AJC > Sports > Braves > Blog > Archives > 2008 > June > 01
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Starting with a clean slate
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
OK, clean slate. Figured you guys might like to blog anew today so I’m here to serve with some scribble to put at the top and let you guys have at it.
It’s June 1, yet another reason for a clean slate.
(We’re ignoring the fact that we’re still in Cincinnati and still dealing with Jay Bruce, because hey, it’s a gorgeous morning and and Tim Hudson is on the mound. And I managed to make it out of the hotel room this morning, even though Band of Brothers was on the History channel and I love it. Yes a Tom Boy, all the way through.)
Let’s take a minute to wrap up May: Braves went 17-12 for the month, which is a step up from a 12-15 April. They went 14-3 at home in May and 3-9 on the road (yadda yadda yadda).
For the month, Braves pitchers were second in ERA in the National League with a 3.44 ERA. And I couldn’t help but notice they had only four saves in five opportunities; that’ll tell you something about the way close games have gone.
Maybe now that they’re about to get a bunch of closers back, that’ll change, eh? John Smoltz sounds like he’s ready to come off Monday with another good outing in Rome last night. Soriano was a little wild at first last night but settled in OK. Gonzo is probably a couple of weeks away.
Braves hit .280 in May, which was third in the National League. I will say, their 22 home run total was 15th in the league. Not so good. Only the Dodgers with 19 had fewer.
Chipper finished May with 81 hits on the season, which puts him right there with Ralph Garr as the Atlanta Brave with the most hits through May. Entering play Sunday, Jones was still leading the majors with a .413 batting average, 81 hits, and 26 multi-hit games.
Josh Hamilton was second with 24 multi-hit games by the way, to go along with his .326 average, 14 homers and 61 RBIs. The Reds have to be kicking themselves for that trade, except for the season Edinson Volquez is putting up. I say they can’t feel too bad. What do you think?
I’m sure there are some other interesting monthly tidbits in there some of you guys might find. I’m trying to bang this out before first pitch, so feel free to throw out a few.
We’re about to see if the Braves can get out of town without giving up No. 600 to Ken Griffey Jr. Jair Jurrjens became the 383rd pitcher to give up a Griffey homer on Saturday when he gave up No. 599.
Hudson has given up one Griffey homer in his career (Griffey is 6-for-21 off him - .287).
Another of the 383 pitchers had some nice things to say Sunday about Griffey, who is about to become the sixth player to hit 600 home runs along with Sammy Sosa, Willie Mays, Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron and Barry Bonds (no comment on the order I just had to put those guys in).
Tom Glavine, who kept Griffey in the ballpark on Friday night, had held Griffey to 7-for-28 (.250) with one homer:
“About time,” Glavine said with a smile when asked about Griffey getting to 600. “With him it’s two things. You look at him and you see what he’s done. And you realize how great a player he is, and on the other hand you wonder how good he could have been if he didn’t get hurt. I don’t think there are too many guys that would not agree, had he stayed healthy he would have blown the home run record out of the water. Unfortunately he had a span of time there where it was hard for him to stay healthy.”
Kind of a bummer, I asked (using the formal questioning techniques I learned at Duke).
“It stinks when you see anybody get hurt, especially when you see a guy as gifted and talented as he is,” Glavine said. “He’s fun to watch.”
GO DUSTY: And this little nugget of beauty comes today from C. Trent Rosecrans a former Georgia hack who’s doing radio and blogging up here now. He said Dusty Baker was pretty funny this morning talking about Bobby and his ejection yesterday for the play at the plate. Baker got suspended two games last weekend for bumping an umpire in San Diego.
“I learned something from Bobby; he’s the king of ejections,” Baker said. “I learned — he crosses his arms, he kept his distance. I was really studying Bobby. I was, I’m not kidding. I ain’t lying to you. He was careful not turn on anybody, he backed up before he turned.”
THANKS, BRUCE: As good as Bruce has been - hitting a cool .579 in his first five major league games - he gets to pay Josh Anderson a compliment while he’s at it. Bruce became the first major leaguer with at least 11 hits in his first 20 at-bats since Josh Anderson went 11-for-20 last September for the Astros.
Headline in the BOTH the Enquirer and Dayton Daily News this morning was “Bruce Almighty” after his walkoff homer yesterday. Good stuff.
SKED CHANGE: Braves game vs. the Angels has been picked up by ESPN on Sunday, June 15 and changed from a 3:35 p.m. start to 8:05 p.m. Hope DOB doesn’t get messed on flight arrangements.
Speaking of, he’ll be back in action tomorrow. I’m bet he’s raring to go and ready to blog like crazy.
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