Braves

By Ole Miss

September 10, 2007 2:46 PM | Link to this

It ain’t over ‘til it’s over!

By 22oz

September 10, 2007 2:49 PM | Link to this

Yes, that record since May 13th is not good, but was is their record since May 12th? or the 11th for that matter?

By Lee in S. GA

September 10, 2007 3:02 PM | Link to this

It appears Braves management had better get their off-season act together and really try to get a couple of proven starters and a coule of bench players. There is another team slowly on the rising in the N.L. East and that is the Nationals.

A 4th place finish next season would not be pleasant at all.

I also saw on Fox Sports trade rumors the Nats may be interested in going after the A.J. sweepstakes. That would be interesting to say the least.

By superadam

September 10, 2007 3:03 PM | Link to this

Maybe Tex for the top 50 in the league if chipper stayed healthier and played full time of couse you have to put him there and Rents defense is the only thing holding him back

By TheSouthernJackAss

September 10, 2007 3:13 PM | Link to this

TheJackAss could care less about baseball—TheJackAss is counting down the days until “Mardi Gras!” …

By True Braves Fan

September 10, 2007 3:14 PM | Link to this

Let me say that I am a strong supporter of Bobby Cox, but I was very dissappointed to not see Diaz and Escobar in the lineup in a crucial game, where Braves offense was going to determine the outcome. Right now there is just too much pressure on Chipper and Tex to produce on every at bat.

By DonCoburleone

September 10, 2007 3:15 PM | Link to this

Yeah the loss yesterday really hurt (Must have said that about 20 times this year). But, I’m over it. Time to look to 2008 and try to figure out who will be our #3 starter. IMO, you have Smoltz/Hudson 1 & 2, Chuck James is a solid #4, and pencil Hampton in as the #5… I’ve heard reports of Toronto being very interested in Yunel Escobar, but they would settle for Renteria for the right price (they don’t think Yunel is better than Renteria, but they factor in salary and contract lengths and there you go)… Anyway, the name I keep hearing is AJ Burnett… Do we want him? I don’t know the answer to that, but I do know if I’m Scheurholz I would shoot for Shawn Marcum (cuz they ain’t trading McGowan)over Burnett… Waaaaay cheaper and younger and much less of an injury risk. Would you guys do Renteria for Marcum straight up?

By Sylvester Croom

September 10, 2007 3:16 PM | Link to this

Ole Miss beats me again. I’ll beat you one of these days, Ole Miss….. Well, actually, better do it this year since this will be my last year…. That Darn Egg Bowl will be mine

By DonCoburleone

September 10, 2007 3:20 PM | Link to this

Please everyone calm down with the Nats as a “team on the rise”. Its so ridiculous, THEY STINK! Remember how we heard the same thing about the Marlins last year? And how they are very young and their starting pitching is starting to gel and blah blah blah. So where are the “up-and-coming” Marlins this year? The Braves are unquestionably the 3rd best team in the division and will remain so next year unless we get STARTING PITCHING and CLUTCH HITTING.

By Chop Chop

September 10, 2007 3:27 PM | Link to this

The Braves are 73-70 since April 2. That’s all I need to know.

By Thrillhouse44

September 10, 2007 3:31 PM | Link to this

Agreed, Superadam. Also have to believe Smoltz would be up there.

By David O'Brien

September 10, 2007 3:34 PM | Link to this

DonC, I can’t imagine the Braves would cast their fortunes with such an injury-plagued pitcher as A.J. No way. Can’t see them focusing on him….

Superadam, Tex would be in the top 50, for sure. And Chipper, based on this season and career numbers, would have to be. Smoltz and Hudson? Don’t know about current top 50. It’s so subjective anyway, and would you be taking into account careers, or just right now? Have to go on the present, I’d think.

By David O'Brien

September 10, 2007 3:39 PM | Link to this

TrueBravesFan, I can see being upset that Diaz wasn’t in lineup over Harris (though you shouldn’t be surprised, at this point, given that he’s used the platoon every game but the one last week), but being upset that Escobar wasn’t in the lineup over Kelly Johnson? Johnson’s been a bigger run producer, more extra-base pop, etc. Escobar’s got the higher average, but that’s about it, don’t you think?

By DonCoburleone

September 10, 2007 3:42 PM | Link to this

I’d go Tex & Chipper in the top 50 also; Thats probably it… If you seperate pitchers from hitters I would say Smoltz is definately a top 50 pitcher, Hudson…… maybe.

I agree to an extent DOB, I don’t think they would “focus” on Burnett, but couldn’t you see them “settling” for Burnett if other trades aren’t able to get done?

By Rutuger

September 10, 2007 3:42 PM | Link to this

Thank Jesus I’m a true fan of the one competitive sports team this state still has…

GO JACKETS!!!

By Lee in S. GA

September 10, 2007 3:43 PM | Link to this

Pretty sure Woodcrap and Thorman would miss out on the top 700. They would make the 50 over 700 if you based it on the 30 team 25 per team roster count.

By Paladin

September 10, 2007 3:43 PM | Link to this

44th!

By 1eyedJack

September 10, 2007 3:44 PM | Link to this

Well, we can forget the Division. That ain’t gonna happen. As for the Wild Card, it would take a miracle. The Braves would have to play 5 games better that 5 other teams the rest of the way and I just don’t see it. Let’s clear up salary space by letting Andruw walk and try to sign a proven, healthy, big time starting pitcher with that money. We can then trade Edgar for another reliable starter. Cross your fingers that Hampton is able to return and perform with a semblance of his former self and that Gonzalez is able to come back by the All Star break next year and be effective. And that Hudson continues this years effectiveness and that Smoltz doesn’t get any older, and that Chipper can stay healthy for a full year and …………

By Jay Dub

September 10, 2007 3:45 PM | Link to this

Would I rank any Braves in the top 50 of all Major League Baseball players? I don’t think so.

The problem is that you need to consider … in both leagues … player rankings according to position. Are there any Braves that you would say are the best in baseball at their position? No. Second best? No. Third best? You get the idea.

The closest Braves players at best-at-position would be Smoltz and Chipper.

Third Base order would have to be A-Rod and David Wright 1 & 2 … and I would argue I’d take the Marlins’ Cabrera over Chipper.

At Starting pitcher … There are so many, Smoltzy would have to fall somewhere between 8-12 at best.

Tex is an awesome player with good defensive skills, but First base is stacked.

Sorry, DOB, no top 50. What do you think?

By Paladin

September 10, 2007 3:47 PM | Link to this

SJA Missed you(in a guy way), big feller. But, you told me not to do anything you wouldn’t do. And I haven’t. :>)

By Optician

September 10, 2007 3:53 PM | Link to this

1 eyed Jack I guess it is just as well you only have one eye; but as narrow-minded as you are you could look through a keyhole with both eyes.

By mo in the boonies

September 10, 2007 3:57 PM | Link to this

TampaBrave I too would like to return to yesteryear…no divisions, no Inter-League games, no WC…that was real baseball. If I want to see a AL game, I will watch one, don’t need to see an NL team play them several times each season. Irritates me no end! Not only does it take the season into snow shovel weather, it takes away from the excitement of the WS, it is just another inter-league game by two teams who have played each other umpteen times already during the season. If the AL wants to keep the asinine DH it is no skin of my nose, but hinders them when they play in a NL park. As for there being teams with an occasional weekend off, if they make each league equal in numbers, what’s so bad about that, eventually it would even out, and the teams could rest up on their off weekend.

Grinch Re: the lineup card, when Pat Corrales was here, Joe Simpson and Skip used to often remark that Pat filled out the lineup card. Makes on wonder if it is Cox making the dumb decisions, or is it Chino, the “OOMPA-LOOMPA” in the dugout…either way, someone needs to go. (Stole that name from someone else on the blog, but can’t remember who to credit it to.)

I was really discouraged by the game yesterday, can’t decide which is the truth concerning this team, either they can’t get the fire in their bellys, unless the opposing team spots them three errors, or if they are like most ball players, very superstitious, you know, wear the same grimy hat, don’t shave, etc….And are easily turned by something so simple as switching the starting line up. They won two in a row with the same line up, and then it got changed again, and maybe they all felt jinxed…whatever, something sure turned off a switch in them. And it has been turned on and off all season.

By Braveheart

September 10, 2007 4:02 PM | Link to this

Do people realize that Kelly Johnson is ranked 4th for second baseman in the majors in OPS, 3rd in the NL? 6th in MLB, 4th in the NL for SLG? 5th in OBP in the MLB, 2nd in the NL? 2nd in MLB, 1st in the NL for walks? 6th in the NL in RBIs? 5th in the NL in homers? 1st in the majors in triples? 5th in the majors in runs scored, 3rd in the NL?

Overall, the Braves are ranked second in OPS for all second baseman in the majors behind Utley’s Phillies.

By ChampDawg

September 10, 2007 4:09 PM | Link to this

Mathematically, it aint over yet. But realistically, it’s been over for 2-3 weeks. Braves are 8 1/2 behind the Mets and 4 1/2 back in the wildcard with only 19 games left. With a slim chance at the wildcard still a possibility, this team can’t even sweep the Nats. This has been the story all season long— can’t win when you have to and can’t win when you’re suppose to. Pitching sux.

By Braveheart

September 10, 2007 4:13 PM | Link to this

1-10: Arod, Pujols, Santana, Vlad, Chipper, Mariano, Bonds, Ortiz, Manny, Sizemore

11-20: Rollins, Cabrera, Utley, Howard, Ichiro, Hanley, Oswalt, Peavy, Webb, Smoltz

21-30: Halladay, Papelbon, Hoffman, Krod, Tex, Soriano, Beltran, Magglio, Sheffield, Wright

31-40: Prince, Reyes, Tejada, Jeter, Renteria, Carlos Guillen, Thome, Hudson, Posada, Beckett

41-50: Sabathia, McCann, Mauer, Russell Martin, Victor Martinez, Schilling, Bedard, Penny, Griffey, Varitek

JayDub, you say there are alot of starting pitchers that would go in the top 50. Go look up the stats. It is very hard to find any. You have to take the top players at each position. I think it is important to have more consideration to good shortstops and catchers who can produce offensively because that is so hard to do. That’s why I put Varitek in there although I am not really sure he belongs. But I think he is pretty decent offensively, is a captain and leader in the clubhouse, and very good with managing a pitching staff and calling a game.

Putting these players in the top 50 was not very hard. They are the tops at their position and for me there are not many guys that were hard to keep out.

Helton and Holliday could be up there but I have a hard time doing that because of Coors. Magglio should maybe be higher but he’s having a career year and otherwise is not one of the top, top, top players in the game year in and year out.

By Arkansas Braves fan

September 10, 2007 4:14 PM | Link to this

I cannot take anymore of A. Jones. I’m tired of the grinning after a strikeout or even worse a double play. If Bobby doesn’t take out A.Jones last Thursday against the Phils the Braves don’t come back and win.

For the love of the Almighty would he please just try NOT to pull the ball one single little time.This is the same guy making $13 million a year batting .220 and says his team should have went out and got more pitching.The look on his face says he does not care. I would have more respect for the guy if he would just get a little upset after he screwed his team in the ground for the 200th. He says he has to play everyday,because that is what he does. Why,Why,Why,, so he can torture every braves fan who cares even a little.

By Braveheart

September 10, 2007 4:16 PM | Link to this

Who should not be hitting leadoff but has been hitting leadoff for 10 weeks now?

Yunel Escobar 0.356 0.394 0.492 0.885

Kelly Johnson 0.284 0.387 0.47 0.857

Willie Harris 0.234 0.322 0.375 0.697

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm………

By JT

September 10, 2007 4:16 PM | Link to this

DOB, it’s a defibrillator.

By Andruw Jones

September 10, 2007 4:23 PM | Link to this

I smile all the time because Mr. Boreass will get someone to “show me the money” no matter what I do. And I’m going to spend the winter in Curacao. Wouldn’t you be smiling?

By brent a.

September 10, 2007 4:23 PM | Link to this

Question:

Does Andruw even get offered a contract by the Braves? Seemingly, the classy thing to do is offer him something reasonable, considering how long he’s been with the team, the success he has had, and the fact that he is still in his prime.

However, is it worth even throwing out a figure to A. Jones and Boras, knowing that there is really no good reason to offer him even half of what he will probably be seeking on the open market, which may simply open the door for Boras and/or Andruw to take shots at the Braves?

Right now, I just kind of see JS asking Scott what Andruw wants, and then letting him know that the Braves don’t have the money to make a reasonable offer (knowing all along that right now, Andruw would be way overpaid at even $10 million a year).

Okay, Go Braves.

By Anders

September 10, 2007 4:29 PM | Link to this

DOB Would you trade Escobar for Milledge? Fills your CF position with a guy with a pretty good rated upside who’s cheap for the next 5 years. You give up a guy you don’t have a spot for assuming you keep Renteria. You now have AJ’s money and the money you didn’t spend on Hunter or Rowand to go get the pitching the Braves need. Milledge has played pretty well since he cleaned up his act (read cut dreadlocks and lost jewelry, somebody obviously got to this guy) and played very steady. Good outfielder with speed. The Mets could make Escobar their second baseman.

By mo in the boonies

September 10, 2007 4:30 PM | Link to this

ArkansasBraveFan why does everyone assume that AJ playing or not playing is his decision? We all know who decides who plays, and who doesn’t, and it sure isn’t AJ.

BTW, did anyone else see the young blonde girls wearing signs with “Chipper’s Chips” on them? I thought it must be a misprint, shouldn’t it have read: “Chippers Chippies?”

By hk

September 10, 2007 4:35 PM | Link to this

… Chipper pulling away from the pack in ‘MVP’

Projected R - HR - RBI - Last - Now

Chipper - 105 - 28 - 99 - 224 -227

Andruw - 88 - 27 - 96 - 219 - 207

Frenchy - 84 - 19 - 103 - 203 - 206

Teixeira - 82 - 27 - 96 - 208 - 205

Johnson - 94 - 17 - 74 - 194 - 185

McCann - 54 - 19 - 97 - 178 - 171

Renteria - 85 - 12 - 60 - 168 - 157

Diaz - 45 - 14 - 48 - 108 - 106

Harris - 61 - 2 - 32 - 94 - 95

Team Average - - - - 174 - 170

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

… think Mark Richt made a mistake a couple of weeks ago saying Stafford was the most talented quarterback he’s ever seen, created too much pressure of expectations, showed on Saturday … ‘Old Ball Coach’ outsmarted Bobo big time the whole game …

… Harrington threw nothing but short ‘dink’ passes all day, he’d be a natural for that West Coast Offense that ruined Vick …

By rotgut

September 10, 2007 4:37 PM | Link to this

Thanks for the Blog Dave.

Ive watched at least 75-80% of the games this year and 2 weeks ago i was CONVINCED we had the best team in the NL. I bought tickets to the big Mets series last weekend and predicted sweeps here and blowouts there and ….. WHAT HAPPENED>?? Thats all Ive been asking myself for the last weeks. What happened to hitting with RISP? How the f&39ck did Tex win player of the week (deservedly so) AND the Braves lose! IS our pitching THAT weak? I look around the NL and the Padres and maybe Mets (b*******) are the only team that put out a formidable pitching staff. i know i have a preference towards the Braves but i cant imagine other teams (outside the nl east) play harder and want to win more against the braves bc we’ve been so dominant for so long but is that the case? Is the ALL BUSINESS style of CHipper bad for the team somehow? I dont know what to think! Please if somebody can help me come to grasps with the season and what we have as a team i would be most appreciative.

Sorry for the rant but i went to the UGA/Cocks game too and THEY FREAKIN BLEW IT. I feel jinxed!

By robdawg06

September 10, 2007 4:40 PM | Link to this

This was the worst sports weekend I can remember. My hometown high school football team,Dawgs,Falcons,and the Braves (Sunday) all lost.

The biggest problem is that Diaz,Harris,KJ,and Escobar all deserve to start. But the Braves won’t displace Andruw and Renteria is still better than KJ and Escobar. The Braves are overloaded with good position players and massively underarmed in the pitching dept. I think Lance Cormier got pitching lessons from Bert Blyleven…

I remember the intensity Pete Rose,Reggie Jackson,Nolan Ryan,Mike Schmidt,George Brett,and Gary Carter played with. Only John Smoltz plays with that intensity on the Braves. That’s a damn shame too…

By Thrillhouse44

September 10, 2007 4:43 PM | Link to this

Braveheart, I wasn’t a big fan of moving KJ out of the leadoff spot. I didn’t think he did anything to deserve it. (Didn’t he miss a bunt or something that seemed to spark the move? Bunting is not Willie’s forte either.) Anyways, the stats you just showed made me ill. At least AJ isn’t hitting cleanup anymore.

Anders, I don’t think the Braves are going to trade Escobar this year or next. Seems that they valued him over Salty. Who wants Milledge anyways? Just b/c he cut the locks and removed the bling doesn’t mean he’s a stellar dude. Do you really see a situation where the Braves and Mess deal with eachother?

By Critic

September 10, 2007 4:43 PM | Link to this

Speaking of “chippies” did y’all see Madonna’s beaych, Britney’s, latest “performance”? Talk about a hussy! Nice body, but no telling where it has been.

By DAP

September 10, 2007 4:44 PM | Link to this

i think chipper, edgar, and mccann would all make the top 50. maybe even frenchy.

By ncscoots

September 10, 2007 4:45 PM | Link to this

Does Andruw even get offered a contract by the Braves?

Why not? I’ve done my share of beer-can-throwing after his ABs this year, too, but I don’t think he’s turned into a career .220 hitter. He’s still the guy who cranked over 100 homers the last three years, and he’s a lot more likely to again 50 homers next year than he is to again hit .220, IMO.

Braves will never get him for a reasonable (to them) price, though, and they certainly won’t offer arbitration, so it’s still probably adios. But those folks here spitting on him on the way out of town, well…hope they can still do that next year when they compare his 2008 season with whoever is playing CF in ATL. But I fear the comparison will be unfavorable for the Braves.

By Puzzled in Seattle

September 10, 2007 4:54 PM | Link to this

What are these numbers you guys are quoting? The number of guys who have diddled Madonna?

By Anders

September 10, 2007 4:56 PM | Link to this

Thrillhouse 44 It was just a question. I honestly don’t think if you and I agree it will happen. As for holding on to Escobar - you can do that but with a limited budget I don’t think the Braves are in a position to keep prospects on the bench for two years. If you keep Escobar you have to move Renteria or Johnson - no?Not sure about the Salty comparison as he’s a catcher. If you mean because they traded Salty that might be because the Rangers valued Salty more - there is another side to these things you know. As for knocking Milledge , I half expected it. I mentioned the hair deal etc as info on how it appears he’s finally getting it. His whole demeanor has changed from last season.If you follow baseball you may know that the knock on him was upside talent but questionable character - which was deserved.

By Rev. Zoldars

September 10, 2007 4:57 PM | Link to this

What about the braves going after a legit #1 this offseason? I don’`t see why cash and trade couldnt bring us that.

And another thing, for renteria to have been our most reliable and consistent player for this year and last, hitting for average, with pop and a knack for clutch hitting, why is he the guy to trade? I mean of course we have a gluttonous amount of talented infielders…..I guess the thing is, for my buck, rents been the man. PLays hard, plays great. I imagine this would have been one of his best years. So why is his value so pathetic? I mean the sox wouldnt take him and a prospect for garland, and that does not seem comprable. Seems like garland isnt even worth Renteria! Or Shawn Marcum? straight up? Am I the only one who sees the value of Renty?

Anyway I know money considerations play a part, but sheer talent and production alone…

Back to my original point. How likely would the braves be to get Johan? if we have this extra money…

And what about fransisco Liriano? I havent heard from him in a while. Did he fully recovery from surgery or whatever his ailment was?

Ok. thats it

By J-School Dropout

September 10, 2007 4:59 PM | Link to this

DOB:

Quick, but interesting question: Is Andruw the first player to tank this bad in his walk year?

By JCD

September 10, 2007 4:59 PM | Link to this

For all you have given up. Yes, it’s a long shot. If we are swept by the Mets, we are toast, but remember we still got 3 vs. Phils, 4 vs. Brewers (terrible road record), 3 vs. Astros, 3 vs. Nats, 3 vs. Marlins.

4 teams are in front of us (Padres, Dodgers, Phils, Rockies), but like this past weekend, all four of them are playing against each other this week: (4)Phils/Rockies and (3) LA/SD. This weekend, SD plays AZ, LA plays SF (tough series always), Phils vs. Mets. We could conceivably only have 1 or two teams in front of us by next Monday. The Phils have to go to St. Louis next week. The Dodgers play Colorado, etc.

The bad news for sure. If we won the wild card today, we open with the Diamondbacks. I don’t know if we could win 2 games against them in a 17 game series.

Just don’t give up yet. The holes are there, but I haven’t heard anyone say that the rest of the NL has a great team. Heck, the Cards won it all last year and went through to good teams to get to Detroit.

By Shaun

September 10, 2007 5:02 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.

Well, the discussion that brought this up was about Mike Cameron not being a productive player because he strikes out a lot. That’s why I phrased it that way. I respect your argument and agree with it in many ways. Although I would argue that more power means more runs but also more strikeouts. More contact probably means a weaker swing and less power which in turn means fewer runs. I think that’s why the game has evolved the way it has. It’s not that players are dumber or don’t care about contact and want to be on highlight reels. It’s that baseball players, coaches, etc. understand that base runners and power lead to more runs than just trying to put the bat on the ball (at least at the major league level).

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?

Well, the info we have shows that even if 60-plus percent of those outs are strikeouts, it still may not hinder run production. Again, look at runs scored rankings for any given season. They have virtually no correlation with strikeout rankings.

And again, to say a contact out is a productive out is also to ignore a certain fact—that the base runner deserves just as much if not more credit than the hitter for getting on and allowing that out to be a productive one.

I just don’t understand what your point is? I’ve already conceded to what I thought your point is—that all things being equal (or close to equal), I’d rather have the guy who makes more contact. Point that brought all this up is that Mike Cameron is probably a fine option for the Braves next year, even though he does K a lot because he still doesn’t make outs as often as a lot of other players and he has good power and solid defense and he’s going to be relatively cheap and won’t command a long-term deal.

By True Braves Fan

September 10, 2007 5:03 PM | Link to this

DOB: Thanks for the reply and opinion. My preference for Escobar over Johnson (aside from better BA) is that Escobar seems to get on base and make things happen. I am not down on Johnson, but lately he seems to remind me of Langerhans taking all those called third strikes in crucial situations. We agree however, no way Harris over Diaz.

By ernesto

September 10, 2007 5:05 PM | Link to this

Scoots - Andruw’s been hitting this way a long itme now, going on a season and a half. I think for a guy who’s a lifetime .260 hitter, it’s not inconceivable he’d drop down to a .240-.250 hitter regularly. I think it’s far more likely he ends up on the unhappy side of .260 for the rest of his career than the happy side, becuase he’s got to see what’s wrong with his approach and he doesn’t seem to think it’s a problem.

I think the Braves will offer Andruw a contract but I think it will be so far under what he’d accept that they can let him walk without looking like they did nothing.

By High Coup

September 10, 2007 5:08 PM | Link to this

A screaming comes

across the sky: hardballs are launched.

Chuck James is pitching.

By Coach (The Fat Lady is about let it RIP)

September 10, 2007 5:09 PM | Link to this

Top 50 list : Smoltz , Chipper and Teixeira are locks. 19 games to play , the Braves will finish about 10-9. September will end up looking something like 14-13 or 15-12. final record : 84-78 and five to six games back in the wild card race. Why do I even bother to predict this crap , it’s so damn obvious !

By ernesto

September 10, 2007 5:10 PM | Link to this

I’d love to go after a #1 in the offseason, but what are the chances. Any guy who even seems like he could be a #1 gets so overpaid it’s not funny. Then if you get a Zito situation you are hosed immaculate.

That being said, think we could get Santana?

By Glass all empty

September 10, 2007 5:11 PM | Link to this

Overlord You may be posting under JCD but we would know your omnipresent optimism anywhere. The lady with the unmentionably wide and saggy deriere has been singing “It’s Over”, for a week. Give it up and get a hobby.

By ernesto

September 10, 2007 5:13 PM | Link to this

High coup, you needed 5 syllables in that first line partner.

By Braveheart

September 10, 2007 5:13 PM | Link to this

Would I rank any Braves in the top 50 of all Major League Baseball players? I don’t think so. Are there any Braves that you would say are the best in baseball at their position? No. Second best? No. Third best? You get the idea. The closest Braves players at best-at-position would be Smoltz and Chipper. Third Base order would have to be A-Rod and David Wright 1 & 2 … and I would argue I’d take the Marlins’ Cabrera over Chipper.

Are morons seriously saying Chipper is not one of the top 50??!?!?!?!?! Wake the F up!!!!!!!!!!

The #3 hitter is the best hitter usually on every team right?

Have you looked up the stats?

CHipper Jones is in a first place tie right now with David Ortiz for the highest OPS in the entire major leagues for #3 hitters. Chipper and Papi each have a 1.020 OPS. The next closest competitor, Pujols, is 34 points behind Chipper and Papi.

Chipper Jones is in first place in the entire major leagues for SLG for a #3 hitter with a .604. Ortiz is 18 points away.

Chipper Jones is in third place in the entire major leagues in OBP for a #3 hitter with .416 behind only Ortiz and Pujols.

Chipper Jones is in first place in all of the majors in AVG for a #3 hitter with a .325 AVG.

Where do the Braves rank overall in production from the #3 spot in the lineup?

In the #3 lineup spot, the Braves rank only behind Ortiz’ Red Sox and Pujols’ Cardinals. Red Sox, .995. Cardinals, .983, Braves, .969.

The Braves rank 2nd in the major leagues in SLG % from the 3 hole behind only the Brewers.

THe BRaves rank 3rd in the majors in OBP% from the 3 hole behind only the Red Sox and the Cardinals.

The Braves are second in the majors in batting average from the 3 hole.

The Braves are second in the majors in total bases from the 3 hole.

The BRaves are first in doubles from the 3 hole in the majors.

The Braves are first in hits in the majors from the 3 hole.

The Braves are 3rd in the majors in runs scored from the 3 hole.

As for third base, the Braves are 4th in the majors in OPS from third base, 3rd in the majors in SLG, 4th in OBP, 5th in AVG, 6th in RBIs, 3rd in total bases, 5th in homers, 1st in doubles, 3rd in hits, 2nd in runs, 3rd in walks….

Sorry for the language, but holy frigging sh!t, what the hell are some of these people’s problems with Chipper? ….. So what he gets hurt alot. So did Will the Thrill and Donnie Baseball as they got older and no one put ‘em down this way and Chipper is way better than both of them at a comparative age….

You would take David Wright over Chipper? Seriously? Come on, put down the crack pipe, doofus.

There are only two third baseman in the entire major leagues with an OPS over 1.000 - AROD and Chipper. AROD is in a class by himself. Then Chipper is in another class by himself. Chipper’s OPS is 78 points higher than David Wright. David Wright is a cute little all star. Chipper is an all time star.

Chipper is one of the best third baseman in the history of baseball, IF NOT THE BEST OF ALL TIME. People need to wake up to that.

Chipper Jones’ OPS+ is 144.

Mike Schmidt’s OPS+ was 147.

AROD’s OPS+ is 148.

George Brett’s OPS+ was 135.

Wade Boggs’ OPS+ was 130.

Eddie MAtthews’ OPS+ was 143.

Home Run Baker’s OPS+ was 135.

Jimmy Collins’ OPS+ was 113.

George Kell’s OPS+ was 113.

Freddie Lindstrom’s OPS+ was 110.

Brooks Robindson’s OPS+ was 104.

Pie Traynor’s OPS+ was 107.

Those are the greatest third baseman of all time. Chipper with his 144 is hanging right there with Eddie’s 143, Schmidt’s 147, AROD’s 148. AROD might go in the hall someday as the best third baseman and the best shortstop there ever was. But if Chipper gets that 500th home run sometime before he hits 40, Chipper might go down as the best third baseman of all time.

People don’t like Chipper for some reason and have no idea what they are watching out there every day. It completely astounds me. Schmidt, I guess, is considered the best. Schmidt might have been better on defense but Schmidt also hit only .267 for his career while Chipper has hit .306. AS Chipper pointed out the other day in his crybaby rant about the umps, he has more lifetime walks than he has lifetime strikeouts. Amazing.

Chipper has a higher OPS number than any other third baseman in the entire history of baseball, although his OPS+ is slightly lower than Schmidt.

WAKE UP! You just might be watching the best third baseman play before your eyes everyday and too many of you don’t like him so much that you will never appreciate him.

By John glenn

September 10, 2007 5:14 PM | Link to this

Just found out that if Johan Santana doesn’t finish in the top 3 for the Cy Young award, he will not have a full no-trade clause and can elect up to 12 teams not to be traded to. All Braves fans need to hope the Dodgers give up Billingsley, Kemp, Broxton, and whoever else the Twins want, because if the Mets give them Maine, Pelfrey, Millege, Heilman, or Gomez it could get real ugly around here for the next decade. The Twins are not going to trade him to the AL, so you can forget those thoughts, and they are going to get something for him. There are not going to let him walk.

By Historian

September 10, 2007 5:18 PM | Link to this

“What do we have to hear from a ‘coach’ who doesn’t know his headquarters from his hindquarters?”

With apologies to Abe Lincoln.

By JCD

September 10, 2007 5:21 PM | Link to this

It was a bad sports weekend unless you are a Techster. But the root of your problem is pulling for the Falcons. They’ve never had back to back .500 seasons (not winning seasons, .500 season). They had Glanville, they fired Reeves, etc. Deion was here. They haven’t had a UGA player (much less a SEC player) regulary start in 25 years (who has won all the NCAA championships) and they’ve barely had any Techsters. They coddled Vick- and is if that’s a shock that he’s a crook. Following the Falcons makes about as much sense as following the Atlanta Flames- neither one is going to win a championship for Atlanta.

You can’t throw the Falcons in as your Hometown team if you are Bulldawg fan or Tech Fan.

The Falcons are for people who didn’t go to college. Of course if you pull for the Dawgs/Jackets + Falcons, then you are goons who show up at the Georgia Games (never attended), complain about the tailgating, get way too drunk and look like clowns. The non-Tech grads are worse. Just trying to associate yourself with smart people (although pulling for Tech takes little inteligence), but that really only works in the business world.

Save this blog for Braves info. Lay off the Falcons, Dawgs, Tech, etc. They’ve got their own blogs. Go Braves

By VaBravesfan

September 10, 2007 5:24 PM | Link to this

Braveheart: All I can say is “Amen, brother”.

By Word Counter

September 10, 2007 5:25 PM | Link to this

Braveheart You have passed Shaun and are well in the lead. You can coast home from here. Put your fingers on ice, Champ, the belt is yours!!

By JCD

September 10, 2007 5:26 PM | Link to this

By Glass all empty. I don’t know who Overlord is. Which is a good thing. This is only the 3rd time I’ve been on here and I already see what a waste of time it is. Maybe you should take your own advice, put down the doritos, take a timeout from the keyboard and go back to your hobby, which is probably attending star trek conventions, playing some warlord internet game or finding a firebobbycox blog.

By Rev. Zoldars

September 10, 2007 5:29 PM | Link to this

Siince J.S. and B.C. appear to b on their way out after next year and they want to go out with a bang im sure; it seems pretty likely that they will try and make that happen with the acquisition of players to form a world champion baseball team.

Now, this is not really news. You saw the beginning of it when we got tex and traded the farm. And it seems likely to happen.

So who do we go after? Think about the possibilities of two figurehead superpowers with mucho respect in their organization, trying to win a title to pad their legacy and for the city of Atlanta, when they have nothing to lose.

I predict a very happy atlanta baseball team this next year. Albeit a possibly very different one.

But just thinking, if you had no financial or sentimental limits, just how far you could talk yourself…what could you do? Is that the mindset John S. will take?

Screw looking at free agents. Anyone could be game

By Dean of Admissions

September 10, 2007 5:30 PM | Link to this

JCD I assume your “initials” stand for Junior College Dropout. Is that correct?

By Glass all empty

September 10, 2007 5:34 PM | Link to this

This is just your 3rd time, JCD? I thought you had been boring us forever.

By TennesseePaul

September 10, 2007 5:34 PM | Link to this

Payne: You have conceeded to the point. As for the player choice, I’d rather have Rowand or Hunter over Cameron. I’m not a fan of Cameron. He is injured too often and that low, low batting average doesn’t sit well when I think of runners on… I see a less powerful version of this seasons AJ.

The second portion quoted was a secondary question, aside from the main point.
A contact out is a productive out not only because it has the possibilty to move a runner over, but also because it has a probability of allowing the batter to reach. Previously you stated that 29-30% would find the hole. Where as a strike out has no chance of either of those two options. The guy on desrves credit, but who gets the credit/blame when the inning’s over and he’s still sitting out there? A runner on counts for nothing when the game ends. It’s the runners that cross the plate that matter. The point of getting on is to increase the scoring opportunity. So why not also look into other actions that can increase the scoring opportunity? So, considering a player spends the majority of his time making outs, wouldn’t it be prudent to study this time and learn more about it and which events afford the team high scoring probabilities?

By Mz Manures

September 10, 2007 5:39 PM | Link to this

*Screw looking at free agents.*

Reverend!!! You should be ashamed.

By wjones

September 10, 2007 5:39 PM | Link to this

Regarding trade value for Renteria, he has two advantages that would be attractive for other teams, IMHO:

1. His salary is not ludicrous ($6M),

2. He is still an all-star caliber player, and a clutch hitter by rep.

What makes me wary, though, about how much value we would get are:

1. We only gave up a prospect, Andy Marte, to get him two years ago. I realize that Marte, at that point, was a HOT prospect, and everyone thought that JS was CRAZY to do the trade, and Edgar was coming off his worst season, and Boston wanted him gone REAL bad.

2. He is two years older now, and has to prove he can still run after his injury.

It just seems to me that anyone with pitching will be commanding STEEP exchanges, so I doubt that Edgar would be enough, even though he is still extremely valuable, to us or to anyone else.

By TennesseePaul

September 10, 2007 5:48 PM | Link to this

Well, the info we have shows that even if 60-plus percent of those outs are strikeouts, it still may not hinder run production

Isn’t this in fact just a wordy way of say: Research todate is inconclusive?

By High Coup

September 10, 2007 5:48 PM | Link to this

Two and o counts then

fastballs grooved down the middle.

McDowell silent.

By Bob, Journalist

September 10, 2007 5:53 PM | Link to this

Thanks David O’B … for remembering Miss Patsy … can you imagine so many hits in such a short period of time … “Leavin’” in 1963 is a good way to remember her but goodness, she had so many … “Walkin’ After Midnight”, “Sweet Dreams”, “I Fall to Pieces”, “Crazy”, and “She’s Got You” … just to name a few!

She was clutch … with a penchant for coming up with big hit’s … rest easy darlin’!

I know that I’ve been on the DL and that winning 162 games in one season is a tall order but if we’d consciously try to go with the pitch and best the pitcher, I think we could win 16 of the next 19.

By Rev. Zoldars

September 10, 2007 5:54 PM | Link to this

sorry, i was simultaneously writing a blog on home appliances and hardware. 2 hail marys for me…1 our father…

By David O'Brien

September 10, 2007 5:54 PM | Link to this

Rotgut, Tex didn’t just win player of the week, he was NL player of the month in August….

Dotel still hasn’t thrown off mound. It’s pushed back yet again, to tomorrow. At this point, tell you what: let me know when you’re done throwing off the mound, OK?

By Elderly Fat Woman Behind The Counter In A Small Town

September 10, 2007 5:58 PM | Link to this

Paladin, it’s Viva Viagra time honey. I love it when you dance around singing Viva Viagra! Viva Viagra! Viva Viagra!

By Tyler

September 10, 2007 6:01 PM | Link to this

My take on this offseason:

Trade Teixeira to either the Angels, Red Sox, or a team who can make a good offer.

Angels can offer Joe Saunders (7-3, 3.78 ERA), Ervin Santana (Down year, but talented), Kasey Kotchman (.288, 33 2B, fills Teixeira’s spot), Jerrod Weaver (Fat chance), Scott Shields (Fat chance). The Sox can offer Jacoby Ellsbury (VERY talented), John Lester, or Coco Crisp.

If you’re offered Saunders, Kotchman, and Santana, do you do it? It gives you pitching-ready talent and a good young 1B to fill Tex’s spot.

By stynes

September 10, 2007 6:01 PM | Link to this

Nice rant, Braveheart. I wholeheartedly agree, btw. Chipper gets hurt too often for anyone’s liking but that’s life. When he’s on the field and healthy I think he’s in that elite list of players that pitchers just don’t want to face. Stats are great and are certainly the most objective way to measure a player but I’d say the most telling thing is how much an opposing pitcher doesn’t want to face them. I’d most pitchers would put Chipper on a short list that includes ARod, Bonds, and Pujols. Chipper’s really that good.

By Shaun

September 10, 2007 6:02 PM | Link to this

TennesseePaul,

Yeah, I wouldn’t be upset if the Braves added Rowand. Guess it depends on salary and years.

Cameron is certainly not all that likely to be anything like the 2007 Andruw. This season he’s posted a .334 OBP/.446 SLG. Away from cavernous Petco Park he’s hitting .260/.350/.454. He’s probably not going to be that good next season, but if he’s the cheapest option and only wants two years, he may be the best option.

Again, he’s going to help some team in other ways besides getting hits with runners in scoring position.

Of the players with at least 100 plate appearances, you know where Chipper ranks in AVG with RISP? 77th. Do you want Jose Vidro, Kelly Johnson, Pedro Feliz and Mark Grudzielanek (and a lot of other players who rank higher) up with RISP before Chipper? I don’t think you do.

And 2005 is really the only year Cameron has missed significant time with injury.

By High Coup

September 10, 2007 6:04 PM | Link to this

Push’d back yet again,

when will Dotel start to throw?

OK. Tir’d of asking.

By DonCoburleone

September 10, 2007 6:06 PM | Link to this

DOB do you know the lineup yet?

By jbutler

September 10, 2007 6:07 PM | Link to this

DOB…haven’t posted in awhile- I turned my attention away from the Braves to relish in the US Open for 2 weeks. But tuning back here it appears the doldrums of Shea have made you particularly cranky. Having lived in NY and been there a few times- I can attest to its nastiness. Hoping the Braves will give themselves CPR and make the trip a little easier as we head down the stretch.

By Shaun

September 10, 2007 6:09 PM | Link to this

TennesseePaul,

Actually it’s a way of saying teams’ strikeout totals have no correlation with run scoring totals.

By TennesseePaul

September 10, 2007 6:13 PM | Link to this

Wouldn’t mind KJ up. Love that guy, solid power, good OBP skills, nice AVG, ain’t nothing wrong with that. But I’m not talking about simply hits with RISP. And, even with the odd turn out, the guys at the bottom of the entire list are probably annual regulars.

By High Coup

September 10, 2007 6:15 PM | Link to this

Beware of Stinky,

malign presence on this blog.

He’ll steal your ID.

By Paladin

September 10, 2007 6:19 PM | Link to this

Elderly Woman First of all, you are much too old for me. And, I wear viagra-impregnated jockey shorts. You can never tell.

By High Coup

September 10, 2007 6:25 PM | Link to this

A hitting machine

too awesome to contemplate:

A-Rod on steroids.

By Coach (The Fat Lady is about let it RIP)

September 10, 2007 6:28 PM | Link to this

Renteria would be attractive trade bait for a team needing a solid SS. The Toronto Blue Jays come to mind.

By Paladin

September 10, 2007 6:32 PM | Link to this

I’m going in for dinner. The fat chick insists on promptness.

By David O'Brien

September 10, 2007 6:33 PM | Link to this

jbutler, i’m not particularly cranky. Not cranky at all, actually. But good try….

DonC, lineup is (drum roll, please): 1. Escobar, 2. Renteria, 3. Chipper, 4. Teixeira, 5. Francoeur, 6. Andruw, 7. McCann, 8, Diaz.

By Vin Scully

September 10, 2007 6:34 PM | Link to this

“All year long, they looked to him to light the fire…..”

“and all year long, he answered the demands, until he was physically unable to start tonight——with two bad legs: The bad left hamstring, and the swollen right knee. And, with two out, you talk about a roll of the dice… this is it.”

“shaking his left leg, making it quiver, like a horse trying to get rid of a troublesome fly.”

“the game right now is at the plate.”

“High fly ball into right field, she i-i-i-is… gone!! ”

“In a year that has been so improbable… the impossible has happened! ”

“And, now, the only question was, could he make it around the base paths unassisted?!”

“You know, I said it once before, a few days ago, that Bob Journalist was not the Most Valuable Player; that the Most Valuable Player for the Denizens was Tinkerbell. But, tonight, I think Tinkerbell backed off for Bob, Journalist. And, look at the Mets fans——shocked to their toes!”

“They are going wild at The DOB/MIB Blog ——no one wants to leave!”

Bob, the Journalist is dusting himself off and pulling a Kirk Gibson for us tonight.

BobJ, keep fighting! You and your wife are in our thoughts and prayers.

By gotigers72

September 10, 2007 6:37 PM | Link to this

Top 50 - Chipper, Smoltz, and Teixeira. That’s three no doubters.

I’m extremely disappointed in my team this year. I thought JS went out over the winter and fixed the problem [bullpen], that plagued the Braves last year. I thought the Braves would be in the race at least until the last week. With all those bats they had, and then adding Teixeira on July 31. But starting pitchers 3-5 were pathetic, that along with some other problems that popped up from time to time [clutch hitting at times for one], had them basically out of the race before September came along. Time to look toward next year again.

Can you believe the number of homers the 3-5 starters have given up? Chuck leads with a monstrous 27, Cormier has 14 in very limited innings. JoJo has a lot in a limited number of innings. Davies before he left, Redman before he left. Lerew. You can go on and on in those spots and the number of homers given up is just mind boggling. I would like to know how many homers to innings pitched that bunch has given up.

BC has also had a bad year. Insisting on keeping AJ at cleanup despite him being below .200 at one time. He’s up to an unbelievable .223 now. Why doesn’t BC believe the numbers? The same with Willie. A guy that has lost 100 points off of his batting average continuing to get most of the at bats in a platoon situation, because most of the pitchers are right handed. While a guy hitting .344 is sitting on the bench, despite the fact that he is hitting FORTY points higher against right handers than the left handed bat is. BC’s boss or somebody needs to sit him down and tell him that numbers DO matter. Great manager, bad managerial year.

By DonCoburleone

September 10, 2007 6:42 PM | Link to this

McCann sure has been carrying his weight since the Salty trade went down… I mean damn, I think he’s missed a total of like 2 or 3 games since July 31… Good to see he is still performing pretty well. Consistent, every-day catchers are almost non-existent today.

By Braveheart

September 10, 2007 6:48 PM | Link to this

Here’s a good Andruw Jones article on Hardball Times about Andruw Jones:

Will batting .220 hurt Andruw Jones’ contract chances?

They basically say that based upon his production and expected production, Andruw should receive a 6 yr/$80 million dollar contract. I agree and hope that is the case. If so, the Braves should sign him back up for that money. Sounds reasonable when you consider the position he plays and how good he is comparable to other centerfielders.

Boras will probably sucker some team into more money. But if he is available for $14 or $15 million, the Braves should keep him.

By Glavine's a TRADER!

September 10, 2007 6:48 PM | Link to this

well- at least our attendance numbers are up!

By DonCoburleone

September 10, 2007 6:51 PM | Link to this

I know this isn’t baseball and I will catch major flak for this, but what the heck… The Pac-10 is a better overall and deeper conference than the SEC this year. Anyone agree with that?

By Tyler

September 10, 2007 6:53 PM | Link to this

Who do you keep, Tex or Renteria? Both are free agents at the end of next season. Renteria already has a backup that is major league ready, whereas Tex does not. But how do we perform when Renteria is not in the lineup compared to when he is. I think it’s pretty obvious, we’re a different team with him in the 2 hole. Since Tex coming, I can’t say we’re a better TEAM. Sure he’s fantastic, but we’re not winning more than we are losing. Do we keep Tex for one more year and risk not signing him next year, or trade him while he’s hot for our needs?

Like I said, the Angels offered Texas a lot for him. We could get Saunders, Kotchman, and Santana. Or we could trade Renteria for a descent #3 or #4 pitcher, and still risk not signing Tex again.

Point is, we can’t have a lineup without both, and to me, Tex looks like the more logical candiate. Call me crazy, I don’t care.

By Todd A

September 10, 2007 6:55 PM | Link to this

The Braves are still playing? I’ve been in a coma since, oh, say about 9:15 Saturday night. Anyone want a XL Matt Stafford road jersey? Dirt cheap. UGA just ran another screen pass.

By Overlord (BAND OF BROTHERS)

September 10, 2007 6:57 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

empty glass i will always be overlord and not anything else.

By David O'Brien

September 10, 2007 6:59 PM | Link to this

THIS JUST IN: Chipper strained his right oblique during batting practice and Andruw is sick. Both are out of the lineup.

Don’t know how serious Chipper’s injury is.

Prado’s at 3B batting sixth, Harris moves to CF and bats eighth.

By Coach (The Fat Lady is about let it RIP)

September 10, 2007 6:59 PM | Link to this

gotigers , excluding Smoltz and Hudson , the other nine starters have pitched 441 innings giving up 80 HR’s for an AVG of one HR every 5.5 innings.

By Overlord (BAND OF BROTHERS)

September 10, 2007 7:00 PM | Link to this

mlb just activated some option to chat live ……its cool

there an icon to click on on the scoreboard on mlb.com

By Chop Chop

September 10, 2007 7:00 PM | Link to this

gotigers72,

In about 440 innings pitched, the 3-5 starters (James, Carlyle, Cormier, Reyes, Davies, Redman and Lerew) have given up 88 homers this season. Contrast that with John Smoltz and Tim Hudson, who have pitched about 375 innings this year and given up 21 homers.

Yikes.

By Todd A

September 10, 2007 7:02 PM | Link to this

LOL meant “threw” another screen pass….ugh. Still dazed and confused from that debacle Sat.

By Coach (The Fat Lady is about let it RIP)

September 10, 2007 7:02 PM | Link to this

Correction , the other SEVEN starters have given up 80 HR’s for an AVG of one HR every 5.5 innings.

By DonCoburleone

September 10, 2007 7:13 PM | Link to this

….And Chipper is officially done for the year! I’ll give the guy credit, at least he comes up with “injuries” rather than just mailing it in like Andruw usually does…

By Weird Feeling

September 10, 2007 7:13 PM | Link to this

I’m watching. I can’t help myself. I’m watching the game. I just thought my gut would be twisting because of the magnitude of the contests with the Mets and what it would mean. Last weekend changed all that.

Now Chipper and Andruw are out. Guess I can be like our friend B9. It’s a “whatever” I suppose.

This feels too much like watching the ‘89 Braves on TBS. It’s on. You kind of watch it and listen to it and if the announcers get loud, you actually look up to see what happened.

By Braveheart

September 10, 2007 7:15 PM | Link to this

In the majors, in terms of OPS, we have the 4th ranked catcher, the 4th ranked firs baseman, the 4th ranked 2nd baseman, the second ranked third baseman, the third ranked shortstop, and we are only 73-70?

Our left field is ranked 13th, centerfield 15th, right field 17th. That is not a killer though.

Our bullpen has the 6th best ERA in the major leagues.

We have 3 pitchers in the top 50 of all major league starters in ERA. Smoltz is 5th, Hudson is 18th, Chuck James is 50th. 3 starters in the top 38% of all starters in the entire major leagues.

Hudson, Smoltz, and Chuck combined have a 3.52 ERA in 524 innings. 51-34 in their 85 starts. 22-36 in the other 58 starts of their starters with a 6.37 ERA in 287 innings.

Tim, Chuck & John have given up 205 earned runs in 524 innings.

The rest of their starters combined have given up 203 earned runs in 287 innings

That means Tim, Chuck, and John combined have only given up 2 more earned runs in 237 more innings pitched.

There went the season.

By TennesseePaul

September 10, 2007 7:15 PM | Link to this

may not hinder run production

That would leave the door open for, might hinder run production. From everything I’ve read, the only fact that can be stated about strike outs and runs is… There is no direct correlation between the two…

By Metropolitan Man

September 10, 2007 7:16 PM | Link to this

FIGHTERS: Report to your corners and at the bell, come out swinging!!!!

LETS GO METS!!!

By Coach (The Fat Lady is about let it RIP)

September 10, 2007 7:17 PM | Link to this

Chop chop got it right. The other seven flunky’s : 441 innings 88 HR = one HR every five innings. Smoltz and Hudson 376.33 innings 21 HR = one HR every EIGHTEEN innings. The bullpen has given up 39 HR in 470.33 innings , one HR every 12 innings which is pretty good.

By Overlord (BAND OF BROTHERS)

September 10, 2007 7:20 PM | Link to this

i think the injury must be bad for chipper not to play in this game. he wants it bad.

By Rookie Rules of Engagement

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

mlb just activated some option to chat live ……its cool. there an icon to click on on the scoreboard on mlb.com

Overlord, ye shall never have any baseball chat other than the DOB chat room. The MLB chat room is a way for Darth Bowman to lure you over to the Dark Side where he can train you on the lecherous ways of the trolls and jackals. Be careful Overlord, you may end up becoming a Sith Lord.

As Amy Winehouse would sing, they tried to make me go to MLB, I said no, no, no!

They tried to make me go to Bowman, I said no, no, no!

They tried to make me praise MLB instead of MIB, I said no, no, no!

They tried to make Paladin go with a skinny woman, he said no, no, no!

They tried to make Paladin stay up past eight, he said no! no! no!

By David O'Brien

September 10, 2007 7:27 PM | Link to this

They changed lineup again after giving us the subs. Moved Prado to second base and Escobar to third.

By K9

September 10, 2007 7:33 PM | Link to this

I’m not B9 but these local teams make me rabid like a canine.

By TennesseePaul

September 10, 2007 7:33 PM | Link to this

Just looked up Vidro’s numbers for this season. I’d heard he was being over looked and was having a pretty solid season. .379 OBP. .313 AVG. More walks than K’s. Less than 100 Ks. But sheeeeesh. that slugging leaves something to be desired. .393. That seems almost impossible. Talk about a pure singles hitter. But his career numbers aren’t too shabby. Over .800 OPS, rarely K’s more than 50 times a season, career .300 hitter, high career OBP (.364). Sounds like a solid #2 hitter.
That SLG though… Perhaps it’s a factor of park going from the Nationals to the Mariners after being in Montreal (doesn’t seem like he had a home park advantage at any point in his career though). Or perhaps he is a perfect example of roids, going from 15+ HR’s to 5+. His drop off does mirror the rule changes… and his injures mirror it as well.

By Weird Feeling

September 10, 2007 7:33 PM | Link to this

Not the end of the world or anything, but Hudson should have been out of it with NO runs scored.

The ball hit to Escobar was not a dp ball. Yuniel should have tagged Reyes going to third. He was close enough to tag had Escobar decided to get the lead runner.

Oh well.

By Braveheart

September 10, 2007 7:38 PM | Link to this

I don’t like Oliver Perez.

By David O'Brien

September 10, 2007 7:40 PM | Link to this

Band of Brothers: I’d agree with that sentiment, it must be bad considering how Chipper loves to stick it to the Mets at Shea.

By Overheard

September 10, 2007 7:44 PM | Link to this

I heard that you put your best line on a girl at the bar and she said, “Get lost, you loser. I’m not your type. I’m not inflatable.”

By Overheard

September 10, 2007 7:47 PM | Link to this

The last was for MetroMan. I’m drunk but not completely out of it.

By Weird Feeling

September 10, 2007 7:53 PM | Link to this

Who missed the sign? Edgar or Yuniel? Escobar isn’t fast enough for a straight steal against Perez and LoDuca. Surely that wasn’t a straight steal….was it?

By High Coup

September 10, 2007 7:57 PM | Link to this

Biggest series yet?

We need to take our best shot.

Chipper’s hurt again.

By High Coup

September 10, 2007 8:01 PM | Link to this

Tim Hudson’s sinker

induces nine ground outs, but

infield single stings.

By Jim

September 10, 2007 8:02 PM | Link to this

Any fool that would pay AJ more than what a average player makes is an idiot. He stinks fat and slow a perfect fit for the Nationals. Get rid of boob cox and john surelost before they destroy the club by trading the rest of its young talent for damaged Sh##

By Savannah Guy

September 10, 2007 8:04 PM | Link to this

“shaking his left leg, making it quiver, like a horse trying to get rid of a troublesome fly.”

Vin…could you clarify please. That must have been a MetFly, right? Mr. Fly would never bother a nice horse. Mr. Fly does not “follow” the horses. He is not a betting fly nor does he report on equestrian or any racing events. Fly may pull a leg or two, but certainly not a horse leg. Now, Fly fishing is more to his liking. But he won’t pull a fish leg either.

By Braveheart

September 10, 2007 8:04 PM | Link to this

Pretty good lineup for those of us who are not ashamed to like batting average: .323, .334, .342, .312, .295, .304, .274, .285, and .239 for the pitcher.

WOuld be nice to have Chipper’s .330 or so average in there as well. But if the man is hurt, he is hurt. Hopefully, not too bad. I wanna see him make a George Brett run for the batting title like in 1990. But like DOB and the Overlord of the band of brothers was saying, it must be pretty darn bad if Chipper is out of the lineup.

DOB, be careful. Don’t want you gittin’ caught up in any possible Chipper/Smoltz crossfire after this game like last time. :0> You damn bulldog reporters reporting backstabbings you saw right before your eyes. But then again there was no backstabbing although you saw and heard it. AS Bobby told Terrence Moore the other day, Oh, that was nothing.

By brent a.

September 10, 2007 8:05 PM | Link to this

My two football teams are the Kentucky Wildcats and the Detroit Lions, and I had a “good” sports week-end.

Something’s in the water …

Go Braves!

By Overlord (BAND OF BROTHERS)

September 10, 2007 8:06 PM | Link to this

any word on how bad is chippers injury?

By aka Lewis Carroll

September 10, 2007 8:08 PM | Link to this

For Lew

Why did you call him Tortoise, if he wasn’t one?’ Alice asked.

We called him Tortoise because he taught us,' said the Mock Turtle angrily:really you are very dull!’

You ought to be ashamed of yourself for asking such a simple question,' added the Gryphon; and then they both sat silent and looked at poor Alice, who felt ready to sink into the earth. At last the Gryphon said to the Mock Turtle,Drive on, old fellow! Don’t be all day about it!’ and he went on in these words:

`Yes, we went to school in the sea, though you mayn’t believe it—’

`I never said I didn’t!’ interrupted Alice.

`You did,’ said the Mock Turtle.

`Hold your tongue!’ added the Gryphon, before Alice could speak again. The Mock Turtle went on.

`We had the best of educations—in fact, we went to school every day—’

I've been to a day-school, too,' said Alice;you needn’t be so proud as all that.’

`With extras?’ asked the Mock Turtle a little anxiously.

Yes,' said Alice,we learned French and music.’

`And washing?’ said the Mock Turtle.

`Certainly not!’ said Alice indignantly.

Ah! then yours wasn't a really good school,' said the Mock Turtle in a tone of great relief.Now at ours they had at the end of the bill, “French, music, and washing—extra.”’

You couldn't have wanted it much,' said Alice;living at the bottom of the sea.’

I couldn't afford to learn it.' said the Mock Turtle with a sigh.I only took the regular course.’

`What was that?’ inquired Alice.

Reeling and Writhing, of course, to begin with,' the Mock Turtle replied;and then the different branches of Arithmetic— Ambition, Distraction, Uglification, and Derision.’

I never heard of "Uglification," Alice ventured to say.What is it?’

The Gryphon lifted up both its paws in surprise. What! Never heard of uglifying!' it exclaimed.You know what to beautify is, I suppose?’

Yes,' said Alice doubtfully:it means—to—make—anything— prettier.’

Well, then,' the Gryphon went on,if you don’t know what to uglify is, you are a simpleton.’

Alice did not feel encouraged to ask any more questions about it, so she turned to the Mock Turtle, and said `What else had you to learn?’

Well, there was Mystery,' the Mock Turtle replied, counting off the subjects on his flappers,—Mystery, ancient and modern, with Seaography: then Drawling—the Drawling-master was an old conger-eel, that used to come once a week: he taught us Drawling, Stretching, and Fainting in Coils.’

`What was that like?’ said Alice.

Well, I can't show it you myself,' the Mock Turtle said:I’m too stiff. And the Gryphon never learnt it.’

Hadn't time,' said the Gryphon:I went to the Classics master, though. He was an old crab, HE was.’

I never went to him,' the Mock Turtle said with a sigh:he taught Laughing and Grief, they used to say.’

`So he did, so he did,’ said the Gryphon, sighing in his turn; and both creatures hid their faces in their paws.

`And how many hours a day did you do lessons?’ said Alice, in a hurry to change the subject.

Ten hours the first day,' said the Mock Turtle:nine the next, and so on.’

`What a curious plan!’ exclaimed Alice.

That's the reason they're called lessons,' the Gryphon remarked:because they lessen from day to day.’

This was quite a new idea to Alice, and she thought it over a little before she made her next remark. `Then the eleventh day must have been a holiday?’

`Of course it was,’ said the Mock Turtle.

`And how did you manage on the twelfth?’ Alice went on eagerly.

That's enough about lessons,' the Gryphon interrupted in a very decided tone:tell her something about the games now.’

By Savannah Guy

September 10, 2007 8:10 PM | Link to this

RROE addition: “ye shall never have any baseball chat other than the DOB chat room.”

Second that motion. All aye?

By David O'Brien

September 10, 2007 8:13 PM | Link to this

Is that the damndest thing — SEVEN consecutive 4-3 outs for Mets hitters.

By Braveheart

September 10, 2007 8:13 PM | Link to this

Pardon me,

but am I allowed to ask why Diaz is not good enough to play everyday but then is good enough to bat third in a game we must win to keep our very slight hopes for a wildcard alive?

Which one is it Bobby?

It’s kind of like when Kelly Johnson first came up to the majors, he was like 1 for 33 but Chipper was out so he batted KJ third for a few games. But then 2 years later, when KJ is actually a good player Bobby bats him 8th, platoons him, and then benches him in favor of Martin Prado in a game the Braves must win.

And then 2 years ago when Frenchy was setting the world on fire, he kept Frenchy batting 6th and not 3rd like he had done for KJ earlier in the year although Frenchy was the one as hot as a firecracker.

I know KJ has his problems with Oliver Perez and all but…..

I am confused.

Help.

By Carl Spackler

September 10, 2007 8:14 PM | Link to this

Joe Simpson tells us Tim Hudson hasn’t pitched well lately because he had a cold.

One that stretched out over his last two starts

Joe, you are truly a piece of work.

By Rocky Stone, guest blogger

September 10, 2007 8:15 PM | Link to this

Purple People Eater (apologies)

Well I saw the thing comin’ out of the sky

It had the one long horn, one big eye.

I commenced to shakin’ and said “uh, ooh-eee”

It looks like an o-blique injury to me.

It was a one-eyed, one-horned, flyin’ o-blique injury.

(one-eyed, one-horned, flyin’ o-blique injury)

A one-eyed one-horned, flyin’ o-blique injury.

Sure looks stange to me. (oblique?)

And who will treat this oblique now that Wicky is gone? Man rub.

Huntin’ season will be a startin’ soon. Will this oblique injury delay the hunt?

And to DOB, How does Frenchy stack up? Frenchy is in the lineup.

By Weird Feeling

September 10, 2007 8:15 PM | Link to this

Prado has yet to impress me at second base……..until tonight.

Now THIS is the Prado defense I thought we would see when he played second this year. He’s made some nice plays.

Hudson looks tonight like the pitcher he was prior to the last 3 outings. Win, lose or draw, he’s pitching a nice game.

By Overlord (BAND OF BROTHERS)

September 10, 2007 8:16 PM | Link to this

I have the feeling this chipper thing is distracting rest of the team.

By Paladin

September 10, 2007 8:19 PM | Link to this

Savannah Guy Apparently you talk regularly to Carolina Lady. If so, please give her my best wishes and tell her, if by chance, she needs prayer, I do—aside from all this silliness—know how to pray; and I will be honored to pray for her. Tell her, please.

By High Coup

September 10, 2007 8:20 PM | Link to this

Is this the Braves’ blog?

Concision is eclipsed by

Long winded blather.

By James the James

September 10, 2007 8:24 PM | Link to this

Poor Willie Harris.

He’s fast, but not really that fast.

He makes some great plays, but he’s not a great outfielder.

He hustles, but it’s just not enough.

He hit well, but isn’t hitting well now.

Like water, he is seeking his own level.

I think at the end of the year, we will see his level is very medicre.

Good guy, but he shouldn’t be considered an outfield solution of any kind next year. Backup? Maybe. Platoon? No way.

By David O'Brien

September 10, 2007 8:25 PM | Link to this

That was 13 consecutive groundball outs by Hudson between the first-inning single and the fifth inning single.

By Yo Moma

September 10, 2007 8:29 PM | Link to this

High Coop Yo Mama so fat, she is a habitat for condors.

By Scottooo

September 10, 2007 8:29 PM | Link to this

DOB. You certainly love your music! You also know more about a wide variety of performers and genres than anybody I have ever heard. Ever given any thought on just how much you have spent on music and concerts? Got to be a lot LOL. If you like live concerts check out this site. Lots of concerts recorded right from the sound board from the 50’s on up at the most famous locals. http://concerts.wolfgangsvault.com/

By Savannah Guy

September 10, 2007 8:30 PM | Link to this

Paladin There you are! I thought you might’ve hit the roost pole already. Guess I’ll stick around and see what trouble you get into…but then Cuz is around too so we’ve both got’cher back. But seriously, I’ll let CL know you are adding prayers for her. She’ll appreciate that. You’re a good man sir. Right stuff.

By High Coup

September 10, 2007 8:31 PM | Link to this

Joe Simpson’s beliefs

are described in the X-files.

He never reads books.

By It's over, it's over, it's oooooover

September 10, 2007 8:33 PM | Link to this

Roy Orbison/William Dees

Your baby doesn’t love you anymore

Golden days before they end, Whisper secrets to the wind Your baby won’t be near you anymore.

Tender nights before they fly And falling stars that seem to cry Your baby doesen’t want you anymore It’s over.

It breaks your heart in two To know she’s been untrue But, oh what will you do? When she says to you there’s someone new We’re through, we’re through.

It’s over It’s over it’s over

All the rainbows in the sky Start to weep and say goodbye You won’t be seeing rainbows anymore.

Setting suns before they fall They come to you. That’s all, that’s all But you’ll see lonely sunsets after all.

It’s over, It’s over, it’s over It’s over

By High Coup

September 10, 2007 8:39 PM | Link to this

Some fans on this blog

hurl flaccid insults at a-

nonymous poets.

By ernesto

September 10, 2007 8:39 PM | Link to this

JEEZUS Huddy, you’re a freakin’ pitcher not Lou Brock what in the hell was he thinking?

By David O'Brien

September 10, 2007 8:39 PM | Link to this

STUPID play. No excuse for that.

By Paladin

September 10, 2007 8:44 PM | Link to this

I just scrolled up and see by the “new” RROE that I have to be in bed by eight. Well, ef ‘em, I’ll go to bed when I pass out.

By High Coup

September 10, 2007 8:46 PM | Link to this

More scoreless innings.

Can the Braves get even one?

Woodward may pinch hit!

By bfan54

September 10, 2007 8:48 PM | Link to this

Scoots (4:45)…”and he’s a lot more likely to again 50 homers next year than he is to again hit .220, IMO.”

Sorry, dude, but there isn’t one-in-ten informed Braves fans that will agree with this assessment. You’re usually pretty ‘right on’, but ole buddy you blew that one.

Keep postin’, though, cause I usually agree with you.

By Overlord (BAND OF BROTHERS)

September 10, 2007 8:50 PM | Link to this

Good god, how come we always have this guy against the ropes (including when they got hurt and bleeding in an airplane from philly to atl.) and we just let them go.

By Correctness

September 10, 2007 8:50 PM | Link to this

No, High Coop, we hurl insults at assnonymous poets.

By High Coup

September 10, 2007 8:53 PM | Link to this

The old manager

removes his smelly cap. A

loss in the offing.

By bfan54

September 10, 2007 8:55 PM | Link to this

Rev Zoldars (4:57)

…..I guess the thing is, for my buck, rents been the man. PLays hard, plays great. I imagine this would have been one of his best years. So why is his value so pathetic? I mean the sox wouldnt take him and a prospect for garland, and that does not seem comprable. Seems like garland isnt even worth Renteria! Or Shawn Marcum? straight up? Am I the only one who sees the value of Renty?

No, my good friend, you are not, but there are plenty of folks on this blog, who consider him only the functional equivalent of another starter. They are mislead, misinformed, ill-informed, and bookish!

By Paladin

September 10, 2007 8:55 PM | Link to this

Scoots If Andruw hits 50 HRs next year I will buy you a rose-colored picture window for your house. :>)

By Braveheart

September 10, 2007 8:55 PM | Link to this

Can we please score a run already? Tim is pitching great. Oh, never mind. A home run. Did he give up like 5 homers all year until two weeks ago. Now, it is up to 9. He is still pitching good. SCORE SOME DAMN RUNS. If we win tonight, we will only be 4 games out of the wild card with 18 to play.

Savannah, nice to see ya back. Really nice. Send my best along to your wife. This place ain’t the same without you, Jimmy, Bob, SJA, and CL.

By Hi Coo Too

September 10, 2007 8:56 PM | Link to this

Chipper’s strained oblique

Makes New York Mets’ third baseman

Clearly best tonight

By Hi Coo Too

September 10, 2007 8:58 PM | Link to this

Hudson’s clearly gassed

Shawn Green has left-handed power

Where the hell’s Mahay?

By Overlord (BAND OF BROTHERS)

September 10, 2007 8:58 PM | Link to this

I was taking a shower so i didnt see any of the last inning, just heard it.

Why in the world dont you bunt renteria?

SIMPLY STUPID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If the excuse is that renteria is your man, better than diaz……. then put renteria in the 3rd spot….. man…….you bunt, and a .340+ hitter is coming up and if he fails then is tex.

Instead the inning is manage like if it was don shula or pele in the braves dogout, and the game goes down the drain the moment momentum is given back to the muts.

I wont jump into tim because he is giving the effort, while the brains in the team is thinking of a way to get kicked out of the game.

BADLY MANAGED…….BAD……..

I know renteria could have gotten a hit, but thats not the way yo play that. Noooooooooooooooooooo. You bunt the ball and hope diaz can at least hit a fly ball……..if not, then you jump on players.

This is another game lost entirely by cox.

AND YES, I DO HATE COX.

By High Coup

September 10, 2007 8:59 PM | Link to this

Timmy gets tired.

Is it a matter of will?

Or poor nutrition?

By Overlord (BAND OF BROTHERS)

September 10, 2007 9:04 PM | Link to this

We need somebody to accidentally drop a spoon of Drano on Coxs coffee cup… any volunteers???????

By Braveheart

September 10, 2007 9:04 PM | Link to this

I know Andruw has been mired in like a 15 month slump now but do you think Boras thinks before he gets the money for his clients that this is not gonna be the best fit for my client?

He should know Druw. Is it possible that the pressure of all this contract stuff got to Dru’s head this year? Maybe he tried to outdo himself and the pressure mounted on itself. Boras screwed J.D. Drew by putting him into Boston. Drew was better off in laidback places like Atlanta, L.A., and Saint Louis. He never would have survived in Philadelphia and he is not surviving in Boston.

I can see the same thing happening to Andruw. Well, I have seen it already happen this year. How can he stand the pressure of money in a big city that abuses players? Will he be able to? I would hate to see a future HOFer go to waste because he was too afraid tell Boras to go screw himself like he did in 2001.

Does Boras ever think or care about these kinds of things? Or is just all about money? Sometimes to make more money, you have to sacrifice money by staying true to who you are.

By High Coup

September 10, 2007 9:06 PM | Link to this

Most often used word

on this blog is by far: @$$.

Is this a bathhouse?

By bfan54

September 10, 2007 9:06 PM | Link to this

I normally eschew a whole bunch of stats, but sometimes that’s the only way to tell the ‘truth’ - so Kudos to Braveheart for some truth telling in a spin-shi% world.

By Hi Coo Too

September 10, 2007 9:06 PM | Link to this

Braves won 8 of 12

Bloggers taunted poor Mets’ fans

Who’s your daddy now?

By Overlord (BAND OF BROTHERS)

September 10, 2007 9:08 PM | Link to this

Boy do the braves miss chipper…… i think when chipper retires from baseball, ill do too.

This is unheard of, muts hit like 30 ground out, 29 straight and they still win because we cant cross homeplate.

By True Braves Fan

September 10, 2007 9:09 PM | Link to this

Seems like the top of the 6th is typical of Braves season…Hudson singles and Escobar walks—2 on and 0 out. Renteria lines out, Hudson gets picked off 2nd and Diaz (My man)takes a called third strike. Yes we have good numbers, %, HR, etc, but we are not a smart ball club. Little clutch hitting, poor baserunning, absolutely can’t get down a SAC bunt…Need I go on? Are there other opinions out there? I would like to hear them.

By Bobby Cox

September 10, 2007 9:11 PM | Link to this

High Coop Smelly cap? Yo Moma puts salt water down her pants to keep the crabs fresh.

By Braveheart

September 10, 2007 9:12 PM | Link to this

Ya know, Frenchy supposedly runs a 4.4 40 yard dash. Why can’t he steal a base? A stolen base here would be really nice. He is 2 for 3 now on the night. Batting .296. Gotta finish at .300 Jeff. Gotta.

By Overlord (BAND OF BROTHERS)

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

IS kelly also injuried?

How come chipper sits and this dumb “manager” sits kelly too????

i must be missing something here.

By Braveheart

September 10, 2007 9:14 PM | Link to this

BMAC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By Metropolitan Man

September 10, 2007 9:16 PM | Link to this

just in: Chipper Larry Wayne Jones was mugged on the 7 Train today on the wayto batting practice. It seems that not too many fans appreciated him naming his daughter “SHEA” so they finally caught up to him and told himto blame it on batting practice. Updates after the game!!!

Frenhy and Mcann=Braves future, add to it.

KEPP IT GOING METS!!!!

By Overlord (BAND OF BROTHERS)

September 10, 2007 9:16 PM | Link to this

There goes your daddy over the fence A$$…..hole

By Braveheart

September 10, 2007 9:17 PM | Link to this

thanks bfan54, i know you are a hard man to impress. so your kind words mean alot.

By Steve

September 10, 2007 9:18 PM | Link to this

Does anybody feel confident with Andruw Jones coming up in an important situation? Even before this year, in recent years — has anyone felt consistently confident when Jones came up in important situations, even the 51 homer year 2 years ago?

I think there has almost always been something about his approach to hitting that made him butter in the hands of opposing pitchers during critical situations.

He’s still a great great defensive center fielder in terms of catching fly balls, but when was the last time he made a good or great throw? His arm doesn’t seem to be the same anymore, and his ground coverage will only systematically go downhill in the future.

Even if his hitting recovers a bit from this year, so what? He will never be a consistent bet in important situations imo.

I think the Braves would have a better record this season had Jones stayed on the bench all year.

As such, I think it would be insane for the Braves to try to give him anywhere near the money Boras will be asking. I’m not sure I’d want him back at 5 million a year.

By Charley Chan

September 10, 2007 9:19 PM | Link to this

Hi Coo Too Me too, doo doo. And I’ve got your Daddy swinging.

By Braveheart

September 10, 2007 9:20 PM | Link to this

Got ‘em right where we want ‘em. Down by one and we’ll smack around Billy Wagner later.

By Overlord (BAND OF BROTHERS)

September 10, 2007 9:22 PM | Link to this

Center fielder Andruw Jones also was a late scratch with what the Braves termed “sickness.”, i wonder if he is feeling the way i feel everytime he goes to bat.

By bfan54

September 10, 2007 9:23 PM | Link to this

Gotigers72 (6:32)- you are right on, sir, with your assessments. IMO this blog has some baseball (and, to be sure, literary talent), and the consensus of informed opinion - to which I humbly add my own- is that BC has missed the boat in some significant areas. As I count myself among his admirers, this consensus is not to taken lightly. Let’s face it, among our other problems, we must acknowledge a Bobby Cox problem. (…and I hate scapegoating, I truly do, and this season cannot be laid predominantly to Bobby’s failures, but having said that blah, blah, blah…!).

By MegaBravesFan

September 10, 2007 9:24 PM | Link to this

Well I tell you what…except for that stupid yawning commercial, they have been alright tonight. Especially the Home Depot and Bud Light commercials.

By Overlord (BAND OF BROTHERS)

September 10, 2007 9:24 PM | Link to this

tim needs to sit right now!!!!!!!!!!!

not a single batter more

next inning there is a good chance to tie the game……..

By Haiku too too

September 10, 2007 9:25 PM | Link to this

spring training springing

false hope sprung eternally

sprung armed Mike Hampton

By Hi Coo Too

September 10, 2007 9:26 PM | Link to this

Braves behind again

Overlord’s a potty mouth

Some things never change

By De truth

September 10, 2007 9:26 PM | Link to this

MetroMan You so ugly, you look out the window and get arrested for mooning.

By Lew

September 10, 2007 9:30 PM | Link to this

Mr.Carroll-Apparently we live and learn. N’est-ce pas?

By Metropolitan Man

September 10, 2007 9:33 PM | Link to this

Time to pour it on, put up some runs and remove the suspense!!!! If you want a shot at Gagner, better hope we dont whip your pen into submission!!! LETS GO METS!!

By Mz Manures

September 10, 2007 9:34 PM | Link to this

Haiku too too Is that the name of the garment that you have on?

By Braveheart

September 10, 2007 9:34 PM | Link to this

Is Mike Bobo the Braves offensive coordinator?

By Haiku too too

September 10, 2007 9:36 PM | Link to this

Billy Wagner throws

Mets players hold collective breaths

He blew the star game

By High Coup

September 10, 2007 9:36 PM | Link to this

Will we see Wagner?

Will he be wild? Lose control?

Swing only at strikes!

By Correctness

September 10, 2007 9:38 PM | Link to this

Hi Coo too Will you please make up your mind who you want to be? Oh, you changed your mind? Hope the new one is better than the old one.

By Haiku too too

September 10, 2007 9:39 PM | Link to this

David Wright was out

Umpires continued blindness

amazes even eye

By Overlord (BAND OF BROTHERS)

September 10, 2007 9:40 PM | Link to this

It shows how this muts fans dont even believe on wagner anymore. What a good closer……..

BTW, wright is out at 2nd. I guess in NY even umpires get their share of the money.

By Braveheart

September 10, 2007 9:41 PM | Link to this

MetroMan, no lead is too big for Silly Gagner to blow.

By Overlord (BAND OF BROTHERS)

September 10, 2007 9:42 PM | Link to this

I can still recall when we owned close games, now we cant win one……. if we dont win 15-5 we dont win at all.

By Haiku too too

September 10, 2007 9:44 PM | Link to this

Chippers feeble bones

muscles and tendons must ache

great when well, seldom ever

By Paladin

September 10, 2007 9:45 PM | Link to this

I’m going to bed. This blog is awash with brain-deads. No offense to the regulars. See y’all tomorrow.

By Braveheart

September 10, 2007 9:45 PM | Link to this

Willie Martinez was the Nationals defensive coordinator.

By bfan54

September 10, 2007 9:46 PM | Link to this

Braveheart, actually I am impressed with many of the bloggers on this blog who seem to know this game (that I live for) far better than I, and whose posts I scroll for, because I can learn something. Thanks for the compliment!

By Savannah Guy

September 10, 2007 9:47 PM | Link to this

Thanks Cuz. I’m sure we’ll all stroll back in as we can. DOB bloggers never leave for good, they just go on the DL, take a breather or go on vacation.

As far as this season goes, win or lose, October or no…these are OUR Braves. We can gripe, root, raise cain, laugh (lately?), cry and shout…but they are always going to be our Bravos. This is also OUR blog. After all of the short -timers, trolls and Mutts go away, we will abide dude…methinks. And we will never give up! Oh, the humanity! (borrowing from five of the esteemed denizens in one sentence).

After the DL layoff I admit that I feel a bit rusty at the blog-repartee plate as it were. Maybe pinch hit for a bit, so I don’t go straight from DL to the penalty box. But my reading of the play in the field is as good as ever. And as much fun as I can remember. Go DOB…good stuff as always.

High Coup…funny stuff. Brevity and wit personified.

By Braveheart

September 10, 2007 9:48 PM | Link to this

This team is a joke. They really are a joke.

By High Coup

September 10, 2007 9:49 PM | Link to this

If this were feudal

Japan, would Braves fans demand

Cox do seppuku?

By Hi Coo Too

September 10, 2007 9:49 PM | Link to this

Braves lose fifth in row

To Mets. Guess the time has come

To focus on wild card.

By Metropolitan Man

September 10, 2007 9:50 PM | Link to this

Have at it braves fans. No need to pour on the obvious observations. No pity here becasue I will always remember “14”. Just remember, 20 years from now, the METS might suck again like the braves do now.

More to come tomorrow!!!

LETS GO METS LETS GO METS LETS GO METS!!!!!

By Braveheart

September 10, 2007 9:51 PM | Link to this

Another wasted 3 hours of my life I will never get back.

By Dandy Don

September 10, 2007 9:52 PM | Link to this

Turn out the lights

The party’s over

They say that all

Good things must end

Turn out the lights

The party’s over……

By chipdip

September 10, 2007 9:52 PM | Link to this

10 THOUSAND TOILETS ARE FLUSHING AT ONE TIME….GOOD-BYE BRAVES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!CAN’T WIN S**.

By daxxed

September 10, 2007 9:53 PM | Link to this

It’s over….finally over…the second straight year with out a post season appearance…I said back prior to the All Star break that even with Tex, the Braves did not stand a chance to catch up on 8 games with 62 left…The MEts gave the Braves ample opportunity to make a move, but the end of the bull pen just could not come through. And now the Dawgs are losers too, and the Falcons, oh what horrors…At least Chann stands a Chance to make it to the Post Season..

By Overlord (BAND OF BROTHERS)

September 10, 2007 9:53 PM | Link to this

Braveheart could you please be more specific? Im not sure which team are you talking about, since both teams are a joke.

By Haiku too too

September 10, 2007 9:53 PM | Link to this

Braves lose, avoid rush….

going quietly no life

Jones boys left early

By don

September 10, 2007 9:54 PM | Link to this

I’m confused. Just exactly when is it that “Big Tex” is going to begin leading the Braves to the playoffs?

By Ho Coo Too

September 10, 2007 9:55 PM | Link to this

Wagner mows Braves down

No excitement like last time

Still, result’s the same

By Ernest Hemingway

September 10, 2007 9:57 PM | Link to this

“The Braves cannot lose.” “But I fear the Mets of New York.” “Have faith in the Braves my son. Think of the great Chipper.” “I fear both the Phillies of Philadelphia and the Mets of New York.” “Be careful or you will fear even the Nationals of D.C. and the Marlins of Miami.”

“Tell me about the baseball,” the boy asked him. “In the National League, it is the Braves as I said,” the old man said happily. “They lost today,” the boy told him. “That means nothing. The great Chipper is himself again.” “They have other men on the team.” “Naturally. But he makes the difference.”

“I would like to take the great Chipper hunting,” the old man said. “They say his father was a hunter. Maybe he was as poor as we are and would understand.”

“But I must have confidence and I must be worthy of the great Chipper who does all things perfectly even with the pain of the bunions in his toes. What is a bunion? He asked himself. Un espuela de hueso. We do not have them. Can it be as painful as the spur of a fighting c0ck in one’s toe? I do not think I could endure that or the loss of the eye and continue to fight as the fighting cocks do. Man is not much beside the great birds and beasts. Still I would rather be that beast down there in the darkness of the sea. Unless sharks come. If sharks come, God pity him and me. Do you believe the great Chipper would stay with a deer as long as I will stay with this one? he thought. I am sure he would and more since he is young and strong. Also his father was a hunter. But would the bunion hurt him too much? I don’t know. I never had a bunion.

I need a pencil for that. My head is not that clear. But I think the great Chipper would be proud of me today. I had no bunions but the hands and the back hurt truly. I wonder what a bunion is. Maybe we have them without knowing of it.

Don’t think old man. Sail on this course and take it when it comes. But I must think because it is all I have left. That and baseball. I wonder how the great Chipper would have liked the way I hit him in the brain. It was no great thing. Any man could do it. But do you think my hands were as great a handicap as the bunions? I cannot know. I never had anything wrong with my toes.

By Savannah Guy

September 10, 2007 9:58 PM | Link to this

High Coup: Perhaps…Hiroshige? The Manager Who Fell From Grace With The Seachange?

By It's over, it's over, it's oooooover

September 10, 2007 9:58 PM | Link to this

Hey dumbasš Haiku It is five syllables then Another five more

By It's over, it's over, it's oooooover

September 10, 2007 10:01 PM | Link to this

Between seven

By Savannah Guy

September 10, 2007 10:02 PM | Link to this

Or was that Yukio Mishima? Art and writing…literary and aesthetic dyslexia…Views of Takaido Road…whatever. Rustyness at the plate.

By Braves Fan 79

September 10, 2007 10:03 PM | Link to this

Its just not our year i guess. The latest mistake was made on saturday. I was at the game and questioned…why is cox using his best relievers in a blowout!?? Of course moylan and acosta wasnt available when we REALLY needed them in a tight game on sunday. Sunday was the nail in the coffin, not tonights loss. If we cant sweep a crap like the nats we dont deserve the playoffs. At least yesterday we didnt start woodcrap and orr like we usually do when going for a sweep. Weve given away so many games this year its pathetic!

By Haiku too too

September 10, 2007 10:06 PM | Link to this

Baseball lives and dies…..

this team died in May you knew

No pitch and no Druw

By The Deer Hunter

September 10, 2007 10:08 PM | Link to this

Chipper: I’ll tell ya one thing, if I found out my life had to end up in the mountains, it’d be all right, but it has to be in your mind.

Lil’ Shea: What? One shot?

Chipper: Two is pu$$y.

Lil’ Shea: I don’t think about one shot that much any more, Dad.

Chipper: You have to think about one shot. One shot is what it’s all about. The deer has to be taken with one shot. I try to tell people that - they don’t listen. Do you ever think about New York?

Lil’ Shea: Yeah. I don’t know. I guess I’m thinkin’ about the deer, goin’ to New York. I like the trees, you know? I like the way the trees are on the mountains, all different. The way the trees are. I sound like some a*******hole, right?

Chipper: I’ll tell ya, Shea. You’re the only guy I go huntin’ with, you know. I like a guy with quick moves and speed. I ain’t gonna hunt with no a*******holes.

Chipper (talking about Druw): Every time he comes up, he’s got no knife, he’s got no jacket, he’s got no pants, he’s got no boots. All he’s got is that stupid gun he carries around like John Wayne. Andruw, see this? This is this. This ain’t somethin’ else. This is this. From now on, you’re on your own.

By raykelsey

September 10, 2007 10:13 PM | Link to this

NOT BUNTING RENTERIA TO GO FOR THE LIKELY TIE OR WIN WAS PERFECTLY BEFITTING OF OUR NONSENSICAL MANAGER’S PHILOSOPHY THIS YEAR. I HAVE ALWAYS LOVED BOBBY BUT I CANNOT WAIT FOR HIM TO GET THE HELL OUT OF ATLANTA—HE IS JUST LOSING IT. HEY, BOBBY, WE ARE DOWN BY ONE RUN, EINSTEIN! THE SEASON IS SLIPPING AWAY, AND YOU LET A GUY WHO HASN’T PLAYED IN 3 WEEKS SWING AWAY???????? I SWEAR SOMETIMES I THINK HE IS ON THE METS’ PAYROLL.

By Haiku too too

September 10, 2007 10:13 PM | Link to this

It’s over not smart

accepted way 5-7-5

do homework then spout

By doc

September 10, 2007 10:14 PM | Link to this

dave, since you are in the area, the best chinese food is in flushing near the sheraton east. anywhere you walk in, on the street of the main entrance and along a side street, it is the best. the locals say if you want good italian food go to nyc’s china town. if you want good chinese go to flushing. had three really good meals there while doing a seminar there last month.

take a break from the braves as it could get ugly this week if the braves get swept, like sub-500 for the year. those stats for washington should sober those guys up a bit, drop the prima donna routine and go back to the rally caps. that cant be any worse than the way these guys have frozen when it means something.

unfortunately the stats are not an anomaly as that has been the type of ball we have seen for two years plus now. it all began about the time reitsma gave up that home run to the little shortstop in st louis that the balloon got deflated, since then .500 ball or worse.

By The Deer Hunter

September 10, 2007 10:15 PM | Link to this

Chipper: I came 60 days off the DL back here to get you…What’s the matter with you? Don’t you recognize me?… Braves fans, I love you, you’re my friend. What are you doing? We don’t have much time, Braves fans. [Braves fans pull the trigger on a gun, clicking on an empty chamber] Is this what you want? Is this what you want? I love you, Braves fans. [Chipper pulls the trigger, clicking on an empty chamber] Come on, Braves fans, come home. Just come home. Home. Talk to me. [looking at Braves fans’ track marks] What did you do to your arms? Do you remember the trees? Do you remember all the different ways of the trees? Do you remember that? Do you remember? Huh? The mountains? Do you remember all that?

Braves fans: One shot. [Braves fans smile and laugh in recognition]

Chipper: One shot, one shot.

[Braves fans pull the trigger, shooting themselves]

Chipper: Braves fans, Braves fans, don’t, Braves fans, no!!

By mr baseball

September 10, 2007 10:17 PM | Link to this

Before we start thinking about ‘08, some post-mortems on ‘07 are required. My vote for the person most responsible for the Braves’ surprisingly mediocre effort this season: In a close race with Chance the Manager, the winner is …. the Genius GM.

Who left the Braves with a succession of disasters at the bottom of the rotation?

Who dealt away a power hitting 1B for a reliever with a history of arm trouble?

Who put together one of the worst benches ever assembled for an alleged contender?

Who made a sparkling series of fringe player pickups in the off-season?

Who has gradually brought about the decline of this team since his two bonehead deals in Spring Training of ‘97?

As dumb as the manager is, teams can overcome guys in the dugout who mostly sit and watch (see Toronto Blue Jays, 1992-93).

It’s pretty hard to overcome a GM who deals away just about every pitching prospect in the farm system, then throws a bunch of future major leaguers at a team that was intently trying to dump its slugging 1B. Which team has played better since the Tex trade? Not the one that traded for him.

When Dotel bails after this season and Tex takes a hike after ‘08, we’ll look back on those 2 moves as part of a pattern in recent years that has stripped the farm system for very minimal (in some cases no) short term gain.

When Cox & Schuerholz are overwhelmingly voted into the Hall of Fame in 7 or 8 years, I hope some of you folks will have the same response as me: a shake of the head and a derisive chuckle, followed by a pithy but heartfelt, “What a freaking joke.”

Today’s critical poll question: Will the Braves finish the ‘07 season over .500? There’s a real good chance they’ll be .500 on the nose when they take their leave of Shea Stadium.

For some of us in Atlanta, this week will be a time to abandon a dead team for some dead greens. Never watched pro golfers putt on sand. Should be interesting.

By Savannah Guy

September 10, 2007 10:17 PM | Link to this

Cuz…not wasted. A bad day at the old ball game is better than a good day at (most) network TV. You could have been watching Britney, Paris or Lindsey.

Uh, the horrors!

By It's over, it's over, it's oooooover

September 10, 2007 10:36 PM | Link to this

575, Haiku. That’s what I’m saying. Some of yours are, some not. It has to be 575 everytime.

By Savannah Guy

September 10, 2007 10:43 PM | Link to this

Got an unexpected after-game quote from Fly, the sleuth reporter. He was visiting with Chauncey in the clubhouse after the game:

Fly: So, what happened this, uh…last two years? You ok?

Chance: Yes! There will be growth in the spring! I like to watch.

By TennesseePaul

September 10, 2007 10:46 PM | Link to this

Mathematically alive: A report that ex-big leaguer Bill Henry had died turned out to be false. A Lakeland, Fla., man of the same name had been passing himself off as the ex-big leaguer, who pitched for parts of 16 seasons for six teams and appeared for Cincinnati in the 1961 World Series. The “fake” Bill Henry died on Aug. 27, two days after suffering a heart attack, his stepdaughter Debbie Lee said. Lee told the AP that her stepfather, whom she thought was a former pitcher, enjoyed his time on the mound. (Apparently even the guy’s wife thought he was the ex-pitcher.) The real Bill Henry, 79, lives in Texas and says he’s in good health. According to reports he didn’t seem to mind that someone else had been pretending to be him all those years.

—SI: John Heyman

By Smells Like Teen Spirit

September 10, 2007 10:47 PM | Link to this

Since the title of the blog is Nevermind, let’s put up some Smells Like Teen Spirit lyrics from Nirvana’s Nevermind:

Load up on guns, bring your friends

It’s fun to lose and to pretend

She’s over bored and self assured

Oh no, I know a dirty word

Hello, hello, hello, how low?

I’m worse at what I do best

And for this gift I feel blessed

Our little group has always been

And always will until the end

Hello, hello, hello, how low?

And I forget just why I taste

Oh yeah, I guess it makes me smile

I found it hard, it was hard to find

Oh well, whatever, nevermind

hello, hello, hello, how low?

With the lights out it’s less dangerous

Here we are now, entertain us

I feel stupid and contagious

A mulatto

An albino

A mosquito

My Libido

Yay, a denial

By Steve

September 10, 2007 10:50 PM | Link to this

There are few on the planet who think Bobby Cox is dumber in terms of strategy/tactics than I think he is.

Still, I think we must differentiate between a blatantly dumb move that defies reason — and a choice which just didn’t work out.

Having Renteria bunt would have been a legitimate choice, but not an obvious one as it would have been the pitcher you were bunting over to 3rd base and you would still be sacrificing an out and would still be down by one run, and that’s if the bunt even succeeded.

A risk/benefit evaluation of that situation doesn’t yield one choice that is obviously better than the other imo.

When trailing in a game against a team such as the Mets who have late inning offensive success, I’m not sure I want to give them a free out when I have a 300 + hitter at the plate, even if he’s just returning from injury, just to move the tying run to 3rd and go-ahead to 2nd.

Now, if the game was tied in such situation, then I think you definitely have Renteria bunt.

By Haiku too too

September 10, 2007 10:53 PM | Link to this

Rules of Haiku loose

tradition versus modern

critics accept both

“One reason for rejoicing in the acceptance of this view, was that it by-passed the old 5-7-5 barrier crisis. This was certainly a plus for the whole 70s haiku scene as there seemed a danger of the entire movement bogging down in fights, arguments and broken friendships.”

HAIKU TECHNIQUES

Jane Reichhold

By Braveheart

September 10, 2007 10:54 PM | Link to this

Cuz, you’re right. Baseball, football, college basketball, NBA playoff basketball, the Masters, Dega and Daytona, the U.S. Open and Wimbledon are a thousand times better than anything else television tries to shove down our throats.

Hundreds of channels these days and I somehow found more to watch when I had rabbit ears, 8 VHF channels, and 2 UHF channels.

By Braveheart

September 10, 2007 10:58 PM | Link to this

Did anyone ever think there were actual lyrics to Smells Like Teen Spirit or did they think Kurt just grunted his way through the entire song?

By Savannah Guy

September 10, 2007 10:58 PM | Link to this

G’nite Deniro. Nite Walken. 5-7-5 or 5-5-5 or 7-3-7. whatever…it’s all good and fine. My Streep is waitin’. Time flies, Deer flys and Mr. Fly sighs…it’s all there.

By Broski

September 10, 2007 10:59 PM | Link to this

Let me stick to all of You America’s Team fans. Remember 80’s. Thats what America’s Team is Now, and is going to be for the years to come. Learn first to say Mets, Mets and again Mets. All poems, I keep reading on this web side, will be enough for a small book /about 20 years big/. Keep reading and crying about a past glory years. God help You to find another T.Turner and his Red Vietnam sorry wife. Good luck.

By Out and about

September 10, 2007 10:59 PM | Link to this

Watched the game on the Mets network and it hurt listening to the announcers trounce the Braves. They dismissed our team for the playoffs and were obsessed with watching the Phillies/Rockies score. Their comment that Chipper wasn’t in the lineup said he only had one hit in the entire series in Atlanta and was a real “no show” tonight. Magic number wasn’t important for the Braves it’s the Phillies the Mets had to worry about. Also stated the fans were quiet tonight for a Braves game compared to seasons in the past. Said the fans were saving themselves for the Phillie series. It was a bitter pill to listen to and watch an ineffective offense. Tough night, tough season.

By Braveheart

September 10, 2007 11:01 PM | Link to this

Speaking of who would of thunk it, was there really a haiku scene in the 1970s? What the hell is Jane Reichhold talking about?

By Savannah Guy

September 10, 2007 11:01 PM | Link to this

Cuz, I just can’t picture you with rabbit ears. Bada bing bada boom. Night friend. Enjoyed yer stuff tonight.

By mr baseball

September 10, 2007 11:05 PM | Link to this

Looks like everybody has officially packed it in, 20 minutes between posts.

I hope those of you of who criticized Chance the Manager for not having Renteria bunt with 2 on and no outs are still here so I can offer some advice. You guys need to find someone who tries to de-program brainwashed cult members and have the 19th century baseball bible that has been imprinted on your brain wiped away.

There is no way in he!! that you make the best hitter in your lineup bunt, regardless of the situation. Pitchers bunt. Slap hitting middle infielders bunt. Guys hitting around .333 who are proven clutch hitters DO NOT BUNT. PERIOD.

You do not give away outs to pitchers like Perez unless it’s with a batter unlikely to get a hit. Edgar was the most likely player on the team to get a hit. He smoked one, but unfortunately straight at Wright.

A lot of you on here criticize Cox for not bunting enough. Baseball observors who did not grow up during or before the Great Depression have long since come to the conclusion that bunting is almost never a desired strategy unless the guy at the plate is a lousy hitter (pitchers, Mario Mendoza). Anyone who thinks taking the bat out of the hands of one of your best hitters at a critical spot in the game seriously needs to examine whether you really grasp what baseball is now, not what it was pre-WW II.

I missed out on the whole players who strike out a lot vs. those who don’t discussion. Again, anyone who thinks striking out a lot is some black mark against a player simply does not comprehend modern baseball. Almost every hitter you can site who strikes out a lot is a quality offensive player. If a guy hits lots of homers, drives in run, walks a reasonable amount and has a respectable batting average, how often he strikes out is utterly irrelevant.

At the same time, there are plenty of light-hitting infielders who rarely strike out, but rarely contribute much offensively. All you have to do is examine the overall stats of players to determine their offensive effectiveness. Other than the occasional Jose Hernandez, just about every hitter who strikes out a lot is a productive offensive force. Not sure why so many people can’t comprehend that.

By gotigers72

September 10, 2007 11:12 PM | Link to this

Coach and ChopChop

Thanks for the stats on the 3-5 starters. 88 homers in 441 innings. I told you it was mind boggling. That’s almost 2 homers per game for God’s sake. Pitiful. Roger needs to go.

I have a question for the person that suggested we resign Andruw for $80 mil for 6 years. ARE YOU FREAKIN’ JOKING? Do you really think he’s gonna improve? No - he’s in decline at age 30. Braves announcers jumped on Wily Mo Pena the other night for not running out a groundball. Said any pro player gets paid enough to run hard 4 times a game. Does Andruw? He runs, but if it’s an infield grounder or a fly ball, he basically just jogs. He ain’t worth over $8 mil, if he’s worth that much.

By Julia

September 10, 2007 11:13 PM | Link to this

Shellfish Alert!

A Gulf waters shellfish alert is in effect. This means all SHRIMP SAMMICHES must be fully cooked. Otherwise, your POOCH may PUCKER. I will add more information right after I finish this d-e-l-i-c-i-o-u-s fully-cooked SHRIMP SAMMICH!!

By Pete

September 10, 2007 11:15 PM | Link to this

Bobby cox is the most over rated mgr. in Baseball. He is becoming a joke in his old age. Please Bobby just retire and go to the animal farm. Now, another winter with everyone trying to tell JS who to trade for. Wait till next year is getting old.

By jonathan

September 10, 2007 11:21 PM | Link to this

I was at the game tonight and as bad as our offense was, this game was lost by a mental error and a coaching error. In the first inning, instead of trying to tag Reyes out, we should have turned a double play and we would have ended the inning with no runs scored. We should have intentionally walked Wright to set up a double play, which we did get a grounder, and we would have won this game 2-0.

Mental errors kill us every time!!!

By Broski's Daddy

September 10, 2007 11:25 PM | Link to this

Big talk from a guy who is talking about a Met team that is do or die this year perhaps next, but probably not even next.

Glavine, Pedro, El Duque…. this year or next is all that these guys could have left. They are all ancient! Your catcher is going…going…gone. First base is on the downhill slide. Castillo ain’t young. Alou is 60. Beltran is going to be Chipper Jones with his constant injuries. You got bonafide stars in Reyes and Wright but Millege ain’t no sure thing.

Braves have problems and need pitching. They may or may not address this successfully in the off season.

But the Mets? Better win it this year. Could be right there beside the Braves next year looking up at someone else. In fact, with any pitching, I like the Braves better next year ESPECIALLY if the Mets don’t have any personnel changes.

Wake up Broski…. you don’t build a dynasty with two thirds of your roster made up of AARP members! Oh yeah, that’s right, you got “I ran out of gas” Maine and “I only beat the Braves” Pelfrey next year won’t you?

Well I guess maybe you will have the makings of a dynasty then won’t you?

LOL

By Bobby Cocks must be fired immediately

September 10, 2007 11:25 PM | Link to this

Bobby Cox is not dumb, he’s betting on the games and fixing them, it’s obvious to anyone who’s watched this team all year, no one can be that Freaking stupid in the real world and keep their job

By Braveheart

September 10, 2007 11:34 PM | Link to this

Night, Savannah. Again, best wishes and prayers to your wife.

Alright, I’m exhausted. I wish I had something constructive to say about the team. I wish I could fake it with the Jimmy V. Don’t Ever Give Up nonsense. But I can’t anymore.

I hope Chipper gets healthy so he can make that George Brett run to the batting title. I hope Edgar stays healthy so he can make a run for the batting title himself. It would be like Mattingly and Winfield in 1984.

I hope Frenchy ends up with .300, 20 homers, 40 doubles, 100 RBIs, 40 walks. I hope BMAC ends up with 20 homers and 100 RBIs. I hope Tex gets to 100 RBIs. I hope Druw ends up with 100 as well.

I hope Tim Hudson ends up with 18 wins. I hope Smoltz ends up with 16 wins. I hope Chuck James ends up 13-10 with an ERA under 4.00. I hope Moylan keeps his ERA under 2.00.

I hope Yunel and Kelly continue to impress. I hope Willie continues to fight to overcome his detractors. I hope Diaz gets alot more at bats so that we can perhaps see if he can actually handle a full time load for at least 3 weeks.

I hope Braves fans show class and celebrate Andruw Jones in every at bat of every home game he has remaining, no matter the result. He’s leaving. Let’s end the run with a good feeling. He’s been bad this year and a disappointment overall but he was one of us and without Andruw in 2005 this would be the third year in a row without the postseason. We’ve known the kid since he was freaking 19 years old. We raised him. He may not have turned out to be the player we wanted him to be and, except for his involvement as a very young man at the Gold Club, he never disgraced the Braves. We’ve seen recently up in Virginia what the worst could be and Andruw has never done that to us or anything close to it. The worst that can be said about him is that he got a big contract, married a beautiful American girl, got Americanized, ate too much, got kind of lazy and fat like the rest of America, and became a slight disappointment with his work performance like the rest of us American slobs. His problem was he became an American pursuing the fat, lazy American dream we all take for granted.

I also hope fans realize during every home game Smoltz pitches that this is not going to last forever. Forget the freaking bogus thank god I’m a country boy crap and the socializing and start acting like every Smoltz start is a World Series game. Get off your butts and cheer and scream when he gets two strikes. Celebrate that man. He’s pitched hurt almost the entire year. There will not be many left.

By StingerSplash

September 10, 2007 11:43 PM | Link to this

Cue Larry Merchant (on the Buster Douglas KO of Tyson):

It’sss ooovverrr….

By TennesseePaul

September 10, 2007 11:49 PM | Link to this

Mr. Baseball: Yup, you missed the whole strike-out thing. But nevertheless, you missed very little. More of a rehashing of a previously discussed topic.

As for the bunting, I’ll agree with you. Renteria should not have bunted. I couldn’t watch the game, so I’m basing this off the reviews of the posts, but Renteria should not bunt.
Now, a bunt in-and-of itself is not necessarily a bad thing. A player can do this and get away with it, but they are few and far between and must possess running skills few others have. Sometimes the sneak attack bunt is the way to go. But it should be a rule of thumb to immediately pull the super fast player, who is so confident he can reach by bunt for the final at bat of a world series that he shows bunt for several pitches allowing the opponent to take its precious time in setting up the defensive play, as soon as said player shows bunt.

By BBUA

September 11, 2007 12:17 AM | Link to this

This team has been disappointing most of the season. I think 2008 will be pretty much the same. Maybe it’s time to start all over. Trade the high salaried veterans while they still have some value and get some young talented players. Maybe by 2010 or so the Braves would be competitive again.

By uga-brave

September 11, 2007 12:22 AM | Link to this

biggest difference between the braves and the mets? perez and el duque. who would of thought those two guys both would of had great years? put those two guys in our 3, 4 hole instead of the parade of also-rans we trotted out there and things might of been different.

reyes, is always in the middle of it when he plays against us. really think we need to find a qulity leadoff man next year. cant really understand why bobby scrapped k.j. so early.

willie playing so well early on really looks like a curse now. should of been left in 7,8 hole.

By BossLady

September 11, 2007 12:39 AM | Link to this

Scott Boras IS true to what he believes and that is what most Americans believe to be true. Make the most money in whatever you do and be damned with the rest, meaning popular opinion. I wish he had negotiated my new contract. See, some of us want so much that we see clearly what Boras is doing. Generally speaking, if we work our buts off and be away from our families, with all the “things” we pay for we cannot see or use because of our time away making so much money then there is a way to compensate by making as much money we could possibly get to say “that will show them” in a way. I don’t like the Andruw/Boras comments because Boras represents so many, many of MLB. See Scott Boras clients. All the big boys work with him and they all get the big bucks. I still say the Beltran deal stealing away from Houston is the most distasteful signing in the league. Yet, Beltran and all the other big boys smile all the way to the bank. LOL LOL LOL

By Overlord (BAND OF BROTHERS)

September 11, 2007 12:45 AM | Link to this

Having Renteria bunt would have been a legitimate choice, but not an obvious one as it would have been the pitcher you were bunting over to 3rd base and you would still be sacrificing an out and would still be down by one run, and that’s if the bunt even succeeded.

I dont agree….. there is nothings as important as the guy standing in 2nd, he MUST score, there is ZERO, i repeat, ZERO room for mistakes. If as a manager you feel uncomfortable because the pitcher is your tying run, you use a PR. Its not like it is the 3rd inning, it was the 6th or 7th. You are not sacrificing an out, you are putting yourself in a position to put pressure on the enemy. And you still will have a .300+ hitter at the plate after the bunt and then your RBI man. How can you come empty right there. I think the royals would have score, with all the respect.

One thing you said i agree with…. there is no certainty anymore that eve edgar is capable to bunt successfully, even there we are inconsistent, even good players and pitchers have deficiencies there. Yesterday Orr almost bunts into a DP because he bunted a little pop. Come on, i can understand this things happen, it is baseball……BUT NOT ON A DAILY BASIS!!!!!!!!!!!!

By BossLady

September 11, 2007 12:46 AM | Link to this

Ya know if someone had mentioned that Bobby Cox was in payola during times past I would have laughed. But seeing, $100 million dollar men doing penny a$$ betting and thinking that sick fool. I don’t believe that Bobby is fixing games but I have come to believe that people are so crazy they could do anything.

By Coach ( The Fat Lady Sings)

September 11, 2007 12:50 AM | Link to this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gb7nwoQVkQE&mode=related&search=

By Overlord (BAND OF BROTHERS)

September 11, 2007 12:50 AM | Link to this

Steve

When trailing in a game against a team such as the Mets who have late inning offensive success,

I think braves have some offense also, what you need to do is tie the game no matter what, 1st of all. Second, braves have a solid bullpen that has been performing well, you can shut them down with acosta, mahay, soriano y moylan. They all are rested, at least not overused like a month ago.

By Bob, Journalist

September 11, 2007 12:55 AM | Link to this

Methinks the original lineup as given by David … 1. Escobar, 2. Renteria, 3. Chipper, 4. Teixeira, 5. Francoeur, 6. Andruw, 7. McCann, 8, Diaz … would have prevailed.

Me bested by Tinkerbell, goodness!

Methinks circumstances have caused us to use a lot of fancy words and phrases such as “heart”, “no quit”, “never give up” and “underachieving” … and how we use them depends on our perspective. Methinks holding the proper perspective plays a much greater role in determining our success or failure than most of us realize.

If we look at the mountain we have to climb … and see only how steep, long and perilous the journey, it’s easy to become overwhelmed and give up in despair … that mountain will never be climbed by those who so do!

But it’s amazing how many such mountains are successfully scaled by those who view the task as one of carefully taking one step at a time, following the path until the crest is reached.

Relative to our Braves, methinks some of the players see only the mountain and aren’t focusing on the path … it’s still there.

Nurture and cherish what you have … climb that mountain!

Yes, I miss you already Don’t know how I’ll go on I miss you already And you’re not even gone…

Goodnight all

By BossLady

September 11, 2007 12:56 AM | Link to this

Scott Boras Clients Past/Present Jim Abbott (retired) Rick Ankiel Steve Avery (retired) Carlos Baerga Rocco Baldelli (former client) Kenny Bania Josh Bayne (former client) Tim Belcher (retired) Jay Bell (retired) Carlos Beltrán Adrián Beltré Andy Benes (retired) Ian Bladergroen Barry Bonds (former client) Chris Bootcheck Taggert Bozied Andrew Brackman Kevin Brown (retired) Bobby Brownlie Jay Bruce (former client) Miguel Cabrera (former client) Bill Caudill (retired) Bruce Chen Ed Caesar Chris Coghlan Anthony Cozzette Joe Crede Colin Curtis Gary Daley Johnny Damon John Danks Jimmy Delgado Jason Donald Darren Dreifort (retired) J.D. Drew Stephen Drew Alex Fernandez (retired) Prince Fielder Éric Gagné Colin Gardner Tyler Greene Jeremy Guthrie Mark Hamilton Craig Hansen Robert Harper Matt Harrington Matt Harvey Keith Hernandez (retired) Ramón Hernández (former client) Jose Hernandez Bobby Hill Luke Hochevar Matt Holliday Frank Hullings Andruw Jones Scott Kazmir Ian Kennedy Sun-Woo Kim Danny Kolb Xavier Delgado Jeff Larish Travis Lee Kyle Lohse Felipe Lopez Rodrigo Lopez Derek Lowe Matt Lungariello Ryne Malone Greg Maddux Daisuke Matsuzaka Seth McClung Mark McCormick Ben McDonald (retired) Kevin Millwood Andrew Miller Zach Miner Mike Moustakas[1] Xavier Nady Robb Nen (retired) David Newhan Alex Ochoa Baltimore Orioles Magglio Ordóñez Chan Ho Park (former client) Corey Patterson Eric Patterson John Patterson Mark Pawelek Mike Pelfrey Carlos Pena Oliver Pérez Rick Porcello Guillermo Quiroz Anthony Reyes Alex Rodriguez Iván Rodríguez Kenny Rogers Robby Rogers (former client) José Rosado Rey Sanchez Dane Sardhina (former client) Max Scherzer Scott Schoeneweis Bobby Seay Gary Sheffield (former client) Kurt Stillwell (retired) Dennis Tankersley Julian Tavarez Willy Taveras Brien Taylor (retired) Taylor Teagarden Mark Teixeira Chin-hui Tsao Jason Varitek Ron Villone Jarrod Washburn Jeff Weaver Jered Weaver Matt White Brad Wilkerson Bernie Williams Carlos Zambrano (former client) Barry Zito

Retrieved from “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ClientsofScott_Boras”

By Overlord (BAND OF BROTHERS)

September 11, 2007 1:00 AM | Link to this

Out and about all you heard from muts announcers is for the same reason you read their fans here come and write crap…… they still have 12 of the 14 inches of that stick we put into their…….lets say heart so i dont sound bad, LOL, still in, deep into them, and they want to take all the 14 inches in one season, thing is they cant, and they are so sure that we will come back very soon that they want to enjoy it as much as they can….. let them enjoy it, it would be nonhuman not to let your dog have at least the bones after a thanksgiving dinner.

By jay

September 11, 2007 1:03 AM | Link to this

Broski’s daddy,

The Mets are closer to a dynasty than the Braves. Where is that MIGHTY brave pitching? In the minors? NO

Pelfry and Humber have better stuff than your minor league starter and none of your top starting prospects are ready.

Escobar and McCann are tremendous but who else do u have? Oh yea they were traded for Tex who may walk in free agency.

Show me when 4 top tier prospects were dealt for any player other than a top starter?

You brave fans can’t think that the Mets are gonna disappear. They aren’t. They are going to draft college players and sign international prospects. Plus spend money.

If Minaya is fired. Then things may change.

Posada or Pudge will catch next year. You’d better sign Moylan cuz Minaya likes him.

And as far as old players go well I will say this;

Fernando Martinez 19 Lastings Milledge 21 Carlos Gomez 20 Tony Pena jr 19

are all READY to play in the majors.

We have prospects and money, we aren’t going anywhere. So worry about your own dynasty.

By BossLady

September 11, 2007 1:04 AM | Link to this

GET OFF ANDRUW ABOUT BORAS, PLEASE!!

By Old Lefty

September 11, 2007 1:05 AM | Link to this

Checking in late, Denizens, and have not reviewed previous posts. So forgive me if this is redundant.

But, reflecting on tonight’s festivities, a question comes to this old mind - - Will Chipper’s fragility be the factor, after all is said and done, that keeps him out of the Hall?

The mind fairly reels at what might have been ….

By uga-brave

September 11, 2007 1:29 AM | Link to this

something just aint quite right about this group. for the most part they seem like good guys but collectively as a team there is something missing. they K way to much and they dont respond in close games.

i know a lot of people think that its bobby’s fault, and a portion of it has got to fall on him, for whatever reason the did not respond to him this year. but there is no way that the majority of it is his fault.

payroll has got to be the main culprit. you need to look no further then the bench and the back of the rotation to find the real culprits. our bench bar none is the worst in baseball no situational players, no speed, and no power.

i also believe our scouting has been subpar. two sore armed relievers and a total swing and a miss on redman. better start developing some real starting pitching in the minors or it could be real ugly by ‘09. next year aint gonna be a whole lot different unless 3,4,5 look a whole lot different next year

By Overlord (BAND OF BROTHERS)

September 11, 2007 1:30 AM | Link to this

This muts fan are so freaking thirsty they are thinking dynasty even before they win their second straight division title, hahaha….. you have to be incredibly dumb to do that.

Dont even have at this moment an elite starter, that you could say is gonna win 16 a year for the next 4 years for them.

Wright and Reyes……. yes, top players, tip my hat.

Beltran, got to wonder about his durability.

Castillo, Alou and LoDuca are banged up, very much.

I hope you illustrate me about that solid future, i just cant see it. Not even the present is solid, their record and performance this years shows it.

Things cant change in NY, but i wouldnt dream of Dynasty as things are right now.

Phillies and Braves have tons of offense and some pitching, either or both of them get pitching help and your little 2 year run is over. Maybe you could start a new one in 2009.

Have a good night Mutties.

By Overlord (BAND OF BROTHERS)

September 11, 2007 1:36 AM | Link to this

uga-brave calm down, i think a second straight year finishing 3rd will be a wakeup call for the wallet that owns the braves. Personal opinion.

By uga-brave

September 11, 2007 1:49 AM | Link to this

top of lineup guy and staring pitching should be main priorities. that being said, get in line because everyone in baseball is looking for the same thing.

either you outspend or you develop within, two things which will probably be lacking come april. hot stove league will really set tone for what kind of owners liberty media is going to be.

By Wayne in Utah

September 11, 2007 2:22 AM | Link to this

Hello to any/all of my friends who might be still on, or check in tomorrow morning.

Have had so much going on, I haven’t been able to catch a game since Friday night.

Nice wins by Clemson this weekend, and by that “other” team in SC. Also, my Niners won tonight, saw the last quarter. Smith looked good on that last drive.

Hope Chipper is not too bad, although with Yunel, we at least have an OK replacement. From what I heard tonight, I guess he blew it on a play that might have cost us a run. Rookie mistake, or playing out of position?

Hope Andruw feels better tomorrow, cause even HE is better than Willie these days.

Would love to see guys like Devine, BJones, and Lillibridge, once Richmond is done.

Good night all! Hello Serbok, wherever you are tonight!

By Wayne in Utah

September 11, 2007 2:26 AM | Link to this

uga We had a pretty good top of the lineup guy until Bobby quit using him after the first couple of months of the season. While KJ is not the prototypical leadoff hitter, he was extremely effective.

Agreed on the need for starting pitching. I think we will probably go the trade route for one more arm though.

How about that kid Dustin McGowan in Toronto? Is he worth Escobar? Just thinking out loud.

By Train Wreck Bystander

September 11, 2007 3:00 AM | Link to this

I held a faint glimmer of hope until tonight, but it’s time to stick a fork in this season.

Somewhere in the multiverse there’s an alternate reality where the Braves finish out 18-0 and win the World Series from the wild card berth.

It’s not going to be this reality, though.

=====

It’s over again.

Pack away the unis, boys.

Better luck next year.

By AZBravoFan

September 11, 2007 3:02 AM | Link to this

Any Weezer fans out there? Here’s a line from their last album that pretty much sums up the season:

“Here’s the pitch Slow and straight All I have to do is swing and I’m a hero… But I’m a zero”

By Coach ( Lets Go Braves in 2008)

September 11, 2007 4:13 AM | Link to this

Wayne in Utah , Renteria will be the SS on the trading block for three reasons. Money (the Braves would owe him 6.6 million in 2008) and the need to improve the (pitching) starting rotation ( Renteria is a valuable trading piece) , last but not least , Yunel Escobar is ready to take over and he only makes the league minimum and is a much better defender but lacks Renteria’s power. The Blue Jays will be in the market for a SS for certain , their two short stops have a combined 1 HR and 30 RBI and one is a free agent(John Mcdonald). Dustin McGowan is attractive but the Blue Jays will be extremely reluctant to part with the young right hander. He is a former 1st round pick (2000) and the Blue Jays have seven years invested in him not to mention the fact that he makes the league minimum. McGowan is a 6-3 right hander who has four strong pitches : mid-nineties fastball with good sink , change-up , slider and curve. It might take a package of Renteria , Diaz ( to replace the 39 year old left fielder Matt Stairs who is a free agent) and Jo-Jo Reyes to pry McGowan away from the Blue Jays. That is a steep price to pay but well worth it considering what we gave up for Mark Teixeira. By the way , McGowan is a Georgia native , born in Savannah. he is currently 10-8 with an ERA of 3.90 and fifteen quality starts out a total of twenty-three in 2007.

By Jeff R

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

Here we go again with Chipper Jones, likely to miss the last 18 games of the season due to a strained oblique. Goes without saying that when he’s healthy he’s one of the best. But at this point, his health is too unpredictable. Imagine if the Braves were still in contention… Hope management begins developing alternatives to Chipper in the off season. It’s time.

By don

September 11, 2007 7:39 AM | Link to this

Does anyone doubt that Eddie Mathews would have been in there every day- hurt or not? Of course, Chipper is certainly no Eddie Mathews.

Alswo, I am confused. Just when is it that Teixeira is going to begin to lead the Braves to the playoffs? He did hit #11 late in the game Sunday to cut the deficit from 7-3 to 7-4. That is typical of his production since the trade. Good numbers all put up at inconsequential times. No game changers whatsoever. Doubt it? Check it out.

By Paladin

September 11, 2007 8:20 AM | Link to this

When I told Savannah Guy I would remain with the blog until the “end” of the season, I didn’t realize what a short commitment I was making. It will take a real masochist from here out to watch a bunch of second teamers get kicked around like vick-dogs.

By wjones

September 11, 2007 8:23 AM | Link to this

Coach, are the Blue Jays going to let McDonald walk? From all indications, he is arguably the best glove man in the league, though, like you said, not so much with the bat. I don’t know what Glaus contract status is, but with his recent steroid allegations, I wonder if they might want to try Edgar at third?

By Wayne in Utah

September 11, 2007 8:26 AM | Link to this

Coach: Look at that trade more from a Blue Jay’s perspective. Would they do that deal for a 32 year old SS, or would they hold out for the younger one?

Maybe they wouldn’t do that deal at all??? I am not sure I would.

I would NOT include Reyes if it were Escobar in the mix, but I would be willing to send Diaz and another lower pitching prospect along with Escobar to get a big strong righthander like McGowan.

(Many of the same reasons you state are the exact reasons I like McGowan)

I agree that the Braves first priority will be to move Renteria, for all the reasons you state. BUT, with Lillibridge being a possible replacement in a year or two, keeping Renteria is not a bad option either. I think we need to deal from strength, and that would be to deal one of the three players mentioned: Renteria, Escobar, or Lillibridge. Who we get in return would determine who we gave up.

Jeff R: Unless we pick up someone like Mike Lamb off the free agent pile, I think Willie Aybar and Brayan Pena are our backup third basemen for next year.

By Braveheart

September 11, 2007 8:31 AM | Link to this

Does anyone doubt that Eddie Mathews would have been in there every day- hurt or not? Of course, Chipper is certainly no Eddie Mathews.

I don’t know. When Eddie Mathews was 32, he missed 21 games. When he was 34, he missed 28 games. When he was 35, he missed 25 games. When he was 36, he only played 31 games and his career was over at 36. So, no. Eddie Mathews, when he got older, just like all older players as they enter their mid thirties, go injured and missed games just like Chipper Jones.

And, yeah, Chipper is no Eddie Mathews. He’s actually better. Chipper’s OPS+ is 144. Eddie’s was 143. Give it another try fool.

By Will

September 11, 2007 8:31 AM | Link to this

RIP 2007 Atlanta Braves. Its okay cant make the playoffs every year. Hopefully the Braves will find a heart, a new manager and some starting pitching and be back at it in 2008!

By Braveheart

September 11, 2007 8:38 AM | Link to this

When George Brett was 29, he missed 18 games. At 30, he missed 39 games. At 31, he missed 58 games. At 32, he missed 7 games. At 33, he missed 38 games. At 34, he missed 47 games. At 35, he missed 5 games. At 36, he missed 38 games. At 37, he missed 20 games. At 38, he missed 31 games.

George Brett was a wussy too in some of your mind’s I guess.

By Shaun

September 11, 2007 8:43 AM | Link to this

don,

First of all, it’s not as if Teixeira doing great things at the plate doesn’t count if he does it in the first inning or at “inconsequential” times.

Second, he has the highest OPS on the team in his minimal plate appearances with runners on, RISP, RISP with 2 out.

By wjones

September 11, 2007 8:47 AM | Link to this

Regarding Eddie vs. Chipper, I know that Eddie was a hard drinker, and like some others (Foxx, Mantle)may have led to his gradual decline. Of course, we now have better nutrition and fitness regimens, which has probably helped Chipper. I’m not really able to get a handle on Chipper’s lifestyle/nutritional habits/fitness plan, but I would just guess it would have to be better than Eddie’s.

By Thrillhouse44

September 11, 2007 8:48 AM | Link to this

Just imagine where the Braves would be without Chipper.

By Ty Cobb

September 11, 2007 8:49 AM | Link to this

Braveheart Don’t forget to give my statistics, too. I’m sure you have them there right in front of you.

By Will

September 11, 2007 8:49 AM | Link to this

Shaun, I would like to know what Texieria average is from the 7th inning on. Just wondering. It is scary to think how much worse the Braves record would be without tex, but he along with the rest of the Braves is not raking anymore in big spots late in games.

By Wee Willie Wheeler

September 11, 2007 8:50 AM | Link to this

Mine too!

By ben

September 11, 2007 8:57 AM | Link to this

I have some advice for Chipper, its called stretching, He pulls more muscles than any one i have ever seen.

By Shaun

September 11, 2007 9:01 AM | Link to this

Will,

Tex is hitting .318 AVG/.380 OBP/.477 SLG from the 7th inning on. Pretty impressive.

As an aside, I think it’s pretty ridiculous to only judge players by what they do in “clutch” situations or late in games (not saying you’re doing this). I guess if a team scores six runs in the first three innings, the players shouldn’t get as much credit as if they score six runs in the final three innings.

This is what is frustrated me when people were looking at Andruw vs. Torii Hunter. Aside from this season, it’s clear who is the better player. There’s really no question about it. But some bring up only batting average only in “clutch” situations. That’s ridiculous to me because first, it only takes hits into account. Second, it only takes into account “clutch” situations. So if the player has two homers by the fifth inning, that’s basically ignored. Or if a pitcher pitches around the guy in a “clutch” situation, that’s also ignored. And a single in the clutch counts the same as a double or homer in the clutch. These are the problems with looking only at batting average in “clutch” situations.

By Efrim

September 11, 2007 9:15 AM | Link to this

Can’t win the division when your best hitter only plays in 130 games. Not against the Mets…..

Very frustrating loss because I think we would of won the ballgame if Chipper and Andruw were in there.

Sigh.

73-71.

I’ll go out on a limb and say we will go 83-79. 4 game improvement from last year. .500 since the start of the 2006 season. .500 following 4 straight years of getting knocked out in the first round.

By Anders

September 11, 2007 9:19 AM | Link to this

My two cents 3/4 of a season from Chipper Jones is still better than a full season from most 3rd baseman. He’s just become a player that needs to be nursed through the season - like most guys getting older. The goal is to manage his health and have him ready for the post season when you get there. That said, I think that’s the reason JS will trade Renteria - He’s headed in the same direction and you can’t nurse the whole left side of the infield all season. It would limit the managers options on too many nights. That’s the reality of the situation.

By NO CHOP ZONE

September 11, 2007 9:27 AM | Link to this

The season series is now tied. The Mets are 9 1/2 games in front and after tonite the magic number for the braves to be eliminated will be down to single digits. Yes, All is good in Mets nation.

By Paladin

September 11, 2007 9:29 AM | Link to this

My problem is not Chipper taking time off, it is what BC does not do to put his best available lineup on the field when he does. I’m surprised he didn’t put Thorman in and “rest” Tex. But, getting back to Chipper. If Smoltz had not “called him out” how many more games might he have missed?

By Shaun

September 11, 2007 9:30 AM | Link to this

wjones,

Well, you can say that about any modern player vs. any player in the past. Of course nutrition and other things have advanced. I think it’s pretty obvious players from today could run circles around pretty much any player from the past.

That’s why I think you have to compare and contrast what Matthews contributed to his teams vs what Chipper contributed to his teams.

I think it’s pretty close. Matthews played in a worse offensive era but Chipper has put up better numbers.

Chipper probably gets the edge because he’s been better after typical peak years while Matthews was pretty much just average by age 34 and literally done at 36. For this reason, I do think Matthews is underrated because in his 20s not many third basemen in history can match what he did.

By Cashier

September 11, 2007 9:32 AM | Link to this

.02 Anders here is your change.

By don

September 11, 2007 9:33 AM | Link to this

Braveheart, you are the fool. Your one statistic is ridiculous. the bottom line is that Mathews is a member of the Hall of Fame producing numbers during a time prior to the bandbox parks and the rabbit ball. Chipper is no Hall of Famer.

As for Teixeira, none of you apologists bothered to check the facts. How many more losses would the Braves have without Teixeira? None. He hasn’t been the difference in any game. Of course, since his arrival, the team does have a losing record. So much for the “Tex Factor”. Again, I realize that it is taxing for some of you but you should check the statistics. He hasn’t produced squat in the clutch.

Alibi all you want but your boys are still going home after September. “Big Tex” equals zero.

By NO CHOP ZONE

September 11, 2007 9:38 AM | Link to this

Oliver Perez OWNS the braves. He has become their DADDY.

By De truth

September 11, 2007 9:39 AM | Link to this

No Chop Zone Yo Moma so fat, she sat on a quarter and a booger shot out of George Washington’s nose.

By Shaun

September 11, 2007 9:44 AM | Link to this

Efrim,

Well, look at it this way: Most franchises are going to go through ebbs and flows of good years and bad ones unless you have a decent combo of resources and management like the Yankees or Red Sox.

The Braves got lucky by developing Glavine and acquiring Smoltz and Maddux, and keeping them healthy, and developing enough position players and getting some good seasons from veterans. Plus they had more resources at one time.

But the resources are not as plentiful, players have aged, they’ve been less lucky developing young pitching talent and keeping young pitchers healthy. All of these things have led to a lull. But there are some things to be optimistic about—the Braves are still developing position players at a great rate, and their lull hasn’t been as bad as a lot of teams’.

By Anders

September 11, 2007 9:49 AM | Link to this

My two cents (since the cashier returned my money I can spend it again!) Anyway, I have to admit that I hardly ever saw Teixeira play when he was in Texas and honestly I didn’t realize how good his numbers were. Also, I see that his overall numbers as a Brave look really good, but against the Mets he seemed like a non factor. It’s early to be fair but he doesn’t have that aura about him where I’m trying to figure out if we can get to him without anyone on base. Guy’s who watch a lot of baseball no what I mean. Maybe it’s because we’re used to Chipper smacking us silly all the time that the bar is set too high?

By Shaun

September 11, 2007 9:52 AM | Link to this

don,

Actually, Chipper is not eligible yet, last I checked.

And I’m pretty sure Teixeira has created some runs and runs, last I checked, do lead to wins.

Teixeira has hit 11 homers so you know there’s at least 11 runs he’s responsible for.

By Efrim

September 11, 2007 9:53 AM | Link to this

I love the Tex trade, but good lord, he has not brought us anymore wins that we would of had without him. Which is really sad to begin with. I don’t worry about the prospects we gave up in that trade. Braves farm system is still loaded with a bunch of Single A studs. They have some solid players in the upper levels as well such as Brandon Jones and Brent Lillibridge.

We need to put an emphasis around pitching this offseason. Maybe the Tigers will worry about Bonderman’s elbow and trade him to us for Edgar. Not likely. In fact, probably impossible. Oh well.

Can’t wait to hear of the possible pitchers that a team would give up to get Edgar. I thought it was a stupid idea at first, but now it seems almost inevitable that we’ll deal Edgar for pitching.

We should be okay in the bullpen with Soriano, Moylan and Acosta making up the back end. I would try to re-sign Mahay and keep Yates, Villareal and Devine in the pen. Sooner or later they have to give Devine a shot, right?

The starting staff should be okay. Smoltz, Hudson, Pitcher, James and Hampton. I would keep Cormier in Triple A. If he has a better spring than James I would seriously consider trading Chuck. What is the point of having James if he can only give us 5 innings a night. Hampton isn’t going to be a workhorse either. That 3rd starter we acquire better be a workhorse.

Offensively I would just try to improve the bench as much as possible. Chipper is going to miss at least 30 games. Getting a better backup catcher would be nice as well. Corky Miller ain’t going to cut it. Brandon Jones and Matt Diaz in LF should be a nice platoon, although I hate platoons. Not sure who we could get to play CF. If we trade Renteria for a cheap pitcher, there is no reason to think we can’t afford to give Mike Cameron a 2 year 16 million dollar deal. Throw in an option even.

By E

September 11, 2007 9:56 AM | Link to this

Shaun

I agree with everything you said. It would sure be nice to have a Yovani Gallardo or Cole Hamels though. I think that is what bothers me the most. No young pitching that will contribute until at least mid-2009.

By Efrim

September 11, 2007 9:56 AM | Link to this

Shaun

I agree with everything you said. It would sure be nice to have a Yovani Gallardo or Cole Hamels though. I think that is what bothers me the most. No young pitching that will contribute until at least mid-2009.

By Shaun

September 11, 2007 9:59 AM | Link to this

Anders,

Teixeira has played all of, what, 7 games against the Mets? If you can judge a player by seven games, you should be taking your pick at which GM job you want.

By NO CHOP ZONE

September 11, 2007 10:02 AM | Link to this

DE Truth wasn’t that a nickel? And wasn’t that Jefferson with the booger?

By Worryaboutyourself

September 11, 2007 10:08 AM | Link to this

Please refer to a July 15th column by Mark Bradley who says, and I quote, ” the Mets change of coaches at this point in season is a panic move.” He also said the Mets were returning to their “silly” ways by changing batting coaches. From July 15th to now the Mets have not been out of first place, they have all but put the rose on the Braves coffin, David Wright is now a MVP candidate, oh by the way, the batting coach was David’s manager in the minors, thus why they made him batting coach (panic move, right). Listen, its just the Mets time now, two years and counting. Sure the Mets have a lot of winning to do to catch the Braves record of Division titles, but it has to start somewhere right? So Mark Bradley in the future worry about yourself and the moves the Braves make to be a contender in the NL East. Be careful what you call silly, because one mans silly is another mans genius.

By dadgum

September 11, 2007 10:09 AM | Link to this

Andruw Jones….HOF? Not so fast my friends. He is staring eerily at the “Dale Murphy Stigma”.

COX ….well he isn’t changing his baseball idiology I am certain but YOU HAVE TO FREAKIN BUNT WHEN THE SITUATION SCREAMS BUNT.PERIOD.END OF DISCUSSION!

I won’t debate Cox here. You have too many credentials for Cox that can trump all his managerial blunders and they are a bunch so I will let that ride for now. I will go on record and please bring this up to me as needed but I really hope the Braves tell Cox thanks for the memories after this season or he retires. Simply time for a new direction as owners like to call it. Definitely time no question. Liberty has said they would not make changes but I think there will be serious discussions afetr this year.

Kelly Johnson over Escobar? I will take Escobar every freakin day over KJ. KJ is average at best in the field. Just simply average. Looks uncomfortable to me at 2nd just not smooth. He hits for more power sure but Escobar will put up a good average. Kelly to me looks like a good bench player to have fill in as needed. I will be shocked if Kelly starts at 2nd base next year with all the trades sure to come. Still think he will be traded anyway. Escobar is way more valuable to the Braves than Johnson. Talking purely here of baseball needs not that KJ is a bad player or person. Nothing like that. If you stand the two side by side and have to choose you go with Escobar. HUge talent, young, still cheap.

Andruw is definitely feeling the heat in his free agent year. I agree. Andruw simply won’t acknowl;edge as much. It’s there though. Great for the Braves if they try to keep him. He will come much cheaper than Boras will like if that happens. The Braves are in a win-win situation with Andruw. They will get him for 10-12 mil on a three year deal or lose him. Losing him isn’t a bad thing. The Braves will be fine. Remeber all the trades and signings to come? Thought so.

Rock on…..remembering all the victims of 9/11.

By Shaun

September 11, 2007 10:11 AM | Link to this

I love the Tex trade, but good lord, he has not brought us anymore wins that we would of had without him.

I’m not sure how anyone could say this. Tex has hit 11 homers, he’s gotten a hit or a walk 64 times.

Saying he hasn’t added wins is like a multi-millionaire saying, “this million doesn’t contribute anything to my fortune.”

How in the world do you know having Julio Franco or Thorman or someone else the Braves would have just as many wins? Seems pretty obvious to me the Braves would be worse off with Franco or Thorman or some similar player at first every day.

By Lee in S. GA

September 11, 2007 10:19 AM | Link to this

DOB

Just curious if you have any clue about this. It seems certain players come from Japan to the U.S. to play MLB every 2 or 3 years and do quite well playing in this country. Some of the top players like Matsuzaka, Suzuki, Matsui (Hideki and Kazuo) come to mind. I realize all of them are not going to be superstars. I am only guessing on this; however, I suppose they announce they want to play in the U.S. when they become a free agent and the team who desires their service would go after them with an offer and the highest bidder usually lures them to play for their team. Kind of like free agents over here.

American players have also been traded or sold to Japanese teams also. Can this be done with players from their country also? Do the Braves ever consider this or scout these players or attempt to lure these players to play in Atlanta? I may be forgetting things but I cannot remember the Braves ever doing this. Perhaps a good pitcher or outfielder can be acquired via this during the off-season. Perhaps they would demand too much money and once again a bidding war would begin and the Braves would shy away.

By Anders

September 11, 2007 10:25 AM | Link to this

Shaun That’s fair - but 3 of those games were the biggest of the Braves season - I think we agree on that. That said, if Boras came to you today and wanted to negotiate a long term Beltran plus type deal for Tex this off season do you have enough of a feel for how Tex performs in big game situations to make a huge committment like that? Keep in mind he never played a meaningful game in Texas so there’s nothing to draw on there. I know it’s done by other teams but generally they don’t have the limited resources the Braves are forced to work under. I’m sure JS is watching Tex under the glare of these big games to see how he performs.

By Anders

September 11, 2007 10:33 AM | Link to this

Speaking of DOB Does the AJC have “DOB rules” similar to the Yankees “Joba Rules” Apparently if the Mets beat the Braves once he disappears for a day, if they beat them twice he disappears for two games and if they sweep the Braves he takes a motorcycle ride.

Just wondering?

By Braveheart

September 11, 2007 10:37 AM | Link to this

Don, my one stat is ridiculous? How? It takes Chipper’s OPS numbers which are much better than Eddie Mathews numbers and discounts them with consideration for the offensive era Chipper played in.

Thus, Chipper’s OPS+ of 144 as compared to Eddie’s 143 shows that if they both played in the same eras, you would expect them to be eerily similar in many ways with respect to the stats they put up.

Chipper is a HOFer. I put up many stats yesterday that show he is the BEST #3 hitter in the game this year at the age of 35.

I am in now way saying Eddie Mathews sucked at all. In fact, I would say that right now he and Mike Schmidt have to be considered the best two third baseman of all time.

If Chipper plays a few more years and gets 500 homers, then I think Chipper enters the Holy Trinity of Third Baseman with Eddie and Schmidt, if he is not already there.

My top third baseman of all time are 1. Schmidt; 2. Eddie Mathews; 3. Chipper Jones; 4. George Brett; 5. Home Run Baker; 6. Wade Boggs; 7. Ron Santo.

If AROD stays at third for the next few years, then he becomes the top third baseman of all time in addition to being the top shortstop of all time. And I hate AROD.

I fought Shaun on this for days in spring training before realizing he is right. Ron Santo should be in the Hall of Fame.

By Shaun

September 11, 2007 10:40 AM | Link to this

Efrim,

That’s the way it goes. Cole Hammels or Yovani Gallardo could, God forbid, blow out his arm tomorrow. Young pitching is a crap shoot.

Look at even the great Braves teams with possibly the best pitching staff in history. They developed one pitcher—Tom Glavine.

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=2197

By De truth

September 11, 2007 10:46 AM | Link to this

And you, NCZ, have more chins than a Chinese phone book.

By Lew

September 11, 2007 10:49 AM | Link to this

Anders-A final comment on your assinine “concentrate on the Wild Card” crap. Do you realize that the Mets should “concentrate” on having the second best record in the NL as opposed to the best? If the Mets were to lose the rest of their games against the Braves and the Phillies, it would almost guarantee them of the second best record and would likely lead to the Phillies as WC winner. Now by having the second best record and the WC team coming from the East, the Mets would get to play the Central Division winner, where they have a huge winning margin, as opposed to the playing the WC winner from the West, where the Mets have a losing record. Doesn’t that indicate they should “Go For it”? Are you beginning to see the idiocy or your arguments yet? Doubt it-you’re a Mets fan. Never learned logic or Classic Literature.

By Efrim

September 11, 2007 10:49 AM | Link to this

Shaun

The point is that we aren’t making the playoffs. We wouldn’t of without him either. The goal of the trade was to make the playoffs this year and next year. We struck out on the first pitch. We still have a shot next year, but again, the goal was to make the playoffs.

There is no guarentee that Tex will resign. Boras clients always test the free agent market and the Red Sox, Mets and Yankees will all have first base issues at the end of next year. Nice little public relations disaster if the Mets ink Tex as Delgado’s replacement. Not to farfetched. Not at all.

Tex signing with one of those teams for 8 years and 160 million is not out of the question.

Is he worth that? Who is worth that??

Probably not even AROD. But teams will spend the money and be a better team for it.

In ten years no one wants to hear about payroll or injuries. Just who was on top at the end of the season.

By Medical Science

September 11, 2007 10:50 AM | Link to this

Anders is our failed experiment in artificial stupidity. He never came up to speed.

By Efrim

September 11, 2007 10:52 AM | Link to this

Shaun

That’s the way it goes. Cole Hammels or Yovani Gallardo could, God forbid, blow out his arm tomorrow. Young pitching is a crap shoot.

But they have the ability to be great pitchers. Chuck James does not. Jo Jo Reyes does not.

Whatever man, it’s pointless to talk about why we haven’t developed young pitching. The bottom line is that we haven’t and other teams have.

By Shaun

September 11, 2007 10:53 AM | Link to this

Anders,

Well, I believe if you can perform well over the course of several major league seasons at a high level, you can perform in big games. If you haven’t, it’s probably just a fluke. I mean, as I said, even the best hitters are going to make outs 60 percent of the time or maybe a little more. So you expect over the course of a handful of games, even a great player may have a significant number of 0-for-4s, 0-for-5s.

If I was running a team and someone came and offered me Albert Pujols or Babe Ruth in his day or Ted Williams in his day for a decent price, I wouldn’t pay too much attention to these players big-game performances. I would just know that he can play baseball.

You see, I’m a firm believer that, yes, some games are more pressure-filled than others but all major league baseball games are filled with a certain amount of pressure.

Think about it—you’ve been a hot shot baseball player all your life, the last thing you want to do is screw up in front of thousands of people every night. It’s not like other jobs where performing daily task is significantly different than performing under tight circumstances. Every situation is relatively stressful when you’re a major league baseball player.

By David O'Brien

September 11, 2007 11:00 AM | Link to this

Anders, why are you the only person who monitors my work day? Seriously, let’s just leave it at this: I work a whole lot more hours than you. How’s that?

Or do you just miss me, Anders? You must be pining for me, since if I don’t post for 8 hours you get all worried and ask others why I’m not posting, why I don’t have myself tethered to the blog 24 hours a day and just have my thoughts pumped into the blog every few hours to keep you satisfied and safe.

By AJC Staff

September 11, 2007 11:01 AM | Link to this

**WE ARE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT DURING THE OFF-SEASON BRAVEHEART, SHAUN, EFRIM, KC AND ANDERS WILL KEEP THIS BLOG GOING.

ONLY “LIMITED” SPACE IS AVAILABLE FOR OTHER POSTERS, SO MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS, NOW!!**

By Anders

September 11, 2007 11:07 AM | Link to this

LEW The Mets are rolling. 9 out of 10. Hudson twice along with Smoltzie, Harang and Oswalt. I’m not concerned with who we play at this point. BTW- your logic is faulty. I’d rather gaurantee home field in the NLCS than finish second to avoid the West anyway. For some of us logic didn’t have to be learned - we just have it. As for classic literature - you’ve got me there. Have fun at the Library this October - I’ll be busy.

By Shaun

September 11, 2007 11:07 AM | Link to this

Efrim,

Okay, the Braves are probably going to lose Tex next season. You still get one of the best all around players in the game in his prime for a season and two months. Then you get a draft pick.

JS gave the Braves a chance to make the playoffs. That’s all you can do as a GM. You trade a top prospect at a prime position, you don’t trade him for mediocre players or pitching “prospects.”

What do you suggest the Braves should have done? Let Salty rot on the bench or in the minors or put him at first where he loses value both offensively and defensively?

By Rocky Stone

September 11, 2007 11:08 AM | Link to this

To the blogger that was blogging about the stature of Chipper Jones - I think the stature should have a pulled muscle. Where is the oblique anyhow? Maybe that part can be lighted. And when the statue speaks it can say, “uh, ow.”

My Momma told me not to judge others and Momma would not like me saying this, but, Chipper made a season-ending decision for his team last night when he walked away from the lineup and the race and his teammates.

Chipper Opted Out.

Now, if I was hurt, I might not blog, but, if I was hurt and my post might win a Wurlitzer, then I might just tough it out and post.

Can’t wear a ring a huntin’ anyway. And can’t wear a ring on a sore thumb either.

I know this post will engender hatred for this as yet untested and relatively new blogger. Chipper is not fair game to all. (Game? Oh, the perplexity! What if Chipper was the game and the deer had the gun?). I digress …

The blogger was right. Plans should be made now for third base because Chipper is too fragile to count on (Sorry Scribe).

And these injuries appear in the cage - not on the field. How would Chipper appeal to an American League team if he gets injured taking BP? Frequently gets injured taking BP.

By Paladin

September 11, 2007 11:13 AM | Link to this

DOB Why don’t you bleep Anders for general principles? If you need a reason, Lew and I can come up with one.

By Lew

September 11, 2007 11:16 AM | Link to this

Anders-Yes, you’ll be busy watching the Mets miss out on the series once again. Can’t win against the West. They actually have pitching.

By E

September 11, 2007 11:18 AM | Link to this

Shaun

You grasp nothing that I said. I love the Tex trade. Love it. Annual 950 OPS player. I personally wasn’t crazy about the prospects we gave up. Not at all. Salty is blocked by McCann, Andrus has not shown anything offensively in his minor league career, Beau Jones is a left reliever, Neftali Fleiz has a fastball and not much else, Matt Harrison’s K rate was declining and hits per inning was going up.

Love the trade.

The goal was to make the playoffs regardless and we didn’t. That is all I am saying.

By Anders

September 11, 2007 11:20 AM | Link to this

DOB I’ve only asked when you dissappeared after Mets wins over the Braves. Kind of a chicken or the egg scenario - not sure if that’s the only time I care or if that’s the only time you dissappear but the good news is your back! I’m just glad you’re actually able to read my posts. I was thinking you were ignoring me -

By David O'Brien

September 11, 2007 11:20 AM | Link to this

Rocky Stone, what does that mean, “plans should be made now for third base because Chipper is too fragile to count on.”

Weren’t plans made last year and this winter, when Braves had Willy Aybar specifically penciled into a role as utility infielder with emphasis on him being the backup 3B whenever Chipper was out?

Point is, there’s not a lot of things you can do except hope he stays healthy and have a backup ready. He’s under contract at $11 mill next season, and obviously has full no-trade protection as a 10/5 player.

And now they have a 1B for next season, so Chipper won’t be moving there in 2008 even if herwere open to moving to 1B (not that there’s any reason to believe he’d stay any healthier there, despite what some here seem to believe).

By Paladin

September 11, 2007 11:23 AM | Link to this

Anders The “committee” has awarded you a Troll Wurlitzer. Congratulations! Lew* will be doing you a drawing of the backend of a jackass(representing the Muts). That way you can hold it up next to the mirror and have twins. Neat, huh?

By Adirondackdave

September 11, 2007 11:28 AM | Link to this

Remember Ralph Kiner’s story about his contract which was up for renewal after he won one of his home run crowns? Kiner asked Pirates boss Branch Rickey for a raise or he would sit out the next year. Rickey offered him a no-raise contract and reminded Kiner that they finished in last place with him and that they could finish in last place without him. Kiner signed.

Sort of reminds me of the Tex situation. I loved the guy when he was with Texas and I love him here… but our real needs are pitching.

As for Chipper, he more and more reminds me of Larry Walker. The guy’s awesome but we’re probably going to see more, not fewer, injury problems over the next few years.

By Braveheart

September 11, 2007 11:31 AM | Link to this

Rocky Stone, no, I will leave you alone. I know the man behind that curtain, have fought my battles with that hound from hell, and have no desire to ever go there again.

Anders Have no fear we are gonna equip DOB with a pager so he can be on call for you 24/7/365. Does Anders wake up in a cold sweat wondering whether DOB has posted in the last 10 minutes, screaming at his laptop, post dammit! post dammit! POST! Oh, why hasn’t he posted? Oh, woe is me. Good grief! How come the Mets don’t have a good blog?

By Needs to Know

September 11, 2007 11:31 AM | Link to this

Please someone explain to me why is Marcus Giles name is even mention with Mike Gonzalez, Adam LaRoche, and Mike Hampton on the question (AJC) who the Braves need and miss the most this season.

LaRoche may have made a little difference the 1st part of the season but the loss of the 2 pitchers is what did this team in for the year. I know no one can possibly feel Giles guy would have helped carry the Braves to the post-season this year.

Oh wait, I guess about 25 to 30 people do looking at the present results. There are probably a couple of braincases on here that believe that too.

By Anders

September 11, 2007 11:32 AM | Link to this

Paladin Not sure how things work down south but up here when a guy infiltrates the family and needs to go, the guy who brought him in goes with him. In my case I believe that was you. Be careful what you wish for.

By Lew

September 11, 2007 11:32 AM | Link to this

Anders-Let’s look at this a bit more closely. You’re all gung ho over the Mets going 9 of 10 heading into the playoffs-at least in three weeks anyway (you’ll probably lose three or four more players-40 somethings that they are-to injury in the interim). You base this warm and fuzzy feeling on the fact the Mets have beaten two teams who have an average of 63 wins and another who has a losing record for the past two months. Wow. What a powerhouse the Mets are. You won nine of ten against such stiff competition. It should GUARANTEE you a WS win-right?

Dude- you’re real good at whipping up on the weak central-a division where the Braves (playing as poorly as they are) would be a half game out of the division lead. However, against REAL competition, you barely have a .500 record. Makes you wonder, doesn’t it? BTW, did you see Beltran last night against Acosta’s curve? Damn near wet his pants again. Better hope he sees nothing but fastballs in the p[layoffs. We all know what happened last year when he faced the curve. Looks like he STILL can’t hit one, either.

By Ron Roberts

September 11, 2007 11:35 AM | Link to this

sigh

Another low-scoring affair where the Braves blow a decent start by Hudson or Smoltz.

Count ‘em up; that’s where we lost our shot at this post-season.

tick tick tick tick

Mardi Gras’ not far off, folks. Bead shops down here are stocking up already!

By Anders

September 11, 2007 11:38 AM | Link to this

Lew Are you saying that the West’s pitching is better than Smoltz and Hudson? Maybe it just looks better because they don’t have to pitch against the Braves best offense in the NL 18 times a year like the Mets? Your thoughts?

By Braveheart

September 11, 2007 11:39 AM | Link to this

I can’t wait for David Wright to inevitably suffer the Curse of HoJo & Alfonzo.

Howard Johnson was a top third baseman for 5 years and then dropped off the face of the earth. Edgardo Alfonzo was pretty decent for about 5 years with the Mets before becoming a scrub.

David Wright has been good for 4 years. Next year will be his last good year. COunt on it. The Curse of Hojo and Alfonzo dictates Wright’s fate.

By Paladin

September 11, 2007 11:49 AM | Link to this

Anders I just enjoy pulling your chain. Like you enjoy messin’ with DOB. The difference is I’m not foolin’ around with someone who can pull my plug.

By Anders

September 11, 2007 11:49 AM | Link to this

Braveheart You guys are hypocrites. A few weeks back when the Mets lost 2 out of 3 over a weekend I was away there were posts everywhere asking where was Anders now? I even started to post a heads up when I would be away so as to not look like I was ducking you gus if the Mets lost.I’ve never shrunken away, even when the Mets lead was down to 2 games. Now the blog master dissappears twice after Mets wins and even came back with a note last time about not wanting to deal with the expected negativity and you’re turning this into I’m obsessed? You go ahead and drink the koolaid. Anyone being objective I’m sure see’s it for what it is.

By Anders

September 11, 2007 11:56 AM | Link to this

Lew I’ve never said I gaurantee anything. I just said I’m not concerned about who we play. The Mets are playing well right now. Yes there’s a long way to go and they could cool off or someone else could get hurt, but I’d Rather have home field in the NLCS in the bag than worry about who I’m playing in the 1st round. As a guy who touts logic you certainly must see that? As for Beltran - that was a helluva pitch. Beltran wasn’t the only guy having trouble with him. Beltran is very, very streaky. If he’s hot look out. If not, he could swing and miss(or not swing at all) at a beach ball. Honestly not my first choice as a CF but I didn’t get to make that call. He’s got great tools but streaky as I said and doesn’t show enough fire for me.

By Shaun

September 11, 2007 11:56 AM | Link to this

E,

So what’s your point? Braves traded for Tex and barring a miracle aren’t making the playoffs. Yet you love the trade. Not sure why you brought it up like there was a connection there if you don’t really think there is. Or maybe you do. Just having a hard time understanding your point.

By Lew

September 11, 2007 11:57 AM | Link to this

Anders-At the moment-Yes, they are better. The Braves are in total disarray right now. Besides Smoltz’s almost no hitter against a Nationals team that made what, five errors, the Braves have not won a Smoltz or Hudson start for two weeks-both have gone on short rest at least once in that time frame and Smoltz has been going on adrenaline with his shoulder bothering him. A win against the Reds, no matter who is pitching? Same with a game against Oswalt. Roy is on my fantasy team and his perfomrance this season is certainly not a usual good performance.

So to break it way down for you, so you can grasp the concept without wood burning. Yes, the West is, right now, much better. It’s time for you and the other Trolls to realize that y’all are great against lesser competition, but your track record against the good teams is pathetic-or to be generous, mediocre at best. You barely broke even in the AL despite beating the Yankees when they were playing like bozos (they’re not now) and you have a losing record against the west-all of the west, which includes the Giants, as pitiful as they are. The only ones you’ve beat up on is the Central-the joke division. You’re barely .500 against your own division, who you continually ridicule. Them’s the facts, Dude. Non disputable. Mets are going down.

By DAP

September 11, 2007 11:57 AM | Link to this

don nothing you say is even close to correct. about anything.

By David O'Brien

September 11, 2007 12:00 PM | Link to this

Hey, genius, the so-called blogmaster hasn’t gone anywhere, or did you forget who wrote the freakin’ post yesterday afternoon that you’re now commenting on? Dude, I’ve got a j-o-b that entails writing game stories, notebooks and scouting boxes, and last night it required some postgame rewriting on the notebook after speaking to Chipper for the first time since he got hurt.

At the end of a 19-hour day (5 a.m. alarm at home yesterday for my 7:45 a.m. flight), the last thing I wanted to do at midnight was stick around Shea to discuss whether the Braves might trade Renteria or Escobar for (fill in the blank) in the offseason. And when I got back to my hotel, last thing I wanted to do was get my computer back out, get back online, and blog. I mean, if you don’t understand that, you really must live in a far less stressful environment than I. Enjoy it. But don’t expect me to be at your beck and call. Ain’t happening.

But “disappear” Again, you need to realize I’m not a fan, but a guy who chronicles the team. For some reason, you and a few others act as though I have a vest interested in the Braves getting to the playoffs and going deep into them.

I do not. When their season’s over, I get a lot of comp time I’m owed, depending upon how much of the postseason we decide the paper will cover this year without Braves in it.

Disappear? No, just don’t much care to keep harping on the same wild speculation until I have something substantial to report, instead of silly gossip and out-of-the-blue trade proposals.

By Paladin

September 11, 2007 12:04 PM | Link to this

Anders I don’t “buy” your argument at all. What has whether DOB is here “in the flesh” or not, got to do with anything. We are here! And it is “our” blog, remember? So there is no requirement for us to be contrite and “accommodating” to you Muts fans that want to come on here and crow! Yes, you have been on here after losses, but you haven’t been the insufferable know-it-all that you are now, and have been over the past several weeks. Grinch and Lew declared jihads against you, but have been giving you, IMO, too much slack. Don’t expect that from me.

By David O'Brien

September 11, 2007 12:05 PM | Link to this

Braveheart, agreed totally on Giles. Anyone still wishing Braves had kept him simply has chosen not to view his performance this season as a continuing downward trend, but rather as some sort of … what, fluke in his transition back to S.D.? Come on, statistically the guy is competing for the unofficial title of NL’s Worst Hitting Lineup Regular (for most of the season, anyway; he lost his job recently).

By Anders

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

Lew When you talk about the Yanks you say the Mets barely beat the Yanks when they were playing like bozos but they’re not now - I agree. But I’d give you the same logic for the Mets. They weren’t playing as well when they played the West. They are now. Nothings gauranteed but assuming the Mets are healthy I’ll take their lineup along with the adequate pitching they have against anyone in the NL. You make it sound like they have no shot which is foolish.

By Jerry

September 11, 2007 12:15 PM | Link to this

Instead of constantly talking about the shear numbers, win/losses, stats, when they started downhill, lets talk about why. We can complain about the pitching but there’s a different story when we see the run support in games when the pitching has been OK to good. Over the past 16 years when crunch time comes, the offense runs and hides. All I ever hear from the commentators on TV is how good so and so looked against us. Bull, our offense stinks when the game is on the line. Do an in-depth article about the Braves not having heart. The only time they did anything was when David Justice called everybody (fans/teamates) out and look at the result. Then what has been the common denominator during this time span. The definition of crazy is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. Plain and simple this team needs life, swagger, meanness, really do what it takes to win. Goodness we can’t even bunt when we need to. Our pitches are better bunters but we use position players batting under 100 to try and get one down and can’t. I don’t think they want to win. They must have really enjoyed the longer offseason last year.

By ppaddy123

September 11, 2007 12:20 PM | Link to this

Speaking of next season…..isn’t it time we all started making out our wish lists for the Braves next season? What holes do we need to fill? Who will be gone? Who can we get?

By Overlord (BAND OF BROTHERS)

September 11, 2007 12:21 PM | Link to this

DOB i dont think you need to explain anyone how you life behind the scene is. People that dont have the slightest idea of how hard your job can be is just too stup…. to waste your energy paying attention to them. It is clear to the 99% of us that you do a great job.

Keep up the good work and dont let adrenaline take over, it takes years away from your life.

By Shaun

September 11, 2007 12:23 PM | Link to this

Braveheart,

Hope you’re kidding about Wright. I think you are and I hope so.

Look at HoJo age 22-24 compared to Wright. Not even close. Alfonso was a little closer to Wright at those ages but still not nearly as impressive.

As a Braves fan, I’m sorry to say Wright is a special player.

By Anders

September 11, 2007 12:25 PM | Link to this

DOB See how I have you guys all pulling together against one common enemy (fill in blank)? Nobody’s mentioned firing Bobby Cox in hours!There’s more passion on this blog than we’ve seen in a week. Now if Bobby Cox could have done that a week or so ago with the boys maybe things would look different today. Anyway, I look forward to your next installment.

By Ron Roberts

September 11, 2007 12:29 PM | Link to this

Think of it this way… we did start the season with Ryan Langerhans in the lineup and could’ve started the season with Marcus Giles, too. Add to that Scott Thorman at 1B and we’d be battling the Marlins and Nationals for the cellar.

Not retaining Giles was B R I L L I A N T in hindsight.

Kelly Johnson has proven to be the real deal; I think he’s a keeper and I’m really looking forward to seeing what he provides us next season after a real off-season to rest himself. Course, I’d like to see him playing an outfield spot, keeping Renteria and Yunel at SS and 2B, respectively, but that’s just my opinion.

FYI, I saw on ESPN this morning that Glavine does want to play again, in 2008, and says this season’s been as much fun as he’s had in a long time. They didn’t mention if he’d made comments about a preference of team(s), however.

Again, I’m not in favor of re-signing him, personally, but it would seem he’s setting us all up for a potentially interesting hot stove league between the Mets and Braves.

By Anders

September 11, 2007 12:30 PM | Link to this

Braveheart I think there’s a pretty good chance there’s a Ted Wright in David’s future. The guy’s the real deal.

By uga-brave

September 11, 2007 12:38 PM | Link to this

gotta believe the giles brothers are going to be on that infamous list. would not suprise me at all if they were named as juicers.

By DAP

September 11, 2007 12:40 PM | Link to this

With tex in the lineup this year, the braves have averaged 5.5 runs per game. thats almost a full run better per game. however, the record is much worse since tex arrived. that clearly says that tex has done his job, the pitching has slumped.

By Braveheart

September 11, 2007 12:43 PM | Link to this

Shaun, I agree about Wright. But a Braves fan can hope, right? It’s always fun to tweak them by using their sad history against them.

New Yorkers are so neurotic that if you say enough things like that, they start believing it. If we all predict the curse of hojo and fonzo, Mets fans will be on the edge of their seats for the next 2 years seeing if it will hold true. And then in NYC, sometimes things like that become self fulfilling prophecies because of the pressure they put on their players.

So, I’m hoping we can play some Yoda Jedi mind tricks with them. Ya see, even though Anders knows I am joking, I have put a seed of doubt in his mind now because of his team’s sad history. Now, he is subconsciously concerned about whether David Wright will suffer The Curse of Hojo & Fonzo. And the best part is the thought of the curse will play with his mind for the next 2 or 3 seasons now that I have said it.

What the heck happened to HoJo though? He was real good but then, poof, he was done with. Strange. Dude had some massive Popeye forearms.

I think Fonzie’s back went out. Too bad. I actually liked that guy. He was quiet and classy and I always like those Edgar Renteria, Willie Randolph types who are quiet and classy and just do their jobs effectively. Thrillhouse44 fills that role very well here on the blog.

By Lew

September 11, 2007 12:53 PM | Link to this

Anders-Do you ever do any research before you open your mouth to insert your feet? So you played the West division teams when you were struggling, did you? An evaluation of the Mets records when they played the teams from the west says differently. Here are the teams from the west, with the Mets record at the time they played these teams. Colorado (11-6), Arizona (16-10),San Francisco (33-15), Arizona (35-15), Los Angeles (37-22), Colorado (46-31), San Diego (51-37), Los Angeles (52-39), San Diego (70-49), and Los Angeles (71-51). The smallest margin the Mets were over .500 was against the Rockies (5 games) and that was only 17 games into the season. I think this puts to rest the excuse that the Mets were playing poorly when they played the Western Division teams-yet they still have a losing record against them. It tells me that the Mets can’t do much against good, deep pitching staffs. Maybe it has to do with Beltran not being able to hit breaking pitches. Ya think?

By Laverne De Fazio

September 11, 2007 12:57 PM | Link to this

DOB…are you sure you are not a FAN in a bad mood because of the Braves struggles? Your only contributions to the blog today have been snide responses. I also seem to recall you picked the Braves to win the division the last two seasons. As Martina McBride puts it:Wrong Again

By Lee in S. GA

September 11, 2007 12:58 PM | Link to this

Maybe the curse of the “Fathead” commercials will be Wright’s downfall. Johnson of the Bengal’s (seemed to tail off last season), Rosenberger (last year was terrible) of the Steelers and Kyle Petty. Well maybe Petty never was there to tail off to start with.

By Howard Johnson

September 11, 2007 12:59 PM | Link to this

Braveheart Come see me sometime at my motel. Some Indians(the turban-head types)own it, but I manage it. And with the name, people think I own it. Anyway, come and see us. I will give you a special deal for the nice things you said about me.

                    HoJo

By It's over, it's over, it's oooooover

September 11, 2007 1:01 PM | Link to this

Poor DOB. He works so hard for everyone. And he never complains about it!

By Braveheart

September 11, 2007 1:05 PM | Link to this

uga brave at some point, they are gonna need to stop reporting who is on all of these various lists and start reporting who is NOT on those lists of juicers.

I am glad to see NFL players are starting to get flak for their juicing as well. People think MLB players are too big. Just check out NFL players. They don’t even look like men anymore. They look like horses. NBA players are all on it IMO as well. They are all so ripped and huge compared to the way they were 20 years. Remember how small Karl Malone looked when he was a Laker compared to how huge he was as a member of the Utah Jazz. Alonzo Mourning looks a helluva lot smaller these days compared to the way he looked before his kidney woes. Track and field, cycling, etc.

The problem is baseball has all those stats of historical significance and the other sports don’t. Football players just hit each other harder. Basketball players become so big and strong and fast that it becomes so hard to score and be more athletic than the competition that the statistics and scoring actually go down.

But in baseball, there have been statistical milestones that have stood the test of time and they have been obliterated the last 14 years. It is just too noticeable. The historical significance of the numbers became meaningless.

The sabermetric revolution has been important because it still enables people to attach historical significance to player’s statistical performance compared to players from the past.

By Shaun

September 11, 2007 1:06 PM | Link to this

Braveheart,

Yeah, I think HoJo was just one of those players who had really good seasons in his prime but was nothing special outside of that. Much like Marcus Giles. Although HoJo had a couple of good seasons after his prime and managed to put up solid OBP numbers. Just lost his power after 30.

Something interesting, HoJo and Giles had similar body types—short and stocky. And a lot of times, those type of baseball players are worn down earlier than others.

By Shaun

September 11, 2007 1:12 PM | Link to this

Here’s something that Nate Silver wrote in his player rankings before the 2006 season:

36. Marcus Giles, 2B, Atlanta Braves (28) Hank Aaron played most of his career at 180 pounds. Yogi Berra stood just 5-8, before accounting for his hunchback. In this sense, Giles is a throwback player, using his diminutive stature to his advantage by shrinking his strike zone and taking advantage of his short stroke. The caveat is that smaller players tend to be more susceptible to the cruelties of injury and age — think about what happened to Chuck Knoblauch — but for the time being Giles remains every bit as underrated as his older brother.

Seems the Padres were taking a chance that the caveat would not apply to Marcus Giles, but the Braves may have been smart enough to realize it would.

By bruce

September 11, 2007 1:19 PM | Link to this

Dave, Up from DC for the games at Shea… Just looked on weather.com and the forecast has gotten worse… do you think they will play day/night double-header on Wed if tonight is rained out? When do you think they will call it tonight if they do?

Per Weather.com: 70% chance of rain til 4pm then 50% til 6pm then 40% til 10 pm when it drops to 20% til 6am tomorrow. Thanks, Bruce

By Stu

September 11, 2007 1:21 PM | Link to this

Ron Roberts, from the NY Post article about Glavine’s interest in returning to NY:

“I’m having as much fun as I’ve had in a long time, and that’s a big factor for me,” Glavine told The Post on Sunday night. “It’s a fun team to come to the ballpark with every day. All the factors are there [to coming back].”

It did say he’s likely to void his option, and negotiate a new deal for about $12 mil.

Given that the Mets are winning (2 divisions in a row) while the Braves struggle, and that the Mets are likely to pony up more money, I wouldn’t count on Glavine coming back here even if we pursue him.

By Mr. Giles

September 11, 2007 1:25 PM | Link to this

I am glad I am a Padre this year and not a Brave. We are going to the post-season.

By Shaun

September 11, 2007 1:32 PM | Link to this

Stu,

Yeah, I’d put my money on Glavine staying in New York for one reason you touched on: “the Mets are likely to pony up more money” and the Braves aren’t likely to.

By DonCoburleone

September 11, 2007 1:32 PM | Link to this

DOB I love you man are you okay? Seems like you’ve got alot of stress in your life right now from reading your posts. Just chill, maybe smoke a doobie and watch some Bob Ross. That always lowers my stress level…

By Ron Roberts

September 11, 2007 1:32 PM | Link to this

Hey Shaun… stats-be-damned, those Arizona Diamondbacks look like they’re gonna win the division, ya know?

I dig this game for that reason; the stat-heads aren’t always going to have the answers, and the “heart,momentum,motivation” types aren’t going to have all the answers, either.

A healthy balance between that two…

By Kentavo

September 11, 2007 1:33 PM | Link to this

Hey, any word on some more Sept. callups? Will we get a look at Brandon Jones and Lillebridge?

By Braveheart

September 11, 2007 1:35 PM | Link to this

That is interesting Shaun. Never thought of it like that - HoJo compared to Giles and Knoblauch. Makes sense.

However, I don’t think Knoblauch got worn down by the cruelties of injury and age though. I think those throwing yips that happened to him completely destroyed his mind. The fielding woes and being flopped around from position to position when he was once the best of the best at the position his dad taught him to play had to have been very tragic for his emotional well-being.

Unfortunately, upon being traded to New York, he had to deal with the pressure of playing in New York, with divorcing his wife, and with his father who was his coach when he was younger becoming stricken badly with Alzheimer’s before dying in 2002 or so, not coincidentally, the last year Knoblauch played in the majors.

It was like a nuclear explosion went off in his mind and he gradually became a shell of his former self as a player. If those defensive woes had never happened to him, I think he might have remained a productive player until he was 35 or so because he was a contact guy, with decent pop, a good eye, and good speed.

That damn nuclear bomb that went off in his mind ruined him. I know you are not a big believer that players suffer through things like that and have it affect their performance but I think it clearly did with Chuck.

I think similar things happened to Matt Williams and Mark McGwire when they were going through divorces. WIlliams and McGwire were big family guys whose hearts were completely broken for several seasons by their divorces.

By geauxbraves2000

September 11, 2007 1:39 PM | Link to this

The Braves’ struggles against LHP needs to be corrected. They need a starter, and DO NOT COUNT ON HAMPTON, if he makes 10-15 starts I’d be surprised.

The offense is adequate, I really hope TP takes the KC job, as much as I like him, I don’t think he’s at his best as hitting coach. I sure would like to see Don Baylor back.

If BC wants to be a player’s manager, he needs to get someone else on his staff who is not, and light a fire under these boys when needed.

They need to sign Francouer. AJ, as much I hate this, can walk. He and Boras can take their $20M elsewhere.

Trade Chuck James to SD where most of his HR can turn into outs. He can’t be a #3 and give up as many HR as he does.

That’s all I got for now, back to work.

Geaux Braves!!

By Lee in S. GA

September 11, 2007 1:40 PM | Link to this

Interesting article on ESPN.COM by Bob Klapisch on the Braves.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=klapisch_bob&id=3013814

By Lew

September 11, 2007 1:40 PM | Link to this

DonC- I just don’t see DOB communing with “pretty little trees”.

By Kentavo

September 11, 2007 1:42 PM | Link to this

Everybody keeps talking about trading Renteria to Toronto - is Halladay out of the question?

By Braveheart

September 11, 2007 1:43 PM | Link to this

The one weird thing about HoJo was that he was one of those odd numbered year guys like Saberhagen. Every odd year, he was great - 87, 89, 91. He finished in the top 10 in MVP voting those years. Then in even years, he was not as good.

By David O'Brien

September 11, 2007 1:45 PM | Link to this

NEW BLOG IS POSTED.

By Overlord (BAND OF BROTHERS)

September 11, 2007 1:46 PM | Link to this

DOB i think you have lots of fans, even muts fan come here to read your stuff, even they are plain stupid or dont have anything good to do with their lives.

Shame, shame, but it doesnt surprises me, they are muts fans, arent they, losers even if their team wins, hahaha, that sure is pathetic.

They think they are getting out of our shadow, they are sooooooooooo wrong, if that was the case, they wouldnt be here looking for us to accept them in baseball high society. LOL.

They are so f……….n affected for this situation of being in the shadow of the yankees and the braves that they dont know where to run, hahaha.

LOOOOOOOOOOOOSERS!!!!!!!!!!!!

They are so f…..ed up that they even went and got a pinstripe by heart as a manager to help them get a live and help them get out of misery.

I wonder what would willie is asked on national TV to compare playing in the bronx and managing at queens, i would be surprised if he doesnt LOL, but well, he would not do cause he needs the job. Maybe he will just ask “is that a question or a joke?”.

Keep up trying muts, you have 12 years to go.

As far as i remember the last time the muts won a championship people didnt even talked about microsoft. I think people were using commodore 64, Soviets were dealing with Chernobyl disaster, the US attack tripoli, Reagan was in the white house, The Bears were the NFL champions at the moment, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird were at their prime, Dan Marino was starting his 3er year with the Dolphins, even manuel antonio noriega was even ruling in panama (come on he is already out of jail after serving 17 years in prison), Augusto Pinochet was still ruling chile and Mike Tyson won his 1st fight.

WOOOOOOOOOOWWW!!!!!!!!!! long way back since the muts have something big to smile about.

Meanwhile in those long 20 years they have seen the sooooooooo hated braves win 14 straight division in their faces (even if they started the run in the west), braves win 1 WS and the yankees win 4 WS and 1 of those to the weak, crying baby muts.

But it gets worse, they only won the WS because billy Buckner couldnt move his wheel chair fast enough, grab the ball and step on muts neck, ooooooooppsssss i mean 1st base, sorry guys.

If the manager would have played stapleton at 1b for defensive purposes then the WS is over and we would be talking about……lets seeeeeeeeeeeeeeee……..how far before that………oh yeah, 1969……..MIRACLE MUTS……. They are soooooooooo bad, their 1st (and almost only championship) goes into baseball history as A MIRACLE!!!!!!!!

So what do we got here…….. all the mets have to show in their history is just MIRACLES!!!!!!!!!!

Boy that is what i call consistency, they should have called them in 1986 THE MIRACLE MUTS PART II.

What is sad is that their miracles are something like comet halley.

Shame shame.

By ppaddy123

September 11, 2007 1:58 PM | Link to this

hey Mr. Giles, your team might go to the playoffs, but I wonder if your shrivled, non steroidal body will even be on the 25 man roster for the playoffs. WHY? ‘Cause you suck!

By Shaun

September 11, 2007 2:04 PM | Link to this

Ron Roberts,

Stats be damned? Well, looking at the stats, it’s pretty easy to see why the D-Backs have a good shot at reaching the post-season: They’ve been on the right side (for them) of a lot of close games.

Braveheart,

Yeah, I guess it’s possible Knoblauch’s personal issues caused his on-field troubles. But his career started trending downward in 1998, with the exception of his good ‘99 season.

About HoJo, that is and odd phenomenon (where do I get it?). But he was actually pretty darn good in ‘86 and ‘88. Could have been they were platooning him more in those years with Ray Knight and Magadan and Jefferies in those years for some reason so he couldn’t find his groove; he did play less in those years.

By Jeffrey

September 11, 2007 2:08 PM | Link to this

I think the Braves have to move on to the younger generation. For 10 years we built everything around Chipper & Andruw. Despite some good performances, it is obvious that neither of them is a leader like Pendleton, Justice, or Gant in the early 90s. Chipper & Andruw have not aged very well either as their injuries pile up, their playing time drops, and their general attitude becomes more and more cranky and grating. Pass the torch on to Francoeur, McCann, Escobar and the likes.

By OVERLORD II

September 11, 2007 2:11 PM | Link to this

Oh Overlord- How sad and pathetic just like a whining child. Braves are done..they are old and show no fire…Everything about them is boring…Good Luck Next Year.

By Overlord (BAND OF BROTHERS)

September 11, 2007 2:33 PM | Link to this

I guess there is nothing much to reply. That IS pathetic.

The truth, the truth, nothing but the truth.

Sorry, i just had to say it.