AJC > Sports > Braves > Blog > Archives > 2008 > April > 25 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USChipper, chop shops, and Shea
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
New York — So here we are, back at Shea Stadium for the first of our three visits in the swan-song season of the multi-purpose relic located across the streeet from many of Flushing’s finest automobile chop shops.
Far as I know, they haven’t planned any beer dousing or other special presentation for Chipper Jones, the man that iron-lunged Shea fans love to hate most (well, except for that brief period when he was supplanted by John Rocker).
Chipper comes to town on one of his best surges in years, and the Braves are on a good run themselves. Or had some of you forgotten? I know, those back-to-back mid-week losses against Washington and Florida took some of the oomph out of it for many of you, particularly the disappointing loss on the night John Smoltz got his 3,000th strikeout.
But the fact remains, the Braves are 6-2 with a .313 team batting average and 2.13 ERA in their past eight games. They have the best record, batting average and ERA in the NL East in that span, better even than the Phillies, who’ve crushed 18 homers in their last eight games (5-3).
The other three teams in the division have a .500 or below record in their past eight games, including the Mets, who’ve hit .242 with a 4.07 ERA while splitting their last eight games.
Speaking of Chipper, as good as he’s been lately, there’s no guarantee that he’ll be the NL Player of the Month (he was already passed over for the weekly honor despite back-to-back two-homer games).
Because while Chipper is batting a majors-leading (by a wide margin) .442 with four doubles, seven homers, 20 RBI and a 1.217 on base-plus-slugging percentage (OPS), Philly’s Chase Utley is hitting .385 with more extra-base hits (20), more homers (10), more RBI (21) and a higher OPS (1.288, best in the majors).
The American League has been known as the superior offensive league for years, but right now, this month, senior-circuit stars are putting up far superior numbers.
In fact, the top seven OPS totals in the majors are by National League players, led by Utley and teammate Pat Burrell (1.224). Chipper (1.217) is third and Albert Pujols (1.135) is fourth.
The NL’s seventh-highest OPS belongs to Lance Berkman (1.102), while the AL leader is Manny Ramirez (1.101).
But enough statistical overload…. I saw the latest Judd Apatow comedy, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, yesterday. Loved it. But I have to disagree with one of our denizens who said it was funnier than Superbad or Knocked Up.
Funniest movie I’ve seen since Juno, yes. But not funnier than Superbad, in my opinion. But I’d put all of Apatow’s recent movies, 40-Year-Old Virgin, Knocked Up, Superbad and Forgetting Sarah Marshall on my all-time list of comedies, a top 25 or 30 or whatever.
Hey, I’m not offended by raunchy comedy, not when it’s as clever as what Apatow and his crew put out. This stuff is laugh-out-loud brilliant. And they showed previews for yet another one that’s coming out this summer.
Don’t know how long he can keep his golden touch going, but it’s been an impressive run, for sure.
OK, back to statistical overload…. To underscore how much more depth the Braves have in their rotation now compared to a year ago at this time, consider this: Atlanta starters rank second in the NL with a 3.05 ERA, just behind Arizona (3.04).
This despite the fact that John Smoltz, Tom Glavine, Mike Hampton and Chuck James have all spent time on the disabled list.
Think about that — Smoltz, Glavine, Hampton and James have all been on the DL, or are still on it, and we’re only 21 games into the season. And still, Braves starters rank second in the NL with a 3.05 ERA.
The Braves have managed to use only six different starters, despite all the health woes. The only one of the six who has an ERA over 3.20 is Chuck James (2-1, 7.62), whom the Braves probably didn’t plan to have in the majors this early, after he rested his shoulder all winter to heal a partial rotator-cuff tear.
James (three) and Bennett (two) have also given up five of the seven homers yielded by Braves starters. The other four starte4rs have given up a total of two homers in 90-1/3 innings.
In overall staff ERA, the Braves’ 3.50 also ranks second in the NL, behind Arizona’s 3.09.
The largely inexperienced and injury-depleted bullpen has been shaky some nights and ranks ninth in the league with a 4.17 ERA. But given that they’ve been without their best two relievers, Peter Moylan and Rafael Soriano, for much of April, I’m frankly surprised the Braves don’t rank below ninth in ERA.
And by the way, for those who keep saying you’re not sold on Acosta, what does the guy have to do exactly? What’s it gonna take to convince some of you?
The guy was tagged for four runs in his first appearance March 31. But since then he’s pitched 10-1/3 scoreless innings in nine appearances, with a miniscule .147 opponets’ average in that stretch, no more than one hit or one walk in any appearance until he walked two in two hitless innings last night.
Seriously, that’s enough stat talk…. There are a few good bands this weekend in New York, now we’ll just have to see if we can avoid rain delays Saturday and Sunday and try to make it out to see some music after a day game.
American Music Club is playing at the Music Hall I Williamsburg (Brooklyn) Saturday and the Mercury Lounge on the Lower East Side on Sunday. That would be cool to see. Definite possibility. Fiery Furnaces are playing Saturday, but they’re a bit too odd for my tastes.
Paul Simon is also playing a sort of American music retrospective with the great Gillian Welch and Grizzly Bear at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, but all nights are sold out Friday through Sunday.
Several great shows — Crowded House, Feist, Was (Not Was), Van Hunt, etc. — here next week, but I leave for D.C. on Monday morning.
Hey, while I’m thinking about it. Just saw footage of Wesley Snipes leaving court after his sentencing yesterday on tax-evasion charges (three years; yikes). Someone should’ve told Wesley that the glasses and Nipsey Russell haircut made him look sort of peculiar for a courtroom appearance in 2008.
OK, just one more stat flurry: David Wright strikes me as sort of the Mets’ version of a young Chipper Jones. But you’ll have to excuse the Braves if perhaps they don’t fear Wright as much as some other teams do, or at least if they’re not quite as mindful of Wright as the Mets are of Chipper.
Because against the Braves, The World’s Most Interesting Man (I’m aping the Dos Equis commercials, which, by the way, seem to me like a total ripoff of the SNL Bill Brasky skit) hasn’t exactly cut great swaths with his bat.
Or maybe it’s because they have been mindful of him in the past couple of seasons, after Wright hit a bunch of homers against them earlier.
Anyway, Wright has a .262 career average and .346 on-base percentage against the Braves, compared to .311 overall career average and .390 OBP. He had six homers against the Braves as a rookie in 2005, and a two-homer game against them in ’06.
But in his last 27 games against the Braves, Wright has hit .198 (20-for-101) with 26 strikeouts, a .287 OBP and more errors (five) than home runs (four).
Chipper hasn’t shredded the Mets in recent years anywhere near like he did in 1999 and a few other seasons. But since the beginning of the ’05 season, he’s still hit .285 with six homers, 20 RBI and a .375 OBP in 35 games against them.
By the way, Chipper has more homers (38) against the Mets than against any other team, but he’s hit for a higher average against three NL teams than his .328 vs. the Mets (.334 vs. Philly, .331 vs. Houston, .330 vs. Arizona).
And his best overall numbers against an NL opponent are actually against Philly. He’s hit .334 with 37 homers, 116 RBI and a 1.060 OPS in 178 games against the Phillies, and hit .328 with 38 homers, 118 RBI and a .988 OPS in 179 games against the Mets.
But he named one of his sons Shea for a reason: Chipper’s hit .310 in 83 games at Shea with more homers (19) and RBI (53) than at any ballpark outside Atlanta.
He’s got higher slugging percentages at several other NL parks than he does at Shea (.565), including the current parks at San Diego (.813, are you kidding me?), Houston, Cincinnati and Colorado.
But even if he were to have another child, I don’t think there’s any chance he’d name him or her PETCO, Minute Maid (or Enron), Great America, or Coors.
At least I hope not.
Oh, and in case you were wondering: Hoss is 1-for-4 with a homer against tonight’s Mets starter Mike Pelfrey, and 4-for-7 with a homer against Saturday starter John Maine.
Since we’re at Shea…. Let’s go out with a tune by the coolest four guys who ever played at Shea — the Clash (and don’t argue the Beatles were cooler, please. Bigger, yes; cooler, no.) This one was written by bass player Paul Simonon, not Joe Strummer.
“GUNS OF BRIXTON” by The Clash
When they kick out your front door
How you gonna come?
With your hands on your head
Or on the trigger of your gun
When the law break in
How you gonna go?
Shot down on the pavement
Or waiting in death row
You can crush us
You can bruise us
But you’ll have to answer to
Ohh, Guns of Brixton
The money feels good
And your life you like it well
But surely your time will come
As in heaven, as in hell
You see, he feels like Ivan
Born under the Brixton sun
His game is called survivin’
At the end of the harder they come
You know it means no mercy
They caught him with a gun
No need for the Black Maria
Goodbye to the Brixton sun
You can crush us
You can bruise us
But you’ll have to answer to
Ohh, the guns of Brixton
When they kick out your front door
How you gonna come?
With your hands on your head
Or on the trigger of your gun
You can crush us
You can bruise us
And even shoot us
But ohh, the guns of Brixton
Shot down on the pavement
Waiting in death row
His game was survivin’
As in heaven as in hell
You can crush us
You can bruise us
But you’ll have to answer to
Ohh, the guns of Brixton
Ohh, the guns of Brixton
Ohh, the guns of Brixton
Ohh, the guns of Brixton
Ohh, the guns of Brixton
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Comments
By Herschel Talker
April 25, 2008 2:02 PM | Link to this
THIRD!
By brian
April 25, 2008 2:04 PM | Link to this
1st?
By Johnny G
April 25, 2008 2:05 PM | Link to this
Tommy Hanson on Weekly hot prospect sheet again! Where’s Jo-Jo? And since we’re still on the farm- Heyward is hitting over .300… Can’t complain too much about our kids
By Pfunkatl
April 25, 2008 2:06 PM | Link to this
WHAT A DAY for Chipper! Hope I am first, but if not, so be it. BAD error call on Yunel as well.
By 18 Wheels of Love
April 25, 2008 2:06 PM | Link to this
Peterbilt Peterbilt
Wow…Isbell and the DBT’s live within a 2 week span! Gonna be fun!
By Robert
April 25, 2008 2:07 PM | Link to this
DOB
Is Phil Stockman the player getting called up
By Stuart
April 25, 2008 2:09 PM | Link to this
What did the city ever do with all those Chop Shops across the street from Shea?
Gosh, I hate that place.
By 22oz
April 25, 2008 2:16 PM | Link to this
Any word on who the new bullpen arm will be?
By redgoat
April 25, 2008 2:18 PM | Link to this
I do believe that Preacher Boy over there sounds a bit like Blanche Dubois
Well, anyways, Go Braves!
By Captain Calabash
April 25, 2008 2:20 PM | Link to this
Ron, Julia, party of two. Your table is ready.
We think you’ll like our SAMMICHES.
The sammiches might leave a bit of a pooch though.
By Efrim
April 25, 2008 2:21 PM | Link to this
And by the way, for those who keep saying you’re not sold on Acosta, what does the guy have to do exactly? What’s it gonna take to convince some of you?
Maybe because Acosta has a career minor league BB/9 Innings ratio of 5.23 to go along with 1.54 WHIP and almost allowing a hit an inning in something like 450 innings.
He has had a pretty good 30 innings of major league work thus far, but I am sorry if I am still waiting for a larger sample size before I evaluate Acosta.
By Thrillhouse44
April 25, 2008 2:23 PM | Link to this
Acosta reminds me of one of the pitchers from the Nintendo game Bases Loaded. Very tall, very thin. Has anyone else noticed that?
By WordWizardHobo
April 25, 2008 2:24 PM | Link to this
Nice blog DOB. I’m excited to see how Jair does against the Mets this weekend. Good reference to Bill Brasky….
“Did I ever tell you about the time Brasky took me out to go get a drink with him? We go off looking for a bar and we can’t find one. Finally Brasky takes me to a vacant lot and says, ‘Here we are.’ We sat there for a year and a half — until sure enough, someone constructs a bar around us. Well, the day they opened we ordered a shot, drank it, and then burned the place to the ground. Brasky yelled over the roar of the flames, ‘Always leave things the way you found ‘em!”
By David O'Brien
April 25, 2008 2:26 PM | Link to this
Braves haven’t announced the callup yet, and I’m going to get on the 7 train. So if it they release it in next 45 minutes, it might be on their sight, but not gonna have it here until I get to ballpark.
By Shaun
April 25, 2008 2:28 PM | Link to this
TennesseePaul, regarding your post from the last blog about the Braves developing front-line, “ace” pitchers:
I would argue that Jason Schmidt and Kevin Millwood, maybe Wainwright, will end up with better careers than quite a few of those guys you listed. A LOT of those guys you listed are still very young and we all know about young pitching.
Going through I only count about 12 of those guys (out of those 23 teams) that have actually been ace/front-line type pitchers for more than a season or two in the majors.
By AmazinsAgain08
April 25, 2008 2:38 PM | Link to this
(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.
hey I gots lots of class, it’s just a little lower class. And as I have said several times on here Chipper is my favorite non-Mets player. I have tremendous respect for the way he hits against us and the Phillies. And I have few biases against the Braves, heck some of my best friends are Braves fans, but don’t youse tell anybody. It’s kinda embarrassing.
By DAP
April 25, 2008 2:43 PM | Link to this
bill brasky has nothing on chipper jones.
id love to see him continue his good start against the mets.
pelfry has done ok this year, though his last start was not a good one. hes not a stikeout guy, but more of a ground ball pitcher, which i think is good for the braves. he hasnt thrown more than 100 pitches, so if we can work the count, and let make him throw alot of pitches early, we can get into thier bullpen, and hopefully face sosa!!!!
By Smoothie
April 25, 2008 2:43 PM | Link to this
No way in hell that Superbad is funnier than 40 Year Old Virgin.
Thanks for the great bloggin’ Dave. Never thought a reformed Yankees fan like myself would be blogging on a die-hard Braves blog. Then again, never thought there would be such a thing as sports blogs!
Go Bravos! Sweep the Mets!
By TennesseePaul
April 25, 2008 2:43 PM | Link to this
Payne: I know I didn’t list all I could during that span. But I’m not sure you’re going to get much better numbers out of Schit or Millwood. For Millwoood not until he has a contract due and Schit will never be the same again if he ever pitches again. Either way the point remains, All of those guys are not Braves on the list and they are all getting the Press and have been for years which is what instigates the perception coupled with the tag line “pitching rich” that usually goes with the Braves.
By redgoat
April 25, 2008 2:47 PM | Link to this
hey I gots lots of class, it’s just a little lower class. And as I have said several times on here Chipper is my favorite non-Mets player. I have tremendous respect for the way he hits against us and the Phillies. And I have few biases against the Braves, heck some of my best friends are Braves fans, but don’t youse tell anybody. It’s kinda embarrassing.
hey, i’d be embarrassed as well if the only friend I had better than the right hand was the left hand.
By TennesseePaul
April 25, 2008 2:53 PM | Link to this
You know, the coolest band to ever play Shea was the Beatles. Not the Clash. And don’t even try to argue the other way… oh wait a minute. “Coolness” is in the eye of the beholder and not an official ranking. Carry on.
By David-ATL14
April 25, 2008 2:53 PM | Link to this
* Stockman recalled*
Per MLB Gameday Notes
By TennesseePaul
April 25, 2008 2:56 PM | Link to this
we can get into thier bullpen, and hopefully face Sosa!!!!
Or Heilman for that matter. They’ve both been atrocious lately. But you’d expect that much out of Sosa.
By Shaun
April 25, 2008 2:58 PM | Link to this
TennesseePaul, fair enough. But I’d say perception isn’t reality and a good portion of those guys won’t become ace/front-line type pitchers.
Yes, some teams have done much better than the Braves at developing front-line pitchers recently, some have done a little better, but I’d argue quite a few have done worse.
I guess my point is that I think it’s a mistake to assume something is wrong with the farm system/player development because it hasn’t developed an ace type pitcher. They aren’t as easy to develop as it might seem at first glance.
By Cecil34
April 25, 2008 2:59 PM | Link to this
DOB - Off of baseball for a sec.
Have you heard or seen Rocco Deluca and the Burden? - now that guy can play some guitar!
By Thrillhouse44
April 25, 2008 3:00 PM | Link to this
“…and I’m going to get on the 7 train” Be sure to tell Rocker we said hello.
By AmazinsAgain08
April 25, 2008 3:07 PM | Link to this
hey, i’d be embarrassed as well if the only friend I had better than the right hand was the left hand.redgoat
Gee I’m sorry to hear that you have that problem, goat. I can sorta see why though with your attitude. Yo’ mamma shoulda taught you better, that It’s nice to be nice to the nice, y’know?
Guess we’re just gonna hafta kick some Braves’ butt now cause of your unfriendly behavior. If the Braves lose the blog can blame it all on you. :-)
GO METS!!
By Shaun
April 25, 2008 3:08 PM | Link to this
TennesseePaul, oh, regarding Millwood and Schmidt. Yes, I realize they aren’t going to get any better and that Schmidt may never pitch again. But I still would bet their careers will turn out better than some of the pitchers you listed when all is said and done with some of those guys and we can look back 30 years from now.
I guess my point there was that the Braves haven’t done as poor a job as people think developing pitchers. They’ve developed some pretty good ones even fairly recently. Just no Glavine’s.
That brings up another side to the debate: Why does the Braves farm system need to develop aces to be considered good at developing pitchers? I mean the Braves have developed a lot of decent-to-good starters over the past year, I’m sure more than a lot of other organizations. That should count for something.
You could argue the Indians or Diamondbacks haven’t developed any superstars recently, but look what those teams did in recent years and are doing now from developing just solid major leaguers. Developing a lot of solid players has to count for something just like developing aces or superstars does.
(TennPaul, I’m not attributing those views of the Braves’ pitcher development to you, necessarily.)
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
April 25, 2008 3:08 PM | Link to this
We lose Moylan and gain Stockman.
Aussie, aussie, aussie, aussie !
By Randy
April 25, 2008 3:10 PM | Link to this
Phil Stockman is recalled according to C.B.S sportline
By BA
April 25, 2008 3:12 PM | Link to this
DOB, can we expect a one-on-one in depth interview with Stockman?
By Andy K.
April 25, 2008 3:12 PM | Link to this
Mike Hampton squares off against the Tides tonight in Virginia (Norfolk).
By TennesseePaul
April 25, 2008 3:13 PM | Link to this
I think it’s a mistake to assume something is wrong with the farm system/player development because it hasn’t developed an ace type pitcher
I’d agree with this. I don’t think this team has a problem with it’s farm system. It’s strength might be more in the hitter’s realm than in the pitchers realm but that doesn’t mean much. They can always trade for a pitcher using the young hitters. However, there is this new crop of guys coming up that might change all of this. We just need one young guy from our system to stick in the rotation for a while and produce good to great results. The talk will subside at that point. Until then the grass will appear greener on the other fields…
By brooklynbrave
April 25, 2008 3:15 PM | Link to this
DOB, you been to dinosaur for bbq in harlem yet? best ribs in the city [this from an eastern NC transplant who has spent plenty of time at Wilbers in goldsboro]. ive got 2 other options in the city, if you need ‘em.
By nolie
April 25, 2008 3:16 PM | Link to this
Let’s go out with a tune by the coolest four guys who ever played at Shea — the ClashDOB
I must be missing something I guess. I never cared all that much for the Clash. Never cared all that much for that whole genre acually, but music is certainly a personal thing and nobody is really right or wrong.
By Murphy
April 25, 2008 3:16 PM | Link to this
DOB, When you are in NY, do you get down to Canal Street? If so, have some of the street vendor mixed nuts for me. oh…just the smell is intoxicating.
By Andy K.
April 25, 2008 3:21 PM | Link to this
My bad, the game is in Richmond tonight…
By Shaun
April 25, 2008 3:23 PM | Link to this
TennesseePaul, yeah, I suspect, just like a lot of other things in baseball, player development is cyclical. For about 5-10 years and organization may find and develop a group of solid position players. The next 5-10 years, maybe they develop a group of solid pitchers. Maybe there is a period where they develop a couple of star position players and two or three great pitchers but no supporting cast.
If player development was easy, the same teams would win for 50-60 years straight. But even the Yankees have had down times.
By TennesseePaul
April 25, 2008 3:27 PM | Link to this
I mean the Braves have developed a lot of decent-to-good starters over the past year, I’m sure more than a lot of other organizations
This type of statement has the ability to be backed up with a list and an analysis of some sort. I haven’t seen one yet. Merely the assertion which doesn’t seem to marry well with what I can recall. (I could be forgetting or overlooking some though and I’d love to have the light shed on them).
I’ll debate the value and worth of Schit and Millwood all day and probably never agree that they are worthy of valuable praise. I’ll agree that some pitchers I listed, such as Jimenez, may start off as well as Millwood and then fade only to Blauser every time a contract comes around. But I’m not sure you can list a large swath of “decent-to-good starters” developed by the Braves organization. So many that you’d out number “a lot of other organizations”. I guess the matter would depend on how you define “decent-to-good”. If that includes Odalis Perez and Jason Marquis then the bar is set as low as it can go at which point I might agree on the quantity. But the quality would still be debated.
By Epinephrine
April 25, 2008 3:27 PM | Link to this
Really big series for the Braves, really big day for the Braves.
For the series, we have some of our best going against their worst, except when healthy Jurrjens would probably match up against their 5 (how absurd is that?). No reason why we shouldn’t take this series, especially with Chipper behaving like he is.
Imagine this: we take the series, Hampton throws well, and Soriano throws pain free. It would be an absolutely huge momentum boost. That is because we would then go into next week’s game with the Nats, with Hampton and Glavine coming off the DL. Further, we would be closer to having Gonzo and Infante ready to play, and Soriano presumably within days of getting back in the pen.
Basically, this is a time when this team should be able to begin showcasing what it can really be. We can set the tone tonight. I for one am looking to forward to a really positive end to this month.
By David O'Brien
April 25, 2008 3:30 PM | Link to this
It is indeed PHIL STOCKMAN
The balance of power has shifted now, folks…
By Robert (Chipper Is The Best)
April 25, 2008 3:32 PM | Link to this
This is a really big series for the Braves. The Mets are somewhat reeling after getting their asses handed to them by the Cubs. The Braves definitely have the pitching matchup. They should win 2 of 3 at least. Actually, they should sweep. The Mets are sending out the scrubs to start. The Braves need to take advantage. No Santana. No Maine. No Perez!
By David O'Brien
April 25, 2008 3:35 PM | Link to this
I must be missing something I guess. I never cared all that much for the Clash.nolie
Uh, that’s no lie — you’re definitely, unquestionably missing something.
By the way, just noticed that Josh Ritter is also playing here Sunday night. Now that’s the show I need to see about attending.
Or perhaps I should just walk a few blocks from my hotel to Radio City Music Hall and see the circus … er, the NFL draft.
By Efrim
April 25, 2008 3:35 PM | Link to this
I’ll be at the game tomorrow two rows behind the Braves dugout. Hopefully I’ll see Huddy throw a gem against the Mutts.
GO BRAVES!!!
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
April 25, 2008 3:35 PM | Link to this
This is a snippet from one of Dave O’Brien’s blogs back in February.
Since Stockman was just called up, hopefully he brought his good luck charm.
Good luck, mate: Before I head down to the field, I’d like to say something about a sensitive subject.
Kangaroo testicles.
Now, before we go any further, I’d like to make it clear I neither condone the hunting or taxidermy of kangaroos or their body parts. Let’s get that straight. I can’t even fathom someone shooting one of those cute, goofy looking animals.
But for whatever reason, some are killed legally in Australia (you can look it up, but they laws that permit annual quotas and also allow farmers to kill kangaroos on their property, something like that. Like I said, complicated).
Anyway, back to the testicles. Apparently a pair of taxidermied kangaroo testicles is regarded as a good-luck charm by Aussies, like a rabbit’s foot (or like me rubbing my bust of Elvis that I bought one late night many years ago at a cheap gift shop on the Canada side of Niagara Falls).
So Braves reliever Phil Stockman, a good bloke if I’ve ever met one, gave starting pitchers Tim Hudson and Mike Hampton each a pair of kangaroo testicles on a key chain. And told them to rub them before each start.
Hudson’s “charm” was hanging in his locker last I checked.
That’s all. I really don’t need to add to this note, do I?
By Roman Gal
April 25, 2008 3:37 PM | Link to this
Here’s a funny joke from Metsblog.
According to Metsie, Citi Field will soon be renamed Denny’s Field, “Home of the Grand Slam.”
Now THAT is funny!
By David O'Brien
April 25, 2008 3:39 PM | Link to this
By the way, the new ballpark is going to be beautiful here. It’s towering over this thing now.
From Shea to that will be even more of an upgrade than Nats made from RFK to their new park. This new place is huge and looks totally old-school on the exterior, l very much like Ebbetts Field. Very impressive when you come off the subway platform.
And the chop shops, by the way, have to be gone by 2009. State told them that a while back.
By Efrim
April 25, 2008 3:41 PM | Link to this
Shaun and TennPaul
Just wait until the high revenue teams like the Mets start paying above slot money in the draft like the Red Sox and Yankees. Not saying that those draftees will be superstars, but the more money a team like the Mets puts into the Draft, the better their farm system and overall future will be.
By Alan
April 25, 2008 3:41 PM | Link to this
Great job as always, DOB. And great reference to Nipsey Russell re: Wesley Snipe’s haircut! I’ve gotta believe you’re the only sports scribe in America who’s mentioned Nipsey Russell today — or any day this century. Good points about the Braves’ pitching, too, which really has been good so far. Especially the starters. It’s the offense that’s been inconsistent — just like the past two seasons. I’m not at all sold on KJ as the leadoff hitter. I’d move Yunel or Blanco/Diaz to the top and drop KJ to 7th or 8th. I’d also seriously consider playing Prado at 2nd against most (if not all) lefties.
By MGL
April 25, 2008 3:43 PM | Link to this
Epinephrine - I agree with you. Now is the time to put the pedal to the metal. The Mutts series, Nats for two, then back home for three with the Reds and Padres. Then its off to Pittsburg before the Phillies. We need at least two out of three at Shea, then we should be able to get eight or nine out of the next eleven.
By JT
April 25, 2008 3:44 PM | Link to this
Is Phil Stockman a sidearmer like Moylan too????
By David O'Brien
April 25, 2008 3:46 PM | Link to this
OK, time to go down and hold Stockman accountable for the curse of the ‘roo nads.
By Efrim
April 25, 2008 3:48 PM | Link to this
It is indeed PHIL STOCKMAN
The balance of power has shifted now, folks…
Why even play the games? It’s over people……
By Caleb
April 25, 2008 3:49 PM | Link to this
Hey DOB, jealous of you being in NY. Lived there for a few years, loved it. If you have the time or are down in the East Village, you definitely have to try Crif Dogs. Great little 80’s dive on St. Mark’s Pl between 1st Ave and Ave A with the best hot dogs ever. Get the Tsunami or the Chihuahua. They wrap the dogs in bacon and fry them. I know, I know, overload. But they’re amazing!
Also, if you’re a sushi fan, check out Monster Sushi. Amazing prices for alot of incredible sushi. Best place for it in NY. They have a couple places in the city, one on 46th between 5th and 6th aves.
By Dan
April 25, 2008 3:49 PM | Link to this
How has Stockman been doing in the minors this year?
By ncscoots
April 25, 2008 4:03 PM | Link to this
I sense that DOB has grown weary of Phil Stockman posts, LOL. Somebody let Phil know he needs to produce a Cohiba for the man to re-instill a few good graces. :-)
Though I’m happy to see the guy get a shot, too. At least, for however long he can stay up and/or stay healthy.
By DCbrave
April 25, 2008 4:07 PM | Link to this
Stockman? Oh no, the Braves security must search him and get rid of his stock of RooNads!
By Overlord
April 25, 2008 4:13 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???
DOB is Stockman in NY???, I mean, did he traveled there with the rest of the team??? Available for tonights game???
By Phil StockFan
April 25, 2008 4:16 PM | Link to this
Looks like Phil sabotaged Hampton and Hudson. Hammy rubbed some ‘roo balls (sounds like candy, huh?) and tore a breast. Huddy fondled some kang’ cojones and lost 5 pounds and 5 mph. I’m not trying to be insensitive, but I believe we should burn all kangaroo testicles found in Braves’ facilities.
By brooklynbrave
April 25, 2008 4:16 PM | Link to this
caleb- ive got a monster one block away from work, they just redid the place and JACKED the prices. sushi is ok but you can find a better deals in the city.
By La Jolla Dawg
April 25, 2008 4:18 PM | Link to this
DOB great song choice—The Clash are among the best ever. Are you a Carbon/Silicon fan? I think I prefer them to B.A.D.—though I thought the first B.A.D. album was great. American Music Club—I remember playing one song by them when I worked at WUOG—In the Room Above the Club—loved that song.
Looking forward to the Braves coming out here. Hopefully, the Padres won’t find their bats during that series. They are struggling. Big time. I caved and purchased the MLB package from DirecTv, my son and I watched Smoltz strike out #3,000-that was great to see.
By timmy
April 25, 2008 4:23 PM | Link to this
hey DOB, I’ll be at the game sunday. I am from NY so I make I go to a few games every Mets/Braves series they are here. I was there for the catch that Willie Harris made, I was actually sitting in the left field foul section when he caught it. My Dad and I were the 1st ones to see him catch that potnetial Delgado homer. If you couldve been over there to hear the shift in sound effects and the silence it created, that was PRICELESS!!!! If you want some BBQ, go to Daisy Mays on 46 or 47th btwn 9th-10th aves. GREAT FOOD!!!! Looking for a series win!!!!!
By Pete H.
April 25, 2008 4:23 PM | Link to this
Hey, I was at Shea for that concert. David Johansen opened, then the Clash, then the Who. The problem was, the stage was set up in left center, and I had seats in the first balcony behind third base, so visually it was fine. However, the Who were dicks and didn’t let the other bands use their PA, so unless you were on the field, in front of the stage, they were only sporadically audible. You could tell which song it was, but the tinny sound sorta floated off into space.
That was my last stadium show. And will remain my last. Blech.
BTW, this was the post-Moon Who. They weren’t very good.
By Thrillhouse44
April 25, 2008 4:23 PM | Link to this
Dan, Stockman is 1-0 with a 1.54 ERA in 11.2 innings pitched. He’s only given up 4 hits.
http://www.rbraves.com/team/teams/index.html?autoload=teamstatspitching&teamid=431
By Lew
April 25, 2008 4:26 PM | Link to this
Nolie-It’s a generational thing with the Clash-we’ve spoken of it here numerous times in the past.
The Clash were an angry group of youths who were highly influential AFTER the angry youths who influenced us-that’s all.
By TJ
April 25, 2008 4:30 PM | Link to this
Developing “aces” is more a crapshoot than winning in the playoffs.
Consider these pitchers and where they were selected in their respective drafts: Peavy (472); Smoltz (574); Clemens (284); Oswalt (684); B Webb (249); Hudson (185); Mussina (273); Pettite (594); Harrang (661); Penny (155).
Obviously, no one knew that they we gonna be stars, but they developed into some of the best pitchers of our generation. (and this was just from random searching; I’m sure there are many other examples).
Developing an ace probably requires a degree of scouting and coaching skills, but more importantly, it requires talent and good health, neither of which is very projectable for a young pitcher.
Give me a quality overall minor league system (which the Braves have), a few dollars to spend (which we sorta have) and a GM smart enough to get guys like Smoltz, Tex, Renteria, Jurrjens, Soriano, Gonzo, etc, in trades for players we no longer need or can replace.
By Braveheart
April 25, 2008 4:35 PM | Link to this
I said it a few weeks ago: Stockman cursed the pen with those roo nads so that enough people would get hurt so that he’d get a shot.
Thrillhouse, you’re getting married next month and you still have RBI Baseball on Nintendo on your mind? Your poor wife to be…….
By OrlandoFan
April 25, 2008 4:36 PM | Link to this
Lew… Good pointa about the Clash… I was thinking someone slipped DOB a bad pretzel or something after that comparison.
By etownbrave
April 25, 2008 4:40 PM | Link to this
Has anyone heard if or when DISH will pick up PeachtreeTV? Will have to catch Pete and Chip on the radio tonight since PTV unavailable in our area right now. GO BRAVES!!!!!!!!!!!
By cafleming
April 25, 2008 4:41 PM | Link to this
It sucks that Charter Cable service in Alabama does not carry the peachtree channel for the game tonight. Any one know if charter is working on to getting that channel soon? I miss the good ole days of TBS.
By AdirondackDave
April 25, 2008 4:42 PM | Link to this
Just got back from 2 boring months in Florida to find Chipper is still crushing the ball. Hope this continues tonight and the starters keep up their great run. Time for Tex to show what he’s got if he wants to get that huge contract from one of the NY teams next year. He’s got to pick up the pace if he expects 20+ for 6-7 years.
My iBook seems to be on its last legs. Only half of my bookmarks seem to come in, fortunately including the AJC stuff. I guess 5 years, more or less, is a good record for these units.
By Thrillhouse44
April 25, 2008 4:50 PM | Link to this
Braveheart, I can’t help it. It’s like the makers of that game drew Acosta. But, I was talking about Bases Loaded, not RBI. RBI was far superior, with one exception: you could incite a benches clearing brawl in Bases Loaded. The Girl used to dog on me and my friends about video games (particularly Madden) until I introduced her to Guitar Hero.
Hopefully Stockman didn’t take any roo balls with him to Richmond. Our whole minor league system could be depleted before too long.
By TennesseePaul
April 25, 2008 4:50 PM | Link to this
The Clash. I just googled them out of boredom. (Work is just a thrill right now). I pulled up the Wiki entry on them and started reading. Saw they were listed as having the 8th greatest album of all time by Rolling Stone. Not too shabby. I was curious as to what else was lumped into the top 10.
1. Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, The Beatles
2. Pet Sounds, The Beach Boys
3. Revolver, The Beatles
4. Highway 61 Revisited, Bob Dylan
5. Rubber Soul, The Beatles
6. What’s Going On, Marvin Gaye
7. Exile on Main Street, The Rolling Stones
8. London Calling, The Clash
9. Blonde on Blonde, Bob Dylan
10. The Beatles (“The White Album”), The Beatles
—Rolling Stone Top 500 Albums
Mighty strong showing by the Beatles. Personally I would have had some Zeppelin higher in the order. Interesting list to peruse though.
By AdirondackDave
April 25, 2008 4:55 PM | Link to this
Just got back from 2 boring months in Florida to find Chipper is still crushing the ball. Hope this continues tonight and the starters keep up their great run. Time for Tex to show what he’s got if he wants to get that huge contract from one of the NY teams next year. He’s got to pick up the pace if he expects 20+ for 6-7 years.
My iBook seems to be on its last legs. Only half of my bookmarks seem to come in, fortunately including the AJC stuff. I guess 5 years, more or less, is a good record for these units.
By AGTfan
April 25, 2008 4:57 PM | Link to this
The Clash were an angry group of youths who were highly influential AFTER the angry youths who influenced us-that’s all.
And all those angry young men (of many generation) produced great Rock & Roll. I’ll raise a glass to all those musically inclined angry young men (and women).
By DAP
April 25, 2008 4:57 PM | Link to this
overlord I see you would like James in the rotation next year, and also see JOJO there
well i didnt really say that i WANTED them in the rotation next year. i was showing someone who said they wouldnt be surprised if they traded james that we need him, because we could feesably lose 3 starters next year, and our current depth would be cut into.
honestly, i dont know how it will work…but if bennett continues to do well in the majors, i think he may have a spot. jojo might STILL not be ready, i dont know. and while james is already a good #5, i would be all for using a better one if we could get one.
so i guess im saying that i want to hang onto ALL the pitching we have, and not trade any of it…because who knows what will happen.
honestly, i dont think that rotation i posted is good enough.
what i imagine will happen, is that we will get ONE major league starter by trade or free agency in the offseaosn, that we can automatically plug in. i think glavine and hampton will be gone, and smoltz will be back, and also that some of our minor leaguers (jojo?) might be ready. i think we will be in the same situation for ‘09 as we were this season, with tons of pitchers to plug into holes when we need them.
jojo is a stretch, who knows if hes ready…but bennett vs. james? id have to lean towards james…but a good season out of bennett would change my mind quick. i definetly like bennett’s stuff better, but james has the track record, so….?
By nolie
April 25, 2008 5:04 PM | Link to this
Pet Sounds highly overrated IMO, and I too would put some Zep in there and get rid of that Clash thingy too ;-)
By the Stranger
April 25, 2008 5:06 PM | Link to this
Yeah, that Bob Dylan guy is soooo overrated.
…gonna be a clash tonight!
By Lew
April 25, 2008 5:09 PM | Link to this
AGTFan-And in the immortal words of Rainbow-“If you don’t like Rock and Roll-well, you’re too late now.”
By Big Easy
April 25, 2008 5:10 PM | Link to this
TennPaul, that list illustrates the main reason that I think Rolling Stone Magazine is a pile of crap. A list of the top 10 greatest albums, and no mention of Dark Side of the Moon? Sorry, but that is just crazy.
~E~
By doug
April 25, 2008 5:13 PM | Link to this
cafleming, charter in montgomery shows peachtree tv games. they are shown on css in analog, and also in HD. we have a new channel and the only thing that shows up on it is the peachtree games. there is also another hd channel for fsn games on wed nights.
By Braveheart
April 25, 2008 5:13 PM | Link to this
Thrillhouse: here was how to maintain a no hitter in RBI Baseball:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=wwmx2ya11Ao
By Chop Chop
April 25, 2008 5:13 PM | Link to this
Thrillhouse44 and Braveheart,
Doesn’t Brian McCann remind you a little of Charlie Kerfeld (and every other player) on RBI Baseball for the Nintendo?
By StingerSplash
April 25, 2008 5:20 PM | Link to this
To paraphrase the two great philosophers, Mr. B. Eavis and Mr. B. Utthead:
Yes! yes! yes! “Guns of Brixton” rules!
By Pete H.
April 25, 2008 5:22 PM | Link to this
Know your rights! All THREE OF EM!!!
-The Clash-
This is a public service announcement With guitar Know your rights all three of them
Number 1 You have the right not to be killed Murder is a crime! Unless it was done by a Policeman or aristocrat Know your rights
And number 2 You have the right to food money Providing of course you Dont mind a little Investigation, humiliation And if you cross your fingers Rehabilitation
Know your rights These are your rights Wang
Know these rights
Number 3 You have the right to free Speech as long as youre not Dumb enough to actually try it.
Know your rights These are your rights All three of em It has been suggested In some quarters that this is not enough! Well…………………………
Get off the streets Get off the streets Run You dont have a home to go to Smush
Finally then I will read you your rights
You have the right to remain silent You are warned that anything you say Can and will be taken down And used as evidence against you
Listen to this Run
By Chop Chop
April 25, 2008 5:23 PM | Link to this
My brother and I would play RBI Baseball a lot. He would drive me bat-s** insane by taking as many fielders as he could to the outfield and doing, as he called it, “the chicken dance.” He would just let the ball sit on the ground and not pick it up for fifteen minutes while he circled the guys around the outfield.
I owe him a beating for that.
By McFann
April 25, 2008 5:28 PM | Link to this
I know, those back-to-back mid-week losses against Washington and Florida took some of the oomph out of it for many of you…DOB
Mmm…maybe a little. But ALL the oomph got put back in that eighth inning last night!!
By Braveheart
April 25, 2008 5:29 PM | Link to this
Chop Chop, McCann is definitely straight out of RBI Baseball.
By Bravosimos
April 25, 2008 5:29 PM | Link to this
Go Braves! Chip will hit .421 with teo homers and six Rbi’s against the mats this weekend!
By Bravosimos
April 25, 2008 5:30 PM | Link to this
Go Braves! Chip will hit .421 with two homers and six RBI’s against the mets this weekend!
By AGTfan
April 25, 2008 5:31 PM | Link to this
Pet Sounds highly overrated IMO, and I too would put some Zep in there and get rid of that Clash thingy too ;-)
Where I would have reversed numbers one and two and would have thrown in some Kinks.
By Mr. Mann
April 25, 2008 5:40 PM | Link to this
DOB, I’m a long time reader but have never posted. Just looking for good Braves info, and you provide it better than anyone. Have to comment, however, on your music choice today. Those lyrics seek only to justify, glorify and defend those who practice violent lawlessness. There are innocent people hurt every day by those who advocate such lawlessnes, not to mention the good law enforcement personel who must risk their lives to protect the rest of us from those who wait with their finger “on the trigger of a gun”. There is no justification for your promtion of it. It is deplorable and frankly disgusting that someone with as wide an audience as you could praise such lyrics and those who create them. It is a slap in the face to victims of violent crime and hard working men and women of our law enforcement. I had expected better of you.
By Chop Chop
April 25, 2008 5:40 PM | Link to this
Ray King would also be a good RBI Baseball player. The only problem is that RBI Baseball players didn’t have different skin colors. The good folks at Tengen forgot that minor detail.
By Chop Chop
April 25, 2008 5:46 PM | Link to this
Bravosimos,
I hope Chip hits teo homers and six Rbi’s against the mats this weekend. No need to correct that. You were just letting the spirit move you. That is all that matters here at the MIB/Braves/BBQ/Clash-toleratin’ Blog.
By Lew
April 25, 2008 5:47 PM | Link to this
AGTFan-Just a matter of Preservation-Act 2 that is.
By nolie
April 25, 2008 5:47 PM | Link to this
Where I would have reversed numbers one and two and would have thrown in some Kinks.AGTfan
Kinks are cool. I just never cared all that much for the Beach Boys though I agree that Pet Sounds is their best. I do have that one on CD. Actually I wouldn’t put all that Beatles in my top ten either. But hey, it’s all good, even White Snake.
By OrlandoFan
April 25, 2008 5:48 PM | Link to this
Rolling Stone list(thanks TennPaul): Had seen taht when it came out. Good list. Much grist for the mill. But the record is established about the bset. Personally, I thought the Eagles and, say, Hotel California should have been somewhere in the top 10.
By La Jolla Dawg
April 25, 2008 5:50 PM | Link to this
Great choice Pete H.! I see your Know Your Rights and raise you a Lost in the Supermarket
The Clash
Im all lost in the supermarket I can no longer shop happily I came in here for that special offer A guaranteed personality
I wasnt born so much as I fell out Nobody seemed to notice me We had a hedge back home in the suburbs Over which I never could see
I heard the people who lived on the ceiling Scream and fight most scarily Hearing that noise was my first ever feeling Thats how its been all around me
Im all tuned in, I see all the programmes I save coupons from packets of tea Ive got my giant hit discoteque album I empty a bottle and I feel a bit free
The kids in the halls and the pipes in the walls Make me noises for company Long distance callers make long distance calls And the silence makes me lonely
And its not hear It disappear Im all lost
By Alex
April 25, 2008 5:51 PM | Link to this
DOB-
I was going to give you a bit of a hard time for gently calling me out for my Sarah Marshall statement but then you had to go and put “Guns of Brixton” down at the end…how could I tease someone for not agreeing with me when they’ve obviously got it right in the music department…and especially since you’re currently stuck in the BBQ desert that is NYC.
By TennesseePaul
April 25, 2008 5:54 PM | Link to this
Big Easy: Dark Side of the Moon Pink Floyd was listed at #43, just under The Doors The Doors.
By Braveheart
April 25, 2008 5:59 PM | Link to this
CHop Chop, after I dropped back 100 yards from my brother’s 1 yard line to my own endzone and threw a touchdown pass down the length of the field in Ten Yard Fight, my brother flung not only the joystick at me but the entire Nintendo console. It broke and we went 5 years in that house without playing another video game.
By Shamus Thacker
April 25, 2008 6:00 PM | Link to this
Bout what time will Hammy be warming up in VA?
Summa those minor league pens are practically in the stands. Hope folks in the first few rows wear helmets. Hammy’s arm could go ballistic at any time… Wonder how much it’d fetch on ebay? Guess you’d have to negotiate with Hammy on the way to the hospital…
SWEEPETH THY MUTTETHS!!
I think we’re watching one of the all-time-greats in Chipper. He may be somewhat overshadowed by Smoltzie in that regard, but he’s on equal ground to me.
By Savannah Guy
April 25, 2008 6:04 PM | Link to this
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?
Lew, winning is a good thing to be sure, but I really don’t like the way Chuck James wins. Here’s what’s up: might sound crazy at first blush, but my opinion isn’t based on the way Chuck holds his mouth or anything when he pitches and yes, he’s had his victories and good outings. Question is, many of his wins are at what cost to the team on the days he pitches and immediately following his short outings?
What does it cost the whole team when the pen use adds up over the course of the season. So it’s really not so much about CJ’s stats, it’s about the cumulative team effect of his pitching. Hell, Andruw Jones had good HR and RBI stats but look what he did to the team when he was in the cleanup spot.
Shaun, good stats as always and valid points made. Consider this: as you well know, a win in the books for a pitcher isn’t always due to the pitcher’s prowess. All pitchers have non-quality starts and get wins due to lots of run support. They give up 6, we get 8. Sure, wins are on Chuck’s scorecard, but who measures the wear and tear and damage done to the pen with his short outings? Where can those numbers be found?
Further, which other Braves starting pitchers wind up with a loss because the pen can’t hold their small lead due to being worn out from CJ’s short starts? Maybe there’s a record or metrics around that, but I doubt it. I’d appreciate seeing them if they’re available, but it seems the cause-effect analysis would be impossible to retrace, add up and reconcile.
Regardless, until he gets another pitch and starts using his noggin, gets his control down better and can go a solid six innings on a consistent basis, he’s not on my Atlanta roster… not as a starter anyway. Nothing personal about him, mind you. I just want the Braves… all the pitchers, the bullpen, the whole team… to have the best shot at winning the whole season. Again… I’ll hope along with you that he comes around after another AAA stint.
And now that Lew and Shaun are actually agreeing on this and the river hasn’t iced over here on the coast, I’m gonna drop the Chuck James subject before I get roundly pummeled into submission.
Then again, sometimes it just hurts to be right.
By nolie
April 25, 2008 6:04 PM | Link to this
BASEBALL AMERICA Prospect Hot Sheet lists Hanson at #2 right now. HERE
By TennesseePaul
April 25, 2008 6:06 PM | Link to this
nolie: I can understand the point on The Beach Boys. I love Pet Sounds and think it is a great album, but that band’s catalog as a whole never really inspired me. Other bands would take precedent in my library. I appreciate their work though.
After looking at the list some more I noticed the bummer results for Pixies albums. Only 2, and they didn’t appear until 226 and 315. And only half the Zeppelin albums were listed with Houses of the Holy as the lowest ranked one.
Not a single Rascal Flatts album anywhere in the list… Probably for the best.
By David O'Brien
April 25, 2008 6:10 PM | Link to this
Blanco’s in CF again; Kotsay said his neck was better, but Bobby always goes conservative in these situations and gives the guy another day off (well, except for with Frenchy).
By the way, Francoeur running much better now. The shot took effect, it apears. Said he felt great last night….
SORIANO will throw a bullpen Saturday or Sunday and said he WILL be ready in Washington, to pitch. Cox said he hopes so. “We’ll see,” he said.
HAMPTON is going three innings tonight for Richmond, at least that’s what he’s scheduled to do.
By Savannah Guy
April 25, 2008 6:13 PM | Link to this
Dizzy Dean wasn’t the brightest bulb in the box either but he was a Hall of Fame pitcher.
Gil in Mechanicsville… don’t you be knockin’ ol’ Dizzy. That man was a warhorse and gave up his playing career for the team. Besides, anybody that would take a grounder to the head to avoid a double play has gotta be a team guy. After he was knocked, uh… like his name says, he played self-effacingly with the newspaper headline of the incident aftermath and said, “The doctors x-rayed my head and found nothing”. Gotta love that.
So that’s my story and I’m stickin’ to it.
By Shamus Thacker
April 25, 2008 6:13 PM | Link to this
Any of you ever listen to much Hendrix? The Wind Cries Mary, Third Stone From The Sun, and MANY others, are lyrically superior. Bet there wasn’t a Hendrix mention on the Rolling Stone list. Am I right? Typical of their pathetic lists.
By Overlord
April 25, 2008 6:14 PM | Link to this
I see DAP.
I think Ill agree with you. And I think Bennett will convince you through out the year he is a better #4 than James for next year.
I like the idea of JJJ being #2 if he continues to develop and Smoltz #3. Glavine looks tired, i dont think he will be back. Hampton ….. I think he has a better chance if he goes lights out this year. If he puts some league average numbers i think they will let go, but dont count him out just yet.
I agree Braves will get one starter, maybe a #2 with the money they free if hampton and Glavine leave. If TEX also leaves they might go for an elite pitcher, giving us Hudson, XXX, JJJ and Smoltz. That would still be great. Then the race for 5th would be jojo, bennett and James. And still there would be money for a good 1B if TEX leaves.
By Shamus Thacker
April 25, 2008 6:18 PM | Link to this
Savannah Guy, thanks for mentioning all the lackluster things about Chuck James that I was too lazy to type. You got it RIGHT on the moolah!
By uh Chuck er um James
April 25, 2008 6:19 PM | Link to this
DOB. Uh, when is my like rebate check um coming in the uh mail. I uh need to buy gas to like get back to um Richmond.
By Shamus Thacker
April 25, 2008 6:20 PM | Link to this
Any over/unders on Hammy’s three? lol
By Pete H.
April 25, 2008 6:26 PM | Link to this
Mr. Mann: Time to brush up on the ol reading comprehension. Guns of Brixton is about a future fascist state, not “criminals” killing cops.
If you think that just surrendering for rendition and torture is your duty, feel free.
By Savannah Guy
April 25, 2008 6:27 PM | Link to this
By the way, Francoeur running much better now. The shot took effect, it apears. Said he felt great last night….
So, did McCann get a belly shot today?
By Jeff
April 25, 2008 6:28 PM | Link to this
How can Braves fans talk about great albums and not include the greatest live album ever: Allman Brothers Live at Fillmore East? Hate to say it but no Brave will ever play in New York as well as Duane Allman did that weekend in 1971. Rolling Stone says Duane is number 2 all time behind Hendrix but I disagree.
By TennesseePaul
April 25, 2008 6:29 PM | Link to this
Savannah Guy: In Chuck James pre-injury stretch (Prior to July 31, 2007) He had a 39 start stretch that contained 20 Quality Starts, 21 where he lasted at least 6 innings, And 29 where he gave up no more than 3 runs. He averaged 5.74 innings per start during that stretch (224+ Total innings) with a 3.73 ERA (League ERA was 4.65). That’s what our fifth or fourth starter was offering with 2 pitches and no head. Then he got hurt. Get him back to where he was prior to being injured and we’d have a solid staff.
His affect on the pen and the results of other games only became an issue when he was moved up to a third starter position. It wasn’t his fault entirely. It was banking on Hampton and hoping for Redman that resulted in the bullpen woes if there were any. Last season’s bullpen was ranked 2nd in the league in ERA despite being 5th in the league in IP. Atlanta ranked 13th out of 16 teams in blown saves (blowing 15, tied for third best, or fewest however you like). That’s a good pen. The Rockies ranked first in the league with 39 blown saves.
By Overlord
April 25, 2008 6:31 PM | Link to this
Maybe some of you have seen this video, those of you that have not, I advice you to watch it: Wear Sunscreen
By AGTFan
April 25, 2008 6:32 PM | Link to this
Then again, sometimes it just hurts to be right. Savannah Guy
How would you know? :-)
By Savannah Guy
April 25, 2008 6:33 PM | Link to this
Shamus, thanks… yet now I feel guilty for going all bad on Chuck. Admittedly, having Smoltz, Maddux and Glavine all these years have ruined me. But still…
By TennesseePaul
April 25, 2008 6:34 PM | Link to this
Shamus Thacker: Hendrix appeared on the list:
15. Are You Experienced? The Jimi Hendrix Experience
54. Electric Ladyland The Jimi Hendrix Experience
82. Axis: Bold as Love The Jimi Hendrix Experience
By Pete H.
April 25, 2008 6:40 PM | Link to this
La Jolla: See your Lost in the Supermarket and raise you This Is England
I hear a gang fire on a human factory farm Are they howling out or doing somebody harm On a catwalk jungle somebody grabbed my arm A voice spoke so cold it matched the weapon in her palm
This is England This knife of Sheffield steel This is England This is how we feel
Time on his hands freezing in those clothes He won’t go for the carrot They beat him by the pole Some sunny day confronted by his soul He’s out at sea, too far off, he can’t go home
This is England What we’re supposed to die for This is England And we’re never gonna cry no more [ Find more Lyrics at www.mp3lyrics.org/DDZ ]
Black shadow of the Vincent Falls on a Triumph line I got my motorcycle jacket But I’m walking all the time South Atlantic wind blows Ice from a dying creed I see no glory When will we be free
This is England We can chain you to the rail This is England We can kill you in a jail
The British boots go kick them Got ‘em in the head Police ain’t watchin’ The newspapers been read Who cares to protest A (???) in the eye like a flare Out came the batons and The British warned themselves
This is England The land of (il)legal dances This is England Land of a thousand stances This is England This knife of Sheffield steel This is England This is how we feel This is England This is England
By Chop Chop
April 25, 2008 6:40 PM | Link to this
Braveheart,
We didn’t have such anger management issues in my house, although I do remember destroying my brother on NHLPA Hockey ‘93 over and over again. I beat him several times with the “puck off the goalie’s back, off the net, off the glass, off the goalie’s back, and in the net” play. He’s older than me, so I used to take some punishment for such transgressions. I’m just glad that both of us had the foresight not to brain the other with any of our gaming systems.
(I did hit him with a copy of NBA Live ‘95 once, but that’s because he insulted Mookie Blaylock’s honor.)
By Savannah Guy
April 25, 2008 6:40 PM | Link to this
TennesseePaul, excellent context and good points although I’m not getting how his place in the rotation matters. I completely understand how Redman added to the pen woes. Regardless, hope CJ gets back to his prior self. Thanks for the info.
By cityofdecatur
April 25, 2008 6:43 PM | Link to this
* BEATLES* DOB a few more grays and you’d understand how cool the BEATLES were. sounds like a generational rift between their supporters and the CLASH supporters enjoy this weekends music . don’t breathe the air around the manholes. lol
By Jed clampet
April 25, 2008 6:43 PM | Link to this
Well Doggies I here the braves are in New York. I sure hope them dam Yankees don’ git em. by the way what is a Met? is that the same as a Nat i hope not they have been allover the Braves.
By Savannah Guy
April 25, 2008 6:44 PM | Link to this
…and I’m not mentioning the name Chuck again. It’s over. Done. Finished. Just chuck the whole subject in the… whoops.
By Savannah Guy
April 25, 2008 6:48 PM | Link to this
Then again, sometimes it just hurts to be right. Me.
How would you know? AGTFan.
I think I heard it on a Lenny Bruce album… not sure. ;-)
By David O'Brien
April 25, 2008 6:49 PM | Link to this
Attaboy, Pete H. Thanks for taking that call.
By Pete H.
April 25, 2008 6:51 PM | Link to this
Top 100 lists are always silly. Like there’s only 100 great albums or something. And they’re tilted toward record sales, not necessarily art. Although the two are not ALWAYS mutually exclusive. Just usually.
My Top 10 would have the Kinks, Arthur along with John Cale, Paris 1919 and The Stooges, Funhouse on it. And it would NOT have Sgt. Pepper’s, which has not worn well. Revolver is far better and still sounds great. But it still would not make my top 10 and neither would any Beach Boys album. The Boys were far more a singles band, just like The Animals and the Dave Clark Five.
Beggars Banquet belongs on the Top 10, too.
By Savannah Guy
April 25, 2008 6:54 PM | Link to this
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.
Lew, could be steroid pencils made Sheff seem bigger?
By Steve McP
April 25, 2008 6:57 PM | Link to this
Talk of the Clash recalled my trip to Atlanta this past week.
I loaded up the CD player in the car with my old favourites from the late 70’s early 80’s and had a blast reliving my youth in southern England, bands were the Clash, Stranglers, the Jam, Madness, Bad Manners and the Specials.
By David O'Brien
April 25, 2008 6:57 PM | Link to this
Signs everywhere at Shea now ready: “No Smoking. Anyone smoking is subject to ejection.”
I mentioned that to Bobby, and he smiled and said, “They could add that [ejection] to my list.”
By Braveheart
April 25, 2008 7:03 PM | Link to this
Chop Chop, I loved Mookie Blaylock. The first NCAA championship game I really remember was that Kansas-Oklahoma game. Mookie was all over the court that night. He had a bunch of steals that night. KU won of course behind Danny Manning but Mookie was a beast on D out there. I always thought that Mookie Blaylock was a cooler name than Pearl Jam too. Kind of stupid that Mookie’s reps fought Eddie and his boys on that. Mookie could have been immortalized forever. Now he’s just the answer to three trivia questions: Who holds the record for steals in a NCAA championship game, what was Pearl Jam’s name before becoming Pearl Jam, and whose uniform number caused PJ’s album to be called Ten (not Chipper Jones).
By La Jolla Dawg
April 25, 2008 7:07 PM | Link to this
Pete H. I am going to take your This is England (very nice, by the way) and parlay it into the Waterboys This is the Sea:
These things you keep Youd better throw them away You wanna turn your back On your soulless days Once you were tethered And now you are free Once you were tethered Well now you are free That was the river This is the sea!
Now if youre feelin weary If youve been alone too long Maybe youve been suffering from A few too many Plans that have gone wrong And youre trying to remember How fine your life used to be Running around banging your drum Like its 1973 Well that was the river This is the sea! Wooo!
Now you say youve got trouble You say youve got pain You sayve got nothing left to believe in Nothing to hold on to Nothing to trust Nothing but chains Youre scouring your conscience Raking through your memories Scouring your conscience Raking through your memories But that was the river This is the sea yeah!
Now I can see you wavering As you try to decide Youve got a war in your head And its tearing you up inside Youre trying to make sense Of something that you just cant see Trying to make sense now And you know you once held the key But that was the river And this is the sea! Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah!
Now I hear theres a train Its coming on down the line Its yours if you hurry Youve got still enough time And you dont need no ticket And you dont pay no fee No you dont need no ticket You dont pay no fee Because that was the river And this is the sea!
Behold the sea!
By Pete H.
April 25, 2008 7:18 PM | Link to this
Was Pelfrey making pee-pee in his pants when Chipper was up?
Kinda funny that all the Muttsy posters have done a bunk. Wonder why?
By David O'Brien
April 25, 2008 7:28 PM | Link to this
Escobar is OUT with a contusion of the right index finger, looked like it happened when he bunted (you guys have better access to replays than we have here in this old pressbox, believe me)
By Yars
April 25, 2008 7:29 PM | Link to this
Rolling Stone Magazine will occasionally have an interesting article. Doesn’t have the credibility it once did. I prefer British music mags such a Q magazine, & Mojo. A tad more expensive, but worth it. Tennessee Paul…thanks for the link to RS top 500 albums. ‘The Doors’ debut album at #42? What the hell? ‘Synchronicity’ by the Police at #455? The one that shocked me the most was Depeche Mode ‘Violator’ is listed at #342. How the hell can a Madonna album be ahead of some of these?
By Epinephrine
April 25, 2008 7:30 PM | Link to this
If Esco broke his finger, that will be a huge, huge loss.
By Pete H.
April 25, 2008 7:31 PM | Link to this
I love that album (Waterboys) La Jolla. They’re supposed to tour playing it this summer.
By Overlord
April 25, 2008 7:34 PM | Link to this
I wouldnt be surprised if Yunels finger is broken……
Bad break!!!!!
By TennesseePaul
April 25, 2008 7:35 PM | Link to this
Savannah Guy: although I’m not getting how his place in the rotation matters
Mainly it matters as an illustration as to how “deep” the rotation was. Our fifth starter became the third starter by default. That means the 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th and every other starter was called up to fill in the rest of the rotation which lead to the bullpen cranking out so many innings. The pen did well though. Whatever the case James shortened outings can’t be the only ones blamed for possible “over taxing” of a pen. He did well all the way up until getting injured (21 starts, 116.2 IP 3.55 ERA including 9 QS, with 17 starts of allowing 3 runs or less while averaging 5.56 Innings per start.)
By Interested Observer
April 25, 2008 7:35 PM | Link to this
You’re right, DOB. Escobar bunted that ball off his bat and finger. Mets announcers said he’s being taken for X-rays.
By Overlord
April 25, 2008 7:37 PM | Link to this
Very very solid 1-2-3 for JJJ….. This kid looks like a 10 year veteran.
Id say yunel will sit at least the whole weekend……big loss.
By Bravosimos
April 25, 2008 7:38 PM | Link to this
Chop Chop You’re right. I did not need to correct that. Correction redacted. By the way sorry to interject in you and bravehearts conversation, but Mookie is the man.
By SeligSucks
April 25, 2008 7:40 PM | Link to this
Jesus Cristo! Can we PLEASE stay healthy for a FEW days?
By Sir Stealth
April 25, 2008 7:40 PM | Link to this
No matter how nice the Mets’ new stadium is, there will still be low flying planes interrupting conversations and making the place feel like a joke.
Here’s hoping Esco’s finger isn’t broken.
By Dutchie
April 25, 2008 7:42 PM | Link to this
A funny note from Holland. ‘Muts’ in Dutch means stupid blondie (male ánd female) :).
Looks like we’re off to a good start. Nice patience, good hitting, pitty about the 3 men LOB.
Good 1,2,3 by Jair. He kind of rules people:) (or I just might be a bit chauvinistic:))
Go Braves!!
By Braveheart
April 25, 2008 7:42 PM | Link to this
It’s fun to watch Jair pitch. He and McCann just seem to dance with one another out there. Jair is not throwing much more than just two pitches either. Everything is low though and either hard and in or either hard or soft low and away. So much fun watching the poise of the kid.
Blanco and Prado are fun to watch as well.
No matter what, this team is so much more fun to watch than last year. I’d take Blanco, Prado, Gotay, Pena and Miller anyday over watching Woodward, Orr, Thorman, Langerhans. God damn, that was agony.
By Bravosimos
April 25, 2008 7:46 PM | Link to this
Anyone who disrespects Mookie’s honor deserved to be regulated upon.
By Braveheart
April 25, 2008 7:46 PM | Link to this
This is supposed to be some big bad team we are facing?
Pelfrey, Castillo, Pagan, Casanova, Church, Marlon Anderson is the best they are throwing at us in the first game of the series?
THey do understand a division can’t be won on the backs of Wright, Reyes, Santana, Wagner, and Beltran alone right?
By La Jolla Dawg
April 25, 2008 7:47 PM | Link to this
Pete H. I saw them (Waterboys) twice in Atlanta, many years ago, they put on a fantastic show both times. Mike Scott is one of the best and most underrated song writers in my opinion.
Does anyone else find it difficult to watch Pelfrey pitch? He is making me nauseous the way he licks his hand between pitches and plays with his mouth guard.
I am having to watch the Mets broadcast. I am surprised at how easy it is to listen to their announcers.
By TJ
April 25, 2008 7:50 PM | Link to this
Hampton through 3, with no runs given up. He’s allowed 3 hits and a walk and an error (his own), but got a DP and a pickoff, and 2 K’s in the 2nd with the bases loaded. 45 pitches through 3 innings. A very easy third, after a lot of adversity in the first two … he’s probably just about done tonight.
Escobar on tv, pulling his glove off, sure didn’t look to me like he had a break. Probably just a “pinch.” But I dunno, of course.
By ncscoots
April 25, 2008 7:50 PM | Link to this
Is the bone sticking out of Escobar’s finger? No? Then wrap that sucker and get back out there, LOL!
Hate to see that happen to a kid having such a great start…
By Overlord
April 25, 2008 7:51 PM | Link to this
Mets announcers say Moylan is out for the year….. could anyone confirm that? or is that only what they are wishing for?
6 up and 6 down for JJJ, just amazing kid!!!!
By JerseyGil
April 25, 2008 7:52 PM | Link to this
Hampton Update: so far so good,three inning no score,second inning came out of a jamm.K side
By DonCoburleone
April 25, 2008 7:52 PM | Link to this
THIS JUST IN:
Mike Hampton strained his uterus while warming up before the game. He will be out for 9 months…
By JC FROM UT
April 25, 2008 7:53 PM | Link to this
Best albums: Prince Sign -o- the Times
By ncscoots
April 25, 2008 7:56 PM | Link to this
goshamighty. Chipper Jones…you can’t stop him. You can’t even contain him. You can only hope he’ll show you the slightest mercy and give you a quick death.
By McFann
April 25, 2008 7:58 PM | Link to this
That bunt of Escobar’s reminded me of that one McCann put down against the Mets last April. Big bruise—and it messed up his season AVG a little bit…not good…
By Overlord
April 25, 2008 7:58 PM | Link to this
Reyes just saved the day for the mets and Pelfrey, great way to turn a DP, I thought the ball was heading to CF.
This kid will be done next inning if braves are patient.
By Braveheart
April 25, 2008 8:03 PM | Link to this
Anyone who disrespects Mookie’s honor deserved to be regulated upon.
Or Bucknered.
We gotta watch ourselves with our Mookie references. We are playing the Mets.
By ncscoots
April 25, 2008 8:03 PM | Link to this
I am having to watch the Mets broadcast. I am surprised at how easy it is to listen to their announcers.
Should have heard Dizzy Dean call a ballgame (speaking of Dizzy in some earlier posts). By the time you got finished with a few “th’owed” and “slud” remarks, man, you knew you had listened to a BALLGAME! :-)
And to hear Diz and Pee Wee together that short time they broadcast, that was just about more than an ole Southern ballin’ kid could wish for.
By bravesfan
April 25, 2008 8:05 PM | Link to this
Pitchers POS NOTE IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA
Hampton P 3.0 3 0 0 1 2 0 0.00
By Im
April 25, 2008 8:09 PM | Link to this
DOB do you know what the deal is with these rope necklaces everyone is wearing? It seems like everyone on the braves has one all of a sudden…or have i just missed them until this year?
By Shamus Thacker
April 25, 2008 8:10 PM | Link to this
Hammy must think it’s beneath him to be injured on a minor league field.
He’s waiting for his next Turner Field warmup, so he can wince in style…
By David O'Brien
April 25, 2008 8:10 PM | Link to this
HAMPTON: 3 innings, 3 hits, no runs, 3 K, one walk. GM Frank Wren reported 50 pitches, 32 strikes, and that Hampton “felt good.”
By Epinephrine
April 25, 2008 8:12 PM | Link to this
Jurrjens just got ROBBED
By Braveheart
April 25, 2008 8:13 PM | Link to this
Eff the ump!!!!!!!!!!!!
Effin idiot
By Shamus Thacker
April 25, 2008 8:14 PM | Link to this
Funny stuff, Don Coburleone… lol
Do the Braves have an OBGYN on their staff?
By Big Easy
April 25, 2008 8:14 PM | Link to this
One more for Bobby…this ump is a jerk…
~E~
By Overlord
April 25, 2008 8:14 PM | Link to this
Freakin ump….. he just cost us a run…….what a pitch by jair…….. go to helllllllllllllll!!!!!!!
By McFann
April 25, 2008 8:14 PM | Link to this
You tell ‘im, Bobby!!
SHEEEEEEEESH!!!
By TJ
April 25, 2008 8:16 PM | Link to this
Cox did the right thing… he saved his pitcher from getting tossed.
Bases still loaded, 2 in, but that’s okay. Biggest pressure situation Jurrjens has probably ever seen. Let him learn and grow a little.
By Braveheart
April 25, 2008 8:17 PM | Link to this
Not so much poise from Jair in this inning.
We are seeing the excitable young kid that was warned about in scouting reports.
Still, he got robbed bad on that Wright 0-2 count.
By Braveheart
April 25, 2008 8:20 PM | Link to this
Jair got robbed but he needs to calm the hell down
By Epinephrine
April 25, 2008 8:20 PM | Link to this
Wow. What a disaster. How long do they leave him in there? Poor kid, he is definitely reeling. Can’t really get down on him, 22, first time in this kind of environment, just lost his composure.
By Big Easy
April 25, 2008 8:20 PM | Link to this
The necklaces are made by Phiten. They supposedly help circulation, joint pain, etc.
~E~
By cafleming
April 25, 2008 8:20 PM | Link to this
can we sue that dumb home plate umpire for his idiot calls?
By ernesto
April 25, 2008 8:21 PM | Link to this
We got jobbed on the WRight strikeout and squeezed ever since, but JJJ has to do a better job of getting over it. AT some point he’s got to pitch to contact, he’s not going to get a call.
By David O'Brien
April 25, 2008 8:23 PM | Link to this
Well, now this is a fine mess…
That was a strike, that last pitch on the bases-loaded walk that started it. But then Jurrjens let it get to him. Can NOT react like that, with hands out, especially not a rookie.
Cox took the bullet for him, getting out there to make sure McClelland didn’t toss the kid.
By Shamus Thacker
April 25, 2008 8:25 PM | Link to this
Summa these umps are on a payroll other than MLB’s.
Or stoned, or drunk, or trippin, or any combo of the three. I, myself, am one or more of the above, but I’m not a ML umpire! DAMMITT!
By TJ
April 25, 2008 8:26 PM | Link to this
You know, it’s easy to complain about JJ’s walking a few guys (the worst was walking Castillo with Wright on deck!). But, if you’re a Met fan, how bout nobody slamming a pitch into the gap to bring home a couple.
That was a “growing experience” for JJ, and he hung in there despite getting a little rattled. It’s not the end of the world by any means.
I hope bobby (or whoever is calling the shots) will let JJ go another inning or two. But probably not.
By Pete H.
April 25, 2008 8:28 PM | Link to this
Oy, not a good inning. Of course, the Mutts need a little help scoring runs, but being a good samaritan is just not a good idea in baseball.
For Kinks fans, Ray Davies is on Austin City Limits for the whole hour this weekend. It’s on in a few minutes here in Chicago, but it’s on at all sorts of times, depending on the PBS station. So, check your local listings.
By David O'Brien
April 25, 2008 8:29 PM | Link to this
X-rays NEGATIVE on Escobar. And in this case, of course, negative is positive.
By AmazinsAgain08
April 25, 2008 8:29 PM | Link to this
I gotta admit that I didn’t expect Jurrjens to be this wild with the 4 walks. Looks like we got a great chance to go one up on youse guys.
By Señor Blanco
April 25, 2008 8:32 PM | Link to this
Señor Blanco es muy buena. ¿No lo creen?
By Overlord
April 25, 2008 8:37 PM | Link to this
Braves are just not taking advantage Pelfrey is on the mount, that kid is pitching just bad……
JJJ looked really bad, but Id say, for a kid that young, he really showed what he is made of. He walked lots of guys, but he didnt give in, and mets might regret not hitting one into the gap and scoring 5 runs.
By ncscoots
April 25, 2008 8:38 PM | Link to this
I imagine McDowell might have a little chat with JJJ on the relationship between rookie-dom and umpire-baiting. He got jobbed, sure, but it won’t be the last time, and he might as well get that thought nailed down now. Getting the next guy out is the best revenge against a bad call.
By geauxbraves2000
April 25, 2008 8:39 PM | Link to this
Nice comeback Jurrjens.
Geaux Braves!!
By Overlord
April 25, 2008 8:40 PM | Link to this
Kid can still give us 6.
But more important is that he showed in the 4th, he still is JJJ, just a bad inning as a result of a bad call, we still have our solid #3 and we can still win the game.
GOOOO Braves!!!!!!!!!!
By Epinephrine
April 25, 2008 8:41 PM | Link to this
Man the Mets have done a good job of not letting Chipper get up with men on, eh? Here we go again. Wouldn’t mind seeing a home run here.
Nice job on a bounce back from JJJ
Absolutely HUGE news on Esco not breaking anything. Hopefully it doesnt affect his swing, etc.
By Not A McFann
April 25, 2008 8:41 PM | Link to this
3rd inning
Let’s talk about it. Started with a hit. Then it went south. The 8th place hitter hitting. Instead of going after the hitter 2-2, Jurjens tries nibbling and goes 3-2. This starts the wheels turning with the runner going on 3-2. Pitch outside to the left handed hitter who hits the ball in the hole at short left vacant by the shortstop covering. It was definitely called as an outside pitch. Did Prado not know the pitch was going to be outside? Who screwed up here? Outside pitch to the lefty is generally going the other way, especially to a guy who isn’t a pull hitter trying to roll over on the pitch. Kelly should have been covering. Someone screwed up.
Next, Pelfrey bunting. Fouls first one. Bunts down first and was obviously going foul, yet Tex fields it. Moves runner at first up. I take my chances against the pitcher with 2 strikes trying to get a bunt down.
Next, Reyes grounds back to Jurjens. He had the lead runner at third hung up, but went to first to get the out.
The subsequent walks were just plain ugly.
Not counting any of the walks, there were at least 4 defensive-pitching lapses that inning.
It’s not the end of the world, but folks, that’s how you lose games. The Braves aren’t playing fundamentally sound baseball. Can’t expect to go very far without doing the things good teams do.
By MOTDawg84
April 25, 2008 8:42 PM | Link to this
The 0-2 call on Wright was terrible, but it Jurrjens had the opportunity to get out of the inning without giving up a run (or just giving up one or two) and couldn’t get it done.
Luckily, he looked fine in the 4th.
By Dutchie
April 25, 2008 8:43 PM | Link to this
@AmazinsAgain
I have this sneeking suspicion you are just cheering a bit premature. JJJ isn’t done yet, wants to prove himself. And it’s not like there’s no hitting or walking Pelfrey…..
Go Braves!
By nolie
April 25, 2008 8:43 PM | Link to this
LEW
you’re right, it is a generational thing. Our generation had great music, Dave’s generation…not so much. ;-) Actually I never got into the somewhat violent lyrics of punk and post-punk music. I was an extreme liberal in the 60’s and 70’s. Very involved in counter-cultural activities on the national level, starting with civil rights and continuing into the anti-war area. I think I was just starting to become a little more acclimated into society and a little more conservative when the next wave of rebellion music came along. A matter of timing I guess.
Each generation has it’s own Muses. I’m starting to get into the alt-country/folk songwriter scene now thanks to many of Dave’s recommendations along that line. Some good stuff there IMO.
On a baseball note, c’mon Braves! Let’s catch & pass these guys. Anybodu hear how bad Esco’s injury is?
By Tomas
April 25, 2008 8:43 PM | Link to this
This umpire has one of the smallest strike zones I have ever seen. the beltran walk, was a strike at the knees and in the outside corner, that umpire is a sell out, willy bought him.
By Overlord
April 25, 2008 8:44 PM | Link to this
Please tell me this is not gonna be another 1 run loss.
By kinky
April 25, 2008 8:46 PM | Link to this
Ray Davies lives in New York City. So he is probably a Mets fan.
By BTW
April 25, 2008 8:46 PM | Link to this
Replay shows the pitch to Wright was a ball.
By Overlord
April 25, 2008 8:48 PM | Link to this
YYYYYYYEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!
JEFFFFFFFFF!!!!!!!!!!!!
Much more plate discipline lately by jeff.
By Scott
April 25, 2008 8:49 PM | Link to this
Does anyone else think Joe Simpson has gone a little overboard with his condescending remarks? Maybe I just miss hearing Skip.
By kool$kat
April 25, 2008 8:50 PM | Link to this
So I was a month shy of 4 yrs old when the Fab Four landed on Ed Sullivan and my teenage sister begged my parents to let me stay up and watch the band I already loved. I worshiped my big sis, and she took me everywhere (except on some dates) and I knew all the songs on the radio, cuz she always had it on. Which was 50% Beatles in those days! My life changed forever. I insisted on bangs, while the rest of my kindergarten class had flattops. I got the class pic to prove it! I wanted to be Ringo.
Never a drummer but eventually a guitarist, I was immersed in the Allman Bros, Clapton, Pink Floyd and Zeppelin, and all the other multitude of guitar heroes that followed in the 60s and 70s.
I bought London Calling when it was hot. But I never got it. Train in Vain had a great hook, but to them it was a throwaway song. Rock the Casbah was more commercial than they ever intended I’m sure.
I listened to the Ramones a bit. I got into early new wave (which was punk gone commercial) like Blondie, Benatar, Devo and the Cars. Linda Rondsadt exposed me to Elvis Costello, I could never get her “Allison” out of my head. I loved the soundtrack and the movie “Valley Girls”. But that was about it for me and punk. Guess I missed it, huh?
By Pete H.
April 25, 2008 8:51 PM | Link to this
We get our runs the old-fashioned way. We earn them.
By TJ
April 25, 2008 8:52 PM | Link to this
Overlord, this is not gonna be another 1 run loss.
By Mr. Mann
April 25, 2008 8:54 PM | Link to this
Pete H. (and DOB) Claiming that Clash was refering to “a future fascist state” does not hold water. It was a thinly veiled (and admitted reference) to the governments of the U.K. and USA. John Graham Mellor (Joe Strummer) supported and encouraged terrorist groups in South America, Italy and Germany and openly called for young white American men to riot. What did Strummer (and others) consider a fascist state? Almost every organized government. To them a “Police State” was one that contained Policemen! While they claimed they were not anarchists, they clearly suppported those who were.
By nolie
April 25, 2008 8:55 PM | Link to this
Rolling Stone says Duane is number 2 all time behind Hendrix but I disagree.Jeff
Me too . Did you ever hear Boz Scagg’s long version of Fenton Robinson’s Loan Me a Dime? Some great Duane playing there. Actually that eponymous first album of Scaggs is great in it’s entirety.
By David O'Brien
April 25, 2008 8:55 PM | Link to this
You can buy those necklaces at Sports Authority, or anywhere else like that I suppose. Golfers, tennis players, lot of athletes using them. Titanium in them, supposed to give you energy, etc.
By Dutchie
April 25, 2008 8:57 PM | Link to this
Two 1,2,3 innings. Decent bit of rebounding in my book. Come on! Now let’s get at them!!
Go Braves!
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
April 25, 2008 8:57 PM | Link to this
All that trouble in the third inning and yet, here we are, knotted up at 3-3.
Jeff Francoeur is looking better and better at the plate. He’s working the count, getting his pitch and driving it.
He has turned his game up a notch and this fan appreciates it.
Jurrjens has done one hell of a job recovering from the third inning and the Braves starting pitching is working on another quality start.
By armenian braves fan
April 25, 2008 8:58 PM | Link to this
you must make hits to make runs no? or maybe walks. you must make walks or hits. braves make seven hits four walks only three runs. mets two hits four walks also three runs. somethings not right. cheating maybe.
By Pete H.
April 25, 2008 9:00 PM | Link to this
Ray Davies is a cricket fan. I doubt he could find Shea Stadium with a map.
By David O'Brien
April 25, 2008 9:01 PM | Link to this
Jair is really showing me something here tonight. One utter disaster of an inning, and five PERFECT innings. He came back from that inning with two perfectos since; didn’t think that would happen.
Oh, and THAT was the first pitch of the season by a Braves pitcher. Snapped an 0-for-39.
By Frenchy In The Bucket
April 25, 2008 9:01 PM | Link to this
Either Frenchy was guessing like he11 or McCann tipped him off that the pitch he doubled on was going to be inside.
Frenchy stepped directly into the bucket. He didn’t adjust mid pitch, he stepped directly away from the plate when the pitcher started his motion. He was definitely trying to yank that one.
By David O'Brien
April 25, 2008 9:03 PM | Link to this
Kelly has got some serious pop in that bat. Damn.
By Dutchie
April 25, 2008 9:03 PM | Link to this
Yessssssssssssssss!
Come back with your first basehit and be brought home by a beautifull dinger by KJ.
Go Braves!!!!!!!!!
By keylargo
April 25, 2008 9:04 PM | Link to this
Please let me know when Prado hits one of those. That is the main separation offensively between them. Kelly will hit 20+ and Prado may 5-7.
By nolie
April 25, 2008 9:04 PM | Link to this
Signs everywhere at Shea now ready: “No Smoking. Anyone smoking is subject to ejection.”
I mentioned that to Bobby, and he smiled and said, “They could add that [ejection] to my list.”DOB
no man, it goes “Sign sign everywhere a sign.Blocking out the scenery,breaking my mind. Do this, don’t do that.Can’t you read the sign?”
By MEB
April 25, 2008 9:04 PM | Link to this
ATTA BOY KELLY!!! Big time bonus having Jair on base with the first base hit by a Braves pitcher.
GO BRAVES!!!
By armenian braves fan
April 25, 2008 9:04 PM | Link to this
hah! baseball hears my complaints. gives braves plus two runs.
By bgvt
April 25, 2008 9:05 PM | Link to this
Gee, AmazinsAgain…
Do you think your chances of winning would be better if Willy pulled Pelfrey? The Braves are starting to hit the ball harder against him (when he finally throws strikes).
Too early to tell but I like the Braves’ chances tonight…and tomorrow…and Sunday. It ought to be a good series.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
April 25, 2008 9:05 PM | Link to this
BANG, KJ makes it 5-3. Cox is still a genius.
By TJ
April 25, 2008 9:06 PM | Link to this
Does anyone else think Joe Simpson has gone a little overboard with his condescending remarks? Maybe I just miss hearing Skip.
I agree. It’s a fine line between being an alternative voice, and just being negative.
Joe walks the line pretty closely.
By David O'Brien
April 25, 2008 9:06 PM | Link to this
I know the average is low, but that’s eight walks and three homers for Kelly in his past nine games.
By JT
April 25, 2008 9:06 PM | Link to this
KELLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Attaboy!!! WTG man…What a beautiful swing 5-3 baby….amazin what you think???
By David O'Brien
April 25, 2008 9:09 PM | Link to this
Lefties were hitting .375 against Pelfrey before this game.
By Phil Stockman
April 25, 2008 9:10 PM | Link to this
Interesting graphic on TV. Mets have not overcome more than a 1 run deficit to win a game this year.
By Pete H.
April 25, 2008 9:11 PM | Link to this
Mr. Mann: Wearing a Brigatta Rossi tshirt onstage does not make one an anarchist. And what specifically is a terrorist? Yeah, in 1979, virtually every government in South America was a terrorist government.
Go listen to your drug-addled hero, moron.Isn’t he calling for a riot in Denver in August?????
By keylargo
April 25, 2008 9:12 PM | Link to this
Hey Dutchie! Are you a cycling fan? If so there is a killer stage tomorrow in the Tour de Georgia. Ends atop the highest point in GA which is Brasstown Bald. I think you can watch it if you want to.
By Mark in PA
April 25, 2008 9:14 PM | Link to this
I’m digging the play by play on the radio by Pete and the Lemmer of the female fistfight in the stands. The crowd is getting into it too!
By ernesto
April 25, 2008 9:15 PM | Link to this
DOB - What was going on in the stands? They wouldn’t “glorify the violence” by showing it on TV.
That would have been a big hit for BMac.
Nice play by J3
By McFann
April 25, 2008 9:17 PM | Link to this
Not A McFann
Aw, why not?
Were you watching, Overlord?
Not a very good swing by BMac, I might add…
By MrC
April 25, 2008 9:20 PM | Link to this
Gotta love JJ. Solid pitcher. Despite everything he did not melt down. In fact, came back stronger. The trade from Detroit could turn out to be a steal.
By David O'Brien
April 25, 2008 9:21 PM | Link to this
nolie, very good Nolie. That made me laugh.
Very true, too.
By MOTDawg84
April 25, 2008 9:21 PM | Link to this
Do y’all realize Jurrjens was perfect in all of the innings other than the 3rd?
By ernesto
April 25, 2008 9:21 PM | Link to this
J3 is getting SQQQQQQQUEEZED by this jackass…he struck out Pagan on that pitch. Yeesh! I’m listening to the game up in NYC and the Mets PBP guys are saying that was strike 3.
By Dutchie
April 25, 2008 9:22 PM | Link to this
@keylargo Tour of Georgia? How do you get to that? I’m going to Liege-Bastogne-Liege sunday, on my way to Spain. So, yes, I’m mad about cycling.
But now I’m just all over JJJ and th game tonight. It’s a good game, where different players are showing what they’re really about.
Francoer being timely with the bat, KJ patient and homering, Chipper…..well no need to explain, JJJ solid, then rattled, then comming back even more solid.
Gotta love it!
By keylargo
April 25, 2008 9:22 PM | Link to this
TJ
Let’s give him a break tonight because the closer the new park gets to being finished, the less maintenance the old park will get. I’m a General Contractor and in an attempt to save money the client will let preventative maintenance come to a stop unless it affects safety. Even if they are the lowclass Mets, they have to stay within a budget. Ole Joe S. is not a fan of Shea anyway.
By Chop Chop
April 25, 2008 9:23 PM | Link to this
Gutty performance by Jurrjens tonight. That’s the kind of start I like to see from a young pitcher. Fate seemed to be conspiring against him, but he shrugged it off, straightened himself out, and pitched like a true pro. Great stuff.
By David O'Brien
April 25, 2008 9:24 PM | Link to this
A two-hitter for Jurries through six innings. Who’d a thunk it?
By AmazinsAgain08
April 25, 2008 9:24 PM | Link to this
O.K. we got youse guys exactly where we want youse now. We wanted youse to get the lead so when we come back and win it late it will break your hearts, thus ensuring a sweep of a disheartened Braves team. Just youse wait ‘n see.
By John in Wichita
April 25, 2008 9:25 PM | Link to this
I think McDowell did a masterful job tonight with Jurrjens emotions. Watching the SNY-HD broadcast on DirecTV and they showed McDowell with Jurrjens after the meltdown. As much as I like Leo, I don’t think he would have been as effective in that situation.
By John in Wichita
April 25, 2008 9:26 PM | Link to this
I think McDowell did a masterful job tonight with Jurrjens emotions. Watching the SNY-HD broadcast on DirecTV and they showed McDowell with Jurrjens after the meltdown. As much as I like Leo, I don’t think he would have been as effective in that situation.
By Vol
April 25, 2008 9:26 PM | Link to this
Wow, those girls that were fighting in the stands were HOT!!! Actually I didn’t see it.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
April 25, 2008 9:28 PM | Link to this
Tim Mcclelland is out of line. The third out should been on a strike out, instead the bottom of the sixth ended with the pop up to Chipper.
Mcclelland better not squeeze Will Ohman or else Bobby Cox might get some company.
By GTI in Chicago
April 25, 2008 9:28 PM | Link to this
Yeah, I know I’m preaching to the choir here, but…
Seriously, what a fantastic night for Jair. First time all year he shows a few cracks in the facade in the 3rd inning, and then: ZEROS, ZEROS, ZEROS! What a way to snap back. Very, very, i don’t know, maddux-like don’t you all think? You’ve gotta like this kid a lot.
And how about the offense coming back and making his effort worthwhile, eh?
GO BRAVES!
By geauxbraves2000
April 25, 2008 9:28 PM | Link to this
Great job JJJ tonight, sans that little meltdown, but in all fairness he should be throwing a shutout now. Nonetheless, a nice comeback and a great game.
Now, oh no, not the bullpen, can they get 9 outs and maintain the lead?
Geaux Braves!!
By Overlord
April 25, 2008 9:29 PM | Link to this
guess Blanco is shutting tons of mouths on this blog…….
Good bat……speed goes to 3rd…… lets go braves!!!!!!!!!!
By Braves fan in Idaho
April 25, 2008 9:31 PM | Link to this
so glad that in Idaho there ain’t no such word as youse
By Dutchie
April 25, 2008 9:31 PM | Link to this
@AmazinsAgain hahahahaha. Gotta love it, right? What prompted that? The whole two hits all night? You’re the true optimist!
Go Braves!
By radoncbravesfan
April 25, 2008 9:34 PM | Link to this
kelly’s doing it tonight!!
By Dutchie
April 25, 2008 9:34 PM | Link to this
It’s not just Chipper who’s hot. KJ rocks! And Blanco is quite dependable as well. And fast!!
Go Braves
By Overlord
April 25, 2008 9:35 PM | Link to this
Was I watching what McFann???, sorry i missed your post.
By matt
April 25, 2008 9:35 PM | Link to this
DOB, What are your favorite record stores for vinly in Atlanta. I am looking a late sixties lp.
By matt
April 25, 2008 9:35 PM | Link to this
DOB, What are your favorite record stores for vinly in Atlanta. I am looking for a late sixties lp.
By Tomas
April 25, 2008 9:37 PM | Link to this
Kelly is a very good hitter, but I don’t see him like a leadoff hitter. Maybe Bobby with Escobar out(maybe) he could make Blanco the leadoff hitter, and kelly the number two hitter. That way you add more speed at the top of the order and that makes it more possible for bobby to use the running game more.
By JT
April 25, 2008 9:38 PM | Link to this
What do you say amazin???? We have 12 HITS…..YOUR MUTS: TWO hits… I like it!!
By AmazinsAgain08
April 25, 2008 9:38 PM | Link to this
Youse guys are in even bigger trouble now. It’s gonna hurt even more when we come back from three down instead of two. And youse took out my man Jurrjens therefore giving us just the chance we’ve been awaiting. It’s a great Ohman for us.
By Shamus Thacker
April 25, 2008 9:39 PM | Link to this
Sure glad Yunel ain’t seriously banged up. That woulda been a real bumwad.
Man, when KJ gets into one, he gets INTO ONE! YEAH!
Wonder if Hammy showered without incident?
Wish Janice Joplin were still around.
Crown, Coke, and the Braves. It’s almost like drank’n likker in heaven.
By keylargo
April 25, 2008 9:39 PM | Link to this
Dutchie
Dutchie - Try wcsn.com and see where you get. They have a link to watch live (tomorrow Stage 6 to Brasstown Bald) and also on demand to watch the first five stages. Let me know if you can get it. I personally rode the course a month ago and the last climb is brutal. It’s about 2500 ft gain over 2 and a half miles or about 20% for 2.5 miles. OUCH!!! It hurt just doing it, I was in no way racing
By Pete H.
April 25, 2008 9:41 PM | Link to this
JJJ sure got things under control. Hey, where are our friends from the Muttleys board?
If we could just get Tex’s power stroke going…other than that, I have no complaints. Yeah, Jair!
By Dutchie
April 25, 2008 9:43 PM | Link to this
hmmm…I don’t know the pitch count (on radio tonight), but sure seemed like JJJ could do the 7’th as well?
Hope Ohman stops with the walks!
Does it look like he allways needs that first one, two batters to finish warming up????
Come on, lets not blow the win!
Go Braves!
By Overlord
April 25, 2008 9:43 PM | Link to this
It doesnt smells good!!!
By Epinephrine
April 25, 2008 9:44 PM | Link to this
OHMAN: NO MORE CONSECUTIVE WALKS, thanks
By AmazinsAgain08
April 25, 2008 9:44 PM | Link to this
Like I said, Ohman is a great omen. Here we come.youse is goners, now
By Overlord
April 25, 2008 9:48 PM | Link to this
Keith Hernandez just said again Moylan is out for the year…. I suppose he is not well documented, missinformed!!! Am I missing any info on Moylan?
By McFann
April 25, 2008 9:49 PM | Link to this
Overlord—
Johnson’s homer. Did you watch Johnson’s homer?
OK, enough of that out of me. Don’t like to gloat to much about any player (except 3B-McCann!).
By Dutchie
April 25, 2008 9:49 PM | Link to this
Keylargo That’s a deffinate bit of hurting. Impressive. But I’m all about cycling by tv, with coffee and a smoke:). Riding your bike is daily business here, so no need to race them:).
Looks like Ohman got out of that one decently. But seriously, someone should check his BB’s on the first batters he faces in a game. I could be wrong, but he seems to not warm up properly?
Lets bring this one home now!
By Pete H.
April 25, 2008 9:49 PM | Link to this
Will made that inning TOO interesting. Bring on the kids from Spain! (That’s a joke from a Dictators album; I know they’re not from Spain.)
By armenian braves fan
April 25, 2008 9:52 PM | Link to this
is soon the game is next the penultimate tittle: champeens!!!
By JT
April 25, 2008 9:54 PM | Link to this
What did you say amazin???? ANOTHER ZERO for your team and the 2-HITTER still going!!!! HA HA HA HA HA!!!
By radoncbravesfan
April 25, 2008 10:00 PM | Link to this
blaine boyer lights out again, gotta luv it!!!
By Pete H.
April 25, 2008 10:00 PM | Link to this
Nice inning for Boyer. Got ahead of all three batters. Lotta 0-fers in the Mutts lineup tonight.
By Savannah Guy
April 25, 2008 10:00 PM | Link to this
Mr. Mann, you seem like an honest guy and all and I appreciate you taking a stand on music, political pasts and such, but the examples you give aren’t good ones. Pick on a gangsta rap blog outfit or any number of anarchist blogs and I’m with you… well, in spirit anyway.
But to fall on the sword over Joe Strummer and the lyrics posted above just ain’t right… or necessary. The man wrote many spiritual songs, filled with redemption. If we avoid all music with lyrics we don’t agree with or take into the context of when and why they were written, we may as well just condemn 90% of all music, movies, art… and people for that matter. If we only listened to music that perfectly suited our values we would be limited… which is fine I suppose, if that’s what you need. Pete H is a good guy and just digs his music. Not sure about the Denver thing though…
But go ahead and spread the word. It’s all good.
By armenian braves fan
April 25, 2008 10:00 PM | Link to this
is thirteen hits for braves unlucky? for mets! yes!
By keylargo
April 25, 2008 10:01 PM | Link to this
DUTCHIE
Well, you have the link to watch the race (stage 6) which will be very interesting. The climb is so steep in one place that the pros had spectators pushing them up the hill. Like I say, I was just surviving, not racing so I had an advantage. But I think the stage is about 88 miles with the climb the last 3 miles that gains over 2500 feet. Let me know if the link works or if I can help you in any way. Several of these teams will be in France in July for the Tour de France
By JC from UT
April 25, 2008 10:01 PM | Link to this
very nice inning from Boyer. Could he be astarter some day?
By AmazinsAgain08
April 25, 2008 10:05 PM | Link to this
NO FAIR! Youse guys weren’t supposed to bring Boyer in. What happened to Ohman? Where’d he go? Darn that Bobby is getting smart in his old age. Oh well, 9th inning come from behind walk-off will be a real killer for youse guys.
Seriously, Jurrjens really showed a lot tonight, bouncing back from that mini-breakdown. I said before on here that he looks like he is going to be a keeper. I’ll still trade youse Pelfrey and a PTBNL for him?
By Kev
April 25, 2008 10:06 PM | Link to this
Overlord
I think Keith just supposes Moylan is out for the year…cause thats probably were hes headed unless a miracle occurs in rehab…but he has no reason to ASSUME thats a fact until they officially say hes out for the year…right DOB??
By keylargo
April 25, 2008 10:08 PM | Link to this
DUTCHIE
With Diesel Fuel $4.65 I think we will see some people start biking here. The majority of people who commute to work here have lost their license for one thing or another. Not all, some are doing it for health, but it is not big here now.
By Epinephrine
April 25, 2008 10:08 PM | Link to this
No comment on KJ until the end of April from me, like I said before.
By Overlord
April 25, 2008 10:09 PM | Link to this
McFann i didnt see it, im watching the game but i went to the kitchen in that precise moment. I saw the replay though…. I hope he keeps it up, at least he is killing the mets this year.
By Pete H.
April 25, 2008 10:10 PM | Link to this
Dutchie: Will is a lefty. In the classic sense. He has great stuff, but he thinks left-handed.
Let’s dispatch the Mutts 1-2-3.
By nolie
April 25, 2008 10:13 PM | Link to this
DOB, What are your favorite record stores for vinly in Atlanta. I am looking for a late sixties lp.Matt
Why not try EBay or Half.com?
By Overlord
April 25, 2008 10:14 PM | Link to this
I hear some booooooooos to Delgado…… Frustation??? Tough luck muts.
By McFann
April 25, 2008 10:16 PM | Link to this
I hope he keeps it up, too OL. Like I said, though, I’m done with gloating so much about one guy in someone’s face—except McCann. We (he and I) both earned some bragging rights last night.
Night, all!!
By radoncbravesfan
April 25, 2008 10:17 PM | Link to this
boos and mets fans heading for the exits good times
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
April 25, 2008 10:18 PM | Link to this
BRAVES WIN
BRAVES WIN
BRAVES WIN
BRAVES WIN
BRAVES WIN
BRAVES WIN
BRAVES WIN
BRAVES WIN
Also, we own the Mets. Three wins to zip.
By tim-braves lifer
April 25, 2008 10:18 PM | Link to this
The braves are playing well and with the injuries i think its pretty amazin’
By MrC
April 25, 2008 10:18 PM | Link to this
How bout some props to Bobby C for having a team meeting. Seems to have worked.
By Stephen
April 25, 2008 10:19 PM | Link to this
Only 2 hits? Tough luck, “Amazins”
By AmazinsAgain08
April 25, 2008 10:19 PM | Link to this
OOPS!
see youse tomorrow. Good game for the Braves.
By Dutchie
April 25, 2008 10:20 PM | Link to this
keylargo I’m not going to be able to watch. I’m bussy with packing tomorrow. But thx anyway. Fuel in Holland is nasty too….$9,50 a gallon…
And that’s a wrap folks! Great win. Good start of the series. Impressive performance all around the team. Keep it up guys!!!
Just that BB-thing with Ohman….
I’m off to bed here. Maybe see y’all tomorrow night.
Groeten!
By Pete H.
April 25, 2008 10:21 PM | Link to this
Why, I do believe a certain team from south of the Mason-Dixon line just roared past a team from north of the line, a team with the highest payroll and the oldest, creakiest players in the league.
Notice the dust in your mouths, Mutts.
By bgvt
April 25, 2008 10:25 PM | Link to this
Nice job by the bullpen. Interesting call to use Ring knowing that a lefty PH was coming up. He did the job. It shortened Manny’s night which is good since he threw 37 pitches last night.
Funny thing: MLB.com’s boxscore does not give Manny a save. I guess he came in with a 3-run lead but only needed to get tow outs. “saves” can be a misleading stat: some save situations are much easier than others and some non-save situations are almost as difficult as some easy saves. Oh well. Got the W which is what counts the most.
By MEB
April 25, 2008 10:25 PM | Link to this
Very nice win by our Braves tonight. We didn’t have the pitching last year to win a game like this. Combined two hitter by Jair and the bullpen. Nice, very nice!
GO BRAVES!!!
By Mark in PA
April 25, 2008 10:27 PM | Link to this
Yes! Game 1 in the bag, with Huddy and Smoltz coming up, and red hot bats up and down the lineup.
DOB, last Thursday in the pre-game meeting: was it lost ‘roo nads found, or present ‘roo nads destroyed in an exorcism?
If it’s the former, there might soon be a new best selling good luck charm on Ebay. And a few more high-squeaky voiced kangaroos in Australia.
By Pete H.
April 25, 2008 10:27 PM | Link to this
I hate to admit it, but Amazins is a pretty good guy. For a Mutts fan.
By Overlord
April 25, 2008 10:28 PM | Link to this
Just 1 word…… WOOOOOOOWWWWWWWW
What a good played game by the braves……if it was not because of the ump maybe this was a shutout. Offense patient, clutch.
Blanco is making his statement.
KJ might be waking up, Ill admit that.
The chance for a sweep is very big not only because tim and john, but braves are doing great on day games.
By TJ
April 25, 2008 10:28 PM | Link to this
Only negative: why use Acosta, when Ring has 1 out in the 9th? What better time to give the kid a chance to close out a game, and keep your erstwhile closer fresh? Ring couldn’t get Easley and Casanova out?
Aside from that - Great Game. Game ball goes to McDowell or Cox: whoever decided to stay with JJ after that bad 3rd inning. Not just a win, but a growing experience for a young pitcher.
By ncscoots
April 25, 2008 10:29 PM | Link to this
Standard Braves 6-3 win…good BA with RISP, 4 extra-base hits, quality start, and solid BP work. I think you’ll see a lot more of these than the one-run games some get so hyped about.
BTW, I think the Marlins are undefeated in one-run games. Anyone think that makes them the favorite to win the division?
By dcdave
April 25, 2008 10:30 PM | Link to this
Folks, we just watched a 22-year old pitcher get jobbed by the ump, totally lose his composure, then get it back & shut down the media-annointed “Team of the League” for 2 innings. And, he had another strikeout in that 3rd inning, but not credited. Darn fine job!!
By Dutchie
April 25, 2008 10:30 PM | Link to this
Thx Pete. I’ll keep it in mind. But I’ll keep looking out for it:)
Nite all!
By djm
April 25, 2008 10:33 PM | Link to this
Lets hear it for Jair tonight. I was very impressed with his composure and the way he reacted to adversity. The line will not look pretty in a box score, but tonight was a great start for a young pitcher.
By Overlord
April 25, 2008 10:36 PM | Link to this
Braves are 5-1 in day games….. as some say, not big enough sample, but at least is in our favor.
Go Bravos!!!!!!!
By Pete H.
April 25, 2008 10:41 PM | Link to this
Man, the Brewers and Marlins are 0-0 after 8. Two of the best hitting teams in the league…weird.
By Train Wreck Bystander
April 25, 2008 10:41 PM | Link to this
That had to be one of the fuglier 2-hitters in a while. I got to hear that much of the game on the radio before the sun went down (damn you Peachtree TV).
By mark
April 25, 2008 10:45 PM | Link to this
JAir is it man , he s a good pitcher at 22 and I think we Braves are going to be likeing this guy for awhile , I think it was griddy porformance tonight against the mets , I think Most pictures would have caved in..He just regained and put a win in the right place.Go JJ!!!
By GTI in Chicago
April 25, 2008 10:46 PM | Link to this
Ok, hang on, hang on; Is that some kind of typo or not? Doesn’t Acosta get credit for a save? I could swear I’ve seen pitchers get a save for even just one out before. Maybe my memory is fuzzy. Has the rule been tweaked to require 3 outs? If that’s the case, shouldn’t Manny at least get a “hold”?
Can anyone enlighten me?
By scott boras
April 25, 2008 10:51 PM | Link to this
wow jurrjens and blanco..cant ask for more!!!!!!! blanco has done eveything possible with his limited time to prove…go blanco!!!!!!!!!
By scott boras
April 25, 2008 10:54 PM | Link to this
GUYS IM CONVINCED BRAVES PLAYOFF BOUND!!
By scott boras
April 25, 2008 10:54 PM | Link to this
GUYS IM CONVINCED BRAVES PLAYOFF BOUND!!
By El bravo (EbX)
April 25, 2008 10:57 PM | Link to this
Amazing how they disappear!
By Overlord
April 25, 2008 11:02 PM | Link to this
GTI in Chicago, he needs to make 3 outs RULE
By StingerSplash
April 25, 2008 11:03 PM | Link to this
The Rays play by play guy (Dewayne Staats, I believe, who once had as good a white guy afro as the guy from Boston or the lead singer of Blue Oyster Cult) just said, as the Rays turned 3-6-3 to end the top of the 11th to lead into the commercial break … “This is big league baseball.” Really? Since when?
By Shamus Thacker
April 25, 2008 11:04 PM | Link to this
Wow, the Braves win, and I realize Amy Winehouse looks like Dylan in drag, all in the same damn night! I must be some kinda idiot savant or something.
Somebody said a while back that JJ would never be a great pitcher. Hell, looks like he already is. Said predictor is definitely NOT a candidate for ESP research.
By Shamus Thacker
April 25, 2008 11:07 PM | Link to this
DOB musta fell in the likker vat.
By Mark in PA
April 25, 2008 11:10 PM | Link to this
EbX—they’ll be back, don’t you worry. Credit where it’s due, though, MetroMan and Amazin’ do generally return to tip their cap after a Braves win, and sometimes even after a close Braves loss.
BTW—anyone have a link to a leading Muts blog? I would not mind returning the favor of some earlier Mut postings here.
By GTI in Chicago
April 25, 2008 11:11 PM | Link to this
Ok. I found a “save” defined this way:
(Maybe I’m the only one who cares about this, or doesn’t already know?)
*MLB Rule 10.19 spells it out, and quite clearly. Summing up (which isn’t abridging it much; it’s not a long, detailed rule):
Important: the save situation depends COMPLETELY on the state of the game when the relief pitcher enters the game. He cannot create the save situation by his own efforts.
Meets conditions 1-3 and one of conditions 4a, 4b, or 4c:
is not the winning pitcher;
is the last pitcher for his team;
pitches at least 1/3 of an inning;
4a. pitches at least one inning, entering with a lead of not more than three runs;
4b. enters the game with the potential tying run on base, at bat, or on deck (so could be as much as a five-run lead);
4c. enters the game with the lead and pitches at least three innings.
Types (4a) and (4b) are by far the most common, but (4c) types do pop up sometimes.*
SO: Manny met the first 3 requirements, and didn’t meet 4a or 4c. Did he also not meet 4b, because with a three run lead, the batter on deck when he entered the game could not have been the tying run? I think I’m confusing myself. But if he doesn’t get a save, shouldn’t he somehow get a hold?
I don’t know. I think I’m the only one here who cares anyway, so I’m gonna clam up now….
By Mr. Mann
April 25, 2008 11:11 PM | Link to this
Pete H. As I said, I rarely post. Do not enjoy a good argument as many on here seem to. So I’m going to sign off with this one. And your reply to my reply has me completely baffled. I read it twice but it still makes no sense. I don’t know anything about a T-shirt or South American governments in 1979 or a “hero” calling for riots in Denver. I do know about Clash. I was there. I know what they said and I know what they meant. And I stand by what I’ve said. Maybe we can agree on this: Good game by Bravos tonight. They are starting to look like contenders while the Mets look like they have real problems.
By David O'Brien
April 25, 2008 11:13 PM | Link to this
ESCOBAR has a bloody contusion at tip of his index finger. Probably will miss rest of series, but Cox said he thinks he might play Tuesday….
Stellar work by Jurrjens, and everyone in the clubhouse was talking about the test he passed tonight pitching in this raucous environment. There were more than 52,000 tickets sold (and most used), and we counted at least six fights in the stands within easy viewing distance of the pressbox.
Folks, these people brawl like it’s an Eagles football game. No crowd in baseball even comes close to this one for rowdy, not even the Phillies’ crowds. They’re upscale, well-mannered yuppies compared to this bunch at Shea.
McCann told Frenchy he could barely focus on Frenchy’s at-bat when McCann was on the bases in the fifth inning, because he was watching the huge fight in the stands.
By Interested Observer
April 25, 2008 11:16 PM | Link to this
Mets announcers covered the save rule nicely. In order to get a save while pitching less than a full inning, you have to enter the game with the tying or go ahead run at the plate or on deck. Otherwise, you have to pitch a full inning with a three run lead or less.
By Shamus Thacker
April 25, 2008 11:16 PM | Link to this
If it ain’t poke, it ain’t bobbycue.
That’s the preface for my Barbecue Manifesto in its entirety.
By Roper
April 25, 2008 11:17 PM | Link to this
DOB Did Cox smoke his victory cigar out in the parking lot?
By Shamus Thacker
April 25, 2008 11:19 PM | Link to this
Kinda like a European soccer bunch.
By DAP
April 25, 2008 11:22 PM | Link to this
very nice win for the braves tonight. they perservered.
By David O'Brien
April 25, 2008 11:23 PM | Link to this
nolie, they’ve got huge vinyl selection at Wax n Facts on Moreland in Little Five Points, and Wuxtry on N. Decatur Road also has a great vinyl section.
My man Don at Ella Guru also just started carrying vinyl and he’s already picked up a lot of hard-to-find first-issue stuff from tht 60s, 70s and 80s.
Criminal Records in Little Five also has some vinyl, but they’ve got more CDs than anything.
By Kentavo
April 25, 2008 11:25 PM | Link to this
DOB in all deference to the Clash, they opened for the coolest band ever at Shea - The Who. Now that’s a ticket, The Clash and The Who.
By Kentavo
April 25, 2008 11:25 PM | Link to this
DOB in all deference to the Clash, they opened for the coolest band ever at Shea - The Who. Now that’s a ticket, The Clash and The Who.
By David O'Brien
April 25, 2008 11:26 PM | Link to this
Roper, I jokingly asked Bobby, after the postgame interview was over, whether he was able to smoke a cigar AFTER he got ejected (you know, can’t eject him twice… He seemed at least slightly amused).
By jbutler
April 25, 2008 11:27 PM | Link to this
Didn’t see/hear the game- but comparing the box score/comments w/the headlines on ajc.com- you’d never guess JJJ had a fantastic game- minus 1 inning. The headlines make it sound like he tanked it, but everyone picked up for him. Misleading…
By LuisGuillermo
April 25, 2008 11:35 PM | Link to this
Interested Observer:
You can get a save if you pitch 3 innings and protect the lead. Chan Ho Park was credited with a save last Monday against the Reds.
By Greg in TN
April 25, 2008 11:42 PM | Link to this
Evening folks…
Have to be pleased with the outing tonight in flushing by the lads of Stone Mountain. Certainly a great night at the dish by KJ, Tex, BMac and Blanco. Especially happy to see KJ come out with a big night including a homer off Pelphrey in the sixth.
This team had a couple things stacked against it tonight with Escobar leaving in the first and Jair’s wild third inning. McClelland isn’t a pitcher’s umpire to be sure, he squeezed the zone for both pitchers tonight and Jair really let his emotions get the best of him. BC took the bullet for him, getting out there quickly before McClelland could run Jair. I think Jair really lost his focus and composure, however that being said, he really rallied and pitched exceptionally well the rest of the way.
Great news tonight on Hampton’s start with Richmond and also good news in that Escobar’s X-rays came back negative.
A lot of oh-fers tonight on the home half of the ledger. The Golden Child did have an RBI walk in that aforementioned third inning, but other than the walks and the singles from Marlon Anderson and NY’s ladies man, Raul Casanova, Braves’ hurlers had their way with the met’s lineup for at least another night.
Good to get the win tonight, good to see Jurrjen’s bounce back after that third and collect the first base hit for the pitching staff and a good night to be a denizen on Planet Braves.
By scott boras
April 25, 2008 11:44 PM | Link to this
jbutler
100% agree with you.he owned the MUTS
By Runnin
April 25, 2008 11:50 PM | Link to this
Great game for Jurrjens! Hats off to you, bro.
Btw, were these fights in the stands between Braves and Mets fans or are they just angry Mets fans fighting with each other???
By richbrave
April 25, 2008 11:52 PM | Link to this
DOWN ON THE FARM
HAMPTON rehab. 3 innings. First inning, lead-off hit. Second batter hits a bullet atom-ball to second sacker HOLT which becomes a double-play catching the runner trying to get back to first. Second inning bases loaded one out. HAMPTON looks very rusty. Suddenly he unleashes his “A” game instead of his rehab stuff, and blows away next two batters. In local news after the game said he felt “it” but was able to “pitch through o.k.” Because of newscast editing not exactly sure what was asked of HAMPTON and his complete response. Assume he referenced the pec muscle, not his hammy or something else.
LiLLIBRIDGE has first three hit night. CANIZARES 1-4. SAMMONS gets a timely poke. Braves win 8-6. Lines tomorrow on Chop Chick’s Blog.
BIG UPS TO CHARLIE MORTON for staying 30 extra minutes and signing balls, programs, backs of hands. Very nice. Stayed until EVERYONE got what they wanted. A great gesture to Richmond fans, and a genuinely good guy.
By TNScotty
April 26, 2008 12:05 AM | Link to this
DOBThis is just an observation but I remember when anyone who played for the Colorado Rockies and had gaudy offensive stats were dissed because of the ballpark they played in. Noone seems to mention the ballpark the Phillies play in when their trio puts up comparable statistics. Just seems like a double standard to me, and I’m not a Rockies fan.
By Tomas
April 26, 2008 12:30 AM | Link to this
DOB why didn’t Manny Acosta get the save after entering the game in the ninth with a three run lead. What happened?
By bruce
April 26, 2008 12:30 AM | Link to this
Dave, I was at the game tonight, but had obstructed view of most of the fights, so I had to rely on crowd noise… I think the language at Philly is much much worse, obscene, gross and embarassing when you are sitting near children to have them hear that junk. I have not noticed excessive language in four games at Shea (three last Sept) and tonight… sat next to a Braves fan tonight who was wearing Smoltz jersey, I had Francouer red T…. the worst I got was Francoeur is ugly… two kids about 7 years old booed me outside the park and when I said “Thank you” very pleasantly they looked very confused. Fun game to watch… really weird for a team to score more runs and have more walks than hits.
By BravesAC
April 26, 2008 12:34 AM | Link to this
RichBrave,
Thanks for the R-Braves reports…look forward to ‘em. Nice info on Morton….and “China” Hampton (very breakable).
By Stuart
April 26, 2008 12:36 AM | Link to this
GTI
I care, I have Acosta on my fantasy team. I need that save.
In all seriousness, Acosta has been great. When he throws strikes he is a poor man’s K-Rod.
I wish I could have gotten to watch this one tonight. Hopefully we sweep the muts and win the majority of fights in the stands.
I have been there one time, and I will not EVER go back. Shea is a down right scary place.
By bruce
April 26, 2008 12:41 AM | Link to this
Regarding Bobby’s ejections… does anyone know where he stands on ejections per (say 100) games managed? And isn’t he getting pretty high on the list of total games managed so that the volume of ejections is not so unreasonable? Maybe this type of review has been covered in the past and if so, sorry for the rehash.
By MiamiBraveFan
April 26, 2008 12:43 AM | Link to this
anyone noticed that not only this year, but last year as well Kelly seemed to be a met killer.
I haven’t looked at the stats but I remember a game where he came up with a huge home run against the Mets last year like he has twice already this year.
By Stuart
April 26, 2008 12:45 AM | Link to this
I just saw the highlights of the game. Tim McCellan should be fired. I wish a braves fan would have come out of the stands and fought HIM. I bet he wore his Mets gear under his umpire shirt. Gee whiz.
Eric Gregg thinks McClellan’ zone and professionalism are jokes.
Ridiculous, JJ should have thrown a heater at McClellan’s mask that McCann just happened to get ‘crossed up on’.
Games are hard enough to win, but to win this one with McClellan openly on the Mets side, well that deserves a big salute or tip of the cap.
McClellan deserves a double barrelled middle finger salute.
By chrisklob
April 26, 2008 1:00 AM | Link to this
Mark in PA,
I don’t know if this is a “leading” Mets blog, but I do know that if you troll around you’ll find Metro Man, Mets P-Cat and a few other Mets trolls over there.
Click here
Have fun and give’em he11! I’m sure they’re all about ready to jump off a tall building!
By David O'Brien
April 26, 2008 2:08 AM | Link to this
MiamiBravesFan, you’re right: Kelly did hit three of his 16 homers last season against the Mets (three in 62 at-bats). Didn’t hit more than two against any other team.
And he’s hit two against them already this season….
Tomas, to qualify for a save a pitcher must meet one of these criteria:
he has a lead of no more than three runs and has the opportunity to pitch for at least one inning, or…
he enters the game, regardless of the count, with the potential tying run either on base, at bat, or on deck; or…
he pitches three or more innings regardless of the lead and the official scorer credits him with a save. …
Just saw on ESPN that Psycho T’s coming back for his senior year. Shocking development, huh?…
By David O'Brien
April 26, 2008 2:17 AM | Link to this
Kentavo, ineed. The who at their peak, with Moon’s ethereal drumming… sublime.
By Mark in PA
April 26, 2008 2:19 AM | Link to this
Thanks, Chris. NYC’s Dead Animal Control department had better put on another shift, as it is raining Muts fans tonight.
THe source of the problem, of course, is the manager (BC haters have nothing on those folks) and Delgado. They are also apparently in desparate need of a youth movement, with massive callups from the farm. This, despite one of the highest payrolls in the Majors.
If anyone gets fed up with less-than-informed postings here, just go find a Muts blog, and you’ll feel better in no time.
By Mark in PA
April 26, 2008 2:23 AM | Link to this
Here’s a great little snippet from the Muts blog:
Just got back from Shea….let me tell you, its a pretty sad atmosphere in there. Fans didn’t even really boo tonight.
By Wayne in Utah
April 26, 2008 2:30 AM | Link to this
Stuart I read your post about saves and your fantasy team. To be honest, I have never had a desire to do fantasy baseball. One of the things I do not like about sport is the chase for stats. The W is what it’s all about. Who cares if a guy gets a “save”, so long as we win the game. I really don’t like those types of stats.
Back when LaRussa had Eck going in Oakland, they revolutionized the closers role by having him ALWAYS come in at the beginning of the inning, and only if it was an official save opportunity. I like things better when pitchers went a couple of innings, if needed.
As much as I love BC for the positives he brings to the job of managing, I really do not like the way he handles his pitchers. I think he pulls some guys WAY too early, and I really do not like that Ring can’t seem to pitch to a righty. (don’t tell Robert I said that!)
Willie Mays and Hank Aaron are retired, and Joe Dimaggio is dead. Let him PITCH to the righty!!!
It’s been a long week of work, but I have been following the team on XM.
Nite all!
Gotta get up in 6 hours to go for a walk with my son.
By Wayne in Utah
April 26, 2008 2:37 AM | Link to this
DOB: How many top notch starts do you think Tommy Hanson will have to have in Myrtle Beach before he gets the call to go up to Mississippi? Kid is lights out so far this year!
Just curious….
By AmazinsAgain08
April 26, 2008 4:17 AM | Link to this
anyone noticed that not only this year, but last year as well Kelly seemed to be a met killer.MiamiBravesFan
I know he hit several homers against us last year, one of which at least was pretty big, but I don’t think his overall numbers were anything real special .
Again, good game for youse guys tonight.We will just hafta suck it up today and kick some Braves butt. Man Delgado is killing us.
By Cherokee
April 26, 2008 4:27 AM | Link to this
Nolie
thanks for the heads up on the Baseball America rating for Hanson. Kid is really hot right now. I wish I had the opportunity to see him pitch.
I guess JoJo is killing them too in AAA. Something about fixing a mechanical flaw. I have always thought that he has pretty decent stuff if he can just locate it. Not so sure how strong his confidence is right now, but if he continues tearing up AAA it’s got to help him.
By Shamus Thacker
April 26, 2008 5:59 AM | Link to this
Those Muts fans would rather pull a sasquatch train than show their faces right now…
By Braveheart
April 26, 2008 6:34 AM | Link to this
Great game for Jair. Showed unbelievable poise in bouncing back from that third. But like lots of kids, he completely lost his poise in that third …. something for him to work on. It was a knock on him foretold in some scouting reports. THe few I saw said he is an incredibly mature pitcher capable of some really immature moments from time to time because his competitiveness and youth. Hopefully, he’ll overcome that. He bounced back well but we can’t afford many more pi$$ing matches with umps. Pitchers don’t win pi$$ing matches with umps - especially not rookies.
It’s funny to hear people defend The Clash but then knock gangster rap. Hypocrisy and ignorance at work there. The Clash had a very nuanced message that was dealing with a confusing world they were living in. They pulled it off well in great artistic fashion. The same was true for the very raw and real world of confusion that was rapped about when rap was at its peak.
Unfortunately, there are too many punk wannabes and too many gangster rap wannabes who are nothing more than posers. They don’t get the inspiration or message behind the lyrics. They try to say the same things but say nothing at all because it is not done with intelligence or from the heart and a very raw and real place like the music done by The Clash or rap maestros like NWA, Gangstarr, Public Enemy, Tupac, Biggie. Those particular groups and acts were very layered in their thoughts and lyrics.
The posers however destroy the art form by copying the sound and stealing the lyrics like they are a boilerplated template. The message gets lost and the message becomes seen as nothing more than exploitation, perpetuation and perpetration of the terrible social condition that actually exists.
But blaming the rap maestros (like blaming the great punk bands) for the existence of the actual social condition is about as stupid to me as blaming Frederick Douglas for the condition of slaves because he wrote about it or Richard Wright for the condition of the successive generation of freed slaves because he wrote about them.
By AmazinsAgain08
April 26, 2008 7:34 AM | Link to this
Those Muts fans would rather pull a sasquatch train than show their faces right nowShamus
Oh really? Look two posts above this silly little dilly. Just cause you wouldn’t be man enuff…:-)
By Goodoleboy58
April 26, 2008 7:46 AM | Link to this
Don’t know if there’s anything to this but check out Tex’s Day/Night split:
Day time:
11 hits in 23 AB’s .478 2 HR’s 7 runs 9 Rbi’s
Night time:
13 hits 72 AB’s .181 2 HR’s 7 runs 6 Rbi’s
of course the runs and rbi’s are a product of everyone else but the hits and batting average split is crazy.. So all this to say hopefully Tex will have a big day in today’s day game
Go Braves
By Greg
April 26, 2008 7:55 AM | Link to this
The league needs to censure that umpire. He was awful. It was the worst job of balls and strikes that I have seen since Eric Gregg in the playoffs. This guy is one of those arrogant asses who believes that he determines the strike zone and not the rules. He hurt both sides. He hurt two young pitchers. And he turned what should have been a pleasant game and interesting game into a grueling marathon of walks. The league wants to speed up games, then why do clowns like this have the power to ruin everyone’s night. If you want to speed up games? Call strikes. What a jackass.
By Thrillhouse44
April 26, 2008 8:25 AM | Link to this
Well said at 6:34, Braveheart. You just wake up locked-in, huh?
Did anyone see Furcal’s throw from the hole? It doesn’t look like he’s rub any roo nads this year.
By David O'Brien
April 26, 2008 8:38 AM | Link to this
Wayne, I’d say they’ll be calling up Hanson to Double-A soon. Those numbers he’s putting up are utterly dominant, man-vs.-boys stuff. Wouldn’t surprise me if he’s bumped up after another start or two.
By JC from UT
April 26, 2008 8:49 AM | Link to this
I guess Prado is playing SS this weekend. Does Gotay play SS at all? Just wondering in case (God forbid) something were to happen to Prado. Otherwise does BC move Chipper to SS?
By MEB
April 26, 2008 9:01 AM | Link to this
DOB… Top of the morning to ya! What was in the air last night to provoke so many fights in the crowd? I know the AJC reported that a fan wearing a Pirates hat was punched at the Ted and it received a great deal of coverage. However, at Shea as many as 25 fights/brawls were occurring during the game. No telling how many occurred outside the stadium before and after the game. Did the New York media give the situation any coverage? I know the Mets are not living up to expectations but geeeezzz! Great blog as always!
GO BRAVES!!!
By Steve McP
April 26, 2008 9:09 AM | Link to this
How near is Omar Infante to playing?
I am sur e that it has probably been covered here, but I don’t recall seeing it recently.
I would imagine that Miller will be the man to make way for him.
By JC from UT
April 26, 2008 9:11 AM | Link to this
DOB: How long do you think the team will hang onto 3 catchers? Have you heard of any interest in Pena around the league? Also what will happen when Infante is healthy?
By Salty
April 26, 2008 9:11 AM | Link to this
DO’B Gotta say all your music ‘chat’ paid off last night. Missed the game, to see Santana. Derek Trucks opened, along with his wife. WOW! Like no guitar I’ve heard in a long time…and she’s no slouch, either! Carlos walked out early to play with him, and they later joined him and his band in a ‘Stairway to Heaven’ version…very unique. Good stuff!!
By Savannah Guy
April 26, 2008 9:15 AM | Link to this
It’s funny to hear people defend The Clash but then knock gangster rap. Hypocrisy and ignorance at work there.
Not really, but it is funny to hear people throw insults around when they disagree or assume they understand a point that was being made. Jumping to conclusions and missing the point at work there.
There’s a huge difference between appreciating music and lyrics, even much in the rap genre, as an art form, a social condition, a cathartic release of pain or just a damn good sound… and pointing someone who is obviously sincere yet repulsed and vocal about some (in my opinion) non-offensive Clash lyrics on a baseball blog. That’s all. No offense intended.
Point was to suggest that the apparently offended gentleman might visit a gangsta rap or anarchist BLOG if he was seeking an extreme social/political ‘windmill’ to attack. Maybe you missed that part or maybe mine wasn’t clear. Anyway, mine was meant to quell a dispute, not incite one or condemn any form of music. Didn’t seem hypocritical or ignorant to me… but then I’m admittedly biased toward my own intentions and opinions.
Agreed about the posers stuff, but it was a bit of a stretch to bring Frederick Douglas into the mix like that. Wonder what he would think of crack snortin’, drug dealin’, gun totin’, society hatin’, women beatin’, crime and murder glorifying ‘gangstas’? Would he say that they enslave themselves”, or maybe something like, “we fought the good fight for you to glorify this”? Not talking all rap… just that stuff.
Maybe a better example would’ve been to say to the passionate and good fellow sitting in a saloon, sipping a cocktail while extolling the harm of alcohol to go next door to the crack house if he really wanted to do the world and the neighborhood some good. But best get backup first. Could be dangerous. Then again, he could just stay and say whatever the hell he wants and the patrons could engage him, argue with him, get into a brawl or just have their own conversations and avoid the dude. Free speech stuff… stroll or scroll. That’s all. No biggie.
By Savannah Guy
April 26, 2008 9:30 AM | Link to this
First two lines should’ve been in italics or quotation marks. Hate it when that happens.
Oh, WW… good morning cuz.
And top o’ the mornin’ Salty. Good concert, eh?
By goldeneye77
April 26, 2008 9:31 AM | Link to this
What is the deal with Pelfrey’s mouth guard anyway??? LOL What is it supposed to guard against?
Anyone notice Kelly always seems to rise to the occasion against the Mets?
By McFann
April 26, 2008 9:40 AM | Link to this
McCann told Frenchy he could barely focus on Frenchy’s at-bat when McCann was on the bases in the fifth inning, because he was watching the huge fight in the stands. DOB
That fight must have carried on into the next inning, because when McCann was up to bat in the sixth, he kept lookin’ in the stands with this perturbed look on his face. Joe said some people were fighting. McCann shook his head and mumbled something (couldn’t make it out, but that’s prob’ly a good thing…). He ended up striking out.
Hope Timmy and the bats give us another good one!
By Salty
April 26, 2008 9:44 AM | Link to this
Yes, SG, it was. It’s sickening how easy those guys make it look…quite the artists! Couldn’t ask for a better evening…and sneaking peeks that the Braves were winning (gotta luv Blackberry! Tee Hee!) made it that much better!
By McFann
April 26, 2008 9:45 AM | Link to this
*What is the deal with Pelfrey’s mouth guard anyway??? LOL * goldeneye77
That thing is pretty weird. (Joe Simpson can’t stand it.) I where one of those things to bed, but mine only goes on my top teeth. I’ve never seen anything like that before.
By Savannah Guy
April 26, 2008 9:50 AM | Link to this
Kelly can crush it when he pulls those insiders. A thing o’ beauty.
By Savannah Guy
April 26, 2008 9:58 AM | Link to this
Sounds good Salty. You missed a good game but you can’t catch’em all. I’m sure the wife was glad to get away too, and you probably earned about 500 brownie points for that outing.
So today, cash in some those points and she can cater a good BBQ platter for the game and put up with all your buds you invite over. Or would that cost 1000 points?
By chrisklob
April 26, 2008 10:03 AM | Link to this
LOL, I just took a stroll to a Mets blog. I thought I might post a little smack talk. No, that’s not my usual style but I thought that I’d at least return the favor to all the Mets idiots that post their nonsense over here.
Anyway, I decided not to when I read some of their posts. That would have been considered “piling on”. They’re blaming everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, for their problems starting with the Wilpons, down to Minaya, Randolph, the players, the coaches, the batboy and the hotdog vendor! Half of NY is suicidal this morning. No wonder there were so many fights at the game last night!
By TexasBrave
April 26, 2008 10:08 AM | Link to this
With Glavine and Soriano coming off the DL most likely Tuesday who will be sent down? Buddy is probably the easy choice for one of the spots but what to do with the other. Candidates include Resop (released or traded), Stockman, Campillo or Bennett. I personally would like to see Jeff sent down so he can start a couple of games before he is needed for the fifth starters spot on the 10th of May. I know Resop has been very bad and deserves to be booted but I see him going once Gonzalez comes back. To me it seems a like a better choice to keep Bennett starting then keep him once Hampton comes back just in case and to do the spot starter thing.
By David O'Brien
April 26, 2008 10:41 AM | Link to this
Braves might be doing something this morning, making a possible move to get a backup shortstop just in case. Not going to put Escobar on DL, but might have to get someone here just in case Prado were to get hurt in next day or two before Escobar is ready to return. Maybe Lillibridge, but I don’t know.
Stay tuned.
By KC
April 26, 2008 10:43 AM | Link to this
TexasBrave: I don’t know who will be sent down (or traded/released)… but I know who should be:
First of all, you’re absolutely right… Buddy HAS to be the first person sent down.
The other?
Resop.
It has to be him. He hasn’t been able to get anyone out since they broke camp. He is a waste of a good roster spot right now.
In addition to long relief and spot starting… Bennett is a valuable guy to have in the bullpen to get a ground ball when you need one.
Campillo is pitching far too well to send him down. Ring may have less value when Gonzo returns, but right now, it’s nice to have a second lefty in the pen.
And as long as Stockman is healthy… he just plain belongs here. Over the past couple seasons, he has dominated AAA hitters to ridiculous degree, and looked pretty good in a handful of appearances in ATL. Health is always the question with him.
By David O'Brien
April 26, 2008 10:48 AM | Link to this
Salty, yes, D. Trucks and wife Susan Tedeschi, they can play a bit, can’t they? I really like her music, especially her first album. Saw her on a small stage at Midtown Music (man, do we miss that cool event) about 5-6 years ago.
By TJ
April 26, 2008 10:49 AM | Link to this
Braves have apparently signed former NL Rookie of the Year Scott Williamson to a minor league deal. Apparently, he’ll report to Richmond. He’s had a lot of arm troubles (including TJ surgery); is pretty good when healthy. Not a bad pickup, just for experienced depth in case needed. If he can stay healthy, he can pitch!
By TJ
April 26, 2008 10:50 AM | Link to this
HERE is the story on Williamson…
By Savannah Guy
April 26, 2008 10:52 AM | Link to this
It’d be nice to see lil’biggio-bridge get some starts in the bigs, but hopefully he won’t be needed for injuries to Yunel or Blanco. Man, we’ve got money in the bank at SS this year.
By Savannah Guy
April 26, 2008 10:55 AM | Link to this
Meant Prado but Blanco came out. The o’s have it.
By KC
April 26, 2008 10:57 AM | Link to this
Assuming Soriano is healthy when he comes off the DL, and can remain reasonably healthy…
COMING SOON: NASTY BOYS 2008
Soriano
Acosta
Gonzalez
(and you may be able to put Boyer in with that group).
By Salty
April 26, 2008 11:05 AM | Link to this
Lotsa $$ in the bank…in several places.
KC Don’t you know the whole NL is watching what happens with Gonzo…if he’s better than expected, a collective, “Uh, Oh!” will reverb.
By brent a.
April 26, 2008 11:19 AM | Link to this
I don’t really care for the AJC headline, “Rookie stumbles in win”
It doesn’t even reflect DOB’s article, which says that he was “perfect” for the rest of the game.
Jair was awesome last night. He got a little shook by some poor umpiring, but aside from that stretch, the kid was great.
I hope everyone has a great appreciation for this kid.
After watching him last night, with his great pitching, not allowing an RBI on a base hit (that inning could have easily turned into a 5 or 6 run inning with a homerun), and to top that off with a beautiful sacrifice bunt and a single, I’m telling you all, this guy is of the ilk of Glavine/Maddux/Smoltz.
He doesn’t necessarily have one particular thing about him that reminds you exactly of any one of the three; however, his composure on the mound, the confidence he shows in his pitches, plus the way he approaches his at-bats shows that this kid has all the tools to be one of the greats.
I was glad that the Braves let him pitch through that 3rd inning last night (and continue to pitch afterward to get the win), my only concern is with his arm come 3-4 months from now.
But, there’s really nothing we can do about that until we get there and see what happens.
By Savannah Guy
April 26, 2008 11:41 AM | Link to this
brent a., agreed.
Headline should’ve read, “Umpire’s ego, bad attitude and chip on shoulder during a stupid display of power caused young Jair to momentarily stumble, learn a rookie lesson, get up off the mat, seize control of the game and brilliantly pitch Braves to a win”.
But I guess that headline wouldn’t fit the page so well.
By ncgary
April 26, 2008 11:45 AM | Link to this
jjj jas jeen jensational jo jar jeep jit jup
but in 16 more quality starts he will reach his quota from last years innings pitched or somewhere around that number
what do we do then?? keep riding him to the gate, or periodically rest him some in between now and hopefully deep into october
By Craig Swann
April 26, 2008 11:51 AM | Link to this
JJ is dy-no-mite!
By David O'Brien
April 26, 2008 11:59 AM | Link to this
LOTS OF MORNING NEWS:
CHIPPER scratched after having mid-back spasms while suiting up. Literally, he was dressing at his locker when his back flared….
so it was good that LILLIBRIDGE was already here and in the lineup. They called him up late last night, and he was already going to be in the lineup at SS. After Chipper got scratched, Prado inserted at 3B.
If Lillibridge hadn’t been here, they’d have had no one to play one of the two left-side infield positions.
STOCKMAN is being sent back down to make room for Lillibridge, who started the year in worst slump of his career but has hit about .275 in the past week, including a 3-hit game last night.
YUNEL showed me his swollen finger. Nail’s still on it now, but might fall off eventually. He said he’ll play Tuesday.
By Glass Half Full (GHF)
April 26, 2008 12:00 PM | Link to this
Excellent show from the Boss in ATL last night!
By Fribble
April 26, 2008 12:00 PM | Link to this
On the MLB fan forum, their linking up a three paragraph story from SI.COM saying Chipper threw out his back this morning. Scratched from line-up. The story is time-stamped 11:20. DOB, did this happen? Yuck.
By David O'Brien
April 26, 2008 12:04 PM | Link to this
oh, and I think GONZALEZ might be overmatching the kids down in extended spring training:
He pitched two innings in a game this morning, He went 2 innings today - zeros across. Twelve pitches, six outs, all strikes.
And this on his velocity: Braves said fastball ranged from 87-91, avg. 90.
By David O'Brien
April 26, 2008 12:10 PM | Link to this
Talked to HAMPTON, said he felt it (pec strain) a little bit in first inning, but it didn’t get any worse in his three innings.
He’s scheduled to make one more rehab start Wednesday, throw about 70-75 pitches, and if that goes well he could be called up.
Oh, and Kotsay is back in lineup today.
By richbrave
April 26, 2008 12:11 PM | Link to this
SAVANNAH GUY:
Nice take on Fred D. Couldn’t have done better myself. Study history much?
By Gil in Mechanicsville
April 26, 2008 12:16 PM | Link to this
Richbrave Did you go to the game last night? Hampton would get ahead of hitters and then have trouble putting them away. You could tell the difference when he struck out the final two batters to get out of the bases loaded jam in the 2nd.
Lillibridge made one of the most spectacular plays I have ever seen when he stretched full out to his right to snare a line drive that had hit labeled all over it. At the same time, the big end of a broken bat sailed to his left and landed where he had been standing. I don’t think he ever saw the bat. Hampton stayed on the field near the pitcher’s mound until Brent came across the field and Hampton acknowledged the play. I thought it was a class move.
The homerun given up by Bruneo on the first pitch in the fourth was one of the longest I have ever seen at the Diamond. It hit just below the lighted numbers on the scoreboard. WOW….
By Tomas
April 26, 2008 12:16 PM | Link to this
Oh thats bad news for chipper, lets just hope its just a spasm, and it wont turn into a season disturbing injury. That also blows for stockman, I was really looking forward to seeing him pitch.
By Lew
April 26, 2008 12:16 PM | Link to this
DOB-Moon ethereal? Great drummer, even when in altered states, but Ethereal? Carlos Santana playing with John McLaughlin and Mahavishnu Orchestra was ethereal. Moon-not so sure that’s the term I would use. Boy could definitely raise some Cain on those skins, though. Another great one lost to his foibles and the inability to run faster than his demons.
Braveheart-Alice Cooper has a commercial for VH1Classic. In it he says something to the effect “I have all these bands coming up to me with their act. I tell them, “Yeah, I can see you’re angry-now write the song and don’t just give me attitude. It’s about the song.” The Who wrote the songs. MC5 wrote the songs. The Clash wrote the songs. A lot of the Gangsta Rappers wrote the song. Many more didn’t.
By Lew
April 26, 2008 12:18 PM | Link to this
Actually, I’m not so sure anyone can run fast enough when those Hellhounds are on your trail.
By Bama
April 26, 2008 12:24 PM | Link to this
Just read that Oswalt said there were just three teams he would ok. trade to: Boston, Cards, and Braves. Oswalt said he would renegotiate his own contract with team before finalize trade. DOB Whats the possiblity Braves can trade James and ??? for Oswalt, are is that out of the question? His last two games have been great 2.57 era 2-0. Go Braves.
By Gil in Mechanicsville
April 26, 2008 12:30 PM | Link to this
Bama It is going to take a lot more than James to get Oswalt.. A whole lot more..
By Lew
April 26, 2008 12:31 PM | Link to this
Bama-If the Astros were to consider a trade of Oswalt, who they signed long term a year or so back, I think it would mean that a total youth movement was in the works. In that case, I doubt that James would hold much allure. I think it would take Hanson, Rohrbough or some other young stud-or two or three or four-to get Oswalt.
Besides-whoever we would get to be our Ace, Chuck is still a great option for the back of the rotation.
By David O'Brien
April 26, 2008 12:31 PM | Link to this
To open a spot on 40-man for the Lil’ Bridge, Braves are designated a minor leaguer for assignment, but haven’t announced that part yet because haven’t notified him. Any moment that could happen.
By Tomas
April 26, 2008 12:33 PM | Link to this
Hampton needs some calcium pills to make his bones stronger. He is just an injury walking around, I hope he could shut me up.
By DAP
April 26, 2008 12:33 PM | Link to this
that sux the we lose chipper for this game. he missed a few up in shea last year because of his oblique didnt he? well, lillibridge and prado will have to keep it going for us….
what the lineup gonna look like? 1. lillibridge 2. kotsay 3. prado?
good news on gonzalez. i assume his low velocity right now is normal for where he is in his rehab? 12 pitches for 6 outs. thats not even fair.
By Gil in Mechanicsville
April 26, 2008 12:33 PM | Link to this
Would not doubt it would take 5 or six players plus a fatted calf and someone’s first born to make that deal….
By TJ
April 26, 2008 12:39 PM | Link to this
To open a spot on 40-man for the Lil’ Bridge, Braves are designated a minor leaguer for assignment, but haven’t announced that part yet because haven’t notified him. Any moment that could happen.
Bet it’s Jairo Cuevas. Never could quite understand why he was on the 40-man anyway… but we’ll see.
By DAP
April 26, 2008 12:45 PM | Link to this
dang i would trade for oswalt in a second. haveing him in this rotation would be scary…i love just day dreaming about it.
it would probably be a tex-type trade. 5 or 6 young players for him, then we would have to pay him this year. after this year, though, his contract isnt to bad for a #1 pitcher.
can you imagine hudson, oswalt, smotlz, glavine, jurrjens? that is serious.
By Bama
April 26, 2008 12:47 PM | Link to this
Yea, I thought the same, thats why I put ???? marks. I do like James at the fill in spot…but I like to Dream also. Thanks Gil & Lew. Lil’ bridge and Prado will get the job done, got to have faith. Go Braves.
By David O'Brien
April 26, 2008 12:47 PM | Link to this
This is certainly a new-look lineup:
Blanco, LF
Kotsay, CF
Johnson, 2B
Teixeira, 1B
McCann, C
Francoeur, RF
Prado, 3B
Lillibridge, SS
Hudson, RHP
By Lew
April 26, 2008 12:48 PM | Link to this
Gil-Fatted calf? BBQ? Shamus Thacker thinks it can only be pork, though. Not sure he would be in favor of the trade.
By TJ
April 26, 2008 12:50 PM | Link to this
Lew, I’d gladly give up one of our young starters (especially one of the lefties at A-level, where we’ve got about five of them), as part of a package for Oswalt. The odds of Oswalt being productive for the major league team for the next 3 or 4 years are so much greater than any of those guys actually panning out. And we can worry about 2012, or whatever, down the road.
Not saying “give up the farm”, but a cow or two? Sure!
By Yars
April 26, 2008 12:55 PM | Link to this
DAP…..no way in hell Bobby gonna hit Prado #3. KJ hitting #3 today!
By DAP
April 26, 2008 12:55 PM | Link to this
i like the lineup, especially kelly hitting third.
By David O'Brien
April 26, 2008 12:57 PM | Link to this
Bama: Yeah, I think James and ???, long as those question marks included a couple names like, perhaps Heyward and Morton.
By Overlord
April 26, 2008 12:58 PM | Link to this
By Overlord
April 25, 2008 7:37 PM | Link to this
Very very solid 1-2-3 for JJJ….. This kid looks like a 10 year veteran.
Id say yunel will sit at least the whole weekend……big loss.
By David O'Brien
April 26, 2008 1:00 PM | Link to this
And to open a spot on the 40-man roster for Lillibridge, the Braves designated minor league reliever Zach Schreiber for assignment.
By fastasballs
April 26, 2008 1:04 PM | Link to this
I hate to see Chipper out, but I kinda like the line up. Interesting to say the least. Looks to be more speed than the Braves have had on the field at one time in years.
I hope Hanson isn’t called up for a few weeks. The Pelicans are coming into town in about two weeks for a 3 game set & would love to see him pitch & Gorky’s play some CF, if he’s off the DL which I suspect he will be by then.
Now Oswalt is a guy worth trading for, especially if a new contract could be negotiated prior to completing the trade. That would make the current rotation the best in the bigs by far with the addition of Oswalt. Also going into next season 1-3 would be great & that’s not even including Smoltz. Add one of the kids to round it out & we may have some flash backs to the 90’s Braves.
By Roper
April 26, 2008 1:06 PM | Link to this
I’m excited to see what K.J. does in the three hole today.
Simpson was talking last night about kelly being a pull hit and TP saying the same thing, while kelly thinks he should should spray the ball around more.
Kelly’s homer and subsequent rbi hit where both pulled nicely to right with authority. hopefully he’ll pursue the hit with authority mentality, rather than the slap the ball and just get on base lead-off hitter textbook mentality.
By nolie
April 26, 2008 1:13 PM | Link to this
DOB
Got job on mentioning Susan Tedeschi. Just listened to some of her stuff and I love it. Thanx
By Moby Grape
April 26, 2008 1:17 PM | Link to this
Would not doubt it would take 5 or six players plus a fatted calf and someone’s first born to make that deal…GIL
very funny and likely true, but might be worth it if we can knock off the first born part.
By David O'Brien
April 26, 2008 1:18 PM | Link to this
Kelly’s got two homers and eight RBI in three games vs. Mets (before today), and two homers and three RBI in 17 games vs. everyone else….
Someone asked about Chipper missing games at Shea. Very true. It’s pretty amazing, really. The place where he’s raked his whole career. But since start of 2005 season, Chipper’s played just 13 of 30 Braves games here.
By MEB
April 26, 2008 1:20 PM | Link to this
I think a two out walk followed by a double is one of my favorite things in baseball. Way to go Kelly and Mark T.
GO BRAVES!!!
By Tomas
April 26, 2008 1:29 PM | Link to this
I think the Braves will not go after Roy Oswalt. First of all Oswalt is not a cheap fellow and the Braves have a very good starting rotation, although with an addition like Oswalt, the Braves will have the best rotation in the majors, even better than the mets, with their addition of Santana.
By matt
April 26, 2008 1:31 PM | Link to this
Is Hudson’s velocity down?
By Tomahawkin' Again (Like it's 1995)
April 26, 2008 1:37 PM | Link to this
Give me a starting rotation of Hudson, Oswalt, Jurrjens, Smoltz and Glavine as my #5, and we can start plannng the ticker-tape parade right now for late October.
By Moby Grape
April 26, 2008 1:38 PM | Link to this
If I were an opposing pitcher I think I would throw Lillibridge outside sliders till he showed he can hit one.
By Braveheart
April 26, 2008 1:39 PM | Link to this
If they can get Oswalt, they need to go get him (if they have the right pieces). With Oswalt, they will win it all this year. The only player I would never give up is Heyward - unfortunately, he just might be the dealbreaker. The conversation probably has to begin and end with Heyward.
By Slider29
April 26, 2008 1:41 PM | Link to this
These flyouts worry me a little bit…I’m watching this on Gameday…How does Huddy look in person?
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
April 26, 2008 1:43 PM | Link to this
I hate politics, especially when it involves my baseball team.
By TJ
April 26, 2008 1:45 PM | Link to this
Is Hudson’s velocity down?
Matt, Hudson’s hit 90 several times, and just hit 91 to Molina. Mets are getting some pretty good swings on him, but he looks okay physically.
By David O'Brien
April 26, 2008 1:49 PM | Link to this
Huddy’s hit gave Braves starters consecutive hits (Jurrjens last night in his last at-bat) after they were 0-for-39 previously.
By Goodoleboy58
April 26, 2008 1:50 PM | Link to this
Two straight games with a Braves hitter getting a basehit… Not bad after going all season so far without one..
By richbrave
April 26, 2008 1:52 PM | Link to this
GIL in MECHANICSVILLE:
Yes, at the end of the right field bleachers, section 101. I was with the CHESTERFIELD TITANS group that met the players in the clubhouse before and were out there with them as the game was to begin. My youngest grand-son was SS #6 with LiLLIBRIDGE.
Brent must have known before the game that he was going up. The most animated he’s been all season. Three hits and excellent fielding.
Spoke to CHARLIE MORTON for just a second to thank him for staying to autograph balls etc. Nice demeanor with the kids. No I didn’t ask for an autograph, but if I cared to, his is one I would want. Very polite and generously accomodating. Just said “No problem” to my thanks.
By ncscoots
April 26, 2008 1:54 PM | Link to this
I believe Oswalt made those comments re a trade sometime before he extended with the team. Gammons brought it up recently, and Oswalt said in a later interview that those particular comments are no longer relevant. The Astros want him, he wants to stay. Take him off your wish list.
By Goodoleboy58
April 26, 2008 1:58 PM | Link to this
Tex proving my point on the day/night splits already… Let’s go Bravos!
By David O'Brien
April 26, 2008 1:59 PM | Link to this
Now Oswalt is a guy worth trading for, especially if a new contract could be negotiated prior to completing the trade.fastaballs
A new contract? He’s only in the second year of a five-year, $73 mill extension that pays him $13 mill this season, then $14 million in 2009, $15 million in 2010 and $16 million in 2011.
He has a complete no-trade clause and a $2 million buyout of a $16 million club option for 2012.
A NEW CONTRACT?
By richbrave
April 26, 2008 2:01 PM | Link to this
DAVID O’BRIEN:
ZACK SCHREIBER had a rough session again last night giving up a lead. Once lifted the home team came back. His body of work not good with the R-Braves this year. Good to very good a couple of outings, below average to poor the next several times. All in relief. Probably a good move for the organization.
By BamaBravesFan
April 26, 2008 2:04 PM | Link to this
I really don’t want to trade Heyward at all.
By Tomahawkin' Again (Like it's 1995)
April 26, 2008 2:07 PM | Link to this
Lemke & Pete just mentioned on the radio about Huddy’s outs today (5 of the 7 are flyballs). Not what we’re used to seeing with Tim, but this is the right ballpark to get flyball outs in.
By David O'Brien
April 26, 2008 2:08 PM | Link to this
Bill Brasky (aka D. Wright) just snapped an 0-for-19.
By He Hate Me
April 26, 2008 2:10 PM | Link to this
Hudson Looks like 06 hudson
By ugaman
April 26, 2008 2:11 PM | Link to this
Looking at the replay, Escobar would have had Wright at the plate with room to spare. Looks like the 3rd inning is beginning to be an enigma for the Braves pithcers in this series. Now Huddy’s getting roughed up. He’s got to get the ball down!
By KC
April 26, 2008 2:12 PM | Link to this
What the hell is wrong with Hudson. Even in his last start, he wasn’t particularly sharp. And today, he can’t get the ball down to save his life.
Very frustrating to watch your ace scuffle like this.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
April 26, 2008 2:13 PM | Link to this
WOW, Hudson has come unglued. The Mets are pounding him.
By Tomahawkin' Again (Like it's 1995)
April 26, 2008 2:14 PM | Link to this
Dammitt, I hate the Muts. C’mon Timmy, stop the bleeding.
By Goodoleboy58
April 26, 2008 2:15 PM | Link to this
not such a good inning for Huddy.. is it his velocity, location, or just good atbats by the mets? I’m following on the yahoo
By Dan
April 26, 2008 2:16 PM | Link to this
Hudson does not look the same. In his past 2 starts now. Not sure but the ball doesn’t seem to move much and not keepin it down. I’m Starting to wonder / worry just a bit.
By David O'Brien
April 26, 2008 2:16 PM | Link to this
All of a sudden they have Huddy on the ropes. He’s given up some HARD-HIT balls in this inning, to every field, down the lines, straight center…
And Prado makes a great leaping catch to end it as I write that.
By KC
April 26, 2008 2:16 PM | Link to this
Time to get Campillo up in the pen.
If Tim can settle in, we’re only down by 2, and the good news is… Maine has thrown 63 pitches through 3 innings. So maybe we can wear him down and get to him, or get into their pen early.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
April 26, 2008 2:19 PM | Link to this
Hudson gave up two doubles, two singles and a triple and he was up in the zone. Molina’s third out was a rope hit right at Prado, otherwise the Mets would have scored another run.
Huddy is going to be on a short leash in the fourth, if he even pitches the fourth at all.
By GTI in Chicago
April 26, 2008 2:21 PM | Link to this
Yowza! The Braves have caught the third inning plague again!
DOB I’ve got the MLB.com Gameday service up on my computer and it seems to be saying that Huddy’s fastball is only in the high 80s. Is that true? He hasn’t dropped back down to the velocity he was at 2 starts ago, is he?
By Bon Woman
April 26, 2008 2:22 PM | Link to this
They said: “David O’Brien’s blog is brilliant…..the best ever.” I had to find out for myself….They were right….You continue to amaze me…
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
April 26, 2008 2:25 PM | Link to this
Good post Fastaballs, outstanding stuff, keep up the great work.
By eric the elder
April 26, 2008 2:26 PM | Link to this
These 4-5 innings starts will bring our pen to its knees before the All Star break.
By KC
April 26, 2008 2:26 PM | Link to this
Kind of concerns me to see Hudson out of the game this early. It’s unlike BC not to trust a veteran starter to go a little farther into the game… even when he is struggling.
It concerns me because it makes me wonder if:
1 - There’s something wrong with Hudson.
or
2 - Bobby doesn’t have any confidence in him right now (which is actually worse).
By David O'Brien
April 26, 2008 2:27 PM | Link to this
That’s just WEIRD — twice in Hudson’s last three starts, he’s gone just three innings and given up four runs.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
April 26, 2008 2:29 PM | Link to this
Yep, I kinda figured that Hudson would get pulled and Cox did just that.
Three innings, four runs on seven hits.
I really have to wonder if something is physically wrong with Tim Hudson.
By KC
April 26, 2008 2:29 PM | Link to this
Maine up to 84 pitches now through 4 innings.
Time to start cashing in on Maine… or get into that pen.
Of course, they’re already in our pen. But they’ve had more trouble with their middle relief than we have of late.
By JT
April 26, 2008 2:29 PM | Link to this
What the heck??? Hudson out afte the 3rd…what in world is wrong…PLEASE not the same thing in Florida….his speed today was around 91 and 92 MPH…so thats not the problem, right??
By fastasballs
April 26, 2008 2:31 PM | Link to this
DOB I wasn’t aware he was that cheap. I had read something about him willing to negotiate with a potential new team so I assumed he’s willing to work out a new deal.
By KC
April 26, 2008 2:32 PM | Link to this
Buddy Carlyle?? BUDDY CARLYLE??!!
What’s wrong with Campillo???
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
April 26, 2008 2:33 PM | Link to this
BUDDY CARLYLE !
The politics of Bobby Cox is hard at work.
By ncscoots
April 26, 2008 2:34 PM | Link to this
And it’s exactly days such as today that cause managers to use relief pitchers one inning at a time: you never know which day you might need every arm down there. Use ‘em multiple innings each outing, and they may not be available when you most need them, and least expect to.
By Overlord
April 26, 2008 2:40 PM | Link to this
This team looks like AAA without Chipper and Escobar, cant get anything started against a bad pitcher nearing 100 pitches…
By KC
April 26, 2008 2:42 PM | Link to this
Ok, Maine at 100 pitches. Gotta get the bats going now.
By TJ
April 26, 2008 2:47 PM | Link to this
Nothing wrong with using Carlyle in this spot. (‘course he’ll probably get shelled in the 5th…)
You can’t afford to have pitchers in your ‘pen you’re not willing to use, especially in the 4th inning of a game you’re trailing. And especially if you’re gonna use a guy like Ring as one-out pitcher.
I’m sure most of the pen will see the mound today. If Buddy can eat up a couple of innings, great. If not, well, hard to win when your best two hitters are down and Tim Hudson goes three.
By KC
April 26, 2008 2:52 PM | Link to this
Overlord: Maine is no ace, but he is not a “bad” pitcher. Quite the contrary.
But, as you pointed out… he is at 100 pitches, so it’s time to get out of this innings and get to work with the bats.
By the way, why didn’t Lillibridge just put the glove on the bag? That would solve this “high tag” BS.
By Sir Stealth
April 26, 2008 2:54 PM | Link to this
For those complaining about putting Buddy in instead of whoever your favorite reliever du jour is, you do realize what inning it was right? If a good reliever comes in then you idiots would be complaining about overusing them when we were behind.
By Glass Half Full (GHF)
April 26, 2008 2:55 PM | Link to this
You guys should check out the Falcons blog just for amusement purposes. Those people are insane! One dude just said Colt Brennan was the best QB in the draft
By Overlord
April 26, 2008 2:55 PM | Link to this
Now its more clear than ever that the #1 priority for the braves right now is to start talks to get a #1 SP, Hudson is clearly no #1 guy, too inconsistent. I have never saw this kind of act from Smoltz, Schilling, Glavine, Maddux, Clemens, Petit, etc while in their prime.
Huddy one day is an ace and the next outing looks like chuck james. He is nothing but a good #2. Smoltz IS our #1 as we speak and he wont be able to be next year, he is ailing way too much this year, Id say #2 or #3 next year.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
April 26, 2008 2:55 PM | Link to this
That throw by McCann to second base was right on the money and beat David Wright by a country mile.
Brent Lillibridge didn’t get the tag on the arm and Wright got his hand on the base first.
However, that call is an out 99 percent of the time simply because the throw beat the runner.
The umpires are really screwing the Braves so far in this three game set with the Mets and favoring the home team.
By KC
April 26, 2008 2:56 PM | Link to this
**It’ll be beautiful when Gonzo gets back. We’ll be able to use Ohman in situations like this instead of Ring.
DAMNIT!!!! Get your head in the game Kotsay!!!!!!
By eric the elder
April 26, 2008 2:58 PM | Link to this
I haven’t bashed Kotsay, but I’ve never been real impressed. Late swings, double plays, etc.
But when our veteran presence forgets how many outs there are, I start yearning for one of the kids.
By David O'Brien
April 26, 2008 2:58 PM | Link to this
Bad play by Kotsay, bad judgment to be jogging back in and not realize the runner was dashing toward third base.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
April 26, 2008 2:59 PM | Link to this
Cox is playing ring around the rosies with his bullpen, it’s almost funny except that the Braves are losing.
By Dan
April 26, 2008 2:59 PM | Link to this
overlord….i agree it looks like a AAA team…just about to say that. Hopefully we can somehow steal this game with KJ TEX and 3B-Mac. coming through at some point. Everyone else just doesn’t seem to have anything going right now. DOB. any word on Hudson? Do you have any idea? maybe from seeing or hearing something? Thx in advance.
By fastasballs
April 26, 2008 2:59 PM | Link to this
At this rate the entire pen is going to be used by the end of the game.
By Overlord
April 26, 2008 3:01 PM | Link to this
There is no way in hell Braves qin today. It clear when they decide to take the day off.
This will end up as a blow out, or if we get lucky it will be only a 5 run loss.
Kotsay fell asleep like if he was a rookie.
Hudson went to sleep in the locker room.
They look bad, really bad, nothing professional today but the 1st 2 innings. After that, pure crap.
By Andy
April 26, 2008 3:04 PM | Link to this
If Chipper has only played 13 of his last 30 games at Shea, I think you can call that some sort of pattern. Maybe Bobby should lock Chipper’s hotel room at 9pm to disallow for any “guest” visits. This will certainly cut down on his back and groin pains.
By Overlord
April 26, 2008 3:13 PM | Link to this
KC to me Maine is a bad pitcher. Last outing against braves was bad and this outing was a really bad outing, he is winning just because braves are playing as if not interested in winning, not like they played yesterday. Of course chippers and yunels absence could be kind of distracting the rest of the team.
And ill tell you what, Maine is no where near the pitcher mets tell he is, you will see. You are right, he is not bad, but he aint good either, nothing but average. He is something like James, organization is very high on him, but they will finally realize he is nothing more than 4th.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
April 26, 2008 3:14 PM | Link to this
Brent Lillibridge is completely over matched at this point.
Jeff Bennett is in the game and we are back to within one run.
Overlord, go get some ice cream, this game isn’t over yet.
By TJ
April 26, 2008 3:15 PM | Link to this
Good job by Buddy C, btw. 1.1 innings, a hit and strikeout. ERA now at 3.60.
By fastasballs
April 26, 2008 3:19 PM | Link to this
Helluva play by Tex!!!!!!1
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
April 26, 2008 3:20 PM | Link to this
Gold Glove TEX !
Gold Glove TEX !
Gold Glove TEX !
Gold Glove TEX !
GOLD GLOVE TEX !
By knowitall
April 26, 2008 3:22 PM | Link to this
Falcons……nooooooooooooooooo!
By McFann
April 26, 2008 3:24 PM | Link to this
Jose Reyes could’ve been out!! Jose Reyes could’ve been OUT!! AAAAAAAAA!!
:,(
By Tomas
April 26, 2008 3:24 PM | Link to this
Andy very good funny comment Mets have a disaster for a bulpen, Braves have a much better bulpen, and they are without Rafael Soriano, Mike Gonzales, and Peter Moylan.
By JC from UT
April 26, 2008 3:24 PM | Link to this
Great play by Tex!!! Lets get some runs now.
By McFann
April 26, 2008 3:25 PM | Link to this
…and 3B-Mac Dan
Funny! I called him that earlier…
By Overlord
April 26, 2008 3:26 PM | Link to this
That mets team does not looks strong, they just cant put away an ailing braves team that is not playing good baseball today. This game could easily be 8 to 2, and Braves might end a game in which they played pooooor baseball. Could be a good thing to get a break after tons of bad luck to start the season.
By scott boras
April 26, 2008 3:27 PM | Link to this
doe,
is hudson ok????
By Slider29
April 26, 2008 3:28 PM | Link to this
Falcons draft Matt Ryan.
By Braveheart
April 26, 2008 3:28 PM | Link to this
Colt Brennan is the best QB in the draft? How would anyone know? Have they unpeeled Colt Brennan off the turf in the Superdome yet? The Dawgs left that sucker looking like he got hit by an eighteen wheeler. Colt even had the deer in the headlights look to him when Richt sic’d his Dawgs on him.
By JC from UT
April 26, 2008 3:33 PM | Link to this
DOB: Could Chipper pinch hit today?
By Tomas
April 26, 2008 3:35 PM | Link to this
Kelly three strikeouts, this is when you miss to have your best hitter in the lineup.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
April 26, 2008 3:37 PM | Link to this
WOW, Campillo has a true 12/6 curveball and it is nasty.
By GTI in Chicago
April 26, 2008 3:43 PM | Link to this
Wow. Nice inning from Campillo. How’d Seattle let this guy get away? Good for us, I say.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
April 26, 2008 3:43 PM | Link to this
Jeff Bennett, Jorge Campillo…..geesh, our scouts are pulling pitchers out of the weeds and finding daisies.
By TJ
April 26, 2008 3:45 PM | Link to this
Well, we need to get to Billy Wagner, and then destroy his confidence with about 4 runs. Don’t know that it’ll happen, but sure would be fun.
By David O'Brien
April 26, 2008 3:59 PM | Link to this
JC, have no idea how Chipper’s back has reacted since this morning, so can’t answer that question.
By McFann
April 26, 2008 4:01 PM | Link to this
It really makes me sad that McCann forgot how to hit with RISP.
Billy Wagner? What’s he been up to lately?
By David O'Brien
April 26, 2008 4:03 PM | Link to this
Prado just about tied it up with that shot. Alas, warning track.
By AmazinsAgain08
April 26, 2008 4:03 PM | Link to this
Just wanted to let youse guys know that we are gonna hold on to this lead and tie the series up.
I was sorry to hear about Chipper’s back problems. I hope it’s not a season long problem. It’s more fun when both teams are healthy.
Your new shortstop looks pretty lost at the plate so far. Good thing that you have Prado around. I like him
By Overlord
April 26, 2008 4:07 PM | Link to this
At least this 1 run loss you cant blame on the bullpen.
By brent a.
April 26, 2008 4:07 PM | Link to this
1-run loss anyone?
Let’s get ‘em tomorrow!
By Austin
April 26, 2008 4:07 PM | Link to this
Thanks Lillibridge. Why the hell is Gotay or Pena not pinch hitting for him? Damn, Cox makes horrible decisions sometimes. Who cares if we loose this game. We just want Lillibridge to think Cox has confidence in him.
By Kev
April 26, 2008 4:09 PM | Link to this
What in the name of GOD whas wrong with Hudson!!!… What was itDOB??? just not enough confidence from Cox??? he didnt “have it” like in the Marlins game…quit the BS Huddy and get out there next time like a MAN!!!!!!!!!!
By bob smithers
April 26, 2008 4:11 PM | Link to this
I am typically not one to get down on a braves player… BUT Brent Lillibridge cant hit a lick. I would have rather had Smoltz or Jurjens up against Wagner. We need to trade him now before other clubs realize he isnt a major league hitter.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
April 26, 2008 4:14 PM | Link to this
Well, Martin Prado missed a game tying home run by five feet and flied out on the warning track.
Brent Lillibridge got schooled and struck out looking.
Then Matt Diaz bounces out to the SS.
Game over with another one run loss in the books.
Smoltz gets the rubber tomorrow.
By scott boras
April 26, 2008 4:15 PM | Link to this
In 20 years of watching braves, they have never had such a cursed bad luck start! ever! how do u lose all 8 times in 1 run games when u lead in BA in NL and top on runs scored. Their pitching is good, but also all the injuries. Its like something is trying to hold back this strong team.unreal.so many times tooday runner in scoring position and you say to yourself wow they are losing by a run so they will lose again. JUst tough.if yunel was here hed make up for 0-4 lilbridge. just small stuff has kept them from top of NL EAST which will be in reach. The mets dont wow me anymore
By Lew
April 26, 2008 4:17 PM | Link to this
That was one of the strangest games I’ve heard in some time. What in the world is wrong with Hudson?
I guess all we can do is be happy about how good the bullpen looked. If Gonzo and Soriano do indeed come back, this will be an incredibly good pen.
By TJ
April 26, 2008 4:18 PM | Link to this
Shame to lose today… but Chipper out, Escobar out, Hudson (for some reason) not up to par, 3 rookies in the starting lineup, against a pretty good pitcher … it was a long shot that we’d win.
Just a shoutout to the bullpen. I don’t think they’ve given up a run in the last three games (in about 13 innings), and I bet over the last 10 games, the era for the ‘pen is probably about 2.00 (just guessing).
That’s without Moylan and Soriano.
By Overlord
April 26, 2008 4:24 PM | Link to this
If you want to take something good about todays loss.
Chipper and Yunel, the best 2 hitters in the team were on the bench.
our middle IF combined for 6 Ks.
Hudson…… Horrible.
Bullpen pitched 5 shutout innings.
All that poor baseball, weak performance and mets looked nothing better than the braves, weak baseball. They have just scored on us on 2 of the 17 innings they have batted, and it could easily be in just 1. That says a lot from their offense.
Maybe we get chipper back tomorrow, yunel and glavine on tuesday and hampton and soriano next weekend.
Prado keeps looking very good and gave wagner a ride, luckily for him, wind was blowing in.
TEX is slowly but surely awakening, but he is no substitute for chipper in this roster.
On the other side, Lillibridge is not ready for MLB pitching.
Good thing Smoltz and maybe chipper get back on the field tomorrow and hopefully they let the mets know our team is the team to beat.
By H-Ram
April 26, 2008 4:31 PM | Link to this
DOB
Any news on Soriano’s Bullpen???
By Timmy H.
April 26, 2008 4:33 PM | Link to this
Look, I know you think I’m the ace here. Tommy G is all washed up, Smoltzie’s shoulder is ready to implode and Chuck is well… Chuck. So I’m the man. But I don’t know if I’m up to it. I don’t know if I want that responsibility. It’s not like they pay me a lot of money. Nowhere near as much as Barry Zito. But I’m not superman. I can’t go out there and pitch a no hitter every time out. I’m just Timmy, you know. I want to be dependable, but… I don’t know. It’s hard. I’m really disappointed with myself. I’m very sad. And now you guys don’t like me any more. But I’ve tried so hard. You know. I don’t know if I can do this anymore.
By jorge velazquez, chop shop owner
April 26, 2008 4:43 PM | Link to this
hey man, how much you want for your team, man? the braves. it don’t run so good anymore. sell it to me man, i can salvage some of the parts. i can take out the chipper, clean it up and put it in a really sweet machine man. and your jurrjens is still pretty new i can use that. most of the rest is just junk man. c’mon, i’ll buy it. cheap.
By Andy
April 26, 2008 4:44 PM | Link to this
It is certainly worriesome to me that our ace is done afte only three innings and down by two. He should be able to tough out the rough inning and go at least two more. He was leaving pitches hanging over the plate, and looked lost. This is our division rival, though. He should have continued. If it were the Pirates, or a bottom of the table team, then I can understand taking him out.
By Greg in TN
April 26, 2008 4:48 PM | Link to this
Afternoon denizens…
From now on, I think we ought to skip the third inning entirely. Just go from the second inning to the fourth. Second straight game where things unraveled for Team Tomahawk in the third frame, but today, they were unable to bounce back.
Have to be a little concerned about Hudson’s day as on the surface this looks like the same type of outing he had to endure in south Florida, however in this instance, it certainly didn’t look like a velocity issue. Regardless, offerings were certainly teed up with Huddy unable to keep the ball down. Not a recipe for success against the mets lineup.
It happens sometimes, but a crucial mistake in CF today when Kotsay was thinking out number three was in his glove when it was only out number two.
It is encouraging to see that a lineup minus Chipper, minus Escobar and only getting three innings from it’s ace only lost by a run. The bully pitched very well today and I was very pleased to see Jose Campillo come in and pitch effectively for the final two innings.
By David O'Brien
April 26, 2008 4:52 PM | Link to this
Huddy said he felt fine physically. Actually, he said he felt great. Just didn’t locate pitches in the third inning, left a bunch of pitches up in the zone, and they hit ‘em.
Laughed when asked again, for the fifth or so time in the interview, if he was at all concerned, etc. Said I didn’t all of a sudden become the worst pitcher in baseball. No, he’s not concerned. Said he just didn’t locate pitches.
Bobby said same thing, said his velocity was fine, just didn’t locate. Huddy wouldn’t preferred to stay in, but said he couldn’t argue with the results after bullpen shut ‘em down….
CHIPPER said it was first time he ever had anything like that with his back, said it was “the most unbelievable thing I’ve ever experienced in my life” and that he had trouble breathing most of the day after his back spasms, which occurred when he simply reached for a shirt in his locker.
Said he still couldn’t move his torso laterally without pain after game, though the spasms had subsided. He’s on muscle relaxers, said he hoped to sleep well tonight and possibly play tomorrow, but that it’s doubtful. More likely he’ll aim for Tuesday.
By albanian braves fan
April 26, 2008 5:01 PM | Link to this
is lost again. is mets defeated us 43. there is no chippers in line. no escobar. is only little bridges and prado. no runs home. what is bobby cox thinking. is thinking something, maybe. no?
By ncscoots
April 26, 2008 5:06 PM | Link to this
Well, from here on out, Chipper will probably be able to play with a broken leg, or worse, LOL, ‘cause he’s HAD the mother of all pain and lived to tell about it. Been there, done that, got the tshirt; and I can tell the poster above that Chipper would have crawled (because he couldn’t have run) screaming from the room at the mere thought of pinch-hitting. He probably topped out at sitting on the bench.
By albanian braves fan
April 26, 2008 5:11 PM | Link to this
reading blog is purpose to brainwash. is propaganda. albanians understand when propaganda. is saying hudson felts “fine”. and braves commissioner Cox say he “fine” only not in location. but simply asks self, why no location? professional baseball pitcher of many years “no location”? is misinformation. is part of some plan perhaps. is laughing.
By TJ
April 26, 2008 5:18 PM | Link to this
scoots, been there too. Literally thought I was gonna die, because I couldn’t breath when the spasms hit. Drugs fixed me up pretty quick. But serious back spasms are nothing to sneeze at (might cause more back spasms).
By David O'Brien
April 26, 2008 5:43 PM | Link to this
Andy, how can you complain about the move to take Hudson out after three, given what the bullpen did in his stead? Braves have an off day Monday, remember.
By David O'Brien
April 26, 2008 5:46 PM | Link to this
Soriano didn’t throw a bullpen today. Maybe tomorrow. Something about his “mind didn’t feel right today.” (Hey, I’m just telling you what he said, paraphrasing).
I think he’s being a bit overly optimistic if he expects to be ready to pitch in Washington when he hasn’t been on the mound in more than two weeks.
By Yars
April 26, 2008 5:51 PM | Link to this
Another game we should have won. Just think, if Prado had a little more muscle, he would have like 3 HR. Lillibridge did look way over matched today, KJ looked too anxious at the plate, Kotsay was invisible today, & should be platooning with Blanco in CF. I was really looking forward to seeing what KJ could do in the #3 spot today. Maybe he’ll get another chance to bat there tomorrow since Chipper will most likely miss another game. now playing: a pain that i’m used to by depeche mode.
By AdirondackDave
April 26, 2008 5:56 PM | Link to this
So the Braves continue with the injury-a-day pattern. Can’t remember a run like this before but I suppose it’s happened and I’ve just forgotten. Surprising that they made a game of it with that weak lineup. It probably says more about the sad state of the Mets than it does the Braves.
It was good to hear that Hudson just had an off-day locating his pitches. We need 7 innings of shut-out ball from John tomorrow and it wouldn’t surprise me if we got it.
By Cherokee
April 26, 2008 5:57 PM | Link to this
worrisome about Hudson. third straight poor to miserable performance. won’t surprise me if something physical is amiss
By Andy
April 26, 2008 6:11 PM | Link to this
DOB, the offday does help save the pen some, but hindsight 20-20, I didn’t know the pen would pitch a scoreless game after his exit. It’s your division rival, and you expect your ace to gut out a few more innings, but you do have a game tomorrow against your biggest rival. What if Smoltz goes down tomorrow? Your pen was taxed the day before. That’s the point I was trying to make.
By BosnianBaller
April 26, 2008 6:38 PM | Link to this
Hey DOB you still wanna get furcal and not resign Tex especially if chipper gets injuries like this the middle of the line up is going to be real weak.I think the Braves have to do whatever it takes to bring Tex back.
By McFann
April 26, 2008 6:50 PM | Link to this
Hope Smoltz gives us a good one tomorrow (and the bats better do what they know how to do…that is, I hope they get us plenty of runs). We’ll prob’ly be missin’ tomorrow’s game, but for good reason (family event).
Anyway, I don’t think I’ll be around here till late tomorrow (if at all).
LET”S GO BRAVES!!!! (please?)
Oh, and what was with the Mets bullpen today? They kept puttin’ in these losers like Billy Wagner! Where was Sosa? He’s the best arm they got! Sheesh…
By David O'Brien
April 26, 2008 6:50 PM | Link to this
Bosnian Baller, he had back spasms. It was the first start he’s missed all season.
And with Tex, would you give him a seven-year, $150 million contract? Just curious what you mean by “whatever it takes.”
You’d give him more than $20 mill if the entire payroll is $100-110 mill? Just hypothetically speaking?
Andy, Hudson was getting lit up like a Christmas tree in the third inning. You’re trying to win the game, since it was still very close at that point.
Cox obviously decided there was a better chance of holding them to four runs with the bullpen and trying to score three runs to win it.
Didn’t happen. You move on.
By Ernest Hemingway
April 26, 2008 7:11 PM | Link to this
“The Braves cannot lose.”
“But I fear the Mets of New York.”
“Have faith in the Braves my son. Think of the great Chipper.”
“I fear both the Phillies of Philadelphia and the Mets of New York.”
“Be careful or you will fear even the Nationals of D.C. and the Marlins of Miami.”
“Tell me about the baseball,” the boy asked him.
“In the National League, it is the Braves as I said,” the old man said happily.
“They lost today,” the boy told him.
“That means nothing. The great Chipper is himself again. They have other men on the team. Naturally. But he makes the difference.”
“I would like to take the great Chipper hunting,” the old man said. “They say his father was a hunter. Maybe he was as poor as we are and would understand.”
“But I must have confidence and I must be worthy of the great Chipper who does all things perfectly even with the pain of the bunions in his toes. What is a bunion? He asked himself. Un espuela de hueso. We do not have them. Can it be as painful as the spur of a fighting c** in one’s toe? I do not think I could endure that or the loss of the eye and continue to fight as the fighting cocks do. Man is not much beside the great birds and beasts. Still I would rather be that beast down there in the darkness of the sea. Unless sharks come. If sharks come, God pity him and me. Do you believe the great Chipper would stay with a deer as long as I will stay with this one? he thought. I am sure he would and more since he is young and strong. Also his father was a hunter. But would the bunion hurt him too much? I don’t know. I never had a bunion.
I need a pencil for that. My head is not that clear. But I think the great Chipper would be proud of me today. I had no bunions but the hands and the back hurt truly. I wonder what a bunion is. Maybe we have them without knowing of it.
Don’t think old man. Sail on this course and take it when it comes. But I must think because it is all I have left. That and baseball. I wonder how the great Chipper would have liked the way I hit him in the brain. It was no great thing. Any man could do it. But do you think my hands were as great a handicap as the bunions? I cannot know. I never had anything wrong with my toes.
By bravesfan
April 26, 2008 7:25 PM | Link to this
DOB, what do you think about the Falcons taking Matt Ryan? Is that who you think they should have taken, or should have they taken Glenn Dorsey?
By Yars
April 26, 2008 7:50 PM | Link to this
DOB…..I know you’re a big Clash fan, but were you ever a fan of Big Audio Dynamite? That band Mick Jones was in?
By Gil in Mechanicsville
April 26, 2008 7:57 PM | Link to this
Richbrave The wife and I plus my youngest son and his family were in section 205. I thought Andrew Shibilo looked really good in coming in to put out the fire and get the win. And yes, I saw your grandson but only in the fact he was on the field. I am sure it was a great thrill for him.
By BosnianBaller
April 26, 2008 8:01 PM | Link to this
Yeah it was Chipper’s first missed game and hopefully last,but Chipper is getting up there in age.What I meant by “whatever it takes” is that if Tex leaves I think the line up becomes much weaker especially if Chipper gets injured.Like in 2005 Chipper played 109 games,but A.Jones stepped up and carried the offense.I just don’t think that there is a guy on this roster other then Tex and Chipper that can step up and put a team on his back for a period of time.I think Tex might be one of the position players that is worth 7yrs-150 mil especially considering he is a gold glove first baseman.
By Tomas
April 26, 2008 8:13 PM | Link to this
DOB
When are the braves going to send down one of the 3 catchers they have in the 25 man roster. I mean Branyan Pena has not even had a start, and corky has been horrible at the plate. They need another pitcher, and I think it’s time to make a decision about them.
By JC FROM UT
April 26, 2008 9:18 PM | Link to this
DOB: What do you think about the comment made on MLB Traderumors that Lillibridge may not only be auditioning for Bobby Cox but for other teams that are interested in him? As far as Schribner (sp?) waht do you think willl happen, would he garner any trade interest or will the Braves have to release/waive him? It would be a shame to lose any kind of pitching without getting something in return.
I know Schribner wouldn’t get a deal done but I would sure like to have Xavier Nady. I was watching Phillies/Pirates tonight and that guy can really hit. I would like to have him playing left field eveyday. I like Diaz and he is a good hitter but I like Nady alot more. Nady can also spell Tex on those rare days he needs a rest. He can also play RF and I think he took a crash course at 3rd a few years ago with San Diego. Not that we would need him for that but in a pinch it could be helpful. Any thoughts?
By Chopdawg
April 26, 2008 9:36 PM | Link to this
We’re comparing Clash to Beatles? Come, come, my good men…
By richbrave
April 26, 2008 9:57 PM | Link to this
JCfrom UTAH:
I don’t think ZACH SCHREIBER will begin to entice Pittsburgh to trade XAVIER NADY. I saw Zach pitch last night, and listened to most of his relief appearances on the radio. He just has not been effective in cases. He’s had six relief stints and is leading the club with 4 saves. But he gave up earned runs in one save appearance and has not been effective in three other non-save situations. Last night he gave up the lead and had to be pulled for SHIBILO, a newby R-Brave from the Mexican league who last week was playing with IKER and JULIO FRANCO.
By Shamus Thacker
April 26, 2008 9:58 PM | Link to this
Ernest, you shoulda stayed in the ground…
By Shamus Thacker
April 26, 2008 10:36 PM | Link to this
Huddy pitched like there was something on his mind besides baseball. Kotsay is showing early signs of alzheimer’s.
I still like the idea of reacquiring Furcal to play second. Tex is not worth what Boras is gonna ask. I’m not crazy bout his [Tex’s] attitude to be honest. I know I’m beating a dead horse, but I was irked by his nonchalance during spring training. He’s a highly payed major league player. He should have some concern when things aren’t going well at the plate. At least enough to put in some effort to correct his swing before the season begins. He was liftin’ n’ stretchin’, not worried bout his hitting… When liftin’ n’ stretchin’ becomes a part of the game on the field, then I’ll be fine with it. Until then, do it in the off-season, slacker!
By Brad
April 26, 2008 10:55 PM | Link to this
It could be worse. Mark Redman just gave up 10 runs in one inning.
By johnbama
April 27, 2008 12:31 AM | Link to this
why cant i post on this site.
By johnbama
April 27, 2008 12:31 AM | Link to this
why cant i post on this site.
By johnbama
April 27, 2008 12:35 AM | Link to this
looking for a way to post
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
April 27, 2008 12:52 AM | Link to this
Tomas, in reality, the Braves only have two guys who are catching behind the plate. McCann and Miller.
Brayan Pena has been used exclusively to pinch hit.
His line so far : .250 BA in nine at bats, one walk, one single, one double, two strike outs and one run scored.
He hasn’t played a single game in the field which wouldn’t normally be an issue, except for the fact that Ruben Gotay hasn’t either.
leaving the Braves with two players who are essentially pinch hitters. This is highly unlike any bench that I have ever seen used by Bobby Cox in years past.
I’m beginning to wonder if the relationship between Escobar and Pena is influencing the decision to keep Pena around.
Bobby Cox has his hands full with all the injuries while juggling the roster, so I’ll be patient.
But, the bench stinks and it has been an issue since before spring training even started.
As much as I like having Teixeira in the lineup everyday, sooner or later he is going to need a day off.
The bullpen has been reduced to six pitchers and Royce Ring is a one out situational lefty.
The Braves have eleven pitchers total.
Two catchers.
Four outfielders.
Six infielders.
And two pinch hitters.
Something has to give. The roster is completely dysfunctional.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
April 27, 2008 1:21 AM | Link to this
One other thing.
The rotation is 11-8 with an ERA of 3.33 Which at first glance, looks great.
I peeked into the numbers even deeper and found the problem. The average number of innings per start is 5.29.
If that keeps up, it will run the bullpen right into the ground.
By David O'Brien
April 27, 2008 1:30 AM | Link to this
Coach, soon as Infante comes off DL, probably inside of two weeks, he’ll replace Gotay and Braves will have an actual utility man who can spell guys and not be a big dropoff offensively or defensively.
I think they’ll pull the trigger on a Pena trade when a team gets desperate enough to give them what they want. As you’ve no doubt noticed, there just aren’t any trades happening at this time of year, or very, very few. It’s like this every season. Just not the time yet….
Brad, that was amazing, Redman giving up 10 runs in an inning. Faced 13 batters and threw 45 pitches in a single inning. His command was so hopelessly gone, the guy walked Andruw Jones with the bases loaded….
Wayne in Utah, quite a finish by your boys just now. Great atmosphere out there tonight. Were you at the game?…
One of our Braves/MIB regulars hooked us up with Tribeca Film Festival pass tonight, and we saw the world premiere of a terrific Australian thriller/horror movie called Dying Breed. If you like intelligent scary flicks, see it when it comes to a cinema near you. Creepy, scary stuff.
By David O'Brien
April 27, 2008 1:36 AM | Link to this
Forgot to mention, Braves fell to 0-8 in one-run games and 0-9 when trailing after SIX innings.
By David O'Brien
April 27, 2008 1:42 AM | Link to this
Oh, and Blue 9 Burger in the East Village makes burgers as good as In-N-Out. Real similar, in fact. It’s on 3rd, right by Bar None.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
April 27, 2008 2:31 AM | Link to this
O’Brien, for the Braves sake I hope this is addressed as soon as possible.
Yourself and most bloggers seem to agree that it’s more than likely that Teixeira is gone after this season.
I’m looking at the Rockies and I see two things. They need pitching and Todd Helton is signed through at least 2011 with a club option for 2012.
They have this kid named Joe Koshansky who looks like the real deal down at triple A and he plays first base.
After the 2008 season is over, I think we have could throw one of our young starters at the Rockies and pick up a solid prospect in Koshansky.
Thats of course, assuming Teixeira goes elsewhere.
By AmazinsAgain08
April 27, 2008 3:02 AM | Link to this
O.K. So we won Saturday and tied the series up. It’s on to the third and final game for this weekend’s bragging rights.
Youse guys have Smoltz going so it will be an uphill climb for the Mets, but we’re gonna get ‘er done.
The middle of our lineup at least did a little yesterday so I’m taking that as a sign that we are gonna scalp us some Braves today.
Cya in a few hours. May the best team emerge victorious.
By Roman Gal
April 27, 2008 3:16 AM | Link to this
Coach A power-hitting lefty that strikes out too much? Don’t we already have one of those?
But there is a kid in the Pirates organization named Steve Pearce who also happens to (kinda-sorta) be blocked.
Then again, he is one of their top prospects.
Anyways, here’s to hoping Tex stays in a Braves uni for years to come!
By mets fan in atlanta
April 27, 2008 3:17 AM | Link to this
Wow, this is the quietest this blog has been in weeks….scary. I’m not sure why no one on here wanted to give Maine any credit before the game today. Calling him a bad pitcher??? Anyway, you were favored to win the series, at least you didn’t sweep, and now we have a chance to sneak away with a series win tomorrow if Smoltz isn’t on.
I just want to see an Atlanta/New York matchup where Santana, Perez and Maine all pitch in the same series. Somehow the Braves line it up where Smoltz pitches every time the Mets show up, but we can’t get the guys who give us the best chance to win to even pitch one game?
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
April 27, 2008 4:09 AM | Link to this
Roman Gal, I’m not really sure who you are referring to.
Kelly Johnson is the only lefty bat who eclipsed the century mark in strike outs last season and he’s the Braves lead off hitter.
I have no problem with strike outs if the player produces 100 plus RBI’s during three straight seasons, which Joe Koshansky has done(2005-2007).
By tchocky
April 27, 2008 4:26 AM | Link to this
I mostly just ghost around here, as I like to pretend that I have other things to do, but I have to make note of the fact that this is the second time that burger places in cities that I don’t live in, but that I have frequented at some point, have been mentioned here. First was U-Burger in Boston, which I believe someone recommended to DOB, and which I went to all the time as it was about 50 yards from my apartment. That place is fantastic. Then I spent much of this past Summer in New York and the Blue 9 Burger DOB mentioned was right around the corner from where I was staying. Just kind of weird. Also, it’s late, so maybe not as impressive as it seems… Carry on.
By ncscoots
April 27, 2008 7:20 AM | Link to this
Actually, I think yesterday was one of Bobby’s better days at bullpen management, in recent memory. Carlyle and Bennett gave him 2.2 without a ton of pitches, Ring is still available against the Mets’ lefties today, and the game situation gave Ohman, Boyer, and Acosta a day off. Campillo has thrown 2 innings twice in three days, but even he might be available for an inning, given dire straits. That’s not a bad setup going into a rubber game, with an off-day Monday.
Bobby has his BP management critics, and I’m sometimes one of them. He gets props for yesterday, though, in a game which would have been easy to mismanage.
By Moby Grape
April 27, 2008 7:39 AM | Link to this
Something has to give. The roster is completely dysfunctional.Coach
I think you are overreacting a bit. The bench has actually performed pretty well so far. Prado & Blanco have cerainly earned their keep. A lot better than Wilson, Orr,Harris and Woodward. The only jam up is Pena-Miller, and that is because they want to trade Pena .
I have never been a Pena fan and will be glad to see him go. Some say he is versatile, but that ain’t really true. No matter where he plays his defense is between below average to terrible. He has hit for a decent average but unlike Prado & Blanco he has he clue about getting on base other than by a hit. I don’t think they want to play theguy and let other teams see just how poorly he catches.
Gotay can hit but his D is sub-par too, but he will likely be gone when Infante gets back.
I can live with Miller if they can trade Pena . If we are gonna have a bench guy that does nothing but hit we would be a lot better off with Canizares that Pena.
By David O'Brien
April 27, 2008 8:37 AM | Link to this
So, tchocky, what’s your review of Blue 9? I’d say it’s right there with U-Burger, although the NY joint doesn’t have the great burger with jalapenos.
By Nothing has changed
April 27, 2008 9:11 AM | Link to this
The best manager in the history of mankind has the worst record in the league in one-run games.
Drat that bad luck that has cursed the Braves
By Tomas
April 27, 2008 10:27 AM | Link to this
Hey DOB whats the lastest on chipper, is his back feeling okay, or is he still in agonizing pain?
By ncgary
April 27, 2008 10:34 AM | Link to this
id offer tex 7 or 8 yrs, high sign bonus where he averages 2 million a year raise each yearstart him at 15 mil 17 19 21 23 25 27 with a mutual option for 29, trade him before 10/5 only give him 15 milion up front and have first 3 years of contract equal out to around 51 million of total so he wouldnt be hard to move after 3 years
when hes 30 and you are at the pinnacle of the 10/5 he is still signed for 4 more years at an average of 23 million not out of line for a prime time cleanup gold glove caliber all star and an option available under 30 if exercised
if he wouldnt accept and sign that then id seriously pursue trades starting with the astros and trying to steal berkman and oswalt with tex and young talents
By TomInNYC
April 27, 2008 10:38 AM | Link to this
Was at the game the past 2 days, as I always do when my Braves come out here to NY. Tough loss yesterday, but I’m confident Smoltz will pull it out today, I mean what’s this guy’s record in games after a loss?
Just wanted to throw in that got a chance to chat with Will Ohman before the game when he was signing autographs, he seems like a real cool, down to earth dude. I think Dave had mentioned he was one of the only one’s who took his music advice so it makes sense. Glad to see there are some players who take the time to chat it up with the fans.
Heading back out there today, I love wearing my braves gear in Shea. The only things Mets fans ever have to say is “Braves Suck,” knowing pretty well they can’t say much else since we own them over the years.
By KC
April 27, 2008 11:01 AM | Link to this
DOB: You mentioned that Gonzo’s velocity was 90mph on average…
Is that a concern? Or do they expect the velocity to pick up over the next several weeks?
I guess what I’m asking is… Is diminished velocity normal for this stage in the TJ recovery process?
By Lew
April 27, 2008 11:06 AM | Link to this
Tom-I agree with you about Ohman. I met and talked to him several times at Spring Training and was impressed. Bet he’s a great clubhouse guy.
NCGary-You never told me-which drawing did I send you? If it was only one pose it was Shef-multiple poses would be Estrada.
By richbrave
April 27, 2008 11:09 AM | Link to this
DOWN ON THE FARM
Rain. Play resumes 1:00 p.m. today with the R-Braves up 1-0 courtesy of Josh Anderson who scored the run. Later.
By David O'Brien
April 27, 2008 11:12 AM | Link to this
KC, Braves are pleased with that velocity (90 mph) at this stage of his recovery. I just asked someone about that.
By nolie
April 27, 2008 12:17 PM | Link to this
I’m not so sure that Soriano is gonna get back as early as he says he will and I would bet that Moylan is out for a long while though that has not been determined yet. Gonzo will get back much earlier than originally expected but theres no way to know how long it will take him to be effective regularly. Boyer has looked pretty good. Acosta has a poor WHIP in the minors but has done fine as yet. If it hadn’t been for those two injuries to Moylan and Soriano this would likely have been a pretty damm good pen when Gonzo got back.
They had 14 years of pretty good luck, enough good luck to help them to that record 14 titles. I’m afraid that Lady Luck has become La Belle Dame Sans Merci.
By Andy K.
April 27, 2008 12:18 PM | Link to this
Prado starting at third again, Lillibridge starting at short.
By David O'Brien
April 27, 2008 12:22 PM | Link to this
i’ll write a quick blog with medical updates, etc. short of it: No on Chipper today (as expected), Soriano better in bullpen today but still some soreness, don’t expect him to come off DL in D.C.
By Stephen
April 27, 2008 12:25 PM | Link to this
My theories on Braves “lackluster” home attendance on various evenings at Turner Field:
Atlanta and Boston are essentially the same city in terms of population. What, then, is about Boston that it sells out Fenway Park virtually every home game? Conversely, what is it about Atlanta that it only rarely has a sell out?
By ncgary
April 27, 2008 12:25 PM | Link to this
lew yes it waa estrada, mucho gracias
By Austin
April 27, 2008 12:25 PM | Link to this
DOB
Do you have any idea why Lillibridge is starting over Gotay? That makes no sense whatsoever.
By KC
April 27, 2008 12:32 PM | Link to this
DOB: Do you sense any palpable concern amongst Braves players/coaches that Soriano’s elbow soreness is more than passing tendinitis?
It sure would be awesome to get him back healthy with Acosta, Boyer, and soon… Gonzalez! But I’m actually far more concerned about him than I am Gonzo.
By AmazinsAgain08
April 27, 2008 12:34 PM | Link to this
Man this place is dead. I thought it would be jumping with the Mets-Braves series. Guess youse guys can just sense the coming whupping huh? Go Mets!
By Logan23
April 27, 2008 12:42 PM | Link to this
Dolphins draft Dale Murphys son Shawn in the fourth round. Now thats going to be a true Mormon mission.
By nolie
April 27, 2008 12:51 PM | Link to this
Do you have any idea why Lillibridge is starting over Gotay? That makes no sense whatsoever.Austin
probably cause Gotay is a sucky defensive player, and better suited to 2nd base than SS where he has 5 major league starts with a very poor range factor
By Bill
April 27, 2008 12:55 PM | Link to this
Whats the difference between Atlanta and Boston? In Boston the weather is terrible, the people are ugly, and no one has a job so they all get drunk and go to the game. Thats the difference.
By Pete H.
April 27, 2008 12:59 PM | Link to this
Austin: Gotay is not a shortstop. He’s a 2B, might play some 3B in a pinch. Which is why Infante will take his job when healthy. Infante can play everywhere, and well. I still can’t believe the Cubs threw him in with Ohman. He has the potential to be the best utility guy this side of Chone Figgins (or Brandon Inge).
Let’s go Smoltzie!!!!
By Pete H.
April 27, 2008 1:24 PM | Link to this
Er, Bill, the unemployment rate in Boston is about zero, in Atlanta it’s through the roof. At least blast Boston for its real faults. Like, it’s ludicrously expensive. Just TRY paying for a ticket at Fenway, assuming you could find one.
By David O'Brien
April 27, 2008 1:25 PM | Link to this
NEW BLOG IS UP (and one run in for Mets in that first inning)
By Slider29
April 27, 2008 1:26 PM | Link to this
20 Ks in 44 ABs for Wright against Smoltz.
By eric the elder
April 27, 2008 1:28 PM | Link to this
I think pitchers have figured out Tex. He never, never swings at the first pitch, and he rarely swings until he has had a called strike. Thus, pitchers throw batting practice fastballs down the middle, and Tex becomes a 2-strike batter.
By Overlord
April 27, 2008 1:42 PM | Link to this
Not that I have any mind powers, but there is no need to see the whole game to know the outcome of this one. Chipper and Yunel are out. Reyes makes Prado look bad. Inning ending DP. Reyes gets on base to start the offense. Smoltz throws WP. Game over.
What are the braves going to do when chipper is gone? It seams as if they are playing softball when he is sitting. The look like the pirates when chipper is on the bench.
Few players I can recall have had this much impact on their team.
Joe Montana, Elway, Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Magic Jonhson.
Braves just cant find a dominate if chipper is out. He sit, they look like a AAA team.
They have no inspiration once chipper is down.
As Im typing this, a HR to Smoltz, guess that is a clear example of what im talking about.
By Mark in PA
April 27, 2008 2:40 PM | Link to this
Watching Muts coverage on MLB.com—the color announcer (Keith Hernandez?) keeps calling Smoltz “Schmoltz.” Dang, he’s only been pitching in the Majors for 20 years. You’d think they’d get it right by now!
Man, the offense looks flat with Chipper and Yunel out of there.
By Jose
April 27, 2008 2:54 PM | Link to this
I know this is completely random but I’m watching the Braves game on SportSouth and at the end of the top of the 4th inning, John Schiambi(sp?) was saying the usual things announcers say before going to commercial break. It is important to note that moments before, Joe Simpson was talking about Smoltz’s shoulder trouble, how he was probably going out of the game early, how difficult it was for him to get his fastball above 88mph, and how two starters, our closer, our set-up man, and the left half of the infield were injured and on the DL. After he led us to the commercial break (“Midway through the 4th, it’s 4-0 Mets”) there was a long pause, as if there was technical trouble switching from the game to the commercial. At the very end of this pause, just before the commercial break started, I could CLEARLY hear Joe Simpson say “Ball Game”, as if to say the game is out of reach, and then Schiambi (sp?) say “Yep”. I’m fortunate enough to have DVR so I immediately hit the rewind button on my remote and listened again to make sure I wasn’t just hearing things and this confirmed what I thought I heard. I just wanted to take this opportunity poke fun at and simultaneously congratulate Schiambi (sp?) and Simpson. Even though they’re positive when they’re on the air, even during absolute blowouts, it’s good to know that when they’re off the air (or atleast when they think they’re off the air) they say the same types of things that any regular old pessemistic Braves fan would say. While some would look at this as a character flaw, I say kudos to you John and Joe. There’s nothing wrong with keeping it real amongst yourselves. I can only expect (and hope) that you say more controversial things when you’re off the air. Afterall, this is the USA. Keep it real America.