my morbidity or else I might start thinking that the Braves are still in the playoff race.

By Jersey Gil

August 27, 2007 1:22 PM | Link to this

Mets have bigger aging problem to fix the year than the braves…i’m more concern for the Phillis next year than the Mets.

By Jim Valvano

August 27, 2007 1:24 PM | Link to this

Eeyore, er, Braves Dave, Never Give Up! Don’t Ever Give Up!

Also, Winnie the Pooh is tired of your depression too.

By Jersey Gil

August 27, 2007 1:27 PM | Link to this

flbravesgirl I think JoJo Reyes have a good stuff, and good future with the Braves…need to mature a little big…you know understand the league and player….cut little the walks…Braves need another lefty in the pen next year also.

By StInKy

August 27, 2007 1:28 PM | Link to this

Sign on the window says “jimmy smith will be back in less than a week/out trolling for sympathy!”

By Lew

August 27, 2007 1:32 PM | Link to this

Anders-No viable closer options? How about Soriano who many believe should have been the closer to begin with? How about Joey Devine, who was a closer during the college WS and was brought in as a draftee as a closer? As far as Wicky’s performance-yes, it was bad in recent outings, but 20 of 26 with an ERA under 4 is hardly scrap heap material. No, if it was only recent performance, he would still be here because BC is loyal to the point of insanity. It has to be an attitudinal thing and that DEFINITELY took all by surprise. With the Braves you never realize there is an attitude or disciplanary problems, or clubhouse issues until the release is a done deal. They just do not speak of these things publically.

By Bring Me the Head of Francisco Cabrera

August 27, 2007 1:36 PM | Link to this

Folks, I usually scroll right past the pretentious, posturing posts of those who employ “journalist” in their names, but even I could tell that the “farewell” jjs post was by an imposter, probably someone who’s as fed up with esteemed jouralist’s tiresome act as I am.

I hope I’m wrong about this, but I’m fairly certain I’m not.

Besides, these self-pitying abstentions never last. I recall Bob the Hack getting all PO’d a few months ago and taking his thesaurus and leaving the blog. But methinks his massive ego compelled him to return. Too bad.

So relax, jjs fans. Unfortunately, he’s a plague we’ll not be rid of so easily.

Methinks.

By Ballad of Bravesdave

August 27, 2007 1:36 PM | Link to this

Bravesdave

You Are Our Sunshine

Our only sunshine.

You make us happy

When skies are grey.

You’ll never know, dave,

How much we hate you.

Please don’t take our sunshine away

The other nite, dave,

As we lay sleeping

We dreamed we did not read you on our pc

When we awoke, dave,

We were mistaken

And we hung our heads and cried.

You Are Our Sunshine

Our only sunshine.

You make us happy

When skies are grey.

You’ll never know, dave,

How much we hate you.

Please don’t take our sunshine away

By Tomahawkin

August 27, 2007 1:36 PM | Link to this

Overlord I’m gonna try to be a good boi tonite…hopefully our bats will come out smokin early 2nite…so we don’t have to try to play that catch-up game, that really hasn’t been going well for us…

Still can believe we got Punked Out by da damn Cardinals, I have been gettin clowned by all these bandwagon cardinal fans up here…

By Lee in S. GA

August 27, 2007 1:37 PM | Link to this

I have seen “Dirtie Birdie” a few times over there. Mainly have just read their posts. For future reference I will be “S. GA Falcon Fan” on that blog.

My 1st year posting on this Braves blog. Really been enjoying it. I will stick it out to the end. Really hope the Braves pull it out and make the post-season.

By DAP

August 27, 2007 1:37 PM | Link to this

geez, why is everyone leaving? there is still a month of baseball to talk about!! i will definetly miss jjs, hopefully the braves make a big push and we see everyone back here at the end of september!!

as far as the team next year, im most interested in who plays center field, and how this now powerful lineup will look. the player we have in center is going to have a big impact on how the linup performs.

so, are we gonna get a middle of the order hitter, like rowand? i like how our team looks with rowand in it, and out of the free agents, i think i like him the most.

OR, do you think we will trade for a speedy lead off center fielder? juan pierre might be traded, but he is over paid, and though he has 50 steals, his OBP is pretty bad.

chris young from the dbacks has a poor average, but will proabably improve, and has good power numbers…especially for a leadoff guy. he also has 20 steals. but, the dback are unlikly to trade him.

one guy i think might be good is willy tavares. hes a .290 hitter that will steal 30 bases for you, and hes real young. his OBP is still a concern, but its nowhere near pierre’s. our lineup could look like:

1. willy t

2. escobar

3. chipper

4. tex

5. mccann

6. frenchy

7. Kelly johnson

8. diaz/b.jones

any opinions?

By Anders

August 27, 2007 1:37 PM | Link to this

Lew I agree with you about the older Mets you pointed out. Green, Loduca and Alou will be gone - that free’s up about $25 mil. Pedro may not be back - another $13 mil. El Duque - who knows? Mets are 9-0 in his last 9 starts. I’ll take a flyer on him any time. Glavine will retire - $10 mil Wagner - no comlaints from me on him. I’m glad to have him another year. Delgado - probably the biggest question mark in the bunch. Conine - two month rental who is made for the playoffs. Castillo has been the key to the Mets offensive surge of late. Perfect fit behind Reyes and plays a gold glove second. The Mets have developed Reyes and Wright , two of the best young players in the game today and Milledge is starting to understand what being a pro player takes - he definetly has talent. The Mets have two more highly sought after outfield prospects in AAA. They may be a couple of years away though. In the meantime - Lots of money coming off the payroll next year for Minaya to shop with. That’s why he locked up Reyes and Wright last year. He’s got that settled while he rebuilds elsewhere.

By BravesDave

August 27, 2007 1:38 PM | Link to this

Hey, Jimmy V, Tigger likes my attitude.

By beachcomber

August 27, 2007 1:40 PM | Link to this

flbravesgirl - where is the columbia concession at the trop? Was there a few weeks ago and couldn’t find it or the very similiar concession that replaced it a year ago.

By jclv

August 27, 2007 1:42 PM | Link to this

Havent commented all year using the if you cant say something nice attitude. Im still not sure why the braves would trade an up and coming star (Salty) for yet another player they cant afford to keep. Surloss is way past his time as a GM as his recent trades have shown Any one like to have Betemit back or wainwright and yes or Salty. The Braves arent going anywhere with this pitching staff what was the point in giving up all the young talent. We have no pitching anywhere not the majors or minors and that should be a great concern to all Brave fans does anymore remember the 70’s and 80’s it appears they are back. Lsatly the Braves biggest problem is their MANAGER HAS NOT ONE CLUE HOW TO MANAGE A GAME. Case in point Saturdays Game 2nd and third NO ONE OUT Down 2 left handed lead off hitter at the plate perfect bunt to score on a guy whos striking out alot lately.Runner at second moves to third with one out and at the very worst you tie the game. What does he do lead off stikes out 2nd hitter strikes out Third hitter grounds out Pathetic and for good measure the almost identical seniaro appears two innings later and he does the same thing. This is the same gut who left Andruw Jones hit cleanup for a month with his 214 average did he set some kind of record for leaving runners on in scoring position? Its time for this old man to take his tired act eleswhere and take Sureloss with him

By RamblinLonghorn

August 27, 2007 1:44 PM | Link to this

Get over signing Tex, he’s going to command $20,000,000+ a season. Were the braves to sign him, combined with Smoltz’ inevitable retirement, I can see a parallel with what happened when Texas signed A-Rod to his mega-contract years back.

Stick with the tried and true braves method of bringing up good prospects and using them to acquire what is truly needed.

By Braveheart

August 27, 2007 1:45 PM | Link to this

S. GA Falcon Fan Yeah, I have not been over there much since the end of last season. Too distraught about the way it turned out and very tired of the racist neanderthals that pollute that blog. Unfortunately, MV7 proved all of the worst things they said about him right. What a disgrace.

By Ron Roberts

August 27, 2007 1:46 PM | Link to this

Something I was thinking about earlier today…

…is it just me or is our pitching rotation always seeming to catch our opponents’ aces when we’re at the 3-4-5 spot in our rotation?

I can’t help but wonder if we should look ahead and adjust our rotation to match our 1-2 vs. our opponents’ 1-2. Lance Cormier pitched well enough to win except we were up against Brandon Webb, for example. Truth be told, Jo Jo pitched well enough to win, yesterday, too.

Of course, pitting Smoltz/Hudson against our opponents’ best arms, too, might endanger our chances of winning those games, too, but if we’re going to let our offense mask our deficiencies in the rotation, it’d make more sense to line up the rotation so that our weaker arms go against their weaker arms. I realize we can’t match up every series to work like that, but lately, it seems that our back-end of the rotation is flat-out out-matched against opposition aces. Thoughts?

By Efrim

August 27, 2007 1:49 PM | Link to this

Anders, Lew, Jersey Gil

I agree with all of you on various points. Anders, yes, McCann does need to lose some lbs. Anyone who argues that doesn’t watch the man run. He needs to shed a few.

The Braves have a bright future, but it all depends on Teixiera. If he doesn’t sign long term, then the Braves will need to scramble to find his replacement. They have Cody Johnson and Jason Heyward in the minor’s who could play first base, but will most likely not be ready in 2009. Kala Kaaihue has had such a bad start to his double-A career, he is dropping in the prospect rankings by the day. Chipper is by far their best hitter and will be 36 next year. The Braves can’t continue to depend on him, and I think they took that step forward by acquiring Teixiera. Again, they need to sign the guy or he could end up playing first for the Mets, Red Sox or Yankees in 2009. Bad PR for the Braves if he goes to the Mets. Slap in the face actually.

In terms of propsects, the Braves have impact positional prospects in outfielders Jason Heyward, Cody Johnson, Brandon Jones and Jordan Schafer. Schafer is the only CF of the bunch.

In terms of pitching, well, it stinks. Other than Jo Jo Reyes, they have next to nothing that can contribute next year. Tommy Hanson is struggling in Class A Myrtle Beach. In Low Class A, LHP Cole Rohrbough looks like the real deal and is the Braves best pitching prospect right now. They have an abundance of LHP’s in rookie Danville who are pitching lights out. Jeff Locke, Jose Ortegano, Chad Rodgers and Steve Evarts.

Now Anders, no organizations high level prospects have had a worse year than the Mets. iek Pelfrey has been a disaster. Philip Humber is 25 and hasn’t seen a major league inning. Fernando Martines was rushed and had a bad season at Double A. Carlos Gomez showed no plate discipline. Worse than Frenchy. Milledge looks promising, but again, 3 walks. You have Reyes and Wright, so it really doesn’t matter, but understand that your prospects had a bad year.

But I do understand why people would say the Braves time is running out. Chipper is aging, Smoltz is not the same pitcher he once was, Andruw is leaving, and Tex may not resign.

The good thing is that there is an abundence of position prospects that figure to be very good. And there is a lot of free agents that are available after 2008 and 2009. We’ll see…..

By jimmy

August 27, 2007 1:52 PM | Link to this

You mean the wurlitzer will be presented by an obnoxious drunk??

By JJ

August 27, 2007 1:58 PM | Link to this

Jo Jo pitched a good game yesterday. He has good stuff. A nice curve ball and slider. When teams score he tends to get nervous causing walks and extra base hits. He will be a good pitcher give or take a year or two. Plus he didn’t get any run support. He could’ve won the game yesterday. He held them to 4 runs but the braves couldn’t put anything on the board. The braves are in a hole that might be hard to dig out. They have to win at least 20 games in Sept to make the playoffs. It’s still up for grabs because the Padres are shaky with their wins. It all balls down to who wants it the most. They need to do some soul searching and gelling quickly

By What happen to Jody Davis?

August 27, 2007 1:59 PM | Link to this

Did not look like a JJS post to me either. I’m no journalist but I am not AND idiot either.

By School Marm

August 27, 2007 2:07 PM | Link to this

What happen to Jody Davis?

Go get spell check, as your spelling is starting to make you look like AND (an) idiot!!

By flbravesgirl

August 27, 2007 2:10 PM | Link to this

I haven’t been there this season, beachcomber. Didn’t know they had gotten rid of it. Oh well, one less point in their favor.

By School Marm

August 27, 2007 2:10 PM | Link to this

Actually, I hear that the Grinch is a very handsome and articulate man.

By David O'Brien

August 27, 2007 2:10 PM | Link to this

NEW BLOG IS UP. Come one, come all.

By AZBravoFan

August 27, 2007 2:11 PM | Link to this

Since we’ve exhausted all other options, blamed everyone there is to blame for the current doldrums, I think it’s time to DFA our pinch-blogger Carroll. She acknowledged herself that she was sub-.500 before the road trip. Now it’s even worse. Time for DOB to get back in the saddle and take us to October. Hey, it’s no sillier than bringing back the Tee-Pee in ‘82, which clearly helped secure the division title.

By DAP

August 27, 2007 2:13 PM | Link to this

ron roberts ive noticed the rotation being out of wack with other ortations as well, but im not sure what we can do about adjusting it, without some off days… it would be nice to pitch huddy and smoltz against maine, and hernandez… i doubt any changes will be made though.

efrim i think mccann’s running has more to do with his ankle than his weight. im sure you remember the ankle injury from last year…i think it has slowed him way down, and has also limited his defense behind the plate. theyve got to find a way to get that thing healed up.

By Overlord

August 27, 2007 2:16 PM | Link to this

Tomahawkin braves are done once they get behind, product of the pressure and lack of veterans that know how to handle deficits. I think that is as important as the lack of starting pitchings. Newest example, they were not able to come back even when tim was on the mound and even when jojo pitched fine.

By Shaun

August 27, 2007 2:24 PM | Link to this

Efrim,

Well, McCann has had the same body type since he came up and has been mostly excellent.

And Teixeira will command a lot more than he will be worth. No way the Braves should offer him the ARod, Manny type deal that he will likely ask for. He’ll be 29 and I’m sure they’ll be able to find a firstbaseman that can provide more production on the dollar.

By Carroll Rogers

August 27, 2007 2:58 PM | Link to this

i’ve been DFA’d? me and wickman? say it ain’t so.

sorry for not getting back last night efrim. needed time away from the computer. and clearly it’s time for DOB now, but i’ll say what i think about this team: it’s wildcard or bust. which is guess is kinda duh at this point.

jimmy don’t go.

By Mo in the boonies

August 27, 2007 5:06 PM | Link to this

For all who are placing their hopes on Teixiera being signed next year, remember he was offered 140,000 by the Rangers to stay with them, and he turned that down! Do you seriously think he is going to sign for less to stay with the Braves?