Braves

By ssiscribe

September 24, 2007 3:12 PM | Link to this

Does the Scribe bat leadoff today?

—30—

By Paladin

September 24, 2007 3:15 PM | Link to this

top ten?

By Jimmy Rollins

September 24, 2007 3:17 PM | Link to this

Hey, there’s a knock on the door. Oh my gosh, it can’t be. It just can’t be. “Yep Jimmy,The Braves aren’t dead yet!”

By chris

September 24, 2007 3:17 PM | Link to this

DOB,

I know it is almost over, but are you at all surprised that the Braves didn’t opt to start Hudson and Smotlz on three days rest? They could simply bump James to Thursday. That way Huddy and Smoltz could pitch on three days rest over the weekend as well(thereby having their two aces pitch in 4 of the last 6 games instead of two or three).

Also, do you think we’ll resign Dotel and/or Mahay? We are pretty deep in the bullpen these days.

Finally, who starts on Friday— Reyes or Bennett?

Thx,

Chris from MD

By Caleb

September 24, 2007 3:21 PM | Link to this

Just think: if the Padres go 3-4, the Phillies 3-3, the Rockies 4-2 and the Braves 6-0, there’d be a four way tie for the N.L. wildcard. How crazy would that be and what would happen then? Have MORE than two teams going for the wildcard ever finished with the same record?

By NCBravesFan

September 24, 2007 3:22 PM | Link to this

It has been fun to watch the Braves play better lately - though it is coming too late most likely for our postseason hopes.

Since the Phils haven’t caught the Mets, I say let’s do what we can to stick a phork in tha Phils and see where we are come Friday morning.

By TennesseePaul

September 24, 2007 3:23 PM | Link to this

Soriano and the Umps. I’m beginning to wonder if these Umps are throwing the game. Reports of Meltdown’s latest Meltdown being initiated by the Umps don’t help. And add in the ridiculous calls all season in almost every game. It must be a grand conspiracy, or just a coincidence. But I do think the Soriano thing is out of nowhere, 4 games without a warning all because Uggla was upset? Not sure about that one.

It is never too late to play the game the right way. I’m proud of this team for stickin’ in there and playing hard. They had a choice, fold and pack up like the Dodgers, or play with heart and pride like they should. They made the right choice. If they aren’t rewarded this year, they certainly will be next year, so long as they carry this fighting spirit over to the next season.

By ssiscribe

September 24, 2007 3:24 PM | Link to this

Wow, you know it’s near the end if me and my bad wheels are at the top of the order …

Of course, if Grinch can hit leadoff, anybody can. What was it Lasorda said about Grinch running against a pregnant woman? Oh wait, that was Bruce Benedict back in the day. Nevermind …

Grinch, just busting on ya, bro. How ya been? How bout them Dogs! Falcons are a mess. We need to go see the Thrashers when they start up.

Anyway, couple of real quick ones as my major work project comes to an end, and the countdown to Vegas get serious:

— From the last blog and from DOB’s take above, yeah, it’s great to see the Braves play well here at the end. In a way, it stings that it’s taken this long and it’s likely too late for 2007. But I knew this team had good baseball in it all along. Just didn’t get it when it counts, and we’ll spend the next five months talking about it.

— DOB, looking forward to the series. Gonna be an interesting offseason. Beyond Glavine, what other options are out there, does the blog think, to look at trying to bring in for the rotation in 2008.

— Root for the G-Men tonight, then a sweep of the Phils. Gotta dare to dream; just don’t put any cash on it.

— Shaun, you’re right: I’d love to see three or four teams tie for the wild-card spot. That way, the playoffs would start two days early.

I guess it would be Monday and Tuesday games. What would the playoff scenario be? Who would be home? Man, that would be fun to watch!

Off to the gym. Enjoy your day, the final week of the season and all the blessings in your lives.

The Scribe abides.

—30—

By Lee in S. GA

September 24, 2007 3:28 PM | Link to this

Thanks for the new blog DOB. The other one had ran its course … kind of like the Braves season.

I agree the Braves are probably too little too late on the playoff picture. Miracles have happen before and it would be a miracle if they made it. It is good to see they still have fight in them though.

As far as Andruw’s comment about fans booing, if he ends up in a Yankee or Red Sox uniform and has another sub-par season like this one, “he ain’t heard nothing yet”.

By Tomahawkin

September 24, 2007 3:35 PM | Link to this

Phils fans are pumped up saying that its a must win against James…and they have to take one of the two games against Smoltz and Huddy…

These games are gonna be funny if the braves take two of three, becuz the philly faithful will be booing the hell out of Uncle Cholly, Waste Helms, Alfonsucka (Phillies fans have a habit of nicknaming their players)and Nunez…their forum (philly.com/phillies is hilarious

By AZBravoFan

September 24, 2007 3:35 PM | Link to this

I totally agree on Soriano closing next year. That guy looks like a totally different pitcher as a closer than as a setup man. He even seems to carry himself differently as a closer. He looked downright mean yesterday, a look he never really had when setting up. And if he get’s suspended, I like our chances with Dotel the way he’s thrown the last couple days.

By gotigers72

September 24, 2007 3:36 PM | Link to this

Glad to see Chipper leading the league in BA. Hope he wins it. He is truly one of the elite players in MLB. His name should be in there when MVP candidates are mentioned. Leading the league in hitting, already scored 100 runs, will have 100 RBIS, as DOB noted is leading the league in OPS. That’s plenty enough to be mentioned, but he never is. Oh, and also is playing 3rd like the Gold Glover he will be. Offense, defense, what else do you want? Not to be bragging, but before the season started, I predicted that if he stayed healthy he would have a monster year. Looks like I’m right about that one. He has been healthy enough to have enough plate appearances to qualify for the batting title.

I’m also happy about the attendance for the Braves. 2 and 3/4 million. The city and the team deserve that. Hope it keeps going up.

I’m sick that the Braves waited too late to make their run. Just not enough pitching. I’m even sicker that Bob Wickman will be in the playoffs and the Braves won’t.

Rafael Soriano being suspended is absolute BS. He wasn’t even tossed from the game. Are the powers that be into reading minds now? Let’s just say he did throw at Uggla intentionally. Does the fact that Braves hitters were hit 3 times [including the clean up hitter twice] and another pitch went behind Andruw’s head not count for anything? I don’t like throwing at somebody’s noggin, but the pitch to Andruw was also at his noggin. Where was baseball’s version of Nostradamus when the pitch was thrown at the 4 Braves’ hitters? Taking a lunch break or something? And 4 games? Way too much. I know they have to give starters a 5 game suspension so they’ll miss a start, but 4 games to a reliever? He was taking up for his teammates. Let the players and umpires that were actually AT the game handle that situation. Usually it’s 1 pitcher throws, the other retaliates, umpire warns both sides, and that does it. But this was 4 to 1 and now they want to give the closer of a team in a pennant race [barely] a 4 game suspension? That is way beyond ridiculous.

By Tomahawkin

September 24, 2007 3:39 PM | Link to this

“As far as Andruw’s comment about fans booing, if he ends up in a Yankee or Red Sox uniform and has another sub-par season like this one, “he ain’t heard nothing yet”.”

Lee Speaking of that Bears fans had a field day last Nite on Rex Grossman, Haven’t heard boos that loud outside of Philly, and New Yawk

Braves are done, and I hope they prove me wrong by winning every game, its a longshot but its possible

Looking foward to see Tex play a full “contract” year in 08…

By TennesseePaul

September 24, 2007 3:39 PM | Link to this

Playoff’s or not, I’d like to see them sweep these Phillies. Beat them into the ground. If, when all the dust settles, the Braves are right there at the door, then even better. But this is their shot at retaking 2nd place. 3 games to make up. Take them. Go into Houston with a tie for second place and crush Houston for the capper.

By Paladin

September 24, 2007 3:42 PM | Link to this

DOB This blog is slower than the other one. Feed the squirrels, poor favor.

By Buffalo NY Braves fan

September 24, 2007 3:44 PM | Link to this

I’ve been reading DOB’s blogs for a while now, but have yet to post on here and join in conversation.

DOB mentioned possible pitching acquisitions, which got me thinking…..

A few of you on these blogs have mentioned that the Cubs might be a fit for Renteria. Does that mean that they would be willing to give up Lilly? They would still have Zambrano, Rich Hill, Marshall and Marquis in the rotation. Just a thought as I do not know for sure what Lilly is making and if it was at all possible, but has anyone else thought of this?

By Boog, Journalist

September 24, 2007 3:52 PM | Link to this

DOB, if you’re going to relive the unfortuante era of born-again Bob on the blog, at least put the lyrics from “Every Grain of Sand.” Better songwriting.

By ppaddy123

September 24, 2007 3:52 PM | Link to this

DOB, I would like to point out that on Chuckie’s last start in Philly’s band box stadium the wind was blowing in about 100 mph. Otherwise, he would have given up about 6 homers that night.

By Tylenol P.M.

September 24, 2007 3:55 PM | Link to this

Paladin it is time for your 3rd nap of today.

By Lee in S. GA

September 24, 2007 3:57 PM | Link to this

It would be nice to see Glavine back for one time. Hope the Braves can sign him.

By flange1

September 24, 2007 4:08 PM | Link to this

DOB,

Thanks for the new blog. Soriano is looking pretty wicked right now.

I hope JS does reup both Dotel and Mahay. They will help make a great pen for 08.

I also Glavine comes back for 08. I don’t like him as a person, but it’s hard to argue with his work ethic.

Media is pushing the Edgar to Detroit stuff a bit. That might be a logical place for him to go. Wouldn’t it be great to get Andrew Miller? Talk about fantasy!

And Boog, I like Serve somebody. One of my favorite Dylan songs!

By doc

September 24, 2007 4:09 PM | Link to this

now dave if chipper’s head starts getting bigger … insert laugh here. quite a year for the chipper bat and glove. hope he remembers his training regimen, oh yeah he didnt he say he didint do one this year?

still wouldnt get rid of the premier shortstop just yet no matter the return. funny how their swoon and resurgence coincides with his disappearance and reappearance in the field and at bat. would rather see some bucks spent for the arm, johnson, escobar and diaz doing their thing in concert to keep all fresh and strength of the bench.

may have to see frenchy move to center, wasnt there speculation that would be his ultimate destintion as he came into prowess? that will make room for the kid, prado?, in the minors that ripped it everywhere he played including this weekend.

cant wait to hear the opinion or expectation for andruw. maybe his season and a half were an anomaly.

By lynn

September 24, 2007 4:14 PM | Link to this

I personally don’t think the Braves should bring back Andruw. He’s still great on defense (although I do believe he’s lost maybe 1/2 a step). However, I don’t think he’s saving more runs than he squandering at the plate these days. I think you try to find an above average centerfielder that can hit with more ocnsistency. Signing Tex long term after ‘08 should be a priority. Hampton’s contract will be gone by then so the money should be there to do so. First and foremost, go get some stinkin’ pitching!!

By Renegator

September 24, 2007 4:16 PM | Link to this

gotigers72 :

Don’t worry - Wickman won’t be in the playoffs because he was added to the Diamondbacks roster AFTER September 1 so he cannot be on their playoff roster.

Also, Chipper isn’t in the MVP talk because he missed about 20% of the season with injury. That and the Braves aren’t making the playoffs.

By David O'Brien

September 24, 2007 4:17 PM | Link to this

Chris, because of the off day they were able to skip a weak link in the rotation and start Hudson and Smoltz in two of three games in Philly. You really think, given how well Hudson’s done on long rest and regular rest, that he should be going on short rest twice in the last week of the season?

I just don’t know that Braves would be better off with him going twice on short rest in the last week, and don’t know that, given the remote possibility of making the playoffs, if they wanted to start Smoltz twice on short rest in the last week of the season. It was worth risking if they had a good shot at making playoffs, but it’s such a longshot, don’t know if it’s worth it.

And if it did come down to the last game, they could always bring Hudson back on short rest for that one Sunday, which they might be planning to do anyway, I don’t know.

Fact of the matter is, James is 2-0 with a 2.76 ERA in his past three starts, including seven scoreless, two-hit innings against the Marlins on Wednesday. And he’s 2-0 with a 2.79 ERA in five career starts against the Phillies.

Why throw him off his routine and have him go on long rest, and the others on short rest twice, when things went so well this last time through the rotation? Remember, Smoltz is 40. Going twice on short rest might not be the smartest thing, at this stage of the season, given the slim chances of making the postseason.

As for Dotel and Mahay, too soon to know what Braves will do. Just too early to know. Dotel’s option is too steep ($5-plus mill) for anything other than a closer, and I’m pretty sure Braves view Soriano as their closer for next season.

Mahay could definitely be back, but he might also get a far better offer from another team. He told me last week that Braves would sure get consideration from him, he’s enjoyed his time here, etc. But he’s a free agent and is going to see what’s out there, take advantage of the opportunity to get a good deal.

By Stuart

September 24, 2007 4:19 PM | Link to this

The Padres are imploding. Milton Bradley is almost certainly out for a bit and Cameron left the game after getting hurt yesterday. (Bruised hand, does that sound familar). So 2/3 of the Padres OF is hurting and we miss Hamels this series and we have our 3 best pitchers going. If the bravos keep in it the park, they got a chance. We need someone to pop the Rocks for us, but this thing is far from over, a longshot, but far from over.

By Paladin

September 24, 2007 4:19 PM | Link to this

It’s not my third, it’s my fourth. but, who’s counting.

By David O'Brien

September 24, 2007 4:19 PM | Link to this

Ppaddy, I’d also like to point out that Chuck stunk about the time he last pitched at Philly. He’s pitched far better lately, like he did earlier in the season.

And Ryan Howard is 1-for-14 with seven strikeouts against him. That all from the wind?

Boog: Tell you what, maybe you should post those lyrics on your blog.

By Mr J

September 24, 2007 4:21 PM | Link to this

DOB,

Regarding Andruw- I think I have seen the possibility of AJ being offered arbitration (as in Greg Maddux’ last year here) on the blog in the past. Is that right? Don’t know the details of how that works.

If this is a possibility, what do you think an arbitrator would award AJ in light of his poor year? It seems to me one more year of Andrew as a Brave might benefit both parties. The Braves get more time to see what they have in Lillibridge and Schaefer(sp?), while AJ gets another year to show he hasn’t lost it.

Assuming the budget would accomodate, do you think it would be a reasonable $15M gamble?

By David O'Brien

September 24, 2007 4:23 PM | Link to this

GRINCH, thought of you when I read about this highly unusual musical collaboration that’s coming out Oct. 3: “Raising Sand” is the CD, and the duo is … Robert Plant and Allison Krauss. I kid you not.

They cover songs by the likes of my man Tom Waits, the Everly Brothers, and Doc Watson.

By ncscoots

September 24, 2007 4:23 PM | Link to this

Gotta dare to dream; just don’t put any cash on it.

scribe, you ole bet-hedger, you, LOL. Man, if you’re gonna dream RIGHT, you gotta put a little INVESTMENT in that puppy!

Screw it. I don’t care that the Braves waited a week too late to put their playing shoes on; I don’t care about realistic chances, probabilities, what-we-need-from-other-teams, or any of that other foofaraw; just…don’t…care. :-)

They’re in it. End of story. Who cares that it will take a miracle? Good grief, we’re BASEBALL fans, miracles are (or should be) part of the drill, LOL. My favorite team is playing great baseball, providing thrills, and keeping that hope meter above the red zone…man, I can’t ask for more than that.

As for all the other stuff, the reality of it, and all that? I quote a great man: “It don’t matter a tiny tinker’s damn.”

Not when you live for this…

By Braves Payroll

September 24, 2007 4:26 PM | Link to this

From Bob Klapisch

“Liberty Media, which owns the Braves, is expected to mandate a deep cut in this year’s $89 million payroll. That could be difficult — the club is committed to John Smoltz ($14 million), Tim Hudson ($13 million), Chipper Jones ($12.3 million) and Mike Hampton ($15 million) in 2008 and needs to sign Mark Teixeira to a long-term deal to justify trading top prospect Jarrod Saltalamachia to get him.”

Got this from the Charlotte Observer but Klapisch is pretty much a main stream baseball writer. Not like he’s some guy with a blog.

Where did this come from? Thought Terry M said there was gonna be some money?

If this is true, lots of Braves fans should be pi$$ed! Attendance up again this year and ownership slaps the fans in the face????

By Novice Ned

September 24, 2007 4:26 PM | Link to this

So let me get this right. Dude clearly took a home town discount and played below market value the past 5 years. During this “value contract”, he is a legit MVP candidate the season that he retools his swing to mirror that of perennial megastar Pujols. He carries the team on his back while our part-time superstar, Chipper, dealt with a series of nagging injuries (funny how after Smoltz called him out earlier this year he was able to stay relatively healthy and produce a monster season). Andruw plays world class defense every game and in this, the final year of his discounted contract, he has a disappointing offensive year (to the tune of about 28+ homers and 95+ RBI). And with all that, he should be run out of town on the same rail that took Kolb, Spooneybarger and Fick? Sorry, this has a completely different feel than when Furcal, Glavine or Maddux were in the same situation. And it don’t feel too good.

By Paladin

September 24, 2007 4:30 PM | Link to this

Music note: Caught the last part of the Today Show this AM and they had this kid(30 somethings are kids to me)playing the trumpet like I have not heard it in 40 years. He has a quintet and they are smooth. Recommend you check it out and get his CD. It would give you young hot shots some nice “mood music”.

By Curt

September 24, 2007 4:36 PM | Link to this

DOB

Why does Chipper always make that same hand gesture when coming back to the dugout after hitting a long one, he puts his index finger, pinky finger, and thumb up with the other 2 fingers down, I believe it means ‘I love you’ in sign language. I have always seen him do that and wondered why.

Also have you ever listened to any Jimmy Eat World? One of my favorite bands. They will be playing in ATL this October.

By TennesseePaul

September 24, 2007 4:37 PM | Link to this

Reports are the Torn ACL will keep Meltdown out for 9-18 months. Career is probably finished if it’s 18 months.

The guy is an idiot and a prime reason why character is an important factor when building a team. The Padres are lucky they didn’t offer him a long term deal.

This will certainly hurt the Padres this week. It’ll be interesting to see how the team responds to losing him.

By Paladin

September 24, 2007 4:37 PM | Link to this

Did any of you see the unis the Eagles wore yesterday? They are hilarious! Can’t wait for them to play the Redskins. It will look like a Shriners Parade.

By Jeff R

September 24, 2007 4:37 PM | Link to this

DOB, I look forward to your 4-part series. But Glavine? Shouldn’t the rotation be getting younger, not older? With Smoltz and Glavine, you’d have two guys in their early forties. Guys that age, however well conditioned, risk breaking down, and if not breaking down, loosing some of their skills (see Greg Maddox).

Management needs to secure a solid young arm to compliment Smoltz and Hudson and James, who I think will improve next season.

And, in your series, will you address Liberty Media’s financial commitment to the team in 2008? More dollars for the payroll? $80 million won’t cut it in a market where other teams’ payrolls are going up. A good front office and good field management gets a team only so far. It takes plenty of dollars to stay competitive.

By ncscoots

September 24, 2007 4:39 PM | Link to this

Klapisch is a New York writer, fer gosh sakes. He has no more clue about Braves’ payroll than we here on the blog. And I’m betting that I know more about John Malone than Klapisch does. Malone’s competitive spirit and ego make Smoltz’s look like that of a homeless dog, and I SERIOUSLY doubt he wants the destruction of a high-profile sports franchise on his watch.

By Thrillhouse44

September 24, 2007 4:43 PM | Link to this

I just hope the Curse of the Contract Year doesn’t bite Tex next year.

Great post, ncscoots! Let’s enjoy it while we can.

By Paladin

September 24, 2007 4:47 PM | Link to this

Next someone will be claiming it’s the gospel ‘cause they heard it on Sports Reporters.

By Bob, Journalist

September 24, 2007 4:48 PM | Link to this

GermanBravesFan, I suppose that in today’s environment, words can and do connote just about anything we want … and I apologize for any sloppiness on my part … while not intending to be political, I certainly wasn’t attempting or intending to suggest that Robert was open minded … he, like most of us, is agenda driven with his passion frequently imposing on his reason and our patience.

September 24, 2007 1:45 PM | Link to this

Bob, Journalist: Liberal means being open-minded, something ROBERT sure is NOT!

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

September 24, 2007 4:48 PM | Link to this

Is Holliday going to take the rest of the year off? I noticed he’s missed the last 2 games.

A Chipper batting title sure would take some of the sting out of this season.

By True Braves Fan

September 24, 2007 4:49 PM | Link to this

DOB: Excellent blog. Look forward to reading your four coming articles.

By Braves Payroll

September 24, 2007 4:53 PM | Link to this

ncscoots, I hope you are indeed correct.

I don’t know where Klapisch got his info, but hope it’s baseless.

On the other hand, if Liberty doesn’t like what their stock looks like, they may do what lots of corporations do and that is to cut costs and overhead which might include Braves payroll. Wall Street types LOVE when people lose jobs and companies slash and burn! lol

I HATE corporate ownership!

By Arkansas Hillbilly

September 24, 2007 4:55 PM | Link to this

If Dotel pitches the rest of the season like he did yesterday, Soriano won’t be missed AS bad. That dude was dealing yesterday.

By Chop Chop

September 24, 2007 4:56 PM | Link to this

Not one of Dylan’s better lyrical efforts, DOB.

As for the Braves, I have nothing to add. I’ve been in “wait ‘til next year” mode for a month or so. I’ll probably lay off the hot-stove talk until it’s cool enough to turn the damn thing on. It hit 92 freakin’ degrees down here in Albany.

By Paula

September 24, 2007 4:57 PM | Link to this

I think Klapsich is picking up a “story” that was in the Richmond paper. Not sure how people outside of Atlanta have more information than the people that deal with the Braves on a day to day basis.

By hk

September 24, 2007 4:59 PM | Link to this

… Chipper going strong in ‘MVP’

Projected R - HR - RBI - Last - Now

Chipper - 107 - 28 - 102 - 232 -237

Teixeira - 86 - 28 - 102 - 212 - 216

Andruw - 84 - 27 - 97 - 204 - 208

Frenchy - 82 - 18 - 105 - 208 - 205

Johnson - 95 - 17 - 71 - 185 - 182

McCann - 53 - 19 - 95 - 170 - 166

Renteria - 87 - 12 - 57 - 158 - 157

Diaz - 45 - 12 - 46 - 103 - 103

Harris - 58 - 2 - 32 - 96 - 92

Team Average - - - - 169 - 169

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

… think Tuscaloosa will give both Stafford and Bobo a big boost of confidence … bet Bobby Petrino wishes he was back in Louisville (and visa versa :))

By flange1

September 24, 2007 5:00 PM | Link to this

Novice Ned,

I don’t get what you are saying. Maddox Furcal and Glavine left because they took higher salieries elsewhere. That is what I think Andruw will do as well.

What sort of different feel are you talking about?

Spoony run his mouth and got traded. Fick elbowed a guy and was released. Kolb basically sucked.

AJ has been a great Brave. His defense is unparalleled. In the past his offense has been streaky but good. This year his offense has been terrible. My opinion is that his bad year cost the Braves a playoff birth.

So I don’t see the Braves committing 18-25 million per season for 5-8 seasons for AJ.

Too bad!

By Chop Chop

September 24, 2007 5:00 PM | Link to this

When Bobby retires, I hope Liberty Media hires Robert to manage the Braves. I want to see what the worst manager/coach of any team in any sport all-time looks like.

By A-ville Ranger

September 24, 2007 5:02 PM | Link to this

The thought of Andruw never wearing the Braves home uni again makes me a little melancholy.It’s a bit like a slip of cool air at the end of summer.As for our chances of reaching the post season.Id say slim and none,with none way out front in the final stretch.

By Salty

September 24, 2007 5:04 PM | Link to this

Novice Ned You present some good points; not exactly a comparison with some of the past who have departed.

By ncscoots

September 24, 2007 5:05 PM | Link to this

Braves Payroll, trimming the Braves budget to zero would have about the same impact (zero) on Liberty’s corporate balance sheet.

Klapisch’s “deep cut” would have about the same effect as my leaving the pocket change in the dresser dish tomorrow morning. It would be a terrible PR move for no discernible business improvement, and that kind of move ain’t what made Liberty the corp that they are. Those folks aren’t dummies.

By Steamboat

September 24, 2007 5:07 PM | Link to this

Buffalo NY Braves fan, Lilly is a pretty interesting idea and one I hadn’t heard before. He’d slide right into the 3 spot, and doesn’t make much more than Edgar the next two years (and has a 3rd year, in 2010, for $12 mil. That’s kinda’ high, but then again, we’ll probably be losing Smoltz, Hampton and (maybe) Hudson by then.

I have no idea if he’s available, or if our payroll allows it, but you’re right, the Cubs would still have 4 pretty solid starters.

I’m not too eager to trade Edgar period. And a lot depends on how Hampton does in winter ball, but if we have to trade him, not a bad suggestion.

By Braves Payroll

September 24, 2007 5:08 PM | Link to this

ncscoots, I started thinking after your response.

Malone is a CT. guy who heads a Colorado company.

So why wouldn’t Klapisch perhaps know more than you, or me,or anyone on this blog? Or perhaps even Terry McQuirk? He lives closer to the financial district than any of the above mentioned. And after all, Liberty is about company and stock value primarily. The baseball team is just an asset. They may choose to cut some of the expense of operating that asset.

Klapisch actually writes for the Bergan Record. New Jersey writer.

Just saying, scoots.

I actually hope you are right because I for one am going to be steamed big time if there is a budget cut.

By journalist jimmy smith responding to a blogger's question

September 24, 2007 5:09 PM | Link to this

By Curt

September 24, 2007 4:36 PM | Link to this

DOB

Why does Chipper always make that same hand gesture when coming back to the dugout after hitting a long one, he puts his index finger, pinky finger, and thumb up with the other 2 fingers down, I believe it means ‘I love you’ in sign language. I have always seen him do that and wondered why.

no, curt, this is an attempt to air out the hammock bone. this way chipper allows air to pass over the hammock bone and keep circulation going. not all players have a hammock bone (reported right here in the ajc so we know chipper has one - maybe two or more, not sure). hammock bone health is important if chipper is to have a good season. and chipper is certainly having a good season after aggravating a hammock bone earlier in the year. hope this response is helpful. apologies to doc. journalist is dabbling in medicine again.

By David O'Brien

September 24, 2007 5:09 PM | Link to this

Chop Chop, disagree. I love that song.

Flange1, they don’t get Mr. Zimmerman, do they?

Paladin, next time jot down the name of the horn player, why don’t ya?

I’m listening to “Trane’s Blues” with Colrane and the Miles David Quintet right this moment, good music to write to. Sometimes you don’t want any lyrics in the background, you know?

Got Mark Knopfler’s new CD, and it’s very strong. Also got the new Black Francis CD and the outstanding new one by Atlanta garage/punk rockers Black Lips. Great stuff.

By Adirondackdave

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

To whoever asked… Holliday has a strained oblique. Hard to say if he’ll be back or if he’s done. Last I heard he may pinch hit.

By Paula

September 24, 2007 5:12 PM | Link to this

I agree, the thought of Andruw wearing another uniform next season is sad and disappointing. However, Andruw could have rectified that situation by getting rid of Boras. Andruw knows the anomosity between JS and Boras.

By David O'Brien

September 24, 2007 5:13 PM | Link to this

Oh, and sorry, but tired of refuting that story, Braves Payroll.

You said it’s from Charlotte Observer? And attributed to Bob Klapisch (yes, good NY writer). Well, sorry, but it’s word-for-word what Hagen wrote in Philly last week, which was same as the Richmond guy wrote to start the whole thing.

Just because eight people pick up a note and run with it in their weekly baseball roundup notes columns, doesn’t give it any more validity. And this, from what I’m told, has no validity.

Let you know when I hear otherwise. But McGuirk himself spoke on this after the sale of the team. This Richmond reporter who threw that against the wall quoted no one, didn’t attribute it to a source whatsoever. Sorry, doesn’t fly with me.

By David O'Brien

September 24, 2007 5:16 PM | Link to this

Mr. J. no, I don’t see Braves gambling and offering arbitration to Andruw. He might be awarded, say, $18 mill, which is the average annual value of the contract Vernon Wells signed last winter and about what T. Hunter might get this winter.

No way they can pay him that — especially not with the “deep cut” in payroll that the Richmond paper has heard about from, oh, whomever.

(by the way, for those who might be reading this post only, not the ones above, I’m kidding. no deep cuts coming, from what I’ve been told.)

By Boog, Journalist

September 24, 2007 5:21 PM | Link to this

Note to self: DOB’s about as open to suggestion for improving his blog as Andruw is to advice for improving his hitting approach.

What lyrical classic you got planned next, Dave? “Louie, Louie”?

By Paladin

September 24, 2007 5:23 PM | Link to this

DOB After an almost fruitless search I found his name. It is Chris Botti. I know! You guys will say “Oh him.” But, he is good.

By TennesseePaul

September 24, 2007 5:25 PM | Link to this

Payroll Hyper: That was cut and pasted from the Phillies article which cut and pasted from a Richmond article which sited a rumor of no particular source despite the MLB/Bud Selig requirement that the teams payroll not be reduced from its level at the time of the acquisition.

There is no merit to the matter and sadly it is becoming “fact” by simply being cut and pasted over and over and over again. The actions of the team don’t lend this rumor merit. And the desires of Liberty, and its view of a baseball franchise asset, run counter to this rumor.

Having said all that, it looks like a 99% chance that the rumor, though posted many times is false, but even if that 1% chance does occur, what difference does it make? Would you stop cheering for the team? Quit your job? Disown your children? Move to Europe?

The Payroll will be what it will be and the team will be what it will be. Just let it play out first.

By Adirondackdave

September 24, 2007 5:27 PM | Link to this

DOB - Just wanted to say “thanks” for a very good year of reading material. Hope we see a lot more during the hot stove league.

By Paladin

September 24, 2007 5:30 PM | Link to this

To those that are interested: You can Google “Chris Botti”, go to Utube and hear him play “My Funny Valentine” with a guest by Sting.

By flange1

September 24, 2007 5:31 PM | Link to this

DOB,

How true!

It’s funny when that album came out, Serves Somebody just exploded off the record for me. I still listen to that song all the time just for the way it’s recorded.

You gotta follw Dylan with either Waites or Neil or change it up with Janie Jones!!

By jbutler

September 24, 2007 5:34 PM | Link to this

Got to see a little bit of the game yesterday…it was sad/mixed with excitement that they could turn it up- but only when the pressure was off. Championship teams aren’t defined that way..so- onto another year.
But coming from the Mile High City- this is the first time in 12 years the Rox might turn the page to Oct. Kind of exciting…but it was at the expense of a former Braves pitcher yesterday…Kind of ironic.

By Chop Chop

September 24, 2007 5:46 PM | Link to this

DOB,

I’ll agree to disagree on “Gotta Serve Somebody”, but it doesn’t matter. “Zimmy” is still the man.

And yeah, I get Mr. Zimmerman.

I’m looking at my iTunes playlist and, well, I’ve noticed something:

I have Metallica’s “Creeping Death”, Van the Man’s live It’s Too Late to Stop Now version of “I’ve Been Working”, Motorhead’s “Limb from Limb”, Dr. Dre/Snoop Dogg’s “Deep Cover”, and Dylan’s “One of Us Must Know (Sooner or Later) all in a row. I’m not sure what that means, but it’s probably not good.

By Savannah Guy

September 24, 2007 5:50 PM | Link to this

Paladin Chris Botti plays some of the best elevator muzak there is…on any elevator, anywhere.

Actually, (just pullin’ your leg) he is very good. The man knows how to blow a horn for sure. Heard/saw him (TV) once playing with Sting doing vocals. Award show, maybe Grammy’s…don’t remember, but good stuff.

You worried me for a minute. There for a minute I thought you might say Kenny G., John Tesh or Zamfir.

By Paladin's Dog

September 24, 2007 5:59 PM | Link to this

Bow wow. Bow wow wow. Bow wow wow wow. (Translation)The boss couldn’t wait the almost 15 minutes between postings and had to go wee wee. He hopes to be back before bedtime.

By Braves Payroll

September 24, 2007 5:59 PM | Link to this

Thanks for the response, DOB.

I’m glad that it seems to be rubbish. I’ll take the pistol from my head now and put it back in the drawer.

By Chop Chop

September 24, 2007 6:01 PM | Link to this

Zamfir is a god, Savannah Guy. TBS used to run that commercial all the time. I can’t remember how many times I heard James E. Cornette extol the virtues of “Zamfir Pan Flute” (some crappy wrestler named Zan Panzer) on TBS’s NWA/WCW “Power Hour” back in the day.

By Braveheart

September 24, 2007 6:05 PM | Link to this

Thanks DOB for clearing that up about the AVG, OBP, SLG, OPS titles.

I’ll say it again, if Chipper pulls that off, it is a remarkable accomplishment.

Only 17 major leaguers have ever pulled it off and only 6 National Leaguers.

As The Klobber put it yesterday, this is quite an impressive group of players Chipper is cozying up to if he wins all 4 of those titles:

NL: Barry Bonds (2x), Todd Helton, Larry Walker, Stan Musial, Rogers Hornsby (7x), Honus Wagner (4x).

AL: George Brett, Fred Lynn, Yaz, Frank Robinson, Ted Williams (5x), Lou Gehrig, Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb (3x), Tris Speaker, George Stone, Nap Lajoie (2x)

Damn, Chipper is joining some elite company.

The Rockies cheapened it with Helton and Walker playing in Coors. Bonds never did it while clean.

So, Chipper might be about to do something that has not been legitimately accomplished in 59 years in the National League since Stan “The Man” Musial.

Mike Piazza might have once joked with Smoltz, “How do you call a grown man Chipper?” But when you look at that list, Chipper, Yaz, and The Babe are nicknames that stand out the most.

Sure, you got the Iron Horse, The Splendid Splinter, Teddy Ballgame, The Man, The Georgia Peach, The Flying Dutchman, The Judge, The Grey Eagle, and so on.

But Ted Williams, Stan Musial, Lou Gehrig, Ty Cobb, Honus Wagner, Frank Robinson, Tris Speaker and so on are still called by the names their mommas gave ‘em more often than not.

Mets fans might call Chipper Larry Wayne. We denizens may call him Hoss. They might have called the Babe The Sultan of Swat and the Bambino.

But of that list, only three are pretty much known simply and primarily by their iconic nicknames: Chipper, Yaz, and The Babe.

100 years from now, they will still be Chipper, Yaz, and The Babe while the rest flip flop between their formal names and their nicknames.

By Efrim

September 24, 2007 6:06 PM | Link to this

I must say, I am pretty happy with the way the Braves are playing down the stretch. Realistically, I am hopinbg for an 86-76 final record. I would be satisfied with that. I also would like to knock Philly out of the postseason picture. I hate Philly fans more than I hate NY fans. Philly hasn’t won anything, yet they act like they are the Yankees. Worst fans in all of America.

I also wanted to touch on something I talked about earlier in the month…

If this team wants to win the division next season, they not only need to upgrade the pitching, but we need to get more from McCann and Francouer. Yes, I know, 23 years old. Young. Should not have to ask things like that out of them. But folks, Tex might not resign, Chipper is old and can’t be counted on to play a full schedule.

Heap and Frenchy are going to have to put up better numbers than they have this year.

McCann has a .784 OPS and a .324 OBP. I know he had great numbers last year, and I don’t worry about his ability as much as I do Frenchy. But the fact of the matter is that he has a lower OBP than Frenchy. He needs to walk more. I know the ankle was bothering him this year, but I can’t hear that. Injuries are apart of the game. If you’re going to knock Andruw for his performance this year and not look into his injury problems, then McCann’s injuries can’t be an excuse.

As for Francouer, 101 RBI’s is a nice stat.

His OBP is .335, OPS is .767. His slugging percentage needs to increase. I mean I understand that he sacrificed his power and he is now hitting .290. He is only slugging .434. That just isn’t enough. With his power, he should have a slug of at least .480. Next season, I think these are some good goals for Heap and Frenchy (percentages only):

Francouer: .295 BA .350 OBP .480 SLG

McCann: .300 BA .360 OBP .500 SLG

By bravesfan

September 24, 2007 6:13 PM | Link to this

DOB do you think Andruw is in the Braves plans if they can sign him for say 5 year 75 million dollar range? Or do you think they are going in a different direction? And what do you think the chances of the Braves keeping Renteria and moving Kelly Johnson to left field and Escobar to 2B full time?

By Braveheart

September 24, 2007 6:14 PM | Link to this

Chop Chop, I knew you were cool as hell. You had at me at Deep Cover. I still remember the first time I heard that song. We were playing a summer league game that had been ho hum to that point. Some kid pulled up in his Mustang convertible into the parking lot behind home plate with that song cranked up as loud as could be. We kept making him play it over and over the whole game. That game suddenly took on the intensity of a Yankees-Red Sox game and remained that way for the rest of the game. Love Deep Cover. What happened to Snoop? He was so cool back then. Had that incredible voice with an incredible delivery. Now, he’s a damn cartoon character. He lost me when he started izzling every other word.

By Savannah Guy

September 24, 2007 6:16 PM | Link to this

Braves Payroll So, you had already closed your blinds, turned out the lights, put on a Connie Francis album and were about to consider the big bang theory? Dammit man…snap out of it!

Whatever you do, don’t listen to Chop Chop. Zamfir will make you just want to load up and do it all over again…even if the Braves doubled their payroll.

By Paladin

September 24, 2007 6:19 PM | Link to this

Savannah Guy I like him so much, I’m going to suggest that Lawrence (Welk) have him on the show. BTW, somebody told me Lawrence is dead, but then why do I see him on TV every week?

By Braveheart

September 24, 2007 6:32 PM | Link to this

For anyone who did not see the link Bill Simmons gave last week for an article written 27 years ago by the retiring NY Times writer Dave Anderson about the firing of Dick Howser in 1980, read this:

The Food On A Table At The Execution

It’s a great article. Shows what a sadistic SOB Steinbrenner is/was.

By Savannah Guy

September 24, 2007 6:36 PM | Link to this

Paladin “somebody told me Lawrence is dead, but then why do I see him on TV every week?”

Now friend, you don’t think I’m going to swing at that softball do you? More like a watermelon, but nope…gonna leave it alone… for now. Oh, so many possible answers… ; )

Are they still doing the little bubbles?

By Paladin

September 24, 2007 6:41 PM | Link to this

Com’on guys, am I the only one? It says your “comment” may take up to 5 minutes before it appears. It is averaging almost 15 for me. Am I alone? This is like playing chess by smoke signals.

By Paladin

September 24, 2007 6:45 PM | Link to this

Yeah, and I love the part where Lawrence dances with the Champagne Lady. Gives me goose lumps.

By ncscoots

September 24, 2007 6:48 PM | Link to this

omigod, Efrim and I are on the same page, LOL. Frenchy and Heap DO have to improve, but that’s the natural order of things, no?

Both are better players than they were a year ago (McCann’s numbers notwithstanding), and they’ll be better next year. Where I think Efrim may be off just a hair is, the two kids don’t have to carry the team in 2008; they have to contribute strongly, yes, but that’s a whole different kettle.

Me, personally, even while trying to avoid redundancy, I think the offense needs some RH OF pop in a trade this offseason…and not in CF.

By Chop Chop

September 24, 2007 6:49 PM | Link to this

I have to head out, but I just wanted to respond to something you said, Braveheart:

Yeah. I am cool as hell.

Wait. It was your mention of hearing that song and having it charge the atmosphere during your baseball game. I used to play basketball on the playground a lot as a kid. People would bring boomboxes out and crank up Kool Moe Dee and Tone Loc (yeah, those two) stuff. I don’t think I ever played basketball any better than when some good grooves were accompanying me. I’m sure a lot of us have stories about that kind of thing, but it is interesting.

Cool story, Braveheart.

By Savannah Guy

September 24, 2007 6:50 PM | Link to this

Paladin Blog speed seems fine here. Faster than usual in fact. Maybe just force-quit your browser and then relaunch. Sometimes that’ll get the “bugs” out.

Braveheart Linked Steinbrenner article was great, although it made me wince and cringe just thinking about what he did to Dick Howser…mostly HOW he did it. Heartless sob.

By Salty

September 24, 2007 6:52 PM | Link to this

Braveheart Your 6:05…outstanding! Dude, if you wrote for SI, I’d go back to reading that rag. You come up with amazing ‘goods’.

By Salty

September 24, 2007 7:00 PM | Link to this

Scoots You makin’ it to the Valley this year? Still debatin’ whether to endure the traffic and catch the Tech game this weekend. TV spoils me, though…the replays, no standing in line…traffic jams, etc., etc. Decisions, decisions.

By Tyler

September 24, 2007 7:03 PM | Link to this

Efrim, I don’t really believe slugging percentage is an issue with Frenchy and Mac. True, their OBP needs to go up, but to me the RBI total is the most important, since they are in the bottom half of the lineup. If they were batting 3-4, I’d want slugging and HR to be up. But they bat 5-6, which is exactly where we want them.

A problem I see with the lineup is that it’s never the same. We never have an everyday leadoff hitter, and I think that ruins momentum.

By Savannah Guy

September 24, 2007 7:08 PM | Link to this

Salty Second that…

By Efrim

September 24, 2007 7:20 PM | Link to this

NCScoots

I’m glad you agree with my usual “negativity”. Although I would like to think I keep it real. I’m not exactly saying they need to carry the team in 2008, but they certainly need to improve. McCann is too good of a hitter to be at .273/.323/.460. Slugging 460 at 23 years old is more than fine, but he is too good of a hitter to be at .273. I guess the ankle injury is part of it, but I don’t really care. If you’re hurt, don’t play.

Francouer has had an improved year, but again, the Braves need more from him if they are to overtake the Phillies and Mets next year. He is slugging .434!!! That is not good for a power hitter. Neither is a .767 OPS. I know the guy will put up years like Carlos Lee at some point in his career, but I hope it is soon.

If anyone thinks Chipper is going to keep posting 1.000 plus OPS years like this the next two seasons…. well I would have to say to not hold your breath on that one. He could sustain an injury that affects his hitting at any time in a season. And Tex might leave after 2008, so that is why I am hoping for Heap and Frenchy to really blossom next season into stars. I mean serious stars. McCann has already had that season, but I am waiting on Frenchy. Star season meaning what Ryan Braun is doing right now. A lot of people act like he has already done that. He hasn’t.

By Greg in TN

September 24, 2007 7:27 PM | Link to this

Evening denizens…

Some thoughts as we approach the tail end of the season…

Very happy to see the team playing well, albeit a little too late to help out in any real and meaningful way this year. These guys are playing with pride and I am happy that they’re going out and playing hard regardless of what has occurred to this point in the season.

Folks can relax. The notes indicating an impending salary cut by Liberty is pure bunk. It was widely reported at the time Liberty’s swap with TW was completed that Liberty committed to stay at or above the current salary levels.

Will Glavine come back next year? Not sure. He has said some awfully flattering things about Omar Minaya and the mets brass last November during his flirtation with Dixie. That said, if he is serious about wanting to come back, I am open to that. He’s getting older certainly, but he put up a 3.97 ERA and 1.364 WHIP while pitching 195 innings. Not seeing a whole lot of lefties out there that are knocking my socks off.

Have to shake my head at the sorry state of affairs yesterday in San Diego. I will grant that Milton Bradley will never ever be confused with Dudley Do-Right, however I believe Mike Winters has some culpability in the end result. Would Doug Harvey or Bill Klem have done this? (No) It’s a shame that there are quite a few umpires out there that think of themselves as part of the show. I don’t feel sorry for Bradley, it was bound to happen sooner or later, however Winters should be suspended by MLB and not allowed to umpire in the post-season.

By Paladin

September 24, 2007 7:30 PM | Link to this

SG You were right. The forced-reststart seems to have worked miracles. And, Vince and the boys are doing great this year,huh?

By CRF

September 24, 2007 7:38 PM | Link to this

Caleb - Great Idea.

Except Rockies are going 5 and 1 not 4 and 2.

Rest of scenario is perfect.

By Stinky

September 24, 2007 7:40 PM | Link to this

hint: Tom Glavine’s name might make the story…

Somebody just luvs to stir things up with the G-word.

By Paladin

September 24, 2007 7:42 PM | Link to this

Savannah Guy I take “no news” as “good news” relative to your Lady. I hope so, and give her my best from one of your blog buddies.

By rob

September 24, 2007 7:50 PM | Link to this

We’re going to sweep the last 6 and sneak into October

By Paladin

September 24, 2007 7:58 PM | Link to this

I’m going to bed. Even “scoots” isn’t up-to-speed. Hell, we all have our bad days, right? G’nite.

By terrell barron

September 24, 2007 8:09 PM | Link to this

The Padres need to lose 4 out of 7, Rockies need to lose 3 ot of 7 and we need to win out. Its possible but not likely.

By Tonight on TBS

September 24, 2007 8:11 PM | Link to this

James and the Giant Peach (1996)

Based on the beloved story by Roald Dahl. When young orphan James (who calls himself jimmy) spills a magic bag of crocodile tongues, he finds himself in possession of the world’s biggest peach. But rather than allowing the magical insects inside the peach to take him on a wonderful adventure, he spends his days on the internet prattling on and on about peaches. (Animated fantasy).

By Braveheart

September 24, 2007 8:15 PM | Link to this

Efrim, I’m about to get a bit sacrilegious on ya.

Compare Frenchy to Roberto Clemente.

Frenchy is Roberto Clemente!

When Clemente was 21, he had 7 homers in 543 at bats. When Frenchy was 21, he had 14 homers in 257 at bats. When Clemente was 21, he batted .311. When Frenchy was 21, he batted .300. When Clemente was 21, his OPS+ was 105. When Frenchy was 21, his OPS+ was 124. When Clemente was 21, he walked 13 times, once every 42 at bats. When Frenchy was 21, he walked 11 times in 251 at bats, once every 23 at bats. When Clemente was 21, he had 47 RBIs in 547 at bats. When Frenchy was 21, he had 45 RBIs in 257 at bats. When Clemente was 21, he had 17 outfield assists in 139 games. When Frenchy was 21, he had 13 outfield assists in 67 games.

When Clemente was 22, he had 4 homers in 451 at bats. When Frenchy was 22, he had 29 homers in 651 at bats. When Clemente was 22, he batted .253. When Frenchy was 22, he batted .260. When Clemente was 22, his OPS+ was 73. When Frenchy was 22, his OPS+ was 89. When Clemente was 22, he walked 23 times, once every 20 at bats. When Frenchy was 22, he walked 23 times, once every 28 at bats. When Clemente was 22, he had 30 RBIs in 451 at bats. When Frenchy was 22, he had 103 RBIs. When Clemente was 22, he had 9 outfield assists in 109 games. When Frenchy was 22, he had 12 outfield assists in 162 games.

When Clemente was 23, he had 6 homers in 519 at bats. When Frenchy is 23, he has 17 homers in 621 at bats. When Clemente was 23, he batted .289. When Frenchy is 23, he is batting .290. When Clemente was 23, his OPS+ was 96. When Frenchy is 23, his OPS+ is 100. When Clemente was 23, he walked 31 times, once every 17 at bats. When Frenchy is 23, he has walked 41 times, once every 15 at bats. When Clemente was 23, he had 50 RBIs in 519 at bats. When Frenchy is 23, he has 101 RBIs in 621 at bats. When Clemente was 23, he had 22 outfield assists in 135 games. When Frenchy is 23, he has 19 outfield assists in 155 games.

It’s spooky similar if you look at their average, their OPS+, their walk rates, their outfield assists.

At 24, Clemente would hit .296, hit 4 homers, have an OPS+ of 91, have 50 RBIs again, walk once every 29 at bats, and have 19 outfield assists.

At 25, Clemente would finally fully blossom. He hit .314 at that age, hit 16 homers, had 94 RBIs, an OPS+ of 121, walk every 14 at bats, and have 27 outfield assists.

After that, Clemente was golden. His averages from 25 on were .314, .351, .312, .320, .339, .329, .317, .357, .291, .345, .352, .341, .312.

His OPS+ numbers from age 25 onward were 121, 149, 115, 135, 145, 135, 146, 170, 151, 168, 158, 145, 138.

From ages 21 to 38, his SLG went like this: .431, .348, .408, .396, .458, .559, .454, .470, .484, .463, .536, .554, .482, .544, .556, .502, .479.

So be patient grasshopper and keep the faith.

Mark it down now.

Frenchy is this era’s Roberto Clemente!

Those who don’t see what most of us see in Frenchy would have been the same Pittsburgh Pirates fans saying trade Clemente in his early 20s. They just don’t get that the rest of us can see the talent just oozing outta Frenchy the way the Pirates probably saw the talent oozing out of Clemente. They were probably scratching their heads as much or more than us wondering when Clemente was going to put the total package together. It took him until he was 25 years old. I’m betting the same thing happens with the French Assassin as DOB once called him.

If Frenchy would only grow a beard, I’d call him Jean Reno in homage to that great movie about an assassin, The Professional. Get him to dump the high school sweetheart and start dating Natalie Portman so we can watch her during games, hell, even better.

Alright, time to go watch Prison Break and Heroes. Peace out.

By Yars

September 24, 2007 8:15 PM | Link to this

DOB….if you ever get the chance, I suggest you listen to the new album by Blaqk Audio titled Cex Cells. I know you are open minded when it comes to music, so that is why I am suggesting it. Blaqk Audio are 2 of the members of AFI. I’m not a big fan of AFI, (although their song, Miss Murder is quite catchy) but this side project is really interesting. I would describe it as a Depeche Mode meets Red Flag meets Nitzer Ebb meets Nine Inch Nails type sound. Not your typical generic sounding electro-rock album.

By Tomahawkin

September 24, 2007 8:17 PM | Link to this

Where da hell is Grinch?

And for all the peeps on da board, who replaces A. Jones next year, Don’t think it would be T. Hunter,(I think he’s goin to Texas, plus i don’t think we can afford him)…A. Rowand Strikes out way too much…anyone else on da market…?

Oh yea, The dumbest song (as far as lyrics is “Crank That” by Soulja Boy, but man women love that song at a college party….

By mike

September 24, 2007 8:20 PM | Link to this

DOB - Where do the Braves see Brent Lillibridge fitting in with the team? Do they see him as an everyday player and at what position in the big leagues?SS, 2B, CF, utility guy? Possible leadoff guy? And do the Braves have enough extra pieces do aquire a young inexpensive impact starter such as Matt Cain? What are your thoughts on Tony Almeida returning in season 7? Potential great story line or act of desperation by the producers?With the braves clinging to their last bit of playoff hope it is apparent that there will be two areas that need to be addressed: starting pitching and some speed at the top of the lineup. The Braves gave a great effort in their last series against the Mets without Hoss but the difference in the two 1 run losses were the mets ability to steal bases and manufacture runs in the late innings. Therefore, I do think that the Braves need someone at the top of the lineup that can get on and steal lets say 35 to 40 bases. Brent Lillibridge might be that guy but where does he play? As great a player/person as Renteria has been I say he is the best trading chip because he would have an outstanding replacement in Esobar. I say the Braves trade Renteria and Kelly Johnson for Matt Cain and play Brent Lillibridge at 2B and leadoff Everyday And if thats not enough they can include C James or Reyes in the deal. Yes thats a lot but young quality starting pitching is hard to come by these days, and the braves best trading asset is their middle infield. I also think that AJones will bounce back next year, so maybe the Braves could offer him a 1 year 13-15 million dollar deal so he can have an opportunity to improve worth. But hit him 8th because there were too many times this year where he struck out with runners in scoring position and Matt Diaz was up next. This would be my ideal lineup for next year.

Lillibridge 2B Esobar SS CJones 3B Texiera 1B Mccann C Francouer RF Diaz/ B Jones LF A Jones CF

Smoltz Soriano Hudson Moylan Glavine Mahay Cain Acosta Benoit/Hampton Devine Ring Mike Gonzalez Anybody to fill in Gonzalez return

By Salty

September 24, 2007 8:26 PM | Link to this

I know it’s a slow night…no game, no denizens. chrisklob, you huggin’ on the Knob tonight?

SG hmm…can I say that? Sounds…oh heck, no worse than ‘chicks dig…’!

By Efrim

September 24, 2007 8:33 PM | Link to this

Braveheart and anyone else who read my posts

I don’t care what his numbers stack up to. The bottom line is that a .767 OPS isn’t great. How about an .867 OPS? I’ll even take what Kelly is giving us, .840 OPS. I mean when you look at the stats, Kelly has had a more productive year. If Cox didn’t keep switching him around the lineup, then I think his numbers would of been better.

By The Grinch

September 24, 2007 8:34 PM | Link to this

What’s up, T? Glad to see someone cares about me. As for CF next year; I doubt after they sign a good pitcher and re-sign Tex there’ll be any money left over for an expensive CF unless they get one in a trade for a SP. Unless, of course, they don’t resign Tex which I think would be a big mistake. Or unless Liberty opens the wallet up to about 110 mil., which I also doubt. Love to see AJ back for another year, but no way he’s worth more than 8-10 mil max. Sorry, he just isn’t, nostalgia notwithstanding.

By Overlord

September 24, 2007 8:39 PM | Link to this

muds are losing bigtime……. why is this team in 1st place anyway?

By Señor Blanco

September 24, 2007 8:44 PM | Link to this

Frenchy is this era’s Roberto Clemente?

No, él no habla español.

By Tomahawkin

September 24, 2007 8:44 PM | Link to this

well Grinch ya know I missed ya man, and I get emotional when the spirit moves me…? I would love to see a basestealer in center, like Shane Victorino, or Corey Patterson or C. Crawford-even though I don’t think we can afford Crawford

Oh yea, last weekend was off the Chain… out here, nothing like gettin F’d up and partying with Sorostitutes…I’m so ready for halloween, I always dress up like Tiger Woods on dat day and hit up at least 3 house parties

By Stinky

September 24, 2007 9:02 PM | Link to this

The Mets are down 7-1 to the Nats. Wonder if the Nats have the stones to shove 5 curled fingers where the sun don’t shine in NYC. Sure would be nice if the Braves manned up and would do the same to the Phillies tomorrow.

Pride. In the name of baseball.

By deconstructing dylan

September 24, 2007 9:04 PM | Link to this

You may call me Terry, you may call me Timmy,

You may call me Bobby, you may call me Zimmy,

You may call me R.J., you may call me Ray,

Dylan is obviously referring to:

Terry Pendleton,

Tim Hudson,

Bobby Cox,

Don Zimmer,

Randy Johnson, and

Ray Durham - respectively.

Why Ray Durham, you ask. This is possibly one of Dylan’s apocalyptic visions.

By Overlord

September 24, 2007 9:06 PM | Link to this

well, phillies are 2 back of the muts.

Do we really have a chance of the WC? or should we pull for the phillies to send muts home?

By Overlord

September 24, 2007 9:09 PM | Link to this

BTW, has anyone noticed the NATS have done some real damage to the muts, phillies and braves playoff runs???

By Bill Saluga

September 24, 2007 9:14 PM | Link to this

You can call me Ray, or you can call me Jay, or you can call me Johnny or you can call me Sonny, or you can call me RayJay, or you can call me RJ… but ya doesn’t hafta call me Terry

By Overlord

September 24, 2007 9:21 PM | Link to this

if SD loses tonight things get really ugly for them, since they have and ace on the mound, this is their day, if they lose, our chances improve drastically, not only because its a loss, but because young wont pitch again til sat.

By big fan

September 24, 2007 9:23 PM | Link to this

Bill Saluga - loved you as Louis Lewis on Curb Your Enthusiasm!

By MiamiBeachBravesFan

September 24, 2007 9:26 PM | Link to this

Andruw stays because quite frankly the city of Atlanta provides him with a comfort zone he is not going to get anywhere else under the scrutiny of a big contract. He’s an easygoing guy, an island guy who just wants to play and enjoy life.

Atlants fans know him. After a year such as this one, it can’t get any worse for him (or can it!?), and they know him as one of their own. He can sign for a hometown discount for a couple of years, and rest assured knowing that he knows his surroundings as his surrounding know him.

That’s why he signed the previous contract. That’s why he’ll sign a new one if the Braves let him stay at a fair price.

Oh, and as for having lost a step? That may very well be true…

But no one, and I mean NO ONE, gets a better jump on a ball hit to the outfield quite like Andruw Jones.

By Bill Saluga

September 24, 2007 9:33 PM | Link to this

big fan, Larry David is a Schmuck. But thanks for the love.

By mike

September 24, 2007 9:36 PM | Link to this

DOB - Great article on Tommy Glavine. I do hope he comes back for 1 year with the Braves although with the rest of the league getting better I think the braves need another young starter to go with Glavine because with the train wreck in spots 3-5 in the rotation this year Schuerholtz has to take every measure to make sure it doesnt happen again. Kind of like last year when he traded for Gonzalez after already acquiring Soriano. This year he needs to rehaul the starting rotation since I believe the bullpen is set with numerous power arms. I mentioned Matt Cain as someone cheap and talented the Braves could obtain. Why not? The Giants need a complete overhaul. Why not send Renteria and Kelly Johnson for him with Escobar waiting to play everyday at ss and lillibridge and prado capable of playing every day at 2b. You could even include Chuck James in the deal if necessary. He might thrive at Pac Bell park because it is very difficult to hit homeruns there. The rotation would be Smoltz, Hudson, Glavine, Cain, Hampton with Benoit and Reyes backing him up if he cant make it back. Lets see if the homeboy upstairs can make it happen

By Scott Boras

September 24, 2007 9:39 PM | Link to this

MiamiBeachBravesFan, I am going to to twist the Island Boy’s head inside out and upsidedown to insure that JS gets a rotten sack of turnips playing CF in the ATL next year.

By Overlord

September 24, 2007 9:41 PM | Link to this

MiamiBeachBravesFan methinks you might me right, but, do you really want to see AJ in atlanta next year? i mean, it is depressing watching this guy KK twice a game plus a DP. I dont care about his D, maybe if he hits 260 it is ok, but man, 220? come on, i rather watch some errs made in CF.

By raykelsey

September 24, 2007 9:47 PM | Link to this

If the Padres lose to Zito tonight, AND Chucky gets the win tomorrow, I’d give us about a 30% chance of making the playoffs. Is that delusional Brave fan talk?

By Lee in S. GA

September 24, 2007 9:54 PM | Link to this

I prefer to see someone else besides A.J. in CF next season. If he resigns with the Braves I figure that will hurt Tex’s chances of being resigned by the powers to be. No way I would take A.J. over Tex in a lineup.

By Braves Fan 79

September 24, 2007 9:58 PM | Link to this

Whys everyone on here talking about not enough pitching…… blablabla…. REGARDLESS of PITCHING and Bad managnment, these Braves would be in the lead in the NL east if for ONE thing! U ADD ESCOBAR TO THE TEAM OVER WOODCRAP COMING OUT OF SPRING TRAINING!!!!! Am I the ONLY person who sees this!??

I called for the .350 escobar to be on the team at the start, and because we got off to a good start no one else cared on this blog….everyone said “hes unproven, hes young” But i knew the whole time he would be a better option off the bench than woodcrap and orr combined! I knew from the start that the .350 hitting escobar was forreal, he wasnt some 19 year old (hes what..26, 27?) and hes cuban….which means hes got the basics down and is a quality player! Look pple…JS adding woodcrap to the roster was the worst miskate besides bringing in hampton hes ever made. Why sign a weak hitting backup infilder who since 99 has hit .231, .183,.190,.276,.261,.235,.283,.216, and then .189 for the Braves this year. Hes not fast, has average at best defensive skills, pops up bunts, and is a worse pithitter than even Thorman! WHY DID THIS GUY MAKE THE TEAM!?? Why sign a guy whos lifetime average of around .220 instead of depending on all our minor leage talent? I mean supposidly our deepest spot in the minors was the SS/2nd base position!
So because of this after chipper got hurt we ran out woodcrap and orr time and time again in the first half and gave away game after game to teams we should of dominated. I mean its hard to dominate games when u have 4 automatic outs in the lineup! (orr, woodcrap, andrew, pitcher). So because of this our +10 games over .500 quickly dissapeared by june. And I cant even count how many times Bobby foolishly sent woodcrap (a .165 or so pitchitter) up to bat with 2 men on base and 2 outs in what would turn out to be the last good scoring chance of the game!! WHY do we only have 3 or 4 sweeps on the season!?? BECAUSE everytime we went for a sweep we started woodcrap!! DAMNIT BOBBY!!!!

Anyone wonder the correlation bt us finially having a winning streak and the fact that we havent seen woodcrap on the field lately?? IVE BEEN SAYING THIS SINCE APRIL! Go Braves….sigh… Heres to a 2008 season WITHOUT woodcrap, and with Glavine!

By SF Giant Insider

September 24, 2007 9:59 PM | Link to this

My giants have a loaded bunch of pitchers in the minors. $h!+c@nn!ng Bonds will free up a lot of moolah to field a team behind Zito and the other young turks sure to follow.

Selah.

By Stinky

September 24, 2007 10:01 PM | Link to this

Lee, Tex over AJ for sure.

By Stinky

September 24, 2007 10:03 PM | Link to this

Braves Fan 79, You’re right. WoodCrap sucks in a big way.

By Stinky

September 24, 2007 10:08 PM | Link to this

Come back to the Five and Dime: Jimmy Smith, Jimmy Smith!

By Lee in S. GA

September 24, 2007 10:08 PM | Link to this

Braves Fan 79

I hated seeing Woodward play or come to bat as much as you did. I won’t blame the whole season o him but you are certainly right to a degree. This guy did nothing to help this team at all except take up a roster space. Even Prado much less Escobar would have been a better choice than this dud.

By Bob, Journalist

September 24, 2007 10:09 PM | Link to this

raykelsey, it is delusional Brave fan talk if the probability of making the playoffs is then significantly less than 30 percent … how did you get the 30%?

By Befuddled Cat Owner

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

DOB, My cat eats hummus. Does this mean he’s a vegan. Help. What should I do?

By Señor Flaco

September 24, 2007 10:13 PM | Link to this

no, frenchy, él no habla español and el no flya dey plane.

By Stinky

September 24, 2007 10:15 PM | Link to this

JBob, he used DOB math.

By bwash21

September 24, 2007 10:18 PM | Link to this

Painful stat…..I don’t know if anyone has noticed this or mentioned it yet, however, as of tonight the Braves have scored more runs than the Mets thru 156 games and their pitching has given up less than the Mets. Unbelievable. A sweep over the Phils and a Giants sweep over the Padres would sure make baseball fun for me again. I don’t know what to do with myself in October without the Braves playing. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE, I’m not giving up yet.

By Overlord

September 24, 2007 10:20 PM | Link to this

One thing if for sure, not even if joe dimaggio, lou gehrig, jimmie foxx and ted williams were braves bench players, things would have been much more different this season with our 3-4-5 punch in the rotation and with superAJ as cleanup.

By Overlord

September 24, 2007 10:22 PM | Link to this

13-3

oh those muts sure look like champions, the question is………champions of what????????

By Scotty

September 24, 2007 10:23 PM | Link to this

The engine can’t take it captain. She just can’t. She is going to blow Captain…she’s gonna blow.

Now there was a pessimist for you Braves fans.

By Braves Fan 79

September 24, 2007 10:25 PM | Link to this

Lee in S. Ga: No the whole season isnt his fault. But u replace him with escobar (or even prado) from the start and we make the playoffs. Bottom line!

Cat Owner: my cat eats grass, greenbeans, corn….but is def not a vegitarian! Thell also eat there own crap if u let them…just like dogs. So here a suggestion to ya: beat it when it eats something u dont want it to….that good enough advice for ya? And next time u think ANY dog or cat is a vegan…just dangle some bbq chicken infront of it!

By David O'Brien

September 24, 2007 10:35 PM | Link to this

deconstructing dylan, I like it. Good stuff.

Just got back from seeing “Valley of Elah.” Powerful movie. Tommy Lee Jones is phenomenal in the role of the grieving dad.

By David O'Brien

September 24, 2007 10:38 PM | Link to this

Mike, Braves see Lillibridge as a future every-day player, but for next season I get the impression they’ll consider him for a super-utility type role, which he’d fit perfectly if he’s ready.

And he can play so many positions, if he’s ready for the majors he’d get enough playing time to justify having him here; in other words it wouldn’t hinder his development because he’d be playing enough and not riding the pine.

Of course, he’ll have to show he’s ready in the spring, I’d guess.

By Braves Fan 79

September 24, 2007 10:45 PM | Link to this

DOB: u mean Lillibridge would have to show he was ready in spring training the way escobar did this year? How did that one turn out for us?

By Richmond

September 24, 2007 10:52 PM | Link to this

I had a similar question as Mike, above- regarding Lillibridge. Saw him play all of Richmond’s postseason games and he’s the real deal. Ridiculous..and I mean RIDICULOUS range at short, handles the bat very well, can bunt, run..and pretty much showed me everything in the course of a weekend except he never had an opportunity to show off his arm (which I’ve never read or heard much about anyway). DOB, what do you think…itd be awfully tough to trade your starting middle infield as Mike mentioned above- but if Edgar and KJ got us the pitcher we need, there could be worse options than Esco and Lilly. Think its an option? Secondly, any thought of trying him in center? I suppose the third was he’ll make the club next yr would be if Prado were included in an offseason trade and Lilly became a backup (in similar fashion to Esco’s 07 season)….I’d be interested to get your thoughts on what you’ve heard about Lillibridge.

By Befuddled Cat Owner

September 24, 2007 10:56 PM | Link to this

Braves Fan 79, were those green beans steemed or ‘seasoned’?

By Bob, Journalist

September 24, 2007 10:56 PM | Link to this

William Wallace, I too have extolled Frenchy’s potential but no reason to go losing your head and comparing him with Roberto … methinks we could find many groups of folks with similar statistics … with one emerging from each group to excel, while the rest wallow in mediocrity.

Why even Andruw had potential …

By Bob

September 24, 2007 11:20 PM | Link to this

Some good news from the Left Coast. Giants pounding Young and the Pads 7-2.

By Bob, Journalist

September 24, 2007 11:21 PM | Link to this

It’s too bad that we can’t choose which four games Soriano would miss … I can think of four where I wish he hadn’t pitched.

Thinking about Andruw and unrealized potential triggers the thought that many baseball players and golfers owe what little power they generate to The Babe and his “handkerchief” drill … my guess is that Andruw would solve most of his problems if he would change his setup so that he quit dropping his hanky.

By Braveheart

September 24, 2007 11:29 PM | Link to this

Yeah, Bobby Mac, got a tad bit carried away with Frenchy and Clemente, didn’t I? I still think there is some validity to what I was saying but who the heck knows how it plays out. But it makes it funner when they are young to call Frenchy the next Clemente, Chipper the next Mickey Mantle, or Andruw the next Hammer or Say Hey Kid. The weight of those comparisons often makes it even less fun when you realize it ain’t gonna happen as they get older.

By David O'Brien

September 24, 2007 11:32 PM | Link to this

Richmond, sure I could see a scenario unfold as you described. Braves could trade Renteria and Kelly if that’s what it took to get the starting pitcher they want.

But I can assure, they’re not going to go into next season with Lillibridge, who hasn’t played one inning of a major league game, penciled in as a starting infielder. Just don’t see that happening, though I do think he could be ready and win a spot in the spring.

But when they’re sitting down making their plans for next season, I don’t think they’ll make trades and such with Lillibridge penciled into a starting role with absolutely no major league experience….

Braves Fan, you ask that with such a tone of bitterness, as though I’m somehow part of the panel that decides when a player is ready.

Sorry, I just report what happens, what might happen, etc. Really don’t have any input in their thinking.

I will, however, point out to you that last spring, the Braves had Orr returning for a third year in a utility role, had Willy Aybar penciled in as the backup third baseman (which they didn’t abort until after he was suspended in April and then the would-be short suspension became something far worse), had two first baseman (Thorman and Wilson) and had a veteran utility infielder (Woodward) they signed to a $1 million contract in the winter (bad signing, obviously, but they signed him and damn sure weren’t going to cut him in the spring).

Escobar was up in June and stayed up the rest of the year. You upset at someone? Take it up with them. I told you what I think will happen with Lillibridge. Hey, sorry if the answer didn’t satisfy you.

I don’t think Orr will have a lock on any utility guy next year, and I know Woodward won’t.

By Braves Fan 79

September 24, 2007 11:36 PM | Link to this

7-3 SF over the Pads….if we win out we have a GREAT shot at the playoffs!
Of course the way this season has gone halfway thru the last 7 games Cox will decided Edgar and Chipper needs a rest and will start woodcrap and orr.

By Bob, Journalist

September 24, 2007 11:41 PM | Link to this

What makes it even sadder for me is the thought that what ain’t gonna be really cudda been.

By Richmond

September 24, 2007 11:47 PM | Link to this

DOB: Your points on Lillibridge are well taken. If they did trade KJ and Edgar they’d prob think about Prado as their second baseman heading into the season as he’s atleast had some big leagtue experience. But consider my experience as a “non-paid scout” here in Richmond watching this guy. He’s the real deal. DOB, you saw him in spring training, I’m sure. How in the world this guy hit over 10 homers this yr is incredible. In the face he appears to be about 13, and in the body he doesnt look much more devloped than that either. That means he really must sqaure up the ball to hit with as much pop as he does given his size (or lackthereof). Anyway, he’s gonna be fun for you guys to watch in Atl!

By Braves Fan 79

September 24, 2007 11:49 PM | Link to this

DOB: No man no bitterness towards yourself at all, in fact i appreciate all the time you spend with us hardcore fans….as do alot of others on this blog.
The bitterness is because i know this Braves team is built for the playoffs, ive never said on here we should rebuild or dont deserve to make it.
2 great starters, a good bullpen, and great starters at most positions on the field usually means success in the postseason. Unfortunatly our poor bench in the 1st half of the season really hurt us!

By Richmond

September 24, 2007 11:59 PM | Link to this

Hey DOB: Another question for ya regarding one of our R-Braves that just came to mind. Boyer? He pitched relatively well as a starter down here. He’d look really impressive for about 4 or 5 innings, but would then start fatiguing and getting everything up, etc. If you had to guess, is he in the mix for the bullpen or one of many who’ll compete for a 5th spot (if one’s open)? Essentially..is his future as a starter or reliever? He’s seemingly overlooked here when folks talk about next year’s staff.

By John Lennon

September 24, 2007 11:59 PM | Link to this

*Imagine Braves in playoffs:

It’s easy if you try.

Phillies and Pads below us,

And Rockies hopes have died.

Imagine Braves fans chopping

In October at The Ted —

Yoo-hoo, ooh-hoo-woo.

You may say I’m a dreamer,

But (judging by this blog) I’m not the only one.

I hope you’ll come and join us —

We’ll sell out a playoff game for once.*

Hey — it’s better lyrics than “Gotta Serve Somebody,” anyway.

By BossLady

September 24, 2007 11:59 PM | Link to this

The comments about the Dylan song were just the opinions of personal taste for the ones criticizing. What I understood is that no matter how rich, powerful and successful their has to be a place where if you have nothing of any means it levels the playing field. Then you will still serve somebody. Maybe, all people are equal no matter their level in life. It hit me hard, right here, (hand over heart) because I actually thought that I was my own boss until year end numbers did not come through in 2003. A verry rude awakening!! The best people who supported me were not the peers I see frequently, but the people where I had come from, ya know, back in the day. Rock on DOB

By Bob, Journalist

September 25, 2007 12:06 AM | Link to this

Methinks Victor Hugo is alive and well … remember how he so effectively removed us from the action when the fates of the hunchback and la Esmeralda were assured … and now the reaction of Braves’ fans … déjà vu all over again!

But, until it’s over, it ain’t!

Goodnight Miss Allen

By Gil in Mechanicsville

September 25, 2007 12:10 AM | Link to this

Yo, Richmond Glad to see someone cross checking my reports on Lillibridge. I think he is a Craig Biggio clone. He really has surprising pop in his bat and is clutch, not to mention he can play the field a little bit. As for Boyer, you are right, he is a strong kid but fades after about 50 pitches.

By mike

September 25, 2007 12:11 AM | Link to this

Richmond, I think Prado would do just fine as the everyday 2B. Hes already shown hes outstanding defensively and he led the International League in hitting I believe. I think he would hit 280 to 300 playing everyday in the big leauges. He’d definitley be a good bridge to Lillibridge playing everyday in lets say 2009. An infield of Chipper, Esobar, Prado, and Texeira would be pretty solid defensively. If the Braves were to offer Kelly Johnson and Renteria for a pitcher I wonder what kind of pitcher that would get them these days. An ace, probably not. I would say someone between a Chris Young and a Bronson Arroyo

By Bob, Journalist

September 25, 2007 12:15 AM | Link to this

Sometimes I confuse even myself … What makes it even sadder for me is the thought that what ain’t gonna be really cudda been was intended to be an appositive statement to my earlier “potential” post to Braveheart … not the probable outcome of the season.

By chrisklob

September 25, 2007 12:19 AM | Link to this

mike, there is a very wide chasm between Chris Young and Bronson Arroyo.

Salty, nope, laying off the Knob for a few nights. I’m off to Mexico tomorrow morning (very early) so I’m drinkin Tequila!

By chrisklob

September 25, 2007 12:22 AM | Link to this

Bob, Journalist, how are the toes today? Did the bourbon soak that I recommended to you have the desired effect?

By Overlord

September 25, 2007 12:42 AM | Link to this

Lets go for octoberrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr The gods are taking care of business for us.

We will wake up 3GB.

Hope my prediction of missing the playoffs by 1 game doesnt comes true.

By Gil in Mechanicsville

September 25, 2007 12:44 AM | Link to this

A quick comment on Boy Dylan, He is a poet of the first class, the cadence and lilt in his voice are really important to make many of his songs work. His body of work is best when performed by Dylan himself.

DOB Good article, I like “Tom Terrific” but I am not sure it is wise to make the starting rotation that much older. What do the Braves do in 2009? I know modern medicine is spectacular but pitchers’ arm are fragile enough as it is and I would be very leery of pushing the edge of that envelope too far.

BobJ I hope those toes are getting better by the day. The amazing thing I’m sure is how many times you have bumped them since the big hit to constantly reminded you they are still attached.

By Dad

September 25, 2007 12:44 AM | Link to this

I agree with DOB. The Braves are finished in 2007. The Phillies will sweep them, and the Astros will win two out of three. Goodbye Braves, your woeful starting rotation has put a nail in your coffin. We Mets fans are going to enjoy this post season. You know why? The Mets are going to win the World Series in 2007.

By Bob, Journalist

September 25, 2007 12:50 AM | Link to this

chrisklob … Chris, the toes are somewhat better though they still don’t like shoes.

I appreciated the recommendation and I suspect others did as well but, having no bourbon available … I followed Jimmy’s advice and used the Blog’s First Lady’s Listerine formula instead … best my feet have smelled in some time.

They really are a bit better today.

By fastasballs

September 25, 2007 12:57 AM | Link to this

What in the wide, wide world of sports is going on in baseball these days. Every day I expect the Braves playoff chances to be extinguished, but every day they seem to increase.

The Muts taking a 10 run whopping by the Nats is priceless. A few more of those & we may never have to smell those gutless Muts fans ever again. It’s been a bit fresher in here with their recent hiatus from the blog caused by their Braves inferiority complex.

Seems the Padres are possibly going the same route as the Muts. They are getting pounded by the Giants late in the game. Milton Bradley syndrome has struck at the worst time for the Pads. You knew the meltdown was coming sooner or later.

I honestly believe IF the Braves sweep the Phillies they will go to the playoffs. The Padres even if they win the next two against the Giants have to go to Milwaukee for four games. The Brew Crew is lights out at home. They should take 3/4. The Rockies have the Dodgers & DBacks left. They are the hottest team in baseball right now so they have the inside track if the Padres fall & the Braves take out the Phillies.

Regardless the last week is going to be fun & gets better with a win tomorrow night. Wouldn’t everyone like to see a Braves, DBacks, Cubs & Rockies playoff? Now that would be some good baseball based on those teams recent play.

Well I’m off to watch a replay of the Muts game. I love it when their fans boo Mota. It just gives me goose bumps all over.

By Bob, Journalist

September 25, 2007 1:00 AM | Link to this

Gil, before leaving I’m compelled to confess that I became confused trying to count many times I’ve bumped them … one is so swollen that I didn’t know whether to count it as one or two and the other actually feels almost detached so I’m not sure if it should be counted at all … higher math always gives me a pain … though usually not in the toes.

By Overlord

September 25, 2007 1:11 AM | Link to this

Mets cant even beat the nats in meaningful games, what makes you think they win the WS?

They are not even in the playoffs right now, and they are so close to staying home and watching playoffs on TV ……..

And you are so smart that you hope the phillies sweep the braves……… if i was you, i would be hoping the braves swept the phillies, its you only real choice to get into october, otherwise you are in deep trouble.

BTW, who are you throwing in the mound in the world series after the 5th inning of game 1 and 2? And who is starting games 3 and 4? HAHAHA, that would be fun to watch, maybe its a good idea that god helps the muts get to the WS to watch some big league humiliation, but i think we will see it much earlier.

Hope you come back to blog some more, muts fans are always welcome.

I can bet all drugstores in Queens are out of PEPTOBISMOL……. hope you enjoy october pal, im pretty sure you are not enjoying september very much!!!!!

The truth does not hurts, but it sure is a pain the the a$$.

By fastasballs

September 25, 2007 1:17 AM | Link to this

DAD, You are either blind, dumb or both if you think the Muts are winning the World Series this year. Your bullpen is HORRIBLE. You can’t hold the lead even when you manage to get one.

El Duque is done. All you have is 5 inning Pedro, Glavine & Perez. Even if you get good starts from these guys the pen will blow it. Mota, Wagner, Showenless, & Sosa are done.

By Coach (Lets Go Braves In 2008)

September 25, 2007 1:20 AM | Link to this

For those of you who refuse to realize the obvious , the Braves are about to be three games back in the wild card race. Here is the crazy and totally unrealistic scenario. The Braves sweep the Phillies (possible) , The Giants sweep the Padres (unrealistic) , The Dodgers sweep the Rockies (not happening) who are on an eight game winning streak. And……that is just the first three games of six remaining. Then , the Padres would have to lose their four game series against the Brewers (not gonna happen), The Nationals would have to take two out of three from the Phillies (pigs will fly first), The Rockies would have to lose two out of three to the Diamondbacks (That will happen)and the Braves would of course have to sweep the Astros with Roy Oswalt slated to start game one. Am I enjoying the Braves playing well ? Yes , absolutely. Do I believe they will be playing in October , Not a chance in hell. O yes , I am looking forward to watching the Mets fall apart in the playoffs and Tom Glavine becoming a Brave again in 2008 !

By fastasballs

September 25, 2007 1:22 AM | Link to this

Give’m hell Overlord. I think he’s the first Mut fan to crawl out of their burrough & grace the blog in weeks. However he is as dilusional as the rest of them.

Simple fact is the Muts are tired, hurt & worn out. They thought they would coast the last two weeks & rest their players, but their pathetic play in September has cost them any chance of advancing far in October, if they even get that far.

By Overlord

September 25, 2007 1:33 AM | Link to this

James will sure make me forget all his bad outing if he makes it to the 6th and keeps us in the game.

Brad Penny against Rockies…….

Tomko against Cain………

Those 2 matchups i think are in our favor, specially with MB and cameron on the bench for SD.

Moyer has not been able to shut us down last 2 outings 3 runs in 6 and 4 in 5, not great for us, but at least we can hit him, and that was without edgar. James gave up 4 in 6. So the matchup is not so bad.

By Old Lefty

September 25, 2007 1:45 AM | Link to this

SWEEP …

I know I will be watchin’ …….

Yeah.

And until done is done, football just ain’t that interestin’.

Now … question of the moment ……..

YOU back next season, DOB???

We could do a helluva lot worse.

DOBlog ain’t much ….. but it has been a fine, fine Home.

Thanks, kid.

By Overlord

September 25, 2007 1:50 AM | Link to this

Fastaballs as a matter of fact, the muts look as if they have just came back from Bagstone. Their bullpen has been so horrible that they are feeling the same the braves felt when their back 3 SP did not respond. Desperate is the only word to describe their faces. Wright and alou are the only ones that are doing well. Even pedro has threw tons of pitches and didnt even make it to the 6th. Meltdown is here. Wagner is not tired, he just has some intestinal problems caused by nerve.

Things have gone so bad that their bloggers have not post a message sin that friday when the phillies beat them.

Coach is braves sweep phillies (you said it was possible) i dont think our problem will be Oswalt. And if they sweep the phillies and SF wins 2 out of 3 and LA 2 of 3…. i think we will go to the playoffs. Houston will not be a problem if we sweep philly, thats for sure, problem is that our pitching for that series will not be what we hope, but we can still beat houston even if we dont send our horses.

By Overlord

September 25, 2007 1:56 AM | Link to this

One more thing…….

we need brewers to pick up at least a game (2 would be better)before they play SD, we need them to be in the race that last weekend!!!!

By Overlord

September 25, 2007 2:00 AM | Link to this

where would the muts be without pedro…… big big relieve for the muts, they just wouldnt know their whole season would now be over if pedro was not here for them in september

By Coach (Lets Go Braves In 2008)

September 25, 2007 2:10 AM | Link to this

Food for thought. Three games back in the wild card , Wickman and Soriano have contributed to eleven losses , the Braves lost five of six games started by Mark Redman , the Pythagorian projection is 85-71 while in reality we are 82-74 , the 17-22 record in one run games , Smoltz has twenty-six quality starts and the team has won just eighteen of his thirty-one games pitched , the Bobby Cox factor. I could go on and on , but you get the picture.

By Old Lefty

September 25, 2007 2:13 AM | Link to this

OVERLORD

YOU are the MAN!!!

If, by some twisted, unfathomable turn of fate these kids come to the surface and do something with what they have in front of them right now …… well …… you deserve a ring, a share, a ….. whatever!!!

All Braves fans should SALUTE you, Dude.

By David O'Brien

September 25, 2007 2:41 AM | Link to this

Gil, Tom G. would presumably be just a one-year thing, certainly no more than one plus an option, and by 2009 Braves should have a ready starter or two from the likes of Jo-Jo, Ascanio (yes, he’s got the stuff to be a starter, could even bid for job next season), and a couple other kids coming up.

And who knows, maybe Bennett could be a factor next season and beyond. But all those guys should be competing for no more than the fifth spot. Braves need proven quality in the top three or four slots next season….

Old Lefty, I just hope to be walking and talking next year. The rest is gravy….

Richmond, yes, Lillibridge impressed me plenty in the time I saw him this spring. And Pendleton and the rest raved about him after watching him. Everybody loves his instincts and acumen for the game. He looks 13 in the face, but I disagree with you on the physique. He’s pretty ripped for a small dude….

OK, got a 5:30 wakeup call for flight to Philly. I always do this to myself night before trips, wait to pack at midnight, etc. You’d think I’d learn.

later

By gotigers72

September 25, 2007 2:56 AM | Link to this

Earlier in the year, I wouldn’t have traded KJ. Now I would. He’s lost between 15-20 points off of his average in the last month, and strikes out wayyyyy too much. What happened there? I know he’s got some pop and has a good OBP, and he’s played a decent second base, but package him with somebody for an above average starting pitcher? That’s a no brainer.

I believe I have to agree with Chipper on the status of the umpires this year. Did you see the replay of Milton Bradley going ballistic at the first base umpire [Mike Winters]? You know Winters had to say something for Bradley to go off like that. I know, Bradley has gone off many times before, but the Padres first base coach backed Bradley up, saying he couldn’t believe an umpire would say something like that to a player. The coach said the umpire was trying to push Bradley’s buttons, get him to go off like he did. It worked. Supposedly he called Bradley an f ing piece of fecal matter. Baseball is investigating and has questions for Todd Helton, who was playing first base. They want to know if he heard those words. If indeed Winters said that, he should be suspended for quite a while.

Whoever was doing Sportscenter said that umpires have become entirely too confrontational this year, and they hit the nail on the head there. The reason they are so confrontational is because they have no fear of being fired. MLB doesn’t have the cojones to hold them accountable for their actions. MLB did not let several umpires return after they went on strike, although they did let that moron Balkin’ Bob Davidson return. However, the only umpire I can EVER recall being fired was Dave Pallone. And I get the feeling that the reason for his firing was his sexual orientation rather than his performance as an umpire. But tell me if I’m wrong about no other umpires being fired. Guys like that redneck Doug Eddings can get away with “picking a fight” because they know there are no consequences.

I know a little about what I’m talking about as I umpired high school and college ball for 12 years. I know, nowhere near the pressure that ML umpires have, but these guys need to realize that nobody [except maybe their wives or mothers] are at the game to watch them umpire. Let the player or manager that is arguing have their say and then toss them if they deserve it, but don’t go around being so confrontational. No reason for it. Eddings is a terrible umpire. Guess he is trying to defer that fact when he pushes player’s buttons like he did Johnny Estrada when he caught for the Braves. Do you remember that little incident?

I know Milton Bradley is a huge jerk, but he may be right this time. He says this ain’t the end of that incident. Talks like he may get a lawyer and go after Winters/MLB. After all, that may have ended his career.

By Enough

September 25, 2007 3:08 AM | Link to this

Tonight is the start of the playoffs for the Braves. If they can sweep or take two out of three, hope will be alive going into the weekend. A sweep and the Braves could easily be the wildcard front runner. The baseball gods have smiled on these guys and given them one last gasp. What a series this has become. I am a believer, I think the Braves will be in the post season despite all the woes. Chipper and Tex will blast us into this thing. We have a stong bench with Escobar or Kelly, and Prado looks good. Willy gives us late game speed as well. This thing has shaped up nicely. Win tonight and the pressure shifts to the rest of the contenders. WOW! October baseball in September. Who doesn’t like the wildcard, the best thing to happen to baseball in the new era. SD is reeling, the Rockies have the Dodgers and D-backs. Control our destiny against the Phillies. Cox has to coach tonight, biggest game of his era I think. If the Braves get in this, would be an all-time September runs and if they get in with this offense, they will get to the Series! I am excited as heck!

By d-rock in Scotland

September 25, 2007 3:17 AM | Link to this

Pad’s lost. There’s a chance.

By Vonshawn

September 25, 2007 4:37 AM | Link to this

Pads and Phillies in a flat-footed tie for 1st place in the Wildcard. The Braves are just 3 games back and get a chance to cut into that lead playing the Phillies head to head.

Postseason long shot? Maybe, but the Padres just lost two of their big sticks in Bradley and Cameron. The Rockies ARE a challenge, but the Braves basically control their own destiny with 6 to play.

Tonight is a big game!! If Chuck can give us a big start, you gotta like our chances with Hudson and Big Game Smoltz going in the 2nd and 3rd games against the Phillies.

Go Braves!!

By dunwoody in denver

September 25, 2007 4:45 AM | Link to this

Hey Enough, it’s bad for the Braves that the Rockies are playing the Dodgers and D-Backs; they just swept a 4-game series from the Dodgers last week and they play the D-Backs at home this weekend. The D-Backs will have the division sewn up by then so they’ll be resting their starters. The Rockies at worst will go 5-1, meaning even if the Braves go 6-0, they don’t make it.

I was born and raised in ATL (North Springs class of ‘97), so I experienced the glory days of ‘91-‘95, and I can honestly say this Rockies team is the ‘91 Braves all over again. If they can sign a big-time pitcher in the off-season (Johan Santana?) to go with the best young line-up in baseball, next year they’ll be almost unstoppable…

By Coach (Lets Go Braves In 2008)

September 25, 2007 6:21 AM | Link to this

ESPN picked up tomorrow night’s game against the Phillies. The Braves will be on nationwide TV , Wednesday night !

By journalist roberto clemente

September 25, 2007 6:52 AM | Link to this

“Frenchy” couldn’t even tote my balls!

stinky sucks!

By wjones

September 25, 2007 7:22 AM | Link to this

I may have missed it if anyone else has mentioned it, but the Padres have lost both Bradley AND Cameron for the season.

By Braveheart

September 25, 2007 7:35 AM | Link to this

SWEEP!!!!

3 out in the loss column with 6 to go. Chucky James is gonna take care of business tonight. Then HUdson and SMoltz will lead us to victory in the last two.

It’s a shame Cox did not time his rotation better so that Hudson and Smoltz would be going today and tomorrow and then able to go on three days rest on Saturday and Sunday.

By Lee in S. GA

September 25, 2007 8:13 AM | Link to this

Anyone who has ever had doubt about the Wild Card may want to change their opinion after this year. I have always thought it provided a little more excitement for MLB.

Whether the Braves make post season or not at least the WC has given us Braves fans a little hope towards this season’s end.

By Paladin

September 25, 2007 8:16 AM | Link to this

y Bob, Journalist

Someimes I confuse even myself … What makes it even sadder for me is the thought that what ain’t gonna be really cudda been was intended to be an appositive statement to my earlier “potential” post to Braveheart … not the probable outcome of the season.

BobJ I love ya man, but I’m happy to hear you confuse yourself at times because you frequently confuse me.

By Paladin

September 25, 2007 8:19 AM | Link to this

The most “off color” comment of the night made by Salty. What’s this world coming to? :>)

By Will

September 25, 2007 8:24 AM | Link to this

Its definitely a long shot, but there is still a faint chance. I went to bed last night saying if the Pads win its over, if they lose there is still a prayer. Still probably a little too much to overcome though. Thank you again Bob Wickman.

By Gil in Mechanicsville

September 25, 2007 8:33 AM | Link to this

Yes, it is down to the wire. I never thought the Braves would get this close. I would expect a sold out ballpark and a playoff atmosphere in Philly tonight. For these two teams the playoffs have begun.

Yes, I have noticed the correlation to the absence of Renteria and the loss of close games even with the addition of Tex to the lineup. Need the team firing on all cylinders to win this race.

I’m just not ready for football yet.

By ssiscribe

September 25, 2007 8:45 AM | Link to this

Top of the morning, denizens, on this, perhaps the last morning of the season where the Braves wake up with any chance to play for a playoff spot.

Yes, inhabitants of the Braves/MIB/BBQ/Toes/Pie Blogosphere, the playoffs start today for the Braves. Just think about it like this: The Braves are in a sub-playoff series starting tonight, and they have to win every game the next three nights to have a chance to move into the next round of the sub-playoffs, this weekend in Houston.

Of course, they need some help, and they got some help last night, but we’ll get into that in a minute.

The Braves HAVE to win the next three nights. So, what do you do? Just look at tonight. Win the first one in Philly, where the Phanatics will be fired up because Philly is tied for first in the wild card after the Padres lost by the Bay last night.

If the Braves don’t sweep the Phillies, it’s all a moot point. Beyond hoping for the Padres and Rockies to lose, Atlanta has a great opportunity because it plays the co wild-card leader the next three nights.

SWEEP + some help from the Giants and some help from the Dodgers, and all of a sudden the Braves are right freaking there with three games to go.

Likely? We’ll see. But all week, watching this team finally find its rhythm, I’ve been hoping against hope something would break for this bunch to have a chance.

That chance is now.

SWEEP the Phillies, get the Padres to lose two of the next three, and get the Rockies to lose two of the next three, and the Braves will have a shot at it come the weekend.

Granted, a lot has to go right for the Braves to be playing in eight days amid the pomp and circumstance of the glorious October festivities. Just to get into the party, the Braves will have to, in all likelihood, win at the very least five of the final six regular-season games, and at least one (if not two) play-in games just to make it to next Wednesday.

But it all starts with a SWEEP in Philly. And it has to start tonight.

Go Braves!!!

Go Giants!!!

Go Dodgers (did I just write that? Ick! Ah, hell, we gotta have it … Go Dodgers)!!!

As for the Braves/MIB playoff spirit sign in Vegas, well … I’m not sketching any designs just yet, but if the Braves SWEEP, I just might have to put pen to paper and start thinking about running to the supply store, just in case.

Dare to dream, denizens. For all that has gone WRONG in 2007, isn’t it about time something went RIGHT for our favorite baseball team???

And, if it doesn’t, and this pie in the sky craps out on us, then whatever. Our team didn’t roll over and die a quiet death in September. It fought back and pushed it at least this far. They’ve played hard the whole year; I’m damn proud of them for that and you should be, too.

OUR playoffs start tonight. Get ready, and let’s see if this roller coaster has one thrill left in it.

See y’all tonight.

The Scribe abides.

—30—

By Jeff R

September 25, 2007 8:50 AM | Link to this

Read DOB’s first installment of his four-part series. I’ve got to believe that management has something more up its sleeve than bringing back Glavine. Granted, after giving up a lot of good young talent for the harding-hitting Tex (who, FYI, didn’t deliver a playoff berth has the hype at the time suggested), management is understandably skittish about giving up even more young talent for a starting pitcher who may not live up to the billing, though that would be a worthy risk.

And how encouraging is it to read that Liberty Media will only maintain or slightly increase the team’s payroll in 2008 and beyond? Not very, considering that the teams the Braves have to beat will, in all probability, increase payrolls to meet whatever needs they have. Means in the minds of the corporate class the Bravos are an appreciating asset (even if they fail to return to their glory days) and not a profit center. Selig should be stripped of command for insisting that Libery Media hold the club a minimum of five years before selling it. The Braves need an owner who doesn’t just have deep pockets, but arms long enough, and hands big enough, to dig in and pull up the dough the team needs to compete with the Mets, Cubs and Dodgers of the world. A good front office and good field management goes only so far. Money makes the world go round.

By Paladin

September 25, 2007 8:58 AM | Link to this

Chucky, chucky he’s our man. If he can’t do it…well, he will do it! GO BRAVES!!

By Shaun

September 25, 2007 8:59 AM | Link to this

Gil, as you know, I believe (from skeptically looking at baseball) that flukiness plays a very significant role in the winning and losing of close games. Here’s another “unoriginal” idea from someone else that explains this idea a lot more succinctly than I could (you know, since I question my own intelligence and all):

…how lucky are the first-place Diamondbacks? With their negative run differential, they still have the NL’s best record. I know it’s just a theory that the Diamondbacks shouldn’t have won so many games, that maybe there’s something special about them. I have an answer to that: “Let’s see them do it again next year.”

They won’t. Teams never do. There have been, prior to this year, exactly three postseason teams that gave up more runs than they allowed during the regular season: the ‘87 Twins, the ‘97 Giants, and the ‘05 Padres. Interestingly, all three teams played quite well the next season — only the Giants didn’t reach the postseason, and they fell just one win short — but all significantly improved their run differentials.

Significantly outperforming run differential is not repeatable. If it’s not repeatable, it’s probably not a skill. And if it’s not a skill, what does that leave?

By yellowblood

September 25, 2007 9:02 AM | Link to this

Yes, I want to win a pennant but all that aside, it has been a great season from a fan perspective. Smoltz and Chipper have had one of their greatest years. Having Chip in the batting title race is awesome. Francouer has matured. Huddy has shown what he can do. Texiera has made this lineup awesome and needs to signed at the end of this season.

By Shaun

September 25, 2007 9:04 AM | Link to this

Jeff R, true the Braves probably aren’t making the playoffs but Tex did more than his share.

By KC

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

DOB: “But it’s uncertain whether they could trade for a quality starter without giving up a solid prospect in addition to Renteria.”

It’s uncertain whether they could trade for a quality starter even if they DO five up a solid prospect in addition to Renteria!

If that package they sent to Texas at the deadline wasn’t enough to get a quality starter, there’s certainly no indication that Renteria (who teams have to view as a potential one-year rental) and a prospect would get it done.

JS should and will pursue any/all avenues for bringing in a quality starter that can help us beyond next season… but there’s an excellent chance that Glavine will be the best available option.

By Shaun

September 25, 2007 9:19 AM | Link to this

dunwoody in denver, is the Colorado offense really that good? They rank eighth in road runs and eleventh in road OPS.

By KC

September 25, 2007 9:23 AM | Link to this

If we do sign Glavine, the only unfortunate thing will be that (unless we lose Hampton again) we won’t get a chance to size up any young starters for the 09 season.

In the past, the 5th starter slot has been the place where the Braves develop their future top-of-rotation guys. But next year, in all likelihood, Chuck James will be the 5th starter.

So we won’t know whether or not JoJo Reyes, Bennett, Cormier, or anyone else will be ready to help in 09.

But, that’s certainly a worthwhile sacrifice. Sign Glavine or trade for a quality starter… and it really doesn’t matter that much if Hampton makes it back.

Don’t get me wrong, Hampton could be a huge plus if we could -at ANY point in the season - round back into the pitcher he was before the TJ surgery… but he won’t be NEEDED as he was this year.

By dadgum

September 25, 2007 9:23 AM | Link to this

DOB….been watching Lillibridge here in Richmond a lot this year. Can’t refute any of the above posts about his talents. Solid dude. As a side note, if Lillibridge looks 13 his wife looks 12. My oldest daughter sits next to her at home games and she comments how young she is. Now, folks, that’s scary. Real scary. I digress, can’t see a scenario where Brent plays 2nd base next year. As I mentioned plenty on earlier blogs (to the dismay of many) I still feel KJ will be traded and Prado will be the 2nd baseman. The obvious reason was to bring the #1 0r #2 type pitching caliber to the team.

That’s right. I disagree on fishing for a #3 or #4. Now we may very well end up with that but if you have Renteria & KJ and others(prospects) you should do better than a middle rotation guy especially when your #1 will be 41 next season. Not throwing Smoltz under the bus here simply stating that he is on borrowed time. Gotta be.

Here is one thing you can take to the bank, if Renteria isn’t traded then KJ will definitely be. Escobar will play 2nd and Prado kept as a utility infield guy. Still I see no scenario where we keep Renteria. The odds are probably 1 in 10 if the BRaves are fishing for that rotation piece. Now if Glavine comes into the picture and doesn’t pick up his option with the Metropolitans then all bets are off. They may indeed keep Renteria in his free agent year.

Never mentioned payroll yet….seems that is crazy with all the reports that aren’t fact-based. Too many things to consider yet. We’ll see.

Going to see a band called Kings of Leon or something like that. Never heard of them but people are going crazy over them. Guess I will Google them first.

Rock on……wondering whatever happened to Quuicksilver Messenger Service.

By Thrillhouse44

September 25, 2007 9:27 AM | Link to this

If Glavine’s the best available, I say we get him. He was never my favorite pitcher and I didn’t like the way he left, but I’ll always consider him a Brave. (Seriously, him in a Mets uniform is like Joe Montana in a Chiefs uni.) He’d be a solid #3 and would help provide a strong rotation (Smoltz, Hudson, Glavine, James, Hampton(?)). I would like to see him retire and enter the HOF as an Atlanta Brave.

By Jeff R

September 25, 2007 9:31 AM | Link to this

Shaun, Tex is a stud, no doubt about it. But starting pitching was the problem at trade deadline, not hitting, and will be the major challenge in the off-season. Thing is, after giving up a boatload of young talent for Tex, management has got to make a good faith effort to sign him to a long term contract. A Tex contract will tie up many of millions of dollars. For a team with an ownership that doesn’t want to significantly increase payroll, it means that big chunk of pie going to Tex isn’t available for pitching needs. And, as this season amply demonstrated, “no pitching, no post-season.”

KC, your point about Glavine being, perhaps, the best option in a thin market is well taken. I just hope JS thoroughly explores the market before going after Glavine. Great pitcher, Hall of Famer, but if his midrange velocity really starts to tail off on ‘08, that would be bad news.

By 22oz

September 25, 2007 9:39 AM | Link to this

Love this quote from Edgar: “In baseball the hardest thing to do is hit, and if you don’t prepare yourself to do it, you won’t have success in the game,” Renteria said. “You can hit, but you’re going to hit .220.” Ouch. Hope Andruw wasn’t nearby.

By Rod

September 25, 2007 9:43 AM | Link to this

DOB, what are the chances Adnruw is back with us next year? If we get him at a good rate would be one thing, but would it make more sense to use that freed up money to get a top end starter and bring in a vet CF that wouldn’t cost as much?

By Braveheart

September 25, 2007 9:53 AM | Link to this

I think Glavine is just what the Braves need. It is sort of like the 1992 offseason during the Maddux sweepstakes. Maddux obviously was God. The Yankees went after Maddux hard, even offering more money than the Braves. But Maddux chose the Braves instead. The Yankees had to settle for Jimmy Key.

The Yankees would then go a combined 42-17 in Key’s starts in 1993 and 1994 and the Braves would go a combined 39-22 in the starts of Maddux in 1993 and 1994.

Maddux was on a Godlike immortal level those two seasons and far better than Key, although Key was really darn good for a mere mortal.

But it did not really matter too much in the team’s overall record when Key and Maddux started in those two seasons did it? In fact, the Yankees had 3 more victories with Key and 5 less losses than the Braves did with Maddux. The Yankees went from 76 wins without Key in 1992 to 88 wins in 1993 with Key to being on a 100 win pace with Key in 1994.

So, I know alot of fans get simpleminded and think we need an ace. That would be nice but not necessary. Sometimes, getting a #2 or #3 like Key or Glavine is a better acquisition than paying all that money for Greg Maddux in his immortal prime.

With that being said, Jimmy Key did cost the Yankees $5 mil a year compared to the $6 mil Maddux got. So, it wasn’t like the Yankees saved themselves a whole lot of money. But in the current baseball economics it is somewhat comparable to getting Glavine for $10 mil as opposed to some so called ace for $15 to $18 mil for not much better or perhaps worse results.

I think Chipper in that article makes the best point. Signing Glavine is not just signing Glavine for the betterment of your team. It would also be to the detriment of the Mets.

But, then again, didn’t the Yankees do that with Key in 93? They took him away from the Blue Jays and still ended up 7 games behind the World Champion Blue Jays who repeated that year.

But, then again, the Yankees other 4 starters of Jim Abbott, Melido Perez, Bob Wickman, and Scott Kamienicki were not exactly on the level of Smoltz, Hudson, James, and Hampton.

By Shaun

September 25, 2007 9:58 AM | Link to this

Jeff R, yes, acquiring pitching would have been ideal but the Braves had to trade Salty at that point because a)he had nothing left to prove in the minors, b)he was too good to be a part-timer and c)he would have lost a lot of value both offensively and defensively as a first baseman. And they had to trade him—a top prospect at a premium position—for an impact player. Tex was reportedly the biggest impact guy out there.

Also, I disagree that it is inevitably a huge loss for the Braves if Tex leaves after ‘08. They got him for what very well could be his career year (and a couple of months). They’ll be able to let him go right before he gets expensive and they can use that money to improve the team or keep other stars around longer. Plus they’ll get draft picks, which isn’t insignificant these days.

By Yars

September 25, 2007 10:06 AM | Link to this

Some of these posts remind me of spring training when so many were saying that Prado should be the everyday 2B. Here we go again! If the Braves saw Prado as their future 2B, he would have been named the 2B over Kelly Johnson in the spring. They just don’t see Prado as an everyday player. I think Prado could develop into a solid super utility player that will get his fair share of starts either at 2B, SS, or 3B, or the Braves could include him in a trade package over the winter. I kinda hope that KJ isn’t traded. Some of us forget that this was his first full season in the show. He missed all of last season. He learned a new position, & overall, has put up some very impressive numbers. Renteria probably has more trade value than KJ, & could fetch the Braves a solid starting pitcher. I see KJ developing into a .300/20/85 type player. Sure, his defense has been shaky at times this season, but I’m sure he & Hubbard will work on some things over the winter.

By Braveheart

September 25, 2007 10:08 AM | Link to this

And the final kicker to that Key/Maddux thing was that Key was the winning pitcher and Maddux the losing pitcher in that decisive Game 6 of the 1996 World Series that ended up with Wade Boggs on a horse and a ticker tape parade down Broadway.

By Supes

September 25, 2007 10:10 AM | Link to this

I think the NY Mets did everything possible last night to lose to the Nats…and today they will do one more…they are going to bend over!

Braves have shown a lot of guts and determination to play hard and not lay down like the NY Mets have lately. You see the Braves playing hard and that is an encouraging sign for next year, even better…the starting rotation ERA the last week has been outstanding. Now let’s go and win some games in Philly!

If the Braves lose to Philly this week, the hope is that Mets continue to bend over for the Nats and lose out to the Phils in the NL East by 1 game at the end of the season…It will truly be a glorious day here at the Braves blog…searching for NY Mets fans to “cheer up”.

By Shaun

September 25, 2007 10:14 AM | Link to this

Braveheart, the Braves also have a stellar offense like the ‘93-94 Yankees, which explains why Key had a good record even though there is no way anyone would say he was better than Maddux.

By N8

September 25, 2007 10:17 AM | Link to this

OFF TOPIC:

Does anybody else out there think those Coors Light commercials with the NFL coaches press conferences are hilarious?

Saw the Denny Green “They are, who we THOUGHT they were!” one Sunday for the first time, and about spit my pop all over my monitor (was at work with a TV right next to me).

Anyhow, on to Braves talk.

Hmmmm. DOB, you meantioned how much the Braves must be kicking themselves for struggling against the Mets in the head to head, and what not, with their recent run of success.

Not to be smartazzy, but I think the fact that they had nothing to lose, allowed them to losen up and play to their capabilities. EVERYBODY seemed to be pressing before that. Probably just the expected results of a relatively young baseball team (since the veterans seemed to be playing well).

Oh well. Anyhow, I’m ALL FOR signing Glavine to a one year deal next year (even with an option for 2009). Let him finish his career where it started. Not to mention, it WOULD make the Braves better. Period. If we had a young stud coming through the system that could do what Dontrelle did his rookie year, I’d say save the money, but we apparently don’t. Sign the man, and not only make us better, but taking him away from the Mets helps as well. Only difference is the Mets can probably “afford” to hire another gun (via Free Agency or a “whopper” offseason trade), to make up the difference.

Glavine may be “old hat” to us, but that doesn’t make it the wrong move. Last year I was ALL FOR signing Glavine at the expense of trading Tim Hudson. Now the thought of possibly having BOTH of them (with the way Huddy pitched this year…btw: I WAS WRONG ABOUT HIM, and said I would admit it, so I am), is pretty exciting. Maybe not Maddux, Glavine and Smoltz in their prime. But surely better than Redman, Cormier and Bozo the clown, don’t you think?

So what do you guys think? Dodgers sweep the Rockies, Giants sweep the Padres, and we sweep the Phillies and go into the last weekend only a half game out of the wildcard?

Highly unlikely you say? Probably. But who the hell knows. After seeing Milton Bradley tear his ACL arguing with an ump, ANYTHING can happen.

What probably will happen, is the Padres getting swept, the Rockies getting swept, and us losing 2 of 3 against the Phillies….just a little more salt in the wounds, huh? LOL!

L8r.

By Rod

September 25, 2007 10:24 AM | Link to this

O’Brien, Your a worthless writer. You have to be the worst columnist at the AJC. Hunker down Braves and sweep the Phillys! Chipper and Cox do you believe this thug O”Brien thinks he knows better than you guys weather we need to sign Andrew Jones next year? This O’Brien guy is just plain DUMB!

By Paladin

September 25, 2007 10:36 AM | Link to this

Rod “Weather” for w-h-e-t-h-e-r and “Andrew” for A-n-d-r-u-w and DOB is “dumb”? I guess that makes you dumber, huh?

By Efrim

September 25, 2007 10:38 AM | Link to this

Shaun

Also, I disagree that it is inevitably a huge loss for the Braves if Tex leaves after ‘08. They got him for what very well could be his career year (and a couple of months). They’ll be able to let him go right before he gets expensive and they can use that money to improve the team or keep other stars around longer. Plus they’ll get draft picks, which isn’t insignificant these days.

I couldn’t disagree more. Losing Tex would be a huge dissapointment. Chipper is going to get old and not produce at some point. It is going to happen. Frenchy and McCann aren’t ready to carry a team yet and I am not sure they will be in 2009. I’m not sure if I want to trade another boatload of prospects for a power hitter after the 2008 season. We’ll need those prospects in trades for pitching.

By Mike in Nashville

September 25, 2007 10:38 AM | Link to this

I hate being so close to the playoffs, but so far away.

Win all 6 games, and they have a great chance to at least force an extra game (or more). The Padres will lose 3 more games, and the Rockies will lose two more.

To win 6 on the road against two teams that would love to knock the Braves out of the playoff race would be a miracle. But one of the great things about sports is that miracles do happen.

Go Braves!

By KC

September 25, 2007 10:42 AM | Link to this

Jeff R:

I think Glavine’s got at least one more quality season left in him. I DON’T think any Glavine discussions will slow JS’s pursuit of a younger quality starter that can help us beyond next year.

A lot of people thought after we got Soriano that JS wouldn’t continue to pursue Mike Gonzalez, but he did.

It wouldn’t shock me to see a Glavine sign AND a trade for another quality starter. Well… I guess it would shock me, but only because I would be surprised to see such a pitcher traded. Teams aren’t giving up starting pitching right now. But I wouldn’t be shocked to see JS get in on such a deal if there’s one to be made, even if he has already inked Glavine at that point.

That would create an overstock situation which would probably have James starting the year as the long-reliever. But hey… that would be a great problem to have!

By knowitall

September 25, 2007 10:46 AM | Link to this

Rod,

?????????????. Criticizing DOB is like going to someone ele’s house everyday and then saying “Boy, I sure do hate being here”.

By Buffalo NY Braves fan

September 25, 2007 10:59 AM | Link to this

Just a couple of thoughts this morning…….

Signing Glavine is good and bad at the same time.

It is good because he will help the young lefties in James and Jo-Jo learn to pitch. James has been compared to Glavine a lot by scouts and others “in the know.” It is also good because he will help shore up the rotation.

It is bad because he will only be here for 1 year, same with Hampton, and possibly Smoltz.

I think the decision to sign or trade for a SP is going to depend on how Hampton does in winter ball. He will have 4-5 starts by the time the winter meetings start, and hopefully JS will know whether or not Hampton will be an effective starter for the upcoming season.

One other thought on the Andruw and Tex situations. Tex is up for arbitration after this season, so he will probably get a raise to begin with. The Braves don’t have to re-sign him until after 2008. I know that Boras will be asking for a ton of money, but isn’t he already asking for that?

In any event, with Hampton leaving after 2008, Edgar leaving as well (provided he is not traded this season)….. they could use the 19-20 mil created by those 2 leaving to re-sign tex to his long term deal.

Now onto Andruw. He is already making 13.5 mil this season, by offering a 15 mil long term contract to him, he is only getting a 1.5 mil raise. They are using a small amount of money (relative to this season) that Liberty may be willing to pony up.

In that scenario, the Braves have Tex, Chipper, and AJ for a few more years. Should Chipper decide it is to painful to play anymore, the Braves still have a strong middle of the order presence.

Just my thoughts on the long-term. It seems like everyone here is just thinking about 2008 and not beyond.

By Novice Ned

September 25, 2007 11:00 AM | Link to this

Personally, I’d rather have Paul Byrd than Glavine. While I recognize that getting Glavine hurts the Mets, I haven’t seen where the Mets have the same salary constraints as the Braves. Take Glavine away from the Mets and they may go after a pitcher who will help their team beyond 1 swan-song year for their manager. What a concept, building beyond a year at a time. Anyway, Byrd is a little younger and I hate the idea that we are throwing all our eggs into Cox’s last year. Potentially only giving James the chance to improve his skills in the bigs next season is short-sighted. If you’re going to do that, then you need a vet who more than likely can pitch effectively in ‘09. That sounds more like Byrd than Glavine (and they probably would cost the same per year).

In a perfect world, we’d find money to get Carlos Silva in here and know that we have an innings eater for the next 3-4 years. We’d know that Smoltz, Hudson, Silva and James are the likely starters for the next 2 seasons. We’d know that Bobby’s replacement has something to work with and only needs to find a fifth starter from the farm (Cormier, Reyes or Lerew).

Reclamation idea? Matt Clement.

By Braveheart

September 25, 2007 11:01 AM | Link to this

dadgum, I like Martin Prado as much as anyone. I really like him and wish he had been here with Escobar this entire year instead of Orr and Woodward BUT ….. get real.

Prado is nothing compared to Kelly Johnson. In the minors, Prado is .300, .352, .393. Prado rarely walks, has no power, and does not steal bases.

KJ was .283, .364, .464 in the minors. KJ is .277, .377, .464 in the majors this year.

You put Prado in there, you are looking at a significant dropoff in production. Prado’s glove, which is good but not spectacular, is not gonna make the difference lost by taking KJ out of this lineup.

You also have to look at the impact KJ has on the lineup. Look at how much better the team seemed when he was hitting leadoff early in the season. Then look at how much of an impact he had on Frenchy and McCann when he was dropped down the order to hit behind and protect Frenchy and McCann.

When KJ was dropped from the top of the order on June 25 to hit behind Francoeur, Frenchy was hitting .273, .319, .413.

By August 1st, with KJ hitting behind Frenchy, Frenchy was hitting .303, .347, .451.

On August 1st, KJ was moved back up to the top of the lineup when Edgar was hurt.

Since that time, Frenchy’s batting has slightly decreased back down to .290, .335, .432.

Also, look at Brian McCann. On June 25, McCann was at .250, .303, .395.

But KJ was dropped behind BMAC that day. By August 1st, McCann was hitting .262, .312, .454.

KJ was put back up atop the batting order on August 1st. McCann’s stats have slightly increased the same way Frenchy’s have slightly decreased since then. McCann right now is at .273, .324, .460. Neither Frenchy nor McCann has continued the dramatic improvement in performance they were showing with KJ hitting behind them and protecting them.

It may be a coincidence but I don’t think so. McCann and Frenchy both dramatically improved when KJ was hitting behind them. They were not as good when being protected by Thorman, Wilson, Langerhans earlier in the season. They stopped dramatically improving when they were being protected by Andruw instead of KJ after August 1st.

By Shaun

September 25, 2007 11:01 AM | Link to this

Efrim, French and McCann will be 25—very close to when players typically peak—and they’ve already showed signs of stardom. Escobar will likely be the shortstop. There’s no telling how many young players will be in the lineup by then. Of course the Braves can’t just rest on their laurels and do nothing—I agree with you there—but letting Teixeira walk hardly means the Braves will drop off the table.

Teixeira is going to start getting too expensive for his production probably about as soon as he signs his new contract. He’ll be a great player for another several years and a good one for many more, but his salary will not match his production by at least the third year of his new contract.

By Braveheart

September 25, 2007 11:06 AM | Link to this

When I look at how good Glavine made Damian Moss that one year, I can only imagine the impact Glavine could have on Chuck James and JoJo Reyes. Do you remember that year? Did you ever see a camera shot of the dugout when Moss was pitching where Glavine was not sitting beside Moss, teaching, preaching, and shooting the you know what with Damian. At least it seemed that way watching on television. Moss was never good again without Glavine. If having Glavine around makes Chuck & JoJo that much better in addition to the pitching performance of Glavine himself, it can only be a very good thing for the Braves.

By Salty

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

Paladin Yeah, whodda thunk it!?! I was livin’ on the edge!

By Renegator

September 25, 2007 11:12 AM | Link to this

*dunwoody in denver *

I graduated from North Springs in the class of ‘96. Small world.

By Lee in S. GA

September 25, 2007 11:12 AM | Link to this

Glavine’s decision and future with the Mets may be determined if / and how far they go into the playoffs. If they do not make the W.S. (I don’t think they will) I feel like he will want to leave N.Y. and come back to the Braves to finish his career. He is getting older and will be closer to home.

This is also one reason I feel the Braves will sign either Corey Patterson or Mike Cameron also for CF. There may be enough money in the bank for Braves ownership to pull these 2 deals off.

By journalist jimmy smith

September 25, 2007 11:13 AM | Link to this

journalist knows what has been wrong all along. we have not talked toes. yes, that’s right, team toe health has been pretty good this year and there has been very little toe talk on the braves/man.in.black/toes/pie/music/bbq blog. This lack of toe talk kept the braves in a season long funk and now, journalist bob has hurt two toes - we are again talking toes - and the braves have won 7 of 8. indeed, toes are not to be trifled with.

toe soak has long been a remedy of choice for the privileged. go back to colonial times and recall that ben franklin was a known toe soaker. it was good of carolina lady to remind us all (in sage advice to dob) to go soak our toes.

now, jimmy smith is not gone from the blog. call it hit and run. journalist will post on occassion just not as much as before. like letting escobar play - wouldn’t want that bat in the lineup everyday when woodward (stinky) is available.

By Paladin

September 25, 2007 11:21 AM | Link to this

I “hurt” as much as anybody when Tommy G. “took the money” and ran. But, I have had to ask myself, honestly, what would I have done? I’d be wearing a Mut emblem on my hat.

Now, if we can get him back, I say do it! I agree with Braveheart that his effect on the young left handers will be worth—alone—what they will have to pay him. And the “innings” he gives us—and there will be some—will be gravy. Come “home” Tommy, we’ve missed ya.

By will

September 25, 2007 11:22 AM | Link to this

Sweep the Phills and I guarantee we are only 1 game behind in the wild card with 3 games left. The Pads wheels are falling off and Colorado can be beaten anytime. I still think the Braves have enough to slip into a 1-game playoff for the wild card. But we have to sweep starting tonight.

By Paladin

September 25, 2007 11:28 AM | Link to this

Salty Us partakers of the finer things of life know what “knob” you were talking about. Bottoms up!

By fastasballs

September 25, 2007 11:28 AM | Link to this

If we had Glavine this season we make the playoffs & the Muts are floundering in 3rd place. Other than one rought patch in the middle of the season Glavine has been a very good pitcher this year.

I think by 2009 one or two of the Braves flame throwers from low A may be ready for a shot up here, but no one is ready for 2008 so Glavine is the logical choice. Also it hurts the Muts as much as it helps the Braves, maybe more so. Omar will be forced to make a move & either overpay for a mediocre starter or trade off their few remaining prospects.

By Efrim

September 25, 2007 11:31 AM | Link to this

Shaun

AROD’s salary won’t match his production, but the Yankees need to resign him. Thats baseball. How would it make you feel if Tex signed with the Mets? Delgado is gone after next year, how is Reyes Castillo Wright Texiera and Beltran for a 1-5?

The Braves need to resign him. McCann and Frenchy have showed me good things, but they still haven’t shown me enough to think they can carry this team in 2009. I doubt Brandon Jones will be able to either. Cody Johnson and Jason Heyward won’t be ready by then and Jordan Schafer might not be either.

And you do understand that we will need pitching as well at that point. Sooner or later the Braves have to overpay for a player. I’d rather do it for Tex than a pitcher who might blow out his arm. As much as I would love to have Jake Peavy or Erik Bedard, both of whom are free agents after 2009, can you imagine what they will get on the open market? How’s 10 years and 200 million?

By ncscoots

September 25, 2007 11:40 AM | Link to this

Ned makes a point, though I bet it’s unintentional, LOL. When Carlos Silva is the cream of the FA crop, well, jeepers. Though I happen to agree he would be an OK addition, he’s complementary, not marquee. And paying him the pitching money laid out last year (and I imagine he’ll command something similar) would just be compounding the felony.

By Braveheart

September 25, 2007 11:41 AM | Link to this

Smoltz and DOB know much more about it than me and they can call me crazy but I think that even if Glavine won the World Series this year, I don’t think he would walk away. Why?

1. Glavine loves to pitch and play baseball. Don’t think he would walk away if he knew he had a few more wins and good innings in that left arm.

2. Glavine makes a home here with his family. If you’re gonna be living here anyway doing nothing, why not head out to the ballpark every five days, toe the rubber, and collect $300,000 every time you take the mound.

3. Glavine wants to finish this thing right. He probably wants closure with Braves fans. He might be coldblooded and greedy but I don’t think he likes the boos or to be talked about the way he is talked about by too many Braves fans. I have a feeling he wants closure so that he can walk into the HOF proudly donning a Braves cap. He could wear it proudly anyway for all he did in Atlanta. BUT I think he would probably feel a whole lot better about it if the last thing he remembered was sentimental and glorious cheers from us instead of nasty boos.

4. Glavine loves money. Why walk away and leave $10 million on the table? Also, how is he gonna make more money after he is retired? Endorsements, speeches, perhaps broadcasting. Where is his best opportunity to do that? Here in Atlanta. So, wouldn’t it be smarter to say turn down the Mets at $13 mil and accept $10 mil from the Braves, knowing you could probably make that back during your retirement in a way you could never make that money if you retired as a stinking Met much to the dismay of Braves fans. His ability to make money in retirement should be much more if he ends his career as a Brave than as a Met.

Further, if he did win the World Series with the Mets this year, why would he come back to them? Being a member of a World Series team in New York will make him golden on the speeches, public appearances, and autograph circuit for the next 50 years up in NYC. Going back or leaving will not change that. Being a member of a World Series winning team will secure that. Going back to Atlanta makes more sense because he can maximize the money he can make in retirement here while knowing he has maximized his income potential in retirement on the NYC circuit by being a member of a World Series winning team.

By Paladin

September 25, 2007 11:52 AM | Link to this

Braveheart All of your post makes good, no excellent, sense except even imagining the Muts winning the World Series this year! Get real!!

By ncscoots

September 25, 2007 11:53 AM | Link to this

Efrim’s right about one thing: the cost of pitching near the end of the decade. Johan’s likely to get at least 6/120, if not more. I doubt the Braves could sign the top FA pitcher and the top FA position player in the same year. Not anymore.

But there’s no way to tell which might be more important at that point in time. Braves have a slew of young pitching prospects, sure, but call me after they’ve experienced AA; also, some fine position prospects, including Kaaihue at 1B, but too far out to project.

By Shaun

September 25, 2007 11:56 AM | Link to this

Efrim, good point. Value is different for different teams. But I would say the Braves are better off letting Tex walk than pay him what he and Boras will want, unless the payroll situation is extremely different.

If the Mets don’t sign Tex, it will be someone else. The Braves have to deal with the fact they can’t outspend the Mets and be creative—like Minnesota, Oakland and other low-payroll teams that contend, maybe not to that degree but think somewhat similarly.

Braves are better off signing/keeping several good players rather than blowing their wad on one Mark Teixeira when his contract is up. Glad you brought up ARod, he’s a good example. Seattle put together some great teams after they let him walk.

By Efrim

September 25, 2007 12:08 PM | Link to this

Shaun and NCScoots

Well, I’ll tell you one thing. The Braves young pitchers in the minors haven’t faced any real tests yet. Hanson didn’t perform well in the Carolina League and Rohrbough, Evarts and Locke haven’t faced that test yet. Not sure if we will have pitching options for 2009. I mean, who could you pencil in at this point for a 2009 rotation? Tim Hudson, Chuck James, maybe Smoltz? Jo Jo Reyes, I suppose. Braves will defnetly have pitching issues to address this offseason and next offseason. Glavine is a good one year fix, but after that we lose him and Hampton. And again, no guarentee on Smoltz.

I say we trade prospects for younger pitching and resign Teixeira.

By journalist jimmy smith

September 25, 2007 12:13 PM | Link to this

yes, braveheart, that is it. toe talk

Glavine makes a home here with his family. If you’re gonna be living here anyway doing nothing, why not head out to the ballpark every five days, toe the rubber, and collect $300,000 every time you take the mound.

By Jeff R

September 25, 2007 12:18 PM | Link to this

I hope KC is right, in that if management ponies up the money to sign Glavine, there’s also an effort to find a younger, talented arm to add to the line up. A rotation with two 40-year-olds (one, Smoltz, who, lest we forget, has a rebuilt arm)and one other pitcher (Hampton - rebuilt arm) coming off two years without throwing competitively. It’s one of those scenarios that if the trio of Smoltz, Glavine and Hampton stay healthy, and if their skills haven’t declined, could make the Braves very competitive. But if any one or a combination of the three went down, so much for a run at post-season.

Look, the team has been getting younger -and better- at the positions. Management needs to find a way to bring a couple good younger arms onto the roster.

By Jim

September 25, 2007 12:18 PM | Link to this

I may have missed it somewhere on this long blog, but what is the situation if the Braves, Phillies, Padres, and Rockies all end up with identical records at the end of the year. Are there playoffs, or do the records against these opponents come into play. I remember hearing during the telecasts this season, the announcers saying that games against the Padres and Dodgers were important for determining the wild card in case of a tie. How are they used? Does the fact that the Braves will have a winning record against all of these teams come into play should they end up tied with any or all of them? It is still mathematically possible, though highly unlikely that the Mets could end up as a fifth team in this deadlock. How would that situation be played out? (In head-to-head it would be Phillies > Mets, Braves > Phillies, Braves == Mets for the Division).

I only hope that this question is still relevant tomorrow! Go Chuckie, and I hope the Braves have a better approach to Moyer than they had against Capuono on Sunday.

By David O'Brien

September 25, 2007 12:23 PM | Link to this

Braveheart, I don’t think we’ll have to worry about Glavine winning the World Series this year. Not with the state of that Mets pitching staff….

Just got to my Philly hotel room, reading NY Daily News, with headline over two pages: “Mets’ National Nightmare is On” (obviously a play on their struggles over the weekend in Washington, for those who might not have been following it).

Meanwhile, I’ve never been to Philly when there’s been so much optimistic talk about the Phillies, nor have I ever been to Philly in late September and seen more written about the Phillies in the paper than about the Eagles.

Headline on story on 1A, top of the front page of the Philly Inquirer (not the sports page, the front page): “Catching a late case of Phils fever” with subhead “With the team still in the running, TV ratings and attendance are up”

By the way, it’s picture-perfect day here, in the upper 70s, low, low humidty, breezy, not a cloud in the sky.

By Efrim

September 25, 2007 12:25 PM | Link to this

Jim

If we sweep the Phillies, we have the tiebreak over every team.

By David O'Brien

September 25, 2007 12:26 PM | Link to this

Paladin, you got most of the corrections in that brilliant paragraph from our friend Rod. Just one other: Big Rod, I’m not a columnist. Reporter, beat writer, blogger, but not a columnist.

Thanks for your input.

Peace out,

(signed) The Thug, Notorious DOB.

By Lee in S. GA

September 25, 2007 12:27 PM | Link to this

Efrim you do have a point about the age and durability of Smoltz, Hampton and Glavine (if we sign him). After next year the Braves will be hurting for starting pitching. I cannot see Reyes or James ever becoming a 1 and 2 type starter. If the Braves sign Glavine they will be going for it all next season and beyond that is anybody’s guess.

No matter how McCann, Frenchy and Escobar perform in their mid 20’s, the pitching has to be there for the future also.

By Braveheart

September 25, 2007 12:27 PM | Link to this

yes, jimmy, the talk on the blog has become somewhat flabby. we need to toe-ne it up!

By Shaun

September 25, 2007 12:29 PM | Link to this

Efrim, if any of those pitchers succeed in the majors, it will be a success story; that’s young pitching. And trading prospects for younger pitching just gives the Braves more of a wildly unpredictable commodity. But at the same time, I’m all for trading prospects that are expendable and taking a chance on some pitching. Only thing is which teams are going to give up any decent pitching prospects? Probably not too many.

Signing Teixeira would eat up a lot of payroll on one player, which is not good for a mid-level payroll team like the Braves.

By Reason

September 25, 2007 12:29 PM | Link to this

jjs: You want toe talk? Here … the only toes that matter when it comes to Glavine and the Braves are the toes of Stan Kasten. The most vociferous owner-side guy, not a few bucks, made the difference when Tommy G., the most adamant as over player-side guy, packed it. And now that Stan the OwnerMan has left TG’s hometown, it is safe to ride that big, white horse right back down Peachtree … Tommy Toes and all.

jjs: How’d I do?

By True Braves Fan

September 25, 2007 12:29 PM | Link to this

See where the Phillies picked up T.J. Bohn off waivers from Atlanta. Guess the Braves gave up on him. He did not have a very good year in Richmond this year.

By David O'Brien

September 25, 2007 12:32 PM | Link to this

22oz, I had the exact same reaction when I read that Renteria quote about hitting .220. I was in the airplane this morning, groggy, and that woke me up. I couldn’t help but smile….

Dadgum, if you’ve really never heard of Kings of Leon, you’re in a for a treat when you see them. Excellent band, and really good live show. Saw them with Secret Machines at The Fillmore in San Francisco two years ago, great show. Great band.

You’ll want to go out and get the albums… er, CDs, after seeing them. They’ve got three.

By True Braves Fan

September 25, 2007 12:33 PM | Link to this

Glad Philly is starting a lefty (Moyer) tonight. Hope that follows the form and Escobar and Diaz are in the starting lineup.

By journalist shrimp crabbit

September 25, 2007 12:34 PM | Link to this

journalist jimmy smith taking jabs at stinky again!,,,,then will go crying for sympathy again when stinky puts jimmy in jimmy’s place,,,,

By Old Lefty

September 25, 2007 12:38 PM | Link to this

DOB: You make me pine for that first cheesesteak off the ride in from the airport up Broad St., followed swiftly by the ONLY acceptable dessert - - cup o’ joe and a Hershey Bar. Philly … great place to visit.

Especially when you are there with a Bravo Broom to take care of some Filly business.

Get it started right, CHUCKIE MONSTER!!!

By Jim

September 25, 2007 12:41 PM | Link to this

Effrim, Does that mean there would be no playoff and the Braves would be in? I understand if teams A and B end tied for the division and with C for the wild-card, that A and B have a one game playoff with the winner and C going to the post-season. I don’t know how it works if the is a tie for the wild card, but a few years ago the Mets and Reds had a 1-game playoff for the wild card.

By NO BALLS Rod

September 25, 2007 12:43 PM | Link to this

Rod is a beloved regular here on this blog that does not have the nadickular testitude to say the things that he just said using his regular blog name——get it?

Notorious DOB——-Damn that is funny!

By George

September 25, 2007 12:45 PM | Link to this

I believe the same, so called fans, who booed Andrew are the same whiners who complained over and over about winning division titles and not world series. Would they settle for a division title now? you bet. Will they be crying when Andrew is gone and shaving .50 off another teams pitching staff era with his defense. You bet.

By True Braves Fan

September 25, 2007 12:45 PM | Link to this

Bloggers, Let’s hold onto Renteria as long as possible. An infield of Chipper, Renteria, Escobar and Tex would be all .300 hitters. Possible move Escobar to SS in 2009 when Lillibridge is ready to play 2B. Also, I am concerned about tying up a lot of payroll on AJ and Tex. If it comes down to one, I just hope it is Tex. Big question is 2007 the REAL AJ? or just a blip in his career? We could afford a good field, no hit CF (AJ) at about 8mill, but can’t see that happening if AJ keeps Boras in the picture. After what happened with Maddux, JS will not be prone to take any verbals from Boras.

By TennesseePaul

September 25, 2007 12:52 PM | Link to this

Braves have to deal with the fact they can’t outspend the Mets and be creative—like Minnesota, Oakland and other low-payroll teams that contend

Wow. Quite the tight spot. The Braves can’t spend AND they can’t be creative. Sucks to work for the Braves I guess.
I don’t buy this line of thought though… the Braves can’t outspend the Mets? I’m not sure it should be the goal of any team to outspend another. The goal should be more or less to maximize the spending you do make. I can’t see how signing Teixeira long term would be a deterant to this line of thought either. The guy is good and he will be good for some time. He’d answer a lot of the potential questions surrounding future pop in the lineup and stability at first. The next closes minor leaguer we have is KK and so far he just K’s. He’s quite a ways from the majors.
And on top of that, the Braves consistantly spent as much as the Mets for many years. It was only recently that Time Warner put the clamp on, and now that clamp has been removed.
Although, I did see an article in the Bristol Loaffer. Said someting like Steep cuts in the Braves payroll are coming and then listed some high priced Braves players…
Seriously though, I think this offseason will provide a better picture of what the payroll is capable. I think several things will happen. I think AJ will be resigned. I think a stop gap pitcher will be signed. And I think a trade will be made to shore up the future of this pitching staff. And additional contracts or extensions to younger players such as Francoeur.
I’m not sure money is an “issue” so to speak. So I don’t think this team has to all of the sudden make trades for players like Langerhans, or dump players of Louis Castillo’s caliber in the middle of a play off race. Or take a chance on head cases like Meltdown Bradley. The creativity I foresee comes via trade, and by that I mean creatively pulling off a trade for a high caliber player… a-la Renteria, Teixeira, McGriff, Hudson, etc. All of those deals pulled in a major name, not an off-brand common card player with a high ranking undervalued 1-deminsional stat.

By Braveheart

September 25, 2007 12:58 PM | Link to this

Well, I would say the dumbest thing is to attack DOB when he is the only one who can see your IP address, your email address, your account information, your location, your web browser, the size of your computer screen, and so on. If you are the kind of idiot who is gonna attack him, why even bother changing your name? It seems awfully dumb to hide and call someone dumb, not realizing that he can see right through your disguise. WAKE UP!

Speaking of The Notorious DOB, someone emailed me a link for The Notorious MSG last week. It’s hilarious, check it out:

THE NOTORIOUS MSG

Here’s a taste of their “flava”:

Blasting out of the streets of Chinatown, THE NOTORIOUS MSG have arrived with a vengeance. Serving up deep-fried beats straight from the Chinese ghetto, they will not stop until they achieve complete world domination. This is the story of three renegade restaurant workers from the hardened streets of Chinatown, New York City. Pursuing their dreams of rap superstardom, Hong Kong Fever, Down-Lo Mein and The Hunan Bomb fled the harsh ghettos of Asia only to face more hardships as second-class citizens in America. They struggled to earn a living, toiling in the kitchens and risking their lives as Chinese restaurant delivery boys. Facing robberies and beatings on a daily basis, their fight for survival came to a head when an unknown assailant killed one of their original band members, Funky Buddha. This was the last straw; it was time to fight back.

By Shaun

September 25, 2007 1:01 PM | Link to this

George, will the Braves sign a center fielder for probably half of Andruw’s price and get at least 2/3 of the production? You bet.

By N8

September 25, 2007 1:11 PM | Link to this

While I agree with the blogger who said being around Glavine helped Damian Moss that year, and no doubt would Glavine have a positive impact on Jo Jo and Chuck, but I also would be a little concerned having 3 lefties all with the same style in one rotation.

Of course, Neagle and Glavine “co-exsisted” with success. But having 3 similar pitchers probably makes one of them suffer a little, especially if the all pitched in the same series.

Just a thought.

Then again. Good pitching is good pitching.

By william

September 25, 2007 1:20 PM | Link to this

Just read on Yahoo that Chipper strained his oblique in BP on Monday. Bobby Cox is quoted as saying “it’s worse than day-to-day.” Any truth to this, DOB?

By Braves20

September 25, 2007 1:21 PM | Link to this

A rotation that features Smoltz, Glavine and Hampton poses far too many question marks.

Better for JS to get on the phone to Detroit, Pittsburgh and perhaps SF in the off season to pry away one of their young arms. Regrettably, Edgar will have to be the bait.

By Shaun

September 25, 2007 1:22 PM | Link to this

TennesseePaul, you left off the “maybe not to that degree [of Oakland and Minnesota] but think somewhat similarly.”

Boras represents Tex. Tex will likely be the next $120 million player. So unless the payroll situation changes pretty significantly, I think it’s a bad idea to devote that much payroll to one player.

By AZBravoFan

September 25, 2007 1:35 PM | Link to this

No Cole Hammels this series. That’s got to be good for something. In a way these last couple weeks are kind of fun. No expectations. Treating each day like a one-game playoff and rooting like crazy against the Mets, Phils, Pads, and Rocks. I’d be happy just to get to the final weekend and still have a mathematical chance. What would really be fun is a huge pileup at the end and a mess of 1 game playoffs.

By jbutler

September 25, 2007 1:39 PM | Link to this

DOB…I would talk about the Phillies too if it would keep talk off those eye-busting uniforms the Eagles wore on Sunday. AGH!!!!

By Braveheart

September 25, 2007 1:43 PM | Link to this

Paladin, my points about Glavine may have made sense but the problem is that Glavine does not care about making sense, only making cents.

That was my cheap shot of the day. Like Constanza, I’m leaving now.

By jbutler

September 25, 2007 1:44 PM | Link to this

Braveheart….all great points. My question is…what has changed in the minds of Braves management from last year to this year? He waited till the very end to sign w/the Mets to see if the Braves would make good. Nothing. No contact. What’s different? JS having to see for himself the pitiful selection available? Just curious….

By David O'Brien

September 25, 2007 1:49 PM | Link to this

William, go with that one. Sounds good.

By ppaddy123

September 25, 2007 1:50 PM | Link to this

Lee in S. GA., concerning your 11:12 AM post, I don’t think the Braves need to go after Cameron or Corey Patterson. Cameron is hitting .246 with a .333 OBP. Patterson is hitting .269 with a .304 OBP. Compare that with Andruw’s .221 average and .314 OBP and it’s really not an improvement. (Oh and by the way, I’ve seen Vernon Wells name mentioned lately because of his huge contract. The dude’s hitting just .245 with a .304 OBP)

The Braves will have plenty of CF options during the off season. With the line up we will have next year, we won’t need a “masher” to replace Andruw (if we replace him). There are plenty of good, young CF alternatives the Braves can get. Either by trade (EDGAR) or by signing as free agents.

By Buffalo NY Braves fan

September 25, 2007 1:51 PM | Link to this

jbutler

The difference this year over last year is that under their payroll constraints, the braves would have had to trade Hudson to sign Glavine.

Now the payroll restraint has been lifted and more funds are available to go after Glavine and/or other free agents this off-season.

By Miscalculation

September 25, 2007 1:52 PM | Link to this

From Jeff Schultz

2: Dave O’Brien, our Braves dude and stream-of-consciousness blogmaster, suggests bringing back Tom Glavine would help fix the team’s starting rotation. I’ll take it one step further: the Braves began to seal their ‘07 fate before this season when they had a chance to sign Glavine and didn’t.

Many on the blog were saying this last December while the Braves (JS)fiddled and Atlanta burned. The math said it would have taken about 8 mil to get him to Atl. He had a 3 mil walkaway from the Mets that would have made this deal do-able. Anyone who says that JS and the Braves just couldn’t come up with the money are just making excuses for a miscalculation. 8 million can be juggled around in baseball salaries. Giles left? 3 mil. What did Redman cost? $800,000? What did Wilson cost? 1 mil? What were they paying Reitsma? Thompson? Add salaries up and it just doesn’t add up! What about deferring a couple of mil? Glavine said he wasn’t asked. Heck Glavine said the Braves really never even gave him an offer or suggestion!

DOB mentioned earlier exactly what Rick Sutcliffe said last week when ESPN was doing a Braves game. In effect, Glavine would have given the Braves a reliable double digit winner and would have put this team into the playoffs. He also mentioned, as DOB did, that it would have been about taking away from the Mets as much as adding to the Braves.

So if Glavine goes to the Braves last winter, the Mets go to plan B. GET BARRY ZITO AT ALL COSTS!

That worked out well for the Giants huh? Zito would have been a bigger bust in NY than he was in SF.

I think it really does have something to do with JS not liking Glavine. That’s what Glavine and Billy Wagner both said.

JS needs to get over himself. His job is to build the best team he can. Glavine isn’t a clubhouse cancer. He was a model citizen while he was in Atlanta. If JS doesn’t want a guy because he isn’t the BRAVES type of guy that’s one thing. If JS doesn’t want a guy because he just doesn’t like the guy, that’s a different animal. JS job is to put the best team on the field he can. Cox wanted him back. Smoltz wanted him back. Even the young kids want him in Atl.

Maybe JS will do what he did last winter. He’ll make like an osterich and put his head in a hole and act like Glavine isn’t even there. He acted like that last year when the Glavine thing was going on. Glavine wanted to be here. The players wanted him back. Many in the media wanted him back. And while all this was swirling, JS just acted like it wasn’t even happening. When it didn’t happen it was “aw shucks, we tried but it just didn’t happen.” It sounded so much like the deal when Glavine went to the Mets in the first place. (people not answering the phone, calls left unreturned, etc)

Weak, weaker than weak from JS.

Glavine in ATL this 2007 season= Braves in playoffs.

Ask virtually any team in baseball, “if you can come up with an extra 8 mil, you will be in the playoffs.” Think even the KC Royals or the Devil Rays would even blink an eye? They could find 8 mil so fast it would make your head spin!

By DAP

September 25, 2007 1:58 PM | Link to this

this is going to be an interesting end-of-september for the braves, and an interesting offseason as well. there are so many questions to be answered…

will andruw be back? for the longest time this year, i have loudly said NO! but, after reading his comments that he would accept 5 years at $15 mil per, ive been thinking about it more. seeing what andruw has done in his career, youve got to believe that this season is a blip on the radar. a big enough blip to bring his asking price down considerably, but still just a blip. at least i think so. the desicion to bring andruw back is a tuffy, and to me, it all depend on if we can afford him and still have money for other holes. i think we can.

who will be our middle infielders? weve got 5 guys who can play those spots…renteria, escobar, johnson, prado, lillibridge. we only need two of them, and one as a back up. the others can be used for trade, and honestly, other than depending on lillibridge to play afull time position, i dont think we can go wrong here. i would take any combination of those 5 guys, if it got us what we needed in a trade, the only restictions id put on that is 1)dont trade escobar and 2) use lillibridge as back-up only.

who can we get to pitch? i think the giants would listen to offers for cain or lincecum, but that might be all they do. listen. for those of us looking for young starters for our roation, we might be looking at them already in reyes and james. these guys arent the aces we want, but that might just be too bad. we may have to pursue an ace via free agency or trade in the future. for now we have 2 aces, and we will have to get what we can to fill it out. who knows what will happen in two years, and what tim hudson type trade may take place for the braves.

so many questions…thanks to everyone on the blog for keeping it interesting while discussing all these things. you guys make the game even more fun for me.

By Shaun

September 25, 2007 2:04 PM | Link to this

ppaddy123, Cameron is hitting .254/.341/.449 away from cavernous PETCO Park. He’s probably going to drop off some but he’d be a fine option for under $8-9 million for a year or two.

By Lee in S. GA

September 25, 2007 2:06 PM | Link to this

ppaddy123

I agree that Patterson and Cameron are NOT an improvement over A.J. It is more of a hunch because of the money more than anything. They could sign either one for a couple of years for a lot less money than A.J.

However, I would also prefer they attempt to find another solution to CF via trade for a younger type player. I am not sold on Cameron or Patterson being the answer.

By Paladin

September 25, 2007 2:06 PM | Link to this

jbutler No one would answer me yesterday when I asked if anyone had seen those gawdawful Eagle unis. They looked like low-budget ballet costumes. If they are still wearing them, when they play the Redskins, it will look like a Shriners Parade.

By Braveheart

September 25, 2007 2:06 PM | Link to this

Braveheart….all great points. My question is…what has changed in the minds of Braves management from last year to this year? He waited till the very end to sign w/the Mets to see if the Braves would make good. Nothing. No contact. What’s different? JS having to see for himself the pitiful selection available? Just curious….

jbutler new ownership, more money pledged, we put an extra 3000 fans a game into the seats which gives the Braves at least $6 million more to play with than they had last year, new television and radio deals, they collected insurance money this year for Hampton’s injury, mlb.com is supposed to be quite lucrative - presumably we would use some of that money, frenchy and mccann being sold as the faces of the franchise has presumably caused more merchandising profit since people need to go out and buy their jerseys, presumably alot of people rushed out to get Tex jerseys and so forth as well, plus I just think there has been alot of unused money laying around for 4 years now by the owners - that is not the fault of JS -

they could not sign glavine last year under old ownership until they had rid themselves of marcus giles and tim hudson - that was gonna take a while to get done - it wasn’t a lack of urgency - the braves had to make sure they got max value if they traded hudson - under new ownership it does not seem that we need to rid ourselves of hudson in order to get glavine.

also, you can’t underestimate that attendance has increased by 6000 fans a game since 2004. that’s huge. if i was an owner, i could understand not going gaga about that after 2005 and 2006, not quite sure if the attendance surge was going to sustain itself.

but now after an increase for the third year in a row, if i am the owner i am gonna start believing it and start dreaming of more. An owner should be sitting there thinking if we get Glavine, many more people would attend his starts than would attend the starts of Buddy Carlyle or JoJo Reyes. PLus, the team would probably win more and create more buzz and excitement about the team and have fans flocking to the park more on days he is not pitching. plus, since he is coming back, many fans may get sentimental and go purchase tommy glavine related merchandise - especially if they are smart about how they market it.

After that attendance surge of 6000 fans over the last 3 years, it is time for ownership to start believing in the fan base and start dreaming more about our potential instead of expecting the worst as AOL/TW did.

By TennesseePaul

September 25, 2007 2:07 PM | Link to this

Payne: The Braves commited 17 million a season to Chipper, when they had previous large commitments to Smoltz, AJ and others. Payroll only became a “problem” when the ownership tightened the purse strings. That situation has changed.
The issue with committing money to a player isn’t the flat dollar amount, but the percentage of the payroll that matters. Would Tex consume 10% of the payroll or 75% of the payroll? At what point is the the percent of consumption too much for one player? And keep in mind, no matter what, there will always be 1 player on the team making more than his teammates.

As for how much Teixeira commands, we’ll just have to let that one play out. Prior to this season the guesses were that AJ would command 20+ a year. Now, Bowman has him on record saying this:
“If the Braves came and offered me a five-year deal in that [$75 million] range, I would be happy and I would stay,” Jones said. “I want to stay with one team. That’s my main thing. If they don’t have me in their plan, I understand that. I just have to move on.”
That’s 15 million a year. I have a feeling Teixeira’s refusal of the Texas contract had as much to do with Texas as it did with Bora$$. I could be wrong. But, I get the impression that Tex wasn’t too optimistic about the Rangers, so at the time it was, sign that deal and spend 7 more years there, or turn it down and test the market and weigh the options.

You say Mid Market team… sometimes I get the impression you think Atlanta is at the lower end of the mid-market teams, when they used to be at the upper end of top market teams. According to the 2000 census data the Metro Area population of Atlanta was almost the same as Boston, and greater than San Francisco, ranking 11th in the nation. In the most recent estimates it has moved up to 9th largest in the nation, above Boston and Detroit and ever so slightly behind DC. Atlanta is the fastest growing major metro area in the nation. It’s a major market.
For a hand full of season the ownership treated the Braves as a mid market team. But prior to that it acted as a major market top shelf team. I have a feeling those days are coming back.
Just an FYI, San Francisco’s market includes Oakland. The combined Metro area of Oakland/SF is still smaller than Atlanta, yet they have 2 teams. Atlanta has only 1. And the next closest team is miles upon miles away.

By Overlord

September 25, 2007 2:09 PM | Link to this

dunwoody in denver i dont think the DBacks are resting over the weekend when they play the rockies,

1. You dont want to let the rockies in, a division rival.

2. you dont want to end season on a low note, you want to end the season and move into the playoffs with a positive note.

DBacks will do the best they can even if division is won by then.

By Overlord

September 25, 2007 2:15 PM | Link to this

What about getting THE TRAIN. Braves could use some of his fire. Plus that kid has a great arm. Something happened this year, but it is more than obvious he is gonna have more great season before he turns 35. Go for WILLIS. His price must have gone down a bit because of this year performance, just like AJ. Get the kid, we wont regret that.

Getting ZITO here is also a good idea, specially having Hudson here already.

By Miscalculation

September 25, 2007 2:17 PM | Link to this

Just found another mil. Wilson was signed for 2 mil, not 1 mil.

By TennesseePaul

September 25, 2007 2:19 PM | Link to this

I don’t see Cameron coming to the Braves. Not unless this team manages to resign Tex, trade for Johan and extend his contract as well.

By ncscoots

September 25, 2007 2:25 PM | Link to this

Hey, Efrim, I think I was AGREEING with ya, man, LOL, re signing Tex and what-not. You must have missed some posts :-)

By Overlord

September 25, 2007 2:27 PM | Link to this

Let willie play CF next year, he is fast, good glove, we dont need power, but speed, which as i said he has, low cost, he knows the team, team knows him. He will only do better. He is an upgrade to AJs bat (i mean over this year performance). We let him bat 8th. Use the money for pitching, not for a CF, we already have one. Enough bats in the house to waste money, time and energy in getting one.

By Buffalo NY Braves fan

September 25, 2007 2:28 PM | Link to this

One pitcher no one has mentioned yet from the soon to be FA market is Bartolo Colon. Anyone have opinions on him?

By TennesseePaul

September 25, 2007 2:28 PM | Link to this

Braveheart: You covered that Glavine thing fairly well. Add in Glavine gave the Braves about 4 days to work out a deal with him, and the whole picture is painted. Poor ownership, pending sale of the team, and a very small window of opportunity. It’s pretty simple actually.

By brian

September 25, 2007 2:29 PM | Link to this

Thank you DOB for the article about Tom Glavine. I have said, and will continue to say, that signing Glavine will be the most important off season move. People complain about his age. Who cares? If he can win 15 games and have an ERA under 4, what does age have to do with that. His age will be of benefit for these Braves who do need another leader on and off the field. The contract will be a one year deal. Little risk (unlike Hampton). Glavine returning for 1 more year to the Braves, having a good year and leading us to the division title and hopefully a World Series championship. That is how Hall of Famers should retire. Bring Back TOmmy!

Signing Glavine will also give JS more flexibility when looking to deal Edgar. Lets face it, there are not any top young free agent pitchers out there and there are not many teams that want to deal top young starting pitching who have proven themselves in the majors. JS may be able to obtain a much higher ceiling pitcher for Edgar if he goes for a prospect or 2 that is maybe a year away from the majors. Take that young pitcher, plus Hudson, James, Jo Jo, Bennett, etc. and we will still have something to start with in the post Smoltz and Glavine years.

We have a lot of good looking arms in high A and AA ball currently. We also have KC’s former #1 pick coming off Tommy John who many think will be a huge addition for the Braves.

By DonCoburleone

September 25, 2007 2:31 PM | Link to this

Looking back to this past offseason, forget Glavine, how valuable would Ted Lilly have been? I mean man, without him the Cubs are not in first place and are probably below .500… And now in hindsight, his 4 year $40mil contract seems like a bargain.

By ppaddy123

September 25, 2007 2:40 PM | Link to this

Shaun the point is; the Braves don’t have to spend 8-9 million for CF. We have an abundance of middle infielders as DAP previously stated. Renteria will never have more value than he has right now. I think he’s been the Braves MVP this year. By trading him and not re-signing Andruw, the Beaves will have, what, 18 million extra? Throw 9 million at another CF? Please! There are plenty of good young CF’s in MLB.

By ppaddy123

September 25, 2007 2:47 PM | Link to this

* Overlord*, Willie will be gone after this year. I believe he was signed to a one year minor league contract by the Braves at the beginning of Spring. He will get plenty of offers this off season and good for him. He’s earned it.

By Chop Chop

September 25, 2007 2:49 PM | Link to this

You can’t pencil in 30+ starts for a 42-year-old pitcher with 20 full big-league seasons as a starter. You just can’t do it. If I’m the Braves, I leave Glavine alone and focus on trading for a starter. They don’t need to get older in the rotation. They need to get younger. After all, our 35-year-old ace, Mike Hampton, will be back next year. God, you people are so blind. Freakin’ morons.

By Buffalo NY Braves fan

September 25, 2007 2:50 PM | Link to this

DonCoburleone,

I mentioned Ted Lilly yesterday, and was looking for some opinions on the chances of trading for him.

If the Cubs are not sold on their current starting SS, which rumor had it they were not, then maybe Renteria would be a good fit for them. I think we would have to maybe package Prado to get a deal done, but that would be a nice move to make in my opinion.

By the Voice of Reason

September 25, 2007 2:51 PM | Link to this

GLAVINE is a Player’s Union Firebrand. Forget all the baloney about bucks. JS was bothered by his National stature on the Labor front, sure enough, but Stan Kasten hated him, hated him, for it so much he simply got rid of him first chance he could.

Well, Kasten’s gone. Now it seems JS, if he gets Tommy Lunchbox to shut up and focus on hurling the pill instead of union politics, might be willing to tolerate.

The rest is all huff & puff.

By Efrim

September 25, 2007 2:52 PM | Link to this

Shaun

One of Hanson, Rohrbough, Locke or Evarts has to succeed or the Braves are in trouble. And to be quite honest with you, I can’t imagine why anyone would disagree with that. If we do sign Glavine, our starting pitching staff is really old and injury prone.

Sooner or later the Braves have to produce a cheap quality arm from the minor leagues. The Yankees produced three in one season.

By Shaun

September 25, 2007 2:53 PM | Link to this

ppaddy123, but are there good, young center fielders that teams would trade without giving up quality players that the Braves need?

By Old Lefty

September 25, 2007 2:59 PM | Link to this

Overlord: I suggested The Train last week and was scalded by various denizens for even considering the over the hill has-been. I still think he’s a perfect fit for this town, this team, and this rotation, bringing fire, getting schooling, and now at a better price thanks to his performance dip.

What can we say, OL? Great minds ……..

By Efrim

September 25, 2007 2:59 PM | Link to this

NCScoots

Yea no problem. I’m pretty bad with reading ALL the posts. Trying to work and blog at the same time. Terrible employee.

By Sonny

September 25, 2007 3:01 PM | Link to this

DOB…how many more games do you think we would of won this year if Cox hadn’t insisted on having AJ bat cleanup for 3 months even though his average was below or slightly above 200 all year? I can see giving a veteran a chance to hit out of a slump for a month, maybe even two if you’re generous…but Cox’s loyalty to a player on the decline cost us more than a few games.

I’d say that and the back end of the rotation are the main reasons we’ll be watching a Braveless post season again.

By Braveheart

September 25, 2007 3:02 PM | Link to this

Stan Kasten hated him, hated him, for it so much he simply got rid of him first chance he could.

What, 10 years later?!?!?!?!?

By KC

September 25, 2007 3:02 PM | Link to this

DOB is correct of course that the Braves waited just a little to long to start playing good baseball (as they are now). And he’s also correct that the Braves playoff hopes are on life-support.

However… again, they’re not quite dead yet. They still have a chance. Not enough of a chance to get excited about, but enough of a chance to be worth mentioning.

As I posted the other day…

3 Things need to happen at this point:

1 - The Braves have to win all 6 remaining games. Odds of that happening… 20-30%

It’ll be tough to sweep in Phili, but we won’t see Cole Hamels unless it’s on 3 days rest. But even if Hamels does go on Thursday… we’ve got Smoltz on the mound for that game.

James looked great his last time out, giving us hope for tonight’s game, and Hudson’s on the mound tomorrow.

After this series, it’s 3 against the Astros. Game-1 of that series would likely be the biggest hurdle as we’ll Oswalt is slated to start against us on Friday. IF we could get past Oswalt, the series would be sweepable. BUT it’ll be up to the kids (Bennett and Reyes) in the first couple games of that series.

If the Braves could win the next 5 straight, Hudson would likely go on 3 days rest for the final game of the season, with Smoltz available for a 1-game playoff (on 3 days rest).

2 - The Padres have to go 3-3 in their remaining 6 games. Odds… 50%

The Padres rotation, which has been at least 3-deep most of the season, looks 1-deep (Peavy)at the moment.

3 - The Rockies must go no better than 4-2 in their remaining 6 games. Odds… 75-85%

The odds of this happening will go down if the D-Backs have nothing left to play for by the time they Colorado plays them for their final 3 games of the season.

Overall I’d give the Braves a 10-15% chance of making the playoffs this year.

Again, not enough to get excited about, but it’s enough to hold my interest at the moment.

By Chop Chop

September 25, 2007 3:06 PM | Link to this

You heard it here first:

Mike Hampton is a future Hall of Famer. He’s a pitcher who can hit. He’s also quite gritty. Full of grit, even.

By KC

September 25, 2007 3:08 PM | Link to this

Overlord: “Use the money for pitching, not for a CF”

I think that’s exactly what will happen. Not necessarily Willie in CF, but I think the money will be spent on pitching.

I’ve been saying for weeks that if Glavine doesn’t get another ring this year in NY, he’ll be back in a Braves uni next year. So that probably won’t leave much cash for a center-fielder.

The Braves will likely trade Renteria for a center-fielder… but if all else fails, they might look for a right-handed hitting defensive specialist center-fielder to share time with Willie in center next year.

That is… if Willie’s back. What is Willie Harris’ contract status. I thought he was on a one-year deal this year.

By Shaun

September 25, 2007 3:12 PM | Link to this

TennesseePaul, I agree and I think Teixeira will take up a large percentage of the payroll, certainly significantly more than Hampton. He’s a Boras client and a legit MVP-type player.

If the Braves payroll situation does change, I’m all for signing him. But if the ownership wants to keep the Braves in the middle of baseball payrolls, I think they should let Tex walk and use that money to find a solid first baseman in addition to filling other holes. Fair enough?

Also, I’m not sure why Cameron would not come to Atlanta if the Braves offered him as much as anyone else or close to it. He lives in the metro area, he’s relatively cheap and isn’t going to command a lot of years for a fairly productive player.

By Braveheart

September 25, 2007 3:15 PM | Link to this

I really like Willie Harris and hope he is around next year but then again…. I don’t trust Cox with him. Cox will keep playing him 5 years from now although he has not done anything in 5 years because Willie did some really good things in his first 2 months as a Brave.

By Paladin

September 25, 2007 3:18 PM | Link to this

We don’t have blogs today, we have bludgeons. Level with us DOB, are some of these guys getting paid by the word? You can tell me. I’m ‘bout at my limit anyway.

By KC

September 25, 2007 3:19 PM | Link to this

DOB: What’s Soriano’s status? Has his appeal been heard yet? Will he have to serve the suspension before the end of this season?

By Bob, Journalist

September 25, 2007 3:25 PM | Link to this

Efrim … “Chipper is going to get old and not produce at some point. It is going to happen”

Kudos for the most astute observation of the day! Since John Smoltz suggested Cjipper reclaim his youth, he’s been playing like a 35 year old!

By Overlord

September 25, 2007 3:28 PM | Link to this

KC….. if your % are 20, 50 and 85%, how do math add all that up to 10-15%???

Old Lefty appreciate comments.

By Steamboat

September 25, 2007 3:31 PM | Link to this

I don’t understand the assumption that Glavine will sign with the Braves. Didn’t he say just last week how happy he was with the Mets, how much he respected and enjoyed the people there? And if I understand correctly, he’s guaranteed $13 million (if he pitches 5 more innings this year) from them for ‘08.

I think Tommy likes Atlanta, but don’t think he’s exactly suffering in NY. And we can’t make him an offer unless he first declines his NY option, can we? So he’d have to be confident (but not promised) we’d meet the $13 mil he’d get in NY.

Just doesn’t seem likely to me, knowing Tommy’s personality.

I think Lilly is a good trade suggestion, Buffalo Fan (agreed with you yesterday, in case you missed it).

I also think the Giants have a hole in LF, a 36-year-old 1B who is not a factor, a 40-year-old SS who’s a HOF’er but no longer effective, and not a starter under 31 years old.

The only guys on their WHOLE TEAM with a plus-OPS are Bonds, and he’s gone, and Sweeney, who’s 37.

Seems to me there’s got to be a way to work something out for at least Lowry, if not Cain or Lincecum. They play in a pitching-dominated division, and just can’t hit a lick.

Wouldn’t Diaz, Escobar, Thorman, Renteria, KJ, Lillibridge, and maybe a reliever, (not all of them, of course, but some combination) be enough to pry away a starter?

By Paladin

September 25, 2007 3:33 PM | Link to this

We are hours away from the BIGGEST game of the year, and all you guys want to talk about is REBUILDING the team!! I know we have had the BIGGEST game before, and hopefully will have even bigger ones in the following days. But, right now—-THIS IS THE BIGGEST GAME! So, let’s talk about kicking some Phillie @$$, and leave the “rebuilding” sh!t for the hot stove league. Jeese!

By TennesseePaul

September 25, 2007 3:33 PM | Link to this

Payne: It isn’t a matter of Cameron not wanting to come to Atlanta as much as it will be a matter of Atlanta not offering Cameron a contract.

By Overlord

September 25, 2007 3:36 PM | Link to this

Shaun i dont think TEX is gonna go so hard on braves, and he is worth every penny they pay him, dont let that guy go, braves need him too much. He is the best cleanup they have had. I like him better than crime dog and gallarraga.

By Shaun

September 25, 2007 3:36 PM | Link to this

Efrim, if any of those Yankee pitchers stay healthy and pitch well for several seasons in the big leagues, that would be a (in the words of Borat) great success. Actually Phil Hughes is already injured.

Yes, I agree the Braves have to find relatively cheap, relatively good pitching but it doesn’t necessarily have to come from within their organization, as you probably very well know. In fact, odds are that they are going to have to go outside the organization to build up a really good staff.

I’m trying to think back and I can’t remember the last great staff that had more than two or three homegrown pitchers playing key roles or the last World Series winner to have two or three homegrown pitchers in key roles. If there are some over the last 15-20 years, can’t be many.

By Paladin

September 25, 2007 3:36 PM | Link to this

Where is that enthusiasm Overlord? Let’s get with it!

By Caleb

September 25, 2007 3:38 PM | Link to this

Smoltz just won another humanitarian award, The Branch Rickey. It’s great to see the work that both he and the Hudson’s do for underprivileged and sick children and for the community.

By TennesseePaul

September 25, 2007 3:40 PM | Link to this

But if the ownership wants to keep the Braves in the middle of baseball payrolls, I think they should let Tex walk and use that money to find a solid first baseman in addition to filling other holes. Fair enough?

Actually, if the pennies are to be pinched, then instead of letting him walk, I’d say trade him. You’ll get more in return PLUS his salary. But I don’t think the pennies will be pinched. And I doubt JS would trade him unless the team fell flat on its face and was 30 games out by Late June.

By Rod

September 25, 2007 3:43 PM | Link to this

Knowitall and Palidine,

Its just one mans opinion (my opinion) DOB is a THUG and a sorry blogger. Dont tell me he is white he cant be a thug. He could be red for all I care. I heard him use the word thug over the air on 680 the fan talking with Kincade. The word came out of left field and didnt relate to his topic.

By Shaun

September 25, 2007 3:43 PM | Link to this

TennesseePaul, why wouldn’t they? He’s relatively cheap, he’s not going to command a five- or six-year deal and he’ll probably provide solid production for his salary. He could be a stop-gap until they find a more “permanent” replacement for Andruw.

Cameron makes $7 million this season and he’s 34. Can’t imagine very many teams would offer him significantly more money and more than two years at his age. He’ll be the cheapest veteran center field option that will provide solid production that’s out there. I can’t really think of too many more candidates unless they trade for someone.

By Chop Chop

September 25, 2007 3:44 PM | Link to this

Paladin,

I’ll level with you. I’m getting paid by the word. Braveheart and Shaun are paid in bulk. We’re all getting “AJC Bucks!”, which are only redeemable for AJC mugs, mousepads, etc. Using techniques learned on TV infomercials, we sell these AJC products on eBay. Shaun just bought a foreclosed warehouse with his profits. He will keep his stats in there. Braveheart bought five DEA-seized El Caminos which contain lots of switches for the b!tches. Also, there are hollow points for the snitches in the glove box. In fact, I just turned a couple of mugs and mousepads into a “Best of Terry Jacks” CD. “Seasons in the Sun” always brings a tear to my eye.

Robert uses his profits to buy treats for his donkeys.

By Overlord

September 25, 2007 3:44 PM | Link to this

Paladin do you really think james is gonna keep the phillies of balance? This lineup is like a destroyer or battleship, hope the boy knows what to do. How many IP you think he is gonna give us?

By Buffalo NY Braves fan

September 25, 2007 3:45 PM | Link to this

Steamboat,

I did see your response earlier, thanks.

I think trading for Lowry may be our best option with the Giants. If you watch any of the Giants games, they are really high on Fred Lewis as their CF or LF of the future. The other positions you mentioned are positions that the Giants need to replace.

Another option may be the A’s, not saying the Braves can get Haren, but they have 2 or 3 solid young pitchers as well.

By Shaun

September 25, 2007 3:47 PM | Link to this

Overlord, Tex is obviously a great player. But I just don’t see the Braves giving a $120 million contract to a Scott Boras client right now. A lot could happen between now and next off-season, but I just don’t see it.

By Caleb

September 25, 2007 3:55 PM | Link to this

DOB, any idea when the hearing for Soriano is happening today? Whatever the punishment (however many games he’s suspended), it will have to be enforced immediately after the ruling, right?

By DAP

September 25, 2007 3:57 PM | Link to this

steemboat i agree with you about the giants. they need position players almost everywhere, and they have a surplus of young pitching. every GM trades from strength to fill weaknesses. this means they will likely trade a pitchers, and i think its possible to get one of the three: cain, lincecum, lowry. i hope to see a deal like that, but not counting on it. the giants might just horde thier pitching. i wouldnt blame them.

paladin dont tell us what to talk about, dude. if you want to talk about that, then do it, and im sure plenty of people will chime in. ill help you out:

stategy for tonight’s game on offense, try to get to moyer early, hit the ball where he throws it, make him throw alot of pitches and try to get him out of the game as soon as possible. hopefully they will burn up their sorry bullpen for the remaining games. on defense, just DONT WALK ANYBODY! do NOT give up extra runners.

By Shaun

September 25, 2007 3:57 PM | Link to this

TennesseePaul, Yeah, but if the Braves trade Tex, of course they don’t get an MVP-type first baseman for next season. But I could see them entertaining a trade if they are way out at the deadline.

Also, I’m not so sure the Braves would get equal value even if they wanted to trade Tex this off-season. Any team that trades for him is looking at a one-year rental and a huge contract if they want to re-up. The only reason the Braves were willing to do it was because he was an impact player that filled a gapping hole and their top prospect was expendable.

By Paladin

September 25, 2007 3:58 PM | Link to this

Overlord I don’t care how many IPs he has as long as they get the job done.

Rot I didn’t say anything about DOB’s color, or about your assertion that he is a “thug”. I will now. His color is immaterial and I have seen no indication that he is a “thug”. What I did point out is that you can’t spell for sh!t. And I add now, you are apparently as dumb as a dirtdobber.

Chop Chop :>)!!

By Paladin

September 25, 2007 4:06 PM | Link to this

DAP You tell me not to tell you what to talk about and then you talk about it. I like your inconsistency, Dude.

By the Voice of Reason

September 25, 2007 4:15 PM | Link to this

Braveheart: Glavine had just begun his first multi-year contract in ‘94 when his Union Activism kicked in for all the world to see, let alone Ownership Firebrand President Kasten. By the next opportunity to re-sign him, it is my understanding Kasten virtually refused to sit in the same room with him. Knowing TG would only sign for what he could characterize to his union brothers as the highest price, all SK needed was a minimal disagreement, just a few bucks, to Tommy-hawk chop and make it look like TG had slit his own throat.

The biggest price paid, as one gets clearly from reading JSs virtually un-readable book, was in the relationship between JS & TG … remember the whole “remorse for xmas” thing?

Kasten, never forget, though not an owner yet, was known as one of the most vehemently anti-players union characters on the ownership side. All the rest was stuff on locker room and pressbox floors.

Believe it or not.

Bottom line … it is safe now for TG to come home. And the good he will do the franchise once he’s back will go way beyond the Ws he puts up after his own name. He belongs here. He didn’t want to leave, but his pride and his mouth made it happen.

Let’s just get him home and be done with it, I say.

By Buffalo NY Braves fan

September 25, 2007 4:17 PM | Link to this

Since we are supposed to talk about tonights game, I think the key to winning for the Braves tonight would be whether or not they can score at least 1 more run than the Phillies. If they can do this, I am 100% sure that the Braves will win….

in all seriousness though, the Phillies have a line-up that usually pounds left handed hitting. Chuck James is on the mound tonight… a left hander…. so the key is going to be whether or not he can keep the ball in the yard. If he can go 6+ and only give up 3 runs, the Braves should be ok.

By ncscoots

September 25, 2007 4:18 PM | Link to this

Efrim, we’ve disagreed so often that I think you just assumed that I had done so again, LOL!

By KC

September 25, 2007 4:18 PM | Link to this

FOLKS, IT’S TIME FOR A GAME OF “WHAT IF”:

IF Matt Cain (3.68 ERA) and the Giants could beat Brett Tomko (5.36 ERA) and the Padres tonight in San Fransisco…

and

IF Chuck James (4.11 ERA) and the Braves can beat Jamie Moyer (5.01 ERA) and the Phillies tonight in Phili…

The Braves would be 2 games back in the Wild Card. Now granted, that’s with only 5 games left to play, but…

IF the Braves are only 2 games out at the stroke of midnight (pacific time) tonight… Would the Braves still be out of post-season contention, as so many (including me) have said?

A 2 game deficit isn’t tiny with only 5 games to play, but with just a little help from the competition, it’s certainly not insurmountable.

and

IF in addition to a SD loss and a Braves win (if that is how the evening goes)… Brad Penny (16-4, 2.93 ERA) and the Dodgers can beat Jimenez (4-4, 4.14) and the Rockies tonight in LA…

It doesn’t guarantee ANYTHING by any stretch of the imagination. But the Pitching matchups do not favor the Padres of Rockies tonight. So…

IF everything were to go Atlanta’s way this evening…

The Braves hopes of making the playoffs this year would jump from 10-15% (where I think the odds are right now)… to at least 25-30%.

Again, I’m not going to get giddy about anything unless/until the Braves win the next 4 games (3 against the Phils, and one against R.Oswalt and the Stros)… but it’s fun to play a little “what if” every now and then.

By Steamboat

September 25, 2007 4:18 PM | Link to this

Shaun, I think you’re too quick to dismiss signing Tex.

First, the deal wouldn’t be effective until the start of ‘09, and would probably carry through 2013, maybe ‘14. Will $20 mil then look the same as $20 mil now? Probably not. (and I think 20 is high, but who knows?)

Plus, the Braves over that period will lose the commitments to Renteria, CJ, AJ, Hampton, and Hudson.

We’ve got McCann locked up at reasonable figures, and will probably do likewise with Francouer this offseason. Escobar, KJ, Diaz, James, etc won’t be serious considerations for a few years (and none are likely to become huge earners anyway).

Most consistently successful teams have at least one “cornerstone” player.

Yankees: Jeter, ARod… well, they have several

Red Sox: Manny, Papi, Schilling;

LAA: Vlad;

St. Louis (despite this year): Pujols, Edmonds,

And of course, the Braves have had 3: Smoltz, CJ, AJ.

Teams that rely on plugging in players at all positions (i.e., never giving big contracts) are doomed to inconsistency.

Who knows what ownership has in mind. If the payroll is gonna stay static for the next 6 years, we can’t afford Tex. If the payroll is going to rise at least with baseball inflation, we might be wise to lock him in.

You don’t want to commit $120 million to a 25-year-old (because you generally don’t have to unless his name is Pujols or A Rod); or to a 35-year-old, for obvious reasons. But if Tex, at age 28 next year at this time, continues to play anywhere near the way he has for us so far, I think a longterm deal is in order.

Let Tex walk, and I’m just wondering who’s gonna “slug” for us in ‘09, ‘10 and beyond.

By doc

September 25, 2007 4:19 PM | Link to this

that quote from rentaria is the type of attitude where i wouldnt get rid of him for a player that comes out there every five days. he is the type of player that makes the guys around him better at bat and in the field as well as in the clubhouse is my guess. dont be complacent around him. spending money for the starter is the only way to do it for next year without causing a leak somewhere else. gee, didnt that happen at first base this year to get a broken wing? balance the books somewhere else.

By Arkansas Braves Fan

September 25, 2007 4:19 PM | Link to this

I know that this is a big IF, but if the Braves win out,looking at the schedules of the teams ahead of them for the WC,I believe the braves can make the playoffs. Pads last four at Milwaukee,Rockies,last four with Arizona, and the Braves can take care of the Phillies themselves.

By knowitall

September 25, 2007 4:21 PM | Link to this

Rod,

My comment to you had nothing to do with race or your perception that DOB is a thug. I was merely stating that if you dislike him so much, why read his blob? He does author this blog about 90% of the time.

But since you brought it up, I will say that you, along with a great deal of other people who post on the AJC, have no idea of what a thug is. If you think DOB is a thug, I’d hate to introduce you to some of the people who I’ve known in my past.

I just sit back and laugh everytime I see someone call an athlete a thug. They have no idea.

By ppaddy123

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

Mike Cameron has a .246 BA, .333 OBP, 21 HR, 78 RBI. Shaun, the dude’s 34 and you want to give him 8 million to play CF? That’s just plain stupid! If you want to spend that kind of money, why not go after someone like, Aaron Rowand. (.311 BA, .379 OBP, 26 HR, and 87 RBI)

By Arkansas Braves Fan

September 25, 2007 4:29 PM | Link to this

Actually the Rockies have three with Dodgers and three with Diamondbacks.

By Shaun

September 25, 2007 4:30 PM | Link to this

Steamboat, all very good points. One thing I do disagree on is that teams that don’t spend big on at least one player are doomed to inconsistency. Well, maybe. But teams like the Twins and A’s have been in contention for a while. Even the mid to late-1990’s Yankees really didn’t have any expensive cornerstone players.

I wouldn’t have a problem signing Tex long term if they don’t have to trade a lot of other good players or pass on good players eventually in order to pay him. It all depends on the ownership situation.

By DAP

September 25, 2007 4:33 PM | Link to this

paladin what i said wasnt inconsistant. it would have inconsistant if i said “come on guys, lets talk about tonight’s game” but otherwise never made one post in reference to the game tonight, which is what you did.

i was just trying to help you out by trying to start a discussion about tonight’s game. you apparently want to discuss it, but all you can do is tell other people to talk about it.

i was really just trying to tell you in a nice way that there are better ways to see things you want discussed on the blog than just telling other they should be talking about it, but never mentioning it yourself. im sorry i did a poor job of getting this across, i have never had much tact.

By Overlord

September 25, 2007 4:42 PM | Link to this

Paladin i need to save some adrenaline for the game, if go crazy now, ill be so tired for the game, ill have a heart attack.

I have been listening to MLB radio, this guys just refuse to mention the braves, i understood before, but man, we are 3 GB. Its like the phillies are playing just a spoiler today.

I have not watch ESPN lately, any different there? I dont think so, cause they didnt mention us last week. Hope braves give everyone a slap on the face!!!

I didnt mean that it will be important the number of IP James will give us today, not for the number, but because it will be devastation for us if he is not able to get out of the 5th. That usually is bad news from the field.

By Hans Christian Andersen

September 25, 2007 4:43 PM | Link to this

A father asked his 10-year old son if he knew about the birds and the bees.

“I don’t want to know,” the child said, bursting into tears. “Promise me you won’t tell me.”

Confused, the father asked what was wrong.

The boy sobbed, “When I was six, I got the ‘There’s no Easter Bunny’ speech. At seven, I got the ‘There’s no Tooth Fairy’ speech. When I was eight, you hit me with the ‘There’s no Santa’ speech. If you’re going to tell me that grown-ups don’t really get laid, I’ll have nothing left to live for.”

By Overlord

September 25, 2007 4:45 PM | Link to this

Just dont forget we need cubs to lose today so brewers so their games over the weekend have any meaning, i think they play the padres.

By Paladin

September 25, 2007 4:51 PM | Link to this

DAP Lack of tact is not your only weakness. GO BRAVES

By jbutler70

September 25, 2007 4:54 PM | Link to this

Braveheart….very well put. Thanks for your wisdom for those (i.e. me..) who don’t always know the ins/outs- but still love following our team. I just got an e-mail that they’re selling tixs for the Rockies divisional series!! A little optimistic…I have to say. Lack of oxygen in this mile hi city??

By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)

September 25, 2007 4:55 PM | Link to this

Chop Chop , Hampton will be 35 in 2008 , he has 138 wins , he is 162 wins away from 300. He would have to average 16.2 wins for the next ten years and pitch into his early forties. Future hall of famer….. I think not.

By KC

September 25, 2007 5:04 PM | Link to this

ppaddy123: I wouldn’t give Cameron 8 million a year. And I think the Braves will be spending most of their money on pitching, so I doubt it would be possible anyway.

BUT, if you could get Cameron for 4-5 mill a season… it’s unlikely, but if the could, I definitely would.

Cameron and Willie Harris would make a nice CF platoon. Cameron doesn’t hit righties particularly well, but wears out lefties. And Harris hits pretty well against righties, but not against lefties.

It would also allow you to make a defensive shift with a late lead: Cameron in center and Harris in left

That’s a platoon I’d like to see if it’s not cost-prohibitive (which it probably will be).

By Paladin

September 25, 2007 5:04 PM | Link to this

DAp says I’m not talking about the game. He doesn’t read either. Here it is: Chucky is going to pitch lights out! Chipper, Tex and Andruw are all going yard w/men on. And the Foolies are going to drag @$$ out of the stadium with their rat tails between their legs. Now, how’s that?

By flange1

September 25, 2007 5:05 PM | Link to this

renegator,

talk about small world, I graduated from North Springs in 1977….

By Jim

September 25, 2007 5:06 PM | Link to this

A team with 2 or more homegrown pitchers to play a prominent role is winning a WS in the last 15 - years?

The ‘95 Braves: Glavine 2 - 0 and series MVP, Avery 1 - 0, winner of the crucial 4th game (and winner of the 4th and final game in the NLDS), Wohlers — closed the 9th inning of the final game 6. Brad Clontz and Kent Merker worked in relief, and Pedro Burbon Jr had a huge save in game 4.

By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)

September 25, 2007 5:11 PM | Link to this

Tom Glavine has 21 seasons under his belt , the man has N-E-V-E-R been on the DL. He has averaged 33.4 starts for his career since 1988. Glavine had 33 starts at the age of 37 , 33 starts at the age of 38 , 33 starts at the age of 39 , 32 starts at the age 40 , he is about to make his 32nd start of 2007 at th age of 41. Why would anybody not expect that Tom Glavine , at the age of 42 , to perform any different ? Chop Chop , you don’t have clue.

By Paladin

September 25, 2007 5:12 PM | Link to this

Coach Sandy Koufax won 167 games and he is in the HOF. Granted, he had many other statistics but the point is: You don’t have to win 300 games to be in the HOF.

By Overlord

September 25, 2007 5:13 PM | Link to this

Here we go.

Less than 2 hours!!!!!!!!!!!!

GOOOOOO chuckie!!!!!!!!!!

Lets get it done……….

GOOOOOOOO braves!!!!!!!!!1

By Jim

September 25, 2007 5:19 PM | Link to this

If the Braves can make the post season and actually win a divisional series or 2 (not probable, but more likely than the former), that would add some additional millions to the team coffers and could help expand the budget for next year.

If Chuck James pitches well in this start and the Braves win, I think he would be the pitcher to go to for the final game of the season, rather than pitching Hudson on short rest where he has not been effective. A good outing tonight by James would in my opinion establish him as someone who can perform in a big game situation (facing a tough lineup in a hitter’s park in a must-win game). I would be willing to discount his stretch from late July to late August as attributable to a tired arm, and give him more respect as a solid back of the rotation pitcher than he has been accorded here on the blog. If he doesn’t win tonight, Roger McDowell could start the last game for all that it would matter.

By Chop Chop

September 25, 2007 5:20 PM | Link to this

Coach,

I was being facetious in that post about Hampton. Or maybe I was being fecetious? I’m not sure. There’s a lot of fecetiousness in here. Careful ya don’t step in it.

By Paladin

September 25, 2007 5:21 PM | Link to this

That a boy, Overlord!! I knew you would come through! GO BRAVES

By Old Lefty

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

What’s up with Chip’s oblique? Somebody said earlier they’d heard he re-injured it in bp yesterday????

By Overlord

September 25, 2007 5:29 PM | Link to this

Cant they move this freakin game an hour earlier????

ill go out and run for an hour…….

Any word on the lineup? i hope we dont get any surprises from bobby.

By Efrim

September 25, 2007 5:30 PM | Link to this

I would give Cameron 7-8 million dollars a year.

By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)

September 25, 2007 5:31 PM | Link to this

Paladin , Sandy koufax retired 41 years ago. The standards have changed just a bit over the last 40 years. Koufax was the exception , not the rule , even in his day. His career was cut short by injury , he had three Cy Young awards , an MVP award and he did that in just 12 seasons. 300 wins is the gold standard for hall of fame consideration right now , just ask Burt Blyleven (282 wins-250 losses 3.31 career ERA). The only guy pitching today who will get into the hall of fame with less than 300 is John Smoltz and I don’t need to explain why.

By Chop Chop

September 25, 2007 5:33 PM | Link to this

One more thing, Coach…

Thorman’s out of options.

By David O'Brien

September 25, 2007 5:33 PM | Link to this

Hearing on Soriano went down today at stadium, but no ruling yet. Braves said they really don’t know when they’ll hear; MLB told them they’ll rule on it soon, but didn’t say when. That’s all we know, really. And all that Schuerholz and Cox said they know, and they attended the thing….

As for pitchers in Houston series, all Bobby would tell me was that Reyes would pitch one game. Wouldn’t divulge anything more….

Lineup tonight: 1. Escobar, 2b; 2. Edgar; 3. Chipper; 4. Tex; 5. Francoeur; 6. Andruw; 7. McCann; 8. Diaz; 9. Rick James, Bustin’ Out.

Peace out,

Notorious DOB

By Overlord

September 25, 2007 5:36 PM | Link to this

Raise the flag paladin!!!!!!!!, and put some charcoal in the locomotive, we are about to run over the phillies !!!!!!!

By David O'Brien

September 25, 2007 5:39 PM | Link to this

By the way, I’m going to write my lead note on the payroll, which IS NOT going down and IS going up, though McGuirk said he didn’t know what an actual figure would be because, in his words, “They [Liberty] are not concerned about the top number, and I’m not concerned about the top number.”

They’re going to spend what it takes, within reason in their view, to build the team they want, to add a couple of pieces they believe they need. That’s all I know, but it should silence that totally erroneous rumor that started, near as I can tell, in the Richmond paper, of all places.

By Overlord

September 25, 2007 5:44 PM | Link to this

Rick James??? Who the hell is that???

Well at least maybe is someone that will give us 7 strong innings.

Just joking DOB.

By Paladin

September 25, 2007 5:44 PM | Link to this

Coach Despite your smokescreen, the fact remains: You don’t have to have 300 wins to be in the HOF. Now, I know that many in the past have tried to point out your “misspeaks” to no avail. Why should this be different? Peace. GO BRAVES

By Huge Met/Brave Fan

September 25, 2007 5:44 PM | Link to this

Politics make very strange bedfellows….LET’S GO BRAVES!!!! :-)

By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)

September 25, 2007 5:44 PM | Link to this

Chop Chop , that was weak , just as you are.

By Caleb

September 25, 2007 5:47 PM | Link to this

Thanks DOB. Sounds like MLB is embarrassed by the original 4 game suspension given to Soriano, and they want to wait to see if the Braves lose and are out of contention before ruling on the case. Nothing like a good conspiracy theory, :). 6 wins in a row starting tonight! Go Braves!

By Paladin

September 25, 2007 5:53 PM | Link to this

NOTE TO HOF SELECTION COMMITTEE: Do not ever, ever, ever consider a pitcher for selection to the HOF **unless he, or she, has won 300 games. Why? Because Coach(Fecetious) said not to, that’s why!

By Robert (Justice Is The Best)

September 25, 2007 5:54 PM | Link to this

A few things. The Braves playoff hopes are still alive. Stranger things have happened. They could very well sweep the Phillies. For that to happen though Chuck James has to pitch his best game of the year tonight.

Its almost sad that there is as good as a 50/50 chance the Mets could miss the playoffs. I wonder if all our Mets brethern that love to grace us with their presence on this blog still think they are locks for the WS? That pitching of the Mets flat out stinks and the Cubs, D-Backs, Padres, and even the Rockies all have better pitching at this point. If the Braves or Phillies do get in, either one would beat the Mets in a best of seven series.

Honestly, the Rockies scare me. They have just enough pitching, plenty of offense, and enough naitivity to not realize they have no business in this playoff race to be dangerous.

We could see Chipper Jones cementing his HOF election with this year’s performance. If the Braves were in first place, he would likely be the leading MVP candidate.

Mike Cameron is not the answer in CF. I would either rather keep Andruw or go after Torri Hunter who has let it be known he can be had for “cheap” if its for the right team. Cameron will command at least $9 mil and likely more like $10 mil or so. Even at a three year contract that is too much to invest in a 35 year old who quite frankly has declined a bit too sharply for my tastes. I’d rather have Griffer Jr.

I would love to see Tom Glavine back in the Braves rotation. However, lets not get stupid with this. Anyone who thinks a 41 year old Glavine will solve the rotation’s ills is crazy. It is just asinine to believe that. Yes, if Glavine is in this rotation this year the Braves are comfortably ahead in first place but Glavine has been good this year; not great. The Braves need to focus on the Arroyo’s, Haren’s, Lowry’s, Willis’ of the world. And, have we not learned to not count on Mike Hampton. I love the guy, but c’mon.

For all the noise the Yankees are making it won’t mean a damn thing during playoff time. They don’t have the pitching to beat the Indians, Red Sox, or Angels. Clemmens is hurt. Mussina is head case. Hughes is too young. Wang is good but not great. Petitte is a competitor but he can’t do it alone. Not to mention the other offenses can all hold their own with the Yanks.

One more thing about the Mets. If they are so great like everybody talks about then why aren’t they running away with this division. Don’t give me that “injury” bs. The Braves and Phillies have had just as devasting, if not more, devesting injuries. Put a solid #3 starter on either the Phils or the Braves and the Mets would all but be certain of watching the playoffs at home. Mock fire and intensity all you want but the Mets lack it and it has hurt them. Lets just be honest about this. From a talent perspective the Mets are an all-around better team than the Braves or Phillies. But, right now the Mets are playing the fourth best baseball in the division. Hell, if Big Tex had been here all year the Mets would be in third right now despite the Braves pitching woes. Mets fans, you know its true.

By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)

September 25, 2007 5:58 PM | Link to this

As I said before , 300 wins is the gold standard for starting pitchers when it comes to the hall of fame. It is not the rule , nor should it be. I believe guys like Blyleven deserve a second look. With today’s pitch counts , five man rotations , the one inning closer , seventh and eighth inning bullpen specialist , six inning starters and the disappearance of the nine inning start , it is getting harder and harder to pile up wins. I think the standard has to come down or fewer and fewer starting pitchers will see the inside of the hall of Fame.

By Chop Chop

September 25, 2007 6:02 PM | Link to this

Hahahahaha…

Coach, you took that Hampton post seriously. I take the blame for that. I should have posted a ;) or a :-) afterwards, I suppose. You know, to give the sarcasm away.

You said, and I quote, “Chop Chop , you don’t have clue.” Being the kind-hearted fellow that I am, I decided to point out an infamous clue (Thorman being out of options) that I felt you never had. I mean you no harm or malice.

You are quite right about Mike Hampton not being a future Hall of Famer. I disagree with you about just expecting Glavine to do the same thing he’s always done, but that’s fine. If the Braves sign him, I’ll be hoping he’s his usual self.

As for me being “weak”, I happen to be shotgunning Jager and eating plate glass for dinner. I’m also listening to that whiny Michael Stipe singing “Everybody Hurts”. Even Grinch can’t handle that.

By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)

September 25, 2007 6:04 PM | Link to this

Paladin , look before you leap. I said standard , not the rule. Now, get your foot out of your mouth.

By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)

September 25, 2007 6:08 PM | Link to this

Paladin , this will twist your feeble brain in a knot. If tomorrow , Mike Mussina’s arm falls off. Is he a Hall of Fame pitcher ?

By AZBravoFan

September 25, 2007 6:12 PM | Link to this

As game time approaches I’m getting nervous. It’s like an abusive relationship, this team. They make you suffer through some horrible baseball, then they turn around, play great, make you feel good about them and their future. Then they go out and get shut down by one of the only guys in MLB that can call himself a contemporary of Julio Franco. Or CJ makes Howard and Utley look silly, then gets taken deep by Chris Coste. How many times have we seen it? I hope this time I’m wrong.

By David O'Brien

September 25, 2007 6:12 PM | Link to this

Cameron isn’t going to get $10 million, I’d bet you.

And Hunter will go somewhere “cheap?” Who you been talking to? He turned down Minnesota’s three-year, $45 mill offer, which isn’t exactly peanuts, though the length is surely about two years less than he wants.

But he loves Minnesota, so if he turns down that contract there, you better believe he’s not signing for less elsewhere.

And Robert (JIB), would you really look at D-Train’s numbers the past 2-3 years and come to the conclusion that you’d rather have him in a long-term contract than sign Glavine for one year if you can get him for about $10 mill?

By Braveheart

September 25, 2007 6:14 PM | Link to this

Coach, Pedro Martinez will be a HOFer without 300 wins. Randy Johnson as well if he never gets there.

By David O'Brien

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

Efrim, that’s about what I was thinking for Cameron. If they could get him for one year at that price, maybe with a club option for protection in case Shafer or whoever isn’t ready in 2009….

By Tomas

September 25, 2007 6:27 PM | Link to this

The Braves have really played well lately, and their not dead yet. They fight to the finish, and thats a very positive trait they have.

But looking ahead to offseason, free agents and assuming Andruw is not going back who will play center. I think in the market, there are two good opcions, Aaron Rowand, and Corey Paterson. I know Rowand would be very over looked by many teams, and comand like 13 million, I think Corey Paterson would be a perfect fit for the Braves. He is cheap, he can hit 280AVG with 10HR, and a 304OBP, plus the most important thing 37 SB.

By Paladin

September 25, 2007 6:28 PM | Link to this

Coach(Girl’s Gym) What if, you stupid sob, Hampton came back strong and pitched 6 or 8 more good years, had a couple of no-nos and hit some key home runs, are you saying he couldn’t make the HOF? Yes, you are probably stupid enough to say that. Considering the many other stupid things you have said on here. As for “foot-in-mouth-disease”, you don’t have a palate, you have a shoe sole.

By Paladin

September 25, 2007 6:31 PM | Link to this

I’m going to dinner. I’ll be back for the game and some more pin the tail on the coach.

By Tomas

September 25, 2007 6:37 PM | Link to this

And as for starting pitching, Bartolo is the best one out there and could como out cheap, with a 1yr deal worth 6million with a team opcion. and Mike Cameron won’t be cheap, Signs 4-year, $52M deal.

By Gil in Mechanicsville

September 25, 2007 6:45 PM | Link to this

Buffalo NY Braves fan Key to winning tonight’s game is scoring more runs than they give up….

fellow bloggers do all of realize ya’ll are throwing figures out there like it’s monopoly money? Oops… That’s right, this is baseball, it is monopoly money…

Mr. DOB, sir Old Philly is going to be electric tonight. Some of the kids are going to get a taste of playoff baseball the next three games.

A heads up for you folks who like a good read. John Grisham’s new book, Playing for Pizza. Try it, you’ll like it…

By Braveheart

September 25, 2007 6:47 PM | Link to this

Watching Terrence Moore on the opportunistic Mike Vick Divide Summit, I became really angry at MV7 because MV7 distracted Terrence Moore so much this summer, we did not get our annual get Ken Griffey, Jr. column. That’s how wide the Mike Vick Divide is. It divides Terrence Moore away from his typical myopic focus.

By KC

September 25, 2007 6:50 PM | Link to this

“They [Liberty] are not concerned about the top number, and I’m not concerned about the top number.”

That is DAMN good to hear!!!!

By chipdip

September 25, 2007 7:00 PM | Link to this

Andruw will stay in Atlanta!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By Overlord

September 25, 2007 7:00 PM | Link to this

Back from a 3.5 mile hiking hell………ready for the WWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Go braves!!!!!!!!

By Edgar

September 25, 2007 7:06 PM | Link to this

Damn!!!!!It’s like Playoff Time in Philly.They got the white flags and all.

By Old Lefty

September 25, 2007 7:07 PM | Link to this

DOB, et. al.: The Train is at least a low-ball effort. His performance dip may be the best reason we should go after him … in addition to going after Glavine at a reasonable Homecoming, year-at-a-time rate.

That’s it. Game time. This bloggin’ sure passes the anticipatory time.

¡Andale Bravos!

By Old Lefty

September 25, 2007 7:08 PM | Link to this

DOB, et. al.: The Train is worth at least a low-ball effort. His performance dip may be the best reason we should go after him … in addition to going after Glavine at a reasonable Homecoming, year-at-a-time rate.

That’s it. Game time. This bloggin’ sure passes the anticipatory time.

¡Andale Bravos!

By Pops

September 25, 2007 7:08 PM | Link to this

Boys, I feel real good going into this one. 330,332,341, 325, 291,220,273,338. We gagged up 15-20 wins this year. We are now Die Hard 3. Jamie Moyer? You must be kidding! Go Chuckie!

By Shaun

September 25, 2007 7:12 PM | Link to this

Tomas, Mike Cameron is making $7 million this season at 34-years-old. He’s not going to make $13 million for four years.

By Ippississim

September 25, 2007 7:14 PM | Link to this

Looks like Moyer’s already in trouble. Tex batting, 2 on, 1 out!

By David O'Brien

September 25, 2007 7:17 PM | Link to this

WOW. High off the brick batter’s eye beyond center field. That’s a shot.

By Ippississim

September 25, 2007 7:17 PM | Link to this

That’s how I like it! First inning runs!

By Edgar

September 25, 2007 7:18 PM | Link to this

GO TEX!!!!!!Boy, what a TOWERIN HR. Straight a way center.

By Overlord

September 25, 2007 7:18 PM | Link to this

Can i say ………holy s**!!!!!!!!!!!!???????????

I already did!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thats my TEX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

There goes you money for the trade!!!!!!!

By Braveheart

September 25, 2007 7:19 PM | Link to this

TEX JUST SAID PEACE OUT TO THAT BALL!!!

By Adirondackdave

September 25, 2007 7:20 PM | Link to this

Wow, I really like DOB’s comments about an hour ago suggesting the Braves being able to rationally spend what they need to field a strong team. Sounds to me like resigning Andruw, extending Tex, and getting a couple quality starters may well be possible… time will tell though.

By Ippississim

September 25, 2007 7:21 PM | Link to this

…and Andruw strikes (out) again. What else? Still, a three-run blast in the first inning sure sets the tone, doesn’t it?

By Overlord

September 25, 2007 7:21 PM | Link to this

I can already read the headlines on friday morning……..

Braves took the lead in the top of the 1st game 1 and they never looked back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gooooooo baby!!!!!!

By TennesseePaul

September 25, 2007 7:21 PM | Link to this

Payne: The reason I don’t think they’ll sign Cameron is because they’re going to work something out with Andruw. And if that doesn’t work, I’d imagine they’d look for a better option. And there are a few other better options out there than Cameron.

Secondly, I guess it doesn’t matter how often anyone types it, or someone reports it, or any one breaks down the business of it, but the fact is, the Braves payroll is going to be able to manage fielding great players again. This is not a Moneyball team in that they have to go for the best of the bottom rung. They’ll be “money” in that they’ll make wise, responsible contracts with elite caliber players so as to field a WS contender for at least the next 5 years.

By Efrim

September 25, 2007 7:22 PM | Link to this

Just wanted to throw some stats out there on the Rightfielders this year in the National League. It is remarkable. It really is. I didn’t expect Frenchy would be ranked 8th (in OPS) out of 9 RF that qualify due to plate appearences. Here are the stats(Batting Average/On-Base/Slugging/OPS):

1) Brad Hawpe- .288/.385/.532/.917

2) Corey Hart- .297/.355/.533/.888

3) Ken Griffey Jr.- .277/.372/.496/.869

4) Andre Ethier- .289/.352/.457/.810

5) Randy Winn- .295/.347/.428/.775

6) Shane Victorino- .283/.350/.424/.774

7) Brian Giles- .270/.363/.404/.767

8) Jeff Francouer- .290/.335/.432/.767

9) Austin Kearns- .266/.353/.410/.764

I don’t really know what to say about that. I assumed Frenchy was in the top three in the league for OPS for RF with the minimal amount of plate appearences. OPS is my favorite stat in terms of a players worth to a team. In Frenchy’s case, I will say he has intangibles that these guys don’t possess such as a cannon for an arm(although Victorino is pretty damn close) and RBI ability. Still, Frenchy has to have a better year next year. .767 OPS is not going to cut it. .850 OPS and then we’re talking. A good goal for him would be .300/.350/.500/.850. I think it is possible…..

By keylargo25

September 25, 2007 7:22 PM | Link to this

DO IT CHUCKIE! They’ll get you some runs, just keep em in the park.

On offense, how great must it be to be Tex hitting cleanup with the one two and three guys hitting 1.010. Of course his .310 doesn’t hurt the average much.

By Edgar

September 25, 2007 7:23 PM | Link to this

Oh,Boy,here goes Chuck with the Longball.Leadoff HR.

By Ippississim

September 25, 2007 7:24 PM | Link to this

Chuck ‘n’ Duck is at it again. Let’s just hope the Braves score 10 or more runs to make up for it.

By Overlord

September 25, 2007 7:24 PM | Link to this

i wonder where roger is?

he needs to get out there and cool down james!!!!!!!! gooo chuck!!!!!!!!

By ijonathan

September 25, 2007 7:25 PM | Link to this

How short is Bobby’s leash tonight for Chuckie?

By Efrim

September 25, 2007 7:25 PM | Link to this

Rollins is good. Chuck is not. No lead is safe in this ballpark.

By TennesseePaul

September 25, 2007 7:25 PM | Link to this

So… is the mound jacked up or did these 2 Lefties forget how to pitch?

By Ippississim

September 25, 2007 7:26 PM | Link to this

Once more, it’s Chuck ‘n’ Duck. Let’s hope that got it out of his system for the night.

By Overlord

September 25, 2007 7:26 PM | Link to this

this is a lot of pressure for chuck……….

Big KKKKKKKKKKK

Thats key!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Way to goooooooooooooo

Go chuck go!!!!!!!

By Stuart

September 25, 2007 7:26 PM | Link to this

This umpire’s SO is like the size of a golf ball. He is a bigger joke than that guy that got Bradley hurt on Sunday.

By BossLady

September 25, 2007 7:27 PM | Link to this

Ahhh, this is terrible. We all love the Braves and the people that are disappointed have become bitter. Look, let’s look at this like we would anyone we love. They are in trouble and need us more than they would if they were leading the East. Let us stand by them until they show us they are not worth it, at least.

Rod, you are a jacka$$. This is the DOB blog and if you do not like his opinions, information and music. You should go over to Terance’s. I send all a*******e$$ over there since like minds communicate.

I have always loved Tommy Glavine and still have his jerseys along with Andruw and Francoeur. Chipper (Hoss) has never been on my list as he is a man of his own substance. His blatant and off the cuff remarks I think hurt all the Braves, so get calls that we all know are WRONG.

Baby, I amazed— cuz” you’re the only one that could ever help me—help me to understand— I amazed with youuuuu!!!!

Thanks DOB, this season has been great……….

By Overlord

September 25, 2007 7:27 PM | Link to this

2 kkkkkkkkkssssssssssss

there you gooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!

playoff atmosphere

By TennesseePaul

September 25, 2007 7:30 PM | Link to this

Nice rebound James. Now hold ‘em.

Let’s go Braves!

Washington up 4 in the 1st.

By fastasballs

September 25, 2007 7:31 PM | Link to this

Muts down 4-0 in the 1st. Glavine had to throw 37 pitches so it won’t be long before the bullpen comes in & gives up another 4-5 runs.

I missed Tex’s homer, I just walked in. Go Braves!!!!

By Overlord

September 25, 2007 7:39 PM | Link to this

fastasballs, take cover, cause it has not landed yet, it might hit you…..

By Paladin

September 25, 2007 7:40 PM | Link to this

BossLady Was that you? You go, girl!

By Overlord

September 25, 2007 7:41 PM | Link to this

i dont want to be too positive, but after JRod, phillies have looked clueless.

Is this chuck???

By Stat Prof

September 25, 2007 7:43 PM | Link to this

It looks like a number of you did not pay attention in Stat 101.

If the probability that the Braves will win any one of the final 6 games is about 50% (for some games it will be slightly higher, for others slightly lower - so let’s use 50% for the sake of argument), then the probability that they win all 6 (assuming that each game is an “independent event” - a reasonable assumption) is

0.5 raised to the sixth power, which equals 0.016, or

1.6%.

The fact that other unlikely events must also take place (we could try to calculate those under reasonable assumptions) means that:

The Braves chances of making the playoff are substantially less than 2%.

Go Braves - but let’s be realistic.

By Steamboat

September 25, 2007 7:43 PM | Link to this

Efrim, while I agree that Jeff needs to pick it up a little to be an elite player… take a look at what each of the guys you listed was doing at age 23.

Most of ‘em were cutting their teeth in the minors; or struggling at the major league level. Of course, Griffey is the exception, but I don’t think anyone is suggesting Jeff is the next Junior. And Hawpe is just great… no defense on that one… but his IS 28 years old.

I think Frenchy is in transition. He came up just pounding the ball, but realized after last year he has to “think” up there. When the thinking becomes second nature, I think his power will return.

Anyway, he’s 23, and most of the guys on your list weren’t even in the majors at 23.

By fastasballs

September 25, 2007 7:44 PM | Link to this

LOL Overlord, a moon shot was it?

Chuckie is one pace for his normal 100 pitch 5 inning effort.

By David O'Brien

September 25, 2007 7:44 PM | Link to this

Old Lefty, agreed on D-Train. But I don’t know that a low-ball offer would get him. Worth trying, certainly.

By Ippississim

September 25, 2007 7:44 PM | Link to this

Now that’s more like it. Two innings pitched, one run allowed, one hit, no walks, FOUR K’s. Way to go.

By Edgar

September 25, 2007 7:49 PM | Link to this

Wow,it is true, the strike zone of the Ump is the size of a golf ball.

By keylargo25

September 25, 2007 7:52 PM | Link to this

Stat Prof

I’m taking that course next semester! Let me hope for now.

By Paladin

September 25, 2007 7:55 PM | Link to this

Oh,cool, you’re here BTW, you have more comas than you’re worth. O’Brien does not blow. He puffs a little. :>)

By Ippississim

September 25, 2007 7:57 PM | Link to this

Chuckie put down nine in a row. 3 IP, 1 ER, 45 pitches, 4 K. Not bad at all.

By Overlord

September 25, 2007 7:58 PM | Link to this

I hope we dont score too many runs today———- that would mean off day for the offense tomorrow……..

By uga-brave

September 25, 2007 7:58 PM | Link to this

boy C.B BUCKNER’s strike zone is all over the place.

efrim, thanks fot the right field comaparisons.

frenchy has seen two pitches tonight.

By Paladin

September 25, 2007 7:59 PM | Link to this

keylargo25 Stat “prof” is taking that course next semester, too. Don’t copy off of him.

By Overlord

September 25, 2007 8:02 PM | Link to this

cubs losing, arizona losing…..this really works in our favor.

By Efrim

September 25, 2007 8:04 PM | Link to this

Steamboat

If he is up in the majors, he has to perform. How old is Ryan Braun?

Do’t get me wrong, Frenchy is great, but if we want to finish higher than 3rd place next season, we have to get more from him. We also need to see more of the 2006 verson of Brian McCann, kinda like the one who just singled home Andruw.

Nice…..

By Edgar

September 25, 2007 8:05 PM | Link to this

Oh the universe…Chuck hit C.B Buckner with a bunt foul in the throat.

By Paladin

September 25, 2007 8:07 PM | Link to this

I predicted that Tex, Chipper and Andruw would go yard with men on. I’m waiting Chipper and Andruw!

By Overlord

September 25, 2007 8:11 PM | Link to this

phillies look either too anxious or chuck is doing a superb job…… looks like the pressure is on them. Things looking good.

By BossLady

September 25, 2007 8:11 PM | Link to this

These lousy Phillies fan cheered when CB was hit. He could have crushed his Adam’s Apple and had a fatal injury. If there is a hell on earth, it is Philadelphia.

By uga-brave

September 25, 2007 8:11 PM | Link to this

efrim,

age at this point is not relevant, he gets close to 700 plate appearances a year, his .ops is that of an average middle infielder.

By Efrim

September 25, 2007 8:15 PM | Link to this

Chuck James has given up 31 home runs in 160 innings.

By BossLady

September 25, 2007 8:16 PM | Link to this

Yeah, Paladin that’s me. Don’t you and the fellow bloggers also agree that DOB is amazing. It is that you guys can’t tell him and i can tell him he is amazing. Ladies Right LOL

By Edgar

September 25, 2007 8:16 PM | Link to this

Here goes “Mr.Home Run Serving Machine”.Rollins goes yard, Howards goes yard.But he has 6 Ks

By Overlord

September 25, 2007 8:17 PM | Link to this

Paladin i just hope you were not the one predicting Howard going yard

By Gil in Mechanicsville

September 25, 2007 8:17 PM | Link to this

Wow, that was a lonng homerun…. That would have been out of Central Park..

By Stat Prof

September 25, 2007 8:17 PM | Link to this

Paladin not everyone who posts here is as uneducated as you appear to be.

By //////////Berigan\\\\\\\\\\

September 25, 2007 8:19 PM | Link to this

Can’t really blame Chucky for that…Well, shouldn’t have walked Pat the bat, but the Phillies do this, and are doing this to EVERYONE. If we can’t get in to the playoffs, I will be rooting for the Phillies to somehow win it all. Between AL fans that don’t think an NL team can win one game against the Yankees, or Red sox, to the Muts fans that invade this forum…it would be good…well, another homer…sigh…He does look pretty good, doesn’t he? Didn’t he?(Came in late to see the game, but heard some of it on the radio)

By uga-brave

September 25, 2007 8:20 PM | Link to this

i think roger said put it on a tee. jeez for once could we not give up runs the same inning when we score.

31 dingers off chucky this year. might consider doing something this winter besides framing windows. oops make that 32 dingers.

gutless, absolutely gutless. second time through the lineup.

By Overlord

September 25, 2007 8:20 PM | Link to this

now i know it is james pitching!!!!!

4 IP 3 HR.

Never mind!!!!!!!!!

We are rollin……..

By Edgar

September 25, 2007 8:20 PM | Link to this

JesusCrist Chukkkkkkkkk.Thats 3 HR you given up.GOD,he had a 4-1 lead and it’s now 4-4.Seriously,WTF is wrong with Chuck.

By Efrim

September 25, 2007 8:20 PM | Link to this

Chuck James has now given up 32 home runs in 162 innings.

I think he should have #4 or #5 starter tattooed on him so people don’t make the mistake of thinking he is anything different……

By Gil in Mechanicsville

September 25, 2007 8:21 PM | Link to this

Better score a bunch tonight, we’re going to need em…

By Edgar

September 25, 2007 8:24 PM | Link to this

I hope Bennett comes and pitches Good for a couple of innings.

By Efrim

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

UGA Brave

Age is irrelevant when you need to win ball games. You either win or don’t, in 20 years, no one is going to give a s** if Frenchy was 23 or 28 during this season. His OPS needs to go up. Bottom line. The RBI’s are great, but I wonder how many RBI’s Kelly would have if he batted 5th or 6th every game this year.

Not jumping all over Frenchy, just think it is something interesting to think about.

By BossLady

September 25, 2007 8:26 PM | Link to this

Yes, Berigan we will root for the Phillies if the Braves are not in it.

The best thing that could happen is that all of baseball fear the
NL East.

When we regroup, we will go into their house and whip’um!!!!

By Steamboat

September 25, 2007 8:26 PM | Link to this

uga-brave, okay. So what’s the point? Trade him? Send him to the minors?

By fastasballs

September 25, 2007 8:27 PM | Link to this

Back where they started. My prediction is 14-10 Braves.The Phillies pen is as bad as the Muts. Tex goes yard 3 times.

By DAP

September 25, 2007 8:29 PM | Link to this

i like the quick hook for chuck james. bobby is treating it like the playoffs.

its really too bad because james WAS looking so good before that. he was clearly upset with himself, too. thats alot for a guy that you usually doesnt show anything.

By Overlord

September 25, 2007 8:34 PM | Link to this

brewers winning

cubs losing

arizona losing

this is all working out….. gooo braves, the gods are with us.

By BossLady

September 25, 2007 8:35 PM | Link to this

Well, it is time for my husband, nite all.

By //////////Berigan\\\\\\\\\\

September 25, 2007 8:35 PM | Link to this

Jamie Moyer, strikes out Tex, then nearly legs out a bunt….clearly, he is on steroids! ;)

By Old Lefty

September 25, 2007 8:36 PM | Link to this

You are a big leaguer now, Mr. James. Welcome to the humility of it all.

Now ….. what will you DO with it? Steel yourself, kid.

Meantime, we’ve got the arms, we’ve got the wood …..

ONWARD.

By Lowe's installation manager

September 25, 2007 8:38 PM | Link to this

Oh good, it looks like one of my best window installers will be back at work soon.

By wg

September 25, 2007 8:39 PM | Link to this

Good? Evening. Is anyone watching this fiasco? What did McD say to Chuckie? Quit screwing around and throw Howard a stike? Well look what happened. 3 hits 3 homeruns. Shall we keep making Chuckie our next Glavine? Have all you Bring Back Glavine Fans checked out his recent lines? Looks like old age is catching up?

By Braveheart

September 25, 2007 8:39 PM | Link to this

Efrim & UGAbrave, get the hell off Frenchy’s case already.

I showed you the statistical similarity between Frenchy and Clemente at comparable ages last night. And age does matter. If you understood much about baseball history and player development, you’d understand that.

What if he never becomes the next Clemente but becomes the next Dwight Evans or the next Paul Oneill or the next Bernie Williams?

Go look up the stats for Roberto Clemente, Dwight Evans, Paul Oneill, Bernie Williams when they were in their early twenties.

You’ll see what you see out of Frenchy - flashes of greatness that needed time to finally be put together in one complete package.

Frenchy has every bit the talent of Clemente, Dwight Evans, Paul Oneill, Bernie Williams to me.

But according to you guys, they all should have had a fork stuck in them in their early twenties.

Why do you think those 4 players are so generally beloved by their fans?

Because those fans heard about all 4 of them for years the way we heard about Frenchy. They sat there and got excited when they showed flashes of greatness and scratched their heads when they were inconsistent. But eventually they all put it together. Frenchy has the hard work, humility, and dedication to make it happen - he’s shown this year he is determined not to become Andruw. It’s gonna be really fun when he finally completes the package and puts a damn ribbon on top of it.

Would Pirates fans have loved Clemente as much if they didn’t go through the growing pains of his early twenties? Would Red Sox fans have felt the same about Dwight Evans if they did not experience the same with Dewey? Yankees fans love Bernie Williams because they heard about him for years in the minors, he showed flashes of greatness and slow development until he finally blossomed. Yankees fans adore Paul Oneill because he never made them feel like they were stealing another team’s star. He was very talented but struggled mightily throughout his entire 20s while butting heads with Pinella with the Reds. So, when he was traded to the Yanks and finally flourished, the fans loved him to death as if he was one of their own.

It’s a ton of fun to watch them slowly develop if you allow it to be. It makes the payoff that much sweeter. Kind of like 1991 would not have been as sweet if you did not have to endure watching Glavine and Smoltz and Gant and company slowly mature through the late 80s and into 1990. But you guys would have told Smoltz to go back to Michigan State and start working on his degree and told Glavine to go pick up a hockey stick again.

That’s what we have with Frenchy right now. It won’t be as much fun for you later if you don’t start enjoying watching his development now.

Yeah, Chop Chop they paid me the bulk rate for this one as well. :o> Wasn’t much of surprise when I tried to redeem it and they did not have a t shirt to give me.

By ssiscribe

September 25, 2007 8:40 PM | Link to this

Just got home. See Chuck had a case of the yakks tonight, not hard to do in that bandbox up there …

OK, Jeff Bennett, you’re on point in what’s basically a playoff game. Feels like the postseason, doesn’t it denizens? Let’s go out there and see what happens.

Notorious DOB? I love it: “D-O, D-O, D-O-B, can’t you see; how your words just hypnotize me; and I just love your bloggin’ ways; tell us Baldelli is on the way!”

Sorry, couldn’t resist quoting the late and great Biggie (and putting a Baldelli reference in there, too).

Back to the game. Come on, Braves!

The Scribe abides.

—30—

By Overlord

September 25, 2007 8:40 PM | Link to this

Once again..bad approach to the ball by brian…….. man he needs to work on his D.

By DAP

September 25, 2007 8:47 PM | Link to this

do the braves have the guts to win this game?

they are gonna have to grind this one out.

By Braveheart

September 25, 2007 8:48 PM | Link to this

Dammit!!!!!!!

By Overlord

September 25, 2007 8:48 PM | Link to this

we all know braves dont know how to play catch…….. this is were trouble begins.

By Old Lefty

September 25, 2007 8:50 PM | Link to this

Right on, OL. Pancake, pancake … would you like sausage or bacon with that? And we had Rollins on the pine ……

By Gil in Mechanicsville

September 25, 2007 8:50 PM | Link to this

Okay, kept it in the park, now let’s get that run back……

By Edgar

September 25, 2007 8:50 PM | Link to this

Nice.Pretty nice.Now it’s 4-5.I’m optimistic for the rest 4 innings.I know we can burn that sorry @ss phillies bullpen.

By Braveheart

September 25, 2007 8:51 PM | Link to this

Notorious DOB? I love it: “D-O, D-O, D-O-B, can’t you see; how your words just hypnotize me; and I just love your bloggin’ ways; tell us Baldelli is on the way!”

That was hilarious Scribe.

By Fat Lady

September 25, 2007 8:53 PM | Link to this

THE great Glavine gives up 4 runs in 3 against the Nationals. Every year we go through bring Glavine back or some other x-brave back. That’s BULL SH*T! I hope he stays gone and AJ can go with him. The Braves blow 4 run lead-now 5-4. Play-off time and Glavine blows it.

By //////////Berigan\\\\\\\\\\

September 25, 2007 8:53 PM | Link to this

Braveheart,

Very good post on Frenchy, but you ain’t gonna change their minds. I wrote these two early in the am a few days ago…didn’t seem to do the trick, but I thought they were pretty good, they convinced me I was right! ;)

\\\BERIGAN////////// September 22, 2007 5:32 AM | Link to this uga-brave, Man, you really are on Frenchy’s case, aren’t ya??? I know it has been mentioned before, but he is only 23!!! You know what George Foster hit when he was 23, .200!!!! When Foster was 25, he hit 7 homers! At the age of 26, his top RBI season was 78. When he was 28 he hit 52 HR’s and drove in 149. And he was NOT on steroids I can guarantee. Frenchy hit .260 last year (when 22)This year he is hitting .292. Drove in 103 last year, 101 so far this year. 12 less homers, big deal! OBP has gone from 293 to 336 this year. Slugging is down slightly, from .449 to .434. More doubles this year than last. Don’t forget, both he and McCann have been hurt by the black hole that once was Andruw Jones hitting in front of them much of the year.(Not that it helps to have a guy hitting .220 behind you either though) If Andruw was having a typical walk year, I bet Frenchy and McCann would have higher BA’s and many more RBI’s. He clearly plays hurt(I do wish he’d take a day off now and then) and always runs hard, doesn’t he? But, you know what’s more important, IMHO??? He WANTS to come up with the game on the line, and/or runners on. In fact, he is hitting .350 with RISP, and .341 with RISP and 2 outs. How is Andruw doing? 120 points lower with RISP (.230) and .165!!!!!!!!!!!!!! with RISP and 2 outs. I can’t believe I even have to defend him to you!!! If/When we don’t have Andruw in the lineup(Oh please don’t sign him no matter how cheap JS!!!!) The last thing we need to do is trade Frenchy!!! Well, unless Santana is waved in front of us, and we can somehow sign him long term. Other than that, he HAS to be our right fielder for the next decade or so…..

By //////////Berigan\\\

**September 23, 2007 3:16 AM | Link to this

UGA-Brave, Man, you are close to getting Robertian on this Frenchy thing! ;) Reread my 5:32 AM post on Frenchy. Dude, he is hitting .350 with RISP, what more do you want of him, to hit more homers, and hit .260 like Andruw does, err, I mean did??? I’ll take Frenchy’s .341 With RISP and 2 outs over Andruw’s .165 RISP, 2 out B.A. What did Mike Schmidt do when he was 23? He hit 18 homers, and hit a robust .196. Hit slugged an amazing .373 that year. Clearly he was never going to become a power hitter. And Frenchy has brown hair, anyway. There, that is settled, lets go back to bashing the Mets, and rooting for the fightin’ Phils!!!!**

By ssiscribe

September 25, 2007 8:54 PM | Link to this

TIE GAME!!! Way to go AJ!!! Way to hustle Frenchy!!!

—30—

By BG

September 25, 2007 8:54 PM | Link to this

argh… this game is frustrating like so many Braves games this season. The hitting is falling just short of the pitching. Moyer seems to be settling in a bit. Tough break on Rollins reaching on a K.

By Braveheart

September 25, 2007 8:54 PM | Link to this

attaboy frenchy! great hustle!

By ijonathan

September 25, 2007 8:56 PM | Link to this

Brian McCann, Mr. Fundamentals. Doesn’t block the pitch in the dirt = 1 Philly run. Doesn’t advance Andruw to 3rd with no out = who knows?

By ssiscribe

September 25, 2007 8:59 PM | Link to this

ATTA BOY MATTY! Way to get home AJ!!! BRAVES LEAD!!!!!!

NO QUIT!!! NO QUIT!!! Let’s get more!!!

—30—

By Braveheart

September 25, 2007 8:59 PM | Link to this

attaboy Andruw. great hustle. good knock Diaz.

By Edgar

September 25, 2007 8:59 PM | Link to this

Well,what a pleasant surprise…we’ve back on top of this ballgame!!!! GO Braves!!!

By Efrim

September 25, 2007 9:01 PM | Link to this

Braveheart

I’m not getting all over Frenchy. If you read my posts, you would see that. If Kelly Johnson was batting 6th, how many RBI’s would he have?

Frenchy is going to be a great player. Annual 300/350/500 type player, but the fact of the matter is we need that from him soon. Like in two years. I am hoping next year is a big step close to it. 767 OPS isn’t good, anyway you slice it. 101 RBI’s and a 290 average is great. He needs to walk more and stop swinging at the first pitch.

By //////////Berigan\\\\\\\\\\

September 25, 2007 9:02 PM | Link to this

Man, WTF is up with this umps??? Willie didn’t even begin to swing at that “Check” strike! Dammit!!!

By BG

September 25, 2007 9:03 PM | Link to this

L I B …. maybe tonight is different and we’ll win a close one. Go Braves.

By DAP

September 25, 2007 9:05 PM | Link to this

grind it out BRAVES!!!

By ssiscribe

September 25, 2007 9:06 PM | Link to this

YEAH EDGAR!!!!!!! 8-5!!

Let’s go bullpen, 12 outs to go. HOLD THE LEAD!!

—30—

By Overlord

September 25, 2007 9:08 PM | Link to this

This guys look like cheetahs.

Frenchy started the rally…….better write that down you frenchy dislikers.

All this damage and chipper has done nothing. This teams has enough weapons. Even the BP looks good now.

By Tomahawkin' Again

September 25, 2007 9:08 PM | Link to this

Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in. Holy Cow! 8-5 in the 6th? Possibly 2 out of the wildcard with still 5 to play? Huddy & Smoltzie the next 2 nights, to sweep the Phils? Ok, ok, I started to breathe into a paperbag…

By Edgar

September 25, 2007 9:08 PM | Link to this

Renteria middle name is CLUTCH!!! Talk about timely hitting. Attaboy Renty!!!

By Old Lefty

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

However this one winds up, our boys definitely showed up tonight.

Good stuff. REALLY good stuff.

By Braveheart

September 25, 2007 9:11 PM | Link to this

EDGRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!

By Old Lefty

September 25, 2007 9:15 PM | Link to this

Those baboons in the stands don’t DESERVE the great team they’ve got.

Philly fans are hardly a notch above the slime in Shea.

Jerks …. absolute jerks. Just another reason to put them out of their misery.

By ssiscribe

September 25, 2007 9:15 PM | Link to this

Nine outs to go. Come on offense, get more runs!!

—30—

By journalist jimmy smith

September 25, 2007 9:15 PM | Link to this

oh, the humanity! this is exciting!

By fastasballs

September 25, 2007 9:15 PM | Link to this

Wow, way to come back Braves. HUGE props for all the hustle by everyone that inning especially Frenchy & Andruw!

Keep piling the runs up because you can’t have enough against the Phillies in that ballpark,

By beachcomber

September 25, 2007 9:17 PM | Link to this

Do you think…?

By Greg in TN

September 25, 2007 9:20 PM | Link to this

Evening gang…

DOB I laughed for 20 minutes at the Notorious DOB signoff earlier today. Classic stuff.

Should we start calling our first baseman Notorious T-E-X? Chuck James struggled tonight in the house that wiffleball built. Really enjoyed the bottom of the sixth. Great hitting by Frenchy, Mattie D. A couple of bang, bang plays at the plate that went in our favor and now we have a three run advantage going into the last third of the game.

We could also be getting a whole lot of help tonight if current scores remain the way they are.

By Overlord

September 25, 2007 9:23 PM | Link to this

AZ and CHC are closer to losing.

Mil still leading

Braves leading

World is perfect

By Braveheart

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

Acosta is so skinny and pitches so intensely, I swear he’s pitching for food.

By TennesseePaul

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

Sheeeesh! This is a good game. I pull it up, Braves go up 3-0 James comes back with a homer. Braves plate another, James comes back with 2 homers. Bennett manages to escape a jam but the Braves are down. I get up and bake a pie. put it in the oven, come back and the Braves had plated 4 and are now winning!

GO BRAVES!!

By Overlord

September 25, 2007 9:27 PM | Link to this

The double sweep theory is working……..everything looks good, even chucks outing could turn into a W

By Braveheart

September 25, 2007 9:32 PM | Link to this

the dimensions of this ballpark are a joke.

By MurphyRules

September 25, 2007 9:36 PM | Link to this

Man, I know there’s like an 0.2 percent chance that the Braves will make the playoffs, but you have to love the fact that they have given us a night like this at this point of the season.

Who thought two weeks ago we’d be sitting on the final Tuesday night of the season, following about four other games and praying that the bullpen can hold a lead?

If we pull this out, I’m going to stay up and listen to the Padres’ game on XM and root my butt off for the Giants. Here’s hoping we get at least one more of these nights tomorrow … and then the next night … and then the next night.

By keylargo25

September 25, 2007 9:37 PM | Link to this

I’m “watching” this on MLB.com’s gameday since there is not even a radio broadcast where I am. This takes me back to listening to Milo Hamilton and makes me appreciate how good Skip, Pete, Joe, and Chip are. LOL I am enjoying watching the graphics and reading the play by play.

By fastasballs

September 25, 2007 9:48 PM | Link to this

5 outs left to get. Is Soriano suspended or not? I’m watching the Phillies broadcast & their announcers are lost & have no clue.

By ssiscribe

September 25, 2007 9:50 PM | Link to this

THREE OUTS TO GO!!!!

Hold on, Braves!!!

—30—

By ijonathan

September 25, 2007 9:50 PM | Link to this

9th Inning: Moylan or Soriano??

By columbusbuckeye

September 25, 2007 9:51 PM | Link to this

We have the potential to get this one……mother momentum is on our side.

By Overlord

September 25, 2007 9:54 PM | Link to this

astros have a weak pitching, weak hitting team down to 5th worst in the league in both.

So this game to me was the tougher of the last 6.

GOOOOOOOOOOO braves.

Well maybe the one against oswalt will be tough but we will be so close we will play harder,

By N8

September 25, 2007 9:55 PM | Link to this

DOB

When you type “Peace Out” and follow it with Notorious DOB, do you “thump” your chest and nod your head back?

That would be AWWWWWESOME.

So, can we call you Dobby, for short? Oh, wait. That’s NOT shorter than DOB, is it?

Never mind.

Anybody else out there think that this team (players AND coaches) are playing much looser than they have all season?

NO WAY, do they send those runners on Rowand early in the year. Why is that? Why when they have “nothing to lose” does Bobby pull out all the stops and have the guys play exciting, aggressive baseball, but for the first 145 games of the year, he sits on his arse “waiting for something to happen”?

The way the team has played the last week or so, reminds of how the 91 team played ALL YEAR.

THAT is why Bobby needs to step asside. This team needs somebody young and enthusiastic in that dugout that has them playing this style of ball ALL THE TIME.

By Braveheart

September 25, 2007 10:00 PM | Link to this

HOSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By TennesseePaul

September 25, 2007 10:00 PM | Link to this

WAY TO GO CHIPPER!!!!

By ssiscribe

September 25, 2007 10:00 PM | Link to this

GET OUT OF TOWN CHIPPER!!! A FREAKING BLAST TO DEEP RIGHT!!!

10-6 Braves!!!

Get three more outs and let’s see what happens on the West Coast tonight!!

DARE TO DREAM!!! No QUIT!!!!

Come on bullpen!!

—30—

By DAP

September 25, 2007 10:00 PM | Link to this

HOW DID I KNOW CHIPPER HAD SOMETHING FOR US TONIGHT?

Paladin, actually, you called that earlier. now andruw needs to do it, and youll be 3 for 4. (since chuck wasnt lights out)

By beachcomber

September 25, 2007 10:02 PM | Link to this

Skip (on radio to some leather lung below the booth): “Larry that one, Buddy.” Great line!

By BG

September 25, 2007 10:02 PM | Link to this

Yes. Chipper gets his 100th RBI of the season in style! A 4 run lead really helps in this bandbox. And the Nats just scored more runs too! Brad Penny is pitching for the Dodgers against the Rockies. It might be a great night. Stayin’ alive…

By Tomahawkin' Again

September 25, 2007 10:03 PM | Link to this

BOOM GOES THE DYNAMITE! Doesn’t it look like the rats are jumping off the ship? Look at those scum-bag Phils fans leave. Chipper’s 9th time with 100 RBI’s in a season. Let’s Go Giants!

By Edgar

September 25, 2007 10:03 PM | Link to this

Boy,what HR by Chipper.That was UPPER Level.Has to be 400 ft.

By fastasballs

September 25, 2007 10:04 PM | Link to this

Monster homer by Chipper!!!!

By N8

September 25, 2007 10:05 PM | Link to this

That azz yelling LARRY, is hilarious.

LOVE IT! Skip just said “Larry that one, buddy!”

This team kills me. I have to say, about 2-3 weeks ago, I said there was NO reason to watch these last games of the season.

Well, for one, we are NOT mathematically eliminated yet, so to some extent that is worth watching. But the battle that Chipper and Edgar have for the batting title, is pretty fun to watch/listen to.

Not to mention these young relievers that will more than likely be in the pen next year (Ring, Acosta, Ascanio, Bennett - ok…he’s not that young, but you get the picture).

I stopped paying close attention for about a week, but they’ve sucked me back in. Only this time, I don’t EXPECT them to win anything, so it’s a little more enjoyable when they do.

I don’t really think they’ll make the post-season this year (too much to happen with other teams out of our control), but this is getting interesting, isn’t it?

By Savannah Guy

September 25, 2007 10:05 PM | Link to this

Been watching but not able to blog. Like the way this game is going now.

Chipper just killed three people in the upper deck on that home run.

Trivia question: who said something similar to that years ago?

By MurphyRules

September 25, 2007 10:06 PM | Link to this

You could just SMELL that homer coming from Chipper! C’mon Soriano. THREE MORE OUTS!!!

By flange1

September 25, 2007 10:07 PM | Link to this

Hey Paladin,

You are 2 for 3!

By DAP

September 25, 2007 10:08 PM | Link to this

The homer howard hit earlier had a very unique sound coming off the bat. you could just tell from the sound that it was hit about as hard as a baseball could be hit. chipper homer just made the same exact sound.

one thing i love the most about chipper, though, is that there was no posing. when chipper hits one he just puts his head down and runs.

way to go hoss!!!

By Tyler

September 25, 2007 10:08 PM | Link to this

Something I was thinking about a little while ago..

Matt Holliday is being considered as the NL MVP very seriously, as is Prince Fielder. If the Braves win the Wild Card, should he be considered as well?

Braveheart was going on the other day on how he is #1 in OPS, BA, etc. If he wins the batting title, hits 30 HR, has 100+ RBI, and maybe a gold glove along with all the other stats, wouldn’t it be possible to take home the MVP if we make the playoffs?

By Shaun

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

N8, gee, last I checked Bobby wasn’t the third base coach and never pinch-ran for anyone on his team.

Could it be the Braves have finally started to play up to their run differential (i.e., they are getting more breaks)?

By Savannah Guy

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

Hoss and Tex put some pretty big exclamation points on this game. Those happen to look like biggass bats.

! !

By keylargo25

September 25, 2007 10:12 PM | Link to this

EVERBODY in the starting lineup has a hit. Hudson, then Smoltz! Hey Professor - what’s the odds up to now?

By Old Lefty

September 25, 2007 10:12 PM | Link to this

Hello, World.

THIS is who we are!

THIS is the Atlanta Braves.

By DAP

September 25, 2007 10:15 PM | Link to this

i forgot, palidin went to bed 4 hours ago.

By N8

September 25, 2007 10:16 PM | Link to this

keylargo25

“I am enjoying watching the graphics and reading the play by play.”

I used to do that for the games that weren’t on TBS (or other channels), then last year, I signed up for the mlbradio thing online (on $14.95 for the whole year), so you can listen to Skip all year long. Half the time, even if the game is on ESPN or another channel, I’ll listen on the computer anyways. It is delayed a little bit, so you see the action before you “hear it”.

My wife used to roll her eyes every time I’d “yell” at the computer when they would be playing lousy. I guess it’s one thing to be watching or listening and pizz and moan, but to yell at a bunch of words and bad animation on the computer is kinda silly, I have to admit.

Spend the 15 bucks. It’s worth it. Not to mention, if you “miss” a game, they archive all of them, so you can go back and listen to yesterday’s game if you so choose to do so.

Also, when I’m at work, and there aren’t Braves games in the afternoon, I’ll listen to the Brewers if they’re on just to hear Uecker. He’s ALWAYS entertaining.

Good luck “reading” the game. :-)

By A-ville Ranger

September 25, 2007 10:17 PM | Link to this

Slim just gained a bit on none.If only they’d awakened from their slumber a week earlier.

By ssiscribe

September 25, 2007 10:17 PM | Link to this

THAT’S THE FIRST ONE!!!!!

Way to go Braves!!!

Come on GIANTS!!!

Come on DODGERS!!!

Dare to dream, denizens … dare to dream!

—30—

By fastasballs

September 25, 2007 10:17 PM | Link to this

1 down 5 to go

By Savannah Guy

September 25, 2007 10:18 PM | Link to this

Better than a cheesesteak and a hot pretzel with mustard…Braves Win!

By TennesseePaul

September 25, 2007 10:19 PM | Link to this

Great game Braves! I’m glad Chipper got a hit to keep the average up. Even happier it was a HR.

Now, now I have to root for the… I have to cheer for the… dodgers. I can’t believe I have to say that.

By Bob

September 25, 2007 10:20 PM | Link to this

Ball Game! Wow, this has suddenly gotten interesting. I hope next Sunday we will be able to pull Larry Munson’s Run Lindsey Run Lindsey Run tape out. You know, the one where he went through the chair and proclaimed that he had given up and all the fans had given up and we had just witnessed a miracle. Well, we ain’t there yet but as N8 just said, “it is getting interesting isn’t it?”. And the Mets are getting drubbed again to boot. What more could you want?

By SomeYahoo

September 25, 2007 10:20 PM | Link to this

wow. just great baseball these past few weeks. Just keep winning fellas. they’re looking at a 19-8 September if they win out. 5 more.

GO GIANTS!! GO DODGERS!!

By keylargo25

September 25, 2007 10:21 PM | Link to this

How big was the giant comeback against the Phillies last series now?

By Savannah Guy

September 25, 2007 10:22 PM | Link to this

Hint to earlier trivia question: Crime Dog hit it.

By Braveheart

September 25, 2007 10:24 PM | Link to this

Paladin, I really don’t want to know how you are keeping her mouth shut, but don’t let the fat chick start singing.

BRAVES WIN!

By N8

September 25, 2007 10:24 PM | Link to this

shaun

Could it be that Bobby has instructed his coaches and players to be more aggressive on the basepaths these last couple of weeks, and “force the action” on the opponants?

If you wanna deny, that this team is playing more aggressive and with more fire and enthusiasm in the last 2 weeks than for the first 5 months of the season, you’ve got bigger issues than MOST people on here think you do.

Earlier in the game, BEFORE Chuck was in that deep of trouble, Pete mentioned on Radio that somebody was “already” up in the pen, because these are all crucial games, and you’re gonna see Bobby think “team” rather than player, by pulling a pitcher if it will help the team, rather than giving that PITCHER the opportunity to pick up the victory.

So THAT’s what he’s been doing all year, huh?

That explains a lot.

But you keep thinking that the team is “have finally started to play up to their run differential (i.e., they are getting more breaks)”

Wow. It ONLY took 145 games for that to happen. Go “check the stats” and tell me how often THAT happens.

Whatever dude.

By The Grinch

September 25, 2007 10:24 PM | Link to this

Only got a sec; that was a great game (what I saw of it). Could’ve used that agressiveness earlier in the year. Good times.

G’night, all.

By KC

September 25, 2007 10:27 PM | Link to this

Uh oh… wait a minute… are we back in the post-season hunt?!

It’s still an uphill climb, but ya know, even if they don’t pull off this comeback and make the post-season this year… you have to be thrilled with team for giving us something to watch and cheer for the last week of the season!

Where are the “Braves don’t have any heart” people? Can we hear from a couple of those guys now?

By Braveheart

September 25, 2007 10:29 PM | Link to this

Paladin only goes to bed so early because he needs to keep the fat chick preoccupied. We don’t want her watching because we want her to forget the Braves are playing so she won’t start singing. Paladin is taking one for the team with the fat chick.

By N8

September 25, 2007 10:36 PM | Link to this

Grinch

You said:

“Could’ve used that agressiveness earlier in the year.”

What are you talking about? They weren’t aggressive tonight. That was just them finally playing up to their run differential. Sheeesh. Don’t you know ANYTHING about baseball?

Unreal.

By fastasballs

September 25, 2007 10:37 PM | Link to this

Can the Muts really be this bad? Glavine was knocked around tonight. If they blow the division their idiot fans will burn Shea to the ground before they have a chance to demolish it.

DOB Give us some clubhouse updates if you would. Just wanted to know the mood in there. Are they starting to believe??????

I know it’s a long shot, but every win makes the odds smaller that they can do it. This past couple of weeks has really made the season for me. A lot of the season the team seemed to lack energy, heart, emotion & all of a sudden they have it all & then some. I think as a team they finally REALLY believe they can contend. They were never publicly going to say they couldn’t, but you kinda got that sense by their comments. This may not have been the case at all, but that’s my take on it.

By TennesseePaul

September 25, 2007 10:38 PM | Link to this

N8: It’s all about luck. Nothing to do with playing with more passion.

By KC

September 25, 2007 10:40 PM | Link to this

I’ve asked this a couple times previously, and someone might have already answered this… but if so, I missed it…

Does anyone know what would happen in the event of a 3-way tie for the Wild Card?

By Bob

September 25, 2007 10:40 PM | Link to this

Guys, it was wierd watching the fans at Wrigley over the weekend doing the chop, but tonight must have been a first. Once the Braves score was posted, Shea erupted in that “racist” Tomahawk Chop. Of course, it was a poor rendition but it was hysterical. I just warn Drooler and his buddies to be very, VERY careful about what you wish for. The Mets worst nightmare is to have the Braves make the Wildcard.

By TennesseePaul

September 25, 2007 10:43 PM | Link to this

Mets are coming back

By Savannah Guy

September 25, 2007 10:46 PM | Link to this

Ok, gotta go now…since nobody answered the impromptu trivia question earlier I’ll answer my own question: John Kruk. Yep.

Tomorrow night, another must win.

By keylargo25

September 25, 2007 10:47 PM | Link to this

N8

Thanks for the tip on the MLB.com radio package. I’ll get signed up!

Didn’t someone say that ESPN had picked up tomorrow nights’ game?

By MurphyRules

September 25, 2007 10:47 PM | Link to this

Wow! The Nats are remembering they’re the Nats. Oh, well. Can’t worry about the Mets these days. Go Giants and Go Dodgers!

By Bob

September 25, 2007 10:49 PM | Link to this

Mets saw that Braves knocked off the Phillies, did the Chop and are now chopping up the Nats.

By uga-brave

September 25, 2007 10:49 PM | Link to this

if nothing else they are playing hard and loose.

bobby managed a GREAT game tonght, no nonsense pulled chuck n duck at the right time. managed the bullpen superbly.

way to come off the deck in that four run inning, and even did it without the long ball.

By TennesseePaul

September 25, 2007 10:49 PM | Link to this

KC: Here it is…

Scenario #4: If three Clubs are tied for first place in a Division (or Wild Card) with an identical winning percentage at the conclusion of the championship season and the tied Clubs do not have identical records against one another in the championship season, the tie for the Division Championship (or Wild Card) shall be broken as follows:

If the three tied Clubs have identical records against one another in the championship season, the Office of the Commissioner shall supervise a draw that results in the Clubs’ being designated Club “A,” “B,” and “C.”

If the tied Clubs do not have identical records against one another in the champoinship season, they will be designated Club “A,”“B,” and “C” based on their records in head-to- head competition during the championship season as follows:

.

If Club 1 has a better record against each of Clubs 2 and 3, and Club 2 has a better record against Club 3, then Club 1 shall choose a designation as Club “A,” “B,” or “C,” and Club 2 shall choose a designation from the remaining two designations. Club 3 shall be assigned the remaining designation. If Club 1 has a better record against each of Clubs 2 and 3, and Club 2 and Club 3 have the same record against each other, then Club 1 shall choose a designation as Club “A,” “B,” or “C,” and the Office of the Commissioner shall supervise a draw between Clubs 2 and 3, the winner of which shall choose one of the remaining two designations. The remaining Club shall be assigned the remaining designation.

If Club 1 and Club 2 have the same record against each other but each has a better record against Club 3, then the Office of the Commissioner shall supervise a draw between Clubs 1 and 2, the winner of which shall choose a designation as Club “A,” “B,” or “C.” The Club losing the draw shall choose a designation from the remaining two designations. Club 3 shall be assigned the remaining designation.

If Club 1 has a better record against Club 2, Club 2 has a better record against Club 3, and Club 3 has a better record against Club 1, then the three Clubs shall be ranked on the basis of overall winning percentage within that three-Club group, and the Club with the highest winning percentage from among that three-Club group shall have first choice among designations as Club”A,” “B,” or “C,” the Club with the next highest winning percentage from among that three-Club group shall have the next choice between the two remaining designations, and the Club with the lowest winning percentage from among that three-Club group shall be assigned the remaining designation. If two or more of the Clubs within such three-Club group have the same winning percentage among the group, the Office of the Commissioner shall supervise a draw between the Clubs so tied to determine priority of selection among the designations.

Club”A” shall play Club “B” at the ballpark of Club “A” on Monday, September 29. The following day (Tuesday, September 30), the winner of the first game shall be the home Club in a second game, against Club “C.” The winner of the game between Club”C” and the Club that won the game between Club”A” and Club”B” shall be declared the Division Champion.

Example of Scenario #4: The Chicago White Sox, Kansas City Royals and Minnesota Twins tie for the AL Central Division Championship. The Seattle Mariners have a better record than all three tied Clubs and would be the Wild Card. Based on their head-to-head records through games of September 7 (CWS 7-5 over each Minnesota and KC; KC 11-8 over Minnesota), the White Sox would choose their designation as Club “A,” “B,” or “C,” and Kansas City would choose a designation from the remaining two designations. Minnesota would be assigned the remaining designation.

By A-ville Ranger

September 25, 2007 10:50 PM | Link to this

N8 ——It’s hard to imagine you injoying anything.I really don’t recall one post by you that didn’t have something negative in it.Then again, if you injoy adverseness, you’re probably deliriously happy.

By Bob

September 25, 2007 10:53 PM | Link to this

Mets lose, Padres trailing in 2d and Rockies winning again in 3d.

By TennesseePaul

September 25, 2007 10:53 PM | Link to this

Sheeeeesh! That was close. Mets rallied for 6 but fell short. Mets lost! Now, Padres and Rockies…. fall apart!

GO BRAVES!!

By MurphyRules

September 25, 2007 10:54 PM | Link to this

YES, YES, YES!!! Giants up 4-0 after two innings.

By fastasballs

September 25, 2007 10:57 PM | Link to this

San Fran up 4-0 on the Pads in the 2nd. I think Milton Bradley has sunk the Pads all by himself. Those pesky Rockies are up 2-0 on the Dodgers.

By Bob

September 25, 2007 10:59 PM | Link to this

Tennessee Paul, Wow, that is complicated. It does look that the Braves will have some big advantages if they tie for wildcard since they have season series wins over Padres, Rockies and the Phillies (because unless the Braves sweep, it is probably a mute issue anyway).

By jbutler

September 25, 2007 11:00 PM | Link to this

Braveheart….Completely made me laugh. I haven’t blogged in awhile- you made it worth the trip…

By keylargo25

September 25, 2007 11:00 PM | Link to this

You just know somewhere out there is a fickle Braves fan that is jumping back on the bandwagon after two weeks off it. He will read about the game tomorrow and see that someone named Bennett was the winning pitcher and that he is 2 - 0 and will not know WTF is going on. :-)

By ijonathan

September 25, 2007 11:00 PM | Link to this

Trivia fans, are the Fielders (Prince, Cecil) the first father-son combination to each hit 50 HR in a season? Haven’t heard anybody mention it yet…

By N8

September 25, 2007 11:02 PM | Link to this

KC

“Where are the “Braves don’t have any heart” people? Can we hear from a couple of those guys now?”

Similar to what I said to shaun earlier. If even YOU can’t admit that for 4 months of this season (they didn’t play that bad in April), this team played with no fire, no urgency, and thus, IMO…no heart.

But even I CAN ADMIT, that this team has been different the last couple of weeks.

I guess bad teams NEVER play great baseball. Good teams CAN play great baseball, but don’t do it consistantly, and great baseball teams find a way to play MORE great baseball than they don’t.

Oddly enough, the Braves have been in ALL THREE of those categories for LONG stretches of times this year.

By Supes

September 25, 2007 11:08 PM | Link to this

:SMIRK: NY Mets continue to “bend over” for the Nats…Nice job! Way to close out the season Mets…thanks for providing me with a good laugh!

What a gutsy win by the Braves. They got the lead, Chuck caughs up the long ball as usual, They lose the lead, and come back!

Aggressive base running and some balls found the holes on the infield, and Braves won the game.

Chipper Jones is a baller from the left side right now…he’s hitting what…close to .500 after the all star break! Batting title and Gold Glove this year for Chipper…I’d like to have that “ammo” for next year to use against NY Mets fans and their loverboy David I can’t Field Wright.

This last week will be games to watch and to cheer for our Atlanta Braves. They may not get in the playoffs, but they have not quit and are not giving up.

KC, This Team played without guts for a stretch after the all star break and now they have turned it around, the last 10 games or so. It maybe too late, but they are building on next year anyways. Add some pitching to the starting rotation that gives them innings, get the pen ready and healthy, and this will be a contending team in 08!

Go Braves! Go Huddy and Smoltz in the next two games. Need our “heavy hitters” to greet the Phillies and set them down!

By N8

September 25, 2007 11:08 PM | Link to this

A-ville Ranger

“I really don’t recall one post by you that didn’t have something negative in it.”

Thanks man. I really like you. Too bad you’re a wanker.

Damn! I almost did it. Almost posted something without a negative comment.

I guess you’re right.

By N8

September 25, 2007 11:16 PM | Link to this

TennesseePaul

“N8: It’s all about luck. Nothing to do with playing with more passion.”

Correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t think I’ve used the word passion at all tonight. Maybe I did.

As far as the luck. Man alive. We wer one lucky team in the 90’s, huh?

I hear what you are saying. SOME luck has to come into play. But to me, luck is for teams without talent. WE HAVE TALENT. Just like the 90’s teams.

Don’t you dare use the word “crapshoot” with me, or I might get angry and say something negative, I’ve been known to do that IN EVERY POST.

By MrC

September 25, 2007 11:16 PM | Link to this

I think the Braves are playing better because of the bigger roster. Makes it much easier to manage a bullpen with more arms to go to. Chuck would have had to stay in with a smaller roster. Not to mention pinch hitting earlier for a pitcher. Another thing that I have not seen mentioned is Diaz is playing every day now.

By Bob

September 25, 2007 11:18 PM | Link to this

Padres still losing 4-0 and Dodgers just tied the Rocks 2-2. It appears that the stars are aligning.

By N8

September 25, 2007 11:22 PM | Link to this

By the way A-ville Ranger

I don’t think you’re a wanker, was just trying to be a smartass.

By keylargo25

September 25, 2007 11:23 PM | Link to this

ijonathan

The Fielders are the only ones to hit 50 each but the Bonds have hit nearly 1100 (1094) together.

By uga-brave

September 25, 2007 11:23 PM | Link to this

the more i see esco and renteria in the same infield, the more i think renteria will be back for one more year at short.

love the two guys on the infield at the same time.

no coincidence that this team started playing better when EDGAR came off the D.L.

By Steamboat

September 25, 2007 11:24 PM | Link to this

N8, so in April the Braves had heart; they lost it in the middle of the season; and now they have it again? Pretty much the same players… but they’re all schizophrenic?

Or maybe, when baseball teams are winning, they appear to have “heart” and when they’re losing the don’t look so bouncy.

Teams that are winning tend to be hitting well, pitching well, and/or having success on the bases. Teams that are losing tend to strike out a lot, give up a lot of big hits, get thrown out on the bases. That’s why they’re winning… or losing.

I think the “heart” thing is bunk. Just my opinion.

Anyway, hopefully the Pads and Rox lose tonight, and we’ll be within 2 games. Then a redux tomorrow, and we’re in a pennant race!

By N8

September 25, 2007 11:27 PM | Link to this

Nice points MrC.

The expanded roster DEFINITELY helps.

By Edgar

September 25, 2007 11:30 PM | Link to this

Oh the universe… Pads losing. Rox tied.Sounds like a bright and good morning.

By Bob

September 25, 2007 11:32 PM | Link to this

Phillies had 39K for their game tonight. That is well short of capacity (44K). They are smack in the middle of the playoff race and they only pull in 39K? Hell the Braves, which were a long shot before the weekend with the Brewers drew 42 and 44K over the weekend with the Falcons and Jackets playing at the same time. We have to hear it all the time about not supporting the Braves yet here the Phillies are tied for the Wildcard in an extremely critical series with one of their biggest rivals and they can’t sell out. What gives?

By Wayne in Utah

September 25, 2007 11:32 PM | Link to this

N8 Whasssupp dude? Strange end of the season, huh. Wudda been nice to see some of this in early August.

I haven’t been able to get on to read much lately. Partially because of life dealing me a busy schedule, and partly because being on here so much was not adding to my quality of life. So, I traded some blogging time for some family time. Good trade.

Man I have seen 3-4 post from you that haven’t been negative. What is that guy talking about???

:-)

SF 4, SD 0. Life is good. Col 3, LA 2. Could be better though!

By Greg in TN

September 25, 2007 11:36 PM | Link to this

Regardless of what happens the rest of the way, I’m proud of these guys and proud to be a denizen of the Braves/MIB/pies/toes/bbq blog.

mets lose, dodgers are making a bit of a comeback on the Rockies.

Great night gang. We have momentum and we have Huddy and Smoltz going in the next two days. It’s certainly interesting these days wearing the Tomahawk on one’s chest and we’re still alive and kicking.

Night folks.

By keylargo25

September 25, 2007 11:38 PM | Link to this

In the middle of the year BC insisted that AJ continue to hit cleanup and he hit about .160 with RISP for the year and .097 with RISP and two outs after the Allstar break. There is slump #1.

Edgar Renteria, who would be MVP if not for Chipper, was hurt, went on the DL, player 1 game, went back on DL. Slump #2.

I believe that if either of these could have been avoided, the Braves win the East.

By Wayne in Utah

September 25, 2007 11:39 PM | Link to this

N8 Whasssupp dude? Strange end of the season, huh. Wudda been nice to see some of this in early August.

I haven’t been able to get on to read much lately. Partially because of life dealing me a busy schedule, and partly because being on here so much was not adding to my quality of life. So, I traded some blogging time for some family time. Good trade.

Man I have seen 3-4 post from you that haven’t been negative. What is that guy talking about???

:-)

SF 4, SD 0. Life is good. Col 3, LA 2. Could be better though!

By Bob

September 25, 2007 11:43 PM | Link to this

Dodgers 5-4 in 5th and Giants 4-1 in 6th.

By A-ville Ranger

September 25, 2007 11:44 PM | Link to this

N8—I have wanked in the past and may well at some point in the future.I However am marginally competent using a keyboard and need both hands when typing….I didn’t intend to start a cyber war,in fact I enjoy your observations even when not in complete agreement.

By uga-brave

September 25, 2007 11:48 PM | Link to this

well we will get our post-season one week early.

hey, what the heck the rotation is set, smoltz and huddy. the only negative, and correct me if i am wrong, is that smoltz hates pitching in that ball park.

gotta believe if edgar does not go down in that houston series we would be at the top of this thing. from a leadership standpoint not having edgar for a month was huge.

i know it wont happen but would love to see that same lineup for the next 5 no matter vs. righty or lefty.

By Gil in Mechanicsville

September 25, 2007 11:49 PM | Link to this

MrC A very astute observation. I was thinking the same thing tonight about the sixth inning.

Now, we need to brace ourselves for any bad news coming out of the commissioner’s office. That would really be a precedence setting case for them to suspend Soriono. I think I would have to file for an injunction were it to go to that. This is very dangerous ground for MLB to be treading to make a decision like this.

By David O'Brien

September 25, 2007 11:51 PM | Link to this

Dodgers just scored three in the fourth, up 5-4.

This is getting very interesting. Amazing, really.

Where are the folks who said not last week, but three or four freakin’ weeks ago that the Braves were out of it?

While it’s still unlikely, the odds are changing rapidly. And for anyone to now say they knew a month ago the Braves were done, well, how ‘bout if they’d simply thrown in one stretch like this one back then? They didn’t, I realize. But so many folks here said they weren’t capable of doing it, of having a stretch like this.

I’m not playing gotcha or trying to say you were wrong or whatever, just that in the future, maybe, just maybe, some folks won’t jump to conclusions so soon.

If the Padres lose, Braves will be two games out of the wild-card lead with five to go. And yes, I know Colorado and Philly are ahead of them, but if Hudson and Smoltz win, Braves are even with Phillies.

Padres are scuffling for past week, and not are injury-riddled.

By Wayne in Utah

September 25, 2007 11:52 PM | Link to this

sorry about the double post……fat fingers or something??

By David O'Brien

September 25, 2007 11:55 PM | Link to this

Greg in TN, what can I say? Thug Life 4ever, right?

Fastasballs, they’re realistic in the clubhouse, have been since falling so far back a week ago. But Braves really are playing loose and confident, with nothing to lose, etc. And the confidence is growing by the day. But they’re not at all getting giddy or carried away.

They are closely watching scoreboards, TVs, etc. When we walked into clubhouse after talking to Cox tonight, Teixeira was sitting in front of the big screen TV, eating his food and staring intently at the SF-SD game, not even raising an eye as a dozen reporters walked past him. He was locked in, man.

By TennesseePaul

September 25, 2007 11:57 PM | Link to this

I’ll put more emoticons in my next sarcastic response. Ahhh well. Dodgers have the lead, Padres down.

By Bob

September 25, 2007 11:59 PM | Link to this

Greene just homered in San Fran. Pads down 4-2.

By Gil in Mechanicsville

September 25, 2007 11:59 PM | Link to this

Hard to say that the games lost earlier in the season would make that much difference, perhaps with a different record the Braves would not be playing as well as they are now.

If the Braves do manage to come all the way back and get into the post season, they will be talking about this run for a very long time.

The Mets remind me of the guy who has a two foot putt to win a championship and his hands are shaking from the pressure. I would not think the Mets are folding due to a lack of experience but they must really be hurting right now. I mean to say banged up.

I will say one thing, this team is red hot right now……

By Wayne in Utah

September 26, 2007 12:00 AM | Link to this

What are your latest impressions of the AJ saga? DOB wrote a decent article on the situation. AJ says he won’t beg. I hope the Braves make an effort, but to me, the man is not worth a long term contract. I would resign him for one year at what he made this year, but not a penny more.

If I am going to tie up that kind of cash at a big question mark, I would prefer to sign one of the other CF’ers instead, if the money is the same. Rowand is the catch, in my opinion.

Who are the best defensive CF’ers in the league right now? Would we be better served with a VERY good defensive CF, and bat him 8th, then spend the cash on pitching? DEFINITELY, in my humble opinion.

Some possible names out there: Ross, Sullivan, Church, Duffy, Patterson, DeJesus, and Cameron. I don’t even think Cameron will get more than 5-6 million per. The others would be less. Only Hunter and Rowand are in Andruw’s $$ class.

What to do??? Glad I am not the GM!

By Gil in Mechanicsville

September 26, 2007 12:04 AM | Link to this

Question, were the Braves able to pull this thing out, would people (sports media) talk about the great run the Braves made or would they say every one of the other teams choked?

By Mark

September 26, 2007 12:05 AM | Link to this

KC shutup! This team hadn’t won anything yet ok. They were playing with no heart earlier this season and as recent as 3 weeks ago.

We are playing great now, but that doesn’t mean we are going to the playoffs. We have to win out and hope three other teams play 500 or less ball just to back our way into the playoffs.

What the braves are doing now are p** me off even more because they could have played like this back on that ten game road trip against St. Louis and Cincinnati.

What they are doing now is the same just like what they used to do in those playoffs series. Play hard and lose the game 6 or 7. It doesn’t take much to get your hopes up KC.

You wondered where those guys who said the Braves have no heart are, well I am right here.

Let’s say we win the next two games and are tied for the Wildcard. The last three games we would have to use the weakest part of our team and that is the back end of the rotation.

Do you really think we will sweep Houston with the crappy part of our rotation pitching.

I know your positive a* does KC.

By Bob

September 26, 2007 12:06 AM | Link to this

DOB, Youre right about the Braves. But boy, just think what one stinking win against the Mets in Atlanta would have meant. All those bases loaded situation in which they failed to score are now really haunting. But they have certainly not given up and we have a race. Not much more you can ask of a team. A great way to close out the regular season.

By Gil in Mechanicsville

September 26, 2007 12:07 AM | Link to this

This run so reminds me of the great run when the Braves had to win out to catch and pass the Giants who had won 103 games.

By TennesseePaul

September 26, 2007 12:07 AM | Link to this

Stupid Dodgers! Stupid, stupid Dodgers.

By uga-brave

September 26, 2007 12:09 AM | Link to this

well we all said that the 1-5 thing with the reds would bite us, ouch.

for me it was the twin series and the hudson blown save against the fish, oh and that ugly loss against the astros. i know a lot of teams have games and series like those, but we sure had a ton. either way i appreciate meanignful sept. baseball. better late than never.

as the saying goes thats why you play 162.

By Bob

September 26, 2007 12:10 AM | Link to this

Mr Triple Play, Tulowitzki just put the Rockies ahead of the Dodgers with a 2 run homer. Giants need to hang on.

By Wayne in Utah

September 26, 2007 12:13 AM | Link to this

DOB Hey, even though I am positive to a fault about the Braves, I was one of the guys saying I would like to see BJones, Lilliquist, Blanco and Devine in games NOT against contenders, about 2-3 weeks ago. I admit it. I am enjoying the heck out of this resurgence though.

Realistically, I am not getting my hopes up too high. Got Smoltz and Hudson going, so who knows! Would be great though!!!!!

I read where some guys are being critical of Frenchy’s season???? Whassupp with that crap? Geez, kid is what, 23 years old?

By Edgar

September 26, 2007 12:14 AM | Link to this

Boy,those Sh!it@ss, stinky Rockies always come back.Now its 6-5.

By Wayne in Utah

September 26, 2007 12:19 AM | Link to this

Gil Who cares what they would say? I would just love it, no matter what.

Mark Jeez, if you can’t have a juggernaut, at least enjoy the roller coaster ride.

By TennesseePaul

September 26, 2007 12:19 AM | Link to this

Gil: I’d bet the choking would get quite a bit of attention. Many teams have to fall apart in order for the Braves to make it. And they have to fall apart against .500 or worse teams… But I’d love it if the Mets completely collapsed. 2007 would be known as the Meltdown Mets. It’s got a nice ring to it doesn’t it?

By Gil in Mechanicsville

September 26, 2007 12:21 AM | Link to this

Wayne in Utah I have said all along that money was an issue only because of management’s decision not to raise payroll. I would not expect for there to be a huge increase next year but I also don’t think the Braves are going to advertise how much they have to spend.

You should realize that as much as anybody, you’ve been around the block or two a couple of times. You don’t show everyone your hole cards before the hand is called.

The money is there, I think it is about getting value and evaluating what the team might get in return for their investment. Trying to sign Tex should be a no brainer but do the Braves think this year was an aberration with Andruw or a pattern of decline?

Everyone in baseball is looking for pitching, I think teams better be very good at identifying and developing pitching talent or they are going to stay bottom dwellers.

By uga-brave

September 26, 2007 12:21 AM | Link to this

wayne,

i agree with you on andruw. would love to see him come back for one more a la javy lopez after his off season. all javy did was pound 44 dingers. just dont think borass will stand for a one year deal, and rightfully so. just think if andruw had a redux. it would cost him millions. the other thing was javy had a player option when he re-upped.

and come to think of it, i wonder what javy is doing now? always one of my favorite braves.

By Gil in Mechanicsville

September 26, 2007 12:27 AM | Link to this

TennesseePaul I’m rooting for Grinch to win his bet with MetroMan.

This is the way baseball is suppose to be, down to the final week, the final game, the final pitch and the final out.

Man, just one more solid pitcher could have made a huge difference.

By Ron

September 26, 2007 12:35 AM | Link to this

Well I am back!!! Wow, I dont post since the First week of September and look what happened we are ACTUALLY still in the hunt!!! Gotta admit I am surprised!!! I thought at the end of August they gave up!!! I dont think that it is enough time to win the Wildcard, but at least their trying!!! I just hope I dont jinx the Braves by coming back on here!!! Because the LAST time I came on here we stunk, now we are good!!! Well if we do stink the rest of the year, then yall can yell at me for a day or two!!! LOL!!! We gotta win the REST of the games and HOPE the Padres, Phillies, and Rockies lose ALOT of games the rest of the year!!! We gotta take care of business first though!!!

By Gil in Mechanicsville

September 26, 2007 12:35 AM | Link to this

uga-brave Sadly, when MLB cracked down on the steroids etc. those great numbers began to decline. With the HGH testing about to begin, I think we are going to see a lot of players decline sooner than what has become the norm.

Yes, I loved Javy too, having watched him develop through the system but the Braves foresaw his decline and let him go.

Beware of the player who has nagging injuries that won’t heal. There is a reason for that…..

By David O'Brien

September 26, 2007 12:38 AM | Link to this

Hey, Wayne, thanks for the ringing endorsement. You’re a “decent” contributor here, one of the best we’ve got from Utah.

By Gil in Mechanicsville

September 26, 2007 12:44 AM | Link to this

And oh by the way, in today’s market. 5 years for $75 million is nothing for a player like Andruw Jones. The price is only going to go up.

A-Rod is going to get such an ungodly amount that they may as well give him the partial ownership of the team he signs for.

Mark T is going to be that type of impact player too. Hope the price is not too high but the Braves can afford it if they want.

Who says money doesn’t talk. Look at the Yankees after being 14 1/2 back at one point.

By N8

September 26, 2007 12:48 AM | Link to this

DOB

“But so many folks here said they weren’t capable of doing it, of having a stretch like this.”

I for one NEVER said they weren’t capable of doing it. If I thought they weren’t capable, this season wouldn’t have been so frustrating. What I did say repeatedly, was that based on what I had seen of them, I don’t see reasonible enough evidence to give me confidence that they would put a run together.

For crying out loud it took until September for the starters (1-5) in the rotation to ALL win consectutive starts.

Maybe deep down it was nothing more than the 3-5 spots in the rotation. Which I guess would mean we had 22 players capable of helping this team win on a regular basis, on the 25 man roster.

Better make that 20. I almost forgot about Woodward and AJ.

Aville-Ranger

No cyber war here, dude. Just haven’t blogged in a while, (still read everyday), just havent’ had time to get into any conversations. And quite honestly, with no games on TBS, with it bein’ football season AND the fact that 2 weeks ago, the Braves looked dead, wasn’t paying too much attention to the team other than Chipper and Renteria. Caught 2 innings of Smoltz’ start on the FOX broadcast last Saturday, that’s about all I’ve seen “live” since the beginning of the month.

Wayne

I hear you on the blog time vs. family time (along with a heavy work schedule). Kind of refreshing isn’t it.

But like an old skanky girlfriend, you’ve broken up with many times, this blog keeps pulling me back in for a quicky every now and then.

By Gil in Mechanicsville

September 26, 2007 12:48 AM | Link to this

David O’Brien What you should say is “Wayne is one of the best we got period.”

By Edgar

September 26, 2007 12:49 AM | Link to this

Come on Giants. 3 outs away for the W.

By Gil in Mechanicsville

September 26, 2007 12:50 AM | Link to this

Alright, I’ll call it a night now. Have a good one all…..

By Wayne in Utah

September 26, 2007 12:56 AM | Link to this

DOB Went back and re-read my post…sorry about that. It did sound kinda like a back handed complement, huh.

Let’s try again. Dave, your work is truly above average, and you are one of the best beat writers I have ever had the pleasure of blogging with…..

Glad you have a sense of humor. BTW, who else blogs from Utah on here?????? That would make me one of the “best from the west” huh!

:-)

PS: Looking forward to your “decent to above average” articles this weekend. Though I have taken a hiatus from the blog lately, I do read all your stuff.

Nite all!

By David O'Brien

September 26, 2007 12:59 AM | Link to this

Gil, I don’t know that five years and $75 mill could be called “nothing” for a player like Andruw. What other player is like him, now that you mention it?

I mean, sure, still a great center fielder, thought not as great as he once was.

And sure, still good/great power, though he hasn’t shown it this year.

But what player out there making that much to start a long-term contract has hit low .230s for his past 290 games? That’s Andruw.

And has hit close to .200 than to .300 with RISP for the past two or three seasons? That’s Andruw.

If you’re Braves, do you sign him for five years, pretty much eliminating the chance of having Jordan Schafer as your future CF, the kid scouts have compared to Grady Sizemore and who could be ready in a year?

By TennesseePaul

September 26, 2007 12:59 AM | Link to this

Holy Crap! B. Giles just hit a 3 run homer.

By Bob

September 26, 2007 1:00 AM | Link to this

Giles just homered and Padres jump ahead of Giants in the 9th. Oh well, that is what happens when you have to depend on others. Still hope though.

By MurphyRules

September 26, 2007 1:00 AM | Link to this

SON OF A B***!!! Bochy and Brian blow.

By uga-brave

September 26, 2007 1:01 AM | Link to this

gil,

do you think javy was a juicer? i never thought he was. i just thought all the games behind the plate added up, he never was injury prone with the braves sans the knee injury.

as for some other ex-braves always had my suspicions with giles, and big cat, and of course rocker.

By David O'Brien

September 26, 2007 1:03 AM | Link to this

50 bombs for Fielder. Really, how can anyone vote David Wright ahead of this kid? Fielder is the MVP.

By fastasballs

September 26, 2007 1:03 AM | Link to this

Well no help out west tonight. The Giants just absolutely gave the game to the Padres. Whoever is closing tonight throw 99 but can’t throw stikes to end the game to a guy that is a Rafael Belliard clone. Unreal.

The Padres had the same kind of luck against the Pirates in a game last week when the their left fielder failed to make a play on a ball that would have ended the game.

By Wayne in Utah

September 26, 2007 1:04 AM | Link to this

N8

Never had one of those “skanky” girlfriends. Married so young, and for so long now to the “same” woman (what a novel concept). I told her 10 years ago, if she ever got tired of me, just have somebody run my sorry kiester over with a big truck. I would rather be dead than go through all that singles crap again!

Nite, my “skanky” friends!

Gil I inadvertantly jammed up Dave earlier. He was just returning the ribbing!

By Edgar

September 26, 2007 1:04 AM | Link to this

Man,those stinky SH!t@ss Giants SUCK they cannot hold a F*in lead.Just 1 out away.

By David O'Brien

September 26, 2007 1:05 AM | Link to this

Wayne, it’s cool. No worries.

And Karl Malone is a big blogger here. he still lives in Utah, right?

By uga-brave

September 26, 2007 1:07 AM | Link to this

no joy in mudville mighty brian giles just hit a two out three run homer.

well it was fun for about three hours.

By Edgar

September 26, 2007 1:10 AM | Link to this

I hate that guy!!!!!

By Wayne in Utah

September 26, 2007 1:14 AM | Link to this

Dave You are dead on with AJ. If I were the Braves, I would try to get him for a one year, with an option, but Boras isn’t going to go for that, unless AJ shuts him out of it.

Dude has hit too many walls and left his feet too many times. I fear this year is just the beginning of the end for him. Hope not, but that is my gut speaking.

I think the best tact would be to find someone who is an above average CF to man it for 1-2 years. That person could be AJ for a year or so, or could be Blanco or Lilliquist, or one of the 2nd tier CF’ers out there.

The Schafer kid’s numbers look real good so far, and the report on him says he can go get the ball.

With Schafer, Johnson and Heyward, we have some decent OF talent coming on. The kid Jon Owings, if he can learn how to hit, supposedly has a cannon. Mix those guys with Brandon Jones and Frenchy, and that is a good crop of OF prospects.

By uga-brave

September 26, 2007 1:22 AM | Link to this

either way got to win them all anyway. scorboard watching stinks anyway.

RON, you did say you were bad luck didn’t you.

By Wayne in Utah

September 26, 2007 1:24 AM | Link to this

The Mailman still delivers, I hear…..

What’s up with our Russian crybaby Kirilenko? Some folks would rather score 14 ppg than to almost go to the finals, I guess. I hope we deal his pitiful asst…maybe get Marion from the Suns.

OOPS. Got me talking about my Jazz!! Wrong blog, Wayno!

Dave Love a good sense of humor! If you can’t laugh at yourself………

By Coach (Lets Go Braves In 2008)

September 26, 2007 1:33 AM | Link to this

O’well , the bubble just burst. Padres won , the Rockies are about to their ninth in a row. Four back in the division , three back in the wild card , five to play. I’m gonna go shoot the fat lady now.

By Wayne in Utah

September 26, 2007 1:34 AM | Link to this

A few days ago, I compiled a hit list of pitchers, that might be available. Nothing scientific, and not a comprehensive list, but a list. Anyone on there intrigue you guys?

Brandon Backe, Carlos Silva, Chad Durbin, Joe Blanton, Chad Gaudin, AJ Burnett, Dustin McGowan, Shaun Marcum, Josh Towers, Ervin Santana, Joe Saunders, Kris Benson, Jon Garland, Mark Buehrle, Matt Cain, Noah Lowry, Scott Olsen, Sean Marshall, Matt Clement, and last but not least, Tom Glavine.

Some are reclamation projects, and others are big gambles. Whadddya think?

By fastasballs

September 26, 2007 1:39 AM | Link to this

John Owings is Micah’s little brother & he has loads of power & cannon for an arm. We all saw how far his older brother could hit them this year, lol.

JS is in a predicament regarding Andruw. Before the season started I’m sure he figured, like all of us, that Andruw would have a monster season & get a huge contract that the Braves couldn’t match & there would be no hard feelings. Now Andruw seems to be all but begging to come back & take 14-15 million a season, but does JS want him at that even if Liberty has the money?

I think we all know Andruw’s skills at the plate are going & at an astonishing rate. He’s never hit for a high average, but I’ve watched him let hanging curve balls fool him all year long. The same hangers he use to never miss & would hit 450 feet. He’s always been one of my favorites & I would hate to see him in another uniform, but for the better of the team I hope that’s what occurs.

I’m stoked about the youth in the organization. The pitchers are coming, but not til 2009 or 2010, unless Rohrbough (sp) makes a few more leaps next season. They are loaded & several deep at just about every position. Some will be in Atlanta & others moved for needs.

I watched about 5-6 games here in Salem when the Pelicans were in town & Schaefer is something else. He owns center field just liek Andruw does. He’s the real deal.

I think the Braves are going to be very good in the years ahead. It all depends on what pitchers are acquired or developed, but position wise they have all the makings of greatness. We get to enjoy Chipper & Smoltz for 3-4 more years & then Frenchy, McCann, Escobar & HOPEFULLY Tex will lead this team into the next decade with a very talented group of youngsters that will be here like Lillibridge, Schaefer, Heyward, Cody Johnson, etc.

By uga-brave

September 26, 2007 1:41 AM | Link to this

dob,

genos or pats? the beatles or elvis? kind of says a lot about a man.

have not heard a lot of chirping about bobby lately. kind of funny what happens when players play.

would love to see hoss win the batting title. he deserves it. the guy really is underated in my opinion. if not for the injuries he would be a first ballot kind of guy, still may be with two more like this one.

skip caray’s line about the leather lung shouting larry larry in the 9th was classic. larry that.

By Ron

September 26, 2007 2:18 AM | Link to this

uga-brave No Im not bad luck, I just said MAYBE I dont become bad luck!!! So far NOT so good!

By dunwoody in denver

September 26, 2007 2:34 AM | Link to this

Hey DOB, why do you think Fielder is the MVP over Matt Holliday? Sure he has 50 HRs, but Holliday is hitting 47 points higher and has 12 more RBIs.

And don’t give me that Coors Field nonsense either; you know as well as I do that it’s no longer the hitter’s paradise it used to be (partly due to the humidor, partly due to much better pitching).

Besides, the Rockies scored 7 runs Sunday at Petco and 9 tonight at Dodger Stadium, 2 of the most hitter-unfriendly parks in the majors…

By Serbok

September 26, 2007 3:14 AM | Link to this

Good Blog Dob, Just a few questions for the “Denizens?” Can someone give me an example of how Boras has gotten his reputation? Also Kudo’s to UGA-Brave for gettin the Frenchy discussion goin~ I ABSOLUTELY Disagree with ya tho UGA. Awesome news~ that (I thought I had already understood) DOB reenforcing Liberty Mutuals stand on payroll! Seems to me the Bravo’s are goin nowhere but UP! Can someone tell me What SP is going to be available that would be worth a Renteria? I dont see the Orioles lettin Bedard go. Santana of course~ Cant see that as viable unless contract things I dont know about. Wouldnt it be a TRIP if AJ and B-Mac carry the Braves thru the next 5 games? ( As we know the rest of the lineup will produce?) Braveheart! Youre posts today were awesome! Keeps lazy ppl like myself from having to do research:o) MOST APPRECIATED! LOL Cameron in center? OMG!!!!!!!!! That would be just terrible! The only Viable CF’er would be Rowand! Watch for AJ to be back next year~

By Serbok

September 26, 2007 3:22 AM | Link to this

Forgot to mention~ AJ has had 6 hits over last 2 games? Also~ kinda Amazin when suddenly the MGR realizes, that the season is Almost over? Wish BC had Managed the team ALL Season as has he has done the last Month!

By Serbok

September 26, 2007 3:54 AM | Link to this

September 25, 2007 10:29 PM | Link to this

Paladin only goes to bed so early because he needs to keep the fat chick preoccupied. We don’t want her watching because we want her to forget the Braves are playing so she won’t start singing. Paladin is taking one for the team with the fat chick

Bravheart Youre A trip maN! LMAO!!!!!!!!

By Yars

September 26, 2007 5:41 AM | Link to this

Wow. Brian “steroids” Giles wins it for the Padres with a 3 run HR. The Padres have Peavy pitching tonight. Not good. What are the odds of the Brewers winning 3 out of 4 against the Padres? Are the Rockies even going to lose 2 more games this season? Man, it’s going to be a long winter, especially if the Braves finish 1 game behind the NL Wildcard winner, & only 2 games behind the Mets. That’s going to sting for awhile.

By andrew

September 26, 2007 5:48 AM | Link to this

As much as I love everyone’s enthusiasm and prayers for a miracle, all that matters from now til sunday is strictly math. It’s not as unrealistic as you might expect…

-After tonights victory, Braves are 83-74, 5 games to play. We all know the only shot is if we go 5-0 over this stretch. The way we’re playing, it certainly seems possible. Hudson and Smoltz get the next two, and there’s FINALLY an effective lineup that refuses to back down in the late innings (and can put up enough insurance to patch any holes in the bullpen with a possibly suspended Soriano. Tex and Hoss lead the way in Houston, survive Oswalt the first night and hope they keep the roof open, hate that stadium). I apologize for the wordiness because I said math is the important thing concerning factors in and out of our direct control. So, our record would be a modest 88-74, 5 wins better than last years champs, and hopefully at least tied for the WC.

So, with 5 games left for all teams in contention:

-The Pads are at 86-71, finishing 2-3 puts them at 88-74. If SD wins at least 3 games the dream is over.

-Rockies are 85-72, they could win 3 out of 5 and still be tied with us. They have the same record as..

-The phillies haeve 85-72 but we win the next two and we tie their score. Just have to win more or equal games and we can make the playoffs.

I want to go on in detail, but I’m extremely tired..truthfully, everyone above me has presented great arguments and made alot more sense than I have. I just wanted to point out that if we can get 88 wins, we just need a little luck instead of divine intervention. Ultimately its beyond our control but not to the point where we should give up just yet.

Still, if you’re like me and get sick thinking of all the things that must happen so we qualify for october…just check the finals at the end of the night (after we win) and keep your fingers crossed. No matter what happens, we’re finishing the year in a phenomenal fashion. Whatever you do, don’t stop the chop; I’m keeping it going full speed in Madison, Wi. Brewer country isn’t too happy with us right now, but right now its all about atlanta…

By Lonely Are the Braves

September 26, 2007 6:06 AM | Link to this

Where are the folks who said not last week, but three or four freakin’ weeks ago that the Braves were out of it?

I recall a certain beat writer who confidently proclaimed a couple months ago, “The Braves are going to win the East. Sorry, they just are.”

Well, in spite of that schoolboy enthusiasm, they didn’t win the East. And now they are out of it. And one little hot streak that came “just in time to be too late,” as a great country songwriter once put it, didn’t quite cancel four months of pronounced underachievement after all. It does, however, underscore the disappointment that comes from considering what might have been, as dreams of the postseason became briefly and tantalizingly real again.

The Braves played great the first 36 games. They’ve played great the last 16 or so. Sandwiched in between, however, was a stretch of 100-110 games of maddening mediocrity that sealed the deal. No one who suffered through that prolonged period of poor, often uninspired play can be faulted for doubting this mercurial bunch’s ability to put together the winning streak they’re enjoying now — and only now, when there simply weren’t enough games left to achieve much of anything, really.

Big heads and braggarts always have short memories.

By bruce

September 26, 2007 6:42 AM | Link to this

Wow that was fun last night… the white towels when the Phillies tied it in the 4th… it was delirium near me, people jumping all over the place, high fiving everyone… but it was fun walking out with my Braves cap on… only one person even acknowledged me as a Braves fan and he said “BOO”. Did not see any Braves fans walking out and only heard a few from where I was sitting. Wonder if they’ll give out towels tonight, if they do, I might take one this time. Thanks, Bruce

By bruce

September 26, 2007 6:51 AM | Link to this

Dave, they did not have the awesome buffalo chicken blue cheese pizza at Peace Pizza that I mentioned & commended to you last trip,. last night the special was a lame “margarita” pizza, large fresh basil leaves a pizza do not make. I would think that they would know that in Philly. However, the line at Rick’s Steaks was incredible, had to be 20 yards long after the zig-zag in front. Not sure what I’ll try tonight, maybe some white towel on toast with a touch of gravy. Thanks, Bruce

By Greg

September 26, 2007 7:12 AM | Link to this

I just have to comment. If Bobby had played just one game earlier this year with the “we have to win” attitude he showed last night, then we would be playing in October. I know guys have to rest but is there really any excuse for all of those games in which he started Wilson and Woodward? Sometimes his attitude is: “We can afford to lose this game.” He even did it in the playoffs and Series that we played. Bobby is a great manager, but he doesn’t have the win at any cost attitude of Torre. That’s why this great NL dynasty has only one ring. It’s also why we’ll be watching other teams play in a week. Bobby, every game counts. Wouldn’t you love to have just one of those wins you threw away early in the year by insisting that AJ bat fourth, that Redman continue throwing batting practice, and that Woodward is better than the rookies? Woodward isn’t a better hitter than my dog.

Question for everyone on the blog: Where is Julio? I thought he was on the expanded roster.

By keylargo25

September 26, 2007 7:29 AM | Link to this

Greg

I don’t have any stats on Julio but I do remember an RBI single he had about a week ago, so he is here and active.

By NCBravesFan

September 26, 2007 7:31 AM | Link to this

It’s been fun watching the Braves the past couple of weeks - they are really playing with a lot of passion!

In scanning the newspapers and box scores the past couple of nights, you know what ticks me off? Barry Bonds has not played in the San Diego series!

Once again, that jerk shows he has no respect for the game, and the Giants organization is coddling him right till the bitter end.

The Giants should be demoted to AAA, or get into the Ant Farm business.

By Philly Fanatic

September 26, 2007 8:02 AM | Link to this

You guys are annoying. Lay down, you dogs. LAY DOWN!!! You guys are out of it already, stop trying to ruin the party!!! Lay down you worthless dogs!!!!

By ssiscribe

September 26, 2007 8:08 AM | Link to this

Top of the morning, denizens, on a morning after the Braves (and unfortunately the Padres and Rockies) did what they needed to do.

You know what? Even though both San Diego and Colorado came back last night, it’s OK. Sure, be nice to be two games back in the wild-card race, but the Braves did all they could do and they are three out with five to go.

They went into a playoff atmosphere and won. It was fun to watch. Lots of energy and excitement. A wild, rocking game, with plenty of twists and turns. I screamed at the TV quite a bit last night; felt darn good, too.

Great, great win for the Braves. Go get ‘em tonight, Timmy, and let’s watch the results come in later tonight from the Left Side of the continent.

And maybe tonight, the Braves will do it again, and get some help. Really, really need San Diego to lose. Also, think about this … the Brewers are only two games out of first in the Central. If that stays the same or if Milwaukee draws to within a game of the Cubs, then you better believe the Pads will have their hands full going to Milwaukee for a four-game set starting Thursday.

It’s not over because of last night. Just keep winning, and we’ll see what happens. Either way, I leave for Vegas Monday night feeling good about my favorite baseball team. They could have quit two weeks ago. They didn’t. I’m very, very proud of them for that.

The Scribe abides.

—30—

By Braveheart

September 26, 2007 8:23 AM | Link to this

Have not see a post by our beloved Lew on this entire blog. That’s not like him, especially before, during, and after such a big game. Someone go check on the Vermont Teddy Bear please. Grinch, you got his number. Give the man a ring. Hope all that Wurlitzer winning does not have him so busy he can’t blog.

By Paladin

September 26, 2007 8:25 AM | Link to this

GOOD MORNING BRAVES FANS

The report of my demise was exaggerated but only slightly. I had to leave you early because I was suddenly struck down with the ills. It must have been something I ate. Couldn’t have been anything I drank. Anyway, I feel like grinch this morning, but the day is young.

I want to congratulate all of you(particularly Overlord and DAP)for the good job in pullin’ ‘em through. As I said the other day, they can’t worry about the other teams, they just have to take care of business.

Braveheart Every time that fat beaych starts to sing, I threaten to deflate her.

By Overlord

September 26, 2007 8:30 AM | Link to this

Seems like philly fans dont like us too much. Does anyone cares? Not me.

I realized last night that SD could easily go 2-3 last 5 games, they could even go 0-5, they just suck, no bats, they are deflated, last night was a miracle, they sure wont get many more. Brewers should take care, and SF could take care today.

Rockies wont win forever, their bats just are alive. Not much pitching. AZ is not so far ahead so come weekend theyll need to beat rockies, and they will.

Just keep winning braves, but be prepared to stay out of it by 1 games. Not funny.

By Will

September 26, 2007 8:32 AM | Link to this

I was very disappointed to wake up this morning and see how close the Padres were to losing last night! Oh well, all the Braves can really do now is try to win out and hope for help. I had a bad feeling this was gonna happen when the Bravos let chance after chance slip by for several months straight. I do agree with all who say at least they did not quit when they had every reason to. A team like the Dodgers threw in the towel the second they hit a rough patch last week.

Philly Fanatic, sorry buddy i dont think you guys will be joining the playoff party this year. Philly will always find a way to blow it and i think that is hilarious.

By Jeff R

September 26, 2007 8:34 AM | Link to this

Part 2 of DOB’s series on the Bravos… Andruw, the center fielder with declining offensive skills who some players and fans still believe is worth $13.5 million plus because of his defense. There are other good defensive center fielders in the game - maybe not as good as Andruw but good enough.

Better to take the money management would have to shell out for Andruw (even in a one-year deal, which, I think, Jones and Boras would turn down, in any event) and put toward… pitching.

The numbers don’t lie: Andruw’s not doing it at the plate like he used to (and he’s only thirty). Get Cameron, get Chris Duffy (if he’s over his injury) and get pitching.

By ncscoots

September 26, 2007 8:40 AM | Link to this

That some posters find the current Braves’ run as only fodder for “if only they had…” comments, I find sad. Not for the team, for the posters.

This is fun. Enjoy. Find a willing suspension of disbelief, LOL. I know it’s hard to put a friendly arm around the one you so recently, and unceremoniously, kicked to the curb, but what the hey? It’s only a week, surely you can deal, no?

NDOB…Me likee. Think I might change my own moniker, something like Pseudo-Notorious Half-A-Buck NCS.

Or something. :-)

By Will

September 26, 2007 8:43 AM | Link to this

Overlord, I definitely agree that missing the playoffs by 1 game would be brutal, but somehow the way this season has played out i have a really bad feeling that is how its going to end up.

By Shaun

September 26, 2007 8:48 AM | Link to this

N8,

Braves are tied for the best Pythagorean record in baseball. They are 18-24 in one-run games. That seems to indicate the breaks have gone against them more this year than for them. But recently all of that seems to be changing.

I’m not sure Cox is doing anything differently except playing Willie Harris a lot less and incidentally playing Diaz a lot more, and as you said, keeping his pitchers on a shorter leash.

I think you are jumping to a big conclusion if you say “this team played with no fire, no urgency, and thus, IMO…no heart.” No individual player has played particularly worse than what we’d reasonably expect, besides Andruw Jones. How have the individual players performed as well as expected all season with less heart than they had recently?

I think you and maybe others are just looking for a reason that the Braves are playing like they should be that would put the onus on the Braves and not good or bad breaks. But I’m not sure how one can deny good and bad breaks can play a pretty significant role in baseball.

By Savannah Guy

September 26, 2007 8:49 AM | Link to this

Scribe As always, great attitude, great post.

Seems like I say that so much to you that…tell ya what, just copy that compliment, paste it below your next post for me and sign SG. Then if I don’t happen to be here for a while, it’ll no doubt reflect my sentiment. An absentia sort’a thing. Then, I’ll ditto myself when I see it.

Well, we’re in playoff mode. You were’nt the only one screaming at the TV last night. Glad I didn’t stay up all night to see the left coast games…I wouldn’t be able to talk this morning. At least one of my screams would have been to the Giants management for being so “sporting” that they’ve let Bonds sit. His bat would make a difference for us right about now (Yeow…I don’t even like to think that). Here’s hoping the stars allign and we make it to the “official” dance. Either way…this is what baseball fans live for: a good game and a chance.

By the way, think Cuz Braveheart and I might move our “brevity” classes to the Spring instead of Vegas? Just wouldn’t be right to take all of that vacation time away from your wife with our serious academic endeavors. We could move it to, say…Orlando.

Maybe Braveheart and I could talk Scoots into joining you as another coach in our “Grapefruit League Brevity Training” session. You and Scoots would have your work cut out for you. Lew’s going to be there anyway. He can keep an eye out for concerts in the area and guard us from Met fans while we work on our game techniques.

Have fun in Vegas with the Lady. Don’t bet the farm.

By Overlord

September 26, 2007 8:49 AM | Link to this

Good morning Paladin. Good job yesterday. SD will send Peavy tonight, maybe their last win of the season. I saw Cain pitching last night for the 1st time. That kid the braves should go for. He is a big leaguer. James is nowhere near that guy, He blows hitters away like a veteran and he has lots of emotions.

Back to business. Rockies are a bigger problem than SD, their lineup is good enough to make our lives miserable. Man i saw both games to the end, we were soooooooooo close to make a big statement. Freakin SF pitcher is so bad everybody knew he would throw it over the middle, giles was sitting on it and BOOOOOOOOM, a 3 mile HR, they shower CAIN right after it and he was showing the 4 finger to the catcher as saying you should have walked him, the count was 2-0, no bases were open, but maybe he was right, giles was the only guy that could have done so much damage. I mean 2 out in the 9th??????????? come on.

Rockies just beat Penny, that is more scaring, Lowe is on the mount tonight, at least there is a good chance he holds the rockies.

By TampaBrave

September 26, 2007 8:53 AM | Link to this

The key to the Brave’ playoff hopes this year, IMO, might be in the hands of the Florida Marlins. The best hope is to get the wild card. To do that, we have to catch San Diego. To do that, we need Milwaukee to beat up on them this weekend. For that to occur, Milwaukee would need to be in the chase for the Central title. For that to occur, The Marlins need to beat the Cubs at least one more game in their series to pull Milwaukee to within 1 game. All of these scenarios, of course, require both the Braves and Brewers to keep winning. Also, Colorado’s streak will have to end very soon, right?

By Fat Chick

September 26, 2007 8:54 AM | Link to this

Paladin, you so crazy, I think I wanna have your baby.

By Shaun

September 26, 2007 8:55 AM | Link to this

N8, correction: best Pythagorean record in the National League NOT baseball.

By Paladin

September 26, 2007 9:03 AM | Link to this

Fat Chick Can’t we just continue to be “snuggle buddies”?

By Braveheart

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

Someone call the Ghostbusters and deflate that Stay Puft Marshmallow Man playing first base for the Brewers. He’s running away from Chipper in SLG. Not making me happy. But Marshmallow Man should win the MVP without anyone even looking at David Wright.

And someone tell Todd Helton it is okay to swing the bat every once in a while. We need Chipper to overtake him in OBP. It seems like since Helton mysteriously lost his power due to the humidor and drug testing, all he wants to do is draw walks. Be a man, Helton, swing the bat.

By Fat Chick

September 26, 2007 9:14 AM | Link to this

No, Paladin, the pajama parties are over with. I need a baby. Show me some commitment or I start singing. :o>

By Overlord

September 26, 2007 9:17 AM | Link to this

TampaBrave i agree on the fish, but, we also need bucs to beat AZ, not for the rockies to catch them, but im sure AZ wont like to end the season losing 4 or 5 out of last six, so if bucs beat them once again or sweep them (not likely), AZ will play like lions against rockies, trying not to end the season so low.

By TampaBrave

September 26, 2007 9:20 AM | Link to this

Shaun,

The problem I have with your analysis is that, in the end, it comes down to luck. I like to think that skill trumps luck and causes it. If I wanted to watch something in which the outcome was determined by instances of pure luck, then I’ll tune in to the Lottery. I love baseball for what it is, a game of skills. Luck is when preparation meets opportunity. In that preparation lay the skills. Luck is word that is overused and is a plug word for those who lack the ability to explain events.

By Paladin

September 26, 2007 9:26 AM | Link to this

Fat Chick I admit that at times your polyurethane perfume causes a stirring in my loins, but at my age I tend towards pythagorean relationships. Sorry.

By STRETCH

September 26, 2007 9:31 AM | Link to this

Remember the game against the REDS when Willie Harris played 3rd late in the game and bobble a line drive right at him? Why did BC move Chipper over? Anybody else could have played third at that moment. You dont put him on third at that moment, you just dont do that.

Or what about the one in Florida with the BRAVES up 3-0 in the bottom of the 9th, only to see Bobby run Huddy back out there and watch him give up 3 straight hits?

Or the game in Minnesota with the BRAVES up 3-0 and Cox watches Wickman give it up instead of hooking him immediately?

What about all those missed scoring oppurtunities with RISP and sometimes without NO outs? Failing to move the runners over…this kind of baseball gets results!

Sure those you can blame on BC..atleast i do.

But what about scoring only ONE run in 5 games against the SOX and TIGERS?

What about SMOLTZ and HUDSON pitching stellar games but NO run support???? Hmmm…i dont know, but im assuming theres 10-15 games that would have made this time of the season a lot easier to breathe. So, im not counting on them making to the post season, im hoping but im also being realistic.

By Will

September 26, 2007 9:39 AM | Link to this

Tampa Brave, Good points on the luck factor, i totally agree. There is no denying the fact that the Braves went for a run of games this season where they really did not play with any sense of urgency, bad breaks have nothing to do with that. Was it a bad break when Soriano grooved that fastball over the plate for the Astros 8th inning game tying grand slam? Or when Andruw Jones went months killing any and every rally he possibly could?

By TampaBrave

September 26, 2007 9:44 AM | Link to this

Just noticed the Rockies have Mark Redman going Friday vs the Dbacks. It would be ironic if he wins and hurts the Braves once more. The guy has got it in for us. But, on the other hand, if he stinks it up, It would simply be a market correction.

By Paladin

September 26, 2007 9:48 AM | Link to this

At the risk of getting DAP and others down on me, why don’t you guys get off the cudda, wudda and shuddas and get with the cans? The chances are slight, but we are still in it! And as scoots has alluded to, ain’t it great to still have something to root for? GO BRAVES

By Shaun

September 26, 2007 9:50 AM | Link to this

TampaBrave, I now prefer the term “breaks” to “luck” when describing things other than skill that may affect the outcome of baseball games. “Luck” makes one think of horseshoes and rabbits’ feet and four-leaf clovers. “Breaks” make one think of a call by an umpire that goes one way rather than another or a bad hop or a ground-rule double that costs a team runs, etc.

I’m not saying everything comes down to luck (or breaks) at all. Hitting, pitching and fielding are the biggest factors. If it were all about luck, stats that indicate skills wouldn’t give us any clues about teams. But they do.

I’m saying breaks are a major reason the Braves are 83-74 and not closer to 87-70 and a major reason they are 18-24 in one-run games.

By Braves fan

September 26, 2007 9:53 AM | Link to this

Question: Who wins the wild card spot if the Braves and San Diego are tied?

By Shaun

September 26, 2007 9:58 AM | Link to this

TampaBrave, here’s where I think we can find some common ground: The ideal is for a team to play so well that the breaks don’t matter. But the truth is sometimes that will not be the case. Breaks may be the difference in a tight race when two teams have similar skills.

Will, you are right, those things you described are not luck/breaks. But isn’t it naive to think breaks don’t play a role in scoring/preventing runs and in turn, wins and losses?

Of course skill is the major factor but in small samples of games or in evenly-matched contests or races, a break or two could very well make the difference.

By Fat Chick

September 26, 2007 10:04 AM | Link to this

Oh, come on, Paladin. I’ll even name the kid Pythagorus Maximus for ya. We’ll nickname him Lucky. Come on, sugar bear. Let’s give it a go.

Woe is the fat chick. No one wants to have her baby. Not even Paladin. Everyone is too frightened by my singing talents. As the Notorious B.I.G. once rapped, “They used to call me Fatso, now they call me Castro.” No longer the harmless sweet girl with the cute round face. I’m now seen as a menace. Thanks alot, Yogi Berra.

By Paladin

September 26, 2007 10:12 AM | Link to this

Fat Chick You are a horny beacych, ain’t you? Tell you what, why don’t you call my nephew, Braveheart? His number is BR-549.

By Lew

September 26, 2007 10:13 AM | Link to this

Denizens-Fear Not-The Bionic Artist is fine, just experiencing Comcast internet difficulties. They say it comes from living in the boondocks (I think it comes from them not having a clue despite raising rates). Hopefully, all has been fixed-for now, at least. Yes, the Wurlitzer responsibilities are keeping me busy, but all progresses.

Now baseball-Not concerned about the top line? I love the sound of that, especially after hearing how the Mets (reportedly) will ask Glavine to take a couple million $$$ cut if he returns in 08. True? Who knows in these days of rampant, ridiculous and reprehensibly rancid rumors, but interesting, nonetheless. Does more $$$$$ in the coffers mean they will sign Tex AND keep Andruw? Does it mean we can keep Edgar and use the extra $$$$ to sign Tex long term (last night I had the Phillies feed and Harry Kallas was saying he had spoken to Tex who likes the idea of staying in Hotlanta-something about liking the team chemistry) and to acquire substantial pitching help? Does it mean that Andruw might be more readily replaced AND we get more pitching? Enquiring minds, I’m sure, will find out in due time. The times promise to become interesting.

Great weekend. Braves win, Braves win, Dawgs take out Bama and the Buccaneers take out the Cardinals. All that and Indian summer in Vermont-highs in the 80’s. Time for an early walk in the potato patch and some good Southern Rock (perhaps Decoration Day by DBT or the new Kings Of Leon-perhaps the first Allman Brothers album-always have been a sucker for Trouble No More and BlackHearted Woman). Life is good-plenty of pencils and illustration board. Later.

By Shaun

September 26, 2007 10:14 AM | Link to this

Braves fan, one-game playoff. I’m pulling for a four-way tie.

By Renegator

September 26, 2007 10:21 AM | Link to this

What is so sad about this is that you can see what could have been for this Braves team if the manager had put the best team on the field day in and day out. All those days of playing Harris instead of Diaz - not to mention Woodward and Orr…

It’s just sad.

By Kurtis Blow

September 26, 2007 10:36 AM | Link to this

Shaun is really Kurtis Blow. Imagine Shaun spinning on his head, doing a lil’ break dancing while crunching numbers.

Clap your hands everybody, If you got what it takes, ‘Cause I’m Kurtis Blow and I want you to know, That these are the breaks

Brakes on a bus, brakes on a car, Breaks to make you a superstar, Breaks to win and breaks to lose, But these here breaks will rock your shoes, And these are the breaks, Break it up, break it up, break it up!

If your woman steps out with another man, (That’s the breaks that’s the breaks), And she runs off with him to Japan, And the IRS says they want to chat, And you can’t explain why you claimed your cat, And Ma Bell sends you a whopping bill, With eighteen phone calls to Brazil, And you borrowed money from the mob, And yesterday you lost your job, Well, these are the breaks, Break it up, break it up, break it up

Throw your hands up in the sky, And wave ‘em ‘round from side to side, And if youdeserve a break tonight, Somebody say alright! (All right) Say ho-oo! (Ho-oo!) And you don’t stop, Keep on, somebody scream! (Owwwww!) Break down!

Breaks on a stage, breaks on a screen, Breaks to make your wallet lean, Breaks run cold and breaks run hot, Some folks got ‘em and some have not, But these are the breaks, Break it up, break it up, break it up! Break down!

To the girl in brown, stop messing around, (Break it up, break it up), To the guy in blue, whatcha gonna do? To the girl in green, don’t be so mean, And the guy in red, say what I said, Break down!

Brakes on a plane, brakes on a train, Breaks to make you go insane, Breaks in love, breaks in war, But we got the breaks to get you on the floor, And these are the breaks, Break it up, break it up, break it up! Break down! Yo!

Just do it, just do it, just do it, do it, do it! Just do it, just do it, just do it, do it, do it! Just do it, just do it, just do it, do it, do it! Just do it, just do it, just do it, do it, do it!

You say last week you met the perfect guy, (That’s the breaks, that’s the breaks), And he promised you the stars in the sky, He said his Cadilac was gold, But he didn’t say it was ten years old, He tok you out to the Red Coach grill, But he forgot the cash and you paid the bill, And he told you the story of his life, But he forgot the part about…his wife! Huh! Huh!

Well, these are the breaks! Break it up, break it up, break it up! Break down!

BH/WW

By NCBravesFan

September 26, 2007 10:46 AM | Link to this

This Just In! Could toe health be the key to the Wild Card? As we know, Barry Bonds sat out the first two games of the Padres series.

Check this out, from ESPN.com …

SAN FRANCISCO — Barry Bonds has seemed happy in San Francisco in recent days, and it looks like he’ll leave his rabid fans with smiles as well.

The 43-year-old home run king wasn’t in the lineup on Tuesday night against San Diego — sitting out his 10th straight game with a sprained right big toe — but manager Bruce Bochy said after the 6-4 loss that Bonds would be back for his final home game in San Francisco on Wednesday.

“Barry is going to start tomorrow,” Bochy said. “He’s ready to go. We’ll see how he feels, how he’s doing. Yeah, it would have been nice to use him tonight but the toe is still bothering him.”

JJS and others - will BB’s toe health keep the Braves out of the postseason???!!!

By Paladin

September 26, 2007 10:46 AM | Link to this

BH/WW Will you please quit it. I have a hangover and it hurts to breathe, much less to laugh.

By Adirondackdave

September 26, 2007 10:51 AM | Link to this

Holy smoke… it’s Tuesday and we’re still in it by the skin of our teeth. Anything’s still possible. Also, this coming winter figures to be the most interesting in years. Andruw decision, maybe Tex, a quality pitcher or two, Edgar, maybe some major awards… good stuff for addicts like me.

By Adirondackdave

September 26, 2007 11:00 AM | Link to this

Brain lock.. it’s Wednesday.

By Yars

September 26, 2007 11:08 AM | Link to this

If Peavy pitches well tonight against the Giants, you know he’ll pitch again over the weekend vs. the Brewers. The Padres should have never won last night! How the *uck did that happen?! Damn…

By Seamus, An Outraged Leprechaun

September 26, 2007 11:21 AM | Link to this

Shaun, on behalf of an outraged leprechaun community, I have to tell ya, you have made us very angry by telling us to go F our Lucky Charms. Are they no longer magically delicious for ya, boyo? I tell ya, there will be no pot o’ gold at the end of the rainbow for you and your team boyo ‘cause you are not a true believer in the luck of the fightin’ irish.

‘Tis the luck of the fightin’ Irish. ‘Tis no luck without the fight. If they all were united in the fight, and the gritty scrappers received the requisite provision of funding, weaponry, and manpower combined with a steadfast willingness to collectively fight for what is rightfully theirs, they’d show them bloody b******* they ain’t better than them because we leprechauns would provide the lucky breaks needed to complete the mathematically impossible equation of 26 plus 6 equaling one.

Oh wait. You were talking about the Atlanta Braves and not the troubles in the North. I’m sorry. Can tend to get a wee bit carried away with myself from time to time thinking about the troubles. Go back to your baseball talk now. What can I say? I’m just an outraged leprechaun.

By Savannah Guy

September 26, 2007 11:29 AM | Link to this

Good blog today…wish I could stay…but duty calls so I must away. See you by game time and hey…our fightin’ Braves just might find a way. So play as you may…just save a seat for me later this day and the Philllies we will, uh…Phillet.

By David O'Brien

September 26, 2007 11:39 AM | Link to this

New blog coming folks. Just had to consume a couple of massive coffees and read the paper to get going, day after a travel-and-game day never an early riser….

By Tripod, The 3-Footed Rabbit

September 26, 2007 11:43 AM | Link to this

Shaun,

You ungrateful b*******! How dare you trivialize the sacrifices made by me and my brethren. I have a call in to my friend, Blackie the Cat, to cross your path in the near future.

By Braveheart

September 26, 2007 11:44 AM | Link to this

For those wondering, I claim Fat Chick, Kurtis Blow and Seamus. Just funnin’ with my friends Shaun and Paladin. Don’t want anyone confusing me with the two trolls that have been around too much lately.

By David O'Brien

September 26, 2007 11:48 AM | Link to this

Dunwoody in Denver, you ask why is Fielder MVP over Holliday? And you say, “don’t give me that nonsense about Coors Field.”

OK, here’s the nonsense:

At home, Holliday has hit .374 with 25 homers, 77 RBIs and an 1.159 OPS in the hitters’ haven that’s a mile high.

On the road, Holliday has hit .300 with 11 homers, 54 RBIs and an .858 OPS.

Spin that.

By Thrillhouse44

September 26, 2007 11:51 AM | Link to this

Thanks for the hard work, DOB. If the java hasn’t helped wake you up, you may want to review the article you wrote about last night’s game. It got me going!

By David O'Brien

September 26, 2007 11:51 AM | Link to this

Oh, and Brad Hawpe’s hit .305 with 19 homers and a 1.005 OPS at home, and hit .269 with 9 homers and an .837 OPS on the road.

Just a little more of my Coors Field “nonsense.”

By Shaun

September 26, 2007 11:51 AM | Link to this

Anyone see this excellent piece on espn.com about the ‘93 Braves-Giants race, “The Last Real Race”?

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/eticket/story?page=93pennant

By Paladin

September 26, 2007 11:52 AM | Link to this

Braveheart That was you?! Darn, I thought I had a secret admirer. :>)

By Blackie the Cat

September 26, 2007 11:55 AM | Link to this

Tripod, got your message. I Walked in front of this guy Shaun and the SOB clipped me with his foot and fell all over the sidewalk, dropped his calculator and smashed into pieces. The guy started crying and I felt bad. Tripod, you are going to owe me big time, even more than when I walked in front of Dennis Eckersley back in 88.

By 3trees

September 26, 2007 11:57 AM | Link to this

Great win last night. Win, lose or draw remember this feeling and keep playng that way.

Renteria - Yes. Trade - No. (Simplistic, I know, but…)

Seems like winning was the tonic for the blog. Much better air in here these days. And with JJS back w/toe talk, Kurtis Blow, The Leprechaun thingy, blog’s getting back to “normal”. Whatever the heck that is.

As mentioned, at the time, McCann needs work on the blocking the ball. Bennett deserved better on that. Props to Rollins, he’s a heckuva player.

Braveheart - dug that line about Acosta. “… pitching for food.” He can throw the tater, can’t he?

Oh, Dylan and Costello. Glad I went. Dylan was alright. I guess I didn’t know how bad his voice had gotten. He did do “Watching the River Flow”, which I love. The drummer was killin’, but I wasn’t wiped out by the band. Costello was great with a mix of old and new and more crowd participation than when I’ve seen him before. Gwinnett Arena’s not bad. The folks there go out of the way to make it enjoyable. That said, arenas are just not my thing.

Whew! Long winded, I am. Go Braves!

By Arrested Development's People Everyday

September 26, 2007 12:02 PM | Link to this

“Peach Tree? She went down to Howard Springs. Rasadon and Bobba? They went down to Peach Tree. Headlina, I challenge you to a game of horseshoe. A game of horse shoe!”

Don’t knock horseshoes Shaun. Even the not so Everyday People like 41 love horsehoe. :o>

Alright, someone go locate us some lucky arrowheads - they were not on Shaun’s lucky charms list.

BH/WW

By Arkansas Hillbilly

September 26, 2007 12:03 PM | Link to this

Lew,

You’re sounding awfully spry today. It is most definitely a great day to be alive. I’ll be loading up the wife and little girl and heading down to Houston this weekend to catch my first Braves game since July of 1993. We’ll see Saturday’s game, which apparently will feature a TBD starter. When I get back to South Arkansas, (which, by the way is where Karl Malone now resides, DOB. He has a farm about 5 miles from my house….back on topic now) bow-season will be awaiting me.

Enjoy the stroll and the Decoration Day, Lew. I myself am currently neck deep in Astronomy Domine and Arnold Layne by another band you and I share a common interest in.

By Paladin

September 26, 2007 12:04 PM | Link to this

There you go, DOB, being notorious again. :>) And BTW, how do you “thug” in print? I might want to try it on some of my e-mail buddies.

By David O'Brien

September 26, 2007 12:09 PM | Link to this

Glad to see Kurtis Blow has joined our eclectic assemblage of denizens.

Now we need Melle Mel, Schoolly D and Whodini to check in.

By David O'Brien

September 26, 2007 12:16 PM | Link to this

3trees, thanks for the Dylan/Costello review. Dylan’s hit-or-miss in concert these days, god bless the genius geezer.

As for Costello, I was surprised, too, the last time I saw him how ever more humorous his banter’s become in the last decade. I think marriage to Diana Krall has mellowed the ex-punk even more, but in a good way.

By Paladin

September 26, 2007 12:17 PM | Link to this

Now we need Melle Mel, Schoolly D and Whodini to check in.

We’ll split ‘em up, Braveheart. You get first pick. :>)

By Abraham Lincoln

September 26, 2007 12:20 PM | Link to this

Ole Abe is pleased Shaun did not place the penny on his banished Lucky Charms list. Here’s to hoping Shaun finds me face down and the rest of you find me face up!

By TennesseePaul

September 26, 2007 12:23 PM | Link to this

Serbok: For examples see Maddux vs the Braves in Arbitration offers. A-Rod vs. the Rangers in Free Agent Contracts. Millwood vs. The Rangers in Free Agent Contracts. JD Drew vs The Dodgers in Opt Out Clauses. JD Drew vs. The Red Sox in FA Contracts. Barry Zito vs. The Giants in Free Agent Contracts. And, for counter culture, Andruw Jones vs. The Braves, when AJ signed a 6 year $75 million dollar contract… without Boras. That’s just to name a few. I think he even got Kolb 2 million after that terrible season in Atlanta

By Lew

September 26, 2007 12:23 PM | Link to this

Hillbilly-Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun, Dude. Maybe a little Curtis Lowe instead of Kurtis Blow followed by that Breeze song-both Lynyrd’s and J.J.’s versions.

By Paladin

September 26, 2007 12:26 PM | Link to this

Me and the “real” Fat Chick are going in for our stewed okra sandwich and nap. Catch y’all on the flip side. See how cool I am?

By Funkmaster Flex

September 26, 2007 12:35 PM | Link to this

DOB, neither DJ Clue nor the cool DJ Red Alert could spin Holliday over Prince for MVP. Perhaps, only DJ Clue-less would even try.

By dunwoody in denver

September 26, 2007 12:37 PM | Link to this

DOB, I’ll throw this back at you; Holliday plays roughly 30 games a year in 3 of the toughest hitters parks in the majors; Petco, AT&T, and Dodger Satdium (Chase Field isn’t that easy either).

Fielder plays in the NL Central, which has Minute Maid Park (more of a hitter’s haven than Coors), Wrigley Field (‘nuff said), PNC Park, and New Busch Stadium. All of these are known hitter’s parks.

If Holliday played in the Central he’d be hitting .380 with 50 HRs…

By bruce

September 26, 2007 12:37 PM | Link to this

Check out this quote from Philly writer Jim Salisbury, who says Braves are out of the race… last line of his article: “And beware the hard-charging Colorado Rockies. Plus the Atlanta Braves. They might be out of the race, but they pounded the Phillies last night and they’re here for two more games.” here is the link It was fun walking out of the stadium with the quiet Philly fans.

If you want some joy, read the Mets and Philly papers and sites today… it is nice to see them squirm… and read the Nats too… they are trying to make it happen and they face the Phillies next… Nats could become our best friends. Thanks, Bruce

By Shaun

September 26, 2007 12:39 PM | Link to this

If the Braves end up in the post-season, I think Chipper will get a lot of support and may win the MVP.

By AZBravoFan

September 26, 2007 12:58 PM | Link to this

Shaun I agree with you on breaks. They can be huge and they seem to snowball against you when you’re playing poorly, and go your way when you’re playing well. Just look at the last few days. The scuffling Braves would have had Francoeur get thrown out overrunning second the other day. Or if not, they would have failed to capitalize by hitting into a DP or something. And look at last night. Tex probably should have been rung up, but he responded to his breaking by going deep. Last month he would have popped out. I guess that’s really the crux of it: the breaks are probably always there, but when you’re playing well you capitalize on them, and when you’re not, you don’t. And the same goes for the other team. The Phils are kind of a schizophrenic team. They’re playing well enough to capitalize on a McCann mistake and turn it into a run. But they’re struggling enough to cough that run and more right back up. Crazy game. Damn Brian Giles….

By Shaun

September 26, 2007 1:13 PM | Link to this

dunwoody in denver, Holliday has played 78 games in Coors, 7 in PETCO, 7 in Dodger, 9 in AT&T, 9 in Chase out of 152 total games.

And Busch Stadium actually favors pitchers and PNC is neutral.

By David O'Brien

September 26, 2007 1:29 PM | Link to this

Dunwoody in Denver, Wrigley is only a hitters’ park when the wind’s blowing out.

New Busch is a pitchers’ park, if it favors one or the other.

And who told you PNC is a “known hitters park”?

Do a little more research. Holliday’s a great hitter, but his power numbers are ridiculously skewed toward Coors Field, much as Helton’s were (back when Helton hit for power).

By Sane Jane

September 26, 2007 1:37 PM | Link to this

DOB,

Am I the only one flinching over even a 5 year / 75 contract for Andruw? I could live with 1 @ 15 but what club (even with Boras’ spin) is going to lock him up for 5 years at this point?

By uga-brave

September 26, 2007 1:41 PM | Link to this

prince better win it this year because i gotta hunch he is gonna eat himself out of the league.

guarantee if the rocks make the playoffs it will be a very close vote between prince and holliday. oh by the way miller park aint exactly the old astrodome.