Braves

By Darblue

June 23, 2008 2:37 PM | Link to this

Darblue 1st!?!?!

DOB like music. hee hee hee.

By David

June 23, 2008 2:39 PM | Link to this

Good blog and great CD list, DOB.

By The Mysterious Rhinestone Cowboy

June 23, 2008 2:40 PM | Link to this

Drive-By Truckers, Brighter Than Creation’s Dark ????

By Ric Roc

June 23, 2008 2:41 PM | Link to this

First?

Those numbers seem quite hollow, as you mentioned…

111 RBIs?! I’ve watched every Braves games in that span and I’m sure I’ve seen only 12 runs driven in by Tex.

But I hope he stays…he seems like he’s got his eye on that free-agent prize, but I hope he stays…

By beekay

June 23, 2008 2:44 PM | Link to this

If we falter and drop to say 8 games back by end of July what kind of package if any could we get for Tex since teams know they are getting a short term rental

By MIke

June 23, 2008 2:46 PM | Link to this

DOB, in all seriousness, what would you say the chances are that Tex is a Brave next year? 50/50?

By evan

June 23, 2008 2:48 PM | Link to this

Bad timing on saying this after a game in which we scored a good bit but her it goes anyway: When are we gonna start holding Terry Pendleton responsible for the inconsistent hitting? Since his tenure started we’ve seen regression in several hitters (A. Jones, Frenchy in particular)and no one says anything about it. The two best hitters over the past few years have been Chipper and McCann and both of them rely on their father’s for their hitting instructioin. And the argument that its the player’s fault for being hard headed and not listening is not valid here cause if no ones listening to the message then maybe you should change the messenger.

By brent a.

June 23, 2008 2:49 PM | Link to this

Good information. Right before Tex hit that homer on against Cincy during that Saturday afternoon game, Fox posted some stats on Tex’s day-game performance over the last year, which more or less presented him as the game’s best day-game slugger.

By Braves20

June 23, 2008 2:49 PM | Link to this

No question Tex’s stats with the Braves are impressive. But it’s when those stats are achieved that many fans find bothersome.

Yesterday’s game is a case in point. He goes yard three times in an 8-3 game. He goes 0 for 5 and we still win.

It’s those tight games where fans have issues. Too many 6-4-3’s and K’s in clutch situations.

Bottom line, let the Mets and Yankees fight over him while we address other needs.

By Supes

June 23, 2008 2:49 PM | Link to this

Darn, that’s a lot of research on TEX’s stats, careerwise and for this season.

Other than the temps, is there any other explanation for TEX’s higher numbers in day games? Maybe he doesn’t see the ball as well at night?

By Epinephrine

June 23, 2008 2:51 PM | Link to this

DOB: Pretty crazy that a Bob Dylan fan wouldn’t list The Tallest Man on Earth’s “Shallow Grave” as a contender for his top 25. Really fantastic album. Other contenders that you surely need to give a listen to are Wolf Parade’s At Mt Zoomer and of course and The Fleet Foxes.

Be on the lookout for Of Montreal, Gaslight Anthem, and Handsome Furs. The new Walkmen Album looks like it will be very good too. Check out the song on pitchfork-best thing they have done since “The Rat”.

By Acorn(Jeff Francoeur is the worst Right Fielder in the National League)

June 23, 2008 2:53 PM | Link to this

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/stats/batting?split=0&league=nl&season=2008&seasonType=2&sort=OPS&type=reg&ageMin=17&ageMax=51&state=0&college=0&country=0&hand=a&pos=rf&startDate=null&endDate=null&minpa=0

By Pippie

June 23, 2008 2:55 PM | Link to this

Hey DOB, check out Genesis dvd of the concert in Rome 2007. They may be getting up there in age, but man can they play

By Austin

June 23, 2008 2:56 PM | Link to this

DOB

I’ll just stick to Lil Wayne!

By champ

June 23, 2008 2:57 PM | Link to this

Since the title of this blog pretty much explains what will happen this off season, (Braves not spending the money to re-sign him) why not see what he can do for another month then trade him? How about sending him to the Angels for Kotchman, Figgens, and a top starter from their minor leagues? I think that would be fair.

By CHRIS

June 23, 2008 3:01 PM | Link to this

DOB,

I heard at the game Friday that Wren offered him 6 yr/108 million and Tex turned it down. Do you know if there’s any truth to this.

By flange1

June 23, 2008 3:02 PM | Link to this

Braves20,

I don’t disagree with you, but if you look at the FA’s for 2009, the list is mighty short for pitchers OFers and 1B.

We are in good shape at most of the other positions.

We will have a lot of money to spend, but on what? To get what we need, we will need to trade.

Money won’t help with that (unless we get expensive guys back in trade)

By Steeledawg

June 23, 2008 3:06 PM | Link to this

DOB-

I agree with you on MMJ and REM, I also think the latest Black Crowes is pretty good. What is your take on Coldplay? They may not be the hippest band on earth, but I think they make pretty good music.

By Coach Smith

June 23, 2008 3:07 PM | Link to this

Braves can gain a half-game on the Phillies with a win tonight…

By Lee in S. GA

June 23, 2008 3:11 PM | Link to this

DOB …………. what no mention of The Black Crowes “Warpath” CD.

By Murphy

June 23, 2008 3:13 PM | Link to this

Acorn,

Great Stats on Frenchy, but I am not sure what is worse…his stats or the fact that Junior is next to the worst and will STILL get voted into the All-Star game.

By StingerSplash

June 23, 2008 3:14 PM | Link to this

Braves20,

I don’t think you can dismiss Tex’s 3 HR, 4 RBI from Sunday so easily. You take his four RBIs, it’s 4-3, and maybe McCann doesn’t get a pitch to hit that he can drive out. Remember, too, the Braves had a series of two-out hits after a Tex bomb and if he makes out, that’s three outs and that rally doesn’t happen. If the Braves were up 8-0 already and he goes yard once, twice, three times a Tex, then yeah, maybe you can disregard those numbers. But not in a game that’s 0-0, then 1-0 and so forth.

By Braves20

June 23, 2008 3:15 PM | Link to this

flange1 - If I had my druthers, Wren would hoodwink the Angels into giving up Kotchman for him, but that’s not going to happen.

I see us trading this winter rather than spending to fill the first base position.

By keylargo

June 23, 2008 3:16 PM | Link to this

Remember you have to sign CJ after next year. If you have Tex at $20 - $25 Million, what is CJ worth?

I just can not see it as a plus to have a guy taking up 20% of your payroll and not really being a great player. Look at where he is in the All Star voting - he is not in the top five first basemen.

And finally, I just don’t want to have to be put in a position to be blackmailed by Scott Boras.

By monty

June 23, 2008 3:24 PM | Link to this

I’m glad Tex is starting to hit his summer stride, that should wet the appetites of the Yankees and Dodgers and whoever will make a push for his services this year before the trade deadline.If he isn’t going to be a Brave next year(and I don’t know anyone who thinks he will be)then by all means trade him.I’m not saying keeping him and making the playoffs is an irrational thought, but at this point I would just consider it wishful thinking IMHO.

By Reality Bites

June 23, 2008 3:25 PM | Link to this

No one is going to argue that Tex won’t command the big bucks after this season. The only question that is to be answered is, can the Braves even come close to paying what he will command, and if so, do they even want to? If he were to remain a Brave, a huge chunk of payroll would go in his pockets. Do the Braves want to tie that money up for a number of years on Tex?

It’s only my opinion, but if the Braves are to again be true contenders, they must change the baseball model that they have worked under for so many years. They have to do some serious soul searching and decide if they are really built to win it all this year. If they can honestly answer that question yes, then by all means keep Tex and let him walk at the end of the year. If in their heart of hearts they know there is a very slim chance this team goes to the World Series this year, then move Tex before the deadline and get some pieces for next year and ensuing years. The outlook this year is this: Smoltz-gone. Glavine-maybe gone, if not, how effective? Hampton-not even a consideration. Soriano-who knows? Gonzo-one great outing and one not so great outing. Moylan- out. Kotsay-questionable. Chipper-great-no doubt the soul of this team-still has nagging injuries. . Of the “healthy souls” we have Escobar-a real keeper, but still makes some immature plays out there. KJ- too inconsistent-but he may mature into a very good player. Francouer-make or break season. He’ll figure it out or he will shrivel up and die. McCann- he’s the real deal- a major league performer. The outfield? Too immature-not ready for primetime. The Braves are a year or two away from the possibility of having a really good outfield. Lot’s of “ifs”, that’s for sure. A contending team CAN AFFORD to have a KJ-Frenchy- B.Jones-Blanco-fill in the blank lineup, but they CAN’T AFFORD to have all of them in the lineup and depend on realistically contending. So you play them all, take your lumps, let them mature and prepare for the future.

With the young pitching and young position players, this team has a chance to be pretty good in the future. I said a chance. If they want to keep Tex, make him a realistic offer before the deadline. If he (Boros) doesn’t want to talk or turns away, move him for some pieces that will help you contend next year and the years after.

Not trying to be negative Nellie, but the Braves chances of going to the world series this year are not good enough to hold on to Tex only to let him walk like Andruw and only receive draft choices. No fan wants to know that management has given up on any season, yet to continue to randomly plug holes or keep players that you have no chance of resigning just so you can say you are a contender, even when you aren’t, is suicide for the franchise.

Let’s make it easier. If the Braves are playing like they are now, (still haven’t found any consistency on the field), at the trade deadline, move Tex. The team may still be in shouting distance, as they are now, but if they haven’t pulled it together by July 31st, write it off and get some young guys for Tex who can help build this teams future success.

By Shamus Thacker

June 23, 2008 3:29 PM | Link to this

Damn DOB, you kick azz on this bloggin stuff! Thanks.

Here’s an example of why I loathe Tex as a player. DOB “”Guess he wasn’t exaggerating when he told me recently that he starts hitting when it warms up.”“

Tex is amazingly flippant in regard to his one, huge, shortcoming. He has a take it or leave it attitude that sickens me. He apparently doesn’t give a damn if he hits before July. Ted Williams would’ve bat-thrashed his legendary freezer burnt head, before he’d have said, “I start hitting when the weather warms up.” Ted woulda viewed that comment as the ultimate disgrace.

By ernesto

June 23, 2008 3:30 PM | Link to this

It’ll be fun (hopefully) to watch Tex play the rest of this year for the Bravos…but he lost me at “Baseball’s just my job, I don’t get that emotional about it…” line.

It may be his job but it’s the fan’s passion, they don’t want to be forking over valuable time/dollars to be watching a gifted, yet distant, athlete do his job. They want who’s p** when they lose.

And, beside that point, sticking 20% of your payroll at first base is just plain silly. IMO.

By Graham

June 23, 2008 3:31 PM | Link to this

keylargo

I agree that if the Braves, or anyone sign Tex, it will take up quite a bit of the payroll. Chipper Jones would only be a factor if he restructured his contract to allow the Braves to make that kind of move.

He has made statements and done things in the past that lead me to believe he will play for the Braves through the end of his career. On a couple of occasions, he has restructured his contract to sign other players. He made this statement the last time “I made my money”. Obviously money is not the biggest thing on his mind. He seems to be more committed to the team and finding the right pieces to win than to money. He could have gone elsewhere to play for more money.

By ernesto

June 23, 2008 3:33 PM | Link to this

BTW DOB, think Scott Boras has all those comparisons and more ready to go in his “Tex” book.

By David O'Brien

June 23, 2008 3:39 PM | Link to this

Epinephrine, as I wrote, those are only CDs THAT I’VE PURCHASED. I don’t have The Tallest Man On Earth or the new Wolf Parade, but absence of Fleet Foxes merely an oversight. Had it on my hand-scrawled list but missed it when typing them in. Will add now. That’s a very good CD.

By N8

June 23, 2008 3:39 PM | Link to this

Braves20

Your 2:49 post pretty much sums it up.

I was gonna post a long tirade last night pointing out that at the end of the year, Tex will certainly have “his numbers” (like he always does), but it won’t make ME forget, how much he has let us down in the first 3 months of the season (save a couple weeks worth of games).

Do I dislike Tex? Absolutely not. With us being only 4 games out (in this ridiculously weak division), I hope like hell, he’s heating up and can carry us offensively for then next month or two.

But considering how much “payroll” we have on the DL (3/5 of our “projected” rotation - though I really wasn’t counting on Hampton), and Chipper hurting, our EXPENSIVE first-baseman (one who will be MUCH MORE expensive after this year), needs to carry this team.

By ncscoots

June 23, 2008 3:41 PM | Link to this

It’s those tight games where fans have issues. Too many 6-4-3’s and K’s [from Tex] in clutch situations.

I wonder if that perception exists because he was all-universe in those situations last year (or seemed to be).

Because his “clutch” numbers aren’t at all what you would expect, given brent’s perception:

RISP .286/.900; RISP 2-out .270/.900; Late and Close .350/1.080(!)

I mean, those numbers aren’t exactly shabby. But because they aren’t all-world (at the very least), and he seemingly came up large so often last year, some perceive him to be failing badly in those situations. At least, that’s MY perception, LOL.

By David O'Brien

June 23, 2008 3:41 PM | Link to this

Lee: Not a big fan of theirs. Sorry, bud.

By Epinephrine

June 23, 2008 3:44 PM | Link to this

DOB I understand, but you should definitely give a listen to the Tallest Man on Earth. If you haven’t heard it, my bet is you’d enjoy.

By Cecil34

June 23, 2008 3:44 PM | Link to this

Shaun and other statmongers

What is the Braves’ Won-Loss record since we obtained Tex?

And….

Vision is obviously the most important factor in hitting - you have to see it to have a chance to hit it.

Since statistically vision degrades as folks get older, you would think that player’s hitting stats would get worse the older they get.

But that is not necessarily true, is it?

Of course it would stand to reason that players might see better in natural daylight than at night under artificial lighting.

Statmongers - how have some of the greatest hitters of all time fared in the daytime vs. nighttime?

Think of some of the poor lighting that some parks have had since night games were originated.

IS there a correlation between hitting and daylight?

By ppaddy123

June 23, 2008 3:46 PM | Link to this

Bye-Bye, Tex…..we hardly knew ya’

By Reality Bites

June 23, 2008 3:46 PM | Link to this

In baseball terms, there are only four ways to judge the merits of the Tex trade.

1. You trade 5 top prospects and Tex takes you to a World Series. Successful

2. You trade 5 top prospects and end up signing Tex long term. Successful if you don’t break the bank doing it.

3. You trade 5 top propects and pay for the priviledge of seeing his smiling face walk away after a season and a half and you get a draft choice. Unsuccessful!

4. You trade Tex at the deadline and recoup some of the talent you gave up to get Tex in the first place. That could prove to be a successful scenario.

It really doesn’t matter how well Salty is playing or what Elvis or Matt Harrison turns into, the issue is what was their trade value before the Tex trade? Pretty decent as I recall.

You just have to make sure that Tex doesn’t walk at the end of the season for a draft pick. There isn’t anyone who makes a living from the game, be it GM-scout-writer-talking head, that could consider that a good trade if that is what happens.

By Shamus Thacker

June 23, 2008 3:48 PM | Link to this

If I were the Braves, I’d be ASHAMED at even the thought of asking Chipper to restructure in order to sign Tex. Is Tex the guy you’d want young players emulating? We’d have a whole damn team that didn’t hit till July! Cept Chipper, of course, who’d NEVER say, “I start hitting when it warms up.”

By RedEyedAndBlue

June 23, 2008 3:49 PM | Link to this

DOB -

If you haven’t, listen to Sun Kil Moon’s “April.” Best record in a long, long while. It’ll be on your list in no time.

All your talk of REM also has me wiping off the hand grease from my Vic Chesnut cds (West of Rome, mainly). Were it not for Stipe, not sure he would’ve made it. And what a great mistake that would’ve been. What a tremendously positive and unselfish influence Stipe had on music and musicians during the late 80s and early 90s.

By Shamus Thacker

June 23, 2008 3:51 PM | Link to this

Tex is like a silent cancer in my opinion.

By Blue Magic

June 23, 2008 3:53 PM | Link to this

We’re not going to be able to pay Tex the dollars that he wants. IMO, management will take a hard look at the new mustache enfused Giambino who is more than likely out of NY to make room for Tex. Just need to find a servicable backup first baseman to play once a week

By Drew

June 23, 2008 3:56 PM | Link to this

After the year he’s having, Chipper is not going to restructure his contact AGAIN (after doing so for Tim Hudson). The Braves owe him.

Big Tex must be licking his chops. He’s going to get PAID after this year. I think the Braves have a 5% chance at signing him. Mike Hampton is gone after this year, and that’s $15 million a year. And right now the Braves have a $102 million payroll with Smoltz and Glavine, who one if not both with be gone after this year.

The Braves are an interesting team off the field, just not on the field. I don’t envy Frank Wren at this point.

By Colin

June 23, 2008 3:56 PM | Link to this

I am a big Chipper Jones Fan. I personally think he is a Hall of Famer. Does anybody else agree?

By ppaddy123

June 23, 2008 3:57 PM | Link to this

It’s time to consider moving McCann to 1st next year(to keep his bat in the line up everyday,and yes I know he’s an All-star catcher) The guy absolutely rakes the ball. Playing 1st will keep him healthy and fresh. He’s a big ol’ boy and catching everyday has got to wear him down. So McCann, if you happen to read DOB’s blog and you read this, understand we think you’re a great catcher, but it wears you down, dude. Just change mitts and trot down to 1st. You’ll be a natural.

By MGL

June 23, 2008 3:59 PM | Link to this

In looking at NL batting leaders, I was surprized to find that there are only 15 NL players with an AVG over .300. Two Braves, Chipper and McCann.

Only 42 NL players have over a .280 AVG. This adds in Escobar and KJ.

This seems very low to me. Anyone know how this compares to years past?

By Charles

June 23, 2008 4:01 PM | Link to this

Shamus Thacker

I understand what you are saying. The odd thing is that Chipper wasn’t asked each time. He actually offered a couple of times. One of them he got screwed on - Rafael Furcal, which I thought was a slap in the face.

By Colin

June 23, 2008 4:02 PM | Link to this

I am a big Chipper Jones Fan. I personally think he is a Hall of Famer. Does anybody else agree?

By Jeff R

June 23, 2008 4:02 PM | Link to this

For all the history revisionists, Super Tex was supposed to be the Braves silver bullet in 2007, carrying the team into the post-season. Didn’t happen.

If the youngters Reyes and Morton can stabilze the rotation, and if the bullpen, which has been generally good, sorts out a little more (Gonzalez comes on to close effectively), then the Bravos may get back in the swim. But that would have as much to do with the mediocrity of the other teams in the East as it does with the Braves, who still aren’t there yet as day-in and day-out competitors.

Tex can help, but like last season, its the pitching and defense that will drive the results.

Otherwise, Tex is - well - Tex-as Toast. The Yanks or the Mets or the Dodgers or the Angels, teams with hefty budgets, will snatch him up after to 2008 campaign finishes. Boras the Spider with see to it.

Let’s see what the Braves are doing around the All Star break, but best guess is that Tex should be traded to gain value… a couple of blue chips youngsters who could have impact in 2009.

By rupert

June 23, 2008 4:03 PM | Link to this

tex needs to man up, no more taking called third strikes in crucial situations, sqaure some balls up and put the team on your back, he’s got the talent and i think he can do it, will he? anyone’s guess, if he doesn’t and jus keeps putting up these hollow numbers as they have been called, it hurt quite as bad to see him leave and have an extra 20 mil to play with

By Deep Throat

June 23, 2008 4:04 PM | Link to this

Francoeur’s OBP is close to falling below .300 and his OBS is close to falling below .700.

That on the heels of his .293 OBP season in 2006.

Just an awful, awful everyday right fielder.

By Tomahawk Kris

June 23, 2008 4:04 PM | Link to this

I saw a story on ESPN.com about possible suitors for C.C. Sabathia and it didn’t mention the Braves as a potential team. I think C.C. would be a great pickup for the Braves. I don’t really know what the Indians would be looking for in return, but a rotation with Huddy and C.C. at the top sounds pretty solid to me.

By ppaddy123

June 23, 2008 4:05 PM | Link to this

N8, Ridiculously weak division? You’re kidding, right? The Braves are 1 game below .500. Every team in the division is .500 or better except the Braves and Nationals. No one outside this division will want to play anyone in this division (except the Nationals) in the second half.

By Carolina Matt

June 23, 2008 4:06 PM | Link to this

I feel we could even say the differences in Tex’s stats are like…night and day…

By ncscoots

June 23, 2008 4:06 PM | Link to this

The more comments I read in regard to Francoeur, the more I’m reminded of the vilification that was displayed for Chipper the year he hit .248; the man was just short of drawn and quartered by fans. The Frenchy-bashing is eerily similar.

No, I’m not comparing the two players; only the fan reaction to their struggles. The same rush to judgment seems evident.

I don’t know if Francoeur will ever be the player most here would like him to be, but I don’t think players have “make or break” seasons at 24, and ML organizations don’t give up on players with his tools at that age, either.

So, I think folks can archive all those posts that bash him, if you like. He’ll still be around, if you decide you need them next year.

By N8

June 23, 2008 4:06 PM | Link to this

Cecil34

“Shaun and other statmongers…..What is the Braves’ Won-Loss record since we obtained Tex?”

66-66. Shocking, isn’t it? LOL!

By Run Heap Run!

June 23, 2008 4:06 PM | Link to this

Colin

Doesn’t everyone agree?

By Graham

June 23, 2008 4:07 PM | Link to this

Drew

I don’t think that Chipper will offer to restructure again and I don’t think that the Braves will even ask. The payroll is going to drop significantly at the end of the year, so some players are going to get a raise, and I believe that Chipper would be included.

By GLEP

June 23, 2008 4:08 PM | Link to this

We have about as much a chance of keeping Tex as we had in keeping—oh let me see— MAddox,Millwood,Furcal,Andrew,Sheffield, Drew,Javy,Glavine(2002)—shall I go on? Atlanta reminds me of a team of not too long ago, who developed talent then had to let them go because they couldn’t pay them to stay. Can you say Montreal? But the up side to that is if they never left, then we would miss guys like Mccann,Chipper,Escobar,etc..

By THWG

June 23, 2008 4:10 PM | Link to this

Hey DOB - If you are in Frank Wren’s position, is it worth dropping the big $$$ to keep Tex another 6 years? I’m just afraid that if we don’t hang onto him, that NL East team that resides in Queens might scoop him up and we will be reminded 18 times a year what we gave up. Also, just got the new Raconteurs album. Awesome stuff.

By flange1

June 23, 2008 4:11 PM | Link to this

Has anyone else read all of the information posted on line about the fiasco of firing Wilie Randolph?

No matter what anyone says about how great the Wilpons are, that whole organization looks like a bunch of buffoons.

No Wilpon comes out and says “Omar” made the right decision.

I don’t know how you blame Willie for his players not performing. I guess if Willie wasn’t the manager, M. Alou would have played every game and C Delgado would be hitting .290 with 25 dingers.

You get a group of aging vets and a couple of young studs and blame the manager when the thing falls apart?

In my mind the Wilpons and Omar created the problems not Willie.

By Alan

June 23, 2008 4:11 PM | Link to this

Reality Bites: Your 3:25 post is right on the money. I agree completely. If the Braves are still hovering around .500 (no matter how close to 1st place they may be) a month from now, they should trade Tex — because there’s no way they’re going to sign him in the offseason. He’ll sign with the Yankees — his hero growing up was Don Mattingly, and he wore Mattingly’s number (23) with the Orioles. Here’s the problem, though: The Braves are way too proud to admit defeat (both in the standings and in the trading “game”) — and there’s no way they’ll throw in the Tex towel before the end of the season. All we can hope for is what DOB suggests may happen: Teixeira will put the Braves on his back and carry them into the postseason. It could happen, but Chipper has to get back in the lineup and everybody else (especially Francoeur) has to step up, too. Whatever happens the rest of this season, I’m betting Tex is in another uniform (most likely Yankees pinstripes) in 2009.

By McFann©

June 23, 2008 4:12 PM | Link to this

ppaddy123—

Then who would we get to catch?

By BamaBrave

June 23, 2008 4:14 PM | Link to this

I don’t know about moving McCann to first…I’d get a few more years with him behind the plate. But here’s my only beef with McCann: Dude, get in better shape. There’s no doubt in my mind that he’d improve defensively and extend his career by years if he’d lose 15-20 pounds…OR turn that same amount into muscle.

By N8

June 23, 2008 4:14 PM | Link to this

ncscoots

I think you’re on to something with your 3:41 post.

In reality, I didn’t expect Tex to do for 6 months what he did last year for us in 2 months. HOWEVER, I didn’t expect him to be closer to Andruw was in the cleanup spot than to what he was for us after the trade.

The expectations were (and still are) VERY high for Tex.

I guess, the silver lining, is what he’s brought in terms of protection for Chipper. But, McCann could do the same thing in the clean-up spot, IMO.

I honestly think that McCann is the clean-up hitter next year, if Tex is not re-signed (or another guy that’s been a clean-up hitter is not signed or traded for).

McCann is THAT good. Only problem with that, is WHO protects McCann? LOL!

By stamper

June 23, 2008 4:15 PM | Link to this

DOB- you need to listen to (mgmt - oracular spectacular; m83 - saturdays = youth; atlas sound - let the blind lead those who can see; the magnetic fields - distortion; wolf parade - at mount zoomer; what made milwaukee famous - what doesn’t kill us; british sea power - do you like rock music?; and of course vampire weekend - vampire weekend) if you haven’t already… oh yeah… Sigur Ros’s new album comes out tomorrow! it’s incredible!

but all of the above mentioned are all outstanding records

but i agree with you on the raconteurs, black keys, black angels and the new nick cave album… those are great. haven’t made my mind up on Evil Urges just yet. Z was such a great album - it’ll be hard for me to appreciate this one so quickly.

By Efrim

June 23, 2008 4:16 PM | Link to this

Reality Bites

It really doesn’t matter how well Salty is playing or what Elvis or Matt Harrison turns into, the issue is what was their trade value before the Tex trade? Pretty decent as I recall.

Don’t forget Neftali Feliz. He is looking rather unhittable in the Midwest League.

You just have to make sure that Tex doesn’t walk at the end of the season for a draft pick. There isn’t anyone who makes a living from the game, be it GM-scout-writer-talking head, that could consider that a good trade if that is what happens.

What’s wrong with getting two draft picks for him? The Mets got Reese Havens and Ike Davis for Tom Glavine. Yes, he merely left them via free agency like Tex will with us, and I know we gave up 5 prospects, but still. The Braves can end up with 3 top 35 picks. Add to it that they currently have a great farm.

By Jeff R

June 23, 2008 4:16 PM | Link to this

Let’s see how many games Chipper actually plays this year before signing him to a bigger contract. How many games has Chipper missed in the last four seasons?

By Blue Magic

June 23, 2008 4:24 PM | Link to this

Mac needs to and will stay where he’s at….C

Why else would we have traded Satly and Max Ramirez (who is putting up HUGE numbers in the minors)?

By J-Row

June 23, 2008 4:25 PM | Link to this

Music review

DOB, are you sure about the Roots album? Are you familiar with their relevant work? Go back and listen to “Organix” or “Do You Want More?” Comparatively, their recent work seems worthless, including this new one.

Trade Tex, give Chipper 20 Mil. and appoint him king of baseball operations in Atlanta. There will always be talent coming up through the system. Get what you can for Tex before the deadline.

By Cecil34

June 23, 2008 4:27 PM | Link to this

N8

Then I would say Tex, up to this point, has been a non-factor in the Braves performance in latter ‘07 and ‘08. Not exactly as the our GM, or ex-GM intended.

Nobody knows for sure, or will ever know, but I wonder if we could have fared just as well if we had kept LaRoche.

And we could have kept the 4 minor leaguers we traded for Tex to possibly use ourselves or barter for a player or pitcher that could have made more of an impact than 66-66.

Somebody needs to send Wren a crystal ball before this type of rent-a-player move is made again.

By Efrim

June 23, 2008 4:27 PM | Link to this

N8

McCann is THAT good. Only problem with that, is WHO protects McCann? LOL!

Jeff Francoeur. I mean, that was the plan all along right?!?!?!

Sigh.

By DrHoo

June 23, 2008 4:27 PM | Link to this

You guys worrying over contracts, remember we only have 3 players under contract next year making more than $4 million: Hudson at $13m, Chipper at $11m, and Soriano at $6m (Hampton $15m, Smoltz $14m, Tex $12.5m, Glavine $8m, Kotsay $7m are all off the books, although some may be re-signed at much lower numbers, and Tex might be re-signed at a higher number). Plus, the Chipper and Soriano deals end in 2009, with McCann’s deal escalating over several more years. Wren / Schuerholtz have done a great job creating space within our budget for this year and coming years. We can afford a short term rental this year, and we can afford to take on a large contract like Tex’s (although we’ll never offer the highest price in a bidding war) and probably a couple of others.

By Overlord-D-Day

June 23, 2008 4:30 PM | Link to this

I am a big Chipper Jones Fan. I personally think he is a Hall of Famer. Does anybody else agree?

Colin did you just wake up or something?

By kirknga

June 23, 2008 4:31 PM | Link to this

I think the Tex trade is looking near brillant for the Braves. Even if he walks as a free agent because we gave up no one who would project to help the big league club as it stands today.

So far the Braves gave up a backup catcher!The pitchers we gave up can’t even make the worst staff in the majors.

And where exactly was Elvis projected to play on this club?

At best we gave up what will likely turn out to be 2-3 role players. In other words, nothing essential for the major league team.

Now that’s a great trade and we should recognize it.

With the exception of Wainwright, haven’t you people learned that the Braves only trade prospects they know aren’t going to improve the team?

So if we see a Brandon Jones, or a Shafer, or Lilbridge, or whoever go in a trade, then history tells us it’s likely the Braves did not give up some future All-Star.

By Daybed Wagmoe

June 23, 2008 4:31 PM | Link to this

DOB - Have you heard Beach House’s cd, “Devotion”?

By Hoosier Aaron

June 23, 2008 4:36 PM | Link to this

No way we can win the World Series with the team we are putting on the field - we do well to win a single game on the road. Forget about beating four of the best teams in baseball in a best-of series.

Don’t break the bank signing, Tex. Trade him and let’s look toward next year. We gave up too much to only get a couple of draft picks.

The young pitchers are looking pretty good. We have a lot of young position players.

With Giambi & Abreu’s contract up - the Yankees will part with Kennedy and Hughes and Cabrera…just make the call. :^)

By Overlord-D-Day

June 23, 2008 4:37 PM | Link to this

Efrim & N8 KJ should be the guy protecting Brian every single day from now on. Hard to understand how come bobby has not seen that one.

Right now jeff is an avg. 8th hitter. BJ nor blanco should be batting behind him. Maybe batting him 8th could be good for him, that way he could get some walks.

By Jeff R

June 23, 2008 4:39 PM | Link to this

Just to remind, from 2004 thru this season, Chipper has missed a grand total of 166 regular season games. A whole season + 4 games. I’ll let the numbers crunches figure out what that translates into in terms of home runs, runs scored, RBIs, to name a few key categories.

By Jason H.

June 23, 2008 4:41 PM | Link to this

DOB - thanks for another great blog. Also, I didn’t get to your REM review until late last night, but wanted to tell you that it was 100% spot on. I’ve been an REM fan for a long time, but I think I forgot how incredible they are live. It was one to remember.

By Bobby's Cox

June 23, 2008 4:42 PM | Link to this

I don’t see the braves spending a lot of money this offseason even though they have a lot of cash opening up. And, I’m not sure I want them to live up the increased salary size they promised either with the free agent class that’s available this offseason or the current braves that will be free agents or arbitration eligible (frenchy).

The braves are owned by a corporation, and with the economy the way it is, maybe the baseball team is a way to recoup some expenses and remain profitable to the shareholders. Add that to the fact that braves games are on the trend of looking more and more like Marlins games as opposed to Cubs games, and management may be reluctant to spend.

Those numbers seem quite hollow, as you mentioned…

111 RBIs?! I’ve watched every Braves games in that span and I’m sure I’ve seen only 12 runs driven in by Tex. Ric Roc

That’s pretty funny, cuz that’s what i see when I watch Tex and what Texas fans warned us about after we made the trade. Tex won’t be a brave next year, and like the last 2 seasons, this team will hang around long enough for us to get something for him on the trade market.

The team needs pitching; hard nosed relievers and young quality starters. The only way to get young quality starters if you don’t have them in the farm is through trades, and by not trading Tex, then Morton, Jo Jo, and Jair better be as advertised. So far so good.

The only way to get the relievers is to spend cash. That’s what the braves should do with the cash this offseason.

here’s a list of potential free agents for next year. IMO, the best relievers besides injury pront Kerry Wood are Demaso Marte & Salomon Torres (both team/player options though), and Dan Wheeler. Besides Tex, there’s no one in terms of 1st basemen Kevin Millar, Daryle Ward, Scott Hatteberg, Tony Clark, the Sweeny’s, & Wes Helms are the 2nd best options.

By McFann©

June 23, 2008 4:44 PM | Link to this

BamaBrave—

Didn’t you hear that he “reorganized” his weight in the off-season? Sheesh…

; )

By keylargo

June 23, 2008 4:46 PM | Link to this

THWG

Your argument about Tex going to the mets is the biggest reason I think the Braves should trade Tex at the deadline. Any team that trades for Tex then feels they are going to sign him or at least have enough money to do so.

The Braves would best be served by trading Tex to the Angles, Red Sox, or Yankees and by doing so keep him away from the mets. If he walks, he signs with whoever Boras can pry the most money from. If the Braves trade him, at least they control where he plays next year.

And one last thing if someway, somehow the Braves do sign Tex, I would NEVER do so with him having a no trade clause. A $25 Million a year contract is a big albatross hanging around your neck for 6 or 8 years.

By Del

June 23, 2008 4:50 PM | Link to this

Only one thought … Tex better carry this team on his back or else it is all over. Somebody has to step forward to help Chipper and Mac and it sure won’t be Frenchy!

By BossLady

June 23, 2008 4:51 PM | Link to this

All bashing aside, I am concerned about Francouer, he just does not look right to me. A superstar in little league, middle school and highschool, can he take this slump that he is in now. When I look at him I see something that I don’t like. He is virtually unable to accept failure and it shows badly. Someone suggested he receive mental therapy earlier in the blog. I suggest he receive mental therapy for his own good. Young people are not made out of the good old stuff. They have no idea how to fail and move on. Can’t his wife and parents see this disdain he is visiting on himself? Ya know, it is always harder to fall from the top than at a steady climb.

By Bobby's Cox

June 23, 2008 4:51 PM | Link to this

Nobody knows for sure, or will ever know, but I wonder if we could have fared just as well if we had kept LaRoche

LaRoche? Sure, if we wanted 2 Jeff Francoeurs in our lineup.

By kirknga

June 23, 2008 4:55 PM | Link to this

The Braves will have some money to spend this summer.(Kotsay is around $2.5 million though)

The question really is, in an overpriced market which is the better value for your $18-20 million? A Tex, or a CC Sabbathia? Can we have both?

Maybe DOB could tell us what the range is in regards to what the Braves will have to spend this summer.

It seems to me it could be from $8-50 million depending on who they want to keep and at what price.

By BamaBrave

June 23, 2008 4:55 PM | Link to this

Heh heh…McFann… I don’t know about the off-season, but I know McCann reorganized his weight when he hit that triple several weeks ago and “slid” into third… Yikes…

By Epinephrine

June 23, 2008 5:00 PM | Link to this

People, please, give it up with asking DOB the absurd Tex questions. Would it be worth it to sign him 6 years? Will Wren do it? What will it take? —Do you people think there are actually answers to these questions? That DOB has a magic crystal that can allow him to even come close to giving an answer we haven’t already heard before?

You want to the answer on Tex-here it is. Our chances of him re-signing are not good. They can go up depending on two factors: Braves success this season, and attendance increase. Those two things could convince Liberty it would be worthwhile to green light the signing. The attendance against Seattle is encouraging. Let’s hope it continues.

I will say if Morton can be the guy we think, and JJJ and Reyes continue as they have been, it will give the Braves a lot more options to use money on offense than we previously might have hoped for.

By CC73

June 23, 2008 5:04 PM | Link to this

Hey DOB- Any word on Braves’ first draft pick, Brett Devall?? Thanks.

By wde

June 23, 2008 5:06 PM | Link to this

Francoeur can protect McCann.

ha. ha. ha.

By kirknga

June 23, 2008 5:07 PM | Link to this

Why are people still saying we gave up “too much” for Tex?

I think many here still believe that success in the minors equates to success in the majors. The history of sports tells us that is so not true.

If it was then we would be seeing many former Braves prospects contributing in the major leagues after being traded(not leaving as a free agent).

Again, I count Wainwright only.

If we trade Tex, then don’t do it for more prospects. Trade him for someone who is playing at the major league level now, those are the safest bets, not the prospects.

By Chop Chop

June 23, 2008 5:07 PM | Link to this

I believe that Chipper was being vilified because he was thought of as a symbol of lost opportunities. As time has passed, many of those vilifiers have realized that Chipper is a sign of the really good teams they used to enjoy. Chipper is a player that I’ve finally learned to give due respect to because the team isn’t as good as it used to be. Francoeur is being vilified because he hasn’t lived up to his shooting star-like debut in the bigs. He’s been up and down as a big leaguer. He’s young, but a lot of fans hoped the rise of Francoeur promised a return to the NLCS and World Series. They put expectations on him based on what previous Braves players and teams had done. That’s a natural thing for a fan to do. It may not be right, but it’s natural.

Some may find it strange that other bloggers don’t always take the long view regarding players. I don’t know about anybody else, but it’s damn hard for me to be interested in my sports teams if I’m always putting things in perspective; always maintaining an even keel; always being keenly aware of the irrational fans that cheer for my team.

I mean, why would anyone blog if blogs were merely for keeping perspective? If some believe one’s allegiance to his team should necessarily require a bottomless reservoir of support…well, I think they’re wrong. (I also think it’s wrong to have a bottomless reservoir of distaste for a team one purports to cheer for. It seems to me that some enjoyment should be derived from good things and not just from the ability to kick a team while it’s down.) Francoeur has been stinking it up this year, so why should he not be called on it? As best as I can tell from TV coverage, fans don’t even really boo him at games. They seem downright impassive during Francoeur’s ABs. They’re waiting to cheer for him. They’re not riding his a* into the ground for his struggles like some of the bloggers here. He’s getting plenty of support.

Yes. The Turner Field fans seem quite polite. That bothers me. However, I have to keep perspective and realize that some fans are easily mesmerized by the Big Choppin’ Cow, the Big Coke Bottle, the Big TV Screen, Tooner Field, and every other piece of crap the Braves organization tries to pass off as “attractions” to get those non-baseball lovin’ fools to buy tickets to watch a team that isn’t really committed to winning World Series. All of that stuff is quite wonderful, but I’d rather see a team win big in a rickety, run-down, raggedy ballpark than be mediocre in a theme park.

Anyway, that’s enough of this post. I just think many bloggers are quite capable of keeping perspective. I think they use this as their outlet to not keep perspective. It’s a way to sorta-kinda-maybe put something out there that a Braves player/coach/front office guy might stumble across and look at for a couple of seconds. At the very least, an MLB beat writer might shake out of his R.E.M. at 4 a.m., take the time to read your post…and then roll his eyes back in his head to sleep. That’s reason enough to just let ‘er rip on here.

By Shamus Thacker

June 23, 2008 5:09 PM | Link to this

keylargo, most of the time when you trade a player making $25 mil, you end up paying 70% of said salary. You usually don’t trade superstars you’re happy with; the other teams ain’t dumb.

By Glass Half Full (GHF)

June 23, 2008 5:13 PM | Link to this

I worry about Sabathia’s size and durability over a high dollar/long term contract. He’s a big dude and I wonder if the knees will hold up into his 30s.

By PocorobaNaharodny

June 23, 2008 5:18 PM | Link to this

kirknga I agree with your 4:31. For every Jason Schmidt or Adam Wainwright that got away there seem to be 3 Tony Tarasco’s and Andy Marte’s, so the track record on letting “can’t miss prospects” get away is excellent.
I’m torn on what Tex’s value is / will be to this team. He is still pretty young and he could turn into a clutch, team-carrying kind of hitter, although most of what he has done in the last year has been relatively low impact. He won some games when he first came over last year and he could catch fire and do the same this year. I don’t see Wren trading him - the Braves just don’t trade away key players during the season. I think we will have the $ to sign him if he is willing to take the Braves / play for Cox discount, so I think we will have to wait and see how this plays out. It would be painful to have him walk and only get draft picks, especially if we don’t sniff the postseason again. If we miss the playoffs again it will be less about Tex’s production than about all the injuries. Right now we have a rotation that is essentially Hudson and four rookies and a bullpen that is missing what we were counting on as our two best relievers.

By Dawgsfan1990

June 23, 2008 5:18 PM | Link to this

kirknga So if we see a Brandon Jones, or a Shafer, or Lilbridge, or whoever go in a trade, then history tells us it’s likely the Braves did not give up some future All-Star.

Can you say Jermaine Dye?

By keylargo

June 23, 2008 5:19 PM | Link to this

BamaBrave & McFann

Re: McCann’s Slide. I thing the late Dizzy Dean had the right word for B Mac’s slide. Dean would have said “he slud into third”.

By BeachBrave

June 23, 2008 5:21 PM | Link to this

Yea Tex seems to be getting hot as it warms up. I havn’t seen too many clutch situations when he came though when we really needed it yet this year, like he did when we got him. But i want to ask everyone, why all the talk about trading now. with all of the injuries we have had already, we are still only 4 games out. $ games. this is before the half way mark.
I wanna talk about how we are still holding things together after all of this. Yes Give frenchy a rest (for his head), but with as well as Jojo is doing to fill in as well as others i think we need to find the batting order that gets back to manufaturing runs. What happened to the small ball we used to play? we have lost too many one run games this year. not just because of the bullpen but mainly because we are not taking the oppertunity to score runs when we have people on base! i am not thinking trade for anything. we picked up tex knowing he wouldnt be here next year. we got him to get the WS this year! I dont wanna trade him i wanna get back into October! Lets think of what we can do to reach that goal.

By Salty

June 23, 2008 5:21 PM | Link to this

I would NEVER do so with him having a no trade clause. A $25 Million a year contract is a big albatross hanging around your neck for 6 or 8 years.

KeyLargo I think once you get over $20 million/year, it’s a moot point whether there’s a no trade clause or not…the contract itself becomes a ‘no trade’, except for those with BIG BUCKS. Then again, who knows where contracts will price out in 2-3 more years…$20 million might be a bargain. If so,though, for damn sure, those of us bloggin’ here wont’ afford to go to the games!

By Jim

June 23, 2008 5:22 PM | Link to this

Still like idea of going after Furcal for 2B and moving KJ to 1st. There’d be some $$$ left over to get an OF with some power. Frenchie an enigma right now; they either have to trade him for value (not a good thing to do with a local prospect) or trust that he learnes how to hit the pitch thrown to him by end of ‘09 season. Morton, JJ and Reyes: barring injury, at least two will be +12 game winners for forseeable future. Not a bad - and inexpensive - base to build upon.

By Braves fan In Jax F-L-A

June 23, 2008 5:24 PM | Link to this

Great stats on Tex…hope we see tons more output from him. BTW…have you heard/listened to Ron Rodriguez and the Repeat Offenders????

By AGTfan

June 23, 2008 5:25 PM | Link to this

Chop Chop Good post on not keeping perspective. Of course if you don’t keep perspective, like back when Chipper was hitting .248, you look like an idiot later when he’s become a sure-fire HOF player. I wonder how many of the people who were ragging on Chipper back then would admit today that they hated him and thought he’d never really be major league ball player. Any takers? Anyone out there want to own up and admit that you used to really trash Chipper the way some folks trash Frenchy now? ….. I didn’t think so? And IF 10 years from now Frenchy has become the player we all hoped he’d be, the folks who hate him so much now will never admit how badly they trashed him when he was 24 years old and having a bad season.

By TPM

June 23, 2008 5:27 PM | Link to this

Mark Teixeira will get his 115 RBI and big contract but the fact of the matter is he numbers are not that good. Keep in mind he hits behind Chipper and should have 20 home runs and 75 RBI by now.

I wish Chipper could stay on the field more. He seems to have trouble staying healthy in the post steriods era.

By Ace

June 23, 2008 5:27 PM | Link to this

Chop Chop — I agree it’s a nice venue to vent. But I’m pretty sure that most of us bloggers aren’t going to contribute something significant that will make Frank Wren say, “Hey, what a great idea!” They may occasionally skim this blog to take the temperature, but it’s hard to imagine them really being impressed by us!

And the fact is this is a business, and they realize that it helps get me in the stadium if there’s something my wife and kids can do besides sit there for three hours.

And they’re not gonna trade Tex, effectively telling the team and the paying public to quit, when they’re 4 out.

By StingerSplash

June 23, 2008 5:28 PM | Link to this

Poco/Naha,

I concur on the trade of prospects. Look at the guys the Braves gave up for Fred McGriff. They may as well have entered witness protection. Tommy Greene and Milt Thompson (traded to the Phillies) had some serviceable years, but nothing that makes you wistful for keeping them.

By Bobby's Cox

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

Scoots

Regarding you posts about Frenchy bashing & relating it to young Chipper bashing….

The way Frenchy runs in the outfield, how he looks so immobile and lacks agility, and is unwilling to lay out for a ball that falls at his feet, scares the living bananas out of me.

Also, chipper never struck out 100 times in a season. The most he struck out was his rookie season in ‘95 when he struck out 99 times. In the following 2 seasons, chipper K’d 88 times in 74+ more AB’s. Chipper also had 73 walks his rookie year, almost more than Frenchy’s had in his first 3 years combined (76).

Chipper’s never had a year when he’s hit less than 20 HR. After his rookie sesson, Chipper followed with 8 seasons of 100+ RBI’s. Frenchy in his 4th year, isn’t on pace to hit 20 HR or drive in 100 RBI.

My Frenchy bashing stems from the kid not showing any progress at the plate. He looks lost. He looks like he did from day 1 in his rookie year. He hasn’t adjusted. He looks slower, his arm looks more inaccurate. And, when you watch him bat, he looks more like Andruw Jones at the plate than Chipper Jones. AJ was easy to be patient with because of his defense. Frenchy isn’t. He tries to go deep when you have RISP in close ball games instead of trying to get a single. He doesn’t hit a sac fly with a runner on 3rd < 2 out. The numbers would add up if he did those things.

The Frenchy bashing is justified. Like i said earlier, it looks as if Frenchy came into the year looking to put up big numbers after rejecting the braves offer to him last year, and entering arbitration after this year. He wants to be big, he wants to be Ryan Howard and wants a similar paycheck. He’s said it. He wants to be a John Smoltz and a Tiger Woods. He wants to play ball (in life terms), with the big boys. And for that, I blame the kid and will bash him till he earns my respect by helping the team win ballgames. Play for the name on the front of the jersey Jeff.

By Reid in EAV

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

Just a thought for the denizens here — maybe some of the more baseball-astute can either affirm me or set me straight.

It seems like Jeff Francoeur’s problem (like Andruw’s over the past few years) is his susceptibility to the outside pitch — usually sliders or tailing fastballs. But the difference between Andruw and Jeff is that Jeff seems to want to fix it (and isn’t calling himself a “pull hitter” in the press, though that’s what he’s become by default.)

So my completely amateur pseudo- hitting coach idea is this: what if Jeff spent a game, or perhaps several games, doing nothing but looking for pitches on the outer half of the plate (while ignoring the inner half entirely) and going with those pitches when he (inevitably) got them?

Since the scouting reports say to pitch him away, it’s doubtful that at least in one game of doing this, that he’d get busted inside for crowding the plate (though he has gotten his share of fluky HBPs lately.)

What do you all think? Is that solid hitting coach advice? Or am I completely out of my depth?

By Worst Outfield in NL

June 23, 2008 5:30 PM | Link to this

An OPS+ of 100 is an exactly league average player. In 2008;

Gregor Blanco: 84 OPS+, meaning Blanco has been 16% below the league average (worse) offensively this season.

Jeff Francoeur: 86 OPS+, meaning he’s been a player who is 14% below the league average offensively this season.

Greg Norton: 73 OPS+ with the Atlanta Braves, meaning a player who is 27% below the league average offensively.

Brandon Jones’ OPS+ is currently 150, meaning in a very, very limited sample size with the Atlanta Braves this season, Jones has been 50% better than the league average player offensively.

What a terrible, powerless outfield. It’s a bigger problem than Corky Miller can ever dream of being.

By TennesseePaul

June 23, 2008 5:30 PM | Link to this

Uhg. I saw a mention of LaRoche up above. I remember when he was traded, all the weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the trade for Teixeira went down and all the weepers crept back into the light. They’d have all sorts of complaints and the biggest theme of them all was, “the Braves wouldn’t need to trade for Teixeira if stupid Schuerholz hadn’t traded our great first baseman.” This “great first baseman” being a man who has only had 1 season with 30+ HR. In return the team received Gonzo and Lillibridge. Both of whom are on the team along side Teixeira. So one could easily ask, which would you like to see, Teixeira, Gonzo, and Lillibridge lining up on the first base line at the start of games, or Adam LaRoche?
At the time of the LaRoche trade I thought JS had moved him at peek value. And so far, it appears he did.

Adam LaRoche: .217 Average, .295 OBP, .354 Slugging, 63 strikeouts, 7 HRs.

I’d rather have Teixeira and a closer quite frankly. Even if Teixeira leaves. He makes this season that much more bearable… oh the pain that would be from watching LaRoche.

By keylargo

June 23, 2008 5:31 PM | Link to this

ShamusThacker - What I meant by not giving a no trade clause is that the team has options to move in a different direction instead of being saddled with a player who is not producing and being forced to keep him on the roster. Surely you don’t think it would be a team advantage to give him one do you?

By Anders

June 23, 2008 5:32 PM | Link to this

Efrim

What’s wrong with getting two draft picks for him? The Mets got Reese Havens and Ike Davis for Tom Glavine. Yes, he merely left them via free agency like Tex will with us, and I know we gave up 5 prospects, but still.

The question is are you willing to risk that the Braves make the playoffs this year by keeping Tex and then drafting two young prospects like you mentioned above versus taking two young major league ready players like Ian Kennedy and Cabrera from the Yankees for Tex this year or a better package from another team? There’s no right or wrong answer today. I think the Braves may very well be in no man’s land in the end of July where it won’t be clear wether they’re a playoff type team or not, mainly because their pitching still needs to get healthy and that will take some time. As I said before - tough call for Wren (assuming it’s his call).

By BamaBrave

June 23, 2008 5:33 PM | Link to this

I agree, BossLady… Right now, our rightfielder has the look of someone who wishes he was wearing an orange helmet with a white tiger paw on each side. This alone indicates some sort of mental collapse…

(Sorry…I had to take a shot at Clemson…)

I think Francouer will be OK. Maybe he needs external help, maybe he doesn’t. But he’s tough. He’ll get past this.

By Peter King

June 23, 2008 5:34 PM | Link to this

football is coming!!!!!!!

By Carolina Matt

June 23, 2008 5:38 PM | Link to this

I like Furcal at 2nd, but with the year he is having, he may be fetching somewhere in the mid-teens which I feel is more than the Braves would be willing to pay him.

By Bobby's Cox

June 23, 2008 5:41 PM | Link to this

Chop Chop

Great 5:07 post.

Especially that third paragraph relating the Ted to a theme park. That’s good writing.

By AGTfan

June 23, 2008 5:41 PM | Link to this

Reid in EAV It was interesting that your reasonable post followed the Bobby’s Cox typical hater rant. The difference between a fan and a hater.

By McFann©

June 23, 2008 5:43 PM | Link to this

BamaBravve—

LOL! I wish I could see that again…(Think if I e-mail a complaint to braves.com, they’ll put up a replay?)

Keylargo—

That’s a good one!

By Pete H.

June 23, 2008 5:45 PM | Link to this

Chop Chop: Thanks for that link on the last blog…I’m not a big MMJ or Vedder fan, but that is probably the best cover version ever performed. When you aim that high, you better nail it, and they did.

For whoever was moaning and b*** about giving away Kyle Davies the other day…

“Kyle Davies, who entered the day with a 1.46 ERA, was hit hard for five runs while retiring just four batters against the Giants on Sunday.”

I, for one, don’t miss him and can’t even imagine him in our rotation. Morton is a far better pitcher and Campillo and Reyes are even better.

As for Tex, he’s gone. No way are we going to pay what he’s going to be offered. It was still a good trade, IMO. We gave away guys who were completely blocked in the depth chart for someone who might have gotten us into the WS if we hadn’t gone through so many injuries. It didn’t work out that way, but as a GM, you have to take those chances. I remember everyone going ballistic about trading Marte, but look what we got for him: Two great years from Edgar and JJJ and a potential star CF. That might be the best trade of JS’s career that didn’t involve Fred McGriff.

DOB: Great list of CDs. Not a loser in the bunch. Oh, wait, these are the internets. Make that not a looser in the bunch.

By kirknga

June 23, 2008 5:47 PM | Link to this

Glass Half Full (GHF)

There have been great pitchers who have been portly. CC hasn’t had major arm issues, he’s young, and he’s already won a Cy Young. I have yet to be convinced that his addition doesn’t improve the Braves.

We lost a Cy Young pitcher we need to get another one. It starts with pitching, not 1st base.

Dawgsfan1990 Dye was not a prospect when he was traded. He was already producing at the major league level. But even still, Wainwright, Dye, heck throw in Schmidt that’s all we can point to and say maybe we shouldn’t have? Out of all the big trades made over the past 17 years that’s a great track record.

BeachBrave I think Tex’s value to the team really isn’t the question. The question is how much does Tex value the Braves. Will he take $18 million/year from us, or will he be a Yankee or Met?

There are no great options at 1st base if he leaves, but there are some older serviceable ones like a Thome or Giambi maybe? The point being anyone but Thorman.

I agree with Jim would love to see Furcal back with the team. Seems like what he wanted was cheap looking back. I bet he would take less to come back.

By chipdip

June 23, 2008 5:48 PM | Link to this

GEORGE F—KING CARLIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By TennesseePaul

June 23, 2008 5:49 PM | Link to this

NCScoots: Well posted about the Chipper/Francoeur bashing. I began posting on this blog with a defense of Chipper. I was bashed in between the Chipper bashes. It was brutal at times. “Chipper is washed up, trade him for bats”. This was only 2 or 3 years ago. And it went on until pretty much this year. There was intermittent Chipper bashing last season, though not as strong and drawn out as initially. And it wasn’t like a young Chipper was being bash, he was 32 years old. Francoeur is 6 years younger than Chipper at his time of full on bashing. It’s ironic the complaint now is, “why can’t Francoeur learn anything from Chipper?”

By scooter

June 23, 2008 5:49 PM | Link to this

Almost every playoff game is a night game - and its usually starting to get cold. I’m not putting him down but I’d rather have a guy that can hit in a little colder weather

By David O'Brien

June 23, 2008 5:49 PM | Link to this

Escobar’s in lineup tonight. Told me he’s a little sore, but not much. He’s ready to play.

Kotsay iffy for trip to Toronto. He wants to go, but Cox doesn’t think he should run around on the turf. Either way, he’s probably not going to be activated until the next homestand, and might do a rehab assignment (that hasn’t been determined)….

Nothing new on Soriano. “It’s still sore,” Cox said….

Chipper’s first day of progress, but he’s still not ready to play. Cox said he can hopefully DH in Toronto. Probably going to miss this whole series….

Francoeur is trying a new contact lens on his right eye only. His vision in that eye isn’t perfect since he was hit by the ball in the minors, and the doctor told him a contact lens might help him at night, that it’s worth a try.

Francoeur thinks that might be part of reason he’s hit .320 with five homers in 26 day games, compared to .207 with three homers in 50 night games.

As he said, he’ll try anything at this point.

By Overlord-D-Day

June 23, 2008 5:52 PM | Link to this

What’s the deal with Phil Stockman? In 7 1/3 innings, he has struck out nine batters, given up only two hits, and not allowed an earned run. Yet he is always the odd man out and the guy sent back to Richmond when a pitcher comes off the DL. Why? — Fred F., Sparks, Nev.

When they decided to keep Jeff Ridgway last week instead of Stockman, it was a definite shock. Ridgway hadn’t gotten righties or lefties out with consistency in Richmond and Stockman hadn’t really allowed anything when he’d actually gotten the chance to pitch at the Major League level.

The only thing that I can gather is that the Braves feel like Stockman is a liability whenever guys get on base. By walking four in his 7 1/3 innings, he hasn’t given them the comfort that he will be able to provide clean innings consistently.

*Because his long, lanky stride toward the plate is slow, the Braves feel like he’s just welcoming opponents to steal second base and move into scoring position late in the game. This is likely one of the reasons he primarily pitched in a secondary relief role. *

By TennesseePaul

June 23, 2008 5:54 PM | Link to this

It’s a bigger problem than Corky Miller can ever dream of being.

Say what you will OK? But don’t you dare think about crushing any of Corky’s dreams. If he wants to dream of being a bigger problem, well he can go right on and dream.

By Pete H.

June 23, 2008 5:55 PM | Link to this

DOB and other music lovers. Have you heard of Wolfgang’s Vault? They stream thousands of vintage concerts (Hendrix, Kinks, Stones…hundreds of artists) for free and you can also download some for a fee, usually $10.

They also have a stack of mini-concerts (live in the studio) by lesser known artists like Shearwater, The Walkmen and so on.

The sound quality is excellent on the whole.

www.wolfgangsvault.com

By Kentavo

June 23, 2008 5:55 PM | Link to this

I don’t expect much from tonight’s matchup. Ben Sheets has killed the Bravos. Don’t see much Braves’ o in this one. However, I think we can win the series, just don’t expect to see good results tonight.

By David O'Brien

June 23, 2008 5:58 PM | Link to this

kirknga, I have no idea what the Braves will have to spend this winter. Because they haven’t set a payroll….

By the way, judging from the reaction when I asked about Lerew, it’s safe to say he’s not anywhere on the manager’s radar right now….

Oh, and Hampton still needs “4 or 5” starts, according to Cox….

Tonight’s lineup: 1. Blanco, 2. Escobar, 3. KJ, 4. Teixeira, 5. McCann, 6. Infante, 7. Francoeur, 8. B. Jones, 9. Jo-Jo Reyes.

By Bobby's Cox

June 23, 2008 5:58 PM | Link to this

Reid

that’s amateur psuedo hitting coach advice, like you pre-warned.

It’s close though. Currently Jeff’s weight and hands come forward too soon. Have Jeff hit the ball up the middle and to the right side. He needs to learn to keep his hands inside the ball as to not commit too early. He’ll be able to do that with all pitches, not just the ones on the outer half of the plate. It’ll help him see the ball better, then the power numbers will resurface.

By Mike in LA

June 23, 2008 5:59 PM | Link to this

Thanks for the updates DOB. Good news on everybody but Soriano. I’m glad Chipper’s not going to rush back, just want him to get as healthy as possible. Sitting against the Brewers and being the DH against Toronto is like adding another week of rest. As for Francouer I hope the lens helps and he gets hot. As bad as he’s been and as much hate as he’s gotten on this blog if the Braves plan on getting anywhere this year they absolutely need him these last three months

By McFann©

June 23, 2008 6:06 PM | Link to this

Contact lens, eh? For the Braves’ sake, I hope it works!

Thanks for the lineup, Chief!

By Efrim

June 23, 2008 6:08 PM | Link to this

Anders

The question is are you willing to risk that the Braves make the playoffs this year by keeping Tex and then drafting two young prospects like you mentioned above versus taking two young major league ready players like Ian Kennedy and Cabrera from the Yankees for Tex this year or a better package from another team? There’s no right or wrong answer today. I think the Braves may very well be in no man’s land in the end of July where it won’t be clear wether they’re a playoff type team or not, mainly because their pitching still needs to get healthy and that will take some time. As I said before - tough call for Wren (assuming it’s his call).

I wouldn’t want either Cabrera or Kennedy. I’d want Austin Jackson and Jesus Montero. I understand what you are saying though. Tough decision. Hopefully the Braves are in first place at that time and we are buyers. I doubt they will be something like 8 games back going into July 31st. If they are, I still think this team won’t trade Tex. They never sell. It’s not a bad thing some times, but if they are something like 8 back at the deadline, then it would be foolish for them not to at least listen to trade offers(a lot of them) for Tex. We’ll see. Like I said, hopefully the Braves are in first and we aren’t talking about that.

By the way dude, what did you think of Manuel’s “GANGSTA” comment? Little much, if you ask me. But anything to get that team going, right?

And I bet good money that they Mets go after Ben Sheets this offseason. No rhyme or reason. Just a hunch of mine.

By TennesseePaul

June 23, 2008 6:10 PM | Link to this

By the way, judging from the reaction when I asked about Lerew, it’s safe to say he’s not anywhere on the manager’s radar right now…

Hmmm… so some expletives came out… reminds me of George Michael answering the phone in Arrested Development and PopPop was on the other line… when it was over Michael asked what dad had to say…
George Michael: (thinks a second) “If I clean it up it’s not really a sentence”

By gobbles

June 23, 2008 6:13 PM | Link to this

Wow David, your music selection shows your tastes (and maybe your age group a little bit). This is my top 10 albums of the first 6 months of 2008 (roughly in this order):

(1) In the Future (Black Mountain) (2) Sea Lion (Ruby Suns) (3) Unonou (Danava) (4) At Mount Zoomer (Wolf Parade) (5) Crystal Castles (Crystal Castles) (6) Devotion (Beach House) (7) Hercules and Love Affair (Hercules and Love Affair) (8) Sessions (Carl Craig) (9) Fleet Foxes (Fleet Foxes) (10) Superabundance (The Young Knives)

great column - your Braves news/stats are always well informed and insightful!

By Reid in EAV

June 23, 2008 6:15 PM | Link to this

Bobby’s Cox — Thanks. So basically it’s like Crash Davis muttering to himself, “stay back stay back stay back…”?

By LivininAL

June 23, 2008 6:16 PM | Link to this

Looking at the lineup, wish Frency were batting 8th. Just tired of seeing so many K’s and double plays with runnners on. Dont get me wrong I hope he goes 3 for 4 with 5 or 6 RBI’s.

By kirknga

June 23, 2008 6:16 PM | Link to this

Pete H.

Great site. Thanks.

Well even if DOB will not speculate on this particular issue(I hope that the Braves aren’t considering cutting payroll, but maintaining the present level) we can see which contract are expiring and make a guess.

The Braves will have some money to spend, though not as much as the New York teams are said to have available.

By Bobby's Cox

June 23, 2008 6:17 PM | Link to this

AGTfan

FYI, i’ve been a fan of the braves for 18 years. I’ve been to San Francisco, LA (local), San Diego, Arizona, Fulton County, the Ted, Seattle, and Chicago to watch about 90 braves games & playoff games in those 18 years.

No hater here. However, I’m not a local guy, so i’m not blind in assessing the Right Fielder’s performance.

Maybe it’s a conflict of interest to have local players on your big league club, eh? You think management decisions would be easier if Frenchy weren’t a peach?

By TennesseePaul

June 23, 2008 6:18 PM | Link to this

I think Furcal would qualify as a Type A free agent. Signing him would forfeit the Braves 1st round draft pick for the second year in a row. Additionally it would require one of two guys currently producing on the cheap for the Braves to have to change positions or be traded. I have a feeling the Dodgers will try and resign him anyway. Their hope for Hu really hasn’t panned out and they in no way want to count on Nomar any more.

By Bobby's Cox

June 23, 2008 6:27 PM | Link to this

Good news on frenchy DOB.

Hopefully it is his eye. If not, yikes.

By TennesseePaul

June 23, 2008 6:28 PM | Link to this

DOB: Narrow Stairs by Death Cab is a great album. Don’t know if you’ve picked it up yet. The more I listen the more impressive it becomes. Apparently he wrote the whole thing while holding up in a room Kerouac had lived in… it really made an impression I’d say. If you haven’t heard it yet, get it and listen to it. If you had one go with it, pick it up and spin it again.

By cabravesfan

June 23, 2008 6:29 PM | Link to this

TN Paul and others talking about Furcal- the word out here in L.A is the Dodgers are not going to want to part with him…he is a major part of their plans for the next several years…also- he is dealing with a pretty bad back injury that has kept him out of the line up for far longer then they originally thought it would- as much as I like Furcal (big fan when he was in Atlanta) not sure I want to be worrying that his back will flare up again like I do with Kotsay

By kirknga

June 23, 2008 6:38 PM | Link to this

I think Furcal at 2nd is better than KJ at second. I think the Braves are stll hurting offensively from letting Furcal go.

Furcal could hit lefties and, if memory serves, he was good in late and close situations.

By Pete H.

June 23, 2008 6:38 PM | Link to this

Tennessee Paul

I agree, the Dodgers are not going to let the one free agent that panned out leave. They’ll pay what he wants and they can afford it a lot better than we can. 2B is not a problem. We need some power to replace Tex a lot more than fixing a non-problem.

I’d like to see if we can get Oswalt and Lee from Houston. They’re going to blow that team up and we might have the right parts to make that deal. Paying them might be another question.

By David O'Brien

June 23, 2008 6:39 PM | Link to this

Playing 1st will keep him healthy and fresh. He’s a big ol’ boy and catching everyday has got to wear him down. So McCann, if you happen to read DOB’s blog and you read this, understand we think you’re a great catcher, but it wears you down, dude. Just change mitts and trot down to 1st. You’ll be a natural.ppaddy

Based on what? The facts state quite the contrary. McCann has generally hit better as the season has wore on and the weather gotten hotter.

Wear down? In 2006 he had 18 homers, 64 RBI and a .630 slugging percentage after the break, after hitting 6 homers with 29 RBI and a .505 slugging percentage before it.

In 2007 he hit .262 with 9 homers, 49 RBI and a .438 slugging percentage in 75 games before the break, and hit .279 with 9 homers, 43 RBI and a .467 slugging percentage in 64 games after the break.

This season he’s already hit more homers in June (5) than he hit in April or May.

Wearing down? If that’s wearing down, the Braves need all their players to be worn down like McCann is in the second half of seasons.

STAMPER, I like the new British Sea Power album, have it and the previous one, but I don’t put it in my top 15 or whatever so far this year. And I’m not impressed with Vampire Weekend. Must be getting old, because I know the kids love it. Does nothing for me.

Loved the last Wolf Parade album, don’t have the new one yet. I could’ve put the Maqnetic Fields album in that group above. Very good album. Just haven’t played it that much, though. Not one I reach for a lot, even though I really like it. (But 69 Love Songs from several years back was much better, to me).

By A-ville Ranger

June 23, 2008 6:41 PM | Link to this

Three homers in a game is a novelty,it has no real value unless the game ends up being 8-7 or something of that sort.Tex hasn’t been of large value when it would have mattered this season.Take two of those homers and smack them late in two of those one run losses,that would impress me.Yesterday one homer would have had as much value as three….well not if you’re Tex or Scott Dildo I guess.

By Wayne in Utah

June 23, 2008 6:44 PM | Link to this

Furcal, while a great catalyst, is an injury risk, and has a tendacy to try to swing from the heels on ocassion. Let’s leave him in LA, and hope for a Schafer explosion next year.

By TennesseePaul

June 23, 2008 6:50 PM | Link to this

cabravesfan: Ahhhhh so you are a local Angelino… It’s been hot out here hasn’t it?

By TennesseePaul

June 23, 2008 6:52 PM | Link to this

Aight. Hope the Braves do well tonight. I’m off to Nokia.

Go BRAVES!!

By Crabby Bill

June 23, 2008 6:55 PM | Link to this

Furcal was only a good leadoff hitter parts of a couple of seasons for the Braves.Ottis Nixon was the only really top leadoff guy we’ve had in the last 20 years in my opinion.

By Run Heap Run

June 23, 2008 6:56 PM | Link to this

Alright lets go Bravos, lets go Diamond Dawgs. Very dark clouds here about an hour straight west of ATL, the cow may get her first bath tonight.

By Reality Bites

June 23, 2008 7:00 PM | Link to this

Alan

You’re probably right that the Braves are too proud to admit a mistake thus keeping Tex till the dirty end. Of course we’ve heard the saying “pride goeth before a fall.”

Efrim You’re right about getting a couple of draft picks as a parting gift for Tex. The Braves have a propensity for picking young guys, rather than college players, who might take 5 or 6 years to get to the bigs. If you wait that long, McCann’s contract will come up again, KJ and some of the others might come around and command big money. You might be losing some of the core of young players you have now by then to free agency.

I had more of an idea to trade Tex for major league ready or close to ready players that will help the team next year or the year after, while some of your current core players should be maturing by then.

In five or six years, those draft picks you get for Tex might be part of a another rebuilding process rather than the current rebuilding process. (I’m suggesting a different model than the Braves are known for)

By uga-brave

June 23, 2008 7:02 PM | Link to this

intersesting to see that frenchy was fitted for a new contact lense in his right eye, i have noticed those day night splits for a while. hard enough to hit a 93 mph fastball, but if you cant pick up the spin on a breaking ball you have no chance.

good to see he was aware of the problem, it would be great if that was part of the problem.

like a previous blogger said, if the braves are gonna make any sort of run it cant be done without him being productive.

brewers struggle against lh’s and we defintely struggle against sheets, so it should be a close one say 10-9.

By RedEyedAndBlue

June 23, 2008 7:03 PM | Link to this

Agreed with TN Paul’s comments in re: Narrow Stairs. Nothing will equate to Transatlanticism but this is a damn good record. Good article in Paste magazine about Gibbard’s trip to Cali. writing the album.

Just to rehash a point made a couple days ago in re: Chipper vs. Tex’s curtain calls - think I saw Dale Murphy take 1 curtain call in his entire career at Fulton County. There may have been one more, but he was on record as having hated to show up the other pitcher like that. He was of a different generation. But being that Chipper idolizes Murph, maybe there is a purposed attempt on Chipper’s part to avoid that kind of thing? Unlikely, just an idea…

By Steve McP

June 23, 2008 7:05 PM | Link to this

DOB - good blog as ever, it must be fun for you to have a forum where you can throw things out, without having an editor telling you what you can and cannot include.

I have no way of checking this, but have you got a way of checking the stats to see whether Tex really is a warm weather, blue sky hitter, by findng out if he has hit more in the early innings of night games played in the summer, versus his hitting when the lights come on and the skies darken?

I am sure someone on the blog will have a way to find this out, I doubt that the Elias Sports Bureau would have it as one of their records though.

By kirknga

June 23, 2008 7:05 PM | Link to this

It’s a shame that some people try to rewrite history.first Andrew, now Furcal. Furcal was a heck of a player for the Braves. Yeah he did swing for the fences, but that’s the kind of ball the Braves play. I’d love his bat leading off right now, and would trust his defense more. I don’t believe we ever saw him drop a ball like KJ did in a critical situation.

Wayne, if injury risk is such a big deal then what do we do with Chipper? Furcal has played more games than Chipper over the past few seasons and is younger as well…he’s only 30!

I guess we just have two camps. One believes that the answers are in the minor leagues, and others who believe you can improve with some veterans added to the mix.

By Steve McP

June 23, 2008 7:06 PM | Link to this

DOB - good blog as ever, it must be fun for you to have a forum where you can throw things out, without having an editor telling you what you can and cannot include.

I have no way of checking this, but have you got a way of checking the stats to see whether Tex really is a warm weather, blue sky hitter, by findng out if he has hit more in the early innings of night games played in the summer, versus his hitting when the lights come on and the skies darken?

I am sure someone on the blog will have a way to find this out, I doubt that the Elias Sports Bureau would have it as one of their records though.

By Steve McP

June 23, 2008 7:06 PM | Link to this

DOB - good blog as ever, it must be fun for you to have a forum where you can throw things out, without having an editor telling you what you can and cannot include.

I have no way of checking this, but have you got a way of checking the stats to see whether Tex really is a warm weather, blue sky hitter, by findng out if he has hit more in the early innings of night games played in the summer, versus his hitting when the lights come on and the skies darken?

I am sure someone on the blog will have a way to find this out, I doubt that the Elias Sports Bureau would have it as one of their records though.

By McFann©

June 23, 2008 7:06 PM | Link to this

DOB—

Good points on McCann. So far, this is the best June he’s had in his career.

Well, in 2006, he hit .365 with a .460 OBP. But he had 0 homers, 2 doubles, and 2 RBI. Of course, then he was just coming off the DL with that sprained ankle.

Last year, he hit .238 with a .270 OBP, 4 homers, 16 RBI, and 3 doubles in June.

This year, it’s a little different: .284 AVG, .377 OBP, 5 homers, 12 RBI, and 3 doubles.

That OBP in June 2006 was incredible—yet he only scored 4 runs! (But the whole team was having so much trouble scoring—6 wins! Sheesh! That was bad!)

But we can’t forget his rookie year: .385 AVG, .429 OBP, 2 homers, 5 RBI, and no doubles. Not too bad.

Anyway, I don’t think they should move McCann to first, either. No no no…

Hiya, Wayne!

By David O'Brien

June 23, 2008 7:20 PM | Link to this

I should add, I listened to a great new CD at Schoolkids Records in Athens the other day, one that would make my list if I’d bought it, but I was on the motorcycle and had no wear to put it (didn’t even have a jacket on that day, much less take a backpack over. Just got on in a T-shirt and rode over).

Anyway, it was an organic sort of smart hip-hop band called Giant Panda, and the CD was Electric Laser. it was terrific. I’ll be buying it soon.

By keylargo

June 23, 2008 7:24 PM | Link to this

CrabbyBill

Crabby - I loved having Otis Nixon at leadoff. I don’t care what the stats say having speed and people stealing bases is EXCITING!! Remember when Otis led off and Deion hit second? It wasn’t long but those were two of the fastest Braves of all time.

And I am going to keep asking to someone remembers Eddie Miller. Maybe the fastest Brave of all time. Remember him?

By Crabby Bill

June 23, 2008 7:27 PM | Link to this

Kirknga You’re re-wtiting the PRESENT.KJ doesn’t play the same position as Furcal,Escobar does.I’d take Yunel’s defense over Furcal’s.The only area Raphy was better than Yunel is baserunning.

By kirknga

June 23, 2008 7:30 PM | Link to this

Furcal leading off an inning since 2002: .263,.304 ,.284, .289,.316, .273, .452.

He averages .287 with runners on base.

He’s averaged 29 stolen bases over that span as well. Not to mention he’s going to give you 50-60 rbi’s from the leadoff position.

He’s only 30 has a very strong arm and as good of range as anyone in the game including Escobar.

So lets not act as if he was just some marginal player. He’s worth every bit of the contract he got and most people here really wanted to keep him.

By dan

June 23, 2008 7:34 PM | Link to this

King Felix going yard with the bases loaded off of Santana. Mariners 4-0 over Mets. Loving it.

By ObiWanKobe

June 23, 2008 7:40 PM | Link to this

DOB, I still recommend the Mates of State & an English band called The Ting Tings

By kirknga

June 23, 2008 7:40 PM | Link to this

Crabby Bill I said I was agreeing with someone else who said he wouldn’t mind seeing Furcal back and playing second. I never said he played second base.

I believe you have slighted Furcal when you say he was only a good leadoff hitter “for a couple of season”. That is false, I gave some stats that show it.

He came up through our system and he did great. Anyone saying otherwise is ignoring his stats. He was once one of ours and we should not talk him down, especially when it was an ownership thing that kept him from staying.

By Efrim

June 23, 2008 7:43 PM | Link to this

I know it is difficult because he never walks a soul, but the Braves have to take a couple of pitches against Sheets. 20 through 2 innings is a little ridiculous.

By Overlord-D-Day

June 23, 2008 7:44 PM | Link to this

Wow, braves sure are a fast team….. they went 1-2-3 faster than what it took me to get a glass of water in my kitchen…

By Crabby Bill

June 23, 2008 7:46 PM | Link to this

KeyLargo I really can’t place Eddie Miller.I did lookup his stats with Atlanta,still can’t remember him though.

By Interested Observer

June 23, 2008 7:48 PM | Link to this

If Francouer’s numbers are so much better during the day than at night, how come is “planned in advance” game off was a day game?

Joe Simpson said Francouer went to the eye doctor at the suggestion of his father. I’m glad he’s trying something and I hope it works, but where was the Braves coaching staff and medical staff? It’s been obvious for some time he wasn’t seeing the ball well. Why didn’t they suggest a trip to the eye doctor a long time ago?

By Interested Observer

June 23, 2008 7:48 PM | Link to this

If Francouer’s numbers are so much better during the day than at night, how come is “planned in advance” game off was a day game?

Joe Simpson said Francouer went to the eye doctor at the suggestion of his father. I’m glad he’s trying something and I hope it works, but where was the Braves coaching staff and medical staff? It’s been obvious for some time he wasn’t seeing the ball well. Why didn’t they suggest a trip to the eye doctor a long time ago?

By Scott from Fairburn

June 23, 2008 7:53 PM | Link to this

HO HO is not dealing tonight …can’t be good every time out

By Another Loss

June 23, 2008 7:53 PM | Link to this

Let’s see: 53 pitches & still no outs in the 3rd, down by 4 already. Yep!!!!!!! Jo Jo is really coming into it!!!!!!!

By BravesFanInRockies

June 23, 2008 7:53 PM | Link to this

kirknga,

Furcal’s career line: .287/.352/.412

Kelly’s career line: .268/.359/.441

Kelly gets on base more often and hits for more power. Plus Raffy is missing more time with injuries as he gets older.

Also another relevant number. Furcal will likely get more than $10 million next season and for several to come.

Kelly’s not going to be in that salary range for awhile.

Raffy would play better D but I’d rather spend the money on something else.

By Overlord-D-Day

June 23, 2008 7:57 PM | Link to this

See you gang……. theres more a chance of braves winning the division than winning this game…….

Waste of time to continue watching.

By keylargo

June 23, 2008 8:00 PM | Link to this

CrabbyBill - There is a reason you might not remember Eddie Miller. He was one of the worst hitters to ever reach the major leagues but if he made contact he had a chance. LOL He must have been the fastest man to first base I have ever seen. He was lefthanded and just tried to chop down to make contact and see if he could outrun it. Alas, most times he couldn’t even do that.

By McFann©

June 23, 2008 8:01 PM | Link to this

Funny story from Joe on McCann bobble head day.

McCann asked Joe if he’d seen one, and Joe’s says, “No, only pictures.”

So they’re talking, Joe’s telling him about it, and McCann says, “Well…what do I do?”

Joe says, “I…I don’t know…just get one.”

What Joe should have said was, “Play that game!”

By uga-brave

June 23, 2008 8:01 PM | Link to this

best hope is for a rainout. there is some rain to the west of us, does not look like enough to cause a rainout, but it might get sheets out of the game.

nice damage control there by buddy.

By Braves never win on the road

June 23, 2008 8:03 PM | Link to this

Jo-Jo’s a no go tonight …two steps forward ,three back …time to say the Braves are cooked

By Braves never win on the road

June 23, 2008 8:07 PM | Link to this

LOL Santana gave up a granny to King Felix LOL

By Another Loss

June 23, 2008 8:11 PM | Link to this

NEWS FLASH NEWS FLASH!!!

Just now coming across CNN update.

Chuck James was reported missing early am in Richmond. TSA agent swears a CJ sighting early afternoon @ Hartsfield. Turner security staff reporting he entered stadium late afternoon!!!!!

DOB

Please quickly do a clubhouse check for us. Is it possible????? Did CJ sneak in, tie up JoJo & hit the mound?

Please, we’re waiting for an update!

By BravesFanInRockies

June 23, 2008 8:14 PM | Link to this

That’s three poor starts in 11 outings for JoJo. You’ll take that from your fifth starter, particularly when the eight good ones are really good ones.

By AGTFan

June 23, 2008 8:15 PM | Link to this

FYI, i’ve been a fan of the braves for 18 years. Bobby’s Cox

So your a relative newcomer to being a Braves Fan?

Actually, saying you’re a hater instead of a good fan was irrational, disrespectful, and unfair. Kind of like the way you talk about some of the players. I suppose I should treat my fellow bloggers with the same kind of respect I show the players, instead of treating them with the amount of respect THEY show the players. So I’ll apologize for my statement and take it back. I really don’t have enough information about you to make a fair judgement about what kind of fan you are. I can only base such things on what you’ve written.

BTW - I didn’t see a Braves game until they moved to Atlanta, but I was a Braves fan ever since my first Crackers game in 1958.

By Josh

June 23, 2008 8:17 PM | Link to this

@ 8:03…please tell me you’re saying the Braves are cooked in re tonight’s game and not the season. Please tell me that. Please.

By kirknga

June 23, 2008 8:18 PM | Link to this

BravesFanInRockies

Furcal has averaged .306 with runners in scoring position, KJ is at .259! Furcal has speed and power. He’s only 30.

With the game on the line I would rather Furcal at the plate and in the field.

I can respect not wanting to spend money argument.I would argue that spending money on a prooven player who is still young is a good deal. That is far different than saying a player was something less than he was.

Furcal is hurt, but people seem to forget that Kelly has missed a season.

The whole point is how do you improve the team, and I was agreeing with someone who said bringing back Furcal to play second would be an improvement.

By Efrim

June 23, 2008 8:18 PM | Link to this

DOB

I’m not sure if you could find this out or not, but Julio Teheran came out of his start tonight after 2 IP. Just want to see if it was because of injury or whatever. Thanks.

By McFann©

June 23, 2008 8:18 PM | Link to this

Phooey!!

By TNScott

June 23, 2008 8:19 PM | Link to this

DOBDo you think that we’ll see Jordan Schaefer in Atlanta before the end of the season if there continues to be issues with Kotsay’s back? No disrespect but when I watch it seems like we have Juan Pierre playing centerfield the way other teams are challenging his arm by taking the extra base.

By I'm Fun In Real Life Too

June 23, 2008 8:20 PM | Link to this

I enjoy popping on the blog and just saying something like the Braves suck and it’s all over (this is especially fun in April). Then I like to second guess every move that’s ever been made. I finish it off with a little Bobby bashing and then plead with Wren to trade or release everyone.

Good times.

By Crabby Bill

June 23, 2008 8:20 PM | Link to this

KeyLargo Ok I get it,you were being ironical.I admit Nixon wasn’t a great leadoff hitter.He played for us before the big offensive explosion of the late 90s though.He did have better OBP years than most of Furcal’s in Atlanta.Furcal’s rookie season was great OBP of 394.Then he had seasons of 321,323,352,345,348,369 and 333.He made lots of errors too,24,11 (less than half season),27,31,24,15,27,19.I’m almost neutral to homeruns from the leadoff spot,I’ll take them but it’s low-priority.I’m not defending KJ leading off though,I don’t get it either.

By semiballcoach

June 23, 2008 8:21 PM | Link to this

best thing about eddie miller—-bob gibson dusted him off during bp

By Canuckbravesfan

June 23, 2008 8:22 PM | Link to this

.244

By David O'Brien

June 23, 2008 8:23 PM | Link to this

ObiWan, I forgot the Mates of State. Dude, I bought it after you told me about them being from KU. Excellent album. You were right. Should’ve included that one. I had it in my office instead of the living room when I was looking through my CDs to make a list.

Listened to Ting Tings (terrible band name) at Ella Guru, wasn’t blown away by it. Not enough to purchase it.

By ernesto

June 23, 2008 8:25 PM | Link to this

Ryan Braun has 20 jacks already this year…jeez. Who knew? He’s wearing us out tonight that’s for sure.

By Canuckbravesfan

June 23, 2008 8:27 PM | Link to this

enough with the Jordan Schaefer questions. The guy is just above the Mendoza line at AA—forget about it until he has shown he is more than just a one season wonder.

By ernesto

June 23, 2008 8:29 PM | Link to this

Buddy has to get out of this without giving up any more…down 3 to Sheets is plenty

By ijonathan

June 23, 2008 8:33 PM | Link to this

Maddux in his prime against this Braves lineup tonight…60 pitches or less for a completes game?

By bruce

June 23, 2008 8:34 PM | Link to this

David: could some of Tex’s day/night splits difference be eyes as well? or just heat… thanks, bruce

By David O'Brien

June 23, 2008 8:36 PM | Link to this

I’m Fun: Now that was a funny post.

Storm’s moving close here, folks. Wind’s kicking up, clouds moving over the stadium, temp dropping.

By Bobby's Cox

June 23, 2008 8:36 PM | Link to this

Actually, saying you’re a hater instead of a good fan was irrational, disrespectful, and unfair. Kind of like the way you talk about some of the players. I suppose I should treat my fellow bloggers with the same kind of respect I show the players, AGTfan

Good point AGT.

By ijonathan

June 23, 2008 8:38 PM | Link to this

For all you Bobby bashers who were calling for Carlyle last night instead of Gonzalez in an 8-0 mop up situation…well today is proving just what a genius Bobby is. Obviously, last night he was saving Carlyle for today.

By Josh

June 23, 2008 8:39 PM | Link to this

Let’s give Schafer some more ABs in AA before we write him off as a 1-year wonder! He’s 10-for-46. If three more balls drop in for him he’s hitting over .280. It’s an itty bitty sample size.

By David O'Brien

June 23, 2008 8:40 PM | Link to this

Someone asked about the Braves’ No. 1 pick, Brett DeVall. Braves say they’re not close yet on signing the lefty, and thought they would be by now.

(I’d add that since they don’t have to be signed until mid-August, this is just posturing. The kid told me the day he came here for his tour that he didn’t envision anything like Joshua Fields last season and that he fully intended to sign. Probably being advised to hold out for a little more money, since there’s more than a month until he has to be signed.)

By Mr. Analogy

June 23, 2008 8:53 PM | Link to this

Giving a contact lens to Jeff Francouer is like…

Handing a salad to Bob Wickman

By Another Loss

June 23, 2008 8:54 PM | Link to this

Anyone notice this?

Buddy @ bat: 6 pitches, foul on 93mph, foul on 96mph, then grounds out on 83mph curve.

JF makes 2 outs on 7 pitches including another K.

Buddy, are you available tomorrow? If so, please help JF out @ the cage, u know, like about how to s-t-r-e-t-c-h out a pitcher to see a # of pitches during an at bat.

By Mr. Analogy

June 23, 2008 8:54 PM | Link to this

A torn labrum is to John Smoltz as…

a torn labia is to Mike Hampton

By Dawgsfan1990

June 23, 2008 8:56 PM | Link to this

kirknga

You are totally right about the Braves record of trading away prospects that didnt amount to much…i just had to throw Dye in there because I really liked him then and now.

As far as Big Tex (or big Tush as I call him), the only thing I really REALLY like about him is his glove. His batting numbers will get him the big dollerage from NY or somewhere, but what we will really miss about his is the glove work. Dude makes plays every game that draw oohs ad awws in my household and I’ve seen several Braves 1Bs over the years and none hold a candle to Tush’s defense. All that being said good D is not worth 20 mil per.

By dan

June 23, 2008 8:57 PM | Link to this

Outstanding job by Buddy, tonight.

By David O'Brien

June 23, 2008 9:00 PM | Link to this

Carlyle did a helluva job, 4-1/3 scoreless innings of two-hit ball with four strikeouts.

But four runs for Sheets this season is a near guanteed win. He hasn’t lost on the road in 10 starts all season (ERA close to 2.50) and he’s only given up more than three earned runs twice in 14 starts.

By keylargo

June 23, 2008 9:03 PM | Link to this

3 - 3 bottom 6 uga vs fresno st

By McFann©

June 23, 2008 9:05 PM | Link to this

Sheesh! So what’s with McCann striking out lately? That’s like…11 this month…

Hey, but what a great job by Buddy. To bad he won’t get a WIN!

By kirknga

June 23, 2008 9:06 PM | Link to this

I wonder if the Braves would be interested in signing Sheets? He’s a real injury risk, but he’s a talent too.

By Smart Arse

June 23, 2008 9:09 PM | Link to this

Hey DOB, Why did BC double switch and take Jeff out. He is the Natural and the face of the franchise. Why in the world did he do that?!?!?!? Is he hurt?!?!?!?! Jeff is the greatest!!!!

By Pete H.

June 23, 2008 9:13 PM | Link to this

Buddy @ bat: 6 pitches, foul on 93mph, foul on 96mph, then grounds out on 83mph curve.

Ummm, did you not notice that the plan was to attack Sheets early and often? It didn’t work, but the actual hitters were after the first pitch bigtime.

Using this to attack Franky is cheap.

By George W. Bush

June 23, 2008 9:15 PM | Link to this

You’re doing a heck of a job at the plate Frenchy.

By uga-brave

June 23, 2008 9:16 PM | Link to this

frenchy’s best offensive weapon is the RUDY STEIN. c’mon stein lean into one.

it’s in his head now, he actually looks like he is doubting himself.

By keylargo

June 23, 2008 9:16 PM | Link to this

Hey Smart Arse - He took JF out to get Norton some AB’s. Don’t you understand that stategy at all? 8)

By Masochist

June 23, 2008 9:16 PM | Link to this

I love watching the Braves. They really do it for me.

By David O'Brien

June 23, 2008 9:17 PM | Link to this

Braves just announced Kotsay will start an injury rehab assignment tomorow at Mississippi and could be activated when the next homestand begins July 1 against Philadelphia.

By Efrim

June 23, 2008 9:19 PM | Link to this

Someone is going to give Ben Sheets a lot of money. I’m not sure if he will be worth it, but maybe he’ll suprise and actually stay healthy. He did pitch 200 innings each year from 2002-2004. You gotta figure he’ll get 5 years and 75 million as long as he can pitch about 180 innings this year. I wouldn’t give him those years. 3 years and 45 million. Kind of like the Dodgers gave Jason Schmidt. Of course we all know what happened to Schmidt.

By cabravesfan

June 23, 2008 9:20 PM | Link to this

Gotta give credit where it is due- Ben Sheets was absolutely outstanding tonight…great pitcher when he can stay healthy

By kirknga

June 23, 2008 9:20 PM | Link to this

Dawgsfan1990

I got no problem with the Braves overpaying for Tex. That is just the nature of things in sports.

The question is how much are you willing to overpay? And if you don’t resign him, how do you assemble a team that can contend? That is why a couple of us were talking about Furcal. You need some veterans added to all these young players…if your goal is to contend.

I personally would like them to invest in pitching. Especially if they don’t resign Tex, I want them to get a Sabathia or Garland, Lowe, Sheets or Penny.

They will have the money to make a couple of free agent signings, whether or not they sign Tex.

By StingerSplash

June 23, 2008 9:21 PM | Link to this

Can’t say enough about the job Carlyle did tonight. Just outstanding keeping the Brew Crew in check. Too bad he had to go up against Sheets. But at least he’s not going to strike out 18 tonight, either.

By A-ville Rangers

June 23, 2008 9:22 PM | Link to this

The Fresno pitchers look like they’re tossing bp,just tossing them up there.For whatever reason the UGA hitters look passive tonight,just not taking advantage of tired arms.

By McFann©

June 23, 2008 9:24 PM | Link to this

Thanks for the news on Kotsay, Chief! That’s great! Can’t wait for him to come back!

Wow…sooo…are we thinking comeback, here?

By AGTFan

June 23, 2008 9:25 PM | Link to this

Bobby’s Cox

So you’re saying that you’re more deserving of being treated respectfully by me than the players are of being treated respectfully by you? I can see the logic in that. After all Frenchy is getting paid decent money to make a fool of himself at the plate and you get on here and make a fool of your self for free. :-)

By Braves never win on the road

June 23, 2008 9:26 PM | Link to this

Ben Sheets own’s the Brave’s enough said !

By keylargo

June 23, 2008 9:27 PM | Link to this

EFRIM

Damn if the Braves front office ought to be proficient at filing those insurance papers on injured pitchers by now. The only risk is making sure the premiums are paid on time.

By McFann©

June 23, 2008 9:28 PM | Link to this

OK…That was the most boring game of the season, IMHO.

By chipdip

June 23, 2008 9:31 PM | Link to this

BRAVES SUCK!!

By David O'Brien

June 23, 2008 9:31 PM | Link to this

Utter domination: Sheets is 6-0 in last six starts vs. Braves, and in last eight against them he’s 7-1 with a 2.87 ERA and 69 strikeouts with only 6 walks in 59-2/3 innings.

Wow.

By uga-brave

June 23, 2008 9:32 PM | Link to this

one of those night’s when you just tip your cap and come back tommorow.

sheets has been dominant, but our bullpen held them to three hits and 0 runs in 7 2/3 innings.

this offense is lifeless. braves have to find a bat in the outfield.

By Braves never win on the road

June 23, 2008 9:33 PM | Link to this

Oh good another day another loss ,when does football start again ?

By bf54

June 23, 2008 9:34 PM | Link to this

Reality Bites (3:25 post)- you speak for me, man, how you speak for me. I agree with everything you have said.

I would add one thing more. More multi-year multi-million contracts have been busts than bonuses. There is no good reason to pay Tex anywhere near the time-zone that Borass will be asking.

Even the Dodgers have to consider payroll issues. They have an injured and (dang I hate to say it) basically useless Andrew Jones, and an injured, but expensive, Furcal.

By the way, didn’t they have Kevin Brown on a multi-year, multi-million contract or was it Shawn Green, or both…anyhow…no big offer for Tex.

By Efrim

June 23, 2008 9:35 PM | Link to this

Too much Sheets tonight. He owns the Braves.

Nice job by the pen tonight. Didn’t have to run through too many guys tonight.

Braves need to take care of business the next two nights. Won’t be easy though, Milwaukee is on fire.

By McFann©

June 23, 2008 9:36 PM | Link to this

You can’t really single out one guy for the loss tonight. That was a team effort right there!

By Braves never win on the road

June 23, 2008 9:36 PM | Link to this

Karsay is like Aloe is for the Mets old and stays hurt .Time to cut all the AARP people and get young players

By Robert

June 23, 2008 9:41 PM | Link to this

In all fairness to Cox, today wasnt his fault.

Noone was gonna hit Sheets today

And he (Cox) got in a lousy situation when his starter couldnt give him so much as 3 innings

And o, Texeira is not ready to carry the Braves. He is a good player and a good hitter, but not a great player or a great hitter

And if some team wants to pay him like he is, then the Braves need to let that team do so

By Get A Life

June 23, 2008 9:41 PM | Link to this

Let me save a couple people the trouble of posting their usual tripe:

The Braves lost - FIRE BOBBY

Jo Jo gave up 4 runs - FIRE McDOWELL

The Braves only scored 1 run off Ben Sheets - FIRE PENDELTON

There, I save you morons the trouble. Now you can contemplate all the front office moves that Wren would make IF he were as bright as a DOB Blog poster.

By Robert

June 23, 2008 9:45 PM | Link to this

“You can’t really single out one guy for the loss tonight.”

Like hell you cant. BEN SHEETS is responsible. When a pitcher of his caliber is ON, you’re toast

The manager’s job in that situation is not to make any bad decisions that might lose tomorrow’s game

And for once, I think Toaby Donk didnt hurt us

By Bobby's Cox

June 23, 2008 9:47 PM | Link to this

LOL AGT

Good stuff. I’m going to go and find out how I can make an azz out of myself AND get paid for it.

Maybe Frenchy will go back to the cages & figure out a way to not make an azz out of himself. The quick fix lense didn’t do any good tonight as Mr. Analogy humorously pointed out. Maybe he’ll have to change his stroke and approach after all, darn it. I’ll be rooting for him to do so, because he’ll no longer be in a Braves uniform if he keeps this up.

How’s that for fan support?

By Run Heap Run

June 23, 2008 9:49 PM | Link to this

Hey 4-1 vs Ben Sheets AND we had to go to the bullpen in the 3rd? the Phils and Fish are off and the Mutts lost so no matter what we only last 1/2 game. Not nearly as ugly as it could’ve been.

By Crazy Stats Katz

June 23, 2008 9:50 PM | Link to this

That cow is sexy in a Lewinsky kind of way. I’d do her.

By AGTFan

June 23, 2008 9:50 PM | Link to this

Not looking great for the UGA DAWGS at the moment, but the way they’ve played since the regular season ended, I wouldn’t give up on them.

By Robert

June 23, 2008 9:52 PM | Link to this

And by the way that was anything BUT a boring game

Watching a great pitcher work it when he is on is always a treat - even if he is wearing the wrong uniform - the heck with thw 24-19 beer-swig softball league scores

Two days in a row all Cox had to do was watch baseball. This is the way the 90’s worked - except that 3-4 days out of 5 our guys were the dominant pitchers. It’s how we cruised thru the regular season for nigh unto a decade. Then came October and that’s another story

By AGTFan

June 23, 2008 9:55 PM | Link to this

Good stuff. I’m going to go and find out how I can make an azz out of myself AND get paid for it. Great Idea. If you find a way, let me know. I’m up for it too. It’s kind of unfair to be too hard on Frenchy tonight. No one seemed capable of solving Sheets tonight.

By keylargo

June 23, 2008 9:55 PM | Link to this

Dawgs tie it up bottom 8. man on 3rd and one out.

By Robert

June 23, 2008 9:57 PM | Link to this

“Hey 4-1 vs Ben Sheets AND we had to go to the bullpen in the 3rd?”

Which gets to a point - Yes Buddy pitched well, but that really didnt matter. This was his game to the seventh inning, whether he held it to 4-1 or it became 44-1

You’re losing early, your pen is tired and youre up against a dominant guy that is on - Here’s the keys son, lock up when you leave (i.e. - dont waste any GOOD arms)

By keylargo

June 23, 2008 9:58 PM | Link to this

and I lose Directv in the middle of the Dawgs rally. Monsoon season in the Keys.

By Efrim

June 23, 2008 10:00 PM | Link to this

Anyone read Bowman’s mailbag on MLB.com? Here is a comment I thought was interesting:

If some of you aren’t reading this until Thursday and the Braves have already dropped a few games and once again have been deemed sellers, then of course I believe they’ll be selling Mark Teixeira to the highest bidder. If Sunday was the start of one his hot streaks, Wren might be able to make a deal that allows him to replace much of the talent that was lost last year with Teixeira’s acquisition.

I think it is somewhat valid. Whose to say that Braves can’t get swept here and fall back 7 in the loss column. Are they deemed sellers then? Just going to have to leave it up to management to assess the ability of this team going forward. You almost wish they make their move now, like tomorrow, then see where they are at right before July 31st and then decide whether they are in it or not. I think the Expos did that a few years back(the year they traded for Cliff Floyd, then dealt him to Boston).

By Cecil34

June 23, 2008 10:02 PM | Link to this

Boy, you can really see sub-.500 written all over this team when they go against an above-.500 club.

The only reason the Braves have a chance to stay in the hunt is due to parity in this division.

Even if by the grace of God this team qualified for the playoffs within this division, once they matched up with other contenders, the beat-down would commence and they would be promptly eliminated.

As of 23rd of June, this is the way I see it.

Things could change - some of you say that. I have been waiting 78 games to see it.

What reason would realistically persuade me to think the other 84 are going to be radically different?

Gosh, they frustrate the bejesus out of me.

I know there are many of you that feel the pain as well.

By Pete H.

June 23, 2008 10:03 PM | Link to this

I wonder if anyone would have taken a bet that Santana would be 7-6 at the end of June when they signed him for 300 kazillion dollars. And traded half their farm system.

By Dadgum

June 23, 2008 10:07 PM | Link to this

DOB…any starting pitching help coming our way. We are a hurting bunch and unless we shore up the starting rotation we could easily be in double digit games back by the break.

Good break down on Tex’s numbers but he ain’t the missing link. Odds in Vegas are 2 in 10 he is with another team next year. Just kidding but maybe not.

No pitching help here in Richmond unless you think James is going to transform to his ‘07 streak. Hitters are wise to him now and his mojo isn’t what it used to be. We’ll see but my guess is that the Braves are fishing with fresh bait in the trade waters.

Rock on….

By Robert Jospeh Cox

June 23, 2008 10:08 PM | Link to this

Robert, daddy loves you.

By keylargo

June 23, 2008 10:10 PM | Link to this

DAWGS WIN

By Shamus Thacker

June 23, 2008 10:15 PM | Link to this

Jo Jo is young, he’ll do this from time to time till he’s properly seasoned.

Stenchy, on the other hand, needs Richmond, and Richmond needs Stenchy.

By uga-brave

June 23, 2008 10:18 PM | Link to this

another come from behind win by the dawgs tonight.

kinda gets you ready for the start of college football. only 60 or so days till kickoff.

By Pete H.

June 23, 2008 10:19 PM | Link to this

How about Tex to Houston with a pack of prospects for Lee and Oswalt? Houston gets two good picks plus our prospects, and we get a cleanup hitter and the guy in our rotation we need. Just an idea…but the Astros are going nowhere fast.

By Crazy Stats Katz

June 23, 2008 10:20 PM | Link to this

Since the season is going down the drain, let’s start making some fun bets.

Which of the following will be higher:

Francoeur’s batting average or McCann’s caught stealing rate?

As bad as Andruw Jones was last year, after a hotly contested battle that played out until the final weekend, Andruw’s pitiful average ended up barely higher than McCann’s woeful caught stealing rate.

Andruw sat out that final weekend to preserve his lead over McCann.

Francoeur’s AVG versus McCann’s caught stealing rate promises to provide alot of drama for the rest of the season. McCann has the edge thus far.

By Crazy Stats Katz

June 23, 2008 10:25 PM | Link to this

Stenchy, on the other hand, needs Richmond, and Richmond needs Stenchy.

Macon certainly doesn’t need Stenchy. That city smells bad enough already.

But, in all seriousness, that cow has the voluptuous figure of a slumpbuster. Francoeur needs to do the cow.

By Lou Vales

June 23, 2008 10:30 PM | Link to this

Forget about Teixeira. Take the money you would give him and sign Hampton to an to extension. Then renegotiate Smoltz to take him through age 45. The shoulder will be fine and then sign Tommy through age 48. All that ligament stuff will cure with rest. And THEN definitely extend Chipper through 2012. This is just a little tough injury spell he is going through. The new regimen of not allowing him to bathe, brush his teeth, play with his kids, get the newspaper, change the remote control, KISS his wife, or eat by himself should cut the injury risk significantly. Then get longer deals with Soriano and Gonzalez—these little shoulder and elbow problems for relievers mean nothing.

With these 6 guys signed to longer deals the Braves won’t even miss Tex—By the way doesn’t anybody go by a given name anymore?????

Also believe we could throw some money Boog Sciambi’s way. Maybe then he will regale us with tales from his days in Miami radio when he worked with the GREAT Hank Goldberg who always KNEW that Pete Rose NEVER bet on baseball. I’m sure this feeling had nothing to do with those glorious days at Pete Rose’s Ballpark Cafe in Boca Raton. Maybe he can also tell us what Miami radio personality was dubbed—PK(Punk Kid) and how he went on to be a fixture in the Miami market. Boog, those were the days. To hear the discourse on the “sleeper” defensive tackle out of Amherst made for great radio, and the musings of Joe Angel and the interplay with OB. A million stories!!

John, would you agree with most of us in the Southeast that if your father is the reason that you are in a broadcast booth that it might be a good idea not to refer to him as “Dad”???? I don’t know. It just seems like a constant reminder of how you MIGHT have received some “extra” benefit on way up the ladder. Actually, you have really become one of the premeire announcers in America and will be shocked if you don’t some day become a household name,all the more remarkable based upon your start in the depths of Dade County.

By keylargo

June 23, 2008 10:36 PM | Link to this

Motley Crue live on Fox News (National Channel)

By bravos2249

June 23, 2008 10:40 PM | Link to this

Robert

back in 2001 when a hitter by the name of Chipper Jones who was 28 @ the time…same age as Tex though that makes no difference…well back in 2001 Chipper faced Sheets for the first time like Tex did tonight and went 0-2 with a walk…Tex went 1-4 tonight.

Not saying he’s better but both didn’t do well when they faced Sheets the first time. Both times @ Turner Field.

By keylargo

June 23, 2008 10:40 PM | Link to this

Motley Crue has a new CD out Saints of Los Angeles Out at midnight.

DOB DO you know where your copy is?

By Shamus Thacker

June 23, 2008 10:41 PM | Link to this

DOB, when the Braves stomp somebody’s azz at home, you can now call it udder domination. Moooooo Whoaaa Bessy…

By A-ville Rangers

June 23, 2008 10:43 PM | Link to this

If it turns out Frenchy’s eye was the problem I’m going to look like a jackass….I’ll have lots of company though.I will be very glad and happy for Jeff if this helps….Oh yes GO DAWGS…ONE MORE TIME.

By Shamus Thacker

June 23, 2008 10:45 PM | Link to this

LOU VALES By the way doesn’t anybody go by a given name anymore?????

Adam Jones does; he’s the artist formerly known as Packman.

By N8

June 23, 2008 10:54 PM | Link to this

Just got home to see that Ben Sheets (as he always does), let our “powerful” bats, know who was boss.

Honestly….Who didn’t see that coming?

And here, we thought Tex had “turned the corner” and was gonna carry this team, huh?

Win one, lose two, win two, lose three, etc….

Mediocrity at it’s finest, people. Would this core of players have it any other way?

By Seven Words You Caan Never Say On This Blog

June 23, 2008 10:54 PM | Link to this

BOBBY COX MUST BE FIRED RIGHT NOW

By uga-brave

June 23, 2008 10:57 PM | Link to this

hey it worked for charlie sheen in major league.

frenchy should get some of those kurt rambis frames.

By A-ville Rangers

June 23, 2008 11:00 PM | Link to this

KeyLargo You know a rock band is getting on in years when they promote their new cd on Larry King live.I think Tommy Lee went to high school with Larry.

By David O'Brien

June 23, 2008 11:04 PM | Link to this

Boy, Seven Words You Can Never Say, you’re really going out there with some original, daring statement there. Man, you’re the first person that’s said anything like that on this blog in weeks, months, maybe ever.

Seriously, that’s pretty risky stuff, saying that here. You sure you want your name attached to that? You might get banned or something. I mean, whew, you’re living dangerously, buddy. You must be one crazy, fearless individual.

By the way, what did Cox have to do with tonight’s game, in particular? You could at least pick a good night to say that (there’ve been a few recently where you might have at least had a leg to stand on. Tonight, you just sound like a thoughtless knee-jerk reactionary).

By David O'Brien

June 23, 2008 11:08 PM | Link to this

Braves haven’t won as many as three in a row since May 22.

Amazing they’re only 4-1/2 games out of first place, it really is.

Diaz could be back in a 2-3 weeks, by the way. For those wondering. I forgot to mention that earlier.

By N8

June 23, 2008 11:08 PM | Link to this

DOB

In your 6:39 response to ppaddy, regarding McCann moving to 1B so he “doesn’t wear down”, your sarcasm was noted and appreciated.

However, let me “rephrase” the statement by ppaddy, the way it should have stated.

IF (big IF) the Braves feel that any of their up and coming catchers (Sammons), has the ability to be a good game caller and defensive backstop, they might be advised to THINK about moving McCann to 1B, as to get his bat in the lineup for about 20-30 more games.

Since he is second ONLY to Chipper, in terms of hitting, IMO, I personally would LOVE to not have the second best hitter have to sit out once a week (or so).

THAT BEING SAID, if McCann is not capable of playing solid defense at 1B, it would be a silly move.

His numbers in the second half have been VERY good (like you mentioned), which is all the more reason to have him in the lineup EVERY DAY. Or do you disagree?

While his game calling (according to you, Bobby, Roger and all of the pitchers), might be fantastic. His defensive “skills” behind the plate are mediocre to above average at best.

His BAT is the best asset that he brings to the table, IMO.

Need him in the lineup for 150+ games, NOT 130 or so.

By Mrs Bobby Cox

June 23, 2008 11:10 PM | Link to this

10:54 Post, Please fire him. So we can end this agony. Like I’ve told him so many times—Honey, you won fewer World Series than the Florida Marlins with 3 Hall of Fame pitchers. You know at this stage of your career winning another silly NL East Banner isn’t going to be enough SO just walk away. We can go to Europe, China, Australia. Let’s do it now while you can still ambulate. Neither of us is getting younger.

By the way, can any of you tell me is this Mike Hampton kid some kind of a hypochondriac?? A pulled chest muscle!!!

By David O'Brien

June 23, 2008 11:10 PM | Link to this

Let it be noted that at 9:41 p.m. tonight, Robert posted a comment that I agreed with.

(I’m surprised my keyboard didn’t freeze up as I typed that sentence)…

Keylargo: yeah, I’ll be stopping by a store tonight to pick up that CD…

By N8

June 23, 2008 11:15 PM | Link to this

A-ville Rangers

“If it turns out Frenchy’s eye was the problem I’m going to look like a jackass…”

While I will feel a little bad for ripping on the guy too, IF that is the cause of his struggles, then WHY THE HELL has it taken them (and him) almost 3 months of the season to check it out?

I’ve worn glasses and contacts since I was in my early teens. It takes me about a DAY to realize if my vision is a little off on one of the prescriptions.

I know that health care has taken a turn for the worse in recent years (in terms of coverage), but you’d think that a 450K salary, would buy a nice plan that has a good dental/vision package with it.

Yikes!

By Mrs Bobby Cox

June 23, 2008 11:19 PM | Link to this

Dear David, I’m NO reactionary. I don’t really want him to be a Total Lifer. We had glavine, Smoltz, and Maddux in their primes. We played in a division with basically just the Phillies for years, we had better talent, we had arguably one of the 3 greatest switch hitters in baseball in his prime, we had a marvelous CF, usually a pretty good bench, good but not great relievers AND the old man parlayed that into ONE!!!!! less World Series Championship than a team with no fans, no stadium, no money, basically no owner, no big TV contract—Well, they spent money 2 years and won both times————-David, He couldn’t bring it home under those CIRCUMSTANCES what are chances under these conditions?? Please be truthful.

By keylargo

June 23, 2008 11:19 PM | Link to this

A-ville

Yeah, but Larry looks better.

By Stuart

June 23, 2008 11:21 PM | Link to this

If the Phillies sign Sheets, we will never win a series vs. Philly with him and Hammels pitching.

By Shamus Thacker

June 23, 2008 11:27 PM | Link to this

Ain’t much Bobby can do, with summa the drag-azzes he’s got out there now. I don’t agree with Frenchy not having some gameS off. Other than that, Bobby hasn’t been any more tactically unsound than usual. He’s got some managerial-career-killers playing for him now. Really just a couple, Hex and Stenchy. A manager of less stature would be shakin’ in his shoes. Bobby isn’t, and he shouldn’t be; he’s earned that…

By All Hail the Cow

June 23, 2008 11:33 PM | Link to this

I agree with Crazy Stats Katz.

My life’s new ambition is to do the cow at Turner Field.

By Lou Vales

June 23, 2008 11:34 PM | Link to this

Dear David, In response to your 11:08 Blog—What is REALLY amazing is that a team with a payroll a tad more than Santana, with no CF, no Johnson, Sanchez and Mitre for entire year, with no bench, a 2B playing 3rd, a DH playing first, no catcher and playing in front of what actually amounts to about 5,000 people a night THAT THEY are 1 game out!!

David, I will trust your journalistic integrity to tell us what is really amazing after 77 games of an MLB season.

By the way David, a friendly bet of dinner—-call Dan Scott, 9:00-12:00 host or Walt Deptula, 3:00-5:00 host on WCCPFM(The Clemson Flagship station)they will vouch for my being a man of my word—-I’ll say the woebegone Florida Marlins win their 3rd World Series some year before the Atlanta Braves win their 2nd(Sorry,but ROTFLMAO). Are we on??

By Lou Vales

June 23, 2008 11:45 PM | Link to this

David,I’m 60 years old, and stayed up late while Marlins were on the West Coast last week so I’m a little tired. I’ll get your answer in the morning.

By the way all you guys over 50 get your prostate checked. And understand your PSA readings and the concepts of PSA velocity and free and bound PSA. Be informed. I’m fortunate that i sleep through the night like a baby. Urologist says it might be exercise program and especially 8 miles a day on elliptical. By the way bikes are not good—I’ll let you figure out why.

This was actually a PSA about your PSA>

By keylargo

June 23, 2008 11:47 PM | Link to this

LouVales

What’s that suave, debonaire, good looking (in his own mind) Hank Goldberg doing these days? I can’t say I miss him down here in S FL but I’m sure he has to work since he likes to gamble so much.

By uga-brave

June 23, 2008 11:49 PM | Link to this

n8,

i too am starting to feel for francoeur. there is no doubt that the guy gives it 100%.

gotta be hard on him mentally. the guy has always succeeded and this is the first time he may be doubtig his skills.

heard somewhere that when duke snider came up he had similar problems with recognition of the strike zone.

branch rickey had him umpire simulated games. rickey could not believe how bad snider was with recognizing stkikes, made him do it all spring until he figured it out. the rest is history.

By A-ville Rangers

June 23, 2008 11:51 PM | Link to this

N8, I’m a bit reluctant to bring this up but 23 years ago I was hit with a ricochet bullet that shattered in my cheek bone.Some large fragments were left in and I’ve had a slow degeneration of the sight in that eye.I know from this, when it is gradual the mind can adjust to the point you don’t pick up on it right away.

By Kentavo

June 23, 2008 11:55 PM | Link to this

I never got really upset about tonight’s game - it was a goner as soon as Sheets’ name was inked in the starting lineup.

Consequently, it was on the ol’ tube at my house, but I didn’t pay too much attention to it, doing errands and such.

That’s how I keep from throwing the TV out the window and cursing the donkey.

Yes, I have adopted Robert’s affectionate term for the manager.

Donkey didn’t do much I can blame him for tonight, other than pencil in that weak lineup.

Why doesn’t Li’l Bridge get a shot. Surely he could do no worse?

By Lou Vales

June 24, 2008 12:01 AM | Link to this

Dear Key Largo, Hank did pride himself as quite the ladies man. I could never understand how he and Uncle Neil got along so well. They seemed to be divergent. I left Boca Raton and moved up to the Foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Can’t beat the cost of living. 2 story , 6 bedroom house, wood floors, granite counter tops—330,000 in 2002, 1900 property taxes and an insurance agent that calls you when homeowner’s insurance goes from 860 to 880 TO APOLOGIZE!!!! AND no New Yorkers. I don’t think they are allowed. May be viewed as illegal immigrants. AND NO!!!! EARLY BIRDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By cabravesfan

June 24, 2008 12:09 AM | Link to this

Kentavo you really have to ask why Lillbridge has not gotten a shot? where would you play him? He is a SS by trade…you want to bench Yunel, one of our most consistent bas? Or maybe for Infante, who has been very impressive lately? I believe (and please correct me if I am wrong) Lillbridge is a low .200’s hitter…he is emergency only as far as I am concerned…

By N8

June 24, 2008 12:12 AM | Link to this

A-ville Rangers

Fair enough. Guess I’ve never had an injury to my eye area, much less had a metal plate that helps hold the eye socket together.

Ultimately, if it helps, that’s good for Jeff, and good for us as fans.

Dude is a likable guy. I’d get no greater pleasure than seeing him be that guy that carried the team when he first came up, and gained many fans with that smile.

But in the same breath, dude is hard to watch hit right now.

By Lou Vales

June 24, 2008 12:13 AM | Link to this

Dear David, I’m not talking about a restaurant the quality of the old Lutece. I’m just talking about a really good steak restaurant in Atl;anta. I will drive down, Win or Lose the bet.Although in your heart you know that if Smoltz, Glavine, Maddux, McGriff, Jones and Jones, AND ALL that other talent in that PUTRID division—that was almost like a bye into the Playoffs—if ALL THAT results in ONE MORE WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP than the Montreal Expos, Well my good friend you know that opportunities like that only come around 14 times or so.

By uga-brave

June 24, 2008 12:15 AM | Link to this

lets see, smoltz, galvine, and hampton have combined for 5 wins. soriano and moylan have basically been out all season. kotsay has a bad back, tex has been average, francoeur has been sent to the optamologist, and there is a large cow on top of the upper deck at the ted that some bloggers for whatever reason find sexually appealing.

all that being said the braves are still within 5 games of first place.

kind of hard to blame bobby for all of those things.

the braves are probably not a playoff team, at this point they just dont have the offense in the outfield that it would take to make a real run at it.

if you would of told me all of those things were going to happen and we were still only 5 games out at the halfway point you would of taken it.

By Teddy Jack Eddy

June 24, 2008 12:24 AM | Link to this

Do any of you think UGA’s shortstop Gordon Beckham resembles Robin Yount a bit ? He’s about the same size,Gordon is a angular,fast twitch type with a gritty game and surprising power for his size.

By AdirondackDave

June 24, 2008 12:25 AM | Link to this

DOB — Quite right, amazing the Braves are only 4.5 games out… Doesn’t hurt that Time Magazine’s Man of the Galaxy (David Wright) made an error tonight that cost the Mets 4 runs. It was his first error of the week though, so management has decided to extend Wright’s contract through his first five years of medicare or 2055, which ever comes first.

By bravos2249

June 24, 2008 12:25 AM | Link to this

just heard via ESPN Glavine out till August…actually 4-6 more weeks but August is a round offish month

By chrisklob

June 24, 2008 12:25 AM | Link to this

DOB Let it be noted that at 9:41 p.m. tonight, Robert posted a comment that I agreed with.

Must be a different Robert. Either that, or a jackal stole his screen name. Seriously, when has anyone ever seen Robert post the words “Bobby Cox” and “in all fairness” in the same post?

By Pete H.

June 24, 2008 12:28 AM | Link to this

Did I actually see people complain that we lost to the hottest pitcher in baseball? I think I did. Grow up. And stop whining.

By lou vales

June 24, 2008 12:29 AM | Link to this

Dear UGA BRAVE, If you find the attraction for that cow strange, try to understand the “feeling” that French-Canadien women have for their “men”???????? when they see their 44 inch guts stuffed into speedos while strolling down South Florida beaches. Now that is UDDER disgusting!!

UGA, By the way you want to trade me all those problems BUT you only get to spend 18.2 million on payroll?? Deal??

By Lou Vales

June 24, 2008 12:35 AM | Link to this

I understand your criticism of david Wright. He has won one less Championship than Chipper Jones. AND understand I don’t like the Mets, but I have a sneaky suspicion that if Wright plays in the Majors for 15 years that he might pass the record of Larry Jones.

By Shamus Thacker

June 24, 2008 12:39 AM | Link to this

You don’t have to be a “playoff team” to be a playoff team, THIS year! Hell, we got as gooda shot as any of the other lag-azzers in our division. We may even be the cream of the damn crop. I’m happy as long as we’re in it. I know I boitch and moan about Frenchy and Tex, but lots of that is just looking for humor in human frailty. I actually feel for Frenchy; you know the guy is going through more pain that we’re aware. This has to be killing him, especially us being the home folks and all. I’m also a realist. He’s stunk lately, unfortunately; equally unfortunate is the fact I feel helpless against the desire to call him Stenchy. Tex I really don’t like; that’s no joke.

By David O'Brien

June 24, 2008 12:39 AM | Link to this

Larry King’s got a really solid tribute show to George Carlin going now (the repeat of earlier). Bill Maher’s on now, Seinfeld was on earlier, Lewis Black coming up.

By David O'Brien

June 24, 2008 12:44 AM | Link to this

Bravos2249, our Carroll Rogers had that two days ago. She wrote:

Tom Glavine is hoping four to six weeks will be enough for his left elbow to heal on its own. If not, he could be facing surgery and a decision whether he wants to pitch again next year. At 42, there’s a lot on his mind.

“It’s not the kind of thing they’ve given me any guarantees on,” said Glavine, who is resting for two weeks before starting to gear up toward a return after the All-Star break.

The flexor tendon in his left elbow is starting to detach from the bone, Glavine said, and neither of the two MRIs he has had can show to what degree. And that’s what will determine if it can heal on its own and will require surgery.

“You want [your career] to end on top of your game,” Glavine said. “Sometimes your body tells you it’s time to go home. If this is the case, much like John [Smoltz] has said, then who am I to complain? I’m lucky I’ve gotten to this point in my career without going on the DL. I guess time catches up with you sooner or later.”

Even if he has to have surgery, Glavine isn’t ruling out a return next season if the Braves want him back. But for now he’s trying to stay optimistic that he can come back this year.

By A-ville Rangers

June 24, 2008 12:44 AM | Link to this

N8 ”A metal plate that helps hold the eye socket together” ? you need to pull that metal rod out of your…

By Shamus Thacker

June 24, 2008 12:45 AM | Link to this

Saw that earlier DOB; kick-azz show.

By Shamus Thacker

June 24, 2008 12:47 AM | Link to this

Bet Carlin was fun to party with back in the day.

By Lou Vales

June 24, 2008 12:48 AM | Link to this

Dear Pete H, Can they complain about having won fewer World Series than a team who plays in front of 5,000 people?? Can they complain about having won fewer World Series as the Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves in the last 60 years than the silly franchise with no fans has won in the last 11??

Can they complain about that?/ Or do they have to think like FANS—derived from FANaticS. You know FANaticS those individuals BLINDLY LOYAL to a person or cause who will broach NO criticism of that person or cause and may actually hide out in caves so as to continue ability to perpetuate LOYALTY to person or cause.

YES SIR!!!! Be a FANatic. Just look at the Cubs’ FANaticS. Really GOOD FANaticS. 99 Years of Loyal, Blind, Rabid Fanaticism, and they are proud of it. They gleefully fling balls back onto the field. Remember when they invaded your stadium in droves—and The marlins had to extract revenge—-and acted like they had ACTUALLY won something, but they had not. And even if they win this year that translates to having 1 less World Series Championships in last 100 years than a team with no fans would have won in last 12.

FANaticS—Gotta Love Them.

By David O'Brien

June 24, 2008 12:51 AM | Link to this

Lou Vales, I bought my first house in Hollywood, Fla., near Young Circle and walking distance to the beach. Needless to say, I saw a whole of of those Snowbirds in Speedos on Hollywood Beach. You’re right, it was not a pleasant sight during the winter months.

By uga-brave

June 24, 2008 12:51 AM | Link to this

lou vales,

the fish have maybe the best offensive infield in baseball. jacobs, uggla, ramirez and a guy that they got off the scrap heap named cantu.

couple that with corner outfieders, willingham and hermedia, and you have 7 really good everday players.

they have done far more with less then just about anyone in baseball.

they traded away their two faces of the franchise in the offseason and they are right there. they probably dont have the starting pitching to win it but they are gonna score a ton.

By Overlord-D-Day

June 24, 2008 12:52 AM | Link to this

People dont like Buddy Carlyle but he is about to get his ERA below 2.00 with the next out he gets. Interesting. Personally I like the guy. Think he is like Bennett, a working horse willing to do anything he is asked for. McDowell has done a great job with that guy.

Does Bennett has to pitch every day? There most be a clause in his contract that says something like that.

Sheets owns us, just like Curt Shilling once did while he was a philly. Could be a good idea trying to sing him once he is a FA, better join the enemy if you cant beat him.

This loss today, I was expecting. I wouldnt be surprised if we win the series. Reyes bad outing is not the rule anymore. SP is doing just fine. We are getting good outing 3 out of 5 times from the rotation. If that translates into 6 wins every 10 games, we shouldnt have nothing to worry about.

Go Braves!!!!!!!!

By bravos2249

June 24, 2008 12:57 AM | Link to this

DOB

I knew about that but ESPN made it seem like he was going to miss 4-6 MORE weeks, because that’s exactly what they said and had on the screen…if that’s what they meant then they need to get theirseleves straight. :)

By Lou Vales

June 24, 2008 1:03 AM | Link to this

David, I’m taking that as a “NO”. Good choice.

You know the SAD thing is I really think you’re serious about the Braves wanting Glavine back. I implore anyone with a sense of humor to go to WCCPFM.com tomorrow and listen “On Line” between 3:05-5:00. I come across as a sweetheart compared to the host who will have some material related to the 12:44 blog that will have you in stitches.

And I have no affiliation with the station, I just know any SANE person will get the perverse sense of irony in possibly holding out hope of offering a 42 year old man with a detached flexor tendon the “opportunity” to pitch next year. Wow!!!!

By N8

June 24, 2008 1:06 AM | Link to this

A-ville Rangers

“N8 ”A metal plate that helps hold the eye socket together” ? you need to pull that metal rod out of your…”

What the hell is that all about? Doesn’t Jeff have some sort of plate in his cheek bone/eye socket from when he had it shattered in the minors?

If you don’t believe me, here is a quote from a story this past spring, along with the link to the story:

“After the injury, a metal plate was placed underneath his right cheek bone (Francoeur said that the plate threw the doctor for a loop during Sunday’s X-ray, when it picked up the plate). On Aug. 19 2004, five days after coming off the DL, he was promoted to Double-A Greenville. He finished the season a combined .276 with 18 home runs and 61 RBI for Class A Myrtle Beach and Greenville”

Francoeur story

Sorry to be right in my assessment. Hope the truth doesn’t always make you that cranky.

By Overlord-D-Day

June 24, 2008 1:19 AM | Link to this

A-ville Rangers not all fractures are the same, nor their prognosis are the same. And certainly you cant compare being hit by a ball and being hit by a bullet.

By Overlord-D-Day

June 24, 2008 1:48 AM | Link to this

Frenchy visiting the doctor for vision problems…… looks like he has tried everything, poor youngster. Hope this helps him, sometimes the answers to some things are in the weirdest of places or fixed by actions we never thought would be the answer.

By Bravesfan79

June 24, 2008 2:03 AM | Link to this

Overlord: Ive always liked Buddy C, he dosent throw the hardest, but hes a fighter on the mound! And hes a smart pitcher in a Maddux sort of way.

Wow….Robert gave Cox credit for something… is the world about to end?

Dude who wants to do the Cow: maybe you can pick up a cow from turner field, just drink about 10 tall boys and shell look like the Spice girls….. all 4 combined…. get home and switch to liquor…and shell upgrade to Elizibeth Taylor….and im not talkin about her younger days either. ( SHE Was SO HOT in Cleopatra!)

WHY is Corky still on the team?? He is this years Woodcrap.

You know what would be more valuable than Corky… A Sprinter! Someone that can come in the 9th inning, steal a base, and score the winning run easily from 2nd! I dont even care if the guy knew how to PLAY baseball….get someone off the US track team! I dont even care if its the special olympic track team and the guys blind! That would STILL be more valuable than Corky…the “hitless, every-other inning defensive specialist” After all didnt Bobby sign Corky and Woodward off the special olympic team? I guess they were just to “special” to be sent back to were they came from.

By A-ville Rangers

June 24, 2008 2:16 AM | Link to this

Sorry N8 I had no idea Frenchy had a plate attached to his eye orbit,my bad bud.I just thought it was a crack of some sort.I’ve gotta either keep up better or comment less.

By Doc Holliday (overlord)

June 24, 2008 2:31 AM | Link to this

Corky is on this team because Cox is on this team. J.S. most be on vacation and FW is too busy doing something else but his homework.

By jed

June 24, 2008 2:37 AM | Link to this

about tex: i’ll reiterate what i’ve been saying since the end of last season. there’s no way the braves will be able to re-sign teixeira. too much money and there’s no way he’s taking a discount to play in atlanta. in lieu of which, bring back renteria, and play him at first base. or put him at 2nd base and move kelly to 1b. the guy was one of the most consistent bats we’ve had and his presence and influence on the team was as good as it gets.

By Pete H.

June 24, 2008 2:45 AM | Link to this

Braves Fan 79 said

You know what would be more valuable than Corky… A Sprinter! Someone that can come in the 9th inning, steal a base, and score the winning run easily from 2nd! I dont even care if the guy knew how to PLAY baseball….get someone off the US track team! I dont even care if its the special olympic track team and the guys blind!

Well, Charlie Finley tried that. Didn’t work out. Dude got picked off all the time because he didn’t grow up playing baseball.

Corky is what he is. A backup catcher. None of them can hit a lick.

By Doc Holliday (overlord)

June 24, 2008 2:52 AM | Link to this

jed, KJ cant play 2B and you want to move him to 1B? You must be a close friend of bobby cox. Renteria to 1B sound as a better move, but you wouldnt get the power we would need once TEX is gone. Not that TEX is tearing the ball, but thats exactly why we are not in 1st place…….lack of power out of 1B and RF.

By NO MORE BOBBY

June 24, 2008 3:02 AM | Link to this

When Kotsay comes back what happens to Brandon Jones? The Braves messed up and let another outfielder get away that he reminds me of (Jermaine Dye).

Please don’t make that mistake again Braves and let this kid play more now!! He is a future star!!

By A-ville Rangers

June 24, 2008 3:04 AM | Link to this

Overlord -d-day I think you can compare the two to some extent.A tricky thing about eye orbit trauma is all the nerves (optical and others) in the area.It’s believed the metal from the bullet has caused some nerve damage to the area in my case.Anytime a metal plate is put into your body whether it’s a disk fusion in the neck or back,joint replacement or something else there can be complications.I must have seen somewhere that Frenchy had a plate installed,otherwise it’s kind of a freaky coincedence.

By Doc Holliday (overlord)

June 24, 2008 3:12 AM | Link to this

Backup catchers cant hit???

Is that a fact?

Ive seen mets backup catcher castro hit a lot better than corky. And braves have had better backup catcher…….much better.

Can you say……Eddie Perez?

Can you say…….johnny estrada?

Didnt know the great Johan Santana got the loss last night, he is 7-6. The poor guy took a GRAND SLAM from M´s pitcher….. What an ACE!!!

I think Pedro also took a loss on saturday.

Braves are not taking advantage of this….. Its gonna come back and hunt us.

By Doc Holliday (Overlord)

June 24, 2008 3:25 AM | Link to this

A-ville Rangers it goes beyond that. But we dont wanna bore others with this conversation, hehehe. To make a long story short. Plates in the face if well placed have very good prognosis. Joints, thats another story. The presence of the plate by itself does nothing wrong to the body, they are totally inert materials.

Poor vision after those injuries have nothing to do with the plate itself, but with the position of the eye in the orbit. An orbit floor poorly fixed can lead to poor vision (double images, blind spots on the visual field, and they could be so tiny patients dont detect it themselves so easy)

By jed

June 24, 2008 3:55 AM | Link to this

doc

i agree KJ isnt much at 2b; his biggest problem is going to his right on balls hit up the middle. range is the problem there. i think KJ would be a lot better off at 1b, where reaction is more important than range. as for power, you bat renteria 3,4 or 5, and he’ll give you rbi’s consistently.

By N8

June 24, 2008 4:02 AM | Link to this

A-ville Rangers

No harm, no foul, dude. I figured you thought I was taking a cheap shot at you. My reply to you was more sarcastic than angry, due to me concluding you didn’t know about the plate. Thus the link.

By Moby Grape

June 24, 2008 4:20 AM | Link to this

What a terrible, powerless outfield. It’s a bigger problem than Corky Miller can ever dream of being.Worst OF

Amen to that brother (or sister as the case may be)

By Moby Grape

June 24, 2008 4:49 AM | Link to this

Well posted about the Chipper/Francoeur bashing. I began posting on this blog with a defense of Chipper. I was bashed in between the Chipper bashes. It was brutal at times.TennPaul

As I’m sure that you know, you just have to consider the source, Paul. haters are on here ranting because of their own personality issues. Nobody should take anything that someone like Robert says to heart. It’s strictly for their own agenda. I’m more likely to be bothered by hard words from someone I respect. But I agree that it does get awfully tiresome reading the same vitriol hour after hour.

By Malcontent

June 24, 2008 6:34 AM | Link to this

Nice to see Elbow on your list. They’re underachiever’s with a lot of talent. Kind of like our Atlanta Braves!

By Moby Grape

June 24, 2008 6:35 AM | Link to this

And I am going to keep asking to someone remembers Eddie Miller. Maybe the fastest Brave of all time. Remember him?KeyLargo

Sure I remember him from the late ’70s, but I’m not sure why you would mention him. He was one of the leading examples of how worthless speed, even great speed, can be when the player has no other assets.

By ncscoots

June 24, 2008 6:42 AM | Link to this

Chop Chop, that was an interesting post at 5:07PM on blog perspective. At least, it’s gives me some insight as to why some bloggers appear so myopic on some subjects.

But, without SOME context, doesn’t that approach just turn this forum into the Vent on steroids? I mean, Braves will make 5000+ PA this year, and their pitchers will face that same number of batters, and some here plan to whine about every one of both that doesn’t go the Braves’ way, LOL.

Anyway, I can see your point. I may not agree with it, but the post showed an interesting, well, perspective. :-)

By Moby Grape

June 24, 2008 6:47 AM | Link to this

He’s worth every bit of the contract he got and most people here really wanted to keep him.Kirk

he sure wasn’t worth 14 mil last year even playing regularly and won’t come close to being worth his salary this season either. Up until then he was worth what he was getting. Bad backs can be chronic as surely we should be learning from Kotsay. I’ll definitely pass on the guy. I can’t imagine paying that kind of money for the stats he puts up.

By Crazy Stats Katz

June 24, 2008 7:20 AM | Link to this

My life’s new ambition is to do the cow at Turner Field.

There ain’t nuthin’ wrong with a big, strong woman

By Moby Grape

June 24, 2008 7:25 AM | Link to this

but I have a sneaky suspicion that if Wright plays in the Majors for 15 years that he might pass the record of Larry Jones.LouVales

he’s a good player no doubt, but I have a sneaking suspicion that you’re wrong

By bigchiefrg

June 24, 2008 8:30 AM | Link to this

I think Mark Kotsay coming back is going to mean a considerable difference in our lineup. I am not a fan of Gregor Blanco. Never have and never will be. He makes me nervous Cadillac’ing aroung in CF and not playing very good fundamental baseball. At the plate, he doesnt have even close to enough power to keep anyone honest. I’d feel much better with Anderson out there but I cant wait for Kotsay to get back. I really didnt think I would ever say that at the beginning of the year. But he is the key to this season.

By flange1

June 24, 2008 8:46 AM | Link to this

Morning All,

It is a beautiful thing to watch a pitcher who is in command of his game, it just sux when he is on the other team!

Sheets was great last night. Reminds me of an old Maddox start.

Can’t get to upset to get beat on a night like that.

Nice game for Buddy C.

Interesting to hear about Frenchy’s vision. Hope the contact will help. It would be a real shame for a beaning to crush the career of a such a talented young man.

I still think the Braves should trade Tex. I think they will change as a team without him, but a trade doesn’t mean that they are giving up on 2008.

I just think that an impact player NOW that we can control for a couple of years is more valuable to this team than 2 draft picks ESPECIALLY when one looks at the FA market for 2009.

By KC

June 24, 2008 9:09 AM | Link to this

Well, maybe that contact will help Frenchy… but last night sure as hell wasn’t the time to test it!

Hey… how about Jose Guillen as a Brave?

He’s hitting close to .300, and he’s on pace for a 26-homer, 120 RBI, 50-plus double season.

Also, he makes about 12 million per season (under contract for 2 more years.

It would be unusual for a team to sign a free agent to a 3-year deal, and then trade him before the end of the very first year of that deal… but if he’s available, he’d be a great addition - both this year, and beyond.

By Random

June 24, 2008 9:10 AM | Link to this

DOB —

I believe that Seven Words You Can Never Say On This Blog was intended to be an ironic, tongue-in-cheek riff on a popular and well-known George Carlin trope, tailored for this particular venue. You know he just died, right?

That’s how it strikes me, at least.

/s/ BG

By brewdawg

June 24, 2008 9:10 AM | Link to this

For the first time in the last few years, I feel pretty good about the future of the Braves rotation. Morton, JJJ, and Reyes (last night’s start notwithstanding)have the potential to be a VERY good 1-2-3 punch. And Hudson isn’t quite done yet either. Obviously, we haven’t seen enough of any of these guys yet to be sure (remember when Horam was projected to be the future of the rotation?) but regardless of what we do the rest of this year, the future of our starting pitching looks very bright. And we all know how far starting pitching alone can take you.

By 22oz

June 24, 2008 9:20 AM | Link to this

Went to the game last night, oh boy. But this was my first time seeing The Cow. I have to agree with DOB, i was picturing this awful, huge monstrosity out by the Coke bottle, but it really is kinda neat and charming out there. In fact, i had been in my seat for probably 10-15 minutes before i even noticed it, as i had forgotten about it. And i sit in the upper deck behind home plate, so its not like i had my back to it. The chopping was funny too, even if it is in slow motion.

By Jersey Gil

June 24, 2008 9:25 AM | Link to this

It Frenchy suffer of the ANKIEL sickness?…Well let send him to the minor so he can learn how to Picth, he can be a good pitcher with his arm. Ankiel can’t pitch and Frenchy can Hit.

By Efrim

June 24, 2008 9:29 AM | Link to this

KC

You know Jose Guillen is a jerk, right? He has played on something like 12 teams in 9 years. There is a reason for that. He has a lot of talent, but I’d rather him not put on an Atlanta Braves uniform anytime soon. Not to mention that he is owed 3 years and like 13 million per year. I’d stay away from Guillen.

By Supes

June 24, 2008 9:36 AM | Link to this

Well…I’m so glad that the Brewers and the Braves ARE NOT in the same division, or the Braves would see Sheets more than 2 times per year and that would be guaranteed loses the way he’s dominated the Braves.

I can’t remember watching a Braves/Brewers game where Sheets was pitching and didn’t take over the game.

Something about him that throws the Braves off. I sure hope the Mets or Phillies don’t go after him, b/c if he’s healthy…he is beating the Braves regularly.

FRANCINE looks lost…I hope this contact helps but the problem seems to be

1. No plate discipline in RBI situations
2. Unwillingness to hit what the pitcher gives you, and take the singles to right/center
3. Again, situational hitting.
4. Mechanical flaws. Front shoulder flying open too soon, coming lose and trying to pull everything.

Yes, we know that Jeff is naturally a pull hitter who likes to hit the HR, but adjustments, or something to help him soon b/c he isn’t going to get any better. I laughed when he said “there was a lot of baseball left”…We are getting dangerously close to the halfway point. Meaning only half the season is left. I wish to see more urgency from him and the team, not this laid back attitude they get from Bobby Cox.

Meanwhile, the Braves have to win the next two games. Can’t let the scrub Bush beat them today. Gotta get the offense cranking, score some runs early.

I’m all for the Braves trading for a top tier starter. Roy Oswalt would be very pricey. I wonder what the Padres would want for Jake Peavy. He’s from alabama, maybe he wants to be hear his home the second half of his career. I know they just signed him to a contract, so he may have no trade clauses, etc…but if there is a chance…the Padres need offense. Maybe something is done in the off-season. I’d rather the Braves give money to someone like Oswalt or Peavy than to TEX.

If FRANCINE and TEX are not on this team next season, there can moves made to keep this team going in the right direction. Starting pitching, solid reliver core and good defense. Play small ball. Contact hitters. Win games with speed. Of course that means no BOBBY COX, he doesn’t believe in any of that.

By Crazy Stats Katz

June 24, 2008 9:36 AM | Link to this

It’s like an Abbot and Costello routine in that clubhouse. Pendleton tells Francoeur we need more contact out of you. Francoeur instead goes out and gets more contacts.

By McFann©

June 24, 2008 9:38 AM | Link to this

Did anybody see what Beltran did last night? What a jerk! The M’s pitcher (Felix Hernandez) hits a grand slam, and is one strike away from qualifying for the win! He throws a wild pitch, Beltran comes home, and spikes Felix as he’s covering home plate! So Felix is taken out of the game—he has to be helped off the field!

And the Mets lost, 5-2! The loss goes to their precious Johan Santana! Ha ha!

By Efrim

June 24, 2008 9:54 AM | Link to this

I wonder which would be worse. The Mets signing Ben Sheets, or the Mets signing Mark Teixeira?

By Doc Holliday (Overlord)

June 24, 2008 9:57 AM | Link to this

Could we talk about anything but TEX or JF today? We know they are slumping……

By KC

June 24, 2008 9:58 AM | Link to this

Efrim: No, I know nothing about him personally whatsoever. Just looked at his numbers.

We’ve had a few people here that have gelled just fine in the Atlanta clubhouse, despite bad reputations elsewhere. But if he’s someone the Braves thought wouldn’t fit the team-first mentality at all… they wouldn’t pursue him.

By David O'Brien

June 24, 2008 10:02 AM | Link to this

No, Random, wasn’t aware of that (he says, tongue firmly planted in cheek).

Random, do you read the earlier posts? I mean, you saw my reply to Seven Words, but you somehow missed my also-in-blue comments earlier and later than that about Carlin? Strange.

Anyway, at least a half-dozen of us commented yesterday and last night on the great George Carlin’s death, and I posted again after midnight to remind folks that Larry King had a Carlin tribute on.

So yes, everyone on the entire blog was quite aware of his death.

By David O'Brien

June 24, 2008 10:04 AM | Link to this

Crazy Stats, dude you’re cracking me up. Seriously. Good stuff.

By Braveheart

June 24, 2008 10:09 AM | Link to this

Did anybody see what Beltran did last night? What a jerk! The M’s pitcher (Felix Hernandez) hits a grand slam, and is one strike away from qualifying for the win! He throws a wild pitch, Beltran comes home, and spikes Felix as he’s covering home plate! So Felix is taken out of the game—he has to be helped off the field!

McFann, you have gotta be kidding me. There was absolutely nothing dirty at all about that Beltran slide. He didn’t raise his spikes. He just came home hard trying to score and Hernandez tried to block the plate with his leg and got spiked. That’s baseball. I don’t like Beltran or the Mets but there was nothing dirty about that. Just hardnosed aggressive baseball by both Beltran and Hernandez. That’s the way the game is supposed to be played.

By Supes

June 24, 2008 10:16 AM | Link to this

McFann

I don’t think Beltran meant to injury Hernandez with that slide, Felix should have moved anyways, they weren’t going to get that out. A pitcher’s health takes precident over 1 run on a wild pitch.

Meanwhile, I enjoyed see the Mets lose and take their medicine. I told all the Mets Trolls earlier that unless Santana can pitch, catch and play all 7 other positions they aren’t going to be winning a whole lot.

One day without mentioning TEX or FRANCINE. Where is the fun in that?

By Crazy Stats Katz

June 24, 2008 10:18 AM | Link to this

Could we talk about anything but TEX or JF today?

Sorry, Overlord, is all the Francoeur and Tex talk getting in the way of your daily bashing of Kelly Johnson?

By flange1

June 24, 2008 10:19 AM | Link to this

Efrim,

I would rather the Mets get Tex than Sheets.

Think of Santana, Sheets, Maine

That is tough….

By Doc Holliday (Overlord)

June 24, 2008 10:23 AM | Link to this

Looks like a clean hard slide to me also McFann.

By TURTSNAP

June 24, 2008 10:24 AM | Link to this

Matt Diaz, two to three more weeks, Hurry back Diaz!!

As for the Braves not winning more than 3 in a row since May 22, I believe the Braves were in the same boat last year, no long winning streaks, and that boat took in too much water.

By Braveheart

June 24, 2008 10:33 AM | Link to this

John Maine is so overrated.

John Maine, through May 19, 2007: 2.15 ERA

John Maine, rest of 2007 season: 4.54 ERA

John Maine, through May 19, 2008: 2.81 ERA

John Maine, the rest of the 2008 season thus far: 4.95 ERA

By Doc Holliday (Overlord)

June 24, 2008 10:34 AM | Link to this

*Crazy Stats Katz * come on, I have minimized my punishment toward KJ, he deserve 10 times more than I have said last 4 weeks. :) Besides, I have included Cox in the party so KJ does not feels alone.

Flange1 I agree, Id like the braves in the sheets sweepstakes. Doubt that he would come to atlanta since 7% of his yearly wins come against us, why join us if he owns us. He is our daddy.

By Doc Holliday (Overlord)

June 24, 2008 10:39 AM | Link to this

braves have won 3 of their last 4 series…… no reason not to win this one. Sheets cant throw another pitch this series, that should be enough..

Go Braves!!!!!!!

By Dannyboy

June 24, 2008 10:43 AM | Link to this

DOB, Do you think the Hampton delay in returning, this latest time, of what seems to be an unusual number of rehab starts in the minors, could be driven by insurance dollars, holding him out until after the break may trigger say a full half share of this year’s pay rather than a quarter share from insurance. Just a thought.

By Josh from Columbus

June 24, 2008 10:43 AM | Link to this

Sure would be nice if we could field this lineup again:

1. Blanco - LF
2. Escobar - SS
3. Jones - 3B
4. Teixeira - 1B
5. McCann - C
6. Francoeur - RF
7. Johnson - 2B
8. Kotsay - CF
9. Smoltz - P

By Lew

June 24, 2008 10:51 AM | Link to this

What did I say two weeks ago about Francoeur having vision problems and not seeing the ball well? You could tell that even the balls he was making fairly decent contact on, would have gone for doubles or more last year and he was especially having problems on outside pitches. Hopefully this will help (I say hopefully, because of the adjustment to the lens Frenchy must make-it isn’t always easy to adjust).

It doesn’t take much force to knock things out of synch in the eye, or to detach a retina, for that matter (a friend of mine had it happen when a nail he was hammering broke and the head hit him above the eye). A fastball to the face will do it. After this occurring twice, an eye exam was a no brainer.

Supes-Dude, I really hate to inform you of this, but Frenchy isn’t going to be traded, DFA’ed or sent to the minors, no matter how much you would like it to be or think it should be done. Every point you made about his inadequacies can be exacerbated by vision problems. The same problems existed last year and through his entire career. Why do you think it made this much difference all of a sudden?

They will not give up on him because of half of a frustrating season-not at age 24 and not after knocking in over 200 runs and hitting about 50 HR the last couple of years. That may be how you would run the show, but not the Braves.

By Efrim

June 24, 2008 11:12 AM | Link to this

Ken Rosenthal:

The Braves, who inquired about A’s right-hander Joe Blanton earlier this season, no longer are in the market for a starting pitcher. Club officials are encouraged by the progress of the team’s young starters and anticipate a potential surplus if lefties Tom Glavine and — ahem — Mike Hampton return from injuries.

The bigger need for the Braves, at least at the moment, is a hitter — preferably a right-handed hitting left fielder. Either the Pirates’ Jason Bay or Xavier Nady would fit, but the Pirates are only four games under .500 and not yet ready to concede their season.

Makes sense, although it is amazing to hear people say this team needs a hitter. With Kotsay down and Francoeur sucking(.698 OPS), I’d have to agree that a right handed hitting left fielder is the biggest need for this team. But how many innings is Cox willing to go with Jair Jurrjens, Jo Jo Reyes and Charlie Morton once we get into September? And how effective will they be? Surely the Braves aren’t counting on Mike Hampton and Tom Glavine. They shouldn’t be. A bullpen arm would help as well, or at least the return of Rafael Soriano.

By BravesFanInRockies

June 24, 2008 11:20 AM | Link to this

Lew (10:51),

I’ve been less that complimentary to Frenchy as well and am sorry to learn of his vision problems. I hope the contact helps.

Agreed that the Braves won’t do anything with him at least until the end of the season to see how he responds to the new lens.

But there may be a reason for his continued struggles. In the MLB story, his eye doctor said the vision could progressively deterioriate. If it’s gotten worse since last year, there’s your explanation.

One thing’s for sure. If even with the lens, he can’t pick up the ball in night games, he’s not going to have a very long big league career.

By Doc Holliday (Overlord)

June 24, 2008 11:24 AM | Link to this

Josh from Columbus why is JF hitting 6? KJ, BJ or Kotsay could do a better job. JF shouldnt hit anywhere but 8th at this moment.

Id like KJ 6th and Kotsay or BJ 7th.

By Random

June 24, 2008 11:26 AM | Link to this

DOB —

Of course I “bothered” to read everything said by you, and everything said by Seven Words, and everything said about Carlin, before I bothered to comment on your weird, off-target tirade.

“yes, everyone on the entire blog was quite aware of his death” — well, my own tongue was firmly cheek-pressed when I implied that you didn’t; of course, I knew you knew. However, it seemed also as evident that some of us (ie, you) appeared to be quite unaware of the connection between Carlin and Seven Words’ post.

Why else would you add “By the way, what did Cox have to do with tonight’s game, in particular? You could at least pick a good night to say that”?!?!?

“at least a half-dozen of us commented yesterday and last night on the great George Carlin’s death” — and yet you still didn’t get it. Do you get it now?

Or does the reference to those seven words of George Carlin’s continue to whiz over your head even as we speak?!?

By chuckw/deadjournalist

June 24, 2008 11:28 AM | Link to this

How quickly everyone forgets about Matt Diaz, a right-handed hitting outfielder, who crushed left-handed pitching. The guy hits lhp at a .331 career clip, and .333 this year.

By Josh from Columbus

June 24, 2008 11:33 AM | Link to this

Doc Holliday,

It’s just wishful thinking. I guess I miss the days when Francoeur looked more like a 4 hole hitter hitting 6th rather than a 8th hole hitter hitting 6th.

By Doc Holliday (Overlord)

June 24, 2008 11:38 AM | Link to this

Lew dont you think a MLB field is a far too expensive place to get your vision act all together? JF needs to do something, Im not sure if vision is it, but making experiments on the field, while season passes through is a hell of a risk.

Efrim when was the last time the braves had a solid pitching staff as this one? Now they even have a real closer and if we are patient, maybe a real setup man. 5 starter that can get you 7 scoreless innings if everything goes well or at least 6-7 innings of 1-3 runs, instead of the usual 5IP 4ER or 4IP 5ER.

By Pepperidge Blogs Remembers

June 24, 2008 11:39 AM | Link to this

What’s Wrong with Francoeur?

Francoeur to test the SI jinx

By David O’Brien | Tuesday, August 23, 2005, 03:55 PM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

For better or worse, Jeff Francoeur is a Sports Illustrated cover boy.

He’s on the cover of this week’s issue that hits newstands Wednesday or Thursday, depending where you live. The cover can be viewed, at least from what I’m told, late this afternoon at SI’s website.

I’m only kidding when I say “for better or worse.” Well, half-kidding. As most of you know, some believe there’s an SI cover jinx, since the number of teams and individuals who’ve been sent reeling toward slumps, losses in big games, or injuries, after appearing on the magazine’s cover is rather alarming.

But, hey, what’s a silly so-called jinx to a kid who’s gone from hitting .275 at Double-A to hitting .362 with 10 homers and 30 RBIs in his first 35 games in the majors — all in under two months? Defying odds is nothing new for the dude with the 1930s-sounding baseball nickname, “Frenchy.”

By Jerry Holcombe

August 23, 2005 05:56 PM | Link to this

Oh crap! The Braves might as well trade Francoeur now while they can still get something for him.

Prescient, eh? And timely.

By Josh from Columbus

June 24, 2008 11:39 AM | Link to this

chuckw/deadjournalist,

I didn’t forget about Matt Diaz, I just think he is more suited to be a platoon player rather than everyday; not to mention the fact that he is below average defensively.

By KC

June 24, 2008 11:40 AM | Link to this

Well the Pirates are 12 games out in the Central, and ain’t going anywhere there. However, they are 7 games out of the Wild Card, so may not be ready to cash it in yet… but give them a month, and they’ll be there.

I’m not sure they’re going to be anxious to trade Bay though.

By flange1

June 24, 2008 11:42 AM | Link to this

Chuckw/dead journalist,

I don’t think have forgotten Diaz, just not impressed my his numbers so far this year. Hopefully he can return with his bat in his hand!!

By BravesFanInRockies

June 24, 2008 11:42 AM | Link to this

Follow-up on Francouer: Now that we know there’s a physical problem that is trying to be addressed, there’s no justification for hitting him higher than 7th or 8th in night games until we can see how he adjusts.

None at all. We’ll see what Bobby does.

And if the adjustment takes a little while, when Kotsay and Diaz return, Cox should not hesitate to run a straight platoon in LF (Blanco/Diaz) and RF (B.Jones/Francouer).

By Glass Half Full (GHF)

June 24, 2008 11:50 AM | Link to this

Jason Bay is signed through 2009. Would be a good acquisition, allowing of young outfielders more timeto develop.

By Doc Holliday (Overlord)

June 24, 2008 11:56 AM | Link to this

chuckw/deadjournalist if braves are in 4th place by the time he comes backs and is ready to rock…….it would be late.

BravesFanInRockies there you good, now we are talking.

By KC

June 24, 2008 12:02 PM | Link to this

BravesFanInRockies:

“there’s no justification for hitting him higher than 7th”

I completely agree.

“Cox should not hesitate to run a straight platoon in LF (Blanco/Diaz) and RF (B.Jones/Francouer)”

Hmmm… Taking Frenchy’s every day job away could really mess with his head. I don’t think it’s time for that yet.

By Doc Holliday (Overlord)

June 24, 2008 12:09 PM | Link to this

BravesFanInRockies there you go, now we are talking.

By Doc Holliday (Overlord)

June 24, 2008 12:14 PM | Link to this

Hmmm… Taking Frenchy’s every day job away could really mess with his head. I don’t think it’s time for that yet.

Isnt his head already messed up?

By FloridaBrave

June 24, 2008 12:15 PM | Link to this

Efrim,

I agree with the strategy. Yeah, who isn’t in favor of getting a Peavy type pitcher to team with Hudson next year but those pitcher’s aren’t available and the one’s that are are FAs after the year. The ones that are available I don’t see as being upgrades over what we have. Hudson, Jurrjens, Reyes, Morton, and Campillo have been fantastic and with Glavine, Hampton, and James as options for later if one should falter, I think our rotation has and will continue to be solid. They’ll cost quite a bit but Nady or Bay make a lot of sense not just to improve our hitting specifically against LHP, but to replace to loss of Tex in the middle of the lineup next year. It wouldn’t hurt if we could grab a bullpen arm like Torres in the deal or perhaps from another team. I stopped counting on Soriano this year.

By McFann©

June 24, 2008 12:16 PM | Link to this

Maybe Beltran’s slide wasn’t completely dirty, but I still don’t like it. But heck, Felix will prob’ly make his next start anyway.

Sorry for calling Beltran a jerk (Still don’t like the guy, though). Felix was in the way—trying to block the plate. They did have a five run lead, and prob’ly wouldn’t have gotten him out. Just a shame that the first AL pitcher to hit a grand slam since 1971 couldn’t get the win because of a stupid play on a real bad pitch.

Yeah, yeah, I know…That baseball.

By Supes

June 24, 2008 12:19 PM | Link to this

What would it take to acquire a Jason Bay or Xavier Nady in a trade with the Bucs?

I’d say if the Braves stay close to .500 in the next few weeks, a trade’s gotta be made.

Can’t wait on Diaz, who knows if he’ll recover in time or be the same hitter for the rest of the season.

Braves have the worst offensive production from their starting outfield right now. Can’t depend on B. Jones, G. Blanco and FRANCINE to carry this team in the OF to a possible contention for the NL East.

Lew You may be correct sir, about the Braves front office way of thinking regarding Jeff Francouer, but that doesn’t stop us from speculating here, does it? I think an open mind either should be kept. If you can get a good deal and trade him in the off-season, why not? Just to play the devil’s advocate here and present the other side. He maybe in need of a fresh start somewhere else, where he won’t be dubbed the next “Dale” or “Chipper” or “Natural” or whatever. Get away from the hometown “kid” label and the expectations and promise that was showed here the first 2 full seasons.

Either way, it’s not like the Braves are short on OF options in the minors that are promising. Yes they maybe a few years away…but that is why trading for a Xavier Nady right now would make so much sense. Get a 1-2 season stopgap type player until our minor leaguers are ready to step up and play. Jordan and Brendan H. would look nice in the OF, they would be cheap and I can live with the struggles of rookies out there, rather than Jeff FRANCINE’s stellar sub .250 ave. and abismal sub .230 with RISP ave.

By Lew

June 24, 2008 12:28 PM | Link to this

Doc-My point all along has not been what to do once they found the problem, but that there was a medical reason for his problems-NOT the trash attributed to his regression by some of the more disgruntled AND IDIOTS who have made their comments of a very personal nature-big difference between vision problems and Francine sucks.

Hopefully the lens will do the trick. Matt Diaz had one fitted several years ago and adjusted to it well (improved his defense considerably)-maybe the same will be the case with Frenchy. I certainly hope so.

Being an artist myself who has encountered vision problems, I can tell you it’s a scary proposition when you find your livelihood threatened. However, as I have personally seen (pardon the pun) it doesn’t take you out of the game. It can be overcome. I’m sure he will have the best doctors made avaiable to him.

Like Nolie said-it could end his career if it is indeed, degenerative. We saw that happen to Kirby Puckett, though for different visual issues. Let’s give him a chance now that they are aware it’s not a case of boneheaded refusal to accept suggestion or an unwillingness to accept change like certain others we’ve seen come through town (though I think the Braves knew all along it wasn’t personality driven). Could be that medical science can deal with the problem. Lord knows I have every reason to believe in the power of opthalmic surgeons and new ways they have of dealing with these issues.

By Lew

June 24, 2008 12:42 PM | Link to this

Supes-You’re accusing ME of having a closed mind regarding Frenchy? Come on Dude. That is patently absurd.

Speculate all you want and call him absurd names like Francine all you want- Won’t change a damn thing about how the Braves will deal with the situation. Speculate all you want, but don’t ever believe the Braves will change their ways of doing things because of disgruntled or ridiculously ultra-critical fans. Not too sure what good idle, useless speculation that will never come to fruition is. Write a good fiction novel-it will be infinitely more lucrative than wasting your time railing at the forces of nature-or baseball.

Point I was making was that most of the rhetoric aimed at Frenchy’s struggles this year never took into account that there was a precipitating factor to the letdown-ie, the beaning and possible effects, thereof. Instead, all we heard was poison, invective, juvenile sniping and plain old fashioned vitriol. Lot of damn good THAT did. Have you gotten it out of your system? Relaxed now? I sure hope so. All that anger could be dangerous to your health.

By BBFCFM

June 24, 2008 12:44 PM | Link to this

I know many of you want to see us upgrade with the addition of Xavier- but do we need another injured outfielder? Or for that matter- another injured player in general? He hasn’t played since June 14th and is out with a sore shoulder. He hasn’t been DL’d, but it doesn’t reek of promise either. Besides, how many of you would have been clammering for him last year, or any other year? Guy showed up out of nowhere really. A no name with a great name-Xave.

By Choppinmama

June 24, 2008 12:47 PM | Link to this

McFann: that situation last night with Felix Hernandez was an excellent example of The Thrill of Victory - the pitcher, Hernandez hits a GRAND SLAM

The Agony of Defeat (or De-Feet in this case)- then he sprains his ankle on a play at home and is D-T-D.

Really though, it was Hernandez’s fault he was hurt. He had his foot on the plate instead of straddling it. He gave the runner no place to go except through his leg. He’s lucky he’s not out for the rest of the season with something broken.

By JEB

June 24, 2008 1:07 PM | Link to this

The problem with the new “Road Blue Jersey!!

They changed the Tomahawk!

I like the new jersy - but the problem is they CHANGED the tomahawk! It’s not the red tomahawk that is on all of their other jerseys.

The first time I saw the jersey, I thought it would look better with the bright red tomahawk! They messed with tradition changing it!!

Put the red tomahawk on the blue jersy - and they start winning!

They can also re-market and sell the new ones!

By McFann©

June 24, 2008 1:11 PM | Link to this

Choppinmama—

Yeah, I guess you’re right.

Such a shame he had to cost himself a victory…

By Nate

June 24, 2008 1:20 PM | Link to this

I wanna hear the the Braves are working the phones and trying to land an impact outfielder as soon as possible. But, I’m not hearing any really credible rumors at all right now. Just a lot of speculation from talking heads.

Does anyone have any credible news or rumors?

By Efrim

June 24, 2008 1:21 PM | Link to this

I asked DOB this last night, but does anyone know why Julio Teheran was pulled from his start last night for Danville? He came out for the 2nd, walked a batter and then left the game. I don’t think his pitch count was that high. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks.

By ernesto

June 24, 2008 1:27 PM | Link to this

It will be nice to have Kotsay back as much for his arm as for his bat. First to 3rd seems to be a given with a runner on and a ball hit to center.

By Mike in LA

June 24, 2008 1:33 PM | Link to this

The guy the Braves should be looking at if Jason Bay is not available is Magglio Ordonez. It’s already been made known on MLB Trade Rumors that the Tigers would explore trading him. He’s the steady righthanded bat that the Braves are looking for owing a life time BA of .311 and a SLG of .521. Yes, he has a high salary (15 million this year and 18 next year) but the Braves are going to have to spend a little this year to stay in contention and it is possible to work out a deal where the Tigers pay a few million. It might also be the case that insurance covers some of the injured players salaries such as Hampton, Smoltz, and Glavine if he doesn’t return and that would free some money also (Not sure on that maybe someone knows better that I do). And I don’t think his salary will make a difference next year with Tex, Glavine, Hampton, and possibly Smoltz’s salary off the books

By Choppinmama

June 24, 2008 1:40 PM | Link to this

McFann: Have fun at the game! We’re in town this week and I thought long and hard about catching a few, but it is SO hot, I know I would be miserable down at the field. (today’s air quality was dangerous for everybody)

I was out at East Cobb yesterday to watch my daugher-in-law’s brother play a couple of tournament games (Buster Posey’s brother and Fredi Gonzalez’s son are on the team) and even under the shade, it was really warm.

I just don’t know how all those folks sit out there for the Braves day games. I know I’m getting less heat tolerant as I get older. Anyway, have fun and cherish that bobblehead!

By Chop Chop

June 24, 2008 1:52 PM | Link to this

Efrim,

My guess is that the Braves decided that blog love for Teheran has demanded his promotion to AA Mississippi.

Actually, I Googled “Julio Teheran left game” and came up with this article. It doesn’t add anything to what you said, but it does indicate that he left with an “apparent injury.”

By Cooper

June 24, 2008 2:01 PM | Link to this

Rosenthal over at Foxsports thinks the Braves are out of the pitching market based on the Braves FO being content with internal options.

I hope Ken has been having Crown Royal with his Wheaties b/c if this is true many fans will be very disappointed.

JJ, JOJO, Camp and Morton are looking pretty good (with some stumbles here and there) but three are very green and one is a near thirty yo reliever/spot starter who is likely pitching on stilts.

Hudson has shown he can stink it up every 3-4 starts and is flat out abysmal against AL teams.

With the natural up n down nature of rookies can Wren actually believe this rotation is playoff caliber?

I am jazzed about the young talent influx but realistic with the maturation process. This team needs an experienced two in the worst way.

They need a OF bat but if that is all they get by the deadline (see Tex from 07) good luck getting anywhere.

Pitching - dominate, experienced, nasty pitching wins in the playoffs a bat not so much. Caveat: unless you are talking about freaks like Manny or Papi who rise to another level in the playoffs especially in the late innings.

Nady, Bay et al are not of that variety so expecting to magically put this team on course is being way too generous.

By McFann©

June 24, 2008 2:02 PM | Link to this

Thanks, Choppinmama! Should be an int’resting game, seeing as how Chipper won’t be playing and it’s highly doubtful that McCann will be out there. But who knows—those backups have been doin’ pretty good lately.

We’ll be bringing lots of Gatorade to this one—Anybody try that Cherry Rain© Gatorade? That’s good stuff!

This bobblehead will sit right alongside my Bobby Cox on my shelf!

By Supes

June 24, 2008 2:07 PM | Link to this

Just say no to anyone like Maggs b/c he is high salary guy and I think he’s that “typical AL slugger”. I don’t think he’d do as well in the NL. He’s been a lifetime AL player. Plus he’s been implicated by Jose Canseco about being juiced, and we know how Maggs power surging career numbers look suspicious as you know what. I’d rather not get any player like him.

Give me a contact OF who hits 15-20HR, hits .285 or higher, gives us 30-40 2B and hits a decent number with RISP while playing OK defense.

Jason Bay fits the bill.

I would say I’d almost have Brian Giles (I know, also suspected of juicing to get those numbers up) but at least he’s a NL player. Knows the pitchers, etc. Plus the Pads maybe willing to unload his salary which isn’t as high as Maggs.

By Random

June 24, 2008 2:08 PM | Link to this

Lew: “Point I was making was that most of the rhetoric aimed at Frenchy’s struggles this year never took into account that there was a precipitating factor to the letdown-ie, the beaning and possible effects, thereof.”

“My point all along has not been what to do once they found the problem, but that there was a medical reason for his problems-NOT the trash attributed to his regression by some of the more disgruntled AND IDIOTS who have made their comments of a very personal nature-big difference between vision problems and Francine sucks.”

“What did I say two weeks ago about Francoeur having vision problems and not seeing the ball well? You could tell that even the balls he was making fairly decent contact on, would have gone for doubles or more last year and he was especially having problems on outside pitches.”

Lew, I think we should bear in mind that Francoeur’s vision MAY NOT be the only, or even the main, problem.

Right now, it’s still only speculative/experimental and hope-driven.

Francoeur’s Doctor: “the doctor told him a contact lens might help him at night, that it’s worth a try.”

Francoeur: “Maybe it will work,” said Francoeur. “I don’t know. I just want to try it.” “We’ll see what happens”

DOB: “Searching for answers to his extended slump, … Francoeur conceded that he’s willing to try just about anything to get out of his slump.”

Bowman: “Not all of his problems have necessarily been a product of his eyesight. Mechanically, he hasn’t found a comfortable starting spot for his hands. Also with his current right-handed stance, he’s twisting enough before swinging that his number is visible from the center-field camera shot.”

I with you hope they have identified the problem, and that the lens (or something else) will fix it.

But at this point, we simply don’t know yet. We may just be grasping at straws.

By David O'Brien

June 24, 2008 2:16 PM | Link to this

Running late with blog today, folks. Had to go to a two-hour thing at the downtown office.

I’ll have a new blog up in an hour or so. Hang in there. Good stuff coming.

By David O'Brien

June 24, 2008 2:19 PM | Link to this

Supes, Lew was right at 10:51. You haven’t a clue how this stuff is run, do you?

Anyway, beyond the fact they wouldn’t DFA him for the reasons Lew cited, there’s also this: He’s not even out of options. They wouldn’t have to DFA him.

By Lee in S. GA

June 24, 2008 2:25 PM | Link to this

Maybe Frenchy should be sent back to the minors for a short period just to see if this will help at all. Perhaps this experiment would do him good with body and soul. I know this could mess with his head also but Ron Gant had to go through this also and he benefited in the long run.

By N8

June 24, 2008 2:41 PM | Link to this

Tex on Jim Rome right now, if anybody cares.

By BossLady

June 24, 2008 2:43 PM | Link to this

Sending Francouer back to the minors would not help him at all. That “kid” is so down on himself right now, he may never recover from a blow like that. I know 24 is an adult age, but, in these days it is a kid to me cause so much is just, well ya know. We dealt with Andruw all last year with this foolishness, so Bobby will probably tough it out with Francouer. After the deadline or the end of season they will make a decision.

By Amber

June 24, 2008 2:50 PM | Link to this

I said it before the season started, and I need to say it again…

There is no such thing as a “surplus” of pitching!!!

Jeez. Every time the Braves try to think that, three more pitchers bite the dust. NO, we do not have a pitching surplus. NO, we cannot spare a pitcher. YES, sorry, we should still be looking into more starting help.

Speaking of Hampton, does anyone else wonder why we’re bothering to send him through rehab starts? And why are we trying to keep him as a starter? If we’re going to get three innings out of him (cough. cough.), I’d rather have one inning, three times from the bullpen than one crappy three-inning start. Am I making sense?

And why is is such a foregone conclusion that Tex won’t be with us next year? Bora$ isn’t a god anymore. Guys can fire him and they have. I think (I hope) that Tex can tell him where to get off and work something out with the Braves on his own.

Oh, and who would play first if we didn’t have Tex? Hmmm?

By Adam

June 24, 2008 3:09 PM | Link to this

Amber,

Did it ever occur to you that these players hire Boras for a reason? They may actually like getting every last possible nickel they can to play baseball. Location may not matter to them.

Loyalty isn’t common in professional sports anymore. I feel like a player that hires an agent like Boras is very interested in getting the absolute most financially out of the time they play the game. I also don’t believe that’s wrong. As fans we should realize that is part of how sports are now. We may not like it, but it’s just a fact of life.

By Larry

June 24, 2008 3:09 PM | Link to this

I am sick of “Humpty Dumpty” Hampton also. He needs to be sitting in a high chair in the dugout. Of course an accident would occur and he would fall and break something.

By John

June 24, 2008 3:17 PM | Link to this

Amber Tex has said many times that he plans on letting Boras do all of the negotiating for him and is looking to cash in this offseason. I guarantee you he will no longer be a Brave next year. Also, I’d say the Braves did come into this season with a surplus of pitching seeing how I believe they have had to use 9 different starting pitchers and up until a week ago they had gone the whole year with a closer by committee. In spite of all of the injuries and whatnot, they are still near the top of the league in overall era and such. I’d consider that to mean the Braves began this season with a surplus of pitching.

By CONNECTICUT BRAVES FAN

June 24, 2008 3:28 PM | Link to this

TERRY PENDELTON MUST BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE AWFUL APPROACH OF MANY BRAVES HITTERS PARTICULAR FRANCOUER, NORTON, TEX, ETC. ALL HAVE LONG SWINGS, DON’T UNDERSTAND THE STRIKE ZONE& FAIL TO MAKE CONTACT WITH RUNNERS IN SCORING POSITION TOO OFTEN. REPLACEMENT FOR BOBBY COX SHOULD BE JOHN FARRELL PITCHING COACH OF THE RED SOX. GREAT MANAGERIAL MATERIAL AND YOU KILL 2 BIRDS WITH ONE STONE.

By David O'Brien

June 24, 2008 3:40 PM | Link to this

New blog is up (i’ll avoid annoying caps like Connecticut Braves Fan just hammered us with).

By BossLady

June 24, 2008 3:41 PM | Link to this

In an average business of sales, promotional and marketing. A person could have 2-3000 clients/customers. Most earn a good living with those numbers. In sports, the clients, customers, patrons expands to millions. Since, so many of these people come to see an A-ROD-C Jones- J Santana - D Lee - Hutley/Rollins then don’t their commissions reflect the numbers? It is a business, Scott Boras gets it and his players want what is their share of profits.

MLB/NFL/NBA/ are making loads of money and the players want what is due to them. You have to really see the big picture.

I know I hate hot temperatures and to have a job where I had to stand for 3-4 hours in direct heat is unacceptable. Also, run, catch, bat, throw, slide, steal etc. That would kill the most of us instantly.

So, why not just reward the people that chose that career?

By Hoosier Aaron

June 24, 2008 3:45 PM | Link to this

Okay, enough of the Jason Bay talk. Have you seen the guy play defense? - he IS the worst defensive outfielder in baseball. He makes Adam Dunn look like Clemente.

Listening to Mike Scioscia last year after the Angels/Pirates series was almost comical. Scioscia trying to be diplomatic about saying that they had their way with him - as they were running the bases.

I think Winn is a much better choice.

By ncscoots

June 24, 2008 3:52 PM | Link to this

Ron Gant had to go through [beign sent down to the minors] also and he benefited in the long run.

Gant was sent down to learn to play the outfield, not because of his bat. Big difference.

Perhaps a stint in the minors might do Francoeur some good, I don’t know. But, even as bad as he’s going, there aren’t any better options to take his spot currently. Please don’t give me the call-Josh-Anderson-up stuff. Without Kotsay and Diaz back yet, you’d get an OF of Blanco, Anderson, and Brandon Jones. Please.

If Francoeur is still struggling as badly when the OF gets some health back, maybe you can think of letting him work it out at Richmond, but not before (though if it were as easy as the hitting coach at Richmond fixing him up, there’s an even simpler solution: fire Pendleton and bring him up, LOL).

By Pepperidge Blogs Remembers

June 24, 2008 3:55 PM | Link to this

By Braveheart

May 1, 2006 06:29 PM | Link to this

What are the chances of calling up Scott Thorman to play 1B? He is hitting 300+ at Richmond. All the talk was about Jurries after ST because he had a good spring, but Thorman may be our BEST 1B option now. He has has hit good throughout his minor league career.

By Lew

April 19, 2006 09:47 AM | Link to this

Don’t worry too much about Sosa. Chuck James will be in the starting rotation soon enough. How about that start for Davies last night? Are we still really worried about the pitching staff? We shouldn’t be.

By CONNECTICUT BRAVES FAN

June 24, 2008 4:53 PM | Link to this

Sorry about the caps but we need managerial, coaching & personnel changes on this team.

By John1133

March 24, 2009 6:26 PM | Link to this

Very nice site!