AJC > Sports > Braves > Blog > Archives > 2007 > September > 07 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USHow does Frenchy stack up next to young Joneses?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
We’ve said that Chipper Jones would’ve been a leading MVP candidate each of the past couple of seasons if he’d not gotten hurt, if he played more. We’re not exactly going out on a limb with that expert analysis, obviously.
But to illustrate what we mean, take a look at these statistics, which show the old boy is still getting it done when he can avoid slipping on a wet field or tripping over a Pirates third baseman:
In his past 162 games before Friday night, Chipper Jones hit .343 with 53 doubles, 6 triples, 41 home runs, 130 runs, 130 RBIs, 92 walks, 90 strikeouts, a .425 on-base percentage and a .647 slugging percentage (1.072 OPS). And 14 errors.
And in 79 road games during that period, he’s hit .366 (yes, .366) with 30 doubles, 5 triples, 21 homers, 66 RBIs, a .434 OBP and .688 slugging percentage.
Holy Cornelia.
The knock, of course, is that you have to go to June 28, 2006 to get to 162 games for Chipper. The Braves have played 224 games in that stretch. That’s not ideal, sir.
Just FYI, Braves are 89-73 when Jones has played in that stretch, though that includes pinch-hit appearances, so it’s not really a great indicator either way, but it sounds good.
Why mention this today? No real reason, other than it’s the dog days, we’re not quite ready to start breaking down into detail the offseason projections and next year’s lineup (can we get a payroll idea first?), and I found it interesting when I stumbled on the stat while doing research on Jeff Francoeur.
Yes, Francoeur. So much debate about the right fielder on the blog the past couple days. Golden Boy, overachiever, franchise cornerstone, impatient bull-in-a-china-shop, underachiever…. the opinions seem to run the gamut. As they do in most open forums when a popular player is discussed.
It does seem safe to suggest the vast majority of folks here agree that he’s a solid young (23) player who’s still developing, who has flaws including his low walks and OBP, but whose overall solid skills set and drive/intensity make him a guy likely to be a fixture here for years.
Anyway, I just wanted to see how he might compare at this stage of his career with a couple of other Braves fixtures, the Jones Boys. Granted, this is strictly a numbers comparison, and there are many other factors such as age upon arrival, position on the field and in the lineup, supporting casts, etc., that must be weighed to make a better, more valuable comparison.
Also, I’m not suggesting if either of the Joneses is the career path that Francoeur is headed down. I really have no idea. Neither do you, I’d bet, if you’re being honest.
If I had to guess I’d say he’ll probably keep getting better for the next 3-4 years, level off, never have an MVP season like Chipper, never have 45-50 homers like Andruw, but will be a very solid player who’ll give you something like .280-.300, 25-35 homers, 40-45 doubles and 100-110 RBIs annually.
But back to the admittedly rudimentary comparison:
Francoeur has played 372 games since arriving from Class AA in the summer of 2005. He’s had 1,469 at-bats and hit .279 with 78 doubles, 7 triples, 59 homers, 234 RBIs, 67 walks, 301 strikeouts, 7 steals (in 17 attempts), a .316 OBP and a .462 slugging percentage (.778 OPS).
So I was curious. What had the Joneses done offensively at the same point (372 games) of their careers? (Not counting postseason, where young Andruw had quite a game in a World Series, if I remember correctly….)
Anyway, after 372 games, the numbers for Chipper and Francoeur were surprisingly close in few areas, with the notable exception of OBP and walks/strikeouts. Also, Chipper was a good base-stealer; Francoeur isn’t much of one at all.
After 372 games, Chipper had 1,375 at-bats and hit .289 (10 points higher than Francoeur) with 73 doubles, 8 triples, 62 homers, 245 RBIs, 195 walks, 228 strikeouts, 31 steals (in 36 attempts), a .374 OBP and a .489 slugging percentage (.863 OPS).
Yes, young Hoss was good. And remember, his rookie season was delayed a year by the ACL surgery for the spring-training knee injury in 1994, after his eight-game 1993 callup.
Andruw played 31 games in the majors in 1996 (after starting in A-ball and moving up through Double-A and Triple-A that same season), then platooned or plate late-innings defense for much of the 1997 season.
Anyway, after 372 games Andruw had 1,192 at-bats with a .254 average, 62 doubles, 13 triples, 59 homers, 198 RBIs, 118 walks, 286 strikeouts, 54 steals (in 72 attempts), a .324 OBP and .477 slugging percentage (.801 OPS).
A few things jump out for me immediately: Andruw used to be a serious threat on the basepaths before he bulked up and became a power hitter; Francoeur has three more homers and 15 more strikeouts than Andruw did in his first 372 games (Francoeur also has 183 more at-bats); and Andruw’s OBP was almost as bad as Francoeur’s at the outset of his career. Oh, and the Braves could use some steals about now (but that’s another story).
By the way, the Braves were 241-131 in Andruw’s first 372 games, 228-144 in Chipper’s and 190-182 in Francoeur’s. Based on my simple research, it appears the Braves were a whole lot better back then. But I could be wrong.
Also, here’s a bone tossed to our Mets interlopers: Just out of curiosity, how does the Mets’ Golden Boy stack up next to the Braves’ guys? Quite well, we’re here to report.
Metropolitates 3B David Wright got off to a better start than any of the Braves’ trio, including Chipper.
Wright in his first 372 games, through June 17, 2006, hit .304 with 99 doubles, 6 triples, 65 homers, 252 RBIs, 42 stolen bases (in 54 attempts), a .375 OBP and a .527 slugging percentage (.902 OPS). Wow.
Yes, it’s a different era than when Chipper broke in just before the homer explosion. But those Wright numbers are gaudy-good, especially next to Francoeur’s in the same era.
Wright’s only knock are the big error totals, which the Mets can certainly live with given his huge offensive production.
Nationals in town: And it might not be the pushover that the Braves and their fans would hope. Washington has a five-game winning streak with a 2.20 ERA in that span, albeit against San Fran and the floundering Fish of Florida.
Tonight it’s Nats rookie Joel Hanrahan (4-2, 5.14 ERA) making his eighth major league start against John Smoltz, who’s making his 8 millionth, or thereabouts. Smoltzy can only hope to get the kind of run support young Hanrahan has received in a couple of hits.
Do you guys realize that Smoltz has won just twice in his past eight home starts, despite a 3.48 ERA in that span? Braves have scored one or no runs while he’s been in five of his past eight home starts. Just awful support.
Tomorrow night it’s the enigmatic Chuck James, aka the Homer Serving Machine, against the spendidly named lefty Matt Chico, who is probably glad to face one of the few teams he’s had much success against.
Chico is 2-1 with a 2.87 ERA in three starts against the Braves, including wins in each of his last two starts against them. But since he beat them May 17 in D.C., guess how many wins he’s recorded? Two.
He’s got as many wins in three starts against the Braves this season as he’s got in his past 17 starts, a stretch that’s seen him go 2-3 with a 4.47 ERA and Smoltz-like run support (or lack thereof).
The Nationals are 9-8 in those past 17 starts by Chico, even though he’s only got two wins.
Oh, and by the way, his next road win will be his first. Chico is 0-5 with a 5.12 ERA in 11 road starts this season, and the Nats scored two or fewer runs while he was in seven of those games.
If he wins at Atlanta tomorrow, there’s no truth to the rumor the Braves will refund tickets purchased for the last homestand Sept. 17-23.
By the way, thought I’d sneak this Andruw stat here at the bottom: In 74 games since June 10, Andruw Jones has hit .226 with 13 homers, 42 RBIs, 63 strikeouts and a .307 OBP (.719 OPS).
“MY MY, HEY HEY (OUT OF THE BLUE)” by Neil Young
My my, hey hey/Rock and roll is here to stay
It’s better to burn out/Than to fade away
My my, hey hey.
Out of the blue/and into the black
They give you this,/but you pay for that
And once you’re gone,/you can never come back
When you’re out of the blue/and into the black.
The king is gone/but he’s not forgotten
This is the story/of a Johnny Rotten
It’s better to burn out/than it is to rust
The king is gone/but he’s not forgotten.
Hey hey, my my/Rock and roll can never die
There’s more to the picture/Than meets the eye.
Hey hey, my my.
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Comments
By superadam
September 7, 2007 3:02 PM | Link to this
if not first I am awfully close, great blog dob
By flange1
September 7, 2007 3:10 PM | Link to this
DOB,
Hard to argue with Nasty Neil!!!
By Shaun
September 7, 2007 3:13 PM | Link to this
Robert (Justice Is The Best),
Let’s see, Hunter is a year older than Andruw. Hunter’s career OBP is 18 points lower and his SLG is 28 points lower. And Andruw’s regarded as the better defender. Aside from this one awful season from Andruw and this one career season from Hunter, I’m not sure where you are getting that Hunter’s the better all-around player.
JS will be foolish to make a serious run at Hunter (and at Andruw, too).
Also there is no way Cameron is going to get $13-15 million a year from any team. It’s not going to happen. Cameron is making $7 million this year at age 34. So signing Hunter will be extremely different from signing Cameron in both years and dollars.
By Thrillhouse44
September 7, 2007 3:14 PM | Link to this
Still too early to be certain, but it looks like Francouer is on his way to a very solid career.
I wonder how McCann stacks up…
By Ron Robert's Mother
September 7, 2007 3:16 PM | Link to this
coming across in a prickish manner.
Ronie! Ronie! You come in here right now! I’m going to wash your mouth out with soap for talking so ugly and mean to that nice old man on the internet. You ought to be ashamed!
By Vonshawn
September 7, 2007 3:19 PM | Link to this
DOB, you’re the best in the business.
By Robert (Justice Is The Best)
September 7, 2007 3:20 PM | Link to this
just read on mlbtraderumors.com that Torri Hunter is looking for a 5yr/$70 mil deal. I think that deal would be great for the Braves. That is basically what the Braves are paying Andruw now and lets be honest. Hunter is a better all around player. Sure, he will be 37 when his contract is up but it would be no different than going after 35 year old Mike Cameron for a 2yr/$26-$30 mil deal. And, surely nobody thinks Cameron is a better player.
Andruw will likely accept nothing less than $17 mil a year and somebody (Yankees, Red Sox, Angels, White Sox) will give it to him. Hunter would be a great addition to this team not only on the field but in the clubhouse. He has a great personality and his so laid back. Yet, he has the intensity you like to see in a pro athlete.
I think JS would be foolish not to make a serious run at Hunter.
By Ron Roberts
September 7, 2007 3:21 PM | Link to this
Shaun, after seeing Andruw stack up the number of strikeouts he has this season, and seeing how he has a penchant for doing so w/runners in scoring position, I’d prefer we not add another outfield strikeout monster to the lineup. Strikeouts don’t move runners over or bring ‘em in. Now, if Cameron were a contact out, that might be different. In other words, if the guy had a poor batting average but racked up the sac flies to bring runners in (which don’t count against the batting average, by the way), I’d be more inclined.
By Shaun
September 7, 2007 3:25 PM | Link to this
DOB,
Reyes, age 22: .273/.300/.386 Ramirez, age 22: .292/.353/.480
Reyes, age 23: .300/.354/.487 Ramirez, age 23 (so far):.333/.390/.562
I could see the New York, playing-on-the-big-stage argument if it were kind of close but it’s not really all that close.
Of course, I guess the whole argument goes out the window if Ramirez is moved from the shortstop position, like some believe he will.
By Ron Roberts
September 7, 2007 3:26 PM | Link to this
This blog would benefit from the AJC.com staff making it prohibitive or impossible for clowns to blog here with multiple sign-on names, etc. Folks might shy away from stupidity like pretending to be somebody’s mother if they knew they could potentially be banned from participating here. Utterly classless. Grow up. I mean really…that’s just moronic immaturity at its finest. Crap like that’s how these pages get so glutted and take forever to re-load for some. Sheesh.
And I don’t care how “old” somebody is; if they’re gonna be rude to somebody on the blog, the person they’re rude to has teh right to call ‘em on it.
By Alan
September 7, 2007 3:27 PM | Link to this
Interesting stuff, DOB. Those who have knocked Chipper through the years are nuts - the guy is, hands down, the best Atlanta Braves player ever. And he’s the best player on the current team - although one could make a very good case for Teixiera and I wouldn’t argue. Chipper is a sure-fire Hall of Famer - no doubt about it. Now, let me add that those who are knocking Francouer also are nuts - because he’s on his way to having a stellar career. And I sure hope it’s always in Atlanta. Funny thing - I’ll bet if you asked for a show of hands from Chipper’s and Frenchy’s knockers, you’d find the vast majority raising hands for (or, more accurately, against) both players. Chipper was the mid-’90s Golden Boy; Francouer is the mid-’00s GB. Andruw, on the other hand, is Andruw. Could have been an all-time great. Should have been an all-time great. Wonderful fielder; terrific power hitter; woeful plate discipline; embarrassingly low lifetime BA; terrible season his last year in Atlanta. I will not shed a tear when he signs with another team this offseason.
By Stuart
September 7, 2007 3:30 PM | Link to this
If JS is going to toss huge jack at a CF, I want it to be Rowland of the Phils, (especially if we trade Edgar, like many think we might).
Not only would we be stealing a key piece from the rival Phils, he would be a great clutch, bat control hitter in the lineup. (You know the kind that we don’t have with Edgar hurt and not in there.) He plays above average D and can hit anywhere in the lineup.
By Lee in S. GA
September 7, 2007 3:31 PM | Link to this
Shaun
Maybe I am misunderstanding your previous comment but how does a strikeout help a team at all. That is not a productive out.
Anders
No problem about the descent word….must have had Carlyle on my mind.
By Shaun
September 7, 2007 3:31 PM | Link to this
Ron Roberts,
Again, how often you make outs is more important than how you make outs.
I understand what you’re saying, and I too would take a guy with Cameron’s meaningful numbers but struck out less. But I would rather have a guy like Cameron than a guy who made outs more and/or didn’t have as much power who struck out less.
Of course you’d take a guy with similar numbers to Ryan Howard that struck out less over Howard. But I’d take Ryan Howard and his huge strikeout totals over most other first basemen.
By Shaun
September 7, 2007 3:34 PM | Link to this
Robert (Justice Is The Best),
Let’s see, Hunter is a year older than Andruw. Hunter’s career OBP is 18 points lower and his SLG is 28 points lower. And Andruw’s regarded as the better defender. Aside from this one awful season from Andruw and this one career season from Hunter, I’m not sure where you are getting that Hunter’s the better all-around player.
JS will be foolish to make a serious run at Hunter (and at Andruw, too).
Also there is no way Cameron is going to get $13-15 million a year from any team. It’s not going to happen. Cameron is making $7 million this year at age 34. So signing Hunter will be extremely different from signing Cameron in both years and dollars.
By Renegator
September 7, 2007 3:38 PM | Link to this
DOB:
I don’t get your line about refunding tickets for a series in May…
“If he wins at Atlanta tomorrow, there’s no truth to the rumor the Braves will refund tickets purchased for the last homestand May 17-23.”
Can you elaborate on that? Is that an inside joke?
By Anders
September 7, 2007 3:39 PM | Link to this
Ron Roberts Here , here. I’m with you on the multiple name scenario.
By Paladin
September 7, 2007 3:40 PM | Link to this
Ronie I tried to “laugh” this off but if you want a fight, I’m more than willing to give you one. You said we had never “had words”,or something like that. Yes, that is true. But you had never gone on a Robert-like rant as you have been on for 3 days about something as stupid as putting Frenchy in CF. True, there are a few other brain-deads that agree with you but everyone else, including—the way I read it—DOB, do not. Now, when I offered to make you a bet yesterday you backed down(familiar maneuver for you)and said that no you didn’t think it would happen. Well, if you don’t think it will happen why do you keep this up?? The bet is still on the table. Put up or shut up!
By Paladin
September 7, 2007 3:43 PM | Link to this
Anders Trolls don’t have votes.
By chipdip
September 7, 2007 3:44 PM | Link to this
BOBBY COX IS AF—KING GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ANDRUW WILL BE BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Shaun
September 7, 2007 3:46 PM | Link to this
Maybe I am misunderstanding your previous comment but how does a strikeout help a team at all. That is not a productive out.
Sometimes a strikeout is more unproductive than other outs, sometimes it’s not. Sometimes maybe even a strikeout is helpful because it keeps the team out of a double play.
Yes, all things being equal, you’d take a guy that strikes out less. But rarely is it every that cut and dry. A lot of the most productive players are going to strikeout a lot.
Also, here’s another way to look at it—all types of outs are unproductive. If a contact out scores advances a runner or scores a run, shouldn’t the guy that got on base get more credit than the guy who made the out? I mean, if your team just makes contact outs all the time, how are you going to get productive outs?
By Arkansas Braves fan
September 7, 2007 3:47 PM | Link to this
DOB,Will we see Renteria this series? If so,we will miss Escobar’s good play. He plays with lots of passion and comes through in the clutch, unlike Johnson of late.
By Anders
September 7, 2007 3:48 PM | Link to this
How come Francoeur striking out 130 times a year is ok and doesn’t effect his comparisons to Reyes in value but Mike Cameron striking out 140 to 145 times a year is life threatening? I’d actaully over pay Rowand before I’d over pay Tori Hunter. I’m not saying the same $70mil I mean over pay Rowand relatively speaking. Rowand’s two years younger and makes 1/3 what Hunter makes now.Rowand has shown he can produce in a good line up this year and his defense speaks for itself. Just a better risk at this point in their careers in my eyes.
By Ron Roberts
September 7, 2007 3:51 PM | Link to this
Shaun, your last paragraph made zero relevant sense, bud.
Of course you’d take a guy with similar numbers to Ryan Howard that struck out less over Howard. But I’d take Ryan Howard and his huge strikeout totals over most other first basemen.
Ryan Howard’s not a free agent and we’re not shopping for a 1B, anyhow. We’re talking about CF and Mike Cameron… who has hit 20-30 HRs per season over the course of his career, but has also hit anywhere from .235 to .260-ish. Now, 4 of the last 5 full seasons both players have played (Cameron only played 76 games in 2005 so its not fair to compare the numbers in that season), Mike Cameron had more strikeouts than Andruw. So it looks we’d be gaining strikeouts and losing some power, and probably a bit off defense and God only knows with his batting average.
You, too, would take a Ryan Howard with his homers and RsBi with less strikeouts, would you not?
By 22oz
September 7, 2007 3:52 PM | Link to this
i think he means September 17-23.
By uga-brave
September 7, 2007 3:54 PM | Link to this
dob,
thanks for the comparisons. the overall record of chipper and andruw, compared to francouer is what has festered the criticism.
this is of course not fair to him. it is a lot easier to call it superstar potential when you are always winning and call it not living up to expectations when you are losing. once again very timely post DOB, cease fire on FRANCOUER.
By Lee in S. GA
September 7, 2007 3:54 PM | Link to this
Thanks Shaun….I guess.
everyone have a good day
By Anders
September 7, 2007 3:55 PM | Link to this
PaladinThis is DOB’s domain. There are no votes. At least that’s how you explained it to me. I was just supporting a sensible idea - sue me.
By Panders
September 7, 2007 3:59 PM | Link to this
I am a troll who likes to “hang out”(oh, I love that term)with my good friends on the Braves blog. The idiots on the Muts blog got sick of me—being somewhat of a know-it-all, and all. So, I spend all my waking hours over here telling anyone that will listen, how to run the Braves. And can you believe it? Some of them listen to me. Now, as I was saying, blah, blah blah.
By Kentavo
September 7, 2007 3:59 PM | Link to this
Yeah DOB, the Jones boys both came up when the Braves were better because they had the best starting pitching, if not all MLB, certainly the N.L. Francouer came up in the middle of and as a result of the penny-pinching regime. As for CF, I really don’t care who it is as long as it’s not Andruw Jones. I don’t care if it’s Willie Harris or someone else from the system. A full season of Tex will replace AJ’s power, and a contact hitting, speedy CF would fit this club nicely, doesn’t have to be a big bopper. If Renteria isn’t dealt, you’ve got even more offensive firepower. I say the offseason needs are: 1. Find a third, reliable starting pitcher, maybe even a fourth. 2. Bolster the bench with a couple of guys that can actually hit and maybe play 1st, let an in-house guy handle the utility role (Prado?)
That’d leave us with: C- McCann 1B -Tex 2B - KJ/Escobar SS - Renteria or Escobar 3B - Chip LF - Diaz/B. Jones CF - Harris or ? RF - Frenchy
If we let countless guys walk - Glavine, Maddux, Sheffield, Furcal, and Javy - why on earth would we sign Andruw after a career worst year?
By Shaun
September 7, 2007 4:04 PM | Link to this
Ron Roberts,
Okay, you have two players: Ryan Howard and a guy that puts up similar numbers (AVG/OBP/SLG, steals and gets caught stealing the same, same defensive value) but the other guy doesn’t K that often. I take the guy that doesn’t K that often. But it’s not that cut and dry.
Also, yes the Braves would probably be “gaining strikeouts and losing some power, and probably a bit off defense and God only knows with his batting average” if they signed Cameron and he replaced Andruw. But it’s about production for the dollar. The Braves probably get more production with the dollar with Cameron than they would with Andruw.
The Ryan Howard thing was a point about strikeouts—that strikeouts are bad but you’d take a guy who makes outs via the strikeout over a guy who maybe strikes out less but makes outs a lot more.
By Braveheart
September 7, 2007 4:05 PM | Link to this
Shaun, I have been wondering this for a while. How on the one hand can you always say strikeouts by hitters are nothing to fret over too much but then on the other hand always find it so critical to evaluate pitchers by their K/9 ratio? You always cite both and it seems pretty inconsistent.
By Panders
September 7, 2007 4:06 PM | Link to this
PaladinThis is DOB’s domain.
That is my point, Anders. And DOB knows that several of us fool around. As a matter of fact, He knows I fool around. And all he has to do is say, “Paladin, knock it off”. And his will be done. Now, quit your whining.
By Curt
September 7, 2007 4:07 PM | Link to this
DOB
I will be heading out to the park for Saturday’s game and I was wondering if you knew if the Braves will be taking BP or not?
Also if you had to give a percentage of how much you thought that Renteria will be gone come next season, how much would it be?
By Rodger
September 7, 2007 4:10 PM | Link to this
WOW! What incredible 162 game numbers for Hoss-thats Triple Crown territory. Think how different the last 2 years could have been if he had been able to play more.
By Paladin
September 7, 2007 4:11 PM | Link to this
I’m leaving to get some work done. Use the time, if necessary, to “compose” your come-backs.
By Anders
September 7, 2007 4:14 PM | Link to this
Paladin It’s 4:00 Friday afternoon. Isn’t this when you post your one actual baseball thought each week?
By Paladin
September 7, 2007 4:14 PM | Link to this
And Anders I did that answer to you under “Panders” to make sure you knew it was me. Sue me.
By bill
September 7, 2007 4:16 PM | Link to this
I think it would be foolish to pay Hunter 14Mil or anyone else. If Schaffer is as good as advertised, sign someone for 1 or 2 yrs. Put all your resources in starting pitching.
By Alan
September 7, 2007 4:19 PM | Link to this
Blogging about potential trades may be fun for some (fantasy baseball at its finest), but it’s really a waste of time and space. So, having said that, I’ll offer this: Wouldn’t it be refreshing for the Braves to try to fill the void in CF with a speedy contact hitter, ala Otis Nixon? I have no one specific in mind - I’m sure someone out there can supply a whole pile of names. Point is, I’d love to see the Braves add some much-needed speed to the lineup, and at the same time subtract more than a few strikeouts.
By Anders
September 7, 2007 4:20 PM | Link to this
Paladin That wasn’t exactly a tough code to crack. Even for a dumb New Yawker like me.
Now I’m off to big Shea to welcome home the fellas.
I’ll leave you guys to compare your Jones’s.
Peace.
By Paladin
September 7, 2007 4:20 PM | Link to this
Basball thought. Wouldn’t it be nice to talk baseball without trolls like Anders stiking his nose in all the time. And, HOLY COW!! I’m out of here, huckleberries.
By Rodger
September 7, 2007 4:22 PM | Link to this
Alan-there’s Ichiro…oops!
By Robert (Justice Is The Best)
September 7, 2007 4:27 PM | Link to this
Shaun, what the hell are you talking about? Hunter has been good every year he has played. Granted, he is having his best season this season, but its not as if Hunter was some AAA scrub that has had a “lucky” year. While Andruw may be the best defensive CF, Hunter isn’t far behind. I would take Hunter at $15 mil a year for the next five years over Andruw at $18 mil for the next five years OR Cameron at all.
By \\\\\\\\\\BERIGAN//////////
September 7, 2007 4:29 PM | Link to this
From the previous blog….
By Shaun September 7, 2007 2:59 PM | Link to this Lee in S. GA, Who cares if Cameron is a “strikeout machine”? He doesn’t make outs all that frequently relative to a lot of other guys who will likely be more expensive. How you make outs is a lot less important than how often you make outs.
Shaun, Come on!!! You of all people talking up Cameron?? I know B.A.’s are not important to you, but he has a lifetime .252 Average!(quick and easy math shows you 3 out of 4 AB’s lead to an out!) His .341 OBP really thrill you that much?
He’s hitting .251 this year, after hitting .268 last year, and .273 the year before that. So, he back to his career average, do you think he’s going to get better with age all of the sudden? He can’t hit good fastballs now….
Signing him would be like getting Claudell Washington 25 years ago. A nice move for a last place team. But hey, his strike outs will be quite productive next year moving runners over…..since runners will be able to advance while fielders are ducking flying bats.
By Ron Roberts
September 7, 2007 4:32 PM | Link to this
Paladin… The name’s Ron. How is that difficult for you to comprehend and re-type?
Now, you’re not my mother and comparing you to her would be insulting to her intelligence and ability to interact with others without making an @ss of herself.
Secondly, when did I say I “wanted” a fight?
Thirdly, I don’t consider my D I S C U S S I N G the Braves’ 2008 outfield options with others to be ANYTHING like Robert’s nearly two-year rant about Bobby Cox. You want to think that way? Great; go with it. Bypass my posts.
Now, if moving Francoeur to CF is so s t u p i d then why did the Braves’ beat writer even bother to discuss it with the team? And why did they not close the door to the idea, you know, if it’s so stupid an idea? And was it such a stupid idea for him to be playing CF all of his freakin’ life BEFORE playing for the Braves?
Now, I’m (of course) NOT going to bet that the Braves are going to go that route; never once said (yesterday or today) that I BELIEVED they would, either. So why would I want to bet that, dude? If you have a gambling problem, I suggest you seek help for it; I don’t need to place wagers on every idea or notion that I’d like to see my favorite teams employ.
As for my “backing down,” I’ve never once backed down from anybody, nor will I with you. Give me one instance here where I’ve “backed down.”
It’s a blog to discuss baseball, which I am perfectly within my right to do. If you don’t like the ideas people float, then float past ‘em and leave people be.
I’d ask you to grow up, but you’re apparently older than I am (per your various pseudonym posts - talk about manning up…), so I can’t ask you to grow up. If it hasn’t happened by now, I doubt there’s much hope for you.
By hoho
September 7, 2007 4:40 PM | Link to this
Gotta love the Claudell Washington reference, thanks Berigan. That takes a lot of us Braves fans back to…sometime.
By Ron Roberts
September 7, 2007 4:42 PM | Link to this
Shaun… dude sometimes I think you try and write yourself into a circle, and sling in some stats, just to confuse others.
Slinging Ryan Howard into the CF equation doens’t jibe. Period. Stop it.
I wasn’t trying to say we’re better-served signing Andruw over Mike Cameron (though I believe we would). My point, all along has been that I’d rather the Braves not spend money on Cameron, and move Francoeur to CF, Kelly Johnson to LF and Diaz to RF, thus saving the $5-7 we’d be spending on Cameron to put into pursuing better pitching.
Where I disagree with you is when you think, somehow, that a guy with high strikeouts is ok to add to this lineup. Sorry, but as a long-time Braves fan, it’s been flat-out M A D D E N I N G to see Andruw K with RISP; Mike Cameron actually strikes out more than Andruw. So adding him to our lineup, with his slightly higher strikeout rate, along with his .235-.260ish batting average and diminished power and speed in the outfield, is a step down.
I realize my idea means we lose some pop in the lineup, and so be it. We gain batting average, and have negated the power drain with picking up Teixeira, anyhow.
By Lew
September 7, 2007 4:46 PM | Link to this
I still think that a lot of y’all don’t get it. We are NOT going to be able to afford to go out and get an expensive CF AND pay for more pitching, too. Do the math. Andruw is making $13.5 million. Wicky made another $6 mil. That totals almost $20 million. Now raises-Hudson will be making an additional $7 million next year. Smoltz will be making an additional $4mil. Teixeira will make a bare minimum of $10 million in arbitration. This salary was not on the books this year. The total for those three (Hudson, Smoltz’s raise and Tex) are $21 million-more than we are dumping with Andruw and Wicky combined. No peace dividend (besides-we know how THAT worked out).
Where exactly, is the windfall to pay Torii Hunter $70 mil for 5 years? How much do you think Rowand will make? $12-15 mil per year? Certainly not out of the question. Even Cameron will command several million, per annum. Now, I do believe that the payroll will be expanded. I think Tex’s presence almost guarantees a boost. However, we need pitching, pitching, pitching. Buying a CF will severely limit how much that can be spent on what we truly need.
A solution is easily at hand. Diaz in left full time. Francoeur in center and Brandon Jones in right. Diaz is not a great defender, but is better than some (myself included) have given him credit for. Francoeur can definitely handle center. He has played there a couple of times last year and played it in HS-he has the range, the speed and the arm. Brandon Jones is a good defender with a good arm. They claim he is only a corner outfielder. Let him play. Problem solved. Go buy pitching.
By Robert (Justice Is The Best)
September 7, 2007 4:48 PM | Link to this
Amen, Berigan!
By flange1
September 7, 2007 4:48 PM | Link to this
Ron Roberts,
I like your idea of trying to get the Braves best players Frenchy, KJ, Diaz/B. Jones, Escobar and Rent on the field at the same time.
I am looking forward to see Brandon Jones and Gregor Blanco next year.
By David O'Brien
September 7, 2007 4:50 PM | Link to this
Renegator: 22oz was right, I mean Sept. 17-23. Kinda of ruined my sarcastic line, didn’t it.
Hey, you folks planning to dine at the KFC/Taco Bell combo establishment (I think that’s what it was) on the corner by the ballpark, may want to enjoy another fine-dining experience instead.
That place is boarded up. I just noticed today. Maybe it’s been that way for a week or so, but I don’t think so. Gone the way of the fabulous Fanplex.
OK, team meeting’s over, gotta get back downstairs. I’ll find out about Edgar soon enough.
By \\\\\\\\\\BERIGAN//////////
September 7, 2007 4:51 PM | Link to this
Shaun,
And others that don’t think Torii Hunter would be MUCH better as our CF next year….
For Hunters career, he is hitting .267 with runners on. .272 with RISP. .276 with RISP and 2 outs.
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/5884/situational;_ylt=AnBTQHByg6oKTYffG9BNvQqFCLcF?year=career&type=Batting
How’s Andruw doing over his career? .259 with runners on. .252 with RISP. and .220, for his career, with RISP and 2 outs!!!!
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/5681/situational;_ylt=AnBTQHByg6oKTYffG9BNvQqFCLcF?year=career&type=Batting
Still not enough for some of you??? Lets look at this year in particular…
Torii Hunter, with runners on , .275, with RISP, .325. With RISP and 2 outs, .329
Ok, wait for it, the 2007 Andruw Jones. with runners on, a robust .219. RISP, .232. RISP, and 2 outs???? .176!!!!
Only a 93 point difference between Hunter and Andruw with RISP this year!!! And barely , damn, don’t even know if I can figure this.. 153 point difference with RISP and 2 outs!!! Holy you know what!!! If Torii Hunter had been playing for us this year, and batting 4th, we’d be in the playoffs, plain and simple.
Perhaps I should contact Torii and see if he needs and agent?? ;)
By David O'Brien
September 7, 2007 4:51 PM | Link to this
Edgar is NOT in lineup tonight, I can tell you that.
By David O'Brien
September 7, 2007 4:53 PM | Link to this
There’s no reason they wouldn’t take BP Saturday, unless tonight’s game goes 15 innings or whatever. But those decisions aren’t made until after previous game, after tonight’s game. You can assume they will take BP, though, since it’s a night game tomorrow.
Percentage on Edgar? Oh, 67.3 percent that he’s gone. No, 67.6 percent.
By StingerSplash
September 7, 2007 4:54 PM | Link to this
In this steroid era of baseball, perhaps a little “The Needle and the Damage Done” from the scion of a Canadian sportswriter?
By David O'Brien
September 7, 2007 4:54 PM | Link to this
Oh, almost forgot: McCann is in the lineup.
By \\\\\\\\\\BERIGAN//////////
September 7, 2007 5:01 PM | Link to this
Lew,
Oh, I agree…I’d much rather spend money on pitching first, and another outfielder 2nd or 3rd. But, don’t you just get the feeling both Bobby and JS hate to give the youngsters a chance, unless there are injures??? I think the’d feel better knowing Cameron will play good defense and hit .250 while driving in 80 RBI’s, than take the “risk” a rookie might not do that. Hope I am wrong….
Oh, and all those suggesting KJ in left, Diaz in right…how about switiching them? We know Diaz can play decent left(Much better than last year, when he sucked before the eye issues were solved) and KJ’s elbow should be just fine. You know, a lot of pitchers swear they pitch better after the surgery….
By Will
September 7, 2007 5:13 PM | Link to this
Is it really a legitimate possibility to move Francoeur to centerfield next year. I just do not see that happening. Also dont really think a big time free agent will fit in the payroll. At one point i was thinking Rowand was an option, but i am sure he will be overpaid by some team. Im sure they will figure something out with CF and as long as it is not Andruw Jones i can accept that.
By \\\\\\\\\\BERIGAN//////////
September 7, 2007 5:15 PM | Link to this
Lew,
One more thing, DOB mentioned it I believe at the end of the last blog… we still don’t know how much money we will have to work with. It may be a bit of a blessing if we don’t have a lot of fans come to games the last few weeks of the season. That and not making it to the playoffs will cost Liberty money. And hopefully, someone there is smart enough to realize that some increase in budget will help show the fans this is no TW/AOL situation, and make it more likely the team will compete next year til the very end of the season.
Now, if we can only get someone in the clubhouse to give ol’ Bobby some ginkgo biloba to help the blood flow thru the ol’ noggin! ;)
By A PEACEFUL FAN
September 7, 2007 5:15 PM | Link to this
I’M A DAILY READER OF THE BLOG UNTIL IT BECOMES CHILDISH BETWEEN CERTAIN FOLKS.ANYWAY MY THOUGT IS D.O.B DOES A REAL GOOD JOB 75% OF THE TIME WHICH IS GREAT UNLESS YOU’RE A SURGEON.ANDREW SEEMS TO HAVE LOST HIS DESIRE TO EXCEL SOMETIME LATE LAST YEAR.MAYBE HE’S IN MORE PAIN THAN HE WANTS TO ADMIT SINCE HE’S IN A CONTRACT YEAR.I THINK ROWAND IS BY FAR THE BEST REPLACEMENT IF WE MUST HAVE ONE
By Ron Roberts
September 7, 2007 5:20 PM | Link to this
I’m with ya, Lew. But careful what ya say; Paladin might slip into your mom’s house dress and sling on a wig and pretend to be her to mock ya.
Ehh, maybe that’s what the guy does for kicks. To each his/her own.
By The Grinch
September 7, 2007 5:24 PM | Link to this
“It’s better to burn out/than fade away.”
I can’t believe you guys are so high on someone who would rip off Def Leppard lyrics. :-)
Goin’ to the game tonight; I’ll give a report on my return.
Go Braves!
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
September 7, 2007 5:29 PM | Link to this
With the emergence of Yunel Escobar and the assumed return of Willy Aybar , I have to go outside the box again. Kelly Johnson made the switch from outfielder to second baseman , Brent Lillibridge clearly has the athleticism , foot speed and arm to play in CF. 2B and SS are locked up by Yunel and Kelly , moving Lillibridge to CF would open up the opportunity to add some speed and defense to the lineup at a bargain basement price. Not to mention the fact that it would allow another trade made by John Schuerholz to pay immediate dividend’s for the Braves.
By Chop Chop
September 7, 2007 5:32 PM | Link to this
Hmm…
Grinch, when I think about the Braves’ current situation, I’m reminded of this wonderful lyric:
Don’t know what you got ‘til it’s gone.
Don’t know what it is I did so wrong.
Now, I know what I got…
It’s just this song.
And it ain’t easy to get back;
Takes so long.
(Gotta admit that it’d be pretty cool to hear Bobby singing that in the clubhouse, right?)
By Paladin
September 7, 2007 5:33 PM | Link to this
Ronie I see you took advantage of the time I was gone to “compose” your answer. Or do you use the town idiot as your ghost writer?
I’m not going to bore the rest of the blog by trying to address “points” and “insults” one by one. It would take, like most of your posts, entirely too long.
If you are so sure that DOB agrees with your stuidity, why not ask him, on here? It’s not difficult. All you do is write: DOB do-you-think-Frenchy-should-be-moved -from-RF-to-CF? Got it? Now, don’t try to go too fast. Then, we’ll see what he answers.
You, are right. I am probably old enough to be your father. But, if I were your father I would have long ago pinched your head off and used you for fish bait.
Oh, one other question. Is it true that you have a good face for radio?
By Bobbymahlon
September 7, 2007 5:36 PM | Link to this
When was the last time you saw Frenchy single or double to right field. When his average was around 315 he was hitting to all fields, now his hits are mainly to left as he is trying to hit it out too much. If he doesn’t watch out he will down around 270 which will be a big disappointment after all his good work earlier in the season. Where is the batting coach when a guy like this is dropping his average about 20 points. To improve the team next year I’m afraid we will have to trade Renteria for a good number three starter and hope he doesn’t develope arm trouble. Also JS and BC have got to stop wasting money on old washed up players like they have this year. Booby has got to look at stats once in a while instead of playing hunches (like going with guys like Diaz)who has proven to be a real hitter. Diaz has improved his fielding enough that he should be at least starting every game. The other thing that Cox should do is take contol of the team and not let players like the Jones’s tell him when they play and when they don’t. Another thing he should demand is all out hustle from every player and that includes veterans.
By TennesseePaul
September 7, 2007 5:38 PM | Link to this
DOB: I still think Ramirez is the better player between the two… (Reyes/Ramirez). Ramirez not leading off has nothing to do with him and everything to do with the guy who creates the line up card. I’ll grant 2 things to Reyes, he’s a switch hitter and he is a better defender. The defense, there is no defense against. Reyes is simply better. But the offense, Ramirez is better. He’s a better leadoff hitter when he is given the chance. He’s so stinking good he can hit anywhere in the lineup which is part of the reason he isn’t a solid fixture at the top of the order. I posted on the last blog his leadoff numbers… .340+ average with a 1.000+ OPS compared to a .290 average and .750+ OPS. Ramirez has the edge by a wide margin.
Now, steals Reyes has the edge. I did a little calculation, flawed I suspect, but here it is. Of all the times Reyes made it to first, he attempted a steal .434 times. Ramirez was at .370. Reyes is more successful in the stolen base attempts than Ramirez (80% versus 78%). It’s flawed, I know, not all stolen bases are 1st to 2nd. And not all singles come with 2nd open to steal and so on. But the two are very close in success rate.
I suppose one could argue that the 2% edge Reyes has on SB makes him the better leadoff hitter. But I’d counter that with the 67 point edge Ramirez has in leadoff OBP and the 204 point edge in leadoff SLG, he is still the better player.
As for Anders and his persistance that we compare Francoeur to Reyes… flawed. Simply flawed. Not sure why you insist on accussing others of making such claims but you should pack up that straw man and at least finish the conversational posts before jerking that knee and running with it.
By DonCoburleone
September 7, 2007 5:43 PM | Link to this
Man, it’s so depressing to see this kind of article in the first week of September… If someone had told me in April that on September 7th DOB would be writing a blog comparing Andruw, Chipper and Francoeurs early careers I would have known right then and there that the Braves were not making the playoffs.
By Paladin
September 7, 2007 5:45 PM | Link to this
Ronie And I didn’t disrespect your Mother by my “joking” post. Read it, or have someone do it for you. I’m sure she is a lovely lady and if you think my pretending to be her in what was clearly parody was disrespectful, then I apologize, But, don’t keep bringing it up.
By Ron Roberts
September 7, 2007 5:47 PM | Link to this
Paladin… It took me no time to “compose” my reply to your drivel. But, once again, I have to point out where your reading comprehension F A I L S you miserably.
I never said DO’B agreed that Francoeur should be moved to CF. I said he’s asked Braves’ team officials about the notion, and while they didn’t say it was a certainty, a probability, or even an idea worth considering, they didn’t close the door to the idea, either.
Re-read this (and any other) post of mine to make sure you don’t misinterpret it (as you’ve done alot here, lately), okay?
Oh, and slow down with your fervent, rabid typing. It’s spelled S-T-U-P-I-D-I-T-Y. For a spell-check, maybe your reading comprehension teaching from back in grade school wrote it on your report card. I’m sure you kept ‘em from your handful of years of organized educational activity in your youth.
By Fred from CT
September 7, 2007 5:47 PM | Link to this
lew I agree with you about spending money on pitching instead of a CF but I would rather keep franceour in RF next year and get a regualar CF. How bout a some type of trade for a guy like a chone figgins just throwing it out there. speedy leadoff hitter makes the lineup better and adds a different dimension to it. just a thought. Also I am not giving up on this year yet. I will need to see the team officially eliminated first.
By Paladin
September 7, 2007 5:55 PM | Link to this
anders Go to Shea. Go directly to Shea. Do not pass go. Do not collect $200(unless you stop at the ATM). I would like to say that I hope you get mugged, but I might be banned for conduct unbecoming. So, I will say: I hope you get hugged, by a 300lb homosexual.
By Michael
September 7, 2007 5:58 PM | Link to this
Great comparisions DOB…really appreciate all your hard work you do covering the team we all know and love…win or lose.
By Ron Roberts
September 7, 2007 6:00 PM | Link to this
Paladin, YOU pretending to be my mother is insult enough. That’s my point. Now, if you’re my elder, please start acting it.
By David O'Brien
September 7, 2007 6:01 PM | Link to this
Edgar activated but not ready yet, Cox said. Edgar said he’s ready to roll, no problems. I’d guess he’ll play by Sunday, think it’s just cox being cautious after what happened last time. I just watched Edgar take full B.P., and he did fine. They activated because rosters are expanded anyway, and they wanted him available in case the game goes long or whatever….
McCann’s problems with that left ankle stem from a bone spur, which may or may not have developed after his serious sprain last season. But sometimes he tweaks it when he stops suddenly, like he did when he was at first and one of those bloops was hit the other day.
Might have it ‘scoped in offseason to remove the spur….
TennPaul, you should know that Edgar agrees with you on H. Ramirez. I just asked him to rate the top all-around shortstops in majors, and he put Hanley No. 1 and Reyes No. 2, then Jeter and Rollins. He didn’t want to rank himself.
By Ron Roberts
September 7, 2007 6:02 PM | Link to this
There’s our first offseason acquisition “Chone Figgins” post for the 2008 Braves!
By Paladin
September 7, 2007 6:04 PM | Link to this
Ronie I must admit that I type too fast(for me)at times and typos result. But, I don’t think you(reread some of your posts today)or anyone else on here can stand the scrutiny of having each post scanned for accuracy in typing.
As for the rest of your spewings: You bore me with your copy-cat “insults”. Get a tutor. And if SJA decides not to whip your @ss, I might do it, myself. Fat little radio rat.
By ObiWanKobe
September 7, 2007 6:08 PM | Link to this
pal·a·din (pl-dn) n. 1. A paragon of chivalry; a heroic champion. 2. A strong supporter or defender of a cause: “the paladin of plain speaking” Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr. 3. Any of the 12 peers of Charlemagne’s court. 4. A complete moron
By David O'Brien
September 7, 2007 6:13 PM | Link to this
Dotel still just long-tossing today. Since he’d told me earlier today he was going to have his first bullpen session, and that was switched to more long-tossing, I’d say it’s another indication you shouldn’t expect much if anything from him in September….
By Efrim
September 7, 2007 6:14 PM | Link to this
Lew
Why do you want Frenchy in Center so much???
He is a asset in RF.
He is much less of an asset in CF.
That is the way it is. I understand it is an option, but one that I for one would not explore.
Braves should be able to afford Cameron for 2 years and 16 million. If they up the payroll to 90 million, then they should be able to afford him. As much as I don’t want it to happen, Renteria is going to get traded for pitching, probably someone like Noah Lowry.
By Choppinmama
September 7, 2007 6:16 PM | Link to this
DOB: Can’t believe the KY Fried/Taco Bell franchise didn’t make $$ drumstick over burrito. There were lots of fried chicken buckets in the post-game garbage at the field.
Maybe they’re gonna tear it down and make that whole corner the aqua Bentz lot!
By Julia
September 7, 2007 6:16 PM | Link to this
Someone is t-e-s-t-y today. This could be the result of eating a bad SHRIMP SAMMICH. A sammich ain’t a SAMMICH until it is loaded with SHRIMP and BUTTER and SAUCE. I enjoy SHRIMP SAMMICHES and I hope you do too.
By David O'Brien
September 7, 2007 6:16 PM | Link to this
Don’t know if it’s been mentioned here, but Wickman signed with Arizona today. Braves didn’t bother to announce they released him a couple days ago, after the 10-day period expired.
By Ron Roberts
September 7, 2007 6:21 PM | Link to this
Paladin, I’ll tell you like I’ve told anybody else who’s made the (idle) threat… I’m in New Orleans. I’ll be here whenever you find a bowl big enough for the Wheatie’s you’ll need. You got one thing right…I work in radio. Calling a guy who’s not small and fat “little” and “fat” doesn’t hurt my feelings. They’re incorrect ways to describe me, but they certainly don’t hurt my feelings. But they sure do make your posts all that much more macho and certainly puts me in my place, doesn’t it?
Oh, and like most people. my computer comes with spell-check. Turn yours on or take your Apple II-e to the dump and upgrade. So scrutinize my spelling all you’d like.
Seriously; you’re older than I am? C’mon… that has to be incorrect, because I fail to believe a grown adult would have such horrible reading comprehension skills, poor spelling and grammar, and act as childish as you’ve been all day today.
Tell you what… I’m off to go cover high school football tonight, so I’ll not be here to laught at your silly attempts to out-barb me. So have it ALL night. Use all the pseudonyms you’d like. I’m sure you’ll crack somebody (probably just yourself) up with it.
By MegaBravesFan
September 7, 2007 6:23 PM | Link to this
I hope the D-Backs enjoy Wickman as much as Tim Hudson did this year…
By count_schemula
September 7, 2007 6:24 PM | Link to this
On Francouer… he may never have “huge” MVP style numbers, but he has shown an ability to handle clutch situations with the game on the line.
So maybe 105 RBI won’t be “gaudy” but they could be a very important 105 RBIs, perhaps making them worth a little more.
This season Andruw is going to put up decent looking HR/RBI numbers, but if you’ve watched him all year long, you will think about how empty those numbers look in reality.
By DonCoburleone
September 7, 2007 6:24 PM | Link to this
As maddeningly inconsistent as Davies was, the trade for Dotel can already be viewed as bad…
By \\\\\\\\\\BERIGAN//////////
September 7, 2007 6:26 PM | Link to this
Ron and Paladin, you guys have made your points, lets move on shall we??? To what you all say??? How about talking about how very good my 4:51 PMpost was!!! ;)
By fast one
September 7, 2007 6:29 PM | Link to this
first?
By TennesseePaul
September 7, 2007 6:30 PM | Link to this
DOB: That’s awesome. Thanks. I’d put Renteria up there in the top 5 easy. Ahead of Rollins no doubt…
move Francoeur to CF, Kelly Johnson to LF and Diaz to RF
Ron Roberts: I don’t know if I could back you on this. I love KJ at second. I think it’d be easier to replace an outfielder than a 2B with his production. I say keep the infield as intact as possible. But another reason I’m not sold on KJ and Diaz in the outfield is, that is one massive decline in defense. I know, I know… Diaz isn’t that bad and KJ is alright. But, even with this offensive lack luster, AJ and Francoeur are leaps and bounds above Diaz and KJ. Replacing AJ with either of those two weakens this teams defense and we have a lot of young fly ball pitchers… Rowand sounds like a better option, but even still he’ll probably be pricey. I’ll wait and see. I have a feeling JS will make something happen to make up for it all.
By DonCoburleone
September 7, 2007 6:36 PM | Link to this
If Wickman hates pitching in non-save situations, then why even sign with a team who already has a closer?
Whatever, I’m just glad that fat tub of lard is gone…
It’s mean spirited to say that I know, but he’s making $6mil to perform at the highest level of athletics, GET IN SHAPE FATTY!
By TennesseePaul
September 7, 2007 6:43 PM | Link to this
DonC: Davies/Dotel… agree 100%. If Dotel had been healthy and a key part in sending this team to the post season, it’d been worth it. But not so much now. Davies was annoying, but he’s only 23 or 24… I’d rather hold on to him for at least one more season and see what happens. We’d probably have received more than a half season rental of an injured reliever had we held him for longer.
By Ron Roberts
September 7, 2007 6:44 PM | Link to this
Man, with all the $$$ issues Arizona has, they sure didn’t hesitate to grab just about anything that came across the waiver wire, did they?
Hmmm… Paladin gets his feathers ruffled, and lo and behold Juila re-appears. Hmmm… oh, and the “fat little radio rat” sound awful familiar to somebody else we haven’t seen here in awhile…
….NAH. Couldn’t be.
By DonCoburleone
September 7, 2007 6:45 PM | Link to this
TennesseePaul we all love Renteria and think he’s great, but ahead of Jimmy Rollins? I don’t think so. Outside of just average, Rollins beats Renteria in every statistical category… Rollins has 25HR’s, 35 doubles, 17 triples, 28 stolen bases and is easily as good as Renteria defensively… I’m sorry, but 35 points on the batting average doesn’t even come close to making up the gap in extra base hits and stolen bases…
By DonCoburleone
September 7, 2007 6:48 PM | Link to this
Now if you wanna argue over the course of their careers Renteria is better than Rollins, well then you have an argument TennesseePaul… But just looking at this season, Rollins is the all-around better player in my mind.
By Ron Roberts Momma
September 7, 2007 6:52 PM | Link to this
Ron, you quit bothering that nice Mr. Paladin and his friends. It is time for you to come home and take your bath…
By \\\\\\\\\\BERIGAN//////////
September 7, 2007 6:54 PM | Link to this
I wish the Braves weren’t so afraid of starting the option clock, and would bring up Lillibridge and Brandon Jones for a cup of coffee. Can’t hurt to get them some AB’s now.
Red Sox have had no issues bringing up Clay Buchholz or Jacoby Ellsbury and they are in 1st place! I guess they are not so concerned with what to do 2010 if they are still not ready to stay in the majors.
By TennesseePaul
September 7, 2007 7:06 PM | Link to this
DonC: Don’t forget OBP. Renteria has Rollins on the OBP by a solid margin… Career: Renteria .349 and Rollins .331 and season: Renteria .392 vs Rollins .348. But Rollins does have the edge on OPS (.750 to .770). But if we are grading them on a scale, I wouldn’t put Renteria miles ahead of Rollins. I like Renteria because he knows situational hitting. I don’t watch Rollins enough to get a feel for him on this matter, but for my money, I haven’t seen a better #2 hitter than Renteria.
Nevertheless, I’d still rather have Hanley.
By \\\\\\\\\\BERIGAN//////////
September 7, 2007 7:11 PM | Link to this
Rick Ankiel had Tommy John surgery and now plays left and Center(Never mind the HGH stories) so, why not consider KJ for right field, if we would consider him for the outfield? Just seems Diaz is much more suited to left than right, though his arm seems pretty decent all things considered
By Paladin
September 7, 2007 7:25 PM | Link to this
Ronie Go cover high school football. That’s about your speed. We can take this up tomorrow during “slow time”. I’ll be here, will you?
By Paladin
September 7, 2007 7:35 PM | Link to this
*/////Berigan\* I agree!
By Paladin
September 7, 2007 7:44 PM | Link to this
“Dale Murphy” Please spare us your racism. Please. And, btw, you dishonor a man who would never say those things.
By david duke
September 7, 2007 7:46 PM | Link to this
i will defend mr. murphys rights to the ends of the earth.
By Adirondackdave
September 7, 2007 7:46 PM | Link to this
DOB - the Dale Murphy 7:38 is equally offensive and should go.
By DonCoburleone
September 7, 2007 7:54 PM | Link to this
I guarantee you if I had predicted this on April 1st you guys on this blog would have put me in a straight jacket: The Washington Nationals will be only 8 games behind the Braves on September 7.
And it’s TRUE! Atlanta: 71-69; Washington: 63-77. I think I’m gonna be sick…
By Paladin
September 7, 2007 8:01 PM | Link to this
I would much rather you post under “David Duke” than under “Dale Murphy”. Nothing you say can dishonor Duke.
By flange1
September 7, 2007 8:04 PM | Link to this
The comments of someone representing a Braves legend are way off the page and should be removed.
AJC should look into the offending party and consider banning.
By Diaz Fan
September 7, 2007 8:05 PM | Link to this
WHAT THE HELL!! FRIGGIN’ WILLIE HARRIS IS STARTING TONIGHT!? GIVE ME BREAK. OH, WHAT A SURPRISE…HE POPPED OUT TO START THE GAME.
By \\\\\\\\\\BERIGAN//////////
September 7, 2007 8:05 PM | Link to this
Man, why did I mention the post??? Why has David Duke had more plastic surgery than the Gabor sisters combined??? Why is wee Willie still in left leading off??? Lots of questions tonight.
By TennesseePaul
September 7, 2007 8:05 PM | Link to this
And Pelfrey is betting pumbled. Braves should have clobbered him. They were pressing too much on that series. Gotta learn how to walk into a big game and still play like you’re having fun.
By flange1
September 7, 2007 8:06 PM | Link to this
Ron Roberts,
I was kind of thinking the same thing about your 6:44..
By Ed Glennon
September 7, 2007 8:06 PM | Link to this
There are two things I like about Chipper. He is a great player and he took less money to help the team. Did anyone notice that the big rally happened after Andruw was out of the game. The best thing he does in clutch situations is walk. If he swings the bat the rally is over. Why not bring Brandon Jones up and let him play center for some games and see how he does. Just so Boreus won’t get upset we could leave the B off his uniform and make believe it is Andruw.
By Bill Clyde
September 7, 2007 8:07 PM | Link to this
One things fer sure ‘bout ol’ aches-n-pains: having missed 80 of the Braves games over the last 8+ months of play (roughly 10 per month, or 1/3 of those games), he isn’t likely to be tied to any HgH or steroid scandal anytime soon, so I’d say his numbers, when compared to those of his creamy-thighed peers, are better—at least more respectable. Regarding Francoeur: well, we all know Frenchy is a born hacker, which is fine, because so many of those hacks seem to change games by sending balls over the outfield wall. Regarding Andruw: those of us following the team back then remember the Braves failed, ill-advised attempt to mold him into a leadoff hitter—clearly his path was always power and defense, with fleeting ability to hit in situations, and no ability to lay off breaking pitches that are the width of the plate out of the strike zone (except that one in the ‘99 NLCS off Kenny Rogers—I was as surprised as the Gambler that Andruw didn’t bite, but he worked a bases-loaded walk and they went to the WS). ANd yes, the Braves were better back then. I think the wheels started falling off the cart in 2000 (remember that awful NLDS against the Cardinals? Was that really our team on the field, or some imposters?) Let’s face it, an organizational overhaul has been long overdue, and credit (or blame) Schuerholz for staving it off as long as possible. Will they be competitive next year, or at least make an obvious turnaround back toward the fearsome respectability they enjoyed 10 years ago? Depends on how much faith they are obligated (by payroll constraints) to have in guys like Hampton, Chuck James (how’s that crow taste, those of you who saw the next Tom Glavine in him last year?), etc. Concerning Wright: The Muts, with their payroll, shouldn’t have to deal with his errors at 3B (say what you will about Chipper, he makes the occasional spectacular play, and can field anything he can get to—Wright is just plain out of his element at times). He has already confessed his willingness to move to 2B (or, Mr. Minaya, you could move him into your perennially crowded outfield, and continue to hold back Lastings Milledge in hopes you can trade him for the whole 1998 Yankees lineup), and they will have the funds to sign A-Rod to play 3B.
By Paladin
September 7, 2007 8:10 PM | Link to this
flange1 I only disagree in that they should not consider it, they should do it!
By Paladin
September 7, 2007 8:15 PM | Link to this
And Flange1. I just caught your post to Ronie. You’re wrong.
By Paladin
September 7, 2007 8:18 PM | Link to this
I’m going to bed. Snipe and back-stab and what-ever you want. I don’t really give a sh!t!
By Overlord
September 7, 2007 8:28 PM | Link to this
KJ is just amazing, he is like chipper, only not that good and less power, but he is a professional that can do anything he is asked for.
By brent a.
September 7, 2007 8:29 PM | Link to this
and Joe Simpson gives DOB his props for today’s blog.
By Overlord
September 7, 2007 8:29 PM | Link to this
BOMBS AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!! TAKE COVER!!!!!!!!!! CHIPPER IS 2ND TO NONE!!!!!!!!!
By ppaddy123
September 7, 2007 8:32 PM | Link to this
DOB, Joe Simpson
By ppaddy123
September 7, 2007 8:32 PM | Link to this
DOB, Joe Simpson
By Overlord
September 7, 2007 8:32 PM | Link to this
phillies are losing, lets hope we get help from the rockies, only problem is rockies are ahead of us also, hehehe.
By David O'Brien
September 7, 2007 8:34 PM | Link to this
Hey, for those who might be planning to attend, this from the Braves (I’ll put it in notebook tomorrow, didn’t make it in one I just filed):
The Atlanta Braves game on Friday, September 21 versus the Milwaukee Brewers has been moved from 7:35 p.m. to 7:05 p.m. to accommodate an ESPN broadcast while the Braves game Saturday, September 22 versus the Brewers has been picked up by Fox, changing the game time from 7:05 p.m. to 3:55 p.m.
Those who have tickets for the game can use their original ticket to gain entrance to Turner Field that evening. The ballpark gates will open at 4:35 p.m. on September 21 and 1:25 p.m. on September 22.
By Overlord
September 7, 2007 8:40 PM | Link to this
looks like nobody cares anymore if the braves win.
By Bill Clyde
September 7, 2007 8:43 PM | Link to this
Alan, your post of 3:27 gave me an idea for Chipper’s (first-ever, if I’m not mistaken) cheering section. I’d like to take a whole crew of Hooter’s (ahem) “servers” to the park one day and have ‘em sit behind the 3rd base dugout with a big sign that read “Chipper’s Knockers”.
By Overlord
September 7, 2007 8:44 PM | Link to this
Hey AJ just hit a double, hhhhhmmmmm guess not…….hehehe, well it was a throwing err, but at least he got to 2b on one swing of the bat.
By Overlord
September 7, 2007 8:50 PM | Link to this
Wowww!!!! not even smoltz is able to bunt the ball and advance the runners. This thing is contagious. Ive seen it all.
By Overlord
September 7, 2007 8:53 PM | Link to this
Good thing they committed a PB, cause if not those runs would have stayed at 2nd and 3rd, sure thing.
By Steve from OH
September 7, 2007 8:53 PM | Link to this
DOB
Have you checked out the new Bruce Springsteen/E Street Band single “Radio Nowhere?” Saw it on the VH1 classic and thought it was pretty good. The new Eagles song was great too.
By Tweety Bird
September 7, 2007 8:54 PM | Link to this
I care if the Braveth win. I weally do! I hope they thcore thix runth.
Tweety ith jutht like an eagle only not ath big and leth power.
By beachcomber
September 7, 2007 8:55 PM | Link to this
Just finished watching a tape of the game two days ago. Business kept me away from the TV. Got to be the most entertaining game of the season - maybe the past couple seasons.
Add me to the list who say first ballot for Chipper. Great clutch hitter, good power and a very underrated fielder.
I would disagree with a premature comparison of KJ to Chipper. I never have seen Chipper have as bad an at bat in his career than the one KJ had in the 8th inning of the 9-8 win over the Phils. We won that game despite his at bat. Go Braves!
By Jim Valvano
September 7, 2007 8:59 PM | Link to this
The Braves will sweep, the Cardinals and Rockies will win 2 of 3 from the Pods and DBacks and we will be 3.5 games out with 19 to go on Monday morning.
It ain’t over ‘til the fat lady sings.
Keep the faith!
Don’t give up!
Don’t ever give up!
By TennesseePaul
September 7, 2007 9:00 PM | Link to this
3 errors in 4 innigns by the Nats. Incredible. And to think, they don’t even lead the majors in this department…
By David O'Brien
September 7, 2007 9:00 PM | Link to this
Was Ryan Zimmerman’s throw on his second error of the fourth inning the worst throw of the season, or the worst of this decade? My god, man…
Speaking of disasters, take a look at this high-concept promotional video put out by the folks at Kansas State U.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-A-05wPlQQ4
By Braveheart
September 7, 2007 9:03 PM | Link to this
Shhh! No more questions to DOB for a while. It’s bad luck if ya know what I mean.
By TennesseePaul
September 7, 2007 9:04 PM | Link to this
And Harris singles… runs would have scored anyway.
By Overlord
September 7, 2007 9:06 PM | Link to this
Problem is we are heading to NY and im pretty sure they will like to take care of business themselves and send us packing so it wont be easy to take 2 of 3 there.
By Ed Glennon
September 7, 2007 9:09 PM | Link to this
I’ve told you a hundred times Andruw: DON’T SWING. I would love to know how many of Andruw RBI’s came without him getting a hit. Would the Elias Brothers know that or the Smothers Brothers or Peter Gammons’ brother?
By David O'Brien
September 7, 2007 9:12 PM | Link to this
Braves have out-homered the Nationals 15-1 in the 13 games between the teams this season, yet Braves only 7-5 in the series before tonight? Why, because Braves pile up hits and runs in games like this one, then lose the close ones to the Nationals … and to a lot of teams, for that matter.
Is Smoltz rockin’ tonight, or what? So much for shoulder concerns….
Hey, just noticed I had the 4 and 2 juxtaposed in a stat about Chipper. In his last 162 games since June 28, 2006, Braves have played 224 games in that span, not 242. Chipper’s missed plenty of games, but not as many as I indicated with that original post.
By Overlord
September 7, 2007 9:12 PM | Link to this
Paul willie singled just because bases were empty…….. hahaha, do you really think he would have singled if runners were still on base?
Guess again…… doesnt really matter, what matters is that we are picking gorund on more than one team tonight.
Go braves
By Ed Glennon
September 7, 2007 9:16 PM | Link to this
Thanks for taking my advice Andruw. You stick with me and I will make millions for you next year. I don’t even have a loosleaf folder.
By MEB
September 7, 2007 9:23 PM | Link to this
Sssssssshhhhhhhhhhhh!!! Smoltzy is doing pretty good tonight!
By TennesseePaul
September 7, 2007 9:24 PM | Link to this
Smoltz has 8 Ks so far. Hope he goes 9 and gets the no-no.
By True Braves Fan
September 7, 2007 9:27 PM | Link to this
In addition to DBacks signing Wickman, Rockies called up Mark Redman today.
By Braveheart
September 7, 2007 9:36 PM | Link to this
Time to call every friend you have and tell ‘em to flick on the television.
By JC FROM UT
September 7, 2007 9:38 PM | Link to this
Many people are giving suggestions for CF next season. Is there anyone who would agree that Cody Ross from Florida would be aa adequate replacement for AJ who will not brack the bank. I’m not sure who Florida would want in exchange, but they have many bullpen woes which maybe Tyler Yates or Joey Devine could fill
By Tweety Bird
September 7, 2007 9:38 PM | Link to this
Over there! Over there!
Thomeone thaid “no-no”.
Jinxth!!!!
By Blog Reader
September 7, 2007 9:39 PM | Link to this
Soooo. Should Smoltz continue this game into the 8th? Risk arm strength for a no hitter?
I say yes, let him try it.n Hell YES.
By Braveheart
September 7, 2007 9:39 PM | Link to this
DOB, those numbers you posted of Chipper’s last 162 are insane.
By TennesseePaul
September 7, 2007 9:39 PM | Link to this
C’mon Chipper. Get a triple!
By knowitall
September 7, 2007 9:44 PM | Link to this
TNPaul, if he loses it, it’s on you. Be quite!
By BG
September 7, 2007 9:44 PM | Link to this
Wow…it is shaping up to be a good night for the Braves. Up 7-0 on the Nats;
PIT 6 CHC 1 F; CIN 11 MIL 3 in 9th; FLA 6 PHI 3 in 8th;
Only bad outcome so far is the Muts beating ‘Stros (and a comeback is unlikely)
Maybe good things can happen on the west coast too.
By Braveheart
September 7, 2007 9:45 PM | Link to this
Class move by Chip Caray passing the mic over to Pete for the last 2 innings. Very classy move by Chip.
By Steve from OH
September 7, 2007 9:47 PM | Link to this
NOOO!!!
By Braveheart
September 7, 2007 9:47 PM | Link to this
10Paul, you are one of our most savvy bloggers. I am really shocked you just did that to Smoltz. Shocked.
By knowitall
September 7, 2007 9:49 PM | Link to this
TENNESSEEPAUL!!!!! It’s all your fault!
By TennesseePaul
September 7, 2007 9:51 PM | Link to this
So stinking close. Great game by the man though. Good job Smoltz!
GO BRAVES!!
By JC FROM UT
September 7, 2007 9:51 PM | Link to this
Great game Smoltz!! Also good decision by BC to take Smoltz out after giving up the hit. Two other CF besides Ross could be David DeJesus of KC or Ryan Church of Wash.
By blog Reader
September 7, 2007 9:55 PM | Link to this
oh. sorry.
By TennesseePaul
September 7, 2007 9:56 PM | Link to this
My bad.
By Julia
September 7, 2007 9:58 PM | Link to this
I know that some of the regulars have said there should be no in-game blogging. I wonder if that means there should be no in-game SHRIMP SAMMICHES? I’m having a SHRIMP SAMMICH in h-o-n-o-r of John Smoltz!
By Ed Glennon
September 7, 2007 9:58 PM | Link to this
Wickman. Redman. Can Craig Wilson be far behind?
By chopper
September 7, 2007 9:59 PM | Link to this
what is the significance of chip passing the mike to pete?
By chopper
September 7, 2007 9:59 PM | Link to this
what is the significance of chip passing the mic to pete?
By TennesseePaul
September 7, 2007 9:59 PM | Link to this
In my defense though, I did post that in the 6th and he lasted till the 8th. He’ll get one soon enough. The past 2 years he has flirted with it.
By Lew
September 7, 2007 10:00 PM | Link to this
Efrim-Just where in the world do you think we will get $8 mil a year to pay for Cameron (not that I’d want him, anyway)? Didn’t you see what I posted about no savings from Andruw’s departure. If the salary is boosted to $90 million from $80 million and Andruw and Wicky’s departure nets us a break even, how can we afford pitching in addition to an expensive CF option? Do the math Dude. It can’t be done how you propose. Even if we are dumb enough to dump Edgar and his power, that would leave diddly for more pitching-any pitching, much less two starters and another piece for the pen.
Yes, Francoeur is an excellent right fielder, but Brandon Jones is a fine outfielder with a good arm, speed and range. He has a good bat, hitting for decent power and he drives in runs. Diaz bat would outweigh any defensive deficiencies in left. By doing the outfield arrangement like I suggest, you add ZERO payroll to the outfield, thereby freeing up all remaining $$$$ for pitching and replacing this Abysmal bench.
By Braveheart
September 7, 2007 10:01 PM | Link to this
On second thought, Chip should have been a selfish b******* and kept that mic. As soon as Pete took it back, bye-bye no hitter.
By TennesseePaul
September 7, 2007 10:06 PM | Link to this
5 errors! Impressive. You gotta work to do something like that.
By Iowa Brave
September 7, 2007 10:21 PM | Link to this
Watching the game on Gameday…anybody know what the delay is?
By Braveheart
September 7, 2007 10:29 PM | Link to this
Watching the game on Gameday…anybody know what the delay is?
some ahole ran on the field and a security guard got hurt
By MEB
September 7, 2007 10:31 PM | Link to this
The delay on the field was due to a fan running onto the field. The fan was then tackled by one of the security guards. The security guard in the process hit his head pretty hard on the turf. They brought out the cart and back board but the security guard came around and got into the cart under his own power. No confirmation yet if the nut on the field was Robert.
GO BRAVES!!!
By It's over over over
September 7, 2007 10:35 PM | Link to this
wee-hoo, beat the nats. world series bound. All aboard!
By SWINGIN' DICK
September 7, 2007 10:35 PM | Link to this
I guess nobody wants to hang with me!
By southbeachdietfreak
September 7, 2007 10:39 PM | Link to this
Anybody out there know who the oldest pitcher to get a no-no is?
By MacDaddy
September 7, 2007 10:42 PM | Link to this
Hey David, would the Braves consider filing a grievence with the Commissioners office about the Dotel trade? Seems like they were dealt injured goods.
By True Braves Fan
September 7, 2007 10:43 PM | Link to this
Redman faced 4 batters in relief for Rockies tonight…1 out; 2 walks; 1 single…..Charged with 1 earned run.
By knowitall
September 7, 2007 10:55 PM | Link to this
Southbeach I’d say Nolan Ryan if I had to take a wild guess.
By It's over over over
September 7, 2007 11:01 PM | Link to this
Watch your cholesterol, Julia. All those shrimps add up.
By southbeachdietfreak
September 7, 2007 11:05 PM | Link to this
knowitall,
wouldn’t be surprised…
tonight’s game was very refreshing to watch. The pitching was obviously dominant, offense was clicking, game was never in doubt..
too bad some fool had to go and get that security guard hurt!
Speaking of refresing, I’m listening to September by EW&F… song never gets old!!
By Adirondackdave
September 7, 2007 11:25 PM | Link to this
Wasn’t Randy Johnson’s no-hitter against the Braves qualify as the oldest?
By Adirondackdave
September 7, 2007 11:26 PM | Link to this
Wasn’t Randy Johnson’s no-hitter against the Braves qualify as the oldest? Has to be right up there.
By southbeachdietfreak
September 7, 2007 11:28 PM | Link to this
…and even though I’m not a UGA fan, hope the dawgs pound the cocks… can’t stand Spurrier.
By Chop Chop
September 7, 2007 11:29 PM | Link to this
DOB,
I’ve got my power towel and my air guitar. I’m ready to kill me some Jayhawk!
K!
State!
K!
State!
What’s that?
My mother: “Don’t forget your power towel!”
Yes, ma’am!
By Chop Chop
September 7, 2007 11:40 PM | Link to this
MacDaddy,
I doubt the Braves could file a legitimate grievance over the Dotel trade. After all, the Braves used the guy in five out of the next six games after acquiring him. For a guy with Dotel’s injury history, the Braves sure didn’t seem to care about what that might do to him.
By Robert S
September 7, 2007 11:54 PM | Link to this
To answer southbeachdietfreak, Nolan Ryan was indeed the oldest pitcher to throw a no-no. He was 44. Randy Johnson was, I believe, either 40 or 41 when he threw his perfect game against the Braves.
For the record, Smoltz is 40 years, 3 months and 21 days old. Got that little tidbit from listening to Pete Van Wieren on the radio. Would’ve been nice if he’d have gotten the no-no, but all the same the win was big. If San Diego loses, the Bravos are 4.5 games out.
As far as Frenchy and his comparison to Andruw and Chipper, he sort of falls in between the two in terms of offensive ability. Chipper’s obviously a far more complete hitter than both, yet I’d have to think Frenchy’s a more productive hitter than Andruw because he hits so well in the clutch whereas Andruw doesn’t.
Francoeur reminds me of a young Dale Murphy, in his mannerisms, his swing, his cannon of an arm, his sort of lanky athleticism, and in the fact that he seems to be developing along the same lines as Murph. Remember it took Murph until he was 26 before hit hit his full stride as a player. That was his 1982 MVP season (.281, 36 HR, 109 RBI). Before that Murphy had only one season over 30 HR (33 in 1980) and was strikeout prone and impatient, much like Frenchy is now.
But I see Frenchy turning the corner. He’s taken more walks, he’s become a bit more selective (relatively, of course) at the plate, he’s already Gold Glove material in the outfield, so I can see Frenchy hitting 35 homers and driving in 110 RBI, perhaps as soon as next year.
He’s a gem, so exercise patience, patience, patience………..
By TNRON
September 7, 2007 11:59 PM | Link to this
Another quality guy that can help set up, whether it’s a guy we need to go to in the sixth inning,” Melvin said. “We’ve seen some games that we’ve had that we haven’t been able to get some of our late-inning guys in there earlier in the game. This is a guy that can be a second closer for us, say in the sixth inning. He can give Lyon a blow, he can give Pena a blow. He can give anybody a blow”.
Isnt this what we’ve been saying all along,Wickman blows?
By David O'Brien
September 8, 2007 12:02 AM | Link to this
Seen four no-hitters, and after that error ruling in the seventh inning tonight (not a bad ruling, could have gone either way), I really thought I was going to see a fifth.
Little did I know that Smoltz was running on fumes by that point. Came in with a head cold and said he was weak. Not bad for someone not feeling good, huh?
That’s 11 quality starts in his last 12 games, by the way. Just when we start to doubt Smoltz (and I admit, after the injury at Milwaukee and the DL stint, I doubted him), he keeps on going. And going. Dude’s a horse, no doubt. I’d hate to have that shoulder and elbow 10 years from now. Just hope it doesn’t hinder his bid for the over-50 PGA tour….
Chop Chop, you know you love that K-State promo video. That’s great stuff (roll eyes).
Man, they are our (KU’s) rivals, but I feel bad for them. Person who put that together should be demoted to selling soft drinks at a concession stand at football games….
MacDaddy, those damaged-goods cases are just about impossible to prove, and are rarely pursued. It’s up to a team trading for a player to examine medical records, etc, closely, just in case. If they do that, it’s then awful tough for them to come back and say, ‘We got screwed. Dude was hurt before we got him.’
Same thing for the Mike Gonzalez case….
By Ted
September 8, 2007 12:05 AM | Link to this
DOB- If we can take a break from the “who will play CF next year” conversation (my bet: B.J. Surhoff and they spend the extra money on more starting pitching)….
I’m saddened by the reports of Rick Ankiel and HGH, not sure if it changes my opinion of him (incredible heart to get back to the bigs). Ever notice how many of these “steroid” guys come from Tony LaRussa-run teams? McGwire (x2), Conseco, Giambi (was he there w/ Tony?), Ankiel….
Do you think that LaRussa runs a “Gangsta Program”?
On the music-tip….the new Exodus album drops 10/23. Nobody laugh, they are still around and they are the only Bay Area Thrash band that still plays at break-neck speed. Anybody who is into that stuff should really check out “Shovel Headed Kill Machine”, they’re last album. I can’t wait for the new one.
By David O'Brien
September 8, 2007 12:15 AM | Link to this
Don’t look now, but the Braves are going to leap-frog two teams (Chicago and Milwaukee, who both lost tonight) into fifth in the wild-card standings and gain a game on San Diego, which is losing by three runs to Colorado entering the ninth.
Braves are going to be 4-1/2 games behind the Padres. Braves have five more games with the Nationals in the next week.
Folks, it ain’t over.
By uga-brave
September 8, 2007 12:27 AM | Link to this
paladin,
time for the graveyard shift. DOB, you seem like a man that enjoys a good steak every now and again. just got back from STEAK, kevin ratburns new reastaunt on krog street. HIGHLY RECOMEND IT, the dry aged steak for two, thumbs up.
got home heard smoltzie had a no no through 7. dollars to donuts somebody said ” heck he’s got a no hitter and then regretted it”
dont worry about it, the list of the last 10 no hitters reads more like a list of reclamation projects than hall of famers. SERGIO MITRE.
oh by the way the great PAUL BYRD is 14-5, think about that. what a waste of money that was, or just another sore armed pitcher we did not do our due dilligence on.
looking at the box score, perfect example of a typical braves win. i wonder what our record is in games descided by three or less? i know we are roughly 20 games under when we dont score 7.
DOB, EVER HEARD OR SEEN THE HOODOO GOOROOS, AUSTALIAN BAND CIRCA 1986.
giants just scored 3.
By David O'Brien
September 8, 2007 12:34 AM | Link to this
uga-Brave, definitely going to try Rathbun’s steak place soon as the season’s over. Heard great stuff about it. I’ve been to his other restaurant over there, right down the street from the new one. He’s the rising new star of Atlanta chefs, isn’t he?
And I loved the Hoodoo Gurus in college (I graduated in 1986, right about when they were peaking). They had a good album or two.
By David O'Brien
September 8, 2007 12:36 AM | Link to this
I’m out. Gotta get out of this stadium. the trash blowers are giving me a headache.
By Chop Chop
September 8, 2007 12:38 AM | Link to this
Yeah, DOB. You’d think a prestigious academic institution of higher learning like K-State could put together something a little better than that. Still pumps me up, though. It’s kinda like an air-guitar Poison solo. Makes me wanna run through brick walls, get rocked by Rock Chalk in basketball every year, and play in crappy bowl games no one cares about!
(I do cheer for K-State to beat KU in basketball. KU reminds me too much of Kentucky, what with all those snooty basketball fans who think they invented the game. Bah!)
By uga-braves
September 8, 2007 12:42 AM | Link to this
DOB,
love that rosy outlook , and why not its been a weird year. only if we had one more reliable arm. so far chucky has only proven that he can install windows and give up long balls. just beat a bad team tommorrow.
hard to believe this group of bushers have a better record then the braves since july 1.
By The Grinch
September 8, 2007 12:50 AM | Link to this
Hey hey hey! Whasssup, Y’izzal? Great game tonight. I really want to hear an update on the guy who got taken off the field, because I saw the whole thing and it sure didn’t look like much happened. I’ll give him that sometimes awful things happen that don’t look like much, but I’m here to tell Y’all if that guy doesn’t at least have a severe concussion much less a skull fracture he ought to be ashamed of himself. I’ve seen people dragged off the field twice in my life with similar fanfare, and both had their careeers ended. Not wishing the guy injury, you know, but…that was as excessive as any injury has ever been cared for in public (broken necks and all) and it looked to me like a stinger at best.
GREAT game by Smoltz. Great fan reaction. Great game by Chipper; that guy can not only rake but deserves GG consideration at 3rd. He makes that charging/barehand/throw-to-1st as good as anyone ever has that I know of. Great fireworks show. We even had a great usher. It was a good time all the way around.
No, we won’t win the pennant at this point, but I think with a decent #3 starter and a decent CF added next year we might win it all. Really.
By TennesseePaul
September 8, 2007 12:59 AM | Link to this
HA! Dodgers blew it. Incredible.
By uga-brave
September 8, 2007 1:04 AM | Link to this
crap the dodgers just tied it up.
DOB, MARS NEEDS GUITARS, was a most excellent album.
at georgia in 1985 my frehmen year, rock-billy (not spelled right) was pretty big. JASON AND THE SCORCHERS were huge in athens in 85-86. GIANTS WIN, GIANTS WIN, NEVER KNOW.
walk off home run.
mike mills used to work in a small music shop called the WUXTRY. pretty much where rem was formed in 1981. for me it will always be DRIVER 8, ROCKVILLE, and BEGIN THE BEGIN, MAN ON THE MOON aint to shabby either.
they had and played a cool induction into the rock and roll hall of fame, this year. cant say the same about DAVID LEE ROTH.
By The Grinch
September 8, 2007 1:13 AM | Link to this
Just never got the whole REM thing; no offense to anyone who does. I suppose I just was/am wired different. Chop Chop, you’re on my %#@& list.
Now, time for a little music I do get. G’night, all.
By uga-brave
September 8, 2007 1:32 AM | Link to this
grinch,
that security guards head hit the ground like a tennis ball, i tivod the game because i was out earlier, replayed it and his arm was straight out in the air. knocked out cold.
got this feeling that everyone on this blog are kind of like CONGRESS.
we are all for the collective good, or so i hope, but we all are either right or left. LEW and coach are kinda of the voices of hope and optimisum. brave-dave and i are just kinda the voice of reason.
AS FOR PALADIN, or his other assummed names he is kinda the SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE.
dob is the supreme COURT JUSTICE.
either way win or lose, its been a lot of fun, and thats all it is.
i hope nobdy here takes this all for more then it is. we all love the braves, been spoiled for a long time and we finally got our comeupins, me thinks.
just think we were able to make the playoffs with russ ortiz and jaret wright as our top two starters.
By Wayne in Utah
September 8, 2007 1:47 AM | Link to this
uga Are you the only one on tonight? I don’t have much time. LONG A$$ week of work and traveling over 1000 miles.
Listened to the game tonight, Smoltz is a real stud, and what about Chipper!!! My son would say something about them being “da bomb”.
I looked real quick over the blog tonight, and some discussion as to CF next year. While I am not normally going to argue with Lew, I do think if BC is still around, that Brandon Jones will platoon in left with Matt Diaz next year, unless Diaz is traded.
I think we will give Lillibridge and Blanco a shot at it, or we might pick up one of the decent glove, weak bat CF’s that are around: Ryan Church, Duffy in Pittsburgh, Freel, Sullivan in Colorado, Ross in FLA, or maybe even CHONE FIGGINS!!! Oops, I was not supposed to mention that name, huh!!
Back hurts, tired as an old dog, so I am going to bed.
Good nite all!
(Closing it out WW, without the help of Wickman!)
Serbok Long time, no talk. Let’s try to catch up in a few days!
By uga-brave
September 8, 2007 1:49 AM | Link to this
i have called a cease fire on francouer. at least i finally got a FORUM.
the one thing i dont buy is ” well he is only 23.” jeff has got more plate appearrances then just about anybody in baseball over the the last two years. age is not a factor, plate appearances are.
DOB, i do agree he will probably turn into a .285, 28, 100 guy. hey maybe more, but it better happen in the next two years because our administation is counting on it.
By KC
September 8, 2007 1:50 AM | Link to this
To echo DOB’s statement… IT AIN’T OVER
Profitable night. We gained ground on pretty much everyone in the Wild Card race except the Rockies.
4-1/2 games back with 21 left to play. It’s still an uphill climb to be sure… but it’s doable.
We’ll have to go at least 14-7… or more likely, at least 15-6 over the remainder of the season to have any chance… but again, it’s possible.
It’ll all come down to starting pitching for the Braves. In my mind, there are 3 things to watch that will decide the Braves season from here out:
1 - Tim Hudson needs to immediately put this slump behind him and pitch like the CY Young candidate he’s been most of the year.
2- Chuck James has to look more like the guy that wore his uniform in July.
3 - Bobby Cox must make the right decision and start JoJo instead of Carlyle. Reyes isn’t a sure “W” by any means… but I feel better about him than I do Carlyle, because Reyes has one thing Carlyle doesn’t… big league talent.
If those 3 things happen, I think the Braves will make a legitimate run at the Wild Card. I can’t predict that they’ll win it… but if our starters perform as they’re capable, we should at the very least make a run at the Wild Card.
By KC
September 8, 2007 1:59 AM | Link to this
Dayn Perry (FoxSports.com): “IT’S TIME TO AUTOMATE STRIKE ZONE.
Here’s an excerpt from the article:
On Tuesday, Atlanta Braves third baseman Chipper Jones, following a close loss to the Philadelphia Phillies, spared no feelings when talking about the present quality of major-league umpiring. Specifically, it was the inconsistent ball-strike calls that raised his ire.
The first pitch to me with the bases loaded was in my batter’s box, inside,” Jones sniffed to reporters after the game. “Now you tell me how I’m supposed to hit that. We have to get QuesTec here in this ballpark. We’ve got to. Umpires have got to be held accountable. That’s Little League World Series stuff right there.
He wasn’t done. “It’s a joke,” Jones said. “I’m tired of it. And baseball can fine me whatever they want. I do not care. Somebody’s got to say something. I’ve got more walks than strikeouts in my career — I know what a strike looks like.”
Jones’ mood was no doubt soured by the fact that his Braves lost a crucial game in excruciating fashion. However, on a larger level Jones is spot on: the quality of home-plate umpiring these days is simply not acceptable. As such, it’s time for sweeping changes. Specifically, it’s time — past time, actually — to automate the calling of balls and strikes.
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/7198014
I often disagree with Dayn Perry… but in the case, HE’S RIGHT ON!!! It IS time to automate the strike zone. Absolutely!
By uga-brave
September 8, 2007 2:16 AM | Link to this
kc,
what the heck why not, would love to see a great finish like 93.
BUT IT AINT IN CHUCK JAMES, THE BOY HAS GOT NO SAND. believe it or not, and i cant believe i am saying this, but would rather see kyle davies starting tommorrow.
the only advantage chuck has going for him is church and schneider are left handed hitters.
chuck is what he is, a slinger. he has a 1 and a wiggle. his 1 aint that good and when his wiggle misses the spot it goes to i-285.
good lefthanders learn to bury the cutter in on right handed hitters.
chuck would rather frame windows. the guy is either content with drawing a check, or he is really not much of a competitor
By uga-brave
September 8, 2007 2:20 AM | Link to this
wayne,
said it before say it again, good to see you back. brave- dave and you got into a p** match but all is well i hope.
By AZBravoFan
September 8, 2007 2:25 AM | Link to this
I seem to remember Smoltz taking a no-hitter into the ninth in San Diego back in the ‘90’s, only to have Klesko butcher a ball in left off the bat of Gwynn that was ruled a hit. Anyone remember that?
By Wayne in Utah
September 8, 2007 2:28 AM | Link to this
uga Are you the only one on tonight? I don’t have much time. LONG A$$ week of work and traveling over 1000 miles.
Listened to the game tonight, Smoltz is a real stud, and what about Chipper!!!
I looked real quick over the blog tonight, and some discussion as to CF next year. While I am not normally going to argue with Lew, I do think if BC is still around, that Brandon Jones will platoon in left with Matt Diaz next year, unless Diaz is traded.
I think we will give Lillibridge and Blanco a shot at it, or we might pick up one of the decent glove, weak bat CF’s that are around: Ryan Church, Duffy in Pittsburgh, Freel, Sullivan in Colorado, Ross in FLA, or maybe even CHONE FIGGINS!!! Oops, I was not supposed to mention that name, huh!!
Back hurts, tired as an old dog, so I am going to bed.
Good nite all!
(Closing it out WW, without the help of Wickman!)
Serbok Long time, no talk. Let’s try to catch up in a few days!
By Serbok
September 8, 2007 2:37 AM | Link to this
By Julia
*September 7, 2007 9:58 PM | Link to this
I know that some of the regulars have said there should be no in-game blogging* Who are these ppl? That are trying to squash freedom of speech? I havent read any posts stating such sentiment, However I wouldnt doubt for a Moment that there are such idiots in the world! That IS without a doubt to me THE most Insane thought I have EVER read on this Blog!
Freedom’s just another word for nothin’ left to lose? The Blog NEVER ceases to amaze me~ and Thats why I enjoy it SO much! :o) I would personally Love to Blog with one of the Idiots who make Such Insane comments!!! I usually do not Blog during the game~ But thats cuz I dont wanna? I was Ready to Blog 2nite after the 7th goin into the 8th! But Smoltz lost it :o( NEVER EVER STEP ON OTHER PPL’S TOES YOU DO NOT HAVE the right TO do SO! It’s comments Like those that make me wanna compare The Idiots who make them, to the quintessential IDIOT OF ALL TIME! BILL O’Really!
By uga-brave
September 8, 2007 2:39 AM | Link to this
k.c
14-7 aint gonna get it. if it does, DOB should give you a K.C. only inning around the 5th when you are the only person able to blog in the playoffs, for that inning.
WOULD LOVE TO SEE IT HAPPEN. but it is going to take 5 more in a row, that means sweeping the mets.
hard to believe we mustered 1 xtra base hit in three days and that was in the 27th inning.
By uga-brave
September 8, 2007 2:46 AM | Link to this
azbravofan,
you are absolutely correct. he still would of had to pitch the 9th, but good call.
By uga-brave
September 8, 2007 2:55 AM | Link to this
seebrok,
paladin, said me and brave-dave had the graveyard shift, and you were a vampire. pretty tough to argue with. even though i think he is off the reservation.
By Serbok
September 8, 2007 2:56 AM | Link to this
* Wayne in Utah* Look 4ward to it Bro:o) I am of the Electric Kool-Aid generation? lol T’it ain’t over till October? I am impressed with Chipper hangin in there. Tho~ I admit I shouldnt be? However Pro Athletes today are somewhat uninspiring for the most part?
By uga-brave
September 8, 2007 3:10 AM | Link to this
since i am the only one still posting, dont want to get to political, but BILL MAHER IS somewhat funny. his show on hbo, aint too bad.
look, i am the polar opposite from MAHER, but he is somewhat smart.
like i SAID BEFORE this blog is somewhat play political.
we have got them all when it comes to the braves.
first of all I nominate SHAUN to play CONDEE RICE.
very intelligent probably was incubated instead of born.
PALADIN, you are the speaker of the house, so the floor is yours.
By Serbok
September 8, 2007 3:15 AM | Link to this
uga-brave Hows it goin Bud? I agree with you more often than not~ just cannot hang with ya on Jeff. In my Day Many moons ago~ I was, well lets say~ a pretty good defensive Catcher. I couldnt hit that dam ball at All! lol I look back on my life and feel the reason I couldnt was due to immaturety (SP) (I dont trust the spill checker!) it said i misspilled Florida on 1 of my posts? innyway~ Plate appearances of course are very important. (I concur) However there is also development of the mind that is accruing as we all mature? If I could go back and have the sense of awareness I have now? I think I might have been able to Hit that Damn thing!!! LOL I did not have Patience! Jeff has shown More patience this year than last? I really feel the guy is a Jewel! As he matures, he Will show even more Patience? He really made strides in maturing mentally this year? Lets face we both know he has talent? With the Strides he’s made? He is to me anyway, A potential Superstar!
By Serbok
September 8, 2007 3:17 AM | Link to this
uga-brave I have appreciated, as in your words? “creating a Forum” on Jeff’s potential! very well done!!!!
By Serbok
September 8, 2007 3:30 AM | Link to this
UGA-Brave I would want “my”” speaker of the house to speak as str8 forward as you and I? As Lew and KC. Cannot forget the Grinch? And Of course Robert! I realize I have forgotten the true to themselves ppl whom help make the blog enjoyable as it is~ Theres ///Berigan?? Efrim Ron Roberts~ some Guy in Utah? Overlord~ Dam didnt wanna get into name droppin `guess I did? sorry (just drives me nuts, ppl wanting to hide?) Never will understand it?\ Does M’lady Of the carolina’s have any info on How Bob J is Doin? same with Savannah guy and havent seen Jason in ME on? Chipper Ain’t givin up! just have to hope CJ does his part? Go Bravo’s!
By Serbok
September 8, 2007 3:34 AM | Link to this
uga-brave Just read your 2:55 I at least deserve an interview? LOL
By uga-brave
September 8, 2007 3:34 AM | Link to this
finishing off my DUNHILL, and well it was a scotch but now a bud.
said it 7 weeks ago to brave-dave, 15 years exp with major firm. this aint the nasdaq bubble.
this is somewhat different. we are now playing with everyones main asset class, their house.
rates went down to a point where everyone was speculating, dont have money get a home equity loan. people used their homes as ATM machines.
no problem the mortgage brokers told the speculators, worst case scenario, if rates go up we will refinance you.
guess what they cant re-qualify. i am not an expert on morgages.
spent 15 yrs. on a trading desk watched the mkt. go up from 94 to 00 like it was our right to make double digits every year.
people have been speculating on real estate like it was the stock market. ITS GONNA END BAD.
todays employment report was just the begining. FED IS BEHIND THE CURVE.
hope i am wrong.
By uga-brave
September 8, 2007 3:42 AM | Link to this
seebrok,
you vampire i like you. good discerner you are. pretty damn witty.
that MARK GRACE question got you.
By uga-brave
September 8, 2007 3:55 AM | Link to this
heres the secret to investing SEEBROK, marry a rich good looking female that is a laywer. she travels 3 out of four weeks.
she loves PENN STATE football, i get to go watch football with her at the penn state club and drink beer.
dont make waves enjoy it for what it is. make friends with her friends. and have fun.
investing is making sure you enjoy life.
By Serbok
September 8, 2007 3:55 AM | Link to this
UGA-Brave When Mr Clinton left the WH (with all the keyboard W’s? LOL He handed over to the regime a surplus of 2 trillion dollars? Now we are 5 trillion dollars in debt? Osama just made another video? Yet Ppl still deride Clinton becuz he did waht any heterosexual man woulda done in his moment of need? Yet this W is Pre-Meditated on ignorance? Big difference about lying about sex and KILLIng our children? and the Iraqi children? Dam right Bill Maher is Correct! He tells the truth as does Keith Olbermann! Sorry for the politics! Stupidity Burns My AZZ! I hate to say this~ but seems to me Osama is STILL Alive AND WELL COWBOY’S? Go gettem GW, By the way~ you can fool some of the ppl some of the time~ but you cannot fool ALL the ppl most of the Time? Hence his approval ratings will go down as him being the WORST President OF ALL time! I would rather see Bobby manage the Braves for the next 50 yrs than to see a man of his ilk~ have another decision more important than which silver spoon to eat off of today! BTW I voted for his Daddy. At least he had some sorta sense? TRAGIC!
By Serbok
September 8, 2007 3:58 AM | Link to this
My Apologies(not really) Blame it on UGA-Brave? He instigated me? LOL!!!!!!!!
By uga-brave
September 8, 2007 4:05 AM | Link to this
you from the atl. seebrok?
By uga-brave
September 8, 2007 4:08 AM | Link to this
seebrok,
you are articulate and a good guy methinks politics aside.
what if we went 16-5 good enough?
By Serbok
September 8, 2007 4:19 AM | Link to this
Folks, it ain’t over. YES~ I LIKE that Kinda Thin!!!!!!!!
By Serbok
September 8, 2007 4:19 AM | Link to this
Folks, it ain’t over. YES~ I LIKE that Kinda Thinkin!!!!!!!!
By uga-brave
September 8, 2007 4:32 AM | Link to this
16-5 magic #, i guess i will hold out till at least this weekend, why not? we have not have a run like that all season. 162 always evens everything out right?
By Serbok
September 8, 2007 4:39 AM | Link to this
UGA-BRAVE 16-5~ sounds like good entertainment down to the wire? I have enjoyed Every game the Braves have played this year! I watch on the internet~15 bucks a month! Man~ if they could do 16-5~ wow! my lat 15 would be more than well worth it! lol PPL get so uptight about HAVING to WIN, they miss the game? It’s such a beautiful game? Heck, I have been VERY pleased with the product that has been put on the field this year! I mean, Look at the trade deadline? WE got Mark Texiera? I mean`C’mon? One of the Premier Players in the leagues? Gold Glove? A Proven All-Star? We got him for players who have never ever! Proven their value in MLB? Salty? Yes? K~ Salty~ The only value he had to this team is if B-Mac was traded? These ppl trip me out! Its like they dont have a clue! As to what Proven and unproven talent at this level is? They blow my mind! Fact is the Braves farm system is STILL very overloaded with talent? I do not know who is responsible for that~ but they~ or SHE/He deserve a friggin Gold Medal~ or Maybe a V-8? lol But to be so unenlightened~ to think that the trad for TEX was not the correct move, shows ignorance! I hope AJ comes back next year! The ppl who say good riddence to him? Cameron? Isnt he 6 yrs older than AJ? Aj has been a pizzer! Yes! He IS 30 YEARS OF AGE? This Ain’t the NFL? Stupidity is rampant in our politics and our Fan base!!! Blows My Mind!!!!!!!!!
~
By Serbok
September 8, 2007 4:42 AM | Link to this
uga-brave Agreed~ it happened~ Last week happened? Next week hasnt? LOL
By uga-brave
September 8, 2007 4:50 AM | Link to this
good luck seebrok see you tmmrw. late of course. enjoy our diatribe.
By uga-brave
September 8, 2007 4:57 AM | Link to this
sebrok,
i am with you on #25, HE HAS EARNED THE RIGHT.
By Serbok
September 8, 2007 5:03 AM | Link to this
Braveheart I pizzed myself off namin names~ And I Do realize ya dont give a Shyte! lol I’m sure you understand~ as I have read many posts of yours~ Appreciate your Honesty:o)
By Bravo Nam
September 8, 2007 5:19 AM | Link to this
DOB
If the Braves don’t resign AJ this winter, what are their chances of picking up two compensatory draft picks? My understanding is that to get them, they’d have to offer him arbitration and have him decline (which is unlikely given his poor season, opportunity to make a Maddux type big bucks killing for the year, and the chance to redeem himself with a better year next year). As a result, there’s little chance the Braves would offer him arbitration for fear he’d accept- am I right then in assuming they wouldn’t get the picks?
By Mark
September 8, 2007 6:16 AM | Link to this
You know the Braves aren’t worth a damn. It’s a shame that this team is only 3 games over .500. Bobby needs to go on and put Renteria in the lineup. We need the strongest lineup possible to have any chance. Kelly has no business in the 2 spot. He has had a great year but he still has some holes in his swing. He has a great approach and always has a plan when he comes to the plate, but he has a tough time with outside pitches. I like him in the 7th spot ahead of that centerfielder. He would get more fastballs to handle batting 7th. He is good run producer. We really missed Edgar’s presence in the lineup because he helped to solidify this lineup. He knows how to handle himself in that 2 spot. We need to keep him through next year because Escobar isn’t ready to take over full time. Yes I know he is having a good season, but I want to see how he hits when the league has adjusted to him. (Remember Francouer last year) We need his veteran presence next year.
I hate Soriano. This idiot’s pitches are so fat that when he gave up that hard hit ground ball, it knocked Edgar back and sprained his ankle. (Not to mention he gave up a grand slam to the next hitter in a game that we eventually lost) He missed 30 games as a result. Just for that, Soriano must go.
This team probably won’t win the wildcard, but I hope they can make it interesting. Hopefully with Edgar in the lineup, this team can try to do the little things to win games. They have missed that element since he has been gone. He might be the best hitter on the team, maybe second to Chipper.
I am glad K.C. hasn’t come up with any of his dumb positive predictions.
By DC Braves
September 8, 2007 8:01 AM | Link to this
Smoltz flirted with a no/no while battling a head cold? Gosh, maybe the Braves should try to get sick more often - remember? Tex’s huge night (2 HR) vs. Cincy while battling the stomach flu; KJ’s hot streak earlier with an ear infection…
By Paladin
September 8, 2007 8:23 AM | Link to this
It’s amazing. “Program Director”, yesterday, names some names(including mine)in jest, and the next thing you know people are attributing parts of it to me. I guess it goes with the territory.
UGA-Brave I did say something—kiddingly—about the number of posts you and N8 made night before last. I am guilty. And, I applaud you taking it as you did. Serbok on the other hand has his boxers well up his crack and it has made him irritable. Get over it, ole buddy.
By ssiscribe
September 8, 2007 9:10 AM | Link to this
Top of the morning, denizens. Wow, what a performance by Smoltz last night. He’s a warrior, plain and simple. Goes out there with a head cold and wins a game that could turn out to be very, very big.
Two days after the unbelievable comeback victory over Philly, this is how the Braves respond: With their 40-year-old ace slamming down a team that did carry a five-game winning streak into Turner Field (albeit against bad competition). Near no-hitter or not, bottom line is Smoltz stepped up as he always does, and this time he got run support.
Nice two wins, definitely. Now look at the wild-card standings: The Braves have moved from eighth to fifth in two days, from 6.5 back to 4.5 back in two days.
I’m almost starting to think we’ve got a slightly better than slim chance, but for it to happen (like I said the other day), the Braves HAVE to put a streak together. These two wins are quite a jumping-off point, but all season long, we’ve watched this team spit and sputter instead of racing away.
Now’s the time to drop the hammer. The Braves HAVE to win the next two, HAVE to win at least two out of three against the Mets, HAVE to sweep the Nats next weekend in D.C.
That’s a lot to ask, I know, out of a team that’s hung around .500 for most of the past three months. But if the Braves can finish off the Nats, win at least two in New York and win three more in D.C. next weekend, that gives the Braves the 9-out-of-10 streak they need to get right back into this race.
Even losing one in D.C. next weekend, provided the Braves do as I suggest they need to in the rest of the games, would be an 8-out-of-10 streak. If the wild-card leader plays .600 ball between now and then, that’s at least two games gained, moving the Braves within 2.5.
That, folks, with two weeks to go, would not be as daunting as things may have seemed.
But again, beating the dead horse a little harder, it’s up to the Braves to get it done. What we’ve seen the past two games are two hugely motivating victories for this team that started to look lifeless and listless.
Instead, there is a glimmer of hope. Now let’s see if Atlanta can continue to open the blinds and let in even more rays of sunshine.
The Scribe abides.
—30—
By Fred Thompson
September 8, 2007 9:30 AM | Link to this
Excerpt from my opening speech:
A doctrine fostered by delusional, illogical liberal minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which hold forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end.
By Overlord
September 8, 2007 9:55 AM | Link to this
I have noticed that on ESPN they dont even mention the braves when they talk about WC, they are counting us out.
I think things are not imposible if braves pick up another game before the weekend is over, which i think they will.
Padres are struggling.
By Overlord
September 8, 2007 10:00 AM | Link to this
Maddux against rockies tonight. Rockies are 3.0 GB the padres so they will play as hard as they can, maybe we can close the gap to 3.5 today………
GOOOOOOOOOO braves!!!!!!!!
By Sam
September 8, 2007 10:04 AM | Link to this
Anybody see the vent’s top quote this morning? The one about keeping it interesting until “Dawg’s season”? THAT is why Atlanta doesn’t deserve the Braves and isn’t considered a good pro sports town. It’s pitiful that the Braves real fans have to put up with the fact that 30% of the fan base abandons the team when the calendar turns to September. And, no, having a better record or being atop the division wouldn’t change that one iota. As many pointed out on the blog a couple of days ago, the Braves are stil relatively new to the scene. And this is in no way about UGA at all. Still, it’s just disgusting to read something like that and so typical of what the Braves are up against in the race for fans and dollars in the Atlanta area. Yuck.
By Braveheart
September 8, 2007 10:08 AM | Link to this
Serbok, I do that all the time. I start naming names and I forget people and then I want to include people that I forgot and then all of a sudden the post is 6000 paragraphs long so I don’t post it because it is too long and I have forgotten people nevertheless and someone’s feelings get hurt.
Wayne, sorry my words sounded rather harsh. Did not mean them to be. Read them later and they sounded much more mean spirited towards you than they were intended to be. Sometimes, I forget not everyone is fortunate enough to be single and working from a home office all day, every day like me.
Paladin, you’ve become the Yogi Berra of the blog. Funny things you don’t say are attributed to you because it is something you would say.
By Overlord
September 8, 2007 10:11 AM | Link to this
*FROM MLB.COM *
Entering Friday’s series opener against the Nationals, their analysis indicated the Braves have a 3.1 percent chance to be playing in October.
But through their formulations, they also projected the Braves have a 79.9 percent chance to advance to the playoffs with a 17-5 finish. If they can somehow manage to win 18 of their final 22 games, that chance jumps to 94.3 percent.
Their calculations also somewhat supports the “there are no guarantees” theory that Chipper Jones has expressed this week. The calculations conclude losing one of the final 22 games would assure entry. But if the Braves were to lose just three games the rest of the way, the chance rests at 98.6 percent.
By Overlord
September 8, 2007 10:23 AM | Link to this
Sam people also get tired because owners just dont want to spend money, so they get what they pay for.
But as you said, its a shame, i noticed it yesterday, and i posted “looks like nobody cares anymore if the braves win”. But it looks like the braves dont care if people care, they are trying to win the WC.
By Navigator
September 8, 2007 10:26 AM | Link to this
Let me give you some statistics that you failed to show. Frenchy is infectuous with a big smile and glad hand, when other people are getting the big hit. He plays every day, and his defense is second to none. When he gets even better control of the strike zone, he could do what the Jones boys never could, and that’s have the great statistics every year. He also has not shown the propensity to get injured every other week. Give me a Frenchy type at third and center, and show you more wins than the two we have now.
By Braveheart
September 8, 2007 10:28 AM | Link to this
4.5 games out now boys. We’ve gained 3 games in 4 games, 5 days. Sometimes, it happens that fast.
Maddux vs. Francis tonight. Maddux is pitching really well over the last month. The Padres are 6-1 in his last 7 starts and his ERA has dropped from 4.20 to 3.75. Maddux has pitched well at Coors Field so far this year. He has a 4.15 ERA and a WHIP of 1.00 in 11 innings there this year. Overall, he has a 3.75 ERA against the Rockies this year with a 1.13 ERA in 24 innings.
However, the Colorado Rockies are 18-5 in Francis’ last 23 starts since early May. The Rockies are 9-0 in Francis’ last 9 starts at Coors, and 10-1 in his last 11 at Coors. Francis has a 4.45 ERA at Coors Field this year and a 11.15 ERA overall against the Padres this year in 15 innings.
Colorado is ahead of us but the Padres are further ahead of us so we need the Rockies to win and Maddux and the Padres to lose. I did not realize Francis was this good although he has been awful against San Diego. We gotta hope Maddux does us a favor and loses tonight.
Looper vs. Owings tonight. The Cardinals are 5-1 and 8-4 recently in Looper’s starts. Looper’s ERA has dropped from 5.25 to 4.45 over the last month. The DBacks are only 1-5 recently with Owings, with that one victory of course coming against you know who. I’m predicting Cardinals win this game.
James vs. Chico tonight. The Nationals are 6-8 in Chico’s last 14 starts. The Braves are 6-8 in James’ last 14 starts. This looks like it will be a battle of the pens and late, timely hitting. Chico and James both figure to go 5 or 6 innings, giving up 2 to 4 runs. The hitters and the pen will have to take it from there. Let’s hope Chuck James pulls out something magical tonight. We’ve had two magical inspiring moments in the last two days. Maybe it is a sign of things to come. We all know Chucky has the talent. He needs to learn a third pitch, become better conditioned, work on developing more knowledge of hitters, and start getting the ball down, etc., etc., etc.
But, with Chuck, it’s kind of like Tim McGraw’s daddy once famously said: “I have no trouble with the twelve inches between my elbow and my palm. It’s the seven inches between my ears that’s bent.”
Unfortunately, Chico is righthanded, so I’m figuring Matt Diaz will not play. Ya know, I have defended Bobby Cox time and again but this Diaz/Willie Harris thing is ridiculous. IF you are a guy like Harris or Orr or Woodward, you don’t need to do anything except have a hit or homer once a month and that will be all Bobby will remember for the next 2 months. So, although I am happy Willie hit that homer the other day (I really love Willie for the fight he has shown this year), it was the worst thing that could happen. Willie hitting that homer bought him some more time. Although Diaz had the game winning three run double, all Cox probably remembers about the game is that Harris had a homer earlier in the game. Maddening.
If we win tonight and Francis and the Rockies beat Maddux & the Pods, we will be 3.5 games out with 20 to go.
As DOB says, ya never know, ya never know. As Yogi says, it ain’t over ‘til the fat lady sings. As Jimmy V said, don’t give up! don’t ever give up! As Tim McGraw’s daddy once said, Ya Gotta Believe!
Tim McGraw’s daddy also said some other funny things: “Ten million years from now, when then sun burns out and the Earth is just a frozen iceball hurtling through space, nobody’s going to care whether or not I got this guy out.”
By Overlord
September 8, 2007 10:43 AM | Link to this
Its amazing that the whitesox have the 2nd worst record in the major……. just amazing.
By Braveheart
September 8, 2007 10:46 AM | Link to this
I hate these losers who buy an hour or two on sports radio each weekend morning to promote their bogus betting crap. What a waste. Totally unlistenable. Who listens to it? Better yet, who actually calls those guys and keeps them in business? I hate those people even worse than the people who host those bogus shows. Idiots. They would not waste their money and time buying those shows if they were not making even more money off the idiots who call them. If you actually listen or call those losers, go get yourself some help because you are seriously a degenerate.
By Overlord
September 8, 2007 10:51 AM | Link to this
ITS GONNA BE 3.5 BY MIDNIGHT BABY!!!!!!
GOOOOOOO BRAVES!!!!!!!!!!
Tim and John will pitch against muts next week.
We dont get el duque, glavine, nor pedro, so i think we are looking good. Middle game is Maine vs TBD, I suppose it will be JoJo on the mound. He is due to something big. Hehehe, just joking.
By Overlord
September 8, 2007 10:55 AM | Link to this
Take it easy braveheart……….. take a deep breath……..
go take your dog to for a walk, think about the braves closing to 3.5GB.
By Overlord
September 8, 2007 10:58 AM | Link to this
does anyone knows why the nfl has not gone live streaming like mlb did?
i mean…… like mlbtv
By Paladin
September 8, 2007 11:09 AM | Link to this
Braveheart nephew, I am very flattered when some of the things said by the blog’s wits are attributed to me. It is the outrageous ones that sting. Someone would do a great service to the blog if they would “publish” a daily synopsis that would “capture” the essence of what had actually been said, and by whom, during the day. That way, some of these bear-trap-mind types while doing their “research” might not seize on one post, and think they had discovered the holy-grail-thread and “meaning” of the blog, for that day. If you took out the posts by Shaun, Efrim, Anders and a few others, it shouldn’t be that time-consuming.
How about you? Are you up to the task?
By MS
September 8, 2007 11:09 AM | Link to this
Braveheart, Chico is a LHP. So we should see Matty starting for sure.
By Paladin
September 8, 2007 11:12 AM | Link to this
Overlord Did you sprinkle some crack on your Wheaties, again?
By bravesfan
September 8, 2007 11:25 AM | Link to this
If Renteria can play (hopefully he will) what do yall think the lineup will be? Could Diaz leadoff? But I would imagine it would be Escobar 2B, Renteria SS, Chipper 3B, Tex 1B, Francoeur RF, Diaz LF, Andruw CF, and McCann C, Right???
By Braveheart
September 8, 2007 11:27 AM | Link to this
Braveheart, Chico is a LHP. So we should see Matty starting for sure.
Oops, my bad. Too busy launching into my Diaz/Willie/Cox rant to remember/look that up about Chico. Thanks, MS.
Oh, Lord, you know it is bad when Overlord is telling you to take a chill pill. Gonna be a great day. Football and baseball. I’m gonna go crack a brew now overlord. 3.5 games out by tomorrow morning. Count on it.
Paladin, as for anyone who gets upset, I say F ‘em if they can’t take a joke. If one apology or explanation is not enough for ‘em, then that is a them problem, not a me problem. If you’re gonna be a prick to people, don’t get upset when they act like a prick back.
By Paladin
September 8, 2007 11:31 AM | Link to this
While it is “slow” I want to post a very important disclaimer.
Any posts that appear under “Paladin” or any other name, that are racially offensive, are NOT me. I hate racists, both white and black. The use of “hate” will show that I am not the best of Christians, but I do believe that all races are God’s children—equal in His eyes—so who are we to judge differently?
That is my story and I’m sticking to it. So, remember it!
By Paladin
September 8, 2007 11:39 AM | Link to this
Braveheart You missed the point; maybe you can snag it on the rebound. I was not talking bout that Turkey!
Anyway, as you and Overlord have pointed out. It’s 3.5 by tomorrow AM and the Dawg’s bite Stevie Wonder’s @ss in the meantime. Ain’t life beautiful.
And don’t call your Uncle a prick or I’ll cuff your ear.
By Overlord
September 8, 2007 12:02 PM | Link to this
Come Paladin let me express myself today pal…. im positive and full of energy….. I dont even smoke, i guess too much hiking pumps up adrenaline……
GOOOOOOOOOO BRAVES!!!!!!!
By Julia "child"
September 8, 2007 12:12 PM | Link to this
Today, we are going to learn how to make peanut butter ‘n’ jelly sammachies. First, you take two slices of very fresh white bread. Then, you slather much peanut butter on one slice. And then, we reach over to get the jelly and OOPS! I knocked the peanut butter slice off the counter. And wouldn’t you know it? It landed peanut butter down. Why does that always happen? Anyway, we’ll start again fresh, next time.
Bon appertit’
By Paladin
September 8, 2007 12:15 PM | Link to this
You go, Overlord and have a good time. I was just “joking” you a little.
By Overlord
September 8, 2007 12:17 PM | Link to this
Bravesfan i dont think edgar is going to start today, just a hunch, last i checked (this morning) edgar says he is ready to go, but Cox doesnt wants another setback, so that could mean maybe he wont play at all this weekend, or at least not today. I think braves need edgar that bad this series, so maybe boby is thinking the same. We will see.
Does anybody knows why NFL has not gone for internet streaming video like MLB?
Does anybody knows why the hell mahay and soriano pitched yesterday?
I wonder if these guys tell bobby they are not tired or something. it was clearly a game for yates to finish in combination maybe with ascanio.
About the middle game against muts, i suppose it will be buddy instead of jojo, i almost forgot about him.
By Mark
September 8, 2007 12:26 PM | Link to this
You know the Braves aren’t worth a damn. It’s a shame that this team is only 3 games over .500. Bobby needs to go on and put Renteria in the lineup. We need the strongest lineup possible to have any chance. Kelly has no business in the 2 spot. He has had a great year but he still has some holes in his swing. He has a great approach and always has a plan when he comes to the plate, but he has a tough time with outside pitches. I like him in the 7th spot ahead of that centerfielder. He would get more fastballs to handle batting 7th. He is a good run producer. We really missed Edgar’s presence in the lineup because he helped to solidify this lineup. He knows how to handle himself in that 2 spot. We need to keep him through next year because Escobar isn’t ready to take over full time. Yes I know he is having a good season, but I want to see how he hits when the league has adjusted to him. (Remember Francouer last year) We need his veteran presence next year.
I hate Soriano. This idiot’s pitches are so fat that when he gave up that hard hit ground ball, it knocked Edgar back and sprained his ankle. (Not to mention he gave up a grand slam to the next hitter in a game that we eventually lost) He missed 30 games as a result. Just for that, Soriano must go.
This team probably won’t win the wildcard, but I hope they can make it interesting. Hopefully with Edgar in the lineup, this team can try to do the little things to win games. They have missed that element since he has been gone. He might be the best hitter on the team, maybe second to Chipper.
I am glad K.C. hasn’t come up with any of his dumb positive predictions.
By Overlord
September 8, 2007 12:55 PM | Link to this
I know you were joking pal… Lets have an exciting final run.
GOOOOOOOOO BRAVES!!!!!!!!!
By Tyler
September 8, 2007 12:56 PM | Link to this
Trade pieces for the offseason:
Edgar Renteria Chuck James Yunel Escobar (If Renteria’s not traded) Scott Thorman Willie Harris ?
We can get a solid starter out of that, and either let the farm play center (I like B. Jones, or Lillbridge) or go for Hunter (fat chance) or Rowand (another fat chance). I wouldn’t mind seeing Chuckie go in a trade for a CF like Willie Taveras who can play CF, leadoff, steal bases, and flat out play. ONLY if we lock up at least a #3 starter or better.
By The Riddler
September 8, 2007 1:10 PM | Link to this
Riddle me this, Batman.
Why did a pitcher with a history of major recent arm injuries pitch 5 times in 7 days after being traded for on July 31st?
Riddle me that, Batman.
By Lew
September 8, 2007 1:18 PM | Link to this
Mark- “Soriano must go”. ???????? Just what in the name of all that is Holy do you base this deduction on? The fact he gave up a couple of HR’s? Dude-A bit of analysis might just do you some good-that and maybe some serious therapeutic counseling.
Soriano has pitched in 62 games this season. He has pitched 62 innings and given up 23 ER. He has only given up ER in 13 of those games. Of those 13 games, The Braves have lost just 6 of them. Now this indicates two things to me (and most other logical beings) 1.He gives up runs in bunches and 2. He gives up most of these bunches of runs in games where the Braves are blowing out the competition. In other words, usually when he gives up ER, it doesn’t hurt the Braves-it hurts them very little, in fact.
Now his current ERA is 3.34, despite the HR’s given up (which seems to be your major beef with him). At the end of April, his ERA was 4.38, after May 2.63, June 3.12, July 3.45, August 3.51 and September, the aforementioned 3.34. Dude, that’s about as steady as it gets-and about as reliable as it gets. BC usually spouts platitudes after each game, but when he said Soriano’s problem was location and not fatigue, he was spot on. Apparently Raffy has discovered the mechanical defect that led to leaving the pitches over the plate and corrected it. It would appear BC was right-it was location. How in the world you could advocate getting rid of this integral bullpen piece is totally mystifying to me-and I’m sure, most others here as well. Especially with Wicky gone and Gonzo on the DL for at least half of next season, getting rid of him would be sheer insanity-especially since he’s only made $1.2 mil this year and won’t cost considerably more next year.
By David O'Brien
September 8, 2007 1:25 PM | Link to this
Bravo Nam, I’d say you’re correct in assuming Braves won’t offer arbitration to Andruw if it comes to that. Too much risk that Boras would take it, especially given Andruw’s bad season and the fact he’d still get a raise and put himself in position to have a good year (I said put himself in position, not that he’d necessarily pull it off) and go back on free agent market and make a killing.
So no, don’t look for compensation picks for Andruw. Can’t see any way Braves would offer him arbitration and the $15 mill or more he’d probably get through that process.
MARK, were you so proud of that post that you had to share it with us twice today, after 6 a.m. and again after noon? By all means, please keep posting it every six hours. It’s so refreshing.
By Lew
September 8, 2007 1:31 PM | Link to this
Mark-One final point on Soriano-The Braves lost 10 games that he pitched and gave up NO ER. Of those 10 losses, in 5 he gave up NO HITS in his appearance. Seems to me the bullpen problems we have had (much fewer than last year, IMO) had nothing whatsoever to do with Soriano. Can you say Wicky?
By David O'Brien
September 8, 2007 1:45 PM | Link to this
UGA-Brave: Begin The Begin, Driver 8, Pretty Persuasion, Feeling Gravity’s Pull, Rockville, Gardening At Night … sooo many by the boys from Athens. One of the all-time greats, no doubt. And the soundtrack to my college years (1982-86), along with the Replacements, Husker Du, the Clash, Smiths, and the Who (my roommate for a couple years was a drummer and a huge Who fan, so he fully immersed me in their entire catalog).
Saw REM’s induction in Ga. Music Hall of Fame a couple years ago, or was it last year? Great three-song set, with Bill Berry on drums.
By the way, the other Wuxtry is right down the street from my house here in Atlanta, near Emory. Great record store, though not as friendly as the folks at Criminal Records or my man Don at Ella Guru, which is even closer to my house.
Talking to Don about letting me help run his store for a day this winter, spin tunes, have a little party and have all the locals from the Braves/MIB blog come in and buy a CD or two. Don had to let go his cool assistant; times are tough in the CD biz, as you’ve surely heard a thousand times.
By bravesfan
September 8, 2007 2:05 PM | Link to this
Thur 4 innings Mets 1 Astros 0 Glavine perfect game with 4 k’s. Well thats Smoltz and Glavine I wonder what Maddux has up his sleeve?
By David O'Brien
September 8, 2007 2:16 PM | Link to this
Lew, he picked sort of an odd time to be ripping Soriano, don’t you think? Then again, that post was all over the place anyway (I know because I read it twice, thinking the second time it was put up it surely had to have something new; it did not.)
Soriano’s past eight appearances: 9.1 innings, five hits, no runs, no walks, 10 strikeouts, .152 opponents’ average.
And his last four appearances: 4.1 innings, one hit, no walks, five strikeouts, .071 opponents’ average.
By Batman
September 8, 2007 2:28 PM | Link to this
Riddler I am riddled by your riddle. But, in turn, riddle me this. Where o’ where has Robert gone? Has he taken his snake-oil show on the road? Was that what those snakes in the planes at Hartsfield was about?
By Samuel L. Jackson
September 8, 2007 2:38 PM | Link to this
“I’m TIRED of all these mu-f%$#in snakes on this mu-f#@%in plane!”
By MegaBravesFan
September 8, 2007 2:39 PM | Link to this
Glavine was trying to show up John Smoltz…it didn’t work this time.
By Braveheart
September 8, 2007 2:43 PM | Link to this
Apparently Raffy has discovered the mechanical defect that led to leaving the pitches over the plate and corrected it. It would appear BC was right-it was location.
Lew With Soriano, I think it was more of a fatigue thing than anything else. I think fatigue from all that early season overuse was killing him. I’m not sure if it was hurting his arm or anything. Back when I was a b.s. little college pitcher, I knew there were days where my arm was not hurting, and I was actually throwing harder but I had no control and could not zone the ball the way I usually could because my body was fatigued which caused my mechanics to be messed up. Actually, the mechanics being messed up due to fatigue made me throw 2,3 mph faster because my body was involuntarily using different arm angles but the ball became straight as an arrow and had a mind of its own. But anyways I don’t think it was just a mechanical thing with Soriano. Whatever mechanical things were there were caused by fatigue.
For example, since July 23, these are the day’s rest he has had between appearances: 4, 2, 2, 1, 2, 1, 3, 3, 4, 3, 2, 6, 5, 2. He’s almost averaged 3 days rest between appearances over his last 14 appearances. That is 14 appearances over 40 days.
In his 14 appearances before that, these were his days rests between appearances: 2, 5, 1, 3, 1, 1, 3, 6, 3, 1, 2, 1. That is 14 appearances over 29 days. Only 2 days between appearances. AND this analysis also includes a 3 day all star break. If they were playing games during that time span, he probably would have pitched in another 1 or 2 games.
By Mark Pain
September 8, 2007 2:46 PM | Link to this
You know the Braves aren’t worth a damn. It’s a shame that this team is only 3 games over .500. Bobby needs to go on and put Renteria in the lineup. We need the strongest lineup possible to have any chance. Kelly has no business in the 2 spot. He has had a great year but he still has some holes in his swing. He has a great approach and always has a plan when he comes to the plate, but he has a tough time with outside pitches. I like him in the 7th spot ahead of that centerfielder. He would get more fastballs to handle batting 7th. He is a good run producer. We really missed Edgar’s presence in the lineup because he helped to solidify this lineup. He knows how to handle himself in that 2 spot. We need to keep him through next year because Escobar isn’t ready to take over full time. Yes I know he is having a good season, but I want to see how he hits when the league has adjusted to him. (Remember Francouer last year) We need his veteran presence next year.
I hate Soriano. This idiot’s pitches are so fat that when he gave up that hard hit ground ball, it knocked Edgar back and sprained his ankle. (Not to mention he gave up a grand slam to the next hitter in a game that we eventually lost) He missed 30 games as a result. Just for that, Soriano must go.
This team probably won’t win the wildcard, but I hope they can make it interesting. Hopefully with Edgar in the lineup, this team can try to do the little things to win games. They have missed that element since he has been gone. He might be the best hitter on the team, maybe second to Chipper.
I am glad K.C. hasn’t come up with any of his dumb positive predictions.
By Mark
September 8, 2007 2:50 PM | Link to this
DOB, I am proud of you for taking time to read it twice. You are a great beat writer.
By Fart-on-cookie
September 8, 2007 2:53 PM | Link to this
“A closed mouth gathers no feet”
By Mark
September 8, 2007 2:56 PM | Link to this
You are right Lew, Soriano is a great bullpen guy. I would definitely want him closing games for the if they made the playoffs. Well, so much for that.
By Mark
September 8, 2007 2:58 PM | Link to this
Thanks Mark Pain for posting it again. Now maybe DOB will read it a third time.
By Paladin
September 8, 2007 3:03 PM | Link to this
3rd time a charm? Not likely.
By d-rock in Scotland
September 8, 2007 3:05 PM | Link to this
Mark, buddy, why bring the pain if you’ve got nothing new to say. We’ve had two great games in a row here, perhaps the two best of the season. My glass is half-full. We’re only 4.5 out!
By Braveheart
September 8, 2007 3:07 PM | Link to this
Lew, to be fair though, Soriano was a major problem between July 18 until August 8th. During that horrid 3 week stretch, he directly caused 5 losses with his poor performance. But with you otherwise. Outside of the that horrific 3 week stretch, he has been very good as a reliever and is not a problem at all. To me, whatever problems he was having during that time span was directly caused by being completed abused by Cox and by Buddy, Chuck, Kyle, JoJo abusing the bullpen.
During that horrid stretch, Soriano pitched 12.7 innings, gave up 12 hits, 9 earned runs, 3 walks, 4 home runs, and had 8 strikeouts.
He has not caused any losses that I see outside of that bad three week stretch.
The rest of the season he has pitched 48.3 innings, has 46 strikeouts, given up 32 hits, 9 walks, 7 homers, 14 earned runs. He has a 2.61 ERA for the rest of the season with a 0.85 WHIP.
Take it even further and make the timeline from July 14th until August 11th when his troubles began and stopped.
During that time period, he pitched 14.7 innings, had 12 strikeouts, and gave up 15 hits, 11 earned runs, 4 walks, and 6 homers.
Outside of the one month July 14 until August 11th period, Soriano has pitched 46.3 innings, 42 strikeouts, given up 29 hits, 8 walks, 12 earned runs, 5 homers.
SO, for the rest of the season outside of that one bad month where he was terribly fatigued, Soriano has a 2.33 ERA with a 0.79 ERA.
By Efrim
September 8, 2007 3:12 PM | Link to this
People who say Soriano “must go” lose at life.
Sorry to be harsh, but that is just a dumb statement that needs to get bashed.
By Tootie Bird
September 8, 2007 3:15 PM | Link to this
My God!! Braveheart has morphed into Shaun. Statistical analysis by paralysis, didn’t someone say?
By Tootie Bird
September 8, 2007 3:19 PM | Link to this
There is a jackal amongst us. Efrim* has never written a 2 1/2 line post in his life! Slay the impostor!
By ssiscribe
September 8, 2007 3:27 PM | Link to this
What is up with getting on Soriano now? Three weeks ago, sure. But now? Dude has been fantastic the past three weeks or so. Just don’t get the reasoning there … guess there isn’t any.
Can this be another big day? Tech’s rolling bigtime and the Dogs are poised to run right through that “vaunted” South Carolina run defense up in the Classic City. As for the Braves? Gotta have Chuckie keep the ball low in the zone, and it’s high time Atlanta pound Matt Chico.
Hoping for some more help from the Rockies and the Fish and the Giants, et al. 3.5 back by sunrise? Boys and girls, we might still be in the race. There’s hope for the Braves/MIB Playoff Spirit Sign in Sin City just yet!
DOB, let us know about a get together at Ella Guru. I’m not huge into music in terms of knowledge, but I love good tunes and now that I work from home, it’s high time for me to boost my CD collection.
Later, folks. Think I’m sliding off the diet just a bit tonight, so time to start thinking about getting some goods for the Dogs and Braves games (and Va. Tech/LSU later on this evening, too). Gotta teach in the morning, so Grinch — whereever you be, bro — drink a Scotch and Coke for me.
Go Braves (and Dogs)!
The Scribe abides.
—30—
By ssiscribe
September 8, 2007 3:27 PM | Link to this
What is up with getting on Soriano now? Three weeks ago, sure. But now? Dude has been fantastic the past three weeks or so. Just don’t get the reasoning there … guess there isn’t any.
Can this be another big day? Tech’s rolling bigtime and the Dogs are poised to run right through that “vaunted” South Carolina run defense up in the Classic City. As for the Braves? Gotta have Chuckie keep the ball low in the zone, and it’s high time Atlanta pound Matt Chico.
Hoping for some more help from the Rockies and the Fish and the Giants, et al. 3.5 back by sunrise? Boys and girls, we might still be in the race. There’s hope for the Braves/MIB Playoff Spirit Sign in Sin City just yet!
DOB, let us know about a get together at Ella Guru. I’m not huge into music in terms of knowledge, but I love good tunes and now that I work from home, it’s high time for me to boost my CD collection.
Later, folks. Think I’m sliding off the diet just a bit tonight, so time to start thinking about getting some goods for the Dogs and Braves games (and Va. Tech/LSU later on this evening, too). Gotta teach in the morning, so Grinch — whereever you be, bro — drink a Scotch and Coke for me.
Go Braves (and Dogs)!
The Scribe abides.
—30—
By David O'Brien
September 8, 2007 3:39 PM | Link to this
THIS JUST IN: Renteria’s in the lineup.
More later. Gotta get down to clubhouse.
By ssiscribe
September 8, 2007 3:44 PM | Link to this
I guess double posts are the theme of the day. Sorry about that, denizens.
Good news on Renteria. Hopefully get him back into the swing of things just in time.
—30—
By bravesfan
September 8, 2007 3:59 PM | Link to this
Who said Edgar wasn’t gonna be in the lineup HA HA thats my boy. O yeah just FYI FLA 1 PHI 0 Ramirez lead off HR
By Overlord
September 8, 2007 4:02 PM | Link to this
Hope edgar lasts more than 1 swing this time around.
Gooooo Braves!!!!!!!!
By mo in the boonies
September 8, 2007 4:03 PM | Link to this
Just a test to see if I can post, haven’t been able to do so for a few days…computer problems
By Overlord
September 8, 2007 4:03 PM | Link to this
YYYYYYESSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!
the fish is already leading the phillies.
Let the good times roll!!!!!!!!!
By ssiscribe
September 8, 2007 4:10 PM | Link to this
Go Fish!! Go Giants!! Go Rockies!!
And of course, Go Braves!!
—30—
By Overlord
September 8, 2007 4:14 PM | Link to this
It was me bravesfan….. but i never said i was Nostradamus, it was just an opinion, it was not like i was betting on it, if you can take that.
By mo in the boonies
September 8, 2007 4:22 PM | Link to this
Okay! Couldn’t see the game last night, in our area, if the Tigers are playing, they take over our Fox station. Very seldom get to see Smoltz’s games…bummer! Sure am going to hate it next year, when TBS doesn’t carry the games, then the only ones, we will get to watch, will be with the dreaded duo from ESPN announcing. Will be able to watch the game tonight though! :>)
Want to thank Braveheart, and Chop chop for not jumping all over me after my last post. Braveheart, others responded with ways that Cox has spoiled games this year, so I didn’t feel the need, even if I could have got on the blog.
Isn’t that a typical Coxism? Says in the article that Renteria won’t be starting for a few games, then starts him today. Well let’s be thankful for small favors.
By Overlord
September 8, 2007 4:23 PM | Link to this
Zito is having such a hard time in the 1st inning. Hope SF can catch up since wells is on the hill.
By Fart-on-cookie
September 8, 2007 4:27 PM | Link to this
“A truly wise man never plays leapfrog with a unicorn”
By Steve from OH
September 8, 2007 4:28 PM | Link to this
DOB:
Any word on the security guy that got hurt last night? Hope he’s ok.
Good news on Renteria. Hope he gives us a much needed boost for the final stretch.
Oh, and there’s a piece on los Bravos on MLBTR if anyone’s interested.
Go Braves!
By Overlord
September 8, 2007 4:29 PM | Link to this
mo in the boonies you could always use MLBTV.
By GMAT
September 8, 2007 4:37 PM | Link to this
A few notes, DOB:
1) David Wright may be as productive as a young Chipper Jones, but it’s really a question of ceiling. I’m not sure if Wright will ever advance significantly past his present All-Star level, and given that he’s already one of the elite third basemen in all of baseball, that’s fine. But Chipper was able to transcend that All-Star plateau of his early years to become an MVP and arguably the best player in the game, at least in 1999, and I’m not sure that Wright will follow a similar trajectory. His athletic/physical tools aren’t as exceptional as Chipper’s, and he isn’t a switch-hitter, either.
You can go back and look at Barry Bonds’ first four major league seasons and equate him with all sorts of players in terms of production. Once Bonds started to maximize his potential at age 25, however, he reached an MVP level and left virtually everyone else in the dust (and that was nearly a decade before the alleged beginning of his steroids usage).
2) In Francoeur’s defense, Chipper was a couple years older (23 to 21) when he became a major league regular and had played full seasons at Double-A and Triple-A. Francoeur, conversely, only played a half-season at Double-A and never saw a pitch at Triple-A, so he didn’t enjoy the same sense of full minor league development. That said, Chipper was more advanced in his early twenties regardless and would have been the Braves’ starting left fielder at 22 (or the end of 21, to be accurate) in 1994 had he not torn his ACL at the end of spring training that year. Indeed, he’d made his major league debut the previous fall with a cup of coffee in the epic 1993 pennant race between Atlanta and San Francisco.
The most glaring difference between Chipper and Francoeur can be found in their efficiency, most notably on-base percentage and stolen bases. Chipper was a baseball player who also happened to be a terrific athlete, and he understood the game’s fundamentals and details instinctively and intellectually. He played with discipline, knew how to take pitches, understood the strike zone, read pitchers as a baserunner, and comprehended the game’s nuance. Francoeur, rather obviously, is a football player whose athletic ability translated to baseball and has had to learn the game as a professional.
2) Andruw’s on-base percentage was similarly low as a young major leaguer, but he walked far more often than Francoeur. Andruw has never been a paragon of patience at the plate, but the fact that even his walk rate proved much higher shows how far Francoeur has to travel in that regard. Thankfully, he has been making incremental improvements and has displayed an eagerness to learn and upgrade himself as a baseball player.
4) Andruw was a power hitter from the moment that he stepped into the big leagues at the tender age of 19. In Game Seven of the 1996 NLCS at home versus the Cardinals, he became the youngest player in major league history to homer in the postseason. Then, in Game One of the 1996 World Series at Yankee Stadium three nights later in New York, Andruw slammed two homers to break Mickey Mantle’s record as the youngest player ever to homer in the Fall Classic (in Mantle’s old, hallowed stadium, no less).
In Andruw’s rookie year in 1997, the 20-year old part-time outfielder clubbed 18 homers in 399 at-bats. Then, in his first season as a full-time starter in 1998 at age 21, Andruw smashed 31 homers, 33 doubles, and 8 triples, slugging .515. He’s never hit below 26 home runs in a season ever since.
So it’s not as if Andruw eventually transformed himself into a power hitter. Power was always his calling card as an offensive player, but he’d also featured speed as a simultaneous weapon. Then, prior to the 2001 season, Andruw gained weight, not through “bulking up” but by eating too much. The result was that he declined defensively (although he remained a Gold Glove center fielder), he stopped hitting triples and stealing bases, and he stopped hitting for average as well. In 2000, Andruw had hit .303 with 21 steals in 27 attempts, 122 runs scored, 199 hits, 36 doubles, 6 triples, 36 home runs, and 104 runs batted in, slugging .541 with a .366 on-base percentage (after a .365 OBP in 1999). In other words, at 23, Andruw had developed the complete package offensively, and from 1998-2000, he was arguably the greatest defensive center fielder in the history of baseball. Then, that winter, he packed on the pounds and his all-around game eroded. Eventually, he did realize his power potential, averaging 46 home runs and 128.5 RBI in 2005 and 2006. In fact, he became the first Brave since Hank Aaron in 1962 and 1963 to hammer at least 40 homers in consecutive seasons (Aaron averaged a similar 44.5 homers and 129 RBI during those two years). But if Andruw had maintained his trim, sleek, fluid figure from his early twenties, he could have been one of the best all-around players in history, especially when you consider his original defensive level and the fact that he stole at least 20 bases four years in a row, from 1997-2000. Andruw’s lack of discipline, both physical and mental, is ultimately what’s kept him from fully reaching or even surpassing Chipper.
5) I wish that you would stop using OPS as a statistic. It makes no mathematical sense to add two statistics with different denominations, effectively adding two totally distinct measurements and lumping them into an insensitive blender. Just use OBP and SLG, rather than following the herd and referring to some bogus, nonsensical super-stat that would only make sense as a teaching tool for first-grade math.
Of course, you’re hardly to be blamed for this inane contrivance, but you could stand to abandon it.
6) That Neil Young song is haunting in its fatalistic pathos.
By GMAT
September 8, 2007 4:41 PM | Link to this
A few notes, DOB:
1) David Wright may be as productive as a young Chipper Jones, but it’s really a question of ceiling. I’m not sure if Wright will ever advance significantly past his present All-Star level, and given that he’s already one of the elite third basemen in all of baseball, that’s fine. But Chipper was able to transcend that All-Star plateau of his early years to become an MVP and arguably the best player in the game, at least in 1999, and I’m not sure that Wright will follow a similar trajectory. His athletic/physical tools aren’t as exceptional as Chipper’s, and he isn’t a switch-hitter, either.
You can go back and look at Barry Bonds’ first four major league seasons and equate him with all sorts of players in terms of production. Once Bonds started to maximize his potential at age 25, however, he reached an MVP level and left virtually everyone else in the dust (and that was nearly a decade before the alleged beginning of his steroids usage).
2) In Francoeur’s defense, Chipper was a couple years older (23 to 21) when he became a major league regular and had played full seasons at Double-A and Triple-A. Francoeur, conversely, only played a half-season at Double-A and never saw a pitch at Triple-A, so he didn’t enjoy the same sense of full minor league development. That said, Chipper was more advanced in his early twenties regardless and would have been the Braves’ starting left fielder at 22 (or the end of 21, to be accurate) in 1994 had he not torn his ACL at the end of spring training that year. Indeed, he’d made his major league debut the previous fall with a cup of coffee in the epic 1993 pennant race between Atlanta and San Francisco.
The most glaring difference between Chipper and Francoeur can be found in their efficiency, most notably on-base percentage and stolen bases. Chipper was a baseball player who also happened to be a terrific athlete, and he understood the game’s fundamentals and details instinctively and intellectually. He played with discipline, knew how to take pitches, understood the strike zone, read pitchers as a baserunner, and comprehended the game’s nuance. Francoeur, rather obviously, is a football player whose athletic ability translated to baseball and has had to learn the game as a professional.
2) Andruw’s on-base percentage was similarly low as a young major leaguer, but he walked far more often than Francoeur. Andruw has never been a paragon of patience at the plate, but the fact that even his walk rate proved much higher shows how far Francoeur has to travel in that regard. Thankfully, he has been making incremental improvements and has displayed an eagerness to learn and upgrade himself as a baseball player.
4) Andruw was a power hitter from the moment that he stepped into the big leagues at the tender age of 19. In Game Seven of the 1996 NLCS at home versus the Cardinals, he became the youngest player in major league history to homer in the postseason. Then, in Game One of the 1996 World Series at Yankee Stadium three nights later in New York, Andruw slammed two homers to break Mickey Mantle’s record as the youngest player ever to homer in the Fall Classic (in Mantle’s old, hallowed stadium, no less).
In Andruw’s rookie year in 1997, the 20-year old part-time outfielder clubbed 18 homers in 399 at-bats. Then, in his first season as a full-time starter in 1998 at age 21, Andruw smashed 31 homers, 33 doubles, and 8 triples, slugging .515. He’s never hit below 26 home runs in a season ever since.
So it’s not as if Andruw eventually transformed himself into a power hitter. Power was always his calling card as an offensive player, but he’d also featured speed as a simultaneous weapon. Then, prior to the 2001 season, Andruw gained weight, not through “bulking up” but by eating too much. The result was that he declined defensively (although he remained a Gold Glove center fielder), he stopped hitting triples and stealing bases, and he stopped hitting for average as well. In 2000, Andruw had hit .303 with 21 steals in 27 attempts, 122 runs scored, 199 hits, 36 doubles, 6 triples, 36 home runs, and 104 runs batted in, slugging .541 with a .366 on-base percentage (after a .365 OBP in 1999). In other words, at 23, Andruw had developed the complete package offensively, and from 1998-2000, he was arguably the greatest defensive center fielder in the history of baseball. Then, that winter, he packed on the pounds and his all-around game eroded. Eventually, he did realize his power potential, averaging 46 home runs and 128.5 RBI in 2005 and 2006. In fact, he became the first Brave since Hank Aaron in 1962 and 1963 to hammer at least 40 homers in consecutive seasons (Aaron averaged a similar 44.5 homers and 129 RBI during those two years). But if Andruw had maintained his trim, sleek, fluid figure from his early twenties, he could have been one of the best all-around players in history, especially when you consider his original defensive level and the fact that he stole at least 20 bases four years in a row, from 1997-2000. Andruw’s lack of discipline, both physical and mental, is ultimately what’s kept him from fully reaching or even surpassing Chipper.
5) I wish that you would stop using OPS as a statistic. It makes no mathematical sense to add two statistics with different denominations, effectively adding two totally distinct measurements and lumping them into an insensitive blender. Just use OBP and SLG, rather than following the herd and referring to some bogus, nonsensical super-stat that would only make sense as a teaching tool for first-grade math.
Of course, you’re hardly to be blamed for this inane contrivance, but you could stand to abandon it.
6) That Neil Young song is haunting in its fatalistic pathos.
By GMAT
September 8, 2007 4:45 PM | Link to this
A few notes, DOB:
1) David Wright may be as productive as a young Chipper Jones, but it’s really a question of ceiling. I’m not sure if Wright will ever advance significantly past his present All-Star level, and given that he’s already one of the elite third basemen in all of baseball, that’s fine. But Chipper was able to transcend that All-Star plateau of his early years to become an MVP and arguably the best player in the game, at least in 1999, and I’m not sure that Wright will follow a similar trajectory. His athletic/physical tools aren’t as exceptional as Chipper’s, and he isn’t a switch-hitter, either.
You can go back and look at Barry Bonds’ first four major league seasons and equate him with all sorts of players in terms of production. Once Bonds started to maximize his potential at age 25, however, he reached an MVP level and left virtually everyone else in the dust (and, yes, that was nearly a decade before the alleged beginning of his steroids usage).
2) In Francoeur’s defense, Chipper was a couple years older (23 to 21) when he became a major league regular and had played full seasons at Double-A and Triple-A. Francoeur, conversely, only played a half-season at Double-A and never saw a pitch at Triple-A, so he didn’t enjoy the same sense of full minor league development. That said, Chipper was more advanced in his early twenties regardless and would have been the Braves’ starting left fielder at 22 (or the end of 21, to be accurate) in 1994 had he not torn his ACL at the end of spring training that year. Indeed, he’d made his major league debut the previous fall with a cup of coffee in the epic 1993 pennant race between Atlanta and San Francisco.
The most glaring difference between Chipper and Francoeur can be found in their efficiency, most notably on-base percentage and stolen bases. Chipper was a baseball player who also happened to be a terrific athlete, and he understood the game’s fundamentals and details instinctively and intellectually. He played with discipline, knew how to take pitches, understood the strike zone, read pitchers as a baserunner, and comprehended the game’s nuance. Francoeur, rather obviously, is a football player whose athletic ability translated to baseball and has had to learn the game as a professional.
2) Andruw’s on-base percentage was similarly low as a young major leaguer, but he walked far more often than Francoeur. Andruw has never been a paragon of patience at the plate, but the fact that even his walk rate proved much higher shows how far Francoeur has to travel in that regard. Thankfully, he has been making incremental improvements and has displayed an eagerness to learn and upgrade himself as a baseball player.
4) Andruw was a power hitter from the moment that he stepped into the big leagues at the tender age of 19. In Game Seven of the 1996 NLCS at home versus the Cardinals, he became the youngest player in major league history to homer in the postseason. Then, in Game One of the 1996 World Series at Yankee Stadium three nights later in New York, Andruw slammed two homers to break Mickey Mantle’s record as the youngest player ever to homer in the Fall Classic (in Mantle’s old, hallowed stadium, no less).
In Andruw’s rookie year in 1997, the 20-year old part-time outfielder clubbed 18 homers in 399 at-bats. Then, in his first season as a full-time starter in 1998 at age 21, Andruw smashed 31 homers, 33 doubles, and 8 triples, slugging .515. He’s never hit below 26 home runs in a season ever since.
So it’s not as if Andruw eventually transformed himself into a power hitter. Power was always his calling card as an offensive player, but he’d also featured speed as a simultaneous weapon. Then, prior to the 2001 season, Andruw gained weight, not through “bulking up” but by eating too much. The result was that he declined defensively (although he remained a Gold Glove center fielder), he stopped hitting triples and stealing bases, and he stopped hitting for average as well. In 2000, Andruw had hit .303 with 21 steals in 27 attempts, 122 runs scored, 199 hits, 36 doubles, 6 triples, 36 home runs, and 104 runs batted in, slugging .541 with a .366 on-base percentage (after a .365 OBP in 1999). In other words, at 23, Andruw had developed the complete package offensively, and from 1998-2000, he was arguably the greatest defensive center fielder in the history of baseball. Then, that winter, he packed on the pounds and his all-around game eroded. Eventually, he did realize his power potential, averaging 46 home runs and 128.5 RBI in 2005 and 2006. In fact, he became the first Brave since Hank Aaron in 1962 and 1963 to hammer at least 40 homers in consecutive seasons (Aaron averaged a similar 44.5 homers and 129 RBI during those two years). But if Andruw had maintained his trim, sleek, fluid figure from his early twenties, he could have been one of the best all-around players in history, especially when you consider his original defensive level and the fact that he stole at least 20 bases four years in a row, from 1997-2000. Andruw’s lack of discipline, both physical and mental, is ultimately what’s kept him from fully reaching or even surpassing Chipper.
5) I wish that you would stop using OPS as a statistic. It makes no mathematical sense to add two statistics with different denominations, effectively adding two totally distinct measurements and lumping them into an insensitive blender. Just use OBP and SLG, rather than following the herd and referring to some bogus, nonsensical super-stat that would only make sense as a teaching tool for first-grade math.
Of course, you’re hardly to be balmed for this inane contrivance, but you could stand to abandon it.
6) That Neil Young song is haunting in its fatalistic pathos.
By mo in the boonies
September 8, 2007 4:46 PM | Link to this
Overlord Is that a Pay for view or do you have to watch it on your computer? We have Direct Tv (in the boonies, remember) and can’t get broadband on the computer. Besides I wouldn’t want to have to sit at my computer for a whole game, and my spousal unit wouldn’t want to either. Just how does it work?
By Overlord
September 8, 2007 4:53 PM | Link to this
Anything else there to say? You can now take a breath.
By LSAT
September 8, 2007 4:55 PM | Link to this
GMAT, we know you are proud you are a grad student and all but can you stop trying to prove how smart you are by naming yourself after the entrance exam. I would think you would rather call yourself MBA instead of GMAT anyway. Thank you. Good luck earning that masters degree.
By A Jones 25
September 8, 2007 5:00 PM | Link to this
Frenchy can’t carry my jock. The worst thing that happened to him was he experienced a moderate amount of success. Now he thinks he can keep swinging at everything and he doesn’t have to learn plate discipline. He will never be as good as me.
Y’all gonna miss me. Mark my words.
By Overlord
September 8, 2007 5:00 PM | Link to this
you need broadband 500 at least
you pay monthly 15 or 20 USD depending on what speed you want to get.
but the service is fairly good, images are very good……..
I watch it fullscreen since i use all the band they can give (650 -700) so even if i use fullscreen it still has a very good quality…. as close as 90 to 95% of what you get on TV.
You can watch anygames you want.
Where is boonies?
By Overlord
September 8, 2007 5:04 PM | Link to this
LSAT did you really read all that stuff? i didnt even try.
By Overlord
September 8, 2007 5:06 PM | Link to this
wells is dominating the game.
I didnt get the last word on why the braves didnt get him when they could.
By Overlord
September 8, 2007 5:10 PM | Link to this
You mean we are gonna miss your kkkkkkk???? or your pathetic smile????? or your inning ending DPs?????
By Coach(Lets Go Braves in 2008)
September 8, 2007 5:12 PM | Link to this
Look , lets be honest. If you really feel the need to criticise the job that Bobby Cox has done , look around. Jimmy Leyland in Detroit and Joe Torre in New York have as much or more talent on thier rosters as the Braves do and those teams are struggling to. The two of them are great managers as is Bobby Cox but you cannot blame Cox for the loss of Hampton , Gonzalez and Cormier. That loss of pitching killed the Braves and we all know that Cox has problems winning consistently without a solid rotation and bullpen. I have complained about him myself , but I know it’s not all Bobby’s fault. If anything , Our GM should shoulder much more of the blame for the failures of this team in 2007.
By mo in the boonies
September 8, 2007 5:19 PM | Link to this
Overlord, Thanks for the info, guess that lets me out, since we can’t get Broadband, just old dial up. Our Boonies is a cottage in the woods on Lake Huron, one of the Great Lakes, nearest town is twenty miles away, and it is only a small town. No Broadband there or anywhere out in the county.
I bet Smoltz is getting another side ache from laughing…U of Mich. is getting beat bad again by Oregon. (Smoltz graduated from Michigan State.)
By Steve from OH
September 8, 2007 5:24 PM | Link to this
GMAT:
Please read Firejoemorgan.com’s glossary entry concerning OPS. It’s not great, sure, but it should DEFINITELY be used.
By Steve from OH
September 8, 2007 5:27 PM | Link to this
Mo:
Us Ohio State fans are laughing pretty hard, too. Hahahaha!
By David O'Brien
September 8, 2007 5:29 PM | Link to this
Mo, Smoltz never actually attended Michigan State. He was set to enroll the next day when he decided to sign with the Tigers. He’s just a big fan of the Spartans, a sort of honorary alum.
By LVChad
September 8, 2007 5:38 PM | Link to this
Didn’t Smoltz sign with the Detroit Tigers and then was traded to the Braves for Doyle Alexander….
By mo in the boonies
September 8, 2007 5:40 PM | Link to this
DOB Oops! My mistake, I always heard he graduated from State. The U of M is the rich people’s school in Michigan, and State started as a agriculture school, so maintains a slightly poorer student body. But at today’s prices that “ain’t cheap”! grin…
Off to eat supper and get ready to watch tonight’s game…let us all hope James has his A game tonight.
By Paladin
September 8, 2007 5:55 PM | Link to this
Good Lord! I almost wore out my scroller on one post and then there was more. Did anyone read that thing?
By Paladin
September 8, 2007 6:01 PM | Link to this
GMAT In all your studies did you ever come across the word b-r-e-v-i-t-y? And there is an old saying: “If one word does not suffice, ten thousand will be of no avail”.
By Savannah Guy
September 8, 2007 6:22 PM | Link to this
It’s been the longest layoff of the year for this old blogger, but I’ve finally caught up on the last few weeks of posts. What a roller coaster it’s been around here. What a great comeback game the other day! WOW! Best in many years and so glad I saw it. Could it be the catalyst? Anyway, I’ll just say that I’m off the DL now but may not be a regular right away…lest I re-injure that proverbial ankle so to speak.
Please allow me say how much I truly appreciate all of your prayers and well wishes for my wife who was hospitalized several times over the last few weeks. She’s home now and recuperating slowly but surely. I’m touched that my friends here offered up so many kind thoughts and posted such. I told my wife each of your names and what you said. She said to say, “thank you” and kisses. I would thank each of you, but as a good denizen said here earlier, I might forget someone and the whole thing turns into 6000 words (not that I’m all that accustomed to brevity). Thanks from both of us, my good denizens. Truly honored I am. Good people you are.
While I’m being serious, sincere and thankful: I don’t mean to play spokesman for these good people but as many of you know, several of our dear friends are still in need of your prayers, good thoughts and well wishes. The always magnificent, salt of the earth Carolina lady is doing better on the medical front and all the while, keeping the home fires burning and caring for her family and others. That’s the kind of special Lady she is.
Speaking of special, there’s the always kind, witty, sage and esteemed Bob, Journalist. Bob’s wife is going through a major health challenge. God willing, she will rebound and conquer her illness like (and with) a Champion, to recover in record-breaking time. This blog just isn’t the same without Bob and the Lady keeping us all straight, informed and entertained.
Please join with numerous others, literally around the world in continued prayers and good wishes for these long-time, cornerstone denizens and their families. May they receive whatever they need in their time of need. We need these good people here but we want them and theirs to be safe, sound and happy even more. Hopefully they’ll be able to drop in for a bit here and there as time allows and more often as things improve.
Thanks again for all. Oh, and…Go Bravos!
By Overlord
September 8, 2007 6:25 PM | Link to this
Paladin you read the “newspaper” on your own pal, hahaha. You mouse must be mad at you, LOL.
By Overlord
September 8, 2007 6:27 PM | Link to this
no help from anywhere this afternoon. Hope the help comes from ourselves and the rockies.
By David O'Brien
September 8, 2007 6:29 PM | Link to this
LVChad, my bad. Of course he signed with Detroit, and spent nearly two seasons in their minor league system before the trade to Atlanta.
By Stu
September 8, 2007 7:02 PM | Link to this
I brought this up a couple of weeks ago; guess no one agrees, but I’ll stick to my guns.
I still say KJ should be moved to CF next year.
In ‘05, KJ had 6 assists in 79 games (73 starts) as an OF; only 6 NL outfielders had more; he had 0 errors, and his range factor and zone rating were among the best in the NL (I don’t put a lot of stock in those defensive stats, but still, that’s got to say something).
Kelly has good speed, good instincts, a strong (and now healthy) arm.
Look at tonight’s lineup: Escobar at 2b, Edgar at SS, Diaz in LF … and then plug KJ in for A Jones in CF and there’s not an easy out in the lineup.
Let Escobar and Lillibridge handle 2B and backup the middle IF; Brandon Jones backing up the corner OF (or fighting Diaz for the starting role).
You don’t have to trade Edgar’s big bat (and favorable contract), or pay big money for a Mike Cameron type - spend the money on pitching.
I’d take a 26-year-old Kelly Johnson (at half a mil per year) over a 35-year-old Mike Cameron at $7 mil any day. Kelly has a better OBP, and a better SLG pct.
Of course that’s assuming he can play a good CF, which I don’t know, but I suspect he could.
By Overlord
September 8, 2007 7:11 PM | Link to this
Maybe im gonna sound kind of dumb but…….. why is diaz hitting 8th and the KKKKKKKKKKKiller bee 6th??????
By Overlord
September 8, 2007 7:22 PM | Link to this
What a different hitting machine the braves are with edgar in there…….
Theres a message for those saying edgar should be traded.
By Overlord
September 8, 2007 7:23 PM | Link to this
Notice only the 2 rookies have made outs this inning.
By Greg in TN
September 8, 2007 7:24 PM | Link to this
Evening lads and ladies…
A herculean evening last night by John Smoltz. I couldn’t in my dreams ask for anything better than what he gave us yesterday.
DOB I like what I’ve seen from Frenchy at the plate this year. I’ll take less power and more hits with Tex in the lineup providing the power. He may be asked to do more as far as the long ball is concerned if JS is unable to resign Tex and we can’t get a power stick to replace him in the lineup. Time will tell. Not really wild about the prospect of moving Frenchy and his 18 assists out of RF.
Just as I am typing this, Frenchy walks and gains another RBI as Edgar scores from third.
CF is going to be an issue, we need pitching as well, however I am quite content to worry about those things once this season is out of the way.
Out of the first now with a two-run lead. Chuck has to bear down now and work his way through the second and not give them right back like he’s done a few times this year.
Go Braves!
By Overlord
September 8, 2007 7:28 PM | Link to this
Why not let Escobar play RF (he has a cannon and this guy looks like he could even pitch if he is asked to)and move jeff to CF.
By Overlord
September 8, 2007 7:31 PM | Link to this
I just need to say this once more. chippers defense looks as good as his hitter. Complete leader right there.
By Greg in TN
September 8, 2007 7:32 PM | Link to this
Congrats to the Richmond Braves for sending Scranton/Wilkes Barre home after scoring three runs in the ninth and now advance to face the Durham Bulls for the Governor’s Cup.
Phil Stockman got the win, ironically after relieving Chad Paronto, who was ejected by the home plate umpire. Joey Devine pitched the ninth for the save.
By Paladin
September 8, 2007 7:34 PM | Link to this
Welcome back, Savannah Guy. So happy to hear your lady is resting well. Please come back, full time. We need you.
By Overlord
September 8, 2007 7:36 PM | Link to this
Edgar looked just fine on thatball hit to the hole, but its clear he cant run the bases full speed, dont expect any doubles from him for a few days, maybe he just need to gain confidence on the ankle. But i dont think he is gonna take any hero approach on any ball that is not hit deep in the gap.
By Mark
September 8, 2007 7:45 PM | Link to this
I can’t wait until Andruw is gone and out of the lineup.
We should keep Edgar at SS through next year. Escobar should play second and put Kelly back in the outfield,
By Mark
September 8, 2007 7:51 PM | Link to this
I like Kelly, but Escobar ane Renteria need to be the middle infield combination. Escobar is a beast with the glove.
Man move Kelly to leftfield for next year. Get AJ a* out of here and get one more starting pitcher. We could win it all!
Edgar can hit man.
How in the hell do people want to get rid of this guy.
By ElbravoX-- EbX
September 8, 2007 7:51 PM | Link to this
My girlfriend just is officially a Braves fan; folks, we’re going all the way. (The Bravos I mean).
By Overlord
September 8, 2007 7:59 PM | Link to this
Its amazing how james can look so good early and after the 4th he turns into a looser.
By Mark
September 8, 2007 8:09 PM | Link to this
You’re right Overlord about James. He needs to hurry up and pitch his 5 innings and get out.
Andruw sucks! This man is striking out on fastballs right down the middle.
Can someone please tell me why Bobby hits McCann after Andruw. I know a lefty is on the mound, but McCann can hit lefties. Just this week he hit Wagner and then he hit Jamie Moyer so what’s the problem?
Oh yeah I forgot who we have managing.
By Mark
September 8, 2007 8:13 PM | Link to this
Take James out Bobby!
Boy! James is a lucky guy.
By Overlord
September 8, 2007 8:13 PM | Link to this
Breaks are starting to go braves way. Lets keep it up boyz!!!!!!!
By Overlord
September 8, 2007 8:15 PM | Link to this
does anyone has a number on how many times has james gone 5 scoreless?
By Overlord
September 8, 2007 8:23 PM | Link to this
Edgar is just a monster.
This lineup is just unstoppable.
I like this lineup to kick the muts.
This team is so different with edgar in it.
I must have said that 1000 times this season and 500 of those times …….today.
By Overlord
September 8, 2007 8:27 PM | Link to this
more breaks for us…..this usually spells long winning streak folks………
GOOOOOOOO Bravos!!!!!!1
By David O'Brien
September 8, 2007 8:31 PM | Link to this
Remember how the Braves couldn’t catch a break? Well, they’re getting them ALL AT ONCE. Man, was that the sorriest played inning by the Nats, or what? Pitiful.
Four errors in two nights for Zimmerman. Home run created by Kearns. Dropped ball by Nook (E for the name and another for the drop).
By Overlord
September 8, 2007 8:32 PM | Link to this
Am i seeing ok??? Can james really pitch 6 scoreless innings?
By Mark
September 8, 2007 8:49 PM | Link to this
James is walking batting tee. This man sucks! Please teach this man another pitch or just make him a long reliever.
By Steve from OH
September 8, 2007 9:03 PM | Link to this
Mark, please do a wikipedia/baseball prospectus/whatever site you want search on Chuck. He’s performed at every level, including the majors. This year he’s struggling a bit more than previous years, as evidenced by his lower ERA+ and higher WHIP, but learning a good slider will correct those easily. Even with a down year by his standards, he’s performing at or slightly better than the league average in nearly all pitching statistical categories. A better off-season conditioning regimen will give him the durability to go deeper into ballgames such as the one tonight. Another pitch will help him go deeper in the others.
Basically, Mark, what I’m saying is Chuck James does not suck, but is rather good at pitching. He should not be traded this offseason, because he will be a very good 4/5 man in our rotation (assuming Mike Hampton ever pitches again, btw).
By Savannah Guy
September 8, 2007 9:05 PM | Link to this
Paladin Thanks friend. I’ll take it in bits here and chunks there but I’ll be back. Hey, so many of your posts the last few weeks have been hilarious.
Hey, it’s slow in here. Is there another game on other than the Braves? What, their DVR is broken?
By Paladin
September 8, 2007 9:14 PM | Link to this
Savannah Guy Just do what you have to do to get your lady well. Then, come back to us.
By Mark
September 8, 2007 9:15 PM | Link to this
Steve did I say Chuck should be traded? No!
I said he should be taught a third pitch or make him a long reliever. So what are you talking about? Please READ before you type.
Man AJ sucks! Did you see that crap with the bases loaded. Why is McCann batting behind him.
Dang! Bobby Cox
By Steve from OH
September 8, 2007 9:18 PM | Link to this
Savannah Guy, I was glad to hear your wife is on the recovery trail. I have kept her and the aforementioned others in my thoughts and prayers few weeks. It’s always sad to see bad things happen to good people.
By Mark
September 8, 2007 9:20 PM | Link to this
This last plate appearance by McCann should be enough for Bobby hit him in front of AJ.
By Julia
September 8, 2007 9:25 PM | Link to this
Thank you to the alert blogger who mentioned the h-i-g-h cholesterol content of a SHRIMP SAMMICH slathered in butter and sauce. I consulted my d-o-c-t-o-r and she said that little POOCH I have developed may end my career before the cholesterol ends my life. I remember when Lyle used to work in r-a-d-i-o and eat all those SHRIMP SAMMICHES and he got that POOCH thing. At the time he was covering high school sports. All the little cheerleaders would laugh and point at Lyle and call him POOCHY or POOCH BOY. I never understood meanness like that.
By Head Ballcoach
September 8, 2007 9:26 PM | Link to this
OK now that I’ve taken care of business, I’ll be happy to draw up a few plays for the Braves.
I hear that y’all can use some good stategies.
By Steve from OH
September 8, 2007 9:26 PM | Link to this
Mark:
The Chuck James/trade thing wasn’t directed at you. Others have mentioned him in their trade speculations. My bad. Should have made that more clear. HOWEVER…
“James is a walking batting tee. This man sucks!”
I did read your post, sir.
By UGA Blubberbubba
September 8, 2007 9:31 PM | Link to this
YEEE-OUCH That one hurt!
By Overlord
September 8, 2007 9:33 PM | Link to this
That Grandslam AJ hit was a bomb!!!!!!
Did he looked any better than when he KKKKKKKKKKK on that force at home?
At least everything seams normal now, peace is back in atlanta at least for the moment, starters, relievers, offense.
We have ourselves our setup man or maybe closer right there in Acosta.
By Head Ballcoach
September 8, 2007 9:38 PM | Link to this
Can’t be no shrimps on my team.
But I do like to pooch punt now and then.
9 to 2: now that’s my kind of baseball game. Sorta like a 63 to 14 football game.
By Steve from OH
September 8, 2007 9:41 PM | Link to this
Man, our ‘pen will be GOOD next year. Soriano, Mahay, Acosta, Yates, Ring, Moylan, Ascanio, Gonzalez, Oscar, and maybe Dotel. (Too many, here, obviously, and more that weren’t added, but Bobby is gonna have some tough choices come spring training).
By Overlord
September 8, 2007 9:42 PM | Link to this
Mark AJ is batting in front of Brian so he gets a pitch to hit, problem is he wouldnt hit a softball right now. Maybe not even a basketball.
By Overlord
September 8, 2007 9:45 PM | Link to this
I cant believe it, maddux threw 6 innings of 1 run ball…….. he didnt use to do that while in atlanta…… He is playing at colorado for love of god……… at least he is not in the game anymore.
GO ROCKIES.
By Overlord
September 8, 2007 9:47 PM | Link to this
Even Yates looks better with his arm rested.
By Overlord
September 8, 2007 9:49 PM | Link to this
Come on AJ just tell bobby you got hurt when you hit the wall and that you want to go into the DL.
By Overlord
September 8, 2007 9:51 PM | Link to this
Things not look any promising in colorado.
6 more outs and we wont pick any ground .
By Head Ballcoach
September 8, 2007 9:52 PM | Link to this
I hear y’all got this Scotty Thorman fella who’s built like a brick shed.
Might make a good tight end. Can’t be a linebacker. He’s not a hitter.
By Savannah Guy
September 8, 2007 9:53 PM | Link to this
Thanks Steve. All is well.
Paladin, will do sir. Just to lighten it up a bit…I’m trying to get her back in good shape so she can carry those heavy boxes and my barbells back upstairs. ; )
By UGA Blubberbubba
September 8, 2007 9:55 PM | Link to this
It hurts when I sit down.
By Overlord
September 8, 2007 10:00 PM | Link to this
Season is almost over and AJ never saw the light at the end of the tunnel.
Under .230 maybe 85% of the season if not more than that……. Just awful. Unforgivable.
dont give me the crap that he is playing hurt, nobody plays an entire season hurt, only if the injury is mild, and if it is mild there is no excuse for his horrible season, only excuse would be the injury is a hell to him, and if that was the case, he would not play that many games, chipper was in pain, lots of pain and never looked half the bad AJ looks every at bat. Plus, i have rarely seem him show any signs of pain. Maybe he could they could take him to the surgery room without any anesthesia, the way he tolerates pain……. Yeah right. What a warrior.
By Braveheart
September 8, 2007 10:05 PM | Link to this
BRAVES WIN!!!!
And boy was I glad to see it. Athens looks like a funeral march right now. I think there is a coach about a half mile from me right now that even Robert could believe Cox is better than. Baby Elway played like Baby Leaf. I hate the evil one with a rather unhealthy passion but that luciferous sucker can coach the hell out of a college football game.
Looks like Chuck James did pretty good for himself. We’re gonna make the postseason. Have faith in that, denizens.
3 in a row, whaddyaknow!
Savannah Guy, good to see you back. Send your wife my best wishes.
Don’t give up! Don’t ever give up!
Ya never know, ya just never know.
Paladin, g’nite, hold the fat lady tight, make sure she don’t sing ‘til we sport some bling.
Chrissakes, I forgot to tip the bartender. I need to go walk back over there through the funeral procession. Just don’t feel right stiffing the poor fella.
By Overlord
September 8, 2007 10:07 PM | Link to this
Everybody won today…… only team we are going to pick ground on is the rockies…….
By Greg in TN
September 8, 2007 10:08 PM | Link to this
Great night at the ballpark tonight denizens. James pitched well tonight, went 6 1/3 and more importantly to me, pitched well with the lead early and didn’t give it back to the Nats.
It’s obvious to me that this lineup is night and day better and more consistent with Edgar Renteria in there. To me, I just don’t see us doing well offensively with Renteria playing elsewhere next year.
Another good win tonight, three in a row after the wild comeback against the Phillies. Lot’s of positives to take out of this regardless of what happens in the end.
By Overlord
September 8, 2007 10:15 PM | Link to this
SD just KKKKKKK Matt H. with the tying run at 3rd. 3 more outs to go.
By brian
September 8, 2007 10:16 PM | Link to this
who said I was crazy for hoping the Braves picked up Glavine? I believe I was called crazy because the person said that Glavine will pitch next year just like this year and not any better.
Not a bad outing by Glavine today
By Overlord
September 8, 2007 10:29 PM | Link to this
it was me saying that brian.
I just think braves should no go to an old guy. Hampton and Smoltz could go down on injuries, and glavine is old enough to start showing that age very soon, maybe this october. Not that glavine is not good, he is not the best choice for atl.
By John B.
September 8, 2007 10:35 PM | Link to this
What a game, what a game. That Frenchy HR looked like it was off Kearns’ glove from where I was sitting, anyone clarify that? Been curious. Would’ve liked to see Chucky go 7, but he pitched a fine game. Here’s to a Falcons win, and a Braves sweep tomorrow!
By Greg in TN
September 8, 2007 10:40 PM | Link to this
I should say I don’t see us doing as well and I think we have a better shot of being consistent with Renteria than without him.
Anyway, time to go and watch a little SEC football for a little while. Adios amigos.
By Steve from OH
September 8, 2007 10:44 PM | Link to this
On the TV replay it looked like the ball hit off the top of the wall, not the glove.
By John B.
September 8, 2007 10:47 PM | Link to this
Ahh, thanks man. Was too far away to get a good look.
By brian
September 8, 2007 10:48 PM | Link to this
Where else are we going to get a top starter? We will likely obtain a solid starter (not a #1) by trading Renteria and maybe Diaz as well. The $10 million to sign Glavine this year would have been money well spent. In this current market it is hard to sign a #3 for $10 million a year.
Smoltz does not have many years and as you noted earlier neither does Glavine. If the Braves could get 1 solid year out of him before he retires that would be great for the braves. It would give Jo-Jo one more year in the minors as he has shown he is not ready yet. We would have a rotation of Smoltz, Hudson, Glavine, James, and whoever we obtain in the Renteria trade. It also is one more piece in possible Teixeira’s last year with the Braves.
It is not just a sentimental choice. Glavine would be a huge addition for the braves. As far as the sentiment, Glavine won his first 240 something games as a Brave. He helped build the Braves into the title teams. He started the Game 6 against the Indians which looms so large since we have failed to win any other World Series. He makes his home in Atlanta. Glavine retiring as a Brave after having 1 last solid year, leading the braves deep into the post-season IS the way Glavine deserves to leave baseball. No one can put a price tag on the effect that Glavine and Maddux had on leading our team and teaching others.
What say you, Dave O’Brien? Any chance Glavine will wear a Braves uniform next year?
By Head Ballcoach
September 8, 2007 11:00 PM | Link to this
Awful quiet here.
About as quiet as it was ‘tween the hedges at the end of the fourth quarter.
Glad the Braves beat Washington. I hate Washington. They never appreciated the ol’ head ballcoach up there.
By David O'Brien
September 8, 2007 11:01 PM | Link to this
John B, the homer definitely went off Kearns’ glove and over the fence. Wouldn’t have been a homer, would’ve been a double (or triple) off top of wall.
By Steve from OH
September 8, 2007 11:02 PM | Link to this
The key to next year (just like it was the key to this year) is Hampton. Period. If he can come back healthy he will be a big asset to our rotation. Plain and simple. If we can sign Glavine all the better. This puts Chucky in the 5 spot and lets us keep Edgar and (hopefully) put KJ in center. We can keep Willie as a 4th outfielder/last resort backup infielder type, giving us a decent LH bat and speed off the bench. Let Diaz start every day. Keep Yunel at second, and add minor leaguers/free agents to solidify the bench. Gid rid of Thorman, and use the monetary savings of Andruw leaving to keep Tex long term.
By David O'Brien
September 8, 2007 11:04 PM | Link to this
And to those who say Braves look like a better team with Renteria, I concur. He adds so much. Really does.
By Steve from OH
September 8, 2007 11:11 PM | Link to this
Hmmm, DOB…
Looked like it hit off the yellow line to me, but I wasn’t sure if it hit the glove first.(I only saw it briefly as I was flipping back and forth between ND-PSU and Braves). Tough play either way. Good swing by Frenchy.
By brian
September 8, 2007 11:20 PM | Link to this
DOB - a lot of people are talking about KJ in CF - is this a feasible option for the Braves and KJ? I know he can play LF, but CF is much more demanding.
By John B.
September 8, 2007 11:31 PM | Link to this
Kelly in Center? I don’t really see that as an option, IMO. Personally, I don’t think the guy has the range to play CF unlike Francouer or a Free Agent CF. If anything, I’d think he’d be put in LF if we decide to keep Edgar and go with Yunel at 2ND. And yes, this lineup looks so much better with Edgar in there. Just so much more..fluid?
By Steve
September 8, 2007 11:32 PM | Link to this
If only Renteria could play center field.
By flbravesgirl
September 8, 2007 11:45 PM | Link to this
Great job taking advantage of your opponents’ mistakes, boys. I feel a little sorry for Zimmerman though, he’s got to be going crazy over those throws.
Somebody check on the Grinch. I’m sure that not even the Braves’ good fortune could cheer him up tonight.
By John B.
September 8, 2007 11:46 PM | Link to this
Oh, thanks DOB + Steve for the info.
By southbeachdietfreak
September 8, 2007 11:49 PM | Link to this
Second night in a row where the ball bounced the Braves’ way. Nats look like an A league team. Almost feel sorry for them. too bad we didn’t pick up any ground tonight.
And in the coaches getting fired department… looks like BC and phil Fulmer are safe for another week… what about Mark Richt?
By uga-brave
September 9, 2007 12:06 AM | Link to this
ugaE -brave,
uga-brave has tears in his eyes. THAT GAME IS ON stafford.
By uga-brave
September 9, 2007 12:12 AM | Link to this
uga-brave,
not happy tonight, got beat, we deserve it. STAFFORD, AS MUCH AS I LOVE HIM THREW US DOWN THE RIVER.
By Gil in Mechanicsville
September 9, 2007 12:14 AM | Link to this
There is another young lefty down here in Richmond, Schieber I think is the correct spelling, that looks very good. He is slated for the Arizona fall league after the IL playoffs conclude. I told you folks about Manny Acosta in the spring. Good looking kid when he throws strikes. Sometimes he is a little wild but he has looked good so far in Atlanta.
Yes, Washington has looked the part of a last place team. The Braves need to beat up on them one more night.
By uga-brave
September 9, 2007 12:17 AM | Link to this
AUBURN,
IS IN for the fight of their live.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
September 9, 2007 12:22 AM | Link to this
Renteria’s return was much appreciated by all. I’m not gonna knock the job that Chuck James did on the mound but those Nationals made him look good. Those Nats played like the bad news bears didn’t they ? Horrible would be an understatement. Renteria and Escobar both deserve the chance to play everyday. One makes nine million and the other the league minimum , I think money and the need for pitching will dictate what happens between now and spring training. Skip Caray is right , the bullpen is deep with hard throwing arms. Soriano , Yates , Mahay , Gonzalez , Acosta , Ascanio , Ring , Dotel and Stockman all throw gas. Moylan and Paronto are both ground ball specialist. If most or all of these guys are back and Schuerholz can trade for more , the bullpen is going to be even better in 2008. Congratulations to those Richmond Braves , winners in the first round of the Governors cup ! I just wish my Bulldogs had not lived up to Mr. Larry Munson’s dire prediction today. Mark Richt has got to get that football team motivated and playing up to it’s talent level. Hunker Down Dawgs !
By uga-brave
September 9, 2007 12:45 AM | Link to this
DOB,
thiYs georgia dawg, loves the WUXTRY.
watchin auburn not so good.
remember that movie with john cusack, in the the record store? THAT IS YOU.
By uga-brave
September 9, 2007 1:35 AM | Link to this
wheres
that vampire at, sebrok.hey brave-dave i misss you, this dawg is licking his wounds.
had way too many drinks, hate frickin spurrier but this dawg believes he is that good.
By uga-brave
September 9, 2007 1:46 AM | Link to this
hell, this is it PALADIN, you are maybe the laywer here. as for me way way to0 many boat drinks.
gonna go b*** to myself for a while.
gotta real hunch you are really cornell like, or really the man behind the curtain.
either way love your warped sense of humor.
By uga-brave
September 9, 2007 2:00 AM | Link to this
” drunk and stupid is no way to go through life.” i somehow personify that. either way the dawgs loss hurts.
at least make the last 20 games matter.
By uga-brave
September 9, 2007 2:09 AM | Link to this
ivy league i WAS CORNELL IS where i matriculated, ever been to to ITHCA,N.Y. what a boring place.
either way cant believe AUBURN lost.
By geauxbraves2000
September 9, 2007 2:40 AM | Link to this
Hi honey, I’m home. My family and I just got back home from “The Dark Star” to quote DOB. Had a great time. My two daughters, 9 & 6 had a great time also.
Anyhow, I see the Braves are finally starting to catch some breaks. Too bad it took so long though. Nevertheless, let’s see if they can get one last push to the playoffs.
If not, if JS can get a decent starter or two in the offseason, 2008 really looks good.
Nite all.
Geaux Braves!!
By Serbok
September 9, 2007 4:06 AM | Link to this
The Vampire Bites? UGA-BRAVE, I was born in Atl hence my following of the Braves, was moved to Florida when I was 6 but visited relatives on and off for awhile and got to see many Braves games at Fulton County Stadium, Was lucky enuff to have seen AAron and Mays hit HR’s on the same day in a double-header. Now comes the bite? Grinch ARE you listening? WHEN are you guys gonna realize that the Florida boys have your number when it comes to Football? C’mon man, the Gators, Buc’s? Spurrier? I hated to see Vick really go to the dogs as the Bucs had his number consistently! LOL JUST Remember Guys? I am a TRUE BRAVES fan! H3ll I saw Rico Carty \Cecil Upshaw, Pat Jarvis~ Ralph Garr~ even Felix Millan? Eddie Matthews, Hoyt Wilhelm , Mike Lum? Even Saw Torre catch a few games! DAM! I got Old? That leaves you guys an open “Shot” at me? LOL Enuff of that crap! Gonna go Burn one and be as young as the Grinch? LMAO!
By Serbok
September 9, 2007 4:12 AM | Link to this
Forgot to mention, I was there on a night that the Braves, in Fulton County Stadium,mind you? Had SATCHEL PAIGE pitching for them! He only pitched a few innings~ It was really cool tho! GO BUCCANEERS! AND OF COURSE!!! BRAVOS!
By Bravo Nam
September 9, 2007 8:17 AM | Link to this
DOB
Thanks for answering my question on AJ.
I like Renteria too…I know some bloggers have been suggesting him as an important trade piece come winter…my concern is would the value we’d get in return match the value we get by keeping him…I don’t think it would, and therein lies my concern in trading him.
By Paladin
September 9, 2007 9:33 AM | Link to this
Now my sense of humor is being called “warped”. That goes with the territory, too, I guess. :>) uga-Brave I would hate to have your hangover, this morning. Take two raw eggs and a glass of warm beer. But, be sure you are in the bathroom(with the door closed)when you take it.
By Efrim
September 9, 2007 9:36 AM | Link to this
And to those who say Braves look like a better team with Renteria, I concur. He adds so much. Really does.
I like Escobar, but Renteria makes this team better. I think that is what we lacked the last month.
Too bad we have to trade him this offseason because he is our only trading chip. A damn shame.
MLBTraderumors.com has a nice piece on the Braves chances of upgrading there rotation this offseason. It talks about the weak free agent crop and tough trade market.
By Paladin
September 9, 2007 10:32 AM | Link to this
You guys talk about trading Renteria like it is a done deal. Not!! He carried the Braves during the first part of the season and now he has been out during the critical part. What might have been if he had been in there, since Tex came in, for instance? I like Escobar, but he is not ready to carry Renteria’s load. Pitching help is going to have to be acquired some other way besides trading him.
By Paladin
September 9, 2007 10:42 AM | Link to this
The “terminal” for the Cuban Underground Railroad is fairly well-established at Braves’ headquarters Now, we need to get some pitchers on the boat/train.
By Richt is German for Mediocre
September 9, 2007 10:48 AM | Link to this
Go Braves!!
After last night, looks like baseball season started again.
By Anders
September 9, 2007 10:53 AM | Link to this
Speaking of pitching - Happy St. Pedro’s Day to all.
By TampaBrave
September 9, 2007 10:55 AM | Link to this
The Dawgs got vicked. USC beat them like a yard dawg. Nothin fancy, just whooped em straight up.
Edgar looked good. C’mon Braves, refuse to lose.
By Lew
September 9, 2007 10:59 AM | Link to this
Someone last night said that the key to next season is Hampton. ???????????? If Hampton IS the key to next year, then JS sat on his hands all winter long and accomplished nothing. What the Braves need to do is to find TWO solid number three starters (and a REAL bench). We have seen A. What the Mets did with no bona fide ace (we have two) and a bunch of threes and fours and B. How deep the staff NEEDS to be. Hampton is an unknown quantity. Just look what counting on him this year meant to our staff. If he comes along playing winter ball and is ready to go-fine-bring it on. If not, with the proper moves, we’re covered.
We have the makings of an incredible pen next year, whether or not Gonzo is back when most here hope he will be (I wouldn’t count on him at all), but we need some better starting options to throw into the mix. Chuckie should be number 4 or 5 starter and Cormier is STILL an unknown factor as well. Banking on a healthy and effective Hampton after missing two and a half years as well as undergoing two major surgeries, is foolhardy at best.
By mariner
September 9, 2007 11:01 AM | Link to this
Chipper took a lot of flak this week for trashing the umps, even though everyone concedes he had a valid complaint. Here’s an excerpt from last night’s Mariners game story in which Ichiro is basically calling the umpires unprofessional:
Ichiro was victimized for the third time in less than a week by a blown call as first-base umpire Brian Gorman wrongly ruled him out on a grounder leading off the game.
The normally impassive Ichiro complained about the call on the field. And after the game, Ichiro, the pressures of this long season perhaps getting to him, could barely contain his disgust.
“It’s kind of to the point where I’ve given up about this topic,” Ichiro said through interpreter Ken Barron. “I don’t even have words to express my feelings any more at this point.
“At this point, you can almost laugh about it because it’s so silly.”
Ichiro then added: “I thought everybody here, at the major-league level, is professional. I thought that’s the reason they are at the major-league level.”
I think when players with the stature of Chipper and Ichiro speak, MLB should listen rather than bury their heads in the sand. The notion that I’ve seen expressed frequently this week is that bad calls are part of the game, and it evens out in the end. Seems pretty silly to me. These guys can do better, MLB just needs to do a better job of holding them accountable.
By mo in the boonies
September 9, 2007 11:17 AM | Link to this
Great game last night….with a little help from our friends…er…enemies…er…Nationals. And it was evident how much Renteria brings to this team. I saw Smoltz giving him a warm welcome back handshake in the dugout last night. Please let Cormier have his A game today!
By mo in the boonies
September 9, 2007 11:21 AM | Link to this
PS: And a few more errors by the Nats couldn’t hurt either! ;)
By Paladin
September 9, 2007 11:23 AM | Link to this
TampaBrave Kiss my Vick.
By Paladin
September 9, 2007 11:27 AM | Link to this
Anders I thought you Muts had your pull your pedro day, every day. And notice: I was talking baseball until you arrived and Tampax had to get his football digs in.
By Julia
September 9, 2007 11:57 AM | Link to this
I have hidden a day-old SHRIMP SAMMICH under the seat of someone’s car. This is because that someone has been mean to me on this b-l-o-g. I hope you will find this SHRIMP SAMMICH before it goes really bad.
Now, for today’s game I plan to enjoy a platter of SHRIMP SAMMICHES. I am still h-o-t though I am getting a noticeable POOCH.
If any of you B-L-O-G-G-E-R-S are ever in town give me a c-a-l-l and we can enjoy a g-a-m-e and a couple SHRIMP SAMMICHES.
By Carroll Rogers
September 9, 2007 11:59 AM | Link to this
I’m on the clock today, folks….just a quick update. Bobby had two lineups today just to see how Renteria’s ankle held up after yesterday. He went out and took bp, was all smiles, said he was ready to go and he was back in there. Just can’t stop hitting that Renteria, who needs
And Buddy Carlyle will go Tuesday in New York. Cox had been holding off on that decision depending on how things went over the weekend and who he needed to use when. But again, Jo-Jo Reyes will be available to come in and spell Carlyle as needed.
By Paladin
September 9, 2007 12:03 PM | Link to this
I’m gone until after football. Bye.
By Tyler
September 9, 2007 12:03 PM | Link to this
I know I might get bashed for saying this, but here goes:
There is a chance we would be able to sign Teixeira after the ‘08 season, with Hampton’s contract out of the way, among others. But I don’t really believe we’ll be the likely candidates to get him, with the Sox and Yankees bidding for him most likely. Has anyone thought of what we could get for him?
The Angels offered the Rangers quite a bit, and I think we could get just as much if not more. Their trade pieces are as follows: Joe Saunders (7-3, 3.78 ERA), Ervin Santana, Jerrod Weaver (Fat chance), Scott Shields (Another fat chance), and Kasey Kotchman (.288 BA, 33 2B). Not sure about prospects in the minors. Even Chone Figgins wouldn’t be bad.
Point is, if they offer Kotchman, Saunders, and Santana, do you pull the trigger? You get a very good, young 1B to fill his spot and two very good young starting pitchers. Maybe another team would have an even better offer?
By Rocky Stone
September 9, 2007 12:09 PM | Link to this
I read that post about a stature of Chipper Jones and I think that would be a waste of good marble. IF CHIPPER MAKES THE HOF then we can consider a stature. That is my opinion.
Edgar Renteria makes this team better. The problem of having too many infielders is a good one. The danger is trading (or giving - Tony Pena Jr) away talent and then having injury or some other peril rob you of a player or two and suddenly you are thin. Trading away so many pitching prospects is a case in point.
It is good to have Carroll Rogers blogging with us today. Carroll, please don’t tease us with unfinished sentences.
Needs a pie? Needs some barbecue? Needs some sort of sandwich (hate to get that started again)? Oh, well we must wait for Carroll’s next post to clear this up.
By Paulie
September 9, 2007 12:20 PM | Link to this
Yo, Rocky…. Seen JJS lately? So many monkeys on the blog lately, and what of pies and goobers and BBQ? Oh the humanity.
By KC
September 9, 2007 12:25 PM | Link to this
Buddy Carlyle’s starting again???!!!!! WTF??!!!!!!!!!
Damnit!!!! I love Bobby Cox, and his patience and willingness to stick with certain players has proven a positive thing many times over the years… but sometimes Bobby sticks with guys too long to the detriment of the team.
While he has had a hard time with the strike zone, JoJo has definitely looked better than Buddy Carlyle, who SHOULD NOT be starting a game in the pennant race.
Reyes is wild and inexperienced, but he has something Carlyle doesn’t… talent.
By Gil in Mechanicsville
September 9, 2007 12:32 PM | Link to this
Ah football, America’s true passion. Except for maybe a handful of us who find the game very boring with all the interruptions. Perhaps the most boring thing is to watch a pro game in person. Everyone standing around waiting for the beer commercials to end.
Now baseball. The Braves have put themselves in a position where just winning series won’t get it done. The must sweep the Nats out of town and then go north and open a serious can of Whopass to have a serious shot.
Perhaps we have been witnessing the rebuilding of the Atlanta club without the pain that the Nationals and the Marlins have gone thru. Lew is right though, pitching is the key.
By mr baseball
September 9, 2007 12:34 PM | Link to this
Chance the Manager does it again. No Escobar, no Diaz, who is 4-for-5 against Bergman. Harris hitting leadoff again. Johnson hitting 8th.
Did it ever occur to any Braves’ fans that the team might have won its 14 division titles IN SPITE of the manager and not because of him. He may be a wonderful guy to play for and the most loyal manager in the game, but if he can’t even fill out an intelligent lineup card, how good a manager can he be?
By mo in the boonies
September 9, 2007 12:41 PM | Link to this
Well, we could have had David Wells pitching the first game against the Mets… he is doing ok for the Dodgers, but he might have disrupted the clubhouse….couldn’t have that… wouldn’t be feasible
By Overlord
September 9, 2007 1:09 PM | Link to this
Frenchy may never be as good as AJ fielding but he sure can get close to jim edmunds.
Go for yunel at RF.
Keep edgar.
By Overlord
September 9, 2007 1:11 PM | Link to this
I can feel the breeze, good thing are to come for the braves once again…… lets go for 3.5 boyz.
By KC
September 9, 2007 1:13 PM | Link to this
Mr. Baseball: “No Escobar, no Diaz, who is 4-for-5 against Bergman. Harris hitting leadoff again. Johnson hitting 8th. Did it ever occur to any Braves’ fans that the team might have won its 14 division titles IN SPITE of the manager and not because of him.”
I don’t think the Braves have won in SPITE of BC. In fact, I think it’s impossible. There are 2 aspects to being a good manager:
The first aspect (the one everyone sees) is the in-game strategy and maneuvering of players and lineups. I’ve always considered BC no better than average in this regard. However, this year, I have to admit that I’m beginning to consider the possibility that he’s below average in this regard.
I remain frustrated and perplexed by certain decisions he’s made this year… Diaz STILL not playing every day… Carlyle still in the rotation… He stuck with Langerhans way to long… and a few other things that have vexed me this year.
The other aspect – the part we DON’T see- is leadership. This is where BC has always shined. I recently read a book that analyzed what the greatest CEOs in America over the past 30 years had in common, and as the characteristics of these great leaders were listed, it amazed me how well Bobby Cox fit the description. It’s no cakewalk to keep relative harmony and a winning attitude in a clubhouse this long. He inspires his players, and we have him to thank for many a player that has signed or re-signed here. Players want to play for Bobby. In that sense, he’s made John Schuerholz a better GM. It’s an easier task to get players here because Bobby’s in that clubhouse/dugout.
So in short, I think BC is still a good manager even if he is a below average strategic manager. I’m not convinced that he is a below average strategic manager… but again, I am now considering that possibility given my frustrations with his decision making this year.
By Steve from OH
September 9, 2007 1:20 PM | Link to this
Chipper=MVP
By Overlord
September 9, 2007 1:20 PM | Link to this
There that 2-3 punch making thing happen.
By \\\\\\\\\\BERIGAN//////////
September 9, 2007 1:21 PM | Link to this
Weird to hear Tony Gwynn with Chipper…guess we need to get used to it, eh???? Sigh…Always liked Tony though…
Weirder to see Willie get a lead off hit, Edgar playing and moving the runner over, and Chipper hitting a 2 run homer!!!(Well, the last isn’t too weird)
By Overlord
September 9, 2007 1:25 PM | Link to this
If we win and SD losses we still wont climb a place in the standings, but guess picking up ground will do just fine.
Go rockies. Go fish. Go SF.
By Overlord
September 9, 2007 1:34 PM | Link to this
Finally we are taking care of business with the teams we are supposed to.
Cormier looks fine.
I dont disagree much about carlyle on tuesday, i think he could handle pressure a little more, at least he has shown several times he can keep the braves in the game for 5. JoJo is always out of there before the 4th arrives.
Either way, thats a game we might lose, but we could still be in good position. There is not many games we can lose. Ill say lets go buddy!!!!!!!
By Overlord
September 9, 2007 1:40 PM | Link to this
How do you like chances of winning 2-3 from muts?
Thats the key right now. Losing 2-3 would be so bad that it would reduce our chances of WC near zero like flash.
By Carroll Rogers
September 9, 2007 1:48 PM | Link to this
Rocky Stone….Renteria needs a backup beat writer who can write in complete sentences about him….!!!
i think i was going to say something about his batting title chances. he came into the game today only two points behind chase utley .339 to .337. He going to need 502 plate appearances to qualify and he’s only 35 short of that coming into today. So if the ankle holds up, should get interesting. and chipper was only nine points back at .330 coming in.
By Bilko
September 9, 2007 1:53 PM | Link to this
Imagine being a Nationals fan and having to pin your hopes on players like Austin Kearns. What a lethargic,sorry excuse for a major league baseball player.
Maybe he’ll tip another fly ball over the fence today for a Braves home run.
By Overlord
September 9, 2007 2:05 PM | Link to this
Are this nats really that bad? or have our SP turning it around? Cant remember a span this long where our relievers could relax just a little bit.
By Overlord
September 9, 2007 2:08 PM | Link to this
Bilko it aint hard for me to imagine that, braves had AJ as their cleanup hitter for 4 months, is there anything as pathetic as that?
By \\\\\\\\\\BERIGAN//////////
September 9, 2007 2:16 PM | Link to this
KC,
I really do admire the way the Braves don’t give up, no matter what. I give a lot of credit to Bobby for that fact. But, (and there’s always a but ;) ) I imagine the Braves will put up a valiant fight, and lose the WC buy 2-3 games. And we all know how many games we should have won that we didn’t(Just check out Carrol’s last blog) and players like Willie that should have been benched for the hotter hitter(And still he hit’s leadoff no matter what!)
Great that Willie seems to be turning it around again, but….how many games would Diaz have helped us win if he had been playing every day the last few months???
If I were Diaz, and next year he is told there will be a platoon again, I’d ask to be traded.
By \\\\\\\\\\BERIGAN//////////
September 9, 2007 2:23 PM | Link to this
By Overlord September 9, 2007 2:05 PM | Link to this Are this nats really that bad? or have our SP turning it around? Cant remember a span this long where our relievers could relax just a little bit.
Good question!!! Nice to see though, ain’t it??? Bobby seems much smarter when the SP’s do well I find! ;)
By Savannah Guy
September 9, 2007 2:27 PM | Link to this
Rocky Stone, did you get that moniker from the Department of Redundancy Dept. while having pie ala mode with ice cream on top? Was Woody Forest already taken? River Waters? Anhway, Rocky…I saw a statue of you at the top of the steps in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Or… was that Rocky Bronze? Tanned stone? Contender? Sequels? Are you being sly? So many incomplete sentences. Perhaps you are the square-jawed, fighting hero sargent from Marvel Comics? Had supporting role in Cheech and Chong movie? So many questions. So many names…
By Overlord
September 9, 2007 2:34 PM | Link to this
Berigan i kind of tip my hat more to chipper than to cox, he is the guy that has not given up, he is chowing the rest of the team they can count on him and that he will carry half of the load and that they just need to help him a little.
Cox does get credit, no doubt, but what TV shows, the one doing the magic is chipper.
Maybe smoltz is helping also but since he is not an everyday player is hard to tell.
By \\\\\\\\\\BERIGAN//////////
September 9, 2007 2:36 PM | Link to this
Man, how did Ryan Church know with a 3-2 pitch would be a curve???? Bet there was sign stealing going on, I figured no way he’d throw that curve 3-2…..CRUD!!!!!
By Overlord
September 9, 2007 2:38 PM | Link to this
oooooopppsssssss!!!!!!!!
i hate ryan church, he alone has accounted for lots of our misery this year.
By Penquin
September 9, 2007 2:57 PM | Link to this
Does Rocky have the stones? Sounds like a mincemeat pie eater to me.
By Curator
September 9, 2007 3:04 PM | Link to this
Besides, Chipper’s statue is not going to be in marble. He insisted that it be done “Texass” style. The “sculptor” is using cow chips.
By KC
September 9, 2007 3:10 PM | Link to this
Having said those positive things about BC… how many times lately have we seen Harris fail to come through with a runner on 3rd and less than 2 out?
Would Diaz fail to put the ball in play? Probably not.
BC’s got this one wrong. Diaz needs to be in this lineup. There’s really no excuse for this. It’s asinine.
By Savannah Guy
September 9, 2007 3:14 PM | Link to this
While Kelly was just batting and Bobby was pacing in front of the dugout, did I just hear Bobby yell, through a cheek overstuffed with tobbaco…”huumaw schlaw hooflwaw”?
By Game Tracker
September 9, 2007 3:15 PM | Link to this
This just in: The Braves are losing to the Sack-of-Sh1ts.
By KC
September 9, 2007 3:15 PM | Link to this
Berigan: You really have to admire Matt Diaz as a person. You’ve got to have one hell of a team-first attitude to still come the park with a smile on your face… even though batting .340 over your last 550 at-bats apparently isn’t good enough to win an every day job.
By Mz Manures
September 9, 2007 3:22 PM | Link to this
Savannah, darling If Bobby said that he should be ashamed of himself. Now, WTF did he say???
By KC
September 9, 2007 3:24 PM | Link to this
Berigan: I really do think this season was (in all likelihood) lost over the last 3 weeks for the Braves… and Bobby Cox really does deserve a good chunk of the blame.
I really do believe that having Diaz in the lineup everyday, when he was red-hot and Harris was ice-cold, would have been good for at least another win or 2 over the past 3-4 weeks.
And again… today, I know Willie was largely responsible for a run back in the 1st, but he canceled that out with that bases-loaded, 1 out strikeout.
I think Willie has in fact become a better hitter than his career average would indicate… but if you play Willie every day, you shouldn’t bet on anything better than .270-280. Where as you can play Diaz every day, and he’ll hit well over .300 (I’d bet sensitive body parts on that).
No excuse for not playing your best players in must-win games. Especially when the better player has also been the much hotter hitter.
By Bob, Journalist
September 9, 2007 3:34 PM | Link to this
A hearty welcome back to the Most Highly Esteemed Man of the Savannah … unlike you, I haven’t had the opportunity to really read the most recent posts but … having read your fantastic 6:22 PM, I am reminded of the movie GHOST and want to respond with Ditto!!
Everyone knows just how very special My Lady is … your nice words regarding me are undeserved but they made me blush and are truly appreciated, especially the feeling behind them, mon ami!
You Kind Sir are indeed quite special as a wordsmith, blogger and friend … a truly wonderful, caring gentleman of the highest order! Methinks you and your wit are appreciated by all and you have been highly missed!
Carol and I again offer our heartfelt thanks for all of the kind words, expressions of caring and concern, thoughts and prayers … we both continue to be overwhelmed as well as strengthened by your supportive posts … it’s truly made, and continues to make, a difference in this most trying time.
It is to God to whom we have turned for healing and it will be through God that healing will be provided!
Words can’t express how very important you folks are to me … you are all very special … but if you’ll use your third eyes and ears, methinks you’ll understand!
God Bless!
By Paladin
September 9, 2007 3:36 PM | Link to this
The Dawgs lost. The Falcons are getting killed. The Braves are losing. Thank God, I’m not in Vegas.
By Paladin
September 9, 2007 3:40 PM | Link to this
Welcome back, BobJ, and may God bless you and yours, too.
By KC
September 9, 2007 3:42 PM | Link to this
Andruw Jones is doing everything in his power to keep us from crying when he leaves, isn’t he?
By Savannah Guy
September 9, 2007 3:45 PM | Link to this
Le Mz Merde: What did he say? Well, after “huumaw schlaw hooflwaw”, Bobby spit, cleared it all up and opined, “himmaw flogen heemah schmool…c’mon kid”. So, that riddle is solved. Can you say those things in a ballpark?
By KC
September 9, 2007 3:51 PM | Link to this
If the Braves don’t have another miracle comeback in the 9th, this will be a very, very rough loss.
Sure, the Braves will have taken 2 of 3 from a team that was on a 5-game winning streak coming in… and that’s good. But it’s not good enough.
We’re beyond the point where taking 2 out of 3 in every series will get us anywhere. We’ve got to start winning 3 out of 3 in at least a couple of the remaining series’.
This was a squandered opportunity.
The good news is that the Padres are down 3-0 in the 1st. So maybe we won’t lose any ground off the Wild Card leader… though we will lose ground on several other WC contenders.
Braves have to at least take 2 of 3 from the Mets. Fortunately, we’ll miss both Pedro and Glavine, who’s been their hottest hurler. We also have Smoltz and Hudson going in this series again. Even though that didn’t help us last time… that’s who you want on the mound.
The Braves will then have to go on a run with 6 against the Nats and Marlins.
The Braves probably need to win 8 of their next 9 (against Mets, Nats, Marlins) to have a good shot at the Wild Card.
Don’t know if that’s possible, especially if BC insists on starting Buddy Carlyle.
By The Grinch
September 9, 2007 3:55 PM | Link to this
Wow. Home just in time to see ‘Druw hit into a rally-killing double play. Deja-Vu.
Ladies and gentlemen, the Joey Harrington era has begun in Atlanta. Though to be sure, it isn’t entirely his fault (Michael Jenkins should be cut immediately). However, the coaching system is in place; a couple of key player additions and they’ll be all right.
By Mz Manures
September 9, 2007 3:56 PM | Link to this
Savannahta Guyta BLUSH!!
By \\\\\\\\\\BERIGAN//////////
September 9, 2007 3:56 PM | Link to this
Bob, Journalist,
Great to see you back today(and Savannah Guy as well!!!)
I hope and pray healing is on the way for your wife!!!
Now, lets see the braves win this one! I had to leave the 8-2 game(The one we won 9-8!!!) since my Dad and his friend were tired/bored….and that game seemed beyond hope, so what is 3 runs????
By \\\\\\\\\\BERIGAN//////////
September 9, 2007 4:02 PM | Link to this
I hope Bobby will put up with the walks of Royce Ring, cuz he looks GREAT against lefties, doesn’t he???
By The Grinch
September 9, 2007 4:04 PM | Link to this
Good to see you back, SG; you really need to tone down that kind of language though.
Speaking of language, is it me or does Tony Gwynn not sound like about a 5 foot tall, 130 pound old white guy from rural Kansas?
By Archaeologist
September 9, 2007 4:05 PM | Link to this
Grinch Re: your assessment of the Falcons and what it will take to “fix” them. Isn’t that like saying a rock or two here and there and the Sphinx will be as good as new?
By Savannah Guy
September 9, 2007 4:10 PM | Link to this
Bob, Journalist: One thing is certain, it’s a better place with you here, sir. You are an institution on this blog.
By Dr. Strangeglove
September 9, 2007 4:11 PM | Link to this
After examining the patient(The Braves)I have ordered an autopsy.
By Savannah Guy
September 9, 2007 4:17 PM | Link to this
Paladin: Thought you left for football? Glad you’re back. You can’t leave until the season is over, got it? That’s an order…er, request.
Not a good 24 hours for the home teams all around Georgia. Adding insult to injury…Spurrier! Bad luck comes in threes? If that’s the case, we’ll get’em next week, although our Bravos are quickly running out of next weeks.
By Savannah Guy
September 9, 2007 4:31 PM | Link to this
Berigan, Grinch, thanks. Guess the Braves comeback “lightning” didn’t stike twice in this series. Grinch, that language was Bobby-chaw-ese. All Greek to me.
Tony Gwynn made the game more enjoyable today. What a HOF hitting machine. What a class act human being he is.
Archaeologist and Strangelove…you sound familiar. Funny stuff.
By Steven
September 9, 2007 4:35 PM | Link to this
I think it’s been clear for a few months now to anyone with an IQ over 90 that Diaz should be playing every day over Harris. But if Harris does have to play in lieu of Diaz, has it then made any sense to have him in the leadoff position?
Haven’t Harris’s stats in the leadoff role been cumulatively very poor? Yes, he’ll occasionally get a hit/walk and get on base. But he’s a terrible base stealer and he’s been consistently bad with runners in scoring position and in advancing runners when need be. So where is the utility in having Harris leadoff?
Let’s recap. To begin with, what is the logic of even having Harris in the game over Diaz? And then what is the logic of having Harris in the leadoff slot if he must be in the game? And then what is the logic of pinch-hitting Orr to bunt runners over for Harris when Harris has been so consistently poor in driving in runs in such situations?
In light of all that, did it make any sense to pinch-hit Orr in that situation? Or should that pinch-hit opportunity have gone to Diaz in the hope that he would drive in at least one run before getting to Harris? Would that not have been the highest percentage play in that spot?
Instead, our highest average hitter is relegated to a pinch-hit opportunity in the 9th inning with one out and the team down by 3 and no one on base.
A smart manager knows how to nuance the weak spots in a lineup to as to minimize the damage the weak links will do. But how do you minimize your weak links when your weakest link is the strategic/tactical ability of the manager?
By Paladin
September 9, 2007 4:37 PM | Link to this
Savannah Guy If you can, and will stay, I will. But, I don’t promise not to be “out-of-character”(some might say, “out-of-my-mind”)from time to time. :>) We have really missed you, guy. And Bobj, too.
By mr baseball
September 9, 2007 4:40 PM | Link to this
Almost no one here today, which is understandable. Too much else going on. Let’s face it, denizens. It’s over. No more what ifs. The Braves had to sweep the Nats and they failed. The Mets will put us out of our misery this week.
I hope all the 19th century advocates of the bunt are happy. The Braves could have sent Diaz up to the plate with 2 on and no outs in the 7th against a pitcher who had already given up back-to-back hits in an effort to actually WIN THE GAME.
Instead, Chance the Manager did what he always does in those situations. He consulted the Managing for Dummies book, which says you play for a tie at home. Everyone knew Willie wasn’t going to get a hit in that situation, which left it to a guy playing his second game in a month. Chipper had a chance with the bases loaded, but he can’t do it every time.
How many times have we seen guys like James & Cormier get to a certain spot in the game, usually around the 6th inning, and all of a sudden completely lose it. You know it’s coming, but is Chance the Manager ever prepared? Of course. He starts warming up the bullpen AFTER James, Cormier, Carlyle, whoever has already put the win in jeopardy. Same thing happened today. Instead of having someone ready the moment Cormier got in trouble, Chance sat in the dugout and did what he does best: Watch.
Rather than having Ring ready to face Church, Cormier serves up one of his meatballs and there goes the slim hopes of the wild card.
Bobby Cox may be the greatest clubhouse manager in the history of the game, but once the lineup cards are turned in, he turns into the Barney Fife of the dugout. And we have to sit through his stubborness/senility/stupidity again next year.
Gawwwwww —- leeeeeee.
By Fart-on-cookie
September 9, 2007 4:45 PM | Link to this
“Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes. That way you are a mile away and you have their shoes. Then, criticize them on the internet.”
By The Grinch
September 9, 2007 4:55 PM | Link to this
Archaeologist, not at all. There are teams with plenty of talent but poor coaching who have no chance and WILL have no chance until the basic structure is changed. This team has solid coaching and a solid fundamental structure; they just need another draft or two to get rid of the rest of Mora the Lesser’s players. Big, big difference.
Imagine, for instance, how the Braves would be if they suddenly brought in a young and innovative manager (and talented supporting coaches) and other teams were suddenly unable to tell what was comming three innings in advance? Then all we’d need to do is trim a couple of the leftovers who didn’t buy into it and we’d be consistant playoff material. Similar situation, though Bobby at least used to know what he was doing; Mora jr. was/is just a fool (and the coach is MUCH more important in football than baseball).
By Savannah Guy
September 9, 2007 4:56 PM | Link to this
Steven: Accurate observations in my view. All good questions too. Many here would agree with your answers as well. Sad but true, hard but fair I suppose (don’t tell Robert I said that). In one of the crucial situations, Orr almost bunted into a double play but made it with a dazzling fielders choice. Not a stellar bunt. Willy has returned to his career batting average.
In summary: play Diaz + sit Harris = more wins. Bobby is a bit more of a complex case. Bobby Fischer he’s not.
By Paladin
September 9, 2007 5:11 PM | Link to this
I agree Grincher, but they have to get something going in both lines. Either, could be nicknamed, The Turstiles. Coleman will help a lot on the “D” line but I don’t know where the help will come on the “O” side. Poor Harrington had no chance to “go through his progressions”. It was throw and duck! I just hope that the Vikings “D” was as good as they looked. And we should start callin that poor excuse for a “receiver” Jenkcrap.
And, as to that Archaeologist, he probably has cobwebs stuck in his eye lashes.
By Savannah Guy
September 9, 2007 5:15 PM | Link to this
Paladin: Did you watch the Falcons get stomped? The AJC headline was curious, “Vikings overwhelm Vick-less Falcons, 24-3”. Didn’t we lose plenty with Vick? All of a sudden Vick is the reason the Falcons were a contender? In my way of thinking, it’s better to lose games with Harrington than to, uh…lose games and focus with Vick. It’s a character thing. Odd headline.
Was Harrington that bad, our DL that bad or was the Vikings defense that good? Maybe just shaky out of the gate. Back to baseball…while we still have it.
By TampaBrave
September 9, 2007 5:18 PM | Link to this
Having always been a BC supporter, I must now say that he has encroached the senility line. To keep running Harris out there when he is failing at a high clip is convincing me that he has lost his marbles, or at least his baseball IQ. It is sad that Smoltz and Chipper are nearing the end of their strings and have to go out on a losing end. I’d play Thorman in LF before I’d ever throw Harris out there again.
BTW, anyone see Francouer trying to retreat on that ball hit by Jiminez. Love Frenchy, but I think you proponents of putting him in CF just got a taste of what to expect. Bring back Otis Nixon.
Another thing, the Brave’s season will end Monday when a tired armed Tim Hudson gets pummeled in NY. I know its hard not to throw him out there, but he really should be rested a few more days. You have to say WTF at this point, so resting him would not be such a bad thing.
Clemson 2-0
USC 2-0
Carolina 1-0
At least there is hope for the football season.
By its over, over, oooooover
September 9, 2007 5:19 PM | Link to this
Well, you can throw out 2008 too. One more year of Bobbyball.
By Bobby is a Crock
September 9, 2007 5:25 PM | Link to this
Can’t you people understand? I’m saving my good players for the playoffs.
By Bob, Journalist
September 9, 2007 5:26 PM | Link to this
Esteemed Gentleman of the Savannah, I’ve been frequently bemused when folks have asked if I were … or suggested that I was/(should be) institutionalized … is that what they meant?
I would like to pay tribute to another who was very, very special to Carol and I … Luciano Pavarotti, who we last saw up close and personal in 2004 … Luciano loved life and his was a language all his own … he will be truly missed!!
Palidin, you are indeed a piece of work … for though you have publicly proclaimed your dislike for me on more than one occasion, methinks your expressions of personal concern for Carol and myself are the sincere, heartfelt expressions of an honorable man.
We both sincerely offer a special thank you and are most appreciative for four concern, kind words and prayers … God Bless!
There are so many to whom we owe such thanks … I know that I’ve tried to do that collectively, but you can take it to the bank that I ain’t through so doing on both a collective and an individual basis … each time I see your name, my feelings of gratitude surface and though I may not use the words “thank you” in my posts, the feeling will definitely be there!
Thanks!
Yes, the Braves lost today … but save your Confederate money, it’s a good team … our team … the team may well come up short in its effort to make the playoffs but those who give up in the face of long odds are the losers, not the team.
I like Lance in the rotation … Go Braves!!
Yesterday, I told Carol that I really think most folks, when their children are young, devote themselves to teaching them how to act … and then spend the rest of their lives dumbfounded and disappointed when they behave like them.
By Savannah Guy
September 9, 2007 5:29 PM | Link to this
Technical question: is the blog much slower uploading in the last week or so? Today it takes about 15-20 minutes to see a new post after refreshing. Or is the blog just overpopulated? I’ve read Paladin’s 5:11 post 5 times now waiting for a new post to read (3 times is plenty). If this keeps up, I’m going to resort to walking the dog between sessions.
In the past, even with record-setting days when we were over 1200 posts, my upload time was half of what it is now. AJC server problem? Anyone know? Carroll?
By Fart-on-cookie
September 9, 2007 5:30 PM | Link to this
Old Timer “Who are you and why are you so obscure?”
By Savannah Guy
September 9, 2007 5:40 PM | Link to this
OldTimer, your demented way of thinking and foul language will not usher you into any next generation. On the contrary, you’ll see continued personal degeneration and misery if you don’t step away from the keyboard and rethink your mindset and this audience before you make another mistake here that you will surely regret.
By KC
September 9, 2007 5:42 PM | Link to this
THIS WINTER…
Adruw’s and Wickman’s salaries will be gone, but that should even out given what we’ll be paying to Tex, and the pay raises due Smoltz and Hudson.
So with AJ and Wickman gone, if we changed little else, that would put us at about the same payroll we started the 2007 with.
However, it’s a near certainty (based on what we’ve seen and heard from new ownership so far) that the Braves will have more money to spend. We won’t know how much at least another 4-5 months… but we won’t be stuck in the low 80’s again this year.
Unless the Mets (God forbid) win the World Series… I would look for the Tom Glavine watch to start early.
Personally, I think as soon as the Mets season ends… Schuerholz will give Glavine a few weeks to unwind from the season, and then he’ll be on the phone with Glavine and Greg Clifton (his agent). JS likely will not have to wait for money to be cleared before making an offer this time.
Personally, I think center field is a lower priority than finding one more quality starter.
Hampton is planning to pitch some this winter, and if all goes well… we should be able to look forward to this rotation:
Smoltz, Hudson, Glavine, Hampton, James/Cormier
That ought to be enough to put the Braves back on top in the east… regardless of who we hire for the CF job.
By Paladin
September 9, 2007 5:43 PM | Link to this
Bobj The unfortunate choice of words, by me, were the utterings of someone who had been “bested” by the master. I didn’t mean it then, nor do I now. But, even if I had meant them, the circumstances that you and your wife faced would have warranted the support of anyone who calls himself a Christian, and a human being. My wishes and prayers were sincere and I stand behind them, proudly. God Bless.
BTW, I was the only one to pay tribute to Luciano—the voice of the ages—on the morning after his death. As I said then, thank God we have his recordings to remember him by.
By The Grinch
September 9, 2007 5:50 PM | Link to this
Wow, they’ll bleep out Van D**, but not that. Good job, tech dept.!
By Fortoon-cookie
September 9, 2007 6:09 PM | Link to this
I have been shamed, and properly so, into realizing that the previous “title” for these offerings was in poor taste. I apologize. So, I offer this to myself: “Put your brain in gear before starting your mouth, or fingers”
By Carroll Rogers
September 9, 2007 6:15 PM | Link to this
old-timer, i put a word in to zap at least one post of yours. nothing i like better than having to babysit, let me tell you.
By Paladin
September 9, 2007 6:15 PM | Link to this
Savannah Guy Are you using Mozilla firefox as your browser(?). If not, a blog of this length is totally unmanageable. I learned it the hard way.
By Coach (Free agents to keep in mind)
September 9, 2007 6:18 PM | Link to this
Tom Glavine (assuming he opts out of his contract) , Torii Hunter (speed , power , gold glove defense) and Tony Clark (back up 1st sacker , switch hitter , power off the bench). These three guys are on my radar as players who can put the Braves over the top in 2008.
By journalist jimmy smith
September 9, 2007 6:22 PM | Link to this
and t** mouse, the little songbird. can’t say t** mouse on here. jimmy smith has returned for a short blog visit. friend rocky stone posted here earlier and was immediately attacked by another blogger. hmmm…. why attack rocky stone?
envy, perhaps?
should chipper be honored with a statue of chipper’s own, this journalist hopes it will be an interactive statue.
as young fans approach, the statue can say, “uh, hi, how old are you?” and, “uh, my name is chipper jones.”
and moving toes … the statue must have moving toes. hammock bones, too. and a huntin’ gun. maybe some dead animals at the feet. and some wings.
oh, the humanity! it is good to be back!
and with journalist bob and savannah guy posting here today this journalist sends best wishes to the ladies.
and pavarotti - yes, this is sad. few know that jimmy smith was considered as one of the three tenors but lost out in the finals. that, and jimmy smith is no tenor. journalist specializes in doo-wah and other pip sounds.
and this is a tough day for atlanta sports fans. this team has flaws. many flaws. but they could be addressed and fixed. starting with the manager and the lineups prepared.
but what will be done about the pitching?
By BossLady
September 9, 2007 6:25 PM | Link to this
I just read an embarassing blog by someone I am not familiar with on here as a regular. Please remember that everyone that reads do not blog and there are women and teenagers present. We come on to read about the comments of Braves fans and get updates on news from DOB and Carroll. Mr. O’Brien has kept us informed on where the stats are valid and history so we may watch the game with some informed knowledge. He is the top of the line beat writer and referenced by SportsSouth, ESPN, TBS, Fox Sports and many many sports radio programs. His opinions are a valued source in the South. The opinions of a foul mouthed, rude and uninformed blogger is useless. Please go over to where Terence Moore is and spill your negative filth. Ya Know Birds of a Feather Thank you
By MrC
September 9, 2007 6:25 PM | Link to this
Say what you will about Bobby Cox’s managing….The back end of the rotation….the meltdown at times of the bullpen…..the single biggest cause of the Braves not making the playoffs this year is ANDRUW JONES. If he just had a below average year this team would have made the playoffs. Instead, he his having his career worst year. I suspect his dismal year cost the team at least 10 games.
By MrC
September 9, 2007 6:33 PM | Link to this
There has been much debate on the 3, 4, and 5 spot in the rotation. I offer this to put a realistic view on the expectations of the 3, 4, and 5 spot in a rotation.
If a team wins 95 games that is a .586 pct. That will almost always get you in the playoffs either as a division winner or a wildcard. The 1 and 2 spot in a rotation should win at a .650 clip. The 3 and 4 spot should win at a .500 clip. The 5 spot will almost always be sub .500. This all has to be true otherwise teams would win 110 to 120 games a year and that does not happen. Those that want a .500 win-loss pct. out of a 4 or 5 spot are asking wayyyyy too much.
By Savannah Guy
September 9, 2007 6:34 PM | Link to this
Carroll Thank you. Sorry you had to waste time with trash removal.
Paladin I’m on Safari and it’s always been really fast…until the last few days, especially today. It uploads as quickly as ever, but after it uploads there are no new posts. New posts take about 15 minutes to show up.
Thanks. I may try firefox.
By Steve
September 9, 2007 6:58 PM | Link to this
MrC,You claim that Andruw Jones is the biggest reason why the Braves won’t make the playoffs this year. No doubt about it, Andruw is having a terrible year. But ask yourself whether Bobby Cox has minimized the damage that Andruw Jones has done to the Braves chances, or whether Cox has magnified the damage Jones has done.
A manager with any brains would have quickly realized batting Jones in the cleanup spot for so long was to the great detriment of the team. Yet Cox kept Jones in such spot, with the resultant damage.
A more sensible manager would have dropped Andruw down to the 8th spot, and made him earn the chance to be moved higher in the order. And a more astute manager would have probably figured that when a sinker ball pitcher such as Hudson was pitching, that Andruw’s great defense in center field was less needed, and thus would have used many of these such opportunities to get Diaz in the lineup, and moved Harris to center for some of these such occasions during the time when Harris was hitting well.
I suspect that if there were actual consequences to Andruw that were being enforced by Cox, that Andruw would have made more of an effort to correct his approach to hitting. But Cox just kept penciling him in, and then would not pinch-hit for him late in games during critical situations when it was apparent that there were few hitters the opposition would have preferred seeing bat in such situations than Andruw Jones.
By Savannah Guy
September 9, 2007 7:01 PM | Link to this
Thank you kindly for the good wishes, esteemed Journalist Jimmy Smith (can use initial caps?). Rocky Stone is a fine gentleman. I met him earlier as he was passing through. Such a perfect name conjured up many questions by this blogger. Tell him to visit us again. Quite clever he was but alas, never answered my respectful questions about his name. Never got around to finding out the more pertinent information so typical of many Savannians and coastal inhabitants, which would have been more along the order of: So, Rocky…what’s your drink?
As I was catching up on weeks of the blog, I was dismayed to find that you took leave some time ago…but am so pleased to have you back. Hope you stick around as the season winds down. We’ll need the levity and unique insight that you bring.
Wonder if Cedar Waxwing can be said on the blog? Painted Bunting? Bench Orr bunting? Oh, the horrors!
By Coach (Free agents to keep in mind)
September 9, 2007 7:14 PM | Link to this
Is Cox to blame ? Here is my answer. The Yankees Andy Pettitte , Chien-Ming Wang and Roger Clemens are a combined 37-20 with an ERA of 3.87 , the other ten starters (the Yankees have used 13 total) are a combined 20-26 with an ERA of 5.85. The Braves Smoltz , Hudson and James are 38-24 with an ERA of 3.52 , the other six starters are 14-27 with an ERA of 6.36. The braves have 34 saves , the Yankees just 25. The Yankees are 81-62 and about to win the wild card under Joe Torre. The Braves are 73-70 under Bobby Cox and will miss the playoff’s for the second year in a row. The Yankees are just eight games better over the same 143 played. Do you think Cox/Torre has something to do with this result ? I do.
By The March Hare
September 9, 2007 7:24 PM | Link to this
“But, I don’t want to go among mad people,” Alice remarked.
Oh, you can’t help that, said Braveheart. Were all mad here. I’m mad. You’re mad”
How do you know I’m mad? said Alice.
You must be, said Braveheart, “or you wouldn’t have come here.”
With apologies to “Lewis Carroll”
By joebrave
September 9, 2007 7:28 PM | Link to this
Savannah Guy,Bob Journalist,JJS,Paladin,Carolina Lady,and all of Joebrave’s acquaintances,I have every Faith,and hope in prayer that your loved one’s will be Just fine!!! Now on to our Bravos,since we Have a long off season,of opining,and whining,It’should be a breath of fresh air,to seeA New CF,and a couple more starters. Really Batting AJ in the four hole most of the year was an achilles heel,the ineptitude of our esteemed GM,to acquire some fire for the rotation,and the loss of a couple key arms,did our beloved Bravos in!!!!
By NO CHOP ZONE
September 9, 2007 7:38 PM | Link to this
What’s the Mets magic number?
By joebrave
September 9, 2007 7:38 PM | Link to this
There once was a team down in Georgia, That had Andruw Jones,in the heart of the order,
while Bobby would,guise and to his demise, His fuse for the umps grew shorter.
Now homeboy upstairs,would watch in despair, As the New owners sent down new orders.
Trade half this team,and Get us a star,from down close to the Mexican Border.
Now Bobby,had glee,as did the city, As Texiera became tops on the Menu Order…. No playoffs again,what an awful vex. anoff season to ponder,WHAT”s Next!!!
By Paladin
September 9, 2007 7:43 PM | Link to this
joebrave I love ya guy, but you are a horrible poet. :>)
By Rocky Stone
September 9, 2007 7:45 PM | Link to this
It was F. Scott Fitzgerald who wrote, “Show me a hero and I will write you a tragedy.” Well, someone should show him Andruw Jones, late hero. Surely, Andruw’s year has been tragic for Andruw and for this team. The blogger is right - Bobby allowed Andruw to fail again and again to the detriment of this team and the season.
By Paladin
September 9, 2007 7:54 PM | Link to this
I’m going to bed and take my “friends” with me. Hopefully, tomorrow DOB will either give us a new blog or new computers. Be nice to each other. Nite.
By Paladin
September 9, 2007 8:00 PM | Link to this
Sorry, Rocky Stone, I saw your post as I was shutting down. As Hemingway might have said: “Show me a tragedy and I’ll write you a hero.” Nite.
By Bob, Journalist
September 9, 2007 8:59 PM | Link to this
How wonderfully delightful to see the prose of the dean of humor and wit … Sir James Smith of Cordele, Uganda. Rocky Stone, American League, right?
Speaking of American, did you see NBC’s latest pole?
I understand that they had the highest number of responses that they have ever had for one of their poles, with these results:
Eighty six percent (86%) voted to keep the words, In God We Trust on our currency with fourteen percent (14%) dissenting … 86% of Americans believe in God … not a bad report card! If memory serves, the 86% is up slightly, compared to similar poles from from previous years.
While not directly related, it does trigger the begged question as to why political correctness always seems to be closely aligned with the tail that wags the dog.
Goodnight Miss Allen
By Savannah Guy
September 9, 2007 9:04 PM | Link to this
Let me see now…it’s 9:00 and I just refreshed and returned for a quick look. The last post here is Paladin at 8:00. His post immediately before that at 7:54 said he was going to bed and taking all of his “friends” with him. Was Paladin everybody on the blog tonight? Or is this the twilight zone? Or that blog server again. Oh well.
Somebody will probably wander in later. Turn the lights out when you leave. G’nite.
By Savannah Guy
September 9, 2007 9:13 PM | Link to this
Bob, Journalist Just as I posted my last, there you are. Really good seeing you here today friend. Goodnight Bob and Carol, good night fair Lady from Carolina, Miss Allen, goodnight Gracie, goodnight John Boy and a good night to all. Hugs to Carol.
By Metropolitan Man
September 9, 2007 9:53 PM | Link to this
Are there any braves fans excited about the upcoming series or have you guys mailed it in? Just trying to figure out which braves week this is: We still have a chance braves or, pack it up and play the youngsters.
Anybody know any “MAGIC”???
By MrC
September 9, 2007 10:05 PM | Link to this
Steve, Coach & others I believe that there is a reasonable expectation that players will perform at or near the levels of previous years. That obviously has not happened in Andruw Jones’ case. Your argument is that Bobby Cox should have reacted sooner in moving him down or out of the lineup. It is easy to say that in hindsight. Sometimes work them selves out of slumps and sometimes they don’t. Bobby is only working with the cards he is dealt. Until Mark T. came along there was no absolute good option to bat cleanup on a day-to-day basis.
In closing, on this blog the manager gets too much blame for the bad and the players get all the credit for the good. There seems to be an imbalance and those against Bobby never want to acknowledge that. Probably just the nature of the business. The players get paid a whole lot more than Bobby to perform and they have the blame batting 4th or 8th.
By Metropolitan Man
September 9, 2007 10:07 PM | Link to this
“CRICKET, CRICKET, CRICKET, CRICKET, CRICKET, CRICKET”!!!!
By Robert
September 9, 2007 10:10 PM | Link to this
Here’s Cox discussing the upcoming series against the Mets
“No scientific plan,” Cox said.
Three games that are basically must-wins.
And we dont have a plan
I give you the Mismanager of the Millenium
By Robert
September 9, 2007 10:14 PM | Link to this
Here’s Donk’s thoughts on the upcoming series against the Mets
“No scientific plan,” Cox said.
Last gasp if we are gonna have any chance at the postseason, and there’s no plan
Ladies and gentlemen, I give you, the Mismanager of the Millenium
By BossLady
September 9, 2007 10:18 PM | Link to this
Okay! Okay!Okay!
By Robert
September 9, 2007 10:20 PM | Link to this
“Do you think Cox/Torre has something to do with this result ? I do.”
There’s another historical Cox/Torre side-by-side that adds credence to your theory
The 1981 Braves, managed by Donk, finished 50-56
The 1982 Braves, essentially the same team, only this time managed by a human being with a functioning brain (Joe Torre), finished 89-73, or 11 games ahead of the 81 Braves
Bobby Cox is to Joe Torre as Bozo the Clown is to Albert Einstein
By Lew
September 9, 2007 10:22 PM | Link to this
Magic? Someone asks if there is magic on the BBQ Blog? There’s plenty of magic around here. Journalist Bob has returned as has Savannah Guy, whose wife is not hospitalized. Journalist Jimmy in his Esteemedness is also returned. Carolina Lady is still going strong. We’ve had guest posts from the March Hare, too. Calloo Callay-that’s all the magic we need here, don’t you think, Beemish Boy?
By BossLady
September 9, 2007 10:22 PM | Link to this
I was taught back in the days that do not put anything in writing. Some of my fellow bloggers write things that for the love of Pete (whoever he is) should never have been put in writing. GO BRAVES!!!
By Robert
September 9, 2007 10:32 PM | Link to this
“Bobby at least used to know what he was doing”
The only time Cox has ever known what he was doing is when he unfurls the index digit of his right front hoof and jams it up his left nostril
“How many times have we seen guys like James & Cormier get to a certain spot in the game, usually around the 6th inning, and all of a sudden completely lose it. You know it’s coming, but is Chance the Manager ever prepared? “
I remember this happening repeatedly with Steve Avery in the early 90’s. You gotta acknowledge that Donk is consistant(ly stupid)
By BossLady
September 9, 2007 10:33 PM | Link to this
By BossLady (Triplicate)
September 6, 2007 4:38 PM | Link to this
By BossLady (Duplicate)
September 6, 2007 10:21 AM | Link to this
DOB and fellow bloggers this blog’s about music and an upcoming concert. September 29th at the Mable House Ampitheatre, $10 only, gates open at 10:30 am. 12-7 PM Featured, Courtesy Murder, Ann August, Thee Crucials, LD and the Blind Dates, Barry Richman Band. It will be hosted by Captain Herb Emory. Actually, if all can just make a day of this with your friends and/or family any support will be appreciated.
By Metropolitan Man
September 9, 2007 10:38 PM | Link to this
Come on LEW, was that the best response you could muster. Your comebacks are usually worth reading twice, but now your just reaching. Is this your way of redirecting my attention from this BASEBALL blog??? Come on, you should be hype, we have a METS braves series coming up. Where has all the hype and fanfare gone???? Where is the new blog stating this is the make or break series. Your own beat writers have given up, maybe you should too LEW!!!!
By Robert
September 9, 2007 10:38 PM | Link to this
“Say what you will about Bobby Cox’s managing ……the single biggest cause of the Braves not making the playoffs this year is ANDRUW JONES”
Here’s what I’ll say about Bobby Cox’s managing. It was Bobby Cox’s managing that allowed Andruw Jones to hurt the Braves so much and so frequantly
And that about says it all
By Robert
September 9, 2007 10:45 PM | Link to this
“Bobby is only working with the cards he is dealt.”
No. What Bobby does is turn over his cards and then make the same bets every time, no matter what his cards are or what the other guys do
He expects his cards to go out there and win the pot as long as he cheers hard for them. He doesnt fold them because that would be disloyal to them
By Rocky Stone
September 9, 2007 10:49 PM | Link to this
Some posts should not be put in writing - but some should be etched in stone. These posts are timeless and are worthy of Wurlitzer consideration.
Stone Mountain is the world’s largest exposed granite monolith. Carved into the side of Stone Mountain are the famous WBTS Generals (and President) Lee, Jackson, and Jeff Davis. Famous athletes descended from these luminaries are Carlos Lee, Bo Jackson, and Kyle Davies (spelling changed over time). These useful facts are offered for bloggers’ edification.
Journalist Bob, it is most rewarding to find your posts here again. Tell Carol that Rocky Stone says, “Hey!”
And that nice LeTwan had a post deleted the other night. Somebody is not getting a pie this season. Could have been an ice-box pie. Something easy to chew.
By Metropolitan Man
September 9, 2007 10:51 PM | Link to this
Oh yeah LEW, not sure where you were going with it but “Beemish” isnt a word. You had me stumped for a good while trying to figure out what you called me then I realized you must have used all of your offensive words on my fellow METS fan No Chop Zone and have nothing left for Metropolitan Man!!!
Grinch: Whenever you see this know that there is nothing left to do but be a winner or a loser after the series and you know what I mean!!!!
By Drummerdad
September 9, 2007 10:57 PM | Link to this
This is as close as I can get to Dennis Miller’s gushing humor by analogy but it seemed to fit in my mind so here it goes.
I remember a Far Side calendar funny that showed Ronnie’s last day as sound man for the band. That was caption and the picture showed him preparing to push the “suck” button when the guys were playing.
For the life of man I wish somebody on this team could get to these 3,4 & 5 starters before they make the mad rush to push the “suck” button around the 6th inning. And I really hope they don’t use Edgar Renteria as trade bait after the season. They need to keep him and perhaps develop Escobar as either Edgar’s or Chipper’s replacement. Possibly they make headway with Willie Aybar as being a good utility man and just sign a quality starter. My heart and head ain’t up for putting much hope in Mike Hampton.
How did I know Andruw would hit into that DP with a runner in scoring position today?
The Tony Gwynn story about Ted Williams and Vince Lombardi was priceless.
By Steve
September 9, 2007 10:59 PM | Link to this
MrC, you basically said that it’s easy with hindsight to say that Cox should have acted sooner in moving Andruw out of the # 4 spot.
I totally disagree that any hindsight is needed. It was beyond obvious months ago that Andruw should not be batting 4th. And what’s really scary is that Bobby Cox would possibly still be batting Andruw in the 4th spot if not for the acquisition of Tex.
It’s also been beyond obvious for a long time that Harris should not ever be batting in the leadoff spot and that Diaz should have been given the chance to play every day.
I’ve basically said this in a past post, but Cox’s stupidity this year has been of near historic proportions. But he’s treated as a sacred cow that can’t be touched. And that basically allows him to get away with strategic/tactical managing for a prolonged period of time that is so mind-bogglingly dumb imo, that any other manager in a normal situation who attempted it would have been out of a job long ago.
But no matter how dumb, Cox continues along apparently having to answer to nobody, which is what has allowed his dumb decision making to approach historical proportions.
By BossLady
September 9, 2007 11:01 PM | Link to this
Bob Journalist Only, I never respond to anyone personally. I was inspired by your earlier post so please indulge, thanks.
So, 86% of people believe in God. That’s surprising since as we see not many have morals, decency, hope for humanity/life, or happiness. Nor do they have the faith that is required to live a truly spiritual lifestyle. Today, we had a tremendous church service. Most of the people acknowledged that they admit no control/position in their lives. It is a one person belief which is another person’s hope and positive way of life. I have spent my life believing there is a God and I don’t know what other than GOD saved a wretch like me and allowed me to succeed. All the hope and all the prayers I sent up had to be answered for my life, my health and my strength. I don’t want much more than that.
By Efrim
September 9, 2007 11:11 PM | Link to this
KC
I know you are an optimist and all, but your statement earlier about Tom Glavine and Mike Hampton making this team a division winner just doesn’t make sense.
First, what are you expecting from a man who hasn’t pitched since 2005??? I mean, we knock the Mets fans for screaming about Pedro, yet we are going to sit here and discuss Mike Hampton making significant contributions to this team in 2008??? The Braves shouldn’t bank on Hampton for anything more than 140 innings in 08. 5th starter. Anything you get from the guy should be considered a plus.
Second, I know Tom Glavine is having a pretty solid year, but he just isn’t that good anymore. He will also be one year older, and if you haven’t noticed, Smoltz(shoulder/age), Chuck(Shoulder) and Hampton(elbow/hasn’t pitched since 2005) aren’t pitchers that are guarenteed to give you 200 innings. James won’t be able too because he does not have the ability to put hitters away, Smoltz because he is 40 and who knows how his shoulder will hold up, and Hampton because he hasn’t pitched meaningful baseball in three years.
I understand you want Glavine back, and that would be an easy pickup, but to say we should be division winners if we make those moves is wrong.
After this season’s debacle, there really shouldn’t be any Braves fans that predict us winning the NL East in 2008. You have to take the wait and see approach because we are witnessing a talented bunch underacheive right now in 2007.
The Phillies are losing close to 25 million off the books with Freddy Garcia, Jon Lieber and Aaron Rowand leaving via free agency. They could very well move Brett Myers back into the rotation and sign Fransisco Cordero to a contract this winter. That would make them, on paper, a better team than us.
The Mets will have a healthy Pedro back, Maine, El Duque, and Oliver Perez back. They have more pieces to acquire a starting pitcher with(Lastings Milledge, Carlos Gomez, Fernando Martinez). They still have a solid offense and a good bullpen as well.
I think we might see the Braves try to sign Mike Cameron to a 2 year deal worth 16 million. Hopefully that would be enough. The reason I say they make that signing is because they will look to trade Edgar this offseason for a starting pitcher such as Noah Lowry. Not saying Lowry is the guy I want, because it isn’t, but he is cheap and decent. I wouldn’t trade Edgar anyways. He is too important to this team. He is the consistent offensive force, along with Chipper. But I understand that he is our only trading chip and we need to upgrade the starting pitching if weare too win anything in 2008.
By Broski
September 9, 2007 11:23 PM | Link to this
Reading this pages,as a Met fan, You Braves fans dont’t have any idea about Mets not Muts, what is going on in penant race /Braves are 8 1/2 behind/,and can’t swalow that fat years are gone. Braves are just middle of the pack team, and that is going to be for years to come. See You all in 80’s. Same with your Football Great Falcons.
By Francois
September 9, 2007 11:28 PM | Link to this
I reside in France and listen the Braves on Internet when I am able to do so. I have heard the announcer talk if Frenchy. Can you tell me who is Frenchy and what is he playing an America game? I enjoy this blog and very much like the post sometimes en Francais. Go Braves!
By Braveheart
September 9, 2007 11:29 PM | Link to this
Falcons suck, Dawgs suck, Braves suck. The last 24 hours left a very bitter taste in my mouth. BUT…. I did go out to the movie theater after the Falcons/Braves disasters and check out 3:10 to Yuma. Very good movie. Russell Crowe and Christian Bale are really good in it. Heard Larry Munson talking about it all week with his little movie group radio spot thing so I decided to check it out. Very happy I did. I think most here would really like that movie. Nice to see a good western. Not many have been good since Unforgiven. Not many have been made period. Check that movie out to get over the blues about our miserable baseball and football fortunes. That movie will definitely be added to my DVD collection when it comes out on DVD in a few months.
By MrC
September 9, 2007 11:56 PM | Link to this
I don’t disagree that Andruw should not have been batting forth and should have been moved earlier.
I don’t disagree that Willie should not be batting lead off and Diaz should get a chance to play every day.
I don’t disagree that this is a poor season of managing by Bobby Cox compared to previous seasons.
I don’t disagree that a new manager is warranted.
Where I do disagree…..Players are paid to perform and fans have a reasonable expectation and hope that they will. This is regardless of where they are in the line up or any where on the field. They are professionals and they deserve the lions share of the blame for not performing regardless of the situation.
To much on this blog is made of the impact a manager has. It is the players that are the performers. The manager is the easy target to be the scape goat (not a donkey).
The manager does not throw a pitch, field a ball, or swing a bat.
And that about says it all.
By Chop Chop
September 10, 2007 12:15 AM | Link to this
Well, this was a productive weekend: a Dawgs loss, a Falcons loss, and a Braves loss.
Bring on the Hawks! On second thought, bring on the Thrashers! Yeah, that’s the ticket.
By fastasballs
September 10, 2007 12:58 AM | Link to this
I’ll say this there are some damn strange people that are LSU fans. After having countless numbers of their fans seemingly pop out of every crevice, motorhome & bush to scream “Tiger Bait” at me & my friends, the majority of the taunters insisted we consume their beer & food.
I’ll say that is the loudest stadium I have ever been to by far. Fed Ex in DC was close the night VT & USC played a few years ago, but it didn’t last all game like it did in Baton Rouge.
I swear they were smuggling kegs into the stadium. That is the biggest bunch of drinkers I have ever encountered, even the women put it away like water. I had a blast, well except for the game, it was over after the first drive.
On to the Braves, I did catch today’s game on tape. A sweep today would have made taking 2/3 from the Muts a success, but with losing today’s game now almost certainly requires a sweep in the toliet bowl they call Shea Stadium.
What’s with Carlyle starting on Tuesday? Is Cox waving the white flag or does he think this is spring training? Jo Jo at least has talent & some stuff, good for three or four innings at least. I had to chuckle about Cox not having a plan for the series. Hell, we all knew that. I think Robert is right, the less Cox thinks the better the team is.
Diaz is batting .860 or so with runners on 3rd with less than 2 out. You know maybe Diaz would have failed (probably not) just as bad as Willie trying to get the guys in, but even if he did, on paper & to the rest of the team he IS the best option based on past results, not loyalty. Cox would at least seem to be TRYING to field the best line up to make the play offs if Diaz was given the chance even if he failed.
I’m lost as to why you give the guy in the biggest slump on the team the most AB’s in the game?
Oh well I’ll hang in with them until the bitter end & then we can start discussing next year. It’s just getting frustrating knowing the team has to not only beat the Muts & Phils (2008), but overcome horrible strategic & personnel decisions by their manager on a nightly basis.
By gpburdell
September 10, 2007 1:00 AM | Link to this
Was there any reasonable explanation as to why Cormier was left in to pitch to Ryan Church? Cormier is obviously less effective against left-handed batters so why not use the expanded roster and bring in Royce Ring or Ron Mahay? At least Tech is off to a good start.
By Lew
September 10, 2007 1:21 AM | Link to this
MetroDude-What the hell are you even talking about? My post was a way of welcoming old friends back to the blog who have recently undergone family crises and didn’t have a damn thing to do with you or the Mets-Or the Braves either, for that matter.
Calloo Callay, Beemish Boy is from Jaberwocky by Lewis Carroll. You know-Vorpal Swords and whatnot-Magic, perhaps? Kind of in reference to The March Hare’s posts quoting Lewis Carroll earlier today. I guess it stands to reason that Mets fans have so little class and sophistication, that they just haven’t been exposed to Classic literature-not to mention thinking the world not only revolves around them, but cares if the Mets are in first place or not-much less who they will be playing tomorrow night. You really need to get over yourselves.
By Foghorn Leghorn, journalist
September 10, 2007 1:22 AM | Link to this
I do declare! It is a pure delight - an unmitigated pleasure - to read myself on this esteemd blog. I have a plethora of thoughts about sundry topics from the Braves to whipped cream to radio programs of the 1940’s to men’s suits and how come they are not made of tweed anymore. And dominoes. Does anyone play dominoes anymore? But I digress. I have not read all my recent postings so I am not sure what I have said so far - you know that I am loath to repeat myself unless I have something important to say and in my own mind I usually do dear friends, I truly do methinks. And I wish to wallow in the words of the manifold journalists who gift us with their precious words - the fruits of their semantic labors on this glorious blog. I am reminded of Marcus Tullius Cicero and how Diodotus the Stoic became Cicero’s protégé and lived in his house until his death. The many journalist bloggers here are indeed my protégés and may live in this virtual house with me always. But I digress. It’s just that so many thoughts are spinning through my brain right now. But as they say in Hungary: A messziről jött ember azt mond amit akar which means, methinks, the man who comes from afar says what he will. And I am that man. And I will say what I will - mark my words. For I am a wordsmith of the highest verifiable order and my words are fashioned for you all dear friends. My wit has been scrutinized by many esteemed readers and has withstood the test of turbulent time. And as much as the economy of Luxembourg is dependent on the banking and steel sectors this blog is dependent on our thanking each other profusely for the kind words to one another and our keen observations about many things from baseball to broadway and wasn’t Hello Dolly a fine musical indeed - possibly the finest that I have ever had the pleasure of witnessing. And I am overcome as I recall the many fond moment I have spent reading the master himself: P. G. Wodehouse, yes, Sir Pelham Grenville Wodehouse also a wordsmith of the first order. But I digress. For in the heart of your mind’s eye you will find the words that I am trying to express if only you listen now and then. Hark and you will hear dear friends and frenemies. A word is dead when it is said, some say. I say it just begins to live that day. Emily Dickinson saith that, methinks, as well as: If I feel physically as if the top of my head were taken off, I know that is poetry. For I am a stranger in the valley of kings, methinks. But I digress.
i
By Bob, Journalist
September 10, 2007 2:40 AM | Link to this
BossLady, thanks for sharing … it means a lot to me … what a wonderful read with which to end my day!
I don’t know about the percentage really believing in God and one’s beliefs are indeed personal … but in today’s environment, the evidence certainly doesn’t seem to support the notion that a majority of those who “talk the talk” are “walking the walk”!
Such things are hard to put into proper perspective but methinks your post is dead center on spot and contains valuable insights and good food for thought … there are some layers to that onion but it’s there to be had.
I have no answers but while many folks do seem to consider themselves self sufficient, out for themselves and unconcerned with anything beyond that which they themselves can comprehend, control and achieve … I think that may be a natural consequence of just trying to survive in a highly complex, fast paced world … and methinks it more likely reflects apathy rather than any kind of real disbelief.
It may be hard to believe but I sense evidence that there is also a strong, growing contingent of good, genuine folks like yourself who do “walk the walk” … most of whom don’t loudly “talk the talk” … and the recent problems with which Carol and I now find ourselves faced have increased our awareness of that fact.
Methinks it’s truly amazing that those things that are beyond our comprehension are the very things that lead us to our conclusions with regard to the existence and relevance of God … the better question, for those who don’t believe in both, might well be … “In what do you believe?”
By Serbok
September 10, 2007 3:04 AM | Link to this
BOBJ Good to have you back my friend~ God is a concept, by which we measure our pain
By jay
September 10, 2007 3:13 AM | Link to this
Glavine will not be a Brave in ‘08. He has a player option that vests when he pitches 160 innings in 2007.
He’s already at 189 innings. The option has become a guaranteed 9 mil base salary with incentives that could make the contract worth 13 million.
The Braves are going to pitch prospects not spend money in Glavine
By Bob, Journalist
September 10, 2007 3:50 AM | Link to this
Serbok,
Thanks, it’s good to be able to surround one’s self with friends at any time … but especially during hectic and difficult times such these … and especially with special ones like those found in these environs.
“God is a concept, by which we measure our pain” is a bit too deep for me at the moment but I’ll seek his guidance and contemplate it while I enjoy a long anticipated hot tub!
That in which we believe uniquely defines us and while it’s all overwhelming and beyond my comprehension, I do believe in God without reservation … imagine that … firmly believing in something that is beyond your comprehension … accepting something as fact that cannot, in the usual sense, be proven … I can’t explain it, but I do!
I think we should all spend more time asking ourselves who we are … but easy questions such as that aren’t always easy to answer.
Take care, mon ami!
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
September 10, 2007 5:51 AM | Link to this
Jay , you have no idea what Glavine will do. It’s his option(he can opt out of the contract and become a free agent or exercise the 2008 option and stay in NY) , not the Mets. He might even retire (unlikely)if the Mets win it all this season. He and his family still live in and call Atlanta home. The Braves have millions extra to spend and they will use it on pitching.
By David O'Brien
September 10, 2007 7:32 AM | Link to this
Big shocker: My 7:45 a.m. flight to LaGuardia is delayed by an hour. “Air traffic and weather” is the official reason(s). Kinda like, “Hey, just pick whichever excuse you want to use; we’re leaving late.”…
Gonna agree with Coach on the Glavine situation. So many people seem to think they know where he’ll pitch next season, and in reality no one does except possibly him. If Braves — that’s a big “if” because I haven’t heard anything about it yet — make him an offer, I’m sure he’d listen. But again, I have no idea if they have any interest. And we won’t know until after the postseason whether he’ll even pitch next season, I’d imagine. Because if the Mets go to the World Series, he could well retire. Just too soon to know.
By David O'Brien
September 10, 2007 7:39 AM | Link to this
Just looking into numbers of tomorrow’s Carlyle vs. El Duque matchup. Ain’t pretty, folks, as you can imagine.
Orlando Hernandez: 5-0 with a 3.45 ERA in his past 10 starts.
By David O'Brien
September 10, 2007 7:42 AM | Link to this
Also: Hernandez is 4-0 with a 1.67 ERA in his past eight HOME starts.
And 3-0 with a 1.36 ERA in his past five starts vs the Braves.
Good thing Buddy’s been lights-out lately (he says, with dripping sarcasm).
By Paladin
September 10, 2007 8:13 AM | Link to this
Foghorn Leghorn I think you gave away your identity, this time. You stayed “on” too long. A very educated, but demented, person who knows at least a smattering of German; who has a “hard on” for journalists(and baseball managers); and who dwells, primarily, in the twilight zone. I have my “ideas” anyway.
By Anders
September 10, 2007 8:24 AM | Link to this
DOB Hey who knows what will happen versus El Duque - The Mets threw the struggling John Maine, the 0-7 Pelfrey and the over matched Glavine at the Braves last series and look how that worked out. Welcome back to Big Shea - after a stretch of spectacular weather you get to come to beautiful Flushing for the first rain we’ve had in weeks. Might I recommend breakfast at the “Jackson Hole” diner just west of La Guardia airport for the full Goodfellas experience?
My biggest concern now, thanks for asking, is the Mets having to face Bob Wickman in the playoffs (He says, with dripping sarcasm).
By Paladin
September 10, 2007 8:24 AM | Link to this
Denizens I think we are going to have to come up with a night watchman system to keep the “undesirables” from having a free run while we sleep. Although Lew did a good job before he, too, was mesmerized by the wiles of lady sleep. Let me know if I am needed. I stood many a “graveyard shift” when I was a junior officer.
By Mad Hatter
September 10, 2007 8:45 AM | Link to this
Robert Colorless green ideas sleep furiously.
By Foretoon-cookie
September 10, 2007 8:48 AM | Link to this
Anders “No one can be as agreeable as an uninvited guest”.
By Shaun
September 10, 2007 8:58 AM | Link to this
Haven’t been at a computer this weekend. Let me address some of the folks who addressed me.
Shaun, I have been wondering this for a while. How on the one hand can you always say strikeouts by hitters are nothing to fret over too much but then on the other hand always find it so critical to evaluate pitchers by their K/9 ratio? You always cite both and it seems pretty inconsistent.
Well, outs are pretty common in baseball, as you know. So hitters are going to make outs often—the best ones are going to make an out 60 percent of the time or more. As long as a hitter is getting on base in about 35-40 percent of his plate appearances, he can still be productive no matter how he makes outs.
With pitcher K rate is more an ability indicator than Ks actually being more important than other outs. A pitcher has to get strikeouts (generally) because if he gives up too much contact, eventually those balls in play are going to find holes (see Dan Kolb and Mark Fydrich). Goes back to the idea that a pitcher generally doesn’t have much control over whether a ball in play is going to find a glove or a hole. Of course there are some exceptions—extreme sinker ballers or knuckle ballers or maybe some lefties—some of these type pitchers can maybe last in the big leagues without missing bats.
By The Grinch
September 10, 2007 9:04 AM | Link to this
Morning, all. Carlyle and Willie starting Tuesday is just a joke, right? Right? Oh, my. Chipper need a day off? How ‘bout McCann? Maybe he could start Woodward and Corky, too. Well, sometimes they break out and score 14 runs. Hate to have to look at it that way, but sometimes that’s all you’re left with.
Looks like the rapture occured last night and I missed it. Maybe next time.
Yes, Metroman, I’m painfully aware of what it’s come down to. Maybe that’s how we could solve our lineup problems; make Bobby have money riding on whether they win or lose like I do. That’s gotta be part of the problem; he could (and probably would if they were on the roster) start Jack Black leading off and playing center, and Oprah batting cleanup; he’d get the same free pass and fat paycheck if he did that or didn’t field anyone at all. “Brilliant!” “He’s way ahead of his time,” would rave the press. “They can’t hit a pitch thrown by no-one; there’s no mathematical way the team can lose!” I bet if a few bucks from the oat fund were on the line we’d magically see Diaz and Reyes.
Now, on to brighter things! Umm…Falcons…umm…Dawgs…oh, to %#$@ with it. It’s going to be one of those days.
Go Braves!
By Overlord
September 10, 2007 9:06 AM | Link to this
As far as i know wickman will not be able to pitch in the postseason.
By Overlord
September 10, 2007 9:19 AM | Link to this
could anyone tell me please why cant i post a link…… is must be missing something.
[text]
(text)
need some help here
italic
By Overlord
September 10, 2007 9:21 AM | Link to this
Predictions to this series………¿¿??
win 2 out of 3???
By Overlord
September 10, 2007 9:27 AM | Link to this
[http://www.helpmewiththis.com]
By Paladin
September 10, 2007 9:29 AM | Link to this
I’m going to say this about football and then, remembering that it is a baseball blog, shut up.
Terence Moore and the AJC are back from their blame-it-on-Vick(Right on!!) to blame-the-loss-on-the-absence-of-Dogkiller. I don’t think the presence of MV aka DK would have made much difference. I can’t think of one QB in the NFL that could have thrown, effectively, with the “protection” that Harrington had. Let’s forget MV and get on with it. With respects to Jerry Reid: “We got a long way to go, and a short time to get there”.
By Anders
September 10, 2007 9:30 AM | Link to this
Overlord I was just having some fun with the Wickman comment. I will say after the Braves won the first two against the Nats over the weekend I did consider how ironic it would be if the Braves crawled all the way back into the Wild Card just to be sitting in their clubhouse after their game in Houston on 9/30 and watch Wickman blow a save against the Rockies to give the Rockies the WC spot over the Braves. Ouch!
By Alice
September 10, 2007 9:30 AM | Link to this
I must admit. I, Alice, did indeed frequent Wonderland with one, John Holmes. Don’t ask me why I was with him. Perhaps you are familiar with our work. But as for all that Wonderland nastiness, we had nothing to do with it…. despite what his ex-wife said…
By Shaun
September 10, 2007 9:31 AM | Link to this
Shaun, what the hell are you talking about? Hunter has been good every year he has played. Granted, he is having his best season this season, but its not as if Hunter was some AAA scrub that has had a “lucky” year. While Andruw may be the best defensive CF, Hunter isn’t far behind. I would take Hunter at $15 mil a year for the next five years over Andruw at $18 mil for the next five years OR Cameron at all.
Who said Hunter was a scrub? I just said Andruw’s been better throughout his career except this season plus Andruw is younger. And I would say Cameron at $7 million a year or under for a couple of seasons would be better than either Andruw or Hunter at $15-18 million a year for at least five or six seasons.
[Cameron’s] .341 OBP really thrill you that much?
Well, yeah, that plus his decent power and defense and his relatively low price tag and the low number of years he’d likely ask for.
Where I disagree with you is when you think, somehow, that a guy with high strikeouts is ok to add to this lineup.
Have you looked at the top run-scoring teams in baseball and where they rank in strikeouts…in any season? Three of the four teams with over 1000 strikeouts rank in the top seven in runs in the NL. Three more in the top seven have over 960. The only teams with under 850 strikeouts are in the bottom seven in runs scored.
\\\BERIGAN//////////, your numbers would be nice if players only came up with runners on or RISP. Or if batting average was the only important stat in terms of creating runs. Then maybe I’d think Hunter was much better than any center fielder out there. I guess it doesn’t matter that Andruw has been pitched around and drawn more walks over the course of their careers than Hunter in the situations you brought up. I guess we shouldn’t take that into account at all. That’s what you are saying when you only look at batting average in those situations.
By Efrim
September 10, 2007 9:33 AM | Link to this
Overlord
We are 5 back in the loss for the WC with 5 teams in front of us. We need to win 15 of our last 19 games of the season to make the playoffs. We haven’t swept a team sincewe played Pittsburgh, which was the last time any Braves fan felt really good about this team.
No predictions needed bro. Win every game they play for the remainder of the season. Every loss will hurt at this point.
By NO CHOP ZONE
September 10, 2007 9:36 AM | Link to this
Having the Mets and World Series in the same post have become more common on the blog recently. It’s nice to see some of you have finally come to your senses. I guess it’s quite obviouse last year was not a fluke as many of you thought. And yes, it looks like another 3rd place finish for the braves.
By Paladin
September 10, 2007 9:36 AM | Link to this
Overlord Son, I love your optimism but if the Braves do win 2 of 3 in Shea, I don’t think it will make the difference of a popcorn-poot in a hurricane. Sometime in October, you will be sitting in an empty “Ted” hollering GO BRAVES!!. Wear your coat.
By Paladin
September 10, 2007 9:38 AM | Link to this
Overlord Son, I love your optimism but if the Braves do win 2 of 3 in Shea, I don’t think it will make the difference of a popcorn-poot in a hurricane. Sometime in October, you will be sitting in an empty “Ted” hollering GO BRAVES!!. Wear your coat.
By Paladin
September 10, 2007 9:44 AM | Link to this
I did not hit the button twice. That double-dribble is on the AJC, not me.
By Braveheart
September 10, 2007 9:46 AM | Link to this
Let’s forget MV and get on with it.
Sorry Paladin. We gotta get on with it but I’m not gonna forget him. 38-28-1 with him starting since he was drafted. 9-21 when he does not start, including 3-13 since 2002. Not gonna forget the fella. Not at all. He may be a despicable demented degenerate but this franchise with an all time winning percentage of 40% can not just easily move on and forget him. Sorry. I will say this though at least Harrington showed he cared, cursing and screaming. I liked that. Vick would just sit there on the bench lounging, playing Joe Cool, acting like he was too cool for school and then would go giggling off the field after another ugly loss with Ed Reed and Ray Lewis. I won’t miss that garbage but I will miss the way he played and the difference in wins he brought to the franchise.
By Overlord
September 10, 2007 10:06 AM | Link to this
paladin & efrim thanks for your posts.
I guess the translation is that there is a better chance someone finds noahs ark than the braves making the playoff.
Could someone help me with the LINK stuff. i cant post a text to appear as a link.
By KC
September 10, 2007 10:11 AM | Link to this
Efrim: I’ll agree with you on one thing…
You’re right, even if we sign Glavine, and Hampton is healthy… that doesn’t guarantee us of an NL East title. If everyone’s healthy next year, the Mets will be a very good team once again.
As for your question about Hampton (“what do you expect?”)… I expect that if Hampton’s healthy, he’ll be a quality starter. My guess is that if he makes around 30 starts, he’ll win at least 12-13 games with an ERA somewhere in the high 3.00s or low 4.00s.
And yes, I do think he’ll be healthy. I don’t KNOW that of course. No one does. And I don’t think the Braves should (or will) bank on him again next year… but there’s really no reason to think he won’t be ready.
The most recent problem with his elbow wasn’t anywhere near as serious as the problem that required the Tommy John surgery, and it didn’t affect the same part of the elbow. He will have had plenty of time to recover from that (he can begin throwing next month), and will have had 2-1/2 years to recover from Tommy John.
Sure, he’s no spring chicken… but he’s about the same age Smoltz was when he had his TJ surgery (and that was far from Smoltz’s first elbow surgery).
Again, now way you should bank him… which is why the Braves still need to go out and get one more quality starter. But Hampton’s planning to pitch in a winter league, and if all’s going well with his recovery this winter, there will be no reason to think he can’t contribute next year.
By The Grinch
September 10, 2007 10:13 AM | Link to this
NCZ, no, last year wasn’t a fluke. The National League really has been that weak two years in a row (and yes, I obviously include the Braves in that category). I wouldn’t be surprised at all if you made it to the WS; I’d be utterly shocked if you didn’t get swept, though. Of course, a truly mediocre team won last year, so who knows? They really, REALLY need to do away with the best of 5 format, if not the WC all together. Would you mind loaning us Willie Randolph for about 5 minutes per night to fill out the lineup card?
Despite Shaun’s preposterous opinion that batting average isn’t important, I must agree with him that Tori Hunter isn’t the answer. Paying someone 15 mil/per to put up similar numbers to what Francour would for 400k when our only fixable problem besides the bench is pitching would be a mighty stupid thing to do, IMO. Unless, of course, we had unlimited funds (which we don’t). Besides, he’d just get platooned with Thorman anyway.
Paladin, we must win 2 of 3 from the Mets or I’ll be forced to suffer the indignity of losing money to one of their fans.
Time to get some work done.
By Charles Lutwidge Dodgson
September 10, 2007 10:14 AM | Link to this
“Alice” I’m sure Bosslady—although no one speaks for her—joins me in “thanking you” for turning a classical literature reference into pornography. What next? Blaspheme?
By Efrim
September 10, 2007 10:17 AM | Link to this
Overlord
I guess the translation is that there is a better chance someone finds noahs ark than the braves making the playoff.
Yes. Exactly. The teams in front of us are flat out better. They pitch better. Yes, even the Rockies pitch better than us. Phillies are the only exception. But they have more fire than we do. It has to be that they have more fire because there can be no other reason why the Phillies are three games better than us.
By Paladin
September 10, 2007 10:25 AM | Link to this
Braveheart I “promised” no more football, so I’ll answer you via e-mail.
By KC
September 10, 2007 10:30 AM | Link to this
EFRIM: Back to the Mets and winning the East next year…
Signing Glavine comes with the added benefit of taking a quality starter away from the Mets. In addition to the obvious lift he would provide to this rotation… Glavine would be addition by (Mets’) subtraction.
When you look at how horrible the bottom end of the rotation has been for Atlanta this year… if we had Tom Glavine, we’d be leading this division by several games. Seriously, think about it. Glavine is no CY candidate this year, but compared to Mark Redman, Lerew, and Davies… he sure as hell is. If he had Glavine in the rotation this year instead of the guys I just mentioned… we would be at least 10 wins better off than we are right now. Then you have to figure that without Glavine, the Mets would have at least 5 less wins than they have right now.
When I do the math… all I can say is “DAMN I wish the sale of the Braves had been finalized 6 months earlier than it was!” Had that been the case, the Braves would likely have had an extra 8 million to add Glavine to this team, without having to deal Hudson.
And think about where this team would be if we had signed Glavine, AND Hampton had been healthy. Even if Hampton went 13-7 with a 4.30 ERA this year… that’s a helluva lot better than what we’ve gotten out of the bottom of the rotation this year.
Oh well… it didn’t happen this year. BUT both of those things (adding Glavine and a healthy Hampton) could happen next year. In fact… I suspect both things will happen next year.
If Pedro’s healthy, the Mets wouldn’t miss Glavine nearly as much next year as they would have this year, had the Braves signed him away… but they’ll still feel it if we can sign him this winter. And Glavine likely has at least a year or two left as a quality starting pitcher. So adding him would most definitely help this team.
And does anyone think the Mets are going to get the same performance out of Maine, Perez, and El Duque next year that they got this year??? Maybe one or two of them will match their 07 stats… but not all 3.
If we can sign Glavine this winter, and Hampton looks healthy next spring… we will be the favorites to win the East in 08.
By Lew
September 10, 2007 10:34 AM | Link to this
Mr. Dodgson-Perhaps you would be so good as to explain to Metro Dude that Beemish (or is it Beamish)Boy is not a racial slur, but refers to the weilder of the Vorpal Sword- Snicker Snack and whatnot? Perhaps you might also explain to the trolls (why didn’t you use Trolls in your literature?) that we are more concerned at the moment with the health of friends and their family than we are the boasting of recalcitrant Trolls. Thanks. I’ve always enjoyed your writing. I particularly enjoyed your work with mushrooms. However, what exactly is a Mock Turtle? Is it anything like a Recalcitrant Troll? Enquiring minds want to know.
By NO CHOP ZONE
September 10, 2007 10:35 AM | Link to this
Grinch, The Mets have not consistenly played their best baseball this season and are still set to win the division again. I disagree with your opinion of a sweep against the Mets in a WS. A rotation of Pedro, Glavine and El Duque while not young are savvy and VERY experienced in the post season competetion which I beleive would make the series closer than you think. Anyway, Lets get into the playoffs first and take care of business. I’m sure we’ll visit this topic again if the Mets get that far.
By KC
September 10, 2007 10:47 AM | Link to this
Efrim: We are where we are right now, not because of lack of heart, and not because this team lacks talent. We are where we are because we hemorrhaged from the bottom of our rotation all season. Plain and simple.
Redman, Lerew, Reyes, Cormier, and Davies… so far have gone a combined: 6-21, with a 7.05 ERA.
6-21, with a 7.05 ERA.
Holy #$%^!!! It doesn’t get any worse than that.
That’s it. The answer isn’t complicated. That (the bottom of the rotation) is why the Braves found themselves out of the division race with a month left to play. And that’s why they’re several games behind the Phillies right now.
I hate to pick on Cormier too much, because even though had a rough outing yesterday, he’s actually pitched well since returning from the DL.
Forget Glavine for a moment… had the Braves just been healthy… had Hampton, Cormier, and Gonzalez been healthy all year, we’d be right in the thick of the post-season picture.
By Tech Guy
September 10, 2007 10:48 AM | Link to this
Overlord to create a link:
text">http://www.whatever.com">text to be the link
There is NO SPACE between the [ ]and the ( ).
See: text to be linked
By Shaun
September 10, 2007 10:53 AM | Link to this
Despite Shaun’s preposterous opinion that batting average isn’t important, I must agree with him that Tori Hunter isn’t the answer.
When did I say batting average “isn’t important”?
To clarify, my argument is batting average only tells part of the story. It only takes into account hits in non-walk, non-sac, non-HBP plate appearances. And it views every hit as equal (a single is equal to a homerun with regards to batting average). Batting average ignores walks and it ignores extra-base hits. That’s why I prefer to look at AVG/OBP/SLG. All three together give us a pretty good idea of the productivity of a player.
Yes, it would be preposterous to say AVG isn’t important, but I’ve never said that. It isn’t as important (i.e., as telling) as some other stats because it only tells some of the story of how productive a hitter is.
By Efrim
September 10, 2007 10:53 AM | Link to this
KC
When you look at how horrible the bottom end of the rotation has been for Atlanta this year… if we had Tom Glavine, we’d be leading this division by several games.
You do not know that. If the Mets lost Glavine to us in the offseason last year, maybe they would of gone and traded some of their prospects for a pitcher. It is really easy to look back and say what if.
If we can sign Glavine this winter, and Hampton looks healthy next spring… we will be the favorites to win the East in 08.
Again, I don’t understand where this is coming from after seeing the type of baseball that we have seen for two seasons. I just can’t imagine how you could come to a conclusion like that. Now if some team is dumb enough to trade us a frontline starter for Edgar, than that changes everything. But until that happens, I just think your predictions are wrong.
In terms of the Mets falling off, why should I think Maine and Perez will have worse years??? There overall years have been what I expected they would be. Maine has an 3.80 ERA. Good but not great and Perez has a 3.47 ERA. Solid. Pedro is back next year and El Duque is as well.
And…..DO NOT FORGET the team that is 3 games better than us at this moment. They have the capability to sign Cordero to be their closer this offseason. If they sign him and move Myers back the the rotation then that is a stronger team than us on paper. Not to mention that they are sure to fill their third base hole. Wouldn’t be suprised at all if they signed Mike Lowell. Re signing Aaron Rowand is a possibility as well.
Bottom Line
It is way too early to be saying things like the Braves will be favorites in the NL East in 2008. No one baseball analyst will agree with you if you were to ask them that right now.
It is possible, but not probable.
By aka Lewis Carroll
September 10, 2007 10:55 AM | Link to this
Mr. Lew Thank you for your kind comments. Let me quickly answer some of your questions. We stay so busy, putting in a good word to try and get others “up here” with us.
I did not write about trolls because they interest no one but themselves.
People who do not know what “Beemish(or Beamish, your choice)is, are full of jabberwocki.
Mock Turtle is along the lines of Welsh Rarebit. Make of it, what you will.
“Recalcitrant Troll” Isn’t that an oxymoron? Speaking of which: I like that name. I’ll make him a character in my next book. But, he won’t be a troll. I have my standards.
Keep up your good work with the Wurlitzers. BTW, the Lord might like a “Henry Aaron”.
By Anders
September 10, 2007 10:58 AM | Link to this
KC If the Mets didn’t sign Glavine do you really think they would have just sat tight? Of course they would have found another starter and they have trading chips to get one. That’s excatly why Minaya didn’t make a panic deal at the deadline this year for relief pitching. The market was to high so he held his chips. Look what was paid for guys like Gagne and Dotel who have had no positive impact at all. Minaya held his chips in case Pedro doesn’t recover he can still deal in the off season. Now, you can’t get an ace but I do believe an equivalent to Glavine can be had -i.e John Garland. As for Maine, Perez and El Duque - I heard that same question at the beginning of this season and all have responded. None are having career years BTW just good seasons.
By Efrim
September 10, 2007 10:59 AM | Link to this
KC
Forget Glavine for a moment… had the Braves just been healthy… had Hampton, Cormier, and Gonzalez been healthy all year, we’d be right in the thick of the post-season picture.
That is a much better statement than saying….
When you look at how horrible the bottom end of the rotation has been for Atlanta this year… if we had Tom Glavine, we’d be leading this division by several games.
What if the Phillies had not lost Myers, Gordon or Chase Utley???
Answer me that. How much better would they of been?
By the way, this isn’t negative or pessimistic. It is logic. How can you keep bringing up injuries right now? 10 years from now, NO ONE will remember that s**. They will remember who won the division. That is it.
By KC
September 10, 2007 11:00 AM | Link to this
Efrim: “You do not know that. If the Mets lost Glavine to us in the offseason last year, maybe they would of gone and traded some of their prospects for a pitcher.”
Riiiiiiight. They would have traded for a pitcher. Sure. The same pitcher we offered half our organization for at the trade deadline?
What quality starter was on the trading block at any point this year?
There wasn’t one Efrim. All the Mets could have done had they lost Glavine, would have been to trump SF’s ridiculous offer to Zito. That’s it. That would have been plan-B. There were no other options for ANY team looking for starting pitching.
By KC
September 10, 2007 11:10 AM | Link to this
Efrim:
KC: “If we can sign Glavine this winter, and Hampton looks healthy next spring… we will be the favorites to win the East in 08.”
Efrim: “Again, I don’t understand where this is coming from after seeing the type of baseball that we have seen for two seasons.”
Let’s say Glavine signs with the Braves next year, and Hampton is healthy. Now let’s say (and I think this is very conservative) that they go a combined 26-14 with a 4.20 ERA.
So you go from:
6-21 with a 7.05 ERA
to
27-14 with a 4.20 ERA
And you don’t understand why I think that would be good for at least a 10-15 win improvement next year??
By Efrim
September 10, 2007 11:11 AM | Link to this
KC
Riiiiiiight. They would have traded for a pitcher. Sure. The same pitcher we offered half our organization for at the trade deadline?
What quality starter was on the trading block at any point this year?
There wasn’t one Efrim. All the Mets could have done had they lost Glavine, would have been to trump SF’s ridiculous offer to Zito. That’s it. That would have been plan-B. There were no other options for ANY team looking for starting pitching.
How the hell could you say something like that dude?
Do you know Billy Beane personally??
Do you?
So if they offered Lastings Milledge, Fernando Martinez and Mike Pelfrey for Joe Blanton, Billy Beane wouldn’t of done it??
Maybe or Maybe not.
Exactly my point. You do not know that. That is why it is stupid to say some of the things you have said this morning.
By Overlord
September 10, 2007 11:16 AM | Link to this
I think the muts have played consistently their best baseball, what we have all seen is their best, mediocre, im not sure why muts fans have problems accepting that fact. Muts are mediocre, they look great in paper, not so good on the field. Call it injuries, call it pedro, call it delgado, call it whatever you want, the muts have dominated exactly nothing but the NL central (worst division in baseball), braves did not , specially the reds.
PLEASE MUTS FANS, dont you get it???? Which NL team is gonna win its division because it is a great team, unbeatable, amazing??? none, every division is gonna be won by teams played better little better than 3rd place team. No domination from any NL team over the rest of the league.
I hope your postseason play is as big as your mouth, i doubt it would be half as big, but you could still do something with it since there is not much competition around.
By Stupid
September 10, 2007 11:22 AM | Link to this
Please do not be throwing my name around, carelessly. It should be saved for trolls, jackals and other worthy recipients. Look for the “A” on their forehead; and it doesn’t stand for adultery. It is a 3 letter word.
By KC
September 10, 2007 11:23 AM | Link to this
You could be right Anders. But all I know is that…
John Maine has certainly never won 15 games before this year.
El Duque will likely finish with the best ERA of any season in his career that consisted of at least 25 starts, and his ERA is far better than anything he’s done in the last few years.
And Oliver Perez is having the second best season of his career, and his ERA is down 2-3 runs from what it’s been the past couple of seasons.
I know you’re a Mets fan Anders, so you’d like to think they’ll all pitch at least as well next year… but I just don’t see the Mets getting the same kind of performance out of that trio that they got this year.
By Overlord
September 10, 2007 11:29 AM | Link to this
text to be linked
testing….
By Coach (Sweep or Swept and a Can of Worms)
September 10, 2007 11:31 AM | Link to this
The Braves have six series left to play. They have swept three teams all season and have been the victim of a sweep five times. Curiously enough , the Braves have a sterling record 0f 23 wins 10 losses and 6 splits in 39 series played to far this season. So , how did that add up to 73-70 ? Well , the Braves have 1 win , 3 losses and 4 splits in four game sets. Out of 30 MLB teams , the Braves bullpen has the fifth most innings thrown (475.2) , the four teams with more innings from the bullpen (Rangers , Royals , Marlins and Nationals) all have losing records. Interpret that anyway you want , I believe that Cox has abused and misused his bullpen and rotation. Also , the rotation has yet to record a complete game. I guess what I’m trying to communicate is : Cox doesn’t know how to manage his pitching because I believe that Leo Mazzone was solely responsible for making the decisions of when , how and where the starters and bullpen were used for seventeen seasons until he left after the 2005 campaign. Cox has been forced into an unfamiliar responsibility , call me crazy , but that is what I believe. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that the pitching was so steady for so long (winning) and then became such a problem (losing) right after Leo left for Baltimore. This may be a nasty can of worms to open up , but it needs to be made aware of so that the fans can understand what has changed.
By Samuel Clemens
September 10, 2007 11:33 AM | Link to this
Ole cool Cheshire cat, if schools ban Huckleberry Finn because they are too stupid and lazy to teach children how and what and why that terrible word was used so often in that book, then aren’t all books in danger of being considered porn?
By DAP
September 10, 2007 11:33 AM | Link to this
LEW i think you should just go sniker-snack! on the muts fans and put them out of thier misery. you dont expect them to have ever read anything, do you?
By Lew
September 10, 2007 11:34 AM | Link to this
Mets Fans-I realize you’re proud of your team’s position at the moment. No problem, y’all should be proud when your team (likely) wins your division. Congratulations are, I suppose, in order. Y’all stepped up last week and swept the Braves. That’s an accomplishment, considering how the Braves have owned the Mets all season. Be that as it may, the Mets stepped up at crunch time.
Now that being said (and don’t expect to hear it from me anymore-y’all know how I feel), let’s do a bit of evaluation on the playoff possibilities for the Mutts. Your records so far this year are-8-7 against the American League (you made your most hay here when the Yankees were in sucking mode-they ain’t anymore). You barely broke even in your own division at 32-28-a division notorious for it’s lack of pitching and it’s mediocrity. Against the NL West, you had a losing record at 15-17. Where the Mets really racked up their wins was against the extremely weak NL Central, where their record was 26-9.
Now this is, perhaps, as things should be-you beat the lousy teams to win big (something the Braves did NOT do). But let’s look at the playoff picture. The Mets are likely to end up with the best NL record. Y’all will likely play the WC team, which will probably come from the NL West, against whom y’all have a losing record. Only if the Braves or Phillies were to pull out the WC (which probably isn’t going to happen) will you play anyone from the NL Central. Even should you take out the WC team, the NL Central Champ is likely to fall in the Division series, leaving y’all with yet another West team to play in the NLCS. Doesn’t look all that favorable to me for the Mets to make it to the series and certainly no lock for them to win the Series if they do, indeed make it that far. Don’t get too comfortable quite yet. Your own mediocre play against your potential playoff opponents may bite y’all in the @$$ before all is said and done.
By Efrim
September 10, 2007 11:34 AM | Link to this
KC
but I just don’t see the Mets getting the same kind of performance out of that trio that they got this year.
I hope that won’t be the basis of all of your arguements for the next 6 months.
By KC
September 10, 2007 11:35 AM | Link to this
EFRIM:
“How the hell could you say something like that dude? Do you know Billy Beane personally?? Do you?”
“So if they offered Lastings Milledge, Fernando Martinez and Mike Pelfrey for Joe Blanton, Billy Beane wouldn’t of done it?? Maybe or Maybe not. Exactly my point. You do not know that. That is why it is stupid to say some of the things you have said this morning.”
You continue to insist that you’re a Braves fan living in NY, and NOT a Mets fan. But when you get so riled up over something like this, it really makes me doubt.
Dude, face the facts…
THERE WAS NO QUALITY STARTER AVAILABLE AT ANY POINT THIS SEASON!!!!!!
Not for anything remotely resembling a fair asking price anyway. If anything, there were more (starting pitcher) trade possibilities at the deadline than there were over the winter. Certain teams aren’t going to be ready to even talk about trading a quality starter until they see that they’re out of the race.
The starters we all thought might be available… it turns out, really were not available.
Efrim and Anders… the Mets DID pursue a starter over the winter. They ABSOLUTELY DID!!! They had no idea they would get the this level of performance from El Duque, Maine, and Perez. They thought they WERE desperate for another starter heading into the season, and they (like many other teams) did all they could to get another quality starter.
There weren’t any available.
There weren’t any available at the start of the season when the Mets and a dozen other contenders tried to get one… and there wasn’t one at the deadline when the the Braves offered half their system for one.
“Well KC… YOU DON’T KNOW THAT FOR A FACT!!!!”
Even in a court of law, sometimes there’s enough circumstantial evidence to draw a reasonable conclusion.
With as many teams as were willing to give a king’s ransom for a starter (look what Seattle gave up for Horacio Ramirez)… the fact that NO true quality starter changed hands should tell you something. Face the facts my friends.
By Overlord
September 10, 2007 11:37 AM | Link to this
http://www.ajc.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/ajc/braves/entries/2007/09/07/howdoesfrench.html
testing…..
By Political Correctness
September 10, 2007 11:43 AM | Link to this
Samuel Clements I don’t know what the “public school” system might do. But, they may have banned those books from school but they are not banned in libraries. Drop your children there instead of at the mall.
By Overlord
September 10, 2007 11:45 AM | Link to this
Coach, that is right, cox looks like a manager that cant remember which relievers pitched the day before. Maybe you cant say that leo is responsable for everything because good pitchers were around, so his job was easier, but cox sure looks lost, but hey, that is not only with pitchers, same bad moves he does with relievers, he does with position players that are not regular, including diaz.
It is clear the cox tactics are questionable more than half of the times.
By Anders
September 10, 2007 11:48 AM | Link to this
KC As I said good years, not career years. Could one drop off? Sure. But on the other hand I certainly don’t expect Pelfrey to start out 0-7 again next year. I know you guys are really into Glavine for next year but I would warn you while his numbers are good he absolutely needs solid bullpen support to deliver wins. He’s a 6 inning guy at best. Even in shut outs with less than 100 pitches he comes out in the 7th. With Smoltz at 41 or so you will be pounding your bullpen again between the 2 of these guys. BTW- where is your closer going to come from?
By Bobby's Cox
September 10, 2007 11:51 AM | Link to this
sure missed matty D in the lineup yesterday.
thought he could’ve been of some help again.
could’ve used his .350 avg with men on base again.
:(
By Political Correctness
September 10, 2007 11:51 AM | Link to this
I’m sorry. I typed “Clements” when I should have typed “Claymind”.
By The Librarian
September 10, 2007 11:55 AM | Link to this
I don’t like libraries. They are museums for books. Where books and people go to die. Like the Hall of Fame, libraries are where old tired books go to try to cling to a state of relevance the more and more they become forgotten. I’m much more of a book store fella. Book stores tell me what is hip and relevant now. Who’s Now as ESPN might say. Certainly not Lewis Carroll. Lewis Carroll was using performance enhancers anyway. No way anyone with a sane mind thought that way.
By Ander's "staff"
September 10, 2007 11:56 AM | Link to this
Boss Would you please leave that internet thing alone and come do some work? Please!!
By Efrim
September 10, 2007 11:59 AM | Link to this
KC
You continue to insist that you’re a Braves fan living in NY, and NOT a Mets fan. But when you get so riled up over something like this, it really makes me doubt.
I’m getting riled up because your posts make no sense. None. Saying things like John Maine and Oliver Perez are sure to come back to earth just doesn’t make sense to me. They kind of already have come back down to Earth in the second half, yet the Mets are still winning games.
You continue to say I am a Mets fan, but if you payed attention to my posts this season you should of figured out that I am a Braves fan. I die hard one that comes on this blog and listens to an optimistic Braves fan such as yourself who obviously doesn’t want to hear that the Mets have a good team. The 15 years are over KC. The Braves can win the division next year. Of course they can. But for you to come on this blog and proclaim that 41 year old Tom Glavine(who has a f*** option for the team he is currently playing for) and a guy who hasn’t pitched in 3 years is going to push us to the NL East crown is stupid. Those can’t be the only reasons. Maybe Frenchy plays as well as David Wright, maybe Chuck equals Cole Hamels numbers next year. Say s** like that. DO NOT say things like Tom Glavine and Mike Hampton will push this team to an NL EAST crown. If that is what Braves fans have to hope for, than what is the f*** point???
DOB
Please feel free to chime in. You can’t possibly agree with KC on the Glavine and Hampton winning us the division next year thing. Can you? I mean maybe something else changes or B Mac and Frenchy have .900 OPS type years. Something else other than Tom Glavine and Mike Hampton. Good Lord.
By KC
September 10, 2007 11:59 AM | Link to this
Anders: I’m under no illusion that Glavine is what he was 10 years ago… but geeze man, did you see those stats I posted on the bottom our rotation.
When you’re getting knocked around to the tune of a 7.00 ERA… you’re sure not being left in the game long enough to give your team innings.
So both in terms of limiting the opposition, and the number of innings he can eat… Glavine would be a VAST improvement over what we’ve had this year. Wouldn’t you agree?
Again, not looking for Glavine to pitch 250 innings or compete for a CY. Not looking for anything close to that from Hampton if he’s healthy either. But those guys could easily look like Greg Maddux in his prime compared to what we’ve had at the bottom of our rotation this year!
By Bobby is a Crock
September 10, 2007 12:01 PM | Link to this
OK, I want to meet you guys that we called up. May want to get you some playing time. All the new guys, hold up your hand. Woodcrap, put your hand down! Besides, I’ve already got you penciled in.
By we thinks.......
September 10, 2007 12:01 PM | Link to this
we thinks……..
Efrim hates the Braves and loves the Mets.
Efrim is the fella who always puts down his wife and does not stop talking about his secretary to all his friends.
AS your friends, Efrim, it’s about time you divorce your wife and go ahead and screw your secretary already.
It’s okay. Your wife will understand. She already knows you are in love with your secretary up there in Queens.
Your wife has plenty of other friends who will treat her right…..
By Bobby's Cox
September 10, 2007 12:01 PM | Link to this
Mr. Ron Roberts
you’re brilliant man. Frenchy in center, KJ in left, & Diaz in rigt next year sounds good….
we’ll save $$ for pitching, keep edgar at short, & let escobar play everyday at second.
Finally a lineup where diaz & escobar and KJ can play EVERYDAY. Shoot, why can’t be do that now & bench AJ. It’s brilliant, at least for next year if BC & JS can agree to it.
By Anders
September 10, 2007 12:02 PM | Link to this
KC The Mets pursued a starter awaiting Glavine’s answer as to wether he was coming back to the Mets. I believe he waited until almost Christmas or later. When he decided to comeback(Actually I believe JS made this decision for him) then they decided to go forward with the arms they had. The plan was to assess where they were in mid year and if need be trade for another starter. Of course at premium prices but you know that going in. Instead their starting pitching was adequate especially based on the competition. Where the Mets were struggling was in the bullpen, but the prices being asked did not justify the risk. I said at the time while I understand why the Braves made the deal for Tex that they pushed most of their chips to the center of the table with the strategy that they would bludgeon other teams on the way to the playoffs. That didn’t work out so well, but could have - the Yanks have done it the last few years. Now if the Braves want to trade for a top flight pitcher you have to give up one of your beloved brethren - i.e. Renteria. The Braves roster is very lopsided towards offense. JS will look to balance it but you can’t do it by just adding to one side unless you have enormous resources.
By DAP
September 10, 2007 12:10 PM | Link to this
Anders maine, hernandez and perez not having career years? he was 6-5 last year, and 2-3 the year before! 14-9 is a career year!!! there is certinly more to come from him, but so far, this has been the best!
perez was 12-10 in ‘04 with a low ERA, but hes 13-9 this year, and still has a couple of starts! another careeer year!
and el duque has pitched better in the past, but this is his best year in a long time!
i think maybe the mets pitching coach has alot to do with thier sucess, but my prediction for these 3 guys next year: maine continues to improve and wins 15 games, perez stays a middle of the road starter, wins 10 or so game and has an ERA in the mid 4s, and age continues to have its effect on el duque, who wont even make 20 starts.
By David O'Brien
September 10, 2007 12:10 PM | Link to this
Just got checked into my hotel after the delayed flight, etc.
No, I wouldn’t count on Glavine & Hampton putting Braves over the top in ‘08. If you knew you were going to get healthy Hampton and Glav would still be at the level he’s at now, yes, they would put them over the top (provided Smoltz and Huddy were also healthy). But those are huge “ifs” — the parts about Glavine and Hampton, not so much Smoltz and Hudson…
Looks like a bunch of folks from John Mellencamp’s party were checking out as I was checking in. They had the Farm Aid show here yesterday (in New York, of all places) yesterday. With Neil, Allmans, Willie and a bunch of others….
Anybody go to that Allmans/D. Matthews concert in Piedmont Park on Saturday?
By Harold Hill
September 10, 2007 12:11 PM | Link to this
Marion the Librarian Hurry home, honey. I got some orders for uniforms and instruments for you to write up.
By AJC Staff
September 10, 2007 12:18 PM | Link to this
Anders Please quit writing your comments on toilet paper. It is very hard to decipher and even harder to deodorize. Thank you.
By Overlord
September 10, 2007 12:22 PM | Link to this
Bobby Cox why not use yunel in RF??? Could you give me one reason?
By KC
September 10, 2007 12:24 PM | Link to this
Efrim: Glavine has a PLAYER option on his contract. And I said that IF Hampton is healthy, he’ll help this team.
Again, if Glavine returns to ATL and Hampton is healthy…
Let’s say Hampton and Glavine would go 26-14 with a combined 4.20 ERA. I think that’s a conservative estimate. Would you agree?
If you go from 6-21, 7.07
to 26-14, 4.20…
I’m sorry, I fail to see why it’s so “stupid” to think that would have a huge impact on this team.
And please don’t twist anything I’m saying…
I did not say the Braves are now the NL East favorites in 08. I said that if… IF the Braves sign Glavine AND get a healthy Mike Hampton, they’ll be the NL East favorites next year.
By Ron Roberts
September 10, 2007 12:24 PM | Link to this
I’m not part of the anti-Glavine crowd that boos the guy when he pitches at the Ted, but I don’t like the idea of the Braves spending upwards of $10 million or more to re-sign him for his swan-song season(s). That’s an awful lot of money for a guy who’s 41 years old. I think we’re just playing with fire, there.
It’d be poetic, yes, for Glavine and Smoltz to go out - together - on a championship team; but the stickler is, would both (or either, for that matter) stay healthy this late in their careers and through all of 2008 for us to pin all of our hopes on ‘em?
We’ve paid for Paul Byrd to rehab and for Mike Hampton to rehab, then rehab some more for the past few seasons, and I believe that, because of that, we’ve not been a serious factor in post-season discussion for quite a while, too.
Glavine’s been durable all throughout his career; he’s missed a start due to injury, what, once? Something just tells me (knowing our luck of late) that the wear and tear would take its toll on him the minute he puts on the tomahawk across his chest in 2008. Just me.
By Moving Target
September 10, 2007 12:29 PM | Link to this
“Nothing is more exhilarating than to be shot at without result”. Gen. James Longstreet, CSA.
By Anders
September 10, 2007 12:31 PM | Link to this
DAP It’s one of those things where you have to have watched them to understand. This whole season has been patchwork for the Mets pitching staff. Remember Maine and Perez came from horrible teams so you can’t judge them by their records in the past.You’re right to give Peterson credit - I’ve done so on this blog before. The guy really knows how to get production out of middle of the road pitchers. That includes relief pitchers. He leaves the big gun veterans to their own devices but really works hard with the Perez’s and Maine’s of the world. He works through the whole off season as well with cyber metrics etc.. All the Mets pitchers are required to go down to I believe the University of Alabama for a work up. Then Peterson uses these metrics to study each guy and determine what’s the most productive and healthy way for each guy to pitch. It’s not perfect but there is certainly some science applied to it as opposed to old school “this is how I teach so this is how you’ll throw!”
By CMC
September 10, 2007 12:34 PM | Link to this
DOB,
I wasn’t at the Piedmont Concert on Sat. night but went instead to the Kenny Chesney show at Lakewood. I know that isn’t your cup of tea, but you might be interested to know that Joe Walsh made an appearance toward the end, as he did also on Friday night. (Dave Mathews made an appearance there on Friday also) He cranked into “Life’s Been Good to Me So Far,” and the place went nuts. And, yes, old Joe can still play.
By TennesseePaul
September 10, 2007 12:39 PM | Link to this
Lew: Interesting annalysis on the Post season shot of the Mets. If the Dodgers manage to sneak into the post season, the Mets will go to the second round. The only way the Mets will be challenged is if both the D-Backs and the Padres make the post season. The Dodgers can only offer their post season oppenent a quick, ego boosting 3 game sweep. It’s the Dodger way.
By KC
September 10, 2007 12:44 PM | Link to this
DOB:
“If you knew you were going to get healthy Hampton and Glav would still be at the level he’s at now, yes, they would put them over the top (provided Smoltz and Huddy were also healthy)”
I agree 100%. That’s EXACTLY what I’m saying.
I’m not sure what reason we would have to think Glavine can’t perform at a level commensurate to what he’s doing now. But you’re never assured of anything. It’s also no foregone conclusion that he’ll return to the Braves… but I am willing to bet money on that part of it, unless the Mets (shudder) win the WS.
As for Hampton… I’ve said repeatedly that we can’t count on Hampton. If I’m guessing one way or the other, I think he’ll be back next year and will contribute. But the Braves can’t afford to bank on him again.
But IF Glavine returns to ATL, AND Hampton is healthy… IF those things happen, I do think the Braves will be the favorites in the East.
Certainly no assurance of either of those things happening… but I think chances are decent of either or both, which is why I thought it worth mentioning.
DOB: I’m curious to get your take on Glavine… if you had to guess right now, do you think he’ll play in ATL next year
By jay
September 10, 2007 12:46 PM | Link to this
COACH&D.O.B
So lets get this straight. Glavine has vested his performance option for 9 million next season. If he pitches 160 innings in ‘08, his contract is worth 13 million.
Now, your telling me that Glavine is going to decline that ooption to play for the Braves who have shunned him TWICE? Brave fans are optomists to a fault.
Not only is he going to leave 13 million, a team and a fan base that has accepted him as their own as Glavine is the LONGEST tenured Met, to go to the Braves that have treated him in his free agency with
indifference. He’s close to Pedro Martinez, he’s taken two young pitchers under his wing this month in Pelfrey and Philip Humber. So he is just going to leave that team, where he is respected, to return to the team that didn’t “officially” contact him nor offer him any contract whatsoever this past offseason.
Sure, I can see it(sarcasm)
By the way the Braves will not offer him anywhere near 13 million.
If Glavine does decline the deal, he is retiring, not going to play for the Braves.
By David O'Brien
September 10, 2007 12:49 PM | Link to this
KC, I don’t have to guess right now. Haven’t heard a word from him or the Braves to even help me form an opinion.
By Hard of Seeing
September 10, 2007 12:50 PM | Link to this
“KC” Thank you for putting so much bold in your posts. Otherwise, I might not know it was you and to scroll past it. Thank you.
By robdawg06
September 10, 2007 12:50 PM | Link to this
First off, to answer DOB’s question. Francoeur is a better hitter than Andruw but not as good as Chipper. You’ve got to do it all to be better than Chipper (Avg.,power,and rbi’s). Chipper was 2nd in MLB in slugging two days ago.
It will be hard to resign Andruw or sign another great CF and also resign Texeira and a frontline starting pitching. If you settle for 2 of the 3 I’d resign Texeira and get that frontline starting pitcher. You can play W.Harris,Escobar,or K.Johnson in CF. Escobar and KJ both could play CF with hard work at the position in winter and ST. If Renteria isn’t resigned then go with Escobar at SS and KJ at 2B. Let Harris play CF. This is much better than resigning Andruw or another CF and being weak at 1B. You know you are going to get great numbers from Texeira. Basically you choose between Tex and Andruw. I wouldn’t count on Hampton staying healthy next year. They better sign or trade for a 16 to 20 game winner pitcher to go with Smoltz and Hudson if they want to win the East next year. Finally, this will be a much better team with a new manager. Glenn Hubbard is that man. How long can a 70+ year-old man manage ???
Chipper is my all-time favorite player but I want more intensity from him and the rest of the team. He said “We will go out and have fun”. Screw the fun and get mad and play with some intensity. Act like you won’t get paid if you lose. That should motivate them…
By Anders
September 10, 2007 12:54 PM | Link to this
Lew Not a bad analysis overall but if we learned anything from last years playoffs what happened during the season can have little impact on what can happen in the playoffs. I doubt very much you were sitting here touting the Cardinals. That said, the mets are 8-2 in their last 10 and just getting hot. Half of those games were without Delgado. They also got rest for Reyes, Wright and various others. They beat, Hudson, Smoltz, Harang and Oswalt all in the last week. There’s no such thing as a lock but I like our chances. BTW- whatever WC team we play will be burning fuel to get there. Another perk for being the best in the NL.
By KC
September 10, 2007 1:00 PM | Link to this
Hard of Seeing:
YOU’RE WELCOME!
By TennesseePaul
September 10, 2007 1:03 PM | Link to this
KC: I love your optimism, but Let’s say Hampton and Glavine would go 26-14 with a combined 4.20 ERA
Where is this coming from? You think Hampton is going to go 13-7? Or do you suspect Glavine will be even better than this season, or his past 5 seasons, to make up the slack? We’ll be fortunate if Hampton can manage a .500 season next year.
I’ll give you this much, looking at the the potential Free Agent pitchers for the off season market, Glavine is certainly one of the more promissing candidates, but it’s going to take more than him to get to the post season. We need another front end starter, not a back end starter, we have plenty of those already.
The type of pitcher we need is only available by trade and I’m not sure any team besides the Dodgers and Angeles have the player currency for such a trade. I won’t be surprised if part of this seasons line up (Diaz, Renteria plus others) is dealt in an attempt to get said starter, which would mean the free agent market will be shopped for a position player and not a pitcher.
But whatever, we don’t need to focus on that right now. The Braves still have a strong chance at ruining the post season for a few more teams, if only by damaging home field advantage or bruising some egos. They also have a good chance to pumble some cellar dwellars and have some young kids prove their worth. And on top of all that, they have to exact some revenge tonight, tomorrow and Wednesday. Next year’s pitching staff and roster moves can wait.
By DAP
September 10, 2007 1:06 PM | Link to this
Anders thats fine, man. but youre still wrong when you say these guys havent had career years! it doesnt matter where they came from, it doesnt matter who thier pitching coach is, they have still had the best seasons of thier careers! thats what “career year” means to me!
maine has had a career year, perez has had a career year, hernandez has not, but has had one of his best years in a long time.
i think maine will get better, perez will stay the same, and hernandez will get worse, because of injury.
to me, this means the mets have some questions to answer in thier rotation next year (really, what team doesnt?) since, IF glavine comes back he will be older, and still doesnt pitch deep into ballgames, and pedro, who i think will be limited to short outings the rest of his career, is the rest of the mets rotation.
and im definetly not saying that the projected braves rotation looks alot better, because it doesnt.
By Shaun
September 10, 2007 1:06 PM | Link to this
jay,
I think Glavine will basically go where the money is. Not trying to be cynical because if I were a baseball player, I’d probably go where the money is also.
I agree that he isn’t likely to play for the Braves again because I don’t think they’ll pay him near what another team may pay him.
I guess the only way I can see him playing for the Braves is for a Phil Niekro-type one-game deal or something like that.
By Bobby Cox
September 10, 2007 1:06 PM | Link to this
To you idiots that keep saying I’m in my 70s, I’m not! I’m 66. That might not make a difference to you, but it damn sure does to me. And youth and skill will never make up for age and cunning. Or, so it says in my notes.
By Efrim
September 10, 2007 1:18 PM | Link to this
KC
And please don’t twist anything I’m saying…
I did not say the Braves are now the NL East favorites in 08. I said that if… IF the Braves sign Glavine AND get a healthy Mike Hampton, they’ll be the NL East favorites next year.
I hear you, but I disagree with you. I don’t think you would get those types of years from Glavine or Hampton. I also disagree with the fact that you continue to call me a Mets fan. You are blind my friend. You must not of read any of my posts for the last 6 months.
I am negative because the Braves were bounced out of the playoffs in the first round for four straight seasons and then proceeded to miss out on the playoffs the following two seasons. Sorry if I am suppose to be positive about results like that.
And how come you keep referring to the Mets??? Whar is your take on that other team that has finished ahead of us for two straight years. The team with the best 1-2 punch in the NL.
By TampaBrave
September 10, 2007 1:18 PM | Link to this
With all the controversy about the scheduling, I’d like to propose the following Schedule. But first move move the Brewers back to the AL. 15 teams in each league. Get rid of Eastern, Central etc…, pile all the teams in two leagues, NL and AL. There would be no interleague games. Each team would play every team in its league 11 times. That’s right, 154 games. Top 4 teams in each league make the playoffs.
This will achieve the following: 1) Balance the schedule. 2)Not reward poor play in select divisions(See NL Central) Keep the WS in October, where it belongs, hopefully avoiding extremely cold weather and a poor viewing for the fans. 4) Less fatigue on the players, yielding a better postseason performance.
Can this happen? Probably not. The current cast of players and owners are way too greedy to give up the income of those 8 games. I believe 154 used to be the standard, and what better way to bring America’s pastime back to normalcy than this. Of course, either get rid of the steroids or legalize them so the playing field will be level.
I am a purist, but realize that adding 4 teams to the playoffs is better for everyone and yields excitement where there would otherwise be none. I think it tarnishes the World Series when two teams have already met in the reg. season. Scrap it. Get rid of DH. Having a pitcher hit is the best way to keep him honest. Any purists out there, or has everyone been warped by FOX and their gangsta attempts to reinvent the game?
Question? Is Ken Rosenthal the b******* son of Al Davis?
By Hy Koo
September 10, 2007 1:29 PM | Link to this
The old manager
removes his smelly cap.
A loss in the offing.
By jay
September 10, 2007 1:30 PM | Link to this
Shaun,
I agree maybe Glavine will sign on for Spring training and retire a Brave but I don’t think Glavine will turn down 13 million to play for the Braves.
If he does he will retire.
By Ralph
September 10, 2007 1:33 PM | Link to this
First thing forget about signing Glavine, and forget about Hampton standing healthy next year. Forget about signing any big names, or any of the big name Braves standing healthy for very long. Forget about doing anything new with the same old predictable manager. Even if the Braves were to trade for big names, the same outcome will happen next year. Last year was the same thing, wait until next year, same old excuse for an organization that has become stagnated. This year faller is not only blame on the manager, but on the whole organization which really didn’t pay much attention to the needs of the Braves, so they could have being a comparator in a top heavy division. Not only do the Braves have a bunch of money on the disable list, but made a few bad moves. No one player is to blame and in general all the players are to blame, contradictory as it sounds. They’ll not to blame, because of bad management decisions, the manager makes the same old moves and he is read like a open book, by the opposition, and the mistakes he made were countless. The players are to blame, because through out the year they play like a bunch of defeated losers, they look like a bunch of disorganized little leaguers. The way the Braves played this year is a reflection of the way of the future for this team. Luck leave town and Charlie Hustle when with it.
By TennesseePaul
September 10, 2007 1:35 PM | Link to this
Payne: Which is better, 1 out runner on first, or 1 out runner in scoring position? Which type of out is more likely to produce the better of those two results?
Secondly: A pitcher has to get strikeouts (generally) because if he gives up too much contact, eventually those balls in play are going to find holes
So why the lecture every time a fan asks the player to put the ball in play instead of strike out? Wouldn’t it stand to reason that, for a hitter, eventually those balls in play are going to find holes?
By Hy Koo
September 10, 2007 1:38 PM | Link to this
The announcer yawns,
shuffling a stack of score sheets.
Andruw drives me mad.
By DAP
September 10, 2007 1:42 PM | Link to this
tampa hello, friend. a few thought on your post. i agree the AL needs another team. each league needs to have the same number of teams,and ive often wondered if this has a little something to do with the AL being a little stronger. the NL is stretched thinner, because they have 2 extra teams, plus, think about the all-star game, the AL team is only required to get players from 14 team, while the NL MUST pick at least one player from 16 teams. a mandatory all-star selection from each team puts the NL at a dis-advantage.
also, the DH sux. AL games are boring to me because of this. SO much strategy is erased by using a DH.
also, about the dicisions, i agree that its irritating that a team from the sorry central division even gets a chance in the postseason, and that definetly a good argument to do away with the divisions, but i personally like the smaller competition within the big competition. its makes it so we have certain teams that are our main rivals.
i do think id like to play every team in the NL the same number of times, so you can see all the teams the same, but i still like the division system.
By Sen. Larry Craig
September 10, 2007 1:43 PM | Link to this
TampaBrave I too am a purist.
I would go further and say that the game should be played as the Greeks intended.
No gloves. No shoes. No clothing at all.
Just men competing with men.
By TennesseePaul
September 10, 2007 1:49 PM | Link to this
TampaBrave: 15 teams in each league with no Interleague? So the odd team out plays no games on the weekend? That’ll fly. You might want to at least keep an even number of teams in the league so everyone can play against someone on the weekends. During the week you might make a case for a team sitting around with no opponent, but the weekend is certainly the money maker and the owners will want people in those stands… think about it… 7 games means 14 teams… the 15th team has no oppenent. Perhaps rotating exhibition games where the team plays a band of local lottery winners, who of couse, sign health and injury waivers so they can take the field against major leaguers. Maybe some clowns and circus stunts in the middle of the 5th inning.
I don’t know, just tossing out ideas.
By Hy Koo
September 10, 2007 1:52 PM | Link to this
The slow pinch-hitter
squibs the ball toward third base.
Praying it is foul.
By Anders
September 10, 2007 2:04 PM | Link to this
DAP I think we’re both kind of saying the same thing. I agree maine and perez have pitched as well as they have up until this point in their careers - what I’m trying to say is neither is having a lights out type of year. I expect drop offs from 18-6 type years where the guy rolls throught the season. neither has had that. I also agree the mets have questions in their starting rotation next year - like you said who doesn’t.
By Hy Koo
September 10, 2007 2:04 PM | Link to this
Salty is long gone.
Designated hitter now
Baked in Texas heat.
By TampaBrave
September 10, 2007 2:09 PM | Link to this
TennesseePaul
Nice monkey wrench. Seems like there is always one somewhere. But your question leads me to an answer that even improves my previously irresponsible post. How about this, eliminate the Devil Rays and Marlins, put the Brewers back in the AL. Now its 14 teams in each league, the talent is not as diluted creating a better quality product, more competition and keep baseball in Florida where it belongs, spring training. How’s that? Thanks for the correction!!
By Hy Koo
September 10, 2007 2:13 PM | Link to this
Why can’t Frenchy take
fast balls head high and outside.
Dreaming of homers.
By Shaun
September 10, 2007 2:13 PM | Link to this
TennesseePaul,
One out runner in scoring position is obviously better. What brought that up?
…why the lecture every time a fan asks the player to put the ball in play instead of strike out? Wouldn’t it stand to reason that, for a hitter, eventually those balls in play are going to find holes?
Good question. Well, the problem is if a hitter makes contact every time he comes up, he’s going to hit around .290-.300. But say he never or seldom walks. Then his OBP is going to only be around .290-.300 or a little above. This is not high enough to sustain a career in the big leagues.
See, a hitter can’t just stay in the major leagues on contact alone. He has to get on base via the walk at least a decent portion of his plate appearances.
Also, if a hitter is just concentrating on making contact chances are he’s not going to hit a lot of balls that hard and major league defenses will have no problem turning those balls into outs.
Good points, though.
By Chip Carey
September 10, 2007 2:16 PM | Link to this
As a Braves fanatic, I think David Wright is friggin awesome…
By KC
September 10, 2007 2:19 PM | Link to this
Efrim:
You are correct. I shouldn’t discount the Phillies out of hand. I doubt the Phillies because starting pitching is so hard to come by, and I just don’t like their rotation (other than Hamels of course).
IF (and I realize that neither thing is inevitable) both Glavine and a healthy Hampton pitch for the Braves next year… you don’t think the numbers I threw out there are realistic??
If Glavine and Hampton are healthy next year… you don’t think they’re likely to go a combined 26-14 with a 4.20 ERA? That would be unreasonable to expect.
I’m thinking maybe a 15-7, 4.10 from Glavine…
And (if he’s healthy) a 12-7 with a 4.30 from Hampton.
That seems like a reach to you??
By TennesseePaul
September 10, 2007 2:23 PM | Link to this
TampaBrave: It’s a fix, for sure, but Bud seems pretty adamant about keeping baseball in Florida. And I’d imagine the players union would be against shrinking its size. And I suppose the owners would disapprove of reducing the number of games that bring fans into the stadium.
I’m with you on maintianing some purity in the game, but Bud has crossed the point of no return. The revenue streams have been tapped and the owners and players aren’t going to be to eager to plug them back up.
You might make a more successful case for adding 2 more teams to even it out… but then the whole talent level issue becomes a problem. Pitching would be even more depleted, unless teams go back to 4 man staffs. The two new teams could consist of all the 5th starters and long relievers of the other teams. The Devil Rays might embrace this… they could have a sporting chance, or at least have someone they could defeat regularly.
By Hy Koo
September 10, 2007 2:23 PM | Link to this
Glavine won’t come here.
Thirteen million reasons
to stay and play in Shea.
By Hy Koo
September 10, 2007 2:30 PM | Link to this
The ailing lefty
soft-tosses in the bullpen.
All he’s got is time.
By Lew
September 10, 2007 2:30 PM | Link to this
Anders-No I wasn’t touting the Cardinals, but I was cheering for them against the Mets. I will do it again this year, as well-cheer for the team playing the Mets, that iwhoever that may be.
By Efrim
September 10, 2007 2:33 PM | Link to this
KC
Overall, yes that seems like a reach to me.
How about Glavine going 14-11 4.40 ERA and Hampton going 8-6 with a 4.75 ERA. 8-6 because he only pitched 130 innings during the year. Which is possible because the guy hasn’t pitched in 3 years.
And remember that two of our other starters in Smoltz and James aren’t exactly a shoe in to pitch 200 innings next year. And it isn’t because I am negative. Smoltz’s shoulder might not hold up and Chuck James just can’t seem to throw more than 6 innings ever.
KC, I am basically saying that going out and getting a 41 year old pitcher to add to our staff that is already old/injury plagued isn’t the best option for us. Convenient? Yes. But if you want the Braves to win the NL EAST next season, there has to be other options out there.
You think Glavine is really going to decline his 13 million dollar option with the Mets and sign with the Braves for 7 million???
Tom Glavine…. Player rep for the Union????
No he isn’t. I just don’t see the Braves offering a 41 year old 13 million or even 10 million dollars. How about trading Renteria for a Noah Lowry type?? As much as I don’t want to trade Edgar, and I don’t like Lowry, that would be a smarter move.
By TennesseePaul
September 10, 2007 2:33 PM | Link to this
Payne: But say he never or seldom walks.
Pack away the Straw Man. That wasn’t what I said, questioned, nor implied. The question and comments were based on the Strike Out vs. making contact. It was implied, or assumed, that the ability to walk, or patience to take a walk, remains constant for this player in this situation. So again… why the lecture every time a fan asks the player to put the ball in play instead of strike out (notice, not instead of take a walk)? Wouldn’t it stand to reason that, for a hitter, eventually those balls in play are going to find holes?
By Overlord
September 10, 2007 2:42 PM | Link to this
Does anyone things playing escobar at RF next year is a good idea???
By Hy Koo
September 10, 2007 2:43 PM | Link to this
Pitch count mounts. Smoltz lifts
his right arm above his forehead.
The shoulder aches.
By Puzzled in Seattle
September 10, 2007 2:49 PM | Link to this
Hy koo How come?
By TennesseePaul
September 10, 2007 2:49 PM | Link to this
Payne: One out runner in scoring position is obviously better. What brought that up?
Strike outs leave the runners stationary. It’s a matter of a “productive out” vs. a “non-productive out.” As you say, a guy is going to get out 60% of the time, or more. So he might as well make the most of that 60+%.
By Hy Koo
September 10, 2007 2:50 PM | Link to this
Waddling to the mound
Cox summons the fat closer.
You know how it ends.
By TampaBrave
September 10, 2007 2:51 PM | Link to this
TENNPAUL
Agree that both sides are too greedy to want to give up a revenue stream. But know this, baseball is not as popular in Florida as people think. There are always alot of choices to have with recreational time here and Florida is a football state, period!! Baseball is unlikely to flourish here. Spring training is about all these guys can take. By eliminating FLorida teams, you also will eliminate the need for 2 more domed stadiums, another black eye on a sport meant for blue skies. It also rains everyday between 5 & 7pm and drives the old people back into their condos. I’ve been here since before the Devil Rays arrived and I can tell you that the fan base is too old, too preoccupied, too cheap, and fair weathered. Think about the apathy that happens in ATL and magnify it 2000 times.
If you think about it, right now the talent level is so thin, its scary. We have minor leaguers playing all over the place in the MLs, especially pitching. I wonder how many players were thrust into the majors too early where they either injured themselves trying to keep up or met failure from not being ready. A man that eats too many cheeseburgers gets fat. He is happy, but chances are , he will shorten his life. He doesn’t care, he likes the cheeseburgers. That is analogous to the league today. Too fat, health deficient, but happy because they like the money. Wish we had a real commisioner to explore the failings of today’s game and fix them.
By Escobar
September 10, 2007 2:53 PM | Link to this
Yes, Overload, I think it is a great idea! (English translation)
By What would DOB say
September 10, 2007 2:57 PM | Link to this
You people are nutty.
DOB would point out that baseball players are not little plastic men you can freely move around a board.
Escobar is an infielder. Kelly Johnson has invested quite a bit in learning to play second and should stay there. Francoeur is one of the best right fielders in the game. He should stay there.
What next - McCann for starting pitcher? Terry Pendleton for centerfield?
By TampaBrave
September 10, 2007 3:03 PM | Link to this
Overlord
Really bad idea to move Francouer out of right field. Escobar is an infielder, period. That is about the equivilent of moving Salty to 1st. We need to find an emerging speed guy from the minors, and I mean other team’s pools. Need a guy who can help in manufacture runs when needed. Need to get away from 3 run homer mentality. HRs are great but need to play other aspects of the game as well.
By March Hare
September 10, 2007 3:09 PM | Link to this
How about the Mad Hatter for RF when we move Frenchy to CF. ha ha ha ha ha ha ha. Then we’ll all be as mad as the hatter. ha ha ha ha ha ha
By KC
September 10, 2007 3:09 PM | Link to this
Efrim: Well, I can see why we disagree since our expectations of Glavine next year (and possibly a healthy Hampton) differ significantly.
If there is a better option out there than Glavine… or a pitcher at least as good who could help us beyond next season, I’m all for it! But I’m a little skeptical that such a pitcher will be available.
For the record… I SERIOUSLY doubt it would take anything close to 13 mill for the Braves to sign Glavine next season if they wish to do so.
Word on the street last winter is that 8 million would have brought him back. Truth or baseless rumor? Who knows. But I’ll bet anything the Braves would need to be no better than 8-10 million to get him back here.
By Shaun
September 10, 2007 3:16 PM | Link to this
Wouldn’t it stand to reason that, for a hitter, eventually those balls in play are going to find holes?
TennesseePaul,
Maybe, maybe not. Depends on if the hitter hits around .290-.300 on balls in play. That’s what we’d expect most hitters to do over 162 games.
why the lecture every time a fan asks the player to put the ball in play instead of strike out (notice, not instead of take a walk)?
Well, the lecture comes when someone is talking about a productive player that happens to strikeout a lot. I agree, there’s nothing wrong with wanting a player to make more contact. But I believe it’s obviously wrong that a player can’t be productive if he strikes out a lot; I think it’s pretty clear.
By deacon
September 10, 2007 3:16 PM | Link to this
We get rid of anders and Tampabrave starts preaching. Who’s next? Elmer Gantry?
By TennesseePaul
September 10, 2007 3:21 PM | Link to this
TampaBrave: Funny stuff in that post. I like my cheeseburgers though, no matter how I evaluate it.
The next commissioner will be interesting. Bud swears he’s retiring after this term… we shall see…
By Paladin
September 10, 2007 3:26 PM | Link to this
DOB Could we have a “new” one soon, big guy? One more flush and we are mixed in with the Terence Moore blog.
By Shaun
September 10, 2007 3:26 PM | Link to this
Strike outs leave the runners stationary. It’s a matter of a “productive out” vs. a “non-productive out.” As you say, a guy is going to get out 60% of the time, or more. So he might as well make the most of that 60+%.
Agreed. But my point is that a guy can still be productive even if he’s striking out in a good portion of those plate appearances resulting in outs.
This is why up to this season, Andruw has been better than Torii Hunter.
I’m not trying to set up a straw man, I’m trying to get back on track to my original argument that a productive player that strikes out a lot is better than an unproductive player that doesn’t strike out nearly as much.
Your point is well taken and I get it. Yes, all things being equal (AVG/OBP/SLG, SB%, position, age, contract, etc.), I’ll take the guy with fewer strikeouts. But that’s not the point I was making when discussing Andruw and Torii Hunter.
The point I’m making is that a player with significantly better stats in areas like OBP or SLG is the one I’d take over a player who strikes out less.
By joebrave
September 10, 2007 3:27 PM | Link to this
Here we go again with the stench called ,Mutts Fans.About the only thing you @ssholes are gonns have to gloat about is a 3 and out in the first round,friggin scumbags!!!!!!!
By TennesseePaul
September 10, 2007 3:31 PM | Link to this
Payne: Isn’t that a double standard?
September 10, 2007 8:58 AM
A pitcher has to get strikeouts (generally) because if he gives up too much contact, eventually those balls in play are going to find holes.
September 10, 2007 3:16 PM
Question: Wouldn’t it stand to reason that, for a hitter, eventually those balls in play are going to find holes?
Answer: Maybe, maybe not.
What happens between the time the ball leaves the pitchers conversation to the time the ball enters the hitters conversation that the holes turn into maybe not’s?
By Julia Child
September 10, 2007 3:34 PM | Link to this
TennPaul I used to like my cheeseburgers made with gruyere, shallots and pupon . How do you like yours, sweetie?
By Paladin
September 10, 2007 3:39 PM | Link to this
joe my man! Where you been hanging out? And these trolls need a good dose of you. Where’s Anders?
By TennesseePaul
September 10, 2007 3:56 PM | Link to this
Payne: a player can’t be productive if he strikes out a lot
I haven’t seen many state it this way. Typically I see people complain about the strike out not being productive, which isn’t to say the player as a whole is never, and can never be, productive. But rather to say the player could be more productive than he already is if he converted more of his K’s to balls in play. A strike out, no matter who produces it, will not result in advancing a runner or reaching base.
You always point to statistical calculations of OBP, SLG, RC, and so forth to back up what happens when the player successfully makes contact or draws the walk. Are there any stats for, or calculations which include, productive outs? Seeing how even the best offensive players create outs 60% of the time, wouldn’t it be beneficial to include the actions of a given player during the majority of his plate appearances (60%+) in constructing a line up or roster or simply measuring his worth?
By Overlord
September 10, 2007 4:01 PM | Link to this
So nobody cares for yunel in RF for next season………???????
CF matter would be already covered and braves could concentrate in SP and bench.
By Hy Koo
September 10, 2007 4:01 PM | Link to this
The haggard scribe flies
to witness the Braves’ demise.
Holy Cornelia!
By KC
September 10, 2007 4:09 PM | Link to this
If we take 2 of 3 from the Mets, and then win sweep both the Nats and Marlins over the following 6 games… we’ll still have a shot at the Wild Card.
If we take 2 of 3 from the Mets, and then 5 of 6 from the Nats/Marlins… we’ll still have a slim shot at the WC.
Anything short of winning 7 or 8 of our next 9… and the season’s over.
My feeling is that the Braves squandered their last opportunity. With a win yesterday and a sweep of the Nats… the Braves would be 3-1/2 back in the Wild Card right now.
Unfortunately, I just don’t think there’s enough time left to atone for any missed opportunities.
By Shaun
September 10, 2007 4:11 PM | Link to this
TennesseePaul,
Yes, all batted balls that have a chance to be fielded will find holes up to a point; around 29-30 percent of them will find holes.
If a pitcher allows a lot of contact to be made against him, he has little room for error if he wants to sustain any kind of career in the majors. If a pitcher allows a lot of contact, he can’t walk or hit any batters or he’s going to allow too many base runners.
If a batter makes a lot of contact without doing much of anything else, he’s going to make an out about 70 percent of the time, which is not good.
By Hy Koo
September 10, 2007 4:15 PM | Link to this
The blog goblins spew
sickening sad stinky slime.
Are Met fans subhuman?
By robdawg06
September 10, 2007 4:27 PM | Link to this
Cox digs deep as he sits
Chipper and Frenchy are checking out a female fan’s nice t**
Cox finally pulls out a big green one
By Wimpy
September 10, 2007 4:34 PM | Link to this
I love my cheeseburgers too.
By \\\\\\\\\\BERIGAN//////////
September 10, 2007 4:35 PM | Link to this
KC,
I’d be all for signing Glavine next year. Hurt the Mets, and help us. He throws even easier than Maddux, Glavine’s elbow must bend less than any other pitcher in the game! He has long been a soft tosser, so like Jamie Moyer(The only Philly starter NOT to go on the DL this year) he should be just fine almost as long as he wants to pitch, and can get guys out…
My 2 cents though. He won his 300th with the Mets. You know he would/should have wanted to do that here. Whether JS just couldn’t pull off a trade in time, or what(And where would we have been without Hudson this year anyway?) I just don’t know why Glavine would leave the Mets now, especially if they come close but don’t win. Except for family reasons. I’d love him to come back though.
By TennesseePaul
September 10, 2007 4:41 PM | Link to this
Payne: If a batter makes a lot of contact without doing much of anything else
Again with the straw man. The question was not, make contact without doing much of anything else, it was take those Ks and turn them into balls in play (Even the best hitters strike out on occassion, just not as frequently as the Adam Dunn’s of the world, so obvisously I do not mean 100% of K’s, though I wouldn’t complain if a player could do that).
Don’t think I don’t get the point that if a batter simply goes for contact and nothing but contact, shunning the walk and strike out, he will effectively become Juan Pierre. I am no fan of Pierre’s game or brand of baseball. If he drew more walks and had more pop to go along with his speed and successful contact rates, I’d reconsider. But he gives up too much of the game when he approaches the plate.
By Shaun
September 10, 2007 4:47 PM | Link to this
New Blog is up. I’ll respond to you, TennPaul over there.
By Hy Koo
September 10, 2007 4:54 PM | Link to this
A screaming comes
across the sky: hardballs are launched.
Chuck James is pitching.
By TennesseePaul
September 10, 2007 5:07 PM | Link to this
Payne: 29-30 percent of them will find holes
Assuming a 100+ K player converts 50% of his K’s to balls in play, and, applying this stat, 30% of those balls in play find holes resulting in singles, for instance
Player AVG OBP SLG OPS
Francoeur .324 .364 .473 .837
Adam Dunn .311 .421 .591 1.012
Andruw Jones .259 .346 .455 .801.
Much better than just striking out. And, those 70% of balls in play that used to be K’s could help the team in some other fashion.
By Overlord
September 10, 2007 5:08 PM | Link to this
Tampabrave having renteria and yunel in everyday lineup takes away a lot of the HR mentality. It is not like moving salty to first. Yunel is a guy that comes from cuba, i can assure you he has play everywhere in the field.
Chipper did it……….and i think yunel is slicker, so i dont see a reason not to do it
By robdawg06
September 12, 2007 6:18 PM | Link to this
DOB, do you remember on a blog about a month ago I told everyone that Yunel Escobar was a future Arod and a 5-tool player. Remember me arguing about Escobar was going to be a better hitter than Kelly Johnson (career-wise) with some guy on here ? I said the very same thing about Matt Diaz should start 2 months before the rest of you realized it. You wanna argue now that I don’t know what I talk about ?
Here’s link to the steroid mess. The names of all the players should be made public. We are their employers in a sense since our monies pay their salaries ! http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;ylt=AgDitzoBLc9TY8tgLjOpM05nYcB?slug=ys-steroidsalbany091207&prov=yhoo&type=lgns