AJC > Sports > Braves > Blog > Archives > 2008 > June > 19 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USBlanco to leadoff - at least today
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
You never know what you might find when you peek your head around the corner and have a glance at the lineup board in the clubhouse. But today, I saw Gregor Blanco in the leadoff spot (pause for applause, denizens?).
Here’s what the board said:
1.Gregor Blanco CF
2.Yunel Escobar SS
3.Chipper Jones 3B
4.Mark Teixeira DH
5.Kelly Johnson 2B
6.Greg Norton 1B
7.Jeff Francoeur RF
8.Brandon Jones LF
9.Corky Miller C
It’s hard to know if this is something Bobby Cox is just tinkering with today - Blanco has hit in the leadoff spot twice this season - or if it’s something he’s considering doing longer. He plays most everything like it’s no big deal, including this lineup, this morning.
“Change it around a little bit,” Cox said. “With a DH you can do that kind of stuff.”
So I ask “Will you see how this goes?” (translation, keep Blanco up there once the Bravest back to National League play this weekend.)
“Oh, it’s just for today,” Cox said.
So maybe Blanco is back hitting eighth tomorrow night. Or maybe he reaches base four times, and maybe he’s back in there at leadoff tomorrow.
But for today, anyway, this ought to make some folks on the blog happy.
Blanco has done nothing to hurt himself lately, regardless of where he’s hitting. Hitting ninth last night (AL lineup) he hit run-scoring triple in the ninth to drive in a key insurance run in a 5-2 win over Texas. He had a great night Friday in Anaheim, going 3-for-4 with a career-high three RBIs.
“He can bunt, take a walk, he’s done a real good job,” Cox said.
Blanco has been a leadoff hitter throughout his minor league career and likes the idea of hitting there now.
“It feels good,” said Blanco, who went only 1-for-6 in his first two games batting leadoff this season but drew three walks for a .444 on-base percentage. “It feels like we have a manager who has a lot of confidence in his players. He shows he has confidence in me.”
Hitting eight in the order (he’s been hitting ninth in interleague play - but you know what I’m getting at) brings its own set of challenges with the pitcher coming up next, often forcing hitters to expand their strike zones.
“There are a lot of things I cannot do because I’m in the eighth hole,” Blanco said. “Being leadoff that becomes more part of my game. There are a lot of things I can do. In the leadoff spot I’m capable of getting my pitch.”
Blanco said the move is welcome for Yunel Escobar too, who has put up better numbers in the No. 2 hole. Escobar has hit .273 (39-for-143) with a .352 on-base percentage as a leadoff hitter, compared to .328 (43-for-131) with a .401 on-base percentage in the 2 hole.
“He the kind of player, he can hit anywhere,” Blanco said. “But we’ve been talking about it and he feels more comfortable (hitting second). Hopefully it’ll work out this way.”
He’s not the only one who feels that way, is he?
This also drops Kelly Johnson into the fifth spot, where he might feel more comfortable too. Kelly seems like can deal with wherever Bobby puts him, takes the shuffling around in stride. Kelly has hit .189 (7-for-37) on this road trip in the No. 2 spot, and is hitting .241 in the No. 2 hole this season.
No doubt you’ll notice Frenchy is hitting seventh. It’s the lowest he’s hit in the order this season. He’s 21-for-61 (.344) in the seventh spot for his career.
Corky Miller is behind the plate today to give Brian McCann a rest the day game after a night game. Miller has been catching Jorge Campillo and Campillo pitches tomorrow night at home against Seattle. Cox said he probably won’t catch Miller in back-to-back games though, so expect McCann to be back in there tomorrow night.
GOING GONZO: Things were still abuzz about Mike Gonzalez this morning, and you can’t help but be happy for the guy. His first outing since Tommy John surgery last night? A a save situation, a perfect ninth, 15 pitches, 10 of them for strikes. Velocity at 93, 94 mph with his fastball, and his curveball effective enough to get two of the three outs on.
He said there were 45-50 friends and family in the stands including friends going back to elementary school age, from when he lived in nearby Frisco, Tex. But among the pats on the back he got that felt especially good came from John Smoltz, who sent him a congratulatory text.
Smoltz also delivered some advice about how to handle this comeback. He does know a thing or two about being successful closing games, coming off Tommy John surgery.
“He told me ‘Remember, it feels great right now,’” Gonzalez said. “’You’ve got to make sure you keep understanding your body, understanding what’s going on with it. Don’t overdo it. If you need to take a day, take a day. Ask for a day and don’t make a big deal about that.’”
The save also gave Gonzo 31 in a row since his last blown save, which came as a middle reliever with the Pittsburgh Pirates on June 25, 2004. That was only his 30th career game and his first of three blown saves in his first three save chances. He hasn’t missed since then - regardless of all the pain he pitched in last year and regardless of the newness of being back on the mound last night. His 31 saves in a row is the longest current streak in the majors, according to Elias.
OK, Chipper Jones is back right square on .400 again after a 2-for-5 last night. He’s getting used to this teetering on the edge. We’ll see what he has to offer today.
It poured rain this morning, as some big storms rolled through the big D about 7 a.m. But the sun is shining now and the temperature is climbing and we hear we should get the game in fine. Can’t say the same for my flight tomorrow morning, but that’s another day, another set of issues.
A win today and the Braves are .500 on this trip, .500 for the season. Oh and this just in. Not only have the Seattle Mariners fired their GM Bill Bavasi this week. They just fired their manager - John McLaren - and replaced him with bench coach Jim Riggleman. So the Mariners will bring a little drama to Turner Field for the weekend.
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Comments
By Deep Throat
June 19, 2008 2:09 PM | Link to this
Even with the DH-rule the Braves still have a pitcher-equivalent batting ninth today.
By prattvillenolzfan
June 19, 2008 2:11 PM | Link to this
It’s about time……
HEY CHOPCHICK
With McCann sitting out today, does that mean he’ll start tomorrow night, or is Corky still going to catch Campillo…
Surely Bobby won’t bench McCann 2 days in a row!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By BX
June 19, 2008 2:16 PM | Link to this
Hooray for Charlie Morton getting rid of that awful excuse for a moustache!
By cw
June 19, 2008 2:16 PM | Link to this
Corky should never play!
By Jeff321
June 19, 2008 2:17 PM | Link to this
Blanco at lead off sounds good to me.. He also covers an enormous amount of real estate. That was funny the other night when Blanco was right behind Brandon Jones on a catch.. Jones looks over like, “What are you doing here?”
By Carroll Rogers
June 19, 2008 2:21 PM | Link to this
there it went. chipper just dropped to .398 with a line-out in his first AB. think he’ll rally and get it back up today or is it time to start waving g-bye?
eight pitches for charlie morton in the first inning, six of them strikes.
By Gustopher
June 19, 2008 2:23 PM | Link to this
Great Blog CR. Glad you had a good time at Holden Beach.
By TennesseePaul
June 19, 2008 2:23 PM | Link to this
Thanks for the Blog Carroll.
From the previous blog…
Did I mention the fact that Bobby Cox presided over the WORST MONTH of baseball in the 43 year history of Atlanta Braves baseball back in June of 2006 where the Braves went 6-21
—Coach (I’m back on the Kool-aid after being off it during a 6 game losing streak)
Fact is, Coach is wrong. The worst month in Atlanta Braves history came in 1988. In fact, it’s the single worst month in Braves history dating back to 1900. In April 1988, under the guiding hand of Manager Chuck Tanner the team spilled out of the gates with a 3 and 16 record. Good for a .158 winning percentage.
And as for the best single month Atlanta Braves records, well the top spot goes to Bobby Cox. Give the man a hand. In June of 2002 Bobby Cox lead the Atlanta Braves to a 21 and 5 record for an .808 winning percentage, second highest winning percentage dating back to the days of Milwaukee. In 1957 the Milwaukee Braves opened the season with an April record of 9 and 2 for an .818 winning percentage. It’s the only single month record of more than 10 games played since 1953 that is better than the June 2002 record under Bobby Cox.
For the record, here they are…
So let’s also give Lew a hand, he correctly noted Bobby resided over a top winning Month. Quite a few actually.
By Carroll Rogers
June 19, 2008 2:27 PM | Link to this
prattvillenolzfan, are you calling me CHOPCHICK? and asking me about time? good grief, man, you are not making a friend in me today. and if you would scroll up you’d see i’d already answered your question.
here i’ll post it again for you here:
Corky Miller is behind the plate today to give Brian McCann a rest the day game after a night game. Miller has been catching Jorge Campillo and Campillo pitches tomorrow night at home against Seattle. Cox said he probably won’t catch Miller in back-to-back games though, so expect McCann to be back in there tomorrow night.
Go Noles?
By pfunkatl2
June 19, 2008 2:28 PM | Link to this
like the line-up…except I would hit B jones 6th and Norton 8th. I was at that MISERABLE friday game when KJ dropped the pop-up, and BAD AS IT WAS, last nite Gonzo and company made THAT one even BETTER. Gotta HOPE he will make a REAL difference in our team!
By keylargo
June 19, 2008 2:30 PM | Link to this
Next time the Braves play an AL team on the road they should let Corky catch JoJo but DH for Corky and let JoJo hit.
By Jack Burton
June 19, 2008 2:32 PM | Link to this
Which of the following best describes Mark Bradley:
a) weasel b) pencil neck c) penis d) dweeb
By BravesFanInRockies
June 19, 2008 2:35 PM | Link to this
A tip of the cap to Bobby. Just about the time you think the Skipper is so inflexible that he’ll never make a change, here he goes —
Blanco leading off, Corky catching in a DGANG with someone other than Campillo on the mound.
And he puts Blanco at the top of the order after a win, not a loss. Don’t try to outguess the HOFer.
By Carroll Rogers
June 19, 2008 2:40 PM | Link to this
that was some high cheese by the clean shaven morton to get out of the second inning jam. (had to chuckle at that mustache comment). the boy is a little baby-faced.
thx, gustopher. holden beach was the bomb funk. charlie morton and jeff ridgway were just telling me this morning they both live in charleston. gotta say isle of palms ain’t so bad either. ridgway said he works construction there in the offseason. that’s old school. sounds like chuck james.
By keylargo
June 19, 2008 2:42 PM | Link to this
Carroll
I would like to hear something about Glenn Hubbard. He must be the quietest man on the team. I know he spent a tremendous ammount of time working with KJ but very little else is ever heard about him.
By Rufio
June 19, 2008 2:43 PM | Link to this
I would prefer to have Corky be DHed for and let the pitcher hit. Maybe a slap in the face, but good gosh he is an embarassment at the plate
By Shamus Thacker
June 19, 2008 2:45 PM | Link to this
Great job Carroll!!
Was Mark Bradley adopted by the Cox [owners of the AJC] family? Is Furman Bisher his granddad? Is he extorting the Coxes? How the Hell does the guy keep a job here!? Are writers that damn scarce!? He’s been so pathetic for so long that I’m ABSOLUTELY AMAZED he’s still around. We should start up a fund on this blog, to buy out his contract and send him packing! Whadda F*-up!
By keylargo
June 19, 2008 2:45 PM | Link to this
Did Blanco touch 2nd base? I think he missed it but it’s too late now.
By Epinephrine
June 19, 2008 2:47 PM | Link to this
So far so good for Charlie. I get the feeling if he were less nervous he’d have even better control. Let’s hold this lead. Go Braves.
By StingerSplash
June 19, 2008 2:47 PM | Link to this
Jack Burton,
You left out one — boorish know it all.
But we have to remember Frenchy is only 24 and his first couple of seasons, especially the first year and a half, were outstanding. Slides and slumps and ruts happen and he’s in one now. He’s way too talented to stay in it until he’s 34. I just hope he’s out of before long.
Chipper’s got some work to do to get back to .400 and the pop up with men on the corners hurt.
By Overlord-D-Day
June 19, 2008 2:48 PM | Link to this
Chipper…….you need to get to atlanta real fast….. the road is tearing you apart.
By Pierson_brave
June 19, 2008 2:48 PM | Link to this
CR.. It still boggles the mind that some people will not read before posting. (or can’t read, the NOLES are still learning that skill.Chop Chick? come on dude.) Go Braves and here is hoping that Chip has a 3-4 day at the plate.
By Shamus Thacker
June 19, 2008 2:50 PM | Link to this
We should trade Hex, Stenchy, and Mark Bradley, for two players and a writer to be named later…
By Carroll Rogers
June 19, 2008 2:51 PM | Link to this
BravesFanin Rockies, i wonder if sometimes Bobby makes changes after wins, just so it’s not like a huge slam on the guy he’s dropping lower in the lineup.
Guess we just saw why Salty’s numbers throwing out runners are so bad. blanco just swiped second on a pitch out drawing a high throw from Salty anyway to take third base on the error.
Then Chipper - Chipper! - swung at the first pitch after Feldman had back-to-back walks to pop up on the infield and drop his average to .397. the horrors.
yes, i’ve been asked to blog a bit more today during the day game. but uh oh, i’m tired of my voice already. somebody put me out of my misery and post!
By blake
June 19, 2008 2:53 PM | Link to this
I’m sad about chipper dropping below .400, I hope he can get a couple hits today and get it back up for the homestand. I know it’s unrealistic but I like that he’s getting the national attention that he deserved long ago.
By prattvillenolzfan
June 19, 2008 2:56 PM | Link to this
As for the it’s about time comment, I was talking about Blanco leading off, the other 1/2 of that statement somehow got erased….
Now as for the other 2 questions in the post…….I have NO EXCUSE….
Sorry for confusing you & CC
By Carroll Rogers
June 19, 2008 2:59 PM | Link to this
was just told Hampton threw 2 innings in Orlando on Tuesday and will throw another two innings Saturday in Orlando. still no minor league rehab sorted out yet, but if he keeps this up, can’t imagine it will be long.
Keylargo, glenn hubbard is a thoughtful guy who’ll give you great quotes when you need him. he’s honest and takes things seriously. I probably haven’t tapped him him enough but he’s also somebody who doesn’t mind being out of the spotlight. he actually preferred being a minor league coach in Macon. Braves had to talk him into coming up to the major league staff.
there went Tex’s first hit of the series. double to left.
By Thrillhouse44
June 19, 2008 3:00 PM | Link to this
Wow, Carroll just dropped the “bomb funk” on us!
By Section 412
June 19, 2008 3:01 PM | Link to this
Not to further debate the Tex trade (we’ve done plenty of that for now), but for those who insisted that we had “just traded the next Johnny Bench” to get Tex —
Not so much.
By Graham
June 19, 2008 3:02 PM | Link to this
Hey now! I am a ‘Noles fan and, believe me, they know how to read! They do have libraries in jail so that the prisoners may educate themselves.
By Tex
June 19, 2008 3:02 PM | Link to this
somebody put me out of my misery
Misery? What is misery? You silly humans with your emotions.
By Overlord-D-Day
June 19, 2008 3:03 PM | Link to this
Wow, Charlie looks very impressive….AGAIN. Rangers lead the majors in runs scored.
By faninva
June 19, 2008 3:04 PM | Link to this
frenchy strands another one.
By Bobby's Cox
June 19, 2008 3:05 PM | Link to this
Scoots(from last blog):
great reasoning on Blanco hitting leadoff today.
I think blanco’s gonna struggle in that spot (wrote before blanco walked & stole second, nice to see!). However, it gives KJ a chance to hit lower in the lineup where he hits best. I think BC is seeing the light.
And that draws light on the Winn trade talks. If Winn can hit leadoff & play center, it puts players back in their natural roles, i.e. Escobar at 2, KJ at 6 or 7, and maybe would even allow Frenchy to hit 7 or 8 to get things straightened out without the pressures to perform.
I wasn’t too big of the Winn talks as I rather see rookies, especially Anderson or Blanco, get a shot at center & leadoff first, but it makes a lot of sense for the rest of the lineup.
By Shamus Thacker
June 19, 2008 3:06 PM | Link to this
Glen was also the greatest second baseman we ever had here.
By kris
June 19, 2008 3:06 PM | Link to this
Francoer-nice pop up and swing at a sorry pitch. Another great at bat Frenchy-your doing a helluva job!
By Overlord-D-Day
June 19, 2008 3:06 PM | Link to this
If JF is injured, and it is the reason for his underachieving season…..how come B.C. Doesnt platoon him so he rests a little bit?
By StingerSplash
June 19, 2008 3:07 PM | Link to this
Poor AB for Frenchy with a runner on third and less than two out. Gotta get that fly ball to the OF, not the first baseman.
By Fergus
June 19, 2008 3:07 PM | Link to this
Was Mark Bradley adopted by the Cox [owners of the AJC] family? Is Furman Bisher his granddad? Is he extorting the Coxes? How the Hell does the guy keep a job here!? Are writers that damn scarce!? He’s been so pathetic for so long that I’m ABSOLUTELY AMAZED he’s still around. We should start up a fund on this blog, to buy out his contract and send him packing! Whadda F-up!*
Why? Because he doesn’t agree with your ignorant, hate filed opinions about Francoeur?
Shamus, I’m guessing there was no pot of gold at the end of your rainbow because you are one angry leprechaun.
By fastasballs
June 19, 2008 3:07 PM | Link to this
Well I guess one good AB by Francis was all we could expect today. Norton sacrificed his at bat to get KJ over to 3rd only to get stranded because Francis couldn’t hit a fly ball.
By Carroll Rogers
June 19, 2008 3:08 PM | Link to this
by the way, you guys should not be bashing mark bradley, you should be thanking him. he just paid you a compliment by writing about a topic you guys have been all over for days and weeks. he’s been reading what you have to say. what’s better than being heard? and he’s a friend of mind. relax with the insults, eh?
bowman just told me frenchy was 4-for-25 with runners on third base and less than two outs. make that 4-for-26.
By JC FROM UT
June 19, 2008 3:08 PM | Link to this
Nice lineup. I really like KJ in the 5 hole.
By DJ
June 19, 2008 3:09 PM | Link to this
While Frenchy again fails to get the runner in from 3rd w/ less than 2 outs….
Hopefully, a win today and finish the road trip at .500. And Gonzo will definitely be a spark, but I’m feeling like it won’t be enough. For all the talk of guys being slow starters, and the season being a “long season,” the numbers are looking daunting.
If we assume it will take 88 wins to secure a wild card berth (took 90 last year, 88 in ‘06, and 89 in ‘05), the Braves need much more than a spark.
They need to go 52-37 (.584) the rest of the way to get to 88 wins. That’s higher than Philly’s current division leading win %…. And even with playing .584 ball, the Cards would just need to finish the season at a clip higher than .517 the balance of the season to finish ahead.
So, long season (89 to go), but need to make a sustained move fast or find a torrid pace later, and hope the Cards and Marlins fade (and no one else jumps up…Mets?). Or plan on crushing Philly head-to-head so that they can’t meet the .522 they need to play to get to 88 wins. Yes, we can recite examples of past teams winning at a high % to close out a year, but not sure this is the team to do it.
Winning day in and day out for a long stretch, (importantly, with virtually no slumps) has not been the hallmark of the mentally weak baby Braves. Can we really hope for them to go 15 games over .500 for the rest of their schedule?
Probably need a big bat a la Crime Dog rather than pitching to shake things up. And I don’t see that happening. The big new bat(s) are going to have to come from Tex and Frenchy - get ‘em going. And sustained clutch hitting from at least one or two guys on most nights.
I’ll still watch every game and hope…but not promising.
By Epinephrine
June 19, 2008 3:10 PM | Link to this
Man Josh Hamilton is tough. But Morton responding so far. Let’s see if he can get himself out of this one.
By Tom
June 19, 2008 3:10 PM | Link to this
Back to Frenchy….I think we should look at it from the perspective of what to expect from a #5/6 hitter. This is an RBI slot expected to drive in runs. The lead off guy is expected to get on base and score runs. I am not sure it has anything to do with Frenchy himself as much as what is expected from the slot in the order. Brian hits 5th too and does drive in runs on a regular basis. That’s all. He is going through a tough stretch only made tougher leaving some many runs on the basepaths…..
By BravesFanInRockies
June 19, 2008 3:11 PM | Link to this
And KJ drives in the run. And steals second.
I realize that this team lacks a pure basestealing threat, but I would love to see them take better advantage of catchers like Salty who never throw anybody out. Don’t run against the Yadier Molinas or Pudge Rodriguezes but run at every opportunity when a Johnny Estrada-type is behind the plate.
Unless Yunel is on base, of course, because he can be scary bad.
By R Brave
June 19, 2008 3:12 PM | Link to this
I hear the grumlings about keeping Corky and releasing Pena and have Sammons and some other catchers that have been available. My question is, What the heck is the real reason for keeping Corky from the beginning. He is not that good a defensive catcher either. ???
By Jeff321
June 19, 2008 3:12 PM | Link to this
Assuming Hampton does finally return to the Braves.. I say use him as a long reliever. Because the others are doing so well now, I think it would be a really bad move to “unseat” anyone at this point.
By Tex
June 19, 2008 3:14 PM | Link to this
there went Tex’s first hit of the series. double to left.
I’ve hit many doubles. Will hit many more. No need to celebrate any double I hit. If doubles help the team win, great. If not, oh well. Doubles do help me make money though.
By BravesFanInRockies
June 19, 2008 3:15 PM | Link to this
Charlie does it again. The kid is impressive.
By Carroll Rogers
June 19, 2008 3:15 PM | Link to this
thanks for being standup pratt….graham i just gotta rib the ole noles a little. i mean all their classrooms are in the football stadium down there, aren’t they? is that so the players can find them? ok. i better stop. or somebody is going to say something about duke football.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves In 2008)
June 19, 2008 3:16 PM | Link to this
10Paul, 6-21 is worse than 3-16 and anybody should know that except for you. I’ll take 16 losses over 21 in a month anytime. It’s three fewer wins versus five more losses.
But , thats my point, kool aid drinkers like yourself will do and say anything to defend Bobby Cox. It’s the same kind of mindset that radical Islam uses to defend Terrorism. It’s an excuse for lack real reasoning !
The fact is, if Cox had lost the 1995 World Series, you would still be defending him. the fact is you don’t enough common sense and God given brains to figure it out already.
Cox is 1-5 in the World Series. The man has lost more games in the post season than any other manager in MAJOR LEAGUE HISTORY !
HE LOST back to back WS in 1991-1992.
Cos has won fewer and lost more WS than any other MANAGER IN MAJOR LEAGUE HISTORY.
Quit frankly, 10Paul, you Sir, make want to puke. You disgust me with your defense of mediocrity, you embrace losing with absolute enthusiasm. You accept mediocrity with nothing more than a whimper.
Here is a news flash 10Paul: BOBBY COX is nothing more than a ONE TRICK PONY who got lucky once. The man will NEVER win other WORLD SERIES , N-E-V-E-R !
By kris
June 19, 2008 3:18 PM | Link to this
Is Corky Miller the best we can do do for a backup catcher? geez
By Tomahawk Kris
June 19, 2008 3:19 PM | Link to this
Carroll,
Please no Hampton updates - the guy will never pitch in the Majors again. When you give us his updates people get a false sense of optimism and think he might actually earn his paycheck. It will never happen.
By Rashad
June 19, 2008 3:20 PM | Link to this
Hey Carroll, What do you make of the Randy Winn rumors? My gut tells me the Braves may be actually trying to acquire Matt Cain in exchange for Jeff Franceour or Brandon Jones. The Braves would probably have to take on Wynn’s contract in order to get Cain.
By Efrim
June 19, 2008 3:23 PM | Link to this
I know we are winning, but it is Scott Feldman people.
By faninva
June 19, 2008 3:23 PM | Link to this
Jeff321 -
could not agree more.
By BravesFanInRockies
June 19, 2008 3:26 PM | Link to this
Is Coach channeling Robert? Or vice versa?
By Champs Again
June 19, 2008 3:26 PM | Link to this
Miller does not belong. Hes not that good a catcher and cant hit a lick. McCann does not need a vet presence. Hes a vet himself.
Love the rotation now. Jurrjens-Campilla-Reyes kinda reminds me of three other rookies. Smoltz-Maddux-Glavine. Think its possible. Dont ever say never!
Frenchy needs to get with McCanns dad and take hitting lessons. Somethings up with him. Hes much better then this and so is Tex. Makes you wonder if they are hiding injury because of all the DL players we already have.
By Caleb
June 19, 2008 3:28 PM | Link to this
Hey Carroll, do you know if Saltalamacchia ever caught Morton when they were both in the Braves minor league system? Morton’s making him look pretty bad today with two strikeouts so far.
By geauxbraves2000
June 19, 2008 3:28 PM | Link to this
was just told Hampton threw 2 innings in Orlando on Tuesday and will throw another two innings Saturday in Orlando. still no minor league rehab sorted out yet, but if he keeps this up, can’t imagine it will be long Carroll - you left out the remainder of the sentence, it should read “but if he keeps this up, can’t imagine it will be long before he ends up back on the DL”
Nice game by the rook so far, from what I can tell on Gameday.
Geaux Braves!!
By Renegator
June 19, 2008 3:28 PM | Link to this
Carroll:
Great blog. Did Kotsay take any swings today or do any more running?
By brett
June 19, 2008 3:30 PM | Link to this
Morton looks great..he is going to have an excellent future with the Braves
By JC FROM UT
June 19, 2008 3:30 PM | Link to this
I have been away for a few days moving from PA to IL. Can someone fill me in on the Randy Winn rumors. Who would be going B.Jones?
By Ace
June 19, 2008 3:32 PM | Link to this
They play football at Duke?
I like the lineup - with a real lineup (re: no DH) you take out Norton and insert McCann at 5 of 6 (and KJ at other), and that’s looking like a nice way to roll.
By Graham
June 19, 2008 3:33 PM | Link to this
Carroll
By all means, make all the comments you want. I love the Noles, always have, always will and will support them as much as I can. But there is just something about 36 players not getting to play in a bowl game because they cheated, in an online course no less, and still didn’t make it! I can take the ribbing! Fire away if necessary! Frankly, I need to laugh, Charlie is starting to scare me!
By Can Corky Miller (ASAP)
June 19, 2008 3:33 PM | Link to this
Chipper Jones’ batting average has fallen below .400 and Corky Miller’s average is close to falling below .100.
By jbutler
June 19, 2008 3:34 PM | Link to this
CR Had to laugh out loud at the football classroom comment…as a CU Buffalo alumn your assessment is pretty much spot on. Hilarious.
So these guys moonlighting in the offseason - the Braves are okay with them using their pitching arms for handyman work?? They must be a little handier than the men in my house!! :)
By kris
June 19, 2008 3:34 PM | Link to this
That left runner by Francoer may come back to bite us. If the braves are going to make a run, he needs to step up.
By Jeff
June 19, 2008 3:35 PM | Link to this
Whats up w/ the back to back walks..bases loaded for young..not looking good. Somebody please tell me why we have this FAT PIECE OF S**T Corky Miller still on the team?
By choozer
June 19, 2008 3:36 PM | Link to this
At least the Rangers know how to knock a guy in from 3rd with an out.
By Coach (.500 baseball is good, Cox said so!)
June 19, 2008 3:37 PM | Link to this
The fact is, Cox is a loser in the post season and he has become the same during the regular season during the 06-07 and 08 seasons.
Any fan that would accept this is either ignorant to the point of blissful stupidity or so full of themselves they have blinded themselves to the truth of reality.
Cox is the most O-V-E-R-R-A-T-E-D manager in MAJOR LEAGUE HISTORY !
Get used to reading it, I’ll be here educating the ignorant masses right up until the day Bobby Cox retires !
While I absolutely detest losing, I cannot tolerate mediocrity in any form and I’m going to pound the point home everyday, get used to it reading it from now until HELL FREEZES OVER or Bobby Cox retires !
By Shaun
June 19, 2008 3:38 PM | Link to this
Coach,
Before 2006, Tony LaRussa had only won one Series.
Leo Durocher has only one Series win in multiple appearances.
Earl Weaver only won one Series in multiple appearances.
Ned Hanlon never won a Series in four tries.
Cap Anson never won one in five tries.
Charlie Grimm never won one in four tries.
Jim Leyland has one win in a couple of tries.
Frank Selee never won one in six trips…yes, six!
Whitey Herzog only won one in three trips.
Joe Cronin was 0-for-2.
Mike Hargrove is 0-for-2.
Hughie Jennings never won in four trips.
6-21 is worse than 3-16 and anybody should know that except for you. I’ll take 16 losses over 21 in a month anytime. It’s three fewer wins versus five more losses.
The winning percentage is worse in a 3-16 stretch than in a 6-21 stretch; it’s a difference of 8 games played.
And how about looking at all the other games that Cox managed besides post-season games? Why do a handful of post-season games greatly overshadow over 4,000 regular season games and his reputation with baseball insiders? I just don’t get it. I can understand putting more weight on post-season games but should post-season games count about 40 times more than regular season games?
By geauxbraves2000
June 19, 2008 3:39 PM | Link to this
This appears unlikely for Chipper, 0-3 on 4 pitches? Francouer I could see, but CJ?
Geaux Braves!!
By Tomahawk Kris
June 19, 2008 3:41 PM | Link to this
It’s amazing to me how the Braves make total bum’s like Scott Feldman look like Cy Young candidates. This guy should have been tagged for at least 4-5 runs by now and out of the game.
By Carroll Rogers
June 19, 2008 3:41 PM | Link to this
caleb, there’s a chance of that at least. both morton and salty played in 04 in rome and 07 in mississippi. i’ll have to ask him. i know jo-jo threw to salty a lot and they are good friends.
Rashad, it makes some sense to me. Braves have needs in the outfield, Giants need some young pieces to build around.
By John
June 19, 2008 3:42 PM | Link to this
Champs again. Maddux, Glavine, and Smoltz weren’t all rookies together. They got Maddux from the Cubs after all three pitchers had already established themselves as great young pitchers.
By keylargo
June 19, 2008 3:42 PM | Link to this
The Braves have these guys who swing at pitches in the other batters box early in the count and then look like a goofy *king idiot taking strike three an inch or two off the plate. Whine and complain like crazy to the umpire and YOU JUST TOOK STRIKE THREE!!!!!
By BravesFanInRockies
June 19, 2008 3:44 PM | Link to this
Yep, Coach is channeling Robert.
By Reid in EAV
June 19, 2008 3:45 PM | Link to this
Carroll, thanks for hanging in with the peanut gallery here.
Apropos of nothing, save that the TV commentators were brainstorming, but my name for the new Chick-Fil-A cow at the Ted is…
(wait for it)
“Dale Moooooooophy”
Thanks folks. I’ll be here all week.
By Champs Again
June 19, 2008 3:46 PM | Link to this
Can we trade Miller. He is such a waist of position space.
Oh good and Acosta and Ridgeway are throwing. There goes the game.
By JimD
June 19, 2008 3:48 PM | Link to this
Coach: 10Paul, 6-21 is worse than 3-16 and anybody should know that except for you. I’ll take 16 losses over 21 in a month anytime. It’s three fewer wins versus five more losses.
Coach, did you forget how to use your abacus? 6-21 translates to a .222 winning percentage and 3-16 translates to a .158 winning percentage.
Everywhere else, except in your bizarro world 158 is lower than 222.
By Shaun
June 19, 2008 3:48 PM | Link to this
Quit frankly, 10Paul, you Sir, make want to puke. You disgust me with your defense of mediocrity, you embrace losing with absolute enthusiasm. You accept mediocrity with nothing more than a whimper.
Yes, he’s defending mediocrity. The manager with the fourth-most wins, 15th-highest winning percentage and possibly the best reputation in history among his peers and players is mediocre.
Here is a news flash 10Paul: BOBBY COX is nothing more than a ONE TRICK PONY who got lucky once. The man will NEVER win other WORLD SERIES , N-E-V-E-R !
Maybe he will, maybe he won’t. But why do you conclude it’s because he’s a mediocre manager? Not sure how you are getting from Point A to Point B.
But we all have the brains of religious fanatics. You are the one who sees things clearly, not those of us who see Cox’s overall record (not just his record in a handful of games) and read endless accounts of how great he is according to players, peers, front office folks and the media.
By ncscoots
June 19, 2008 3:48 PM | Link to this
Fellas (and you, too, Carroll), wouldn’t you like to see Blanco actually get a hit in the leadoff spot before anointing him, LOL?
I mean, HAVE mercy! :-)
By Bobby's Cox
June 19, 2008 3:49 PM | Link to this
[Mark Bradley’s] been reading what you have to say. what’s better than being heard?
Amen Carroll. I think maybe that’s why half of us spew off lineup proposals, trade ideas, strategy, etc….because we want our voices heard.
A majority of people here have often had it out for Mr. Bradely, for whatever reason. I applaud the guy for making Frenchy a topic of discussion today. I’ll go pay a visit to his blog sometime today.
Thanks Carroll.
By Renegator
June 19, 2008 3:49 PM | Link to this
This game is not looking good for the Braves right now. Morton is losing his control and the Braves can’t hit this scrub pitcher for the Rangers.
By Shaun
June 19, 2008 3:52 PM | Link to this
Coach, first of all, Bobby Cox did not say .500 ball is good. He said a .500 road trip is pretty good, according to your quote. And it is, based on what a vast majority of teams do on the road.
And why is it Bobby Cox is fault that the Braves have been “mediocre” in recent seasons? That would be like blaming Chipper. In fact it’s probably worse because Cox probably doesn’t make the difference that a player does.
By Champs Again
June 19, 2008 3:52 PM | Link to this
John, I know this. But you can also see that they resemble the big three. The way they pitch, their temperment. The whole thing.
Oh and I called this. Two pitchers who should not be in our pen. Ridgeway and Acosta. Just blown again. Sick, just sick. Morton will lose now unless everyone starts to hit. Not likely.
By Chop Chop
June 19, 2008 3:53 PM | Link to this
That’s right, Bobby. Stockman needs to be sent down to Richmond so he can pitch.
Ridgway, the fourth lefty in the pen, needs to be kept on the big club to…?
By Saltywoody
June 19, 2008 3:53 PM | Link to this
Carroll- Mark Bradley rules. He looks like Liam Niesson in his picture on the AJC’s Braves site.
And I have a bone to pick with this phrase:
sounds like chuck james
If you could never, ever use that phrase in relation to a pitcher on the major league roster again, that’d be awesome.
I’m just scared the repercussions will be forgetting all but two pitches and deciding to pitch no more than 4 innings a start, with at least 4-5 home runs mixed in.
Otherwise, darn fine work, as always.
By Reid in EAV
June 19, 2008 3:53 PM | Link to this
Morton was fantastic — had we scored some more runs, I’m sure Bobby would have left him in to try to wriggle off the hook. Alas. Ridgway and a 3-run HR. 4-2 Texas.
By Graham
June 19, 2008 3:53 PM | Link to this
How many HR’s has Ridgway given up since he’s been here, including the one today?
By faninva
June 19, 2008 3:54 PM | Link to this
unbelievable.
By Bobby's Cox
June 19, 2008 3:54 PM | Link to this
Not to be a stickler on Morton, but if he doesn’t stop walking people, he’ll be the one sent down when Hammy is ready.
He’ll have until after the All-Star break to cut down on the walks.
Hampton will be back folks. Believe it or not.
By Efrim
June 19, 2008 3:54 PM | Link to this
Now that is clutch from Boggs. Braves could learn something there. Lotta work to do fellas. Lot of work. Very frustrating last game of the roadie. You have to hit Scott Feldman for more than 2 runs in 6 innings.
By Carroll Rogers
June 19, 2008 3:55 PM | Link to this
OK, let the discussions commence about stockman. There went an 0-2 pitch from Ridgway into the left field stands. and it cost Morton two runs on a Brandon Boggs three-run job.
line on Charlie 5 innings, five hits, three runs, all earned, four walks, three strikeouts. He threw 91 pitches, 53 for strikes.
By Jeff321
June 19, 2008 3:55 PM | Link to this
I do agree with yanking Morton.. But, ya have to admit, Bobby Cox’s bad decision making is rearing its ugly head again. I mean, he chose Ridgeway and guess who just gave up a jack?
By Geoff
June 19, 2008 3:56 PM | Link to this
To think that Boggs was looking to bunt too. Nice pitch on 0 - 2.
By Bobby Cox
June 19, 2008 3:56 PM | Link to this
I still trust Ridgway and never will trust Stockman! Bwhahahahahaha! I’ll continue using Ridgway in close games while Stockman, when he’s not in AAA, will only come in when the game is officially a lost-cause! I’ll do this for all eternity.
Bwhahahahahaha!
By Jeremy
June 19, 2008 3:57 PM | Link to this
So thats why we kept Ridgeway up instead of Stockman…
By Jersey Gil
June 19, 2008 3:57 PM | Link to this
Carroll Did you think the Braves is making some move to make their Bench better?. We have to release Norton and Gotay, as soon Prado coming from the DL and bring Canizares or Borchard or even Thorman.One of those player will do better job from the bench than Norton or Gotay.
By ncscoots
June 19, 2008 3:57 PM | Link to this
Well, if Ridgway is being “showcased”, his value’s dropping faster than the Las Vegas housing market.
By TURTSNAP
June 19, 2008 3:57 PM | Link to this
Dang, Morton isn’t the 2nd coming of Cy Young after all… I guess all of you negative bloggers will be calling for him to be sent back down.
Oh wait, Acosta is in now, so you’ll give the kid a break and climb all over Acosta!
By Renegator
June 19, 2008 3:57 PM | Link to this
So much for the .500 record on this road trip and on the season.
In the immortal words of Booby Cox: “We’ll get ‘em tomorrow”
By Coach (.500 baseball is good, Cox said so!)
June 19, 2008 3:58 PM | Link to this
Shaun, Like I said before. Idiots like you will do and say anything to defend Bobby Cox. You seemingly ignore the truth and accept losing. I can play the same stupid numbers game you just did.
Casey Stengel 7 for 10 in the WS.
Joe McCarthy 7 for 9 in the WS.
Connie Mack 5 for 8 in the WS.
Walter Aston 4 for 7 in the WS.
Joe Torre 4 for 6 in the WS.
Sparky Anderson 3 for 5 in the WS.
Tommy Lasorda 2 for 4 in the WS.
Dick Williams 2 for 2 in the WS.
Frank Chance 2 for 2 in the WS.
Bucky Harris 2 for 3 in the WS.
Billy Southworth 2 for 2 in the WS.
NEWSFLASH , Shaun , I’m hooked up to the same internet you are and I know my history a whole hell of a lot better than you do !
Tom Kelly 2 for 2 in the WS.
Bill Carrigan 2 for 2 in the WS.
But Shaun, unlike you, I don’t make excuses for M-E-D-I-O-C-R-I-T-Y !
Ralph Houk 2 for 3 in the WS.
Miller Huggins 3 for 6 in the WS.
And on and on and on we go !
By Graham
June 19, 2008 3:58 PM | Link to this
What is the purpose of bringing in Acosta with two outs, bottom of the sixth? What is the possible reasoning behind it? I don’t understand burning the pitchers like that with 3 innings to go.
By leroy
June 19, 2008 3:59 PM | Link to this
Jeff Ridgeway with the go ahead run on base and the game in the balance?????????? You’ve got to be kidding me…
… then right on cue there is the obligatory hanger that is banged for a three run jack which completely nullifies Morton’s good work and stands to give him a loss for his efforts.
Why? Oh, why????????
By Section 412
June 19, 2008 3:59 PM | Link to this
Don’t get that one at all. Bobby, who HATES to bring in young, unproven relievers (Stockman), goes to his #4 lefty in a game-changing situation.
Ring? Ohman? Don’t tell me they were being saved for later, because the game was in the balance right there with a one-run lead, 2 on and no outs. Not all crucial situations are in the 8th and 9th innings.
By bgvt
June 19, 2008 3:59 PM | Link to this
Jeff Ridgway? There is a head scratcher of a move. It can’t be the lefty-righty strategy - we also have Ohman and Ring who are lefties. Bobby wouldn’t put Stockman into a close game but he lets Ridgway pitch in a crucial situation?
Bowman had some stats on Ridgway against LH & RH batters at Richmond. They weren’t pretty. Here’s the quote: “As for Ridgway, he doesn’t have a statistical strength. While at Richmond, right-handed hitters batted .333 against him and left-handers hit .293.”
Ouch!
By SoWeGa Fanatic
June 19, 2008 3:59 PM | Link to this
Coach is an idiot.
By Edward
June 19, 2008 4:01 PM | Link to this
And THERE goes the game…AGAIN, WHY DO WE HAVE RIDGEWAY UP???…Thats Beyond my mind…now he cost us a Ballgame….PLEASE DO NOT USE HIM!!!..Treat him like you treated Stockman…SEND THE GUY DOWN..i dont know what in the name of all holy he DID to be in the Major Leagues…JEEEZZ…
By Coach (.500 baseball is good, Cox said so!)
June 19, 2008 4:01 PM | Link to this
By the way, the Braves are about to finish this road trip 4-6. But, according to Bobby Cox, they are playing GOOD baseball.
Keep defending mediocrity ! It makes you look smart, Shaun !
By prattvillenolzfan
June 19, 2008 4:02 PM | Link to this
I’m like Graham…..
I can poke fun at myself and my team when something dumb/stupid happens…
What’s interesting is being a rabid Nole fan smack dab in the middle of Bama country…..
Seriously though,
Will someone please explain to me why we kept Ridgeway over Stockman…
By Overlord-D-Day
June 19, 2008 4:02 PM | Link to this
Fresh bullpen and he bring Ridgway.
Where the hell is Ohman?
Oh yeah, almost forgot, Ohman is used in blowouts.
Suppose this one is not on Cox, but on Ridgway, because he is so bad.
Man, game on the line, you bring your worst reliever……..
The same guy that is never used on blowouts.
The same guy he thought was a better option to stay on the roster than Stockman.
And then he will say: “Ridgway almost K´d him, he had him 0-2, threw him a great pitch, bad luck it went into the sits. He is a great kid, I dont blame him, great stuff”.
Dont get me wrong, I know Cox is the best ever, is the players that are not doing their job…..yeah right.
I think I get the point. i.e. Position players job is not to let Ridgway to the pitching mount. Same goes for pitchers in the bullpen, if you think its is a bad move, dont let the pitcher put of the bullpen, close the door, put a lock and swallow the key…..if not, you are not doing your job.
By beau vighn
June 19, 2008 4:02 PM | Link to this
I can understand giving Mac a day off behind the plate but why not DH him instead of Norton. We lose the value of the DH with Corky hitting.
No way Bobby sits Mac 2 in a row. If he does, he really has lost his mind.
By Randy
June 19, 2008 4:03 PM | Link to this
Bobby Cox is the dumbest manager I have ever seen. Why in God’s name would he keep Jeff Ridgeway in the Bullpen? It makes no sense, and for the love of anything that makes sense why is McCann not playing today against a right hander when on Friday we are to face a lefty and Campillo pitching? Miller should go back to driving trucks since that’s what it looks like he’s only good for!
By kris
June 19, 2008 4:03 PM | Link to this
Frenchy omg you are beyond horrible
By Saltywoody
June 19, 2008 4:04 PM | Link to this
Let me get this straight…Wade Bogg’s African American son (who was hitting .250 on the season w/ one homer beforehand) just blew it open, probably handed Morton the loss after he pitched so well, and made Ridgway look like an amateur…all in one fell swoop.
That about right?
Good.
Pistol, please.
By KC
June 19, 2008 4:05 PM | Link to this
IF WE LOSE THIS GAME, BOBBY COX DESERVES 100% OF THE BLAME.
First of all, NOTHING Ridgway has done at AAA this year warranted his being her in the first place (and it was Bobby’s decision to have him here).
Second, why was he brought into a 2-1 game with 2 runners on against a switch hitter who actually hits higher from the right side of the plate?
I love Bobby Cox. I do. But I’m so disgusted right now, I can’t see straight.
And while Ridgway is up here coughing up this series, Phil Stockman, who has nothing but dominate at every level (including his limited big league opportunities), sits at Richmond.
Here are Phil Stockman’s numbers:
2008 with Atlanta: 6 games/7.1 innings, 9 strikeouts, 2 hits, 0 walks, 0 runs allowed… 0.00 ERA.
2008 at AAA Richmond: 23.1 innings, 19 strikeouts, 8 hits, 10 walks, 2 earned runs… 0.77 ERA.
2006/2007 minor league totals: 41.1 innings, 50 strikeouts, 21 hits, 18 walks, 4 earned runs… 0.87 ERA.
Here are Ridgway’s numbers:
2008 at AAA Richmond: 33 innings, 33 strikeouts, 43 hits, 13 walks, 17 earned runs… 4.64 ERA (with a .316 opposing avg.)
This has been a disgraceful display of bad judgment for a manager of Bobby’s caliber.
By buzzdeadwax
June 19, 2008 4:05 PM | Link to this
The key to this season is not the standings at the end of the year. It is the development of our “Young 3” of Jurjjens, Reyes, and Morton. Their development will pay huge dividends for many years to come. A big thing for young pitchers is to learn how to pitch out of tight spots and how to be competitive when your stuff isn’t at its best. I would much rather see BC leave Morton in to try and work out of the 1st and 2nd, no out jam, than have a reliever come in and give up the runs anyway. I know I’m second-guessing, but unless Morton’s arm was about to fall off, why not use this situation as a valuable teaching tool? And anyways, if his arm were about to fall off, I think it would have been pretty obvious between innings, at which point you just pat him on the back, tell him “Nice game”, and get a fresh arm out there.
By kris
June 19, 2008 4:05 PM | Link to this
Any good hitting team would have hammered this pitcher today for the Rangers. Not good
By Herschel Talker
June 19, 2008 4:06 PM | Link to this
Regarding Jeff Ridgway: anyone who doesn’t think Cox is an idiot is himself an idiot.
By SoWeGa Fanatic
June 19, 2008 4:06 PM | Link to this
Cy Feldman. Good grief.
By prattvillenolzfan
June 19, 2008 4:06 PM | Link to this
Does anyone besides me notice the frustration Joe Simpson has with Franceour
By BravesFanInRockies
June 19, 2008 4:07 PM | Link to this
Bobby’s Cox, you may be onto something about Morton. I think he’s being showcased for next season, as it were.
He’s already thrown more innings this year than he did in 2007. So my guess is he stays with the big club until a) Hampton returns b) Glavine returns c) the Braves make a deal for another starter or d) Joey, er Brian Lawrence comes up.
No use to burn out the kid this year. He has some serious promise.
By kris
June 19, 2008 4:07 PM | Link to this
wow the Braves really knocked the cover off the ball that inning
By Stating the Obvious
June 19, 2008 4:07 PM | Link to this
Coach desires attention.
By ernesto
June 19, 2008 4:10 PM | Link to this
you have corky miller in your line up and his exquisite .105 batting average and .190 OBP you don’t really have 27 outs to work with, more like 23 or 24.
They should just let a fan come out of the stands and bat for Corky, you’d get the same result but it would be more entertaining.
By Randy
June 19, 2008 4:10 PM | Link to this
And why in the world cant this dumb offense do anything against a guy with a high ERA? Frenchy is so typical now since he forgot that Right Field is actual to the RIGHT! Guy needs another day off…He just stinks right now!
By TennesseePaul
June 19, 2008 4:10 PM | Link to this
How much does Ridgway suck?
By just a fan
June 19, 2008 4:11 PM | Link to this
Coach
vitriol and insults are the mark of a small mind. An average mind, even mediocre if you will. Your very level of discourse, word choice and anger at another person for their opinion shows that you are luckily not that thing you fear most; a mediocre person, it shows that you are rather just a small person.
By Overlord-D-Day
June 19, 2008 4:11 PM | Link to this
You people dont get it. BC is a graduate from MLB university. He has a master in managing and is a future HOF. Ridgway was the nobrainer move, he is our best reliever, with the game on the line thats the clear choice. Besides, if the strategy fails, then youll have JF and Corky (our top offensive players as we speak) hitting next inning, they tie the game up if ridgway gives the lead away.
GO Bobby bo !!!!!! you are the best.
By Efrim
June 19, 2008 4:12 PM | Link to this
Can’t use Ohman every game, but in that situation, he was needed. It’s called high leverage. Whatever. 2 runs is terrible.
12 runs in 3 games at Arlington is even worse.
By Stating the Obvious
June 19, 2008 4:12 PM | Link to this
Keep defending mediocrity ! It makes you look smart, Shaun ! Coach
Coach, no response to the following? Coach, did you forget how to use your abacus? 6-21 translates to a .222 winning percentage and 3-16 translates to a .158 winning percentage. JimD
By Carroll Rogers
June 19, 2008 4:13 PM | Link to this
Ace, Barely.
I’m with you nscoots. that’s kinda how i feel when i write a note about how great somebody is hitting (ahem b jones) and they put up an 0-fer that night.
By Renegator
June 19, 2008 4:13 PM | Link to this
What is the point of carrying Ring on this roster?
When was he last used?
By lexbrave
June 19, 2008 4:14 PM | Link to this
With all of the hoopla surrounding Chipper’s bid for .400, most people are overlooking Corky Miller’s run at .100
By JWILLI120
June 19, 2008 4:14 PM | Link to this
why won’t cox sit frenchy down, sit his a* down, sit him down tired of seeing him strand runner at third with less than one out. how many has runners has he left on base this month alone. this is why we are where we are in the standings now REMOVE FRANCOUR FROMTHE LINEUP!!!!! REMOVE CORKY MILLER FROM THE LINEUP PERMANENTLYYYYYYYYYYYYYY.
By mr baseball
June 19, 2008 4:14 PM | Link to this
Being on the same side of an issue (sort of) with Coach is a thoroughly unpleasant experience. Cox is overrated as a manager, but Coach’s rants against him are so idiotic, it’s hard to follow with a reasonable critique of his managerial efforts.
That said, even those who think Cox is as good as a manager as the baseball experts who rarely watch a Braves’ game have to wonder about his frequently inexplicable decisions. It was a mistake to pitch to Hamilton with 1st and 3rd & 2 outs, but he got away with it.
Unfortunately, you can’t keep making questionable decisions and not have them bite you in the posterior. There was no rational reason to bring Ridgway into the game instead of Ring, but Chance the Manager and his well-honed gut instinct knows best.
Contrary to what Coach (I Know Nothink about Baseball, Nothink — I have this vision of him as Sgt. Schultz) would have you believe, managers are not responsible for how their players perform. They are responsible for their decision making, and Cox makes far too many bad ones to merit his status as one of the game’s all-time best managers.
Cox has several worthy attributes as a manager, but in-game decision making is not among them. Shaun can spout all the numbers he wants and use Coach’s over-the-top assertions to ridicule criticism of Cox, but that doesn’t change the fact that Cox contributes to way too many losses with his strategic decisions, particularly in regards to the bullpen.
Barring a late rally, today will be another example of that.
By varoadrunner
June 19, 2008 4:15 PM | Link to this
OK I have to ask!
Why the Hell would Bobby bring in a lefty when he had a righty coming up to bat?
It only further demonstrates his inability to manage effectively any more. He had Acosta ready, but NO, he brings in the lefty.
I’m telling you, there’s a place for Bobby right beside Willie Randolph.
I am FED UP!
By Overlord-D-Day
June 19, 2008 4:17 PM | Link to this
KC please understand…….Cox will never be charged with the blame. Is it too dificult for you to understand he is a future HOF and he is the smartest manager on earth. He is out of this world.
Bobby Cox
Clap clap, clap clap clap clap
Bobby Cox
Clap clap, clap clap clap clap
By Graham
June 19, 2008 4:18 PM | Link to this
prattvillenolzfan
I do not envy your place of residence at this moment. How do you handle that? There again my father is a Tech fan so that makes things more interesting come fall!
As far as the Braves, we have the top and heart of the order coming up so maybe they can get something going. But, we are burning all of our pitchers to play “strategy”. Things are not making sense at all.
By McFann©
June 19, 2008 4:18 PM | Link to this
but for those who insisted that we had “just traded the next Johnny Bench” to get Tex —Not so much. Section 412
Yeah. There is no “next Johnny Bench”.
So, Bobby said “Probably,” when asked if McCann would play tomorrow. Why not a straight up “Yes”?
By Fergus
June 19, 2008 4:19 PM | Link to this
Does anyone besides me notice the frustration Joe Simpson has with Franceour
Have you noticed Joe Simpson never diagnoses the problem? He just describes the symptoms. Waste of a color analyst
By keylargo
June 19, 2008 4:19 PM | Link to this
Scott Feldman - aka Mr. Potato Head -is the type of pitcher who kills the Braves. Just barely average in every category is the Braves poison the first time they face them.
By ncscoots
June 19, 2008 4:20 PM | Link to this
well, only 8 or 9 out of 10 rookie pitchers have a little control problem when they come up, so Charlie’s misery has company, LOL.
You can tell a rook over and over that “they’re only batters, just like in the minors”, but it usually takes a while for that to actually become true for them. Until then, you’re gonna get some nibbling from a kid pitcher. Just trying to be perfect, that’s all, because the kid doesn’t yet realize that plenty-good will be good enough.
It’s not as if Morton can’t find the strike zone by a foot-and-a-half, and he did have a 3/BB9 in Richmond. He’ll settle.
By Renegator
June 19, 2008 4:20 PM | Link to this
Speak of the devil - there is Ring right there.
Hey Overlord - how is the .540 winning percentage on the road that you were touting on here yesterday working out for you right now?
By faninva
June 19, 2008 4:21 PM | Link to this
beau vighn
agreed - McCann should have had the DH role today.
By Overlord-D-Day
June 19, 2008 4:23 PM | Link to this
Heres your recipe for defeat:
Put Cox in your dogout as your manager.
let KJ play pinball at 2B.
Find a pinch of RF and C that can hit a combined 0-5.
Mix for 7 innings. Put into your oven or Texas heat for 2 innings.
Done!!!!
Serve cold, youll feel more like a brave.
By Jeff321
June 19, 2008 4:25 PM | Link to this
Corky Cox is sabotaging this team!
By JWILLI120
June 19, 2008 4:27 PM | Link to this
SIT FRANCOUR DOWN, GET RID OF CORKY MILLER BRYAN PENA IS BETTER AND WE LET HIM GO. THAT’S WHAT WRONG WITH OUR BRAVES. SIT FRANCOUR, SIT FRANCOUR, SIT FRANCOUR, SIT FRANCOUR, SIT FRANCOUR, DONT WAIT UNTIL HE’S MORPHED(TURNED INTO) ANDRUW JONES LIKE HE IS NOW, BOBBY PLEASE SIT THE KID DOWN AND LET HIM SEE HOW MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL IS PLAYED!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Overlord-D-Day
June 19, 2008 4:27 PM | Link to this
What is this freakin´ R-vs-R, L-vs-L??????
How much do this guys get paid for pitching in the majors?
$100 USD a season?
Can a LHP get a RHP batter out?
This is beyond ridiculous.
PLAYING BY THE BOOK IS ONE THING, LETTING THE BOOK YOU IS JUST SICK.
By Champs Again
June 19, 2008 4:28 PM | Link to this
Just wondering, when was the last time Ridgeway and Acosta actually held a game? I really cant remember. Cant we send Ridgeway back and bring back Stockman. Bobby said he doesnt pitch but he sure could have done better then Ridgeway and Acosta. Gota go take High Blood Pressure medicine now.
By TennesseePaul
June 19, 2008 4:29 PM | Link to this
Ha! I can’t stop laughing. So belligerent in your retort you misspelled every other word and lumped me in with terrorists! Good stuff. I’m copying this one down. It goes into the comedy file along with the nice young lady who crashed her car on her 21st birthday…
Young Lady: I got in a wreck in the parkin’ structure but the other person just drove off. I’m not worried. She don’t even talk English good.
By DHD
June 19, 2008 4:29 PM | Link to this
That stupid Bobby Cox. Blah blah blah
By ncscoots
June 19, 2008 4:31 PM | Link to this
regardless of the outcome, that was a pretty impressive AB, lefty-on-lefty, by Blanco.
By Overlord-D-Day
June 19, 2008 4:31 PM | Link to this
Renegator thanks for the help….this is frustrating enough. Save it for another day please.
By blake
June 19, 2008 4:34 PM | Link to this
Chipper needs to get away from his parents and get back to doing what he usually does after games lol.
By SoWeGa Fanatic
June 19, 2008 4:35 PM | Link to this
Guardado must have an unbelievable 85 mph heater. A hundred straight fastballs and no one can hit it.
By Capt Caveman (the original Dawg)
June 19, 2008 4:35 PM | Link to this
re-post from earlier
Hey Blog
Yeah—the ramblings of the desperate fool have begun to sound even more tired than usual.
I find it interesting that he incorporates a “Go Braves” in his name yet is so clearly rooting against them unless they are following his “advice”.
I haven’t heard him discuss his love of Norton lately either. It is typical of the narcissist ego to try to smoke screen the subject of their own errors by loudly proclaiming his perceived shortcomings of others.
It almost sounds like a dislike of someone b/c of their age, which is probably the same as his own.
He obviously has some jealousy issues as well as he has decided to call himself by a moniker which is more aptly bestowed on the subject of his ridicule.
Again, funny that his months long touting of his prized pickup have dropped as fast as Norton’s avg. It just goes to show that he doesn’t have what it takes to “coach” a team longer than a week w/o losing any and all respect from his players.
Kinda of reminds me of that movie “The American President” where Bob Rumson (Richard Dreyfuss) kept campaigning for the Presidency and ended every talk with “I’m Bob Rumson and I’m running for President”. He just kept telling more and more outlandish lies and crap with every move of his lips. Finally Andrew Shepard (Michael Douglas) fires back and ends his statement with “I’m Andrew Shepard and I “AM” the President!!”
Well to our local village idiot I would just like to add:
“I’m Bobby Cox and I “AM” the Coach of the Braves!!”
Now — how do you like them APPLES !!
By varoadrunner
June 19, 2008 4:37 PM | Link to this
overlord
Get a clue - your post demonstrates your ignorance
By Overlord-D-Day
June 19, 2008 4:37 PM | Link to this
Maybe just wanted Gonzalez to rest his arm today…. that might have been the thinking.
By Scuba-Steve
June 19, 2008 4:37 PM | Link to this
Can anybody remember the last time we had a blow out? It has been awhile!
By JEB
June 19, 2008 4:39 PM | Link to this
Until you have a Better Choice for manager of the Braves - best to just ZIP it!!
It’s getting a bit ridiculous reading these blogs - bashing BC and you have no better options than Bobby.
Sure, go ahead and fire one of the best managers in baseball - and replace him with whom???
You know whoever you can name will open you up to all sorts of blogs that will rip you apart! Anyone else would just be a roll of the dice! (and it would not be long till ripping into that choice would begin).
BRILLIANT!!
By ncscoots
June 19, 2008 4:39 PM | Link to this
geez, people, just need a bloop and a blast here. Not like the Braves are down by 7, fercrissake.
By Overlord-D-Day
June 19, 2008 4:40 PM | Link to this
P O L L:
Who looked better in todays games:
a) Charlie Morton (rookie)
b) Bobby Cox (veteran, future HOFer)
(Please, take your time, this aint an easy one.)
By J. Ridgway's inner dialogue
June 19, 2008 4:41 PM | Link to this
My God I’m awful. I just totally suck.
I am the Corky Miller of relief pitchers!
By Graham
June 19, 2008 4:42 PM | Link to this
and here we go, top of the 9th. any wagers on this one?
By Carroll Rogers
June 19, 2008 4:43 PM | Link to this
ncscoots, we’re grabbing aren’t we? but you’re right. it was a 15-pitch at-bat on that one for Blanco
By TennesseePaul
June 19, 2008 4:43 PM | Link to this
Just wondering, when was the last time Ridgeway and Acosta actually held a game?
Ridgway, never. In fact, he hasn’t appeared in a game his team has won yet in the majors. I’d like to see that streak end today but the likelihood is slim.
As for Acosta, he received a hold on June 14th… just 5 days ago. It was his last appearance prior to today.
By prattvillenolzfan
June 19, 2008 4:44 PM | Link to this
GRAHAM
2 Things keep me going…
1. We beat Alabama last year 2. Our high school team (Prattville High) has only lost 1 game in the last 3 years. Actually finished #2 in USA final poll last year…..During the fall, that’s a common bond…I can tolerate the Bama fans, it’s the AU fans that are hard to deal with………..
By SoWeGa Fanatic
June 19, 2008 4:45 PM | Link to this
OK. Long trip. Go home. Rest. Kick some Mariner butt.
By Dan in NJ
June 19, 2008 4:48 PM | Link to this
NO reason in the world to bat a bum(NORTON) you picked off the streets 6th. While batting a whole 150ish? While a kid named Jones is pretty hot at the moment, but yet bat him 8th??? makes a ton of sense i guess(to BC). HOW the hell are you trying to WIN a game with Corky and Norton in the same line up against a pretty damn good hiting team in texas???? Unreal…just doesn’t seem like a manager trying to put the best possible line up in the game to WIN. I guess every player is gonna love him for this and sing his praises. right?
By Graham
June 19, 2008 4:49 PM | Link to this
The Braves continued implosion is not healthy.
By jbutler
June 19, 2008 4:51 PM | Link to this
Jeb Hey - there are other choices for manager other than Cox..I mean, there’s Willie Randolph who just said he was “shocked” that he got fired…(huh??) or his able replacement who threatened to “cut” his star player. Either look pretty tempting…don’t you think?
By StingerSplash
June 19, 2008 4:51 PM | Link to this
Norton’s not gonna leave this up to Francoeur, is he?
By Reid in EAV
June 19, 2008 4:52 PM | Link to this
2b and 3b, 1 out, Francoeur coming up. The path to redemption starts now!
By blake
June 19, 2008 4:52 PM | Link to this
oh god. frenchy in a clutch. I think I’ll turn it off now.
By faninva
June 19, 2008 4:53 PM | Link to this
ANOTHER chance for frenchy!! PULEASSe get a hit.
By Overlord-D-Day
June 19, 2008 4:53 PM | Link to this
Come on JF, I promise Ill defend you on the blog for the rest of the year!!!!!
By Ace
June 19, 2008 4:53 PM | Link to this
Sure would be gutsy to pinch-hit for Frenchy in this spot… would love to see McCann instead. Bobby wouldn’t do that in 100 years though
By blake
June 19, 2008 4:54 PM | Link to this
Cmon frency, load em up with a walk and let that other hot jones bat take his chances.
By Graham
June 19, 2008 4:54 PM | Link to this
prattvillenolzfan
Excellent! It’s especially nice when you have friends who are Bama fans and they invite you over to watch the game, only to lose! Good times! I will certainly agree with you on the AU fans! Not so fun to be around!
By Willie Randolph
June 19, 2008 4:54 PM | Link to this
Bobby…no! What the heck are you doing playing Corky (Wonder years) Miller and Greg (????) Norton in the same game? I guess you didn’t take our conversation to heart about 21 straight road losses in one run games. Keep doing what you are doing and we should have plenty of time to talk.
By Dan in NJ
June 19, 2008 4:55 PM | Link to this
Ok… someone just found a nut. Lets see if frenchy can find 1 as well…
OH SHHHH he did…LOL got a hold of that one. Didn’t he? but it worked for a run.
By Scott from Fairburn
June 19, 2008 4:55 PM | Link to this
What a rope by Frenchy … geez
By Renegator
June 19, 2008 4:56 PM | Link to this
Did Francoeur just drive in a runner from third?
Who???
By blake
June 19, 2008 4:56 PM | Link to this
Infante…eh. I woulda went with Heap.
By TennesseePaul
June 19, 2008 4:56 PM | Link to this
Oh no he didn’t! Nice hittin’ Francoeur!!! Nice!
GO BRAVES!!
By Ace
June 19, 2008 4:57 PM | Link to this
OK the gamecast says Francouer “singled to pitcher” - what the heck does that mean? I kind of thought he’d swing for the fences instead of try to get both runs home on a single.
No way he bunts. Someone explain.
I hope B Jones gets something done because if we get to Corky, game’s over. Surely Bobby inserts McCann for Corky. Heck I’d rather see MCFANN hit then Corky.
By Tomahawk Kris
June 19, 2008 4:59 PM | Link to this
Woo-hoo tied up - there is still some fight left in these Braves.
By bgvt
June 19, 2008 5:00 PM | Link to this
Good to see some fight in the top of the 9th. Charlie’s off the hook; now let’s get a W. Will extra innings mean a Buddy Carlyle sighting?
By ernesto
June 19, 2008 5:02 PM | Link to this
a 9th inning comeback, that’s not something we see all the time.
Norton!
By TennesseePaul
June 19, 2008 5:03 PM | Link to this
Hecks yeah! Let’s get this one in extra innings… Just need to survive Boyer and we’re in the clear.
By Kentavo
June 19, 2008 5:04 PM | Link to this
Doesn’t Cox get burned every time he uses Boyer for more than 1 inning?
By Kentavo
June 19, 2008 5:04 PM | Link to this
Doesn’t Cox get burned every time he uses Boyer for more than 1 inning?
By Fi
June 19, 2008 5:05 PM | Link to this
Boyer in the bottom of the 9th? He can’t pitch more than one inning to save his life…
By JEB
June 19, 2008 5:05 PM | Link to this
JBUTLER
BRILLIANT!!!
So let the blog choices begin! LOL !!
By bgvt
June 19, 2008 5:05 PM | Link to this
As Rosanne Rosanna Danna would say: Never Mind.
By ernesto
June 19, 2008 5:05 PM | Link to this
just as I was typing, don’t leave boyer out there for another inning…boom, Kinsler doubles.
By BX
June 19, 2008 5:07 PM | Link to this
Hard to be optimistic, when we all know how this story usually ends…
By Jeff321
June 19, 2008 5:07 PM | Link to this
Boyer, eh?
By choozer
June 19, 2008 5:08 PM | Link to this
If Frenchy takes care of the fundamentals earlier in the game with a SF to score a run, we’d be watching Gonzo right now going for another save.
By Kentavo
June 19, 2008 5:08 PM | Link to this
Why does Bobby love Bennett so much? I predict either a walk-off hit or a walk for the first batter to face Bennett.
By Braveheart
June 19, 2008 5:08 PM | Link to this
Damn Boyer screwed that one up …. not the double I mean ….. he missed the opportunity to pitch to Chris Shelton who facially looks just like Boyer
A suggestion for the folks who pick the music at the Ted: When Bobby makes the call to the bullpen, they need to play Daddy Yankee’s Gasolina
http://youtube.com/watch?v=WD81Clgmr90&feature=related
By Epinephrine
June 19, 2008 5:08 PM | Link to this
Can someone please explain to me the rationale behind these last two moves? The game has the potential to go into extras, deep, and we are using up every freaking pitcher under the sun. Leave OHMAN IN TO FACE HAMILTON this is infuriating.
By Reid in EAV
June 19, 2008 5:08 PM | Link to this
Tex: BB, Frenchy: RBI IH. Jeff swung at a bad ball but I’ll take it. Our least favorite pair (lately!) acquitted themselves decently for once.
By cabravesfan
June 19, 2008 5:09 PM | Link to this
wow bobby sure is blowing through the pen today…maybe someone should point out that their next off day isn’t until NEXT THURSDAY
By McFann©
June 19, 2008 5:09 PM | Link to this
Heck I’d rather see MCFANN hit then Corky.
Thanks, Ace. Hey, I was hittin’ some pretty vicious foul balls in the backyard yesterday! (Hit some fair, too!)
So it’s not a complete day off…woulda loved a hit there…
By The Goche
June 19, 2008 5:10 PM | Link to this
Chris Shelton, he of 5 career sac bunts in 8 seasons majors and minors, for the sac bunt. Brilliant!
By geauxbraves2000
June 19, 2008 5:10 PM | Link to this
Are my fellow denizens loving this masterful use of the pen?
If I’m correct, that leaves Carlyle and Gonzo left. Hopefully the Braves can win it in the 11th.
Geaux Braves!!
By Epinephrine
June 19, 2008 5:10 PM | Link to this
please don’t walk him. Or do, just to prove what a terrible move that was.
By ernesto
June 19, 2008 5:10 PM | Link to this
No! No! No! Jeff Bennett! Arrrrrrrrrrgh!
By choozer
June 19, 2008 5:10 PM | Link to this
This lefty-righty bunk drives me insane … Bobby uses up relievers like their hand-wipes
By Herschel Talker
June 19, 2008 5:11 PM | Link to this
Jeff Bennett is in. Game over.
By daniel
June 19, 2008 5:11 PM | Link to this
Ernie and Lemke on the Braves radio broadcast sure aren’t on the same page with Bobby giving Ohman the quick hook.
By Kentavo
June 19, 2008 5:11 PM | Link to this
Nice play there Frenchy - good effort.
By Nate
June 19, 2008 5:11 PM | Link to this
Cox must be trying to give this one away.
By prattvillenolzfan
June 19, 2008 5:12 PM | Link to this
Way to go Franceour
Instead of killing us with your bat, you killed us with your glove……
By Kentavo
June 19, 2008 5:12 PM | Link to this
Nice play there Frenchy - good effort.
By faninva
June 19, 2008 5:12 PM | Link to this
Jeff Bennett - oh, good grief. sick of the rightly / leftly matchup - sometimes you just have to go with the better pitcher regardless. should have kept ohman in the game.
By Kentavo
June 19, 2008 5:12 PM | Link to this
Nice play there Frenchy - good effort.
By ernesto
June 19, 2008 5:12 PM | Link to this
Man, I hate that I can call it before it even happens. That is depressing.
By Epinephrine
June 19, 2008 5:12 PM | Link to this
Unbelievable. That time Cox critics have a legit beef.
By geauxbraves2000
June 19, 2008 5:12 PM | Link to this
Never mind.
By BravesinTN
June 19, 2008 5:13 PM | Link to this
Now, what was the title of the Braves page today? Something about Frenchy? Geeeeeeeeeeezussss!
By kris
June 19, 2008 5:13 PM | Link to this
now Francoer boots it and another 1 run loss. You couldn’t make this stuff up!
By Willie Randolph
June 19, 2008 5:13 PM | Link to this
Bobby…I told you to keep your secret weapon a secret. I mean the whole 21 (now 22) one run road losses thing is no reason to bring in our secret weapon…maybe I can claim him off of waivers when I find a new coaching position. Thanks Bobby!
By Rahul
June 19, 2008 5:13 PM | Link to this
I am so sick of Bobby’s asinine bullpen management. When will he learn Boyer is not very good when pitching over 1 inning?
By McFann©
June 19, 2008 5:13 PM | Link to this
The Major League record is ours, now! 22 straight!
Thanks, FRANCOEUR!! Learn to FIELD!!
Why was that not an error???
By Ace
June 19, 2008 5:14 PM | Link to this
Oh well. I just can’t believe Boyer took the loss (chuckle chuckle). I’m sure he’s a good guy and has a lot of potential…. but maybe it’s time to move him deeper into the bullpen. Just don’t understand why Bobby seems to take a couple relievers and pound them into the ground.
By BravesInSC
June 19, 2008 5:14 PM | Link to this
right on schedule… another 1-run loss.
By TennesseePaul
June 19, 2008 5:14 PM | Link to this
Damn. Oh well. We’ll get ‘em tomorrow.
By Dan in NJ
June 19, 2008 5:15 PM | Link to this
LMFAO. UNREAL. WTG Frenchy. ROTFLMFAO. UNREAL. go figure another 1 run game.
By Jeff321
June 19, 2008 5:15 PM | Link to this
Jeff Bennett just can’t handle coming in a tied or close game.. He’s destined to be a mop up guy. And WTF did Cox take Ohman out for? Oh right — Don’t question the HOF manager, just make excuses for him.
Oh and what about Frenchy? Couldn’t even field the ball for a play at the plate?
By Overlord-D-Day
June 19, 2008 5:15 PM | Link to this
With the winning run on 3B, why isnt the closer (Gonzo) pitching?
Isnt the OF suppose to field the ball in order to throw it? or can he throw it without catching it first?
If they are giving so much room on the right side of the IF, why is Bennett pitching outside?
Renegator guess you were right.
By Original Jon
June 19, 2008 5:15 PM | Link to this
Did we set the record for most 1-run road losses in a row with the loss today? WTF!!!!!!!!! Why wasnt Gonzalez in there for that crap, whats the point in having him back if he wont use him in a tie ball game?? Who cares about save situations, you want to prevent the winning run from scoring that inning, and try to score in the top of the next inning, then use Bennett or someone, but to not use Gonzalez there with the game on the line, that was just assanine.
By Scott from Fairburn
June 19, 2008 5:16 PM | Link to this
That a boy Frenchy … way to come up big when the game is on the line
By Mike
June 19, 2008 5:16 PM | Link to this
Great job Jeff…another stellar performance…and Bennett sux too…everything he throws is flat…Bobby makes too many changes every inning, it’s getting ridiculous.
By JEB
June 19, 2008 5:18 PM | Link to this
KENTAVO
You called that one!!
By Norton is hitting .225
June 19, 2008 5:18 PM | Link to this
After today
NORTON IS HITTING .2258065
What a maroon!
By varoadrunner
June 19, 2008 5:20 PM | Link to this
It’s funny how we bloggers are constantly complaining about the same Braves: Frenchjy, Kelly and Bobby Cox.
Well, we should have a lot to “vent” about….. Kelly blowing a simple double play ball. Bobby and his managing and to top it off, Frenchy in the 9th. He gets paid an awful lot NOT TO MISPLAY balls in the outfield.
Frenchy, when playing with men, apparently cannot get the job done and it’s up to BOBBY COX to fix it.
Since I am convinced that the three’s problems being psychological in nature. Frenchy has the mine’s bigger than yours” syndrome, while Kely just has lapses similiar to LaRoche and his AADD. But Bobby’s problem is age. His mind apparently is not functioning properly.
Move Kelly back to the outfield or the bench. Trade Frenchy, he needs a manager that will”motivate” him. Bobby needs to go, but as long as he breathes, he will be the Braves manager. Ho hum….
By McCorky©
June 19, 2008 5:21 PM | Link to this
I thought I would join the blog in celebration of all the accomplishments of MY favorite catcher. Like…um…
I hear his locker is REALLY well-organized.
By fastasballs
June 19, 2008 5:22 PM | Link to this
Unreal. I think Francis had a good shot at getting him at home had he actually fielded the ball.
I still have no idea what Ridgeway is even doing on the roster, much less coming in with the go ahead runs on base. Keeping him over Stockman, who has proved himself every time out, is beyond a head scratcher.
If you want to second guess Cox it’s his in game strategy that needs it the most. That situation demands one of your best relievers, instead we get the 4th best lefty in the pen. It’s not like Ring & Ohman are worn out.
They shouldn’t have lost today. Easily should scored a few more runs off their starter. One more for sure had Francis managed to hit a flyball to drive in KJ from 3rd earlier in the game.
By WhiteMike
June 19, 2008 5:23 PM | Link to this
This is why the Braves can’t close out a win on the road or at home….Bobby always trying to streatch a reliever out two innings. How many times have I sent that come back to blow up in the Braves face this year alond? I may hurl if I try to recall them all, that is how many.
By BamaBrave
June 19, 2008 5:24 PM | Link to this
“GOOD GOOGLIE WOO, FRED!!!!!” - Grady
By MAROON GUY
June 19, 2008 5:25 PM | Link to this
JEB — Norton isn’t very good, but you’re definitely a MAROON
By kris
June 19, 2008 5:26 PM | Link to this
Don’t understand why Bennet was used-they had already seen him enough. Made no sense!
By Efrim
June 19, 2008 5:27 PM | Link to this
That is a record that is pretty embarrassing to hold.
By BravesinTN
June 19, 2008 5:29 PM | Link to this
Can Smoltz throw left handed?
By Hal
June 19, 2008 5:29 PM | Link to this
Same old song:
1) Boyer pitches well before the 9th but chokes in the 9th.
2) Cox yanks Ohman too quick for lefty/righty matchup and it doesn’t work.
So frustrating to see the same thing over and over and over again.
By kris
June 19, 2008 5:30 PM | Link to this
“Why the hate on Francoer” on the ajc site-lmao pretty ironic another egg on Mark Bradley’s face
By ChiTownBravo
June 19, 2008 5:30 PM | Link to this
Another one-run loss. Can someone please tell me why we have people like Jeff Ridgeway in this bullpen and continue to send Phil Stockman back down to the minors? Has anyone seen this guy’s statistics? I know one person who apparently hasn’t (at least I hope not) and that’s Bobby Cox.
Here is a quick look at his career major league stats and his minor league stats this year.
Atlanta - 6 games, 7.1 IP, 2 H, 9Ks, 0.00 ERA, 0.87 BAA
minor league stats - 14 games, 23.1 IP, 8H, 19Ks, 0.77 ERA, BAA .107
Can someone explain this to me? Boyer has proven over and over that one inning and he’s toast, same for Acosta. Ohman has been one of the only dependable relievers in that BP.
Maybe it’s from overwork, but if it is, why wouldn’t you bring up the young arms to help out?
By Norton is hitting .225
June 19, 2008 5:31 PM | Link to this
I hereby nominate, for the 2008 Woodcrap memorial achievement award for a supporting player:
GREG NORTON WHO IS HITTING .225
and faltering.
By bobby
June 19, 2008 5:32 PM | Link to this
Well “Bobby The Great” just blew another game with his pitching changes.
By Enuffzenuff
June 19, 2008 5:33 PM | Link to this
Paging Mr. Mazzonne….Paging Mr. Yost…Paging Mr. Corrales
By Mike in LA
June 19, 2008 5:33 PM | Link to this
Everyone is going to blast Francouer for letting that ball get by him but he had an even bigger mental lapse earlier in the game in which he had a runner at third and less than 2 out and he popped up. These kinds of things aren’t standing out anymore because he fails to come through so often. He may very well turn out to be a superstar several years down the road but he is absolutely killing any chance the Braves have of competing for the postseason this year. The Braves need someone in rightfield with more range than a turtle and who is capable of hitting higher than .200 with runners and scoring position and less than 2 outs. I know others may disagree with me but I would certainly take someone like Randy Winn in a straight up trade for him. I would also include him in a package for Jason Bay. This team neads another offensive player fast. They also need to determine quickly if Soriano is going to be a reliable pitcher. If not trade for another bullpen arm. I’m tired of watching Boyer and Acosta go multiple innings and watch them get torn apart in their second innings of work after a successful first inning. I have not given up on this team yet but they need a bat (Jason Bay) and maybe a bullpen arm.
By McFann©
June 19, 2008 5:34 PM | Link to this
McCorky©—
That kinda made me sad…it was funny, though…
We don’t have to blame this all on Francoeur…Jeff Ridgway had something to do with it.
We’ll just say, “It’s all your fault, Jeff!!”
By Bobby's Cox
June 19, 2008 5:35 PM | Link to this
OK Carroll,
I visited Bradley’s blog and came away upset with the dude. (Sorry to all the other bloggers here i put down - i’ll reserve comment on Bradley though until i see more of his work).
Good blog at first, but then he ends it with he “doesn’t feel sorry for frenchy, he feels sorry for the fans” because of our aggression towards the local boy?
No. No. No. Like I said, Frenchy has done this to himself. He turned down the braves offer to him last year, and now finds himself in a position where the braves may not want to offer him a contract. He’s made bad decisions (tyring to bulk up in the offseason, trying to jack extra homers out this year totally disregarding hitting the ball to right & working on plate discipline, slowed down defensivedly, has a more wild arm, etc…)
I blame 2 losses on this road trip on frenchy. 1st the Anaheim game. Not getting to the homer in RF, then in his next AB, not coming through (actually not even going for the base hit as he popped out to shallow center) with runners on 2nd & 3rd with 2 out. And then today not getting the sac fly in the 4th cost the team a potential 5-4 lead with a different pitcher on the hill in the 9th.
By prattvillenolzfan
June 19, 2008 5:36 PM | Link to this
With the Mariners coming to town, and Chipper now under 400, I personally wouldn’t mind Chipper sit a couple of games. You can tell he is not 100%, if he keeps up the way he’s going, I’m afraid he’ll pull a Smoltz/Glavine and be out for an extended period.
Better to sacrifice a couple of games now, than to sacrifice 30/40 later………
By Norton is hitting .225
June 19, 2008 5:38 PM | Link to this
Here is something that I cannot emphasize enough:
GREG NORTON IS HITTING .225
Why not just bring Scott Thorman back, for Pete’s sake.
By ryan
June 19, 2008 5:43 PM | Link to this
fire cox we all knew the game was over when that a* chip said how valueable bennet was to the club.Get Randy Winn time start over good bye tex and Hudson see what we can get. Then can we dfa hampton and Glavine
By ryan
June 19, 2008 5:44 PM | Link to this
fire cox we all knew the game was over when that a* chip said how valueable bennet was to the club.Get Randy Winn time start over good bye tex and Hudson see what we can get. Then can we dfa hampton and Glavine
By Norton is hitting .225
June 19, 2008 5:44 PM | Link to this
If I were Carroll Rogers then the headline for today’s blog would have read:
GREG NORTON IS HITTING .225
And if I were Carroll Rogers I would demand a raise for being forced to watch games like todays’.
By Efrim
June 19, 2008 5:47 PM | Link to this
4.6 runs per game for a team with this offensive talent is a joke.
By Jim Hertel
June 19, 2008 5:51 PM | Link to this
I’ve lived and died with the Braves for too long — going all the way back to the Milwaukee days. And, I’ve long supported BC — going back to his first stint as the Braves manager. I know that the injuries have demolished a pitching staff that was too dependent on old arms, but BC’s handling of the bullpen gets more curious everyday. I’m not saying anything that hasn’t already been lamented in this blog, but I do not understand Jeff Ridgway as the first guy out of the bullpen today. That decision cost the game. Stockman has been on the team two or three times, and he never saw the light of day. But, here we are trying to win a game to make a token success of a road trip that began disastrously, and here comes Ridgway — BAM!!! There goes the game.
This is a mediocre team, and I imagine the best that will come out of this year is the development of some young starting pitching that will blossom in the future.
Therefore, Randy Winn — I hope not! It’ll take more than Randy to make this team more than mediocre.
But, Mark Tex to the Angels for a good package? I’d do it in a heartbeat.
And JF — I think one of our problems is that we fall in love with our players and value you them more than they are worth. Right now, Jeff is a below average major league player. Will he ever become great? Probably not in Atlanta.
By Norton is hitting .225
June 19, 2008 5:52 PM | Link to this
Scientists have recently discovered that fast-moving protons are much more likely to pair up with fast-moving neutrons than with other protons in the nuclei of atoms. Scientists have also discovered that:
GREG NORTON IS HITTING .225
The symbol for Norton is Pb.
By sal
June 19, 2008 5:54 PM | Link to this
Boyer + Bennett = another walk off loss. With Acosta and Bennett slumping and Boyer’s ability to give up key hits & walks can somebody explain how Braves could ship out Stockman who has pitched effectively when given a chance to make room for Gonzalez? I don’t buy the 4 lefties and 4 righties in the bullpen crap plus an 8 man bullpen is ridiculous unless you have a DH.
By Bobby's Cox
June 19, 2008 5:57 PM | Link to this
Forgot to mention, even at the Angel game on Sunday, Frenchy’s up with runners on 2nd & 3rd, 2 out.
Frenchy pops up. My pops turns to me & says, “why isn’t he trying to get a hit?” Knowing what he means but trying to get him to say more, I say, “what do you mean?” He says, “He’s swinging hard, swinging for the fences, why not just try to bloop a single in front of the outfielders and score the 2 runs?”
“Welcome to what I know as Jeff Francoeur and the braves 2008 season dad,” I said
By Braveheart
June 19, 2008 6:00 PM | Link to this
4.6 runs per game for a team with this offensive talent is a joke.
You ain’t kidding, Efrim. They should be scoring at least 5 runs a game. A 0.4 difference in runs is huge. That’s like a 65 run difference over the course of a season. An absolute joke. Tex, Frenchy and Diaz have just killed this team with their woeful performance.
By faninva
June 19, 2008 6:01 PM | Link to this
GREG NORTON IS HITTING .225
give it a rest. He’s actually batter lower than that, so please, change your log-in name or go away.
By Tomas
June 19, 2008 6:01 PM | Link to this
Bobby has made too many mistakes this season. Why keep Ridgeway and send dow stockman, he already has 3 lefty’s on the Bulpen, and stockman’s numbers are way better than ridgeway’s. I tried not to criticize him after he brought a very controversial move to bring brandon Jones up who has been absolutely terrific, and I thought it was totally a big mistake. But Ridgeway, has hit a batter to lose a game, batters have an average of 290 against him, and the braves just lost because he gave a three run homer after another great outing by Morton. So please Bobby enlight me, tell me why you did what you did.
By Dustin Robinson
June 19, 2008 6:02 PM | Link to this
Get the hell off my team, Jeff Francoeur.
You were so obsessed with getting all those big muscles over the off-season so you could pad your HR column. But OOPS! Every facet of your game right now sucks pond water and you only have 8 home runs on June 19.
Put a right fielder in there that actually wants to play ball and not play for himself in clutch at-bats.
By Norton is hitting .225
June 19, 2008 6:02 PM | Link to this
I was watching Telemundo this afternoon and they reported that
GREG NORTON ES GOLPEAR .225
Does anyone know what that means?
By Georgiagent
June 19, 2008 6:04 PM | Link to this
So let’s analyze the situation; the longest road one run losses consecutively in major league histor. Does someone want to scream? Chipper? Bobby? Wrenn” John? I have a better idea. Take Boyer and Bennett and bring Stockman back. The kid has an arm and an attitude. Guess neither one Cox loves though. He keeps bouncing to the R-Braves like an Australian kangaroo. Ridiculous and embarrassing.
By The Voice of Reason
June 19, 2008 6:11 PM | Link to this
Greetings Braves Fans, Just a few obvious comments. The Braves are an average team…aging superstars and bargin basement fill-ins. But, we have a good base of young talent. On the downside, we have a manager and coaching staff that should have retired several years back (“I’ll retire when they pry my cold dead fingers off my $3M paycheck”). Look at the ineptness of our pitching coach when Devine, Yates, Davies, et al are doing OK once they are out of reach from Roger McDowell. Please tell me how a journeyman, junk ball pitcher can teach fundamentals. JJ, Reyes, Campino (sp), etc. have not been contaminated by his crap yet! How has TP help Frenchy? Andruw Jones? Anyone other than McCann or Chipper. And, why haven’t we gotten rid of Tex? Look at the horrible decisions Bobby continues to make with Tex, Frenchy, and our bullpen? Time to go, Bobby, and sit next to Willie. Who do you replace him with? Ned Yost or any number of managers that can actually manage. Einstein had it right…insantity is doing the same thing over and over, expectin different results. Or, do you just want an average ball club? Peace.
By pepper
June 19, 2008 6:11 PM | Link to this
Remember me?
You can still see me on fences at little league parks.
I think it’s time for Frenchy to choke up and start playing some pepper before games.
By Randy Winn is hitting .297
June 19, 2008 6:13 PM | Link to this
Why didn’t we get Randy Winn before the season began?
RANDY WINN IS HITTING .297
And he is a good defensive outfielder who can play center, right, or left!
By rupert
June 19, 2008 6:18 PM | Link to this
has boyer going out there for a second inning ever worked in a close game?
how many times does bennet have to give up walk off runs before everyone realizes he’s an innings eater but not a close and late guy?
ridgeway in for morton? RIDGEWAY? WTF? have an idea cox!!
By rupert
June 19, 2008 6:18 PM | Link to this
has boyer going out there for a second inning ever worked in a close game?
how many times does bennet have to give up walk off runs before everyone realizes he’s an innings eater but not a close and late guy?
ridgeway in for morton? RIDGEWAY? WTF? have an idea cox!!
By Overlord-D-Day
June 19, 2008 6:23 PM | Link to this
P O L L:
Who takes the blame for todays pathetic loss?
a) Bobby Cox
b) JF
c) Ridgway
d) Boyer
e) Bennett
f) the whole team
By Shaun
June 19, 2008 6:24 PM | Link to this
Don’t you just love folks like Coach who get worked up behind a computer screen? Takes a big man and an intelligent human being to call people idiots and compare everyone to religious extremists on a computer screen instead of sticking to the facts to make your argument. That’s just hilarious to me. Obviously a person like that has run out of intelligent things to say.
The fact is Cox is among the all-time leaders in wins and his reputation among players, coaches, other managers, the media, front office personnel and other insiders is impeccable.
No manager makes all that much difference in wins and losses but when you combine Cox’s record with reputation, I think you have to consider him one of the greatest of all-time.
I perfectly accept the argument that all managers are often either overrated or underrated because I do think managers often get too much credit for wins and too much blame for losses. But I also think that Bobby Cox is one of if not the best manager of all-time and I think there is plenty of evidence for that, namely his record and his reputation (perhaps his reputation more so than his record).
And, Coach, call me an idiot all you want. Call people religious fanatics all you want. You have yet to answer the easiest defense against the folks who can’t stand Bobby Cox (perhaps because you were never worth anything as a “coach” if you ever really were): Why do you and folks like you only point to World Series wins and the playoff record of Cox’s teams? Why do you ignore the over 4,000 regular season games? Yes, count the post-season games even count them more. But don’t pretend that the post-season games completely negate the regular season games. Also, isn’t baseball a team sport? Aren’t the players the ones on the field performing? Why does Cox get all the blame for the post-season losses?
You can pitch a fit all you want to. You can make yourself look like a completely loser who has to resort to name calling behind a computer screen. But you still haven’t answered the most obvious reason why Cox should at least be considered among the great managers of all-time. My guess is you can’t. Your hatred for Cox is so personal that you can’t answer simple questions that would explain why you think Cox is such a bad manager.
By Dan in NJ
June 19, 2008 6:25 PM | Link to this
Honest question.
What would it take for B.Cox to either get fired or resign? At what point is it enough? I really do believe this team has talent to make a run. But i really doubt it with BC calling the “shots”
By Einstein
June 19, 2008 6:29 PM | Link to this
Hey…don’t get on to Bobby Cox for stealing money from the Braves. If Tex, Glavine, Hampton, Soriano, Boyer, Acosta, Frenchy, Pendleton, McDowell, and Bennett can, it’s OK. What ever happened to accountability? Or, are we just stupid? Who decided that it’s a good thing to reward mediocrity? Can we go back to an “incentive based contract”? And, why not………..
By ijonathan
June 19, 2008 6:33 PM | Link to this
Shaun
You pick a bad day to roll out one of your lengthy defenses of Cox. Although there aren’t many good days, come to think of it.
Anyway, please explain Cox’s logic today in his use of Ridgway, Boyer, Ohman and Bennett.
Thanks
By Dan in NJ
June 19, 2008 6:34 PM | Link to this
Coach, Why do you and folks like you only point to World Series wins and the playoff record of Cox’s teams? Why do you ignore the over 4,000 regular season games?
Maybe because he’s had AMAZING talent to get the job done and failed soooooo many times? need a count of all the playoffs and world series?? Plus 3..THREE of the BEST pitchers / HOF’s in their PRIME.
By Shaun
June 19, 2008 6:35 PM | Link to this
Coach, another easy question for you that would be helpful for you to answer without calling everyone terrorists or idiots:
Should the Red Sox have avoided Terry Francona because of his “mediocrity”?
His .440 winning percentage with the Phillies was actually worse than mediocre. The Red Sox worship of worse-than-mediocrity really has hurt their franchise, right?
As I said many times now, I don’t think a manger makes that much of a difference in wins and loses. So, I think if you have a guy that obviously hasn’t costs your team wins (Cox’s teams have won plenty of games in the past so it looks like he hasn’t really costs is teams too many games) and you have the reputation of a Bobby Cox, you keep that guy around.
Thanks for bettering my arguments in defense of Cox with your name-calling. It is much appreciated to have someone that is so easy to tear apart and to motivate me to make rational arguments. It also makes it so much easier when that person must resort to calling people terrorists, religious extremists and idiots besides just bad arguments.
By brent a.
June 19, 2008 6:35 PM | Link to this
Ridgway should’ve hit the guy.
By JEB
June 19, 2008 6:36 PM | Link to this
Voice of Reason
You want Ned Yost??
Just go check out some of the Brewers blogs - you will find out that they would gladly give him up! I guarantee you they are giving him equal time (with this blog blasting BC) - of blasting Ned!
Maroon Guy The best you can do is resort to name calling …. BRILLIANT!!
By Dan in NJ
June 19, 2008 6:40 PM | Link to this
Coach,
1 more thing. Do not forget the payroll. The braves did spend back then. What has he done since the open check book is gone? Not much.
By Braveheart
June 19, 2008 6:43 PM | Link to this
please explain Cox’s logic today in his use of Ridgway, Boyer, Ohman and Bennett.
The answer is obvious. Cox reads the blog and saw that you guys don’t like it when he picks the poison that is Acosta, Ring and Carlyle either so he decided to pick the poison that is Ridgway, Boyer, Ohman and Bennett instead.
By McFann©
June 19, 2008 6:45 PM | Link to this
Bobby’s Cox—
Your 5:35 post hit the nail right on the head.
Overlord—
Tough question. a): Bobby shouldn’t have left Boyer in that long…c): Ridgway threw a terrible pitch to Boggs that left the park and proved to be very crucial…d)Boyer gives up a first-pitch, leadoff double in the ninth that came around to score…e)Bennett let it score…
b): Francoeur left a BIG run at third base in the fourth, and he fumbled that ball in the ninth, when he might have had a shot at getting the guy at home…
I wouldn’t fault the whole team. I think Ridgway and Francoeur take the blame for this one…BIG TIME!
So, b & c…but if I have to pick just one…I guess…b.
By Greg Norton is hitting .225
June 19, 2008 6:48 PM | Link to this
I would also like to roll out a lengthy defense of Cox. Unfortunately, no such defense exists. So all I really have to say is
GREG NORTON IS HITTING .225
That’s it in a nutshell.
By Rush
June 19, 2008 6:50 PM | Link to this
Jeb, some idiots in Milwaukee dont like Yost, so you feel like that is a good reason why the Braves should avoid him? I dont know if you have looked, but the Brewers have SUCKED for a very long time. Yost has brought them out of the doghouse, and done a pretty good job with some good young players.
Fans on a blog are not really a great place to look to see how a coach is doing. Yost is doing good things in Milwaukee. Maybe there are better coaches, but he is far from the worst out there.
By Corky Miller is hitting .111
June 19, 2008 6:56 PM | Link to this
screw norton, he got a big hit today, the sultan of suckiness is….
corky miller….batting a robust .111
what he doesn’t have in hitting he makes up for with poor pitch blocking, throws, and bunt fielding.
all hail corky!!
By Efrim
June 19, 2008 6:57 PM | Link to this
Bobby Cox isn’t a bad manager. He is a great manager. The Braves have the pieces to be a competitive team. But they DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH QUALITY PIECES TO OVERCOME THE LACK OF PRODUCTION FROM MARK TEIXEIRA, AND MOST OF ALL, JEFF FRANCOEUR.
Sorry I used caps. I am very tired of having my friends, who are Philly and Boston fans, rip on me day in and day out about the Braves. It is getting tiresome. The arguement of run differential, while valid, is getting really old for them to hear. I need some new material. If anyone can help me out, please let me know.
Having a plus 45 run differential while being 2 games under .500 is sad. So very sad. When I see a team like the Brewers, who are getting back into contention despite sucking overall, I get angry.
I also get angry when people on this blog post comments like “Watch out Philly” after a win against the Texas Rangers. A win that pulled us to within 5 games in the loss column. Not trying to be a Debbie Downer, but if you are going to get all high and mighty after one win on the road against Texas, then what has being a Braves fan come to?
Sorry for the long post, but I think this team is MUCH BETTER than some of the teams currently ahead of them in the standings, and it is really f*** frustrating to see them lose these close ones.
Lastly, poor Chipper’s legs are finally getting tired after carrying this team on his back for 74 games(even though Heap, Yunel, Kelly and most of the pitchers have been pretty damn good).
TIME FOR A COUPLE OF GUYS TO STEP UP AND START HITTING FOR EXTRA BASES.
By dogmeat
June 19, 2008 6:58 PM | Link to this
Bobby Cox’s problem is Alzheimer’s Disease. You can help him. go www.ahaf.org
By vic
June 19, 2008 7:08 PM | Link to this
Rush- Yost is a very good mgr. & Coach. With what Milwaukee has and had he’s done a hell of a job. I’d take him anytime over Cox, PT and other X Braves. I also like Fredi Gonzalez…
By Carroll Rogers
June 19, 2008 7:23 PM | Link to this
you guys know how to make me laugh, and i appreciate it….but now i’ll be leaving you for some tex mex…WAHOO!
oh, before i run off, braves traded sal fasano from AAA Richmond for a player to be named. mike gonzalez had just been saying great things about fasano, helping him get an idea of what his breaking ball was doing. he was hitting a buck something, so that’s that. Cleveland needs a catcher.
most of the quotes i would share at this point, i just put in my notes and game story, so rather than keep my old roomie waiting any longer i’ll just ask that you guys find them once they’re posted. chipper had lots of good things to say about the .400 average falling. (i know. another shameless tease. I’m like the local TV news. or just lazy. one or the other)
good hanging in the peanut gallery.
By A Realistic Fan
June 19, 2008 7:24 PM | Link to this
I’m sorry, I must be new here. I need some educated fans to help me out.
Why aren’t the Braves going to entertain offers for Mark Teixeira at the trade deadline??????
Because he is that key piece they needed to win the world series??????
Because Neftali Feliz wasn’t a stud that we didn’t really need in our farm system because Rohrbough, Locke and Evarts are better?????
By Bobby's Cox
June 19, 2008 7:30 PM | Link to this
I’ll have to back Shaun on this one. Today’s game can be pointed at by the misuse of the bullpen, but I saw a few opportunities missed from our RF that ultimately cost us the game. Your bullpen isn’t going to be perfect and hold the fort every game, but when you have excellent scoring chances and one player continues to fail in those positions, you point your finger at the player, not the manager.
Coach Give it a rest. We know you don’t like Cox. He’s had a subpar year, but a vast majority of the losses were a result of miss plays on the field or missed opportunities at the plate, not the shots called by Cox.
We all have our own opinions on the strategies Cox should implement, the players that should’ve been called up/sent down, who should be pitching in certain situations, but we’re not around the team 24/7 and we don’t know player personalities. The only argument i’ll give you is that sometimes it’s easier to see things outside the box, and that is the reason why i think some bloggers think they can influence a team with their voices.
Cox was the cornerstone of the braves dynasty, and he deserves to be here until he calls it quits. He may be slow in making lineup or personnel changes, but i’d have to trust him on how to manage a team and keep it together through a 162 game season. He’s done it better than 25-29 teams in 15 of the last 18 years, many-a-times against odds.
By Mike in LA
June 19, 2008 7:31 PM | Link to this
Its funny hearing guys ripping Gregg Norton. He’s come up with some huge hits this season. In this game alone he had a huge double against a tough closer and put the Braves in a position to tie the game. He also got a runner over from second with no outs, which this team hasn’t done well all season long. He is a good bench player, he’s just not an everyday player. I’ll say it again, make a trade for Jason Bay(include Francouer in the package) and get bullpen help if Soriano is not going to be ready soon and the Braves will be fine
By Efrim
June 19, 2008 7:35 PM | Link to this
“I think I might have kneed it or kicked it,” Francoeur said. “Next thing I know, I went to get the ball out of my glove and it wasn’t there. … It’d have been nice to get [a win[ today, but I think all of us are ready to go home.”
Yes Jeff, I couldn’t agree more with you. Home is a good place for the Braves.
By TennesseePaul
June 19, 2008 7:46 PM | Link to this
Carroll: I read the Bradley piece. It is a nice tip of the cap to write on a subject that has hovered over this blog for a while. It’s icing on the cake to see he used one of DOB’s contested words from a week ago, “listing”. Ha! That made me laugh. He probably had a great time writing that article.
By McFann©
June 19, 2008 7:47 PM | Link to this
“It’d have been nice to get [a win] today, but I think all of us are ready to go home.” Jeff Francoeur
So…when you’re ready to go home, it’s no big deal if you don’t win?
By Bravesfan79
June 19, 2008 7:51 PM | Link to this
No No fellow fans…. the “WOODCRAP” award has already been claimed this year by Corky Miller. .225 would be a good year for good ol Corky!
Once again we have a almost useless player on the roster that Bobby just seems to love until the season is over. At least Norton can get up to bat with 2 outs in the 9th, bases empty, and jack one out.
In the same situation…. Woodward would of been lucky to hit a weak ground ball to the infield. And Corky would be lucky to even make contact!
By KC
June 19, 2008 8:02 PM | Link to this
JEB: “Until you have a Better Choice for manager of the Braves - best to just ZIP it!!”
Terry Pendelton.
Look, I love Bobby Cox, and I’ve been a big BC defender through the years… but his judgment really seems to be slipping.
Unless there’s something we don’t know about (such as Stockman breaking team rules, etc.)… keeping Ridgway on the big league roster instead of Stockman, and putting a guy who wasn’t even getting AAA hitters out into a 1-run game with runners on… against a switch hitter who bats better from the right side of the plate…
Just inexcusable. And it’s not the first indefensible thing this year on BC’s part.
Time to call it a wonderful, Hall of Fame career.
By Bobby's Cox
June 19, 2008 8:04 PM | Link to this
i hope frenchy takes a look at the AJC braves page today, then follows that look with a look in the mirror.
By Hunk Erdown
June 19, 2008 8:06 PM | Link to this
Ironic that Bobby Cox should get the credit for all the regular season wins but when it comes to accountability for the post season, its the players fault.
When the checkbook was open you could put the team on auto pilot because the talent was so great, until post season when Bobby took manual control of the helm. Now that the team does not have the payroll of the past, (when coaching becomes more important) the team can’t make it to the post season. If Bobby Cox was such a great manager shouldn’t he be able to take a team with less talent and get better performance, like Jim Leyland has done? nope, he can’t do it.
Send him to the hall of fame, give him a hero’s parade (I’ll supply the confetti), but do it now! We’ll all make speeches and build monuments, and toast his greatness while we wink at each other, but let’s do it NOW! Give him the greatest retirement party ever known to mankind, call him the greatest manager to ever set foot on a ball field, but please…. do it now!
By BossLady
June 19, 2008 8:06 PM | Link to this
I just cast my Allstar Votes:
First Base D Lee Chicago Second C Hutley Philly Third Chipper “Hoss” Jones Shortstop R Furcal L A Catcher B McCann ATL Outfield K Griffey Cinn M Holliday Col B Giles SD
I really would like the National League to win.
Too bad TEX and Francouer are not contenders.
The process of firing W Randolph is a disgrace to the game.
GONZO, you’re the man. I hope Smoltz recovery is progressing.
I had a client that looked just like Tim Hudson today. I sold him the farm “cuz” he couldn’t stop blushing.
Is DOB on vacation? Let’s hope his back hold up this time.
By Overlord-D-Day
June 19, 2008 8:21 PM | Link to this
Read your post McFann. You probably know my answer. No need to say, besides, I would get hanged if mention that name and blame it….
By Shamus Thacker
June 19, 2008 8:22 PM | Link to this
Fergus, no, it’s because he’s an idiot. I’ve read many columns by Mark Bradley through the years, so I’m speaking from experience.. He’s regressed just like Stenchy. I very seldom read his columns now unless there’s something strikingly odd or fanciful in the headline. His attempts at humor are laughable in a pathetic sense, his writings style is boring as grandmaw’s favorite show. And he’s a DUNCE on top of it all… That answer your question!?
And oh yeah, Stenchy just flat out sux!!!
Aloha from paradise…
By Efrim
June 19, 2008 8:23 PM | Link to this
How about blaming the players? How about blaming the right fielder who has a .300 on base percentage? Or the 1st baseman who has a .794 OPS in the clean up spot? How about that? Can we commend BC for keeping this team two games under .500 with a ridiculous amount of injuries to the pitching staff? You people are looking to the wrong places for blame about this teams short comings. The team is 36-38 because they have gotten a sub par year from their first baseman, a HORRIBLE year from their right fieder, and have run into INCREDIBLY BAD LUCK overall. Start blaming the players folks. Not the manager. Has Cox had a down year? Sure. Is he the reason we are where we are? No. Not one bit.
By Shamus Thacker
June 19, 2008 8:25 PM | Link to this
Bobby’s Cox, what you said about your namesake makes lotsa sense man…
By Shamus Thacker
June 19, 2008 8:30 PM | Link to this
Efrim, not even one little-bitty bit? Come on now..
By McFann©
June 19, 2008 8:39 PM | Link to this
Overlord—
But Johnson went 2-4!
; )
By ijonathan
June 19, 2008 8:41 PM | Link to this
Efrim
If Cox has had a “down year” and yet has not impacted the team “not one bit” then it stands to reason that during the Braves run during the 90’s any “up years” that Cox may have enjoyed similarly would have had no impact on their success?
On that point, we agree.
By Shamus Thacker
June 19, 2008 8:42 PM | Link to this
Sorry Hunk Erdown, it was you who wrote about Bobby. I thought it was part of Bobby’s Cox’s post. Nice theory feller! Sorry to you too Bobby’s Cox. I’ll bet you wondered what the Hell I was talking about… lol
By Chop Chop
June 19, 2008 8:43 PM | Link to this
Efrim,
They all deserve blame. It’s a team, for God’s sake. Any Braves player, coach, or front office person who has screwed up this year and contributed negatively to the current record is to blame. Bobby Cox is the manager. As such, Bobby deserves blame.
(Granted, there aren’t many out there who post something like this. It’s more fun to choose particular players and people to lambast instead of blaming the whole stinking organization. Well, I blame the whole stinking organization. It’s easier and certainly requires fewer posts.)
By northbeach Scott
June 19, 2008 8:44 PM | Link to this
Regarding Bobby Cox, few would argue that he is a less than average to mediocre tactical in-game manager. He will almost always has been and will be outmanaged in critical situations, which helps explains his shabby post season record.
What Cox does bring to the table and is superior to his entire peer group is to creat an atmosphere that seems to enable all but a few (i.e. attitude-challenged Kenny Lofton) to achieve success. His postitive attitude, willingness to stick up for his players (hence his record ejections), never publicly chastises players, and loyalty is why players want to play for him. He is able to take average talent and get the most out of them. Over the course of a season, this strategic plan has worked well.
While I admire Bobby for his strategic leadership skills, I also agree that his incompetence in tactially managing games has caused the game to pass him by. This season is likely beyond hope although they are not far out. Would love for Wren & the Home Boy Upstairs to quietly encourage Cox to leave the game at the end of the season to “spend more time with his family” or to address his health (needs to have an Alzheimer’s check). Use the remainder of the season to properly evaluate their young talent and focus on 2009.
Fredi Gonzalez would seem like the most fit to replace Cox as he seems to have created the winning atmosphere without completely scr*wing the pooch with the bullpen.
By Efrim
June 19, 2008 8:47 PM | Link to this
Shamus Thacker
A down year, but not the reason the f*** right fielder has a .300 OBP.
I have a problem with a couple things Cox has done this year:
Keeping Frenchy in the 5th or 6th hole for as long as he did.
Misusing Will Ohman at times. He should of been brought in today instead of Ridgeway. I have seen it frequently this year. The Marlins series when we won 3 of 4. Can’t complain too much there. I just think that he needs to be used in a situation like that today. The game could of been ours if we kept the damage to a run in the 6th today.
Other than that, no real problems. The starting pitching has been as good as anyone could of hoped. Chipper and McCann are having AMAZING years. Johnson and Escobar are having very good years. Look, Kotsay’s injury hurts and that has made the offense less consistent. Tex has been underachieving. But I can’t fault Cox for that stuff. What is he suppose to do, drop Tex in the lineup? No thanks. The guy has been pretty good in late and close situations.
By mr baseball
June 19, 2008 8:51 PM | Link to this
Efrim:
It’s not an either/or situation. More than one thing can contribute to a loss. Francouer & Tex have had major roles in a lot of losses this season because of their atrocious clutch hitting.
The idea that Cox hasn’t played a huge role in the team’s struggles this season is laughable. Granted, he is playing a weak hand in regards to the bullpen, but night after night he makes questionable decisions that help pave the way to another defeat.
Using Ridgway in that situation today was not very bright. Leaving Boyer in to face the leadoff man in the 9th was not completely off base, but considering how Boyer has pitched after his first inning should have given him some pause. And yanking Ohman, who has been the team’s best arm in the pen, after one batter was not particularly bright either.
There are lots of reasons the Braves keep losing close games, and very close to the top of that list is Cox’s strategic shortcomings. He may be a great leader in the clubhouse, but in the dugout he’s a liability.
By Coach (Braves are in TOTAL FREEFALL)
June 19, 2008 8:51 PM | Link to this
WRONG ! I actually like Bobby Cox. I have met the man twice back when the Braves played at Atlanta-Fulton county stadium. I have his autograph on my Bobby Cox 1969 Topps all-star no.237 rookie card.
I think that Cox is one of the best managers of his generation and a slam dunk first ballot Hall of Fame manager.
The problem is, the vast majority of the fans can’t seem to grasp the fact that he is both a Hall of Fame manager due to his past record and the most overrated manager in the game due to his post season record and present managerial status.
His regular season achievements are truly monumental, while his record in the post season is the worst in major league history. The two accomplishments cannot be divided or ignored.
The other thing that cannot be ignored is the Braves 199-199 .500 record over the past 398 games during the 06-07 and 08 seasons.
To be perfectly honest, I would rather lose horribly or win big than to watch this team spin it’s wheels in place while going nowhere fast.
While I detest losing, .500 baseball is killing me. To borrow the phrase ” I’m mad as hell and I’m not gonna take it anymore ! ” and thats an understatement.
Bobby Cox has his head so far up his butt he couldn’t see daylight with a telescope !
The man needs to retire , otherwise, he will force somebody into the distasteful task of firing him. When and if that day comes, it will be a terrible and sad end to the career of one of the most respected managers to ever set foot on the Diamond.
By Coach (Braves are in TOTAL FREEFALL)
June 19, 2008 9:00 PM | Link to this
And since most have already forgotten, when robert was bashing Bobby Cox last season, nobody defended the man more than I did !
I took sides with Bobby Cox for the first eighteen seasons of his managerial career in Atlanta, but no more ! I’m taking the man to task and holding him accountable because apparently, no one within the Braves organization will !
By George Clinton
June 19, 2008 9:07 PM | Link to this
Carroll Rogers
RE: Your 2:40 post
You are a fine blogasaurus people;but you “bomb funked” the Bravos today.
By ben
June 19, 2008 9:09 PM | Link to this
Congratulations to Cox and the Braves. According to the telecast today, they set a record in major league baseball for 22 straight losses on the road by one run. Now that is hard to do even if you’re trying to lose the game.
By ncscoots
June 19, 2008 9:18 PM | Link to this
Efrim, I know it’s bad when I sense a change of tone in your posts, my friend. I sense that frustration, believe me. And I don’t have a single thing to say that might raise your spirits, because you’ve accurately and succinctly noted the major malfunctions. And there’s not a single thing to do about them but…wait.
Because you’re right…Tex, Frenchy, and (perhaps later) Diaz have to hit, plain and simple. No trade is gonna change that. No bullpen changes, no rotation changes, no lineup changes, no different managerial decisions, none of the stuff bruited about here on the blog in the course of posters’ micro-b!tchin’ is gonna change that. They either do or they don’t, and that way goes the season.
All this other stuff? Who pinch-hits where, or leads off, or pitches the 7th, or gets sent down or called up, or whatever bee buzzes on any particular blog? Peripheral. You found the metal in the oilpan, brother. The rest of it is just the noise of the pistons grinding.
By brian
June 19, 2008 9:23 PM | Link to this
In regards to Bradley’s article, Francoeur does seem to be on a shorter leash here. I think it started when he turned down the big money contract from the Braves - seemed greedy for a player with so little major league time especially when McCann just signed a similar deal. When Francoeur turned down that contract implying he was worth much more, he raised expectations for himself, and set the stage for many to hope he turns into Austin Kearns. His lack of production this year has been striking. Frenchy has been absolutely terrible with men in scoring position, especially if less than 2 outs. He is killing rallies this year like Andruw did last year. If Cox were to give him some days on the bench or at the least drop him in the lineup, I think that would get people off his back a lot as people would realize that Frenchy is slumping and is having time off or dropped in the order to clear his head and regroup.
By brian
June 19, 2008 9:23 PM | Link to this
In regards to Bradley’s article, Francoeur does seem to be on a shorter leash here. I think it started when he turned down the big money contract from the Braves - seemed greedy for a player with so little major league time especially when McCann just signed a similar deal. When Francoeur turned down that contract implying he was worth much more, he raised expectations for himself, and set the stage for many to hope he turns into Austin Kearns. His lack of production this year has been striking. Frenchy has been absolutely terrible with men in scoring position, especially if less than 2 outs. He is killing rallies this year like Andruw did last year. If Cox were to give him some days on the bench or at the least drop him in the lineup, I think that would get people off his back a lot as people would realize that Frenchy is slumping and is having time off or dropped in the order to clear his head and regroup.
By Efrim
June 19, 2008 9:55 PM | Link to this
ncscoots
Yea man. This loss got to me. The BC bashers as well.And on a side note, It is very difficult to be a Braves fan and live in CT, when you have Philly and Boston fans ragging on you day after day. That is getting to me as well.
Like you said, patience is needed right now. Hopefully the team can win some games on this homestand. I am confident they will.
Since you are one of the more educated baseball people on this blog, I really must ask your opinion of Jeff Francoeur. Is it too early to call him somewhat of a dissapointment? I mean, I understand that he is 24 years of age and still has some growing up to do. But I really don’t think it is wrong to think that he will never have the sense of the strike zone that will make him an above average player in the major leagues. I think it’s quite fair actually. I understand that you shouldn’t expect the kid to be Hank Aaron or Chipper Jones or whoever. But a career .317 OBP through 3 years of major league service is really alarming. I guess the Braves just have to be patient and hope that Jeff continues to progress as a hitter.
By McGregor
June 19, 2008 9:56 PM | Link to this
coach
We ALL here in the blog know it…..yes..Bobby Cox is Overrated, but man,Please Move ON Coach!!!!…you know that 65% of your posts consist on bashing Bobby for what he did in the posteseason and how he is a Hall of Famer,but yet the most overrated Manager,etc,etc,etc,etc,etc,…Lets not keep Focusing in the past and worry about the PRESENT…IMHO….LETs see what happens THIS YEAR with our Braves and how Bobby does in the season and postseason!!!
By keylargo
June 19, 2008 9:59 PM | Link to this
If Jeff F. had progressed as much as B Mac since their call up, we would have a monster in RF. Instead, he has regressed in every area. Average, power, speed, defense and most glaring clutch situations are all down. It’s just not the normal progression and it has me baffled.
I remember posting last year when AJ was doing the same thing (choking in clutch situations) that the situation Scott Borass had put him in was a year long clutch performance and AJ just could not handle it. And AJ has proven last year and this year he no longer is a clutch player.
JF turned down the “set for life” contract and was going to prove he deserved more this year. Maybe Chippers “lose an Andruw, gain an Andruw” was ESP by Chipper. Maybe JF just can’t handle the pressure just like AJ couldn’t.
OH, and that agent? JF is represented by Scott Borass.
By Daybed Wagmoe
June 19, 2008 10:01 PM | Link to this
We had Sal Fasano?
By gotigers72
June 19, 2008 10:13 PM | Link to this
I will be insane by the end of this season, if not before, because this team is driving me crazy!!! Had a chance to have a .500 road trip after an 0-3 start, AND get the overall record back to .500 also. Then they go out and stink the joint up. Corky doesn’t throw a guy out at first because he hits his hand with his helmet. [Hint: Get a helmet that fits Corkster] Francoeur kicks the ball out of his glove, thus depriving himself of at least A CHANCE to throw the runner out at home. In addition to swinging at mucho bad pitches in clutch situations. Continually reminds me of AJ last year. Doesn’t get it done because pitchers know he will swing at those low, outside pitches, so that’s where they throw them.
In fact,the 3 Jeffs look more like the 3 Amigos. Why in heck did they send Stockman down and keep Ridgway up? Stockman was dominant at AAA, and continued to be that way at the ML level, while Ridgway couldn’t get my elderly mother out. Bennett just keeps getting worse and worse. I know BC hates pitchers that give up a lot of walks. Bennett does, so why keep him up?
The lineup today had too many blanks in the gun. Two guys hitting below .200, even though Norton got a clutch hit in the 9th. Even a blind pig finds an acorn every now and then. Then the guys that are supposed to be the heavy hitters can’t get a hit with anybody on. Chipper is excused. He can’t do it EVERY GAME. Tex or Francoeur or one of the other guys that gets paid to drive in runs needs to start earning their pay.
Mr. Wren needs to start earning his GM pay also. Everybody was praising him, patting him on the back earlier for moves he made, and I’ll agree, he did some good stuff way back when. But how in heck can he let a .103 hitter like Miller remain on the big club. He is a decent backup catcher defensively, but he would have to play defense like Johnny Bench to make up for that putrid offense he’s putting up. And Wren needs to help BC make decisions on who to send down when it comes to stuff like sending Stockman and keeping Ridgway. That was a no brainer decision, but it turned out like somebody with no brains made it.
Please kick it in gear guys. At least get in the race soon.
By Capt Caveman (the original Dawg)
June 19, 2008 10:14 PM | Link to this
Bottom Line
Nobody is perfect, everybody fails. But if all of you haters had somebody at your job who hovered over you and pointed out every possible mistake you made, you would blow your stack before the end of the first day.
Why do you let them get under your skin?? It’s obvious by their words that their only intention is to gain attention by slander and libel.
Especially our local Little League guy who refuses to accept “mediocrity”. Only those teams that excel at the very top are “worthy”, all others who don’t meet the top echelon of standards are crap. What a JOKE !!
Here is what you are all arguing about— One Game— out of 10.
Win 5 out of 10 games and be 82-82, Win 6 out of 10 and 100-64. (if you split the last 4 games 2-2) It’s the same with a .300 and a .400 bating avg. — One Hit a Week — that’s the difference. It is so small that every little nuance of every pitch, play, and at-bat will affect it.
You can try to find blame in everything or you can understand that this is the way the game was designed to be plyed. A round ball, a round bat, and making contact between them while both are going 90 mph in opposite directions is the single hardest thing to do in sports. The field itself comes into play depending on what stadium, what grounds keeper, and what weather. The time of day the game is played, day or night, and how well the lighting is. How many “blind” spots does the league have in a certain few stadiums b/c of the lighting. (right field ring a bell?) Or b/c of the shadows between the mound and the plate.
Then you have the players themselves, everybody has up and down days. Managers too. But these guys have been excelling for YEARS at their profession and did not just forget how to play overnight. I honestly don’t believe that more than a few of the Jeff F. bashers actually live in Atlanta of the North Ga area b/c we as fans have been supporting him since HS and your just not going to dump your hometown talent b/c for once in his career he shows signs of being human. That’s the kind of stuff that we ridicule the NY fans and press for.
So in closing — GO BRAVES!!
By Rush
June 19, 2008 10:23 PM | Link to this
So much blame is placed on Tex, Cox and Frenchy, and while they have been disappointing, it cant all be blamed on them.
This lineup has it rough in AL parks with either Infante or Norton as the DH. That is the first issue. Beyond that, but esp in AL parks, if Chipper or McCann are out of the game, the lineup is anemic. You cant expect to win night after night with Norton, Infante, B Jones, Corky Miller, and Blanco all playing alot. Its just to much to overcome.
Jones and Blanco have both been impressive, and they are exciting young players. Lots of upside. The same can be said to some extent about Infante. But if you want to contend, you cant have so many young players on the field every night. Worse is Norton and Corky. I dont understand what the upside is. They are not young, there is no hope that they will develop into better players or even put up good numbers and become trade bait. Norton might be a nice bench player who gets up to bat once or twice a week, but the amount of playing time he is getting is crazy. Miller would be fine in the lineup once a week if it was just him, but when you throw them all in there on the same night, well I just dont get it. I cant believe there is not a professional hitter out there who cant hit the ball better than Norton. Either an old guy to pinch hit and DH, or a young guy from the minors to groom if they are not going to make a push for the playoffs. And there are certainly better young catchers in the organization.
By Barrington
June 19, 2008 10:26 PM | Link to this
I hate Cox! Why doesn’t he realize he must leave? Screw the extension, leave now! Every guy who defends him is a moron, idiot, and a loser!
By N8
June 19, 2008 10:28 PM | Link to this
Coach
Your 8:51 was well stated. While some on here will bash you for sounding like a broken record, so be it.
Sometimes blind faith won’t allow you to see the forest through the trees (which could also be said about this season’s early struggles - though it’s not really “early” any more).
I especially liked the following paragraph:
“The problem is, the vast majority of the fans can’t seem to grasp the fact that he is both a Hall of Fame manager due to his past record and the most overrated manager in the game due to his post season record and present managerial status.”
Congrats. You nailed that statement.
Lemke and Pete were saying on radio today, that with the upcoming opponents “other than” the Phillies, there really aren’t any strong teams, so the Braves should have a GREAT opportunity to move many games over .500.
We shall see……we shall see.
What’s great about this upcoming stretch before the all-star break, against mainly weaker opponents, is that if we do what is EXPECTED and go on a tear, we are right in the thick of it. If we don’t, (and by don’t, I mean getting our azzes handed to us AND/OR playing .500 ball), then we will know, that the season is a lost cause.
At which point, it will be time to offer Tex a long-term deal (something I’m actually against - don’t want him if he only produces half the season), and if he doesn’t sign and extension…DUMP HIM.
I suspect that the next half of a season, is gonna go just like the past 2.5 seasons have gone……mediocre (at best).
The positives in all of this? Jo-Jo, JJJ, and now Morton look like they belong here. There are gonna be bumps (with all three of them). But our rotation looks to have the making of a very solid one for years to come……barring injury, of course.
By Rush
June 19, 2008 10:42 PM | Link to this
Your statements are right on N8. The upcoming month should be a great chance for the Braves to right the ship, and know before the trade deadline if they are buying or selling.
There are alot of positives so far this year. Escobar, McCann, Blanco, Brandon Jones, Campillo, JJJ, Jo Jo, the return to health of Gonzales. All of those guys look to have bright futures, and for all the grief he gets on here, Kelly Johnson is promising as well. Honestly, things look brighter for the long term than the did a month or two ago.
All that said, between injuries, odd personell decisions, and a couple of guys underachieving, this year is still very much up in the air. I still would like to know why Norton and Miller are getting so much playing time though. Either one on the team is probably fine, but, as I stated above, all the young players and/or bad old players on the field together is a recipe for disaster. I would feel alot better about the short term, and long term future of this club if the coach and gm would at least attempt to fix those two huge holes.
I understand that Kotsay being out is part of the reason all these guys are on the field together, but even with Kotsay back, what was the plan for DH in interleague games? And how is Corky Miller better than the young catchers in the Braves system?
By N8
June 19, 2008 10:51 PM | Link to this
Capt Caveman (the original Dawg)
“But if all of you haters had somebody at your job who hovered over you and pointed out every possible mistake you made, you would blow your stack before the end of the first day.”
Some of us have jobs that if we failed as miserably as some athletes (in all sports do), we not only would NEVER get the big “pay-day” (relative to our profession), but we would be out of work….permanently.
“Here is what you are all arguing about— One Game— out of 10.”
Yeah……Times 16!!! Horrible argument, Dawg. If the season was only 10 games long, it would be valid. But it’s not. So it’s not.
“It’s the same with a .300 and a .400 bating avg. — One Hit a Week — that’s the difference. It is so small that every little nuance of every pitch, play, and at-bat will affect it.”
Yet nobody has hit .400 in so very long. Again, lame argument. Had you stated the difference between hitting .260 and .290, you might have been on to something, but….
“I honestly don’t believe that more than a few of the Jeff F. bashers actually live in Atlanta of the North Ga area b/c we as fans have been supporting him since HS and your just not going to dump your hometown talent b/c for once in his career he shows signs of being human. That’s the kind of stuff that we ridicule the NY fans and press for.”
Honestly…what the hell does JF’s HS career have to do what he’s doing right now? EVERY player in MLB was a stud from WHEREVER they were from, and played HS ball.
I’m glad one of your “local boys” is doing well. Well, I guess that is debatable. But what’s he doing for the ATLANTA BRAVES….RIGHT NOW?
You normally have good arguments. But not this time.
“So in closing — GO BRAVES!!”
Can’t argue with that. So I’ll second that motion.
By Overlord-D-Day
June 19, 2008 11:13 PM | Link to this
McFann KJ hit 2-4, I never said hitting was his problem. Did I?
By Capt Caveman (the original Dawg)
June 19, 2008 11:15 PM | Link to this
N8
Yeah I realized that was wrong when I posted it. Good call. It should have read .250 to .300. Sorry about that. I got to topics mixed up while I was typing.
By BravesFanInRockies
June 19, 2008 11:16 PM | Link to this
U Kno Who was right about one thing. The Braves played better on this trip than they have all year on the road. Before we can get at all excited, though, they’re going to have to roll off a 10-of-12 or 15-of-20 streak.
They’re the same distance from first place now as they were when the trip began — with 10 fewer games to play. If they’re still a couple of games below .500 at the break, then N8 I’ll second one sentiment from your 10:28. It’s over.
By Mark T.
June 19, 2008 11:19 PM | Link to this
any thoughts on Josh Willingham? Its besaid that he is available for a CF, or player not close to their arb years.
By BravesFanInRockies
June 19, 2008 11:34 PM | Link to this
Willingham? Hmmm.
Would the Marlins make a trade within the division?
The Braves could really use a RH bat.
Could they get him for less than it would take to get, say, Matt Murton?
Hmmm.
By KC
June 19, 2008 11:38 PM | Link to this
Gotta get bullpen help. ASAP!
Winn, or another bat would be nice… but we’ve GOT to bolster this bullpen. That’s the first priority.
Another reliable reliever or two, and we win this game today.
By N8
June 19, 2008 11:47 PM | Link to this
Caveman
I didn’t mean to sound as pizzy as my reply to you came across.
This team has actually been playing better (even though a 4-6 record isn’t a great indicator of it), on this road trip.
They did the “little” things that help teams win. The starters went deeper into games, Gonzo has to be a breath of fresh air.
This team will go as far as Tex, and your beloved Francouer (or an outfielder acquired in a trade), will carry them.
Escobar is playing as expected, as is KJ (I actually like him in the 5-7 hole of the lineup better than at the top), Chipper is Chipper, McCann will hit. Leaving Tex and Jeff to decide our fate.
Anyhow. Just read my reply back to you, and it seemed a bit “snippy”. It wasn’t meant to be.
By N8
June 19, 2008 11:55 PM | Link to this
KC
I disagree about the bullpen.
While I would NEVER argue with bolstering the bullpen, I still blame the offense for the loss today.
We scored the first run on a double play with runners at 1st and 3rd with NOBODY out. That one run was all we got.
We scored the second run on a lead-off double by Tex. Followed by a single from KJ. KJ then proceeded to steal 2nd base, and was moved to 3rd with a groundout from Norton.
Jeff then proceeded to FAIL (again) to knock in a runner from 3rd with less than 2 outs.
The game should have been put away, with those two scoring opportunities.
This game should have NEVER come to the bullpen.
Tex is being paid BIG BUCKS to not only play everyday, but produce. Why not let him play at 1B today, and DH McCann?
Yeah, I know, I know. Norton knocked in the two runs in the 9th. I just don’t like him. When a team that is already struggling to consistently score runs, has guys named Norton and Miller in it’s starting lineup, it’s gonna be a long day, and it was.
By Greg Norton is hitting .225
June 20, 2008 12:01 AM | Link to this
It’s midnight. Do you know where your children are? Do you know that
GREG NORTON IS HITTING .225
I hope so.
By Greg Norton is hitting .225
June 20, 2008 12:06 AM | Link to this
This message is coming from an advanced civilization. Many light years away. Hence many years in the future. We have a dire warning for all earthlings. We know that
GREG NORTON IS HITTING .225
Save yourselves.
By Greg Norton is hitting .225
June 20, 2008 12:15 AM | Link to this
James Joyce’s Ulysses is often considered the greatest English language novel. It contains a total of 250,000 words. Curiously, the phrase
GREG NORTON IS HITTING .225
can be found nowhere among the 250,000 words.
By Capt Caveman (the original Dawg)
June 20, 2008 12:18 AM | Link to this
N8
What I mean by JF is that we here in Atlanta have seen him play through HS and the minors, seen him comeback from that horrific pitch in the face, and seen him perform like a superhero in the HS state championship. We;ve seen him produce at every level — we know him.
So to see him struggle garners more of a need to show support to help him fight thru than to kick him to the curb. That’s all I’m saying.
By Robert (Chipper Is The Best)
June 20, 2008 12:20 AM | Link to this
I hate to say this as one of Frenchy’s biggest fans but…..Its time to send him down to the minors. The Braves need to make a trade for an outfielder whether its Brian Giles, Ryan Freel, Juan Rivera or whomever. Let B. Jones play LF or RF. Kotsay and Diaz are due back soon. Frenchy needs to go to Richmond for a few weeks and get it figured out. He is just lost at the plate and its affecting his defense. Now, I guess he could be hurting from his ankles. If that’s the case, DL his a*! Either way get him out of the lineup because he just kills way too many rallies and is all but a certain out in the lineup.
The Braves have to go a minimal of 5-1 on this upcoming homestand.
By johnbama
June 20, 2008 12:23 AM | Link to this
Can I post?
By Greg Norton is hitting .225
June 20, 2008 12:24 AM | Link to this
Just a castaway
An island lost at sea
Another lonely day
With no one here but me
More loneliness
Than any man could bear
Rescue me before I fall into despair
I’ll send an SOS to the world:
GREG NORTON IS HITTING .225
I hope that someone gets my
Message in a bottle
By Shamus Thacker
June 20, 2008 12:26 AM | Link to this
Thank summa y’all done let this Stenchy thang drive y’all crazeee.
He didn’t suck like an F-5 today.
F-2??
By Crabby Bill
June 20, 2008 12:28 AM | Link to this
I’m reminded of something from an old TV series.Anytime this mother and father wanted to get their kids out of the room the dad would tell them he saw a bear and they’d all scamper outside.Well we bit again didn’t we ? Trees everywhere but still no bears.Greg Norton,I ain’t no expert on the subject but wouldn’t a message from space be from the distant past ? and can we get one from say, oct 1995 ?
By Trickle Down
June 20, 2008 12:31 AM | Link to this
Caveman said (regarding Francoeur): So to see him struggle garners more of a need to show support to help him fight thru than to kick him to the curb.
Buddy - this is a capitalist society. It would be very weak to “show support to help him”. He’s got to do it himself or tough. Survival of the fittest. No welfare. No socialism.
By KC
June 20, 2008 12:34 AM | Link to this
2 deals to fix the Braves without giving up any top prospects…
Diory Hernandez, and Brandon Jones… To Padres for Heath Bell and Tony Clark.
Josh Anderson, Manny Acosta, Joe Borchard, Brent Lillibridge… To Cincinnati for Ryan Freel, David Weathers, and Kent Mercker.
Some of you may disagree, but I don’t consider Brandon Jones a top prospect anymore.
Heath Bell is one of the top setup men in the league right now, and Tony Clark would give us the right-handed pop off the bench we’ve been looking for.
Ryan Freel wears out lefties, and could platoon in the leadoff spot with Blanco.
Weathers is nothing great, but he’s a solid, consistent veteran middle reliever… and believe it or not, Mercker is still pitching effectively.
Freel strengthens our hand against lefties… Clark bolsters the bench… and the other guys fix the bullpen.
By Shamus Thacker
June 20, 2008 12:35 AM | Link to this
Is there not a hitter in the Braves minor league system who can outhit Norton? I find that astonishingly hard to believe. You’re right Greg Norton, you couldn’t hit a hippo in the fanny with a boat paddle…
The organ grinder should play “What Kind Of Fool Am I” when Bobby wobbles out with the lineup card.
By Robert (Chipper Is The Best)
June 20, 2008 12:37 AM | Link to this
The bullpen is not the only issue with this team. Quite frankly those guys are probably worn out. The problems are starting pitching (which does seem to be fixed with Morton’s callup and Campillo’s good pitching) and the offense. Lets just face facts here, folks. Mark Teixiera is simply not earning his paycheck. The “slow start” excuse can no longer be employed since its FREAKIN June 20th and he still hasn’t began hitting. Jeff Francoeur just looks lost right now. I defy anybody to tell me the likes of Cody Johnson or Jason Heyward would look any more lost if they were playing the outfield right now. While I like Greg Norton, he doesn’t belong in the starting lineup. He is a great bench player but a horrible everyday player. Ditto for Omar Infante. Ditto for Gregor Blanco although I think Blanco can play everyday as long as he is not expected to be one of the big time performers. Kelly Johnson has been way too inconsistent.
The truth is that Chipper Jones, Yunel Escobar and Brian McCann have been the Braves only consistent offensive performers and the only ones (excpet maybe Blanco) that even seem to give a crap. It is to the point that every time I see Tex and Frenchy come to plate I have flashbacks to Andruw from the last two years.
The thing that really is bothering me is that this team doesn’t seem to have that “it” factor or that passion. Those of you who want to laugh can laugh if you want but you explain to me how in the hell a professional baseball team can be 0-19 in one run games on the road. 0-19! That is totally unacceptable. That isn’t due to bad luck or even a bad bullpen, which this team doesn’t have. Hell, even the sun shines on a dog’s a* some days! A record like that is an indication that something is not right with the team and something is amiss within that clubhouse. And, I lay that at the feet of Bobby Cox. It is his responsibility to hold players accountable and despite what some will say he DOES NOT!!!!!!!!!!
I don’t know what it is but he isn’t getting through. It just may be time for a new voice. I know what I’m saying is treason to some folks but the truth needs to be told. As great as Cox is, even the best ones lose it. Tom Landry did. Spark Anderson did. Even Phil Jackson is showing signs that his message just isn’t getting through any more.
By Shamus Thacker
June 20, 2008 12:41 AM | Link to this
You’re hilarious Greg Norton, but I still think you should be traded for The NeoBambino, Ralph Cramden…
By Shamus Thacker
June 20, 2008 12:44 AM | Link to this
Phil Jackson didn’t need a message when MJ was in his prime.
By Robert (Chipper Is The Best)
June 20, 2008 12:46 AM | Link to this
KC, dude, with all due respect there is no way in hell I would give up Brent Lillibridge for David Weathers, Kent Mercker (who is likely all but retired) and Ryan Freel. Maybe Manny Acosta. Maybe? And, if I were going trade Brandon Jones and Diory Hernandez to the Padres it would be for Brian Giles not Tony Clark.
I agree the Braves need to make a couple of deals. I think Ryan Freel would be a nice addition but he doesn’t really solve the problem. The Braves need an OF who can drive in runs. I say if the Reds will eat some of the money that Ken Griffey Jr should be considered. I also think Raul Ibanez should be looked at as well.
By Greg Norton is hitting .225
June 20, 2008 12:47 AM | Link to this
There are four reasons money doesn’t make us happy:
1) It’s relative income that’s important.
2) Material goods don’t make us happy.
3) People don’t shift to enjoyable activities when they are rich.
4) Greg Norton is hitting .225.
By Ruben Gotay
June 20, 2008 12:47 AM | Link to this
I am the least-mentioned player on this blog. Do I even exist? A man from the future recently came to me in a vision and, being rather curious, I inquired of him as to my existence.
After thoughtful pause and pondering, he raised his weary eyes to meet mine.
His answer: “It is debatable.”
By Lawrence
June 20, 2008 12:48 AM | Link to this
Gee KC that must be some strong stuff your smoking!
By KC
June 20, 2008 12:48 AM | Link to this
N8: I agree with you that the offense deserves the blame for a lot of losses over the past month.
However, as I’ve said more than once over the past couple days…
There are going to be games, and even stretches of games in which you don’t score much or can’t seem to come up with the big hit.
The Braves have seen MANY such stretches over the years. A number of those division winning teams over the years were merely above average offensively, and often reeled off stretches of paltry run production.
The difference in those pennant winning years was that the pitching was good enough to get them through those offensive droughts.
The offense is GOING to slump. It happens. But if your bullpen is truly solid, it shouldn’t slump. You may lose a game here or there in the late innings… but with a good pen, you won’t see a month in which the bullpen loses 10 or more games by itself (as has been the case over the last 4 weeks or so).
You should be able to -for the most part- be able to count on a good bullpen to hold a lead. And therein lies the problem… we don’t have a good bullpen right now.
With the kind of starting pitching we’ve been getting, 4 runs should be enough to win. The bullpen couldn’t hold it.
And as I’ve mentioned before, as much as I love the guy, Bobby probably deserves most of the blame today for keeping Ridgway (a guy who wasn’t even getting AAA hitters out) over Stockman, who has dominated everywhere he’s pitched. And furthermore for pitching Ridgway way in the situation he put him into.
Inexcusable display of poor judgment for a manager of Bobby’s caliber.
By KC
June 20, 2008 12:58 AM | Link to this
Robert (CIP): “A record like that is an indication that something is not right with the team and something is amiss within that clubhouse. And, I lay that at the feet of Bobby Cox. It is his responsibility to hold players accountable and despite what some will say he DOES NOT!!!!!!!!!!”
Robert, I have spent most of the afternoon and evening ripping Bobby for his horrible display of judgment in sending Stockman down, keeping Ridgway, and inserting him when he did.
And, other than the personal insults (like calling BC “stupid”)… I think BC deserved every bit of anger and frustration directed his way on the blog today.
Having said that…
I don’t think you or I can say he doesn’t hold his players accountable. We’re not in the clubhouse to know that. And SHOULD NOT mistake his public defense of his players for lack of backbone.
Bobby believes you ALWAYS remain positive in public. and NEVER says anything negative about his players. I don’t think that means that he doesn’t get pi$$ed off behind closed doors, and I don’t think it means he doesn’t demand that his team plays hard.
I don’t think there’s a lack of leadership on Bobby’s part. Anyone who’s ever played for him will INSIST the opposite. BC’s problem appears to be with his judgment (or lack thereof) these days… in my humble opinion.
By Greg Norton is hitting .225
June 20, 2008 12:59 AM | Link to this
I saw the best minds of my generation destroyed by madness, starving hysterical naked, dragging themselves through the negro streets at dawn looking for an angry fix; Angel-headed hipsters burning for the ancient heavenly connection to the starry dynamo in the machinery of night while Greg Norton was hitting .225.
By Kentavo
June 20, 2008 1:02 AM | Link to this
Hey Robert, I agree, and the use of Norton is perplexing, but something that Cox does inexplicably, like the way he used Woodward last year, who would have not ticked us off so bad if he were used as defensive replacement, pinch runner and to bunt. But Bobby thought he was a legit ph for some reason. Now, Norton is a legit PH, and Cox puts him out in left (or at 1B) every day. Wouldn’t it be better to bring up a slugging young guy to help the outfield rather than wear Norton out? Certainly Ruben Gotay’s spot is a place to look.
By KC
June 20, 2008 1:05 AM | Link to this
Robert (CIP): I hear ya, but…
Lillibridge his hitting under the Mendoza line at AAA this year.
Brian Giles has no power any longer… He would only increase our vulnerability to lefties, and he’s about to get an MRI on a bad shoulder.
A guy like Heath Bell would really help to transform this bullpen.
As for needing a guy who can drive in runs… I think our need is to score more often, however we do it.
Freel is dynamic against lefties, and a Freel/Blanco combination at the top of the order would be a solid leadoff combination.
If we can get that speed on the basepaths ahead of Escobar, Chipper, and co… that will help this offense.
Don’t get me wrong, if there’s a big run producer out there to be had, I’m all for it, so long as we don’t trade our future away, and we ALSO fix the bullpen!
By Crabby Bill
June 20, 2008 1:10 AM | Link to this
TrickleDown If Brandon Jones had gotten a couple of hits yesterday would he still rate as a top prospect in your book ? It’s nuts to suggest trading away young guys for a half season ”rent a wreck”.I think the problem with the past 3 years is the team isn’t quite bad enough to give up on.I’ll be very surprised if this team makes the playoffs,very surprised.
By Kentavo
June 20, 2008 1:11 AM | Link to this
Even with all of the problems of the last three seasons, wouldn’t we have made post-season if the bullpen hadn’t blown so many leads and saves. Don’t have the stats,
By Coach ( The Braves are in TOTAL FREEFALL)
June 20, 2008 1:11 AM | Link to this
By the way, since Chipper Jones injured his leg, he has went 6 for 30 (.200 BA) with 1 HR and 4 RBI in the nine games after his quadriceps started causing problems.
His batting average has plummeted from .420 to .394, Chipper Jones has went hitless in five of those nine games, which is alarming considering that he had only had eight hitless games in the previous sixty-five played.
If you ask me, Hoss is hurting and while I admire the mans guts for playing through an injury, he isn’t doing himself or the team any favors. He should have already been put on the D.L.
By Chop Chop
June 20, 2008 1:14 AM | Link to this
Kentavo,
A “slugging young guy” to replace Gotay?
Hmm…wait…I’ve got it!
Let’s call up Scott Thorman!
By KC
June 20, 2008 1:14 AM | Link to this
Crabby Bill: Not sure if you’re referring in anyway to my suggestion trades, but if so…
B.Jones hasn’t been getting it done at AAA this year at all, which leads me to think his nice start is fools gold. And let’s be honest… he’s had a lot of lucky/bloop hits over the last week.
Heath Bell is one of the best leadoff men in the league right now, and would not be a rental, as he is not a free agent at the end of the year.
Freel, I’m pretty sure, is under contract for at least one more year as well.
By N8
June 20, 2008 1:31 AM | Link to this
KC
I won’t argue the Ridgeway point. I couldn’t, if Ridgeway was my brother. It makes ZERO sense.
But you pointing to the bullpen losing games, doesn’t really prove anything.
You used the “10 losses” in the past 4 weeks or so, so let’s go with that time frame.
Since May 25th (25 games), Braves starting pitchers pitched only 5 innings (or less) 10 times in those 24 games. They went MORE than 6 innings 9 times (Jo-Jo 4 times, Hudson 3 times, JJ & Campillo 1 time each).
Which means that the starters have gone only 6 (or less) innings, in 16 of the 25 games since May 25th. And in one of the game that we got good starting pitching, Jo-Jo took a 2-0 loss with 7+ innings of well pitched ball.
With our week offense, how often do you think we had a lead (big or small) in those games? Our offense has NOT bailed out the starting pitching AT ALL this year.
In that same time frame the bullpen also is responsible for 4 wins. Which means that when the team gets late clutch hitting the bullpen can hold their own, more often than not. (Today obviously they did not).
Listen, I’m not trying to nitpick.
Even after today, our bullpen is 4th in the NL with a 3.31 ERA, and has the 8th most innings with 236.2 (SD is 1st with 254). Our starters are 2nd in ERA, but only 11th in IP. So they are affective, yet not doing the bullpen any favors by having short outings.
As for our offense? Right now, we are hitting .272, which is 2nd to only the Cubs who are hitting .282.
HOWEVER, if you take Chipper’s ridiculous .394 average out of the mix, the REST of the team drops to .258, and if you go one step further and take out McCann, the team is hitting .253.
Those two guys are doing SO WELL that alone, they bump the TEAM batting average by almost 20 points!
I think we can all see that Chipper and McCann are having BETTER than fine seasons. But to have the rest of the team hitting around .250 is tough.
“NOT FAIR”, you might say, to take out the Braves 2 best hitters and calculate the BA without them?
One step ahead of you my friend, the Cubs without their two best hitters (with over 250 AB’s), is .276 (only 6 points below their “average” of .282!
If you’re wondering, the two hitters are Theriot (.308) and Derosa (.296).
The Cardinals (just behind the Braves at .271), average drops to .258 without Pujols (.347) and Schumacher (.307).
While our bullpen is 14th in the league with a disgusting total of ONLY 12 saves, we are 9th in the league with only 9 blown saves.
The MORE disgusting thing in the details of those two numbers, is that we’ve only had 21 save opportunities. That’s on the offense, when you take into consideration the over all team ERA of 3.70 (2nd only to the Cubs).
Conclusion? The offense (with or without regular slumps that every team goes through), IS to blame for most of what has “killed” this team so far.
Sorry dude. The numbers (and what most of us see), don’t lie. The offense stinks, as a whole.
Period.
By gotigers72
June 20, 2008 1:33 AM | Link to this
There is a guy at Richmond named Jason Perry that is hitting over .300 and has 17 homers and almost 50 RBIs between Richmond and Mississippi. He is an outfielder. His only minus is that he bats lefthanded. Still, would he not be better than Norton? Who hits .225? [Actually below .200 if you just count his NL stats.]
That’s right Norton, BELOW .200. Bring it on if you don’t like it. I’ll meet you at the Varsity at 7:30 tomorrow night. [If I don’t show, that’ll keep him out of the lineup for awhile at least.]
By uga-brave
June 20, 2008 1:48 AM | Link to this
efrim,
a lot of good posts tonight/today.
it is nice to know that i am not a bad judge of talent.
i said it last year, francoeur is a guy that you cant build a frachise around.
i got villified by braveheart (who i have a ton of respect) among others.
you cannot have a rf that hits in the middle of the lineup that has a .720 .ops. period.
to compare him to andruw is boarderline moronic.
when andruw was young, he could steal a base, draw a walk, and was the best defensive outfielder in baseball.
francoeur at this point has none of those qualities.
his mechanics are almost comical.
he does not even have warning track power.
he hits more nubbers, more broken bat bleeders, and more shallow fly balls, then any player i have ever seen.
i just read MARK BRADLEY’S blog and he got 400 posts about francoeur.
not many names on that blog are everday guys on this blog.
but it is consistent with the view on this thread.
three years as a everyday starter jeff. 14 straight postseasons for this franchise.
since you and your selfish approach have arrived in a braves uniform we have not made the postseason.
sheff did it, drew did it, and now you and your look at me approach is a symbol of why this franchise is .500.
hey that is o.k. you will be the first quote in the paper. you will make an excuse, guess what, this team needed you to step up and become a player like ryan braun or mike jacobs or dan uggla or god forbid pat the bat, and you have turned into a POOR MANS CLAUDELL WASHINGTON.
way to go golden boy, if you dont believe me dial up BRADLEY’S blog.
all these one run losses are partly on you. they are definetly not on our starting pitching.
By Capt Caveman (the original Dawg)
June 20, 2008 2:01 AM | Link to this
N8
You know that team average has been an obvious point for a few weeks now. With all of the harping about low batting averages it was apparent that chippers average and McCann’s average were pulling up the curve.
I can only speak from my own experience and say that sometimes you feel locked on and on target and yet you swing the bat “right thru the ball”. Other times you have a “hole in your swing” or your not staying consistent with your fundamentals.
I have been paying close attention lately to the at-bats and with JF it looks like he is collapsing his front leg to soon before contact, which is a habit that is sometimes caused from an ankle injury. You alter your mechanics to minimize pain and soon it becomes hard to change back. Other batters seem to have gone from too aggressive to overly patient - hence the recent rash of called strike 3’s.
It’s something that every player goes thru - but in this case we got to many going thru it together. It could be contagious - as far as mental pressure on themselves.
Anyway I have faith that we will continue to fight thru as evidenced by our recent late innning rallys.
Go Braves !!
By uga-brave
June 20, 2008 2:13 AM | Link to this
argue all you want to about cox and his decisions, but our struggles this year falls on our offense.
WE DONT SCORE RUN EARLY IN THE GAMES.
we dont put pressure on the defense, we dont get into other teams bullpens early, and when the game is close, we look like a bunch of guys that are trying to win it with one swing.
oh by the way, name one position player that is in his so called prime?
that would be between the ages of 27-32.
tex, thats it.
management is trying to sell us a car with lots of bondo.
By Coach ( The Braves are in TOTAL FREEFALL)
June 20, 2008 2:37 AM | Link to this
Well, my calculator just threw me to the ground and kicked the crap out of me all the while screaming : YOUR TEAM IS DOOMED , COACH ! FINISHED ! I sit here bleeding all over my keyboard in stunned submission trying to comprehend how my IBM calculator whipped my butt on a low battery.
Just 74 games into it and the Braves sit at 36-38 (.486 WP) and perfectly on pace to finish 79-83 which is incredibly, the identical record of the Braves in 2006.
With 88 being the magic number for both games remaining to be played and the bare minimum of any team that has qualified for the playoffs as the wild card winner, Mr.IBM astutely rubbed my face in it.
Mr calculator said: hey COACH, you do realize that 50 of the remaining 88 games are against competitive winning teams, don’t you? Your sorry little band of Braves would have to play .590 baseball (52-36), never mind the fact that they have been playing .500 baseball for the last 398 games stretching back into the 07 and 06 seasons (199-199).
Basically, that bunch of Indian Rejects(Braves) who have played 199-199 = 398 .500 baseball are going to play 52-36 = 88 .590 baseball. YEA, RIGHT and my batteries are nuclear powered !
He then confidently blinked LOW BATTERY and gave me the finger before shutting down. I sit here in grievous silence, fearful that the evil calculator will come back to life and finish me off. Somebody Help !
By Quack Quack
June 20, 2008 2:41 AM | Link to this
So far so good for Charlie. I get the feeling if he were less nervous he’d have even better control. Let’s hold this lead.Epi
I have some misgivings about ol’ Charlie living up to his potential. He is very nervous and gets down on himself and that is not a good combination in competitive events. It’s been the downfall of a number of players with good abilities. Hope to be proven wrong, but I’m going to wait a while before jumping on his bandwagon.
By Nolie
June 20, 2008 2:54 AM | Link to this
ok. i better stop. or somebody is going to say something about duke football.Carroll
What Duke has a football team? I always though that was the girls soccer team that they used to run out there against us every year.
By uga-brave
June 20, 2008 3:06 AM | Link to this
yo coach,
when can i cash my check that you promised us.
you said we were headed to the playoffs.
since i did not qualify for the tax relief check, i was depending on the COACH playoff check.
so please tell me where us braves fans can cash our checks?
coach, i like you, just busting your chops.
i love your passion for the home team.
i however disagee with your take on bobby.
tell me this, if you would of told me that smoltz, glavine, and hampton would of combined for 5 wins at this point would you of told me that we still had a chance?
combine that with the fact that soriano and moylan have basically not contributed all year and frenchy is a boardline diaster, i feel lucky we are not the mariners.
By Capt Caveman (the original Dawg)
June 20, 2008 3:11 AM | Link to this
Hey Nolie
I was asking you the other day about catching —
Which is worse for you - taking a foul tip off of your body where there’s no pad — or catching a head case pitcher who thinks he knows better than you what pitch to throw. ????
Personally I would take the foul tip - it’s over quick and the pain will go away but head case pitchers and “misery in action”.
What do you think??
By uga-brave
June 20, 2008 3:22 AM | Link to this
oh by the way,
home grown boyer now has 5 losses.
cmon blaine give us another nice quote in the paper. 1-5.
By uga-brave
June 20, 2008 3:30 AM | Link to this
cavey,
you dawgs fan, are you going to see the dawgs in arizonia in september.
i will be there, cant wait. just hope staff and the boys take care of the ole’ ball coach the week before.
i will be in columbia too. as well as baton rouge. made the plans already.
either way win or lose, i guaratee we will be very competitive.
By nolie
June 20, 2008 4:53 AM | Link to this
Which is worse for you - taking a foul tip off of your body where there’s no pad — or catching a head case pitcher who thinks he knows better than you what pitch to throw. ????CaptCave
well since I was a psych major and a wimp I guess I prefered the hardheaded pitcher, it hurt less and I could usually end up getting my way. But I know what you mean it can get very frustrating dealing with a pitcher who thinks he actually knows something. What a joke. :-)
By Capt Caveman (the original Dawg)
June 20, 2008 5:15 AM | Link to this
nolie
Yeah - I learned my lesson with the pitchers in HS. Once I called for a fastball and the pitcher shook me off, so I called for it again and he shook me off. The third time I used my middle finger instead of my index and he quickly nodded in approval.
I was frustrated with him and was trying to make my point but I forgot what the middle finger means to a pitcher. Well about halfway thru his delivery I suddenly remembered but it was too late and the batter got plunked right in the ribs!!
I walked out to the mound and said “you know sometimes F-U just means F-U, not plunk him”
To which he responded “OH - was I supposed to hit him on purpose??”
I walked back to the plate shaking my head. It was gonna be a long day.
By Ronald Millsaps
June 20, 2008 5:46 AM | Link to this
Though Yunel Escobar is a fine leadoff man and more suited for that particular role than Kelly Johnson is, Gregor Blanco very well might need to bat leadoff.
Technically, managers want a guy with Blanco’s Rafael Furcal-like build and someone who bats left-handed (you’re closer to first base, and getting there is your goal) leading off. Blanco has proven he can hit and has established himself as the best bunter on the team. He also has had clutch hits lately and has proven to be a “tough out”, someone who can get a pitcher frustrated by having him dig farther into his repertoire than he wants to, which, subsequently, gives teammates a look at what the pitcher’s foundation for that game.
I like Kelly Johnson, who reminds me of the 1989 NLCS version of Will Clark, batting lower in the order. I’d bat him a little lower than fifth, though, as he has shown great comfort batting seventh of eighth, and once he returns to his optimum comfort spot, Jeff Francoeur, who should be batting in front of him, will get better pitches to hit.
By the way, Blanco’s a better base-stealer than anyone else on the team, probably, so that’s another reason to have him lead off, and Escobar, like Edgar Renteria, is a great situational/directional hitter who can move runners over.
Also, to those who were badmouthing the bullpen in a recent vent I scanned over, the bullpen really hasn’t been the problem; the lack of timely offense has been.
Bobby, please bat Johnson in the “seven” or “eight” slot.
To those who like to badmouth this man all the time, he’s arguably the greatest manager of all time, largely because he has nothing in common with you all.
By the way, Omar Infante has shown great clutch hitting recently, which is encouraging, and Brandon Jones is the real deal and has more longevity than Jay Bruce.
This team has the best pitching in baseball. Again, the offense has held the team back. I’d go: Blanco, Escobar, Chipper (wait until his eye area heals; he’ll be back over .400, and his odds of batting .400 for the season are better than his odds of not doing so), Teixeira, McCann, Francoeur, Jones, and Johnson. Not even the Phillies or Red Sox can match this formula.
By nolie
June 20, 2008 6:37 AM | Link to this
To which he responded “OH - was I supposed to hit him on purpose??”CaptCave
yeah it used to amaze reading about how smart Maddux was cause IME most pitchers were dumber than a box of rocks.
By nolie
June 20, 2008 6:44 AM | Link to this
and Brandon Jones is the real deal and has more longevity than Jay Bruce.RonaldMillsaps
Ronnie, the rest of the post wasn’t too bad, but this is questionable IMO. Jones might work out fine but I’m not so sure that he’s as good as Bruce let out better. We’ll see I guess.
By ncscoots
June 20, 2008 6:48 AM | Link to this
Efrim, thanks for the kind words…shows you CAN fool some of the people some of the time, LOL.
Re Francoeur: I guess you have to make the determination if his struggles are a tools problem or a skills problem.
If the extra muscle, the ankle, his mechanics, etc. are the underlying factors, well, you can always trim down, get healthy, and fix mechanics. May take time, but it’s doable.
If it’s pitch recognition, strike zone discipline, AB game planning, stuff like that, that’s a tougher row to hoe. That’s the mental side, and I worry that that “tool” hasn’t made much progress, seemingly. He’s struggling mightily right now, and can’t find that gear that will let him not try so damn hard. If he can’t get the mental makeup to do that sort of thing, then “average” is his future, I think.
But he still has a ton of talent and youth, and I doubt he’s peaked, as some here think. So, I’m firmly on the fence about the guy, LOL.
By Coach ( The Braves are in TOTAL FREEFALL)
June 20, 2008 6:55 AM | Link to this
The only reason Gregor Blanco was leading off yesterday was because Cox knew the Braves could run on Saltalamacchia. Don’t expect a repeat of the same batting order tonight.
uga-brave, I was right about this team being playoff caliber. Unfortunately, I never realized just how bad the manager would screw it up.
And if you really believe the injury bug is more of the main culprit, check out the St.Louis Cardinals 40 man roster and explain how Tony La Russa has that team winning the way they are.
By ncscoots
June 20, 2008 6:55 AM | Link to this
yeah it used to amaze reading about how smart Maddux was cause IME most pitchers were dumber than a box of rocks.
nolie, I love it, LOL. I was a pitcher, and I used to think the same thing about hitters. :-)
By nolie
June 20, 2008 7:36 AM | Link to this
I was a pitcher, and I used to think the same thing about hitters. :-)Scoots
yeah but you had the advantage of a smart knowledgeable adept expert(brilliant and handsome too, at least im my case) catcher to help you out and tell you what to throw, when to throw it and where to aim for.
The problem is just about the time a catcher finally gets some dumb pitcher trained he(the pitcher) goes and injures his arm and we gotta start all over again with a newby…and when the injured guy comes back? oy, all the retraining that takes.
By Shaun
June 20, 2008 7:57 AM | Link to this
Coach, the Cardinals are winning primarily because Ryan Ludwick is playing way over his head, Rick Ankiel is probably playing a little over his head and several pitchers are playing a little over their heads. How much this has to do with Tony LaRussa, I’m not sure.
By Overlord-D-Day
June 20, 2008 7:58 AM | Link to this
Jones’ flirtation with .400 is nice, but it won’t last
Article from Foxsports.com
By Will
June 20, 2008 8:04 AM | Link to this
I think i am officially convinced Bobby Cox either A) Blacks out when he is making pitching changes or B) Throws darts at a board in the tunnel to decide what to do next. What a bumbling moron. His insistence on lefty/righty matchups is just ridiculous! We are watching one of the best managers ever becoming senile in the dugout. I think a 10 year old could make about the same quality decisions. Now this wknd with the Mariners coming in, playing like crap and giving pink slips to GM and Manager i think anything less then a sweep is unacceptable!
By Overlord-D-Day
June 20, 2008 8:12 AM | Link to this
Home sweep home…….lets win some games Bravos!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Go Braves.
Campillo going tonight, I feel so positive about this rotation, I sincerely think Morton is a better option than glavine. Not that I dont like glavine, but I like our chances better if he stays on DL.
By Will
June 20, 2008 8:16 AM | Link to this
Shaun, You ever consider the fact that Rick Ankiel is actually good and not neccisarily playing over his head. One thing i do know is NO WAY IN HELL Bobby Cox wins the 2006 Series with that team Larussa did. No way.
By Shaun
June 20, 2008 8:32 AM | Link to this
The problem is, the vast majority of the fans can’t seem to grasp the fact that he is both a Hall of Fame manager due to his past record and the most overrated manager in the game due to his post season record and present managerial status.
I think Cox is rated pretty appropriately by “the vast majority of fans.” No one obsesses over Bobby Cox all that much except for the people who think he needs to be fired.
I think the vast majority of fans realize that managers don’t make all that much of a difference. And of all the managers in history Cox’s reputation is unmatched or nearly unmatched among baseball insiders. So they consider his reputation and his track record of all his games (perhaps his reputation is just as if not more important than track record), and consider him one of if not the greatest manager of all-time. Which is very reasonable, the way I see it. But we aren’t as enlightened as you and the Bobby Cox bashers, are we?
You say he is the “most overrated manager in the game due to his post season record and present managerial status.” You have yet to answer the question of why he is primarily responsible for the Braves post-season failures? And why is he primarily responsible for the Braves not winning the division since 2005? If that’s the case, why isn’t he primarily responsible for all those division titles and the 1995 World Series?
I don’t the he’s primarily responsible for either the Braves winning so much or the Braves struggles. I think given his reputation and his record of obviously not costing the Braves too many wins over his career (perhaps being worth a few extra wins), he should be regarded as an all-time great manager.
I just don’t see how another manager could lead the Braves to significantly more wins than Bobby Cox. But I suppose some of you know more than the rest of us about a manager’s impact.
By Shaun
June 20, 2008 8:40 AM | Link to this
Will, I do think Ankiel is actually good. I just doubt he’s as good as he’s been.
It’s good that you know about the 2006 World Series. Maybe you can shed some light on how you know. Because if you know what you say you know, you have some pretty remarkable powers.
I suspect Tony LaRussa couldn’t manage that 2006 team to a World Series title again if he somehow had an opportunity to do it again.
By Shaun
June 20, 2008 8:48 AM | Link to this
Coach, another question you have yet to answer: What about Terry Francona?
His record was pretty bad with the Phillies. If you’re going to judge a manager largely by his record (especially his record in a handful of games), do you think it was a mistake for Boston to hire him?
You can say all you want that he’s won post-season games but the fact is he had a losing record before he got to Boston. Why was it not a mistake for Boston to hire him, since you seem intent on judging managers primarily based on wins and losses and completely ignoring other things?
By Efrim
June 20, 2008 8:48 AM | Link to this
The Cards will come back down to Earth, which is why the Wild Card is still for the taking. That goes for the Braves and sadly, the Mets as well.
By Shaun
June 20, 2008 9:00 AM | Link to this
One more thing, and I’m off the soap box.
No one can know a manger’s impact. You can pretend to know that Cox isn’t worth anything. But the truth is no one knows. The players and front office probably have some idea and probably know more than the rest of us but even they probably don’t fully know a manager’s impact.
But what we do know is that Bobby Cox has one of the best winning percentages of all-time. We also know the reputation he has with the people who probably know more about the impact he has on a team. Given all of what we do know, I think we have to consider that Cox is one of if not the greatest manager of all-time. That’s not to say he’s worth 40-50 wins a year or even 20-30 (I seriously doubt any manager is worth more than a few wins a year.) I just have a hard time believing based on what we do know that the Braves would be significantly better off with another manager. It’s quite possible they wouldn’t be significantly worse off but I doubt they’d be significantly better off either.
By LT-AA Blogger
June 20, 2008 9:22 AM | Link to this
Like the arrival of Fred McGriff Fulton Co. stadium caught fire….
Enter the 40 ft Chopping Cow!!!!!!!
As big as a tractor trailor, the Chopping Cow will Chop the Braves back to the promise land.
By beachcomber
June 20, 2008 9:24 AM | Link to this
With apologies to Jo Jo Reyes (and perhaps Royce Ring), the Braves need to stay away from pitchers whose last names begin in R.
Witness Reitsma, Resop, Remlinger, Redman and now Ridgeway.
We seem to have done a lot better one letter down in the alphabet with Sain, Spahn and Smoltz.
And if you like extreme contrasts - only two guys with a name ending in Y have ever toiled for the Braves Cy Young - and Tyler Yates.
By timmy
June 20, 2008 9:36 AM | Link to this
Josh Willingham? That could be a nice addition, for a package of players. I would think they would do division deals. They traded Piazza, Leiter, Delgado and LoDuca to the Mets, at different times. We have a CF or two, in Blanco & Anderson, we could package them and get Chipper, Tex, & McCann, going even better
By GT80
June 20, 2008 9:49 AM | Link to this
Bobby is great for keeping an even keel, never panicking and over his career having a team make it through the long drain of a 162 game season with a successful outcome. Apparently the players love him because of his loyalty and his track record.
But at what point does he start to get heat for having a team that doesn’t play very good fundamental ball? At what point does he get heat for never being able to have a closer (with the exception of when he had HOF Smoltz, has he ever had a closer that could consistently perform)? At what point does he get heat for having a team that’s lost so many close ballgames.
I belive it’s been said that a definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. Why does Bobby keep having Blaine Boyer pitch in the 9th inning of a tie game? How many times do we have to see him fail before Bobby finally realizes this is a bad move?
The end of the era was 2 years ago. We’re now a 4th place team with potential but not much else.
By chris
June 20, 2008 10:01 AM | Link to this
DOB and others,
Would love feedback on these thoughts:
I’m a big Cox supporter but the Ridgeway move yesterday was far and away the worst move he’s made this season. As you all have noted, he had not one but two lefties (Ring and Ohman) he could have used. Gonzo is the closer so he wouldn’t have been the choice.
Also, he has got to be more careful in using these guys for more than one inning. He has even publicly stated that he’d like to avoid that. It could be argued that he was asking Boyer to go three innings as he entered the 7th and pitched the 8th. Why not take him out with a degree of success? I know it was a tie game in the 9th but he should have started the inning with Ohman or Bennet. The thinking, I’m guessing, is that Boyer was only going to pitch to one batter anyway and Ohman would then enter to fact the lefty. Still, Ohman is more than a lefty specialist and starting him and having him finish the inning would have been the better move.
Bennet has pitched fairly well as a late inning guy during Acosta and Boyer’s slumps. But like those young relievers, he does not do so well with inherited runners. Ohman and Ring do much better with inherited runners.
Now that we are done with the dh, isn’t it time to get rid of our 13th pitcher and call up someone like Anderson?
Two more suggestions. Stockman seems to be the 2007 version of Devine. But we should call him up and drop Ridgeway. Sammons should replace Corky.
This team is totally fine with starting pitching. It could almost be argued that we are 8 deep, with three lefties who might soon be available (Glavine, Hampton, and James)waiting in the wings. Granted Hampton is a huge if and James hasn’t fared well this year but I don’t see the need to trade young talent for a veteran starter. Even our bullpen could be good to go (though one more vet wouldn’t hurt) if Cox remembers who is best with inherited runners and not to run guys out for more than one inning at a time too often (I realize that sometimes it’s necessary but I still don’t think Boyer starting the 9th was wise).
Thoughts?
Chris from MD
By ncscoots
June 20, 2008 10:02 AM | Link to this
As big as a tractor trailor, the Chopping Cow will Chop the Braves back to the promise land.
Stranger things than THAT have happened in baseball, LOL.
By Shaun
June 20, 2008 10:14 AM | Link to this
GT80, if his teams don’t play fundamental ball and it’s his fault, why didn’t it show up all those years the Braves were winning division titles?
Why is he to blame for the team not having a consistent closer? Why not the GM? And is it really true that Smoltz is the only closer the Braves have had?
And he keeps going to Boyer because Boyer may be his best reliever. Boyer has given up 9 homers his entire pro baseball career. He also has a low walk rate and a good strikeout rate.
By KC
June 20, 2008 10:18 AM | Link to this
N8: I won’t argue with you that the offense has stunk.
I just feel, again, that offenses (with few rare exceptions) are inconsistent to one degree or another.
Most teams… even most winning teams are going to have stretches where they don’t score much.
Your pitching must be the constant.
This Atlanta offense is no worse than a number of the division winning teams over the years. How did those teams do it?
Pitching.
When you have excellent pitching, it is not prone to week-long (or weekS-long) stretches in which it doesn’t get the job done, as offense can be).
Start with the pitching. Solidify that, that then worry about the offense.
By Lew
June 20, 2008 10:19 AM | Link to this
Re:The Chopping Cow-Why can’t we just put the flipping TeePee back? It always worked in the past. The way things are going, they have plenty of extra seats.
Maybe put the cow in the Tee Pee with Knockahoma. They can keep each other company when no one else shows up (it is, after all, Atlanta).
By Efrim
June 20, 2008 10:20 AM | Link to this
Why do people keep ripping on BC? It amazes me. The players folks, the players. The right fielder and the first baseman are the reason for this team’s struggles. You want to blame the starters for not going deep into games, which in turn resulted in the bullpen getting tired by June?, fine. But enough with the BC bashing.
By Renegator
June 20, 2008 10:21 AM | Link to this
If this team doesn’t turn it on a bit - they could finish in 4th place. That is just sad.
What is even more sad is that now that Cox has signed an extension - we already know how 2009 will end up. .500 baseball and 3rd in the division. That’s going to take all of the fun out of the off season.
It won’t matter who the Braves trade for, sign, release, etc. None of it will matter because as long as Cox is at the helm - this will be a .500 team. (Example - Tex
By KC
June 20, 2008 10:21 AM | Link to this
Someone has probably already mentioned this… I don’t know, but here’s an item from mlbtraderumors.com:
“Ryan Freel is drawing strong interest; Stark names the Phillies, Braves, Mets, and Marlins as suitors.”
By McFann©
June 20, 2008 10:23 AM | Link to this
Overlord—
No, you didn’t mention Johnson. Sorry. I was just givin’ you the business.
I don’t see Bobby putting Corky out there tonight. But I don’t know…there is that whole thing with Boyer…
No. He can’t sit 3BMac for two games in a row when he’s going so good and not hurt. It’s not natural.
By Overlord-D-Day
June 20, 2008 10:41 AM | Link to this
McFann I talked to B.C. The reason he played Corky yesterday was that he didnt want Brian to get exhausted out there with the heat and the sun. It was kind of a punishment for Corky, :) . Thing Bobby doesnt get is that the punishment is for us, not for Corky.
By ernesto
June 20, 2008 10:44 AM | Link to this
Totally useless Braves (still remaining on roster) 1. Corky BA a little over 100 and that stellar D? When exactly do we get to see that? 2. Gotay - .200 BA, .225 SLG. How did the Mets let him go? 3. Ridgway - With a whopping 4.1 innings pitched this year, he’s given up 4 hits, 2 hr and 1 blown save. Well done, sir. 4. Buddy - 13.1 innings pitched. 10 hits. 10 Walks. Not exactly lights out. 2.70 ERA is respectable, but the lifetime 5+ ERA and his body of work w/the Bravos doesn’t give you a lot of faith in that number.
We could debate the foibles and failures of guys like Norton, or b. Jones, Acosta, etc. all day, but at least those guys contribute something.
If nothing else, tell Corky to lean into some pitches and start taking a few for the team…God I never thought I’d miss Todd “I Suck Like There’s Money In It” Pratt.
I think it’s a HUGE weakness of this team that Norton is our big bat off the bench.
By ernesto
June 20, 2008 10:49 AM | Link to this
All that being said about the deadwood on our bench, it sure doesn’t help when your big bats in RF and 1B go, collectively, 3 for Texas.
By DAP
June 20, 2008 10:59 AM | Link to this
Mickey Mantle holds the single-season batting average record for a switch-hitter at .365 in 1957.
im betting chipper breaks that this year.
By David O'Brien
June 20, 2008 11:02 AM | Link to this
Ernesto, is that like “T” for Texas (“T” for Tennessee)….
Back on the case, perusing the interweb and crunching numbers. We’ll have a new blog up before too long (don’t want to promise a time, because the “gotcha” boys will hold me to it)….
By DAP
June 20, 2008 11:10 AM | Link to this
rosenthal says we could get a package including kotchman for teixeira from the angels. that would be nice, hunh?
also this from rosenthal’s article:
Then there is the Mariners’ offense, tied for last in the AL in runs per game, last in on-base percentage and last in slugging. The M’s feature too many free swingers who underperform even when they get into hitters’ counts.
that sounds like hitter that campillo could carve up. i hope he does it tonight. a sweep of the M’s would be sweet. weve got campillo, jurjen and hudson going for us. if we can win tonight against bedard, i like our chances.
By ernesto
June 20, 2008 11:13 AM | Link to this
“Oh give me a t for texas, give me a t for tennessee Give me a t for texiera, first baseman going 0 for 3”
By London Correspondent
June 20, 2008 11:13 AM | Link to this
Efrim, why do the haters bash BC so much? Because the poor deluded souls think everything is his fault, that’s why. They rip him for taking the starters out too early, then they rip him for leaving them in too long. They rip him for using the same guys from the bullpen, then they rip him for using different guys. They rip him for always going by the book, then they rip him for always making “counter-intuitive” moves. They rip him for keeping the same lineup, they rip him for always changing the lineup. They rip him for waiting for the 3 run homer, they rip him for sending the runner.
The nature of baseball is that in-game managerial decisions usually only move the chance of success or failure a few % either way, so it’s a second guesser’s charter, and boy do some people take advantage of it. To be honest, a lot of us could probably do a competent job of managing one game (Ted Turner thought so!), as a lot of decisions are pretty automatic. The skill of baseball management is in running the team, not running one game, and Bobby does that better than anyone.
If he’d followed the haters’ demands over the last few weeks, he’d have benched KJ for two games for dropping a popup, sent Acosta out to close a game while warming up a second pitcher to bail him out, batted at least 4 guys in the 8 hole because of short slumps, and sent half a dozen others to the minors. He’d also have publicly bawled out almost every player except Chipper, who’d he have forced to go on the DL. In the process he’d have completely lost the team. I wouldn’t mind betting that if any of the haters managed the team for a week, several players would take them down a dark alley and give them a right good seeing-to (and not in a good way).
By McFann©
June 20, 2008 11:14 AM | Link to this
Overlord—
Seriously? You talked to Bobby?? Or are you now giving me the business?
I know the heat is why Bobby rested McCann yesterday (and I thank him for that, it’s just to bad we don’t have a little bit better sub…). I was only wondering about tonight because Campillo’s starting, and we know that he likes Corky.
But if McCann starts tonight, and things go well, maybe Bobby will put McCann in for Camp’s next start (25th)……
Welcome back, Chief! And thanks for cleaning up the blog over the weekend!
By Random
June 20, 2008 11:16 AM | Link to this
Ambidextrous pitcher Pat Venditte headed to Staten Island Yankees
“Pat Venditte, the ambidextrous pitcher from Creighton whom the Yankees drafted in the 20th round last week and signed, will get a chance to pitch with both arms when he starts his pro career at Class-A Staten Island.
“Venditte, who was also drafted by the Yanks last year in the 45th round but did not sign, was 9-3 with seven saves and a 3.34 ERA for Creighton in 2008. Even though he is a reliever, he led the Missouri Valley Conference with 101 strikeouts in 86-1/3 innings. In his college career, Venditte struck out a batter with both arms in the same game 39 times.
“Venditte uses a six-fingered glove that has two webs and he deftly switches hands depending on whether he’s facing a lefty or righty hitter.”
And here’s a site with a video of the action last night between the SI Yanks and the Brooklyn Cyclones.
By Lew
June 20, 2008 11:16 AM | Link to this
KC-Dude, come on. Ryan Freel has an OBP that is nothing to write home about, damn little power and has played in about HALF of Cincinnati’s games (for a quite pitiful team, no less). He has a tendency to run into fixed objects on a regular basis, thereby hurting himself. Just what we need-someone ELSE to end up hurt and missing time that is a mediocre hitter anyway.
I fail to see the fascination with a marginal (at best) player that has seemingly taken over a major portion of the collective wet dreams of this blog for several seasons. The guy is average and is not the answer to our problems.
By ernesto
June 20, 2008 11:23 AM | Link to this
Speaking of Bedard, MLB Trade Rumors has him officially on the market, but, even with losing 3/5 of our planned rotation, I’m kind of liking what we have now.
By Efrim
June 20, 2008 11:25 AM | Link to this
Amen Lew. Ryan Freel is a fringe regular.
By Random
June 20, 2008 11:25 AM | Link to this
Last night’s switch-on-switch action has already made it to Wikipedia: “In his first minor league appearance with the Staten Island Yankees against their crosstown rivals the Brooklyn Cyclones (the respective Yankees and Mets affiliates are the only two minor league teams in New York City), Venditte pitched a scoreless ninth inning for a Yankees win. The appearance is notable because there was an unusual incident before Venditte faced the last Cyclone batter; the batter, Ralph Henriquez, is a switch-hitter, and upon choosing to bat left- or right-handed (with Venditte subsequently choosing to pitch with the same hand), Henriquez would then go to the other side of the plate (and adjust his shin guard—which is worn on the front leg when a batter takes their stance) to regain the advantage. After this had happened several times the teams appealed to the umpiring crew, which ruled in favor of the pitcher. Venditte subsequently struck out a very frustrated Henriquez (who slammed his bat against the dirt in anger) to end the game.”
By N8
June 20, 2008 11:27 AM | Link to this
KC
I’m not gonna argue with you over it either. It seems like the nights we get good pitching, we get poor hitting. Then on the nights our pitching stinks, we score 7 runs, or worse yet, on the nights we get good pitching AND hitting, the defense or base-running lets us down.
Safe to say that the TEAM has not played good, all around consistent baseball, that Braves fans got used to in the 90’s.
But ultimately, I think our pitching in general has been good enough to win more than 50 percent of our games.
But that’s just me. Like I said last night, not trying to nit-pick on one particular area of need.
But if I were to blame the pitching over the offense for our woes, I’d blame the starters (until the past week or so), more than the bullpen. That bullpen (like last year), has been ridiculously over-worked, due to consistently short outings by the starters.
If I were to list a “pecking order” of concern it would be as follows:
1) Consistent offense.
2) Starters innings pitched
3) Bullpen
In the grand scheme of things, ALL THREE are areas of concern, but if taken care of in that order, everything would fall into place, IMO.
If the offense scored more runs, Bobby could stick with the starters longer, which would trickle down to NOT working the bullpen so hard.
Like I said, just my opinion.
L8r. Off to take the kids to the river for some fun in the sun. Gab at you all at game time on the new blog (if DOB would get off his azz and get a new one up).
Just kidding DOB. Gotcha!!!
By Efrim
June 20, 2008 11:33 AM | Link to this
This J.P. Riccardi/Adam Dunn stuff is hilarious. Riccardi is a joke. He thinks that Adam Dunn’s strikeouts will hurt his already pitiful offense. Striking out 200 times a year does make me worry about sticking Dunn in the middle of the order, but the guy is better than the credit Riccardi is giving him. He is consistently around a 900 OPS. How does that make your offense worse? Especially the Blue Jays offense. J.P. should be fired. The Blue Jays have been mediocre for far too long and the Rays have surpassed them in the AL East.
By ernesto
June 20, 2008 11:35 AM | Link to this
Lew - Couldn’t agree with you more on the Freel love-fest. Just don’t get it.
By BravesFanInRockies
June 20, 2008 11:35 AM | Link to this
Lew,
Amen on Freel. He’s a sparkplug, all right. One that either clogs up or burns out with some frequency.
Lots of denizens are bummed about the end to the road trip and it’s easy to understand. 4-6 is a lot better than many of us were expecting. And yet …
Had the Braves come back and won one more of those games in the AL parks, the trip would have felt a lot better, even if the result was only 5-5.
To its credit, this team seems able to hang in there but oh so rarely comes back in the late innings or finds a way to win a tie game.
uga-braves made a comment earlier that this team doesn’t score runs early. My recollection is the opposite, that it often score a run or two in the first couple of frames and then the offense goes to sleep. That may be just my impression, however.
By ernesto
June 20, 2008 11:37 AM | Link to this
And if I’m not mistaken Freel makes somewhere around 3 mil per.
By Kentavo
June 20, 2008 11:42 AM | Link to this
Hey D.O.B. - any word on how Gonzo is feeling after the performance the other night? Did he warm up yesterday in case we went to extras? Should he be good to go tonight if needed?
Btw, crappy teams such as Seattle scare me cuz Braves have tendency to play down to talent level of opposition, for some reason.
By Renegator
June 20, 2008 11:53 AM | Link to this
I think Willingham would be a great fit for this team (in LF) if the Marlins are willing to move him in the division. I think the Braves definitely have the outfield prospects that the Marlins would be looking for. Plus, he is from around here (North Alabama).
Plus, Willingham seems to be a Braves killer so getting him would leave one less Braves killer in the division.
By Nate
June 20, 2008 11:53 AM | Link to this
I really gotta wonder why Bobby cut Javy Lopez in spring training to keep Corky? Ouch!
By Renegator
June 20, 2008 11:58 AM | Link to this
Does anyone know our record in extra inning games? Have we even won one yet?
By Braveheart
June 20, 2008 12:02 PM | Link to this
Chrissakes, Corky Miller is the least of the problems.
By TennesseePaul
June 20, 2008 12:02 PM | Link to this
I was curious, so again, I looked it up…
First Half: .268/.304/.437/.741
Second Half: .285/.331/.478/.809
And the other player…
First Half: .277/.363/.504/.867
Second Half: .293/.378/.561/.938
I’ll call them player A, for the first player, and player B for the second player…
First 2 Months:
Player A: .266/.305/.441/.745
Player B: .273/.362/.477/.839
Current Status:
Player A: .253/.303/.413/.716
Player B: .266/.360/.434/.794
From this I’d say players A & B are looking prime for an improvement as the season carries on, as per their career numbers indicate.
Player A: Jeff Francoeur
Player B: Mark Teixeira.
By David O'Brien
June 20, 2008 12:05 PM | Link to this
Kentavo, I wasn’t with the team in Texas. Carroll was.
Clubhouse doors open to writers at 3:35 p.m.
By TennesseePaul
June 20, 2008 12:14 PM | Link to this
Buddy - this is a capitalist society. It would be very weak to “show support to help him”. He’s got to do it himself or tough. Survival of the fittest. No welfare. No socialism.
Actually, it’d be capitalism to buy his stock now while it’s low, then next half, when he goes on a tear you can get all giddy for picking up the stock cheap.
By TennesseePaul
June 20, 2008 12:17 PM | Link to this
Braveheart: Corky Miller is the least of the problems.
Sometimes it’s easiest to start with the minor things and work up to the major.
By AGTfan
June 20, 2008 12:20 PM | Link to this
London Correspondent Great Post! It is the nature of baseball fans to second guess managers. Some of the Bloggers here take it to ridiculus extremes. It would be great if certain select bloggers could be allowed to manage the team for a few days (Coach?) and then have the players critique his management abilities in a dark alley. I think the most vociferous BC bashers would then get to spend the rest of their lives in a full body cast.
By Roman Gal
June 20, 2008 12:20 PM | Link to this
I’m going to my first Rome Braves game in a while tonight. I’ll try to get some good videos and put them on Youtube.
But if McCann starts tonight, and things go well, maybe Bobby will put McCann in for Camp’s next start (25th)…… McFann
Yes. Hopefully.
Efrim I agree with the Bobby-bashing stuff. I think people give too much credit to the managers when teams are winning or losing. All I know is that other teams would kill to have Bobby as their manager.
By BravesFanInRockies
June 20, 2008 12:30 PM | Link to this
10Paul,
We’ll have to hope that Players A and B return to form.
BTW, the essential Baseball-Reference.com has a great feature that lets you compare a current player’s stats with contemporaries and with older or retired players at the current player’s same age.
“Player A’s” comparables include among current players, Brad Hawpe, Juan Rivera, Rocco Baldelli(!).
Age 23 players similar to JF include Jack Clark, Greg Luzinski, Jeff Burroughs and Ellis Valentine.
Of those retired players, Valentine may be the most like JF, because unlike Clark, Luzinski and Burroughs, Valentine put up numbers through most of his career that were similar to his final .278/.315/.458. The other three started off really bad (worse than Frenchy) and got better after a couple of years.
Ellis Valentine was not a bad player, but he was at best a complementary run producer and not the linchpin of an offense. JF may be the same.
OK, off the soapbox for today.
By Adam
June 20, 2008 12:32 PM | Link to this
Renegator,
We already have one outfielder that has back issues and you would be ok with adding another one and give up prospects to do it?
Willingham is a good player but I don’t know how anxious I would be to add another guy that has back issues.
By Lew
June 20, 2008 12:33 PM | Link to this
Corky may be the least of our problems, but would be one of the easiest to fix. Dump him and call up Sammons. He can’t do any worse than Miller.
By Braves20
June 20, 2008 12:36 PM | Link to this
Also saw the Rosenthal piece where he mentioned a (by his own admission) far fetched Angels deal that would involve Tex and Casey Kotchman.
If that should come fruition, The Braves would be foolish not to pursue it. Solid hitter who I have followed since his prep career here in Florida.
Don’t know how he does in the clutch but we all know how Tex does in the clutch.
By BravesFanInRockies
June 20, 2008 12:42 PM | Link to this
*All I know is that other teams would kill to have Bobby as their manager.McFann
You’re putting that one on a tee for either Coach or Robert to knock out of the park! :-)
By Lew
June 20, 2008 12:50 PM | Link to this
It was kind of interesting listening to the Rangers’ feed on Extra Innings during the series this week. One comment made by their announcers was to the effect of “Looks like Tex is having yet another slow start. How typical.” DOB was on the right track when he told us as much.
However…..This would indicate that Tex is only ideal for a team staying real close during the first half of the season or as a deadline trade piece to someone needing a real hot hitter in August and September. Not too sure he will ever be the player to help his team build a huge first half lead in their division.
By Shamus Thacker
June 20, 2008 12:50 PM | Link to this
WB DOB
Glen Hubbard was brought up last night. For those of you too young, or who remember even less about the 80s than myself, Glen was a tough sunuvagun. He’d have knocked balls down with his face rather than allow hits. He had his body [and face] in there every time, never flinching at Dave Kingman ballistic missiles or giving one inch around second. Best double play pivot man in Atlanta Braves history. There’s never been a greater Brave in my mind, past or present. He was the real deal.
I’d love to hear Glen’s take on Hammy. lmao
By Shaun
June 20, 2008 12:52 PM | Link to this
BravesFanInRockies, the similarity scores are neat to look at but they aren’t perfect when using them to compare one player to another. They do not do all that much to take context into account.
Similarity Scores were originally intended to look at a player’s Hall of Fame chances and whether his stats are similar to other Hall of Fame players’; and they are not really to analyze a player’s value or what kind of career he’s likely to have.
By Braveheart
June 20, 2008 1:03 PM | Link to this
Replacing Corky with Sammons wouldn’t solve any problems. You would just be replacing the chicken pox with measles. Sammons can’t hit. Never will. With that being said, he is fully developed defensively and won’t develop anymore offensively, so what is the point of keeping him down in the minors for development purposes?
By Bravesfan79
June 20, 2008 1:07 PM | Link to this
Choosing a .070 hitter in Corky OVER Pena (not to mention it made Escobar go in a slump LIKE I PREDICTED!)
Choosing Woodcrap OVER Escobar coming out of spring training last year. Cost us at least 5 games in the first half of last season!
Letting Redmen make Start after start when we ALL knew he was trash after the first start!
Letting Mike (NOT a big game pitcher) Hampton, start that game 5 against the Astros INSTEAD of taking a chance (really a no brainer) and letting Smoltz (One of the BEST BIG GAME pitchers ever!) start the game.
All these moves have sucked the life out of my trust of Cox and his ability to put together a full roster. Im just not sure if the Braves will ever reach their full potential with him pulling the strings. Only question to me is…. with Cox gone, would that hamper Smoltzs desire to come back next year for the Braves?
Would Chipper and the rest of the Braves keep signing “team friendly contracts”?
Go Braves!
By McFann©
June 20, 2008 1:17 PM | Link to this
BravesFanInRockies
That was Roman Gal who said the thing about Bobby, not me. But a funny response, none the less.
Roman Gal—
So you’re going on the 25th, too? That’s great! Hope the Braves put on a good one for us! (And use the same battery that they will most likely use tonight. Hey, Corky and Morton weren’t too bad together yesterday…give ‘em another shot on the 24th!)
By BravesFanInRockies
June 20, 2008 1:17 PM | Link to this
Shaun, I recognize the limitations but think they’re interesting to look at.
BTW, in looking back at the career numbers of players from previous generations, I’ve wondered if OBP/SLG numbers overall have gone up in recent years.
You look at the career lines of HOF players like Joe Morgan, Robin Yount, Cal Ripken, Paul Molitor, Ryne Sandberg and you can find a number of contemporary players (even middle infielders) who look like they’re going to wipe those guys off the map.
Sure, you can blame some of the stat inflation on juicing. But I wonder how much, esp. since the numbers seem to continue rising after drug testing is part of the sport.
Any thoughts, sabermetricians?
By CatcherInTheRye
June 20, 2008 1:22 PM | Link to this
I suspect Tony LaRussa couldn’t manage that 2006 team to a World Series title again if he somehow had an opportunity to do it again. Shaun
I bet you are right about that. It was a miracle and they don’t come around very often. Bobby makes some debatable moves but he is so strong in other areas that it makes up for most gaffes.A team’c fans are always the hardest on the players and the manager when things go bad.
By CatcherInTheWry
June 20, 2008 1:31 PM | Link to this
Choosing a .070 hitter in Corky OVER Pena (not to mention it made Escobar go in a slump LIKE I PREDICTED!) BravesFan79
And you know that to be the cause how? That’s pretty funny.
By Overlord-D-Day
June 20, 2008 1:31 PM | Link to this
McFann If I ever get 3 feet from bobby on any given day, you should see a headline on this website “Future HOFer manager passes away, he got beaten to death by unknown fan”.
By David O'Brien
June 20, 2008 1:32 PM | Link to this
NEW BLOG CONTENT HAS BEEN POSTED FOR YOUR PLEASURE (or something like that)
By Shaun
June 20, 2008 1:41 PM | Link to this
BravesFanInRockies, oh yeah. Certainly offense has increased for a lot of different reasons throughout history.
The ball, possible juicing by players, players getting bigger and stronger probably favors offense more than pitching, and mostly because the strategy of the game is different.
By ernesto
June 20, 2008 1:41 PM | Link to this
the Jays just “whacked” John Gibbons.
The thing about Willie Randolph getting fired is I felt pretty bad for him for the way it happened…but his stories since, how he thought it would “just” be Peterson and the 1b coach make me wonder how close to his staff he was.
He’s already accused Manuel of secretly masterminding his demise behind the scenes.
Willie should jsut shut up, he’s going from sympathetic figure to whiner pretty quickly.
By TennesseePaul
June 20, 2008 1:45 PM | Link to this
In 2004, at game 74, the Braves had a record of 35-39, .473 winning percentage. They won the division by going on a run of 61-27 the rest of the way. It was an impressive run finishing at 96-66 on the season. Bobby Cox managed that team…
By BossLady
June 20, 2008 1:45 PM | Link to this
If you watched any of ST, Javy could not throw anyone out at second. He threw the ball into centerfield more than enough times. I really loved Javy and would be the first to jump up and down about it, but he would not have helped the team.
By bravesedandconfused
June 20, 2008 1:46 PM | Link to this
Bravesfan79
Hasn’t Smoltz admitted that there was no way he could’ve pitched again in that series with Houston? Also…wasn’t Hampton dealing with a bad arm that needed surgery but wouldn’t get for another year?
I apologize if I’m mistaken. It’s hard to keep all the post-season failures straight in my memory.
-I believe choosing Corky was strictly for defense.
-As far as Woodcrap and Redmen…I didn’t understand their number of chances either. but…hey, BC’s been around the game more and for about 100 years longer than me. Who am I to question him?
By Kentavo
June 20, 2008 1:47 PM | Link to this
DOB, I knew you weren’t on Texas trip, just wanting to know when you get to the TED if can find out wassup will ol’ Gonzo. How’s he feeling? Did his arm fall off?
BTW, summer music scene is heating up in Myrtle Beach if any denizens wanna come over and check out the Pelicans/Baby Braves and some music. Check my website, www.weeklysurge.com, but highlights include: Widespread Panic, The Black Keys, Snoop Dogg, Modest Mouse, Phil Lesh, and My Morning Jacket.
And Hard Rock Park(while pricey) is pretty cool for the music lover, too.
By ncscoots
June 20, 2008 2:02 PM | Link to this
You look at the career lines of HOF players…and you can find [contemporary players who appear will surpass those numbers]…
That’s why it’s always interesting to see how players in different eras compared to their contemporary league-average brethren. Counting stats can be especially misleading, but those relative stats, I love ‘em. I mean, it looks as if any number of 2B will have better numbers than Joe Morgan, but how much better than his contemporaries was Morgan? A big old bucket full.
Offensive production hasn’t been fueled by just drugs. Smaller ball parks, bigger athletes, better diet, year-round training, more accessible video, tons of stuff. Lots of things that might have improved performance for players in other eras. So, that comparison of players-to-peers almost always gives me a better sense of how a players from different eras might compare to each other.
Not that you can, not really, but it sure makes for some great debate!
By KC
June 20, 2008 2:07 PM | Link to this
Lew: You haven’t busted my balls on anything in a while. I feel honored! =)
I don’t think I ever said Ryan Freel is “the answer” (whatever that means). And I didn’t even say he’s a very good everyday player.
What I did point out was this…
Ryan Freel in 2008 VS. lefties: .339 avg… .399 OBP… 6 doubles in 62 at-bats.
As I have said numerous times, I would like to see Freel platooning with Blanco in the leadoff spot.
If there’s someone better out there THAT IS REASONABLY ATTAINABLE… then by all means, go get him. But if not, Freel could help reduce our vulnerability to lefties and give us a solid leadoff combination.
My preference is to see the Braves trade for Brain Roberts and move KJ to left… but I’m not sure how realistic that is. I don’t think the Orioles want to part with Roberts.
My greatest concern though, is to see the Braves bolster the bullpen.