AJC > Sports > Braves > Blog > Archives > 2008 > March > 30 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USWelcome to Nationals Park; empty your pockets
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Washington, D.C. — Greetings from new Nationals (this space for sale) Park in our nation’s capital, where getting through the various layers of security to enter this place today made going to the airport feel like a breeze by comparison.
That’s what happens in a post-9/11 world when the president’s in the house, which he will be tonight for this nationally televised opener between the Nats and Bravos.
(By the way, that space really is for sale. They’ll rename this place soon as they settle on a multimillion naming-rights deal with some corporation.)
As for security, what a procedure the Crusading Everyman was put through: Leave your computer bag outside. Go through a scanner into a little room. Watch as a grim-faced security guy — another Secret Service member told me to “get over there, pal” and I did, immediately — rifles through everything in your bag and turns on every electronic device. Watch the dog sniff your Cohibas.
Oh, then repeat much of this upon entering the clubhouse, where you’re (meaning, me) wanded after emptying your pockets again. Hey, the players had to go through the same thing. Bush is going to stop by each clubhouse before throwing out the ceremonial first pitch tonight.
OK, but enough of that. Let’s get to the stuff you care about.
First off, a Smoltz update. Bobby Cox said he threw great today in the minor league game in Florida. I’ll give you the numbers when I get them from the PR man, but he went five innings without discomfort, according to Bobby. “He gave up five on hits on changeups — said he was throwing them too hard because he felt so good,” Cox said.
Again, I’ll give you the numbers soon as I get them. But Cox said Smoltz is on schedule to pitch next Sunday. “He’s ready,” the manager said. And no, Braves aren’t going to consider using a six-man rotation. “You can’t,” Cox said, and left it at that.
OK, tonight’s gam: It’s chilly already and going to get colder as we get into the late innings. It’s in the upper-40s now, gonna be in the lower-40s before we’re done. But only a slight chance of rain, that’s the good news.
Secondly, the ballpark. The place is very nice, and from my seat in the pressbox I’ve got a view of the Capitol dome beyond the left-field bleachers (any minute now I’ll have a view of Jeff Schultz’s shiny dome to my right, assuming they allow our dubious columnist through security outside).
It’s not a spacious pitcher-friendly ‘park like RFK, but also probably not the hitters’ haven that Philly or Houston is. Looks fair dimension-wise, 335 down RF line, 336 down LF line, 377 in LF power alley, 370 with a higher (14-foot) wall in RF power alley. The power alleys at RFK were nearly 395 feet, just absurd (the signs said 380, but those distances weren’t actually to the power alleys, but rather closer to the lines).
Oh, speaking of pressboxes … Having been warned ahead of time that they plan to open the windows to the pressbox — why do these teams believe that those of us working inside pressboxes care to get the “overall atmosphere” in these instances? Why?! — I’ve come prepared, wearing my lined Eddie Bauer jeans, wool socks, boots, two shirts and sweater, with the coat, fingerless gloves (perfect for typing) and Irish wool cabdriver-looking cap at the ready.
Bowman just informed me he has on four shirts. He’s a large human with merely one shirt, but with four he is bear-like.
Now, the ballpark. Very nice. Reminds me a lot of Philly’s park, and also has some Turner Field-ish touches you can tell Stan Kasten had included. I’m talking about the Chop House in right field and the railings and viewing decks at Turner Field where folks can stand and watch the game while drinking a beverage — there’s a lot of that here.
Is it incredible? No, but we’re jaded or spoiled these days in the era of stunning new ballparks. There’s no distinguishing features, like the view of downtown Pittsburgh at PNC Park, or the bay beyond right field at San Francisco, or the throwback brick-and-exposed-steel of a bunch of recently built ballparks, or the intimacy of the grand old cathedrals of ‘ball, Fenway and Wrigley.
But it’s nice, like Turner Field without the cartoon stuff. I’m told that the cherry blossoms will be blooming beyond the left-field fence by next week. When I asked why the ones all along the river are in full bloom already and not these, I was told they’re a different type. So there.
Anyway, this is a cool place. I’ve not had a chance to take the tour yet, because it took so long to get in. But I can tell you, the visiting clubhouse is the nicest in baseball, or at least tied with Colorado. It’s huge, with dark-wood locker stalls and a weight room that looks like an L.A. Fitness. The indoor batting cage behind the visiting dugout is massive.
Now, without taking a tour of the wide concourses or sampling the available food, I’d say this ballpark would rank on the edge or just outside my top 10, just slightly behind, say, San Diego’s new park and in the general vicinity of Turner Field or perhaps a couple spots ahead of our Atlanta ‘yard.
I ranked all 30 ballparks a couple winters ago, but I’ll recap the top 10 or so for those who might not have been blogging here back then. Let me point out, I’m not ranking them based on media amenities or clubhouses or pressbox location, etc. (if I was, believe me, Wrigley and PNC Park, with its nose-bleed level pressbox, would be near the bottom). Nor am I ranking them based on size of seats or available parking, etc (if I was, Fenway would be at the bottom).
No, I rank them based on overall aesthetic appeal as ballparks, as places to attend a game (and yes, I’ve sat out in the seats at every one of the places, at least for an inning or two).
And I didn’t save my rankings from a couple winters ago, so I’m not certain how I ranked them, but this is close, and it’s how I’d rank them right now.
Fenway Park; 2. Wrigley Field; 3. San Francisco (AT&T or whatever it’s called now; 4. Dodger Stadium; 5. PNC Park, Pittsburgh; 6. Camden Yards, Baltimore; 7. Safeco Field, Seattle; 8. Petco Park, San Diego; 9. Cleveland’s Jacobs Field (or whatever it’s called now); 10. Coors Field; 11. Royals Stadium; 12. St. Louis/Philly/Washington, et al (It’s too tough to distinguish or split hairs ranking the latter three, and yes, you could put Turner Field in there, too. I’m probably just jaded on Turner Field from being there all the time and noticing any annoyances that the occasional visitor might not have a problem with).
Oh, and I realize that plenty of people would put Yankee Stadium in their top five. I’m not one of them. Not since it’s makeovers robbed it of so much of its original nostalgiac appeal. Fenway and Wrigley still feel like they must have decades ago. Yankee Stadium does not, from the incessantly loud music during batting practice to the sensory overload of ads, etc.
Favorable pitching matchups: The first couple of pitching matchups look good for the Braves, who have Tim Hudson going against one-time Brave Odalis Perez and Tom Glavine going against Pittsburgh’s Ian Snell in the home opener Monday in Atlanta.
Hudson is 5-1 with a 1.09 ERA in eight career starts against the Expos/Nationals, including 4-0 with a 0.60 ERA in four last season.
Perez? He’s 1-3 with a 5.21 ERA in seven games (six starts) against the Braves, and was unemployed two months ago before signing a minor league contract with the Nationals.
Glavine is 22-12 in 43 starts against the Pirates, including 4-0 with a 2.76 ERA in his past eight. Snell is 1-2 with a 4.73 ERA in five games (four starts) against the Braves, and he’s given up five homers in 12-2/3 innings at Turner Field.
OK, are the denizens ready for some ‘ball? Some real ‘ball? Because in a few hours, we’re starting it, folks. One-hundred-sixty-two (at least) to go.
Let’s do this.
”THE RIGHTEOUS PATH” by Patterson Hood (Drive-By Truckers)
I got a brand new car that drinks a bunch of gas
I got a house in a neighborhood that’s fading fast
I got a dog and a cat that don’t fight too much
I got a few hundred channels to keep me in touch
I got a beautiful wife and three tow-headed kids
I got a couple of big secrets I’d kill to keep hid
I don’t know God but I fear his wrath
I’m trying to keep focused on the righteous path
I got a couple of opinions that I hold dear
A whole lot of debt and a whole lot of fear
I got an itch that needs scratching but it feels alright
I got the need to blow it out on Saturday night
I got a grill in the backyard and a case of beers
I got a boat that ain’t seen the water in years
More bills than money, I can do the math
I’m trying to keep focused on the righteous path
I’m trying to keep focused as I drive down the road
On the ditches and the curves and the heavy load
Ain’t bitching bout things that aren’t in my grasp
Just trying to hold steady on the righteous path
There’s this friend of mine I’ve known all my life
Who can’t get it right no matter how hard he tries
He’s got kids he don’t see and several ex-wives
And a list of bad decisions bout eight miles wide
Trouble with the law and the IRS
And where he’ll get the money’s anybody’s guess
He’s a long way off but if you was to ask
He’d say he’s trying to stay focused on the righteous path
Trying to keep focused as we drive down the road
Like we did back in High School before the world turned cold
Now the brakes are thin and the curves are fast
We’re trying to hold steady on the righteous path
We’re hanging out and we’re hanging on
We’re trying the best we can to keep keeping on
We got messed up minds for these messed up times
And it’s a thin thin line separating his from mine
Trying to hold steady on the righteous path
80 miles and hour with a worn out map
No time for self-pity or self-righteous crap
Trying to stay focused on the righteous path
Services »
Comments
By Howie Long
March 30, 2008 5:04 PM | Link to this
John Smoltz - did you run out of gas? Well hop in.
By not in carolina...
March 30, 2008 5:06 PM | Link to this
Please God, please let Davidson beat Kansas. Please. Please!
By wiki
March 30, 2008 5:08 PM | Link to this
1st?
By Herschel Talker
March 30, 2008 5:08 PM | Link to this
FIRST!!!!!!
By bravesare#1
March 30, 2008 5:09 PM | Link to this
By Marshall
March 30, 2008 4:52 PM | Link to this
bravesare#1 - just read his post at 3:05 and you’ll know why we haven’t heard from him in heaven forbid almost 2 hours. Things have to be hectic at the nation’s capitol with W in the building. Cut him some slack!
Dude calm down, I am just messing with my boy, DOB.
By crimedogrules
March 30, 2008 5:10 PM | Link to this
The best day of the year!!!!
Go braves
By joebrave
March 30, 2008 5:13 PM | Link to this
Twas opening night at the Ballpark, and all thru the stands, All the Nats fans were so cold they sat on their hands, Then out of the clubhouse there came such a clatter, They sprang to their feetm to see What was the Matter… Then all at once to their eye’s surprise Tom Glavine took the Mound Much to their demise, A shiny new Ball Park, President Stupid and all They patiently waited, to hear Em say PLAY BALL!!!!!
By crimedogrules
March 30, 2008 5:13 PM | Link to this
Every year I vow to watch all 162 and then when its over I always regret watching so much baseball instead of exercising, reading, spending time with my kids, etc.
Here’s to ignorance…
By Austin
March 30, 2008 5:15 PM | Link to this
Thanks DOB for the new blog!!
T-MINUS 3 HOURS!!!
By bravesfan
March 30, 2008 5:15 PM | Link to this
DOB any sign of the blue jerseys?
By 18 Wheels of Love
March 30, 2008 5:16 PM | Link to this
Nice lyrics and great song.
Quoting Barry B. Benson from Seinfeld’s Bee Movie (while trying to fly thru a glass window) on the Braves quest to win it all this year…
“Maybe this time. Maybe this time. Maybe this time. Maybe this time. Maybe this time.”
By Marshall
March 30, 2008 5:22 PM | Link to this
Ha - and I was just messing with you. Anybody else as giddy as me waiting on the first pitch?
By Tomahawkin' Again (like it's 1995)
March 30, 2008 5:24 PM | Link to this
Spent the last 2 days watching my 1991-1995 collection of Braves pennant-clinching and playoff/World Series games (I got chills listening to the chant during the ‘91 clincher against the Astros and game 7 of the LCS vs. Pittsburgh) to get in the mood. One more run, that’s all I want for Smoltzie, Chipper, Glavine and Bobby. To hear Skip yell, “Braves win, Braves win, Braves win, Braves win, Braves win” for us, the loyal Braves Nation. For us to be blogging with the Crusading Everyman as October baseball is taking place at the Ted.
By not in carolina...
March 30, 2008 5:27 PM | Link to this
Both teams tight and shooting less than 30%. Kansas misses 2 free throws and is down 9-6 at the 11 minute mark. No points yet for Curry.
By ncgary
March 30, 2008 5:28 PM | Link to this
if ever there were a game that will prove whether superior athleticism can be negated by superior intellect, the davidson kansas game would be it. dont count out the eggheads, dob, go wildcats, now come on dob even you cant be pullin against some wild kat now can ya? lol
By Ralph
March 30, 2008 5:30 PM | Link to this
The best thing about today’s blog is the picture of Paula Zahn to the right, near the top.
By ncgary
March 30, 2008 5:33 PM | Link to this
curry taking chalmers to school davidson 17 kansas 16 7.56 to go 1st half go wildcats
By not in carolina...
March 30, 2008 5:33 PM | Link to this
Curry scores eight quick points. Davidson up 17-16 with under 8 minutes left in first half.
By Austin
March 30, 2008 5:38 PM | Link to this
I guess no blue jerseys?
By DC Braves Fan
March 30, 2008 5:41 PM | Link to this
DOB, go to the Ben’s Chili Bowl stand and get a half smoke with chili and cheese. You won’t regret it.
-DC Braves fan, heading to the park, now.
By bravesfan
March 30, 2008 5:41 PM | Link to this
By Marshall
March 30, 2008 5:22 PM | Link to this
Ha - and I was just messing with you. Anybody else as giddy as me waiting on the first pitch?
I CAN’T wait!!
By Thrillhouse44
March 30, 2008 5:42 PM | Link to this
Fingerless gloves, DOB? Did Rocky inspire that purchase?
Go Braves!
By not in carolina...
March 30, 2008 5:42 PM | Link to this
Curry: master of the floater in the lane. 12 points. Davidson still leads.
By Billy (TBFnB)
March 30, 2008 5:43 PM | Link to this
Ahhhhhhhh…..prob the only game I will be able to see on TV. I love opening day.
By JCC
March 30, 2008 5:44 PM | Link to this
DOB- hearing anything on the trade front, particularly for the bench? Not saying he isn’t a good player, but Gotay doesn’t exactly seem like someone who strikes fear in opposing pitchers’ hearts… Braves bench seems weak, in my humble opinion.
By ncgary
March 30, 2008 5:46 PM | Link to this
23 all under 4 to go til halftime
By Andy K
March 30, 2008 5:49 PM | Link to this
**Guys, keep in mind that this blue jersey thing seems entirely under wraps. My guess is that Wren and the PR guys don’t want anyone seeing them until the last minute possible. So, After President Bush meets with the Teams, most likely before BP, and then after BP, the Bravos will probably head to the clubhouse, and change from their warm-ups. So the new jerseys probably won’t be seen until the players make their way back to the dugout.
By Deep Throat
March 30, 2008 5:50 PM | Link to this
So was the blue uniforms rumor floating around just a myth?
By bravesfan
March 30, 2008 5:54 PM | Link to this
This isn’t the jersey, is it?
http://yahoosports.teamfanshop.com/Default.aspx/lt/blank/ctl/ImageZoom/productID/88a6fcab-d646-4c74-b034-c578164960da/viewName/1#
By radoncbravesfan
March 30, 2008 5:55 PM | Link to this
Tie game at 28.
Here’s hoping that Huddy has good stuff in the cold weather.
GOTTA LUV OPENING DAY
By Anders
March 30, 2008 5:55 PM | Link to this
Well fellow bloggers I have an opening day present for all. This will be my last post on this blog. Rather than continue to drag out what’s become tiresome and boring (for both sides I’m sure) I’ve decided to leave while our teams are all even with a full season of hope for all in front of us. I still say it will be a tight three way race and who knows?
While I’ve never ventured into this whole music lyric thing on this blog I would like to do so as my final post on here. This song is meant for all (but especially DOB) when dealing with non Brave fans on this blog. Hope you get my meaning as it’s a John Lennon song and who better personifies the hopes of bringing diverse people together in harmony? Have a good season Braves fans.
*artist: John Lennon lyrics title: Instant Karma album: Shaved Fish
(John Lennon)
Instant Karma’s gonna get you Gonna knock you right on the head You better get yourself together Pretty soon you’re gonna be dead What in the world you thinking of Laughing in the face of love What on earth you tryin’ to do It’s up to you, yeah you
Instant Karma’s gonna get you Gonna look you right in the face Better get yourself together darlin’ Join the human race How in the world you gonna see Laughin’ at fools like me Who in the hell d’you think you are A super star Well, right you are
Well we all shine on Like the moon and the stars and the sun Well we all shine on Ev’ryone come on
Instant Karma’s gonna get you Gonna knock you off your feet Better recognize your brothers Ev’ryone you meet Why in the world are we here Surely not to live in pain and fear Why on earth are you there When you’re ev’rywhere Come and get your share
Well we all shine on Like the moon and the stars and the sun Yeah we all shine on Come on and on and on on on Yeah yeah, alright, uh huh, ah
Well we all shine on Like the moon and the stars and the sun Yeah we all shine on On and on and on on and on
Well we all shine on Like the moon and the stars and the sun Well we all shine on Like the moon and the stars and the sun Well we all shine on Like the moon and the stars and the sun Yeah we all shine on Like the moon and the stars and the sun*
By not in carolina...
March 30, 2008 5:58 PM | Link to this
Kansas up by a deuce at halftime.
By AMG
March 30, 2008 6:02 PM | Link to this
Please allow me to vent - I hate ESPN and its “power” over MLB.
Why are we starting a season in another country? Why are we playing ONE game in DC? Even the Nats have to leave town after this game?
I’m done … thank you for allowing me to vent.
P.S. I know the answer is “money”
By not in carolina...
March 30, 2008 6:03 PM | Link to this
Why are basketball coaches generally articulate, analytical and thoughtful and baseball managers are like…Bobby Cox (inarticulate, superstitious, reactive, and quick to anger)?
By FJR
March 30, 2008 6:10 PM | Link to this
what the heck are you talking about not in carolina?
Have you ever heard bobby talk for an extended period of time? He’s a smart guy, pretty articulate.
By scott boras
March 30, 2008 6:11 PM | Link to this
i hope my client(teixiera) does well. Im counting my money..aaaah i love myself..
By Austin
March 30, 2008 6:11 PM | Link to this
bravesfan*
I hope not!
By ricflair
March 30, 2008 6:12 PM | Link to this
Dob any word on the new jerseys the Braves are going to wear this year. You had said something about that a while back. Thanks.
By David O'Brien
March 30, 2008 6:13 PM | Link to this
Just back from clubhouse, took longer than expected because two Secret Service dudes commandeered one of only two elevators that goes up to the sixth-floor pressbox….
Didn’t see any blue jerseys in the lockers, just the usual road jerseys….
By bravesfan
March 30, 2008 6:17 PM | Link to this
Braves 2B- Johnson SS- Escobar 3B- Jones 1B- Tex RF- Francoeur C- McCann LF- Diaz CF- Kotsay P- Hudson
Nationals SS- Guzman CF- Milledge 3B- Zimmerman 1B- Johnson RF- Kearns C- Lo Duca LF- Dukes 2B- Belliard P- Perez
By Bravesfan79
March 30, 2008 6:17 PM | Link to this
Man ive been looking forward to this day for awhile!!
Go Davidson! Go Bravos!
By Romanbrave
March 30, 2008 6:17 PM | Link to this
DOB: What happened to trading Pena??
By not in carolina...
March 30, 2008 6:21 PM | Link to this
Start of second half. Kansas up 30-28. Amazing that the score is so close with Davidson’s poor shooting in the 1st half (34% overall and 23% from 3-point).
By ncgary
March 30, 2008 6:22 PM | Link to this
davison 33 -32
By Eric from MO
March 30, 2008 6:23 PM | Link to this
AMG I agree it is dumb that the Braves and Nats play one game for opening night. I understand in is the nations capitol and they are opening a new ballpark but what I dont understand why dont the Nats and Braves just have their opening series be against each other, instead of playing only one game. Dont get mad at ESPN get mad at MLB. Why wasnt MLB just smart enough to set up the schedule so the Braves open their season with a series at D.C. instead of one game.
By Epinephrine
March 30, 2008 6:25 PM | Link to this
Not in Carolina: What? You mean like John Cheney, Bobby Knight, and Bob Huggins, to name a few? Seriously good point, you sound intelligent
By hk
March 30, 2008 6:27 PM | Link to this
… final Spring Training ‘MVP’ (Runs + HR’s + RBI’s) … also, factored by at-bats …
http://www.mindspring.com/~hk3/mvp08.htm
By David O'Brien
March 30, 2008 6:28 PM | Link to this
Down in the clubhouse the boys were sitting around watching two overhead hi-def TVs, one with the NASCAR race and one with the KU-Davidson game on. McCann, knowing I was standing behind him, had to make sure to cheer for Davidson….
You’d never know the Braves were about to open the season and, oh, the president was about to visit the clubhouse. They acted the same as usual, sitting around talking about this car swapping paint with that one, or giving each other crap for this or that….
Oh, except Frenchy. He’s fairly bouncing off the walls with nervous energy. “Too bad we’ve got to wait three hours to play,” he said, smiling and talking about how jacked up he is about this Braves team. Said there’s excitment in the clubhouse about this team that he hasn’t felt previously since he’s been with the Braves.
By not in carolina...
March 30, 2008 6:29 PM | Link to this
35 all - sixteen minutes left in the game.
By McFann
March 30, 2008 6:29 PM | Link to this
Aww, Anders, you can’t mean that!! So long, dude!
You shoulda closed out with Free Bird.
; )
OK! OK! This hour needs to speed up a little!! I am ready for some BASEBALL!!!
I’m keepin’ score tonight! You better believe it!
By BRAVES~NATION!
March 30, 2008 6:33 PM | Link to this
joe brave you are an idiot not just stupid and DOB quit complaining there are plenty of us that would enjoy your job! GO BRAVES!!!
By David O'Brien
March 30, 2008 6:35 PM | Link to this
Smoltz in game vs. Richmond: 5 innings, 7 hits, 3 runs, 6 strikeouts, 1 walk, 83 pitches.
By joebrave
March 30, 2008 6:37 PM | Link to this
http://umpbump.com/press/hot-baseball-wife-exclusive-jamie-kotsay-modeling-pics/. check out these pics of the Lovely Mrs.Kotsay!! YUMMY!!!!
By matlanta
March 30, 2008 6:37 PM | Link to this
DOB
GREAT song choice, that is by far my favorite song on Brighter Than Creation’s Dark, perhaps my favorite DBT song altogether.
By McFann
March 30, 2008 6:38 PM | Link to this
Go Davidson (whoever they are)……
Haha, just joking! I don’t do basketball. Funny story, DOB!
Did I mention I’m ready??
GO BRAVES!!!!!
By smoltz4heisman
March 30, 2008 6:39 PM | Link to this
Don’t know if this has been brought up yet, but looks like our little secret of a good team is now being fully publicized as ESPN has made the Braves their world series champ pick here you go
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/preview08/columns/story?columnist=stark_jayson&id=3320120
Also on front page of their MLB page
By Deep Throat
March 30, 2008 6:39 PM | Link to this
http://www.uniwatchblog.com/2008/03/27/far-eastern-promises/
A little birdie tells me that the Braves’ long-rumored blue alternate jersey may make its debut in the team’s very first game of the season, this Sunday against the Nats. “GM Frank Wren wants it to be a big surprise,” reports my source. “The Braves have delayed putting out their merchandise catalog this year solely because the road alternate jersey is featured in it. The feeling is that by unveiling them in this fashion (nationally televised game on ESPN), sales will be through the roof as soon as the catalog is sent.”
By William
March 30, 2008 6:40 PM | Link to this
Thank Gosh the time is near!!! I’m feeling something special this year. There are going to be peaks and valleys and it all begins tonight!!!!! Let’s get it on!!!
By joebrave
March 30, 2008 6:40 PM | Link to this
Braves-Nation how bout I polish my boot with your @ss FIRST PUNK???????????????
By not in carolina...
March 30, 2008 6:40 PM | Link to this
Kansas eeks out a 43-38 lead with 12 minutes to go. Davidson ball. C’mon Curry! Time for a trey.
By midaz
March 30, 2008 6:45 PM | Link to this
To braves-nation,
Knock it off with your crapping on DOB. He does a great job and if you think his job is so easy then go do it for him.
By not in carolina...
March 30, 2008 6:46 PM | Link to this
Davidson now up by 1 and will go to the line for one. Ten and a half to go. Nice to have a competitive game.
By ncgary
March 30, 2008 6:46 PM | Link to this
davidson looking good 47-46 go wildcats, come on dob how could any red blooded male pull against wild kats??
By AuburnBrave
March 30, 2008 6:47 PM | Link to this
DOB
Just read on MLBTradeRumors.com that the Reds, O’s, and Tigers all made offers for Brayan Pena, but we didn’t see any offers we like… what’s the latest on him being on the trading block?
By CharlieAlphaBravo
March 30, 2008 6:49 PM | Link to this
N8:
Were you agreeing with me at the end of the last blog? I made a point that all FOX cares about is ratings. Then it appeared that you strongly disagreed with my post, saying that all TV networks care about is money… Perhaps I misinterpreted the general mood of your post, but maybe you were mad because we agreed too much? If I am indeed correct, and you were disputing my post, then do I really need to point this out??? RATINGS = MONEY… My point was not that FOX likes the Red Sox because they’re a bunch of drunk Bostonians, but rather because they love the great ratings Red Sox games generally produce. Not quite sure why you directed that tirade at me, when I was clearly agreeing with you.
By Teddy Jack Eddy
March 30, 2008 6:49 PM | Link to this
DOB There are lot’s of unique new qualities to the DC park.Most aren’t obvious,it’s thegreenest(environmental) park ever built into it’s design.The thing you should notice tonight is the lighting,it’s directed to the field (less waste and better for viewers).I agree though,asthetics make the park.
By bravesfan
March 30, 2008 6:50 PM | Link to this
DOB, According to Braves manager Bobby Cox, Smoltz threw five innings and registered eight strikeouts for the Triple-A team at Disney’s Wide World of Sports complex.
By not in carolina...
March 30, 2008 6:51 PM | Link to this
Davidson 51-47, under eight minutes. Kaun crashing the boards for Kansas but Barr unleashes some three pointers for Davidson.
By Milwaukee Requests Braves Return Home
March 30, 2008 6:52 PM | Link to this
What about Miller Field!?!?
Can’t wait for the Braves Game Tonight!
By scott boras
March 30, 2008 6:53 PM | Link to this
MARK TEIXIERA N.L. MVP
PERIOD.
By scott boras
March 30, 2008 6:54 PM | Link to this
MARK TEIXIERA N.L. MVP
PERIOD.
By scott boras
March 30, 2008 6:54 PM | Link to this
MARK TEIXIERA N.L. MVP
PERIOD.
By Capt. Caveman (the original dawg)
March 30, 2008 6:54 PM | Link to this
In the words of Mike Myers as Gunther on SNL:
“I’m as happy as a little girl!”
By not in carolina...
March 30, 2008 6:55 PM | Link to this
Kansas hits a three. Up by one with just over six minutes left.
By BrandonC
March 30, 2008 6:57 PM | Link to this
I’v got goosebumps already. LET’S GO!!!
By scott boras
March 30, 2008 7:00 PM | Link to this
on foxsports.com popular senior writer ken rosenthal has made his prediction of the world champs: THE BRAVES! on the blogs everyone is going crazy on why the braves..IM LOVING IT..oh po teixiera=mvp
By not in carolina...
March 30, 2008 7:01 PM | Link to this
Kansas 56-53 with 3 and a half left.
By Andy K
March 30, 2008 7:01 PM | Link to this
Well, I’m off to watch BaseballTonight then the game….GO BRAVOS!!!!
By scott boras
March 30, 2008 7:01 PM | Link to this
i hr to go! im am going insane right now ………..omg
go teixiera
By scott boras
March 30, 2008 7:05 PM | Link to this
i got teixiera to decline rangers 140m contract offer…the braves might have to top that and give me part of Georgia! i love myself aaahahahmy client is mvp
By not in carolina...
March 30, 2008 7:07 PM | Link to this
Looking bleak - Kansas up by six with just over a minute left. Curry has been completely shut down in the second half.
By not in carolina...
March 30, 2008 7:11 PM | Link to this
Curry hits a three. 59-57. Half a minute left. Davidson still has a chance!
By StingerSplash
March 30, 2008 7:12 PM | Link to this
boy, they are gonna have a tough time picking the MOP for the tournament this year. Even if Kansas hangs on, Curry ought to get a share of votes with Love and Hansbrough. Memphis is still winning it all.
By N8
March 30, 2008 7:12 PM | Link to this
CharlieAlphaBravo
I wasn’t necessarily “ranting” towards you.
You are absolutely correct about WHY the Fox Network LOVES the Red Sox.
My point, is that it doesn’t matter WHAT team it is. If it appeared I was attacking you and your thought, it was because I lumped it in with all the “ESPN and Fox only love the Yankees and Red Sox”, yahoos that seem to think that those networks LOVE those teams, ROOT for those teams and are elated when those teams succeed.
My point is that WHOEVER the “flavor of the year” (like the Braves were for about the first 10 of the 14 year run), is who Fox and ESPN is gonna televise.
Like I said, in principle, we agree. I just think it’s more generic than those networks loving those teams.
Believe me, if the Yankees and Red Sox SUCKED, those networks would have ZERO interest in televising their games on a weekly basis.
Look at the Braves. They have a HUGE national fan base, due to years of being televised on a superstaion. But since 2005 began, they have been mediocre, which doesn’t “sell” the game to the average viewer.
So by that token, the networks don’t JUST take into consideration the teams fan base, the CURRENT success of the team, is at the forefront.
Average fans (that don’t follow a specific team), will follow the leaders or go with the flow of whoever is at the top of the leader board.
I wasn’t ragging on you specifically. I’m just tired of Braves homers whining about Fox and ESPN giving accolades to the Yankees, Red Sox, Mets and Angels, while “ignoring” the Braves of NOT giving them any props.
Especially since Rosenthal and Gammons (THE Baseball guys for both of those organizations) BOTH have the Braves in the World Series.
Not sure how it can get any better for the Braves than that, as far as “respect” goes, can you?
By ncgary
March 30, 2008 7:15 PM | Link to this
and there we have it superior intellect bows to raw talent
By Metropolitan Man
March 30, 2008 7:16 PM | Link to this
0-1 and in last place after tonight. 47 minutes until I get so see the braves make an arse out of themselves on ESPN. Seriously good luck on the season, you will need it. No Smoltz already, that’s not good.
By Gran Jen 1
March 30, 2008 7:16 PM | Link to this
Let’s play ball! Ready to go down here in Montgomery, AL. Long live Bobby and the Braves!
By bravesfan
March 30, 2008 7:17 PM | Link to this
I got ya back, DOB.
Kansas wins 59 to 57.
By not in carolina...
March 30, 2008 7:18 PM | Link to this
Good defense by Kansas thwarts final shot attempt by Davidson. Curry could not get space to get a shot and passes it up. Kansas wins 59-57.
This will be the first time, EVER, that all 4 number one seeds make it to the final four. How boring.
By Savannah Guy
March 30, 2008 7:18 PM | Link to this
Is this just a passing blog just to get the taste of kicking some troll butt or are you here for the season?
TexasBrave, thanks for the welcome back and yep, everything is very good all around. No, I’m not really just passing through. It’s not like I’ve been gone or anything… still read regularly and will continue to do so through the season.
On kicking troll butt: I really try to avoid that and you’re right, Lew has it well in hand… but sometimes the arrows in my quill just happen to fit Mets wounds so well it’s hard to resist letting them fly. Especially when the trolls are way over the line as they were.
Hope all is also well with you and yours.
By d-rock in Scotland
March 30, 2008 7:19 PM | Link to this
Rock Chalk Baby!!!
By Tarheel booster
March 30, 2008 7:19 PM | Link to this
DOB what a game,see you next saturday.
By David O'Brien
March 30, 2008 7:19 PM | Link to this
OK, now we can focus entirely on the game at hand, with those pesky Davidson lads out of the way….
By brian
March 30, 2008 7:20 PM | Link to this
you can breathe now DOB
By Billy (TBFnB)
March 30, 2008 7:20 PM | Link to this
wheres nathan?
By Scalp 'Em Braves
March 30, 2008 7:21 PM | Link to this
DOB:
I remember the ballpark rankings blog - it was last winter. The title was “Sullied Barry Plays in Splendid Park”. You ranked the San Fran park at the top.
Thanks for the walk through of the new Nats place. Am really looking forward to real ball starting up.
Anyone know who the announcers are? I hope not Miller/Morgan.
It’s a brand new season. We’re tied for first. SCALP ‘EM BRAVES!!!
By truth2power
March 30, 2008 7:22 PM | Link to this
“Smoltz in game vs. Richmond: 5 innings, 7 hits, 3 runs, 6 strikeouts, 1 walk, 83 pitches.”
Wow, that projects to something like 11 hits and 7 runs versus big league competition.
Stick a fork in him.
By bravesfan
March 30, 2008 7:23 PM | Link to this
By David O’Brien
March 30, 2008 7:19 PM | Link to this
OK, now we can focus entirely on the game at hand, with those pesky Davidson lads out of the way….
LOL
By CharlieAlphaBravo
March 30, 2008 7:24 PM | Link to this
N8:
Indeed, my friend. I coudn’t agree more. If only Keith Law, Steve Phillips, and Joe Morgan were on the Bravos bandwagon… Then, we would be shown some real respect (sarcasm)…
By William
March 30, 2008 7:25 PM | Link to this
Just had to put this on here. If you need something to pump you up above the BRAVES!!!! It’s a long season and predictions really don’t mean squat, but nice to know that someone knows the Braves still exist. Recommend reading the rest of the article on ESPN.com.
Unsung Braves built for October glory Stark
By Jayson Stark ESPN.com (Archive)
We take you back in time to the first week of March. The 2008 Grapefruit League was only a few days old. But a National League scout already had caught on to something that hadn’t yet dawned on the rest of the hemisphere.
He’d just returned from watching the new, improved Atlanta Braves. It didn’t take him long to make this important announcement:
“They’re back.”
In only 54 games for the Braves in 2007, Mark Teixeira slugged 17 home runs, drove in 56 runs, and had an 1.019 OPS. And they are. Consider this a warning — to you and the rest of the National League East. They’re back.
It’s been 2½ years since the Braves last played a postseason game. It’s been 13 years since they won the only World Series of their 14-year rampage as division champions. It’s been 17 years since the Braves of John Smoltz, Tom Glavine, Steve Avery and Charlie Leibrandt made their first foray into October in the Bobby Cox-John Schuerholz era.
But it wouldn’t shock anybody — anybody — who has seen them this spring if this Braves team turns out to be as good as any of those teams. And by that we mean: The Braves — yeah, the Braves — are our pick to win the World Series.
Go ahead. Call us nuts. Start typing those e-mails lecturing us on why the Red Sox, Yankees, Indians, Tigers, Mets, Phillies, Cubs, Rockies, yada yada yada are better than this team. Maybe they are. All we know is, while 98 percent of the planet was busy obsessing on those clubs, the Atlanta Braves built themselves a tremendous team.
Everywhere we went this spring, we asked the same question: What team has opened your eyes? Everywhere we went, we heard the same answer: The Braves. Take a listen:
“People are wayyyy underestimating that club,” said one NL executive. “It’s amazing how far under the radar they’ve been. But you might think that till you see them play. Then you say, ‘Shoot, this team’s dangerous.’”
By Marty
March 30, 2008 7:27 PM | Link to this
Gammons just predicted a Braves-Indians World Series.
By William
March 30, 2008 7:29 PM | Link to this
What’s that? Peter Gammons picks the Braves to be in the World Series??? The man who never mentions anyone but the Red Sox and Yankees??? He says Indians over the Braves in the WS in 7 games?
By John Adcox
March 30, 2008 7:30 PM | Link to this
It’s funny how things become rituals without us really knowing it.
Take Christmas. Growing up, Christmas was always, always about certain things in a very particular order. Rituals, after all, aren’t random. If they were, they’d be mere events.
Christmas Eve, my sister and I were allowed to open one, and only one, present before bed. The rest were for Christmas morning. I imagine the first time that happened, it was to quiet us down. Somewhere along the line, it became something more. It became was ritual. Like the midnight candlelight church service, where the same hymns are always sung in the same order, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. “O Holy Night” with the soloist always gives me chills, and then the candles are lit, one by one, to “Silent Night,” until the entire sanctuary becomes a galaxy of flickering light, and everything becomes the color of gold, warm and smiling. These things are rituals, and it’s just not Christmas without them.
I think that these accidental events, rituals, come to define the season on some profound and magnificent level, and by consequence come to define our lives. They have to be accidental—invented rituals are mere artifice. Rituals aren’t invented. They are recognized, sometimes years after the fact.
I mention this because I have come to realize that I have more accidental rituals to mark Opening Day than virtually any other day save Christmas itself. For years, I used to hear John Foggarty’s “Centerfield” every opening day. (I know, the line between ritual and cliché is a thin one.) One year, I didn’t—so I pulled the album out and gave it a listen. I’ve done it every year since. It’s become a ritual. I always call my dad. I always read Thomas Boswell’s amazing essay, “Why Time Begins on Opening Day.” Always. Always.
Without realizing it, I’ve come to anticipate Opening Day the way I anticipate all the integral turnings of the years, and with a gun to my head, I couldn’t tell you when or how that happened. It’s not a first date or roller coaster kind of excitement that moves me; it’s something more subtle. But I swear, there are a lot of more exciting events that I’d give up before I’m miss Opening Day. First pitch is still a few minutes away, and I am already filled with blissful anticipation. Beer and peanuts are ready.
So with that in mind, I am going to repeat something I said last year. I’ve got a feeling about this year, about this team. Despite the long odds and the aging and wounded arms at the top of our rotation, I think we’re about to witness something very special, folks. I truly, truly do.
I know I said that before, but I believed it then just as much as I believe it now. It comes from a part of my heart and soul that the icy fingers of cynicism (and pragmatism) just can’t reach. I guess you could say it’s become a ritual.
We’re tied for first, and the magic number’s down to 162. This is it, dammit. This is our year.
Isn’t it always?
By McFann
March 30, 2008 7:31 PM | Link to this
Hey wait a minute? Does Paul Lo Duca get to catch Bush’s pitch? Hmph. Not fair.
; )
By David O'Brien
March 30, 2008 7:32 PM | Link to this
No surprises in the lineup: 1. Kelly Johnson, 2. Yunel, 3. Chipper, 4. Tex, 5. Francoeur, 6, McCann, 7. Diaz, 8. Kotsay, 9. Hudson.
By 18 Wheels of Love
March 30, 2008 7:34 PM | Link to this
Frenchy just had a blue shirt on…was that the one or was that a BP jersey?
By Roswell Ed
March 30, 2008 7:35 PM | Link to this
Very happy to see them back.
Nothing like turning the TV on and
knowing the Braves will at least be on the tube!!
By marge
March 30, 2008 7:40 PM | Link to this
Frenchy has blue boxers on.
By scott boras
March 30, 2008 7:42 PM | Link to this
dob ur the man!!! let me be your agent.
By scott boras
March 30, 2008 7:42 PM | Link to this
dob ur the man!!! let me be your agent.
By Matt
March 30, 2008 7:43 PM | Link to this
DOB have you seen any large bald black men in the hotel lobby wearing a new blue Braves jersey?
By Deep Throat
March 30, 2008 7:43 PM | Link to this
Chip Caray on the radio confirmed the new, alternate blue road uniforms and they will be worn tonight.
By bravesfan
March 30, 2008 7:47 PM | Link to this
WASHINGTON — The Braves surprised their players by presenting them the team’s new alternate uniforms just before the start of Sunday night’s season opener against the Nationals at new Nationals Park.
After meeting with President George W. Bush, Braves players returned to the lockers to find the new blue-on-blue uniforms. The hats were navy blue with the club’s white scripted “A”.
The Braves wore the uniforms for Sunday night’s game and will regularly wear them for road games throughout this season.
By miles davis
March 30, 2008 7:48 PM | Link to this
crazy man! i love all blue.
By chuckw/deadjournalist
March 30, 2008 7:48 PM | Link to this
braves.com reported they will be in the new unis tonight.
By David O'Brien
March 30, 2008 7:50 PM | Link to this
GUESS WHAT: Braves are wearing their new jerseys. Just pulled the ol’ UGA surprise, of sorts.
By wiki
March 30, 2008 7:51 PM | Link to this
Lineup opening day last year:
…..so much better in ‘08!
By davey
March 30, 2008 7:52 PM | Link to this
Ahh welcome opening day! Lets hope this year will be better than the last two. I had my hopes up about watching this game but I lost cable and I dont have MLB TV. So looks like Ill be checking here to stay up to date.
By Greg in TN
March 30, 2008 7:52 PM | Link to this
DOB, from what ESPN just showed in terms of the ball park, you are right, it has Stan Kasten’s fingerprints all over it.
The upper deck grandstand seats have day of the game seats at $5 and you’ve already mentioned the restaurant and the standing room areas around the ballpark. Have a friend of mine heading there in a month and he’s looking forward to it.
Stay warm notorious one!
By David O'Brien
March 30, 2008 7:53 PM | Link to this
I like ‘em. Nice and simple, clean look.
By ole timerbrave
March 30, 2008 7:55 PM | Link to this
wee!! The beginning of a few months of baseball. Go Braves
By Billy (TBFnB)
March 30, 2008 7:56 PM | Link to this
I’m amazed I still get geeked up every opening day.
By Mark
March 30, 2008 7:57 PM | Link to this
great song……reminds me of the james mcmurtry song…
By joni mitchell
March 30, 2008 7:57 PM | Link to this
Blue.
By brian
March 30, 2008 7:58 PM | Link to this
how will the cold weather affect the hitters and pitchers tonight?
By Workinlkeadawg
March 30, 2008 7:59 PM | Link to this
Hey DOB—“Dont you get it”. Thought Thorman was out of options,I got it. You and most of the other bloggers inputs are invalid and not to be believed. OK let me hear your explanation, not that I’ll regard you or your comments any higher than Petrino’s.
By ippississiM
March 30, 2008 8:01 PM | Link to this
Roster notes finished.
By the way, I don’t watch any sports shows, or read any sports columns except the ones on AJC or some that I run across during research. All my stuff is from stats on baseballcube/sportsline/mlb.com/baseballreference, scouting reports, DOB, and my own eyes and ears. I turned on Baseball Tonight for the first time since last August tonight, watched the first segment, and have been watching a streaming Lost episode since then. I don’t care what they say on there, never have, probably never will.
By Murphy
March 30, 2008 8:03 PM | Link to this
By Workinlkeadawg
March 30, 2008 7:59 PM | Link to this
Hey DOB—“Dont you get it”. Thought Thorman was out of options,I got it. You and most of the other bloggers inputs are invalid and not to be believed. OK let me hear your explanation, not that I’ll regard you or your comments any higher than Petrino’s.
What are you talking about? Thorman made it through waivers and was sent down. This is old news.
By Professor Dobermeyer
March 30, 2008 8:05 PM | Link to this
“how will the cold weather affect the hitters and pitchers tonight?”
They will turn into large icicles and shatter into many pieces. Unless, of course, they drink large quantities of antifreeze before taking the field.
By bravesfan
March 30, 2008 8:05 PM | Link to this
I like them!!!
By David O'Brien
March 30, 2008 8:07 PM | Link to this
For those interested, here’s a note I just wrote about the new duds:
Washington, D.C. — The Braves’ rumored blue jerseys became a reality Sunday night when they broke out the new alternate road jerseys and caps without prior notice for the nationally televised season opener against Washington.
The navy design represents the first change in the Braves’ road uniform since 1987. The Braves said they would wear them in periodic road games during the season. The alternate red jersey remains the gear for Sunday home games.
The new jersey is solid navy with “Atlanta” in script above the familiar tomahawk. The player’s name is in solid white on back, above his white-trimmed navy number. The cap is solid blue with only a white “A”, similar to caps worn by the Braves in the 1960s.
“We feel that we have one of the classic uniforms in all of baseball,” Braves president John Schuerholz said in a prepared statement. “Our new road jersey and navy cap are perfect representations of Braves baseball. They are emblematic of the traditional style of Braves uniforms over the years.”
The jerseys and caps will be available starting Monday through the Braves’ catalog, Braves Clubhouse Store at CNN Center, and at Turner Field.
By Efrim
March 30, 2008 8:07 PM | Link to this
Go Braves!!!!
By Gamecock Brave
March 30, 2008 8:10 PM | Link to this
Still get chills from the national anthem(going back to my high school days)… i cant wait!
By Ron Roberts
March 30, 2008 8:11 PM | Link to this
LOVE THE NEW ROAD ALTS!!!
By David O'Brien
March 30, 2008 8:13 PM | Link to this
Murphy, I don’t even know if that’s a question or statement or request or what.
By Gamecock Brave
March 30, 2008 8:15 PM | Link to this
As much as this President is disliked, im still not sure you can boo him at this time, cmon man… oh and im likin the chin music he was throwin
By Billy (TBFnB)
March 30, 2008 8:15 PM | Link to this
How can you bring politics into baseball, who boos the pres throwing out the first pitch? What class them fans have.
By AMG
March 30, 2008 8:16 PM | Link to this
Here are my predictions: If the Braves win this game, someone on this blog will make some statment about the Braves being in first place. If the Braves loose this game, someone on this blog will think the world is coming to an end and the Braves will need to make wholesale changes immediately.
By 18 Wheels of Love
March 30, 2008 8:16 PM | Link to this
And rightly so, W gets booed off the field. Nice start to a great night!
Go Braves!
By Obamain08
March 30, 2008 8:16 PM | Link to this
and a FITTING greeting given to the moron-in-chief!
By TennesseePaul
March 30, 2008 8:16 PM | Link to this
Lotta @ssholes at the park tonight it seems.
By Interested Observer
March 30, 2008 8:19 PM | Link to this
Maybe if we all run out and buy the new road jersey, we’ll have enough money to resign Tex.
By Murphy
March 30, 2008 8:21 PM | Link to this
It was this guy’s statement, not mine:
By Workinlkeadawg
March 30, 2008 7:59 PM | Link to this
Hey DOB—“Dont you get it”. Thought Thorman was out of options,I got it. You and most of the other bloggers inputs are invalid and not to be believed. OK let me hear your explanation, not that I’ll regard you or your comments any higher than Petrino’s.
By Murphy
March 30, 2008 8:22 PM | Link to this
It was this guy’s statement, not mine:
By Workinlkeadawg
March 30, 2008 7:59 PM | Link to this
Hey DOB—“Dont you get it”. Thought Thorman was out of options,I got it. You and most of the other bloggers inputs are invalid and not to be believed. OK let me hear your explanation, not that I’ll regard you or your comments any higher than Petrino’s.
By Ron Roberts
March 30, 2008 8:22 PM | Link to this
If I had to nitpick, at all about the new jerseys, it’s that the player numbers should’ve been in read, much like their spring training blues are.
With the advent of TV, it’s not as important, but it is harder to pick up the jersey numbers with the naked eye, with the navy-on-navy numbers in white trim.
But I like the look; clean, classic, much like what we usually wear. Maybe that’s why I never cared much for the neon-reddish duds we wear at home Sunday games.
By Deep Throat
March 30, 2008 8:26 PM | Link to this
It does seem rather classless to boo the President when all he is doing is throwing out the first pitch.
By Oscar de la Renta.
March 30, 2008 8:30 PM | Link to this
Fashion review:
When the formerly androgynous Tim Hudson and multi-tattooed Peter Moylan put their rough edges aside and drape themselves in natty, new blue blouses worthy of Old Cooperstown you know it’s a harbinger of masculine looks to come.
The best of the bunch at baseball’s opening night put an updated spin on vintage good looks with soft, smoky eye-black, pale lip balm, large-scale gold chains and golden Florida tans.
First baseman Mark Texiera, looked MVP-worthy in a white strapless undershirt from Carolina Herrera, pulled back hair and black patent leather shoes.
Mr. Larry Jones, looked elegant in a mock blue turtleneck with matching blue batting gloves from Marc Bouwer.
John Smoltz who usually plays it boy-next-door coy was not in attendence.
By Steep and Deep
March 30, 2008 8:31 PM | Link to this
DOB….
Dig the blog all spring…
DBT makes me jump outta my skin….Braves fan 4 life….
How bout some Widespread Panic up in this mug….
C ya’ll in Coor’s Field!!!!
By obamaisasocialist
March 30, 2008 8:31 PM | Link to this
opening night…. finally!!
By Akash
March 30, 2008 8:31 PM | Link to this
THIS IS JUST SO BIZZAR AND BRAVES DON’T CARE ABOUT THEIR FANS. WHY THE HELL THEY ARE NOT AIRING OPENING + NEW PARK GAME IN LOCAL CHANNEL? IS THIS HOW BRAVES TREATE TO US?
By andcan'tbeatmccain
March 30, 2008 8:32 PM | Link to this
opening night…. finally!!
By TennesseePaul
March 30, 2008 8:35 PM | Link to this
The boys look like crap so far…
By Greg in TN
March 30, 2008 8:36 PM | Link to this
I too like the new alternates. Some subtle differences, certainly a departure from the road greys, but the tomahawk across the front is timeless.
Pretty good first inning for Odalis Perez. He was able to stay in front of the hitters. I like the patience from Yunel at the plate in that first inning.
Certainly an inauspicious start from Hudson. Single to Guzman and then a wild throw to first allows him to advance to third.
By Ron Roberts
March 30, 2008 8:36 PM | Link to this
DOB you’ve got the birds-eye vantagepoint… does that foul ground behind 1B along the baseline seem longer than usual to you, or what? I’m surprised it took Tex that long to chase it down, but I’m also surprised Frnacoeur didn’t appear on our screen to back him up, either.
By Serge45
March 30, 2008 8:37 PM | Link to this
DOB- Have any quotes from Glavine on just how those Mets players felt about Milledge last year? The ESPN guys are, suprisingly, giving it alot of play. Oh and Joe Morgan is talking about when he used to play for the Reds.
By GHubbard
March 30, 2008 8:39 PM | Link to this
Get rid of the red jerseys! New alts make red jerseys look Bush(boo) league!
By David O'Brien
March 30, 2008 8:40 PM | Link to this
Yes, Akash, apparently this is how Braves treate to us.
By WwasthebiggestAhole
March 30, 2008 8:40 PM | Link to this
TennPaul, showing your political leanings, are ya?
Nobody’s scraped the “W” sticker off your gas-guzzling behemoth, yet?
The moron’s polling below 30% approval and you expected a rousing (bullsh!++!ng) standing ovation?
In D.C… a city inhabited by moderates and liberals?
Maybe if/when he gets invited to throw out the first pitch in Gwinnet’s new stadium, he’ll get that rousing standing o.
By MattyRoss
March 30, 2008 8:43 PM | Link to this
Timmy almost danced out of it…we can’t seem to play catch properly at the moment. 1-0 Nats.
By Larvell Blanks
March 30, 2008 8:43 PM | Link to this
Hate, hate, hate the new uniforms. Hate the idea of them more than I hate the actual uniforms (although blue on blue with big white outlines??? I’m getting dizzy). Baseball is white at home, gray on the road. Why do we want to look like a softball team? We have the best uniforms in baseball, and I always liked it that we didn’t give in to the “alternate” colored jerseys like everyone else. The red ones were bad enough, but at least they were only for Sunday home games. Now I suppose we’ll break out a new jersey every time merchandise sales start to slag. Might as well be the Astros or Diamondbacks.
Oh, and I can’t wait to see the Yankees’ alternate jerseys. Riiiiiight….
By TennesseePaul
March 30, 2008 8:43 PM | Link to this
Ugly.
Getting tired of ESPN highlighting all the firsts…. And the first bat boy to run on the field. And the first change of a baseball in the new park. And the first dusting of resin in the new park.
By Jim Cole
March 30, 2008 8:43 PM | Link to this
“secondly” is an adverbial form that makes no sense at all in enumeration (neither does “firstly” ). As you go through your list, say simply “second,” “third,” “fourth,” etc. Just trying to be helpful. Jim
By fsumarc
March 30, 2008 8:44 PM | Link to this
What a beautiful park.Huddy seems to be struggling tonight
By Gamecock Brave
March 30, 2008 8:44 PM | Link to this
Dear John Miller, Yes we know its the first this, that and the other thing… thank you, we got it.
By Randy S
March 30, 2008 8:46 PM | Link to this
Looks like some thick grass in the outfield. That ball Kearns hit died on its way to Frenchy.
By Chopdawg
March 30, 2008 8:46 PM | Link to this
“Watch the dog sniff your Cohibas”-so THAT’S what we’re calling ‘em now
CHOP (I know, I know, they’re cigars)
By Ron Roberts
March 30, 2008 8:46 PM | Link to this
Seems as if the defense and the pitcher aren’t on the same page. He pitches low and away, and the middle infield has ‘em played straight-up.
By Justo
March 30, 2008 8:47 PM | Link to this
Come own hudson we dont need another 06 season from you dog
By Frank
March 30, 2008 8:48 PM | Link to this
Braves ‘d’ looking shaky - Hudson error throw to first, Franceour throws off the mark. Making look Perez look good in first inning. 8 more to go … How can they be nervous when its not even their new park?
By DT Moore
March 30, 2008 8:48 PM | Link to this
Its a great night, even if Hudson is getting hit pretty hard, because the Braves are back and I can actually watch them on the tube. This Ohio boy will really miss TBS. Only can see those rare ESPN and Fox games.
By brewdawg
March 30, 2008 8:48 PM | Link to this
Define “inauspicious”
By Frank
March 30, 2008 8:48 PM | Link to this
Braves ‘d’ looking shaky - Hudson error throw to first, Franceour throws off the mark. Making Perez look good in first inning. 8 more to go … How can they be nervous when its not even their new park?
By CharlieAlphaBravo
March 30, 2008 8:49 PM | Link to this
Anyone know what it says on the left sleeve of the Bravos’ new unis? Bleach? What is that??
By Billy (TBFnB)
March 30, 2008 8:50 PM | Link to this
gamecock brave……ditto
By TennesseePaul
March 30, 2008 8:50 PM | Link to this
Your assumptions of me are just as classless and baseless. I expected respect.
By Greg in TN
March 30, 2008 8:50 PM | Link to this
Hudson almost got out of it, however Nick Johnson got a sawed off hit to score Guzman. Nats aren’t being bashful tonight, they’re running the bases aggressively against Frenchy both on Johnson’s double and on Austin Kearns’ single that followed.
By Stuart
March 30, 2008 8:50 PM | Link to this
Natties look to be pumped to be in the new yard. Two bloops, 5 hopper through the hole, and one bad error. That ususally equals a multi run deficit.
Hopefully we will wake up and the natties come back to earth.
I love the new jerseys. Navy blue looks great over grey.
By radoncbravesfan
March 30, 2008 8:52 PM | Link to this
Nice at bat for frenchy 1st pitch ground out
By Jared
March 30, 2008 8:52 PM | Link to this
Franceour looking like a gold glover tonight
By Gamecock Brave
March 30, 2008 8:53 PM | Link to this
“oh and there is the first drunk to puke awt Nationals stadium!”
By TennesseePaul
March 30, 2008 8:53 PM | Link to this
McCann needs more Yoga… Slowness. Extremely slow and Pierre isn’t on the Nats.
By David O'Brien
March 30, 2008 8:54 PM | Link to this
Hudson threw 29 pitches in the first inning. Yikes….
McCann mkissed a homer by a foot, then gets thrown out trying to stretch it to a double. Wow. Him and Nick Johnson would be a good race.
By Metropolitan Man
March 30, 2008 8:54 PM | Link to this
Man you guys are looking awful. I know, I know its early but somebody needs to tell your boys this game does count. This is Must See TV.
By Stuart
March 30, 2008 8:54 PM | Link to this
Nice relay. 5 inches from the first homer. Bravos are sleep walking through the first two innings.
By TeddyJack Eddy
March 30, 2008 8:55 PM | Link to this
Is it true that McCann is a slow runner,never mind.
By McFann
March 30, 2008 8:55 PM | Link to this
DON’T talk to me!!
By ben
March 30, 2008 8:55 PM | Link to this
Man, thank goodness this is still spring training.
By DT Moore
March 30, 2008 8:56 PM | Link to this
Is it the first home run in Nationals Park….. No… The burst of catcher speed.
By jman
March 30, 2008 8:56 PM | Link to this
It says Beach. Its a tribute to Jim Beachamp.
By Ron Roberts
March 30, 2008 8:56 PM | Link to this
Hmmm…. Add this all up… national TV broadcast…cold weather…one of our aces struggling, with an error on the board already, down 2, and seeing our best hitters hacking first-pitch, or getting thrown out at 2B after hitting what clearly would’ve been a double in circumstances…
…feels like an OCTOBER game.
By Greg in TN
March 30, 2008 8:56 PM | Link to this
Charlie, the left sleeve is ‘Beach’ for Jim Beauchamp, who passed away this past December.
By Jared
March 30, 2008 8:56 PM | Link to this
Pathetic effort thus far
By Interested Observer
March 30, 2008 8:57 PM | Link to this
Man, McCann was thrown out at 2nd by a relay throw from RF. Priceless!
Nice to see the boys coming out of the spring ready to tackle the challenge of facing pitchers the caliber of Odalis Perez!
By Joe Fan
March 30, 2008 8:57 PM | Link to this
Is Nick Johnson being showcased for a possible trade to the Braves?
By N8
March 30, 2008 8:58 PM | Link to this
Uhhhh……McFann
Your BOY is SaLOOOOOOW!
Folks. This game is UGLY so far.
Hudson pitches over 30 pitches.
Francoeur makes an out on the first pitch.
McCann gunned down by 15 feet on a ball that almost got out of here.
And Diaz allows Odalis Perez (yeah the former Cy Young winner….er…guy that didn’t have a JOB in February), to have a 7 pitch 2nd inning.
Yikes.
Oh well. 161 games to go, huh? LOL!
I guess ther IS still 7 innings left in this one, but it doesn’t look pretty so far.
Hey. Worst case scenario, if Hudson keeps up this “pace” of pitches per inning, we’ll get to see our new “long man/spot starter” in Jeff Bennett, right?
What? You expected me to go 2 innings without griping about something, with how lethargic they “look” so far? :-)
I still think this team makes the playoffs. But this game has the looks of one that isn’t gonna go their way.
By Rocky
March 30, 2008 8:58 PM | Link to this
Wow McCann barely missed the home run and got thrown out tryin to go to second. I like McCanns hustle he just is not fast enough. Lets try to win this game Braves especially against the Nats.
By Greg in TN
March 30, 2008 8:59 PM | Link to this
Nice shot by McCann, but Kearns played the rebound off the wall perfectly and threw McCann out by several steps at second.
Nice to see Hudson come back with a very quick three up/three down second inning.
By Austin
March 30, 2008 8:59 PM | Link to this
Huddy needed that!
Quick inning.
By David O'Brien
March 30, 2008 8:59 PM | Link to this
CAB, it says Beach. It’s for Jim Beauchamp, the former Braves player and coach who died Christmas Day after a long bout with leukemia.
By JJMB
March 30, 2008 9:01 PM | Link to this
How nice it is to hear John Miller kiss Joe Morgan’s rear end for another season.
Thanks for all the Joe Morgan life achievement milestones, John and Joe!
I just can’t get enough…
By Neel
March 30, 2008 9:02 PM | Link to this
DOB, keep up the good work and the great music suggestions. Has everybody seen how many experts are predicting us to do well this season. That usually doesn’t bode well because they are often wrong. However, it’s good to be getting some respect again and if we stay healthy we will definitely be there. Can everybody give predictions on how hampton, escobar, kotsay and jurrjens will do this season(i.e. wins, starts, ip, and avg, power numbers for escobar and kotsay)
By uga-brave
March 30, 2008 9:02 PM | Link to this
the thing on their shoulder is a tribute to jim beauchamp.
By John in Wichita
March 30, 2008 9:03 PM | Link to this
That would be “Beach”, and surely a tribute to Jim Beauchamp who was a bench coach and a long time member of the Braves organization.
By Efrim
March 30, 2008 9:04 PM | Link to this
It would be nice to to destroy the Nats on national tv….
Oh well.
Lets look a little better 2nd time through.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
March 30, 2008 9:04 PM | Link to this
Seven pitch second from Hudson. Just give it time , that’s Odalis Perez on the mound. The Braves will eventually score off him.
By David O'Brien
March 30, 2008 9:05 PM | Link to this
By the way, before that leadoff single in the first inning, Guzman was 5-for-43 (.116) against Huddy.
By Jared
March 30, 2008 9:05 PM | Link to this
Can’t believe the Braves are trailing in an opening day game with this pitching match-up.
By Efrim
March 30, 2008 9:06 PM | Link to this
Kelly…..
I don’t think I have ever seen such an ugly start to a season….
By Rocky
March 30, 2008 9:07 PM | Link to this
Well we done seen Perez once through the lineup I expect us now to hit him. I just hope we dont look like we did last year by letting pitchers like Perez look like a Cy Young winner like we did with crappy pitchers last year. Its early I know, im just sayin.
By N8
March 30, 2008 9:08 PM | Link to this
WOW!!!!
This is unreal.
If you’ve read ANY of my posts for the past 3 months, you’d realize that even I didn’t think I’d have to be in “mid-season” form by the 3rd inning of the season.
WTF Bobby!!! Were you running a day camp in Florida, or what? Didn’t remind these guys of ANY of the baseball basics?
LOL!
Since some of you are on the subjects of “firsts” at National’s Park, and this is a one-game series. It leaves me wondering who is gonna be the first team to actually make the Nationals WORK for a victory. :-)
Sorry. Had to.
By macdwolfpack
March 30, 2008 9:08 PM | Link to this
Bravos look like they are still in Spring training! Not playing very smart baseball right now. Let’s go Bravos.
By McFann
March 30, 2008 9:08 PM | Link to this
I don’t know if you guys saw it or not, but McCann just missed a homer, and then got tagged out trying to make it a double!
OK, sorry…back to the game and Bush…
By AJinAZ
March 30, 2008 9:08 PM | Link to this
well lets chalk the 1st 3 inning to ‘sperence.
3 bats for Huddy tonight so far
By Glass Half Full (GHF)
March 30, 2008 9:09 PM | Link to this
How long before Joe Morgan calls Jose Reyes “the most exciting player in the national league” followed by name dropping Willie Mayes and Barry Bonds?
By Stuart
March 30, 2008 9:09 PM | Link to this
I know it is the first of 162, but the braves are definately sleep walking.
It feels like October, because the opener is always special, that and I bet DOB will attest to this, it is cold.
By Interested Observer
March 30, 2008 9:09 PM | Link to this
Is this another one of those simulated games? When does the real game start?
By Muggly Other
March 30, 2008 9:09 PM | Link to this
I can tell the regular season has begun ‘cause i’m grumbling about the baserunning boo boos and saying dirty words. Quite a bit different than watching the spring games :o)
By MattyRoss
March 30, 2008 9:10 PM | Link to this
Apart from the results so far, Huddy is nailing his spots and painting the black on the outside corner. Gotta like that this early…GREAT play by ESCOBAR!
By David O'Brien
March 30, 2008 9:10 PM | Link to this
What a play by Yunel. Not many guys with the arm to make that throw from shallow CF after spinning.
By Jared
March 30, 2008 9:10 PM | Link to this
Was there a hot dog sitting on second base? Where the heck did Kelly Johnson think he was running off to?
By N8
March 30, 2008 9:11 PM | Link to this
Well, after all of that. I have to say that after the first inning (and that FANTASTIC play by Escobar), Hudson looks like Tim Hudson again.
Not a CHANCE IN HELL that Renteria makes that play folks. Plain and simple.
For whatever defense we lose with Kotsay out there (and we will lose some no doubt), we will gain it with Escobar over Edgar.
In my book, it’s a wash.
By 22oz
March 30, 2008 9:11 PM | Link to this
The boys are indeed looking sloppy as Kelly gets picked off to end the top of the 3rd. Hudson throws 29 pitches in the first, and Francoeur swings at the first pitch. Jitters Jitters Jitters. Huddy looks like he’s calmed down after another quick inning though.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
March 30, 2008 9:11 PM | Link to this
Wow, great play by Escobar for the third out. Renteria would have no chance at making that pick and throw.
By David O'Brien
March 30, 2008 9:12 PM | Link to this
Hudson needed 29 pitches to get the first three outs, and 13 pitches to get the past six outs.
By Stuart
March 30, 2008 9:15 PM | Link to this
Way to wake them up Chipper!!!!!!
By N8
March 30, 2008 9:15 PM | Link to this
HOLY “Ron Gant” style line drive HR?!
Wow. Way to go “You know who”.
By Rocky
March 30, 2008 9:16 PM | Link to this
Can ESPN please show a replay of Escobars GREAT play at SS? Hell if Jeter made that play we would see that play 50 times already. Damnit I wanna see a damn replay of it.
Chipper Jones has the FIRST homer in the Nats new home park. YEAH!!!
By David O'Brien
March 30, 2008 9:16 PM | Link to this
You don’t want to throw this Chipper Jones character a fastball down the middle, apparently.
Crushed.
Lead halved, 2-1.
By Jared
March 30, 2008 9:16 PM | Link to this
Chipper for President ‘08.
By Greg in TN
March 30, 2008 9:16 PM | Link to this
Ahhh, looking forward to seeing a lot of that for the next 161.
Huddy has settled down and Chipper has gotten us on the board, things are looking much better.
By Najeh Davenpoop
March 30, 2008 9:17 PM | Link to this
These new uniforms look like the blue dye bled over the rest of the cloth.
Good to see Chipper jacking one out from the right side though.
By Thrillhouse44
March 30, 2008 9:17 PM | Link to this
I predicted that U Kno Who would get the first jack of 2008. I just hope my World Series prediction comes true too.
Dig the new unis.
I hope KC and the boys are having a beer for me.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
March 30, 2008 9:17 PM | Link to this
What did I tell you barely an inning ago? Chipper whacks the first home run in the history of the Nationals new stadium.
I knew the Braves would get to Perez. It was only a matter of time.
By Andy
March 30, 2008 9:17 PM | Link to this
Hey Neel, I agree with you. It’s usually not a good sign the majority of the analysts are picking you. I definitely prefer coming under the radar, as we did the past few years of our 14 straight streak…The Braves need to regain their confidence and swagger.
As for the projections, I think Escobar will hit .320, 10 homers, and swipe 20. Kotsay will hit .270, 8 hrs, and 65 rbi. I am worried he will get hurt making a diving catch or hitting the wall. Andruw was so durable, we really did not give him enough credit for playing everyday. I even admit to taking him for granted out there. Kotsay will get down and dirty and give us great hussle, though. I doubt we will see him smiling after a strike out or walking to 1st on a groundout. I see Jurrjens winning 14 games, and having an era around 4.
By truth2power
March 30, 2008 9:17 PM | Link to this
W doesn’t know a shiite from a sunni but knows that Francoeur was hit in the mouth in spring training. Classic.
By j-school dropout
March 30, 2008 9:20 PM | Link to this
DOB:
Congrats on KU. But you’ve got to admit it would be good for college sports if a small school like Davidson actually won the championship. I’m so tired of watching big state schools dominate college basketball that I want to puke. Carolina, again. Kansas, again. UCLA, aargh! Go Memphis. At least they’re not a perennial power. College basketball is totally owned by big programs. And it will be even worse next year when they move the 3-point line to the NBA mark. They should break college basketball into another division. There’s just no way little schools can compete. Davidson’s tallest player was 6-8, and you had that moose at the post. I just hope you beat Carolina. I’m an NC native and I hate them. Go Memphis. At least they’re from a mid-level conference.
By The Goche (A.J.)
March 30, 2008 9:22 PM | Link to this
Escobar just got a nice play from the President. Not to get politcal but I support this position, LOL.
Hey DOB
I’m sure you won’t read this too soon, but while it’s on my mind, Ken Rosenthal says that the Braves have had offers for Pena from the Reds, Tigers and Orioles, but that the Braves aren’t interested in trading him. It didn’t even say that the offers weren’t enough, he implied that the Braves just didn’t want to trade him.
By N8
March 30, 2008 9:23 PM | Link to this
“Can ESPN please show a replay of Escobars GREAT play at SS? Hell if Jeter made that play we would see that play 50 times already.”
(sigh)
By Stuart
March 30, 2008 9:24 PM | Link to this
You know who is just an incredible hitter. There are guys that have better numbers because they play in band boxes, but there are few if any, as good a pure hitter as you know who.
By David O'Brien
March 30, 2008 9:25 PM | Link to this
It’s Odalis Perez, folks. And a one-run lead after 3-1/2 innings. Not exactly time to panic.
By The Goche (A.J.)
March 30, 2008 9:26 PM | Link to this
W is a way better baseball commentator then Miller or Morgan, I’ll leave any other job quality comparisons to the historians, LOL.
By N8
March 30, 2008 9:28 PM | Link to this
Wow! Waddya know? A ball was hit to CF and Kotsay actually caught it. I thought we were doomed on all balls hit to CF without Andruw out there?
Hudson is on his game.
Let’s see if the Braves can “get to” Odalis, as Coach predicts.
By David O'Brien
March 30, 2008 9:28 PM | Link to this
Hudson 29 pitches in first inning, 23 in past three innings combined.
By JimD
March 30, 2008 9:31 PM | Link to this
I just thought of something…with the President at the game, I wonder if Leslie Nielsen is one of the umps?
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
March 30, 2008 9:31 PM | Link to this
Huddy is cruising. The Braves just need to start lighting it up off Perez.
By Player to be named
March 30, 2008 9:31 PM | Link to this
Agree 100% N8
Did you get your baseball tickets sold on facebook?
BTW The whole time with W was a little awkward. Typical Joe Morgan stories that no one cares about and don’t relate to anything.
By David O'Brien
March 30, 2008 9:32 PM | Link to this
To underscore what Najeh said above: Last season Chipper hit .274 with 7 homers in 201 at-bats vs. lefties, and .378 with 22 homers in 312 at-bats vs. righties.
By TennesseePaul
March 30, 2008 9:33 PM | Link to this
Kotsay could sure stand to cheer up for photo day. A smile would help.
By N8
March 30, 2008 9:35 PM | Link to this
How many first pitches are these guys gonna swing at???
Oh. Wait. Maybe that was the “game-plan”.
If Odalis has HALF a brain (which is questionable at best), these guys wouldn’t see a ball anywhere near the middle of the plate on the first pitch.
But then again, my 4 year old daughter could submit that scouting report.
By Stuart
March 30, 2008 9:36 PM | Link to this
Cmon, KJ, Let’s hope some of that two out lightning from last year carries over this year.
By JJMB
March 30, 2008 9:36 PM | Link to this
truth2power, I’m glad you have all the answers. Things must be so simple when you’re so gd smart.
By Andy
March 30, 2008 9:37 PM | Link to this
Who will be our go to guy off the bench when we need a big hit? Gotay?
By Najeh Davenpoop
March 30, 2008 9:38 PM | Link to this
Quick question, and I’m not trying to pass any judgment or anything, but I was just wondering out of curiosity… since 1991, have the Braves ever had a white starting center fielder other than Kotsay?
By Rocky
March 30, 2008 9:39 PM | Link to this
Can we start hitting this scrub now? Its not like this is Hamels or some great pitcher. This is a damn scrub on the mound. I am gettin flashbacks of last year when Lohse and other pitchers that I never heard of made us look bad.
By Justo
March 30, 2008 9:39 PM | Link to this
I dont know much about o.perez but the braves dont hit well at all against pitchers with the last name perez.
By Billy (TBFnB)
March 30, 2008 9:40 PM | Link to this
DOB dont you know by know, its like chicken little every game on the blog.
By Stuart
March 30, 2008 9:41 PM | Link to this
I just thought of something…with the President at the game, I wonder if Leslie Nielsen is one of the umps?
If the home plate umpire starts frisking everyone, and doing the moonwalk after strike calls, then the answer is yes.
By Randy S
March 30, 2008 9:42 PM | Link to this
So weird to think that once the new Marlins park is built that the Braves will have the oldest stadium in the division.
By crl
March 30, 2008 9:43 PM | Link to this
David, Liked the article….especially the Drive-By Truckers reference considering that last night I was at their concert in Asheville at the Orange Peel. Glad that opening day is here! Hope you and the Braves have a great season!!!
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
March 30, 2008 9:44 PM | Link to this
Odalis Perez is out of the game. Smart move by Manny Acta. I wouldn’t let the Braves see him the third time through the order either.
By N8
March 30, 2008 9:44 PM | Link to this
You see.
You guys (DOB included), keep saying that it’s “Odalis Perez”, and we’ll get him.
But Acta ain’t gonna leave him out there to get “got”. So bottom line is that we scored one run off of Odalis Perez in 5 innings.
WOW! Somebody call the homers. Gammons just did a very nice piece on Chipper. But I suppose the whiners will say that if it was about Jeter it would have been twice as long, right?
By ObiWanKobe
March 30, 2008 9:46 PM | Link to this
Escobar looks like a little Gallaraga when he’s @ the plate.
By Bring Me the Head of Francisco Cabrera
March 30, 2008 9:46 PM | Link to this
Hey, Dave, it was only Oliver Perez last year. Braves never exactly solved him.
If there’s a Perez on the mound, I’m in instant panic mode.
By VolBrave
March 30, 2008 9:46 PM | Link to this
I’m gonna guess Acta puilled Dukes b/c he didn’t hustle down the line on that groundout…he’s had well documented issues.
By N8
March 30, 2008 9:48 PM | Link to this
Wow. What an inning.
Don’t worry everybody……we’ll get Odalis NEXT TIME.
:-)
By jbutler
March 30, 2008 9:49 PM | Link to this
Okay..so did anyone else feel like GWB’s time in the ESPN booth felt more like Will Ferrell doing a skit than a real interview??? The pained expression on his face when he tried to pronounce Escobar’s name made me completely hoot w/laughter. I hope the next occupant of the ‘ol White House will at least provide as much comic relief!!!
By Bring Me the Head of Francisco Cabrera
March 30, 2008 9:50 PM | Link to this
I knew the Braves would get to Perez. It was only a matter of time.
Yet another swing and a miss from the self-proclaimed baseball genius.
By Billy (TBFnB)
March 30, 2008 9:50 PM | Link to this
N8 its the first game….
By Rocky
March 30, 2008 9:52 PM | Link to this
Well N8 bottom line is that if Jeter made that SAME play that Escobar made ESPN WOULD have shown replays of it. I dont know if a tribute of Jeter would have been any longer than Chippers tribute was but I DO KNOW FOR A FACT that they would have shown Jeters play MULTIPLE times on replay!
By MattyRoss
March 30, 2008 9:53 PM | Link to this
Just caught a glimpse of Pat Corrales. I miss that dude. Also, I know I’ve been watching Braves baseball for a while when I note that Jeff Porter’s mustache is white. Oh, the twisted dance of time…
By jesse
March 30, 2008 9:54 PM | Link to this
if you missed it you are embarrassed, in left field now is willie harris
By joebrave
March 30, 2008 9:54 PM | Link to this
Well we got Cy Huddy workin it,now WAKE T F Up Offense…
By Billy (TBFnB)
March 30, 2008 9:54 PM | Link to this
Huddy looking like an ace….with a capital A
By Justo
March 30, 2008 9:55 PM | Link to this
prediction for top of 7 braves score 2 runs to take lead, just my prediction.
By McFann
March 30, 2008 9:56 PM | Link to this
Great job, Chipper!! (You were my second choice for first homer!)
Poor Timmy!
By David O'Brien
March 30, 2008 9:57 PM | Link to this
Hudson has recorded 16 consecutive outs, only one of them by strikeout, that by the pitcher (Perez) looking in the second innning.
40 pitches for the last five innings for Hudson, after 29 in the first.
By N8
March 30, 2008 9:59 PM | Link to this
Whaddya know? Francoeur tries to pull a ball, and dribbles a grounder to SS.
“Hey, Dave, it was only Oliver Perez last year. Braves never exactly solved him.” Bring Me the Head of Francisco Cabrera
VERY well said.
NICE!!!!
Francoeur and McCann make the first two outs on 4 pitches, and Diaz STILL swings at the first pitch.
What discipline. What coaching. What an approach.
(sigh)
By scott boras
March 30, 2008 9:59 PM | Link to this
huddy dealing..man we need to score and give huddy a W
By Interested Observer
March 30, 2008 10:00 PM | Link to this
We need to cut the Braves hitters some slack. These guys are usually on the golf course by this point in the game.
By Rocky
March 30, 2008 10:00 PM | Link to this
Are we gonna get beat 2-1? Oh my gosh 2007 ALL over again!!! We cant get a cluth hit for nothin.
By Ron Roberts
March 30, 2008 10:01 PM | Link to this
I think “respec” went out the door in politics long ago.
Asking 50,000 D.C. baseball fans to “respect” the President with applause and cheering is, indeed, asking too much.
There’ll always be derision and divisiveness towards our elected officials as long as we continue to allow pundits like Limbaugh and Hannity and Carville make a mockery of each other’s allegiances, etc. like college footbal fans deride their hated rivals.
About the game… not working the count much, tonight, and thus, we’re not generating anything on the bases.
Looks fairly familiar to me.
By knightswhosay'nay'
March 30, 2008 10:01 PM | Link to this
this team is done… stick a fork in ‘em.
By justo
March 30, 2008 10:01 PM | Link to this
The thing that p** me off the most about this is that the mets or phillies would just destroy these pitchers the nats are throwing out there this sucks
By Efrim
March 30, 2008 10:01 PM | Link to this
Good to see Huddy on his game.
Boys look a little flat tonight. Maybe Chad will do his usual 9th inning performance against us.
By thrashin' dawgbird
March 30, 2008 10:03 PM | Link to this
Huddy will get tagged with a loss…with a capital L.
By N8
March 30, 2008 10:04 PM | Link to this
Billy (TBFnB)
“N8 its the first game…”
Billy….It was Odalis Perez. Besides. They had 6 weeks to prepare for it, and the team looked like it was the first day of spring training in the first inning, and the hitting (ahem) approach, looks like that of a AAA team trying to hit 500 foot HR’s.
Rocky
O.K.
Get back to me with your complaint when Escobar has done HALF of what Jeter has done in his career. Then I MIGHT side with you.
Just be glad the game is on TV.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
March 30, 2008 10:05 PM | Link to this
Manny Acta is way ahead of this blog. If Odalis Perez had come out for the sixth, the Braves would have lit him up like a Christmas tree.
2-1 and it’s anybody’s game.
By Rocky
March 30, 2008 10:05 PM | Link to this
Well if we cant score more than ONE freakin run on the damn Nats then we dont deserve to win this game and of course we WONT win this game. Offense do not let this be a wasted great game by huddy.
By Fred Secunda
March 30, 2008 10:07 PM | Link to this
DOB, tap Bowman on the shoulder and ask him why atlantabraves.com got rid of Braves notes.
By thrashin' dawgbird
March 30, 2008 10:07 PM | Link to this
braves play is all icky tonite - its all gotsay kotsay!
By TennesseePaul
March 30, 2008 10:08 PM | Link to this
I like the blue caps. Glad they didn’t get all Disney and put the Tomahawk in the A.
By N8
March 30, 2008 10:09 PM | Link to this
Time for Bobby to take Hudson out. Even though he’s retired 19 in a row. He left pitches UP to the last 3 hitters.
Besides. He’s due up 2nd in the inning.
Nice job after a rough start by Hudson. New year, and SAME result. Hudson pitches his azz off and the offense can’t get nothing going. Against Odalis FRICKIN Perez, for cryin’ out loud.
Yikes.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
March 30, 2008 10:09 PM | Link to this
Cos will pull Hudson after this inning. seven strong innings from huddy, we just need a run to get him off the hook.
By N8
March 30, 2008 10:15 PM | Link to this
Lets not forget the two guys gunned down on the bases tonight (McCann trying to stretch the single off the wall into a double and KJ getting picked off first….er….caught stealing.
In a 2-1 game those mistakes are/were huge.
But I know Braves fans don’t wanna hear about fundamentals and “little” things in game #1, right?
:-)
By Stuart
March 30, 2008 10:16 PM | Link to this
The braves are one right handed bat short. They are going to have hard times against lefties if the roster stays as it is right now, which it wont, but it bears mentioning.
By hillary
March 30, 2008 10:16 PM | Link to this
It takes a lot to make a great outfield play - it takes a Milledge!
By scott boras
March 30, 2008 10:18 PM | Link to this
19 strght hitters toasted and might get the loss????????? reminds me of hudsons bad luck last year..he is soo underrated
By Robert
March 30, 2008 10:19 PM | Link to this
I hope Escobar is ok, ever since he grabed his back early this week, I don’t believe he has hit the ball hard. We need him to be ok
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
March 30, 2008 10:19 PM | Link to this
Manny Acta is pulling out all the stops tonight, this will be his fourth pitcher already.
By the way, that was a terrible at bat from Kelly Johnson.
By Stuart
March 30, 2008 10:21 PM | Link to this
GREAT JOB by the ump on the escobar foul ball. I bash on them alot, but it was a perfect call.
By The Goche (A.J.)
March 30, 2008 10:21 PM | Link to this
Rocky,
I think if we were going to get a clutch hit it might help if we could first get a baserunner past first.
We can’t get a clutch situation for nothing.
But it’s not over yet.
By N8
March 30, 2008 10:22 PM | Link to this
Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
“Manny Acta is way ahead of this blog. If Odalis Perez had come out for the sixth, the Braves would have lit him up like a Christmas tree.”
You’re dead on. And if that rumored trade for Tex ever goes down, the Braves will be SURE FIRE favorites to win the NL wild card.
Oooops.
The Braves had 5 innings to “light him up like a Christmas tree”, and couldn’t do it. What actually makes you think that it would have happened in inning #6?
Was it the patience and approach they were using while “feeling out” Odalis the first couple of times through the order?
Sorry dude. Other than the ONE SWING from Chipper, this offense has looked like an over-matched bunch ALL night.
My prediction would be that Odalis would have gone 9 innings while only surrendering the 1 run.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
March 30, 2008 10:22 PM | Link to this
Josh Anderson would have stolen second base.
By Flip
March 30, 2008 10:23 PM | Link to this
this might be the fastest game of all time.
By Robert
March 30, 2008 10:28 PM | Link to this
Remember even though Kotsay went 0-3 with 3 popups, he played great defense, is great in the clubhouse, and is healthy.
Lets keep the better player in Double A
By radoncbravesfan
March 30, 2008 10:30 PM | Link to this
How about some base runners and a bunch of runs to snatch victory from defeat? Denizens, can our Bravos do it against the closer Nat?
By Lunatic Fringe
March 30, 2008 10:30 PM | Link to this
It is worth the lag between the radio broadcast and the TV broadcast just to NOT hear Miller go on and on about nothing. He sure doesn’t let the game get in the way of his inane chatter.
By Rocky
March 30, 2008 10:31 PM | Link to this
ok lets be patient against Cordero in the 9th. DO NOT let Cordero have a 10 pitch inning and the game is over.
By N8
March 30, 2008 10:31 PM | Link to this
Hey. A silver lining.
Moylan looked AMAZING.
By Josh from Columbus
March 30, 2008 10:33 PM | Link to this
Time to get some runs…
By ugaman
March 30, 2008 10:33 PM | Link to this
I think everone needs to chill. Even if we don’t win this game with a nith inning rally, it’s only one game. The season is very long and there will be plenty of games we lose that we should win and win that we should lose. It’s like BC said one year. Ever team loses 60 games and every team wins 60 games. It’s what you do with the other 60 games that matters. The offense will come around. I don’t expect too much coming out of Spring Training. The Braves are notorious for slow starts.
By Muggly Other
March 30, 2008 10:34 PM | Link to this
RAuch…… ohhh I was hoping for Cordero. Wonder what’s up?
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
March 30, 2008 10:34 PM | Link to this
N8, congratulations. You will be IGNORED for the rest of the season.
I will no longer respond to your brilliance.
By N8
March 30, 2008 10:34 PM | Link to this
Let me guess. Francouer will swing at the first pitch and pop out?
By Robert
March 30, 2008 10:35 PM | Link to this
3 more feet and we are wining this game 3-2
By Stuart
March 30, 2008 10:35 PM | Link to this
Tex misses on by 6 inches. Chipper gets a line drive snared, Frenchy hits a bomb foul. It has just been one of those nights.
By TennesseePaul
March 30, 2008 10:36 PM | Link to this
This is going to be interesting…
By Efrim
March 30, 2008 10:37 PM | Link to this
YEA!!!!!
By radoncbravesfan
March 30, 2008 10:37 PM | Link to this
tie game boys
By Billy (TBFnB)
March 30, 2008 10:37 PM | Link to this
yeah baby
By Rocky
March 30, 2008 10:38 PM | Link to this
Yes tie game! I guess Prado will now play First base. I guess, dont know for sure.
By scott boras
March 30, 2008 10:38 PM | Link to this
JUSTICE SERVED!!! no hudson loss!!!! yes.. we had two almost hr too
By Stuart
March 30, 2008 10:38 PM | Link to this
Finally a break!!!!!!!
By Muggly Other
March 30, 2008 10:38 PM | Link to this
Prado at first now?
By Robert
March 30, 2008 10:38 PM | Link to this
finally some luck
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
March 30, 2008 10:39 PM | Link to this
Great move by Bobby Cox putting the faster runner in for Teixeira. Tex would have been thrown out at home plate. Prado scores on the passed ball and it’s all tied up 2-2. Hudson is off the hook.
By N8
March 30, 2008 10:40 PM | Link to this
I was just about to type that this AB would be a sign of whether Jeff is going to take the next “step” to being a GREAT hitter this year.
How’d he do?
Swings at first pitch, of course, with HR distance…but foul.
Looks HORRIBLE on a slider for strike two.
Then dribbles weakly to 2B.
THAT being said. The ground ball to 2B, allowed Prado to move to 3B, then proceeding to score on the wild pitch/pass ball.
So I’ll give him props for making contact and moving the runner over. I’m sure Shaun will tell us that a strikeout would have been just as good though. :-)
But here’s the million dollar question. How will the team do if we’re in extra-innings with Thorman in the lineup?
Yikes.
By ben
March 30, 2008 10:41 PM | Link to this
I always thought it was every teamm wins 54 and loses 54 and its the other 54 thats up for grabs. Nice comeback Bravos.
By radoncbravesfan
March 30, 2008 10:41 PM | Link to this
Now we get to see if the new improved bullpen can do the job when it counts. I like our chances from what I’ve seen this spring!!
By Najeh Davenpoop
March 30, 2008 10:42 PM | Link to this
Well, at least it’s not a loss for Hudson. He deserves at least that much. Pretty flukey run to tie the game though. They have to start stringing some hits together.
Moylan’s looked great so far.
Has Martin Prado ever played first base before?
By Josh from Columbus
March 30, 2008 10:42 PM | Link to this
Has anyone found a link to the new jerseys and/or new hats? No luck with neweracap.com or braves.mlb.com.
By Greg in TN
March 30, 2008 10:43 PM | Link to this
Tough PB call on Lo Duca, but I’ll take the run. Already in the spring these guys have shown the ability to rally and win games late. Glad to see Hudson off the hook for the L. The double and single in the first cost him the W tonight.
By ugaman
March 30, 2008 10:43 PM | Link to this
Man, Moylan looks great. He’s just picked up where he left off last year. Nice play by Chipper to get the speedy Milledge.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
March 30, 2008 10:43 PM | Link to this
John Miller reported that Smoltz threw 83 pitches with seven or eight K’s down in the minors. That is fantastic news for Braves Nation.
By Najeh Davenpoop
March 30, 2008 10:44 PM | Link to this
Well… so much for Moylan looking good.
By Robert
March 30, 2008 10:45 PM | Link to this
Speechless
By scott boras
March 30, 2008 10:45 PM | Link to this
when zimm came up and crowd cheered i was thinking oh no homerun poss…and pop…so sad
By TennesseePaul
March 30, 2008 10:45 PM | Link to this
First ever walk off homer in park history.
By Stuart
March 30, 2008 10:45 PM | Link to this
this might be the fastest game of all time.
Does anyone remember that games at the Cardinals years ago on ESPN Sunday Night baseball. Maddux won 1-0 in like an hour and 49 minutes.
The way Huddy was pitching reminded me of that.
As I type that Zimmerman just crushed one. I hope this isnt an omen for whole year. Frustrating opener.
By Stuart
March 30, 2008 10:45 PM | Link to this
this might be the fastest game of all time.
Does anyone remember that games at the Cardinals years ago on ESPN Sunday Night baseball. Maddux won 1-0 in like an hour and 49 minutes.
The way Huddy was pitching reminded me of that.
As I type that Zimmerman just crushed one. I hope this isnt an omen for whole year. Frustrating opener.
By Billy (TBFnB)
March 30, 2008 10:45 PM | Link to this
well damn.
By Lunatic Fringe
March 30, 2008 10:45 PM | Link to this
crap
By brewdawg
March 30, 2008 10:45 PM | Link to this
Rats. At least hudson didn’t get the loss. It’s just one game guys we’ll be fine.
By joebrave
March 30, 2008 10:45 PM | Link to this
Why was Moylan still in there????????
By Ron Roberts
March 30, 2008 10:45 PM | Link to this
It’s only one game….
…bu it sure is an inauspicious start to the season.
Couldn’t have written a better ending for the Nats’ home-opener, though, if you’re a Nat fan.
By Efrim
March 30, 2008 10:45 PM | Link to this
Tough way to lose.
By radoncbravesfan
March 30, 2008 10:45 PM | Link to this
Moylan grooved one. tough loss
By ippississiM
March 30, 2008 10:45 PM | Link to this
Moylan wants that pitch back real bad.
By ugaman
March 30, 2008 10:46 PM | Link to this
I take that back about Moylan. Oh, well, good for the Nats winning thier first game in thier new stadium. I did feel that Bobby should have brought Acosta in once we tied the game, but Moylan was pitching well. One bad pitsh is jumped on by a good hitter. That’s baseball!
By N8
March 30, 2008 10:46 PM | Link to this
Coach
Did you just type something?
What I read appeared to be the written form of what Charlie Brown’s teacher used to sound like.
You’re CLAIMING that the Braves “would have” lit up Odalis like a Christmas tree, if given another opportunity, and that Anderson would have stole a base (with the left-handed Ray King on the mound).
Yet you refer to me as being “brilliant” enough to be ignored.
Well done. Wanna argue about whether trading Davies and HoRam was stupid again, and refresh me on YOUR brilliance?
Didn’t think so.
I guess Moylan’s “cap” is one inning, huh?
Acta out-managed Bobby tonight. Period.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
March 30, 2008 10:46 PM | Link to this
Well , you cannot ask for a better ending for the home team. Moylan left one up for Zimmerman and he drove out it of the park. 3-2 win for the Nationals and they christen their home opener with a win.
By Pete M
March 30, 2008 10:46 PM | Link to this
This was a set up by MLB… Aussie Aussie Aussie!
By Rocky
March 30, 2008 10:47 PM | Link to this
THE ONE guy that you know has the power to beat you, you let him hit a damn homer against you. OMG!!!!!!!!!!!! Could that have worked out any WORST than it did?
Oh well it aint like its the end of the season. I think the last 2 years we won on opening day and we ended up not making the playoffs, but it sure would have been nice to win the first game against the damn Nats but whatever I guess.
By N8
March 30, 2008 10:47 PM | Link to this
Moylan missed the target by about 2 feet.
Yikes.
By L Bloom
March 30, 2008 10:48 PM | Link to this
Zimmerman is a Brave killer,the Odyssey has begun.
By joebrave
March 30, 2008 10:48 PM | Link to this
What in the Blue Hell are these guys doin????? Odalis Freakin Perez? you’re kidding right!
By Jared
March 30, 2008 10:48 PM | Link to this
This team will be 20 games out by the all star break
By TURTSNAP
March 30, 2008 10:48 PM | Link to this
AH Dang it!!! We won’t go 162-0. I had such high hopes too!! :)
1 Down, 161 to go, its a long season folks!!!
By Austin
March 30, 2008 10:49 PM | Link to this
Great thing about baseball?
Tomorrows another day and another game.
By Original Jon
March 30, 2008 10:50 PM | Link to this
DOB, it appears that a lot of homers might be hit to that spot during the season. Chipper and Zimmerman’s homers both seem to have went out so easily to that spot. Gonna be a fun year.
By joebrave
March 30, 2008 10:52 PM | Link to this
Damn!
By Muggly Other
March 30, 2008 10:53 PM | Link to this
1 down, 161 to go.
Geez, we’re in last place! lol
By Pete H.
March 30, 2008 10:54 PM | Link to this
Well, that sucked. But glad it was Zimmerman instead of some scrub. The Nats are a MUCH better team this year, and Huddy pitched a great game after the first.
We will win the division, for sure.
By Greg in TN
March 30, 2008 10:55 PM | Link to this
Moylan looked effective right up until floating that last one up far enough for Zimmerman to hammer.
Not a lot of time to dwell on this one folks, the Bucs await tomorrow night.
By N8O2
March 30, 2008 10:55 PM | Link to this
Ladies and gentlemen, here are your last place Atlanta Braves!
By Najeh Davenpoop
March 30, 2008 10:56 PM | Link to this
As unfortunate as today’s game was, the real bad omen for the season is Jayson Stark picking the Braves to win the World Series.
By joebrave
March 30, 2008 10:57 PM | Link to this
I don’t know but they Better Fix That Damn Offense!!! Frenchy,when a Turd Like Rauch makes you look that bad on a pitch,You come Back and BUST HIS @SS,not ground out like a damn Girl!!!
By Austin
March 30, 2008 10:57 PM | Link to this
Jared
I hope your talking about the Nats and not the Braves.
By Billy (TBFnB)
March 30, 2008 10:57 PM | Link to this
N8,
I don’t think Acta out managed Bobby at all. I don’t know how you can come to that. I thought Bobby did what he could do. Hell, I questioned the move he made with Prado but his foresight at least tied the game. I don’t think there is anything B.C. could’ve done to change the out come of this game.
By ProudTechFan
March 30, 2008 10:58 PM | Link to this
I can live with a walk off homer to their best hitter on opening day on the opposing teams first game in a brand new stadium in the freakin capitol of the U.S. with the freaking president of the United States of America throwing the opening pitch… its one game.
Hudson looked good. we didnt hit the ball, i dont expect us not to hit the ball this year, and i dont expect us to pitch this well every gme either..its a long season braves fans, its an awful long season…
Go Braves
By TradeAndruw
March 30, 2008 10:59 PM | Link to this
BOBBY COX: Learn how to manage a g******* bullpen.
By boca brave
March 30, 2008 10:59 PM | Link to this
let’s keep track, though, of goods/bads…tonight: goods were hudson, chipper, tex…bads were moylan (obvious), johnson (base running), frenchy (poor judgment on throws home)
but only 1 of 162, and really inspirational pitching from hudson…
By flee hound
March 30, 2008 11:00 PM | Link to this
braves lose to Nats in bottom of ninth to outs nobody own. lose game on a grove pitch right down the middle. What a bunch of losers.
By ObiWanKobe
March 30, 2008 11:04 PM | Link to this
ben, it’s win 60, lose 60 & the other 42 to sort things out.
By Robert
March 30, 2008 11:04 PM | Link to this
Listen, we did not lose this game because Bobby Cox was out coached, or because Blanco did not steal. We lost this game because our young hitter refuse to take balls. How many times did Johnson, McCann, Francoeur swing at bad pitches when we they were ahead in the count. Oh yea, Kotsay is horrible!
By poorbrave
March 30, 2008 11:06 PM | Link to this
Hate to say it but “Somethings Never Change.” Acta out managed Cox tonight but thats nothing new. Braves throw it away in First and Hudson pitches his heart out. Great job by Hoss and Tex. I still love the Braves.
By Epinephrine
March 30, 2008 11:09 PM | Link to this
Boca Brave, what? I actually thought both Johnson and Moylan were good tonight. KJ hit the ball well, apart from the opening K, and Moylan was dealing except for one stupid pitch.
Tough way to lose. But honestly, both Mac and Tex missed homeruns by less than a foot. Also, Chipper was robbed by luck of a line drive up the middle, which would have given us the lead after Tex’s double and that passed ball.
Bottom line, we have to score more than 2 runs against Odalis Perez. But for now, I’ll chalk that up to opening day jitters and 40 degree weather.
The bads tonight, for me, were Frenchy, Esco, and Diaz. But “bad” only in the sense of not a memorable game. 1 game, and a tough one, but let’s turn it around and sweep the Pirates.
By mangum
March 30, 2008 11:09 PM | Link to this
well, at least Zimmerman is on my my fantasy team
By ippississiM
March 30, 2008 11:10 PM | Link to this
Tough luck for Huddy tonight. The Braves offense looked like Smoltz was on the mound or something. If he hadn’t thrown on the wrong side of Tex for that pickoff attempt, this would have been a different ballgame.
By N8
March 30, 2008 11:12 PM | Link to this
Billy (TBFnB)
“I don’t think Acta out managed Bobby at all. I don’t know how you can come to that.”
Bobby’s laid back “sit and wait” for the 3-run HR approach, allowed Odalis to carve up the over-aggressive lineup. Why Bobby gets a pass on the hitters NOT named Chipper or Tex, NOT having more patience at the plate, is beyond me.
I’m sure Bobby was thinking along the same lines of Coach and DOB. That thought being “we’ll get to Odalis” the 3rd time through the order.
Yet Acta (as Coach stated), didn’t give our hitters that opportunity.
Why pinch run with Blanco (and waste him) if you’re NOT gonna send him for the SB??
Why put Moylan out there for a 2nd inning? Is he trying to give him over 100 innings this season?
Of course I realize that had he pulled Moylan, and another pitcher gives up the bomb, I’d more than likely, b!tch about that too.
But tonight EVERYTHING that Acta did, (or didn’t do - like bringing in Cordero when he “stiffened up”), turned to gold.
The only move that “worked” for Bobby was pinch running for Tex.
Not sure that would have looked so good, had Tex’s spot in the lineup come up in extra innings, had we got there.
It’s not that Bobby did anything wrong tonight. It’s that Acta did everything RIGHT tonight.
Thus, he out-managed him.
By Austin
March 30, 2008 11:13 PM | Link to this
Braves could not catch a break in this game!
Hudson strikes out 2 straight batters after leadoff single to Guzman and proceeds to give up 2 more hits.
McCann misses a homer by 2 feet and gets thrown out at 2nd.
Chipper hits a ball as hard as you can but caught by Rauch.
Tex misses a homer by 4 feet.
By Jared
March 30, 2008 11:14 PM | Link to this
Chipper Jones is 100% at fault for this Braves’ loss. I know that because I read the “Braves vent” on the AJC each day.
By Robert
March 30, 2008 11:14 PM | Link to this
I think Escobar’s back is hurt
By chase
March 30, 2008 11:14 PM | Link to this
If the last few years are any indication I’m glad the BRAVES didn’t win their first game
The last to years we’ve won the first game and went on to finish 3rd!
BUT 3 years ago SMOLTZ got BLASTED by the Marlins in the first game and the BRAVES won the Division going away!
HUDDY looked GREAT…! The offense will put up plenty of runs, the pitching staff is deep, bullpen is good and will get better mid-year with Gonzoles…they just have too much experience, youthful energy, and balance to be stopped!
By Stadium Tourer
March 30, 2008 11:16 PM | Link to this
Getting past the suicidals who can’t handle of the first of 70+ losses..and the interlopers from March “Drabness” (can’t wait till that’s over)..I’ve been to all the ballparks. Every ranking has Dodger Stadium near the top. I considered it my biggest disappointment of all the ballparks in MLB! For that matter, Anaheim Stadium and Comiskey Field (can’t keep up with what they call it) are as good if not better! A Dodger Dog..get real..dogs at the Ted are much better. And I’m not an Atlanta native with a bias!
By Gamecock Brave
March 30, 2008 11:16 PM | Link to this
one game, it happens, everyone will win 60 games and lose 60 games…its what you do in the other 42. Dont get down on Moylan already. He threw a great pitch just before that, it was one mistake. We will be fine. Great start by Huddy. And no Cox didnt get out managed. It isn’t like he made a crutial mistake with any changes. Moylan is very capable of going two innings. To all the chicken littles, we are gonna be A OK.
By rupert
March 30, 2008 11:18 PM | Link to this
tough loss, but i mean come on, this one was stacked against the braves from the get go, flying up for one game, all the hoopla etc., plus the weather, it was pretty cool up there and that probably played a little roll in the offense, not that they cant hit in cold weather persay, but the shock from the heat of the florida sun to tonight probably didn’t help anything, for sure, on a better note, hudson looked flithy and if not for an a bad pickoff and some early bloops would of got the win, jerseys looked tight too
By N8
March 30, 2008 11:18 PM | Link to this
“But for now, I’ll chalk that up to opening day jitters and 40 degree weather.”
Correct me if I’m wrong but wasn’t today “opening day” for the Nats, too? Or are you insinuating that when the Nats were on the field, it was warmer than 40 degrees?
Man ALIVE! You people have been listening to Bobby Cox excuses….er….praise for too long.
Anyhow. Not really that big of a deal.
Because when this team plays to their “potential” we’re gonna rock!
What’s that? Oh…..THAT’S RIGHT. We’ve been saying that since about June of 2006, haven’t we?
Somebody earlier said to not worry because the Braves are “notorious” slow starters.
I’ll say this much. If this team starts slow, the season won’t end well. We can’t afford to play .500 ball in April this year.
We’ll see how the home opener goes. I’m sure if things don’t go well, it will just get chalked up to Glavine having the “returning to Atlanta” jitters, right?
:-)
By chase
March 30, 2008 11:19 PM | Link to this
DOB I am begging you to PLEASE BAN some of these LUNATIC FRINGE PEOPLE who are already blasting the team and packing in the season on the basis of one game!
I know that this is a BLOG and everyone has an opinion BUT if you are STUPID enough to think that this ONE GAME means the Braves are going to have a bad season then your opinion is of NO VALUE!
Did any of you IDIOTS who are doomsaying, actually think they were going to go 162-0? Give me a break!
By TJ
March 30, 2008 11:26 PM | Link to this
*It’s not that Bobby did anything wrong tonight. It’s that Acta did everything RIGHT tonight.
Thus, he out-managed him.*
That’s just lame, N8.
You say pinch running Blanco was stupid unless he was gonna steal, but that pinch running Prado (and not sending him) was smart. Huh?
Sounds to me like you’re a genius of hindsight. Things that worked, smart. Things that didn’t, dumb.
And somehow Bobby mismanaged this offense (mostly minus Tex) to 3rd best in the NL last year.
Are you gonna do this kind of postmortem on every game? It’s very tedious to read, and all you show is that you can figure out what went wrong after the fact, which is not really all that impressive.
By flee hound
March 30, 2008 11:27 PM | Link to this
Hate to say it but that pitch to Zimmerman looked rigged. you don’t throw a pitch down the middle with 2 outs in the bottom of the ninth and thier best hitter up you throw to the outside corner to a pull hitter like Zimmerman. Looks like they wanted to dedicate that new Ball Park.
By mitch
March 30, 2008 11:27 PM | Link to this
why are you so negative N8? im all for honesty, but gosh, your life must be miserable with an outlook like that
By Epinephrine
March 30, 2008 11:28 PM | Link to this
N8, no offense, but you are being absurd. Take a deep breath, go to bed, and come back in the morning.
By Rocky
March 30, 2008 11:29 PM | Link to this
But here’s the million dollar question. How will the team do if we’re in extra-innings with Thorman in the lineup?
Uhhhhh you do realize that Thorman is in AAA right? Im sure you did and it was a mistake, damn im surprised others did not point that out to you and get you on that. lol.
By L Bloom
March 30, 2008 11:32 PM | Link to this
I remember my grand dad’s words back in Dublin when things didn’t turn out like he’d hoped. ”bloody st” he’d scream, ”bloody fing s*t”.
By N802
March 30, 2008 11:33 PM | Link to this
this one was stacked against the braves from the get go, flying up for one game, all the hoopla etc., plus the weather
Plus Odalis Perez vs. Tim Hudson, right?
By Bowie
March 30, 2008 11:35 PM | Link to this
I will never forget the game tonight, My son and I pulled for the Braves and had long talks about his past baseball playing days. We both think the Braves will make the play-offs this year. Tonight was special because tomorrow my son leaves for Iraq, so please pray for all our troops.
By ObiWanKobe
March 30, 2008 11:36 PM | Link to this
ben, it’s win 60, lose 60 & the other 42 to sort things out.
By Bring Me the Head of Francisco Cabrera
March 30, 2008 11:39 PM | Link to this
Chase, ban all the idiots on this blog, and that leaves only Lew and Coach. I’ll take idiocy over infinite ego any day.
By DHD
March 30, 2008 11:39 PM | Link to this
Everything is magnified in the first week. One game means nothing except causing negative folks with no life to scream “that stupid Bobby Cox??”
Relax, O negative ones. Find something else to do if one game bothers you that much.
By BayouBrave
March 30, 2008 11:40 PM | Link to this
Was I the only one to count on MLB.com to watch the game only to find out minutes before first pitch that it was nationally blacked out? What a bummer…. Is the frickin ESPN to blame for this?
By boca brave
March 30, 2008 11:41 PM | Link to this
sorry eppie, but when a reliever throws a walk-off-gopher ball, that’s a “BAD” with big letters even if he has struck out every other hitter he has faced. KJ didn’t do what you pay a lead-off hitter to do, and the one time he got on, he gets thrown out stealing by 10 feet-sorry, that’s a “BAD” too…
By Metropolitan Man
March 30, 2008 11:42 PM | Link to this
I see the OZ inamtes got the final laugh tonight. Mcmanus (Acta) played the right cards at the right time tonight. Taking a little HGH might have sent Mcanns single into an HR making Zimmermans blast the tying shot instead of game winner. All I know is I enjoyed the game fully, I hope you guys did. You cant go 162-0 but the braves can go 0-162 after tonight.
By ippississiM
March 30, 2008 11:43 PM | Link to this
So far our offense has a .533 OPS and our pitching staff has a 3.00 ERA and 0.44 WHIP. This just demonstrates what a small sample size will do to your stats. Give it a few weeks, maybe 30 AB or 18 IP for the starters, and then we’ll start to get a little clearer picture, but even then it’s not enough to base the entire season on.
Seriously, guys, just because the Nats beat us tonight doesn’t make Odalis Perez this year’s NL Cy Young winner. Calm down.
By TJ
March 30, 2008 11:44 PM | Link to this
ben, it’s win 60, lose 60 & the other 42 to sort things out.
Tell that to Chuck Tanner and the ‘88 Braves!
By Ben
March 30, 2008 11:45 PM | Link to this
Not to pick nits but you don’t win 60 , lose 60 and decide your season based on the other 42. Several teams since 1996 have won fewer than 60 games. (2005 Royals, Devil Rays, Tigers in 2002, Royals 04, Brewers 02)
Heck the 96 Tigers only won 53, the 03 Tigers only won 43 and the 04 Diamondbacks only won 51. That sort of shoots down the 54-54-54 theory.
http://tommy.mlblogs.com/archives/2005/05/index.html
By MattyRoss
March 30, 2008 11:47 PM | Link to this
I think we can safely say that the positives outweighed the negatives in this game. I’ll go ahead and call the Nationals being a respectable team, winning in that nice new park, and bringing even more good baseball to the division a positive, too. If it’s good for the game, it’s good for our Braves. I’d rather see Zimmerman hit 50 in this park than watch the Braves kill the Expos in Olympic Stadium. Baseball’s back, people, ain’t nothin’ wrong with that!
By Breaking news
March 30, 2008 11:52 PM | Link to this
N8 makes disproportionate,negative comments——sun to rise in east.
By ben
March 30, 2008 11:52 PM | Link to this
Maybe on average most teams win at least 60 games.
By 3Pitch
March 30, 2008 11:53 PM | Link to this
DOB, Ballparks: I am not a fan of the older ballparks. Fenway should be torn down, and yes, I have been there. The seats are narrow and uncomfortable…and I am a normal sized person….so people are packed in like sardines. It looks like it has been painted about 1000 times.
I assume that Wrigley is the same. The newer parks are far superior to those old relics.
By ippississiM
March 30, 2008 11:54 PM | Link to this
That’s it for me, guys, I’m off to watch an episode of Lost and hit the rack. Reveille is at 0530 tomorrow and I could use the shuteye.
Have fun and be safe,
-ippississiM
By chase
March 30, 2008 11:55 PM | Link to this
I hear ya BMtHoFC BUT
I just can’t stand all this Hand ringing, knashing of teeth, and death omens for the season OVER ONE GAME!
Get a grip people!
Some of you who are going to negative extremes need to get realistic…your lives must be horrible!
By Steve McP
March 31, 2008 12:01 AM | Link to this
Oh dear well clearly the general view is that the season is now officially over - is it worth bothering to turn up for the opener tomorrow and the Mets at the weekend?
I am still going to use my tickets and hotel bookings just because of the penalties if I don’t, maybe I will go to a museum or some other Atlanta attraction as the Braves are not worth the time according to the good folks here.
(Said with some sarcasm - shame that semantics are lost in the written word.
By Epinephrine
March 31, 2008 12:02 AM | Link to this
Let the reactionary absurdity begin.
Robert, what? Mcann came one foot from a home run. Kelly had a line drive single and hit another ball hard to dead center.
Kotsay is terrible? After one game? On freaking game? I mean honestly, I cannot even imagine what its like to watch a game with most of you.
By ObiWanKobe
March 31, 2008 12:07 AM | Link to this
Ben, It’s a variance, a deveation. Remember if you gave a room full of monkeys typewriters, eventually they’d replicate the works of Shakespeare…
By TJ
March 31, 2008 12:13 AM | Link to this
Twould have to be a big room, with a lot of monkeys, who lived a long, long time.
(the “twould” is a nod to the Bard, btw)
By Sullyzz
March 31, 2008 12:23 AM | Link to this
I was feeling your pain prior to the game….I stood in line for over an hour trying to get through security, and then security wouldn’t let us go to our seats until AFTER the first pitch! But, we were able to watch it from the “Red Porch” standing area. It was cold, but a great game….maybe that’s because I am a Nats fan.
By David O'Brien
March 31, 2008 12:25 AM | Link to this
Epinephrine, it’s the Southeast football mentality. Takes a while each season for folks to get readjusted to the concept of losing 60 games even in a really good season.
By the way, last time the Braves opened against the Expos/Nats, Atlanta lost the opener 10-2 and got swept in the series. That was 2003. Braves won 101 games that year.
By Ben Muse
March 31, 2008 12:25 AM | Link to this
Obi,
I don’t doubt the 60-60-42 adage or theorem. I just grew up w/ the 54-54-54 theorem.
By N8O2
March 31, 2008 12:35 AM | Link to this
Any optimists out there want to bet on the Braves winning 101 games in 2008?
Truly meaningless tidbit, Dave.
Rock, chalk, Jayhawk! though.
By N8
March 31, 2008 12:43 AM | Link to this
“Uhhhhh you do realize that Thorman is in AAA right? Im sure you did and it was a mistake, damn im surprised others did not point that out to you and get you on that. lol.”
Actually I didn’t. Thanks for the info. I got back into town around 5:00 CDT, after spending the past two days in a motel with ZERO internet. I just assumed that he made the 25 man roster.
So who’s the backup 1B??? And if we don’t have a legitimate one, WHAT THE HELL is Bobby doing in game one pinch running for Tex?
TJ
It’s called frickin SARCASM my friend. Welcome to the blog. For two years, I’ve been the president of the blog’s “negaholic’s anonymous” club.
Have you NOT read a frickin’ thing I’ve wrote ALL winter about how far I think this team will go this year, and why?
It’s one frickin’ game with more positives, than negatives.
But it still doesn’t change the fact, that a Bobby Cox managed team came out of the gates COMPLETELY FLAT, and EVERY move that Acta made….worked.
Bobby got out-managed tonight. The Braves got out-played. We’re 0-1. Everybody talks about it being “early” and “only game one of a long season”. WTF?? Don’t these games count just as much as the ones in September?
There, more than likely, will be some games that we snag from defeat and win at the last minute. There will certainly be many more that we SHOULD win, but find a way to lose. All teams do this.
But the GOOD teams that make the post-season, don’t let games like this slip away. This division is gonna be tough, and we can’t afford to let many like this go the “wrong” way.
Last year, we played the Mets and Phillies tough in head to head action. But a reasonable thinking fan could realistically say that our (ahem) performance against the Nats early in the year, was what BURIED us for good, and made us play catch up.
The Nats are gonna finish 4th or 5th in the NL East. We are being predicted to do anything from finishing 3rd in the NL East, to winning the East to winning the WS to losing the WS.
If we can’t beat the hapless Nats (even on the opening night of a new stadium), I’m not sure how we’ll do any of the above, much less finish ABOVE the Marlins and Nats.
My disappointment in the offensive output (or lack thereof) has WAY more to do with my high expectations for this lineup.
But if Francoeur and Diaz don’t stop swinging at 1st pitches (especially after the first two guys in the inning see around 4 or 5 pitches), teams will pitch around BOTH Chipper and Tex.
I expect MVP numbers for Francoeur. That’s how good I think he is (could be), but he appears to not have learned a thing this spring, or at the very least apply it in an actual game that counts.
There is a 161 more of these things to go. My guess is that there will be much more sarcasm from me.
As for my hindsight? One doesn’t need hindsight, when Bobby’s moves and the approach at the plate by guys NOT named Chipper and Tex are as predictable as it is.
As for those crying a river for Hudson. Let’s not forget that it was his throwing error that put the Guzman on 3rd base, and that he was 2 strikes away from finishing the inning without allowing a run, and didn’t put Johnson away.
I don’t expect Hudson (or any Braves pitcher) to throw no-hitters every time out. But it’s not like Hudson didn’t get himself in the mess in the first inning.
That being said, he looked FANTASTIC after that. (how’s THAT for hind-sight?)
The real question, is where the hell was Frank Wren when Odalis Perez was unemployed? If you can’t beat em’…..sign em’…right?
I just love it when a guy like Odalis MOWS DOWN our lineup, yet people still wanna say how he sucks and our guys had an “off-night”.
You have three options, that are in the “reality” category.
1) Admit that our hitters (and who is coaching them), have NO CLUE how to adjust, and continue to let guys like Odalis Perez eat them up.
2) Admit that Odalis Perez did a good job in keeping our hitters off balance.
3) Both of the above.
But the MAJORITY on here would rather talk about “luck”, “bad breaks or bounces”, “getting him the next time through the order, had Acta NOT taken him out”, “cold whether”, “one day road trip”, “opening day jitters”.
Odalis pitched a GREAT five innings, keeping us off balance, and NOBODY other than Chipper adjusted or showed ANY patience.
I’ve admitted it. Why can’t the rest of you?
Good night. Can’t wait for tomorrow.
:-)
By Randy S
March 31, 2008 12:44 AM | Link to this
I can’t believe the Braves got swept on Opening Day. No, I mean I really can’t. One-game series have no place in baseball.
By N8
March 31, 2008 12:49 AM | Link to this
“N8 makes disproportionate,negative comments——sun to rise in east.”
While funny, it would have been funnier had you used your actual moniker and added the “Breaking News” portion.
But since you’d rather make a sarcastic comment without revealing yourself, you only get “half” credit for being creative.
Actually, it’s still plenty creative. I just don’t know who to give credit to.
By ScottBravesfan
March 31, 2008 12:56 AM | Link to this
Tough loss we should have won. When the weather warms up this offense is going to be scary good.
By mr baseball
March 31, 2008 12:59 AM | Link to this
Always a hoot to check out the blog after a game and peruse the rantings and ravings of people who have about as much a clue about baseball as the guest TV analyst has about being Prez. After the first, the pitching was brilliant (24 straight outs before Z’s HR) but the bats were cold. It happens.
As a proud card-carrying Cox critic, I have to ask: How in the world did he lose the game? Anyone who second-guesses him for Moylan’s gopher ball is nothing more than a crybaby, and this was a game that should not have even gone to the bottom of the 9th considering how the Braves tied it. Also, blaming Cox for the offensive woes displays ignorance about the roles of manager & player. Given the 24 straight outs, we can imagine some of the comments if this was a Nationals’ blog.
I especially love reading Coach’s astute observations. The Braves sure pounded Odalis tonight.
One last thing. After watching the nice Bill James piece on 60 Minutes about his shredding of many of baseball’s myths, why do folks here keep citing the 54-54-54 (or whatever numbers are used) as something that actually exists? It doesn’t. Somebody made it up and it keeps being repeated, even though it has no basis in fact.
Just like a lot of what passes for blog posts on here.
By TJ
March 31, 2008 1:02 AM | Link to this
N8, you say it’s sarcasm, and then lay in again. I’m so confused! LOL.
I won’t go through all you wrote, but your last “options”: either admit the Braves have no clue; or admit that Odalis did a good job, or both.
I’ll gladly admit to the second part. He’s got good stuff - always has - and for a change he used it well.
No way I’m admitting that the Braves hitters have no clue. This is a good offensive team. We’ve been slumping the last week or so of ST, and it continued tonight. I hope it ends tomorrow, but there’s no guarantee. I’m not the least bit worried about our offense, and I sure don’t blame Bobby Cox for a poor night the plate.
We got beat! It happens. Doesn’t mean the manager is incompetent, the offense is clueless, or anything else… just that we lost a baseball game.
(oh, and you expect MVP numbers from Francouer? Surprised to hear you say that, cause I don’t think he has the power or the plate discipline to achieve that status. I think he’ll be a very good player, though).
Maybe I shouldn’t blog during games (and I don’t mean that in some dramatic take-my-ball-and-go-home way - just that I don’t enjoy reading about the utter incompetence and hopelessness of my team every time a guy swings at a bad pitch or gives up a run.)
By ObiWanKobe
March 31, 2008 1:07 AM | Link to this
N8, Better put your keyboard in the freezer over night, else it’s going on the 15-Day DL.
By N8
March 31, 2008 1:19 AM | Link to this
In a previous post, I stated the following:
“1) Admit that our hitters (and who is coaching them), have NO CLUE how to adjust, and continue to let guys like Odalis Perez eat them up.”
That’s not fair. Pendeleton KNEW how to adjust. He knew when to swing for the fence. He knew when to take the ball the other way.
What he doesn’t do (or isn’t allowed to do), is hold people accountable when then don’t listen to his advice that he is PAID to give to the hitters. The hitters are essentially his employees. He is Bobby’s employee and Bobby is Wren’s employee.
I’m not sure what can be done to hold players “accountable” for not listening. But last time I checked Bobby pulled Andruw out of a game for “dogging” it in CF.
That was the last time that I can remember Bobby “calling” a player out with his actions.
Why did Bobby do that? Because he saw how GREAT Andruw could be if he focussed. Why not the same approach with kids at the plate?
How is Andruw not hustling in CF any more lazy or disrespectful to teammates, than somebody swinging at the first pitch in a 1-run game with 2 outs, when said two outs took only 4 pitches?
How about a “take” sign?
If a player can’t be “trusted” to use good judgment on when to swing or lay off a pitch at a time like that, why not make the decision for them?
Oooops. I forgot. That would be managing, right? “Players” managers don’t do that, do they?
Chipper, McCann, and Tex should be the ONLY guys with “green light” in that situation. Because Chipper isn’t gonna HACK at a horrible pitch, more often than not.
Just my opinion.
But I know. The “guys” love him. I used to like it when I stayed at Grandma’s house too. Nothing like having no rules (besides no loud music). So they have that in common.
Here’s a couple of quotes from Chipper in DOB’s story about tonights game:
“We’ve got to find ways to win those kind of games.”
“It’s like one of those bad dreams from last year….We lost so many games like that.”
Be careful Chipper. Some bloggers might accuse you of being too negative, and using hind-sight.
Braves teams of old DID find ways to win these games. The Braves teams of the past two seasons and one game into this season DON’T. Many people on the blog tonight have been arguing about the 60-60-42 “theory” vs. the 54-54-54 version.
I think the Braves have shown the past two years what happens when a team doesn’t put teams away in the other “42” or “54” (whichever you choose to go with), games. When you only win HALF of those games, you end up at or around .500 baseball.
There is a reason that Chipper is the leader of this team, and is as good as he has been and STILL is, which will more than likely land him in the HOF some day.
The man gets it. Period.
By Bring Me the Head of Francisco Cabrera
March 31, 2008 1:19 AM | Link to this
Mr Baseball tries to goad Coach into a p!ssing match. Fortunately, internet technology has not advanced to the point that two egos as gargantuan as theirs can blog at once.
If either of you blowhards actually knew as much baseball as you pretend, you’d be the ones profiled on “60 Minutes.”
The pitching was brilliant but the bats were cold, huh? Sheesh, Mr Baseball, your analysis is WAY YONDER over our heads!
By Coach (Lets Go Braves In 2008)
March 31, 2008 1:19 AM | Link to this
Sounds like the final four is going to be the Mother of finishes for March madness.
I’m gonna go ahead and put the hex on the Jayhawks and predict that Kansas will beat North Carolina.
Becoming the 2008 NCAA Champions by winning it all in the final game against either Memphis or UCLA.
By CharlieAlphaBravo
March 31, 2008 1:22 AM | Link to this
Too bad about that one, but I suppose if you’re going to lose, it’s best to lose like that. We’ll go ahead and spot them one for not making us play in that ghastly excuse for a stadium, RFK.
It’s a bit early for the “Cox can’t manage” and other doomsday-esque comments just yet guys. Besides, we can afford to be at least seven games out with seventeen to play as long as the Muts are in first…
Sweet unis though. I know what I want for my birthday…
I won’t bother to comment on most of the “told-you-so” tripe that’s been blogged post-game, but I will say this: Bring Me the Head of Francisco Cabrera continues his strangle-hold on the “Blog Name of the Century Award.”
By Coach (Lets Go Braves In 2008)
March 31, 2008 1:25 AM | Link to this
What Ken Rosenthal has already predicted and now Jason Stark has restated the same thing :
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/preview08/columns/story?columnist=stark_jayson&id=3320120
By N8
March 31, 2008 1:36 AM | Link to this
TJ
“N8, you say it’s sarcasm, and then lay in again. I’m so confused! LOL.”
My alleged “anger” is sarcasm. I’m not gonna lose any sleep tonight, as a fan, over this loss. Long season ahead.
Some of my points or theories, I believe, or in a worst case scenario rant on a bit too much.
Nothing more.
I don’t think I’m smarter than Bobby Cox. I don’t think I know the game better than him. I do, however, know what he’s gonna do (during in game “strategy”), before the man makes his moves. Which means if I know it…the other manager knows it. They too are smarter than I.
Coach is the only one on this blog that seems to actually believe he’s smarter than others that blog.
“No way I’m admitting that the Braves hitters have no clue.”
Let me rephrase that (which I just did in another post). Chipper and Tex get it. They are good hitters. McCann gets it. But he’s a catcher, so he’s doomed to wear down as the season drags on, not to mention that the guys is slow as molasses, so even when he hammers a ball (with his good approach at the plate), he makes Sid Bream look fleet on the base paths.
As for Francoeur and his lack of power? The kid has SILLY power. But it’s hard to pull an outside pitch into the upperdeck, right? The kid EASILY has enough power to hit 30-40 HR if he drove the ball the other way. Plus I was adding his defense into his MVP credentials. Kid already has a GG, and I’ll assume it won’t be his last.
“We got beat! It happens. Doesn’t mean the manager is incompetent, the offense is clueless, or anything else… just that we lost a baseball game.”
I disagree. In theory you are correct. We lost to Odalis Perez and the Nats. We lost because we had an error on a pickoff throw that set the tone for the rest of Hudson’s first inning. We had two baserunning blunders, and NOBODY was taking pitches from Perez. NOBODY made him work. Other than Yunel (10 pitch AB).
Does it only count as one game? Yup. One of many we will lose. But we should win games like this (with our Ace facing a guy that would be 3rd or 4th on our Richmond rotation), and if you don’t believe me ask Chipper. He said the same.
Am I suicidal, or pizzed off? Nope. Just hoping it’s not a sign of how this team is gonna play this year.
I’m more bummed losing 2-1, than I would be excited had we won 10-2.
We’re SUPPOSED to beat the Nats. Unless we’re not a legitimate contender.
ObiWanKobe
“N8, Better put your keyboard in the freezer over night, else it’s going on the 15-Day DL.”
Dude. Like I said. I’ve been gone for a few days, and haven’t blogged much in recent days. My keyboard will be fine. But thanks for your concern.
:-)
By ben
March 31, 2008 1:51 AM | Link to this
Just saw the Bill James piece on 60 Minutes and didn’t see anything about debunking the 54-54-54 theory. Must be in one of his books. Would like to read the article. Does seem that David Ortiz throws a monkey wrench in his thought about there not being a “clutch” hitter.
By BA
March 31, 2008 1:59 AM | Link to this
Anyone who, with a straight face, can second guess Bobby Cox is a genuine certified waterhead. Sorry, but there’s just no other explanation. And did some booger-eater say the Moylan pitch was rigged? This is a guy who had to fight all spring(last year) to even get CONSIDERED for a job, and now he’s gonna groove a pitch in some bizarre x-files style conspiracy? Why waste Blanco? Because on the road in baseball you have to play to win. At home, you can play to tie. This stuff has to be from little kids who just don’t know any better. Anybody catch Metrosexualman’s racist inmate comment? How lovely. Everytime these Mutts fans blog here, it’s like discovering a flaming turd on your porch. How come there are never any smart Mutt’s fans? Surely everyone in that crime-ridden sinkhole isn’t a mouthbreather! The blogs when we win should be nice, because these spineless dirtbags will vanish like ghosts! By the way, I’m somewhat unimpressed with the “new” road uniforms. They are a glamorized version of the bp unis. Hate to lose, but good for those Washington fans. Because that team will be AWFUL again.
By midtownBrave
March 31, 2008 2:04 AM | Link to this
Well at least huddy looked AWESOME after the 1st. And moylan was great; barring that one belt high that got hammered he kept everything down. i was thinking to myself “hey this guy gave up like 5 HRs or so all of last year”, then i heard that pop and it was all over.
Hopefully this was just a one time thing. I was getting tired of seeing us lose all of those 1-run ball games last year.
The offense needs to liven up for sure though. I don’t think odalis pitched all that great and we should have handled him better. But it is only 1 game and there’s 161 more! But it sure is sad to see huddy not get that win.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves In 2008)
March 31, 2008 2:10 AM | Link to this
What I predicted five months ago and now firmly believe more than ever, THIS IS A PLAYOFF CALIBER BASEBALL TEAM.
And you can take that to the damn bank and cash it.
By AZBravoFan
March 31, 2008 2:28 AM | Link to this
Well, that was pretty frustrating. But don’t forget they won last year’s opener in equally dramatic fashion and the rest of the year didn’t turn out so well. Loved Huddy’s stuff tonight though. And I don’t think we’ll see a whole lotta that out of Moylan when all is said and done. Let the Nat’s enjoy their night.
By Roman Gal
March 31, 2008 2:52 AM | Link to this
Oh No! The Braves have the worst record in baseball! Who saw that coming?
By The Goche (A.J.)
March 31, 2008 3:41 AM | Link to this
Wow, I kept scrolling on down thinking that at some point I was going to get past the reactionary nonsense and mindless drivel to some actual info and maybe a post by DOB (should have known he’d be writing real stories and catching a plane, but anyway) I get to the bottom and realize that this nonsense actually went on all night.
I really can’t understand how some of you people enjoy life. I love how you people will say, “Lifelong Braves fan, but I think we suck.” If you can’t at least let yourself believe in a team this good for some term of more than one game, I wonder what it takes to really excite you.
Lighten up people!
As for this game, it was disappointing and nothing more. It was not “because of the weather.” Nor was it specifically excusable for any other reason. We deserved that loss as much as any win we will earn.
I imagine the record books will record it as such. One loss.
It was a game we should have won, but, despite what you may have heard, World Champions do, in fact, lose close games, and they do lose games to poor teams, and they do lose games they should have won. I absolutely guarantee that every single one in history has. They just don’t do it often.
It’s called baseball.
Many things that happened today were disappointing and not encouraging. Losses don’t tend to encourage, that’s why teams try to avoid them.
But get a life, this game means nothing more than a very real and deserved 1 under the L column and one more day of stats and observations to consider.
They are no more important than any other day’s, nor any less.
But I do have to applaud Acta on his supreme managing job of having Zimmerman come up in the ninth and hit the homerun. Apparently it’s better to sit back and wait for the one-run homer in the ninth than to take “Bobby’s laid back “sit and wait” for the 3-run HR approach.”
As well as his choice to use three pinch hitters, for a combined 0-3. Those moves did indeed “turn to gold.”
I do wish though he had worked some of that magic when his team was retired 24 outs in a row. Clearly he didn’t teach his hitters to make adjustments, but whatever he told Zimmerman must have caused him to hit that homer, so it worked out in the end.
End sarcasm here
Very rarely can you directly attribute a win or a loss to what a manager did or didn’t do. If a manager pinch hits his best hitter for his pitcher and the hitter gets out, does that make it the wrong move. If a manager tells his slowest runner to steal third with two outs and the catcher throws it into left field and the runner scores, does that make it the right move.
Acta did a fine job tonight, as did Cox. But all managers can do is prepare and make the moves that seem best. And you really cannot measure those moves by any one win or loss.
Many times the smartest move will fail and sometimes even the dumbest move will work. Precisely because of the inherent failure built into every game of baseball, we can very rarely judge an individual move based on it’s outcome.
If both managers make all the right moves, one will still lose.
These trees may be easier consider on their own, but if you don’t mind, I think I’ll try to get a glimpse of the forest.
By AmazinsAgain08
March 31, 2008 4:28 AM | Link to this
Wow, did you guys look flat tonight. That was a tough one to lose. Tim pitched good after those fitst inning jitters. Francoeur looked like a raw rookie, jumping at the first pitches.That guy is NEVER going to take the big step , in fact I think he’ll regress this year and end up being another Encarnacion. What a waste, but ok by me. Youse guys will not score nearly as many runs this year as you did last season even with Tex all year. We’re going to seriously kick your butts this year. And after the way you looked against the gNats , welcome to fourth place this season youse guys. GO METS.
By Moby Grape
March 31, 2008 4:54 AM | Link to this
Very rarely can you directly attribute a win or a loss to what a manager did or didn’t do. If a manager pinch hits his best hitter for his pitcher and the hitter gets out, does that make it the wrong move. If a manager tells his slowest runner to steal third with two outs and the catcher throws it into left field and the runner scores, does that make it the right move.Goche
Bravo!
By Moby Grape
March 31, 2008 5:23 AM | Link to this
Yeah I think it was kinduva tough loss. Not the best way to start out and I was disappointed because it is one of the few games that I’ll get to watch this year probably so I was hoping for a win. You might be correct about all of the above Agin, but I think I’ll wait at least another few games before conceding, ok?
By brewdawg
March 31, 2008 5:40 AM | Link to this
The Ballad of Negative N8
There once was a blogger named Negative N8. He hemmed and he hawed, and his hindsight was great. “Pinch runners, pinch hitters, not one thing worked! This team is going nowhere, and Bobby’s a big jerk!” When the Braves won, things were good, (or at least ok), “Why maybe these guys have something!”, he’d excitedly say. But the next night, oh no, the other team takes the lead! And N8 how he’d whine, how he’d beg, how he’d plead. “I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: When Smoltz isn’t pitching we can’t possbily win!” On to the bottom of the ninth it would go, Down by two, and N8’s hopes at a low. His posts have gone from angry to borderline absurd, But all hope is not lost, with runners on second and third. Up steps Frenchy, trying to pick up his team, “If he swings at the first pitch, I swear I’ll just scream!” But swing Frenchy did, into the bleachers it soared. “I knew my hero could do it, he’s done it before!” And so on and so forth, each night the same, Inning after inning, and game after game. And though he starts very early, and doesn’t finish until late, He’s actually hard to dislike, this Negative N8.
By brewdawg
March 31, 2008 5:50 AM | Link to this
Sorry guys, maybe this one will post a little more reader friendly.
The Ballad of Negative N8
There once was a blogger named Negative N8.
He hemmed and he hawed, and his hindsight was great.
“Pinch runners, pinch hitters, not one thing worked!
This team is going nowhere, and Bobby’s a big jerk!”
When the Braves won, things were good, (or at least ok),
“Why maybe these guys have something!”, he’d excitedly say.
But the next night, oh no, the other team takes the lead!
And N8 how he’d whine, how he’d beg, how he’d plead.
“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again:
When Smoltz isn’t pitching we can’t possbily win!”
On to the bottom of the ninth it would go,
Down by two, and N8’s hopes at a low.
His posts have gone from angry to borderline absurd,
But all hope is not lost, with runners on second and third.
Up steps Frenchy, trying to pick up his team,
“If he swings at the first pitch, I swear I’ll just scream!”
But swing Frenchy did, into the bleachers it soared.
“I knew my hero could do it, he’s done it before!”
And so on and so forth, each night the same,
Inning after inning, and game after game.
And though he starts very early, and doesn’t finish until late,
He’s actually hard to dislike, this Negative N8.
By Braint
March 31, 2008 5:56 AM | Link to this
Huddy was really really good and Moylan hung one. It happens. If our staff gives up only 3 runs a game, we’ll win the division by 15 games. We had some bad luck. It’s one game. The only thing that kind’a worried me was Frenchy’s approach at the plate…again not making pitchers work.
By Braint
March 31, 2008 5:56 AM | Link to this
Huddy was really really good and Moylan hung one. It happens. If our staff gives up only 3 runs a game, we’ll win the division by 15 games. We had some bad luck. It’s one game. The only thing that kind’a worried me was Frenchy’s approach at the plate…again not making pitchers work.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves In 2008)
March 31, 2008 6:36 AM | Link to this
Brewdog, you are a poet and you just made the post of the week. Thank you !
By ncscoots
March 31, 2008 6:36 AM | Link to this
Ah, back in the blog comfort zone. A few hundred posts decrying everything about a losing effort, and a few hundred “it’s only one game” posts. This, more than a series in Japan or even the Presidential Opener, tells me baseball season has finally arrived. Cool beans.
But, if you dislike the reaction to every bad pitch, bad AB, and loss with the in-game blogging, I’m afraid you’re stuck. Happens every year. As far as changing that, well, might as well rail against the sea. Though I admit, it wears you down like a catcher’s crouch, as the season goes along.
But that’s life on the blog, and part of the price you pay for all the good things about this forum. Just think of it as our own version of running suicides, LOL. You hate doing them, but, deep down, you know they’ll make you better. :-)
By David O'Brien
March 31, 2008 6:56 AM | Link to this
Mornin’, all.
Ahh, we’re feeling rested today … yeah, right.
Got back to the hotel at 1 a.m., then a 5 a.m. wakeup call, now I’m through security at Reagan airport and boarding my flight in 25 minutes.
By David O'Brien
March 31, 2008 6:59 AM | Link to this
Brewdawg, just scrolled up to your post. Not only was Coach correct, but I’ll say it was probably post of the month, a late one to top all February entries.
By David O'Brien
March 31, 2008 7:07 AM | Link to this
Any optimists out there want to bet on the Braves winning 101 games in 2008?
Truly meaningless tidbit, Dave.N8
Which means I’m only about 32 meaningless tidbits from matching your output yesterday.
By the way, genius, the entire point of the “meaningless tidbit” was to emphasize that it’s one game and to project or try to make it out to be more important than it was, is silly.
But I guess you missed that, N8. And I wonder why you were such a hit with everyone here last night….
By Capt. Caveman (the original dawg)
March 31, 2008 7:39 AM | Link to this
HOLY MELTDOWNS DOB
What are we going to do?? Anybody on waivers we can get?? What about a trade?? Oh My GOODDD!! We gotta do something !!!! This is a tragedy, absolutely !! Call a press conference, get an exclusive with Schuerholz about coming back, somebody start interviewing managers just to be safe !!
I can’t believe we LOST A GAME !! This really throws my bracket off, I had the Braves down for 162-0 this year. Chipper’s on pace to hit a homer in every game BUT TEX IS IN A POWER SLUMP !! Does Moylan have an arm injury we don’t know about?? How did we let Perez get away?? OH the HORROR !!
Somebody do something !!!!
I think that should just about cover everything stupid that can be said.
By 18 Wheels of Love
March 31, 2008 7:40 AM | Link to this
“Take a break Blogger N8, you’ve been on this blog to long.”
By ssiscribe
March 31, 2008 7:41 AM | Link to this
Top of the morning, denizens, on this, the day after the 2008 season began and the night the Braves open the home portion of their schedule.
Now, last night (noted transition from the Scribe): Tough loss, no two ways about it. I’ll spell out silver linings in a bit. All in all, felt like the whole night wasn’t going to be the Braves’ night, from the energy the Nats had opening their new yard to the way Perez kept them off-stride to them getting two early off Huddy. One of those nights.
Now, the good stuff (more transition): I’ll take two runs over seven innings every time out from Hudson, who was untouchable after the first inning. Great to rally for the tying run in the ninth, albeit it set up losing on a walk-off homer. Ohman threw it well. Escobar played pretty good defense for a “utility guy.” Geez, that boy is gonna be a star!
Now, the bad stuff (transition): No offense of which to speak. Horrible baserunning by both McCann and KJ. Undisciplined at the plate, which I chalk up to trying to do too much instead of just relaxing and working the count. A bad pitch from Moylan to Zimmerman, a hanger that got crushed.
It is what it is, denizens. It’s a 162-game season; even the best teams are going to lose 60-65 times, so time to move on to tonight’s home opener at Turner Field. It’s a marathon; don’t take this loss like it’s Game 7 of the NLCS. It’s just the first step on a VERY LONG road, so everybody breathe, relax, and while you can be upset the Braves lost, celebrate the fact the games now mean something and tonight, it’s time to throw open the doors to Turner Field.
KC, et al: GREAT meeting you guys and hanging out at Frankie’s last night. Need to do it again, soon. Good times, indeed. Some great folks make up the ol’ Braves/MIB, for sure. I would wholeheartedly encourage more of you in the ATL to come gather with us at some point in time. Despite the end result, it was a blast!
Now, fish to fry this early morning, so time to jump into it. A steamin’ cup of joe and a cigar on the chilly back deck, as we look forward to being up in Turner Field tonight in the upper deck, welcoming the boys of summer back to the A and cheering them on to their first win of the season.
The Scribe abides.
—30—
By Ben
March 31, 2008 7:56 AM | Link to this
Maybe its been said on this blog during the last 9 hours or so but not only did we win the opener last year against the Phils, we swept ‘em. That got us 3rd in the division. Guarantee you the Braves have already put this game behind em.
By Ben
March 31, 2008 8:01 AM | Link to this
This team will be fine. Maybe its been mentioned on the blog during the past 8 or 9 hours but we not only beat the Phils to start the season last year but we swept em. We ended up behind the Phils and Mets. Guarantee you the Braves have put this game in the past.
By Shaun
March 31, 2008 8:08 AM | Link to this
I was just about to type that this AB would be a sign of whether Jeff is going to take the next “step” to being a GREAT hitter this year.
Do you seriously think one plate appearance is enough of “a sign of whether Jeff is going to take the next ‘step’ to being a GREAT hitter this year.”
Good game for the Braves. Hudson pitched well for most of the game. The offense will come around…it’s too good. And it was a one-run loss, the kind of game that could have gone either way with just a sneeze.
By Shaun
March 31, 2008 8:46 AM | Link to this
No offense of which to speak.
Good offenses are going to have fluke games.
Horrible baserunning by both McCann and KJ.
McCann ripped a ball in a park he wasn’t familiar with early in the season. Yes, he shouldn’t have chanced it but I don’t know if I’d say it was horrible baserunning.
And KJ got picked off by a left-handed pitcher. My guess is he was going to steal and was going on first movement. Not that I’m making excuses for him but again I don’t know if I’d classify it as horrible.
Undisciplined at the plate, which I chalk up to trying to do too much instead of just relaxing and working the count.
I don’t know. They out-hit and out-walked the Nationals. I think the approach was fine. This was just one of those games. The offense will be fine. It’s just too good to not be fine.
A bad pitch from Moylan to Zimmerman, a hanger that got crushed.
Yeah. Zimmerman is going to hit a few of those.
By Jersey Gil
March 31, 2008 8:46 AM | Link to this
DOB I predict the Braves will win 106 Games this year. Last night just one of the bad luck games, Huddy look real good after the first inning. The only think is the last week of spring training the Braves batting when to slump (Tex,Chip,Yunel). But this team is so good that we will win the Division.
By Jeff R
March 31, 2008 8:47 AM | Link to this
Sloppy game for the Braves last night. Dumb-aggressive base running. Cox should have had Moylan pitch around Zimmerman…thought that at the time. Bright spots were Hudson and Chipper. Hudson got through those 1st inning mistakes and was commanding thereafter. Chipper was pickin’ them at 3rd and hit the ball hard.
Just one game on a cold night in DC… too cold, for my tastes. I think its goofy to start baseball season so early, always have. Fans wearing coats, knit caps and gloves are too much!
By Efrim
March 31, 2008 8:50 AM | Link to this
Hudson pitched a great game. He looks like he will start this year like he did last year.
Lets drill Snell and the Pirates tonight.
By Goodoleboy58
March 31, 2008 8:54 AM | Link to this
161 more games to win let’s go Bravos! I was encouraged.. Chipper and Tex were lining the ball hard… Huddy calmed down after a rocky first and could have pitched a complete game if he wasn’t up in a key spot when he got pinch hit for… I think he only threw 78 pitches or so… Got the nervous jitters out and we’re going to face off against Pittsburgh next.. lol life is good baseball is here woot
By Shaun
March 31, 2008 9:05 AM | Link to this
Jeff R, really? I didn’t think it was all that sloppy. Again, the Braves out-hit and out-walked the Nats. Even with a couple of baserunning mistakes (hardly the worst baserunning in the history of the game, though) in a close game it took the Nats the full nine innings and almost every single one of their outs to beat the Braves.
By DAP
March 31, 2008 9:09 AM | Link to this
N8 Why pinch run with Blanco (and waste him) if you’re NOT gonna send him for the SB??
because blanco is fast enough to score on a double, and he didnt want to give up an out.
Why put Moylan out there for a 2nd inning? Is he trying to give him over 100 innings this season?
because we had just tied the game and moylan is our best relief pitcher after soriano…
both good moves by bobby. he didnt get out managed, the braves just got out played.
By Shaun
March 31, 2008 9:10 AM | Link to this
Also, I don’t know about walking Zimmerman. Then you have to deal with Nick Johnson (a good, left-handed hitter) and Kearns. Moylan just didn’t make the pitch he needed to make and Zimmerman took advantage. He’ll get him next time.
By dredd_one
March 31, 2008 9:13 AM | Link to this
Please Braves…PLEASE trash the blue road uniforms! They look sloppy especially with the grey pants…yuck. Almost like wearing sweats or REALLY bad spring-training gear. Life-long Braves fan, and those things are embarrassing.
By Jeff R
March 31, 2008 9:14 AM | Link to this
Shaun, in a close game, the bad base running likely cost us. McCann doesn’t have the sort of speed to try to stretch a single. The Johnson pick off was a lapse. Not the worse mistakes, but bad enough to contribute to the “L” column.
By Jeff R
March 31, 2008 9:14 AM | Link to this
Shaun, in a close game, the bad base running likely cost us. McCann doesn’t have the sort of speed to try to stretch a single. The Johnson pick off was a lapse. Not the worse mistakes, but bad enough to contribute to the “L” column.
By Workinlkeadawg
March 31, 2008 9:22 AM | Link to this
“Don’t you get it Thormans out of options”. The only thing I get is that your an unreliable source of info.
By Lee in S. GA
March 31, 2008 9:23 AM | Link to this
Kind of fitting the Nationals had a game like that for opening up their new ball park. Just wish the Braves had not been the opponent. Here is to hoping the Braves win more 1 run games than they lose this season. Winning those and extra inning games always seem to propel a team over the top. The Nationals will not win the division but they are definitely going to have a major say in who does win it this season.
By KC
March 31, 2008 9:29 AM | Link to this
Scribe: Likewise! Thoroughly enjoyed it! (despite the end)
It just seemed like the baseball gods conspired against us last night, didn’t it?
Oh well, the Nats got their big win in their ballpark opener. Onward we march. As one esteemed Grinchy commented last night…
HERE’S TO 161 and 1!!!
By Efrim
March 31, 2008 9:32 AM | Link to this
Stop analyzing the game as if it were game 7. We lost. Move on folks.
Now say we go 2-5 to start the season….
….then we could discuss whats wrong.
By Tomahawkin
March 31, 2008 9:35 AM | Link to this
Where the hell was the offense last night? Undisciplined baserunning, making a journey-man pitcher look like Cy Young, Yep It definitely felt like watching an October game last Nite…I did well to restrain myself from kicking the TV…
And ESPN just got lower by bringing our “Heavenly Father” to sit in the booth, made me want to puke…
We gotta take 2 of 3 from Pittsburgh after getting Clowned on the National stage last nite…
By N8
March 31, 2008 9:38 AM | Link to this
DOB
You can call my 32 posts (if that’s what it was) meaningless tidbits all you want.
But that post referring to yours as one, wasn’t me.
But I’m glad I could help get you all fired up at 7:07 in the morning.
Welcome to the new season. Enjoy your flight home.
I’ll be at work enjoying my day (and anticipating day 2 of the season), while you apparently will still be mad at me, only to find out you scolded the wrong person.
That’s OK. I won’t (and haven’t in the pas), hold it against you.
:-)
As for the Braves winning 101 games this year? Yeah right.
They might win the division. Hell, they might win the WS. But with the competition in the NL East (along with the 4 teams that are pretty good in the West), I’m gonna go out on a limb, and say that the amount of teams that win 100 games in the NL this year is gonna be ZERO.
Especially teams that can’t hit Odalis Perez and find a way to scratch out a victory with their Ace on the mound after his performance from the second inning on.
But I’m sure you and others will find something wrong with that statement.
Hey. Cheers everybody. Here’s to the Braves winning 18 of the next 19 games to shut me up.
Shaun
“Do you seriously think one plate appearance is enough of “a sign of whether Jeff is going to take the next ‘step’ to being a GREAT hitter this year.”“
Nope. I listened to every spring training game this spring. After the first week or so of games, he appeared to slip back to EXACTLY what he’s done his first two years in the “show”.
I guess that’s too bad for me. I’ll just have to accept that he’ll “only” be a really good player that knocks in 100 RBI and wins gold-glove defense. Rather than a guy who drives in 130 runs and forces teams to pitch to Tex and Chipper, not to mention a kid that could slide into the clean-up spot after Tex leaves next year.
But you’re right. I’m basing my opinion on on game.
I’d tell you to ask DOB if Jeff “looked” like he’s ready to drive the ball where it’s pitched, based on his “work” in spring training. But he’s mad at me for calling one of his posts a useless tid-bit.
Oh well.
Like I said before people. It was sarcasm (mostly based at myself) for how negative I’ve been in the past.
I honestly think this team is as good (or can be as good), as any we’ve had in years past.
Lots of talent on this roster.
But we had a lot of talent on last year’s roster too. They still gotta play the games.
Last night, other than Chipper and Hudson (and Hudson looked “jumpy” in the first inning), it appeared as though NOBODY was really excited about a one game series in Washington to start the season.
Nothing like a “getaway” day on opening day, huh?
By ippississiM
March 31, 2008 9:38 AM | Link to this
I just wonder why Bobby Cox decided Moylan needed to stretch out last night. It’s not like the rest of the bullpen needed rest, since it was Minors Day on the mound Saturday against Cleveland. Also, the most that should be expected from a setup guy is two innings in three days short-term and an average of an inning every two games or less over the course of a season. Yet Moylan was used for 1 2/3 innings on opening night? After Hudson went 7? I guess maybe BC saw this game going 15 innings or something, but if that’s the case, why only put Ohman out there for just one batter?
By Shaun
March 31, 2008 9:39 AM | Link to this
Jeff R, the baserunning mistakes contributed but that was only a fraction of what contributed to the loss. Let’s not pretend one or two rather mild mistakes costs the Braves the entire game. Let’s see, there was also Tex’s hit that would have been a homer if he’d eaten one more corn flake yesterday morning. And I’m sure there are about a dozen little things we can nitpick that could have turned the tide of that game. That’s the thing about close games, it gives people plenty to nitpick.
By Wayne in Utah
March 31, 2008 9:45 AM | Link to this
As I quickly review the posts from last night, I have confirmed why I have tried to minimize my blogging during games. Too dang much crying over the small points of a single game. That is a problem today in the frickin world, too much need for positive instant gratification. Nobody is allowed to make a mistake. It’s gotta happen now, and constantly.
Huddy looked good last night, after the first. I see a bright season ahead for him. Let’s hope the other starters have a similar start. We will score much more than 2 runs on most given nights.
KC How was the party?
Have a great day folks!
By Shaun
March 31, 2008 9:47 AM | Link to this
Efrim, amen! If the Braves are 5-6 games out at the end of the week then maybe we should get a little concerned.
Players are going to make baserunning errors, even players that are good baserunners. Pitchers are going to make mistake pitches, even good pitchers. Offenses are going to have trouble scoring, even good offenses.
By sportsmandh
March 31, 2008 9:48 AM | Link to this
On the pitch that Zimmerman hit the walk off. That was a pretty fat pitch. Now, some previous posters said say Moylan didn’t make the pitch he needed to make. That is obviously true. But, how many folks noticed how bad a target McCann gave him? I am assuming the goal was to get that pitch in on Zimmerman’s hands. If that is the case, McCann was giving a target that was right over the middle of the plate. The way that Moylan’s ball moves, you wouldn’t give an inside target if you were trying to get the ball on a righty’s hands, but you would not be over the middle of the plate either. Very bad receiving at a crucial time.
Also, you would think that the Braves would have known to be more careful with Zimmerman, 23 yrs old or not. He may not be Albert Pujols, but he should have been respected. The commentators said last year he had 18 game winning hits, and that was already his 4th walk off. Now I would think the Braves would probably know this from their scouting, this being a division opponent and all.
Oh well, that’s the great thing about baseball, unless it’s October, then there’s always tomorrow.
Go Braves!
By Thrillhouse44
March 31, 2008 9:51 AM | Link to this
I’m glad to see that the majority of us aren’t ready to throw in the towel after 0.6% of the season. There were several positive things to take away from last night’s game: Hudson was light’s out after the first, Chipper and Escobar flashed the glove like a drunken co-ed at Mardi Gras, Kotsay proved that AJ is not the only CF who can catch a ball in a Braves uni, Chipper, McCann, and Tex all tattooed balls, Moylan looked good except for one pitch, and the season has finally started. I’m pumped!
By 18 Wheels of Love
March 31, 2008 9:53 AM | Link to this
I woke up this morning thinking I want to hear someone say how that is a game they MUST find a way to win and lo and behold there is Hoss saying the exact same thing in the paper this moring. True team leader that knows what must be expected.
By Skip Caray
March 31, 2008 9:53 AM | Link to this
Moylan ready to go to work. Here’s the pitch to Zimmerman…
It’s a high fly ball to deep center! Way back there! Kotsay to the wall…
BRAVES SUCK!! BRAVES SUCK!! BRAVES SUCK!! BRAVES SUCK!! BRAVES SUCK!! BRAVES SUCK!!
By SNIPER-69
March 31, 2008 10:00 AM | Link to this
Good thing there’s still 161 games left. Not too impressed with the defense, base running or hitting.
By Tomahawkin
March 31, 2008 10:01 AM | Link to this
N8 I thought Bobby employed that wait for the Three-run-homer philosophy last nite as well, that crap won’t get it don’t when your big boppers are having undisciplined at-bats
Most people need to realize that most of us are venting because we wasted a great start by our ace. Our offense couldn’t get anything going, (felt like watching them in October… And I’m not sold on Kotsay at all, He reminds me of Langerhans when he hits, just a dead pull hitter with marginal power…
By Workinlkeadawg
March 31, 2008 10:07 AM | Link to this
“Don’t you get it Thormans out of options”. The only thing I get is that your an unreliable source of info.
By Running With It
March 31, 2008 10:08 AM | Link to this
Extending sportsmandh’s logic…
It seems like the Braves would have been more careful with Kirby Puckett.
And Ed Sprague.
And Jim Leyritz.
And Ken Caminiti.
And Chad Curtis.
And Todd Helton.
And Lance Berkman, Brad Ausmus and Chris Burke.
By Shaun
March 31, 2008 10:09 AM | Link to this
I’ll just have to accept that he’ll “only” be a really good player that knocks in 100 RBI…Rather than a guy who drives in 130 runs…
That will largely depend on who’s hitting in front of him, where he’s hitting in the lineup and how often he’s in the lineup.
As far as the numbers that matter, he’ll hit around .280/.328/.465 this season.
Is Francoeur going to be the next Albert Pujols or Chipper Jones or Mark Teixeira or A-Rod? I doubt he’ll ever be that kind of hitter. But he’ll be a fine major league hitter and ballplayer.
By N8
March 31, 2008 10:15 AM | Link to this
sportsmandh
“I am assuming the goal was to get that pitch in on Zimmerman’s hands.”
The purpose of that pitch was NOT to get it on Zimmerman’s hands.
It was a slider. McCann was set up outside, and had to move the glove about a foot and a half towards the inner half to catch it (had Zimmerman not hit it).
That was what you cal a “hanger”, and oddly enough, it’s about the same pitch that Wohlers hung to Lyritz, and Zimmerman didn’t miss it…..just like Lyritz. :-)
DOB
“Francoeur looked like a raw rookie, jumping at the first pitches.That guy is NEVER going to take the big step , in fact I think he’ll regress this year and end up being another Encarnacion.”
WTF dude? That’s pretty a pretty harsh comment for a guy that covers the team, huh?
Oh…wait a minute…..what’s that? Yeah. I realize that that quote is from a post by AmazinsAgain08, but I thought today was officially “blame a stupid post on somebody else day.
My bad.
By Steve McP
March 31, 2008 10:16 AM | Link to this
How can you say that Cox was always looking for the long ball as a way to win (although if McCann’s and Tex’s efforts had been a foot longer it would be a different story on here today) he introduced pinch runners to add speed, had people bunting and finding a way to get Blanco to 3rd so he could score - doubt that Tex would have made it on the wild pitch that Blanco scored on.
No way Cox is going to pull Moylan with two out when it looked like we were going to extras, just so happened he threw a bad pitch to their best hitter.
By cricket
March 31, 2008 10:16 AM | Link to this
N8 About Frenchy, look at it this way - if he continues his current ways, braves will be able to sign him for the long term.
By David-ATL14
March 31, 2008 10:18 AM | Link to this
I second the Crusading One and even the Coach on Brewdawgs missive late last night.
Excellent stuff my friend.
A Small tidbit of organizational info
Braves have signed Scott Spiezio and he will join the AAA lads in Richmond.
Well documented troubles in the past and maybe even in the future, but if he can keep his demons somewhat in check, Could be a hell of a pickup.
A switch hitter capable of playing all 4 corners. Nice bat. In 2006 he was the second best player for the Cards in their journey to WS champs.
Could be a nice find later in the season. If not, probably still worth the shot anyway.
I suspect the Assistant GM Bruce Manno was key in putting player and org together.
.
By Bring Me the Head of Francisco Cabrera
March 31, 2008 10:21 AM | Link to this
N8, there’s a whole lot of teams out there that would swap right fielders with the Braves, straight up.
Just don’t propose it to the Angels or Tigers.
By DAP
March 31, 2008 10:23 AM | Link to this
N8 Here’s to the Braves winning 18 of the next 19 games to shut me up.
amen to that!!! :-)
By sportsmandh
March 31, 2008 10:24 AM | Link to this
Run with it, Yes, especially Leyritz. I still get PO’d about that one.
By Bring Me the Head of Francisco Cabrera
March 31, 2008 10:26 AM | Link to this
Don’t get too indignant, N8. The other 32 stupid posts DOB referred to were all yours.
By the way, didn’t you say you had to go to work?
By Lew
March 31, 2008 10:28 AM | Link to this
As much as the Caveman and I tend to not get along at times, his 7:39 post this morning was a classic. He couldn’t have put it any better than he did. All this stupidity over one ballgame is so typical. It is also the reason I rarely post during games-too many momentarily suicidal cases running rampant. One must constantly be on the lookout for sharp objects flying through the air.
Take the positives from this ONE ballgame. Hudson looked phenomenal after a jittery first inning-an inning where a half inch more downward movement on his sinker and those hits would have been ground balls to Tex with zero runs scoring. Huddy already looked in midseason form. If this is the type of pitching performance we have to look forward too, the Mets will eat dust all season.
Do y’all truly believe the bats will stay that cold all season? A reality check is truly called for. Y’all sound like Mets fans. Go get some sleep. You’re already looking quite worn out. Maybe you need to up your coffee intake to DOB levels? On second thought, maybe not.
By N8
March 31, 2008 10:30 AM | Link to this
Shaun
“That will largely depend on who’s hitting in front of him, where he’s hitting in the lineup and how often he’s in the lineup.”
We’ve gone round and round on this (and “clutch” hitting) over and over again.
This statement, I happen to agree with you. How could anybody not? It’s common sense.
That being said, if he’s in the 5-hole all season and plays 150 games and Chipper and Tex remain healthy enough to play about the same amount of games, Jeff’s RBI “opportunities” should increase over last year.
So if you’re somebody who believes in “clutch” hitting (as I do), and Jeff has been a good one, he SHOULD have more RBI than last year.
Running With It
Come on dude!!! Those guys you mentioned hit HR’s that ended ONLY one game. That’s not “fair”. :-)
By Shaun
March 31, 2008 10:31 AM | Link to this
18 Wheels of Love, yeah, I applaud Chipper for saying that because, as you said, he’s a leader. But, often times they are going to win those types of games if they play as well as they played. Let’s not forget they out-hit, out-walked the Nats and had the same amount of extra-base hits.
I thought Bobby employed that wait for the Three-run-homer philosophy last nite as well, that crap won’t get it don’t when your big boppers are having undisciplined at-bats
Again, the Braves out-hit and out-walked the Nationals. Hardly an “undisciplined” performance by the offense compared to their opponents.
Umm…guess what puts runs on the board and in turn wins games? Yes, the “three-run homer” philosophy. Baserunners and slugging does the trick. Funny how that works.
By Reid in EAV
March 31, 2008 10:31 AM | Link to this
18 Wheels of Love — LOL at 7:40 a.m., had people in this coffee shop staring at me as tried to stop the giggles.
And “…It’s still a ways way.” 161 more to go. I bet we don’t lose all of ‘em. Chill, denizens.
By DAP
March 31, 2008 10:34 AM | Link to this
everyone complaining about the braves jumping on first pitches last night needs to realize something…
perez was thorwing fasts balls for strikes on the first pitch.
he was getting ahead, which means the batters has to work from behind if they waited. chipper realized it right away, and flew out to right swinging at the first pitch (notice no one is on him for that) chipper also homered on a first pitch.
its not always a bad approach to be swinging on the first pitch, especially if the guy is throwing fastballs down the middle. you adjust depending on what the pitchers is doing, and our batters did the right thing. it didnt work out so well…but there was nothing wrong with that approach, if the pitcher is throwing strikes and getting ahead.
By McFann
March 31, 2008 10:35 AM | Link to this
The “Turncoat Tommy” Vent is bad enough, but I find today’s front page vent very offensive. Take that thing off the front page!
Sheesh! Sorry. Dude, that was the cruddiest game of the season! I guess pitchers named O. Perez just give us heck. And now they gotta face Ian Snell. SHEEEEEESH!!
By sportsmandh
March 31, 2008 10:37 AM | Link to this
N8, watch the replay. McCann was set up right down the middle. I watched it 4 or 5 times.
By sportsmandh
March 31, 2008 10:37 AM | Link to this
N8, watch the replay. McCann was set up right down the middle. I watched it 4 or 5 times.
By Reid in EAV
March 31, 2008 10:40 AM | Link to this
Yunel’s play in the hole had me imagining a probably nonexistent email. But you never know…
To: Edgar Renteria From: The Atlanta Braves Major League Baseball Club, Inc. Re: Protegé offseason workout program
XXOOXX!! LOVE IT!!
By Renegator
March 31, 2008 10:41 AM | Link to this
Here’s to hoping that the Braves can beat the teams this year that they are supposed to beat (unlike last year). We can start by taking 2 of 3 from the Pirates.
By N8
March 31, 2008 10:43 AM | Link to this
Bring Me the Head of Francisco Cabrera
I have NO DESIRE to move Jeff to another team. After Chipper he’s my favorite batter in the Braves lineup.
He will be the face of this team for the next 5 years or so. I have high expectations for him. Nothing more.
When hell occasionally does freeze over and he takes the ball to right field, he is a deadly hitter.
I’m one of the few that DIDN’T b!tch about his drop in HR last year. Because I’d rather have Nomar in the lineup than a guy like Andruw. I’ll take 15-20 HR, a .300 average and 120-135 RBI, anyday of the week.
But he looked UGLY last night. Period.
And as long as TP and Bobby are saying things like “we don’t want to take his aggressiveness away”, he’ll have NO REASON to want to improve that part of his game.
At this point of his life/career good coaching and FOLLOWING good hitting advise could make or break whether he’s Ron Gant or Chipper Jones when his career is all said and done.
Can’t teach an old dog new tricks, is how the saying goes, right? Well you can’t expect a “new” dog to learn any tricks when he’s young if you don’t “train” him to do so.
Is it just me, or isn’t THAT (Bobby being “OK” with his aggressiveness) the EXACT same thing that went on with Andruw?
Some of you are enamored with Kotsay being horrible or a bad replacement for Andruw. See I don’t care about the guys that have a short term future with the team. IMO, Kotsay is a FINE “gap” between Andruw and Schafer.
But Francoeur is gonna be here for a while. So I’m concerned as to why nobody DEMANDS that he is coached to be the best player he can be. Rather than just being give permission to hack away, as to “not take away his aggressiveness”.
Makes no sense to me.
Then again. Maybe THAT is the reason Wren hasn’t given him the long-term deal they gave to McCann?
By SNIPER-69
March 31, 2008 10:46 AM | Link to this
Lew’s right. eventualy the braves will learn how to hit, run the bases and play defense.
By Whiny Baby Bravo Bloggers
March 31, 2008 10:46 AM | Link to this
This team sucks! Bobby sucks! The pitching sucks! The offense sucks! The defense sucks! The weather sucks! The baserunning sucks! Moylan sucks! Frenchy sucks — he really, really sucks!
DOB, when you gonna post a new blog?
By Tomahawkin
March 31, 2008 10:53 AM | Link to this
Just got done chatting with a couple of cats on the Philly.com/forum, and they are clowing me for what went down last nite, and they are really laughing their arses off because Peter Gammons picked us to Represent the “A” in the World Series…
As for later…Ian Snell will not be a pushover, If we employ the same tactics on offense like we did last night, then I see another result like last nite…
BTW Anyone Know Glavine’s record on his first starts of the season…The last one I can recall (While Glavine was in a braves uniform was 1999 when he went up against Curt Schilling, and Glavine didn’t fare too well in that one
On a side note, I’d rather see the letters be red in the new alternate uni’s instead of the white outlines
By Robert (chipper Is The Best)
March 31, 2008 10:58 AM | Link to this
As disappointing as last night’s game was, I really came out of it hopeful and optimistic! Hudson was terrific and both of those runs were more due to flukes than anything else. The bullpen looked good. Moylan’s pitch to Zimmerman was good. He just crushed it. Got give credit where it is due.
I like this team and believe they are very capable of winning 100 games! Also, I just read where the Tigers, Reds, and Orioles all wanted B. Pena but it was the Braves who said no and didn’t seem like they wanted to give him up. I’m glad Cox and Wren see what I have seen the last three years in Pena and that is a good player.
By Tomahawkin
March 31, 2008 10:59 AM | Link to this
N8 Your Quote about Frenchy
“I’m one of the few that DIDN’T b!tch about his drop in HR last year. Because I’d rather have Nomar in the lineup than a guy like Andruw. I’ll take 15-20 HR, a .300 average and 120-135 RBI, anyday of the week.”
I’ll co-sign to that, I’d take a high OBP, and high batting average in the clutch as opposed to High Homerun totals…
I’m just starting to mellow out after getting clowned on the National stage last nite, that game, and Telecast by ESPN was flat out FUGLY…
By sportsmandh
March 31, 2008 10:59 AM | Link to this
N8, Turns out we are both wrong. DOB’s article, Moylan said it was a ‘non sinking sinker’ that came back over the plate. Said he wanted it high and away (In which case he missed by the entire width of the plate, b/c the ball was on the inside corner right for Zimmerman to drive it). In either case, McCann still did not give a good target, b/c he wasn’t lined up outside. Maybe he just does that and allows Moylan’s ball to move where it will b/c he has good movement.
Bottom line, they should’ve been more careful with a good hitter up. Especially w/ 2 outs and no one on base.
cheers
By nolie
March 31, 2008 10:59 AM | Link to this
DOB I predict the Braves will win 106 Games this yearJerseyGil
Whoa. that is just not gonna happen unless we get Angeis In The Outfield all season long.
By Efrim
March 31, 2008 11:08 AM | Link to this
Don’t analyze one game….
analyze a homestand or a road trip. Not one freekin game…..even if it was technically a road trip.
By Reid in EAV
March 31, 2008 11:10 AM | Link to this
At the risk of beating it to death, YUCK on the ESPN telecast. Even George W. Bush was an improvement on Joe Morgan — how does that guy remain employed?
Regarding the Joe DiMaggio quote in the home clubhouse (or dugout, I forget which): “There is always some kid who may be seeing me for the first time. I owe him my best.”
Morgan: “What that means is to hustle all the time.”
Er, thanks Joe. That was illuminating.
By McFann
March 31, 2008 11:12 AM | Link to this
Whoa. that is just not gonna happen unless we get “Angels In The Outfield” all season long. nolie
Yeah…and maybe a few on the diamond as well…
Good movie, though.
By Bring Me the Head of Francisco Cabrera
March 31, 2008 11:14 AM | Link to this
JerseyGil, I certainly don’t mean to sound another pessimistic note, but I’ll be willing to pay you $20 for every game over 100 the Braves win this regular season, provided you’ll agree to pay me $10 for every game below 100 they win in 2008. I’m fairly certain I’ll be the one collecting in October.
By Alonzo
March 31, 2008 11:14 AM | Link to this
You know, I see all this optimism on this board, and I have to say.
No matter how well the Braves do tonight, by the end of the day, the best they will be is a .500 team!
The Braves are worse off than they were at the same part of the season lat year!! And we know how that turned out!!
Washington is ahead of us in the standings!! Heck, we might not even be in third place by the end of the night!!
Why are we in this fix? Well, we didn’t buy every free agent who came on the market, and we didn’t fire Bobby Cox!! I’m sure of it! The only way we can fix this is trade for Barry Bonds!! (And what happened to that deal, anyway! Did our inept management let him get away!!?)
By Efrim
March 31, 2008 11:18 AM | Link to this
Robert(Chipper is the Best)
Moylan’s pitch wasn’t good. It was up in the zone and he isn’t a guy that should be throwing fastballs waist high.
That said, he threw the ball really well last night and made one mistake. He is an above average reliever that makes the Braves bullpen an intimidating force.
By the way, what’s this I hear about Kelly’s knee?!?!?
I hope it is nothing that wears on him.
By timmy
March 31, 2008 11:19 AM | Link to this
It’s like I have always heard. Teams may win 60 games and may lose 60 games, worry about the other 42 in the middle. So we have at least 59 more losses. Zimmerman did what you are supposed to do with a hanger. If he didn’t, that wouldve been his loss but he didn’t, and he game is over. Let’s get ready for tonite. Glavine on the mound- should be rocking. I went to last years home opening series in the frigid temps. It was like 37 degrees in the 9th and really windy. Wilson misplayed the Reyes foul ball which led to a triple 2 pitches later and Mcbride couldnt throw a strike for anyone’s life. Saturday was more of relief, watching those gold glovers in Delgado and Green botch balls for Glavine. But Bum Wickman almost gave in back in the 9th, when Wilson caught that rocket by Green to end it with runners on. Anyway that was last year. Ready for tonite almost - GO BRAVES!!!!!!!!!
By Reid in EAV
March 31, 2008 11:20 AM | Link to this
Alonzo, Your And Idiot.
By Bring Me the Head of Francisco Cabrera
March 31, 2008 11:22 AM | Link to this
N8, of course you didn’t b!tch about Francoeur last season, because he showed significant growth as a hitter. No reason to believe that trend won’t continue. You’re freaking out about Francoeur’s overanxiousness last night even after DOB pointed out he was bouncing off the walls pregame in anticipation. He’ll settle down eventually and have a very good season at the plate. Not good enough to please you, naturally, but the Braves will take it.
By Efrim
March 31, 2008 11:28 AM | Link to this
I must agree with Tomhawkin. Snell is no pushover. And neither is Gorzelanny for that matter.
In fact, I’m not really sure how anyone can say that the next two nights pitching matchups favor the Braves.
Snell and Gorzelanny are a better combo than Glavine Jurrjens. But that doesn’t mean that they’ll win because it is baseball and stuff happens.
And on a side note, I was very impressed with our defense from the left side last night. Chipper made a few excellent plays and Yunel showed why his range will save the Braves more than a few runs this year.
By Overlord
March 31, 2008 11:33 AM | Link to this
This is where it all begins. Bobby has not learned the lesson yet. After all this year the old man has not learned to respect franchise players and allstar players. Watching the braves get beaten by this kind of players is not funny. What the difficult part about pitching around zimmerman? Cox insists in letting the leader of other teams to beat us. Please… if its late in the game and its a close game… just pitch around them and let another player try doing the damage. Our chances will improve drastically, and our overall record at the end of the season. And we, the fans will be happier. This is not only Moylans fault. Cox should have asked him to pitch around a potential HR guy.
By Overlord
March 31, 2008 11:37 AM | Link to this
Efrim i have to agree with you. I have not seen the 2nd pitcher for the pirates, but snell is very good. He can shut us down tonight, so get prepared, maybe it will be a long night.
I also agree on chippers plays, i saw a least 3 plays he made that were a lot tougher than it looked like, very good defensive plays.
By Tomahawkin
March 31, 2008 11:37 AM | Link to this
There is a braves fan That I’m talking to on the philly forum, who is blaming last nite’s offense on the weather…That is such a cop-out, that team got beat because they came out flat, no because of the weather. These guys are gettin paid tons of money, and yet trying to blame the lackluster offense on the weather, Come On…that is such an excuse…
By Overlord
March 31, 2008 11:41 AM | Link to this
What about Prado playing 1B??? I think that kid can handle it. Maybe not a slugger, but good enough to give Mark the rest that he will need.
Whats Prados experience at 1B?
By Tomahawkin
March 31, 2008 11:48 AM | Link to this
Gorzelanny Is good, he gets no props from ESPN Because he plays for a Jubroni team…
Since I live in Cardinal Country, I usually see him against the Cardinals, and they Usually light him up, however…
Let our hitters show more patience 2nite, and not make Ian Snell look like Cy Young…
By DAP
March 31, 2008 11:49 AM | Link to this
yeah, snell wont be a pushover, but he not great…patience will do him in, hopefully we can lay off bad pitches and he’ll make some mistakes.
gorzelanny is way better than snell. hes their best pitcher. weve got to be on our A-game!
so thier pitching is pretty good, but their offense and defense isnt great, so maybe that will go in our favor.
By David
March 31, 2008 11:58 AM | Link to this
Holy smokes!!! One loss, on a night when the whole country - aside from us here in Atlanta - was rooting for the Nationals (new stadium, G.W. in the house, etc.), and suddenly this board is infected with massive amounts of negativity! Losing sucks, but Hudson pitched AWESOME, Escobar made some great plays, and Chipper knocked the hell out of the ball. I was disappointed in the loss but thought it was a pretty decent game and am still predicting a great season for the Braves. And the ESPN commentators weren’t that bad! “Sounds like someone has a case of the Mondays….” would seem to apply to a few of the bloggers this morning….Relax - 161 more to go (and hopefully more in October!)!
By Lew
March 31, 2008 12:00 PM | Link to this
Snipper-And eventually the Mets will prove to have more days on the DL than any other team in the NL. You may also develop common sense and a personality-but it’s doubtful.
By j-school dropout
March 31, 2008 12:04 PM | Link to this
How many of you can’t see the game tonight because it’s on freaking Peachtree TV? How many of you hate Time Warner? I don’t know about the rest of you, but I refuse to watch the games on a f@#king laptop on MLB.com. Way to screw the fans. Thanks for nothing. Losing the TBS feed is the second worst thing that ever happened to this team. TW buying them is the first. May Gerry Levin lose every dime he owns. What a greedhead bast@rd.
By DAP
March 31, 2008 12:07 PM | Link to this
David you were right on about everything you said until you got the part about the ESPN announcers. they WERE that bad. they always are.
By Choppinmama
March 31, 2008 12:07 PM | Link to this
Lew - I’d like to nominate John Adcox’s post of 3/30 7:30pm for your 1st Wurlitzer of the new season! Absolutely brilliant!
Re: Ocar de la Renta’s 3/30@8:30pm - you didn’t mention PEHrez’s bling-bling neckwear. That and the hanging label must have mesmerized the Bravos during their at-bats.
Also Oscar, please give us a review of Chipper’s new neckwear. What the heck is all that stuff? DOB: can you review the Hoss road neck stuff for us please? Inquiring minds want to know.
Speaking of Hoss, congrats on the 1st homer at the new park. Another milestone in Chipper’s career. Looking good on all those scoops and throws to 1st in the game too. Nothing wrong with the defense at third.
By Stuart
March 31, 2008 12:07 PM | Link to this
The season opener is always special. It is a bummer to lose the first game. Everyone is making a bit too big a deal over the game.
However, I think the lineup is going to have issues with left handed pitching this year. However, it is only the first game, and with a little bit of pitching, that can be overcome.
By Efrim
March 31, 2008 12:17 PM | Link to this
DAP
Well said on Gorzelanny being better than Snell.
I agree with you. Not sure why he isn’t the opening day starter.
By Rico
March 31, 2008 12:20 PM | Link to this
I wonder if any other President ever got booed during a First Pitch like Dubya did last night.
Love the new unis. They look great with the grey pants. Huddy was lights out. Looking forward to seeing Tommy toe the rubber at the Ted tonight.
By Tomahawkin
March 31, 2008 12:21 PM | Link to this
Seriously I think Sunday Night Baseball has to rank with Monday Night Football as far as bad coverage
BTW ESPN’s love affair begins at Noon with the Yankees game being aired, I’d rather go watch some old Married With Children Re-runs to ease my cool, before I start getting tuned up for later, Anyone know if “Hoss” will bring back his old Crazy Train Entrance Music, we need something to get this squad Fired Up…
By cricket
March 31, 2008 12:27 PM | Link to this
Bring Me the Head of Francisco Cabrera is right. The lack of padding in the washnigton’s visitors’ locker room seems to have caused the return of the dreaded Hacker-Frenchy as he must have been knocked in the head while bouncing around with the nervous energy. I hope someone knocks him again in the head to get the last year’s improved version back, before this continues too long. If that doesn’t happen, we will not miss Andrew’s “production” of the nemerous balls pulled to the left side of the infield.
By Steve
March 31, 2008 12:29 PM | Link to this
David, I’m confused about the old RFK Stadium. Back when the Washington Senators played there, was’t RFK Stadium considered one of the less difficult parks to hit a home-run in? And then when the Nationals started playing there a few decades later, all of a sudden it’s as difficult a park for power hitters as there is. What gives? I realize today’s newer parks tend to be smaller, but haven’t many also suspected that the baseballs have been juiced up as well over what they were in the 1970s and before? If so, why would RFK Stadium have been such a difficult park to hit home-runs in during the past few years when it apparently had the opposite reputation during a past time when it was supposedly so much more difficult to hit home runs?
By DAP
March 31, 2008 12:32 PM | Link to this
Efrim yeah, snell is thier nominal ace, but doesnt really get results…
i think he could be great on a team like ours…he had a good ERA last year, alot of K’s, also alot of walks and homers, but his ERA was still good, so why isnt his W-L better? the answer (to me) is his team. no run support, and no defense. it does him in.
he’d be great for the braves.
gorzelany is still better, though.
By Zbrave
March 31, 2008 12:32 PM | Link to this
To Be Fair
Overwhelmed with all the post-game posts bombarding N8, there’s a few words I felt compelled to say.
To be fair to N8, it is all tough love despite some absurdity. He’s no SNIPER but just a hot bro who likes to bite, and as well said by Brewdawg, he’s hard to dislike.
To be fair to the Braves hitters, who were at least consistent – they did not hit a dang thing in the last few ST games against good pitchers.
To be fair to Moylan, his stuff last night was not that bad, but THAT pitch was bad enough to infuriate all the denizens, even this one who had his TV remote broken.
And finally, to be fair to the Nats, who showed nothing but guts, hearts and timely hits.
By Rhett Butler
March 31, 2008 12:35 PM | Link to this
I’ll say it if no one else will. Last night’s game was flat out embarrassing. I know it’s the first game and only one out of 162. I still whole heartedly believe the Braves will be in the playoffs and as a division race game this one means very little. But looking at this game on principle, emotion, swagger, pride, professionalism, etc. I am embarrassed. The last couple of years have been rough on ATL Sports in general, especially in the last year with the Vick thing and the Thrashers going from first to worst and who is coaching the Hawks and the whole ATL Spirit ownership crap.
I am hoping that the Braves will be the one shinning franchise to show up this year and what better way to start that then to have a coming out party at a brand new ball park on national TV and dominate every inning. What do we get in the first three innings? A bunch of fielding and base running spring training type errors. Then our offense really sucks it up while the commentators mention over and over how crappy this Nat’s pitcher was last year. (P.S I hate ESPN commentators with a passion, more so now then I ever did before) This game reminds me a lot of the Falcons Saints game a few years ago. You know the one the year after Katrina when the Falcons got flat out spanked on National TV for the first game back at the Superdome in New Orleans.
I felt sick after last nights game just like I did after the Falcons Saints game. The only thing that will make me feel better in the short term would be if we at least take 2 of 3 this weekend from the Mets. Go Braves!
By N8
March 31, 2008 12:40 PM | Link to this
“Not good enough to please you, naturally, but the Braves will take it.”
Yeah. OK. Go back and read all the posts over the winter, and see how many people were “freaking” out over Jeff’s power drop from 2006 to 2007.
I was one of the VERY FEW who not only wasn’t concerned, but was excited about it.
But that swing and miss on the slider last night, quite possibly was one of the ugliest swings by any Brave NOT named Andruw Jones in a long time.
Somebody earlier said that if our lineup is “patient” Snell can be gotten to tonight.
LOL! Yeah. And if I suddenly grow another foot and miraculously shave 10 years of age off my life, I’ve got a good shot at playing in the NBA next year.
Other than Tex and Chipper, our team is built to beat up on lesser pitchers, and do it in a convincing manner.
If there is a pitcher that requires “patience” by our hitters in order to beat them, we better hope that Chipper, Tex or McCann do enough damage to win the game. Because patience is not in the vocabulary of the other hitters.
Escobar manages to foul of many pitches, but even he hacks away at the plate.
For anybody using cold weather as an excuse last night, I’ll remind people that the Nats played in that same weather, didn’t they?
By David-ATL14
March 31, 2008 12:41 PM | Link to this
Interesting Note
This morning in the MMQB column from Peter King (SI.com) same who gave a shout out to the crusading one last week, another shout out today to another fine denizen of the ATL.
He(King) gave his baseball picks this morning Picked the Braves to win the NL East(seems to be trendy now) but he also picked our own Yunel Escobar to finish 4th in the NL MVP voting.
Let’s all hope he’s correct with both of his Brave related musings.
By Robert (chipper Is The Best)
March 31, 2008 12:43 PM | Link to this
I seriously don’t understand the harsh criticism of ESPN’s Sunday Night coverage. I happen to like Jon Miller and Joe Morgan doing the game and Peter Gammons is the best. The only blemish last night quite frankly was President Bush in the booth. He sounded like a blathering idiot. Miller and Morgan kept setting him up and all he gave was dead silence. And, when he did speak it was like listening to a 10 year old. I hate to be so hard but c’mon! It was awful!
By Lew
March 31, 2008 12:50 PM | Link to this
ChoppinMama-You’re right-John Adcox’s post is Wurlitzer Worthy. I’m totally swamped with commissions (paying work!!!!) and still have to mail 14 drawings and prints (I’ll try to get them out tomorrow). I don’t know if I can take on more artwork at this time.
If John Adcox will email me at lewhartman@comcast.net I’ll see what I can work out with him.
By Lew
March 31, 2008 12:53 PM | Link to this
RCIB_Uh, Bush in the booth was the real Bush
By N8
March 31, 2008 12:54 PM | Link to this
Zbrave
“… as well said by Brewdawg, he’s hard to dislike.”
Thank you. Also, Brewdawg, don’t think the original comment went un-noticed.
“To be fair to the Braves hitters, who were at least consistent – they did not hit a dang thing in the last few ST games against good pitchers.”
Glad somebody else noticed. Not too many people were talking about it for the last 10 days. All they wanted to talk about was how when opening day came, we were gonna kick azz and score 6 runs per game.
Rhett Butler
“I still whole heartedly believe the Braves will be in the playoffs and as a division race game this one means very little.”
I totally agree with you. This team (on paper) is too good to NOT make the post-season (barring major injuries). But why do so many people DIMINISH a one-run loss the first week of the season, yet call what the Mets did last year down the stretch a choke job?
We finished 4 games behind the Mets, and 5 games behind the Phils for the division title.
Explain to me how losing a 1 run game in March (against a team AND a pitcher we should CRUSH), means “very little” in the division race?
That statement seems to be the “blanket” feeling by Braves fans. Why?
How’s the old saying go? A division can’t be won in April, but it can be lost in April?
The Mets and Phillies are BOTH gonna be good teams (regardless of what the homers on this blog think). We need to win EVERY game that we should. Or the end results are gonna be similar to the last 2 seasons.
Unless Selig just gives division titles to the teams with the best teams on PAPER come October. If that’s the case…..we’re golden.
By ncscoots
March 31, 2008 1:00 PM | Link to this
nathan, I guess you gotta give me your definition of “hack”. If you’re one of those guys who thinks no one should swing until it’s 2-and-1, then, you’re probably right.
Of course, that’s a pretty good methodology for taking a lot of right turns and hitting weak grounders, but so be it…
I’m always amazed by the fascination with “patience”. Sometimes the game situation dictates waiting for pitchers to make mistakes, sometimes not. There’s no one way you approach every AB, because every AB is different. Yet fans everywhere laud the idea of “patience” with near zealotry. As for me, I subscribe to the “wait on wildness, strike on strikes” theory. If the pitch is in the happy zone, I don’t much care about its sequence.
By richbrave
March 31, 2008 1:04 PM | Link to this
LEW:
The sky is falling!! The sky is falling!!
—Chicken Little—
By Bring Me the Head of Francisco Cabrera
March 31, 2008 1:08 PM | Link to this
Joe Morgan can beat a point into the ground sometimes, but at least they’re good points. He’s an articulate hall of famer.
Most of you people are used to homers in the booth and can’t stand an objective voice that doesn’t make it a point to root, root, root for the Bravos.
That said, even I won’t defend that pretentious bag of wind, Jon Miller.
By David O'Brien
March 31, 2008 1:13 PM | Link to this
Who’d have thought it could take so long to get from D.C. to Atlanta… Flight delayed over an hour this morning by weather in either city (take your pick, depending which airline person you asked).
Time to throw down the bags, get something to eat, check the mail and try to do a blog before heading to the ballpark.
By BX
March 31, 2008 1:13 PM | Link to this
Anyone know when the ballpark opens? got tickets, and itchin to get down there.
By Lew
March 31, 2008 1:14 PM | Link to this
Rich Brave- N8 is falling, N8 is falling. He’s off and running yet again. Time to break out the Prozac for N8 in 08.
By Robert (chipper Is The Best)
March 31, 2008 1:16 PM | Link to this
Lew, it was wasn’t it! So sad!
By David O'Brien
March 31, 2008 1:21 PM | Link to this
Sorry about that, figured N8 and N802 were one and the same (some people here to like to do minor tweaks on their screen names).
So N8, the comment is redirected to N802, and however many “tidbits” he put up.
By the way, can honestly say didn’t give you a second’s thought after hitting “send,” my man. But don’t take that personally. Been a hectic day.
By Efrim
March 31, 2008 1:26 PM | Link to this
Efrim (Connecticut): Are you suprised how many analysts are picking the Braves to win the NL East?
Rob Neyer: (1:16 PM ET ) Are there many? If so: Yes, I’m surprised. I’m not sure why, except from force of habit. Yes, they once won 13 out of 14 or whatever it was. But that team is gone.
I really hope the Braves prove the Stat-heads like Neyer and Law wrong this year. They are both picking the Braves to win 85 games this year.
By TJ
March 31, 2008 1:29 PM | Link to this
N8, good afternoon, sunshine!
I love your statement that: Chipper and Tex get it. They are good hitters.
Geez, that’s like saying Ted Williams and Joe DiMaggio got it, why didn’t Rafael Ramirez get it? Some hitters are naturally better, smarter (as hitters) and just more talented than others. I know you know this, but you seem to imply that Frenchy (and all the other Braves) should just “do what Chipper does.” Kind of simplistic.
I have posted (last blog, I think) that I don’t care if Frenchy hits 18 HR or 30; that if he’ll learn to take a few more walks, make more contact, he’ll do great hitting behind a couple of .400 OBP sluggers.
You seem to have unrealistic expectations of him. I guess you’ve watched him for his whole career, and yet each time he does what he does, you lose your mind. I guess it’s because you expect MVP numbers from him.
Somehow, you’re trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. I guess you’ve bought into the hype - though you like to present yourself as one who’s above all that.
Why are you so convinced that Frenchy has the same makeup as a hitter that CJ and Tex do? He doesn’t. It’s that simple.
I’m not saying he shouldn’t work on it, or that there’s no chance of improvement, but I’m guessing it just doesn’t come all that easily, or we’d all be major league allstars.
And, unless a pitcher just can’t find the strike zone (which was clearly not the case last night), giving a good hitter a “take” sign is a great way to put him into a hole, and diminish his chances of success. IMO.
By N8
March 31, 2008 1:32 PM | Link to this
ncscoots
My definition of “hack” is when a guy walks up to the plate (in any situation) thinking upper deck HR and regardless of where the pitch is thrown THAT is what said player tries to do.
Chipper hit a HR on the first pitch. But I guarantee you, if that pitch is low and outside, he doesn’t try and drive it to left-field. He saw the pitch, recognized location and DROVE the ball where it was pitched.
Jeff tries to do too much most of the time. If he relaxed and let his natural ability take over, he’d be more successful than he is, and he’s pretty DAMN successful as it is).
But as I said before, he’s a little bit of patience “away” from jumping from the Ron Gant category to the Chipper Jones category.
And don’t use his age as an excuse. Jeff is 24 and has 331 MLB games under his belt. Chipper had 148 games under his belt at age 24.
Chipper won an MVP in his fifth full season. So I’ll cut Jeff some slack. LOL! But Chipper was ALREADY a more patient hitter (his BB to K ratio was damn near even his first 4 seasons).
As I’ve stated a few times. I’m hard on Jeff (and will continue to be), because I think he can be THAT good.
I’ll treat him NO DIFFERENT than I treated Andruw. I just hope we don’t have to wait until his 9th full season for a “career” year, like we did with Andruw. :-)
By Stuart
March 31, 2008 1:33 PM | Link to this
I feel you DOB, I travel alot myself, and I feel like the fellow in the Bud Light ‘dude’ commercials when he is traveling and in the airport.
By Zbrave
March 31, 2008 1:39 PM | Link to this
N8 -
You are welcome.
One thing I noticed last year about the Braves was that they, in some games against some pitchers, hit so well that you definitely felt good about them, and then in some games against some pitchers, they were so bad. One cheap explanation was that hitting, or lack thereof, is contagious.
A deeper analyses of those games revealed that
(1)in most cases, it was not them, but the opposing pitchers. Agains some pitchers especially those against Smoltz and Hudson, they were just flat out bad and thus lost a lot of games;
(2) those pitchers were not necessarily great pitchers but those who really watched films and realy knew the Braves’ achilles’ heel - lack of patience; and
(3) the Braves hitters rarely adjusted, at least not effectively, during games, being aggressive no matter what.
This inconsistent hitting contributed to their third place ranking (in a negative way), but also contributed to their relative high offensive ranking (in a positive way: offensive numbers were inflated by those very high scoring games against so-so pitchers).
Everybody knows adjustment is pivotal in any sports. Of course, cox et al. know it much better than we do. but I just hope the Braves coaches and hitters actually do that consistently and effectively. If they adjust well, this Braves team is dangerous. If the pitching performs as we think they should, there is no question this is a playoff bound team.
Fortunately, there is enough bad and so-so pitchers, especially from the Mets and Phillies, for the Braves to win many games.
So, cheers, my friend. Too early to worry.
By doug
March 31, 2008 1:40 PM | Link to this
Leave N8 alone and let him go. As long as when we win, we get his 2,000 word essays and how well we did also. Fair is fair in love and Whitesnake.
Peace.
By Wayne in Utah
March 31, 2008 1:43 PM | Link to this
N8 Just stopped in for a few moments. Saw your 12:54pm post. Much truth to what you say.
In defense of some of us who choose not to get too excited about one loss, there are going to be games you lose, where you pitch well, and hit badly. Each team will have many such games. Some of us just choose not to get to over-excited when they do come.
As for Frenchy, it’s easy for us to sometimes try to compare young players with others. I too hope he matures into a tad bit more of a patient and smart hitter. He has a huge upside. But Hoss is a Hall of Famer, let’s cut Frenchy a little bit of slack. Not everybody is the hitter that Chipper is.
It’s a long season, my friend. Keep the prozac close, and you will do fine!
By ssiscribe
March 31, 2008 1:44 PM | Link to this
And here they go: Edgar just drove in the Tigers’ first (of many) runs this season, on a single up the middle in the bottom of the second.
By the way, Extra Innings rules! I’m LOVE having this package!
—30—
By Epinephrine
March 31, 2008 1:44 PM | Link to this
N8,
Jeff and Chipper are different players, period. There is no rule saying that in order to be an effective offensive player, or even a great one, you have to be like Chipper Jones.
What is important for Jeff is to play in a way that takes maximum advantage of his skill set. That includes being aggressive at the plate. So deal with it.
By jbutler
March 31, 2008 1:47 PM | Link to this
DOB major travel headache. At least you aren’t stuck on the side of a closed highway in the middle of WY as my husband/3 kids are. But- feeling better at someone else’s expense isn’t the best either.
Here’s to a better Monday/better game. Two openings in two days..not bad work if you can get it.
By Pete H.
March 31, 2008 1:50 PM | Link to this
Jeez, that was an exciting game last night. We lost. So what? Huddy pitched great, as did Moylan until that mistake pitch. Give credit to Perez and Zimmerman, they both did very well.
The Nats are a completely different team from last year. I think the NL East is going to be a dogfight. I think we will come out on top, but the Nats are no longer pushovers. They’re going to be tough all year.
Unless they have to rely on Rauch as closer. He’s got a good arm, but he’s very hittable. Tex very nearly put one out on him.
By N8
March 31, 2008 1:53 PM | Link to this
DOB
A) I would fully expect you to rip me (and there was probably PLENTY to rip me on last night). But you should know that I would never directly insult an opinion of yours like that. I might disagree and say so in a polite manner. I might be a “ranter” or overly-sarcastically-negative. But I’m not rude. :-)
B) I know you didn’t give me a second’s thought. Just giving you crap. But as much as can be “sensed” in type format, I could sense your pizziness towards me (or whoever posted what you were responding to).
Lew
I could use some prosac maybe. But not do to watching the Braves last night. Just been a long week.
Why does everybody take my “rants” as actual anger towards the team??
Just making my “I never played an inning of professional baseball - but have been a die-hard fan of the game for 27 years” opinion based on what I saw last night, (and heard the last couple of weeks on the radio broadcasts online).
I don’t insult Bobby’s intelligence in general. I don’t call people names or insults that I wouldn’t call my best friends.
I didn’t boo the PUSA last night as he took the mound. I didn’t “mock” the opera style in which the National Anthem was sung (Yikes).
All I did was state that our hitters weren’t patient last night (one game), and looked FLAT, similar to a team on getaway day (which it was).
NOT the way I expected them to come out of the gates this year.
But certainly NOT the end of the world, like you all seem to think that I think it it.
Just an ugly game other than Hudson’s 2nd - 7th innings, Escobar’s play behind the bag, and Chipper’s HR.
One loss. Nothing more, nothing less. Just a little bummed at how ugly it was.
By etownbrave
March 31, 2008 1:55 PM | Link to this
Anyone hear if DISH will be picking up Peachtree TV? I have sent email and tried to call but no response. Do have radio if I can’t get it on tv.
By KC
March 31, 2008 1:57 PM | Link to this
Wayne In Utah: The party was great! Good time had by all, despite the final score.
When are you coming down here to have a cold beverage and take in a Braves game with us?
By Shamus Thacker
March 31, 2008 2:06 PM | Link to this
I just copied this from Peter King’s Monday Morning Quarterback at SI. He made some baseball predictions at the end of the MMQB article.
“”Fourth place, NL MVP voting: Yunel Escobar, shortstop, Atlanta. You’ll see”“. - Peter King
By DAP
March 31, 2008 2:10 PM | Link to this
N8 that reminds me, the national anthem really sucked last night. that was horrible!!!!
By N8
March 31, 2008 2:15 PM | Link to this
TJ
“Geez, that’s like saying Ted Williams and Joe DiMaggio got it, why didn’t Rafael Ramirez get it?”
Really? You’re comparing Jeff to Rafael Ramirez? Nice touch.
“Why are you so convinced that Frenchy has the same makeup as a hitter that CJ and Tex do? He doesn’t. It’s that simple.”
Then it’s a good thing Wren hasn’t locked him up yet. Because since he turned down the deal last spring, that tells me he wants more money than was offered. If we didn’t give Andruw more money last year, and Francoeur is “not in the league” of the league’s elite players, than we shouldn’t have him pegged as the cornerstone of the franchise, right?
He, like Andruw, has shown “glimpses” of being GREAT. That’ is why I expect it. Similar to the way people expected Kyle Davies to “snap out of his slump” last year. Because he showed signs of being capable.
“And, unless a pitcher just can’t find the strike zone (which was clearly not the case last night), giving a good hitter a “take” sign is a great way to put him into a hole, and diminish his chances of success. IMO.”
That’s a “fair” opinion. I don’t agree with it. But I respect it.
L8r.
By Wayne in Utah
March 31, 2008 2:20 PM | Link to this
KC The only time I will be in the great southeast during the season, will be a two week period around the allstar break. During the Washington series, I will be sunning it up at the beach. Otherwise, they are on the road the entire time I am in SC. I don’t have any real flexibility in my schedule. Although, my company is based out of South Carolina, so there is always hope of a business trip, but not looking positive right now.
Lucky for me, I will be catching at least one game next week in Colorado, on Tuesday night. I am trying to get some of my coworkers to go on Monday night, but they will probably want to watch the NCAA game instead.
I will be there with my orange Clemson cap, taking in a diet coke and a bratz!
By ElbravoX-- EbX
March 31, 2008 2:21 PM | Link to this
Rob Neyer: (1:07 PM ET ) Well, here comes the first pitch in Detroit … and I arrived home a few moments ago to find a nice surprise … Extra Innings apparently is offering BOTH broadcasts — the home team’s and the away team’s — this year. I don’t know what took so long, but it would be crass to complain now, right?…SWEET…
By Zbrave
March 31, 2008 2:22 PM | Link to this
Just saw something from Braves Vent about McCann.
If Brian McCann was in a foot race with a pregnant woman, he would finish third.
I would think racing with a pregnant woman is the most scary thing in the world because in case you lose, there is no way you could know your place, at most third, could be fourth, fifth, sixth … simply scary.
By David O'Brien
March 31, 2008 2:32 PM | Link to this
NEW BLOGGAGE IS UP
By Wayne in Utah
March 31, 2008 2:32 PM | Link to this
DAP and N8: I had a different take on the national anthem last evening. While not a fan of opera, I still prefer a straight up rendition of our national anthem than some of the interpretations we have to endure these days.
Has anybody ever sang the second verse only? That would be a novel concept!
By Efrim
March 31, 2008 2:36 PM | Link to this
Think the Tigers will ever let Justin Verlander become a free agent?
He is filthy. Through 5 he has struck out 5 and only given up one hit.
By Pete H.
March 31, 2008 2:41 PM | Link to this
Whoever pointed out how bad the natl anthem was last night hit it on the head. It was Roseanne bad, without the crotch grabbing.
By John Adcox
March 31, 2008 2:46 PM | Link to this
Aw, shucks, Choppinmama and Lew. I appreciate the kind words. But Lew, please don’t trouble yourself on my account!
John
By Johnny Evans
March 31, 2008 3:38 PM | Link to this
Have always wondered what writers try to say in there columns==After reading =this==I still wonder= You and others write in circles= jle
By mo in the boonies
March 31, 2008 4:33 PM | Link to this
N8 I have to agree with you on much of the last night’s game stuff. Team looked exactly like the one at the end of last season. I had hopes for more. But you had me wondering for a while how you were going to play in the NBA with three feet…. Seems like you would be constantly stumbling over one of them….oh, you meant three feet taller! nevermind…;-)
I absolutely hate both Miller and Morgan, but Miller has to be the most asinine one of the pair. And damn, but I’m sick of wasting most of the game time watching the guys in the Booth. Half the time they don’t even know who is up to bat, and they didn’t even mention the new uniforms. Although I have to disagree with the ones who were knocking the President. No matter how much anyone dislikes him, or what party he belongs to, they should respect the Office of the Presidency. As for how the President was in the Booth last night must depend on the eye of the beholder. I too thought he came across as the real Bush: A nice, human guy , who loves baseball. He wasn’t there to be political.
Watching the Tigers, Inge has been playing some good ball. Maybe the Tigers will keep him after all. Won’t be able to see the Braves game tonight. :-(
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March 23, 2009 12:45 PM | Link to this
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By gpjfdb krtbmwog
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