AJC > Sports > Braves > Blog > Archives > 2008 > April > 24 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USUpon further review … Braves aren’t swinging so well
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
OK, first, the happy news, as in Happy Birthday Chipper. Can’t believe he’s actually 36 …. which I think makes me 30 …. almost 8. How the heck did we get here this quick?
OK, nevermind. On to other less happy stuff. Should somebody put out an APB for a clutch hit?
As easy a target as the bullpen is for what happened in the late innings the last two nights, the offense has done little to nothing to pick up the team. Pick at Chris Resop all you want, if the Braves get a lead, he’s not pitching.
After watching the Braves get a dozen hits last night and score only two runs, you’ve got to wonder how in the world. Well, 11 of them were singles (with the exception of a Matt Diaz homer.) And this isn’t exactly a team built to manufacture runs.
Overall, the Braves have the second-best batting average in the National League (.282, behind the Cubs’ .289) but they’re tied for seventh hitting .255 with runners in scoring position. And maybe that doesn’t really do it justice either. So I looked up close-and-late situations and a-ha — Braves are hitting only .205 (27-for-132) close and late, which is 15th in the National League. The only team hitting worse close and late is the Nationals at .199.
The best? These Marlins at .315.
Not to name any names, but let’s have a look at who’s hitting what in close and late situations, shall we?
(And for those like me who wanted a definition of close-and-late, it’s basically like a save situation for a hitter. The game is in the 7th inning or later, and the team that’s batting is either ahead by one, tied, or has the potential tying run at least on deck.)
Kelly Johnson .250 (3-for-12)
Yunel Escobar .071 (1-for-14)
Chipper .214 (3-for-14)
Mark Teixeira .583 (7-for-12)
Jeff Francoeur .143 (2-for-14)
Brian McCann .133 (2-for-15)
Matt Diaz .200 (3-for-15)
Mark Kotsay .200 (3-for-15)
It’s not exactly a huge sampling but it gives a pretty good indication that nobody has been Mr. Clutch - except surprisingly, perhaps Teixeira - and that’s a hard way to win ball games.
And I looked these numbers up too, so I’ll throw them out there: the regulars with runners in scoring position:
Kelly Johnson .250 (3-for-12),
Yunel Escobar .250 (4-for-16) but with a double, a triple and a homer.
Larry Wayne .375 (6-for-16)
Mark Teixeria .261 (6-for-23)
Jeff Francoeur .333 (7-for-21)
Brian McCann .136 (3-for-22)
Matt Diaz .348 (8-for-23)
Mark Kotsay .174 (4-for-23)
In other news, with right-hander Burke Badenhop going tonight, it’ll be interesting to see if Diaz is in the lineup. Based on what Bobby Cox alluded to Sunday to DOB, the answer is probably no. When Cox was asked if he was thinking of platooning Diaz with left-handed hitting Gregor Blanco, he said: “I don’t know. Just want to get him in there. Diaz was struggling a bit. [Blanco] deserves a chance.”
In the last three games - all against lefties - Diaz has gone 3-for-4, 2-for-4, and 2-for-4. Maybe that just means the idea of a platoon is going to work. Diaz, being the amazingly standup guy that he is, had this to say about looking for his name today when he walks into the clubhouse.
“I’ll check the lineup, but in all honesty Gregor’s been playing great,” Diaz said. “He’s been hitting righties. He’s actually hit lefties well too. I’ll hope it is, but I’m not going to expect it. I wouldn’t be arrogant enough to come to the field and expect that.”
You know how they say the way you respond to adversity defines your character? After talking to Diaz about this, all I can say is wow. He’s got it. When I asked him about his thoughts on being in a platoon again:
“I don’t want to sound flippant but I really don’t care,” Diaz said. “As long as you’re being used in some way, shape or form….I don’t know who it was who asked me about my individual goals. I have a lot of individual goals, but none of them take place on that field. I’ve made it to the big leagues. I’m playing in a great organization. Those were my baseball goals. The next one is make it to the playoffs. So whatever way we get there is fine. All my individual goals are about my family and my faith. Individually, baseball-wise, I’m done. Now it’s just total team thing.”
During the five-game winning streak, Diaz started twice against left-handers. Gregor Blanco started three games against the righties and got hits in all three, going 5-of-9 (.556). And here’s what Diaz had to say about that:
“I don’t know how many times in the last two years we’ve (won five in a row),” Diaz said. “And I’ve only started one out of the five I think it is, two out of the five, but I’ve had more fun in these five games than I’ve had so far in this game. I’m having a blast.”
Coming this Sunday is a Q and A with Tommy Hanson, Myrtle Beach pitcher and Braves No. 9 prospect according to Baseball America in my Inside Braves stuff. (Shameless tease? You bet.) A preview would require me to transcribe my tape, which I haven’t done. But I will tell you, I came away impressed with the way Hanson talks about attacking the strike zone. And does it ever show in his ridiculous statistics — 32 strikeouts in 22 innings, six walks. He’s allowed only five hits in four starts and his ERA is 0.00.
He’s scheduled to pitch tonight, by the way. Perhaps there’s a denizen out there that might feel like keeping us updated on that. Or I’ll try to track it down between innings.
And one final thought — as if I didn’t get sappy enough this week with the Smoltz stuff, I thought I’d share something I came across perusing the notes group stuff this week. Kinda puts things all in perspective real quick. This from the venerable Dan Graziano of the Newark Star-Ledger.
“The Yankees had an off-day Monday between Baltimore and Chicago, and Joe Girardi spent it visiting his father, Jerry, who has Alzheimer’s disease and lives in a nursing home near Peoria, Ill. ‘It’s the best my dad has been in a year,’ said Girardi, who says he turned down the chance to manage the Orioles last year in order to spend time with his father. ‘He hadn’t opened his eyes in two weeks. He really hadn’t said much more than ‘yes’ in a month. It was unbelievable.’ ”
Maybe it’s because I just sent my dad off this morning from an overnight visit here — and thankfully, he’s healthy — but it struck a chord with me. Maybe it’s because Chipper and I are getting older.
Comments
By Saltywoody
April 24, 2008 1:36 PM | Link to this
Can Smoltzie really dunk?
By brent a.
April 24, 2008 1:37 PM | Link to this
Clutch hits are just something this team has long forgotten how to get.
In fact, I’ve thoroughly come to expect this team to get shut-down by both dominant starters, and screw-ball lefties.
The last time I really felt good about the Braves chances was right after Keith Lockhart’s home run in game 3 at San Francisco in 2002.
Ever since that time (including the rest of that series), the Braves bats have just seemed to be frozen at the most inopportune times.
By BossLady
April 24, 2008 1:38 PM | Link to this
Thanks for the Girardi story, it makes all this seem so small.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
April 24, 2008 1:41 PM | Link to this
David O’Brien, great blog as usual.
Chipper, happy number 36.
If I could grant you these two birthday wishes, I would.
A new set of wheels(from the hips down) and a bat that will stay in one piece, preferably Maple.
By McFann
April 24, 2008 1:42 PM | Link to this
First?
Happy birthday, U Kno Who!!
*All my individual goals are about my family and my faith. *
I love Diaz.
By VaBravesfan
April 24, 2008 1:43 PM | Link to this
If Hanson pitches tonight and again in 5 days, he would be scheduled to pitch in Lynchburg, VA which is where I live. I will be glad to report on that game, as I try to make all the Pelicans games when they come here. An interesting side note: I saw Chipper come through here, I believe in 1992, when he was the shortstop for Durham. He was not nearly as big as he is now, but he was very fast. He probably was as quick as anyone at that time. He was an very good shortstop.
By Stuart
April 24, 2008 1:44 PM | Link to this
The thing that bothers me is that this is the same thing that killed the braves last year. The pitching was bad, but last years team could not hit when it mattered either.
What is the definition of insanity? A: Doing the same thing and expecting different results.
The braves are using almost the same cast of charecters as last year, and expecting them to hit when they need to. It did not happen last year. It hasn’t happened so far this year, and I don’t know if it will.
By TJ
April 24, 2008 1:44 PM | Link to this
Carroll, you’re a pretty great writer/reporter when you wanna be :). Thanks for some really good behind-the-scenes stuff. Diaz’ comments are absolutely inspirational. Look forward to the Hanson interview as well.
Personally, I’d like to see Matt back in the lineup tonight. He’s what, 7 for his last 12? Let him get straight, and we still feel pretty good knowing Blanco can step in if needed. I’d rather not set a platoon in stone this early.
When Diaz is on, versus righties or lefties, he’s really on.
By D'Andre Williams
April 24, 2008 1:46 PM | Link to this
www.braveselite.wordpress.com
By brent a.
April 24, 2008 1:50 PM | Link to this
Stuart:
The same comment could be made about having the same manager year-after-year, applying the same approach.
Clearly, it’s not working.
I fully expected the ofense to do what it’s done (up & down), but with that, we must have consistently strong pitching from both the starters and the bullpen.
Even if the Braves did make the play-offs with this bunch, what is to prevent the bats from getting locked up again, and bowing out in 3-5 games?
Nothing I have seen since 2002 gives me any indication that we can expect anything different to happen.
By McFann
April 24, 2008 1:51 PM | Link to this
Forgot this in my last post:
Diaz better be in that lineup tonight. If he is out, and Francoeur is in, I’m going to be one unhappy camper. For goodness’ sake, Bobby needs to make Francoeur sit, put Blanco in RF, and Diaz in LF.
But if Francoeur wants to keep playing and bust his ankle, well I guess that’s his own business.
By Carroll Rogers
April 24, 2008 1:51 PM | Link to this
Coach, from what i hear the maple bats are the ones that break…
(and it’s Carroll today. but no worries, we’ve been doing a lot of back and forth this week)
By Lew
April 24, 2008 1:52 PM | Link to this
Very sorry to hear of Girardi’s Father’s ills. That is a fate not to be wished upon anyone.However, Girardi still can’t manage a pitching staff worth a damn.
By Efrim
April 24, 2008 1:55 PM | Link to this
Diaz is still hitting over .300. He just has never seen a pitch he didn’t like.
By 3trees
April 24, 2008 2:01 PM | Link to this
Carroll - Good stuff. Nice touch w/Girardi’s Dad. I thank all available dieties, stars, moons, whatever that my Pop is still around at 91 and as cantankerous as ever (Mom too, minus the cantankerous). Get down to see ‘em every chance I can.
On the Braves - Well, its still early, but looks like we’re heading into familiar territory with the offense. The stats look good, but the outcome is another matter. This team’s sum appears to be less than its parts. Let’s buck the trend get another 5-6 gamer going. And start stringing together some series wins.
Go Braves!
By Original Jon
April 24, 2008 2:02 PM | Link to this
Coach, once again, this blog was not Written by David O’Brien.
By DAP
April 24, 2008 2:02 PM | Link to this
diaz certinly does get it. hes one of my favorite people on the braves. great guy.
i hope chipper gets a grand slam for his birthday. i have confidence in chuck james tonight. i think he will at least keep us in it, and if we give him some support, he’ll get his 2nd win.
carroll, thanx for the great blog, and the heads up on the last one!
By Philliesuk
April 24, 2008 2:03 PM | Link to this
I just gained a lot of respect for Matt Diaz. He obviously gets it.
Like everyone else on this board, I’m frustrated with this team. Why on earth can this team not play small ball and manufacture a run? A 3-run bomb is not always the answer.
By Efrim
April 24, 2008 2:05 PM | Link to this
Brent A
It’s been downhill ever since after that Game 3 ended hasn’t it? Easily the toughest series loss for me as a Braves fan…mostly because I think we should of won it all that year. Not saying we would of beaten the Angels…who were on a roll, but that team was a great pitching team with a very good offense(that didn’t perform as well). Anyway, toughest loss I have ever had to deal with as a Braves fan was Game 5 that year. We almost got to Rob Nen….almost.
By Cecil34
April 24, 2008 2:11 PM | Link to this
In major league baseball, it is really not accurate to judge the player production in late April.
As I alluded to in a earlier post this month, the players are getting the at-bats needed to be productive this month, not in March.
Therefore it will take longer for them to get into a “groove”.
Of course, as we have seen with the pitching, there are some individuals that just don’t belong in major league baseball.
But don’t get me started on how expansion has watered down pitching talent in the “show”. And thus inflated hitting statistics. Another time and place….
I would say that by mid June, we will know who are the pretenders and who are the real deal.
Safe to say that if this team continues to under-perform by then, especially based upon Braves management’s view that this is a solid team, I think a re-evaluation of who is “touchable’ and “untouchable” on this team will occur.
There might be a few surprises in store for all of us later on when the 2009 Braves take the field.
By Shaun
April 24, 2008 2:14 PM | Link to this
Fangraphs.com calculates WPA (win probability added). “WPA is the difference in win expectancy (WE) between the start of the play and the end of the play. That difference is then credited/debited to the batter and the pitcher. Over the course of the season, each players’ WPA for individual plays is added up to get his season total WPA.”
“WE (win expectancy): The percent chance a particular team will win based on the score, inning, outs, runners on base, and the run environment.”
Only three Braves hitters have added to win probability overall this season—Chipper, Teixiera…and Prado? One of these things is not like the other.
By Gustopher
April 24, 2008 2:16 PM | Link to this
Great Blog Carroll. I thought that they were going to let Diaz play every day and see if his batting improved. Did they scrap that?
By Magic number
April 24, 2008 2:18 PM | Link to this
The lack of clutch hitting seems to be related to the Braves hitting philosophy. It’s free-swinging at-bats regardless of the game situation…swing as hard as you can, no matter what. No one shortens up to put the ball in play with two strikes. The Braves rarely steal or play hit-and-run. What gives? Why aren’t the Braves more strategic when it comes to hitting?
Their “free swinging” hitting philosophy has hindered them in regular season the past few years…and it killed them in the playoffs in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
By TJ
April 24, 2008 2:20 PM | Link to this
Shaun … huh?
By brent a.
April 24, 2008 2:20 PM | Link to this
Efrim,
I’m still mad at Gary Sheffield. There has never been a moment in my life when I was more certain that a player was going to hit a home run, than when he was batting in that 9th inning of Game 5.
How awesome would that have been to have seen Sheff send us to the next round with a homer into the left field seats right over Bonds’ head?
It just seemed so fitting, but it wasn’t meant to be.
By Daybed Wagmoe
April 24, 2008 2:21 PM | Link to this
Carroll — could you maybe change your last name to O’ Rogers, so that way we could refer to you as COR? It’d make typing a lot easier. ;)
Great blog, and great reporting today on the Braves’ lack of late hitting. It’s a bit backwards with Tex — he’s hitting late in the game when nobody’s on, but earlier in the game, when folks are on base, he’s not. Got to get that straightened out.
And Matt Diaz does sound like he’s got it. Whenever I read comments from ballplayers, I think of Crash Davis educating Nook Laloosh on how to talk to reporters and the whole “I just want to do what I can for the team” stuff. While Diaz is saying things along those lines, it appears that he genuinely feels that way.
By Shaun
April 24, 2008 2:25 PM | Link to this
Why on earth can this team not play small ball and manufacture a run? A 3-run bomb is not always the answer.
Braves have one of the best stolen base percentages in baseball. They are about average in sac hits (only one off the NL average). And they are two off the average number of sac flies. I don’t know if they have a problem playing “small ball.”
I think the problem is that players aren’t getting the job done in high leverage situations. Now the question is is that a lack of skill or just random variation (i.e., over a larger sample will the good players perform in high leverage situations like they do in other situations)?
By .
April 24, 2008 2:28 PM | Link to this
a bat that will stay in one piece, preferably Maple.
THE COOCH again shows that insider baseball knowledge he loves to brag about.
The more he speaks, the more he exposes his ignorance.
Carrol Rogers just “rolled the hole” over your maple bat COOCH.
By Tomahawkin
April 24, 2008 2:30 PM | Link to this
I was reading the philly.com/phillies forum, and some of their fans want to trade Chris Coste, who is hitting around .400 this year, I believe…he gets limited P.T. because that lineup is stacked even with J-Roll, and Victorino on the D.L.
I know its early but Coste would be a good asset to the bench, since our bats have played the “Feast or Famine” Role over the last year and a half…
By .
April 24, 2008 2:33 PM | Link to this
could you maybe change your last name to O’ Rogers, so that way we could refer to you as COR? It’d make typing a lot easier. ;)
CCR would be preferable. It would allow us to make Creedence references.
By TJ
April 24, 2008 2:34 PM | Link to this
Give the Braves about 6-8 more (well placed) runs this year, and we’re probably about 13-8.
Tex, KJ, and Diaz (until this week) are off to slow starts, but history suggests they’re very good hitters. The only guys hitting over their heads are probably CJ (only in terms of batting average… he can probably maintain a very high OPS) and McCann (who’s hit a couple more home runs than you might expect at this point of the year).
Our bench looks better than in recent years, with Prado, Blanco and (to a lesser extent) Gotay and Pena, doing a good job.
“Clutch Hitting” is mainly luck. I do think a few guys - Francouer being one - have demonstrated a knack for the big hit over a long period of time, but for the most part, good hitters will hit in clutch situations, and bad hitters won’t. We’ve got a lot of good hitters, and have been a little unlucky.
I think Tex, KJ and Diaz are likely to heat up, nobody is likely to fall off too badly, and this team will win 90 games.
I know “it’s only April” gets tiring, but… it’s only April.
By Efrim
April 24, 2008 2:34 PM | Link to this
Brent A
I can’t believe JT Snow was guarding the line. It makes sense. Obviously you guard the line in that spot, but I really thought Chipper’s hard struck ball was going to be a double down the line.
Wasn’t Sheffield up in that count like 3-1? I think he was. Nen threw two hard rising fastballs and Sheffield could catch up with it.
What a tough loss.
By bobbymahlon
April 24, 2008 2:42 PM | Link to this
All you ever talk about is hitting. Defense has to factor in somewhere and also speed on the bases. That is why somebody like Blanco is so important in making a team go. I would love to see Blanco when he is in the lineup lead off so he could run and steal some bases instead of being on base ahead of the pitcher. Kelly is certainly not your prototype leadoff man, with his power he should be hitting seventh ahead of Kotsay.
By Fsubravefan10
April 24, 2008 2:43 PM | Link to this
Why must Frenchy play each day, I love the kid to death but the whole, “gamer”, “football mentality” thing is horse manure to me, this is baseball, not football, it is a 162 game grind, the day he starts playing like gehrig or ripken is the day he can tell the manager he will be in each game, he’s hurting, and his defense has not been it’s usual as of late, a 1 game break here or a 1 game break there would be good for him. It may cause him to sit and think about the game more. Alas, it will not happen, unless he is forced to go on the DL which none of us would like to see happen.
By Philliesuk
April 24, 2008 2:47 PM | Link to this
Carroll, you are right that maple bats break more. But, the maple bats don’t explain everything.
I believe Chipper still uses ash bats, and he has broken more already than I can remember in the past.
By Efrim
April 24, 2008 2:48 PM | Link to this
TJ
“Clutch Hitting” is mainly luck.
I keep saying that to my friends that are Red Sox fans when I defend the Braves. They laugh at me whenever I use that line. They just stick Ortiz and Manny in my face. It sucks. And that is the reason I hate Red Sox fans more than any other fan base in the nation. They have taught me to NEVER, EVER, feel sorry for an organization. I never will again.
By Epinephrine
April 24, 2008 2:51 PM | Link to this
I am not one of those people that doesn’t believe clutch hitting or other intangibles exist. Some guys seem to thrive in the clutch, and some do not.
However, there are a lot of players on the Braves who have proven over a consistent body of work that they produce in the clutch position. Either all of them suddenly lost that ability, or this is too small a sample size to be meaningful. Frankly, I think you have to assume the latter for now.
By Lew
April 24, 2008 2:59 PM | Link to this
McFann-Is a name change to McDiaz in the works?
By Shaun
April 24, 2008 3:01 PM | Link to this
Last season, look at the players who added win probability to the Braves chances in their plate appearances and the players who subtracted win probability to the Braves chances.
The top players in terms of WPA: Chipper, Escobar, Renteria, Teixeira, Diaz and Johnson.
The bottom (besides pitchers): Andruw and Thorman
A big reason the Braves didn’t play up to their pythagorean expectation last season was that Andruw Jones and Scott Thorman got too many plate appearances particularly in game-changing situations (situations that added or deducted from win probability; and those situations are not necessarily always late in games).
By Philliesuk
April 24, 2008 3:01 PM | Link to this
Efrim I agree that the 2002 NLDS was just painful. I look at that lineup and just shake my head, wondering how we didn’t win that year. It ranks up there with some other disappointments: 1992 WS game 2, 1993 NLCS game 5, 1996 WS game 4, the Erig Gregg game, 2005 NLDS game 5, etc. I was also incredibly disappointed by the 2003 NLDS with the Cubs. Those 2002/2003 teams should have won the World Series both years. All of the pieces were in place, especially with Smoltz closing.
By Matt
April 24, 2008 3:10 PM | Link to this
Carroll, what do you think about the Braves vs. left-handed starters? The Braves have faced 12 left-handed starters in their 21 games played, and in those games have only scored 35 of their 103 total runs. Their record in those games? 5-7. The hits are coming, but they are mostly singles and they are not scoring any runs, like you said. Also, the Braves have hit 26 home runs this year, but only 8 have come in games where they faced a left-handed starter. So what we basically have is a team with a potent lineup (at least on paper) playing more than half of their games against left-handed starters, and only scoring a third of their total runs and hitting less than a third of their home runs against them! You’re thoughts?
By Chopper
April 24, 2008 3:10 PM | Link to this
I think everyone agrees that the Braves have had trouble the last few games of producing runs in key situations. Last night when the score was still 3-2, Tex doubled to lead off the inning. I immediately thought “bunt, Bobby!” Of course he won’t because Francoeur was up, but why not have Francoeur bunt? Is in so much against the grain to have a power hitter bunt the ball? He couldn’t even hit the ball to the right side to move Tex over to third. He hit a ground ball to shortstop. Everyone else knows the rest of the story. Braves have runner on second, no outs, and can’t move him an inch! I love Bobby but sometimes he is too much “by the book” that I wish he would be more Tony LaRussa like in those situations. We have to manufacture more runs!
By Efrim
April 24, 2008 3:11 PM | Link to this
Philliesuk
Yea 2003 hurt too. 2004 and 2005 just didn’t make me as mad. Mostly because I thought it was great that we were even there. Astros had far too much pitching. Cubs had no business beating us and it is a damn shame that Baker beat us two years in a row. I believe Baker was the Cubs manager in 2003, right?
By .
April 24, 2008 3:12 PM | Link to this
300 win shares should create a presumption of Hall-worthiness. If you’re under 300, your supporters ought to make a good case for your admittance
Here are career win shares for selected pitchers: Walter Johnson 560, Clemens 440, Maddux 389+, Glavine 314+, Blyleven 339, Ryan 334, Jenkins 323, Ruffing 322, Sutton 319, Gibson 317, Palmer 312, Wynn 309, Hubbell 305, Eckersley 301. If your total is over 300 and you’re not in the Hall, your detractors should have to make a very good case for your exclusion.
Of course, there are plenty of pitchers (27, by my count) with fewer than 300 career ws who are in the Hall: mostly pre-WWII, but also Marichal 263, Ford 261, Drysdale 258, Bunning 257, Wilhelm 256 (primarily a reliever), Lemon 232, Catfish Hunter 206.
Then the guys who are close but not in: Tommy John 289, Jack Powell and Jack Quinn each 287, Jim Kaat 268, for example.
Where does John Smoltz fit in all of this? 285 career win shares at the beginning of 2008. If he finishes 2008 at his current rate, he will cross the 300 mark. Since it’s harder to get ws as a reliever, Smoltz’s 300 will be especially worthy. And his postseason record is icing on the cake.
Some other career win share totals at the end of 2007: Randy Johnson 315, Mike Mussina 256, Curt Schilling 254, Pedro Martinez 250.
By Shaun
April 24, 2008 3:16 PM | Link to this
Philliesuk, we know that pitcher K rate, defense and closer performance matters a lot in the post-season. So it’s easy to understand why the Braves didn’t win more post-season series.
By Johnny G
April 24, 2008 3:23 PM | Link to this
So Jo-Jo Reyes finally gave up a run today at The Diamond with a half dozen K’s. Anyone notice him down there or have we all lost faith?
By Coxfan
April 24, 2008 3:25 PM | Link to this
It really doesn’t seem that it should be so difficult to coach Diaz out of that swing at the badly outside pitch.
By TJ
April 24, 2008 3:31 PM | Link to this
I’ve always wondered if we shouldn’t have moved Smoltz back to starting in ‘02. Kind of a shame to have a great pitcher just throwing 75 innings per year, and only pitcing in the playoffs with a late lead. I don’t know if he was physically capable, but I suspect he was. Maybe not the best use of resources.
By Shaun
April 24, 2008 3:34 PM | Link to this
I think everyone agrees that the Braves have had trouble the last few games of producing runs in key situations.
Yes, but is it something that will straighten itself out over the course of a full season or is it a lack of skill? I tend to think it’s the former. Again, look at the players who performed last year in big situations. It was the players who performed well overall. And the players who didn’t perform in key situations were the players who didn’t perform well overall.
So the Braves should be fine as long as they don’t have an Andruw Jones—a player having an awful seasons that they hate to take out because of his track record of success.
By Efrim
April 24, 2008 3:35 PM | Link to this
Sooner or later, Reyes has to translate all of this minor league success to the majors. I mean, 21 IP, 11 hits allowed, 6 BB and 24 K’s in 4 starts. All mental with him….
Hopefully he figures it out with the Braves and not some other team after the Braves ship him out because they feel like he can’t hack it.
By DCbrave
April 24, 2008 3:35 PM | Link to this
Carroll - I’m late for this one, but thanks so much for a job well done. I like this blog better than most so far this season from both DOB and you because it is not just baseball - for all of us including those on the Braves roster, life should not be single-sided.
There is nothing wrong to have individual baseball goals as many do, but it is also perfectly ok to have your individual goals set somewhere else but just have the team in mind when you are playing as Diaz does - actually I wish we had more Diaz on this team.
As to the platoon, I really believe Bobby has not given Diaz enough time to prove himself - he’s not the only one that was in a slump and his numbers last year, platoon or not, show he is capable of hitting both lefties and righties.
As to Tex’s surprising numbers in late and close, I have a feeling - I did not look at any stats but purely based on my recalls from the games so far - it seems to me that he has not hit much early in the games anyway, and I would think the majority of his hits came late mostly against relievers. I could be wrong tho.
By Overlord
April 24, 2008 3:38 PM | Link to this
Braves are 5-11 against Pirates, Nationals, Marlins and Rockies. These teams are 16th(worst in NL), 15th, 13th and 12th respectively in ERA.
Braves are 2nd in the league in BA, 4th in OBP and RS. 2nd in ERA.
Yet they have able to outscore these teams only 75-73.
Totally P A T H E T I C.
Chipper and Smoltz, could you please wake the rest of the team up before september gets here?
By Roman Gal
April 24, 2008 3:44 PM | Link to this
ncscoots ah, yes…hyperbole.
“I swear, the Braves score like a million runs one day and then can’t even get a hit the next.”
I agree with your post this morning. Hope springs eternal for this gal, but last night was a pretty sad effort that left me wondering. BUT, it’s amazing what a little bit of sleep can do for one’s optimism.
-Chuck James’ numbers against the Marlins are baffling to me. The Marlins are such a powerful club, that it strikes me as odd to see that the Fly-Ball Pitcher has such awesome numbers against them. Chuckie also has really good numbers at the Ted. Let’s hope for more of the same tonight.
By DAP
April 24, 2008 3:45 PM | Link to this
matt some have opined that this team isnt built for lefties. i disagree, and think that it has more to do with who is hot.
mark teixiera isnt hot. when he is, he does verll against lefties. chipper does too…and hes been hitting well, so i guess his righthanded stroke just isnt down yet, but they both hit lefties well.
escobar hits lefties well. does does diaz, and so does francouer.
i think our problem with lefties has been that tex is slumping, diaz was slumping, and chipper is slumping right handed.
jeff and yunel have been hitting the lefties.
i think we are gonna find for the most part this year, is that if the opposing lefty can figure out what to do with chipper and tex, were in trouble.
i feel like we have a very good lineup versus both lefties and righties, which has alot to do with two slugging switch hitters in the middle. but that hasnt translated that well so far.
By DAP
April 24, 2008 3:54 PM | Link to this
Roman gal chuck good numbers against this fish probably have alot to do with being a fly ball pitcher, and having good outfield defnse behind him.
the only places he would pitch to the marlins is a turner field, which is fair, but is more of a pitchers park, and dolphin stadium, which is definetly a place for pithers. i say chuck james gives up 2 runs in 6 innings tonight, and the braves win 5-3.
By MEB
April 24, 2008 3:57 PM | Link to this
Happy Birthday U Kno Who!!! For your birthday I’ll make a prayer for you and your families health and happiness. No need to worry about your game because brother… you got game!
GO BRAVES!!!
By Knowitall
April 24, 2008 3:58 PM | Link to this
Philliesuk, I wonder if Chipper is using something other than ash when he bats right handed. If I’m not mistaken, most of that bats that I remember him breaking have come when he’s batting right handed. His right handed bats are black and his left handed bats are wood colored. I don’t know what that means but I assume that there is something different about the two bats.
By McFann
April 24, 2008 3:59 PM | Link to this
Lew—
Oh no. No name change. But Diaz is definitely at the top of my list of favorite baseball people—right up there with McCann.
Roman Gal—
My hope is springing, too. Chuck does have some good stuff against the Fish. (Unfortunately, the one game that sticks out in my mind is his first start against them. He lost 2-1 because he gave up two solos to Cody Ross. That was at TF, and it was the first loss of his career. Not at all his fault, though. Those darn bats of ours couldn’t do a thing!……I can’t stand the Marlins.)
By Salty
April 24, 2008 4:01 PM | Link to this
A big reason the Braves didn’t play up to their pythagorean expectation…
Shaun…that’s unlike any baseball sentence I’ve ever seen! LOL A whole new dimension!
Scoots At the end of the prior blog…I like your 98% rule! :-) We know one of the 2%, yes?
By TN Jeff
April 24, 2008 4:03 PM | Link to this
Why does Cox make countless substitutions for relief pitchers until he finally finds one that will give up runs late in games. Wonder what would have happened if he’d left Carlisle in last night’s game.
You keep changing pitchers eventually you’ll find one who the other team can hit.
If it ain’t broke don’t fix it. Case of overmanagement!!!!
Also, need a speedster batting before Kotsay so he can steal 2nd and prevent this pathetic hitter from breaker the record for most double plays hit into. ANYONE know how many he’s hit into this year?
By Stuart
April 24, 2008 4:05 PM | Link to this
I do not want to come off as a guy who sounds the panic alarm too early, but the problem with scoring runs in key spots has been an issue with this team for YEARS. This was an issue when they were winning division titles.
Denizens, here is something to watch for tonight:
Notice how deep the Marlins OF plays tonight. I bet you they are going to play extra deep from pitch 1 in order to cut off extra base hits.
The Nats figured out, after falling behind 6-0 on Monday, that if you can limit the braves gapers then the braves cannot string more than 2 hits together before making a rally killing K or GDP.
Brent A:
I have tried avoided saying stuff about BC, but you make a good point. At some point the sit around and wait for a 3 run bomb may not work anymore.
However, sometimes I wonder if BC has any choice. I really doubt this bunch has the bat control skills to do hit and runs, etc. They chase alot of bad pitches. This bunch aslo comes up empty on alot of swings, and that leads to alot of caught stealings on hit and runs.
I don’t trust these guys as baserunners to turn them loose on the basepaths either
Sometimes it aint the coach/managers fault.
By Efrim
April 24, 2008 4:05 PM | Link to this
DAP
We aren’t hitting for extra bases against lefties either. Singles aren’t doing the job.
By Bobby's Cox
April 24, 2008 4:08 PM | Link to this
Diaz better be in that lineup tonight. If he is out, and Francoeur is in, I’m going to be one unhappy camper. For goodness’ sake, Bobby needs to make Francoeur sit, put Blanco in RF, and Diaz in LF.
McFann. That was a bold statement. I like it. Bench the French. His streak ends tonite. He’s been a liability at the plate, and the last few nights in right with the D. He could use some pine to regroup.
By Steve McP
April 24, 2008 4:09 PM | Link to this
Nice Blog Carroll - we are also missing out on a hitting contribution from our pitchers, not having a single hit from them this year is very disappointing and makes the bottom of the order weaker than it should be.
Good effort last night by Bennett to get that first pitcher’s hit, but it was not to be. We do have people that are considered good hitting pitchers but they are not delivering this year.
By McFann
April 24, 2008 4:11 PM | Link to this
Everyone else knows the rest of the story. Braves have runner on second, no outs, and can’t move him an inch! Chopper
Oh, contraire. The Braves did move him 90 feet. After Francoeur grounded out the wrong way, McCann moved Tex to third with a ground out. But it was too late. A hit would have been better (the man got his two hits with no one on base, consequently leaving about four men stranded).
fsubravesfan10—
I am with you all the way. If he doesn’t watch it, he will be on the DL. Taking one day is not going to hurt him (no pun intended because this isn’t funny).
By Philliesuk
April 24, 2008 4:17 PM | Link to this
Knowitall That’s a good thought; however, both bats are Adirondack - the blonde ‘blue ring’ when he bats lefty, and black ‘silver ring’ when righty. I believe both are ash. I think the lefty and right bats are different weights, but I’ll have to check on that. Chipper’s one of those players who doesn’t change bats much, as opposed to someone like Yunel. He uses different bats during the same game sometimes, though he’s been using a Mariucci a lot lately.
By Ed Glennon
April 24, 2008 4:20 PM | Link to this
Jeff does not have a clue how to hit. Maybe he is thinking about making big bucks in his arbitration year. Brian, the guy hitting behind him and the guy who signed a reasonable long term contract, hits left-handers better than Jeff. Jeff should be hitting one spot higher than Andruw Jones in LA - seventh. Good luck next year Jeff.
By Roman Gal
April 24, 2008 4:20 PM | Link to this
Good point DAP. I think that’s a good reason to start Blanco tonight. I love Matty, but every time a ball is hit to left field I hold my breath.
McFann Chuck had some really good starts in ‘06. In fact, I remember at the beginning of last season, some people had him penciled in as the #2 starter behind Smoltz.
Here are Chuck’s Career Splits via ESPN
By ncscoots
April 24, 2008 4:21 PM | Link to this
It really doesn’t seem that it should be so difficult to coach Diaz out of that swing at the badly outside pitch.
Why, yes, then you would only need to coach him out of the pitch down and in, the one cap-bill-high, and the one that bounces twice, LOL. God love the guy, but have…MERCY!
Roman Gal, prescribe some of that optimism-returning shut-eye for some of the bloggers here, will ya? They HAVE to listen to a medical professional, no? :-)
By DAP
April 24, 2008 4:24 PM | Link to this
i dont think it would be bad to give frenchy a night off, either. sorry frenchy.
bobby’s cox you mentioned last night that looking at game logs is more than you want to do. its pretty helpful, when looking at streaks and stuff, and pretty easy.
frenchy’s baseball reference page
go here and look for the “gamelogs” link thats right above where his season stats start. from there you can select a year.
frenchy’s espn page
espn has game logs that are easier to look at… just click on this and you’ll see the “game logs” link right underneath where it tells you his next game. then you can select a year, ect. its pretty easy.
just thought you might be interested. its pretty easy.
By Yars
April 24, 2008 4:25 PM | Link to this
Bobby never really gave Diaz a lot of time to prove he’s an everyday LF. I would have stuck with him at least until the end of April. I wonder if Bobby has thought of shaking things up a little when Blanco is in the lineup & perhaps have him leading off & have KJ hitting in the #7 or #8 spot in the lineup? Is it too early to give up on KJ as a leadoff hitter? He did go 2 for 3 last night with a walk & a SB…. now playing: everyday is like sunday by Morrissey.
By DAP
April 24, 2008 4:29 PM | Link to this
Mcfann Francoeur grounded out the wrong way, McCann moved Tex to third with a ground out.
bad situational hitting by frenchy AND mac. frenchy’s job was to move him over (which he acted like he didnt even know…it didnt even look like he tried to hit it the other way) and once frnechy failed, mac need to get a hit. moving him over didnt do any good at that point. i just had to say that, because you acted like what mccann did was good. it wasnt. it was bad too. (though not AS bad)
by the way, if jeff does his job, mccann gets an rbi, and TAHT would have been great ABC baseball. a double and two ground outs to scratch out a run would have been beautiful.
By ncscoots
April 24, 2008 4:38 PM | Link to this
Oh, yes, an OF of Blanco, Kotsay, and Diaz. Good plan. THAT will certainly put fear into the opposing pitcher.
You can’t hit ‘em ALL at 8, folks.
And will there always be posts about middle-of-the-order hitters bunting, and moving runners over, and doing everything EXCEPT what they’re paid to do, which is try to drive in the run?
I guess it’s true…watching baseball isn’t the same as seeing.
By DAP
April 24, 2008 4:39 PM | Link to this
last night, brian mccann fouled off a pitch, and diaz took a swing at it from the batters box. it went back onto the field of play. i mean…thats diaz to a tee. swinging at pitches while hes standing in the batter’s box.
joe and boog were busting on diaz, too…a couple of games ago, there was a pitching WAAAAAAAAY insode to someone, and they looked like they almost swung but then have to jump out of the way, and boog said “thats a pitch where matt diaz and only matt diaz is in the dugout saying “good eye!”
funny stuff.
By Jake
April 24, 2008 4:39 PM | Link to this
When Tex grounded out with the bases loaded in the 2nd, you could just tell the game was over.
It’s gonna be another third place for the Bravos.
By DCbrave
April 24, 2008 4:39 PM | Link to this
bad situational hitting by frenchy AND mac. frenchy’s job was to move him over (which he acted like he didnt even know…it didnt even look like he tried to hit it the other way)… -By DAP
That was my impression too. Hopefully, that was just a mental mistake on Frenchy’s part, but if he just doesn’t care … Nah.
By Renegator
April 24, 2008 4:41 PM | Link to this
I think the way Bobby is handling the positiong players is fine. Both Blanco and Prado have succeeded in their time relieving KJ and Diaz.
And both Diaz and KJ have responded by hitting better when they are in the lineup.
Bobby’s handling of the bullpen - that’s a different story…
By Efrim
April 24, 2008 4:55 PM | Link to this
Diaz has to walk a little….
I mean 0/19 BB/K ratio is bad. Really bad. He hasn’t been very patient at the plate. But again, the guy hit 338? last season. I think he deserves some more time.
By Roman Gal
April 24, 2008 4:56 PM | Link to this
ncscoots, unfortunately that is an over-the-counter drug. Thus, I cannot prescribe it. (Plus…I’m not a nurse yet. I’m still honing my mad nursing skillz.)
I’m not averse to trying Blanco in the lead-off spot, especially since I like the idea of KJ hitting lower in the order with more guys on base. But I’m skeptical because Willie was good last year until he was put in the lead-off spot.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
April 24, 2008 4:59 PM | Link to this
Carroll Rogers wrote :
Coach, from what i hear the maple bats are the ones that break…
I say this is a debate worthy of argument.
Ash vs. Maple or Birch
Ash has been the preferred wood of choice for players and bat makers for decades because it is lightweight and it is flexible.
But it is quickly losing market share to maple, virtually non-existent in the bat market 10 years ago. The popularity of maple bats came on when Barry Bonds started using them regularly with great success.
One of the downfalls of ash is the wood begins to break down after repeatedly striking the ball in the barrel area. It tends to splinter and get soft. When that happens, ballplayers can’t use the bat in a game situation because the head of the bat is too soft.
Maple bats don’t have that problem; in fact they get harder – as the player hits the bat in the same spot, the wood tightens up. That’s a big advantage to professional players.
The downside to maple is that when it breaks, it tends to explode, the annual rings are very tight compared to ash. When you watch a game and the bat breaks apart and becomes a hazard, that is happening more in the last five or six years since more players are using maple.
Usually when an ash bat breaks, it holds together and the player takes it back to the dugout.”
My suspicion is that Chipper is already using a Maple bat.
I also believe that the shattered bats are due as much or more because of the thin handles and larger barrels which allows for increased torque.
The bats of yesteryear were more tapered and even compared to the top heavy lumber used today.
Ash, Maple or Birch, it’s open for debate.
What is not debatable is the fact that we are seeing an absolute epidemic of bats not just breaking, but exploding and endangering both the players and fans alike.
Whether it is due to the type of wood or the top heavy thin handled bats preferred by most players today, something has to be done before somebody is seriously injured.
Here is the link for comparisons of all three types of wood.
http://www.viperbats.com/thewoodbats.asp
By Lou Vales
April 24, 2008 5:00 PM | Link to this
It’s not fair to expect Braves to be competitive with a team with a 21 Million payroll, no fans, no stadium and just no interest. Of course somehow this pitiful excuse for a franchise has won more World Series—-That is the ULTIMATE GOAL and what teams see as the crowning achievement(contrary to Atlanta sports journalists)—since 1997 than the Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves have won since 1958. Of course those Western Athletic Conference, I mean NL Division banners look real nice strung across the facade(Nice Word) of the upper deck.
By McFann
April 24, 2008 5:02 PM | Link to this
Thanks, B’s C. “Bench the French”—that’s funny!
Roman Gal—
Chuck had some really good starts in ‘06. I wish he could have some more like that this year. (Though we can’t say he’s “horrid” this year, because he’s only had a couple starts.) Go, Chuckie!!
DAP—
I wasn’t saying what McCann did was good. As a matter of fact, I went on further to say:
But it was too late. A hit would have been better (the man got his two hits with no one on base, consequently leaving about four men stranded).
I was disappointed about that. Sure he got two hits, but he left about four men on base. That doesn’t help.
That was hilarious when Diaz hit that foul ball. And I remember when Boog said that the other night (Francoeur was the batter). That was good stuff.
DCbrave—
That was also my impression. He just swung away at whatever came, and that’s the result he got.
BENCH THE FRENCH!!
By Carroll Rogers
April 24, 2008 5:04 PM | Link to this
Ok, well, we wait on the Diaz platoon question because Diaz is in there and so is Blanco….Blanco at center. Kotsay is out of the lineup tonight because of a stiff neck. Don’t think it’s anything serious. Bobby said he just slept funny or something.
My real initials are FCR, but doesn’t really have a nice ring, does it?
By DirtyDawg
April 24, 2008 5:04 PM | Link to this
Agree with everybody that agrees with me that Francoeur is a liability at the plate and in the field. We already know that the extra muscle that he’s so proud of has slowed both his bat and his feet, now it appears that it has put more stress on a chronically damaged foot (how come we didn’t know that until now?). Put him on the DL and see if he can lose the weight and heal the foot. Two plays last night on short flies to right that should have been made that he didn’t even offer for, and he still lacks discipline at the plate.
And don’t get me going about Kelly Johnson. This kid can’t play for crap - defense that is. He’s so limited with his range - he can’t go to his left, right, in or out…he can’t make the turn on a DP and get anything on the ball…he hesitates in making the throw to the SS to start the DP…and he’s got lousy hands. I say sit him down, bring Prado in - let him bat second and move Escobar to lead-off…or let Prodo lead off, at least he’ll take a walk and isn’t, like Johnson, interested in impressing the girls with ‘the long ball’.
By McFann
April 24, 2008 5:11 PM | Link to this
Diaz is in there and so is Blanco Ms. Rogers
Wow. For a minute there, I really thought Bobby made Francoeur sit his little self on the bench. So much for wishful thinking—well, it was kinda fun while it lasted. Guess I’m just a partly-unhappy camper. (But sheesh, Kotsay! Of all times to sleep funny…)
By Carroll Rogers
April 24, 2008 5:24 PM | Link to this
Coach, don’t know if somebody said something to provoke you, which might be the case, but i just glanced at your last post and i’m having it taken down. Can’t we keep the insults on this blog just mean instead of nasty too?
Please, my kindergarten boys. (I know the gals don’t pull that stuff.)
By SandyB
April 24, 2008 5:28 PM | Link to this
Happy Birthday, U Kno Who!! Thanks for the fun you put into the game for us fans…..we hope there are many more years left in ya…you’re having a great year, and we appreciate it!!
now, that said, if you could just get the bats going for everyone else when there are folks in scoring position…we’re all gonna have ulcers come October!!
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
April 24, 2008 5:36 PM | Link to this
O my, we have seem to have some female hormones raging in the blog.
Hey, if you can’t hang with the boys. Get yourself back in the kitchen.
And women wonder why Hillary has not a prayer of becoming the Democratic candidate, much less being elected President.
And if you are going to censor me, you better censor everybody. Otherwise, I’ll be contacting your editor with my complaint concerning your gender biased journalism.
Have a nice day.
By mo in the boonies
April 24, 2008 5:39 PM | Link to this
McFann But if Francoeur wants to keep playing and bust his ankle, well I guess that’s his own business
No, that is the manager’s business. He is supposed to have the guts to say who plays and who sits. So don’t blame Francoeur if he is in the game tonight, he’s not the boss.
Bats breaking: In my humble opinion, the handles are shaved down too slim, and if you notice the place most snap off is just before the thin handle begins to thicken up. I’m sure if MLB all got together, and agreed on having thicker handles like the bats used to be, then no more broken bats. Unfortunately that won’t happen until someone gets killed by one.
Hope someone gives some play by play on here tonight…because as usual, I can’t get the game. :-( Did see the Tigers again last night on Fox. They scored 19 runs in nine innings.
Joe Brave Any good news on the little nephew?
By McFann
April 24, 2008 5:42 PM | Link to this
Hey, one more point, then I think I’ll shut up about it:
Kotsay comes in with a stiff neck, and he sits. Francoeur’s got a damaged foot, and he stays in. Shows me that Kotsay’s more of a team player in that he wasn’t doing so good, Blanco was, so Kotsay will sit down even though his injury isn’t that bad. Francoeur’s injury is bad, but he won’t plant his butt on the bench because it’ll kill his record.
And yes, DirtyDawg, that extra muscle sure has shown itself, hasn’t it? Francouer’s got the same amount of doubles as our slowest runner, and less homers than him. In fact, he’s fifth on the team in SLG. (Of course, two of the guys in front of him haven’t played a whole lot, but they’ve played enough…) So much for that “extra power” so far.
By MGL
April 24, 2008 5:47 PM | Link to this
Coach - You seem to be the one with the hormonal problem today. What’s wrong? Is it your grouchy time of the month?
By NRBQ
April 24, 2008 5:49 PM | Link to this
Sic ‘im, Carrol.
No one here will miss him.
By SeligSucks
April 24, 2008 5:52 PM | Link to this
**O my, we have seem to have some female hormones raging in the blog.
Hey, if you can’t hang with the boys. Get yourself back in the kitchen.
And women wonder why Hillary has not a prayer of becoming the Democratic candidate, much less being elected President.**
Wow. Why do I imagine you sitting there with your wife-beater T-shirt, drinking some Old Milwaukee, in your dingy trailer with no wife (because honestly, anyone who thinks like this can’t be attached can they?), getting mad as hell because a woman put you in your place for being crude in a public forum (that her paper owns).
Nice.
By brent a.
April 24, 2008 5:54 PM | Link to this
Not sure if it was answered or not; but yes, Dusty Baker managed the 2002 Giants and the 2003 Cubs.
One thing he did wisely in each series was not rushing back his game 1 starter early, choosing a 4 man rotation instead.
In 2002 especially, Bobby ran Glavine back out there for game 4, and he got shellacked for the second time in the series (game 1 prior).
The next year, it was easy for Dusty because he had Wood, Prior, Clement, and Zambrano. So, he had a fresh Kerry Wood for game 5, whereas we trotted out Hampton for the 2nd time since game 2 (Ortiz pitched games 1 and 4).
Personally, I always felt like HoRam should’ve pitched game 4 for us, instead of Ortiz, largely because HoRam had performed well against the Cubs during the regular season.
But, Bobby loves the 3-man rotation in the post-season.
In terms of whether or not we should’ve beaten the Cubs that year, one thing to remember is that the Cubs team that went into the play-offs was far better than the team they had for the majority of the season.
In July that season, they stole Aramis Ramirez (and someone else, Lofton?) from the Pirates, and then proceeded to beat the Pirates at least 5 or 6 more times down the stretch to help clinch the division over Houston. But, that team had great starting pitching, and a nice offense.
Also, Smoltz was burning out that year. He almost blew game 4 in Chicago, and then didn’t pitch in game 5. (He also had a DL stint late in the season). The story was that he wouldn’t have been able to pitch in the NLCS had we advanced, same as in 2005, when he pitched a game 2 gem against Houston, and then had some major arm issue.
Rick Sutcliffe claimed to have seen Smoltz in the clubhouse before game 4, and said that his whole right side looked bloody.
Go Braves!
By DCbrave
April 24, 2008 5:54 PM | Link to this
Coach - I have to say that 5:04 post of yours is a bit too much,and seemingly unprovoked. FCR may have to do something with it, or she might be in trouble . Your 5:36 post … what can I say. Take it easy, man!
By McFann
April 24, 2008 5:56 PM | Link to this
And women wonder why Hillary has not a prayer of becoming the Democratic candidate, much less being elected President. Coach
I don’t wonder, I know. And I’m glad.
Mo—
I understand where your coming from, but I don’t think it’s out of line to blame Francoeur at least partially.
If things get really bad, and his performance suffers even more than it has, then yeah, Bobby needs to stand up and say, “Hey, you! Get your rear-ender off the field!” But also, Francoeur needs to be a man and say, “Hey, Bobby, I’m hurt. I don’t want to hurt the team, so I better sit this one out.”
So yes, part of it is Bobby being “so good” to his players. And if I were Bobby, it’d be to heck with the consecutive-games streak for that boy. But Bobby cann only know so much about a players aches and pains.
By Carroll Rogers
April 24, 2008 6:07 PM | Link to this
a little bday stat for you: Braves are 7-1 on Chipper’s Bday. in those games, chipper has hit .455 (15-for-33) with three homers…
guess i’d better head back to the kitchen now…
By JT
April 24, 2008 6:08 PM | Link to this
What in the name of the lord…is happening on this blog…i bet if the Braves win today everybody would cool down…be Civilized.RESPECT…I can only say that baseball is a game for both boys and men, and sometimes there is a sharp distinction between one and the other.
By Roper
April 24, 2008 6:09 PM | Link to this
Can we keep the self righteous politics (or any for that matter) off the blog please?
-from the peanut gallery
By TJ
April 24, 2008 6:18 PM | Link to this
But Bobby cann only know so much about a players aches and pains.
Maybe I’m misunderstanding your point, McFann, but I’m pretty sure Bobby knows more about his players’ condition than anyone on this blog!
I’m not a fan of “iron man” streaks, btw. They complicate a manager’s decisions about who to start, unnecessarily. So I wouldn’t mind seeing Jeff sat, just to end that silliness.
I didn’t see last night’s game. If Frenchy can’t play the field adequately, that’s one thing. But his bat has been pretty good the last 8 games or so (he’s simply never gonna be a disciplined hitter, gang. If that’s the measure, then we might as well dfa him).
I don’t see anything in his hitting begging for a day off.
By JT
April 24, 2008 6:21 PM | Link to this
Oh and forgot…baseball IS for women too…ahemmm…
By mo in the boonies
April 24, 2008 6:26 PM | Link to this
McFANN Francoeur is supposed to go crying to Bobby and ask to be taken out of a game? How many people would be jumping his butt for that on here? You can see Francoeur is hurting, but Bobby can’t? Is he blind as well as dumb? No, I really think it is a matter of guts. Gee whiz, wouldn’t want a player to be unhappy! He might not think BC was the greatest manager in baseball, if he was unhappy. As the saying goes, “No Guts, No Glory”. It is time for Cox to man up and take charge of this team. His eight minute little chat with the team didn’t take hold very long.
Time to go feed the dog and cat…and me.
By McFann
April 24, 2008 6:31 PM | Link to this
Ms. Rogers—
That’s a very int’resting stat. Let’s hope they keep the good times rolling!
I suppose I better go see if my mother needs any help in the kitchen. But to be quite honest, Coach (without reading your apparent nasty post), I think Ms. Rogers (and all the female bloggers for that matter) do a pretty good job of, ahem, “hanging with the boys” (and you really are a “boy”, not a man if your gonna act like that).
Anyway, I think the politics need to be kept of this blog. And leave Ms. Rogers alone! Don’t insult the one in charge if you wish to stay.
By JimD
April 24, 2008 6:35 PM | Link to this
guess i’d better head back to the kitchen now… Carroll Rogers
that’s a hoot. you really are a great sport, classy person, and good sports writer. don’t let some old coot (or is it cooch) get you down. we all appreciate your contributions here on the blog and the paper. keep up the good work.
one quick Q for the denizens. I must have missed something (I do that sometimes). I saw on the Braves’ game preview on ESPN.com that Jeff Bennett is listed in the injury section as day to day. What’s up with him?
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
April 24, 2008 6:36 PM | Link to this
Hey, I’m only grouchy when the Braves lose games that they should have won.
Mediocrity and underachievement are two things I find to be completely intolerable in a baseball team.
If I offend with my comments, you all have my apology.
However, this is America, or it was last I checked. Where freedom of speech and the 1st amendment should be honored.
The AJC is patently liberal(CNN influenced) and doesn’t always adhere to these principals and tends to censor those with dissenting opinions.
Baseball, music and food is welcome.
Just please don’t bring up Religion, Politics or the human reproductive system. Don’t you just love Fascism.
By Salty
April 24, 2008 6:38 PM | Link to this
CR Mean without nasty? LOL! At least you weren’t called a ‘knuckle-draggin’ bloke’…though there’s still time, when you stick your nose out of the kitchen! :-)
By McFann
April 24, 2008 6:43 PM | Link to this
OK, Mo. I’m sorry. I understand your point. But Bobby isn’t dumb, OK?
No, the players shouldn’t go crying like little babies or whatever, and Bobby does need to put his foot down somewhere—and if he put it down on Francoeur’s foot, then Jeff would sit. There’s a point I’m trying to make, but unfortunately I’m can’t find comprehensible words for it.
And, TJ: Yes, Bobby knows a lot more about it than the people on here. No one should pretend otherwise. And Bobby should sit the man so the streak would end. I don’t care how ticked Francoeur would get. It’s about the team, not his stupid number of games, and if that’s why he’s playing, then that’s just sad.
OK, if Francoeur messes something up tonight, and he doesn’t sit tomorrow, then I might have to swallow hard and get mad at Bobby.
By Roper
April 24, 2008 6:46 PM | Link to this
CNN is liberal?
Seriously?…
Sheesh
By chase
April 24, 2008 6:50 PM | Link to this
Posted this on the other blog but it deserves to be mentioned again for some of you bi-polar fans
After reading over the majority of the posts ALL I CAN DO IS LAUGH AT MOST OF YOU PEOPLE
The same ones of you who were kissing the Braves’ @zz and saying “here we come”…“this team is great” and generally talking about how “AWSOME” this team is duirng that 5 game win streak
are the same ones who are now saying “win 5 lose 5”…“this team can’t beat anybody”…“this is exactly the same as 2007”
All I can say is GET A GRIPP..If the Braves win on Thursday they will be 6-2 in the last 8 and leave town after a 5-2 homstand!
I don’t know about you people but I’ll take pleanty of 5-2 homstands and winning 6 outta every 8!
This is baseball!!!!! YOU CAN’T GET TOO HIGH OR LOW ON A NIGHTLY BASIS!
Too many of you are guilty of Putting this team in the WS after a couple of wins..and condeming them as a terrible team after a couple losses
Just too ridiculous…Win a couple and you’re great..lose a couple and you suck and will never win again!
CALM DOWN!
By Chop Chop
April 24, 2008 6:56 PM | Link to this
Coach,
I don’t need to read your viewpoints on politics, religion, or the human reproductive system here. It is true that this is a public forum, but it’s also a sports blog. As you well know, there are many politically-oriented blogs on these here Internets in which you can express your views on those subjects to the utmost.
(P.S.: I’ve never heard of a liberal fascist. They’re supposed to be commies, right? Right-wingers are the fascists.)
By .
April 24, 2008 7:00 PM | Link to this
RAGING COOCH
http://youtube.com/watch?v=U502uzVmcAE
By McFann
April 24, 2008 7:00 PM | Link to this
OK, time to drop the politics. It’s BASEBALL TIME!!!
By JimD
April 24, 2008 7:00 PM | Link to this
However, this is America, or it was last I checked. Where freedom of speech and the 1st amendment should be honored. Coach
True, Coach, true. But just because you can say something doesn’t necessarily mean you should. And when you do you should expect others to exercise their 1st amendment right to challenge you.
But hey, you did the man thing, you apologized. Takes a big one to do that, and I for one appreciate that you did.
By Im
April 24, 2008 7:04 PM | Link to this
Coach are you kidding me? None of what you wrote even almost makes sense. The fact that Carroll Rogers is a woman doesn’t really have anything to do with baseball or this blog, so why would you even bring that up? You immediately dismiss her and her concerns about your offensive posts because she’s a woman? That’s uncalled for.
I love how when someone’s ignorant positions are attacked they call on the first amendment. Yes it is your first amendment to sound like a jackass. Congrats on taking full use of that by the way. But just because the constitution gives you the right to say whatever the hell you want doesn’t mean you always should.
By Chop Chop
April 24, 2008 7:16 PM | Link to this
1-0 Marlins on a blooper by Willingham. Bah.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
April 24, 2008 7:17 PM | Link to this
Who says you can’t steal against a lefty.
McCann does not that great of an arm.
Speed kills it just manufactured the first run of the game.
By Norfolk Brave
April 24, 2008 7:22 PM | Link to this
Hanson a 1-2-3 inning, I missed what happened to the first two batters but the third was K’d by Tommy Boy.
By Red McGraw
April 24, 2008 7:26 PM | Link to this
Carroll, I want my steak medium-rare.
Please don’t burn it this time.
You messed up the last one
It was like eating a piece of charcoal.
And have it done and on the table before I get home.
And, oh, make sure to keep me informed on what’s happening with the Braves while I’m driving home.
And I want the kids asleep by the time I get home.
Thanks, hon.
And remember: medium rare and not charcoal like the last time.
By LuisGuillermo
April 24, 2008 7:30 PM | Link to this
Happy Birthday Chipper!!
By Carroll Rogers
April 24, 2008 7:31 PM | Link to this
bench the french?
By Overlord
April 24, 2008 7:33 PM | Link to this
Could anybody tell me who made the only out in this inning so far? I have no internet and i cant check.
By Pete H.
April 24, 2008 7:35 PM | Link to this
Call me crazy, but I loves me them crooked numbers.
By keylargo
April 24, 2008 7:35 PM | Link to this
The Marlins announcers are continually referring to their LF Josh Willingham as “Hammer”. I do not think this is the right thing to do. I have sent emails to the Marlins both nights to politely ask them to not use the name that Henry Aaron has been called for decades. So far tonight I have heard it 5 times through the top of the first.
I am asking the blog to email the Marlins announcers @ askthemarlins@fsnflorida.com and ask them to show Henry Aaron, the real Hammer, the proper respect. They supposedly will answer email on the air throughout the game. Let ‘em have it blog.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
April 24, 2008 7:36 PM | Link to this
Wow, of all the offense by the Braves here in the first inning I am so impressed by the at bat from Francoeur.
He worked the count, got ahead, waited for his pitch, kept his head on the ball and went with the pitch. Driving a two run double down the right field line.
By JT
April 24, 2008 7:39 PM | Link to this
5-1..ehh??? not bad for timely hitting guys….ahemmm
By Roper
April 24, 2008 7:39 PM | Link to this
Frenchy hitting to right field.
Diaz hitting the righty.
I’m feeling much better now.
By Norfolk Brave
April 24, 2008 7:41 PM | Link to this
Hanson 2nd inning: 1BB and 3 warning track fly outs…
By bravesfan
April 24, 2008 7:42 PM | Link to this
By Carroll Rogers
April 24, 2008 7:31 PM | Link to this
bench the french?
They are, what have you done for me lately people?
By Carroll Rogers
April 24, 2008 7:42 PM | Link to this
ok pumpkin, steak is on the grill…and the boys are actually driving in runs with runners in scoring position.
oh and if you’re real name is tim, we might have to talk about this for real!
By Red McGraw
April 24, 2008 7:46 PM | Link to this
The Braves are 22-3 in Chuck James starts when they score 5 runs in the game.
Game’s over.
I can turn the television off and go enjoy the night.
By SeligSucks
April 24, 2008 7:48 PM | Link to this
HAPPY FREAKING BIRTHDAY!
By LuisGuillermo
April 24, 2008 7:48 PM | Link to this
Homerun by Chipper!!! Ms Rogers: make it 17-35 with 4 Hrs on his birthday!
By Chop Chop
April 24, 2008 7:49 PM | Link to this
It’s always nice to give yourself a birthday present. Happy 36th, Chipper!
By Pete H.
April 24, 2008 7:50 PM | Link to this
That Chipper is quite a guy. On his birthday, HE brings the presents! Way to go, Chopper.
By Norfolk Brave
April 24, 2008 7:50 PM | Link to this
…done with updates gotta go back to work. But you can listen to the game live on milb.com
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
April 24, 2008 7:52 PM | Link to this
I owe Carroll Rogers an apology. I read her writing and it was so good and informative I actually thought O’Brien had penned it.
Ya’ll just kick me, LOL.
Damn fine blog Carroll.
I’ll go pull my head out of my butt now.
Yo, Hoss, way to celebrate your B-day. Two for two so far with the single and bomb.
By Capt. Caveman (the original dawg)
April 24, 2008 7:54 PM | Link to this
BASEBALL BATS
If Coach really knew what he was talking about he would realize that all bats break at the major league level. Ash,Maple,Birch, and the 3-piece wood bat that is popular with a lot of players. The right pitch on the right spot will do the trick every time. The biggest variable is the hitter himself. What kind of swing, what pitches does he try to hit, how is he being pitched, and how long he has been using the same bat.
Why you guys cant just enjoy the game is beyond me. I would tell you how many bats I broke but I can’t remember. I just know what most players say when it happens: “If the bat hadn’t broken I would have ripped that pitch !!”
Just like Chipper just ripped that HOMER!!
Nice B-Day gift for himself.
GO BRAVOS !!
By Red McGraw
April 24, 2008 7:55 PM | Link to this
you’re a cool girl, ms. rogers. a very cool girl indeed….. sorry, i ain’t tim mcgraw….. but if you can get Ashley Judd to dump that race car driving dope for me, I’ll talk Tim into dumping Faith for ya
By Capt. Caveman (the original dawg)
April 24, 2008 7:56 PM | Link to this
OK - here is a good topic or question…..
What is the current record for throwing out runners at home, and what pace are the Braves on right now ???
You gotta luv it.
By Overlord
April 24, 2008 7:58 PM | Link to this
I suppose James is still injuried… Time to release or send him to the bullpen.
Bennett is totally different story. I told ya, last start was nothing but 1 in a million, this guy is not our future and if he is our future, it sure looks dull.
I wont bash on KJ tonight cause some of you asked me not to because its annoying. But anyway, there is no need to, his work tonight is speaking for him loud and clear. TIC TAC TIC TAC, april is coming to an end.
By Shamus Thacker
April 24, 2008 7:59 PM | Link to this
This is what we [Braves & Fans] needed!
By McFann
April 24, 2008 8:00 PM | Link to this
McCann does not that great of an arm. Coach
No? That throw was right on the button (that first one, anyway). The guy just had a good jump. How many errors does McCann have?
Anyway, GREAT PLAY AT THE PLATE!!!
6-1!! Let’s go Braves!! (Diaz hit an RBI double, BTW.)
By Saltywoody
April 24, 2008 8:01 PM | Link to this
Mediocrity and underachievement are two things I find to be completely intolerable in a baseball team.
Clearly you don’t find those things intolerable in your own posts, though, huh coach?
For what it’s worth, when people cite America and the luxury of freedom of speech as the rationale behind saying stupid things…they are also typically the people that say stupid things often enough that they need a reason for it.
Freedom of speech wasn’t created so you could mouth off to someone based on your biggoted opinions. It was created so we could all conduct productive conversations that allowed progress out of dissenting viewpoints.
I mean this in the nicest way possible, but it’s precisely the kind of narrow-minded viewpoint that your comments project that freedom of speech was enacted to combat.
Oh, and don’t use a Braves loss to defend the sour nature of your posts. That’s lame.
Sorry for the diatribe, especially since Carroll’s the last person that needs defending. But, it’s aggravating when people act like tough guys from behind the thin veil of a screen name.
Oh, and CR…you rock.
By Billy (TBFnB)
April 24, 2008 8:05 PM | Link to this
Skip does not sound well on radio tonight. Hope he ok.
By Shamus Thacker
April 24, 2008 8:07 PM | Link to this
All the good [old] trees are gone.
I had the same bat my entire childhood. I hit everything from baseballs to bricks to barns with it. It had chipping from one end to the other, but never broke. Either it was a great bat, or I was a pathetic weakling. Or maybe just a little bitta both…
By Red McGraw
April 24, 2008 8:08 PM | Link to this
The Braves are 28-6 in the starts of Chuck James when they score 4 or more runs.
0-16 when they score 3 runs or less in a Chuck start.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
April 24, 2008 8:11 PM | Link to this
Professional players, according to the rules of Major League Baseball, must play with all-wood bats made of a single solid piece of wood.
Only high school and college players are allowed to use the three piece wooden bats
and I don’t what I’m talking about?
Yo Captain, your ship just sank.
By TJ
April 24, 2008 8:11 PM | Link to this
Has Bobby been ejected yet this year? I watch a lot, but not all the time, and don’t remember seeing it happen.
By Red McGraw
April 24, 2008 8:16 PM | Link to this
I had the same bat my entire childhood. I hit everything from baseballs to bricks to barns with it. It had chipping from one end to the other, but never broke. Either it was a great bat, or I was a pathetic weakling. Or maybe just a little bitta both…
Your piece of wood probably never had Brandon Webb’s heavy sinker explode on the bat like a bomb.
By TJ
April 24, 2008 8:18 PM | Link to this
Coach, are you on crack today, or just running for the annual “least popular person” award? Crack might explain things, I guess.
By Carroll Rogers
April 24, 2008 8:19 PM | Link to this
deal, red.
saltwoody, gee thanks.
and coach, it’s no big deal. at least i think you were serious.
By DCbrave
April 24, 2008 8:20 PM | Link to this
There you go, Coach. Actually I thought the blog was DOB’s until I saw Carroll’s name down some posts. You just cann’t drink while you blog.
By McFann
April 24, 2008 8:21 PM | Link to this
Overlord—
“Tic tac”? It’s “Tick tock”. Tic Tacs are little candies.
BTW: Base hit, Kelly Johnson!
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
April 24, 2008 8:23 PM | Link to this
Not yet TJ, just give it time.
By Pete H.
April 24, 2008 8:25 PM | Link to this
Did Coach REALLY quote Jonah Goldberg, the dumbest man on the planet? I hear his next book is called Wingnut Tree Huggers.
Chuckie is doing it with mirrors tonight. I think someone better be nice and warm in the bullpen. He’s behind everybody, four walks so far (as far as I can tell, not having the game on TV here) and the Marlins have the bats to make him pay.
By Shamus Thacker
April 24, 2008 8:27 PM | Link to this
Summa Y’all are jerks, summa Y’all ain’t. I like the ones’a Y’all that ain’t. Freedom of speech does not excuse idiocy/rudeness.
By Gustopher
April 24, 2008 8:31 PM | Link to this
Carroll I am cooking steaks tonight, can I throw a piece of meat on for you?
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
April 24, 2008 8:32 PM | Link to this
Home run James has reared his ugly head.
Until he develops a decent off-speed pitch besides the change up, he will continue to give up the long ball.
Everything he throws is straight. That won’t fool big league hitters enough of the time to keep them from sitting on his fastball and driving it over the fence.
By Efrim
April 24, 2008 8:32 PM | Link to this
This game is far from over.
Need to score some more and put this one away.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
April 24, 2008 8:34 PM | Link to this
Chipper Jones…. three for three, it’s just not fair.
By Brady
April 24, 2008 8:36 PM | Link to this
Bobby can’t be happy with the 5 walks in 5 innings, especially with what was once a comfortable lead…not to mention 3 of those walks scored.
Chucky is still too inconsistent to pitch in the big leagues.
By TJ
April 24, 2008 8:38 PM | Link to this
Freedom of speech does not excuse idiocy/rudeness
Of course not. And the only one guaranteed Freedom of Speech on the AJC web site is… the AJC. Coach has no “right” to have his trash posted here. Threatening to “contact the editor” on 1st Amendment issues is pretty much the height of ignorance.
By Carroll Rogers
April 24, 2008 8:46 PM | Link to this
this tidbit from braves pr man Adam Liberman. in three of the last four games, the braves opposing starter has not struck a batter out. Badenhop went 5 innings without one tonight.
Sure, Gustopher, I’ll take mine medium.
By fastasballs
April 24, 2008 8:47 PM | Link to this
If anyone is interested the Pelicans are ahead 13-0 behind 5 strong innings from Tommy Hanson.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
April 24, 2008 8:54 PM | Link to this
Sure TJ. I believe that. So, the next time you visit the ball park and meet opposing fans of the other team who voice their opinion against yours, should we just put muzzles on them.
Freedom of speech?
The peculiar evil of silencing the expression of an opinion is, that it is robbing the human race; posterity as well as the existing generation; those who dissent from the opinion, still more than those who hold it. If the opinion is right, they are deprived of the opportunity of exchanging error for truth: if wrong, they lose, what is almost as great a benefit, the clearer perception and livelier impression of truth, produced by its collision with error. ~John Stuart Mill, On Liberty, 1859.
By DCbrave
April 24, 2008 8:58 PM | Link to this
The Nats just tied the game 3-3 with the Mets from 0-3 behind. We need the mets to lose this one.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
April 24, 2008 8:58 PM | Link to this
This is for TJ and anybody else who disagrees with my opinion.
The best advice when it comes to blogging, if it bothers you that much, Keep on scrolling.
By Gustopher
April 24, 2008 8:58 PM | Link to this
Coming right up my Lady
By fastasballs
April 24, 2008 9:00 PM | Link to this
Make that 6 strong from Hanson. The visting announcer is raving about Hanson’s command & ability to change speeds on his off speed pitches. Says he is very polished for a Carolina League pitcher.
By Pete H.
April 24, 2008 9:00 PM | Link to this
Tommy Hanson. With any luck, he goes to the AFL and blows people away, then grabs a spot in our rotation next year. He looks to good to waste on the minors. That’s, what, 30 innings, no runs this year?
By AMG
April 24, 2008 9:01 PM | Link to this
Baseball please…
Chuck James still needs that 3rd pitch. Has trouble the second time through some nites. Probably should go back down to AAA and work on it when the others are healthy.
By Carroll Rogers
April 24, 2008 9:02 PM | Link to this
This just in: Reliever Mike Gonzalez threw his first game in extended spring training Thursday night, striking out two in a perfect inning on only 13 pitches. Gonzalez had thrown four innings in a simulated game Tuesday, recording six outs in only 23 pitches. Gonzalez will pitch again Saturday. The Braves are hoping to have Gonzalez back from elbow reconstruction surgery before the end of May and perhaps by mid-May. Also in extended spring is infielder Omar Infante who played four innings Thursday, all at shortstop and went 0-for-3.
By Red McGraw
April 24, 2008 9:10 PM | Link to this
‘Tis best to be deleted and thought a fool than to have the post remain and remove all doubt
By TJ
April 24, 2008 9:11 PM | Link to this
The best advice when it comes to blogging, if it bothers you that much, Keep on scrolling.
Or call you out for ridiculous, offensive, uninformed comments. Guess it’s my right.
By Pete H.
April 24, 2008 9:19 PM | Link to this
Great news about Gonzo.
Will someone go into the clubhouse and wake our offense up? It can nap AFTER the game.
By N8
April 24, 2008 9:20 PM | Link to this
Nice catch Blanco. Don’t ever f’n do it again.
Sorry. Anytime I see a basket catch in CF, I can’t help think of Willie “Mays” Hays, from Major League.
Hey! Speaking of. Have fun in prison Mr. Snipes. Now THAT’S funny.
I can hear the “tagline” for his next movie…..
*”Always bet on black…..uh…..that is, unless he fails to pay his income taxes. Check that. Fails to even file a FRICKIN tax return.
What a loser.
By Overlord
April 24, 2008 9:21 PM | Link to this
McFann pay attention, closely:
Dictionary: ticktack (tĭk’tăk’) pronunciation
also tic-tac n.
[Imitative.]
Source: www.answers.com
By N8
April 24, 2008 9:24 PM | Link to this
Hey Falcons fans. About a month ago I was envious of your “situation” with all of your draft picks you have.
But now my Chiefs have 13 picks in this year’s draft (more than likely gonna be more - I think they’ll trade down with Baltimore or N.O. in round one), 6 of which are in the first 3 rounds.
Needless to say, if the BOMB on this draft, I believe that Herm Edwards and Carl Peterson will be out of jobs real soon.
I’m not usually excited about the NFL draft, but strangely enough, I’m a bit intrigued this year. LOL!
By Pete H.
April 24, 2008 9:26 PM | Link to this
Then Nats just added four more and lead 7-2. Ollie Perez got shelled.
Those kids from Spain in our bullpen are pretty good.
By Overlord
April 24, 2008 9:26 PM | Link to this
Why is it that Acosta is in the game? Who is closing it?
Is Acosta gonna go 2 innings?
I suppose bobby either wants to lose in the 9th or wants to lose another arm.
By eric the elder
April 24, 2008 9:28 PM | Link to this
With obesity the number one health epidemic in America, what do the Braves do? They have “All You Can Eat” nights!
Yessiree! All the greasy, fattening food you can swallow - - and beer, too!
How about a “Smoke ‘em if you got ‘em” night? Oh, that’s right, only Bobby gets to do that.
Fat drunks - - a promotion you gotta love.
By keylargo
April 24, 2008 9:28 PM | Link to this
SPEED
By bfan54
April 24, 2008 9:28 PM | Link to this
Coach, RE: your first amendment comment - freedom of speech cannot be abridged by Congress. The Framers weren’t concerned about the right of the Atlanta Constitution to keep the blog “proper”. We have the rights here that are defined by the AJC and properly so.
—having said that I do well appreciate your baseball observations,
By Billy (TBFnB)
April 24, 2008 9:29 PM | Link to this
BMac got a triple….lol
By The Judge, the Jury, and the Hangman
April 24, 2008 9:29 PM | Link to this
“Will the defendant please rise!”
Cooch, you have been charged with many heinous crimes against the DOB/MIB Braves, BBQ and Music Blog, its host and hostess and the many denizens. As the judge, jury and hangman in this case, I shall read the charges and the jury’s decision.
On the count of being an ignorant boor, we, the denizens, find you GUILTY!
On the count of being rude and disrespectful to both denizens and our kind blog hosts alike, we, the denizens, find you GUILTY!
On the count of abusing the First Amendment, we, the denizens, find you GUILTY!
On the count of abusing your so-called baseball knowledge, we, the denizens, find you GUILTY!
On the count of being a very disagreeable, unfriendly human being, we the denizens, find you GUILTY!
There are many, many other charges that have been levied against you. In exchange for what appeared to be a sincere apology to Ms. Rogers for your very unnecessary, repugnant post earlier today, we have agreed that the other charges will be suspended. For now.
As punishment for your transgressions, you are hearby sentenced to a lifetime of ridicule and scorn, both in your personal life, and your blog life.
The jury is in Cooch.
YOUR AND IDIOT!
By N8
April 24, 2008 9:29 PM | Link to this
Overlord
“Could anybody tell me who made the only out in this inning so far? I have no internet and i cant check.”
I’ll assume that there is some underlying sarcasm or a story I’m un-aware of. Call me crazy, but how in the hell did you post that question, without the internet? LOL!
Better get McCann the oxygen tank - 1st big league triple. Chipper laughing in the dugout is PRICLESS!
By FaninFaytown
April 24, 2008 9:30 PM | Link to this
Ok gameday must be high… did Hermida literally fall down dead in order for McCann to get an triple?
By Mark in PA
April 24, 2008 9:30 PM | Link to this
along with Smoltz’ 3000th strikeout, here’s a little more history this week. Heap’s first career triple!
By McFann
April 24, 2008 9:30 PM | Link to this
HOW ABOUT THAT, DENIZENS????!!!
Triple!!!! That’s correct!!! TRIPLE!!!
AH……that was fun.
Happy birthday, CHIPPER!!
By Pete H.
April 24, 2008 9:31 PM | Link to this
That must have been some SF that Frenchy hit to score Mac all the way from third. How did Mac get there in the first place, go there directly from home on a hit to the outfield.
Not to rag on Brian, but he is incredibly slow.
By LuisGuillermo
April 24, 2008 9:32 PM | Link to this
I really miss hearing Skip Caray’s play-by-play comments. After that McCann’s triple he would have said something like: “A little insurance here would be great”.
By ncscoots
April 24, 2008 9:33 PM | Link to this
Well, Lord, you can take me now, there’s nothing further for me to see in this world. Coach quoting John Stuart Mill is about all the astonishment I’ll be able to bear in this life, LOL.
Man, can I get an amen on THAT!
Coach, I will say that I think you’re often familiar with the “collision of error”, but, you’re still a surprising guy, and I’ll give you that.
By McFann
April 24, 2008 9:36 PM | Link to this
Hey! Where’s my post??
History just happened right before our eyes, folks! I only wish I woulda kept score!
By BravesFanChris23
April 24, 2008 9:37 PM | Link to this
BAH GAWD
McCann HIT A TRIPLE !!
By JimD
April 24, 2008 9:38 PM | Link to this
Well add McCann to the list of the new Braves’ speedsters. WOW! He was cruising around the bases on that triple.
I am not so sure if that was a slide or a collapse into 3rd.
And Chipper really enjoyed it, didn’t he? I really am surprised McCann was able to tag and score on that fly. I wonder if he knew he was going to get it when he got back to the dugout and had second thoughts about tagging.
Good game though. And Acosta is going to shut ‘em down!
By fastasballs
April 24, 2008 9:39 PM | Link to this
Hanson went 7, gave up his first earned run in the 7th. 6K’s & 2 BB. In total control the entire game.
By Cooper S
April 24, 2008 9:42 PM | Link to this
Carrol: Why the 2 inning save for Acosta? Any idea if he’ll be available tomorrow?
By Overlord
April 24, 2008 9:43 PM | Link to this
N8 i guess you dont miss many, you guessed right. But i wont go into detail, kind of prohibited to talk about that much, LOL. You could ask McFann or Epinephrine for details on the matter, hehehe.
And yes you are right, watching chipper run out of oxygen(laughing) as much as McCann ran ou of it but running was priceless.
Cheers, Braves winning, just hope Cox doesnt blows Acostas arm because he is one of the few he can trust.
By lilman916
April 24, 2008 9:44 PM | Link to this
I like Chipper just as much as the rest of you, and I just realized that this is his contract year. He’ll produce HUGE numbers this year. Last contract year, he won the MVP. GO Chipper!!!
By lilman916
April 24, 2008 9:48 PM | Link to this
If and when Tex breaks out, and KJ can just hit .275, this offense is going to kill. RIght now Tex is pressing becuase teams are walking Chipper to get to him. Make them pay Tex. It’s your contract year also.
By Saltywoody
April 24, 2008 9:49 PM | Link to this
Tis best to be deleted and thought a fool than to have the post remain and remove all doubt
Shakespeare’s sonnets have nothing on that platitude.
By TJ
April 24, 2008 9:50 PM | Link to this
My apologies to the blog for getting caught up in a “discussion” that didn’t really belong here. What can I say? I got mad.
Anyway, best news of the night: Bobby used TWO relievers to get through FOUR innings. When’s the last time that happened?
(and again, when’s the last time Bobby got tossed? I don’t think it’s happened this year, has it?)
By Pete H.
April 24, 2008 9:52 PM | Link to this
BRAVES WIN!! BRAVES WIN!!! BRAVES WIN!!!!
And Jorge is on for the Mutts, putting out the fire with gasoline. 8-4 Nats in bottom of 7.
By Overlord
April 24, 2008 9:53 PM | Link to this
Acosta has not allowed a run in April.
Wonder why is Cox not using him as closer, I mean, when moylan and Soriano were healthy.
By uh Chuck er um James
April 24, 2008 9:55 PM | Link to this
Wow, like things are going like so um good. My uh earned run average is 1.50 and I am like getting 7.62% in interest in my um savings account. Sweet, huh. Oh, um what’s that. Oh, um I got those numbers uh backwards. Um, nevermind.
By Pete H.
April 24, 2008 9:56 PM | Link to this
Correction. Nats 10-4 after 7.
The apocalypse must be nigh. A McCann Triple. Keep an eye out for some shady looking horsemen. And a red bull.
By ncscoots
April 24, 2008 9:58 PM | Link to this
Jeez, Overlord, Boyer’s pitched just about every night for a week; you want to run Resop, Ring, and the other cast of hopefuls out there in the 9th? Acosta was the only option that I can see.
I thought you were one of those guys who always moaned about Bobby using pitchers only one inning. No?
And I’m pretty sure it was your boy Blanco making an out in the 1st.
By McFann
April 24, 2008 9:59 PM | Link to this
Don’t know what ya mean, Overlord.
Wow. Best game of the year, right there!!
That was really fun, and I want that on my iPod!!
I’m very happy. NIGHT, ALL!!
By Steve McP
April 24, 2008 10:00 PM | Link to this
Glavine due back next week, Hampton on a roll, Gonzo throwing off the mound and could return in mid-May - bye bye Resop and Ring,
SP - Hudson, Smoltz, Glavine, JJJ, Hampton,
Bull Pen - Acosta, Bennett, Boyer, Gonzo, James, Ohman, Soriano (or Campillo if injury persists)
Looks pretty good - just the situational hitting to address and then its the World Series (or maybe tractor pulls if it does not work out)
By Pete H.
April 24, 2008 10:03 PM | Link to this
TJ, Bobby has been a model citizen this year. I guess he got the record and is resting on his laurels. Until some ump starts squeezing the strike zone on us.
By keylargo
April 24, 2008 10:03 PM | Link to this
09 is CJ’s option year. Mutual option that will be exercised unless he signs a new contract. Same situation as Tex is in now.
By Pete H.
April 24, 2008 10:08 PM | Link to this
Acosta’s ERA now down to 3.27 from 13.something. Campilla is at 0.96. Give those kids some serious credit. When we get Gonzo and Soriano back, we’ll have the best pen in the league.
By Pete H.
April 24, 2008 10:11 PM | Link to this
We should all get the paper tomorrow, cut out the boxscore, and mail it to Heap. He can always have proof he actually got a triple.
3B: B McCann (1, D Waechter)
By Overlord
April 24, 2008 10:18 PM | Link to this
ncscoots of course i dont like cox using relievers just one inning, except the closer, and right now Acosta is our closer.
And youll have to excuse me but Ohman and Carlyle were available.
Better get used to my boy blanco, youll see a lot of him.
I think braves won and thats what is important. My comment was made because this season will be more than over if soriano and moylan are not able to come back and then acosta goes down. Bobby should be very careful right now.
By Carroll Rogers
April 24, 2008 10:26 PM | Link to this
Chuck James was optioned to Richmond after he pitched five innings, allowing four runs, to take a win in Thursday’s night 7-4 win over Florida. James was making his second start in place of Tom Glavine, who is on the disabled list with a hamstring injury. But Glavine will be ready to come off the disabled list to start Tuesday in Washington and the Braves want a fresh arm for the bullpen over the weekend. A corresponding move will be announced Friday.
Guys, I’m not sure who it will be. I know Jo-Jo has been pitching well but didn’t he just start yesterday? And i know they need a fresh arm. But maybe y’all can come up with a theory while I finish my game story.
By tvsportscaster
April 24, 2008 10:29 PM | Link to this
Just reported on Braves postgame show on TV, Chuck James sent back to Richmond, they will call up another pitcher to have a fresh arm tomorrow. Chuckie wasn’t going to pitch again in the rotation for a while anyway because Glavine is coming back Tuesday Night.
By keylargo
April 24, 2008 10:31 PM | Link to this
I don’t think anyone can overlook the work Boyer has done. Remember he is coming back from a serious shoulder injury and he is just now coming back to where he was before his injury.
I’m happy he got a rest tonight but he is being a very valuable part of the pen.
By TJ
April 24, 2008 10:36 PM | Link to this
Stockman!
By Steve McP
April 24, 2008 10:38 PM | Link to this
Call up Morton - fresh and young - good to get a coffee
By Efrim
April 24, 2008 10:40 PM | Link to this
Who is pitching Wednesday then?
Jurrjens?
By bravesfan
April 24, 2008 10:40 PM | Link to this
Jo-Jo pitched 7 inn and gave up 1 run tonight. I am guessing either Stockman or Morton.
By mr baseball
April 24, 2008 10:41 PM | Link to this
The world is surely coming to an end in the next few days. McCann legs out a triple (ghastly slide, if you can call it that) & Cox uses 2 relievers to pitch 4 innings. I thought it was written in his baseball bible somewhere that Braves’ relievers are not allowed to pitch more than 1 inning when protecting a lead. Exceptions can be made for post-season games with your closer in order to blow leads in the 8th inning.
If Hampton actually makes a return to the rotation, will be interesting to see what the Braves do with Chucky. He might make a decent 2-to-3 inning middle reliever, if Cox actually believed in using a guy out of the bullpen in that fashion.
It’s pretty obvious that Resop is gone when Glavine returns. Who’s next? Chucky? Buddy? Ring? And how long is the team going to carry 2 guys who do nothing other than pinch hit, and haven’t done that especially well?
Blanco was hitting .400-something coming into tonight’s game. Any guesses when his average starts to sneak up on the Mendoza line? And if he stays with the team all season and plays a couple of times a week, will he get to double figures in RBI before football season begins?
Interesting series this weekend. Braves have Hudson, Smoltz and JJ and miss Santana and O. Perez. Very good news for KJ, McCann & Kotsay. Now if Cox can just remember what he did tonight with the bullpen while still managing to use Ohman & Ring against the Mets’ LH hitters. Afraid that may require too much thinking for him.
By mr baseball
April 24, 2008 10:54 PM | Link to this
James turns in 2 decent efforts and gets sent back to Richmond, which keeps Bennett in the rotation. If Hampton can stay healthy for more than 5 minutes & JoJo keeps putting up good numbers in AAA, would not be surprised if Chucky is dangled as trade bait.
Unlikely that the reliever coming up for this weekend will pitch in key sitations, so that leaves the bullpen with 2 mopup guys and a lefty Cox uses with great reluctance. Ohman & Boyer better be ready to pitch at least 2 of the next 3 games, and maybe all 3.
By Roman Gal
April 24, 2008 10:55 PM | Link to this
I’m not sure if anyone mentioned it, but Tommy Hanson allowed his first run tonight.
By tvsportscaster
April 24, 2008 10:55 PM | Link to this
Efrim, yes, Jurrjens will pitch Wednesday, because the Braves are off both Monday and Thursday next week so they want need a 5th starter.
By Hampton's left breast
April 24, 2008 10:56 PM | Link to this
Pretty soon, the Braves will have to make room on the roster for me and the rest of Mike Hampton! I feel so good after this most recent rehab, I might even start lactating!
By Lee in S. GA
April 24, 2008 10:58 PM | Link to this
Braves win ….very important game to get back on track. With James being sent back to Richmond, I gather the Braves count on him as being an emergency starter. No complaints there. Who knows what the remainder of the season may bring. My guess is they want him in case their is a injury which is a good management decision.
By fastasballs
April 24, 2008 11:01 PM | Link to this
If you guys like a good pitcher’s duel then check out San Fran & San Diego tonight.
Lincecum has 7 K’s through 3 & Young has yet to allow a baserunner.
By K
April 24, 2008 11:06 PM | Link to this
Tim Lincecum for Cy Young!!!
By Epinephrine
April 24, 2008 11:06 PM | Link to this
Maybe Stockman, maybe Reyes? I don’t know. Reyes deserves it but he just pitched.
By DCbrave
April 24, 2008 11:07 PM | Link to this
Baseball sometime is so unfair. Can you believe that Chucky got a win today the way he pitched while Smoltz got a loss the other day the way he pitched? So unfair.
By jbutler
April 24, 2008 11:08 PM | Link to this
Probably not the best outing for Chuckie - but my question is..how many times can he go back/forth between majors/minors? I’m assuming its not a free pass - so wondering how long the merry go round will spin…
Hilarious clip of McCann huffing it to 3rd. CJ laughing in the dugout reminds me of Hudson/Smoltz busting a gut watching Bob Wickman belly flop trying to make a catch. Funny stuff.
By Mark in PA
April 24, 2008 11:10 PM | Link to this
Chuck got two wins this time while filling in for Glavine—that is pretty dang good! Looks like we’re pretty well shaking off the funk and cold of the last road trip. Now, for a few one-run victories and/or some come-from-behind wins (depends on late and close hitting, per CR’s great opening post, and a strong pen) and we’ll be rollin’.
Carroll, please keep reporting on the police search for the SOBs that bashed that Pirates fan at the Ted. I’ll be going to the game at PNC, and I’d like to know the outcome, if asked/mentioned by a Bucco fan.
By fastasballs
April 24, 2008 11:15 PM | Link to this
Torre is pulling out all the stops with Andruw. He’s batting him second tonight, but same result 0-2 .155 average and falling.
Andruw has batted everywhere but 9th & lead off this season.
I’ll give it to Torre he’s trying anything & everything, very unlike Cox last season in his handling of Andruw. Maybe neither approach will work, but I like the proactive stance that Torre is taking.
By Hugh Hefner
April 24, 2008 11:16 PM | Link to this
Hello everyone. I heard that there were some REAL swingers in Atlanta. Some guys named Matt and Jeff, perhaps.
By The Crab
April 24, 2008 11:19 PM | Link to this
Mr. Baseballs - you provide us with so much baseball knowledge insight. Lord knows I wish you would become Mr. Hockey or Mr. Tennis or Mr. Pool Shark. You know kind of like the Hulk and disappear for a while. At least until you become rational again.
By Greg in TN
April 24, 2008 11:19 PM | Link to this
Evening friends and neighbors…
And a Happy Birthday to #10.
The Braves end the homestand with a split against the Nats and a split against the Fins and now a trip to the northeast awaits. The mets and the Phillies haven’t exactly been world beaters so far this year, so the .500 start, while frustrating for sure, hasn’t banished the club to a big April hole.
BMac is one step closer to challenging Conor Jackson’s MLB lead in triples. He’s two back of Jackson going into Arizona’s game with LA tonight at Chavez Ravine. Great stuff from BMac tonight and the slide was priceless, although the Danish judge docked him some points.
A solid night from the lineup, great defense, Campillo and Acosta both pitched well and Chuck James had some rough spots, but pitched well enough to put the team in position to win. He’ll get some work in Richmond and hopefully will be able to build on this and improve against lineups the second and third time through.
And another tip of the cap to CR for an excellent night of blogging on the Braves/MIB blog.
By tvsportscaster
April 24, 2008 11:20 PM | Link to this
jbutler, James can back and forth between the majors and minors as many times as possible this season. An option is a single year, not everytime he’s optioned.
By DCbrave
April 24, 2008 11:25 PM | Link to this
Who has a link to a clip showing Brian running to 3rd? I really wanted to see that. I only saw a clip showing he hit the triple.
By Andruw Jones
April 24, 2008 11:28 PM | Link to this
Actually, fastaballs, I requested hitting in the two hole. It doesn’t take long for me to strike out. Gives me time to sneak in the tunnel and wolf down the rest of my second pan pizza.
By fastasballs
April 24, 2008 11:33 PM | Link to this
I just don’t see Chuck James improving to the point where he can get through a line up for the 3rd time. He needs another pitch.
He isn’t going to fool Major League hitters with two pitches for the entire game, especially when his fastballs is average at best. He would help himself out if he quit walking guys. The solo shots don’t hurt as much, usually.
By Carroll Rogers
April 24, 2008 11:34 PM | Link to this
Mark in PA, I’m sure our metro folks will keep up on that story, so have a look again on the website from time-to-time….I’m off the clock for a few days and DOB will be taking over the big Mets series…
Had to share Frenchy’s breakdown of his first inning at-bat. Thought y’all might appreciate it and didn’t have room for it in my gamer:
“A guy like him can sometimes be tough, a sinkerballer is not one of the guys I enjoy facing. So when it went to 3-1 for the first time in my life I took a strike, see what he was doing. He had the pressure on him out there. I didn’t want to let him out by swinging at something stupid. I saw something away 3-2 and just hit it down the line.”
And McCann was tons of fun after the game on his triple. I used the best stuff in my gamer but when i poked fun, asking if his baserunning was underrated, he said; “No. I’m as slow as it looks.”
And Frenchy on the triple: “I owe McCann a beer after getting all the way to third for me with the belly flop over there. I even had a good laugh on the way to the plate, watching that…..I saw him get halfway to second, still running hard, I thought holy smokes he kinda went for it. it was fun to watch. The belly flop at third was the best part.”
And most of the Chipper stuff i used in the gamer, but in the interest of emptying out the notebook, I thought this was interesting from Jeff about Chipper:
“I told Bobby We all feel like we stink out there when Chipper’s going 3-for-4, he makes it look so easy.”
By Jack DuRant
April 24, 2008 11:39 PM | Link to this
mediocrity is that all the braves have to offer? another stinkin’ season of underachievement and waiting for them to get hot and they never really do - maybe they win a couple games here a couple there but then lose a bunch and then score a dozen runs one night and then lose 2-0 and 3-2 - mediocrity - I’m sick of it, I’m sick of the so called powers that be that run this team and can’t see talent if they scuffed their shiny loafers on it and continue to push the stinkin’ Tyler frickin’ Yates of the baseball world down our throats Tyler Yates who’s walkin’ walkin’ walkin’ to New Orleans he can’t find the plate maybe he should be in a movie with Christopher walkin’ but he is exactly the kind of so-called player that is beloved by the resident moron-in-charge, namely the “manager” Bobby Cox - the manager the ma-anger - I’m Bobba Cox and Ima anger - Ima anger at the umps - Ima anger at the writers how dare they ax me questions how dare they question me Ima anger at the fans they don’t understand baseball they don’t appreciate what Ima doon here Ima anger at everyone so Ima pix manose and cuss hey ump GO FATOOT! hey writers BAKL BRAK! hey fans TAKE A WRNK! Ima gon beat the KRP outa anyone I don’t like I spit on the ground and swear so help me Cox so put em up you GBLTS
By Joe Torre
April 24, 2008 11:45 PM | Link to this
Proactive? Proactive?
I just do what Mr. Boras tells me to.
By Bobby's Cox rings
April 24, 2008 11:49 PM | Link to this
I had no idea Bobby appeared in “Huckleberry Finn”, Jack Durant. What a charming excerpt.
By Capt. Caveman (the original dawg)
April 24, 2008 11:54 PM | Link to this
YO COACH
It don’t matter, but that was a separate sentence about the 3-piece bats. I know MLB bats are one piece. The point was that even the “engineered” wood bats that people use in other leagues will break. Just typed it too fast as I was about to leave the house.
But that is really a minor point, I think you’ve pretty much wore out your welcome on the blog today anyway.
By mr baseball
April 24, 2008 11:54 PM | Link to this
Crab:
Glad to see I provoke such insightful observations from knowledgeble fans like yourself. Your middle school English teacher will be so proud. One question: exactly when was I rational?
By Pete H.
April 25, 2008 12:02 AM | Link to this
Jack DuRant:
Is that “outsider” blogging?
Time to watch Baseball Tonight to see Sliding Brian McCann.
By Ryan Zimmerman
April 25, 2008 12:02 AM | Link to this
I still welcome coach, because he is a great baseball mind. And, we, LOVE each other. We are soulmates.
By Gawain a Brave
April 25, 2008 12:05 AM | Link to this
And it is don, aftirward Chipper made iourne bi cites & castelis prechende & euangelisende þe rewme of Cox, & twelue wiþ hym & summe wymmen þat weren helid of wicke spiritis & sicnesses, marie þat is clepid maudeleyn, of whom seuene deuelis wenten out & Jones þe wif off chusi procuratour of eroude, & susanne & manye oþere þat mynystreden to hym of her facultes
By Mark in PA
April 25, 2008 12:20 AM | Link to this
Just watched the replay—I think the precise term for the termination of Heap’s slide is called a “dead cat bounce.” I wonder if Snitker gave him the slide signal just for fun.
Nothing but love for BMac—he takes such a beating, and after that foul ball off his shin last night, I thought he’d come out of the game. Yet, there he is, working hard for that important insurance run in the eighth inning.
Great win tonight.
By Mark in PA
April 25, 2008 12:25 AM | Link to this
And thanks, Carroll and Dave, for keeping us all so well informed with your hard work, long hours, and your great reporting.
By Rallyson Killer
April 25, 2008 12:33 AM | Link to this
Welcome to Lake Woebravesblog, where all the women understand the infield fly rule, all the men are prize winning journalists, and all the Braves players are above average.
Chris Woodward is intended to teach us that not everything in nature has a function.
By Carroll Rogers
April 25, 2008 12:34 AM | Link to this
thanks for the hanson update fastaballs (did i get that right)….
my guess on the two innings deal for acosta is the bullpen has gotten a ton of work lately with lots of five-inning starts. and cox wanted to be sure and nail this down with his go-to guy, who at the moment is acosta. doesn’t set him up great for the mets, but acosta is young, he hasn’t pitched a ton, and there’s always boyer. plus they’re going to add an arm from richmond for the bullpen over the weekend.
so how’s that for taking a stab anyway. DOB can check on availability and such in NYC.
By Bobby's cox rings
April 25, 2008 12:34 AM | Link to this
I heard McCann slid so hard, the three double whoppers he slammed before the game almost came back up. I wonder if car alarms went off when he landed. How much does this guy make a year? Maybe time to run some laps. Cut down to six boxes of krispy kreme a day.
By Philliesuk
April 25, 2008 12:38 AM | Link to this
Most overused phrase in the DOB/Rogers blog: Your and idiot.
It’s just not funny anymore. Actually, it was never that funny.
By TrboDawg
April 25, 2008 12:56 AM | Link to this
Link to McCann’s Triple
By Saul Pieman
April 25, 2008 12:58 AM | Link to this
DOB, get your plane right on time. I know your part will go fine. Fly on up to Queens - and then you’ll be… The only living boy in new york. I get all the news I need on the bravesblog. I can gather all the facts I lack on the bravesblog. Hey, I’ve got nothing to do today but smile…there you are the only living boy in new york. Half of the time we’re gone but we don’t know where, and we dont know here. DOB, get your plane right on time. I know youve been eager to fly now. Hey let your honesty shine, shine, shine… the only living boy in new york…
By N8
April 25, 2008 1:00 AM | Link to this
Philliesuk
“Most overused phrase in the DOB/Rogers blog: Your and idiot.”
Wrong. The idiot who used in a serious manner, could NEVER have it thrown in his face enough.
“It’s just not funny anymore.”
Wrong. I laugh EVERY time I read it.
“Actually, it was never that funny.”
Wrong again.
And for being wrong 3 times in one post, it is VERY necessary for me to inform you that Your and Idiot.
:-)
By Lew
April 25, 2008 1:02 AM | Link to this
Chuck can be sent up and down as much as they want throughout an option year, I believe.
As much as everyone rags on Chucky, we’re (and so is he), 2-1 in his starts so far this year. All anyone does is gripe about the guy, but he’s won 24 games for the Braves in barely two years. Just something to think about.
By David O'Brien
April 25, 2008 1:03 AM | Link to this
Jbutler, Chuck can be sent back and forth all season on one option. Just like Devine went back and forth all season (he had five back-and-forth trips in one season).
By Moby Grape
April 25, 2008 1:07 AM | Link to this
I saw Chipper come through here, I believe in 1992, when he was the shortstop for Durham. He was not nearly as big as he is now, but he was very fast. He probably was as quick as anyone at that time. He was an very good shortstop.VaBravesFan
yes he was very fast b4 he tore up his leg. At the time he was the about fastest RH hitter to first that they had ever had in Atlanta prospect. Wide receiver in HS FB I believe
By uh Chuck er um James
April 25, 2008 1:19 AM | Link to this
Uh, do I like get frequent um flyer miles if I uh drive like back and forth to um Richmond?
By Coach (Lets Go Braves In 2008)
April 25, 2008 1:21 AM | Link to this
Mr. Amateur wrote :
James turns in 2 decent efforts and gets sent back to Richmond, which keeps Bennett in the rotation. If Hampton can stay healthy for more than 5 minutes & JoJo keeps putting up good numbers in AAA, would not be surprised if Chucky is dangled as trade bait.
WOW, that statement just takes my breath away.
You really think that with all the injuries to the starting pitching and bullpen, the Braves would entertain the idea of trading pitching, in April?
Mr.amateur, that is some seriously hilarious comedy on your part. It made me laugh.
By Gamecock Brave
April 25, 2008 1:26 AM | Link to this
I was watchin ESPN, and noticed Chase Utley and Pat Burrell are 1-2 in Homers, RBIs, and i think OBP… these two are unreal at the moment. I bring this up due to the fact that the Braves haven’t had to play them yet, and wont play them until the third week of may. If you were watching the game on SS the other night they mentioned it, prompting this post. Im gald at the moment we haven’t played them yet, hoepfully they will cool down a little before then.
By CharlieAlphaBravo
April 25, 2008 1:27 AM | Link to this
Hey DOB, could you grab a piece of Shea Stadium for me? I would say to pack a chisel, but you could probably knock some off with the sole of your shoe. Not sure how that place stays standing year after year, especially with the David Wright taking BP all the time. You’d think they wouldn’t be able to repair all the baseball-sized bullet holes in the walls before game time. I want to put the piece of Shea over my bed so I can wake up each morning with a reminder to give 110% every time I hate the Mets. Thanks.
By CharlieAlphaBravo
April 25, 2008 1:31 AM | Link to this
So there have been four grand slams in the NL this year… Three have been on the Mets bullpen (one by KJ). Ooh yeah, that’s the stuff….
By Coach (Lets Go Braves In 2008)
April 25, 2008 1:38 AM | Link to this
At 7:54 Captain Caveman wrote :
If Coach really knew what he was talking about he would realize that all bats break at the major league level. Ash,Maple,Birch, and the 3-piece wood bat that is popular with a lot of players.
When I kindly explained to him that all major league bats are in reality one piece of lumber, he made this feeble attempt to get out his verbal gaffe.
At 11:54 Captain Caveman wrote :
It don’t matter, but that was a separate sentence about the 3-piece bats. I know MLB bats are one piece.
NO SIR , you did not know squat. Your original statement was made up right off the top of your square pointy head in an attempt to sound smart.
When in fact, I exposed your complete ignorance by fully knowing that three piece bats are only used in high school and college.
Anybody who has been around the game for any length of time would be fully aware of this, myself included.
I’ll say it again for the umpteenth time, DO YOUR HOMEWORK before making a statement concerning the inner workings of baseball.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves In 2008)
April 25, 2008 1:54 AM | Link to this
O MY GOD, I just watched the Youtube clip of Brian McCann’s triple.
I can’t stop laughing !
Chippers reaction is absolutely priceless.
All I could think while watching his triple was : RUN FORREST, RUN !
By Ryan Zimmerman
April 25, 2008 1:58 AM | Link to this
Go get ‘em, coach! It was coach’s astute training at the high shcool level that made me the best defensive player in the history of the world! Everytime I throw one in the dugout, I can’t help but think of old coach!
By mr baseball
April 25, 2008 2:04 AM | Link to this
(Alleged) Coach:
Didn’t say Chucky was going to be traded now, but since you know everything about everything, I guess that’s what I must have meant. Would not be surprised translates into maybe, but I guess that’s more than your limited ability to process information can handle.
Caught your brilliant political observations earlier today, which explains a lot about your overall outlook. Good to see that someone so clueless about a sport is just as big a pinhead (gratuitous O’Reilly reference) when it comes to politics.
I guess I’ll have to borrow a page from the old SNL bit about the news update for the hard of hearing and include an explanation at the end of my diatribes for the thinking impaired. Haven’t used this line before but it seems appropriate at this point:
YOUR. AND. IDIOT.
By Mike S
April 25, 2008 2:18 AM | Link to this
Coach, do you have a link for the BMac triple/belly flop video clip? I can’t seem to find it but would love to be able to see it over and over again.
By freespeachfurcooch
April 25, 2008 2:41 AM | Link to this
Hey guys. Dontcha all be chasing ol’ Cooch offen this here board. He makes allof the resten of us bloggers seem so smart yup, and nice too. Iffin y’all keeps it up Ima gonna hafta kick y’all’s azzes, heer. I Gotsta stick up fur dem amendamental rites.
By Metropolitan Man
April 25, 2008 3:32 AM | Link to this
Its that time of the year again. The braves visit Shea and neither team knows who the heck they are. The METS have been up and down just like you guys. The freaking Marlins act like they are too good for a wild card and has decided to go against all logic and make a run for the division no matter what so far this season. Usually its easy to make predictions about a braves and METS series but I cant this time. Both teams seem be lacking in areas they shouldnt be. The METS are losing to good teams like the Brew Crew and the Cubbies (1 and 2 in the central). In the East they are 10-6 and have yet to face the West. The braves are 7-6 in the East, 1-2 in the Central and 3-3 against the West. Both had winning streaks, (METS 5) (braves 6) and cant seem to sustain any positive momentum. No Glavine, no Hampton, no Duque, no Pedro, no Snieder, a possible Alou, and who knows what else after this weekend. Good luck to those METS because just as bad as the braves need wins, those METS cant take the wrath of us fans anymore. If you guys win and win big, you will hear the loudest boo’s ever to rain down on a team in a very long time.
By AmazinsAgain08
April 25, 2008 3:50 AM | Link to this
Mets are gonna have thenselves some barbequed Braves butt this weekend for sure. Youse guys are in big trouble now, but wait until we get finished with youse.
Happy Birthday Chipper. The one truly great Brave. Smoltz is a good pitcher but an arrogant whiner.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves In 2008)
April 25, 2008 3:57 AM | Link to this
Here you go Mikey.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wio-n4ju1Fs
By AmazinsAgain08
April 25, 2008 4:06 AM | Link to this
BTW. CNN up here reported this evening that there was an apparent earthquake in the Atlanta area, but upon further investigation they ascertained that it was simply McFatty hitting the ground as he collapsed into third base after “legging out” the slowest triple in MLB history. Boy the replay on that is absolutely hilarious.
The way he was having so much fun in the dudout watching that, Hoss must figure it was McSlow’s birthday present to him.
By Metropolitan Man
April 25, 2008 4:07 AM | Link to this
Whoa there AmazinsAgain08, I know METs fans are suppose to be on the same page but Smoltz has skill and heart. Chumper has skill and flAshes of heart. Smoltz might be a whiner but no more than Chumper. Chumper can rake, no doubt about it but I’ll take that Smoltz guy any day of the week. He is the only braves player that I could tolerate after playing for the braves. Both guys did their city proud but only 1 guy got called out by the other for not being a gamer and playing when he possibly could have. I guy called out management why the other sat by and whined about the schedule and not winning gold gloves. No more brave accolades though, its making me kinda sick. Heres to your prediciton coming true and making this weekend a good one on the sports front.
LETS GO METS!!
By Capt. Caveman (the original dawg)
April 25, 2008 5:25 AM | Link to this
Coach
You know that everybody can go back and read the whole post and not just the half a sentence you “quoted” me on.
Like I said, I typed fast and ran 2 sentences together, but I guess someone like you who doesn’t have a clue how to act really needs to feel superior. Even if it is all in your own mind.
By the way, I researched your post and it looks like you “cut and pasted” from another web site for your explanation about bats breaking. You even used the same sentence about maple “exploding”.
Now that really is pathetic.
By AmazinsAgain08
April 25, 2008 5:34 AM | Link to this
. Both guys did their city proud but only 1 guy got called out by the other for not being a gamer and playing when he possibly could have.Metroman
And then thr Great Smoltz turned around and missed some starts , and used that funky get ready plan this spring and has already whined that he might miss some more. The guy was a whiner all the way back to his first two free agent years when he complained to the media about the braves not treating him right.
I hate guys who go to the media about anything and Smoltz has that history. He’s a great pitcher but I wouldn’t like him as a teammate.
There that oughtta get some Braves blood boiling.
And Brian Mac looked like a 747 coming in for a landing without it’s gear down, I’m amazed he lived through it.
By Metropolitan Man
April 25, 2008 6:07 AM | Link to this
AmazinsAgain08:
I guess they both have qualities that make them or break them. I just cant sit here and give them too many kudos because of METS bias. I’m just looking forward to a METS team that shows some emotion and take it to the braves with everything available. I dont expect the braves to lay down at all, but a good fight ending in a METS win would get the weekend off to a great start. Pelfrey should come out strong tonight, lets see which young pitcher will survive the bats.
LETS GO METS!!
By .
April 25, 2008 6:11 AM | Link to this
By the way, I researched your post and it looks like you “cut and pasted” from another web site for your explanation about bats breaking. You even used the same sentence about maple “exploding”.
This is the m.o. of The Cooch.
All of his self-proclaimed “insider baseball knowledge” is usually nothing more than cut and paste jobs that he steals from other web sites.
He does this all the time.
90% of the time, he is a clueless moron.
The 10% of the time that he looks like might know what he is talking about, he is just stealing from some other website.
Of course, he never properly credits the source.
He pretends there is no source and that what he is asserting is based upon the astute observations of a frustrated Tee Ball coach.
Not gonna call THE COOCH Skipper. Not gonna call him Chipper. Nope.
The Cooch is gonna be renamed The Dakota Snipper because of his propensity to cut and paste other’s opinions and pretend them to be his own.
Credit the source Cooch. You’ve been exposed. Down with The Dakota Snipper!
By Coach (Lets Go Braves In 2008)
April 25, 2008 7:11 AM | Link to this
Gosh , you mean I actually used the internet to do some extensive research in order to back up my argument.
Instead of what you did, which was blatantly lie while making it up right off the top of your head.
I agree Captain, your absolutely correct. I did my homework.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves In 2008)
April 25, 2008 7:21 AM | Link to this
Mr. Amateur wrote :
James turns in 2 decent efforts and gets sent back to Richmond, which keeps Bennett in the rotation. If Hampton can stay healthy for more than 5 minutes & JoJo keeps putting up good numbers in AAA, would not be surprised if Chucky is dangled as trade bait.
Let me get this this straight.
The Braves have six pitchers on the D.L., two of the projected starting five are out and Chuck James has been needed to make two emergency starts so far and April is only the first month of the season.
And Mr. amateur in his own words thinks that James is trade bait while calling me an idiot.
RIIIIIGGGGGHHHHHHT………Does anybody else agree with his logic?
By Thrillhouse44
April 25, 2008 8:35 AM | Link to this
Thanks for the link to McCann’s triple, TrboDawg. That was a great way to start my day!
This looks like it will be a good weekend: Chipper’s already locked and will stay hot against his nemesis. JJJ, Smoltz, and Hudson give the Braves a great shot to win the series. If they win 2 of 3, that’ll be 8 out of the past 11. Not a bad streak at all.
By richbrave
April 25, 2008 8:49 AM | Link to this
I see the Mets nurds are back again. Must be…Oh yes, it’s a few games with the “Amazins”. Good luck guys and girl if Ms. P***-cat is still around. May the best team win.
By Savannah Guy
April 25, 2008 8:59 AM | Link to this
Lew, I won’t pile on Chuck James and as you say, he’s done some good when called up, but sumpin’s gotta give. An ERA between 7 and 8 won’t get it. He has an arm, but I saw and heard something during the game last night that clicked. Something has eluded me about the kid. Just goes to show that we fans, unless we hear some ‘inside’ stuff, have only part of the picture with players and teams.
Brings to mind, if we don’t remember history we are doomed to repeat it… or we are doomed to throw too many pitches, give up too many runs and wear out our bullpen because of it. I don’t ‘blame’ it on CJ… just the circumstances of having to start him in the majors too early. Blame it on timing, budget or just bad luck.
Anyway, last night during the game, Joe and Boog were chuckling about Chuck James and how he can’t seem to remember some (many?) hitters he’s faced…even the ones on our team.
Not only does he not remember hitter’s strengths and weaknesses, he sometimes can’t even remember the hitter, period. He can’t remember opposing (some? most? all?) batters that he’s pitched to or what he threw that got hit out of the park. Seems he has no game plan of his own and completely “depends” on McCann to call all of the pitches.
Per their conversation that many of us heard last night and I’ll try to paraphrase best I can, “Last year he had to be told twice that Adam Laroche wasn’t on the team any longer. He couldn’t remember what pitch he threw Borchard in Spring Training just a month ago… Borchard’s mashed the ball 400 feet”!!! Not that memorable to Chuck I suppose. You’d think he would at least remember that particular at bat.
Question: Does Chuck still have to break out a map of Atlanta to find Turner Field for home games? He’s probably a very nice and good kid and maybe he has a brilliant future as a starting MLB pitcher (I’d bet against the latter), but he’s about as close to being a polar opposite of Greg Maddux as there is in baseball.
Now he’s headed back to Richmond where he currently belongs… for a year or more hopefully. When Glavine or one of our other starters goes on the DL and James is brought up it’s really a double whammy… it’s not good for the team and bad for Chuck. He’s just not ready for prime time.
To get to the bigs as a pitcher you need a good arm. To stay there you need your head in the game. Now, I won’t stoop to saying that hanging windows would be a better career fit for the CJ. For his sake and Braves I hope he comes around. Hey, nothing wrong with hanging windows mind you, but hanging off-speed pitches and splitting the plate with straight fastballs that have no movement is a bit of a problem in the bigs. He’s a fourth-inning finishing, bullpen burning, T-Ball hanging, two-trick pony right now.
So, if hitter memory and better a game plan are issues for Chuck, and he needs more development time, maybe a AAA Travel Guide would help him get back to AAA Richmond. Like Home Depot might say to him, “You can do it. Options can help”.
By Efrim
April 25, 2008 9:01 AM | Link to this
Gorkys Hernendez placed on the 7 day disabled list with a pulled hamstring.
By 1957 Braves Fan
April 25, 2008 9:40 AM | Link to this
Just noticed that Manny Acosta was the only Brave to strike out last night.
By Shaun
April 25, 2008 9:43 AM | Link to this
Savannah Guy, Chuck James has an ERA of 7 or 8? His career ERA is 4.15. And he has 222 SO and 115 BB in 299 innings. James is never going to win a Cy Young but he’s a decent back-end guy on a contending team with a decent pitching staff.
By jadarm
April 25, 2008 9:59 AM | Link to this
I think most people know that Girardi didnt turn down the Orioles job to spend time with his father. He turned it down because of what was expected of the Yankees/Torre situation in the coming off-season.
His father is still in the nursing home…so what changed his mind this year?
As far as the Braves bats are concerned? I think we are doing pretty well so far, …you can hit them hard but you cannot help it if you hit them at somebody.
Sometimes we are going to get outpitched, …sometimes the pitcher is going to bear down on us with runners in scoring position. It happens…its a 162 game season.
Our problem is not our hitting, its the health of our pitching staff. We are minus 2 starters and 3 very good relievers. Everyone has to move up a notch. AAA starters and young rookie pitchers all of the sudden have to rise to the occasion to make a quality start…and then our bullpen has to make closers out of holders and holders out of mop-up men.
It is still April folks. Lets just calm down, get healthy, …and field our team.
By ncgary
April 25, 2008 10:12 AM | Link to this
pads are what closing in on double digits in games behind, maybe peavey could be had;imagine peavey and maddux for 7 prospects only problem is 20 million salary
who you willing to part with for a world series ring now? b jones lil bridge schaeffer, gorkys, hanson , teheran spelling? canizarez, heyward plenty of prospects to offer 3 from these and 4 other low levels probably wouldnt want to dangle all those as bait, but peavey would be worth some sacrifice , the 2 young arms in the list though probably shouldnt be dangled if attitudes are in keeping with their talent
peavey would be a coup and maddux would be the whipped cream on top, cj and 3 top tier prospects and couple low level a pitchers and 1 other major leaguer, maybe pena?
pads probably arent in panic mode yet? but arizona stays healthy for a while it may not take much longer til pads are out of contention.
id love to see peavey added anyways and if maddux wanted a shot at a ring, im sure most of the fans would approve, hopefully liberty media might see this way too, a world series winner when sold usually sells high
By Efrim
April 25, 2008 10:14 AM | Link to this
Chuck James is a back of the rotation starter….which is never to be confused with a #3 guy(mid rotation starter). The guy is what he is.
I’ll say this though, his third pitch…that “just to show something” slider of his, is bad.
By eware
April 25, 2008 10:14 AM | Link to this
Man, what a fun game last night. I was sitting up in the 755 Club and the McCann triple was really funny from up there.
Also, there was a couple sitting at the table behind us that had a few too many drinks and started rounding more bases than Chipper…if you know what I mean.
Gotta say, pretty entertaining to watch that and the game.
Sweep the Mets! Go Braves!!!
By AGTfan
April 25, 2008 10:15 AM | Link to this
Hi Amazin and MetroMan. I always enjoy the comments of opposing fans who behave with some class. (Maybe less class for Amazin, but he’s funny and seems to be good-natured.) Bottom line is both of you guys would take Smoltz and Chipper in a heartbeat, if for no other reason than to not have to face them any more. Smoltz is Smoltz and always at the top of his game for the big games. Chipper always plays well against the Mets, but when it’s crunch time, he OWNS you. Alot of voters for his MVP year said he deserved it just for what he did to the Mets that year.. You’d take him just to keep him out of the batter’s box for the Braves.
By redgoat
April 25, 2008 10:15 AM | Link to this
Look at Joba Chamberlain ticking off Erin Andrews:
http://homerderby.com/archives/2149
I guess Erin didn’t like the creepy way Joba told her I love you on the air.
By Shaun
April 25, 2008 10:15 AM | Link to this
jadarm, everyone is okay now. The Braves won their last game. Wait until they lose a game or, God forbid, two in a row before you start talking like that. That’s when surely people will forget that the Braves have yet to lose more than three in a row and that their longest winning streak is two games more than their longest losing streak so far.
By Lew
April 25, 2008 10:16 AM | Link to this
SG-So what if Chuck needs a map to get to the stadium? When he gets there he tends to win a lot more than he loses. Isn’t that what counts in the long run.Besides, they do make GPS locaters.
I keep telling y’all that you’re looking at this situation from the wrong vantage point. If Frank Wren were to tell the fans that he was about to pick up a pitcher with a career 24-15 record in about two full seasons, with a 2-1 K to BB ratio and an ERA UNDER league average for his career, we would be salivating for him to pull the trigger on the deal and pick the guy up. Dude-that’s Chuck James.
He may not be pretty with the way he pitches (just like McCann running to third), but the Braves still tend to win when he pitches. Just what’s THAT all about?
By ncgary
April 25, 2008 10:24 AM | Link to this
well im sure some of you are saying but starting pitching isnt the problem, well the old adage holds true here, why not try a new concept 8 or 9 starters that way you have a mix and match, if starter cant go but 5 second starter comes in to close, you could still have 2 or 3 specific relief specialists,
ahead of the curb or unnecessary moves , i say if you can add peavey its worth a major leaguer or 2 and 3 prospects and if maddux could be thrown in semi cheap why not, 1 prospect and a draft pick
By Savannah Guy
April 25, 2008 10:24 AM | Link to this
Shaun, yes… an ERA of 7.62 this year… and yes, I realize the season is early and the numbers are therefore skewed. As you say, his lifetime 4.15 is correct. I’ll concede on a back and forth comparison of stats with you.
Perhaps you couldconsider the overarching value of stats to a players expected performance, the cumulative effect pitchers have on other players during and after the game they pitch, the detriment to the bullpen when they consistently come out after 4 or 5 innings and the overall burden on the team when he pitches. Not sure if that’ll show up anywhere except in the subjective opinions of we that watch.
CJ is just not ready for the bigs in my opinion. That’s all. Not a dig at him, just the way I see it. That said, for his sake and the Braves (and yours), I hope you’re right and he winds up being a better than decent back-end guy. Every team needs that.
Time will tell.
By i cant take it anymore
April 25, 2008 10:27 AM | Link to this
i cant wait to see if reyes has a new little dance. he is just soooo exciting! those mets are amazing!
By i cant take it anymore
April 25, 2008 10:27 AM | Link to this
i cant wait to see if reyes has a new little dance. he is just soooo exciting! those mets are amazing!
By Savannah Guy
April 25, 2008 10:31 AM | Link to this
If Frank Wren were to tell the fans that he was about to pick up a pitcher with a career 24-15 record in about two full seasons, with a 2-1 K to BB ratio and an ERA UNDER league average for his career, we would be salivating for him to pull the trigger on the deal and pick the guy up. Dude-that’s Chuck James.
I hear ya Lew and your point is well taken. But if Wren DID find a guy with similar stats as Chuck and the pitcher also had a more strategic approach/capability and stamina to go, say 7 innings, I’d trade Chuck for that other guy in a minute, without hesitation.
Maybe that’s just me.
By MGL
April 25, 2008 10:34 AM | Link to this
If you did not get to see the McCann triple, it is on youtube. Try this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wio-n4ju1Fs
If that doesn’t work, go to youtube and search on mccann triple.
It is worth a look, and watch for Chipper’s reaction afterwards. Warning, don’t be holding your coffee.
By Gil in Mechanicsville
April 25, 2008 10:37 AM | Link to this
Here is a link to a nice piece by TIM PEARRELL of the Times Dispatch that talks about JoJo Reyes…
By fastasballs
April 25, 2008 10:39 AM | Link to this
You can’t trade draft picks in baseball.
Peavy is their ace & probably can’t be had. Prior to signing an extension he had talked publicly about wanting to play for the Braves. He was due to be a free agent after either this season or next, but the extension made that a moot point.
Even if you could secure Peavy why would you want Maddux as well? As long as Glavine comes back healthy the rotation is fine. If Hampton manages to come back that’s even better, probably he will have some other disorder & be back on the DL as soon as he gets off.
I don’t think you’re going to see Wren trade any of the power arms in the minors. There are 3-4 with great promise, Hanson & Rohrbough (sp) leading the group. I really hated to see Feliz included in the Tex trade last year, but it’s better him than one of the others.
I do think Brandon Jones will become expendable. He’s starting to remind me of Andy Marte. May as well sell high if he isn’t going to play here. He was by all accounts suppose to be here this year, but had a horrible spring & he’s not doing that great now.
By timthebrave
April 25, 2008 10:40 AM | Link to this
Coach (Lets Go Braves In 2008): all you could think was run forest, run…..forest gump was a hell of a lot faster than mccann. I mean did you see gump play for the tide. ……the slide was great, and chipper’s reaction was hilarious. Let’s get another 5 in a row. Go Braves!
By redgoat
April 25, 2008 10:43 AM | Link to this
I hope you’re right and he winds up being a better than decent back-end guy.
Wind up being a better than decent back end guy? 24-15 with a 4.15 ERA. Major league hitters must really stink to allow such a bad pitcher to do that to them. Or you are clueless. Start watching the games.
By Shamus Thacker
April 25, 2008 10:58 AM | Link to this
I disagree with sending Chuck James to Richmond. He should be sent home, for good…
By David O'Brien
April 25, 2008 10:59 AM | Link to this
Just seen at a souvenir shop in LaGuardia airport: Clemens Yankees t-shirts, 25-percent off. Seriously…
Just got to my NY hotel, and my room’s not ready yet. So I’ll be doing my numbers-crunching and a new blog from here in the concierge lounge, until I get a call that my room’s ready.
By redgoat
April 25, 2008 11:05 AM | Link to this
Famous Sad Sacker I disagree with sending Chuck James to Richmond. He should be sent home, for good…
I thank the Lord Jesus everyday that idiots like Famous Sad Sacker here are nothing more than bloggers.
By timthebrave
April 25, 2008 11:09 AM | Link to this
Only 25% off….I guess he might just be innocent…between the clemens and the 50% off mike vick and d hall falcons jerseys I saw on sale I can get my wardrobe on the cheap this year…..
By Lew
April 25, 2008 11:17 AM | Link to this
SG-Yeah Dude, maybe it is just you. If you seriously think that A.Anyone is going to trade such a paragon as you describe for Chuck, I would wonder at his motives and what was wrong with who they were trying to trade-seems like it would be somewhat useless, actually, or B. That almost any ballclub would turn down a pitcher like Chick, then you’re probably making a serious miscalculation.
Wouldn’t it be much better to keep Chuck-a pitcher considerably more successful than many give him credit for being-and try to teach him a somewhat different approach and another pitch than to go looking for someone who would post his numbers, but in what you consider to be a more mature way? Why bother? We already have a winner. Maybe you don’t like the way he wins, but the fact remains that he DOES win. Again I ask-What’s up with THAT?
By alan kelly
April 25, 2008 11:18 AM | Link to this
I got a tip re: your Q&A with Tommy Hanson re: a preview … “would require (you) to transcribe my tape”
If - all things sports considered - you prefer not to do that task (transcribe) maybe you’d consider having www.VerbatimIT.com do it.
I’d be happy to “take a load off” if it’s in your best business interest.
More at www.VerbatimIT.com
Thanks for reading.
Alan
By Gil in Mechanicsville
April 25, 2008 11:19 AM | Link to this
SG… Dizzy Dean wasn’t the brightest bulb in the box either but he was a Hall of Fame pitcher. All Chuck has to do is throw the pitches the catcher calls for. I’ll take him for now, he is still pretty young and has a great future ahead.
Yes, the offense can hide a lot of defects in a pitching staff (see Florida) but in the long run, it is usually the team with the best pitching staff that wins out.
Last year the Braves found out how true that really is…
By Big Easy
April 25, 2008 11:23 AM | Link to this
There are lots of, um…interesting things to be seen at LaGuardia. Definitely not my favorite airport.
~E~
By Thrillhouse44
April 25, 2008 11:23 AM | Link to this
timthebrave, don’t forget to cop a Mark Redmon jersey. I hear they pay you $11.63 (same as his Braves’ ERA) to take it.
By Gil in Mechanicsville
April 25, 2008 11:23 AM | Link to this
timthebrave They are even cheaper at the Goodwill….
By Shamus Thacker
April 25, 2008 11:28 AM | Link to this
I’m gonna ask bossman if we can get one’a them concierge lounges. Writing program code wouldn’t be so bad if we could get likkered-up in the process. Maybe I should wait for his response regarding hookers as secretaries before I bring up the lounge thang…
By Capt. Caveman (the original dawg)
April 25, 2008 11:31 AM | Link to this
Coach aka cutandpaste
Let me get this straight, I make a typing error and it means that I am telling lies, BUT you go to another website and copy the text and present it as your own opinion and your doing “homework” ???
Is that how you got your COACHING DEGREE ??
Like I said before, and it seems as though the rest of the BLOG seems to agree, if this is how you make yourself feel like more of a man than you really are a pathetic excuse and a jag-off.
You’ve been exposed as nothing more than a cheating and stealing no-nothing. And you really think that I would say that the Major League’s allow the use of metal handled wood bats.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
I see you getting BANNED at some point in the future. You just can’t help the fact that you are a jerk.
By AGTfan
April 25, 2008 11:38 AM | Link to this
I think both Lew and SG are both right and wrong to some degree about Chucky. Chucky’s already proven he CAN get it done at teh ML level. There are things Chucky can improve on and I think HE is better served working on them with the R-Braves and their pitching coach than he would be sitting in ATL.
By ncgary
April 25, 2008 11:49 AM | Link to this
lew
thanks for the estrada wurlitzer
By Lew
April 25, 2008 11:54 AM | Link to this
AGTFan-Never said Chuck couldn’t get better-just that he’s already much better than many give him credit for. ANYONE can get better-even Chipper. That’s a given. However, success should and usually does speak volumes-EXCEPT on The BBQ Blog. Apparently success here is often viewed as failure.
By DAP
April 25, 2008 11:57 AM | Link to this
i WOULD be very surprised if chuck james was dealt. because of the situation we are in right now with starters, we need all the starting arms we can get.
chuck is an interesting character, and he doesnt seem to have the mental makeup to ever be a smoltz or maddux, but its really hard to argue with results…and overall, he has good ones. obviously, he has somethings about him that arent good, but he gets wins for us…
last night was not a good game for chuck. he got alot of help from the offense, but if he doesnt walk guys, the game isnt close.
to his credit, he usualy doesnt walk a TON of guys, so he was just not pitching great last night.
im gonna guess that james will win about 100 games in the majors before hes done.
By KC
April 25, 2008 11:57 AM | Link to this
Boy, it would be nice if the Braves could win and win big tonight. Acosta could use a night off after a multi-inning appearance last night.
GREAT to hear how well Mike Gonzalez is doing. They first said June… then moved the ETA up to late May… now it’s mid-May.
Heck, as well as he’s reportedly throwing, I don’t see why he couldn’t be back in a week.
If we can get Soriano healthy, then once Gonzo gets back, this should be one helluva pen… even without Moylan!
By Shamus Thacker
April 25, 2008 12:00 PM | Link to this
Chuckie should consider a career throwing tow-lines to tug boats.
He’s got the arm, and the brain…
By Shamus Thacker
April 25, 2008 12:04 PM | Link to this
Where’s that BBQ blog!?
By DAP
April 25, 2008 12:10 PM | Link to this
Shamus Thacker chuck james is 24-15 at the major league level. that doesnt just happen.
find me a pitcher with similar experience and success in the majors, and youll only find aces.
not saying chuck an ace, but his numbers stack up well nest to some of the best young starters in the majors. im just saying….
By Lew
April 25, 2008 12:12 PM | Link to this
NCGary-Dude, I sent you Sheffield by mistake. Enjoy it anyway. Sorry.
By AGTfan
April 25, 2008 12:13 PM | Link to this
Lew
I couldn’t agree more. There are some here that would spend hours and hours pointing out every negative thing they find in Cy Young season.
he doesnt seem to have the mental makeup to ever be a smoltz or maddux DAP
Very few ever do. ;-)
By Lew
April 25, 2008 12:16 PM | Link to this
Shamus-This IS The Man In Black, BBQ Blog. Home of the Wurlitzer Award. Thought you knew that.
NCGary-At least I think I mixed up your package with Jersey Gil’s. If Shef looks like Estrada, then something ain’t right. Maybe I need to go back to the drawing board.
By Shaun
April 25, 2008 12:20 PM | Link to this
Perhaps you could consider the overarching value of stats to a players expected performance, the cumulative effect pitchers have on other players during and after the game they pitch, the detriment to the bullpen when they consistently come out after 4 or 5 innings and the overall burden on the team when he pitches. Not sure if that’ll show up anywhere except in the subjective opinions of we that watch.
Perhaps you can consider that James is not any worse than other back-end major league starters as far as innings per start. His career innings per start is 5.86. Look at the Cubs, who had perhaps the best pitching staff in the league (judging by ERA+). Their third-best pitcher threw only 6.09 innings per start. Their fourth-best threw 5.81. Their fifth-best threw only threw 5.44 IP/GS.
That’s right, James is capable of being as valuable as someone like Jason Marquis was last year, which is just fine at the back end of a good major league rotation.
By TennesseePaul
April 25, 2008 12:25 PM | Link to this
What a game last night. Loved that Chipper went 3-3 with a homer. Hope he keeps this up all season. MVP. Easily. Especially if Wright gets injured in a taxi crash.
Chuck James hasn’t been consistent with his location. He does need to work on it. His previous outing was great. This one not so much. But statements like this CJ is just not ready for the bigs in my opinion. make little sense unless it is aimed at this season and this season only and acknowledging James came off the DL with a torn rotator cuff and had no Spring Training. When the guy is healthy and warmed up he produces in the bigs. He is ready in the grand scheme. He could use more tuning in the short term.
By Shamus Thacker
April 25, 2008 12:26 PM | Link to this
I don’t wanna scare Y’all, but I have to admit I’m a barbecue extremist. My “Barbecue Manifesto” is in the works.
By Renegator
April 25, 2008 12:28 PM | Link to this
Chucky is fine to keep now when we can send him back and forth to Richmond - but what will we do when his options run out? He should be running out of them soon (maybe even next year)…
By Lew
April 25, 2008 12:36 PM | Link to this
For once I agree completely with Shaun. Someone mentioned that Chuck doesn’t have the makeup of a Smoltz or Maddux. So what? Chuck isn’t going to be an Ace. No one is trying to imply that he is. He is exactly what he is and nothing else-a back of rotation guy that was forced into the third slot last year due to injuries.
That’s all he is and that’s all we’re saying he is. He ain’t bad at what he does, either. Nothing wrong with having limitations. Everyone does. So he’s clueless about day to day life. Half or more of the world is too, so what’s the big deal? We’re not asking him to invest our life savings-just win ball games. Seems that’s exactly what he does. As long as he doesn’t fall off our roof while replacing shingles, I’ve got no problem with him.
By DAP
April 25, 2008 12:37 PM | Link to this
i was just watching a video about turner field, and found out the thing cost $252 million to build. the same as a-rod’s contract from texas.
By TJ
April 25, 2008 12:37 PM | Link to this
HERE is a pretty good study of “fifth starters”, by David Pinto of Baseballmusings (published here on Yahoo).
I won’t rehash it - read it if you want - except to say that average ML team got a 6.09 ERA out of the fifth spot in 2007, and no team got an ERA below 5.
Chuck James is a valuable commodity in that role (and for pete’s sake, he’s our SIXTH OR SEVENTH starter when everyone’s healthy!)
It’d be great if he could spend most of the year at Richmond, trying to get better, but if needed, he’s great to have at the back of the rotation.
By Lew
April 25, 2008 12:40 PM | Link to this
Rene-Why in hell are you worrying about what we do with Chuck in a year? Oh yeah. You gave up this season already. Typical Gator. Might as well give up there, too. The Dawgs will win it all this year.
By DAP
April 25, 2008 12:47 PM | Link to this
regenerator but what will we do when his options run out? He should be running out of them soon (maybe even next year)…
you mean next year when glavine is gone, hampton is gone and possibly smoltz is gone? (probably not, but hes got an opton of ‘09)
i think next year, chuck will be in the rotation to stay. i really do.
rotation in ‘09:
hudson
jurjens
smoltz
jojo
james
thats just a guess. they could trade for someone, or sign someone, or someone else from the minors might be ready, ect. i dont know, but i think james will be in there, and jojo…if hes not ready next year, i dont know if he ever will be. he dominates AAA.
By Overlord
April 25, 2008 12:52 PM | Link to this
TJ i agree with you, Chuck needs to get better, he could use most part of this year to do so in Richmond. And come back next year to play a 4th or 5th pitcher depending.
I know some of you will jump from your sits when you read this, but, what if Hampton comes back and does well for 5 months? say a 12 and 5 record? With some 150 IP??? Would the braves let him go? What if he agrees with the braves to pitch for some 15 million for 2 years???
By Shaun
April 25, 2008 12:57 PM | Link to this
Lew, these are probably the same people who look at Glavine and Smoltz and say the Braves haven’t developed a pitcher since the late 1980’s. Expectations are too high if you don’t think a pitcher like Chuck James belongs in the majors.
By Murphy
April 25, 2008 12:59 PM | Link to this
Another good article is up on SI about the Jones boys. It is worth a read.
By AGTfan
April 25, 2008 1:04 PM | Link to this
Lew - How is it that I find myself agreeing with a DAWG fan so often? Are you sure you’re really a DAWG fan? I mean you’re so rational and reasonable. ;-) I even agree with you about the DAWGS and football next year. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if the stars line up right for them. They do have the best QB and RB since the last time they won one. I can’t say I’ll be pulling for them and for at least one game I’ll be throwing every jinx I can think of at them, but they’re my preseason pick for next year. OK enough about that…back to my favorite sport.
By Murphy
April 25, 2008 1:04 PM | Link to this
Overlord, If Hampton pitches well for 5 months (I think we all hope that happens) then he should sign for pennies on the dollar if he is the stand up guy people always say that he is. He OWES this team that much. (Regardless of how much insurance money has covered his contract. But, that is just my opinion…
By Renegator
April 25, 2008 1:05 PM | Link to this
Keep dreaming Lew.
By Shaun
April 25, 2008 1:05 PM | Link to this
Overlord, Hampton won’t get $7.5M a year from any team. I will bet you $7.5M on that.
James may need to get healthier but I don’t know if he needs to get better. Do you honestly believe James is less talented than at least half the other fourth or fifth starters in the league?
By Shamus Thacker
April 25, 2008 1:10 PM | Link to this
I respect/understand your arguments concerning Chuck James.
However, stats do lie sometimes. When I see Chuckie’s stats, I envision Hillary bobbin’ n’ weavin’ round sniper fire…
DISCLAIMER: Previous comment was in NO WAY politically motivated.
By Big Easy
April 25, 2008 1:10 PM | Link to this
Link to the article Murphy was talking about:
Chipper and Andruw Article
~E~
By Efrim
April 25, 2008 1:13 PM | Link to this
Shaun
Perhaps you can consider that James is not any worse than other back-end major league starters as far as innings per start. His career innings per start is 5.86.
Actually, as a starter, James has averaged 5.53 innings per start. He has 17 innings as a reliever and 282 innings as a starter. 51 starts in 60 appearences.
But I agree with you. He is what he is. A back fo the rotation starter. No such thing as “back of the rotation starters who throw 6.6 innings per start”. Just doesn’t happen.
By TJ
April 25, 2008 1:17 PM | Link to this
If Hampton recovers to pitch well this year, I could see a very modest contract for another year or two, with big bonuses/incentives based on innings pitched.
If he’s healthy and effective, I don’t think he owes the Braves anything (well, not pitching for next to nothing - maybe just some “consideration”).
We’d need to build in some protection, and I think we could. Maybe something like $1 mil guaranteed, and another $2 mil for each 50 innings pitched (just as an example)
By Efrim
April 25, 2008 1:19 PM | Link to this
I think people don’t like Chuck because he has given up 55 home runs in 282 innings pitched as a starter. I guess one could say, “as long as he doesn’t give them up with runners on base”…..
By brent a.
April 25, 2008 1:23 PM | Link to this
DAP,
I have serious doubts that with the contracts of both Glavine and Hampton coming off the books this off-season, that both Reyes and James will be in our rotation next year.
By Shaun
April 25, 2008 1:28 PM | Link to this
Efrim, yes. John Smoltz and Curt Schilling give up quite a few homers and I’d say they’ve had decent careers.
Note: I’m not comparing Chuck James to Smoltz or Schilling. I know some will say I am if I don’t make it clear. I’m just saying that giving up some homeruns isn’t necessarily going to ruin a pitcher.
By Efrim
April 25, 2008 1:32 PM | Link to this
Brent A
I have serious doubts that with the contracts of both Glavine and Hampton coming off the books this off-season, that both Reyes and James will be in our rotation next year.
But the free agent list is really poor. I mean, Ben Sheets, Ollie Perez, AJ Burnett, C.C. Sabathia, and Derek Lowe don’t really get me too excited. A lot of guys who just simply can’t pitch 200 innings. It would be wasted money to me.
By Efrim
April 25, 2008 1:37 PM | Link to this
Shaun
You’re right. Home runs allowed don’t mean that a pitcher is poor, but I would rather a pitcher who has groundball tendencies. That’s all.
By TJ
April 25, 2008 1:39 PM | Link to this
Maybe Roger McDowell does earn his keep. Looks like he really helped Reyes with his mechanics
By Overlord
April 25, 2008 1:46 PM | Link to this
Shaun, Murphy, so if that is the scenario at the end of he season (numbers) would you like the braves to sign hampton for lets say, 4 million or 2009?
Or youd send him packing no matter how well he does?
Keep in mind our staff for next season, as we speak would be Hudson, Smoltz, JJJ, Bennett, James.
I dont think Glavine will come back, he would like to go down well and not because of injuries and bad production.
By AGTfan
April 25, 2008 1:46 PM | Link to this
I think people don’t like Chuck because he has given up 55 home runs in 282 innings pitched as a starter.
I agree that’s why a lot of people don’t like him. Of course, if he hadn’t given up all those home runs, we might be talking about him as a front of rotation starter.
By TennesseePaul
April 25, 2008 1:50 PM | Link to this
these are probably the same people who look at Glavine and Smoltz and say the Braves haven’t developed a pitcher since the late 1980’s
Technically the Braves didn’t “develop” Smoltz as he was acquired by another team. Having said that though there isn’t a front line “ace” starter in the majors that was drafted and developed by the Braves within the last 10 to 15 years.
But the Braves didn’t need to do so considering the three hall of famers that used to man the rotation. When a pitcher came about that appeared to be such a player, said player was traded for a part that was needed at the time.
However, in that time the following as been drafted and developed by other teams in the leagues. I think the “knock” is that the Braves haven’t a pitcher of their own like these despite having the reputation of being a pitching rich organization. That could of course change in the not-to-distant future.
Mets: Kazmir (Rays)
Phillies: Hamels
Marlins: Beckett (Red Sox)
Brewers: Sheets
Reds: Bailey
Cardinals: Harden (A’s, D-Backs)
Astros: Oswalt, Johan Santana (Twins, Mets)
Padres: Peavy
Dodgers: Billingsly, Kershaw
Giants: Cain, Lincincum
Diamondbacks: Webb
Rockies: Jimenez
Mariners: Hernandez
Angels: Weaver
Texas: Young (Padres), Volquez (Reds)
A’s: Blanton
Tigers: Verlander, Jurrjens (Braves)
Indians: Carmona, Sabathia, Lee
Yankees: Chamberlain, Hughes
Red Sox: Sanchez (Marlins), Paplebon, Buchholz
Orioles: Bedard (Mariners)
Rays: Shields
Blue Jays: Halladay
I’m probably forgetting a few. And an argument could be made for Wainwright. But I’m not sure he’s an “ace”. Solid middle of the rotation guy though. But that’s the story with a lot of these guys on the list. Some aren’t that great they just get a ton of press. Whatever, Wainwright is the only one I can think of that is a “product” of the Braves system that isn’t being cursed like Marquis, Odalis and the likes. There is also Millwood but he’s more like a Hampton than an enviable pitcher. I guess Jason Schit goes in that Hampton-esque list as well though it took Schit nearly 10 years before he put up a good season.
There, that’s long enough to be the last post on a dead blog. I know as soon as this refreshes I’ll see a DOB post proclaiming the latest is available…
By David O'Brien
April 25, 2008 2:00 PM | Link to this
Back page headline in Daily News today:
“D.C. Comics — Bumbling Mets slammed by Nats”
By David O'Brien
April 25, 2008 2:02 PM | Link to this
OH, and NEW BLOG
By Efrim
April 25, 2008 2:02 PM | Link to this
TennPaul
A lot of people don’t know who Kershaw is, and therefore will think that he isn’t an ace…..
…..he is. Just hasn’t come up yet. Haha.
By DAP
April 25, 2008 2:09 PM | Link to this
brent a. are you saying the braves will probably spend on a starter? id say youre probably right.
By ncscoots
April 25, 2008 2:14 PM | Link to this
So, Chuck is just an average, middlin’, back-of-the-rotation guy, right? Does anyone think some other average, middlin’, back-of-the-rotation pitcher could maybe be found to replace his performance? Does anyone consider that some other team might think they (and only they) could turn Chuck into a better-than-average pitcher?
The answer to all three questions is “yes”. Chuck packs his bags sometime this calendar year.
Since almost all the top pitching prospects in the org apparently have a higher upside than Chuck, any one of them who takes a large step forward this season could replace Chuck’s back-end performance for 2009.
Chuck’s fault, at least in some eyes, is that he’s…ordinary. I don’t particularly see that as a reason to nuke the guy. But, there also seems to be nothing that would force the Braves to keep Chuck around, either, if a young stud prospect is knocking at the door. Or even coming up the steps, for that matter.
By Overlord
April 25, 2008 3:56 PM | Link to this
Shaun, Murphy, so if that is the scenario at the end of he season (numbers) would you like the braves to sign hampton for lets say, 4 million or 2009?
Or youd send him packing no matter how well he does?
Keep in mind our staff for next season, as we speak would be Hudson, Smoltz, JJJ, Bennett, James.
I dont think Glavine will come back, he would like to go down well and not because of injuries and bad production.
By Overlord
April 25, 2008 4:02 PM | Link to this
TJ i like you way of thinking about Hampton.
DAP I see you would like James in the rotation next year, and also see JOJO there… what about Bennett? I think of the 3, Bennett is the bettet as we speak.
Did you forget about him? or you just dont think he is better than James and JOJO???
By David O'Brien
April 27, 2008 1:24 PM | Link to this
One run in for the Mets in the first …
AND NEW BLOG IS UP
By jim
April 28, 2008 1:44 PM | Link to this
I hope Diaz was just mouthing what he said. Why would anyone want a player who doesn’t want to play everyday?
BTW, Diaz hit .300 vs both lefties and righties the last two years. So why the platoon? Why don’t they make it a four way platoon? Francouer has some great days, but bad ones as well.