Braves

By Tim

April 29, 2008 12:06 PM | Link to this

Great Column, Dave

By Tim

April 29, 2008 12:06 PM | Link to this

Great Column, Dave

By nfieldr

April 29, 2008 12:07 PM | Link to this

Ok, I know that I’m a glass is half full kind of guy, but DOB, there are an awful lot of “ifs” at the top of your blog. Still… I do have hope for ‘08.

By Bill in VA

April 29, 2008 12:12 PM | Link to this

I tend to have faith in the ability of rookies to help energize the team, Prado, Blanco, et al.

By GT

April 29, 2008 12:16 PM | Link to this

The difference between 2008 and the other seasons mentioned is the Braves’ competition in the Mets and Phillies is much better now than in 2001 or 2002. This Braves team is a .500 team. Same as last year. The reason fans are looking forward to 2009 - myself included - is the possibility of seeing Charlie Morton come into the rotation with Jair Jurjjens and form a potentially powerful 1,2 combination. Much as I like Smoltz, the Braves just don’t have a viable rotation this year, 3rd best ERA aside.

By 18 Wheels of Love

April 29, 2008 12:16 PM | Link to this

DOB

First of all, I don’t want this to sound like a panic question but I base it on us having lost some top notch free agents in the past without getting some players in return via trade, and also on comments made about us not spending 20m on one player if your budget is projected where ours currently is…85-90m.

Do you foresee a situation where Wren might decide that Tex is unsignable and consider moving him during the course of this season? Of course, timing is everything but I am just wondering if his philosophy is the same as Schuerholtz’s for this type of situation? Do you settle for a draft pick and be done with it or do you try and get more by taking the risk of trading him during the season?

Peterbilt, Peterbilt

By ManOfTeal

April 29, 2008 12:25 PM | Link to this

What’s the matter Dave? Too embarrased to say that your beloved Braves are not only 1 1/2 games behind Philly and New York but also 3 FULL games behind the NL East leading Florida Marlins. You know nobody in the mainstream media is giving the Marlins any credit for what they have done so far this year and I’m tired of it.

But that’s ok because the Marlins have played best when the media has completely ignored them in the past. Two World Championships in their 15-year existance to the Braves one World Championship since they came to Atlanta four decades ago.

Enjoy your AARP-eligable pitching staff, I know I do whenever I see my Marlins take battig practice against the Braves’ pathetic pitching.

Go Marlins!!!!

By GT

April 29, 2008 12:29 PM | Link to this

that segment is very pessimistic…

Its not pessimism, just being realistic. It is unlikely that this starting rotation can improve with Glavine and Smoltz on a revolving DL, and with Hudson having inexplicable losses of velocity. When the vacancies are reliant on Chuck James, Buddy Carlyle, JoJo Reyes, or whoever else, it becomes unlikely indeed.

By Mark in PA

April 29, 2008 12:42 PM | Link to this

Great update, DOB.

My point? You can win divisions with a lot of different recipes… In case you missed it, Smoltz was not in the rotation for any of those seasons listed.

Heavens to Murgatroyd, if the Muts trolls weren’t bad enough, we now have smack-talking Fishfans on the blog. Wearing teal.

By N8

April 29, 2008 12:42 PM | Link to this

nolie

From the previous blog:

“gee I think I will continue to think for myself Nate, that is if I can get you to give me permission. Please, Please. ???”

Feel free to think whatever you wish. I was just putting the stats/facts in front of you. When July rolls around and KJ is still in the lead-off spot for a team failing to score runs and is 10 games off the pace, you and Bobby can “discuss” where it all went wrong. LOL!

“I think that Escobar is the best choice for hitting second and that is exactly where I would bat him. To each his own, huh?”

Absolutely. See above.

By David O'Brien

April 29, 2008 12:45 PM | Link to this

But that’s ok because the Marlins have played best when the media has completely ignored them in the past. Two World Championships in their 15-year existance to the Braves one World Championship since they came to Atlanta four decades ago.ManOfTeal

Let me get this straight: You’re saying the media ignored the ‘97 Marlins, who had just purchased free agents Moises Alou, Alex Fernandez, Bobby Bonilla, Devon White and manager Jim Leyland, after adding free agents Kevin Brown and Al Leiter the year before to a team that already had Gary Sheffield, Robb Nen, Charles Johnson, Edgar Renteria, etc? Oh, OK. That’s a new one.

Because when I was covering that team, I seem to remember that Marlins team being on the cover of magazines from the winter through the spring (they had one of the best spring training records in history).

Thanks for the history lesson, ManOfTeal. When did you start watching the Marlins, in 2003?

By KC

April 29, 2008 12:45 PM | Link to this

DOB: Good info.

Cox knew Hudson didn’t have his usual zip. In the post-game interview, he said something to the effect of “I just decided to pull him back. It’s a long season… no need to wear him out”. Again, that’s strictly paraphrased… but that was the gist of it.

There’s absolutely NO reason why he would pull his ace out after 3 innings, and turn it over to an already overworked bullpen… unless he sensed something wasn’t quite right.

I guess that’s still my only concern. As DOB pointed out, Hudson has been prone to stretches like this. But I just can’t remember a loss of velocity being part of the equation in any of those instances.

Just gotta keep our fingers crossed, both for Hudson and for Smoltz.

By Cecil34

April 29, 2008 12:45 PM | Link to this

Everyone who is a Braves fan had their fingers crossed going into this season that all of the more aged/injured starters would hold up.

If they did, then this team could definately be competitive.

If they did not, then this team would flirt with .500 ball all year long.

Everyone knew what the risks were, including the Braves’ braintrust, and sometimes you have to play the cards that you are dealt in a given year.

Because there are going to be other, and better, years ahead.

Fans will not know for sure what we have until late May or early June, but this latest twinge felt by Smoltz is not a move into a positive outcome.

Obviously the Glavine/Hampton tandem is the key to the whole enchilada….at least in ‘08.

By Supes

April 29, 2008 12:48 PM | Link to this

DOB

I haven’t written “off” this season, I just have serious doubts the Braves can be competitive with all the injuries they have right now, and how will they affect the team’s record in the end when it comes push for the Playoffs?

I am looking at this with tampered expectations, and looking at the short term, as you have a lot of “ifs” in your opening. BTW, that is a lot of great research, so thanks for providing those numbers, they do bring some cause for optimism, I just can’t see it thought with this current Braves team.

My biggest concern is the health of Chipper Jones. He needs to play 145 games, at least if the Braves are to have any shot at being in the NL playoffs, via WC or Division winner.

Without Chipper they just aren’t the same lineup. The other day, I forget which game…they walked Chipper to pitch to Tex! That tells you everything you need to know…teams don’t fear Tex, they fear Chipper! Not just b/c he’s locked in now…and a hitting machine, it’s b/c he’s a better overall hitter. I think Mark’s got the better “pop” in his bat, and he’ll hit more HR’s probably than Chipper, but Jones will hit for higher ave, more doubles and probably more 2 outs RBI’s.

Starting rotation is a huge concern. I hope Hudson will be fine, but I’m not counting on Smoltz, Glavine or Hampton.

DOB, once the verdict on Smoltz is clear, and we know what the problem is, if becoming the closer would be more beneficial to his long term pitching health, will John consider it? Please ask him that question sometime this week, I think many fans would like to know.

I know John has said he wants to be a starter, but if prolonging his career by going to the closer role again, he would also help out the Braves right now with no Soriano and no Moyland in the pen.

By AGTfan

April 29, 2008 12:50 PM | Link to this

It’s funny how pessimists ALWAYS claim that they’re realists. Really, It’s OK to be a pessimist. Go ahead and admit it.

By Bobby's Cox

April 29, 2008 12:59 PM | Link to this

N8

Great last post on the previous blog… couldn’t agree with you more.

I did this stat on my own just by looking at the boxscores, but it looks like the braves are 9-5 when they score early (innings 1-4).

By N8

April 29, 2008 1:00 PM | Link to this

DOB

“But like I said, even if Smoltz were to have problems, they could still compete..”

In reality, we’ve “competed” that past two seasons, haven’t we?

I guess I was expecting more. Not demanding it…just expecting it.

By geauxbraves2000

April 29, 2008 1:02 PM | Link to this

It’s too early to write the Braves off yet, but, besides the starting pitching so far this year, this appears to be a mirror of the last couple of years: unable to win close games, lack of clutch hitting, jeckyll and hyde offense and pen. Sometimes the pen looks so dominate, at others very vulnerable.

If they score 100 runs in 7 games, they will lead in offense, but if they score 7 runs in the next seven games, that’s 7.64 runs per game, which is great, but chances are they’ll be 7-7. A .500 team. That’s what I see so far, and their record just about shows it.

They play sloopy against soft tossing lefties, any decent pitcher can totally dominate this offense, and I don’t trust the pen to hold a one run lead.

So far, 2007 reincarnate.

Things can change, but they have to make adjustments against the types of pitches they struggle against.

I haven’t given up on the Oct parade, I hope everything starts clicking, for this can be a great team.

Geaux Braves!!

By Robert (Chipper Is The Best)

April 29, 2008 1:03 PM | Link to this

DOB, would Smoltz consider going to the bullpen as a closer if it would lessen the stress on his shoulder? Soriano was slated as a possible starter when he was first acquired. He could go down to the minors for a couple of weeks to get stretched out. Is that a possibility/

By Dopey Dawg

April 29, 2008 1:05 PM | Link to this

Lew, To reply to your last post on the previous blog. I know John Smoltz because of his age, annointed Tim Hudson the No.1 Starter but that doesn’t make it so. He wasn’t the No.1 starter in Oakland and he isn’t one here for the same reason. He is far too erractic with his control and in the past and this year with his velocity. He doesn’t have his A game 8 or 9 times out of ten like a Smoltz, Glavine or Maddox, instead it’s more like 6 times out of 10.

By Craig Swann

April 29, 2008 1:07 PM | Link to this

Man of Teal, I think you’ll enjoy this from baseball prospectus…

“The combination of a soft early schedule (14 games against the Nationals, Pirates, and Astros, in which they went 9-5) and some luck in close games (3-0 in extra innings to go with the 6-2 record in one-run affairs) has served to make the Marlins April’s mirage. Not only will they be evicted from first place soon enough, they could plummet rapidly come the end of the next month, which features a 10-game road trip through New York, Philadelphia, and Atlanta. At least there aren’t a lot of people who will be disappointed when it happens.”

except you. tee hee.

By eric the elder

April 29, 2008 1:07 PM | Link to this

Nice analysis of past teams, DOB, but none of them had two 40+ starters and another who hadn’t pitched for over 2 years.

This year’s version appears to require taking out all those new expensive seats behind home plate and installing a MASH unit.

By BraveInMiami

April 29, 2008 1:07 PM | Link to this

DOB

you are too funny man, I love the blog brother keep it up

By N8

April 29, 2008 1:16 PM | Link to this

AGTfan

“It’s funny how pessimists ALWAYS claim that they’re realists. Really, It’s OK to be a pessimist. Go ahead and admit it.”

It’s even funnier that optimists are the ones with their hearts broken, when things don’t go well. You know…the fans they show CRYING in the stands, when their team is eliminated from the playoffs?

Another point not to lose sight of…..

Most pessimists are people that have seen enough to have a good gut feeling of where things are headed.

I’m NOT a fair-weather fan. The Braves could lose 130 games this year, and I’ll be right there next spring paying for the Extra Innings package, and having faith that the winter’s moves have shored up our holes.

I’m not going anywhere (as in jumping off the wagon).

However, I am VERY MUCH of a “what have you done for me lately?”, fan.

Lately (the past 349 games), the Braves have been as mediocre as it comes….175-174 to be exact. If acknowledging that this team, is mediocre makes me a pessimist, consider me a card carrying member of the pessimist club.

By Jim

April 29, 2008 1:17 PM | Link to this

I had to watch the games on the Mets stations this weekend, and I haed the same observation as the fan in Colorado. On the radar postings after each pitch, they consistently had Hudson at 88 mph or below. Maine was recording 92-93 and the commentators were saying that he didn’t have his good fastball. The consistency of these readings with those on MLB and the readings for other pitchers on Sat. indicate that this was an accurate gun and that Hudson was topping out at 88-89 with most of his pitches recording lower. Even before the 3rd inning, the warning signs were apparent — the gun readings, the lack of ground ball outs, and (from the TV view) the movement on his pitches was not as sharp as it has been on his good nights. Even in the start at Washington, his fasball was sitting at 90-91 and he gave up a lot of hits to a weak lineup.

As for Smoltz — if this were September, then maybe he should try to “gut it out”, but it’s still April, and I hope he does spend a stretch on the DL to try to let the shoulder heal. I wonder if the shoulder problem was something that was there all spring and the pitching in only minor league games was a way of hiding it. If he was trying to re-invent himself, there has been little or no evidence of that so far this year. He has been a power pitcher with the same repertoire that he always used.

By ncscoots

April 29, 2008 1:17 PM | Link to this

It’s funny how pessimists ALWAYS claim that they’re realists. Really, It’s OK to be a pessimist. Go ahead and admit it.

You can go ahead and nuke THAT sentiment, my friend. None of the “realists” who frequent this blog will ever take that step, LOL. Can’t be done. Need a different gene for that to happen.

Contrarians simply need something, anything, to be contrary ABOUT, in order to make the day go by. But you can’t really fault them for it; just a dog bein’ a dog. You might not like the location of his licks, but whatcha gonna do? :-)

By Shamus Thacker

April 29, 2008 1:18 PM | Link to this

We had some poor starts in the 90s too. Look how they turned out.

I still believe we’ll win the division this year. I don’t figure Hammy into my thinking AT ALL. My Mom is more of a man.

By Tomahawkin

April 29, 2008 1:20 PM | Link to this

Tonite Greg Maddux could make his last start in Philly against King Cole Hamels, that should be a hella ill match-up, Go Maddog!

By Robert

April 29, 2008 1:21 PM | Link to this

Please everyone lets have some faith and confidence. We are only 1 game under .500 with our closer and setup man out almost the entire year. Our ace is hurting, Hampton well is Hampton. We will right the ship. Do not give up.

By Tomahawkin

April 29, 2008 1:25 PM | Link to this

Good Insight D.O.B.on the Braves Squads of the past, I remember in 2001 our offense did click til June, hopefully it will come earlier this year

I remember we dropped back to back 2-1, and 1-0 games at Chivez Ravine (the later was a hella good pitchers duel Jason Marquis against Kevin Brown that ended up a being a walkoff by the Dodgers on a Sheffield Homer off of Kerry Ligtenberg)

Lets Solve the Tim Redding Riddle tonight both the Braves and Phillie offenses have made him look like Cy Young…

By Original Jon

April 29, 2008 1:25 PM | Link to this

We should trade for someone like Edwin Jackson, he is young and could be a future number 3.

By N8

April 29, 2008 1:26 PM | Link to this

Bobby’s Cox

Here’s the thing. MANY people have been stating that Yunel is the “ideal” #2 hitter. I can’t, don’t and won’t argue with that. He is.

But WITHOUT a real lead-off hitter ahead of him, the “assets” that Yunel brings to the table as a #2 hitter, are wasted as well.

What does it matter, if Yunel is GREAT at hitting the ball to the hole on the right side with a runner on base, if said runner (KJ), is hardly ever on base?

So for that reason (along with the numbers in my previous post you referred to), Yunel SHOULD be the lead-off hitter.

If we were to say, call up Josh Anderson and put him in the lead-off spot, or put Blanco there (only if he’s playing everyday), or as DOB has stated, brought back Rafael Furcal to hit lead-off for us next year, THEN Yunel would ABSOLUTELY shine in the #2 spot.

So, in conclusion (for now, I’m sure), for THIS team, as it is currently constructed, Yunel should be the lead-off hitter. It would give THIS lineup, the best chance to score more runs, especially early in games to take a quick lead.

Just my opinion, nothing more.

But the numbers back me up.

By Tomahawkin

April 29, 2008 1:29 PM | Link to this

Hey D.O.B. If and When you have any off-time with Glavine, can you ask him will he be making another book about his career?

I have his first one “None But The Braves Tom Glavine” that was published in 1996 and its pretty good. It brings back a lot of memories of his upcoming through the system with the likes of Pete Smith, Lemke, Blauser, Gant, Justice, etc. in the late 80’s to the Championship season of 95…

probably the best biography that I’ve bought…

By Bobby's Cox

April 29, 2008 1:31 PM | Link to this

i never lose hope in bobby cox. if this team could win in ‘05 with 18 rookies then they could win this year with the problems they have. Hampton last pitched in ‘05, and he’ll pitch again this year. Maybe that’s a feable sign like the press box fire was in ‘92.

We’ve all had our own ideas on what bobby could do to piece things together, including myself. Lets hope bobby and the front office finds the answers and applies them. With the rash of injuries the braves have encountered, he’ll have to.

By Shaun

April 29, 2008 1:33 PM | Link to this

Regarding the leadoff discussion: A few of you want to throw out only what KJ has done leading off an inning or a game. And want to look at what Escobar has done leading off an inning or a game. Escobar has led off a game all of 35 times.

Second, isn’t this kind of a weird way to determine the better leadoff hitter or better hitter or better anything?

It’s kind of like determining how smart you are by only looking at your high school test scores on a Wednesday.

Hey, Chipper is a .111/.233/.194 hitter in his career as a pinch-hitter. Guess given the opportunity, he shouldn’t be a pinch-hitting just like Kelly Johnson shouldn’t be a leadoff hitter.

Chipper’s .175/.250/.300 as a 5th place hitter. Guess if there comes a point where Chipper needs to bat fifth, his manager shouldn’t do it.

Chipper’s only hitting .175/.284/.365 against the Blue Jays. He shouldn’t be in the lineup next time the Braves face Toronto.

By CC Rider

April 29, 2008 1:34 PM | Link to this

Lew, I agree with you that Hudson is sometimes a number one starter, but his consitentcy falls short in my opinion. I also believe his slight build along with his ERA average over the last 5 seasons including this one is right at 3.80. I don’t call that an ERA of a No.1 starter. He doesn’t dominant like a Smoltz, Maddox, Pedro, Beckett Etc. He is a good No.2 at best.

By northBeach Scott

April 29, 2008 1:35 PM | Link to this

DOB You referred to Boyer and Blanco as Rookies in the Blog entry for today. Would you verify the Braves that meet the Rookie Criteria on the 25 man roster?

I believe this group includes: Acosta, Campillo, Jurrjens, Lillibridge, Prado, and possibly Boyer, Pena, Resop and Ring depending upon if they meet the <45 days on the active roster rule between start of the season and 8/31. Just curious as Yunel is no longer technically a rookie.

On the 40 man roster other rookies appear to include: Cuevas, Morton, Lerew, Ridgway, Stockman, Sammons, Brandon Jones and Anderson. Looks like Jo Jo pitched >50 innings so he is no longer a rookie, either.

Thank you!

By Gary

April 29, 2008 1:37 PM | Link to this

Whats funny is no one remembers that in 2001 John Burket could never get past the 6th inning and Millwood missed two months with a dead arm. Its not like the Braves were able to rely on them in the early going. What else is funny is people tend to forget who the Braves fielded everyday that year. Rico Brogna, Keith Lockhart, Rey Sanchez (when Furcal was lost for the season in late June), an inexperienced Marcus Giles, BJ Surhoff, etc… Javy Lopez and Andruw Jones dropped off considerably from their 2000 performances too. Chipper and Brian Jordan were the only two weapons the Braves had offensively and the bullpen did not come around until late in the year. Remember John Rocker blowing saves in the first half of the 2001 season??

My point is you guys are writing off DOB because those were different teams. Actually I think this team is much better than that 2001 team. The pitching is deeper, the lineup is deeper, and say what you want about the bench but I will take Prado and Gotay over Mr. pop-up Keith Lockhart any day. The only team you can say that was absolutely better than this one was that 2002 team. They were deep across the board.

Also of note, no one here is a realist. We have no idea what this team is going to do from here on out. I hope they get healthy and go on a classic Braves roll only to have a better outcome come October. The Mets and Phillies are not going to run away with this thing. They are battling injuries just like the Braves are and inconsistent as well. Don’t worry Teal, the Marlins (like all surprise teams) will falter in May.

By Steve in DC

April 29, 2008 1:38 PM | Link to this

-zing- DOB, i nearly coughed up a mouthful of lunch I laughed so hard reading your marlins history post. Too funny. I mean, there are SO many similarities between the 1997 team and the 2008 22$ million incarnation. There are a LOT of talented kids on this team (Hermida, Hanley, Uggla), and NO overpriced aging free agents. Tell you what, if I lived in S. Florida, I would be one of the 732 people at games, because those young guys are fun to watch.

By Tom in NYC

April 29, 2008 1:44 PM | Link to this

GeauxBraves2000, I think you are right on point.

**It’s too early to write the Braves off yet, but, besides the starting pitching so far this year, this appears to be a mirror of the last couple of years: unable to win close games, lack of clutch hitting, jeckyll and hyde offense and pen. Sometimes the pen looks so dominate, at others very vulnerable.

If they score 100 runs in 7 games, they will lead in offense, but if they score 7 runs in the next seven games, that’s 7.64 runs per game, which is great, but chances are they’ll be 7-7. A .500 team. That’s what I see so far, and their record just about shows it.

They play sloopy against soft tossing lefties, any decent pitcher can totally dominate this offense, and I don’t trust the pen to hold a one run lead.**

Until we get over this hump, I see us having the same results as last year. Unfortunately, I don’t see us getting over this hump, no signs have pointed that way.

By Original Jon

April 29, 2008 1:44 PM | Link to this

Thanks for the history lesson, ManOfTeal. When did you start watching the Marlins, in 2003? DOB

haha, manofteal, that is what we call a sick burn.

By DAP

April 29, 2008 1:44 PM | Link to this

i try to be positive all the time and be very hopeful, but i admit, i dont feel great right now about the team. i think its just because of all the injuries.

many on the blog were pointing out all winter that smoltz was gonna be 40 and age was gonna catch up to him eventually. i didnt believe it. he has serously shown his age this season…seemingly all of the sudden. i think THATS what is hard for me more than anything. the bearded icon showing weakness is not what im used to.

and huddy…who saw THIS coming? i didnt. hopefully he will overcome it.

SOMEONE on this team…i dont know who, needs to step up and become a big time leader, and get everyone fired up. chipper. tex. frenchy. yunel. somebody. do it.

By DonCoburleone

April 29, 2008 1:45 PM | Link to this

DOB I am definately not writing this team off (its still freakin’ April for gosh sakes), but geauxbraves2000 expressed exactly how I am feeling about the 2008 Braves: “besides the starting pitching so far this year, this appears to be a mirror of the last couple of years: unable to win close games, lack of clutch hitting, jeckyll and hyde offense and pen. Sometimes the pen looks so dominate, at others very vulnerable.”

I couldn’t agree more with those sentiments. Where is the close win? Where is the comeback late in a game? Why can’t we hit soft-tossin’ lefties? I mean, Andrew Miller was getting destroyed by everyone and their mother, but put him up against the Braves offense and he manages to wiggle out of jam after jam and only allow 2ER’s. It’s the games like that where I just shrug my shoulders and say “we got unlucky”, but when I find myself saying that once a week I begin to realize thats what this team does and its not simply “bad luck”, its a TREND…

Bottom line, give me a come from behind win and an actual winning streak (talking like winning 13 out of 15 or something similar to that; not the win 5 in a row, lose 4 out of 5 streaks we’ve consistently had the last 2+ seasons). If we can do those things, I’ll feel alot better about this team; until then, consider me cautiously optimistic…

By Will

April 29, 2008 1:47 PM | Link to this

Way too many if’s in this blog. The bullpen is not very good, Hampton will not give the braves 5 starts, Smoltz is never going to be healthy this season and the Braves continuously dating back to the last two years cannot get big hits late in games and in close games. The Braves are a .500 baseball team, no questions asked.

By Tomahawkin

April 29, 2008 1:47 PM | Link to this

N8

Good assessment about the leadoff scenario, Same situation with Victorino and Rollins in Philly, you need a speedster in front of Rollins to fully utilize his assets…

Same with Esco, I like the Idea of Anderson or Blanco in the leadoff role ahead of him…

I’ve been tired of station-to-station wait for the 3 run homer philosopy, wonder why we suck in 1-run games…even though some of it is bad luck…

By AGTfan

April 29, 2008 1:48 PM | Link to this

Most pessimists are people that have seen enough to have a good gut feeling of where things are headed.

Isn’t that just another way of saying, “No really, I’m a realist.”?

Being a pessimist doesn’t make you any less of a fan. It just makes you a pessimist. I’ve got nothing against pessimists. Heck, maybe you’re not a pessimist. I’d have to see more of your posts when things are going well to really make an assessment. It doesn’t matter. If there were only optimists on the blog, it would get so boring that we’d all go crazy. There have to be a few of each. If I didn’t get to watch you arguing with whoever you are arguing with at any given time, it wouldn’t be nearly as entertaining.

By Bobby's Cox

April 29, 2008 1:49 PM | Link to this

N8

Again i agree with you 100%. Put KJ in the 7 hole where he’s had the best success. Escobar IS the ideal #2, but is also the best #1 from the crop we have to choose from currently. Tis why i didn’t like the kotsay signing when we already traded for anderson (and traded relief!). Tis why i argue so much about prado, cuz in his 3 starts for this club hitting leadoff, the teams resonded big-time twice. Not to put Prado on a star, but just to make the argument that KJ shouldn’t be hitting leadoff - that this team’s lack of a leadoff hitter accounts for much of its inconsistancies at the plate. KJ should not be this team’s leadoff hitter, and i think we proved that plenty with stats.

There’s 2 types of leadoff hitters in the game. Those that get on base regulary. They’re typically pesky slap hitters, doubles hitters, can bunt for a single & foul off pitches. They steal a lot, and by doing so they put pressure on defenses. Then theres the Jeter type (much more common in the roid era IMO). Hitting leadoff because there’s no one else, he’s a consistent .300 hitter, and has a consitent powerful lineup behind him. KJ fits neither. Escobar fits the latter, for the time being.

By DAP

April 29, 2008 1:55 PM | Link to this

N8 What does it matter, if Yunel is GREAT at hitting the ball to the hole on the right side with a runner on base, if said runner (KJ), is hardly ever on base?

i think thats reaching a little. KJ has been slumping, but seems to be coming out of it, and his OBP is .330 for the year. not great, but he does get one base. last year it was much higher than that, and its just under .360 lifetime.

By TURTSNAP

April 29, 2008 1:55 PM | Link to this

Hey DOB, being the eternal optimist that I am (when it comes to the Braves anyway), I have even wondered if Hudson’s problems could be attributed to cold weather. But the velocity shouldn’t be affected by cold, so I continue to query into what the problem could be.

I am more than a little concerned about Smoltzie though. I have been afraid to come to the ajc site for fear that an awful headline about Smoltzies doctor visit will flash me in the face.

By BraveInMiami

April 29, 2008 1:56 PM | Link to this

DOB

I was wondering whatever happened to the pitcher Jay Powell who became Bobby’s designated groundball pitcher but during a game back in ‘04 or ‘05 he snapped something in his arm during a pitch. He was the guy they felt confident in to trade Grybowski if I remember correctly.

Random thought I know

By tom Robinson

April 29, 2008 1:57 PM | Link to this

better to finish in third place then win the division and CHOKE in the first round

By DAP

April 29, 2008 1:59 PM | Link to this

N8 by the way, you post doesnt mention who should bat 2nd instead of yunel. maybe thats part of the issue. theres no on else that makes sense in the 2hole. KJ wouldnt work there…and kotsay….well hopefully he will start hitting better, but i think we might be seeing alot of at bats with no one on, 2 outs and chipper up.

By N8

April 29, 2008 2:00 PM | Link to this

Shaun

Your 1:33 post shows your arrogance and how you obviously TWIST the numbers to make a point. Who gives a RATS AZZ how Chipper has faired in the #5 hole? It’s NOT up for discussion regarding this team.

Who gives a RATS AZZ how he does as a PH? If Chipper is pinch hitting, odds are we’re losing, since he wasn’t in the lineup, right?

Did you READ the frickin post of mine, that stated that in “all of 35 games” as the lead-off hitter, that Escobar has scored only 5 runs less in the first inning as KJ has in 99 games as the lead-off hitter?

Are you so FRICKIN blind that you are afraid to admit (because YOUR numbers you dig up don’t “add up” to your point), that the TEAM WAS DIFFERENT with Escobar leading off?

The offense was explosive, and his energy IGNITED THE OFFENSE!!!

How many months of KJ being mediocre, AT BEST (regardless of his spot in the batting order), are you gonna throw his “career” numbers out there for discussion.

It just hit me. You’d be the guy drowning as the Titanic fades away to the ocean floor, SCREAMING how unsinkable that ship was.

OPEN YOU EYES, it’s amazing what you might see.

In the 99 games that KJ has led off the game, he has gotten on base 27 times. Do the math. With a calculator, you can conclude that in those 99 games, our 2nd place hitter (Yunel or whoever) has come to the plate in the first inning with 1 out and NOBODY on base.

Why not just concede that 1st out before the inning starts, and save KJ the embarrassment?

You’re the numbers guy. Find me the “odds” of scoring a run in an inning, when there is one out and nobody on base. I’d be curious to see those numbers, compared to when the lead-off hitter (in any inning) gets on base.

By Shaun

April 29, 2008 2:01 PM | Link to this

The Braves lead the NL in team batting average, but rank second-to-last in close-and-late situations at .197. Only the Padres (.186) have been worse.

Chipper is probably the second or third-best hitting regular in close-and-late situations. He’s hitting .214/.313/.286. I suspect their close-and-late hitting up to this point is just a fluke that will adjust itself as the season progresses. It’s not like last season where Andruw Jones is going to get 87 AB in those situations.

By Jim

April 29, 2008 2:02 PM | Link to this

I’m glad to hear all the talk about the leadoff spot today. Everytime the blog gets negative about KJ he has a big night. Hope this is an omen.

By BravesDave

April 29, 2008 2:04 PM | Link to this

DOB, saw The Verve last night at the Theater at MSG. One of their first performances in the US since they disbanded 10 years ago. Right up at the barrier in front of the stage. Awesome show. Amazing that a band with such talent could stay apart for 10 years and rob us their potential. Here is a link to one of their new songs. They closed the show with this last night and it was rocking.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTJvbGVXwMI

By richbrave

April 29, 2008 2:04 PM | Link to this

CHARLIE MORTON continues on the level of pitching that he’s occupied since arriving. Some good, some not so. This time a good IP/H ratio, but too many walks. SO’s excellent. The young man’s coming along in the process of learning to become a pitcher instead of just a thrower. Braves are taking their time with him, and success couldn’t happen to a nicer guy in my book.

By Thrillhouse44

April 29, 2008 2:07 PM | Link to this

Great post, Gary. I was lucky enough to have spent 2001 summer in ATL training. Your post brought back memories of watching BJ Surhoff ripping up grass in LF in between pitches. People dogged on LaRoche, but Surhoff’s attention span seemed to be shorter than mine.

By BravesDave

April 29, 2008 2:08 PM | Link to this

DOB chooses to compare this current Braves team to 2001, 2002, and 2004. I choose to compare this team to 2006 and 2007. We have seen these types of performances too many times over the past two seasons to assume that the 2008 season is going to end any differently. As much as I hate to say it, this team is destined for another 3rd place finish.

By Bobby's Cox

April 29, 2008 2:12 PM | Link to this

Great timelineof the braves success here. Talks about every season of the braves 14-year run except 2003 for some reason.

It coincides with DOB’s blog today.

You can read how the braves faced diversity in each season, who stepped up & who prospered (Burkett was 3rd in the NL in era in 2001 with at 3.03?!), etc…

By Bobby's Cox

April 29, 2008 2:20 PM | Link to this

Shaun

Nice stats again regarding Chipper in close-and-late, fool.

Do you even realize that if this team scores early that they won’t have to hit close and late all the time? Scoring early puts pressure on the other team.

You’re running in circles with your stats. You want our continued lack of sucess with KJ hitting leadoff obviously, a big cause for our team falling behind in games. But then you throw out stats to prove other guys aren’t hitting late in close games when we’re trying to argue the team shouldn’t be in that position to be begin with half the time with a different leadoff guy.

By DAP

April 29, 2008 2:22 PM | Link to this

not the win 5 in a row, lose 4 out of 5 streaks we’ve consistently had the last 2+ seasons).

i WISH that were true. thats a 96 win pace.

By SNIPER-69

April 29, 2008 2:28 PM | Link to this

DOB, Yeah the braves had other poor starts in the past and overcame them. But let me point out, 1. the Mets and phillies weren’t as good as they are now 2. the braves rotation was very good 3. Smoltz and Glavine were in their mid 30’s not early 40’s.

By SNIPER-69

April 29, 2008 2:32 PM | Link to this

DOB, one last thing. Your article has a lot of IF’S……

By Bobby's Cox

April 29, 2008 2:35 PM | Link to this

DAP

KJ’s getting out of it? Cuz he’s walking more? He may be walking more, but he’s hitting .238 in the last 6 games.

Now bringing up who should bat 2nd is a great argument. I say diaz. That guy hits no matter the situation.

By Shaun

April 29, 2008 2:35 PM | Link to this

N8, my point exactly. Why should we care what Chipper has done in the five spot or as a pinch-hitter or against the Blue Jays? We should look at his overall numbers to tell us about what he’s capable of. Just like we should look at KJ’s overall numbers.

And I concede it’s quite possible Escobar would be better in the leadoff spot. But it’s silly to say Johnson is a bad option or doesn’t belong in the leadoff role.

By N8

April 29, 2008 2:37 PM | Link to this

Jim

“Everytime the blog gets negative about KJ he has a big night.”

Let’s just clarify this for the record.

I’m NOT down on KJ. I’m down on KJ as the LEAD-OFF HITTER.

I think he’s a gamer. He’s improved his defense enough to NOT be a liability out there. He’s got 15-20 HR power, and would knock in about 70-100 RBI, if he were to hit lower in the order.

What’s there to be negative about? Oh yeah, the fact that his manager thinks he’s a lead-off hitter, DESPITE what the history shows about his stats in that spot in the order.

If Escobar were to go down for the year, THEN Kelly would be our “best” option. Hell, even then, he might not be, depending on how well that Blanco was doing with the stick.

But WHEN Escobar is healthy, HE is the best lead-off option.

Nowhere in any of MY posts regarding this topic, have I ragged on KJ. Just simply stated my opinion, based on numbers and what my eyes told me when Escobar was hitting lead-off, that Kelly is the wrong choice for that spot in the order.

My negativity has to do with his manager being a mule about it. Just the way he was with Remlinger coming in to face lefties, just the way he was with Andruw and the Clean-up spot last year. It only took me 25 games to break out Robert’s chant……

HEEE HAW!!!!

By Braveone

April 29, 2008 2:38 PM | Link to this

Hey DOB - I don’t beleive Boyer qualfies as a rookie as he has appeared in 50 games coming into the season. A rookie cannot have more than 45 days on a team’s active roster coming into the season.

By Braveone

April 29, 2008 2:38 PM | Link to this

Hey DOB - I don’t believe Boyer qualfies as a rookie as he has appeared in 50 games coming into the season. A rookie cannot have more than 45 days on a team’s active roster coming into the season.

By greg

April 29, 2008 2:44 PM | Link to this

Wow! There actually are Marlins fans. Who knew? Thanks, Man of Teal, for confirming that you exist. I mean Braves fans are sparse at the Ted (and that’s a disgrace), but Marlins fans must be as lonely as the Maytag Repairman. In the words of Santa Claus in the M&M commercial, “You really do exist.” Who knew?

By Mike

April 29, 2008 2:48 PM | Link to this

DOB, any word on Anthony Lerew? He pitched good in AAA Richmond and in his first start in the bigs before his elbow blew out. How is his rehab coming? Is he still on the Braves’ radar at this point?

By Bobby's Cox

April 29, 2008 2:48 PM | Link to this

Good Insight D.O.B.on the Braves Squads of the past, I remember in 2001 our offense did click til June, hopefully it will come earlier this year Tomahawkin

Ya the offense clicked until our “prototypical leadoff hitter” Furcal was lost for the season. Without a true leadoff hitter, most lineups will struggle.

By Shaun

April 29, 2008 2:50 PM | Link to this

Bobby’s Cox, I’m arguing that situational stats are largely meaningless at this point in the season and many are always much less meaningful than a player’s overall numbers.

I wouldn’t look at your art history test scores on Wednesday to figure out what kind of student you were. I’d look at your entire transcript.

By Thrillhouse44

April 29, 2008 2:51 PM | Link to this

Sniper, there’s less than a dozen if’s in DOB’s article. I’d say your Mets’ season hinges on more if’s than that.

By Allison

April 29, 2008 2:56 PM | Link to this

All I know is I can’t even ponder the future of the braves this year, until I know what is going on with smoltz. I was at the whole series this weekend supporting our braves. What happened to smoltz was one of the worst things I had to endure when being at shea. I have been going to shea for the last five years to support the braves. I will continue to do so. However, if smoltz is not able to have a productive season this year, it will be hard for me to keep the faith and watch the team.

By Tomahawkin

April 29, 2008 2:56 PM | Link to this

Bobby’s Cox I was referring to the offense before he was lost 4 the season during interleague play. (I should’ve cleared that up a little)Giles took over, although he was streaky he seemed to fill the slot at the time…

By Bobby's Cox

April 29, 2008 2:58 PM | Link to this

Wow! There actually are Marlins fans. Who knew? Thanks, Man of Teal, for confirming that you exist. I mean Braves fans are sparse at the Ted (and that’s a disgrace), but Marlins fans must be as lonely as the Maytag Repairman. In the words of Santa Claus in the M&M commercial, “You really do exist.” Who knew? Greg

Absolutely Hilarious.

By Bravesfan79

April 29, 2008 2:59 PM | Link to this

Man of Teal: WOW you mean theres ACTUALLY Marlins Fans!!???

As i write this i just realized im not the first person to think the same thing! lol… Man of teal, your team sucks, and will be exposed by July.
Yall didnt deserve those championships, yall have Eric Gregg to thank for one of those.

By Shaun

April 29, 2008 3:04 PM | Link to this

Bobby’s Cox, Diaz doesn’t hit lefties…see, you dig too deep into splits and you’ll find something.

By Rob Neyer

April 29, 2008 3:05 PM | Link to this

There is no such thing as putting pressure on the defense.

By SNIPER-69

April 29, 2008 3:05 PM | Link to this

Thrillhouse, Being that the Mets have a better record I’d say we are less dependent on the “IF” factor. If you feel comfortable with DOB using that amount of if’s to try and cheer you up so be it.

By Jim

April 29, 2008 3:08 PM | Link to this

From the tenor of this blog one gets the impression that the NL is a two-team league. Shouldn’t we be more concerned about the D-backs, and the Cubs if we want to get to the WS? Granted we need to either win the division or the wild-card to be in a position to get there in the first place, but the Marlins will be getting more of their pitching back in the coming weeks/months and the Phillies have strengthened their rotation and bullpen with the addition of Lidge. Both of these teams may present more of a challenge than the hated Mets! Maybe we need a few more Marlin fans (all 753 of them) to invade this space if we are to become less myopic about the Mets.

By SR

April 29, 2008 3:09 PM | Link to this

In chronological order:

1) Good posts re: KJ in the leadoff spot N8, dead on.

2) BravesDave- Another good post, does seem to be a carbon copy of the last couple of years. Mediocrity is now the name of the game with los Bravos.

3) Sniper69- True enough dude, Mets Phils have improved, Braves are running in place and Glavine and Smoltz are testing Father Time.

Win one, lose 2, win a couple, lose a couple, not the formula for success to be sure.

By N8

April 29, 2008 3:12 PM | Link to this

Shaun

“Bobby’s Cox, I’m arguing that situational stats are largely meaningless at this point in the season and many are always much less meaningful than a player’s overall numbers”

Once again, you are taking the human element completely out of the equation.

If a guy is a 85 percent free-throw shooter for his career, but hits them at only a 60 percent clip with 2:00 or less left in the 4th quarter, as a coach would you go by his “entire” numbers, or break it down a little bit, to put him and the TEAM in a better chance to succeed?

The fact that you are ignoring “situational” stats, just shows how big the HOLE in your run differential theory is.

How else do you explain a team that is +26 (124-98) in the runs scored vs. runs allowed category, is 12-13 (0-8 in 1-run games)?

Oh yeah. That’s riiiiiight. “Bad luck”, right?

HOGWASH.

Chipper slipping on a wet infield in SF and feeling that pain for weeks, is “bad luck”.

KJ failing in the lead-off role over a 99 game stretch is NOT bad luck, it’s poor execution in certain situations.

Bobby CONTINUING to put KJ in the lead-off spot, is NOT bad luck, it’s something AND IDIOT would do.

I’ll tell you one thing that IS LUCKY. That the Mets and Phillies are just as “unlucky” as us. :-)

By REASON

April 29, 2008 3:17 PM | Link to this

The only time April stats mean anything is when you are horrible team like the Nationals. Its May and June when teams get in routines and grooves, over initial injuries, etc. Yall can write off all you want, this team is legit. Have you ever noticed that the ones that panic and think they know more than Bobby Cox post like 7 paragraphs at a time (N8).

By BT

April 29, 2008 3:18 PM | Link to this

Who is going to be sent down when Glavine is brought back today?

By David O'Brien

April 29, 2008 3:18 PM | Link to this

Braveone, you’re right — his service time on the 60-day DL precludes Boyer from being a rookie….

BravesDave: Saw the Verve in San Francisco about 10 years ago. Incredible show. Great band….

DOB, one last thing. Your article has a lot of IF’SSniper

Sniper: Your posts have a lot of nothing.

By Thrillhouse44

April 29, 2008 3:19 PM | Link to this

You’re right, Sniper. How dare I question the Muts when they’ve won a whole game more than the Braves? IF that one game makes you think the Mets are so much better than the Braves, so be it. Like I said, your guys have their ifs, the Braves have theirs.

By McFann

April 29, 2008 3:20 PM | Link to this

Dude! They’ve already started the online voting for the All-Star Game! That’s crazy! Who cann tell who deserves to go to the All-Star Game now?

Online voting is annoying, anyway. (I’m not gonna lie, though. I’ll do a few when it gets to be time.) I mean, then you’ve got all these people from the Big Cities who go on there and vote over and over again for somebody just because they’re a Yank or a Sock (or a Met). Anybody notice how about half of the starters for both teams the past two years were New Yorkers? And then when Edgar didn’t make it last year when he was the only player of ours who should have…Outrageous.

They should still only have voting at the Ballparks. Do it the old-fashioned way.

By Bobby's Cox

April 29, 2008 3:25 PM | Link to this

shaun

i know what you’re arguing. That’s why we disagree so much. I’m arguing you can’t look at overall numbers, that a guys numbers in 1 run games, 2 runs games, versus 4, 5, & 6 run games are more indicative of what kind of player the guy is.

It’s like that stat that the braves are 3rd in total offense, but go through 4-6 game stretches where they average 4-6 runs and they result back at .500. Aggragate numbers from the result of blowout wins are misleading. So are individual stats.

I’d rather have a guy that hits .300 in 1 run games and .125 when the game is out of reach than vice verse. Or a guy that hits .350 leading off a game or inning and goes .200 the rest of the game than vice versa.

Overall numbers aren’t indicitive of what goes on in between the lines.

By N8

April 29, 2008 3:27 PM | Link to this

Shaun

“N8, my point exactly. Why should we care what Chipper has done in the five spot or as a pinch-hitter or against the Blue Jays? We should look at his overall numbers to tell us about what he’s capable of. Just like we should look at KJ’s overall numbers.”

Tell that to Chipper. Didn’t he ask Bobby (in fact tell Bobby) that he preferred to be in the 3-Hole, as opposed to the clean-up spot?

Why? Couldn’t Bobby simply look at his OVERALL numbers and tell Chipper that it doesn’t matter WHERE he hits in the order, because his whole “body of work” is what matters?

If the spot in the order doesn’t matter, then why do managers specifically put guys in certain spots? Everybody always says that your “best” hitter should be in the 3-Hole.

Why? Why not bat them lead-off? Don’t you want your best hitter to get the most AB’s? Before you go off, I’m kidding.

But can you HONESTLY tell me than a hitters “approach” doesn’t change based on where they hit in the order?

Numbers have shown that KJ does better in 3 other spots in the order.

One could argue that we are better off with KJ leading of and Escobar driving him in, than we would be with Escobar getting on base and KJ leaving him stranded. Horse a piece if you ask me.

One could also argue that being left-handed, IF we were to have a lead-off hitter that was an SB threat (Anderson?), that KJ would be a FANTASTIC #2 hitter.

KJ’s numbers in the 2-hole are not that great. But with a SB threat on base, he’d make a lot more contact, IMO. KJ has NEVER had a an SB threat on the team hitting ahead of him. So how do we know?

Bobby would rather plug in his lineup, and WAIT for it to work, than to actually try another idea and running with it IF it works.

Take last year for instance. Langerhans is STINKING IT UP for a month. In the mean time Willie Harris is TEARING UP Richmond.

Finally after a month, Bobby (JS?) makes the move. Harris tears it up in the 8-hole. Rather than “trying” Harris in the leadoff spot while he’s “hot”, he keeps him down there.

Then later in the year, he finally gets a wild hair up his azz to move him up to the top of the order, to which he starts falling off almost IMMEDIATELY, but there he stays.

Bobby is always a day late and a dollar short with his lineup changes.

Maybe had he moved Andruw the hell out of the Clean-up spot, we would have NEVER needed to make the Tex trade? More than likely not. But how does one know without trying?

If you’re gonna completely ignore “situational” stats, you’ll have to excuse me from ignoring you. Don’t make me go all “Coach” on your azz, and put a permanent ignore on you, I actually enjoy sparring with you.

By BraveInMiami

April 29, 2008 3:28 PM | Link to this

guys I just wanted to say, as bad as we believe its been because we expect this team to have a record like the d-backs because of the potential this team has

due to injuries and bad play yes we’re only 1 game under .500 and a game and a half back of the real contenders in the East (shot at manofteal)

hopefully as soon as some guys come back we can get some steady play and get back on top of the division

give these guys a chance to get healthy and get hot, as u can see some guys are already starting to turn it around

and remember before the losses in new york (which included a lineup without our best producers up until the series) we were getting back on track, give it time, it will happen

By Shaun

April 29, 2008 3:32 PM | Link to this

If a guy is a 85 percent free-throw shooter for his career, but hits them at only a 60 percent clip with 2:00 or less left in the 4th quarter, as a coach would you go by his “entire” numbers, or break it down a little bit, to put him and the TEAM in a better chance to succeed?

I would look at his overall numbers to get an idea how good he truly is.

How else do you explain a team that is +26 (124-98) in the runs scored vs. runs allowed category, is 12-13 (0-8 in 1-run games)?

Luck plays a role. But also the fact that no one has hit well in high-leverage situations (not even Chipper) except for Teixeira. Does that necessarily mean that everyone on the team is a bad hitter in high-leverage situations? I very seriously doubt it? Why? Because they’ve hit fine in high-leverage situations before.

By flange1

April 29, 2008 3:35 PM | Link to this

Another fun day on the blog!

N8 and others, I do see your point about KJ as a lead off hitter. How should the order be set up with the players the Braves are using at present?

If we have a platoon in LF are you suggesting

Blanco, Yunel, Chipper, Tex, BMac, Frenchy, KJ, Kotsay

or

Yunel, Kotsay, Chipper, Tex, BMac, Frenchy, KJ, Diaz

Is that what you are thinking?

I think we ought to discuss the order with the players that are on the roster not say we should call up Anderson to lead off.

I am interested in everyone’s thoughts.

By Billy

April 29, 2008 3:39 PM | Link to this

In regards to the sub-.500 start…let’s not forget the ridiculous schedule the Braves played the first week and a half of the season. Look at the costly errors in those first few games that followed an early morning arrival from a one game series in D.C. A few games at home (with aforementioned errors), then on to Colorado, then back to D.C. It was no coincidence that the Braves were playing poorly the first week and a half of the season.

By Original Jon

April 29, 2008 3:40 PM | Link to this

DOB You are on fire today, lol

By wiki

April 29, 2008 3:46 PM | Link to this

The disparaging thing about Smoltz’ situation and the probable diagnosis of rest is that he had 5 months of rest, threw few ST innings, and had discomfort the week before the season even started. In the end, I suppose 15 Smoltz starts in the season is better than 15 of any one else with a tomahawk across his chest. Maybe it comes down to shutting him down until August 31, then put him on the active roster. September could serve as his “spring training” for a run in the playoffs??? Of course this means that they would have to get there without him first. I know its farfetched but that’s what blogs are for.

Regarding all the “ifs” for season success, every team not named Arizona has its own ifs.

By P-Town Brave

April 29, 2008 3:49 PM | Link to this

DAP

Here you go:

v LHP 1) Escobar 2) Diaz 3) Jones 4) Tex 5) Mac 6) Frenchy 7) KJ 8) Kotsay

v RHP 1) Blanco 2) Escobar 3) Jones 4) Tex 5) Mac 6) KJ 7) Frenchy 8) Kotsay

How is that?

Oh, and for those of you who question my decision to put Matt Diaz in the 2-hole against lefties…

Here are his stats in the 2-hole:

.342/.400/.658 so that wouldn’t be a problem against lefties…

Gregor Blanco has hit leadoff or 2nd pretty much his entire minor league career, so against righties going Blanco/Escobar OR flipping it, I don’t think you can go wrong either way.

It just needs to be reiterated like was said earlier…Kelly needs to drive in runs, not be the run scorer at the top.

Escobar ignites our lineup and its just as simple as that!

Give it up Shaun…as a realist who watches EVERY Braves game, most of us know that there are MULTIPLE options better than Kelly to hit leadoff…Kelly is no more than a 6-7-8 hitter on a good team, and guess what…he could hit leadoff, but that my friend is for a BAD team going nowhere.

My question to you is this…

Do the Braves want to be THAT team?

By SNIPER-69

April 29, 2008 4:02 PM | Link to this

DOB….Oh yeah, your post are so full of “something”, but I can’t say what that something is or I’ll be banished.

By Bobby's Cox

April 29, 2008 4:03 PM | Link to this

shaun

no one is lucky or unlucky for over 2 years. Luck, as Laker Legend Chick Hearn once said, is a byproduct of situations prepared for.

Is it unlucky we’ve had these injuries? No. We’ve put ourselves in this situation. That’s what you get when you field an old pitching staff. That’s what you get when Escobar bunts, but you don’t stress or practice the art of bunting. That’s what happens when Hampton doesn’t stretch, drink enough fluids, etc… Is it unfortunate that things aren’t going the other way? Maybe, but certainly not unlucky.

I’m still wondering why the Braves don’t have Soriano’s elbow MRI’d. They did this with Hampton in 2005. He first felt his forearm tightness at Dodger Stadium in a game in the middle of May. Hampton went 3 months going off and on the DL again before finally pitching his last game in mid-August. If Hampton had the MRI in May and underwent Tommy John in May, then maybe his arm would’ve healed the right way and he would’ve pitched last year. Instead, Mike was “unlucky” and had to have another surgery.

Complaining about luck is for crybabies.

By fleming

April 29, 2008 4:04 PM | Link to this

Just one question.

When did runs scored late in the ball game count more than runs scored early? Seems to me that if I was going to score 6 runs in a ballgame, I would prefer to score all of them in the first inning so my started could throw more easily, I could save my best relievers with a big lead. Wait and score 6 runs late then starter works harder and need to use top relievers to stay close.

By DAP

April 29, 2008 4:06 PM | Link to this

P-Town Brave thats not bad, but i hate changing the top of the lineup so frequently.

if bobby moves KJ out of the leadoff role, id would rather see

1. escobar 2. kotsay 3. chipper 4. tex

EVERYday. i dont really like the top chaning that much, but i also dont really like kotsay hitting 2nd, unless he gets his OBP up at least to about .350.

By Rob Neyer

April 29, 2008 4:06 PM | Link to this

Where a player bats in the order doesn’t make much difference.

By N8

April 29, 2008 4:07 PM | Link to this

Billy

Your argument or opinion about the travel and weather causing the Braves to stink it up the first “week and a half” of the season, barely holds water.

After that trip to frigid Colorado they traveled to Washington, where they took 2 of 3. After that Series they were 5-7.

Since then, they’ve gone 7-6. Hardly a HUGE turnaround. Especially considering that in the middle of this 13 game stretch, they won 5 in a row. Yikes.

Here’s how the season breaks down so far. We’ve played 10 “series”, ranging anywhere from a 1-game series (opening night in DC), to series containing 3 games.

We have won 3 of those series. Lost 4 of those series, and tied in the 3 2-game series we have played.

That my friends, is how a team ends up around .500 at the end of the year.

With the injuries to Smoltz, Glavine, Hampton, Chuck and now the “kind of - sort of - but not really” injury to Hudson, our rotation’s slogan should be as follows:

“JJJ, then hope that all other options go away.”

By Carroll Rogers

April 29, 2008 4:10 PM | Link to this

OK - a cameo. DOB just called. Smoltz going to the DL. Filed a burst and he wanted me to let you guys know. He will follow up with much more….

By CARROLL ROGERS crogers@ajc.com

The Braves have put John Smoltz on the 15-day disabled list with a severely inflamed biceps tendon and an inflamed rotator cuff in his throwing shoulder.

Smoltz, who started the season on the disabled list with shoulder soreness, pitched only four innings in a loss to the Mets on Sunday in New York. He was examined Tuesday by Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham and will be re-evaluated again after giving his arm some rest.

Smoltz had back-to-back 10-strikeout games in his two starts prior to New York. On April 22 against the Nationals, Smoltz became only the 16th pitcher to reach 3,000 strikeouts. But he’s been saying all along this April that he was having to battle shoulder soreness to do it.

Smoltz turns 41 on May 15.

By Big Easy

April 29, 2008 4:12 PM | Link to this

DOB, any word yet on Smoltz? Also, have you heard anything else on Moylan? I know he was working to rehab his elbow, but I didn’t know if there was anything new to report. Several fantasy outlets have him listed as out for the year.

~E~

By fleming

April 29, 2008 4:17 PM | Link to this

Just one other thing. Situational stats tell you one thing and one thing only and thats the probability that a certain hitter in a certain situation might get a hit but only if you factor in the same situational probability of the pitcher getting an out in that situation and the situational probability that a fielder is going to make a great or bad play in that situation and the situational probability that an umpire is going to make a certain ball/strike call in that situation and the situational probability that a gust of wind is going to come during that situation and blow the ball in or out of the stadium during that situation or who knows what other situational probability might arise during that situation. Heck maybe the batter, or the pitcher, or the umpire, or the fielder is thinking about his girlfriend and blows a play he might not normally do. Who knows?

By DAP

April 29, 2008 4:19 PM | Link to this

“JJJ, then hope that all other options go away.”

BOOOOOOO!!! c’mon, man. you can do better than that.

By Bobby's Cox

April 29, 2008 4:19 PM | Link to this

Flange

Here’s my thoughts on the lineup:

Vs. lefties:

1. Escobar, 2. Diaz 3. Chipper 4. Tex 5. Frenchy 6. McCann 7. Prado 8. kotsay

Vs. Righties

1. Blanco 2. Escobar 3. Chipper 4. Tex 5. McCann 6. Frenchy 7. KJ 8. Diaz

Feel free to critique my opinion. But yeah, that’s a platoon with Kotsay and Blanco, and KJ and Prado, not Diaz and Blanco. Diaz’s past numbers show he hits righties and lefties equally, even though this years (as normal) he’s slow getting out of the gate. Then that would be the more experienced Kotsay getting the start against lefties over Blanco. As far as the KJ and Prado platoon, that would be 3 lefties in a row at the bottom of the order if we had 6. BMac 7. KJ 8. Kotsay. So i say break that up and put in a good hitting Prado.

There you have it.

By P-Town Brave

April 29, 2008 4:20 PM | Link to this

DAP

Only problem there is that Kotsay hasn’t proved he should be hitting at the top of the order as well as Kelly hasn’t….

Along w/ that, Kotsay has been downright AWFUL against lefties…so much so that I would almost argue for giving him some days off and playing Blanco in CF against LHP once or twice a week if needed.

I still like the Blanco/Escobar and Escobar/Diaz combo because it gives us the best chance to score early and put pressure on the opposition…

I think we can win by altering the lineup in this way, and not only that I think it will take the pressure off KJ and he can produce like he did at the end of last season down further in the order.

By BamaBravesFan

April 29, 2008 4:21 PM | Link to this

Smoltz to the DL…and so it begins. I had hoped this day would never come. Smoltz has been my favorite Brave since I was about 10 years old. It really won’t be the same if this is indeed his last year.

By etownbrave

April 29, 2008 4:21 PM | Link to this

ESPN is reporting Smoltz to DL, while Glavine activated. Not really a surprise but disappointed for Smoltz…he is such a warrior!

By flange1

April 29, 2008 4:27 PM | Link to this

Bobby’s Cox,

I like your lineup’s, but I would sub Prado for Diaz in the 2 hole against lefties.

I am not a fan on Diaz as a #2 hitter. He is way to unconventional.

But net/net, I think you nailed it….

By Big Easy

April 29, 2008 4:28 PM | Link to this

OK, so I guess that answers that question…

~E~

By David

April 29, 2008 4:29 PM | Link to this

Bad news about Smoltz, I guess, but at least nothing seems to be torn or in need of surgery. Thanks to Carroll and DOB for getting the info. out ASAP!

By Bobby's Cox

April 29, 2008 4:30 PM | Link to this

Wonder if Dr. Andrews gave us a 2 for 1 special with Smoltz and Moylan.

Or maybe he’ll give us a Get 2 Right Arms Checked, get the third for free when we finally have Soriano evaluated.

Dr. Andrews must be a braves fan for the work he’s done on this organizations arms over the years (Hampton, Powell, Smoltz, Moylan, Gonzalez). Actually, maybe he’s not a Braves fan for the faulty work he did on Hampton. Maybe he’s a Rockies fan.

By DAP

April 29, 2008 4:34 PM | Link to this

thats sad about smoltz, but maybe he can get this striaghtend out and we will have him back at full force in a month or so.

By Randy S

April 29, 2008 4:38 PM | Link to this

Braveone, DOB - It seems that Boyer is not a rookie because he spent more than 45 days on the active roster when it was limited to 25 spots (it looks like he accumulated this in 2005). Time on the DL does not count against rookie status.

By BA

April 29, 2008 4:42 PM | Link to this

14 for 38(.368) with nine RBI in ten games? Anybody remember n8 lobbying to put Tex in the six hole? Wouldn’t put a lot of stock in n8’s lineup suggestions.

By ncscoots

April 29, 2008 4:42 PM | Link to this

Oh, man, I see it’s Strat-O-Matic lineup day again today, LOL. Every so often, the blog gets a jolt of levity with a whole new set of not-in-this-space-time-continuum lineups. But with Smoltz going to the DL, I guess everyone can use a good chuckle.

Three weeks minimum, you think? I’d have to think the level of concern has to go up any time the rotator cuff gets even a casual mention in a 40+ pitcher.

By jed

April 29, 2008 4:47 PM | Link to this

the age of our rotation has bitten us a lot earlier than even i thought possible. and in the worst way, smoltz. “inflamed rotator cuff” does not sound good.

By Alan

April 29, 2008 4:48 PM | Link to this

Smoltz to the DL. Bummer, but no surprise, really. I fear, however, that Hudson also is pitching hurt, no matter what he and his manager say. His velocity is down. What other explanation can there be? And why else would Bobby have pulled him so early in his last start? He almost always leaves his starter in the game to get “straightened out” — especially one of his co-aces — and especially when the bullpen is overused as it has been. Something is wrong with Hudson; I wish he would fess up. Now, Glavine is the stopper, and he just came off the DL himself. This is not good, folks. But all is not lost because every other team in the division has issues. We need to get Chipper and Escobar back in the lineup — and I agree that KJ has to be moved from the leadoff spot. I, too, would hit Yunel 1st followed by Diaz against lefties and Blanco against righties. I’d drop KJ to 7th or 8th and I’d give Prado starts against most (if not all) lefties.

By JEB

April 29, 2008 4:50 PM | Link to this

I really would not look for Smoltz to come back until after Memorial Day - at the earliest!

Severely inflamed biceps tendon, inflamed rotator cuff after just 4 starts and spring training simulation games.

These things don’t go away for awhile. God, I hate this for Smoltz!!!

We need to look at J.Bennett or Chuckie James as a regular starter for a spell. That or bring up Jo Jo or one of the rookies.

Miller or Pena one has got to go! We need that spot for another pitcher!!

By Bobby's Cox

April 29, 2008 4:51 PM | Link to this

Flange

The way diaz has hit this year thus far against lefties, i think you’re right. I’ll modify my lineup projection for prado in the 2 hole. If it’s the Diaz that hit .356 against lefties last year, then maybe not.

either way it works, but i’m surprised of Diaz’s disparity this year lefty vs. righty, where he’s been pretty even keel or even better in years past against lefties.

By David O'Brien

April 29, 2008 4:54 PM | Link to this

David, it was a team effort, and a big tip of the cap to Carroll back in Atlanta. Since I can’t file from the clubhouse and had to keep talking to guys about other stuff, I called Carroll from the dugout and she got it up pronto. We’re always thinking of you folks, believe it or not.

By Efrim

April 29, 2008 4:54 PM | Link to this

I can’t imagine Smoltz would be back before June, if that. Now you really need Hampton to step up and give you 15 starts. Smoltz is great, and probably my favorite Brave. I wish him the best in his recovery.

By Coach (Lets Go Braves In 2008))

April 29, 2008 4:56 PM | Link to this

O’Brien, good stuff again. Very straightforward and balanced.

I had another of those light bulb moments while watching the last few innings of Sundays Marlins/Brewers contest(Marlins won 3-2 in ten innings).

I realized with much admiration that both Ned Yost(Brewers manager) and Fredi Gonzalez(Marlins manager) cut their managing teeth under the tutelage of none other than Bobby Cox.

I mean, what a testament to the influence of our Hall of Fame manager, seeing two opposing managers going head to head who both got their chance to coach in the big leagues because of Bobby Cox.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ned_Yost

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fredi_Gonz%C3%A1lez

By Matt (punkin) Diaz

April 29, 2008 4:56 PM | Link to this

Guys, I’m sorry. I can’t hit second in the lineup. Unlike me, the hitters behind me are legitimate major-league hitters. They need to see pitches. They need somebody to work the count. Not me. I just go up and hack away at every pitch I see, like Jo-Jo the idiot circus boy.

By David O'Brien

April 29, 2008 4:57 PM | Link to this

Braves haven’t said who’ll start Saturday, but I hear it’s gonna be Jo-Jo Reyes.

Also, HAMPTON is scheduled to start for the Braves on May 10, after he makes two more rehab starts, including one tomorrow at 11 a.m. for Richmond in Durham. Some sort of SpongeBob Squarepants matinee special for the kids (I kid you not)….

Sniper: Oh, please say what’s on your mind. Better yet, why not go to someone’s blog who you don’t find to be full of it? Because I write this one, and you can’t keep yourself away from it, can you? Didn’t think so.

So do say it.

By Tomas

April 29, 2008 4:57 PM | Link to this

If Smoltz has to undergo another surgery, I’m 90 percent sure he’ll retire. He is a very competitive man that likes the game, but he is just too old. I love the way he plays and his leadership, but I think his arm isn’t as strong as it should be for a starter, and if he doesn’t have surgery he really needs to consider going back to the bulpen, if he accepts the reality that his arm cannot stand the pressure of being a starter. It’s all up to him whatever he decides.

The Tim Hudson issue concerns me. Look at Bary Zito, he is having a very similar problem in San Francisco. He has lost velocity from his fastball, and there is a theory that it is because he has thrown so many pitches in his career that his arm is starting to lose strength. He has been on the top five pitchers for pitches thrown in a season in the last five years. Think about it tim hudson and Barry Zito are still in their “prime” but they got to the big leagues very quickly. They both played for Oakland and were part of the famous big three.

DOB is this possible. How many pitches has Hudson throw per season is it high?

By David O'Brien

April 29, 2008 5:00 PM | Link to this

BraveInMiami: Jay Powell’s been retired for a couple years now. Broke his arm on that pitch and never made it all the way back.

By N8

April 29, 2008 5:01 PM | Link to this

DAP

“BOOOOOOO!!! c’mon, man. you can do better than that.”

I know. As soon as I hit post, I wished that I hadn’t. LOL!

By all other “options”, I meant the likes of Buddy, and what not.

Sad though, that the only “sure” thing in our rotation (the one where we had so much depth just a few short weeks ago), is that our stud rookie, is gonna give us about 5-7 innings of allowing about 3 ER or so.

Everything else about the rotation at this point is a mystery.

Hudson? What will his velocity/effectiveness be?

Glavine? He himself, expects to be rusty. Who knows if that hammy acts up again?

Speaking of Hammy, can Hampton put his uniform on without pulling SOMETHING?

Chuck James? He doesn’t even know the opponents names, much less where his fastball is going.

Smoltz? Hard to say, but there’s a chance he’s thrown his last pitch in a while.

Bennett? Talk about Jeckyl and Hyde.

Which Brings us to JJJ. Then only consistent in the “allegedly” best rotation in the NL East.

Do we wanna get into the bullpen?

The Riddler wouldn’t have enough question marks on his costume, to be used on this pitching staff.

But don’t let all that fool you. The homers say that it’s early, and we’ll be “fine”. LOL!

By Tomas

April 29, 2008 5:02 PM | Link to this

PS: This theory of Zito losing his velocity because of all the pitches he is thrown throughout his career, I heard it from tv.

By DAP

April 29, 2008 5:03 PM | Link to this

DOB We’re always thinking of you folks, believe it or not.

awww…thats sweet. now go make me a sandwich!

By Bravesfan79

April 29, 2008 5:04 PM | Link to this

Why Bobby Cox WHY!?? Why did he let Smoltz go 3 or 4 innings last game when it was clear he DIDNT HAVE IT!!

I know it was the Mets but common, Smoltz should of been given rest.
I think (sadly) that Smoltz might be better as a closer for us than a starter for the rest of this year and next.

And as a reliever as long as Bobby dosent use him more than twice a week (NEVER in blowouts….i know thats a hard one to resist Bobby but common us fans know u got some smarts left so please prove us right)

Smoltz would be better in our pen for next year then any possibly reliever on the market in free agency!

Im not writing off this year by far, 2 me i still see us playing the Diamondbacks in the NLCS….where i still dream of seeing Smoltz pitch one more game 7. One can dream…right? Go Braves!

By Tom in NYC

April 29, 2008 5:06 PM | Link to this

CBS Sportsline is speculating he will miss about a month. I’m not sure where they got this information from, but I’d say we would be happy if this is the case.

“Analysis: Smoltz left his start Sunday against the Mets after four innings and has been battling shoulder discomfort all season after starting it on the DL. Despite the injury woes, Smoltz was pitching pretty well for the most part in 2008. He can still bring it 20 years into his major league career, but at his age, breaking down is part of the game. He is likely to be out for about a month with this issue. Smoltz was scheduled to pitch again on Saturday, but now Jeff Bennett, who pitched 1 1/3 innings of relief on Saturday, is likely to take his spot. For Fantasy Week 6 (May 5-11), Chuck James or Jo-Jo Reyes could be called up to enter the Braves rotation in Smoltz’s place.”

By David O'Brien

April 29, 2008 5:08 PM | Link to this

BOTH CHIPPER AND ESCOBAR are back in lineup today. They both hit early in indoor batting cage to test their ailments, both did well.

“Good enough,” Chipper told me of his back, which kept him out of last two games in NY.

Escobar showed me his finger, which is still ugly and a bit swollen. He said no problem hitting, but throwing it’s a bit sore. Can’t wear wrap on hit, he said, because ball would be too slick.

By Bobby's Cox

April 29, 2008 5:09 PM | Link to this

Guys, I’m sorry. I can’t hit second in the lineup. Unlike me, the hitters behind me are legitimate major-league hitters. They need to see pitches. They need somebody to work the count. Not me. I just go up and hack away at every pitch I see, like Jo-Jo the idiot circus boy. Matt Diaz

Matt, you’re silly. You never give yourself credit. You’re a .330 hitter. Just keep hacking and stop being so modest. Maybe you’ll be in the Ted Williams spectrum of .400 if you were a little more cocky. Keep it up being a gamer and all, stealing bases, taking extra bases on plays in the infield, taking out 2nd basemen to extend innings, etc…You’re doing a great job, even after another slow april.

By BA

April 29, 2008 5:11 PM | Link to this

Hey Tomas, look at this: Hudson(2007) sixteen wins, era 3.33. Zito (2007) Thirteen losses, era 4.53. How similar is that? And by the way, years ago Smoltz said the bullpen was actually HARDER on his arm than starting, due to all the extra warmups.

By Braveone

April 29, 2008 5:12 PM | Link to this

DOB - Have you heard who is going to replace Smoltz on the roster. My guess would be a reliever, hopefully Stockman. We need the Kangaroo Testicles man on the roster, good luck hopefully to come! I think Reyes will be called up for the Saturday start.

By Mark Fanxeira/ BBFCFM

April 29, 2008 5:15 PM | Link to this

where is Albanian Braves Fan today? I could sure use a dose of his/her logic and biscuit reasoning about now. Probably the funniest post I ever saw on here yesterday by him/her.

By Bobby's Cox

April 29, 2008 5:15 PM | Link to this

few here have said it already, but smoltz needs to sit at least a month or at least till june. They should Clemons Smotlz…if the braves hang in there without him for a month or 2 or three, then activate him (if he’s feeling better) in time for a playoff push.

In the meantime, it’s time to be “optimistic” about glavine, hudson, and yes hampton. Go back up and read DOB’s examples about Hudson and tell yourselves he’ll be righted for the sake of easing your minds. Rely on Glavine’s experience, and for once, trust in Hampton. Three’s a Charm for Hampton. I remember reading that on one of the signs in Game 6 of the 1995 World Series, the 1st one the Braves won in its 3rd try.

By GSU-Lee

April 29, 2008 5:17 PM | Link to this

DOB, I know Reyes has been doing better, but what do you think his potential is in the bigs? Does he have the stuff to be a top of the rotation guy? IN your opinion I mean

By flange1

April 29, 2008 5:18 PM | Link to this

N8,

Yeah, all us homers will say it’s early.

What do you want us to do? Wring our hands and grab our pistols and commit suicide?

Give up on the Braves and start watching Indoor football?

I know that you are not happy but man you have already given up!

Isn’t it a bit early for that?

By DonCoburleone

April 29, 2008 5:19 PM | Link to this

DOB on behalf of everyone who relies on this blog first and foremost for Braves information, I say THANK YOU!

By monty

April 29, 2008 5:19 PM | Link to this

If Glavine and somehow Hampton can make it back into the rotation we should be O.K. until Smoltz can heal. THE big question is can Smolt’z arm take anymore punishment or is he done? If he’s done and Hampton can’t go, then the Braves are toast.I don’t think Chuckie or Reyes can carry the back end of the rotation. THere has got to be some question about Hudson’s continued pitching also. Maybe an even bigger concern is keeping Chipper in the line-up because this team is pretty much punchless without him.

By JEB

April 29, 2008 5:19 PM | Link to this

Until we know for sure about Hudson, I would not jump to conclusions. DOB stated his history. A pitcher can lose velocity (speed) on his fast ball by a couple of simple things: 1) He can lose his release point (just an extra touch with the flip of the wrist - can lose 1-2 mph)

2) If his legs are weak, then he will not press off correctly and lose velocity (this also can bring your mph down 1-2 mph).

With his light weight and coming off of the flu, it would effect his legs. It takes a bit to build that stamina back up. Also, it will affect his release point because his timing will be off. When Hudson is “on”, his velocity is up and the ball is down in the zone. That means he is pushing off well and stretching out to get his release point out in front. When the pitch is “up” he didn’t finish. Hudson has stated (in the past) that McDowell has pointed this out to him watching video. This is also why when pitchers get tired in a game, their pitches are “up”.

Hudson will get it straightened out!

By GSU-Lee

April 29, 2008 5:21 PM | Link to this

Matt, you’re silly. You never give yourself credit. You’re a .330 hitter. Just keep hacking and stop being so modest. Maybe you’ll be in the Ted Williams spectrum of .400 if you were a little more cocky. Keep it up being a gamer and all, stealing bases, taking extra bases on plays in the infield, taking out 2nd basemen to extend innings, etc…You’re doing a great job, even after another slow april.

Hilarious. Well said skipper

By Tomas

April 29, 2008 5:23 PM | Link to this

Another pitcher that lost his velocity at his prime was former brave Steve Avery who came to the big leagues at age 19 with a mid nineties fastball and at age 26 his velocity was in the high eighties. He retired at the age of 33.

By Braveone

April 29, 2008 5:25 PM | Link to this

DOB - I forgot that Glavine is taking Smoltz’s spot on the roster. If Escobar is healthy, do you think Lillibridge will be sent down & replaced by Stockman?

By Bobby's Cox

April 29, 2008 5:26 PM | Link to this

Smotlz would retire before he went back to the pen. He hated being in the pen and always wanted out.

I always thought smoltz would try to make the PGA when he retired. He’s a competitor and an amazing athlete. Either that or i thought he would coach or broadcast, but i really think he’s gonna make an effort to play alongside Tiger. What do you all think?

By Bravesfan79

April 29, 2008 5:27 PM | Link to this

I agree with N8, Escobar would be a better 1 hitter. I cringe when i see Escobar having to lay down a sac bunt just to move KJ to 2nd.
Escobar would get on base more often, and hit more doubles

By Mike in LA

April 29, 2008 5:30 PM | Link to this

I really hope that Reyes has turned a corner and can have the same kind of success he’s had with Richmond with the big club. Given the injuries, he would be a tremendous boost to the rotation. And I know Bennett may be needed more in the bullpen right now but I’d sure like to see him stay in the rotation with the way he’s pitched in every start he’s gotten. DOB hit it on the nose, a lot of things have gone wrong with the Braves this year but they’re right there. Nothing like the June swoon of two years ago. The baseball luck stuff is going to begin to even out. It will start tonight by getting back 3 main pieces in Glavine, Chipper, and Escobar and soon getting back Soriano and Gonzalez. I’ll admit I’m concerned about wether Smoltz’s injuries will be lingering once he comes back but its safe to say that he’s proven his naysayers wrong more often than not. Bottom line is that Braves fans have a lot to look foward to this season

By Roger Clemens

April 29, 2008 5:36 PM | Link to this

Time to inject smoltz in the buttocks with some HGH.

By Tomas

April 29, 2008 5:40 PM | Link to this

BA, I understand you’re point on Tim Hudson being a better pitcher than Zito(and I agree with you on that ZITO sucks) but that theory of Zito losing his velocity due to the amount of pitches he has thrown in his career, makes me wonder if that is the same case with Hudson.

By SNIPER-69

April 29, 2008 5:40 PM | Link to this

DOB, I figured that’s the girly line you’d come back with. That’s a bit egotistical of you to think that I visit this blog because of your insightful literture. Sorry to disapoint you but I actualy enjoy the back and forth with the rival fan base. If coming on this blog relied on the reading of your journalistically challenged articals I’d be somewhere else.

By MGL

April 29, 2008 5:45 PM | Link to this

Bobby’s Cox - “They should Clemons Smotlz”

Does that mean get him a blonde C&W singer? I think there is one available in Nashville. Perhaps that will help im relax. Could have been her, not steroids that helped Roger mid-career.

By JC FROM UT

April 29, 2008 5:52 PM | Link to this

CArroll: nice story on Shafer. He sounds like a stand up guy. I like that he is not bashing anyone but at the same time isn’t admitting that he has done anything wrong. He’ll be back beginning of June, still plenty of time to have a productive season and possibly get called up even if it isn’t until Sept.

By jbutler

April 29, 2008 5:57 PM | Link to this

Roger Clemens With the latest rumor of your philandering, you recommend injecting HGH anywhere else?? :)

Spongebob Squarepants?? Minor league ball is truly not too far removed from Bull Durham. Hilarious.

By Roger Clemens

April 29, 2008 5:57 PM | Link to this

MGL

Smoltz isn’t eligible for a blonde C&W singer. Last i heard Smoltz divorced. He’s got to be married to get one of those. Shoot, maybe Smotlz can’t be Clemensed after all.

By N8

April 29, 2008 5:59 PM | Link to this

Flange1

“I know that you are not happy but man you have already given up!”

You’re missing the point.

1) I haven’t given up. Scroll through my posts today, I’ve stated once today, that I still think we’ll win the division. Why? Because the Mets and Phillies suck a little more than we do, it just hasn’t shown up in the standings yet.

2) My point is that the people saying that it’s “early” are missing the point.

It has NOTHING to do with time. If this team continues down this path (poor clutch hitting, injured starters, key bullpen members being injured, poor lead-off hitting, poor performance in 1-run games), it won’t matter if it’s the first week of April or the last week of August.

So many people seem to think that problems JUST GO AWAY. Because they did in the past. Well, the PAST was a different story, because the PAST teams had Cy Young/HOF pitchers NOT in their 40’s. We had lead-off hitters that got on base and DISRUPTED the other teams pitchers.

But most of all, we essentially went 15 years without having MAJOR injury issues.

What happened in the past has NOTHING to do with how this team is going to “turn it around”.

The real question is WHAT are the players gonna do to turn it around? What is Bobby gonna do to put the guys on the 25 man roster in the BEST position to scrap out a few victories? What is Wren gonna do to give Bobby the best weapons at his disposal to make the wrong moves with?

Time, quite simply, won’t be the answer. The Zoltar says that time will do nothing more but bring more of the same, unless somebody steps up and does something about it.

By GSU-Lee

April 29, 2008 6:01 PM | Link to this

Sniper, first off you are an @$$, no two ways about it. Only an ego maniac such as yourself would try and go back and forth with the guy who is responsible for the best Braves blog around and then call him out. By the Way it is not articals, it is articles. Perhaps someone who is trying to argue with a journalist should learn how to spell first.

By GSU-Lee

April 29, 2008 6:03 PM | Link to this

MGL, that was funny. I know it would help my career

By OrlandoFan

April 29, 2008 6:03 PM | Link to this

Good hustle, DOB. You’re a pro. Second what DonC wrote above.

By Savannah Guy

April 29, 2008 6:14 PM | Link to this

David, I enjoyed reading your good lead as usual. There are quite a few “ifs” in the Braves this year as you noted and quite big IF’S indeed. Pardon me while I add a few ‘ands’ and ‘buts’ behind the ‘ifs’.

As a long time Braves fan, I’ll not stop hoping for our team to win the division, the NL Championship and the World Series, but as much as I hope to overcome all obstacles and even win the Division or Wild Card, I just don’t see it happening this year. Thing is, I’m not of the opinion that a reasoned belief that Braves won’t come out on top this year is necessarily pessimism. Might just be simple acceptance of reality.

You gave comparative examples from 2001, ‘02 and ’04, which was good to see. Perhaps in your choice of years, you’ve actually taken off your objective beat writer hat and put on an optimist cap with the big “A” stitched on front. That’s cool. I’m also inclined to look back for clues, just a bit further than you for similar comparisons… or hope.

It’s tough being a diehard fan at times. Considering the current Braves situation, revisiting the past for comparable clues and looking forward for hope, seems to me we’ve got an “in-between” year on tap for our team. Seasons like the one shaping up make it tough to reconcile and be happy with… but a diehard fan I’ll remain.

It’s no soothing ointment to the Braves Nation at the moment, but we’ve had more good years in the last 16 than any other team in the history of baseball or any other sport. Still, ‘what have they done for me this week’ prevails.

Outside of unemotionally attached, unbiased beat writers, professional reporters, columnists and seasoned baseball aficionados, the fan and blog repartee swings wildly from delusional Pollyannaism to unwarranted gloom and doom about this Braves season. The harsh reality is probably somewhere well on the gloomy side of the middle of both extreme predictions. Fact is, within the first month of this bizarre young season our Braves pitching staff has been decimated.

We’re looking at potentially (probably) more DL time this year for an aging Glavine and tender James, serious question marks around the health and reliability of Hampton, new concerns about Hudson and injuries to Gonzo, then Soriano then Moylan. If that were not enough, we may be on the verge of now DL John Smoltz not being able to pitch effectively or at all. In addition to pitching problems, were looking at the twilight and more oft injury prone years of Braves cornerstone, Chipper Jones. I can’t remember ever seeing so many injuries to so many key pitchers in a season, let alone all at once… in April or any month.

Couple all of that with the youthful and limited major league inexperience of franchise replacement pitchers waiting in the wings and/or in Richmond, even when adding the impressive Jair Jurrjens to the very positive side of the ledger offsetting some negative and still… we don’t just have a temporary NL East competitive rain delay… we’ve got a perfect storm. Even as early as it is this season, we can safely assume that we won’t see a repeat of 1991. Certainly this team won’t resemble the team of 1995.

I’m not whining, moaning, ‘screwing the pooch’ as a Braves fan or throwing in the towel this year due to the dashed high expectations and unfortunate results of the Mets series. There’s always a chance right?

Well, even this early and without the help of a crystal ball, most of us could name more than dozen teams that’ll fall short of the playoffs this year. Unless Braves make serious trades or witness amazing injury recoveries, neither of which is a reasonable expectation… given all the givens, our Braves will not make the playoffs and will likely join the unfortunate large club of 2008 also-rans.

Losing a starter can be overcome with trade deal, or adding a young arm to the back end of the rotation. We can work around replacing a closer too, ala the Wohlers-Ligtenberg example in ‘98. In Spring Training, before the rash of the back-to-back-to-back injuries we were definitely looking like a contender, but not now. Not with so many pitchers with so many problems.

It’s not pessimism to think that, it’s just the way it’s turned out. It’s not in the cards, not this year anyway. There are just too many issues to overcome.

So, will 2008 resemble a team of two decades ago? In 1988 we had 54 wins, a staggering 106 losses and finished a whopping 39.5 games out of first place. As bad as that was, there was something very special happening. Bobby Cox was busy in his third year as GM, drafting young, talented players. A young kid named Glavine toed the rubber that year and tossed a 4.56 ERA, with a 7-17 WL record in 34 starts (195 IP), while his counterpart Smoltz got his feet wet in the bigs and threw a 5.48 ERA with a 2-7 WL record in the 12 games he started (64 IP). It was a positive turning point for the Braves.

Dale Murphy, who should be a Hall of Fame bound Brave, left after the 1990 season. In 1991 David Justice filled the huge hole in the outfield. Glavine and Smoltz had a few years in the majors under their belts, Steve Avery was ready after 99 innings the year before, we had talent like Deion, Lemke, Treadway, Blauser, Gant, Nixon, Justice, Bream, Pendleton, Heath, Olsen, Belliard, Castilla, Cabrera, Leibrandt, Mercker, Alejandro Pena, Stanton, Berenguer, Wohlers and such. Man, we were loaded in 1991.

That ’91 team was a collection of great young talent in the field, anchored by TP and Sid on the corners and most critically, we had some very good, mostly young arms on the mound. Some turned out to be HOF stars. That was an almost perfect alignment of the stars to accomplish what they did. Damn… 1991… what an incredible year. From worst to first and down to the last game of a 7 game series that could have gone either way.

Through all of those years, the Braves franchise, with an assortment of trades and new faces on the field, Bobby Cox, John Schuerholz and the Braves found ways to fill in the pieces and scratch their way to the top of it’s division and beyond every year for 14 amazing years.

If nothing else, 2008 might just give us a much better, more realistic, up close and personal appreciation for the difficulty of winning a pennant, a League Championship and a World Series. Perhaps this year, like the last two, gives us baseball’s cosmic comeuppance of what it means to be a fan outside of a major market, where big TV revenue, huge ticket sales that support sustained high roster budgets, assuredly increasing the odds of perennial trips to post season.

These last several years, franchise ownership has been uncertain, thrifty and frustrating. Lady Luck has not been kind. Whatever the case, what makes any realistic fan (oxymoron) believe that the Braves would win every year? This year, like the last two, we remain in the very large club that no fan wants to be a member of. Look at the Cubs for clues and inspiration. Look toward Boston for patience. Look to the past for comparisons. Look to the future pitching staff for hope.

There is a silver lining. Granted, it may take some fan patience or dusting off and reading the book, ‘Zen and The Art of Motorcycle Maintenance’ to adjust to enjoying the journey and not just finding pleasure in the destination of post season. As in the years before the incredible 14 year run and like the last two, this year we can watch as many games as we have before and receive just as much satisfaction at the good plays, the good pitching and the clutch hits as ever. We can revel in the wins and temporarily sink after the losses. But we have a baseball game and an Atlanta Braves team to root for. For a baseball fan, it sure as hell beats living in South Dakota.

Barring a total and unexpected realignment of the planetary stars, a surprisingly audacious infusion of cash allowing key pitching aquisitions, plenty of good luck, suddenly healthy players and a damn near delusional expectation only a sports fan can muster… we’re not looking at a playoff bound team this year. But our team will take the field, the games will be played and I’ll be there along with all other Braves loyalists.

This year we are at a crossroad. The turning point has arrived. Whether we wind up with a bull or a bear market in the years immediately ahead depends on so much and remains to be seen. Then again, with a little luck and another on, off on again season from the Phillies and another historic and pitiful meltdown by the injury plagued Mets, you just never know… the Braves could get there. So could the Marlins for that matter.

There, I’ve looked back to prior pre-winning years and a few after the run began… and I still don’t have a damn clue about how those relate to what we’re seeing now. Besides, it’s impossible to find two years the same, forecast management moves or Cox plans, team budgets and get a bead on Lady Luck. I suppose this exercise was more personally cathartic and a reaction to many posts I’ve read here. There are no answers, it just plays out.

As much as we Braves fans want to finish first, root our team on and wish for them to win, we just can’t win them all, we can’t win every year and we most likely will not make it this year… but we remain hopeful, against all odds, regardless of overwhelming injuries, in spite of all logic, reason, inevitability and even sanity… because we are fans.

Therein lies the rub for the Braves fan. My advice to the uninitiated young fan: this year you’d better just enjoy watching baseball and have patience; otherwise it’s going to be a long hot summer for you.

Pardon the length. That took a while.

Go Braves!

By McFann

April 29, 2008 6:14 PM | Link to this

Braves haven’t said who’ll start Saturday, but I hear it’s gonna be Jo-Jo Reyes. DOB

NOOOOO!!!

I hope he’s better than he was last year! Sheesh!

By eric the elder

April 29, 2008 6:16 PM | Link to this

I put my golf clubs away 8 years ago, at the age of 65. It broke my heart. Guys older than I was were still playing. But after every round, my knees hurt, my back hurt, my shoulders hurt.

Not to be too much of a pessimist, I think Smoltz is hearing the call. That, too, would break my heart. But as the Clint Eastwood line goes, “A man’s gotta know his limitations.”

By Roger Clemens

April 29, 2008 6:16 PM | Link to this

jbutler

You misunderstood. That was andy pettit that just recommended HGH to smotlz, not a great american like myself.

And the country singer issue. Like i said, that was a family friend. It was my wife that had the affair with her, not me. Actually, i think she injecterd my wife with HGH once or twice before, not a great American like myself.

By SNIPER-69

April 29, 2008 6:24 PM | Link to this

I was wondering how long it would take for the cavalry to arrive. GSU-Lee, you know how it is. Fingers are flying as thoughts are being put to paper/blog. I try to be as gramatically correct as possible but hey, crap happens. Furthermore, I guess you feel I shouldn’t defend myself against the mighty DOB. Freedom of speech is one of the great rights of being an AMERICAN and I intend to exercise it when I feel the need to do so dip-sh—t

By kpuck

April 29, 2008 6:27 PM | Link to this

DOB - Devotchka is amazing. I used to live in Denver, and caught them many times. If the work schedule allows, you should check them out at Variety on May 13th. Their shows are a sight to be seen.

BTW- Given the injuries, we really aren’t in a bind…yet.

By keylargo

April 29, 2008 6:27 PM | Link to this

Sniper-69

RE: Your 5:40

I am not usually one to be picky about spelling, but if you are trying to hurt DOB feelings about his writing, I would learn how to spell literature, disappoint and article in your criticisms.

By GSU-Lee

April 29, 2008 6:32 PM | Link to this

Sniper, you are of course entitled to your opinion about anyone, including DOB or myself, I just feel like you have no argument whatsoever. And I still feel like you are an @$$.

By Bobby's Cox

April 29, 2008 6:33 PM | Link to this

Savannah Guy:

Respecting the time it must’ve taken you to write that dreadful post, i thought it would only be fair to respond. I just don’t know where to begin…it was too long.

By Dadgum

April 29, 2008 6:38 PM | Link to this

Not sure the DL time for Smoltz but you can be sure it won’t be 15 days. Not at 41, no way, especially when it is dealing with the rotator cuff. Yes I know it is Smoltz but father time always wins….eventually.

If you are counting on Hampton at all then that is dillusional. Give him a few starts but I doubt he will be effective enough. So what we know is that we have 1 great starter to count on then James and Jo Jo. The rest are DL on and off. Yeah they may all be back but after just 25 games we are dealing with mid-season issues. Time to regroup and get some starters somewhere somehow. Nobody is at Richmond really. Serviceable but not anyone you want to hang your hat on. The Braves have a plethora of middle infielders. Look for a trade very soon. Just my take…

Rock on.

By GSU-Lee

April 29, 2008 6:39 PM | Link to this

Sniper, let’s talk baseball. Here is what you said: DOB, Yeah the braves had other poor starts in the past and overcame them. But let me point out, 1. the Mets and phillies weren’t as good as they are now 2. the braves rotation was very good 3. Smoltz and Glavine were in their mid 30’s not early 40’s.

Here is why you are wrong:

1- The mets and Phils are no better than the Braves, go up and down the lineup and you can’t honestly say either one of them is stronger, it is going to be a three team race all year. 2- The Braves rotation is very good. Hudson and Jurrjens are the two best guys and Glav had been solid before his injury. Even without Smoltz, our rotation is better than it was last year and the Pen is solid. PLUS we have the goods to trade for whatever we need. And the team has never had an offense as good as this…maybe in 2003, but that’s the closest this team could come to what they have now. 3- again,you are forgetting Jurrjens and Hudson. Glav is old, and Smoltz is hurt, but Glav will be fine and Hampton is on track to give us some innings this year. His arm is healthy and he pitched well in spring training and in rehaqb starts, and it’s not like the team is 10 games back, they are three games back. Last time I checked it was still to the marlins, too, not the Mets or Phils.

The Braves will be fine this year, buddy.

By David O'Brien

April 29, 2008 6:44 PM | Link to this

Mike Gonzalez pitched today again in Florida: One inning, one strikeout, 12 pitches/9 strikes.

Carroll went down there and is doing an off-day story on him Thursday. She also did a story on Schafer that should be posted tonight.

She’s the first one to talk to the kid since his suspension. I don’t think he could say much, just like his dad when I talked to him. But he talked about being suspended and what it’s been like.

Also, Infante had what might be called a setback, just general soreness probably from doing so much baseball work after being away from it for months. He’s sore in the hand, wrist and back, might add a few days to his expected stay in Florida before his rehab assignment.

I’d still expect to see him with Braves by mid-May. And Gonzo about the same time, maybe a little later.

By SNIPER-69

April 29, 2008 6:45 PM | Link to this

I wasn’t criticizing his grammer….did you not READ my post? How about my 2:28 post? The point I was was originally making was made several times by other poster’s as well. If he wants to live in the past and take everyone with him down memory lane that’s fine. I was just speaking/writing my mind.

By David O'Brien

April 29, 2008 6:49 PM | Link to this

kpuck, I didn’t realize they were from Denver till I read something about them last week. Great band. Very different. I’d imagine the live show is a bit frenetic. I think I’m covering the Phils game that night, though.

By Carroll Rogers

April 29, 2008 6:50 PM | Link to this

thanks jc from ut. cu, CR

(I’m actually in orlando….and Anthony Lerew is here. somebody was asking about him. he’s still working on his comeback from elbow surgery. it hasn’t been a year yet. and he’s not on the fast track like mike gonzalez. more on gonzo to come.)

By bravesfan

April 29, 2008 6:55 PM | Link to this

DOB, have you been watching the Hawks? If so, what do you think about them, and their chances to win the series?

By David O'Brien

April 29, 2008 6:56 PM | Link to this

Braveone: No, I think Lillibridge will be replaced by Jo-Jo (provided he’s the one) to start Saturday.

Braves only have 11 pitchers right now. That won’t continue. But I don’t think they’ll need to bring up a reliever just for tomorrow, unless they burn through pitchers tonight.

By David O'Brien

April 29, 2008 6:58 PM | Link to this

DOB, I know Reyes has been doing better, but what do you think his potential is in the bigs? Does he have the stuff to be a top of the rotation guy? IN your opinion I meanGSU-Lee

I think he has the pure stuff to be a No. 2-3 starter, but I don’t know that he has the mental side of it. At least not yet. But he’s still young.

By Epinephrine

April 29, 2008 7:01 PM | Link to this

PREDICTION:

Gonzo is looking great, Hampton appears on track, Chipper, Esco, and Glav are back…

This is the start of the Braves as they should be. And they are going to sweep the Nats.

We still need Soriano back, but we can stomach the loss of Smoltz to get him healthy. Now our offense is intact, our rotation looks solid (soon: Hudson, Glavine, Hampton, Jurrjens, Reyes-Bennet-James to back up).

This is where it begins. Go Braves.

By Efrim

April 29, 2008 7:03 PM | Link to this

CR or DOB- Is there any timetable on Cole Rohrbough? When he is healthy he’ll pitch I guess. Just wanted to see if Frank Wren had a specific date for the kid. Thanks.

By Bobby's Cox

April 29, 2008 7:05 PM | Link to this

Doesn’t sound good for smoltz.

I am no doctor, but google could make me an expert. Read up.

By eric the elder

April 29, 2008 7:10 PM | Link to this

How I wish Joe Simpson would lose that “little bit” phrase. As in:

Gorlop is just 1 for his last 63, so he’s scuffling a little bit.

Filbert has made 14 errors in his last 3 games, so he needs to tighten up his defense a little bit.

I think van Wieran started that a few years ago, and it has rubbed off on Simpson.

By SNIPER-69

April 29, 2008 7:10 PM | Link to this

GSU-lee, I think you’re missing my point. Yes, the Mets and phils TODAY are about the same as the braves. But not THEN. It was obvious the braves were the best team in the division. That’s not the case anymore. The braves are not going to dominate the division like they did most seasons in their hey day. If they can’t get all the pieces to work they don’t have a chance to win the division. The Mets will…..time will tell.

By keylargo

April 29, 2008 7:13 PM | Link to this

Sniper

It’s grammar. And no, I don’t read your post.

By SR

April 29, 2008 7:17 PM | Link to this

I hope Glavine comes back and pitches well, really I do but I gotta tell ya, as one who has nursed an injured hammy for a long time, it can be tweaked again with just the slightest stress. I can see why he would be concerned. Hang in there Tommy and take it easy running!

By N8

April 29, 2008 7:26 PM | Link to this

Waddya know? Another game with KJ in the lead-off spot, that begins with an out.

Error, followed by a base hit. Great start. Welcome back Chipper.

Nice “porn” mustache that Nick Johnson is sportin’.

Good god. One of his Nationals teammates needs to shave that thing off in the middle of the night, so the rest of the world doesn’t have to look at his hideousness.

By Bravesfan79

April 29, 2008 7:26 PM | Link to this

What do you think about swapping Escobar and KJ DOB?
I think Escobar is more likely to draw walks and get on base than KJ.
I just like the idea of KJ doing the sacrifice bunting for Escobar than vice verca.

It seems the Braves almost always start the game with 1 out and Escobar at bat. Or KJ gets a hit, and Bobby has Escobar sacrifice him over.
I think we would find ourselves with a runner at 2nd, 1 out ALOT more if we switched Escobar to leadoff.

By N8

April 29, 2008 7:29 PM | Link to this

Nice job of getting out of the trouble by Glavine.

There. You see. I can be “positive” too.

By Overlord

April 29, 2008 7:31 PM | Link to this

Even with all the trouble, its clear that tom is back and healthy. He was getting hit, but i think hitting his targets.

Good to see him back.

By David O'Brien

April 29, 2008 7:31 PM | Link to this

Sure didn’t look like the finger affected Yunel on that throw to first. Zipped that thing like always.

By SNIPER-69

April 29, 2008 7:32 PM | Link to this

Keylargo maybe you don’t know HOW to read. Most of us learn to do it in school….sorry for your misfortune.

By BossLady

April 29, 2008 7:32 PM | Link to this

I have been reading this blog for a year or more and not always blogging.

Today, as I was in my office and reading I got this strange image.

The door opens there is an uninvited person wanting to come in, so since my door is always open I step back and let them in, what the heck? As I gather my robe to me and wipe sleep from my eyes I listen to what they have to say. Okay, ok now they begin to rip me for whatever reason.

I roll my eyes to the ceiling/sky and wonder why did they come here?

They were not invited, I never asked for their opinion nor do I know them from ADAM.

You see, what this blog looks like when the “YOUR AND IDIOT” people come on here ripping DOB.

Since this is America, then I strongly suggest that if this blog is not for you or you feel that way about the blogmaster…

L E A V E!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By Savannah Guy

April 29, 2008 7:39 PM | Link to this

Damn… that was long. Sorry. Got carried away. Couldn’t help it. Maybe this short one helps offset the column inches.

By geauxbraves2000

April 29, 2008 7:39 PM | Link to this

Well, how do you like that, get ‘em on, get ‘em over, get ‘em in.

Geaux Braves!!

By DonCoburleone

April 29, 2008 7:42 PM | Link to this

now we just need Glavine to get on a little roll… GO BRAVES!

By Shamus Thacker

April 29, 2008 7:43 PM | Link to this

Quote by Epinephrine: “Hampton appears on track”

Ep, you’d be a hit at The Comedy Club

Has Hamms ever pulled his tongue? If not, I predict that he will before his next start. I can see Hammy now, running his tongue up the end of an ice cream sammitch, howling in pain, calling Bobby in tears. A woman’s woman that Hamster is.

Wish I had sum pulled poke bobbycue right now!

By Savannah Guy

April 29, 2008 7:46 PM | Link to this

Bobby’s Cox, respecting the time it must’ve taken you to google that dreadful arthritis article, i thought it would only be fair to respond. I just don’t know where to begin…it was too long.

By Shamus Thacker

April 29, 2008 7:46 PM | Link to this

Summa that ABC baseball!

YEAH!

By David O'Brien

April 29, 2008 7:46 PM | Link to this

Wind’s blowing hard to right, but that was just a bad read by Frenchy. Don’t know if he lost it in lights briefly or what.

By albanian braves fan

April 29, 2008 7:47 PM | Link to this

is supporting blogmaster who calls “DOB”!! very much good

blog is for me and all american peoples who like baseball. yes.

By KC

April 29, 2008 7:48 PM | Link to this

Diaz has GOT to get a grip and figure out what not to swing at. I was humiliated FOR him on that last strikeout. That pitch he fanned on would have hit a left-handed batter had one been standing in that box.

Really, really pathetic.

By eric the elder

April 29, 2008 7:49 PM | Link to this

BossLady, if you included the robe part to put some of our Muts bloggers in a trance, I’m sure you succeeded.

By ncscoots

April 29, 2008 7:50 PM | Link to this

Gosh. I had no idea things were so bad (according to several posters).

The starting pitching is in tatters (none of the presently hurt or ailing pitchers will ever heal, and the minor league depth is, of course, not worthy), the team can’t hit (hitting for average and scoring runs naturally pales against a month’s (!) worth of poor late-and-close, 1-run losses, etc. THAT certainly won’t even out), the bullpen is a disaster (surely Boyer, Acosta, Campillo can’t keep up their performance. They’re bush, and everybody knows it, and Soriano and Gonzalez will probably just get hurt again), the team lacks fire, guts, and leadership (everybody is aware of it, we haven’t seen a single good newspaper quote), and Bobby Cox, well, he’s the original and idiot (what could Roy Oswalt and oh, about 600 other MLB players been thinking, wanting to play for a guy like him).

Got it. Glad you guys brought me up to speed…here I was thinking I had to wait a few more months to get to the end of the story. Now I can get out there and pull weeds instead of watching baseball.

I’d thank each of you personally, but you all know you are, and I’d hate to miss anyone and disappoint them in the process.

Plus, I’d probably puke before I finished.

By Overlord

April 29, 2008 7:51 PM | Link to this

Come on Braves, please support tommy.

By Shamus Thacker

April 29, 2008 7:52 PM | Link to this

Dayum Savanner Guy, we may not have enough bandwidth to hold many more’a those. lol

By albanian braves fan

April 29, 2008 7:57 PM | Link to this

is still “little britches” backing up shortsop? soon call up “cattle annie” perhaps. maybe?

By Carroll Rogers

April 29, 2008 7:57 PM | Link to this

efrim, cole rohrbough just pitched for the first time in extended spring yesterday, one inning. got at least a couple of weeks to go here.

By N8

April 29, 2008 7:59 PM | Link to this

Unreal. Strikes him out with the 70-MPH change-up…..uh….or was that the fastball?

It’s like watching batting practice.

There was just a commercial on Extra Innings (Nationals Broadcast tonight), that announced an upcoming game with the Pirates, where the first 15,000 people get a Dimitri Young “bobble-head” doll.

Which made me think. If the Braves had a bobble-head night, where they gave them away to the first 15,000 people through the gates……how many would they have left over?

Jeez. Who would have thought? Glavine leads off with an out. Followed by the only logical possibility….an out by KJ.

Which OF COURSE was followed by Escobar getting on, and a Chipper hit.

Let’s see what Tex is made of (he of the 9 RBI in 10 gamer….er….10 RBI in 11 games). Two runners on, tight game (not quite late inning pressure - but clutch none the less).

By Bobby's Cox

April 29, 2008 8:00 PM | Link to this

LOL…Savannah Guy. That was good.

By N8

April 29, 2008 8:05 PM | Link to this

BIG shock. Tex has his 1 RBI for the night. Which as my last post, stated gives him 10 in 11 games. But with two ducks on the pond, he watches strike #3 go right on by.

So BA pardon my French when I say that you are correct. Ignore my suggestion of moving Tex into the 6 hole. That might be too high for him. LOL!

In all seriousness. Call me stupid, call me crazy, call me and idiot….. but our best three hitters are Escobar, Chipper and Tex (just not early in the year….wink-wink). So they should be the first 3 hitters in the lineup. Why not give them the MOST opportunities to start something.

Hmmmm. Apparently the Nationals think it’s batting practice too.

Way to pick up those ducks Tex.

Psssst. Tex, don’t worry about it. It’s EARLY, and the Yankees fans won’t be booing you at this point next season.

By Efrim

April 29, 2008 8:07 PM | Link to this

Thank you Carroll!!!

By Overlord

April 29, 2008 8:07 PM | Link to this

If Zimmerman stays in the NL east (playing tons of games against the braves), he will soon dethrone Barry Bonds.

Back to back HRs.

CANT WE JUST BEAT THIS FREAKIN TEAM AND THE MARLINS ?!?!?!?!?

By albanian braves fan

April 29, 2008 8:11 PM | Link to this

glavin presenting homer runs to national team. problem? braves officials will say “fine” only “no location”. like smoltz “fine”. hah. liars!

By N8

April 29, 2008 8:12 PM | Link to this

Is Ray Knight on fricking CRACK????

He just said that the Braves will make you throw pitches, because they don’t have many free swingers. NOW he said they don’t swing at many bad balls.????

Maybe that’s why he’s in the booth, instead of still in a dugout somewhere?

Ray Knight…..YOUR AND IDIOT!

By Savannah Guy

April 29, 2008 8:14 PM | Link to this

Shamus… that’s all I got. Worded out.

Bobby’s Cox… it’s all good.

By bfan54

April 29, 2008 8:14 PM | Link to this

“I like that he is not bashing anyone but at the same time isn’t admitting that he has done anything wrong.” JC from UT 5:52.

JC, maybe I am a bit old fashioned, but I’ve always thought admitting when you’re wrong, was a good thing.

You, my friend, admire the denial. Read the article, this guy says “it’s complicated”, he “wishes” he could say more. Let’s be clear, this is not self-incrimination, you cannot ever be convicted solely on your admission of guilt. (I am free to say I smoked my share of reefer in the ‘60’s, and Mr. Shaeffer is free to admit he made a mistake and used HGH.)

By Overlord

April 29, 2008 8:14 PM | Link to this

I have seen the braves geting robbed of a hit in month more than they did whole last year, cant we catch a break here?

By Bobby's Cox

April 29, 2008 8:17 PM | Link to this

i’m wathcing the game on GameChannel tonight.

It says there’s 3 lineouts (frenchy, KJ, and chipper).

Can someone tell me if these were hard hit liners or weak liners since i can’t watch tonight?

By N8

April 29, 2008 8:18 PM | Link to this

4th inning and the Braves hitters have made ZERO adjustment to Redding’s low and away pitches.

Where Nick Johnson waits on a Tom Glavine 65 MPH change up and HAMMERS it, one pitch after Zimmerman took his (ahem) heater about 30 rows deep in Left-Center.

A nine inning game is a series of moments that require adjustments, which is also the main “theory” of the baseball season. The Braves, sans Chipper and Escobar, have not figured out how to make adjustments to big-league hitting with a game, or from start to start against the same pitchers.

It might be time to flip over and watch Maddux pitch.

By McFann

April 29, 2008 8:19 PM | Link to this

Neight—

Yeah, that facial hair of Nick’s is pretty bad. He looks like Tennessee Ernie Ford!!

By N8

April 29, 2008 8:24 PM | Link to this

Overlord

“I have seen the braves geting robbed of a hit in month more than they did whole last year, cant we catch a break here?”

I stated this last week (or whenever we played the Nats last), that it CANNOT be under-stated what Pat Corrales did for the Braves, in positioning the defense.

I remember reading that he was one of the first (or the first that people gave credit to), for aligning the defense based on where guys made the majority of their OUTS, rather than where they get their hits (since GOOD hitters make outs 70 percent of the time).

I know it seems like common sense. But it’s NOT a coincidence that Andruw and our defense always seemed to be in the right spot to make good defensive plays.

Granted, Andruw had TONS of defensive talent (along with many other Braves to man the field), along with pitchers being able to hit their “spots” while pitching to their defense.

You call it bad luck. I call it execution on the part of the Nats coaches, pitchers and defenders.

By KC

April 29, 2008 8:25 PM | Link to this

Well, this is understandable. When you run up against a buzz saw like Redding, you can’t expect to score many runs.

By N8

April 29, 2008 8:26 PM | Link to this

Any wagers on KJ getting a 2-out, bases empty base hit or walk?

By Bobby's Cox

April 29, 2008 8:26 PM | Link to this

ok…it says another lineout by diaz. are we really getting that many lineouts or does gamechannel call soft pop flies lineouts?

By flange1

April 29, 2008 8:29 PM | Link to this

N8,

I just got home, and read your response. I had a nice rebuttal already planned and I read your Nick Johnson mustache line as I turned on the TV and saw him….

FOTFL

OK, I see your point. in both points….

They do need to play better and with more aggressiveness.

I watched a non- Braves game on Sunday night for the first time in awhile and it is REAL fun to see team play with energy.

The Braves don’t and have not for a couple of years.

I think THAT is really the root of all of your arguments today.

Am I wrong?

By Overlord

April 29, 2008 8:31 PM | Link to this

N8 i didnt mean against the nats only, but in general.

By McFann

April 29, 2008 8:31 PM | Link to this

Can someone tell me if these were hard hit liners or weak liners since i can’t watch tonight? B’s C

Hard hit. That’s our announcers catch-phrase this year: “That one was hit hard, but right at so-in-so.”

Somebody has already lowered that very low AVG with RISP…

By Overlord

April 29, 2008 8:33 PM | Link to this

Here we go again, 2-1 game and leadoff hitter is 0-3, but i guess i dont have to worry, its only april, things will change, right?

By jeff

April 29, 2008 8:33 PM | Link to this

All you fans that wanted Glavine back you got him. 84mph pitch down the middle 2 times. So whats new. Smoltz is most like finished. Hudson got Zitoism and may never get over 86 again. Hampton ownes the record for most time on dl. Soriano was hurt last year and still hurt but Braves give him 2 yr. deal anyway.Gonzie was damaged goods to start with. What else is new? Its going to be a long year and The Great Bobby Cox is no magican as so many believe. I love the Braves but we have some smart people running the show. Be glad when Richmond Braves move to Atlanta area so we can watch players that are hunger to win. Hope I’m wrong ?

By flange1

April 29, 2008 8:35 PM | Link to this

I really am intrigued by the Schafer story. I do not understand why he can’t talk about it yet.

I hope we get to hear the entire story at some point.

By bfan54

April 29, 2008 8:36 PM | Link to this

Savannah Guy, thank for your excellent post (6:14). I have followed this team since the year after they left Boston - went off to Boy Scout camp in Muscogee County in 1954 and had my mom save the papers so I could catch up with the box scores. I love this team, but I am a realist. They could do well, but the early returns all say sunset.

I was troubled very, very early in the season when we went to Colorado and everybody was thankful for the two weather delays that our already overworked (what, less than 10 games into the season) bp needed - and this with a team that was supposedly starting pitching rich.

We haven’t walked down that dusty road too far, and were still looking for the cover of dark (now its called rehab, “maybe only a month”, “maybe by the middle of June”, “will start in Richmond”, “not season-ending, but likely”.

I see 0-8, and, hell, I ain’t impressed. As a mature fan, I’m not depressed, its only a game. (I am concerned about men/women in Iraq, Afghanistan, for Chrissakes’).

I do appreciate that DOB pointed out some lost April’s of the past, and, as a fan, hope for the rally - but I see the sun setting on this phase of our franchise’s history, and I can’t shake that.

BTW - Thank you Dave and Carroll for all you do. I don’t say it often, and I hate to admit it - I live for this sport, this team, blog, realizing at all times that it is the people that count. The season’s take care of themselves, and I count it good thing when we look out for each other.

By Overlord

April 29, 2008 8:38 PM | Link to this

Nats broadcaster says they could finish april with a record of 11-17 if they take care of business tonight and tomorrow.

That says pretty much what they think about the braves and how much respect they have for our team…… They are considering a sweep.

Wonder if Expos announcers talked like that in 1999 ie. Doubt it.

By Daybed Wagmoe

April 29, 2008 8:39 PM | Link to this

Anyone else see Zimmerman’s reaction after striking out looking to Glavine there in the bottom of the 5th?

He hung his head, turned back to the ump and said something like, “Inside? Pretty good pitch inside?” kinda nodding his head as he said it, then turned to walk to the dugout and said “F&#in’ bullsh*!!”

By Scott from Fairburn

April 29, 2008 8:40 PM | Link to this

Roger Clemens is a turd that won’t flush

By JC FROM UT

April 29, 2008 8:40 PM | Link to this

WHy can’t Tex and Mac learn from Chipper that there is alot of money to be made in the opposite field?

By J.D.

April 29, 2008 8:41 PM | Link to this

can this chipper guy do it all or what

By keylargo

April 29, 2008 8:43 PM | Link to this

First the triple and now an infield hit. That McCann is really speedy!

By eric the elder

April 29, 2008 8:44 PM | Link to this

Tex continues to take batting practice fastballs right down the middle for the first called strike. I’m sure pitchers know that.

I can live with it, in general, but I hate to see it when we have runners in scoring position. The lack of aggressiveness makes him a 2-strike batter.

By Stuart

April 29, 2008 8:45 PM | Link to this

Nice Swing by Chipper to tie the score.

Bobby, The KJ line was smashed, and the other two had decent wood, nothing earth shattering.

N8, I do agree with your Pat Corrales post. Some people have a knack for stuff, and Pat has a knack for positioning the Defense.

Pat was also great at making that RP Dennis Cook mad. My Dad and I had a lot of laughs with that.

By Ben

April 29, 2008 8:47 PM | Link to this

Great job, Kotsay! Way to suck.

By Bobby's Cox

April 29, 2008 8:47 PM | Link to this

thanks overlord.

when is this team going to realize they just can’t swing hard an hope they fall? Look at chipper, he finds holes. Hit the ball away from the D.

In one of chipper’s at-bats last week he hit a soft grounder towards second. I thought it was going to be an out, but the second baseman played him to pull. Easy hit for chipper as he went 3-3 that night.

Why can’t the rest of the guys learn from this. It’s not how hard you hit it, it’s where. Go up to the plate with an approach. This has been the offense’s achilles for YEARS.

Yes, overlord and N8, another close game when our leadoff guy is 0-for. Another failed attempt to get things going at the top of the order in a game, and against at team, we should roll all over.

Maybe U Know Who should revisit the blog and see the discussion today and translate that message. Didn’t surprise me Overlord that you watched another game and those teams played with more intensity. Doesn’t surprise me one bit. Why do you think i hated LaRoche so much. KJ looks like that same guy, although not as lackadasicle.

By brian

April 29, 2008 8:48 PM | Link to this

I think my 3 year old daughter has a crush on Francoeur.

She has nicknamed him “Pookie”

By sabregrammarian

April 29, 2008 8:49 PM | Link to this

No Braves position player has a first name that starts with a vowel.

By JC FROM UT

April 29, 2008 8:49 PM | Link to this

Jeff: A litteel pessimistic huh?

By McFann

April 29, 2008 8:50 PM | Link to this

keylargo—

You’re not kidding!

By Ben

April 29, 2008 8:53 PM | Link to this

It seems Glavine’s been getting his first pitch over for strikes better and better as the game goes on. Quite a solid outing out of him, can’t ask for anything more coming off the DL. Way to go Glav!!

By Stuart

April 29, 2008 8:55 PM | Link to this

When runners are on base McCann chases that letter high fastball everytime and never gets good wood on it.

I know the pitching has taken a beating, but this offense was supposed to blugeon people to death and it has not happened so far. It was supposed to take pressure off the rotation. This team strikes out way too much and does not get on base enough, especially against LHP or late in games.

This team is a one big power hitting RH bat short (even if/when Tex gets the RH bat going) and one innings eating SP short. I have no idea where to get them, but to have any chance this year this team needs to find one of each.

By Bobby's Cox

April 29, 2008 8:56 PM | Link to this

we’re gonna get our 1st 1 run win tonite!

By albanian braves fan

April 29, 2008 8:56 PM | Link to this

maybe glavins is “fine”. is start of quality. so far.

By Stuart

April 29, 2008 9:01 PM | Link to this

I may be thinking outside the box, but against LHP, I would leadoff with Diaz, bat Blanco/Kotsay 8th, and KJ 7th.

In fact, I am not so sure Diaz would not do a good job as a leadoff man everyday. He is a smart baserunner. He gets good jumps when he steals bases. He sees alot of pitches. It would keep Escobar in the 2 hole and let KJ move into the 7th spot.

By Stuart

April 29, 2008 9:04 PM | Link to this

Scratch that about being a smart baserunner. That was terrible by Diaz.

By geauxbraves2000

April 29, 2008 9:04 PM | Link to this

There’s that clutch hitting.

By poorbrave

April 29, 2008 9:05 PM | Link to this

Chipper is the HOSS! You got to love the effort. 2 on, no out and can’t score.

By Efrim

April 29, 2008 9:05 PM | Link to this

That is awful. 1st and 3rd and no one out and no runs?!?!?!

Scared of scoring runs from the 7th inning on folks. That was a frustrating half inning.

By Positive Thinking

April 29, 2008 9:06 PM | Link to this

Runners on the corners, no outs, and the top of the lineup can’t bring in a run…that’s okay, we’ll score next inning!

By McFann

April 29, 2008 9:06 PM | Link to this

*THAT didn’t work!

By ncscoots

April 29, 2008 9:07 PM | Link to this

In Cleveland, Kobayashi pitching.

To the ususal suspects.

By Wayne in Utah

April 29, 2008 9:08 PM | Link to this

McFann With a player like Ho-Ho Reyes, when he is gettting it done, and done well at AAA, you almost have to give him another shot, don’t you think?

BravesDave Are you declaring the season over? Please let me know so I can go away for a year, and quit watching and pulling for my team!

Coach Be careful in complimenting BC, as there are those on the blog that would have your head for such nonsense! :-)

Whassupp with all the dissing on KJ? Two weeks ago it was Tex. Have you guys not heard of a slump, or a slow start?

John Smoltz is my favorite Brave! Best of luck to you John! We need you.

DOB and Carroll Thanks! Dave, your segment on XM today was excellent! Carroll, nice article on Schafer, although it sure sound frustrating for him. Could there be some usage of HGH for other than performance enhancement reasons for Schafer?

Savannah Guy I really wanted to read your post, but I have ADD, and can’t concentrate on one thing for that long!

:-)

By StingerSplash

April 29, 2008 9:11 PM | Link to this

Runner on third and no outs and the top of the lineup up and you don’t score? Not good, and not a good sign. That’s kind of stuff that always gets you bit in the backside. Other than two meat pitches to Zimmerman and Johnson, a damn fine job by the Old Man from Billerica.

By albanian braves fan

April 29, 2008 9:13 PM | Link to this

is confused of purpose of kelly johnson. is to leaving all runners on bases? bobby cox thinks is looking good. hah!

By Ray K

April 29, 2008 9:14 PM | Link to this

Absolutely disgusting. First and third with no outs, the top of order up against the Nats…and we score nothing.

Kelly Johnson is batting .234! What kind of lead off hitter is he?

This is why the Braves are going absolutely no where. Sorry again, Glavine. You and Smoltz could post ERA’s of .099 and have a won loss record of 10-12 with this team.

But we will somehow still lead the league in base hits.

By Stuart

April 29, 2008 9:15 PM | Link to this

The top of the 7th inning was a snapshot of the last 188 games. Two on, no outs, and the top of the order up and no runs scored. That is why everyone is so pessimistic about this year. There is no discernible improvement in this team from last year.

Sure the ERA is better, but the starters still don’t throw enough innings.

Sure the offense hits alot of Homers, but they cannot push across single runs late in games.

Sure the defense makes highlight plays, but they fumble the ball around when it counts.

Until some of the above changes, this team is not playoff caliber, in fact they may lose 95 games.

By N8

April 29, 2008 9:15 PM | Link to this

overlord

I knew what you meant (you mentioned it happening for a month in your post).

I guess my point, was more to the predictability of the Braves lineup.

If a pitcher has command of his pitches, and the coaching staff knows how to call pitches and align the defense, this Braves lineup would be pretty easy to pitch to right now, outside of Chipper and Escobar. In a month or two you can include Tex into that couple, but not yet……it’s “early”, EVERYBODY knows he doesn’t hit early in the year.

Lovely. Bases loaded and Zimmerman up against Boyer. (sigh)

By albanian braves fan

April 29, 2008 9:18 PM | Link to this

bullpens is stinking!

By Epinephrine

April 29, 2008 9:19 PM | Link to this

HERE WE GO fist game we come back from down after the 6th, book it.

By Geoff

April 29, 2008 9:19 PM | Link to this

Has Boyer done anything clutch for Atlanta this season? I only ever remember him giving up at least a run per outing thus far!

By Savannah Guy

April 29, 2008 9:19 PM | Link to this

bfan54, thanks. Very nice of you to say. Everything is in cycles, but the enjoyment is constant. I don’t think the Braves will go on a dry run like they did in the 70’s and 80’s. They’ve built too much of a winning system and franchise culture to do that.

Hopefully this losing cycle (2 years and counting) will be quick. We do have lots of good talent already in Atlanta and in Richmond.

By Daybed Wagmoe

April 29, 2008 9:19 PM | Link to this

I know that the season is still early, and I know that it isn’t even 1/6th over yet, but that doesn’t make watching games like these any less frustrating.

By poorbrave

April 29, 2008 9:19 PM | Link to this

Here we go again. Diaz poor base running and Jeff should have got to that ball.

By N8

April 29, 2008 9:20 PM | Link to this

flange

You seem to have the idea. I’m not sure if I can pin-point what bothers me about this group of players.

THIS JUST IN

Boyer missed BADLY on his pitch location, which CROSSED UP the defense, and cost us two runs.

Like I said, the game is easy (and was for us in the 90’s), when pitchers can hit their spots.

Boyer’s a lost cause in meaningful innings.

Anyhow, back to flange. I just get tired of the lack of adjustments by players, the lack of accountability on their behalf, and Bobby REPEATEDLY putting the team in a position to fail, when for a decade (you know the one with the unlimited payroll of Ted Turner and 3 HOF pitchers in the rotation), he was known for “always putting his players in a position to succeed”.

Stuart

I forgot all about Cook. That WAS funny when Pat would get him all wound up. Thanks for the flashback.

By geauxbraves2000

April 29, 2008 9:20 PM | Link to this

This game solidifies exactly what I said earlier this afternoon.

I’m out, nite all.

Geaux Braves!!

By macdwolfpack

April 29, 2008 9:21 PM | Link to this

Sombebody tell me again why Blaine Boyer is considered such a great pitcher by this crowd.

Once again the Braves show a poor bating IQ with runners on base.

Me, if I was in charge I’d say enough of this underperforming by both pitching and batting on this team and if it’s not better by All-Star break I replace both Pendelton and McDowell. Two-three years of this stuff is just too long without any improvement.

By Savannah Guy

April 29, 2008 9:21 PM | Link to this

Wayne… just read one paragraph a day. By season’s end you’ll be finished!

By keylargo

April 29, 2008 9:25 PM | Link to this

Wayne

I thought about tackling that essay earlier, but looked closely at it and knew I would need some Ritilin to get it read in one sitting,

By Tomas

April 29, 2008 9:25 PM | Link to this

The braves need to score runs late in ball games or they are screwed, because although we have a good bulpen you have to consider the fact that we are without, peter moylan and rafael soriano, and mike gonzales. This is also why they havent won one run games, hitting late in ball games has been totally abismal.

By Bravesfan79

April 29, 2008 9:26 PM | Link to this

Classic Bobby Cox to take out the pitcher AFTER he goes 1 batter to many.

Why does it suddenly feel like theres no hope of coming back in a game anymore. I mean were only down 2 runs to the Nationals of all teams, and it feels like were down 10 to the Red Sox.

Great work DOB to jump on the Smoltz closer thing. I have thought Smoltz was more valuable in the pen anyways. As long as Cox uses him right, and not in games were winning by 3+runs.

A pen with Gongalez, Soriano, Smoltz, Moylan….man that would scarry good…

By AMG

April 29, 2008 9:27 PM | Link to this

Runner at third no outs and the Braves cannot score. Doesn’t it seem like the other team always scores the next half inning.

This team is driving me to drink.

By JEB

April 29, 2008 9:27 PM | Link to this

Tom Glavine, every start he has made for us (except his injury inning in Washington) have been QUALITY starts!!

The hitters are not hitting for him, and the bullpen is throwing it away!!

I would be upset about the Braves if I didn’t feel so bad about Tommy.

By Tomas

April 29, 2008 9:29 PM | Link to this

I wanna see the Braves win this one… come on is the nationals, score 5 runs now, enough fooling around grab that stick and hit god damn it.

By albanian braves fan

April 29, 2008 9:30 PM | Link to this

is smelling like defeats. only hope is to appeal to superdelegates. possibly.

By Overlord

April 29, 2008 9:30 PM | Link to this

Good thing its only april and the braves will VERY SOON will start playing like champions. This will all end tomorrow, thank god!!!! Yeah right…..

By N8

April 29, 2008 9:30 PM | Link to this

GOTTA love that Bobby Cox. On a night when DOB states we only have 11 pitchers on the roster, Bobby is intent on using ALL of them tonight.

You guys want positive thoughts from me?

Here’s one for you. I’m pretty positive that our bullpen SUCKS.

If you count the guys that appear to be “injured” in some way, shape or form, as being unreliable or sucking with the other usual suspects, we officially have 5 guys on our 25 man roster that can be counted on to actually play at a level worth watching.

Chipper, Escobar, Blanco, Glavine and JJJ.

Meaningless solo HR from Tex, anybody?

By BravesDave

April 29, 2008 9:30 PM | Link to this

Wayne, yes, I am declaring the season over. Please, go away for a year. Come back when Jeff Francoeur learns how to take better angles on fly balls to right. If I see one more ball fall just out of his reach because he decided to take some ridiculous circular route, I am going to throw up.

How can anyone, Wayne, dispute that this team is playing EXACTLY like last season’s version of the Braves? Last season was ruined by a complete inability to beat poor teams. Check out the Braves record this season against the Pirates, Rockies, and Nationals and get back to me. I won’t include the Marlins in that group, since they are a first place team.

By Stuart

April 29, 2008 9:32 PM | Link to this

It may be time to replace Pendleton. These ABs are getting to be jokes.

Y’all know what, this team is not even worth posting on. They do not care, why should I?

Good night all.

By BossLady

April 29, 2008 9:33 PM | Link to this

Hey Bobby!

Whata Ya Say? I grab a bat, run up to homeplate, knock in two, win a game.

Play the Georgia Lottery.

By macdwolfpack

April 29, 2008 9:33 PM | Link to this

This Braves team needs a big shakeup and a swift kick in the butt. Otherwise I really don’t see this team finishing any better than last year. I know it’s real early but I don’t see much energy, much enthusiasm, or effort from this crowd. Lead off hitter is sucking at .230 batting average (still don’t see how people think this guy is a damned leadoff hitter),fielding is mediocre, tremendous lack of clutch hitting and hitting IQ on this team, bullpen (I know devestated by injuries)hasn’t shown much improvement under McDowell and shows little consistancy. This team is playing way under it’s potential for a second or third straight season and it’s starting to get very tiresome. I’m so tired of Bobby trying to underplay what is happening on this team and not starting to hold people accountable and putting the best 9 on the field every night. Again Dave before you jump on me I know it’s early in the season, but right now don’t see a whole lot different from this team than I have seen the last 2 1/2 years.

By Tomas

April 29, 2008 9:35 PM | Link to this

How can a team be second ion the league with average and have trouble scoring runs. This is just ironic.

By David O'Brien

April 29, 2008 9:36 PM | Link to this

Bravesfan79, yeah I was kinda surprised when a. John called back during the game; and b. when he acknowledged that’s a possibility, the move back to closer.

Tell you what, I think it’s a serious possibility after talking to him a while tonight.

By keylargo

April 29, 2008 9:36 PM | Link to this

I love the Braves 100% but they are lacking something the Marlins have. Don’t get me wrong, I’m Braves to the core, Atlanta native and all, but live by choice in the Keys. But the Marlins have intangibles the Braves don’t. They were down 5-0 to Derek Lowe and the Dodgers tonight. Now it’s 6-6. The Braves don’t do that. Maybe we need some of the “I’m just happy to be in MLB and all I want to do is win” philosophy the Marlins have. Yes, they will fall out of first place by June but they are much more fun to watch than the Braves. They WANT to win and it SHOWS!!!

I wish we could instill that hunger and desire in our millionairs and let them know a kid making minimum is ready to take your job if you don’t produce and play like you want to win every day.

By eric the elder

April 29, 2008 9:39 PM | Link to this

A pen with Gongalez, Soriano, Smoltz, Moylan….man that would scarry good…

It would be, but three are on the DL, and the fourth might be.

By BravesDave

April 29, 2008 9:39 PM | Link to this

Anyone who watched the Mets-Braves series this past weekend saw an outfield with Beltran and Church take away everything from the Braves. There were numerous balls that were smoked by Braves hitters that were run down into outs by those two guys.

When was the last time anyone remembers Francoeur making a ‘great’ play in the outfield? Granted, he has gunned down a few runners. His outfield defense, other than his arm, has been disgusting. He has been terrible going back on balls. A ridiculous number of balls have dropped in front of him. Those 20 pounds of muscle have turned him into a Manny Ramirez clone - without the fantastic bat, of course.

By Shamus Thacker

April 29, 2008 9:41 PM | Link to this

I know I’m tough on Hammy. I’m really sorry bout it too. I think I’ll send him a get-well gift. Anybody got an idea on his dress size?

By ncscoots

April 29, 2008 9:41 PM | Link to this

Gawd, it’s getting to the point that I can’t bear to see the Braves trail, knowing the blog will be filled with another night of crowing by the whiny little dinks who have hijacked this sucker.

Fans. Realists. My a*.

Good to see Savannah Guy back. He’s a good poster, regardless of length. Other posters might consider their shortest post is too long for some of us. SG can take my spot for a while; he’s always had more tolerance than I, anyway.

By Braveheart

April 29, 2008 9:41 PM | Link to this

I’m kinda scared because so much of this team’s success the last few years has been predicated upon stars like Chipper, Smoltz and Andruw making less than fair market value. How long can that continue?

How successful would the Braves’ model of doing things if Chipper, Smoltz and Andruw said screw you, pay me the money or I’m outta here? Luckily, this year they were able to have Tex slotted into the Andruw slot at a price far less than what Tex will receive out on the open market.

Eventually, the luck is gonna run out. I wonder how screwed the Braves are if Smoltz is done or Chipper goes into decline in the next few years. You’re not gonna find many ballplayers of a Chipper or Smoltz caliber willing to sacrifice the millions upon millions of dollars they’ve sacrificed to stay here.

Once Chipper and Smoltz are finished, what the heck do you do? Just rely upon kids and stopgaps? I dunno. I think Chipper and Smoltz, God bless them, have created a false sense of security about how well the Braves have been run the last 5 years.

By Ray K

April 29, 2008 9:43 PM | Link to this

HEY, DOB

“The Braves have done it before?”

Those teams are not this team. Those teams knew how to win one run games. Those teams had guys like Mike Remlinger who could come in and keep the game close in the 7th and 8th inning consistently. Those teams had lead off hitters like Marquis Grissom.

This team is barely a team at all right now in my estimation; they are a bunch of athletes whose paychecks are signed by the same guy.

And Cox can call all the meetings he wants. A 5 game win streak means nothing when you lose 4 of the next 5 afterwards.

By Chase

April 29, 2008 9:44 PM | Link to this

Thanks JS, F Wrens and Bobby Cox for a great team. Hang out the sign “Wait till Next Year”. All the players trying to hit homers. No bull in Pen. This games over.

By AMG

April 29, 2008 9:45 PM | Link to this

I guess one nice thing about the Braves so far this year…If they are not winning by the 6th inning, I can just go to bed confident they will loose.

By Overlord

April 29, 2008 9:45 PM | Link to this

Could anyone tell me how should i do to be a little more positive…. just cant do it.

Totally disappointing…

By Shamus Thacker

April 29, 2008 9:46 PM | Link to this

It’s called TIMELY hitting Tomas. Shockingly/surprisingly/unbelievably/mind-bogglingly, Tex is our timeliest hitter. I thank.? Ain’t that right?

By Overlord

April 29, 2008 9:47 PM | Link to this

I JUST HOPE THAT IF BRAVES GET TO THE PLAYOFFS, WE DONT HAVE TO FACE THE NATIONALS

By Daybed Wagmoe

April 29, 2008 9:48 PM | Link to this

Boyer’s a lost cause in meaningful innings.N8

Lost cause? He’s got 18 strikeouts in 14.2 IP and given up runs in 3 of his 13 appearances coming into tonight’s game. He’s been a pretty solid reliever this year.

By Shamus Thacker

April 29, 2008 9:49 PM | Link to this

I love it when John is the closer. I’d rather him close than start, even when he’s healthy.

By keylargo

April 29, 2008 9:51 PM | Link to this

BravesDave

I remember last week Frenchy caught a ball on the run right down the line, pirouetted 360 degrees and threw a strike to first base that almost doubled of a runner.

By Overlord

April 29, 2008 9:52 PM | Link to this

Those teams are not this team. Those teams knew how to win one run games.

Those teams knew how to win.

By Josh

April 29, 2008 9:54 PM | Link to this

DOB

Do you know how adept Omar Infante is at playing centerfield? I ask because given Kotsay’s drastic R/L split so far this season do you think a platoon of LF-Diaz CF-Infante/LF- Blanco CF-Kotsay would be possible once Infante returns? Diaz has turned into a solid defender but the platoon may not be worth it unless Omar can play a serviceable centerfield.

By macdwolfpack

April 29, 2008 9:56 PM | Link to this

If Atlanta wasn’t around the Nationals would have to be in AAA. I know they thank God in DC when they see the underperforming Braves are on the schedule. What a gross waste of talent.

By ncscoots

April 29, 2008 9:57 PM | Link to this

Shamus, next time you’re at the ballpark, why not try some of that “Hampton is a wuss” humor on the man himself? Now, that would be so funny I’d probably be willing to pay for your facial reconstruction.

I’m guessing that the wuss in a room with only you and Hampton in it wouldn’t be the guy of which you joke.

By Efrim

April 29, 2008 9:57 PM | Link to this

Braveheart

You are going to need the kids to step up. Kids in the farm like Schafer and Heyward will be along by the time Francouer, McCann, Johnson and Escobar are making the money. It will all work out. I agree with you about Chipper and Smoltz though, those guys are Hall of Fame players….can’t really replace them.

Smoltz as closer??? I like it, but how would the arm react to that throwing regiment everyday? Having Smoltz pitch is great, whether it’s as Closer or Starter.

By Overlord

April 29, 2008 9:57 PM | Link to this

Once again Zimmerman 3 RBI night, keep up the good work braves!!!

By Wayne in Utah

April 29, 2008 9:58 PM | Link to this

BravesDave…you have not changed one iota.

You are still extremely annoying with your no holds barred negativity.

Escobar just struck out. WHAT A FRICKIN BUM HE IS!!! Let’s trade him for a bag of balls!!!!

Guys like you will ONLY see the negatives, so enjoy! If things turn around this year, please don’t bring your sorry azz back around to act like you were all for the team early on.

Chipper flies out!!!!! WHAT A FRICKIN BUM!!!! Let’s trade him for a bag of balls. He, Hampton, Glavine and Smoltz are all a bunch of money grabbing bums! They prefer to be on the DL!!!! Let’s blow it up and start all over again!!!

A bit ridiculous, huh?

Gotta leave for my sanity!

DOB interesting story on JS being willing to go back to the pen, if it helps the team. In my mind, the reason he went back to the rotation was that he thought he could help the team more there! Dude is first class all the way!

By McFann

April 29, 2008 9:59 PM | Link to this

Wayne—

I guess so. Ho-Ho just better be good! (And get run support!)

If Smoltz moved back to closer, that would be the best!! I mean, heck…Tiger can’t play golf right now anyway after that knee surgery, so I say he should go for it!

By Im

April 29, 2008 10:00 PM | Link to this

DOB, smoltz always said that being closer was more physically taxing than starting. Any idea why he might be open to the pen if theres a chance itd hurt his arm more? Clearly he knows his body best and has found ways to pitch with pain but this is still a little confusing.

By BravesDave

April 29, 2008 10:01 PM | Link to this

key largo, I remember the play that you are referring to. The throw was an excellent, accurate throw. The catch was fairly routine.

I have not seen Francoeur lay out for a ball yet this season. Balls are falling within inches of him, but he is either pulling up on them or taking poor angles going back on balls.

It is really insane that he now has the longest active streak of consecutive games played in the majors. He needs a month off.

By Wayne in Utah

April 29, 2008 10:01 PM | Link to this

Dave Very few were paying atttention to what you wrote this morning about slow starts. If they had honestly read and understood, they would have to get off the negative rant! It’s not popular to be a homer here some nights!

By Wayne in Utah

April 29, 2008 10:03 PM | Link to this

keylargo Now, now. Don’t go confusing BravesDave with positives!

By BossLady

April 29, 2008 10:05 PM | Link to this

I guess I will put down my Belvedere and wait, just wait until times get better.

Nite all

By Wayne in Utah

April 29, 2008 10:05 PM | Link to this

BravesDave and Overlord….are you guys twins? Man-crush thing going on? You both seem so compatible!

By H-Ram

April 29, 2008 10:06 PM | Link to this

Now where talking a bit about Smoltz possibly moving back to the closer role….IMHO…It doesnt CHANGE anything…the guy is 41 years old…bum shoulder/rotator cuff/biceps/whatever….YOU HAVE YOUR HALL OF FAME NUMBERS…Just end it in peace…i think sometimes players like Smoltz take or will take a long time to let the game go…and just retire…its been almost a month to the season and the guy has been TWICE in the DL..It screams a bad idea IMO…but in the first place… WHY did he was a starter first, then the Bullpen, then starter, THEN bullpen AGAIN(possibly)????talk about decisions..its either the Pen or a starter..which of the two???

By Overlord

April 29, 2008 10:07 PM | Link to this

I wonder if when our all american leadoff hitter falls below the mendoza line Bobby will understand he aint not Leadoff hitter.

By Jeff R

April 29, 2008 10:09 PM | Link to this

Yep, the rotation is a challenge, all right. Smoltz verging on a serious injury that, if it doesn’t put him out of action for a long stretch, may send him back to the bullpen. Glavine injured early… what will July and August be like for 80 mph fastballer? Hampton… any time I read anyone who thinks he’ll contribute I guess that I went thru the Looking Glass!

By Bring Me the Head of Francisco Cabrera

April 29, 2008 10:10 PM | Link to this

What’s most distressing about this 12-14 start is the Braves couldn’t have drawn up a much easier schedule for the first month of the season if they’d been in charge of it themselves. On the flip side, if they’d been banged up this badly with a really tough schedule the first month, they’d be much farther of the race already. So they can still perhaps heal up in time for the dog days, even if it’s not against the dog teams.

By JEB

April 29, 2008 10:14 PM | Link to this

Smoltz becoming our closer at mid season…. that would be like…. well signing John Smoltz to be our closer at mid season WOWWWWW!!!!

By macdwolfpack

April 29, 2008 10:17 PM | Link to this

Wayne, these Braves aren’t just in a slow start, they are in a continuation of the last 2 1/2 years. Kelly Johnson hasn’t batted over .230 since the All-Star break last year but he continues to be trotted out as the leadoff man with some kind of unrealistic expectations. If I was Frank Wren and this team doesn’t get on a roll after the return of Gonzalez and Hampton, I take a hard look at the future. I start setting up a young rotation the second half, clean out the entire coaching staff and start a rebuild. That is if this mediocre play continues after Gonzalez and Hampton return. The Braves including their staff have forgotten what it takes to be winners and have forgotten how winner come to play every night and with their best players on the field giving it all every night.

By Big Dawg

April 29, 2008 10:20 PM | Link to this

Make Bobby Cox asst VP with Hank& JS. Make Brian Snitker or Chris Chambliss Mgr. Make Don Baylor hitting Coach. Hire Ron Gant as 3rd base coach. Keep Hubbie as 1st base coach. Hire Pat Corrales as asst Mgr. Keep the other Coaches.Fire Pendleton,& McDowell Hire Guy Hansen pitching Coach. Time for a shake -up, everyone has got to relaxed in their role. They have lost the spark in their eyes or the fire in their pants. What has Wren done for us lately? Every time I hear for BC I want to throw up, same old BS. Maybe Leo as pitching coach. At least they won when he was here.

By I cant take it anymore

April 29, 2008 10:21 PM | Link to this

Bobby, hey, huh huh, it’s me, Roger, your long lost brother. Uhgh, I’ve been searching for so long, and here ya are. Nice mansion. Hey, what do you say I move in, we live here together, like millionaire brothers; it will be great…seeing how we are twins and all.

By PrincetonBrave

April 29, 2008 10:22 PM | Link to this

I’m done watching los Bravos until they:

1. Win a 1-run game.
2. Come from behind after the 6th inning.

Will I see another game? I don’t know…I just don’t know.

By BravesFanChris23

April 29, 2008 10:22 PM | Link to this

I’m going to ignore the ridiculous wave of pessimism and give my two cents of the situation at hand.

I’m disappointed at the loss, but its not the end of the season by any means. Its a dead horse topic, so I’ll leave it at that.

Now, for Smoltz going back to closer role….

Once he’s healthy, it would be a huge boost in my opinion. As long as we stay into it without going into a lot of trouble until he is healthy, which I think is possible, then it should definitely help out. Given our bullpen woes, it makes sense. Plus it helps Soriano. Imagine how the bullpen would look….

• Bennett
• Ohman/Ring
• Boyer
• Campillo
• Gonzalez
• Soriano
• Smoltz

If the latter three stay healthy and other four stay effective, this would be a really good pen. It would definitely help us go deeper into the season. I’m not really worried about the offense at all, it’ll get better and get hot. Of course hoping Chipper stays healthy for the most part of the season.

As far as the starting rotation goes. A rotation of….

• Hudson
• Glavine
• Jurrjens
• Hampton (if stays healthy)
• Jo Jo/Chuck James/Carlyle/Bennett

….would be a formidable rotation and could get us through the season. If Braves have to, they have the tools to get a starter, so its not a really big deal. As long as they stay healthy/effective of course and although it doesn’t look like it now, it’s definitely possible.

So, basically to sum it up….

While it doesn’t look too bright right now, there’s realistically plenty of time to get back into it. ESPECIALLY SINCE ITS STILL APRIL. If and it’s a big IF, we are worse for wear towards the all star break and after, then and only then, would all this throwing in the towel, calling it a season and other ridiculous stuff would have credible and logical substance.

I’m not blind, I know we’re not going so hot right now, but things do turn around and even though we’re not going hot right now, we’re still in the mix. I have a feeling and I will continue feeling it until proven otherwise and it’s a big if.

By BravesDave

April 29, 2008 10:23 PM | Link to this

Wayne, I really get tired of your nonsense. Find one post in the entire time that I have posted on this blog where I called someone like Chipper, Escobar, Hampton, Smoltz, etc. a bum. Find a post where I called Francoeur a bum. The fact is that I am tired of seeing Cox trot Francoeur out to RF every single night for the past two and a half years, without fail. This guy has serious holes in his game. He is a Brave, so I pull for him, but he consistenly underwhelms.

I am so sick of your need to critique everything but the baseball being played by the Braves.

Give it up with telling me not to come back if the Braves turn it around. The $200 a year I spend on Extra Innings so that I can watch the maximum number of Braves games on TV, plus the hundreds I spend going to Shea and Citizens Bank Ballpark mean a heck of a lot more than you claiming that I am too negative.

The fact that you are the “Positivity Police” makes you no more of a “real fan” than anyone else.

By ncgary

April 29, 2008 10:27 PM | Link to this

live forever great lyrics right on cue, if we all only knew,.world series rings 08 theyre coming, keep the faith

By JEB

April 29, 2008 10:33 PM | Link to this

Gotta say, given Kelly Johnson’s numbers just from last year’s All Star break to the present - THEY ARE BAD! I agree not a good choice for lead off at this time!

By BravesDave

April 29, 2008 10:34 PM | Link to this

Wayne, I am searching and searching and I still can’t seem to find a Wayne in Utah post regarding Braves baseball. C’mon, you can do it. Just types a few words about baseball. Maybe even something like “Glavine pitched well, but the Braves couldn’t pull it out”.

Hey, you could even post something about music or BBQ, if you like. Just try it. Try something…anything…besides “so and so is too negative”, “so and so, your and idiot”, “so and so, the Jazz won tonight”, “so and so, leave the blog and never come back”. BORING.

Maybe people in Utah are too nice, so you have to come to the blog to criticize people. Or maybe you are just a loser.

By Tomahawkin

April 29, 2008 10:36 PM | Link to this

Princeton Brave You wanna throw “play the game with some intensity” onto that list of not watching another braves game because they sure as hell don’t show any…

By keylargo

April 29, 2008 10:36 PM | Link to this

BravesDave

Everytime I see a “Baseball Player” put on 20 lbs. I wonder what will happen. Usually it is a combination of being stronger but giving up quickness and agility. It’s not the same as a football player gaining weight. I have thought JF looker a little sluggish fielding and maybe it’s my imagination, but he seems to have lost a little speed. One positive thing is that this is due to changes in his size and strength and his body will relearn its new size. Remember a football players runs about 3 steps and the collides with someone. Baseball is a series of sprints of always changing routes.Let’s be positive and give him the benefit of the doubt that he will relearn his new body size and regain his speed and agility. He is a great kid and deserves our support. I truly think he is one of the very best Braves both personally and professionally.

By Bravesfan79

April 29, 2008 10:38 PM | Link to this

So DOB with Smoltz probably better off in the bullpen, what frontline starters do we have a chance of getting?
This team would be very good with say a Oswalt, Hudson, JJ, Glavine …ect… rotation.
And then with a pen of Smoltz, Soriano, Moylan and Gonzalez.

The angels won a WS a few years back with a killer pen and decent starting pitching…why cant we??

Maybe that is why Lillibridge was brought up so early…to showcase his talent for a later trade…

By Bo

April 29, 2008 10:43 PM | Link to this

IF,IF

By JT

April 29, 2008 10:46 PM | Link to this

WHEN is Bobby COX going to realize that KELLY JOHNSON ISNT A Leadoff hitter???WHy,Why is he leading off??? i just dont understand…he doesnt do a good job there…you just change the FRIGGIN LINEUP BOBBY!!!!!!!!!!!!!when are you going to change it???when he hits 0 fer 50 in the next 20 games hitting leadoff??just change it Bobby, you know it isnt working,for the sake of the team,for us the fans,just do it..please

By MIBravesFan

April 29, 2008 10:52 PM | Link to this

If closing is better for Smoltzie’s arm and shoulder at this point, then it’s a no-brainer. The Braves need that right arm and the soul and the will behind it as long as they can have it, in whatever capacity they can get it.

Btw, Bravesfan79, as DOB has indicated often here, barring something very unexpected, don’t expect Moylan back in the bullpen this year.

By BravesDave

April 29, 2008 10:57 PM | Link to this

keylargo, nothing would make me happier than to see Francoeur become a superstar. Nothing. It would be fantastic if he could be another Braves legend like Murph or Chipper.

My problem is that he is seeing Major League pitching for the 4th year this season. Does he seem to you to have much more of a clue than he did when he arrived and became the SI cover boy? Pitchers clearly learned quickly that he lacked plate discipline. They adjusted. He hasn’t.

Now, his solution was to gain 20 pounds of muscle. He looks completely unable to run smoothly. He hasn’t looked good in RF so far.

Take away his monster game against the Nats, and he has 1 HR and 12 RBIs in 25 games. He is not even consistently hitting ball hard.

Is this a guy that should guaranteed the starting job in RF every single day of the season?

By Daybed Wagmoe

April 29, 2008 10:59 PM | Link to this

The Braves have yet to win on a Tuesday this season and are 1-3 on Wednesdays.

By bfan54

April 29, 2008 11:00 PM | Link to this

DOB:

Please either confirm or call out macdwolfpak’s 10:17 assertion that “Kelly Johnson hasn’t batted over .230 since the All-Star break last year but he continues to be trotted out as the leadoff man with some kind of unrealistic expectations.”

If ‘macwolf’ is correct, then BC is seriously deficient in the managerial dept, is his number is bad, he should be ashamed of himself for saying so. (In any reasonable fan’s view, a .230 average for a leadoff hitter with a statistally signifant number of AB’s would be a horrific number!)

By mets fan in atlanta

April 29, 2008 11:13 PM | Link to this

mets beat pirates, hmmm…braves had trouble with them.

have to run-talk to yall later

By richie

April 29, 2008 11:13 PM | Link to this

I am shockingly suprised reading John is considering a return to the bullpen. I hope this is what he really wants to do. Because as we all know the competitive juices he has made it somewhat difficult to enjoy being in the closer role, especially when he was needed most…in the playoffs. If this the case, I will wait to see what he decides because he is one of all time faves.

By Overlord

April 29, 2008 11:15 PM | Link to this

JT, I suppose this is your first year as a braves fan, since you are not aware that KJ will remain our leadoff hitter until July when braves trade for a real one (no matter what happens, not even if he has an OBP bellow .250), you just have to check on history (remember AJ and TEX???)

By chrisklob

April 29, 2008 11:19 PM | Link to this

bfan, I’m not DOB, but I looked it up. KJ is hitting .267 since last year’s All Star break. It’s not .230, as stated, but it ain’t nothing to write home about.

Speaking of All Stars, online balloting is now available on mlb.com. I’m sure that a lot of you want to get your votes in early, and often, for your favorite Bravos like KJ and Matty. Too bad we don’t get to vote for pitchers. Some of the folks here would be too busy to blog here since they’d be spending all their online time voting for their favorite member of the Braves bullpen.

By Mark T.

April 29, 2008 11:28 PM | Link to this

I would say that we could use a bonafide leadoff hitter, a real table setter. I believe that is what is really holding this lineup back. This lineup has all the potential in the world to be dominant but the areas where the leadoff hitter would go are LF, CF or 2B. I dont like the idea of seeing Kelly’s back on the bench with a leadoff hitter. That would mean the leadoff guy would have to be in CF or LF, making Kotsay or Diaz a bench player or utility player. Just a thought

By Can't Believe It

April 29, 2008 11:30 PM | Link to this

Anyone here ever have any back problems?

I have and I can tell you it’s one of the most debilitating things a person can experience! I know that Chipper is under the care of professional trainers and is probably receiving therapy numerous times a day, that’s the only way he can play with this problem. Still, it’s amazing to me that he can swing the bat so soon after having back spasms.

That being said, the guy comes back, gets a couple of hits and a homer!

If I were the other regulars, I would be totally ashamed! The guy is 36 years old, bum back and legs, comes back and doesn’t miss a beat. Those other young bucks are just plain pathetic!

That’s right. Depend on the crippled guy to come back and bail your sorry butts out! Message to the other Braves regs: don’t you think it’s about time you step up, get some timely hits and drive in a few runs when it counts? Chipper could only manage a couple of hits tonight and a homer. That wasn’t quite enough.

Think you guys might want to contribute a little?

signed, a disgruntled fan

By monty

April 30, 2008 12:03 AM | Link to this

Does anyone believe the Braves are going to pull out a game in the later innings? THat seems to be an oxymoron of late. This has got to be the worst hitting team in the league when it’s close and late. Just not much heart there to me. Batters swinging at first pitch balls, no one really trying to grind out an at bat,it’s almost as if their philosophy is if I hit it fine, if I don’t then at least the game will be over quicker. Oh for the glory days of everyone slapping each ohther on the helmet after a dramatic homerun.THat used to seem like an every other night event. THat seems like eons ago now. THese Braves have little charisma or mojo working for them.

By Bobby's Cox

April 30, 2008 12:08 AM | Link to this

BravesDave

Well said about French. He has no clue how hit, looks the same as day 1, and the added muscle clearly has slowed him down. Bench him.

Actually, bench French, bench Kotsay, and bench KJ. Put in Prado, Blanco, and Anderson. Maybe the team will have more fire and more desire.

If the team’s gonna play like an A ball team, might as well put the A ball team in there. I’m not so sure those 3 will do worse. Anderson can hit leadoff and can steal. Prado definately will hit better than .230 and get on base just as much. And blanco will save a ton of runs with better D in right.

Something’s got to give.

By mr baseball

April 30, 2008 12:10 AM | Link to this

Not sure who writes the headlines on the web site, but whoever he/she is needs to find another profession. One I saw said “Glavine pummeled.” Another said “Nats defeat Glavine, Braves.” Kelly Johnson & Blaine Boyer not the only ones having a bad night.

By Bravesfan79

April 30, 2008 12:13 AM | Link to this

H-Ram: i think Smoltz has enough history and pull with the Braves that he can do whatever the crap he wants 2!! I perfer him as a starter, yet i know at this point hes better off in the pen pitching 1 or 2 innings at a time.

Man idiot fans like you make me sick. I bet your favorite sport is the pointless sport of college football. Are you one of the idiots that says”the system is fine, playoffs would kill the regular season” lol..like any of it matters now anyways! I guess when a team can go undefeated, and still have NO shot at a title, the regular season never really mattered in the first place huh?

Us having Smoltz in the pen is better than any free agent pickup or trade i can think of! But i guess marginal fairweather fans like yourself cant see that huh??

Wed be lucky if he was in the pen for us for the rest of this year and for next. In fact the Braves would be VERY good next year with a co ace to go along with Hudson, and with Smoltz closing. (even if smoltz was only healthy enough to close half the games, and have soriano/gonzales fill in the rest)

By Bobby's Cox

April 30, 2008 12:23 AM | Link to this

bfan54

Since you asked, KJ is hitting 79 for 308 or .256 since last year’s all-star break, and that’s including July when he hit .356.

If you take July away, he’s 61 for 255, good for .239.

Again, since you asked. Any Prado takers tonight?

By Bobby's Cox

April 30, 2008 12:33 AM | Link to this

Whoever said KJ is hitting .267 since the break last year is dead wrong. KJ wish he were hitting that good. He hit .262 after the break last year and is hitting .241 this year. How you got .267 out of that is beyond me. But yeah, he’s at .239 since last August 1, and .241 for the season. A killer leadoff guy obviously.

By GermanBravesFan

April 30, 2008 12:45 AM | Link to this

Gentlemen… it’s still early!!! No need to panic!

By Fsubravefan10

April 30, 2008 12:49 AM | Link to this

DOB-

My only qualm if any regarding Smoltz close is the effect (negative?) it may have on Soriano, who is being paid to do so, also what if Smoltz did close, lets say until August or so, if the Braves were on the path to the playoffs, would Smoltz ask to be worked back in the rotation? Could you see him going starter, closer, starter (if the bullpen regains health and we are unable to gain a dominate SP for the playoffs) Smoltz was a great closer, but his legacy will always be, in my opinion, starting big games, especially the playoffs.

By Fsubravefan10

April 30, 2008 12:49 AM | Link to this

DOB-

My only qualm if any regarding Smoltz close is the effect (negative?) it may have on Soriano, who is being paid to do so, also what if Smoltz did close, lets say until August or so, if the Braves were on the path to the playoffs, would Smoltz ask to be worked back in the rotation? Could you see him going starter, closer, starter (if the bullpen regains health and we are unable to gain a dominate SP for the playoffs) Smoltz was a great closer, but his legacy will always be, in my opinion, starting big games, especially the playoffs.

By Cherokee

April 30, 2008 12:56 AM | Link to this

It’s funny how pessimists ALWAYS claim that they’re realists. Really, It’s OK to be a pessimist. Go ahead and admit it.AGT

thats funny, every optimist I know says that they are being realistic. some people can disengage their emotions and be pretty realistic but most can’t. Gotta be a cold fish to get ‘er dun.

By mr baseball

April 30, 2008 12:59 AM | Link to this

Not sure where all this KJ bashing is coming from, but a lot of folks on here are scapegoating the wrong person. He hasn’t been that hot in the leadoff role, but his numbers aren’t that bad and are maybe 95 percent likely to get better.

There is no other serious leadoff option on this team. Period. The only other non-serious option is Blanco, which would probably make the people who think Juan Pierre is a quality player happy.

Like a lot of slap hitters, Blanco’s numbers look good until you take a close look at 2 categories. Guys like him almost never drive in runs (12 hits this season, 1 RBI) and don’t score that many (19 times on base, 3 runs). A huge majority of their hits come with no one on base, usually with 1 or 2 outs. He has a terrific batting average so far and an even better OBP, but put him in the leadoff spot for a while and watch both numbers plunge. He ain’t the answer.

The reason the team is struggling to score runs and win games is not because KJ isn’t getting on base. The guys who are supposed to be driving in the runs are consistently coming up short, and tonight’s game was no exception.

Other than that 12-11 loss to the Pirates in the home opener, the Braves’ offense has played a major part in just about every loss since. The starters and the bullpen have contributed to about 6 losses each, half that of the offense. McCann & Kotsay have probably been the biggest offenders, with Frenchy, Diaz & KJ next in line. Tex has started to hit after a lame start, but Yunel had been less than stellar for the last 10 days or so until his injury.

I bow to no one (except maybe the late & lamented Robert) in my criticism of the manager, but the lineup he trots out on a nightly basis is the best option he has.

The bullpen is another matter, but I can’t see that he’s made the wrong moves too often. When guys pitch well for a week and then get ripped in a key situation, that’s not the manager’s fault.

We’ve got some folks on here who can’t keep their fingers off the panic button & their painful lack of baseball knowledge to themselves. Then there are the optimists who are sure that things are going to turn around any minute no matter how much is going wrong with the team.

This Braves team bears little resemblance to the teams that won 14 straight division titles. The pitching — especially the starters — has been pretty decent, but is not going to be able to carry the team like it did for most of that run. The bullpen is what it is, and those expecting Soriano, Gonzalez or the return of Smoltz as closer to save it are deluding themselves.

This team has to hit up & down the lineup, and there are enough bats (the lame bench excluded) to do that. Chipper can’t do it by himself & the 4-5-6 hitters have to pick him up when he doesn’t. KJ needs to stay exactly where he is, although Cox might want to think about getting Prado into the lineup on an occasional basis against lefties.

And as I’ve said before, the new GM needs to find a RH hitter who can play a little CF because Kotsay ain’t cutting it as an everyday player.

The Mets & Phillies are capable of stringing together a nice run, & if the Braves don’t start scoring more than 3 runs in 50 percent of their games, they are going to be in double figures in games back before we know it.

By Moby Grape

April 30, 2008 1:18 AM | Link to this

So, in conclusion (for now, I’m sure), for THIS team, as it is currently constructed, Yunel should be the lead-off hitter. It would give THIS lineup, the best chance to score more runs, especially early in games to take a quick lead.

Just my opinion, nothing more. N8

I don’t think anybody else on this team with a skill set to lead off will have a higher OBP over a full season that KJ. I like Prado and Blanco, but I’m not sure that they would end up higher than KJ and no way do I believe that Anderson would.

At this point I could see trying Prado or Blanco there but they are not every day players. Of the everyday players I think over the long haul that KJ will get on base the most, and if it is to be KJ and Yunel, then Yunel should bat second. We really don’t want KJ there.

By Coach (Lets Go Braves In 2008)

April 30, 2008 1:22 AM | Link to this

The prototypical good lead off hitter will reach base twice in a game.

Kelly Johnson has done that in six out of twenty-six games played.

He isn’t getting the job done.

Brayan Pena is an empty suit sitting on the bench.

Ditto for Ruben Gotay.

Josh Anderson is the Braves best natural lead off hitter.

The bullpen has blown or lost eight games combined.

The rotation has twelve quality starts which equals the Braves win total.

The pitching record: Rotation 11-9 / 3.48 ERA, Bullpen 1-5 / 4.12 ERA.

The Braves have one single comeback win after twenty-six games played.

When the Braves score first, they are 11-6. When the opposition scores first, the Braves are 1-8. It all adds up to 12-14.

The Braves rank 13th in stolen bases.

One thing is wrong with the offense and I don’t think Bobby Cox knows how to fix it.

Health is the real issue here, hiding in the bushes.

The Braves don’t have a closer and John Smoltz wants the job.

By P-Town Brave

April 30, 2008 1:25 AM | Link to this

TIME TO CLEAN OUT THE COACHING STAFF

GET THE HOOK!

By H-Ram

April 30, 2008 1:34 AM | Link to this

Bravesfan79

Yeah,so lets say Smoltz goes to the Bullpen as closer….No.1 What do you do with SORIANO,if you just signed the guy for be the closer???…No.2 and most important,Smoltz goes to the pen and leaves the rotation as this:

1.Hudson

2.Jurrjens

3.Glavine

4.Hampton?Bennett/James/Reyes/

5.Hampton?Bennett/James/Reyes/

DO YOU EVEN IMAGINE what A MESS of a rotation the Braves will have and are already having a bit of problems..OK Hudson is a bit inconsistent,Glavine has delivered Quality starts and Jurrjens has pitched pretty good but still a ROOKIE…but your No.4 and No.5 in the Hands of Bennett,Jo-Jo and Chuck..Thats almost a guarantee loss..dude..IF the Braves acquire a No.1,No.2 or even a No.3 starter like Oswalt,Blanton,Burnett,Cain, Marcum,etc…thats the only way i see it would benefit THE BRAVES…

Yes, Smoltz can do whatever he pleases but its not a smart thing given the lack of QUALITY Pitching they will have if he does so…IF THIS TEAM wants a championship and wants to win…thats not the typical rotation of a contender to a WS title you know…YEah the bullpen will be awesome,blah, blah,blah…what if sooner or later he goes to the DL again and again in the Bullpen…then What???move him as a PH???..Cmon get off the sentimentalism and be rational here… I really hope the rest gives him what he needs and continues in the rotation…the place where he can help the most…

By Coach (Lets Go Braves In 2008)

April 30, 2008 1:36 AM | Link to this

Kelly Johnson: .241 BA / .323 OBP / 3 stolen bases.

Josh Anderson: .303 BA / .62 OBP / 9 stolen bases.

Mr.Amateur, go ahead, argue with it.

By Coach (Lets Go Braves In 2008)

April 30, 2008 1:44 AM | Link to this

Kelly Johnson: .241 BA / .323 OBP / 3 stolen bases.

Josh Anderson: .303 BA / .362 OBP / 9 stolen bases.

Mr.Amateur, go ahead, argue with it.

By Wayne in Utah

April 30, 2008 1:49 AM | Link to this

BravesDave I know, it’s late. If you pick up this post tomorrow morning (or whenever), here is my offer: Let’s just not talk anymore. I think your an azz, you think I am an azz. We are just wasting each others time.

(btw, the people in Utah are ALL nice, I am the only jerk that lives west of the continental divide!)

You don’t want to see anything that is not your way, and I am the same. (I still am perplexed at the negative vibes for Francoeur and KJ. Heck, Hank Aaron is retired, and Babe Ruth is dead…what do you want out of these guys? Very few players become Hall of Famers! Not everybody can be a Chipper Jones!)

I will try damned hard to not read or reply to any more of your posts. No need in getting frustrated over someone I will NEVER agree with on much.

To be honest, I love Braves baseball so much, I still come on here to get my Braves news, even though it is frustrating to have to listen to all the negative bull. So, the reason I don’t talk baseball much anymore, is because of folks like you, that just gets me frustrated when I do. My blogging time has decreased drastically due to folks like yourself. Congratulations!

Have a nice life!

Go Braves! (been a fan probably longer than you have been alive, btw)

By N8thehate

April 30, 2008 1:53 AM | Link to this

My negativity has to do with his manager being a mule about it. Just the way he was with Remlinger coming in to face lefties, just the way he was with Andruw and the Clean-up spot last year. It only took me 25 games to break out Robert’s chant……

HEEE HAW!!!!((N8**

not so sure you ain’t Robert. you are just a Cox-hating ranter like all the others. You must be absolutely miserable when the Braves are going good. and you’re a nasty talking little b1tch too.

By Wayne in Utah

April 30, 2008 2:04 AM | Link to this

Coach I too would like to see Josh Anderson get a shot. I would prefer to have him on the roster than Pena, as you seem to be suggesting. I think Pena has completely used up any value he might have had earlier.

I am not sold on Blanco, and I believe that Diaz is proving that he is most valuable when used somewhat sparingly.

I would love to see us make a run at Rivera from the Angels.

On Anderson, I liked the numbers he put up last September, and so far at Richmond, but; will that translate to anything better than what KJ is/can do? I am not sure, but how will we know without giving him a try.

Most folks are too quick to pull the trigger. Bobby is not. That has been his glory over the years (and his downfall, on ocassion).

I don’t expect to see Anderson before June. Also, KJ is still an unproven commodity, but his potential is very high, and you don’t give up on that too quickly. Not even over the course of a half a year (yes, I know he tailed off last year).

Personally, I think we have the pieces to make a real strong run at the pennant, but we also have the potential to have a similar year to last year. You are 100% correct that the injuries are the big issue for the Braves this year.

I don’t think we should count on Soriano for a while. In that vein, I like the idea of bringing back Smoltz as a closer, if he has anything left.

Over the past 3 years, I have had 2 surgeries on my right shoulder. The inflammation can take a LONG time to go away. I hope he has better luck than I did.

Have a good night (morning!) Gotta run.

By Coach (Lets Go Braves In 2008)

April 30, 2008 2:06 AM | Link to this

If nothing else, don’t take my word for it when I say Kelly Johnson isn’t the lead off hitter that you think he is.

Read the following article and notice who’s name isn’t even mentioned.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=crasnick_jerry&id=2848182

By Bobby's Cox

April 30, 2008 2:09 AM | Link to this

Coach Nice post

Mr. Baseball Dont’ criticize our baseball knowledge. I know the ins and outs of this team. I’ve been following every game since 1990 when i was 9 years old, as well as their prospects and other teams around the leage.

Your arguments have no strength. To say that we can’t blame KJ because the rest of the lineup isn’t driving in runs is a bad argument. KJ isn’t getting on base and leading by example with his bat at the top of the order.

To say that Blanco is a bad player becuz he doesn’t drive in runs totally contradicts your argument when KJ comes up to bat tonite with 1st and 3rd no out and hits a comebacker. Go back to yesterday’s blog and read the stats thrown about KJ in leverage situations or the aberrations of his stats when games are close. Blanco’s job isn’t to drive in runs, he’s not an rbi guy. He’s a slap hitter who can run, and quite frankly this team needs more of those right now and less of the overswinging inexperienced power hitter who goes dry way more often than not.

We need a speedy slap hitter at the top of the order. If you want to keep KJ in the lineup, fine, but put him in the 7 spot. Anderson can’t do worse than AJ did last year or what Kotsay is doing this year. Play the kid you traded for and is earning his spot in AAA.

As far as Prado is concerned, he’s shown great discipline at the plate, the ability to hit the ball where it’s pitched, to go the opposite way, and the ability to stay on top of breaking pitches. He’s got solid minor league stats and can easily hit .300. The fact that in 2 games he’s started and hit leadoff the team responded quite well (blowout wins) says a lot. He’s hits for more extra bases than KJ will barring the HR, and although it’s been just 3 games, his ability to jump start the offense will more than compensate for the .030 advantage KJ would get on base over him throughout a whole season, and the extra 10-12 HR’s KJ would hit.

Play these kids. They can’t do worse.

By Kev

April 30, 2008 2:15 AM | Link to this

Coach

Awesome,Awesome post at 1:44…just brilliant…I just cant imagine how in the name of GOD…cox uses KJ as a leadoff..even the numbers tell you that…your gut,everything tells you Kelly is better off somewhere else in the lineup and not leading off..BUT NO…our Cox just says: “hes hitting the ball pretty hard”…like my man N8thehate said:

“HEEE HAW!!!!”

I just want to know HOW LONG IT WILL TAKE for Cox to realize that Kelly’s not hitting the friggin ball well at leadoff,he doenst walk much,he has 3 SB,for god sakes look at his AVG..HOW LONG til this friggin torture ENDS..HOW LONG????

I PREFER Anderson 1000 times more than KJ right now batting leadoff….somewhere in this lineup, in LF ,CF i dont care where….i just want results…and KJ aint doin that as a Leadoff man!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By Moby Grape

April 30, 2008 2:19 AM | Link to this

Overall numbers aren’t indicitive of what goes on in between the linesBC

nothing is really indicative of what goes on between the lines. sample sizes have to be large enough to be meaningful. How large is that? Well remember that the great Chipper hit .248 for an entire season’s worth of 500 + PAs. 100 or 200 ABs can be essentially meaningless. If you want to believe in the personal approach that’s fine but don’t look to a handful of ABs to prove your bias.

Stats are not gonna shed light on individual situations. Anybody who thinks that they will has no clue.

By JT

April 30, 2008 2:25 AM | Link to this

Coach

LMAO…Kelly wasnt even in Crasnick thoughts when he wrote that….Get KJ out of the Leadoff spot now,before its to late Bobby…bring up Anderson,who doesnt belong in AAA…give the kid a shot,thats why you traded Oscar VIllareal for…Pena is a waste of a roster spot,use his spot or Miller’s spot…he cant do worse than those guys..Cmon..

what are your thoughts about this matter DOB???

By Bobby's Cox

April 30, 2008 2:35 AM | Link to this

yes moby grape i said that and stand by. Just by looking at these guys i can tell they’re all unfocused, have no chemistry, and do not know what to do and how to do it in certain situations at the plate. The stats favor it, but even more so the stats are inflated due to certain games. I wouldn’t say start prado if i hadn’t seen him bat this year. I’ve seen KJ hit for over 2 seasons now (he was still terrible in 2005) and he hasn’t improved, he’s the same. Frenchy, he’s the same since he was 3 seaons ago. Kotsay, he’s the same as KJ and Frenchy. This team needs a shakeup, and unlike some of you, i’m not afraid to plug in rookies. KJ was a rookie at one point. What makes you think prado can’t excel if he’s not given the shot?

As the last 2 seaons suggest, this team will not improve with the current personnel.

By N8

April 30, 2008 2:55 AM | Link to this

Daybed Wagmoe

Earlier, I said:

“Boyer’s a lost cause in meaningful innings.”

To which, you responded:

“Lost cause? He’s got 18 strikeouts in 14.2 IP and given up runs in 3 of his 13 appearances coming into tonight’s game. He’s been a pretty solid reliever this year.”

Uh, precisely my point. In MEANINGLESS innings, he’s done just fine. When the pressure is on, he folds….BIG TIME!

Here’s a breakdown of his outings:

In games that have been tied, we’re trailing by a run, or we have a 1-run lead, when he enters, the following has happened:

8.2 IP, 10 ER (10.97 ERA), the team has gone 2-7 in those games, with Blaine PERSONALLY going 0-3.

In the games where the lead was 3 runs or more, or the deficit was 2 runs or more, the following has happened:

*6.1 IP, O ER (0.00 ERA), the team has gone 4-1 in those games, with Blaine having no record.

So, I repeat…..In meaningful innings, with the game on the line…..he’s NOT reliable.

In mop up duty (win or lose), he can eat a few innings.

In other words, he should NOT be an option if the result of the game is in doubt. If he IS used in said game, the fate of said game, will have been decided as soon as Bobby hands him the ball.

But hey…..it’s early, right?

As for Smoltz in the bullpen? At this point, do whatever Smoltz feels will allow him to pitch and contribute.

Until we start scoring runs, our back end of the pen won’t frickin matter.

As impressive as he’s been since returning to the rotation, the guy should have never left the closer’s role. But the guy is a warrior and thought it would help the team with him in the rotation. Unfortunately the “options” in the pen have been Kolb, Farnsworth, Reitsma and Wickman. And two guys CAPABLE of doing the job, but their elbows say otherwise.

If Smoltz wants to close, let the man close. As DOB has stated MANY times, the guy knows his body. He’ll make the best decision for himself, which will ultimately help the Braves.

By N8

April 30, 2008 3:05 AM | Link to this

“You must be absolutely miserable when the Braves are going good. and you’re a nasty talking little b1tch too.”

Yeah, that’s right. Let’s just say you’re correct. That would make me “miserable” about 174 or so times in the last 350 games, right?

I’m not sure if anybody else sees the irony of the second of the quoted sentences above? Too funny.

It just kills me, how many different people on here tonight are saying things like:

“there is no better option to bat lead-off than KJ”

Really? OK. Ignore the numbers, slurp the Bobby Kool-Aid and walk around like zombies wondering what’s wrong.

The numbers SO favor Escobar batting lead-off, and KJ hitting no higher than 7th. But you are all entitled to your opinion, just the same.

Only difference is that you all are wrong. LOL!

By CallMe...

April 30, 2008 3:26 AM | Link to this

In all seriousness. Call me stupid, call me crazy, call me and idiot….N8

O.K. consider yourself called all those…and rightfully so.

By Eric C.

April 30, 2008 3:46 AM | Link to this

DOB and BraveInMiami, you might be interested to know that Jay Powell is the head coach for the Jackson Academy baseball team in Jackson, MS. A fellow co-worker of mine has a son, Jeffrey A. in 9th grade who pitches for him…Jay has taken Jeffrey under his wing and taught him to throw a nice curve ball.

By Cherokee

April 30, 2008 4:33 AM | Link to this

Please either confirm or call out macdwolfpak’s 10:17 assertion that “Kelly Johnson hasn’t batted over .230 since the All-Star break last year but he continues to be trotted out as the leadoff man with some kind of unrealistic expectations.”BF54

Its an exaggeration. he hit .356 in july,.269 in aug, .200 in sept and .244 so far this year. all but one are well above .230. he’s .265/.354 over the last year, including this first month. LKot of hot air over nothing.

By Coach (Lets Go Braves In 2008)

April 30, 2008 4:34 AM | Link to this

OK , before my brain starts oozing out my ears, I’ll put these splits up for the blog to chew on and call it a night.

Kelly Johnson vs lefty’s .286 righty’s .212

Yunel Escobar vs.lefty’s .297 righty’s .296

Chipper Jones vs. lefty’s .361 righty’s .475

Mark Teixeira vs. lefty’s .186 righty’s .323

Brian McCann vs. lefty’s .333 righty’s .263

Jeff Francoeur vs. lefty’s .342 righty’s .254

Mark Kotsay vs. lefty’s .158 righty’s .354

Matt Diaz vs. lefty’s .447 righty’s .180

I’ll also post the splits for Gregor Blanco and Josh Anderson from 2007.

Blanco vs. lefty’s .293 AVG/.386 OBP

Blanco vs. righty’s .223 AVG/.293 OBP

Anderson vs. lefty’s .260 AVG/.290 OBP

Anderson vs. righty’s .285 AVG/.344 OBP

GOOD NIGHT.

By Cherokee

April 30, 2008 4:50 AM | Link to this

The prototypical good lead off hitter will reach base twice in a game.Coach

what a load. quote me some stats showing all the current leadoff hitters that get on base 324 times a year Coach. 250 is doing pretty dang well. Do your homework b4 posting dude!

By coachme

April 30, 2008 5:42 AM | Link to this

Kelly Johnson: .241 BA / .323 OBP / 3 stolen bases.

Josh Anderson: .303 BA / .62 OBP / 9 stolen bases.

Mr.Amateur, go ahead, argue with it.Coach

Who is Mr. Amateur? Whoever he is he won’t have any trouble with this crap, it’s like apples/oranges. Anderson is in the MINORS . One heck of a difference. His career OBP is around .330 IN THE MINORS. you know the difference right? Maybe? And who cares if the Braves are 13th in stolen bases? AGAIN this year the Mets have three times as many stolen bases and have scored 11 less runs. WHO GIVES A DAM?

By Coach (Lets Go Braves In 2008)

April 30, 2008 5:46 AM | Link to this

Cherokee, did you pull that 324 out of your a$$ or what.

Your being ridiculous and taking my statement way out of context.

Almost nobody plays every game, except maybe Jeff Francoeur.

250 is about right for a good lead off hitter in one season unless your name is Ichiro Suzuki. He averages roughly 280 successful at bats where he reaches base.

The goal is to reach base twice per game, thats what good lead off hitters should strive for.

I would post the Mets winning percentage when Jose Reyes reaches base twice per game, but no one would believe me.

Or Cherokee could enlighten us by doing some home work of his own?

By Yars

April 30, 2008 6:04 AM | Link to this

There is no room for Anderson right now, unless Blanco is sent down. Can’t see that happening. I also can’t see Bobby hitting Blanco leadoff when he’s starting in LF over Diaz, & batting KJ #7 or #8, then putting KJ back in the leadoff spot when Diaz is starting in LF. Makes more sense to hit Yunel leadoff & KJ #2, or #7.

By Coach (Lets Go Braves In 2008)

April 30, 2008 6:04 AM | Link to this

OK stupid, argue with this one.

Kelly Johnson’s career minor league numbers. .281 BA/ .364 OBP/ 73 stolen bases

Josh Anderson’s career minor league numbers. .291 BA/ .345 OBP/ 246 stolen bases.

Please argue with me, Because SPEED KILLS AND I ACTUALLY DO GIVE A DAMN !!!

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mim0FCI/is764/ain15378928

By N8TheHate

April 30, 2008 6:26 AM | Link to this

I’m not sure if anybody else sees the irony of the second of the quoted sentences above? Too funny.N8

It would only be ironic if you were too stupid to realize it was satirical ridicule ya arrogant… & ignorant ‘lil ho mouth. What a putz.

By Greg

April 30, 2008 7:07 AM | Link to this

DOB:

Who the heck is Smoltz going to close for? Our starters beyond Jurrjens, Glavine, and Hudson, are awful. Now we’re bringing up Jo Jo (AAAA pitcher) Reyes, the man who thinks his weak cheese fastball will impress MLB hitters just because it impresses AAA hitters. He will never be an effective MLB pitcher. Also, our bullpen is awful. When’s the last time we got to the 9th with a lead? Finally, and this is the plea of a fan since 1968, can we please, please dump those damned blue uniforms/marketing vehicles. Every time we wear them, something bad happens. I think it’s because they remind the baseball gods of our hideous powder blue unis from the ’70s and ’80s. I can barely tolerate the red ones either, but at least they don’t cost us a pitcher every time we wear the things. Maybe we should box up all of the blue ones and burn them before a big home game to appease the baseball gods. I’m only half joking.

By nolie

April 30, 2008 7:28 AM | Link to this

Talk about a Braves killer so far, Zim has 13 RBI and 9 of them are against the Braves. Can we put a contract out on this guy, or what?

By Cherokee

April 30, 2008 7:55 AM | Link to this

Cherokee, did you pull that 324 out of your a$$ or what.

Your being ridiculous and taking my statement way out of context.Coach

Whoa coach. your exact words were* a prototypical good lead off hitter will reach base twice in a game.* Now there is no ‘contect’ to take that from, it’s a bald statement. . Twice a game equals getting on base 324 times. If you don’t mean it, don’t say it. If you do say something so foolish, expect to be called on it. Afterall you are the guy who is always telling posters to “do your homework before taking me on”.

I already did mine which I indicated when I said around 250. A little further homework for you my know-it-all friend. In 2007 Kelly led off in 76 games( less than half a year) and he had 82 hits and 49 bases on balls. So that makes 131 times on base in half a season or 262+ in a full season and you agreed that 250 was about right for a good leadoff hitter. Hey your exact words. So Kelly was well ahead of that pace QED he is by your own words a good leadoff man.

Logic my friend, something that emotional ravers like yourself are not on familiar terms with. Again DO YOUR HOMEWORK coach. T** for tat p*** cat.

By Will

April 30, 2008 8:18 AM | Link to this

Just another night in the life of a .500 baseball team. Anybody that wants to talk about how the Braves used to struggle in April back in the early 90’s is right, but what you have to remember is those teams came back and won the division because they were actually good baseball teams!

By Cherokee

April 30, 2008 8:24 AM | Link to this

OK stupid, argue with this one.

Kelly Johnson’s career minor league numbers. .281 BA/ .364 OBP/ 73 stolen bases

Josh Anderson’s career minor league numbers. .291 BA/ .345 OBP/ 246 stolen bases.

Please argue with me, Because SPEED KILLS AND I ACTUALLY DO GIVE A DAMN !!!Coach

I don’t think this was directed at me, but I feel feisty so I’ll take it.

First off you have Anderson’s OBP listed as higher than my references. No cheating now coach.

As for the stolen bases you’re about the only one who does care anymore. Tell me what good all those stolen bases that you care so much about are when a team can steal 3 times as many as another and still be outscored.Not just last season but so far this season too. Makes no sense at all, just your own little fixation that has nothing to do with success in the modern game. And you keep confusing how many times Reyes gets on (which is OBP and actually does correlate highly with winning) with how many bases he steals which has a much lower correlation.

Face it coach, logic is just not your forte. But hey you are great at emotion, though you are not as good a ranter as N8 is, but keep working on it podnah. :-)

By Efrim

April 30, 2008 8:48 AM | Link to this

6-9 against the Pirates, Nationals and the Marlins. Those team’s combined run differential is 336 runs scored to 415 runs given up. We are 6-9 versus those teams. This was probably a schedule where the Braves thought they could get off to a fast start….

By Shaun

April 30, 2008 8:49 AM | Link to this

Is it unlucky we’ve had these injuries? No. We’ve put ourselves in this situation. That’s what you get when you field an old pitching staff. That’s what you get when Escobar bunts, but you don’t stress or practice the art of bunting. That’s what happens when Hampton doesn’t stretch, drink enough fluids, etc… Is it unfortunate that things aren’t going the other way? Maybe, but certainly not unlucky.

Maybe the Braves losing close games or getting injured or not being prepared for injuries is not all luck but luck plays a fairly significant role. Life is never as simple as just “you don’t put yourself in that situation, it won’t happen.” You know, best laid plans and all that.

Also, I don’t get this: So many are fond of saying the Braves don’t practice bunting or Hampton doesn’t stretch or doesn’t drink enough fluids. This seems very ridiculous to me. How in the world does anyone know what the Braves practice? How does anyone know mike Hampton’s fluid intake and what he does to prepare? It would be like someone assuming they know how many English and grammar classed you have taken in your life or your level of education just from your posts on this blog.

SPEED KILLS

Yes. See how fast having on the skill of speed kills Michael Bourn’s career. Remember this prediction: Michael Bourn will be a fourth or fifth outfielder/pinch-runner within two years, if he’s not bouncing from AAA to the bigs or if he even sustains a major league career.

By ManOfTeal

April 30, 2008 8:51 AM | Link to this

I know full-well the history of the Marlins and I can readily spout out players on the team from the 97 team as well as members of the opening day lineup in 1993: Scott Pose, Dave Magadan, Chuck Carr, Brett Barbarie, Jeff Conine, Greg Briley, Junior Felix, Orestas Destrada, Benito Santiago, oh and the opening day starting pitcher was Charlie Hough…..shall I go on or are you getting the gist here?

Trying to give me a Marlins history lesson where none is needed will not change the fact that you failed to mention in your blog about the Marlins leading the NL East and that the Braves are still trailing them by 3 FULL games.

The 97 team did have it’s share of media coverage, however it’s interesting to point out that the only cover I saw the Marlins on in Sports Illustrated that year would be the one from November 3rd 1997 only after they won the World Series.

I also find it interesting that a Marlins has only graced the cover of that magazine two times following that: on November 3rd 2003 only after they again won the World Series that year. The third cover I do not recall the date of off hand but the cover featured Dontrelle Willis.

Go Marlins!!!!

By richbrave

April 30, 2008 8:51 AM | Link to this

WILL THE PILL:

What no caps.??? Still the same old NY fan. The white-coats are after you.

By .

April 30, 2008 8:55 AM | Link to this

cooch, you ignorant kunt, that article you cited was written over a year ago. KJ had barely hit leadoff in the majors when that article was writteh. Yet, you cited it. It’s amazing how dumb you are. But at least you are citing things now and not just plagiarizing entire sections of other people’s thoughts, articles and scouting reports and pretending they are your own thoughts.

Why do you continue to insist JOsh Anderson has a .345 OBP in the minors when his OBP is .338?

And why do you continue to compare what Josh Anderson is doing in the minors to what KJ is doing in the majors? THat’s a moronic statistical comparison. Sadly, however, par for the course with the Cooch.

By AmazinsAgain08

April 30, 2008 9:04 AM | Link to this

The guy with the Wright stuff got us a one run win in the 11th, something youse guys ain’t done yet. 21/2 up and counting. Youse better get going or us ‘n the Philthies are gonna be so far ahead youse’ll get lost in our rearview mirrors. ;-)

By Shaun

April 30, 2008 9:05 AM | Link to this

Cherokee, the qualifying player with the highest OBP last season from the leadoff spot (Hanley Ramirez) had 208 H+BB while hitting leadoff.

Grady Sizemore had 258 H+BB from the leadoff spot (lower OBP than Ramirez because of more PA).

Ichiro had 287 H+BB.

Brian Roberts, 266.

Granderson, 222

These are the elite guys. So I’d say roughly anything above 200 is pretty good. But it also depends on plate appearances and I didn’t factor in HBP, which is why OBP is better to look at obviously.

Kelly Johnson has 131 H+BB in only 358 PA. In 500, that would be about 183. (Ramirez had 526 PA). So Kelly was solid.

By David O'Brien

April 30, 2008 9:05 AM | Link to this

Eric C., great to hear about Jay Powell. As I’m sure you can attest, he’s a class act. Nice as they come. Good to know he’s working with kids.

By KC

April 30, 2008 9:18 AM | Link to this

Interesting talk about Smoltz moving back to the pen…

BUT, I don’t think that should even be considered until we know more about Soriano and Gonzalez.

If either or both can be healthy and sharp… then we don’t need a closer. Certainly it would provide depth in the bullpen to have Smoltz there, BUT…

If Smoltz moves to the pen, we LOSE depth in the rotation, AND we lose our best big game starter (when healthy).

If he can’t hold up to a full season of starting, then I would like to see them go one of two ways:

1 - Put Smoltz back in the pen in a middle relief capacity for the next few months, carefully limiting his innings and number of appearances. Then, sometime in mid-August… put him on an every-fifth-day schedule, and slowly start stretching him out again to rejoin the rotation in September.

2 - Shut him down entirely for the next 2 to 3 months and have him ready for September and October.

The goal here isn’t merely to get back to the post-season… it’s to win a World Series. And our best chances of seeing that happen are with Smoltz in the rotation.

No matter what the Braves do with him over the next 4 months, we need him in the rotation come October.

By richbrave

April 30, 2008 9:21 AM | Link to this

DOWN ON THE FARM

Bad news here in tobacco city. Durham’s hospitality was nowhere to be found as JoJO REYES had a very rough outing. Only lasted 2 innings, giving up 4 hits, 2 runs both earned, 2 BB, and 1 SO in an R-Braves loss to the Bulls on the road. I have no idea what this does to REYES’ return to the big-time. Can’t help, but I suppose everyone has a bad start on occasion.

By Shaun

April 30, 2008 9:29 AM | Link to this

KC, that’s an interesting thought. I wonder if the Braves and Smoltz would be willing to go with Smoltz in the bullpen for a while then have him return to the rotation for a possible sprint to the finish.

I’m guessing Wren is working the phones hard for another starter and/or reliever given all the pitching injuries. Maybe Smoltz’s role could depend on if they acquire another pitcher and whom they acquire for what role.

By Shaun

April 30, 2008 9:38 AM | Link to this

Read the following article and notice who’s name isn’t even mentioned.

Coach, did you see when the article was written? “Updated: April 25, 2007”

Johnson had played all of 87 games in the bigs and got all of 3 starts as a leadoff hitter to that point. He also had missed the entire previous season.

By brent a.

April 30, 2008 9:41 AM | Link to this

Do I have this order of operations down correctly?

Someone on this blog asks DOB if he’ll ask Smoltz about potentially returning to the bullpen.

DOB asks Smoltz that question in a phone interview last night.

Smoltz says “yes”, he would consider it.

It becomes a story on the AJC, and ESPN.

Pretty neat, if that’s what actually happened.

By Murph

April 30, 2008 9:42 AM | Link to this

What flavor kool aid was Dave O’Brien drinking.

According to him there are no concerns with Tim Hudson, Glavine and Smoltz will make 30 starts, and the bullpen is good with the potential to be great.

By David O'Brien

April 30, 2008 9:42 AM | Link to this

RichBrave, they probably pulled him after two because he had a low pitch limit due to the expected callup to start for the Braves on Saturday.

Chuck’s the other option, but word around the clubhouse yesterday was that Jo-Jo was penciled in for the start.

And four hits/two runs isn’t bad enough to get a guy pulled after two innings if there wasn’t another reason to make the move.

By BT

April 30, 2008 9:42 AM | Link to this

DOB,

Interview on 680 did not make me feel great about Hampton’s confidence right now. Can you elaborate?

By brent a.

April 30, 2008 9:45 AM | Link to this

On radio last night, Pete Van Wieren and Chip Caray were discussing the Braves’ poor approach at the plate, focusing especially on the 8th inning.

That inning, down by 3 runs, Teixeira, McCann, and Francoeur saw a total of 7 pitches.

Van Wieren noted that even if you’re a good, first-pitch, fastball hitter, pitchers will begin to take note if you are overly-aggressive, and will quit starting you off with first pitch strikes.

Van Wieren noted that when a team is down, especially in late innings, a team needs to adjust its approach, work the count, try to draw walks, etc.

By STRETCH

April 30, 2008 9:46 AM | Link to this

Face it, management rolled the dice and crapped out.

1. Two 40 plus pitchers.

2. Another that hasnt and might NOT take the mound for the 3rd straight year

3. One with an arsenal of TWO pitches(James).

4. A rookie(who is actually pretty good).

5. Hudson - just dont know what you are gonna get.

6. The bullpen? Wow! Gonzales was hurt when they traded for him. Moylan - bummer for the guy. Soriano, might not ever be the same. Boyer???? Go figure.

The Braves are still very early in the season, but if they want to win anything, they have to be smarter at the plate and get faster. This team is TOO talented to play like this, hopefully they will get it together.

By N8**Don't**H8

April 30, 2008 9:48 AM | Link to this

Top of the Morning, Y’all!!!

Sunshine and Butterflies for EVERYONE!!

What a GREAT day!!!

L8r.

By Efrim

April 30, 2008 9:49 AM | Link to this

I really hope Frank Wren doesn’t do anything drastic like trading for Joe Blanton.

By Cherokee

April 30, 2008 9:52 AM | Link to this

Cherokee, the qualifying player with the highest OBP last season from the leadoff spot (Hanley Ramirez) had 208 H+BB while hitting leadoff.

Grady Sizemore had 258 H+BB from the leadoff spot (lower OBP than Ramirez because of more PA).

Ichiro had 287 H+BB.

Brian Roberts, 266.

Granderson, 222Shaun

I was talking hits plus walks at around 250+ or so for a full season. You have to take both into consideration. Some get it done mostly with hits , some like Kelly last season took advantage of his walks to keep his onbase totals high. Last season Kelly certainly ranked in the top onbase leadoff guys in baseball for the amount he led off.. He has not done as well this season so far but the odds say he will improve.

I can understand some poster’s desire to use someone else at least until Kelly picks it up, but like some others I see Yunel/Kelly as the most likely to have the highest OBP of those that I consider reasonable leadoff candidates over the entire season. For instance I do not think Matty is a viable hitter in either slot. Maybe Prado or Blanco could do well, but I like fulltime players in the front two-thirds of the lineup if possible. If it is going to be Kelly and Yunel then Kelly should definitely lead off.

Those posters who throw around stats based on a hundred or so atbats are simply not up on what stats are all about and their limitations. I really don’t care all that much but N8 and Coach and a few others ranting constantly about it when we have no influence anyway gets old after awhile.

By N8

April 30, 2008 9:52 AM | Link to this

Coach

You can ignore me all you want. But it appears as though you could use a friend these days, and I’ve agreed with DAMN NEAR everything you’ve said lately.

As Darth Vader once said…

“Join me, and together we can rule the galaxy….”

Anyhow, L8r.

By brent a.

April 30, 2008 9:56 AM | Link to this

correction to 9:45 AM post:

the Braves were down 4, not 3

By Cherokee

April 30, 2008 9:58 AM | Link to this

Bad news here in tobacco city. Durham’s hospitality was nowhere to be found as JoJO REYES had a very rough outing. Only lasted 2 innings, giving up 4 hits, 2 runs both earned, 2 BB, and 1 SO in an R-Braves loss to the Bulls on the road. I have no idea what this does to REYES’ return to the big-time. Can’t help, but I suppose everyone has a bad start on occasion.Richbrave

I think his problem is mental and I’m not certain but that he needs to see John’s old shrink. Just hearing that he might be in the bigs again soon muddled his head. The guy has decent stuff, but will he ever accomplish much in the majors?

By Cody

April 30, 2008 10:02 AM | Link to this

I have read that some fans believe that Smoltz should be put in the pen for long relief until the end of the season. I think he is done as a starter and is willing to move back to the closers role becuase that will benefit him and the team better. If he moves back this year and gets signed again next year to close that would be 200 saves and 200+ wins. That my friends calls in his automatic bid to Cooperstown. The Braves bullpen needs to be lights out the rest of the way. Having Smoltz as the closer, Sorieano as the setup (role he performs better in) and Gonzalez in the 7th inning spot the Bravos will have a better chance to win than they do now. I also think that if Smoltz does move back to the pen the Braves WILL trade for a good starting pitcher. They are in a win now mode and will not settle for a Reyes, James, Carlye or Bennett to fill in the lost production of Smoltz. Lets face it the Braves arn’t going to pay smoltz big money to pitch in long relief role. I see the Braves possibly going for Oswalt, Blanton, Kasmir (iF THE RAYS FEEL THEY CAN’T SIGN HIM, PLUS BRAVES WOULD HAVE TO LOCK HIM UP LONG TERM BEFORE RELEASING PROSPECTS, I also think atlanta could swing a deal for Holiday from toronto if the Jays fall on hard time. There are many options the Braves could go with due to the depth of the prospect. You could use the following in a deal (Lillbridge, Schafer, B. Jones, Diaz (Blanco could easily play everyday), Pena, Gotay, K. Johnson (could build the deal around him). The Braves can use prado and Infante. Face it Johnson is not a lead-off hitter and until Bobby moves Escobar up and drop Kelly the Braves will alway struggle to score runs.

By Cody

April 30, 2008 10:02 AM | Link to this

I have read that some fans believe that Smoltz should be put in the pen for long relief until the end of the season. I think he is done as a starter and is willing to move back to the closers role becuase that will benefit him and the team better. If he moves back this year and gets signed again next year to close that would be 200 saves and 200+ wins. That my friends calls in his automatic bid to Cooperstown. The Braves bullpen needs to be lights out the rest of the way. Having Smoltz as the closer, Sorieano as the setup (role he performs better in) and Gonzalez in the 7th inning spot the Bravos will have a better chance to win than they do now. I also think that if Smoltz does move back to the pen the Braves WILL trade for a good starting pitcher. They are in a win now mode and will not settle for a Reyes, James, Carlye or Bennett to fill in the lost production of Smoltz. Lets face it the Braves arn’t going to pay smoltz big money to pitch in long relief role. I see the Braves possibly going for Oswalt, Blanton, Kasmir (iF THE RAYS FEEL THEY CAN’T SIGN HIM, PLUS BRAVES WOULD HAVE TO LOCK HIM UP LONG TERM BEFORE RELEASING PROSPECTS, I also think atlanta could swing a deal for Holiday from toronto if the Jays fall on hard time. There are many options the Braves could go with due to the depth of the prospect. You could use the following in a deal (Lillbridge, Schafer, B. Jones, Diaz (Blanco could easily play everyday), Pena, Gotay, K. Johnson (could build the deal around him). The Braves can use prado and Infante. Face it Johnson is not a lead-off hitter and until Bobby moves Escobar up and drop Kelly the Braves will alway struggle to score runs.

By Poster From AnotherBoard

April 30, 2008 10:22 AM | Link to this

Yeah, I didn’t expect much from the starting staff after they

signed Glavine back, because that obviously left us dealing with

him, Smoltz and Hampton, all with substantial contracts for

this year, and nothing to do with them if/when they couldn’t pitch.

It may turn out that Glavine is the best of the bunch and that’s

sorta scary.

Considering his age and experience, JJurrgens seems to the an

acorn the blind hog Braves were looking for, but he is only one.

I don’t know what they could have done, they couldnt do much

about Smoltz and Hampton because of existing contracts. But

I was pretty disappointed when they signed Glavine instead of

trying to work in another young guy who could be major league.

It usually takes time at the ML level for a pitcher, that has been

proven over and over and over. Even with Smoltz, Glavine and

Maddux. So while not particularly dissing Glavine as being nothing,

I was simply hoping they would go ahead and start working on

that aspect of younging up the staff. Common sense should tell

us that this starting staff would probably be just about what it has

been so far, aches and pains, ins and outs. I guess there is always

some hope they will somehow win more than they lose, have some

good streaks and such, but I don’t see any chance of consistency

with this staff. Just one ache and pain after another and another

excuse and more days of anticipation of when one or the other will

“return” to the staff. It’s very difficult for me to really be sincere in

making a statement that they will become contenders with what they

have under contract, contracts from which there is little retreat for

this season anyway.

We can blame the pen for some of the failures of course, all teams

can. That’s why they are the pen as Nolie likes to say. But when the

starting bunch requires that many innings by them to finish a game,

I don’t see that as good. And though it means nothing, I was pretty

sure that it would turn out this way, just common sense more than

anything.

Being as honest as I can about things, I get sorta tired of reading the

pundits predictions about this one or that one, when in reality, their

chance of being an immediate impact player in the Major’s is very slim.

The Braves are top heavy with contracts for those three pitchers, not

to mention Hudson, and Tex and Chipper, they have little room for

experimentation. And when that is over, the experimentation is likely

to be painful to watch for some time. Right now, I see them with about

three position youngsters who might be worth their salt for the future, those being Francouer, McCann and Escobar. As for the pitching, I see only

Jurrgens at this point, and maybe Hudson for a couple/three more years.

Unfortunately, the glory days of Glavine, Smoltz and Maddux are over,

and now we are more like the rest of the bunch than we have been

in the past 15 years. Their 14 titles may have involved a lot of people,

but mostly, it was those three pitchers for many of them, in some form

anyway. I believe one of the reasons the Braves managed to stay

semi-competitive since the breakup of that trio is mainly due to a

couple of good players like Chipper, and some bad competitiors in

the East.

Nowdays, I just watch, accept the good when it happens,

not surprised by the bad when it happens. But honestly, the

pretense of this team being anything special has long since

passed for me. I’m not even going to use the proverbial “we’ll

see”, because I think we probably already know. We’ll see. <

By Overlord

April 30, 2008 10:25 AM | Link to this

Come on Shaun, this time I wont support your point. KJ is a solid player, but nowhere near what a solid leadoff hitter should be.

Please just stop it, stop the numbers serenade (which are not good).

Im not against KJ, he surely can help the Braves, Im against Cox. He is one of those old grandpas that is not able to accept his plan didnt work and he is 100% he will show everybody he was right, just as he did with AJ, letting him hit cleanup forever. Torre has showed 50% of you bloggers that he is not even a 6th hitter.

Cox is so dumb, that if TEX was not in Braves uniform, AJ and his .165 BA would still be hitting 4th in atlanta.

AB 87

GP 23

BA .241 (10 among 2B)

OBP .323 (10th among 2B)

SLG .407 (7th among 2B)

OPS .726 (8th among 2B)

SB 3 (8th among 2B)

HR 4 (3rd among 2B and there are 1 with 4HR and 6 with 3HR)

RBI 12 (tied 7th)

2B 2(tied for 23th)

3B 0 (tied for 11th, 10 2b have at least 1 3B)

H 21 (tied for 11th among 2b)

BB 11 (tied 6th)

K 14 (tied for 6th worst)

Yeah, yeah yeah, its only april. Come on.

The best KJ is ranking among 2B is walking (6TH). Please.

You keep saying he has lots of pop. Is that right? How come he is 7th in SLG among 2B?

3 SB??? Yeah right, he is a threat to run.

Power? well, he is only 3rd and there are 7 2bd baseman tied or 1 HR behind him.

You be the judge, theres a lot ground for him to cover in order to be among the best 2B.

You think if comparing him with other leadoff hitter thing will be better? I dont think so.

Yunel is the clear option leading off. Guess Cox will need until august to realize that and get him out of there.

Things will not get better, pressure will rise on him and his offense will only go down. Get the kid out of there before he ends up with a subpar season.

By Overlord

April 30, 2008 10:33 AM | Link to this

What about defense??? .955 FPCt, dead last, not in the NL but in MLB among 2B.

By Cherokee

April 30, 2008 10:36 AM | Link to this

Coach

You can ignore me all you want. But it appears as though you could use a friend these days, and I’ve agreed with DAMN NEAR everything you’ve said lately. N*

Man oh man are you getting desperate or what, Nate? I’m not sure what to think about that duo. You need to proposition BobbysCox too while you’re at it.That would make it the unholy trinity at least.Maybe get Chaseand Overlord in there too? Go for it dude, The Emotion Brothers appearing live right here on our very own DOB AJC blog.Mindshattering! :-)

By McFann

April 30, 2008 10:46 AM | Link to this

brent a.—

I’m with Pete Van Wieren all the way. These guys need to take some pitches and quit being so trigger-happy with their bats. Two of those outs (Tex’s and Francoeur’s) were foul pop-outs. If there’s one thing I can’t stand, it’s foul pop-outs!

.107 and counting. C’mon, let’s pick up the slack! (Afternoon game today.)

By Robert (Chipper Is The Best)

April 30, 2008 10:47 AM | Link to this

DOB, if Smoltz is serious about moving back to the pen, would Soriano possibly move into the rotation?

By DAP

April 30, 2008 11:02 AM | Link to this

theres alot of anger on the board over night. obviously, some of us are upset about the way the braves are playing. i wish they would just start winning. that would fix everything.

smoltz going to the bullpen? i dont really like it, but if that the only way for him to contribute, then so be it. personally, i think he is too important to this team as a starter to do it, but if thats his only option….

he will still make a great closer, i believe.

but the braves closer isnt even close to why this team is losing. i dont think weve lost a lead in this 9th all year…its hard to put your finger on just one thing.. they seem to be losing as a team. not enough offesne, bullpen letting it get away, guys not being patient, ect. this sux.

By Efrim

April 30, 2008 11:15 AM | Link to this

As unlucky as the Braves have been, closer has not been the problem at all. It may be over time though. I still point to the schedule. I think we have already played the Nats like 8 times? Marlins 5 times? Pirates 3 times? 15 of our first 27 games are against competition that is usually terrible by NL standards.

By KC

April 30, 2008 11:28 AM | Link to this

Shaun: I’m not holding out much hope of either of my suggestions happening.

I think they will either keep him in the rotation, and just look to get what they can out of him… and probably take it real easy on him toward the end of the season if possible to get him ready for October if the Braves can make it there.

If they move him to the pen, they’ll likely keep him there. I hope that doesn’t happen unless Hampton is healthy, and we’re absolutely desperate for a closer.

By Capt. Caveman (the original dawg)

April 30, 2008 11:32 AM | Link to this

Coach is a MORON

I just laugh at him. He not only cut&paste’s his post from somewhere else, but he will also conveniently leave out parts of the article to make it’s meaning sound different.

He’s like the video editor’s from Big Brother, Survivor, and TMZ. Just put in the parts that make the subject look bad and me look good and act like the rest of the facts just don’t exist.

He probably has all of these article’s saved on his hard drive so he can do it faster and make himself appear smarter. He will also take any comment you make WWAAAYY out of context and harp on it like a 2-yr old pitching a fit. He wants you to get frustrated with his lack of logic and child-like attitude and say something of the top of your head that he can take literally and out-of-context and turn the words around on you.

Like my granddad used to say : “If you wrestle with a pig your going to get dirty, it’s just that the pig likes it.”

By Robert (Chipper Is The Best)

April 30, 2008 11:32 AM | Link to this

No, closer hasn’t been an issue but the issue is Smoltz. If he can’t go more than 4 or 5 innings then he is no good to the bullpen. That is another guy not going deep into games and taxing the bullpen. He would be better served in the closer role with either Soriano moving into the rotation or becoming the setup guy.

Once Gonzales comes back to Braves could use him, Smoltz, Soriano, and Acosta as the best late inning relief corp in the majors. The Braves could literally shorten games to five innings. Acosta pitches the 6th; Gonzales the 7th: Soriano the 8th; and Smoltz the 9th. That would lessen the need to bring in Resop and Ring and I think we can all agree the less they pitch the better.

By McFann

April 30, 2008 11:38 AM | Link to this

re: Closer

The Braves are 4 for 5 in save opportunities. The weird thing is that they’ve only had five save situations. So that means 8 out of their 12 wins have been by a pretty good amount of runs. While it’s OK that they cann score lots of runs there, it stinks because they either blow some team away (like 10-2), or the team blows them away. There is hardly ever such a thing as a meaningless run, but why can’t they score their little 3 or 4 runs when the other team scores 2, and score their 10 runs when the other team scores 6?

BTW—How many times do you suppose a team has had back-to-back loses by the same score? The Braves’ last two loses were by a score of 6-3. And then there’s Friday, where they won 6-3.

By David-ATL14

April 30, 2008 11:38 AM | Link to this

Hampton with 1BB and 3K’s through one inning this morning for Richmond.

By McFann

April 30, 2008 11:43 AM | Link to this

Gonzalez, Acosta, Soriano, and Smoltz…Oooo! What a bullpen that would be!! That would be Sa-WEET!!

By DAP

April 30, 2008 11:47 AM | Link to this

Robert (Chipper id the Best)

i dont like the “shorten the game to 5 innings” approach. we did that last year, and it didnt work out. it turned into an overtaxed and eventually injured bullpen.

i understand what your saying, and it would be a good way to lock up games, but if we take out who has been one of our most effective starters, we might not get to the bullpen with a lead very much.

if smoltz CAN start, id rather him start. if hes a 1 inning per type of guy now, than thats how we will have to use him, but i wouldnt put him there unless we HAD to for his sake.

this is depressing. this DOES feel like august ‘07. sigh

By ernesto

April 30, 2008 11:49 AM | Link to this

So we account for 40% of the Nats wins.

Hard to put a shine on that turd.

By greg

April 30, 2008 11:54 AM | Link to this

Gonzalez, Smoltz, Acosta, Soriano would be sweet at the end of the game. Of course, that means a rotation of Hudson, Glavine, Jurrjjens, and two guys to be named later. If Hudson comes back to form, it could work. If not, it would be an unmitigated disaster.

By nolie

April 30, 2008 11:54 AM | Link to this

Gonzalez, Acosta, Soriano, and Smoltz…Oooo! What a bullpen that would be!! That would be Sa-WEET!!McFann

If Moylan were only healthy too, The starter goes 3,Boyer,Acosta,Moylan,Soriano,Gonzales and Scoltz. ;-)

By John Tienken

April 30, 2008 11:57 AM | Link to this

DOB

I heard during the broadcast last night that Moylan threw off flat ground yesterday. How does he feel? Any more word on his status going forward?

By Lew

April 30, 2008 12:01 PM | Link to this

KC-I just don’t see them putting Smoltz in the pen on a temporarty basis and then stretching him back out to start. Just doesn’t make sense. Think of the issues Smoltz claims to have with the warming up continuously vs. the routine of starting. I just don’t see him being happy or comfortable doing both. It will be an either/or situation-not both. I don’t see him as a middle reliever at all.

I think it’s time to explore obtaining another starter. Smoltzie’s career as a starter ain’t looking like a good long term bet-not even for this season-and I really don’t see him coming back in 09. I see a 2013 HOF induction.

By JasonInMaine

April 30, 2008 12:03 PM | Link to this

Robert (CITB),

I was wondering the same thing regarding Soriano being streteched out as a starter. With his elbow barking, it probably isn’t a possibility this year, but I wonder if they would consider it next year?

By THE BEAR

April 30, 2008 12:04 PM | Link to this

I have been listening to the Richmond/Durham game with Hampton on the mound. Through three innings he has given up no runs, a walk and two hard hit balls, one for a double and the other a hot grounder for a single.

His fast balls topped out at 89mph. So far so good.

By Tom in NYC

April 30, 2008 12:05 PM | Link to this

Count me in as one of the one’s who will be very dissapointed if Smoltz is moved to closer. I mean, he’s our top starter right now, the rotation is pretty much average without him in it and I don’t see us contending without him in the rotation.

However, if Smoltz is no longer to be a starter due to his injuries, I’d be happy with him as closer to prolong his career. I just don’t think it’s good for our postseason prospects though.

By Efrim

April 30, 2008 12:11 PM | Link to this

Lew

Who should we trade for? Joe Blanton? Not with the A’s doing as well as they have been. And I am not a Blanton fan anyhow.

I think the Braves just need to ride it out until June 1st. So many people were saying that the Mets and Phillies weren’t going to run away with the division. Why trade prospects for a starter on April 30th? Let’s wait a month then start to explore what is out there.

By Robert (Chipper Is The Best)

April 30, 2008 12:13 PM | Link to this

Dap, I would prefer Smoltz be in the rotation too. However, we all need to come to realization that I think Smoltz has come to. And, that is that he is near the end of the line. His shoulder, arm, and elbow just can’t handle the stress of throwing 100 pitches every four days anymore.

The writing may be on the wall. At this point he is more of a hinderance to the team in the rotation than he is in the bullpen. In the pen he is an asset. It pains me to say that but the truth is the truth.

By Lew

April 30, 2008 12:17 PM | Link to this

Nathan-Sunshine and butterflies? Dude, sounds like you took too much of that Orange Sunshine and are hallucinating the butterflies. I don’t know about the Dakotas, but Vermont is cloudy and snowing. The butterflies froze and not even the hallucinogenics are helping today.

By nybravesfan

April 30, 2008 12:20 PM | Link to this

not again hampton…

By 22oz

April 30, 2008 12:20 PM | Link to this

Hampton leaves game in bottom of 4th with a 0-1 count after 71 pitches. The trainer came to the mound and took him out, that can’t be good.

By N8

April 30, 2008 12:20 PM | Link to this

Cherokee

I’m NOT desperate for Coach’s attention.

If you’ve been paying attention, at some point this spring, he WENT OFF on me (I don’t even remember what I typed to pizz him off), but he informed me that I will be put on PERMANENT IGNORE for the entire season.

So similar to the scene in Dumb and Dumber, when Lloyd tries convincing Harry that he can get him to gamble by the end of their road-trip (while Harry takes him up on that bet), I’m just trying to get a reaction from Coach.

Essentially seeing how long he can actually ignore me. Apparently, he’s not having any trouble with it.

That being said, I have agreed with most of what he’s been saying about KJ in the lead-off spot.

If that makes me desperate, so be it.

By mr baseball

April 30, 2008 12:21 PM | Link to this

Does anybody at the AJC pay attention to the headlines on the web site? According to the 2 headlines on last night’s game, the Nats beat Glavine. Is it that hard to distinguish between a team losing and the starting pitcher not being involved in the decision? Guess they were too busy to read even a few paragraphs of the story or check the box score.

On another topic…. the biggest waste of time on this blog is arguing with the alleged Coach. It’s like arguing politics with Sean Hannity. Both made up their minds about everything they think years ago, and simply rattle off the same old garbage over and over (or borrow someone else’s observations) with no concerns about accuracy, logic or context.

In the future, when referring to our favorite all-knowing blogger, to save time, let’s just refer to him as YAI (Your And Idiot), if we have to refer to him at all.

By N8

April 30, 2008 12:26 PM | Link to this

Lew

Your 12:01 is spot on.

I think when it’s all said and done, Smoltz knows his body. He knows how he can (if he can) help this team in some way, shape or form.

Ultimately, Bobby will more than likely allow Smoltz to decide how he wants to help this team.

I think he’s earned that.

By parks

April 30, 2008 12:27 PM | Link to this

*SIAP Somebody one Shanks blog saying Hampton left his rehab start hurt in the 4th *

By AZBravoFan

April 30, 2008 12:27 PM | Link to this

uh oh. For those not listening to the Richmond game, Hampton just came off the mound with the trainer in the middle of the 4th. No report yet. Here we go again…

By N8

April 30, 2008 12:32 PM | Link to this

Lew

As for the sunshine and butterflies, I know that you recognize a heavy dose of sarcasm when you see it.

Our weather has been fantastic. Temps in the 60’s. I’ve been wearing shorts and flip-flops for 2 weeks. But I don’t stop wearing shorts and flip-flops until the first time I have to dig out the snow-blower.

GASP!!!

I’m listening to Colin Cowherd on ESPN radio and he just said that the Braves are a mediocre team.

How dare he make such a claim! Doesn’t he know it’s still early?

By Kev

April 30, 2008 12:34 PM | Link to this

And news from Mike Hampton:

The trainer went to the mound on a 0-1 count and then Hampton leaves the game with 71 pitches and NO im not joking(go to Milb and check it out)….HERE WE GO AGAIN…SAME THING…the havent said what was it,why did he leave but they said he was talking to the media…i just hope he can make his last rehab start….

By Efrim

April 30, 2008 12:35 PM | Link to this

You can really only laugh with Hampton.

Seriously though, I feel terrible for the guy.

So if Hampton is then sidelined again- our rotation is Hudson, Glavine, Jurrjens, James and Reyes for the next month or so? With Blaine Boyer, Will Ohman and Manny Acosta at the back end of the bullpen……

Go Braves…….

sigh…..

By Lew

April 30, 2008 12:36 PM | Link to this

Efrim-I don’t know-Blanton might be OK (decent 2 or 3 guy?) and I don’t think the A’s will contend in the long term, anyway. I don’t think they would be adverse to working something out. However, I’m sure there are other possibilities out there we would never even think of-that’s how it usually works.

Why not start looking now? June 1 is only a month away and I have the feeling we may need another starter then as much-if not more-than we do now.

Begin the process. If we work it right, we have our staff that much further along for 09, as well-a staff of Hudson, Whomever, Jurrjens and James is a good start-especially if Reyes develops and Hanson continues his progress, too.

Yes, we’re a bit over a barrel and most trade partners will recognize this, but we have the trade pieces in the farm system to make something significant happen, without giving up Hanson, Rohrbough, Heyward, or Shaefer.

By H-Ram

April 30, 2008 12:38 PM | Link to this

Here we GO AGAIN with Mike Hampton…why we just release the guy….like the Pirates did with Matt Morris…hes not going to pitch again…your going to pay him the money anyways..just a waste of time….release him if his injured AGAIN!!!!

By David O'Brien

April 30, 2008 12:38 PM | Link to this

NEW BLOG IS UP

By TennesseePaul

April 30, 2008 12:40 PM | Link to this

Lew: I think it’s time to explore obtaining another starter.

About time you’ve come around to this. Just keep in mind, the pickings are slim right now, and what pickings are available are more than likely going to require a large chunk of those young pitchers and players you weren’t willing to trade just 5 months ago.

By DAP

April 30, 2008 12:41 PM | Link to this

i would rather just never hear hampton’s name again than him continue to try and come back and keep getting hurt. gosh im sick of him.

is he really hurt? i see no other reason to take him out in the middle of an at-bat.

By Overlord

April 30, 2008 12:47 PM | Link to this

Nice to hear good news (Hampton, sarcasm), Im getting used to it, skin getting thicker.

Anyone with more good news for the Braves???

Thanks god “Its still early”.

By carmatter

April 30, 2008 1:16 PM | Link to this

I’m at the Rbraves game. I couldn’t see anything on the pitch, but the trainer came out and it was an injury replacement. Chuckie came in and has given 3 strong innings.

By nolie

April 30, 2008 1:21 PM | Link to this

Efrim-I don’t know-Blanton might be OK (decent 2 or 3 guy?) and I don’t think the A’s will contend in the long term, anyway. I don’t think they would be adverse to working something out.Lew

I don’t really want Blanton. His numbers are not that good and he pitches in a pitcher’s park more so than the Ted for the most part. Lots of hits and relatively few Ks makes fot a dicey situation as most pitchers get older.

By monty

April 30, 2008 1:38 PM | Link to this

Let’s all be honest, the Braves have enough talent to compete for the Eastern Title even with all the injuries. THe other teams have had their share of injuries too. THat is just where the game is right now, this day and age. THe Braves have 3 every day position players who are legitimate All-stars,(Chipper, Tex, and Mccann) and one on the rise in Eunell. THat is as many as the other teams have. So, what is the problem? THat’s what we all are trying to put our finger on. Obviously we all have our opinions, some better than others. But what I don’t see is heart in this team, the drive or ablity to rise to the occassion. Chipper has more than the rest but even his numbers aren’t great with runners on late in the game. Did anyone doubt that Zimmerman was going to come through for the Nats last night? I didn’t. I was wishing we would walk him with the bases loaded, so they would only get one run. Chipper came up late with a chance to do something, but they pitched around him to get to Tex, who did nothing. Some players play better when the pressure is off, they relax and hit homeruns and pad their stats but they fold in the clutch.I’m afraid we have a few too many players like that.