AJC > Sports > Braves > Blog > Archives > 2008 > May > 16 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USComing home at the perfect time
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
So, where is the longest home stand of the season when you need one? Ah, right here. Eleven games at Turner Field, including one extra with the doubleheader Tuesday vs. the Mets. Haven from the 2-5 road trip, the 6-16 road record and whatever plane food, hotel beds and uncomfortable suits seems to be doing to the Braves.
They get to come home to the best winning percentage at home in the majors 14-4 (.778), where they have won their last seven in a row, including a perfect 6-0 homestand. But then again, this is not the Padres and Reds.
This is the Oakland A’s for three games, the Mets for four and the Diamondbacks for four, the team with the best record in baseball. Yes the A’s come in pretty cold, in the midst of a 1-5 road trip to Texas and Cleveland, losing three of those by shutout. But they also have the second-best overall ERA in the American League at 3.32.
And a random perusal of the stats page tells me Braves pitchers should watch out for Emil Brown. He is hitting .468 with runners in scoring position, which leads the American League and came in with 33 RBIs, third in the American League.
INTERLEAGUE PLAY: Today starts the first wave of interleague play, and it feels like it kind of sneaked up on us, doesn’t it? You remember last year? When Chipper Jones got a little up-in-arms about the unfairness of the interleague schedule?
The Braves probably had the toughest interleague schedule last year with six games against eventual World Series champion Boston, and three-game series against Detroit, Minnesota and Cleveland, another playoff team. Only Minnesota was sub-.500 at the time. The Braves went 4-11. Yowza.
Chipper should be a little happier with things this year, with the Braves and the rest of the NL East playing mostly AL West opponents, with some natural rivalries mixed in. Only the Braves have no Boston this year, however natural or unnatural that rivalry was.
For only the second time in 12 years of interleague play, the Braves won’t face the Red Sox. Bummer for Boston fans in the area, but something tells me the Braves won’t miss it.
The Braves have three games each vs. Oakland, the Angels (Los Angeles of Anaheim, yeah, yeah), Texas, Seattle and Toronto. That’s one first-place team (right now the Angels). Toronto is fourth in the AL East (Tampa is first now? Yankees last? Work that one through. I’m still trying.)
Let’s have a look around the rest of the NL East, shall we?
Mets go Yankees for six games, Texas, Angels, Seattle.
Phillies go Toronto, Boston, Angels, Oakland, Texas.
Marlins go six games with Tampa Bay, Kansas City, Seattle, Oakland.
Nats are the team that’s got 18 games this year. They go six with Baltimore, Minnesota, Seattle, Texas, Angels.
So I gotta go advantage Braves here, especially if this Tampa pitching staff is for real. That used to be a big advantage for Florida to play the (not-Devil) Rays. We’ll see how it plays out.
Not sure how many purists we have out there, but I don’t mind interleague play so much. Gives us cool things to write about from time-to-time like Huddy facing his former team tomorrow night. But by all means, stir it up, if you need to vent on the subject for a few.
WHEN IN ROME: And lastly, from the farm. I went up to Rome on Wednesday to take in the young Jason Heyward for a story I’m doing for Sunday. And wouldn’t you know a 13-inning game broke out? Good thing it started at 10:30 a.m. Yes, 10:30 a.m.
It was some a school-kids special, and they brought them by the bus load. It all worked well and good, with a crowd screaming like it was the Jonas Brothers (Isn’t that right? Hey, I’d never heard of them until the NHL All-Star game stuff here.) Right up until they had to leave before the game ended, presumably because they had to get back to school and be picked up by their parents. So then it went to dead quiet. Weird. But a very nice ballpark.
Ashamed to say it’s taken me so long to get up there, and good to see some ol’ pals from the Macon Braves.
Oh and a shout-out to the PA guy Eddie Brock, who told me he was a blog reader. We get around, don’t we, denizens?
But the whole point was to tell you a little about what I learned about Heyward. At least the stuff I didn’t put in my story for Sunday (see more teasing).
Heading into the weekend, he was leading the Rome Braves with .365 average, had four home runs, 19 RBIs and eight stolen bases.
The batting average is exactly what the Braves want to see, and for all the talk about the Henry County kid’s raw power, they don’t mind seeing no more than four home runs yet.
“His power is going to come,” said Frank Wren, who was up there watching the Rome Braves a good bit this week. “I don’t see him as a power hitter today. That’s not to say he doesn’t have power. I think he’s a good balanced hitter, and hopefully he’ll continue to have that approach. I think too many times kids want to be a power hitter. If he keeps a good solid approach, he’s strong enough that his home runs are going to come when he makes good contact, not when he tries to hit home runs.”
What’s impressive is what Jason had to say on the subject. Listen in:
“That’s never been me, all power,” he said. “I’ve always put average first and everything else comes with it. If it goes out, it goes out. I always try to do what the situation calls for.”
As for any impending plans to move him to first base, they’re not in the works. He’s playing right field every day in Rome, though he actually played center the day I was there because C.J. Lee has a broken orbital bone.
“I think he’s too good of an athlete and does too many things well out there to take him away from that,” Wren said. “Being a big strong power corner outfielder that can run and throw like he does, that’s tough to find as well. You can find first basemen. You can’t find athletes that can do all the things he does.”
Jason, being the young man he is, wouldn’t buck a move. I gather he played a little first base as a kid, a little in high school and some in East Cobb.
“If they call me up tomorrow - I’m saying for example, in general - and they tell me to play first base or left field, I’m going to go to either one,” Heyward said. “Me being left-handed, those are the only positions I can play- three outfield positions and first base. Wherever they need me I’m going.”
The Rome Braves lost 8-7 that day - they seem to have caught a little of their parent club’s one-run bugaboo - and Jason was 1-for-6 at the plate with an RBI. Hit a couple balls hard, but didn’t have the best day to show for it. And he was surely tired after the game. But he was a good sport to sit down and chat for a while. Sure you’ll be hearing more from him as we go.
Other tidbits, I don’t believe 17-year-old Colombian sensation Julio Teheran, a RHP, is there yet. Not that I saw or was told or now see on the roster. I asked Jose Martinez (assistant director of international scouting) about him and he said he was doing well in extended spring.
Former first-round pick Cody Johnson is back to having some strikeout issues. Through Thursday he had 65 strikeouts in 139 at-bats. He was also leading the team with five home runs.
In rookie ball in 2006 in the Gulf Coast League, Johnson had 49 strikeouts in 114 at-bats, while hitting .184. He rebounded to have a great year last year in Danville, hitting .305 with 17 homers and 57 RBIs in 63 games, while holding the strikeouts to 72 in 243 at-bats.
Meantime, back to the big league boys in a couple of hours. I would expect Chipper Jones back in the lineup. Will keep you posted on that and more.
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Comments
By Cody
May 16, 2008 12:10 PM | Link to this
first!!!! yea
By Salty
May 16, 2008 12:14 PM | Link to this
Well…I guess for the Frenchy bashers out there, it’s assuring to know Heyward may be ready before Frenchy’s arb-eligible.
Nice job, Ms. Rogers!
By TJ
May 16, 2008 12:19 PM | Link to this
Good stuff, Carroll. I’m looking forward to seeing Oakland. Interesting - the 2 starters they got in the Dan Haren deal, Smith and Eveland, and pitching just as well as Haren (not saying they’re as good, but so far…).
btw, what’s with the notice at the bottom of the blog:
Commenting is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. M-F
Has this always been there and I just missed it, or is there a new policy?
By Lee
May 16, 2008 12:24 PM | Link to this
I can take or leave interleague play. It is not a big issue with me. The majority of fans seem to enjoy it; so it is what it is.
By FloridaBrave
May 16, 2008 12:27 PM | Link to this
Exactly, you learn to hit balls to all fields before you learn to turn on balls and juice them out of the yard. I ‘m excited about Heyward, he has the look of a young, injury-free Cliff Floyd.
By ManOfTeal
May 16, 2008 12:32 PM | Link to this
The Marlins will win the NL East.
Go Marlins!!!!
By DirtyDawg
May 16, 2008 12:32 PM | Link to this
F. Wren: ‘I think too many times kids want to be a power hitter’. Is that what’s happened to Francouer? Is that why he added those 17 pounds of, so-called, muscle? Well guess what, maybe somebody with the Braves should have been advising him instead of his agent and his daddy. Now all we’ve got is a slow-footed, slow-batted, over-weight right fielder with a bad foot and a poor approach at the plate…but he’s got a consecutive game record going - whoopee!
What do we pay a hitting coach for if these guys aren’t gonna listen to ‘em? For that matter what are paying pitching coaches - here in the minors - for if a Chuck James is left to ‘figure out’ on his own why he can’t pitch like he thinks he should. Come on people, either fix-‘em, bench-‘em, trade-‘em or cut-‘em.
By northbeach Scott
May 16, 2008 12:32 PM | Link to this
TJ Believe the commenting time frame window has always been there, just not observed.
Welcome back to the MIB Blog Carol! Always happy for you to join us.
By Will
May 16, 2008 12:33 PM | Link to this
I expect a successful homestand, but it means absolutely nothing til the Braves prove they can win road games. Hey slow starter Mark Tex its been 6 plus weeks, when should we start to worry? He looks pathetic at the plate right now.
By Efrim
May 16, 2008 12:33 PM | Link to this
Heyward is a keeper. He is going to be that guy to replace Chipper, at least that is what the scouts say.
By DAP
May 16, 2008 12:36 PM | Link to this
what the heck? no commenting after 5? or on weekends? what the deal?
By Efrim
May 16, 2008 12:37 PM | Link to this
FloridaBrave
Great comparison. I think people forget how good of a baseball player Cliff Floyd was before the injuries. Heyward is going to be a superstar.
By BravesFanInRockies
May 16, 2008 12:51 PM | Link to this
Is that time limit on commenting for real? I think it’s a Jedi mind trick …
Before last night I had this weird idea that we might package Chuck and a mid-level prospect to the Pads for Maddux. Chuck might thrive in the cavernous Petco (not as big as Yellowstone, I know, but …).
After that start, I think Chuck’s hope of a reasonable career in professional baseball may be with a lengthy (as in rest of 2008) stay in Richmond. And see what happens.
He got no bizness in the bigs, that’s for sure.
By McFann
May 16, 2008 12:52 PM | Link to this
(Reposted.)
At times, I felt that the only one who was seriously trying to make a game out of it was McCann (even with the passed ball that was not called - sorry McFann). MGL
Don’t have to apologize. (It was scored a WP, anyway.) Hey, I like your comment there. He seemed to be calling some good pitches—Chucky just couldn’t throw them. That’s prob’ly why that was a WP and not a PB, although it did hit off Brian’s glove. And he hit another double! The only thing he did last night that ticked me off was strikeout in the ninth. But with two outs and nobody on in a 5-0 game, what cann you do? Actually, popping up on the first pitch was worse…
Hey, anybody remember what happen the last time the B’s played the A’s?? I’ll give you a hint: June 10-12, 2005.
Take your time. : )
By Original Jon
May 16, 2008 12:53 PM | Link to this
2-5 road trip Carroll, dont give us more road losses than needed. hahaha
By Original Jon
May 16, 2008 12:55 PM | Link to this
Great Match up next Wednesday against the Mets. Jurrjens vs. Santana. Should be awesome.
By DAP
May 16, 2008 12:56 PM | Link to this
what this team needs more than anything right now is tex to start becoming a legit cleanup hitter. the lineup works from the middle out, and right now spot #4 isnt where it needs to be for everything to work right.
By 22oz
May 16, 2008 12:57 PM | Link to this
There’s no way that 8-5 thing has always been there. So this means no fussing during the games? No pregame, in-game, or postgame updates from the C.E. or CR? This makes as much sense as batting Francoeur 3rd, or playing Gotay over Kelly! It must be a ploy to shift the anger of the blog away from Francoeur, Chuck, and Bobby!
By Lee in S. GA
May 16, 2008 12:57 PM | Link to this
If Heyward is anything like Cliff Floyd he is a keeper. I actually saw Floyd play at single A ball after being drafted by the Expos in 1991. He was associated with the Albany GA Polecats at that time and one could tell then he was going to be a good player.
By coach k
May 16, 2008 12:59 PM | Link to this
YOU GO DIRTY GAWG!! IT IS TIME TO TREAT THIS TEAM LIKE A BUSINESS AND NOT DADDY DAY CARE. TEX AND FRENCHY ARE KILLING US AND BOOBY, OH YEA BOBBY NEEDS TO PLAY SMALL BALL. WHEN YOU LEAD THE NL IN PITCHING AND HITTING AND STILL PLAYING 500 BALL THERE IS A FREAKING PROBLEM. IT IS SHAKE UP TIME THIS TEAM IS TOO GOOD TO BE PLAYING THIS AVEAGE,KUDO THOUGH TO CHIPPER…MVP..
By rupert
May 16, 2008 1:01 PM | Link to this
carroll, what has jj said about going on 3 days rest? any concerns from him or the organization? has he done it before? probably shouldnt be too much of a physical problem because of him throwing 69 pitches last time, maybe more mental?
By Original Jon
May 16, 2008 1:01 PM | Link to this
I thought Jurrjens was pitching tomorrow, not Huddy
By Robert (Chipper Is The Best)
May 16, 2008 1:04 PM | Link to this
Has anyone figured out what “commenting” line is all about?
By geekboy
May 16, 2008 1:05 PM | Link to this
Not playing Boston sucks. That was always a great game, even if we lost.
I personally think the Braves pitching and hitting coaches are not earning their paycheck. No one has ever been able to explain to me how a batting coach who changed his batting stance every week as a player can help ANYONE learn to hit better. Pendleton was one of the most erratic hitters ever to wear a Braves uniform!
And McDowell? He can’t even teach Chuck James a third pitch!
YEESH! I say let Eddie Perez take over this mess and at least we will have fun watching.
By DAP
May 16, 2008 1:05 PM | Link to this
McFann mccann’s major league debut! very good! im impressed. i remember that weekend, cause my band had a couple of shows in atlanta…that friday we played at the masquerade, i think, and no one came to our saturday show at some small place, cant remember the name. some music festival was in town at the time, so we blamed it on that!
and, the braves lost 2 of three i think. not a good weekend for the dapster.
By The Crab
May 16, 2008 1:11 PM | Link to this
It must be a ploy to shift the anger of the blog away from Francoeur, Chuck, and Bobby!
Tex also.
By Kentavo
May 16, 2008 1:15 PM | Link to this
Eddie Brock? Isn’t he Spider-Man’s nemesis Venom?
Anyhow, D.O.B. when do they make the rehab assignments for Smotlz, Gonzo and Soriano.
Any chance any of ‘em will be assigned to Myrtle Beach?
By Tomahawk Matt
May 16, 2008 1:16 PM | Link to this
Good to know I can only blog at work now. As if I needed more reasons not to do my work. This gives me more time at home to watch the Braves.
There’s no place like home…
There’s no place like home…
There’s no place like home…
Let’s GO JAIR! GO BRAVES!!!
By Be Reasonable
May 16, 2008 1:17 PM | Link to this
Commenting open from 8-5?
what’s N8 supposed to do now from 5:01-7:59?
poor guy will have to find a new place to make little sense
By Fan
May 16, 2008 1:37 PM | Link to this
If anyone is an ESPN insider; Could you post the story by Neyer about Chipper Jones?
By flange1
May 16, 2008 1:39 PM | Link to this
Efrim,
I saw your post on the last blog about Tex and Holiday. You and Lew basically discussed the trade and gave the +s and the -s.
The front office said when it happened that it was a move for 1.5 years (1 playoff runs) and if we can sign Tex great.
I am not so sure that a late season trade for Holiday might not be something the Braves consider.
He can be next year’s clean up hitter to replace Tex. He would fill the other “open” position the Braves will have next year (1B and LF).
The money is about the same.
I can see a deal worked around G. Hernandez, Teheran and either Lillibridge or B Jones.
Don’t know if I agree with that deal, but I think the Braves would consider it.
If they are close at the deadline this year, the addition on Holiday would be MASSIVE.
Thoughts?
By Philliesuk
May 16, 2008 1:43 PM | Link to this
Efrim Heyward is a keeper. He is going to be that guy to replace Chipper, at least that is what the scouts say.
Whoa, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Heyward sounds like the real deal, with many comparisons to guys like Floyd and McGriff. That’s a heck of a lot different than a comparison to Chipper Jones. Chipper is one of the top 5 switch hitters of all time and a Hall of Famer. We may not see a player with his plate discipline and talent in a Braves uniform for the next 20 years.
I do hope that it’s Heyward, though. I’ll just wait to see if he is a Cliff Floyd or a Chipper Jones.
By Christian
May 16, 2008 1:46 PM | Link to this
Trade Chuck James! Hey we actually got something for Horacio Ramirez, so maybe we can get something for James. Then we should bring up some young prospect like Hanson to pitch in our 5th spot, or at least start Bennett. I’d honestly rather see a prospect with some electric stuff struggle with location than a guy like James who has no stuff also struggle with location. He was absolutely throwing batting practice last night. I mean come on, he let a guy like Victorino (who is only hitting .227) get his first home run of the year. This is a guy who’s never hit more then 12 dingers in a year.
By TJ
May 16, 2008 1:47 PM | Link to this
Fan, I was able to access the article (from a link on another blog) without being an insider (hope this is not an inappropriate link, but I don’t think so).
Anyway, HERE is the ESPN article on CJ. It’s good.
By etownbrave
May 16, 2008 1:48 PM | Link to this
Thanks for the blog CR. Thanks to PeachtreeTV, I can only get the Sunday game and, due to local radio station doing spring fb game that means absolutely nothing, will not be able to get the game tonight. If anyone has DISH and is considered to be in the Atlanta area, please let me know if or where you are able to get games on PTV. I have emailed DISH multiple times and have yet to get a response.
By Renegator
May 16, 2008 1:48 PM | Link to this
flange1
The pickup of Tex at the deadline last year was supposed to be MASSIVE as well but even as well as he played last year - it did not help the Braves to move up in the standings. In fact - they continued to play .500 ball as they have been the last two and a half years.
By Carroll Rogers
May 16, 2008 1:49 PM | Link to this
The commenting thing? Computer glitch, bloggers. Not to worry. I just double-checked with the on-line folks. You will be fine. Keep blogging away on into the night.
Thanks original jon. got 7 stuck in my head for no good reason.
I haven’t talked to jurrjens yet, seeing as how i’m still at home, wasn’t on the road trip and we don’t have access to the clubhouse til 4 today. I’m betting this is the first time he’s gone on 3 days rest and I’m betting it won’t be a huge deal to him since he threw 69 pitches last time out. I probably won’t ask him about it before the game because it’s not kosher to talk to a pitcher the day he starts (with a pad and pen up anyway). But I’ll be sure to ask him about it after the game. OK?
By DAP
May 16, 2008 1:53 PM | Link to this
flange1 i would love to have a player like holiday, and if we trade pieces we dont really need and arent going to need, i dont see a problem with it. one of these days, though, id like us to have some superstars we can hang onto. chipper wont be around forever…and if we are sure holliday wont stay around…maybe we could deal for someone that will. someone with a few more years on the contract.
but yeah, getting holliday would be huge…it would also help us against lefties, wouldnt it? more than likely, we would have to give up one of our top pitching prospects for him… of course…what if it works out like the tex deal? we need to make sure we are solid everwhere (rotation) before we try to get REALLY strong somewhere. otherwise, our weaknesses will shine through and we will lose anyways.
By TJ
May 16, 2008 1:54 PM | Link to this
I am not so sure that a late season trade for Holiday might not be something the Braves consider.
Gotta be careful about Holliday, IMO. For his career, he’s got a 1.090 OPS at Coors Field, and a very average .780 everywhere else. I’m not saying he’s not a good ballplayer, but … well, just be careful how much of a commitment you make to him.
By Moby Grape
May 16, 2008 1:58 PM | Link to this
I think Blanton’s a solid #3-maybe #2- and his stats should only get better in the National League. FloridaBrave
I kinda doubt that. The NL teams are stronger than most AL teams so far this year, but more importantly Oakland is one of the best pitchers parks around most years and Joe’s ERA is almost a run better there than on the road. He really ain’t much if any better than most of what we already have. I wouldn’t give up much of anything for him, certainly no real high prospects and Oakland ain’t gonna take our trash.
By McFann
May 16, 2008 1:58 PM | Link to this
This makes as much sense as batting Francoeur 3rd, or playing Gotay over Kelly! 22oz
Very funny!!
DAP—
Thank you! Funny thing is, I don’t know if I actually saw that game or not! The funnier thing is that I wasn’t much of a McCann fann until the Playoffs that year! (If you cann believe that!)
But he went 2-3 that night, with an RBI single in his first at-bat in the Majors! He was also intentionally walked. (Hey, I might not have seen it, but I did the research last year!)
You could almost say his MLB debut “foreshadowed” his early career. Just throw in a double and a guy stealing a base, and it would have been complete, right? LOL.
Sorry it was such a rotten weekend for you.
So yeah, Ms. Rogers, do you have any idear what’s up with the 8-5 stuff? What’s the point if we can’t talk during the game?
By Original Jon
May 16, 2008 2:01 PM | Link to this
Sorry Carroll, end of the week brain fart I guess, lol. Today is Friday, not tomorrow. So Huddy would be going tomorrow because Jair is going today, lol.. Sorry bout that.
By Shaun
May 16, 2008 2:02 PM | Link to this
Everyone complaining about ESPN, they are focused on Chipper today.
The favorite columnists of the sabermetrically inclined, like myself, Rob Neyer, makes the argument that Chipper will likely finish his career in the top five among third basemen.
Mike Schmidt, Eddie Matthews, George Brett and maybe Wade Boggs are the only third basemen that will likely be ahead of Chipper when all is said and done.
Chipper is behind only Schmidt in OPS+ for third basemen with at least 5000 PA.
By Original Jon
May 16, 2008 2:02 PM | Link to this
Oh, and Carroll, I think 7 got stuck in your head because you were thinking of going 2-5 on the 7 game road trip, it all makes sense now. :)
By Overlord
May 16, 2008 2:07 PM | Link to this
Holliday? why go for that guy when we need pitching?
Blanco is looking pretty good and still have anderson, jones and schafer in the minors, not to mention jeff is still learning. Kotsays contract could be negotiated.
I dont see any needs for the braves in the OF.
Pitching, 2B, 1B could be some urgencies for next season.
By McFann
May 16, 2008 2:09 PM | Link to this
Sorry, Ms. Rogers. Now I see your explanation.
Thank you!
By BossLady
May 16, 2008 2:09 PM | Link to this
This is Carroll today, thanks
By BA
May 16, 2008 2:11 PM | Link to this
I was reading the prior blog, and did I really see Lew claim that Denny Neagle should have won a cy young in Atlanta? And he also claimed that Maddux wouldn’t make this team better? Is this the same Lew that spends days on end in catfights with other bloggers? And this guy was criticizing the late night crowd? Pretty dumb stuff.
By ATL GATOR
May 16, 2008 2:12 PM | Link to this
Idiots that post first!! need to GTFU.
By Bob Horner
May 16, 2008 2:16 PM | Link to this
Mark Texiera a $200 million man? What a joke. Apparently, he’s spending more time with his schnozz lodged in Boras’ smelly crack thinking about his big pay day than he is practicing. Focus up moron! You are NOT worth 20 million a year, we will not pay you 20 million per year, so at least produce while you’re here waiting for the Yankees to make their offer.
By Jim
May 16, 2008 2:16 PM | Link to this
With all the rants about Chuck James last night, it shouldn’t be overlooked that even if Warren Spahn were pitching we still would have lost the game last night. (even if by a homerun in the 16th inning.) On this road trip we went 0-4 against lefthanded pitchers and 2-1 against right handers. We scored 20 runs in three games against the righties and 4? in the 4 games against the lefties. I haven’t gone back to check, but have we faced a greater number of lefty starters on the road than at home? Is the the home-road dichotomy more a reflection of the lefty-righty matchups?
We keep seeing posts anticipating Tex to heat up soon. Well Mother’s Day is past, in a week and 1/2 it’s Memorial Day. Will we still be seeing these same posts on the 4th of July?
Francouer’s pitch selection is still horrible, but just as worrisome is the fact that he is not hitting anything hard when he does get a good pitch. I believe he does need the occasional day off, but I’m not sure that that will solve his problems. He has regressed from last year; his swing looks slower and he is getting jammed alot. The weight training he did this winter did nothing to help his baseball skills.
I would hate to see KJ in a platoon situation. He hits lefties about as well as righties. Certain lefites like Odalis Perez are especially tough on lefthanded hitters and that would be a game in which he should probably sit, but Cole Hamels is no tougher against lefthanders than righthanders. Two of the hits last night were by lefthanded hitters. I think if KJ plays 150 games this season his average will be over 280, his OBP will be over 350, and his HR total will be 15+.
All of the stats and situational breakdowns for a player with fewer than 3 full seasons in the major leagues are meaningless to me. When a player has been in the league for 4 or 5 years, then what you see is what you get, but KJ has only been a regular for less than 2 years, so I’m more inclined to look at his swing and his approach than his previous numbers. (Incidentally, I caught a few innings of the Yankee game yesterday and Derek Jeter came to bat with a BA in the 290s and an OBP in the 320s with only 1 HR this year. So Overloard and N8, lighten up on KJ!!)
By the same logic, Diaz has only been a semi-regular for a bit over 2 years, and it is very possible that his stats were an aberration. His swing and approach has always been uglier than Chuck James’s delivery, and maybe the Diaz we have seen this year is closer to the player he really is.
Last night excepted, the pitching has been adequate this year, but the struggles against lefthanded pitching has been a constant. The lack of productivity from Tex, Francouer, and Diaz is the biggest reason for our mediocre record thus far.
By Brando
May 16, 2008 2:17 PM | Link to this
Carroll,
Any new news on Mike Hampton. It has been awhile since I’ve heard any information about him and was just wondering what his status was.
By DAP
May 16, 2008 2:17 PM | Link to this
overlord I dont see any needs for the braves in the OF.
how about a power hitter? since no one is too sure what jeff is going to be…this year he is a contact hitter…i think we could use a prototypical power-hitting leftfielder on this team. you know who we could really use? jason bay/josh willingham. right-handed, power/rbi guy would be great.
but i agree that we have other needs (like the rotation) and we need to make sure we are solid everywhere before trying to get great in an area.
By Lee in S. GA
May 16, 2008 2:21 PM | Link to this
Guess since the Yankees are in last place and the Rays not Red Sox are actually leading that division, ESPN can focus on other teams for a change.
By DAP
May 16, 2008 2:21 PM | Link to this
McFann Just throw in a double and a guy stealing a base, and it would have been complete, right? LOL.
very funny! i was at the game where mccann homered off of roger clemens, and smoltz pitched his heart out. i became a huge mccann fan that day as well! he really is a psecial player. he can homer off of anyone. i remember last year when he hit one off of santana…impressive.
By Overlord
May 16, 2008 2:21 PM | Link to this
Good stuff here about Greatest pitching staffs ever
Of all the great staffs the braves had in the 90´s only the 1993 staff is ranked among the best ever.
By Overlord
May 16, 2008 2:25 PM | Link to this
Luckily enough they went head to head against the phillies, which are ranked among best offenses ever Go figure!!!
By justdoit
May 16, 2008 2:31 PM | Link to this
i hope its charlie morton tuesday against vargas and not james. and tomorrow should be a good matchup - hudson vs harden. harden would be an awesome pickup for the braves if the guy can just stay healthy.
By FloridaBrave
May 16, 2008 2:32 PM | Link to this
Yeah, I don’t see the need to trade for a bat. In the off-season, Tex will need to be replaced. But right now- with Tex- the offense will be fine. I don’t want to throw the farm at a bat. If we do, I hope it’s for an arm.
By brent a.
May 16, 2008 2:33 PM | Link to this
I think the weakest argument AGAINST interleague play is the number of “bad matchups” it creates.
Baseball has bad match-ups, whether there is interleague play, or not. Whether it’s Washington v. San Francisco, or Washington v. Texas, I really don’t care. There will always be bad teams playing against each other.
The worst part about interleague play, IMO, is the unbalanced schedule it creates.
My personal opinion is that MLB should handle interleague play very similar to how the NFL handles interconference play. Have each team in one division, play the teams from the same division in the other league, then rotate divisions the next year. It’s not perfect, but no schedule is perfect unless everybody plays everybody the same number of times, in the exact same place, in the exact same time, under the exact same conditions, etc.
By flange1
May 16, 2008 2:33 PM | Link to this
Rene gator,
I agree that the Tex deal was supposed to be massive and then the team played at .500.
But to me the key is the front office liked that deal.
If they would do it once, could they do it again? I think the answer is yes.
Look at the free agent pool and see what is available for 1B, OF and P. Not a real good group.
In terms of starters, I can see the front office saying we will have Hudson, JJJ, Jo Jo, Morton, maybe Hanson, James, Bennett, Campillo as potential starters. Sign a mid level FA to eat innings and their done. Maybe Hampton or Glavine or Smoltz will come back.
I would love to get a young horse, but those are few and far between.
By Shamus Thacker
May 16, 2008 2:38 PM | Link to this
I’ve been at the hospital [in Rome] with Mom, since Sunday. Just got home. Home is Cedartown, which is 15-minutes from Rome. Mom is fine now, and Carroll is right, the Rome Braves’ stadium is a very cool place to watch a game. I must admit that I’ve really missed the ole blog. We need to appreciate what we have here, all made possible by two very unique and wonderful people; Carroll and DOB…
Aloha from the windswept isles of Cedartown….
By Shaun
May 16, 2008 2:44 PM | Link to this
Overlord, as they mention in the article, they make no park adjustments. And I’m not sure if it does all that much to adjust for the value of a run in different eras.
By FloridaBrave
May 16, 2008 2:45 PM | Link to this
You guys can pick Blanton apart but the fact of the matter is he might be the best pitcher available at the trade deadline and even then he might not be if the A’s are still in first. Obviously, with every deal, it depends on the price. Some of the options out there you guys are picking apart but I’m not confident in our ability to make the playoffs with a rotation of Hudeson, Jurrjens, Glavine, Bennett, and Reyes.
By Larryville Brave
May 16, 2008 2:45 PM | Link to this
etownbrave
I have Dish and live in metro Atlanta. I get PTV as a “Local Channel” and it is on 17. I did have to get a secondary dish that points to a different satellite to get then WTBS.
By Ed Glennon
May 16, 2008 2:47 PM | Link to this
Trade the guys who think they should make more money -Frenchy and Tex and get some clutch players to help the team. Extend Chipper and Smoltz -I don’t care how old they are.
By Mr. Kennedy
May 16, 2008 2:48 PM | Link to this
Have the Mets bloggers gone to the Marlins telling their few fans how great the Mets are or what?
By Cecil34
May 16, 2008 2:53 PM | Link to this
I think I can sum up the future trade action for the Braves, especially if we hover around .500 until June 1.
Winning June - Buy.
Losing June - Sell.
By Overlord
May 16, 2008 3:07 PM | Link to this
But the results are not far from reality Shaun, are they?
By DAP
May 16, 2008 3:14 PM | Link to this
the braves have the best winning% of any 4th place team in the majors. this tells me that the NL east is the tightest race in baseball, and its not gonna take a 95 win team to take the division. 2008 has been a grind so far, but another good home stretch and we could find oursleves in first place.
By Frank Wren
May 16, 2008 3:21 PM | Link to this
DOB
You quoted me in your blog today.
“I think too many times kids want to be a power hitter. If he keeps a good solid approach, he’s strong enough that his home runs are going to come when he makes good contact, not when he tries to hit home runs.”
Could you please translate that message to Francoeur for me? I’m in a meeting.
Keep up the good work David.
By Jim
May 16, 2008 3:25 PM | Link to this
Maddux WAS a great pitcher, but he would not make this team better this year. He has won 1 of his last 6 starts and some of them have been CJ ugly. He won’t give us much more than Bennett or Carlyle right now, and he will only take up a spot that could be filled by Morton later in the year. Adding Sandy Koufax in his prime is not going to solve the problem of our inability to score runs agains LH pitching.
By AGTfan
May 16, 2008 3:26 PM | Link to this
Shamus
Welcome back. I’m glad to hear your mom is OK. Good Luck
By whatever
May 16, 2008 3:26 PM | Link to this
Re the blog posting time restrictions: the snakes in suits don’t care if we have a fun blog. All they care about is that the corporation is able “create the perception” that we have a fun blog.
Probably we should all go to Braves Journal or somewhere like that. Does anyone know of a good, free and open, non-corporate Braves blog to go to? I love the MIB, but you want to mainly do this on your free time, let’s face it.
By Lee in S. GA
May 16, 2008 3:27 PM | Link to this
When a teams plays around 500, which is what the Braves have done constantly for a while now, trades are emphasized more than when a team is already out of contention and a trade is made. Granted it’s a lot better playing 500 than losing; however, it really makes it difficult to make trades just for the sake of making them. I am sure the Braves would find it hard to depart with players like Frenchy or K.J. unless it was for an overwhelming offer. You don’t want to trade veterans either so it is a difficult situation to be in. Starting in the 90’s the majority of trades were good and they stood out because the Braves always made the post-season. Now it seems that many people consider a trade a failure unless the Braves make it to the post-season.
With that being said Chuck James is a different story. Trade him.
By DAP
May 16, 2008 3:28 PM | Link to this
taking home and road winning% into consideration, braves are on pace to win 85 games. not too bad.
By Robert (Chipper Is The Best)
May 16, 2008 3:38 PM | Link to this
DAP, not that great either.
By ChampDawg
May 16, 2008 3:39 PM | Link to this
162 games, 40 games or about 1/4 the season already played and Tex is still a “slow starter”.
So, the Braves are 20-20 with 122 games left.
Florida is 23-17. This puts them on pace to win 93 games if they can get it up. So, lets suppose it will only take 90 to 95 wins to win the NL East.
So, over the next 122 games, the Braves have to go 70-52 (win 57%) or 75-47 (61%). This seems do-able if they can ever get it together. But one things for sure… Chuckie James, a Tom Glavine that can’t go 6 innings, and Tex that can bearly hit his weight ain’t gonna get it done.
Get another quality starter in here, get over these injuries on the pitching staff, and get Tex off his @$$ and we might have a chance.
By Shaun
May 16, 2008 3:39 PM | Link to this
Overlord, the 1997 staff is pretty tough to beat. The top four starters all had ERA’s under 3.03. The top four relievers were all under 3.76. Every pitcher on the staff who threw at least 46 innings posted an ERA+ above 100 (above league average) except for one (Paul Byrd).
The staff as a whole had an ERA+ of 131; That’s 31 percent better than league average when adjusted for ballpark.
But it’s pretty hard to tell which staff was the Braves’ best. The ‘93 Braves’ ERA+ was 129. They had several years in the 120’s.
By Overlord
May 16, 2008 3:40 PM | Link to this
Anybody knows how to fix an optical mouse that just wont stop flashing its laser? like 3 times per second.
By etownbrave
May 16, 2008 3:44 PM | Link to this
Larrytown Brave: Live on the GA/SC line and guess I Don’t qualify for access to WTBS. I have tried and tried to get in touch with DISH and can’t get any answers from them. Thanks for your help!
By nolie
May 16, 2008 3:45 PM | Link to this
At third base, Jones ranks among the best Neyer
By Rob Neyer ESPN.com Insider
Updated: May 16, 2008
First things first: Chipper Jones has been a truly fantastic hitter for many years, not even including this fantastic season. Among all the third basemen in major league history with at least 5,000 plate appearances, here are the top five in OPS+ (which accounts for ballparks and league scoring context)…
NO. PLAYER OPS+ 1. Mike Schmidt 147 2. Chipper Jones 143 3. Eddie Mathews 143 4. George Brett 135 5. Home Run Baker 135
Everyone on that list is already a Hall of Famer, except Chipper. Four other Hall of Famers are far, far behind these guys (granted, two of them — George Kell and Freddie Lindstrom — probably shouldn’t be Hall of Famers).
Of course, Chipper probably isn’t going to retire with a 143 OPS+. As well as he’s playing this season, he’s likely to finish his career with some poor numbers, as nearly all players do. So his percentages will drop. However much they drop, his counting stats will only go up.
With 397 home runs, Chipper is No. 4 on the all-time third baseman list and will probably pass No. 3 Darrell Evans (414) this summer.
With 1,331 RBIs, Chipper is tied for No. 7 on the all-time list, but this summer he’ll pass No. 4 Brooks Robinson (1,357). Barring injury, he’ll pass No. 3 Mathews next season.
With 1,325 runs scored, Chipper is No. 6 on the all-time list, and this summer he’ll pass Evans at No. 5 (1,344).
Two thoughts come to mind while looking at all these numbers. One, Darrell Evans is underappreciated. And two, Chipper Jones is even better than most of us think. By the end of this season, he’s going to rank second or third in OPS+, third in home runs, fourth in RBIs and fifth in runs scored. He’s done all this while spending all but two seasons of his career (so far) at third base. (By way of contrast, Evans played more than a thousand games as a first baseman or DH; similarly, Brett finished his career with seven seasons at first base and DH).
I’ve been asked a few times, just in the past year or so, if Chipper Jones is a Hall of Famer. The fact that he’s hitting .418 this season may have changed a lot of minds, but even before this season the question shouldn’t have been whether or not Chipper’s a Hall of Famer. Rather, the question should have been this: How many Hall of Fame third basemen couldn’t carry Chipper’s sweaty jock strap?
Based on what we’ve seen, I’m going to guess the answer is “most of them.” But let’s check.
According to the Hall of Fame, 13 third basemen have been enshrined. Three of them were Negro Leaguers, and I’m not smart enough to figure out how they compare to Chipper Jones. So that leaves 10, which is a small number; there are fewer Hall of Fame third basemen than any other position.
Where does Chipper fit? Trust me: He’s better than George Kell and Freddie Lindstrom. That leaves Schmidt, Mathews, Brett, Baker, Wade Boggs, Jimmy Collins, Brooks Robinson and Pie Traynor.
Collins is now forgotten because he played around the turn of the (previous) century and wasn’t memorialized with a great nickname or a chapter in “The Glory of Their Times”. But Collins was a fine hitter and an astonishing fielder during an era in which third basemen were expected to make a huge defensive contribution. In fact, until around 1930 third basemen were expected to make a larger defensive contribution than second basemen. Which makes comparing “modern” third basemen to pre-1930 third basemen difficult. And that pre-1930 era includes Frank “Home Run” Baker and Pie Traynor (who was generally considered baseball’s greatest third baseman until Mike Schmidt came along).
So let’s focus on the guys we know: Messrs. Schmidt, Mathews, Brett, Boggs and Robinson. All of them are Hall of Famers, and some might argue that they’re the five greatest third basemen. Does Mr. Jones really have a shot at joining that club?
You bet. It’s not hard to put together one of those bogus comp lists for Chipper. Or rather, it won’t be hard in two or three years. He’ll soon have more hits than Mike Schmidt, more homers than George Brett, more RBIs than Brooks Robinson and more runs scored than Eddie Mathews.
But is he better than any of those guys, really? Not yet. One thing we haven’t mentioned is Chipper’s defense, and whether you’re looking at Total Baseball’s Fielding Runs, or Bill James’ Win Shares, or Baseball Prospectus’ Fielding Runs Above Average, the evidence suggests that he’s been a subpar fielder. You’ve seen the hitting stats, and he’s obviously among the best-hitting third basemen ever. But defense counts, too.
Here are the top eight third basemen according to win shares (which includes defense):
NO. PLAYER WS 1. Mike Schmidt 467 2. Eddie Matthews 450 3. George Brett 432 4. Wade Boggs 394 5. Darrell Evans 363 6. Brooks Robinson 356 7. Chipper Jones 334 8. Ron Santo 324
Chipper is 36 years old, and he has averaged 22 win shares over the past three seasons. If he stays healthy this season, he might catch Robinson … but probably won’t until next year. He might catch Boggs in three or four years … but then again, he might not. And Brett is probably out of reach.
Of course, that’s setting the bar pretty high. You don’t have to be George Brett to get into the Hall of Fame. You don’t have to be Wade Boggs or Brooks Robinson, either. But you never know, right? There’s Darrell Evans again, fifth on this list but frozen out of Cooperstown. So while Chipper probably shouldn’t need to do anything else, two or three more good seasons should actually help him. You might think Jones has done plenty already … but that’s what every Cubs fan thinks about Ron Santo, and he’s still waiting.
Rob Neyer writes for ESPN Insider and regularly updates his blog for ESPN.com. You can reach him via rob.neyer@dig.com.
By brent a.
May 16, 2008 3:45 PM | Link to this
Is this the same Lew that spends days on end in catfights with other bloggers? And this guy was criticizing the late night crowd? Pretty dumb stuff. BA
Lew?
By D'Andre Williams
May 16, 2008 3:45 PM | Link to this
www.braveselite.wordpress.com
http://braveselite.5.forumer.com/
By Random
May 16, 2008 3:54 PM | Link to this
So, when Texeira was out of action with his back spasms, was he known around the clubhouse as “Tics”?
By ncscoots
May 16, 2008 3:54 PM | Link to this
Anybody knows how to fix an optical mouse that just wont stop flashing its laser? like 3 times per second.
Blogging less is a known antidote to that condition.
By Moby Grape
May 16, 2008 3:56 PM | Link to this
but yeah, getting holliday would be huge…it would also help us against lefties, wouldnt it? DAP
anybody bothered to check Holliday’s home/away stats? He ain’t all THAT great away from Coors. Would probably be a decent pickup but perhaps not all that great.274/336/444 is not worth giving up a lot of good prospects for, in fact its what? about Jeffy level?
By etownbrave
May 16, 2008 3:57 PM | Link to this
Larryville Brave: Sorry about the name, son came in while I was posting and I missed the correct name to reply to you. Again thanks for your help!
By David-ATL14
May 16, 2008 3:58 PM | Link to this
* James optioned to AAA. Stockman recalled*
By TJ
May 16, 2008 4:00 PM | Link to this
Anybody knows how to fix an optical mouse that just wont stop flashing its laser? like 3 times per second.
Overlord, carefully follow the following steps.
Turn off computer (full shutdown)
Unplug Mouse; wait 1 minute.
Plug Mouse back in
Restart computer
Go to store, buy new Mouse
Go back to store, buy new computer;
(really, I’d try steps 1-4, and probably be prepared for 5. Aside from that, you may have some software for the mouse drivers, which could be re-installed, but it’s pretty rare to need to do that).
By FloridaBrave
May 16, 2008 4:01 PM | Link to this
Jim,
So you don’t think Maddux wouldn’t help this team at all. You think Jeff Bennett and/or Buddy Caryle would do just just as good as him?
Well I don’t agree. He’s slightly overpriced for what you get but Maddux is still capable of giving you 190 innings and posting an ERA in the low 4.00s.
I hope the Braves aren’t as confident in a journeyman pitcher and an erratic rookie where they fail to make a move a month or two from now.
By DAP
May 16, 2008 4:02 PM | Link to this
Robert (Chipper Is The Best)
youre right…my point is, the braves arent a .500 team, really they are a team on pace to win 85. really, a slight improvment is all they need to win 90 games. thats encouraging to me, because i think this team is going to play better. i think the pitching will be better with a more consistant 5 man roation, i think we can all forsee the bullpen getting stronger, and i believe the offense will improve as well. i think tex will hit better, which is going to make it look like the lineup has improved 100%.
By Moby Grape
May 16, 2008 4:03 PM | Link to this
I was reading the prior blog, and did I really see Lew claim that Denny Neagle should have won a cy young in Atlanta?BA
He’s probably talking about 1997 when Denny was 20-5 with a 2.97 ERA.I think he ended up third in CYA that season, but probably didn’t quite deserve to win it over Martinez who only won 17-8 but had a 1.90 ERA
By DAP
May 16, 2008 4:12 PM | Link to this
nolie good post on chipper…there is one thing you didnt mention about him though, and i think its something that makes him a lock in the HOF. hes a switch hitter. this DOES matter, since it also puts him in some great company when you consider the best switch hitters ever. chipper WILL go down as one the best third baseman, and one of the best switch hitters of all time.
By Moby Grape
May 16, 2008 4:15 PM | Link to this
Of all the great staffs the braves had in the 90´s only the 1993 staff is ranked among the best ever.Overlord
depends on who you read. There was a big article in one of the major media(I can’t remember which one right now) that listed the Braves 1998 as the greatest staff in baseball history.
Maddux 18-9 2.22
Glav 20-6 2.47
Neagle 16-11 3.55
Millw 17-8 4.08
Smoltz 17-3 2.90
I kinda agree with that one myself. I would certainly take it over the ‘93 staff
By Salty
May 16, 2008 4:25 PM | Link to this
Overlord Did you change the battery in the mouse…that may be the solution.
By Robert (Chipper Is The Best)
May 16, 2008 4:30 PM | Link to this
You’re right, DAP. While I think this team needs another starter (not necessarily a top of the line one either), the problem has been the inconsistent offense and the lack of support from Tex.
My fear is that Tex is going to get hot and then the pitching will go in the toilet.
By Cherokee
May 16, 2008 4:30 PM | Link to this
NOLIE Thanx for posting the Neyer story about Chipper. A lot of praise and what a lot of us already think.
By Quack Quack
May 16, 2008 4:36 PM | Link to this
You guys can pick Blanton apart but the fact of the matter is he might be the best pitcher available at the trade deadlineFloridaBrave
So what? Doesn’t mean we should trade for him. Who needs another pitcher with an ERA of 4.5 or more, especially for what it will probably take to get him.
By McFann
May 16, 2008 4:48 PM | Link to this
DAP—
(Sorry. Just got home again.)
YOU WERE AT THAT GAME?? Lucky!! We went to the game the night before that. Our Dad got some free tickets from some company he made badges for. That game didn’t go well! Wish the freebies woulda been for Game Two! That’s the last game they won in the Playoffs! That one I did see on TV.
But a special player is right! I loved it when he homered off Santana—hated it when Wickman blew the game!
Maybe tonight they’ll show a replay from that game on June 10, 2005. Sure hope they do. Would be great to see that again!
Gotta go feed the caterpillars. Be back soon!
By FloridaBrave
May 16, 2008 4:50 PM | Link to this
The guy has posted sub-4.00 ERA’s 3 out of the last 4 seasons and just as he enters his prime he’d balloon to a 4.50 ERA? I don’t buy that. Like all players we discuss, it depends on the price. I’m not willing to pay prospect for him like he’s an ace like everyone else but I’ve said it a million times, we need another starting pitcher. You got any better options that might be available at the deadline? I’d love to hear it because almost every pitcher that will come available will have question marks. But if I’m the only one who doesn’t think Hudson, Jurrjens, Glavine, Bennett, and Reyes gets us into the playoffs, I’ll shut up.
By AGTfan
May 16, 2008 4:51 PM | Link to this
I enjoyed the Neyer article. Two items in there got me to wondering. Why is Darrell Evens so underappreciated? Why the heck aren’t he and Santos in the HOF?
By Coach (Braves in 2008 to the playoffs)
May 16, 2008 4:52 PM | Link to this
Flange1, the Braves were a .500 team before the Teixiera trade and they are still a .500 team. 20 wins and 20 losses so far.
By Tom in NYC
May 16, 2008 4:55 PM | Link to this
Robert, I could see that exact scenario playing out for us. Tex goes on a tear, and suddenly the pitching staff is giving up 8 runs a game. It’s bound to happen.
By ManOfTeal
May 16, 2008 4:56 PM | Link to this
The Braves continue to do what they do the best……choke.
Here’s to stopping the chop….w00t!!
Go Marlins!!!!
By Original Jon
May 16, 2008 5:02 PM | Link to this
To the person posing as Frank Wren and wrote this *DOB
You quoted me in your blog today.
“I think too many times kids want to be a power hitter. If he keeps a good solid approach, he’s strong enough that his home runs are going to come when he makes good contact, not when he tries to hit home runs.”
Could you please translate that message to Francoeur for me? I’m in a meeting.
Keep up the good work David.*
Yeah, too bad you look stupid right now because Carroll wrote this Blog, not DOB.
By Supes
May 16, 2008 5:07 PM | Link to this
Best news of the day…NO MORE CHUCK JAMES…There is someone who actually cares, I thought Bobby had totally lost it with his loyalty to starting pitchers.
I would say the Braves are better off with Jeff Bennett, or Buddy Carlyle in that role.
Before the trade deadline, a deal must be made to either improve the pen or add another starter, or at least stockpile young pitching help.
Thanks for the info on one of our top prospects. If Francouer ends up walking in a year or two, I wouldn’t be all upset b/c we have that kid coming up and he seems pretty darn good with a lot of potential.
By Tiffany, Bride of Chucky
May 16, 2008 5:09 PM | Link to this
My poor little Chucky has been so very terrible. He’s such a dummy he can’t even remember hanging curves. My curves are lots better than his anyways. But he never ever listens to me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1ZDA46utrU&feature=related
By Big Easy
May 16, 2008 5:13 PM | Link to this
DAP, McFann
Was also at the game where McCann took the Rocket deep. That was indeed a special moment. Had lots of Houston fans surrounding us, and they were stunned.
~E~
By New Boss Same As Old Boss
May 16, 2008 5:14 PM | Link to this
I like the idea of you guys bringing back Maddux.
You also should consider your LF problem and bring back Lonnie Smith.
For help in the bullpen, maybe Wohlers or Pena.
Geez, I thought the 90s were over. They certainly are for my team.
As for reality, I hope all of you are rooting for my guys this weekend against the Mutts. Something big is going to happen — either I’m going to blow up and issue flaming missives or the Mutts are going down and Willie Randolph will be helping the “Baseball Tonight” staff on the real Evil Empire (that would the World-Wide Leader for those of you stuck on Peachtree).
Go Down Mutts!!!
By Quack Quack
May 16, 2008 5:18 PM | Link to this
The guy has posted sub-4.00 ERA’s 3 out of the last 4 seasons and just as he enters his prime he’d balloon to a 4.50 ERA?FloridaBrave
as was mentioned earlier, Oakland is a real good pitchers park and he has an ERA almost a run higher away from home.Plus his peripherals are not exactly great(K/IP) which probably means that the stadium factor helps him a lot.His ERA away from Oakland is 4.60 so it is at least reasoable to think that his ERA might be at the 4.50 level. Look at the splits dude,
By AGTfan
May 16, 2008 5:19 PM | Link to this
I wonder about some of the fans on this blog? With some of the nasty comments about Chuckie, who is really struggling and about Jeff, who in spite of not living up to our expectations has reasonable numbers, I have to beleive that a lot the folks on this blog would jump ship in a hurry if we had a few seasons like the ones we had pretty regularly in the 70s and 80s.
By FloridaBrave
May 16, 2008 5:23 PM | Link to this
90s are over for your team, New Boss?
You’re still starting Giambi at 1B. Signed Clemens to a $25 mil contract last year.
Maddux isn’t what he was. But he is still a solid veteran pitcher for the middle of a rotation, much like Glavine.
By AGTfan
May 16, 2008 5:24 PM | Link to this
I noticed that invitations have been extended to both the NY managers to coach in the All Star Game. Maybe they should have waited to see if they were both still employed around All Star time?
By nolie
May 16, 2008 5:27 PM | Link to this
I enjoyed the Neyer article. Two items in there got me to wondering. Why is Darrell Evens so underappreciated? Why the heck aren’t he and Santos in the HOF?AGT
On Evans I’d say it might be the .248 BA.248/361/431 wasn’t very sexy I guess . His OPS of 792 is also low for an offensive third sacker to most people too I guess.
Santo’s were a little better but his counting totals are not as high as several other players who never made it.
I don’t think Evans quite deserves it. I do see a case for Santo though I’m not sure it’s enough that I would vote him in.
By FloridaBrave
May 16, 2008 5:28 PM | Link to this
Quack,
Atlanta is a relatively pitcher-friendly park and many AL pitchers experience better stats going to the NL because of the absence of a DH. Admittedly, I did not know the splits so thanks for that- and judging by what they wanted from the Reds- that is way too much, but it is an option that should be investigated. Just like Maddux.
By Train Wreck Bystander
May 16, 2008 5:33 PM | Link to this
etownbrave
The Peachtree telecast tonight is not on dish Network outside of the Atlanta DMA. And I’d wager not tomorrow night. either.
I did email them about 3 weeks ago and got a vague answer stating that they could not say if or when these games might be picked up. I believe most of the people who are hard-core fans already switched to DirecTV . There’s probably not many people clamoring for dish to pick these games up.
I just checked my guide - as I am in Reds territory also, I can watch them play someone tonight. Yee Haw. Looks like a night of watching the Gameday java app.
By ncgary
May 16, 2008 5:34 PM | Link to this
agt chuckie is in a funk thats for sure, sometimes scenery change is best for all involved.ie…kotsay devine
By New Boss Same As Old Boss
May 16, 2008 5:37 PM | Link to this
Florida Brave,
I like you; at least you’re reading my missives - more than I can say for my baseball people. I just wish you would read them more carefully.
I know we’re bad - but remember I just took over this year.
I’m thinking of bringing back Clemens and only offering to pay him in attorney fees — Will that be cheaper or more than last season?
I bet he can still throw a hook, line and sinker. Scared at what he might catch these days.
By Capt. Caveman (the original dawg)
May 16, 2008 5:37 PM | Link to this
wrong again COACH
I believe the Bravos are 3 or so games OVER .500 since the Tex trade till the end of last year. So you are WRONG once again.
Or just “OOPS, You did it again”
You are so Little League its embarassing.
By Birth Certificate
May 16, 2008 5:38 PM | Link to this
Other tidbits, I don’t believe 17-year-old Columbia sensation Julio Teheran, a RHP, is there yet. Not that I saw or was told or now see on the roster. CR
Sweet…17 in Latin years means 25 in real years. Forget Rome, bring that man up to the big show!
By McFann
May 16, 2008 5:41 PM | Link to this
Waytago, Big E!! Great to stun the Houston fans!!
By Overlord
May 16, 2008 5:44 PM | Link to this
Salty it doesnt use batts, its not wireless.
TJ kind of noticed that doing that thing you mention has helped….. but then it goes bad again.
Ill keep trying, thanks.
By jmart1951
May 16, 2008 5:47 PM | Link to this
So is Bennett going to drop into the 5th spot in the rotation?
By jmart1951
May 16, 2008 5:50 PM | Link to this
Carroll,
Has any research been done before tonights game on the Btaves record during the Cox era when the pitcher goes on 3 days rest? I’m betting that we win less than 33% of the time.
By rammerjammer
May 16, 2008 5:51 PM | Link to this
I’m sure there’s a good reason why a 28-year-old pitcher is still in AAA, so I ain’t too excited about Mr. Stockman.
And I agree that Reyes and Bennett doesn’t inspire. Could C. Morton be this year’s Francoeur? I bet we find out.
By Bobby's Cox
May 16, 2008 5:51 PM | Link to this
FloridaBrave
Good thoughtful posts as usually. I don’t think it’s a stretch that the braves go out and get Blanton or Harden. Unlike many of the trade propoals here, such as Kazmir, considering Blanton is not a stretch. Most teams aren’t willing to depart with players like the A’s are willing to do with Street, Harden, and/or Blanton, assuming the team drops off the pace of the Angels.
Face it. Blanton on this team would be a blessing. There’s merely 2 good teams in the NL, the Dbacks and the Cubs. Blanton would dominate the rest of the league. He’s got a 3.69 era and a 1.35 WHIP currently in 10 starts, and 6 of those starts were either against BOS, CLE, or MIN. His team’s scored only 11 runs in his 6 losses. I’d take him.
So keep up the good work and realize that you’re arguing with people that think we can get Holliday, Kazmir, or any other player as if Wren is going to the supermarket and buying groceries, i.e. commodities.
By New Boss Same As Old Boss
May 16, 2008 5:53 PM | Link to this
Carroll, the Blog Mistress,
We love you sweetie ( I can say that I’m not running for President ), but for the 17-year old, it’s Colombia, as in drug cartels, and not Columbia, as in Coach Spurrier.
My gosh, you went to Duke. What would Tom Emma and Chip Engelland think?
Some of my relatives went to Carolina. We all have our skeletons.
By OrlandoFan
May 16, 2008 5:58 PM | Link to this
Thanks for posting Neyer’s piece
By Carroll Rogers
May 16, 2008 6:01 PM | Link to this
updates…..As you probably saw in the burst, the Braves have optioned Chuck James back to Richmond. Obviously he knows he’s not right and wasn’t surprised by the move. The Braves recalled Aussie Phil Stockman - a blogger favorite - and he’s in uniform ready to go in relief.
Bobby said they’re still deciding who would start in the doubleheader Tuesday along with Glavine, but it would come from somebody up here. He would only say “We’re debating.” And “depends on what happens tonight.” But since Buddy Carlyle is on the DL and not eligible to come off until the Arizona series, Jeff Bennett is probably the guy.
And lineup: Chipper is in. Took batting practice and I didn’t notice any problems when I was watching from up here. Kotsay gets the day off vs. a lefty and just to kinda rest the back. Kelly is out again. that’s looking more like a platoon at second base with Infante. Here’s what the lineup looks like: Escobar, Infante 2B, Chipper, Tex, Francoeur, McCann, Diaz, Blanco CF, Jurrjens.
By Coach (Braves in 2008 to the playoffs)
May 16, 2008 6:04 PM | Link to this
Hey Knuckle Dragger, last season is history. But, since you brought it up, I’ll walk right over your flat slanted forehead and include 2006. Since the beginning of the 2006 season, the Braves are 183-181. Add it up anyway you wish, they are a .500 team.
Your previous name wouldn’t happen to be GRINCH would it?
By Quack Quack
May 16, 2008 6:06 PM | Link to this
Face it. Blanton on this team would be a blessing. There’s merely 2 good teams in the NL, the Dbacks and the Cubs. Blanton would dominate the rest of the league.BobbysCox
In your dreams.
By Serge
May 16, 2008 6:14 PM | Link to this
I love it that were benching a top 10 seccond baseman for Omar Infante. I really do. God Bless Bobby Cox.
Actually i cant wait till the old goat retires.
By N8
May 16, 2008 6:16 PM | Link to this
You guys arguing over whether the team is a .500 team dating back to yesterday, since the Tex trade, before the Tex trade, since 2006, blah, blah, blah.
Keep it SIMPLE my friends, and call them what they are…..MEDIOCRE.
That way, when they win 6 in a row, and move a tad over .500, or lose 5 of 7, to dip a bit below .500, you’ll STILL be right.
Because, god forbid people allow somebody to “generalize” about the team and it’s fortunes in the recent and not so recent history.
I could CARE LESS if the team goes 85-77, 84-78, 83-79, 82-80, 81-81, 80-82, 79-83, 78-84, 77-85, etc….
Any way you slice the above records I will “generalize them as a MEDIOCRE team that hovers “around” .500.
Period.
By AGTFan
May 16, 2008 6:18 PM | Link to this
sometimes scenery change is best for all involved.ie…kotsay devine
I think Chuckie needs to spend extended time in AAA working on his mechanics. I think there’s more wrong than a change of scenery can fix. I think Kotsay just needed to get healthy. I agree that the scenery change really helped Devine.
By TJ
May 16, 2008 6:30 PM | Link to this
I love it that were benching a top 10 seccond baseman for Omar Infante. I really do. God Bless Bobby Cox.
Agreed, Serge. And last night, we benched him in favor of Ruben Gotay. I guess the message is that any right handed hitter, or switch hitter, who can catch a ground ball is better than Kelly Johnson.
By N8
May 16, 2008 6:36 PM | Link to this
“Your previous name wouldn’t happen to be GRINCH would it?”
I still think this blog is a little bit like the TRUMAN SHOW, and I’m the only actual “person” blogging on here. EVERYBODY else is AJC staff, just messing with me, with many different monikers.
Either way, Coach (wink wink), you could be on to something.
Or does anybody REALLY think that Stinky doesn’t frequent the blog from time to time with a “new name”?
By Efrim
May 16, 2008 6:41 PM | Link to this
Ridiculous decision by BC to make 2nd base a platoon. KJ has a .813 OPS, yet Cox decides to rest him against Dana Eveland. Absurd.
By AGTFan
May 16, 2008 6:41 PM | Link to this
N8 I could CARE LESS if the team goes 85-77, 84-78, 83-79, 82-80, 81-81, 80-82, 79-83, 78-84, 77-85, etc…
What’s your cut-off points? Where does it have to get for you to consider it good or bad?
By Yars
May 16, 2008 6:45 PM | Link to this
I guess it is official, we have a freaking platoon at 2B 40 games into the season. Watch Infante go 0 for 4 tonight.
By AGTFan
May 16, 2008 6:49 PM | Link to this
N8 I still think this blog is a little bit like the TRUMAN SHOW, and I’m the only actual “person” blogging on here. EVERYBODY else is AJC staff, just messing with me, with many different monikers.
You’re right we are. Let me know if you find the cameras. I think we did a great job of hiding them.
By N8
May 16, 2008 6:56 PM | Link to this
AGTFan
“What’s your cut-off points? Where does it have to get for you to consider it good or bad?”
In reality? Probably anything at or above 85 wins is a decent team. Anything at or below 85 wins is a lousy team.
But for THIS team, with the expectations after signing Glavine, NOT trading Tex in the off-season?
Anything below 90 wins and a playoff appearance will be a bust, IMO.
Now, one could argue that if they win 86 games and STILL squeeze into the wild-card presuming that the NL is not that competitive, or lacks a runaway wild card winner, that that would be a success.
Of course, those people were probably PUMPED when the Hawks made the playoffs with a sub-.500 record. LOL!
All WINTER many of us (myself at the fore-front) and DOB used the “…besides, Tex will be with the Braves for the FULL YEAR”, as an excuse as to why this team would flourish with the bats.
Well guess what? Our season is 1/4 of the way over. So even IF, Tex pours it on soon, the BEST CASE scenario we have, is 3/4 of a season of Tex. Because he’s been absent for the first month and a half this year.
By William
May 16, 2008 6:57 PM | Link to this
You guys arguing over whether the team is a .500 team dating back to yesterday, since the Tex trade, before the Tex trade, since 2006, blah, blah, blah.
N8 So if you feel this way, why are you here and why do you care? Go jump on the bandwagon of another team.
By Coach (Braves in 2008 to the playoffs)
May 16, 2008 7:00 PM | Link to this
Hey N8, you are correct. I had several post deleted the other day and some of the aforementioned bloggers seemed to be having fun with it.
You see, David O’Brien would have us believe that he doesn’t blog under assumed anonymous names. But, he does.
It doesn’t a rocket scientist to mask an IP address.
It’s all about the Cha-Ching. The more posts, the bigger the paycheck.
Besides, there are plenty of other blogs where money isn’t the driving force and opinion is welcomed without Trolls trying to ramp up the action.
By Christof
May 16, 2008 7:02 PM | Link to this
I think we did a great job of hiding them.AGT
Damn right we did. Neight will never find them.
By Tomas
May 16, 2008 7:04 PM | Link to this
My 2 options to be the braves 5th starter would be Jorge Campillo, or Jeff Bennet. Campillo has been so good off the bulpen that it would be a hard punch to the bulpen if he goes to the starting rotation, and he doesn’t have the arm strength right now, he would have to go to the minors to get the arm strength back. So Bennet is probably the best option.
By William
May 16, 2008 7:05 PM | Link to this
Have you guys been watching the news on the Mets clubhouse spat between Billy Wagner and the media?
By AGTFan
May 16, 2008 7:12 PM | Link to this
In reality? Probably anything at or above 85 wins is a decent team. Anything at or below 85 wins is a lousy team.
I’m guessing you’re too young to remember the teams of the 70s and 80s? I don’t think you have a clue how bad lousy really is.
I think that with the expectations anything less than a play-off berth is a bust. And yes, Tex has been a bust so far this year.
By New Boss Same As Old Boss
May 16, 2008 7:12 PM | Link to this
Braves Bashers,
You guys really do have more problems than my team.
I didn’t think so at first - after all, when you compare the eight positions, I figured the only places my team is better is LF with RF a push.
Even at SS, my Golden Boy, is showing severe signs of Renteria Range and can’t compare with your Yunel. Hey, what am I to do in another year or two, when he really slows down but we can’t move him. He’s going to be a monument on the field before we put one of him in Monument City.
Now, I think our starters are about a wash - I may have a better No.1 — we both got problems at 4 & 5. The back end of my bullpen is better, at least until you get all those injured arms back.
But, here is what I don’t have - a manager who wants to platoon at 2B even though my guy Cano is barely above the Mendoza Line. If my manager tried to stick Betemit or some such in there, he would be my ex-manager.
Take it from me - my Dad started doing strange things a couple years ago. How old is your manager? You got to watch that stuff. Pendleton should help - it’s obvious he’s got nothing else to do.
Anyway, we’re in rain delay. Day-night DH tomorrow maybe. If either team loses two in one day, something’s going to blow. I warned you.
By N8
May 16, 2008 7:13 PM | Link to this
AGTFan
There’s cameras? Are they web-cams? Where can I watch? LOL!
I know it’s insulting to DOB (and Carroll), to assume that they have nothing better to do with their time, than to “make up” characters on a blog, but it’s kinda funny to think about.
Seriously. Just imagine DOB sitting up late at night, “creating” both sides of the LEW & CHASE argument from the other night.
Good stuff.
By FloridaBrave
May 16, 2008 7:15 PM | Link to this
New Boss,
Sorry, if I read your posts more carefully can I take Cashman’s job?
Bobby’s Cox,
I enjoy the alternative points of view. But something I didn’t mention last time, is people have to remember Shafer’s more than likely going to be our starting CF next year and with Heyward ripping everything, we may need Kotsay to again bridge the gap but at a different position- LF- and for a different player- Heyward.
It might be a different story if the LF we acquire this year can be moved to 1B next year to replace Tex but I think people will soon realize that the need is starting pitching this year, and the need only becomes greater for starting pitching for next year.
By OB Jr..
May 16, 2008 7:18 PM | Link to this
Yauzza!!! coach….a little easy on the bashing!!
By N8
May 16, 2008 7:18 PM | Link to this
William
“Go jump on the bandwagon of another team”
At WHAT POINT did I mention, being on a bandwagon.
I stick by this team through sh!t (and there’s been PLENTY of it to go round for a couple of years), and through the good times.
Just because I b!tch about them, doesn’t mean I don’t like them.
By McFann
May 16, 2008 7:19 PM | Link to this
METS-YANKEES GAME POSTPONED DUE TO RAIN!
Haha…Hahahahahaha ha ha ha!!
The Braves sure as heck better win!
William—
Yeah, that Billy Wagner seems to be a bit of a jerk.
No Kotsay? Phooey. He’s getting the day off with the lefty going? Uh…Blanco bats lefty. But I guess it’s Kotsay’s back…
By FloridaBrave
May 16, 2008 7:19 PM | Link to this
I also have to say that platooning Kelly is absolutely ridiculous. Some might remember- Bobby’s Cox comes to mind since he agreed- that I thought in order to get a top-of-the-rotation starter in the off-season, trading Kelly might be in the cards. But at the same time, I’m ridiculously high on Kelly and this is an awful, awful mistake on Cox’s part.
By William
May 16, 2008 7:21 PM | Link to this
Agree that Tex has been a bust so far. The last couple games at the plate he’s even looked Andruw like. As John and Joe have pointed out……..for the life of me I can’t figure out why anyone is pitching to Chipper. Thank God they have or we would be anywhere close to 20-20. Probably more like 15-25.
By Efrim
May 16, 2008 7:31 PM | Link to this
Patently absurd. And I really could care less if Infante gets 3 hits tonight. I really hope BC is just doing it to get Infante at bats. How is 130 at bats from Kelly enough to gage that he needs to be platooned?
By 22oz
May 16, 2008 7:33 PM | Link to this
I seem to remember saying in spring training don’t be surprised when Kelly and Diaz are platooned, and getting ridiculed by many on this blog. I hope Kelly gets traded so that he can reach his full potential somewhere playing everyday.
By William
May 16, 2008 7:34 PM | Link to this
N8 My point is if you have given up on “your” team in mid May then go find another team and quit gripping about the team you supposedly like. Are they playing great? No, not really, but we are a whole 3 games out. Now, I grant you watching Chucky last night was utterly painful. It’s like no matter how good or bad the team plays someone is not happy with something. A few days ago everyone wanted Kelly benched and now everyone is saying it’s ridiculous that he is not playing tonight. Everyone wanted Francoeur to take a day off. Then he went 7 for 13, but that wasn’t good enough because as some a-hole stated….”they were meaningless singles”…..
By Overlord
May 16, 2008 7:45 PM | Link to this
I thought some said Matt was not a good OF. Great play matt.
By radoncbravesfan
May 16, 2008 7:50 PM | Link to this
Great play by Diaz in left field to save some runs
By Overlord
May 16, 2008 7:50 PM | Link to this
Amazing how Jair is able to keep his concentration even when in trouble. We have ourselves a great 1-2 for the rest of the year and 2009.
Any news on Hampton No dumb answers please.
By brent a.
May 16, 2008 7:53 PM | Link to this
Anyone ever notice that when McCann bats, he looks like he’s hugging a pillow?
By eric the elder
May 16, 2008 7:55 PM | Link to this
Skip continues to argue for using the DH at NL parks and not using one at AL parks.
He thinks this would appeal to fans, which it might, but NL teams are not constructed for a DH, and so the home field “advantage” would be lost.
By Overlord
May 16, 2008 7:57 PM | Link to this
McFann I suppose you saw the interview to Wagner.
Mets will have to play a DH this weekend and on tuesday…..interesting.
Efrim actually 130 AB were not needed. only about 80 were.
By William
May 16, 2008 8:00 PM | Link to this
Hampton will never play in the Major Leagues again. Not a dumb answer, just the truth.
By brent a.
May 16, 2008 8:03 PM | Link to this
Overlord, there is no news on Hampton.
About a week ago, Frank Wren said, “I wish I knew”. It’s that simple, really. Hampton has become somewhat of a head case.
The pectoral muscle may heal; but, what will that mean exactly?
Even this last time (in the minor league game), the indication was that he sort of decided to stop, and there seemed to be a lack of clarity over whether or not he really re-injured the pectoral muscle, or if it was just getting sore from overwork.
By geauxbraves2000
May 16, 2008 8:03 PM | Link to this
JJJ is not on his game tonight so far. Maybe 3 days rest was not ideal.
Geaux Braves!!
By Yars
May 16, 2008 8:05 PM | Link to this
22oz…..I’m with you man. If Bobby has lost faith in KJ against LH pitching, I’d much rather see KJ on a team that sees him as an everyday 2B.
By McFann
May 16, 2008 8:06 PM | Link to this
Overlord—
Nah, didn’t see it. But I read about it.
What the HECK??? Jurrjenns……
By William
May 16, 2008 8:07 PM | Link to this
I don’t like the DH period, but I don’t see how it would be a disadvantage to NL teams.
By BravesRule
May 16, 2008 8:07 PM | Link to this
Jair does not look good tonigt. I think this was a mistake. Jeff didn’t help any with that late jump on the line drive.
By McFann
May 16, 2008 8:08 PM | Link to this
WHOA!!!! GREAT PLAY AT THE PLATE!!! NICE TAG, BRIAN!!
By Overlord
May 16, 2008 8:10 PM | Link to this
This is starting to look like the last game, it could easily be 5-0 by now. Hope we see some HR from TEX tonight and some 4 Extrabase hits by the team.
Go Braves!!!!!!!!!
By BillSnv
May 16, 2008 8:10 PM | Link to this
Looks like a wild 2nd. Jair is gonna use up all his pitches in 3 innings! Lets go Braves!
By TJ
May 16, 2008 8:10 PM | Link to this
It’s all just bad. The 5th best hitting 2b in all of baseball (by OPS) sitting on the bench. A rookie pitcher going on 3 days rest.
I hope we win and all, but just don’t like what we’re doing.
By Overlord
May 16, 2008 8:17 PM | Link to this
McFann he clearly asked to the reporters BTW WTF are you interviewing the closer, i didnt even play, go ask questions to other players.
BTW, im loving the way McCann is hitting doubles into the LF corner, I have easily seen 4 of those last 20 days.
By Carroll Rogers
May 16, 2008 8:19 PM | Link to this
new boss….are we a Duke grad as well as a Who fan? impressive….i corrected my redneck error. i need editing, no doubt.
jmart you’re probably not that far off with your number. haven’t done the research, and oddly (ahem) the braves haven’t either. if not for some wacky baserunning and a great play by mccann at the plate, this thing would be much worse for jurrjens. and we’re only in the second inning.
By McFann
May 16, 2008 8:22 PM | Link to this
Kotsay would’ve gotten a hit…
LET’S GO BRAVES!! (Whoops. Made myself look like MetMan with the all-caps. LOL)
By Overlord
May 16, 2008 8:22 PM | Link to this
TJ is Prado back from DL already? thought it was going to be 6-8 weeks.
By Yars
May 16, 2008 8:24 PM | Link to this
Tex hitting .203 against LH pitching. Will we be seeing a platoon at 1B in the near future? KJ is hitting .279 against LH pitching. Granted, he has no HR, & a low OB%. Still too good to be in a platoon, after 40 freaking games!
By Overlord
May 16, 2008 8:27 PM | Link to this
Now bobby knows Jair cant pitch on 4 days rest.
By Overlord
May 16, 2008 8:29 PM | Link to this
Come on braves, fish are losing.
By geauxbraves2000
May 16, 2008 8:31 PM | Link to this
Okay, it’s time for the pen to start warming up before this game gets out of hand. With the way the Braves have been hitting LHP lately, 2 runs might be tough enough to overcome.
Geaux Braves
By Overlord
May 16, 2008 8:31 PM | Link to this
Bennett should not pitch more than 2 innings tonight if any if he is due tuesday night.
By Lew
May 16, 2008 8:34 PM | Link to this
No dcount I am the figment of someone’s imagination. I’ve always wondered.
By ncscoots
May 16, 2008 8:35 PM | Link to this
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph…maybe the Braves SHOULD just trade Kelly. That way, he gets to play for someone sane, and the blog won’t have to endure any more of Overlord’s snarky b***’ about the guy. Win-win for everybody, except the Braves, of course, but who’s counting?
Un…be…lievable.
By Overlord
May 16, 2008 8:36 PM | Link to this
Yars TEX is the cleanup hitter and a gold glove 1B. KJ is glove is below average and he is no leadoff hitter. Slight difference. There are options at 2B. No good enough options at 1B.
By TJ
May 16, 2008 8:36 PM | Link to this
TJ is Prado back from DL already? thought it was going to be 6-8 weeks.
And to think, Overlord, I actually tried to help you fix your computer!
By Lew
May 16, 2008 8:38 PM | Link to this
No doubt the other guy can’t type, either.
By Overlord
May 16, 2008 8:40 PM | Link to this
Braves need to address this lefty issue. They cant continue like this. Once the league is aware of your weaknesses, there wont be no mercy.
By Mark in PA
May 16, 2008 8:43 PM | Link to this
N8, did not the ‘mediocre’ St. Louis Cardinals win the World Series, after an 83 win season?
By Overlord
May 16, 2008 8:44 PM | Link to this
Does anybody like the idea I posted a few days ago?
BLANCO, KOTSAY, YUNEL, CHIPPER, TEX
OR
KOTSAY, KJ, YUNEL, CHIPPER, TEX
By geauxbraves2000
May 16, 2008 8:45 PM | Link to this
I can understand why this offense is struggling, I mean having to face Bob Gibson, who wouldn’t struggle.
By Overlord
May 16, 2008 8:47 PM | Link to this
Come on TJ, its was just a joke, sorry, didnt think you would take it personal. I apologize.
By McFann
May 16, 2008 8:47 PM | Link to this
Overlord—
Oh my……yeah, Wagner’s a jerk.
I’m loving the doubles, too! And to left field…One thing McCann’s done throughout his professional career is hit doubles. I remember reading something last year—after he hurt his finger, was having trouble with the bat, and wasn’t hitting many doubles—his dad said something about him getting back to being a “doubles machine”. Gotta find that again…
Just watched the replay of that play at the plate to get the A’s pitcher. Not a great throw, but a great spin-and-tag by McCann!
One more thing: Their catcher looks like a middle infielder!
By New Boss Same As Old Boss
May 16, 2008 8:48 PM | Link to this
Carroll, Mistress of Blog
I felt bad for pointing out the miss-type but when I asked “My Baseball People” about the kid Teheran they told me they couldn’t find him on the Gamecocks’ roster. Yeah, the same people who thought it would be better to keep Hughes & Kennedy over Santana.
As to your queries:
1) No, though more than a few nights spent in Cameron (Full disclosure alert - in case the Prince Of The Blog is reading - also have been in the legendary Phog).
2) Let’s just say - Baba O’Riley stood Behind Blue Eyes during My Generation.
By BravesDave
May 16, 2008 8:50 PM | Link to this
Someone mentioned something similar earlier, but here goes…
Two players. One is hitting .278 with 5 HRs, 9 doubles, .345 OBP, and .468 SLG. The other is hitting .274, 3 HRs, 13 doubles, .316 OBP, and .421 SLG.
One is everyone’s Golden Boy. If he showed up to the park missing an arm, Bobby Cox would still put him in the lineup. The other is platooned with Omar Infante (???????).
One is a righty hitting .269 against right-handed pitching. The other is a lefty hitting .279 against left-handed pitching.
I am sure that everyone gets the picture. I have officially had it with Bobbby Cox. Continuing to run Chuck James to mound, platooning Kelly Johnson, and now starting JJ on 3-days rest. When will we be rid of this guy?
Also, does this team have ANY LIFE?? Turner Field sounds like a mausoleum tonight. There is absolutely no emotion shown by this team. They already look resigned to another loss.
Martin Prado has a higher SLG% than Francoeur, by the way. Who has a lower SLG% than Francoeur, you ask?? Yeah, the $25M Man, Mark Teixeira. His SLG% clocks in at a robust .411. Last time I checked, that is nice OBP.
By brent a.
May 16, 2008 8:50 PM | Link to this
Let’s all strive to win 83 games, because the Cardinals won the WS one time with that # of wins.
Anyway, Jayson Werth has 3 home runs tonight for the Phillies, in the 6th inning.
By TJ
May 16, 2008 8:54 PM | Link to this
Come on TJ, its was just a joke, sorry, didnt think you would take it personal. I apologize.
thought it was obvious that I didn’t… oh well! Best.
By Sir Nutragg
May 16, 2008 8:55 PM | Link to this
When did Skip Carey turn 100 ? The guy has the energy level of a corpse.Maybe he needs to take a page from his dad and try a little pre-game lubrication,it sure couldn’t hurt.
By tex hater
May 16, 2008 9:03 PM | Link to this
This clown Tex, I dont call him by his full name because he aint worth that words, is not worth anywhere near the money he will get just like the rest of the overhyped unathletic caucasians in baseball. When was the last time a team won the world series with a team full of, well u know. Probably 1995, wow. The braves suck! keep the quots system going bobby, great job!
By tex hater
May 16, 2008 9:03 PM | Link to this
This clown Tex, I dont call him by his full name because he aint worth the words, is not worth anywhere near the money he will get just like the rest of the overhyped unathletic caucasians in baseball. When was the last time a team won the world series with a team full of, well u know. Probably 1995, wow. The braves suck! keep the quots system going bobby, great job!
By tex hater
May 16, 2008 9:03 PM | Link to this
This clown Tex, I dont call him by his full name because he aint worth the words, is not worth anywhere near the money he will get just like the rest of the overhyped unathletic caucasians in baseball. When was the last time a team won the world series with a team full of, well u know. Probably 1995, wow. The braves suck! keep the quota system going bobby, great job!
By McFann
May 16, 2008 9:04 PM | Link to this
Darn. Shoulda saved that double…
By geauxbraves2000
May 16, 2008 9:05 PM | Link to this
This is uterly freaking ridiculous.
By New Boss Same As Old Boss
May 16, 2008 9:15 PM | Link to this
Braves Bashers,
You guys have helped. “My Baseball People” had almost convinced me that spending $200M on Tex would be good.
But you guys are showing me the light.
Why don’t I put Posada at 1B, he may be old but hits better than Tex and my fans love him, then use some money and one of those prized phenoms “My Baseball People” love and go get Matt Holliday or tonight’s Babe Ruth, the Werth kid in Philly, or maybe rob Texas of Josh Hamilton. The Rangers are never going anywhere.
Heck, I could do all of that and still have money left over.
You guys are good.
By eric the elder
May 16, 2008 9:15 PM | Link to this
Sir Nutragg, if you’re going to bash Skip, you should at least learn how to spell his name.
His physical condition makes Hampton look like a picture of health. He almost died last year.
It’s a miracle that he’s with us at all, and it’s a testament to his love of the game that he’s in the booth at all.
Show a little class.
By Overlord
May 16, 2008 9:17 PM | Link to this
Ballgame right there…..
After this things happen, braves just go on a free fall, even if at home.
By Overlord
May 16, 2008 9:20 PM | Link to this
Come yunel, proof me wrong.
By Overlord
May 16, 2008 9:23 PM | Link to this
2 hits……. wasnt home our strength???
By Carroll Rogers
May 16, 2008 9:23 PM | Link to this
New boss, just knowing Baba O’Riley tells me something.
easy on the post button, tex hater
By William
May 16, 2008 9:26 PM | Link to this
It cracks me up hearing everyone crying because KJ isn’t in the line-up tonight when the same people were saying that he should be platooned/benched a week ago.
By Serge
May 16, 2008 9:26 PM | Link to this
Yunel Escobar 2 for 19 as a leadoff hitter this year.
Absolutely horrid.
By Smelly Fish Breath
May 16, 2008 9:29 PM | Link to this
As per usual, the Braves performance is leaving something to be desired. Perhaps they aren’t really that good and actually playing to their level. For most of the 70’s and 80’s they stunk but it was expected. In essence they were lovable losers and I loved them! This team is harder to love. They are like your child who doesn’t perform to their potential at school. You still love them but you would like to strangle them because you know they are just assin off.
Who knows about this team? Underachievers or over rated?
It’s easier to watch a team lose when you realize that they just aren’t very good. I think I would prefer to know this team just isn’t capable of a championship run.
By brent a.
May 16, 2008 9:33 PM | Link to this
Homerun Saltalamacchia!
By New Boss Same As Old Boss
May 16, 2008 9:34 PM | Link to this
Yes, Mistress of Blog, it tells you that I also spent some time in a Teenage Wasteland.
By Philliesuk
May 16, 2008 9:37 PM | Link to this
Omar got a hit! He’s the best ever. What a great decision to start him!
KJ should now be benched every time a lefty stands on the dirtpile.
By Smelly Fish Breath
May 16, 2008 9:37 PM | Link to this
Yeah, lighten up on Skip. The guy almost died twice in the last 18 months. Still suffers from congestive heart failure. That doesn’t bode well for a bright future for Skip. He makes more mistakes than he used to. He’s a bit slower than he used to be. But while that may not work on the ballfield, I can handle all of Skip’s flaws cause he’s “Skip.”
By FloridaBrave
May 16, 2008 9:39 PM | Link to this
New Boss,
I wouldn’t move Posada just yet- not until it’s apparent his body is breaking down(I don’t think one injury says that yet). His bat still holds a lot of value behind the plate and it should be easier to find a quality 1B than it is to find a quality C. Of course unless you don’t mind the pure defense behind the plate, then Molina or whoever else you have back there is fine.
Chamberlain should obviously go into the rotation and I wouldn’t give up on Hughes quite yet, but if a deal comes around for a top-of-the-rotation starters, then I’d trade Hughes. I wouldn’t do it for a bat though- I’d fill the hole sin the lineup through free agency. I’d definitely look to deal Kennedy as well though.
By MAV
May 16, 2008 9:39 PM | Link to this
tex hater
You must be from Canada.
By Yars
May 16, 2008 9:41 PM | Link to this
Right now, Tex is all glove, no bat.
By geauxbraves2000
May 16, 2008 9:41 PM | Link to this
Gee, the non-producing $20M man hit into a DP, there’s a shocker.
By BravesDave
May 16, 2008 9:43 PM | Link to this
Dana Eveland should be fined by the Oakland Kangaroo Court for throwing Jeff Francoeur a first-pitch strike.
At least Francoeur connected.
Another nice job by Teixeira, too. While Andruw smirked after his terrible at-bats, Tex just stands there with that dumb, blank stare.
By Philliesuk
May 16, 2008 9:44 PM | Link to this
Tex has been just awful this year.
Maybe he should learn how to bunt so that he can actually move a runner over for once.
By McFann
May 16, 2008 9:44 PM | Link to this
WHOO-HOO!! Another double!! That’s 16 for the year!
He’s first one tonight was to left, this one to center:
“Look at ‘im, he’s ev’rywhere! He’s a MACHINE!”
By Overlord
May 16, 2008 9:45 PM | Link to this
Finally clutch hitting……. It feels like its been long time without it.
By Carroll Rogers
May 16, 2008 9:46 PM | Link to this
how often to two guys who get traded for each other get to face each other? Mark Kotsay facing Joey Devine….gotta love baseball.
By Mr, Stinky Fish Face
May 16, 2008 9:50 PM | Link to this
Glad I didn’t turn off the game. I almost did when the blog declared the game “over.”
Interesting that Bennett is in. This obviously doesn’t preclude him from getting the start next week, but this would probably be his last appearance prior to the start if he’s the man.
By New Boss Same As Old Boss
May 16, 2008 9:55 PM | Link to this
Florida Brave,
You do want the job, don’t you?
I think we got Cashman got way, he was just hanging around, making suggestions.
I should have pointed out we’re moving Posada only if he can no longer make catcher’s throws. True, it is too early to determine that.
Other options are Damon or Matsui, though neither is appealing especially with Jeter’s dwindling range, etc. But, moving a LFer to 1B would create space for Holliday. Maybe he could play first.
Also, I had a 2nd thought about Texas. Hamilton might be costly, but one of their catchers - Laird or Salty - might be available.
I’m also thinking Adam Dunn as a DH candidate. Not bad for Yankee Stadium.
I’m going to spend my major $$ on pitching. Not sure who yet, but I’ll get someone if that little Beantown weasel doesn’t outbid me.
By joyce's brothers
May 16, 2008 10:01 PM | Link to this
Where is Robert, the notorious Cox basher??
I ask because I’ve noticed something that might be significant, and Robert perhaps could help.
When the cameras show Cox these days, I never (or rarely) see him picking at or around his nose (like Seinfeld).
I’ve heard the phase “picking your brain.” At some point, is all that can be picked, picked out, and there’s nothing left.
Would that explain the platoon at 2B among a few other things?
Robert? Robert?
By Mr. Stinky Fish Face
May 16, 2008 10:02 PM | Link to this
Ugh. The bunting problems are really brutal. Don’t know that I have ever seen a big league team that struggles like this to get a sacrifice down.
By ncscoots
May 16, 2008 10:03 PM | Link to this
Dana Eveland should be fined by the Oakland Kangaroo Court for throwing Jeff Francoeur a first-pitch strike.
Man, LOL, it’s never enough for you, is it? Eveland has been throwing strike-one-looking most of the night, Francoeur adjusts to that, and you jam him for it.
There’s no denying his shortcomings so far this season, but, bro, you’re the only guy I know who could take the egregious benching of Kelly Johnson and turn it into a vent about Francoeur. The constant raking of the guy just shreds your cred, and is unseemly, to boot. Really oughta find another horse to ride.
By FloridaBrave
May 16, 2008 10:09 PM | Link to this
New Boss,
I actually thought about throwing Kennedy at Texas for Laird right after I posted.
A cheaper option is Hank Blalock. Yeah he’s got the injury history but his swing might be perfect for Yankee stadium. He’s worth a shot on the cheap assuming his back checks out.
Don’t throw your money at that Japanese pitcher that you guys were apparently scouting. A strikeout pitcher in Japan who tops out at 87? Color me unconvinced.
By FloridaBrave
May 16, 2008 10:14 PM | Link to this
Good at-bat from Infante but there is absolutely no reason why Johnson shouldn’t have been brought in. Devine has struggled against lefties in the past and overall, Johnson’s just better. Sure, the A’s could have brought in a lefty but I even would have liked that matchup better than Devine-Infante.
The mismanaging of Kelly Johnson continues…
By Overlord
May 16, 2008 10:15 PM | Link to this
Big league AB big Infante there. Devine won the battle, but Infante just showed us what is he mande of.
By Overlord
May 16, 2008 10:20 PM | Link to this
Quick turn at 2B by Infante….very good DP all around.
By StingerSplash
May 16, 2008 10:21 PM | Link to this
Mets and Stanks in a twinbill tomorrow? Good thing it ain’t on ESPN. The pregame show would start about noon. And I have a new favorite Met (OK, he’d actually be my first favorite Met, unless you count Cleon Jones) — Billy Wagner. Man, the Spears and Lohan families ain’t this dysfunctional.
By Original Jon
May 16, 2008 10:28 PM | Link to this
Its like McCann and Chipper are the only ones clicking.
By Mr. Stinky Fish Face
May 16, 2008 10:30 PM | Link to this
Kotsay sucks. We should have kept Devine. What’s that? Kotsay with the go-ahead hit on ANOTHER rope off his bat?
Never mind.
:-)
By FloridaBrave
May 16, 2008 10:31 PM | Link to this
Kotsay with the huge knock against his old team! Man, I love baseball. This should silence those trashing the trade at least for today.
By LuisGuillermo
May 16, 2008 10:36 PM | Link to this
We’re winning by 1 run already. But if we’re going to lose this game, really, Acosta is THE guy to be pitching the 9th. REALLY!
By MEB
May 16, 2008 10:36 PM | Link to this
McFann… I don’t think Wagner is necessarily a jerk as much as the Mets clubhouse is a mess. Beltran and Delgado are not team players and Wagner was showing his frustration with the situation. Expect further meltdowns this season for the Amazins. Could Willie Randolph be in some trouble?
At-ta boy Kotsay!
GO BRAVES!!!
By Random
May 16, 2008 10:37 PM | Link to this
tex hater: “This clown Tex, I dont call him by his full name”
Good for you!!!
In fact, we shouldn’t even be calling him “Tex”.
“Tesh” is much more evocative of his current performance.
By radoncbravesfan
May 16, 2008 10:39 PM | Link to this
Hey, great win for the Bravos One run come from behind win Great clutch two out hitting Gritty performance by JJ, bullpen Good defensive plays And, Tex and Frenchy showing improvement ? Carroll does it again !!
By Mr. Stinky Fish Face
May 16, 2008 10:39 PM | Link to this
One run win! Come from behind win! Win with a rookie pitcher going on 3 days rest! Win against a LH pitcher!
Lots of good comes from this win.
By ernesto
May 16, 2008 10:40 PM | Link to this
We just doubled our Wins in 1 run games.
Yee-ha!!!!!!!!!!!!
By jbutler
May 16, 2008 10:40 PM | Link to this
Kotsay/Devine…you gotta love it. Why on earth is Acosta in for 2 innings? I hope above all hopes the 1 run lead holds up…please..please. Just once. I’m too old for this.
By LuisGuillermo
May 16, 2008 10:41 PM | Link to this
Maybe I’ll just sit here and let Acosta do HIS job. Well deserved win, huh?
By JC from UT
May 16, 2008 10:43 PM | Link to this
KJ would have not turned that double play. They may have got the lead runner but KJ would have thrown the ball in the dirt. Infante is good enough to play every day and KJ should be used to get a starting pitcher.
By Mark in PA
May 16, 2008 10:44 PM | Link to this
Man, it was good seeing that smile on BMac’s face, coming out to the mound after the third out! If he’s not the game MVP, he ought to be.
What’s the difference in this and the other one-run games? The bats got it done late in the game.
Great win! Go Braves!
By joyce's brothers
May 16, 2008 10:46 PM | Link to this
Interesting subplot to the Billy Wagner stuff.
There is a rapidly brewing divide between veterans Wagner & Wright and veterans Delgado, Beltran & Reyes.
It will be seen by some as a race/culture deal but it’s really about being accessible/accountable in an impossible media environment.
Wagner & Wright are always the media go-to guys. The others, meanwhile, tend to avoid speaking, at least with the mainstream NY media.
Wagner broiled over yesterday - after a game he didn’t even appear in - because he was surrounded while Beltran and Delgado had bolted.
This carries over to the Randolph-Minaya relationship. Add to it last year’s collapse, this year’s struggles thus far and the Mets are within a bad road trip of doing something drastic.
Thus, this weekend’s series @ Yankees and next week’s @ Braves are going to be interesting.
By DAP
May 16, 2008 10:46 PM | Link to this
overlord just reading over your posts between 9:17 and 9:23 tonight as the braves pull out the win. Im glad you were wrong tonight…why would you count the braves out so early at home when the score is so close?
mcfann how about your boy tonight? What a great game for him, three hits, almost had a homer, and an awesome play at the plate that is sure to be on baseball tonight.
By BravesFanChris23
May 16, 2008 10:49 PM | Link to this
A nice win for Braves. Of course there was flaws in this game, but in the end, the positives outweighed the negatives tonight and made the negatives moot. A good game by the bullpen to hold them to two runs (unearned -_-) and nice save by Acosta. Good clutch hitting by Kotsay and McCann and good at bat for Infante. Does seem some of the slow starters are starting to click and of course Chipper is being Chipper.
Since its a right hander tomorrow, maybe just maybe we can keep the momentum going and get on a good roll. With Hudson on the mound, I like Braves chances.
By FloridaBrave
May 16, 2008 10:49 PM | Link to this
Interesting that Boyer wasn’t in for the save. Everyone’s assuming Bennett’s going to be the guy to replace James but let’s not forget Boyer was starting last year in AAA and Guy Hanson spoke very highly of his potential there. Then again, I’m more than likely looking way to into it and he just needed a day off.
Just food for thought…
By Pete H.
May 16, 2008 10:52 PM | Link to this
I dunno how much of this I can take. This offense is just miserable. Every guy on this team is a very good hitter, but we scrabble for runs every game.
It ain’t Bobby’s fault, it ain’t Wren’s fault, it’s the team’s fault. They gotta get those bats working, or we’re toast.
Nice comeback and congrats, but this team needs to start hitting up to its potential. And record. Chipper, Yunie and Kotsay are doing pretty good, and Frenchy and Mac are doing OK, but apart from Chipper, they have to all crank it up a bit. I feel bad for JJJ…he pitched pretty well, but again a no decision and thank the lord for our bullpen doing so well.
By Coach (Braves in 2008 to the playoffs)
May 16, 2008 10:53 PM | Link to this
Now this was a very good game.
The Braves beat the lefty and came back after trailing by two runs. They put together some clutch hitting in the eighth inning and got great pitching from the bullpen.
Jair Jurrjens didn’t have his best stuff but he battled and kept the Braves in the game.
Lots of skulldudgery between the managers, especially with Devine pitching in the seventh.
Glavine’s attempted bunt was a great idea by Bobby Cox even if it didn’t work.
This was of course, just the second one run win by the Braves. but, I’ll take it. All in all, a damn fine game to watch.
By Tex Will Hit
May 16, 2008 10:55 PM | Link to this
as soon as Andruw matches his home run total.
By DAP
May 16, 2008 10:58 PM | Link to this
floridabrave skip mentioned boyer was warming up in the pen, so i doubt what your saying is the case.
but, if its bennett, he will probably only pitch 4 innings or less in a start, cause he pitched tonight.
By gobraves
May 16, 2008 10:58 PM | Link to this
Carroll, why didn’t you tell us Soriano threw a bullpen session today?
By Tomas
May 16, 2008 10:59 PM | Link to this
Good come from behind win. It’s definitely good to be back home. McCann congrats, this was your night, and I got to say Chipper MVP, MVP, MVP. If he is not starting third base on the all star game there is some serious corruption in that ballot.
By the way, I started to watch the Dodgers vs the angels, and noticed andruw was in the game but as a DH. Joe Torre is so damn stupid, how can you put your best fielder as a DH, when you’ve rested him a lot. How, I wonder did he ever win all those championships in New York. He just went to sleep during the game, and when they wake him up they had won.
By ncgary
May 16, 2008 11:00 PM | Link to this
if there isnt a call up , campillo stretched out for 3 last time out, i see em try to get 5 from him
By FloridaBrave
May 16, 2008 11:04 PM | Link to this
Thanks, DAP…I was following on Gametrack so I obviously didn’t know.
By The Crab
May 16, 2008 11:08 PM | Link to this
A.J. is history. Let his fat A$$ be.
By FloridaBrave
May 16, 2008 11:09 PM | Link to this
I believe someone mentioned Esco being 2-20 or something as the leadoff hitter. He handled it last year but it bears watching…especially with Kotsay and Blanco also probably deserving to get looks at the spot.
By keylargo
May 16, 2008 11:16 PM | Link to this
Tomas
Really? You think AJ is the best defender the Dodgers have? At 248 pounds? Running a smooth 4.7 seconds from the batters box to 1st? That’s 30 yards, not 40. The AJ that has 7 assists in the last 3 seasons - and none this year? The best? Really?
By AGTFan
May 16, 2008 11:26 PM | Link to this
Are BravesDave and UGA-Brave the same person? While everyone else who is critical of Jeff seems to criticize his approach at the plate or something about his hitting, these two guys seem to have some deep personal dislike for the kid.
Jeff drove in 1 of our 3 runs and scored 1 of the and BravesDave just goes right on bashing.
By Kentavo
May 16, 2008 11:29 PM | Link to this
Is Carroll one of those rare female Who fans? Eminence Front, indeed.
By Mark in PA
May 16, 2008 11:33 PM | Link to this
And Carroll, congrats on chalking up another win!! What is your record now?
And regarding the Mutts and Wagner—it gives me hope, as much as this team has struggled (same win% as the Mets), that there has not been one whisper of that stuff in the Braves clubhouse. They are well-led, and pulling together as a team, and confident that they can and will play better in the near future.
Maybe too it’s because we are dispensing more than enough vitriol on the blog (even sometimes after a win) for the players to say anything!
By AGTFan
May 16, 2008 11:40 PM | Link to this
*Is Carroll one of those rare female Who fans? *
What rare female Who fans? I went several Who concerts back in the day and I don’t remember any shortage of females. Of course, now that I think about it there are a lot of things about “back in the day” that I don’t remember.
By Overlord
May 16, 2008 11:52 PM | Link to this
DAP maybe im tired of their attitude. Im also glad they proved me wrong. Hope they win 8 more on this homestand. JJJ did a hell of a job. He showed Bobby he is a man already. Great news!!!!!! Infante is also a really good news. Solid glove. I think when Prado comes back, one of those 4 2B will be traded. And dont ever doubt KJ could be dealt. Specially now that infante has shown he is solid and Prado is a solid backup.
By N8
May 16, 2008 11:53 PM | Link to this
William
“My point is if you have given up on “your” team in mid May then go find another team and quit gripping about the team you supposedly like. Are they playing great?”
Find me ANY post where I’ve said that I’ve given up on this team, and I’ll concede that you are the winner of the “silly-man” argument of the night.
All I’ve done is state fact, my friend. This team has played mediocre baseball for about 360 games now (in fact I think Coach pointed out that it’s 400+ games).
Can we still win the division? Sure. There’s PLENTY of time (somebody says it every day). But all I’ve done is state the obvious. If this team DOESN’T start playing better, and DOESN’T get Smoltz, Soriano and Gonzo (at least 2 of them at a time), back healthy, this team WILL NOT win more than about half of their games, and WILL NOT make the playoffs.
Again. Find me a post of MINE that has stated that I’ve given up on this team, and I’ll shut up.
You wanna argue with me on a topic? Fine. You wanna say I’m over-board and long winded in my posts? Fine.
But don’t make sh!t up so you can blast me. Many people on this blog will tell you that there are PLENTY of things to blast me over, without having to make sh!t up.
Cool?
Mark in PA
“N8, did not the ‘mediocre’ St. Louis Cardinals win the World Series, after an 83 win season?”
Sure they did. Do you think that 83 wins is gonna do it in the NL East this year? I don’t. It surely isn’t gonna win the wild-card.
In 2006, the NL Central teams COMBINED to go 453-518 (.466).
So far the NL East has gone 105-101 (.509), so again, I don’t think 83 wins is gonna cut it.
Do I think the Marlins are gonna keep up this pace? I don’t think so. But then again, I thought we’d turn it around last year, I thought the Mets would be able to hold on to their lead, and I seem to recall a team in 1991 in the NL West that NOBODY believed could and would continue their tear (including the division leading Dodgers in August).
So to those underestimating what Fredi Gonzalez has going on in Florida, beware. Lot of young talent on that team that is ACTUALLY playing like they belong in the big leagues.
But you are correct. Once the CRAP SHOOT, otherwise known as the MLB Play-Offs begins, ANYTHING can happen, if you get invited to the dance.
I really believe that last year, we were built to win playoff series, as long as Smoltz and Hudson were healthy. We just didn’t get there.
Which is why it’s so odd after all those years of being built to dominate in games 1-162, yet fall short so many times.
We were 40-26 in games started by Smoltz and Hudson last year. 44-51 in the other games.
I’d say we had the two horses we needed, provided we had sneaked in.
Oh well. Like I said. There isn’t gonna be any sneaking in this year, in this division. If we’re a “mediocre” team at the end of the year, we will be done playing on September 28th.
By Kev
May 16, 2008 11:56 PM | Link to this
Carroll
Any news on Soriano’s Bullpen today?? how did it go?
By brent a.
May 16, 2008 11:59 PM | Link to this
N8
Perhaps you should quit stating the obvious. It’s unbecoming when a team’s performance has been so mediocre. ;-0
By N8
May 17, 2008 12:00 AM | Link to this
On a side note, I’m not so sure about Billy Wagner’s “approach” when ripping his teammates.
But he had an EXCELLENT point. Why the hell was the closer (who wasn’t even used) being asked questions about that loss?
If the ones who were “responsible” bailed out before answering questions, he had ever right to be ticked.
My guess is that he isn’t as mad about having to answer, as he is about he young guys skipping out on facing the music when they fail.
I tell you what.
If that happens later in the year, and Smoltz gets “stuck” answering questions and one of the younger guys ducks out on stepping up to the mic, I’m gonna go out on a limb and predict, he’d respond in the same manner.
By N8
May 17, 2008 12:06 AM | Link to this
Somebody mentioned that somebody ELSE had mentioned that Escobar is 2-20 in the leadoff spot. It’s actually 2-15 (.133), which is pretty horrible, and I’m one of the guys that was BEGGING for him to be in the leadoff spot. Yikes.
However, in 4 games as the lead-off hitter, he’s scored 3 runs.
Kelly, in 28 games as the lead-off hitter, scored only 17 runs. Add to that, that Kelly is 4-7 since dropping down to 7th in the order.
T** for Tat, I guess. Heat one guy up (KJ) by moving him, and cool another guy off (Yunel).
I guess it’s time to find ourselves a lead-off hitter NOT named Yunel or Kelly.
By Overlord
May 17, 2008 12:09 AM | Link to this
So we have to teams ……..
the atlanta braves
and
the on the road shames
totally different teams.
By Carroll Rogers
May 17, 2008 12:13 AM | Link to this
Brando, I asked Bobby about Mike Hampton today, whether he was starting any physical activity soon, and he said the pec was still hurting him. I did see Hampton here today and he’s around. When i talked to him he wasn’t sure what was next. but maybe it’s not that far off. I’ll check with him again.
Go braves, i beg your pardon for not putting that in the blog that soriano threw a bullpen (geez) but i did put something in the notes about it. Be a friend and click on some other stories on the braves page from time to time. Here’s what it said: “Rafael Soriano threw another bullpen session Friday and is aiming to face hitters in a simulated game either Tuesday or Wednesday, Cox said.”
Kentavo…BIG Who fan from back in the day. and no, didn’t realize it was a big deal for a gal. I mean after all Roger Daltrey was awfully easy on the baby blues. But i loved Pete Townshend for his genius and his big nose just the same.
mark in PA. i believe that makes me 9-2, with both one-run wins.
Shamus. thanks and sending out thoughts for your mom.
By Tomas
May 17, 2008 12:30 AM | Link to this
Keylargo,
Who is the best centerfielder in the game defensevely? Who has won 10 consecutive gold gloves in center, and who is the man many people say is the best all time defensively? The answer is Andruw Jones. In tv andruw looks like he isn’t trying but he can cover some ground, he looks like he doesn’t make espectatucular plays because he is not a show off like Ryan Freel that dives for everything. Besides Kemp is a bad defensive centerfielder.
Andruws arm is not the best, but it is above average. He had 20 assist in 2000, since then they haven’t run at him that much. He has an above average arm, of a 100 I give him an 80. Andruw is the best, and it is not because I say it, it is because the experts say it. He may not hit a beach ball but he sure can catch it.
By N8
May 17, 2008 12:45 AM | Link to this
Thomas
“Who is the best centerfielder in the game defensevely?”
There are plenty of AL Scouts who over the winter said they would take Tori Hunter (who has kept him self in better shape), over Andruw.
“Who has won 10 consecutive gold gloves in center”
In 1999, Rafael Palmeiro won his 3rd consecutive GG at 1B. Only problem is, is that he ONLY played 28 at 1B that year, the other 135 were as the DH. So don’t tell me that those things aren’t won on reputation, as opposed to actually playing the best that year.
“…and who is the man many people say is the best all time defensively?”
Most people that are NOT Braves fans tell you that Willie Mays is. You know what? He wouldn’t be a very good CF, right now either. LOL!
In the shape that Andruw is in, he might not be the best CF on his own team with Pierre there (if you’re purely talking about running down fly balls - with that “sally” arm, Pierre makes Diaz look like Francoeur).
Bottom line, Andruw is costing the Dodgers more games than he’s winning for them, at this point.
That might change, but the odds are against him, based on last years numbers, IMO.
By uga-brave
May 17, 2008 12:53 AM | Link to this
just got back from the ted. gotta give jjj props for keeping us in the game early.
sans chuck n duck the starting pitching has been outstanding.
b’macc had a outstanding game. that throw francoeur made was up the line and he made a great catch and tag.
nice to see francoeur pick up tex after the double play in the sixth.
i still think tex is gonna lead this team in dingers and rbi provided that he is healthy.
said all winter the team to beat in the east is the phillies. the mets clubhouse has less of a chance of surviving then a screen door during a hurricane.
By uga-brave
May 17, 2008 1:12 AM | Link to this
kinda getting sick of the andruw bashing. he played his arse off for this franchise.
he is a top 10 atlanta brave. i personally believe he was as good or better then murphy.
i really think we have seen the last of chuck n duck. at least he took his demotion like a man.
you gotta wonder why he has refused to change his approach.
the home grown atlanta braves thing is running out of steam. davies, james, mcbride, francoeur.
b’macc is looking like a young varitek. i think he will eventually be a good leader. you dont have to have your own 1 hour long story on sports south to have the respect of your teammates.
By uga-brave
May 17, 2008 1:31 AM | Link to this
29 games and counting since we have got a homerun out of either right field or left field, pretty amazing. thats close to 20 % of the season.
By BravesDave
May 17, 2008 1:34 AM | Link to this
uga, apparently, having a 1-hour long story on Sports South does guarantee you a spot in the starting lineup everyday.
Maybe someone should call Sports South and ask them to profile Kelly Johnson.
By N8
May 17, 2008 1:45 AM | Link to this
uga
“kinda getting sick of the andruw bashing. he played his arse off for this franchise.”
I don’t really enjoy bashing him. I did like watching him play.
However, when I go on an Andruw bashing rant, it’s mainly aimed at the people who wanna act like he’s STILL the player that competed for the MVP in 05.
Kind of like all the people that thought we “gave up” on Davies and HoRam too soon, and are now doing the same thing with Chuck.
The minor leagues are there for a reason. You keep a guy there until you think he’s ready. Then bring him up. If he fails (and the GM considers the team to be a contender), you send him back down for more “seasoning”.
If this repeats itself 3 or 4 times with similar results, it’s probably not too soon to “give up”, worst case scenario give the kid a change of scenery, while picking up a “different” prospect for yourself.
I said it yesterday. With Chuck, there are to “options” or scenarios that are going on with him.
1) He’s still hurt, which wouldn’t be his fault for sucking azz since the last month or two of last year. HOWEVER, Bobby and Wren should NOT get a free pass on rushing back an injured player and then being shocked by the results.
2) He’s just not that good.
I tend to believe that our GM and HOF manager wouldn’t throw the kid under the bus like that, so I’m going with option #2. Good enough for a young team not contending? Sure. See if he figures it out. But for a team trying to give it’s veterans “one last hoorah!”, he’s a poor fit.
By uga-brave
May 17, 2008 2:20 AM | Link to this
bravesdave,
apparently you and i are on the outside.
i dont think either of us dislike frenchy, at least from my perpsective i expected more, and still do.
your right fielder on a good team cannot have a .730 .ops. especially when diaz has a .630 .ops.
the guy plays everyday gets 700 plate appearances a year, at some point either the light goes on or does not.
i think a lot of the racncor that francoeur gets is because of the local media. they treat him with kid gloves. still waiting for one of the local scribes to question his long term value.
i believe that francoeur already gets the community relations thing, i just hope his on the field contributions catch up with his work off the field.
By Capt. Caveman (the original dawg)
May 17, 2008 2:29 AM | Link to this
YO N8
I have never had a different name on this blog. I am not an AJC employee.
But if I had a dollar for every time Coach was wrong I wouldn’t have to work.
As I said before - if this blog was a seesaw than Coach would be stuck up in the air cuz everybody else is on the other side of every one of his arguments
By uga-brave
May 17, 2008 2:43 AM | Link to this
capt. caveman,
dude you gotta let up on the coach.
his VCR went on the fritz and he cannot watch the tom emansky, fred mcgriff “PLAY LIKE A PRO INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEO,”
where else do you think he got all those clever terms, “roll the hole”
every time i see one of his posts i imagine vic morreau, the coach of the yankees in the original BAD NEWS BEARS. i see that dude walking around in bike coaching shorts and pulled up socks. cringe.
By BravesDave
May 17, 2008 2:53 AM | Link to this
Yeah, uga, we catch a lot of criticism here for making our opinions known on Francoeur.
He has regressed since he reached the majors. In his first 70 games, he hit .300 with 14 HRs and slugged .550. Since then, pitchers adjusted to his scouting reports and he hasn’t adjusted.
He does not play smart baseball and his at-bats show that he has no concept of situational hitting.
He has great physical talent, as proven by his numbers at the age of 21 in 2005. He can’t put it together with an intelligent approach.
How can a 6’4” kid that is a solid 230 pounds go 30 games without a HR???
Would anyone on this blog have included Ryan Church in the same sentence with Francoeur before the start of this season? Not a chance. Yet Church, with over 500 fewer career at-bats, has suddenly become a better player than Francouer.
Church is hitting over .300 with 8 HRs and 30 RBIs. Better SLG% and better OBP%. And he is playing better defense than Francoeur.
It is mind-blowing.
By Capt. Caveman (the original dawg)
May 17, 2008 2:56 AM | Link to this
uga-brave
as a fellow uga fan I appreciate what your saying.
I sort of pictured him as a guy who stills wears a green sport coat with plaid pants.
But — you know sometimes I just need something to do and he is just easy pickings.
I was going to post as Trogoldyte once just to see if he would get it but I didn’t want to waste a good inside joke on a him.
By jbutler
May 17, 2008 3:16 AM | Link to this
Florida Brave I thought BC would toss Boyer in for the 9th also; I was surprised he had Acosta in for 2. I also thought he was brought up with the intention of being a fill-in starter, much like Bennett- but haven’t heard any rumblings like that at all. He can pitch it lights out when he’s on- I think he’s fun to watch.
Carol I too was a HUGE Who fan back when they were rocking the stadiums mid-80s or so…I recall a decent amount of girls going ga-ga for Daltry…certainly not the worst thing to watch on stage!! :)
By uga-brave
May 17, 2008 3:23 AM | Link to this
bravesdave,
throw in ryan braun, cory hart, jason werth, josh hamilton, (off the charts) and a ton of others that did not make the cover of sports illustrated.
i remember watching CSS here in atlanta one night when matt chernoff asked terry pendleton what is your thoughts on francoeur, point blank he answered, ” jeff is a great talent but he thinks he could climb mount everest with a spool of thread and a needle,”
By Quack Quack
May 17, 2008 5:44 AM | Link to this
Does anybody like the idea I posted a few days ago?
BLANCO, KOTSAY, YUNEL, CHIPPER, TEX
OR
KOTSAY, KJ, YUNEL, CHIPPER, TEXOverlord
No.If for no other reason than Chippy is hitting .426 and you want to move him out of his preferred comfort zone like a dummy. and Yunul does not hit with enough power to bat third, Sheeeesh, where do you come up with this crap, Baseball For Dummies?
By BravesRule
May 17, 2008 6:03 AM | Link to this
… I don’t think Wagner is necessarily a jerk as much as the Mets clubhouse is a mess.MEB
Wagner is a jerk. He has a nasty habit of running his mouth to the presss whenever he is unhappy about something. Not a well liked player
By ncscoots
May 17, 2008 6:23 AM | Link to this
Yeah, uga, we catch a lot of criticism here for making our opinions known on Francoeur.
Actually, you don’t. It’s not the content, it’s the unrelenting regularity of it. We certainly know your opinion on the matter, and I’d be willing to bet that there are many who share it.
But you two guys (and Overlord, with his constant raking of Kelly Johnson) are reaching Robert’s Cox-is-a-donkey heights. It borders on the obsessive, and it makes it very hard for an objective observer to believe that personal dislike does not enter into the equation, despite your protestations to the contrary.
I’m just saying.
By Defender of Coach
May 17, 2008 6:32 AM | Link to this
I was going to post as Trogoldyte once just to see if he would get it but I didn’t want to waste a good inside joke on a him.CC
spell it correctly and he might at least have a chance
By Lew
May 17, 2008 8:15 AM | Link to this
Caveman and UGABrave- Fellow Dawgs. Just hope he doesn’t look like the Coach on Mad TV. That would certainly be detrimental to developing minds.
Carroll-Another win in your column. Careful. Denizens will be asking for DOB to take more time off. They’ll overwork you if given a chance. Don’t forget updates on the most obscure pitchers on the rookie league team. Enquiring minds can’t do without the information. Immediately.
By Philliesuk
May 17, 2008 8:27 AM | Link to this
The best part about the win last night is that it gave me hope that maybe we actually can win some of those games where our offense is anemic.
Gotta give it up to JJJ for a solid performance on 3 days rest. I was actually glad Bobby pitched him last night; it’s not like he’s been over-pitched this year. I also applaud Bobby’s decision to leave Manny in for two innings. Typically, I don’t feel that way, but I liked how he looked in the 8th and in addition to that, we have a few other relievers coming off the DL soon. I’m sure that win gave Manny a lot of confidence.
I don’t care if Devine doesn’t give up a run the rest of the year. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. I love Kotsay, and I’d rather have him than Devine. He’s a solid, steady ballplayer who is giving this team stability. He’s also one of the coolest ballplayers I’ve ever met.
By Shaun
May 17, 2008 8:29 AM | Link to this
In Neyer’s examination of NL run differentials:
NL East: No fooling around. The beasts of the East are … the Braves? Yeah, the Braves. At least when it comes to runs scored and runs allowed. The Braves have outscored their opponents by 39 runs, which is the best differential in the division and the third best in the league. So why are they just 20-20? It’s elemntary, my dear Watson: the Braves are an otherworldly 1-11 in one-run games. Early on the bullpen wasn’t doing well, but you know what? At this moment Atlanta’s relievers have a 3.67 ERA, right around the league average. The Braves haven’t lost all those close games because their bullpen stinks. They’ve lost them because they’ve been terribly unfortunate. And while their luck probably won’t even out, it will certainly improve, at which point — if they keep doing everything else they’ve been doing — the Braves will make a fair amount of noise. I’m not picking them to win, but I’ll be shocked if they’re not in the middle of things in August.
By flange1
May 17, 2008 8:34 AM | Link to this
Morning all,
Great win last night?
JJJ showed some guts hanging around without his best stuff.
For me McCann has earned the 5 spot to both RH and LH pitchers. He is raking right now, and that tag at the plate was outstanding.
I am really enjoying watching Escobar. He did not hit well last night, but the defense has been great, The stretch on the Acosta throw was a thing of beauty.
While Blanco has done better than expected, I am tiring of Diaz, I think it is time for a LF upgrade. We need some OF power and a RH hitter would help our offense against LH pitching.
Diaz is a great PH, but I think that is it. Part time player OK, full time player NO!
By William
May 17, 2008 9:01 AM | Link to this
N8 You are overboard and long winded with a bunch of hot air with your posts. Better?
By Yars
May 17, 2008 9:19 AM | Link to this
When Prado comes off the DL, unless a trade is made, it would seem that Gotay will be the odd man out. If Infante were to start struggling, I guess Prado will start at 2B against LH pitching. The bottom line is, it looks like KJ’s days as an everyday 2B for the Braves are over. That being said, I can’t see the Braves trading KJ this season. With Tex struggling, never knowing when Chipper will miss a string of games, Frenchy not displaying the power we are all waiting for him to display, KJ’s bat is a must right now, even if it is only against RH starting pitching. now playing: new years day by U2.
By Jim
May 17, 2008 9:34 AM | Link to this
As bad as Chuck James has been this year things could be worse. Did anyone see Villareal’s line last night? Three home runs and a double that just missed going out plus a bunch of other hard base hits in 1 IP. In 22 innings this year he has now surrendered 10 HRs. If Josh Anderson never plays an inning for the Braves (or brings back a player who never plays an inning, that trade was still addition by subtraction.)
By chase (the original)
May 17, 2008 9:36 AM | Link to this
Uga-Brave
I agree with you on the AJ stuff..
I gotta say for anyone who wasn’t sure…..JAIR is the real deal
That game last night might have been his most impressive…He was going on 3-days rest, he didn’t have his best stuff,
there were runners/walks/hits all over the place and he still gutted out 5 innings and only gave up 2 runs….
simply impressive…
DETROIT may never let us trade for one of their pitchers again…
The TIGERS are probably kicking themselves
By Lew
May 17, 2008 9:43 AM | Link to this
Yars-I wouldn’t count on a platon happening with Kelly Johnson. I believe the only reason Infante has played since returning from the DL is to give him some time against ML pitching. Prado will not be back for a while and may well be quite rusty when he does return.
Kelly, on the other hand, is hitting much better recently. I just don’t see a true platoon in the future at second base.
I prefer the Live version of New Year’s Day on Under a Blood Red Sky-great album-especially if you get into the earlier U2 like I do.
By David
May 17, 2008 9:45 AM | Link to this
Carroll, tell me this…
Why can Joe Simpson see there is no way James can pitch in the majors throwing off his leg like that, but we’ve heard nothing from Cox or McDowell about it???
By Braveheart
May 17, 2008 9:45 AM | Link to this
How can a 6’4” kid that is a solid 230 pounds go 30 games without a HR???
In 1976, when he was 24 years old, Dave Winfield went 34 games without a homer. Winfield was 6’6” tall and 225 pounds.
By KC
May 17, 2008 9:58 AM | Link to this
Lew: If Infante performs well… I don’t think anything will change with the current arrangement. If he doesn’t perform well, then Kelly will be back in the every day role.
I think Bobby is concerned about the Braves vulnerability to lefties pitchers with 3 every day left-handed hitters in the lineup. So it wouldn’t surprise me at all to see this platoon remain in place.
Again… only if Infante performs fairly well.
By Braveheart
May 17, 2008 9:58 AM | Link to this
How can a 6’4” kid that is a solid 230 pounds go 30 games without a HR???
When Derrek Lee was 25 years old, he went 24 games w/o a HR. Lee is 6’6”
Dale Murphy went 24 games without a homer when he was 27 years old. Murphy was 6’5”
When Cal Ripken was 28 years old, he went 29 games without a homer. Ripken was 6’4”
When Ripken was 29 years old, he went 40 games without a homer. Ripken was 6’4”
When Darryl Strawberry was 27 years old, he went 26 games without a homer. Straw was 6’6”
By KC
May 17, 2008 10:07 AM | Link to this
Lew: I should add that I’m not necessarily on board with Infante playing half the time at second.
Looking at his numbers, I’m not sure I understand the confidence the Braves are already showing in him.
By Lew
May 17, 2008 10:08 AM | Link to this
KC-Infante is a utility infielder, if I’m not mistaken, with a lot less available power than Kelly has. I don’t think it makes much difference unless Infante goes on an absolute tear. I still believe he’s being given playing time to keep him fresh in case Chipper or KJ go down to injury-that and nothing else.
Of course, I could be wrong-it’s happened once or twice-but this time I don’t think so.
By Lew
May 17, 2008 10:12 AM | Link to this
KC-Just checked Omar out on Baseball Reference. He is a career .254 hitter who has not played more than 78 games a season for three years. He has 32 HR in over 1600 AB and has struck out 308 times. He’s not going to get much playing time. He’s a utility guy-just like I thought.
By N8
May 17, 2008 10:16 AM | Link to this
William
“N8 You are overboard and long winded with a bunch of hot air with your posts. Better?”
Much. Like me, when I discuss the Braves, you are just speaking the truth (accept for the hot air part).
By Carroll Rogers
May 17, 2008 10:20 AM | Link to this
David, Joe Simpson’s job is to be analytical, and critical at times if the situation calls for it (aka Chuck’s mechanics). That’s not how Bobby or Roger approaches his job, to be critical of players in the media, even if it’s true. Different deal.
LEW, I’m not sure I agree with you about getting Infante at-bats. Seems to me it’s more than that. Until last night the Braves had lost three in a row against lefties and were 7-10 overall, and I think Bobby is trying to find a way to win those games by getting another right-handed bat in the order. But I guess we’ll see how it plays out. Hard to know for sure when Bobby doesn’t like to say which way he’s going with that.
By McFann
May 17, 2008 10:28 AM | Link to this
That sure was a great game last night! I agree with all of you who said that it was McCann’s night! (Of course I do, don’t I?)
That play at the plate didn’t make the “Top Ten” on SportsCenter, but who cares?? We all know it basically saved the game!
And kudos to Kotsay for getting the game-winner against his former team!
Flange1—
I think McCann’s earned the fifth spot against all pitchers as well. He’s hittin’ .319 right now! He’s got 7 homers and 25 RBI! At thins point last year, he was hitting .280 with 3 homers and 19 RBI. Quite a difference.
Just for comparison, at this point in 2006, he was hitting a whopping .354 with 5 homers and 20 RBI.
Like, later!
By Random
May 17, 2008 10:34 AM | Link to this
An NBA Aside:
Everybody I’ve heard recently — and I mean EVERYbody, TV & radio — has been trying to place the playoff pressure on the Celtics, ‘cause they’ve haven’t won an away game during the playoffs.
WRONG!!! That’s an utter non-starter.
With homecourt advantage throughout the playoffs, the Celtics don’t even have to think about road wins.
The real pressure is on their opponents to try to take one in Boston.
There will be no “win-on-the-road” pressure on the Celtics UNTIL (IF) they lose one at home.
Until then, they’re cruisin’.
(Of course, if they lose this next game at home, the ol’ PSI will approach zero, seein’ as how they’ll be out of it in that case. But there will be no pressure on the Celtics except for the customary “game 7 — loser sits” pressure. And that will be more on the Cavs than the Celts.)
PS: “Tesh”.
By Ron Roberts
May 17, 2008 10:34 AM | Link to this
As a Georgia Bulldog, first and foremost, I’m glad Joey Devine’s doing well. Glad he even did well against us, so long as we get the win, right?
There were those who didn’t think the kid was ever gonna amount to much as a major league pitcher, and they’ve obviously been proven wrong. I think the trade has put him where his mind’s free of whatever pressure he felt after his brief stint with the Braves.
I don’t question Bobby much, and ya always hear how great it is to play for him, but you see the occasional player, from time to time, that he just loses confidence in, and that player never seems to re-gain an opportunity; the head-scratcher is how he’ll do that w/some players, and w/players like Reitsma and Kolb, he’ll trot ‘em out there, night after night, watch ‘em blow countless games, and still stand by ‘em. Where I question Bobby in Devine’s case was in using him in such a crucial situation back in the kid’s first season, in a playoff road game, in a bandbox, no less. Did he think Devine had icewater in his veins? ANYbody would’ve been tense in that situation, right?
I also think Kotsay might’ve been in a situation where he knew he’d let down the A’s and their fanbase and needed a fresh start devoid of the pressure that comes with his injury-riddled two prior seasons and the watchful eye of an impatient fanbase.
By Lew
May 17, 2008 10:43 AM | Link to this
Carroll-I could be wrong, like I said, but Infante’s career track record just doesn’t inspire any kind of offensive confidence. Maybe an occasional start, but a true platoon? I know that’s how Bobby does things many times, but I’m just not too sure of the benefits of a second base platoon-especially with Punch and Judy hitter like Omar. Maybe with Prado when he returns.
That being said, your point about our record against left handers is well taken. Something needs to be done-but Infante? Does he really seem like a solution?
By Lew
May 17, 2008 10:53 AM | Link to this
Then again-I’m not number four on the All Time Managerial win list. I would assume Bobby knows a good bit more than I do about making teams perform (despite his many detractors here). He DOES have a great track record for getting the most out of his players. Maybe such will be the case with Omar. One can only hope.
By N8
May 17, 2008 11:14 AM | Link to this
“That being said, your point about our record against left handers is well taken. Something needs to be done-but Infante? Does he really seem like a solution?”
Lew, maybe it’s Infante for now (trying to catch a little “lightning in a bottle”, until Prado gets back.
Because I have to believe that once (if) Prado is healthy, Gotay will NOT be on the 25 man roster.
I could be wrong though.
Then again, maybe Bobby’s just trying to give KJ some days off to “clear his head” a bit.
Like Carroll said (as does DOB), Bobby doesn’t tip his hand that much.
He might go on-and-on for a month of how he’s doing this or that, and for this or that reason, and then all of the sudden, you look up, and he’s been running a straight platoon the whole time, NEVER publicly acknowledging that that’s what he’s doing. It just “happens”.
It’s kind of like the “grab-bag” at the carnival. You never know what you’re gonna get.
By BravesFanInRockies
May 17, 2008 11:25 AM | Link to this
Re: Infante,
He’s no Albert Pujols, but if he keeps having quality ABs vs. lefties, you have to keep him in the lineup. I see him spelling KJ, Kotsay, Tex(just kidding — maybe).
This club has been so wretched vs. southpaws that many options should be open.
I’m delighted that Bobby let Acosta finish that game. Boyer’s been great but probably overworked. Until Smoltz is back why not let your 8th inning guy finish if he’s kept his pitch count down? Or why not let Smoltz occasionally go 2 if he’s available only 2 or 3 times a week?
I have no idea why more managers don’t do that; let your finishers go 2 on occasion when they’re dealing on a given night and then pitch them a little less often.
By gobraves
May 17, 2008 11:33 AM | Link to this
Carroll, I was just messing with you.
By Moby Grape
May 17, 2008 11:39 AM | Link to this
I have no idea why more managers don’t do that; let your finishers go 2 on occasion when they’re dealing on a given night and then pitch them a little less often.BravesFanRockies
for flexibility, so they can bring him right back the next night if needed, why else? Pitch them 2 innings and most of the time you are taking a chance if you don’t give them a night off at least.
By McFann
May 17, 2008 12:01 PM | Link to this
b’macc had a outstanding game. that throw francoeur made was up the line and he made a great catch and tag. Uga-Brave
Totally agree with you! You were there? Man…
I have a feeling we’ll see replays of that tag during the game tonight. But the problem with P-TV is that they don’t do the pre-game/post-game shows. No interviews or anything. BO-RING!!
BTW, Ms. Rogers—is that 8-2 now? Or is it 9-2?
By nolie
May 17, 2008 12:12 PM | Link to this
After all these years, Chipper Jones still going strong Crasnick
By Jerry Crasnick ESPN.com
Note to all those baseball romantics and dreamers who think Atlanta third baseman Chipper Jones could add spice to the 2008 season by flirting with .400: It’s not going to happen.
For a variety of reasons, the chances of a Sunshine State World Series are better than Jones’ reprising Ted Williams. Consider that Jones is in his 15th season and has yet to bat better than .337. He’s good for legging out maybe a hit a month, and at age 36, he must be vigilant about nagging injuries that could spiral into something more serious.
The latest case in point occurred Thursday in Philadelphia. Jones felt a twinge in his groin while hitting off a tee, so he decided to sit out in hopes of being fresh for this weekend’s series against Oakland in Atlanta. Chipper Jones’ career highs Age Runs 123 26 (1998) Hits 189 29 (2001) Doubles 42 35 (2007) Home runs 45 27 (1999) Walks 126 27 (1999) Batting avg. .337 35 (2007) On-base pct. .445 27 (1999) Slugging pct. .633 27 (1999) OPS 1.074 27 (1999)
Still, the occasional bout of reality can’t diminish Jones’ incredible start. The Elias Sports Bureau reports that he just became the fourth National League player since 1960 to amass 60 or more hits and at least 10 home runs with his team fewer than 40 games into a season. Billy Williams of the 1964 Cubs, Lou Brock of the 1967 Cardinals and Larry Walker of the 1997 Rockies were the others.
Jones also is hitting .418. The last Brave to carry a .400 average this deep into the season was Ralph “The Roadrunner” Garr of the 1971 Atlanta club.
Heck, Houston’s Lance Berkman is in the middle of a 28-for-46 tear, and Jones is hitting 27 points higher than him.
“It’s been a cool first six weeks of the season, to say the least,” Jones said, smiling.
The sight of Jones making time stand still for his first and only professional organization is both heartwarming and remarkable. It really does seem like yesterday when he signed with Atlanta out of Jacksonville, Fla., as the first pick in the 1990 draft. The Braves offered a $250,000 bonus, Jones and his father asked for $300,000, and after a half-hour of bickering, the two sides settled on $275,000.
Eighteen years, five All-Star appearances, an MVP award and 333 postseason at-bats later, Jones continues to enhance his credentials as one of baseball’s great switch-hitters. He also is an object of respect bordering on reverence in his own clubhouse.
Right fielder Jeff Francoeur jokingly calls him “the old fart in the clubhouse,” then ranks him among the most underrated players in the game.
“I can’t see him hitting .400, but I can definitely see him at .350 or .360,” Francoeur said. “The way he’s hitting, I think this is his year to win the batting title.”
Manager Bobby Cox is convinced Jones’ Hall of Fame ticket is punched even though he has yet to reach 400 home runs or 2,200 hits. And pitcher John Smoltz theorizes that if Jones wanted to sacrifice batting average for power tomorrow, it could happen just like that.
“I guarantee you that he could turn into a .280 hitter and hit 40 home runs if he wanted to,” Smoltz said. “He possesses the ability to do that.”
First baseman Mark Teixeira marvels at Jones’ fluid swing and mastery of the strike zone. Jones has more career walks (1,171) than strikeouts (1,094), putting him in an elite group of power hitters that includes Albert Pujols, Gary Sheffield, Frank Thomas and Todd Helton.
“He rarely swings at bad pitches, and his bat stays in the zone so long,” Teixeira said. “He was just born to hit.”
Jones is getting a second wind at an age when many of his contemporaries have begun to fade or disappeared from view. Consider Carlos Delgado and Shawn Green, who broke into the majors with Toronto in September 1993 just as Jones was arriving on the scene in Atlanta. Green recently retired, and Delgado’s production continues to decline. Feel free to ask any Mets fan how much he has left in the tank.
In Los Angeles, longtime but now-former Brave Andruw Jones is striking out and popping up with regularity, hearing boos each time he steps to the plate and trying to live down the perception that he’s a $36.2 million bust. [+] Enlarge Chipper Jones
AP Photo/J. Pat Carter
Chipper Jones, who hit a career-best .337 last season, is batting .418 with 11 homers through 37 games.
So why has Chipper Jones endured? In part, it’s a matter of Jones’ keeping his skills intact long enough for his experience and analytical skills to catch up. He has a keener sense than ever for how the catcher is calling the game and what the pitcher is trying to accomplish in a given at-bat.
“I’m definitely smarter now,” Jones said. “I’m quicker to pick up on pitchers and teams — how they’re trying to pitch me, knowing pitchers’ repertoires and what they’re going to try and get you out with in a crucial situation. I’ll sit on a pitch and wait the whole at-bat for that pitch. Young hitters don’t do that.”
An American League scout said Jones has an uncanny knack for keeping his hands back even when his lower half and his hips have begun to commit. So even when Jones starts his stride in anticipation of a fastball, he’s still able to inflict damage if the pitcher throws a changeup or a curve.
Jones is comfortable hitting with two strikes and secure enough to gauge how he feels on a particular day and adjust accordingly.
“A lot of guys go up there trying to gap the ball,” Francoeur said. “If Chipper knows he’s not feeling good, he’ll just try to hit singles. He knows when he can attack the ball and try to go for the big ball, and when he just needs to get a base hit.”
When a hitter is truly locked in, bad days can become good days in a hurry. In a 6-1 win over Los Angeles in April, Jones struck out swinging and grounded into a double play in his first two at-bats against Derek Lowe. Just when he appeared to be on his way to one unsightly oh-fer, he hit two homers, added a single and drove in four runs.
Jones, like many observers, thinks the age of specialization is the biggest factor weighing against a .400 bid. Just when you think you’ve got the starter figured out — and you know he’s tiring and potentially vulnerable — he’s in the dugout and a righty or lefty specialist is in the game to bridge the gap to the closer.
As a switch-hitter, Jones has an advantage that George Brett, Tony Gwynn and Ichiro Suzuki have never enjoyed. But versatility comes with a price. A big league hitter’s swing can be a fickle thing, and Jones has to do a lot of maintenance to keep two swings in order. It’s like babysitting twins.
“It takes twice as long to prepare and twice as many swings,” Teixeira said. “Sometimes you can drive yourself crazy trying to keep two swings right.”
Jones has no illusions about hitting .400 because he knows the odds will even out eventually. Hard-hit balls will stop eluding infielders or finding outfield gaps with such regularity. Pitchers will do a better job of getting ahead in the count and dictating events. It happens.
All Jones can ask is to stay healthy enough to take the field. If one thing rankles him, it’s the perception that he’s evolved into some sort of Tin Man in his mid 30s.
Two years ago, Jones slipped while charging a slow roller on a wet infield in San Francisco and sprained his knee and his ankle. During a recent series in New York, he was talking to a reporter when he reached into his locker for a pair of sunglasses and experienced back spasms. He sat out two games as a precaution.
“It’s those kind of fluke injuries that have plagued me the last couple of years,” Jones said. “All of a sudden, people want to talk about my body breaking down. It’s not breaking down. It’s still good, and when I’m healthy, I still produce.”
More than words can say.
Jerry Crasnick covers baseball for ESPN.com.
By McFann
May 17, 2008 12:20 PM | Link to this
Man, it was good seeing that smile on BMac’s face, coming out to the mound after the third out! If he’s not the game MVP, he ought to be. Mark in PA
Very good to see! Love it! Don’t know who the game MVP was, but it should’ve been him if it wasn’t!
What a great game! Can’t wait till tonight!! Dang! It’s only 12:19!
By McFann
May 17, 2008 12:31 PM | Link to this
Frenchy and Mac are doing OK Pete H.
McCann is doing “OK”? Dude, what more do you want? Look at these numbers:
(OBP/SLG/AVG HR 2B RBI)
.385/.590/.319 7 16 25
Where’s the problem? I guess he only has one triple…
b’macc is looking like a young varitek. i think he will eventually be a good leader. you dont have to have your own 1 hour long story on sports south to have the respect of your teammates. Uga-Brave
Good one! I’ve said it before that he’d make a good team leader. He’s very much respected in that clubhouse. (And all over the league, or he prob’ly wouldn’t have gone to the All-Star Game last year.)
And he’s not afraid to admit when he did something wrong. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s considered the team leader sometime after Chipper leaves.
BTW—Side note here, but um, how long to have to play to classified as a “veteran”?
By TexasBrave
May 17, 2008 1:01 PM | Link to this
Guess we are going to see mostly lefties tonight for the Bravos. Not only is Harden a righty but lefties are hitting .310 (albeit in just 3 games/14.2 innings).
Hope Bobby sticks with Escobar leading off then Kotsay, Chipper, Tex, McCann, KJ, Frenchy and Blanco.
Congrats to Stockman on his call up and here’s hoping Bennett finally gets a chance to prove whether he is deserving of being the Braves fifth starter Tuesday.
By richbrave
May 17, 2008 1:14 PM | Link to this
YARS of this morning:
GOTAY out. I agree.
By BravesDave
May 17, 2008 1:25 PM | Link to this
Braveheart, nice research and valid points about Francoeur’s 30-game homer-less streak. I’ll trust your numbers without researching to verify them.
Pointing out that it has happened in the past doesn’t change the fact that it is pretty unbelievable. Honestly, I don’t even remember Francoeur hitting a ball that came close to leaving the yard in the past 30 games. He is not even displaying warning-track power.
One other comment…most of the players you mentioned ending up finishing their seasons by hitting over 20 HRs; Murphy ended with 36, I believe. Do you think that Francoeur is going to hit between 20-35 HRs this season? Just asking.
By 96,sc
May 17, 2008 1:31 PM | Link to this
I have Direct TV and can’t find PTV here in G’wood sc. Does cable or anyone else carry these games. I hate not being able to watch the game live and it’s no fun keeping up with play by play on computer.
By ncgary
May 17, 2008 1:43 PM | Link to this
ive decided to run for the president of the usa and i only need 2 people to donate 2000 dollars to my campaign, im effectively sure this is all i need to win. 3000 to file and a 1000 to change my name to “none of the above”
lol go braves
By THB
May 17, 2008 1:45 PM | Link to this
About the draft: Who thinks we should draft Tanner Scheppers? He’s one of the top pitchers, but has a stress fracture in his shoulder, and will likely drop from the top 10. He’s the ace at Fresno State, maybe worth taking?
I tell you what, if we have an available 2B, and if it’s going to be KJ, we should trade him while his stock is high because he’s too good to platoon. Maybe we could get a starter out of him, somebody like Aaron Cook, Ervin Santana, or Vasquez at worst.
By etownbrave
May 17, 2008 1:55 PM | Link to this
96sc
Current issue of ChopTalk magazine has a list of all the channels. It says DirectTV is on 617 in the Ga,Al,SC,MS,TN,wNC areas. These are the areas covered by FSN and SS. I have DISH and can’t get PTV at all. Do hope this helps you. If nothing else, radio 93.1 from Augusta GA or 105.1 from Elberton usually carry the games. You’ll get Skip and Pete on a regular basis. Great radio if you can’t get tv.
By FloridaBrave
May 17, 2008 2:01 PM | Link to this
Right, THB, Bobby’s Cox and I discusssed this a couple of blogs ago. We both love Kelly and his potential but we need starting pitching for both this season and, more importantly, in the future and Kelly’s one of the most attractive trade pieces we have. A trade centered around him could help us land a guy like Oswalt in the off-season. But I’m not sure this type of deal would happen mid-season.
And, I’m no draft expert, but I have a feeling even if Scheppers falls he’ll want to be paid like a Top 10 pick. I’m all for taking risks like that but the Braves have a track record of taking raw high school players they can coach up, especially from Georgia. I expect that trend to continue
By Capt. Caveman (the original dawg)
May 17, 2008 2:14 PM | Link to this
Dear Defender of coach
Do you really think that we don’t know who you are??
C’mon Coach, that’s not even the slightest bit fooling anyone.
BTW - I saw that it was mistyped but instead of posting a correction I just wanted to see if your “Defender” persona would say anything. And you did.
Because your just soooooo little league.
By brian
May 17, 2008 2:55 PM | Link to this
no way we would get Ervin Santan for Kelly Johnson
By prattvillenolzfan
May 17, 2008 3:14 PM | Link to this
Lew….
Regarding your 9:43 post
I agree…U2’s live version of New Years Day is definately better. However their best “Live” song was when they did BAD during Live Aid. Bono sang the song while walking through the crowd….That was back when MTV used to actually play video’s and concerts….
Quick U2 story…In 1982/1983 at Fla. State, U2 opened for the J.Geils Band…
Next to the Tallahassee Civic Center, there was a college bar, U2 showed up after the concert and ended up playing from 11:00 until 1:30 in the morning…When they walked in, there were only about 50/75 people in there, word got out, and by midnight, the place was packed.
One of the best concerts I have ever experienced….BTW…J. Giels said during the concert that within the next couple of years, they would be opening for U2…
Thanks Lew for reminding me just how fun college could be…..
By Joyce's Brothers
May 17, 2008 3:28 PM | Link to this
My morning boxscores showed an AJones played CF and got two hits for Baltimore last night.
Swear, my first reaction was Andruw has gotten so big there are now two of him.
Yes, I know it’s not nice but it’s what I first thought.
By Hooked On Music
May 17, 2008 3:39 PM | Link to this
Ron Roberts,
Your late morning post regarding Devine & Cox was on.
I would suggest Cox is particularly impatient with young pitchers. He likes to throw new guys - rooks or vets - right into the fire. That’s OK with vets but rooks need easing in and chance to gain confidence.
That certainly didn’t happen with Devine and some others in the past.
Look at how Oakland is using Devine. Almost exclusively in middle innings in less pressured situations. So far, Devine has been good. His ability to continuously throw strikes in that battle with Infante (with Chipper on deck) was exceptional.
By gobraves
May 17, 2008 3:40 PM | Link to this
Joyce’s Brothers
AJones did get two hits for Baltimore last night, Adam Jones.
By brent a.
May 17, 2008 3:56 PM | Link to this
Random,
In response to your 10:34 post.
Here’s the issue wit the Celtics. For 6 road games now they have shown major vulnerabilities with their team. A good team, say, a team coached by Phil Jackson, Greg Popovich, or even Byron Scott, might just be able to find away to exploit those weaknesses in Boston, and not just in their own home gym.
The Celtics seems to have “shrinking Alpha Dog” syndrome, and it has stepped up and bit them at the worst time.
It is entirely possible that the Celtics could win a title by taking all 16 home games; but, it seems highly unlikely that decent competition (which they have not faced yet) will be unable to exploit the Celtics inefficiencies at least once during a game at TD Banknorth Garden.
Even if the Celtics win tomorrow, they will be the only play-off team left who has not won a road play-off game. That’s strong evidence that something is not right with this 66-win team. As soon as they lose a home game (probably game 1 or 2 against Detroit), they’ll be wishing they’d found a way to at least “steal” one in Atlanta. Because, as soon as they lose a home game their confidence is likely to be really shaken.
By 96,sc
May 17, 2008 4:02 PM | Link to this
etownbrave Thanks for the help
By brent a.
May 17, 2008 4:07 PM | Link to this
As a Georgia Bulldog, first and foremost, I’m glad Joey Devine’s doing well. Glad he even did well against us, so long as we get the win, right? Ron Roberts
Perhaps I misunderstand your post; but, I’m pretty certain that Joey Devine pitched for NC State, not UGA.
By Bobby's Cox
May 17, 2008 4:13 PM | Link to this
enjoyed reading the blog last night and the game last night reminded me of the braves of old .
McFann
One more thing: Their catcher looks like a middle infielder!
Now Now mcfann, i know you’re not used to slim catchers (wink wink). Suzuki went to my alma-mater Cal State Fullerton and led the team to the College World Series Championship in 2004 over Texas. He was one of the best hitters in college that year. This year he started off hot and has regressed a little of late. McCann’s playing as good as he ever has lately with the clutch hits and good D at the plate. Gotta be happy with that.
uga-brave
the home grown atlanta braves thing is running out of steam. davies, james, mcbride, francoeur.
Well Said.
By Bobby's Cox
May 17, 2008 4:31 PM | Link to this
When posting trade ideas, please ask yourself what’s in it for the other team when you post.
Aaron Cook. Yes. It’s possible. The rockies need a second baseman and are pretty much out of their division at this point
Erwin Santana. No way. The Angels have a good second baseman in Kendrick and are in no way going to give up on young pitching when they’ve been having health issues in their starting rotation.
Vasquez. Possibly. The white sox could use KJ at 2nd. Would you want Vasquez on the braves though? I’d rather have a younger #1 or 2, not an older #3 or 4 for KJ’s ability and promise, but that’s just me.
I would take Harden over Vasquez anyday, even with Harden’s injuries. Billy Bean has always liked guys with a high OBP.
By Didier
May 17, 2008 4:35 PM | Link to this
I—like everyone else—am hoping the “slow start” doesn’t become a “slow go” for Tex. However, the guy is playing some fine first base! Also, Evans was a good slugger and had a better glove than some gave him credit for. However, I don’t rate him HOF caliber. Santo fielded well and hit plenty in an era when pitching dominated. Let him in!
By William
May 17, 2008 4:38 PM | Link to this
As far as KJ not playing last night might have to do with the number of left handed bats in the line up against a lefty. I mean if you have KJ, McCann, and Kotsay, that’s a third of your lineup. You generally don’t see 3 lefties in a lineup against a lefthander on any team. Especially against a lefty that all three have never seen. Just a thought.
By Yunel Escobar
May 17, 2008 4:39 PM | Link to this
Frenchy on Chipper after calling him an old fart:
“I can’t see him hitting .400, but I can definitely see him at .350 or .360,” Francoeur said. “The way he’s hitting, I think this is his year to win the batting title.”
I can’t see frenchy hitting .274, but I can definately see im at .240 or .250, I’m saying. The way he’s hitting, I think this is the year the braves say enough with the andurw approach at the plate and go with someone with more plate discipline.
Sad, but perhaps could be true. Don’t knock Chipper Frenchy. Man up and learn from the guy, even if you were just joking.
By albanian braves fan
May 17, 2008 4:44 PM | Link to this
is remembering that braves have “bench coach” chino cadahia.
is curious: why is bench needing of coaching. bench just for seating of players. does nothing.
what is coming next? coach of water cooler?
By FloridaBrave
May 17, 2008 4:47 PM | Link to this
Right,Bobby’s Cox, the A’s need a 2B BADLY and Kelly fits the mold of guys they look for- high OBP albeit not being a strong defender.
By William
May 17, 2008 4:49 PM | Link to this
I don’t think saying a guy will hit 350 or 360 is knocking a guy. It had been since 1941 a guy has hit 400.
By prattvillenolzfan
May 17, 2008 5:01 PM | Link to this
GREAT POST YUNEL
Franceour has turned it up a notch this past week, however I agree that McCann is quietly turning into the younger team leader.
Franceour always seems to be the one to get the headlines, but if you see McCann on the bench, he’s usually sitting next to Chipper or Smoltz picking their brains…..
Chipper has never been the vocal type, neither is McCann…But when Chipper says something, people usually listens. McCann’s work ethic reminds me of Chipper’s in that he’s always willing to learn and listen….
To me, it seems like Chipper is grooming McCann to be the next clubhouse leader..That’s something you earn.
To repeat what others are saying…Now when is Sportsouth going to do a special on McCann…He’s definately earned it..
By New Boss Same As Old Boss
May 17, 2008 5:02 PM | Link to this
YES, I AM SEETHING!!!
And Farnsworth may be DOA by Monday. Why do “My Baseball People” think anyone who pitches OK for Braves is worthy of big bucks from us.
Anyways, the Santana thing doesn’t bother me as much, even though he beat us today. I’ve moved on and realized given huge $$ and many years to pitchers is one of the worst gambles in sports.
However, listen to this - I’ve been following that Hamilton kid at Texas for a few weeks. Did you notice last night?
So I asked “My Baseball People” if we had been in discussions with Cincy last winter when Hamilton was dealt. “My Baseball People” said the Reds never called.
Excuse me!! We’re the New York Damn Yankees. We don’t wait on calls. We make calls. Geez.
All the Reds wanted was a young and quality pitching prospect. My Goodness, I had a couple.
Yeah, I could have sent that rib-crackling Hughes for Hamilton, then used Cabera or one of my LFers for a decent mid-rotation guy, like Blanton. Hey, you Braves Bashers who like Blanton as a No. 4 rotation guy are right on.
One of Dad’s Old Baseball People, who don’t like “My Baseball People” said Hamilton’s plate presence and swing and 5-tool skills reminded them of the young Mantle.
My God, you mean I could have had the young Mantle for a broken rib or a guy named Ian.
What is wrong with “My Baseball People??”
By prattvillenolzfan
May 17, 2008 5:18 PM | Link to this
HEY CONSTANZA….GET A LIFE
Us Braves fans will NEVER feel sorry for any Yankee crisis…..
By Carroll Rogers
May 17, 2008 5:22 PM | Link to this
not sure if word has gotten to the trusty denizens yet but bobby announced campillo for game 2 on tuesday in the DH vs. the Mets. getting ready to file something.
He’s made one major league start in his career August 2, 2005 with Seattle but had to come out after an inning because of elbow problems. he had surgery a couple of weeks later.
He’s been dominant out of the pen, though, 13 games, 1.27 ERA. three earned runs in 21 1/3 innings. he’s regularly thrown multi-inning games.
More with a burst….
By Random
May 17, 2008 5:29 PM | Link to this
brent a.—
Appreciate the comments.
However, I do take exception to a couple of your points.
“Here’s the issue wit the Celtics. For 6 road games now they have shown major vulnerabilities with their team.”
For six road games, the Celtics have lost by an average margin of 9.5 points (5+ against the Hawks; 13+ against the Cavs).
For seven home games, they have won by an average margin of 18+ points (25+ against the Hawks; 9 against the Cavs).
Their next game is at home — where’s the pressure?
And if you throw out both game 3s of their two series so far, the Celtics have lost their six road games by an average margin of only 6 points.
(Rationale for throwing out game 3 results: game 3 is a traditionally notorious “throw-away game” for a visiting team that is already up 2 games to none.)
“The Celtics seems to have ‘shrinking Alpha Dog’ syndrome”
That brings up another raging sportscaster non sequitur (inconsistency, hypocrisy and/or double-talk). Here’s one version:
“The Celtics are in trouble because LeBron James has yet to really step up his game AND the Celtics are in trouble because Ray Allen has so far failed to step up his game.” Yep, they do seem to want to have it both ways.
“as soon as they lose a home game their confidence is likely to be really shaken”
Yeah, yeah, yeah — and as soon as they win a road game, their confidence is likely to really soar.
And as their margins of victory/loss at home and on the road indicate above, this latter scenario is roughly two to three times as likely.
Cheers!
By Lew
May 17, 2008 5:43 PM | Link to this
P’villeNolzFan-U2 with J. Geils? You’re dating yourself there. That was a while back. Of course, I shouldn’t say anything-I saw Jefferson Airplane in concert-and not a reunion tour.
By gobraves
May 17, 2008 5:46 PM | Link to this
Lineups for tonights game-
Escobar SS, Kotsay CF, Jones 3B, Tex 1B, McCann C, Francoeur RF, Johnson 2B, Blanco LF, Hudson P
By New Boss Same As Old Boss
May 17, 2008 6:01 PM | Link to this
Carroll, Mistress of Blog,
If you’re 9-2, let’s see, that would make the Sweet Prince Of Blog, like 12-18.
Why are Braves Bashers worried about platoon at 2B or a 5th starter or whether Golden Child continues to approach hitting like a squirrel in traffic?
The answer lies in the Beat Writer.
It’s a lot better solution than my guy at 1B who has taken the Boxers or Briefs to a new level. See that story? Jeter, too. Which really doesn’t surprise me. Always though Jeter “posed” too much.
By Efrim
May 17, 2008 6:11 PM | Link to this
May as well trade Johnson if you are going to subject him to a platoon. The guy isn’t a platoon player.Far too valuable to be given everyday off against left handers.Why are we struggling against lefties? I don’t know, maybe because Tex,Frenchy and Diaz have underperformed this year.You sure can’t blame it on Kelly. And Infante’s career line doesn’t suggest that he deserves regular at bats against lefties. Maybe I am alone here, but I just don’t understand it. Kelly Johnson isn’t the reason this team does poorly against left handers, yet he is being sat against them. I’m a big Kelly fan, so I am not being very objective right now, but I see this team dealing him in July or this offseason….and it is a f*** shame. The kid is a better hitter than Frenchy, I’m sorry, but he is.
By catty catie
May 17, 2008 6:12 PM | Link to this
I thought Paul Oneill was a bust when he was 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 years old. That 6’4” solidly built bum was nothing more than a slightly above average hitter for the Reds. Got traded to the Yankees for Roberto Kelly and Oneill became the heart and soul of a four time champion. Gotta have patience with the big fellas. Big hitters and big pitchers often have alot of limbs that get in the way of their mechanics. They take a little longer sometimes. But give up on Francoeur if you must be petulant.
As for the chubby one, love the future Sean Casey if you must but don’t fall too hard because you just might be falling for the next Mike Lieberthal.
By FloridaBrave
May 17, 2008 6:25 PM | Link to this
Efrim, saying Johnson is a better hitter than Francoeur is not a stretch at all. Although Francoeur’s career stat line may look prettier, Johnson’s swing has less holes in it and he’s got a much better idea of the strike zone. At this point in their careers, I’d agree Johnson is a better hitter. May sound simplistic, but Kelly just needs to start believing in himself because I don’t even think he knows how much potential he has. But I guess it’s hard to believe in yourself when your manager doesn’t even believe in you.
By TexasBrave
May 17, 2008 6:39 PM | Link to this
Efrim agree that Kelly is better than what he is playing at the moment. But I really believe the drop in the line up will do him good and thus his hitting will pick up.
I know Bobby likes a good platoon but I don’t think that Bobby is so insane as to platoon him with Infante. Infante had to be activated early because of injury to Prado thus Bobby is giving him some at bats versus left handed hitters just to get him into the “swing” of things. Sitting him on the bench after so little rehab time would not have been good for him.
A lot of the pressure for KJ to produce at the top of the line up is now off and he can relax and start raking the ball. He has got too sweet of a swing and a good eye at the plate for him not to be a productive hitter.
By TexasBrave
May 17, 2008 6:58 PM | Link to this
FloridaBrave I too feel that Johnson is more of a pure hitter than Frenchy. Jeff is too free of a swinger and the last time I saw a game was stepping in the bucket every time he swung. Thus pitchers have started to throw him outer half of the plate and away, having a lot of success getting him out because he can’t/won’t make the adjustment that Kelly will.
By cricket
May 17, 2008 7:12 PM | Link to this
I live in Tampa, FL and today’s game is not available on Extra Innings. Does anyone have any idea why ??
By Shamus Thacker
May 17, 2008 7:13 PM | Link to this
Thanks Carroll and ATG fan!
Mom had a short relapse [the reason I haven’t thanked you sooner] but I think she’s gonna be fine now.
Can’t wait to see the big kid pitch.
By Coach (Braves in 2008 to the playoffs)
May 17, 2008 7:36 PM | Link to this
Rich Harden is undefeated with four runs of support. The Braves are down 4-0, not good.
By geauxbraves2000
May 17, 2008 7:36 PM | Link to this
GET YOU STINKING HEAD IN THE GAME KELLY, THERE WERE TWO OUT, TAG THE MAN!! THIS INNING IS ON YOU!! YOU PROBABLY JUST COST THE BRAVES THIS GAME WITH YOU IDIOCY.
Trade KJ to anyone who will have him, I am so tired of seeing his screw ups, so tired of his Dr Jeckyl and Mr Hyde offsense.
Geaux Braves!!
By Bravesfan79
May 17, 2008 7:38 PM | Link to this
“Harden is 28-0 when getting 4 runs or more” Great timing mr anouncer guy…thanks for letting us know this game is over already. What a terrible tag by KJ. Win Loose Win Loose Win Loose. Common Braves yr better than this!
By WTG Kelly
May 17, 2008 7:38 PM | Link to this
Way to go Kelly! At worst it should be 3 to 0 and quite possibly only 2-0 had you not gone brain dead and started the DP like you should have.
This guy ain’t no leadoff hitter or 2nd baseman.
By joyce's brothers
May 17, 2008 7:42 PM | Link to this
Cricket in Tampa,
DirecTV channel 735.
If you don’t have DirecTV, no one can help you, ever.
By GermanBravesFan
May 17, 2008 7:44 PM | Link to this
Wow… did Hudson watch Chuck James’ start the other day????
By Greg in TN
May 17, 2008 7:47 PM | Link to this
Evening denizens…
A tip of the cap to the distaff leader of the Braves/MIB blog at the controls for the first interleague tilt with the A’s and between CR manning the beat and the Braves playing in zip code 30315 the A’s really had no chance last night, right?
So far this year, it’s certainly Dr. Jeckyl in the white lab coat and Mr. Hyde in the grey/alternate lab coat. Eleven games over .500 at home and ten games under when Delta gets them there.
Still, amazingly in all of this, going into tonight’s game, we’re two games out of first place.
Lose and Andruw, gain an Andruw, lose an Aussie, gain an Aussie. Phil Stockman joins the club after Chuck James is once again dispatched to Richmond. Stockman’s promotion was well deserved (he was sporting a 0.77 ERA in 23.1 innings of relief work) and with Campillo getting the nod in game two of the twin bill against the mets, we’ll need an extra hand (or arm in this case).
Tonight’s game has a rather inauspicious start so far. Two homers already by the A’s O and a particularly bad play by KJ tonight at second. Got to make sure you at least get one out there and by missing the tag and then compounding the problem by throwing the ball late to first, everyone was safe. The little things is what has hurt this team and I’m not overly critical of KJ for the most part, however when you’re trying to play better than .500 ball, you need to make a play there.
Still, the Offensive Assassin has yet to cool. Going into tonight’s game, Planet Braves’ favorite third baseman is hitting a crisp .420 after his first inning at-bat.
By chase (the original)
May 17, 2008 7:49 PM | Link to this
Where is SERGE and his usual “Bobby is disrespecting KJ” crap now????
That big inning falls squarly on the shoulders of KJ
By Carroll Rogers
May 17, 2008 7:51 PM | Link to this
Kelly coulda had a double play in the second inning, got no outs as he missed the tag on Barton and was late on the throw to first. Of course, what follows is a three-run homer by Ryan Sweeney, his first in a year.
not a banner start for huddy, old team or no.
and a synopsis of my notes for those who might not click over. dale murphy was here today with his son Jake. Jake’s got a pre-draft workout in front of Braves scouts tomorrow. he’s got a football scholarship from brigham young but wants to play baseball if the draft works out for him. how cool would it be if the braves take him…..he’s a 3B, SS. and took a turn or two in the cage. held his own. got a few Attaboys from Frank Wren who was watching from behind the cage and encouraging…..Dale looks fit as ever, he’s unreal. At 52. And nice as always.
smoltz threw 40 pitches in a side session. He told me afterward he’d felt some stiffness between bullpen sessions on Friday. Not that it’s going to change his timetable - at least not yet - but he was a little bummed out by it. still working to find ways to change his mechanics to make it more comfortable on his shoulder. He said throwing feels fine but the day after is the bigger concern right now, how it reacts the next day.
and some other stuff: followed up with Bobby about Soriano’s bullpen yesterday and he said it was “real good, real good.” soriano will throw a simulated game next against braves batters probably wednesday. it could be tuesday but with the DH they’ll probably back it up.
Gonzo threw two innings yesterday, Bobby says it went fine. he’ll take a few days off, then throw back-to-back outings and if all goes well, head out on minor league assignment.
ok, now back to the game. two more runners aboard.
By BravesDave
May 17, 2008 7:54 PM | Link to this
So last inning fell squarely on Kelly’s shoulders. Upon whose shoulders does this inning fall?
This team is schizophrenic.
By geauxbraves2000
May 17, 2008 7:54 PM | Link to this
It appears Mr Hyde showed up to pitch tonight.
Time to go play with the kids, this game is getting my blood pressure up. I love this team, but get so disgusted with them sometimes.
Until later,
Geaux Braves!!
By geauxbraves2000
May 17, 2008 7:56 PM | Link to this
Oops, I guess I saw 2nd inning instead of two outs with that KJ thing, my bad. Still, I’m out.
Later
By Greg in TN
May 17, 2008 7:56 PM | Link to this
Ouch, not Tim Hudson’s night tonight to be certain, not locating well at all.
By FloridaBrave
May 17, 2008 8:00 PM | Link to this
You can expect Hudson to pitch poorly after a string of good starts(seems to come with the territory with Tim), but I haven’t seen him this bad- even when he was throwing 85.
Braves need to make a decision soon. Pull Hudson for Bennett now and try to win the game or just let Hudson “take one for the team” and try to save the bullpen.
By Bravesfan79
May 17, 2008 8:04 PM | Link to this
Bobby: PLEASE ….go ahead and use this as one of your famous “give away games” and rest Chipper, Tex and Mccan. Go ahead and rest Escobar as well.
By New Boss Same As Old Boss
May 17, 2008 8:04 PM | Link to this
Bashers (and tonight you guys are rolling with the negativity),
My remote takes me back & forth from Braves to Rangers for my next target, Hamilton.
He singled off Oswalt in 1st and has been on base in seven (that’s right 7) consecutive at-bats with 6 hits and a walk.
Milton Bradley then homered, then in 2nd inning, Marlon Byrd added 2-run shot.
Oswalt & Astros down 4-1.
Would you guys trade Hudson for Oswalt???
By McFann
May 17, 2008 8:06 PM | Link to this
B’s C—
Very funny.
But yeah, I’m real happy with Brian’s play of late!! (‘Sept that strikeout tonight. That did not look good.)
By albanian braves fan
May 17, 2008 8:14 PM | Link to this
is thinking of what explanation bobby cox is giving at end of game for hudson performance:
1) is fine. only “location”.
2) is very sensitive guy. getting very emotional for facing former team.
3) is weather. is hot for skinny guy to pitch.
4) is very concerned regarding health of teddy kennedy. very preoccupied.
is possible all of above?
By FloridaBrave
May 17, 2008 8:16 PM | Link to this
That’s ok, McFann, no one’s looking to hot against Harden right now. When healthy, you have to rank his stuff in the Top 5.
By Gamecock Brave
May 17, 2008 8:18 PM | Link to this
Dodgin bullets in the 4th… Cmon Huddy settle down and salvage somethin from this one!
By FloridaBrave
May 17, 2008 8:22 PM | Link to this
When’s the last time you saw Chipper strike out on three straight fastballs? Just have to tip your cap to Harden tonight, he’s got the talent to do this night-in, night-out.
By Yars
May 17, 2008 8:27 PM | Link to this
Harden could throw a 1 hop to the plate right now & Frenchy would swing at it.
By Coach (Braves in 2008 to the playoffs)
May 17, 2008 8:28 PM | Link to this
Carroll Rogers, my suggestion for your lead headline after this game:
The A’s ace showed up, Atlanta’s didn’t.
By Yars
May 17, 2008 8:32 PM | Link to this
albanianbravesfan….I think you may be onto something. I can definitely see Bobby saying all those excuses when asked about Hudson’s poor performance, especially #4.
By ColoradoBravesFan
May 17, 2008 8:33 PM | Link to this
RICHBRAVE or GILL,
What is the story on Lillibridge? From the stats it seems he hasn’t played since 12 May, and he isn’t in the lineup for Richmond tonight. Injured?
Down 5-0 with Harden striking out everyone has me looking for some goo news from the minor league guys tonight.
Go Braves…
By McFann
May 17, 2008 8:38 PM | Link to this
Yunel—
Very good post at 4:39! When I read that “I can’t see him hitting .400” I almost puked!
prattvillenolzfan—
Loved you post at 5:01! I think McCann’s the quiet leader-type. Yeah, Francoeur gets the headlines and whatnot, but that’s one of the reasons why I like McCann better. He doesn’t have his face on everything. He’s not everywhere you look.
As for the SportsSouth special, well…don’t hold your breath, LOL. I don’t see it happening. Doesn’t seem like his “thing”.
FloridaBrave
Yeah, pretty ugly game so far! (sigh)
Hey! Is that a rally in there?? Gotta go…
By Mark in PA
May 17, 2008 8:45 PM | Link to this
What the heck inning is this? the fifth? Man, people are ready to bail out early.
Thanks much Carroll for all the updates from the hospital. Time for you to put the ‘rally spell’ on ‘em.
Hey, there’s a start—Yunel comes through with an RBI single.
By albanian braves fan
May 17, 2008 8:56 PM | Link to this
is hearing respo “claimed off waivers**.
is picturing braves officials waiting on beach. is seeing what washes up. bottlecap, piece of wood, plastic bag, and resop! can use this.
By Tomahawk Kris
May 17, 2008 8:57 PM | Link to this
Man Harden looks good tonight. That guy has always had dominant stuff - even though he is injury prone I think I would take a chance on trading for him. He is just filthy.
By McFann
May 17, 2008 9:03 PM | Link to this
Isn’t Harden getting tired?
By Mark in PA
May 17, 2008 9:06 PM | Link to this
Love hearing Skip Carey calling the game on TV as well (MLB.com picked up PTV tonight). He was busting on those “dorks” on cellphones that wave when they think they’re on TV. LOL!
At the Naval Academy we had a different name for them. Before every (televised) Army-Navy game, they’d issue strict orders to the Brigade before march in—if you see a camera, DO NOT be a TV A__hole!
Of course, it didn’t stop anyone from being one.
By Coach (Braves in 2008 to the playoffs)
May 17, 2008 9:07 PM | Link to this
I heard that comment from Brian McCann after his strike out in the bottom of the sixth inning and so did everybody else.
Better turn that microphone down, nothing quit like hearing the F-word screamed for the whole country to hear.
By albanian braves fan
May 17, 2008 9:08 PM | Link to this
is trying for rememberance of song by “zz top” honoring braves first baseman.
first verse is something like…
is being up, is being down.
taking my word, my way around.
is not asking for much.
o lord, taking me downtown,
is just looking for some tush.
By i cant take it anymore
May 17, 2008 9:08 PM | Link to this
it stinks that some people cant get peachtree tv, but i am starting to love it. they have a microphone on the field that picks up all the good stuff. and i sure have missed skip on tv.
By FloridaBrave
May 17, 2008 9:11 PM | Link to this
Tomahawk,
He’ll be available, if he isn’t still right now. Yeah, he’s had injury history but he’s healthy now and looking fantastic. On the bright side, his injury history also means we’d probably get him cheaper than most 26, 27 year old aces. They sure would love Kelly. Kelly Johnson, Blaine Boyer, and Gorkys Hernandez for Harden?
By StingerSplash
May 17, 2008 9:34 PM | Link to this
Resop has pitched well his last few outings. Too bad it looks like he might be extra baggage when the big guns - Soriano, Smoltz and Gonzalez - are ready. Maybe Resop can be trade bait for someone needing a power arm in the 7th and 8th innings, which is just about 26 of the other 29 major league teams.
By FloridaBrave
May 17, 2008 9:39 PM | Link to this
Yeah, Stinger, good performances from Ring, Resop, and Gotay today. Too bad they’ll all be unemployed soon.
By McFann
May 17, 2008 9:56 PM | Link to this
.283!!
Thanks, Francoeur. Dummy…
By Greg in TN
May 17, 2008 9:58 PM | Link to this
Things are getting interesting in the ninth, denizens.
By Tomahawk Kris
May 17, 2008 9:58 PM | Link to this
I would trade KJ, Blaine Boyer and Gorky’s and day of the week for Harden. I am not a huge fan of KJ, and I think Jordan Shafer will be the future CF for this team and Gorky’s is so far away from joining the team that I think it would be a very good trade. Boyer does nothing for me - he is either really good or terrible.
By StingerSplash
May 17, 2008 9:59 PM | Link to this
We’ve got a single, a double and a triple this inning. Can someone please complete the cycle for us and get us to extras?
By FloridaBrave
May 17, 2008 10:03 PM | Link to this
Well, that’s it. I’m proud of the spirit shown in the last inning, though. Tex with two hits today- facing some familiar faces from the AL may be just the thing to help get him going.
By McFann
May 17, 2008 10:03 PM | Link to this
Waytago, Francoeur! If you’da gotten a hit, this game would be TIED!!
Deep breaths……
By Mark in PA
May 17, 2008 10:06 PM | Link to this
Well, if the win in Philly would have been by one run, that would have been bad.
IMO, this one run loss is not as terrible as most of the others.
Hey, we weren’t going to go undefeated at home for the rest of the year. We’ll get ‘em tomorrow.
By Tomas
May 17, 2008 10:09 PM | Link to this
Carrol,
Given the fact that Resop has shown so much improvement from the start of the season, what will they do with him when Mike Gonzales, Rafael Soriano, and John Smoltz are healthy again. He has no options, is there a chance they would sign him to a minor league deal, to give him options and keep him with the Braves?
By the way, good outing by Stockman, nearly got the win.
By 234234
May 17, 2008 10:13 PM | Link to this
Fla.Brave: they won’t be unemployed… believe me…
Albanian: another of your far out remarks…bet Resop gets picked up of waivers if he is in fact put there when the “big money men” come back
By Tomas
May 17, 2008 10:14 PM | Link to this
2-12 in one run games. At least this one the Braves rallied in the ninth to make it a one run game.
By Santa3247
May 17, 2008 10:15 PM | Link to this
Hi, I’m Seong-Ho,Yoon living in Sea of Glass(Jinhae) southkorea
Today I want to talk about Crazy Bobby Cox.
Now he is giving 70% chance of starting playing LF to head-up man Gregor Blanco, and giving 30% chance of starting playing LF to consecutive years .AVG over .330 and tied with Derek Jeter only.
Today If he would change Gregor Blanco to Matt Diaz Braves could win.
He is insane. Coward for old age. Do you want to live to over 100years old? Always Red-dragon Babylonian bully coward pleasantly.
“Baseball need 9players and one spy can fail game” but, now Bobby Cox making Braves devastated. Fire him!!!
May the force of Messiah be with you
By Greg in TN
May 17, 2008 10:16 PM | Link to this
Nice rally there in the ninth, but again another night of too little too late. Really impressed by Rich Harden tonight, 7 innings of 4 hit ball and kept the hitters on their heels for much of the night.
Kudos to KJ for the triple there in the ninth. I believe he’s much more suited for hitting down in the order than in the leadoff role. Each spot in the order has it’s own mindset in terms of how it needs to be approached from a hitter to be successful, and I think KJ looks much more relaxed hitting where he’s at now than when he was in the one hole.
Now attention turns to tomorrow’s rubber match with Jo-Jo Reyes on the hill against Duchscherer. Hope to see Reyes building on his Philly start with a good outing in the reds tomorrow.
By Daybed Wagmoe
May 17, 2008 10:18 PM | Link to this
McFann,
I’m definitely with you on the Francoeur frustration. It really looks like this year is a giant step back in terms of his productivity. He’s constantly making outs in key at-bats, and while they may be productive outs — like bringing Teixeira home tonight — those outs are proving to be just short of what we need.
I’ve been saying it for several weeks now: most of Frenchy’s hits are coming with bases empty, and when any of the bases are occupied, he’s making outs. His average doesn’t look so bad — in the .270s — but if half of his hits had come with men on base rather than with bases empty, then the Braves’ record would be much better, I would think.
Now, I know that Francoeur has no control over whether he comes up to bat with bases empty or occupied, but he’s got to have a better approach when runners are on base.
By BravesDave
May 17, 2008 10:20 PM | Link to this
McFann, take it easy on Francoeur. Can’t you see that he is trying really hard? Just 15 or 20 more pounds of muscle and he might turn it around. Maybe 12 more inches in height and he could have connected with that pitch over his head that Harden used to strike him out, too.
By chase (the original)
May 17, 2008 11:03 PM | Link to this
I hate to be negative on KJ BUT…
His bonehead play on the ‘could’ve been DP” underscores the importance of LIMITING DAMAGE….
If he at least gets ONE OUT in that spot, the BRAVES tie it up in the 9th..if he turns it (should have) then they WIN with that little comeback….
You have to get the outs when they are there to take b/c you never know how many runs it may take to win..
By chase (the original)
May 17, 2008 11:07 PM | Link to this
And for everyone who knocked on AJ for ugly swings and chasing pitches…
That strike out by FRENCHY was horrible…That ball was 6 inches above his head…he almost had to swing the bat downward from over the top (like an axe) just to swing at it…..
A high fastball is one thing..but swinging at a pitch that the catcher has to basically stand all the way up to catch is baddddd
By Carroll Rogers
May 17, 2008 11:17 PM | Link to this
good to know go braves, i was wondering. guess it’s not just DOB that gets haggard trying to keep up with all soriano’s bullpens…
lew, i hear ya. Guess i’m going more on what we see right now, rather than Omar’s track record. but it’s early yet. Willie Harris was in a platoon for a while last year too. ya know?
New Boss, I guess i gotta take my 9-3 record and go home. i was no good tonight. DOB will be back manana to bring it to you the rest of the way this homestand if he can pull that off. gonna be a busy guy.
take it easy, folks…
By Random
May 17, 2008 11:53 PM | Link to this
So, okay — Ice and idiot. I figure that’s been pretty well established by now.
But in this case, I need some help from one of y’all to explain to me exactly why.
I think I just lost $25 to my nephew on a bet regarding Kelly’s 2nd inning misplay.
The official scorer ruled that Suzuki had reached on a fielder’s choice. Since Barton wound up also safe on second, I said that there must have been an E4 as well. My nepos disagreed, and we made the bet.
It’s looking like I’m wrong, but I don’t know why. I had thought that a fielder’s choice would always result in an out (unless an error was involved).
Can anyone tell me what gives here? Thanks.
By DirtyDawg
May 17, 2008 11:55 PM | Link to this
I’ve got an idea…since it’s obvious that KJ will never become a decent second baseman…and Francoeur’s got so many problems that he’ll never get straightened out playing every inning of every game…why not platoon ‘em. The sooner we get Johnson’s bat back in the lineup - at a position that’s not likely to give up more runs than he can produce - the better, and Frenchy will get the idea that he’s no longer ‘God’s Gift’ and start to get it together - beginning with losing that dead weight he calls muscle. Maybe if he only hits against left handers…well it’s just a thought.
By Random
May 18, 2008 12:21 AM | Link to this
geauxbraves2000 May 17, 2008 7:36 PM: “GET YOU STINKING HEAD IN THE GAME KELLY, THERE WERE TWO OUT, TAG THE MAN!!”
There was one on (Barton) and nobody out when Suzuki hit that DP grounder to KJ. Your and idiot, for innumerable reasons.
On the other hand — “THIS INNING IS ON YOU!! YOU PROBABLY JUST COST THE BRAVES THIS GAME WITH YOU IDIOCY.” — you’re absolutely right.
By Greg in TN
May 18, 2008 12:28 AM | Link to this
Random,
The fielder’s choice awarded on Suzuki’s grounder is the right call. In this instance, if KJ had fielded the ball and thrown to first successfully, Suzuki would have been out.
Even though KJ’s attempt to tag Barton was unsuccessful, an error usually isn’t recorded on those type of plays. IMO, when I look at a play like that, the fact Barton reached second was more reflective on the play Barton made to avoid the tag rather than KJ making an error in not recording the out.
Even if KJ is awarded an error on the play, it would still go in the books as a fielder’s choice for Suzuki unless KJ attempted to throw to first for the out and his throw was bad allowing Suzuki to reach. In that situation, Suzuki would then have reached on the error. Either way, he’s credited with an at-bat and KJ should have gotten at least one out. It’s a mental error to be sure, but not one that can be recorded as an official error.
Hope this helps.
By Random
May 18, 2008 12:40 AM | Link to this
“10.12 Errors An error is a statistic charged against a fielder whose action has assisted the team on offense, as set forth in this Rule 10.12. (a) The official scorer shall charge an error against any fielder: (4) when such fielder catches a thrown ball or a ground ball in time to put out any runner on a force play and fails to tag the base or the runner.”
By the foregoing, it seems that KJ should have been charged with an error in the second inning.
By Random
May 18, 2008 12:51 AM | Link to this
Greg in TN—
Thanks — we’re agreed on the fielder’s choice scoring.
But here’s the MLB rule on errors (I’ve been doing some additional digging):
10.12 Errors An error is a statistic charged against a fielder whose action has assisted the team on offense, as set forth in this Rule 10.12. (a) The official scorer shall charge an error against any fielder: (4) when such fielder catches a thrown ball or a ground ball in time to put out any runner on a force play and fails to tag the base or the runner.
Or as Wikipedia puts it:
“In baseball, an error is the act, in the judgment of the official scorer, of a fielder misplaying a ball in a manner that allows a batter or baserunner to reach one or more additional bases, when such an advance should have been prevented given ordinary effort by the fielder.
“If a play should have resulted in a fielder’s choice with a runner being put out and the batter reaching base safely, but the runner is safe due to an error, then the play will be scored as a fielder’s choice, with no hit being awarded to the batter, and an error charged against the fielder.”
Imo, KJ had 2 errors last night, not just the one officially credited to him.
By uga-brave
May 18, 2008 12:54 AM | Link to this
random,
just got back from the ted. thought the same thing on the kj play. i always was under the impression that a fielders choice resulted in a out.
after the three run dinger kj turned his back to the infield, took his hat off and screamed.
braveheart, took offense to mine and bravesdave comment about frenchy not homering in 30 straight games now.
i guess we left out during that same 30 game stretch our left fielder has not homered yet either.
over under on outfield homeruns for the braves is now around 40.
25% of the season now close to in the book, diaz 2, kotsay 3, blanco 0, mantle oh i mean francoeur 3.
if that current pace continues the braves are looking at 32 homeruns from their outfield.
i guess that would be alright if their names were coleman, mcghee, and hendrick.
diaz .600 .ops, francoeur .710 .ops, hard to defend that.
By geauxbraves2000
May 18, 2008 1:05 AM | Link to this
Random I watch the games on MLBTV and Peachtree has the score at the top of the screen. Not being used to the way they do things, I saw the number 2, so I assumed there were two out, but of course later I realized that was the 2nd inning, not two out. Didn’t look at the bullets.
His defense leaves a lot to be desired though. At least get one out, and the runner lying on the ground would’ve been the easy one.
Win tomorrow, win the series, that’s what matters. Can’t sweep everyone :)
Geaux Braves!!
By Greg in TN
May 18, 2008 1:20 AM | Link to this
Random,
The rules are as you’ve mentioned them, and it’s up to the official scorer to determine whether the misplay at second was enough to warrant an error. I’ve never seen that particular play awarded an error before and if it were me, I wouldn’t have awarded one, but I respect your opinion that he should have been awarded one on the play.
Either way, I know we both agree that we should have gotten an out somewhere on that play. A frustrating play that becomes even more frustrating after the rally in the ninth came up one run shy. Those little things are why we’re an average team at the moment.
By Random
May 18, 2008 1:34 AM | Link to this
uga-brave—
Yaeh, same here (“i always was under the impression that a fielders choice resulted in a out”).
But here’s what Wikipedia has to say about FCs:
“In baseball, a fielder’s choice (abbreviated FC) is recorded by the official scorer when a fielder, upon fielding a batted ball, has a clear opportunity to throw out the batter-runner in the official scorer’s judgment, but chooses to try to put out another baserunner, thereby allowing the batter-runner to safely reach first base. Fielder’s choice is recorded for the batter-runner if he reaches first base safely regardless of whether the attempt to put out the other runner(s) is successful.”
Like I (we) said, that’s news to me (us).
And here’s the MLB rulebook definition, which does not exactly jibe with Wiki:
FIELDER’S CHOICE is the act of a fielder who handles a fair grounder and, instead of throwing to first base to put out the batter-runner, throws to another base in an attempt to put out a preceding runner. The term is also used by scorers (a) to account for the advance of the batter-runner who takes one or more extra bases when the fielder who handles his safe hit attempts to put out a preceding runner; (b) to account for the advance of a runner (other than by stolen base or error) while a fielder is attempting to put out another runner; and (c) to account for the advance of a runner made solely because of the defensive team’s indifference (undefended steal).
Yeah, I was at the game, too (that explains the late night flurry of posts, huh?) — 404R. Whereabouts do you sit?
geauxbraves2000— sorry I jumped on you — no excuse (especially since you had already fessed up to it and apologized — I should have caught that).
And especially since me and my Mom also have trouble transitioning between Fox’s top score line and Peachtree’s, in particular regard to inning vs outs.
My bad.
What do you think about DirtyDawg’s suggestion of platooning KJ and Francoeur in RF? I’m not sure KJ has the arm, or the range.
By Random
May 18, 2008 1:44 AM | Link to this
Greg in TN: “I respect your opinion that he should have been awarded [an error] on the play.”
It’s not so much an opinion as it is the position I’m forced to take if I want to cow my nephew into forking over $25. ;->
(And this after he bought the drinks tonight — have I no shame?)
(None.)
By Defender of Coach
May 18, 2008 1:52 AM | Link to this
BTW - I saw that it was mistyped but instead of posting a correction I just wanted to see if your “Defender” persona would say anything. And you did.CC
yeah right, sure you did. and I ain’t coach, just a dedicated defender of the innocent & downtrodden.
By Random
May 18, 2008 2:01 AM | Link to this
Also, Greg in TN — “I’ve never seen that particular play awarded an error before”
I suspect that whenever you’ve seen that play before, the fielding team always at least got the out at first.
By uga-brave
May 18, 2008 2:10 AM | Link to this
aint gonna beat a dead horse, i will leave the buggy whip for someone else.
By Random
May 18, 2008 8:35 AM | Link to this
Boy uga-brave, when you shut it down, you REALLY shut it down!
Have there really been no posts here since 2:10? I’ve had a good night’s sleep in the meantime. (And I’ve still got nothin’ more to say right now.)
Later.
By JC from UT
May 18, 2008 8:44 AM | Link to this
Cleveland is looking for a 2nd basseman to improve their offense. Would they trade Jake westbrooke for KJ. Westbrooke is on the DL right know, but apparently he is near to return. MLBtraderumors is saying that Cleveland may be willing to trade Paul Byrd. KJ is too much for him, but I would do Westbrooke. Any thoughts?
By flange1
May 18, 2008 9:04 AM | Link to this
Morning all,
If Harden could stay healthy, he is a beast!
UGA-Brave - I don’t always agree with your Frenchy bashing, but your 12:54 that says
“diaz .600 .ops, francoeur .710 .ops, hard to defend that.”
Is actually spot on. We are not seeing any power production form LF, RF or 1B. This team can not compete without some power from at least 1 and probably 2 of those positions.
I can live with a highER average and/or OPS from 1 corner, but we need production from all 3 spots to win.
By THB
May 18, 2008 9:59 AM | Link to this
Guys-It would be a horrible trade to give up Kelly Johnson (An everyday player who had a .375 OBP last year with 16 HR’s and a BA just below .280), Gorkys Hernandez (Who, by the way, was playing very well in high-a ball, and would probably have been promoted if he hadn’t gotten injured. You all know Schafer is coming back to double a ball right?), and Blaine Boyer (Who’s been pretty damn good this year) for a pitcher who made just 4 starts last year, 9 the year before that, and 19 the year before that?! He’s already been injured this year guys, cmon now.
From what I’ve read on Harden, he isn’t going to take that kind of proposal. Some say it’s down to a couple of “C” prospects. Now, I think Billy Beane would get a decent return for him, but he’d be smart to wait til after the All-Star break, hoping he stays healthy, because the A’s won’t need him because they won’t be playing as good of ball by then. Their offense just isn’t good enough. But in all seriousness, I wouldn’t trade KJ straight up for Harden.
I would offer something like: Chuck James, Diory Hernandez, Brandon Jones.
Chuck James could probably still be used in a trade, and I’m guessing the A’s wouldn’t mind having him. Diory Hernandez is ripping it up at Richmond, and plays SS and 2B. Brandon Jones is heating up a lot, raising his AVG to around .280 with 12 2B. I think that is a lot more reasonable.
By FloridaBrave
May 18, 2008 10:34 AM | Link to this
THB,
I can’t see anyway the A’s take that proposal. James is looking more and more like a lefty specialist, Hernandez MIGHT be a utility infielder but more than likely a AAAA player, and Jones is nothing special. You have to give up value to get value. I don’t see how some “C” prospects get a potential ace, especially if he stays healthy and throws the way he’s been throwing.
By THB
May 18, 2008 10:43 AM | Link to this
FloridaBrave-By the “way” he’s been throwing, you mean in the minors, in rehab assignments? The problem is, you don’t give up value for someone who doesn’t give value in return. He has great stuff, and is very young, but he has had YHS (Young Hampton Syndrome) the past 3 years. It would be idiotic to give up KJ, Gorkys, and Boyer for someone who will probably get hurt this year. Don’t get me wrong, I would love a healthy Harden, and maybe the players I named wouldn’t get it done because James is a “lefty specialist”, Hernandez might only be a utility infielder, and Jones is “nothing special”, but what is Harden? He’s a guy who gets injured every year and has trouble making 7 starts per year.
By Moby Grape
May 18, 2008 10:45 AM | Link to this
If Harden could stay healthy, he is a beast!flange1
Yeah he has awesome stuff, but it’s kinda hard to believe just how little he has pitched in the 6 years he’s been up. 74/189/128/47/26/21 so far this year. How can a guy get hurt that much? I don’t know if he would be worth trading for or not. Somebody is probably gonna get him, but I’m not sure that I would gamble Kelly and prospects on his health as some have suggested.
By Lew
May 18, 2008 10:45 AM | Link to this
Gotta go with Florida Brave on this one. Might as well toss in Scott Thorman. It won’t happen.
By FloridaBrave
May 18, 2008 10:56 AM | Link to this
He’s a risk no doubt, but where else do you get a potential ace for this cheaply? It’s still early in his career and many young pitchers experience arm troubles early in their careers. This debate will hover around Harden for awhile and you’re side is definitely valid. You see a guy who gets injured every year. I see a young ace. The thing is- he’s both. I’d risk it- especially if they are looking for “C” prospects(which I still doubt) But even in my deal, Boyer will be expendable with a bullpen of Smoltz, Soriano, Gonzalez, Moylan(when healthy), Gorkys is behind Schafer in terms of prospects and Kotsay’s playing better than expected, and we’ll be able to live without Kelly. It may be much, but his value only increases with each start he makes.
By THB
May 18, 2008 11:01 AM | Link to this
Lew-I’m not saying those guys would or wouldn’t get it done. I’m saying that is a more reasonable offer. You do realize that B.Jones is #2 on the Braves top 10 prospects right? Not sure if you do or don’t preach this, but Chuck does have a good past record.
Again, I’m not saying the A’s would take that, I’m just saying I woulnd’t offer much more for the guy, rather than Kelly, Gorkys, and Boyer.
By Moby Grape
May 18, 2008 11:07 AM | Link to this
He’s a risk no doubt, but where else do you get a potential ace for this cheaply?FlaBrave
I don’t think he is gonna be anywhere near that cheap. In fact if he stays healthy thru July I think you are gonna be amazed at what some team is gonna give up for him,
By FloridaBrave
May 18, 2008 11:11 AM | Link to this
Jones is actually #4 on Baseball America’s list and I’m betting that was before he failed to win the LF spot out of spring. I’d say guys like Hernandez, Hanson, Teheran, Freeman, and Rohrbough passed him by now. Nothing stands out about the kid.
By Lew
May 18, 2008 11:11 AM | Link to this
THB-Yes, I’m aware of Brandon Jones’ status and I’m also aware, that lists, polls and the like notwithstanding, his star is falling-NOT rising.
I’m also aware of what the cost for pitching-ANY pitching, much less someone who when healthy is a “beast” as has been said by another denizen earlier today.
Couple Brandon’s falling star with Chuck James seeming ineffectiveness and shoulder issues and I just don’t see any sane front office personnel going for that deal.
No disrespect, Dude, but that one just won’t take place for the package you proposed. It will take a package not much smaller than was paid for Tex to get it done-not a bunch of players fans here think we could do without.
By Cherokee
May 18, 2008 11:12 AM | Link to this
You do realize that B.Jones is #2 on the Braves top 10 prospects right?THB
I doubt that will last all that long. Neither he nor Lillibridge are living up to the Braves hype this season.
By FloridaBrave
May 18, 2008 11:14 AM | Link to this
My point exactly, Moby, it’s why I think the deal I proposed is about what the A’s will look for.But at the same time, this is also less than what it’d take to get an Oswalt or any other ace out there.
Oh yeah, I’d also rank Morton above Jones now on our prospect list. I’d say he’s sitting more at 9 or 10.
By Yars
May 18, 2008 11:24 AM | Link to this
The A’s are only 1/2 game out of 1st in the AL West, & have a very good chance of winning the division. They’re not gonna trade Harden. Perhaps after the season, but not during.
By Lew
May 18, 2008 11:37 AM | Link to this
All that being said-I wouldn’t target Harden, anyway. All those injuries scare me-especially after what we’ve seen this year with our current team.
Not too sure who I would go after, but it would have to be someone with less physical questions.
By THB
May 18, 2008 11:53 AM | Link to this
On a chat with Tim Dierkes from MLBTraderumors, they said Harden would cost one C level prospect, maybe. You can look it up. I’m not saying he will, because I think he’ll cost more, I just think it’s going to have to be after this year or at least after the all-star break. Harden just simply wouldn’t be worth Kelly, Gorkys, and Boyer. Only way I consider trading Gorkys is if Schafer comes back with a good year after the suspension. I wouldn’t trade Gorkys until we figure out if Schafer comes back and can produce.
By Moby Grape
May 18, 2008 12:03 PM | Link to this
On a chat with Tim Dierkes from MLBTraderumors, they said Harden would cost one C level prospect, maybe. THB
I read them off & on but I have never found them to be very accurate about much of anything. Maybe it’s just the things I happen to have read; but I sure don’t think Harden is gonna be let go early enough this season to be picked up for a C prospect. Why in the world would Billy do that when Harden will bring a lot more than that in two months?
By Braveheart
May 18, 2008 12:14 PM | Link to this
Did Lew just get preached to about the record of Chuck James?
LOL
I think most people are tired of me and Lew because we still keep annoying everyone with our continued belief in Chuck James
How many homers does the average NL right fielder have? 4. That’s right. 4. But let’s take Francoeur out back and shoot him because ugabrave and bravesdave don’t like him.
Why is there all this talk of KJ and Frenchy? Their OBP, SLG, OPS are within a normal range of their expected OBP, SLG, and OPS before the season. If you were expecting Francoeur to have an OPS higher than the .760 to .810 range this year you weren’t being realistic. He is still within range of that.
Based upon how low his OBP and SLG is as compared to what the reasonable expectation was before the season, Francoeur has only cost the Braves 3 or 4 expected runs thus far and is on pace to cost them 11 or 12 runs from what you could have realistically expected prior to the season.
Tex is the one you need to be flipping out about. His OBP is 50 points lower than we were expecting and his SLG is about 150-200 points below what we were reasonably expecting. Tex has already cost the Braves about 12 to 13 expected runs and is on pace to cost the Braves 50 runs from what was expected from him prior to the season.
By Cherokee
May 18, 2008 12:19 PM | Link to this
If we can get Harden for a C level or B level prospect or two right now we need to be doing it pronto. I will be surprised if it happens though.
By DirtyDawg
May 18, 2008 12:21 PM | Link to this
As for Johnson’s range, guarantee you he’s got more than the current version of Francoeur…arm?…that’s another issue, but getting to the ball quicker, setting up and letting it go will help make up for lot, along with a second baseman with an arm that can relay anything from RF. Fact is I’m personally willing to try anything that will shake Francoeur up and get him working to improve what he has become…including getting his weight back down to where he can move and it doesn’t put the same pressure on that ‘foot’ of his.
Thought the comment from Myers (Phillies pitcher) the other night was perfect when Charlie Manuel came out to pull him with Francoeur coming to bat - ‘You’re taking me out? I own this guy.’…Manuel should have said, ‘So does everybody else, so you see it doesn’t really matter, does it?’
By Braveheart
May 18, 2008 12:27 PM | Link to this
Why would Diory Hernandez net you Harden? Diory was left available for anyone and everyone to pick in the Rule 5 draft and no one touched him. Lillibridge has fallen flat on his face after suffering a dramatic dropoff in his ability to draw walks last season. Who the hell knows what is wrong with Brandon Jones? Those guys ain’t getting you Harden.
By THB
May 18, 2008 12:28 PM | Link to this
FloridaBrave-Harden is not an ace. An ace is a pitcher who will give you 200+ inning with 15+ wins and a sub 3.50 ERA. Harden can’t get 100 innings per season.
Did the DBacks give up anyone who had a very good full season for Haren? What about for Bedard? I think you guys are underestimating Kelly, like most do. I think kelly could bring in a lot more than you think
By Tomahawk Kris
May 18, 2008 12:31 PM | Link to this
It’s obvious the Braves need another front end starter. The question though is Harden the right guy? I was excited about the prospects of getting a guy like Harden, but considering all the anguish and frustration we Braves fans have been through with Hampton…do we really want to go through all that again? I don’t think I do. I would be nice to have a guy with Harden’s stuff, but the though of having another Hampton makes me cringe.
By Lew
May 18, 2008 12:36 PM | Link to this
Braveheart-Absolutely, I’m in Chuckie’s corner. However, the boy ain’t right at the moment. Hope he can turn it around in Richmond. I’m still not too sure his shoulder is healed.
THB-You’re right-KJ should have more value. Hasn’t the Braves’ brass insisted he was the most asked for player in trade scenarios this past winter?
By THB
May 18, 2008 12:40 PM | Link to this
Don’t see why y’all think B.Jones is dropping off so much. He started off slow, but is definetely doing much better, .276 with 12 2B. He’s going to keep getting better, although he really doesn’t have star potential. I included Diory Hernandez because he’s been doing well, hitting .333 with a .372 OBP. Remember our trade for Hudson? We really didn’t give up much, what was it, Juan Cruz, Charles Thomas, and someone else? And Hudson was reliable and a solid #2 pitcher.
I wouldn’t give up Morton, Gorkys, Schafer, Heyward, Rohrbough, or Hanson for Harden. And if it costs Kelly, it would only be Kelly.
By FloridaBrave
May 18, 2008 12:43 PM | Link to this
D’Backs and Mariners also gave up a lot more top end prospects and quantity. I love Kelly and I know he’s got a lot of value, which is the only reason why I do think we should trade him. But Harden has ace stuff, that’s undeniable. Maybe my offer is too much, but I think it’s safe to say any deal with the A’s for either Harden or Blanton would start with Kelly. Not a guy with an ERA over 8.00, a AAAA infielder, and a fading prospect.
By FloridaBrave
May 18, 2008 12:49 PM | Link to this
And I’ll make this clear-
My first option right now for the Braves is Maddux, because I want a dependable pitcher in the short-term without giving up top prospects. It doesn’t specifically have to be Maddux but my point is made. I want someone to give us innings down the stretch and I don’t want us paying top young talent for it.
Then in the off-season, we can target top-of-the-rotation starters because more will come available at that time(Santana, Bedard, Haren last off-season)
This seems to be the best play to me, because as many of you have been eager to point out, all the pitcher’s potentially available mid-season all have big question marks.
By THB
May 18, 2008 12:54 PM | Link to this
FloridaBrave-I think a deal you prospose is what he might get at the end of the year - if he stays healthy and has a good year. Right now though, I wouldn’t give up much for him. Hope that clears my opinion up about him. It’s gonna take a lot of convincing for me to give up Kelly plus some for Harden when he’s only made one start back from an injury.
We could say the same for Bonderman though, he has ace stuff, but the dude can’t put it together. He needs to get out of Detroit, but I wouldn’t give up much for him either.
By Tomahawk Kris
May 18, 2008 12:55 PM | Link to this
I really hope the Braves don’t trade for Blanton. I think his best he is a #2, but that he is more of a number 3 or #4 starter. He always generates so much hype because he is so available - anytime anyone talks about adding a pticher it seems Blanton is always first on the list. I don’t think that is because he is all that good either. If we are going to trade our top farm prospects I would rather do it for some top pitching prospects. Get more guys like Jurrjens and build for the future.
By THB
May 18, 2008 1:00 PM | Link to this
FloridaBrave-You’re right that all the pitchers available now have question marks, but also we have to remember that at the trade deadline teams often get huge deals from other teams who are hoping to make the playoffs (Braves last year).
Does anyone think Aaron Cook could be available? I don’t see why they would need to trade him when they have other pieces like Holliday and Atkins who could bring good returns, but you never know. He is young, does anyone know when he is signed until?
One last thing, does anyone think Prince Fielder will be traded soon? It seems the Brewers are going to lock up Corey Hart along with Braun longterm. I read they don’t want to lock up Fielder. Think he’ll be traded?
By McFann
May 18, 2008 1:01 PM | Link to this
Thought the comment from Myers (Phillies pitcher) the other night was perfect… DirtyDawg
That was hilarious! And what you said that Charlie should have said is exactly what we…said…hmm…Bad sentence (sorry. No other way to word it.)
But yeah—“I own this guy”? He should have thought up a better argument. Everybody owns Francoeur right now (and evrybody owns Tex, too. When’s the “early season” over so this slump cann cease?)
Daybed (yours of 10:18 PM)—
Agreed.
BraveDave (yours right after Daybed’s)—
Yeah, maybe I should chill. (But really, I do apologize for calling him a “dummy” last night.)
12 more inches……LOL……
By FloridaBrave
May 18, 2008 1:01 PM | Link to this
THB,
That “someone else” for Hudson was Dan Meyer, our top prospect(or close to it) at the time. Cruz was 24-25 at the time and was throwing smoke for us. He’s still having a nice career out of Arizona’s bullpen. Charles Thomas was fantastic for us and faded when he want to Athletics. It looks bad now, but at the time, it hardly looked like a one-sided deal.
Kelly for Harden straight up? Not totally out of the question…
By Overlord
May 18, 2008 1:04 PM | Link to this
Marlins closing in on deal with Jones. NL East-leading club looking to add free agent for depth.
By FloridaBrave
May 18, 2008 1:09 PM | Link to this
THB,
Our opinions are closer than we think. I agree, right now Harden’s not worth what I said. But my proposal was based on the assumption that we’re pulling this deal in mid-late July for a healthy Harden who has had a good year. If that doesn’t happen, my opinion obviously changes.
Funny, you bring up Bonderman because I love him too. I’m a sucker for young guys with electric stuff. Bonderman’s problem is damage control, when thing’s start to go south he can’t seem to kepe them from going south. I firmly believe he’s a classic change of scenery guy. While i don’t think he’s got “ace” written over him like Harden due to some makeup concerns I have, I think he’s a solid #2 or a great #3. The things we can offer might not match-up with what the Tigers need though, unlike the A’s. It’s still an option I’d like to look at.
By THB
May 18, 2008 1:19 PM | Link to this
FloridaBrave-It doesn’t seem like we have anything to offer the Tigers, although they do have a horrible bullpen. If Smoltz stays in the pen and Gonzo and Soriano come back strong, someone could be expendable. If we have Acosta, Boyer, Stockman, Gonzo, Soriano, Smoltz, Bennett, and Ohman/Ring, that makes a lot of guys expendable actually. They would probably want Acosta, Soriano, and Boyer because all are young, but Soriano is still an injury risk. Not sure what would happen there, but maybe something is there.
By fastasballs
May 18, 2008 1:26 PM | Link to this
Hanson is pitching today for Mississippi, going for his second win in as many tries.
It appears next year’s rotation is going to really young. Not saying Hanson will be in it, but I suspect Morton will be.
By FloridaBrave
May 18, 2008 1:28 PM | Link to this
“FloridaBrave-You’re right that all the pitchers available now have question marks, but also we have to remember that at the trade deadline teams often get huge deals from other teams who are hoping to make the playoffs (Braves last year).
Does anyone think Aaron Cook could be available? I don’t see why they would need to trade him when they have other pieces like Holliday and Atkins who could bring good returns, but you never know. He is young, does anyone know when he is signed until?
One last thing, does anyone think Prince Fielder will be traded soon? It seems the Brewers are going to lock up Corey Hart along with Braun longterm. I read they don’t want to lock up Fielder. Think he’ll be traded?” THB
Right, the Braves got Tex, a hitter. They wanted a pitcher but realize the market for pitchers at the deadline was absurd. it seemed other teams agreed and the moves for the big time arms occurred in the off-season.
I’m not sure the Rockies would trade Cook. They need pitching so unless they get a ton of young pitching back, I don’t see it. They’ll start trading off hitters first, IMO.
Absolutely on Fielder. I thought the same thing watching the game vs. the Red Sox on FOX yesterday when Rosenthal reported on that. Even if they wanted to, he’s represented by Boras so the Brewers would be extremely smart to deal him. He might do well in Yankee Stadium, New Boss.
By FloridaBrave
May 18, 2008 1:34 PM | Link to this
Right on the surplus in the bullpen, and both Soriano and Gonzalez could be hitting free agency soon. But the Tigers also could just wait for Rodney and Zumaya to get healthy. Even then, would they really trade a starter under contract(albeit a little costly) for a reliever who’s approaching free agency? We might have to add to that.
By Greg in TN
May 18, 2008 1:39 PM | Link to this
Afternoon folks…
Just about time for first pitch in the finale against the A’s today and the team is facing a stingy right-hander in Justin Duchscherer, who has posted a 1.98 ERA in his last two starts. The cold then hot then cold offense has their work cut out for them today unless they can work the count and make this guy throw some pitches.
Random, I have seen several rundowns where the tag was missed and everyone was safe. No error.
Even though he’s been back in the booth for a week and a half after his emergency appendectomy two weeks ago today, I have to say it’s good to have Joe Simpson back in the booth. I also have enjoyed the Peachtree broadcasts with Skip Carey the past few nights.
Nice play by Tex over by the dugout railing for the first out of the game.
By Mark in PA
May 18, 2008 1:51 PM | Link to this
Any other out-of-area Braves fans having trouble with MLB.com blackouts today?
By Cherokee
May 18, 2008 1:53 PM | Link to this
Tried the old roll the hole huh?
By David O'Brien
May 18, 2008 1:53 PM | Link to this
NEW BLOGGAGE. Let’s do it, folks. Some Sunday afternoon blogging frenzy. Whaddya say?
No? Oh, well.
By Greg in TN
May 18, 2008 2:01 PM | Link to this
Superb job of hitting by BMac there to tie the game. Just missed a double to left a moment ago and then turns on one to drive it down the right field line.
Not sure what Reyes threw to Crosby in the top half, looked like a fastball, but regardless, it got hammered.
Duchscherer looks to have a very good curve, but strike three to Tex was no where near the plate.
By A-ville Ranger
May 18, 2008 2:06 PM | Link to this
That hit by Mac showed the thing which separartes him from most other hitters.When he gets his hands in and hits the high inside pitch with authority to right field, I know he’s on his game.