AJC > Sports > Braves > Blog > Archives > 2008 > April > 09 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USSnow is coming, two games to go (maybe)
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Denver _ So we’re sitting here battening down the hatches and waiting for the snowstorm. Ahh, baseball fever in the mountains in April … Catch it!
But seriously, the person responsible for scheduling interdivision baseball games in cold-weather cities in April should be beaten about the head and shoulders with an icy pair of batting gloves. Or worse.
It’s about 50 degrees here now at 3:08 p.m. local time, but the snowstorm is moving across the mountains and headed straight for us. Game time is 6:30, and the ETA for the storm is about 7-7:30 p.m.
Unless we get in five innings before it arrives, the Braves are probably going to have a doubleheader to make up in Denver later this season on an off day in the schedule.
Yes, a doubleheader. Because the forecast for tomorrow is for temps in the 30s, snow and high winds. Let’s play two … uh, later this summer.
The only folks pleased by a snowout tomorrow might be the Rockies, who would avoid facing Tim Hudson, who appears to be in midseason form right out of the chute. Hudson has held hitters to a .188 average in two starts, including a league-best .050 (1-for-20) by right-handed hitters, with no walks.
Then again, he has a 13.00 ERA in two starts at Coors Field, so maybe they wouldn’t mind facing him.
Rarely do you see such a clean split as you see in Hudson’s stats against the Rockies home and away. He’s 0-2 with a 13.00 ERA in two starts against them at Coors Field, and a 3-0 record and 1.23 ERA in three at Atlanta.
Huddy’s also been sick all week, just like tonight’s starter, Chuck James.
Oh, yes, Chuck. He comes off the DL tonight to face the Rockies and briefly-a-Brave Mark Redman. For Chuck’s sake, let’s hope he gets to work a few or more innings before the storm blows in.
Pitching in freezing, wet weather might not be best for that shoulder, though it should be noted that he says it hasn’t caused a problem at all. Maybe he’s a fast healer and that partial rotator-cuff tear is no more.
About that 3-5 start…. How strange has this early season been? The Braves are 3-5 and still lead the Mets and are only a half-game behind the Phillies. Since no one seriously believes the Marlins will maintain their position atop the NL East standings for long, the Braves are basically getting a mulligan.
I really don’t think they’ll keep losing every one-run game, and I do think the lineup will snap out of its little funk in a hurry. The Braves hit .321 with 35 runs in a four-game stretch against the Pirates and Mets before hitting .187 with seven runs in this three-game skid against the Mets and Rockies.
To me, the only real concern in the early going is Rafael Soriano’s elbow. I’ve no doubt that guys who aren’t hitting yet, will. And that Manny Acosta and Peter Moylan will anchor a solid bullpen, with some of the younger guys just needing to get into a rhythm and get through this odd first couple of weeks.
But Soriano’s elbow … if it’s fine, the Braves should be. If it’s not, then sooner or later, that might be a problem they have to remedy.
Not saying there’s reason to believe it’s anything serious. But already he’s had soreness a couple of times since reporting to spring training. So we’ll see.
OK, gonna interrupt the writing of his blog to go down to the clubhouse and see what the move is, etc. They might not even make one until they actually activate Chuck before the game.
Because if there’s any danger of the game not being played, then they wouldn’t have to make a move tonight…
… OK, just got back from 90 minutes in the clubhouse. Still no move to create a spot for Chuck. They’re going to wait until gametime, probably, to make sure we’re even going to play.
Forecast now says the bad rain and snow might not be here until a little later than expected, so we might get at least five innings in (an official game). But tomorrow … brutal. Highly doubtful we’ll play, at least unless the forecast changes.
While in the clubhouse I watched Andruw strike out to end the Dodgers-Diamondbacks game, flailing in familiar fashion at the slider in the dirt.
He did get a pinch-hit infield single on a ball he smothered to the left side of the infield, just beat the one-hop throw.
Andruw wasn’t in the starting lineup after going 0-for-14 with seven strikeouts in his previous four games. He came in 3-for-29 (.103) including a majors-worst 1-for-22 (.045) against right-handers.
Gonzo making progress: It got overshadowed yesterday (OK, it fell through the cracks of my notebook), but the good news for the Braves was that Mike Gonzalez threw a 20-pitch simulated inning at extended spring training in Florida. Braves are still saying first week of June for activation from DL, but that could possibly change if he keeps making such good progress in his recovery from Tommy John surgery.
Speaking of stats: Mark Teixeira is 1-for-14 against lefties…. Matt Holliday has a .391 average with 16 extra-base hits (seven homers) and 22 RBI in his past 16 games against the Braves…. The Tigers scored 15 runs in seven games before today…. How many of you had the Orioles and Marlins as your East leaders going into April 9?…. The Rockies have scored 16 runs in eight games, and last night (4-3 win over the Bravos) was the first time they’ve scored more than three runs and only the second time they scored more than two.
Tip of the cap to Mr. Zimmerman: Also forgot to note the much-deserved special Pulitzer Prize awarded to the great Bob Dylan on Tuesday. For his profound contributions to music and culture. That’s great stuff.
So let’s blow it out with some extended lyrics from the bard of Minnesota.
”BROWNSVILLE GIRL” by Bob Dylan
Well, there was this movie I seen one time,
About a man riding ‘cross the desert and it starred Gregory Peck.
He was shot down by a hungry kid trying to make a name for himself.
The townspeople wanted to crush that kid down and string him up by the neck.
Well, the marshal, now he beat that kid to a bloody pulp
as the dying gunfighter lay in the sun and gasped for his last breath.
Turn him loose, let him go, let him say he outdrew me fair and square,
I want him to feel what it’s like to every moment face his death.
Well, I keep seeing this stuff and it just comes a-rolling in
And you know it blows right through me like a ball and chain.
You know I can’t believe we’ve lived so long and are still so far apart.
The memory of you keeps callin’ after me like a rollin’ train.
I can still see the day that you came to me on the painted desert
In your busted down Ford and your platform heels
I could never figure out why you chose that particular place to meet
Ah, but you were right. It was perfect as I got in behind the wheel.
Well, we drove that car all night into San Anton’
And we slept near the Alamo, your skin was so tender and soft.
Way down in Mexico you went out to find a doctor and you never came back.
I would have gone on after you but I didn’t feel like letting my head get blown off.
Well, we’re drivin’ this car and the sun is comin’ up over the Rockies,
Now I know she ain’t you but she’s here and she’s got that dark rhythm in her soul.
But I’m too over the edge and I ain’t in the mood anymore to remember the times when I was your only man
And she don’t want to remind me. She knows this car would go out of control.
Brownsville girl with your Brownsville curls, teeth like pearls shining like the moon above
Brownsville girl, show me all around the world, Brownsville girl, you’re my honey love.
Well, we crossed the panhandle and then we headed towards Amarillo
We pulled up where Henry Porter used to live. He owned a wreckin’ lot outside of town about a mile.
Ruby was in the backyard hanging clothes, she had her red hair tied back. She saw us come rolling up in a trail of dust.
She said, “Henry ain’t here but you can come on in, he’ll be back in a little while.”
Then she told us how times were tough and about how she was thinkin’ of bummin’ a ride back to where she started.
But ya know, she changed the subject every time money came up.
She said, “Welcome to the land of the living dead.” You could tell she was so broken-hearted.
She said, “Even the swap meets around here are getting pretty corrupt.”
“How far are y’all going?” Ruby asked us with a sigh.
“We’re going all the way ‘til the wheels fall off and burn,
‘Til the sun peels the paint and the seat covers fade and the water moccasin dies.”
Ruby just smiled and said, “Ah, you know some babies never learn.”
Something about that movie though, well I just can’t get it out of my head
But I can’t remember why I was in it or what part I was supposed to play.
All I remember about it was Gregory Peck and the way people moved
And a lot of them seemed to be lookin’ my way.
Brownsville girl with your Brownsville curls, teeth like pearls shining like the moon above
Brownsville girl, show me all around the world, Brownsville girl, you’re my honey love.
Well, they were looking for somebody with a pompadour.
I was crossin’ the street when shots rang out.
I didn’t know whether to duck or to run, so I ran.
“We got him cornered in the churchyard,” I heard somebody shout.
Well, you saw my picture in the Corpus Christi Tribune. Underneath it, it said, “A man with no alibi.”
You went out on a limb to testify for me, you said I was with you.
Then when I saw you break down in front of the judge and cry real tears,
It was the best acting I saw anybody do.
Now I’ve always been the kind of person that doesn’t like to trespass but sometimes you just find yourself over the line.
Oh if there’s an original thought out there, I could use it right now.
You know, I feel pretty good, but that ain’t sayin’ much. I could feel a whole lot better,
If you were just here by my side to show me how.
Well, I’m standin’ in line in the rain to see a movie starring Gregory Peck,
Yeah, but you know it’s not the one that I had in mind.
He’s got a new one out now, I don’t even know what it’s about
But I’ll see him in anything so I’ll stand in line.
Brownsville girl with your Brownsville curls, teeth like pearls shining like the moon above
Brownsville girl, show me all around the world, Brownsville girl, you’re my honey love.
You know, it’s funny how things never turn out the way you had ‘em planned.
The only thing we knew for sure about Henry Porter is that his name wasn’t Henry Porter.
And you know there was somethin’ about you baby that I liked that was always too good for this world
Just like you always said there was something about me you liked that I left behind in the French Quarter.
Strange how people who suffer together have stronger connections than people who are most content.
I don’t have any regrets, they can talk about me plenty when I’m gone.
You always said people don’t do what they believe in, they just do what’s most convenient, then they repent.
And I always said, “Hang on to me, baby, and let’s hope that the roof stays on.”
There was a movie I seen one time, I think I sat through it twice.
I don’t remember who I was or where I was bound.
All I remember about it was it starred Gregory Peck, he wore a gun and he was shot in the back.
Seems like a long time ago, long before the stars were torn down.
Brownsville girl with your Brownsville curls, teeth like pearls shining like the moon above
Brownsville girl, show me all around the world, Brownsville girl, you’re my honey love.
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Comments
By BravesFanChris23
April 9, 2008 7:33 PM | Link to this
1st? -_-
I hope the games can be played. It’ll be interesting to see what move(s) is/are made.
By Robert
April 9, 2008 7:34 PM | Link to this
any new info on Schafer
By embizzle
April 9, 2008 7:37 PM | Link to this
first?
By BravesDave
April 9, 2008 7:39 PM | Link to this
Just want to throw this out there before the game tonight. As much as we are all expecting the Braves to abuse Mark Redman tonight, it seems to me that the Braves have tended to have problems with slop-throwing lefties for the past few seasons.
Say, Odalis Perez, for instance.
Maybe another result of their aggressive nature as hitters, trying to pull outside slop over the fence.
We’ll see. I hope that I am wrong.
By bruce
April 9, 2008 7:39 PM | Link to this
Dave, should have waited for the new blog… anyway copied from previous blog…… By bruce April 9, 2008 6:52 PM | Link to this Dave: Just read your article on Schafer… are you encouraged that Schafer’s dad said it is not as it seems? So glad your back is better… I’m a Davidson grad… congrats on your championship… it makes our loss to KU even more cool. 1200 students when I was there in the 70’s, was a team manager, got to run some in practice and travelled some… are you going on to DC or is Carroll covering the weekend series so you can spend time with your family (sister?) in Colorado? You are the man. Thanks, Bruce
By BravesFanChris23
April 9, 2008 7:41 PM | Link to this
DOB
Since Braves signed Spiezio, do you think they’ll go after more bench help or something else?
By ncscoots
April 9, 2008 7:43 PM | Link to this
Notorious One, thanks for the new blog. That last one got blog-jacked by a bad case of dumba$$. Between the Frenchy man-hate, the elevation of the bunt to near-mythical tactical importance, and the 8-games-tells-me-the-season-is-over geniuses, that sucker began to ooze odiferously.
Me, I’m hoping for a snowout. That might be cleansing enough to mellow the blog harsh.
By Dutchie
April 9, 2008 7:52 PM | Link to this
hey guys! Hope the game will be on. And……keep breathing! Just a couple of Dutch baseball thoughts on the Braves and the blog:). It’s your game, but we do know a bit about it here:).
I love your passion for the game, but it does seem to hurt the objectivity now and then. I agree, the Braves should be paaaaaaaaatient at bat, try making contact and placing basehits. Don’t chase your pitches, get in front and when you are, aim to place, not to dinger!
Lot’s of guys pointed it out. But then, a freek, unexpected (but beautifull) dinger by KJ……..and big hitting rules?….. Here in Europe, it’s a disgrace, when bunting, to pass on a strike. But even worse is not connecting with the pitch. In the last two games I’ve seen at least three examples of both, in MLB!
Then again guys, things will even out. Baseball is a game of numbers, now they’re down, but the basics (experienced and young starters, good IF range and fielding, decent OF) are there. Give it time.
The braves will rule:)
Btw, decent game by Jair. Not as tight controll as last week, but good duration.
By Shamus Thacker
April 9, 2008 7:52 PM | Link to this
DOB, I mentioned the Dylan Pulitzer a couple times Tuesday. Must notta seen it…
There were Dylan songs/poetry in my college English lit book, way back in the late seventies.
Wonder if they’ll look back in 500-years and think that Dylan’s works were prophecy, you know, like Nostradamus? You could get some pretty wild prophesies outa Jack Of Hearts and stuff like that.
By Dutchie
April 9, 2008 7:54 PM | Link to this
btw, sorry for the length. And yes, it’s mainly in light of last nights game and blog.
Love reading your work btw DON.
By jbutler
April 9, 2008 7:55 PM | Link to this
Since I have tix to tomorrow’s game…I’m hoping BIG TIME for a snowout. The idea of taking my 3 and 5 year old kids to a 30 degree game eating a hot dog and wiping noses from the freezing cold…sounds, well. Nothing short of miserable.
DOB Stay warm. Lodo has great hot-n-toddy’s afterwards. Hope you’re not flying American.
By David O'Brien
April 9, 2008 7:56 PM | Link to this
Bruce, I’m skipping D.C. and catching up with the team in Florida. Idea was to stay and snowboard with my girlfriend in Summit County (Breckenridge, A-Basin, Copper, etc), but turns out that between spring break, the Frozen Four (NCAA hockey tourney) and a Coors distributor convention, all the flights into Denver were booked solid, so no seats available for frequent-flyer free seats. And the cheapest ticket was about $700 on four days’ notice. We waited too long to decide.
Oh, well, probably best for the back anyway. But man, they’ve got a ton of snow up there. Tough to look up and see those snowcapped mountains and know I’m not headed there this weekend.
Anyway, to answer your question, Carroll will be in D.C.
By Mark in PA
April 9, 2008 7:58 PM | Link to this
Thanks, DOB, for putting some encouragement into the blogosphere tonight.
I was thinking you might go with “Gloom, Dispair, and Agony on Me” for the blog lyrics.
By McFann
April 9, 2008 8:00 PM | Link to this
BravesDave—
I’ve been thinkin’ about that, too.
By glorydays
April 9, 2008 8:04 PM | Link to this
Maybe we ain’t do’in great yet but Kotsay and Escobar are exceeding AJones and Rentaria…so far.
By Braveheart
April 9, 2008 8:07 PM | Link to this
This is for N8:
Pythagorean Theorum, The Movie
By McFann
April 9, 2008 8:08 PM | Link to this
Mark in PA—
Since the Braves are in third place—the middle of the Division—how about this song:
Clowns to the left of me
Jokers to the right! Here I am
Stuck in the Middle with You!
By jbutler
April 9, 2008 8:08 PM | Link to this
Came across a couple of old (okay..really old) CDs that I didn’t even know I still had and have been loving listening to them…Pop Will Eat Itself and Michelle Shocked. I think Pop did eat that band…pretty sure they’re not around, but I think M.S pops up now/again. Anyway….wanted to toss that out there. As I watch the snow fall in the Rockies… Great skiing. Pretty pitiful baseball weather.
By brian
April 9, 2008 8:10 PM | Link to this
Chop Chick is off her rocker if she thinks the Braves will trade Schafer because of the HGH scandal. If he is traded it is because they either get an equally rated prospect or higher rated talent in return at a position of more need, someone in the Braves organization passes Schafer, or he turns into Brad Komminsk.
By Bobby's Cox
April 9, 2008 8:13 PM | Link to this
Wow, even a dutchie knows we should be more discipline at the plate. Brings a smile to my face that they pay attention to baseball in Europe. Might move there later on in life.
By bruce
April 9, 2008 8:15 PM | Link to this
Dave, dang, real sorry your R&R plans did not work out… you earn it, hope your backup plan is fun and relaxing… maybe catch up with you in DC later in the month or Philly…. I still owe you a Q sandwich of your choice in Philly, from last series last year. Thanks, Bruce
By bruce
April 9, 2008 8:22 PM | Link to this
Here is weather.com Denver forecast for tonight… maybe Tex will be hitting home runs (thunder possible).. nice to see that prospect in the forecast. Apr 9 Tonight Windy with rain and snow showers this evening turning to snow overnight. Thunder possible. Low 32F. Winds SE at 25 to 35 mph, becoming N and diminishing to 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precip 90%. 2 to 4 inches of snow expected.
By Dutchie
April 9, 2008 8:27 PM | Link to this
@ BC
Don’t move over here if you like your space. It’s cramped full here! But that makes you meet nice people;). And there’s a reason why Holland has been nr 4 in the last two World Baseball Championships:)
On last nights discussion about whether or not ‘Frenchy’ made an error in RF. Here in Holland we have a rule, no matter if the ball is touched, but if you progress a runner to a next base, it will allways be an error. That’s what happened yesterday, so shouldn’t it have been an error scored? Or did we make that ‘rule’ up for scoring here?:)
By BravesDave
April 9, 2008 8:31 PM | Link to this
I know Shaun was pointing out that the Braves have outscored their opponents by 11 runs so far this season. N8 pointed out in response that it meant nothing. Just another point regarding that number…
The Braves have scored 16 of their 44 total runs in three innings - 5 in the bottom of the 9th against Pittsburgh while trailing 9-4 (thanks to walks and terrible defense), 7 in the bottom of the 8th against Pittsburgh to turn a 3-2 nailbiter into a 10-2 runaway (thanks to two HRs, one by Tex and one by Yunel), and 4 in the bottom of the 7th against the Mets (thanks to Jorge Sosa).
So that means that the Braves have scored only 28 runs in the other 72 innings this season (8 games and two extra inning affairs).
Consistently inconsistent.
By FEAR
April 9, 2008 8:31 PM | Link to this
Can we frigging win one tonight or what?
By Goodoleboy58
April 9, 2008 8:31 PM | Link to this
philly’s defense is imploding on themselves 4 errors already to the mets
By Roman Gal
April 9, 2008 8:32 PM | Link to this
Bobby’s Cox Don’t move to Spain. My roommate doesn’t know the first thing about baseball.
(No worries for her, though. We’re going to a game in May)
By David O'Brien
April 9, 2008 8:32 PM | Link to this
THIS JUST IN: SORIANO DL with ELBOW TENDINITIS.
By BravesDave
April 9, 2008 8:34 PM | Link to this
Off to watch the game. Can’t decide…do I want to listen to Sciambi and Simpson or do I want to watch the game in HD but be forced to listen to the Rockies announcers? Thank you Directv.
By eric the elder
April 9, 2008 8:36 PM | Link to this
Much was said yesterday about the role of luck in 1-run games. May I propose that baseball itself is primarily luck, mitigated by skill, with a dash of physics?
The difference between a home run and a can of corn is 1/4 inch on the bat. Is anyone’s swing that precise?
A batter has 3/8 second just to decide whether to swing. And what he sees is a pitch that might be 96 mph or 82 mph. Luck is a big factor in whether he makes contact at all.
How many times have we seen a batter stroke the ball, look out to left field to see where it went, and then look out to right field, which is where it actually went?
Does any hitter really plan a swinging bunt for a base hit? How much of a pitch does an umpire miss if he blinks as the ball nears the plate?
Luck is a big part of the game, my friends. I try to remember that when I find myself hating on our guys for underperforming.
By bravesfan
April 9, 2008 8:39 PM | Link to this
By David O’Brien
April 9, 2008 8:32 PM | Link to this
THIS JUST IN: SORIANO DL with ELBOW TENDINITIS.
Well isn’t that just great. Well dang!
By Slider29
April 9, 2008 8:40 PM | Link to this
With the week Bobby and the Braves have had….Angel Hernandez better be careful.
By Dutchie
April 9, 2008 8:42 PM | Link to this
@Roman/@Bobby
Don’t go there for baseball. But do go there for other things!
By Rodney Derrick
April 9, 2008 8:42 PM | Link to this
Cold weather. Look at the record. This is the Braves problem. How many times have Braves had a good April? About the only time I can remember was the great start in 1982. I think this problem with cold weather is also a key reason for the Braves only winning one World Series. With the playoffs and Series running so far into October, almost November, the weather in the northern cities is almost always cold. Braves pitchers all seem to have problems with “feel” in the cold, and the hitters likely have a similar problem.
By FEAR
April 9, 2008 8:43 PM | Link to this
what the hell we can’t even bunt correctly.
By TK
April 9, 2008 8:44 PM | Link to this
DOB…just who is the dummy that made the schedule? Go to DC for ONE game. Play the Pirates for ONE game then have a day off. Why do they have a day off in the middle of a series? I am sure the Pirates would rather have had their day off at home. I know it is not fair for the Rockies not to have home games in April…but put more toward the end of the month.
By yunel is the man
April 9, 2008 8:44 PM | Link to this
Man, angel hernandez is a …axxhole.. that ball wasnt even close to escobar
By DAP
April 9, 2008 8:46 PM | Link to this
soriano is hurt. i called it on monday.
i could tell something wasnt right with him on the mound on sunday.
so who closes in his stead? either moylan or acosta should get the chance.
By Dutchie
April 9, 2008 8:46 PM | Link to this
Absolutely right e t e. But mind you, a ‘compact’ swing to try and make contact, gives you better odds then a huge windmill of a force act at the plate. But yes, basicly the result is verry reliant on luck.
Good start guys. No run! Last couple of games scored the single run in the first. The trend has been broken. Up for a win now!
By Overlord
April 9, 2008 8:47 PM | Link to this
Looks like we are up for a loooooong game for the braves……. lots of runs for the rockies
By Slider29
April 9, 2008 8:48 PM | Link to this
I wonder how much Chuckie’s got in him. He’s a 75 pitch guy in August…….
By FEAR
April 9, 2008 8:48 PM | Link to this
eoe that ball was nowhere near close to yunel. Hernandez screwed up again
By Overlord
April 9, 2008 8:50 PM | Link to this
Looks like james is not gonna make it to the 3rd.
I say braves trade james right now. Or as soon as he gets a winning record.
He is not major league material.
By Barking Brave
April 9, 2008 8:50 PM | Link to this
Is it my imagination or is James using his legs more tonight than in past seasons ?
By AGTfan
April 9, 2008 8:51 PM | Link to this
eric the elder
Some nice wisdom there. Of course it will be completely ignored by some of the so called fans on this blog.
THIS JUST IN: SORIANO DL with ELBOW TENDINITIS.
Can this day get any better? (for those who can’t tell, the preceding was a rhetorical sarcastic question.)
By ugaman
April 9, 2008 8:52 PM | Link to this
Man does Chuck scare me with his mechanics. I just don’t see him ever pitching with consistency for extended periods of time until he makes some changes.
By ugaman
April 9, 2008 8:54 PM | Link to this
Great play by KJ! It was even a back hand up the middle with a strong throw across his body!
By FEAR
April 9, 2008 8:57 PM | Link to this
WAY TO HUSTLE JEFF!!! ‘BOUT TIME!!!
By Norfolk Brave
April 9, 2008 8:58 PM | Link to this
Frenchy legging one out!!
By Saltywoody
April 9, 2008 8:59 PM | Link to this
So, a few points:
Mark Bradley looks like Liam Niesson (sp) in the picture on AJC’s website.
Lemme guess…Schafer probably bought his hummer on the secondary market and didn’t bother to check inside the seats. And then there happened to be an MLB investigator riding in the back, he asks Schafer “Why are these seats so lumpy?” and BAM, Schafer’s implicated in something he’s not at fault for. Yeah.
We’re currently being one-hit by Mark “It’s not a changeup, it’s my fastball” Redman. Granted, it’s through one inning. But, still…
Soriano on the DL with elbow tendinitis. Well, they say bad things come in threes and they also say “when it rains, it pours,” so my guess is that any day now Chipper will “feel something bite” and he’ll join Soriano on the DL, and Tex-well, he’ll just continue at his current pace and that will be enough.
Tomorrow’s my birthday and it doesn’t look like the Braves are giving me any presents.
By keylargo
April 9, 2008 8:59 PM | Link to this
Francoeur looked like he was thanking Redman for backing up third! Winded on that triple. McCann drives him home! Go Bravos
By JimD
April 9, 2008 8:59 PM | Link to this
So, DOB, was Soriano DLed for Chuck James? I guess this means closer by committee? YIKES! Remember, a camel is a horse designed by committee.
By Dutchie
April 9, 2008 9:00 PM | Link to this
Back at you ete. The ‘ignore’ bit that is…:) Enjoy the game!
By Efrim
April 9, 2008 9:00 PM | Link to this
Well, the Soriano injury hurts. Time for some guys to step up.
Diaz swings at the first pitch and grounds out to Tulo, and it didn’t advance the runner. 0 walks, 6 strikeouts on this young season for Matt.
By AGTfan
April 9, 2008 9:01 PM | Link to this
Darn that Frenchy. When will he learn some plate discipline. Sorry, I’m in a sarcastic mood.
By Dutchie
April 9, 2008 9:04 PM | Link to this
@saltywoody
Maybe it’s time for a different team to support….and a different game?
Happy birthday anyway!
By Efrim
April 9, 2008 9:05 PM | Link to this
Bad freeking luck with that Chuck bunt. Redman made a nice play.
By FEAR
April 9, 2008 9:05 PM | Link to this
wow just wow…….we had a man on 2nd and no outs and NOTHING! We need to get some coaching on the damn basics. you do not bunt on a pitch that high.
By McFann
April 9, 2008 9:06 PM | Link to this
Oh yes!! An RBI double by McCann and then a hit by Kotsay. But alas, a bunt-double play. Sheesh.
GO BRAVES!!
By Reid in EAV
April 9, 2008 9:10 PM | Link to this
Well, there’s your run, Chuckie and ‘pen. Good luck!
DOB: Great day of reporting on Schafer and excellent work corralling his dad. (Those were great lines to read between, ahem.) The hobnobbing at the Javalinas games last fall really paid off, eh?
By Overlord
April 9, 2008 9:10 PM | Link to this
Please tell me James will be back in the minors after the game…… he needs to learn a little bit more what a pitcher is about…….. you HAVE to know how to bunt a ball.
This kid does not belongs in the bigs just yet. Let Bennett be the 5th.
By bfan54
April 9, 2008 9:10 PM | Link to this
In 1965 I was a sophimore at the Univ of So Fla, and knew nothing about degreed program requirements. So I enrolled in a grad level (600) English course. The prof tried to disuade me from this folly, but I stayed. My first term paper was entitled “Bob Dylan: a modern metaphysic”, and it earned me an F-. The professor wrote on the cover page these immortal words: “Mr. Bradley, somewhere in my stack of papers is your real paper.”
I stayed in the course and earned a gentlemanly “C”.
I saw Satchell Paige play for the St. Louis Brownies - circa, 1952, and a young Henry Aaron play for the Jacksonville Braves in 1953. In between I was able to see some, but not too many of the greats, not usually living in a big-league city. Spahn, Musial being notable exceptions.
I love this team, think it a good one (not on the level of the best years, but good). I have no real sense yet - but today’s news of Sorianno, following yesterday’s of Shafer (though not a starter)and last week’s on Hampton have me concerned.
No way am I even beginning to have concerns beyond the 2 pitchers named - but less face it -these are ominous signs.
Go Braves. Long live Dylan, a modern metaphysic.
By MattH
April 9, 2008 9:12 PM | Link to this
Is it just me or does it look like James is grimacing after every pitch?
By MattH
April 9, 2008 9:12 PM | Link to this
Is it just me or does it look like James is grimacing after every pitch?
By JD
April 9, 2008 9:14 PM | Link to this
I know this is a family place and we’re supposed to keep this G-rated, but did Sciambi just say the balls at Coors get harder and smaller? Just wondering…
By Saltywoody
April 9, 2008 9:15 PM | Link to this
Redman made a nice play.
Words I thought I would never hear spoken (or typed).
By bfan54
April 9, 2008 9:18 PM | Link to this
Welcome Dutchie, to the world of baseball and the Braves. (BTW absolutely love your countries committment to renewable energy, and wish we’d bite the bullet and do the same here in the USA!)
By flange1
April 9, 2008 9:18 PM | Link to this
I think it is time for a trade.
Huston Street?
Brian Fuentes?
or Maybe
F. Rod?
It great to dream…..
By Gamecock Brave
April 9, 2008 9:19 PM | Link to this
Whats the word about Schafer getting a 50 game suspension for HGH?(per ESPN)
By Barking Brave
April 9, 2008 9:22 PM | Link to this
Using Soriano in the 2nd inning at the end of spring Pitching him in a blowout,what nut-rag use of the closer.I think Bobby needs to have somebody he trust and let him make all the calls with the pen.
By ugaman
April 9, 2008 9:22 PM | Link to this
JD, yes he did, hilarious!
By Overlord
April 9, 2008 9:23 PM | Link to this
We cant get to redman? Are the braves the only team that cant hit redman?
By www
April 9, 2008 9:25 PM | Link to this
We’ve got one run in three innings against the worst starting pitcher in baseball, playing in the best hitters ballpark. How do you figure these guys out?
By IgCognito
April 9, 2008 9:25 PM | Link to this
gotta love not being able to hit Redman. i just don’t get it.
By Efrim
April 9, 2008 9:26 PM | Link to this
Hopefully the rain doesn’t come, not sure Chuck will be able to hold this lead….
By FEAR
April 9, 2008 9:27 PM | Link to this
wow! Mark “Mr. Released” Redman is looking like Glavine tonight. Damn Braves!
By Efrim
April 9, 2008 9:30 PM | Link to this
Matt Diaz has had a killer series in left.
By FEAR
April 9, 2008 9:31 PM | Link to this
good bye chuck. not worth it. get benette in there for the #5.
By Im
April 9, 2008 9:31 PM | Link to this
so diaz is a not a good fielder…
By Goodoleboy58
April 9, 2008 9:31 PM | Link to this
uuuughhhh
By bfan54
April 9, 2008 9:31 PM | Link to this
As I monitor this game, we have all starters hitting in the high 200’s, except Chipper, a hundred points higher, and Tex, a hundred points lower. Starting pitching is great, and take away 3 hits in eight games, and the pen is fine, dam_ fine. Keep the perspective folks!
By David O'Brien
April 9, 2008 9:31 PM | Link to this
Wow, that was an ugly carom/play by Diaz. Ruled a triple….
Hey, Gamecock Brave, did you hear about President Lincoln? Rough night at the theatre.
By Overlord
April 9, 2008 9:32 PM | Link to this
Lets see……ok…… everybody….. who drove the 1st 2 runs of the game???????
And then with 1b open james pitches to a guy that owns him………whats that about???
Once again….. Send james packing…. too much patience for him, he has nothing.
By Saltywoody
April 9, 2008 9:33 PM | Link to this
Here’s an idea: DON’T PITCH TO MATT HOLLIDAY. EVER.
By Barking Brave
April 9, 2008 9:33 PM | Link to this
When James wipes the sweat from his lip in this weather, he’s feeling the pressure.
By Mark in PA
April 9, 2008 9:34 PM | Link to this
Second time through the order…
It was a nice K of Helton, though.
Gotta start pounding Redman real soon!
By bgvt
April 9, 2008 9:35 PM | Link to this
Please tell me that Chuckie has an 80 pitch limit tonight (or 4 HBPs) so that he will be gone soon.
3 HBPs and a BB…not a good idea for a guy who is prone to the gopher ball.
By Efrim
April 9, 2008 9:35 PM | Link to this
Not losing by one tonight…..
By FEAR
April 9, 2008 9:35 PM | Link to this
GOD I’m sorry….Chuck James flat out sucks!
By IgCognito
April 9, 2008 9:36 PM | Link to this
Chuck is being Chuck. I hope this is his last start for a while. Jo-Jo should be the long reliever with Bennett holding down the 5 spot. Chuck sux.
By Goodoleboy58
April 9, 2008 9:37 PM | Link to this
wow this is uninspiring to say the least.. who woulda thunk that Redman has better stuff then Chuckie
By geauxbraves2000
April 9, 2008 9:37 PM | Link to this
Chuck “HR” James is living up to his name, isn’t he?
By bgvt
April 9, 2008 9:37 PM | Link to this
And just after I hit “post”, I look back at Gameday to see “Home Run”. How predictable?
By fastasballs
April 9, 2008 9:37 PM | Link to this
I wish I could put this in a kinder way, but Chuck James sucks. I can’t wait to hear Cox tell how he was just missing. The only thing he was just missing was hitting the batter on the on deck circle.
By tbo
April 9, 2008 9:38 PM | Link to this
Same old sucking team different year. Chuck James has never been able to pitch and still can’t. Braves can’t hit Redman. Geeze what a pitiful team coached by a pitiful coach. You can take him out now Bobby since he has already given up 6.
By woogidy
April 9, 2008 9:38 PM | Link to this
Somebody peg yorvit. He totally stared that down.
By A-ville Ranger
April 9, 2008 9:38 PM | Link to this
6-1…James’ release point is wherever he happens to let it go next pitch,he has very sloppy mechanics imo.
By poorbrave
April 9, 2008 9:39 PM | Link to this
So much for Dreams…..Same old song and dance. Braves in Big Trouble!!! Where’s the damn Snow?
By ugaman
April 9, 2008 9:39 PM | Link to this
This is pathetic. I can’t believe that the Braves look so uncompetitive in their approach. It seems like only Huddy and Smoltz know how to play with fire. Everyone else seems to be playing with no emotion or drive whatsoever. I’m flat out sick of this! Chuck just doesn’t have the stuff or the control to be a major league pitcher. If a hitter waits long enough, they will eventually find a slow fastball right down the middle of the plate. I know there are better pitching prospects in Richmond. I say let Bennet be the fifth starter and bring Carlyle up for the long reliever job.
By Saltywoody
April 9, 2008 9:39 PM | Link to this
There’s no “i” in team, but there sure is a “dream” in Redman. Why we ever let him go is beyond me.
Conversely, our own pitcher’s last name holds the word “Jam,” which is consistently what he’s in.
I officially quit. This is ridiculous. Someone start doing a rain dance.
By ernesto
April 9, 2008 9:39 PM | Link to this
So I guess the rule of thumb is ANY game Redman pitches in the Braves get blown out.
By Big Al
April 9, 2008 9:39 PM | Link to this
Where’s the Spring blizzard when you need it?
By Mark in PA
April 9, 2008 9:40 PM | Link to this
Maybe all these hits will stretch the game out until the weather hits. If the Braves are losing 47-1 in the fourth when the rain and snow hit, it’s still not an official game.
Wow, that’s N8-like cynicism.
By geauxbraves2000
April 9, 2008 9:40 PM | Link to this
I think I could get this offense out right now.
Okay, I’m done. It’s just a frustrating stretch right now, all teams go through it. If it just wasn’t so much of a mirror of last year it’d be easier to take.
Geaux Braves!!
By Dutchie
April 9, 2008 9:43 PM | Link to this
DOB
Error on Diaz? It cost us an extra base…… Would love your opinion.
By 22oz
April 9, 2008 9:43 PM | Link to this
Pray for a blizzard! Quick! (Not the Dairy Queen kind). Although Chuck may need one after this outing..
By Goodoleboy58
April 9, 2008 9:43 PM | Link to this
I’m never one to cry the sky is falling but if we cant hit off Redman then we need to seriously evaluate ourselves… either another hitting coach or something because there is no reason to make Mark Redman look like a star pitcher
By ernesto
April 9, 2008 9:43 PM | Link to this
So I guess the hitting approach tonight is “lunge at the outside pitch”
On a diff’t note, if Gonzo’s violent throwing motion was a harbinger of arm problems then Tulowitzki might be looking at some one day…that is one violent throwing motion he’s got.
By IgCognito
April 9, 2008 9:44 PM | Link to this
how do you strike out on a 83 MPH fast ball?
By Overlord
April 9, 2008 9:44 PM | Link to this
By Overlord April 9, 2008 8:47 PM | Link to this Looks like we are up for a loooooong game for the braves……. lots of runs for the rockies
By Overlord April 9, 2008 8:50 PM | Link to this Looks like james is not gonna make it to the 3rd.
I say braves trade james right now. Or as soon as he gets a winning record.
He is not major league material.
By Drew
April 9, 2008 9:44 PM | Link to this
* Funny thing is is that you actually need to be ahead to be hurt by losing your closer*
By ugaman
April 9, 2008 9:44 PM | Link to this
Well, at least Mac is swinging well.
By BravesDave
April 9, 2008 9:45 PM | Link to this
I think at this point, we just have to laugh at this team. 1 run in three innings against Redman??? I posted about this fear at 7:39pm.
Serious questions have to be asked about the Braves management at this point. Why is Chuck James making this start? Jeff Bennett is in Atlanta for just this situation. He started during spring training. Chuck James is not ready for this start. Yet, Bennett is warming up in the bullpen last night and Chuck is on the mound to get pounded like a sacrificial lamb.
I do not understand this one bit.
Let’s all give Jeff Frenchy credit for his triple. Let’s all laugh at him for just striking out.
Also, please someone, call Ryan Klesko and ask him to give Matt Diaz some lessons on playing LF. He is a disgrace.
By Bravesfan79
April 9, 2008 9:45 PM | Link to this
Can it get much worse? Redmen and the Rockies are beating us. If we keep on like this, were going to have to catch fire just to get back to .500 and we all know you gotta be around 20+ games over .500 usually to get in the playoffs. I hope our GM is less patient than Scherultz and does something to spark this club. How about adding a guy like Piazza to the bench? He can still hit homers.
By Bo
April 9, 2008 9:45 PM | Link to this
Agree DOB, Diaz misplayed the ball and its a triple. Here comes the Braves.
By Philliesuk
April 9, 2008 9:46 PM | Link to this
Here’s an unfortunate truth: Chuck James is never going to be a reliable, consistent major league pitcher. His pitches have no movement. He only has two pitches. Why on earth do the Braves still use him. They need to get rid of him. I’m sure he’s a nice guy and all, but come on.
This is probably premature to say, but it really doesn’t look like the Braves are quite as good as everyone originally thought. That’s okay, because I still love watching them, even if they lose. The main problem is that their two weaknesses are absolutely essential in the post-season: relief pitching and timely hitting. Another problem that is emerging is defense; like why the h*ll did Kelly throw that ball to 1st instead of 2nd earlier in the game? That’s just poor fielding instincts. Also, Diaz has looked atrocious out there.
Okay, I’ve vented enough. I still love this team.
By David O'Brien
April 9, 2008 9:47 PM | Link to this
Ernesto, that’s very funny (9:39). Very good line.
By ernesto
April 9, 2008 9:47 PM | Link to this
Chuck hasn’t looked good tonight, but come on, his spring prep was 6 simulated innings…now go face the Rockies at Coors?
Hardly surprising he hasn’t been sharp.
Alright we’ve 1/5thed the lead!!!
By Goodoleboy58
April 9, 2008 9:47 PM | Link to this
on a serious suggestion for Chuckie I think he would be better served as middle relief… he is typically good for 3 innings.. 1 trip through the order is all he should get… he’s shown us that time and time again.. move him to the pen and be done with it
By ugaman
April 9, 2008 9:48 PM | Link to this
Man does Chipper look PO’d. He didn’t even get up to shake Tex’s hand after he scored. He must feel like I do with this team’s effort.
By Josh from Columbus
April 9, 2008 9:49 PM | Link to this
ernesto,
Nice! Hahahaha…
By supa
April 9, 2008 9:50 PM | Link to this
The whole “pitching depth” thing isn’t quite working out for the Braves.
Hampton injured Soriano injured Boyer rocked James rocked
We’d be better off with Redman as our 5th starter.
Thankfully, it doesn’t look like a 1-run loss tonight.
By Overlord
April 9, 2008 9:50 PM | Link to this
We are gonna get swept by the rockies, LOL, i have to LOL, this is a joke, oh what a great team.
By David O'Brien
April 9, 2008 9:50 PM | Link to this
Five one-run losses, then Chuck James pitches…. when it rains, it snows.
By www
April 9, 2008 9:50 PM | Link to this
RAIN!
By bigchiefrg
April 9, 2008 9:51 PM | Link to this
Chuck has to go…Buddy and or Jeff Bennett are much better.
By Goodoleboy58
April 9, 2008 9:51 PM | Link to this
please snow come in and help us forget this game was played
By TexasBrave
April 9, 2008 9:52 PM | Link to this
Overlord - I disagree with you that Chuck should be traded. Also if he does all of a sudden get a wining record wouldn’t that mean he has righted the ship.
I do agree with you that he needs to spend a lot more time down in the minors getting everything righted. I also wonder why Bennett wasn’t given the starting nod. He did really well in his last start.
Let’s pray for a ton of rain before the middle of the fifth inning.
By Dutchie
April 9, 2008 9:52 PM | Link to this
Come on guys, what’s this. You sound like Ajax-soccer fans. When they’re winning, they can’t stop the praise. When they’re struggling they can’t play s**!
Plenty of ball left in this game. Two errors this inning (probably just one scored), you’re getting a little help by the Rockies.
Be carefull with your karma.
Oh, and get Chuck of the mound before he cracks a batters skull:)
By IgCognito
April 9, 2008 9:53 PM | Link to this
losing close games, can’t hit crap pitchers, closer on the dl, bullpen shaky. good night.
By Original Jon
April 9, 2008 9:54 PM | Link to this
People, people, people, this is Coors Field we are talking about. Dont get on Chuck because he gave up one gopher ball so far IN COORS FIELD. Get on our offense for NOT hitting the bombs off of Mark ‘I couldnt last that long with the Braves, but I can sure beat them’ Redman
By BravesDave
April 9, 2008 9:54 PM | Link to this
So, the Braves get 2nd and 3rd with 1 out and score 1 run on a groundout. Way to get right back into the game after your unprepared starter gives up the same amount of runs in 1 inning as Glavine and Hudson have given up in 4 starts combined.
This is turning into a disasterous road trip. 0-3 after tonight. The Rockies best pitcher tomorrow. Chico next - he pitched well against the Braves last season. Then, Lannan, a rookie just called up. We all know what happens to the Braves against pitchers that they haven’t seen before. Seriously, they could be 3-8 before we know it.
By Andy K
April 9, 2008 9:54 PM | Link to this
Ladies and Gents…we are stinking it up tonight…
By www
April 9, 2008 9:54 PM | Link to this
DOB DO you like Taco’s? There’s a deal on them tomorrow.
By FEAR
April 9, 2008 9:56 PM | Link to this
This team is just bad…..sorry it’s true.
By Reid in EAV
April 9, 2008 9:58 PM | Link to this
Rain! Snow! Sleet! Something!
By GTI in Chicago
April 9, 2008 10:00 PM | Link to this
OK, as far as I’m concerned, it’s official: we are not a good baseball team right now.
Except for a few games, the offensive has looked lethargic. There’s been, what, 4 games when our starter has gone more than 5 innings, the bullpen is already somewhat overworked and we don’t even currently have a closer.
I think all the promise of ST has hit on hard reality.
Certainly all this can change. Certainly. When’s it gonna happen. I will remain skeptical until I see something other than the same type of baseball I’ve seen the last 2 seasons.
Come on, Bravos!
By Original Jon
April 9, 2008 10:02 PM | Link to this
Um, not sure that being 3-8 after 11 games, if that even happens, is the end of the world. Its a funk, lots of teams go through it, I would much rather them do it now, catch fire later in the season and carry through to October, then start out super red hot and fizzle later. Dont worry guys, the Braves have too good of a lineup to struggle for long, and the pitching will right itself.
Just Breathe.
By David O'Brien
April 9, 2008 10:03 PM | Link to this
Shamus, I did see your posts about Dylan yesterday, just got busy and forgot to write about it….
And speaking of poetry … Chuck’s pitching line: 3 innings, 5 hits, 6 runs, 1 walk, 5 strikeouts, 3 hit batters.
By 22oz
April 9, 2008 10:04 PM | Link to this
Chipper and Escobar show what you’re supposed to do with Mark Redman. any other Braves paying attention?
By Deep Throat
April 9, 2008 10:05 PM | Link to this
This team is collapsing. Six losses already. They can’t beat Odalis Perez, Zach Duke, Mark Redman, et all.
Chuck James and Jeff Bennett must remind Teixeira of the “bad old days” with the Rangers.
By BravesDave
April 9, 2008 10:05 PM | Link to this
Good one, www. I was just thinking the same thing.
Keep this in mind…these are the starters in the games that the Braves have lost (this is a loss tonight) - Odalis Perez, Ian Snell, Zach Duke, Aaron Cook, Ubaldo Jiminez, and Mark Redman. Not exactly Cy Young-quality there.
By www
April 9, 2008 10:05 PM | Link to this
Hey DOB did you hear the joke about aj’s reaction to Torre benching him today? Torre heard his say “you cant be doing this to me”; Torre looked and saw AJ was going through his Taco Bell bag and coould not find a single bag of sauce.Not a single one. He did not get the start
By woodie
April 9, 2008 10:05 PM | Link to this
Well at least they won’t lose by 1 run tonight.
By Trippy Hippie
April 9, 2008 10:07 PM | Link to this
Why wasn’t that a double switch? Blanco in center batting 9th, Bennett batting 8th? Way to start an inning with an easy out.
Anyway, my baseball card binder fell down off the top shelf of my closet today, and landed open to a page containing Kotsay’s rookie card with the Marlins. Apparently, he was the first guy from the ‘96 draft class to make it to the majors, after putting an up insane OBP at the AA level.
By BamaBravesFan
April 9, 2008 10:08 PM | Link to this
Really hope Tex picks it up soon. He is killing our rallys right now.
By Tony Almeida
April 9, 2008 10:08 PM | Link to this
Tex doesn’t deserve to be clean up hitter. Put McCann or Francoeur there, this is ridiculous.
By JimD
April 9, 2008 10:09 PM | Link to this
Somehow I think tonight will not be another one run loss.
By Overlord
April 9, 2008 10:09 PM | Link to this
By Overlord
April 9, 2008 2:12 PM | Link to this
Flange1 you are also right on. DOB why doesnt bobby start Bennett today and let James be the long reliever, at least for april? That way James could go 2 or 2+ innings 2 or 3 times a week depending, then he could be a starter once he is strong enough. Whats the purpose of letting him start only to go 4 innings (5 at the most) only to burn the bullpen again.
Let Bennett start, try to go 5 or 6 with him, then james for 2 or 3 depending and let the bullpen rest.
By Efrim
April 9, 2008 10:12 PM | Link to this
I’m sure Chuck will have a better line against Florida…..
right?
By Philliesuk
April 9, 2008 10:12 PM | Link to this
If it wasn’t for Chipper, we’d be battling the Tigers for most pathetic record in baseball.
At least Hoss still knows how to play the damn game.
By BravesDave
April 9, 2008 10:13 PM | Link to this
I don’t want to hear anymore about Tex being a “slow starter”. When the opposition’s best hitters are tearing apart your pitching staff (Nady, Zimmerman, Holliday), you need your best hitters to do the same to the opposition’s pitching staff. This is ridiculous now. The guy is hitting under .150.
This is unacceptable. Chipper Jones and Yunel Escobar have been on base nearly 35 times in 8.5 games in front of Tex and he has 5 RBIs.
By poorbrave
April 9, 2008 10:16 PM | Link to this
Boy, Diaz don’t do David’s #23 Justice.
We need the old Chief to do a rain - Snow dance. Better yet a War Dance. Braves make Red-man look good. Brownville Girl looks good right about now. All Braves players need Phiten Necklace for luck. The Bar has a great arm. Time Braves get to work.
By Lee in S GA
April 9, 2008 10:16 PM | Link to this
Go Hawks.
By Teddy Jack Eddy
April 9, 2008 10:17 PM | Link to this
I don’t know if Bennett will prove to be a better pitcher than James.I do know his mechanics look much better than Chuck’s,at least at this point.
By uga-brave
April 9, 2008 10:18 PM | Link to this
down 4 runs in the sixth inning and the braves refuse to take a strike.
kelly johnson and matt diaz have a total of two extra basehits.
By ugaman
April 9, 2008 10:18 PM | Link to this
Another useless inning of offense. I’m done. Troy is on another channel and the Spurs are playing the Suns. That’s much more interesting. Here’s hoping the Bravos figure it out soon.
By Andy K
April 9, 2008 10:20 PM | Link to this
Chucky James: Redman called while you hit the showers…he said thanks for your soul, and that you can keep his…
By supa
April 9, 2008 10:20 PM | Link to this
Now, the Rockies look like a complete team. Solid starting pitching, hitting up and down the lineup, and darn good bullpen.
By BravesDave
April 9, 2008 10:21 PM | Link to this
I can’t believe that I missed “Idol Gives Back” to watch this crap. I think I missed “SuperNanny” too.
Sadly, that is almost not a joke. Daytime soap operas would be less painful than watching this garbage. I did enjoy seeing Bobby Cox take his hat off a few times in frustration while watching Chuck&Duck pitch. It was like he was yelling “who is responsible for this terrible decision to start this guy?” He just put his hat back on after remembering that he is the idiot responsible for that decision.
By FEAR
April 9, 2008 10:26 PM | Link to this
I can’t stop watching. It’s like a car wreck
By Trippy Hippie
April 9, 2008 10:26 PM | Link to this
So… according to Gameday, somehow Bennet’s fastball, cutter and changeup are all the same speed, while his slider is 6-7 mph slower than his changeup? Totally broken. Isn’t a slider supposed to be the 3rd fastest pitch, while the cutter and changeup are supposed to be off-speed? Crazy, man, crazy….
By Mark Redman
April 9, 2008 10:26 PM | Link to this
All your Braves are belong to me.
By Bobby's Cox
April 9, 2008 10:27 PM | Link to this
just thout i’d tune in and see how y’all are dealing with Mr. Redman beating us today.
I for myself have resorted to beer. La Fin Du Monde, French for The End of the Worlk, a Canadian beer, triple distilled Belgian style, 9% alc. by vol. Y’all should try it. Smooth.
Makes the bleeding a little less tolerable.
How do you all feel about the offense now? Think we need another approach at the plate? How about you Shaun? At least it looks like it won’t be another 1 run loss.
This beer is darn good.
By bfan54
April 9, 2008 10:27 PM | Link to this
Saltwoodie (9:39) - where have you been on Redman? This is only success he has had since being (appropriately) released. There was no mistake in that. The guy was done. Even a busted clock tells time correctly twice a day. Redman did well against a team that hasn’t found itself, and is on the beginning edge (but not ‘verge’ of demoralilation.
Look at Redman’s record before you say something totally assine like: “Why we ever let him go is beyond me.” You are only showing your ignorance - yes, I am calling you out on this!
By BravesSuck
April 9, 2008 10:28 PM | Link to this
hahaha Brave fans. might be able to the Mets…but you lose to everyone else. suck it.
By Goodoleboy58
April 9, 2008 10:28 PM | Link to this
least bennett fills in nicely… he should have the #5 spot
By Trippy Hippie
April 9, 2008 10:31 PM | Link to this
Go Go Gotay!
By Arrrrrgh!
April 9, 2008 10:32 PM | Link to this
chuck james keeps losing games, he still can’t pitch he can only throw fastballs that are not very fast and hitting three batters in three innings are you kidding me with all the experienced pitchers on the braves staff and a so-called pitching coach can’t they teach him a thing or too or is the guy just too dense period maybe he should hold on to his day job at lowes or home depot or whereever the heck he works and what’s with texiera did he catch andruw jones disease last year before free agency he’ll probably hit under .250 and then sign a big fat contract and laugh all the way to the bank while we sit out another postseason arrrgh!!!
By Mark in PA
April 9, 2008 10:32 PM | Link to this
Just checked the radar out of Denver, and the city is surrounded by all kinds of swirling snow and rain, except for where the game is being played, apparently.
McFann, are you still out there?
Sing it with me!
“…If it weren’t for bad luck we’d have no luck at all, (oooOOOOOH!) Gloom, despair, and agony on me!”
By Trippy Hippie
April 9, 2008 10:33 PM | Link to this
If this winds up being a three-run inning, I’m turning it off.
By Josh from Columbus
April 9, 2008 10:34 PM | Link to this
Soriano Is Out, But So Is Rollins!
By Goodoleboy58
April 9, 2008 10:34 PM | Link to this
when it rains it pours
By FEAR
April 9, 2008 10:36 PM | Link to this
terry mulholland …there is name from the past. What’s he doing? We should bring him in. Can’t be worse than james.
By richbrave
April 9, 2008 10:36 PM | Link to this
R-BRAVES QUICK HITS FROM GAME #6:
BUDDY CARLYLE starts second game of the season. No decision. Goes 4.0. Allows 6 hits, 4 runs 3 EARNED, 1 walk, 4 strikeouts. ERA now 7.5(6 earned in 7.2 innings). Rouwenhorst in relief gets the win. Nunez throws 1.2 for the save. ERA now 1.80.
LIL”BRIDGE gets 2 RBI with a Texas-leaguer into right-center over a drawn in infield in a 0 out bases-loaded situation in the bottom of the 8th. Breaks tight game open. More tomorrow.
Boy, the hits keep comin’ for A-Braves pitching. Soriano Smoltz, and Hampton. Thank goodness its not season-ending stuff. It’s not is it??
By Deep Throat
April 9, 2008 10:37 PM | Link to this
Another potential Braves-rally down the tubes thanks to a double play.
By BravesDave
April 9, 2008 10:37 PM | Link to this
I am officially speechless. Escobar hits into a double play against Micah Bowie. Micah Bowie. Repeat - Micah Bowie. Sadly, I remember when he was a Braves prospect. I think Yunel was 10 years old at the time.
By Josh from Columbus
April 9, 2008 10:41 PM | Link to this
I had been asking on the blog over the last week or so if anyone knew where you could get the new Braves Alternate Road Hat on the ‘net but got no responses. Needless to say, I found it. Enjoy.
New Braves Alternate Road Hat
By THB
April 9, 2008 10:41 PM | Link to this
Can’t we just call this game quits…maybe the season too..
By Trippy Hippie
April 9, 2008 10:41 PM | Link to this
WHY ISN’T MH BEING INTENTIONALLY WALKED?!?!?!?!
By ernesto
April 9, 2008 10:43 PM | Link to this
Resop continues to make his case for being sent home early from work ( for the season).
Has he had one scoreless inning this year?
By Bo
April 9, 2008 10:43 PM | Link to this
DOB- Are the braves still looking to make a trade? What aboutFarnsworth, a year ago JS talk to NYY about him. Would love to have him back. Brian Fuentes is still in the rumor mill, we could use both of them. Just thinking.
By mark
April 9, 2008 10:43 PM | Link to this
Lets face it Braves Bullpen stinks..and Chucky needs to go ahead do his arm surgery why would he wait when it seems he knows it will come to that anyway…My feeling during spring training was the regulars didnt play enough and thats why they are not ready for the season..
By Trippy Hippie
April 9, 2008 10:44 PM | Link to this
Bobby has officially given up on a comeback in this game by putting in resoP. At least this can’t be his third loss.
By BravesDave
April 9, 2008 10:45 PM | Link to this
OK, that is two more balls that were not fielded cleanly or thrown smoothly. Yunel can’t get Holliday at first. Then Jeff Frenchy bobbles a clean bounce off of the right field wall to lose any chance of nailing Holliday at home.
This team is officially falling to pieces. Anyone who thinks differently is nuts. The Rockies are pounding pitches all over the ballpark, but the Braves have not been able to touch up Redman, Spierer, or Bowie.
Resop is looking good again. I think Bobby should make Resop the closer, that way he’ll never have to pitch. He stinks.
By richbrave
April 9, 2008 10:46 PM | Link to this
DENIZENS. I’ve figured out what’s up with TEX. He’s gonna have an Andrew Jones year to devalue his contract renewal, and then the Braves will be able to pay him to stay. Tex to Atlanta in ‘09!! Just kidding of course. He’s a slow starter historically, and this year is no exception(at least, that’s what I’ve been lead to believe).
By Robert
April 9, 2008 10:46 PM | Link to this
Boy we suck right now. We need Hudson tomorrow.
By Reid in EAV
April 9, 2008 10:46 PM | Link to this
“Resop” rhymes with “mop-up.” Coincidence? Not tonight.
By chase
April 9, 2008 10:46 PM | Link to this
The MUTS and PHILS aren’t doing any better so I think the Braves just need to get this series over with and take care of business with teh NATS and FISH!
Fortunately everyone in the East has stumbled out of the gate…
Don’t panic..The Cream Will Rise to the TOP!!!!
Braves win this Division with 92+ wins! MARK IT DOWN!
By Josh from Columbus
April 9, 2008 10:48 PM | Link to this
For those that are interested, I found a place where you can buy the New Braves Alternate Road Hat on the ‘net. Check it out…
By Goodoleboy58
April 9, 2008 10:49 PM | Link to this
momma said they’ll be days like this
By ernesto
April 9, 2008 10:49 PM | Link to this
Huge comback in the 8th????
Sure, why not?
By Free Phil Stockman
April 9, 2008 10:50 PM | Link to this
Resop spelled backwards is ‘Poser’.
Please end this insanity. Waive/release Resop and call up Phil Stockman!
By Goodoleboy58
April 9, 2008 10:52 PM | Link to this
If we get shutdown by Mark Redman and Kip Wells in the same game we will to shake up something
By Deep Throat
April 9, 2008 10:53 PM | Link to this
Fuentes would be a great acquistion. The Braves were reportedly after him in the offseason. But they can’t get him. The Rockies no-doubt view him as very vital to their team at this point.
By Josh from Columbus
April 9, 2008 10:53 PM | Link to this
Oops. My (lack of) patience got the best of me.
On another note, this weather is flat miserable. I don’t fault the Braves. When the weather warms up, so will we. Chipper Jones is friggin’ on fire year round though, good grief! There’s a knock for Tex as I type! Atta boy!
By Arrrrrgh!
April 9, 2008 10:56 PM | Link to this
hey josh yeah i want a friggin hat i can wear it proudly while i watch these losers arrrgh!
By FEAR
April 9, 2008 10:57 PM | Link to this
well mccann is doing well. put him behind chipper/
By The_Future
April 9, 2008 10:58 PM | Link to this
Bout time someone put some of the heat on Teixiera for this crap. If the Braves wanted to give up an out on a cleanup hitter in 2008, we could’ve just kept Andruw.
And dont give me that one-game heroics crap. CONSISTENCY… (eg; C.Jones)
By Bama
April 9, 2008 10:59 PM | Link to this
Chase where do you see any Cream?
By Trippy Hippie
April 9, 2008 10:59 PM | Link to this
THAT, friends, is what happens when you hang a curveball with Heap at the dish.
By Bravesfan79
April 9, 2008 11:00 PM | Link to this
Bo: Farnsworth has been SUCKING it up for NY so far this year. I dont think wed want him back, especially at his high salary.
By BravesDave
April 9, 2008 11:02 PM | Link to this
I guess we are supposed to get excited because McCann hit a HR?? Not really, because Resop gave away those two runs last inning, so the HR does not much matter.
Also, the Braves hitters prove once again that they can hit when the game is not on the line. Down 9-3, sure there is your HR. In the 1-run games lately, where were the McCann HRs? I seem to remember a lot of pop ups instead. Oh sorry, I forgot, Jeff Frenchy can’t hit even when the game isn’t on the line. Even Simpson and Sciambi are starting to point out how ridiclous he looks at the plate right now.
By Overlord
April 9, 2008 11:02 PM | Link to this
Sorry for not blogging with you tonight… this is just too depressing. I need to regroup, hope braves do the same.
By Deep Throat
April 9, 2008 11:04 PM | Link to this
You know, this would be a close game now if not for the resoP. Should we be upset that the resoP basically took away the Braves’ chance to comeback and win or should we be happy that the resoP’s horrible pitching means it won’t be another close-game loss?
By TexasBrave
April 9, 2008 11:05 PM | Link to this
Thank you Chase!!! Finally someone with some sense.
All the naysayers need to leave the blog. Come back when we start winning. Sheeeese
By Reid in EAV
April 9, 2008 11:05 PM | Link to this
9-5 Rox in the 8th. Still time to score 3 and make it a one-run loss.
By Interested Observer
April 9, 2008 11:06 PM | Link to this
I was Myrtle Beach’s game against the Potomac Nationals tonight. Tommy Hanson pitched 6 innings giving up 1 hit and 7 K’s. Not sure why he only pitched 6 innings, I’m assuming pitch count but wasn’t paying attention to that. He looked impressive though. BTW, the Pelicans lost by one run on the Nationals last at-bat. An all too familiar theme.
By Josh from Columbus
April 9, 2008 11:06 PM | Link to this
Seriously though, how remarkable is it that the Braves seem to ditch guys right after they have their best year(s) of their career with us, i.e., Javy Lopez, Marcus Giles, Andruw Jones, J.D. Drew, Dave Justice, et cetera. Generally speaking we get the most out of our guys before we move them! More just came to mind: Dale Murphy, Ryan Klesko, Johnny Estrada and Adam LaRoche.
By Professor
April 9, 2008 11:06 PM | Link to this
If you’re going to trash talk someone, compose a sentence that is intelligible. BravesSuck writes, “Might be able to the Mets […]”: What the hell does that mean? And Mark Redman, are you and BravesSuck the same person, or are all Braves critics elementary school dropouts? “[…]Braves are belong to me.” Seriously, learn English. I understand it’s a blog and grammar isn’t at all important, but at least write an entry that makes sense. My baby cousin speaks better English than that.
OK, sorry for that rant. The Braves have been extremely frustrating thus far. It’s driven me to drinking…more than usual. Bobby’s Cox-I actually bought a bottle of La Fin Du Monde. I’m breaking it open right now. I certainly need it tonight. Strong stuff.
By poorbrave
April 9, 2008 11:07 PM | Link to this
Deep Throat, Its seems the Braves can’t get anyone at anytime.
By Trippy Hippie
April 9, 2008 11:07 PM | Link to this
If Chris Resop goes after Helton or Holliday, I’m getting my “A” tattoo removed. Maybe. I might just say something else derogatory about him. Tattoo removal is expensive.
By Reid in EAV
April 9, 2008 11:11 PM | Link to this
Aaaaand there goes Spillborghs, right into the Douglas Fir in CF. Guess we’ll need to score four now.
By Trippy Hippie
April 9, 2008 11:12 PM | Link to this
4 runs is still a close game in Colorado. Too bad that while I was typing this it became 7 runs.
By FEAR
April 9, 2008 11:12 PM | Link to this
RESOP…..sucks! RELEASE!
By Reid in EAV
April 9, 2008 11:12 PM | Link to this
Did I say “four?” I meant “six.”
By Stuart
April 9, 2008 11:13 PM | Link to this
Resop is a joke. Why is he on the team? He is terrible. This team is terrible.
By joebrave
April 9, 2008 11:13 PM | Link to this
There is a song by Ray Price that Chuck James needs to sing;Goes like this Please release me let me GO.
No,A better thought,Chuck don’t quit your day job.Just Go Away!!!
By Teddy Jack Eddy
April 9, 2008 11:14 PM | Link to this
DOB I read your latest piece on the Schafer suspension.I’m not an expert on these things but I believe ”The world doping agency” was where ”The three stooges” worked in some of their shorts.Whether this heinous theft of intellectual property is actionable, I can’t say.I do know I become more jaded with every breach of public trust..”THE STOOGES”,THAT AIN’T RIGHT.
By Deep Throat
April 9, 2008 11:14 PM | Link to this
resoP!
By chop-chop-chop-a-roo
April 9, 2008 11:14 PM | Link to this
1) Yeah, yeah, yeah, Tex will probably heat up later on in the year.
BUT, as a clean up hitter, he shouldn’t be hitting under .200—no matter what kind reputation you have prior to the year.
2) Get rid of Resop. Please. He’s not a pitcher. He’s a thrower.
3) What’s the deal with Chuck James?
4) If this line up cannot put up crooked numbers against Mark Redman, you have to wonder what is going on. And please don’t blame the weather.
5) Is it just me or does this MLB TV crap has not changed much? They advertise “TV quality” but it’s not even CLOSE! I want my 20 bucks back
6)Uh, can I kindly repeat that Resop should be sent packing? Ridiculous: 47 pitches in 2 innings, 27 for strikes, 20 for balls…l a m e
By BravesDave
April 9, 2008 11:14 PM | Link to this
Holy Toledo. Chris Resop is abysmal. Why can’t the Braves hitters face this clown?? I think even Jeff Frenchy could do some damage against him.
This has to be the final straw with this guy. There is no way that he should be on a major league roster. Seriously, if you are Chipper Jones, John Smoltz, Tom Glavine, and Tim Hudson, what are you thinking watching some of these clowns take up roster spots on a team that you were hoping to lead to the playoffs??
By Braveheart
April 9, 2008 11:15 PM | Link to this
Live Video stream of Bobby Cox, Terry Pendleton, Chris Resop, and the Rockies
By Reid in EAV
April 9, 2008 11:16 PM | Link to this
Professor, All Your Base Are Belong To Us.
(Move ‘Zig. For Great Justice.)
By Original Jon
April 9, 2008 11:16 PM | Link to this
Ok, I officially do not like Resop on this team anymore, the guy totally sucks.
By Trippy Hippie
April 9, 2008 11:16 PM | Link to this
Pinch striker-outer in for Kotsay. The sign above the clubhouse door should read “Abandon Hope All Ye Who Enter Here.”
By fastasballs
April 9, 2008 11:16 PM | Link to this
I’m glad we have so much pitching depth. I’d hate to see our record if we didn’t have all of these stoppers out there.
Resop just had some bad luck out there guys. James was just missing, the breaks didn’t go his way. We can’t expect to beat flame throwers like Redman every night. He’s one of those under the radar type guys, sneaky fast.
By bfan54
April 9, 2008 11:17 PM | Link to this
Godawemighty I hate to quote Dan Rather, but…”courage”. Early returns are not good -if you add in the injury omens. I wanna see some comeback, some bunting, some consistent defense, and - SANTA, please bring me some patience at the plate.
Oh, and SANTA, Bobby Cox is so…oo…old,and SET IN HIS WAYS…so please, Santa, I know it’s only May, but send us a baaaaad…a*.. disciplinarian.
O, Lord. You gave us Moses, you gave us Jesus…best of all you gave us the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (and I am ever greatful, prayerful, and thankful…you even gave us Mohammed (same universe, OK)… and not to diminish Your gifts, and not to confuse success in sports with Peace in World, the return of troops from danger…the needs of those born in the less favorable climes of earth… the triumph of hope over fear, charity over greed… and, at the end of Your long day (for which I thank You and dedicate my life) please, please, please,remember your franchise, an early one dating to 1876, and give us, please, O Lord, among your lesser concerns, some relief pitching, a little peace, some celerity on the basebaths, a smooth backhand…
above all bless us in all we do, and charity to all…
(Do I dare ask for 100-62, divisional, league, and WS pennants?)
No, gimme shelter, gimme peace!!
By Trippy Hippie
April 9, 2008 11:17 PM | Link to this
Pinch groundouter in for Kotsay. The sign above the clubhouse door should read “Abandon Hope All Ye Who Enter Here.”
By Andy K
April 9, 2008 11:17 PM | Link to this
Congrats Gregor on your first Big League Hit! Didn’t see them save the ball for him though…Somebody better get their hands on it for him!
By Trippy Hippie
April 9, 2008 11:18 PM | Link to this
Sorry, read that wrong. Nice job, Blanco. Does Pena realize which sport he’s playing?
By Arrrrrgh!
April 9, 2008 11:18 PM | Link to this
you people can’t spell - his name is RESOL that’s right RESOL and he has the era of 15.75 to prove it oh and chuckie boy has an era of 18.00 did you ever see such a thing arrrgh!
By joebrave
April 9, 2008 11:19 PM | Link to this
When is the Bravos Brass,going to realize every kid that Plays American Legion Ball,in Gwinnett ain’t gonna be a damn STUD???
Geesh enough already with Pitchers like james,Resop,Redman,so on and so on…… Time to clean house with these softball pitchers,implant some New Rules,ie:No More Golf until you Earn Your PAYCHECK!!!!!
By Reid in EAV
April 9, 2008 11:20 PM | Link to this
Last post of the night, I promise, but I’m definitely with you on the good beer equaling less painful losses. Currently sipping Flying Dog Horn Dog Barleywine. Mmmmm.
By Braveheart
April 9, 2008 11:20 PM | Link to this
I miss Andruw Jones in a game like this. He was always good to hit a meaningless home run when down by 7 in the 9th. It always gave me something to look forward to in ugly blowouts.
By Justo
April 9, 2008 11:23 PM | Link to this
Im sick of Chuck “two pitch” james, Chris “what am I doing in the Big leagues” resop, and the Damn Pitching Coach too. Get rid of these guys Cox.
By kevmo
April 9, 2008 11:23 PM | Link to this
wow.
this team hasn’t changed much since last year.
By MT Braves Fan
April 9, 2008 11:23 PM | Link to this
Well, at least they didn’t lose by one tonight. Seriously, when is DeSalvo, Carlyle, Stockman, Ridgeway, somebody, anybody coming up? Resop is just brutal to watch, I don’t know how anybody could think this guy could get major league hitters out! Offense at least showed some signs, even Frenchy had one (and only one) decent AB tonight, so who knows, maybe the stars will align one of these days. I think the offense is fine, but we need some major help in the old pen here right quick, these guys just don’t know how to locate (Yes, Boyer and Resop, I’m talking to you). They need a snow-out tomorrow.
By joebrave
April 9, 2008 11:24 PM | Link to this
P-I-T-I-F=U-L!!!!!!!!
shades of 1976!!!
P** Poor Effort! and a lack of a decent 5th starter,and it Damn sure ain’t Chucky James!!!!
By Bo
April 9, 2008 11:24 PM | Link to this
Got to be better days. Thanks to you who answered my questions. Have a good night and be blessed.
By Trippy Hippie
April 9, 2008 11:24 PM | Link to this
Professor, try Googling “All your base are belong to us” before you condemn the Mark Redman impersonator. He was making a joke, and you jumped his case without knowing what you were talking about.
By FEAR
April 9, 2008 11:24 PM | Link to this
the all your ——- belong to us line is a reference to an old nintendo game from the 80s that was horribly translated from japanese to english. The orginal line was “all your base belong to us”.
By Original Jon
April 9, 2008 11:25 PM | Link to this
Dangit RESOP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Because of you, the Braves didnt lose by 1 run. Way to go and ruin it!!!! You just had to give up 5 runs didnt you to make it a 12-6 game instead of 7-6?
By Mark in PA
April 9, 2008 11:26 PM | Link to this
Man, I really set out this evening to stay positive, but then there was the six-run third…and I just couldn’t help myself.
By Bobby's Cox
April 9, 2008 11:28 PM | Link to this
the tigers finally won a game. They’re now 1-7, and only 1 1/2 games back of the braves. yikes.
By Trippy Hippie
April 9, 2008 11:29 PM | Link to this
Bobby Cox to Frank Wren after the game: Somebody set up us the bomb.
By Daybed Wagmoe
April 9, 2008 11:29 PM | Link to this
So what looked good tonight?
The starting pitching looked…wait, nevermind.
The bullpen looked…wait, nevermind.
The offense got it done against Mark Redman…wait, nevermind.
No damaging injuries…wait, nevermind.
Teixeira broke out of his slump…wait, nevermind.
Hey! I know — not another 1-run loss! And no errors!
There. Now I can go to bed peacefully.
By Jim Valvano
April 9, 2008 11:29 PM | Link to this
I don’t count the Marlins or Nats.
BRAVES LOSE! TRAGIC NUMBER IS 153!
On the other hand,
MAGIC NUMBER IS 155!
All hope is not lost. Keep your heads up.
Don’t give up! Don’t ever give up!
By Original Jon
April 9, 2008 11:30 PM | Link to this
Arrrrrgh If that was sarcasm, I think it was lost on me, if it wasn’t then you totally spelled his name wrong.
By Bobby's Cox
April 9, 2008 11:30 PM | Link to this
i think johnson needs a day off tomorrow. Start Prado.
KJ is now batting .280 after a hot start. Mind you his OBP is also .280. That’s right, no walks this year for our leadoff guy. Prado has 3
By poorbrave
April 9, 2008 11:33 PM | Link to this
Got to love Ron Gant, he tells it like it is.
By Barking Brave
April 9, 2008 11:37 PM | Link to this
Join me in brief prayer,Lord please kill these mountain folk..amen.
By Trippy Hippie
April 9, 2008 11:37 PM | Link to this
Wren: What happen ?
Cox: Somebody set up us the bomb.
Redman: How are you gentlemen !! All your base are belong to us. You are on the way to destruction.
Chuck: What you say !!
Redman: You have no chance to survive. Make your time.
Redman: Ha Ha Ha Ha ….
McDowell: Captain!
Cox: Take off every Resop.
McDowell: You know what you doing.
Cox: Move RESOP!
McDowell: For great Klesko….
By Ziggy Smaha
April 9, 2008 11:38 PM | Link to this
Thank god the Dawgs kickoff in 4 and one half months.
By kev
April 9, 2008 11:39 PM | Link to this
n e one know where i can get live feed of PeachTree TV or FSN games?
By professor
April 9, 2008 11:41 PM | Link to this
My bad. Obviously I don’t play enough video games. Sorry for ruining the joke.
By David O'Brien
April 9, 2008 11:51 PM | Link to this
Tonight’s Coxian spin: “We played maybe our best game of the year, actually, hitting wise and fielding wise.”
By BravesDave
April 9, 2008 11:52 PM | Link to this
I don’t know what is worse…losing another game to the Rockies and falling to 3-6 on the season…OR…the fact that after losing 12-6 tonight, the Braves have now only outscored their opponents by 5 runs this season.
What are we going to do when, after a few more losses, we can longer take pride in the fact that the Braves have scored more runs than their opponents?
Should we brag about the fact that Chuck James can only throw two pitches?
Should we talk about how we stole Chris Resop off waivers, right out from under so many other team’s noses?
Should we just keep ragging on Andruw Jones when our cleanup hitter is ripping the cover off of the ball at a .167 clip? (I wonder if Joe Torre would bench Tex right now)
Should we just tell ourselves that Jeff Frenchy is destined to become the next Vladimir Guerrero, because they both swing at a lot of pitches?
Maybe we should just be satisfied that our starting RF and LF have combined for 1 walk in 9 games. That is one walk in 74 at-bats. Then again, don’t forget that the Braves did not have one walk as a team in tonight’s game. 39 big-league at-bats and not one walk - against Redman, Speier, Bowie, Wells, and Herges. No need to be patient, though.
By BravesDave
April 9, 2008 11:52 PM | Link to this
I don’t know what is worse…losing another game to the Rockies and falling to 3-6 on the season…OR…the fact that after losing 12-6 tonight, the Braves have now only outscored their opponents by 5 runs this season.
What are we going to do when, after a few more losses, we can longer take pride in the fact that the Braves have scored more runs than their opponents?
Should we brag about the fact that Chuck James can only throw two pitches?
Should we talk about how we stole Chris Resop off waivers, right out from under so many other team’s noses?
Should we just keep ragging on Andruw Jones when our cleanup hitter is ripping the cover off of the ball at a .167 clip? (I wonder if Joe Torre would bench Tex right now)
Should we just tell ourselves that Jeff Frenchy is destined to become the next Vladimir Guerrero, because they both swing at a lot of pitches?
Maybe we should just be satisfied that our starting RF and LF have combined for 1 walk in 9 games. That is one walk in 74 at-bats. Then again, don’t forget that the Braves did not have one walk as a team in tonight’s game. 39 big-league at-bats and not one walk - against Redman, Speier, Bowie, Wells, and Herges. No need to be patient, though.
By the Stranger
April 9, 2008 11:54 PM | Link to this
maybe we can beat ‘em in a snowball fight tomorrow.
CITY OF DENVER…DENVER INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT…
844 PM MDT WED APR 9 2008
A SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 6 PM MDT THURSDAY.
RAIN IS STILL EXPECTED TO CHANGE OVER TO SNOW LATE THIS EVENING WITH THE HEAVIEST SNOWFALL EXPECTED THURSDAY MORNING. SNOWFALL IS EXPECTED TO TAPER OFF DURING THE AFTERNOON ON THURSDAY. TOTAL SNOW ACCUMULATIONS WILL RANGE FROM 3 TO 6 INCHES IN THE I-25 URBAN CORRIDOR……
By JDfrom SC
April 9, 2008 11:54 PM | Link to this
Trippy Hippie @ 11:37: That was hillarious! I needed a good laugh after this game. Braves do seem to look very similar to last year’s team. However, I do think that they have the POTENTIAL to pull it together. I’ve seen some good stuff from them so far. But I’ve also seen some bad stuff, Y’all KNOW we’ve seen some bad stuff
By Rico Suave
April 9, 2008 11:55 PM | Link to this
*That fu&king idiot Cox just said on the post-game that this was one of the best games of the year, if that don’t prove he’s lost it, I don’t know what does, Robert has been right all along!
By Lew
April 9, 2008 11:56 PM | Link to this
Tell me again why we care that Resop has no options left? What’s that? He throws hard? OK.
By BravesDave
April 9, 2008 11:59 PM | Link to this
Diaz and Jeff Frenchy have combined for one walk in 9 games. Martin Prado has 4 walks in 5 games. So, let’s get this straight…one walk in a total of 18 games for our LF and RF, 4 walks in 5 games for our backup infielder.
I like it. By the way, the LF and RF in question are more than making up for their lack of patience and plate discipline and productivity by playing stellar defense in the outfield. Right? Seriously, right?
By Steve
April 10, 2008 12:00 AM | Link to this
Holy crap! Is it football season yet??
By FEAR
April 10, 2008 12:01 AM | Link to this
Tonight’s Coxian spin: “We played maybe our best game of the year, actually, hitting wise and fielding wise.” David you gotta be making that up. He couldn’t have said that? ……..could he?
By Overlord
April 10, 2008 12:02 AM | Link to this
I need about 5 wins in a row to start believing again.
James has to go, starting him is resigning to 30 games, so if he stays as the 5th starter, braves are already 3 and 36. We just cant win when he pitches.
Let Bennett be #5.
Let Acosta be the closer, we cant depend on a guy that hits the DL constantly and when healthy he is not lights out, nowhere near.
Acosta gave up 4 runs in 2/3 ip in his 1st outing. After that….. 3.1 IP 1H 3K 2BB 0R
It aint tons of innings, but at least he is doing a good job until now. Cox likes giving the young the chance…. give the guy the chance.
Soriano is not dependable…
By anti-brave
April 10, 2008 12:02 AM | Link to this
hilarious. like when ADD struck roachy last year. 3 game slide. very funny.
where is the rest of the clique with all of their hilarious inside jokes?
By anti-brave
April 10, 2008 12:02 AM | Link to this
hilarious. like when ADD struck roachy last year. 3 game slide. very funny.
where is the rest of the clique with all of their hilarious inside jokes?
By anti-brave
April 10, 2008 12:02 AM | Link to this
hilarious. like when ADD struck roachy last year. 3 game slide. very funny.
where is the rest of the clique with all of their hilarious inside jokes?
By BravesDave
April 10, 2008 12:04 AM | Link to this
*By David O’Brien *
April 9, 2008 11:51 PM | Link to this
Tonight’s Coxian spin: “We played maybe our best game of the year, actually, hitting wise and fielding wise.”
DOB, you are just teasing us with this one, right? This cannot be true. If this is true, did you ask Bobby if he took his medication tonight? I think Bobby has now bought into this whole “Bobby Cox never rips his players in the press” thing and is now just toying with us. Schuerholz and Wren need to have a sit-down with him and ask him if he actually believes that nonsense. If he answers affirmatively, he should be fired. No joke.
By Jed Clampett
April 10, 2008 12:06 AM | Link to this
Best game of the year?
Does Bobby Cox actually believe some of the nonsense that comes out of his mouth?
Yesterday, Soriano had just a “tiny problem.”
By the Stranger
April 10, 2008 12:08 AM | Link to this
Bobby’s world is a peaceful, happy place where pitchers’ arms never fall off and sluggers never slump and every middle-aged man in pajamas is kid.
How fun would that be?
By Trippy Hippie
April 10, 2008 12:11 AM | Link to this
Seriously, did MT Braves Fan just beg for Matt “The Salvo” DeSalvo to be called up? Now I know we’re in trouble.
By Cyndi Lauper
April 10, 2008 12:15 AM | Link to this
Rockies bop - Mets bop - a - Phils bop the Resop
Nats bop - Fish bop - a - they bop - the Resop
be bop - be bop - a - lu - the NL bop - the Resop,
I hope fans will understand
Cubs bop - Stros bop - a - Pods bop the Resop
I bop - you bop - a - they bop - the Resop
be bop - be bop - a - lu - the she bop the Resop
Oo - oo - she - do - she bop - she bop - the Resop
By Reid in EAV
April 10, 2008 12:15 AM | Link to this
People, chill. Of course Bobby is going to sugarcoat it. I don’t for a minute think that’s what he really believes.
For going on 20 years, this has always been thus. Again, easy tigers.
By Overlord
April 10, 2008 12:16 AM | Link to this
It looks like we are OK from 1-4 in the rotation…… The problem is we only hit when the 5th spots turn comes.
Seriously, let James go, send him to KC , tell them he is a little better than Kyle. Maybe they want him.
The mess right now is so big, i wouldnt finish typing tonight, but we could start by getting rid of James. Let Bennett be 5th and Buddy long reliever.
Hampton should be back by the end of the month i think in 15 more days.
TEX is not helping. Or maybe is not enough.
I think Cox needs to stop moving players in the lineup like if they were dominoes. Let the players get used to spot in the lineup. That lefty righty stuff is not working. Let Jeff bat 5th and let matt bat 7th. I think it might affect players . I dont know im just trying to understand whats wrong.
And then it will be Zimmerman for the weekend, another sweep right there….. LOL.
By David O'Brien
April 10, 2008 12:18 AM | Link to this
No, I’m not making that up.
Lew, I’m gonna have to agree with you on Resop.
By TNRON
April 10, 2008 12:22 AM | Link to this
I cant believe Cox said that about this game.We cant light up Redman and its one of our BEST hitting games?I only really saw one great play,Escobar,and its one of our best fielding games?Guess he wasnt watching Diaz butcher that ball in the corner.And I suppose he also said Chuckie had great stuff,just didnt have great location.I now believe what others on here have been saying all along.He has totally lost it.Say what you will but this team reflects Bobby Cox’s attitude.Everybody Joe Cools this and that,no sense of urgency,seemingly unconcerned that they are playing poorly.I realize its a long season,but something must be done or they will put themselves in a hole they cant dig themselves out of.This isnt Braves teams of the 90’s that can go on a 14 out of 15 game winning streak.I am afraid we fooled ourselves as this team is no more than a .500 team (or less) as is,and I dont sense any concern from management.
By poorbrave
April 10, 2008 12:23 AM | Link to this
Jed and Braves Dave.* Its called Alzheimer’s Disease what Cox has.*
By Overlord
April 10, 2008 12:23 AM | Link to this
You people really needed to read that Cox said something like that to know that the old man needs more medication? He is not useful anymore with our beloved braves, time to RISP.
By Randy S
April 10, 2008 12:23 AM | Link to this
Aw, DOB, sorry you aren’t making it to Breck. I heard my buddy Brad was gonna get you out on the mountain.
By Deep Throat
April 10, 2008 12:25 AM | Link to this
This is a good team. It’s just 3-6. The Braves will be fine, but Resop has to go.
Has anyone heard of urbandictionary.com? It’s got a definition for ‘Resop’, added on October 19, 2004:
[http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=resop](http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=resop}
By FEAR
April 10, 2008 12:32 AM | Link to this
Bobby needs shuffleboard.
By David O'Brien
April 10, 2008 12:34 AM | Link to this
Teddy Jack Eddy, that was hilarious. You guys are quite good on the nights when things really go to hell on the field.
By the way, it’s Anti-Doping Agency. It got fixed for all editions of the paper, and just had it fixed for online.
By Philliesuk
April 10, 2008 12:35 AM | Link to this
BravesDave, I agree. You pointed out a few things that are driving me crazy. Why can this team NOT manufacture a run? I know why. They don’t know how to lay down a bunt (Chuck), and they absolutely refuse to walk. Did someone tell our team that walks are outs? I can’t come up with another explanation. Why is it that our crappy pitchers seem to walk (and hit) their batters, but their crappy pitchers never seem to give up walks to our batters?
I wish Francoeur would lose the 20lb he gained and start hitting line drives again.
Remember when our outfield was Sheffield, A.Jones, and C.Jones? Wow, how things have changed…
Chipper needs to hold a team meeting and start kicking some a**. Bottom line.
By FEAR
April 10, 2008 12:37 AM | Link to this
urban dictionary:
a word used to call idiots poser that because of there idiocy never find out its just poser backwards
example: you think stairway to heaven was written by elton john but your wearing a f*** the LZ t-shirt youj stupid freaking resop
By Coach (Lets Go Braves In 2008)
April 10, 2008 12:39 AM | Link to this
My sentiments exactly.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=cGqroT1FZ5Y
By David O'Brien
April 10, 2008 12:42 AM | Link to this
In actuality, a few Braves really did have fine games, including Mac (3-for-4, homer, double, 3 RBI) and Yunel, who had a couple of hits and made a play I’m sure will be on ESPN’s web gems are whatever they’re called tonight. Only a few shortstops can make that play and throw from shallow left field.
By David O'Brien
April 10, 2008 12:45 AM | Link to this
Anybody want to bet the Braves win the next two series at D.C. and Florida? I say they will.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves In 2008)
April 10, 2008 12:45 AM | Link to this
If Bobby Cox were a shoe salesman he would be broke and barefoot.
I ain’t buying the crap he is selling.
By Gomer Pyle
April 10, 2008 12:49 AM | Link to this
WEll golley the Braves lose again.They ant never gone win another game they should let me pitch i no i could do better don’t you?
By MT Braves Fan
April 10, 2008 12:52 AM | Link to this
TnRon, I totally agree with you, and in fact said yesterday that something needs to happen to light a fire under this team. It’s not that they are losing, because it’s April and few seasons are ever really lost in April (i.e. Phillies last year). It’s the fact that this team seems to just be going through the motions, not working to have good at-bats, knowing that the pen isn’t going to give them a chance to win anyway. Yeah may have gotten ahead of myself with DeSalvo there haha, but then again, he couldn’t do too much worse than Resop and Boyer have been doing. Chipper or Smoltz or both need to get after people in the clubhouse, because as we all know by now, Bobby sure isn’t going to.
By uga-brave
April 10, 2008 12:52 AM | Link to this
anyone wonder why JS relinquished his GM job now? i think he somewhat realized that current payroll constraints would throttle this team in the near future.
the bullpen is contstructed of non proven players making the minimum, sans soriano and ohman. the bench is a bunch of AAAA players with no experience. we dont have a leadoff hitter. diaz is better suited in a platoon situation.
three years ago if you would of said two of our starting outfielders would of been kotsay and diaz, i would of said you must be crazy.
we are starting to learn how the other half of the league lives and it is painful to watch.
when you try to construct a team on the cheap this is sometimes what you get.
if this team is going to compete some of the players are going to have to have breakthrough years.
By N8
April 10, 2008 12:52 AM | Link to this
Just got home.
Yikes.
By FEAR
April 10, 2008 12:57 AM | Link to this
Well DOB. I think after tomorrow they might pull of a few wins…..maybe a sweep in DC? They have played terrible ever since that hot start. Then again so were the Rox.
By Matt
April 10, 2008 12:59 AM | Link to this
This team is becoming more and more painful to watch. I really hope we get snowed out tomorrow, because I’d like to go to bed in a decent mood, without having to suffer through yet another loss. I remember Skip once saying something like, “And like lambs to the slaughter, the Braves take the field.” He may have to resurrect that line before long. Or maybe, “The bases are loaded, and Bobby Cox probably wishes he was.” At least you get a laugh listening to Skip.
By N8
April 10, 2008 1:00 AM | Link to this
DOB
“Anybody want to bet the Braves win the next two series at D.C. and Florida? I say they will.”
I want some of whatever it is you had in your hot chocolate tonight. Perhaps your cigar was laced with some hallucinogenics of some sort.
I don’t mean to be insulting, but similar to last years team, WHAT ON EARTH gives you the idea that this team is on the verge of winning more than they lose in the next week or so?
Seriously.
By BravesDave
April 10, 2008 1:04 AM | Link to this
DOB, that is a tough bet right now. As I mentioned earlier, Chico pitched well against the Braves last season (another slop-throwing lefty) and a rookie call-up, Lannan, is pitching another game in the DC series. We know what happens when the Braves face a pitcher for the first time. As far as the Marlins are concerned, they happen to be playing better than the Braves right now.
On a music note, this may sound crazy, and it is not normally my cup of tea, but I heard a new song from Three Doors Down today and it is pretty good. Called “It’s Not My Time”. Might be a little too Nickleback-ish, but it is catchy.
Still waiting for the new Oasis album to be released. Also still waiting for a new album from the reunited Verve. Going to see them in three weeks at the theatre at MSG. Reunited after 10 years apart. They broke up after “Bittersweet Symphony” became a huge hit.
By N8
April 10, 2008 1:07 AM | Link to this
Can’t even beat Mark Redman. Not even after Kotsay nearly shatters his ankle with a line drive.
The phrase “Rock Bottom” comes to mind, and I’m not talking about the KISS tune.
By N8
April 10, 2008 1:17 AM | Link to this
Last year I was one of many who were saying give Diaz the everyday job in LF.
But the man is a liability in the OF right now.
He would have to hit around .400 to make up for the runs he’s gonna cost us.
As much as I have said that Kotsay will hold his own in CF (I still think he will), it’s clear that if Diaz has to cover more ground, it’s gonna cost us.
Enough already!!! Just bring up Shafer to play LF and be done with……what’s that?
Oh yeah. Never mind.
Josh Anderson anybody?
On another note, I have confidence in Tex to turn it around. Why? Because the numbers say he “heats up” as the months go by?
Here’s a question then. If TEX HAS SAID that he starts slow. Along with the fact that it’s DOCUMENTED that he starts slow. Added to the fact that he HAS STARTED SLOW THIS YEAR. Then tell me why the hell is he in the clean-up spot for the month of April?
Just another case of Bobby going by the book, and not actually looking at THE REAL NUMBERS or history of certain players when making out the lineup card, or making substitutions in the middle of the game (be it pitchers or PH’s).
Since Tex admitted PUBLICLY that he always starts slow, he wouldn’t dare be offended if Bobby batted him 5th or 6th, would he?
Come on BOBBY! Shake up the damn lineup already.
By dunwoody in denver
April 10, 2008 1:20 AM | Link to this
Hey DOB, have you tried any of those places I told you about?
If the game’s postponed tomorrow, you’ll have the whole day to yourself…any backup plans? One problem with Denver is since so much here is geared toward the outdoors, there’s not much tourist-type stuff to do (i.e. Coca-Cola, CNN, etc.).
By mr baseball
April 10, 2008 1:21 AM | Link to this
Whose brilliant decision was it to give James his first start in Colorado? Couldn’t have waited until the Braves played the Nats or Marlins to ease him into the rotation?
Whose brilliant decision was it to keep Resop over Yates? Probably someone who compared their salaries and decided cheaper was better.
With a player of very limited defensive ability who has never been an every day starter and a lefty hitting CF with a history of back problems making up 2/3 of your starting outfield, whose brilliant decision was it to keep a LH-hitting rookie with zero pop as the only backup OF?
Lots of questions, but I know who has the answers to the Braves. woes. Ron Gant. His brilliant solution: have one of the veterans call a team meeting and chew out his teammates. That’s the answer to all that ails struggling teams.
After hearing the post-game comments from our esteemed manager, I’ll repeat my contention that the all-knowing Shaun disparaged with his infallible numbers: Bobby Cox is not exactly the sharpest pencil in the box.
Wonder what his reaction would be if one of the media guys in the locker room responded to his observation about how well the team played with something like this:
“You just got whipped for the third straight night by a team that was last in the league in runs scored and couldn’t do much of anything against a stiff like Mark Redman, but you thought your team played well? Do you really believe that? If so, why in the world should anybody take anything you say seriously?
“And did you really say something to the effect that it doesn’t make any difference who closes with Soriano on the DL?”
So nice to have a manager with such a firm grip on reality.
At least the Masters tees off in about 6 1/2 hours so we’ll have something to look forward to for the rest of the week.
By uga-brave
April 10, 2008 1:25 AM | Link to this
on the positive escobar looks like he will be the real deal. might misplay the easy ones but he has got great range and a arm like shawon dunston.
offensively the problem with diaz and francouer is they are the same player. neither can run and are both free swingers. if francoeur can hit 35 homeruns it would even things out a bit.
might be time to give kotsay a look at leadoff. move kelly down and hit escobar lead off against leftys.
gotta do something to shake it up.
all this being said, tex has gotta start hitting and he will. when he does most things should work themselves out.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves In 2008)
April 10, 2008 1:25 AM | Link to this
The laundry list of mistakes so far from our esteemed manager.
Tyler Yates= 7.2 innings, one earned run, 1.17 ERA in Pittsburgh.
Chuck James , 18.00 ERA
Keely Johnson and Martin Prado leading off with three extra base hits in thirty-nine at bats with one stolen base.
Matt Diaz has butchered left field.
Josh Anderson is hitting .423 with three stolen bases down in Richmond. The entire Braves team has two stolen bases.
Mark Teixeira is hitting .167, can you spell F-I-V-E-H-O-L-E ?
Brian McCann is healthy and hitting .333 with seven RBI. HINT, HINT, HINT,HINT. Thats four H-I-N-T-S.
Jeff Bennett, um….rotation, P-L-E-A-S-E.
Assuming Mike Hampton would pitch, yea right.
Chris Resop for Marcus Thames, it could have happened. But not anymore, to late !
By Reid in EAV
April 10, 2008 1:29 AM | Link to this
The real new Braves alternate road hat.
By uga-brave
April 10, 2008 1:32 AM | Link to this
n8,
agree with a lot of what you say but tex is the four hole hitter. other then the fact that we dont have a another hitter that could hit there he is the only hitter on this team that can protect chipper.
By Gomer Pyle
April 10, 2008 1:32 AM | Link to this
Golley the Braves may be better at chechers. They sure can’t play baseball.I feel real sorry for the people of atlaner.if i was them i wood go rabbit hunting are somethin.
By N8
April 10, 2008 1:39 AM | Link to this
Just got to the point in the game where Holiday hit the (ahem)…triple down the LF line. (Diaz looks like Willie Mays out there, doesn’t he?).
That’s when Cox proceeded to use my FAVORITE “strategy”. He brought the infield “in” to face Atkins (who I’m sure was thinking about bunting in the run). What does he do? He lines a base hit to LF THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN CAUGHT had Escobar been playing back.
Wich Greg Maddux (circa 1995) or Tom Glavine (circa 1991), or Tim Hudson the way he’s been throwing…..MAYBE you play the infield in. You know…with a guy on the mound that actually might be able to induce that groundout. Or maybe with a guy like Smoltz that can get a K. Not with a guy recovering (still) from a partially torn (whatever the HELL that means - it’s either torn, or it’s not), rotator cuff, making his season debut, who is hitting guys left and right.
Robert
I think a LOT of people on here owe you a BUNCH of apologies. The man has officially lost it. Even though I know that you’ll contend that he “never had it”.
I believe I’ll hit STOP on my remote. Then hit delete, and go to bed.
Goodnight all.
By coach Dennis Green
April 10, 2008 1:46 AM | Link to this
I watched Tyler Yates pitch every other night last year. He had an era of 5.00! He was AWFUL! Tyler Yates is WHO WE THOUGHT HE WAS! If you want to crown his azz, then crown him. But he is who we THOUGHT HE WAS!!!
By N8
April 10, 2008 1:46 AM | Link to this
n8
“agree with a lot of what you say but tex is the four hole hitter. other then the fact that we dont have a another hitter that could hit there he is the only hitter on this team that can protect chipper.”
While I agree, that we have no other real option to protect Chipper. Explain to me how Tex (hitting .167) is actually protecting Chipper right now?
Andruw signs a deal for 18 million a year. Gets BENCHED after 8 games for sucking it up. Tex isn’t too far behind right now, and I’m just asking for Bobby to shake up the lineup.
I’m not ragging on the guy. He’s just struggling right now. Like appears to (and admitted to) he ALWAYS does in April.
I’m not saying that we should “outright” him to Richmond. Just move him down a spot in the order.
Right now, it appears Mac is starting to heat up. Put him in the 4 hole until Tex heats up.
Or ask Chipper if he’ll “switch” for a few days to protect Tex?
This is all wasted keystrokes (no offense to you), because Bobby will NEVER change the lineup until it’s too late. Which is too bad.
By Zbrave
April 10, 2008 1:49 AM | Link to this
Anybody want to bet the Braves win the next two series at D.C. and Florida? I say they will. By David O’Brien
DOB - We cann’t bet because we don’t know the team anymore - or we actually never knew the team in the first place.
When they pitch well (starters at least), they couldn’t get a hit/run (most games at least).
when they finally grabbed some hits/runs, their pitchers gave up even more.
When Smoltz is up, Hampton is gone.
When JJ impresses, CJ stinks.
When Matt hits, Diaz cannot fields.
When Chipper is sizzling, Tex is trembling.
When the teams is struggling, Cox is spinning.
Hell, I don’t know what to believe, not now!
By Coach (Lets Go Braves In 2008)
April 10, 2008 1:51 AM | Link to this
Baltimore is 6-1, Kansas City is 6-2, those Marlins are 5-3 and the Cardinals have started out 7-2.
Does anybody really believe that these four teams are better than our Braves?
Somebody please WAKE ME THE HELL UP and end this nightmare !
By N8
April 10, 2008 1:51 AM | Link to this
Coach (Lets Go Braves In 2008)
I know you said earlier this spring (or season - don’t remember), that I was gonna be “on ignore” for the year.
But I still wanna point out that your 1:25 post was the BEST, most accurate post you’ve had in months.
Well said.
By Barking Brave
April 10, 2008 1:51 AM | Link to this
Shoot DOB, I like ”world doping agency” better.I guess the ”Anti” does protect them from infringement suits though (I hear Larry has a litigiously inclined grandson).
By Teddy Jack Eddy
April 10, 2008 1:51 AM | Link to this
Shoot DOB, I like ”world doping agency” better.I guess the ”Anti” does protect them from infringement suits though (I hear Larry has a litigiously inclined grandson).
By Teddy Jack Eddy
April 10, 2008 2:03 AM | Link to this
I busted myself,ok I posted under ”BarkingBrave” and didn’t catch it before hitting post (Mom always wanted a dog),night all.
By whatadummy
April 10, 2008 2:06 AM | Link to this
Overlord
Great post at 8:19. Whatadummy is truly just that…a dummy. I think he needs to go to college & take stats there.**BC88
another ignorant party heard from. I did go to college and take several stats courses which I aced. There are about 4 or 5 guys on this board that understand them and then the rest of you idiots who have not got a clue about them.And you certainly fit there. You guys state things that are so completely stupid that it is obvious that you know nothing about the subject other than what some uneducated announcer once stated.
By BA
April 10, 2008 2:21 AM | Link to this
Colorado is a house of horrors. Somebody asked who’s idea it was to start James in Colorado. I believe it was Mike Hampton’s left boob. James had NO control tonight, and I’ll bet he’s just too strong. They had planned to stretch this guy out at Richmond. If Cox had started Bennett, and HE got roughed up, you people would still be calling him a moron. If he had moved Tex down to sixth (seriously?) and he struck out four times, you’d roast Bobby Cox. Diaz is not this bad in left field. I’d love to see Anderson or Blanco leading off, but Diaz is too good of a hitter. If you drop your cleanup hitter down on April ninth, or bench your left fielder, it screams PANIC. That’s dumb manager stuff, Larry Bowa style. I’ll take the bet on the next two series, DOB. Salvage a win tomorrow and get the hell out of dodge-no more Colorado this year. Let’s see some ball minus the gimmick.
By CharlieAlphaBravo
April 10, 2008 2:27 AM | Link to this
Anybody notice that Yunel’s big play didn’t make the Sportscenter top 10 or Webgems on Baseball Tonight… Actually, it didn’t even make the highlight reel when they were talking about the game on BT. You’d think someone at ESPN would actually watch a few of the games.
Also, I have to agree with DOB… I’m afraid the Nats and the Fish are going to pay for the Bravos slow start. I’ll predict at least 5-2 for the rest of the road trip…
By coach Dennis Green
April 10, 2008 2:28 AM | Link to this
Teddyjackeddy, you are who we THOUGHT you were!
By Wayne in Utah
April 10, 2008 2:39 AM | Link to this
It’s almost comical to go back and read all the wailing and gnashing of teeth on this blog. I think I might copy all of this blog tonight, so that I can come back and refer to statements made by some who call themselves baseball fans.
I remember a few weeks ago the calling for the head of Tyler Yates. We couldn’t risk losing the others (Resop) because Yates SUCKED so bad. Also, how many of you wanted Diaz for full time duty. I have always thought of him as being at his best when utilized the way he was the past couple of years….part time.
The Braves needed a starter tonight, and while Chuckie was supposed to go to Richmond to get some work in, why not let him give it a shot up on the big club.
Give it a rest folks.
By Wayne in Utah
April 10, 2008 2:47 AM | Link to this
DOB: I know you probably won’t get down to the Lone Tree area, near Littleton, but there is a great Mexican restaurant called “The Brewery Bar” on Park Meadows Drive.
Great pork chili! I don’t drink, so I can’t comment on the brew.
The weather behind the storm is supposed to be much warmer….wouldn’t ya know it. I got out of town and back to Utah earlier Wed afternoon so I will miss all the fun.
By N9
April 10, 2008 2:47 AM | Link to this
We should trade Diaz and Kotsay for Brandon Inge, and bat HIM cleanup, and Marquis Grissom should be the manager! And then, in five minutes, when taht doesn’t work, we’ll switch Inge and Chipper…fire Grissom, Mike Devereaux for manager!
By Wayne in Utah
April 10, 2008 3:03 AM | Link to this
Is it time to unload Tex for prospects, and send Hudson to the Yankees. How bout we dump Chipper and Smoltz…..lets just blow it up and start all over again. Frank Wren is such a dummy. And Bobby Cox, he sticks with his players too long. Doesn’t he know he is only supposed to be a players manager when they come out of the gate like gangbusters!!
What a bunch of dummies, huh!
Pass the tylenol!
By jed
April 10, 2008 3:22 AM | Link to this
dob
props for picking ‘brownsville girl’. yes, the only thing we knew about henry porter was that his name wasnt henry porter. interestingly enough, sam shepard co-wrote that song and if you go through it, you can kinda figure out who wrote what by the familiar tone of dylan’s writing versus the playwriter-ish scene setting. i’d imagine this song is an ode to dylan’s second wife, who was a black woman. hence, the brownsville reference and the ‘dark rhythm in her soul.’
sure beats typing about the braves….
By Moby Grape
April 10, 2008 4:12 AM | Link to this
BravesSuck the same person, or are all Braves critics elementary school dropouts? “[…]Braves are belong to me.” Seriously, learn English.Prof
I kinda thought that he was parodying a movie character on that one prof.
By plasticfantasticPhilly
April 10, 2008 4:58 AM | Link to this
Cheer up Braves’ fans, at least it wasn’t another one run loss.
And what a wild emotional feeding frenzy. Wasn’t this the same Resop that youse guys couldn’t live without just a week or two ago. The hue and cry was to cut Yates and save Resop at all costs. My how some people’s memory are so short. Buncha two-faced loosers.
By j-school dropout
April 10, 2008 6:08 AM | Link to this
Chuck James is awful. He could really use Leo Mazzone. The only way he should be pitching is down and away. Instead, he keeps grooving his weak cheese, and MLB hitters tee off on it. Also, I think it’s time to seriously consider firing McDowell. Our bullpen should not be this bad and I think it’s time to bring back a pitching coach who Bobby will listen to. Let’s rehire Mazzone. These young pitchers need a tough old man to scare hell out of them.
By ncscoots
April 10, 2008 6:29 AM | Link to this
this team hasn’t changed much since last year.
Funny, I would say the same thing about the blog.
When things went in the crapper last year, lots of new bloggers showed up to decry and declaim, to spew bile, and to spout their “knowledge” of everything that was wrong with that team. Many of those are still here in full force, and happy as a clam that they can once again point out all the failures of the first week (!) of the season. And I’m not talking about N8 here, he’s a different animal altogether.
It’s always fun to be inundated by “analysis” from former Pony League benchwarmers, and folks whose bseball CV is topped by “once read the definition of ‘baseball’ in a dictionary”. You just can’t get the kind of insight for free, in most universes.
Meanwhile, good solid bloggers with a history of cred in this forum are producing a paucity of posts. I won’t do a roll call of them, but they know who they are. Fleeing Rome ahead of the raging barbarian hordes, I guess, and one can hardly argue with the sentiment.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves In 2008)
April 10, 2008 6:38 AM | Link to this
Yorvit Torrealba must have read the scouting report on Chuck James, which isn’t real complicated.
It reads something like this : lay off the change up, get ahead in the count and wait for the 89-90 mph fastball up in the zone and drive it.
His stuff isn’t good enough to get by with just two pitches(fastball/change up) and the occasional slider if he isn’t locating his fastball down in the zone.
Until Chuck James develops an off speed pitch that doesn’t come straight out of his hand, he is going to give up more than his share of HR’s.
By timmy
April 10, 2008 7:11 AM | Link to this
Guys let’s keep in mind we have lost a series to the NL Champs. This team can mash just like we can. Problem is, they’ve had better all around pitching, than we had. And please when hampton comes back, DFA Resop. He is horrible, the absolute worst in the pen
By Mike S
April 10, 2008 7:12 AM | Link to this
Here here, scoots. Hopefully the W’s will start coming and we can return to a better blog.
By Jeff R
April 10, 2008 7:58 AM | Link to this
Soriano hits the DL after lackluster, not lights out, performances. The bullpen has underperformed generally, anyway. Let’s hope warmer weather does something for these guys arms and psyches.
By SNIPER-69
April 10, 2008 8:01 AM | Link to this
Back from warm and sunny Cancun Mexico. A quick over view of the season tells me the only team the braves can beat are the Mets.
By Imjustabigkidder
April 10, 2008 8:07 AM | Link to this
And I’m not talking about N8 here, he’s a different animal altogether.ncscoots
I’m sorry, but I think N8 has sold this board a bill of goods. He gets all the catharsis of being a ranter but none of the stigma because he has convinced y’all that he is doing it for the ‘right’ reasons. :-)
By Braves20
April 10, 2008 8:07 AM | Link to this
You say Reitsma, I say Resop.
This is quite scary. We dropped three to a team that is probably only the third best team this year in the NL West.
The good news is we don’t have to win the West - only the East - and the Phils and Mets aren’t exactly setting the world on fire.
By Serge45
April 10, 2008 8:08 AM | Link to this
DOB- Not trying to be a jerk, but in the Soriano article Bobby is quoted as saying “No since pushing it…”. Is it indeed ‘since’ and not ‘sense’?
By SNIPER-69
April 10, 2008 8:22 AM | Link to this
Duaner Sanchez will back next week. Has looked good at AAA. Delgado has looked good. If he’s back to his pre 2007 self the Mets line-up goes from good to VERY good. I see things for the braves not looking up. Hampton and Soriano on the DL. Well it’s a long season with many ups and downs…LETS GO METS!!
By Dadgum
April 10, 2008 8:27 AM | Link to this
DOB….I wouldn’t bet the Braves win any series right now especially on the road. They are maybe playing better than Detroit…maybe.
The Braves have no closer or at least nobody that strikes fear in teh players’ minds. Washington is on the skids a little but look up the Braves record against Washington in DC and it ain’t real pretty. I will take Washington in the series and hope I am wrong.
I will say this though…if they lose both the next two series I wouldn’t be surprised to see some changes in the lineup. Tough times early on for sure.
By Shaun
April 10, 2008 8:42 AM | Link to this
1) That Bobby wasn’t very good at creating good “mis-matches” for our offense or pitchers last year.
or
2) That the players didn’t respond well to being put in those situation (IE: Choked, Under-Achieved, Aren’t Very Good, etc….)
…I think it’s 2). The bullpen hasn’t been very deep. Also the back end of the rotation struggled; which means they’ll give up runs early and the offense will struggle to catch up and sometimes fall short by a run. Also there have been holes in the lineup. Andruw Jones was a major culprit. And, while Jeff Francoeur has come through in a lot of pressure situations, he also made outs at a fairly frequent rate. Those struggles add up when the team is trying to rally. Also, of course, there is the luck factor that plays a role in every game but rears it’s ugly head in close games.
I doubt Bobby Cox is the primary reason the Braves have lost a lot of one-run games since Opening Day 2006, given his track record in one-run games. I’m not saying Cox is perfect. I’m sure his decisions have contributed to Braves losses, as every manager’s decisions have. But I don’t think Cox is the main culprit of all the one-run losses. I doubt he just all the sudden forgot how to manage in 2006.
By Daybed Wagmoe
April 10, 2008 8:42 AM | Link to this
Folks, let’s not forget that last year’s NL East winners started out 4-11 before catching fire and going 85-62 the rest of the season. While the first couple of weeks aren’t meaningless, they don’t determine what the season will look like. Especially when those first couple of weeks have poor teams playing above their potential (the Nats, who have dropped six straight since winning their first three, and the Pirates, who are 1-4 since winning the opening series) and the weather is more akin to football, not baseball.
By Will
April 10, 2008 8:44 AM | Link to this
So according to Bobby Cox the Braves played their best game of the year hitting/fielding. Uhhh okay, how delusional can that idiot get! I am so sick and tired of him as manager. I dont care what anybody says it is not too early to panic, the Braves just do not appear to be any good.
By Braveheart
April 10, 2008 8:53 AM | Link to this
There are alot of positives still to be taken out of the first 9 games. Chipper is hitting the crap out of the ball. McCann is doing good. Escobar is unbelievable. Kotsay has been far better than we could have expected. Smoltz, Glavine, and Hudson have all looked good. Jurrjens has shown that he is talented and will keep the Braves in games even when not at his best. The bench of Gotay, Prado, BLanco, Corky, and Pena is hitting .267 with a .375 OBP and a .411 SLG. That’s pretty darn good for a bench.
There are positive things to take out of the negatives as well. Despite all the ridiculous worries after 9 friggin’ games, Tex is not Andruw. If Tex is slumping, you know he will eventually be doubly as good as he is at his best to get his numbers back to the norm. As patient as KJ is, you know he’ll start walking. Frenchy is what he is. He’s a very raw player that should have been in the minors until last season. Despite everyone’s demands for him to do it now, we will not see the real Frenchy until he is 25 or 26 years old. Until then, he’ll continue to be the kind of flawed performer who is still very productive despite the flaws.
Everyone wants to jump Chuck James. A homer prone pitcher with a partially torn rotator cuff is not a smart bet to pitch in the weather at Coors Field yesterday. Despite the people that want to pick at his every flaw, give him enough starts and you’ll have 5 innings a start and an ERA in the low 4s. Chuck James has not been the reason why the Braves underperformed the last two seasons.
The bullpen on the other hand is shaky. Ohman, Soriano, Moylan, and Bennett have all done well statistically (although that kind of masks how they have underperformed at times). Boyer, Acosta, and Ring are better than their results have been thus far. Resop just sucks.
If people want to know how silly they sound, tHe Braves have only played 9 games. There are 153 games remaining.
THey have not yet even played the equivalent of one football game in the NFL. Would you give up on the season because your team was not looking that good with 6 minutes to go in the first game of the season?
If you want to make it a football equivalency, each baseball games represents 6 minutes of a football season. There are 960 minutes played in an NFL season.
At this point, the Braves have only played 54 of the eventual 960 minutes. Let’s let them finish the first football game before we bench the QB, fire the coach, waive the wide receiver.
But this ain’t football. I know that ….. just trying to get people to keep things in perspective.
By DAP
April 10, 2008 8:57 AM | Link to this
the three game skid has put me in a bit of a bad mood.
im going to the masters today, and wont watch the baseball game…if it gets played. ill do a little cleansing of the mind at the augusta national.
but in the back of my mind, i will be hoping to come home and see a no hitter pitcher by huddy and a braves win.
By Braves20
April 10, 2008 8:58 AM | Link to this
Interesting isn’t it that a year ago we were all agreeing that we would be playing a lot of six inning games with three “closer types” in the pen.
Now, one is thankfully gone and the other two on the DL with cloudy futures. The early part of our season is dependent on two names that weren’t even in the conversation a year ago - Moylan and Acosta.
Both have the ability, let’s hope they step up.
By BravesFanChris23
April 10, 2008 9:02 AM | Link to this
Its so easy to point out the negatives and harp or nit pick on them, but one thing I’ve learned that no matter what, whether the team is doing good or bad, its best to stay sane minded and be as constructive as possible. I’m not going to look at things through rose colored glasses or anything like that, but even though they have lost 6 games, there’s nothing to go so haywire over. Is there things that could’ve went better? Of course. Was there some things that happened that made you scratch your head? Of course. However, there have been plenty of positives that have come out of the 6 losses and I think Bobby is just trying to build on those to get the psyche up. Believe it or not, that’s the right thing and way to be. Especially in the situation like this.
While I am not thrilled or happy at the losses, I’m still not throwing in the towel like I’ve seen some do already. There’s plenty of time to get things on track and if you think a 3-6 record in the first week and a half is going to end the season, boy oh boy, how ridiculous does that sound. Like I said before on another blog, I’m not going to sit here and make excuses on why the losses occurred. As there’s many reasons why and both have good spins to them and bad spins and some are the Braves fault and some aren’t (the ridiculous scheduling for one). However, being realistic and with the potential of this team, I have a feeling things will straighten out. I know the phrase “just give it time” maybe too much to handle for some, but that’s just how it is sometimes.
Like someone said many were asking for Braves to keep Resop at all costs, even at the expense of Yates. Now its a 180 and he’s being thrown in the proverbial fire. Don’t get me wrong, I agree, he hasn’t shown his spring stuff, but he does have the stuff. Its more than likely that he needs to get adjusted to playing in a full season again after the injury. Not making the excuse for his lack of good pitching, just saying what’s really truthful if you think about it. I am gonna sit here and smile with a laugh once (or if, some would say) he gets everything worked out and starts showing his spring stuff because a lot of crow would be eaten. I still feel the bullpen is solid and once things are set in place and they know the routine and get the kinks out, they are more than likely going to turn it around and praise will come.
It sucks that Soriano had to be placed on DL, but if its not a really serious issue then Acosta could be fine in the role until Soriano is back. Its just a matter of how it turns out and if Acosta can slip into the role with comfort and ease.
I’m absolutely not worried about the offense at all. Some are starting to heat up already (McCann, Chipper, Escobar and even Kotsay). In due time I’m pretty sure they’ll start cooking on all cylinders. I have to agree with DOB that Braves could very well be on the track of turning it around against Nats and Marlins coming up. With Hudson (if today’s game is off and puts him in line to start against Nats), Smoltz and Glavine due up in those series, I think it’ll give the bullpen some rest and the offense a chance to break out of the shell.
I’ll restate what I said before one more time….
If they can have a respectable record once April is over, there’s nothing to worry about, until then, while the games they lost are important in some way, they won’t be as important if they turn it around and have a respectable record in April and I for one believe that they can, despite the slow start of some and the slowness of getting the kinks out of the team (bullpen mostly).
By Braveheart
April 10, 2008 9:07 AM | Link to this
What the hell is it with Mets fans and the man, the myth, the legend they have built up in their heads about Duaner friggin’ Sanchez?
The guy was alright. He’s nothing special whatsoever. Dude hasn’t pitched in a year and a half because of injury. He wasn’t all that spectacular before his injury. Please stop with these silly threats that he is gonna come back and save the day for you. Sanchez is really not all that.
His K9 in 2006 was 7.16. Good but hardly intimidating. And it was actually down from when he was with the Dodgers when he had a 7.79 K9 rate.
His BB9 rate in 2005 and 2006 respectively was 3.95 and 3.90. That’s okay but hardly the BB9 rate you want for someone you keep pretending is an elite reliever. Elite relievers shouldn’t be that sloppy, especially when they are not blowing people away with strikeouts.
The biggest difference between 2005 and 2006 with Sanchez was Lady Luck. His Babip dropped 30 something points. If he ain’t as lucky, he will go right back to being the reliever with a 3.75 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP.
Duaner Sanchez is hardly worth boasting about.
Everytime Mets fans threaten us about the return of Duaner Sanchez, I get a good chuckle. I even snort and giggle sometimes as well.
By Efrim
April 10, 2008 9:10 AM | Link to this
Tommy Hanson cruised through the Potomac lineup last night in 6 innings of shut out baseball. He gave up 1 hit, walked 2 and struck out 7. Myrtle Beach ended up losing 4-3, but Hanson has been dominant through two starts.
His line is 11 IP, 1 Hit allowed, 3 BB, 20 K’s, and a 0.00 ERA.
He’ll be in Atlanta’s rotation at some point next year.
By Shaun
April 10, 2008 9:23 AM | Link to this
The laundry list of mistakes so far from our esteemed manager.
Tyler Yates= 7.2 innings, one earned run, 1.17 ERA in Pittsburgh.
4.97 ERA in 158 MLB games. Not sure how it’s Cox’s fault that Tyler Yates is pitching way over his head for 7+ innings.
Chuck James , 18.00 ERA
James also has a career ERA below league average for his career. It’s his first start of the season in Colorado.
Keely Johnson and Martin Prado leading off with three extra base hits in thirty-nine at bats with one stolen base.
Matt Diaz has butchered left field.
He’s also been one of the best hitters in baseball since he was given a semi-regular job by the Braves. And his defense really hasn’t been bad. Is he the best LF in baseball? Not even close. But he’s not bad.
Josh Anderson is hitting .423 with three stolen bases down in Richmond. The entire Braves team has two stolen bases.
Anderson also has a .337 OBP, 381 SO and 150 BB in 602 minor league games. Not exactly numbers that say full-time major leaguer. Also, the Braves stole only 64 bases last season yet were third in the NL in runs scored.
Mark Teixeira is hitting .167, can you spell F-I-V-E-H-O-L-E ?
Tex is a .284/.369/.537 career hitter. I wouldn’t want him anywhere deeper than fourth and getting any fewer plate appearances.
Brian McCann is healthy and hitting .333 with seven RBI. HINT, HINT, HINT,HINT. Thats four H-I-N-T-S.
I’m not sure what this means. Should he have started all 9 games instead of just 8? I guess that’s what you’re saying?
Jeff Bennett, um….rotation, P-L-E-A-S-E.
Do you mean Bennett should be in the rotation or should not? He made a start because of injury. Who else? You think the Braves should sign Phil Niekro?
Assuming Mike Hampton would pitch, yea right.
Did they assume Hampton would pitch? I’m not so sure they did. Oh, yeah, but Bobby Cox did. It’s all his fault if the organization did assume that.
Chris Resop for Marcus Thames, it could have happened. But not anymore, to late !
Yeah, I’m sure the Tigers would have traded a guy with a .492 career SLG for a guy with a 6.36 career ERA at any time. I can’t see why that’s not a fair trade.
By Shamus Thacker
April 10, 2008 9:24 AM | Link to this
Yesterday was WAY too early to panic.
Then, last night, we were like a one-legged man in an a*-kicking contest, against MARK REDMAN!! YES, THAT MARK REDMAN!!!
Where the Hell is the panic button on this damn thing!?
Now, another pitcher down!
I need a bag to breathe in! Why is my heart beating so fast? I’m sweating like a pig on HGH! OMG!! OMG!! OMGGGGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!
By Elements
April 10, 2008 9:24 AM | Link to this
Forbes.com lists Atlanta as the most miserable sports city. Maybe they have been reading the blog. (sorry if article has already been posted.)
Here is part of the article:
It’s the fans of Atlanta seeing their teams reach a combined six World Series and Super Bowls and win one of them (the Braves have also lost in the National League championship series six times).
Meanwhile, Atlanta’s local basketball and hockey teams have earned a combined 30 playoff appearances with just two conference finals appearances to show for. That’s why Atlanta tops our list of sports heartbreak cities, followed closely by Seattle, Buffalo, Phoenix and San Diego.
By: Tom Van Riper and Andrew Farrell
I may be a glutton for punishment but I still think the Braves can bounce back from their slow start and win it all.
By Jonathon
April 10, 2008 9:25 AM | Link to this
Probably as good a time as any to have our closer on the DL; I don’t think the Braves need one right now given the way they’re playing.
By cardvol
April 10, 2008 9:26 AM | Link to this
What other team, in their right mind, would claim Resop if the Braves waived him to Richmond? We’ve lost our rabbit’s foot the last three years (from the previous 14 seasons) and it doesn’t seem like we’re going to be able to find it anytime soon. I guess the law of averages means we had to get some bad breaks sooner or later. Hopefully the dark cloud will ease away soon.
By Josh H
April 10, 2008 9:27 AM | Link to this
For anyone in the know, does it look like they’ll be playing baseball today?
With all the talk of snow, and me cutting the game off after the 5th yesterday, I have no idea how the weather looks.
By Efrim
April 10, 2008 9:29 AM | Link to this
I am assuming they aren’t going to play today, so the next 13 games are against the Nats, Marlins and Dodgers. 10-3 would sure be nice. I’ll sign for 8-5 right now. That would bring us to .500(11-11) right before the series up at Shea.
By Deep Throat
April 10, 2008 9:31 AM | Link to this
If there is any positive, Chuck James at least continues to show a good ability to strike batters out with his “two pitches”.
By KC
April 10, 2008 9:31 AM | Link to this
WELL… AT LEAST WE DIDN’T LOSE IT BY ONE RUN.
LOL
By Lee in S GA
April 10, 2008 9:33 AM | Link to this
Wish I had the patience and faith that some of you do, but I don’t with this team. The Braves have been nothing more than an average team for 2 years now. I think their overall record speaks alone for this.
The chemistry does not seem to be flowing. Anything is possible, look at what kind of streak the Rockies pulled off last season; however, this team also has the potential to stray the other way more often than not. If they fall 5 to 7 games behind anyone (yes even the Marlins), it will be very difficult to overcome.
Chipper looked like he was on the edge of losing it several times on the bench last night. No the sky is not falling but the once mighty Braves appear to be.
By KC
April 10, 2008 9:36 AM | Link to this
DOB: Not a big deal, but something you might want to correct in the Soriano article…
“Same little elbow thing,” manager Bobby Cox said. “It’s getting better, but no since pushing it this time of the year.
By BravesFanChris23
April 10, 2008 9:37 AM | Link to this
Elements you said….
I may be a glutton for punishment but I still think the Braves can bounce back from their slow start and win it all.
I think they can too. I’m not saying they will or anything of definite sense, but there is a possibility they could. Remember plenty of teams have done really well later in the season and even made it to the post season with a slow start in April. Phillies last year comes to mind.
Shamus Thacker
*Yesterday was WAY too early to panic.
Then, last night, we were like a one-legged man in an a*-kicking contest, against MARK REDMAN!! YES, THAT MARK REDMAN!!!
Where the Hell is the panic button on this damn thing!?
Now, another pitcher down! I need a bag to breathe in! Why is my heart beating so fast? I’m sweating like a pig on HGH! OMG!! OMG!! OMGGGGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!*
Yesterday and now are still way too early to panic.
Yes, last night’s game wasn’t a pleasurable game. The slowness of getting on track is what nipped them in the game. However, its still nothing to be alarmed over. Mark was actually pitching good despite him being “a bad pitcher”.
Where is the panic button now? Needs to be stashed away, especially for now. If they continue this way at the end of the month and beyond, then yes, panic button should be pushed and the criticisms would be warranted to the level its being received now. HOWEVER, RIGHT NOW, IT’S RIDICULOUS.
It sucks that Soriano is on DL, but if Acosta can step up, it’ll be fine till he gets back. If Soriano is seriously hurt worse, then there’s a case for some concern that should be addressed.
By McFann
April 10, 2008 9:41 AM | Link to this
Happy? A loss by more than one run…
That’s the McCann we know and love! A .333 AVG after going 3-4 with three RBI. Oh, and his OBP is .382 and he leads the team in slugging with a .633 mark. And (dare I say it?) he still has NO STRIKE OUTS! He’s the only guy in our everyday lineup to have no K’s. I mean, after eight games you’d think there’d be a couple…
(He also looked like the “old McCann” when two guys stole a base last night—not quite what we’re looking for. But hey, Escobar should have caught that ball. Maybe the guy wouldn’t have been out anyway…)
There are alot of positives still to be taken out of the first 9 games. Chipper is hitting the crap out of the ball. McCann is doing good. Escobar is unbelievable. Braveheart
Unbelievable? Yeah, kinda. Like, I can’t believe he hit into a double play with two men on base in the seventh inning. Sorry. Yes, he’s been good. (A lot better than Francoeur, but who isn’t outside of Mark Teixeira?)
Oh crud. Today’s a day-game-after-a-night-game and Colorado’s pitcher is a lefty. Shoot…If we play, sounds like we’ll see (gulp) Corky.
By McFann
April 10, 2008 9:49 AM | Link to this
Mark in PA—
Are you out there? I saw your 10:32 post.
That’s a good one! (But don’t let Shaun see it, LOL)
By Efrim
April 10, 2008 9:52 AM | Link to this
Lee in S GA
If the Braves go something like 4-9 in the next 13 games, then yes, you could panic.
By STRETCH
April 10, 2008 10:02 AM | Link to this
Another 3rd place finish folks…and like i said during the off season, they might finish lower than that!
Mark Redman or Redmond or however you spell it! He looked like a MLB starter tonight…only the Braves could make a guy look that good!
Hampton goes down, Soriano goes down…give it a couple of weeks before Chipper goes!
Tex is doing an excellant Andrew impersonation aint he? And this lineup with the exception of a few players frustrates me! They play like a little league team.
And can someone PLEASE tell me…WHY IS CHUCK JAMES STILL ON THIS TEAM? They couldnt call up anyone else? Why is it that everyone else but the organization see that this guy is NOT a MLB starting pitcher!!
I know its early still, but with the way this team has underachieved coupled with the same bullpen issues haunting them from years past added with decisions from that jckss manager, im NOT getting my hopes up!
If Smoltz, Glavine, Hudson and JJ continue to pitch they way they have been and the offense scores the way they did tonight, then there is a light at the end of the tunnel…if not….turn out the lights. They are going to have to score runs to compete in this division. Baseball is a funny game.
By Shaun
April 10, 2008 10:04 AM | Link to this
McFann, yeah, everyone knows that luck plays absolutely no role in anything. There are never ever close games that turn on fluke incidents.
By DCbrave
April 10, 2008 10:05 AM | Link to this
SNAFU?
SABU!
By David O'Brien
April 10, 2008 10:05 AM | Link to this
THIS JUST IN: Snow everywhere. Haven’t called or heard anything yet from Braves, because I just woke up. But downtown is covered in snow and it’s snowing pretty hard right now.
No way we play today. Even without looking at forecast, I’m confident in saying that.
By brent a.
April 10, 2008 10:06 AM | Link to this
What do we know about potential bullpen arms in the minors?
I remember two years ago, when we started out in the rain in LA and San Fran, Bobby & JS wasted no time overhauling that sad-sack bullpen, with, as it turns out, more sad-sack arms. But still, they tried.
By Elements
April 10, 2008 10:07 AM | Link to this
BravesFanChris23
You are right. Plus,I think the Braves may do better in the playoffs if they are on a hot streak at the end of the season instead of just coasting to division wins.
By Steve McP
April 10, 2008 10:07 AM | Link to this
I think our best hope today for not losing a game where the starting temp is below 60º is for it to be snowed off - they just cannot seem to be patient when it is cold.
I don’t blame the pitchers (OK except Chuck who was embarrassing, and Acosta who was really bad against the Pirates) for our losses, our line up is such that we should have a potent offence and not be in the position where these are one run games.
By KC
April 10, 2008 10:11 AM | Link to this
Well, let’s hope tendinitis is the only elbow problem Soriano has, and that it’s not an indication of something more serious. Let’s also hope Acosta is ready for 8th/9th inning duty.
I hope Wren is working the phones for another solid veteran reliever. We’ll probably have to overpay to get anyone at this point… with a few other teams, most notably Detroit, also looking for relief help.
Yeah, Gonzo is due back in early June, but it makes me nervous to wind up pinning hopes to a guy returning from TJ surgery (seems like we’ve done that before, with less than stellar results). Besides, early June is 2 months away.
Detroit has already given up a hell of a lot of their young talent. The Braves on the other hand, have a lot they can offer, without touching core talent. So maybe they can get something done.
By brent a.
April 10, 2008 10:12 AM | Link to this
The way this season is going, do we really even need a closer?
By AGTfan
April 10, 2008 10:12 AM | Link to this
Efrim I think most of the bloggers here are already in full panic mode. I realy enjoyed this blog during the off-season. I’ve got a feeling that during the season it’s going to be manic-depressive. It’s a good thing that Bobby Cox is manager instead of all the folks on this blog who are obviously so much smarter and knowlegeable about baseball than he is. If those guys were managers, we’d never have won anything because half the team would have committed suicide during the first losing streak.
Now if I can just remember how to tie that noose.
By Thrillhouse44
April 10, 2008 10:14 AM | Link to this
Stretch, thanks for that ray of sunshine. The glass is always half-empty isn’t it?
By McFann
April 10, 2008 10:14 AM | Link to this
Hey, Shaun…You’re RIGHT!! Congrats, man!
By 22oz
April 10, 2008 10:15 AM | Link to this
I just got an email from AJCSports with the title “Tiger-I love winning”. Wow, some of DOB’s fellow writers deserve a Pulitzer. Thats some noteworthy journalism. I personally hate when i win at something. DOB, how bout a story from the Braves: “Chipper-I hate losing.”
By Interested Observer
April 10, 2008 10:16 AM | Link to this
I hope the snow doesn’t disrupt the Braves travel to Washington. The last thing we need is major travel delays.
By Lew
April 10, 2008 10:18 AM | Link to this
Tyler Yates sucks. Tyler Yates is now God on the mound. Matt Diaz should play everyday. Matt Diaz should be benched or traded. Whatever. Just like the wind, the blog changes by the hour.
What Braveheart said at 8;53 and 9:07. That works for me. Everyone thinks I’m sarcastic anyway. Listen to him.
By Efrim
April 10, 2008 10:18 AM | Link to this
No way we play today. Even without looking at forecast, I’m confident in saying that.
Best news I have heard all week. Get the Braves out of there. Get them on a plane to D.C. Hudson vs. Chico, Smoltz vs. Lannan, and Glavine vs. Redding.
Sweep.
By Original Jon
April 10, 2008 10:21 AM | Link to this
DOB Will the team be able to make it out of Colorado if they dont play? It would totally suck if they got snowed in and couldnt get to the next town. Who makes the friggin baseball schedules is what I want to know.
By SNIPER-69
April 10, 2008 10:21 AM | Link to this
Braveheart, no one is threatening you with Sanchez. He just a better option than Heilman or Sosa. Lets face it, IF Sanchez performs like he did in 2006 the bullpen is greatly improved. I’m sure the braves would like to have some one like Sanchez right now.
By Efrim
April 10, 2008 10:21 AM | Link to this
KC
I hope Wren is working the phones for another solid veteran reliever. We’ll probably have to overpay to get anyone at this point… with a few other teams, most notably Detroit, also looking for relief help.
Why? It’s April. If Soriano has a MRI and the results are bad, then yes. But if the plan is to just rest him, there is no reason to go out and get a reliever. Braves are just going to have to deal with it.
By David O'Brien
April 10, 2008 10:22 AM | Link to this
Elements, sounds as if you revel in “misery,” since that’s not what the story you referred to was about. It was not about the most “miserable” sports city, as you put it. It was about the city that’s had its collective heart broken the most times in championship games, at least as much as I gather from the paragraph you sent. Not about “miserable” at all:
The graph you quoted:
“Meanwhile, Atlanta’s local basketball and hockey teams have earned a combined 30 playoff appearances with just two conference finals appearances to show for. That’s why Atlanta tops our list of sports heartbreak cities, followed closely by Seattle, Buffalo, Phoenix and San Diego.”
And I tell you what, Seattle and San Diego aren’t too bad a company to be in, if that’s your idea of “misery.”
By Shaun
April 10, 2008 10:22 AM | Link to this
STRETCH, if you think the Braves will finish third based on their performance so far, who finishes first?
It’s not like the Mets and Phillies are running away with anything.
I guess the Yankees should just start trading away all their vets. They are farther out that even the Braves! They are as doomed as doomed can be!
By KC
April 10, 2008 10:25 AM | Link to this
DOB: “No way we play today. Even without looking at forecast, I’m confident in saying that.”
Well, that’s great. Why the HELL couldn’t this have happened yesterday??!!!!!
By eware
April 10, 2008 10:27 AM | Link to this
DOB, howabout some Old 97’s lyrics on the next blog…maybe Timebomb or Doreen. Good stuff.
Also, that Whiskeytown deluxe edition of Strangers Almanac is worth the price…
By Nate
April 10, 2008 10:27 AM | Link to this
Who was it that said Soriano wouldn’t be able to close all season? Who was it that said the Braves couldn’t afford to rely on Soriano this season? Who was it that said the bull pen would blow four saves in April? Yes, it was me saying all that stuff just over two weeks ago.
Yes, I know Soriano hasn’t pitched poorly, but now he’s not pitching at all, and his elbow is gonna bother him all summer. The bullpen besides Ohman and Moylan is AAAA at best. So what do the Braves do now? Hold open tryouts in the airport on the way to Washington? We all need to pray to the baseball gods that Mike Gonzales can close before August. Or maybe its time to trade some of those precious prospects y’all are so fond of for some major league quality relief pitching.
On another note, I gotta say I was a big fan of the Kotsay trade back in Jaunary. But know its hard to see how Blanco or Anderson could be contributing less than Kotsay. And I guess those guys just became more valuable with the Schaefer thing yesterday.
By DAP
April 10, 2008 10:28 AM | Link to this
this team is in desperate need of a sweep. lets hope the nats stay cold, and our bats warm up with the weather. weve got our best guys going, but the offense is gonna have to do thier part.
By Shaun
April 10, 2008 10:29 AM | Link to this
To quote the great philosopher Skip Carey, DOB, when you get to Washington say hello to my money for me.
By David O'Brien
April 10, 2008 10:29 AM | Link to this
Yeah, Stretch, where you hanging out today? I want to party with you, cowboy. You bring the strychnine.
By SNIPER-69
April 10, 2008 10:33 AM | Link to this
LEW, I don’t think you’re sarcastic…..just biased to the point of ignorance.
By TDub
April 10, 2008 10:34 AM | Link to this
Have to say this - some of you guys whine more than my four-year-old daughter. I love her to pieces, so I don’t mind it for her. From grown men, however, it’s just ridiculous. Yeah, we got problems. Fix them and move on. What do you want to do, trade Tex? Release Hampton? Tar and feather Resop? Get a grip, it’s week 1.5.
By BossLady
April 10, 2008 10:39 AM | Link to this
See, Chipper was trained by a “REAL” hitting coach back in the day.
By Efrim
April 10, 2008 10:40 AM | Link to this
DAP
That is something that worries me. The team has lost 6 games in a row. You have to figure they won’t lose 9 in a row…..right?
By Thrillhouse44
April 10, 2008 10:40 AM | Link to this
Wow, I didn’t realize we had Nostradamus reincarnated here, Nate. Are you sure you’re not Biff from Back to the Future? Predictions aren’t impressive when you’ve had the 2008 Sports Almanac for 20 years. But since you’re around, what are tonight’s lottery numbers?
By KC
April 10, 2008 10:41 AM | Link to this
EFRIM: You can never have too much pitching. There are serious “?” hanging over this bullpen right now. We shouldn’t wait until we know we’re screwed. If there’s an arm out there to be had, and a reasonable deal can be made… we should make it before someone else does.
We only had 2 late-inning arms we knew we can count on, and now with Soriano out, we only have one (Moylan).
Acosta will certainly get a chance to prove himself in the late innings now, and if he can do that, we may be in good shape. But if Acosta isn’t up to the task, we need to look for another solution… because we can’t afford to roll the dice and hope Soriano’s elblow isn’t only a passing annoyance.
And again, I believe Gonzo will be just fine and will return in June, but we shouldn’t bank on that.
If Acosta steps up in a big way, then we’ll be fine for the 8th/9th innings. But even if he does come through, we could still use another veteran middle reliever.
By Shaun
April 10, 2008 10:41 AM | Link to this
Anyone remember 2004? Braves were 6-1/2 games out on June 23. Randy Johnson had thrown a perfect game a little over a month earlier. Braves had lost Sheffield, Lopez, Castilla, Maddux the previous offseason…well, apparently no one remembers.
By STRETCH
April 10, 2008 10:43 AM | Link to this
Just calling it like it playing out DOB.
By STRETCH
April 10, 2008 10:45 AM | Link to this
DOB….You want me to bring bullets????
By Efrim
April 10, 2008 10:48 AM | Link to this
Folks, can we please just wait for the month of April to be over???
Not even till the end of the month. If the Braves suck it up in the next 13 games against the Nats, Marlins and Dodgers- then yes, b*** all you want. If they go something like 4-9 or even 5-8, complain. Until then, let us wait and see.
By KC
April 10, 2008 10:49 AM | Link to this
Nate: “On another note, I gotta say I was a big fan of the Kotsay trade back in Jaunary. But know its hard to see how Blanco or Anderson could be contributing less than Kotsay.”
WHAT???
Kotsay has played a very good CF, and has been a tough out. He’s not setting the world on fire with a .273 average… but that’s not bad either.
He’s a solid hitter, a very good fielder, and is a savy veteran with a high baseball IQ. He knows how to play the game, and does the intangible things extremely well.
I have no idea what you’re talking about.
By Varoadrunner
April 10, 2008 10:51 AM | Link to this
James and Boyer - Sounds like a terrific trade package. I bet we could get ten cases of balls for them.
The bats don’t worry me, it’s early and the Colorado weather is a good enough excuse for me for now, but weaknesses (certain bullpen personnel and our 4th and 5th starters. If Hampton gives us anything this year, it’ll help. Maybe Jurrjens will be better at lower altitudes - his slider seems flat more than once and Chuckie just seems rusty and rusty isn’t what we need and even worse, he just doesn’t inspire confidence - He never has for me. I wish Frenchy would get his bat back. He looks terrible at the plate. Many of his hits have been jam jobs that fell in or a broken bat single.
Enough b*** (I’ve been b*** ever since Bobby put Boyer in the game. Put antlers on Bobby and put him in the woods…… about the only way to get rid of him. lol
Love to all
By Braveheart
April 10, 2008 10:51 AM | Link to this
Braveheart, no one is threatening you with Sanchez. He just a better option than Heilman or Sosa. Lets face it, IF Sanchez performs like he did in 2006 the bullpen is greatly improved. I’m sure the braves would like to have some one like Sanchez right now.
Yeah, don’t me wrong. Sanchez is a nice little reliever ….. or at least he was a year and a half ago before he got hurt. But so many Mets fans act like Joel Zumaya is gonna be marching out from the bullpen gate instead of Duaner Sanchez.
By Reid in EAV
April 10, 2008 10:53 AM | Link to this
Stretch: Prozac, 200 mg — take daily with food and check back in with me next week.
By THB
April 10, 2008 10:55 AM | Link to this
Even though it’s only April, our bullpen has been exploited.It is too inexperienced. Acosta, Ring, and Boyer have limited experience. Soriano is on the DL, and Ohman and Moylan are our only somewhat reliable relievers. I said before the season that bullpen is our biggest weakness, and it is. It is probably time to look for a solid reliever. And by solid i don’t mean a mid 4-5 ERA.
By Shaun
April 10, 2008 10:55 AM | Link to this
BossLady, yeah, Chipper was trained by the great hitting coach called genetics and his father, some other coaches and hard work.
Yeah. It’s not like virtually every other hitter in the lineup is better than the average hitter at his position. The Braves are full of terrible hitters. (Please ignore the fact that they scored the third-most runs in the NL last season without Teixeira for most of the year and a horrible season from Andruw Jones…yeah, ignore all that.)
By Overlord
April 10, 2008 10:56 AM | Link to this
Ive never heard that a baseball stat won a game.
There are 2 ways to play a sport.
By experience, heart, 6th sense, knowledge of the game, situations and your players, courage.
Straightly by the book and stats.
If the 2nd was the best choice, your grandmother could be the manager of the braves, she just had to study a semester of baseball stats she was ready.
By Efrim
April 10, 2008 10:56 AM | Link to this
KC
Name me a team that doesn’t need a solid veteran reliever???
They don’t grow on trees man.
By texbravesfan
April 10, 2008 10:57 AM | Link to this
Nice song by Dylan, would have been nice if he would have gotten the paper of Corpus Christi right though but still cool to be in the song. As you can tell Dave my hometown is Corpus Christi and my all-time fav is Corpus Christi Bay by REK. Well anyway back to the Braves, its still way too early to tell which way this team is going and if they go 0 for their next 8 games then come talk to me about getting worried. For now I just hope that Bobby doesn’t run our bullpen to the ground ex: Moylan, Acosta and Ohman.
By ghbrave
April 10, 2008 10:58 AM | Link to this
WOW!!!
Might as well look forward to football season, the Braves are 3 games under .500 with only 153 games left. The season is all but over!Whatever shall we do until football season? I guess we can watch the NBA playoffs. Is it me or does it not seem like the NBA finals last until the week before the Super Bowl?
By David O'Brien
April 10, 2008 10:59 AM | Link to this
Nate, have you actually watched Kotsay play? I mean, seriously, have you watched at all? If so, is that really your evaluation?
Wow. That’s all I can say to that.
By DCbrave
April 10, 2008 10:59 AM | Link to this
Nate. Got to agree with KC on that one -Kotsay, that is. Not sure whether you are predicting (again) or stating the fact.
By G$
April 10, 2008 11:02 AM | Link to this
It seems we were sold a bill of goods coming out spring training. Our starting pitching has been awful and it is already killing the bullpen. It seems to me that Bobby babies the starters too much.
By STRETCH
April 10, 2008 11:05 AM | Link to this
You keep your hopes up too REID in EAV…you’ll be another dissapointed soul come October. LOL!
By Renegator
April 10, 2008 11:06 AM | Link to this
It’s too bad that the Braves don’t play the Mets 90 times a year since that’s the only team the “get up” for.
By Overlord
April 10, 2008 11:08 AM | Link to this
According to the Sports Xchange notes: LHP Mike Gonzalez has begun throwing live batting practice and may be pitching in extended spring training in Florida as early as next week. He opened the season on the DL following Tommy John surgery last May. (Updated 04/09/2008).
By StingerSplash
April 10, 2008 11:08 AM | Link to this
To date, minus the performance of Mr. Moylan and Mr. Ohman the other night, the bullpen has been slumpbuster ugly. I also can’t understand why the Braves have been so reticent to pull the trigger on Resop. The way he’s pitched, they should be happy if he doesn’t clear waivers.
By David O'Brien
April 10, 2008 11:09 AM | Link to this
A Corpus man weighing in. I agree with you on Keen’s Corpus Christi Bay — might be might favorite of his.
I try to watch what lyrics I post, though. Don’t want some overly sensitive folks to start moaning to the bosses about lyrical content (i.e. drugs, etc), and next thing you know…
By Overlord
April 10, 2008 11:09 AM | Link to this
The Sports Xchange reports that Braves RHP Tim Hudson, fighting a flu bug, didn’t pitch his regular side session Monday in Colorado. He is the scheduled starter against the Rockies on Thursday. (Updated 04/08/2008).
By Robert (Chipper Is The Best)
April 10, 2008 11:12 AM | Link to this
DOB, what is the mood of the team after this less than stellar start to the season? Also, is Cox becomming senile? Seriously?
By BravesFanInRockies
April 10, 2008 11:12 AM | Link to this
Coach (1:25),
Nice post. I don’t agree with all of it, but you bring up several good points.
Tyler Yates? I’ll reserve judgment on that move until July or August. One week is too soon to tell if it was a mistake. I’m not convinced he can handle a heavy work load for a winning team.
Bennett, yeah, give him a shot in the rotation after allowing Chuckie one more start.
Resop, OTOH, looks like a gamble that didn’t pay off. (Then again, if you must move Yates or Resop and you can get something for Yates but not for Resop, maybe you take that risk.)
I’d DFA him and take your chances with a minor league or someone else’s reject.
As for Josh Anderson … well, where are you going to play him? I’d sure appreciate it if someone in the starting OF would show some patience at the plate, but they’re all hitting. And Anderson’s history suggest he’d be just as impatient, if not worse.
By Braveheart
April 10, 2008 11:14 AM | Link to this
It seems we were sold a bill of goods coming out spring training. Our starting pitching has been awful and it is already killing the bullpen.
Man, that methamphetamine is rotting your brain if you think the starting pitching is awful.
By Big Easy
April 10, 2008 11:15 AM | Link to this
You know, I gotta say, I wasn’t too sure about the Kotsay trade when it went down. Wasn’t familiar with him, and his injury history scared me. But the dude has been solid, both offensively and defensively.
You gotta remember, we didn’t pick up Kotsay to compensate for Andruw’s power that we lost…That is Teixeira’s job. We got Kotsay to get on base and provide a steady glove. And he has done that. His bat will heat up a little more. But his glove has been great, and I am liking the guy more and more.
~E~
By etownbrave
April 10, 2008 11:16 AM | Link to this
DOB How early or late will they make a decision on playing today? Weather sounds just awful and with Huddy sick an extra day off would not hurt. Of course, travel delays would stink too. Just hoping for a big turnaround in DC!
By cry me a river
April 10, 2008 11:18 AM | Link to this
I think most of the bloggers here are already in full panic mode. I realy enjoyed this blog during the off-season. I’ve got a feeling that during the season it’s going to be manic-depressiveAGT
ain’t it the truth. place went from an enjoyable site with a decent bit of intelligent discussion to a swamp peopled by manic 14 year-olds. . I see why some of the mature posters distance themselves from the whining emotion-driven babies who post during the games. Oh it’s all Yates fault he sucks we gotta get rid of him resop has so much promise.oh it’s all resops fault why did bobby ever get rid of yates and keep poser? he sucks. Diaz has earned the right to play full time he is a hitting machine why does booby always platoon him?oh diaz sucks so much he can’t play defense and why is booby playing him all the time? the offense will be so great with tex all season a professional cleanup hitter who will protect chipper. oh tex sucks so much he is the cause of our terrible start bat him 7th or bring thorman back trade tex for whatever we can get Frenchy will keep the team on track he improved soo much last season and got stronger over the winter now he will hit for average and power no no Frenchy sucks its all frenchys fault he should never have gained all the weight just cause hes from gwinnett don’r mean he can play ball boyer and/or bennett are the saviors. no boyer sucks he only struck out 10 in 5 innings. why does booby play all these losers every game? why did booby leave that guy in so long? why did booby pull that guy so soon? why doesn’t booby retire so we can have world peace?
By STRETCH
April 10, 2008 11:19 AM | Link to this
You keep your hopes up too REID in EAV…you’ll be another dissapointed soul come October. LOL!
By Robert (Chipper Is The Best)
April 10, 2008 11:21 AM | Link to this
Shaun, I’m with you. This is a team that has traditionally started slowly. The best two starts that I can remember didn’t translate into division winning seasons. I believe they started well in 1994 but finished second when the strike began. And, I hate to say it but I don’t think they would’ve caught the Expos that year. Last year they also started out great and well, they finished 3rd.
It isn’t the bad start that bothers me but Cox and some of his strange behavior and moves. Look, Tyler Yates was nothing to write home to mama about but when did he ever look worse than Chris Resop. As it has been stated plenty of times on here, something has to be amiss when a guy who throws that hard gets released as many times as he has. We are seeing why nobody ever keeps him!
By David O'Brien
April 10, 2008 11:23 AM | Link to this
Overlord, Huddy’s been sick all week (as I wrote in the original post up top), but did feel a little better yesterday. Still, today’s assumed snowout will definitely be good for him, push him back a day.
By BravesFanInRockies
April 10, 2008 11:24 AM | Link to this
What I meant to say is give Bennett a shot in the rotation if Chuckie doesn’t do well after another start (or two).
The snow in April slows down your mental sharpness, folks.
By Overlord
April 10, 2008 11:25 AM | Link to this
Shaun could you name some of those terrible hitters you are mentioning? I mean, having a hard time heating up is not the same as being terrible.
By TBraveFan
April 10, 2008 11:26 AM | Link to this
Wind chill low 20’s with 20+ mph wind out of the NNW…all day!
Wow - let’s hope they DO postpone it - bad things just waiting to happen in that kind of weather
By David O'Brien
April 10, 2008 11:26 AM | Link to this
Overlord, could we ask you to read the actual blog post that you’re commenting on? You’re posting outdated info on Gonzalez that I already covered in the original post above.
He’s already thrown in extended spring training. Read the blog.
By McFann
April 10, 2008 11:28 AM | Link to this
The Braves are full of terrible hitters. Shaun
I hope you’re kidding.
By Lew
April 10, 2008 11:30 AM | Link to this
Snipper-Do you actually think I or anyone else here really cares cares what you think? I don’t see the Mets tearing it up, either. Thinking Duaner Sanchez is the answer to your problems isn’t biased to the point of ignorance. What a DB.
By Greg in TN
April 10, 2008 11:30 AM | Link to this
Morning gang…
There’s a snow warning in Denver today, but not sure what’s piling up faster. The white stuff on Blake Street or angst on the ol Braves/MIB blog. Hey, it’s been pointed out, but at least we didn’t lose by one last night, right?
Offense most certainly is in a funk right now. The long ball isn’t there, neither are timely hits, which to me makes all of the arguing about to bunt or not to bunt a few days ago because the way things are going right now for this lineup, if you do bunt the runner over, they just get stranded at second that much faster.
Soriano going on the DL is a blow, but again, I am very comfortable with the job Peter Moylan has done and I hope he gets a long hard look at the closer’s role while Soriano is on the shelf.
Mark Kotsay has certainly saved more runs in CF than some has given him credit for. With the Schafer suspension, the move by Frank Wren to acquire Kotsay has become more and more important to this club than what we thought in January. AJ’s swing is still painful to watch, even if it’s three time zones away now.
Eric the Elder had a gem of a post it 8:36 last night that this denizen agrees with whole-heartedly. Chance, luck, devine intervention or whatever you’d like to call it is more a part of the game than some would like to admit.
By Epinephrine
April 10, 2008 11:34 AM | Link to this
I think I would prefer a Soriano set up, Gonzo closer situation later in the year. Of course, that is assuming that Soriano isn’t on his way to TJ surgery.
We cannot get out of Colorado seen enough. If we play the same against the Nats, then I will be worried. But for now, I am just going to chalk this up to a horrible, horrible trip to winter land.
By ernesto
April 10, 2008 11:36 AM | Link to this
Resop v. Thorman who wins? Tough call.
The unmissable pitch against the uncontactable bat
By DAP
April 10, 2008 11:37 AM | Link to this
are there any experienced bass players on the blog today? if so, i need some advice on amplification. anyone?
i dont think cox is senile. i think cox is doing what he always does, he protects his players. he wont call them out in public…maybe not even in private (not a good thing, if this is the case), and he is never going to say anything that isnt positive about his team. no matter how ridiculous it sounds. its just not how he is. bobby is momma bear for his players. he would rather us talk about how stupid he is for saying this stuff, than talk about one of his players. thats a great type of guy to work for.
By Nate
April 10, 2008 11:38 AM | Link to this
DOB, I went back and looked at Kotsay’s stats, and you’re right. I stand corrected. they are better than I remembered. His stats are about what was expected of him, and his defense has been as advertised as well. He’s great at moving backwards, and he has a cannon. I guess this trade was a gamble that’s paying off so far. And I gotta admit that I haven’t seen every game. I don’t live in teh Atlanta area, and don’t have directTV so I’m limited to the blurry picture I can get on MLBTV.com If i sit in front of the computer for four hours every night my wife will think I’m surfing porn or something.
By Greg in TN
April 10, 2008 11:40 AM | Link to this
Oops, missed a word in that second paragraph. Moot should have been in that second sentence. Here’s what I meant:
Offense most certainly is in a funk right now. The long ball isn’t there, neither are timely hits, which to me makes all of the arguing about to bunt or not to bunt a few days ago moot because the way things are going right now for this lineup, if you do bunt the runner over, they just get stranded at second that much faster.
By MT Braves Fan
April 10, 2008 11:41 AM | Link to this
Anybody have any idea what Nate is talking about? Kotsay has been more than any of us could have expected, I think, at this point in the season. The Braves weren’t expecting him to give them the Torii Hunter-type numbers available on the free agent market, hence their lack of pursuit in that area. He’s supposed to get aboard, move runners, hit some gaps and the occasional homer, and play solid in center. Plus, the guy is a smart player and just the type this team needs in their lineup. Hard to take someone seriously when they run their mouth like this and none of it makes any sense to any sensible baseball fan.
By McFann
April 10, 2008 11:43 AM | Link to this
The weather at Coors is delightful
‘Cause the Braves have been quite frightful
There’s still one game to go
Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!
The Rockies haven’t shown signs of stoppin’
All our bats, the Rox are toppin’
Teixeira’s av’rage is low,
Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!
When they played in that game last night
Well, they got a home run in the storm
But we still couldn’t keep it tight
Let’s go somewhere that is warm!
Our bullpen is slowly dyin’
And our bats are too much tryin’
So as long as our season’s slow,
Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!
By Shaun
April 10, 2008 11:45 AM | Link to this
Ive never heard that a baseball stat won a game.
That’s kind of like saying, “I’ve never heard that a baseball game on TV won a game.” Stats are basically a picture of the game.
There are 2 ways to play a sport.
1. By experience, heart, 6th sense, knowledge of the game, situations and your players, courage.
Yes, stats don’t count as knowledge.
Every team should just start ignoring stats because you’ve “never heard that a baseball stat won a game.” That’s the way to go.
Red Sox, your front office that relies heavily on advanced statistical analysis didn’t have any part in two World Series titles in four years and four playoff appearances in five years.
By Overlord
April 10, 2008 11:46 AM | Link to this
Im kind of confused here, Braves dont look patient at the plate, they have the 5th lowest walks total. But at the same time they have the 3rd lowest strikeout total. This means they are making contact.
What does this means?
This walk total is not gonna get better since they are aggressive and their K total is very low.
This is gonna be a problem, very big one. We dont have players to put atop the lineup that believe in taking a walk, that includes KJ and Kotsay. They have 3 walks combined.
Oh wait, there is Martin Prado, he has 1 more walk than those 2 combined, and he has only 1/4 the ABs they do.
And we have Escobar, he has 6 walks, but he has 7 Ks.
What does all this means???
I dont care if you like it or not. Clearly, our leadoff hitter chould be Prado. His OBP. is .444 vs KJs .280.
Put Prado in, period.
By doing this… Braves would have a combined .429 for the top 2.
What does that mean? It means 1 of those 2 guys WILL be on base when chipper comes to bat.
Or it could mean that if both of them are outs 1st time around, they will both get on base next time around, or vice versa.
I know this is not exactly as im typing it, but it is really close to a fact.
By McFann
April 10, 2008 11:46 AM | Link to this
Dude, in my song I meant “Mac hit a home run” etc. Not “They hit a home run”!
By DAP
April 10, 2008 11:48 AM | Link to this
BravesFanInRockies The snow in April slows down your mental sharpness, folks.
come on, man, dont blame it on the snow!!! :-)
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
April 10, 2008 11:48 AM | Link to this
Josh Anderson or Gregor Blanco in LF, either one can run circles around Matt Diaz when it comes to playing defense.
I don’t give a hoot how well the man can hit and Diaz can flat out rake. However, His defense will cost more than his offense can pay.
As for the history of Josh Anderson, he has none. Unless of course you are referring to the 21 games he played for the Astros last season where Anderson had 67 at bats and hit .358
Or you can just look up his minor league numbers and stare at those 237 stolen bases.
Speed kills, just ask Willy Randolph. I would give out the Mets winning percentage in games where Jose Reyes gets on base twice in a game. But, nobody would believe it.
By Shaun
April 10, 2008 11:48 AM | Link to this
McFann, yes, I was kidding. Sarcasm. A few folks think that every hitter must hit like Chipper to be productive.
By Joe
April 10, 2008 11:49 AM | Link to this
Hey Dave, Are we going to play ball today?
By Overlord
April 10, 2008 11:51 AM | Link to this
Sorry about that DOB i just posted it in case someone missed it. There are not much good news on the team so i thought it could help the mood on the blog..
By Shaun
April 10, 2008 11:52 AM | Link to this
Overlord and McFann, here is the post again. This time, don’t just read the sentence, “The Braves are full of terrible hitters.” Play close attention to the part in parenthesis. It gives away the sarcasm.
Yeah. It’s not like virtually every other hitter in the lineup is better than the average hitter at his position. The Braves are full of terrible hitters. (Please ignore the fact that they scored the third-most runs in the NL last season without Teixeira for most of the year and a horrible season from Andruw Jones…yeah, ignore all that.)
By JC FROM UT
April 10, 2008 11:53 AM | Link to this
Hopefully Soriano will be ok after a short rest and it does not turn into the Mike Gonzalez situation of last season. If Soriano is out for an extended period, would anyone out there offer B. Jones and Jojo for Houston Street? Also I really do like Matt Diaz, but I think he is either trying too hard to be an everyday outfielder or the truth is coming out that he is really a great 4th outfielder/pinch hitter, which is my opinion. I think it is time to send down/trade/waive a middle infielder and bring Josh Anderson up. I don’t think it is panicing it is just adjusting. Also maybe time to waive/trade Resop and gring Rowenhurst up.
By Big Easy
April 10, 2008 11:53 AM | Link to this
Guys, I think it was fairly obvious from his post that Shaun was being sarcastic.
~E~
By Overlord
April 10, 2008 11:59 AM | Link to this
Shaun stats are just a tool you use and analyze, you dont go and play your game blindly because stats tell you A, B or C.
Coach i agree with your last blog. I think its time to get more people involved. With said, give Prado and Blanco (CF or LF or even RF) more starts.
By OverlordisConfusedwhatsnew
April 10, 2008 12:04 PM | Link to this
Im kind of confused here, Braves dont look patient at the plate, they have the 5th lowest walks total. But at the same time they have the 3rd lowest strikeout total. This means they are making contact. What does this means?Overlord
gee maybe if you read up on baseball stats you’d know.
By Reid in EAV
April 10, 2008 12:05 PM | Link to this
Tonight on Peachtree TV
“Snow Day” (2000) When a baseball stadium in Colorado is closed down by an unexpected snowfall, a “snow day” begins when a group of baseball players, led by Mark Teixeira (Keanu Reeves), try to ensure that the park stays closed by stopping a mechanical snowplow driver by trying to hijack his plow truck. Meanwhile, Mark’s father Tom (Joe Simpson), a TV meteorologist, faces off against a rival meteorologist (David O’Brien) for weather coverage of the day’s events.
By Shaun
April 10, 2008 12:07 PM | Link to this
It isn’t the bad start that bothers me but Cox and some of his strange behavior and moves. Look, Tyler Yates was nothing to write home to mama about but when did he ever look worse than Chris Resop.
Hmm…last I check Cox wasn’t the GM. Don’t know how much say he had in the decision to acquire Resop.
Resop in the Minors - 163 G, 199.1 IP, 224 SO, 60 BB, 10 HR, 0.55 HR/9, 2.68 BB/9, 10.04 K/9
There’s potential there. Not saying he’s a sure-fire star by any means. But Yates never really showed that kind of potential:
Yates in the Minors - 272 G, 456 IP, 442 SO, 208 BB, 0.66 HR/9, 4.08 BB/9, 8.66 K/9
By richbrave
April 10, 2008 12:07 PM | Link to this
DOWN ON THE FARM:
CLINT SAMMONS:.421 (8-19) and rising.
JOE BORCHARD: .350 (7-20) and rising.
Both had great games last night. Sammons 2-4 with 2 doubles. Borchard 3-4 with two singles and a HR. Today’s game mid-70’s. One o’clock start. The hitters get revenge for all those shadows and dim spots while playing at night here at the “Diamond.”
ROUWENHORST: A beast out of the pen. 4 appearances in six games; 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 5 H, 2 BB, 7 SO (5 in past two stints).
NUNEZ: Also effective in relief. 3 appearances, 5.0 IP, 1 ER. 1.80 ERA with 4 H, 1 BB, and 2 SO.
By Overlord
April 10, 2008 12:09 PM | Link to this
Shaun still doesnt sounds like sarcasm, but if you are clarifying it, then i get your point there.
By Teddy Jack Eddy
April 10, 2008 12:12 PM | Link to this
The idea that James has to develop a good off speed pitch misses the larger point.He hasn’t devloped an adequate foundation and that fact limits him.I know ”foundation” is a bit obtuse so why not just say ”mechanics”? How ever you care to word it he is sloppy and inconsistent because he’s never built the solid base like Maddux,Smoltz and Glavine.It’s not by accident or pure luck of talent that the greats perform over the long run,they’re all working off very solid platforms.
By speedkillsaintnodoubt
April 10, 2008 12:12 PM | Link to this
Speed kills, just ask Willy Randolph. I would give out the Mets winning percentage in games where Jose Reyes gets on base twice in a game. But, nobody would believe it.Coach
That has as much to do with OBP as it does speed, but instead of that why not just finally get around to explaining how we outscored the Mets when they stole more than 3 times as many bases? How in the world could that possibly be if speed is so all-fired important? You never seem to answer that question coach even though several of us have asked in one way or another. Gee which of you is more confused,Coach or Overlord? Tough one.
By DAP
April 10, 2008 12:13 PM | Link to this
Epinephrine i thought soriano already had tommy john?
By Deep Throat
April 10, 2008 12:15 PM | Link to this
Oh wait, there is Martin Prado, he has 1 more walk than those 2 combined, and he has only 1/4 the ABs they do.
SMALL SAMPLE SIZE!
You know this, you have to know this. Trying to pass Prado off as the greek God of walks after he’s has all of 14 at-bats this season. You’re not fooling anyone with a rational mind.
Prado has four walks this season in 14 at-bats. But he also had three walks in 59 major league at-bats in 2007 and five walks in 42 major league at-bats in 2006. That’s 12 walks in 115 career major league at-bats. That’s projects, career-wise, to about 54 walks in the number of at-bats Kelly Johnson had in 2007 (521). Johnson had 79 walks in 2007.
Martin Prado drew about one walk every 12.26 at-bats in his minor league career (155 walks in 1,901 at-bats).
Kelly Johnson drew about one walk for every 7.73 at-bats in his minor league career (277 walks in 2,142 at-bats).
By richbrave
April 10, 2008 12:18 PM | Link to this
Complete with an * lines on R-Braves on Chop Chick’s Blog.
By Shaun
April 10, 2008 12:19 PM | Link to this
Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008), Diaz had 137 hits and walks combined last season. As bad as you think his defense is, I doubt he had 137 misplays in the outfield. So I doubt the statement “his defense will cost more than his offense can pay” is anything close to the truth (for any player except a pitcher).
Speed kills, just ask Willy Randolph.
Yeah, the Mets had almost 100 more steals than any other team last year and still finished behind three teams in runs scored.
I would give out the Mets winning percentage in games where Jose Reyes gets on base twice in a game. But, nobody would believe it.
Yeah. Why don’t you give every other team’s winning percentage when their leadoff hitter gets on base twice in a game. I’m guessing a lot of teams, perhaps most, would have unbelievable winning percentages when that happens.
It’s kind of like that silly stat that people would sometimes quote “the Braves are x games over .500 when Chipper and Andruw homer in the same game.” Well, of course. Any halfway decent team is going to win the majority of their games when two players homer.
Read an interesting quote today: “Faced with the choice between changing one’s mind and proving that there is no need to do so, almost everyone gets busy on the proof.”—John Kenneth Galbraith
By McFann
April 10, 2008 12:19 PM | Link to this
Feels like 2006: The Braves have a losing record and McCann’s hitting .333.
I get your point, Shaun. Don’t go ballistic.
By Overlord
April 10, 2008 12:22 PM | Link to this
I think you even have sex with your GF or BF based on stats.
“No no wait, based on stats, if we have sex today, you will not be able to have an orgasm. Havent you read? Stats say that its rare to have an orgasm on monday”, LOL, you sound sooooooo smart. oh but i forgot, you have tons of A+ in stats.
By Shaun
April 10, 2008 12:25 PM | Link to this
Overlord, ok. Not sure how bringing up evidence that totally contradicts my “point” is not sarcasm (otherwise, why bring it up?).
By dunwoody in denver
April 10, 2008 12:27 PM | Link to this
You know what really sucks about all this? The fact that if the series would have been scheduled exactly one week later than it was, the series would’ve been played under beautiful conditions (it’s gonna be in the 70’s all next week). You just never know what it’s gonna be like here in April; hell, it’s been in the 90’s here in April before…
Knowing the Braves luck, the makeup game will be hailed out (you think this is crazy, you should see the thunderstorms we get in the summer).
By Overlord
April 10, 2008 12:27 PM | Link to this
Game already cancelled!!!!!!!!!!
By BravesFanInRockies
April 10, 2008 12:35 PM | Link to this
Story’s on the front page, but game was just postponed.
Hope the team can get out of town OK. The snow isn’t sticking to the pavement but it’s very windy at times and visibility can be a nightmare.
Coach,
Speed kills. Yeah, we’ve had this debate before. You think Diaz’ defense costs us more runs than his offense produces. You’re wrong, and I’m sure Shaun has the stats to prove it.
How many botched plays would the worst LF in baseball make every season? Think Manny Ramirez. 20? 30? I’m serious.
Diaz is better defensively. And he will produce more runs — score them and drive them in — than Anderson, who’s has more speed but less power than Kotsay but is otherwise pretty similar. His offensive production will more than make up for Anderson’s defense.
Besides, when you talk about the Mets’ offense and I’m sure you’re thinking about Reyes, Jose is a terrific all-around player. Not just a speed-burner. He walks. He hits doubles and triples and homers. He’s the total package. Anderson hasn’t shown he can do much more than steal bases when he gets on base, which isn’t often enough.
By Epinephrine
April 10, 2008 12:39 PM | Link to this
DAP, you’re right. I just mean heading for some other significant injury, but you are right, he has already had TJ.
By DAP
April 10, 2008 12:39 PM | Link to this
c’mon overlord, that wasnt necessary, or even that clever. keep it PG, brother.
By Overlord
April 10, 2008 12:41 PM | Link to this
conditions in Denver
By KC
April 10, 2008 12:45 PM | Link to this
Efrim: I never suggested that a solid veteran reliever would be easy to get… just that we could really use one, and should probably do our best to acquire one.
It won’t be easy, but we do have the pieces, if we can make a reasonable trade for a dependable reliever.
Or… we could just sign Chris Reitsma. =)
By Overlord
April 10, 2008 12:47 PM | Link to this
You are right DAP im sorry, ill keep it clean.
By Moby Grape
April 10, 2008 12:52 PM | Link to this
why doesn’t booby retire so we can have world peace?Cryme
LOL. perhaps not world peace, but global warming might end. that’s probably his fault too
By OrlandoFan
April 10, 2008 12:55 PM | Link to this
Don’t know if anyone posted it or not, but here’s a good column out of Mississippi on Jordan Schafer
http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080410/COL0504/804100365/1177/SPORTS
By mo in the boonies
April 10, 2008 12:55 PM | Link to this
Hmmm..Bad news is, I couldn’t watch last night’s game.
Good news, I couldn’t watch last night’s game.
By Elements
April 10, 2008 12:56 PM | Link to this
DOB
The title of the article is “America’s Most Miserable Sports Cities.”
The article says there are two types of misery sports cities endure - misery from having futile teams (like the Saints) and misery that comes from repeated heartbreak. Atlanta was judged to have the most heartbreak so it was labeled most miserable.
And no, I don’t revel in misery. I think it is good having a Braves team that has a legitimate shot of winning the WS.
By Overlord
April 10, 2008 12:57 PM | Link to this
Braves will play 16 straight games in june because of this todays PPD.
By flange1
April 10, 2008 12:58 PM | Link to this
Afternoon all,
Hope Soriano is not out for long!
I think the Braves are getting to see what a full time Matt Diaz will bring to the team. He can hit, but his defense is not good. I am not sure that a platoon might not be a good remedy in LF to help the bench and the OF defense.
Resop has looked terrible. His lack of control is dramatic. I see him getting 2 or 3 more chances to pitch better or he will be gone.
I look forward to getting out of Denver (nice Bob Seger reference) and starting to play better. It is early in the year, and the players need to start stepping up.
I think they will.
By Efrim
April 10, 2008 1:00 PM | Link to this
KC
I understand, but I think we need to wait for the completion of April. If Soriano’s elbow proves to be worse than expected, than go ahead. If the guy seems to be throwing well with no pain after the DL stint, then why go get a reliever?
A lot of people said this pen would be above average before the season started, 9 games in and it’s time to blow it up??? Should of figured that stuff out before hand. I don’t think this pen is that bad anyway.
Give it some time.
By Teddy Jack Eddy
April 10, 2008 1:02 PM | Link to this
BFinRockies When you look at Diaz (or any player)and try to formulate stats for insight as to whether his defense is counter balanced enough by offensive production it’s not a ”zero sum” equation imo.Say a player drives in 20 more runs than the alternative at his position and gives up 19 more than the other guy directly because of limited range,mis-plays and errorsfor a net balance of + 1.I just think defense should be weighted differently than arithmetic suggest.There may well be a stat to cover this, I don’t study it enough to know.
By Overlord
April 10, 2008 1:14 PM | Link to this
think the Braves are getting to see what a full time Matt Diaz will bring to the team. He can hit, but his defense is not good. I am not sure that a platoon might not be a good remedy in LF to help the bench and the OF defense. Flange1
I think half the team is not playing to their potential, so if matt D in some of the games is enough to platoon him, you should also platoon Jeff, he allowed extrabases on a ball that dropped in front of him. Platton TEX for his offense. Platoon KJ for not having a sinlge walk (leadoff hitter).
I get your point on matts D. But he is good enough to me, its not like anderson is willie mays or something. Maybe you are right, i posted before that more players should be involved until everything starts falling into place. But it aint about Matts D, thats not the reason of or 6 losses.
By TennesseePaul
April 10, 2008 1:19 PM | Link to this
Wow. Bummer of a game last night. At least the Braves didn’t lose by 1 run.
It would appear Chuck James is not yet capable of a Smoltzian Spring Training program. He needs more than a few innings in sim games.
Reslop on the other hand had plenty of time to “warm up” in Spring. He’s had plenty of time to pitch this season as well. He’s atrocious. A cancer. I’ve seen enough of this clown. If we’re hanging on to him trying to work out a trade… it might be in our favor to not let him pitch. He keeps sinking his value.
At what point does poor fielding surpass a good average with no power? I’ve read it many many times. The line is something like this, “his bat makes up for his glove”. If the entire diamond was fielded with weak gloves and strong bats the team would lose more than it won.
Soriano going down is a bummer. But, if the Braves aren’t going to have any leads to save anyway it shouldn’t hurt too bad.
I hope this team figures it out before the Dodgers show up. I’d like to see the Braves slap the Dodgers around all three games. We’ll need a clean up hitter though…
By Buffalo NY Braves Fan
April 10, 2008 1:21 PM | Link to this
I’m not sure what has been mentioned on this yet, but Schafers suspension doesn’t stem from a positive test, but on anecdotal evidence from 2 sources?
I’m not saying the kid is free and clear, but if there is no test for HGH, and you are relying on stories from other people, why is there a suspension?
Someones word is not fact, a positive blood or urine test is fact. I hope MLB figures this out soon, because they could make a mistake with Schafer or any other young player, and suspend them for 50 games (stunting their development) with nothing more than someone saying “yeah he does HGH.”
By flange1
April 10, 2008 1:25 PM | Link to this
Overlord,
I was not trying to blame all of the Braves losses on Diaz’s defense. I agree that Frenchy has looked pretty bad out there too!
I believe that Diaz will be more valuable to the Braves as a part time player and TOP pinch hitter than he will as a full time player.
I would rather him platoon with Anderson, but Blanco will work.
My major point is that the Braves are seeing that DIaz is not a complete player. His defense is below average.
By Shaun
April 10, 2008 1:26 PM | Link to this
Teddy Jack Eddy, I seriously doubt the bases he’s given other teams on defense is anywhere close to the number of total bases he’s accrued or even the number of times he’s been on base.
By flange1
April 10, 2008 1:28 PM | Link to this
Interesting story on ESPN about Jordan Schafer
“Jordan Schafer, the Atlanta Braves’ prospect suspended for 50 games for human growth hormone use, did not test positive for HGH. Rather, he was suspended after major league baseball probed anecdotal evidence of HGH use by Schafer, two sources familiar with Schafer’s case told ESPN The Magazine’s Buster Olney.
Human growth hormone is a banned substance under the current drug-testing agreement between the owners and players, but the sport, like other professional sports leagues in the U.S., does not test for HGH.
But Major League Baseball does have the authority within the agreement to pursue specific information about possible violations. Schafer is the first casualty of MLB’s new Department of Investigations, sources familiar with the case told ESPN’s T.J. Quinn.
Two sources said Wednesday that Jordan, regarded as Atlanta’s future center fielder, received the growth hormone from someone close to him but outside the organization, and that a player who had previously violated MLB’s anti-doping policy informed baseball officials that Schafer was using the all-but-undetectable drug.
Both sources said Schafer did not receive HGH from an online pharmacy, and that his name had not surfaced from a law enforcement investigation, as previous players had.
The investigations department was created shortly after the release of George Mitchell’s report on baseball’s steroid history, which suggested that MLB create the unit as a way of actively pursuing doping violations.
While MLB does not test for HGH and the World Anti-Doping Agency uses a blood test it believes to be viable, no athlete has ever failed it. Schafer’s suspension was the result of a “non-analytical positive,” meaning MLB was able to establish that he obtained or used HGH through other means.
The 21-year-old Schafer, picked third by Atlanta in 2005, led the minor leagues with 176 hits and ranked third with 49 doubles. He also had 15 home runs and 23 stolen bases in 136 games. He came into spring training as the Braves’ No. 1 prospect.
This spring in Grapefruit League games, Schafer hit .316 and had a .421 on-base percentage. Braves manager Bobby Cox was quoted as saying Schafer could play center field now despite his relative inexperience, which includes no games above Class A before this season.
Information from ESPN The Magazine’s Buster Olney and ESPN investigative reporter T.J. Quinn was used in this report.”
By Lew
April 10, 2008 1:30 PM | Link to this
Come on y’all-This is getting out of hand, now. Drop those knives, quit running with scissors, untie those ropes, put away that Rat Poison and lock up those guns before you hurt yourselves-or worse yet, an innocent bystander.
The Braves are NOT going to make wholesale changes to their lineup. Time for a periodic reality check.
1.Prado will not replace Kelly Johnson unless Kelly is injured.
2.BLanco is not going to replace Francoeur in right or Kotsay in center (not sure WHY you would want this anyway). It is very doubtful he will replace Diaz in left, though a platoon may yet happen.
3.Tex is NOT going to be dropped in the batting order.
4.Tex is NOT going to be traded unless we continue this current non winning trend until the trade deadline-and maybe not even then.
Chill. It’s only 9 games into the season. There’s still plenty of time left for Tex to start hitting, James’ shoulder to heal completely (Soriano’s elbow, too) and the rest of the team to get it running on all cylinders. You’ll see-unless you commit suicide right now. I’m seriously concerned -for your safety. Careful with that Axe, Eugene.
By BravesFanInRockies
April 10, 2008 1:31 PM | Link to this
Teddy Jack Eddy,
I wish there were some reliable (and understandable!) way to figure this out, too.
But defense and offense are equal. A run prevented is no more valuable than a run scored.
Pitching, however, is a key component of defense. How much, I don’t know because I don’t follow the esoteric stats and don’t know if they’re credible. My guess? More than half, because pitchers can both strike hitters out and “pitch to the defense,” meaning locate their pitches so that they’re most likely to be hit toward defenders. There’s truth to the saying that you can hide a guy with a bad or mediocre glove. Diaz is plenty serviceable.
As TennPaul said, a team with great gloves but no pop will lose a lot more games than a team of opposites.
Of course, you do want balance. But there’s a reason guys like Anderson are perennial AAAA players and guys like Diaz wind up on big league rosters getting lots of playing time.
By MGL
April 10, 2008 1:32 PM | Link to this
Wonder if DOB got caught in an avalanch. Hasn’t been heard from in a couple of hours.
By David O'Brien
April 10, 2008 1:33 PM | Link to this
THIS JUST IN: Chuck James optioned to Richmond, which should come as no surprise given his performance last night and quotes afterward.
Braves calling up Richmond reliever Jorge Campillo, a right-hander who pitched well in spring training.
I’m gonna go back to my hotel to write, just got out of the clubhouse.
Oh, and Omar Infante hit some soft-toss pitches past two days, will start live BP in Miami next week, probably, and begin an rehab assignment a couple weeks from now. After that, shouldn’t be long till he’s with the Braves.
Hampton probably won’t be ready immediately when his DL stint is up.
By David O'Brien
April 10, 2008 1:37 PM | Link to this
Oh, and for those who haven’t seen the brief item on our Braves page: TODAY’S GAME IS SNOWED OUT. Will be made up June 16 in Denver, on an off day between Braves’ series in Anaheim and Texas.
Elements, thanks for clarifying. Didn’t mean to jump your *&%$ on that one.
By brent a.
April 10, 2008 1:38 PM | Link to this
Some of you need to consider the possibility that Schafer may have admitted to using HGH after he was confronted with this “anecdotal” evidence.
MLB is not perfect, but nor is it completely stupid.
By timmy
April 10, 2008 1:43 PM | Link to this
Thank goodness it has snowed…we needed to get out of there, we were getting pounded…let’s look to start getting ourselves right in DC and Fla…I had said a while back I wasnt sold on Matt as an everyday player, his numbers and game looked good in the role he was in. I hope I am wrong. I do think we could have a platoon though, and I think Anderson(mostly because I watched him play OF last year-MLB Extra Innings Package) would give us more speed in the outfield than we have with Frenchie and Kotsay. I know we are only a week into the season but we have had some bad losses already, games we should lose like that. Get rid of Resop- he is just horrible. And make Chuck James the long reliever because he is looking just as he did last year - no 2nd out pitch or 3rd pitch if you want to call it that. Please!!!!!!
By Overlord
April 10, 2008 1:44 PM | Link to this
flange1, Matts D looks worse than it is just because braves are losing everytime they play. What i mean is that everything looks worse than it really is because we are losing.
Ill say it again. Maybe a platoon at this moment is the best choice in LF since Matts bat is not producing much. But id say, the moment he stays on constantly over .300, platooning most stop.
Same for KJ, until he gets his OBP up.
By Tomahawkin
April 10, 2008 1:44 PM | Link to this
N8 You called it dude its not even may and Soriano is on the D.L.
D.O.B. I’ll take you bet on dropping those series to the marlins and Nats
You know the Fish always play us tough down there in Ft. Liquordale
With the way we’re playing I see us only taking 1 of three from the Nats, This team Flat Out Sucks rite now…
Its a good thing we don’t have the Football schedule, otherwise we would be thinking about tanking the games so we could get a higher draft pick…
By Big Easy
April 10, 2008 1:47 PM | Link to this
Lew, that was a Saucerful of Secrets at 1:30, my man. Welcome to the Machine. Have a Cigar while you are at it. Some of the denizens need to climb down from The Wall.
~E~
By Efrim
April 10, 2008 1:49 PM | Link to this
Tex is NOT going to be traded unless we continue this current non winning trend until the trade deadline-and maybe not even then.
Not even then. Who in their right mind would trade any type of prospects for someone that they will have for 2 months? Braves will take the intelligent path of letting Tex walk at the end of the year and taking the two draft picks.
By rammerjammer
April 10, 2008 1:50 PM | Link to this
I’m assuming it’ll be Bennett - not Hampton - in the rotation when the 5th-man comes up next…on April 19.
By Lew
April 10, 2008 1:50 PM | Link to this
I’m still very uncomfortable condemning or sanctioning players on anecdotal evidence. That is flat out unconstitutional and should not be condoned-no due process involved.
If all it takes is someone saying a player used this or that, don’t all the Mets constitute a threat to National Security or something? Haven’t they all got HGH in their systems? Probably do LSD, too (no doubt their fans do-that accounts for their delusional outlook). Suspend the whole bunch or just detain them without representation until the season ends.
By Buffalo NY Braves Fan
April 10, 2008 1:53 PM | Link to this
brent,
based on Schafers reaction to the allegations, I also think he is guilty of taking HGH at some point.
However, this seems like something from the past. If MLB refuses to suspend Tejada, Clemens, and others named on the Mitchell Report, why are they suspending Schafer?
The “evidence” against Schafer is someone saying “yeah he does HGH,” but there is no mention of a check, like the ones in the Mitchell Report.
Maybe he did admit to using HGH, that information isn’t available to the public yet, and apparently we aren’t going to hear Jordans side of the story anytime soon.
Based on what I have read, it seems shady that MLB is suspending Schafer for such a long period of time based solely on someone elses statements.
By Overlord
April 10, 2008 1:54 PM | Link to this
Lew i agree with you on most thing but James’ shoulder to heal completely?, How about for him to learn to pitch. He has been awful for almost a year now.
By Lew
April 10, 2008 1:55 PM | Link to this
Big Easy- Without a doubt.
“MLB is not perfect, but nor is it completely stupid.” Yeah, and the Rays are going to win the World Series. Wouldn’t want to bet my life savings on either one of those statements.
By Teddy Jack Eddy
April 10, 2008 1:56 PM | Link to this
Bravesfan this is where I can demonstrate SOME distinction in the ”equal weight” arguement.A winning team gets there more than any other measure by the ratio of runs scored to runs surrendered over a season ( more so than simple run difference).If a good team scores 850 and surrenders 700 the ratio would be 1.214 to 1.If you add 60 runs to each side that ratio is reduced to 1.197.Over the course of a season this could add up to more losses for the other wise stronger team.Now if you have a weak team and give up 850 while scoring 700 the ratio would be improved by adding equal runs to both sides.In that case you’d suck either way(slightly less so with the added runs) so who would really care.A strong team is made stronger with good defense compared to a bit more pop in the lineup though.
By Tomahawkin
April 10, 2008 1:57 PM | Link to this
What an F-ugly first 10 days of the season…!
We have a inconsistant offense with no bonafide lead-off hitter
Only good that came out of the first 10 days was the starters (excluding last nite), Double J (Jurrijens)particularly and Chipper came out Clownin, even though he has cooled off somewhat…I’m still claiming that we should’ve went harder after Corey Patterson over the offseason…
Oh yea, I gotta Give a big Shout out to our wonderful Blow-pen which is 0-5, and will be burned out by Mid-May
I don’t want Bobby fired, I want Mcdowell to go… I have never seen such an inconsistant pitching staff over the last 2 and a half years…
By Tomahawkin
April 10, 2008 1:57 PM | Link to this
What an F-ugly first 10 days of the season…!
We have a inconsistant offense with no bonafide lead-off hitter
Only good that came out of the first 10 days was the starters (excluding last nite), Double J (Jurrijens)particularly and Chipper came out Clownin, even though he has cooled off somewhat…I’m still claiming that we should’ve went harder after Corey Patterson over the offseason…
Oh yea, I gotta Give a big Shout out to our wonderful Blow-pen which is 0-5, and will be burned out by Mid-May
I don’t want Bobby fired, I want Mcdowell to go… I have never seen such an inconsistant pitching staff over the last 2 and a half years…
By David O'Brien
April 10, 2008 1:59 PM | Link to this
With the way we’re playing I see us only taking 1 of three from the Nats, This team Flat Out Sucks rite now…Tomahawkin
Ok, folks, mark down Tomahawkin’s prediction for the Nats series. I’ll go with at least two wins and probably a sweep.
T-hawkin, do you even consider pitching mathups?
By Shaun
April 10, 2008 1:59 PM | Link to this
But defense and offense are equal. A run prevented is no more valuable than a run scored.
True, but I’m guessing the worst fielders that are allowed to take the field everyday can’t misplay the ball so much that he cost his team as many bases as what even a below average everyday hitter earns for his team.
A batter is capable of creating a run all by himself (a homerun). But how many times is a fielder going to cost his team a run all by himself? Maybe it happens every now and then but I’m guessing it rarely happens even to the worst major league fielders.
By David O'Brien
April 10, 2008 2:02 PM | Link to this
Right now I’m watching Tim Hudson take camera-phone photos of Matt Diaz and Blaine Boyer making snowballs in front of the dugout.
And in left field, Jeff Bennett has constructed a snowman.
Diaz and Boyer started to roll ever-growing snowballs toward him to help out with new layers of the snowman, but they stopped halfway up the thrid-base line when things got messy.
The field is covered in snow.
By albert
April 10, 2008 2:03 PM | Link to this
Does the recent suspension of Jordan Schafer by MLB have any connection to the earlier suspension of minor league 3B Eric Campbell by the Braves? They were teamates at Myrtle Beach last year.
By Shaun
April 10, 2008 2:05 PM | Link to this
Overlord, so players should be benched or platooned whenever they are struggling? Why not bench or platoon Teixeira while we’re at it?
How could anyone get on a roll if they are going to be benched or platooned after struggling for a few games?
Playing time should depend on a little more than 9 games or even two weeks worth of games or even a month’s worth of games.
By Erik
April 10, 2008 2:09 PM | Link to this
Jorge Campillo? Man, I saw him live during spring training, and he flat-out sucked. I dread him pitching to real major league hitters (although, most of the Nationals and Marlines lineups might not qualify for that one).
He might just be better than Resop though. Wouldn’t be hard to beat that 15.75 ERA. I’m pretty sure I could pitch better than he has.
By flange1
April 10, 2008 2:11 PM | Link to this
The more I read on the Jordan Schafer mess the more I am bothered.
So let me get this straight, MLB has an undercover drug monitoring squad that investigates folks they think might be guilty of using PEDs?
Interesting….
I guess I am agreeing more and more with Lew’s comment:
“I’m still very uncomfortable condemning or sanctioning players on anecdotal evidence. That is flat out unconstitutional and should not be condoned-no due process involved.”
I hope that all pieces of this investigation and suspension are put on display for MLB fans to be able to see…..If not, I really agree with Lew.
By N8
April 10, 2008 2:12 PM | Link to this
DOB
“T-hawkin, do you even consider pitching mathups?”
In all fairness DOB, to our rotation and the NEW “big three” going in Washington.
The Braves couldn’t hit Odalis Perez, and couldn’t pound out that many runs against Mark FREAKING Redman.
So excuse me for not being too confident in our team just because our 3 best pitchers will be throwing.
Besides….the only “pitching matchup” I need to take into consideration, is our bullpen against the Nats bats.
Yikes.
Having said that, I don’t think we’ll get swept, if that makes you feel any better. After all. According to Shaun, luck is a big part of winning and losing, so the way I figure it, our luck is bound to change sooner or later, right?
LOL!
By Shaun
April 10, 2008 2:13 PM | Link to this
Anyone seen this site?
Just found out about it today. Brings up some interesting facts and points.
By Lew
April 10, 2008 2:13 PM | Link to this
Overlord-You’re obsessing about a pitcher with 22 victories in two seasons in MLB and an ERA under league average until he injured his shoulder. Just because you and others think he has no future is indicative of absolutely nothing.
I watched the Rockies’ feed last night (that’s what was on Extra Innings). Even the Rockies’ announcers were stating that when healthy he is a good fourth or fifth starter. Yes, we’d like to see him develop another pitch, but he’s hardly a detriment when healthy. We’re not counting on him to anchor our pitching staff. I have yet to hear anyone on this blog nominating him for staff Ace.
Snipper-Whatever. State your opinion all you want. It still won’t matter to anyone but you and will still be uninformed and likely meaningless. It always has been to this point. Why would you change now? Duaner Sanchez. Yeah, right.
By Overlord
April 10, 2008 2:14 PM | Link to this
I want Mcdowell to go… I have never seen such an inconsistant pitching staff over the last 2 and a half years… Tomahawkin
This is true, im a few games from totally agreeing with you, but you also have to consider that there have been tons of Injuries (smoltz, james, hampton, soriano, to name the most important ones). And you also have to consider that half the staff are very young pitchers and some surgical repaired arms.
By David O'Brien
April 10, 2008 2:18 PM | Link to this
Now Acosta and Soriano are out behind home plate taking camera-phone photos of each other with the stadium background.
They’re dressed smarter than the previously mentioned fellas. Acosta and Soriano have on their game pants, heavy warmup jackets and stocking caps. Diaz was out there in shorts and a T-shirt.
It’s COLD folks, about 32 with the wind blowing. And still snowing, though not hard like before.
By the way, Braves are still here because they’re waiting for their plane to get here from Salt Lake City. Wasn’t supposed to arrive until about 5, but they got it moved up. They’ll be here another couple hours probably, then head to airport.
Me, I’m headed back to the hotel to write now.
Later.
By N8
April 10, 2008 2:18 PM | Link to this
Efrim
“Braves will take the intelligent path of letting Tex walk at the end of the year and taking the two draft picks.”
You mean like they did when they offered Maddux arbitration, and he ACCEPTED it?
Or do you mean like they did with Andruw, and he had such a lousy year that he became a Type B (or is it Class B) free agent, meaning ZERO compensation?
First off. I don’t think Tex will have that bad of a year. His track record speaks for itself. He’s a switch hitter, so worst case scenario, he’ll figure it out from one side of the plate.
Second. After I think about it. The Braves might not be that upset, if he accepted arbitration and they had him for one more year. Of course the only way that he accepts arbitration, is if his year is “down” and Bora$$ thinks he can improve his bargaining power by playing one more year in Atlanta. Probably not gonna happen.
As for your question of who would want him for only 2 months?
The option always exists that the Yankees or Red Sox or another team, that he’d be interested in playing for long-term is IN THE RACE come July and that team trades for him on the condition that he signs an extension. It’s happened before.
But having said all of that, even for ME it’s too early to be talking about trading Tex. LOL!
By Lew
April 10, 2008 2:19 PM | Link to this
I was at the Doctor’s office on Tuesday and read a copy of New Yorker magazine. It contained an item that shows exactly what people think of the Mets and their section of New York.
Now the Yankees have books written about them. They have had movies made about them, ranging from Pride of the Yankees to that ESPN flick Bronx is Burning (or some such thing). The Mets have this-
“OPENING in February-Chop Shop, a drama set in Queens”. I couldn’t make this up if I tried. Now they’re even writing plays about those auto body shops around Shea.
By 22oz
April 10, 2008 2:19 PM | Link to this
The Richmond game is on Milb.com gameday audio, which is free. Helps ease the day of no baseball. Morton’s pitching too.
By Efrim
April 10, 2008 2:19 PM | Link to this
I’ll predict 4-2 over the next 6 games.
By David O'Brien
April 10, 2008 2:20 PM | Link to this
Buffalo: Regarding why Schafer. 1. He’s the first targeted by the new investigations dep’t that MLB established AFTER the Mitchell Report came out. And 2. He’s not on the 40-man, not a part of the union, thus has no union muscle behind him.
By Brendan
April 10, 2008 2:21 PM | Link to this
Anyone know where Cole Rohrbough is starting this year? I can’t seem to find him anywhere???
By Tomahawkin
April 10, 2008 2:21 PM | Link to this
Yea D.O.B. I usually take the pitching matchups into account…
Lannan, against Glavine, I gets the feeling that it will be one of those games that Glavine goes 6-7 but ends up getting a no decision, Hopefully I’m wrong…but this offense make Mark Redman and Odalis Perez look decent…
And the Timm Redding Match up on Sunday…Tim Redding I believe 1-hit the Phillies about a week ago, so he will be no pushover considering that the Phillies are considered by many to have the Sickest Lineup in the League, even though J-Roll is day-day with that ankle injury…
By 22oz
April 10, 2008 2:24 PM | Link to this
Richmond had men on 1st and 3rd with nobody out and couldn’t score. It must be an organization-wide problem!
By McFann
April 10, 2008 2:24 PM | Link to this
DOB—
That’s hilarious!! They should be showin’ that on TV—it’d be more entertaining than the game!
By David O'Brien
April 10, 2008 2:25 PM | Link to this
N8, you’re at it again, apologizing to me for believing the Braves are going to lose the Nats series, and excusing yourself for not being confident with the Braves’ best three pitchers going.
How many times must I say, N8, I just cover the team, bro. If you feel that way, bully for you. Can’t say I blame you. Or that I care. Really. I don’t take any insults or opinions about the team personally, since they have absolutely nothing to do with me.
Now, if you start ripping the Jayhawks…. (smile)
But seriously, you seem to forget more than most, that I merely cover the team. I’ve not the vested interest that so many of you have in them.
By LT-AA blogger
April 10, 2008 2:26 PM | Link to this
With Chuck James dropped to Richmond, who is going to get the nod for 5th rotation spot? Is that gonna be Bennett by default?
Also, the more I see James pitch the more I think he’ll never be anything other than a middle reliever in the bigs. I realize he’s really only had about a season and a half, but he always seems to pitch decently until the middle innings and then just gets killed.
By Overlord
April 10, 2008 2:26 PM | Link to this
Shaun that was exactly my point, cause someone mentioned that Matt should be platooned because of his defense. He had some weak plays yesterday, but has no errors yet. What i said about KJ i did in order to let that person that weak performance does not automatically translates into platooning.
And i dont think KJ should be platooned with Prado. But i think Braves should take advantage of his offense right now as he is having a good year (not much ABs yet, but how would you know better if you dont let him bat?)
Id say right now they give Prado some starts, KJ is not killing the ball so it would be at least a neutral result, with a chance for it to be a winning situation.
Id also get Blanco involved, since our OF are not HOT, theres nothing to lose right there. And in the processes you give your bench ABs and much needed experience.
So if there will be a time in the season to give those 2 guys a chance to start….. it would be right now. Besides, KJs knee was not 100% a few days ago, a little rest would not hurt, win win situation all over the place.
By Tomahawkin
April 10, 2008 2:26 PM | Link to this
Bam! N8 Glad You see that our team has a knack for thinking that all pitchers with mediocre records are gonna be pushovers…
We get Olsen and Hendrickson at Joe Robbie/Pro-Player/Dolphin Stadium or Whetever corporate name you wanna call it…that’s not gonna be a fun series The marlins have always played us tough down there…
Anyone thinks we should’ve went after Rudy Seanez as well…?
By BA
April 10, 2008 2:32 PM | Link to this
Some boob is heralding the return of Duaner Sanchez? For REAL? I’ve seen the best the Mutts have to offer. Smoltzie had it for lunch last Sunday. The Mutts will be out of this race faster than Dwight Gooden can get his vcr to the pawn shop. I said it before, the Mutts won’t even be a factor this year.
By TennesseePaul
April 10, 2008 2:33 PM | Link to this
How about for him to learn to pitch. He has been awful for almost a year now
Real reactionaries here. James has been “awful” since 20070731. In that time he’s pitched in 10 games. At least 9 of which was with a torn rotator cuff. His last game prior to yesterday came on 20070925. Between then and yesterday 197 days passed without James pitching.
He wasn’t good yesterday. But he hasn’t pitched in a game in practically 200 days coming off an injury. He did post a 5/1 K/BB ration last night. But looking through the game day results you can see his command was gone. That’s something that I would assume is supposed to be worked on in Spring Training. James didn’t really have a Spring Training.
But whatever. Run him through with the sword. Lots of frustrations with the lack of production from the team. But a “year” is a bit of a stretch considering…
By Efrim
April 10, 2008 2:36 PM | Link to this
N8
The option always exists that the Yankees or Red Sox or another team, that he’d be interested in playing for long-term is IN THE RACE come July and that team trades for him on the condition that he signs an extension. It’s happened before.
He is a Boras client. He is going to hit the free agent market. As far as the Red Sox or Yankees thought process goes…They are a lot smarter than they used to be. They didn’t deal for Santana because the amount of prospects and money was too much. Why trade prospects for Tex when you could just sign him long term after 2008? First base that bad for the Yanks by midseason??? I doubt it. The guy isn’t going anywhere, even if we were 15 out.
Brendan
Cole Rohrbough will start the year at Class A Myrtle Beach, but he is recovering from a sore shoulder that was probably caused by an ankle injury he had this offseason. Late April is the target date…so I have heard.
By Steve McP
April 10, 2008 2:39 PM | Link to this
I hear Texeira came out with a bat and missed the snowman
By Elements
April 10, 2008 2:39 PM | Link to this
Not a prob DOB, thanks for the reply.
By SNIPER-69
April 10, 2008 2:40 PM | Link to this
LEW….Sanchez would improve the Mets bullpen. Can we agree on that? It’s no different as anyone here saying Gonzalez would improve the braves bullpen. I never said that Sanchez would come right in and deliver a WS or anything like that. He would be an improvement over Sosa or Heilman. C’mon Lew can you drop the hating once and a while. It wouldn’t kill you know.
By Steve McP
April 10, 2008 2:42 PM | Link to this
Good news: temps in DC for Friday and Saturday 70º+.
Bad news: Temp in DC on Sunday below 60º.
Winning 2 out of 3 will not be too bad though.
By Overlord
April 10, 2008 2:43 PM | Link to this
Lew are you telling me he has pitched injured for more than a year?, if so….. Then dont pitch him.
I understand what you are saying. But something is clearly wrong here. Either he lies to coaches about how he feels, saying he feels OK while its not true. Or he has bad outings and tells coaches that he is arm is not OK. What ever the reason, if the guy is not 100% dont bring him up.
Whats the point of bringing him up? For him to look extremely bad?
Come on, you have Bennett, Carlyle and JoJo. You can try them in that order. If James needs the whole season to get his stuff working, let it be. But then again, if he is not 100% why bring him up?
Im not against him, but he is not what is best for the braves right now.
Bennett and Carlyle cant be much worse, they could even be better, at least until James is 110% healthy.
By lvp
April 10, 2008 2:49 PM | Link to this
I have enough of Chuck James…He can’t get enough hitters out when he is healthy…he should have been released, period
By N8
April 10, 2008 2:51 PM | Link to this
DOB
I didn’t forget that you’re not a fan with “vested interest” other than covering the team. (though I don’t believe that you don’t “root” for these guys a little bit, since you get to know them).
But that’s why I have respect for your opinion. Because you’re NOT a homer, and have not only an “inside” view of what goes on, but an nonobjective view of what’s going on on the surface.
So when I post a response to you and say something like “forgive me for disagreeing….” it’s not that I think you’re gonna take it personally, it’s that I’m not trying to say you’re right or wrong. Just that I don’t agree.
As for the Jayhawks? Sadly enough, I’m not a college B-Ball fan, but having listened to the KC sports talk radio station since last fall, I’ve gotten to know way more about them, then I ever had intended.
So I was rooting for them a little bit. Even though I didn’t watch the whole game. But having listened to Bill Self’s weekly press conferences, I’ve got to say, I like that guy. Seems pretty grounded. College sports, to me is a whole different animal than professional coaching.
You’re not only coaching to WIN games, but you’re also shaping young men and women into the PEOPLE they will be for the remainder of their life, whether that “life” includes professional sports or not. He seems like a good “teacher” to me.
Add to that the former Jayhawk player Jeff Boschee was from ND, so followed them a little bit a few years back.
I’m just not a band-wagon kind of guy, so it would be a little silly for me to call myself a Jayhawks fan when I’m not really a college B-ball fan.
By Braveheart
April 10, 2008 2:57 PM | Link to this
I have enough of Chuck James…He can’t get enough hitters out when he is healthy…he should have been released, period
I hope you are at least a halfway functional retard.
By Daybed Wagmoe
April 10, 2008 3:00 PM | Link to this
DOB — so what will the pitching matchups be for the weekend? Hudson vs. Chico on Friday, Smoltz vs. Lannan on Saturday, and Glavine vs. Redding on Sunday? Just asking because the front page on the Braves’ site has Hudson vs. Chico, but the Sortable Schedule has Smoltz vs. Chico (followed by Glavine, then Jurrjens). I’m guessing it’s the one I just mentioned though.
By Luther
April 10, 2008 3:04 PM | Link to this
Can anyone translate the spanish used by the sponser on Campillo’s Baseball-reference major league page? Just curious.
By The Mysterious Rhinestone Cowboy
April 10, 2008 3:09 PM | Link to this
DOB
Can the snowman hit lefties?
By Teddy Jack Eddy
April 10, 2008 3:10 PM | Link to this
I’m going to expand on my point from my last post because it is really the whole thing boiled down to two absolutes, wins over losses defines success and the most definable,relavant thing in getting those wins is the percentage of runs you score over a season compared to the percentage you surrender (the ratio).Take a team that averages 4.5 runs for and 3.5 against, that is a 1 run difference and a 1.286 to 1 ratio or 28.57 % more runs than your opponents.Now take a team that averages 7.5 to their opponents 6.5.The run difference doesn’t change but the ratio drops to 1.154 to 1 or a 15.4 % difference.Same run difference per game but almost TWICE the difference percentage wise.This could be the difference in a champion and a last place team.
By eric the elder
April 10, 2008 3:12 PM | Link to this
Most of us spent the 6 months of the off season shedding the malaise and melancholia of the past two seasons. We watched every decision, every trade, every possibility, and we injected new optimism into our veins.
We loved our starting rotation, our offense, our pen. This would be our year. Even Gammons says so.
Had we started 15-5, we would have anointed our Braves as the division champs and inevitable wearer of World Series rings. If we had then gone 3-6, we would have shrugged it off as a speed bump, our confidence unshaken.
Now we have started 3-6, and we are ready to declare that our offense is a disaster, and our pen is a mess. One thoughtful denizen has even given up on our starting rotation.
If we can go 15-5 and then 3-6, who would say that we can’t start at 3-6 and then go 15-5? Would it matter?
The fact that 80% of Americans think the country is headed in the wrong direction might be insinuating itself into our outlook about everything. Perhaps our national character has been beset by pessimism.
I, for one, cling to baseball as a way to retain some plausible optimism. Naive? Maybe, but it beats never getting one’s hopes up.
By Andy K
April 10, 2008 3:12 PM | Link to this
HAHA…the Buffalo Bisons just loaded the bases with one out, and decided to pitch to Thorman OVER Reggie Taylor.
By Erik
April 10, 2008 3:13 PM | Link to this
Something to make you guys feel a bit better:
Temperature, Result, Score:
49 L 3-2; 56 L 12-11; 74 W 10-2; 51 L 4-3; 62 W 11-5; 61 W 3-1; 41 L 2-1; 54 L 4-3; 46 L 12-6;
Temp > 60: 3-0, Temp < 60: 0-6
When the temperature is above 60 degrees, the Braves haven’t lost. The forecast for the Washington series this weekend: 76, 71, 59. I predict we’ll win the first two and lose the third. Bodes well for the Florida series, too.
By Overlord
April 10, 2008 3:14 PM | Link to this
Maybe if you send the link Luther
By Shaun
April 10, 2008 3:14 PM | Link to this
In April 2007:
BJ Upton had a higher OPS than Miguel Cabrera, Chipper, Hanley Ramirez, Travis Hafner, David Ortiz.
Reggie Sanders had more homers than Todd Helton.
Rafael Furcal and Dustin Pedroia were among the worst hitters in the majors.
Corey Patterson had a higher OPS than Ryan Zimmerman.
This is over the first month of the season. Imagine if we looked at last year through a week-and-a-half of the season, like many of you are doing this with this season.
By N8
April 10, 2008 3:15 PM | Link to this
Efrim
Fair enough about the Tex trade. I can’t argue with most of that. In fact I tend to agree with you, that he isn’t going anywhere.
However, as for the Yankees and Red Sox showing restraint? The Twins underestimated those offers. They thought they could get more, and it backfired. Though I have a buddy that’s a die-hard Twins fan and he is pumped about the CF kid they got from the Mets.
Also, teams always tend to give up MUCH LESS in off-season trades, than they do in deadline deals, IMO.
Add to that, if we (Wren) decide that Tex is going to be too expensive to re-sign, wouldn’t we take whatever the hell we can get for him? Or do you think, they’d rather have the two draft picks (more than likely NOT high draft picks, because the teams with enough money to sign Tex are not gonna be at the top of the draft)?
Just asking. Not ripping.
By 22oz
April 10, 2008 3:16 PM | Link to this
Thorman gets first hit of the year after going 0 for 20. The turnaround begins!
By David O'Brien
April 10, 2008 3:16 PM | Link to this
Daybed, it’s what you mentioned. Braves are just moving their guys back (and skipping what would’ve been James’ turn Tuesday, a benefit of the snowout).
By Renegator
April 10, 2008 3:30 PM | Link to this
DOB
Who do you think Bobby will use as the closer? Acosta or Moylan or a combination of both?
By BravesFanInRockies
April 10, 2008 3:34 PM | Link to this
Teddy (3:10),
Point taken.
Question is, can swapping one player in the lineup (say Anderson for Diaz) by itself make that much of a difference in runs scored vs. runs allowed? I don’t think so, unless the difference is extreme (say, playing me in left field rather than Anderson, LOL. Besides, Anderson would easily outhit me). If it could, however, I’d sure consider making that trade.
By Efrim
April 10, 2008 3:36 PM | Link to this
N8
I just doubt that the Yankees would ever make that type of deal….or any team for that matter. Boras is taking Tex to the free agent market. Red Sox dont need the guy, barring injuries to Lowell or Youkilis. Both of those teams would be more interested in Tim Hudson(not to say he will be traded). They need pitching.
Add to that, if we (Wren) decide that Tex is going to be too expensive to re-sign, wouldn’t we take whatever the hell we can get for him? Or do you think, they’d rather have the two draft picks (more than likely NOT high draft picks, because the teams with enough money to sign Tex are not gonna be at the top of the draft)?
Well, of course we would have to look at the type of prospects that were offered. That’s just Frank Wren doing his job. Even if the Braves were 10 back of the Wild Card, I would rather take the draft picks. Very valuable….
I’m sure the Mets are pretty happy that they will be selecting 18th, 23rd, and 33rd in this year’s draft because of Glavine signing with the Braves(and they will be going above slot because they have the money to do so)…..although they could sure use him right now.
By Shaun
April 10, 2008 3:36 PM | Link to this
The fact that 80% of Americans think the country is headed in the wrong direction might be insinuating itself into our outlook about everything. Perhaps our national character has been beset by pessimism.
Great point. I think American’s need to (pardon my expression) grow a pair.
Look at the news about American Airlines flight cancellations. True, they are no fun. But on msnbc.com, there is actually this subheading under the story: “60 hours of hell”
By Unlucky Charms
April 10, 2008 3:38 PM | Link to this
Hey David O’Brien I just read your post a few mins ago about how you don’t really care about the Braves you just cover them. Well what team do you like? Is this only about the money for you? Do you even like baseball?
By David O'Brien
April 10, 2008 3:39 PM | Link to this
You think Huddy did a snow dance last night?
Instead of pitching at Coors, where he he’s 0-2 with a 13.00 ERA in two starts, to facing the Nats, against whom he has a 5-1 record and 1.25 ER in nine starts, including 4-0 with a 0.97 ERA in his past five.
By BB
April 10, 2008 3:40 PM | Link to this
DOB, how are you able to not become a fan of the Braves? I’m just curious, I think I would have trouble covering a team so much and not start pulling for them. Do you have a favorite MLB team? Anyways, that is impressive to me that you can separate covering the team from pulling for the team, but I guess that is what a professional is supposed to do! Thanks for the blog, I’m a big fan of yours and the Braves.
By Bobby's Cox
April 10, 2008 3:42 PM | Link to this
By uga-brave
April 10, 2008 12:52 AM | Link to this
anyone wonder why JS relinquished his GM job now? i think he somewhat realized that current payroll constraints would throttle this team in the near future.
Ya didn’t JS write all the contracts so that players would be paid exponentially higher in the latter years of their contracts? Looks like we’re facing the beginning of those latter years now. Again this year, a handful of players make the most of the team salary (smoltz, chipper, hampton, Glavine, Bmac). It seems like everyone else is making more towards the minimum or other teams are paying parts of their salary (Kotsay).
Other small market teams are locking in their youth by offering them contracts before their 5 years are up and save millions in the process due to what they would pay these guys when free agency and arbitration comes up. The Brewers are tyring to do so with Braun & Fielder. They were talking about it on ESPN how small market teams are offering 5 year $27-35 mil contracts to keep their youth happy and avoid losing them to free agency to big market teams in a few years (most young players who start excelling the bigs only have couple years left in their option years followed by arbitration). Paying the youth 5 mil a year instead of $400,000 sounds like a good strategy.
I think if we offered Frenchy a contract like that he’d play better. Hanging out with Smotz & Tiger & Bmac and being a favorite of President Bush has this kid trying to do too much to be a star. That guy just needs to relax. Too bad this team has put itself in position where it can’t do that right now. Maybe after this season when Glavine & Hampton’s salaries are off the books we’ll give Frenchy a contract like that. That fool still needs to change his approach at the plate though. I wonder how much he thinks about being hit in the head again.
By KC
April 10, 2008 3:44 PM | Link to this
A Hudson win, a Smoltz win… then 3 straight losses. Sound familiar?
Of course, the circumstances are entirely different. Last year, this sort of thing happened because of lousy starting pitching (after Hudson and Smoltz).
This week, we got a brilliant performance by Glavine, and a solid outing from Jurrjens.
Gotta get the bullpen sorted out though, and we have to stop giving up unearned runs!!!! (as Francoeur did the other day - even though it wasn’t scored an error)
TWO… possibly three of our 6 losses were a direct result of giving up unearned runs.
On the one hand, that really, really sucks. It’s incredibly maddening.
But on the other hand, we know we’re not going to lose many games because of defense the rest of the way. That’s the good news. This is a solid defensive team.
Time to put it all together boys! A sweep of the Nats might get things kick started.
By chase
April 10, 2008 3:44 PM | Link to this
HUDDY, SMOLTZ, GLAVINE against the NATS???????!!!!!!
I agree with DOB I think there is a GREAT chance the Braves sweep the NATS…
With all the weeping and hand wringing everyone seems to have forgotten how GREAT (with the exception of James) the STARTERS have been….
If that starting pitching keeps performing this way all season, the Bats will catch up and this TEAM could be very very special
And don’t forget about GONZO coming back and that the Braves actually have a little money and ALOT of PROSPECTS if needed to wheel and deal!
Settle down everyone! The Muts and Phils aren’t doing any better And the Braves already swept the Mets!
By Luther
April 10, 2008 3:45 PM | Link to this
Hopefully I’m linking this right to the baseball-reference page: Campillo
By Teddy Jack Eddy
April 10, 2008 3:46 PM | Link to this
BravesfaninRockies that’s the great human factor and the reason we all love the game I suppose…..your guess is as good as mine.
By Andy K
April 10, 2008 3:48 PM | Link to this
DOB: Spiezio is hitting .333 with five RBI’s in his first 6 or 7 (I think) games…if this continues, how soon can we see him up here? and who do you think will go down?
By N8
April 10, 2008 3:49 PM | Link to this
“Is this only about the money for you? Do you even like baseball?”
LOL! That’s funny. I’m sure it’s about the money. DOB was rumored to be seen at the LA office of Scott Bora$$ last week, for when he hits the free agent market later this year.
COME ON!!!
The guy blogs at ALL hours of the night. He HAS TO sit through rain delays, he has ungodly amounts of horrendous travel, which means a TON of hours spent in airports, taxi’s, rental cars and hotels.
If it’s not OBVIOUS to you that he LOVES baseball, and loves doing what he does, I’m not sure what to say to you.
That being said. I suppose for the right amount of cash, I could be persuaded to have something to do with the WNBA. LOL!
By DCbrave
April 10, 2008 3:49 PM | Link to this
Erik - that temp vs wins stats is fantastic. Good for you digging that out. One would think the low temps must have negatively affected the Braves players’ performance, but I just never know it was that dramatic. Wow!
By KC
April 10, 2008 3:53 PM | Link to this
Actually, skipping Chuck James this time through is not entirely good.
Unfortunately, skipping Chuck James this time around, puts him on pace to pitch the opener of the next Mets series at Shay on the 25th. Unless of course, Hampton is ready then, which sounds doubtful.
Don’t get me wrong, I still believe in James’ ability to be an effective 4th or 5th starter in the big leagues. But right now, he needs to go back to Richmond and shake off the rust.
By BravesFanInRockies
April 10, 2008 3:55 PM | Link to this
BTW, folks, it’s 1:55 in Denver and it stopped snowing downtown at least an hour ago …
By KC
April 10, 2008 3:56 PM | Link to this
AAAH!! Just noticed that Chucky was sent down. I think that’s best.
As I just mentioned in a previous post, I think he can be a decent major league starter, but right now, he needs to be in Richmond.
Jeff Bennett is the guy who should be making the next start. I’m assuming now, that will be the case.
By Chop Chop
April 10, 2008 3:58 PM | Link to this
“The fact that 80% of Americans think the country is headed in the wrong direction might be insinuating itself into our outlook about everything. Perhaps our national character has been beset by pessimism…” eric the elder
Well, the fact that this country is such a huge debtor nation (not only foreign debt, but the huge credit debt that the vast majority of us have taken on) is a good cause for pessimism. Unrestrained optimism often causes some people, including many of our leaders, to believe there isn’t a downside to the actions they take. I’m not very optimistic about the ability of our nation or its people being able to pay down debt. Even the budget surplus this country had when Bush took office was merely that: a budget surplus. No foreign debt was paid down, and we’ve greatly increased that debt in the last eight years.
You see, our country is based on confidence. It’s the Wall Street (or sub-prime lenders’) mentality of telling yourself that the climate for investment is great, the future is bullish, and everything will keep moving forward because very little can or will go wrong. If we are confident enough, things will nearly always break our way. Bobby Cox exhibits that (e.g., the Coxisms DOB has shared with us), but confidence does not trump performance or reality. It’s early in the season and I personally believe this team will be fine. However, the team has been stinking it up so far. That is reality. Bobby’s professions of confidence have nothing to do with the turnaround that will occur. If I’m in Bobby’s brain, I’m thinking that I just say that crap to keep myself sane.
By Renegator
April 10, 2008 4:00 PM | Link to this
Prediction for next 6 games: 3-3
By Chief
April 10, 2008 4:00 PM | Link to this
This really is a question and not a snarky criticism, but what pitcher for the Braves has had his game improve under Roger McDowell’s tutelage?
By Bobby's Cox
April 10, 2008 4:01 PM | Link to this
You’re all still high on KJ.
Out of KJ and Prado the’ve had 3 extra base hits. Prado has 2 of them.
Out of the 4 walks combined, Prado has all 4.
Prado has the lone stolen base out of the two players.
In 25 at-bats, KJ has scored 3 times. In 14 at-bats, Prado has scored 6 times. Ouch.
Tell me who’s been the better spark for the offense. Ya’ll want a change to the lineup. Let KJ rest his knee for a week or two or twelve or twenty. Who cares about his HR potential
Let the kid play. He’s our 2007 escobar. And if i’m wrong, i’m wrong, but at this point he’s played much better than KJ in limited at-bats. Going back to last year our offense looks the same with KJ at the top.
P.S. With that said, nice turn the other night on the double play by KJ.
By 22oz
April 10, 2008 4:02 PM | Link to this
KC, James was sent down earlier today. DOB was saying that WOULD HAVE been his turn, so now we won’t need to worry about a starter until the next go-round.
By Efrim
April 10, 2008 4:04 PM | Link to this
KC
Unfortunately, skipping Chuck James this time around, puts him on pace to pitch the opener of the next Mets series at Shay on the 25th.
You’re kidding…right? Who cares man. Honestly. 1 game out of 162. 1 out of 18 against the Mets. Who knows? Pelfrey pitched last night, maybe we get him that night as well.
By KC
April 10, 2008 4:06 PM | Link to this
Efrim: “A lot of people said this pen would be above average before the season started, 9 games in and it’s time to blow it up???”
I don’t know who said we should “blow [the bullpen] up”, but it wasn’t me.
I like the arms we have down there, but I think one more reliable veteran would really provide some stability down there. Especially until Gonzo returns (assuming he does return healthy and on schedule).
By Shamus Thacker
April 10, 2008 4:07 PM | Link to this
Bobby needs to build our hitters’ confidence. He should make them use beach balls and boat paddles during BP.
By Chop Chop
April 10, 2008 4:09 PM | Link to this
N8,
I’m willing to cover the WNBA’s Atlanta Dream this season. I think I can do a good job of it from home. I’ll just check the box scores and make up pithy, engaging quotes from the coaches and players. It will be the most drama-filled sports franchise in the history of Western civilization. Should be fun.
By richbrave
April 10, 2008 4:14 PM | Link to this
DOWN ON THE FARM
JOSH ANDERSON saves the day. His second outfield assist of the year from deep center cuts off rally and Braves go on to win 2-1. Batting 11 for 26 coming in, he goes 0-3 today with a sacrifice. Two other great catches; one in the right-center gap on the warning track. One misplay. Broke back on a fly and the ball fell in front of him for a hit. Lines tomorrow.
Braves finish home-stand 5-2 and in first place in their division of the International League.
CHARLIE MORTON solid pitching 5.2 with 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 0 SO. Cumulative 0.89 ERA(10.1 innings - 1 ER) and 3 BB, 4 SO.
By TennesseePaul
April 10, 2008 4:14 PM | Link to this
Chop Chop: Keep it to a different blog. The politics that is.
By ncscoots
April 10, 2008 4:17 PM | Link to this
I, for one, cling to baseball as a way to retain some plausible optimism. Naive? Maybe, but it beats never getting one’s hopes up.
I don’t call that naive…I’ll bet that every Bobby-bashing, Frenchy-hating, patience-preaching, bunt-loving, speed-freak mother’s son (or daughter) on this blog once felt the same way.
But if an “adult” has become so jaded, so “realistic”, so fixated on momentary day-in, day-out performance, that he or she cannot retain a little child-like wide-eyed wonder for the game of BASEBALL, my God…
Those such deserve compassion, not scorn. And I’ve been guilty of heaping the latter on such bloggers, recently. eric sets me straight here, with that single, simple paragraph. Thank you, bro. You get it; I appreciate that you reminded me.
By richbrave
April 10, 2008 4:18 PM | Link to this
JORGE CAMPILLO brought up. In Richmond this year, 1 start, 4.1 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 H, 0 BB, 4 SO.
By Bobby's Cox
April 10, 2008 4:30 PM | Link to this
Chop Chop
Nice post at 3:58. Somehow you were able to make an analogy of our country’s recession, and Wall Street confidence with Coxians. Brilliant.
You forgot to mention though how our country as a debtor is causing itself to be bought by foreign interests. Our banks, such as Citigroup, is now partly owned by the Chinese and Saudis. If this is the way we clear our nations debt, uh oh.
Come to think of it, when Tex becomes a free agent next year, can we get a note from the Yankees to pay part of his salary? In 8 years from next offseason, maybe then we can give the Yankees a large share in the Braves organization to pay off the increasing debt we would seek to strenghten our team around Tex. Then the Yankees will own 2 teams in baseball, the NY Yankees in the AL, and the Atlanta Minutemen in the National League’s dirty south, managed by player-manager Alex Rodriguez (the teams’s DH - the NL resorts to a DH after years of suppression to the AL, slumping offensive output due to the HGH & steroid era being long gone, and to spark attendence after a longer than anticpated US recession). That would make for a great 2017 World Series.
By Chop Chop
April 10, 2008 4:35 PM | Link to this
10Paul,
Whoaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! It would have been about politics if I’d taken a side. We don’t need no stinkin’ side-takin’ up in here ‘ceptin aginst them Mutts.
Here’s a pessimistic ditty for Braves fans (this one goes out to Chris Resop):
Yer Blues
By Overlord
April 10, 2008 4:38 PM | Link to this
Prediction for next 6 games…. 0-7
By Lew
April 10, 2008 4:41 PM | Link to this
Snipper-Yeah, Sanchez MIGHT improve the Mets’ pen. Then again, he might not. When you strip it down to bare bones like they do at a Queens’ CHOP shop, what you’re getting back is a setup guy who hasn’t pitched in a year and a half. What’s he going to do? Pitch two innings a week? Three?
I admit the Mets’ pen needs help (as does the Braves’ at this point), but is Sanchez going to take you to the Promised Land? Doubtful, even if he’s back 100%, like he was before the injury-which WAS pretty good.
As for Gonzalez-I’ve been saying all along that I wouldn’t count on a June 1 return, nor would I expect him to be the pitcher he was with the Pirates-at least not at first. We spent all of the 06-07 offseason discussing the recovery period from TJ surgery here on the blog. A year after surgery is not usually a full recovery-at least not back to pre-surgery levels of performance. I’m not so certain as to how effective he might be, or if his strange delivery will not result in additional injury.
By Overlord
April 10, 2008 4:42 PM | Link to this
Settle down everyone! The Muts and Phils aren’t doing any better And the Braves already swept the Mets! chase
Precisely, we should waste no time putting everybody far away from us, so the whole team could relax while in drivers sit. Instead of sleepless night because of losing 1 or 2 run games and being swept.
By Efrim
April 10, 2008 4:43 PM | Link to this
From a chat today on ESPN.com:
Brian (Meridian, MS): Steve, whats wrong with the Braves? Could they finish with a losing record?
Steve Phillips: The Braves just haven’t gelled yet as a team. They had more offseason turnover than usual, but it’s just a matter of time. John Smoltz has to stay healthy if the Braves are going to win the East. His shoulder worries me, as he’s already been on the disabled list. I’m not as concerned about the Mike Hampton injury, because I thought all along that anything they got from Hampton was icing on the cake. I expect this to be the year that Jeff Francouer and Brian McCann take the torch from Chipper Jones and start to leave the Braves. Yunel Escobar is some kind of player and a future All-Star.
Steve Phillips: I didn’t pick them to win the East, but it wouldn’t surprise me if they did. No reason to panic in Atlanta, even with Rafael Soriano going on the DL. Hang in there.
By MGL
April 10, 2008 4:45 PM | Link to this
Bobby’s coment on Campillo - We liked what we saw in spring training.
He must have been talking about the tag football game. Campillo spring stats 6.2 inn, 12.15 ERA.
By Efrim
April 10, 2008 4:47 PM | Link to this
Jerry Crasnick from espn.com:
Jc (Dunedin FL): Hey Jerry, Are people really that sold on the Braves? Their bullpen is average at best and they traded a workhorse in Yates for a b-prospect. Is that a sign that Wren has all the control because I don’t see Shuerholtz making that deal.
Jerry Crasnick: J.C.,
*Funny how all that Braves euphoria has faded over the past few days. On the bright side, they got snowed out today in Colorado, so they can’t lose another one. For what it’s worth, I picked the Braves as my NL wild card, but I think there are legit concerns about the age in the rotation, the bullpen and the bench. *
By David O'Brien
April 10, 2008 4:48 PM | Link to this
Won’t need a fifth starter until April 19 vs. the Dodgers, and that’s assuming they don’t use someone on short rest that day. I don’t think they’ll do that (short rest).
Hampton could be ready by then. If not, I’d guess Bennett or Reyes. But that’s a long way off. LOT more pressing issues to deal with between now and then.
By BayAreaSteve
April 10, 2008 4:51 PM | Link to this
scoots,
thank you, sir, for the find on baseballanalysts.com; ‘twas exactly what I was looking for. You have quite the recall to remember the site and author for a 2006 article.
It is as detailed a study on the sacrifice bunt as I could hope for. The thing I really take away is that managers today seem to know when to bunt, at least according to the statistics, and they’ve done it without those stats.
Thanks again.
By David O'Brien
April 10, 2008 4:53 PM | Link to this
Unlucky Charms, grow up.
I’m paid by a newspaper to cover the team as an impartial observer, not as a fan.
And yes, I absolutely love baseball. You can’t cover this sport 15 years without loving it. You’d be burned out to a crisp in a year or two with the hours the job entails, unless you liked it.
By KC
April 10, 2008 4:54 PM | Link to this
22oz: Yeah, I noticed that right after I posted that statement about Chuck James coming up in the Mets series.
I’m very happy to hear that. I think once Chuck gets a few starts at Richmond under his belt, he’ll be ready to step in if need be. But last night was a disaster.
Glad to see that Bennett (apparently) will get the call. I think he’s earned it.
DOB: What’s the latest on Hampton? When do they expect him to be ready for a Richmond rehab start?
By David O'Brien
April 10, 2008 4:57 PM | Link to this
By the way, Nationals are 0-5 with 5.96 ERA in their past five games going into tonight’s finale with the Marlins. They’ve given up 10 runs each of the past two nights to the Fish in Nationals Park.
By Renegator
April 10, 2008 5:00 PM | Link to this
DOB
What were Chuck’s comments after the game that helped lead to his being sent back to Richmond. You mentioned them in a post earlier. I didn’t see or hear his interview after the game…
Also, who do you think will be in the closer spot (assuming they need one) while Soriano is on the DL? Moylan? Acosta? Committee?
Thanks
By BravesFanInRockies
April 10, 2008 5:05 PM | Link to this
As someone said earlier, at least we didn’t lose another one-run game last night …
Then again, if someone besides Resop had pitched the 7th and 8th and shut the Rox down, we would have (lost another one-run game, that is) …
That’s why I remain optimistic about these guys. The offense is so stinking good and the front of the rotation looks fine. Even decent production from the pen and the lesser starters and we’re OK.
By Bobby's Cox
April 10, 2008 5:10 PM | Link to this
DOB:
How ironic would it be if Hampton pitched in the series against the Dodgers? Wasn’t that May 14th game in 2005 the beginning of the end for Hampton? I was at that game. Hampton pitched good before he left, our RF Mondesi homered, and we destroyed Gagne yet again.
Hampton, off to a 4-1 start and coming off a two-hit shutout against Houston last Sunday, threw 40 pitches in 2 1/3 innings. The two-time All-Star, in his third season with the Braves, has a 1.96 ERA this season and is 15-2 in 22 starts since last July 4.
“It was a spasm-type thing,” Cox said. “It just tightened up. His whole forearm was just hard as a rock. He had the same thing last year at one time last year, and it took him a little while to get it going again. But he should be perfectly OK for his next start — we think. He was smart enough to know when to shut it off.”
By eric the elder
April 10, 2008 5:13 PM | Link to this
DOB, last night, after James had plunked his third batter, Bobby Cox was seen throwing his hat at the roof of the dugout. After the game, Cox simply said that James was “rusty.”
Is there some unwritten rule that beat writers must interview the manager after games? I don’t believe I’ve heard Bobby say anything meaningful for years.
Thanks for the great work you do.
By Wayne in Utah
April 10, 2008 5:16 PM | Link to this
Let’s inject some politics into the blog this evening. When our Braves go into Capital City, we need to get real “conservative” on the mound, and extremely “liberal” in the batters box.
I can feel a sweep coming!
By Unlucky Charms
April 10, 2008 5:19 PM | Link to this
I didn’t mean to question your passion David O’Brien. I mean, don’t get me wrong I enjoy reading the blog from time to time. I’m just saying I wish people who covered sports teams were actullay fans of the team. I feel the same way about announcers like for example John Sciambi. You can tell he isn’t really a fan of the team he is just doing it to pay the bills. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but its just better, atleast to me, to have an actual fan do that kind of stuff. Thats all i’m saying.
By David O'Brien
April 10, 2008 5:23 PM | Link to this
Should be a good matchup on tap Sunday, with Glavine going against Tim Redding (1-1, 0.82).
By Wayne in Utah
April 10, 2008 5:24 PM | Link to this
I still have some hope that we can see some of the old Mike Hampton again this year. I think a stop in Richmond for some rehab might be the best thing for him.
Also, I think Bobby and the Braves were probably just taking a flier on Chuckie last night. I suspect if the shoulder is OK, a few weeks in Richmond should cure his ills.
If both of these guys end up coming back strong, what a staff that could be….
Also, I too don’t think we should count on much from Gonzo this year. And a bullpen by committee is OK, but I will be shocked if Moylan doesn’t get most of the save opportunities.
By DCbrave
April 10, 2008 5:26 PM | Link to this
Given that:
(1) the Braves performance this season is extremely temperature sensitive (Temp>60: 3-0; Temp<60: 0-6),
(2) the Braves’ starting pitchers have a significant edge,
(3) the Nats’ and fish’s pens have an edge,
(4) the Nats and the fish have a history of playing the braves tough and well, and
(5) the Nats have the same mentality as we do: They lost 5 in a roll coming into this and rely on this series to come on track,
I predict the Braves win 2 out of 3 against the Nats 2 of 4 against the fish. So 4-3.
By McFann
April 10, 2008 5:28 PM | Link to this
Good one, Wayne!
By Wayne in Utah
April 10, 2008 5:29 PM | Link to this
What a bunch of wimps we have on the Rockies and Braves teams. N8 or Lew wouldn’t let a little snow stop them from getting the game in!
BTW, I get the Rockies broadcasts on the Fox Sports affiliate out here. Too bad I didn’t have a game to TiVo today!
By Double Deuce
April 10, 2008 5:34 PM | Link to this
Can’t understand all the Yates talk here. He’s gone, most wanted him gone so leave it alone. He’ll be abused by the Pirates bullpen since they have only a couple of other righties and barring a miracle will end up with numbers similar to last year due to the heavy workload. But he will take the ball whenever asked. The immediate problem with the Braves is to find someone to close. If it was easy there wouldn’t be such a need all over baseball($10 mil. for Gagne?). The danger is taking Acosta and forcing him into a spot I don’t think he’s ready for. He pitched all of 21 games last year and he could be a quality reliever if given the chance, but the body of work is too small to thrust him into a closer’s role. There is no substitute for experience, and that’s what the pen is lacking. Moylan’s pitched one year and he is the vet out there. Scary.
By Wayne in Utah
April 10, 2008 5:37 PM | Link to this
McFann Heap looked pretty good out there this week. That double play was just an unlucky thing. He hit the ball hard. Sometimes, it just goes to the wrong place.
We do seem to have some real issues with getting our runners in when in scoring position in the early going. We gotta clean that up.
4-3? Why not a 7-0??
BTW, the bratz was not worth the $6!!
:-)
By Wayne in Utah
April 10, 2008 5:39 PM | Link to this
Also, I can’t wait for the “fish-fry” next week!
By OrlandoFan
April 10, 2008 5:42 PM | Link to this
Hey Bobby’s…. That was a flashback highlight worthy of ESPN. Good date escavation there. Nice info.
By the Stranger
April 10, 2008 5:47 PM | Link to this
By David O’Brien
April 10, 2008 2:02 PM
Right now I’m watching Tim Hudson take camera-phone photos of Matt Diaz and Blaine Boyer making snowballs in front of the dugout…
Please, someone - anyone - find me a beat writer with the passion and professionalism and dedication that it takes to update this blog every five minutes of every day all year long and still file print stories on deadline. Find me the beat writer who would take the time and effort to update idiot fans like myself of a snowball fight in April in Denver.
By Lew
April 10, 2008 5:48 PM | Link to this
Wayne-I don’t know, Dude. Maybe if they used some of Charlie Finley’s orange baseballs.
By DCbrave
April 10, 2008 5:51 PM | Link to this
4-3? Why not a 7-0?? *Wayne in Utah *
Mainly because of our pen and their pens.
By Bob Wickman
April 10, 2008 6:01 PM | Link to this
Hey! I lost 80 pounds on nutrisystem. I’m fit and trim and ready to get back in the game.
Call me!
By Overlord
April 10, 2008 6:03 PM | Link to this
There is no substitute for experience, and that’s what the pen is lacking. Moylan’s pitched one year and he is the vet out there. Scary.
Heres the actual experience of our pen (years/IP):
Soriano 6/247
Gonzalez 4/172
Ohman 4/167
Moylan 2/110
Bennett 2/93
Reyes 1/50
Boyer 3/49
Resop 3/46
Ring 4/45
Acosta 1/27
Id say with the top 5, there is enough experience and talent. Problem is that 3 of those 5 are not in the pen right now. Thats the real problem. They are learning, but they are good enough.
Then you have acosta, he has no experience, but he aint a clown, really good stuff.
By Elvin Phillips
April 10, 2008 6:13 PM | Link to this
When will MLB get its act together and quit scheduling games in northern and mountain areas during the first 2 weeks of the season. It snowed or is brutally cold for fans, players, and the re-scheduling nightmares. Simple fix—-Use the domes and the southern cities and send Boston, New York, Chicago, Denver, Seattle, Philadelphia, Washington, Detroit, St.Louis, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Baltimore, Milwaukee, Cincinnati, and Kansas City to warmer and dryer venues.
In the summer, play more in the north. It is really simple.
By Elvin Phillips
April 10, 2008 6:13 PM | Link to this
When will MLB get its act together and quit scheduling games in northern and mountain areas during the first 2 weeks of the season. It snowed or is brutally cold for fans, players, and the re-scheduling nightmares. Simple fix—-Use the domes and the southern cities and send Boston, New York, Chicago, Denver, Seattle, Philadelphia, Washington, Detroit, St.Louis, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Baltimore, Milwaukee, Cincinnati, and Kansas City to warmer and dryer venues.
In the summer, play more in the north. It is really simple.
By MIBravesFan
April 10, 2008 6:17 PM | Link to this
DOB: “You think Huddy did a snow dance last night?”
Based on how he sounded today, probably not a dance; maybe a snow chant, with the blanket covers pulled over his head and a Vicks vaporizer piped in. :)
By the Stranger
April 10, 2008 6:24 PM | Link to this
On the topic of pen experience, DeuceX2, you might have a valid argument. On the other hand, consider the 2006 pen anchored by Big Bob, Remlinger, Ken Ray, Reitsma & Paronto(e)…to name a few grizzled veterans. The 2007 pen also held more experience than hope. This year’s pen has had exactly 9 games to prove that Resop & Boyer are a little rusty, to borrow a phrase.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
April 10, 2008 6:34 PM | Link to this
After watching the rewind of yesterdays game it’s rather obvious that Chuck James had no business being on the mound.
Chalk this loss up to Bobby BLEEPING Cox for putting a pitcher on the mound who simply did not have the innings needed to get his mechanics in sync.
James never got the innings he needed in spring training.
Why Cox left him on the mound in the third inning is beyond me. After James hit the second batter to lead off the third inning and promptly walked the next hitter he should have been pulled.
James then proceeded to give up a triple, followed by a single and the third hit batsman of the game.
Cox sat on fat butt and did nothing while James simply went into an absolute meltdown and then Torrealba effectively put the game out of reach with the three run bomb, making the score 6-1 Colorado.
I hate to admit it. But, our esteemed manager gave this game away.
Thank God for the snow out and warmer weather in D.C. where Cox can thaw his brain out.
By Overlord
April 10, 2008 6:37 PM | Link to this
List of teams expected to make the playoffs by some with a slow start:
Redsox 4-5
Yankees 4-5
Indians 4-5
Tigers 1-7
Phillies 4-5
Mets 3-4
Braves 3-6
Padres 5-5
Dodgers 4-5
Rockies 4-5
Thats 10 teams underachieving, so we are not alone, I just hope we are the 1st of those teams to get above .600
By Shamus Thacker
April 10, 2008 6:39 PM | Link to this
Wayne in Youtaw, If Ya wanna see Hammy, you’ll stand a better chance at the hospital than the ballpark.
Evel Knievel had less injuries.
Hammy’s is the only doctor in Atlanta who employs a forklift operator. He’s used to transport Hamster’s medical files to an empty 757 hanger. There’s barely room to examine Hamboy.
By Overlord
April 10, 2008 6:42 PM | Link to this
On the other hand, there are the overachieving teams:
Orioles 6-1
Royals 6-2
Fish 5-3
Cards 7-2
Obviously, all these teams will get back to earth and most of underachievers will start flying. Takes no genius to see that thing are gonna take a drastic 180º direction very soon for lots of teams. We just have to make sure braves are one of those.
By Shamus Thacker
April 10, 2008 6:43 PM | Link to this
Tex didn’t get enough spring swings either. He was busy liftin n’ stretchin.
By David O'Brien
April 10, 2008 6:56 PM | Link to this
Renegator, you can see Chuck’s postgame comments in the game story that’s still on our website. And in the Braves notebook that should be up soon, you can see his quotes from this morning when asked about being sent down….
Someone asked about Hampton: No timetable yet. I didn’t talk to him today, but doesn’t sound like he’ll be ready to pitch when his DL stint is up….
As for closer, I’d say Moylan, Acosta and maybe Ohman (in some situations) could pitch ninth.
As for that April 19 start, perhaps the 29-year-old rookie Campillo will also emerge as a candidate. Just don’t know yet. But Bennett would certainly seem a candidate for the start….
WAYNE, funny line about “conservative” and “liberal” approaches in the Washington series.
By McFann
April 10, 2008 6:59 PM | Link to this
Wayne—
Yeah, I’m real pleased with the way McCann’s got his AVG, OBP, and SLG up to where they should be. Wasn’t happy about the DP, of course, but they had the shift goin’ on.
Would love to go 7-0, but at this point, I’d settle for 6-1…or even 5-2…
That’s too bad about the bratz.
: )
By brent a.
April 10, 2008 7:06 PM | Link to this
You know, based upon what I am reading from a lot of you, I don’t think that Mets fans should be so down in the dumps over their 17 game collapse to end last season.
After-all, that was only 17 games, and represented less than one full month of play. Clearly, one cannot read too much into such a small sample.
By ncscoots
April 10, 2008 7:06 PM | Link to this
BASteve, no sweat, my man; glad it was what you were looking for. Maybe I should go back and re-read it myself, LOL.
That “great recall” you speak of is probably just a compensation for an otherwise weak mind. :-) You know how you’re afraid to go up into the attic because of all the clutter up there? That’s my noggin all over, I’m afraid. Sonnets to Yogisms and everything in between.
By David O'Brien
April 10, 2008 7:15 PM | Link to this
New episodes of Earl, 30 Rock and Office tonight….
By David O'Brien
April 10, 2008 7:18 PM | Link to this
McFann, don’t know if you live in the Atlanta area, but I talked to McCann for the interview segment I do that’s carried on WSB-750 in the mornings. He’ll be on it tomorrow, but it’s early (drive time). Not sure exactly when it’s aired, or even if you live in Atlanta area.
By D'Andre Williams
April 10, 2008 7:20 PM | Link to this
http://www.blabberinbraves.com/
Bennett should be our #5 starter until Hampton comes back.
http://www.blabberinbraves.com/
By Jo
April 10, 2008 7:33 PM | Link to this
WSB morning drive time sports are always at about 10-15 minutes after the hour and 10-15 minutes ‘til the hour. If they air a DOB interview, it’s generally on the coverage around 6:45 or 7:45.
By ncscoots
April 10, 2008 7:34 PM | Link to this
brent a, guess timing is everything, huh?
But equating the late-seson Mets collapse to a one-week early-season funk by the Braves is a little disingenuous.
If you believe the Braves are the strong team they were thought to be coming out of ST, the logical assumption is that they have plenty of season left to recover, and that talent will out. The early failures mean little, and the “small sample size” argument is valid.
On the other hand, if you believe the first nine games are indicative of season-long performance, then you are right to snicker at those who quote “small sample size”. If, in your opinion, it don’t get any better than this. Depends on which way you lean.
But the Mets had 145 games to use their talent before imploding, a reasonable sample size for the purpose of gauging their abilities. And zero chance for recovery following the meltdown. The exact opposite of the current Braves situation.
By 22oz
April 10, 2008 7:42 PM | Link to this
No love for the new Scrubs DOB? Thats the one i’m looking forward to the most! I also heard that its gonna come back for one more season on ABC instead of ending on NBC this year like its was supposed to.
By N8
April 10, 2008 8:01 PM | Link to this
Wayne
“What a bunch of wimps we have on the Rockies and Braves teams. N8 or Lew wouldn’t let a little snow stop them from getting the game in!”
Darn right! In fact there used to be a charity softball tournament up here that was held in December or January that was played in the snow. They would paint the balls (or maybe they ordered them that way?), fluorescent orange, so they could be seen in the snow.
I don’t think they do it anymore.
But I have to admit. It pretty much sucked. No fun trying to throw, when it’s 30 below zero with the wind-chill. Even with batting gloves and aluminum bats, it never felt to good making contact.
By Overlord
April 10, 2008 8:12 PM | Link to this
Im watching mets phillies game
Wright looks so bad at the plate……. just like he did with us, his BA is very low.
On the other hand, Reyes has a very low average, but he is making contact, but not good contact.
Now Delgado, he is hitting the ball very well.
They have Angel Pagan hitting 2nd (because of a tender knee castillo is not in the game).
JRo is also benched for the 2nd straight night because of a strained ankle, listed as day to day.
By McFann
April 10, 2008 8:12 PM | Link to this
DOB—
Thanks! We live in the Atlanta area. My Dad drives to work real early in the morning, maybe he’ll catch it. Or perhaps someone will be able to find a link to it from WSB’s website. I’ll flip on my radio when I wake up tomorrow.
Thanks again!!
By Overlord
April 10, 2008 8:33 PM | Link to this
I just saw Schneider throw Victorino on a stealing attempt. All i can say is that guy looked like The Terminator. He threw a strike to 2B and it really looked easy for him.
By BravesDave
April 10, 2008 8:46 PM | Link to this
Brent a, your 7:06pm post was favorite of the season so far. When are people going to come to grips with the fact that a 3-6 start to the season MATTERS.
This is something that I had to point out. This is what the opposing starting pitchers have done against the Braves offense to date. Note some of the All-Star names on this list.
Odalis Perez, 5 innings, 4 hits, 1 BB, 1 ER.
Ian Snell, 6 innings, 7 hits, 2 BB, 4 ER.
Tom Gorzelanny, 6 innings, 6 hits, 3 BB, 3 ER.
Zach Duke, 5 2/3 innings, 10 hits, 1 BB, 2 ER.
John Maine, 4 innings, 8 hits, 3 BB, 4 ER.
Johan Santana, 7 innings, 7 hits, 0 BB, 1 ER.
Aaron Cook, 7 innings, 2 hits, 1 BB, 1 ER.
Ubaldo Jiminez, 6 innings, 6 hits, 4 BB, 3 ER.
Mark Redman (!!!!!), 5 innings, 7 hits, 0 BB, 2 ER.
Totals - 51 2/3 innings, 55 hits, 15 walks, 20 ER. A 3.48 combined ERA. A 1.35 combined WHIP.
Pretty sad comment on the Braves bats when this list includes Odalis Perez, Gorzelanny, Zach Duke, Mark Redman, and Ubaldo Jiminez.
By Desperado Dave
April 10, 2008 8:46 PM | Link to this
DOB, I agree with you. The Braves will sweep in Nats IF the three starters pitch complete games. This bullpen is absolutely horrible.
By Russ in Illinois
April 10, 2008 8:58 PM | Link to this
Seems like most of the nabobs of negativity are off the blog right now. But, I wanted to get this posted for them.
The following dates are the dates when the Braves reached .500 in a season and then remained above for the rest of the season:
7/11/91 game 80 6/7/92 game 56 5/6/93 30 4/4/94 0 5/14/95 18 4/18/96 16 4/4/97 4 4/13/98 12 4/10/99 6 4/16/00 12 5/30/01 52 5/16/02 42 4/17/03 16 7/5/04 82 4/21/05 76
So, the ONLY years when the Braves were playing winning baseball this early in the year were 94, 97 and 99. Perhaps the blog is so full of early season negativity is that we saw so much promise in this team. That promise is still there and will be if it takes til the all star break to show it.
By David O'Brien
April 10, 2008 8:59 PM | Link to this
McFann, I don’t want to oversell it. It’s only about 45 seconds, but he talks about his fast start, how he knows he’s capable of putting up numbers like he did his rookie year.
By Braveheart
April 10, 2008 8:59 PM | Link to this
Here are some quote excerpts from DOB’s stories on Chuck James
“I was just all over the place, couldn’t throw a strike,” said James, “I need something, I have no idea what. I think it’s just going out and getting innings and getting my location. … Obviously it’s control. I ain’t got that right now.” “It just boiled down to the control — I didn’t have none of it,” said James, who believes he needs to build innings and work on his command, whether throwing on the side or in the minors. “It can’t hurt nothing,” James said of being sent to Richmond. “I need to get back in a groove and figure something out.” “All spring and everything, it’s just been going so slowly, trying to get back,” James said. “It just didn’t work out for me.” “Chuck was just really really rusty,” said Bobby Cox.
Maybe I’m too much of a Chuck and Bobby apologist. Many fans seem angry that the Braves lost and that Chuck sucked and that Cox pitched him even though he was not ready.
But I look at it differently. I think what happened with Chuck yesterday is why Bobby’s players love him. Whether people like it or not, Chuck has established himself as a quality bottom end of the rotation starter. Just sending the kid down and not calling him up when there was a vacancy after an injury could have been devastating for Chuck.
By calling him up and giving him the start Cox showed Chuck that he still believes in him and that the organization is not writing him off. It also showed Chuck that he wasn’t ready. So now he can go back down to the minors for a while and not feel insulted or take it personally.
From the way Chuck was talking the last two days, it sounds like Bobby, Roger and perhaps some of the vets spoke with him after his woeful performance and helped him make sense of it. They probably gave him the whole you need more time, don’t beat yourself up over this one, you’re good enough to be here, you don’t have anything to prove other than you are healthy, just go back down there and work on building arm strength and your control.
I bet Chuckie goes back down there, works on his game, maintains his confidence and comes back even better.
If they had not called him up, whatever doubts he had about the organizational direction with him could have fed into him feeling that being passed over in the callup was confirmation that they were giving up on him.
But getting called up and having his manager give him the ball for the start is validation that Bobby and the powers that be still believe in him.
Maybe I’m reading too much into it and giving Cox too much credit. I don’t know if Cox thought that maybe it was worth losing a battle yesterday by having Chuck pitch so that Chuck could help him win the war later on in the year.
Cox might have just been hoping he could get the usual 5 innings, 2 or 3 earned runs performance out of Chuck. But even that kind of thinking is confirmation that Cox still believes in him which in turn helps ease Chuck’s mind and motivate him to come back and make his manager happy he continued to believe in him.
I dunno. Those are just my thoughts, hopes, feelings, wishes, beliefs on what happened with Chuck last night.
Too many fans focus only upon game to game results. What makes Cox a great manager is that he often has a long term view of how to manage his team and the personalities and talents on it.
I think losing a battle last night by giving Chuck the ball is evidence of why Bobby’s players love him and why his teams often start slow but get better throughout the season.
By keylargo
April 10, 2008 9:07 PM | Link to this
Shamus Thacker
You mentioned Evel Knievel had less injuries than Hampton. Maybe, but they had different mottos.
Evel: The show must go on.
Hampton: This Ho is going home.
By McFann
April 10, 2008 9:23 PM | Link to this
’S all right, DOB. Every second counts!
By mr baseball
April 10, 2008 9:34 PM | Link to this
Instead of shipping Chucky back to Richmond, the person or persons responsible for giving him the start last night should take a little responsibility. Starting him in Colorado is dubious at best, considering his current circumstances, it was something less than a wise decision.
Yes, the Braves’ players love Cox because of the way he defends them. So what. They also love the fact that he doesn’t demand that they get themselves in quality shape. How many overweight guys have worn Braves’ uniforms under Cox? No wonder they love him. But it doesn’t mean they play any better for him.
Not sure if Cox or Wren has the final say on who makes the roster, but whoever it is needs to turn those duties over to someone with a little better idea of how to put a bench together.
Having 2 second basemen, 2 catchers and an OF who has no business being on a major league roster makes zero sense. At some point, the Braves are going to have to sit Diaz or Kotsay, and Chipper, Tex & Yunel are not going to start 162 games.
Lacking a major league bat off the bench has contributed to the 1-run losses. The one helpful pinch-hit so far has been KJ’s slam.
Given the number of veteran relievers who are always floating around, it would have been nice to pick up 1 or 2 instead of failed prospects like Resop. Going to be interesting to see how this bullpen performs in late, close games without Soriano.
By keylargo
April 10, 2008 9:52 PM | Link to this
I have never understood how we let Ron Mahay get away last year. How much more could Kansas City pay him than the Braves? A veteran reliever, who throws strikes, gets outs and keeps the ball in the yard would be quite a luxury.
By uh chuck um uh james
April 10, 2008 9:52 PM | Link to this
DOB - glad you like ask me ‘bout the um Tibet situation.
The uh unrest began with uh demonstrations on like March 10 or March 11 which was the uh somethin’ anniversary of the uh failed 1959 Tibetan uprising against uh Japanese, uh Japanese, no um China I think. Yeah, China. The uh protests began when like a bunch of uh monks demanded the uh release of other monks from someplace, uh I dunno. But then like somethin’ happened and like it got all violent like. It uh boils down to control. The Tibetans ain’t got that right now. The Chinese, they have like all the control. The uh Chinese accused the dolly lama whose like the uh Bobby Cox of Tibet of causing all the uh problems. But he can’t hurt nothin’ he’s like all nonviolent like. But this situation can go on like all spring. Uh, the commisioner needs to do somethin’, like figure somethin’ out. I think.
By Larry Craig
April 10, 2008 9:57 PM | Link to this
I’ve been watching Tex really closely and I think I spotted his problem.
When he is in the box, he needs to adopt a wider stance.
By Josh from Columbus
April 10, 2008 10:28 PM | Link to this
BTW, The Office was hilarious tonight. Who else is glad it’s back? And what better night to make it back to NBC than on a night of a Braves PPD?!?! Awesome.
By Chop Chop
April 10, 2008 10:40 PM | Link to this
I’m glad The Office is back. I would have just watched the Braves during commercial breaks if they were running concurrently. That’s right. Screw the Braves. I can watch them any old time.
By Braveheart
April 10, 2008 10:48 PM | Link to this
The problem with Mahay was that he was 36 years old, wanted a 3 year contract, walked 5 men per 9 innings pitched last year.
He’s been a major leaguer for 11 seasons. In those 11 seasons, he has only had one season (2004) where he did not spend at least a part of the season in the minor leagues.
Giving 2 year $8 million dollar contracts to a 36 year old reliever with control issues and who has spent parts of all but one of the 11 last seasons in the minors is just not a sound investment.
What do you do when he hits a wall and loses some of his stuff as you would expect someone his age to do and he starts striking out less people and giving up more hits combined with the high number of walks he already gives up and you are stuck pi$$ing away $4 million dollars a season on him?
By Pete H.
April 10, 2008 10:53 PM | Link to this
After running the results of every game played so far this season through my copyrighted software, some interesting data emerged.
First, in every single loss, the Braves failed to score as many runs as their opponents. Sometimes the difference was as little as a single run, sometimes the margin was considerably larger. In every case, however, the result was the same. A loss.
Even more interesting, in every single win so far this year, the Braves outscored their opponents, sometimes by a small margin, sometimes by a large margin. In every case, however, the result was the same. A win.
My conclusion is that Bobby Cox is to blame. If he simply instructed the Braves to outscore their opponents in every game, our chances for success would improve dramatically.
Admittedly, this is a small sample, and further research is called for. However, the early results show a very strong correlation between outscoring your opponent and winning more than you lose.
Fire Bobby Cox and find a manager who understands statistics and their meaning.
By AdirondackDave
April 10, 2008 10:59 PM | Link to this
Larry Craig — Thanks for the chuckle.
By BravesDave
April 10, 2008 11:05 PM | Link to this
The Rockies, Pirates, and Nationals are 6-1 combined against the Braves.
The Rockies, Pirates, and Nationals are 4-17 against everyone but the Braves.
Food for thought.
By BravesDave
April 10, 2008 11:12 PM | Link to this
Good one from You know who.
By Josh from Columbus
April 10, 2008 11:17 PM | Link to this
You know who,
Chipper, you back? I guess you gotta have something to do during a PPD, huh? :)
By Double Deuce
April 10, 2008 11:23 PM | Link to this
++OVERLORD++ You pointed out exactly what I was talking about. Taking Soriano and Gonzalez out of that equation leaves you with not much experience. Moylan and Acosta have proven themselves, Ring has little or no major league experience, Ohman is a situational lefty, and Boyer and Resop have to learn how to deal with the pressures of a pennent contending bullpen. I’m not saying they can’t get it done, but my comment was to point out the lack of experience beyond Soriano and Gonzalez, and the dangers of throwing Acosta into the role of closer. I don’t believe Soriano will be a full time pitcher this year and to expect Gonzalez to come back and fill that role is unrealistic until at least after the break, if then. That’s where scary comes in.
By David O'Brien
April 10, 2008 11:25 PM | Link to this
All this losing in Colorado gives me a hankering for some winning….
a beautiful thing
By Josh from Columbus
April 10, 2008 11:29 PM | Link to this
Hoss,
For what it’s worth, you’ve been raking man. Been going with every pitch. Some of the younger guys would be well suited to take some notes from ya…
By Josh from Columbus
April 10, 2008 11:36 PM | Link to this
DOB,
Thoughts on the post from “You know who”? I was just thinking about earlier this year just before Spring Training and was wondering if it was possible…
By mets fan in atlanta
April 10, 2008 11:42 PM | Link to this
Mets win, Mets win—take the series from phillies—as i said last week, braves get up for the mets, go all out, then have nothing for the “no-name teams.” Last year, I believe the Braves were something like 8-3 against the mets at the beginning of the season—look where that got them. I personally don’t care what the Braves record is heads-up against the Mets, because they simply don’t beat the teams they are supposed to beat.
Braves record vs Mets: 2-0 Braves record vs rest of league: 1-6
Mets record vs Braves: 0-2 Mets record vs rest of league: 5-3
I’ll take those stats every day.
By nelson
April 10, 2008 11:51 PM | Link to this
bye bye cox , bye mc dowell , bye hampton !!
By David O'Brien
April 10, 2008 11:59 PM | Link to this
Josh: no.
Nelson: Who’s leaving? You?
By Kev
April 11, 2008 12:16 AM | Link to this
DOB
What do you think of Kyle Snyder or David Aardsma or any other pickup thats been DFA’d or released in the last couple of days?? could any of them be a good pickup for the troubled Bullpen???
By BravesRule
April 11, 2008 12:28 AM | Link to this
I’m still claiming that we should’ve went harder after Corey Patterson over the offseason…Tomahawkin
Corey Patterson? Over Kotsay, who is doing just fine thank you? Now that is just plain stupid! Corey Patterson stinks!
By BravesRule
April 11, 2008 12:56 AM | Link to this
I’m going to expand on my point from my last post because it is really the whole thing boiled down to two absolutes, wins over losses defines success and the most definable,relavant thing in getting those wins is the percentage of runs you score over a season compared to the percentage you surrender (the ratio)Teddy
Hail yeah, tell it to the Diamondbacks. Geeeze o pete.What a load!
By Moby Grape
April 11, 2008 1:15 AM | Link to this
In April 2007:Shaun
here’s another one , Chipper has walked twice in nine games I think. We thought that having Tex behind him would perhaps allow him to see better pitches, but Tez hasn’t done well enough to make that much difference so far. I wonder how many times in his MLB career Chip has gone 9 games with only two walks?.385/.405/.497.
By Coach(Lets Go Braves In 2008)
April 11, 2008 1:15 AM | Link to this
An excerpt from Jason Stark’s latest:
• Penmanship in Atlanta: One cardinal rule we’ve learned over the years is: When the Braves trade away a pitcher, never question it. But other people out there are already second-guessing their decision to deal away reliever Tyler Yates to Pittsburgh at the end of spring training.
“I think their bullpen is going to have trouble,” said one scout. “I love [Rafael] Soriano as a set-up guy. But as a closer, I think he’s just middle-of-the-pack. … [Peter] Moylan is tough on right-handers, but I don’t think he can get left-handers out. … Guys like [Blaine] Boyer and [Chris] Resop have great arms, but they walk too many people and they’re up in the zone a lot. And [Manny] Acosta is the same way. … So for me, you take that whole set-up crew, and Tyler Yates is better than all of them.”
Go ahead Shaun, argue with it, show us your genius.
By uga-brave
April 11, 2008 1:20 AM | Link to this
how many complete game did the braves have last year? ZERO.
besides hudson, the rest of this staff are seven inning pitchers, at best.
not saying that there is anything wrong with that, but if thats your M.O. you better sure build a strong bridge to get you the last nine or so outs.
so this is what we get, boyer, resop, ring, and bennett.
this is the problem the braves have.
shut the door and they come through the window. close the window and they come through the door.
last year it was the starters, and up to date this year it has been the bullpen.
guys i would not really count on sorarmio this year, reminds me of the gonzo thing last year.
the really disturbing thing about all this is when was the last time the braves brought a great arm up from the minors.
no chamberlin, hughes, hernandaez, cuento, hammels, billingsley, liriano, fastuno, webb.
when AOL in their infinite wisdom frooze the payroll, they also cut about 1/3 of the minor league scouting department, and budget.
it is now starting to show.
am i the only one who got fed up with “YOUR HOME GROWN ATLANTA BRAVES”
yea that worked, davies, mcbride, boyer, and for the time being frenchy.
By the Stranger
April 11, 2008 1:33 AM | Link to this
DOB, I tried that link — directed me to pornography.
By David O'Brien
April 11, 2008 1:40 AM | Link to this
Check this out. I’m doing tha advance scout box for the Nationals series, and I add up the career wins for the three Nats starters in this series, Chico, Lannan and Redding. It’s 34, with 25 of those by Redding.
The trio’s combined career record is 34-54.
They’ll face the Braves trio of Hudson, Glavine and Smoltz, who have 647 wins between them.
Combined record: 647-414.
Oh, and 154 saves in 168 opportunities.
By uga-brave
April 11, 2008 1:41 AM | Link to this
on a sidebar,
since,”YOUR HOME GROWN BRAVES,” have been full season starters we have not finished above third.
kinda like putting lipstick on a pig.
By Moby Grape
April 11, 2008 1:48 AM | Link to this
thank you, sir, for the find on baseballanalysts.com;BASteve
could you or Scoots post that link again? I musta missed it. Thanx
By David O'Brien
April 11, 2008 1:49 AM | Link to this
Stranger: glad it worked for you.
By uga-brave
April 11, 2008 1:55 AM | Link to this
DOB,
if we lose this series, i dont even think cox can spin it.
By Coach(Lets Go Braves In 2008)
April 11, 2008 1:57 AM | Link to this
The drive for EIGHT IN 08 ! LETS GO SIOUX !
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zD5M-cAtYbc&feature=related
By uga-brave
April 11, 2008 2:02 AM | Link to this
DOB,
thought you were heading up to breck? just because the old lady cant make it, no excuse for you not to do that ninety mile drive and shred for a while. spring skiing and boarding is great and the sights are not bad either.
By Coach(Lets Go Braves In 2008)
April 11, 2008 2:12 AM | Link to this
Sorry, I had to celebrate for a second because that was it for my Sioux.
We got spanked by BC in the semi-final game yesterday afternoon, losing 1-6.
O’well, we will get’em next season. GO SIOUX !
By Moby Grape
April 11, 2008 2:33 AM | Link to this
Fire Bobby Cox and find a manager who understands statistics and their meaning.PeteH
Very funny and quite valid too, but I read that it is the percentage that you outscore the other team by that really matters, Bobby needs to learn that too, or just get outta Dodge and ensure the end og global warming and war too both of which are his fault too
By Coach(Lets Go Braves In 2008)
April 11, 2008 2:42 AM | Link to this
The Nationals have lost seven in a row while four of them have been one run losses.
The Braves had better sweep this series or at least win two out of three.
Otherwise, this blog will be ready to eat itself alive by Monday morning.
By Double Deuce
April 11, 2008 3:46 AM | Link to this
I had the opportunity this off season to spend a couple of days around Tommy Lasorda. We talked baseball, or I listened to Tommy talking about baseball over a few glasses of wine one night and I asked him what he thought about Bobby Cox. He didn’t even skip a beat before he answered “one of the greatest men, and managers of all time”. It pains me to listen to wannabe’s who second guess his every move, people who have never had to make any decisions during a baseball game, then post here on this blog about his abilitity to manage a game. If you’ve never sat in his seat then you don’t have the right to criticize the man for the decisions he makes. It’s easy to drink a few beers while you’re watching the game, fire up the computer and criticize one of the greatest of all time, while 90% of you have never even coached a game at any level. The Braves have problems, but so do most teams in MLB. The difference is that the Braves have Bobby and his experience and that’s an advantage, not a detriment as most on here would want you to believe.
By nolie
April 11, 2008 5:44 AM | Link to this
The Braves have problems, but so do most teams in MLB. The difference is that the Braves have Bobby and his experience and that’s an advantage, not a detriment as most on here would want you to believe.DoubleDeuce
Bravo. My sentiments exactly. I’ve had the opportunity to talk briefly with Bobby a few times years ago. The guy really knows his stuff and is about as selfless as anyone could be. It angers me too to read the ignorant rants against him by all the second-guessers who think that they know it all. Oh well, nature of the beast I guess.
By ncscoots
April 11, 2008 6:31 AM | Link to this
this bullpen is horrible
Is it? My impression is that the lefties, Bennett, and Moylan have been solid, so far. Boyer made two REALLY bad pitches, but also has 10 K in 5.2 with a single walk (keep that K rate up, he’ll be fine, IMO). Acosta has been problematic, and Resop atrocious.
If you want to say the bullpen performance has been spotty in the late innings so far, I’d buy that. But “horrible” implies that the pen needs a mjor overhaul, and I’d posit that it only needs tweaking.
By Duke
April 11, 2008 6:49 AM | Link to this
DOB, im usually with you on all Braves thoughts, but this whole Kansas obssesion has got to be put to an end. Hopefully Felton’s Dawgs will get a chance at you guys next year.
By Duke
April 11, 2008 7:09 AM | Link to this
And yes i know you’re an alumn.
By 22oz
April 11, 2008 9:18 AM | Link to this
Did the blog break?
By Lew
April 11, 2008 9:24 AM | Link to this
Coach-The blog is ALREADY eating itself alive. If we sweep the series they will still be feasting. If we win the World Series, their appetites will not be less than they are now. Count on it.
UGABrave-No Dude, you likely aren’t the only one fed up with the “Home Grown” Braves, but you are part of an extraordinarily small percentage that are. If we win the Series, I would imagine you would still be hungry. You really need to get over this irrational dislike of our farm system.
By KC
April 11, 2008 9:40 AM | Link to this
Braves have a big opportunity to eat up some ground over the next 13 games.
5 games against Florida, 5 against Washington, and 3 against the Dodgers (at home).
A 9-4 record is very possible over the next 13 games, and that would really give this team a huge lift after some early disappointment. Certainly though, the Braves should consider anything less than 8-5 (over the next 13) a failure.
By the way, as it appears now, here are the pitching match-ups for next weekend against the Dodgers:
Glavine vs. Lowe
Jurrjens vs. Billingsly
Bennett vs. Kuroda
No big edge for either team in any of the pitching match-ups. The series could easily go either way, but the Braves do have a superior lineup, and will be at home… so this is a series, I believe, the Braves are supposed to win.
If all goes as we all (Mets fans exculed, of course) hope… the Braves should be either 11-11 or 12-10 heading into series at Shay Stadium on the 25th.
Heck, if things go extremely well over the next 13 games, and the Braves go 10-3 (if the Braves get hot, it’s certainly possible against a weak schedule)… they could even be 13-9 heading into NY later this month.
Come on boys, time to pull it together!
By Tomahawkin
April 11, 2008 9:44 AM | Link to this
Bravesrule I mentioned Corey Patterson as a platoon leftfielder who could leadoff when he starts (Not starting CF). It just maybe the cold weather or something but Diaz isn’t getting it done right now…Plus Patterson’s defense is highly underrated…
By Tomahawkin
April 11, 2008 9:44 AM | Link to this
Bravesrule I mentioned Corey Patterson as a platoon leftfielder who could leadoff when he starts (Not starting CF). It just maybe the cold weather or something but Diaz isn’t getting it done right now…Plus Patterson’s defense is highly underrated…
By KC
April 11, 2008 9:49 AM | Link to this
By the way… I just mentioned that the Braves’ schedule is favorable over the next 13 games, including 5 games against FLA, and 5 against WASH…
Here are the Mets and Phillies schedule over the next 13.
METS next 13:
3 games against the Brewers
5 against Washington (that’s the easy part)
2 games in Chicago
3 games in Philadelphia
Phillies next 13:
3 against Chicago
3 against Houston
3 against NY
2 games in Colorado
2 in Milwaukee
I know it’s early, but the games in April count every bit as much as they do in September. So the Braves need to take advantage of the schedule over the next couple weeks!
By Tomahawkin
April 11, 2008 9:53 AM | Link to this
D.O.B. I was looking at some of my old Leaf Studio Baseball cards (1991 set) and I read on the back that Tom Glavine’s favorite music artist was Phil Collins (at the time). Just Wondering if you and Tommy, talk music any on your off time…? Oh and BTW Deion Sanders favorite artist was M.C. Hammer (in 1991), Go Figure…? and David Justice (At the time as well) favorite Artist was Mariah Carey, I gotta commend David on that one… I love some old Mariah…
I might have some typos, trying to get over a hangover from a college party last night…
By Efrim
April 11, 2008 9:59 AM | Link to this
KC
Nice post. I agree with you. The next 13 games could be where we steer this ship in the right direction. The bullpen will play a crucial role because I expect the starting pitching to have their way with the Nats, Marlins and Dodgers. Offense should be able to turn it around as well.
Considering the state of our bullpen and offense….I’ll sign for 8-5 right now. That’ll put us at 11-11 right before the Met series up at Shea.
By Random
April 11, 2008 10:29 AM | Link to this
Unlucky Charms, here’s a different perspective regarding DOB’s feelings for the Braves, from the Bish writing on the Braves’ home opener:
“There had been some great defensive moments. Mark Kotsay’s throw that cut down Jack Wilson at the plate, a line-drive bullet to Brian McCann, followed by our David O’Brien’s exclamation, “Let’s see Andruw Jones do that. His throw hits the mound!” If there’s anything I like, it’s press-box fervor for the home team — kept within bounds, of course.”
(Sorry, DOB — Furmie said it, not me.)
8-)
By Dadgum
April 11, 2008 10:29 AM | Link to this
The Braves have always had good pitching matchups against the Nats but then fail in late innings due to bullpen meltdowns. So my faith in the starters is there just not in close games late. Regardless of the Nats recent record I see them taking 2 of 3. Ditto Marlins.
By KC
April 11, 2008 10:33 AM | Link to this
ALSO… the way it appears now, Santana will not pitch against the Braves in the 3 games series beginning the 25th of this month.
The Match-ups for that series at Shay look like they’ll be:
Bennett vs. Pelfrey
Hudson vs. Perez
Smoltz vs. Figueroa
Perez is pitching like an ace, so we aren’t entirely lucking out. Also, not telling how the Bennett/Pelfrey match-up will go. But if we can win 1 of the first 2 games of that series… you’d have to like our chances in the rubber game!
Keep in mind that the Mets will most likely be leading the division when we head into Shay on the 25th.
The have a head to head series against Philadelphia coming up, BUT… here are the likely match-ups in that series:
Santana vs. Moyer
Maine vs. Kendrick
Pelfrey vs. Eaton
Uh… advantage Mets.
Here are my bold predictions as to how the NL East standings will look at the end of the month…
1 - Atlanta 15-12
1 - New York 15-12
3 - Florida 13-14 (2.0)
4 - Philadelphia 13-15 (2.5)
5 - Washington 8-20 (7.5)
By 22oz
April 11, 2008 10:34 AM | Link to this
Ya’ll didn’t hear? The Yankees and Red Sox are playing this weekend. All other games have been canceled.
By Steve McP
April 11, 2008 10:48 AM | Link to this
I know I am being overly optimistic here, but Hampton should be back for the Mets series.
It would be great to get a few decent games out of him, but it will always be a torment expecting some freakish injury to arrive - also a bit like watching Chipper. just not to the same extent.
By Robert (Chipper Is The Best)
April 11, 2008 10:55 AM | Link to this
I just heard on Dan Patrick that Jordan Schafer didn’t even really fail a test. He was “ratted” out. Somebody dimed him out. Very interesting.
By DAP
April 11, 2008 10:55 AM | Link to this
tomohawkin’ is that the same dave justice card where his favorite movie is silence of the lambs? if so, i have that one too.
By KC
April 11, 2008 11:00 AM | Link to this
Steve McP: Maybe Hampton will be back for the Mets series… but I kind of doubt it.
There’s still no timetable for when he’ll begin throwing, and Bobby Cox already said he’d need to make a start at Richmond before rejoining the team.
I think seeing him pitch in the Washington series at the end of the month, is probably the best we can hope for.
By AGTfan
April 11, 2008 11:03 AM | Link to this
Double Deuce If you’ve never sat in his seat then you don’t have the right to criticize the man for the decisions he makes.
All fans have the right to criticize a manager and second guess. It’s just part of being a fan. Some of bloggers here make themselves sound like complete idiots when they do criticize BC. That’s one of the fun things about a blog. Everyone has the right to make a fool of themselves. Some of the BC bashers make fools of themselves on a much more regular basis than most of the population. They say the same things over and over again. Reading the blog, you’d start to believe that most of the Braves fans hate BC, but then you notice that it’s the same few people who are always doing it. I think most Braves fans recognize and appreciate how lucky we have been to have him as manager for so long. When he finally hangs um up, I’d like to see a BC statue at the Ted.
By Tomahawkin
April 11, 2008 11:16 AM | Link to this
Yes-Sir DAP That was back when collecting cards was a hobby…
By Random
April 11, 2008 11:18 AM | Link to this
DOB, this question may be too potentially touchy for a beat writer to opine on, so I’ll throw it open to Double Deuce and/or nolie**, et al, should they wish to chime in:
What do you think (generally) about Bobby Cox’s apparent fondness of using his closer in non-save situations, and (specifically) Cox bringing in Soriano to close last Sat’s 11-5 win over the Mets?
By David O'Brien
April 11, 2008 11:21 AM | Link to this
22oz, it will seem like that over at ESPN, won’t it. “The Nation vs. The Empire” is their annual not-so-mini series, played out with dramatic music accompaniment. Rather silly, reallly. But I’m sure their studies have told them it’s huge ratings….
AGTfan, rest assured, that statue will be a reality.
By Kenny Lofton
April 11, 2008 11:28 AM | Link to this
I ratted out that Schafer dude. Thought it might be my best shot at getting a ring, if Kotsay’s back goes out on him!!
By David O'Brien
April 11, 2008 11:28 AM | Link to this
Random, I didn’t and still don’t understand why he used Soriano in that game. Now, there are certainly times when it’s understanable — if a closer hasn’t worked in a few days, many of them prefer/need to pitch to stay sharp. That’s something that some folks here don’t ever seem to “get,” but it’s like that with plenty of closers.
But the other day, using him in that Mets game, with no off days coming up for a week, I didn’t quite understand that move….
Lew, I’m with you on uga-brave’s thing about the farm system. It often leaves me shaking my head….
T-hawkin’: Phil Collins? Really? Speaking of shaking my head….
Duke: the obsession you mentioned will not end. Not with me. If you don’t like it, don’t read the comments. Don’t know what to tell ya. Sorry, but I didn’t go to your school of choice….
By BravesRule
April 11, 2008 11:36 AM | Link to this
Bravesrule I mentioned Corey Patterson as a platoon leftfielder who could leadoff when he starts (Not starting CF)Tomahawkin
That’s just what I am afraid of. The guy does not get on base enough to lead off ever. Speed is not the main asset for leading off, getting on base is, and Corey stinks at it. Speed is great if it can get on base enough to be useful but Corey has never done that. Makes way too many outs for a leadoff guy. Give Blanco or Anderson the same shot that they would have to give Patterson and they will do just as good a job, more likely better. Just about every Cubs and Orioles fan I know absolutely hates the guy. An OBP of .300 at leadoff is an atrocious idea.
By Efrim
April 11, 2008 11:39 AM | Link to this
Just saw UGA Braves comment….
quite speechless….
By Lew
April 11, 2008 11:39 AM | Link to this
DOB-Too bad that shaking your head continuously won’t help with your back pain. If it did, you would have felt better almost immediately.
By 22oz
April 11, 2008 11:42 AM | Link to this
Bobby Cox statue ideas:
Leaning against the dugout railing (most realistic)
Chewing out accompaning statue of Joe West, CB Bucknor, or Angel Hernandez (most fitting)
Signaling for a pitching change. (2nd most fitting)
By DAP
April 11, 2008 11:49 AM | Link to this
i wonder what pose the bobby cox statue will be in? sitting in the dugout? arguing with an ump? clapping his hands together on the mound right before a pitching change? picking his nose?
either way, he will be well deserving of that statue.
By 22oz
April 11, 2008 11:49 AM | Link to this
Cox statue ideas continued…
Sitting next to Leo with a pi$$ed off look on his face with his hands in the air
Leaning back in his office chair with some super-positive quote underneath.
Picking his nose with a camera pointed at him (too easy)
Just sitting with a cigar.
By Renegator
April 11, 2008 11:51 AM | Link to this
22oz
Most fitting = sitting in dugout with finger in nose
By David O'Brien
April 11, 2008 11:53 AM | Link to this
Time to get on a plane.
By Renegator
April 11, 2008 12:01 PM | Link to this
DOB
Hope it’s not an American Airlines flight.
By 22oz
April 11, 2008 12:01 PM | Link to this
Anyone seen where startsalty.com has become keepteixeira.com? He’s formed an online petition with a goal of $20 million signatures by october. pretty funny stuff.
By JEB
April 11, 2008 12:07 PM | Link to this
Let’s look at some PAST facts and see if we can come up with FUTURE thoughts. Soriano had a sore elbow in February. He started late in March due to a sore elbow. It is now (almost) mid April and his elbow is still sore. That is looking at the last 2 months. Now, looking ahead, just 15 days, do I really think this elbow is going be any better?? Based on the last 2 months, I would have to say…NO! Realistically, this is something that will not be right all year. Elbow tendinitis takes a while to get over. Going to have to shut him down for more than just 15 days. Watching him in Sundays game, reminded me of watching Smoltz in the playoff game 2003 facing the Cubs. Walking around the mound, pausing. As Billy Chapel (played by Kevin Costner) in “For the love of the game” - “Yea, I’m stalling. You would be too if your arm felt as bad as mine does!”
By Wayne in Utah
April 11, 2008 12:08 PM | Link to this
Wonder when we are going to hear the “rest of the story” on Jordan Schafer?? Sounds intriguing.
Does anyone else wonder how he is thought of by his teammates? You know, the Hummer thing and all. Most minor league players don’t drive around in a Hummer.
By nolie
April 11, 2008 12:09 PM | Link to this
What do you think (generally) about Bobby Cox’s apparent fondness of using his closer in non-save situations, and (specifically) Cox bringing in Soriano to close last Sat’s 11-5 win over the Mets?Random
In general I think he does it too much. I don’t think I would have done that in that game but perhaps he just wanted to be as sure as possible that we got that win. It likely had nothing to do with Soriano’s current problems.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that Bobby is perfect.He used to drive me crazy with that third catcher in the post-season who usually couldn’t hit a lick. He has made a number of calls over the years that I question, but sometimes they work when I don’t think they will too. No manager is perfect. Joe Torre got ragged constantly in NY by the same types who rant against Bobby constantly.Fans always want to blame someone for losses and the manager is an easy target, and some other successful manager looks greener in some other team’s grass.
Winning regularly in the ML is a lot tougher than most think. A man as stupid as some make Bobby out to be could never win regularly let out 14 in a row. Yes he has had some good teams, but there have been a lot of other managers over the years that have had a string of good teams who never had anywhere near the run the Braves have had.Even the current Yanks with all that payroll did not get near to 14 seasons in first. And there has been a high level of turnover most every season which is a strain too.
I just get tired of the rabid criticism of every move he makes that doesn’t work out. In the end the players have to produce , managers really do not cause the outcome of every game played like some posters(not just on here) would have you believe.
I think that his handling of players is so strong that it makes up for some of the bad calls, which every manager is gonna make anyway, but most others do not have a strength in other areas to make up for as much.
As for his style of play, he came up through the Yankee’s system which is where he likely picked up that penchant for 3run homers and not much smallball; but the truth is that most managers play that way today to a large extent,and there is certainly some proof that smallball is not very effective over the long run. Chicago got a lotta press about it a few years ago, but two years later they were in last place IIRC. I believe in the way he plays so I guess that doesn’t irritate me like it does some of the other fans.
Well enough rambling. As I said he has his warts as does every human being and even every manager. :-)
By Just A Thought
April 11, 2008 12:09 PM | Link to this
DOB
You know I was just thinking.
Soriano goes down for a while, we give Mike Hampton the John Smoltz rehab and put him to close since Bobby said his stuff was filthy anyway. Plus he has experience that a Moylan and Acosta would lack
lol just a thought since he isn’t ever healthy enough to pitch more than a few innings
we need em to do something
By A Tribe Called Questtec
April 11, 2008 12:13 PM | Link to this
You all need some Electric Relaxation
http://youtube.com/watch?v=QdZx65JDNMI
By Delta Airlines Gate Attendant
April 11, 2008 12:24 PM | Link to this
We’re sorry, Mr. O’Brien, but you have been bumped from your First Class upgrade. Mr. Bradley is a much more important customer. Will you please take your seat in coach.
Now now, Mr. O’Brien, crying will not get you a seat in First Class. Now, please go back there and take your seat between those two nice (fat) ladies in row 45 please.
We know you have choices, and we thank you for flying Delta today, Mr. O’Brien! Have a nice flight!
(20 minutes later) Mr. O’Brien, would you please put your laptop away. Blogging is not allowed on Delta flights!
By the Stranger
April 11, 2008 12:32 PM | Link to this
DOB, I was just kidding about the video, of course. One of the greatest finals I’ve ever watched, and I hope that Chalmers’ big shot means we never again have to hear about Laettner’s miracle shot(sorry, CR). Jayhwaks got me 1st place out of 26 in my tourney challenge bracket and was worth a few bills. But I was in Vegas for the regionals and left a KU to win-it-all (5/2 odds) ticket for the housecleaning lady at the Palms (damn you, free liquor!). A nice $800 tip and a little karma for your boys.
Congrats, again, DOB!
By Wayne in Utah
April 11, 2008 12:33 PM | Link to this
nolie: well said.
Bobby is not the best tactician (is that a real word?), but great at getting the most out of his players. For that very reason, he will stick with a player sometimes too long, but more often than not for just the right amount of time.
We all hated that AJ got so much leeway last year, but that is what Bobby is all about.
Again, he is not going to get all the calls right. Also, it is very easy to second guess a managers moves from the comfort of a keyboard.
By Kentavo
April 11, 2008 12:37 PM | Link to this
Wheareas I wish the Bravos weren’t playing like crap, I’d rather them get off to a slow start and have the injuries now, rather than later. You don’t want to get buried, but a three game winning streak and they’re at .500, so it’s not that bad. Could be Detroit. Anyhow, I am concerned about the flipping bullpen. The hitting will take care of itself. There’s no way that Tex is going to have an Andruw-like contract year. Speaking of Andruw, boy is he tanking. Sounds like Glavine, Chipper et all are getting a bit peeved with losing the one-run games, so perhaps that’ll fire this usually docile team up. They were certainly jacked up when Kelly smacked that slam against the Muts.
By Opening Day Genesis
April 11, 2008 12:51 PM | Link to this
In the big inning, God created Heaven on Earth. And it was without form, and void. God separated the dirt from the grass. He called the grass Outfield and the dirt He called Infield. God made the Infield a 90-foot square and the Outfield not less than 400 feet to center and 320 feet down the lines. He declared this Fair Territory. All other territory, God then declared, was Foul.
And God divided the players into two teams of nine players each, under direction of a manager, to play The Game on His field. God called some of these players Pitchers and some of them Hitters. He placed a Pitcher precisely 60 feet 6 inches from a Hitter. Then God commanded that it’s one, two, three strikes you’re out at the ol’ Ballgame.
And God granted jurisdiction of The Game to lesser Gods, whom He called Umpires. God said the Umpires are infallible, blessed with Heavenly authority, whose judgment is not to be questioned under penalty of expulsion from The Game. And God looked at his creation and He was pleased. Then God created the Infield Fly Rule to confuse nonbelievers.
And God said, Let there be light beer, and there was. And, God said, let there be peanuts and hot dogs and overpriced souvenirs and let there be frosty chocolate malts with little wooden spoons that you can buy nowhere else except at this Heaven, which God called a Ballpark, and there was. God looked at His creation and it was good.
And the Lord God formed, from the dust, a collection of elite players in His own image. The Lord God then breathed the breath of life into His creation. God called this creation the National League.
And God said, It is not good for the National League to be alone. The Lord God shall make it a mate. And thus, while the National League slept, God took several of its top players and created the American League.
And God blessed The Game, saying, Be fruitful and multiply. Put teams in every city with deserving fans, God added, even if this occurs at the expense of starting-pitching depth.
From time to time, God understood, The Game would be corrupted by the Serpent. The Serpent was more cunning than any other beast and he would take many wicked forms: the Black Sox, segregation, the Designated Hitter, the Reserve Clause, dead balls, juiced balls, spit balls, corked bats, George Steinbrenner, AstroTurf, the 1981 strike, collusion, lockouts, Pete Rose, the 1994 strike, greenies, cocaine, HGH, Andro, steroids, $20 parking, corporate mallparks, Scott Boras, Donald Fehr, and Bud Selig.
But, God said, the goodness in The Game shall always prevail. As needed, the Lord shall bestow upon The Game a Savior. And the Savior, like the Serpent, can take many forms. The Savior shall remind Fans how blessed The Game truly is. The Savior shall be called by many names, including Cy, Matty, Honus, Big Train, the Babe, Wrigley Field, Fenway Park, Lou Gehrig, Branch Rickey, Jackie Robinson, Buck O’Neil, Hank Greenberg, Red Barber, Harry Carey, Vin Scully, Jack Buck, Satchel Paige, Bill Veeck, Roberto Clemente, Ernie Banks, Hammerin’ Hank, Cool Papa, Dizzy, Lefty, Whitey, Stan the Man, Big Klu, the Say Hey Kid, Campy, Duke, the Mick, the Splendid Splinter, the Gas House Gang, the Big Red Machine, the Damn Yankees, Pudge Fisk, Pudge Rodriguez, Yaz, Pops, the Wizard of Oz, Fernando, George Brett, Moonlight Graham, Roy Hobbs, Wild Thing Vaughn, Bingo Long, the Ryan Express, Donnie Baseball, Rickey, Eck, the Big Unit, the Cactus League, Cal Ripken, Tony Gwynn, Camden Yards, Rotisserie Drafts, Web Gems, Derek Jeter, Dontrelle Willis, Vlad Guerrero, and, from the Far East, Ichiro. And, God guaranteed, there are many more to come.
God looked upon His creation and He was very pleased. And God spoke, yelling, PLAY BALL!
By johnny 99
April 11, 2008 12:57 PM | Link to this
Also from Stark’s latest article:
*”Senior citizen of the week: As John Smoltz closes in on the 3,000-Strikeout Club (a club with only about half as many members as the 3,000-Hit Club, by the way), one scout who attended the Smoltz-Santana duel last Sunday had this glowing review:
“If John Smoltz had shoulder problems, he sure didn’t pitch like it. His stuff was better, across the board, than Santana’s. He’s just got so many ways to get you out, and such great movement on all his pitches, it’s testimony to all the benefits of having a fluid delivery. If you’re a kid 11 or 12 years old and you want to learn how to pitch, look at John Smoltz. That’s why he’s still throwing 96 miles an hour and he’s 40 years old.”*
By BayAreaSteve
April 11, 2008 12:58 PM | Link to this
Moby Grape:
Dan Levitt on sacrifice bunting
If that works, I’ll be shocked.
I’d like to hear your thoughts on the subject, as well.
By BayAreaSteve
April 11, 2008 1:07 PM | Link to this
I am shocked.
By BayAreaSteve
April 11, 2008 1:10 PM | Link to this
A post like Genesis’ is the only time religion should be allowed on the blog.
Well done, sir.
Real name, please.
By Kentavo
April 11, 2008 1:10 PM | Link to this
Hey blog denizens, check out quotes of our blogmeister DOB in my alt-weekly paper’s story about PEDs/The Mitchell Report and the effects on minor league and college ball.
(Thanks for your time, by the way, DOB)
www.weeklysurge.com
By ncscoots
April 11, 2008 1:13 PM | Link to this
I’d agree with AGTFan’s assertion that second-guessing is indeed second nature to baseball fans. It’s the evil twin to the gene that makes one a baseball fan in the first place.
And, within my memory, this forum has always had its share of it…some well-reasoned, some not so much. But there, nonetheless. It’s not a new phenomenon here.
But seldom, if ever, was that second-guessing accompanied by the vitriol we see washing over the blog these days. And the malice seems to make a footnote of the analysis. When there is actually some analysis in the post, that is, rather than someone’s tunnel-vision apoplexy about Bobby, or Frenchy, or the bullpen, or whatever bee buzzes in what passes for their bonnet.
By nolie
April 11, 2008 1:17 PM | Link to this
OpeningDayGenesis
Awesome !!
By BravesFanInRockies
April 11, 2008 1:18 PM | Link to this
Duke,
Yeah, DOB’s right. If you’re a righteous alum, you bleed your school colors (which are, in my case, Carolina blue).
(Sorry, CR. Nah. Not.) Go Heels!
By nolie
April 11, 2008 1:25 PM | Link to this
Bobby is not the best tactician (is that a real word?Wayne
probably not, but he couldn’t have had as much success as he had had if he were anywhere near the worst. Since they all make mistakes in tactics(like I said Torre was constantly ripped in NY and Baker has been made into a total nincompoop) how much real difference is there between him and who ever is best?Tony is considered by many as a great tactician, but he is a hard guy to get along with and annoys many players with his ego. Plus it is so hard to really judge anyway because by the nature of the game most moves by any manager are not gonna work anyway. I mean we’re talking about an endeavor where succeeding 30-some percent of the time makes you a star.
By Lew
April 11, 2008 1:37 PM | Link to this
Genesis-You mentioned Damn Yankees and forgot Ted Nugent? Oh!!The lack of Humanity.
By McFann
April 11, 2008 1:38 PM | Link to this
Dude! Our internet has been out all day. It’s finally working now.
I missed DOB’s interview with McCann (turned it on too late, unfortunately), so if anybody knows if there’s a way to hear a replay, please tell.
Thank you!
Again, he is not going to get all the calls right. Also, it is very easy to second guess a managers moves from the comfort of a keyboard. Wayne
You are SOOO right!
By AGTfan
April 11, 2008 1:44 PM | Link to this
ncscoots But seldom, if ever, was that second-guessing accompanied by the vitriol
Agreed. Hopefully, it’s just the early season slump and this will get better as the winning starts. Of course some these jugheads are so convinced of their own superior baseball minds that, they’ll just say that the Braves win in spite of Bobby Cox. It must be interesting to be one of the all-time winningest managers and to have had all those wins occur inspite of your best efforts to lose. And as idiotic as some of the Bobby bashers get here, it’s worse on Chop Chick’s blog. Maybe it’s those gorgeous eyes that attract all the mental midgets. (Apologies to little people.)
Opening Day Genesis Well done sir (or Ma’m). I’m going to your church next chance I get.
By BA
April 11, 2008 1:55 PM | Link to this
Nice to see some fellow REAL baseball fans on here today sticking up for Cox. He is one of the greats. As far as the Hampton closing thing (I’m sure it was a half joke anyway) Smoltz said that closing is every bit as taxing as starting, maybe more so. I remember him saying with all the warmups and appearances you sometimes throw more than a starter. On a side note, what if Soriano was converted to a starter? I know, it’s too extreme to consider this time of year. But eventually, the Braves have to consider if Tim Hudson and Jo Jo Reyes are the next generation of frontline Braves starters. And Jurrgens, I like him too. But I’d like to see a couple of hard throwing starters.
Guess it’s a hard day for the Cox haters, an off day presents no moves to compulsively second guess. I’m sure they’ll be back with bells on after the next loss.
By richbrave
April 11, 2008 2:36 PM | Link to this
Denizens at another Atlanta Braves blog have been kicking around the idea of who’s down on the farm that would be available in a crisis. Spiezio, Canizares, Anderson, Jones, Sammons have been doing well with the stick. Morton, Reyes, Rouwenhorst and Nunez solid to excellent pitching-wise, but its early for any of them. Of course, Campillo’s up. Showed well in his first and only outing. He’s up as insurance if the starters or pen get more worn-down. Can’t continue to count on snow days for rest you know. Too early for JoJo. He needs at least one more start. Looked good so far.
By BamaBravesFan
April 11, 2008 2:37 PM | Link to this
Wayne in Utah
Schaefer has already signed a contract with Nike. I’m sure that has something to do with him driving around in a Hummer.
By richbrave
April 11, 2008 2:40 PM | Link to this
BA:
Look at you. Bloggin’ and all growed up. Leavin’ the hatin’ behind and movin’ up. My man.
By Booby Cox
April 11, 2008 2:41 PM | Link to this
*My statue will show me slapping my ol’ lady side the head *
By Carroll Rogers
April 11, 2008 2:46 PM | Link to this
new blog should be up shortly…
By Efrim
April 11, 2008 2:47 PM | Link to this
This is a scary thought:
Steve (NH): Mark Teixiera & CC Sabathia… both Yankees in 2009? If so, at what price?
Jayson Stark: I’d bet one out of two. And if I had to pick one, I’d bet CC. Teixeira could wind up on the Mets. I don’t suppose you’ve noticed both New York teams will be looking for a first baseman, have you?
I would probably be the most upset I have ever been. If we lose Tex, I really hope that an AL team gets him. Angels, Mariners, Yanks….not the Red Sox, but you get my point. Anywhere but the Mets. Reyes, Wright, Beltran and Tex for the next 5-7 years. Wouldn’t be pretty.
By Jo
April 11, 2008 2:53 PM | Link to this
Opening Day Genesis: I wish I’d written that. It’s awesome: thank you!
By AGTfan
April 11, 2008 2:56 PM | Link to this
Hey richbrave, I said it on the other blog, but I’ll say it here too. Thanks for the updates on the R-Braves. Your posts over there are among the main reasons I read that blog.