AJC > Sports > Braves > Blog > Archives > 2008 > June > 16 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USOn rocky trip to the Rockies
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Talk about re-emergence. A couple of days ago I had my toes in the sand at Holden Beach, N.C. At the moment, my toes are probably swelling, as I’m flying at an altitude of 34,000 feet cross-country, still trying to shake the cobwebs from a 5:30 a.m. wakeup call.
What’s that you say? Should have flown out to Denver yesterday? And cut my vacation short by a day? Pshaw! It’s back to the beat, punchy style. And how else should you cover a one-game snow makeup anyway?
I’ll blame the altitude.
We’re off to Denver, where a lot has happened since the Braves last journeyed out here in early April, lost three in a row, planted the seed that the road was going to be trouble this season, and made some snow angels.
Yes, Chipper Jones’ quad is still sore — more on that in a second — but at least Jones is in the lineup. Troy Tulowitzki has been on the disabled list since May 3 with a left quad tendon tear. He’s on a rehab assignment now, but it hasn’t been pretty for the Rockies since he left. They fell to 18 games under .500 by losing eight games in a row through June 2. They sunk to the bottom of the NL West and at 28-41 (.406) have only two teams with a worse record — Kansas City is 28-42 (.400) and Seattle is 24-45 (.348).
That might be a little deceiving though. The Rockies have won seven of their last 10. So who knows which team has the edge tonight. It’s a one-gamer. Stuff won’t have time to even out.
And yes, this road trip is so long that we’re switching beat writers in the middle. I’m here to chase down ballplayers for the final four games, tonight in Denver and three games in Texas.
So the Braves are 2-4 so far on this trip but coming off a series win over the Angels. Looking for silver linings ahead, there’s always Seattle. If you include next weekend’s home series against the Mariners, the Braves play four of their next seven games against teams with two of the worst records in baseball.
As promised, more on Chipper and the quad. Not that it seems to be bothering him much at the plate, but now it looks like his sitting those two games with a sore quad seems to be a bench mark of sorts. He’s 2-for-15 since then and has watched his batting average “plummet” from .420 to .402.
When you think about it, he’s had two hits in his last five games (four starts) and he’s still above .400. That’s something.
But after 10 weeks of rarified air, is Chipper about to see that .400 average drift off into thin air? Is today the day?
If he goes hitless in his first two at-bats, he drops to .398. Even if he goes 1-for-4, he’s at .399. He’s 1-for-6 for his career against tonight’s starter Ubaldo Jimenez.
Of course, it’s a hitter-friendly park. That should help. For his career at Coors Field, Chipper has hit .324 (68-for-210) with 12 homers and 51 RBIs.
He brought a .423 batting average with him the last time the Braves came to Denver on April 7. After going 4-for-13 (.308) with three RBIs in the three losses, he left with his average at .385. He used a three-hit game in Washington at the end of that trip to get his average back up over .400, and he hasn’t looked back since.
But he’s hanging on for dear life now.
As for pitching, Jair Jurrjens returns to the mound tonight against the Rockies after missing his last start after he tripped on the dugout steps in Wrigley. As much as that hurt that Braves that night — Jeff Bennett got beat around pretty good in a spot start — maybe it helps a bit in the long run.
You’d like to think that extra time off helped Jurrjens’ blister heal some. Plus it gave him a few days to catch his breath.
DOB had some great numbers in his on-deck today about Jurrjens. In his first 10 starts this year, Jurrjens was 5-3 with a 2.64 ERA and .219 opponents’ batting average. In his last three, he’s 1-0 with an 8.40 ERA and a .406 opponents batting average. .406!
Jurrjens has allowed four homers in his last three starts, after giving up only one in his first 10.
Jurrjens won’t do it - but you have to attribute some of that to the effects of the blister and the movement he’s given up on his sinker.
In other pitching news, looks like there will be no Kevin Millwood match-up in the upcoming Texas series, by the way. Actually, he’s known in my family as Millweed (after some — sorry — rednecks sitting behind us at one of his first major league starts said “Who the heck is Millweed?”). He pitched in Sunday’s doubleheader against the Mets and won to move to 5-3 with a 4.75 ERA. So his rotation spot won’t come up again until Friday.
After watching Jorge Campillo give up two runs in an eight-inning complete game last night, and deserving better than a loss, I decided to dig up some quotes I’d gotten from Corky Miller a couple of weeks ago about what makes Campillo so effective. Those of you who’d rather bash Corky can skip it, but I found it insightful. Here’s a little of what he had to say about catching Campillo.
“He doesn’t really throw the same pitch too many times to the same guy — whether it be, same location or different speeds,” Miller said. “And he knows how to get guys out. He’s been around. And he goes with what works for him, not necessarily the hitters and what they’re trying to do. He pitches to what he wants to throw and what he can best locate.”
What makes him able to do that, Miller points out, is how well he locates.
“When you can’t spot the ball, you’ve got to go with what’s the hitters weakness against your strength,” Miller said. “He just always goes with his strength because he can put the ball pretty much where he wants to. It makes it easier for me when I’ve got to catch him. I don’t really have to worry about the tendencies of the hitters or what they like because he’s going to pitch where his strengths are and 90 percent of the time hit his spots.”
And this, from the Notes Group last week, when Greg Maddux was asked about Tom Glavine’s sore elbow, which landed him on the DL for the second time this year and only second time of his career.
“Knowing him, he probably should have gone on the DL two weeks ago,” Maddux said. “He’s tough, and no one knows how to pitch better when he’s hurt than that guy.”
Off to hoof it to Coors Field. Gotta love LoDo. Wouldn’t it be great to have something like that in Atlanta? Oh to dream.
Comments
By Scott from Fairburn
June 16, 2008 3:32 PM | Link to this
First?
By bf54
June 16, 2008 3:34 PM | Link to this
Welcome back, Carroll.
By Efrim
June 16, 2008 3:34 PM | Link to this
Wang out for 6-10 weeks. Apparently he is a slow healer. I say the guy is out 3 months and will be lucky if he is back before the end of the season.
Bavasi was fired by the Mariners. Weird. I think he should of been fired after he traded Soriano to the Braves for Horacio.
By Chick Fil A
June 16, 2008 3:41 PM | Link to this
THIS JUST IN: The mechanical tomahawking cow just tore a pec in the bullpen and will be slaughtered the way Mike Hampton should have been.
By jonB
June 16, 2008 3:42 PM | Link to this
Good to see a new post and always good to welcome Carroll back to the DOB/MIB blog. But for DOB to stay in sunny Cal and not do the red-eye flights is just not appropriate. The Braves look like they are shaking off the woes and are gathering some momentum and long awaited camaraderie behind the young pitchers. We may not always see what we got the last 3 nights, but if we can start building some consistency and getting that youthful energy, maybe even Frenchie will return to that hyper personality he brought with him a few years ago and we can see the raucousness and celebrations on every hit and win again. BTW, is Campillo really only 29? He pitches like he has been around the majors for quite some time - even as if he doesn’t have the arm for a blazer anymore so he will put batters down with his “special stuff.” It is a joy to watch him.
By Chick Fil A
June 16, 2008 3:45 PM | Link to this
When asked to comment on Mike Hampton’s status, the tomahawking cow said
Pitch Mor Chicken.
By Cecil34
June 16, 2008 3:53 PM | Link to this
Carroll Chipper is a great hitter and will go down as one of the best Braves there ever was, whether it be Boston, Milwaukee or Atlanta.
I don’t believe in my heart of hearts that he will hit .400 or better for the year.
It is too much to ask. It really should not be mentioned to him at all until we get into September.
It is nice to speculate, but that is all it is.
Does he have a good chance? Up to the point of his quad issue, yes.
But any injury to a major body part involved in the hitting process is going to adversely affect him.
Any kind of prolonged pain or sitting out will take him out of his “zone”. I am afraid his zone mojo is straying from him.
I know at the end of the year he will probably be on the high side of .350 most likely. Not too shabby.
By Efrim
June 16, 2008 3:53 PM | Link to this
Although I don’t think a trade with Seattle is worth it, I really, really hope that the Phillies don’t try to work out a deal for Erik Bedard. Many in the Baseball world think that they don’t have enough minor league pieces, but I think they do. Adrian Cardenas, Carlos Carrasco and Joe Savery would be plenty for a season and a half for a 6 inning pitcher.
By jbutler
June 16, 2008 3:56 PM | Link to this
Hey Carol…welcome to the Mile Hi; I’m grabbing my son from school and heading to the game in just a little bit..Hope you can hit Mortons/Lodos or any of the good eateries right there in Lodo - great neighborhood!!
I know the Rox are finally hitting a little groove - but have to admit I still want the Braves to pop it to them. The Rox are more comfortable at the bottom of the division than the Braves…
By ncscoots
June 16, 2008 3:57 PM | Link to this
Now that the shoe has dropped on Bavasi, maybe the Mariners actually WILL shop Bedard, LOL. That would be cool, in a Twlight Zone sorta way.
By Efrim
June 16, 2008 4:09 PM | Link to this
Scoots
I actually would stay far away from Bedard. Very good pitcher. But I feel like he is going to want a ton of money and is just not worth it. I could definetly see the Phillies, Yankees and Red Sox going after him though.
By Greg in TN
June 16, 2008 4:14 PM | Link to this
Afternoon folks…
Good to have Carroll back from a well-deserved vacation at the Carolina coast blogging on today’s quick trip into and out of Denver.
Some thoughts as things pick up a bit on Blake Street. Good pitching this weekend on the left coast, and I’ll take two out of three against the Angels. It isn’t fair to expect the same results from Charlie Morton’s next few starts at the MLB level, however as DOB mentioned on the last blog, I will be curious to see how he’ll fare once teams begin filling out “the book” on Morton and how he, in turn, adjusts to their adjustments.
I tend to agree with CR’s assertion that a little time off for JJJ isn’t a bad thing at all in terms of having a little extra time for his blister to heal and give his arm a little extra rest.
As Efrim mentioned, Bill Bavasi is cleaning out his office in Seattle. The New York Daily News and MSNBC are reporting that while Willie Randolph’s job is safe for now, Tom Nieto (first base coach) and Rick Peterson (pitching coach) could be let go today (link), although nothing has been reported as of yet, so I imagine they’ll be making the team charter out of NYC.
A 3-for-4 night from the Offensive Assassin tonight would surely be nice. Chipper hasn’t gone back-to-back games without a hit since May 9-10 in Pittsburgh (I’m seeing a theme there, the Steel City isn’t very forgiving to Chipper). Is Chipper cooling down to mere mortal status or is the quad giving him grief? He rakes at Coors Field, so hopefully tonight is the night he reverses the trend of late.
By Novice Ned
June 16, 2008 4:24 PM | Link to this
Huddy and the Who? have looked good the past few games. Let’s hope that a blister-free Jurrjens can match the results of his Who? brothers: Campillo, Reyes and Morton.
If this healthy starters keep thi up, maybe we can sacrifice a pitcher and bring back Josh Anderson. Cox may need to consider going small-ball with spped to give this offense a turbo boost. Give Anderson or Blanco a shot at batting lead-off and move Escobar down to Frenchy’s run-producing spot.
By ncscoots
June 16, 2008 4:37 PM | Link to this
Give Anderson or Blanco a shot at batting lead-off
just…won’t…die.
By TennesseePaul
June 16, 2008 4:37 PM | Link to this
Wow, Bavasi is canned… I can’t believe Liberace was gay. I mean, women loved him! I didn’t see that one coming.
By Tony Austin
June 16, 2008 4:39 PM | Link to this
At this rate, I think Mike Hampton will produce more this year for the Braves than Jeff Francoeur will.
By woogidy
June 16, 2008 4:39 PM | Link to this
A-ville, flange,
The comparison of competing talent is a fair barometer of how to determine who has been more dominant, however, Today is the era of “super athletes”, whereas the stars of yesterday were not trained year ‘round. They played sports for a living instead of living sports.
Tiger revolutionized the way a golfer approached the sport with his physical approach. The dude is ripped. This has also happened across the sporting world. Players have committed themselves more now than ever before. We expect it out of them. Tony Gwynn would not be welcome on a lot of teams because he was overweight. Babe Ruth would have been asked to dwindle away some of the weight. Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, among others weren’t exactly “in shape” compared to today’s standards.
In conclusion, I think any athelete competing today, in any sport would dominate the players of yesterday. Some of these atheletes were born to be what they became. They were essentially trained since they were little children in most cases. This truly wasn’t the case back then. Look at Smoltzie and Glavine. They were 2 and 3 sport athletes. Barring few exceptions, most athletes were raised to be subperb in one sport. Tiger is the greatest of all time, for now.
By flange1
June 16, 2008 4:40 PM | Link to this
Novice NEd,
That one is great!
Huddy and the Who!!!
We need to keep that one going!
By Shamus Thacker
June 16, 2008 4:42 PM | Link to this
Hey Carroll, it might’a been us you heard saying “Millweed.” We’re actually half-breeds though, half Redneck and half Hillbilly, but there’s no way you couda known.
Great job on the blog darlin!
By NCBravesFan
June 16, 2008 4:42 PM | Link to this
Bedard is not throwing very well. Had ‘em on my fantasy team both this year and last, and the dude has not been the same pitcher.
Could be the injuries he’s had early in the year … or perhaps the pressure that comes with higher expectations from him in Seattle versus Baltimore.
Carroll: lived in Wilmington a few years and have been to HB many a time. Hope you had a great vacation!
By Goodoleboy58
June 16, 2008 4:47 PM | Link to this
Any chance we can sign K-rod as a free agent after this year? I’d love to have the 9th signed, sealed, and delivered…
By THB
June 16, 2008 4:47 PM | Link to this
MLBTradeRumors says they don’t see the Pirates getting any top prospects for Jason Bay or Xavier Nady. Think we could swing a deal for Bay? Maybe a B.Jones and Locke?
By Coach Smith
June 16, 2008 4:48 PM | Link to this
Note to COX..
BAT BLANCO LEADOFF
For crying out loud! This is the most no brainer move that could be made…
He is an ideal leadoff guy (speed, works counts, good bunter etc)
This would also allow ESCOBAR to hit in a better spot #2….which will alos allow KJ to hit in his better and more comfortable #6/7 spot!
This seems SO OBVIOUS that I feel like banging my head against the wall everytime I see the lineup
WHY BOBBY WHY?
By Efrim
June 16, 2008 4:54 PM | Link to this
Seattle media and fans hate Bedard. They call him the 6 inning 100 pitch “ace”. Not to mention he is difficult to deal with. Very similar to A.J. Burnett. Bedard isn’t as injury prone as Burnett, but their abilities and personality are similar.
By Shamus Thacker
June 16, 2008 4:57 PM | Link to this
They should make Hammy wear a cow suit and do the chop. Let the sorry-azz heffer [yes, nasal talking yankees, I know it’s heifer] earn his money!
By Chop Chop
June 16, 2008 4:57 PM | Link to this
It’s a damn shame that Rocco Mediate didn’t beat Tiger today. Cheering for Tiger to win (unless you’re a friend of his) is like cheering for U.S. Steel or the Yankees. Too bad Rocco couldn’t make those Tiger-lovers shut up today.
Nonetheless, congrats to Tiger. Rocco blew his chance to put the man away and Tiger, as he always does, made his opponent pay.
By ncscoots
June 16, 2008 4:58 PM | Link to this
[Batting Blanco leadoff] seems SO OBVIOUS that I feel like banging my head against the wall everytime I see the lineup
Maybe you should have stopped doing that once you starting hearing the squishy sound.
By geauxbraves2000
June 16, 2008 5:03 PM | Link to this
A 2/4 road trip could easily have been 3/3 (if the Braves had a non-injured closer) or even 4/2 with a little offense yesterday, (tip of the hat to the Angels staff yesterday), so things do appear to be slowly looking up. SP has been awesome, offense has been spotty, but if they could just get a couple more clutch hits, I see no reason why they can’t go home with a 5-5 road trip, which, all things considered, would awesome.
Geaux Braves!!
By bravesfan
June 16, 2008 5:05 PM | Link to this
Carroll, how is the weather in Denver?
By Shamus Thacker
June 16, 2008 5:05 PM | Link to this
Carroll, were you aware that Frenchy’s nickname has been changed? It’s now Stenchy…
By Charlie S.
June 16, 2008 5:09 PM | Link to this
Hey Carroll, Why haven’t the braves signed any of this years draft picks yet like other teams?
By Big Easy
June 16, 2008 5:14 PM | Link to this
An argument for the validity of the small sample size:
If you believed that a small sample size is enough to judge an athlete, Rocco Mediate is every bit as good a golfer as Tiger Woods.
Gotta love it.
~E~
By brent a.
June 16, 2008 5:14 PM | Link to this
I’m sure this has been mentioned but the most intriguing part, to me, of the great SP over the week-end, was that it came from three guys (Reyes, Morton, Campillo), who before this season we had either
A) never heard of B) never wanted to hear from again; or C) never thought we’d have to see this season.
By Cooper
June 16, 2008 5:19 PM | Link to this
Harden would be a great addition behind Hudson. Unfortunately with every good start Beane is hoping to raise the price.
Perhaps Harden’s injury history will take the edge off Beane’s asking price.
I hope Wren at least makes an aggressive offer for Harden b/c the Braves need their next Ace. While JJ, JOJO and to a degree (too new) Morton look good they are not near-term (2+yrs) Aces.
Wren did make an offer for Haren over the winter and supposedly Blanton in May so who knows maybe Harden will be the charm.
Camp looks amazing but you know what they say… if something looks too good to be true, it usually is.
By sportsmandh
June 16, 2008 5:20 PM | Link to this
woogidy,
While in general I agree with you, there are a lot of exceptions. Look at Manny Ramirez and Big Poppy. Not exactly model physical specimens. I don’t see the Red Sox unhappy with them. i.e. I doubt anyone would be kicking Babe Ruth off their team in any generation.
By AGTfan
June 16, 2008 5:23 PM | Link to this
WHY BOBBY WHY?
It could be the .261 BA vs Escos .303 or maybe it’s that he has as many Ks in 161 games as Esco has in 267 games.
By i cant take it anymore
June 16, 2008 5:23 PM | Link to this
nice blog, carroll. denver is such a great city. have fun after the game.
By Efrim
June 16, 2008 5:25 PM | Link to this
Deunte Heath was just promoted to Double A Mississippi.
By AGTfan
June 16, 2008 5:26 PM | Link to this
Oops. I meant At Bats not games.
By cubbie
June 16, 2008 5:33 PM | Link to this
Re: Coach Smith I believe … BC was digging up his nasal cavity one day and got what he assumed was a BIG BUGGER and tugged and pulled out a big portion of his brain … sorta messed up his thought process, you see??? Maybe that explains it for you!
By Steve McP
June 16, 2008 5:34 PM | Link to this
I can’t see that the Braves will call up Anderson for a pitcher until they are through the inter-league games on the road because of the DH they do not need/use much from the bench.
Having said that can’t see why they still have all those pitchers on the 25 man when Bobby does not appear to be willing to use some of them, but instead looks to be trying to burn out Acosta and Boyer.
By AGTfan
June 16, 2008 5:41 PM | Link to this
If you read this Blog regularly, you would come to believe that Francouer srikes out at least every other at bat. Like most Braves fans I’m disapointed with his performance to date, but I decided to look at just Ks.
Frenchy 277 AB 46 K Diaz 132 AB 32 K Blanco 161 AB 39 K Tex 261 AB 43 K KJ 234 AB 48 K Escobar 267 AB 39 K
So while Frenchy is having a bad year so far and is striking out more than he should, he’s hardly alone or even the strike out king of the position players.
By Coach Smith
June 16, 2008 5:43 PM | Link to this
AGTFan
I think you are missing the point… By leaving Escobar leadoff, Cox is making three hitters hit out of there best spot…
KJ is NOT a #2 hitter, he is much better at #6/7
Escobar doesn’t like hitting #1, he is like Renteria, a natural #2 hitter, goes to right field etc..
and despite the K’s, BLANCO has a high OB%, he puts pressure on the D with his bunting ablity and speed not to mention he works the count..
By AGTfan
June 16, 2008 5:57 PM | Link to this
Coach Smith
I can see your point and I’m not opposed to giving him a try at lead-off, but I think his natural spot is number 8. H’es just not that good of a hitter yet.
By beki
June 16, 2008 6:00 PM | Link to this
I like Morton! He worked fast,went deep into the count and finished the Angels. He could have goone, in my opinion,another inning or two. Reyes was outstanding and should have gone nine innings. Cox shouldn’t have used up the bullpen and then turn around and used them again. No wonder the Bravos have so many sore elbows and tired arms.
By MGL
June 16, 2008 6:00 PM | Link to this
Coach Smith,
Perhaps you should check Blanco’s game log. He is batting .229, OBP .302 in June. He has cooled off considerably after his hot start.
By AGTfan
June 16, 2008 6:03 PM | Link to this
Coach Smith
If you look at his splits, he’s getting worse and worse each month. He’s much better suited to platooning. Against Right handers he’s a very respectable .290 AVG .395 OBP. Against soutpaws he’s an abysmal .162 AVG and .289 OBP.
I don’t see him as an every day option or a lead-off hitter.
By Dan in NJ
June 16, 2008 6:08 PM | Link to this
What do you guys think with Mets picking up Trot Nixon? I really liked this guy back when he was in Boston. IF he stays healthy… i think thats a great pick up. Kinda wished the Braves picked him up. Coming off the bench and some spot starts. and over what we have. Guy bats for ave. and has pop.
I really hope Cox starts managing games to win…and not managing not to hurt players egos(frenchy). He needs to sit out a couple of games and when he’s in the line up…bat him 7th or 8th. He IS def. another AJ of last season. NO need to keep running him out there hoping he turns it around while costing the braves some wins.
He just seems like he trying to hard to be “the man” / “hero” instead of doing whats best for the team. Whether it be a walk or making a quality out. He’s going up there swinging at ball 4 way too often and swinging for the fences with a 2 strike count. Very hard to watch at times. but thats just my opinion
By TennesseePaul
June 16, 2008 6:09 PM | Link to this
Any chance we can sign K-rod as a free agent after this year? I’d love to have the 9th signed, sealed, and delivered
I would to. But K-rod isn’t that guy. This weekend, you saw a K-Rod that doesn’t make many appearances. Typically a K-Rod sighting has a lot of 3-2 counts, and runners every where. He’ll eventually get the save (more times than not) but it isn’t pretty.
By Carroll Rogers
June 16, 2008 6:09 PM | Link to this
First things first. Bobby says Mike Gonzalez will join the team in Texas tomorrow and be activated on Wednesday…..There, first there out of my fingertips and it’s good news.
Just filed a burst with more details. Do me a favor (and make my bosses happy) and click over there. Or just somebody link it here and we get clicks both places. Win-win! See how crazy this business is now?
Anyway, weather is beautiful here. I walked over from my hotel and it’s was so pleasant it was almost sickening, considering the 95 stiffling going on back home. I love this area and would love to take in more of it. unfortunately duty calls and i gotta cover this game and be on a plane for Dallas first thing in the morning.
Did I mention Gonzo is ready to come back? And it’s a month later than the original target date, which I think a lot of you agreed might be pushing it. But he’s about two weeks past a year now, and he’s made nine outings in the minors. It’s time for them to see what they’re dealing with.
By ArkyTech
June 16, 2008 6:13 PM | Link to this
Some stats on Norton: -He’s batting .181 as Brave -He has more k’s than hits (15/13) -He’s batting .159 for Atlanta since going 2 for 3 the first weekend -He’s hitting .173 as starter (9-52)
Under no circumstances should this guy be in the lineup ahead of anyone (besides Corky).
By Coach Smith
June 16, 2008 6:15 PM | Link to this
a couple of you are TOO caught up in stats…
Speed at the top of the order causes pressure (Have you all forgotten the two bunt hits he just got against the Angles that sparked big innings?)
That pressure causes the following hitters to get better pitches and mistakes from pitchers…
Not to mention a leadoff hitter’s second job is too work a long AB so that everyone can see the pitcher for a few pitches…BLANCO works the count…
By Carroll Rogers
June 16, 2008 6:16 PM | Link to this
Charlie S (was it?) I think sometimes the Braves wait to see what other teams do as far as hitting the slot money or going higher. They don’t want to be setting any trends by breaking slot. But honestly i haven’t spoken to scouting types in a while, so that’s just a guess.
By Capt Caveman (the original Dawg)
June 16, 2008 6:17 PM | Link to this
Well — you heard it all now.
Mets fans at Shea Stadium during the rain delay the other night were chanting:
LET’S GO R-A-N-G-E-R-S !!!
LET’S GO R-A-N-G-E-R-S !!!
Wonder how Metroman felt about that??
hahahahahahahahahaha
By Dan in NJ
June 16, 2008 6:18 PM | Link to this
Guys talking about Blanco getting worse by the month. Just keep in mind that pithers don’t give him much to hit knowing the pitcher spot is due up next. Especially with runners on base. But his bunting ability, speed and working counts might work in the leadoff role.
By BravesFanInRockies
June 16, 2008 6:18 PM | Link to this
CR,
Thanks for the update on Gonzo. Exactly right. The Braves need to see if he’s ready to take on a reasonable workload. If he’s not, and he needs more time to get stronger, then you consider finding outside help. Not before.
By Braveheart
June 16, 2008 6:20 PM | Link to this
Oh, chrissakes, another day filled with I ♥ Blanco
Blanco has a high OBP because he usually bats 8th in front of the pitcher. If you put him directly in front of Escobar, Chipper, Tex, and McCann, the opposing pitchers would chew Blanco up and knock the bat out of his hand.
As it is, Blanco already strikes out once every 4 at bats. Can you imagine if they put Blanco at leadoff in front of YE, CJ, MT, and BMAC?
If he is striking out once every 4 at bats while generally not being pitched aggressively as an 8 hitter, Lord help Blanco if he is put atop the order where pitchers will be ultra aggressive with him because he is by far the least scary of the next 7 hitters to come to the plate.
Just look at what Blanco is doing with RISP (a situation where pitchers are likely to be more aggressive with him). With RISP, Blanco has 15 Ks in 42 at bats, a strikeout every 2.8 at bats. Expect alot of that if he is put atop the order and is pitched aggressively because he scares absolutely no one as compared to the hitters due up next.
By Chop Chop
June 16, 2008 6:21 PM | Link to this
Carroll,
Your shameless plug means that I’ll hesitate a few minutes to click on that story. A blogger has to maintain some shred of dignity. It’s only fair, right?
By Capt Caveman (the original Dawg)
June 16, 2008 6:35 PM | Link to this
Just to clarify - the Mets were playing the Texas Rangers that night.
Willie is gone within the week in all probability.
By KC
June 16, 2008 6:35 PM | Link to this
Well, from BC’s comments, it sounds like we’re going to find out if Gonzo can handle the closer’s role pretty much right out of the gate.
Here’s hoping.
By Wayne in Utah
June 16, 2008 6:36 PM | Link to this
Gotta agree with Braveheart on Blanco. Probably the same reason BC hasn’t tried him there much. (I think he might have gotten a start or two in the leadoff spot??).
BUT, having said that, I would not be opposed to giving him a little trial at the leadoff spot. No more than 3-4 games though, if the experiment didn’t work.
Personally, I think he is this years version of last years Willie Harris. I would like to see Anderson get another shot at the bigs, and while we are at it, let’s leave Brandon Jones in for a while.
I think if Norton hasn’t put it together in another couple of weeks, he will be off to Richmond or DFA’d. It’s not like we are going to use him at first or third. Why not get an outfielder up in his place (that kid that just got a promo from Miss to Richmond, might deserve a shot. Also, there is a Reed Gorecki in Mississippi who is tearing it up.
By Capt Caveman (the original Dawg)
June 16, 2008 6:40 PM | Link to this
Hey Carroll
One question: How long is Gonzo under contract for??
Just curious if he does well this year if we have him for another.
By KC
June 16, 2008 6:42 PM | Link to this
ArkyTech: Good point on Norton.
It’s weird. Bobby has certain guys that he just seems to show a lot of confidence in… and in some instances, it’s hard to figure out why.
Pretty much every time I saw Chris Woodward last year, I scratched my head, but Bobby seemed to like him.
Then you have guys that, for some unknown reason, have to work about 10 times as hard to get BC to give them a chance. Josh Anderson and Phil Stockman come to mind.
Bobby would rather use Boyer for 7 innings over 2 games than to give Stockman a look in anything other than a blowout. Stockman has been lights out (in a major way) at AAA, and has been nearly perfect in limited opportunities in ATL… but just can’t seem to get in a game here.
I can’t figure BC out sometimes.
By KC
June 16, 2008 6:50 PM | Link to this
Braveheart: On the flip side… you don’t get a lot to hit when you’re hitting in front of the pitcher.
An argument could certainly be made that he stands to produce better results in the leadoff spot, with more fastballs and pitches in the zone to hit.
He won’t walk as much, but if he doesn’t put too much pressure on himself, he would likely make more solid contact in the leadoff spot.
By KC
June 16, 2008 6:54 PM | Link to this
Capt Caveman (the original Dawg): Carroll could answer that question more reliably… but I’m nearly certain Gonzo will be eligible for free agency after the 09’ season.
By Capt Caveman (the original Dawg)
June 16, 2008 6:57 PM | Link to this
Braveheart & Wayne
If you look at the Angels series lineups - we had Blanco hitting 9th right in front of the leadoff spot, so in effect he was in what is loosely called “2nd leadoff”. It’s just a way of saying that with the exception of the first inning at-bat, for the rest of the game you had Blanco & Esco hitting together in the lineup.
Blanco went 3-4, 2-3, & 0-3 in that series. Not bad and definitely getting pitched more aggressively than having the pitcher behind you.
It’s a small sample but it does show that he might deserve a shot at it.
Personally - I think the Bravos have a good group of young players who just haven’t found their role yet, but it’s gonna start meshing together real soon.
By KC
June 16, 2008 6:57 PM | Link to this
Carroll: It was said that, while in California, Soriano was going to visit with the DR that performed his TJ surgery. What ever happened with that???
By Capt Caveman (the original Dawg)
June 16, 2008 7:00 PM | Link to this
KC
Yes, your right. 1 yr contract.
By Phil In GA
June 16, 2008 7:03 PM | Link to this
KC,
I’m a rare poster on here, but KC I really liked your comment there at 6:42. I’m a BC fan and like his patience and support of his players. Think he doesn’t get as MUCH respect as he deserves.
But gotta agree, he does get stuck on guys one way or the other sometime. I don’t know if Stockman is going to keep it up (kind of doubt it actually), but you’d think with so few guys in the ‘pen pitching SO MANY innings, that Cox would give the guy more key, late-inning chances.
Usually, because Bobby and the Braves run things in such a classy way that if a guy isn’t getting used much or gets sent down (or out of town), it’s because he’s screwed up in some way or broke some rules or something like that. Can’t figure that’s the case with Stockman or Anderson in your example, but who knows.
I typically trust Cox in those personnel decisions, but agree that sometimes i think HE places his trust too long in certain gamers (i.e., Brian Jordan, Julio, Woodward, Boyer, etc.).
Glad to see the infusion of new blood with Morton, Anderson (when he was up), Campillo and B. Jones (hope he’s not trade bait, though - really been rooting for him last couple years).
Now good luck to Gonzo bringing some more (old) new blood to the ‘pen!
By Hurry up
June 16, 2008 7:03 PM | Link to this
I wish the game started at 7:00. Need my BRAVES fix. Thats all
By McFann©
June 16, 2008 7:13 PM | Link to this
OK, you guys gotta watch this! (It’s a video of the Rangers after their game with the Mets was rained out.) It’s hilarious!
(Here’s the article that goes with it, if you’re int’rested.)
There’s some more pretty funny bloopers on that first page I posted. The one with the Red Sox fan is great as well!
By McFann©
June 16, 2008 7:15 PM | Link to this
BTW—Wayne, how’d the new grill work?
By KC
June 16, 2008 7:20 PM | Link to this
Phil In GA: Yeah, I wondered if Anderson did something (or didn’t do something he should have) in the clubhouse or practice, etc… to land in Bobby’s doghouse.
But based on DOB’s reports and Anderson’s own comments, I get the impression that he is one hell of an individual, and is exactly the kind of guy the Braves like to have in their clubhouse.
The only think I can come up with there is this…
Anderson and Blanco are much the same player. They are both left-handed slap hitters with excellent speed. Both can play any outfield position.
So I wonder if Bobby feels like he doesn’t need two Blancos (or 2 Andersons - take your pick). So Anderson is the odd man out right now.
Also, if Anderson has an edge over Blanco, it’s most certainly in the stolen base dept. Anderson has had MUCH more success in terms of his success ratio in the steals dept.
But Bobby doesn’t really seem to place much value on the stolen base. He’s more from the Early Weaver school of managing. He’d usually rather leave a guy on first or bunt him over, rather than risk taking the bat out of the hands of the guy at the plate (or the guy on deck).
Never heard anything negative about Stockman’s charactr either. And as for his ability… check out his minor league stats at Richmond and Miss. over the past couple seasons. He’s struggled to stay healthy over the past few years down there, but when on the mound, he was beyond dominant.
He certainly deserves more of a chance here. But I know I’m preaching to the choir. =)
By THB
June 16, 2008 7:20 PM | Link to this
Jason Bay could be available, and it is said he probably won’t cost “top” prospects. He’s having a great year, wonder what it would take to get him. Then again, maybe B.Jones could produce solid numbers and we won’t need to make trades for a bat right now. All we gotta do is trade Tex is we’re out by 10 games!
By Wayne in Utah
June 16, 2008 7:29 PM | Link to this
McFann Grill works great! I loved the video. Reminded me of a mud slide I was involved in at “poor kids” camp back about 40 years ago!
By woogidy
June 16, 2008 7:29 PM | Link to this
sportsmandh, Never said Babe would have been kicked off any team, just would have been asked to lose some weight.
Chop Chop, I disagree about pulling for Tiger. Tiger doesn’t spend $200 million to pay for things to help him win, and if he did, it wouldn’t help. He is not in one city full of people arrogant about him and how good he is. He is also not a poor loser, and when he loses he doesn’t fire his caddy and coach, and change equipment. He takes blame. It’s all talent.
By DonCoburleone
June 16, 2008 7:32 PM | Link to this
Here is a really good article about the Braves new “Big 3”
I think later this week will be a really big test for both Jo Jo Reyes and Charlie Morton… Pitching IN Texas has been murder for almost every pitcher in baseball this year. I am not expecting much from either of them, but if they manage to survive and pitch well I will start to believe. I know its only going to be one start, but pitching in Arlington is the toughest test for any pitcher this season…
By DonCoburleone
June 16, 2008 7:40 PM | Link to this
Whats with the lineup tonight? How come it is so late in being posted?
By McFann©
June 16, 2008 7:42 PM | Link to this
Wayne—
Good to hear (read) that the grill works! Thought you would get a kick out of that video! I found it today while I was looking for a clip of Not wRight blowing up in the dugout. Never found that, but what I got was even better! (I bet those players got pretty muddy, too. They were walkin’ in the mud in front of their dugout in their socks!)
The Braves had a pretty good “blooper” on Chipper’s B-Day…But it’s not on the page I linked up…it’s not anywhere……
By Wayne in Utah
June 16, 2008 7:46 PM | Link to this
Can Jason Bay play anything but LF? How about Nady? We need someone who could play CF (or RF, if Frenchy is moved over or moved out for pitching).
By Efrim
June 16, 2008 7:51 PM | Link to this
Carroll, whats the weather like out there? Think they will get the game in with no delays?
By Wayne in Utah
June 16, 2008 7:52 PM | Link to this
Somebody earlier was talking about us needing a closer. I suspect the Braves will stay with what they have, hoping that Gonzo helps to straighten out the pen and get some jobs well identified.
If we did go for a closer, who would we want? Fuentes is being courted by the Mets (maybe a good reason to pick him up?), but I am at a loss as to other potential closers that are available.
By DonCoburleone
June 16, 2008 8:00 PM | Link to this
Lineup: 1)Escobar 2)KJ 3)Chipper 4)Teixera 5)McCann 6)Francoeur 7)Brandon Jones 8)Blanco 9)Jurrjens
Not bad…
By Steve McP
June 16, 2008 8:04 PM | Link to this
Here is the link to to the Gonzo return article by Carroll.
Good News.
By Robert
June 16, 2008 8:07 PM | Link to this
Someone lamented “WHY BOBBY WHY?”
What a question.
“Daddy, why did the stupid man do that?”
” Because he is a stupid man sweetie”
The question isnt why Bobby Cox does stupid things 24/7/365. The question is why is he not only tolerated but lauded by the fans and the local media despite his utter stupidity.
I can understand why players like him. But as I have said before, parents dont necessarily want the babysitter that the kids think is the coolest
By ncscoots
June 16, 2008 8:08 PM | Link to this
*[Bobby would] usually rather leave a guy on first or bunt him over, rather than risk taking the bat out of the hands of the guy at the plate (or the guy on deck). *
Something Mike Sciosia might have considered this past weekend. After his team’s style of play was touted here last week before the series, we saw the results and why he is forced to play the style of ball they do. No OBP, no power (with Vlad and Anderson in slumps), thus, forced into high-risk attempts at accumulating bases. This weekend, that failed, and there was nowhere else to go for runs. A one-handed first-row homer and a great performance by Saunders averted a sweep, but the small-ball strategy failed utterly. You play that way because you HAVE to, not because you WANT to.
Braves, on the other hand, are loaded with thumpers (admittedly some who are woefully underperforming, LOL, but I digress). Hit one of those speedy dinkers at 8, and Escobar and Johnson have a chance to drive in 2, with power. Put the speedy dinker at 1, and no matter who gets on at 8, you got a shot at 1 run, maybe. For me, I’ll take the guy who hits it hard over The Flash..especially when the hard-hitter has a better BA, a better OBP, hell, better everything. THAT’S your no-brainer, folks.
By THB
June 16, 2008 8:10 PM | Link to this
Wayne-I know Bay has played some CF before, but I seriously doubt he’s still a LFer. I know Nady plays RF and Bay has been playing LF.
I think the idea of a “stopgap” is an extremely risky move. Going out and getting an injury prone Kotsay screwed us, because we got what we asked for-another injured player. You can’t put a bunch of stopgaps out there and expect them to all produce. Schafer is a little ways away, for sure, probably sometime next year. But if we were smart, we would have found someone we could have had for 2-3 years and could have moved them to LF or traded them. Someone like Ryan Church or, at the time, Nick Swisher (Not having a good year).
By MiamiBeachBravesFan
June 16, 2008 8:15 PM | Link to this
DOB - Dr. Yocum checked Rafael Soriano’s MRI’s on the 14th, right? Any news two days after the fact? I want to know if this nimrod is really hurt, or he just a money-grabbing hypochondriac. Thank goodness for Mike Gonzalez’s return!
By Braveheart
June 16, 2008 8:17 PM | Link to this
Oh, good grief
By 22oz
June 16, 2008 8:18 PM | Link to this
Can’t blame Snitker for sending Kelly there. Francouer was up next after all.
By McFann©
June 16, 2008 8:19 PM | Link to this
.294!!
I guess it wasn’t hit deep enough…???
Traveras!!
By Efrim
June 16, 2008 8:21 PM | Link to this
Geez, Tex has got to start coming through in situations like that. Is the cleanup spot cursed for this team? What do we have to do to get a consistent run producer, who we know will deliver in that spot, to play for us? An Adam Dunn or Pat Burrell signing won’t do it. So I am interested to see who this team goes after in a trade this offseason. I can’t imagine they will have a better track record than Teixiera.
By McFann©
June 16, 2008 8:24 PM | Link to this
22oz—
Good one!
By Carroll Rogers
June 16, 2008 8:28 PM | Link to this
Thanks for sticking that up there, Steve, McP.
KC, i haven’t followed up on that yet about soriano and his doc but i will.
Capt. Cave, KC is correct about Gonzo’s contract status. Free agent after next season.
it’s gorgeous here, people. 75 degrees at first pitch. Looking good so far for Jurrjens. despite having squeeze-master Adrian Johnson behind the plate.
By Capt Caveman (the original Dawg)
June 16, 2008 8:34 PM | Link to this
ncscoots
Your logic is Metamucil for the mind!!!
Clearing out some of the cobwebs that some bloggers call reason.
What did you think about my 6:57 post??
I would be interested in your opinion.
By Carroll Rogers
June 16, 2008 8:38 PM | Link to this
Braveheart, not that i debate your overall point on blanco, but let me throw something out. is there at least a possibility that you’re striking out in the eighth hole because you’re trying to make something happen on pitches out of the strike zone? at least some of the time? and when you’re in the top of the order, you might see better pitches?
wait, i just saw where KC made this exact point. ….
By ncscoots
June 16, 2008 8:49 PM | Link to this
Caveman, your premise at 6:57 seems logical to me, for sure, allowing for a three-game sample size. I’d say that Blanco hitting leadoff could go either way: maybe getting more fastballs leads to better swings, or maybe pitchers eat him up inside because he can’t hurt them deep. He gets pitched differently, for sure, if he’s hitting leadoff.
It’s not that I’m opposed to a fast, high-OBP guy hitting leadoff. I’m opposed to putting a guy at the top of the order ONLY because of his speed. Blanco just hasn’t shown enough to make a compelling case for supplanting Escobar, is what I’ve been saying. Blanco has had a hard time adjusting in May and June, and he’s got to show the ability to do that before he should moved from 8. And maybe hit lefties a little better, too, LOL.
By Efrim
June 16, 2008 8:49 PM | Link to this
This is reaching past the point of absurdity. This team gets an allergic reaction to hitting the baseball when there is a runner on second or third. Folks, come on.
And there is Chipper and Tex striking out back to back.
I’m waiting for this team to be on al cylinders, but I’m just not sure of when it is going to happen. Hopefully soon…..
By More from Terence
June 16, 2008 8:50 PM | Link to this
What do skunks and shovels have in common? besides the letter “S”? Well? I’m waiting. Time’s up. It’s Mike Hampton. You got me. Don’t look all puzzled and screwy-eyed like what the heck is this dude talking about. You know exactly what I’m talking about. If Georgia wins the college world series then it cannot be attributed to Mike Hampton. Have you ever seen the guy. I mean really looked at him. I bet half of you couldn’t even describe him. Go ahead. Take out a piece of paper and try to draw a picture of him. Does he have a mustache? You don’t know. A beard? You don’t know. You don’t even know if his hair is brown or black. Or maybe a brownish black. And what color are his eyes? YOU DON’T KNOW! Now admit it and let’s move on.
By ernesto
June 16, 2008 8:54 PM | Link to this
Tex, 2K, 3 LOB already tonight.
By More from Terence
June 16, 2008 8:54 PM | Link to this
And what is that guy Norton doing on this team? He is like the giraffe at the picnic. You know - the one that drank all the lemonade. I am outraged!
By Wayne in Utah
June 16, 2008 8:55 PM | Link to this
Would the Angels trade Kotchman and Rivera for Teixeira and Diaz?
Would the A’s send Harden and Ryan Sweeney for Frenchy and Redmond or Evarts?
Or, would the Red Sox trade a pitcher (Masterson/Lester/Buccholz)and an outfielder (Crisp or Moss) for Frenchy and Redmond or Evarts?
By Braves20
June 16, 2008 8:56 PM | Link to this
Shake it off Carroll. Surely the walk through Denver’s interminal terminal will wake you up. Did the same thing yesterday.
Nothing much has changed during my two week vacation. Texeria still disappears with men in scoring position.
At least he had the decency to strike out in the first rather than his usual inning ending double play -giving us a chance to score. But even with Tavares’ weak arm, Johnson shouldn’t have been sent on McCann’s shallow hit.
By Capt Caveman (the original Dawg)
June 16, 2008 8:56 PM | Link to this
Hey Carroll
If you saw what I posted at 6:57 you will see that Blanco was 5-10 batting in front of Esco against the Angels.
For all intents and purposes he was at the top of the lineup once they got to his spot. I thought he did well. If he was not much of a threat you would have seen Brandon get pitched around a little more once they saw him doing well.
What do you think?
By Carroll Rogers
June 16, 2008 8:57 PM | Link to this
is it just me, or do the Rockies have a really cool logo?!
By geauxbraves2000
June 16, 2008 9:00 PM | Link to this
Oh, I see why the offense hasn’t done anything, Jimenez is 1-6, 4.93, 39BB & 42 ER in 76.2 IP. It all makes perfect sense now.
OTOH, Jair is looking pretty good so far.
Geaux Braves!!
By More from Terence
June 16, 2008 9:04 PM | Link to this
A french fry is not a common tater and I am not a beet writer. I don’t do beets. In fact, I don’t eat many vegetables at all. I eat mostly hamburgers and french fries. Which closes the loop. Metaphoristically speaking.
By Overlord-D-Day
June 16, 2008 9:06 PM | Link to this
What does JF needs to do to get benched? Drop a fly ball like KJ???
By geauxbraves2000
June 16, 2008 9:10 PM | Link to this
Would the Red Sox give the Braves a box of balls for JF if the Braves paid the remainder of his salary this year?
He, right now, is a waste of a roster spot. Yet he continues to show up on the lineup card. Don’t want to hurt the kid’s confidence? Okay, don’t hurt his confidence and continue to waste opportunities to score, just as long as his feelings don’t get hurt.
Okay, come on Jair, make some good pitches and get out of this inning. You can do it!!
Geaux Braves!!
By Bobby's Cox
June 16, 2008 9:11 PM | Link to this
One of the boringest games i’ve been to in a while yesterday in Anaheim.
Campillo pitched an amazing game however. Dude kept hitters off-balance and guessing and got some weird spin on some grounders as the ball would move away from hitters’ bats. Made tough pitches when he had to, including coming back 3-1 with 2 out in the 8th and getting the K.
Moment of the game yesterday: Corky comes up to bat in his 1st plate appearance and some fans cheered just behind the Braves dugout. Gotay and Prado (standing next to each other all game) turned back in astonishment at to say, “WTF?”.
Frency ruined the game for the braves yesterday. He failed to get the big hit, as expected, with runners on 1st & 3rd 2 out and the Braves down 2, and was no where near Kotchman’s fluke HR that landed in the 1st row just over the short wall in right. That ball could’ve, and should’ve been caught. Don’t know what took Frenchy so long to get there, other than he runs stiff and is the slowest 24 year slim old outfielder i’ve ever seen.
It’s getting annoying seeing balls continuing to fall in front of him and see him come up empty time and time again with RISP.
By BravesDave
June 16, 2008 9:14 PM | Link to this
Does Stenchy ever hit the ball hard anymore?? It is amazing to me that this kid will swing at anything. Seriously, the book on him cannot be too detailed. Nothing like “swings at sliders away” or “will chase up in the zone” or “bust him inside”. His scouting report must be “will swing at any pitch on any count…and will miss or make weak contact”.
This is, of course, looking like a game that the Braves are going to lose…to a pitcher who has only beaten the Braves this season. 1-6 with 1 win against the team from Atlanta.
Send this home plate ump back to ump school, by the way.
By McFann©
June 16, 2008 9:15 PM | Link to this
ALERT!! ALERT!!
Chipper batting AVG is right at .400!!
Alert!! Alert!!
By geauxbraves2000
June 16, 2008 9:17 PM | Link to this
One more Wheatie® and it’s 3-0. But, it’s not, so WTG JJJ!!
Geaux Braves!!
By Overlord-D-Day
June 16, 2008 9:19 PM | Link to this
Nothing new there……..even in mars everybody knows braves just cant bunt the ball.
By Bobby's Cox
June 16, 2008 9:20 PM | Link to this
Wren says the pitching is not the problem, it’s the batting.
Gee Wren, I thought that was evident last year.
This is getting painful to watch.
Coach
Blanco should not be the leadoff hitter. He shouldn’t even be the CF. Anderson should be for now, as Blanco teetered off a bit. He’s completely overmatched at the plate. I haven’t seen a guy hit so many comebackers since, well ever. It’s almost as if Greg Maddux is pitching to him every AB.
By JJMB
June 16, 2008 9:22 PM | Link to this
Chipper gets an out, he drops below .400.
Damnit.
By More from Terence
June 16, 2008 9:25 PM | Link to this
Frenchy is not a rocket scientist and I am no apologist for the government. Mars probe? Forget it. Go probe somewhere cheaper and send me a tax rebate.
By geauxbraves2000
June 16, 2008 9:27 PM | Link to this
WTG Chipper!!
By rupert
June 16, 2008 9:28 PM | Link to this
great to hear braves nation cheering at coors tonight, reminds you that there are a lot of braves fans all over the country
By Jeff321
June 16, 2008 9:29 PM | Link to this
Wow, about time somebody came through with the bases loaded!
By TennesseePaul
June 16, 2008 9:30 PM | Link to this
Way to go CHipper!!!!
By McFann©
June 16, 2008 9:35 PM | Link to this
OK, Brian, you’ve got 30 K’s. You cann stop now!
By ncscoots
June 16, 2008 9:35 PM | Link to this
And, as in many cases, the bunt’s success or failure has absolutely no bearing on the scoring, and so Overlord once again makes a totally irrelevant post. But that’s nothing new…even on Mars, they know Overlord is a dolt.
By More from Terence
June 16, 2008 9:36 PM | Link to this
Chipper can’t strike out looking. Not possible. No way. He can only strike out by NOT LOOKING. Since he hurt his eye he is now kinda squinty. So he’s half looking.
By Carroll Rogers
June 16, 2008 9:40 PM | Link to this
capt, i think there’s validity to giving Blanco a go at the top of the order. course it also makes a case for him to stay eighth - the success they had in anaheim with him right where he was. ya know?
escobar has warmed up a bit too, batting leadoff. coming into tonight he’s hit .379 with two doubles, five walks and a .417 on-base percentage (thanks to the braves notes, i can spout those out) in his last seven games, six of them in the leadoff spot. he’s reached base twice in his first three at-bats tonight.
By Bobby's Cox
June 16, 2008 9:46 PM | Link to this
Something Mike Sciosia might have considered this past weekend. After his team’s style of play was touted here last week before the series, we saw the results and why he is forced to play the style of ball they do. No OBP, no power (with Vlad and Anderson in slumps), thus, forced into high-risk attempts at accumulating bases. This weekend, that failed, and there was nowhere else to go for runs. Scoots
Since I was a topic of such discussion, I’ll respond.
Nice post Scoots. I’m glad the braves tookt the series! In bringing up Scioscia ball last week, I in no way was saying the Braves should rely on it. I’m saying that when the team fails to score once in 15 innings or are in one of their many dry spells and leavign boat loads of RISP, they should be moving runners over, but more importantly, hitting & running to get guys focusing more on their AB’s.
If Anderson ever gets called up, he should be running often. Until that time, bobby ball will have to persist and we’ll enjoy the roller-coaster ride.
Nice to see B. Jones have a nice weekend. He shot down my arguements of bringing him up, but i’ll stand by my statement that if the braves wanted to bring him up, then they should at least send Blanco down.
By Coach Smith
June 16, 2008 9:49 PM | Link to this
Braveheart
I think it is much more of an ANDERSON lovefest on here than a Blanco…
In fact, most of the people who are opposed to Blanco, turn out to be Anderson lovers..
By the way BLANCO has a perfect night going, 2-2 with a walk
By Carroll Rogers
June 16, 2008 9:51 PM | Link to this
don’t know this yet for sure, but i think bobby is considering using Tex at DH tomorrow. maybe get Norton some work at first base. interesting….
By Murphy
June 16, 2008 9:53 PM | Link to this
I wonder of DOB started the rumors?
This was in Brandon Funston’s article today:
Brandon Jones, Atl, OF (ETA – now) As Atlanta’s No. 4 rated prospect (by BA) heading into ‘08, Jones’ recent promotion (June 11) is intriguing. The 24-year-old has a nice blend of 20/20 skills and he’s 6-for-13 for the Braves in his first four games. With Mark Kotsay and Matt Diaz on the DL, and Josh Anderson headed back to Triple-A, Jones should see regular playing time for the next few weeks, at least. Anderson, another of the Braves’ young outfield prospects, had been playing well in Atlanta (.318 in 11 games), but the Braves decided they wanted Jones’ more powerful bat in the lineup. There’s also some rumors that Jones is being showcased for a potential deal. If that’s true, then his playing time is assured. Jones is an excellent athlete who scores high with scouts for his approach to the game. He’s worth a gamble in deeper mixed leagues. In the Y! Friends and Family League, I’ve had a fifth outfield spot that I’ve been playing the waiver wire carousel with all season. Today, I sent Adam Jones back to waivers in favor of a Jones with a first name I can really get behind.
By McFann©
June 16, 2008 9:56 PM | Link to this
OK, time to put The Bird to bed, which means the computer goes off (they’re in the same room).
SWEEP THE ONE GAME SERIES!! (And no more K’s, Brian!)
Night, all!!
By uga-brave
June 16, 2008 9:58 PM | Link to this
some of francoeur’s splits
when leading off an inning. 73 ab .164 .ba, .208 .oba.
not trying to pile on, but them the facts.
By Capt Caveman (the original Dawg)
June 16, 2008 10:00 PM | Link to this
G-E-O-R-G-I-A
B-U-L-L-D-A-W-G-S
4-3 LEAD IN THE BOT 7TH
STILL BATTING
JOSH FIELDS WARMING UP
O’BRYAN AT THE PLATE !!
By Bobby's Cox
June 16, 2008 10:00 PM | Link to this
Note to braves players:
Runner on 3rd, < 2 out, Hit Fly Ball. Especially in a bases loaded situation, and even more in Colorado.
Hope we won’t need a 4th run tonight.
By ncscoots
June 16, 2008 10:01 PM | Link to this
B’sC, I wasn’t directing that Sciosia post at you, actually, LOL; bunch of folks were enamored of that article, I believe. I think folks here are of the opinion sometimes that I’m just a hackin’-jackin’ fool, but I’m a believer in fundamentals as much as anyone. I’ve said it before: “small ball” and “fundamentally sound ball” ain’t the same thing.
By More from Terence
June 16, 2008 10:03 PM | Link to this
If hits were pits would Norton be a peach or a watermelon?
By Greg in TN
June 16, 2008 10:04 PM | Link to this
So far things are just rolling right along at the corner of Blake Street and 20th Street. Bases loaded, cue Offensive Assassin and the scoreless tie is no more.
Nice night on the mound by JJJ. Six complete in the books, five hits, a walk and five whiffs. 72 pitches on the odometer so far tonight, 50 of which strikes.
I’m almost to the point where we need to put Questec in every ballpark. Very few nights in the 2008 season have I seen a consistent strike zone from members of the World Umpires Association. Tonights arbiter behind the dish, Adrian Johnson, makes Angel Hernandez look good.
Looks like Colonel Sanders is taking the game in tonight behind the Rocks dugout.
By Capt Caveman (the original Dawg)
June 16, 2008 10:05 PM | Link to this
YO Murphy
Isn’t that article about FANTASY leagues??
By Carroll Rogers
June 16, 2008 10:10 PM | Link to this
chipper was at .400 when he came to the plate with the bases loaded in the third, 2-for-16. no worries. two hits in his next two at-bats and the average is back up to .405.
Tex, meanwhile, has three strikeouts.
By Chop Chop
June 16, 2008 10:13 PM | Link to this
Francoeur with a two-run double.
Matt Holliday with a Ryan Langerhans impression out in left.
This game is over and done with. Braves win.
By Murphy
June 16, 2008 10:13 PM | Link to this
Frenchy comes through! yay
By keylargo
June 16, 2008 10:14 PM | Link to this
Here is one more non stat about JF and his strikeouts. No, he does not have a team leading ammount, but he almost never takes a pitch and is swinging away from the first pitch. If he strikes out he has to swing at at least 3 pitches. I would look that up if I knew what to call it. 8)
By Overlord-D-Day
June 16, 2008 10:17 PM | Link to this
Now thats more like it….. playing on the road the way we have played at home……if this keeps up things will turn around pretty quick.
By chrisklob
June 16, 2008 10:18 PM | Link to this
Did the image of Francoeur and Blanco chasing that ball hit by Hawpe all the way to the fence remind anyone else of watching a couple of eight year olds playing sand lot baseball? That was pathetic!
By Bobby's Cox
June 16, 2008 10:19 PM | Link to this
Scoots, i know it wasn’t directed at me, but it was a nice post, and i was one of the ones that supported the article so i thought i’d comment.
I’m not afraid to admit when i’m wrong, or when my arguments have been shot. You’re right, small ball and fundamentally sound ball aren’t the same. This team should be more fundamentally sound, and Bobby Cox should use more tactics to force his hitters to refocus when they’ve clearly lost focus at the plate. That’s been my argument, and I tried to use that article as support.
By Efrim
June 16, 2008 10:19 PM | Link to this
Francoeur coming through in the clutch.
But then I see him run down a ball in right field and I am shocked to see how slow he is. He looks like Vlad running.
By Murphy
June 16, 2008 10:20 PM | Link to this
Caveman:
Yes…still thought it was interesting. No?
By Capt Caveman (the original Dawg)
June 16, 2008 10:21 PM | Link to this
Yo Scoots
First off, great hit by Frenchy.
Secondly, you are right on the nose with “small” and “fundamental” being different.
Moving runners over with a bunt is small ball, moving runners over by hitting behind them is fundamental.
Hitting an outside pitch to right with a runner on first is a good fundamental play that doesn’t give up the out to move the runner.
A bunt is giving the out, that is small ball, which at some point requires a base hit with 2 outs to score.
Fundamental ball will score runs on offense and hold down the score of defense. Small ball just guarantees that your not going to score a lot of runs, probably b/c your offense doesn’t have a lot of power.
AND NOW MY DAWGS ARE GETTING READY TO CLOSE’EM OUT WITH JOSH FIELDS!!
By cabravesfan
June 16, 2008 10:25 PM | Link to this
what an outstanding game by JJ!
By More from Terence
June 16, 2008 10:26 PM | Link to this
If pitches were cupcakes you wouldn’t find Frenchy living above the bakery.
By vic
June 16, 2008 10:26 PM | Link to this
I believe for some reason Josh Anderson is not one of Bobby’s boys. I hope I’m wrong but he never gave Josh a chance like he did Blanco and Jones. Josh given the same chance will perform, he has every time up 300 ba or better. Now that said, I hope Blanco and Jones knock the cover off the ball. They are Braves!! I’d like to see all three playing. We don’t always get what we want. God bless the USA.
By Greg in TN
June 16, 2008 10:27 PM | Link to this
The good and the bad defensively for the Braves in the bottom of the seventh…
Frenchy didn’t look good at all on Hawpe’s liner to right-center, but Chipper redeems everyone with a dandy over the shoulder grab of Podsednik’s flare for out number two.
Gotta be tough to be a sports fan in coffee town these days. Mariners start the day 17 1/2 out and show their GM the door on the same day that the court case begins with the city trying to force the Sonics to finish the rest of their lease instead of jumping ship to Oklahoma City. The Seahawks reportedly are keeping a really low profile through all of this…
By Jeff321
June 16, 2008 10:34 PM | Link to this
Apparently Chipper isn’t happy with dominating the batting race.. Now he’s making Willie Mays’ style catches!
JJ sure knows how to pitch out of a jam.. And Tex’s offense plain out sucks. Get rid of him now!
By Mitch
June 16, 2008 10:36 PM | Link to this
Who knows, we may give the Phils a good run if our pitching staff keeps pitching close to this level. Huddy is our consistent ace, Jurrjens is solid, Campillo has been great, JoJo is improving, and maybe Morton can continue to be successful thanks to his anonymity.
By ncscoots
June 16, 2008 10:37 PM | Link to this
B’sC (I’m gonna use that, if it’s OK, I can’t write your moniker without snickering), roger that.
By Bobby's Cox
June 16, 2008 10:41 PM | Link to this
Nice effort by Jair tonight, and impressive performances by the braves rookie pitchers and Campillo over the weekend.
Very nice.
By Bama
June 16, 2008 10:41 PM | Link to this
Oh, shi? Who’s coming in? Hope Cox don’t blow it.
By ncscoots
June 16, 2008 10:44 PM | Link to this
Folks, I’m coming around to the idea that Francoeur just isn’t right physically. You’re right, he just doesn’t look like the same player in the field. Something’s wrong.
By Bobby's Cox
June 16, 2008 10:44 PM | Link to this
B’sC is fine if scoots is fine with you.
talk to you all later. nice game tonight.
By uga-brave
June 16, 2008 10:45 PM | Link to this
pretty impressive turn through the rotation.
hudson pithed a gem in chicago, reyes, morton, and campillo pitched great in anahiem, and jjj pitches 7 2/3 shutout innings in colorado.
if this team had any offensive consistency at all they would be 8-10 games over .500.
By ncscoots
June 16, 2008 10:48 PM | Link to this
sombrero for Tex. Yikes.
By ernesto
June 16, 2008 10:50 PM | Link to this
They say Tex always ends up putting up his numbers.
If that’s true he’s do to have a monster second half
By Epinephrine
June 16, 2008 10:52 PM | Link to this
Im sure people will complain and moan, but I for one am very happy to see Frenchy get his hits, whenever they come. Its a lot easier to get your confidence going when you get two hits and some RBIs than it is when you strike out, even if the bases are empty.
What this offense needs is Tex to seriously wake up-carrying the team style. If that happens, look out. Maybe playing in Texas will be the spark. But it looks like Frenchy is coming out of it, and this team looks ready to start a serious roll.
Could be a nice roll into the break-especially with Gonzo en route. And look at Brandon Jones. That ought to save an arm tonight.
By kirknga
June 16, 2008 10:53 PM | Link to this
Good job on a 1-2 count by Brandon Jones.
By Capt Caveman (the original Dawg)
June 16, 2008 10:55 PM | Link to this
YO uga-brave
How ‘bout them DAWGS at the CWS tonight !!!!
2-0 heading for the championship series !!
By vic
June 16, 2008 10:57 PM | Link to this
agree uga brave- rotation looks good- call ups look good- now get jf, kj,tex hitting…..go braves…go dogs.
By Wayne in Utah
June 16, 2008 10:58 PM | Link to this
Nice game all around for the Braves tonight! JJJ is looking like a solid 2/3 pitcher. What a tough problem to have if/when Glavine or Hampton come back.
Hudson, JJJ, JoJo, Campillo and Morton. Maybe we don’t need another arm.
Middle of the order (Tex and Frenchy) is sure struggling.
By Jeff321
June 16, 2008 10:59 PM | Link to this
Brandon Jones is a professional hitter!
I don’t know about ya’ll, but I don’t want Glavine to come back. Lets trade him and Tex for some real talent. With that said, I appreciate what Glavine did for us in the past. But, he hasn’t had “it” for a while.
By Efrim
June 16, 2008 11:00 PM | Link to this
Scoots
Folks, I’m coming around to the idea that Francoeur just isn’t right physically. You’re right, he just doesn’t look like the same player in the field. Something’s wrong.
That may be true, but, it doesn’t effect his plate discipline….
Okay, that was mean.
His ankle can’t be right. He sure looks a lot slower than he ever has in the field.
By More from Terence
June 16, 2008 11:00 PM | Link to this
If thinkin’ was stinkin’ Bobby Cox would be fresh as a petunia.
By uga-brave
June 16, 2008 11:02 PM | Link to this
six hits out of the starting outfield tonight, kind of makes thing easier when your outfielders show up offensively.
for all those that belittle what the braves did over 14 straight seasons, think this years rockies or the white sox of two years ago.
By Overlord-D-Day
June 16, 2008 11:08 PM | Link to this
where is stockman and ring?
that must be players fault not to let them pitch in a 7 run game……right???
Oh bobby….. you are the best.
By A-ville Ranger
June 16, 2008 11:08 PM | Link to this
That was an amazing performance by Jurrjens.I have to give Macdowell a nod, these young guys are pitching smart right now.
By vic
June 16, 2008 11:09 PM | Link to this
Who’s going down when Gonzo get here Wed?
Jeff nobody wants Glavine. Will be hard to move him, plus he would retire first. Love Tex but we need to get something out of that deal if not going to sign him.
By Wayne in Utah
June 16, 2008 11:10 PM | Link to this
Could there be some sort of lingering injury with Francoeur?? Besides the lack of bat discipline, he sure looks lost in the field.
What say ye, Ms Rogers?
By jukeandjive
June 16, 2008 11:11 PM | Link to this
Way to go KJ using 2 hands! Way to go BRAVOS! We’re looking better. I really like Brandon Jones in left. He seems to know what he wants to do.
By kirknga
June 16, 2008 11:11 PM | Link to this
Great Win! Happy for JJ and the team. Chipper with a couple of hits.Nothing to complain about this one I would think.
By geauxbraves2000
June 16, 2008 11:12 PM | Link to this
Nice two handed grab by KJ.
WTG Braves, great win!!
Nite all.
Geaux Braves!!
By More from Terence
June 16, 2008 11:13 PM | Link to this
If Holliday had hit a homerun he’d be Thanksgiving. But we’d be Halloween.
By uga-brave
June 16, 2008 11:14 PM | Link to this
cavey, fields scared me a little in the ninth but another great comeback win for the dawgs. they are in the drivers seat now.
still cant believe the braves drafted fields last year and turned their nose up at him when he wanted a little more money.
the dude has got 97 mph heat and a 12-6 hook.
By JEB
June 16, 2008 11:19 PM | Link to this
Check this out! Jurgens: 7 & 2/3 innings at COORS Field and “0” runs. NO Walks
When you can do this @ Coors Field in Colorado - YOU ARE GOOD!!
By ATLiens
June 16, 2008 11:19 PM | Link to this
everyone that calls for the braves to get rid of tex needs to understand things first: if the braves dont resign him after the season, b/c he is a class a free agent, they will be compensated multiple picks in the first couple of rounds. that means if they do want to trade him this july they would have to get an excellent offer. they are probably better off, not trading him letting him walk, gaining the picks, and spending that $50mill on a closer and outfielder
By Wayne in Utah
June 16, 2008 11:20 PM | Link to this
More than last winter, I really think the Braves might pull out the stops to keep Tex (especially if he starts to hit soon!). With the injury to Smoltz, the loss of Hampton and Glavine’s salaries, and the emergence of the young starters, they might decide it is OK to overpay for one player.
Besides, if they sign him to a 4-6 year contract, he could be very tradeable down the road.
Good game. Gotta run. Later….
By fastasballs
June 16, 2008 11:31 PM | Link to this
The starters have been very impressive lately, good control & getting deep into games. Isn’t it time to drop a pitcher & bring up another bat? If the starters are going to get that deep into games it really elimiates the need for the extra bullpen arm.
Regardless of how this season pans out next year’s rotation is looking strong. Hudson, JJJ, Jo Jo, Morton & fill in the blank. I keep waiting on the league to catch up with Campillo, but so far so good.
Tex’s slow start is starting to look like an off year, although there is a lot of season left. They need either him or Frechy to get hot & stay that way in order to close the gap with the Phillies.
Several mentioned Frenchy looking a lot slower in getting to balls. It’s obvious something is hampering him because nobody losses that many steps in a season. Balls are falling all over the place that would have been caught last season.
By Capt Caveman (the original Dawg)
June 16, 2008 11:35 PM | Link to this
uga-brave
Yeah Josh was a little amped up but sometimes the defense saves it for the pitcher.
In all fairness, Josh didn’t have that curveball last year. He just learned to throw it this season. But still — I said it before — the Braves gotta be kicking somebody in the butt over that decision.
By Kashi
June 16, 2008 11:36 PM | Link to this
It is a Braves 7-0 game and Boyer comes to pitch in 9th inning. What happened?..as usual, gave lead off walks…stolen base…single…walk batter again..blah blah! I feel like he doesn’t trust his pitch or something. C’mon you are lucky to pitch in 9th inning with 7 runs lead. Show Boby something good out of your hand. It was a good opportunity to let Stockmand or Rigdade (rookies) pitch in that situation. Sorry Bobby you missed another opportunity. Lets sweep Ranger and MARK TEXIER better have at least 9 hits in this series. Go Braves!
By Cody
June 16, 2008 11:38 PM | Link to this
The Braves problem is the offense. the pitching staff will take car of it self by July. I say get Dunn or Griffy and let the offense strap the ball to the wall. Could you imagine a line-up of: Esco, Kotsay, Chip, Tex, Griffy/Dunn, McCann, Johnson, Francour, pitcher……wow that would be no for a pitcher to trade for. the fact is bravos fan our offense is the problems. Sure the pen blows leads but the offense should have goten that run or two to make up the differnece. GO BRAVES. Someting special is brewing you just wait and see.
By Overlord-D-Day
June 16, 2008 11:41 PM | Link to this
Folks, I’m coming around to the idea that Francoeur just isn’t right physically. You’re right, he just doesn’t look like the same player in the field. Something’s wrong. ncscoots
Well…..there is a discovery so great it should be nominated for a Nobel Prize. Greatest discovery since man discovered fire.
Now thats what I would call “a pretty relevant post”. Just got to tip my hat. Keep it up, cant stop reading posts like that.
Have a nice night.
By bruce
June 16, 2008 11:48 PM | Link to this
Hey CR: Great Point! My stepson Chris Ryan likes the Rockies logo alot too.. has a couple of caps and T’s to show for it. Thanks, Bruce
By Greg O.
June 16, 2008 11:49 PM | Link to this
ATLiens, you’re right with the picks. Assuming Tex doesn’t go to a team at the very top of the draft, the Braves would get an extra first rounder, to go along with a sandwich pick (inbetween the first two rounds), if they let him walk in free agency while offering him salary arbitration or another team signs him before the deadline. However, the Braves gave up five prospects to get him for a year and a half. I would think they could get three prospects for Tex with a half year left on his contract. And scouts can gauge talent better when a player has been in the minors for some amount of time, rather than playing high school ball against severly lesser talent or college ball against lesser talent with aluminum bats. And the Braves haven’t exactly done swimmingly with their first rounders over the past several years - 1997-Troy Cameron, 1998-no choice, 1999-no choice, 2000-Adam Wainwright, 2001-Macay McBride, 2002-Jeff Francoeur, 2003-Luis Atilano, 2004-no choice, 2005-Joey Devine. It’s too early to tell on 2006-Cody Johnson (looks questionable) and 2007-Jason Heyward (looks great). If the Braves are looking to deal Tex and don’t get an offer they feel is fair, fine - don’t trade him. But I think they can do better for themselves via trade than through two picks in the draft.
By ernesto
June 16, 2008 11:51 PM | Link to this
Uhhh, Kashi, that was Jeff Bennett.
But you probably didn’t like that either, right?
By Stephen
June 16, 2008 11:58 PM | Link to this
Jeff Bennett pitched the 9th, numb nuts.
By bruce
June 17, 2008 12:04 AM | Link to this
this has gotta be the best feeling and most encouraging sense that I can remember with a 3-7 record in last ten games…
By BravesFanInRockies
June 17, 2008 12:06 AM | Link to this
One gorgeous night at the ballpark, folks. JJJ looked sharp. The hitters made Ubaldo work. And I must say, Holliday’s not likely to win any Gold Gloves.
There were a fair number of Braves fans among the fairly sparse crowd. It was fun cheering Chipper when he came to the plate.
A nice evening all around.
Wonder if Tex was a little too eager to face his old mates. Guess we’ll see tomorrow —
By Gamecock Brave
June 17, 2008 12:14 AM | Link to this
Carrol & others
Sydney Ponson was recently released by the very Rangers the Braves face tomorrow, any thought onto whether or not the Braves would take a chance with this talented yet problem filled pitcher? i mean we have taken a flyer on Jorge Julio and Scott Spiezio, i think a minor league deal is in order.
By BravesFanInRockies
June 17, 2008 12:20 AM | Link to this
BTW, I have this odd observation about JF this year. He’s on a roller coaster stuck between .250 and .280. Just watch. His average sank to exactly .250 before hitting that double. Then he got a single.
Just you wait. He’ll be hot as a firecracker until he reaches .280. Then he’ll slump back again.
Mark my words.
By Carroll Rogers
June 17, 2008 12:21 AM | Link to this
Wayne, not sure. I know Jeff had been bothered by an ankle but I’m not sure that’s what’s ailing him at the plate.
Gamecock. Guess no trouble-maker to too troublesome? OK, not really.
Guys I gotta scramble. early morning flight to texas. Getting good at this? Nite all.
By BravesFanInRockies
June 17, 2008 12:24 AM | Link to this
Gamecock Brave —
I think Sir Sidney may be an even bigger head case then Milton Bradley — and he’s not really any good any more. I mean if you have an ERA lower than 4 for the Rangers and they still run you out of town, you must be bad news.
By Stephen
June 17, 2008 12:35 AM | Link to this
Braves pitchers have allowed only 12 runs in their past 51 innings pitched. Stellar!
By NO MORE BOBBY
June 17, 2008 12:36 AM | Link to this
*Can we trade Tex like now before no one else will even take him? *
By jbutler
June 17, 2008 12:41 AM | Link to this
Great night at the park…weather great, fun section to be in..all that.
Couple quick hits on the game…JJJ looked great - really did. Anyone remember when Coors used to be the kiss of death for pitchers? I saw Smoltz pitch here last year and he threw a couple of tantrums and then said after the game how much he hates pitching here…
KJ looked like a wild toddler running from his mom on the base path. He got the signal to stop at second, had over run it and had to flail his arms around and pretty much flop to get back over there. Not exactly a display of athletic prowess..
Boyer showed a ton of class before the game. Brought my son to watch batting practice and maybe catch a ball - (didn’t get one..) Boyer made the point of running to get a ball to a little girl with adorable pigtails. He even chatted for a minute, than signed for a few minutes. No other players were there -
Great night…even though I’m a native Denverite..glad the Bravos pulled it out.
By keylargo
June 17, 2008 12:43 AM | Link to this
I’ve got an interesting comparison to ask you guys (and girls) to take a look at. I just compared Jeff F. and Tex’s hitting stats and they are very close. No player has much of an advantage except Tex has 35 walks to 17 for JF and this leads to a higher OBP.
The confusing thing is that the blog wants JF benched or sent to the minors and Tex resigned to a $23 - $25 million a year contract.
I think I just decided what I feel the Braves should do with Tex anyway and it’s NOT to sign him. That’s #1 pitcher money for a guy not outproducing a marginal 24 year old.
By Chop Chop
June 17, 2008 12:48 AM | Link to this
“Can’t say enough about our entire five-man rotation,” manager Bobby Cox said. “Get a few runs [and] we can win some games the way we used to.”
That’s right, Bobby. If these boys can keep this up, they’ll make you look like a Hall of Fame manager again.
(That quote is priceless. If that man isn’t living in the past, I don’t know who is. “…the way we used to.” Yeah, Bobby. Those were the days, man. Anyone here will give you an “Amen” to that.)
Anywho, very good starting pitching makes up for a multitude of sins. The Braves have been getting it the last few days. That’s encouraging. Let’s hope the young guys can keep it going. With any luck, this respite will allow the bullpen to be more effective when called upon.
By Capt Caveman (the original Dawg)
June 17, 2008 12:54 AM | Link to this
Funny how the Bravos and Mutts are about the same record wise yet worlds apart as far as teams go.
I think those that want to bash on Bobby Cox should at least recognize that his player management skills are best shown with how he keeps his team competitive and in contention thru injuries and less than stellar play. We have been able to stay .500 and now we are getting contributions from our youngest players and getting back Gonzo for the bullpen.
All b/c the team has been able to stick together and continue to play ball and not fall into back-biting and in-fighting - the stuff that has torn the Mutts apart at the seams.
It is the same style that enabled the Baby Braves to extend our Division Title streak 3 yrs ago and it is the same style that will guide this team into the next phase of the season were they will start climbing back to the top of the division.
What a good night for the Braves and Dawgs. If Vince McMahon had called me to win the money tonight it would have been perfect.
By More from Terence
June 17, 2008 1:06 AM | Link to this
If indiscretion were a peccadillo then what the heck would be lying by the side of the road?
By N8
June 17, 2008 1:08 AM | Link to this
keylargo
“The confusing thing is that the blog wants JF benched or sent to the minors and Tex resigned to a $23 - $25 million a year contract.”
Please refrain from using such language in front of these people. I’m warning you. I’ll be forced to thrash you!
OK. Sorry. Just watched “Coming to America” last week. Couldn’t resist.
What I should have stated was…..NOT ME BROTHA!
It’s what I’ve been stating for weeks. Tex was MORE to blame than Jeff, due to higher salary, more years in the league, and bigger (MVP?) expectations.
Of course, having watched Jeff flail at low and away slider, after low and away slider (I do realize he had a big hit tonight - just haven’t watched it yet - I also saw where Carroll pointed out Tex had 3 K’s), he’s no saint either. Just “innocent by association” when it comes to Tex’s “Andruw-like” walk year.
To make a short point long, I’m with you. Not only should Tex NOT be signed, I’m still of the belief that if we don’t close the gap BIG-TIME in the next 3-4 weeks, he should be dealt.
But there lies the question….who the hell is gonna want him, if Boras doesn’t work an extension into the trade with the new team (NOT gonna happen)??
Ride it out. Offer arbitration (hope to god he declines that offer), and take the two draft picks. Use the money “ear-marked” for him, Hampton and Glavine (assuming he’s done after this year), for another starter and a “stop-gap” 1B.
By Overlord-D-Day
June 17, 2008 1:15 AM | Link to this
keylargo I have said lots of times JF needs to be benched and/or send to minors. The reason to it (at least mine) is not numbers. Sometimes numbers are not everything. JF just looks awful at the plate right now. I have been watching almost every game this season. more than 90% of the games, and JF has looked awful for the major part of those games. Swinging at everything. Just awful plate appearances. Zero discipline. You can almost say once he comes to bat that he is a sure out, strikeouts, weak bouncers and lots of weak fly balls.
TEX on the other hand (at least IMO) has lots of Ks, but he does not looks lost at the plate. He always tries to work the count, look for the BB. Lots of times he gets bad break on called strikes, maybe more than any other brave. Lots of bad breaks on well hit balls.
You have a point there on the numbers stuff, but my opinion is that every time JF comes to bat, I have started to feel like if its AJ coming to bat. TEX……. I always have the feeling something good can happen. Not the case with JF.
By N8
June 17, 2008 1:21 AM | Link to this
“All b/c the team has been able to stick together and continue to play ball and not fall into back-biting and in-fighting - the stuff that has torn the Mutts apart at the seams.”
Yet at the end of the day, we are right there beside them, when it comes to position in the standings?
Listen, I actually agree with you. He’s a great manager of men. He “keeps it real”, if you will.
But what you just said, is about the same as having hideously UGLY twin sisters available for a date.
A prince goes on a date with one of them. People are in awe that a man with all of his power, wealth and popularity, would stoop to such levels, as to date an ugly woman, when he most certainly is better than that.
The man who dates the other sister, is your average working-class man, who’s been down in the dumps for a while, after a LONG run with the “in crowd”. His father says that he should just be lucky to have a date, and often gives very wise advise to his sons. Never letting them get too high, or too low when life throws them a curve-ball.
But at the end of the day, all you’ve got is two completely different men that are possibly on different paths, perhaps being led to different destinations.
Yet on this day, the both went on dates with ugly twin sisters. Meaning regardless of the path taken, they’re really not that much different than each other, regardless of what’s on the surface for all to see.
Hmmmm.
By nolie
June 17, 2008 1:44 AM | Link to this
Give Anderson or Blanco a shot at batting lead-off
just…won’t…dieScoots
LOL.come on scoots, you know all it takes to be a great leadoff hitter is speed. get with the program guy.
By keylargo
June 17, 2008 1:49 AM | Link to this
nolie
Remember Eddie Miller? I can’t forget him after 20 ever how many years. 8)
By nolie
June 17, 2008 1:53 AM | Link to this
MLBTradeRumors says they don’t see the Pirates getting any top prospects for Jason Bay or Xavier Nady. Think we could swing a deal for Bay? Maybe a B.Jones and Locke?THB
yeah thats the same site that said a D or C prospect would get Harden too. Why anyone pays any attention to them mystifies me. Just a bunch of rumor mongers who make up most of the rumors themselves.
By Capt Caveman (the original Dawg)
June 17, 2008 2:06 AM | Link to this
N8
I sorta see what your saying but I don’t think we’re on the same wavelength.
What I meant was that while we are at the same place now, the Braves are not in a leadership crisis. They have a solid plan in place it’s just a matter of execution.
Hey - I’ll be the first to agree that we have looked a little off-track on the field but that’s where the players have more control on the outcome. And sometimes it just doesn’t work for you, not all good plans come to fruition. But staying the course has proven time and again to be the best way to bring out that extra something that makes a team all it can be.
You gotta remember though, I’m more partial to the players side and I admit that. I just know from experience and have seen more often than not that this team can rise up and make that run. You just gotta BELIEVE.
And as long as they are doing and trying their best I will be right there cheering’em on.
Even ugly girls need love!!
By chrisklob
June 17, 2008 2:18 AM | Link to this
N8, the difference between the two men you are talking about is what happens after the date is over. One man will marry the ugly girl. The other will gain confidence in his date and soon begin dating more beautiful women. It’s not really a question about what path the men have taken. It’s about what path the men will take in the future. The question is, which man represents the Braves and which one represents the Mets?
By nolie
June 17, 2008 2:22 AM | Link to this
Would the A’s send Harden and Ryan Sweeney for Frenchy and Redmond or Evarts?Wayne
not sure about the other two, but Frenchy is the total opposite of what Beane wants in a hitter, so that one is highly unlikely
By N8
June 17, 2008 3:52 AM | Link to this
Caveman
“And as long as they are doing and trying their best I will be right there cheering’em on.”
Agreed.
As far as the “wave-length”? We’re not that far off. I was just in a silly mood when I typed that.
I think the main difference is that the Mets drained their farm for the “best” pitcher in baseball, and added him to an already high payroll. If we thought expectations were high, imagine taking a back page to the Yanks.
Leadership issue? Could be. Maybe we just have better “adjusted” players, that don’t like to point fingers?
If we didn’t have the injury issues, and were STILL having trouble, it might be a different story (on the finger-pointing, that is).
Of course, if we weren’t having injury issues, we’d be running away with this thing, due to our pitching.
Still gotta score though.
My initial point, of course, was that we are neck and neck with the Mets down a path of mediocrity. Maybe we’re both there for different reasons (and with different “drama” along the way), but right now we’re very similar, nonetheless.
By nolie
June 17, 2008 5:23 AM | Link to this
I can see why some guys want Blanco to lead off. His OBP is decent and he has more speed than Esco. It might be worth trying for awhile.
I prefer him in the 8th spot. I don’t think his OBP will stay as good leading off when the pitchers are gonna try very hard yo keep him off base ahead of the bashers, but I don’t know that for sure of course. He might do a decent job there. I was in favor of him making the team as the 4th OFer this spring cause he does have a much better OB history than Anderson who I just don’t think is a MLB leadoff hitter at all.
I also like Blanci=o in the 8th cause he does a pretty good job of turning the lineup over, like he did early in the Rockies game. That is an asset too.
Yunel did well leading off last season and has done well again the last ten games or so. I think he was just going through a slump for awhile. One of very few he’s had since he came up.
That’s my take on it, but I can see where others are coming from. I just don’t think it would work out as well as they think, but quien sabe?
By Coach (Lets Go Braves In 2008)
June 17, 2008 5:26 AM | Link to this
Willie Randolph has been fired. It hit the news about an hour ago.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves In 2008)
June 17, 2008 5:29 AM | Link to this
Also, along with the firing of Willie Randolph, pitching coach Rick Peterson and first base coach Tom Nieto were let go.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves In 2008)
June 17, 2008 5:42 AM | Link to this
NY POST ARTICLE :
ANAHEIM, Calif. — Mets New York Mets GM Omar Minaya staged his own Midnight Massacre last night.
In a bizarrely timed housecleaning, Minaya fired Willie Randolph, pitching coach Rick Peterson and first base coach Tom Nieto shortly before midnight West Coast time (3 a.m. in New York) after all three had just returned from a 9-6 win here over the first-place Angels.
Randolph was replaced by bench coach Jerry Manuel, a former AL Manager of the Year with the White Sox, while Triple-A New Orleans pitching coach Dan Warthen is taking over for Peterson. New Orleans manager Ken Oberkfell also is joining Manuel’s staff along with Luis Aguyo.
Minaya, who had flown to California during the game, delivered the news to Randolph, Peterson and Nieto when they arrived at the team hotel. Why Minaya allowed all three to make the long trip to California instead of firing them in New York on Sunday made the timing all the more baffling.
Randolph’s firing after nearly four seasons as manager had been rumored feverishly for days but still was a surprise because it came on the heels of the Mets’ third win in the past four games. They are 34-35 and 6 ½ games behind the Phillies in the NL East.
The axing of Randolph also came less than a week after Minaya told reporters that Randolph had the support of team ownership and less than a month after Randolph kept his job following a dramatic, May 26 meeting with Minaya and owners Fred and Jeff Wilpon at Shea Stadium.
Sources told The Post last week that the Wilpons had given Minaya authority to make whatever moves he felt necessary to rejuvenate the club, including the dismissal of Randolph or several of his coaches.
Randolph was let go with nearly two years and an estimated $3.4 million left on his contract. The Brooklyn native is the second-winningest manager in club history behind Davey Johnson and departs with a 302-253 record.
Although Randolph took the Mets to within a game of the World Series, his tenure will be best known for the club blowing a seven-game lead over the Phillies with 17 games to play last season – the largest collapse in baseball history.
The Mets weren’t able to bounce back from that this season and stumbled out of the gate despite boasting a $140 million payroll, the largest in the NL and the biggest in franchise history.
Beset by an unproductive offense, inconsistent pitching, injuries to aging players and a brutal schedule, the Mets
Peterson, meanwhile, is one of the more respected pitching coaches in the game but was axed in part because of the bullpen’s struggles and the inconsistency of young starters Oliver Perez and Mike Pelfrey Mike Pelfrey , last night’s winner.
Peterson was the lone holdover on the staff from Randolph’s fired predecessor, Art Howe. Nieto had worked with Randolph on the Yankees’ coaching staff from 1995-2002.
The affable, laid-back Manuel, whose style isn’t considered that much different from Randolph’s, had been the Mets’ bench coach since 2006. He managed the White Sox from 1998-2003, winning the AL’s top manager award in 2000.
Warthen was in his first year in the Mets’ organization after spending the past two seasons as bullpen coach of the Dodgers. He is a former pitching coach for the Mariners, Tigers and Padres.
Oberkfell, meanwhile, was in his fourth season as New Orleans manager after serving in the same role for the Mets’ Double-A Binghamton affiliate.
By Capt Caveman (the original Dawg)
June 17, 2008 6:14 AM | Link to this
N8
Yes —agreed— we are at the same place, but the Mets have abandoned ship (or at least thrown Captain Willie overboard) while the Braves are coming together as a team and bonding together in trial by fire.
I’m not going to name the team b/c who I am is not for public blog info, but I played on a team that lost it’s top 4 starters in the first 10 games and had to rely on each other to hold it together until we could get them back. The culmination of our efforts was seen in a dblhr we played with a team that shared our same record (1 under .500) yet was much less of a cohesive unit. I caught all 18 innings in 95 degree heat and we had guys throwing with nothing left but guts and grunts. We won both games b/c we were all in it together and no matter what the score,play, or situation we stuck together while the other team with a lot fewer personnel issues just imploded on itself in both games as soon as the tide starting turning against them the least little bit.
At the end of the day half the team was toting an IV bag around trying to re-hydrate but there wasn’t a man in the room that didn’t have that little smile of hard fought success. I think the Braves are at that point now where they can recapture some of that early 90’s magic and catch fire b/c they have a steady hand at the helm in Bobby and they all know that as a team they can rise to another level.
OK OK, this is getting a little soap boxy, but I’m telling you I see the ingredients ripe for a spark. I just wish more of the bloggers here had that sort of feeling instead of the “he’s a bum, get rid of him” crap after every little bump in the road.
That’s more of the way a football team runs vs a baseball team but then again football is more of the major sport around here anyway so I can see where it comes from.
Ok- I’m done. Got catch some sleep before 7:00, that’s like 40 mins from now.
Btw - in that dblhdr I was 0 for 8 until my last at-bat in the 8th with bases loaded and stroked a game winning double, but my teammates were behind me all game after every at-bat and on my way to the plate for that last at-bat. I see the Braves doing that same thing with a little more zeal now that they have a younger roster.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves In 2008)
June 17, 2008 6:49 AM | Link to this
I’m going to make a very fair comparison and let the denizens draw their own conclusions.
Willie Randolph’s record in his four seasons at the helm of the Mets:
302-253 .544 winning percentage, won the 2006 N.L. East Division and fired.
Bobby Cox during the same time period:
288-269 .517 winning percentage, won the 2005 N.L East Division and it’s business as usual.
Randolph lost his job because of last seasons historic collapse from which the Mets never recovered.
Cox presided over the same sort of collapse in June of 2006 where the Braves finished 6-21, which was and still is the worst month of baseball in the 43 year history of the Atlanta Braves and they have yet to recover from it.
By nolie
June 17, 2008 7:00 AM | Link to this
Coach Mets had a good bit more payroll than the Braves. Give it a rest, you aren’t gonna convince most and of course it doesn’t matter in the real world what any of us think. Just gets old reading the same stuff hour after hour day after day from the Cox haters, all to no avail anyway.
By nolie
June 17, 2008 7:09 AM | Link to this
OK OK, this is getting a little soap boxy, but I’m telling you I see the ingredients ripe for a spark. I just wish more of the bloggers here had that sort of feeling instead of the “he’s a bum, get rid of him” crap after every little bump in the road.CaptCave
I’ve thought all year that this is a decent team, way better than it’s record and I do feel like there is a good chance that they will rebound the second half. I don’t know it it will be enough cause I think Phillie is a good team and they have a lead, but I’m still hoping and I am definitely not a Pollyanna. I caught through college and have been on a couple of teams that managed to hold together through bad times and come back. Here’s to the Braves.
By R1U
June 17, 2008 7:31 AM | Link to this
I agree Nolie!!! You are either with us or against us:-) Go braves!!!
By Shamus Thacker
June 17, 2008 7:46 AM | Link to this
An ugly gal needs a plastic surgeon, Willie needs a job…
By santa3247
June 17, 2008 8:03 AM | Link to this
Hi, I’m Seong-Ho,Yoon living in Jinhae City southkorea now.
Hey!!Jeff Francoeur!!You are gradually getting sense of batting inside corner of homeplate I think and after that you could hit well over.300^*^
But don’t hurry at bat please. Specially at fist bat you have to catch the sense of starting pitcher’s fastball and others.
And you have to know the fact that pitcher’s state of mind would be important and you have to research the pitcher’s state of mind well, Why? because
[In bad state of mind pitcher must use more power and as a result of that pitched ball’s spins must be reduced and you can hit the ball more easily]
Do you understand? ^*^
Originally Manager and Coaches who have insight about baseball, have to teach things like this.^*^
And ignore the refree’s fault call of strike or ball.
After understanding upper writting, you could overcome the refree’s problem I think.
And about Brandon Jones!!!!!
Head-up and curved throwing git G.Branco can play at CF, do Dull Cox think Brandon Jones can’t play at CF? ^*^
Without babylon’s interference, Brandon Jones would be starting CF.
Village baseball men PT and GM made medicine power Jordan Shafer(A grade) and Jhosua Anderson(originally 1B) to CF.
Fans of Atlanta Braves have to think about below
[Outfielder not catching flyball with slow starting action and outfielder catching hit with fastest starting motion, you have to clasify]
[.Slugging percentage have direct proportion with speed of Bat]
[Don’t compare AB 200 to AB 400 please, Babylon always targetting this type of Fraud from past to now]
May the force of Messiah be with you
P.S: Brent Lilibridge(.179 in AAA) have to go back to AA or A. He was down at AAA’s Television broadcasting.^*^
Martin Prado feared this.^^ Hey Marting Prado! don’t border Brandon Jones after hitting HR to the order of Babylon. ^^
By ncscoots
June 17, 2008 8:05 AM | Link to this
Man, that’s some cold action re Willie Randolph. Make him fly to the West Coast, win a game, and THEN nuke him. Did Omar think doing it after the late editions closed was gonna make the reaction better, LOL? What, he didn’t know before the trip he was going to fire the guy?
That’s just harsh, dude.
By Elmer
June 17, 2008 8:10 AM | Link to this
Remember Kyle Davies,with an era under 2 for KC. He could have taken Glavine’s place in the rotation for a fraction of the cost.
By Will
June 17, 2008 8:10 AM | Link to this
Glad to see Jurrjens pitch really well last night and my gosh i bet Mark Tex cant wait to get back in the American League next season. Nice Golden sombrero last night!
By ncscoots
June 17, 2008 8:22 AM | Link to this
Overlord, you’re right, that was a mostly irrelevant post I made re Francoeur. Others have pointed it out, and I merely nodded my head in assent. Point taken.
And I’ll apologize to you for the bash earlier yesterday, too. Just because you and I disagree on almost everything is not reason for snarkiness on my part. Of a personal nature, anyway. So, there you go.
By Steve McP
June 17, 2008 8:22 AM | Link to this
Just noticed Peachtree has 6 of the next 9 games (including 4 of the next 5) time to reacquaint myself with my radio!
By ncscoots
June 17, 2008 8:27 AM | Link to this
Elmer, Kyle also has more BB than K, in those three starts. That ain’t too good, and bodes ill for that ERA.
I’m the guy who had his back here last year, and I still think he’s got all the tools, but turning those tools into ML skills has just been a trial for the kid.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves In 2008)
June 17, 2008 8:45 AM | Link to this
I agree, the Mets handling of Willie Randolph is truly ridiculous. Worse yet, they fired one of the best pitching coaches in the game in Rick Peterson. The actions of Omar Minaya are an embarrassment to the game of Baseball.
Willie Randolph should have been fired at the end of the 2007 season, not hung out to dry in the manner that he was.
By GeorgetownKid
June 17, 2008 8:51 AM | Link to this
ncsoots
Very true. And who’s place in the rotation would Davies take right now anyway?
Elmer You don’t actually miss him do you? While it is a shame that we got absolutely NOTHING in return for our once future ace, he had no future here. If we hadn’t traded Davies, he would have been waived this spring as he wouldn’t have made our roster.
By Novice Ned
June 17, 2008 9:07 AM | Link to this
Let’s keep dipping the pitching hands of Huddy and the Who? in that secret no-blister sauce. At this rate, we can send the old geezers to the assisted living community of their choice and start working toward a 2010 World Series appearance. Huddy and the Who?
By KC
June 17, 2008 9:07 AM | Link to this
Elmer: Davies has only made 3 starts… so we’ll have to wait and see how the rest of the season unfolds for him.
But even if he becomes an ace, it’s one of those things where the Braves did all they could. It’s not like they gave up on him quickly. They gave him every opportunity, and it just didn’t work out.
Davies has always had a lot of potential, but you can only wait so long.
By Shaun
June 17, 2008 9:08 AM | Link to this
Coach (Lets Go Braves In 2008), Randolph was fired because the Mets have leadership issues, and the owner is not going to fire himself and no one else can fire him.
Also, once is was whispered that his job was in jeopardy, the story took on a life of its on to the point where they had to fire him.
I think Minaya has to go. I don’t blame them for letting Randolph go but it’s not his fault that their 36-year-old first baseman is slugging .407 with a .321 on-base. It’s not Randolph’s fault that their left fielder is slugging .374. It’s not entirely Randolph’s fault that Nelson Figueroa has had to start six games for the Mets.
This is a team from New York City with presumably an impressive budget. Their best “second-string” types are Angel Pagan, Marlon Anderson, Fernando Tatis and Damion Easley? That’s the best they can do?
Bobby Cox since 2005 has led a team full of rookies to the post-season. Plus he has had basically only two consistently good starters for a large portion of that stretch, his center field was awful for a full season, he had a first baseman who couldn’t hit for over half a season, he’s had a fairly erratic bullpen and has had to deal with injuries to key players (including his best hitter playing only 219 games in two of those seasons).
And with all that while the Braves aren’t in a re-building mode, they are still developing players. Over Randolph’s tenure the Mets haven’t developed any young players.
The Braves try to win every season but it’s pretty clear they have sort of been “re-tooling.” The Mets appeared to be ready to win now but they couldn’t.
By chrisklob
June 17, 2008 9:11 AM | Link to this
Remember Kyle Davies,with an era under 2 for KC. He could have taken Glavine’s place in the rotation for a fraction of the cost.
Cue the “Small Sample Size” music in 3…2…1
By Pete H.
June 17, 2008 9:23 AM | Link to this
**Man, that’s some cold action re Willie Randolph. Make him fly to the West Coast, win a game, and THEN nuke him. Did Omar think doing it after the late editions closed was gonna make the reaction better, LOL? What, he didn’t know before the trip he was going to fire the guy?
That’s just harsh, dude.**
No kidding. They could at least have waited til they got home. That’s just classless.
As for the Kyle Davies remark above, they’ve had to send the guy to the minors twice and we all remember him having a couple of good games. Eventually, he’s going to be a decent pitcher. We all knew that. But he wasn’t going to do it losing us games week after week after week.
Giving him a change of scenery gave us the opportunity to look at other arms. I’ll take Morton over him, and Reyes and Campillo. They all have an idea when they go out there, and Davies did not. Maybe, like Jason Marquis, he’s finally getting a clue.
By prattvillenolzfan
June 17, 2008 9:24 AM | Link to this
I agree with everyone..Getting rid of Randolph the way it was handled was harsh…
but then again, is there ever any right way to fire anyone………
Minaya showed once again why he is the most incompetent GM in all of baseball
The Wilpon’s were very evasive about how the situation was handled..When asked about how it was handled, Fred Wilpon said that it was strictly Minaya’s decision on firing Randolph AND how/when he was fired..Wilpon then said that he would not answer any more questions about it….
Makes me wonder if Minaya might be next……..
By MEB
June 17, 2008 9:38 AM | Link to this
The Amazin’s may have sunk to new lows with their actions but they still have root of their problem… Omar Minaya. This of course is great news for us Braves fans! With unlimited money and a core of All Star players (Reyes, Wright, Beltran) they only required a supporting cast to do extremely well. All Minaya did was give Johan Santana a ridiculous contract and that wasn’t near enough from their general manager. The Wilpons fired the wrong guy!
GO BRAVES!!!
By prattvillenolzfan
June 17, 2008 9:48 AM | Link to this
Oh yeah
Caveman Great post @6:15…
Hopefully we’ve turned the corner when it comes to the away games, taking 2/3 from the Angels was what the Braves needed. They then took care of business last night. They need to take 2/3 from the Rangers to finish the road trip at 5-5….I predicted before the trip that if they finish this trip 5-5 then it will give them the confidence to carry over the rest of the year.
I’m still a little concerned about Chipper, the way our injuries have been, you never know when he could be next…
Now that his BA has dropped under 400, I would like to see him sit a few games (Seattle maybe) to completly rest his quad….
Let him sit now, and use him when we REALLY need him most….
I still see alot of holes on this team (Norton, Corky, Franceour’s ability to adjust), BUT it looks like the staff is going to be fine without Glavine/Smoltz.
I see this team starting to jell. If we can play 500 ball with all of our injuries, then it will give these younger players the confidence to succeed later in the year.
By Shaun
June 17, 2008 9:49 AM | Link to this
I see Davies like a right-handed Chuck James: In his very best years he’s going to be a good number three and an okay number two but most years he’s a decent fourth starter at best.
By Efrim
June 17, 2008 9:54 AM | Link to this
I would truly be embarassed if I were a Mets fan. What a classless organization. Minaya is next. He was the guy that put together that overrated squad.
By DAP
June 17, 2008 9:56 AM | Link to this
coach how many manager of the year awards does willie have? and how many divisions did he win? oh, just the one? and cox has had caotic clubhouses every year since ‘05, hasnt he? plus, cox has had one of the highest paid rosters in all of baseball, right?
dont compare bobby cox to willie randolph.
By prattvillenolzfan
June 17, 2008 10:01 AM | Link to this
Shaun
Is that necessarily a BAD THING?
Too many people tried to make Davies and James in 1 or 2 type starters.
This is a big IF..
But if both of them are consistently 3 or 4 type starters, by that I mean a consistent 11-8 or 12-10. 4.00 era 180 inning type guy…..I’ll take that IF and only IF my ace & #2 starter were the 18-6 and 15-10 type starter…
The problem with Davies, was that when he was with the Braves,our top 3 were not falling into that catagory….
Him going to KC was the best thing for him. I’m glad to see he has somewhat turned it around, but then again, as Clint says….A man’s gotta know his limitations……..
Also, Richbrave says that James has had a couple of good starts in AAA, so maybe he’s turned it around some….
By KC
June 17, 2008 10:03 AM | Link to this
If… IF Mike Gonzalez is healthy and sharp enough to assume the closer’s role, the bullpen will be fine. I still think they should look to bring in another proven late-inning reliever, but if Gonzo is good, the bullpen will be too.
The starting rotation is obviously in very good shape.
Which leaves the offense…
Wren commented the other day that pitching hasn’t been the problem; hitting has been the problem.
Kind of makes me wonder if the Braves will be looking to deal for another offensive piece before the deadline.
Whadya think?
I’ve said this before, but I would like to see the Braves trade for Baltimore’s Brian Roberts (if he’s available at all) to lead off and play 2B (KJ could move to left field).
It seems like a true leadoff hitter is the biggest thing this team is missing.
That’s not to say that Blanco or Josh Anderson couldn’t fill the role. I don’t know. Neither have been given that chance yet. But we know Roberts is a solid, proven lead off man who can wreak havoc on the basepaths.
I personally think this is a much better offensive team than they’ve shown thus far. If Tex and Frenchy can hit as they’re capable in the second half, we should be in much better shape.
It wouldn’t hurt to get Kotsay back either. And while, after a couple bad months, many people here are writing Matt Diaz off as garbage… I think what he showed in the previous 500-600 ABs is more telling than what he did in 100 ABs early this season. So I think it will be good for this team to get him back. Particularly when we face lefties.
By DAP
June 17, 2008 10:08 AM | Link to this
the firing of randolph was classless. and harsh. the harshiness and the classilessness overwhealms me. how less classful and unharshy can you get than that?
By ernesto
June 17, 2008 10:13 AM | Link to this
Up here in NYC Wilpon and Omar are taking a beating in the press for the “midnight massacre.”
And it’s easy to see their point. Why have Willie fly out to Cali and fire him? Even Mets fans who wanted him fired think this was a classless way to do it.
Well that will teach Willie to put together a line up that depends so much on a fragile Moises Alou, and a declining Carlos Beltran.
Oh wait.
By ernesto
June 17, 2008 10:15 AM | Link to this
The Carlos I meant to say was Delgado.
By Elmer
June 17, 2008 10:16 AM | Link to this
Can we second guess Cox for leaving in Boyer to pitch to Edmonds when he had a lefty in the bull pen?
By Shamus Thacker
June 17, 2008 10:17 AM | Link to this
My guess is that Willie pizzed somebody off last night, verbally or otherwise, after the game. We already know it’s a classless organization, but I feel something else played into the timing.
Wonder how many rehab teaser starts Hammy’ll make before pulling up lame? It WILL happen. Whadda wuss!!!
By Coach Smith
June 17, 2008 10:31 AM | Link to this
Not that he is a savior BUT, where is JORGE JULIO?
If you add GONZO and JULIO to the bullpen, you have some fresh flame-throwing veteren arms
Send Ring and Ridgeway down and get those two guys to the pen….
Also, despite how great Brandon Jones has been, I think it is time to get aggresive in our pursuit of a veteran Outfield power bat…
Also, as bad as everything has seemed at times, it is VERY POSSIBLE that with the Braves in Texas and the Phillies playing Boston, that the Braves can come home in better position than when they left
By McFann©
June 17, 2008 10:35 AM | Link to this
Just noticed Peachtree has 6 of the next 9 games (including 4 of the next 5)
What? Darn…We get the channel, but that’s means we’ll have Chip…
By MGL
June 17, 2008 10:39 AM | Link to this
Shaun, a number of people are complaining about Francoeur’s fielding this year. I’m not seeing much difference. Can you check some stats on this?
By mike hampton
June 17, 2008 10:39 AM | Link to this
I wanted all of you Braves fans to hear it from me first. You know how rumors get started and things get exaggerated.
Last night I was taking a shower and pulled my middle groin muscle a little to hard
Needless to say, I’ll be out for 6-8 weeks.
Which is only fitting, because that’s what i’ve been doing to the Atlanta Braves and Colorado Rockies for the past five years.
By AGTfan
June 17, 2008 10:43 AM | Link to this
Met’s management behaves in a totally classless manner. Why are any of you surprised by this?
prattvillenolzfan Now that his BA has dropped under 400, I would like to see him sit a few games (Seattle maybe) to completly rest his quad While I would like to see him rest his quad, He’s still over .400.
Folks, I’m coming around to the idea that Francoeur just isn’t right physically. You’re right, he just doesn’t look like the same player in the field. Something’s wrong. ncscoots I’ve been wondering about that. Now that I’m hearing it from people on the blog who’s opinions I respect, I wonder even more. Frenchy is the kind of player who would play hurt,not complain and not use it as an excuse. NO wonder so many of you hate him so much.
By Daybed Wagmoe
June 17, 2008 10:45 AM | Link to this
DAP — your 10:08am post was really funny. nice one!
By Shaun
June 17, 2008 10:48 AM | Link to this
prattvillenolzfan, I agree. I think James and Davies will become useful major league starting pitchers.
KC, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Wren go after a pitcher to take some stress off the bullpen. Maybe another long-man/spot-starter.
I think the Orioles may ask for too much for Roberts. He’s probably the player they could get the most for so they’ll want a lot in return, I think. Plus I don’t know if the Braves would want to move Kelly Johnson in the middle of a season. I guess it’s possible if the could get Roberts in a relative steal.
I don’t know if leadoff is a problem. I think power is the team’s main problem. Teixeira getting hotter could/should help that. But I think a power bat in left could also help. Brandon Jones could help that. I don’t know if it’s worth trading a lot for an older, more expensive left fielder that’s probably not going to be significantly better than BJones.
By DAP
June 17, 2008 10:56 AM | Link to this
MGL i also wonder if francouer’s defense doesnt look a little different too because andruw isnt out there?
By Efrim
June 17, 2008 10:57 AM | Link to this
It seems like a true leadoff hitter is the biggest thing this team is missing.
I have to disagree. Some more extra base hits would be nice. Specifically from 1st base and Right field. If that can’t be accomplished, then maybe we need to trade for Marcus Thames or someone like that. Someone who could platoon in left field with Brandon Jones…..Sorry Matt Diaz.
By prattvillenolzfan
June 17, 2008 11:00 AM | Link to this
AGTfan
Thanks for correcting me…I thought I saw his avg. @ 398….
you know how us nolies aren’t as smart as you GT graduates…..
I still think he needs to sit for a few games regardless….
By Shaun
June 17, 2008 11:01 AM | Link to this
MGL, I’m no expert on fielding stats but seems like I’ve read that Francoeur has been slightly overrated defensively.
His range factor is the worst among NL right fielders and his zone rating is not great.
While I think defensive stats are tricky and I doubt Francoeur is as bad as those stats indicate, I do believe those stats tell us something and Francoeur is probably not quite as good as his reputation.
I think Francoeur’s strength on defense is his arm. I think his weakness is his range. There are some that think he could be a centerfielder. But I think he would probably struggle as an everyday centerfielder.
By Lew
June 17, 2008 11:02 AM | Link to this
Elmer-Yes, we could debate that, except that Boyer didn’t pitch last night-Jair, Ohman and Bennett did.
By THB
June 17, 2008 11:06 AM | Link to this
Nolie-Actually, MLBTradeRumors gets all of their information from other sites, and yes, they site them. They got the information from an article from a newspaper in Pitt. They use baseballamerica alot, but you really have to take what you can from them. And they were absolutely correct on Rich Harden, they said a C or B prospect at best would have been all he was worth, at the time. He only had like 3 starts and was coming off the DL. If he puts together a strong year, and injury free, he’ll command a good amount.
By MGL
June 17, 2008 11:08 AM | Link to this
DAP, that is an excellent point. Andruw was definitely the team leader out there and did most of the positioning. It now has to come from the bench.
By raindawg722
June 17, 2008 11:12 AM | Link to this
KC, I would agree that the offense has been costing the Braves games lately, but they still need another starting pitcher more than another bat. With the exception of a few guys (Chipper, McCann, Johnson, and Kotsay when he was healthy), the offense has been performing below its potential. This is similar to the lineup that was a force at the end of last season and at the beginning of this season and when they get some guys healthy and Tex starts hitting consistently, the lineup will score enough runs to win games.
The pitching on the other hand has been performing way above expectations. As encouraging as it has been to see these young guys perform (and they are the future of this team), they’ve still got a lot of innings to pitch to get through their first full season. People are comparing Morton to Smoltz and the kid has pitched all of six innings in the big leagues. Glavine’s elbow injury means that he is a question mark for the rest of the season, as tough as he is. The Braves can’t count on Hampton. Campillo has been outstanding but the Mariners dumped him for some reason and sooner or later the league is going to figure out that he’s never going to groove a fastball even when he’s behind in the count. That leaves us with just one proven veteran starter, Hudson. I hope that all these guys continue to pitch lights out but it’s a mistake to count on them maintaining this level for the rest of the season. That’s why I would rather see the Braves save their trade chips for a starting pitcher rather than another bat at this point.
By Lew
June 17, 2008 11:13 AM | Link to this
Last night’s win was also significant in that it means even if we get swept in Texas (which I just don’t see happening), there is no way to return home with a double digit deficit behind the division leader as some had feared prior to the road trip. 3-5 to this point is not earth shattering, but is much better than expectations.
McFann-Quit complaining about Chip. Peachtree has not worked out a deal with Extra Innings and we either do not get Peachtree games (necessitating good, old fashioned radio-thank the powers that be for XM), or are subjected to a string of other team’s announcers. Listen to some of those misinformed idiots and you’ll appreciate Chip. Believe me.
It’s amazing. You can listen to Vin Scully doing the color AND play by play and actually LEARN things about your own team-he’s that well prepared and well informed-the absolute best there is. Some of the announcers (Milwaukee’s come to mind) and several others in recent series (Ron Santo was brutal), make you cringe when they spout some of the least informed mush you’ve ever heard. It’s really embarrassing. Kind of like two weeks ago, someone said that Blanco had received most of the playing time in center. Kotsay was still activated at the time and Blanco had played all of two games in center to that point.
By McFann©
June 17, 2008 11:23 AM | Link to this
Sorry, Lew.
By Braveheart
June 17, 2008 11:29 AM | Link to this
Shaun, Francoeur’s defense has been a bit overrated - at least in terms of range.
What we are seeing this year however is a very noticeable dip in his range. It’s noticeable in his stats and what we all see with our eyeballs.
The question is whether that is health related. It has to be because it’s hard to believe that he has just lost that much speed and range at only 24 years old. It’s also hard to believe that he is dogging it.
Also, as for his defense, he scored a +24 according to the Fielding Bible over the last 3 years out in right, good for fourth amongst all major league outfielders from 2005 through 2007.
http://www.fieldingbible.com/
http://www.billjamesonline.net/fieldingbible/charts/leaders2-0507.gif
He was +10 last season, good for 7th amongst major league rightfielders.
By Braveheart
June 17, 2008 11:37 AM | Link to this
Also, this is what was wrote about Francoeur in giving the Right Field Fielding Bible Award to Alex Rios last year at fieldingbible.com:
Right Field – Alex Rios, Toronto
Where’s Ichiro? In center field this year, that’s where. He came in third behind Jones and Beltran. Last year’s runner-up in right field, Alex Rios, takes over Suzuki’s vacated spot. It was a strong battle between three great right fielders, as Rios scored 73 points to 66 each for Austin Kearns and Jeff Francouer.
By THB
June 17, 2008 11:39 AM | Link to this
The Danville Braves start their season today. Which players have signed that we drafted? Also, will Julio Teheran be going to Danville to start his minor league career?
By Braveheart
June 17, 2008 11:40 AM | Link to this
Also, as for his defense, he scored a +24 according to the Fielding Bible over the last 3 years out in right, good for fourth amongst all major league outfielders from 2005 through 2007.
Meant to say good for fourth from 2005 through 2007 amongst all major league right fielders.
By Section 412
June 17, 2008 11:43 AM | Link to this
Reading the AJC this morning (I may be one of 10 people who actually reads the entire hard-copy paper every day), I was reminded that the new Chick-Fil-A cow has been assembled at the Ted over the past week or so. The Braves have turned it up a notch or three in the past week.
Coincidence, or a new weapon? Don’t forget, the Rally Monkey seemed stupid at the time, too.
(And I’m aware that pitching and timely hitting are the best good luck charms, but I’m looking for more rays of hope).
Rally cow, anyone?
By BravesFanInRockies
June 17, 2008 11:53 AM | Link to this
BTW, folks, don’t forget that Gregor not only made a very fine catch last night but also picked up another bunt single.
It’s as if a light went on sometime last week and he said, “Hey, I can do this!”
He sure has look overmatched by some pitchers, esp. lefties, as of late. So if he can add another weapon to the arsenal, as it were, all the better.
I continue to hope that Kotsay will come back and can contribute quickly. But I appreciate Gregor’s approach to the game, given his lack of power and some other limitations.
By raindawg722
June 17, 2008 11:55 AM | Link to this
YES, RALLY COW!!!
By Thrillhouse44
June 17, 2008 11:56 AM | Link to this
What we are seeing this year however is a very noticeable dip in his range. It’s noticeable in his stats and what we all see with our eyeballs.
The question is whether that is health related. Braveheart
Could the decreased range be a combination of the ankle and new muscle?
By Deep Throat
June 17, 2008 12:06 PM | Link to this
Maybe the reason for Blanco’s OBP is because he’s more comfortable batting eighth. If you move him to leadoff, he could struggle big-time.
/using Joe Simpson logic that says batting order effects preformance and that Kelly Johnson craps himself in any spot other than the seven hole
By TennesseePaul
June 17, 2008 12:09 PM | Link to this
Regarding Francoeur… I’ve been wondering if his off-season training with a football team might have played into it. I’m sure it was a grueling training session and probably helped him build muscle mass, but that wouldn’t speed him up. He worked out with a program designed for guys who play once a week, yet he plays everyday. Perhaps he should have joined McCann for Yoga classes. It helped Mac get his triple, which is a huge improvement!
By Overlord-D-Day
June 17, 2008 12:25 PM | Link to this
ncscoots apologies accepted. I waasnt looking for that though. I see you got the point. We dont have to agree on each others point. Just post our thought. I see you are a man and a gentleman. Glad to see that. Hope we can be friends now. Thanks.
For the record to all other bloggers, since I have read lately tons of things I have never said.
I do like JF, the kid is on 24 (I think) and he has almost everything you could ask out of a 35 YO veteran OF: POWER + SPEED + GREAT ARM + GOOD FIELDING INSTINCTS + HARD WORKING + THE WILL + POSITIVE ATTITUDE (great for the club house, dogout and on the field). The only 2 problems that I see are NO PLATE DISCIPLINE + TRYING TOO HARD TO HACK EVERYTHING (maybe those 2 are the same thing). So we have ourselves a great boy, needs to be polished, get someone to do that job.
The only 2 people I bash with no mercy are B. Cox and KJ. IMO Cox makes lots of things very well, but he makes bad moves on daily basis, just not as great as advertised. Blame on him the lack of ability this team has to play small ball (advance the runners with bunts, sac flies, bouncers to 1B with runner on 2B and o or 1 out, etc). IMO bunting has not being addressed with the importance it should, thats why they just dont do it right.
There is not other player im tired of watching kill the team just KJ and JF. JF I like a lot, he needs help and need to be benched, this will help him mature. Same goes for KJ, his hitting is OK for me (at least half the time, I love the way he works the count, but way too many K and errors on easy plays just would drive anybody nuts. That being said, bench him, he will perform better if braves do, Im 90% of it.
Forgot about Corky, but he aint worth any discussion, guess we all agree he is just bad.
About Soriano, he is a great pitcher. He just aint no closer. Add to that, the fact that he is injured and that the braves have not taken care of it. There is no other way out than keeping him DLed, blocking roster spots will not help this team. Can just let him use a roster spot to pitch out of the pen as if he is a SP (every 5th day).
Hope I dont see any other words I have not posted charged on me.
Thanks.
By Shaun
June 17, 2008 12:26 PM | Link to this
Braveheart, I suspect he truly is one of the top three or four right fielders. But he won a Gold Glove and they aren’t given by position, which tells me he’s slightly overrated defensively. I doubt he was one of the three best outfielders in the league.
By McFann©
June 17, 2008 12:28 PM | Link to this
10Paul—
You might have something, there (12:09)…
Also, heard the perfect song for Willie Randolph: Blue Collar Man, by Stix.
By Overlord-D-Day
June 17, 2008 12:32 PM | Link to this
I think the problem Francouer has is more related to maturity. He just got too realx there and he needs to understand he can help the team with singles and doubles. The kid is so strong he could get extrabases without trying to hit the HR. He is into machoman defcon right now. Im not sure about that ankle. IMO struggling so bad with his hitting can affect his fielding and will to go after balls, just a thought.
BENCHING IS THE CURE FOR THIS KID AND HIS BRAIN.
By Braveheart
June 17, 2008 12:34 PM | Link to this
Thrillhouse, congrats on you wedding. You’re officially Killedhouse now. The Thrill is gone. Meant to tell you that the other day but we had a jackal/troll infestation problem on the blog that day.
I’m not sure if it is the ankle or the extra bulk that is restricting his mobility. Something’s wrong though.
By David
June 17, 2008 12:34 PM | Link to this
I like Bobby Cox and think he is a great manager, so I really hesitate to bring up this rather obvious point - the Mets and Braves are both having disappointing seasons, are currently below .500, and are tied in the standings. But the Mets are sooooooo disappointed that they fired their manager, while I can’t imagine that happening here. Interesting, I think.
By Overlord-D-Day
June 17, 2008 12:42 PM | Link to this
Now that we have 3 guys coming back before next week ends what will be the roster moves?
1.Gonzo = Stockman, Ring?
2.Prado = Gotay?
3.Kotsay = Blanco, BJ?
By nolie
June 17, 2008 12:46 PM | Link to this
you know how us nolies aren’t as smart as you GT graduatesprattvillenolzfan
Hey man I vigorously deny that statement, even though I only did some post-grad classes there.(FSU)
By David O'Brien
June 17, 2008 12:50 PM | Link to this
Shaun, others: Frenchy wasn’t one of the top three OFs in terms of overall defense. His arm got him votes. He’s a good right fielder, last year very good. His arm’s great, but not the overall OF play. That was just very good last year, and slightly above average this year, in my opinion….
Watched Scorsese’s Rolling Stones doc, Shine a Light, on the plane yesterday. Surprised how good it was. They are still such an incredible band, in their freakin’ 60s. I mean, all of them still sound/play great.
By Efrim
June 17, 2008 12:55 PM | Link to this
24 games left until the break. I say that this team goes with this current roster until then. Hopefully we can go 14-10 within that stretch and finish the first half at 49-46. 67 games in the second half.
By Lew
June 17, 2008 12:57 PM | Link to this
McFann-Certainly no need for apologies. I just wish you and others who don’t care for Chip could hear some of the other team’s announcers. Believe me, Chip is nowhere near the bottom of the broadcasting barrel. We’re just spoiled from all those years with Skip and Pete.
As much as I liked the Cubbies’ Ron Santo as a player and wouldn’t mind seeing him voted to the HOF AND have the ultimate in sympathy for all his diabetic problems and amputations, it was more than painful listening to him. He was really bad. The Milwaukee announcers were terrible and totally misinformed. No, not misinformed-totally clueless.
By Nolie
June 17, 2008 12:59 PM | Link to this
And they were absolutely correct on Rich Harden, they said a C or B prospect at best would have been all he was worth, at the timeTHB
IMO the problem with that was that no way Beane was ever gonna trade him at that time when by holding out till July he will reap a very nice return, so it makes no sense to say that. It was not going to happen, Beane is way smarter than that.
I have seen a lot of predictions from them and can’t remember one that was correct. I know that they basically collect rumors from other sites related to MLB clubs, but IMO they need to develop some insight of their own . Sorry, but to me saying a D prospect was going to get Harden was baseball ignorant, no matter where they got that tidbit. But then I will admit to being a gruff old cynic. ;-)
By Section 412
June 17, 2008 1:00 PM | Link to this
My guess on roster moves:
Gonzo = Ridgway (has options, won’t carry 4 lefties)
Prado = Gotay
Kotsay = Stockman (will drop back to 12 pitchers IF starters look good until then and BJones stays hot).
By Seven Pitches
June 17, 2008 1:01 PM | Link to this
I saw Shine a Light at The Fox last week. I’m not a huge Stones fan (Beatles for me, always), but I enjoyed the movie and agree with you: those dudes can still rock. Didn’t you think As Tears Go By was a poignant moment?!
By BravesFanInRockies
June 17, 2008 1:02 PM | Link to this
Overlord-D-Day,
1) Whoa, whoa, whoa about KJ. I’m not convinced that he’s a long-term 2B but he’s a professional hitter. Last night was an excellent example. He drew three walks and scored two runs. That’s what you want hitters at the top of the order to do.
I like him down further in the order instead of at the top. And his eventual defensive position may be 1B or LF. FWIW, however, KJ’s offensive stats this season are comparable to Garrett Atkins’.
2)Roster moves: Gonzo — Ridgway; Julio — Stockman (if he’s called up soon)
Correct on Prado/Gotay.
Kotsay — no telling but wouldn’t be surprised to see them drop a reliever (Stockman/Ring) so the bench isn’t so thin and so Kotsay isn’t expected to play every game.
By nolie
June 17, 2008 1:07 PM | Link to this
DAP, that is an excellent point. Andruw was definitely the team leader out there and did most of the positioning. It now has to come from the bench.MGL
good point, also though I have missed watching quite a few games this year from necessity it seems to me like Jeff is positioned a little closer to center most of the time than he used to be with Druw out there. Anybody think that or is it just my imagination?
By TennesseePaul
June 17, 2008 1:08 PM | Link to this
But the Mets are sooooooo disappointed that they fired their manager, while I can’t imagine that happening here. Interesting, I think.
Yes. The Mets and their 140 million dollar team are matching up evenly, so to speak, with the Braves, who are currently fielding a 50 million dollar rookie laden team.
By jim
June 17, 2008 1:10 PM | Link to this
There was a comparison a while back between Tex’s and JF’s offensive statistics this year that concluded that the only edge that Tex had over Jeff so far was in plate discipline (walks and working the count). This is true, but last night He twice swung at ball four on a 3-1 count. In the first inning Jimenez had just walked the previous two hitters and was all over the place with his deliveries. The 3-1 pitch Tex swung at was one that, if he had hit it, would have only resulted in a weak grounder. He then took a borderline pitch on 3-2 that was called a strike. He had a similar at bat and swung at a similar 3-1 pitch against Rodriguez later in the game (with a similar result). Had Tex walked in the first inning, McCann’s hit would have plated a run and kept the inning alive with the bases loaded and 1 out. Tex’s AB, more than the play at the plate, allowed Jimenez to get through the first inning and settle down and keep the game close.
By David
June 17, 2008 1:13 PM | Link to this
I must have missed the criticism of Chip in other Braves broadcasters. I’ll say this - as an XM listener, I “get” to her other teams’ broadcasters calling the Braves’ away games, and in my opinion our broadcasters hold up pretty well in comparison.
By McFann©
June 17, 2008 1:16 PM | Link to this
Lew—
I’ve heard about other announcers…like the guy from the White Sox that yells, “HE GONE!” whenever somebody strikes out.
But yeah, I’ll let up on Chip a little.
You were saying yesterday that you might not get to see Chipper play on Friday and Saturday (he might DH, like you said). Well, I feel for you. Because I’ve doing some figuring, and have discovered that Jorge Campillo will prob’ly start the day we go to the game (a DGANG) on June 25.
: (
By Efrim
June 17, 2008 1:20 PM | Link to this
DOB
Watched Scorsese’s Rolling Stones doc, Shine a Light, on the plane yesterday. Surprised how good it was. They are still such an incredible band, in their freakin’ 60s. I mean, all of them still sound/play great.
It was very good. Scorsese getting the set list right before the show went on was very comical. Good stuff. I saw it at an IMAX theater. Stones are the best.
By BravesFanInRockies
June 17, 2008 1:21 PM | Link to this
Lew —
Agreed on Chip vs. other announcers. Boog’s also a lot better than some on here are willing to credit. Skip’s going to have good nights and bad nights from now on, so we’ll have to enjoy what he can give us while he can.
And yes, the current Marlins announcers are about as uninspired a bunch as I’ve heard. And yes, the Brewers crew is awful. (Unless you get the games on XM where you can hear Uecker. Still full of insights and dang funny when he’s on.)
By McFann©
June 17, 2008 1:28 PM | Link to this
McCann needs help to surpass Soto
YOU DECIDE 2008!!
VOTE FOR MCCANN!!
By jim
June 17, 2008 1:43 PM | Link to this
Gonzo -> Ridgeway is an easy call and the first to be made.
The other moves won’t happen for at least a week and it will depend upon the order of return.
Prado will replace Gotay, but so may Kotsay if he returns first. When the other player returns, the vulnerable people will be Stockman, Norton, and B. Jones, depending how the latter two perform in the meantime. The next question then becomes what happens when and if Hampton and Glavine are ready to return?
By McFann©
June 17, 2008 1:43 PM | Link to this
BravesFanInRockies—
I like Boog. He and Joe are funny together!
By Steve McP
June 17, 2008 1:46 PM | Link to this
Jim - did you see Tex’s out in the first inning? It was a ball by some way and he was lucky not to be ejected, he was probably not ejected because the umpire realised he had got it wrong.
You seem to be blaming Tex for striking out, when in fact he should have got the base.
By Thrillhouse44
June 17, 2008 1:47 PM | Link to this
Thanks, Braveheart. I spent my first 10 days of marriage in the land of Bob Marley, so the Thrill isn’t completely gone…yet. Once I post some pictures, I’ll shoot you an email.
David, there’s a big difference in Bobby Cox and Randolph. Bobby has a track record far greater than Willie’s. Though you make a good poing: if BC coached in NY, he’d probably be gone after this season, a la Torre.
By DAP
June 17, 2008 1:53 PM | Link to this
nolie seems to me like Jeff is positioned a little closer to center most of the time than he used to be with Druw out there. Anybody think that or is it just my imagination?
no, its not your imagination. jeff was quoted at the beginning of the season bascially saying they have set up the defense this year to guard the gaps. does that have to do with andruw not being out there? id would think that it does.
By Roman Gal
June 17, 2008 1:54 PM | Link to this
McFann I’m going to that game, too. I should’ve figured you’d be going that day. ;) I’m hoping the outfield doesn’t get sold out like the last bobble-head game.
Just because I “get” to listen to Chip doesn’t mean I have to enjoy it.
By Overlord-D-Day
June 17, 2008 1:57 PM | Link to this
BravesFanInRockies I agree on getting rid of a bullpen arm to get kotsay back. They are not using all of them anyway.
Jim if you think Gotay or Norton could go, waht are their options? Gotay to AAA and Norton released?
And as you mention, things would get interesting once hampton and glavine (if they can) are ready.
All this tough decisions are the main reason why I think braves dont need to make any moves by or on deadline. We are deep, so deep cox will have his hands full not knowing what to do with the guys that will be ready in the next 2, 3 weeks.
No need to go for more if you dont know were to put what we already have.
By SoDak Brave
June 17, 2008 1:59 PM | Link to this
I just voted for McCann 50 times and i am going to keep voting for the rest of the day. He deserves to start, thanks for the reminder McFann.
By TennesseePaul
June 17, 2008 2:00 PM | Link to this
On Wang being out until September
“My only message is simple. The National League needs to join the 21st century,” Steinbrenner said in Tampa, Fla. “They need to grow up and join the 21st century.
“Am I (mad) about it? Yes,” Steinbrenner added. “I’ve got my pitchers running the bases, and one of them gets hurt. He’s going to be out. I don’t like that, and it’s about time they address it. That was a rule from the 1800s.”
Making a rare appearance on the bases at an NL park, Wang pulled up rounding third and hobbled home on Derek Jeter’s single. Wang doubled over after scoring, pointed toward his right foot and was helped off the field.
“This is always a concern of American League teams when their pitchers have to run the bases and they’re not used to doing it,” Steinbrenner said. “It’s not just us. It’s everybody. It probably should be a concern for National League owners, general managers and managers when their pitchers run the bases. Pitchers have enough to do without having to do that.”
To which the president of the National League replied:
It is unfortunate when any player gets injured on the field of play. But Hank needs to realize that his pitchers are wimps. They get injured throwing pitches, should there be a designated thrower for the pitcher as well? Tell Wang he better damn well man up and learn how to F******* run with out getting hurt. Maybe then he can enjoy playing the game the way it is supposed to be played. In the mean time, Hank has a choice, he can either pocket his ill gotten money from the b******* of this fine sport or lobby to keep his entire over paid team off NL playing fields during regular season play. If they can’t run the bases, they shouldn’t be on the field anyway. F******* wimps.
By DAP
June 17, 2008 2:09 PM | Link to this
thrillhouse44 i went to jamica for my honeymoon too. awesome place. we stayed on ocho rios…the culture is facinating.
By David
June 17, 2008 2:11 PM | Link to this
Hey, I just found it interesting that Willie got canned while his team is in a similar position as the Braves. I’m not a Cox-basher and agree his track record, etc. sets him far, far apart from Willie. But TennPaul’s smart*ss response is inaccurate in that the Met’s salary isn’t quite $138M and the Braves’ is far more than $50M, and I don’t think Chipper, Tex, Smoltz, Glavine, KJ, Frenchy, etc. are rookies…..NYC is a different world and the Met’s aren’t nearly as classy an org as Atlanta.
By BravesFanInRockies
June 17, 2008 2:14 PM | Link to this
Overlord-D-Day,
I think Gotay’s out of options. That’s why the Mets let him go. Still, Prado has more value b/c Bobby likes his glove.
Norton’s a tougher call. The bench loses a lot of power if you let him go. And he’s the only backup 1B who could play more than a day or two if Tex had a minor injury or just needed resting.
Unfortunately, he may have played his way onto that bubble, as it were.
Norton might not be as valuable when Diaz returns because I believe Diaz could play 1B part-time if needed.
By Braves20
June 17, 2008 2:17 PM | Link to this
The Mets dump their manager and, unwisely, their pitching coach.
There will be a long line at Rick Peterson’s front door. Our Braves should be at the front of that line.
By TennesseePaul
June 17, 2008 2:19 PM | Link to this
DAP, Thrillhouse44: I too was in Jamaica for my honeymoon. It was amazing down there. I loved the Ocho Rios area. I went all over that island, avoiding only Kingston.
By prattvillenolzfan
June 17, 2008 2:23 PM | Link to this
Hey Nolie
You know that was strictly tongue-n-cheek…I posted something without double-checking the facts and GTfan caught me on it…
BTW all you Dawg fans….Take care of the Canes for us…….
By brent a.
June 17, 2008 2:25 PM | Link to this
I actually attended Tim Hudson’s last appearance in Arlington, it was on June 15th, 2005.
He struggled, and the heat was definitely a factor.
IIRC, this was right around the time the Braves were discovering that Tim had an obliquie problem, and he was DL’d shortly thereafter.
Anyway, I had tickets to the next night’s game, but upon seeing that some guy named Jorge Sosa was going to pitch that one, I decided to go ahead and go see Hudson first (to make sure I got to see a decent peformance). Oh, well.
Well, Hudson and the Braves got shellacked, as Hudson struggled, and so did a kid named Marte, who started at third base that night. A 9th inning Andruw Jones homer just wasn’t enough, another one of those “meaningless Andruw homers” as I recall them being referred to so often.
But the next night, that Sosa guy pitched well, and some guy named Kelly Johnson who was mired in something like an 0-30 slump, hit his first major league homer, and the Braves won.
I hope Hudson fares better in the Texas heat tonight.
Go Braves!
By McFann©
June 17, 2008 2:25 PM | Link to this
Roman Gal—
We’ll be in the outfield, too! And yeah, we don’t have enjoy Chip, do we? Hey, June 25’s game is on PTV, so we’ll miss ‘im that day!
SoDak Brave—
You’re welcome! I’ve voted over 75 times, and I ain’t stoppin’ now!
YOU DECIDE 2008!!
VOTE FOR MCCANN!!
By Thrillhouse44
June 17, 2008 2:26 PM | Link to this
DAP, we spent the second 1/2 of the trip in Ocho Rios. It really is fascinating. Very different than America. I called it the land of extremes. A lot of laid back, friendly people and a lot of pushy people as well. Beautiful areas and plenty of slums. It was my second trip there and I hope to go back again.
By TennesseePaul
June 17, 2008 2:30 PM | Link to this
David: That’s true, including 100% of the DL for the Braves brings the total team payroll up to $106 million. But my “smart@ss” comment clearly stated the Braves were currently fielding a 50 million dollar team ($54,577,166 if all of Cots info is correct)…and haven’t fielding the 106 million dollar team pretty much all season. The Mets in the same period have fielded a $137.8 million dollar club excluding the DL inhabitants. The firing of Willie was merited, the method and timing of his firing was not.
By DAP
June 17, 2008 2:32 PM | Link to this
10paul please tell me that the NL president really said that. i would give steinbrenner a big screw you and tell him that our pitchers are real baseball players. the AL is fake baseball.
By DAP
June 17, 2008 2:36 PM | Link to this
david TennPaul’s smartss response is inaccurate in that the Met’s salary isn’t quite $138M and the Braves’ is far more than $50M,*
his response was very smart, and accurate, since about half of the braves less than $100 mil payrole is on the DL. of course, some of the mets’ is to, but not nearly as much of it.
By Shaun
June 17, 2008 2:37 PM | Link to this
Shaun, others: Frenchy wasn’t one of the top three OFs in terms of overall defense. His arm got him votes. He’s a good right fielder, last year very good. His arm’s great, but not the overall OF play. That was just very good last year, and slightly above average this year, in my opinion….
DOB, yes, this seems to be the consensus of people who study defense and defensive statistics in-depth.
Also I think you have to figure if Bobby Cox and other within the organization thought he was an all-around great fielder, with that arm, he would definitely be in centerfield this year.
By Knowitall
June 17, 2008 2:40 PM | Link to this
BravesFanInRockies & Overlord, Gotay has to be kept on the major league roster for the entire season because he was claimed off waivers from another team. If they want give his roster spot to someone else, I think they have to release him.
By jim
June 17, 2008 2:43 PM | Link to this
Steve McP:
The strike 3 call on Tex in the first inning was a bad call (not Eric Gregg bad, but wrong) by an umpire that has made a number of other bad calls (like being out of position to call the play at the plate later in the inning), but swinging at the 3-1 pitch made Tex vulnerable to the bad call. It was a pitch he could not have done much with even if he had hit it. If there were 2 out and JF was coming up behind him, he may be excused for extending the strike zone to try to drive in the run himself, but with 1 out in the first inning, the pitcher struggling to throw strikes, and McCann coming up next, he should hve been more patient.
By AGTfan
June 17, 2008 2:46 PM | Link to this
You know that was strictly tongue-n-cheek…I posted something without double-checking the facts and GTfan caught me on it… Just be sure that you know that I never made any disparaging remarks about the Noles or their fans.
Speaking of college sports, congrats to all the DAWG fans. They’re beginning to look like a team of destiny. May God forgive me, but Go Dawgs.
By Efrim
June 17, 2008 2:48 PM | Link to this
Rob Neyer:
The Braves have the run differential of a 41-30 team, but instead are 35-36, due almost entirely to their stunning 3-18 record in one-run games.
By BravesFanInRockies
June 17, 2008 2:48 PM | Link to this
brent a,
Good point about the Braves going into the Texas heat. (That’s why we should have called up Sammons to catch so Heap could DH and rest, but yes, that ship has sailed.)
CR, you’d think no one would need reminding, but hydration is essential.
When Kelly got thrown out at the plate last night I wondered for a moment if he was a step or so slow b/c he and the rest of the club hadn’t had much time to adjust to the altitude.
It usually takes about 24 hours, even for the best athletes, to fully make the transition.
By Joe
June 17, 2008 2:49 PM | Link to this
DOB, You think the Braves will try to get either Jason Bay or Matt Holliday? either one would put them over the top!!!!
By woogidy
June 17, 2008 2:58 PM | Link to this
Mcfann, I agree with you on the Chip thing. He loves to hear himself talk. We should do a count on how many times he says “quite frankly” too. P-Tree games are HD though, so I’m not complaining about that. It’s give and take I guess. Oh, and I’m not missing out on the B-Mac bobblehead doll either. Chop house for me that day.
By TennesseePaul
June 17, 2008 3:06 PM | Link to this
And I was curious so here it is. The current, non-DL’d age and experience for both the Mets and Braves team rosters.
Braves
Average Age: 27.28
Median Age: 27
Average Exp: 4.12
Median Exp: 4
Salary: 54.6 million
Mets
Average Age: 30.38
Median Age: 31
Average Exp: 8.58
Median Exp: 8.5
Salary: 137.8 million
* All years of service were rounded up. All ages were as of opening day.
What does this say? If anything the Mets brass should be reading this blog and inserting the term “Mets” in place of “Braves” in every post calling for a rebuilding process complete with fire sale.
By cabravesfan
June 17, 2008 3:07 PM | Link to this
McFann and all of you complaining about the Braves announcers…if you had to listen to an entire Dodger game where the announcers consistantly mispronounce the names of the other team’s lineup (I had to sit through an entire game of Charlie Steiner calling Gregor Blanco “Blank-o”)you would be thanking god that you have to listen to Chip all day:)
By ncscoots
June 17, 2008 3:07 PM | Link to this
May God forgive me, but Go Dawgs.
I know, seems apocalyptic for some of us to say such, doesn’t it? :-) I’ll admit that I’ve found it easier to do so since DOB apprised me of Coach Yoc down there. It’s insidious, but, once you’ve rooted for the Gym Dawgs, it’s all too easy to root for other make and manner of Dawg, too, LOL.
Evil, I tell you, pure evil…
By Shamus Thacker
June 17, 2008 3:09 PM | Link to this
DOB, whadda you personally think is wrong with Stenchy?
By TennesseePaul
June 17, 2008 3:10 PM | Link to this
DAP: No. I wish it were. Ha!
By Shaun
June 17, 2008 3:12 PM | Link to this
DOB, You think the Braves will try to get either Jason Bay or Matt Holliday? either one would put them over the top!!!!
I’m not DOB, but would either one really?
I suppose it’s possible that Bay would but the Pirates would ask for a bunch in return. I just don’t know if it’s worth it for a year and a half of Bay. It’s not like last season where the Braves have a top prospect who is expendable.
As far as Holliday, it’s been repeated numerous times: He’s really not worth what the Rockies would want for him, even more so than Bay. Solid player but Coors Field inflates his overall numbers.
By Shamus Thacker
June 17, 2008 3:14 PM | Link to this
TennesseePaul, great post!
By Carroll Rogers
June 17, 2008 3:15 PM | Link to this
howdy. did a few right turns over the cloudy skies of dallas, so just now getting in. new blog will be along within the hour. hopefully sooner. CR
By McFann©
June 17, 2008 3:19 PM | Link to this
woogidy—
“Quite frankly”, I think Chip does love to hear himself talk. They’re on PTV tonight, so be prepared (sorry to everyone who can’t watch).
I bet Boog gets himself a bobble head. He’s seems to be a big fan of McCann…
At least the Braves have a good record when Campillo pitches…but ya know…
By cabravesfan
June 17, 2008 3:22 PM | Link to this
TennesseePaul loved the post about Steinbrenner…had a very similar thought:) Leave it to the Yankees to think the rules should be changed because their guys can’t run the bases… someone should point out to Hank the that DH has only been in play since 1973
By Greg
June 17, 2008 3:25 PM | Link to this
It’s amazing. I actually want to watch Braves baseball again. I was so disgusted after the Philly and Chicago sweeps that I thought I was done. But we now have young power pitchers again. Love Morton and Jurjjens. Haven’t seen any starter but Smoltz hit 95 in so long that I was shocked to see Morton do it. Kid is nasty. And I am really jazzed about Brandon Jones. Guy is really making the most of his promotion. Now we need Boston to hammer Philly and let’s get back into this thing.
By McFann©
June 17, 2008 3:29 PM | Link to this
you would be thanking god that you have to listen to Chip all day:) cabravesfan
Hmm…I don’t know…that might be a stretch…
; ) I think I’d take Chip over Jon Miller. I like Boog and Joe the best. I also just cannot stand PTV because it reaches what—three counties?
But it’s all TBS’ fault. I hate that channel. >P
By David
June 17, 2008 3:31 PM | Link to this
TennPaul and your boy DAP - It’s interesting that Willie got canned and that very few down here think Bobby should. INTERESTING. New York and NYC media are a different animal, the organizations are run differently, and Bobby has a long HOF career - all of this differentiates the Braves from the Mets much more than your comical list of median ages and non-DL salaries. Heck, Willie probably DID “deserve” to get canned, in so much as one man can be blamed. I’m not defending the guy nor attacking Bobby. Just thought it was interesting….I’ll go back to bashing Corky Miller……
By Big Easy
June 17, 2008 3:32 PM | Link to this
I’m a die-hard Yellow Jacket, and I bleed old gold and white, but I would rather a filthy Dawg win it all than a Hurricane or Tar Heel. :)
If the CWS title can come home to Georgia, I am all for it (even if it does come home to Athens).
~E~
By ncscoots
June 17, 2008 3:32 PM | Link to this
someone should point out to Hank the that DH has only been in play since 1973
Geez, so Hank’s remark about an “1800s rule” was only off a century or so, LOL.
That’s closer than most would have projected, most likely.
By BravesFanInRockies
June 17, 2008 3:33 PM | Link to this
cabravesfan,
Charley Steiner can be a very funny guy (when he’s not doing Dodger games) but yes he can butcher a broadcast.
The baseball gods have never forgiven the Dodgers for letting Ross Porter go.
By keylargo
June 17, 2008 3:34 PM | Link to this
Jim & SteveMcP
You guys are missing my point in comparing JF and Tex’s stats. Some people ar calling for JF to be benched or demoted, while others are wanting Tex signed to a monster contract calling for $23 to $25M a year.
How can you possibly want both? You can not tell one’s stats from the other. In other words, under what justifable reason would you give $25M a year to a guy who has stats like a guy on the bubble between Richmond and Atlanta?
Jeff has one less strikeout, the same number of hits, more doubles, more triples. more total bases. Tex has the higher average, 15 more walks, more homeruns, higher onbase%. But they are so close that one or two hot games by either would separate them from the other.
By cabravesfan
June 17, 2008 3:35 PM | Link to this
McFann I prefer Joe and Boog also but I can tolarate Chip (I get Peachtree on the MLB package on DTV)…trust me on this one- the announcers out here (Angels guys aren’t any better then the Dodgers) are HORRIBLE
By Shaun
June 17, 2008 3:39 PM | Link to this
It’s so funny how often we’ve heard that the Braves need young pitching and how the franchise is doomed because of the lack of young pitching. My, how perception has changed.
By Reid in EAV
June 17, 2008 3:42 PM | Link to this
Old-timers probably missed it in the fine print, but for me one of the silver linings in this Willie Randolph firing mess is a major league coaching job for Ken Oberkfell. For those who predate the 90s run, Oberkfell was a Braves infielder (mostly 3B and 2B) from 1984 to 1988 — traded from the Cards, traded to the Pirates, and finished his career with the Halos. I always liked him, so I’m happy to see him land (again) in the bigs.
True trivial fact: Ken was traded to the Bucs for a “player to be named later,” who turned out to be one Tommy Gregg.
By BillsNV
June 17, 2008 3:54 PM | Link to this
McFann: Does the voting thing tell you when you hit 25? I have been voting for awhile now and it keeps taking them. Thanks!
By Chop Chop
June 17, 2008 4:00 PM | Link to this
Bill Bavasi really had some nice words to say in his press conference yesterday after being fired as Mariners general manager.
(Seems like he had some pent-up frustration, eh?)
By CharlieAlphaBravo
June 17, 2008 4:03 PM | Link to this
Coach:
You’re right. Bobby Cox’s coaching record is less impressive than Willie Randolph’s when you leave out those thirteen pesky division titles (and one World Championship) before the pennant in ‘06. Good point.
By BamaBravesFan
June 17, 2008 4:06 PM | Link to this
Keylargo
Very interesting stats. I don’t think too many people want Tex at $23-25mm. He is definitely not worth that kind of money. I’m sure he will get his by the end of the year, but by that time, I hope we aren’t out of the race. Him going on a tear in August if we are already out of the race is pointless…
GO BRAVES!!!
By TennesseePaul
June 17, 2008 4:12 PM | Link to this
Payne: It’s so funny how often we’ve heard that the Braves need young pitching and how the franchise is doomed because of the lack of young pitching. My, how perception has changed.
What’s this in response to? All the old pitchers hitting the DL and the young ones stepping up? The Braves could still use a Haren or similar for future years even with how good these young guys are doing right now. For instance Camp is really impressing me. But I can’t help but think that his current level of success won’t last for 3 or 4 more years. Simultaneously I can’t help but think that Haren’s level of success will last 3 or 4 more years at least.
By jbutler
June 17, 2008 4:17 PM | Link to this
Lew Vin Scully is the cream of the crop..most of the rest is backwash..Chip Carey is hardly the worst out there..makes you pause and think what’s really out there then.
My cousin (Bob Davis) does Fox sports announcing for the Royals/and is the play/play guy for the Kansas Jayhawks - the stories he tells about some of the broadcasters are hilarious cause they’re just bad.
McFann Hey - was going to pass along that my son/I were watching JJJ warm up in the BP before the game w/McCann. These guys next to us were just razzing them big time- it was actually really funny. On their way to the mound your man looked up at them and smiled. Funny stuff.
By TennesseePaul
June 17, 2008 4:25 PM | Link to this
David: I’m glad you find it interesting. My comments were not written in a spirit of malice. What you found interesting I found not so surprising. The Braves are a younger, cheaper team learning the game. The Mets are an older more expensive team with a lot of experience. The Mets are in a more pressurized media intensive environment than the Braves. In addition, the Braves are performing on par or better than expected, while the Mets are coming up short. The listing of ages was for reference and to the point of your inquiry about my statement of a “rookie laden team”.
And finally: In his last two games Corky is hitting .500/.500/1.250/1.750 (AVG/OBP/SLG/OPS). Sadly this is the best two game stretch of his career. It’s all down hill from here. Hard to imagine considering the guy is only posting a season line of .111/.200/.194/.394. But with his last two games he finally matched the total seasons worth of hits Brayan Pena produce for the Braves. Of course, Pena did accomplish the feat in only 14 at bats. Corky has taken 36 at bats to get it done.
By SoDakBrave
June 17, 2008 4:27 PM | Link to this
BillsNV
It does tell you when you hit 25. But then you can change one letter in the email address and vote another 25 times. I am up to 125. Gotta love it when work is slow.
By Bobby's Cox
June 17, 2008 4:31 PM | Link to this
McFann
FYI, at the Angels/Braves game on Sunday, I filled out 33 All-Star ballots with Brian McCann as the catcher.
For those of you going to any games before the balloting ends, punch the holes on one ballot and make it your key. Then line up 7 ballots behind it and punch the same holes with a paperclip. Makes for one good strategy when mass-voting.
By Nate
June 17, 2008 4:31 PM | Link to this
I have to admit that I’m excited about the starting pitching by the young guys lately but lets not get crazy. No one is projecting any of these three young guys to be a true number one starter. And we’ve been seduced by rookie pitchers before. Davies and James both had great starts. Even Damian Moss had a good year. None of these guys makes up for the organizations inability to develop pitchers over the past decade.
By McFann©
June 17, 2008 4:34 PM | Link to this
cabravesfan—
Oh, I’ll trust you on that! Don’t worry…
BillsNV—
Yeah, it tells you once you’ve voted 25 times. This thing pops up and says something like, “Submission Error. You cannot continue for the following reasons: You have voted the maximum amount of times.” Something to that effect.
jbutler—
That’s funny! (And hey, when we went to the final game of the 2006 season, we were out in the RF seats, and McCann was down on the field warming up and waved my way. 8 ) )
Well, if those two guys next to you were Rockies fans, I guess they got what was coming to them (a loss)!
; >
By McFann©
June 17, 2008 4:40 PM | Link to this
Great goin’, Bobby’s Cox!
I’m excited—this’ll be my first time voting at the game!
By Efrim
June 17, 2008 4:48 PM | Link to this
The more I read about Erik Bedard and AJ Burnett, the more I don’t like them as a person.
By Can Corky Miller
June 17, 2008 4:48 PM | Link to this
Seriously, bat Corky Miller ninth. Jurrjens has a better OBP and OPS+ than Corky does.
By John
June 17, 2008 4:58 PM | Link to this
McFann, If you just take letters off of your email address after you vote 25 times you can vote another 25 times. You can do the same with you’re name as well. That’s the easiest way to do mass voting.
By McFann©
June 17, 2008 5:08 PM | Link to this
John—
Yep. Sometimes it’s nice that whoever’s “in charge” has no way of really controlling the votes.
I just remembered a great line of Joe Simpson’s from last night: Blanco got on base for like, the second time, and Joe goes, “Leadoff! Leadoff!” There was a small pause, then he said “I don’t know where that chant’s coming from, but I cann hear up here in the booth…”
Oh, man. It was funny the way he said it…
Back to voting. (I feel bad, I’m not even at 100 yet!)
By AGTfan
June 17, 2008 5:08 PM | Link to this
Reid in EAV
I didn’t miss it and I too am glad Oberkfell is getting a chance. I always liked him too. I used to think he might make a good coach / manager someday.
By McFann©
June 17, 2008 5:12 PM | Link to this
100 down, and more to go…
By nate
June 17, 2008 5:21 PM | Link to this
I agree with some of you that Sammons should have been called up for these inter-league games. Let him catch six games in the majors. See what he can do at the plate and DH McCann for a week. I sure he could use the rest. Seems like a perfect way to get his feet wet. The Braves missed an opportunity here.
By TennesseePaul
June 17, 2008 5:26 PM | Link to this
New Blog Posted
By McFann©
June 17, 2008 5:27 PM | Link to this
Forgot this in my last post:
YOU DECIDE 2008!!
VOTE FOR MCCANN!!
By Test
December 20, 2008 4:47 PM | Link to this
Frown: ☹
Black Smiley: ☻
White Smiley: ☺
Crescent Moon: ☽
Spades: ♠ By number: ♠
By Test
December 20, 2008 4:49 PM | Link to this
Fraction: ¾
Test Fraction: ⅓
By Test
December 20, 2008 4:52 PM | Link to this
Hello ☻