AJC > Sports > Braves > Blog > Archives > 2008 > March > 31 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USBack from D.C. … is it opening day?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Now that the Braves have done a whirlwind trip to D.C., helped open a new park and provided almost no offensive support for Tim Hudson (sound familiar?), time to open the season for real tonight against the Pirates at Turner Field.
What’s that? That game at Nationals Park counted? Oh, nevermind.
Why does tonight feel more like a season opener than Monday, even though that was nationally televised and had a president throwing out the ceremonial first pitch? Why, of course: Because tonight’s a home game, the start of a series, and yes, because Tom Glavine is making his much-anticipated first start back with the Braves.
You gonna cheer or jeer? I’m guessing the vast majority here tonight cheers. And I mean the vast, vast majority. But we’ll see.
But seriously, upon further review I’m going to have to revise my ballpark rankings, at least in one respect. This is important. Please pay attention (OK, it’s not really that important).
After I took another look at the bland exterior of Nationals Park as I was leaving last night, and then compared that to Turner Field when I drove by it on the way back home from the airport late this morning, I gotta say it’s no contest.
Say what you will about the kiddie carnival-like attractions at Turner Field — not what I look for in a ballpark, but I understand how those with little kids might love it — but there’s no denying the place looks like a ballpark, with the brick exterior and the exposed steel upper deck and all.
And though I like the interior of Nationals Park, gotta put it behind Turner Field and the new parks in Philly and St. Louis in terms of overall evaluation, because of the points the D.C. park loses for having an exterior that looks more like the Georgia World Congress Center than a ballpark.
OK, getting to the important stuff. Peter Moylan gave up a walkoff homer to Ryan Zimmerman last night, in case you were out and missed the ajc.com postgame update. Threw him a poorly located sinker that started up and away and ended up squarely over the middle of the plate, about belt-high. He did what a hitter such as Zimmerman is usually going to do with a pitch like that. Crushed it.
So what does this mean for Peter Moylan> He had a sore elbow early in spring training, then pitched well for most of three weeks, then had a rough outing in the last game at Florida when he pitched the first inning and gave up three runs against the Mets. So what does Sunday’s outing mean?
Well, probably nothing other than he made a bad pitch in his first outing. It’s not the first time, you might recall.
Last year in his first outing after being called up from Triple-A, Moylan gave up three runs, three hits and one walk while recording just one out in an April 15 game against Florida. He had slept little if any the night before, after scrambling to catch a flight from some Triple-A outpost.
Anyway, immediately after that rough outing, Moylan reeled off a torrid five-week stretch in which he posted a 0.43 ERA and .125 opponents’ average, allowing eight hits and one run in 21 innings over his next 14 appearances.
In fact, after that debut last season, and Moylan posted a stunning 1.51 ERA and .201 opponents’ average over his remaining 79 appearances and 89-2/3 innings.
Hoss’ homer in opener: Certainly there wasn’t a whole lot to recommend of the team’s five-hit offensive “performance” against Nationals starter Odalis Perez and four relievers including Ray “I Will Have a Job As Long as Baseball is Played” King.
But Chipper Jones hit a home run off a left-hander (Perez), and that’s potentially very good news for him and the Braves. Because if Hoss gets his right-handed swing on a par with his left, it could mean big things.
He led the NL with a 1.029 on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS) last season, but Chipper’s 1.171 OPS vs. righties dwarfed his .803 OPS vs. lefties.
He hit .274 with seven homers and a .458 slugging percentage in 201 at-bats vs. lefties, compared to .378 with 22 homers and an astounding .699 slugging percentage in 312 at-bats vs. righties.
But it wasn’t always this way. In fact, in some of Jones’ best seasons he actually hit as good or better against lefties than against righties.
As recently as 2006, he hit .293 with six homers and a .576 slugging percentage in 92 at-bats vs. lefties, and .332 with 20 homers and a .602 slugging percentage in 319 at-bats vs. righties. Not that dramatic a difference.
In his career-worst .248 season in 2004, he hit 30 points higher (.268) against lefties than against righties, and had a slugging percentage that was 105 points higher against lefties.
In his .305-27-106 season in 2003, he hit .306 against lefties and .304 against righties, but Chipper had only two homers and a .380 slugging percentage in 121 at-bats vs lefties, compared to 25 homers and a .555 slugging percentage in 434 at-bats against righties.
His power splits were fairly even in 2002 and 2001 (though he hit .376 vs. lefties and .320 vs. righties in ’01), but go back to 2000 and things really get interesting.
Do you folks remember what he did in 2000, the year after he won the MVP? Jones turned in a .311-36-111 season that included basically a demolition of lefties.
He hit a blistering .415 against left-handers, with 12 homers in 130 at-bats, along with a .480 OBP and .777 slugging percentage. Against righties that year, he hit .281 with 24 homers, a .382 OBP and .506 slugging percentage.
And in his MVP season (.319-45-110) in 1999, Chipper also fared better against lefties than righties. That year he hit .352 with 15 homers, a .450 OBP and .739 slugging percentage in 142 at-bats against lefties, while against righties he hit .308 with 30 homers, a .438 OBP and .598 slugging percentage.
So you see, that’s my very long-winded way of saying, if Chipper starts hitting lefties as well or better that righties, it’ll be interesting to see what kind of overall numbers he produces.
I just find it fascinating that a guy’s lefty-righty numbers can fluctuate so much from year to year, or at least every few years.
OK, gotta get to the park now. By the way, I’m listening to the new Van Morrison that comes out this week or next. Good tuneage. Someone let me know when you hear the new Black Keys CD produced by Danger Mouse. That’s one I’ve gotta get soon as it’s out (tomorrow?).
“DESOLATION ROW” by Bob Dylan
They’re selling postcards of the hanging
They’re painting the passports brown
The beauty parlor is filled with sailors
The circus is in town
Here comes the blind commissioner
They’ve got him in a trance
One hand is tied to the tight-rope walker
The other is in his pants
And the riot squad they’re restless
They need somewhere to go
As Lady and I look out tonight
From Desolation Row
Cinderella, she seems so easy
“It takes one to know one,” she smiles
And puts her hands in her back pockets
Bette Davis style
And in comes Romeo, he’s moaning
“You Belong to Me I Believe”
And someone says,” You’re in the wrong place, my friend
You better leave”
And the only sound that’s left
After the ambulances go
Is Cinderella sweeping up
On Desolation Row
Now the moon is almost hidden
The stars are beginning to hide
The fortunetelling lady
Has even taken all her things inside
All except for Cain and Abel
And the hunchback of Notre Dame
Everybody is making love
Or else expecting rain
And the Good Samaritan, he’s dressing
He’s getting ready for the show
He’s going to the carnival tonight
On Desolation Row
Now Ophelia, she’s ‘neath the window
For her I feel so afraid
On her twenty-second birthday
She already is an old maid
To her, death is quite romantic
She wears an iron vest
Her profession’s her religion
Her sin is her lifelessness
And though her eyes are fixed upon
Noah’s great rainbow
She spends her time peeking
Into Desolation Row
Einstein, disguised as Robin Hood
With his memories in a trunk
Passed this way an hour ago
With his friend, a jealous monk
He looked so immaculately frightful
As he bummed a cigarette
Then he went off sniffing drainpipes
And reciting the alphabet
Now you would not think to look at him
But he was famous long ago
For playing the electric violin
On Desolation Row
Dr. Filth, he keeps his world
Inside of a leather cup
But all his sexless patients
They’re trying to blow it up
Now his nurse, some local loser
She’s in charge of the cyanide hole
And she also keeps the cards that read
“Have Mercy on His Soul”
They all play on penny whistles
You can hear them blow
If you lean your head out far enough
From Desolation Row
Across the street they’ve nailed the curtains
They’re getting ready for the feast
The Phantom of the Opera
A perfect image of a priest
They’re spoonfeeding Casanova
To get him to feel more assured
Then they’ll kill him with self-confidence
After poisoning him with words
And the Phantom’s shouting to skinny girls
“Get Outa Here If You Don’t Know
Casanova is just being punished for going
To Desolation Row”
Now at midnight all the agents
And the superhuman crew
Come out and round up everyone
That knows more than they do
Then they bring them to the factory
Where the heart-attack machine
Is strapped across their shoulders
And then the kerosene
Is brought down from the castles
By insurance men who go
Check to see that nobody is escaping
To Desolation Row
Praise be to Nero’s Neptune
The Titanic sails at dawn
And everybody’s shouting
“Which Side Are You On?”
And Ezra Pound and T. S. Eliot
Fighting in the captain’s tower
While calypso singers laugh at them
And fishermen hold flowers
Between the windows of the sea
Where lovely mermaids flow
And nobody has to think too much
About Desolation Row
Yes, I received your letter yesterday
(About the time the door knob broke)
When you asked how I was doing
Was that some kind of joke?
All these people that you mention
Yes, I know them, they’re quite lame
I had to rearrange their faces
And give them all another name
Right now I can’t read too good
Don’t send me no more letters no
Not unless you mail them
From Desolation Row
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Services »
Comments
By JimD
March 31, 2008 2:39 PM | Link to this
I never get to be first
By rupert
March 31, 2008 2:42 PM | Link to this
DOB, what was the general reaction from the guys about the new duds?
By Wayne in Utah
March 31, 2008 2:43 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 ElbravoX-- EbX
March 31, 2008 2:43 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 Apaul404
March 31, 2008 2:45 PM | Link to this
Gotta get back on track tonight. No more baserunning errors.
By Original Jon
March 31, 2008 2:45 PM | Link to this
Since you are never first, guess I am.
By Where in the hell is Peachtree TV?
March 31, 2008 2:47 PM | Link to this
Is it the early 70’s again, I can’t watch the damn game tonight, and I’m not happy about it.
By Jokerz
March 31, 2008 2:47 PM | Link to this
DOB what do you think about some of the games especially the home opener on Peachtree TV as opposed to FSN or SPSO? It’s crappy that fans not in the metro area Atlanta missing out on 45 games. Oh btw FIRST!
By Dustin R.
March 31, 2008 2:48 PM | Link to this
I can’t wait to see Tom Glavine’s return to Atlanta tonight. I’ll be right in front of the TV when it starts—oh wait…that’s right, the game’s on stupid Peachtree TV so I, being about 50 miles away in Macon, can’t watch it.
Great TV deal there.
By bulldog
March 31, 2008 2:50 PM | Link to this
You are now, JimD.
The winning streak starts tonight!! Go Braves!!!
By Braves fan in NC
March 31, 2008 2:50 PM | Link to this
For anyone with DirecTV and in the Braves territory, the games on Peachtree TV will be shown on ch. 617.
By doug
March 31, 2008 2:50 PM | Link to this
You know what this team needs. This team needs Letwan to go over to his Mama’s house for a big ole homemade pie. I’ll bet DOB will even stop by and pick it up on the way to the ballpark and deliver it the players himself.
Not much pie being spoken about round here anymore (that’d be a good name for a Tom Petty song). That’s a shame.
By ssiscribe
March 31, 2008 2:51 PM | Link to this
Indeed, I love the look of Turner Field. Drove past it around 11:45 last night, after leaving the KC-inspired blog party at Frankie.
(Great time, by the way, at Frankie’s, with KC and the gang. Good company, even if the final score didn’t turn out the way we hoped. Fun times. Thanks much to KC for setting it up and we’ll have to do it again, for sure).
Where were we? Oh yeah, Turner Field. As I drove by, the lights were on and the yard stood proud by the interstate as I trucked it toward the southern rim of the capital city and a short night of sleep. Even if last night’s performance was a bit of a downer, all it took was one look at the ballpark, with its lights shining bright against the damp Georgia night, to get me fired up to push through today and get to the stadium tonight.
The home opener always gets my blood pumping. Tonight will be the 27th home opener in the past 29 years I’ve attended in person. Always one of my favorite days of the year. So many wonderful memories, memories I’m now blessed to share with my kids.
It may be chilly and overcast today, but that’s OK. Baseball season is back, and in two hours, I head north to the ballpark with the family in tow. Can’t wait to get the home portion of the schedule started.
Our second home for the next seven months is open for business this evening. Welcome home, denizens. Welcome home, Braves.
Let’s do this.
The Scribe abides.
—30—
By j-school dropout
March 31, 2008 2:52 PM | Link to this
Does anyone have a handle on this Peachtree TV thing? Is Time Warner carrying tonight’s game in Charlotte?
By woogidy
March 31, 2008 2:53 PM | Link to this
nice work DOB, now get to the ballpark.
By Sturg
March 31, 2008 2:56 PM | Link to this
Good blog DOB, you always get me through the day… How do you think Glavine will fare tonight?
By Thrillhouse44
March 31, 2008 2:56 PM | Link to this
Thanks for the clean slate. Hopefully it’s time for the bloggers and the Braves to start over again on a positive note.
Here’s to the first win of the season coming tonight.
By Erik
March 31, 2008 2:58 PM | Link to this
Hmm, Desolation Row. That’s probably my 3rd favorite song off of that album. I think that’s a compliment, strangely enough. What a fantastic album- my favorite of his.
(In case you’re wondering, it is #1 Tombstone Blues, #2 Like a Rolling Stone, #3 Desolation row)
Also: Chipper is going to rake this year. But I guess everyone knew that.
By Stuart
March 31, 2008 3:01 PM | Link to this
If you are in the Chattanooga area, the peachtree TV games will be shown on Comcast on CSS channel 27. If you have access to CSS in your neck of the woods and you are in the braves home market, you should be able to get the PTV games.
Hope this helps.
By David
March 31, 2008 3:04 PM | Link to this
Man, I feel kinda like a d*ck asking this, since those of you without Peachtree TV are going to get to watch the game at all, but…..is P’Tree TV broadcast in HD at all? I have Comcast…..
By john
March 31, 2008 3:04 PM | Link to this
J-school dropout Time Warner said that it will be on ch 24 in charlotte
By john
March 31, 2008 3:05 PM | Link to this
J-school dropout Time Warner said that it will be on ch 24 in charlotte
By john
March 31, 2008 3:05 PM | Link to this
J-school dropout Time Warner said that it will be on ch 24 in charlotte
By Bubdylan
March 31, 2008 3:05 PM | Link to this
Focus, Braves. If you don’t focus, you’ll (alternate pronounciation of “focus”).
By David
March 31, 2008 3:07 PM | Link to this
Man, I feel kinda like a d*ck asking this, since those of you without Peachtree TV aren’t going to get to watch the game at all, but…..is P’Tree TV broadcast in HD at all? I have Comcast…..
By Gamecock Brave
March 31, 2008 3:08 PM | Link to this
DOB new Van Morrison?! oo i like the sound of that. very exciting… How’d you get the cd before it comes out? connections? Cool guy, haha jk
DOB or anyone any hope, aside from mlb.tv, of gettin the game in Columbia SC due to it being on the esteemed network of Peachtree TV.
By Wayne in Utah
March 31, 2008 3:11 PM | Link to this
That Detroit bullpen is getting an early season test today.
By bulldog
March 31, 2008 3:12 PM | Link to this
For those of you that have Cox Cable in the central Georgia area around Macon, I just got off the phone with one of their representatives. They said that they are attempting to negotiate an agreement with Peachtree TV.
The most important thing for us Braves fans is that they will, at least temporarily, be showing the Peachtree TV games on basic cable channel 15 starting with the home opener tonight at seven.
I hope this helps….
LET’S GO BRAVES!!
By woogidy
March 31, 2008 3:14 PM | Link to this
I think the ratio of complaints about Peachtree TV should be less than 3 in 9. That complaint is getting old. Get over it. Extra innings isn’t really that expensive.
By Wayne in Utah
March 31, 2008 3:15 PM | Link to this
No Peachtree TV out here in Utah.
By VolBrave
March 31, 2008 3:16 PM | Link to this
Trivia Question
How many different ballparks has Chipper Jones hit at least one homerun in?
By Wayne in Utah
March 31, 2008 3:17 PM | Link to this
Gamecock Being the cheapskate I am, I went for the $14.95 per year Audio package.
By Shamus Thacker
March 31, 2008 3:18 PM | Link to this
Summa you folks need to visit Radio Shack for an old fashioned antenna.
P.S. If you happen to be a redneck, don’t install it during a thunder storm…
By Josh H
March 31, 2008 3:18 PM | Link to this
David:
It was my understanding that Comcast showed Braves games in HD on channel 755.
Of course, that channel is not in the lineup right now. And I’m a little ticked off about that. So I’ll probably have to make do watching the game in low-def.
But at least I’ll be able to see the game. Somebody, somewhere, made a big mistake with putting the games on Peachtree TV, when they weren’t prepared to address the issue of showing the games in the Braves market.
Why did I not buy tickets to the game again? Oh yeah, a strong distaste of “convenience charges”. A 25% convenience charge is a little excessive, TicketMaster.
By justinstud
March 31, 2008 3:18 PM | Link to this
I said it before and now again, TBS trying to do this national televising of games, trying to be like the NBA on TNT, and dropping the Braves has led to this Peachtree TV nonsense. I am up in Ohio and if it weren’t for the Extra Innings thing, I would never see any Braves games, which is unacceptable. It is ridiculous that people in Georgia can’t get the coverage.
Anybody else think that last night seemed like a spring training game? Seemed like they looked a little flat. Tonight will be better.
By midtownBrave
March 31, 2008 3:18 PM | Link to this
So not everyone gets P’tree TV? WOW, that sucks! Why are they doing this to the fans? It’s like ‘they’ are trying to kill baseball!
By tkg
March 31, 2008 3:19 PM | Link to this
I wonder if those of us in B’ham can get Peachtree on DirecTV 617?
Doubt it.
By Shamus Thacker
March 31, 2008 3:22 PM | Link to this
Is tonight’s game a sellout?
By matt
March 31, 2008 3:22 PM | Link to this
I’m in south GA (Bainbridge) and just found out that the Peachtree TV games will be shown here on channel 78 and 230. Oh yeah, we’re on Mediacom here.
By AC
March 31, 2008 3:23 PM | Link to this
David, I agree about with you about Turner Field. I always feel like I am going to a kiddie carnival than a baseball game. What can you say, I am an originalist. It’s entertainment right(sarcasim)
By THE BEAR
March 31, 2008 3:23 PM | Link to this
Down here in DEEP S. Florida I am going to watch tonight’s opener on my computer and on my new SAMSUNG 24” monitor via MLB-TV Premium. And what a picture it is. Just great.
By Yars
March 31, 2008 3:31 PM | Link to this
DOB….do you see KJ’s sore right knee being a problem throughout the season? What exactly is wrong with it? It seems like KJ has no clue as to why it’s been sore since spring training ‘07.
By VolBrave
March 31, 2008 3:34 PM | Link to this
Up here in Nashville, the games on Peachtree TV have been picked up by CSS. FSN games go on as normal. But for some reason, we won’t get SportsSouth televised games…strange.
By BamaBravesFan
March 31, 2008 3:34 PM | Link to this
For those of you in B’ham with BrightHouse Cable, the Braves games that are on Peachtree TV will be shown on channel 90.
By j-school dropout
March 31, 2008 3:36 PM | Link to this
Thanks for the info, John, but 24 is TBS on Time Warner in Charlotte. I think you spoke with someone who still thought Braves games are on TBS. I hope I’m wrong, but TW tried that Okey Doke on me earlier today. They don’t know about this mess.
By brent a.
March 31, 2008 3:37 PM | Link to this
I live in Atlanta, but what is disappointing to me about the whole Peachtree TV thing, is that this was all very public information before last season was even over.
Even the part about PTV negotiating with with the cable companies about airing the games in some out of market areas.
All of this was known. It should not be a newsflash to anyone that the Braves moved (sort of); yet, here were are at opening day, and the cable companies are scrambling because Braves fans all over the south can’t watch Tom Glavine’s return.
Am I the only one who pays this much attention to TV/Sports on TV?
I really don’t think so.
However, sadly, I do think that I pay more attention to TV/Sports on TV than the cable companies themselves, which is borderline ridiculous.
By kdbanks
March 31, 2008 3:38 PM | Link to this
Chipper got two really good pitches to hit last night. The first on the homerun of course, but the second on the line drive that the picture just happened to snag in his glove. He smoked that one, and I believe that was a righty reliever, so he smoked one from each side of the plate. I’m guessing that having Tex behind him led to a couple of juicy fastballs.
By N8
March 31, 2008 3:39 PM | Link to this
Somebody call and tell Buck and Kincade that they need to simmer down a little bit. The season is ONLY one game old.
Good god.
Signed……The Pot
By j-school dropout
March 31, 2008 3:41 PM | Link to this
To the guy who said Extra Innings isn’t that much money. It’s $160, and it’s not even in HD. Also, I’m paying for thousands of games I don’t want to see. Let me pay for just the Braves in HD for about $50 for the season, about a dollar per game on Peachtree and then I’d agree with you. But Extra Innings is way too high, and you have to have a converter box to see it, so only one TV in my house can get it. This stuff sucks. I hate TBS!
By Jokerz
March 31, 2008 3:42 PM | Link to this
Looks like Charter picked up the CSS feed for the Peachtree TV games in the Carolinas. Good news abounds for Los Bravos…. !!!!
By jbutler
March 31, 2008 3:43 PM | Link to this
Out here in dusty ‘ol cowtown Denver, we will never get to see a Braves game except for the 2x/year they might make it to ESPN. Its insane. Truly- we have two major franchises (Avs/Nuggets) who are about to be in the playoffs, and you stand a better chance of finding Waldo than one of their games.
But you can catch the football arena league anytime you want!! So…I will get my Braves fix next week during their Coors Field trip. Hope it doesn’t turn into ski weather. Ugh.
By brent a.
March 31, 2008 3:43 PM | Link to this
Something else:
Why do people complain so much about “convenience charges”?
When doing so, do they actually take the time to consider their own personal cost (both in $$$ and time spent) to drive to Turner Field and buy tickets?
Personally, it is easier/cheaper for me to go to TF, but if it weren’t, I’d gladly absorb the convenience charge.
I guess some of you long for the days of paying by the minute for long-distance phone calls, and waiting on hold to speak with a ticket representative, who then tries to describe to you the different sections of the ballpark.
Or better yet, I guess we could go back to the days of sleeping on the sidewalk the night before tickets went on sale so we could be first in line.
By Lew
March 31, 2008 3:46 PM | Link to this
John Adcox-It’s no trouble-it just might take me a bit longer, is all. Contact me LewHartman@comcast.net
Nathan-I don’t take your rants as angry, but you ARE in mid season form, that’s certain. Better take it easy or you’ll burn yourself out by May. Stockpile those anti depressants, Dude. Looks like you’re going to need them.
By The Piece
March 31, 2008 3:46 PM | Link to this
Am I the only one who thinks (while a die-hard braves fan) that if we were going to lose a game all season that this is the one to lose. For a relatively young team, in a brand new stadium playing for a city that probably will not sell out a lot of games to come out and experience a great night with a thrilling victory. Perhaps this will spark more interest in an otherwise not very good team—and that’s only a good thing in baseball.
What do you all think. As annoyed as I was last night with the loss, I found myself thinking that it really was probably a really great thing for the Nats.
By David O'Brien
March 31, 2008 3:48 PM | Link to this
Almost forgot the big event of the night, of couse: Glavine’s return in a Braves uni. I went back in the original post and wrote something about it.
What do you guys think? Standing ovation for him tonight? I’m betting it happens when he’s introduced, a louder ovation than anyone except perhaps Smoltz and Chipper. It’ll be interesting to see (and hear).
OK, going down to the clubhouse.
By Robert (chipper Is The Best)
March 31, 2008 3:49 PM | Link to this
All this complaining about the televison situation is falling on deaf ears over here. I live in Oklahoma and can’t see the Braves at all unless they are on ESPN or Fox because of TBS dropping their telecasts. I think my cable company has extra innings but won’t show it until the NHL season is over because the cable company is so backwoods that apparently they can’t show both Extra Innings and the NHL at the same time!
By joe
March 31, 2008 3:50 PM | Link to this
kelly johnson looks lost, hudson throws the ball away at first, two throws by francouer that should have nailed both runners..it did look like spring training.. chipper looked great at the plate and in the field.. go braves..101 wins..
By StingerSplash
March 31, 2008 3:51 PM | Link to this
DOB,
First of all, how are you listening to Van Morrison before it’s out next week? What kind of underground, black market connection do you have? Second, how scared do the visiting clubhouse attendants get when they see Ray King walking in, thinking about how much more food they have to put out? Would he be Bill Gates rich if he stuffed his meal money into stocks instead of his gut?
By kdbanks
March 31, 2008 3:52 PM | Link to this
Clearly I meant “pitcher” and not “picture”…sorry to the blog’s editorial advisory board. :)
By Yars
March 31, 2008 3:53 PM | Link to this
VolBrave…..Man it makes no sense that you don’t get Braves games that are to be on SportSouth & you live in Nashville.
By Drew
March 31, 2008 3:53 PM | Link to this
Kelly Johnson and Yunel looked like they were soccer players in Braves uniforms. They looked more foreign to the game than Scotty Smalls from the Sandlot. The baserunning errors are excusable in Pee-Wee gentlemen. Hudson looked AWESOME….after the first inning. I just thought Bobby would have this team a little better prepared than they looked. Let’s cross our fingers for Tommy tonight though and pray for our bats…
By N8
March 31, 2008 3:55 PM | Link to this
kdbanks
“Chipper got two really good pitches to hit last night.”
Actually, he got THREE really good pitches to hit. He popped the first one up to RF.
Even the great ones miss a pitch once in a while. But more often than not, Chipper HAMMERS that pitch he popped up in the first inning.
By kdbanks
March 31, 2008 3:57 PM | Link to this
Absolutely a standing “o” for Tommy, but I bet Bobby will get a big one too from the fans who want to make sure this isn’t his last season.
By tarheelbrave
March 31, 2008 3:58 PM | Link to this
I wish the games were on tbs like the old days don’t get to see as many as i used dig the new road uniforms go Braves
By VolBrave
March 31, 2008 3:59 PM | Link to this
I think my 3:16 trivia question scared off some people…
True Braves fans: How many different ballparks has Chipper hit at least one homerun?
By Chop Chop
March 31, 2008 3:59 PM | Link to this
The season opener against the Nats last night is the type of game that I will be mad about if it happens repeatedly throughout the season. Otherwise, it’s just one game. Whoop-dee-do.
By Interested Observer
March 31, 2008 4:01 PM | Link to this
For those of us outside the Atlanta area, how is the weather there today? Is there any threat of rain for the game tonight?
By McFann
March 31, 2008 4:02 PM | Link to this
Speaking of Tom Glavine pitching against Pittsburgh, the very first game I ever went to was Tom against the Pirates. That was back in ‘97, when Turner Field still had that “new Stadium smell”. My Dad won two tickets from a radio show, and since he had taken my brother to a football game back in the fall, he took me to see the Braves. (My sister was still a baby) The date was May 3rd, and the Braves lost 3-0. Jeff Blauser had three of our four hits. (I wouldn’t know that now had it not been for Baseball-Reference.com.) We had GREAT SEATS, too—aisle 111, row 17: seats 1 and 2…or 2 and 3…Anyway, my ticket says seat 2.
That lineup would look really old if it wasn’t for Chipper. He and Tom are the only ones who are still playing. But check this out:
Lineup:
K. Lofton
M. Tucker
C. Jones
F. McGriff
R. Klesko
J. Lopez
M. Lemke (Dirt)
J. Blauser
T. Glavine
And the Braves record after that loss was 20-8—not bad!
It was Tom’s first loss of the year…Let’s hope he doesn’t get the same result tonight!
By Saltywoody
March 31, 2008 4:03 PM | Link to this
Glavine’s got my applause. I just hope we give him a lot more run support than Huddie got last night.
Anyone have any idea if the game is being televised tonight? And, if so, what channel?
By Spider29
March 31, 2008 4:04 PM | Link to this
I will be very disappointed if the Atlanta fans boo Tom Glavine. If I was attending the game, I’d give him a standing O. Alas, I will be watching on Extra Innings instead of being there in person. By the way, if anyone out there knows whether or not Comsouth Cable in the Perry, GA area will be carrying the game tonight, please let me know. My parents are big fans and hope to watch tonight.
By Dr. Tobias Funke
March 31, 2008 4:04 PM | Link to this
Regarding last night’s sloppy play — let’s not lose sight of the fact that it was 43 degrees out there. That’s not exactly conducive to slugfests, especially when the batters can’t feel their hands.
By shawshank
March 31, 2008 4:05 PM | Link to this
DOB, I write to agree on your revised evaluation of Nationals Park. It sure beats RFK, but it does not have the feel of Turner. Put simply, Nats Park needs continuing development to make it less “bland.” It has potential, but they need to keep building it. Ultimately, as Half Street develops, it will gain character, which will be very good.
And one more thing — they must fix the concessions lines, or it will be a real mess.
By VolBrave
March 31, 2008 4:05 PM | Link to this
Thank you Yars, I’ll never understand it. Both Knoxville and Memphis markets get SportsSouth but not Nashville (middle TN)…go figure
By ncscoots
March 31, 2008 4:10 PM | Link to this
I’m happy for Glavine, truly I am, despite my offseason comments on his signing. But he has no picnic tonight with Ian Snell. Nor Jurrjens tomorrow with Gorzelanny. Many bloggers may dismiss the Pirates, but those two pitchers are the real deal. They aren’t exactly the recipe for getting your hitting shoes broken in.
Having said that, of course, Braves will probably score 25 runs in the series, LOL.
By Joe Don Barker
March 31, 2008 4:11 PM | Link to this
Well Erik - I’ve got to say order of kickassishniss from Dylan’s Hwy 61 Revisited is as follows:
1) Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues 2) It Takes a Lot to Laugh )it takes a train to cry) 3) From a Buick 6
Desolation Row would come in much further down the list (it’s about 2 minutes too long)
By N8
March 31, 2008 4:11 PM | Link to this
Lew
“Stockpile those anti depressants, Dude. Looks like you’re going to need them.”
Is that a “round-about” way of saying you think it’s gonna be a long season for the Bravos? :-)
Oooops. How silly of me to ask such a question to Mr. Optimism. LOL!
Just giving you crap man.
But on a serious note, if the Braves aren’t up 10-0 by the end of the 2nd inning, I am gonna REALLY freak out.
OK. That’s not all together true.
VolBrave
The answer to your question, with last night’s HR, is 35. Leaving 5 parks that he’s had AB’s in that he HASN’T hit a HR in.
Can you name them?
By chemdawg
March 31, 2008 4:12 PM | Link to this
Who else cringed every time the president opened his mouth to talk? When asked about steroids Bush tried to talk about new designer drugs but couldn’t piece together a single coherent sentence. Does anyone have a recording of his booth appearance?
By boca brave
March 31, 2008 4:14 PM | Link to this
i was discussing last night’s game with a couple of guys at work. We agreed that Hudson had Cy Young Award stuff last night-as good as I’ve ever seen him pitch. Everything was down and moving, big time moving. I know it’s only one game, but he could have a monster year. Now, let’s score some runs!!!
By Lew
March 31, 2008 4:14 PM | Link to this
It will be interesting to see whose reception gets the most boos-Glavine or Our Esteemed Presidential Person.
By Yars
March 31, 2008 4:20 PM | Link to this
Tommy will get a standing ovation if Bobby takes him out of the game like in the 5th or 6th inning & the Braves are ahead. While Tommy is walking back to the dugout, we will then officially forgive & forget that he was ever in a Mets uniform. It would be really cool if he were to tip his hat to the crowd.
By flange1
March 31, 2008 4:22 PM | Link to this
Afternoon all,
I missed out on yesterday’s game and blog and KC’s viewing because of a nasty car wreck, but I am primed for tonight’s match up.
Remember 1 game does not a season make.
I will standing for Tommy G!
The winning streak starts tonight!
By etownbrave
March 31, 2008 4:23 PM | Link to this
Any hope for us DISH customers in NE Georgia?
By stutterin' br-br-brave
March 31, 2008 4:24 PM | Link to this
b-b-b-bottom line:
br-br-br-brave are 0 and 1
Last pl-pl-pl-place.
By Saltywoody
March 31, 2008 4:25 PM | Link to this
Bush was HILARIOUS last night, by the way.
His posture and demeanor were as if he were sitting on the couch at home, with a can of coors in a koozie, shootin the fat…you know, about the same as if he were holding a press conference on the war or something.
2 lines come to mind:
President is asked what he’s doing the next few days. He responds in his riotous southern drawl “Well, Joe, headed out to the Ukraine in a couple hours,” as if “the Ukraine” were only a hope skip and a jump away.
When commenting on Chipper’s homer and being teased about his very high presidential first pitch, he comments “Well, you know? If he’d thrown it up there like I did, he never would’ve had it hit out.”
Frankly, I think Bushie needs to join the commentating crew on a major sports network after he’s done ruining the reputation of the US presidency. I mean, how good would he look alongside Boomer, Dan Marino, et al on Sunday during the season?
By Lew
March 31, 2008 4:27 PM | Link to this
Nathan-Nah Dude, just concerned for your mental health. If this first game garners such an outburst, then you should lose it before the end of April.
By N8
March 31, 2008 4:27 PM | Link to this
chemdawg
Why does it surprise you that G.W. struggled behind the mic last night? Without giving any political commentary, he has NEVER been comfortable when discussing political topics, so WHY would he sound comfy talking baseball?
I suspect that Joe Simpson and Skip Caray would sound just as ridiculous if they were guests on Bill O’Reilly’s show or the Daily Show, or am I wrong?
We used to have a local radio station that every friday would have local bands come on and play a few tunes acoustically and gab for a while, and every now and then, if one of the DJ’s was off on vacation they would have a local band guy come down and fill in on the morning show. I did that twice and it SUCKS. It takes a special breed of person to be able to talk to literally ONE other guy in the booth (in person), but to be speaking to many who are tuning in without sounding like an idiot.
Ask DOB if he liked filling with Pete this spring. While DOB did a fine job, and obviously knows a thing or two about baseball, he didn’t appear to be real comfortable doing it.
Why would he? It’s not his gig.
If you don’t like G.W., that’s fine by me. I’ve never stated my political beliefs (other than on the steroids issue) on this blog, and I’m not gonna start now.
Feel free to rag on the man for what he hasn’t or hasn’t done as the PUSA, but to rip the guy for his “play by play” ability, is a bit silly, dontcha’ think?
By Josh H
March 31, 2008 4:29 PM | Link to this
Agreed on Gorzelanny and Snell. Even if we can’t hit these guys well, we need to work the count. Get them out of there and get into the bullpen.
Of course…if we can hit them well, that will be nice too :)
By JoshfromDEC
March 31, 2008 4:29 PM | Link to this
I imagine the ovation for Glavine tonight will be an overwhelming positive one, rivaling one’s of past for the likes of Andres Galaraga upon his return from cancer. Hit what ended up being a game winning home run and I personally have never witnessed something so inspiring. Look for a solid start tonight! GO BRAVES!
By VolBrave
March 31, 2008 4:29 PM | Link to this
N8… thanks for the answer.
I do not know the other 5 parks, but am willing to throw a quick guess without much thinking going into it: Petco (SD) Safeco(Seattle) Fenway Tropicana (TB) Ballpark in Arlington
By Greg in TN
March 31, 2008 4:32 PM | Link to this
Evening friends and neighbors…
Sitting in my temporary digs just across Pollard Blvd from the focal point of Braves Nation and the view is mighty nice indeed.
DOB, will try and get down to say hey during BP either tonight or Wednesday if you’re around the cage.
I’ll be cheering for number 47 when he takes the mound for his second tour of duty with dixie’s darlings. A solid start to his season tonight will do much to turn the page from last night’s game.
We’ll find out soon enough whether the bats have thawed on the trip down from the beltway. In two appearances last year against Snell, the Braves were able to plate nine runs (six of which were earned) on 15 hits and 3 homers. It’s feast or famine with Snell, he either strikes out a bunch or gets lit up.
Time to shut ‘er down here and get ready to make the walk over to the ballpark. Nothing like the home opener on Planet Braves gang.
By tj
March 31, 2008 4:32 PM | Link to this
TO Dustin R
If you have Cox Cable in Macon you can see the game on Cox channel 15. They have all the Peachtree games scheduled on that channel.
By OrlandoFan
March 31, 2008 4:32 PM | Link to this
McFann…nice post about 1999. Made me feel old! Powerful lineup… But a frustrating one, too. But that rotation that year. That fast start carried the team a long way.
By STRETCH
March 31, 2008 4:35 PM | Link to this
Whats the point of having satellite when you cant watch a baseball team? I HATE ALL THESE CHANGES AND TBS FOR DROPPING BRAVES B-BALL!!!
By cricket
March 31, 2008 4:37 PM | Link to this
Robert (chipper Is The Best) NHL season is still going on?:) You may want to subscribe mlb.tv as it can be cancelled anytime. Off course this will work only if you have broadband internet connection in the backwoods.:). You can connect your comp to the TV and then it is pretty good.
By BravesBlast.com
March 31, 2008 4:40 PM | Link to this
I can’t wait for tonight’s game or the season. Getting ready to head down to the ballpark for the first game in our season tickets.
I can’t wait to see Glav tonight. I’ll be cheering for sure - I hope we don’t hear any boos. Need to get a W on the board tonight!
By Robert (chipper Is The Best)
March 31, 2008 4:40 PM | Link to this
N8, I bet Skip would do great on Bill O’Reilly’s show or The Daily Show. Fact is, Bush sounded last night like he does during every press conference…………….AN IDIOT!
By Wayne in Utah
March 31, 2008 4:43 PM | Link to this
Enough of the negative commentary about the President. N8, thanks for the comments. There might actually be some of us that approve of the job he has done. Nobody ever claimed Dubya was a strong speaker.
(I promise not to rag on liberal political persons, though they make themselves easy “targets” sometimes too.)
By Josh H
March 31, 2008 4:43 PM | Link to this
ESPN’s production crew ticked me off after the first inning in their need to focus on anything besides the game.
But you have to admit, the “Presidential K-Zone” was pretty classic…
By N8
March 31, 2008 4:44 PM | Link to this
VolBrave
You’ve got 2 of the 5 correct. (Texas park - whatever the hell it was called last time Chipper played there & Safeco).
The other 3?
Oakland’s stadium (again - who knows what it’s called now), Jacob’s Field, and one that is “listed” as being against Washington, which I believe is the park down in San Juan?? I could be wrong. I didn’t recognize the stadium and already forgot what it was called.
The BEST baseball “stats” sight, IMO is:
baseball-reference.com
ANYTHING you want to know about players or teams is available there. I’m sure there are other sites that are cool, but that’s the one that I use (I fear change - so I’ll continue going there. It’s kind of like ordering the SAME thing every time you eat at a particular resaurant.)
By N8
March 31, 2008 4:53 PM | Link to this
Robert (chipper Is The Best)
“N8, I bet Skip would do great on Bill O’Reilly’s show or The Daily Show. Fact is, Bush sounded last night like he does during every press conference…………….AN IDIOT!”
You are probably correct about Skip. LOL!
But your final comment lets your TRUE feelings about GW shine through. You think he is an idiot. Period.
So WHY ON EARTH would you expect anything less of him as a baseball commentator.
Rosie O’Donnell is fat and ugly. And if somebody put her in a booth with two super-models…she STILL would be fat an ugly.
You is what you is, right?
Speaking of being “what you is”, Buck and Kincade just mentioned that Andruw grounded out in his first Dodgers AB. :-)
By BravesBlast.com
March 31, 2008 4:59 PM | Link to this
baseball-reference.com is a great site. I’d also recommend firstinning.com for prospect information.
By SandyB
March 31, 2008 5:06 PM | Link to this
I don’t know…I personally was rather impressed that W knew about Francoeur getting hit in the face. Do you think he reads the blog?
Josh H.: I agree with the presidential K zone. Pretty funny stuff. The boys got on my nerves a little, though, with the “this is the first….”
By TJ
March 31, 2008 5:09 PM | Link to this
N8, it’s obvious that you have a bit of a reputation, so I’ll quit complaining about your complaining, as it’s apparently what you do. Not to say I won’t argue, but not about that.
As to the “take” sign for Frenchy, go to baseballreference and look at Jeff’s career batting “after 0-1”. This is just a guy who can’t afford to give away one strike. This is why I don’t think forcing him to take pitches is a good way to teach him.
Actually, I do share your frustrations with him, if not your expectations. I think some hitters (usually the very good ones) have an innate ability to detect a hittable pitch very early.
As athletically blessed as he is, I don’t think Jeff has this ability in big measure. I DO think he’s working at it (or at least he’s said he is), and hopefully he’ll improve.
By Robert (chipper Is The Best)
March 31, 2008 5:11 PM | Link to this
N8, you’re right about Rosie and I did let my true feelings slip about Bush. I can’t help it. Everytime I hear that man speak I think I’m listening to some 8 year old who is being forced to speak and use big words he can’t pronounce nor knows what they mean.
By mo in the boonies
March 31, 2008 5:11 PM | Link to this
Well crap, as usual just when I post the blog changes, so I’m moving it over here.
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, nor Presidential
Won’t be able to see the Braves game tonight. :-(
By AGTfan
March 31, 2008 5:13 PM | Link to this
Shamus Thacker P.S. If you happen to be a redneck, don’t install it during a thunder storm…
But if you’re a real bad redneck, please do.
McFann Were you long out of diapers for that 97 game? just kidding.
But I bet I was older for my first game a ATL-Fulton County than you were for your Turner Field game. Heck, I’m afraid I might have been older for my first Ponce de Leon Park game. $@#$@##
By McFann
March 31, 2008 5:13 PM | Link to this
Thanks, OrlandoFan. Yeah, I’d take a start like that now. Heck, they just gotta go 20-7 in their next 27 games, and there we are!
I thought Dudya was funny last night! And I’m with Wayne & N8—enough with the trash talk of our Commander In Chief. This is a baseball blog; let’s not get all political.
The BEST baseball “stats” sight, IMO is:
baseball-reference.com
ANYTHING you want to know about players or teams is available there. I’m sure there are other sites that are cool, but that’s the one that I use (I fear change - so I’ll continue going there. It’s kind of like ordering the SAME thing every time you eat at a particular resaurant.) N8
I agree. And I order the SAME thing every time I eat at particular restaurant, too.
: )
By McFann
March 31, 2008 5:15 PM | Link to this
Thanks, OrlandoFan. Yeah, I’d take a start like that now. Heck, they just gotta go 20-7 in their next 27 games, and there we are!
I thought Dudya was funny last night! And I’m with Wayne & N8—enough with the trash talk of our Commander In Chief. This is a baseball blog; let’s not get all political.
The BEST baseball “stats” sight, IMO is:
baseball-reference.com
ANYTHING you want to know about players or teams is available there. I’m sure there are other sites that are cool, but that’s the one that I use (I fear change - so I’ll continue going there. It’s kind of like ordering the SAME thing every time you eat at a particular resaurant.) N8
I agree. And I order the SAME thing every time I eat at particular restaurant, too.
: )
By knoxbrave
March 31, 2008 5:18 PM | Link to this
Just an FYI for those who use Knology for cable (not a huge company, but still) — they signed their deal with Peachtree TV Friday at 3 p.m., and should have it up and running by Thursday at the latest. Some markets by tonight.
So this is good.
By McFann
March 31, 2008 5:20 PM | Link to this
Sorry if that last post of mine comes up twice. I accidently closed the window just as I sent it, so I sent it again.
I loved the Presidential K-Zone! That was great! I also liked it when Dubya said—about Perez when he gave up Chipper’s homer—“If he’da pitched the pitch I pitched, that wouldn’t’ve happened.” Haha! Classic!
By McFann
March 31, 2008 5:22 PM | Link to this
Oh yeah, AGTfan. The day after the game, I lost my first tooth!
By Wayne in Utah
March 31, 2008 5:32 PM | Link to this
McFann and N8
Yeah, I order the same thing at my fav restaurants too: Whopper w/ Cheese, no onions……..
By Commies
March 31, 2008 5:33 PM | Link to this
A Huge sports fan but all of you anti bush commies at Nationals Park who booed Bush last night are morons. Uneducated and uinformed, it is a pitty. These are the same peeps who will also boo tommy tonight.
FREEDOM ISN’T FREE COMMIES! FINISH THE JOB!
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
March 31, 2008 5:34 PM | Link to this
If you were like me and looking forward to watching tonights game on MLB.com, don’t hold your breath.
It appears that all and I mean ALL the video links to game currently being played as we speak….. Have crashed.
And once again, MLB.com has dropped the ball.
By McFann
March 31, 2008 5:36 PM | Link to this
One last thing regarding Bush:
What? Did y’all expect him to get up there and start tap-dancing again?
8 )
By woogidy
March 31, 2008 5:37 PM | Link to this
Josh H and anyone else with Comcast HD P-tree games will be in HD on channel 802! The channel still says “to be announced” but the two exhibition games against the Indians were in HD on that channel.
Saltywoody, The funny “Bushism” of the night for me was when he referred to his pitch being a strike. Funny… Just like Bush to proclaim one thing when everyone else saw something different. I also thought Morgan and Miller made it feel very uncomfortable to listen to. Also, did you notice when they replayed clips of the waving and first pitch the boos were muted? Oh and Coors? Nah, I’m going Natural Light.
Oh, and the Dodgers are on ESPN and they’re saying that now Andruw has supposedly figured out why he sucked last year. He would have cashed in a few more meal tickets had he figured it out last year…
Anyone know what time Deal or No Deal comes on tonight? I really want to watch it.
By AGTfan
March 31, 2008 5:37 PM | Link to this
McFann Then I was around the same age for my first Ponce de Leon Park game. If I still drank, I’d go cry in my beer.
And for all you guys crying over Ptree TV, I’m stuck in the middle of nowhere. OK Actually it’s the middle of Illinois, which is the same thing. I’m about 14 miles from Atlanta, IL. and I’m not going to see many games this year. Good news is that I’m about half way between Chicago and St Louis. So I can see some games there.
By Beach Dawg
March 31, 2008 5:38 PM | Link to this
So DOB, or anyone, what’s with the new road shirts — trying to copy the DAWGS with the black??
By Epinephrine
March 31, 2008 5:38 PM | Link to this
You heard it first here, denizens, tonight is going to be a hit parade for our boys. Count it.
By doug
March 31, 2008 5:39 PM | Link to this
McFann, did you close the window because it was cold outside?
By AGTfan
March 31, 2008 5:42 PM | Link to this
Are we still commise if we booed him from home?
By Epinephrine
March 31, 2008 5:42 PM | Link to this
Coach,
I am watching the Mets right now. They did crash, but note that its probably not going to be as bad once a lot of these afternoon games finish.
By richbrave
March 31, 2008 5:43 PM | Link to this
LEW:
Yours of 4:14 p.m. I see you (as most of the viewers did) heard the boos drowning out the cheers. I don’t remember any such reception for any President before this. Anybody got a historical anthology about this point. Lew, you’re right. Great question.
By beekay
March 31, 2008 5:43 PM | Link to this
What’s up with the political crap…Robert go on to moveon.org with that crap,they willagree with your weak point. We don’t want it here….baseball and music bro
By beekay
March 31, 2008 5:43 PM | Link to this
What’s up with the political crap…Robert go on to moveon.org with that crap,they will agree with your weak point. We don’t want it here….baseball and music bro
By N8
March 31, 2008 5:46 PM | Link to this
TJ
Agree with your 5:09 very much.
I know the “stats” of him with an 0-1 count. On the surface, it is what it is. I can’t argue.
But part of why he’s so un-productive on 0-1 counts, is that the pitcher has him RIGHT where they want him.
Out of curiosity, go look up what his stats are when he has a 1-0 or a 2-0 count? I’d look it up myself, but I have to go do some actual work for about an hour, before heading home to watch the game. LOL!
L8r.
By McFann
March 31, 2008 5:48 PM | Link to this
Yeah, doug, it’s a little chilly…
I’m sorry, AGTfan. ; )
Wayne—
Yeah, I finally expanded my menu by ordering chicken pot pie at Chick-Fil-a. Hmmm! That thing was delicious!
By Lew
March 31, 2008 5:52 PM | Link to this
RichBrave-Then again, there’s never been another President quite like President W.. I’ll reserve my opinion on whether or not that’s a good thing.
By Epinephrine
March 31, 2008 5:53 PM | Link to this
Santana gives up a home run, and Flash Gordon gives up four runs in the top of the ninth, going 1/3rd of an inning.
You guys are freaking out about one game last night? How would you like to be a Phils fan? Relax. Its a long season.
By AGTfan
March 31, 2008 5:53 PM | Link to this
I’m not political. I boo all presidents. Don’t care what company they run.
By Andy K
March 31, 2008 5:58 PM | Link to this
Retired Braves Catcher Javy Lopez Will Throw Out The First Pitch If you don’t believe me, check the media guide via MLB.com “PressPass”.
By David O'Brien
March 31, 2008 6:00 PM | Link to this
Folks, wish I could help you with the TV questions and complaints. I agree it’s lame that so many are not able to see the home opener. Hey, flood your local cable company or Peachtree TV or whatever with complaints, is all I can suggest….
StingerSplash, Don at EllaGuru had an advance copy of the Van CD, with album art, liner notes and all. It’s more a traditional Van CD, not as much jazzy as a few recent ones. First impression was that it’s good, not great. But certainly worthy for any Van completist.
By phinbarr
March 31, 2008 6:04 PM | Link to this
For those of you in the SC LowCountry, Knology cable is broadcasting PeachTree TV on channel 35. Here’s to watching Tommy’s ovation instead of only hearing it.
By nolie
March 31, 2008 6:05 PM | Link to this
plays for a Jubroni teamTomahawkin
is this supposed to be the same as the Italian slang jabroni =loser? if so,its ja not ju
By George W
March 31, 2008 6:05 PM | Link to this
If you don’t like your current president, wait till this time next year!
By David O'Brien
March 31, 2008 6:07 PM | Link to this
By the way, lineup’s same except for Francoeur and McCann flip spots in fifth/sixth (McCann’s fifth tonight, Francouer fifth last night) and Kotsay and Diaz flip spots in seventh/eighth (Kotsay is seventh tonight, Diaz was last night).
So any still believing Cox had to use a platoon, well, I’ll repeat that if Kelly and Diaz hit, they’re going to play every day, or very close to it. Not any straight platoons to start this season.
Faced a lefty last night, a righty (Snell) tonight….
Oh, and Yars, about Kelly’s knee: he said it’s just a nagging type thing, not belitating, and that it’s unclear what’s causing it (don’t know if he had an MRI at any point last year or not, but I don’t think he did because it was never bad enough to keep him out of the lineup for any stretch).
By Chris
March 31, 2008 6:09 PM | Link to this
Augusta just picked it up on both cable operators. Knology on 73, Comcast on 181(?).
By Rick
March 31, 2008 6:15 PM | Link to this
PTV and Direct TV
I haven’t read through all the post here so if this is a repeat I apologize.
Direct just emailed me and said PTV games are on Ch. 617 and will be in HD later in April as PTV gets HD up to speed.
By Metropolitan Man
March 31, 2008 6:19 PM | Link to this
METS 6, Marlins 2, about to head to the bottom of the 6th.
LETS GO METS!!!
By TheDunderChief
March 31, 2008 6:20 PM | Link to this
If you’re a displaced Braves fan and have directTV, you can get all the local sports channels around the country for only $11 a month. I don’t think they have peachtreeTV, but you can watch from the Pirates’ local station. It’s fun to compare announcers from different city’s. The Indian’s have by far the worst from what I’ve seen during spring training.
By David O'Brien
March 31, 2008 6:28 PM | Link to this
by the way, JAVY LOPEZ is throwing out the ceremonial first pitch tonight.
By Gil in Mechanicsville
March 31, 2008 6:34 PM | Link to this
Don’t look now Metro but the Nats are still ahead of your Mets in the standings…..
By Gil in Mechanicsville
March 31, 2008 6:38 PM | Link to this
And by the way MetMan… Tell Omar thanks for Millage, he is going to be a very good additions for the Curly Ws…
By woogidy
March 31, 2008 6:41 PM | Link to this
This Cubs game is pretty good.
By Zbrave
March 31, 2008 6:43 PM | Link to this
Wow, the Nats are 2 and 0, and Tom Gordon’s ERA is 135.
By brent a.
March 31, 2008 6:43 PM | Link to this
Andruw Jones = Double Play
Kotsay may not hit, but at least he’s batting 7th/8th!
By Andy K
March 31, 2008 6:43 PM | Link to this
Sorry i stole your thunder on the Lopez thing DOB…saw it in the press sheet on mlb.com
By Gamecock Brave
March 31, 2008 6:44 PM | Link to this
DOB how does the new Van Morrison album compare to some of the early stuff?
Nice gesture by the Braves to honor Javy.
By brent a.
March 31, 2008 6:45 PM | Link to this
Wow! Javy Lopez. The real Javy Lopez?
How did they pull that off?
By Metropolitan Man
March 31, 2008 6:45 PM | Link to this
OZ, better known as the Nats will be pesky I see. Hopefully they start off hot and fizzle, if not its still a 3 team race….METS, philthies, and Nats?
Lets go METS!
Top of 8th, still 6-2.
By Pete H.
March 31, 2008 6:45 PM | Link to this
Commies: Finish the job? HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! That’s a good one.
Now I’m serious. What was more wince inducing last night, that opera singer murdering the natl anthem or Smirky the Wonderchimp trying to talk baseball, something he claims to know a lot about?
It’s so close, I can’t decide.
By Metropolitan Man
March 31, 2008 6:53 PM | Link to this
Gil in Mechanicsville:
Curly Ws, help me out. What is that? Curly world series?
Yes, I will miss Millege, Bannister, Gomez, and even S. Green who I might add is still available.
By Braveheart
March 31, 2008 6:54 PM | Link to this
Same ole Andruw. Been watching this Dodgers game. As always, Andruw took two outside pitches and rolled them feebly to short, including one for a double play. Still hasn’t learned to go the other way. Maybe when he’s 31.
Nice to see the blog alive, including all the negative posts. That’s what blogging is all about. The optimiists, the pessimists, the realistic ones, the eccentric ones all come together as one. It’s what makes this blog so great. No one’s just alike but almost all love the Braves. If anyone doubts that Braves fans are not passionate, they simply don’t read this blog.
N8, nice to see you back in midseason form on day friggin’ one! Yeah, man! I’ve been concerned all winter because of how optimist you were. You brought balance back to the blog last night. Thank you. I wouldn’t have believed the season had started until N8 finally went off.
I’m now taking bets on two annual blog events:
When does Coach start swinging his famous wrecking ball all over the place? Coach waited until about mid-June last year.
When does DOB ask N8 if he thinks he’s some sort of bada@@ or something? DOB waited until about mid-June last year to ask him that.
By jbutler
March 31, 2008 6:57 PM | Link to this
I hope this isn’t an omen…just got back from glancing at the Braves website and it listed Glavine as being 0-1. Great. Why even play the game?
Hope the ‘ol crowd tonight gives him the ovation he deserves..decent guy; and he’s getting old. How much can he really hear anyway??
By NRBQ
March 31, 2008 6:58 PM | Link to this
Careful, Pete H.
Next year, he may get his daddy’s friends to help him buy the Braves.
How would that be?
By Mark
March 31, 2008 7:01 PM | Link to this
Thanks for the Mets updates, Metrosexual Man….That’s why we come here, to see your sad, pathetic life as a Mets troll, and see you spend your afternoon posting on a board where you are not wanted…Get a life, loser…
By ElbravoX-- EbX
March 31, 2008 7:01 PM | Link to this
channel 744 on directv in south cali. Play ball, & go Braves!!
By SNIPER-69
March 31, 2008 7:02 PM | Link to this
That Santana guy was pretty good…
By Andy K
March 31, 2008 7:03 PM | Link to this
I’ve had it up to here with MLB.TV…they wont let me accsess the game!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By geauxbraves2000
March 31, 2008 7:04 PM | Link to this
Okay, only one loss, 162-1 is not bad :)
Geaux Braves!!
By woogidy
March 31, 2008 7:05 PM | Link to this
P-tree TV game is on 802 on Comcast, although at the moment, the HD isn’t working. Still just SD.
By Epinephrine
March 31, 2008 7:09 PM | Link to this
mlbtv is freaking out right now
By David O'Brien
March 31, 2008 7:11 PM | Link to this
Resounding ovation for Glavine when he was just introduced. Honestly, I heard no boos.
By Michael
March 31, 2008 7:11 PM | Link to this
I was just watching the Braves game on the Pirates telecast, and the PA announcer said, “Singing the National Anthem, American Idol finalist and Suntrust customer, Diana Degarmo.” I wasn’t aware the naming rights for the person singing the National Anthem could be sold, but there it was.
By mitchie-san
March 31, 2008 7:12 PM | Link to this
I have been waiting all day to watch the game. Mlb.tv is making me mad. Black out due to regional coverage? How big is the darn covreage? I am on the Gulf Coast in Mississippi! DI they jumo lump all of the south together?
By mitchie-san
March 31, 2008 7:12 PM | Link to this
I have been waiting all day to watch the game. Mlb.tv is making me mad. Black out due to regional coverage? How big is the darn covreage? I am on the Gulf Coast in Mississippi! Do they just lump all of the south together?
By David O'Brien
March 31, 2008 7:14 PM | Link to this
Nice touch: Smoltz caught the first pitch from Javy, who, as you might expect, got a lot of love from the paid crowd.
By brian
March 31, 2008 7:14 PM | Link to this
no peachtree TV on digital cable here in north carolina. Great
By uga-brave
March 31, 2008 7:16 PM | Link to this
n8,
i actually enjoyed your posts last night.
the game was a identical to so many we lost last year.
pitch well dont hit, hit well dont pitch.
the division will be won or lost on how well we handle the fish and the nats.
well time to put that one behind us and try to jump the pirates.
By mitchie-san
March 31, 2008 7:17 PM | Link to this
We dont get stupid Peachtree tv here, why in the (blank) cant I get the game???????????
By Sir Stealth
March 31, 2008 7:17 PM | Link to this
Somehow in Virginia 617 on DirecTV has the game right now. By no means do I expect this to last but I like it.
By Braveheart
March 31, 2008 7:18 PM | Link to this
That Santana guy was pretty good…
Thanks, Sniper, for the Tom Paciorek like saying.
By ObiWanKobe
March 31, 2008 7:19 PM | Link to this
DirecTV here in California & you can choose either the Peachtree feed (no commercials, the just show the field) or the Pirates feed which is Fox Sports Pittsburg. Would be surprised to see Bobby get rung-up by Joe West!
By Jennifer
March 31, 2008 7:23 PM | Link to this
I’m watching the Braves on Peachtree tv and I live in Donalsonville Ga. Did I forget to say I’m watching it on direct tv. I have the MLB package.. GO ME!
By brewdawg
March 31, 2008 7:24 PM | Link to this
Wow, I’m shocked. The game is picked up here in Augusta on DirectTV channel 617… with no commercials. Just shows the warmups, etc. between inning from an overhead shot. Neat.
By Billy (TBFnB)
March 31, 2008 7:25 PM | Link to this
espn got a pretty good online deal to monitor the game…
By McFann
March 31, 2008 7:25 PM | Link to this
OH YEAH!!! Great pick-off play by McCann. Never been caught by a catcher, eh, McLouth? FIRST TIME FOR EVERYTHING!!!
By PrincetonBrave
March 31, 2008 7:25 PM | Link to this
Anyone else getting the Pittsburg FSN broadcast on MLB.TV? Last year you got the home station if it was a home game….
By chuckaluck
March 31, 2008 7:27 PM | Link to this
Any idea what Glavine and West were joking about at the end of the half inning?
By TrboDawg
March 31, 2008 7:28 PM | Link to this
On the West Coast, MLB.tv had the top of the 1st inning with the pirates announcers, now in the bottom we’ve got Joe & Chip… Is this gonna go on all game?
TrboDawg
By Michael
March 31, 2008 7:31 PM | Link to this
Direct TV has both feeds this year.
By keylargo
March 31, 2008 7:35 PM | Link to this
How’s this for bad choices? I leave the Florida Keys, where I have the Directv Baseball Package, for two days of 40ish temps and rain at Lake Burton - and no Braves baseball on TV. Hello MLB gameday.
By Gamecock Brave
March 31, 2008 7:36 PM | Link to this
For anyone who wants to listen to the game on the internet, i found a radio station in SC that is boradcasting it on the internet. that way you dont have to pay mlb…Skip Carry and Pete Van Weren just click the listen live link at the top… hope this helps some of you all.
By Andy K
March 31, 2008 7:42 PM | Link to this
I live in Rochester, NY, and it says I’m blacked out! What the (Expletive)!
By David O'Brien
March 31, 2008 7:43 PM | Link to this
Glav threw a NICE changepiece there to get Bautista with runners on the corners and one out.
But he’s only thrown two first-pitch strikes tonight, and Ol’ Rochy and Doumit made solid contact.
By Overlord
March 31, 2008 7:46 PM | Link to this
When exactly is KJ going to become a good glove at 2B? He is not even average…… his glove sux.
By Billy (TBFnB)
March 31, 2008 7:46 PM | Link to this
gamecock your man
By David O'Brien
March 31, 2008 7:47 PM | Link to this
Costly error Kelly on Jack Wilson’s two-out routine grounder. Jst didn’t get it deep in his glove and it came out before he could get it to his throwing hand. Directly costs an unearned run.
By woogidy
March 31, 2008 7:48 PM | Link to this
KELLY JOHNSON…. GO TO YOUR ROOM!!! (the one with the drapes)
By Pete H.
March 31, 2008 7:50 PM | Link to this
The relentless smearing of Kelly Johnson must start now. Ahem, I’ll begin:
“How can we expect to win a division with the defensive weakness at second base?”
Note: This is humor. This is not a serious comment. I bet the first error Yunel makes, though, there will be some very serious comments identical to this one.
By N8
March 31, 2008 7:50 PM | Link to this
Peanut-butter Sandwich!!
By Efrim
March 31, 2008 7:50 PM | Link to this
Kelly doesn’t look healthy. Looked stiff on that botched grounder.
Oh well. Lets get some runs.
By j-school dropout
March 31, 2008 7:51 PM | Link to this
Here’s how F-ed up this TV thing is in Charlotte. I finally surrendered and ordered MLB Extra Innings. If you do so, you discover that MLB Extra Innings blacks out Braves games in the Southeast because of some BS crap. Who do I kill?
By uga-brave
March 31, 2008 7:52 PM | Link to this
your pitcher throws 20 something pitches in the second inning and b’macc comes up and swings at the fist pitch and frenchy strikes out on three pitches.
By TJ
March 31, 2008 7:52 PM | Link to this
N8, I’ll pass on the research for now… but interesting in the 2nd inning (don’t know if you’ve got the broadcast):
Jeff stood with the bat on his shoulder and took strike one, and you could hear Bobby yell, “thatta boy Jeff… now you’re ready.” So who knows, maybe the order is in.
Of course, Jeff proceeded to K on three pitches…
By brewdawg
March 31, 2008 7:52 PM | Link to this
Santana threw great today, but threw 100 pitches. Seems like an awful lot for the first game of the year, especially considering the Mets had it pretty much wrapped up by the 5th inning.
By Pete H.
March 31, 2008 7:54 PM | Link to this
NRBQ
Careful, Pete H.
Next year, he may get his daddy’s friends to help him buy the Braves.
How would that be?
Aghhhhh, I may never get to sleep again. I can just imagine Chipper being traded because he is insufficiently enthusiastic about tax cuts and deficit spending and the war
By ncgary
March 31, 2008 7:56 PM | Link to this
has sex been like eating at kfc for anyone else other than me lately??
i nibble on the breasts and thighs and then you still have a greasy box to put the bone in
By TampaBrave
March 31, 2008 7:56 PM | Link to this
Welcome to 2008. As I argued vociferously last year, KJ is barely a serviceable 2B, strikes out too much and does not have the speed the Braves desperately need to keep opposing pitchers honest when he is on base. Get use to the easy errors and the lack of range up the middle. I fear this year will be the year we revert back to the 70’s.
By Train Wreck Bystander
March 31, 2008 7:56 PM | Link to this
People - stop suggesting MLBEI as an alternative for Peachtree games. If you can get Braves games on MLBEI, you are outside the territory. If you are inside the territory, you are blacked out of Braves games on MLBEI.
And yet another night passes that Dish Network doesn’t have these games…
By Roman Gal
March 31, 2008 7:58 PM | Link to this
Mark Teixeira sure does know how to shake his booty. He does it enough…
By Overlord
March 31, 2008 8:00 PM | Link to this
TG is pitching very very good, i wonder how do mets fans feel about it……..
By Choppinmama
March 31, 2008 8:00 PM | Link to this
Sitting at home, not attending opening day for the first time in 11 years, I’m fighting depression while enjoying the broadcast on DirectTV. Kinda weird between innings though, with no commercials, just a static shot from the high home plate camera, or one showing the Chop House. (For those of you not able to see the game tonight, I really know I’m blessed to be watching, so no nasty thoughts directed my way!)
Tom, you’re terrific already, so we need to keep the defense strong behind you (gotta have those, Kelly), and let’s start hitting the ball where they ain’t.
Has anyone heard what is wrong with Skip? I read that he will be missing from radio for a few weeks, in addition to missing spring training for the first time - in forever. I’m sure it’s his health, anyone have specifics?
By keylargo
March 31, 2008 8:01 PM | Link to this
Thanks for the link to the game, Gamecock Brave.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
March 31, 2008 8:01 PM | Link to this
Well, mlb tv is up and running. But, what was advertised and seen in the preseason is not what I’m seeing at the moment.
The picture size is not full screen, it’s more three quarters.
Where as all the preseason games I watched were full screen.
Mlb.com is going to get an ear full from this paying customer.
By PrincetonBrave
March 31, 2008 8:02 PM | Link to this
How good is Gotay’s glove as 2B?
Just wondering…No reason in particular…
By cherokee
March 31, 2008 8:02 PM | Link to this
I’m getting pretty tired of Kelly at second already this year. Where’s Lemke when you need him?
By yunel is the man
March 31, 2008 8:02 PM | Link to this
Alright but in prado, KJ is making me sick.
By Jeremy in Milledgeville
March 31, 2008 8:03 PM | Link to this
In case anyone in the Macon market of DirecTV is trying to find the game on channel 617 - it is blacked out to us. I spent just about 1 hour on the phone with directv and they could not tell me why we are blacked out or change it, and I went as far up the chain of phone supervisors I could go. We also have a free preview of the MLB extra innings and it’s blacked out on it too. The only way to see it at all is to tune to channel 720 and watch it on the mix channel in a tiny box. I hope this gets worked out before the next ptree tv game. The Macon market should not be blacked out!
By David O'Brien
March 31, 2008 8:03 PM | Link to this
Kelly slipped sort of clumsily trying to make that play on the back edge of the infield between first and second. A good play would’ve gotten an out. Kelly looked like he might have tweaked the knee again, too.
Now there’s runners on first and second and two outs. …
Glavine strikes out Nady looking at a changeup.
By SNIPER-69
March 31, 2008 8:05 PM | Link to this
Get the bullpen ready. Pitch count at about 70 for Glavine in the bottom of the 3rd.
By David O'Brien
March 31, 2008 8:07 PM | Link to this
Braves have signed Scott Spiezeio to a minor league contract….
By weston
March 31, 2008 8:07 PM | Link to this
where can i go to get the game on the radio?
By Tomahawkin' Again (Like it's 1995)
March 31, 2008 8:11 PM | Link to this
Yunel…Yu da Man!
By Choppinmama
March 31, 2008 8:12 PM | Link to this
ncgary: oooh, aren’t you the clever one? Now go back to your basement and play with yourself, ‘cause you can’t play with anybody but dead chickens at kfc. Pretty pitiful confessing something so personal on a baseball blog.
By David O'Brien
March 31, 2008 8:14 PM | Link to this
Escobar’s gonna be a star, folks. And soon. Two-run triple, and he just laced that ball to the R-C gap. Got some thunder in that bat….
oh, and repeating that THIS JUST IN:
Scott Spiezio signed a minor league contract with Braves, will begin season with Richmond, which opens its season on Thursday.
Google him and you’ll see the ugly arrest from the offseason, a six-count warrant issued for his arrrest. Cardinals released him after they found out….
By Overlord
March 31, 2008 8:15 PM | Link to this
Yunel= Monster
By Pete H.
March 31, 2008 8:15 PM | Link to this
Did Yunie hit a bomb? I am limited to ESPN line score, and they it just says we scored three.
By Kevin
March 31, 2008 8:15 PM | Link to this
Everyone needs to ease up on Kelly. I think it is one of those things where you try to hard and end up pressing. The error was inexcusable but the other play would have been a tough one. Probably should have made it but it would have been tough. I guarantee he is trying as hard as he can and it is just leading to some mistakes. He’ll be fine.
By Andy K
March 31, 2008 8:16 PM | Link to this
DOB Why is Kelly out so soon…is the knee okay? Plus, can we expect to see Spezio soon?
By dan
March 31, 2008 8:17 PM | Link to this
Comcast is showing MLB Extra Innings for free through 06 April, at least they are in Seattle area. I just got home and turned to the game on Comcast channel 461. Took awhile to find it. I imagine there’s a similar deal in other parts of the country. Sorry if this has already been covered in the blog, just wanted to make sure people know they can see the game for free.
By 30YrBravesFan
March 31, 2008 8:18 PM | Link to this
DOB
Forgive my trivial question on opening day but what are the guys wearing around their necks? Rubber tubing??
Okay, now that that’s done, Tommy is looking good, Kelly is not, but you are right this game feels like opening day. We thought we were gonna miss the game til we discovered P TV on our additional sports package from Direct TV, Channel 617. So we missed the first half inning.
GO BRAVES!!!
By SNIPER-69
March 31, 2008 8:19 PM | Link to this
Will Spiezeio play at AAA or AA? I think he’ll be more comfortable at AA since he has some familiarity with those letters.
By GermanBravesFan
March 31, 2008 8:19 PM | Link to this
Scott Spiezio… wow - that’s interesting. I read a long article on him in the LA paper a couple of weeks ago. I sure hope this works for the Braves!
By Yars
March 31, 2008 8:19 PM | Link to this
Strange night for KJ to say the least. An error, a bobbled play, a fly out, a hit, & a run scored. Now, he’s out of the game. Should I start looking for a new 2B for my fantasy team now?
By uga-brave
March 31, 2008 8:20 PM | Link to this
braves sure are not doing glavine any favors defensively. francoeur has gotta catch that ball.
By TampaBrave
March 31, 2008 8:20 PM | Link to this
Pete H.
KJ is not even in the same class as Escobar. Escobar plays the more difficult position, has great range, great hands, a great arm, and will produce outs that would normally be hits. For KJ, it is the opposite. He has poor range, terrible hands, and an average arm and will produce baserunners when there should be none. Will Escobar make errors? Sure, but make no mistake, he is heads and shoulders above KJ.
By Deep Throat
March 31, 2008 8:21 PM | Link to this
This is why I wanted the Braves to trade Prado this offseason. Bobby is just to tempted to play him.
By keylargo
March 31, 2008 8:22 PM | Link to this
See the post by Gamecock Brave at 7:36 for the game link
By TennesseePaul
March 31, 2008 8:23 PM | Link to this
Wow. 80 pitches in 3.1 innings. Impressive.
By rlpmetro
March 31, 2008 8:23 PM | Link to this
TheDunderChief
DirecTV customers will not be getting the games by just buying the $12 sports pacakge after this week. DirecTV always has a free preview of the MLB Extra Innings package for the first week of the season. After that,ll you are going to get is the pregame and post game shows! you have to buy the package to get the none-tbs-espn-fox-locally televised games.
By David O'Brien
March 31, 2008 8:24 PM | Link to this
PERFECT THROW by Kotsay, in the air to home to cut down the runner for the third out.
Folks, hate to say it, but Andruw bounces that throw off the mound 7 times out of 10.
By Billy (TBFnB)
March 31, 2008 8:24 PM | Link to this
Way to got Kotsay
By b-haven braves fan
March 31, 2008 8:24 PM | Link to this
The ball over Francoeur’s head - it was ripped…he looked a little slow on the play IMO, though. Any chance the added weight gain in the offseason cost Frenchy some speed?
In the same regard, anyone notice any loss of speed due to Escobar’s big off season weight gain?
By uga-brave
March 31, 2008 8:25 PM | Link to this
great throw by kotsay. francoeur only cost us one run.
By McFann
March 31, 2008 8:25 PM | Link to this
NICE PLAY AT THE PLATE!!! YEAH, BOY!!!!!
By your daddy
March 31, 2008 8:25 PM | Link to this
andruw who?
By Choppinmama
March 31, 2008 8:25 PM | Link to this
Andruw who??????? Kotsay is ok.
By Gamecock Brave
March 31, 2008 8:25 PM | Link to this
No problem guys, i understand the plight of the out of market fan. haha. Just tryin to help you guys out… Way to go Kotsay gunnin ‘em out at home.
By Yars
March 31, 2008 8:25 PM | Link to this
sniper……that was cold.
By N8
March 31, 2008 8:26 PM | Link to this
uga-brave
“your pitcher throws 20 something pitches in the second inning and b’macc comes up and swings at the fist pitch and frenchy strikes out on three pitches.”
Dude…..Mellow out. It’s ONLY the 2nd game of the year.
Similar to my blogging, the Hack-n-Jack is in mid-season form.
But on a serious note, DOB is dead WRONG about Yunel being a star. I mean, seriously. Didn’t he see the report this year, that Escobar is a utility guy at best? Come on dude. Get with the now. :-)
But seriously. The kid is gonna have people changing their terminology of the “Big 3” short-stops in the NL to the “Big 4”…..REAL soon.
Amazing what can happen when you take the ball the other way, eh Jeff?
OH….btw….That Kotsay guy just made me forget about Andruw Jones…with that throw. Because I’m convinced that if he plays 140 games, that he’ll knock in around 80 runs in this lineup, and as I’ve stated earlier, I could give a rats azz about HR totals.
That throw was ON THE MONEY. Just like DOB said that Bobby says ALL of his throws are. Well done Mark.
By Pete H.
March 31, 2008 8:26 PM | Link to this
Spezio? Cool. They better hire him a driver, though. Nice guy to have stashed at AAA, though.
By David O'Brien
March 31, 2008 8:27 PM | Link to this
McCANN goes deep to right-center, about the same place he hit it yesterday, only 20 feet deeper. Braves up 4-2.
Dude hit balls there in BP at spring training for the last week of camp, and taking it into season.
By TJ
March 31, 2008 8:28 PM | Link to this
Was that Al Roker doing the ‘fun with the fans’ gig on P’tree TV? Sure looked like him.
By Saltywoody
March 31, 2008 8:28 PM | Link to this
Is Spiezio gonna die his soul patch blue to match the Braves’ new unis?
Wonder if he even needed to take a breathalyzer when he got busted. Cops probably just took a sniff of that stupid soulpatch and booked him.
Bobby better make him shave that nonsense if he’s ever called up.
By Billy (TBFnB)
March 31, 2008 8:28 PM | Link to this
Way to Bmac
By Lee in S. GA
March 31, 2008 8:30 PM | Link to this
Pete and Skip said on he radio the Braves signed Scott Speizo (spelling) to a minor league contract earlier.
By TrboDawg
March 31, 2008 8:31 PM | Link to this
Amazing - I googled Scot Spiezio and here’s part of the listing from wikipedia “Release On February 27, 2008, Spiezio was released from his contract with the Cardinals after an arrest warrant was issued against him in Irvine, California. The warrant was issued on six charges relating to a car crash in December.[7]
On March 31, 2008, Spiezio signed a minor league deal with the Atlanta Braves.”
By David O'Brien
March 31, 2008 8:32 PM | Link to this
By the way, Escobar told Terry P. during BP that he was going to get four hits tonight.
By Stuart
March 31, 2008 8:32 PM | Link to this
*PERFECT THROW by Kotsay, in the air to home to cut down the runner for the third out.
Folks, hate to say it, but Andruw bounces that throw off the mound 7 times out of 10.*
Truer words have not been written in the comments section on this blog in a long time DOB.
By BravesFanChris23
March 31, 2008 8:34 PM | Link to this
I am able to see tonights game after all. I flipped through MLB Extra Innings Package and they are airing the Peach Tree TV Broadcast.
By N8
March 31, 2008 8:35 PM | Link to this
TJ
Here is the research. We’ll BOTH be pleased by the findings, I think.
1st Pitch: 110 for 310 (.355)
1-0 Count: 52 for 142 (.366)
2-0 Count: 19 for 53 (.358)
In Case you are wondering, he’s only had 1 (Yeah….THAT’S RIGHT…ONE!) 3-0 count that wasn’t on an intentional walk. In that one AB he was 0 for 1. LOL! Unreal.
So maybe I’ll back off him a bit. Just so long as he’s selective of when he hacks on the first pitch.
On a side note…
Scott Spiezeio, huh? (If he spelled it Spiezeieio you could sing Old McDonald to it (ei-ei-ooooo). Anyhow. Why not see if Michael Vick wants to play CF when his prison sentence ends? Or maybe Pacman Jones wants to try his hand at baseball?
I really don’t have a problem with Wren taking a chance on him. What do we have to lose? Much more to gain in bench depth, IMO. I’m sure if he “messes up” again, it’ll take one phone call and about two seconds to release his arse.
Nice gamble Frank.
By David O'Brien
March 31, 2008 8:36 PM | Link to this
Glavine’s already thrown 84 pitches. He’s hitting now with Kotsay at third and two out in the fourth.
By rlpmetro
March 31, 2008 8:36 PM | Link to this
Andruw who? I am liking Kotsay already!
By Overlord
March 31, 2008 8:37 PM | Link to this
How is Spezio a good acquisition for the braves? Not sarcasm……just not sure why we need him. I heard he had a problem in the offseason or something, they said he was thankful for a second chance to return to baseball……..giving the braves thanks for a the chance they are giving. What is that about?
By N8
March 31, 2008 8:37 PM | Link to this
TJ
“Was that Al Roker doing the ‘fun with the fans’ gig on P’tree TV? Sure looked like him.”
LOL! I was going to put that in my last post, and forgot to. Too funny. Looked EXACTLY like him. I was waiting for the following line:
“And here’s what’s going on in YOUR neck of the woods…….”
By bfan54
March 31, 2008 8:39 PM | Link to this
Folks,
As I listen to “Desolation Row”….
I’ll get back to you after about the 40th game. It’s a long season. While I am not the eternal optimist, and while I do like this lineup, gees, gotta admit that I am nostalgic for some of those great 90’s and early 2000’s lineups. Early in this blog our starting ‘97 line up was posted, add the full starting/relief troops - wow! Were not in those days now!
Wish Andruw well (not really, I want vindication for our fiscal responsibility!). Miss Esco, but the move was smart. Esco’s going to be iconic for this team. Like the pitching staff, ancient though it be, and our short, long and closing relief will hold up well. It’s hitting I am worried about (knowing full well that pitching - as always- is the name of the game. I have concerns that McCann and Francouer won’t have a career year. I am confident for Chipper and Tex, but you can’t count on 30/40 hr’s, respectively. (Just how far did Javy’s 43 get us?). Bench is somewhere around average, but could surprise, here and there.
Diaz is a hitting machine.
Answer is to be found in intangbles - the sub-text of this post. A couple of surprises here and there (e.g., Prado, and, yes, Jurrgens would be a surprise), a strong performance from Hampton, and were going deep.
This is good club going in!
By TennesseePaul
March 31, 2008 8:39 PM | Link to this
This’ll be the last inning for Glavine I’d imagine. 84 pitches through 4 innings. I guess he could go longer if he manages to get 3 out on 3 pitches.
By bfan54
March 31, 2008 8:39 PM | Link to this
Folks,
As I listen to “Desolation Row”….
I’ll get back to you after about the 40th game. It’s a long season. While I am not the eternal optimist, and while I do like this lineup, gees, gotta admit that I am nostalgic for some of those great 90’s and early 2000’s lineups. Early in this blog our starting ‘97 line up was posted, add the full starting/relief troops - wow! Were not in those days now!
Wish Andruw well (not really, I want vindication for our fiscal responsibility!). Miss Esco, but the move was smart. Esco’s going to be iconic for this team. Like the pitching staff, ancient though it be, and our short, long and closing relief will hold up well. It’s hitting I am worried about (knowing full well that pitching - as always- is the name of the game. I have concerns that McCann and Francouer won’t have a career year. I am confident for Chipper and Tex, but you can’t count on 30/40 hr’s, respectively. (Just how far did Javy’s 43 get us?). Bench is somewhere around average, but could surprise, here and there.
Diaz is a hitting machine.
Answer is to be found in intangbles - the sub-text of this post. A couple of surprises here and there (e.g., Prado, and, yes, Jurrgens would be a surprise), a strong performance from Hampton, and were going deep.
This is good club going in!
By Efrim
March 31, 2008 8:40 PM | Link to this
Gotta be a little worried about Kelly, right? I mean if his knee has been an issue since SP of 2007, and BC decided to take him out of a regular season game, there has to be some serious concern at this point.
By David O'Brien
March 31, 2008 8:40 PM | Link to this
Pete H and Saltywoody: Agree with both of you on the assessment of Spiezio and his soul patch.
He’s been in rehab since the arrest. We’ll see. I know what he did for that Cardinals championship team. He’s 35 now, though.
But signing him to a minor league contract is not much, if any, risk, other than the tarnish it might give your organization in the eyes of some, I’m sure.
He came in and met with Bobby and Frank Wren today. If any manager can inspire him to get his act together, I’d guess it’d be Cox.
By keylargo
March 31, 2008 8:41 PM | Link to this
Gamecock Brave
Enjoy the goodwill now. It will end in a few months. :-)
By TennesseePaul
March 31, 2008 8:41 PM | Link to this
So, how was the reception for Glav tonight? Jeers or Cheers?
By Glass Half Full (GHF)
March 31, 2008 8:42 PM | Link to this
Spiezio is supposed to be arraigned next week on 6 counts including DIU, aggravated assault and battery, and hit and run. Will the terms of his forthcoming probation allow him to travel?
By McFann
March 31, 2008 8:42 PM | Link to this
Wouldn’t ya know it? First homer of the season, and our TV’s on FOX!
Dude, he CRUSHED that thing!! I saw the replay! Who was that he pointed to in the stands, anybody know?? My guess would be his wife…or some family member…
Gotta find out the count—I’m keepin’ score here at home…
Darn the Braves new website! They used to have free downloads of good plays and such, but now I can’t find them. ARG!!!
By Stuart
March 31, 2008 8:42 PM | Link to this
www.bravesoncomcast.com
It also works for Charter customers in AL, MS, GA, TN, and I think SC.
I shows what channels the games are on and if the feed is SD or HD.
By 30YrBravesFan
March 31, 2008 8:42 PM | Link to this
Wow, nice play at the plate. Tell Andruws brew crew we don’t need the sign anymore…
By N8
March 31, 2008 8:42 PM | Link to this
“By the way, Escobar told Terry P. during BP that he was going to get four hits tonight.”
That’s cool. If it comes true, we can call him Mr. Cleo.
How many innings did Glavine tell McDowell he was gonna pitch? Just curious. :-)
By Pete H.
March 31, 2008 8:45 PM | Link to this
Olbermann just said that the Braves offered Bush a team jersey if he would wear it when he threw out the first ball. He said, I don’t want to give them any excuses (to boo me.) So then he pitched to Acta instead of LoDuca (because LoDuca was involved in steroids) never suspecting Manny is a leftie who despises Bush.
I love Olbermann.
By David O'Brien
March 31, 2008 8:45 PM | Link to this
Regarding the Spiezio arraignment, I think he’s already reached a plea agreement. Wren said no arraignment is now scheduled and that he won’t be doing jail time.
By David O'Brien
March 31, 2008 8:50 PM | Link to this
Damn, Prado just about got that ball out. Got it to the CF warning track.
By TJ
March 31, 2008 8:51 PM | Link to this
N8, funny you post that now; I’ve been playing around with it too. Here’s my “spin” on it.
In a total of 1656 Plate Appearances:
322 PA: Frenchy put the first pitch in play: .355/.370/.648 (1.018 OPS), and 24 HR.
610 PA: Took a Ball on first pitch (yea!): .295/.367/.482 (.849 OPS), and 19 HR.
724 PA: Took (or swung at) Strike One: .235/.256/.367 (.623 OPS), and 19 HR.
I’ll hold off on the long-winded analysis (til I can make some up).
It really has looked to me like he’s taking first pitches tonight… whether he’s under orders or not, who knows?
It’d be nice just to see him hit the ball hard a couple of times.
By Billy (TBFnB)
March 31, 2008 8:52 PM | Link to this
3-3 lol….thats in sane
By N8
March 31, 2008 8:53 PM | Link to this
Peachtree TV. That’s just lame.
What’s next? Waveland TV in Chicago?
Yunel’s Cartel??
That completes it. I wasn’t sure I’d find something more LAME than “Peachtree TV” and low and behold, Al Roker has the cameras zoom in on Yunel’s Cartel.
Brilliant. If you’re six years old.
What’s next? Kelly’s Belly?
Gotay’s Gotees?
My personal favorite (of course it would have to be “censored” for TV…..Bobby’s Cocks (referring to the rooster costumes they would be wearing of course!…..Get your minds out of the gutter for cryin’ out loud!)
(Martin Prado = Warning Track Power)
Yunel get’s his 3rd hit. I’m sure his cartel is happy.
By Saltywoody
March 31, 2008 8:53 PM | Link to this
In all seriousness, I’m not a Spiezio fan, but the signing can’t hurt the Braves.
Spiezio played a fairly big part in the Cards’ World Series run coming off the bench. Not sure if he’s a bad apple or just had one bad misshap…but certainly don’t think the Braves would have signed him if he’s that much of a liability. Plus, he played for LaRussa for a few years and I highly doubt LaRussa would have put up with any nonsense.
Glad we have him if, God forbid, something should happen to Chip.
By Gamecock Brave
March 31, 2008 8:56 PM | Link to this
Yuni is well on his way… 3 for 3 tonight.
By Tomahawkin' Again (like it's 1995)
March 31, 2008 8:56 PM | Link to this
Yunel now 3 for 3; not to be a kill-joy here with the Glavine lovefest this evening, but his 1st start was nothing more than Chuck James-esque. Need something better than 52 strikes/45 balls from your #3 guy (I’m sorry for being Debbie downer; never was the biggest Tommy fan in the glory years; Smoltzie and Mad dog were my guys)
By N8
March 31, 2008 8:58 PM | Link to this
What a double play.
Most beautiful thing I’ve seen in 6 months.
Baseball is officially “back”.
Web Gem indeed (for those who are cooler than the other side of the pillow and watch ESPN).
By David O'Brien
March 31, 2008 9:00 PM | Link to this
Glavine threw 97 pitches in five innings. But he somehow made it work, didn’t he? Only five first-pitch strikes. Not something I’d recommend to the kiddies.
By Overlord
March 31, 2008 9:00 PM | Link to this
For those of you that are not watching the game……. Yunel had a single, then chipper worked the count and hit a line over 3B kind of robbed of a doble by the 3B. Runners on 1st and 2nd, as chipper got a single. TEX comes to the plate and hit a rocket shot to the SS (wilson), only to see him make a superb play, i mean, a great great play and turned a 5-4-3 DP. Great play by the bucs.
But……….we are still winning and Tommy pitched excellent as he is out of the game because of high pitch count…. (little less than 90 i think).
By Chuck T
March 31, 2008 9:01 PM | Link to this
Pete H I caught the Olbermann bit, too. Thought it was hilarious. He’s my favorite TV newsman by far.
Anyone Following the game online, so wondering if anything happened to KJ? Just noticed that he left in the 5th inning or so.
By beachcomber
March 31, 2008 9:07 PM | Link to this
Okay, it’s time for all the bloggers from last year who said something to the effect that Yunel would make a decent utility player to fess up.
This kid is the real thing.
And as for Peachtree TV, I’m just glad to have damned baseball on my TV after a year of no Extra Innings -they won’t let you take it with you if you move - I’ll take anything short of Miller and Morgan.
By TJ
March 31, 2008 9:10 PM | Link to this
Tomahawkin, I don’t disagree about Glavine. It wasn’t real impressive, and I fear we’ll see a lot of starts like that. Hopefully a little better control (I do think the ump was squeezing him big time), so he can get through 6+.
One thing about Tommy, though, is his mental toughness. Leadoff hitters on, runners in scoring position, errors behind him, he keeps grinding and as they always say about him, “doesn’t give in”.
I don’t think he’ll be great, but he’ll do a decent job for us. Maybe more like a #4 than a #3, but maybe Hampton or Jurrjens will be more like a #3, too.
By Efrim
March 31, 2008 9:11 PM | Link to this
That Texiera hard hit ball to Wilson reminded me of last year…..
this game could of been over then.
Now its 4-3.
By Billy (TBFnB)
March 31, 2008 9:12 PM | Link to this
damn Skip gets my hopes up for flyballs
By Cherokee
March 31, 2008 9:16 PM | Link to this
Man, Jeff has just terrible pitch recognition. You could throw him pitches that break down all night long and make him look bad. My my.
By AMG
March 31, 2008 9:18 PM | Link to this
I think I’m going to enjoy watching Kotsay play this season. Not sure what was up with Glavine this evening. Not his best stuff but he did in typical Glavine fashion “grind it out for five”. He has to have those calls on the corners, was not getting them tonight.
By Mets Stink
March 31, 2008 9:18 PM | Link to this
What’s up with KJ?
By Choppinmama
March 31, 2008 9:21 PM | Link to this
Just read Carroll’s article on Skip. Poor guy, he almost went to the Big Stadium In The Sky this past winter. Close call for sure. Enjoy him while you can, Braves radio fans, ‘cause he won’t be calling them for too many years more. Wouldn’t it be great for him to call one more winning World Series?
By N8
March 31, 2008 9:22 PM | Link to this
“Plus, he played for LaRussa for a few years and I highly doubt LaRussa would have put up with any nonsense.”
The irony in that statement, is that LaRussa is the ultimate manager when it comes to nonsense. Such a likable character, he is.
Besides, isn’t there a video of his DUI test floating around on Youtube too?
I’m gonna go on the record RIGHT NOW, and steal a line from Skip Caray.
Will Ohman would make coffee nervous. Well, at the very least, watching him pitch makes me nervous.
Classic Bobby. Brings in the lefty to face the left, and the lefty can’t get the lefty out.
In the words of Paul Simon….this lead is “slip sliding away”.
By ContactBuzz
March 31, 2008 9:23 PM | Link to this
Anyone with DirecTV - where can I find the game in HD?
By ContactBuzz
March 31, 2008 9:24 PM | Link to this
Anyone with DirecTV - where can I find the game in HD?
By Metropolitan Man
March 31, 2008 9:25 PM | Link to this
Man the Ted, is empty, everybody must be at home blogging. This IS opening night isnt it? Where is the support of the team especially on opening day. Uh Oh, here comes the hero Moylan.
By uga-brave
March 31, 2008 9:29 PM | Link to this
said it all winter the defense is going to be an issue.
By Choppinmama
March 31, 2008 9:30 PM | Link to this
Tied on an error by Yunel - no W for Tom. Aaaarrrgghh.
By Pete H.
March 31, 2008 9:30 PM | Link to this
A fellow Braves fan here in Chicago just called to say he found some software called SOPCAST that you can download and get all the Peachtree games for free. He said it looks great and sounds great.
The catch is it doesn’t work with Firefox, or doesn’t work well. We’re going to try to get it on my machine this week, but I refuse to use IE.
BTW, DOB hinted that KJ tweaked his knee making a play earlier in the game.
By Moby Grape
March 31, 2008 9:30 PM | Link to this
Man the infield defense is just crappy. WTF? Just cost Tommy his win, could cost us an 0-2 start. This is old already.
By Efrim
March 31, 2008 9:30 PM | Link to this
Well……
Sloppy play the first 16 innings of the young season.
By ernesto
March 31, 2008 9:30 PM | Link to this
not sure I understand that last bit from Simpson…”and another unearned run for the Pirates, that run will be charged to Ohman…”
What I do understand is…ouch, that hurt.
By N8
March 31, 2008 9:31 PM | Link to this
I know that throw was in the dirt a bit, but Tex has to help his SS out a bit, dontcha’ think?
Since so many want to say which balls “Andruw would have got to” with Kotsay in CF, I’ll go on record and say that LaRoche catches that throw from Escobar.
Of course, I’ll take Tex’s bat over Adam’s ANY day of the week.
But our defense (other than Escobar’s play last night and Kotsay’s throw tonight), has been sketchy at best.
Two unearned runs that DIRECTLY scored on plays that would have been the 3rd out of innings tonight.
Anybody wanna tell me that I’m being too nit-picky tonight?
Didn’t think so.
By David O'Brien
March 31, 2008 9:32 PM | Link to this
Kelly left in fourth inning with, not surprising, a right-knee strain. Yes, same knee that’s been bothering him.
By BravesFanInRockies
March 31, 2008 9:33 PM | Link to this
uga,
The defense ain’t an issue. Yunel’s head might be. Kid’s just got to pay attention. He’ll be fine if he stops making bonehead plays on routine balls like that one.
By TJ
March 31, 2008 9:34 PM | Link to this
Classic Bobby. Brings in the lefty to face the left, and the lefty can’t get the lefty out.
How is that Bobby’s fault? Seems to me he made the right call; the player didn’t do his job.
I also thought Bobby was pretty smart to call in the ‘setup guy’ Moylan in the 7th. He did everything possible to put out the fire, but it’s tough to pitch around errors when there are RISP.
By N8
March 31, 2008 9:36 PM | Link to this
Let me guess, in my BEST negative way.
Tyler Yates will strike out the side.
:-)
By Billy (TBFnB)
March 31, 2008 9:37 PM | Link to this
If I’m not mistaken all runs so far this year with the exception of zimmermans HR have come as a result of an error…..
By Get Used To It
March 31, 2008 9:39 PM | Link to this
Braves starters, get used to it. Between the pen, the offense and now the D, don’t any of you guys plan on winning 16-20 games!
Like to have a nickel for every decent start that the Braves have wasted the last couple of years due to any of the above lapses.
By Overlord
March 31, 2008 9:41 PM | Link to this
Word on KJ………strained knee…….day to day status
By Saltywoody
March 31, 2008 9:41 PM | Link to this
We may be the only team that can’t get a hit off Yates.
By uga-brave
March 31, 2008 9:41 PM | Link to this
bravesfaninrockies,
an error is an error dont care how you make them.
really glad to see blanco was so patient in that at bat.
By Efrim
March 31, 2008 9:41 PM | Link to this
N8
It’s okay to complain about this game.
Tough one to watch.
By N8
March 31, 2008 9:43 PM | Link to this
TJ
Didn’t really mean anything by it. I surely didn’t have a problem with Moylan coming in.
But I just have a gut feeling that Ohman is NOT gonna be one of my favorite players this year.
He has that look of a Mike Remlinger to me. Even though lefties have batted only .196 against him in his career.
Bobby just goes by that damn “book” way too much.
As Tyler Yates BLOWS Chipper away. Did I see Chipper “flex” his right hand after that swing as they went to commercial? I hope not.
By McFann
March 31, 2008 9:45 PM | Link to this
Hey, N8—
How about “Tom’s Tom-Toms”? That would be lame!
: J
By Efrim
March 31, 2008 9:47 PM | Link to this
Bullpen isn’t really looking very good either.
Man fellas.
By uga-brave
March 31, 2008 9:48 PM | Link to this
nady just always kills us
By AmazinsAgain08
March 31, 2008 9:52 PM | Link to this
Hey youse guys how does 0-2 sound to ya? Badda bing Xman. Yose guys better get going or it’ll be over before it ever really starts. Lovin’ that bullpen and infield defense. Oh well with Johnson hurt at least a decent defender will be playing second for a few days. 0-2? WOW!! BTW I’m so glad Yates wasn’t good enough to play for youse guys. The rest of your pen has really done so well so far hasn’t it? And Francoeur still looks like crap.GO METS!!
By JJMB
March 31, 2008 9:52 PM | Link to this
Hey Pete H, thanks for the running political commentary on this sports blog. Very compelling stuff. Interesting!
Should I start unloading the Hillary ammo? Or the Obama?
By chase
March 31, 2008 9:53 PM | Link to this
need to get over that NADY homer..it’s 5-4 TWO INNINGS to go Lets get it done!
By Take A Memo
March 31, 2008 9:56 PM | Link to this
Seems like the Nats and the Bucs didn’t get the memo that the Braves were favored to win the East.
Memo to Braves: That’s what spring training is for. To get the junk out of your system and get ready to play. Spring training is over guys. It’s time to play like champions if you’re going to be champions.
By Elements
March 31, 2008 9:56 PM | Link to this
I’m glad we have a deep pen b/c we may need them all tonight.
By Original Jon
March 31, 2008 9:56 PM | Link to this
Well, I know its only the second game of the season, but man, our bullpen is looking really awful right now. Maybe its this game, but MAN, they look horrible!
By N8
March 31, 2008 9:57 PM | Link to this
Efrim
“N8…It’s okay to complain about this game. Tough one to watch.”
How can you say that? Bobby got this team ready to play this spring, didn’t he?
Folks. This season could get UGLY really fast if this sloppiness doesn’t get solved and soon.
But I’m sure when DOB posts Bobby’s post-game comments, he’ll mention Glavine getting “squeezed” and the guys hitting “atom” balls all over the field.
I know it’s early. But if we lose this game we will be 1.5 games behind the Mets (2 in the loss column).
LOL!
By Bubba
March 31, 2008 9:57 PM | Link to this
Bullpen and defense suckes this year. Esabor will make 45 error this year. I cant watch this s** all year.
By Bubba
March 31, 2008 9:58 PM | Link to this
Bullpen and defense suckes this year. Esabor will make 45 error this year. I cant watch this s** all year.
By Squince
March 31, 2008 9:58 PM | Link to this
Gentlemen -
As painful this is, we’ve got a long way to go. I still trust this team, including our young infielders. make the errors now, learn, and get better.
What about Ring? Made Rochey look pretty bad.
By RiverDawg
March 31, 2008 9:58 PM | Link to this
Need some help here ladies and gents….I am a dish network house and we do not get the HD feed. Please send an email to feedback@customermail.dishnetwork.com asking them when they will be giving us the HD feed to Peachtree TV which is WPCH.
Much thanks and go Bravos we are going to need some late inning magic tonight.
By Take A Memo
March 31, 2008 10:00 PM | Link to this
Wonder if Bobby went to Pirates dugout and told Yates he was sorry, the Pirates would let him come back? He seems more effective than anyone we’ve run out there from our pen.
By Stuart
March 31, 2008 10:01 PM | Link to this
I guess the bravos have lost 2 openers in a row.
This is NOT an impressive braves club.
By jbutler
March 31, 2008 10:01 PM | Link to this
Choppinmama I browsed through the article on Skip Caray too. I feel badly that he got cut out of the postgame loop last year- I hope he gets to ride this out on his own terms. With all the terrible announcers on tv/radio- you know it can’t be an easy job, and I’ve always enjoyed him.
By N8
March 31, 2008 10:01 PM | Link to this
DOB
Here’s a legitimate question (not one of my sarcastic rants).
If Bennett is the “long man/spot starter”, and Bobby has him up in the pen throwing NOW, why the hell was he not the guy brought in in the 6th inning with a 4-2 lead, when Glavine could only go 5 innings?
That makes NO SENSE to me. I wouldn’t even be questioning it, but with him warming up in the pen, it hardly seems like the time to bring him in.
Yeah. This bullpen is “something” alright.
Strangely I don’t think anybody will be ripping on me tonight.
Yikes, Yikes……double YIKES!
By David O'Brien
March 31, 2008 10:01 PM | Link to this
Wow. Ugliness. Manny Acosta just got his teeth knocked in, figuratively speaking. Four runs on two homers in the eighth, and that’s that.
By Gamecock Brave
March 31, 2008 10:02 PM | Link to this
UGH what in the world is going on?!
By Efrim
March 31, 2008 10:02 PM | Link to this
Good Night folks.
Hopefully the boys will come to play on Wednesday.
They sure haven’t the last two nights.
By SNIPER-69
March 31, 2008 10:02 PM | Link to this
oooooops??
By AmazinsAgain08
March 31, 2008 10:02 PM | Link to this
Night Night Braves. 0-2 against the big bad gNats and the Pirates? Whooowee! I LUV IT. GO METS!!
By your daddy
March 31, 2008 10:02 PM | Link to this
acosta for cy young
By Zbrave
March 31, 2008 10:02 PM | Link to this
speechless. Acosta just gave up 4 runs! sigh.
By N8
March 31, 2008 10:03 PM | Link to this
So what kind of prospects do you think we’ll get for Tex at the deadline?
Maybe we can get Tyler Yates back.
By Muggly Other
March 31, 2008 10:04 PM | Link to this
As an act of mercy it would seem, Charter CSS just dropped the Peachtree Feed after Acosta gave up the second homer.
Normally, I would be upset, but they just saved me the trouble of turning it off.
By Bravesfan79
March 31, 2008 10:06 PM | Link to this
Can we get a redo on the beginning of the season?? Why take out Acosta now? Burn ANOTHER bullpen arm??
Last inning Cox with 2 men out and no one on base takes out Moylan…WHY?? Is ONE more batter really gonna hurt his arm?
By tbo
March 31, 2008 10:06 PM | Link to this
Well, here we go again. BC’s superb handling of the bullpen. Great defense too Braves.
By j-school dropout
March 31, 2008 10:07 PM | Link to this
0 and 2 to two of the worst teams in the Majors. This could get bad fast. Bullpen is horrendous and we haven’t even seen Soriano. Leadoff hitter down for who knows how long. This team needs an emotional lift or it’s going to be a long summer.
By Gamecock Brave
March 31, 2008 10:08 PM | Link to this
I really hope this is just them still working things out. I think its these prognosticators jinxing us on purpose. I just keep tellin myself 162 games 162 games 162 games. We DO have a long way to go. Hopefully they dont make it longer.
By BillDawg
March 31, 2008 10:08 PM | Link to this
OK, tell us again how the braves are better this year!!! Not much pitching tonight, or fielding, or hitting!! Give me a break
By alan
March 31, 2008 10:10 PM | Link to this
Tex had two throws he coulda dug out tonight but didn’t. Not a great outing . I don’t think you can overestimate the KJ error - it kept Glavine pitching for much longer than he needed in that inning, which means he had to come out early and we got to enjoy the Ohman-Resop-Acosta lovefest.
By Metropolitan Man
March 31, 2008 10:11 PM | Link to this
LOL, LMAO, ROFL, LOL, LMAO ROFL, LOL, LMAO, ROFL, LOL @ the braves!!!
By Zbrave
March 31, 2008 10:12 PM | Link to this
Hey, N8
Relax, it’s only game 2, 160 to go :-(
By N8
March 31, 2008 10:12 PM | Link to this
Well, since our offense has scored only 5 runs in 16 innings (I’m not counting the run that scored on the wild pitch last night), I think it’s reasonable to expect them to come up with 5 runs in the next two innings to come back in this one.
How about you guys?
If they’re not careful, they’re gonna have to start wearing the Powder Blue uni’s, since they’re playing like those teams did.
Chipper looks just FRICKIN’ ELATED in the dugout. LOL!
I give it until after the weekend before he BLOWS UP on the youngsters.
Who knows? Maybe “You know who” will join the Nega-N8 club that I can sense is growing by the minute. :-)
I’m actually less bummed about tonight than last night.
Ian Snell can pitch. Odalis Perez cannot. With Glavine only going 5 innings, this was predictable.
Looks like that Pirates pen really misses Mike Gonzalez, huh?
By mark
March 31, 2008 10:12 PM | Link to this
OH THOSE BULLPEN BLUES…..Actuallt the fielding has been shabby first 2 games and I think hitting has beeb lame as well..its because Braves regulars dont play enough in the spring..
By Deep Throat
March 31, 2008 10:13 PM | Link to this
In all fairness, the Braves have played two really tough teams so-far.
By j-school dropout
March 31, 2008 10:15 PM | Link to this
Another great thing about this game. The guy winning it is the reliever we dumped last week for nothing.
By BravesDave
March 31, 2008 10:16 PM | Link to this
What was it that cost the Braves a playoff spot last season? A complete inability to beat the bad teams in the NL. Poor play against the Giants, Reds, Nationals, Marlins, and Cardinals.
Looks like the more things change, the more they stay the same.
By Wayne in Utah
March 31, 2008 10:16 PM | Link to this
Not looking good for the Braves tonight.
BTW, I think it is interesting that all the slamming of our President is accepted here on a sports blog. I suspect if I started to rail on Hillary or Obama, I would catch he!!.
It’s OK to slam politicians, so long as its the correct ones.
Goodbye.
By chase
March 31, 2008 10:17 PM | Link to this
I can’t even understand why I’m still reading some of this mindless dribble that is coming out of the heads/keyboards of many of you people (the DOOMSAYERS)
The lack of baseball knowledge is disgusting.
It is CRAZY to think that what happens in the first few games of the season is exactly what is going to happen all season as though it is a HARBINGER of things to come!
If that were the case then the BRAVES should’ve won the World Series last year THEY STARTED 7-1 and where did that get us?
Baseball is a Marathon NOT A SPRINT
The Braves will win the East with 95 wins!
CALM DOWN! We got 160 of these to go! It ain’t Football…one or two games does not a season make
By Pete H.
March 31, 2008 10:18 PM | Link to this
Charter CSS works in mysterious ways, its wonders to achieve, Muggly.
By ernesto
March 31, 2008 10:19 PM | Link to this
Get this out of our system. Can’t believe 2 games in and we really need an off day. Ouch. Yeesh. 3 errors. 2 wild pitches. HRs just missing. Hitting into “olay” DPs.
Snake bit.
By bravos
March 31, 2008 10:19 PM | Link to this
Glad we spent 8 million on glavine to give us about 5 innings a start. When we could have got that from bennett. I also see are bullpen being over worked again and from the looks of things they are already getting hit pretty damn hard.
By justo
March 31, 2008 10:19 PM | Link to this
this sucks, this team still looks the same as it did last year
By stamper
March 31, 2008 10:19 PM | Link to this
so… when does the regular season start for atlanta? cause it certainly didnt start last night… and tonight? well… the boxscore says it all.
By woodie
March 31, 2008 10:20 PM | Link to this
As per usual, no bullpen…
By Efrim
March 31, 2008 10:20 PM | Link to this
N8
No one will be ripping on you. You are entitled to your own opinion. But it has been only two games.
Although as I am writing this, Bennett gives up a single, Wild Pitch, and then another single.
Anyways, where was I…
Oh yea, 2 games. Plenty of time to get things together.
The one thing I worry about is Kelly’s right knee. Too early to have injuries that might linger all year.
By Wayne in Utah
March 31, 2008 10:20 PM | Link to this
Pete H.
Your and idiot!
By N8
March 31, 2008 10:20 PM | Link to this
OK. In reality I “get” that there is 160 more games to go.
But this is the UGLIES start to a season I’ve seen in years. I’m not saying things won’t turn around. They more than likely will.
But I don’t think I’m exaggerating when I say that this team SUCKS right now. Save Tim Hudson.
GREAT. Now Bobby brings in the infield. What has Bennett done to show he’s capable of getting a double play right now?
I’m LOVING the way the Pirates are playing small ball and doing the little things that have helped them dominate this game from the 5th inning on.
But, you know. Hack-n-Jack is ALIVE and well in Atlant on March 31st.
Yes indeed…….baseball is back.
By uga-brave
March 31, 2008 10:21 PM | Link to this
francoeur has not got the ball out of the infield in 8 at bats.
i dont think we have got our leadoff hitter on all night while i think the pirates have 6 out of make that 7 out of 9 innings.
not a pretty start to the season.
By Reality
March 31, 2008 10:21 PM | Link to this
Same Old Song And Dance ….. When is this town going to learn that this old TRASH just stinks. Atlanta fans are just happy with being mediocre and this team can’t even provide that. How pathetic …. Cox needs to just get out of town where he can just fade away in peace. God have mercy on your soul for what you have put this town through. YUCK.
By Bravesfan79
March 31, 2008 10:22 PM | Link to this
Games like tonight are gonna happen…thats why winning games like last nights are SO important.
Note to Braves Pitchers:
if its bottom of 9th, no one on base, and the other teams best hitter is up…DONT THROW HIM A STRIKE!!
Why did Bobby feel like he had to use so many bullpen guys? why cant he just stick with a guy when hes hot for more than one inning at a time?? Cox needs to go more with guys that are on a roll instead of always playing matchups.
By richbrave
March 31, 2008 10:22 PM | Link to this
Always darkest before the dawn. Lets GO BRAVES.!!
By BossLady
March 31, 2008 10:24 PM | Link to this
I watched the games Friday, Saturday, Sunday and tonight.
So far, I’m seeing the same thing.
Oh well……
By Frenchy Microscope
March 31, 2008 10:24 PM | Link to this
I bet Frenchy is really sorry Andruw is gone. Now maybe the fans who used to slam Andruw will see that Druw wasn’t the ONLY Brave who sometimes has NO clue at the plate. Those extra 15 lbs seemed to have only made him swing harder and look dumber.
Thorman must have willed Frenchy his swing when he went back to Richmond.
By Original Jon
March 31, 2008 10:25 PM | Link to this
Hmmmm, I thought our bullpen was supposed to be a strong suit this year? 7 runs given up by the bullpen after Glavine came out. I bet he is thinkin he could have stayed in New York for this type of team support.
By Jared
March 31, 2008 10:25 PM | Link to this
1)What good is it that we have a top notch starting rotation when the bullpen can’t get anyone out? 2) Thanks TP for turning frenchy into a right handed version of BJ Surhoff 3) Time for Bobby to retire. This team has no fire and sucks fundamentally. 4) I’ve had enough of Kotsay already. If we are going to lose 80 games at least give Schafer some experience
By TJ
March 31, 2008 10:27 PM | Link to this
N8, the Bennett question is the most legitimate one I’ve heard. I really wish Bobby would get out of the “one pitcher per inning” routine. It’s fine if it’s the 8th inning, but to roll out your whole bullpen starting in the 6th inning just doesn’t make sense to me. Bennett should’ve been given the chance to pitch the 6th, 7th and if he was up to it, the 8th.
But, I’m not crossing over to the dark side. If these 2 games were played in the middle of June, it’d be nothing more than a little bad streak. Right now, it’s the entirety of our work, so it seems really bad.
I’m not off the bandwagon just yet.
By N8
March 31, 2008 10:28 PM | Link to this
alan
“Tex had two throws he coulda dug out tonight but didn’t. Not a great outing . I don’t think you can overestimate the KJ error - it kept Glavine pitching for much longer than he needed in that inning, which means he had to come out early and we got to enjoy the Ohman-Resop-Acosta lovefest.”
DING DING DING DING DING!!!!!
We have a winner folks. Somebody who gets it. The homers will argue with you that it was only one error that led to “only” one run.
Glad somebody sees the big picture.
Glavine did his job. His teamates let him down. The old Glavine, goes another inning or two. But not the 42 year old version, circa 2008.
Zbrave
Lighten up dude. It’s sarcasm. Not suicidal fore-shadowing. We’ll turn it around soon enough, right?
Everybody talked about the “swagger” and confidence that this team was carrying themselves with this spring.
Sorry guys. I’m not seeing it. They’re pressing. They look scared, and bored.
Like I said before. I give it less than two weeks before one of the veterans (You Know Who), let’s the kids know that this is unacceptable.
ON A SERIOUS NOTE
DOB
Seriously ask Chipper about his right-hand on that strike out against Yates. He shook his hand while looking at it as he was walking away from homeplate as they went to commercial.
Since that inning he’s made two HORRIBLE throws to first base. Color me worried.
By yunel is the man
March 31, 2008 10:28 PM | Link to this
CHASE Well siad
By TURTSNAP
March 31, 2008 10:28 PM | Link to this
Can someone please let the Braves know that the season has begun???????
By brian
March 31, 2008 10:28 PM | Link to this
at first I complained about the day off tomorrow but now I am thankful it is there. I am not an alarmist and I am well aware that this is only 2 out of 162 games, but the Braves, outside of the starting pitching, should hang their heads tonight, clear their heads tomorrow, and come to play on Wednesday. Yesterday - no offense at all. Tonight, no bullpen - that was terrible. As far as the offense tonight - struggled again except for Yunel.
Get it together
By Pete H.
March 31, 2008 10:30 PM | Link to this
Hey, a mere 14 hits to the second worst lineup in the league. Well, maybe third worst, after Florida and SF.
Ugly game all around.
By JJMB
March 31, 2008 10:31 PM | Link to this
Pete H, would you care to call me an idiot to my face?
By Frenchy Microscope
March 31, 2008 10:34 PM | Link to this
Chase,
There is an old saying in baseball.
You can’t win a pennant in April (7-1 last year to start the season)but you sure can lose it in April!
Good thing it’s still March, huh?
By boca brave
March 31, 2008 10:35 PM | Link to this
several things: 1. this team will hit-no need to panic about that 2. two decent starts for hudson and glavine-hope for more, but, 1. is our infield play going to be any good at all? 2. bullpen? who knows? and 3. fundamentals? never a brave strength-time will tell!
season is young!—remember the phillies were swept (by the braves) to start last season, and they did just fine..
By wiki
March 31, 2008 10:36 PM | Link to this
History lesson:
1991: started 39-40 finished 1st 94-68
1992: started 20-27 finished 1st 98-64
1993: started 12-14 finished 1st 104-58
1994: started 13-1 finished 2nd 68-46
1997: started 0-2 finished 1st 101-61
2001: started 19-22 finished 1st 88-74
2002: started 12-15 finished 1st 101-59
2003: started 0-3 finished 1st 101-61
2004: started 33-39 finished 1st 96-66
2007: started 7-1…..
in the immortal words of Butthead……”settle down Beavis”
By Elements
March 31, 2008 10:37 PM | Link to this
The game is not over yet. The Braves can still rally!!
By RRR
March 31, 2008 10:38 PM | Link to this
TWO things:
…after all, there happens to be an ATL resident who happens to be unemployed. And, IF things deteriorate as they’ve done the last two nights, don’t be surprised if there isn’t a change in the works. Just a heads up for ya all…
By JJMB
March 31, 2008 10:38 PM | Link to this
Pete H, what about it weiner? Waiting on permission from Hillary? You need a splittail to tell you what to you?
A pathetic display of the nutless democraps. All mouth spineless do-nothings.
By N8
March 31, 2008 10:41 PM | Link to this
chase
“I can’t even understand why I’m still reading some of this mindless dribble that is coming out of the heads/keyboards of many of you people (the DOOMSAYERS)…The lack of baseball knowledge is disgusting…It is CRAZY to think that what happens in the first few games of the season is exactly what is going to happen all season as though it is a HARBINGER of things to come!…If that were the case then the BRAVES should’ve won the World Series last year THEY STARTED 7-1 and where did that get us?”
Chase, Chase, Chase. Where to start with your post.
OK, hows this. If you’re gonna RIP on peoples “knowledge” of baseball, and cite the 7-1 start of last year. Then you should acknowledge the fact that JS built that team with BULLPEN strength in mind. You know….the “3 headed monster” of Wickman, Gonzalez and Soriano, right?
Well the team was 25-14 when Gonzo went down for the year, and we all know that Wickman wasn’t a “team player” when it all came down.
So how about you understand the fact that the team that ENDED the season, wasn’t the one that started the season 7-1. Besides. One of the reasons that team started 7-1, was a couple of “tight” victories to open the season in Philly.
Then you said:
“Baseball is a Marathon NOT A SPRINT”
Hard to even get one foot ahead of the other, much less “sprint” when you play as the Braves have so far.
(though this 9th inning is getting interesting)
Listen. It’s NOT the losses that have me all fired up. It’s the manner in which we’re losing.
THAT being said. If this thing turns around with the HORRIBLE pitching by the Pirates closer, that would be “nice” to say the least.
LOL!
By chase
March 31, 2008 10:43 PM | Link to this
thanks yunel is the man
I just can’t believe that some of these people are ready to throw in the towel after TWO FREAKING GAMES!
All you see are stupid comment after stupid comment the braves suck same old same old this season could get bad fast this could get out of hand quick
GET A FREAKIN’ GRIP! You people who say this stuff night after night must have HORRIBLE STOMACH PROBLEMS and be ABSOLUTLEY MISERABLE in your daily lives..Good Grief
By Ben
March 31, 2008 10:44 PM | Link to this
Chip just flexed his right hand twice. I’m worried now too. But he just delivered anyway!!!!! 9-7 Pitt.
By brian
March 31, 2008 10:44 PM | Link to this
thanks wiki - great post.
By Pete H.
March 31, 2008 10:44 PM | Link to this
Well, that’s one way to keep Yunie from getting four hits, walk him on four pitches with the bases loaded and Chipper coming up. Works every time.
By The Man
March 31, 2008 10:45 PM | Link to this
Please….no more talk about how great this team is until they actaully win one regular season game. I know, how bout a good ole 160 - 2 record prediction. That should do it.
By BossLady
March 31, 2008 10:46 PM | Link to this
Andruw’s gone…You got what you want so why keep harping on him.
He along with Maddux, Glavine and Smoltz gave Atlanta all those pennants.
Why do we forget all the good Andruw did for Atlanta?
He’s got a terrific contract with LA and I wish him the best.
By JJMB
March 31, 2008 10:46 PM | Link to this
Wayne in Utah, did you see the Hillary cartoon in the the Salt Lake City Tribune? The one were she raising the flag at Iwo Jima? Hill - larious!
By brian
March 31, 2008 10:46 PM | Link to this
sad having to follow the game on the scoreboard on espn. Yunel may “only” have had 3 hits but that walk was huge. Another great hit by Chipper. Now big Tex…..
By N8
March 31, 2008 10:47 PM | Link to this
wiki
Thanks for the history lesson.
A few different words for you to explain HOW that was able to happen.
Glavine, Maddux, Smoltz, Leibrandt, Avery, Neagle, Millwood (in their prime).
Not to mention EXCELLENT defense as well.
Tex is pressing. He’s just missing on those popups.
By chuckaluck
March 31, 2008 10:48 PM | Link to this
Wow. did i just see that?
By Bravesfan79
March 31, 2008 10:48 PM | Link to this
YESYESYESYESYES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Stephen
March 31, 2008 10:48 PM | Link to this
LOLKASO;KDFHAL;SDKFHASL’KDFLOLOLOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL
By Gamecock Brave
March 31, 2008 10:48 PM | Link to this
WHOOOOOOO HOLY JUMPIN JACK FLASH!!!!!
By chase
March 31, 2008 10:48 PM | Link to this
BRAVES JUST TIED IT BABY!!!!!!!!!
By uga-brave
March 31, 2008 10:48 PM | Link to this
glavine pitched decent, the defense really let him down. francoeur could of caught a ball in right that would of helped.
the real worry is that the defense has to be good behind him. glavine pitches to contact and he does not give in.
got to make the routine plays behind him.
cant believe what i just saw!!!!!!
By yunel is the man
March 31, 2008 10:48 PM | Link to this
OMG OMG omg
By Overlord
March 31, 2008 10:49 PM | Link to this
You just have to tip your hat to chipper…….. he just never stopped running…….true leader….. If that was any other player on braves roster….. he would have not scored.
Chipper is the man
By Zbrave
March 31, 2008 10:49 PM | Link to this
WE ARE JUST TIED!!!!!
By ernesto
March 31, 2008 10:49 PM | Link to this
Get some love Braves Fans.
Except you N8, you said it, own it.
By Kevin
March 31, 2008 10:50 PM | Link to this
unbelievable
By Bravesfan79
March 31, 2008 10:50 PM | Link to this
Anyone who turned it off early just missed the BEST comeback ive seen in years!!! GO BRAVES!!
By Overlord
March 31, 2008 10:51 PM | Link to this
Turning point of the season in the 2nd game of the season?… MAYBE
By Nick
March 31, 2008 10:51 PM | Link to this
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW
That was amazing!
By Moby Grape
March 31, 2008 10:51 PM | Link to this
Are they gonna win this now, or just get our hopes so they can break our hearts again?
By Pete H.
March 31, 2008 10:51 PM | Link to this
Heap ties it up. Capps is going to be looking for a new job soon. That was one terrible inning. From HIS point of view, that is.
By chuckaluck
March 31, 2008 10:52 PM | Link to this
Chipper gets the Charlie Hustle award. He never took the out for granted. That’s a ballplayer.
By N8
March 31, 2008 10:52 PM | Link to this
ARE YOU FRICKING KIDDING ME????
OK. Here’s the thing.
Why wasn’t McCann on 2nd base after that popup?
It didn’t cost us….this time.
But he was pizzed he popped up and jogged with his head down going to first base.
NO REASON for him not to be standing on 2nd base with how high that ball was hit.
Go ahead. Rag on me for b!tching about a 5 run comeback.
But unless we finish it, it’s all for nothing.
And it’s NOT like we earned it. Though I’m INCREDIBLY PROUD of their patience to draw those walks.
BTW, they just showed Chipper HUSTLING HIS AZZ OFF on that pop-up.
THAT is how you play the game of baseball people.
By Frenchy Microscope
March 31, 2008 10:52 PM | Link to this
JJMB
What venom! It’s unbecoming to see such a negative outburst from someone who is as obviously in touch with the state of our nation today as you are!
By Ray K
March 31, 2008 10:53 PM | Link to this
YEAH!! We will take it!! The sloppy Pirate play makes up for Teixeira’s and Escobar’s awful defense at first. Now let’s have the bullpen give us a couple of good innings. Please!
By woogidy
March 31, 2008 10:54 PM | Link to this
Those people who went to bed early are going to be so upset. DOB, get your re-write ready.
By Ray K
March 31, 2008 10:54 PM | Link to this
YEAH!! We will take it!! The sloppy Pirate play makes up for Teixeira’s and Escobar’s awful defense. Now let’s have the bullpen give us a couple of good innings. Please!
By Craig
March 31, 2008 10:54 PM | Link to this
Chipper is the MAN! What other MLB star would have been running that hard from 1st base on a routine can of corn with 2 outs? NONE. McCann got all the way to 1st base.
Now our bullpen?????
By Pete H.
March 31, 2008 10:56 PM | Link to this
Braves evidently don’t quit like some of their fans do.
By N8
March 31, 2008 10:58 PM | Link to this
ernesto
“Except you N8, you said it, own it.”
What did I say, and what do I need to “own”. Point the way and I will follow.
You know I’m man enough to admit when I’m wrong.
Don’t get too excited folks. Our bullpen still has to pitch some more.
By chuckaluck
March 31, 2008 10:58 PM | Link to this
They just intentionally walked adam laroche?
By Wayne in Utah
March 31, 2008 10:58 PM | Link to this
Chase Your going to find that many on the blog like to overanalyze every single game. Personally, I like to look at patterns. Two games, does not make a pattern. Not even close, even though my friend Nate might have you believe otherwise.
For my sanity, I have to go away from the blog at times, as much as I love it. It just gets a bit ridiculous.
Now, to cover for N8. Normally, N8 has some well reasoned arguments for his points, although he still gets his t!ts in a ringer a bit too quick. He just likes to push people’s buttons (did I get that pretty close, N8?)
Otherwise, there are a whole slew of true idiots who mask as baseball fans on this forum.
You either get used to it, go crazy, or go away for a while.
By Kev
March 31, 2008 10:59 PM | Link to this
We’re are the Mets FANS NOW!!!!!!!!!! BUAHHHHHHH BUAHHHHHH AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH I LOVE THE BRAVES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By AmazinsAgain08
March 31, 2008 10:59 PM | Link to this
Don’t worry the Pirates will still win this game. Youse guys just got lucky.
By Train Wreck Bystander
March 31, 2008 11:00 PM | Link to this
That comeback looked great on the Gameday interactive boxscore thingy…
By chase
March 31, 2008 11:01 PM | Link to this
N8
All I can say is YOU NEED A ROLE MODEL, A HUG, or SOMETHIN’
There must just be no pleasure in life for people like you!
By Billy (TBFnB)
March 31, 2008 11:01 PM | Link to this
Wow…..sme go yard with awalk of
By Pete H.
March 31, 2008 11:03 PM | Link to this
We better end this fast. Our bullpen is just about empty.
By Ben
March 31, 2008 11:03 PM | Link to this
I agree no reason for Mac to not be standing on second. This thing keeps going Huddy may have to start warming up.
By ernesto
March 31, 2008 11:03 PM | Link to this
We better win it here, we have no one left in the pen…or is Boyer still out there????
By Wayne in Utah
March 31, 2008 11:04 PM | Link to this
JJMB Was she also ducking from sniper fire??
I love it!!! They are trying to self implode.
By N8
March 31, 2008 11:05 PM | Link to this
Craig
“What other MLB star would have been running that hard from 1st base on a routine can of corn with 2 outs?”
Good question. Here’s a few….
Craig Biggio, Kirby Puckett, Pete Rose, a young Tony Gwynn to name a few.
But some people like to be leaders by being vocal. Some guys do it with their actions.
Chipper does it with his actions, which allows him to be LISTENED TO and taken seriously when he speaks.
LOVE IT.
But don’t fool yourself. Mets fans would have you believe that David Wright not only would have scored once on that play….but twice, thus winning the game for them. Which is why MLB will (for the first time) wave the five year waiting period when he retires and put him in the HOF. In fact, I hear they have his bust ALREADY waiting for him.
:-)
By wiki
March 31, 2008 11:08 PM | Link to this
Thanks N8 but you missed the point….we all know the great starting pitching the Braves had. Whether it is 2 games or 80 games to start a season, it doesn’t define the entire season. We can come up with examples forever….’07 Phillies started 3-9 and won the division.
By TJ
March 31, 2008 11:09 PM | Link to this
Boyer, Blayne, and pray for Rain.
By ernesto
March 31, 2008 11:10 PM | Link to this
Own it N8.
You’re not just a fair-weather fan, you’re a “only on a perfect day” kind of fan.
Let’s get some run.
By Niaccm
March 31, 2008 11:12 PM | Link to this
We accept Visa, Mastercard, AMEX, Discovery and GIFTS!
Thanks Pirates!
By wilkun
March 31, 2008 11:13 PM | Link to this
Hey from from Japan everybody! Great to see the Braves making a game of this. Lunch may just taste better now!
By Andy K
March 31, 2008 11:13 PM | Link to this
Twenty of the Braves Twenty-Five have taken part in this game alone.
By AmazinsAgain08
March 31, 2008 11:13 PM | Link to this
careless base running by Kotsay at the wrong time. only one pitcher left. gonna get ugly for Braves soon LOL. GO METS!
By El bravo (EbX)
March 31, 2008 11:14 PM | Link to this
first time blogging…first time winning…Go Braves!
By N8
March 31, 2008 11:15 PM | Link to this
WHY is Matt Diaz being asked to bunt?
Then when failing to get it down, is supposed to be able to do something with 2 strikes on him? He of THREE sacrifices in his career.
Worked the same way as a bunt as it turns out. But again, that’s just silly to ask him to bunt, IMO.
DOB, correct me if I’m wrong, but how many times did you see Diaz working on his bunting this spring?
Again. Why not Jeff Bennett (long man/spot starter) in the 6th inning. Now JJJ is going down to the bullpen “just in case”.
Unreal.
By Elements
March 31, 2008 11:16 PM | Link to this
Could Hudson throw an inning tonight?
By aefwb
March 31, 2008 11:17 PM | Link to this
Can someone tell me how having Kotsay play because he is an experienced veteran is doing the Braves any good?? Someone like Blanco or Anderson probably wouldn’t get picked off on the lousy line drive by Pena.
By woogidy
March 31, 2008 11:18 PM | Link to this
Boy …err could have used that in the 8th.
By JJMB
March 31, 2008 11:18 PM | Link to this
That’s the one, Wayne.
I thought I would loose a lung laughing!
Wait until the general election. It will be a complete decimation.
By uga-brave
March 31, 2008 11:19 PM | Link to this
blaine boyer needs to quit that fist pumping thing, dude you just struck out a relief pitcher.
By tkg
March 31, 2008 11:21 PM | Link to this
One thing you can consistently count on from Joe West … He’s going to be inconsistent. He was great in Naked Gun, but he’s hands down one of the worst umpires in baseball.
By Pete H.
March 31, 2008 11:21 PM | Link to this
Boyer with a nice inning. Let’s win this. I gotta work tomorrow.
By TJ
March 31, 2008 11:23 PM | Link to this
Wow, 5 pitches, 5 swings by the Braves in the 11th. I’m not a huge proponent of “patience at the plate”, but that was a pretty quick inning.
By Niaccm
March 31, 2008 11:24 PM | Link to this
It does seem I have seen this movie before.
I’m not a Bobby hater by any means, but how many times have the Braves played extras with their bench and pen almost totally depleted by the 10th?
I’m in the “Bobby plays too many matchups and runs out of bodies too often” camp.
Hope it doesn’t hurt our chances tonight. Boyer is capable of throwing a couple or three innings since he started most of last season, but I hate only having him out there without having to dip into your next games starting pitcher.
By JD
March 31, 2008 11:26 PM | Link to this
If all the wonderful Braves bloggers can put up with my redundant argument, I’d like to offer my own opinion on PeachTree TV. What a sad day it is when the fans of baseball have to suffer because some slick executive in an Atlanta high-rise thinks it’s a great idea to stop a large portion of the fans from seeing over 40 games a year. I realize that PeachTree TV has been offered to cable and satellite providers all over the south but the problem with that is some of these providers like DISH Network don’t have this feed available by opening night at Turner Field. After talking with PeachTree TV & DISH Network, I quickly realized that help was impossible. PeachTree TV claims that they’ve offered it to all providers. DISH Network simply says that they’re “currently in negotiations”. When it comes right down to it, neither one cares about those fans who are doing without. Those selfish money-hungry culprits don’t consider the fact that fans all across the Southeast have bought tickets, jerseys, hot dogs, and spent endless hours in front of the television watching and enjoying the wonder that is Braves baseball. They expect fans who are not covered in this transition to cancel their current service, pay the penalty charges that stem from cancelling a mandatory contract, and pay an additional activation fee with the new company who currently carries PeachTree TV. I subscribed just this afternoon to MLB.TV Premium thinking that it would solve this problem. But once the game began I found out that because I live in the state of Georgia, they assume that I’m able to see the game being broadcast on television. Wrong again! So, because of the blackout, I’ve now lost $20.00 of hard-earned money for no reason. My dad has long been a part of the Atlanta Braves Radio Network. I remember a time when Braves baseball consisted of nothing more than the Radio Network and the glory days of TBS. Braves Fans, those were the days and those days are gone. There is one thing that I am proud of. No matter what changes the city of Atlanta and its money-makers make, you can always depend on the ever-faithful Atlanta Braves Radio Network all across the Southeast. While you may not be able to see the game live, you can rest assured that when the first pitch is thrown Pete Van Wieren will be glad to tell the story. I can only hope that through articles like this and the many complaints that will flood the great city of Atlanta tomorrow that those executives will remember that baseball is not about making money, not really. Baseball is about passing the most wonderful game in the world on to our sons and daughters, at least on the days we’re allowed to see it.
By N8
March 31, 2008 11:27 PM | Link to this
wiki
I didn’t miss your point. Contrary to what you believe, I agree with you in theory.
But we have 2 pitchers over 40, that shouldn’t have to and CAN’T continuously be pitching more innings than they need to, due to bad defense. That is elementary to me, and should be to you.
Hampton hasn’t pitched in 2 years. So the same applies for him. JJJ pitched more innings last year than he had in any of his years in pro-ball. Some said he ran out of gas last year.
MY POINT is that this team MIGHT be great if everything goes our way. But we have VERY LITTLE margin for error with this starting staff.
Smoltz has admitted that he CAN’T continue to be a strikeout pitcher. Glavine, Hampton and Hudson have NEVER been big strike out pitchers, and JJJ appears to be a guy that relies on movement and his sinker as well.
That’s a five man rotation that pitches (or plans on pitching to contackt). Do you see MY POINT??
If our defense is not STELLAR it is going to be a LONG year for us (as it would be for any team), but those 90’s Braves rotations had the HORSES to ALL pitch around 230 innings in need be.
This team doesn’t. Period.
That doesn’t mean that we won’t turn it around and win 101 games, and run away with the division. But if THAT is to happen, I guarantee you that it will happen because of stellar defense.
Ask the Rockies how important their defense was to that pitching staff.
But you’re right. MANY games to turn this ship around. It’s just been very ugly so far.
By aefwb
March 31, 2008 11:31 PM | Link to this
Is the Pittsburgh manager John Russell or Brian Giles?
By AmazinsAgain08
March 31, 2008 11:32 PM | Link to this
oh yeah, Boyer is a typical Braves reliever. Here come the Pirates
By N8
March 31, 2008 11:35 PM | Link to this
ernesto
“You’re not just a fair-weather fan, you’re a “only on a perfect day” kind of fan.”
Yup. You’ve got me all figured out, dontcha’?
I’m a fan of GOOD baseball. Even if the Braves win this game. We have YET to see good baseball.
If you are into beer-league softball, this game would be entertaining.
But this is the kind of game that can mess up our bullpen for WEEKS. Not to mention our rotation, if Bobby has to use JJJ.
But I wouldn’t expect you to understand that, or me. Call me an azz-hole, call me negative, call me annoying. Pretty much call me anything you want. But to refer to me as a fair-weather fan or somebody who demands perfection to be happy, is just plain WRONG and stupid.
As I type this Boyer gives up a 3 run HR on a pitch that missed the target by about 2 feet.
So spare me the insults. Unless you like the way this team has played for two days. In that case, I’m happy for you.
By Najeh Davenpoop
March 31, 2008 11:35 PM | Link to this
Well, so much for that.
Get well soon, Skip Caray. I don’t think I can put up with your son much longer.
By chase
March 31, 2008 11:35 PM | Link to this
Why are you even pitching to NADY with 2 outs and a 2-0 count?
If they can’t rally again this will be a Painfull loss
By Pete H.
March 31, 2008 11:36 PM | Link to this
Let’s trade for Nady. Dang.
By Moby Grape
March 31, 2008 11:36 PM | Link to this
ok now I know. They were just setting us up to break our hearts. What a putrid display of relief pitching. Nite all.
By ernesto
March 31, 2008 11:36 PM | Link to this
Ouch. Hard to be happy right now unless you’re a Bucs fan, Mets fan, or N8
By uga-brave
March 31, 2008 11:37 PM | Link to this
pump your fist now boyer. oh i guess you only do that when you strike out pitchers.
nady just FLAT out kills us.
By justo
March 31, 2008 11:37 PM | Link to this
Are Bullpen F*** Sucks people, I dont care what any of yall say, it is horrible.
By HP
March 31, 2008 11:37 PM | Link to this
Someone explain me why would you use Jeff Bennett before using Blaine Boyer?
By justo
March 31, 2008 11:37 PM | Link to this
Are Bullpen F*** Sucks people, I dont care what any of yall say, it is horrible.
By justo
March 31, 2008 11:37 PM | Link to this
Are Bullpen F*** Sucks people, I dont care what any of yall say, it is horrible.
By Billy (TBFnB)
March 31, 2008 11:37 PM | Link to this
Wow, fun game. Tough to win when you have three errors. What gives with that. Lets load the bases and win the game with a walk off slam.
By Bravesfan79
March 31, 2008 11:38 PM | Link to this
Bla….this is sickening….owell at least we never stopped trying.
By Niaccm
March 31, 2008 11:39 PM | Link to this
And I’ll close the night by saying that the GOOD pitchers know that you don’t give in the other teams hottest hitter by throwing him a 2-0 fastball down the middle and let him beat you.
The GOOD teams send the pitching coach to the mound to explain that to the pitcher if he doesn’t know that.
GOOD teams have a catcher that doesn’t put down the number 1 when the pitcher is behind in the count and the oppositions hottest hitter is at the plate with a chance to beat you.
There are 3 checks in place to keep that from happening.
First pitcher, second pitching coach, and third catcher.
Why did all our systems fail on Nady’s at bat?
By Train Wreck Bystander
March 31, 2008 11:42 PM | Link to this
Heh… I was able to listen to the first few innings on radio… then the sun went down and that ended that.
Solo shot for Frenchy! Too little, too late?
By wiki
March 31, 2008 11:43 PM | Link to this
N8
Again you missed the point….no worries. There are reasons for everything. My post was not about reasons.
By N8
March 31, 2008 11:44 PM | Link to this
Niaccm
“I’m not a Bobby hater by any means, but how many times have the Braves played extras with their bench and pen almost totally depleted by the 10th?”
Amazing, isn’t it? Yet he’s the best manager EVER, according to some.
I’d be curious as to DOB’s opinion of how the bullpen was “handled” tonight.
Rick Camp in 1985 part II anybody?
How about a Hampton base hit to win this game as a PH??
By Jared
March 31, 2008 11:44 PM | Link to this
Prediction: Corky Miller will make the last out.
10 ER for the Braves’ bullpen tonight. (2006) Midseason form already?
By Billy (TBFnB)
March 31, 2008 11:46 PM | Link to this
WTF….this could be a great win but our pitching plans screwed from the get go….wow…..talk about clutch and not giving up…..ol frenhys homerun is big…although i thoiught it was meaningless
By Pete H.
March 31, 2008 11:46 PM | Link to this
Dang, what a game. Diaz makes it 12-11.
By Niaccm
March 31, 2008 11:46 PM | Link to this
I changed my mind, one more post.
Chipper hit the nail on the head in the spring talking about Frenchy.
“lose an Andruw, gain an Andruw.”
A meaningless homer.
Where was that bomb during regulation?
By Gamecock Brave
March 31, 2008 11:46 PM | Link to this
ARGH!
By Train Wreck Bystander
March 31, 2008 11:47 PM | Link to this
Gameday says Corky is the last position player… I see he flied out though.
Tough heartbreaking loss.
By Zbrave
March 31, 2008 11:48 PM | Link to this
Game over: 12:11 Bucs. Oh well, we just need to take a break and forget about these two games and hope JJJ and MH come to the rescue.
By HP
March 31, 2008 11:49 PM | Link to this
Someone explain me why would you use Jeff Bennett before using Blaine Boyer?
By andy-LA
March 31, 2008 11:49 PM | Link to this
ahhhh——American league baseball—-back at the ted. Smells like summer.
By ernesto
March 31, 2008 11:49 PM | Link to this
The boys gutted it out til the end, give ‘em props, some of those are going to go our way.
Go Bravos.
By N8
March 31, 2008 11:51 PM | Link to this
ernesto
“Ouch. Hard to be happy right now unless you’re a Bucs fan, Mets fan, or N8”
Damn. You figured me out. I’m actually all three.
Love the Pirates (WE ARE FAMILY!!!)
Love the Mets (I’m wearing my Mookie Wilson jersey Wright now.
And, yes……I am N8. (not to be confused with “I am Legend”)
Now that the game is over, I can go download some of my favorite porn, staring Mr. Met (and narrated by Terrific Tom Seaver). It’s FANtastic! Catch the fever!
Go to bed. Sleep tight with the thoughts that even this team isn’t bad enough to lose on the off-day tomorrow…..or are they? :-)
By Pete H.
March 31, 2008 11:52 PM | Link to this
Well, at least it was exciting. Give the Braves credit for coming back so far…but letting the Pirates score 12 runs is ridiculous.
By Jared
March 31, 2008 11:52 PM | Link to this
0-2 in one run games.
By Bravesfan79
March 31, 2008 11:54 PM | Link to this
Hmmm…what did i say a few hours ago about us burning all our bullpen up so soon?? We should of walked the guy who homered and taken our chances with the next guy. Im tired of seeing the other teams hottest hitter given chance after chance to burn us. These comebacks and then loosing makes it feel like were 0-4 instead of 0-2! Glavine should of signed for closer to 6 million and allowed us to keep our top lefty reliever from last year. I still think loosing him to that 3 year deal he signed is a big loss for us.
By iowabrave
March 31, 2008 11:54 PM | Link to this
Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.
By Randy Quaid
March 31, 2008 11:55 PM | Link to this
Don’t look now guys, but 100 losses is a real possibility. Here’s why:
Frank Wrong and the Homeboy Upstairs, with DB’s help, may have sold us a lemon.
Since it is so obvious that DB loves to talk about how much $ other people make, I wonder how the payrolls of the Pirates and Nats compare with the Braves?
By Squince
March 31, 2008 11:56 PM | Link to this
Wow. Give the offense some credit. They kept coming back. The pen will get it together. way way too early to panic. Loved what I saw from Kotsay (besides getting doubled off, but that was bad luck) and Diaz. Line up is too good and should continue to prop us up when our pitching lets us down.
A total bummer tonight, but I still think all will be fine in Braves land. Can’t wait for the Jair show on Wed.
By RRR
April 1, 2008 12:00 AM | Link to this
REPEAT POST: By RRR
March 31, 2008 10:38 PM | Link to this
TWO things:
…after all, there happens to be an ATL resident who happens to be unemployed. And, IF things deteriorate as they’ve done the last two nights, don’t be surprised if there isn’t a change in the works. Just a heads up for ya all…
… ps: TWELVE runs in 12 innings to the Pirates????? EEEEK….
By N8
April 1, 2008 12:01 AM | Link to this
wiki
“Again you missed the point….no worries. There are reasons for everything. My post was not about reasons”
Oh. NOW I “get it”. You’re the person who uses the past as prologue, but doesn’t care WHY it’s happened in the past. Only that it’s happened, huh?
Wanna try using that reasoning to Mets fans, to explain to them why their 7 game lead last year SHOULD HAVE been safe, then?
You state the past Braves performances as “reason” and hope for THIS team having the same results ahead. Yet ONLY Smoltz and Glavine were on any of those teams pre-1995, and Glavine wasn’t on the teams after 2002.
That’s like saying Whitesnake is gonna have a hit video because they did in the 80’s, even though Tawny Kitaan isn’t David Coverdale’s “woman” anymore. Capiche’?
By faninfaytown
April 1, 2008 12:01 AM | Link to this
Bravesfan79 there were two on base. You dont walk the bases loaded when any other guy in that lineup could have hit the ball out. He threw him meat and it went out. anyone can look back and say oh we should have walked the guy who won the game. have some baseball sense.
By ippississiM
April 1, 2008 12:02 AM | Link to this
Now that was a sad ending. BC going for broke, pulling his last available pitcher for his last available bench guy—the non-hitting backup catcher. Who besides me would have rather seen a SP go out there for a bunt attempt?
Since the entire roster was used up except three SPs, what would Bobby have done if it had been tied going into the 13th? Could we have seen Corky (or possibly one of the SPs) in LF, Diaz to RF, and Frenchy on the mound? That could have gotten interesting….
By N8
April 1, 2008 12:04 AM | Link to this
HP
“Someone explain me why would you use Jeff Bennett before using Blaine Boyer?”
Any other manager WOULDN’T. Only Bobby would use his “long man” for two innings in the 8th inning.
**Jared
“0-2 in one run games.”
Deja vu ALL OVER AGAIN, isn’t it?
Yikes.
By Shaun
April 1, 2008 12:04 AM | Link to this
Oh Obrien, a little birdie inPittsburgh told me that Glavine, due to his advancing age was due to give up a bunch of hits and get lucky to slunk away with the lead that he had. Same little birdie also told me that the Braves bullpen is not so good. Most of the genius forecasters, including yourself, managed to forget this important fact. Why is it that the Braves seem to lose all these all these games, and this is a yearly pattern, by one run. You are forgetting something! THEY HAVE ZERO MIDDLE RELIEF! Maybe you should throw on a glove and throw the sixth after Glavine puts the tying run on base. JUST NOT GOOD EHOUGH TO BE A CONTENDER——-PERIOD
By uga-brave
April 1, 2008 12:04 AM | Link to this
the bullpen has got to keep the ball in the park. that is four big flies in two games.
i dont care how bobby uses them, if they continue to put the leadoff hitter on every inning they are gonna struggle. cant see how either of these games fall on bobby.
just sloppy play all around. getting doubled up at second in the tenth, errors by kj and escobar, frenchy missed a catchable ball, pitchers falling behind all night. pretty tough to watch.
need to flush these first two and get focused, the schedule is favorable early and we better take advantage of it.
By AuburnBrave
April 1, 2008 12:05 AM | Link to this
People, it’s TWO GAMES. There are 160 to go.
The pen has had some tough luck the fist two games, but otherwise I think the team looks good. Good pitching from the starters, and the offense showed what they can do tonight, just wasn’t enough for the W, but things will all come together soon.
By flgrk
April 1, 2008 12:06 AM | Link to this
That was painful, gut-wrenching, agony! And I had to watch it unfold on mlb.com’s gamecast. What’s going on with tex? I know it’s only two games, but a hitter of his ilk going 0 for freakin 6? Well at least there’s a day off to rest some of the bullpen. We could use a nice win on Wednesday.
By richbrave
April 1, 2008 12:07 AM | Link to this
Regrets I’ve had a few. “All is well-All is well” (Kevin Bacon-Animal House)
By mr baseball
April 1, 2008 12:08 AM | Link to this
Not that Cox was responsible for tonight’s loss, but there’s a reason the Braves traditionally have sub-standard records in one-run games. Our future Hall of Fame manager is incapable of assessing a situation and deciding what course of action makes the most sense. Instead, he almost always goes by baseball’s unwritten book.
Tonight’s example. With one on and no outs in the 10th he asks Diaz to bunt. Why? The book says so. Why would you take the bat out of the hands of one of your better hitters in favor of Pena and Prado? As it turned out, Diaz advanced the runner with a 2-strike groundout, but we don’t know what would have happened had he been allowed to swing away. If he makes an out, then you can bunt Kotsay over, but at least give Diaz a chance to hit. There was a lot better chance he was going to get a hit than either Pena or Prado.
Unfortunately, logic is something Cox probably thinks is for Vulcans, assuming he knows what a Vulcan is. He certainly doesn’t know a whole lot about strategy, unless it’s something out of the baseball book he memorized along the way.
A few days back, several of you derided me over my categorization of the Braves’ bench as one of, if not the weakest, in baseball. Any one of you want to make the argument that this is a bench befitting a playoff caliber team?
Last year’s Braves had Escobar and Diaz/Harris in reserve. This team has about as close to nothing on the bench as you can get.
By Chop Chop
April 1, 2008 12:08 AM | Link to this
Just scrolling back through the posts here…
N8,
What’s the deal, man? I don’t expect the Braves to do anything more than be in the thick of a playoff race this summer and fall. Maybe you should think like that. Anything better is great; anything worse will be worth countless diatribes.
The Scott Spiezio signing
Well, he’s a solid player if he isn’t stoned/coked/trippin’ balls. If he’s clean, it’s not a bad pickup. If he isn’t, he won’t sniff the bigs anyway.
Braves bullpen
We’ve got a lot of guys who are being tried in new roles this season. Bobby’s going to have to figure it out somehow. Assuming that he does, the arms are good enough to make it work. If he doesn’t (and Glavine throws 90+ pitches in 5 innings every other start), things could get ugly. Desolation Row, meet the Braves’ bullpen. You two had so much in common tonight.
By Elements
April 1, 2008 12:10 AM | Link to this
RRR,
You want to fire McDowell after two games and bring Mazzone back?
I thought some players were happy to see Leo go.
By Runnin
April 1, 2008 12:14 AM | Link to this
LMAO!
You people quack me up.
By Im
April 1, 2008 12:15 AM | Link to this
the good news is we’re only two games out of the lead.
By Lew
April 1, 2008 12:15 AM | Link to this
Well-The picture on Extra Innings was good.
By ippississiM
April 1, 2008 12:21 AM | Link to this
Tough. Used everybody by the other three starting pitchers in that one.
So, if it had gone another inning, who would have pitched? Could we have seen Miller in LF, Diaz in RF, and French on the mound? Word is he was a sh!t-hot high-school pitcher, who knows? Is there any other position player on the team with pitching experience?
By Worth Another Look
April 1, 2008 12:21 AM | Link to this
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 Niaccm
April 1, 2008 12:21 AM | Link to this
faninfaytown,
On the contrary, you DO walk their hottest hitter if you have to after being down in the count 2-0 EVEN with two men on. You throw him a breaking ball, something off the plate or something off speed but you DON’T give in to their hottest hitter with the game on the line by giving him a “get across” fastball so you don’t go in the hole 3-0.
When Maddux, Glavine and guys like that were in their prime, they didn’t give in to the guy who could beat you with the game on the line. Even if you advance the runner to third, you’re still tied and you probably have a better chance of getting the next guy than you do challenging the guy who has been a Braves killer and is hot tonight as well. Oh yeah, not to mention he is sitting on fastball because he’s ahead in the count 2-0. Heck that’s straight from the baseball Bible! If Cy Young winners don’t think they can get away with that, a guy like Boyer sure can’t get away with it.
By nolie
April 1, 2008 12:22 AM | Link to this
yeah. games like these you need to find a favorite player or two who excelled and use that to lessen the sting a bit. At least Chippy has 4 RBI already and Yunel is smokin’.
By Pgh Freddy
April 1, 2008 12:25 AM | Link to this
Did you hear that they can’t sell beer at any Braves Games? They lost the opener.
By Pgh Freddy
April 1, 2008 12:25 AM | Link to this
Did you hear that they can’t sell beer at any Braves Games? They lost the opener.
By Pgh Freddy
April 1, 2008 12:25 AM | Link to this
Did you hear that they can’t sell beer at any Braves Games? They lost the opener.
By TennesseePaul
April 1, 2008 12:27 AM | Link to this
So. I didn’t get to see one inning of this game on a TV. Nor did I get to absorb more than a few pitches in the 4th and 5th innings on Gameday, but this much was obvious, Cox was out managed hands down. Any one who knows one thing about baseball would be able to see that. Cox was out managed. He couldn’t hit when the team needed a hit and he couldn’t pitch when the team needed to pitch. Unbelievable.
Good news is Chipper is on pace for 81 homers and so is McCann.
By David O'Brien
April 1, 2008 12:29 AM | Link to this
Hi, uh … can someone tell me what just happened?
By the way, don’t know if any of you noticed it on TV, but a foul ball came directly at my computer in the 11th inning or so (I forget which). I nearly caught it barehanded, but at least was able to deflect it and avoid blowing up my laptop after already having rewritten the game story four times.
What a night.
Until further notice, I’ll not being referring to this as a good bullpen.
And someone might have to mention to Boyer that pumping one’s fist after an inning-ending strikeout in the 11th (against the opposing relief pitcher, Osorio) probably isn’t adviseable when you’re coming back out to pitch the 12th….
Hey, the dude was pumped, I understand that. Boyer pitched a dominant 11th, with two strikeouts. Just saying, a youngster might just limit the show of emotions, especially in such a crazy, out-of-control game.
By TennesseePaul
April 1, 2008 12:31 AM | Link to this
The bad news, Braves are on pace for an 0-162 season … and the Nats are on pace for a 162-0 season. Cats living with dogs.
By chop-chop-chop-a-roo
April 1, 2008 12:39 AM | Link to this
in all honesty, i think yunel was trying to be a hero during his last at bat and chased some pitches he would usually never chase…and i have NO idea what happened to tex and mac in the 12th. thoughts?
By Justin
April 1, 2008 12:43 AM | Link to this
Yeah I was thinking the fist pump wasn’t such a good idea at the time. Especially considering it was the opposing teams pitcher and a RP at that.
By uga-brave
April 1, 2008 12:47 AM | Link to this
DOB,
said the same thing about boyer in my 11:19 and 11:37 posts.
pretty sure roger is going to have a talk with him about that.
cox will not stand for it, pretty bush league.
By gtg821x
April 1, 2008 12:47 AM | Link to this
Bobby uses relievers at a higher rate in the first night to try and shut the door and not let it get to extra innings. N8, you are critiquing everything after the fact. Its not that easy. And yes, Bobby is one of the best managers of all time. Its not all about in-game management though, he runs and excellent clubhouse and puts the team in a position to win games. I guarantee that you could not do anything better than Bobby or any of the players you are criticizing. Baseball is a tough sport. And there is a reason there are 162 games in baseball instead of 16 like football. Nights like these happen. You can’t anticipate all the extra innings. And when it came down to it, he would have had Jurrjens ready if necessary. I understand that you know baseball pretty well, but you are the most unreasonable critic I have ever seen. And if its as easy as you make it all seem, why don’t you have a job right now doing it or coaching it?
By Randy S
April 1, 2008 12:48 AM | Link to this
DOB - I didn’t notice on the TV but did from section 103. Those foul balls are tough when they hit you in the hands. I tried to yell up and give you some hell but the voice was lost in the 9th tonight. I’m not stretched out for extra innings yet.
Slightly crazy game by the way. One of the craziest I’ve seen in person. DO NOT throw Xavier Nady fastballs.
By ObiWanKobe
April 1, 2008 12:50 AM | Link to this
Let’s save this here blog & review it in a couple months. See who we can catch doing a flip-flop. What would I equate this “start” (it really isn’t a start untill you’ve gone threw the rotation twice) too? This is going to be like getting the new album from your favorite band and hearing the first two songs and saying “this sucks, this isn’t what I thought this was going to be like!”. Keep listening folks, listen to it again, and again, and all of a sudden it’s your favorite. This one’s going to be good trust me.
By Greg in TN
April 1, 2008 12:52 AM | Link to this
Rod Serling had to be sitting somewhere in the ballpark tonight.
DOB, I did see the foul ball making a beeline for press row but didn’t realize you were in the crosshairs.
Wow… A roller coaster ride tonight denizens.
Same theme from last night. Sloppy defensively and a mistake on the basepaths by Kotsay. Glavine left with the lead and the bully didn’t do their job. Acosta just didn’t have it tonight. We had three errors tonight and could have had a fourth if Tex doesn’t dig out a low throw from Chipper.
I think the off day tomorrow is coming at a very good time for these guys and it will give them time to regroup before Wednesday. The bats seem to be waking up, but the bullpen has some work to do in terms of coming in and not throwing gas on the fire.
I’ll forgive Escobar’s errors in the field as long as he keeps ripping the ball at the dish. He’ll make a few errors, but he’ll more than make up for it over the course of this season. His triple tonight was well worth the price of admission.
By I Meant What I Said and I Said What I Meant
April 1, 2008 1:04 AM | Link to this
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 wiki
April 1, 2008 1:14 AM | Link to this
N8
Using your logic, the Braves can only make the postseason after starting 0-2 by resigning Maddux, Leibrandt, Avery, Neagle, and Millwood??? Okay. For good measure, let’s resign Jerry Willard and Brad Clontz. I’m sure they’re available. That’ll strike fear into the NL.
I’ll try once more…my point is that those scenarios happened and, thus, will happen again. In the NFL, it is quite difficult to even make the playoffs after starting 0-2. In baseball, there are probably many championship teams that started 0-2. For each occurence, there are reasons why…..whatever they are.
What were your arguments after two games in 1991? Let me guess….
Our supposed #1 starter (Glavine) won 10 games last year. They’re going to let this Avery guy pitch and he was 3-11 last year??? Mike Heath is our starting catcher? Terry Pendleton is a has been! They traded Dale Murphy last year! Rafael Belliard?? Are you freakin’ kidding me! If we could only bring back Phil Niekro and Hank Aaron in their primes.
Geez
By Coach (Lets Go Braves In 2008)
April 1, 2008 1:21 AM | Link to this
Some sobering perspective for the blog.
The 2007 division winning Philadelphia Phillies started out 2-8 and the entire city of Philadelphia wanted Charlie Manuel’s head served as the main course.
They were outscored 59 to 45 and posted a team ERA of 5.16
They finished 89-73.
Two numbers from the Braves first two games that do however have my attention.
Four errors and the Bullpens 10.39 ERA
One player who’s defensive play has been less than stellar so far is Jeff Francoeur. His wild rocket throws from right field have yet to nail a runner at 2B or home plate.
Mark Teixeira isn’t hitting yet. He is one for ten with two strike outs and six runners left on base.
The good news is that Hudson and Glavine have an ERA of 2.25 and the offense has scored thirteen runs while jacking three home runs.
The starting pitching is evident as is the offense. That bullpen is much better than they have looked so far.
The defense needs work and that bench….well lets just say it’s less than impressive.
No worries yet, it’s two games. Don’t believe me? scroll up and read the beginning of my post.
By Todd A
April 1, 2008 1:22 AM | Link to this
Is it football season yet?
By Murphy
April 1, 2008 1:23 AM | Link to this
Thanks for all the posts about TV and radio. I live in Charlotte and I am trying to figure out how the company that owns the TV station (Time-Warner and Peachtree TV) cannot get its act together to show the games…geez
By Coach (Lets Go Braves In 2008)
April 1, 2008 1:26 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.
Just how many times do you want me to say it?
By AZBravoFan
April 1, 2008 1:37 AM | Link to this
Relax all. Remember how great things looked after the 1st 2 games last year? Dramatic extra inning wins. Clutch hits. Hell even Macay McBride got a win. Wasn’t much of an indication of what was to come was it? Are Manny Acosta and Blaine Boyer bums? Maybe. Was Smoltz a bum when he gave up 800 runs to the Marlins in his opening day start a few years ago? He reeled off 15 wins after that. Some disturbing things? Sure. But lotsa ball still to be played. We’ve all got to pull ourselves out of the “one and done” NCAA tourney mentality.
By joebrave
April 1, 2008 1:48 AM | Link to this
Damn!!!
By Roll the Hole!
April 1, 2008 1:54 AM | Link to this
Don’t believe it matters how many times you say it, Coach — 12-11 losses to the Pirates tend to make people stop listening.
Of course, I personally stopped listening the day you said Salty had talent comparable to Johnny Bench. It was obvious then any judgment or baseball savvy you might possess was negated by blatant homerism.
And you can take that to the damn bank and cash it.
By Todd A
April 1, 2008 1:57 AM | Link to this
*0-2 in one run games.”
Deja vu ALL OVER AGAIN, isn’t it? *
It’s all too common a theme with this team the last two years. Shoddy defense at the most inopportune of times, an overrated lineup that gets that “deer in the head-lights” look in a tie or one run game, and a porous bullpen that has grown accustomed to giving up late leads in the most dramatic of fashions.
How many times have we seen tonight’s scenario played out the last two years? The Braves hitters go down meekly when the game is tied. The pen, like clockwork, comes in gets abused for 3 to 4 runs, while the Braves make a dramatic come back (when the pressure has been lifted), only to lose by one or two runs.
It’s a symptom of a team that doesn’t know how to win anymore. LOL…now, the Braves will probably break out the lumber in the next day or two and score 14 runs. It has become their MO. Lose two or three close ones, and win in a blow out. Nothing has changed.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves In 2008)
April 1, 2008 2:10 AM | Link to this
Roll the hole is the lesser known term for what is commonly known as the hit and run.
The runner takes off as if to steal second forcing the second baseman to cover the bag, immediately vacating the right side of the infield while the batter drives the pitch through the hole where the second baseman had been standing for a base hit.
And now you know something new about the game of baseball.
As for listening, I really don’t give a damn.
By john
April 1, 2008 2:12 AM | Link to this
DOB is Kelly Johnson really out for 3 months?
By john
April 1, 2008 2:13 AM | Link to this
DOB is Kelly Johnson really out for 3 months?
By andy-LA
April 1, 2008 2:17 AM | Link to this
This team is built on starting pitching—so far so good—the pen has ALOT of talent—really bad night—thats all—it happens F###—-what are you peoples problems—-BASEBALLS BACK!!! The Braves are going to be great. It’s fun remember? It was a very fun game—end sucked but so what. “Miles to go before I sleep.”
By Bravesfan79
April 1, 2008 3:33 AM | Link to this
Mt Baseball: You obviously did not watch the Braves in the first half of last year. We had the worst bench in all of baseball (2nd or so worst pinch hitting) Ill take what we have now over woodcrap, orr and wilson anyday!!
By Roll the Hole!
April 1, 2008 3:40 AM | Link to this
Saltalamacchia will never see the day he can hold Johnny Bench’s jock. And you can take that to the damn bank and cash it.
And now you know something new about the game of baseball.
By Bobby's Cox
April 1, 2008 4:02 AM | Link to this
I’d rather see josh anderson pinch run and steal 2nd, then have pena drive him home than have corky miller on our team. And if anderson were to get thrown out, then i’d rather watch that than to ever see corky miller.
this team needs speed on its bench. bring up the kid. rather see schaffer than kotsay too. atleast the kids will play while we lose games like this.
By Bobby's Cox
April 1, 2008 4:02 AM | Link to this
I’d rather see josh anderson pinch run and steal 2nd, then have pena drive him home than have corky miller on our team. And if anderson were to get thrown out, then i’d rather watch that than to ever see corky miller.
this team needs speed on its bench. bring up the kid. rather see schaffer than kotsay too. atleast the kids will play while we lose games like this.
By Bobby's Cox
April 1, 2008 4:14 AM | Link to this
that “deer in the headlights offense” line was classic. couldn’t have said it better myself. why is the offense so stagnant when it’s a close ballgame? why do these hitters play down to the competition? Why can’t they put teams away?
By Train Wreck Bystander
April 1, 2008 5:22 AM | Link to this
Texiera’s cold start doesn’t worry me… he will heat up later when others cool off. Ebb and flow.
Look on the bright side… tomorrow’s an off day. Burning through the bullpen & bench wasn’t necessarily a bad thing.
It does look like they didn’t knock all the rust off in Florida, though.
By Cherokee
April 1, 2008 5:27 AM | Link to this
why do these hitters play down to the competition? Why can’t they put teams away?BC
wait a minute. they score 11 runs and lose and you’re complaining about the hitting? Wow. and here I thought it was the defense and relief pitching that was the culprit tonight. Just goes to show that you learn sumthang new every day.
By joebrave
April 1, 2008 6:42 AM | Link to this
Too much Playing tat Damn Stupid @ssed GOLF,Not Enough Training!!! Golf is for Lady Boys,Baseball is for Real Men!!!
By SNIPER-69
April 1, 2008 7:01 AM | Link to this
Losses to the Nats and Pirates(at home). Couldn’t sell out on opening day? Where’s LEW when you need him to make sense out of this madness. He’s a master at spinning a web of bu—ll sh—it about how great this team is. Where are you LEW? We need you.
By Cooch
April 1, 2008 7:04 AM | Link to this
Roll the hole. Yeah. Roll the hole. Yeah. Roll the hole. Roll the hole. Yeah. Gotta roll the hole. Yeah. Roll the hole. Time to roll the hole. Roll the hole. Yeah. Roll the hole. Yeah. 2:15. Time to roll the hole. Who’s on first? Roll the hole. Yeah. Roll the hole. Gotta watch Wapner. Yeah. Roll the hole. Roll the hole. Roll the hole. Roll the hole. Yeah. Coach is gonna roll the hole. Yea. Roll the hole. Strictly insider baseball knowledge. Yeah. Roll the hole. Yeah. Thorman has options. Yeah. Roll the Hole. Yeah. Thorman has options. Yeah. Take it it the bank. YEah. Roll the hole. Yeah. Take it to the bank. Yeah. Roll the hole. Yeah. Trade for Teahen. Yeah. Trade for Teahen. Yeah. Gotta get Norton. Yeah. Gotta get Norton. Yeah. Gotta get Norton. Yeah. Roll the hole, roll the hole, roll the hole. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Roll the hole. Take it to the bank. Gotta get Norton. Yeah. Roll the hole. Yeah. Take it to the bank. Yeah. It’s 2:00. Time to watch Wapner. Who’s on first?
By CharlieAlphaBravo
April 1, 2008 7:08 AM | Link to this
Ahhhh… Man, just woke up and I had the most awful dream. It was ‘07 and the Bravos came back from a ridiculous deficit to tie it late, only to lose in extra innings, again… Wait a second… O cruel world, why do you mock me???
By Cooch
April 1, 2008 7:23 AM | Link to this
Yeah. I buy my underwear at KMart. Yeah. $2.99 at KMart. Yeah. I like my KMart tighty whities. Yeah. Sobering perspective. Yeah. Take it to the bank. Yeah. Gotta get Norton. Yeah. Thorman has options. Yeah. Roll the hole. Yeah. Strictly insider baseball knowledge. Yeah. Roll the hole. Yeah. Take it to the bank. Yeah. Sobering perspective. Yeah. I buy my underwear at KMart. Yeah. Take it the bank. Yeah. Roll the hole. Yeah. Time to watch Wapner. Yeah. Who’s on first?
By Yars
April 1, 2008 7:31 AM | Link to this
I won’t be surprised if KJ is back in the lineup by Thursday. We need his bat in the lineup. Prado just doesn’t cut it as an everyday 2B. Sure, KJ’s defense is shaky at times, but so is Yunels, Chipper, hell even Diaz makes me cringe sometimes when a fly ball is hit to him. I expect Yunel to have an awesome season at the plate, but I also expect him to make 26 errors at SS. (14 throwing errors, 12 fielding errors) Regarding Spiezio, it’s too early to speculate what he can bring to the table. If he’s a flop at Richmond, that will be the last we hear of him. He’ll likely retire & open a bar or something. However, if he shows he can still play & comes in with a good attitude, he could be a slight upgrade for our bench. He can play 1B, 3B, & has some pop in his bat. Let’s say he does play solid at Richmond, I guess the odd man out would be Pena. I’m also wondering who will be sent down once Infante returns. Prado or Gotay? I still say Wren is going to make a trade sooner or later.
By Braves20
April 1, 2008 7:56 AM | Link to this
The most effective reliever in last nights debacle was …….
Tyler Yates.
That’s just sick.
By rlpmetro
April 1, 2008 8:10 AM | Link to this
DOB,
Can you explain the reasoning behind Bobby Cox using the closer at home whenever the Braves are tied going into the 9th? I could kind of understand it when Smoltz was the closer because he was lights out, but the Braves closer situation seems like it has always been somewhat iffy besides him. Bringing Soriano in last night to pitch the 9th was just dumb! So what if Soriano doesn’t get to pitch in the game. I hate the mentality “we are going to send our closer out to shut them down this half inning, and pray to God that we score in the bottom of the inning.” Bennett could have continued on I thought. Instead, we pulled him too early, and ended up leaving ourselves with just one pitcher to go the rest of the game.
Cox does this ALL the time.
By Will
April 1, 2008 8:20 AM | Link to this
Did last season even end? this is the same crap all over again. The bullpen is atrocious. Just unbelievable. I know its just 2 games, but the trend of crap is already starting again!
By Efrim
April 1, 2008 8:28 AM | Link to this
Until further notice, I’ll not being referring to this as a good bullpen.
Yes. Agreed.
I went to bed only to wake up and find out that we lost another one run game.
Nothing has really changed from last year.
By the way, the bullpen always seems to be our achilles heel. No matter what we do. It always seems bad, even if we have a bunch of power arms.
Awful.
By Thrillhouse44
April 1, 2008 8:41 AM | Link to this
I can’t stand not seeing the games any longer. Who subscribes to MLB.TV? What are your thoughts about it?
By Gil in Mechanicsville
April 1, 2008 8:48 AM | Link to this
rlpmetro It is common baseball strategy to use your closer at home when the game is tied because your team gets the last at bat. If on the road, you normally do not use your closer unless your team is ahead in the ninth.
By doug
April 1, 2008 9:05 AM | Link to this
The Braves are only 1 1/2 games out of the wild card, come on :-)
By Lew
April 1, 2008 9:19 AM | Link to this
Snipper-I’m right here. Have you wet your pants yet over the Mets’ ONE win and the Braves losses? Go change your britches. You’ve already been smelling it up for months. Those wet diapers won’t help the situation.
All you Rats and Lemmings-No need to follow N8 the Piper quite yet. The ship is not even taking on water, much less sinking.
Coach-I happen to agree with you, but seems to me you might just want to be aware that there are people on this blog who will go check the archives for statements made months ago and then hold those statements against you. That behavior sound familiar to you? It should-you’ve done it to me-more than five months previously. What’s good for the Goose, etc…..
By ncscoots
April 1, 2008 9:21 AM | Link to this
Two games is hardly a trend. If the Braves have lost 6 one-run games and are 5-18 at the end of April, then you can start worrying.
Is it the same people who decry one-inning stints by relievers and also moan because Moylan pitched 1+ the other night? Seems so, anyway.
I don’t think Bobby yet quite knows how he wants to use this bullpen, as far as roles. Not surprising, since the pen is totally made over, as most bloggers seemed to prefer in the offseason. You got your wish, now the man needs time to sort it out.
Yes, the game last night was ugly, so what? It won’t be the last such for the Braves, or any other team, for that matter. Is this not the same team that many here, only days ago, locked in for 90+, 95+, heck, even 100+ wins this year? Did that potential just stay at Dark Star when we weren’t looking? Talent will out. Just saying.
By brent a.
April 1, 2008 9:24 AM | Link to this
DOB,
Loved the commentary on the Boyer fist-pump.
My thoughts at the time were, “Did we just win the game?”
Bad day in Braves land. If Glavine proves to only be a 5-6 inning pitcher (yes, I know, it’s early, but Glavine’s old), and we follow him up with this bullpen - yikes!
By Lew
April 1, 2008 9:42 AM | Link to this
Brent-Yeah, but those 5-6 inning games by Glavine will sure as hell beat the 2-3 inning starts we got from the end of the rotation last year.
By Efrim
April 1, 2008 9:45 AM | Link to this
Scoots
Two games is hardly a trend, you’re right. But the Bullpen needs to pitch better than they have. It was somthing that a lot of people assumed would be a strong point for this team.
By SNIPER-69
April 1, 2008 9:48 AM | Link to this
Lew-ser is back to restore calm to the blog. Go ahead Lew, spin us something good. Tell us again that the braves are the greatest.
By TommyP
April 1, 2008 9:55 AM | Link to this
Can’t believe how many are complaining about the first two games and are acting so negatively. It’s not football, guys. Baseball. 6 months. 162 games. I’m not one to watch the Braves and blog at the same time but I definitely won’t be doing it anytime soon. Reading this morning all of the “woe is us” crap last night and the night before is just a waste of time. And one guy litters half the blog-space all night. Ugh…
Watched a full day of ball yesterday (LOVE Extra Innings package) and have a few random thoughts…
The Giants are going to be the worst team in baseball this year. They are truly an embarassment of rags thrown in there together by Sabean. This guy should be thanking Barry Bonds for helping him keep his job this long.
Rich Aurilia at 1B? Jose Castillo at 3B? Bocock? Benjie Molina as cleanup? Wow… It’s the modern version of the Milwaukee Braves….”Lincecum and Cain, then 3 days of rain.” Depressing.
Matt Chico looks like he has idolized Mr. Glavine. Not only does he look a bit similar in style but that #47 he wears can’t be coincidence. Solid talent.
F******* looked GREAT yesterday. Gonna be fun watching him in Wrigley this summer. I believe after his success this year, the Japanese imports will significantly increase. Great, good or bad, these players all are fundamentally sound.
Whine about the Braves bullpen but it happened all over the majors yesterday. It’s early, folks. And cold in many of these cities. Let ‘em warm up.
Joe Torre has already impressed me in LA. He sits the huge contract in Juan Pierre for the opener so the younger, better Andre Ethier can start. Not many would do that. Dodgers will be a force this year. Furcal wins Comeback Player of the Year as well.
I finish with just wishing the Braves could have netted McLouth this past offseason (say around October when Pittsburgh was still touting him as a backup????). I said it all offseason (actually started blogging it here in September). The guy is going to thrive now that he’s been given the chance to start full time.
By N8
April 1, 2008 9:58 AM | Link to this
ObiWanKobe
“Let’s save this here blog & review it in a couple months. See who we can catch doing a flip-flop.”
Oh. I’m sure IF this team starts playing like they’re capable of, I’ll be accused of flip-flopping (as you put is).
But there is nothing for me to flip flop on. I’ve stated that this team NEEDS to play good defense, as ALL of their starting pitchers will pitch to contact (unless Smoltz’ animal instincts take over - and he decides to blow people away again - thus increasing his risk for injury).
I’ll stand by my statement NOW and when (if) they take off on a winning tear.
They HAVE TO play good, solid, consistent defense to win more than they lose.
Period. If that happens, I won’t have “flip-flopped”, they will just have started doing, what I said needed to be done. Which if that is the case, the Braves defenders will have been the ones who “flip-flopped” the way they’ve played the first to games.
wiki
Do you really wanna keep going back and forth on this?
Yeah, Avery, Glavine and Smoltz (along with the entire team in 1990 STUNK it up).
JS brought in a veterans that could lead, the pitchers came into their own, and MOST IMPORTANTLY the team played damn defense, and did EVERY little thing possible to win games.
It’s only 2 games. Even I get that.
But we’re 0-2 in 1-Run games….AGAIN!!!
Other than Yunel & Chipper, we have done NOTHING on offense, (other than stand with the bats on our shoulders as the Pirates closer WALKED US into the game, and the LF & CF couldn’t catch a pop-fly - which followed a game where the tying run scored on a wild pitch).
Our defense is atrocious at best, and that adjective would be a compliment for our bullpen, compared to the one I would like to use, but would more than likely be censored by the blog.
TAKE YOUR HEAD OUT OF YOU AZZ and realize that I understand history plenty. I understand that these two games make up .01 percent of our season. I understand that MANY Braves teams have rallied from worse starts to kick azz and win over 100 games. I understand that last year we started hot and fizzled.
But “take this statement to the bank and cash it”…
If we DON’T play better defense, and don’t get more innings from our starters as a result of that defense, and DON’T get BETTER innings from the bullpen, and DON’T start to actually hit the ball when it matters. We will be just as mediocre as the previous two teams were.
Please don’t come back with ANOTHER post insinuating that I “still” don’t get it.
I get it plenty. I may be over-reacting, and ranting based off of two games. But as USUAL when I’ve ranted in the past two years. I’m ranting about NOTHING MORE than the truth.
I’m not “glooming and dooming” this team. I have yet to predict that this team has NO SHOT. I’ve yet to say that this team SUCKS in general and will not sniff the playoff.
I have merely ranted and spazzed out about how sh!tty they have played in these two games.
Deny that I haven’t spoken a word of truth so far, if you wish. But no matter how ridiculous my rants may come across. I do believe you will lose any argument, if we are assessing how this TEAM has played (based on final results), after the first two games.
If you can find ANY statement that I have made that states that I think this team is finished. Please point them out to me.
EVERY one of my posts, has said if they don’t do “so and so” this COULD be a long year.
I still have faith in this team, and plenty of it. But IF they continue to play like this, they WON’T make the playoffs.
Or do you disagree with that as well?
By Epinephrine
April 1, 2008 10:03 AM | Link to this
Terrible showing by the ‘pen, but I’m not worried about them…yet. I’ll chalk this up to first start jitters and long travel day for now. i saw what Acosta could do last year, and I believe Boyer is better than that pitch.
The game last night was a mess, but I can’t help but feeling good about Yunel, Frenchy, Mac, Chipper, Kots, and Tex.
Errors have to stop, and Tex has to start fielding those one hop throws, though. That is a problem.
Also, KJ has looked great at the plate, and I really hope this knee thing doesn’t keep him out.
By geauxbraves2000
April 1, 2008 10:06 AM | Link to this
I know it’s only two games, but I have visions of last year so far. Hopefully they can get all of this worked out.
I’ve always said I’d pull for them even if they lost every game, so I’m not quitting now, Wednesday is a new day, and maybe Wednesday will be the vanguard for the October Parade.
Geaux Braves!!
By McFann
April 1, 2008 10:09 AM | Link to this
OK, Neight, I’ll rag on you for complaining about a five run comeback:
Seems to me, there is a reason why he wasn’t standing on second. Most players get ticked when they pop out to end a rally, so they take it for granted and don’t really try to run.
I’m not saying I think that’s an OK thing to do (and Francoeur got out anyway, so…), I’m just sayin’ that’s why he only got to first.
And of course, he’s not that fast…
Huh! To bad Francoeur didn’t hit his homer there. Where was the clutch, man?
By eware
April 1, 2008 10:13 AM | Link to this
Holy cow - Francoeur has more walks than Chipper!!
Example #1 - this is how ridiculous doom and gloom is after 2 games…
By Overlord
April 1, 2008 10:25 AM | Link to this
Same old braves…. great team on paper unable to execute. I have to admit they showed something they have not shown since justice and Bream were around, courage and guts. They fell short but showed determination (at times). This team as almost all of us have said at one time or another, has the potential of winning tons of games, and i would say they could easily win more than 100.
Overlord facts:
By N8
April 1, 2008 10:26 AM | Link to this
ncscoots
While I don’t think approaching 90 wins is out of the question. 95 wins isn’t gonna happen, and certainly 100 won’t.
I stated yesterday that with the Braves, Phillies and Mets in this division, along with the 4 teams out west (LA, ARI, SD, COL), that I don’t the NL will have a 100 game winner this year. Too much competition, IMO.
I’ve never denied that the Braves have a shot at winning the WC, the NL East or even getting to and (or) winning the WS. Even after these two games, it’s still not out of line to think that.
The two losses mean NOTHING to me, and the standings. However, the “manner” in which these games have been lost, look WAY too familiar to me. Excuse me for being “gun-shy” of just giving this team the division, based on what the “past” says could happen.
This team as it’s constructed, has ZERO track record to base future results on.
Lew
“All you Rats and Lemmings-No need to follow N8 the Piper quite yet. The ship is not even taking on water, much less sinking.”
At what point did I say the “ship is sinking”?
All I’ve stated (in numerous ways and posts), that this team has a TON of potential to do great things. But MANY things have to fall in line for the greatness to shine through.
First and foremost is the defense.
I’ll state it for the third time today. Our starting pitchers ALL pitch to contact. If our defense isn’t excellent, it will be a LONG year. A year that when all is said and done, will have a bunch of pitchers with good ERA’s and high un-earned runs allowed totals. Which will lead to many losses when the offense isn’t clicking.
Our rotation has the possibility of being VERY special if the defense is sound. If it is not, they won’t be able to get the job done enough.
As of right now, we will be RIGHT where we were last year, without great defense. Which is having only Smoltz an Hudson being able to overcome bad defense. And who really knows about Smoltz?
Glavine wasn’t able to get into the 6th inning, due to the defense making him pitch a TON of pitches in the 2nd and 3rd innings. Do we expect Hampton to not be under the same watchful eye of Bobby Cox and Roger, when it comes to pitch count? JJJ is young and un-proven. Enough said about that.
If KJ doesn’t make that error last night. Maybe Glavine goes 7 innings and THE WHOLE GAME changes. Maybe Glavine gets hammered in the 7th inning. It’s really that simple.
I know you get it. So I’ll stop typing…..for now. :-)
By N8
April 1, 2008 10:32 AM | Link to this
McFann
“Seems to me, there is a reason why he wasn’t standing on second. Most players get ticked when they pop out to end a rally, so they take it for granted and don’t really try to run.”
Unacceptable. Andruw got pulled out of a game MID-INNING when he was young, for not hustling.
Not saying Bobby should do that with McCann. In fact, I’m guessing that will be the LAST TIME that McCann doesn’t hustle on a play like that. Whether Bobby (or anybody else) said anything to him or not.
McCann plays hard, and plays right. My guess is that he’s embarrassed that he didn’t come out of the box running.
As for his speed? LOL! You’re not gonna get me to argue. But that ball was hit HIGH in the air, and if Chipper can score from first on it, surely McCann could have (and should have) ended up on second.
As for Francouer? Well everybody knows he hits better with RISP, so for that reason alone, McCann should have been at 2B. :-)
As for the comeback. I’d be more excited about it had they won. At the time of the comeback, I posted that unless they finished it off with a win, it wouldn’t mean much.
I was right.
By Overlord
April 1, 2008 10:33 AM | Link to this
Overlord facts:
By Big Easy
April 1, 2008 10:33 AM | Link to this
Errors have to stop, and Tex has to start fielding those one hop throws, though. That is a problem. Epinephrine
Exactly. Our defense is looking bad, and, Tex has to be better with the glove. I am not worried about his bat, but he has missed several balls he should have had already. Same goes for the rest of our defense. We have a great team, they just have to get it all together.
~E~
By Overlord
April 1, 2008 10:35 AM | Link to this
Overlord Facts: 3.Despite some critics. I like what we got and saw from Glavine. Lots of ground ball and more importantly when he needed them. So far so good for the SP. He is just warming up, it april.
By Luther
April 1, 2008 10:35 AM | Link to this
Only reason for McCann to go to second in the ninth would have been to slow a relay home and try to help Chipper score. Otherwise, no reason to jeopardize the tying run in a 5 run comeback by getting thrown out at 2nd by the time by the time it takes Chipper to go 3 bases and score. If I was Hubbard I would have been yelling at McCann to keep your foot on the base. No chances with the slowest guy on the team in that situation.
By rlpmetro
April 1, 2008 10:43 AM | Link to this
Gil in Mechanicsville
Just because it is common baseball strategy doesn’t mean it is right…or even smart for that matter! It is plain stupid! Why throw theoretically your best reliever out there when you don’t have a lead? I just don’t get it. So what if you win and he doesn’t get to pitch. The Braves, historically at least, don’t score runs at will! To plan ahead as if they were going to score a run in the bottom of the inning seems moronic! At least with the Braves, it seems to never work out, and we are left with two middle of the road relievers that will have to overextend themselves in extra innings in order to get the job done.
Cox would be better off letting Bennett continue last night, and saving Soriano until later as an insurance policy if Bennett got into major trouble and he needed to get out of a jam!
By wilymo
April 1, 2008 10:44 AM | Link to this
ripmetro,
It’s already been touched on but using your closer in the top of the 9th at home of a tie game is pretty standard since there can never be a save situation in extra innings (when you’re the home team). You can try and rip Bobby for other things, but I don’t think that is one of them. I’m sure if he had brought in Boyer in the 9th though, you’d have been screaming where was Soriano.
By DAP
April 1, 2008 10:46 AM | Link to this
what a game last night…i dont like the way it ended, but it sure was entertaining.
the errors killed us last night…i think if we can play errorless ball, we’ll be fine.
the crowd was really into it last night. we gave glav a big ovation just about every time his name was called, and the place went crazy when escobar hit his triple. he is some special player.
to me, everything looks good except defense and “bullpen”.
i also expect us to hit better. i know, i know, we scored 11 runs, but alot of that was because of walks and mis-played fly balls late in the game. we scored those runs because of what the pirates did, not because of what we did.
did anyone else notice after mccann’s homer, that he hit two long fly balls to the opposite field, and then a third that dropped. the first two that bay caught were like ten feet from getting out of the yard. mccann was hitting them real hard last night.
weve GOT to get tex hitting. he is slumping all around, actually.
two heart breaking losses in a row to start the season. the off day comes at a perfect time, after using our entire bullpen, they need a rest. i think the braves are gonna get fired up after this and come out strong on wednesday.
on a side note, santana looked great in his start for the marlins. gave up a 2 run shot, and thats it. he gives the mets alot of confidence. hopefully the back end of their rotation will fail miserably an sap some of that confidence out.
By David
April 1, 2008 10:51 AM | Link to this
Wow, that game last night was hard to watch. Very frustrating - defense was AWFUL, both infield and outfield. KJ was decent last year but horrible last night. Glavine had a good quote that basically summed up how I felt about the game - something about taking the good & bad from the game. They played like crap, but then actually rallied a couple of times to “make it a game” which is good to see. Still, starting 0-2 isn’t fun.
By DAP
April 1, 2008 10:53 AM | Link to this
oh yeah, one more thing. i was going to point for those worrying about glavine’s pitch count after just 5 innings…the braves had three errors… i believe all while glavine was in the game. that at least one extra inning they made him work, so i think glavine is ok. if he gets decent defense, hes gonna give us 6 to 7 innings everytime out.
By Braves20
April 1, 2008 10:55 AM | Link to this
Well Hell, when Bobby Cox finally hangs them up, we certainly have found his replacement here on the blog.
All we Brave fans will sleep better tonight - and we need it after last night’s marathon.
By ssiscribe
April 1, 2008 10:59 AM | Link to this
Top of the morning, denizens. Wait! What is that I see outside?
It’s the sun. What do you know? That big ol’ ball of light actually rose this morning.
You wouldn’t know it from reading the ol’ blog the past few hours. I’m certainly not going to come on here and try to spin it any way other than the way it is: The Braves have stumbled out of the gate.
It’s also a very, very long season, good people, as I wrote this morning. It’s the mindset of being such a football-crazy area, but two games in a baseball season ain’t like two games in a football season, for sure.
And two games is hardly a good sample size by which to measure any baseball team.
I don’t think any Braves fan is happy with the results. But it is what it is: two games on a very, very long road that will have its share of ups and downs for every team, no matter how good or how bad they will be.
It was great being back in the yard last night, for sure. My little guys ran out of gas after seven innings, which meant I got to watch innings nine through 12 from the house.
Count me as encouraged to see the Braves battle back, both in the ninth and the 12th. The bullpen didn’t pitch well. The defense was nowhere near what it should be. But again, it was what it was: a bad night of baseball, and the Braves nearly won in spite of themselves.
So, everybody go relax today and get ready to fire it up again tomorrow night.
The Scribe abides.
—30—
By DAP
April 1, 2008 10:59 AM | Link to this
overlord KJ is a very big problem for us. You could easily say he was one of the biggest factors last night.
hunh? he played 4 innings of a 12 inning game! he went 1-2 and scored a run, and had an error that let in a run. but tex also had an error. so did escobar….so…why is kelly’s error the one that killed us? your post is just false, overlord.
By bravesfan
April 1, 2008 11:00 AM | Link to this
I was at the game last night, and was surprised at all the people that left in the 8th inning. I know that they were losing by 4 runs, but it’s opening night, come on!
The infield has to start making the routine plays. Chippers’ and Escobar’s were both routine, and Kelly Johnson’s should have been mad, but maybe he was hurt at that point or w/e.
Hey defense and pitching wins championship, and we are only getting pitching from the starters, none from the bullpen. Well…most of them.
Hey March is over, and here come April. Let’s put these two games behind us!
Go Braves!!!
By Efrim
April 1, 2008 11:01 AM | Link to this
DAP
You bring up a good point. I’m not sure many know, but Tex is a notorius slow starter. He rarely has good April’s. Or at least hasn’t had good April’s in the past.
By Zbrave
April 1, 2008 11:01 AM | Link to this
weve GOT to get tex hitting. he is slumping all around, actually
The pre-freeagency syndrome. Andrew has still not recovered from it.
By Tomahawkin' Again (Like it's 1995)
April 1, 2008 11:02 AM | Link to this
Bring Back Leo!
By beachcomber
April 1, 2008 11:03 AM | Link to this
DAP - Thanks for being the voice of reason and pulling a few us back from the ledge of the office towers.
By Overlord
April 1, 2008 11:04 AM | Link to this
What about Spiezio? If he makes the roster i suppose Gotay will be sent down or released. Or how will the braves play that?
By DAP
April 1, 2008 11:05 AM | Link to this
rlpmetro in the 9th, or in extra innings, if you dont use your closer, then you never will, because if you get the lead you win. so you use your best reliever whenyou need the score to stay right there. thats why its standard procedure to pitch your closer at home in the top of the 9th in a tie game. just drop it.
By Capt. Caveman (the original dawg)
April 1, 2008 11:09 AM | Link to this
We now interrupt your blogging for an important message from SENSIBILITY
SHUT THE HELL UP!!!!!
YOU BUNCH OF WHINING, OVER-REACTING, KNIT-PICKING, NON-FORGIVING, PROBABLY SUCK AT SOFTBALL, FRUSTRATED MIDDLE-AGED SPORTS WANNABES, NOT GETTING LAID ON ANY REGULAR BASIS, FAIR WEATHER FANS AND FANS OF OTHER TEAMS JUST ON HERE TO START SOME CRAP BECAUSE THEY KNOW THAT SOME SUCKER ON THE BLOG WILL TAKE THE BAIT AND MAKE THEM FEEL IMPORTANT FOR ABOUT A MINUTE, — IDIOTS !!!!
We now return you to your regular mindless drivel and join DOB’s blog in progess.
By Big Easy
April 1, 2008 11:10 AM | Link to this
I gotta think, if Spiezio comes up, we try to sneak Pena through waivers to Richmond, and when Infante comes back, Prado goes down (Gotay has more pop).
~E~
By McFann
April 1, 2008 11:11 AM | Link to this
I see what ya mean, Neight, but thanks, Luther…I think…
No really, I’m somewhat glad they didn’t chance it. But either way, they still went to extras. Then again, if he would’ve tried for two, and got thrown out, Chipper’s run might not have counted, and we would’ve lost……anyway. And then we’d be sayin’ the same thing we said after Sunday night: “What he try for second for?!”
Now, if Francouer would’ve come up and singled or doubled and McCann stopped at third, and then Kotsay got out, well, then we could really be ticked.
Anyway, we still lost, and that really STINKS!
I noticed it, DAP. Bet ya knew that, though. : )
(sigh) I wish there was a game tonight!!
By Overlord
April 1, 2008 11:12 AM | Link to this
DAP KJs E came in a crucial moment in the game. To me (not to say thats the way it is) it was the turning point in the game. Shutting the door on pirates face at that precise moment was crucial. It all went wrong from that moment on. Once one makes that kind of error, the whole team loses concentration.
By Renegator
April 1, 2008 11:13 AM | Link to this
This year’s team reminds my a lot of last year’s team. They just find ways to lose.
With the talent they have on this team - they should be winning games against the Nats and the Pirates.
It’s going to be a long year.
By StingerSplash
April 1, 2008 11:16 AM | Link to this
If I ever run out of gas, I know where to find someone — the bullpens in the NL East. That’s not smoke from a papal election, it’s a mushroom cloud from the bullpens immolating.
By Zbrave
April 1, 2008 11:20 AM | Link to this
Capt. That must have felt good! Just wondering if you happen to belong to one of those on the list?
By TI
April 1, 2008 11:21 AM | Link to this
IowaBrave, you’re an idiot. We’ve played two games.
By Overlord
April 1, 2008 11:23 AM | Link to this
DAP i also know TEX and YUNEL had errors, but thats is not something im tired of. What im tired of is watching KJs glove cost us lots of games (2007). I like KJ, he has tried hard and gives it all, but his glove is errant and if something doesnt changes radically, he will (by far) cost us more games because of an err than any other player in the team, i can see that one coming. And im sure you do too.
By DAP
April 1, 2008 11:24 AM | Link to this
overlord ok. i feel like the turning point was when manny gave up 4 runs, buts thats just me.
id didnt see the play on tv, but from the stands kelly’s error looked like pretty tuff play…escobar’s error and chipper’s error (should have been tex’s error) were pretty routine plays, but kelly had to handle a chopper in the grass, which is real tuff for a 2nd baseman. from what i could tell, he booted it taking it out of his glove to throw, and we all know 2nd baseman to 1st is the tuffest throw on the infield.
my point is, its not like he booted an easy play.
By Efrim
April 1, 2008 11:28 AM | Link to this
Overlord
The turning point of the game was Tex hitting into the double play. Wilson made a great play.
That was the turning point. Tex destroyed that ball and Wilson made a great play on it.
Good defense can change the momentum of a game sometimes. It happened last night.
By TJ
April 1, 2008 11:28 AM | Link to this
Is it the same people who decry one-inning stints by relievers and also moan because Moylan pitched 1+ the other night? Seems so, anyway.
ncscoots, I don’t know about others; I am one who questioned not using our long guy in the 6th last night. My feeling was that it was a good opportunity for Bennett to get us to the 8th, and then we could use Moylan and Soriano to close it out. Don’t know that it would have worked, but it was the way I thought it should’ve been played.
Not to say Cox is incompetent (he’s not), or that I know better than him (I don’t).
btw, I had no complaint with him using Moylan for 1 1/3 inning on Sunday. Didn’t like the result, but that’s beside the point.
By Robert (Chipper Is The Best)
April 1, 2008 11:29 AM | Link to this
OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Are you people kidding?! It is two games. Look, I was not happy about either loss but calm the hell down! The way the Braves came back last night was terrific! Yes, they fell short but they could’ve easily rolled over and figured it was only the second game of the season. But, they didn’t. They played to the bitter end and almost came back a second time.
If the Braves lose their next two games then concern needs to be allowed in but right now it does not. For the love of God we already have people talking about its going to be a long season. ITS TWO FREAKIN GAMES!
By brent a.
April 1, 2008 11:29 AM | Link to this
Sad to hear the news about Skip Caray’s health scare in October.
It’s odd to think about how only 20, or so years ago, it was Haray Caray having the health scares, but then returning to the Cubs booth.
Anyway, I hope that Skip is able to relax and be restored to a solid measure of health.
His voice is important to Atlanta and to Atlanta Braves baseball.
By Home of the Brave
April 1, 2008 11:32 AM | Link to this
Bottom line is: Braves Bullpen Stinks.
Hitting: ok on day 2(though rallying for 5 runs in the 9th won’t happen again) Starting Pitching: ok
Bench: ok though Anderson and Lillibridge should both be in there.
Relief Pitching: Moylan has sucked for two consecutive appearances. Since Spring training, I hated Acosta for being in this team. Resop and Ring aren’t the answer, much less Ohman.
As far as I’m concerned, both Boyer and Acosta are a disgrace to this team. It’s not the first time Boyer surrenders a 3-run-homer to ruin a game. Acosta sucked since Spring Training started.
Hell, even DeSalvo would’ve done better. My advice? Get rid of Boyer, Acosta, and Resop. Bring in DeSalvo, Francisley Bueno, or any of the youngsters who kicked a* during spring training and nobody cared about it.
By Epinephrine
April 1, 2008 11:32 AM | Link to this
Overlord, you are a joke. KJ’s error was the “turning point of the game”? What? How about Acosta giving up four runs. At least KJ did it, we still had the lead, and he mitigated it with his offensive performance (remember he also almost had a double in the first). But no, you’re right. It wasn’t Tex missing balls, or Chipper’s throw, or Blaine’s BP fastball, or Manny’s dismal performance. It wasn’t Bennett, or Resop’s double. No, it was Kelly’s boot that cost us the game last night.
Go outside and get some fresh air.
By Epinephrine
April 1, 2008 11:39 AM | Link to this
Home of the Brave…simply awesome. Either you are being sarcastic, are you are just flat out ridiculous. Get rid of Acosta, Boyer, and Resop for DeSalvo?
Folks, this might be a good blog to go ahead and store, because it is going to be hysterical coming back to this later in the year.
But really, that is just fantastic. DeSalvo is the answer. I don’t even know what to say.
By BravesFanInRockies
April 1, 2008 11:43 AM | Link to this
Denizens,
As of now, the guys in the pen look pretty geeked, and that’s not a good thing when you can’t throw strikes effectively.
Two games does not a season make. Tex’s plate appearances disappointed me more than any other offensive failures.
What was really encouraging what that bomb Frenchy hit in the 12th. He’s had decent ABs up ‘til now but that’s the first sign I’ve seen that he’s locked in at the plate after getting hit by that pitch.
Very nice sign.
By ncscoots
April 1, 2008 11:47 AM | Link to this
TJ, I might agree with you that Bennett would have been a good option after Glavine, but not for three innings. Braves do not as yet know what they’ll get from Jurrjens (whose innings need to be managed this year, anyway), and burning the long guy for three innings would have taken him out of play for Jurrjens’ start. An inning, with a day off in between, would not.
But I can understand the thought process of not using the long guy in that game at that spot. Didn’t work out, but, that’s baseball.
By David O'Brien
April 1, 2008 11:48 AM | Link to this
DeSalvo? DESALVO?!?!
Home of the Brave, until further notice, you are suspended from using that screen name.
By Luther
April 1, 2008 11:48 AM | Link to this
Efrim- Agree, if Tex’s liner gets through I think the Braves have a very good chance to keep that game in control. Excellent play though.
Also really liked Tommy’s at bat to get the first rally started. We were coming out of our shoes trying to hit Snell and Tom just went up with the bat on his shoulder and said I’m gonna make this guy throw some pitches. Sure some luck about Snell actually throwing him some balls, but at least he had an idea up there.
By Ruben Gotay
April 1, 2008 11:52 AM | Link to this
Hey McFann, if it wasn’t for your fat-assed idol, we should’ve won that game against the Nats. If he knows he can’t run, he should STAY in first base, even if he hits it against the wall. Instead, I hear a bunch of idiots saying the “Nats will be fun to watch all season” just because Odalys pitched 5 innings, and a couple of relievers did their job, and ‘Mr. Hits Homers but Sucks for BA’ Zimmerman got a nice pitch anyone could’ve hit for a Homer.
Get Well Gonzo!!! Come back soon!!!
Also, I don’t want to see Hoss criticizing Wright for winning another Gold Glove if he keeps making errors like that. Our defense sucks a.o.n.
By Overlord
April 1, 2008 11:53 AM | Link to this
Efrim ill have to say you are correct. Tex liner was the turning point. I hope you get my point on KJ. His glove and range are so weak, there are no offensive numbers he can put up that can make me forget about it.
Gang, just admit it. Every single time ball is hit toward kelly, specially a soft bouncer…… you all take a deep breath and just hope for the best. Was his knee a problem last year also?
Dont misunderstand me. KJ is a good player, but his glove…. it is horrendous. His range…… he just looks like if mcCann is at 2B.
By David O'Brien
April 1, 2008 11:54 AM | Link to this
Only 160 to go … I don’t know, do some of you think the Braves have enough time to make up this huge deficit? (roll eyes)
By DCbrave
April 1, 2008 11:57 AM | Link to this
DeSalvo? DESALVO?!?! Home of the Brave, until further notice, you are suspended from using that screen name DOB
There you go, HomeoftheBrave: You are DESOLVED.
By GermanBravesFan
April 1, 2008 11:59 AM | Link to this
I guess the best the Braves can go now is 160-2… :-)
By Overlord
April 1, 2008 12:00 PM | Link to this
Epinephrine I will remember your words, hope you never complain about KJs glove (i would bet youll do before april is over). It would be something like jesus told peter……. YOU WILL DENY ME 3 TIMES BEFORE SUNRISE.
Youll complain 3 times about KJs glove before april is gone.
By N8
April 1, 2008 12:00 PM | Link to this
Efrim
“Good defense can change the momentum of a game sometimes. It happened last night.”
And the exact opposite can do the same.
Unfortunately we saw BOTH last night and were on the wrong end of each situation. LOL!
By kdbanks
April 1, 2008 12:01 PM | Link to this
The good: Chipper and McCann are on pace to shatter the HR record with 81 each.
The bad: The Braves are on pace to lose 162 games.
The ugly: Freaking out after 2 games!
By 22oz
April 1, 2008 12:02 PM | Link to this
Any chance the Braves have fielding practice on today’s off day?
By Efrim
April 1, 2008 12:05 PM | Link to this
Overlord
I’m not sure I agree completely on Kelly’s defense. His knee might be bothering him though.
You could tell that he wasn’t healthy last night. I think he makes that play if the right knee isn’t a problem.
More than the 2 losses, Kelly Johnson’s right knee should be the biggest concern of any Braves fan right now.
By Lew
April 1, 2008 12:05 PM | Link to this
Snipper-Tell me again why I should crown the Mets as Champions (oxymoronic term, that) after they’ve won a game and the Braves lost two. I can see why you might want to stop the season now (it would be the only way you’d be in first place). OH!! Wait. You WOULDN’T be in first place, would you? It would be the Nats.
As for me harping on the Mets’ injury countdown. Have I been wrong Little Snipper? So far I’ve been right on Alou and El Duque, haven’t I (rhetorical question there-that means it requires no answer). Gee, and it’s only one game into the Mets; season, too. Two down-23 to go.
Nathan-Dude, just giving you another opening so you could continue your rant (not that you really need a reason or an opening).
By Adam
April 1, 2008 12:12 PM | Link to this
The world is coming to an end after 2 games? Wow, fair weather fans are amazing to see ride the coaster of a 162 game season. Give it a month and see where we are. RELAX
By Casa de Los Bravos
April 1, 2008 12:13 PM | Link to this
Epinephrine:
Well, considering my point was that anyone would’ve done better last night than our Super Trio of Acosta, Boyer, and Resop, and also the fact that I was being a bit sarcastic on the Desalvo thing, on the other hand to say ‘I’m not worried about our bullpen yet’ is kind of retarded compared what I said.
Hope u like this name better!
By Shaun
April 1, 2008 12:14 PM | Link to this
That was not me at 12:04 AM this morning.
This year’s team reminds my a lot of last year’s team. They just find ways to lose.
Something to keep in mind: Look how the Braves started last season, and where they ended up.
With the talent they have on this team - they should be winning games against the Nats and the Pirates.
So the Braves need to go undefeated against bad teams in order to have a chance? Well, the two best teams in baseball last season (the Indians and Red Sox) combined to sweep exactly one season series (the Red Sox swept the Giants in three games).
I’m not sure that losing a close game to the Nationals and one to the Pirates really tells us all that much about what the Braves could do over the course of this season.
By TennesseePaul
April 1, 2008 12:14 PM | Link to this
Well, look at the bright side guys, it looks like Glav will be able to make all his starts and keep his innings down.
By FJR
April 1, 2008 12:16 PM | Link to this
Deep breaths people.
we’re 1.5 games back, right in the thick of the pennant race.
let’s get a reset, get everybody’s mind right
By McFann
April 1, 2008 12:16 PM | Link to this
Ruben Gotay—
I’m not even gonna dignify that with a response, except for this:
“I will not insult your intelligence by suggesting that you really believe what you just said.”
Get a life, and quit cussin’. I don’t believe you’re really Gotay, either, you MET!!!
By CARTZ
April 1, 2008 12:17 PM | Link to this
i can’t believe he brought up DeSalvo.
i just puked on my keyboard.
By wiki
April 1, 2008 12:18 PM | Link to this
N8
In my original post, I wasn’t soliciting conjecture on what the Braves have and haven’t done well or will and won’t do well….the “if” statements. For what its worth, I am indifferent about your “analyses” and realize now that I should have never responded to you in the first place. Your initial and subsequent rants were merely not at all related to my original post. So….yes, you get it. Pacification complete.
peace
By Overlord
April 1, 2008 12:20 PM | Link to this
Efrim im not sure KJs knee is a big concern. It could be but at least the reports dont tell me that.
Johnson exited at the beginning of the fourth inning, and Martin Prado replaced him at second base. The Braves announced his status as day-to-day, and the second baseman believes Tuesday’s off-day could be enough for him to return on Wednesday.
“He wanted to keep going,” said Braves manager Bobby Cox, who opted to use caution and remove Johnson.
Over the past few weeks, Johnson has been bothered by some discomfort in the right knee. When asked about it on Sunday and again on Monday, he said it was something that he dealt with throughout the majority of last season.
*”It just didn’t bounce back today like it has been,” Johnson said. *
By Daybed Wagmoe
April 1, 2008 12:21 PM | Link to this
I’m sure that someone else has said this, but I haven’t been keeping up with this edition of the Ol’ Blog, so sorry if I’m repeating anyone else’s thoughts:
If there’s anything positive to take out of these first to games, it’s the fact that the Braves were down in the 9th inning in both games and managed to come back to tie it up. I’d say that’s pretty good and something they could come back to later on in the year. Hopefully they’ll be able to take confidence in the fact that they can come from behind, whether it’s one run or five runs.
Just a thought. Hope that many of you are enjoying ACCELERATE today! DOB - what are your thoughts on the album?
By Man from Nantucket
April 1, 2008 12:23 PM | Link to this
The Braves are 0 - 2, oh …. it
By DAP
April 1, 2008 12:23 PM | Link to this
overlord It would be something like jesus told peter……. YOU WILL DENY ME 3 TIMES BEFORE SUNRISE.
religion on the blog?
By TennesseePaul
April 1, 2008 12:24 PM | Link to this
With the talent they have on this team - they should be winning games against the Nats and the Pirates
Tigers are saying the same thing… bested by the Royals on opening day… They’re done. Stick a fork in ‘em.
By Shaun
April 1, 2008 12:25 PM | Link to this
Only 160 to go … I don’t know, do some of you think the Braves have enough time to make up this huge deficit? (roll eyes)
Don’t you know DOB, that no contender can possibly lose their first two games to mediocre-to-lousy teams and come back to make the playoffs.
(Please ignore the 1998 Yankees losing their first three games and starting out 1-4 against Oakland and Anaheim.)
By Casa de los Bravos
April 1, 2008 12:25 PM | Link to this
LOL, DC Brave.
By Wayne in Utah
April 1, 2008 12:27 PM | Link to this
Nothing like a 2 game losing streak at the beginning of the season to bring out the idiocy in some.
Take the rest of the day off folks. You deserve it!
By McFann
April 1, 2008 12:32 PM | Link to this
YOU WILL DENY ME 3 TIMES BEFORE SUNRISE. Overboard
You mean “Before the c** crows”…
By Overlord
April 1, 2008 12:38 PM | Link to this
DAP you can call it religion or you can call it history, bible history that is.
By Shaun
April 1, 2008 12:40 PM | Link to this
Guess what folks? Every team in baseball lost at least 22 games to teams that finished with less than or equal to a .500 winning pct.
Every team in baseball lost at least 9 games to teams that finished with less than or equal to a .450 winning percentage. A large number of teams, including the two with the best record, lost at least 15 games to teams that finished at .450 or worse.
Oh, Shaun. You and those darn stats. You and that darn evidence getting in the way.
By McFann
April 1, 2008 12:45 PM | Link to this
Dude, I did not type a bad word in my 12:32 post!!
By Overlord
April 1, 2008 12:49 PM | Link to this
Yes McFann thats what i meant, it is a good think i have you around to correct me.
By Shaun
April 1, 2008 12:50 PM | Link to this
Daybed Wagmoe, you’re right. The Braves were only about four pitches/plays away from being 2-0 instead of 0-2. It’s not as if they lost two games to Washington and Pittsburgh by 10-15 runs or even 4-5 runs.
By Casa de los Bravos
April 1, 2008 12:50 PM | Link to this
CARTZ:
DESALVO DESALVO DESALVO!!!!!
lol
By Shaun
April 1, 2008 12:54 PM | Link to this
From espn.com:
Monday’s loss marks only the fourth time in the 18 years Bobby Cox has managed the Braves that they have started a season 0-2. They’ve responded well in the past.
1991…94-68…L, World Series
1997…101-61…L, NLCS
2003…101-61…L, NLDS
By DAP
April 1, 2008 12:54 PM | Link to this
overlord i was hoping youd say that. if the bible is history, and not religion, then it isnt against blog rules, which is great.
alot of us on here need to hear from God’s word…er…i mean that historical document. ;-)
By alonzo
April 1, 2008 12:56 PM | Link to this
Well, last night’s game was interesting, particularly the way I experienced it.
At about 7:50 PM, I was driving home from the store. Glavine was piching fine — getting out of trouble. Braves were ahead. Sounded like 1995, right down to the score. All is right with the world.
A bit later, I’m putting stuff up in the kitchen. Pirates had scored their third run, but Braves were up. Home run McCann! I knew the McFann was happy as a shut down the radio to waste time in front of the chick flick my wife had found on Cinemax.
Go in the kitchen later. Turn on the radio. It’s 8-4. Skip is disgusted. Well, the dog does need walking, and it seems too much like 2006….
Much later, I turn the radio on again. Surprised the game is still going on. It’s all tied. Since the Cinemax chick flick is over, I turn the TV on again. And see the Pirates home run. Memories of 2007 bullpen implosians.
Amazed that the Braves nearly came back again.
AS for the season? Who knows. But with the variety of ball the Braves play, the defense has to be better. The Braves have dealt with scary bullpens for years, but bad defense is a new and unwelcome problem.
But, no panic yet. Let’s wait until next week, OK?
By Casa de los Bravos
April 1, 2008 12:59 PM | Link to this
And the funny thing is that you are both wrong. It’s history, period. Not ‘bible’ history.
By McFann
April 1, 2008 12:59 PM | Link to this
Sorry, Overlord. 8 )
By DAP
April 1, 2008 1:04 PM | Link to this
mcfann you have a dirty mouth. :-)
By ssiscribe
April 1, 2008 1:04 PM | Link to this
Shaun: Your 12:40 p.m. post says it all. Nice work.
EVERY team is going to lose to a team it’s better than; it’s going to happen when you have 162 games on the schedule, plain and simple. Otherwise, we’d see teams win 120, 130, 140 games.
It’s a long season, denizens, a season that is in its infancy at this point. Yet, some of you are ready to toss the newborn out with yesterday’s newspaper. Relax, breathe, go get some fresh air and get the heck away from your keyboards for a while.
The Scribe abides.
—30—
By Greg in TN
April 1, 2008 1:05 PM | Link to this
Afternoon denizens…
The defense and the bullpen certainly has room to improve, as I said last night, they’ve been key in how we’ve reached the oh-fer to start the 2008 campaign.
I believe that both will improve, the bats certainly looked better last night than they did in DC. Off to head out to look for a new alternate jersey.
By rlpmetro
April 1, 2008 1:05 PM | Link to this
wilymo
I would most definitely not have been screaming if he hadn’t brought Soriano in. That is my point! I think it is pointless to bring him in during a tie, and it doesn’t ever seem to work out well for the Braves! I think there is some credence to the fact that a closer doesn’t get as jacked up when he doesn’t have a save opportunity or a lead to protect. The adrenaline isn’t flowing as freely because he knows if he makes a mistake, there is a chance he can be let off the hook.
I realize that they pinch hit for Bennett in the bottom of the 9th. The right move was likely to bring Boyer in for the last out of the 8th and the 9th inning, then go with Bennett in the 10th. Of course, hindsight is 20/20, but I just feel strongly that Bobby should leave the closer in the pen unless there is a lead to protect. It’s OK if the closer doesn’t pitch in every game!!!
Honestly, how many extra inning home games do the Braves play each year?? I am guessing it is a handful or less, but it never fails, the closer is inserted into the tie game, and it seems like the Braves usually end up losing.
By David O'Brien
April 1, 2008 1:07 PM | Link to this
Three great-reviewed CDs out today, and I’m gonna go get ‘em now: REM’s new one, the Black Keys’ new one produced by Danger Mouse, and Justin Townes Earle “The Good Life” on the great Bloodshot label. Yes, it’s Steve’s son.
By Efrim
April 1, 2008 1:07 PM | Link to this
Who writes these ridiculous statements?
Eric (Atlanta): When is the next time the Braves will actually contend? 2013?
Rob Neyer: (1:05 PM ET ) They’ll contend for the Wild Card in 2008!
By David O'Brien
April 1, 2008 1:10 PM | Link to this
Any chance the Braves have fielding practice on today’s off day?22oz
Are you kidding? If not, please consider the team’s travel schedule the past five days. They got home at 4 a.m. yesterday from D.C., and played until almost midnight last night.
Now I’ll answer: No chance in hell.
By DAP
April 1, 2008 1:14 PM | Link to this
Casa de los Bravos
im not wrong. just clarifying positions. i agree with you.
By N8
April 1, 2008 1:14 PM | Link to this
Well apparently Hell has frozen over, because I actually agree with something that Terrance Moore said in his column. Actually it was a response to a post (something that NEVER seems to happen).
Anyhow, a fan said it’s too early to be down on the Braves. To which he responed (while using a quote from a former Georgia basketball coach):
“As I wrote in today’s column, their bullpen has the potential to be very good. But as former Georgia basketball coach Hugh Durham used to say, “Potential means you ain’t done it yet.””
And that people (especially you Wiki), is precisely the point.
Smoltz, Chipper and Glavine (along with Kotsay),have done “it” before (winning - even after slow starts). But the core of this team has done NOTHING. When the Braves made the playoffs in 2005, McCann and Francoeur were mid-season call-ups that were surrounded by tons of talent.
Granted they were a BIG part of why that team succeeded, and were deemed the Baby Braves.
But until those two guys CARRY this team to the playoffs, it will be nothing more than potential.
Past Braves teams track records be damned. Even with Bobby in the dugout.
That being said, this team has the potential to not only win the WS, but do it in a dominating manner. There is that much potential on this team.
Again. I’m OK with being 0-2. It’s the manner in which that record has been reached that has me not only bummed out, but a bit worried.
DOB
Any word from Chipper if he “tweaked” his right hand on that AB against Yates? And if so, did it have anything to do with the poor throws? Obviously it didn’t harm his swing enough to knock in the 2 runs in the 9th.
Just curious.
By Lee in S. GA
April 1, 2008 1:14 PM | Link to this
I think some of the frustration, mainly mine, is the fact that since the Braves started last season at 7-1 they have been nothing more than a 500 team. Starting the season out 0-2 makes one a little nervous. You get and know that gut feeling this team has got to put together a little winning streak or at least go back to the days of winning the series played with each team to compete with the Mets and Phillies. Is the next game already a “must win” game this early in the season…….of course not; however, this team cannot afford to dig itself in a hole quickly or it will be over even before it begins.
By PutMeInCoach
April 1, 2008 1:16 PM | Link to this
Maybe Tex should have been more concerned about his horrible spring?
Did you guys see where Peter King from SI had a comment that Y. Escobar would finish 4th in the NL MVP this year? Gotta love that…King knows football, I am on the fence about his Baseball knowledge though.
Man I hope he is right!
By DAP
April 1, 2008 1:20 PM | Link to this
rlpmetro just let it go, man. youll understand it when youre older.
By David O'Brien
April 1, 2008 1:21 PM | Link to this
DAP, I couldn’t wait for Chipper to come out of the players’ lounge or shower or wherever late last night. Had to get a few quotes and get back upstairs to refile story.
But I can tell you it wasn’t mentioned by anyone postgame when we were getting updates on Kelly, etc.
By Efrim
April 1, 2008 1:26 PM | Link to this
Lee in S. Ga
I wouldn’t say the next game is a must win, but you sure don’t want to be 0-4 heading into 7 straight games against the Mets at home and in Coors Field vs. the Rockies.
By Shaun
April 1, 2008 1:30 PM | Link to this
Again. I’m OK with being 0-2. It’s the manner in which that record has been reached that has me not only bummed out, but a bit worried.
Why? It’s not like they lost those games by 10-15 runs or even 4-5 runs.
N8, I’m not sure what potential of the bullpen has to do with it being too early to be down on the Braves.
Regarding it being early, two games is just not enough to make any definitive judgment.
Regarding the potential of the bullpen, potential also implies talent. And I’ll take talent over a lot of other things.
By McFann
April 1, 2008 1:30 PM | Link to this
HELP!!
Does anybody know of any way I cann download McCann’s home run and our five-run rally onto iTunes for my iPod???
I’m desperate here! Thank you.
By Epinephrine
April 1, 2008 1:33 PM | Link to this
Casa de Los Braves, nope, your comment is still far more unintelligent.
Why is the bullpen sunk after one performance? Seriously, I want to know. If people want to shred a pen after one game, because they pitched poorly across the board, fine. But be prepared to live with it every time you mention the bullpen come July.
Frankly, for the time being I will look to past performance rather than how a group fared one night after arriving at 4 am and playing til 12. I’ll take Acosta’s spring and last year over one bad appearance. You might remember how Mariano Rivera looked last April, but I know that would curb some of the frantic anxiety that a lot of people here seem to be feeding off.
I think Moylan, Soriano, Acosta, Ring, and Boyer make up a great pen. I do because they have a consistent body of work. But go ahead, trash the pen, call for DeSalvo. Just know that there are those of us here who aren’t going to let you forget it in a few months.
And frankly, I take comfort in the fact that the pen performed poorly top to bottom. I’d rather have that, which points to something unique about the night, than one or two members melting down.
And whoever keeps saying Moylan was bad against Washington needs a serious reality check. Moylan was filthy against the Nats except for one stupid pitch. Granted, those pitches shouldn’t be made. But don’t act like the guy was up there throwing BP fastballs for 1 and 2/3rd an inning. There is a reason Bobby left him in-because he looked unhittable in his first inning.
By Tomahawkin
April 1, 2008 1:37 PM | Link to this
Lee In S. GA. Lets see how they playagainst the Mets before we all get nervous…The Fact of the matter is we can’t even handle the Nats or Pirates…I have a feeling that we are gonna get Clowned by the Mets this weekend, Hope I’m wrong…
N8 Said it best, it’s not gonna matter who we have starting, if the Defense plays elementary style, and The Blow-Pen keeps Blowing games that should’ve been in the bag…
By Sepstein10
April 1, 2008 1:39 PM | Link to this
Anyone know why Chuck James was part of the introductions last night? He’s not currently on the 40 man roster, right?
By KC
April 1, 2008 1:41 PM | Link to this
THE SKY IS FALLING! THE SKY IS FALLING!!!
Oh, wait… it’s only 2 games into the season? Right, I forgot.
So on Sunday… lack of offense cost us the game. We only 2 runs scored against marginal pitching.
Last night, it was our defense. Two unearned runs in regulation play that kept us from wrapping it up 4-3 in 9 innings.
Neither defense nor offense figure to be a problem for this team, so there’s really no cause for concern.
Shake it off. We’ll go get em’ on Wednesday.
By 22oz
April 1, 2008 1:41 PM | Link to this
DOB, yes i was kidding. Just a little humor due to the rust in the field the past 2 days.
By Tomahawkin
April 1, 2008 1:44 PM | Link to this
My frustration comes from our record in one-run games again, Last Nite was horrible, I gotta go buy another remote, after throwing mine at the wall last nite, I gotta stop doing that….
All though I do give the team props for not giving up last night, That’s one of the best things I’ve seen from this team the past year and a half is that they don’t give up…
By Pat
April 1, 2008 1:48 PM | Link to this
To all those people freaking out:
In innings 8-12 last night Braves relievers had a combined WHIP of 2.6…League Average is about 1.25.
Boyer, Bennett, Acosta, and Soriano all threw at or below 50% stirkes.
You do that in a game and you are going to have trouble.
Clearly last night was an outlier of expected performance.
Also factor in our 4-6 hitters going 3-17, BUT we still scored 11 runs.
This team is going to be very good.
CHILL OUT!
By SNIPER-69
April 1, 2008 1:49 PM | Link to this
Big Lew-ser, can you tell us one of those lulla bye’s of yours. You know, the one about a baseball team from Atlanta that was going to be so great that other teams in the division were just gonna crumble in their presence. I especialy liked the part where you said that team from NEW YORK was going to not be able to keep up because they were old and often injured. Please Lew-Ser, tell it again.
By rlpmetro
April 1, 2008 1:50 PM | Link to this
DAP
Older? You just simply assume that since I am posting something on the message board that you don’t agree with, that I must be some young kid? Sorry to dissappoint you, but I am nearly 30 years old. I have watched the Braves throughout this streak of Division Championships and even before during the Dale Murphy days!
You just are too old to hear me out! I understand the idea that you wouldn’t be able to throw your closer out there at home in extra innings for the save. THAT’S OK!!! He doesn’t have to pitch in every game! Big deal if he sits a game out! The way the game was going, it just doesn’t seem as though it was prudent to assume the Braves were going to put more runs on the board before the Pirates. So the Braves should have put their long inning guy in for long innings!
Regardless, it’s just 2 games, and I know the Braves will be fine. Those were just two tough losses, so that is why I think some of the people are freaking out. Personally, I don’t think there is anything to worry about. Tex will be fine, Frenchy will be fine, Kotsay looks really solid, Yunel is a stud, Chipper is…well Chipper…solid, but the pen is not as good as the hype…yet. Hopefully it will work itself out.
By FJR
April 1, 2008 1:51 PM | Link to this
sepstein, I believe chuck is on the DL and thus is on the 40 man.
By AGTfan
April 1, 2008 1:55 PM | Link to this
The sky is falling..the sky is falling. What to do? HOw can we ever make up this deficit with only 160 games to go. I know it’ll be tight, but I’m going to hang in there a little longer.
Just think, we could be Cubs fans. They opened this very special season with a loss, their 100th anniversary season of the last time they won a WS.
I’m sure some of you guys remember the glory years in the 70’s and 80’s when you could buy nosebleed seats and sit behind the dugout, because you and a couple of other guys were the only people there. And as bad as those teams stunk, we loved them and kept believing they would find a way to get better and pull it out. Well, this team doesn’t stink. They are a quality built ballclub. They will get better, they will grow as a team, and come October, we’ll be watching the Braves still playing baseball.
By DAP
April 1, 2008 2:03 PM | Link to this
Sepstein10 chuck is on the DL, which i think means he is on the 25 man, sort of….meaning, when he gets off the DL he will be on the 25 man.
rlpmetro relax, man. i thought you were young because you didnt seem to understand how team should and do use their closer at home. and your opinions dont seem like they are from someone who has been watching baseball for a long time.
i think i see what your saying, but bobby had to make the decision in the game, not after wards. im sure if he knew it was going to go 12 and we would need extra bullpen guys, he would have left a long-man in for longer.
by the way, if youre almost thirty, then youre older than me. way to assume someones age cause they disagree with you.
By timthebrave
April 1, 2008 2:03 PM | Link to this
How does the bullpen let up 10 runs to a team that has Laroche as their clean up hitter. I mean…Come on….Really??? 10 runs. Oh well it is a long season and hopefully they won’t look so sloppy on Wed. Go Braves
By N8
April 1, 2008 2:10 PM | Link to this
Shaun
“Why? It’s not like they lost those games by 10-15 runs or even 4-5 runs.”
Come on Shaun. You know what I’m getting at. A team that loses by 10-15 runs or even 4-5 runs. Just had a bad day. Chalk it up. Move on.
But a team that can’t win close games (that has been our biggest reason for missing the playoffs that past two seasons), is more frustrating.
That was the STAPLE of the Braves of the 90’s, was doing what was necessary (whether it was hitting a 3-run HR, sac-bunting, squeezing, making THAT pitch to get out of a jam, etc…), to win a close game. We used to DOMINATE extra inning games (other than the post-season).
It’s not necessarily a sign of things to come. I just wish that they would have come out of the gates and shown that the previous two season’s problems in the bullpen were solved. So far they haven’t. Doesn’t mean they won’t. But they haven’t.
Now were left scratching our heads and second guessing, way too often.
“N8, I’m not sure what potential of the bullpen has to do with it being too early to be down on the Braves.”
It means what it says. The bullpen has potential. So it’s too early to judge them. Yet they have failed us so far. Nothing more. Nothing less.
“Regarding it being early, two games is just not enough to make any definitive judgment.”
It is. You are correct. All they have to do is go out and reverse it and I’ll shut up. Nothing different than the last two years. I’d love NOTHING MORE than to have nothing to complain and rant about, believe it or not.
“Regarding the potential of the bullpen, potential also implies talent. And I’ll take talent over a lot of other things.”
I agree with the first sentence. As for the second one? I’ll take consitancy and a team that doesn’t shoot themselves in the foot over talent that underachieves ANY day of the week.
Many people said that Rockies team made the playoffs due to their ridiculous run at the end of the year. No doubt about it, it had a little to do with it. LOL! But what had more to do with their overall success, was setting the NL record for FEWEST errors in a season, timely hitting, and NOT being their own worst enemy.
Pretty elementary if you ask me.
I don’t think you’ll find a writer or “expert” outside of Colorado that will say that the Rockies have (or had last year), more “talent” than the Braves and every other team in the NL. But they got the job done, didn’t they?
They reminded me of the 91 Braves. Executed EVERYTHING to perfection. Except for one stinking pitch to Kirby Puckett. :-(
DOB
Thanks for the response on Chipper’s hand. You directed your response to DAP, but it was my question.
Either way. Thanks for the answer.
Epinephrine
“I think Moylan, Soriano, Acosta, Ring, and Boyer make up a great pen. I do because they have a consistent body of work.”
Say Wah?!?
Moylan has had ONE good year. A year which I believe is all said and done will be followed up by another good year. Moylan is the LEAST of my concerns.
Soriano has only a SLIVER of a track record as closer to go by. He may end up being that guy that’s better as a set-up guy than as a closer. I like the guy. I like that he’s “mean” as Bobby calls him. I like his stuff. But he’s unproven in the closer’s roll on a team that’s supposed to contend. Not to mention his elbow, that held him out of most of the spring games.
Acosta? 20 some innings of stellar relief had me pumped too last year. His spring appeared to go without any hitches. But remember that Kyle Davies first 20 innings in the Big Leagues went well too. Final analysis? Unproven.
Ring? If he’s so great, why is he on his 3rd organization in 4 years, when EVERYBODY ON THE PLANET is looking for left-handed relievers? He might end up being an intrigal part of our pen. But again, with only 43 innings in the Big Leagues under his belt…..UNPROVEN.
Boyer? Love this kid. He’s got raw stuff. Wouldn’t have minded him going back to Richmond and working on his innings and coming back next year as a starter, Kids got over 565 innings in the minors (rare these days) and maintained a 3.60 ERA. Coming off of a season of 73 innings of 4.30 ERA ball at AAA, and only pitching 6 big league innings over the past 2 seasons, I’m not so sure what to make of his “future”.
So if that is what you refer to as a “consistent body of work”, I’d hate to see what you think is inconsistent. LOL!
3 Days ago, I loved the way our bullpen “shaped up”, based on Spring Training numbers.
Now, after 2 shaky outings in general, by the pen. They’re gonna have to prove it to me, before I “believe”. I had blind faith, going in, and that is now broken down a bit.
THAT being said. Bobby does this every year. He takes the best 5 or 6 guys “north” as camp breaks, and by Memorial Day, most (if not all of them), have been replaced either due to injury or in-effectiveness. Happens every year.
So I’m not gonna really worry about it….yet.
But I’m gonna go out on a limb, and say that this isn’t the year (with 2 teams that are as good as us in the East, and 4 pretty good teams in the West), to fall too far behind early.
I wouldn’t be shocked if Bobby shakes up this pen, when Smoltz is activated.
What year was that, when he send like four guys down AT ONCE, and the guys he brought up ALL kicked azz? I think it was in June or July. That could EASILY happen again this year.
I just hope we didn’t trade the wrong guy to the Pirates.
By Lew
April 1, 2008 2:20 PM | Link to this
Snipper-You are such a freaking moron. Y’all have ONE win. We have two losses. Neither team is in first place. Are you worried? I’m not. Don’t know what else you want me to say other than what a jerk you are.
By Shaun
April 1, 2008 2:23 PM | Link to this
timthebrave, same way a hitter as good as Matt Diaz can start the season 1 for 9.
By Josh from Columbus
April 1, 2008 2:43 PM | Link to this
Does anyone know where on the internet I can buy the new Alternate Road Navy Jerseys or Alternate Road Navy Hat? I have read they are available in the Braves Catalog and/or the Braves Clubhouse Stores at CNN Center and Turner Field but didn’t know if these were exclusive locations or not. Thanks for any help! Can’t wait to see J-Squared Wednesday!
By Shaun
April 1, 2008 2:44 PM | Link to this
Come on Shaun. You know what I’m getting at. A team that loses by 10-15 runs or even 4-5 runs. Just had a bad day. Chalk it up. Move on.
But a team that can’t win close games (that has been our biggest reason for missing the playoffs that past two seasons), is more frustrating.
Are you serious? Yes, one-run losses are often times more frustrating but recognize what you are saying.
Bad teams get clobbered. One-run games don’t necessarily tell us anything about whether a team is good or bad.
Look at records of teams in games with a 4-run margin of victory or more last season. Arizona was the only playoff team with a losing record in such games.
Look at records of teams in games decided by one run last season. Philadelphia, the Yankees, Boston and Colorado all finished .500 or worse in one-run games.
A team’s record in blowouts is more likely to tell us something than their record in one-run games, as frustrating as one-run losses may be.
By rlpmetro
April 1, 2008 2:54 PM | Link to this
DAP
I am with you. I know that people second guess too much when it comes to losing games. Some of that is necessary though in order to get better. It happened with the Cubs yesterday too! They put Kerry Wood in for the 10th in a tie game, and he gave up a run and lost the game. Maybe the old way of thinking just isn’t getting it done, so a new way of thinking could be beneficial! Then again, maybe it is just a coincidence, and I seem to remember the times it doesn’t work more than the times it does work!
By Shaun
April 1, 2008 2:55 PM | Link to this
N8, actually, the Rockies had enough talent to have the third-best ERA+ in the NL. That’s a better ERA+ than the Padres, Braves, Giants, Dodgers and Mets.
By jro
April 1, 2008 2:55 PM | Link to this
DAVID! being the CASH aficionado that you are, you wouldn’t happen to know where a guy who wanted a Man In Black costume could find one, would you? thanks.
By Kenji
April 1, 2008 2:57 PM | Link to this
The Cubs have a new right fielder named Kosuke F*******.
Will AJC let me type his name here? Let’s see…
By DAP
April 1, 2008 2:57 PM | Link to this
Josh from Columbus i belive the navy is hat nothing more than a replica of late 60s early 70s road caps. here’s the cooperstown version on mlb.com
By Yars
April 1, 2008 3:06 PM | Link to this
DOB….after you have time listening to the new REM album Accelerate, please give us your review of it. I consider myself a casual REM fan. Have a few of their albums, (Green, Automatic For the People, Monster) & am debating on whether or not Accelerate is worthy of picking up. now playing: cannonball by the breeders.
By Epinephrine
April 1, 2008 3:08 PM | Link to this
Sorry N8, I couldnt understand what you were saying, you lost me after 5000 words.
By Tomahawkin
April 1, 2008 3:09 PM | Link to this
If this Performance by the Blow-pen Continues, I’m pretty sure people will be calling For Roger McDowells Job by Midseason, Hell maybe by Monday if the Mets have a field day against them…Leo Mazzone wouldn’t put up with a Blow-pen performing they way they have over thelast year and a half…
By TJ
April 1, 2008 3:12 PM | Link to this
I’ve never understood the obsession with record in 1-run games.
A 1-run loss to a very good team with their ace on the mound probably says more good about your team than a 1-run win over the worst team with their #5 on the mound. Unless you quantify who those games were won or lost against (and a bunch of other factors too), I think it’s mostly meaningless.
I think a statistic like “record when tied after 7 innings,” or something like that, would say a lot more about a team’s ability to win close games. That would get more into bullpen’s ability to hold the other team, and the team’s ability to produce a run when the game is on the line.
If the Braves had won that game last night, 13-12, would that have said anything about our ability to win close games? I don’t think so. It would’ve just said we were the ones who led at the end of a very poorly played game.
I’d be happier (rather win than lose) but it wouldn’t be any more of a confidence boost. The bullpen and defense would still have been very questionable.
By N8
April 1, 2008 3:12 PM | Link to this
Shaun
Every now and then I agree with you. This happens to be one of the times, that I agree with you.
I will however, “argue” the following comment, based on what I’ve said about this team the past two seasons.
“Bad teams get clobbered. One-run games don’t necessarily tell us anything about whether a team is good or bad.”
I’ve NEVER claimed we were a bad team. MANY have claimed we were/are/going to b a GREAT team, over the past 2 seasons and subsequent off-seasons.
All I’ve merely stated for the past 30 months or so, is that we are MEDIOCRE. Since you’re a “stat” guy, you should see the big picture, that the numbers back that up.
Since opening day 2006 (counting these two games), we are 163-163.
Mediocre.
Silly to include these two games with the past two seasons and “lumping them together”?? Absolutely. But considerably LESS silly than Wiki using what Braves teams did in the 90’s to show what “THIS CORE OF PLAYERS” is capable of. History doesn’t lie.
The past 2 seasons of history surrounding the Braves is that they are mediocre and have underachieved based on the amount of “stars” on the roster.
So forgive me for being overly optimistic all off-season, only to now have doubts only 2 games in. This team is gonna have to prove it to me, before I believe. Doesn’t me I don’t WANT to believe. Doesn’t mean I WON’T believe. Just means I’m not taking if for granted that “everything will be OK”, after we ALL said that for the past two years, when they were “slumping”. :-)
As of September 1st last year, the Rockies were 69-66 (ironically we were 69-67 that day). Of course the Rockies went on to win 21 of the next 26 games to finish with 90 wins.
So after 5 months of mediocre ball, they capped it off with one of the greatest Septembers in history and rode it all the way to the WS.
So anything can happen. Which is what I’ll cling to (ranting along the way, I would imagine).
But that run was a ONCE IN A LIFETIME run. As long as we hover around .500 for these first couple of months, I’ll feel OK about it (as long as the Mets or Phils don’t reel off 20 of 25 to start the year).
But this team can’t be expected to come back from an early standings deficit of 5 or more games, if that’s what happens, IMO.
By Kenji
April 1, 2008 3:18 PM | Link to this
My experiment has revealed a problem!
See post at 2:57pm.
AJC will not let anyone type name of new Cubs right fielder: Kosuke F*******.
Watch - Last name will be obliterated by asterisks. Disgrace!!
Wake up AJC!!! you are censoring wrong words!!!
Braves fans - you must complain about this outrage.
Heroic new player Kosuke F******* will do many good things this year. Does not deserve asterisks.
Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens deserve many asterisks!!!
By N8
April 1, 2008 3:18 PM | Link to this
Epinephrine
“Sorry N8, I couldnt understand what you were saying, you lost me after 5000 words.”
I’ll email you the pre-school “picture story” later, if you’d like. :-)
How about I steal a line from This is Spinal Tap, to give my two word “review” of the Braves first 2 games……
SH!T SANDWHICH.
Easier enough to understand.
By N8
April 1, 2008 3:25 PM | Link to this
TJ
Nice point about the one run games, and using the “tied after 7 innings” theory to tell the tale.
I guess ultimately, it doesn’t matter what the score is or how you got there. But the question is as follows, do you win more than you lose?
Over the past 326 games, we are dead even.
By Lee in S. GA
April 1, 2008 3:41 PM | Link to this
*Since opening day 2006 (counting these two games), we are 163-163.
Mediocre.*
That really sums it up in a nutshell. Until the Braves prove it otherwise.
By DAP
April 1, 2008 3:47 PM | Link to this
real mature, kenji.
By TJ
April 1, 2008 3:48 PM | Link to this
Phillies signed Rudy Seanez. A good pickup for them, I would think. I don’t know what kind of shape he’s in right now, but he wasn’t half bad last year.
By SomeYahoo
April 1, 2008 3:58 PM | Link to this
Just to carry along the 1-run discussion, I did a little analysis on my blog, Braves Blog.net, of the Braves in one-run games over the last 10 years, and while it’s not a singularly reliable indicator of success, it’s a factor in about 30% of games and will play a role in a close pennant race. Our teams with the worst 1-run W% were arguably the weakest of the 10 year span. Good discussion here. I hope I haven’t repeated earlier sentiments.
It’s only two games, so we shouldn’t flip out and banish all hope, but we have to be better in close and late games if we want to win the NL East, because it’s going to take every advantage to match the Mets and Phils this year.
By SNIPER-69
April 1, 2008 3:59 PM | Link to this
The Mets are 186-138 during that same time.
By Efrim
April 1, 2008 4:09 PM | Link to this
163-163 is the bottom line.
I can’t say much more than that.
But I expect this team to be at least 12 games over .500 when the season ends(87-75). So with that said, 250-236 isn’t half bad.
By jb
April 1, 2008 4:15 PM | Link to this
It’s only 2 games folks. There were some good signs that this year will be better than next year. 1. Frenchy making contact, getting the ball to the right side of the infield, and moving Prado (who scored on a pass ball) to 3rd on Sunday. If Andruw was on the team, he would have been in the # 5 hole Sunday and struck out. Diaz, after failing to get the bunt down, still manages to move the runner over. He doesn’t make an out withour moving the runner or smashing his hand in the process. Nice to see some things done right at the plate for a change. With this pitching staff, however, the defense needs to step up, or the pen will be overworked in a hurry. Like the Spezio signing. It could help, but definitely doesn’t cost the Braves much if he flops.
By Bobby's Cox
April 1, 2008 4:16 PM | Link to this
Overlord
I agree with you about KJ. Been same the same thing for 2 years now. Prado can hit .300 just like KJ, and Escobar is going to make A LOT of errors at short like he showed in spring. Might as well shore up the infield somewhat and have prado at 2B. Trade KJ while everyone is bullish on him and get some more relief pitching. Oh wait, now KJ has a bum knee.
By Efrim
April 1, 2008 4:21 PM | Link to this
SomeYahoo
Wow. 37-60 in one-run games since opening day of 2006. 18-25 in 2007. I would of figured we were even worse than that last year.
I wonder what the one run records were of the playoff teams the last two years…….
By Cooch
April 1, 2008 4:22 PM | Link to this
Yeah. I buy my underwear at KMart. Yeah. Roll the hole. Yeah. $2.99 at KMart. Yeah. Roll the hole. KMart tighty whities. Yeah. Roll the hole. Sobering perspective. Yeah. Roll the hole. Take it to the bank. Yeah. Roll the hole. Gotta get Norton. Yeah. Roll the hole. Gotta get Norton. Yeah. Roll the hole. Gotta get Norton. Yeah. Roll the hole. Thorman has options. Yeah. Roll the hole. Thorman has options. Yeah. Roll the hole. Thorman has options. Yeah. Roll the hole. Strictly insider baseball knowledge. Yeah. Roll the hole. Yeah. Take it to the bank. Yeah. Roll the hole. Cash it in. Yeah. Roll the hole. Time to watch Wapner. Yeah. Roll the hole. Who’s on first? Yeah. Roll the hole. gonna roll the hole. Yea. Roll the hole. Strictly insider baseball knowledge. Yeah. Roll the hole. Trade for Teahen. Yeah. Trade for Teahen. Yeah. Wren is a freaking genius. Yeah. Roll the hole. It’s 4:20. Time to smoke the doobie. Yeah. Roll the hole. Who’s on first?
By Efrim
April 1, 2008 4:27 PM | Link to this
I find it hilarious that people on this blog knock Kelly Johnson because of one error he made last night- when he is clearly not healthy. Lets reserve judgement on a kid that has the BEST plate discipline of ANY of our young hitters. THE BEST.
He is a very productive offensive baseball player that the World Series Champs wanted but couldn’t have because Frank Wren isn’t an idiot.
By Bobby's Cox
April 1, 2008 4:28 PM | Link to this
DOB depsite yoru scarcasm, i think you bring up a good point. I think the braves should start taking infield practice before every game. It won’t hurt.
By PopeVanIII
April 1, 2008 4:30 PM | Link to this
DOB
“And someone might have to mention to Boyer that pumping one’s fist after an inning-ending strikeout in the 11th (against the opposing relief pitcher, Osorio) probably isn’t adviseable when you’re coming back out to pitch the 12th….
Hey, the dude was pumped, I understand that. Boyer pitched a dominant 11th, with two strikeouts. Just saying, a youngster might just limit the show of emotions, especially in such a crazy, out-of-control game.”
I don’t understand your sentiment there at all. Why shouldn’t he? He had a good inning in his first meaningful, healthy baseball in a long time, and he knew he’d preserved the lead going into the bottom of an inning in which the top of our order was coming up. I surely felt good about that situation at the time.
Don’t get why, of all the comments you could have made about the final stages of that game, you single out Boyer’s fist-pump. Bizarre.
By Epinephrine
April 1, 2008 4:35 PM | Link to this
Wow. Great point Bobby’s Cox.
By mirfE
April 1, 2008 4:42 PM | Link to this
I love the Mets. We’re only 163-163. I bow to the Mets. We’re only 163-163. All hail the Mets. The Mets are the best.
By ncscoots
April 1, 2008 4:49 PM | Link to this
braves should start taking infield practice before every game
…making the Braves the only team in MLB to do so.
By mo in the boonies
April 1, 2008 4:51 PM | Link to this
Uh..the good news is that I got to watch the game last night on Direct TV on channel 617 thanks to Rick posting it on the blog . Missed the first two innings. It was a little weird with the feed from Peachtree, staring at the field with no sound during commercials. Didn’t miss the commercials, but would have like to hear something, couldn’t even hear the song at the 7th inning stretch, except faintly from the stadium mic. Felt like, the whole Peachtree thing was a bit “bush league”, definitely not up to TBS standards. But at least I got to watch the game. And it was free.
The bad news is that the Braves lost, and it wasn’t pretty. I’m beginning to think Texierra isn’t as hot a player as we were led to believe. I suspected that last year, he looked lazy to me, and acted like he was glued to first base, couldn’t bother to chase a ball. But figured it was just because he was new to Atlanta. He hasn’t proved to be a great hitter yet, and his on base work is sloppy. Those two errors were as much his fault as anyone’s. He should have caught them. They gave him a gift by not calling the errors on him. But then he is supposed to be the big money man, so he gets cut slack. They walked La Roche and pitched to Nady?? And they have lost two games to two of the worst teams in Baseball. What’s gonna happen when they play the good teams?
30yrBravesFan I noticed that “tubing thing” on Glavine, thought it might be a draw string on his shirt neck. (Like on a hoodie.)
WayneinUtah I too noticed that the political comments escaped any reproach by the esteem blog master, but giving him the benefit of the doubt, maybe he was too busy during the game to smack them down…we’ll see.
Efrim I’m not sure many know, but Tex is a notorious slow starter. He rarely has good April’s. Or at least hasn’t had good April’s in the past.
So we have to wait a month for him to get started…I don’t think so, he better kick it into drive pretty soon,
Caveman re: your 11:09 post…stuff it! We have as much right to say what we feel on here as you.
By BossLady
April 1, 2008 4:52 PM | Link to this
Fist pumps sometimes angers the opponent and make them want to come after you the more. Sometimes you just take it for what it is worth and celebrate later. That probably gave Pittsburgh a new breath of life.
By The Man
April 1, 2008 4:52 PM | Link to this
The Mets are 186-138 during that same time.
That’s nice. I feel so much better now.
By Metropolitan Man
April 1, 2008 4:55 PM | Link to this
All jokes and sarcasm aside. The braves played a great game last night and if thats whats in store for the rest of the league then we must stay ready. Last nights display was entertaining for any baseball fan. Now I’m not sad that they lost, but I was amazed and suprised with the fight they had in them even though the opponent was considered less than formidable. I hope you guys play with that passion all year (same results of course) because it was an awesome game to watch. Your pen may obviously need help, especailly on the days Glavine will pitch. Booby was managing that game last night like it was the playoffs, good for him.
Silver Lining: Getting off to the slow start will always keep you in a postion to never collaspe. (Too many losses to catch up)
LETS GO PEDRO!!!
By David
April 1, 2008 4:55 PM | Link to this
Honest question, as this spring was my introduction to DOB’s blog here - does Dave blog as frequently during the season as he did during spring training? Does he have time to “chime in” with comments? I’ve gotten into the habit these past few weeks of checking for his blogs….
By Prado 4 Life
April 1, 2008 4:58 PM | Link to this
Prado’s bat was ready at the end of the ‘06 season. This was bad judement by management to even consider KJ to move to 2B. KJ could be our everday centerfielder TODAY, Prado our 2b, and this discussion about his defense would not be happening right NOW.
KJ is a good hitter, a little inconsistent at times, but Bobby’s Cox is right, Prado can hit close to .300, minus the pop of KJ. This team needs to get away from trying to hit the long ball and try to get guys on base who can swipe bags, maybe play some hit & run, cuz this o-fense goes through the motions at times and needs a kick in the @ss. Last years o-fensive numbers were inflated due to blow out wins. When games were close we couldn’t put teams away, or when we needed 1 run late we couldn’t get it (hence the bad 1-loss record). Looks like the continuation of last year to me.
The bullpen is another issue. Yunel is going to make a lot of errors. Tex can’t dig balls in the dirt. We don’t need more errors from KJ and need Yunel & Tex’s bat more than KJ’s. Shore up the infield like Bobby’s Cox said & put Prado in there.
Might as well trade KJ for some relief since we have Prado, Gotay, and Infante that can all play 2nd. KJ is expendible to me.
By Robert
April 1, 2008 4:58 PM | Link to this
Give PHIL STOCKMAN a chance already. He is Filthy
By SandyB
April 1, 2008 4:59 PM | Link to this
Thought this a little ironic for all you folks having viewing issues ….Jair Jurrgens’ dad can see the game from Curcacao, but many folks can’t see it in S Georgia. “Carl Jurrjens won’t be at Turner Field tonight — he is coming later in the summer — but he’ll be watching on TV from home.”
By McFann
April 1, 2008 5:04 PM | Link to this
Also factor in our 4-6 hitters going 3-17, BUT we still scored 11 runs. Pat
Yeah, and two of those hits go to the same guy.
Tex is hitting .100, BTW. For trivia’s sake, A. Jones was hitting .100 at this time last year…
Oh, and congrats to Francoeur! Sunday ha got his first Opening Day/Night hit! (All sarcasm aside, folks.)
Still ticked about the Braves new website and not being able to download game-clips. But I’m not gonna go all Austin-with-PTV on ya.
(Sorry, Austin. No offense intended.)
By beekay
April 1, 2008 5:09 PM | Link to this
Give Chipper credit on running that pop up out….many major leaguers would have loafed and ended up at 3rd.
By Austin
April 1, 2008 5:09 PM | Link to this
McFann
It’s all cool now. I was able to watch last nights game from the comfort of my own house. No offense taken.
By JC FROM UT
April 1, 2008 5:11 PM | Link to this
Why is MLB traderumors saying that the Braves are interested in Chris Duffy? I would think that rumors has come and gone quit a while ago. I do think FW should try to get Xavier Nady. Not just because of the 2 HRS last night but because he is a good player and IMO he would be a much better choice than Matt Diaz in left field. I don’t know what it would take to get him but I would at least inquire. Any thoughts?
By SomeYahoo
April 1, 2008 5:14 PM | Link to this
Efrim, so glad you asked. Here are 2007’s playoff teams and their one-run W-L records:
Team 1-Run W% NL
PHI 14-23 CHC 23-22 ARI 32-20 COL 19-19
AL
BOS 22-28 NYY 18-21 CLE 29-24 LAA 25-19
Again, not a singular indicator, but I’m sure that more often than not, playoff teams are +.500 in this area.
By Epinephrine
April 1, 2008 5:18 PM | Link to this
Is it alarming to anyone else that there are actually people out there that think this way? I mean, reading through some of these comments…It is either extremely subtle sarcasm trying to tweak rational people, or a very sad commentary on the human intellect. I wish I could say I believed it was the former.
And I am not talking about people I disagree with like N8. I am talking about people like Bobby’s Cox, Mo in the Boonies, Home of the Braves, etc. Teixera is a failure? (Almost won the game for us in Washington with a home run, hit the cover off the ball last night and was robbed of a huge RBI hit). Trade KJ for relief and start Infante/Prado? (KJ has hit the cover off the ball in the two games thus far…not to mention a .375 OBP .275 season, his first at second, and coming off TJ surgery). Put DeSalvo in and ditch our pen? No comment. But seriously, do people actually think like this?
By McFann
April 1, 2008 5:24 PM | Link to this
That’s good, Austin. It’s to bad it ended up being a cruddy game. But when that ball of McCann’s dropped in the ninth, I couldn’t hear the announcers over myself!
Trade Johnson? No way! Trade Prado. He’s no everyday guy. Why give up on Johnson after only two games? He made one error—so did Escobar—and he’s hittin’ .333. (Prado’s hittin’ squat.) But really, we should at least wait for a weak to go by before we start callin’ our players out. (Cann the umps apply that to the Braves as well? Yuk yuk yuck…)
beekay—
Yes, we’re all very proud of Chipper.
By TJ
April 1, 2008 5:29 PM | Link to this
SomeYahoo, thanks for posting those numbers. You said: Again, not a singular indicator, but I’m sure that more often than not, playoff teams are +.500 in this area.
I would certainly expect most playoff teams to win in excess of 50% of their 1-run games, just as they win more than they lose in other games. They’re better teams!
But interesting that Boston and Philly both had pretty bad 1-run records. I noticed also that last year, 2 of the worst teams, the Nationals and Rangers, had winning records in 1-run games.
Also, the Padres, with the best bullpen in the NL, had a losing 1-run record (23-26).
From the numbers you posted about the Braves, we see everything from terrible (a .365 pct) to very good (.622) and all points in between. Meanwhile, with the exception of ‘06, Braves had a pretty consistent overall win pct.
I’m sure some stat-meister could create an argument that it’s a meaningful stat, but I just don’t see it at this point.
By doug
April 1, 2008 5:30 PM | Link to this
JC: In Buster Olney’s blog today, he referenced a Pitts beat writer that said the Braves were still interested in Duffy. but not until he was healthy. I only noticed it because the link was to a notebook that was mainly about Pitts inability to sign LaRoche long-term. Maybe we can get Roachy back next year, and he can re-unite with his hunting buddy, U Kno who.
By McFann
April 1, 2008 5:32 PM | Link to this
Just got back from the Vent. The one at the top of the page was very nice, thank you! (To let y’all know, I didn’t write it. ; ) )
Of course, as you get to the bottom, there’s some mean ones……
By Efrim
April 1, 2008 5:36 PM | Link to this
Prado 4 life
Martin is a fringe regular.
By Robert (Chipper Is The Best)
April 1, 2008 5:43 PM | Link to this
If its true the Braves still have interest in Duffy that tells me that B. Jones or Gorky Hernandez could be part of some future trade. Honestly, I would prefer the Braves stay away from Duffy. I just think the kid is bad news. And, Xavier Nady is going to cost the Braves more than they should give up to get him.
By TJ
April 1, 2008 5:45 PM | Link to this
If you believe every rumor you hear about the Pirates, your head will be spinning. They’ve either got some very dogged baseball reporters in that town, or some very loose-lipped management types (and I suspect the latter).
By radoncbravesfan
April 1, 2008 5:53 PM | Link to this
Lee in S. GA
You are right on. We may have to lower our expectations. These Braves are “middle of the pack” until proven otherwise. I hope they prove us wrong.
By JC FROM UT
April 1, 2008 6:03 PM | Link to this
Robert; I agree that Nady would come with a nice price tag, but he would be great for this team. He is much better offensively and defensively than Diaz ( I do like Diaz). I just think Diaz is more of an extra outfielder/pinch hitter. Nady could give Tex a rest now and then and can even play centerfield if you really needed him to for a game or two. I do not think Brandon Jones has a future with this orginization so see if the Pirates would bite.
By Cooch
April 1, 2008 6:20 PM | Link to this
Fist pumps sometimes angers the opponent and make them want to come after you the more. Sometimes you just take it for what it is worth and celebrate later. That probably gave Pittsburgh a new breath of life.
You don’t know hardball .
Only the Cooch knows hardball .
Just ask the Cooch .
The Cooch is filled with insider baseball knowledge .
You feeble minded amateurs pale in comparison to the Cooch .
Take it to the bank , and cash it in .
Gotta get Norton .
I heart Bennett .
A sobering perspective from the Cooch .
By raindawg722
April 1, 2008 6:24 PM | Link to this
Is there any way to add a check box for comments that forecast dire results for the rest of the 160 games or are overly critical of the team based on what has happened in the first 2 games?
(I know that there isn’t but it would be nice just to facilitate skipping those comments in the interest of time.)
By robdawg06
April 1, 2008 6:53 PM | Link to this
Dave : First of all, why did the Braves open up with one game in Washington (instead of 3 games) and why play only one game against the Pirates then take a day off ? Ever who scheduled this is a moron. The season just started and players need a break after two games ? Are they wussies ?
Secondly, the bullpen is pathetic after only two games. Same old Braves so far. Gammons and E.Young picked the Braves to go to the World Series this year. They still might as we hope they will but to lose to the have-nots is not encouraging. It looks like Chipper and Teixeira will have to drive in 5 runs per game for this team to win. That’s if the bullpen doesn’t blow the leads…
By joebrave
April 1, 2008 7:06 PM | Link to this
Well Well,Snippy,Metro Mutt,etal,what exactly have the Mutts Won??????? Chew on it @ss Klowns,get back to me quickly before you and your Sorry @ssed Team Chokes on it again!!!!!
By Lew
April 1, 2008 7:15 PM | Link to this
Hey Joe Brave-Where you been keeping yourself?
By ramble ON!
April 1, 2008 7:15 PM | Link to this
Same ole choke boys!
By David O'Brien
April 1, 2008 7:16 PM | Link to this
Spent much of the afternoon listening to the REM album. Great to have my old favorite band back in prime form. I’d give Accelerate a B+ or A-. It’s very good, better than Green or Monster, far better than Up, Reveal or Around the Sun, and a little better that New Adventures in Hi-Fi, which was their last really strong, rockin’ album (1996). The new album’s brevity is refreshing (unlike New Adventures). There are no filler tunes, really.
I’ll have to listen to it a few more times to really judge, but it might be as good as Out of Time, Fables of the Reconstrution or Document. If it’s not, it’s close to each of those, which were really good albums.
It’s ot as good as Automatic for the People, Life’s Rich Pageant, Murmur or Reckoning, but that’s because those are all great albums. This one is close to great.
By robdawg06
April 1, 2008 7:22 PM | Link to this
This is the Braves “punch bowl” forum. These Mets fans are the “turds” that don’t belong here. So leave.
By Metropolitan Man
April 1, 2008 7:27 PM | Link to this
Is this quick enough Joe Brave. I dont have to sit here and bash the braves anymore, you guys are doing an excellent job. What have the METS won exactly, their opening day game that had 38,308 people in attendance….in Fla no less. No sellout last night on such a great game at the Ted? The fans attending the games were the only fans who probably appreciated the way the braves played last night barring the AAA mess. So worry about those braves, the METS will be just fine. Game updates to follow (as long as they are positive).
By Overlord
April 1, 2008 7:29 PM | Link to this
Pedro just hit Ramirez on the forearm.
1st inning…… no fighting this time.
We all know how much the muts hate Ramirez.
We all know pedro has a history of fighting and big mouth..
Was this on purpose???
By radoncbravesfan
April 1, 2008 7:30 PM | Link to this
Uggla just took Pedro deep to left after he pinged Ramirez in the elbow, 2-0 Marlins
By Overlord
April 1, 2008 7:30 PM | Link to this
Dan Uggla just went deep off pedro. Marlins lead 2-0 bottom 1st.
By Wayne in Utah
April 1, 2008 7:31 PM | Link to this
mo in the boonies I suspect with it being opening day, our esteemed blogmeister was preoccupied with other concerns. He is usually quick to stop the political BS. No harm no foul.
My take on the team tonight. After two games, it is too early to be thinking about who to drop and who to blame. BC had a rough night. I am certain if Bobby thought the game was going to end the way it did, he might have stretched a couple of relievers. Personally, I think too many managers (Bobby is as guilty as others) play it batter by batter, and sometimes it comes back to bite them in the azz.
Too early to be penciling in Speizio, but if the dude gets his act back together, I can see him filling the need we have for the corners. I like Nady, but I think he would come at too high a price. I also think that ultimately, Matt Diaz is a part-time player (although I hope like heck he kills it this year full time).
DOB In case you are on, do you think that a guy like LaRoche would be willing to forgive the Braves for dealing him, and come back when he is FA eligible? When would that be, if so?
I hated to see him go. I thought it was a good trade, but I still hated to see him go. Good glove man, and a good hitter for the middle of the lineup.
I really do expect us to lose Tex, bad as that would be. Roachy would be an excellent pickup.
Lets give the bullpen a chance to redeem themselves. I don’t think they are as bad as they have shown in the past couple of days.
Patience is a virtue….
By bravesfan
April 1, 2008 7:31 PM | Link to this
If you have Directv, you can watch the Marlins beat up on the Mets on channel 722 for free.
Muts 0 Marlins 2 bot1st
By Wayne in Utah
April 1, 2008 7:38 PM | Link to this
So what is the real scoop on KJ’s knee?
By Metropolitan Man
April 1, 2008 7:38 PM | Link to this
Pedro payed back Ramirez great, but it cost him 2 runs. Lets see how well the METS respond.
By Wayne in Utah
April 1, 2008 7:39 PM | Link to this
WTG Uggla!!
By Capt. Caveman (the original dawg)
April 1, 2008 7:43 PM | Link to this
YO Mo in the Boonies
As my grandfather once told me:
Those that can —DO
Those that cant — will eventually sign with the METS!!
By radoncbravesfan
April 1, 2008 7:53 PM | Link to this
3-0 Marlins Luis Gonzales to center deep!!
By TJ
April 1, 2008 7:54 PM | Link to this
Wayne, I read today that Laroche reaches free agency after the ‘09 season, and that the Pirates have all but given up on signing him to an extenstion. I really don’t think “forgiveness” would be an issue, and the Pirates might just trade him next offseason rather than let him play out his deal and lose him to free agency for nothing (but draft picks).
He’s got his pro’s and cons, but if we lose Tex, he really wouldn’t be a bad option, IMO.
By Overlord
April 1, 2008 7:56 PM | Link to this
Luis Gonzalez just gave martinez a ride……guess pedro has a new daddy…. 3 runs down already in the 2nd inning…. i think glavine a hudson did better than that.
By Overlord
April 1, 2008 7:58 PM | Link to this
Hey metroman…… ramirez just told pedro….. its payday in the same day…..with a triple…….how about 4-0 against the marlins….. hope pedro makes it to the 3rd inning.
By N8
April 1, 2008 7:59 PM | Link to this
Epinephrine
It is either extremely subtle sarcasm trying to tweak rational people, or a very sad commentary on the human intellect….And I am not talking about people I disagree with like N8.”
Uh…..Thanks….I think? LOL!
You don’t know how CLOSE you are to the truth, even with my posts. Do you REALLY think that I’m that worked up about 2 games, so far? I was the class clown in school and I absolutely LOVE to bug the pizz out of people, which on this blog is FAR too easy to do.
Even a slight breath that resembles negativity towards Bobby and you’d think that you condemned Jesus in the middle of a Catholic Mass.
The only thing easier is shooting fish in a barrel. Though, I’ve never understood why anybody would want to do that. Not very good eatin’ if they’re all full of holes. :-)
Anyhow, apparently my magic has worn off. The Braves are 0-2 in games that I’ve ranted on the blog during the game. Last year at this time they were 2-0 under the same circumstances.
By radoncbravesfan
April 1, 2008 8:00 PM | Link to this
H Ramirez triples, gets Pedro back with triple, rbi, 4-0.
By Overlord
April 1, 2008 8:01 PM | Link to this
pedros pitch count is up to 41 with runners at the corners in the 2nd inning.
By TJ
April 1, 2008 8:08 PM | Link to this
N8, I did some more research. Turns out the Braves are 163-163, since the start of ‘06, in games that you’ve ranted on the blog. Found it on baseballreference.com.
By Epinephrine
April 1, 2008 8:09 PM | Link to this
Fair enough N8, but the difference is, your posts are rants about how poorly this team is playing, what this means for the regular season, etc.
You never suggested infield workouts before games. Never suggested we bring up DeSalvo, or scrap Tex’s career performance, and his Atlanta debut last fall, because he is hasn’t gotten a lot of hits in the last…two…games. Just a whole nother league here.
By Sir Stealth
April 1, 2008 8:15 PM | Link to this
So N8, your explanation for all your out of control negativity is that your just a troll trying to p*ss people off?
By Yars
April 1, 2008 8:17 PM | Link to this
Those that have Comcast digital & who haven’t or aren’t planning on subscribing to MLB Extra Innings need to take advantage of having it free until April 6. The Fish up on the Mets right now 4-0 top of 4th. Pedro pitching. DOB….thank you for your take on the new REM album. I may just have to pick it up.
By Metropolitan Man
April 1, 2008 8:19 PM | Link to this
Pedro , Pedro Pedro, where art thou Pedro? Will the real Pedro Martinez please stand up.
By ncscoots
April 1, 2008 8:22 PM | Link to this
So, nathan, does that 2-2 rant record mean your rants are merely “mediocre”, LOL? I had great faith in your rants at the beginning of the season, but now, well…:-)
Ah man, baseball (and even its ranting fans) is cyclical, I guess. Just can’t hardly fight that old regression to the mean…
By McFann
April 1, 2008 8:27 PM | Link to this
Bottom line is, I knew we were doomed last night when I saw Joe West was behind the plate.
Let’s go, Marlins. Play like it’s September 30, 2007!!
By BA
April 1, 2008 8:29 PM | Link to this
Headhunting? That IS the real Pedro! You know, world famous chicken fighter! The Mets are SCREWED this year! Hey Metrosexual, any racist commentary on the Marlins?!
By ncscoots
April 1, 2008 8:29 PM | Link to this
Pedro’s mellow has been DeSalvo-ed.
By Cooch (Lets Go Roll The Hole In 2008)
April 1, 2008 8:33 PM | Link to this
The defense needs work and that bench….well lets just say it’s less than impressive.
Some say the Cooch is less than impressive but they are wrong.
The Cooch coaches Pony League
This makes Cooch a baseball insider
Very impressive
Take that to the bank , and cash it
The Braves will win 109 games this year
I called it FIVE MONTHS AGO
Frank Wren is a genius
But I’ve been wracking my brain about this bench
The one name that keeps coming up is Norton
Gotta get Norton
More innings for Bennett too
In fact , Bennett should pitch all the innings
By woogidy
April 1, 2008 8:34 PM | Link to this
Just happened… Pedro pulled with an apparent leg injury.
By Lew
April 1, 2008 8:34 PM | Link to this
Pedro removed from the game due to an apparent hamstring injury. I kid you not-I couldn’t make something like that up.
By Epinephrine
April 1, 2008 8:35 PM | Link to this
Well whaddya know, Pedro goes down with an injury. Good thing our bloggers aren’t Mets fans. The doom and gloom would cause a run on local suicide watch teams.
By Overlord
April 1, 2008 8:36 PM | Link to this
OOOOOOPPPPssssssss, pedro exits the game….. after his last pitch he grabs the back of his leg and buttock. Looks like a hamstring. He was pulled out right after that. It doesnt look good metroman
By Logan23
April 1, 2008 8:38 PM | Link to this
Prdro lifted in the forth. Pulled hammey.
By ncgary
April 1, 2008 8:42 PM | Link to this
There you go, HomeoftheBrave: You are DESOLVED.
maybe you can change name to land of the sheeple amd home of the slaves
By Overlord
April 1, 2008 8:42 PM | Link to this
Metro……how come pedro couldnt get out of the 4th inning??? i thought he was the greatest pitcher in the majors after santana.
By Cooch (Lets Go Roll The Hole In 2008)
April 1, 2008 8:43 PM | Link to this
Any dude that uses the gay little smily face when he’s typing should be stripped of his man liscense.
BA, you are a gay smiley face with a bullet in the forehead.
I’m the man on this blog.
Don’t you ever forget that.
I am the only man.
I hand out licenses to these little boys to make them feel like men.
I wear short shorts and have a big droopy porn stache with three weeks of leftovers in it
My big old porn stache is my flavor saver
Take that to the bank , and cash it in
By BA
April 1, 2008 8:43 PM | Link to this
Pedro should win the Oscar, he’s the BEST at faking injuries! The old, injured,gutless MUTTS!
By Lew
April 1, 2008 8:43 PM | Link to this
Well-Actually I could make it up, but I didn’t. Could say I told ya so to the Trolls, but I won’t do that. Oops. I just did. Oh well.
By Danko
April 1, 2008 8:45 PM | Link to this
DOB, I saw Justin Townes Earle when he opened for Isbell the night before Sirens came out. He put on one hell of old school bluegrass show with some rock tendencies.I actually ended up with his set list after everything was over with thinking I had grabbed Isbells. I’ve heard a few cuts online but would love to get your take on the young Earle’s album.
By Overlord
April 1, 2008 8:47 PM | Link to this
Pedro is making up his injury…. he is not man enough to accept his azz got kicked…..
By N8
April 1, 2008 8:47 PM | Link to this
ncscoots
“So, nathan, does that 2-2 rant record mean your rants are merely “mediocre”, LOL? I had great faith in your rants at the beginning of the season, but now, well…:-)”
Be careful with that little smiley face. You wouldn’t want BA (who more than likely is similar to the Kevin Spacey’s next door neighbor in American Beauty) to come down on you “man-license”, would you?
I did some more research on baseball-reference.com and found that the Braves record when I rant is actually 163-158. There were five games last year that I was in therapy for my bi-polar disorder that I wasn’t “allowed” to watch baseball, thus I couldn’t rant.
HA! April fools!!! The Braves didn’t win 5 games in a row last year. Gotcha!
But yes. I will concede. I’m merely mediocre at complaining. (BA has scared me out of using the little smiley face. But you can assume I’m thinking it).
By Danko
April 1, 2008 8:50 PM | Link to this
DOB I got a chance to catch Justin Townes Earle when he opened up for Isbell the night before Sirens came out at the 40 Watt. The kid put on one hell of a good show and I really liked the old school bluegrass flavor in his songs. I would love to get your take on the album after you give it a spin. I’ve heard a few cuts online and enjoyed what I’ve heard.
By Metropolitan Man
April 1, 2008 8:51 PM | Link to this
Once again watching Pedro goes down does not hurt the METS as bad as the braves miss a Smoltz. The rally has begun again and METS will win this game.
Hey Metrosexual, any racist commentary on the Marlins?!
Have at it all byyourself, you do a great job posting garbage mixed in with baseball.
By Wayne in Utah
April 1, 2008 8:52 PM | Link to this
I hate to see anyone hurt playing the game, even if it’s a Mets player. (although for Barroid Bonds, a career threatening injury a few years ago could have been considered appropriate)
Would have rather seen Pedro rocked worse than he was by the Fish!
By BA
April 1, 2008 8:54 PM | Link to this
That was a typo, cut and paste master. Even the great DOB has them. So do you for that matter, most of your stuff looks like it was pecked out by a fourteen year old girl in her cell phone.
By William
April 1, 2008 8:56 PM | Link to this
Trust me I hate the Mets as much as the next guy, but I wouldn’t be slamming Mets fans about injuries. We have guys who need to stay healthy as well. I’d rather beat them at there best. I don’t want them to have any excuses. Have more class than that.
By Metropolitan Man
April 1, 2008 8:58 PM | Link to this
No worries here. Sosa is the long man and the score is tied. As long as it isnt for an extended time, the rotation will keep rolling along. Win without Pedro like they did in all of 06/07 and watching braves and philthies bullpens keeps this METS fan at ease.
By N8
April 1, 2008 9:06 PM | Link to this
Let me point out that my comment about Pedro’s injury was made without malice towards Pedro.
Baseball would be better off with a healthy Pedro. I’m a Pedro fan.
But ALL FRICKIN winter we had to read Mutz trolls bad mouth Glavine and say how Pedro was the man. Then when they got Johan, it was gonna be the best 1-2 punch in baseball. blah blah blah.
So my comment was made with the intension of scoffing at the Mutz fans. Not Pedro. I would never wish injury upon even my most hated sports star. Even Mutz players.
By Overlord
April 1, 2008 9:06 PM | Link to this
metroman, im so sorry to inform you that smoltz threw 83 pitches in a minor league game a pair of days ago…. so i dont think braves will miss him much. He will pitch april 6th….. just saying.
We´ll know how bad pedros injury is by tomorrow, but it really dont matter…… he pitched so bad today, maybe it will work better for the braves if he doesnt misses his next star!!!!!!
By Metropolitan Man
April 1, 2008 9:07 PM | Link to this
Pedro just pulled off the biggest April Fools joke yet. He will be alright.
William, thats the one of the best post I have ever read from a braves fan. Heres to the teams getting healthy at the meat of the season all the way to game 162.
Another METS rally now underway.
By BA
April 1, 2008 9:10 PM | Link to this
Do Mutt’s fans throw batteries at their TV at home?! Or maybe their wives! Win without Pedro, choke when he comes back at the end! To clearly communicate with Mutt’s fans, you have to slump down to their level! Hey Metro, is your Alou jersey stained with his urine? The Mutts are DONE!
By N8
April 1, 2008 9:12 PM | Link to this
BA
My mom is 63 years old, and has major open heart surgery scheduled in about a month.
So you’re not really funny.
I’m about the furthest thing from feminine dude. But your homophobic remarks, show where your mind is at.
By TennesseePaul
April 1, 2008 9:13 PM | Link to this
I checked the live box score on ESPN and MLB.com. It has Pedro tossing 3.1 innings and giving up 4 runs. But the line score has the 4th run in the 5th inning. That doesn’t work. So Pedro left in the 4th with 1 out and a runner on, and that runner just hung around ‘til the fifth and then scored?
By Phil in GA
April 1, 2008 9:17 PM | Link to this
DOB,
REM album question for you - of all those albums you mentioned, which one does the new one sound most like? I’m excited to pick it up this coming weekend.
Personally, I’d have to say Reckoning, Automatic and Document are probably my faves. But of all the post-Berry albums, I really actually dig Reveal. I know most folks don’t feel that and it’s not really rocking, but I think it’s a good album (with a few worthless tracks thrown in).
Anyways, just curious. By the way, I’ve gotten through these first couple of rough games with some recent uptempo albums from some old-timers - Bob Dylan’s Modern Times and The Boss’ Seeger Sessions. Good stuff.
Here’s to some better endings to games the rest of this week. Anybody else in the non-Peachtree TV world drift off to sleep in the eighth inning and get woken up to the sounds of Pete and Skip screaming over the radio in the bottom of the ninth last night? At least it was exciting….
By Overlord
April 1, 2008 9:17 PM | Link to this
William i have never seen the word “Class” written next to “Hate” and think that what im reading makes any sense…. People with class know how to suppress their hate. Please in order to talk about class, first learn how to suppress your hate toward the mets.
By matt
April 1, 2008 9:20 PM | Link to this
William, I agree that the Braves have their own injury concerns. However, it does not bother me at all if the Mets’ players get injured and the Braves win on account of that. Injuries are part of the game and when you rely on injury-prone players that is the risk you take. Like I said, the Braves are taking their chances too, but hopefully our replacements are better - Chuck James vs. Orlando Hernandez, etc.
By BA
April 1, 2008 9:21 PM | Link to this
If Mutt’s fans don’t want to get slammed they should stay out of here! If they are dumb enough to come here and be my target they deserve all they get! Hey Metrosexual, did you get any in your eye when Cone was roughing up his suspect in the bullpen?! The Mets are TOAST!
By Lew
April 1, 2008 9:21 PM | Link to this
Pedro’s been diagnosed (according to the Marlin announcers) with a strained hamstring. I would be willing to bet that it will be a lingering injury that will bother him all year. he’ll go to come back from it and re-injure it within a couple innings.
Metrodude-Pedro, unlike Smoltz, can’t go and pitch sidearm or use a knuckleball and keep pitching through his arm falling off. There goes the second starter from your rotation, along with your left fielder. Not too bad considering it’s only the second day of the season.
By McFann
April 1, 2008 9:26 PM | Link to this
Cann BA’s last few posts be deleted, please?
10Paul—
Wouldn’t be surprised. I think the umps allow the Mets to do that sort of thing…
By ippississiM
April 1, 2008 9:28 PM | Link to this
This has got to be the best news I’ve heard all day: Pedro’s out.
McFann:
I’m just getting home from work, catching up on the blog, but I gotta say, please quit hating on Gotay. He got totally hosed by the Mets, and he’s out for revenge. I mean, read his interviews.
By William
April 1, 2008 9:31 PM | Link to this
Overlord LOL……. I guess you have a point. Ok, I have a strong dislike for the Mets……..the Yankees also for that matter, but I don’t want to gloat about there players getting hurt. Especially since we have a couple guys injured and injury prone that we can’t afford to lose.
By TJ
April 1, 2008 9:39 PM | Link to this
I don’t think saying “I hate the Mets” should be construed as literal hatred of the human beings involved in their organization. We’re getting just a little dramatic here.
By Buzz Killington
April 1, 2008 9:49 PM | Link to this
I don’t want to be a jerk and get all excited because the Pedro Martinez is injured, but after all the BS Mets fans have talked on this blog it’s kinda hard not to at least crack a smile. I am not smiling because he is injured I am smiling because I think Mets nation (if there even is such a thing) has just collectively crapped their pants.
Mets fans had to know this could happen - but it’s like they were in denial about the possibility. Now the Mets are faced with the harsh reality of a below average pitching staff.
You smell that - yup that’s the smell of Mets fans crapping in their pants.
By radoncbravesfan
April 1, 2008 9:50 PM | Link to this
If “hating” the Mets means I was happy they choked out of the 2007 playoffs, then yes, I “hate” the Mets.
By McFann
April 1, 2008 9:50 PM | Link to this
Hating on Gotay? Um……I was just yellin’ at that guy who posted as “Ruben Gotay”. And that was my first and only time. Besides, it couldn’t really have been him…
Night, all!!
By Austin
April 1, 2008 9:53 PM | Link to this
N8
Now that was funny!
By TJ
April 1, 2008 9:59 PM | Link to this
If hating them is wrong, I don’t wanna be right.
By ippississiM
April 1, 2008 10:06 PM | Link to this
I didn’t mean that last post to look like I’m wishing ill on Pedro, but as much as the season is a marathon, it’s also something of a war of attrition. Viewed objectively, the enemy of my enemy is my ally.
By Gil in Mechanicsville
April 1, 2008 10:12 PM | Link to this
Reported that Pedro said he heard a “pop” when the hamstring went… Back to the chicken farm for him… Out at least a month
By Gil in Mechanicsville
April 1, 2008 10:16 PM | Link to this
David Wright just missed a HR… Man that is a deep centerfield at Florida…
By AdirondackDave
April 1, 2008 10:20 PM | Link to this
Something “popped”? Mets will be lucky if he’s back in a month.
By TJ
April 1, 2008 10:23 PM | Link to this
Meanwhile, the Met bullpen has pitched about 5 innings of shutout ball tonight, added to 2 flawless last night.
I don’t pretend to know enough baseball to evaluate pitching coaches, but Peterson sure seems to get a lot out of what he’s got.
By AdirondackDave
April 1, 2008 10:23 PM | Link to this
Pedro’s looking more and more like 05-07 Hampton.
By ObiWanKobe
April 1, 2008 10:29 PM | Link to this
Met’s sideline reporter just said that Pedro heard a pop in his hammy. He’s going back to NYC to get an MRI. The Met’s anouncer also said that a left hamstring on a RHP is automatic DL material. Sucks that he got hurt, it’d be more fun if evryone was healthy all the time. That said it is what it is and Vegas was making you pay 5$ to win 1$ that Pedro would make would make it through the season unscathed.
By Gil in Mechanicsville
April 1, 2008 10:29 PM | Link to this
Hey.. Just wear down the bullpen…
By jbutler
April 1, 2008 10:36 PM | Link to this
BA Truly…take your 1st grade insults/homophobic slaps and play in someone elses’ sandbox. Say what you will about N8..but I’d rather toss banter around w/him anytime.
By TJ
April 1, 2008 10:41 PM | Link to this
N8, dude, quit trying to prove your heterosexuality. It’s just sad. :)
By ssiscribe
April 1, 2008 10:43 PM | Link to this
MARLINS WIN IT! Robert Andino a blast to left field for a walk-off homer in the 10th.
Wow, look at this. Mets are only one game ahead of the Braves. And now Pedro is hurt. Let the race begin!
—30—
By radoncbravesfan
April 1, 2008 10:44 PM | Link to this
So much for flawless Mets bullpen Fish win, 5-4.
By uga-brave
April 1, 2008 10:45 PM | Link to this
TJ,
absolutely correct. peterson is probably the best b*** coach in baseball. did it with oakland and has revived oliver perez and el duque.
By AdirondackDave
April 1, 2008 10:47 PM | Link to this
Mets rally, then blow the game. Sound familiar?
By Deep Throat
April 1, 2008 10:49 PM | Link to this
Marlins wins. Mets lose. Pedro injured with a strained left hamstring, DL likely.
Better put some ice on that one Mets’ trolls.
By ObiWanKobe
April 1, 2008 10:51 PM | Link to this
N8, Where did U see the Leinert story? I live in So. Cal & know the mother of his daughter. He gets destroyed on Sports Talk Radio out here, deservingly so.
By BravesFanInRockies
April 1, 2008 10:52 PM | Link to this
Marlins win. Kid hits first ML homer in extra innings. Braves only 1/2 game behind Muts.
Who woulda thunk it? Pedro hurt before Hampton throws first pitch.
By AdirondackDave
April 1, 2008 10:58 PM | Link to this
Lets see, Mets lose No. 2 for who knows how long and Braves have No. 2 back Saturday. We lose the first two games and things are already looking up!
By BravesFanInRockies
April 1, 2008 11:00 PM | Link to this
Oops. 1 game back. Damn you, math!
By Greg in TN
April 1, 2008 11:01 PM | Link to this
Evening folks…
An added delight to my trip to the Clubhouse store in the CNN center today was finding a current year media guide. I try to pick one up whenever I’m at a ballpark (yes, the baseball fever is just that bad for this denizen). This year’s cover has Spahn, Mathews, Aaron, Niekro and Murphy in the sky above the canopy of the Ted and Smoltz, Chipper and Glavine inset below. A well done cover if you ask me (as media guide covers go).
I thought it was a nice touch to have Javy come back and throw out the first pitch last night. It was an equally nice touch to have Smoltz catch it.
I’m a little surprised that the Braves inked Scott Spiezio to a minor league deal yesterday, however it sounds like FW and BC felt he was truly contrite in their meeting and the team isn’t taking a huge gamble since it’s a minor league contract. Everyone deserves a second chance if their head and their heart is in the right place and if that’s the case with Spiezio, the club can certainly use him in a utility role if he is able to get his career back on track.
Pedro’s hamstring made news tonight, and the Marlins win in the 10th on a homer by Robert Andino. The Flushing folks can’t be too happy about these turn of events.
By David O'Brien
April 1, 2008 11:09 PM | Link to this
Guess it’s time to pay up for those who took Hampton over Pedro in the who-gets-hurt-first proposition…
By DAP
April 1, 2008 11:16 PM | Link to this
the mets injuries isnt all just bad luck. its bad planning. their management has built their team with alot of old players that are injury prone with no viable backups.
thus, to me it doesnt feel cheap at all if they lose because of injuries. thats what they built their team around…
here’s the article on pedro the writer sure doesnt sound to optimistic.
By AdirondackDave
April 1, 2008 11:17 PM | Link to this
Is this Pedro’s final year of his contract? Seems like it might be.
By Jared
April 1, 2008 11:20 PM | Link to this
Lets see, Mets lose No. 2 for who knows how long and Braves have No. 2 back Saturday.
More like the Braves get their #1 back on Sunday.
By Lew
April 1, 2008 11:24 PM | Link to this
So much for the 180+ innings the Trolls were expecting from Pedro this year.
By N8
April 1, 2008 11:34 PM | Link to this
ObiWanKobe
It was an ESPN article. The “blue” letters in the post, is the link to the story.
TJ
I don’t have to prove my heterosexuality to anybody. Maybe I like the sword fighting, maybe I don’t. Bottom line, it’s irrelevant to ANYTHING on this blog.
:-) (wink-wink)
By Metropolitan Man
April 1, 2008 11:56 PM | Link to this
Ok, hard to respond to all that lovely METS support. Pedro’s injury does even things out. Like I said before, the METS have proven to win without Pedro for 2 years now so it wont be any different than the past 2 years. I wish him a speedy recovery but if you think that is a major setback, you would be wrong. It hurts the rotation and puts pressure on the pen or his replacement but by no means makes or breaks the METS at this point.
Hampton hasnt pitched yet, you guys better keep your fingers crossed that nobody bunts the ball.
Lew, without Smoltz, how big of a lead do you expect to have? The braves will be playing catch up all season.
Why does that BA dude have an obsession with male organs and the excrements that come form it and then try to tie it into baseball?
Blog police, do your job!
LETS GO METS!!!
By ippississiM
April 2, 2008 12:16 AM | Link to this
N8: maybe we should request DOB add “preference” to politics and religion, especially since any debate of “orientation” is almost inseparable from those two anymore anyway. I’m just sick of immature brats resorting to namecalling when their lack of communication skills has them frustrated.
By richbrave
April 2, 2008 12:21 AM | Link to this
METROPOLITANMAN 1:
Spin, spin, spin. I tell you what spinmeister. Spin on this. Blog police indeed!!
By Moby Grape
April 2, 2008 12:48 AM | Link to this
KJ is a good player, but his glove…. it is horrendous. His range…… he just looks like if mcCann is at 2B.Overlord
thats silly since his range factor from last season was well above average. I kinda agree on the glove thingy though
By bravesfan
April 2, 2008 12:54 AM | Link to this
The announcer on the Giants-Dodgers game just said Bobby Cox only game Andruw Jones the “green” light 3 times last year, and that is why he was so happy Joe Torre gave him the “green” light in only the 2nd game on the year.
By Moby Grape
April 2, 2008 12:58 AM | Link to this
Yet, some of you are ready to toss the newborn out with yesterday’s newspaper.*Scribe8
boy, talk about your mixed metaphors. Thats funny. :-)
By Lew
April 2, 2008 1:03 AM | Link to this
MetroDude-Just let me leave you with this little thought before I go to sleep. Moises Alou, Duaner Sanchez, El Duque and Pedro Martinez-and it’s only the second day of the season. You have so many more injuries to look forward to.
Smoltz was just taking a little extended Spring Training so he could thrill those AA kids with a start on their turf. He’ll be back to take out the Mets this Sunday.
By Moby Grape
April 2, 2008 1:07 AM | Link to this
Yet, some of you are ready to toss the newborn out with yesterday’s newspaper.*Scribe8
boy, talk about your mixed metaphors. Thats funny. :-)
By nolie
April 2, 2008 1:12 AM | Link to this
Yet, some of you are ready to toss the newborn out with yesterday’s newspaper.*Scribe8
boy, talk about your mixed metaphors. Thats funny. :-)
By yunel is the man
April 2, 2008 2:00 AM | Link to this
I just have one thing 2 say. People talk about the kj and esco error. Yes kj and esco had one, so did chipper. Kj was fielding, esco was throw, chip was throw. OK here is the point esco and chip had the ame throw (a dig for tex) he should have made (at least one of them) but chip made another bad toss that tex dus out seems no one is talking about. Simpson said “maybe in about a week chip will have enough and jump on the young players”. You cant jump the future for what the past has done. GUESS U CANT SAY” DO AS I SAY, NOT WHAT I DO”. LETS SEE A ESCO PRADO INFIELD, THEY PLAY 2 YEARS TOGETHER. FOR PRADO HE DID PLAY THE MOST IN SPRING TRAINING 3RD SS 2ND (AND DONT FORGET HE ISNT A SS) nd had no errors with some good plays. I say we will win 92 games
By Cherokee
April 2, 2008 2:08 AM | Link to this
Why in the world would the Braves want Duffy? His OBP the last two seasons is about .315.
By Cherokee
April 2, 2008 2:48 AM | Link to this
By Cooch (Lets Go Roll The Hole In 2008)
April 1, 2008 11:50 PM | Link to this
I ooze masculinity.
Take that to bank , and cash it in.
Another sobering perspective from The Cooch.
It was funny this first coupla times with the cooch gig. You’re starting to run it into the ground though. Like they say “Brevity is the soul of wit”.Take a few days to come up with another really funny one perhaps?
By nolie
April 2, 2008 2:59 AM | Link to this
I’m just sick of immature brats resorting to namecalling when their lack of communication skills has them frustrated.ippi
you don’t have to be young and/or immature to do that . It’s called argumentum ad hominem. attack the person rather than the argument. obviously been around at least from the Roman times.;-)
By nolie
April 2, 2008 3:26 AM | Link to this
By Moby Grape
April 2, 2008 1:07 AM | Link to this
Yet, some of you are ready to toss the newborn out with yesterday’s newspaper.*Scribe8
boy, talk about your mixed metaphors. Thats funny. :-)
By nolie
April 2, 2008 1:12 AM | Link to this
Yet, some of you are ready to toss the newborn out with yesterday’s newspaper.*Scribe8
boy, talk about your mixed metaphors. Thats funny. :-) me Moby Grape
somebody playing again? I only posted this once and I ain’t nolie.
By Moby Grape
April 2, 2008 4:59 AM | Link to this
alright. enough already!
By Cherokee
April 2, 2008 5:20 AM | Link to this
GUESS U CANT SAY” DO AS I SAY, NOT WHAT I DO”. LETS SEE A ESCO PRADO INFIELD, THEY PLAY 2 YEARS TOGETHER. FOR PRADO HE DID PLAY THE MOST IN SPRING TRAINING 3RD SS 2ND (AND DONT FORGET HE ISNT A SS) nd had no errors with some good plays. I say we will win 92 gamesYunelITman
I like Prado. I’m glad we have him if Kelly gets hurt and maybe once in a while against a tough left-hander if Kelly goes into one of his 1-31 spells; but not on a regular platoon basis or as a starter. KJ’s defense is not the best that’s true, but I love his plate discipline and he is moderately fast if not a burner. Besides you are going to freak out many board denizens if you talk about replacing or platooning KJ.
By Cherokee
April 2, 2008 7:56 AM | Link to this
Where is everybody? Even the jokesters aren’t around for a while this morning. Was there another blog that my ‘puter isn’t showing?
By RROE
April 2, 2008 8:43 AM | Link to this
BA As for the homoerotic references, seriously, come on, is that the best you can come up with? Most of ole folk don’t have an identity crisis like you do. We are pretty set in our ways and know who we are and what our preferences are. The more homoerotic references you make, the more we suspect you are the one with a sexual identity crisis and not us. If you are gay, good for you. You will lead a much happier and blissful life now that your sexual identity crisis is over. But just leave us alone with it. There are probably more than a few other bloggers who are gay, why are you the only one imposing your sexual identity crisis upon us?
By 22oz
April 2, 2008 8:55 AM | Link to this
Tonight will be another Opening Day of sorts, because it marks the return of Our Katy Temple! We can only hope that it does not mark the return of Jerome Jurenovich.
As for Pedro’s injury, a certain Randy Travis song comes to mind:
I told you so, but you had to throw Now your leg ain’t quite like new And you’ve torn my rotation in two again
By ippississiM
April 2, 2008 9:02 AM | Link to this
Exactly, RROE. This is neither the time nor the place for such nonsense.
By Shaun
April 2, 2008 9:06 AM | Link to this
Regarding one-run games, from the little I’ve read and from common sense, seems to me that there are characteristics that can increase a team’s chance in one-run games and many of those characteristics also increase a team’s chances to win a game of any margin. But it doesn’t seem to be necessarily true that great teams win the close ones or bad teams lose the close ones.
Looking at 2006-2007 grouped together, we see good teams like the Mets, Tigers, Twins, Angels all have good records in one-run games. But we also see the Braves, Phillies, Cubs, Cardinals, Rockies, Indians, Yankees all are under .500 in one-run games.
Seems to me record in one-run games says more about a team’s characteristics than a team’s overall talent. Which is not to say a team should only concentrate on talent and shouldn’t concentrate on what type of things win close games.
By KC
April 2, 2008 9:17 AM | Link to this
DOB: PLEASE take that survey question off the Braves page. It makes AJC look ridiculous to even ask that question 2 games into the season.
By Moby Grape
April 2, 2008 9:22 AM | Link to this
Seems to me record in one-run games says more about a team’s characteristics than a team’s overall talent. Which is not to say a team should only concentrate on talent and shouldn’t concentrate on what type of things win close games.Shaun
small sample sizes. crap shoot. no real indication of talent or characteristics.
By David O'Brien
April 2, 2008 9:32 AM | Link to this
Just realized I wrote 1986 instead of 1996 (showing my age) when I posted about the new REM album last night, when I said it was their first rockin’ album since New Adventures in HI-Fi. New Aventures was 1996, of course, not ‘86.
Just wanted to clarify before I started writing a new blog.
By Efrim
April 2, 2008 9:35 AM | Link to this
KC
Have you read some of th comments on this blog???
I think it is a reasonable question to ask. There are a ton of Braves fans that are freeking out currently.
Although probably a little less now a day after and a night after Pedro’s hammy “popped”.
By DCbrave
April 2, 2008 9:36 AM | Link to this
BA and N8
You guys (or gals) need to stop these nonsense - this is DOB’s Braves blog not your strip club. Get a life, man (N8- there is no need to play the game with him/her)
By KC
April 2, 2008 9:37 AM | Link to this
NL EAST STANDINGS:
1 - Washington
2 - Florida
3 - New York
4 - Philadelphia
5 - Atlanta
I had to double-check this morning to make sure the sun wasn’t rising from the west. I then filled and drained the bathtub just to make sure it was draining counterclockwise. If our mail comes by 11am today, I will know that the universe has official reversed itself.
By Big Easy
April 2, 2008 9:49 AM | Link to this
Just watched the video of Pedro’s injury…that doesn’t look like a “strain.” Looks a bit more serious. You gotta wonder with Pedro’s comments regarding rehab, if this injury is enough to push him to hang ‘em up. Doubtful, but if this is serious, I don’t see him sticking around.
~E~
By brent a.
April 2, 2008 9:51 AM | Link to this
I watched Andruw’s first 3 trips to the plate last night.
He doesn’t look any better; but, he does seem to be taking a lot more pitches.
.167 is still .167, even after only 2 games.
But alas, it’s better than .100 ;-(
By robdawg06
April 2, 2008 10:07 AM | Link to this
We need a new blog badly. The last 75 blogs are predominantly about Pedro Martinez and arguing about gay or not gay bloggers.
As long as some of you Braves fans engage with these Mets fans about the Mets then they will be here. Ignore them and they will leave.
All I know is the Braves need a win in the next game. Go Braves !
By Daybed Wagmoe
April 2, 2008 10:27 AM | Link to this
TennPaul: I apologize if someone already answered your post from 9:13pm last night. It was the Mets’ fourth run that didn’t score until the 5th inning — Pedro gave up 2 runs in the 1st inning, then 2 more in the 2nd inning.
By Overlord
April 2, 2008 10:30 AM | Link to this
Does anyone knows exactly what was the injury to jair jurrjens last year? When did it happened and how bad was it? how much time did it sidelined him?
By brent a.
April 2, 2008 10:35 AM | Link to this
robdawg, a new blog is coming, what we need most is another game!
Who’s excited about zsa-eye-ear jury?
By Zbrave
April 2, 2008 10:49 AM | Link to this
Does anyone knows exactly what was the injury to jair jurrjens last year? When did it happened and how bad was it? how much time did it sidelined him?Overlord
Oh Lord, what’s happened to you overnight, man? Do you still know how to speak English? Sorry, I cannot resist :-)
By Scuba-Steve
April 2, 2008 10:58 AM | Link to this
Will tonights game be on fshhd on comcast?
By Scuba-Steve
April 2, 2008 10:59 AM | Link to this
Will tonights game be on fsnhd on comcast?
By Efrim
April 2, 2008 11:00 AM | Link to this
Does Pedro pitch for the Braves?
I didn’t think so.
I like that the guy might be out for 2 months, but they won 88 games last year with the guy pitching only 28 innings. I could really care less about his loss to the Mets. Still gotta play those games- and win them.
All I care about is how Jair pitches tonight and how the Braves bounce back after a couple of tough losses.
BTW- I would be shocked if we didn’t win tomorrow nights game with Zach Duke pitching. I know Odalis Perez held us down for 5 innings, but I seriously doubt Duke will.
By Zbrave
April 2, 2008 11:02 AM | Link to this
Who’s excited about zsa-eye-ear jury? Brent a
Good one, Brent.
Seriously, we need both eye and ear of the jury tonight to step up - we need a WIN to right everything.
By nolie
April 2, 2008 11:05 AM | Link to this
Does anyone knows exactly what was the injury to jair jurrjens last year?ZBrave
Inflammation in Jurrjens’ right rotator cuff knocked the 21-year-old Tigers starter out of Sunday’s game against the Yankees in the second inning and put him on the 15-day disabled list. Results of an MRI exam, however, suggest no damage that would require surgery.Detroit MLB
By TennesseePaul
April 2, 2008 11:09 AM | Link to this
Daybed: Thanks. I went back and checked it again. Apparently when I first looked I mixed up the home and away. Or the box scores were backwards. I’m going with the incorrect box scores. My eyes are just fine.
By Zbrave
April 2, 2008 11:19 AM | Link to this
Nolie - Thanks for Jurrjens’ injury info, but it was not me who asked the question. I was must making fun of Overlord.
By nOLIE
April 2, 2008 11:24 AM | Link to this
I was must making fun of Overlord.ZBrave yeah I see that now. I’ma dummy, but maybe Overlord saw it too.
By Overlord
April 2, 2008 11:25 AM | Link to this
Thanks nolie
By Overlord
April 2, 2008 11:31 AM | Link to this
Zorrybrave you were only making fun of yourself. Grow up.
By Zbrave
April 2, 2008 11:46 AM | Link to this
Come on Nolie, that was a lie!
Zorry indeed, Overlord. my post was intended to be a good natured joke. If you were offended, apparently, I’m really zorry.
DOB, we need a new blog for sure. This one is not going anywhere
By Christy
April 2, 2008 11:47 AM | Link to this
Hello All.
I’m not a frequent poster on here. Generally I like to sit back read and enjoy the flow but I was reading over some of last nights comments and had to stop and write in because I was VERY surprised.
Some of you are either fairly new to the blog or didn’t pay a whole heck of alot of attention last season when N8’s rants were not only normal but at times requested so that we could be “assured” of a Braves win during a game in progress. He’d go off and someone would bang a homerun, or there would be 2 doubles in a row or whatever.
Seems like a few, with no offense intended to any, need to take a deep breath and realize when someone is being overly dramatic on purpose…
Just like Metropolitan Man likes to come and tweak our noses and Anders comes in for a reasoned discussion about the NL East…
Enjoy the spring all. And loss or no, that first game was perfect for me. Good temperature, McCann hitting a homer, Escobar continuing to hit like he has all spring, Kotsay with a hell of throw from center I never saw Andrew make and Glavine on the mound. All is right in my world again…
By Original Jon
April 2, 2008 11:50 AM | Link to this
Nolie - Thanks for Jurrjens’ injury info, but it was not me who asked the question. I was must making fun of Overlord. Zbrave
Maybe you should check your own grammar before making fun of someone elses.
By Original Jon
April 2, 2008 11:55 AM | Link to this
Christy, Glavine didnt pitch in that first game.
By TennesseePaul
April 2, 2008 11:56 AM | Link to this
Results of an MRI exam, however, suggest no damage that would require surgery
Jair has been a limited commodity in his baseball career. He hasn’t started more than 26 games in a season nor thrown more than 143.1 innings. His innings total last year was his career high.
By Overlord
April 2, 2008 11:57 AM | Link to this
Zbrave english does not happens to be my native language… Its OK. No hard feelings…… its really OK. Peace. :-)
By DAP
April 2, 2008 12:02 PM | Link to this
original jon that not a grammar problem. thats diction. :-)
man, do we need a new blog.
By BA
April 2, 2008 12:07 PM | Link to this
If Pedro is injured, that’s karma. The dirtbag has been throwing at peoples heads for years. And you guys are right-we should kiss up to these Mutts fans, because it’s classy of them to sit on the Braves blog and wait for something bad to happen. And yes, the AJC should censor EVERYTHING, we should have cameras in our houses like 1984, and we should all have a big picture of the president in our living rooms. If the stuff on here is too hard for you to take, I’ve got an idea-turn off the blog. Go to Hello Kitty.com. But spare us calling for blog police, this isn’t high shcool. There is no hall monitor. Any Mutts fan on here deserves to be acosted and berated and harassed. And do they print the standings on April second? Why do the Braves “need” a win tonight? Throughout the spring, I saw some great stuff on here, aside from the constant arguing over Back-up first base (BACK UP FIRST BASE?!). But since the season started all I’ve seen is reactionary garbage. And the cooch stuff is not funny. I need less chat room, more blog people.
By Kevin
April 2, 2008 12:08 PM | Link to this
DOB I was just curious. Your blogs are always great to read and I’ve always wondered, how long do you take to write each one? There is always good info in them and it just seems like you put in a lot of time. You don’t have to answer, I was just curious.
By Efrim
April 2, 2008 12:09 PM | Link to this
TennPaul
Lets hope he could reach 180 innings in 2008 with a solid ERA of 4.20.
I would be very happy with that.
By Zbrave
April 2, 2008 12:10 PM | Link to this
Christy - That was good. I did not have much problem with N8’s “over-reactions” and thought that was normal reaction anyway.
original Jon - That was fair enough. I should’ve checked my spelling before posting, but a joke is a joke, and there is a difference between a typo - “must” should be “just” - and an array of bad grammatical errors.
By DAP
April 2, 2008 12:11 PM | Link to this
original jon christie was clearly talking about the home opener, since mccann didnt homer and kotsay didnt throw anyone out at home in the season opener. of course, you know that, youre just trying to be a pain. i know it doesnt feel like there is that much baseball to talk about, but you dont have to get on everybody’s case about stupid stuff.
By nolie
April 2, 2008 12:12 PM | Link to this
Come on Nolie, that was a lie!ZBrave
I’m sorry, what was a lie?
By d-rock in Scotland
April 2, 2008 12:13 PM | Link to this
Just read Salty’s been optioned to the minors by the Rangers. He had a rough spring, and wasn’t going to unseat their everyday catcher, whose defense and offense have both been better. Maybe he’ll be getting more time at first? Anyway, the Tex trade looks better and better to me, of course there were a lot of prospects there though, so no telling how they’ll end up.
By BA
April 2, 2008 12:14 PM | Link to this
People, leave DOB alone. He’s sitting somewhere typing away, listening to some CD he bought (he BUYS CD’s, like the old days). Be grateful. You should see the Hawks blog. That guy posts like, twice a week.
By Zbrave
April 2, 2008 12:16 PM | Link to this
original jon- It was perfectly clear from the context of her message that Christy meant the first home game.
By Original Jon
April 2, 2008 12:18 PM | Link to this
DAP Either way, he should still check himself before he wrecks himself.
By BA
April 2, 2008 12:21 PM | Link to this
What’s the record on a DOB blog? Like when Maddux pitched a game in something like an hour and a half? I’ll bet DOB is like Smoltz, he’s just got the stuff and it flows. Unlike, say, Bradley, who’s like Chuck James, always having to work for it.
By Christy
April 2, 2008 12:22 PM | Link to this
Original Jon - First game at home then… Though, to me, that game in DC was in many ways an exhibition game that the baseball gods had scripted to be a Washington win… How else do you explain Zimmerman’s bottom of the 9th, 2-out homerun off of Moylan to cap the fairy-tale opening?…
By McFann
April 2, 2008 12:24 PM | Link to this
Enjoy the spring all. And loss or no, that first game was perfect for me. Good temperature, McCann hitting a homer… Christy
Well, I don’t know what the temperature felt like at the game, but the homer was great! The stupid clip on the stupid website doesn’t show it, but afterwards, he pointed into the stands behind the plate—prob’ly to his wife. There’s a photo of it somewhere on the AJC.
Can’t wait for tonight! I hope we have another exciting one—and that it goes our way!!
By TennesseePaul
April 2, 2008 12:24 PM | Link to this
It also appears to be the most pitches Jair’s thrown in a season. I’m just estimating from the league average of pitches per plate appearance. So it isn’t an exact science. Similar with Chuck last season. Interestingly, Jair’s season total pitch count when up by about 5%, James was up by 9%. Jair had inflammation. James resulted in a small tear in his rotator cuff. Inflammation sounds more like an over use type of injury. I’d imagine mechanics were the cause for James injury. Or it could all be traced back to James’ pool diving stunts from his youth.
By Serge45
April 2, 2008 12:26 PM | Link to this
BA that’s a cheap shot at Sekou; he does great work on that Hawks blog. As does Craig with the Thrashers. If you’re gonna pick on anybody, the Falcons blog is usually lacking regular activity.
By Original Jon
April 2, 2008 12:28 PM | Link to this
Enjoy the spring all. And loss or no, that first game was perfect for me. Christy Nowhere does it say home opener. But haha, alas, I am just busting everyone’s chops, waiting for the new Blog. Sorry guys and gals, I should let others annoy you rather than me, lol.
By TennesseePaul
April 2, 2008 12:32 PM | Link to this
Efrim: Seeing how Jair is “the future” for this rotation, I’ll hope for no more than around 160+ innings. He’s a fifth starter right now. If he can get that much without injury he should be able to add another 20+ innings next season when we’ll really need him to take up more of a work load. In the mean time we should lean on Hampton more. If that guy gets injured we lose nothing for next season.
By Zbrave
April 2, 2008 12:37 PM | Link to this
Nolie - “I’ma dummy” was a lie. But I’ll stop here, and will not respond to any more posts related to that joke.
By BA
April 2, 2008 12:44 PM | Link to this
Sekou is EXCELLENT. If I complain, it’s because I crave more of his work. But DOB pops up on here all the time, night or day, and there’s nearly a blog a day. Sorry, I didn’t know there was a Falcons blog. Watching every awful game last year I got my fill of Falcons.
By cherokee
April 2, 2008 12:47 PM | Link to this
Efrim: Seeing how Jair is “the future” for this rotation, I’ll hope for no more than around 160+ innings. TPaul
Not sure what you mean by “the future”. He was considered a 3-4 guy by most everybody nationally when he was with Minn. I haven’t seen anything to make me think he will be any better than that so far, so I don’t think that quite qualifies as the future. JMO. Course we can always hope.
By N8
April 2, 2008 12:48 PM | Link to this
Christy
Thanks. At least SOMEBODY gets it.
By DAP
April 2, 2008 12:50 PM | Link to this
original jon I should let others annoy you rather than me, lol.
no way, man. if you didnt do it, it wouldnt get done.
By Christy
April 2, 2008 12:55 PM | Link to this
Original Jon - no problem as I presumed you were being a pain on purpose…. not unusual on this blog.
And I often forget people cannot read my mind as I gloss over words and assume everyone knows what I mean.
By Efrim
April 2, 2008 1:02 PM | Link to this
TennPaul
I’ll have to agree with you on that one. 160 innings would probably be for the best.
Cherokee
Just because he is labeled as a #3/#4 guy, doesn’t mean he isn’t the “future”. What do you think the D-Backs view Micah Owings as? An ace? No. But they view him as a solid mid rotation starter for years to come. I would qualify that as the future.
By the way, TennPaul, take a look at Micah Owings numbers from last year. I would take those from Jair this year. I think its a good benchmark, actually.
By Overlord
April 2, 2008 1:03 PM | Link to this
Does anybody here thinks glavine pitched very bad on monday? cause i heard guy in MLB.com say he was awful. Im not sure if i saw another game, but i think glavine pitched well. Not great but good enough for us to win the game, thats all thats being asked, right?
By OrlandoFan
April 2, 2008 1:03 PM | Link to this
Don’t know if anyone else has shared this, but here’s a good column on M-Braves Manager Phil Wellman — he of the resin-bag-hand-grenade YouTube fame — in which he talks about the AJC’s naming him as one of five potential successors to BCox.
http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080402/COL0504/804020351/1287
By Jeff
April 2, 2008 1:04 PM | Link to this
Does anyone know what channel Peachtree TV HD is on Direct TV or is that broadcast HD because it doesnt look like it and it isnt listed as HD?
By ElbravoX-- EbX
April 2, 2008 1:09 PM | Link to this
Marcus Giles reportedly changed his mind about signing a minor league deal with the Dodgers after agreeing to terms with the team. According to the L.A. Daily News, Giles was driving to join the Triple-A Las Vegas affiliate from his home in San Diego, only to turn around before he got there. The plan was for Giles to play third base for the 51s for about 10 days before being called up by the Dodgers. Now he might be considering retirement.
By Efrim
April 2, 2008 1:11 PM | Link to this
Overlord
Considering that Glavine faced one of the most agressive offensive teams in the majors, his performance wasn’t great. At least that is what I take from what MLB.com says. Most people I hear talk about Glavine think that a patient lineup would get to him and hit him hard. We’ll have to wait and see though. One start where he gave up 1 earned run can’t be deemed an “awful performance. I do worry about Glavine facing a team like the Phillies or Mets though.
By Christy
April 2, 2008 1:12 PM | Link to this
N8 -
you’re welcome and my pleasure - all last season if I was watching the blog during a game I would look for your posts…
same way on that I look for PJs prayers before Thrashers games on Rawhide’s blog… part of the ritual now…
Later all.
By Lew
April 2, 2008 1:14 PM | Link to this
TenPaul-Agreed on the Jurrjens IP scenario. With pitchers 25 years old and younger, there seems to be a direct correlation between injuries to those who pitch 40 or more innings over the preceeding season. It happened last year to all of those Marlins pitchers and Cole Hamels, too (though his DL stint was not as long).
Tom Verducci wrote an excellent article on this subject last season. It is a situation that has happened way too frequently to be mere coincidence.
By Zbrave
April 2, 2008 1:16 PM | Link to this
OrlandoFan - Thanks for the link. Wow, if Wellman suceeds Cox, he might have a chance to break at least one of Cox’s records.
By StingerSplash
April 2, 2008 1:17 PM | Link to this
Mariah Carey has passed Elvis for most No. 1 singles. With all due respect to Mr. Jeter and his one-time squeeze, the apocalypse is nigh.
By David O'Brien
April 2, 2008 1:18 PM | Link to this
Kevin, way more time than I care to think about.
NEW BLOG IS UP
By Lew
April 2, 2008 1:18 PM | Link to this
Overlord-I go along with you on this one (aren’t I the agreeable one today?). Glavine gave up 1 earned ru in five innings pitched. I’d like to see him go a bit longer, but that is not bad.
By TennesseePaul
April 2, 2008 1:18 PM | Link to this
cherokee: True. Not many outside of the Tigers and Braves figure him to be more than a mid level pitcher. But so far that is the best young pitcher this team has. And even then, burning him out this year would be a waste. 40 extra innings is a 25% increased work load. 165 innings, 15%, would work just fine for me. He’d be in position to go 190 innings the following season (still only a 15% increase) and it should reduce the possibility of injury.
By DAP
April 2, 2008 1:19 PM | Link to this
overlord i would say glavine pitched very well. yes, VERY well. without the erros, he would have given up 1 run in 6 innings, instead of 2 runs in 5. thats a very solid start from him and ill take it 32 times this season.
By Lew
April 2, 2008 1:21 PM | Link to this
Oh My!!! Nathan has a fan-McN8?
By Overlord
April 2, 2008 1:28 PM | Link to this
Efrim i agree, i think those 2 teams can get to glavine in a bad way. Specially the phillies. Mets still have a big problem with alou and delgado. I like their new guy….. PAGAN, the little i have seen from him he has impressed me. Good young player.
By TennesseePaul
April 2, 2008 1:28 PM | Link to this
Efrim: take a look at Micah Owings numbers from last year
For sure! I mean look at this…
If we can get that kind of production from the nine spot I’ll be ecstatic! Oh wait, did you mean pitching?