AJC > Sports > Braves > Blog > Archives > 2008 > April > 11 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USTime for a turnaround
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Blogging it to you live from 30,000 feet today, high above Greensboro, then Richmond, and so on, or so the pilot tells me. Hard to see what’s down there through the clouds. ….
Actually I’m not exactly live. I started this on my flight up to DC but I will push the “send” button once I’m back on the ground in a hotel room. I’m not sure what would happen if I stuck my wireless card in the laptop and got on the Internet now, whether a Delta flight attendant would come and smack me up side my head for interfering with the plane’s navigation system, as they say.
Probably wouldn’t, but hey, I’m a wimp about breaking rules. I never liked being sent to the principal’s office. I never was, in fact.
Anyway, I’m sitting next to a guy who’s reading his Sports Illustrated baseball preview as he’s been intensely reading about the Kansas City Royals. Either this guy is a totally legit fan, or the Royals are on to something. Somebody call Dayton Moore! (Not to belittle their 6-3 start…They are, apparently, on to something.)
Too bad I pick up the Braves on this trip with a little less excitement going on, by comparison. But time for a turnaround. (Maybe I’ll actually be a boost to the luck of team this year. I’m 1-0. There, that’s my scientific study.) But hey, all reasons for concern aside — Soriano, Schafer, Hampton — how can you not like a Nats series with Tim Hudson, John Smoltz and Tom Glavine going, at sea level (basically), against a team all three have pitched well against? Oh and a team that has lost seven in a row.
So they’ll be going without Rafael Soriano. I’m beginning to think my brother was right to be a little worried about this bullpen. But we’ll see how the closer-by-committee situation works out.
Interesting to see how swiftly the Braves acted on Chuck James yesterday. Wild. Ineffective. Lasted only three innings. Send him to Richmond to figure it out. Last year he would have made eight more starts. See how this pitching depth stuff works? (Or I should say starting pitching depth.)
Anyway, I’m anxious to see what Nationals Park looks like and glad that I won’t be quite as frisked as DOB was when he came here for the opener a couple of weeks ago with the Prez and all.
After beating the Braves that night and winning the next two, the Nats have fallen back to earth - 0-7 since. Also hear attendance hasn’t been so good. Only half-full stadium since the sell-out for opening night. Wow. And these are the people who were filling up my inbox for years with why baseball needed to come back to the nation’s capital? And they’ve got this beautiful (I hear) new stadium and only half filled it up in Game 2! Hey I’m all for getting baseball back here. But geez, that’s lame.
That’s the kind of thing that should only happen after 14 years of winning divisions….hm. I know. It’s hard to throw stones from the ATL. And some of the excuses given by our friend Stan Kasten were sounding a little familiar.
He blamed the weather, and at one point the NCAA basketball title game. Hey, it’s not like Georgetown was playing Villanova or anything. At least he didn’t say it was because school was in session.
So, as I head to meet the team, and without a whole lot of access to the players for four days, let me turn to our baseball notes network to fill you guys with a few tidbits, before I get out to the stadium. (And land on the ground. So does this make me an official member of the mile-high blogging club? … Not quite the same, is it. Hmm.)…
Baltimore Orioles owner Peter Angelos is apparently playing a little nicer with the Nats these days. Apparently he’s not quite so threatened anymore. And actually he’s now in business with them through their local TV network. He actually said golly gee, it’ll be OK if Oriole fans go to see a few Nats games.
“There’s no law against visiting the other franchise,” Angelos told the Baltimore Sun. “One’s a National League city and one’s an American League city….We definitely want them to succeed. We’re partners in the MASN baseball network, and we have an excellent relationship with the Lerner family [the Nationals owners] and with [team president] Stan Kasten, who is an old friend of mine.”
And from Tracy Ringolsby with the Rocky Mountain News who writes that Rockies manager Clint Hurdle asked Bobby Cox to be an assistant coach on his NL staff for the All-Star game. Cox politely declined, but tells you something about what Hurdle thinks of Cox.
Here’s what Ringolsby’s wrote:
Atlanta manager Bobby Cox was tempted by an offer from to be on Clint Hurdle’s coaching staff for the All-Star Game, which will be the final played at Yankee Stadium. Cox played his two big-league seasons with the Yankees, managed in their minor league system and coached at the big-league level. Cox, however, declined, the invite. Cox, who turns 67 on May 21, has managed five NL All-Star teams, and the Braves conclude the pre-All-Star portion of the schedule with a West Coast trip, adding to travel demands in getting to New York
’’It was really intriguing because of Yankee Stadium and because of Clint, but I need the three days at home,’’ said Cox. ’’It’s a good time for a break.’’
And for those feeling a bit concerned about Mark Teixeira’s .167 batting average? Nick Cafardo from the Boston Globe writes that David Ortiz is batting .083. Bingo!
Hey, at least Matt Holliday isn’t here for the weekend. He finished that three-game sweep of the Braves, by the way, by going 6-for-13 (.462) with three runs, six RBIs, a double, a triple and a game-winning home run.
Back on land now, by the way. Funny what can happen in the course of a blog….And FYI, guy on the plane turned out to be an Orioles fan, grumbling about them, even after I pointed out their 6-3 start. See, starts do not necessarily maketh a team. And yes, this guy was a true fan. He actually told me he was going to miss seeing games at RFK.
With that, time to go to Nationals Park.
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Comments
By FEAR
April 11, 2008 2:50 PM | Link to this
jeez we need a sweep in DC. They’ve been struggling too.
By BA
April 11, 2008 2:54 PM | Link to this
First
By Renegator
April 11, 2008 2:54 PM | Link to this
1st?
By Efrim
April 11, 2008 3:00 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 BA
April 11, 2008 3:04 PM | Link to this
I’m so dissapointed. I will never play first again.
By Lee in S. GA
April 11, 2008 3:06 PM | Link to this
Unfortunately the Braves have underachieved so far and have placed themselves into a position to where they must win the series against the Nats and Marlins or they will find themselves in last place within the division and even further behind the leader Marlins. The Nats 0-7 since we last played them…give me a beak. We have to win tonight.
By TennesseePaul
April 11, 2008 3:14 PM | Link to this
Crap. 0-7!? That doesn’t bode well for the Bravos. We got our best pitchers going? They have no-names on the mound. They’ll baffle this offense. Closer by committee will be nice. At least when we play the extra innings for three straight days we really don’t have to worry about saving a guy for a particular inning.
If Teixeira shows up for these games then we’ll see some wins. I’d like to see this team get fired up and win some games. Maybe even a few 1-run games just to boost self esteem.
By AGTfan
April 11, 2008 3:15 PM | Link to this
Carroll I’m a wimp about breaking rules. I never liked being sent to the principal’s office. I never was, in fact.
That’s just sad. Everyone (except my daughter) should be sent to the principals office at least once in their lives. My daughter get’s an expemption because I took her share of visits. I probably took yours too, Carroll.
By Carolina Gent
April 11, 2008 3:27 PM | Link to this
Carroll, Glad to have you back on board for the weekend. If only the Braves relievers did their job as well as you do in relief of DOB!!
By Original Jon
April 11, 2008 3:28 PM | Link to this
Hey Carroll You wrote this “And for those feeling a bit concerned about Mark Teixeira’s .167 batting average? Nick Cafardo from the Boston Globe writes that David Ortiz is batting .083. Bingo!” David Ortiz just had knee surgery didnt he and still cannot put a lot of weight on it, whats Tex’ excuse?
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
April 11, 2008 3:33 PM | Link to this
The Braves are going up against a team that is struggling, time to take advantage of the situation.
Matt Chico, the left hander starting for the Nationals tonight is 2-2 with an ERA of 2.70 facing the Braves.
What I didn’t mention is, he also gave up 27 hits in 26.2 innings along with 9 unearned runs (17 total), 12 walks and 13 strike outs in his five starts last season against the Braves.
The Braves should have no problem lighting him up like a damn Christmas tree tonight.
By Workinlkeadawg
April 11, 2008 3:37 PM | Link to this
Don’t really need to read the article (no offense). Heck yeah Wally the Braves need to turn it around! The Braves are no threat to anyone nor are they a legit contender for the playoffs. Somebody convinced somebody the Braves were going to field the best team in years in ‘08. I admit the Braves made an excellant move by trading Rent to the Tigers. Great pitching prospects not to mention a 4th starter. They made great moves last yr. by obttaining Gonzales and Tex. What eludes the Braves yr after Yr is mid to long relief. Soriano and Gonzales will end up being top notch closers. As they have proved in the past decade a 2-3 inning set up pitcher continually eludes the Braves. No s*#% they are hard to find, but until someone (and this seems to be McDowell’s achille’s heel) shows some guts and leadership. The Braves will be lucky to finish 3rd. Bye Bobby it was fun. Speaking of resting on your laurels any other major league town and He’d already be long gone. Here’s to TP’s rapid grooming for the Brave’s “new way of looking at things” manager.
By Epinephrine
April 11, 2008 3:38 PM | Link to this
If the Mets make a serious run at Tex, I’d guess the odds of resigning him go up
By Renegator
April 11, 2008 3:40 PM | Link to this
Coach:
They should have had no problem lighting Redman up like a Christmas tree either…
Just saying
By Cecil34
April 11, 2008 3:46 PM | Link to this
I remember the days when spring training meant something to managers and coaches, for it gave them the opportunity to teach, improve and evaluate players on the team. It was also meaningful for the players as it helped their standing as far as contracts and playing time was concerned. As pro sports have morphed from competition into entertainment, the seriousness of the mission (championship) has been diminished over the years. The “show” surrounding the show has become the more important event. And this transition can be seen in all it’s ugliness by the cavalier way in which spring training is approached in today’s baseball. The Braves’ woes in April, seemingly a yearly tradition, can be placed equally on the manager and the veteran players, who set poor examples in Florida. Now, the veterans can’t wait to get down to spring training to enjoy warm weather, golf, fishing, girls and alcohol. Because they are vets and “know” their bodies, skills and team pecking order, etc. they view the games and practices as distractions to their mission, which is to have a ball in the warm Florida sunshine. They don’t take it all that seriously but know how to pay the proper “lip service” to it for the media and fans. Couple that philosophy with a lackadaisical manager who avoids confrontation with his players at all costs right or wrong, and you get a poorly performing team that uses the month of April as their “spring training”. If all the Braves fans think about it this way, it starts to become very obvious. And it becomes very obvious that this team is not taking care of business in the 40+ days they spend in the Florida sun supposedly getting ready for the season. Now the only players putting out for spring training are those on the bubble fighting for jobs and pro careers. Management is not properly evaluating the team for possible improvements, therefore their judgment and commitment is in question as well. Ultimately, the end result of spring training is not a team ready for the rigors of 162 games; it is the dress rehearsal for the real “spring training” that occurs in April at the expense of the division standings. Games given away this month would sure come in handy in September…
By Efrim
April 11, 2008 3:48 PM | Link to this
Epinephrine
Why is that? Because they are our divisional rival? If they are willing to drop 23 million a year on the guy…go ahead and have him. It would suck to lose the guy to a dvisional rival, but the Braves can’t get into a bidding war with any of the three teams from the Northeast. Wouldn’t be smart of us.
By N8
April 11, 2008 3:52 PM | Link to this
Here’s a question for everybody out there.
WHY hasn’t Bobby thought about making Chuck the “long-man” when he comes back?
Just looking over last year’s numbers for Chuck, even with the “injury” he had most of the year he is MUCH MORE effective the first time through the order, than he is the rest of the game. When he “lost” it in games, it happened FAST and all of the sudden as he was cruising along. Check out the numbers.
In 30 starts, 18 times he didn’t allow a run in the first 2 innings. Only 8 times allowing a run in the first inning. If you ONLY take the first 3 innings of each start, he allowed 29 runs in those 90 innings (2.90 ERA). And only 4 times in those 30 starts did he allow 4 runs or more in the first 3 innings.
This guy has long man/spot starter written ALL OVER HIM.
I mentioned it MANY times last year that it appeared he did better the first time through the order, and now having looked at the numbers, I was right.
Hell, look at his one start this year at Colorado. He pitched 2 scoreless innings and then fell apart in the 3rd inning.
It’s his lack of a 3rd pitch, that allows him to be predictable the 3rd time through the order, and sometimes the 2nd, depending on his command.
Thoughts?
By McFann
April 11, 2008 3:56 PM | Link to this
The Nats 0-7 since we last played them Lee in S. GA
The Nats are in a seven game losing streak, that’s for sure. (Started on April 3 against the Phillies.) If the Braves weren’t so hard up for wins, it would almost make me sad to sweep them. But I’m a Braves fan, not a Nats fan, and WE NEED THE WINS!!
By N8
April 11, 2008 3:57 PM | Link to this
Forgot to add this to the last post about Chuck.
With his 2.90 ERA in the “first” 3 innings of each start (90 innings), he was MUCH better than Oscar was last year (4.24 ERA in 76.1 innings and even in 2006, when he had a 3.61 ERA in 93.1 innings).
Now, of course I realize that it takes a special breed to be a “rubber armed” guy that gets used for multiple innings a couple times a week. Especially for a guy like Chuck coming off of Shoulder issues.
But when healthy, I think that’s the best role for him (might be later this year - or next year). That is, unless he learns a 3rd pitch while in Richmond, then he would be more consistent, not only in results, but in going deeper than 5 innings.
By McFann
April 11, 2008 4:01 PM | Link to this
Workinlkeadawg—
Gotta disagree with that one, dude.
(And one of my pet peeves is the little “yr” thing. Yulgth!! LOL)
By D'Andre Williams
April 11, 2008 4:01 PM | Link to this
www.blabberinbraves.com
The Braves really have to sweep the Nationals this series. Mark Teixeira and the rest of the Braves bats have to wake up. The real key is going to be the bullpen. They have to start throwing strikes and attacking the hitters.
www.blabberinbraves.com
By A Tribe Called Questtec
April 11, 2008 4:04 PM | Link to this
You’ve always had a nice writing style Carroll. You’ve grown alot as a blogger over the last year or so. You seem much more comfortable. You seem to have found your blogging voice. This was a really nice piece. It’s cool to see the contrast between DOB’s machismo and your neurotic style. You guys make a good 1-2 team. Thanks for the blog and all of your hard work.
By McFann
April 11, 2008 4:04 PM | Link to this
Neight—
I agree! Chuck should swap places with Bennett! Bennett start for us, and Chuck as long relief!
Glad to read it from someone else. I thought about that a while ago. Maybe it’s worth a try. Huh, what have we got to lose, anyway?
By eric the elder
April 11, 2008 4:11 PM | Link to this
cecil34, very nice analysis in your 3:46. Smartly written, and a highly defensible theory.
One suggestion: Long posts with no breaks are awfully hard to read. They beg to be scanned, and your thoughtful work gets lost. Please keep posting your good stuff - - and maybe give us some paragraphs?
By keylargo
April 11, 2008 4:11 PM | Link to this
This is off the subject but if you are like me and have never seen the Masters in HD before you are in for a fantastic surprise. This is the best HD picture I have ever seen. Greenest grass, bluest sky, most colorful azaleas, and whitest dogwoods I have ever seen. Just magnificent.
By Terrific Twosome
April 11, 2008 4:12 PM | Link to this
This blog loses not one step with Carroll on the hill. It’s like Smoltz and Maddox, Spahn and Sain, Clemens and Pettite. Oh wait, scratch that last one.
By BUSHWACKER
April 11, 2008 4:13 PM | Link to this
Players glad they canceled the game” thats’ not a good sign.
If I’m on a losing streak I cannot wait til the next game.
NO GUTS, NO FIRE IN THE BELLY!!
Bobby has been the best mgr in baseball the last 15 years, but we are at that dreaded plateau.
He simple does not make the players the best they can be.
We need someone to light a fire, someone that HATES LOSING.
I know he is not elligible but that moron Bud Selig should realize it would be good for baseball.
We need Pete Rose to manage this team!
By BUSHWACKER
April 11, 2008 4:14 PM | Link to this
Players glad they canceled the game” thats’ not a good sign.
If I’m on a losing streak I cannot wait til the next game.
NO GUTS, NO FIRE IN THE BELLY!!
Bobby has been the best mgr in baseball the last 15 years, but we are at that dreaded plateau.
He simple does not make the players the best they can be.
We need someone to light a fire, someone that HATES LOSING.
I know he is not elligible but that moron Bud Selig should realize it would be good for baseball.
We need Pete Rose to manage this team!
By DAP
April 11, 2008 4:17 PM | Link to this
N8 i know the point im going to make is arguable, but maybe chuck to good to be a spot starter/long man? maybe hes good enough to warrant pitching every 5 days.
i think he is, when hes healthy, which, who knows, he may never be again…but i know not everyone feels that way about him. despite his obvious shortcomings, he has had good results in the majors as a starter.
By KC
April 11, 2008 4:19 PM | Link to this
Workinlkeadawg:
Where exactly is your head, and how’s the weather up there?
Yes, there are questions in the bullpen right now…
Is this a passing issue with Soriano’s elbow, or something more ominous?
How will Mike Gonzalez look when he returns (presumably) in early June?
Can Manny Acosta handle the pressure of being a go-to late 8th/9th inning guy?
There are questions in the pen, but that’s exactly what they are… questions. We don’t know the answer to them yet. Things might not roll the Braves way in the bullpen… but then again, they very well could.
It’s too early to say.
And if we do wind up having a serious need or two in the pen, what’s to say the Braves won’t get something done to plug the hole? They certainly have the talent pool to deal from right now.
Anyway, what we know for certain (or as certain as anything can be) is that we have as good a rotation as there is in the NL, and one of the best offenses in the league.
So to say the Braves will be lucky to finish ahead of the Nats and Marlins (which is what you’re saying by suggesting they will be “lucky to finish third”)… is beyond asinine.
But if you feel strongly that you’re correct about this team, and if you live in Atlanta… I would be more than happy to a wager.
The Braves have as good a rotation as there is the NL, and they have one of the best lineups in the league.
By fullcount
April 11, 2008 4:20 PM | Link to this
If they crawl home at .500 I’ll be happy. Problem is, with the bullpen in such chaotic disrepair, beating the Nats and the Marlins is not guaranteed. And I fear another Francoeur redux: he does nothing while the team heeds it, but piles up meaningless stats when the situation gets out of control. If these guys get 8 or 10 games out, the season will be gone.
By JC from UT
April 11, 2008 4:28 PM | Link to this
N8: agrree 100% about CJ being the long man. I would feel moe comfortable with Bennett s the 5th starter. I also would like to see Josh Anderson brought up or Blanco re-start the platton in left. I like Matt alot but feels as though he is better served as a 4th outfielder/pinch hitter.
By richbrave
April 11, 2008 4:29 PM | Link to this
AGTFan:
Not a problem man. GO BRAVES!!!!
By richbrave
April 11, 2008 4:33 PM | Link to this
Oh ye of little faith. The Braves will out. They’ve been slow out of the shoot many times in the past seventeen years. If they’re 10 out after a month, then start to sweat.
By Bravesfan79
April 11, 2008 4:34 PM | Link to this
Im still p** we lost to Mark Redmen!
By N8
April 11, 2008 4:38 PM | Link to this
DAP
I think Chuck CAN be a good starter in this league. But until he learns a 3rd pitch, he’s ALWAYS gonna be hit and miss the 3rd time through the order.
Just my opinion.
Though I agree with you on the health thing, and as I said before, pitching every other day, is probably NOT the place for a guy with a shoulder issue (or past shoulder issues - when he becomes healthy).
But I’m gonna go out on a limb here (later I’ll check his other seasons in Atlanta) and say that he’s ALWAYS had the issue later in the game, save a few gems he’s thrown.
Plus, he’s no spring chicken anymore. Not that he’s old. But he very well may have “capped” out on his ability.
I guess he’ll always be ok as a 5th guy, until he can go deeper into games.
L8r.
By FEAR
April 11, 2008 4:41 PM | Link to this
Neight—
I agree! Chuck should swap places with Bennett! Bennett start for us, and Chuck as long relief!
that is really a novel idea!
By Yars
April 11, 2008 4:42 PM | Link to this
I think worrying after only 10 games being played out of 162 is rather silly. That being said, it does prove that there are a lot of hard core Braves fans that frequent this here blog. now playing: 24 Ghosts III by nine inch nails.
By bert
April 11, 2008 4:45 PM | Link to this
The Braves need a turnaround, sure.
But are we really in panic mode? Come on people. This is not a 13-game college football schedule. This is baseball, with a 162-game regular season. One hundred and sixty two. We’ve played nine. Do the math. There’s pleny to play.
And, in case we forget, the Phillies were 2-7 after the first nine games of last year (the Braves are currently 3-6), they finished the month of April with an 11-14 record, and went on to win the NL East.
Do I want the Braves to win? Sure. But is it time to panic? Nope. Not close. Is it turn around now-or-never? Not at all.
It’s a long season, boys and girls. Sit back and relax.
By richbrave
April 11, 2008 4:48 PM | Link to this
A sweep in D.C. would be just the tonic this blog and these denizens need. GO BRAVES!!
By Braves lover
April 11, 2008 4:53 PM | Link to this
Tex is a threat behind Chipper so Chipper is going to have a monster year. No one is a preceived threat much less an actual threat behind Tex so pitches work around him. Tex may have his worst year ever because if this. Switch Chipper and Tex and one would still get the same results with Tex having a great year and Chipper seemingly struggling. JF is a huge disappointment. He seems to have learned nothing the past two years. Is someone in the dugout yelling “pull, Jeff, pull” every time he comes up? I thought he was suppose to have defensive back speed but he’s s-l-o-w. Maybe move Kotsay to 5th to protect Tex a little. JF still just doesn’t get it.
By richbrave
April 11, 2008 4:56 PM | Link to this
CARROLL ROGERS:
Enjoy. There’s some great spots to hang and magnificant food. There’s a place in Great Falls, but I can’t spell it properly. “La chez Francese” or something like that. And Georgetown. My favorite was TIO PEPE’S but its gone. Uncle Pete went home to Spain. Lots of other great places in Georgetown though. Havent’t hung there in twenty years. Enjoy - Bully, bully, bully, ah, ah, ah!!
By Wayne in Utah
April 11, 2008 4:59 PM | Link to this
N8 Chuck, when healthy the past two years, is a heck of a 4th or 5th starter. Not one you would want as your third (last year).
I also like the work Bennett is doing. Either way, it’s 6’s. Who starts and who is the long man, is irrelevant. That we have them both is the big point!
I am just pumped to get him back on the staff in a few weeks. He looked good and terrible to alternating hitters on Wednesday. I think he just needs to get a few innings under his belt.
AND, if Hampton (yeah, I know it’s a big IF) gets back to anywhere close to his 2005 form, we will be killer this year.
No way does Tex continue below the Mendoza line. Also Frenchy will eventually pick it up, even if he never satisfies uga-brave and BraveDave!
IKEA dawg Man, with your posts, you are vying for the “your and idiot” award of the day! You need to get off the computer, and go back to your job there at Burger Queen!
Carroll How have you been? I can feel a sweep coming on! Thanks for your work.
By BravesFanInRockies
April 11, 2008 5:00 PM | Link to this
Denizens have every right to be concerned because of the health of several pitchers.
Can Smoltz pitch 180-200 innings?
Will rest heal Soriano’s elbow?
Will be get a meaningful contribution from Chucky in some role?
Can a 22-year-old Jurrjens who pitched 140 innings last year carry the load of a #3 starter?
(And I’m not even mentioning Hampton.)
If we get good answers to all those questions, everything else will take care of itself.
Also, consider our key rivals. The Phightin Phils have closer issues (Lidge hasn’t been lights out). Da Muts are relying on Jorge Sosa as their bullpen workhorse. Aaron Heilman has been lit up his last three outings (2 runs apiece). Wagner’s fastball is down to the low 90s. Oh yeah and there’s Pedro.
If the health of the pitching staff is sound, we’ll be fine over time.
But a sweep of the Nats would be cool!
By richbrave
April 11, 2008 5:00 PM | Link to this
BRAVES LOVER:
Don’t you have to move McCann behind Tex for a few games just to get everybody going?
By pat
April 11, 2008 5:04 PM | Link to this
So Baseball modified its drug testing policy today….does this particular change (below) mean that Schafer will not be suspended?
• an automatic stay for an initial suspension will be expanded to players disciplined for conduct unrelated to a positive test.
By richbrave
April 11, 2008 5:13 PM | Link to this
pat:
Oh wow. Maybe we DO get to see SCHAFER this year after all.
By JC from UT
April 11, 2008 5:14 PM | Link to this
If the lineup were to change at all, I say let Blnaco leadoff and put KJ 5th.Blanco can add a little speed and possible stolen base threat and KJ isn’t trying to hit everything out of the park like BMc and Frenchy. I think KJ is more apt to drive in both chiiper and/or Tex and keep the inning moving even if he only draws a walk.
By Varoadrunner
April 11, 2008 5:22 PM | Link to this
The Braves have had time to thaw out from the frozen tundra of Colorado. Tonight they really begin their quest for the East title. Huddy, Smoltz and Glavine - I suddenly have reborn confidence in this team of IF’s. Time for the IF’s to become reality. If they lose even one game this weekend, I’ll get p** again, I just know it. Man I hate p**!
GO BRAVES please.
By GermanBravesFan
April 11, 2008 5:24 PM | Link to this
Geez… 9 games played out of 162 and people are panicking already! Even the Detroit Tigers are not panicking yet and they are 1-7!! Everybody calm down!!!
By mo in the boonies
April 11, 2008 5:29 PM | Link to this
BA Nice to see some fellow REAL baseball fans on here today sticking up for Cox.
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.
You think someone can’t be a real baseball fan, or a real Braves fan without sticking up for Cox after every game? On the contrary, real fans are not blinded by the “homer mentality” that can never see anything wrong with their team or manager. You guys get so upset about the Met’s fans thinking their team is so wonderful all the time, try turning the mirror around and looking at yourselves, and how naive you look always thinking that Cox walks on water, and the team is always going to win the WS, when every game you see all the ludicrous stuff he does.
And remember the team has only won one world series with him at the helm. And division championships don’t matter if you can’t at least make it to the WS, even if you don’t win. And the last few years he can’t even win a division let alone the NL playoffs. For the last couple years he is lost without Pat Corrales being his bench coach, and telling him every move to make.
I think this team has a lot of talent, and I am just as big a fan as you or anyone else on here is, and it makes me mad to see how he screws everything up. I had hopes that he would retire last season, but no…he keeps hanging on, and evidently since he hired himself, he must have put a clause in the contract that he could stay as long as he wants. Either that or the front office is just plain stupid. How many other teams would have hung onto a losing manager as long as the Braves have hung onto him?
And who’s fault is it that they didn’t make some changes in the coaching staff last year, after they saw how bad a job they were doing? Everyone on here could see it, how come Cox couldn’t? Because they were some of his buddies, and lord knows his buddies are untouchable. The only player I’ve ever criticized on this blog is Texeirra because it appears to me, he is either unprepared to play or just plain lazy. But if the manager does stupid stuff that causes the team to lose, then he is fair game. And if you or any other “homer” on here doesn’t like it… tough!
There is that enough of off-day b*** for you? If not I can do a lot more. And now all you homers can jump on me like you do Robert all the time.
By What's up ??
April 11, 2008 5:30 PM | Link to this
Carroll a little birdie (often wrong) tells me something may be up with DOB.It’s just a hunch but is he looking at other pastures ?
By Wayne in Utah
April 11, 2008 5:32 PM | Link to this
richbrave I think Schafer is covered under the minor league drug deal.
JC To do your lineup, you would take who out? Diaz or Kotsay. I don’t think you can take Kotsay out, with the way he is playing. I have always thought Diaz should be a part timer. I was willing to give him some extra AB’s, but I still think he thrives in the roll he played the last two years.
My thoughts for a lineup would be:
Escobar Kotsay Hoss Tex McCann/Frenchy Frenchy/McCann KJ Diaz/Blanco
I don’t see KJ being any better support for Tex than the Georgia boys, personally. Also, I don’t think a great hitter needs too much protection. Who protected him all those years down in Texas?
Bout time to get all “political” tonight!! Conservative on the mound, and liberal at the plate!
By AGTfan
April 11, 2008 5:36 PM | Link to this
A different question The suspension of Schafer and some of the conflicting reports I’ve read about it have me wondering. How much power does the investigating committee have and what level of evidence is required for a minor league player to be suspended? Is there any kind of due process for a minor league player? Is any of this actually documented somewhere?
OK. Those are my questions. You can now return to panicking over 9 games out of a 162 game season. Except for you rational posters who aren’t panicked, who probably will be the ones who can answer my questions.
By Andy K
April 11, 2008 5:45 PM | Link to this
Line-Up’s already posted on mlb.com…same as usual…kelly and esco…with kotsay hitting eighth
By King521
April 11, 2008 5:48 PM | Link to this
Carroll…
I nominate YOU to set fire under this team this weekend and bring us a sweep!
AND…if Bobby pitches to Zimmerman in the 9th and we lose again to a teams best player…YOU take over as skipper of the Braves at least until order is restored.
Thanks for your good work and enjoyable reads!
By LivininAL
April 11, 2008 5:49 PM | Link to this
This may sound off the wall but I think it will be real difficult to sweep a team that has lost 7 in a row
By Tigerman
April 11, 2008 5:50 PM | Link to this
First time blogger, long time lurker
Got to say that I am truly impressed with the baseball knowledge displayed by many of you. To some of the others, WOW, talk about left field.
I was at the first game against the Mets and my observation was that the Braves were hyped up about the series and they were having a great time. You could feel the energy in the park.
Next thing they know they have a long trip to play some games in 30 degree weather. From my own experiences that will “freeze” up your p1$$ and vinegar and take the wind out of your sails.
I am not trying to make excuses for the guys. They surely need to turn it up a notch or two. However, I am not on this doom and gloom bandwagon either.
Let’s see how this week goes and then we can start firing shots or start start beating the war drum.
By Wayne in Utah
April 11, 2008 5:55 PM | Link to this
Mo Got to call you on a few points. If you read back, nobody is saying the BC is perfect, far from it. What we are saying is that he is a players manager, which has worked well for him over the years. It also seems to exacerbate some problems, like the one with AJ last year. He is such a players manager, he sticks with his players too long on occasion. Live by the sword, sometimes die by the sword.
How many other teams would have hung onto a losing manager as long as the Braves have hung onto him?
I ask you to go and check his record.
And remember the team has only won one world series with him at the helm. And division championships don’t matter if you can’t at least make it to the WS, even if you don’t win.
Bull$hit: Go ask a Pirates fan, or a Royals fan if winning doesn’t matter if you don’t go to the WS. The World Series is great, but it is 10 days out of the year. I would rather NEVER win the WS and have 15 out of 20 winning seasons, than win it once in 20 years, and have 15 years of losing records. I am a fan for 162 plus games per year, not for October only.
and it makes me mad to see how he screws everything up.
Many of us believe that he is not as good a tactical manager as someone like Tony LaRussa, but he certainly doesn’t screw everything up as you say. Again, it is damn easy to judge a guy from your keyboard. How many times have you heard guys mention what a great manager BC is? I have heard it many, many times on sports/baseball talk shows. You don’t hear them saying that about all managers, but anytime the Braves or BC comes up, they are lauding the praise on the man.
Hey, I am as big a homer as there is. Have been for 42 years, since they came to Atlanta. I also at time am frustrated at some of Bobby’s moves. BUT, I do realize that what we have had for the past 20 years is somebody who is special. Do I get frustrated with some of the Braves players or some of the managerial moves. You bet. Do I fuss and cry about it like a bunch of folks do on this blog. Heck no! I am positive, and I will always think the best of my team, and hope the worse for the other team. Lucky for me, the past 15+ years have given me more times to be happy, than frustrated.
And now all you homers can jump on me like you do Robert all the time.
Sorry to jump you Mo, but this time, you are all wet. Robert who is rarely reasonable, is a pain in the a$$ normally (he has had his good moments, I will admit, though they are few and far between). Normally, your posts are enjoyable, but I gotta take issue with you today.
I will be out for a while, but I look forward to your reply.
Go Braves!!!
By JC from UT
April 11, 2008 5:58 PM | Link to this
WAYNE: I would take Diaz out of the lineup. To me Diaz is the bat off the bench that we areooking for. He (Diaz) is a good pinch hitter and I think he is a little exposed as afull time player. As far as the 5 hole I like Mac but I like KJ there more than Frenchy. To lead off I would want Anderson up from AAA. In a perfect world I would send Gotay down to make room for Anderson, but in the world of no options I would have to send Corky out.
By Varoadrunner
April 11, 2008 5:59 PM | Link to this
In reference to the blog stating that even the Tigers aren’t panicking yada yada yada… the point being, the Tigers aren’t a team of if’s - they are a team with proven players at every position. They don’t have a rookie shortstop (Yunel’s great but can he overcome rookie mistakes and it seems that pitchers are figuring him out. Is he good enough to adjust to the pitches?) They have a third baseman that stays healthy (nothing against Chipper - he’s great but becoming injury prone.
As for pitching - I love our staff, but would anyone be surprised if our starting four (including Hampton) went down? Of course not, maybe with the exception of Hudson, he has some youth left, but Hampton’s already on the DL for a strained boob.
Matt Diaz seems to be a constant but he is another IF - hasn’t played a full MLB season against righties and lefties - I think he’s up to it. Kotsay has been close to perfect based on my initial expectations. Frenchy needs to cut back on the testosterone - Go back to trying to JUST GET A HIT. The swing for the fences ain’t doin it.
KJ, McCann, and Tex will be fine….maybe - all IF’s.
So back to the point, Detriot has seasoned players that will rebound - Can they win a title? Time will tell. We, as Braves fans, want to see our team play with the ability they have on PAPER. IF they do, we have absolutely nothing to worry about. IF not, it’ll be a long, depressing season.
Love to all
By Wayne in Utah
April 11, 2008 6:05 PM | Link to this
If we don’t sweep the Nats and the Fish, lets just trade Chipper, Tex, Hudson and Smoltz; and blow up the team and start all over again!!!
:-)
By mo in the boonies
April 11, 2008 6:08 PM | Link to this
Wayne I will reply to you tomorrow. Have to leave the house soon for the evening. Can’t see the ballgame anyway. But sure hope they win.
By jbutler
April 11, 2008 6:10 PM | Link to this
N8 Great point about CJ. That may be his niche…have to hope some innings will work the rust off. At least the team feels confident enough they have enough rotation to send him down while he gets some AAA work. Last year…he’d still be working it out in the big leagues… Wayne in UT How’d the trip to CO go? Hope you’re on the mend. Still lousy weather here…selfishly glad they have to come back for one more game so I can take a few of my kids to it. Carol Glad to have another female voice hitting the ‘ol blog. You seem like someone that would be fun to grab a cup of jo with. Enjoy the capital/new park
By Wayne in Utah
April 11, 2008 6:16 PM | Link to this
roadrunner Have you looked at the Tigers relief pitching? If’s: Can Sheffield stay healthy? Can Renteria go back to the AL and play at his last years level? Can the Willis become the pitcher again that he was 3 years ago? Does the pitching staff beyond Verlander pitch consistently all year?
Man, all teams have question marks, even the Bosox and the Indians.
By richbrave
April 11, 2008 6:24 PM | Link to this
AGTFan:
Drug policy not my area of expertise, but it must be available to be read on the web somewhere. How stupid would it be to NOT post the policy so much in question in baseball today? Unless the UNION doesn’t want it know for several particular reasons.!! Got a soiree tonight otherwise I’d look it up. Gonna’ miss the Braves at Washington. Maybe if I fain illness…….
By jbutler
April 11, 2008 6:24 PM | Link to this
Heard an interview w/Buster Olney on ESPN radio today - basically saying that he didn’t think the Dodgers were going to do anything this year. That AJ looked out of shape, unmotivated and that Torre would have him on the bench in a matter of time. He said the team w/the “buzz” was the Indians. I think everyone has a bunch of question marks…I guess that’s why they actually play the season!! :)
By David-ATL14
April 11, 2008 6:26 PM | Link to this
cecil34, How do you explain the Braves 24-12 start in 07?.
Kind of shoots your theory in the foot.
Braves have had plenty of slow starts, and plenty of fast starts over the years.
The biggest problem are the blog denizens who equate football and it’s season as being comparable to MLB.
It’s not even close. A completely different animal.
If you think the Braves don’t work in ST or need “fire in the belly”, just excuse yourself from the blog and find yourself a blog pertaining to High School football where “local Johnny” can want it bad enough and work hard enough to make his dreams and yours come true.
By Chop Chop
April 11, 2008 6:35 PM | Link to this
jbutler,
It’s only my esteemed opinion, but I think they play the season because we need stats for our fantasy baseball leagues and video games.
By McFann
April 11, 2008 6:38 PM | Link to this
.333: Great for batting average, bad for W/L percentage.
By McFann
April 11, 2008 6:42 PM | Link to this
If we don’t sweep the Nats and the Fish, lets just trade Chipper, Tex, Hudson and Smoltz; and blow up the team and start all over again!!! Wayne
Better trade McCann, too. Wouldn’t wanna blow him up.
8 )
By northBeach Scott
April 11, 2008 6:44 PM | Link to this
Wayne in Utah Well said in your 5:55 regarding Bobby Cox. Cox’s strength is his eye for talent and his ability to create an environment that enables players to get the most out of what they have and to be happy about it. He is an average in-game or tactical manager, thus he frustrates many of us junior managers, especially when we Monday-morning quarterback situations.
With Cox sometimes you have to take the bad with the good. I personally hate how he handles relief pitchers, but some of that is driven by the poor performance (read < quality starts)of his starting pitchers.
Let’s kick the sorry butts of the Nats, tonight and for the series.
By Epinephrine
April 11, 2008 6:49 PM | Link to this
Varoadrunner,
KJ is hitting .280 and Mac is hitting .333. What do you mean they will be fine…maybe? They are fine now.
And the Tigers? No Ifs? Thanks for making it clear that you are not really familiar with their team at all.
By McFann
April 11, 2008 6:59 PM | Link to this
Wayne—
GREAT post at 5:55!! I am so sick of people saying, “Oh, he stinks! He only won one World Series!” Who cares? Winning Division Titles for 14 straight years is something even the Yankees cann only dream about, and any team who hasn’t sniffed the playoffs in years would take one of Bobby’s 14 years any day of the week and twice on Sunday!
Here’s hoping for 1991 all over again!! GO BRAVES!!! GO BOBBY!!!
By jbutler
April 11, 2008 7:00 PM | Link to this
Chop Chop Got me on that one :)
By Matt
April 11, 2008 7:03 PM | Link to this
Is SportSouth having tech difficulties or is it just me?
By DonCoburleone
April 11, 2008 7:08 PM | Link to this
In reading recent things about the Braves bullpen, I’ve noticed that now with Soriano down, Chris Resop will be forced into a much larger role… All I can say to that is, NOOOOOOOOO!!!!
The guy is gasoline and the mound is a match. Actually, he’s more like rocket-fuel and the mound is a bonfire. I really think this team needs to just try and hover around .500 until June-ish when Gonzo comes back and Soriano is (hopefully) fully recovered from his elbow surgery. Cuz lets face it, this team is too inconsistent offensively to sustain a 7 or 8 game winning streak (which is what you have to do if you want to get well above .500)!
By weston
April 11, 2008 7:09 PM | Link to this
can someone post another link to the radio broadcast? The one I have always has Clemson baseball on Weds, Fri, and Sat. Thanks
By 22oz
April 11, 2008 7:13 PM | Link to this
Its just you, my SS is fine. Yay, blue jerseys!
By Wayne in Utah
April 11, 2008 7:14 PM | Link to this
jbutler
Now, how do you know I am not a female too!! Oh, maybe the name is a giveaway. :-)
Had a nice time at the game on Tuesday night. Had a sweatshirt, heavy coat and gloves (that I didn’t have to wear). Game was a bit of a bummer, but anyday at the yard is a good day!
I would love to come back on the 16th, but I really only get out to Denver 2-3 times a year. My regional office is there, but I don’t cover Colorado.
I have been taking some really good drugs, and am feeling much better these days. Nancy Reagan had it all wrong on the drugs thing.
I am gonna miss about half the game tonight. Got family obligations. But I will check in later on, to help close out and fend off the “Negative Nillies”.
Go Huddy! Get right wing on them Nationals tonight! Tex, it’s time to show your liberal side at the plate tonight against those danged politicals!
By SandyB
April 11, 2008 7:15 PM | Link to this
Wayne, I agree with your comments. I may have to turn the channel for a batter or two, or scream at the tv, but I’d rather be a Braves fan than support any other team out there….
You can make it to the WS and still lose (as we well know)….so is your whole season a waste because only one team can win? I’d rather have a great season as a whole (yes, of course, I’d like to have more WS wins, if I had the choice).
I just turned over to the pregame show, and the screen is black. Anyone else having that problem?
By DonCoburleone
April 11, 2008 7:17 PM | Link to this
Another thought: If I had known that it was either going to be Chris Resop or Tyler Yates in the bullpen for the Braves, I much rather would have had Yates…
By brent a.
April 11, 2008 7:18 PM | Link to this
Here’s a peculiar stat:
While the Braves have only 3 wins so far this season; the bullpen has a combined total of 12 “holds”.
Peter Moylan himself has 4 holds, one more than the team’s entire win total.
This begs the question: How important are holds?
By SandyB
April 11, 2008 7:23 PM | Link to this
OK, deep breaths….it came on.
Lew, I haven’t seen any posts by you today, so I don’t know if you are out there, but I wanted to publically thank you for the GREAT Marcus Giles print you sent. It came today, and it is wonderful!!!!!
McFann, time for you to take some deep breaths…he interviews well!!
By DonCoburleone
April 11, 2008 7:26 PM | Link to this
Correction, didn’t mean elbow surgery, meant elbow problem…
By Wayne in Utah
April 11, 2008 7:27 PM | Link to this
DonCo You might be right about Resop. The dude looked good in ST though. Maybe he could learn from some of the others. As for the other bullpen arms, most have been OK, excepting for a lapse or two. Acosta needs some more consistency, and Boyer had that one bad game.
It sure wouldn’t surprise me though if the Braves didn’t make a deal for one more arm. Problem is, there are lots of teams out there that could use another bullpen arm. (Detroit comes to mind.)
A question for the blog: Who is out there that is attainable, and affordable for bullpen help?? It might be too early in the season for some teams to be giving up already, but for somebody like Oakland who is in rebuild mode, maybe.
Maybe the answer is in our guys on the mend or in Richmond.
By jbutler
April 11, 2008 7:28 PM | Link to this
Brent A…your question begs my question..(sorry for not knowing something I guess I should..but toss me a softie) what is a hold? Thanks for going easy on me!!
By Andy K
April 11, 2008 7:38 PM | Link to this
Nice…Wearing the blue jerseys!
By BillsNV
April 11, 2008 7:43 PM | Link to this
3 up, 3 down, 9 pitches. Lets go Huddy!
By geauxbraves2000
April 11, 2008 7:46 PM | Link to this
This team has got to be near or at the bottom of pitches seen per AB.
I’m just talking off the top of my head, I have no stats to back that up, it just seems that way.
Geaux Braves!!
By TBraveFan
April 11, 2008 7:46 PM | Link to this
Think of a Hold as a Save but not in the 9th inning….
By BillsNV
April 11, 2008 7:52 PM | Link to this
Very nice at bat McCann! Lets get some runs!
By Epinephrine
April 11, 2008 7:53 PM | Link to this
Nice piece of hitting there by Frenchy
By uga-brave
April 11, 2008 7:53 PM | Link to this
yea, matt diaz is an everyday player.
By McFann
April 11, 2008 7:57 PM | Link to this
Heh heh…McCann didn’t swing at anything after he threw his bat!
GREAT catch by Kotsay (again)!!!
By Epinephrine
April 11, 2008 7:58 PM | Link to this
Huddy is cruising but they are not hitting groundballs. Could be cause for concern.
By Shamus Thacker
April 11, 2008 8:08 PM | Link to this
Back in the old, 100-loss days, the Braves had every possible promotion in the book. They had everything from “get married at home plate night,” to “run for your lives from the miniature bats night.” Course nobody would show up, so the ticket-takers would give you 10 hats, umbrellas, fake dog poo, or whatever the promo of the day happened to be. It would be so quiet that Mama could hear me cussing-out each and every Brave on National TV.
You could get sloppy falling-down drunk in those days, and they WOULDN’T throw you out. They were just happy to have a fan, no matter the intoxication level or language. Nobody there then but a buncha old folks and drunks anyway. I wasn’t one of the old folks.
Aloha from Cedartown…
By Epinephrine
April 11, 2008 8:10 PM | Link to this
Ok, get through this inning and I’m predicting some runs.
Carroll wasn’t kidding about the attendance eh?
By McFann
April 11, 2008 8:10 PM | Link to this
SandyB—
Do you know where I cann find that interview???
By Shamus Thacker
April 11, 2008 8:12 PM | Link to this
Somebody used their noggin when they got Kotsay and let the Curacao Fat Boy go!
By Dutchie
April 11, 2008 8:12 PM | Link to this
They’re playing well. Luck will turn. Good defense and pitching so far. Nice play by Kotsay, good double play.
Batting is all decent. Lots of bat to ball. Good hit by Frenchy. Great linedrive, but straight at 3rd.
Be patient boys and girls, it will turn!
Go Braves!
By jbutler
April 11, 2008 8:15 PM | Link to this
Shamus Hilarious story. You actually described Coors Field here last year until beginning/mid Sept. We went to a game labor day weekend, had terrible seats, but they let us sit just to the left of home cause no one was there, and she said she would rather have my son (4 at the time) sit there than have it be empty.
By uga-brave
April 11, 2008 8:24 PM | Link to this
well steve carlton is in control tonight, has the braves guessing.
just bad luck running into this great string of starting pitching.
By Carroll Rogers
April 11, 2008 8:25 PM | Link to this
not a whole lot of buzz around the yard this afternoon, just guys happy for a change of scenery, i’m thinking.
hampton did play a little catch this afternoon and the pectoral muscle didn’t hurt him. so it’s a step. he’ll do that again sunday and if it goes OK, he wants to throw a side session tuesday.
and i asked about the blue jerseys tonight, which the braves are wearing for the first time since opening night. apparently it’s the choice of the home team and then if it makes sense for the braves (didn’t with the rockies where black) it’s up to the starting pitcher. so i’m thinking huddy must like the navy blues….
thankis jbutler! could probably use a little jo tonight in fact.
and yeah, i like the ballpark well enough. i like that i can walk to it from the hotel where i’m staying. the press box is up in the nosebleeds, like pittsburgh, so i’m feeling a little dettached from what’s going on down there on the field. but i think i can make out that tim hudson is throwing lights out….
By SandyB
April 11, 2008 8:33 PM | Link to this
McFann: it was during the pregame show…I don’t know if they will show it again at some point. It could be something that they’ve shown before…he was asked about his eye surgery. (BTW, just curious…what level are you in school? I teach high school Social Studies….)
By Choppinmama
April 11, 2008 8:34 PM | Link to this
“Happy Birthday to youuuuuuuu…. ….Mark Texiera, Jon Sciambi and Jason Varitek.”
Good pick on the blue jerseys tonight, Tim. Wow - he just issued his first walk of the season. That’s some good control.
By McFann
April 11, 2008 8:35 PM | Link to this
Happy birthday, Boog and Tex!!
By Choppinmama
April 11, 2008 8:38 PM | Link to this
Hey, Carroll, good to have you on board for this series! On the broadcast tonight, Joe and Jon said they could see Mt Rushmore from their radio booth. Are you up in the ionisphere in the press box too?
By Epinephrine
April 11, 2008 8:39 PM | Link to this
Matt Chico is pitching well, but the Braves have to wake up. You can’t just rely on hitting bad pitching all year. We need more quality ABs.
By Choppinmama
April 11, 2008 8:55 PM | Link to this
McFann and Carroll: great minds are thinking alike this p.m. Beat you by a minute with the birthday wishes, McF. Carroll, my dial-up takes sooooooo looooong to post, I hadn’t seen your reference to the nosebleed press box before I posted my question to you.
Yunel goes yard……alllright!!
By kool$kat
April 11, 2008 8:55 PM | Link to this
Yunel goes Yard! Here we go Bravos, here we go!
Wayne at 5:55 - we should all save this post so we can paste it back in here whenever the Cox haters start their crap.
By geauxbraves2000
April 11, 2008 8:55 PM | Link to this
There’s your run Huddy, hold em.
Geaux Braves!!
By Philliesuk
April 11, 2008 8:58 PM | Link to this
Nice work, Yunel.
Remember when a lot of peeps were saying that Diaz should get a shot to play every day? Maybe it’s just nerves; I don’t know. But I do know that every game that passes is another game where I wish Josh Anderson would get a shot in left.
The Braves need to learn how to manufacture a run, but I still love this team.
By Risingstar
April 11, 2008 9:00 PM | Link to this
Blanco should have an oportunity on the left field, in a platoon with diaz, Blanco was terrific during winter bb in the venezuelan league and can prove that he belong to the majors, he can add the needed speed on the line up, plus he is 100% better defender than diaz
so diaz can be the ph that braves need in the last innings until spiezio comes to the majors
By bgvt
April 11, 2008 9:06 PM | Link to this
Well…top of the 7th…a three pitch inning and the Braves even got a hit. I wonder if the Braves have late dinner reservations tonight? Or, maybe they are staying at the Mayflower Hotel and have other things to do?
By Carroll Rogers
April 11, 2008 9:08 PM | Link to this
man, it’s the seventh inning stretch already….anyway. just about to post some interesting stats from the braves notes
did you know atlanta ranks second in the majors with a .329 average with runners in scoring position (or did entering this series?) they’re 25-for-76 led by chipper jones at 4-for-8 and Diaz hitting 5-for-11….wouldn’t have guessed that. milwaukee is first at .364.
according to elias sports bureau, the braves have the worst record in the majors in one-run games over the last three seasons: 37-58 (.370)….chew on that.
By Kim
April 11, 2008 9:09 PM | Link to this
Carroll, maybe you know this - is there some clause in Frenchy’s contract that requires him to see no more than three pitches in an at bat??
He is unreal.
By Risingstar
April 11, 2008 9:10 PM | Link to this
When are the braves going to make at least two runs for timy?
where in the dogout is the note that says “only one run for Timy tonigth”?
By bgvt
April 11, 2008 9:10 PM | Link to this
I was starting to think it might be time to give Blanco a night in left. But since Chico is a lefty, Diaz got the start. Unlike last year when Diaz hit righties pretty well, he is hitting .150 against RH pitching so far this year. Admittedly, it is only 20 ABs. He’ll come around soon — though it would be good to get Blanco some ABs just to keep the rust off.
By Goodoleboy58
April 11, 2008 9:14 PM | Link to this
great game so far by Huddy… let’s get this bullpen to finish this game out
By McFann
April 11, 2008 9:16 PM | Link to this
HOW ‘BOUT THAT PLAY??!! Boy oh boy!! Lovin’ this, man!!
By Risingstar
April 11, 2008 9:16 PM | Link to this
Could this one be the first 1 run game win on the braves season?
who do you want for the 9th Moylan, Boyer or Ressop?
I’ll take Smoltz
By bfan54
April 11, 2008 9:16 PM | Link to this
Cecil34: I agree with you about spring training, to a large degree - although you make the point usuing ultimate conclusions about veteran players, based on anectdotal evidence, and ignore the fact that many players have off-season regimens. Setting that aside, I do agree that we are in the era of entertainment, and players quickly become set for life - production be damned!
Point not made in your post is that this is a universal, and so, should your premise be correct, one would expect that young teams without high maintainence (read: salaries) would prevail at the end of the 162. History does not support this, rather a hungry Yunel does well, as does a star Hudson. Can we make the argument that Andruw failed because he got fat and lazy - yes, BUT only if we conclude this on the scant evidence of his “bad” year.
It is a different game, I’ll grant you.
By 22oz
April 11, 2008 9:18 PM | Link to this
This offense is pitiful. 3 pitches in an inning? Is the team paying attention to the game, or are they not aware that Chico has 40 pitches in 7 innings (exaggeration)? There goes Diaz, swinging at the first pitch….and the second…and the third. Well at least he’s beaten the number of pitches Tex,McCann,and Francouer saw last inning.
By Matt
April 11, 2008 9:21 PM | Link to this
Huddy sure looks great tonight. Anyone else smell a shutout?
By Overlord
April 11, 2008 9:23 PM | Link to this
Hey McFann, what a throw by you adopted son, looks like he is doing some homework.
Glad to see that.
By TNRON
April 11, 2008 9:24 PM | Link to this
according to elias sports bureau, the braves have the worst record in the majors in one-run games over the last three seasons: 37-58 (.370)….chew on that.
according to Bobby that only proves we are a good team
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
April 11, 2008 9:25 PM | Link to this
Hudson is at 89 pitches through seven and coming out for the eighth.
I wonder if Cox will keep the 100 pitch limit in order and go to the bullpen in the ninth.
By 22oz
April 11, 2008 9:26 PM | Link to this
I look for Blanco to be in there on Sunday when the Braves finally face a righty. Bobby’s big on getting guys some time in the field, and Diaz needs a day off badly. Great job Kelly.
By ncscoots
April 11, 2008 9:27 PM | Link to this
Wow. All spring long, the clamor for Diaz every day was deafening. 20 AB later, and the same bloggers are ready to throw him under a bus.
But even I (and most here know my thoughts on Matt) can’t see dumping the guy after 20 AB. Good grief. He got the job most here wanted him to have, give him a fair chance to succeed (or fail) before pitching him to the curb. Mercy.
By McFann
April 11, 2008 9:27 PM | Link to this
SandyB—
Oh! I thought you were talking about the WSB thing! Dude, he was on the pre-game show? Wish I coulda seen that! Darn!! They needa put those up on the Braves’ site. (I’m in high school. Home schooled and lovin’ it!)
Choppinmama—
You’re right about great minds! I didn’t know it was Jason V’s B-Day, though.
By jed
April 11, 2008 9:27 PM | Link to this
at this point, i’ll take hudson for the 9th.
By bfan54
April 11, 2008 9:28 PM | Link to this
Carroll:
Thank you. As a baseball fan of some 55 years, I appreciate you. I wish I would have come to your defense a year ago when some rude and obnoxious types dissed you publicly.
Welcome to Bravoland, from one lucky enough to have seen Spahn, but not Sain,live.
What I want to read someday is someone who saw Warren pitch post-Boston, Milwaukee, NY in Mexico. The guy rocked, says this old dude!
By Lew
April 11, 2008 9:33 PM | Link to this
I wish everyone would quit the b!tch!ng. If the starting pitching remains as good as it has been (minus Chuck’s start, of course), I see us being in the race until the end. The hitting WILL pick up and the bullpen just needs to work less.
By jbutler
April 11, 2008 9:34 PM | Link to this
So…I had a short dinner w/the fam, came back to check the score…and…hmm??? Did someone hit the fast forward button? Where did the game go? Truly? Somewhere to go? Can I tag along??? :)
By bgvt
April 11, 2008 9:34 PM | Link to this
Estrada pinch hit but didn’t come in as a catcher so Manny Acta burned 3 bench players in the 8th in a one-run game. That could haunt him if they actually tie it up. I expect we’ll see Huddy in the 9th. Give him a shot at the CG shutout.
By Goodoleboy58
April 11, 2008 9:35 PM | Link to this
lets get em Tex it’s yo birthday lol
By Russ in Illinois
April 11, 2008 9:35 PM | Link to this
As far as one run records go, if you are going to pick random dates to start (last 3 years). Since the 1994 strike, the Braves are 15-13 in one run games in the playoffs. That is against the best opposition the league has to offer. I guess it takes a pretty good manager to do that.
By radoncbravesfan
April 11, 2008 9:37 PM | Link to this
Need some insurance here
By keylargo
April 11, 2008 9:38 PM | Link to this
Hudson is reminding me of Buzz Capra from 1974. Everything hard, down and in. Really difficult to hit with this stuff tonight. Sooooooo much movement just about means no solid contact. Please let him pitch the 9th.
By BravesAC
April 11, 2008 9:38 PM | Link to this
Nice bats, Braves. How about some pitch selection.
By 22oz
April 11, 2008 9:39 PM | Link to this
Walk to Tex, swing at the first pitch Frenchy! Great job! Play all 162!
By radoncbravesfan
April 11, 2008 9:40 PM | Link to this
terrible at bat again by frenchy
By bgvt
April 11, 2008 9:40 PM | Link to this
ncscoots —
I certainly wasn’t trying to throw Diaz under the bus. I’m with you that he’ll come around. My observation was more that one thing Bobby Cox is known for is getting his bench players some ABs — which hasn’t really been true this year (so far). Blanco being a youngster might benefit from getting a start every now and then (probably against a RH pitcher).
By Lew
April 11, 2008 9:41 PM | Link to this
Oswalt-4 IP, 8ER. Sabathia-3.1 IP, 9 ER.
And we think we have problems.
By Overlord
April 11, 2008 9:41 PM | Link to this
What an AB by Jeff, it shows how much he has matured.
By bfan54
April 11, 2008 9:41 PM | Link to this
Bushwhacker at 4:13. I had the very same reaction as you, about the Braves being pleased with the delay - and, alas, the implications of this. Actually, I belief “delay relief” happened twice, if I am not mistaken.
I also agree with you on Cox- great manager, but he’s lost a step or two, clearly, in my view. I won’t support this premise, because half the blog rightfully can scream about it. My view is more personal and intuitive - and, hence, subjective.
While I believe this team could use a manager to help with the “fire in the belly” problem - and, its there, face it- I part company with you on Pete Rose. Were it not for his “past”, I would agree. But…and you (I would think)would agree that baseball forgives almost all, but not betting on the sport, let alone your own team, and - IT (our beloved sport) rightfully reserves the Ninth Circle of Hell for one such as PR, who placed bets from the dugout.
This is a different era, the ethics of the nation have changed (sometimes for the better, sometimes not), and it not fashionable to speak in absolutes.
On Pete Rose, one has to take the walk along the high road and recognize both his accomplishments and, at the end of the day, re-affirm the long known standards that condemned his conduct long before he laced his cleats and stepped on that green grass on a day the gods smiled on us. (Love you, Pete, but you knew the rules!)
By 22oz
April 11, 2008 9:41 PM | Link to this
What did Chipper say in spring training? “Lose an Andruw, gain an Andruw.” Francoer looks terrible right now.
By Overlord
April 11, 2008 9:44 PM | Link to this
Looks like our younger boys need more experience at the plate……jeff and brian.
By radoncbravesfan
April 11, 2008 9:44 PM | Link to this
clutch hit by diaz
By bgvt
April 11, 2008 9:45 PM | Link to this
Given Carroll’s RISP stat for Diaz: maybe the problem is that he just needs the people in front of him to get on base!
By jed
April 11, 2008 9:45 PM | Link to this
hallelujah!
anybody know why’s chipper limping? (just turned on the game)
By Goodoleboy58
April 11, 2008 9:46 PM | Link to this
thank you Matty for shutting up the nay-sayers… let’s get some more runs
By Overlord
April 11, 2008 9:46 PM | Link to this
Yeah right, matt aint an everyday player…LOL
By 22oz
April 11, 2008 9:46 PM | Link to this
Chipper limping. Oh Crap. Well at least Matty bailed em out!
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
April 11, 2008 9:48 PM | Link to this
Diaz got it done in the top of the ninth 3-0 Atlanta.
O crap, I did not want to see that. Chipper grimacing as he pulled up running across home plate.
By keylargo
April 11, 2008 9:49 PM | Link to this
If a runner gets on, I do not want to see defensive indifference. I want to see a shutout.
By Original Jon
April 11, 2008 9:50 PM | Link to this
Was Chipper limping as he crossed the plate, then it looked like he hopped, like his foot or something was bothering him?
Please tell me I didnt see that.
By SandyB
April 11, 2008 9:52 PM | Link to this
where’s a long fly ball when you need it?? Thanks Matt for coming through!!
By Matt
April 11, 2008 9:53 PM | Link to this
Already the 7th game for Moylan. Seven out of ten games. At this rate he’s gonna be overworked by the All-Star break, as will the rest of the bullpen, same as last year. WHY was Hudson not allowed to finish this one out? It’s no wonder we only had one complete game all year last year. Cox is ridiculous.
By Overlord
April 11, 2008 9:54 PM | Link to this
Now thats a championship team…..Just seperb pitching………outstanding…..
I wonder what would the braves would do if moylan gets hurts…… that would be as bad as if chipper goes down.
By Lew
April 11, 2008 9:55 PM | Link to this
And No Wickman to blow the save for Hudson.
By geauxbraves2000
April 11, 2008 9:56 PM | Link to this
Great game Huddy, nice 9th Moylan, thanks Diaz and E!
Geaux Braves!!
By BravesFanChris23
April 11, 2008 9:57 PM | Link to this
A good game for Braves. Nice way to snap the losing streak. An 8 inning gem by Hudson and a nice save by Moylan. Offense seems to be getting on track slowly. Defense was much better.
I have to give it up to Chico, threw well as well.
By A-ville Ranger
April 11, 2008 9:58 PM | Link to this
Peter Moylan doesn’t have good stuff..he has GREAT stuff.That isn’t an overstatement I said it this time last season.There’s just a few guys in the game who command ++ pitches in/out up and down with late movement,he’s one of them.
By bfan54
April 11, 2008 10:00 PM | Link to this
Wayne in Utah (5:55)- I agree with you. I would only add that Bobby being a player’s manager is a handicap when you have a lot of new players on your team. Everybody knows he stayed with Reitsma, Redman, Wickman, Orr, Woodcrap, to name only the obvious -and - most of all - AJ far, far too long. He needs to shake things up.
Historically, I urge you to look at the history of Connie Mack. He had a lot of early success and late failure. Bobby - and he deserves Kudos for his managing career- has become chained to his ways. The chains need to be loosed, that’s all I am saying.
By ncscoots
April 11, 2008 10:00 PM | Link to this
I’m with you that [Diaz will] come around.
Uh, actually, I’ve long been on record that I don’t think he’s an everyday player. But, Braves have stuck him out there, so he deserves a fair shot at proving me wrong. 10 games ain’t that, and you would think his fervent believers would cut him a little more slack.
By DCbrave
April 11, 2008 10:02 PM | Link to this
April 11, 2008 9:50 PM | Link to this
Was Chipper limping as he crossed the plate, then it looked like he hopped, like his foot or something was bothering him? By Original Jon
I saw the same thing - troublesome.
By Greg in TN
April 11, 2008 10:05 PM | Link to this
Evening lads and lasses…
Looks like having Carroll around and not being in Denver both had positive results tonight. Huddy was dominant again, victimizing the Nats order over 8 innings giving up three hits, walking two and striking out five. Yunel’s homer in the sixth inning was nice to see along with the two runs in the ninth on Matt Diaz’s two-out single. Number 58 came in to collect vengeance for opening night to make sure that, at least for tonight, Moylan is truly Austrailian for save.
Now it’s time to hold our breath since Chipper was noticably limping around third and was obviously in pain in the dugout. It’s good to see him come out and play third during the Nat’s last stand, but with the team struggling scoring runs early, Chipper’s gait in the ninth is ominous indeed.
This denizen has to send a daily double in terms of birthday greetings out tonight even though McFann and Choppinmama both beat me too it (come to think of it, didn’t I see you mention a birthday that passed this week too McFann?). Happy birthday to Tex and Boog, and if my memory hasn’t completely lost me, happy birthday to McFann too.
By Billy (TBFnB)
April 11, 2008 10:08 PM | Link to this
Lew’s post April 11, 2008 9:41 PM
No kidding
By Billy (TBFnB)
April 11, 2008 10:11 PM | Link to this
For those of you knocking Francour, go check his 1st pitch stats for his career.
By uga-brave
April 11, 2008 10:16 PM | Link to this
scoots,
the problem playing diaz and francoeur and hitting them back to back is they are the SAME PLAYER.
they are not selective and they dont hit for power.
dont care that we have only played 10 games. their approach is not gonna change.
escobar probablly should be hitting in the five hole.
MAJOR LEAGUE RECORD SET OR TIED TONIGHT BY THE BRAVES.
three pitch inning that featured a leadoff single.
i wonder who hit second?
huddy was awesome tonight.
three pitch inning that featu
By richbrave
April 11, 2008 10:17 PM | Link to this
Well the losing streak is over. Was there any doubt?! GO BRAVES. Now let’s take the next step toward a SWEEP! No mercy. Keep the petal to the metal.
R-Braves 6-0 bottom of the seventh. Thorman multi-hit game. Pitching solid. The beast in the pen let lose for 1.2 of shutout relief. Raining hard in Allentown.
By BravesFanChris23
April 11, 2008 10:18 PM | Link to this
I was thinking when Infante gets back and possibly Spiezio called up, would the bench look like this….
Infante, Spiezio, Pena/Miller (whomever they keep), Gotay and Blanco/Anderson (whomever they use)
Would this be accurate? It looks like a solid bench to me if it would be accurate.
By DCbrave
April 11, 2008 10:18 PM | Link to this
Wonderful win but hard earned by PITCHING and D. The Nats always play the Braves tough, but our hitting … we are lucky to have won this one.
By A Tribe Called Questtec
April 11, 2008 10:18 PM | Link to this
3-0 shutout.
Didn’t Wickman blow saves in two different 3-0 Hudson shutouts last season?
Attaboy Peter Moylan!
Great job Huddy!
Deify Yunel!
Matty Diaz just hits and hits and hits and hits and hits and hits and hits and hits and hits and hits and hits and hits and hits and hits and hits and hits and hits!
By Epinephrine
April 11, 2008 10:19 PM | Link to this
I saw Chipper grimacing, but if it was anything serious, I don’t think he would have come back out in the bottom of the 9th.
But Carroll/DOB, you guys should ask about that.
Still, if its a nagging little thing, its fine for him to miss a few things. It is the pulled hammy or broken finger that worries me.
By Chop Chop
April 11, 2008 10:30 PM | Link to this
Hmm…
Francoeur’s career batting average on the first pitch is great (.351 coming into tonight’s game). Unfortunately, it opens Jeff up to pitchers (the smart ones, anyway) not giving him anything good to hit on that first pitch. You can make a great living hitting the average-to-bad pitchers in the bigs, but to truly be a dangerous hitter, you have to have the discipline to hit the better ones who actually think when they’re on the mound. That will be Jeff’s test in the years to come.
By Workinlkeadawg
April 11, 2008 10:31 PM | Link to this
KC= All I’m saying is the Braves at this point need starts like they got from Huddy tonight. Quality starts as defined by the ML aint gonna cut it w/o middle inning relief. I’m not going to bet you. 1) First of all I don’t bet. 2) You missed my point. A)Braves have to get middle inning strength outta the BP. B)Our Starting rotation can’t pull all the weight. So in essence it’s imparative for the Braves to have a knock out BP. Even 3rd puts us ahead of the Nats and Fish.
By richbrave
April 11, 2008 10:33 PM | Link to this
philliesuk:
Josh is hearin’ ya’ and doing everything he can to convince the management that he can do the job. Tonight leading off the top of the first, a single and run scored. 1-0 R-Braves. Didn’t hear most of the game. Last night not one but two spectacular catches in left and right center, one shallow, one deep, like 390 deep and in the gap. Plus the game saving play with an assist. He’s gettin’ close. I don’t know when Atlanta will pull the trigger on a call-up. but I’m bettin’ sooner rather than later.
By richbrave
April 11, 2008 10:38 PM | Link to this
Atribe called Q:
So you’re like saying MOYLAN is an upgrade over WICKMAN.? I thought drunk, fat and stupid is the way to go through life Dean Wermer.
By Pete H.
April 11, 2008 10:40 PM | Link to this
OK, my theory about not scoring one run before the other team does has taken a blow. But, it is a small sample, and it doesn’t take into account shutouts.
I still think the stats say, let them score a run first, then come back and kill them.
As a stathead, I have to go with the stats.
Note: This is a joke. A joke. Please, statheads, spare me the crap.
By Billy (TBFnB)
April 11, 2008 10:46 PM | Link to this
How is Josh going to get AB’s? He won’t get them consistant enough. I rather play him every day in richmond then warm the bench most nights in ATL.
By Jim
April 11, 2008 10:48 PM | Link to this
I think that Diaz needs to become the hitting coach…. he makes it look easy, especially tonight after watching Francoeur struggle and McCann flail away….
By Reid in EAV
April 11, 2008 10:55 PM | Link to this
Pertaining to the original blog and not the subsequent comments, but count this Braves fan as one hoping that the KC Royals play at least .500 ball this year and have an outside shot at a wild card. Because it’s a small market, they haven’t had the resources to be much beyond a AAAA team for a long time. And man, the fans there are great, knowledgeable and super-supportive and the ballpark is fantastic, a superb place to take in a game. They’ve deserved better since the glory days of the late ’80s (when their GM was one John Schuerholz). Here’s hoping they give those stalwart fans something to cheer for.
My Braves comment for tonight is simply this: if only we could take Yunel’s hitting mojo and rub it all over nearly everybody else.
By BravesFanChris23
April 11, 2008 11:01 PM | Link to this
Billy (TBFnB)
How is Josh going to get AB’s? He won’t get them consistant enough. I rather play him every day in richmond then warm the bench most nights in ATL.
That’s true, I was just doing some speculations when I mentioned the possible bench after April is over.
By DCbrave
April 11, 2008 11:27 PM | Link to this
So, we still don’t know what’s happened to Chipper for him to limp …
All NL east teams won tonight except the Nats.
By monty
April 11, 2008 11:32 PM | Link to this
I wrote in another blog earlier today that the Braves problem is they are mainly just a bunch of free swingers except for Chipper. Hardly anyone tries to work the count. During the game tonight Joe Simpson said that the Braves were somewhere toward the bottom of the pack as far as taking walks.(12th in the league) THen in the 7th or 8th inning the first three Baves hitters all swung at the 1st pitch and each made weak outs. A three pitch inning! Our lead-off hitter hasn’t even walked once this year! THE Bravea are 2nd in the Majors in Batting avg. at home and the worst in the majors on the road. Dr. Jekyl ahd Mr. Hyde!
By mitch
April 11, 2008 11:38 PM | Link to this
carroll:
do you know anything further about chipper tweaking something as he came home in the 9th?
By uga-brave
April 11, 2008 11:39 PM | Link to this
well in case you want to look into the past.
do ya do ya.
ED SPRAGUE just admitted to using PED’S.
on top of that he confesses to using a corked bat.
that game two homerun off reardon, sure changed that world series.
By Lee in S. GA
April 11, 2008 11:43 PM | Link to this
Reid in EAV
I too am pulling for the Royals to do good this season. In the A.L. Central they are my favorite team…..always have been It goes back to the days of Frank White, Cookie Royas (spelling ?) too lazy to look it up tonight, and Amos Otis.
By AGTfan
April 11, 2008 11:49 PM | Link to this
It was interesting to get on and read the posts after the Braves win tonight. Reading half the posts, you’d think that the Braves lost 3 to zip instead of the other way around. I guess some people aren’t happy if they don’t have something to complain about….
Hey, are all of you guys my ex-wife in disguise?
By uga-brave
April 11, 2008 11:50 PM | Link to this
rich brave,
my brother, i like all quotes from ANIMAL HOUSE.
how about this one ” ALL IS WELL”
something wrong when your leadoff hitter has no walks and no extra base hits as a starter.
on top of that the your left fielder has not walked and has one extra base hit in ten games.
on top of that your right fielder, thinks he has to be a hero every at bat.
francoeur is what he is AVERAGE.
bravesDAVE, showed his minor league stats and they are what they are.
By brian
April 11, 2008 11:57 PM | Link to this
at least we did not have to watch Andruw Jones kill another bases loaded situation last night.
By brian
April 11, 2008 11:58 PM | Link to this
at least we did not have to watch Andruw Jones kill another bases loaded situation tonight.
By uga-brave
April 12, 2008 12:04 AM | Link to this
we have only seen one so called all-star pitcher. granted we won that game.
chico, odalis, reddman, duke, what do they have in common other then the fact they pretty much stink.
they are all leftys that throw slop.
we continue to try to pull these guys.
we dont take pitches and we play into their hands.
By Chop Chop
April 12, 2008 12:09 AM | Link to this
Chipper was preparing to round third and started to think about his next U Kno Who post. The blog did it, folks. Let us all grab a rosary and say a few Our Fathers.
By Wayne in Utah
April 12, 2008 12:31 AM | Link to this
bfan Can’t have your cake and eat it too. BC is what he is. A players manager. He will stick with his players, cause he believes in them, and he knows that if he shows confidence in them, they are more likely to reach their potential.
Does it backfire sometimes? Yes.
Can a leopard change his spots? Nah.
Bobby is here as long as he wants to be. Heaven help us when he does leave. I, for one, and not impressed by Mr. Pendleton. Maybe I am wrong, but I just haven’t seen the leadership thing with him. Anybody can manage a team. Heck, even I could fill out the lineup card, make the pitching changes, etc. It takes a real leader to be a truly outstanding manager. Bobby is that.
Congrats to Matty Diaz! But I still think he is more of an asset as a part-time player. I hope I am wrong.
By Wayne in Utah
April 12, 2008 12:31 AM | Link to this
bfan Can’t have your cake and eat it too. BC is what he is. A players manager. He will stick with his players, cause he believes in them, and he knows that if he shows confidence in them, they are more likely to reach their potential.
Does it backfire sometimes? Yes.
Can a leopard change his spots? Nah.
Bobby is here as long as he wants to be. Heaven help us when he does leave. I, for one, and not impressed by Mr. Pendleton. Maybe I am wrong, but I just haven’t seen the leadership thing with him. Anybody can manage a team. Heck, even I could fill out the lineup card, make the pitching changes, etc. It takes a real leader to be a truly outstanding manager. Bobby is that.
Congrats to Matty Diaz! But I still think he is more of an asset as a part-time player. I hope I am wrong.
By Wayne in Utah
April 12, 2008 12:31 AM | Link to this
bfan Can’t have your cake and eat it too. BC is what he is. A players manager. He will stick with his players, cause he believes in them, and he knows that if he shows confidence in them, they are more likely to reach their potential.
Does it backfire sometimes? Yes.
Can a leopard change his spots? Nah.
Bobby is here as long as he wants to be. Heaven help us when he does leave. I, for one, and not impressed by Mr. Pendleton. Maybe I am wrong, but I just haven’t seen the leadership thing with him. Anybody can manage a team. Heck, even I could fill out the lineup card, make the pitching changes, etc. It takes a real leader to be a truly outstanding manager. Bobby is that.
Congrats to Matty Diaz! But I still think he is more of an asset as a part-time player. I hope I am wrong.
By BravesDave
April 12, 2008 12:31 AM | Link to this
Jeff Frenchy is regressing. Even Joe Simpson is now finding it impossible not to criticize his approach to hitting.
His at-bat with the bases loaded and no outs was a disgrace. In a 1-run game, you could tell that he had no thought in his mind about making certain to put the ball in play, preferably in the air. He was prepared to swing at anything and everything that was thrown.
The pitch in the movie “Major League” where Uecker says “juuuuusttt a bit outside”? Frenchy is hacking at that right now.
That 20 lbs. of muscle is meaningless when you can’t make contact.
Diaz, Frenchy, and KJ have now combined for 1 BB in 111 ABs.
By uga-brave
April 12, 2008 12:51 AM | Link to this
carroll,
with all due respect, i want your job.
you do not interject with us idiots.
we are lucky to have DOB.
see carroll i think you go through the motions.
you disrepect guys like JEFF DENBERG, PRENTIS ROGERS, STEVE HUMMER, MARK SCLaHBAUGH, among other guys that had passion for what they did.
you on the other hand script bland articles about the braves.
but you went to DUKE. all is forgiven.
did my time at FUQUA.
i guess this is not a insult, but it is a complement to DOB.
By uga-brave
April 12, 2008 12:56 AM | Link to this
BravesDave,
but dude he is as good or better than VLAD.
By uga-brave
April 12, 2008 1:18 AM | Link to this
BravesDave,
three pitch inning? the fact we got a leadoff single is numbing. guess who hit second.
sorry for all you guys that think jeff frenchy is the long term answer in right, you are wrong.
andruw, hit 36, 34,35, 36, 29, 51, 41,26.
i dont think frenchy will ever approach those numbers.
By BravesDave
April 12, 2008 1:22 AM | Link to this
uga, I think Vlad is going to sue for defamation.
By uga-brave
April 12, 2008 1:28 AM | Link to this
the braves have the worst .ops outfield in the N.L.
in less then a year escobar, is already a better hitter then the golden boy.
francoeur wants to be the hero with every swing.
By BravesDave
April 12, 2008 1:31 AM | Link to this
uga, the three pitch inning was not even surprising considering the way the Braves hitters are approaching the game these days. I was more disgusted by the Frenchy at-bat with the bases loaded. It showed that he has absolutely no clue right now. It is almost dumb luck when he gets a hit. No pitch recognition, no idea of the strike zone, no thought of game situation.
I cannnot believe that this guy never gets a day off.
By uga-brave
April 12, 2008 1:41 AM | Link to this
but he sells jerseys?
By Moby Grape
April 12, 2008 1:52 AM | 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.BASteve
Thanks for the link. There was a study done back in the 50s I think. The guy followed a team(I wanna say Cards) for a couple of years. He then compiled every play in that time span and came up with a table actually based on the real plays in the real games. I know it is out there on the web cause I found it about three years ago. I had it bookmarked but a hard drive crash ate it up. Ummm Yummy. I can’t find the dang thing lately by googling. It too showed that scoring goes down overall when you sacrifice a runner to second. I’d like to find it again if anybody here knows it or runs into it.
As for my thoughts, I do not believe in sacrificing with your starting players for the most part. On the other hand I do believe that you should almost always sacrifice with the pitcher and in fact I like the idea of having some speed in the 8 hole as long as it’s not there Just for speed.
I’m not a smallbal believer though I admit that a timely stolen base or bunt can be effective every so often and(especially at home in late inning situations where just one run is needed to win or tie) & can be exciting to see executed. I do believe in hit & run since that usually does not result in gratuitous outs. So Bobby is my kinda guy though most managers play the same way most of the time anymore.
By BravesDave
April 12, 2008 1:55 AM | Link to this
uga, no question that Escobar is a better player than Frenchy. By the end of this season, it will not even be close.
There is simply no facet of the game where Frenchy is better than Escobar.
By uga-brave
April 12, 2008 1:59 AM | Link to this
said it during the off season that i would rather have cory hart then the golden boy.
at some point even the holdouts are gonna chime in.
all this B.S. about bulking up is dong.
kinnda like putting a wristwatch on a pig.
the only reason i harp on this is because he is supposed to be the third best hitter on the team.
By Moby Grape
April 12, 2008 2:16 AM | Link to this
N8 i know the point im going to make is arguable, but maybe chuck to good to be a spot starter/long man? maybe hes good enough to warrant pitching every 5 days.DAP
I think that up to this point that the Braves have felt this way, that he is too good to do that with.
N8I do think it is an excellent suggestion and if he continues to flounder, one that they may eventually attempt.
By Caleb
April 12, 2008 2:20 AM | Link to this
Sure didn’t take long for Torre to drop Andruw to the 7th spot in the lineup. Another 0 for 4 night tonight, and he’s hitting .114 with just one rbi for the season. Ouch.
By BravesRule
April 12, 2008 2:42 AM | Link to this
and it makes me mad to see how he screws everything up.Mo
I guess in whatever world you live in idiots can be so successful as to set historical records. That must be a pretty nice place to live.
Your argument reeks of emotion and has absolutely no logical basis. The real world does not work that way. At least try to make some sense
By jbutler
April 12, 2008 2:51 AM | Link to this
Lee in S GA I am absolutely with you in wanting the Royals to have a knock out season..My reasons are a little more selfish though…My cousin has been the play by play announcer for the Royals (Bob Davis) for a zillion years and the poor guy is DYING for just a winning year. He’s getting close to retiring and has said he just wants one trip to the post season. Here’s hoping this is it!!
By Moby Grape
April 12, 2008 3:03 AM | Link to this
BC is perfect, far from it. What we are saying is that he is a players manager, which has worked well for him over the years. It also seems to exacerbate some problems, like the one with AJ last year. He is such a players manager, he sticks with his players too long on occasion. Live by the sword, sometimes die by the sword.Wayne
I was watching the game on MLB with Don Sutton. He made the point that Bobby will never make a public scene about a player, BUT he will call him into the office and really singe his eyebrows. So he is more of a disiplinarian that most think. I love it that he does not show his players up. Managers who do that regularly do not tend to have long successful careers.
By Shamus Thacker
April 12, 2008 3:11 AM | Link to this
Is Boras ever a con man!
You gotta feel sorry for Andruw at some level. He does have a few bucks to ease the pain though…
He may become so discouraged that he just quits. Naaaaah..
By Mike in LA
April 12, 2008 3:33 AM | Link to this
anyone else concerned about Chipper’s injury? Thats one loss the Braves cannot afford right now when they’re trying to get on track
By BravesRule
April 12, 2008 3:48 AM | Link to this
but he certainly doesn’t screw everything up as you say. Again, it is damn easy to judge a guy from your keyboard. How many times have you heard guys mention what a great manager BC is? I have heard it many, many times on sports/baseball talk shows. You don’t hear them saying that about all managers, but anytime the Braves or BC comes up, they are lauding the praise on the man.*Wayne
you are wasting your time trying to use logic with a ranter. They just do not live there. They have a need to assign blame. It is all an emotional need. They also believe that they are the only one who knows where it’s at. No matter how many with more experience disagree with them, they know that they are right. Like I said logic just doesn’t apply.
By cherokee
April 12, 2008 4:54 AM | Link to this
Diaz, Frenchy, and KJ have now combined for 1 BB in 111 ABs.BravesDave
and Chipper only has 2 in ten games. whats up with that?
By ncscoots
April 12, 2008 6:53 AM | Link to this
Perhaps a couple of our overnight posters could get together and generate a standard, generic “Francoeur blows” post, and just post that every night. We know we’re gonna get that content every night, anyway, might as well save a little effort.
Braves lose a few close games: “Braves aren’t clutch.”; Braves win a close game: “They don’t see enough pitches.”; Braves in a blowout: “Wish they would get back to pitching and defense.”; Braves get superb SP: “The middle relief blows.”
I mean, LOL, it really DOES start to border on the humorous.
But given the early-season performance of four SP, I find it hard to believe that fans don’t like this team’s chances. And while the offense may not be 900-run caliber, but they aren’t the Padres, fercrissake. Regardless of early-season aberrations like low walk totals.
By cherokee
April 12, 2008 7:33 AM | Link to this
Regardless of early-season aberrations like low walk totals.Scoots
one can comment on an unusual situation without meaning anything negative about it. I do find it pretty unusual for Chipper to only have two since he is usually up there in that department. I do wonder what is up with that? Is he seeing more fastballs even though Tex isn’t hitting yet? I certainly wasn’t complaining about his production.
By Braveheart
April 12, 2008 7:50 AM | Link to this
An interesting Jordan Schafer article
ugabrave you’re my boy and all but, come on, man, don’t attack a woman. she does a good job. taking a dagger to a woman in the middle of the night is friggin’ pathetic.
By bdhypes
April 12, 2008 8:36 AM | Link to this
I want everyone to take a step back and take a deep breath.Now listen to yourselves,and this comes from a guy who believes there is no question we’ll go 162-0 every year.My gosh,it’s not even tax return day yet,but according to this blogger and his patrons we’re in a must win situation,against the Nats no less!This year is no different than any other since baseball began.Finish April .500,avoiding major injuries to anyone not named Hampton,then continue on through summer.I wish the good folks of Atlanta cared this much in October.
By DCbrave
April 12, 2008 8:57 AM | Link to this
i guess this is not a insult, but it is a complement to DOB. by UGA-brave
Exactly. DOB is simply exceptional and you cannot ask all others do what he does - or he would not be exceptional.
I only wish SOMEBODY could find out ASAP what’s happened with chipper at the last inning last night leading to his limping,etc.
By McFann
April 12, 2008 9:51 AM | Link to this
Overlord (who’s post last night I somehow missed)—
I’m very glad to see that, too!!!
Greg in TN—
Thank you!! (And McCann’s present to me came a day late, but the Phillies beat the Mets, so it wasn’t too bad.)
: )
By Lew
April 12, 2008 9:59 AM | Link to this
Has anyone taken into account that Francoeur just had his chops busted by a pitch for the second time in his career? Could there possibly be some residual fear there? Could he possibly have a slight vision inadequacy? Or could he just be having a slump?
Like Scoots says-Come up with a generic Francoeur sucks, Bobby Cox is senile, the bullpen is the worst in baseball history and Chipper will miss 60 games with injury posts. Save yourselves some time and the effort of straining your meager brains. Save those neurons for something really important-like motor function. Before you fall flat on your faces.
By TexasBrave
April 12, 2008 10:05 AM | Link to this
DOB - I was watching ESPN last night (don’t ask, nothing good on I guess) and they reported that all named in the Mitchell report would get their suspensions revoked and get a clean slate. Would this include Jordan S. or is his suspension strictly coming from the minor league association?
By tim
April 12, 2008 10:07 AM | Link to this
ugabrave..could you do us a favor and highlight your name or something, that makes it easier to scroll past your self important meanderings and attacks that serve no purpose, or add anything to the conversation.really. thanks.
By McFann
April 12, 2008 10:10 AM | Link to this
Wayne—
Your post at 12:32 was so good, it was worth it three times!
; )
Gonna miss the game today. We’re taping it, so I can’t come around here till after we watch the tape later.
GO BRAVES!! GO MCCANN (if you play this day-game-after-a-night-game, which you prob’ly will since Smoltz is pitching)!! GO OFFENSE!! GO SMOLTZ!!
By DCbrave
April 12, 2008 10:21 AM | Link to this
Nats’ pitcher today looks pretty good too: went 6.2 innings with a 2.7 ERA. May be a low scoring game again today.
By McFann
April 12, 2008 10:21 AM | Link to this
Diaz, Frenchy, and KJ have now combined for 1 BB in 111 ABs. BravesDave
And McCann has walked four times in 38 PAs. Oh, his strike last night was his first of the year. (I’ll shut up about that now. He picked a rotten time for his first K!)
By TexasBrave
April 12, 2008 10:25 AM | Link to this
Francoeur doesn’t suck, but could it possibly be that he is pressing a little too much to produce? He is done all this off season work and done all this talking about increasing his HR total along with a high batting average and right now is a little frustrated that it is not happening.
I mean in the past he still swings at a lot of first pitches but he was a little more selective. Not this year.
Another thing I worry about is that surely someone has mentioned to him about needing to be a little more patient at the plate. If this is the case then why hasn’t he heeded that advice? Is he already starting to become such a premadona(sp)that he doesn’t need to take advice from anyone? What did Chipper say “Lose an Andruw gain an Andruw”. Chipper may have been talking about his swing but perhaps he meant his head as well.
By eric the elder
April 12, 2008 10:26 AM | Link to this
…don’t attack a woman. she does a good job. taking a dagger to a woman in the middle of the night is friggin’ pathetic.
Braveheart, my friend, I think Carroll might feel a little conflicted about your defense of her. I think taking a dagger to anyone in the middle of the night, man or woman, is pathetic.
As a part-time beat writer, as a part-time blogger, as a person who hangs around with the players in the club house, Carroll has chosen a career that puts her in the limelight. She knows the risks, and she has decided that she can handle herself professionally.
Nevertheless, we guys can’t help ourselves. If that ugly post had been directed at my wife, my reply would have made yours look like a sonnet by Emily Dickenson.
By amazinsagain08
April 12, 2008 10:39 AM | Link to this
So far it looks like I was right about Francoeur relapsing into his bad old habits this year. An OBP of .279, man is that putrid. He’ll be lucky if he has a career as good as Encarnacion. What a waste. Go Mets!
By ncgary
April 12, 2008 10:40 AM | Link to this
Save those neurons for something really important-like motor function. Before you fall flat on your faces.
thanks for the laugh lew
go braves world series rings in 08
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
April 12, 2008 10:41 AM | Link to this
If Chipper hits the D.L along with Soriano, I’m gonna get another ulcer.
These two are the guys that the Braves cannot afford to lose.
By Cecil34
April 12, 2008 10:53 AM | Link to this
Eric the Elder - Thanks for pointing out the no paragraphs - I should have known better. Will not make same mistake twice.
I would also point out that there are no absolutes - there will be years where the Braves come out of the box hot in April.
As has been pointed out in David-ATL14 entry, 07 is a good example.
I still suspect there is some degree of complacency in April due to the belief that they will “get hot” later in the season and make up for any downfalls.
Bfan54 - I agree with the year round physical preparedness, no question these are the best athletes in the history of the game on a physical level.
I would offer that it is what is going on between their ears that holds them back from 110% effort. The reasons are symptomatic with today’s society in general I think.
I may not have it spot-on, but I think there is something there with my thoughts on the spring training deal.
That being said, I still want them to be successful and dominant.
By TexasBrave
April 12, 2008 10:53 AM | Link to this
Coach I agree with you on losing Chipper, but Moylan did look good in the closers roll last night. It’s not the best of situations and it does weaken the overall pen a little, but losing Chipper would be a huge blow especially if Tex and Francoeur keep hitting like they are.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
April 12, 2008 11:06 AM | Link to this
It sounds like we will be seeing Scott Spiezio playing for the Braves a lot sooner than anyone expected.
By TexasBrave
April 12, 2008 11:07 AM | Link to this
After reading Bowman’s report on the Braves MLB website it doesn’t sound like Chipper will go on the DL. However, it does sound like he will need 3 perhaps 4 days of rest. Who gets the nod with chipper out?
By DCbrave
April 12, 2008 11:09 AM | Link to this
Coach I agree with you on losing Chipper, but Moylan did look good in the closers roll last night. By TexasBrave
Not so much that Moylan cannot close well but more that if he closes, who’s the reliable setup man? You cannot expect starters to go 8 innings every game.
By ncgary
April 12, 2008 11:17 AM | Link to this
all athleticism aside , it takes a special person who can hit a 92 mph slider or an 91 mph sinker and do something effective against these weapons, baseball has been and always will have a wide array of characterswho feel out the rosters,athleticism is a plus but not a requirement to hit a baseball.ie…john kruk,the bambino
mark the byrd fydrich, the mad hungarian al hrabosky are on the other side of the spectrum, it doesnnt matter what your pysche is, if you can sling it , you can bring it,into the clubhouse,crazy philosophies and all
aint life grand, we were all made differently
By AGTfan
April 12, 2008 11:19 AM | Link to this
Who gets the nod with chipper out?
Prado is listed next on the depth chart.
By jim
April 12, 2008 11:22 AM | Link to this
I’m as concerned about Francouer’s bat as I am about his (lack of) approach. With 1 or 2 exceptions his outs and his hits have not been hit hard. The single to right last night was one of his better at bats (actually swings, the rest of the AB was pretty ugly). There have been a lot of infield hits, seeing eye grounders, and dunks, but very few hard line drives. The swing has become Thormanesque.
By flange1
April 12, 2008 11:23 AM | Link to this
Morning All,
Even on a dreary day in Atlanta, things are looking up after a Braves victory.
With all of the negative #4$%^ spewed here, how about some positives?
Hudson looked great last night. Escobar is a stud. Great clutch hit by Matt D. Tex looked better.
Good game for all.
Hope Chipper can play today….
By ncgary
April 12, 2008 11:26 AM | Link to this
all athleticism aside , it takes a special person who can hit a 92 mph slider or an 91 mph sinker and do something effective against these weapons, baseball has been and always will have a wide array of characterswho feel out the rosters,athleticism is a plus but not a requirement to hit a baseball.ie…john kruk,the bambino
mark the byrd fydrich, the mad hungarian al hrabosky are on the other side of the spectrum, it doesnnt matter what your pysche is, if you can sling it , you can bring it,into the clubhouse,crazy philosophies and all
aint life grand, we were all made differently
By ncgary
April 12, 2008 11:27 AM | Link to this
all athleticism aside , it takes a special person who can hit a 92 mph slider or an 91 mph sinker and do something effective against these weapons, baseball has been and always will have a wide array of characterswho feel out the rosters,athleticism is a plus but not a requirement to hit a baseball.ie…john kruk,the bambino
mark the byrd fydrich, the mad hungarian al hrabosky are on the other side of the spectrum, it doesnnt matter what your pysche is, if you can sling it , you can bring it,into the clubhouse,crazy philosophies and all
aint life grand, we were all made differently
By ncgary
April 12, 2008 11:27 AM | Link to this
all athleticism aside , it takes a special person who can hit a 92 mph slider or an 91 mph sinker and do something effective against these weapons, baseball has been and always will have a wide array of characterswho feel out the rosters,athleticism is a plus but not a requirement to hit a baseball.ie…john kruk,the bambino
mark the byrd fydrich, the mad hungarian al hrabosky are on the other side of the spectrum, it doesnnt matter what your pysche is, if you can sling it , you can bring it,into the clubhouse,crazy philosophies and all
aint life grand, we were all made differently
By ncgary
April 12, 2008 11:27 AM | Link to this
all athleticism aside , it takes a special person who can hit a 92 mph slider or an 91 mph sinker and do something effective against these weapons, baseball has been and always will have a wide array of characterswho feel out the rosters,athleticism is a plus but not a requirement to hit a baseball.ie…john kruk,the bambino
mark the byrd fydrich, the mad hungarian al hrabosky are on the other side of the spectrum, it doesnnt matter what your pysche is, if you can sling it , you can bring it,into the clubhouse,crazy philosophies and all
aint life grand, we were all made differently
By TexasBrave
April 12, 2008 11:27 AM | Link to this
DCbrave that’s why I said that it does weaken the overall pen because after Acosta who else can we feel completely confident in?
I do believe that Hudson, Glavine and Smoltz will be able to go 7 on a consistent basis. JJ is not too far away from doing 7 on a consistent basis. That just leaves the 5th starters spot. So once every 5 games will not be too bad having to get into the pen.
You also have to think that we will start scoring runs so perhaps we don’t need to throw Acosta and Moylan all the time.
By flange1
April 12, 2008 11:29 AM | Link to this
N8,
Just catching up on the blog from yesterday and read your Chuckie= long man post.
I have been saying since we signed Glavine that we need Chuck on the team in some capacity to learn from the veteran.
I also think with this pitching staff that we should consider 2 long men, Chuck AND Bennett.
Drop Resop and Ring and let these 2 guys pitch 2 innings + and spot start when needed.
Hampton WILL be back.
Bring James in to start innings (not when the inning has started and there are runners on base).
Let Bennett and James get the team through the 6th or 7th inning and then have Acosta, Boyer, Ohman, Moylan and Soriano shut it down.
I think it gets your best players in the organization on the team.
DOB told us in early spring training though that the Braves WERE NOT considering Chuck for relief.
May be they can change their mind.
By DCbrave
April 12, 2008 11:34 AM | Link to this
April 12, 2008 11:07 AM | Link to this
After reading Bowman’s report on the Braves MLB website it doesn’t sound like Chipper will go on the DL. However, it does sound like he will need 3 perhaps 4 days of rest. Who gets the nod with chipper out? *By TexasBrave *
What did Bowman say about Chipper please? I could not find that, not in yesterday’s game summary article nor in today’s preview article. Could you provide a link please?
By flange1
April 12, 2008 11:36 AM | Link to this
And while we are on the subject of roster changes, we all have to be ready for the bench shakeup that will occur SOON.
At some point Infante will be ready and activated. I agree with Coach that Spiezo is also about to be activated.
The Braves have 2 BU catchers and 2 middle infielders on the roster.
One of each is getting ready to be gone.
Unless a trade can be made for B Pena, Corky has to be the one to go.
Gotay is an experienced pinch hitter, but the organization is high on Prado, so I think Gotay is the one that is released.
I think the bench would be stronger with Anderson over Blanco, but I like the prospects of a bench made up of Infante, Prado, B Pena, Spiezo, and Blanco.
As Mr. Baseball has said, it would be nice to swap Blanco/Anderson for a right handed version of themselves, but other than R. Davies of the Giants, I don’t see that player out there.
All this team needs is a couple of minor tweaks and it will be a machine….
By Wayne in Utah
April 12, 2008 11:39 AM | Link to this
Robert is to Bobby Cox what uga-brave and BravesDave are to Jeff Francoeur.
Guys, it’s getting a bit tedious. We all know Francoeur is slumping, and we know already that you don’t like him. So, it is time to put a lid on it.
uga You disappointed me with your post last night blasting Carroll. You see, Dave O’Brien does what he does because he is consumed by it. Carroll is doing what most normal beat writers would do. She probably doesn’t feel a need to get on here constantly to feed your ego. (hope I am not speaking out of turn)
I do not blog constantly. Does that make me a bad blogger?
Can anybody say Ruben Gotay is outrighted to Richmond, and Scott Speizio is put on the 25 man roster?
By jim
April 12, 2008 11:40 AM | Link to this
The only film of Babe Ruth that we ever get to see is the grainy old footage of the Babe in his later years when he has put on a few pounds. I am willing to bet, however, that the young Babe who starred as a pitcher and a htter was probably a very good athlete.
By DCbrave
April 12, 2008 11:41 AM | Link to this
DCbrave that’s why I said that it does weaken the overall pen because after Acosta who else can we feel completely confident in? By TexasBrave
Merely for argument’s sake, you feel “completely confident” in Acosta already? Not yet. He’s better than the others so far but has not garnered complete confidence from anybody yet.
By TexasBrave
April 12, 2008 11:48 AM | Link to this
DCbrave I have never tried this before so if it doesn’t work just go to atlanta.braves.mlb.com
Chipper’s injury report
By DCbrave
April 12, 2008 11:57 AM | Link to this
TexasBrave
Thanks much. the link worked.
By TexasBrave
April 12, 2008 11:59 AM | Link to this
DCbrave everybody is going to have their off nights. Acosta had one his first game that he said he was nervous about but has settled down since and look at the results. So yes I have complete confidence in his abilities to get the job done.
Falter he will every now and then but will be good more often than not through out the season.
By uga-brave
April 12, 2008 11:59 AM | Link to this
braveheart,
your right that was probably in bad taste. too much pinot. carroll my apologies.
By THE BEAR
April 12, 2008 12:00 PM | Link to this
I believe you will find that whenever Frenchy swings at the first pitch he is hitting above .350. What is wrong with that? Perhaps he needs to lose a little weight and return to swinging at the first pitch.
Just for kicks; a few days ago I wrote a critical note about TEX wasting time in the spring and a lot of folks on this blog jumped my case. After all he had said (to everyone) that he used ST to get ready for the season, not the opening game. We are now ten games into the season and TEX has four singles, one double and two HR’s. He has driven in five runs, ranking him fifth on the team. His BA is the lowest of all Brave regulars. I believe it is about time for him to get into his “season.”
At least TEX is doing better than Andruw who has three singles and one double and one RBI in ten games. Both are batting below the Mendoza line.
By AGTfan
April 12, 2008 12:05 PM | Link to this
The perfect game of imperfections.
Ted Williams said that hitting a pitched baseball is the hardest thing in all of sport. I believe it. If one fails only 70% of the time, he will be a hero, a superstar. Someone posted here the other day that a batter has about 3 tenths of a second to decide whether or not to swing and that a quarter of an inch is the difference between a pop-up and a line drive. Sometimes those pop-ups go for bloop doubles and the line drives go for double plays.
With all that goes against the hitter, shutouts are rare and no-hitters are among the rarest of all sporting achievements. Rarer still is the perfect game. It boggles the mind to think that one occurred in a World Series.
A manager has a finite number of players to choose from with an infinite number of situations that can occur. There is no limit to the number of innings that a game can go. There is no time limit. There is no limit to the number pitches that will be thrown in a game. It’s entirely possible that one batter will see as many pitches in a single at bat as the entire rest of the team will see in a complete game. Three strikes make an out and 3 outs end a half inning, but sometimes the out isn’t an out.
With all of these things there is the human element. No machine calls balls and strikes. An imperfect human does that. The batter doesn’t just have to tell whether or not a pitch is a ball or a strike, he has to do it to conform to the judgment of another human being. A pitcher has to adjust where he wants the ball to go to conform to that judgment.
I remember hitting a home-run when I was 14. I had hit homers before and I hit a few after, but this one was different. The ball didn’t just go over the fence, it went over the house next door to the field. I stopped and watched it. I wasn’t trying to show up the pitcher. I was stunned. For that brief fraction of a second, I had done something perfect.
That’s what I think baseball is. An infinite, timeless game of imperfections filled with moments of perfection. There is no other sport like it. I love baseball.
By Carroll Rogers
April 12, 2008 12:08 PM | Link to this
good morning, everybody but ugabrave…..nah, i’m kidding. i can say good morning to ugabrave too…..i had something at the bottom of my game story last night about chipper straining a quad muscle. apparently i shoulda put it higher up, and definitely copied it onto the blog.
chipper’s in the original lineup this morning but don’t think that’s quite in stone. i talked to him after that game last night and he said it was a maybe to play today. he was back in the training area this morning before the game, and then they closed the clubhouse so i’m not sure where he stands. we’ll find out soon enough. but i can’t see it being more than a day or two off at most, but then i could see him playing today.
so how’s that for typing a lot without telling you anything.
i appreciate the defense from braveheart. i realize i’m not going to please all the denizens. trying to keep up with the standard DOB sets is not easy. it matters to me, tho, you know? fair enough?
By jim
April 12, 2008 12:08 PM | Link to this
At some point Infante will be ready to be added to the team. Since he is still in the dugout during games and not rehabbing, that will probably be weeks away. With Chipper getting dinged and missing some games, Spezio might be called up soon, but in the meantime, what is wrong with this bench? Gotay has 2 hits and a walk and a hard out, Pena has 2 hits and 2 hard outs, Blanco has a pinch double, Prado has a big walk in a ph appearance and has filled in OK during KJ’s absence, and KJ has a pinch grand slam. Corky popped out in a big spot, but even he had a hit to tie the game when he started. Whatever the problems have been for the first 10 games of the season, the contribution from the bench has not been one of them.
By TexasBrave
April 12, 2008 12:11 PM | Link to this
uga-brave I believe we all have been spoiled by DOB consistent presence on the blog and keeping us informed. It is when he takes his much needed days off that the we go though withdrawals.
No fault of Carroll’s, does anybody know of a blog that is manned so well as DOB?
By AGTfan
April 12, 2008 12:12 PM | Link to this
uga-brave
Bravo to you for your apology to Carroll.
I don’t think anyone anywhere runs a better sports blog than DOB. I think she does a great job when she fills in.
By Carroll Rogers
April 12, 2008 12:21 PM | Link to this
Braves just announced they released scott spiezio. Frank Wren’s exact words were he wasn’t prepared to play when he showed up at the ballpark yesterday. in a statement Wren said: “When we signed Scott it was our hope, based on our meeting with him and from the work he had already done in his treatment, that he was heading in the right direction. Unfortunately, it is now apparent that he needs more time devoted to getting his personal life in order.’
oh and it’s raining now. tarp on the field.
By brent a.
April 12, 2008 12:26 PM | Link to this
Okay, at first, I was going to make a smart-aleck post about the Braves one-run losses, and compare Bobby Cox to the likes of John Wooden, and ask the question if UCLA would’ve been as successful as it’s been over the last 15 years if Wooden had been the coach. After-all, the guy is a legend, isn’t he?
Instead, I was doing some reading about Connie Mack on Wikipedia (and you know Wikipedia is reliable because anyone in the world can go in there and post whatever they want on a subject, so you know you’re getting the best material) and decided that a comparison could be made there instead.
I thought it was interesting that in addition to all the success Connie Mack had as a manager, he also managed several last place teams, as the organization’s financial trouble’s led to regular re-vamping of the roster.
In the case of the Braves, we all know about the Time Warner cuts, but I would also argue that this team has severely suffered from a “mismatched” payroll since the early ‘90’s, after guys like Jones & Jones signed large contracts, only to see the team unable to sign the likes of Sheffield, Maddux, etc., and forced to replace them with cast-offs, has-beens, and in some instances “never weres.”
that being said, in many respects, it appears that some of that could possibly change this off-season, with Glavine, Hampton, and Teixeira’s salaries coming off the books.
anyway, here’s the link about Mack.
Mack on Wiki)
By DAP
April 12, 2008 12:36 PM | Link to this
that sux. i was really hoping that spezio could help us out this year. hes a great role player.
By BravesRule
April 12, 2008 12:36 PM | Link to this
Unfortunately, it is now apparent that he needs more time devoted to getting his personal life in order.’Carroll
No big surprise, from what I have heard he is pretty screwed up.
By DAP
April 12, 2008 12:39 PM | Link to this
chipper is in the lineup, but with the rain, he may be a late scratch. honestly…i would lean towards giving him the day off, and let him figure out what hes going to be able to do on it.
By David O'Brien
April 12, 2008 12:45 PM | Link to this
TexasBrave, I don’t think the revoking (or revocation?) of all those suspensions of folks named in Mitchell Report has anything at all to do with Schafer’s case (unfortunately for him).
He’s the first guy brought down by the new investigative department that MLB set up after the Mitchell Report came out. So, theoretically at least, his case is the way they’ll handle them from now now. So I don’t see any way they’d put the time in to investigate and suspend him, then revoke that suspension. Wouldn’t make much sense.
Not saying the suspension is fair or anything else. I’m just saying I can’t see how they’d revoke it when they put in the work to complete the investigation. Those suspended because they were named in Mitchell Report, that’s a different animal. MLB didn’t investigate them (Mitchell and his team did, in most cases)….
Saw a great show last night, Son Volt at the Variety Playhouse. Strong performance (almost as strong as Braves pitching last night).
Also got the extended remastered version of the Beck “Odelay” and Whiskeytown “Strangers Almanac” CDs, and both are terrific.
Later
By David O'Brien
April 12, 2008 12:48 PM | Link to this
After I posted that, I saw that Carroll had real news right before it. I’ll turn it back over to her.
I’m surprised about Spiezio, but I guess I shouldn’t be. It’s an insidious thing, folks. As plenty of you undoubtedly know….
By the way, Carroll does a stellar job filling in — always.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
April 12, 2008 12:50 PM | Link to this
Bye Bye Spiezio. We hardly knew thee.
My advice to the young man: QUIT DRINKING AZZHOLE !
By Carroll Rogers
April 12, 2008 12:54 PM | Link to this
they just announced first pitch would be delayed 15 minutes….that would be 1:20.
By TexasBrave
April 12, 2008 12:55 PM | Link to this
No matter what the field conditions are Chipper needs to take a day off and let the quad rest. He wasn’t going to play 162 games anyway. It is better to take a game or two off to let it rest and heal than to be placed on the DL because you made it worse by playing the next day.
By mo in the boonies
April 12, 2008 12:57 PM | Link to this
Wayne you said: What we are saying is that he is a players manager, which has worked well for him over the years. It also seems to exacerbate some problems, like the one with AJ last year. He is such a players manager, he sticks with his players too long on occasion. Live by the sword, sometimes die by the sword.
Cecil34, had it right about this team and the way it has been managed under Cox. We don’t need a “players manager”, we need a “team manager”. This is a young team, it needs to be taught discipline, not babied.
I should check Cox’s record? I don’t have to check it, I’ve watched all those games, and despaired at all the stupid stuff he has done over the years. I am not in love with the 14 division titles. All that means to me is, under his management, the team has won more games than four other teams…big deal. If they actually got into the playoffs more often, then I would be a little more appreciative. The teams have been good enough, but the management hasn’t been. Plain and simple! Somewhere along the line you have to say enough!
Again, it is damn easy to judge a guy from your keyboard. How many times have you heard guys mention what a great manager BC is? I have heard it many, times on sports/baseball talk shows. You don’t hear them saying that about all managers, but anytime the Braves or BC comes up, they are lauding the praise on the man
I’m not judging Cox from my keyboard, you don’t know how many times I have emailed Atlanta Columnists over the years to complain about them giving Cox a pass on his management boo-boos. They are the main reason the other newspeople around the country think Cox is so great. They figure if no one in Atlanta complains, and the Braves keep him on so many years, then he must be good. They don’t watch every game Atlanta plays, they have other games to report on. Sometimes I wonder if the AJC writers even watch any of the games. DOB can’t complain about him, he wouldn’t be allowed anywhere near the clubhouse if he did, and certainly would have no access to Cox for his stories. I have though, gotten a kick out of his Coxisms. That is about as far as he can stretch it and stay alive.
I haven’t had time to read the blog, just got on the computer. I was glad to hear on the news last night that the Braves had won, but I wonder what kind of Coxisms that Hudson had to overcome last night in order to win.
I expect to find a lot more people jumping on me about Cox, whatever…see above post!
By TexasBrave
April 12, 2008 1:01 PM | Link to this
DOB that’s why I asked the question, I knew you would be more in the know than I would. I read everything I could after last night’s ESPN report, but it wasn’t clear to me whether he was suspended because of the Mitchell report or this new probe by MLB.
Thanks
By bgvt
April 12, 2008 1:04 PM | Link to this
Rainy spring day, Chipper has sore quadricep; Smart to take day off
By Carroll Rogers
April 12, 2008 1:05 PM | Link to this
now they’re saying 1:35 folks. and they’re about to take the tarp off, so i’m thinking this one is a go…
By Efrim
April 12, 2008 1:12 PM | Link to this
How come the game isn’t on MLB Extra Innings?
By Carroll Rogers
April 12, 2008 1:15 PM | Link to this
chipper’s in the lineup sheet i just got.
By MT Rebel
April 12, 2008 1:27 PM | Link to this
I have never blogged anywhere before but “Mo in the boonies” is an idiot. I don’t always agree with BCs moves and you can make up all the conspiracy theories that you want about the AJC journalists, BUT I have never heard a current or former player criticize BC and I would assume that they are much more aware of BCs mangement moves and the subsequent outcomes. There is no way that you know more than they do. Enough said.
By Carroll Rogers
April 12, 2008 1:27 PM | Link to this
well guys, they’re putting the tarp back on. sorry….
By cherokee
April 12, 2008 1:28 PM | Link to this
I’m not judging Cox from my keyboard, you don’t know how many times I have emailed Atlanta Columnists over the years to complain about them giving Cox a pass on his management boo-boos. They are the main reason the other newspeople around the country think Cox is so great.Mo
LOL! what a load of crap. The colossal egotism that it takes for a hater like you to believe that you are right and 97% of everybody in baseball who actually play the game and know what it takes to succeed are wrong is just incredible. Boy I bet those columnists were really impressed with raving Emails-which I have to believe started from behind a keyboard no matter what you say..
No matter that Tommy L,with 6 decades of experience and success, -who I’m sure didn’t get it from Atlanta sportswriters-says that Cox is one of the greatest managers ever, you know the real truth. Your own little version of reality,huh?
The mighty know-it-all who likely has never played a baseball game above high-school or college if even that knows the whole truth. LOL. All ate up with emotion and allergic to logic.
Well at least you have found someone to vent all that inner rage on.
By Chris from the Rock
April 12, 2008 1:33 PM | Link to this
Is the game not on MLB Extra Innings b/c Fox has exclusivity on Saturday afternoons? If so, that stinks!
By TexasBrave
April 12, 2008 1:34 PM | Link to this
Tarp is going back on the field. Sounds like it will be a while longer.
By Nick
April 12, 2008 1:35 PM | Link to this
Is anyone else having problems with mlb.tv? I was going to watch the mets game during the rain delay, but I can’t get it (or any of yesterday’s archived games) to load….
By Chop Chop
April 12, 2008 1:37 PM | Link to this
I have a question for the blog:
Is it a good idea or a bad idea for Chipper to be in the lineup on a wet field less than 24 hours after tweaking his quad?
Fire away.
By ernesto
April 12, 2008 1:45 PM | Link to this
Yup. Fox does indeed suck. They’re not even broadcasting the Yanks -Sawx until later in the day, and they still won’t let us see our Bravos.
By woogidy
April 12, 2008 1:47 PM | Link to this
Is the game not on MLB Extra Innings b/c Fox has exclusivity on Saturday afternoons? If so, that stinks!
True Brosef
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
April 12, 2008 1:54 PM | Link to this
Nick , I’m watching the Mets/Brewers game as we speak. At least until the Braves game is on.
By Carroll Rogers
April 12, 2008 1:56 PM | Link to this
as far as spiezio goes, i can’t say i’m all that surprised. when i spoke to him in richmond, he had a pretty constant shake going, and to me it was pretty clear that what this guy was battling was very raw and very new. i can’t fault him for trying and for wanting to have the structure in his life baseball provides. and he was very cool to me, talking frankly about some tough subjects. but to be back in a situation where temptations are real is probably not the best place for him now.
hey the sun! and some applause from the fans here. maybe it won’t be much longer. …and then on cue, rain again. no more reporting on the subject from here until i see a pitcher on the mound throwing.
it’s not like chipper would be playing in standing puddles of water. major league drainage systems are legit. i don’t have a huge problem with him playing today if he feels he can, so long as it’s not a torrential downpour, in which case, i’d rather not see smoltz go out there…
ugabrave, no worries….
By monty
April 12, 2008 1:58 PM | Link to this
If I was TP I would give Kudo’s to anyone taking a walk. Most of the Braves hitter’s need to learn the strike Zone. I saw an interesting stat the other day. The BRaves had scored more runs than any other NL East team and given up fewer runs and were next to last in the standings. The MArlins had given up more runs and scored the least, yet they were in 1st place. It’s all about timing and coming through when the opportunity presents itself. Gut check time.
By AGTfan
April 12, 2008 2:00 PM | Link to this
I have never blogged anywhere before but “Mo in the boonies” is an idiot.
Perhaps you give Mo too much credit. After reading many of his posts lately, I’m not too sure he rises to that level.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
April 12, 2008 2:01 PM | Link to this
Chop Chop, the entire infield is covered with the tarp in a rain delay.
Next question.
By Overlord
April 12, 2008 2:03 PM | Link to this
Nick MLB.TV is fine here, watching mets and brewers here.
By Carroll Rogers
April 12, 2008 2:04 PM | Link to this
Ok, now they’re saying restart at 2:35. tarp is coming off
By mets fan in atlanta
April 12, 2008 2:07 PM | Link to this
Well, so much for Speizio the Great riding in on a white horse to save the Braves….I guess its because I’ve been catching up to “The Wire” on DVD, but these guys don’t change without serious help. I hate it for him, but he epitomizes the way the Braves have set up most of their team this year.
The Braves entered the season putting a lot of faith into people who haven’t earned it, and you people fell for it…hook, line, and sinker. The bullpen? Before the beginning of last season, no one here even knew who Soriano was. Moylan was discovered because of the World Baseball Classic. Acosta has pitched, what, less than 30 innings in the majors before this season? Yet you believed this rag-tag group of hasbeens and castoffs were all-star caliber?
Same thing with the bench…it was so bad the Braves had to pick up a guy that the Mets cut at the end of Spring Training, yet the spin is that they are all young guys with no experience (hold on, that’s not spin, that’s the truth…what is the spin on this????)
And then someone has sold you on the “depth” of the pitching. Depth means bodies, not necessarily that they’re any good. Funny, with all this depth, the best the Braves can bring up is Campanilllo. My money says he starts the next game that Hampton would have started.
I think the most hilarious thing is that Bennett is being called a long man/spot starter. Who is calling him this? The bloggers? It sure isn’t Bobby Cox, who hasn’t used him in a long relief role yet this season. And when the time came to make an emergency start, yeah, they used him, but where was he 5 days later? Back to being used for 1 innning in the 6th or 7th innning. Newsflash—-that’s not the definition of a long man/spot starter.
It just aggravates me when Braves fans act all high and mighty for no reason—but then again, I wouldn’t have anything to laugh at when i read the paper online every day.
By 22oz
April 12, 2008 2:08 PM | Link to this
Does anyone know what happens when this game starts and overlaps the Fox broadcast? I know the games of the week on Fox are supposed to be the only games on tv at that time slot. Last year i believe the Braves had a makeup game on Saturday afternoon that conflicted with Fox and the game wasn’t on tv. So i’m wondering when this game runs past 3:30 does it get cut off?
By Nick
April 12, 2008 2:10 PM | Link to this
Well, rats. Stupid internets…
By Overlord
April 12, 2008 2:17 PM | Link to this
22oz i once saw a game cut off on that kind of situation….. not sure if it is alwasys like that.
Does anyone knows why did the mets benched Reyes for todays game?
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
April 12, 2008 2:24 PM | Link to this
The Mets David Wright has the old gold glove working today.
He has thrown two balls away to 1B and Carlos Delgado has saved a couple more errant throws with great picks in the dirt.
By Colin
April 12, 2008 2:25 PM | Link to this
they sat reyes cuz of his hammy..i think he tweaked it last night actually..im so ready for this game to star..cant wait to see how smoltz does today
By Lew
April 12, 2008 2:26 PM | Link to this
The Mets don’t even have warm bodies in reserve.
By hawksfan
April 12, 2008 2:26 PM | Link to this
OVERLORD-he left the game last night b/c of his hamstring.
By Murphy
April 12, 2008 2:27 PM | Link to this
Reyes has something going on with his hammy I think.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
April 12, 2008 2:30 PM | Link to this
Santana just gave up his second HR and it was a bomb. 3-2, Brewers are winning.
By Overlord
April 12, 2008 2:31 PM | Link to this
Game is gonna start shortly.
By Lew
April 12, 2008 2:32 PM | Link to this
Considering that Jeff Bennett did spot start on an emergency basis when Hampton was scheduled and unable to start and then pitched three innings in relief of Chuck James (long relief for those who know no better), it would seem someone does not know what he (or she) is talking about. In typical fashion, just another Mutts’ Troll trying to stir things up.
By Overlord
April 12, 2008 2:36 PM | Link to this
Coahch I also saw Wright, he can catch it, but when it comes to throw it, man, that guy needs a compass.
By Braveheart
April 12, 2008 2:38 PM | Link to this
KJ just got that extra base hit so many are fretting about after 10 games.
By 22oz
April 12, 2008 2:39 PM | Link to this
Not bunting Kelly to 3rd…let the debate begin!
By Lew
April 12, 2008 2:40 PM | Link to this
The Braves called up someone with no experience, as opposed to the Mets, who when Pedro got hurt his FIRST start, called up Nelson Figueroa. Figueroa has an 8-17 ML record and a career ERA of 4.65. He has had an ERA of 5.14 since being called to replace the Mets’ savior Pedro Martinez. Yes, the Braves have the market cornered on Hail Mary call ups with tons of Big League experience.
By woogidy
April 12, 2008 2:42 PM | Link to this
22oz, As long as you’re in Braves territory, shouldn’t get cut off
By mo in the boonies
April 12, 2008 2:43 PM | Link to this
MT Rebel BUT I have never heard a current or former player criticize BC and I would assume that they are much more aware of BCs mangement moves and the subsequent outcomes. There is no way that you know more than they do. Enough said.
Apparently you didn’t bother to read yesterday’s blog, Ron Gant did plenty of complaining about Cox, and I do believe he played for the Braves and for Cox. Of course he might be an idiot also….
As for you cherokee I’m not a hater, I love the team, that is why I wish they had someone who wasn’t so inept to manage. If you don’t happen to agree with me that’s your opinion only. You have a right to think Cox is god, (yes I meant with a small g) but I also have a right to think he isn’t. I happen to think he needs to go, before this team is ever going to see any extra games past the regular season. If you guys are happy with a 500 or less season, and finishing third so be it… live with your delusions.
The only reason that I brought up this was in response to BA yesterday who threw down the gauntlet that ” no Bobby Cox basher” would appear on an off day to complain about Cox’s management. Well I called his bluff knowing full well I was in for any number of attacks, as is Robert, whenever he says anything about Cox. That, no doubt, is the reason why very few people say anything about Cox on here because they fear being so brutally attacked. What if we jumped your azz every time you say how wonderful Cox is?
By BA
April 12, 2008 2:44 PM | Link to this
Hey N8, if I’m such a homer, in your opinion, then if you conducted a survey among everyone in MLB, managers, players, coaches, as to whether Bobby Cox should be fired immediately, what do you think the results would be? I don’t mind if you and others compusively second guess every move the man makes everyday. But don’t try to justify it as anything other than half-baked second guessing. The front office is “stupid”? Surely you’re smarter than that. Bobby Cox has had a hall of fame career. When he’s inducted, will that make the hall of fame “stupid”? When he won manager of the year multiple times, were those voters “stupid”? The argument doesn’t hold water. It’s almost as thin as the “bat Tex sixth” argument. Maybe I was harsh to say you’re not a real fan. More accurate to say you are seriously misguided. On a side note, however, I agree with the James in the bullpen theory. With the lack of an effective third pitch, I can’t see this guy ever being even a legitimate fourth starter.
By Overlord
April 12, 2008 2:45 PM | Link to this
Thanks for the answr on reyers people.
Looks like KJs knee is OK, he went 2nd to 3rd on a fly to RF. At least its not a problem to run straight line.
Santana is having a hard time against brewers, losing 3-2 with 2HRs given up. Pitching count is up.
By Braveheart
April 12, 2008 2:45 PM | Link to this
3 run homer by Frenchy!
By AGTfan
April 12, 2008 2:48 PM | Link to this
There goes that Frenchy again. When will he learn some plate discipline?
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
April 12, 2008 2:48 PM | Link to this
Bang ! 4-0 Braves already.
By BA
April 12, 2008 2:48 PM | Link to this
I’m thrilled Speizio is gone. I sympathize with anyone struggling with addiction, but I’m distgusted with anyone selfish enough to put others in danger. Too bad he got booted from St. Louis, where DUI is not only tolerated but apparently encouraged.
By Efrim
April 12, 2008 2:49 PM | Link to this
Wow. Way to explode. Maybe Smoltz can try out some knucklers today…..
By Efrim
April 12, 2008 2:51 PM | Link to this
Smoltz should of taken three.
By 22oz
April 12, 2008 2:53 PM | Link to this
Poor approach by Smoltz, hitting into the DP. Why is Smoltz in the lineup if he can’t hit? bench him!
By Overlord
April 12, 2008 2:53 PM | Link to this
Bunting KJ to 3rd has nothing to do with the strategy the other day…. nothing.
But we could start a debate if you wish, LOL.
By brent a.
April 12, 2008 2:54 PM | Link to this
Okay, here’s a question (not a criticism):
Would you have considered telling John Smoltz to not swing during that a bat?
A) We were up 4-0 B) The bases were loaded C) There was only 1 out D) He’s had some physical problems E) Kelly Johnson had already doubled F) The pitcher was on the ropes
I’m just asking.
By Chop Chop
April 12, 2008 2:55 PM | Link to this
Coach,
You bring up a good point about the tarp. However, it is quite possible for grass to become slick from rain falling prior to the tarp covering the field OR rain falling after the tarp is taken off. I do appreciate your answer, though.
By Choppinmama
April 12, 2008 2:57 PM | Link to this
Grrrrrrr - whenever the game started, DirecTV’s xtra innnings pkg. isn’t showing the FSS or the MASN feed of the game. Nooooo - they’re using the FOX rights to show the game - or NOT. FOX is broadcasting a religious cartoon!!
Keep blogging the play-by-play, please. We’ve scored 4?!?!?
By Nick
April 12, 2008 2:59 PM | Link to this
You guys know Smoltzie was drooling about the RBI opportunity…no way he doesn’t swing in that AB with 4 already home. And I’m definitely not knocking him
By Philliesuk
April 12, 2008 3:00 PM | Link to this
mets fan in atlanta I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that a Mets fan knows nothing about baseball. No one knew about Soriano before last year? What??? Those of us who follow baseball did. Check out his pre-2007 numbers, if you care at all, which I’m sure you don’t, since you would rather follow Delgado’s rapidly declining stats or the number of strikeouts that David Wright will have this year.
You know, you do bring up a few points. Acosta is young, but then again, does that really matter? There are plenty of inexperienced pitchers out there who are effective. Give me a break. And you can forget about coming down on Moylan. Even a Mets fan can look at his pitches and know he’s the real deal. That doesn’t mean he’s going to be the next Rivera, but he’ll be effective.
You did bring up a couple of our weaknesses, most notably the back end of our rotation. That could change. I know, I know…we can’t rely on Hampton, but who knows, maybe he’ll surprise us. Go ahead and tell me that he won’t ever pitch, but guess what…it doesn’t matter what you and I say. Neither one of us has any clue how he’ll do this year. After Hudson’s start this year, you have to acknowledge that the Mets and Braves are pretty even with their 1-4 starters.
I, for one, have said that our #5 starter is a problem right now, but that’s just for now. Chuck James isn’t good enough at this moment, but again, that can change. And I do agree with you that Jeff Bennett is not the answer; that is, unless he shows me something different.
The one thing that you cannot deny is that on paper, the Braves are as good as the Mets. Even ‘experts’ like Peter Gammons and Jayson Stark would acknowledge that, but who knows, maybe you too are an ‘expert.’ Sure, our bench is a little weak, but the Braves are stocked with possibilities in Richmond. You can’t say that the Mets bench is much better.
Most of us Braves fans do not act ‘high and mighty.’ I respect the Mets, and I think they are a talented team. But I also think that the Braves are just as good, if not better. But the one thing that you will never convince me is that David Wright is better than Chipper Jones. I’ll compare their credentials on another day. What I do know is that if you took Wright out of NY and put him in Milwaukee, he would become just another Prince Fielder, not the second coming that the Mets fans act like he is.
By brent a.
April 12, 2008 3:00 PM | Link to this
As far as Spiezio goes, I thought it was a bad move for the Braves to sign him prior to his sentencing.
When his court news hit the papers last week, it was “the Atlanta Braves’ Scott Spiezio …”
Bad PR, IMO
By Nick
April 12, 2008 3:04 PM | Link to this
After being left in for 110+ pitches, Santana just gave up a 2-run HR, it’s 5-2 Brewers right now
By Overlord
April 12, 2008 3:04 PM | Link to this
Whats wrong with smoltz?
Hitting for a DP
Throwing Err.
4 pitch walk
Wild pitch
Does he has a flu or is he drunk?
Finally a strikeout……..lets put it behind smoltzie.
By BA
April 12, 2008 3:05 PM | Link to this
Man, Mo and n8, I can’t BELIEVE Cox let Smoltz make that error…maybe he should drop this guy down in the rotation…
By mo in the boonies
April 12, 2008 3:07 PM | Link to this
By brent a.
April 12, 2008 2:54 PM | Link to this
Okay, here’s a question (not a criticism):
Would you have considered telling John Smoltz to not swing during that a bat?
A) We were up 4-0 B) The bases were loaded C) There was only 1 out D) He’s had some physical problems E) Kelly Johnson had already doubled F) The pitcher was on the ropes
I’m just asking.
Not if you are a player’s manager.
By Overlord
April 12, 2008 3:09 PM | Link to this
Mets 137 millions just gave up a 3rd Hr in their. Brewers leading 5-2.
Looks like he is gonna start the season 1-2 with a 3.05 ERA.
I thought he was coming to a weaker league….. Cy young is not in sight for him.
Im sorry muts fans.
By brent a.
April 12, 2008 3:09 PM | Link to this
choppinmama - are you aware that there are numerous sites, much, Much, MUCH better than a blog with a 5-minute delay on which to follow a major league baseball game on-line?
Try espn.com, cbssportsline.com, or mlb.com
it’s much more rewarding to follow a game on one of those sites, than it is to wait for an occasional blurb from a poster.
By Braveheart
April 12, 2008 3:11 PM | Link to this
Chipper has walked twice today. Frenchy has a homer. KJ has an extra base hit.
Looks like the boys read the blog this morning and decided to start checking off stupid complaints.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
April 12, 2008 3:13 PM | Link to this
The Braves and Smoltz are winning.
Santana and the Mets are losing, all is well in the world of baseball.
By JC from UT
April 12, 2008 3:15 PM | Link to this
Is there any bad blood betweem Chipper and Tex? After JF’s HR Chipper was standing quit far away from Tex while waiting for Jeff to clear the bases
By Jim Nantz
April 12, 2008 3:23 PM | Link to this
Shush. We are about to go live from the Masters. I need everyone to sit still and not utter a word. The whole state of Georgia must observe several hours of silence while CBS broadcasts the tradition like no other. I am serious. You don’t want to upset Hootie. Believe me. Shush. If you have to speak, please do so only in hushed tones. Thank you.
By mo in the boonies
April 12, 2008 3:24 PM | Link to this
By BA Man, Mo and n8, I can’t BELIEVE Cox let Smoltz make that error…maybe he should drop this guy down in the rotation…
Naw…he doesn’t have the guts to do that to Smoltz. But he is dumb enough. BTW, I do believe your last post to N8 was a mistake, it was me, not he whom you meant. But then great minds like you and Cox do sometimes get things screwed up.
By AGTfan
April 12, 2008 3:35 PM | Link to this
Mo, you may be an idiot, but at least you’re a consistent idiot. You’re on roll today. I almost believe you’re doing a parody of yourself. Just out of curiosity, what’s your managerial record?
By Jim Nantz
April 12, 2008 3:38 PM | Link to this
Have I made any of you puke yet?
By Capt. Caveman (the original dawg)
April 12, 2008 3:41 PM | Link to this
JC from UT
You just asked the dumbest question of the day - maybe the week/month/year!!
What a putz. The other night after Tex made that great diving stop he kept sprinting across the infield straight to Chipper to give him a high five.
As a former player who has stood at home waiting for a teammate — you just stand somewhere, thats it.
Have you noticed how far away the bullpen is from the dugout — the whole team must really hate those guys !!!! LOLOL
By Arrrgh!
April 12, 2008 3:44 PM | Link to this
smoltz is throwing too many pitches may ot make it past five inning and then oh oh here comes our crappy bullpen and as is often the case we get a big first inning and then everyone stops hitting what are they doing in the dugout checking their stock portfolios arrrgh!
By Tomahawkin' Again (Like it's 1995)
April 12, 2008 3:45 PM | Link to this
For those of us stuck at work today listening on-line, are we wearing the power Blue’s? And, is the game on MLB Extra Innings at home or is it now blacked out because of staring late?
By BA
April 12, 2008 3:48 PM | Link to this
I know exactly who that post was meant for Mo. I have a great mind?! Nice backwards compliment. You obviously disagree with me. That’s fine. Doesn’t mean you’re any smarter than I am. Or vice versa. The genius of Cox is he doesn’t panic like so many of my colleagues here on the legendary DOB blog. Like the old expression: “keep it simple, stupid”. I have a feeling Bobby’s got a COUPLE of years left. And I think he’ll always be regarded as the best manager in this organization’s history. Go ahead, be on the wrong side of history. There were plenty of people who insisted the world was really flat.
By AGTfan
April 12, 2008 3:48 PM | Link to this
There goes that Frenchy again. When will he learn to take the first pitch?
By .
April 12, 2008 3:51 PM | Link to this
Mo, you may be an idiot, but at least you’re a consistent idiot. You’re on roll today. I almost believe you’re doing a parody of yourself. Just out of curiosity, what’s your managerial record?
you need to specify what he is managing. by you own admission, mo in the boonies has a great record managing to be an idiot on a consistent basis.
By fastasballs
April 12, 2008 3:53 PM | Link to this
MLB extra innings I think is blacked out. If you get MASN, DC sports, the game is on & yes they are wearing the new Blue uniforms.
By Stephen Hawking
April 12, 2008 3:56 PM | Link to this
If I may, a word in defense of Mister Robert Cox. Mister Cox is a true genius. I have had many conversations with him and he has been a tremendous help to my work.
For instance, Mister Cox help me understand that black holes eventually transmit, in a garbled form, information about all matter they swallow.
He showed me that the Euclidean path integral over all topologically trivial metrics can be done by time slicing and so is unitary when analytically continued to the Lorentzian. On the other hand, the path integral over all topologically non-trivial metrics is asymptotically independent of the initial state. Thus the total path integral is unitary and information is not lost in the formation and evaporation of black holes. The way the information gets out seems to be that a true event horizon never forms, just an apparent horizon.
How about that - pure genius.
And he will be able to determine the optimal time to take Smoltz out of the game!
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
April 12, 2008 4:00 PM | Link to this
6-1 Braves after four. Smoltz probably won’t go past the seventh. He might even come out after six.
By BA
April 12, 2008 4:03 PM | Link to this
Any of that “platoon Diaz” crap today, denizens?!
By Al Gore
April 12, 2008 4:07 PM | Link to this
Bobby Cox also played a huge part in my invention of the internet!
By The Goche (A.J.)
April 12, 2008 4:08 PM | Link to this
hilarious!
Diaz hustle plays (read Milledge’s no hustle play) ticked off Nats fans so much they are leaving in the fifth inning.
By Carroll Rogers
April 12, 2008 4:09 PM | Link to this
chipper is out at third and martin prado is in. perhaps because the braves are up 7-1 and they want to rest that quad. no official word yet. will let you know when i know.
By Bravesfan79
April 12, 2008 4:11 PM | Link to this
This is the Braves team i know! Now lets get some more runs and pull Chipper, Smoltz, and Mccann! Lets give some of the big dogs some rest so we dont have to give them a game off during a tighter game.
Go Braves!!
By TexasBrave
April 12, 2008 4:15 PM | Link to this
Coach I wouldn’t be surprised if he comes out after this inning but would like to see him go one more then shut it down.
By brent a.
April 12, 2008 4:16 PM | Link to this
From today’s LA Times …
” … leaving Torre wondering if too many players, such as new center fielder Andruw Jones, are trying too hard.
“Jones, who has one hit in his last six games, was dropped to seventh in the order, though that proved to be of little help as he went 0 for 4, dropping his average to .114 and earning boos from the Dodger Stadium crowd with each out.
“He’s having trouble just getting comfortable in the batter’s box. In other words, going out there and when a pitcher’s pitching, having an idea what he’s going to do,” Torre said of Jones, who was in the batting cages more than five hours before Friday’s game. “Right now, he just can’t seem to find that spot.
“Furcal, Jones’ former Atlanta Braves teammate, certainly has found it. He reached base five times Friday, scoring three of the Dodgers’ five runs and falling a home run short of the cycle. That raised his average to .432; Milwaukee’s Jason Kendall, at .538, was the only major leaguer to enter the weekend with a higher mark.”
glad Andruw’s not our problem
By Tomahawkin' Again (Like it's 1995)
April 12, 2008 4:17 PM | Link to this
What have we learned so far denizens, this 2nd weekend of the season? That it’s a freakin’ long season and to make snap judgements (platoon Diaz, Frenchy’s has leveled off, Tex’s pressing because of walk year, etc.) is ridiculous. As it is every April. Football, you panic at 3-6. Baseball, you chill out, enjoy the games and wake me up on Memorial Day. The Braves will be playing deep into October, guaranteed!
By AGTfan
April 12, 2008 4:20 PM | Link to this
Maybe we won’t hear so much from Frenchy and McCann bashers today.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
April 12, 2008 4:21 PM | Link to this
Francoeur and McCann, back to back on consecutive pitches. Bang, Bang the Nats are dead. 10-1 Atlanta
By Britt
April 12, 2008 4:22 PM | Link to this
Save some runs for Glavine Boys!!!
By Murphy
April 12, 2008 4:23 PM | Link to this
Yup, I think we like the warm weather MUCH better!
By Pete H.
April 12, 2008 4:23 PM | Link to this
The Gallic gentleman is having a fairly decent day at work.
By TexasBrave
April 12, 2008 4:24 PM | Link to this
After back to back jacks I have to agree with Bravesfan 79 lets get at least McCann out of there and perhaps even Kotsay to give Blanco some playing time.
By TBraveFan
April 12, 2008 4:24 PM | Link to this
Carrol is now required to cover EVERY game from here out…
Definitely something different has brought us this abundance of hits to match the great pitching!!
By Chop Chop
April 12, 2008 4:28 PM | Link to this
I guess that Francoeur fella has a tiny bit of ability left in him…
In all seriousness, I only expect near-perfection out of the players that inspire that kind of expectation. Smoltz and Chipper are the two guys on this team that I expect greatness out of. I know that Francoeur is not a fully-formed big leaguer right now. He’s got some learning yet to do, which means that he still has upside. That’s pretty good for a guy who’s driven in over 100 runs in a supporting role the last two seasons.
By BravesDave
April 12, 2008 4:36 PM | Link to this
A few comments for Wayne in Utah and Braveheart. First of all, I do not come on here and just blindly rip on Frenchy. I have watched darn near every game of this guy’s career, blackout rules permitting. I am an Extra Innings purchaser for quite a number of years.
I do not criticize him without analyzing the situation. My posts are not repetitive “Frenchy sucks” posts.
If I see something during the game, I will comment on it. If he improves, I will compliment him. With the national blackout today due to Fox, I have not seen his swings. Obviously, he is breaking out of his season-long malaise in a big way - so great for him, and great for the Braves. If he starts hitting the ball with authority, this team will be a completely different animal for their opponents. If he has 1 good game out of every 11 all season, the Braves are in some trouble.
A big hand for Frenchy today. Now all I ask is for a little consistency.
By jbutler
April 12, 2008 4:36 PM | Link to this
Hey- those able to actually watch the game (hmm…haven’t been able to do that for awhile!!) how did JS seem w/his shoulder? Anything noticeable? Just saw he was out- wondered if anything more than pitch count.
Carol your wit is much appreciated and apparently good luck, too!
By Robert (Chipper Is The Best)
April 12, 2008 4:41 PM | Link to this
Hmmmm. Looks like ‘ol Frenchy is hitting the cover off that ball pretty good. Where all his detractors now?!
By Wendell Crabtree
April 12, 2008 4:42 PM | Link to this
I can’t wait until the next generation gets here.
There will be 11 Boones playing utility roles.
And half of all major league catchers will be Molinas.
By TBraveFan
April 12, 2008 4:46 PM | Link to this
btw - Carroll - any way you can find out what type of bar Tex was chowin’ down on in the dugout during the game last night? I think I wanna buy some stock - or maybe just a ton of the stuff myself (long as it’s not just for guys and muscles and stuff)….
By Arrrgh!
April 12, 2008 4:48 PM | Link to this
Oh man! what a crappy bullpen soon we may be subjected to Resop’s foibles. Arrgh!
By Carroll Rogers
April 12, 2008 4:48 PM | Link to this
7 RBI for frenchy is a career-high. holy smokes….first two-homer game since august 17 vs. arizona
By Carroll Rogers
April 12, 2008 4:48 PM | Link to this
7 RBI for frenchy is a career-high. holy smokes….first two-homer game since august 17 vs. arizona
By BravesDave
April 12, 2008 4:53 PM | Link to this
Right here, Robert (CITB).
Who am I to criticize you if you are happy with a player that is excellent 9% of the time?
I, for one, am hoping that he can put it together so that he can be a more consistent threat at the plate on a regular basis.
I hate seeing him flailing away because I am a fan of Frenchy, not because I take pleasure in ripping on him.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
April 12, 2008 4:54 PM | Link to this
Will Ohman stunk up the seventh and Cox yanked him. Jeff Bennett came in and put the fire out. 10-2 Braves after seven full.
By blue collar brave
April 12, 2008 4:57 PM | Link to this
I’m not bitter about the Braves’ slow start. Thank God I have my gun to comfort me.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
April 12, 2008 5:00 PM | Link to this
That Johan Santana fella just lost his second straight game for the Mets.
He really stinks.
By jbutler
April 12, 2008 5:08 PM | Link to this
Blue collar* you must be the “small town resident” that Obama referred too. :) Glad Boyer got through that inning- he can toss the stuffing out of it when he’s on.
By Saltywoody
April 12, 2008 5:12 PM | Link to this
I’ll go ahead and bash Frenchy today.
This is the problem with him for me- it seems like he shows up in the games that don’t matter, like hitting 2 homeruns and having 7 rbis in a blowout. That does no good.
But when we need him to take pitches, hit to the opposite field, show patience, that kind of thing, he’s busy swinging at first pitches.
At the end of the year, Frenchy will probably hit around .300 w/ 20-30 homers and around 100 rbis. Unfortunately, those numbers will be kind of artificially inflated by days like today. I know stats still count whether it’s a blowout or not, but how often do you see Frenchy putting up these kinds of numbers against the Muts or the Phils or, maybe, in a tight, 1-run game?
I could be completely wrong about this and maybe there are some stats gurus out there that can refute my claim with actual numbers.
But, frankly, there are about 7 other guys I’d rather have up there than Frenchy in key situations.
Just my two cents…someone had to step up and bash Frenchy after that day today.
By AGTfan
April 12, 2008 5:13 PM | Link to this
I hate seeing him flailing away because I am a fan of Frenchy, not because I take pleasure in ripping on him.
Now I understand. No one would have ever guessed that in a thousand years from reading your other posts.
By jimmac
April 12, 2008 5:19 PM | Link to this
Combined ERA, Smoltz, Glavine and Hudson, is now 1.52
By BravesFanChris23
April 12, 2008 5:24 PM | Link to this
Alright. Braves win 10-2. Seems like they are getting back on track. DOB was right as it seems, looks like Braves are getting back on track against Nats. Then perhaps Marlins.
By JimD
April 12, 2008 5:30 PM | Link to this
Saltywood, the problem with your Frenchy assessment is that today when he hit his first HR and got his first 3 RBI, the game was not a blowout… it was 1-0. He STARTED the blowout.
By Pete H.
April 12, 2008 5:31 PM | Link to this
What a great day for that cheese-eating surrender monkey. I think we should keep him.
By Saltywoody
April 12, 2008 5:32 PM | Link to this
Anybody know why Ned Yost would bat Ben Sheets eighth and Jason Kendall ninth when Kendall is hitting almost .500? Pretty weird.
Oh, and I love that Jose “Poor man’s JoJo” Reyes is out. I’m giddy over that. Sad.
By AGTfan
April 12, 2008 5:32 PM | Link to this
Gee Saltywoody, without his 2 home-runs and 7 RBI’s it wouldn’t have been a blowout. It was a 1-0 game for his first homer.
By NCBravesFan
April 12, 2008 5:39 PM | Link to this
Saltywoody: Are you sure you aren’t confusing Frenchy with Andruw?
Frenchy is the man in the clutch.
By Braveheart
April 12, 2008 5:49 PM | Link to this
how often do you see Frenchy putting up these kinds of numbers against the Muts or the Phils or, maybe, in a tight, 1-run game? I could be completely wrong about this and maybe there are some stats gurus out there that can refute my claim with actual numbers. But, frankly, there are about 7 other guys I’d rather have up there than Frenchy in key situations.
Frenchy has 13 homers, 55 RBIs in 89 career games against the Mets and Phils. Pretty darn good.
33 homers, 139 RBIs in 180 career games against the NL East
.314 .373 .505 .878 for his career with 2 outs, RISP
.293 .331 .516 .847 for his career in late and close
.311 .354 .474 .828 in tie games
.333 .381 .534 .915 for his career w/RISP
By Braveheart
April 12, 2008 5:54 PM | Link to this
Frenchy will probably hit around .300 w/ 20-30 homers and around 100 rbis.
Yeah, those guys with those Paul Oneill type numbers sure suck to have on your team.
By PatioDaddio
April 12, 2008 6:03 PM | Link to this
I am always amazed by the logic of some. It seems that after this person takes over half the bottle of whisky in one gulp, inhales a large amount of glue from a brown bag and sniffs a alot of white powder through a rolled up dollar bill, he then proceeds to analyze and critique today’s results.
By Pete H.
April 12, 2008 6:05 PM | Link to this
*This is the problem with him for me- it seems like he shows up in the games that don’t matter, like hitting 2 homeruns and having 7 rbis in a blowout. That does no good.
But when we need him to take pitches, hit to the opposite field, show patience, that kind of thing, he’s busy swinging at first pitches.
At the end of the year, Frenchy will probably hit around .300 w/ 20-30 homers and around 100 rbis. Unfortunately, those numbers will be kind of artificially inflated by days like today.*
A most, um, interesting post. You do know that hitting .300 with 30 HR and 100 RBIs is a sign of EXCELLENCE? You do know that players run up their numbers by having big days from time to time, as opposed to driving in one run in 100 games?
Just an amazing post. And not in a good way.
By Chop Chop
April 12, 2008 6:12 PM | Link to this
Braveheart,
I thought about posting stats in response to Saltywoody’s comment, but I decided to just ask this question of him:
Saltywoody, do you expect Francoeur to be a Hall of Fame-caliber player?
You’re giving Francoeur a .300/20-30 HR/around 100 RBI season off the bat and saying that his stats will be artificially inflated. Well, if you’re going to point out that Francoeur will have some really good days (and a lot of not-so-good days) during a season, then basically all hitters’ stats are artificially inflated. Players don’t live in a vacuum. A player who hits .300 in a season doesn’t go 1.2 for 4 every day. (Hell, if a guy could go 1.2 for 4 every day, that probably wouldn’t be good enough for most of us.)
It just seems to me that you expect too much out of the guy. Was it the SI article in ‘05 that did it to you? Was it the Delta commercial? I mean, what the hell are you expecting out of Francoeur? The guy gives consistent effort. He doesn’t smirk on the way back to the dugout after another strikeout or anything. He seems to bust his a* when he’s out in the field or on the basepaths. He’s 24 years old, so there is the possibility of him getting better.
Believe me. I definitely understand being frustrated with a guy for not doing the things you think he should do all the time (that’s why I yell at the TV and want to throw my remote from time to time), but that’s just life. Smoltz is the only guy I can think of that hasn’t really let me down very much as a fan, and even he has let me down before. The massive amount of good Smoltz has done on the diamond outweighs those bad times. Francoeur will do plenty more good than bad for the Braves in the future.
(I will now put down the rolled-up C-note—I’m high-class, Daddio—and yield the floor.)
By KC
April 12, 2008 6:17 PM | Link to this
Saltwoody: It was a 1-run game before Francoeur hit his first homer. It was a blowout BECAUSE of his 7 RBI. So with all do respect, you’re wrong.
By Tonight on TBS
April 12, 2008 6:21 PM | Link to this
Instead of a game, we present:
The French Connection (1971)
Journalist partners Doyle and Russo (D. O’Brien and C. Rogers) put a stadium under surveillance based on a hunch that something fishy is going on. It turns out that a free-swinging Frenchman (Fernando Rey) is planning the biggest rbi day of the season. (Rated R for scenes of horrific bat crashes).
By BravesDave
April 12, 2008 6:23 PM | Link to this
AGTfan, I am a fan of everyone on the Braves. Once you put on the uniform, I am going to pull for you. Now, Pete Orr and Chris Woodward made it difficult, but I still pulled for them while I criticized them for being so putrid. Ruben Gotay? Former Met, but I am a fan right now.
Basically, I see nothing contradictory in being a fan of a player but at the same time pointing out their shortcomings. Frenchy has all the physical tools. He needs to put that together with the mental side of the game. Now. There is nothing surprising about major league baseball for him now. This will be his fourth season in the bigs. Time to put it together - if he can.
By Efrim
April 12, 2008 6:37 PM | Link to this
Good couple of wins. It would be nice to finish off the sweep tomorrow. It’ll be tough, Redding can shut a team down. You have to figure McCann will get a day off, although maybe not with the off day on Monday and a full 24 hours between games. It was great to see Frenchy and Heap have good games at the plate as well. Now we just have to get Kelly, Matt and Tex going. Kelly Johnson hasn’t drawn a walk yet, which is really quite strange. He might be pressing a bit. It doesn’t suprise me that Diaz hasn’t drawn a walk yet, he has less plate discipline than Frenchy.
By AGTfan
April 12, 2008 6:49 PM | Link to this
BravesDave I wasn’t being sarcastic. I really do believe you. This is his 3rd full year in the bigs. Clearly you’re a fan and you expect nothing less than HOF type numbers. Anything less and you trash him constantly. He’s only 24 years old. If he continues performing only at the level he has so far, he will be a very successful major leaguer. If he continues to improve, he may well be a HOFer. Look back at the stats that Braveheart posted a few posts ago. The kid is a clutch performer. Just what are your expectations? What does he have to do for you to cut him some slack?
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
April 12, 2008 6:54 PM | Link to this
I don’t know about Saltywoody, criticizing Francoeur after the best day of his career.
That is sheer lunacy hard at work.
Did you guys see the right hander who pitched the eighth and ninth innigs for the Nationals?
YEESH !
Jesus Colome was nasty. That dude throws gas and he was spotting it right where he wanted too. If the Braves are looking for bullpen help later on this season, I know who to call.
By BravesDave
April 12, 2008 7:03 PM | Link to this
AGTfan, what does Frenchy need to do for me to cut him slack??? That is simple. He needs to stop striking out 100 more times per year than he walks. If he can hit .285, hit 25 HRs, and drive in 100 every year, I would be thrilled; but he needs to combine that with productive, major league-quality at-bats. Maybe a .360 - .370 OBP. The ability to move runners over or hit a sac fly, when necessary.
Right now, his approach never differs given the game situation. He is a hacker. Hackers have good days where they seem locked in (like today) and more often they have days where they look lost against a pitcher who can change speeds effectively and be effectively wild.
By Lew
April 12, 2008 7:05 PM | Link to this
Saltywoody-Dude, are you serious about Francoeur? He’s led all of baseball in two out RBI the last two years-even ahead of Pujols. He’s the FIRST person after Chipper that I want up there when there’s runners on and they need to be driven in.
By Carroll Rogers
April 12, 2008 7:11 PM | Link to this
here’s what chipper had to say about coming out of the game (and his two sore quadriceps): “Once we got up five or six runs there wasn’t any sense in really pushing it. I’m still sore today. I’ve got it in both legs, really got to pay attention to it. I got three rounds of treatment in today which was good. Hopefully it’ll keep getting better. It wasn’t as bad today as it was last night.”
off to enjoy a night in our nation’s capital…
By Lew
April 12, 2008 7:18 PM | Link to this
Saltywoody-One more thing. You act as if Francoeur’s power display today was meaningless because he did it in a blowout. However, if you subtract his 7 RBI today, there is NO blowout. We barely win at 3-2.
There is no such thing as a meaningless RBI.
By AGTfan
April 12, 2008 7:18 PM | Link to this
He needs to stop striking out 100 more times per year than he walks.
2007 642 at bats. 42 BB 129 Ks. That’s less than 100 time fewer BBs to Ks. So cut him some slack. His OBP went up by 45 points from 2006 to 2007. He is a hacker. Give us a few more hackers like that and we’ll be playing October Baseball.
By Gil in Mechanicsville
April 12, 2008 7:25 PM | Link to this
Well, another good day for the Braves’ Nation, even if you folks can’t agree as to why that is…
By Gil in Mechanicsville
April 12, 2008 7:33 PM | Link to this
For you folks who might actually have a clue…. It really is too bad about Spezio. He could have been a valuable addition to the team. Some folks have a much tougher time with alcohol addiction than others. It is not a joke and it is a terrible thing to face, particularly in an environment like sports. I hope he is able to overcome it and he has great success for someone the Braves do not play…
By ncscoots
April 12, 2008 7:41 PM | Link to this
Fellas, please, LOL. It does no good to repeat Francoeur’s numbers to folks who have decided he should be the next incarnation of Hank Aaron at 24. Just…won’t…work.
Those who believed he should have emerged a fully-formed major league hitting machine from a AA callup will never accept that the kid has room to improve or give him the time to actually show improvement. Might as well just file that away, shake your head when you see such a post, and move on. Otherwise, you’ll just weary of the squishy sound made by hitting your head against a wall.
By Roper
April 12, 2008 7:49 PM | Link to this
I wonder what happened to those change ups and curves Smoltzie was working on during spring training. Was that just a ruse to throw off opposing teams hitters? Or does he get into games with his adrenaline pumping and can’t resist a steady diet of fastballs and sliders.
By Philliesuk
April 12, 2008 7:52 PM | Link to this
Someone earlier tried to diminish what Francoeur did today by saying that all of those RBIs weren’t as important because it was a blow-out. I COMPLETELY disagree. Those ‘meaningless’ extra runs allowed Cox to rest Chipper and Smoltz. For that reason alone, those runs are some of the most important ones he will drive in all season.
By AGTfan
April 12, 2008 7:57 PM | Link to this
ncscoots
So, that’s what that sound is! I hear it a lot when I’m trying to get my daughter to clean her room. Probably accounts for the terrible headaches too.
By ncscoots
April 12, 2008 8:18 PM | Link to this
AGTFan, roger that; blogs are not the unique cause for that particular state of affairs, LOL.
BTW, it’s not enough you’re in the midst of a bunch of Dawgs fans here, you gotta put up with Wayne, Salty (not Saltywoody, but the other guy), and me, also; we’re the Clemson contingent.
now, baseball…interesting to note that the Braves saw approximately the same number of pitches per appearance as yesterday, about 3.5 per PA. Guess they should have been a little more patient.
By richbrave
April 12, 2008 8:20 PM | Link to this
GIL in MECHANICSVILLE:
Nice line on Spiezio. I gave him a comparable on Chop Chick’s blog. He really does have good baseball talent. Sure gave the R-Braves a boost. Here’s hoping he overcomes and returns to baseball.
By Logan23
April 12, 2008 8:28 PM | Link to this
Andruw Jones was dropped to the seventh spot in last nights Dodger lineup.
If they pencil him in at eight we’re in for an old fashion Tommy Lasorda moment.
Andruw: “Skipper why am I batting eight?”
Torre: “Because Rhoden isn’t pitching.”
By fastasballs
April 12, 2008 8:29 PM | Link to this
Heck of a day for Frenchy. I’ll admit the guy can frustrate the hell out of me, but he is a clutch hitter. He has some amazing stats with 2 outs & RISP.
He’s just 24 years old, his best days are far in front of him. Even though he frustrates me sometimes with his impatience it could NEVER compare to frustration of Andruw Jones at the plate the past several years.
His agressiveness at the plate contributes to his success, but also it is his weakness at the in certain situations.
By McFann
April 12, 2008 9:04 PM | Link to this
Great game!! Just finished watching the tape!
MCCANN HIT HIS 50th CAREER HOME RUN!! WOO-HOO!!!! And he got his AVG to .351!!
By Shamus Thacker
April 12, 2008 9:08 PM | Link to this
Way to go Braves!!
By AdirondackDave
April 12, 2008 9:17 PM | Link to this
Great day for Francoeur. It’s the kind of day I was actually expecting from Teixeira, not Frenchy, though I was glad to see it. Come on, Frank, it’s time to get serious about the long term deal for Jeff and Escobar too, for that matter.
Does anybody in the world (other than that foolish writer who said he was a utility player) not think Yuni’s the real deal and a franchise player? These two signings are probably more important than Tex.
I’ve gone 180 degrees on Tex and would like to see that 20M per year put into proven, young starters. Five starters that keep you in the game through 6-7 innings are what gets you to the post season.
By richbrave
April 12, 2008 9:26 PM | Link to this
R-Braves game #9 report:
5-4-3 around the horn DP finishes off the pigs in the bottom of the sixth as the heros cruise 5-2. Radio reception terrible. Details tomorrow on Chop Chick’s Blog. Francesley Bueno the starter for Richmond.
By Shamus Thacker
April 12, 2008 9:31 PM | Link to this
You know, for Speedo to show up blitzed for a game, he really has NO character whatsoever. I’ve known pseudo-junkies who’d at least go to work straight every day. This guy will never amount to anything; he joins baseball immortal Steve Howe in the National League’s Huffin-Puffin Crackrock Player’s Association. Darryl Strawbuzzy and Doc Goodenstoned, co-chairmen.
By DAP
April 12, 2008 9:32 PM | Link to this
Saltywoody it seems like he shows up in the games that don’t matter, like hitting 2 homeruns and having 7 rbis in a blowout. That does no good.
i cant tell if you were joking…but did you think about the fact that jeff blew them out all by himself? the only reason it was a blowout is because jeff had a great day. its not like we scored ten runs, and THEN frenchy turned it on.
if it werent for jeff today, we would have won this game 3-2. so thanx for nothing jeff francouer. please.
you need to check jeff’s late and close stats, and revisit some of his game winning hits.
By AdirondackDave
April 12, 2008 9:44 PM | Link to this
McCann is certainly looking like his ‘06 self at the plate and, barring injury, this should be another great season for him. He’s on the verge of leaving Mauer and Martin in his dust as the best young catcher in the game.
Tex undoubted will turn around soon with an explosive series. Even with his current sub-.200 numbers he’s been an improvement over Andruw in the cleanup spot.
Right now we look good to great at every field position although I’m still a little uneasy about Johnson. He certainly has punch with the bat but his defense, and so far, his lack of walks bothers me. But it’s way too early to get down on KJ, he’ll likely grind out another good year too.
By William
April 12, 2008 9:45 PM | Link to this
He’s just 24 years old, his best days are far in front of him. Even though he frustrates me sometimes with his impatience it could NEVER compare to frustration of Andruw Jones at the plate the past several years.
AMEN to that!!!! How can anyone call Francoeur impatient after watching Andruw all those years???? I can’t understand how Frenchy had a great game today and people are trying to find fault with it. I guess you just can’t please some people.
By AdirondackDave
April 12, 2008 10:12 PM | Link to this
Comparing Francoeur and Andruw’s patience at the plate is a disservice to Frenchy. When Chipper said “lose and Andruw, gain an Andruw” he was ribbing Francoeur. If he felt the situations were really comparable he would never had said so publicly. He seems way too diplomatic to call a teammate out that severely and mean it with the press standing there. I think it was just Chipper’s way of suggesting that it’s something to pay attention to before it turns into an Andruw-type problem.
Speaking of Andruw, Kotsay or not, I’ll bet the pitchers sure miss AJ running down balls in center.
By BayAreaSteve
April 12, 2008 10:16 PM | Link to this
I realize much of the Wurlitzer selection committee has departed.
I realize I’m relatively new here, and the man may have already won a time or two.
I realize the award involves a considerable amount of labor, not my own.
I realize I am way too drunk for 7:00 in the evening.
But if anyone has ever earned a Wurlitzer more, I don’t know him/her.
For accurate, relevant, informed, and always humorous posts, ncscoots, I salute you.
By Shamus Thacker
April 12, 2008 10:21 PM | Link to this
Think Tex’ll take a few more cuts in spring training next year?
For a player, ANY player, to say he’s not worried about his hitting [while doing very poorly] in spring, is like a future surgeon saying he’s not worried about his operating while in medical school. He has all damn winter for liftin n’ stretchin, it’s HITTING he should be worried about in springtime! Guess he’s so broke he doesn’t have time in the off-season; must have a 2nd job hackin cabs in the winter or sumpthin… Bet he’s got that liftin n’ stretchin down pat. It’s a good thing, cause he couldn’t hit Stone Mountain with a bat.
By AGTfan
April 12, 2008 10:45 PM | Link to this
ncscoots BTW, it’s not enough you’re in the midst of a bunch of Dawgs fans here, you gotta put up with Wayne, Salty (not Saltywoody, but the other guy), and me, also; we’re the Clemson contingent. LOL. I don’t mind Dawgs or Tigers, although some of the fans of both can be pretty obnoxious. (Tech fans would never be obnoxious. Come on, throw some more fish at the Notre Dame bench.)I had a cousin make All American at UGA. My niece was a UGA cheerleader and her husband was a UGA running back. I have a favorite second cousin at Clemson right now.
By richbrave
April 12, 2008 10:51 PM | Link to this
Guess we’ll be seeing Chuck for real and soon. R-Braves win tonight 5-3. Nunez gets the win in relief of Bueno. Our Aussie Phil Stockman gets the save with three SO’s over the last two innings. Barbaro Canizares goes 2-5 with a walk, single, HR and an RBI. Anderson another timely single with two RBI. Sammons 1-3 with a walk and a single. Taylor a single with two RBI. Lines tomorrow on Chop Chick’s Blog. League leading 7-2 record.
By Greg in TN
April 12, 2008 10:51 PM | Link to this
Evening gang…
The fellas brought the lumber to the ballyard today, and no one brought in more ducks off the pond today than the pride of Parkview high. Lots of card carrying members of Planet Braves would like to see him more patient at the plate, and there are times when he puts himself in a hole at the plate with his aggresiveness, however there will be times like today when he eats opposing pitchers alive as he did with Lannan and Bergmann today in the beltway. I look at Frenchy and still see a work in progress even though he’s beginning his third full season in the bigs.
Folks we needed a laugher in more ways than one today, so an eight-run victory is sight for sore eyes in every corner of Braves Nation. Smoltz gets a big early lead and is able to coast through six. Chipper started, got a hit and a couple free passes to first before retiring to soothe his quads. Aside from Ohman giving up a run on a third of an inning, most everyone else looked to be effective coming out of the pen today and the Braves gained ground on everyone except the Phillies, so another good day to be a Braves fan.
Got to feel good going into tomorrow’s start by one Tom Glavine, who is battling for the sweep against Tim Redding. Good news to this denizen in reading the announcement that the big club is extending the working agreement with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans through 2010. This denizen certainly enjoyed two days of Pelican baseball, and I know Chris Klob and several others that make their way to Myrtle to see the future of the franchise. If anyone is over that way this summer, you really ought to take in a game or two.
By brent a.
April 12, 2008 11:00 PM | Link to this
Can we please put a moratorium on the “baseball season is not equivalent to football season” comments?
It’s getting pretty tired.
By richbrave
April 12, 2008 11:09 PM | Link to this
How can you Braves fans stand that rf? phew! Lets bring up Josh and replace this guy!!
I know some of you do believe Jeff is a flash in the pan. To those posting up such, I would say, Cuba wanted a change in their government in the 1950’s and they got it. Be careful what you wish for. You might get it. And it definitely would be different. Not better, but different. Let the oganization do its job. Enjoy the ride. This year will be fine.
By brent a.
April 12, 2008 11:14 PM | Link to this
I still say lay off Tex, for now.
If he stays healthy and plays 160 games this year, and produces in May - September like he did last August & September, you’ll be thrilled that he got himself into great physical shape in March.
I am better than 99% certain that his comments about his hitting in spring training are being way overblown. Even if he were more “concerned” about his swing in March, it doesn’t mean that it would’ve automatically gotten fixed had he spent more time on it.
What if he decided to cut back on his physical regimen in exchange for his swing, and ended up pulling a quad during the 2nd week of the season?
How useful would his great swing be if he couldn’t play?
It’s an approach he takes that has served him extremely well throughout his career.
His left handed swing actually looks pretty good, and he just needs to get his right-handed swing in order, and we’ll be in business.
Meanwhile, Andruw Jones is batting .111 with 1 extra base hit and no homeruns, etc.
Tex has already helped us win one big ballgame, and will end up having a great year.
Tex ‘08 will not be Andruw ‘07.
By Lance Goodthrust
April 12, 2008 11:24 PM | Link to this
Local boy Knarls Barkley is on SNL tonight for those interested.
By Shamus Thacker
April 13, 2008 12:22 AM | Link to this
Brent, I just believe a player should show up in playing condition. The more than generous wages should be sufficient to inspire them during the off-season. For a player to arrive in less than absolute optimum condition is mind-boggling and shameful.
Tex is stealing money this first month, and lots of it!
By BayAreaSteve
April 13, 2008 12:34 AM | Link to this
Moby Grape,
thanks for the feedback, brother.
IMO, that article should be mandatory reading for all here.
By ColoradoBravesFan
April 13, 2008 12:50 AM | Link to this
Lew
I just received the Maddux paintingpainting you sent. It is really great. Thanks for you efforts
GO BRAVOS…
By Overlord
April 13, 2008 12:57 AM | Link to this
YOUR VIEW To what do you most attribute the Braves’ slow start?
Hitting Pitching Competition has been better
WHAT ABOUT BOBBY COX AS AN OPTION???
By AGTfan
April 13, 2008 1:34 AM | Link to this
Overlord YOUR VIEW To what do you most attribute the Braves’ slow start?
A couple of inches here, a couple of inches there. In one game the starting pitching wasn’t there. In the others it was the normal reasons you lose games. Defensive mistakes, one or two bad pitches, manager didn’t guess right, sunspots. OK, maybe not sunspots. There will of course be those guys who will blame BC for every loss. That’s OK with me. He’s the boss. It’s funny how none of those guys who blame BC for the losses ever think he deserves credit for any of the victories. To me it’s a team game. The TEAM gets the wins and the TEAM takes the losses.
If it makes you feel better, blame me for the slow start. But, if you do, I want you to give me the credit, when the Braves are still playing baseball in October.
By Wayne in Utah
April 13, 2008 1:43 AM | Link to this
I have come to the conclusion that Mo in the Boonies, Overlord, and BravesDave are maybe the same person. They wouldn’t know the truth, if it walked up and kicked their a$$!
How’s that guys?
Be ticked off or not, I really don’t care. You three constantly push issues that have small bits and pieces of the truth, but are far from reality.
OK: Bobby Cox and Jeff Francoeur are not going to be perfect, or even close. If you can’t see what we have in these two guys, then I would say that you guys are the frickin three blind mice of the blog.
Have a great night. Be careful, and don’t hurt yourselves!
Watch out uga cause you are gaining fast on these guys!
Since I have dumped on you guys, I do expect retaliation. I have wide shoulders, load it up!
All the rest of you folks who realize that while still young and needing improvement, Frenchy is still a very clutch hitter AND that Bobby Cox, while sometimes baffling in his decisions, is still one of the 3-4 best managers in baseball AND who are not sitting out there picking apart every single issue with every loss (and even sometimes with wins), you I call my friends.
Have a great night all!
Jazz killed the Nuggets tonight!
By Wayne in Utah
April 13, 2008 1:47 AM | Link to this
AGTfan: Like you, I am sure getting tired of the same old snivelling drivel coming from a handful of bloggers.
I bet each of them throw like a girl! (Sorry jbutler, Carroll, McFann and others of the female persuasion, but I couldn’t resist!)
By BravesRule
April 13, 2008 2:29 AM | Link to this
WHAT ABOUT BOBBY COX AS AN OPTION???Overlord
What about moronic ranting fans who know nothing about baseball as an option?
By uga-brave
April 13, 2008 2:39 AM | Link to this
wayne,
you never have to apologize to me.
i apologized to carroll for my drive by shooting and she was gracious enough to accept. thank you carroll.
as for today, the formula is simple.
if francoeur hits we win.
what is so hard about understanding that.
chipper and tex will be contsants. we need two other guys to participate.
BravesDave does not hate francoeur, he just wants consistency, and he is right.
props to jeff on his fantastic day, i hope we see many more.
i think what rubs some people wrong about francoeur, is the fact that he is the first quote you see in the paper.
the guy has unlimited potential, he is a great guy in the community, i just think he needs to have a better approach at times.
lets hope today was not an aberation.
By Robert (Chipper Is The Best)
April 13, 2008 2:39 AM | Link to this
I think the Francoeur/Andruw comparisons are fair. Francoeur is a lot like Andruw when Andruw was 24. Hell, Andruw now. And that is the point. Frenchy seems to be a little bit more accepting of instruction than Andruw was/is. If Frenchy would learn a bit of patience and it is okay to hit the ball the other way then he will be one of 10 most dangerous hitters in baseball.
I think one thing he can do is in his first bat take the approach of taking a pitch until he gets a strike. That way he can get a feel for how the pitcher is going to pitch him and what kind of control he has. When he goes up there hacking away pitchers know they don’t have to throw a strike. He will, of course, adapt his approach in subsequent at-bats as warranted.
By uga-brave
April 13, 2008 3:06 AM | Link to this
of all my criticism you will never ever hear me criticize bobby cox.
never have done it never will. the guy built this franchise into what it is. he has a eye for talent and manages a 162 game season better then anyone.
the difference now and 7 or 8 years ago is the payroll.
we have holes on this roster, and they are evident at times. as a G.M. you gotta pick your spots.
as for now our holes are in the pen and the bench. STARTING pitching has been spectacular.
where we may have failed,is building a bridge that gets the last 9 outs.
face it glavine, smoltz, and hampton are probably 6 to 6/3 inning pitchers at this point.
so who pitches the seventh? right now bobby does the matchup thing.
for us to be serious contenders, we need to win a couple of close games.
like last year score six or more we win, score five or less we lose.
we did not win more then 5 games in a row last year, that should change if our starting pitching is any indication.
By uga-brave
April 13, 2008 3:16 AM | Link to this
robert,
that is a bit of a reach.
By richbrave
April 13, 2008 9:02 AM | Link to this
uga-brave:
Now that’s a good take on Francouer. And I would add, that Francouer is being made into the face of the Atlanta Braves by the organization. His good looks and outgoing demeanor will SELL. Liberty wants a marketing point-person and Francouer has been chosen. Unfortunately, his hype has overextended his play offensively.
No one doubts that he has a long way to go to become the hitter Chip Jones is now. Frankly, I’ve read of or watched a LOT of Braves position players since Eddie Mathews’ rookie year, and there’s NEVER been as good as Larry Wayne. Not that I’ve seen. Whomever takes over for him in the field and the line-up will forever be compared to Chip and it won’t be fair. He’s simply the best there is at hitting, and no one else will be quite as good. I think Francour will be close IF he dedicates himself to the ART of hitting as Jones has done.
Because U KNO WHO was a better fundamental hitter before he ever became a Brave, people can easily see how very far Francour needs to improve to get to Jones’ level. And the old time clock is ticking for Jeff. He might not even realize it due to his youth.
I suppose he didn’t have the hitting mentor Chip did. Thanks dad for guiding that stick for all us Braves fans. Its a great ride.
By ernesto
April 13, 2008 9:38 AM | Link to this
One thing Druw must miss about the ATL - he never had to face this kind of “gloves off” animosity in the AJC-
(http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-simers13apr13,1,6365046.column)
Ouch!
By NCBravesFan
April 13, 2008 9:44 AM | Link to this
On another topic - anyone who wants to see how the Andruw Jones experiment is going in LA should read the LA Times column by TJ Simers today. Absolutely brutal.
(I won’t link it here since this is an AJC blog - it’s easily found by Googling the LA Times.)
Maybe he’ll turn it around and have a big year for the Dodgers, but his responses to Simers’ questions give off that same whiff of unconcern that we had to put up with last year. Long live Mark Kotsay!
By NCBravesFan
April 13, 2008 9:49 AM | Link to this
Ernesto - you beat me to it! Brutal, isn’t it? Yikes!
By Braveheart
April 13, 2008 9:50 AM | Link to this
Why are people comparing Frenchy to Chipper? Makes no sense. It’s like comparing Andre Dawson to George Brett. Such different styles of players. Makes no sense. Frenchy ain’t The Hawk just yet either and may never be but one thing is certain. Frenchy will never be the next Chipper Jones. He was never supposed to be. There are only a handful of players every generation or so like George Brett and Chipper Jones.
Why can’t people just love having a very talented kid who is producing while still raw and growing? I understand the people who have concerns about him. Who doesn’t have concerns about him? But haven’t those concerns been duly noted for the record at this point? So why is it that everyday the same group of 5 people pound away at every mistake and flaw?
It also puzzles me why people don’t understand why he is quoted so much. Chipper, Smoltz, Glavine, Hudson, Frenchy, McCann are the quotable stars. Deal with it. Are ya just dying to hear what Chris Resop has to say about the price of milk in China?
The people who most often complain about him being so often quoted are often the ones who don’t live in the Atlanta area and/or are older than 35 years old. They’re out of touch. If you lived in the area and were young enough, you would understand that he was a mega star in the area long before he became a Brave. Attendance has gone up 6,000 fans a game since his callup. Not a coincidence. If you got a problem with the way the Braves are selling Frenchy, don’t blame the Braves. Blame all the youngsters who demand that the Braves sell Frenchy.
By TexasBrave
April 13, 2008 10:04 AM | Link to this
Just read that AJ column by Simmers in the LA Times and I must say that I cannot believe that even AJ would take the crap that Simers was dishing out. Never have I heard AJ that jaded. That would be just stupid of AJ if what he said really transpired the way Simers reported it. Sounds to me like Simers cut and pasted the story he wanted the fans to hear.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
April 13, 2008 10:04 AM | Link to this
The Brilliance of Mets fans hard at work :
http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/24083594/
I mean, who but Mets fans would steal garbage from a dump.
By Lew
April 13, 2008 10:08 AM | Link to this
Colorado Braves Fan-Is a painting painting anything like an American American? Have you noticed that he’s throwing a circle change in the painting? Glad you like it.
UGABrave-Dude, glad you apologized. Shows you to be an upstanding Dawg. Carroll’s a good Lady and a Good Journalist.
By NCBravesFan
April 13, 2008 10:14 AM | Link to this
TexasBrave: Maybe I’m jaded, but I believe the conversation between Andruw and Simers went down pretty much as described. I think the Atlanta media tends to be a lot easier on players than big market cities like NY & LA.
But I do think if you read between the lines of what DOB and a few other writers said about Andruw last year, a conversation like the one described would not be too much of a stretch to believe.
By NCBravesFan
April 13, 2008 10:22 AM | Link to this
Braveheart - you make some good points at 9:50, but why do you have to hate on older people? I’m 45 and live in NC, but I think Frenchy is a cornerstone player and I hope he’s a Brave forever.
He’s an incredible talent and he seems to really be dedicated to working hard to making himself even better. Sounds like a great player to build your marketing efforts around.
I think the people who criticize Frenchy don’t really understand a lot about baseball, and the tremendous pressure these guys are under - especially at such a young age.
I’ll probably get drilled for saying this - but I think Frenchy at the plate is actually ahead of David Wright up in NY - Wright doesn’t have very good plate discipline at all, and looks a lot like Frenchy did two years ago to me. Perhaps that’s an unfair comparison given that DW is expected to be “the man” in that lineup while Frenchy is not (at least not yet). But DW gets the benefit of all the hype that comes from playing in NY.
By KC
April 13, 2008 10:30 AM | Link to this
Braveheart: Agreed. Frenchy, very soon (beginning this year, I believe) will be a guy who every year hits between .285-.300, with 30-plus homers, 40 doubles, 110 RBI, and a gold-glove contender every year in RF.
Good enough for me.
I just hope we can hurry up and sign him to a long-term deal. Another year of the “one-year extension” crap, and I will start getting nervous.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
April 13, 2008 10:36 AM | Link to this
Andruws offensive production so far :
O HR’s 3 Singles 3 runs 1 Double 1 RBI and that putrid .105 batting average.
Mark Kotsay so far : 7 runs 6 singles 2 doubles 1 triple 1 HR 3 RBI and a respectable .250 BA.
Along with 2 assists and one remarkable double play.
By N8
April 13, 2008 10:48 AM | Link to this
Here’s something that I found interesting this morning. Now it’s only after 3 starts for each of them, but…..
Johan Santana has made 3 starts, going 20.2 innings, his record is 1-2, and his ERA is 3.05.
The man who “replaced” him in Minnesota, Livan Hernandez, has also made 3 starts, going 21 innings, his record is 3-0 and his ERA is 2.57.
I’ll make 3 points about this “finding”.
1) THANK GOD the Mets didn’t add Livan to their rotation as well.
2) WHY didn’t we take a look at him for OUR rotation?
3) Obviously, I don’t expect those numbers to stay along that path all year. BUT, similar to the Kotsay/Andruw discussion, to me, it’s ALL about dollar value.
Livan is costing the Twins 5 million dollars this year. Johan is making 13.5 million this year, and MUCH more than that in the future, AND cost the Mets some good prospects.
If Hernandez wins around 15 games, Johan would have to win about 40 to make the “money” be about the same vaule.
Add to that, Johan has been mediocre at best in the post-season, where we’ve seen first hand what Livan can do (with Eric Gregg behind the plate of course LOL!).
Anyhow. I’m not sure Livan is the right guy (especially long-term) to replace Johan in Minnesota, but surely he would have fit in nicely (it appears early on anyhow), into the 4th or 5th spot of our rotation.
By Lew
April 13, 2008 10:52 AM | Link to this
Just read that Shimer article and I sure don’t remember any Atlanta Journalist taking Andruw to task like that. However truthful it may have been, it was still relatively brutal-something Andruw is certainly NOT used too.
Maybe it’s about time he sees how he is viewed by those who cover him and those who pay to see him play. Yes, he had some great years in Atlanta, but he provided a ton of frustration, as well, especially since mid-way through the 06 season. One can only hope that articles such as Shimers’ may provide Andruw with a wake up call, but I sure wouldn’t put $$$$$ on it.
However, he may just get more stubborn and bone headed about the entire situation and we have a pretty good idea where that will lead. It will be interesting to see how this plays out. I sure don’t see any stories about his car collection in his future-at least not with him giving a guided tour of his garage. I’m beginning to wonder just how long that grin will last in LA.
By KC
April 13, 2008 10:58 AM | Link to this
After looking at schedules and match-ups, I am making a slight change to my end of the month NL East standings predictions. Of course, none of us have any idea how things will shake out the rest of the month, but here’s what I believe is most likely:
NL East Standings At the End of April:
1 - Braves 16-11
1 - Mets 16-11
3 - Phillies 14-14 (2.5)
4 - Marlins 13-14 (3.0)
5 - Washington 8-20 (8.5)
By nolie
April 13, 2008 11:02 AM | Link to this
I’ll probably get drilled for saying this - but I think Frenchy at the plate is actually ahead of David Wright up in NY -NCBravesfan
I’m not gonna drill ya, but I sure do disagree with you. David’s career stats are .311/.388/.533. Jeff is .281/.319/.466. Wright’s Ba is almost as high as Jeff’s OBP. Which is really what most are complaining about. Jeff still makes too many outs, though he certainly did improve last season and hopefully will do a little better again this season.
an OPS+ of 138 for David and 101 for Jeff. David is 38% better than an average hitter, Jeff is 1% better. Not sure how you could compare them that way right now, but maybe Jeffy will continue to catch up.
By THE BEAR
April 13, 2008 11:24 AM | Link to this
For all the experts who are determined to bad mouth Francouer I wonder if you think there are any teams among the other 29 who would be willing to employ him should the Braves release him. Sounds like you would prefer a batter who will try to get a walk over one who drives in 100 RBI EACH YEAR. And if that is where you stand surely you can come up with all kinds of suggestions of trades the Braves might make for someone with a GOOD EYE. Whether he can make a throw from right field to third is not a considertion of course.
For me I will stick with Frenchy and laugh at you fools who get in a rut and have no clue how to escape like that one who complained that Jeff had driven in 7 “UNIMPORTANT” runs yesterday. That has to be the dumbest statement made here in at least the last month.
By chase
April 13, 2008 11:29 AM | Link to this
WHY CAN’T YOU PEOPLE LET ANDRUW GO and STOP BASHING HIM?
He was a great Brave for alot of years and did alot to help this team..
IF you liked him or not it doesn’t matter..HE IS NOT HERE ANYMORE GIVE THE GUY A BREAK
What is he still doing to offend you people? He is across the country!
I just don’t get it!
By Steve McP
April 13, 2008 11:31 AM | Link to this
The LA Times article on Andruw is amazing, While what he says is probably true, trying to hector players like they are politicians and employing “investigative journalism” to try to make a story cannot be constructive for his stories for therst of the season for this guy if he is only covering the Dodgers.
I cannot see how any of the players would be willing to tell this guy anything interesting and I am sure that if he tried this technique with one or two of them he would be picking himself up off of the floor before he gets to question 2.
I know that people on here accuse DOB of being too cosy with the players, but his approach means that he does have interesting things to say about what is going on in the team and players and officials know that they can speak to him in confidence without it appearing in the media the next day, if he were to be bullying players for his stories he would be persona non grata in the clubhouse in no time and his stories would then be from the outside looking in.
By chase
April 13, 2008 11:34 AM | Link to this
THE BEAR
You might as well get used to it.
According to MANY of these people FRENCHY will NEVER have a MEANINGFUL RBI Much the Same way NONE of ANDRUW’S 386 HRs and Gold Gloves were meaningful!
By BravesRule
April 13, 2008 11:36 AM | Link to this
Sounds like you would prefer a batter who will try to get a walk over one who drives in 100 RBI EACH YEARBear
well as everybody knows RBI are a very poor stat to judge a player’s performance by.Way tooooo dependent on the line up one is in. Just about anybody with an OPS of 101 or so could likely drive in as many in that line-up.and any number of RFers would have likely driven in more AND not killed as many other innings as he has by making so many outs. Nothing but an average hitter with a good arm as far as the rest of the baseball world is concerned. Total home-boy homerism here.
By chase
April 13, 2008 11:41 AM | Link to this
THE BEAR
AJ averaged 102 RBIs and 35 HRs a year with the BRAVES BUT it was not good enough because he struck out too much and didn’t have a high enough BA….
But according to many people here that was all meaningless because he should’ve done more..
What makes you think if FRENCHY averages 100 RBI and 25 HRs that that will be enough for those people.?
I am with you. I will take FRENCHY driving in 100 RBI and hitting 25+ HRs a year with a GG caliber Defense the same way I begged others to except AJ’s 100+ RBIs and 35+ HRs + GG every year..
BUT THEY WILL NOT Nothing will ever be good enough and whenever FRENCHY does something great it will be considered MEANINGLESS JUST THE SAME as AJ
By chase
April 13, 2008 11:49 AM | Link to this
BRavesRule
everybody knows RBI are a very poor stat to judge a players performance by
That SIR may be the DUMBEST comment I have ever heard!
HRs, RBIs, Gold Gloves, ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT STATS there are!
Who cares if someone walks 100+ times and bats .315 if they only have 2 HRs and 20 RBIs?
Might as well have a team full of RAEFEL BELLIARDS!
You can rack up a great AVG with a bunch of WALKS and SINGLES and never be a threat that helps your team win!
Sorry but that was a poor argument man!
By AGTfan
April 13, 2008 11:53 AM | Link to this
Wayne in Utah I have come to the conclusion that Mo in the Boonies, Overlord, and BravesDave are maybe the same person.
You may be on to something. During the game yesterday I compared the post from mets fan in atlanta to some of the posts from our more negative (critical?) braves fans. It’s “amazing”. I won’t say that those guys aren’t true braves fans, but they do seem to share the same view of the braves as mets fan in atlanta.
By New brave
April 13, 2008 11:54 AM | Link to this
Just read that Shimer article and I sure don’t remember any Atlanta Journalist taking Andruw to task like that. by Lew
I also just read it. Got to say that I felt sad for Anddrew for what he is in and more for his apparently not realizing it.
Simers kept calling Andrew, and Torree, tubbo. English is not my native language, but I always thought tubbo is a bit derogatory and offensive, is it not?
By defective contraception
April 13, 2008 11:59 AM | Link to this
That LA times article was pure bashing, no journalism involved at all. He sounded like a fan who got a media badge. Awful article. Terrance Moore isn’t so bad after all, well, not today at least.
By AGTfan
April 13, 2008 12:00 PM | Link to this
That SIR may be the DUMBEST comment I have ever heard *chase
Gotta admit, that ones pretty dumb. Go up further into last nights posts and read what saltywoOdy had to say. He makes bravesrule seem brilliant.
By BravesRule
April 13, 2008 12:07 PM | Link to this
Sorry but that was a poor argument man!Chase
non, mon ami. That is THE argument. Don’t talk foolish now. Nobody is gonna walk 100 times and hit .315 and only drive in 20 runs. Those old-fashioned stats are just not as meaningful as OPS which is what EVERY baseball organ bases hitters on now. RBI are very dependent on the rest of the line-up and where you hit in it. Hit lead-off and drive in 70 or hit third or 4th like Barry for instance and drive in 100 + in the same line-up. Is Barry a better hitter cause he now drove in 100? Of course not, don’t be foolish. RBI are of course meningful in winning games but relativelay poor for jusging performance as most any other hitter as good as say Jeff(and there are a WHOLE BUNCHA them) would drive in about the same amount of runs. C’mon man get with the program and learn a thing or three n what baseball is all about in this day and age. BA/HR/RBI are all so last century.
By ernesto
April 13, 2008 12:14 PM | Link to this
chase - easy there pardner. Just sharing an article I read.
I hope Andruw turns it around, I really do. But given his last year and half here, and his comments in that hatchet job of an article, I think he’s not ready to even admit there’s a problem, much less start to correct it.
By Shamus Thacker
April 13, 2008 12:14 PM | Link to this
“”You can rack up a great AVG with a bunch of WALKS and SINGLES and never be a threat that helps your team win!”” Quote by: Chase
Chase, you should probably add your own quote to the DUMBEST comments you’ve ever heard. It’s certainly one of the DUMBEST I’ve heard.
By Wayne in Utah
April 13, 2008 12:18 PM | Link to this
chase Most of us loved and appreciated what Andruw did for the Braves over the past 11-12 years. What most of us came to realize is that with his history (great stats), he was going to command a VERY high salary, and with his unwillingness to be coached, it seemed that the salary would VERY soon be disproportionate to his output.
Personally, I think he is a very old 30, due to his lack of being able to maintain a decent playing weight. That sort of thing does small things to his performance, but large things to his joints, like his knees and also to his back. His bad year last year, proves someone else’s point that position in the lineup has a lot to do about a players output. Even with a bad year for AJ, he put up OK numbers.
Personally, I think the salary he commanded, the fact that he had lost a step or two in the field, and his penchant for doing things his way, was reason enough to let him walk.
I hate to see him doing poorly in LA, but I have to admit, it does not surprise me either.
By Wayne in Utah
April 13, 2008 12:20 PM | Link to this
Biggest difference between Joe Torre and Bobby Cox, concerning Andruw Jones, is that Torre does not have the same equity invested in AJ that BC did last year. AJ will very soon start to hit, or you will see more of Juan Pierre, I believe.
By AGTfan
April 13, 2008 12:22 PM | Link to this
BravesRule RBI are of course meningful in winning games
I kinda of thought that winning games is what the players are trying to do most of all. Thanks for setting us straight. They should be trying to get good OPS numbers instead. I guess winning games is just so last century.
I take back what I said earlier. No one could make you look brilliant. Your.and.idiot.
By chase
April 13, 2008 12:28 PM | Link to this
IT’S ABOUT OPS…BA/HR/RBI ARE ALL SO LAST CENTURY BravesRule
And don’t you think if you have alot of HRs, RBIs, and high BA that you you are going to have a high OPS?
OPS = OB% + Slugging %
Unless you hit a sac fly (or rare fielder’s choice) you are going to have to get a HIT and get ON BASE to get an RBI…
If you hit alot of HRs then your SLUGGING % is going to go UP
If you are a big time hitter with a bunch of HRs and RBIs you will be given more IBB in crucial situations which will in turn raise your OB%
It is all related
By Moby Grape
April 13, 2008 12:30 PM | Link to this
Gotta admit, that ones pretty dumb. Go up further into last nights posts and read what saltywoOdy had to say. He makes bravesrule seem brilliant.AGT
I have enjoyed you posts so far so I am not gonna give you the sound thrashing that you so obviously deserve for still being stuck in the 1970s and not being up to date on modern mathematical evaluation of baseball players. A fellow of your intelligence needs to be better read in a subject obviously so dear to your heart. Whether you agree or not there is nothing lame about what I said even if I have overstated some in an attempt at facetiousness.
By Braveheart
April 13, 2008 12:33 PM | Link to this
MYTH: Andruw had a bad second half in 2006
TRUTH: Andruw had a .957 OPS in the second half of 2006. That was the second highest OPS for any half of a season he has ever had in his career. The .959 OPS in 2000 was the only one higher.
MYTH: Andruw has been in a season and a half long slump
TRUTH: Considering that he had a .957 OPS in the second half of 2006, the slump has only been a season long
By Wayne in Utah
April 13, 2008 12:34 PM | Link to this
Let’s talk about Tom Glavine and the Washington Nationals, what say ye?
If Tommy G gives us 6 innings today, with 2 ER’s, I suspect we will sweep. Figure the bullpen to give us 3 innings, with 2 ER’s, and we win 7-4. Frenchy will probably ONLY knock in 1 run.
I do not have the inclination to look this up, but with Frenchy’s position in the lineup the past 2+ years, what is the average RBI’s for guys hitting in the 5th or 6th position in the lineup?
I suspect that what he has done is a little better than 1% over the average.
OK N8 or Braveheart. Get to work on that one! (if you are inclined to do so, of course!) :-)
While I too still look at BA/OBP/HR/RBI’s more so that OPS or +OPS, I know that there is some merit to all the stats. Also, I know that if AJ batted 7th all last year, he would have not gotten 96 RBI’s, maybe closer to 75-80.
So, if Frenchy had hit 4th all season, would he have gotten 115 RBI’s?
Everything is so subjective. So, I just trust my gut sometimes. My gut says that Frenchy is a somewhat raw, talented hitter/baseball player. He will NEVER come near the numbers that Chipper has put up in his career. I hope he gets better, but I would be thrilled to keep him in RF and knocking in 100 runs per season from the 6 hole, for as long as we can afford him (see AJ comments in a prior post).
As much as you broke my heart a few years back, GO Tommy G!!!
By AGTfan
April 13, 2008 12:36 PM | Link to this
chase
Just a reminder. The other day you said you were going to stop talking about “he who must not be named.”
By fastasballs
April 13, 2008 12:38 PM | Link to this
Wayne, Good point about Torre. He’s already moved AJ down to 6th & 7th in the batting order. He’s not going to sit & watch, as Cox did last year, Andruw kill the line up while batting 4th or 5th.
Maybe being “demoted” in the batting order is enough for Andruw to get it in gear. I’d love to see him do it, but I don’t expect it either.
The NL West is loaded with good pitching & large ballparks so it’s going to be tough, IMO, for him to put up the #’s he did last year.
Torre isn’t so loyal to Andruw that he won’t sit him from time to time & maybe more than that if Pierre gives them something more.
By chase
April 13, 2008 12:39 PM | Link to this
Wayne in Utah
I have no problem with AJ being gone..I think it was the right move…I just don’t understand why so many people can’t stop bashing him and delighting in any of his misfortunes even though he is gone.
ernesto
You are not the main person I was talking about and it is not JUST today.
Shamus Thacker
If you think my comment was so dumb answer me this buddy..
Would you rather have a .315 hitter who wlaks 75+ times, hits 3 HRs, and has 30 RBIs OR A .280 Hitter, with 100+ RBIs and 35+RBIs?
I bet I know the answer to that question.
Who cares about Batting avg, walks, or CONTRIVED purely mathematical stats like OPS
Give me RBIs, HRs, and Gold Gloves…that means you are doing it when it counts!
Many of you math-stat geeks act like everyone should be trying for nothing but walks and infield singles to ensure they have a great OPS….
By Government Statistician
April 13, 2008 12:40 PM | Link to this
Recently attained evidence has concluded that 7.9% of all MIB Bloggers do throw like a girl. And, Wayne in Utah throws like an old man.
By Carroll Rogers
April 13, 2008 12:42 PM | Link to this
good morning denizens….seems andruw is on the brain this morning…points to be made both ways on that stuff. but i’m not seeing the comparisons to francoeur. both are uber-aggressive, yes. but i just don’t see frenchy being quite as out-of-control lost at the plate. he flailed at the sliders from jon rauch on friday night in a strikeout. then was bound and determined to take jason bergmann to right field yesterday. he was 1-for-21 vs. the guy. he swings and misses a couple attempts at that, the next pitch he gets a pitch he can pull and homers. but the fact that it’s in his head and something he’s thinking about and trying to execute, the day after it bit him, tells me he’s doing more than andurw typically does to adjust one game to the next.
and plus, get this stat: frenchy has more walks than the leadoff hitter at the moment. Frenchy 1. Kelly 0. course that doesn’t bode well for kelly. but then again he’s hit safely in all nine games he’s played…
and by the way, i asked bobby this morning about whether he’d feel good about putting jeff bennett into the fifth spot, meaning for the next time it’s up next weekend vs. the dodgers and he said a resounding yes. spose hampton can’t be ruled out either - things keep going like they are he’ll test the pectoral in a bullpen tuesday - but hampton doesn’t want a repeat of the false start thing. so we’ll see.
and navy jerseys again. the boys are riding the wave with that….
By McFann
April 13, 2008 12:44 PM | Link to this
AdirondackDave, re: your 9:44 PM post last night (The beginning, of course)—
McCann looks a lot like his ‘06 self! And I believe that is his real self. Let’s just hope we don’t come across any Pedro Felicianos or Eric Byrneses any time soon!!
What the heck, BravesRule??
By chase
April 13, 2008 12:45 PM | Link to this
Braveheart’s post CONFIRMS…All you bloggers who are in love with OPS must now RETRACCT ALL NEGATIVE comments about ANDRUW!
If OPS is so great and important above all else then why didn’t AJ make you guys happy?
Live by the sword die by the sword right guys!
By Overlord
April 13, 2008 12:48 PM | Link to this
AGTfan, You have to excuse, but i just cant remember Cox making a decision while in the game, that you could say, wow what a move, more often than not, at least me, i go….. what the hell was that move about. Of course bobby is the anchor, they guy that gets this guys prepared and help them develop and get better, but if we talk about his strategies during any game, at least they make me go nuts.
By chase
April 13, 2008 12:48 PM | Link to this
LOL AGTfan
I really wish I could but nobody else will!
For someone who everyone seemed to hate it sure sounds like alot of people just can’t get him off their minds!
By Braveheart
April 13, 2008 12:50 PM | Link to this
Would you rather have a .315 hitter who wlaks 75+ times, hits 3 HRs, and has 30 RBIs OR A .280 Hitter, with 100+ RBIs and 35+RBIs?
Chase, the answer is you would rather have the .315 hitter with the 75 walks and 3 homers batting first or second and the .280 hitter with 35 homers and I’m guessing 40 walks batting fifth or sixth. The guy who can hit .300, walk 60 times, and hit 40 homers should bat 3rd or 4th.
Too many people like to say that Frenchy has lots of RBIs solely because he gets lots of opportunities. They conveniently or ignorantly overlook the fact that he has a much better than average AVG, OBP, SLG, & OPS w/RISP. That’s what causes the RBIs in addition to the opportunity. You have to execute when given the chance. Frenchy executes w/RISP.
By AGTfan
April 13, 2008 12:55 PM | Link to this
Moby Grape With a name like that, you accuse me of being stuck in the 70’s. I barely remember the 70’s, unless I’m having a flashback. LOL.
I confess. I’m not a stathead. At the end of the season, the only stat that matters is wins. Looking at Jeff’s 2.5 seasons, I think he’s done a lot to help the Braves with that stat. I think his plate discipline will continue to improve, but he’ll never be a Chipper. I can’t think of any other Brave in the close to 50 years I’ve been following them, that has had a better idea of the strike zone. When most batters question the umps on balls and strikes, I think go sit down. Quit embarrassing yourself. When Chipper does it, I’m pretty sure the ump just blew it.
By Overlord
April 13, 2008 12:58 PM | Link to this
Wayne in Utah i never said my point of view was the reality. And i can tell you that your point of view aint necessarily the reality either. Just read my posts and think…. there might be some truth in it, dont go with n automatic, this guy is nuts. What i point about bobby is because he never ever comes up with an strategy in a close game that puts the braves above other teams, it always seams the other way. Only way for us to win is if pitching is lights out or if offense puts a thunderstorm of hit and runs. Games decided by strategy more often than not end up in a loss. And thats not a sign given the tools we have to t least win half of those games……. You could say its bad luck, if it was bad luck, it wouldnt be against us ALWAYS.
By BravesFanInRockies
April 13, 2008 12:58 PM | Link to this
Chase,
So is OPS valuable, or isn’t it? Until 12:48 you thought it was some math geek stat.
Stay consistent, man.
I agree that the Andruw hate is a bit much. But Braves fans started to sour on Andruw when it became obvious that he wasn’t going to give the team a hometown discount again. All of a sudden his few weaknesses (low BA, mediocre OBP, high strikeouts) were magnified and his obvious strengths were ignored.
Wayne is also right. Andruw started to show the wear and tear of playing nearly every inning of every game for a decade and not keeping himself in great physical condition.
So when his performance at the plate stated to slip, and he made it clear that he wasn’t likely to return, the fans got angry. And haven’t given up that grudge.
Don’t know that it’s justified, but I must say the move to get Kotsay sure looks like a winner now.
By Overlord
April 13, 2008 1:02 PM | Link to this
BravesRule insults against other braves fans is not what i think should be done, so there in no point on discussing your opinion, TOTAL waste of time.
By chase
April 13, 2008 1:07 PM | Link to this
BravesFaninRockies
I was being SARCASTIC. I think OPS is a JOKE! Its a purely Mathematical stat that wasn’t really adopted fully untill 2004!
What I was saying is that MANY of the same people who BASH AJ are the SAME people who LOVE players with great OPS…
So by THEIR rationale they should have LOVED AJ…THEY are the ones who are inconsistant!
By AGTfan
April 13, 2008 1:07 PM | Link to this
Overlord
I really do know what you mean. I think one thing about managers is you’re more likely to notice a move you didn’t like that didn’t work than you are the move or non-move that did. I have to keep nerf balls handy when I watch games so I don’t destroy my TV. I disagree with BC during a game as much as any BC basher, but at the end of the season, I have recognize that he must be doing something right.
By Philliesuk
April 13, 2008 1:07 PM | Link to this
That article about Andruw actually makes me feel bad for the guy. He frustrated the hell out of me when he was in Atlanta. However, I always liked him in a Braves uni, except maybe the past couple of years.
I hope he turns it around, as long as he reverts to his whiffing ways when he faces Jurrjens and co.
But honestly, did that article really surprise anyone?
By Overlord
April 13, 2008 1:09 PM | Link to this
I would say something about me being some other blogger, but it is soooooooo ridiculous that it would also be a waste of time, just as BravesRule. Better double check before make such a statement, it really reduces your credibility…… drastically.
By BravesRule
April 13, 2008 1:15 PM | Link to this
I take back what I said earlier. No one could make you look brilliant. Your.and.idiot.AGT
It is not just my argument, it is the way things are judged by modern analysts so insulting me is simply argumentum ad hominem not anything about the issues. I’m disappointed in you my lad.
Think of it this way Jeff had 642 at bats last season and drove in 105 runs. McCann had only 504 at bats and drove in 93. Andrew who we all agree was a total waste had 572 at bats and drove in 94 runs. If Andruw had such a terrible year then Jeff had an even terribler one RBI/AB wise. Any decent hitter would have done as well or better than Jeff did inserted into that same spot and given as many at bats. It’s not like those RBIs would disappear with another hitter there It’s not an all or nothing situation.
That is not to denigrate Jeff but to try to show that RBI are too dependent on outside elements to be useful as stats to analyze a players productiveness. Other stats that are much less dependent on outside influences are much better benchmarks. Now I see that you are obviously not into modern methods of evaluation,perhaps kinda too long in the tooth to learn a new skill? But insulting people who use the modern tools(like the Red Sox that have won 2 WS in the last 4 years) makes you seem to be the foolish one. Don’t disparage what you don’t understand. Man up and learn about it. ;-)
By Lew
April 13, 2008 1:17 PM | Link to this
Chase-Whether or not Andruw is still in Atlanta while almost breaking his back ankle swinging, is a moot point. He is baseball news, every bit as much as Ted Lilly’s slow start, Pujols’ injury, ARod making errors at third base year before last is, or Barry Bonds pursuing Hank Aaron’s record was.
We’re baseball fans-we’re allowed to discuss it-maybe moreso than anyone from another city, because we suffered through his misfortunes as well as his triumphs for so long.
By Roman Gal
April 13, 2008 1:19 PM | Link to this
Wayne in Utah, I throw like a girl. That’s why I liked playing second base…short throws.
By David O'Brien
April 13, 2008 1:23 PM | Link to this
I think OPS is a JOKE! Its a purely Mathematical stat that wasn’t really adopted fully untill 2004!Chase
Wow. What a profound comment. Who could argue with you, Chase?
By Atlanta Braves Marketing Department
April 13, 2008 1:24 PM | Link to this
BravesfaninRockies
Actually, the ONLY reason Mark Kotsay was signed was to ensure that his trophy wife would be in the stands a minimum of 65% of the home games, which will increase attendance and concessions in all games total to the tune of 2.375 Million, which gives us a .375 Million profit from trading for him.
If he performs on the field, then that is just an additional, unexpected benefit.
By chase
April 13, 2008 1:25 PM | Link to this
LEW
You think people in St Louis, New York or Chicago are talking about AJ…NO
People on this blog are Because he was a Brave and they love to take cheap shots at him…It is sad really!
By Wayne in Utah
April 13, 2008 1:32 PM | Link to this
Roman Gal I am actually relieved to hear the news! Actually, girls that throw like guys sometimes scare the heck out of me. (actually, when I was a skinny kid, those same girls would kick my azz for fun after school.
:-)
By David O'Brien
April 13, 2008 1:32 PM | Link to this
Many of you math-stat geeks act like everyone should be trying for nothing but walks and infield singles to ensure they have a great OPS….Chase
Do you understand the difference between OBP and OPS? Because if you have nothing but singles, you’re going to have a low slugging percentage, which is fully HALF of the equation in OPS. You do understand that, right?
It’s OBP plus slugging percentage (just making sure, since your comments indicate you don’t fully grasp what OPS is). A ton of singles will give you a nice batting average and help give you a high OBP (provided you draw a few walks, too), but will not assure a high OPS.
By McFann
April 13, 2008 1:34 PM | Link to this
I bet each of them throw like a girl! (Sorry jbutler, Carroll, McFann and others of the female persuasion, but I couldn’t resist!) Wayne
That’s OK, Wayne. I have a cousin that thought he was being clever by telling me that. But it’s true: I throw just like a girl!
: )
By Sigmund Fraud
April 13, 2008 1:35 PM | Link to this
It has been confirmed that it is not Bobby Cox, who makes Overlord nuts. We have determined that there was an older kid living in his neighborhood when Overlord was a little tyke, whose name was Bobby. They lived on Cox Street. He used to tease Overlord unmercifully, calling him terrible names, and commenting that he saw him in the shower at gym, and that he was a very little boy.
I have confirmed that it is this childhood experience that has made Overlord nuts. He is now transferring his frustration to Bobby Cox of the Atlanta Braves, due to his treatment from little Bobby from Cox Street, many years ago!
I am happy to have cleared up this misunderstanding.
By BravesRule
April 13, 2008 1:37 PM | Link to this
I think OPS is a JOKE! Its a purely Mathematical stat that wasn’t really adopted fully untill 2004!ChaseChase
another one of your outrageously incorrect statements on a subject that you know absolutely nothing about. You make yourself look foolisher and foolisher every day Chase.;-)
If you don’t wanna believe that is your right, but such comments cause you to lose respect on the board.
By Roman Gal
April 13, 2008 1:43 PM | Link to this
Wayne in Utah I’m not a violent person so you wouldn’t have had to worry about me.
McFann It’s good to know there are other girls that throw like girls.
By Carroll Rogers
April 13, 2008 1:47 PM | Link to this
your matchups for the fla series:
tuesday: jair jurrjens vs. scott olsen. wednesday: hudson vs. Mark Hendrickson, Thursday: smoltz vs. ricky nolasco
By Wayne in Utah
April 13, 2008 1:48 PM | Link to this
chase We are usually in agreement on most things, but I sense that you were a BIG Andruw fan. Most of us were also Andruw fans, but most of us were frustrated with both his approach to his game (conditioning and coachability) and to his approach to the contract situation.
I felt like with his declining performance, a 3 year, 30 million dollar contract might have been fair. With he and Scott Boras’ unwillingness to be even reasonable in negotiations, I think he soured the Braves management on him.
So, if you think about the past 1.5 years of his tenure here with the Braves, you can understand some fans frustration with Andruw.
I really do wish him well, but his current performance is not unexpected.
By AGTfan
April 13, 2008 1:49 PM | Link to this
But insulting people who use the modern tools(like the Red Sox that have won 2 WS in the last 4 years) BravesRule
I see the light now. The RS won 2 WS because they used modern statistical analysis. And all this time, I thought it had something to do with having a payroll greater than the GDP of most nations.
All of the stats we talk about are interesting mathematical constructs, but the one that counts is W’s. Your assertion that Jeff is just an average hitter actually isn’t born out by the stats you love so much. No he’s not a great hitter, but he is well above average. What I really like about Jeff is much those stats improve when it counts. You assert that any average hitter would have similar RBIs if given similar opportunities isn’t born out by the very stats you love so much.
It seems pretty obvious to me that your not the objective analyst you pretend to be, but a hater, trying to twist and cherry pick stats to make your dislikes appear rational.
By chase
April 13, 2008 1:51 PM | Link to this
DOB
Do you understand the difference between being sarcastic and literal?
Do you understand how someone can make an overstated and overblown sarcastic statment to underscore the stupidity in someone else’s statement to make a point?
OPS is a joke because it doesn’t weigh the stats evenly..Most of the time any batter’s SLUG% is going to be 75-100 points higher than their OBP (which includes many more variables) but yet they are counted Equally in the equation.
My point is that unlike RBIs, HRs, and BA that have been around forever and are non-subject cold-hard numbers that are a direct result of on the feild actions…OPS was CREATED by mathematically (and arbitrally) putting together (adding and dividing) various numbers to get some “Created” stat for comparison.
By Justo
April 13, 2008 1:54 PM | Link to this
S**, we are just to old people, Smoltzs hurt, Hamptons hurt but he is always hurt so who cares about him, chippers hurt like always, soriano, and now glavine, God help us please.
By Justo
April 13, 2008 1:54 PM | Link to this
S**, we are just to old people, Smoltzs hurt, Hamptons hurt but he is always hurt so who cares about him, chippers hurt like always, soriano, and now glavine, God help us please.
By NCBravesFan
April 13, 2008 1:54 PM | Link to this
Nolie - I should have been a little more specific - I think Francouer is the better hitter in the clutch relative to David Wright. When the game is on the line, or there are runners on base, JF tends to lock in & elevate his game … DW has been a good hitter in these spots as well, but Frenchy does have a gift for coming through in tough spots.
By Carroll Rogers
April 13, 2008 1:54 PM | Link to this
ok. glavine just had to leave the game only 16 pitches into the first inning….possibly a back thing, but no word yet. He released a pitch to Wily Mo Pena and afterward walked off the side of the mound and bent over at the waist. he was replaced by jeff bennett…..
By Justo
April 13, 2008 1:55 PM | Link to this
S**, we are just to old people, Smoltzs hurt, Hamptons hurt but he is always hurt so who cares about him, chippers hurt like always, soriano, and now glavine, God help us please.
By Wayne in Utah
April 13, 2008 1:55 PM | Link to this
Tommy G out of the game….ouch! Hopefully it’s nothing serious. I am sure Carroll will give us an update.
We might see that new dude today, Campillo or whatever his name is.
By AGTfan
April 13, 2008 1:56 PM | Link to this
when I was a skinny kid, those same girls would kick my azz for fun after school. LOL. That reminds of a time when I was much younger and dated a girl, broke up with her, and started dating her twin sister. Since I couldn’t tell them apart and they both had black belts, this was a huge mistake. I advise against dating girls that can thoroughly kick your butt.
By chase
April 13, 2008 1:57 PM | Link to this
BravesRule
“foolisher and foolisher” HUH?
Maybe if you had said “more and more foolish” you would be a little more convincing!
By chase
April 13, 2008 2:01 PM | Link to this
Justo only comes on when something bad is going on and he never has anything positive to say..He is most likely a MUTS troll
By David O'Brien
April 13, 2008 2:03 PM | Link to this
MYTH: Andruw had a bad second half in 2006
TRUTH: Andruw had a .957 OPS in the second half of 2006. That was the second highest OPS for any half of a season he has ever had in his career. The .959 OPS in 2000 was the only one higher.
MYTH: Andruw has been in a season and a half long slumpBraveheart
It probably depends what you consider slumping, and in Andruw’s unique case it’s easy to take either side.
For the sake of accuracy: Andruw hit .289 with 9 homers, 26 RBI and a 1.144 OPS in the first 27 games after the 2006 All-Star break.
He hit .221 with 12 homers, 28 RBI and an .896 OPS in 41 games from Aug. 17, 2006 through the end of the ‘06 season (12 of his 31 hits in that stretch were homers).
In 206 games and 705 at-bats since Aug. 17, 2006, Andruw has hit .216 with 34 doubles, 36 homers, 123 RBI, 103 walks and 178 strikeouts, with a .319 OBP, .419 slugging percentage and .738 OPS in that 20-month period.
By Wayne in Utah
April 13, 2008 2:04 PM | Link to this
Sitting here in my home office, looking out at the 10,000 ft snow packed mountain peak out my window. It’s 60+ degrees here at 4500 feet today, and a beautiful day. The game is on the audio of my computer, and Jeff Bennett gets us out of the jam with minimal damage.
The only thing that could be better would be if the game was on TBS, instead of MLB audio!
By Efrim
April 13, 2008 2:04 PM | Link to this
That’s a rough blow. I really hope Glavine doesn’t have to be disabled…..
Lets get all the injuries out of the way in April.
By Overlord
April 13, 2008 2:05 PM | Link to this
We need to move south and/or warm weather in a hurry. Its clearly affecting everybody.
By DAP
April 13, 2008 2:09 PM | Link to this
chase youre going to make a terrible lawyer.
OPS isnt a bad stat. its great for people who understand it and know how to use it.
By Overlord
April 13, 2008 2:09 PM | Link to this
Hope glavines injury is just a tight muscle. Glavine could then pitch on friday and bennett nex saturday. Then we could get hampton back the week ater that……if he is ready by then.
By BravesRule
April 13, 2008 2:10 PM | Link to this
Your assertion that Jeff is just an average hitter actually isn’t born out by the stats you love so much. AGT
C’mon now why say things like that? It is exactly borne out by the stats that I believe in. His OPS+ is 101. Average is 100, so how much averager can he be?
You do not judge the performance of an individual player by the number of wins a team has either. The best stats to judge performance are the ones that are influenced most by the individual player and least by outside influences like the strength of the line-up that he is in and where in that line up he hits. It leaves too much that is too hard to analyze. I fail to see how that concept is so hard to understand.
You seemed open to learning about bunting and such tactics, I’m just surprised that you are so close-minded in this. But enough. I don’t care if you believe or not, I just get tired of posters who haven’t studied it at all making derogatory remarks about it. It is used much heavier than anything else to analyze performance and mocking it is somewhat the same mental attitude to those who believe that Cox is a dummy when almost everybody in baseball says otherwise. Hard to imagine that all those knowledgeable people are entirely wrong. Is it perfect? Of course not, but right now it is the most reliable tool out there for individuals. Nothing really works well for teams.
The Sox have always had a huge payroll but it is only since Bill James and Theo Epstein took over that they have been regularly successful which was my point.
By chase
April 13, 2008 2:12 PM | Link to this
Yea! All hail KOTSAY…
Young guys McCaNN and FRENCHY work full counts, foul of balls, and take walks from a guy who is all over the place and what does KOTSAY do?
Swings at the first pitch and grounds into a rally killing DP.
I like KOTSAY but lets not pretend he is better than he is!
By Overlord
April 13, 2008 2:14 PM | Link to this
Think bennett could finish the 6th, that would be 5.3 innings, he has been used recently but only 3.2 innings since april 4th.
By Wayne in Utah
April 13, 2008 2:15 PM | Link to this
OPS is a great thing. I take one teaspoon every morning and evening, and it has helped cure my irregularity!
By Driving Myth Daithy
April 13, 2008 2:15 PM | Link to this
MYTH: Andruw Jones deserves to be paid $14million per year to “play” baseball.
MYTH: Andruw Jones undertakes a rigorous offseason physical regimen to stay in tip-top shape.
MYTH: Atlanta fans myth him very much and wish he were here.
By chase
April 13, 2008 2:16 PM | Link to this
Glavine is never been on the DL..he is neither FAT nor is he MUSCLE BOUND and I think that helps…..
I would bet he’d be back w/o hitting the DL…If he felt anything it was better to leave and take treatment and not miss a start rather than push it and hurt himself worse!
By Epinephrine
April 13, 2008 2:19 PM | Link to this
Personally, I believe in statistics. For instance, if you look at Chase’s posts over the course of the season thus far, its pretty clear he has no idea what he is talking about. The numbers don’t lie.
By chase
April 13, 2008 2:19 PM | Link to this
DAP
I guess just because you SAY OPS is a good stat we should just accept that huh?
By Greg in TN
April 13, 2008 2:22 PM | Link to this
Afternoon folks…
Jeff Bennett is certainly becoming a valuable member of this pitching staff to this denizen, this after watching Glavine exit after four batters in the home half of the first inning. It didn’t look too serious, and hopefully Jeff Porter will back that assertion up, but I am pleased seeing Bennett come in and get us out of the first with only the two runs on the board. And of course now that I give him a pat on the back, he’s struggling in the second, but my original thoughts still stand.
Lots of discussion with AJ on the minds of some in Planet Braves. I saw the article that Ernesto posted and it does appear that the honeymoon with AJ and the folks in LA didn’t last through a dozen games. It’s a shame to see him struggle like he’s done since the dawn of the 2007 season, but some of the bullets he’s having to take out in Cali are self-inflicted with is approach at the plate. The surprising thing to me is that so many LA enthusiasts are putting down their Dodger dogs and their copies of Variety long enough to watch his approach at the plate and boo the man. Times they are a changin’.
By Athletic supporter
April 13, 2008 2:22 PM | Link to this
It’s snowing in Cleveland! Great day for baseball. Go A’s!!!
By BravesRule
April 13, 2008 2:22 PM | Link to this
OPS is a joke because it doesn’t weigh the stats evenly..Most of the time any batter’s SLUG% is going to be 75-100 points higher than their OBP (which includes many more variables) but yet they are counted Equally in the equationChase
OMG you just continue to make statements that show that you know ABSOLUTELY nothing about stats. Please do yourself a favor and just shut the hail up. You just keep sowing not only your ignorance but that fact that you are too stupid not to argue about something that you obviously know nothing about and have never made any attempt to understand. Talk about all time stupid comments, what you are saying has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with how OPS is used. My goodness boy give yourself a break before you become even more the board idiot.
By David O'Brien
April 13, 2008 2:23 PM | Link to this
OPS was CREATED by mathematically (and arbitrally) putting together (adding and dividing) various numbers to get some �Created� stat for comparison.Chase
ARBITRARY: 1. Determined by chance, whim, or impulse, and not by necessity, reason, or principle.
Let me ask you, how can the addition of on-base percentage and slugging percentage be considered arbitrary?
And what “various” numbers are being divided? It’s simple math: OBP plus slugging percentage equals OPS. No division required. And no other “various” numbers involved in the equation.
Nothing arbitrary about it.
By chase
April 13, 2008 2:23 PM | Link to this
Gonna have to break out the bats today to sweep this series!
By amazinsagain08
April 13, 2008 2:26 PM | Link to this
Oh yeah, Bennett is the man alright. Boy have youse guys totally overrated your supposed depth. Three walks in a row and down 3-0 to the Nats. and he’s probably walk another batter for another run. Go Mets!
By David O'Brien
April 13, 2008 2:26 PM | Link to this
As the bottom falls out on Bennett in this inning (four consecutive walks and counting)….
Tomahawkin’, you lost the friendly bet you took up with me on the Braves-Nats series. Now, considering the upcoming pitching matchups that Carroll just provided for the Braves-Marlins series, would you like to take me up on the same bet?
I say Braves win at least two of three in the series.
By DAP
April 13, 2008 2:27 PM | Link to this
chase I guess just because you SAY OPS is a good stat we should just accept that huh?
yes, YOU should.
By Efrim
April 13, 2008 2:29 PM | Link to this
Inconsistent strikezone. I’m sorry, I don’t usually complain about that stuff, but the ump squeezed Jeff Bennett on a couple of those calls.
By Dutchie
April 13, 2008 2:29 PM | Link to this
Allright…..perhaps it is an idea…….to let the batters hit instead of giving away 5 bb????
By AGTFan
April 13, 2008 2:30 PM | Link to this
OK. If OPS is the only stat that matters, then Jeff is an average hitter. We should definitely ignore every other stat because they are too hard for BravesRule to analyze. I posit that any stat taken in a vacuum is just a meaningless number. And I understood bunting and such tactics before you understood the concept of 2+2.
Actually the RS payroll has increased significantly since Theo Epstein took over.
By Greg in TN
April 13, 2008 2:31 PM | Link to this
Having just said that, Bennett really struggled finding the strike zone in the second. Missing a bit with his slider on the outer half of the plate along with some good discipline on the part of the Nats. He did get Wily Mo Pena with a much better slider to end the inning, but by then the damage was done.
Nothing that this lineup can’t erase if they can get rolling against Redding.
Boog and Joe just said a strained right hamstring for Glavine.
By Overlord
April 13, 2008 2:31 PM | Link to this
Bennett has been asked way too much, he is a child, to pretend he can make emergency outing every week and hope for the best is unreal. Its our only option.
chase i think Kotsay has been just what we needed, good solid D, an average bat. He is the 8th hitter, maybe a better OBP and AVG would be better, but everything could be worse. He could be hurt and then you have a rookie in CF with the same or lower BA. But i understand what you are saying, just him him more time, remember he was injuried, not much ABs last year.
By chase
April 13, 2008 2:31 PM | Link to this
Epinephrine
Who pulled your string?
Many of you people just amaze me.
If anyone has an opinion that differs from yours you attack them…you don’t back it up with facts or reason you just simply think in your obviously pea-sized brains…
him no agree wit me..him must be attacking me…him must be stupid..cause I know me smart..so I attack him and make me feel better
If you have an arguement or opposing view, make your points and I’ll make mine and we’ll go from there.
Name calling suggests you are defeated nad therefore defensive.
By BravesRule
April 13, 2008 2:31 PM | Link to this
If OPS is so great and important above all else then why didn’t AJ make you guys happy?Chase
say what? Druw’s OPS was .724 last year, that is not good at all so what does that have to do with anything. I didn’t read it but I’m amazed that Braveheart would say something so foolish. Why would anybody be happy with a .724 OPS out of an outfielder.
By Carroll Rogers
April 13, 2008 2:33 PM | Link to this
Glavine strained his right hamstring, and he’s day-to-day. Knowing Glavine he’ll get himself ready to go without missing much time, but I’ll find out more after the game.
By Overlord
April 13, 2008 2:36 PM | Link to this
Think its pretty obvious all this walks by Bennett are a product of the emergency start (to give it a name). To me he is much better than what weve seen.
We still can get out of this horrible afternoon with a W and some good news from glavine. Keep the faith…..
Lets gooooo…….
By Greg in TN
April 13, 2008 2:37 PM | Link to this
Yes amazin… He’s certainly underachieving today. Not even in the same ballpark as say, Oliver Perez and his six earned runs through four, right?
By David O'Brien
April 13, 2008 2:38 PM | Link to this
2007 NL OPS leaders
Chipper Jones 1.029
Prince Fielder 1.013
Matt Holliday 1.012
Albert Pujols .997
Chase Utley .976
Ryan Howard .976
Miguel Cabrera .965
David Wright .963
Hanley Ramirez .948
Adam Dunn .940
Yeah, what a worthless stat. Can you believe some of the two-bit players on this list?
By opie s.
April 13, 2008 2:39 PM | Link to this
I think a better measure of a batters ability is his KSS which is defined as:
0.35 X batting average + 0.54 X slugging percentage + 0.10 X stolen bases + square root (home runs) + 0.46 X (rbi / LOB) - 1.25 X double plays hit into.
KSS stands for kitchen sink statistic.
The statistic has been validated by the Rand Institute and is used by the Department of Homeland Defense.
By roan st
April 13, 2008 2:40 PM | Link to this
Time for the Braves to rebuild this pitching staff with some young arms. First smoltz, then hampton, and now glavine are hurt and were not even out of april. Jurrjens is a good start but hopefully guys like charlie Morton can be ready in the near future. It’s been a hell of a long time since the braves organization has developed a stud pitcher. One that actually played and prospered with the Braves. That to me is one of shuerholz biggest shortcomings as GM of the Braves. There are some people outside of the Braves universe who erroneously give shuerholz credit for guys like smoltz, glavine, justice, and chipper. When actually it was bobby cox who drafted, and in smoltz case traded for the nucleus of this once great franchise. In fact, who has shuerholz really drafted that turned into a great player? I hope wren can correct this terrible trend of not developing young pitching.
By BravesRule
April 13, 2008 2:42 PM | Link to this
I would say something about me being some other blogger, but it is soooooooo ridiculous that it would also be a waste of time, just as BravesRule. Better double check before make such a statement, it really reduces your credibility…… drastically*Overlord8
??I never read a post saying that you were someone else and i certainly never posted such a thing. Would you like to quote me that line please? Who are you supposed to be? Golly I just can’t believe what I read from you sometimes.
By Dutchie
April 13, 2008 2:42 PM | Link to this
ok…that’s less then 3 innings and 8,9 walks…
Get it together now!
By Efrim
April 13, 2008 2:42 PM | Link to this
As Bennett gives up an RBI single to Aaron Boone…..
Bad news on Glavine. That could bother him for a while at his age.
By Roman Gal
April 13, 2008 2:43 PM | Link to this
Paul Lo Duca is reminding me of a 2 year-old I babysit. When she gets a boo-boo she shows everybody for sympathy just as Lo Duca is doing now.
By Ryan
April 13, 2008 2:44 PM | Link to this
Watching the game with mlb.tv makes me appreciate Boog and Joe even more. I know there will always be a certain amount of Homer-ish calling but the one guy on MASN is overly enthusiastic about Nationals Baseball and I swear I can hear Don Sutton chewing some gum, it’s driving me nuts. Thanks that’s all.
By chase
April 13, 2008 2:44 PM | Link to this
DOB
It is Arbitrary becuase PETE PALMER and JOHN THORN could’ve picked any numbers to combine and popularize.
Why not Add HRs and RBIs and divide by Hits?
you could THEORITICALLY combine any stats via any mathematical means to achieve a desired numerical statistic..
That means BY WHIM or CHANCE that SLUG% and OBP were added to CREATE OPS! It is also W/O Necessity
THEREFORE BY DEFINITION it is ARBITRARY
It wasn’t necassary to use for 100 years so why is it now? I’ll tell you why..FOR STAT GEEKS and the MEDIA!
BravesRule
What exactly is the problem with my post you commented on? It is CORRECT!
You state it, then say I’m stupid, but don’t explain why therefore your argument falls apart.
By Arrrgh!
April 13, 2008 2:45 PM | Link to this
the wheels are falling off why don’t we just capitulate and save our bullpen let blanco pitch the rest of the game arrrgh!!!
By JC FROM UT
April 13, 2008 2:47 PM | Link to this
What kind of starting pitcher can FW go get? We need help!!
By Bring Me the Head of Francisco Cabrera
April 13, 2008 2:47 PM | Link to this
Considering the circumstances under which Bennett enetered today’s game, did you whiners really expect him to throw like Walter Johnson?
And the ump didn’t squeeze him; Bennett is the one who’s inconsistent, and it’s understandable. In fact, the called third strike to Pena that ended the inning looked well outside to me, like the ump was taking pity on him.
Blowouts happen, folks. Sometimes the score’s gonna be 10-2 against you.
By Greg in TN
April 13, 2008 2:48 PM | Link to this
Nice to see Chipper in the lineup today and even better to see that one out single to right.
By Overlord
April 13, 2008 2:49 PM | Link to this
amazinlydumb08, watch your mouth, your muts might end up with and L and our braves with a W and ahead in the standings by 5PM.
By David O'Brien
April 13, 2008 2:49 PM | Link to this
It wasn’t necassary to use for 100 years so why is it now? I’ll tell you why..FOR STAT GEEKS and the MEDIA!Chase
Another good point. You’re on a roll.
By chase
April 13, 2008 2:50 PM | Link to this
DOB
What is on your list…A bunch of guys who hit alot of HRs and RBIs..Thanks..you are making my case for me!
By BravesRule
April 13, 2008 2:52 PM | Link to this
It seems pretty obvious to me that your not the objective analyst you pretend to be, but a hater, trying to twist and cherry pick stats to make your dislikes appear rational.AGT
what dislikes? what I’m talking about has nothing to do with dislike. I defy you to find one post that I have ever made that ripped who? Francoeur. I think that there are better RFers and that he is somewhat overrated but I sure don’t hate him or even dislike him, I just would like him to make fewer outs than he does. I have said several times that he is an average hitter, nothing hateful in that.Therres nothing hateful in wanting him to get better. Again with the insults. Thats really disappointing. I am talking analysis of any hitter not just Jeff. You will also never find that I ragged on Andruw. You might be mistaking me for someone else but I never harp on anyone.I am NOt one of those guys who have been constantly running Druw or Jeff into the ground.
By Viggo
April 13, 2008 2:52 PM | Link to this
That Tex - what a team player. He moves the runner over. Sacrifices his batting average for the sake of the team.
By Overlord
April 13, 2008 2:52 PM | Link to this
BravesRule i didnt say you said something like that……. i just said your post was not worth my time. Check again what i meant.
By Deep Throat
April 13, 2008 2:55 PM | Link to this
The starting pitching depth really was mythical. Come on people; Hampton, Bennett, Reyes and Carlyle and “depth”?! They suck and/or are injury-prone.
By Deep Throat
April 13, 2008 2:56 PM | Link to this
The starting pitching depth really was mythical. Come on people; Hampton, Bennett, Reyes and Carlyle are “depth”?! They suck and/or are injury-prone.
By BravesRule
April 13, 2008 2:57 PM | Link to this
April 13, 2008 1:57 PM | Link to this
BravesRule
“foolisher and foolisher” HUH?
Maybe if you had said “more and more foolish” you would be a little more convincing!Chase
maybe if you were smart enough to recognize playfulness there would be some hope for you youngun.No educated adult doesn’t know that there is no such word as foolisher. Gosh I feel sorry for any clients that you ever have.
By DAP
April 13, 2008 2:57 PM | Link to this
Chase If anyone has an opinion that differs from yours you attack them…you don’t back it up with facts or reason you just simply think in your obviously pea-sized brains…
you cant have an argument based on facts and stats in this situation, because we dont agree on a premise.
we all value the OPS stat because it gives a good snapshot of info about a player. it combines two important parts of hitting…getting on base, and power. it doesnt differentiate, that doesnt matter…its an average. no stat tells the whole story, we accept OPS for what it is, and we like it.
so stats and facts dont do us any good. you dont like OPS, everyone else does.
you are alone in this, and havent spent enough time on the blog to gain any credibility at all, so when you spout off and disagree with everyone, with out facts or stats,(you just dont like OPS) we bristle.
we understand your position. no one agrees with you. just hush.
By chase
April 13, 2008 2:58 PM | Link to this
DOB
The “Triple Crown” is one of the HARDEST and MOST COVETED achievements in baseball. Why do you think that is?
Because those 3 stats involved are the MOST IMPORTANT!
If you lead in those 3 catagories who cares about OPS!
By Old Coach
April 13, 2008 3:03 PM | Link to this
OPS list looks damn good to me DOB.
By Old Coach
April 13, 2008 3:03 PM | Link to this
OPS list looks damn good to me DOB.
By Epinephrine
April 13, 2008 3:03 PM | Link to this
Chase, why would I possibly respond to you with an argument? Where would I start? You have been blathering about nothing for several weeks now. There is no point in wasting my time by starting now.
There is a difference between disagreeing with someone, and arguing with someone who is incompetent. With the latter, there is simply nothing that can be accomplished.
By Overlord
April 13, 2008 3:05 PM | Link to this
amazinglydumb08 just to wake you brainless skull…..
Perez is your #3 right now and projected #4. His number today. 4.1 IP, 8H 6 ER 4K 3BB 1HR. Out of the game before the 5th was over.
Bennett is our #5 right now, not projected to be on the SP staff. Meant to be a long reliever. His numbers so far for today… 4.0IP 3H 3ER 3K 4BB.
I guess our rookies numbers look much better than you #3 starter….. keep in mind this was an emergency start and he will make Perez look even worse and will make you look even dumber.
By Deep Throat
April 13, 2008 3:05 PM | Link to this
OPS isn’t bad. It’s BS like “VORP” that’s absurd.
Feels like last season. The Braves are already playing starting pitcher roulette. Hampton on the DL, Glavine may be hurt, Smoltz good but not at 100%. The Braves are already talking about giving Bennett and frickin’ CAMPILLO starts.
And it’s only the second dang week.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
April 13, 2008 3:06 PM | Link to this
Glavine will be just fine.
Bennett didn’t warm up enough. Still, that is no excuse. He just does not have control of his fastball today.
I’m not exactly impressed with McCann’s pitch selection either.
Bobby is going to leave Bennett in the game as long as he can. Cox isn’t going to burn his bullpen today if he can help it.
Should we not come back and win this game it’s still two out of three.
Teixeira is hitting the ball hard, he just can’t get any to fall.
The Marlins are next and it is a lot warmer in Florida.
By The Coxian Oracle, explained
April 13, 2008 3:11 PM | Link to this
By examining the qulity of recently produced coagulated mucosal deposits, Bobby has an indication of how the game will go:
Clear is fortituous, green means the game can go either way, and bloody or brown bodes ill for the Bravos.
This is the method Bobby uses to make his in-game decisions, eschewing all other tools.
By AGTFan
April 13, 2008 3:11 PM | Link to this
BravesRule ,
I’m not saying OPS is a meaningless stat. I’m saying it’s not the only stat used to judge a players value. I think that relying on it exclusively and diminishing the value of other more traditional stats is a mistake. I do have less faith in the value of OPS+ than I do OPS. I think there are too many variables unaccounted for to be truly accurate. I think that any of the stats one considers need to be also looked at situationally. Does the players OPS go up or down when there are 2 out RISP. What about late game, when the team is behind? It is in this area that I think that Jeff is better than average. A player could have a pretty good OPS and OPS+, but then choke when the game is on the line
By DAP
April 13, 2008 3:11 PM | Link to this
Chase Why not Add HRs and RBIs and divide by Hits?
sometimes people add up doubles, triples and homers and say this player had X number of extra bsae hits…and thats handy sometimes, also there is a stat called runs created that takes alot of sutff into account, and alot of guys (probably just shaun) use that stat as well.
the homers+rbi list would probably look a little different.
OPS measures hitting on a more baisic level. its not about runs, its about getting on base, and total bases (again, two of the baisics of hitting in baseball) THATS why these two stats were combined. they werent chosen arbitrarily.
By Efrim
April 13, 2008 3:12 PM | Link to this
Diaz has 0 BB’s and 12 K’s through 48 at bats this season.
By Boog
April 13, 2008 3:14 PM | Link to this
Is it just me, or does Glavine look like he has put on 20 pounds? His gut is starting to look like mine.
By Chase for President 2008
April 13, 2008 3:15 PM | Link to this
I wish I knew Chase’s last name so I could write him in for President in November.
Chase-Joe Morgan ‘08!
By N8
April 13, 2008 3:15 PM | Link to this
DOB
I too, was incorrect in my assessment about this series.
Having said that, there had been NOTHING leading up to it, that showed me I should think differently.
Also, I’d like to point out that I’m more impresses with the 3-0 victory on Friday night, than the 10-2 drubbing yesterday.
Because anybody who’s watched this team over the past few seasons, could’ve seen the shutout happening today, after pounding them into submission, yesterday.
Of course, 2 out of 3, is STILL 2 out of 3, regardless of HOW the 2 out of 3 was done.
The pitching match-ups look to be in our favor in Florida as well. But the Marlins always play us tough, despite their seemingly constant flow of “cheap youth” filling up their 25 man roster. So that series, may loom to be tougher than this one was/is.
Side Note:
NOBODY wants to comment on the Livan Hernandez & Johan comparison/discussion? People would rather argue Andruw’s worth, and scold Chase for not having a fricking clue what OPS is?
Fair enough.
By BravesRule
April 13, 2008 3:16 PM | Link to this
OK. If OPS is the only stat that matters, then Jeff is an average hitter. We should definitely ignore every other stat because they are too hard for BravesRule to analyze. I posit that any stat taken in a vacuum is just a meaningless number. And I understood bunting and such tactics before you understood the concept of 2+2.AGT
I’m sorry for you my friend that you need to keep insulting the person that you are debating with. There is nothing artificial about OPS. It is on base percentage plus slugging percent, two stats that have been around a long long time. OBP shows a players ability to get on base to keep innings going and to score and slugging percent shows the ability to hit for enough power to consistantly drive in runs.That has been stated here by other posters too who are into math. And nobody ever said that it was the only stat just the easiest one that is pretty darn reliable. The essence of analysis is to pluck out the distractions that influence whatever it is that you are studying so that you have data as “pure” as possible(not that any is uninfluenced at all but that some are the least swayed). I fail to see what is so difficult about that concept. It’s pretty much the core of scientific inquiry. and you are correct Jeff is an average hitter overall. He does seem to have a knack so far for hitting in the clutch that some others don’t. That is why I stated that replacing him with another player of the same ranking would usually yield similar results, not identical results. It’s hard to tell because ‘clutch’ stats often vary quite a bit from year to year with the same player. but so far Jeff has show that ability.
But it’s still not an all or nothing deal, another player would pick up most of those same RBI’
I keep thinking that I am gonna stop but you keep insulting me with each post and irritating me. Gonna try again t let it go. I CAN be man enough to ignore those slurs from now on. I know I can!
By chase
April 13, 2008 3:20 PM | Link to this
DAP
You may wanna read closer. There seem to be quite a few people on this blog who don’t think much of OPS!
and my friend, I was blogging ALL Last season as well….
sorry some of us have lives and maybe just can’t put the same time into our blogging as you (although they are plenty of days I don’t see you here)
and OPS gives you a good snapshot of a player Then I guess you would want a guy with a 1.267 OPS as your catcher than McCann huh?
How about if I told you to do that, you’d have to trade McCann for AJ Pierzynsky?
OPS doesn’t mean everything guys
By DAP
April 13, 2008 3:22 PM | Link to this
chase in 1966, frank robinson won the triple crown. his OPS was 1.047. the next year, carl yastrzemski won it. his OPS was 1.040. see how they correlate?
By THB
April 13, 2008 3:23 PM | Link to this
Guys, the game isn’t over yet! Let’s just take it a couple of runs at a time, 2 here, 2 there, and take the lead!
By BravesRule
April 13, 2008 3:25 PM | Link to this
It is Arbitrary becuase PETE PALMER and JOHN THORN could’ve picked any numbers to combine and popularize.
Why not Add HRs and RBIs and divide by Hits?
you could THEORITICALLY combine any stats via any mathematical means to achieve a desired numerical statistic..
That means BY WHIM or CHANCE that SLUG% and OBP were added to CREATE OPS! It is also W/O Necessity
THEREFORE BY DEFINITION it is ARBITRARYChase
yes young man but it is used because it has proven to show good hitters. Look at the list that DOB just posted. Seems like it does a pretty good job of indicating talent. I’m pretty sure that your other stat that you just suggested would not be as successful. And I just explained in another post why those two stats were chosen. One points to the ability to get on base and the other points to the ability to drive in runs. I mean what else is there for a hitter to be judged by?
Bye bye. I just can’t take any more. You guys have just plum wore me out. Have a good day. I hope the Braves come back but it don’t look good right now.
By Overlord
April 13, 2008 3:25 PM | Link to this
Pitching staff depth a myth? Braves will proof you wrong, Carlyle, Bennett and James to cover for any injuried SP on the staff or as long relievers…..sure can be called depth.
How many staff could have their closer (gonzo) and runner up to closer (soriano) and 3 out of their 5 starters on the DL or injured and still have an under 4 ERA? And more than 75% of their losses by 1 run.
By chase
April 13, 2008 3:28 PM | Link to this
Has anyone noticed that at least once a week or so, the Braves’ hitters manage to make some team’s Obscure 4th or 5th starter look like Cy Young out there?
I have alot of faith in this team (Chipper goes yard) I think they can go to the WS but they do need to develop Offensive Consistency!
DAP OPS would appear to simply combine 2 simple stats BUT OBP is calculated by using MANY MANY variables…so it is not 2 simple “basic” hitting stats
By Dutchie
April 13, 2008 3:29 PM | Link to this
Go on guys! Keep the bats flying!!
By DAP
April 13, 2008 3:29 PM | Link to this
N8 i missed the topic of santana/hernandez…are you suggesting sananta’s career will look like hernandez’s?
chipper homers, tex doubles…still no outs. were only down by three…lets get some runs braves!
By AGTFan
April 13, 2008 3:30 PM | Link to this
BravesRule You might be mistaking me for someone else but I never harp on anyone.I am NOt one of those guys who have been constantly running Druw or Jeff into the ground.
My apologies for that. I think it was this comment that drew my ire: * Total home-boy homerism here.*
I confess to being somewhat cranky today. Maybe I should just apologize and shut up for a while. I have a feeling that you and I probably agree more than we disagree, so I am now officially shutting up for a while.
By Ray K
April 13, 2008 3:30 PM | Link to this
Greg in TN,
I’m a Braves fan living in LA for the last 8 years. You’re wrong on two fronts: the notion that Dodger fans leave the park early during close games to beat the traffic and only go to bask in the California sun is wildly overstated. The fans here, while not on par with Boston or NY, are more rabid than you think. It took them 10 days to start booing Andruw—it took Braves fans 10 YEARS!
Make no mistake; Angelinos love their team. The long time Dodger commentator, Vin Scully, notoriously imperturbable, was angrily laying into him last week for swinging at a wild pitch against the Nats.
And to say that the stands are littered with Variety Magazine is utter folly. You’ve got the wrong demographic. Industry people don’t typically go to games, and those that do don’t yap on cell phones. Dodger fans do, however, yap at people with Braves caps on.
Trust me on that one.
Ray
By Dutchie
April 13, 2008 3:31 PM | Link to this
Rally-caps everyone!!!!!!!!
By Overlord
April 13, 2008 3:35 PM | Link to this
Oh my god……. i think the only player that has played for the braves and was slower than McCann is Bruce Benedict. I think Sid Bream can still beat him from home to 1B.
By DAP
April 13, 2008 3:35 PM | Link to this
chase my bad, man. i think i remember you now.
if aj pierzynsky put up a 1.267 OPS over the course of a year then heck yeah id rather have hom than mccann. that would make him the best offesive player in the game. please tell me you realize that.
By chase
April 13, 2008 3:36 PM | Link to this
DAP Your 3:22 post is EXACTLY what I am trying to say!!!!
OPS is pretty much worthless because if you have a GOOD BA, hit a descent number of HRs and have a good number of RBIs then YOU WILL MOST LIKELY HAVE A GOOD OPS
By AGTFan
April 13, 2008 3:40 PM | Link to this
I’m sorry for you my friend that you need to keep insulting the person that you are debating with.
Since we crossed posts, I’ll apologize again and then I’ll shut-up. I hope you stayed on long enough to see the apologies.
By McFann
April 13, 2008 3:41 PM | Link to this
How come when McCann hit his homer last night, they replayed it like, twice, but after grounding out against Ray King a few minutes ago they just kept showing it?
That high throw by Brian to try to catch Lastings Milledge in the fourth inning was the first really “bad” throw for McCann all year. All the others have been right to the bag—some of them were just late. I think that has everything to do with his Lasik. He cann see where he’s supposed to throw better than he could before. And he still has no errors!
By richbrave
April 13, 2008 3:41 PM | Link to this
DOWN ON THE FARM
JoJo Reyes looked good in both starts. Today 76 pitches 4 innings 0 runs, 8 strikeouts. Nunez on to start the bottom of the fifth. Reyes is close to being ready.
By N8
April 13, 2008 3:41 PM | Link to this
DAP
At 10:48 today, I posted the following. Since I like to take up blog space, and feel “left out” when nobody will talk with me, I’ll repost it for you, since you asked (rather than make you scroll back up - that’s how “nice” I am. LOL!)
“Here’s something that I found interesting this morning. Now it’s only after 3 starts for each of them, but…..”
“Johan Santana has made 3 starts, going 20.2 innings, his record is 1-2, and his ERA is 3.05.”
“The man who “replaced” him in Minnesota, Livan Hernandez, has also made 3 starts, going 21 innings, his record is 3-0 and his ERA is 2.57.”
“I’ll make 3 points about this “finding”.”
“1) THANK GOD the Mets didn’t add Livan to their rotation as well.”
“2) WHY didn’t we take a look at him for OUR rotation?”
“3) Obviously, I don’t expect those numbers to stay along that path all year. BUT, similar to the Kotsay/Andruw discussion, to me, it’s ALL about dollar value.”
“Livan is costing the Twins 5 million dollars this year. Johan is making 13.5 million this year, and MUCH more than that in the future, AND cost the Mets some good prospects.”
“If Hernandez wins around 15 games, Johan would have to win about 40 to make the “money” be about the same vaule.”
“Add to that, Johan has been mediocre at best in the post-season, where we’ve seen first hand what Livan can do (with Eric Gregg behind the plate of course LOL!).”
“Anyhow. I’m not sure Livan is the right guy (especially long-term) to replace Johan in Minnesota, but surely he would have fit in nicely (it appears early on anyhow), into the 4th or 5th spot of our rotation.”
I’ll add two points to my original point that I thought of afterwards.
1) This “trend” might not continue if you look inside the numbers. Livan only has 6 K’s in 21 IP. However, he ALSO only has given up 1 BB.
2) There is always that “rumor” about the Twins manipulating the fans inside the HHH Dome to benefit the home team. I for one have ALWAYS believed that to be the case. But I like conspiracies. LOL!
Bottom line, is that this is a 3 game sample for each. Do I think it will end up this way at the and of the season and 35 starts or so, for each?
More than likely not. But similarly to when we replaced Maddux, Glavine and Millwood with Paul Byrd, Russ Ortiz and Hampton, it might just work out well for the Twins.
After all, IMO, after JS and the Braves, they have been the 2nd best organization in the last 10 years or so, at knowing WHEN to cut ties with a player, and replace him with less expensive talent.
So who’s to say, they didn’t WANT Johan to leave, knowing they’d be “fine” without him?
By DAP
April 13, 2008 3:41 PM | Link to this
chase OBP is calculated by using MANY MANY variables…so it is not 2 simple “basic” hitting stats
yeah it is. getting on base. a basic componant of hitting.
stats are there to take alot of info and give you a brief overview. OPS does that very well.
By Epinephrine
April 13, 2008 3:44 PM | Link to this
Another really nice piece of hitting by Francouer.
How many of you think Andruw would have flied out to right in order to score the run? Anyone?
And heck, Campillo, where did you come from?
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
April 13, 2008 3:45 PM | Link to this
5-3, it ain’t over yet !
LETS GO BRAVES !
LETS GO BRAVES !
LETS GO BRAVES !
LETS GO BRAVES !
By Old Coach
April 13, 2008 3:47 PM | Link to this
efrim- Diaz is not a good LF,misplayed ball twice already this year. No arm and no speed. I would love to see* Josh Anderson getting to play some. Josh is on fire at Richmond with his bat,speed and defense. Just play both and see what happens. We have no lead off hitter? Why not BC…Aspire to Inspire before you Expire.*
By chase
April 13, 2008 3:51 PM | Link to this
DAP
We’ll agree to disagree but I think we are actually agreeing in a round about way.
No problem on not remebering me I only post on UGA and Falcon’s blogs in hte Braves offseason
By Steve C.
April 13, 2008 3:54 PM | Link to this
Chase…not sure why I bother, but here goes…
Why in the world would OPS be created for stat geeks and the media? Why would the “media” care? Could it maybe be because it actually is a stat that does have some relevance, and is a good indicator of the type of player you might be getting? Did you really look at DOB’s list??? All 10 of those guys are considered very good hitters. Now, does that mean that OPS is the end all stat that every player should be judged by? Certainly not, but certainly neither arbitrary or overblown to be sure. Exactly why are you so obsessed with this anyway? Are you yourself finally getting tired of your own Andruw rantings?
By chase
April 13, 2008 3:55 PM | Link to this
DAP and others
What got this OPS discussion started was the comment made earlier that went something like:
“BA, RBIs, and HRs are meaningless and outdated. They are not hte best way to find out about a player. It is all about OPS get into the 21st century”
That is the stupidity that got me going!
By DAP
April 13, 2008 3:57 PM | Link to this
chase OPS is pretty much worthless because if you have a GOOD BA, hit a descent number of HRs and have a good number of RBIs then YOU WILL MOST LIKELY HAVE A GOOD OPS
ok, so you can look at three stats to get your info, or just one.
you can have a high OPS without a high AVG (see adam dunn), and a guy with tons of doubles or triples, but no homeruns will have a high OPS, and RBIs depend alot on your team getting on base around you. so they dont tell the same story OPS does.
N8 i apologize that i will not be able to respond to your post, i have to go. i will say, though, about us going after livan…we dont really have room for him. i dont think it would have made sense for this team.
By THB
April 13, 2008 3:58 PM | Link to this
I feel Josh Anderson belongs on this team. He’s tearing it up in Richmond and he deserves to be up here. I was thinking of a platoon with him and Diaz, since Diaz thrives when not playing everyday. Thoughts?
By Overlord
April 13, 2008 3:59 PM | Link to this
Chipper decided to have his worst AB in this young season with the go ahead run at 1B. I suppose he is human after all. Come on…. lets tie this thing up braves!!!
By chase
April 13, 2008 4:01 PM | Link to this
Why did COX take CAMPILLO out and bring in RESOP?
The guy was sailing along and now RESOP promptly gives up a leadoff double
By Trippy Hippie
April 13, 2008 4:02 PM | Link to this
Why on earth, in a close game, would any sane manager give Resop the ball?
In other news, this Campillo kid can flat-out pitch.
By Deep Throat
April 13, 2008 4:05 PM | Link to this
Resop? Resop?! Why?! It’s still close!
Josh Anderson sucks. Diaz earned a starting spot, you can’t take it away in the second week in the season. That’s kneejerk. It’s the reason why the Braves have Resop and not Yates; a kneejerk reaction to frickin’ spring training games.
By McFann
April 13, 2008 4:07 PM | Link to this
Great play by Tex and McCann to get Milledge out at home!!! Could be a game-decider! LOL.
By chase
April 13, 2008 4:07 PM | Link to this
Steve C
Again…you need to go look at the comment that started this all IT WAS NOT ME! BravesRule made the comment that RBIs, HRs, and BA are not important anymore and that OPS is the ONLY STAT THAT MATTERS…
You are right DAP you can have a high OPS without being good in one of those 3 main catagories but ALMOST never do you have a great OPS w/o having good Power and RBI numbers and that was my point all along!
By Braveheart
April 13, 2008 4:07 PM | Link to this
Chase Man, I love that you are defending Andruw. I hate the way people just want to trash the guy. But this OPS argument is silly. It’s not as meaningful as some other stats that get deeper into the intrinsic value of a player’s performance but it is pretty darn good and it is the simplest stat they have come up with that the casual fan can easily relate to. OBP and SLG are pretty darn important for determining how good someone is and how much he contributes to his team scoring runs. I think most fans are savvy enough to understand the strengths and weaknesses of it and how to use it and weigh it somewhat properly.
It probably depends what you consider slumping, and in Andruw’s unique case it’s easy to take either side. For the sake of accuracy: Andruw hit .289 with 9 homers, 26 RBI and a 1.144 OPS in the first 27 games after the 2006 All-Star break. He hit .221 with 12 homers, 28 RBI and an .896 OPS in 41 games from Aug. 17, 2006 through the end of the ‘06 season (12 of his 31 hits in that stretch were homers). In 206 games and 705 at-bats since Aug. 17, 2006, Andruw has hit .216 with 34 doubles, 36 homers, 123 RBI, 103 walks and 178 strikeouts, with a .319 OBP, .419 slugging percentage and .738 OPS in that 20-month period.
DOB, love ya man but you can’t kill Chase over this OPS thing but then ignore this from Andruw in the second half of 2006:
Second Half, 2006: .957 OPS
July 2006: .923 OPS
August 2006: .921 OPS
Sept/Oct 2006: .942 OPS
All of those OPS #s would have been close to putting him in the top 10 in OPS in the leaders you put up from last season. I understand he is washed up and a very fat and old beat up 30 something and not worth $18 million but if we are gonna take Chase to task for OPS reasons and me for “sake of accuracy” reasons, let’s not for “the sake of accuracy” ignore how outstanding he was in OPS during the second half of 2006 despite the poor AVG and his silly corkscrew swing.
By THB
April 13, 2008 4:09 PM | Link to this
Is Jeff Bennett going to be our 5th starter for now? I personally like him in this role, he does well on short notice (except for the walks, but hey, give him a break). Reyes is doing well, but let’s not rush him up to the majors just yet. How is Morton doing? Maybe give him a start?
By Origin of OPS
April 13, 2008 4:10 PM | Link to this
Ops was the wife of Saturn, the bountiful monarch of the Golden Age.
The Latin word ops* means “riches, goods, abundance, gifts, munificence, plenty”. The word is also related to opus, which means “work”, particularly in the sense of “working the earth, ploughing, sowing”.
The cult of Ops was (mythically) instituted by King Titus Tatius, the Sabine monarch. Ops soon became the patroness of riches, abundance, and prosperity, both on a personal and national level.
Ops had a famous temple in the Capitolium. Originally, a festival took place in Ops honor on August 10.
By Overlord
April 13, 2008 4:12 PM | Link to this
TEX above the Mendoza line….. here we gooooo.
By Trippy Hippie
April 13, 2008 4:13 PM | Link to this
Was that Resop’s first scoreless inning of the season, or does it just feel that way? I went and fixed a sandwich when he took the mound—couldn’t bear to watch.
By N8
April 13, 2008 4:13 PM | Link to this
DAP
“N8 i apologize that i will not be able to respond to your post, i have to go. i will say, though, about us going after livan…we dont really have room for him. i dont think it would have made sense for this team.”
No need to apologize. I’m sure we’ll gab later. I’ve just been busy as hell for the past 4 days. DVR’s Friday’s game and watched it very late Friday night. Saturday afternoon games aren’t included on the Extra Innings package, and I’m at work right now, so the game is DVRing at home. (Just “watching” on MLB-Gameday).
As for us not having “room” for Livan. I disagree. Actually not necessarily, specifically Livan…..just for another starter in general.
We have (2) 40-something year old pitchers (which means either of them could go down at once), we have JJJ as one of our starters. RIGHT NOW, he looks like a good one, but who knows how he’ll “adjust” once teams have some video to scout, along with more scouting reports? Which leaves us to Hampton, James and Bennett in the 5th hole.
With Hudson, being the only sure thing (and NOTHING is a sure thing), I’m sure Bobby could “squeeze” a guy like Livan Hernandez into the 5th hole, without really worrying about leaving somebody better in the pen, or at Richmond.
Hampton or James COULD/WOULD arguably be better than Livan, if they were healthy. But that’s a BIG “if”.
Now with Glavine getting nicked up and Smoltz having that shoulder of his, I’d say, we could use another starter, if one were to become available.
However since you said “i dont think it would have made sense for this team.”
I’ll agree with you, that a few months ago, it didn’t look necessary. But in hindsight (all the way around - with our depth, and his apparent “resurrection” towards being an effective pitcher again), it wouldn’t have been a BAD move.
I suppose there is the matter of the 5 million dollars too. Easy for me to “spend” for Frank Wren when it’s not my money. LOL!
By faninfaytown
April 13, 2008 4:21 PM | Link to this
Watching the game on tbs with the cubs and Phils and chip Caray brought up the replay issue in baseball. I personall think that replays in any form take away from what i think is the perfect game, one in which human error contributes rather than takes away. Just curious to know what anyone else thinks on the issue.
By Overlord
April 13, 2008 4:22 PM | Link to this
This might be the 1st 1 run loss i would not attribute to Cox, just saying.
By Jared
April 13, 2008 4:23 PM | Link to this
Another one run loss?
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
April 13, 2008 4:23 PM | Link to this
5-4 and I got the rally cap on !
LETS GO BRAVES !
LETS GO BRAVES !
LETS GO BRAVES !
By Philliesuk
April 13, 2008 4:23 PM | Link to this
Looks like it could be another 1-run loss. But if we have to lose by one run, I would rather it be this way than because of a blown lead.
By THB
April 13, 2008 4:25 PM | Link to this
Deep Throat-Josh Anderson does not suck. He did well in spring training, he did well with the Astros last year in his time up, and he’s doing well at AAA. Matt Diaz earned his position sure, but when you’re more effective in a platoon, it’s common sense. If anything, I at least want Anderson a shot in Blanco’s spot and see what he can do.
By chase
April 13, 2008 4:26 PM | Link to this
Braveheart
Thanks…and you hit on my second point about people and the value of OPS…The same people who feel that OPS is the END ALL BE ALL STAT are the same people who have CONSTANTLY bashed ANDRUW even when his OPS put him in the top 10!
You can’t have it both ways. And I don’t care if you have a lousy OPS if you get me 100+ RBIs and 35+ HRs! And if like BravesRule, you would rather have a high OPS than high RBI/HR production I think it is crazy
By Greg in TN
April 13, 2008 4:32 PM | Link to this
Nice two innings of work by Jose Campillo and a nice inning from Blaine Boyer and it’s a one-run game all of a sudden thanks to the bats of Chipper, Tex and company and thanks to the drop of Kotsay’s fly ball by Pena.
Ray The Variety remark was in jest, got me there definitely, and I have no doubt there’s hard core baseball fans amongst the Angelinos, however they will always come in second to Brooklyn fans when I think of that franchises fan base over the years whether it’s fair or not. Brooklynites took their baseball seriously up until O’Malley packed up and moved out west.
Time to rally against Cordero folks if we want to win this one.
By TBS is retarded
April 13, 2008 4:34 PM | Link to this
Why is TBS televising the Cubs - Phillies game when WGN is showing it too, everywhere in the US?
By Big Dawg
April 13, 2008 4:34 PM | Link to this
deep throat, sucks ,what a Vocabulary! You sound intelligent. You don’t know a d$%n thing about Anderson but we know alot about Diaz and he’s not a LF. You need to stop smoking that stuff.
By Big Dawg
April 13, 2008 4:35 PM | Link to this
deep throat, sucks ,what a Vocabulary! You sound intelligent. You don’t know a d$%n thing about Anderson but we know alot about Diaz and he’s not a LF. You need to stop smoking that stuff.
By Overlord
April 13, 2008 4:37 PM | Link to this
What an AB by the younster……Yunel, cause Peña looked like a grandma.
By N8
April 13, 2008 4:39 PM | Link to this
Greg in TN
“Nice two innings of work by Jose Campillo and a nice inning from Blaine Boyer…”
I was thinking the same thing.
Why is it that our bullpen gives us false hope of what they’re capable of, when we’re down a TON early in a game, yet can’t hold a 1 or 2 run lead, so often?
That is frustrating.
This would be a NICE spot for Tex to wake up, not?
By Bravesfan79
April 13, 2008 4:39 PM | Link to this
Man i wish Kelly Johnson would of worked the count better instead of the first pitch popup. Good patience by Jones and Escobar tho! Common Tex…this is what u make the big $$ for!!
By Bravesfan79
April 13, 2008 4:45 PM | Link to this
TBS SUCKS!!
Man i knew we should of payed Glavine a little less…id say around 5 million, and used the other 3 million or so on another good reliever!
Man what a fustrating game, Glavine gets hurt, and we loose the game on a pitch by a oversized goofball.
ANOTHER situation where i wish our hitter had been patient enough to work the count.
By N8
April 13, 2008 4:45 PM | Link to this
Hey McFann!!!!
Tell your “boy” to take a FRICKING PITCH with the game on the line!
Oh yeah…..Bobby wouldn’t want to take away the young guys “aggressiveness”, now would he?
Hmmm. ANOTHER one run loss! LOL!
Oh well. I’ll take 2 out of 3 all year long.
By McFann
April 13, 2008 4:48 PM | Link to this
Expletive.
By Original Jon
April 13, 2008 4:49 PM | Link to this
WHAT THE EFF!!!!!!!!!!!! Is there a rule on the team that says you have to swing at the first pitch? Bases loaded with a chance to either tie or go ahead and what does McCann do? HE SWINGS AT THE FIRST FRICKIN PITCH!!!!!!!!! What the heck gives????? You have bases loaded, take a daggone pitch. Players should be fined for swinging at stupid stuff on the first pitch. I mean, I can understand if there are no outs and you are first pitch fastball hitter, then swing away on the first pitch. BUT, if you have bases loaded with 2 outs, take a few frickin pitches!!!!!!! OMG!!!!! This team is so frustrating!!!!!
By N8
April 13, 2008 4:51 PM | Link to this
I’m not sure how accurate their “display” is, but MLB Gameday’s little artwork thingy showed that the first pitch fastball to McCann was high and outside.
Did he REALLY go out around a high outside pitch and pull a flyball to RF?
Swinging at the first pitch in that situation, is silly enough (when a walk ties the game), but when it’s out of the strike zone and you STILL swing at it, that’s just un-excusable. McCann is better than that. Come on!
If I’m an opposing manager and that situation comes up against the Braves, I tell my pitcher that a walk is better than a 3-Run double or a Grand Slam.
NO NEED to throw a strike to these over-aggressive Braves hitters right now.
One other thing I wanted to comment on, having watched my DVR’d game from Friday.
I REALLY miss hearing Don Sutton calling Braves games. I’d take him ANY DAY over Simpson.
By Deep Throat
April 13, 2008 4:55 PM | Link to this
deep throat, sucks ,what a Vocabulary! You sound intelligent. You don’t know a d$%n thing about Anderson
Sure I do. I have a computer. Can you pronounce that? Com-pu-ter. I knew you could. See, it’s this great new invention that allows me to look up things, like Josh Anderson’s minor league stats.
.290/.337/.373, .710 OPS and only 15 homeruns in 2,473 minor league at-bats.
And that is not very good. Period, end of story.
By DCbrave
April 13, 2008 4:56 PM | Link to this
In response to DOB’s challenge, I predicted that we would win 2 out of 3 from the Nats before the series started. I’ll take 2 of 3 any day against any team.
By Overlord
April 13, 2008 4:57 PM | Link to this
Nationals against the league 2-9
Nationals against the braves 2-2
Nationals end a 9 game losing streak by 1 run.
Very risky strategy by Cox putting JJJ as PR on 2B representing the go ahead tun, since we have 4 starting pitchers hurt, you wouldnt want one more. But there were not many options, i suppose even bobby was not comfortable doing so.
6th 1 run loss.
On the upside, we almost won a game that started darker than a blackhole.
2-3 aint that bad, but i would expect more than a 2-2 record against the nats.
By Efrim
April 13, 2008 4:58 PM | Link to this
0-6 in one run games. Sooner or later this is going to effect the teams mentality……..right?
Maybe I’m wrong.
By jbutler
April 13, 2008 4:59 PM | Link to this
Wayne in UT Hey- I’m enjoying the same view of the Rockies as you are…just the East side. Gorgeous day here. My hubby gives me a hard time when we play ball with our kids cause he’ll say “you throw like a girl!!” I’ll tell him…”well - I am a girl!! :) “
Pretty funny how not a lot of the jabbering today had much of anything to do w/the game. So- in the spirit of that- hilarious comment about Kotsay’s wife. Whatever it takes to sell tix…!! :)
By lilman916
April 13, 2008 5:00 PM | Link to this
I find it interesting that KJ and McCann both swung at the first pitch…both from the left side of the plate.
By lilman916
April 13, 2008 5:00 PM | Link to this
I find it interesting that KJ and McCann both swung at the first pitch…both from the left side of the plate.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
April 13, 2008 5:01 PM | Link to this
Good game, even if it was another one run loss.
For those of you who missed the Bobby Cox style of managing for the win, he did not send Escobar to steal 2B in the ninth when most managers would have.
Cox would not run the risk of the runner being thrown out, he will put the game in the hands of his offense almost every time.
If Escobar had been at 2B, he would have scored on Chippers double and the game would have been tied.
In retrospect, had McCann’s line drive been hit ten feet more toward right center it would have dropped for a hit, the Braves score at least two runs and the Braves take the lead.
Cox went for the win and I don’t blame him one bit. McCann hit the ball hard and it was caught. Game over.
Better luck Tuesday !
by the way, Manny Acta did a great job by walking Teixeira and putting Rauch in to pitch to McCann who is now 0-9 facing Rauch.
By richbrave
April 13, 2008 5:02 PM | Link to this
DOWN ON THE FARM
R-Braves over the Iron Pigs 6-2. Record now 9-2.
Pitching: REYES 4.0, 0 earned runs, 8 SO. NUNEZ in relief 1.2 with two earned runs. Bases loaded situation with two out in the sixth. Gives way to RIDGEWAY. 1.1, 0 earned, BUT two inherited runners score on two hits and a walk in the sixth. Schreiber goes two and works out of a bases loaded no out situation in the eighth.
Hitting: CANIZARES 2-5 with a single, HR, run scored, two RBI and two strikeouts. Batting .400 (14-35).
By Dan
April 13, 2008 5:03 PM | Link to this
I was soooo hoping that B-mac would’ve taken a few pitches. Maybe a wild pitch, pass ball,walk, HBP. something just for a tie…or at least get a feel for his pitches. Damn 1st pitch swinging bs. Especially from a guy coming right outta the pen.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
April 13, 2008 5:19 PM | Link to this
The one thing that ticked me off was the eighth inning at bat by Brayan Pena.
He stood in the box, took five pitches and never swung the bat. Pena struck out looking as a pinch hitter.
That was probably the worst at bat by any Brave that I have seen so far this season.
By amazinsagain08
April 13, 2008 5:19 PM | Link to this
Boy, that Chipper. What a hitter. You guys have been so lucky. Larry, Larry. Lots of respect there, believe me.
Chase reading your posts on stats today was a series of jaw-dropping experiences. In fact my jaw bounced off my keyboard so often that I cracked my spacebar.
I think I read that you want to be a lawyer. Good for you, I’m one myself.
A helpful hint, the essence of working a case is research. You never assert anything that you can’t show proof of or that you can’t show precedence for. You never ask a question that you don’t already know the answer to. research research.
Having said that, if you ever enter a courtroom and try to get by on the same type of bullshot that you use while arguing stats on this board you are going to be in a world of trouble; lost cases, suits filed against you by clients, perhaps even contempt of court citations.
It is painfully obvious to anyone interested in that subject that you know nothing about modern stats but you argue about them anyway. You need to change that approach real quick if you want to succeed in the field of law.
Goodluck.
By DCbrave
April 13, 2008 5:24 PM | Link to this
Why is it that our bullpen gives us false hope of what they’re capable of, when we’re down a TON early in a game, yet can’t hold a 1 or 2 run lead, so often? by N8
Of course you know “pressure” is the reason.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
April 13, 2008 5:33 PM | Link to this
Yea, those amazing idiots and their pathetic pitching got lit up for nine runs today, losing 7-9 to the Brewers.
Oliver Perez got shelled for six earned runs in four horrible innings of work and the Mets lost two out of three to the Brew crew.
I’m not impressed, in fact, the Mets have to be the most over-rated team in the big leagues this season.
By mo in the boonies
April 13, 2008 5:37 PM | Link to this
Well I couldn’t see either yesterday’s game or today’s, but I’m sure glad they won yesterday, and elated by Francoeur’s two homers. I saw on here that Glavine is out today with a hamstring. Ouch, that is going to be bad news for the team. And now dang..the team lost!
By AGTfan April 13, 2008 11:53 AM | Link to this Wayne in Utah I have come to the conclusion that Mo in the Boonies, Overlord, and BravesDave are maybe the same person
You may be on to something. During the game yesterday I compared the post from mets fan in atlanta to some of the posts from our more negative (critical?) braves fans. It’s “amazing”. I won’t say that those guys aren’t true braves fans, but they do seem to share the same view of the braves as mets fan in atlanta.
No I’m not either of the other two mentioned, unlike some on here, I only post under the one name. Oh, I’m a Braves fan alright, in case you didn’t notice, I haven’t been bashing any of the players except Tex, who needs to get on the stick and soon. So happens Frenchy and McCann are my favorite players after Smoltz. But being a fan of the team and a fan of BC are two different things. You guys can hammer me until the cows come home, and you aren’t ever going to change my opinion of him.
As for you Wayne, I have to admit I’m a little surprised to be attacked so by you, just because I disagree with you on Cox. I thought you were a bigger man than that. A man who could see that everyone is entitled to their opinion, without being called an idiot, a Mets fan, or worse, simply because I happen to disagree about Cox’s management. Have I ever called any of you an idiot because you love Cox?
By Overlord
April 13, 2008 5:38 PM | Link to this
I will say it again, i dont like that lefty righty strategy. Frenchy should be 5th and Matt should be 7th. If that strategy is so good how come we have a losing record?
Let you RBI leader protect your cleanup hitter. And let your worst hitter hit 8th.
That would make better sense… At least for now, when it is clear Frenchy is a better RBI man than Brian.
With RISP:
Jeff 10AB 12RBI .500BA
Brian 10AB 4RBI .200BA
RISP and 2 outs:
Jeff 5AB 5RBI .600BA
Brian 6AB 2RBI .167BA
Not enough AB but i checked it after saying to myself “I have seen brian kill many rallies this season” Numbers would not let me lie.
Jeff is a better option as 5th, doesnt matter who is starting the game a lefty or righty.
By BravesFanInRockies
April 13, 2008 5:39 PM | Link to this
I knew it! Somebody would point out that the Braves lost another 1-run game.
What BS. Had Wily Mo not dropped a fairly routine fly ball the Braves would have lost by 2. Then what??
This goes to show you that — without context — a team’s record in 1-run games means NOTHING.
It does not tell you if the bullpen blew a lead or a fielder made a crucial error. Or if a team made a late comeback, as the Braves did today.
The Braves were down 5-0 when Chipper hit that homer, and could have easily been down more. Up to that point, the Nats were killing us.
And yet we lost another one run game. Oh the humanity.
That’s why I continue saying, the record in 1-run games are meaningless unless you qualify how the team lost.
A better indicator is a team’s record in 3-, 4-, or 5-run games. Win a lot of those and you have a good club. And this one’s done all right in them so far.
Also, the Muts lost again. But it wasn’t a 1-run game.
By Overlord
April 13, 2008 5:40 PM | Link to this
Not saying that this would be the proper way of thinking, but at least the only team in the east that won, were the Nats.
By N8
April 13, 2008 5:42 PM | Link to this
Deep Throat
Listen, I’m not sure the Josh Anderson is the answer to ANYTHING right now. But your “numbers” and your assessment of them are a bit off, IMO.
You stated:
“.290/.337/.373, .710 OPS and only 15 homeruns in 2,473 minor league at-bats…..And that is not very good. Period, end of story.”
OK.
Here are some numbers for you:
.270/.343/.314, .657 OPS and only 11 homeruns in 5115 MAJOR LEAGUE AB’s.
Who’s numbers are those, you may ask?
Otis Nixon’s career totals. He seemed to be a pretty good CF and leadoff hitter in his day, didn’t he?
How about Kenny Lofton’s numbers for his career:
.299/.372/.423 with an OPS of .795 and 150 HR in over 8000 big league AB’s.
If Josh Anderson (or another guy that hits the same “style” that he does), is inserted into the #3 hole or the Clean-Up spot in the order, than YES!!! Those numbers aren’t, and wouldn’t be very good.
But what if that person was asked to “man” LF, and bat lead-off?
Then would they be “acceptable”?
Matt Diaz’ numbers are as follows:
.317/.353/.466 with an OPS of .819.
He has 22 HR in 819 Career AB’s.
Add to that, his defense is average….AT BEST!!!! It’s all in the eye of the beholder, IMO..
Does Matt Diaz bring “more” to the table at the plate, than a guy like Anderson? Probably. But their OBP isn’t that far off of each other, and Anderson SURELY brings more to the table on the base paths, than Diaz does, right?
Then you factor in defense, and it swings it a bit.
Of course, I’m basing my argument on Anderson’s MINOR LEAGUE numbers. Until he does that up here (needs a chance first, doesn’t he?), there’s no sense in arguing too hard.
Let’s go with this assessment.
The OLD Bobby Cox, who used to run more, and put a PREMIUM on guys being good base-runners and good defenders, would have chosen Anderson 7 days a week, and twice on Sundays over Diaz.
The NEW and improved “auto-pilot” version of Bobby, likes guys that hit the ball hard, and are AGGRESSIVE at the plate, would (and DID) take Diaz to play everyday, in LF.
At this point, I’d be happy, if Blanco got sent down, Anderson got called up, and he and Diaz did what Diaz and Willie did last year….PLATOONED. With Anderson, being a PR and late inning defense guy, on the days he doesn’t start.
But that’s just me.
By BravesFanInRockies
April 13, 2008 5:43 PM | Link to this
For me, Bennett’s walks and Mac’s final two plate appearances (when he swung at the first pitch each time w/RISP and made outs rather than working the count) were the likely difference in the game.
By Chop Chop
April 13, 2008 5:44 PM | Link to this
Twelve games in, I’d say the 2-10 Tigers are the easily the most overrated team in the bigs.
By Chop Chop
April 13, 2008 5:46 PM | Link to this
Got an extra “the” in my post. I had to stare at it for two minutes. Thanks, Please Wait. Bah.
By N8
April 13, 2008 5:49 PM | Link to this
DCbrave
“Of course you know “pressure” is the reason.”
Unfortunately, I do. I was waiting for somebody to give me the “calm down” speech. Saying, that we’re NOW on the right path. LOL!
Overlord
“Very risky strategy by Cox putting JJJ as PR on 2B representing the go ahead tun, since we have 4 starting pitchers hurt, you wouldnt want one more.”
I thought the same thing. He had to PR somebody though. Can’t leave Chipper out their to rip the quad muscle off the bone. LOL!
By Overlord
April 13, 2008 5:53 PM | Link to this
Stats on previous post dont include todays numbers, which make the difference even larger.
By Chop Chop
April 13, 2008 5:57 PM | Link to this
Calm down, N8! There are 150 games left in the season!
(Hahahaha.)
By Overlord
April 13, 2008 5:59 PM | Link to this
Chop Chop i dont think Tigers are overrated, theyll end up with on of the top 5 records in the majors, even with their horrible start.
By Overlord
April 13, 2008 6:06 PM | Link to this
*20th in the major in walks received. *
Could TP teach some patience at the plate?
By Chop Chop
April 13, 2008 6:07 PM | Link to this
I don’t think they’re overrated either, **Overlord”. After twelve games, they’re the most overrated team in baseball…not the Mets. I was responding to Coach, dammit. Ugh.
By keylargo
April 13, 2008 6:09 PM | Link to this
G. Maddux goes 5 for the Padres and gives up 0 runs, 2 hits, 2 K’s including AJ once. I’d take him any time, any year, that he said he was ready. Maddux is the definition of a pitcher.
By Greg in TN
April 13, 2008 6:09 PM | Link to this
The comeback came up short in the beltway today, but I’ll take 2 of 3 and a shot to cut into the Marlin’s lead in FLA.
N8 Boyer to me looks like he’s got a little bit of the pitcher’s version of Roy Hobbs syndrome right now (just seems like Hobbs got a strikeout or a homer in the epic movie). He’s either got electric stuff and he mows them down in order or they rip him pretty good. He’s got to learn that if he’s gonna miss, he needs to miss away and not right down Peachtree. His next few outings will be key for me to see how he builds on today.
I didn’t mention this before, but I really do hope Scott Spezio is able to straighten out his personal demons if not to sign back on with some club in the future, to at least turn his life around.
How about the cloak and dagger going on in NYC in the Bronx? Seems the new stadium being built for Fort Knox the Bronx had a little extra ingredient in the concrete in the form of a David Ortiz jersey placed by an opportune Red Sox fan. Amusing. Could there be a tomahawk jersey with number 10 on the back buried somewhere at the new building being built in Flushing? link
By Speaking of Overrated...
April 13, 2008 6:16 PM | Link to this
**By Coach (Lets Go Braves In 2008)
March 31, 2008 2:10 AM | Link to this
What I predicted five months ago and now firmly believe more than ever, THIS IS A PLAYOFF CALIBER BASEBALL TEAM.
And you can take that to the damn bank and cash it.**
By Overlord
April 13, 2008 6:18 PM | Link to this
Another amazing stat….. Glavine threw 16 pitches and he was the losing pitcher. Sounds more like reliever numbers.
Braves have lost 7 games of those 2 have been emergency starts by bennett and the james outing. Thats the difference between a 5-7 team and an 8-4 team.
Injuries to the staff is costing us big time.
Once again, we will be fine if Tom comes back or his next outing and Hampton comes back in 10 days or something like that.
At least Jeffs next start wont be an emergency call, he could get prepared.
By BravesDave
April 13, 2008 6:25 PM | Link to this
Wayne in Utah, I enjoyed being attacked by you. Just to let you know, the truth came to my house this afternoon and tried to kick my @ss. I knocked him out and sent him to Utah to look for you.
I have seen the light, though. From this point forward, the only reason that I will post on the blog will be to criticize other bloggers and talk about the Utah Jazz and talk about how fantastic every single thing related to the Braves happens to be.
Seriously, the difference between us is that I come on this blog to read and comment about Braves baseball.
On the other hand, you come on this blog to comment about how superior you are to everyone else. Anyone that doesn’t share your opinion obviously lacks intelligence.
I have one question, though. You ripped me for criticizing Francoeur. Before yesterday, do you think Francoeur was happy with his own performance this season?? 3 HRs and 11 RBIs in 11 games looks a lot better than 1 HR and 4 RBIs in 10 games.
By BravesDave
April 13, 2008 6:35 PM | Link to this
For everyone mentioning McCann’s poor at-bats in today’s game, don’t forget Kotsay. When the game was still a 2-0 game, Redding walked McCann and Francoeur back-to-back and Kotsay swung at the next pitch to end the inning. Nothing like helping out the opposing pitcher.
By Carroll Rogers
April 13, 2008 6:52 PM | Link to this
late for airport denizens, but glavine doesn’t worry this is a long-term thing but the short-term he’s not sure. will decide more in a day or two. my gamer/glavine update should be on-line any minute. and notes too. if somebody wants to grab it.
i’ll post a new blog tomorrow
By anti-brave
April 13, 2008 6:59 PM | Link to this
this is hilarious! another one run loss! just hysterical! now we get to listen to the denizens arguing endlessly about small ball. I haven’t had this much fun since chipper sat out five months with a bruised toe…or was that a bruised thumb…?
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
April 13, 2008 7:12 PM | Link to this
By Speaking of Overrated…
April 13, 2008 6:16 PM | Link to this
**By Coach (Lets Go Braves In 2008)
March 31, 2008 2:10 AM | Link to this
What I predicted five months ago and now firmly believe more than ever, THIS IS A PLAYOFF CALIBER BASEBALL TEAM.
And you can take that to the damn bank and cash it.
April 13th 2008
Amen, Amen and Amen !
Keep posting it loser, I have two big hairy pair of CAHONAS.
Which is exactly what you don’t have.
Dear Chicken SH!t poser, Use your real name, if you dare and I’m daring you.
This team is going to the playoffs and I’ll make that statement everyday for the rest of the season.
AND FURTHERMORE , YOU CAN CARVE SIX-SIX-SIX IN YOUR FLAT FOREHEAD AND CALL ME SATAN BECAUSE MY PREDICTION WILL HAPPEN.
Beat that statement for originality.
By Lew
April 13, 2008 7:18 PM | Link to this
Chase-Dude, time to face facts-Your And Idiot. Until Andruw left this offseason, he was a Brave. We saw his greatest triumphs, we saw his dismal, failures. Who BETTER than Atlanta fans to comment on what he’s doing now? Who knows Andruw, his style of play and his quirks and foibles better than those who’ve studied his game his entire career? It has absolutely nothing to do with taking cheap shots at Andruw. To many here he will always remain the icon who won all those Gold Gloves and hit 50 Home Runs.
Do you not remember how many wanted to re-sign him to those outrageous amounts of money? Do you not remember how his virtues were extolled until the final decision to let him walk was made? In case you’ve forgotten, it could have been us he was failing for if some of the Denizens had their way. We have every right to comment on it. Believe me-just because you don’t think so doesn’t mean much of anything. At least OPS lends itself to a logical explanation. You? Not so much
By anti-brave
April 13, 2008 7:24 PM | Link to this
stop it, please, you’re killing me! I haven’t laughed this hard since jimmy leyritz rained on bobby’s parade!
By Braveheart
April 13, 2008 7:29 PM | Link to this
How about the cloak and dagger going on in NYC in the Bronx? Seems the new stadium being built for Fort Knox the Bronx had a little extra ingredient in the concrete in the form of a David Ortiz jersey placed by an opportune Red Sox fan. Amusing.
It was amusing 10Greg but the Yankees have no sense of humor anymore. They should have left it there. They were a funner bunch when they were the Bronx Zoo and were more Fort Apache The Bronx than Fort Knox The Bronx. Patrolman Paul Newman would have handled things a bit differently:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqHDgde9Nkw&feature=related
By chase
April 13, 2008 7:36 PM | Link to this
LEW Why do you still care about AJ..if you didn’t like him..he is gone..let him rest!
amazinsin08
Why don’t you go and find one thing I said my friend that is not substantiated with FACTS…I checked everything before I spoke…Go to WIKIPEDIA, Braves.Com, and MLB.COM and you will find the backing for everything I said. That is where I checked the facts on everything about OPS before I talked about it.
If you sir, wish to accuse me of mistating facts then you need to be ready to tell me exactly which ones and WHY they are incorrect. If not you are just talking out your @zz!
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
April 13, 2008 7:39 PM | Link to this
Neither the Yankees, not the Mets will see game 163 this season. THEY WILL BOTH MISS THE PLAYOFFS.
And you can put that in your crack pipe and smoke it.
By McFann
April 13, 2008 7:39 PM | Link to this
“I just shouldn’t have swung at that pitch. I’ve got to hit the ball up the middle or go the other way. I tried to pull it.” Brian McCann
Apology accepted (I guess).
By Braveheart
April 13, 2008 7:39 PM | Link to this
Still on pace to score 905 runs and Tex has done little, KJ is not yet walking and Diaz has not yet started hitting the way Diaz can. Scary how many runs they are gonna score.
Still on pace to only give up 700 runs. Still on pace for a 200 run differential. That would make them a 95+ win team over the course of 162.
They are 5-7 and have 6 one run losses. However, I challenge you to find a team in the history of baseball that had a 200 run differential and did not win 90+ games.
Pythagoras needs to man the hell up already though. His bride Lady Luck has been whipping his behind for 2+ seasons already.
By anti-brave
April 13, 2008 7:42 PM | Link to this
and then, and then, Coach demanded that I use my real name, and I said, “Oh, you mean like Overlord, and CHop Chop, and N8?” Oh my god I was laughing! I am not sure which is funnier, the antics on the field or the self-inflated egos on the blog. Either way, I haven’t laughed this hard since AJ hit, what, about 200 with a gazillion stike outs.
By anti-brave
April 13, 2008 7:42 PM | Link to this
and then, and then, Coach demanded that I use my real name, and I said, “Oh, you mean like Overlord, and CHop Chop, and N8?” Oh my god I was laughing! I am not sure which is funnier, the antics on the field or the self-inflated egos on the blog. Either way, I haven’t laughed this hard since AJ hit, what, about 200 with a gazillion stike outs.
By BravesFanInRockies
April 13, 2008 7:57 PM | Link to this
Braveheart,
Nice reality check. This team has been and should be scary at the plate.
The worry is that the rumored pitching depth is wiped out by injuries. Now we’re approaching the point where, even if Glav misses no more than a start or two, Hampton has to contribute (a little) or we’ll need 35+ starts from Huddy and Smoltz and JJ.
The notion that we might be able to give the starters an extra day of rest every now and then by spotting a Bennett or a Boyer was a nice thought but may not be possible.
So let’s score some runs!!
By Bring Me the Head of Francisco Cabrera
April 13, 2008 8:12 PM | Link to this
As long as we don’t run up against the likes of Mark Redman and Odalis Perez too often, we’ll score 900 runs for sure!
By Philliesuk
April 13, 2008 8:13 PM | Link to this
hey amazinsagain08, you’re an idiot. I’m not surprised you’re a dirtbag lawyer, trying to insinuate that Chipper isn’t a good hitter. Scumbag.
By N8
April 13, 2008 8:20 PM | Link to this
anti-brave
“and then, and then, Coach demanded that I use my real name, and I said, “Oh, you mean like Overlord, and CHop Chop, and N8?””
Uhh…..N8 IS my real name. It’s just not spelled that way on my birth certificate.
But thanks for dropping my “name” in your post.
Now I feel special, and important.
By Braves20
April 13, 2008 8:22 PM | Link to this
One of those games. Screaming liners are caught in self defense, our guy is a little shaky after being called on again to basically start a game with no prep.
There is some cause for concern with the bench. Need a “good chance to get on guy” - may have that in Martin Prado whose absence in a couple instances today was puzzling.
We also need a thumper ala Darryl Ward. But those situations will probably take care of themselves as the season progresses.
By I Luv the Buffet
April 13, 2008 8:26 PM | Link to this
When the Nationals fly, attendants must insure that Johnny Estrada and Ray King are on opposite sides of the plane immediately about the wings, or the plane cannot achieve altitude. I have this on good source
By Metropolitan Man
April 13, 2008 8:27 PM | Link to this
Quick drop in on the ole blog. Hey Lew, can I take credit for prediciting that this is the year ‘Iron Man Glavine” goes down. I mean its only right. You got Alou, Duque, Pedro, and Castillo so can I get this one.
Lew 4 Metropolitan Man 1.
Nobody who roots for a NL East team should panic, they all s u c k right now so keep your meds and alcohol handy. May the worst team win.
LETS GO….ahh forget it.
By McFann
April 13, 2008 8:35 PM | Link to this
I haven’t had this much fun since chipper sat out five months with a bruised toe…or was that a bruised thumb…? anti-brave
When did Chipper ever sit out 5 months?? Go back and check up on that, dude! He played way more than one month last year!
By Metropolitan Man
April 13, 2008 8:39 PM | Link to this
Bury a Tomahawk Jersey in my backyard with any number on it let alone a 10 and Turner will be plasterd with Orange and Blue!!!
By Efrim
April 13, 2008 8:40 PM | Link to this
One thing is for certain two weeks in, NO ONE is running away from this thing. Two teams(Mets and Braves) have serious age/injury questions with their rotation and the Phillies are basically in the same situation we were last year. Myers and Hamels and pray for __ (fill in blank with something that rhymes with Hamels).
By Braveheart
April 13, 2008 8:50 PM | Link to this
No Braves jersey ever deserves to be buried in any toxic waste dump like Flushing, Queens.
By anti-brave
April 13, 2008 8:50 PM | Link to this
So then McFann gets all bent out of shape becuase he doesn’t recognize hyperbole when he sees it! Oh my god these people are funny! It’s especially funny when they gather roun’ the ole rocking chair and Uncle Dave shares a little song.
By N8
April 13, 2008 9:02 PM | Link to this
“Myers and Hamels and pray for __ (fill in blank with something that rhymes with Hamels).”
Camels?
“So then McFann gets all bent out of shape becuase he doesn’t recognize hyperbole when he sees it!”
Uh….Duh! McFann is a 12-14 year old girl that LUUUUUV’S Brian McCann. Each day is a “battle” for her on which shirt to wear to school….
The Brian McCann jersey, or the Hanna Montana T-shirt (and matching purse)?? Either way you look at it, it’s a VERY tough choice for a young girl to make.
Try and keep up, would ya!?
By TennesseePaul
April 13, 2008 9:10 PM | Link to this
MetMan: credit for prediciting that this is the year ‘Iron Man Glavine” goes down
I would think Glav would have to officially be on the DL before credit can be assigned. Seems only fair. So, hold off on the gloating for a few days.
Bennett walked four straight and that was the difference in the game. 4 straight walks. I guess if he were a lefty we could proclaim him as having “absolutely no major league talent”. 4 straight walks. What the hell was that?
The starting pitcher picks the jersey. Can they just pick the grays and then add the solid blue hat? It’d be similar to the Cubs. Different road and home hats.
By Lew
April 13, 2008 9:13 PM | Link to this
Chase-Apparently that’s his problem-He’s resting.
By AGTFan
April 13, 2008 9:14 PM | Link to this
Hey mo, I’m not saying you’re not a braves fan but you are a hyper critical fan. Comparing your statements to those of the mets fans was an interesting exercise. The difference is that the met’s fans are negative about the braves because they don’t like us. You’re negative because you want us to do better.
By McFann
April 13, 2008 9:18 PM | Link to this
The Brian McCann jersey, or the Hanna Montana T-shirt (and matching purse)?? Neight
Haha! That’s an easy choice because I don’t have a Hanna Montana shirt, LOL.
McFann is a 12-14 year old girl that LUUUUUV’S Brian McCann.
Very true, if you take out the age part.
: ) Thanks, Neight, I needed a good laugh.
By Lew
April 13, 2008 9:28 PM | Link to this
MetroDude-We’ll see. They haven’t DLed him yet. Maybe he won’t have to go on it.
Chase-Who said I didn’t like Andruw? A good portion of the blog gave me grief last year for thinking until the end that he’d turn it all around. Woodward I didn’t like. Robert Fick I didn’t like. BJ Surhoff I didn’t like. Andruw? Not so.
Should we not talk about the Marlins’ start because Freddi Gonzalez used to be with the Braves? Or not discuss the Dodgers or Nats because they have so many former Braves? Or maybe not talk about the Reds because Dusty Baker was in the On Deck circle when Hank hit 715?
By Lew
April 13, 2008 9:30 PM | Link to this
Nathan-Giving McFann grief again? Dude, you know she’s 15.
By Choppinmama
April 13, 2008 9:31 PM | Link to this
Well, even with the gift out at the plate for us (replay clearly showed he was safe), the 2 gift runs we bestowed on the Nats today resulted in another…(all together now)..ONE RUN LOSS. That makes 6 so far this season, denizens.
Let’s hope that more than a few guys will sit down and review game film on their day off - especially the free swingers that flail at 1st pitches in crucial situations. (McFann - not naming names or calling anyone out of course!)
On a different subject: out little community of Carrabelle FL just dedicated a new sports park this weekend. One of the four ballfields was named in honor of Buck O’Neil, as this is his birthplace and where he called home.
I’ve been inquiring for the past 6 mos. or so about erecting a sign or historic marker about O’Neil. Been getting the county commision run-around. The field dedication was a step in the right direction.
Speaking of steps in the right direction……..on to sunny FL for the next series. But, we’re expecting colder weather this week, so we’ll see.
By chase
April 13, 2008 9:32 PM | Link to this
Today’s game was tough BUT I’ll take 2 outta every 3…
Win at least 2 against the FISH and you gotta pretty decent (not good road trip) SWEEP and you held serve and come back at .500…
Doesn’t matter…just win 2 out of 3 or in other words WIN SERIES and you’re good!
I say it every week but I still feel this team is capable of winning 95 games!
By jbutler
April 13, 2008 9:33 PM | Link to this
McFann Hey there…if the hardest part of your day is which Hannah Montana shirt to wear, and whose pix to put up in your locker..than I’m envious!! :) Glad to see the ‘ol Anti-Brave getting some smackdowns.
N8 Thanks for the laugh…needing it tonight.
By keylargo
April 13, 2008 9:34 PM | Link to this
A BLOG is a terrible thing to waste.
By Wayne in Utah
April 13, 2008 9:39 PM | Link to this
To answer a few questions from my blogging buddies “Mo in the boonies” and “BravesDave”
First off, here we are, all Braves fans: Mo, Dave, Wayne, N8, Lew, WW, and a myriad of others. NONE of us have any REAL major league baseball experience, so it is our opinions that we write of.
Now, in this corner, we have Kevin Kennedy, Joe Torre, Dave O’Brien and a myriad of guys WITH real major league baseball exposure/experience.
None of the guys in the second corner have ever been quoted about how “bad” or stupid (I can’t remember all the derogatory remarks Mo has made). Actually, to the contrary.
Mo, I have just followed what real experts have stated, and what I have observed. You, obviously are smarter than all those guys with lots of REAL baseball experience, that I have sided with. Cause you see something they do not see.
BTW, mo, I can’t find anywhere that I have called you an idiot???
Did I once nominate you for the “your and idiot” award. Well, if I did, then you need to understand that is a phrase we on the blog use for someone without a clue, as many moons ago, a poster made that grammatically butchered statement “your and idiot” and many of us have used it since.
Have I ever called any of you an idiot because you love Cox?
No Mo, you haven’t. While I don’t have the time or the inclination to look it up exactly, you have made some statements about Bobby Cox that are patently false, and inflammatory. None of us are saying he is the best tactician. He is the kind of manager that gets the most from most of his players. YOU love to talk about his mistakes, and NEVER about any of his successes. Thats because you only see mistakes by Bobby, but the success are when his players succeed.
Pay attention man! It’s more than X’s and O”s.
BravesDave On the other hand, you come on this blog to comment about how superior you are to everyone else. Anyone that doesn’t share your opinion obviously lacks intelligence.
You are learning. I am superior to everyone, haven’t you heard?
Now, when did I say that?
My biggest problem with you is that you make some contradictory statements, and then start to pile on. In the case of Francoeur, you state the following:
He needs to stop striking out 100 more times per year than he walks. If he can hit .285, hit 25 HRs, and drive in 100 every year, I would be thrilled; but he needs to combine that with productive, major league-quality at-bats. Maybe a .360 - .370 OBP. The ability to move runners over or hit a sac fly, when necessary.
To be honest with you, I hope that Jeff learns how to be more patient at the plate, and do some of the things you state, BUT, in the mean time, I don’t think I am going to rag on him constantly because he is one of the most clutch hitters in baseball and because he does hit around 280 with 20-30 HR’s and over 100 RBI’s. Let’s hope he gets better, but face it, he will never be Chipper.
So, guys, if I have hurt your feelings, I only hope that you will see that I try to base my opinions on facts and data gleened from experts in REAL baseball. Not from my jaded personal opinions.
And Dave, are you not a Jazz fan? I thought everybody was a Jazz fan!
That’s almost like saying you didn’t like Pistol Pete, and that just ain’t right!
:-)
(Mo, go find where I called you an idiot, and I will apologize. People do idiotic things, and say idiotic things, but I do try not to call someone an idiot. Different than nominating someone for the “your and idiot” award.)
Although I have been tempted sometimes with my buddy N8!!
:-)
By chase
April 13, 2008 9:40 PM | Link to this
But LEW come on man, you and other AJ bashers don’t talk about all those other players…
Instead, there is almost a daily bash-worthy update on here about how bad AJ is doing.
Does anybody ever mention Furcal? No! Be fair, your hypothetical situation doesn’t exist here…Its only an AJ bashing party!
By TennesseePaul
April 13, 2008 9:45 PM | Link to this
Each day is a “battle” for her on which shirt to wear to school…
I don’t pay too much attention, but I could have sworn McFann was home schooled. Or was that a joke as well?
By Steve McP
April 13, 2008 9:45 PM | Link to this
Just got back in from watching the game on TV at a friends, nobody seems to have noticed that the temp at first pitch was sub 60º so clearly it was always going to be a one run loss for the Braves as it has been on every other time this season that the temperature has been cool, let us hope for a warming trend for the remaining days in April and a good hot summer. By the way it has just started snowing here in the mountains of WNC, good lob the Braves play in balmy Atlanta.
By Steve McP
April 13, 2008 9:48 PM | Link to this
Also just looked at the box score, why did Tom Glavine get tagged with the loss? Bennett gave up more runs and was the pitcher of note when the Nats scored their fifth run. How are win/losses decided?
By keylargo
April 13, 2008 9:58 PM | Link to this
Steve McP
Glavine gave up the first run to get the Braves behind.
By Lew
April 13, 2008 9:59 PM | Link to this
Chase-You moron. Can I say it any clearer? I AM NOT AND ANDRUW BASHER. I do, however, have an interest in his performance-just the same as I do Furcal’s, Langerhans’, DeRosa’s or any other ex Brave’s performance. And just why can’t I, or others talk about it if we so desire? It is baseball news-pure and simple. I speak of it just as I did the other day of Sabathia’s and Oswalt’s tribulations thus far this year. The only difference is that Andruw used to play for us.
Considering that I watch ALL the Braves’ games every year (or listen to the few I can’t get on the tube) and have done so for literally decades, I feel I have every right to comment on a player who I watched almost every single game of his career. If he had gotten off to a torrid start, I’m certain we would be speaking about it as well.
Didn’t I hear you say something about wanting to be a lawyer? My wife has been admitting prospective lawyer’s to Law School for the better part of three decades, herself, and I can assure you, it will take a lot more than your argumentative nature and contentiousness to get there. Just because you don’t think it’s a worthwhile subject for us to discuss, doesn’t make it so.
By N8
April 13, 2008 10:05 PM | Link to this
“Does anybody ever mention Furcal? No! Be fair, your hypothetical situation doesn’t exist here…Its only an AJ bashing party!”
No need to bash on Furcal. Braves fans generally agreed about his lack of desire to be a lead-off man, and that he swung for the fences like he was paid to DRIVE IN runs, not score them (and prevent them in the field).
Nor did Furcal’s agent prepare an encyclopedia size portfolio “explaining” why his client was NOT gonna accept a hometown discount, and WAS going to in so many words “break the bank and set the market”.
Furcal was NEVER considered to be the best defensive SS of all time. Furcal never hit HR in his first two World Series AB’s. Furcal NEVER appeared to smirk after striking out for the 3rd time in a game. Furcal even when he was hitting poorly, hustled his AZZ off to first base on EVERY play.
Should I keep going, or should I give you a few more?
Wayne
“Although I have been tempted sometimes with my buddy N8!!”
Now, now. I’ll do it for you…
I’m AND idiot!
I’m the first to admit. I’m NOT immune to the occasional idiotic thought, which more often than not, comes to fruition on this blog, in the form of a post.
I’ve NEVER been afraid to admit I was wrong. Nor am I afraid to apologize to those I’ve offended.
But with the occasional humbleness and willingness to admit incorrect opinions, I will RUB IT IN LIKE A MO-FO, when I’m correct about a thought, that caused me to get bashed relentlessly. Which most of you are more than aware of. LOL!
As for Cox? I’ll leave that one alone tonight. Not particularly angry at him tonight, so I’ll “save it” for a rainy day.
By Lew
April 13, 2008 10:05 PM | Link to this
Chase-One more thing-You can ask anyone here on the blog this if you don’t believe me. How often have you or anyone else here ever heard me denigrating Braves’ players?
On the contrary-I’m usually the one being castigated for my unbridled optimism and my hesitance to revile ANY Braves’ player. Maybe you could ask Nathan about getting reamed when he made disparaging remarks about Marcus Giles a couple years ago. Or how KC and I got tons of crap about sticking up for Ryan Langerhans last year. Sorry Dude, you picked the wrong guy to call an Andruw basher. Maybe you need to pay closer attention.
By Greg in TN
April 13, 2008 10:08 PM | Link to this
Braveheart Yeah, I don’t think Newman’s approach is being used these days to be sure. Great find on that YouTube clip. I got a good chuckle out of that.
Tex will get rolling, folks. I know DOB has mentioned this on several occasions that his April’s are historically slow, and they are. The health of Glavine and Hampton are a concern. We certainly don’t need Smoltz to think he has to go out and pitch seven innings every night.
To me, it didn’t look all that ominous, however it was enough to bring him out of the game today after sixteen pitches. As Carroll quoted him in her post-game story, he’s not worried about it long term, which is good news for Braves Nation. I wouldn’t mind seeing him miss Friday’s scheduled start against LA if it helps him (and the team) long term this year.
By N8
April 13, 2008 10:17 PM | Link to this
Lew
“Maybe you could ask Nathan about getting reamed when he made disparaging remarks about Marcus Giles a couple years ago.”
Dude. You’ve “scolded” me so many times, I don’t even remember what I said about Marcus to get you in a tizzy! LOL!
Oh…if you’re done with it…could you pass the juice?
By ColoradoBravesFan
April 13, 2008 10:17 PM | Link to this
Lew
No the painting painting was just a typo. Must have been because I had to keep telling the 4 and 6 year old kids “don’t touch the painting, don’t touch the painting”… they liked it also.
Yes, can tell Maddux is pitching his change-up. Thanks again.
GO BRAVOS…
By Greg in TN
April 13, 2008 10:21 PM | Link to this
Oops, should have said Smoltz shouldn’t think he has to pitch seven+ every night…
Just to underscore DOB’s point about Tex’s slow starts, here’s his AVG/SLG/OPS splits for his career by month:
March/April .245/.427/.768 May .292/.526/.901 June .278/.542/.900 July .277/.528/.890 August .300/.570/.952 Sept/Oct .305/.601/.989
By keylargo
April 13, 2008 10:22 PM | Link to this
Steve McP
A little more to add to Glavine taking the loss. He gave up the first run and was responsible for all runners left on base when Bennett came in. He was the pitcher of record when the Nats went ahead (whether or not the runners that were his resposibility scored with him in or Bennet pitching.)
Had the Braves come back to tie or go ahead, Glavine would no longer be the loser and never could have been the winner since the starter has to go a minimum of 5 innings.
By Braveheart
April 13, 2008 10:28 PM | Link to this
Chase, Andruw gets bashed more because he had great talent and ability and also great performance (although nowhere near as great as he should have produced).
With that talent and ability comes great expectations. I think the people who bash him the most are those who really loved him and expected him to become anything he wanted to become in the game of baseball. He was a disappointment to many in that regard.
As great as he was for the Braves, he could have been so much better. I think that broke the heart of so many fans, especially since his failure to realize those expectations stemmed from a doggone stubborn nature and refusal to develop into a complete hitter. Why was he capable of a Miguel Cabrera like season in 2000 but then became a one trick pony home run hitter instead remaining a complete hitter afterwards?
I don’t like the bashing that goes on but as good as he was it was a disappointment. The harshness of the bashing stems from tough love. It could be argued that they actually love Andruw more than the apologists who excuse all of his faults and enabled him to continue to be a great but fatally flawed player.
Plus, I think the Andruw bashing is done for the same reasons Barry Bonds was bashed above all other PEDers. Heavy weighs the crown. Andruw was a better talent and player than Furcal and those other players. More was expected. The failure to realize those expectations is less forgivable and more heartbreaking for them.
By Overlord
April 13, 2008 10:39 PM | Link to this
metrojoke are hope you come online on friday to celebrate with us glavines next outing.
By Overlord
April 13, 2008 10:51 PM | Link to this
metrojoke I hope you come online on friday to celebrate with us glavines next outing.
By Metropolitan Man
April 13, 2008 11:03 PM | Link to this
I will Overlord. He will try to come back all soon because the pitching is in distress and he will do more harm then good. Smoltz he is not. There is no bragging here because the NL east is a mess, first MASH Unit to recovery wins!!!
By N8
April 13, 2008 11:34 PM | Link to this
Braveheart
You took the words right out of my mouth. Well….ok….not really, but close enough.
All kidding aside, you hit the nail on the head.
Very well said. The same can be said about Chuck James (to an extent).
He has GREAT talent. He has (when healthy) a fastball that doesn’t light up the radar gun, but he can locate where he wants, and with that great change-up, is “sneaky” quick, as Cox likes to say.
But it’s his inability to learn that 3rd pitch, that’s keeping him from being great, instead of just good (average).
I don’t have a problem with him not learning a 3rd pitch. MLB history is littered with guys that could be considered AAAA talent (whether on the mound, or at the plate).
He has nothing to be ashamed of. But his PUBLIC acknowledgment of NOT “knowing” the hitters he faces, or last off-season (after 2006) when he spent the winter installing windows instead of studying scouting reports and such, is what gets the “goat” of many Braves fans.
Don’t mistake what I’m saying for me comparing the talent of Chuck James to the talent of Andruw Jones. They’re NOT in the same league.
One is clearly going to the HOF (or should if he doesn’t fall of the face of the map the next few years), the other is struggling to make the Braves rotation in the 5th hole.
But in the EYES of the fans, there appears to be some similarities in their work ethic. Of course all we “know” is what’s printed or reported.
So if DOB tells us that Chuck doesn’t study his opponents or look that closely at scouting reports. That might not tell the whole story.
Maybe Chuck spends HOURS working to perfect a 3rd pitch, and it hasn’t been reported. Who knows?
One thing is obvious though. Chuck has a fair amount of success doing it the way he is doing it (similar to Andruw), and in my eyes, it appears to be effort (or even care), that separates Chuck and Andruw from being truly great.
Andruw gets a lot of credit for being a fantastic CF, as he should. But that appears to come naturally to him. Similar to the way some guys have natural speed and steal bases, or can get from home to 3rd super fast (I still say watching Prime Time get a triple was the most exciting play to watch - simply amazing the “angles” he took rounding the bases), Andruw had a great first step in CF.
Unfortunately, he showed “enough” at the plate with his natural ability to tease us into thinking, if he worked out his quirks, he’d be one of the best hitters ever, instead of “just” one of the greatest CF’s ever.
VERY similar to “Manny being Manny” Ramirez. The guy can FLAT OUT rake at the plate. Greatest RH hitter (for both average and power) of this generation, IMO. But he doesn’t always hustle. He “watches” balls that he thinks are HR’s, and ends up standing at 1B with a LONG single, too often.
He looks as lost as Matt Diaz in LF (when not playing in front of the “monster), but it’s who he is.
Andruw is the opposite. No clue or approach at the plate, but enough raw ability to make pitchers pay for mistakes, and FANTASTIC defense in CF that assured him of never being out of the lineup, no matter how bad he was struggling.
If one could combine Andruw and Manny, well then you’d have………Willie Mays! LOL!
Anyhow. I could’ve stopped typing after I stated “Very well said.”
But we both know, that’s as hard for me to do, as it is for Andruw to “lay off” that low and away slider.
By brent a.
April 13, 2008 11:53 PM | Link to this
Take everything TJ Simers writes/says with a grain of salt. He is a goof-off who makes fun of his family, as well as every LA sports celebrity.
His athlete “quotes” always come off as being a little, well “off”.
By brent a.
April 14, 2008 12:07 AM | Link to this
Hey, the Andruw wath is quite gripping. I think we should all keep it up.
$18 million!
.100 average!
that is interesting, even if he had never donned a Braves jersey.
I kept close track of LaRoche the first 2 months last year with similar glee. Then, Gonzo went on the DL, and it didn’t seem so fun anymore :(
By mets fan in atlanta
April 14, 2008 12:34 AM | Link to this
I just think its funny that someone above said Bennett was bad today because he had to come in the game when Glavine got hurt and he didn’t get a long time to warmup. HAHA! If Bennett is the “longman/spot starter” that everyone thinks he is, that is HIS JOB. Also, when a pitcher leaves because of injury, the replacement is allowed unlimited warmup pitches to get ready. So no excuses, fellas. He just pitched badly. And I wouldn’t expect to see him pitch this Friday either. As I said the other night in my longer post, Campillo would probably get the start. Which means the “depth” you supposedly has is done, caput.
And please, someone tried to gloat today about Perez, he left the game with the score tied, and all this after not allowing a single earned run in his first two starts combined. Yeah, he’s inconsistent, that’s his problem, but when he’s on, he’s awesome, and when he’s not, we usually still have a chance to win.
I also loved the comment earlier by Chase that Tom Glavine pulled himself today after 14 pitches or so, so as to avoid making the pain worse so he won’t have to miss the next start. (I would bet he’d be back w/o hitting the DL…If he felt anything it was better to leave and take treatment and not miss a start rather than push it and hurt himself worse!)
HAHA, by pulling himself after 4 batters, he in effect missed today’s start. This totally screwed their chances today. Truth is, the Braves are in bad shape, and I called it a while back. Considering the crickets that usually appear after my posts, I know most of you know I’m right.
By AGTFan
April 14, 2008 12:34 AM | Link to this
Apologies to everyone and anyone I’ve pi$$ed off the last couple of days. I got in a stupid argument with BravesRule today and got rather insulting. Funny thing, I thought I was being insulting, but when I looked back I was the one being a jerk. I tried to apologize, but I think he’d already signed off.
I was laid off year before last and after being out of work for 6 months I had to bite the bullet and move to the middle of nowhere, IL. I don’t miss Atlanta traffic, but I miss almost everything else. I miss being able to go to Braves games. I miss being around other Braves fans. I miss being around Tech fans. I even miss being around dawg fans.
I thought maybe this blog could fill some of that void. I loved it during the off-season, but once the season started some off the bashing of players past and present and the BC bashing got irritating. In my irritation, I became irritating. So, if I’ve offended anyone in any way, you do have my apologies.
I still think this is the best sports blog going, but I think I have to leave it alone for a while.
BTW - New B52s CD is fun.
AGTFan
By BA
April 14, 2008 12:37 AM | Link to this
Otis Nixon only hit .270 in his career? That suprises me. He was such a burner, I thought he’d be closer to .300. Man, when I was a kid, I loved watching that guy. If Nixon hadn’t been suspended in 91, I think we win the Series. If only because that boob Lonnie Smith wouldn’t have been starting.
By N8
April 14, 2008 12:48 AM | Link to this
mets fan in atlanta
“Considering the crickets that usually appear after my posts, I know most of you know I’m right.”
Uh…
If your moniker was “d-backs fan in atlanta”, I’d MAYBE think about taking what you have to say seriously. But you guys are in as bad (if not worse) shape than we are.
How many wins does Johan have? More importantly, how many wins do the METS have when Johan pitches?
Last time I checked, we STILL have Hudson and Smoltz, right?
The rotation is the LEAST of my concerns as a Braves fan. Which of the Mets worries is the least of yours?
By BA
April 14, 2008 12:51 AM | Link to this
He “totally screwed their chances”? Even though the Braves lost by one run with the bases loaded in the ninth? THAT doesn’t make any sense. Why would Campillo start? He’s not a starter. That made even less sense. Sounds like this guy came out on the wrong end of a Pedro chicken fight!
By Philliesuk
April 14, 2008 12:52 AM | Link to this
mets fan in atlanta I wouldn’t say you’re ‘right,’ but you’re not far off, especially when it comes to Bennett. I’m not one of these rah-rah guys who will tell you we have the best rotation of all time (that would be the Braves staff of the 90’s). What I will tell you is that we have a very good rotation when they are all healthy. I know that is a big IF, but that’s baseball. Hell, you could say the same about the Mets lineup. I’m guessing that it will be rare for the Braves to have all 5 starters healthy at one given time this year, but if we can get four (Smoltz, Hudson, Glavine, Jurrjens), that should be good enough to compete for the division. Even if you take Hampton out of the mix, I still think our rotation is just as good as the Mets.
So you can gloat now about how Tommy is hurt; I guess that’s only fair since a lot of Braves fans were doing the same when it happened to Pedro. But if you don’t acknowledge that the Mets are in the exact same situation that we are in, well then, you’re just another biased Mets fan.
By N8
April 14, 2008 12:53 AM | Link to this
AGTFan
No need to apologize, IMO. Just don’t take any of it personally. I have a couple of times, and it’s not worth it.
Stay true to your feelings. Repeat them if necessary, keep it clean (PG-13 I like to say LOL! - because anybody letting their kid under 13 on a blog/chat has bigger issues than my profanity), and don’t let the insults of somebody you might not ever meet get to you.
Just be willing to “receive it” if you’re gonna dish it out, really no different than life in general. Just done on a keyboard without any knowledge of whom your arguing with looks like.
By BravesRule
April 14, 2008 1:29 AM | Link to this
OPS is pretty much worthless because if you have a GOOD BA, hit a descent number of HRs and have a good number of RBIs then YOU WILL MOST LIKELY HAVE A GOOD OPSChase
another statement that is untrue and continues to show that you know nothing about stats. Jeff has a decent BA hit a fair number of homers and RBI(which BTW have nothing to do with OPS and the inclusion of which again proves that you have your head up your tush) and still has a rather mediocre OPS. In fact it is exactly average.
Every time you post something about it you just further show your ignorance. The sad thing is that you are too stupid to realize it and learn something but continue to bullsh!t your way along.
By mets fan in atlanta
April 14, 2008 1:53 AM | Link to this
Hey BA, its sad when i know more about your team than you do. Check it out—-Campillo had one appearance in the minors this season before the callup: a start that lasted like 4 1/3 innings. Oh and just for good measure:
TAC PCL 9 6 3.07 24 22 0 0 0 149.1 151 55 51 11 39 99 0.97 .264
This is his stat line from last season (hint, the 24 and 22 stand for Games and Games Started respectively).
But you’re right, he’s not a starter.
N8, the least of my worries is Johan Santana, he hasn’t gotten to where he has by being a bad pitcher. I have to hope he’ll bring it around. Kinda reminds me of Tim Hudson his first year in Atlanta—most Braves fans were ready to run him out of town at the time. I will add the most of my worries are on our Bullpen, which seems to give up a run we least need it to, and getting the offense back on track.
So in essence, the problems with the Braves and Mets are similar. I only highlight your problems because Braves fans as a whole just seem to think that the division is still their birthright, and that somehow they had an invincible team coming out of spring training.
Trust me, my best friends are Braves fans, and they hear this stuff from me before I ever say it on this blog. I just don’t have any friends that are also Met fans—never have my whole life. But i have had plenty of friends that have been brave fans, so i’ve been refuting them in force the last oh 10 years. I didn’t have much to say in the Buddy Harrelson/Dallas Green days. I was also in high school at that time. Put it this way, when i graduated from college and my friends found out i was moving to the Atlanta area, they busted out laughing cause they knew how much i hated the braves. So don’t worry, i can take it as well as I can dish it out—just make sure you don’t say something dumb, cause i’ll point it out quick.
By BravesRule
April 14, 2008 1:54 AM | Link to this
My apologies for that. I think it was this comment that drew my ire: * Total home-boy homerism here.AGTf
Ok so part of it was my fault. I thought I put a smiley face after that statement. I have a weird sense of humor and often exaggerate to the point that I think anyone will realize that I’m using hyperbole. It doesn’t always work, this being not the first time.
Overall I like the kid. He will never be Chipper for sure, but he is an asset to the team. I do think he is a tad overrated by the local fans right now, but not to a great extent and I hope he continues to improve in not making quite so many outs so that I will no longer feel that he is overrated at all. Sorry about the mixup.
Peace.
By BA
April 14, 2008 2:24 AM | Link to this
If Campillo keeps setting them down like he did today, I will gladly stand corrected. The only thing that’s sad is that you are a Mets fan! What an AWFUL franchise. In spite of injuries to two of our starters, we still have much more depth than the Mets. I won’t pretend that Santana will stay down for long, but after him the Mets rotation is four of these ???? Their bullpen is worse than that. We’ve got two guys that won ten games a piece last year pitching at tripleA right now. And they aren’t named Campillo. This certainly isn’t the staff from the nineties (remember, the whole time your team was in the toilet) but we have enough depth this year pitching wise. Put it with our superior (and younger) lineup and I’d say the Mutts are in a lot of trouble. You Mutts fans better get your batteries ready to launch!
By Coach (Lets Go Braves In 2008)
April 14, 2008 2:47 AM | Link to this
The startling similarity between the Braves and Mets is they both have injury issues with their respective rotations.
The obvious difference is, the Braves have the quality depth to withstand this rash of injuries.
The Mets have zero depth, nothing and I MEAN NOTHING in the minors to fall back on.
They are already dead in the water less than weeks into the season.
The Mets are already a .500 team and whats so funny is, the vast majority of their fans have no idea of just how bad things have become for the Mets.
By nolie
April 14, 2008 2:59 AM | Link to this
JoJo Reyes looked good in both starts. Today 76 pitches 4 innings 0 runs, 8 strikeouts. Nunez on to start the bottom of the fifth. Reyes is close to being ready.Richbrave
boy wouldn’t that be nice if he could come up here and contribute some good starts. I like his stuff pretty good, he just needs to learn command. I sure hope he can
By N8
April 14, 2008 3:11 AM | Link to this
mets fan in atlanta
“I only highlight your problems because Braves fans as a whole just seem to think that the division is still their birthright, and that somehow they had an invincible team coming out of spring training.”
I liked our team very much going into Spring Training.
When the Braves were winning the division for over a decade, I felt they were ALWAYS the favorite until someone beat them.
Similar to now. The Phillies are the reigning NL East champ, until somebody dethrones them.
Birthright? Not me. Just liked our team (barring injuries), better than yours.
Now we BOTH have injuries (which was predictable), just gotta hope the Phillies don’t wake up soon, or we’re BOTH in trouble.
As for Santana, I agree. He SHOULD be the least of your concerns. Just had to give you crap.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves In 2008)
April 14, 2008 3:26 AM | Link to this
The days of Brayan Pena in playing for the Braves are numbered.
That kid really ticked me off today and I know Bobby Cox is equally unhappy about it.
Pena stood in the batters box in the eighth inning and did something that just drives both the manager and hitting coach berserk.
He looked at strike one, stared at strike two, gawked at ball one, surveyed ball two and eye balled strike three. His bat never so much as moved.
His one job as the pinch hitter is to swing the damn bat. If he can’t even do that, get rid of his a*, pronto.
By Trippy Hippie
April 14, 2008 4:08 AM | Link to this
So, seriously, Is Mark Kotsay really the closest thing to a black guy the Braves have? It’s just sad that while there actually are some dark-skinned Hispanic players on the team who are heirs of Jackie Robinson’s legacy (before Robinson breaking the color barrier, black Hispanics weren’t allowed to play either), the team’s lone wearer of number 42 will be a white guy.
I’m not busting Kotsay for wearing #42. I’m busting the rest of the team (especially Acosta, Pena, and Gotay), for not wearing it. Show some respect, guys.
The more I hear about Mark Kotsay, the better I like the guy. If there is no heir apparent by the start of next season (which I guess depends on how Schafer performs unenhanced), I hope Frank Wren re-signs the guy.
By BravesRule
April 14, 2008 4:33 AM | Link to this
I’m not saying OPS is a meaningless stat. I’m saying it’s not the only stat used to judge a players value. I think that relying on it exclusively and diminishing the value of other more traditional stats is a mistake.AGT
I’m not saying it is the only meaningful stat, but it is without question the most used one by evaluators. It is about as mainstream as a stat can be now, and has been for a decade or more even though MLB didn.t make it an official stat till a few years ago,which I guess is where Chase came up with that 2004 date. I’s been used much longer. It is easy to figure for someone not really into stats and very accurate.and makes comparison between players easier.
I’m not so sure if it diminishes more traditional stats like BA/HR/RBI. I certainly still look at those, and they definitely still have more weight at HOF voting time then the newfangled stuff does. That might change as the voters get younger, but right now most voters look more at counting totals than percentages.
As for clutch stats, many hardcore stats guys don’t believe in it, saying that it is a result of small sample size. I am of mixed thoughts about that, but I do also pay attention to them. Regression to the norm suggests that the larger the sample size of them the closer that they drift to a players normal stats. That’s often true, but I’m willing to keep an eye on Jeff for instance to see if he continues to hit better than he usually does when i’t’s clutch time.
I don’t really believe in just one approach, I think the best results usually happen when you are willing to consider all aspects.
As I said a couple times, my only real complaint against Jeff is that he makes too many outs, which are kinda like the timeclock of baseball. And he did improve that last year. If he can keep it where it was then as a minimum and hopefully get up to the .345+ area I can live with that.
Whether we agree or not I enjoyed this conversation.
By nolie
April 14, 2008 5:00 AM | Link to this
DOB, love ya man but you can’t kill Chase over this OPS thing but then ignore this from Andruw in the second half of 2006:
Second Half, 2006: .957 OPS
July 2006: .923 OPS
August 2006: .921 OPS
Sept/Oct 2006: .942 OPS
All of those OPS #s would have been close to putting him in the top 10 in OPS in the leaders you put up from last season. I understand he is washed up and a very fat and old beat up 30 something and not worth $18 million but if we are gonna take Chase to task for OPS reasons and me for “sake of accuracy” reasons, let’s not for “the sake of accuracy” ignore how outstanding he was in OPS during the second half of 2006 despite the poor AVG and his silly corkscrew swing.Braveheart
I guess I’m missing something. What was not to like about Druw’s 2006 season. His OPS was high and his production numbers were good. So he was successful either way you want to measure it. What is the argument about that year?
By nolie
April 14, 2008 5:11 AM | Link to this
At this point, I’d be happy, if Blanco got sent down, Anderson got called up, and he and Diaz did what Diaz and Willie did last year….PLATOONED. With Anderson, being a PR and late inning defense guy, on the days he doesn’t start.
But that’s just me.N8
why exactly? whats wrong with Blanco? His minor league stats are way better than Anderson’s except for stolen bases. As it is Bobby hasn’t used Blanco much at all and likely wouldn’t use Anderson either. I’ll take Blanco every day and twice on Sunday over Anderson until he has enough at bats to prove that he can’t hit in the majors. But that’s just me, too.
By nolie
April 14, 2008 5:18 AM | Link to this
Could TP teach some patience at the plate?Overlord
perhaps not as he had a .319 OBP. Ol’ terry was pretty much of a hacker back in the day too
By nolie
April 14, 2008 5:38 AM | Link to this
hey amazinsagain08, you’re an idiot. I’m not surprised you’re a dirtbag lawyer, trying to insinuate that Chipper isn’t a good hitter. Scumbag.Philliesuk
I feel kinda funny sticking up for a Mets fan, but in all fairness that’s the exact opposite of what he said. He complemented Larry, he didn’t diss him. Was your kool-aid spiked?
By nolie
April 14, 2008 5:50 AM | Link to this
On a different subject: out little community of Carrabelle FL just dedicated a new sports park this weekend. One of the four ballfields was named in honor of Buck O’Neil, as this is his birthplace and where he called home.Chopmama
hey way cool. I lived in Carrabelle for about 3 years 79-82.Wow, it didn’t seem that long ago till I just typed it. I bet it’s grown some. Are the oysters still great up there or is gradual pollution taking its toll?
By Braveheart
April 14, 2008 7:28 AM | Link to this
N8 I think DOB and others have said that Chuck James has worked pretty hard on other pitches in the past and has even tried to incorporate them into games early last season. I think he scrapped them because they just didn’t work effectively enough.
Chuck has very flawed mechanics. The only pitch I can really see him effectively developing with his mechanics is a cutter. Any breaking pitch he develops would likely just hang in perpetuity because he doesn’t follow through enough.
It could be argued that he should change his mechanics. His current mechanics leave him too limited in stuff he can develop and incorporate. They also render him a blown out shoulder or elbow waiting to happen.
Changing mechanics however runs the risk of changing the the quality of the two pitches he does have. His flawed mechanics make that fastball and changeup seem alot more special than they are because of the movement on the pitches caused by the flaws and because hitters are not used to eyeballing such flawed mechanics and can have a harder time reading what is being tossed out of those flawed mechanics.
If he abandons his current mechanics, he might end up losing what he does have for the sake of gaining an extra pitch or two that are not special enough to overcome the loss of the 2 bread and butter pitches that made him a big leaguer (and a pretty decent major league pitcher at that).
Chuck is very young and inexperienced as well. People take him to task for not knowing when he is injured as opposed to being just hurt. He’s never been injured before due to throwing, so how the hell would he know how serious his injuries are? He sees Hudson and Smoltz battling through pain and wants to be like them. So he tried last year to imitate them and be tough because his team needed him to make no excuses if he wasn’t injured. Unfortunately, he was too young and inexperienced to understand he was dealing with an injury and not just pain he had to fight through like the tough hombres called Hudson and Smoltz.
Because Smoltz has been through every conceivable injury and pain known, Smoltz is someone who is better able to diagnose what is going on with his arm than the doctors themselves are. Chuck however does not have that experience. It’s really no different than young NASCAR drivers who often drive their crew chiefs crazy because their inexperience doesn’t allow them to understand what is going wrong with the car as they drive in circles for 500 miles. While the crew chief is begging the driver to feed him information so he can fix the problem during the next pit stop, all he gets is a stupid young driver who doesn’t understand how to diagnose or communicate what is going wrong with the engine, tires and whatever. Older John Smoltz drivers like a Mark Martin, however, are able to diagnose it and communicate to the crew chief what needs to be changed so that the next few pit stops can be ultra effective.
Chuck’s inexperience also explains why he has not developed other pitches, worked harder to understand hitters or to fix his mechanics. He’s never really faced adversity as a pitcher. He dominated on the amateur level and in the minors. He has even done pretty darn well in the majors. That kind of success makes young pitchers very reluctant to change what they do. It’s kinda the logic of dancing and going home with the girl you brought to the dance instead of dumping her to try and pick up a new girl and risk ending up with no girls to lay down in bed with that night.
Chuck did face some real adversity last year for the first time in his life as a baseball player. He had injuries and also shaky performance. To his credit, he seems to have been humbled by it and has been honest about how he failed to meet expectations. From his quotes, he really seems to want to figure it out. Due to inexperience and not being the brightest dude and his flawed mechanics, he might never be able to completely figure it out in time before his shoulder eventually falls apart due to his flawed mechanics.
But I think people just need to enjoy Chuck while they can and appreciate that Chuck is a pretty darn good major league pitcher despite his flaws.
By TampaBrave
April 14, 2008 7:58 AM | Link to this
Nice analysis, Braveheart!!
By Philliesuk
April 14, 2008 8:03 AM | Link to this
nolie I know what you’re saying, but I think he was being sarcastic. I think he was referring to Chipper grounding out in the RBI situation. Read his other posts; I seriously doubt he would actually say something accurate about the Braves.
By Shaun
April 14, 2008 9:00 AM | Link to this
What’s up all? I’m back from a little weekend get-away.
Another one-run loss, but yesterday’s game was a perfect example of why we can’t necessarily take too much away from one-run games. Yes, a loss is a loss in the standings but again one-run losses don’t necessarily say anything about a team’s ability. Yesterday the Braves were down 5-0 at one point. Plenty of positives to take away from this particular loss. Mind you, it still stinks because it is a loss but lots of positives.
Saw this on the last blog, Coach posted it from a Jason Stark piece:
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.”
Not sure what this scout is watching. Yates gives up a homer every nine innings and walks nearly 5 batters every nine innings. Career ERA of 5.15. Maybe the Braves’ bullpen is a weak spot, but Tyler Yates is better than all those guys? Come on. Must have been a Pirates’ scout.
By Shaun
April 14, 2008 9:08 AM | Link to this
As for clutch stats, many hardcore stats guys don’t believe in it, saying that it is a result of small sample size. I am of mixed thoughts about that, but I do also pay attention to them. Regression to the norm suggests that the larger the sample size of them the closer that they drift to a players normal stats. That’s often true, but I’m willing to keep an eye on Jeff for instance to see if he continues to hit better than he usually does when it’s clutch time.
I think one of the major problems is defining “clutch.” As I’ve said a number of times, a three-run homer in the first inning is pretty clutch to me.
Actually, looking at Win Probability Added stats may be a good way to look at a player’s “clutchness.”
Baseball Reference has added these to their splits.
By Chop Chop
April 14, 2008 9:16 AM | Link to this
The fact that Tyler Yates most likely is a better pitcher than Boyer, Resop, and Acosta doesn’t say much for the Braves’ bullpen. I didn’t trust Yates, but I sure as hell don’t trust those three guys. I’d rather have Moylan than Yates. Yates happens to have average control of his big fastball (which is better than a lot of bullpen scrubs), but that’s about it. Moylan brings the element of fear (to the opponent, mostly) with him when he takes the mound. Soriano’s arm issues aren’t much different than anything Yates has had in the past, but Soriano has far superior control when he’s healthy.
In conclusion, the scout is misguided if he thinks Yates is better than Moylan or Soriano. He has a valid point about the other three guys. Maybe Tyler’s elbow will explode in a week or two and we’ll realize why the Braves cut him…hahahaha.
By richbrave
April 14, 2008 9:46 AM | Link to this
DOWN ON THE FARM
There are three R-Braves ready for pickin’ down here. Ripe and ready to go. Stats up on Chop Chick’s blog.
1- JOSH ANDERSON did not start yesterday’s game against the hapless Iron Pigs. I don’t believe Brundige felt sorry for the 0 fer’ pigs and gave him a day off. To my knowledge he’s not injured. Seeing yesterday’s flailing at-bats by Matt Diaz leads me to believe a platoon in left field is imminent in Atlanta.
2- CLINT SAMMONS is on fire offensively and defensively. I gotta’ believe the only impediment to an Atlanta call-up for him is PENA’s Zero options. They don’t want to lose Brayan, but from today’s box it doesn’t appear he getting the job done that management wants off the bench - timely hitting.
SAMMONS offensive line:
8 games, 27 at bats, 12 hits, .444 avg., 3 runs scored, 4 rbi, 3 doubles, a sacrifice, a stolen base, and this from the 7 or 8 hole.
3- JoJO REYES:
Lights out in 2 starts. 9 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, and 14 SO. With Glavine down and Hampton problematic , he’s the best option from this staff to go fill in. If he performs as he has here both at night in Richmond and in the day-time in Lehigh Valley, Atlanta Fans are gonna’ be happy.
By McFann
April 14, 2008 9:49 AM | Link to this
…especially the free swingers that flail at 1st pitches in crucial situations. (McFann - not naming names or calling anyone out of course!) Choppinmama
Choppinmama, you cann name names if you wannoo, but thanks for not.
When I saw they were intentionally walking Tex, I started screaming at the top of my lungs, “NOOO!!!! NOOOO!!! NOOO!!!” Not sayin’ I don’t have faith in the man who was up next, it’s just that since he was already 0-3, I couldn’t stand the thought of him blowing the situation. Then they made it worse by changing pitchers on us—which I knew they would do, and that’s really why I was screaming. Before I could finish saying, “Whatever you do, don’t swing at the first pitch!”, it was all over. I left the room, slammed something small and soft against the front door—very hard, I must add—and well, the rest is obvious.
DANGIT, I wish there was a game tonight!!
10Paul
Yes, I am home schooled, but *Neight’s post was funny just the same. (Especially because I’m not a HM fan.) I’m also older than 15, but I’ll never post my real age because then it wouldn’t be as funny.
By Shaun
April 14, 2008 9:51 AM | Link to this
BravesRule RBI are of course meningful in winning games
I kinda of thought that winning games is what the players are trying to do most of all. Thanks for setting us straight. They should be trying to get good OPS numbers instead. I guess winning games is just so last century.
Of course, I’m sorry I missed this discussion.
If I had a kid that seriously wanted to play baseball at a competitive level, I’d teach him to go up to the plate looking for a strike to hammer (aggressiveness within the strikezone). But lay off anything he can’t hammer. Best way to create runs for your team is by trying to gain as many bases as possible at one time and to not make an out. Of course, you’re going to make an out more often than not but the more often you avoid it and the more bases you can gain, the more you help the team. It’s that simple.
By Efrim
April 14, 2008 9:55 AM | Link to this
So lets run down the list of pitching injuries:
Smoltz(Shoulder)
Glavine(Hamstring)
Hampton(Pectoral Muscle)
James(Shoulder)
So much for pitching depth. I swear, this team has been snake bitten the last two plus seasons. Easily the worst record in one run games in the majors.
Hopefully all of the injuries will clear up before the month of April ends. Take stock on May 1st and see where we are.
By DAP
April 14, 2008 10:02 AM | Link to this
mets fan in atlanta youre questioning the braves pitching depth? heres a depth chart of our pitchers:
Hudson
Smoltz
Glavine
Hampton
Jurjens
James
Bennett
Campillo
JoJo
Carlyle
so right now, hampton is down, but is still expected to pitch this season, glavine came out of his last start, but from what i hear is not expected to miss his next start, james is getting it together in the minors, and other than that, everyone is healthy and ready. even the three who arent healthy arent out for the season, and be expected to make some sort of contribution. the braves have unbelievable depth at SP right now! weve got ten guys capable of WINNING GAMES at the major league level. were good there.
now, if we could get experienced vets for the bench……
P.S. N8, sure, livan would be good to have NOW, but back when we could have done something about it, theres no way he would have fit on this team, since we planned on starting jurjens.
By DAP
April 14, 2008 10:16 AM | Link to this
Efrim no need to worry about pitching depth., as my last post shows. we still have plenty. now say those four guys go down for the season, then we have a problem. but we have plenty of depth for them to miss a few starts.
by the way, smoltz can still go and i bet glavine wont miss a start.
By McFann
April 14, 2008 10:26 AM | Link to this
Since the start of the 2006 season, Brian McCann leads all Major League catchers with 45 homers, and his 193 RBIs rank second only to the Indians’ Victor Martinez, who has used 170 more at-bats to reach that total. braves.com
Just tryin’ to find some light in the tunnel.
By Robert (Chipper Is The Best)
April 14, 2008 10:26 AM | Link to this
Looks like if Hampton isn’t ready to go by Friday or Saturday the rotation will be Hudson, Smoltz, Jurrjens, Carlyle, and Bennet for the next week and a half or so. Reyes needs to stay in the minors.
By amazinsagain08
April 14, 2008 10:31 AM | Link to this
nolie I know what you’re saying, but I think he was being sarcastic. I think he was referring to Chipper grounding out in the RBI situation. Read his other posts; I seriously doubt he would actually say something accurate about the Braves.Philliesuk
boy some of youse guys are a tough audience. Sure I pop on and rag on youse guys once in a while, that’s part of the rivalry. But I am a huge admirer of Chipper, in fact he is my favorite NL non-Mets player. He’s been great forever and what I really admire is that he takes it to a higher notch against the Phils and my Mets which arguably are the two main rivals he has had over the decades.
By jbutler
April 14, 2008 10:40 AM | Link to this
There’s a story on Yahoo sports about the “most miserable sports cities..” Our beloved Atlanta ranks as #1..with the most dour pix of BC right next to it. He makes scrooge look like Mother Teresa. Pretty hilarious.
By DAP
April 14, 2008 10:50 AM | Link to this
McFann the other days, when mac hit a homer (cant remeber exactly what day it was) they showed a graphic that it was his 50th ML homer, and i was very impressed. hes going to have a very good career, with a little luck…and if he can keep from getting hurt and stay consistent, hes got a shot at the HOF. seriously. id say if he plays for 15 seasons (definetly not a given for a catcher) he will make a push for the HOF.
By poorbrave
April 14, 2008 10:53 AM | Link to this
Great job again richbrave. Hope you’re right on Josh Anderson and Clint Sammon. Braves need to trade Pena, if they can. Diaz is not the answer in LF? The way things look now, I’d rather have Anderson than Shafer. What happen to the trade the Braves were going to make couple weeks ago?
By McFann
April 14, 2008 11:04 AM | Link to this
DAP—
That was Saturday that McCann hit his 50th career homer. (Got no mention on Braves.com because of Francoeur’s stuff that day.)
Would LOVE to see him play 15 seasons (with the Braves) and make a push for the HOF. And I think he has a really good chance if he stays healthy, consistent, and STOPS SWINGING AT THE FIRST PITCH! At least not as much as he has lately…
By DAP
April 14, 2008 11:10 AM | Link to this
i am getting a little concerned about matt diaz. he is striking out ALOT. if he was hitting with the same average but at least putting the ball in play, i wouldnt worry…but he is looking pretty bad. hes got 13 Ks in 12 games. yikes!
whats his deal?
By geauxbraves2000
April 14, 2008 11:11 AM | Link to this
middle of nowhere, IL AGTFan
I too live in the middle of nowhere, IL near the IN state line, whereabouts is your middle of nowhere?
Geaux Braves!!
By N8
April 14, 2008 11:20 AM | Link to this
Braveheart
Very nice post at 7:28.
But you’re helping prove my point, that Chuck might be better served in the bullpen in the long run, as the long man/spot starter.
But I’d be willing to let him to continue to try and “perfect” a third pitch in the meantime at Richmond. If he gets it. Great. If not, time to move on.
I’m not so sure that learning a third pitch is as important as knowing the scouting reports on the hitters (at least the recent reports and tendencies). But then again, maybe that’s McCann’s responsibility in calling the game?
By Carroll Rogers
April 14, 2008 11:21 AM | Link to this
Texted with Glavine this morning. Hamstring is no worse. Plans to play catch tomorrow, see how it goes, then possibly throw a bullpen Wednesday. Still wants to make his next start, though he’s admittedly stubburn about these things…
New blog will go up in the next hour or so but thought I’d post an update here.
By Trippy Hippie
April 14, 2008 11:23 AM | Link to this
Coach(LGBI2K8), are you serious? Two pair? Freaky.
By Efrim
April 14, 2008 11:24 AM | Link to this
DAP
Diaz, Kelly and Tex haven’t really turned it on yet. I fully expect Tex to get going. I have some concerns with Diaz and Kelly, but considering how early it is, I would let things play out for another two weeks.
Diaz usually kills Marlin pitching, hopefully a trip to Miami will be good for him.
Kelly isn’t taking walks because pitchers are coming right after him. They are drilling the outer half of the plate too. KJ needs to start driving pitches to the opposite field. Anyone know where the majority of his hits were last year? I’d bet right field. He is a dead pull hitter and that is something that he has to change.
By DAP
April 14, 2008 11:27 AM | Link to this
guys….and mcfann, all this talk about swinging at the first pitch is kinda funny to me….you know how many homers are hit on the first pitch? even the hitter of hitters, chipper jones swings at ALOT of first pitches. sometimes the first one is the best one you are gonna get, and whats better, to get a good swing on a good pitch to hit, or immediately be in the hole 0-1? mccann put a good swing on that first pitch and got under it a tad, or else he wins the ball game for us. get behind in the count and your at the pitchers mercy. sometimes the situation dictates that you aggressive.
By nolie
April 14, 2008 11:33 AM | Link to this
i am getting a little concerned about matt diaz. he is striking out ALOT. if he was hitting with the same average but at least putting the ball in play, i wouldnt worry…but he is looking pretty bad. hes got 13 Ks in 12 games. yikes!
whats his deal?DAP
he started real slow last year too IIRC. I think it’s a yearly habit just like Tex’s. I kinda think he will pick it up some though I don’t know if he will hit as well fulltime as he did before. Not saying he won’t, just don’t know.
By DAP
April 14, 2008 11:36 AM | Link to this
Efrim good point on diaz and marlin pitching. if he has a great weekend, maybe it will get him going…but he is scuffling…
kelly is a guy that should stop being so patient for a little while, and swinging at first pitches. if they are gonna go right at him and throw strikes, he needs to hit them hard…no matter where he hits them.
i think that what he is trying to do, by the way. being more aggressive. once he shows everyone he will do that, i think it will even back out, and guy will be a little more reluctant to give him something first pitch that he can hit.
By DAP
April 14, 2008 11:47 AM | Link to this
nolie starting out slow is one thing…he had a slow april in 2007, but he only struck out 10 times in 54 ABs. so in april 2007 he struck out every 5.4 ABs, this year, he is striking out every 3.77 ABs, or 13 times in 49 ABs.
like i said, if he was hitting .250, but was putting the ball in play…well thats just matt diaz, but striking out that much is NOT like him. hopefully he will fix that soon.
By N8
April 14, 2008 11:47 AM | Link to this
nolie
“As it is Bobby hasn’t used Blanco much at all and likely wouldn’t use Anderson either.”
Then why have EITHER of them on the roster where they aren’t getting enough AB’s to stay “fresh”??
That’s hard enough for a veteran to do, much less a rookie?
Which is why, all along many of us have said, if Bobby isn’t gonna platoon with Diaz in LF and give the younger guy (Blanco or Anderson) regular AB’s.
The PERFECT solution (whether any likes it or not)…..is Kenny Lofton. Obviously money plays a part. But if this team is serious about winning, it shouldn’t matter.
End of story.
By GermanBravesFan
April 14, 2008 11:54 AM | Link to this
Great article on Greg Maddux on espn.com: http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?id=3336514&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab1pos1
By Efrim
April 14, 2008 11:56 AM | Link to this
DAP
Kelly is a smart hitter, he will turn it around.
Diaz probably won’t take more than 25 walks this year, but I hope he could keep his strikeouts down around 75.
By Lew
April 14, 2008 11:56 AM | Link to this
I would like to respond to Braveheart about how Andruw’s OPS and production numbers weren’t so bad the second half of 06. They will show that OPS, while an interesting stat, hardly tells the entire story (honestly, just like ANY single stat). I won’t give Andruw’s production numbers (OBP/OPS0 for 06’s 2nd half-Braveheart already showed them but look at this.
In 05, Andruw’s numbers were .263 BA, 521 HR, 128 RBI, 24 2B, 154 hits in 586 AB and 64 BB. Remember this later in the post.
He continued this pace the first half of 06 hitting .279 (99/349), with 25HR, 86 RBI, 182B, and 23BB, through the end of June.
However……The second half (July 1 through the end of the season) .226BA (49/216), 16HR, 43RBI, 11 2B, and 41 BB.
Despite the fact that his power numbers were good (though still a considerable dropoff from April-June), he had begun his slide, hence the reason everyone (except Braveheart, apparently) believes his slide began the second half of 06-a completely reasonable assertion.
Since July 1, 2006, Andruw has posted the following in 242 games- 180/828, .216 BA, with 42 HR, 138RBI, 39 2B, 1 3B and 117 RBI. Compare this to his 05 stats and I think we will see a quite steady decline, beginning the second half of the 06 season.
Chase-This is NOT Andruw bashing. These are his stats-the numbers he has put up that are in the record books for perpetuity. Nothing here is made up. Maybe an examination of them will show you why so many are not sure of Andruw’s worth-especially at the $$$$ he is making. The fact that we saw him put up these numbers may just explain why we seem to have an interest in his performance.
By AGTfan
April 14, 2008 11:58 AM | Link to this
geauxbraves2000
I’m in Bloomington, which my 13 yr old daughter calls borington.
By Overlord
April 14, 2008 12:04 PM | Link to this
Great to hear that from glavine… Cant affort any more DLs
By DAP
April 14, 2008 12:07 PM | Link to this
N8 amen on kenny lofton. we need some guys like him on this bench. hes not even playing right now…it shouldnt take that much to sign him!
the yankees have guys like morgan ensberg sitting on thier bench. the red sox have sean casey. now i know we arent like those teams…in alot of ways, but these are the kind of guys that make a good bench. id like to have at least one veteran like that to turn to. lofton would not be a bad guy to have.
what do we think it would take money-wise to get lofton? id say 2-3 million right now. and i also say we pull the trigger.
By Overlord
April 14, 2008 12:21 PM | Link to this
Braves with the 2nd fewest total of strikeouts, great number, even with, clear reflex that AJ is gone and that Jeff is making contact. And that we have a very good hitting pitching staff.
By Shaun
April 14, 2008 12:26 PM | Link to this
Lew, something you ignore is the fact that Andruw had 290 PA in the second half of ‘06 and 379 PA the first half. Of course a lot of his counting stats are going to look worse the second half. Which is one of the reasons why counting stats aren’t as telling as rate and percentage stats—it’s hard to compare counting stats if you aren’t comparing them per equal number of plate appearances. Another reason is that many counting stats are more context-dependent than rate and percentage stats.
AJ actually had a better 2nd half in ‘06 than first half:
1st Half - .271/.348/.500
2nd Half - .249/.383/.574
May of ‘07 is when he really began his slide.
By geauxbraves2000
April 14, 2008 12:31 PM | Link to this
AGTfan :) I’ve passed through borington a couple of times.
We’re a couple or so hours south and east of Bloomington, in Robinson, maybe not a one horse town, but two at the most.
Geaux Braves!!
By geauxbraves2000
April 14, 2008 12:31 PM | Link to this
AGTfan :) I’ve passed through borington a couple of times.
We’re a couple or so hours south and east of Bloomington, in Robinson, maybe not a one horse town, but two at the most.
Geaux Braves!!
By Efrim
April 14, 2008 12:37 PM | Link to this
Before this 13 game swing with the Nats, Marlins and Dodgers started, I said I would sign for 8-5. After the 2-0 start, I thought to myself that we could exceed expectations. But with Glavine’s status up in the air at the moment, I’ll revert back to what I said. 8-5 during this current 13 game stretch to get us at 11-11 before the series up at Shea.
By Shaun
April 14, 2008 12:45 PM | Link to this
Andruw Jones
Opening Day-June 30, 2006 - .279/.349/.512
July 1st-end of season ‘06 - .243/.378/.552
A truer picture of Andruw’s ‘06 split in half:
He had 669 PA. Half of that is 334.5.
Opening Day-June 28, he had 334 PA. Here’s what he did through that point:
.282/.350/.517, 18 HR, 65 RBI, 47 R, 29 BB, 6 IBB, 15 2B, 0 3B, 3 SB, 1 CS
From June 30 on (Braves didn’t play on June 29) in 335 PA:
.240/.376/.546, 23 HR, 64 RBI, 60 R, 53 BB, 3 IBB, 14 2B, 0 3B, 1 SB, 0 CS
If we truly split the season in half, it’s very easy to see Andruw was clearly better the second half of ‘06.
By AGTfan
April 14, 2008 12:49 PM | Link to this
geauxbraves2000
That may be more middle of nowhere than borington. I guess St Louis is the closest MLB city to you. One nice thing about borington is that it’s almost midway between Chicago and St Louis. I hope to catch a few Braves games in each place.
By Carroll Rogers
April 14, 2008 12:52 PM | Link to this
DAP and N8, I wouldn’t hold your breath on Lofton. He’s one of the guys you can count on one hand who absolutely did not fit in a Bobby Cox kinda clubhouse. I don’t see the Braves bringing him back.
By Braveheart
April 14, 2008 12:53 PM | Link to this
LEW
He continued this pace the first half of 06 hitting .279 (99/349), with 25HR, 86 RBI, 182B, and 23BB, through the end of June.
Actually this is a factually incorrect representation of his performance for the first 3 months of 2006. Andruw’s actual numbers for the first 3 months of 2006 were .279 AVG, .349 OBP, .512 SLG with 18 homers, 75 RBIs, 15 doubles and 30 walks
However……The second half (July 1 through the end of the season) .226BA (49/216), 16HR, 43RBI, 11 2B, and 41 BB.
This is factually incorrect as well. In the last 3 months of 2006, Andruw had a .243 AVG, a .378 OBP, a .552 SLG, a .930 OPS with 23 homers, 64 RBIs, 14 doubles and 52 walks
Despite the fact that his power numbers were good (though still a considerable dropoff from April-June),
Really? They dropped off? How you figure? The homers went up by 5 homers, the SLG went up by 40 points despite a 36 point decrease in AVG. You mean considerable increase from the first three months instead of a considerable dropoff, right?
he had begun his slide, hence the reason everyone (except Braveheart, apparently) believes his slide began the second half of 06-a completely reasonable assertion.
Completely reasonable assertion? How you figuring? Your assertion was completely unreasonable because it lacked any factual or statistical merit.
Compare this to his 05 stats and I think we will see a quite steady decline, beginning the second half of the 06 season.
Oh, let’s do this Lew
April – June 2005: 46 runs, 25 homers, 56 RBIs, 30 walks, .281 AVG, .358 OBP, .597 SLG, .955 OPS
July-October 2005: 49 runs, 12 doubles, 26 homers, 72 RBIs, 34 walks, .245 AVG, .336 OBP, .554 SLG, .890 OPS
April-June 2006: 47 runs, 15 doubles, 18 homers, 65 RBIs, 30 walks, .279 AVG, .349 OBP, .512 SLG, .861 OPS
July-Oct 2006: 60 runs, 14 doubles, 23 homers, 64 RBIs, 52 walks, .243 AVG, .378 OBP, .552 SLG, .930 OPS
April 2005: .712 OPS
May 2005: .966 OPS
June 2005: 1.151 OPS
July 2005: .923 OPS
August 2005: .961 OPS
Sept 2005: .782 OPS
April 2006: .972 OPS
May 2006: .818 OPS
June 2006: .807 OPS
July 2006: .923 OPS
August 2006: .921 OPS
Sept/Oct 2006: .942 OPS
April 2007: .936 OPS
May 2007: .629 OPS
June 2007: .486 OPS
July 2007: .935 OPS
August 2007: .769 OPS
Sept 2007: .581 OPS
Now, tell me where the decline began again?
By DAP
April 14, 2008 12:59 PM | Link to this
Efrim if we can win the first game of the fish series, i like our chances for a sweep, with huddy and smoltz going next. that would make us 5-1 and the 8-5 youre hoping for would be easily within reach.
i hate to predict stuff like this, because its baseball, and anything can happen… but win tomorrow, and we are looking really good.
By Braveheart
April 14, 2008 1:05 PM | Link to this
Actually this is a factually incorrect representation of his performance for the first 3 months of 2006. Andruw’s actual numbers for the first 3 months of 2006 were .279 AVG, .349 OBP, .512 SLG with 18 homers, 75 RBIs, 15 doubles and 30 walks
typo. meant to say 65 rbis
By Carroll Rogers
April 14, 2008 1:05 PM | Link to this
new blog is up
By MGL
April 14, 2008 1:06 PM | Link to this
New Bolg up!!
By Lew
April 14, 2008 1:10 PM | Link to this
I don’t know how y’all figure that Andruw hit in the .240’s his last three months of 06. I double checked and recounted and from July 1 through the end of the season (based on splits from Baseball Reference), he had 49 hits in 216 AB, which is a .226 BA. Maybe y’all have a different way of figuring Batting Average, but I’m pretty certain I’m right. I’m also pretty certain that dropping from a .279 BA to a .226 BA shows a pretty steep decline.
In addition, he struck out67 times in 349 AB (1 every 5.0 AB) through June, yet struck out 60 times in 216 AB from July 1 onward through the season (1 every 3.6 AB).
Yes, he had a higher OBP (because he walked more than ever before in so short a time-41 times,) which would obviously lead to a higher OPS and he hit more HR per time at bat, but his average dropped preciptously.
All this indicates to me that he was in the middle of his ankle breaking mechanics the second half of 06, resulting in a lower Batting Average and less bat control, hence the beginning of his slide. Parse it any way you want to, but them’s the facts.
By DAP
April 14, 2008 1:22 PM | Link to this
Carroll Ive heard that about lofton, but that was 10 years ago. lofton has probably matured, and bobby probably needs to get over it. hes not a clubhouse cancer, obviously, since hes been successful everywhere he has been and has been on many many playoff teams. if its a personality thing between he and bobby, then they are old enough to just get over that and do their jobs.
but im not holding my breath.
By Lew
April 14, 2008 1:28 PM | Link to this
Well-Apparently my math is right (miraculous though that may be), but I was using incorrect splits. His batting average did slide considerably and he exhibited less bat control, as a result of his poor mechanics. He had enough strength that when he actually made contact, he hit the ball well. Unfortunately, his trend of making less contact was well underway and continues.
Oh well, I suppose we can all agree that Andruw is not the player he was a couple years ago, no matter when the slide started.
By Shaun
April 14, 2008 1:31 PM | Link to this
Braveheart and Lew, not sure what started this discussion or the point. But it’s pretty clear Andruw’s struggles began in 2007. He peaked at the end of April (.261/.402/.534 through April) then it was all downhill from there.
By Moby Grape
April 14, 2008 2:29 PM | Link to this
what do we think it would take money-wise to get lofton? id say 2-3 million right now. and i also say we pull the trigger.DAP
well first you’d have to buy out Bobby’s contract. The odds of Lofton ever playing again in Atlanta while Cox is still there are prohibitive as they say.
By jbutler
April 14, 2008 6:17 PM | Link to this
Am I the only one that feels like its Groundhog day with Chase? Maybe a little knockback is all right when he first reared up…but now its just pretty ridiculous. Ignore him and he will go away. Hard as it may be…we will all be appreciative!! :)
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May 2, 2008 4:47 PM | Link to this
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May 8, 2008 3:52 AM | Link to this
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