Braves

By Braveone

July 22, 2008 2:16 PM | Link to this

The Braves are only 1/2 game farther back than the Rockies were last year through games of July 21, 2007. The Rockies were also in 4th place, 5.5 GB. The Rockies were a combined 11 games back while the Braves are 17 combined games back. So it can be done! The Braves in a weak division can still win it & hopefully make it to the World Series like the Rockies did last year. And hopefully do one better than Rockies & win it all!

West W L PCT GB Los Angeles 55 43 .561 - San Diego 53 43 .552 1.0 Arizona 51 48 .515 4.5 Colorado 49 48 .505 5.5

East W L PCT GB New York 53 46 .535 - Philadelphia 53 46 .535 - Florida 52 47 .525 1.0 Atlanta 47 52 .475 6.0

By Retch

July 22, 2008 2:22 PM | Link to this

Come On DOB. A one-game winning streak and it’s questionable as to whether we’re sellers.

THIS TEAM IS OUT OF IT.

Get what you can out of Tex and the rest!!

By Herschel Talker

July 22, 2008 2:23 PM | Link to this

There’s nothing difficult here. Just like when financial stocks rally, it’s a head fake. They are who we think they are. They need to sell now before it’s obvious that they’re desperate.

By Marty

July 22, 2008 2:24 PM | Link to this

Its a long shot. If we keep Tex, we get 2 draft picks when he walks, so what we can trade him for might be less that what we get in the draft. In any case, if someone is willing to over pay a bit, we could make the trade and stay in “contention” this year while building for next as the A’s have done. But I think its time we look seriously at those options rather than hold on to any hope for this season.

By Jason

July 22, 2008 2:24 PM | Link to this

Don’t forget Wilson Betemit as part of the “Baby Braves”…and Nick Green? or was he not a “baby brave”

By Marty

July 22, 2008 2:24 PM | Link to this

Its a long shot. If we keep Tex, we get 2 draft picks when he walks, so what we can trade him for might be less than what we get in the draft. In any case, if someone is willing to over pay a bit, we could make the trade and stay in “contention” this year while building for next as the A’s have done. But I think its time we look seriously at those options rather than hold on to any hope for this season.

By Marty

July 22, 2008 2:24 PM | Link to this

Its a long shot. If we keep Tex, we get 2 draft picks when he walks, so what we can trade him for might be less than what we get in the draft. In any case, if someone is willing to over pay a bit, we could make the trade and stay in “contention” this year while building for next as the A’s have done. But I think its time we look seriously at those options rather than hold on to any hope for this season.

By Rumor Mill

July 22, 2008 2:25 PM | Link to this

I understand there’s a possible trade brewing that might involve sending Tex and Corky Miller to the Dodgers for Andruw Jones and one European league player. There is a slight hold-up…the Dodgers also want Mike Hampton; however, the Braves have countered by adding Bobby Cox, Manny I’llcostyou, and Chad Paronto. Scott Boras is telling both teams that his players will veto the trade unless they’re given substantial extentions on their contracts.

By 18 Wheels of Love

July 22, 2008 2:30 PM | Link to this

The Braves are Will Ferrell’s character in Austin Powers…the one that they kill 18 different ways yet he is still alive. Still, how dead do you have to be to realize that this ain’t the team that is going to get it done, and I’m not saying sell neccessarily, I’m saying make a change so you can win, be it now or next year. You can’t wait until there are 30 games left and you are 10 out. Sure your mathematicly alive but what are the odds? And Wren must now play the odds game.

Someone wrote a song about…like to hear it…here it go…

You got to know when to hold em, know when to fold em, Know when to walk away and know when to run. You never count your money when youre sittin at the table. Therell be time enough for countin when the dealins done.

By Alan

July 22, 2008 2:30 PM | Link to this

Great job as always, DOB. The one word (OK, besides “inconsistent”) to describe the Braves is “frustrating.” I, for one, had them dead and buried after this past weekend. And frankly, I really believe they are all but dead, even if they go 4-2 or 5-1 (no way that happens) on this trip. More likely, they’ll tantalize their loyal (often blindly loyal) fans with something like 3-3, which will still have the most blindly loyal among us still clinging to a sliver of hope. John Smoltz (who is obviously very intelligent) knows the odds are very, very long for the Braves to make the playoffs this season. This is nothing like the early and mid ’90s when the Braves were struggling in July in the old NL West, and all they had to do was overtake 1 team, most often the Giants, occasionally the Dodgers. Now there are 3 teams ahead of them in their own division — never mind the Wild Card contenders in the other 2 divisions. And then there’s the maddening inconsistency. Who knows which Braves team will show up tonight — the one that rolled over and played dead against the woeful Nationals or the one that looked so focused and determined last night. No one knows, not even Frank Wren. It’ll be interesting to see what he does — or doesn’t do — after these next 5 games.

By DaleMurphy4HOF

July 22, 2008 2:34 PM | Link to this

DOB,Great post yesterday in regards to Tex (and not just because I have thought that for the past two months) He is a talented player but not impactful one. The ARod comparison is very accurate. I say make him a fair offer at the end of the year, 5 yrs $95m, and if he passes so be it and take the 2 draft picks. I had read where the Brewers may have to trade Prince Fielder at the end of the year. He will be the odd man out among the young talent they have to re-sign. How likely could you see the Braves picking him up to fill the 1B hole?

By Braves Fan in Tn.

July 22, 2008 2:36 PM | Link to this

DOB, here’s the link for Judge Bean’s. If you like brisket, this is the place bar-none. Their other stuff is mighty fine as well. Good tunes in the jukebox too:

http://www.judgebeans.com/

By the way, it is a Dennis Wilson reissue, not Brian. The Beach Boy drummer was quite a talent himself.

By McFann :Ô:

July 22, 2008 2:39 PM | Link to this

Thanks for the new blog, DOB!

I don’t see the Braves moving McCann to first base any time soon, but if they did, I’m pretty darn sure he’d accept it (doing what’s best for the team, you know). But he does love catching, and the pitchers love to throw to him. And he only wants to get better.

He really does need to improve on throwing runners out (he makes lots of good throws, they’re just hardly ever in time. The pitchers could help a little).

Something must have gotten outta whack when he first injured his ankle (on May 20, 2006) that he hasn’t been able to correct.

Check this out: Before said date, he had thrown out 31% of would be base-stealers (15 out of 49) in his (short) career. Since then, well, I think it’s around 20%…maybe lower…well, I don’t know.

He had always done well in that category in the minors (though you can’t completely judge how a player will be in the Majors by his minor league numbers).

The footwork got messed up…very. Needs work, no question.

By Robert

July 22, 2008 2:43 PM | Link to this

DOB - lets try not to eat anything while talking on 680 this afternoon. A bit unprofessional, dont you think. Also, will you be able to give us a status update by then on Hampton and Glavine? If Hampton throws without pain, why don’t the Braves just activate him for Sunday’s start in Philly and release Tavarez. Therefore, if Hampton gets hurt, we can have Morton there to step in.

By bgvt

July 22, 2008 2:45 PM | Link to this

As from DOB’s last blog, I’m skeptical that it will be all that easy to trade Tex and get tons of value. The number of teams wanting a rent-a-player is limited and trading for him does little to improve a team’s chance at signing him.

As for the tiring “out of the race” or not debate, I like to be an optimist. I like to look at Baseball Prospectus’s post season odds calculation. It has the Braves with about a 5% chance of making the playoffs. Definitely a long shot but that is why they play the games!

Sure there are lots of teams to jump but they have 26 games left with NYM, PHL, and FLA. If they win 2 out of 3 in each series (I realize that it is unlikely — but I’m an optimistic fan), then the Braves would be 3 games over 500. Factoring these games into the other teams’ records, the Mets and Phils would be 4 games over 500 and the Marlins would be 3 games over 500. So, to some extent, the Braves still have some control over their own destiny — they just have to start winning lots of series.

There is still over 1/3 of a season left and I have more fun as a fan believing that the Braves still have hope.

By BravesFanInRockies

July 22, 2008 2:45 PM | Link to this

Much appreciated DOB, as always.

You look at the other teams in the East and you think the division is there for the taking.

Then you watch the Braves play on a regular basis and say, Maybe not by these guys …

By brent a.

July 22, 2008 2:48 PM | Link to this

Even if 6 games is still considered “in it” (and I think it is), the Braves do have to win tonight, in order to avoid being 7 games out (barring a rainout in the Mets-Phillies games).

Tonight is one of the rare occasions wherein the Braves cannot get closer to the team that will be in first place at the end of the night with a win.

This sort of makes the next 2 games, even more “must wins” than usual.

By Ace

July 22, 2008 2:49 PM | Link to this

Baby Braves…. you can also mention Chuck James as a came and went guy. Did Joey Devine count?

Braves haven’t developed too many above average players lately, or so it seems to me. Escobar counts. And these JoJo and Morton could prove to be good (but we said the same thing about Chuck James and Kyle Davies at this point a couple years ago. Oops.) I’d say jury is out on Francouer and KJohnson.

Who am I missing?

By bruce

July 22, 2008 2:50 PM | Link to this

David: Its so good to have a game like last night…I do not understand the three teams ahead of us as being more difficult… you have said it before and Smoltz just said it to you… is it more than having to pass three teams? (I’m seriously asking) One of the reasons I ask is the still staggering one run games lost differential… is there some character/role that we missed during the first half that has been resolved which would make us a better one run team and the other three teams would stay the same as their record? Seems like setup-closer role would be the most obvious, then maybe pinch hitter or is it something else? I see that our expected win-loss stat is 52-47 which would put us one game out. (but Philly expected won-loss would put them further ahead). Thanks, Bruce

By N8

July 22, 2008 2:53 PM | Link to this

From the last blog:

* Braves Fan in Tn.*

“N8 - what the hell is “when the chips are down””

Here. Let me explain it to you like I would to a two year old. When the Braves need their 12.5 million dollar (soon to be RIDICULOUSLY over-paid) first baseman to CARRY them. He has NOT. Capiche?

We are 6.5 games back. We are 4-20something in 1-run games. In April and May we couldn’t win a 1-run game to save our lives. This while having a 3B hitting over .400 with an OBP over .500 during that ENTIRE time. During the same time, our pitchers were at or near the top in ERA.

But it was all “OK” because Tex was just a slow starter.

Some want to blame Jeffrey for our struggles. Fair enough. Wren was counting on him to have a big year. But he’s making 450K, is 24 years old, and in just his 3rd full big-league season.

I have, do and will continue to blame Tex for our offensive woes until he puts this team on his back and carries it. It was because of having Tex for a “full season” that the pundits (who many predicted Tex to be the NL MVP), picked us to take over the NL East again.

Is it all his fault? Nope. But take your 20+ million dollar demands and hit the highway. Fred McGriff CARRIED the Braves in 1993. He then followed that up by anchoring the cleanup spot for the next 4 seasons.

Mark Teixeira cannot hold Fred McGriff’s jock strap.

Give me all the stats you want about Tex’s “clutch” numbers. I’ve watched enough games this year to know that he’s failed more often than not, when the team needed him to come through.

This season was lost in April and May. During those months, Tex was MIA.

“I bet you think “hustle” and “letting it all hang out” mean more than homeruns, runs and wins.”

REALLY? That’s what you conclude after reading my posts? While were on the subject of wins. The Braves happen to be 4 games UNDER .500 since trading for Tex.

“Saying someone is or isn’t clutch is such a subjective statement - let’s look at the stats and develop some objectivity instead of making broad generalities.”

Lets not. Let’s watch the games, and with our own eyes, come to the conclusion. Take the “stats” and throw em’ out the window.

“And I’m not a moneyball guy, but I’ll take those numbers over “hustle” and “grittiness” and “crunch time” any day.”

I’m not a moneyball guy either. But I’ll take a guy that does what TP did in 1991 (.319 BA, 22 HR and 86 RBI), over a guy like Tex that compiles numbers in games already decided, and chokes with the game on the line. Those who watch baseball games, know that sometimes the game is “on the line” in the first inning with the bases loaded and nobody out, as much as in the 8th inning with the winning or tying run on base.

TP won the NL MVP in 1991 with the above numbers. Did you ever wonder why guys like Will Clark (.302 - 29 - 116), Andre Dawson (.272 - 31 - 104), Barry Bonds (.292, 25 - 116), Ron Gant (.251 - 32 - 105), Howard Johnson (.259 - 38 - 117), John Kruk (.292 - 21 - 92), Fred McGriff (.278 - 21 - 106), Ryne Sandberg (.291 - 26 - 100), didn’t win the MVP that year? Do you remember watching TP come through when the “chips were down”, night after night, after night, after night, after night? I do. Obviously the voters for the NL MVP watched those games too.

Stop looking at JUST the stats and watch the games. If anybody has watched the majority of the Braves games this year and comes to the conclusion that Tex is “clutch”, you’re either blind, stupid or and idiot. The guy is a good player. But he’s NOT clutch.

Similar to game 1 counting as much as game 162, all NINE innings of a baseball game count too, right?

By David O'Brien

July 22, 2008 2:54 PM | Link to this

Brisket … mmmm.

By Rufio

July 22, 2008 2:58 PM | Link to this

what about charles thomas and eli marrero… werent they around in the baby braves era… whether they were officially titled so or not… im not sure, just throwing out names i recall from a while back that have since disappeared

By Coach (Lets Go Braves In 2009)

July 22, 2008 3:05 PM | Link to this

The Four teams at the top of the Braves trade list for Mark Teixeira: Red Sox, Angels,Rays and D’backs.

The latest trade tidbit: with baseball’s trade deadline in 10 days, one rumor has Los Angeles Angels utility player Robb Quinlan of St. Paul and minor league third baseman Brandon Wood headed to Atlanta for slugger Mark Teixeira, who can become a free agent at season’s end.

By stynes

July 22, 2008 3:05 PM | Link to this

DOB, the title made me laugh out loud. They do indeed make it difficult. And not just on FW but also on all the fans. On Sunday I had to turn the game off and for a fan like me, that’s rough. Then on Monday night I’m sitting on the edge of my seat cheering on Campillo’s every pitch. Gut wrenching. Difficult job for FW indeed.

By BlackberryCobbler

July 22, 2008 3:07 PM | Link to this

DOB—

I’d wouldn’t mind the Braves keeping Tex because he and Chipper provide the veteran balance on an otherwise young team.

But his slow performance has really cooled me off about him. He cost us lots of games this season.

What are the prospects of the Braves committing to him and signing him before the end of the season— does he have to wait? He says he wants to stay in Atlanta.

Assuming that Smoltz, Glavine, and Hampton will not be back next year— shouldn’t the Braves have the money to keep Tex?

By Cecil34

July 22, 2008 3:08 PM | Link to this

DOB mentioned something that is the “out-of-the-box” thinking that I like the sound of.

Would Mac consider moving to first base and letting Clint Sammons have a shot behind the plate?

Sammons seems to be the forgotten catcher; I never hear anything about him or his stats or progress.

I have heard that he was considered a good defensive catcher. Perhaps if he could hit on the major league level, then the Braves would look like geniuses.

Mac can hit - we all know that. So why not lengthen his career and health by moving such a valuable, proven bat to a position that will do just that - preserve him. Keep his bat in the lineup and quit resting him during day games, etc. And I have no qualms about him being able to handle it defensively.

I have often thought that Hoss should move over there, but I like the thought of Mac even more - since you have a Sammons that could be a possibility behind the plate.

And if Clint was to fail you could always move Mac back behind the plate.

Shoot, Sammons would still be an improvement over Cork-wad. Surely Clint can hit better than .091 or whatever absurdly poor average Cork-wad has.

By Big Easy

July 22, 2008 3:08 PM | Link to this

18 Wheels, that makes me think….If the Braves were any character in a movie, I think they might be the (not quite) dead peasant in Monty Python and the Holy Grail:

The Dead Collector: Bring out yer dead. The Denizens: Here’s one. The Dead Collector: That’ll be ninepence. The Braves: I’m not dead. The Dead Collector: What? The Denizens: Nothing. There’s your ninepence. The Braves: I’m not dead. The Dead Collector: ‘Ere, he says he’s not dead. The Denizens: Yes he is. The Braves: I’m not. The Dead Collector: He isn’t. The Denizens: Well, he will be soon, he’s very ill. The Braves: I’m getting better. The Denizens: No you’re not, you’ll be stone dead in a moment. The Dead Collector: Well, I can’t take him like that. It’s against regulations. The Braves: I don’t want to go on the cart. The Denizens: Oh, don’t be such a baby. The Dead Collector: I can’t take him. The Braves: I feel fine. The Denizens: Oh, do me a favor. The Dead Collector: I can’t. The Denizens: Well, can you hang around for a couple of minutes? He won’t be long. The Dead Collector: I promised I’d be at the Nationals’. They’ve lost nine today. The Denizens: Well, when’s your next round? The Dead Collector: Thursday. The Braves: I think I’ll go for a walk. The Denizens: You’re not fooling anyone, you know. Isn’t there anything you could do? The Braves: I feel happy. I feel happy. [The Dead Collector glances up and down the street furtively, then silences the Body with his a whack of his club] The Denizens: Ah, thank you very much. The Dead Collector: Not at all. See you on Thursday. The Denizens: Right.

~E~

By h8thecold

July 22, 2008 3:10 PM | Link to this

One factor in potentially keeping Tex:

Even if the Braves are not necessarily going to make the postseason keeping Tex certainly gives them a mucb better chance of staying competitive. What does that mean? It means that if they are still in the mix the attendence for that 6 game homestand with the Nats & the Rockies might have an additional 10,000 per night at the TED. Is that revenue more important than a minor leaguer who may or may not impact the ball club over the next 3 years? I’m not sure of the answer but I do know that while I think it’s unlikely they can win the division they still have 30 games at home that people need a reason to show up for and spend some money…Dropping Tex doesn’t help that to increase

By Milton Jeff

July 22, 2008 3:10 PM | Link to this

Can we trade Corky for a case of Busch Light?? If it comes down to a trade, make sure we get a catcher in there somewhere. DOB: I posted a comment yesterday about the Braves record since the COW was erected. Do you know? Im wondering if its a curse (aside from the lack of play from our players)

By McFann :Ô:

July 22, 2008 3:10 PM | Link to this

18 Wheels of Love—

That song fits perfectly. (And a great song, to boot!)

By lewie

July 22, 2008 3:16 PM | Link to this

DOB do you have the James McMurtry (sp?) w/the heartless b******* live disc? if not, it’s a keeper

as for the braves….well, i think that between their frustrating play and the even worse play of my gamecocks, God has a place in heaven for me b/c it has been one helluva test being a fan of these two

anyway, let’s get another strong effort tonight

By 96,sc

July 22, 2008 3:18 PM | Link to this

N8, I agree.

By Chris from the Rock

July 22, 2008 3:18 PM | Link to this

Since Posada just landed on the DL, maybe the Yankees will work out a trade for Corky. Well, we can dream can’t we?

By kirknga

July 22, 2008 3:19 PM | Link to this

Good blog today by DOB. I think it fair to start evaluating the so called “Baby Braves” because how the Braves answer those questions will set up the changes we’ll see during the off season.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see KJ moved and Lillbridge starting at 2nd. Don’t know if he has ever played there, but he looks to have the athletic tools to do so. Of course he needs more time before we can truly say he’s a player or not, but it sure looks as if he will be.

I don’t trust Chuck James, even though he has been shaky lately, Jo Jo still looks like a better bet than CJ. All of the pitching rookies, both starters and relievers, are going to need at least another season before we have enough to judge.

The question is what needs will the Braves address with veterans, and which are left to young players? That’s a harder question, especially if Tex leaves and they don’t get a replacement in the deal.

Would you rather have Thorman, or an older , maybe over the hill guy like several who will be on the market this winter?

There doesn’t seem to be much to offer at 1st or LF in the free agent pool. So where will the Braves spend their money? More pitching?

If Tex leaves via a trade what effect on Jeff Francoeur who will be under even more pressure to drive in runs?

By chc4

July 22, 2008 3:20 PM | Link to this

What’s difficult about this decision? The Braves are 5 games under .500 over halfway thru the season. Unless Cox/Wren have some magic pixie dust to float in the clubhouse it’s ain’t happening this year. Trade Tex, Ohman and anyone else that will aid in our retooling for the next 2-3 years.

By sooner

July 22, 2008 3:21 PM | Link to this

The Hold Steady album called Stay Positive

Hhhmmm…I think some folks on this blog need to listen to that album….nicely done DOB!

By Token Gringo

July 22, 2008 3:23 PM | Link to this

What I want to know is why do we keep drafting fast, little outfielders to go with Bobby’s 3 run homer offense? Why don’t we have a stud in the farm system ready to be a power hitting left fielder? Diaz and Blanco are nothing more than backups, and never will be anything other than that. .250 is an acceptable average if you hit 35 homers, but these guys might get 15 as an entire outfield! How can a team so adept at drafting have no left fielders with power or first basemen on the farm? We haven’t had a farm raised first baseman worth mentioning for as long as I can remember. And bless Bobby for trying whatever he can in left, but we’ve had a hole there since we tried KJ and Langerhans there a few years ago.

By Shamus Thacker

July 22, 2008 3:24 PM | Link to this

Thanks fer the blog DOB, really liked the Smoltz interview.

Hope Glav wears a flack jacket if/when he pitches alongside Hammy. If the Hamster were to completely disintegrate on his windup, the anatomical shrapnel could prove deadly.

By bravos2249

July 22, 2008 3:25 PM | Link to this

DOB

just to get on another subject….I would think the Braves would want to “lock up” Gonzo but he’ll be a FA in 2010…granted that Soriano isn’t signed for that year do you think the Braves could sign him to a contract after this season or would he take arbitration and become a FA….I know you probably don’t know personally but it seems like Gonzo, if offered would take a contract, but you never know.

By sooner

July 22, 2008 3:27 PM | Link to this

Did a search and came up with this:

A blog dedicated to the Braves minor league system. The name “Baby Braves” comes from the 18 rookies who contributed to the 2005 Division Champion Atlanta Braves and include Jeff Francoeur, Kelly Johnson, Ryan Langerhans, Wilson Betemit, Brian McCann, Pete Orr, Brayan Pena, Andy Marte, Kyle Davies, Roman Colon, Blaine Boyer, Macay McBride, Anthony Lerew, Chuck James, Joey Devine, Jorge Vasquez, Frank Brooks, and Matt Childers.

Link: [http://babybraves.blogspot.com/2006/08/gcl-braves.html]

By Shamus Thacker

July 22, 2008 3:27 PM | Link to this

We got the Baby Braves and the Geriatric Braves. Not much in between.

By lewie

July 22, 2008 3:28 PM | Link to this

is milton bradley going to be a FA at the end of the year? he’d be nice to plug into LF…esp if we can get loney or Kotch for tex

By chc4

July 22, 2008 3:28 PM | Link to this

Token Gringo… We drafted Jason Heyward last year and he’s one of the top prospects in all the minors. He’s got huge power but is probably 2-3 years away.

By True Braves Fan

July 22, 2008 3:33 PM | Link to this

Dan Uggla has 24 HR and 72 RBI to Tex’s 19 HR and 61 RBI. I guess if Boras were Uggla’s agent he would be worth 30 Mil per year.(Forget about his OUTSTANDING performance in the All Star game) Only the speed of McCann kept DG from having an error in last night’s game.

The shame is that Boras will get some sucker owner to pay the big bucks for Tex (See Andruw Jones and the Dodgers.)

This is what is ruining the game that I have loved for over 60 years. (Along with our great commissioner and his decisions.)

By DesiBrave

July 22, 2008 3:33 PM | Link to this

DOB don’t you think part of Kelly’s slump is the position in the lineup he is hitting? He had a great time batting 6th or 7th in the order. Also when he is hitting .320+ against lefties why not BC let him face lefty pitching?

By braves70

July 22, 2008 3:37 PM | Link to this

I love the idea of McCann at firstbase. It is always a problem when one of your best hitters is your catcher. At minimum, he has to miss at least one out of every five games. Clint Sammons could handle the rest of the year on a tryout basis.

By N8

July 22, 2008 3:38 PM | Link to this

Buck and Kincade are on the air right now talking about how Schultz is right (about moving Tex), but stating that the won/loss record is not Tex’s fault because he has “far and away” been the most productive player since the trade.

My god, what the hell does Chipper have to do in the city of Atlanta, to get some damn respect?

Since the trade:

Tex:

156 games, 568 AB, 167 hits (.294), 36 HR & 129 RBI

Chipper:

116 games, 510 AB, 182 hits, (.356), 30 HR & 100 RBI

Hmmm. 40 less games, MORE hits, and nearly as much HR. clearly the RBI are in Tex’s favor.

But to say that Tex has CLEARLY been the better player, is ridiculous.

By Dallas

July 22, 2008 3:39 PM | Link to this

DOB

Have you ever tried a BBQ joint named Jim ‘N Nick’s? Great pork, beef, turkey, chicken. It’s got the works. Top it off with a great glass of sweet tea, and you’re set.

By lilman

July 22, 2008 3:39 PM | Link to this

Boyer & McBride were in that “Baby Braves” group.

The Braves are missing that little something special, and have been for several years. As much as I want to be optimistic, I just don’t see a change in their play. The next 5 games would be an ideal time to run the table.

Then this blog would believe.

By Doc Holliday

July 22, 2008 3:40 PM | Link to this

Just a though…..

How could the braves win with a 1B like Sid Bream and they cant while having TEX.

How could they win with TP and cant while having Chipper.

How could they win while having Belliard and Blauser but cant win with Yunel.

They won while having Lemke but cant do it with KJ.

I know their pitching was great……….but that was just smoltz and Glavine……….in 91, 92. And Braves are 2nd in ERA in the NL. They even have been 1st.

They cant win having allstar C Brian McCann, but they won while having Damon berryhill and Gregg Olson.

The big difference………..the OF:

David Justice

Otis Nixon

Ron Gant

Marquis Grisom

Lonnie Smith

AJ (even if I dont like him I have to admit he was part of the reason of our success)

I mean……….what is sooooooooo different about those teams and this team………….at this rate they might end up with 70 wins………..25 below our average for 14 years.

By N8

July 22, 2008 3:41 PM | Link to this

My bad on the “games played” in my last post by Chipper. I was looking at 2006’s August-September games played for chipper, rather than last year. Total games for Chipper was 141 vs. 156 for Tex.

But you get the point.

By DesiBrave

July 22, 2008 3:41 PM | Link to this

Hey True Braves Fan ,

After the Andruw Jones episode , owners will be very cautious on paying big bucks unless the player he is representing name is Manny Ramirez.

I am not sure if Boras still represents Manny.. Heard some talks btw..

By A-ville Ranger

July 22, 2008 3:43 PM | Link to this

Sell,sell,sell…One of the best movies ever is on TMC right now.’The Best Years Of Our Lives’ rates in my all time top 15 or so.

By lewie

July 22, 2008 3:46 PM | Link to this

oh no! we suck again!

By MGL

July 22, 2008 3:49 PM | Link to this

N8 - The RBI’s are greater because Chipper is hitting in front of Tex.

By buzzdeadwax2k

July 22, 2008 3:50 PM | Link to this

For those who want to trade Tex/Ohman, you need to realize that the Braves will likely receive one middle-to-late first-rounder and two sandwich picks for these two. Essentially, that’s 3 top-50 picks in the draft. Will they receive that much in a trade? It’s unlikely. The upside of a trade is that they won’t have to pay for large signing bonuses, but I really don’t think the extra 5-6 million they’ll pay to the draftees is what will drive this decision. I would much rather see FW keep these two if he isn’t going to get 3-4 highly talented players in return. It just doesn’t make sense.

By DesiBrave

July 22, 2008 3:50 PM | Link to this

*N8 * The reason Tex got more RBIs than Chipper is that when Tex got a hit then Chipper was always on base (with his .500 OBP) but when Chipper got hit there aren’t any…

By David O'Brien

July 22, 2008 3:52 PM | Link to this

Dallas, you gonna make me guess where that joint is? Perhaps gimme a clue at least? Georgia? The South? U.S.?

By TheCutMan

July 22, 2008 3:54 PM | Link to this

I’m going to open a messy can of worms with this observation and I also know it’s not going to be perceived with mostly venom from the true Braves’ believers and fans. I get that. I do.

Undaunted, ‘Going boldly…(and you know the rest)…

Could it be that Francoeur’s poor performance in 2008 be linked to increased scrutiny and testing for performance enhancing usage? I’d like to think not.

Perhaps Francoeur’s diminished results can be attributed to other elements, both psychological and physical (Gaining the muscle mass in the off-season), but still, someone has to raise the issue, especially in light of others taking a step backwards like Jordan Schafer?

Again, I’d like to think it’s somewhere in the above explainable points and it very well could be just that.

OK, I’ll be the one to shine this unsavory light onto Francoeuer. Have at it.

By ncscoots

July 22, 2008 3:55 PM | Link to this

And I have no qualms about [McCann] being able to handle [1B] defensively.

Spoken like a guy who has never actually played 1B. Were you also one of the guys clamoring for Saltalamacchia’s insertion there last year?

A lot more to playing a corner IF position than just picking up a different glove, and McCann has enough problems with his footwork behind the plate, let alone at a corner.

By brent a.

July 22, 2008 3:56 PM | Link to this

Stop looking at JUST the stats and watch the games. N8

Amen! Doing so would cover a multitude of sins.

By Doc Holliday

July 22, 2008 3:56 PM | Link to this

Cant we trade Bobby Cox???

Id trade him for some pitching prospects………hehehe.

By David O'Brien

July 22, 2008 3:59 PM | Link to this

Shamus, good point about nothing between the Baby Braves and Geriatric Braves. An exaggeration, but only a slight exaggeration.

Looking at that list that Sooner found somewhere of the so-called Baby Braves (not all of them were part of it, were they?), but anyway, all but McCann and Boyer have been at least mildly disappointing, haven’t they? Some totally disappointing. Kelly has been adequate as a big-league 2B, but I expected him to be more, frankly. But hey, it’s just his second year at the position, and after TJ surgery. So we’ll see.

Anyway, look at some of those others. Wow.

By fifthbusiness

July 22, 2008 4:00 PM | Link to this

Would the best bet be to trade Tex for a bat in the outfield and a minor league pitcher. Why not move Hoss to first and play Escobar at third. Let this infield jell for next year. That team would be as competitive as the current team.

By Frank

July 22, 2008 4:01 PM | Link to this

Hey DOB, This is waaay off subject and random, but do you know if Maddux has indicated if he will go in the HOF as a Brave? I would think so, but he has played 12 seasons for other teams. Just curious if he has said anything publicly…

By N8

July 22, 2008 4:01 PM | Link to this

Doc Holliday

“I know their pitching was great……….but that was just smoltz and Glavine……….in 91, 92.”

While I actually agree with most of your post. The above statement is not true.

In 1991 the Braves had 3 pitchers other than Glavine (20-11, 2.55 ERA) that helped out a bit.

Pitcher A, went 18-8 with a 3.38 ERA.

Pitcher B, went 14-13 with a 3.80 ERA.

Pitcher C, went 15-13 with a 3.49 ERA.

Pitcher A? Steve Avery. Pitcher B? Smoltz. Pitcher C? Liebrandt.

Smoltz was the 4th best pitcher from Game 1 through Game 162. It wasn’t until October that Smoltz (along with Avery), completely dominated.

Avery wen 10-3 in the second half (when they made their push), with a 2.88 ERA.

Like I said. The majority of your points are dead on. But to say the Braves “only” had Smoltz and Glavine in 91 and 92, is wrong.

Other than Bobby (two WS in a row), putting Chuck Liebrandt in a position to fail (by asking him to pitch out of the pen), Chuck was VERY reliable over 91-92 seasons. In those two seasons, he went 30-20 with a 3.42 ERA. Tell me you wouldn’t take those numbers TODAY.

Chuck gets no respect, due to the guy that replaced him. Greg Maddux. Was Chuck as good as Greg? No. But he wasn’t Mark Redman either.

By mredd

July 22, 2008 4:04 PM | Link to this

DOB, Jim N Nicks is on hwy 278 in Hiram GA. Just west of Atlanta. My 5 year old grandson loves the place. Wanted to have his birthday party there this year.

By chc4

July 22, 2008 4:05 PM | Link to this

Steroids add bulk… Frenchy has never had that. He’s rail thin. Jeff has always had a flawed approach at the plate. Now pitchers are exploiting it and he can’t adjust. That’s the most logical explanation.

By chc4

July 22, 2008 4:05 PM | Link to this

Steroids add bulk… Frenchy has never had that. He’s rail thin. Jeff has always had a flawed approach at the plate. Now pitchers are exploiting it and he can’t adjust. That’s the most logical explanation.

By TN-MAN

July 22, 2008 4:06 PM | Link to this

DOB Infante coming off the DL today?

By buzzdeadwax

July 22, 2008 4:07 PM | Link to this

Anyone know of a good restaurant in Phoenix? I’m going there in September and I want to know where I’m going to eat. Nothing vegetable-y, though. I don’t believe in eating anything green. Thanks for the help.

By dwaynerice

July 22, 2008 4:10 PM | Link to this

DOB,

did a quick web search of Jim N Nick’s was making me hungry for good barbecue..looks like locations in Charleston, SC and Birmingham, AL mostly, although did see one in Colorado

By RedEyedAndBlue

July 22, 2008 4:12 PM | Link to this

Doc -

The other two big differences b/w those early 90s teams and the current one - team speed and team defense. Pendleton, Belliard, Lemke, and Bream were all great defenders. I think Otis had 70 steals and Gant was in the 30/30 club.

Brian Hunter and Sid Bream were a pretty terrific 1B offensive combo, too.

By sooner

July 22, 2008 4:13 PM | Link to this

DOB - That list is pretty ugly. I found it on some old minor league blog…i doubt all those guys were a part of the 2005 div championship, there’s no way. Anyway, the names are pretty interesting, huh? Betemit, Marte, and Colon (to a slightly lesser degree) strike me as the most disapointing. Well, Frenchy too but I still think there’s hope for him…

By N8

July 22, 2008 4:15 PM | Link to this

MGL & Desi

Agree with both of you. I’m glad some of you have common sense. RBI are a stat that is completely dependent of who is AHEAD of you in the order.

Think about it .

If you look at our last two “clean-up” hitters in 07 & 08 from April to July of each year. In 170 games, they’ve had 761 AB’s. In 342 of those AB’s Chipper has been on base for them (Chipper in April - July of 07 & 08 has a .460 OBP), and all they’ve compiled is 142 RBI.

THAT’S JUST CHIPPER on base. That’s not counting the 1 & 2 hitters.

With how often that Chipper has been on base, the Braves cleanup hitters should be putting up SILLY GOOD numbers. They haven’t. Other than Tex’s “honeymoon” period last August and September.

I’m not sure what all that means, other than that without a guys on base, cleanup hitters have NOTHING to cleanup. Our cleanup hitters can NOT use that excuse that past two years.

By Corky Miller

July 22, 2008 4:16 PM | Link to this

We need more Corky!.

Corky! Corky! Corky!

By Allen Karns

July 22, 2008 4:17 PM | Link to this

What a joke! That’s what this franchise is turning into. Going into the season with 2 SP over 40yo? Sticking with Mike Hampton whose broke and will always be broke. Now they are going to trade away Texiera after all the years of needing a decent 1B? C. Jones is getting older and is injury prone. I think keeping Tex is better for the team than getting rid of him. Not sure we will get the value back. If we do trade him, where do the Braves go from here? Next season, we would only have a 1 proven SP in the Majors, no 1B, no closer (as usual), No power hitting OF? Spend some freakin money!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By jcmo71

July 22, 2008 4:18 PM | Link to this

New tex to the angles rumor.

With baseball’s trade deadline in 10 days, one rumor has Los Angeles Angels utility player Robb Quinlan and minor league third baseman Brandon Wood headed to Atlanta for slugger Mark Teixeira, who can become a free agent at season’s end.

St. Paul Pioneer Press

By A-ville Ranger

July 22, 2008 4:19 PM | Link to this

chc4,”Frenchy is rail thin” ? He looks 20 lbs heavier than last season.I don’t think it’s steriods but he looks slower in every way to me.

By Doc Holliday

July 22, 2008 4:20 PM | Link to this

DOB

There is still some hope……….Acosta might get better……..he has been lights out at times…….much better than Devine. Morton and Reyes IMO look better than Chuck and Kyle. Youll have to add Yunel to the list of no disappointment.

There is also Prado…….he is a very good bench player. And Id say he could be get to KJs level in a hurry.

Blanco is still adjusting to leadoff spot, but he has done better than expected for a rookie in the leadoff spot.

Other than that………..I´ll agree.

By Coach (Lets Go Braves In 2009)

July 22, 2008 4:20 PM | Link to this

Mark Bowman wrote an article not to long ago and mentioned the injury sustained by Francouer in the minors when frenchy was hit in the face.

Bowman wrote and I quote : degenerative eye condition. Thar is the term used to describe the after affects that Jeff Francoeur is dealing with from being hit in the face.

I hope the season long struggles of frenchy are mechanical and related to a lack of confidence. If it’s due to his eyesight, we could be witnessing something tragic.

By McFann :Ô:

July 22, 2008 4:20 PM | Link to this

Frankly, I can’t see McCann playing first base.

Nothing against the man, I just can’t see it…

By Just a Dawg

July 22, 2008 4:22 PM | Link to this

DOB,

Thanks for all that you do with the Blog and putting up with all of us idiots. Jim ‘n Nicks is a chain. I wasn’t impressed by the BBQ, but the burger (my daughter doesn’t like BBQ - kids!) was great. I know there is also one in Conyers on 138.

By Doc Holliday

July 22, 2008 4:27 PM | Link to this

*TN-MAN *

He should……….I read he took batting practice on friday……he is ready……..I think.

By Doc Holliday

July 22, 2008 4:28 PM | Link to this

*The Astros and Padres have agreed to a deal that will send left-handed starting pitcher Randy Wolf (6-10, 4.74 ERA) to Houston for a Minor League player, according to a source. *

By jcmo71

July 22, 2008 4:29 PM | Link to this

DOB, how does a rumor involving the LA Angles and the braves get generated out of St. Paul? Does this just point to its improbability?

By Cecil34

July 22, 2008 4:31 PM | Link to this

ncscoots

I played first back in the day - good bit of it.

Don’t dis Mac - he can learn footwork and timing. You think he should drop a few pounds?

Mac is not “and” idiot and could handle first. He can learn, and he is not physically or mentally challenged.

Shame on you nc….

McFann, what say you?

By Doc Holliday

July 22, 2008 4:34 PM | Link to this

History has provided Cox reason to remain optimistic about his team’s chances to make a miraculous run that would carry it to the postseason. His 1993 team was 10 games out on July 22 and ended up winning the NL West title on the season’s final day.

Tonights Fish pitcher———-0-1 with an ERA of 11.xx

Cant we beat this guy please???

“We’re swinging the bats good,” Braves shortstop Brent Lillibridge said. “At some point we’re going to put it all together and make somebody pay.”

The kid sounds a little aggressive but Id rather watch him do the talking with his bat.

By KC

July 22, 2008 4:40 PM | Link to this

Retch: DOB said as much. This time will likely need to deal Tex and Ohman and look to next year. But his point is a valid one. Why not wait a week? We’re not going to get any more for Tex today than we would get in a week if this road trip doesn’t go extraordinarily well.

By keef1234

July 22, 2008 4:40 PM | Link to this

Not sure why everyone is so excited to trade Tex…Who says Liberty won’t pony up the cash? Has ANYONE here or in the media for that matter been inside the discussions with Bobby, JS, Wren and all in the executive boardroom? Did they not say they will raise payroll if asked to do so by Braves executives? Did they not say they wanted to increase the value of the team by building a winner and then sell the Braves? Now THATS honesty! On the other hand why tease/anger Braves fans with a young superstar with no intentions of signing for 7 years??? PS: Francoeur looks SO SILLY now that he had his little temper tantrum about the minors.. He should still be there. Probably traded as he is now poisoned with a negative attitude depsite turing down 2 long term contracts…

By psr

July 22, 2008 4:41 PM | Link to this

Jeff Francoeur may have had a lot of help, but he allowed himself to get as caught up in the hype as those entities you mentioned. He didn’t HAVE to sign a mega deal with Delta in his first full season with the Braves. He didn’t HAVE to agree to the SI cover story. He doesn’t have to say “yes” to everything that comes along the pike. I doubt McCann gets asked as much as Francoeur but he doesn’t give the impression that he’s as interested in the hype as Francoeur either.

By braves70

July 22, 2008 4:41 PM | Link to this

Too many players today try to bulk up like football guys by lifting weights. I was reading about a pitching prospect in the Milwaukee system over at Baseball America. The guy did extensive weight lifting last winter. He gained nothing on his fastball but lost some of his agility and natural motion. He has had a terrible year and cannot throw strikes consistently. Give me the old days when weight lifting was not part of a players regemine. The players from 25 years ago look like stick figures compared to today’s behemoths and the ones today are not as durable or talented. I think Francoeur fell into the same trap last winter.

As for Chipper at firstbase, while it may make sense in many ways, I recall Chipper stating that he would not move from thirdbase again after his adventure in leftfield.

By Cecil34

July 22, 2008 4:42 PM | Link to this

Capt.Caveman

You caught - and you played first….

What is your take on a catcher playing first base?

Can it be done?

By BaseballisBoring

July 22, 2008 4:42 PM | Link to this

DOB

Do you listen to anything besides crappy old guy rock?

By DHD

July 22, 2008 4:45 PM | Link to this

Be ready on July 31. If we are more than 6 games back, sell. What if we win the next 5 games? We’re right back in the race. Just be ready to pull the trigger on the deadline day. You can get a better deal then anyway. Some team will panic and over pay. You never know what injury could occur to one of the top teams between now and then. Wait it out.

By Dallas

July 22, 2008 4:48 PM | Link to this

DOB

I guess I could help you out with it…

They are throughout the Southeast. In Georgia, there is one in Smyrna, Conyers, and Hiram. One in Suwanee was just opened off of Old Peachtree Road near California Dreamin’. Quite a few in Alabama too.

http://jimnnicks.com/

By prattvillenolzfan

July 22, 2008 4:54 PM | Link to this

DOB

Do you think Kelly might be a little upset that he is being platooned…

His avg. against left-handers is better that Prado’s/Infante’s was…

That would explain why is average isn’t as high as normal…Not getting the AB’s against lefties…

Plus, he can’t seem to get in a groove. He can have a good game, and then be inexplicably benched for a couple of games..That will kill the momentum of a player….

I’m not one to quote stats, I just remember seeing the splits on TV a couple of games ago…

Once again, another example of Bobby’s platoon killing the flow of this team.

BTW

Jim-N-Nicks is based in Birmingham, with a couple of restaraunts in Montgomery and my hometown of Prattville….

It’s a popular chain here in Bama country, in addition to the regular BBQ, they have a tossed salads and baked potatoes loaded with the BBQ pork/chicken or beef…

Didn’t say I liked it…Just that everyone else does..

By P**

July 22, 2008 4:54 PM | Link to this

Bold: This just in, Franceour is overrated!

When are some of you “big shots” going to realize that Franceour is absolute trash - both offensively and defensively, his only saving grace being the cannon of an arm he has. Other than that, he is an average fielder who rarely gets a jump on a ball, doesn’t dive, doesn’t try. He. is. trash. Once more, his offensive skills are best comparable to Andruw Jones - completely lost at the plate. Sometimes you’d think that for a guy who is known to be a free swinger - especially on first pitches - would try and cut that out when putting up numbers that would make Corkey Miller cringe. It’s downright ridiculous and as a Braves fan, I shouldn’t have to sit here and watch the team blow every chance they have. Franceour’s ability to hit into DPs downright scary - it’s almost as if Adam LaRoache and Franceour experienced a freaky Friday. Anyways, the guy is awful - that’s really all there is to it. What is embarassing though, is that he actually COMPLAINED about being sent down to triple A, wondering why hes down there. That’s definitely a good indication of the type of player he is.

Franceour shouldn’t be blamed for it all, Cox has a huge part to play in the Godawful year his team has put up. His late inning decisions to use pitchers for single outs is downright retarded. On top of that, the team managed to throw away one of the best players on the team - Josh Anderson. Not only did the guy hit exceptionally well this year, but he was taken down to triple-A with a 6 game hit streak going! He should have been Franceour’s replacement and put at the top of the line up for his ability to get on and his incredible speed - tops on the team only to Jurrjens.

By N8

July 22, 2008 4:57 PM | Link to this

If somebody has posted this, I apologize. If not, it is a piece of Ken Rosenthal’s “trade rumors” and notes.

“Here’s quite a statement on the decline of Dodgers center fielder Andruw Jones: A rival evaluator, noting that the Dodgers have recently played Jones, shortstop Nomar Garciaparra and second baseman Jeff Kent in their up-the-middle positions, said that Jones was the worst defender of the three. …”

Yikes. Yet SO MANY were sure that we’d be doomed without him (actually nothing has changed - we’re still mediocre overall), and that he’d bounce back and show the world, that last year was a fluke.

It bears repeating…….YIKES.

By DesiBrave

July 22, 2008 4:59 PM | Link to this

DOB Just for the amusement part of it .., Could you post us how did Mike Hampton’s Bullpen session go?

By Capt.Caveman#100

July 22, 2008 5:00 PM | Link to this

Cecil

It could be done, but it would be very difficult.

McCann doesn’t have the speed to outrun most batters from homeplate to first

and he would have an awful time holding runners on 1st while he is crouched behind the plate.

By OrlandoFan

July 22, 2008 5:01 PM | Link to this

Soooner, DOB: Who the heck was Frank Brooks? I don’t even remember that guy.

By Kentavo

July 22, 2008 5:01 PM | Link to this

I think Quinlan is from St. Paul, that’s how it got started in Minnesota paper

By ernesto

July 22, 2008 5:06 PM | Link to this

Even if we get Hampton back, we don’t know what we’re going to be getting.

The lines I’ve been reading from his rehab starts in the minors haven’t exactly been lights out.

Dude’s been buried inn the Pet Semetary for nearly 3 years…who knows what’s coming back.

By McFann :Ô:

July 22, 2008 5:07 PM | Link to this

Cecil34—

He could learn. I don’t have a doubt. But somehow, I can’t see the Braves moving him there…

The move has it’s pros and cons, at least for me. Just to name a few:

Pros (Very obvious) His bat could be in the lineup more often. He could play around 150 games without the wear and tear that comes with catching. (Is that two pros, or and two-in-one kind of a deal?)

Cons He calls a great game; the pitchers love to throw to him. He’s very good at handling the Braves pitching staff. Other than TOBR, he fields his position rather well.

But he could learn the new position. Like you said, he’s not mentally or physically challenged. But the Braves love him as their catcher. They signed him to be their catcher. But he would move to first if the team really needed him to (though he loves catching—always trying to get better).

You think he should drop a few pounds?

That’s not an issue! Just look at Fielder…(He’s listed at 270, 40 pounds heavier than McCann.)

PSR—

McCann’s not int’rested in the hype at all. He “likes being in the background, shadow, whatever you wanna call it”. (That’s a quote, BTW. He said it after hitting that Home Run in the 2005 NLDS.)

By Jeff R

July 22, 2008 5:07 PM | Link to this

Braves are hot and cold… and - need I say - they’re a horrid road team. How does that add up to a team capable of capturing a division title?

If it’s a business decision that Wren and Cox are making, then they need to cut their losses. A 10% chance of making it to post season is short the 60% or 70% that makes it worthwhile keeping Tex and Ohman.

The smarter business decision is positioning this franchise to contend over the next few years. Focusing too much on the short term likely postpones decisions management needs to make to better position this team for future runs.

Perhaps Wren and company need to rethink the team completely. Maybe McCann moves to first; maybe Escobar succeeds Jones at third after 2009; Lilliquist takes over short; perhaps Wren finds a better defensive second baseman than Johnson. Just ideas.

By McFann :Ô:

July 22, 2008 5:11 PM | Link to this

Oh yeah! Another con: He’s not to fast! There we go…

In case you couldn’t tell, I want him to stay a catcher!!

By Coach (Lets Go Braves In 2009)

July 22, 2008 5:12 PM | Link to this

This trade makes sense. The Red Sox are hunting for a reliable left handed set up man. Will Ohman is available.

The Braves are going to need a first baseman in the near future whether Teixiera is traded now or if he leaves in free agency after the season is over.

The Red Sox have a young slugging 1B prospect in Lars Anderson down in AA Portland. I dug up this scouting report.

Lars Anderson 18th round 2006 draft pick. Large, powerful slugger with a great hitter’s frame and a high power ceiling. Extremely smooth and fluid swing. Impeccable batting eye with very good patience at the plate, he actually could stand to be a little more aggressive. Hits especially well to the opposite field, but also can pull the ball on occasion. His swing is tailor-made for Fenway. Still strikes out a little bit too much, particularly against off-speed stuff from more advanced pitchers. Athletic for his size, plays a very good first base. Digs throws in the dirt well. Not a stolen base threat, average speed for a 1B. Takes instruction well and learns fast. Strong work ethic. Likely would have been an early second round pick in 2006 if not for high bonus demands. Still a lot of room to grow

By VolBrave

July 22, 2008 5:16 PM | Link to this

The Astros acquired Randy Wolf…is this considered a buy from a team that’s 12 games back? Confusing

By Ralph

July 22, 2008 5:17 PM | Link to this

The front office, does a lot of talk, but yet takes very little action, while other team are improving their clubs, the Braves organization are sitting on their hand, blowing hot air at the fans, knowing the problems they have, even if the fan tells them, and others There is a lack of communication between the manager and the players, if it took 99 games for them to realize they need to do some changes, that can only mean that the front office is sitting on their hand and want the Braves to keep breaking all kinds of embarrassing records. What they are doing, is a duplication of last year they just don’t care. It’s, plain and tiresome to list to the disable list, and with what the disable are replace with, a bunch of waste up player who can’t even hit their weight. The Braves front office effect to improve the team is plain and back up by their sorry record. To sign one player to a multi-million dollar contract is just plain stupid, in the Braves case it takes more then one player, to improve the whole overall team. What’s really plain is how hard head the Braves organization is, they are happy being looses

By Kentavo

July 22, 2008 5:19 PM | Link to this

Bold prediction: Braves will lose next two games to Fish, go to Philly, win the opening game, then lose the next two, bigtime, looking listless.

By bravesfan

July 22, 2008 5:19 PM | Link to this

Lineups:

Braves: LF Gregor Blanco; SS Yunel Escobar; 3B Chipper Jones; 1B Mark Teixeira, C Brian McCann; RF Jeff Francoeur; 2B Kelly Johnson; CF Mark Kotsay; P Charlie Morton.

Marlins: SS Hanley Ramirez, RF Jeremy Hermida; 3B Jorge Cantu; LF Josh Willingham; 2B Dan Uggla; 1B Mike Jacobs; CF Cody Ross; C John Baker; P Rick VandenHurk.

By VolBrave

July 22, 2008 5:21 PM | Link to this

Braves Fan in TN I agree. Great Brisket. Fun too to eat lunch there during a Sounds day game. Too bad Greer is the armpit of minor league fields.

By Bobby

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

BBQ LINK

http://www.birminghammenus.com/jimnnicks/newsite/newsite.html

By bravos2249

July 22, 2008 5:26 PM | Link to this

True Braves Fan

Was the last game you watched like 2 weeks ago Tex has 73 rbi…and if you have more RBI than a guy with more Homers isn’t that bad..in terms of the player with 24 homers?

And I might be mistaken but whenever has Uggla been in the majors as long as Tex, provided solid D, been a SH.

Players that other teams didn’t want and have been in the league for 2-3 yrs can’t be compared money wise to guys that are established.

Jair and Hudson have more wins than Santana but that doesn’t mean they are worth 17 million just like Santana isn’t.

By ContactBuzz

July 22, 2008 5:30 PM | Link to this

DOB - don’t know if you’re a Paul Westerberg fan but Amazon.com has - I’ll call it a recording, it’s not really an album - for 49 cents if you download. It’s a 49 minute track with a bunch of songs crammed together. Some pretty good stuff on there after a couple of listens (and I’m not a huge fan of his).

By McFann :Ô:

July 22, 2008 5:34 PM | Link to this

Bravesfan—

thanks for the lineup. Obviously, though, Z and Francoeur should switch spots.

By Shaun

July 22, 2008 5:35 PM | Link to this

The core of the Baby Braves—McCann and Francoeur—are likely at least two years away from the start of their peaks. Kelly Johnson is still only 26 and in his second full season in the bigs.

We can make a better assessment in about 5-10 years. It’s still way too early.

But you have to like the future of this franchise.

By Doc Holliday

July 22, 2008 5:35 PM | Link to this

WTH is JF hitting 6th???

How many times has this question been asked this season???

By mitchie-san

July 22, 2008 5:35 PM | Link to this

ernesto on Hampton: Dude’s been buried in the Pet Semetary for nearly 3 years…who knows what’s coming back.

Very amusing…

By Doc Holliday

July 22, 2008 5:39 PM | Link to this

Kentavo

Braves are not losing tonight……….sorry……….

We will win this high scoring game.

By Bobby's Cox

July 22, 2008 5:43 PM | Link to this

Do you think Kelly might be a little upset that he is being platooned…Pratvill

No.

Kelly’s played pretty much everyday. Look at the game logs.

If kelly were struggling because he’d be platooning, then why is he 2-2 in his last 2 pinch-hit opportunites June 20 (double), and July 13 (RBI single).

If anything, Kelly has an advantage over Prado, infante, and Gotay for playing everyday. It’s easier to get in a groove. The last 41 game streak Kelly has put up hasn’t been a surprise over his last 5+ months of baseball. He’s a good guy, with a good stroke, that is streaky.

Give Prado as many starts as KJ gets and he’ll outperform KJ’s numbers.

By sooner

July 22, 2008 5:45 PM | Link to this

OrlandoFan - don’t remember the Brooks kid either, I’ll do some research to jog my memory.

By David O'Brien

July 22, 2008 5:47 PM | Link to this

COX SUSPENDED for tonight’s game, for excessive arguing in that incident Sunday at Turner Field. He won’t appeal because he said you can’t win an appeal, no reason to try it….

ESCOBAR is in lineup.

GLAVINE is throwing bullpen now, so I’m gonna go back down to field. HAMPTON will throw after him, I think.

By McFann :Ô:

July 22, 2008 5:50 PM | Link to this

The Diamondbacks acquired John Rauch!

Whoo-hoo! He’s not in the East anymore! (Course, the Braves are practically done with the Nats, but still!)

By MGL

July 22, 2008 5:51 PM | Link to this

“DOB, how does a rumor involving the LA Angles and the braves get generated out of St. Paul? Does this just point to its improbability?”

Puzzling, maybe someone knows Kevin Bacon.

By DesiBrave

July 22, 2008 5:52 PM | Link to this

Bravesfan Thanks for the lineup cards…., That seems like the best hitting lineup Braves can have this year (barring a good hitting pitcher like campillo or hudson)

Keeping these in view a) Braves’ best hitting lineup b) Against Pitcher who struggled in the recent past c) against the worst fielding side

I think Braves should post at least 8-10 runs today if they don’t want to be sellers…,

By Don

July 22, 2008 5:53 PM | Link to this

I’m late to the story here, but why is it every time the team wins one game some people gush and get hopeful?

This is a flawed team. It needs some kind of change. Not a total upheaval, but some significant tweaking that can only happen by being open minded to moving free agent talent when possible.

By flange1

July 22, 2008 5:53 PM | Link to this

WOW,

Nats just traded Jon Rauch to the D Backs for second base prospect E Bonifacio.

Really thought he was worth more than that.

By bravos2249

July 22, 2008 5:55 PM | Link to this

DOB

I understand the suspension thing but the UMP not getting anything is INEXCUSABLE by MLB…he tried to intisgate a fight…..

But when you got Smoltz & Glavine in the dugout they’re basically player/managers

By McFann :Ô:

July 22, 2008 5:56 PM | Link to this

Cox suspended? Wow. Thanks for the info, Chief!

By monty

July 22, 2008 5:57 PM | Link to this

I don’t think Frank Wren should make executive decisions on “a whim and a prayer.” THats not responsible managing. You certainly wouldn’t run your own business that way would you? I hope not.

Yes the Baves “could” get hot and win it. Stranger things have happened but you don’t bet the farm on strange things or long shots and that’s what the Braves are.

N8 won’t appreciate this but Frenchie becoming the new Andrew hurt us more than anyone. But then again this is a team sport and the team lost all those 1 run games, not any one player.

By DesiBrave

July 22, 2008 5:59 PM | Link to this

**GREAT that Bobby is suspended.

Now they can concentrate on batting rather than wondering what NICK NAME Bobby is going to use after every pitch….,

Well i forgot that he doesn’t do that on road…. my bad

By Jeff321

July 22, 2008 5:59 PM | Link to this

COX SUSPENDED

That sure put a smile on my face!

By Josh

July 22, 2008 6:00 PM | Link to this

what a pile of b.s. i’m guessing nothing happened to the umpire who went out of his way to start an argument with carlyle? maybe buddy said something and the cameras didn’t pick it up but it looked like nothing more than him turning around in frustration to me.

By DonCoburleone

July 22, 2008 6:00 PM | Link to this

I hate it that Frank Wren is looking at this race as “we’re only 6.5 games out of first place”. That is extremely simple thinking right there because in reality being 6.5 games out and behind THREE teams is alot more than just 6.5 games…

If we were 6.5 games behind just the Phillies or just the Mets it would be totally different. This team would have to finish the season with something like a 41-22 record to even have a shot (and thats barely 88 wins if we do that, which still might not be enough). That is a .651 winning % the rest of the way for a team who has failed to play better than .500 baseball for the last 2 1/2 years!

I agree that if Glavine comes back healthy, Kotsay & Chipper stay healthy, and we trade for X-Nady this team will be better; but to think that these things happening will turn the Braves into the best team in baseball (which is exactly what a team winning 65% of their games for a 2 month stretch is) just isn’t realistic!

By flylikeeagle

July 22, 2008 6:03 PM | Link to this

MLB, especially Bob Watson, got the wrong person suspended. They should had suspended that umpire, not Bobby Cox. Worst umpiring on that day.

By MBPELICAN

July 22, 2008 6:06 PM | Link to this

can’t believe Cox got suspended for that, it’s a shame how it all works… good thing we have our strongest lineup of the year on the field and are facing Vanden Hurk he we have feasted on before.

By bgvt

July 22, 2008 6:07 PM | Link to this

N8 —

Thanks for the Rosenthal quote on Andruw. One good move by Frank Wren and Braves management last off season was cutting ties with AJ. Fairly obvious that he probably wasn’t going to return to being the type of player worth the type of salary needed to retain him.

By SoWeGa Fanatic

July 22, 2008 6:07 PM | Link to this

Bobby suspended? That moviestar wannabe ump should be fired!

Didn’t anyone notice on Corky’s throwing “error” to first just how far the runner was out of the base path? The moviestar wannabe ump didn’t! Or wouldn’t! I couldn’t believe no one argued that non-call.

By Bobby's Cox

July 22, 2008 6:10 PM | Link to this

Now they can concentrate on batting rather than wondering what NICK NAME Bobby is going to use after every pitch…. DesiBrave

You haven’t heard? All the players tonight were fitted with mics in their helmets. Bobby will be yelling “C’mon Chip”! and “Let’s go Escie!” from the club house in between every pitch.

By tr

July 22, 2008 6:16 PM | Link to this

DOB -

Did anything happen to the umpire from Sunday??? It seemed to me that he pretty much “baited” both Cox and Buddy, who just turned and walked behind the mound instead of showing up the umpire who unmasked, walked onto the playing field and started waving his finger at Buddy and tossed Bobby before he even got out of the dugout good. In my mind, he caused, instigated, and escalated the whole thing!

By TexasBrave

July 22, 2008 6:18 PM | Link to this

DOB will Bobby still be calling the shots just as if he were ejected or can he be in the stadium at all? Who is the interm coach tonight?

By N8

July 22, 2008 6:20 PM | Link to this

monty

“N8 won’t appreciate this but Frenchie becoming the new Andrew hurt us more than anyone. But then again this is a team sport and the team lost all those 1 run games, not any one player.”

I appreciate that he was JUST AS big of a problem as Tex was earlier in the year.

But to blame a 24 year old kid (making barely over the league minimum) for having his first real big-league slump, when his manager has done EVERYTHING he can since his call-up to NOT change his approach, is silly.

I suppose Charlie Morton is to blame for our pitching problems too, huh?

Tex was acquired to anchor the cleanup spot and CARRY this team to the post-season. Not to start the season like Andruw started last season.

Besides. Jeff’s defense has struggled this year too. Andruw at least never let his hitting woes affect his defense.

If Tex does what he is being paid to do in 25 percent of those 1-run games, (along with Jeff doing his part in some too), we’re in first place.

Part of being the leader of a team is shouldering the blame when things don’t go well. Tex’s responsibility was to be a force in the lineup. He hasn’t been. At least when the games were still in doubt.

If a game is 10-0 (with either team winning), and Tex knocks in a RISP with 2 out in the 8th inning, his “clutch” stats go UP. You tell me, if you think Tex has been clutch this year. THE WHOLE YEAR.

Having Kotsay and Escobar go down didn’t help either. But in April and May (when Jeff was actually not doing that bad), Tex was worthless.

Last time I checked, the games in April and May count too.

By Doc Holliday

July 22, 2008 6:23 PM | Link to this

Finally…………the turning point of the season is here………

Bobby Cox suspended………..this might work out as the signing CRIME DOG.

Go Braves……sweep this series.

By Doc Holliday

July 22, 2008 6:29 PM | Link to this

Bobby ejected but JF still in the lineup…….not much of a difference……….

By keylargo

July 22, 2008 6:34 PM | Link to this

Did anyone see Andruw Jones went 0 for 5 with 5 strikeouts vs. the Marlins just before the break?

3 strikeouts = hat trick

4 strikeouts = golden sombrero

5 strikeouts = ?

Does anyone know what they call a 5 strikeout game?

By RedEyedAndBlue

July 22, 2008 6:35 PM | Link to this

I watched the game on tv. Definitely not “excessive arguing,” whatever that means. And to suspend a guy after 141 ejections for “excessive arguing?” As if that’s going to correct the behavior.

And I thought maybe the ump. warned Buddy not to wipe his mouth on his shirt anymore (a rules violation if overabused, i think.). not for arguing balls and strikes.

By Scott from Fairburn

July 22, 2008 6:35 PM | Link to this

DOB, agree with your comments in general about Francoeur being a good guy who cares, but he’s embraced the hype as evidenced by his desire to become a brand …

Francoeur eager to pitch for companies [http://atlanta.bizjournals.com/atlanta/stories/2008/06/02/story2.html]

** As a corporate pitchman, Francoeur already has some major deals under his belt. He counts Delta Air Lines Inc., sports apparel maker Under Armour Inc., sporting goods manufacturer Mizuno Corp. and, locally, a limousine company among the companies who pay him for the use of his likeness.

But he does not want to stop there.

“We’re looking at a couple of other big ones for this offseason,” he said. “There are so many good businesses in Atlanta, from Coke, Home Depot, Chick-fil-A.”

In his quest to be a corporate pitchman, Francoeur is aided by the golden-boy image that he built from the time he was a junior in high school playing football at Gwinnett County’s Parkview High. Francoeur helped his school to state football and baseball championships and was named player of the year in both sports. **

By ATXraindog

July 22, 2008 6:36 PM | Link to this

DOB

Isn’t the new My Morning Jacket record ridiculous? ‘Highly Suspicious’ makes me happier than damn near any song in the history of recorded music. And ‘Touch Me I’m Going to Scream Part 2’ is as good as anything they’ve ever done.

I’ve been reading some negative reviews of the record, and I’m just amazed. How anyone can hear these songs and not be totally swept away is beyond me.

By bravos2249

July 22, 2008 6:42 PM | Link to this

DOB

I found something interesting…a little food for thought

2003 when Bobby was LAST suspended for 2 games ”..Cox was ejected for the ninth time this season after arguing with third-base umpire Chuck Meriwether in the bottom of the first inning when Marcus Giles was called out trying to steal third. Before leaving the field, Cox confronted plate umpire Tim Welke, complaining about his calls on pitcher Greg Maddux..”

SUNDAY’S UMPS EjectionsAtlanta Braves Manager Bobby Cox ejected by HP umpire Chris Guccione. (3rd). Umpires: HP: Chris Guccione. 1B: Tim Welke. 2B: Bill Welke. 3B: Chuck Meriwether.

By CaliChopper

July 22, 2008 6:43 PM | Link to this

Buzz, The Pits Again, its a bbq joint outside the city.

By McFann :Ô:

July 22, 2008 6:44 PM | Link to this

That’s so ridiculous that Bobby was suspended for that. At least it was just for one game, but really…

That umpire was being a bit of a hotdog, to say the least. He didn’t need to wag his finger at Buddy. Buddy didn’t do anything wrong. That was ridiculous.

We’re getting some weather here (or, we’re s’posed to. Got those “sever thunderstorm warnings” but so far we’ve just heard the thunder), so I may be signing off for a while—or the power might go out. So if you don’t hear from me if McCann does something really good (or really bad, heaven forbid), you’ll know why.

; )

By Jeff321

July 22, 2008 6:47 PM | Link to this

I saw three different balls go over Andruw Jones’ head this week.

By tr

July 22, 2008 6:47 PM | Link to this

KEYLARGO:

3 strikeouts = hat trick

4 strikeouts = golden sombrero

5 strikeouts = Andruw Jones!!!

By David O'Brien

July 22, 2008 6:48 PM | Link to this

THIS JUST IN: Infante activated, LILLIBRIDGE optioned to Richmond. (So much for that off-day story idea for Thursday).

Finally got back upstairs to pressbox, waiting for Glavine and Hampton to come from bullpen.

GLAVINE said he was quite a bit better than in his Saturday bullpen. Glavine will throw another ‘pen Friday in Philly and a simulated midweek next week, then might be ready to pitch for rehab assignment.

HAMPTON said he doesn’t think he needs any more rehab games. He’s going to throw another bullpen this weekend, then hopes to be activated.

By prattvillenolzfan

July 22, 2008 6:51 PM | Link to this

Regarding Bobby’s suspension

Total bu11sh1t…

But…If I’m not mistaken MLB doesn’t annnounce the goings on of the umpires. I think the umpires union is seperate from MLB. If there is a suspension, (and in fairness there should be), then it wouldn’t come from MLB, but it would come from who governs the umpires.

Remember that the umpires union is very strong, and they don’t usually make public the discpilinary actions taken against umpires.

Not defending the ump, far from it.

By sooner

July 22, 2008 6:53 PM | Link to this

*ATXraindog * - you absolutely nailed it on the new MMJ album! Couldn’t have said it better myself. Can’t wait for the show in August at the Fox.

By Jeff R

July 22, 2008 6:54 PM | Link to this

I’m betting that Braves management isn’t really drinking the Kool Aid up in the executive suites. I’m betting that they’re quietly working the phones.

The Braves not only have to get past three teams - Phils, Mets and Marlins - to win the East, but get past two of three teams in the Central - Cards, Brewers and Cubs - to have a shot at the wild card. Just not going to happen.

What’s the reports on Braves’ first base prospect Fredie Freeman?

As to the report that the Angels would like to ship Brandon Wood and a utility player to Atlanta for Super Tex, I read that Wood is a free swinging batter (a lot of strikeouts).

It’s not a bad idea for the Braves to try to get a near-ready 3rd base prospect for Super Tex, if a solid prospect is available. Chipper ain’t going to last forever.

By sooner

July 22, 2008 6:59 PM | Link to this

HAMPTON said he doesn’t think he needs any more rehab games. He’s going to throw another bullpen this weekend, then hopes to be activated.

He needs to stop throwing all these bullpens, that’s probably why he keeps getting hurt. But seriously, i’m not going to hold my breath on this one.

By geauxbraves2000

July 22, 2008 6:59 PM | Link to this

Wouldn’t this be a more formidable lineup if Z was batting 6th. I like KJ 7th, would prefer JF 10th, but if he has to be in the lineup, JF 7th and KJ 8th. The only reason I bat KJ 8th is because of being ahead of the pitcher, and between JF and KJ, IMO KJ is the more patient hitter.

Wow that’s a lot of initials.

GB!!

By Original Jon

July 22, 2008 6:59 PM | Link to this

ATXraindog Everyone has their own opinion on music man, for you to sit there and say ‘How anyone can hear these songs and not be totally swept away is beyond me.’, is totally biased. I tried listening to them to see if I would like them, because I am that type of person, I will not dislike something until I have heard it, and honestly, it doesn’t sound good to me at all. But that is my opinion, if you like them, that is awesome, I am sure they are glad you do. But it just didnt sit well with me. The guitars in the beginning of some of the songs sound like its going to be super awesome, then the guy starts singing and kills it for me, but hey, like I said, to each his own, right.

By Big Easy

July 22, 2008 7:00 PM | Link to this

keylargo, a 5 strikeout game is called the Platinum Sombrero. Wikipedia also calls it the Olympic Rings, although I have never heard that one before.

~E~

By prattvillenolzfan

July 22, 2008 7:00 PM | Link to this

As much as I hate to see it, optioning Lillibridge makes sense. He needs to be playing everyday.

But he did an awesome job defensively the last week.

To all fellow bloggers

There should some way to have a pool on Hampton this week….What’s he going to hurt next, and when is he going to hurt it…

By flange1

July 22, 2008 7:01 PM | Link to this

DOB,

Thanks for the injury updates.

All along I have thought that Glavine was done for the year, it sounds like he might pitch after all.

Wouldn’t that be interesting if Glavine AND Hampton rejoined the rotation.

What is it Scoots says, Dogs and Cats living together???

By ArkyTech

July 22, 2008 7:02 PM | Link to this

DOB, we really need to find out if the umpire was disciplined for his childishness and for instigating the whole confrontation.

Here’s a link to the ejection - notice how NONE of Guccione’s partners came to his aid while Bobby was laying into him…..

By BravesFanInRockies

July 22, 2008 7:08 PM | Link to this

Nats signed Guzman to a 2-year extension.

Wonder if the Nats will be a player for Tex if he’s a FA? They have a new stadium and lots of empty seats. And Stan Kasten at the top of the organization. Given the relative scarcity of big-name FAs this winter, Tex may make the largest splash of anyone out there.

By beachcomber

July 22, 2008 7:09 PM | Link to this

A one-day suspension for Cox? What a joke. I suppose that hot headed punk umpire behind the plate got off Scott free.

By I was a teenage Francophile

July 22, 2008 7:10 PM | Link to this

…Jeff Francoeur. Enough piling on, for now. He’s a good dude…

Why is he a good dude exactly?

Because he hasn’t spit in DOB’s face?

Self-important, narcissistic, stupid, whiner, who is above learning his craft and feels he should just glide through life on “natural ability”.

By Robin

July 22, 2008 7:10 PM | Link to this

I am activated for this game and have optioned my cell to voicemail.

Lets go get em team!

By DonCoburleone

July 22, 2008 7:11 PM | Link to this

Infante activated - just enough time to show the Dodgers he is healthy. I’m telling you people, Mark Teixera and Omar Infante to LA for James Loney and Jonathon Meloan!!! Its going to happen!

By Jeff R

July 22, 2008 7:13 PM | Link to this

Lillibridge did do a solid job filling in for Escobar. You know, Escobar played a pretty solid 3rd base last season. Perhaps he can start transitioning over there next season and give Lillibridge more playing time at short. Also spells Chipper a bit.

Nah, management won’t do that, but…

By woogidy

July 22, 2008 7:14 PM | Link to this

DonCoburleone, The rockies, amazingly, went 41-24 for a .630 winning percentage, after July 22 last year to win the Wild Card. Or, to be more specific, 39-21 after July 27 for a .639 winning percentage. There were 5 teams in front of them. They had been 194-230 or .457, the 2 1/2 years prior. So, I am not counting them out. Should I? Probably.

By Mike Hampton's vajayjay

July 22, 2008 7:17 PM | Link to this

I’m sure Chipper loves hearing all these stories about these guys who idolized him as a kid and are now facing him on opposing teams (or even the same team).

You still got it, Hoss. Don’t worry.

By P**

July 22, 2008 7:21 PM | Link to this

Kelly Johnson + Tex for Dunn + Phillips

WIN, WIN

By BossLady

July 22, 2008 7:21 PM | Link to this

WTF is excessive arguing? Bobby has always “gotten his money’s worth”

The umpire should get some time in the street also.

GO BRAVES!!!!!!!!!

GO Chipper!!!!!!!!

GO MCCann

Those are my boyz…

By David O'Brien

July 22, 2008 7:29 PM | Link to this

TexasBrave, the bench coach, Chino Cadahia, is the manager tonight. That means two Cubans are managing, him and Fredi Gonzalez for the Marlins.

By the way, there MIGHT have been some incidental spittle involved in that argument, if you know what I mean. Doesn’t matter if it’s completely unintentional, in the view of some. At least that’s what I hear.

By Choppinmama

July 22, 2008 7:31 PM | Link to this

DOB: If you time it just right at Jim N’Nicks, say on a Sat or Sun afternoon, you just might be able to crash one of those kids’ birthday parties!

Party on, David.

By David O'Brien

July 22, 2008 7:32 PM | Link to this

BaseballIsBoring, are you completely clueless about all things, or just baseball and rock music?Not that you care, or that anybody here cares if you care, but The Hold Steady is anything but “old guy rock” or whatever you called it.

They played at The Earl and the audience was mostly 20-somethings — or about 10-15 years older than you, I’m guessing.

Now get back to the video games.

By Doc Holliday

July 22, 2008 7:33 PM | Link to this

JF strikes out for the 1st time this season………mmmm……guess not………just another K

By Navigator

July 22, 2008 7:35 PM | Link to this

If a frog had wings, his fanny would go splat when he jumps.

By Jeff321

July 22, 2008 7:37 PM | Link to this

Wow Frenchy is completely embarrassing himself and the team. At what point does Cox & Wren get fired for allowing this to go on? I mean, the idea is to have the best players on the field. And no way anyone convinces me Frenchy is the best we have available.

By geauxbraves2000

July 22, 2008 7:38 PM | Link to this

This lineup has an albatross in it.

By bgvt

July 22, 2008 7:41 PM | Link to this

Uggla is now 1 for 16 with 6 K’s since his woeful All-star game performance.

Ugly - la. Ugh!

By TexasBrave

July 22, 2008 7:46 PM | Link to this

Jeff321 I the same thing happened last year with Andruw Jones. The only difference is AJ got paid more than JF to look so foolish at the plate.

DOB are you not able to say were Bobby is coaching from tonight?

By Lawrence

July 22, 2008 7:47 PM | Link to this

You guys amaze me with all your proposed trades and fixes for this team.Now you want to trade possiby the best fielding first basemen in the game and replace him with a righthanded throwing catcher.I know Tex may be gone anyway but Brian McCann at first base is not a good move.The man is doing a good job behind the plate and thats where he should stay.Brian is a tremendos player who does not need the burden of changing positions bestowed upon him.Leave him at his position and let him continue to be just what he is,a good player.And whats with all the flak Corky Miller is getting.He gets perhaps 10 to 12 plate appearances a month.Thats all any backup catcher has ever gotten with the Braves anyway.No he won’t hit his weight but,he does a good job defensively and any hit he does get might be a homer.If you want to get on somebody get on the right fielder who’s not hustling nor hitting his weight either.And all of you give Mike Hampton he!! all the time.Do you all think he got hurt on purpose so he could sit on the bench? I applaud the man for working so hard to get back to his team.Sure he is making a lot of money but he earned the right to sign the big contract.Injuries happen to everybody and besides his contract was insured.He has worked his butt off trying to comeback and receives little credit from any fans.Let the Braves win a few games and all you so called experts will jump on the ship and ride.But let the team struggle and everybody wants to pull the plug.You have all the answers the problem is,the inmates don’t run the asylum.

By N9

July 22, 2008 7:50 PM | Link to this

DOB ya sooo when was last time bobby cox was suspended?? I cant recall

By keylargo

July 22, 2008 7:54 PM | Link to this

You guys are so tuff on Jeffie.

That’s only the fourth or fifth time this year he has struck out on a ball over his head.

By prattvillenolzfan

July 22, 2008 7:54 PM | Link to this

Not that this has anything to do with the Braves, but I don’t know what’s more annoying on the TV broadcasts; The JJ dude on Peachtree, or those incessant, stupid, grating Sonic commercials…….

OK…I’m done venting…Back to the Braves……

By flange1

July 22, 2008 7:54 PM | Link to this

DOB,

Do you think the Jon Rauch trade helps to set a price for Ohman? I know that 1 is a lefty and the other not, but Rauch is team controlled for another couple of years.

What kind of a prospect do you think the Braves could hope for in an Ohman trade?

By BravesFanInRockies

July 22, 2008 7:54 PM | Link to this

DonC,

That trade idea of yours may signal the triumph of hope over experience, but it’s a wonderful suggestion.

By bfan54

July 22, 2008 7:55 PM | Link to this

Nate at 2:53- You’ve said it all, brother!

By Jake

July 22, 2008 7:56 PM | Link to this

That’s three straight in the Blue uniforms. I guess they are getting use to them because they are wearing them again tonight.

By Boog's Hair

July 22, 2008 7:58 PM | Link to this

Lawrence, glad to know that you’ve got it all figured out. You must be very proud of yourself.

By Shaun

July 22, 2008 7:58 PM | Link to this

Interesting discussion going on on TV. Boog and Joe Simpson are discussion the Marlins’ attendance and why they can’t draw fans.

1993-1995 they ranked 5th, 5th and 8th (out of 14).

After the strike and after going 67-76 in 1995, they finished 10th out of 14.

In 1997, they were 5th of 14.

Since The Dismantling, they haven’t finished above 13th. So I think it’s clear that’s where the bitterness lies (and can you blame them?).

It would have been different if they would have traded away all that talent after the 1997 World Series and actually got a Hanley Ramirez or finished with at least a halfway decent record, I think things would have possibly been different.

But when you dismantle a World Series team and lose 108 games and 98 games the following two seasons, the franchise may never recover.

By fastasballs

July 22, 2008 7:59 PM | Link to this

Good work by Morton so far. He’s looking good.

With Infante back it will be interesting to see if we see an OF consisting of Blanco, Kotsay & Infante? I don’t see how the defense will that much worse considering the way Jeff has played this season & the offense can’t help but to be better.

By RedEyedAndBlue

July 22, 2008 8:00 PM | Link to this

Lawrence -

I’d be surprised if you find one person on this blog who is a Braves fan that agrees with your statements in re: Hampton. Imo, a $14 million contract is not about try, try, try to get in shape to help out your team. It’s about results. And past performance doesn’t require me as a Braves fan to cheer on a guy who hasn’t even put up stats for two seasons. I’ll cheer for the guy when he’s on the field, and until then he’s dead, expensive weight to this team.

By David O'Brien

July 22, 2008 8:02 PM | Link to this

I can’t believe Cox isn’t arguing that home-run call… oh, wait.

By Doc Holliday

July 22, 2008 8:07 PM | Link to this

Quick quick

bases loaded

nobody out

JF to bat

whats going to happen

By N9

July 22, 2008 8:08 PM | Link to this

ok close your eyes!! frenchy in another bases loaded at bat…im worried

By SaltyDawg

July 22, 2008 8:09 PM | Link to this

Pitcher is on the ropes and, of course, Frenchy comes up with the bases loaded and is quickly out one. Hey, at least he didn’t ground into a double play.

By Original Jon

July 22, 2008 8:09 PM | Link to this

Can anyone please tell me why the hell Frenchy is still up in the majors??? Please, anyone???

By keylargo

July 22, 2008 8:09 PM | Link to this

You guys are so tuff on Jeffie.

That’s only the fifth or sixth time this year he has struck out on a ball over his head.

By David O'Brien

July 22, 2008 8:09 PM | Link to this

That’s unbelievable, Francoeur striking out like that after he walks the bases loaded. UNN-believable.

By brent a.

July 22, 2008 8:09 PM | Link to this

better than a double-play …

By geauxbraves2000

July 22, 2008 8:10 PM | Link to this

Why is he still on this team? Anyone?

Geaux Braves!!

By Spicoli

July 22, 2008 8:10 PM | Link to this

Whoa, Jeff’s trying to get high.

By Doc Holliday

July 22, 2008 8:10 PM | Link to this

L O L

JF strikes out………………

Anybody surprised??????????

3 pitches!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Send that guy packing yesterday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

After 3 straight walk…………..he goes down on 3 pitches???????

he is a minor leaguer……….nothing else!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

By TN-MAN

July 22, 2008 8:10 PM | Link to this

WHY is the “Natural” on this team?

By flange1

July 22, 2008 8:10 PM | Link to this

three straight walks and Frenchy swings at 4 pitches in a row

Priceless!!

By Dan in NJ

July 22, 2008 8:10 PM | Link to this

JF. ROTFLMFAO. That was just sad. And the fact he is batting 6th is even much mo sadderer. lol

By Jeff321

July 22, 2008 8:11 PM | Link to this

OH WOW! The catcher basically stood up behind Frenchy a couple times and of course he struck out with the bases loaded and no one out.

How on earth can Cox defend batting him 6th or even at all? What a joke.

By J.J.. Cale

July 22, 2008 8:12 PM | Link to this

They call me the breeze…

By And That My Friends

July 22, 2008 8:12 PM | Link to this

Frenchy is a joke with bases loaded. Kelly is a head case. Kotsay, I’m not really down on him that much because he has had a few big hits this year.

And that my friends is why this team isn’t going anywhere!

By Yankee Dawg

July 22, 2008 8:12 PM | Link to this

Stinky French Cheese - Francouer, and Kelly who hits like his first name not his last Johnson, are the perfect snapshots of this season. No plate disicpline with bases loaded and no outs.

By Daybed Wagmoe

July 22, 2008 8:13 PM | Link to this

So, what exactly did Phil Wellman did Francouer? Forget the last at-bat and swing at anything?

By kirknga

July 22, 2008 8:13 PM | Link to this

Wow that was ugly!

I think McCann, Francoeur, and KJ just answered how they’ve developed so far and how the Braves have come to their record right now.

By IgCognito

July 22, 2008 8:13 PM | Link to this

And that is why this team is not a playoff team. Awful. Just darn awful.

By Steve

July 22, 2008 8:14 PM | Link to this

DOB- Jeff Francoeur worked hard in the off season and put on close to 20 pounds of muscle. Do you think his hitting problems are due to the extra muscle and slower bat speed?

By Mr. Enigma

July 22, 2008 8:14 PM | Link to this

Please dump Francoeur forever. He is a cancer on this team.

By Original Jon

July 22, 2008 8:14 PM | Link to this

That’s it, that right there is the reason the Braves will not do jack SH!T this year. Bases loaded and not a G*@DA@N OUT and the next 2 batters proceed to strike out and then a pop up. THIS TEAM SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By KC

July 22, 2008 8:15 PM | Link to this

Yeah, Francoeur looked pathetic there. He has no vertical strikezone recognition whatsoever.

By Scott from Fairburn

July 22, 2008 8:15 PM | Link to this

Ooohh, that hurt

By Doc Holliday

July 22, 2008 8:15 PM | Link to this

Hey Shaun what about that K to JF and KJ back to back after 3 straight walks to load the bases with nobody out………..

Quite a 2B and RF…………….

By TURTSNAP

July 22, 2008 8:16 PM | Link to this

Bases Loaded, nobody out…… Need I say more why the Braves suck this year????

By I was a teenage Francophile

July 22, 2008 8:16 PM | Link to this

That’s unbelievable, Francoeur striking out like that after he walks the bases loaded. UNN-believable.

On the contrary, it’s very believable. Haven’t you been watching the games all season?

Is it time to ponder which performance-enhancing drugs that the French one was forced to stop taking because of the new testing policies?

Hmmm…

By KC

July 22, 2008 8:17 PM | Link to this

The only silver lining to that bases-loaded situation is that VandenHurk is at 77 pitches through 4 innings. If they can keep making him work a bit, they should be able to get to him, or get the bullpen in fairly early.

By Del

July 22, 2008 8:17 PM | Link to this

DISSSSSSSSSSGUSTING !!!

By psr

July 22, 2008 8:17 PM | Link to this

No it wasn’t unbelievable at all. Sadly it’s what everyone watching Francoeur have come to expect. And that’s why bringing him back after three days at double A was a mistake.

By Couch Tater

July 22, 2008 8:17 PM | Link to this

The bases are loaded and Kotsay pops.I’m loaded and I’ll go pop a top.

By Mad Scientist

July 22, 2008 8:18 PM | Link to this

I hereby dub Jeff Francouer to be “The Pyrite Boy”

Note: Pyrite is also known as Fool’s Gold.

By Jake

July 22, 2008 8:18 PM | Link to this

At this point in his career I think Jeff could actually take a page from Blanco’s playbook. To be a rookie he show’s great patience and Confidence at the plate. Nothing Personal against Francoeur, but when Andruw was struggling this bad last year and had more years than him, Booby dropped him to 7th and never really moved him after the Teix trade. All Francoeur really had to do was put the ball in play. Needless to say a strikeout doesn’t accomplish anything. DOB Why do you think Jeff hasn’t been dropped down further and do you think that they will eventually do that? Since he has been back i’m curious to know what his average is and what he has hit with runners in scoring position.

By MBPelican

July 22, 2008 8:18 PM | Link to this

it was actually 4 pitches….he fouled off one of them…..

By jaglawyer

July 22, 2008 8:19 PM | Link to this

The odds on my lottery ticket are higher than Francouer’s average with the bases loaded

By geauxbraves2000

July 22, 2008 8:19 PM | Link to this

That’s unbelievable, Francoeur striking out like that after he walks the bases loaded. UNN-believable

Why is that so unbelievable. This is Francouer we are talking about. Actually if he got a hit or walk, then that’d be unbelievable.

Geaux Braves!!

By Eman

July 22, 2008 8:19 PM | Link to this

“Can anyone please tell me why the hell Frenchy is still up in the majors??? Please, anyone???”

because he can whine and cry like a baby till he gets his way.

There’s no way 2-3 games in the minors helps anyone get their swing back, i don’t care who they are

By Goat Horns

July 22, 2008 8:20 PM | Link to this

Wow!

That inning is a microcosm of the season.

I know there are a lot of KJ fans on the blog but in my opinion he is not a pressure player. I expect him to “choke” whenever he is in a pressure situation whether it be at bat or in the field.

He is definitely not someone you would want in a foxhole with you. He looks nervous in those situations (rather than determined). My only suprise was that he swung at strike three rather than taking a called third.

Frenchy’s strikeout is not his fault. He is totally overmatched both in the field and at the plate right now. He should not be on the major league roster. I blame that strikeout on Braves management. They need to grow a pair.

By fastasballs

July 22, 2008 8:21 PM | Link to this

Wow Frenchy really has found his swing since his stint in Mississippi, huh? Wren was wrong to send him out because he was almost there…………unreal.

I don’t even know why I get p** off when he strikes out at a pivotal moment. It’s happened so much I should be acustomed to it. At least it wasn’t a double play, although I wish it had & they would have at least manage to score 1 run.

By Firetheoldfool

July 22, 2008 8:21 PM | Link to this

As long as we have the old fool as manager we will have Francouer. SOS all year with the bases loaded. And we all knew it was going to happen.

By Bases Loaded Bungle

July 22, 2008 8:25 PM | Link to this

Braves are six games back. How many times this year has Frenchy come to the plate this year with the bases loaded and didn’t move a single runner? In all of those failed attempts, how many might have changed the outcome of the game had he delievered a few times?

Could it have meant 3 games? Four games? We could actually be 3 games back right now based solely on Frenchy’s failures this year with bases loaded.

Don’t think a weak link (or two) in the chain can completely change the complexion of the season?

By brent a.

July 22, 2008 8:27 PM | Link to this

There’s your season folks.

Bases-loaded, back-to-back K’s from “our future” and a pop-out from out stop-gap.

And then, the 2 out 3-run homer from the team that plays like we think we do.

(Uggla was struck out).

By ijonathan

July 22, 2008 8:27 PM | Link to this

Couple of observations…

1. The SportSouth radar gun has been reading high all year.

2. I wish our first baseman would hit meaningful home runs like that (consistently)

By TURTSNAP

July 22, 2008 8:28 PM | Link to this

And the Marlins suck… Not so much!

By Another Loss

July 22, 2008 8:28 PM | Link to this

BOOM

Game over!

By Bo

July 22, 2008 8:28 PM | Link to this

DOB You are right. Replay showed Cox spit on umpires right arm. Umpire is pointing to his arm in replay. Damn 3 to nothing.

By keylargo

July 22, 2008 8:29 PM | Link to this

BB, tell me how you feel about the Braves.

**The thrill is gone

The thrill is gone away

The thrill is gone baby

The thrill is gone away**

By I was a teenage Francophile

July 22, 2008 8:29 PM | Link to this

You can’t make this stuff up!

By Doc Holliday

July 22, 2008 8:29 PM | Link to this

you know who fault this is?

JF and KJ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Those 2 most go………….

cant they get a freakin hit????????????

they just kept the pressure on Morton and boooooommmmmmm game over…….

They wont score a run………now they are mad and they dont wanna win etc……….depressed………..

KJ go to the movies with JF and stop hurting the team.

By N9

July 22, 2008 8:29 PM | Link to this

FRANCOEUR GO SIT DOWN!

By champ

July 22, 2008 8:29 PM | Link to this

See the Braves aren’t making things that difficult. Bases loaded no outs, zero runs. Then in the bottom of the inning what do you know? Down 3-0.

By Random

July 22, 2008 8:29 PM | Link to this

How many outs will the furshlugginer umps require us to get this inning? Five? Six?

Called strike three — blown.

Caught stealing — blown.

And now, dang it, a 3 run homer.

B.S,

By A-ville Ranger

July 22, 2008 8:30 PM | Link to this

We load the bases and don’t score.They get 2 on same inning and blast a 3 run homer….that’s the season in microcosm

By geauxbraves2000

July 22, 2008 8:30 PM | Link to this

Had Uggla down 0-2 and couldn’t put him away. Those things tend to come back and bite you.

Geaux Braves!!

By JEB

July 22, 2008 8:32 PM | Link to this

And to think… Jeff said he didn’t need to go down to the minors to work things out … he could do it at this level.

I hope Bobby is watching this on TV in his office or club house. Maybe, he can get a better look at how WE are viewing JF right now.

By fastasballs

July 22, 2008 8:33 PM | Link to this

Tonight is the microcosm of the 2008 season. The hitters can’t come through in the clutch (same suspects, different night) & give the starter some breathing room. Very next inning, by trying to be too fine Morton grooves one & it’s 3-0 Marlins.

This one will end 5-1 or something to that effect, well if the game is a true copy of all the ones prior. Cox will give some post game comments about “We hit the ball hard, just right at people” “We’re not sellers, we’re buyers” “One bad pitch & it cost us” “Jeff had some good swings, damn near felt the breeze in the clubhouse” Well maybe not the last one….

By Del

July 22, 2008 8:33 PM | Link to this

And that is why Florida is on top of us. If they (ATL) don’t pull the trigger on a trade than you can basically predict what 2009 is going to be like.

By Jup 23 yatfor

July 22, 2008 8:34 PM | Link to this

If Frenchy was a “novalty,” he would be a whoopie cushion.

By geauxbraves2000

July 22, 2008 8:35 PM | Link to this

Oh brother, another 5 innings of offensive futility. Just like what I said last night, this team is maddening.

Come on Braves, lets go!!

Geaux Braves!!

By brent a.

July 22, 2008 8:35 PM | Link to this

The only silver lining to that bases-loaded situation is that VandenHurk is at 77 pitches through 4 innings. If they can keep making him work a bit, they should be able to get to him, or get the bullpen in fairly early.

Most teams get to him in the first 2-3 innings.

By RB

July 22, 2008 8:36 PM | Link to this

I’ve always been a Bobby Cox supporter. Even when he went to Toronto I felt he should have been managing here. Now the time has come for Bobby to retire. At a time where his talent shouts “SMALL BALL!!!” Bobby refuses to adapt to what’s needed. He has been great for Altlanta, and we’ll remember him always. Thanks Bobby for all you have done!!!

By Coach (Lets Go Braves In 2009)

July 22, 2008 8:36 PM | Link to this

Jeff Francoeur = Joe Charboneau.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Charboneau

By Doc Holliday

July 22, 2008 8:36 PM | Link to this

I bet braves wont score a run………..

I wouldnt get on base either if I was hitting in front of JF…….I would know I was gonna be left on base.

By I was a teenage Francophile

July 22, 2008 8:37 PM | Link to this

VandenHurk = Cy Young?

By N9

July 22, 2008 8:37 PM | Link to this

do you wonder why frenchy come to at bat bases loaded the most out of any brave??? due to his current position in lineup.. hes right behind 3 great [layers that get on base …chipper…tex…mccann ..these guys get on more than others and then frenchy bats..bad mgmt!!!!!!!

By SteelCav

July 22, 2008 8:38 PM | Link to this

Please Frank Wren, I’m beggin you. Borrow Chippers .30-06, take this team behind the shed and put them (and us) out of their misery, pronto! After seeing the French Maid pull off a great Dave Kingman impression, I’m ready to jump off the nearest cliff!!!!

By Drummerdad

July 22, 2008 8:38 PM | Link to this

2005: First mention I heard of “Baby Braves” was in the AJC by somebody writing captions for pictures. Not insinuating that it was you Dave. Hard for me to picture you using that nomenclature. I hate the name too.

I miss Mark Lemke. I loved his game, especially in the playoffs. I’ve seen a lot of Braves second basemen since 1966 and Mark is my favorite. Kelly ain’t there. He played left field when they brought him up with the others in ‘05. I know you can’t make herky-jerk decisions and expect to execute a plan, but I’d be interested in seeing him back in LF and play Prado at 2B. He runs the bases well, can hit for power, and his arm would probably be up to the task (at least as good as Corey Hart’s arm last week during a certain game!) Strikes me that these Braves just aren’t as mentally tough as their predecessors.

By Wally Cleaver

July 22, 2008 8:40 PM | Link to this

Dear Joe Simpson

The pitch to Ugla WAS low. The Braves were not robbed. There was not a second shooter on the grassy knoll.

Why do you have to whine, complain and second guess the umps during every single broadcast?

Instead, how about doing a little research during your down time and occasionally telling us something we don’t already know.

By Doc Holliday

July 22, 2008 8:40 PM | Link to this

Braves need somebody with balls making the calls……..after that K……….I would bench JF……………just for the heck of it.

By David O'Brien

July 22, 2008 8:41 PM | Link to this

Tavarez is up in the bullpen.

Fasten seat belts.

By uga-brave

July 22, 2008 8:41 PM | Link to this

DOB,

that fourth inning just summed up the braves first 100 games in a nutshell.

francoeur and johnson are killing this team. walk the bases loaded and he swings at the first pitch.

really tight strike zone behind the plate tonight.

bottom of the inning, morton looked like he had uggla struck out.

shocker, jacobs hits a homerun and then stares at it for 5 seconds. i was really hoping morton would of buzzed ross on the next pitch.

oh yeah, some guy named vanderhurk has a no hiiter through five innings.

fifth inning has not been a defensive highlight tape for macc.

By Chip

July 22, 2008 8:42 PM | Link to this

I was at the game on Sunday, seated behind the dugout, and though I blow hot and cold on Bobby Cox, I thought he got jobbed. The umpire behind home plate definitely escalated the argument. He (1) stepped out from behind the plate and took off his mask, (2)shook his finger at Cox, and (3) tossed Cox before Bobby could even get onto the field. It was odd, since any experienced baseball fan could see the ump was hotdogging it, and you just don’t see many umpires acting that way behind home plate. He was going to run Cox from the very first moment — his body language and attitude demonstrated that. What hasn’t been reported as much is that he also looked like he was trying to run Buddy Carlisle, but he refused to take the bait. (In fact, Carlisle stepped behind the umpire, looked down, and said some thing softly. He looked like a guy who knew exactly what was going on — the ump had it in for Cox.) The whole scene made no sense, other than to bug Bobby Cox. The game was out of hand, the Braves looked awful, and it seemed like the guy behind home plate just wanted to do something to tick Cox off. Frankly, I’m surprised the league hasn’t at least looked into it.

By Doc Holliday

July 22, 2008 8:42 PM | Link to this

We had that pitcher against the ropes………..no team………not even the nats would have gone without a run!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I want to explodeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

By Another Loss

July 22, 2008 8:44 PM | Link to this

AGAIN!

No hits through 5 innings. Since FM only got 2 hits last night, evidently we feel we must return the favor in kind, maybe only 1 hit or even none.

Thought it was a good blog. However playing like this makes it much easier it would seem.

By Jerald Holcombe

July 22, 2008 8:45 PM | Link to this

I don’t know about you guys, but I think that it would do Jeff a world of good to take his bat and, in full view of the cameras, start beating the hell out of every inanimate object in close proximity to him. Could be a great stress reliever, plus show us that he actually gives a crap. Of course, he’d probably miss the first few things he’d swing at.

By RedEyedAndBlue

July 22, 2008 8:46 PM | Link to this

shades of why Morton could be very, very good there. clutch strikeouts of two very good hitters keeps it a three-run game.

By David O'Brien

July 22, 2008 8:46 PM | Link to this

Stranger lines you rarely see: VandenHurk out of game after throwing five hitless innings with seven strikeouts and FIVE WALKS. 94 pitches, 52 strikes.

By Jake

July 22, 2008 8:47 PM | Link to this

Interesting point about all the RISP by Franncoeur and how that has impacted some wins and losses. I just want to know when they are gonna drop him in the order. He CANNOT be what protects Brian. If we could drop Andruw who had more years in the league (and even though he struggled still had some power)to 7th why can’t we do the same thing to Frenchy. By the way I feel sorry for Charlie. Had Uggla struck out and didn’t get the call. He didn’t get any runs in the top of the inning and well, story of their lives for Braves pitchers this year.

By David O'Brien

July 22, 2008 8:48 PM | Link to this

VandenHurk might have thrown a no-no … on a 170-pitch limit.

By Goat Horns

July 22, 2008 8:48 PM | Link to this

Morton is going to be a nice pitcher!

I like his “stuff”.

I like the looks of the upcoming young starters Jerjens, Campillo, Morton.

We don’t need to totally rebuild because we will have some starting pitchers.

By kirknga

July 22, 2008 8:49 PM | Link to this

Yeah! A Hit!

By Another Loss

July 22, 2008 8:50 PM | Link to this

WTH

Fredi took Cy Young out.

Of course he’d only thrown 94 pitches through 5 innings.

Way to go CJ as I type this, no hitter broken up.

C’mon now, let’s get a rally going. Even if that means letting Corkster PH for Stinky.

By Mark Teixeira's cup

July 22, 2008 8:50 PM | Link to this

Quit touching me!

By Jack G

July 22, 2008 8:51 PM | Link to this

Plenty of bloggers are disapointed and critical with Bobby, Terry, and Rogerbut you rarely offer any critisism of them. Are they off limits because you are trying to stay on their good side so they dont boot you out of the locker room and bar you from the players????? Lets have a blog and you can critize or praise them——-Just tell it like it is.

By Doc Holliday

July 22, 2008 8:52 PM | Link to this

Florida Marlins 3

Atlanta Popups 0

Middle of the 6tth

By N9

July 22, 2008 8:52 PM | Link to this

frenchy should not be the cleanup hitter for the three best hitters (chip,tex,mcann) hes the worst hitter at a critical spot in lineup.

By brent a.

July 22, 2008 8:56 PM | Link to this

Consider this:

the poor performance by Francoeur/Johnson/Kotsay with the bases loaded in the 4th had the effect of encouraging Teixeira and McCann to swing at bad pitches in their next at-bats.

That’s one of the side-effects of having so many sad-sack offensive performers in the line-up. It puts more pressure on the good performers. Not only do they not see as many good pitches (as evidenced by the back to back to back walks), but it also encourages them to swing at bad pitches because they feel like they’ve got to do something, because no one picks them up once they get on base.

This encourages the opposing pitchers to throw pitches just out the zone, and you get the pop-outs that you got from Tex and McCann in the 6th inning.

By Doc Holliday

July 22, 2008 8:56 PM | Link to this

What does Chipper Jones and a Queens bartender have in common?

By I was a teenage Francophile

July 22, 2008 8:57 PM | Link to this

(According to CBS Sportsline).

Jacobs salary = $395,000

Tex salary = $12,500,000

Is Tex worth 30 X more than Jacobs?

Think about it. You could have 30 Jacobs for what you pay 1 Tex!

By N9

July 22, 2008 8:58 PM | Link to this

THIS JUST IN:

Mike Hampton makes half of marlins payroll. hahaha

By A-ville Ranger

July 22, 2008 8:58 PM | Link to this

That’s why I won’t mind seeing Tex leave.His 2 homers in the blowout will look good when Boras makes a stat sheet.

In a situation like he just popped out to left on though, I’d as soon have a .240 hitting Mark Lemke type up there.

By Don

July 22, 2008 8:58 PM | Link to this

Shutout #10 on the way

By ernesto

July 22, 2008 8:59 PM | Link to this

The season long Braves’s problem

Batting order 1/ Out 2. escobar 2. chipper 4. early season out/meaningless stat guy 5. McCann 6. Out 7. Out 8. Kotsay (oft injured)/when he’s injured - auto out 9. Pitcher

Of course there are nights when someone steps up, but this is the usual M.O.

Very frustrating.

By Another Loss

July 22, 2008 9:00 PM | Link to this

About a possible rally, uh, uh, oh nevermind.

Seems Tex, Mac & you know who didn’t get the memo.

By Spicoli

July 22, 2008 9:00 PM | Link to this

Boog said Jeff smoked that one.

By Doc Holliday

July 22, 2008 9:00 PM | Link to this

What does Chipper Jones and a Queens bartender have in common?

He loves hanging around with a bunch losers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By Coach (Lets Go Braves In 2009)

July 22, 2008 9:02 PM | Link to this

Rick VandenHurk pitching five innings of no hit baseball.

391,500 contract.

The Atlanta Braves getting blanked by him.

PRICELESS.

By Wayne in Utah

July 22, 2008 9:02 PM | Link to this

Besides that mistake to Jacobs, Morton has looked pretty good. I see a bright future for the kid. I am in the south and watching on TV tonight, which I rarely get to do, and the kid’s ball really has a lot of movement on it. If he can just cut down on the walks.

I think after this game, there should be some serious consideration to sending Frenchy back down. Dude is snake-bit!

And what’s up with KJ? Someone said earlier, it looks like these guys have no fire.

DOB Any rumblings or rumors tonight?

By Logan23

July 22, 2008 9:03 PM | Link to this

Mississippi Braves beat this guy last Thursday behind Hanson. Maybe we should have called up Gorechi, Pope and Guzman. Contact wasn’t an issue with those guys.

By Steve from OH

July 22, 2008 9:04 PM | Link to this

Well, if you guys want some good news tonight, some guy named Ross Francis is pitching for Danville tonight. Thru 6 innings, the line is: 6IP, 0H, 0R, 2BB, 16(!)K

By Doc Holliday

July 22, 2008 9:06 PM | Link to this

N9

JF should not be in MLB…….he insults the game, his teammates and the fans.

By RedEyedAndBlue

July 22, 2008 9:10 PM | Link to this

aww noo another former brave comes to the plate….

By Sellers

July 22, 2008 9:11 PM | Link to this

Sellers! Sellers! Sellers! Sellers! Sellers! Sellers! Sellers! Sellers! Sellers! Sellers! Sellers! Sellers! Sellers! Sellers! Sellers! Sellers! Sellers! Sellers! Sellers! Sellers! Sellers! Sellers! Sellers! Sellers! Sellers! Sellers! Sellers! Sellers! Sellers! Sellers! Sellers! Sellers! Sellers! Sellers! Sellers!

By ArkyTech

July 22, 2008 9:16 PM | Link to this

A well-placed Kelly Johnson-Jeff Francoeur collision in right field may save our season!

By Doc Holliday

July 22, 2008 9:17 PM | Link to this

Wayne in Utah

Im surprised about your comment about KJs fire………..

Of course he has no fire…….he is not allowed……..they have to play the game as if they were on a job interview…….keeping it easy, nice, polite, no emotions, …….they are not playing baseball………….they are at work. Problem is they think they work in an office not on a baseball field.

By Braves never with JF in RF

July 22, 2008 9:17 PM | Link to this

God i can’t stand this team anymore

By Br549

July 22, 2008 9:17 PM | Link to this

To heck with offensive statistics! It’s situational hitting and situational at bats. Frenchy up with the bases loaded, strikeout, not a runner moved. Next time up he flies deep to right field. He flies deep to right field with the bases loaded and no one out, you get a run.

How exactly does that compute in the world of statistics to state exactly how badly Frenchy sucks?

By N9

July 22, 2008 9:19 PM | Link to this

* Doc Holliday*

do we blame all on him or the braves? he has never smelled triple AAA before. but yes he should not be in MLB and especially not after our three best hitters. he has killed our O

By Doc Holliday

July 22, 2008 9:19 PM | Link to this

KJ + JF+ Zman = 0 for 9 (5Ks)

Sad thing its that it is not amazing anymore……we are used to it already.

By David O'Brien

July 22, 2008 9:19 PM | Link to this

I agree: Peter Sellers, cinematic genius!

By Doc Holliday

July 22, 2008 9:22 PM | Link to this

What the hell is soriano in for???????

Has Cox sneaked into the dogout?

By Doc Holliday

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

Well……………its time to change the strategy to plan S

By Jimmy H.

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

DOB..

How in the heck does Bobby get suspended for a game when the HP umpire clearly started the argument by walking out toward Buddy Caryle when all Buddy did after the ball 4 call is turn and walk away? I also saw where Bobby could have spit on the HP umpire’s shoulder. If the HP umpire had not walked towards Buddy and instigated the whole argument Bobby probably wouldn’t have been out there in the first place. There seems to be too many umpires nowdays with a bigger ego than their chest protector that need to be taken down a notch or so and the HP umpire on Sunday needs to be suspended also. What’s your thoughts?

Good evening to all from Texas..

Jimmy H.

By Wayne in Utah

July 22, 2008 9:24 PM | Link to this

Nice throw Heap!

By AZBravoFan

July 22, 2008 9:27 PM | Link to this

The sad thing here is that by waiting until July 31st, or even the end of this road trip, the Braves will have to become sellers. If they had gone out and gotten a bat at the All-Star Break, while it might have been pricy, it would have given them a better chance to see if they could get back into it. I think we’ve seen now without a doubt that the team as it’s currently constructed can’t win consistently.

By Crabby Bill

July 22, 2008 9:27 PM | Link to this

This here sucker of a season is down to a soggy white stick.

By ernesto

July 22, 2008 9:27 PM | Link to this

With all the time they’re not spending on base they Bravos could form a band.

Chipper and the O-fers.

By Who Is Off Limits

July 22, 2008 9:28 PM | Link to this

Seriously, when you look at the young Braves position players, there is only one that I would declare off limits. McCann would be the only one I would not listen to offers for. “So you want Frenchy? Sack of balls and 4 bats!” “KJ? Got a guy who plays steady defense and can hit .275 steady without being streaky? We can deal if you do!” “Blanco, Prado, Brandon Jones, what ya got? We’ll listen!”

By Shamus Thacker

July 22, 2008 9:30 PM | Link to this

Baseball should come up with a skill-based handicapping system for hitters who can’t hit, like Stenchy. The Stenchman should be awarded 15 extra strikes, for a total of 18, during each at bat. He should be awarded first base on two balls instead of four. He should be awarded first base on any ball hit past the pitcher’s mound, and any foul ball hit past first or third. Any ball fouled straight back and over the screen is an automatic homer. Any ball hit over the actual outfield wall will be scored as 2 instead of 1. Crazy you say? No crazier than the DH.

By N9

July 22, 2008 9:31 PM | Link to this

seems like these days every opp starter has one hit us! why?

By uga-brave

July 22, 2008 9:32 PM | Link to this

arkytech,

funniest post of the night.

By TURTSNAP

July 22, 2008 9:33 PM | Link to this

K K K K K K K K K K

By beachcomber

July 22, 2008 9:33 PM | Link to this

Ashville Ranger - Agree partially with your 8:58 post. #24 don’t hit ‘em when they count.

Lemke (that’s .246 by the way) on the other hand always seemed to be able to put the ball in play with guys on - as opposed to our # 6 and 7 hitters - even a damned double play would have gotten us a run.

By Doc Holliday

July 22, 2008 9:34 PM | Link to this

What a sick team………….unreal.

By geauxbraves2000

July 22, 2008 9:35 PM | Link to this

Okay, so will the real Braves please stand up, either the Braves from last night, or the Braves from tonight.

Geaux Braves!!

By fastasballs

July 22, 2008 9:36 PM | Link to this

brent a.

Your 8:56 post was 100% right on the money. Never under estimate the power of one or two guys have to totally change the way the entire line up is pitched to, good or bad.

Think the opposing pitchers really care if they walk the bases loaded with Frenchy coming up? If they don’t, explain how he can manage to come up the bases loaded nearly twice as many times as anyone else on the team. Almost always he comes up after a walk.

These games just like tonight’s seem like carbon copies on one another. With the exception of a few games there have always been golden chances to score & once that is blown the rest of the game seems like a walk through.

By I was a teenage Francophile

July 22, 2008 9:36 PM | Link to this

Cool. It works out that Frenchy gets the last at bat.

Will it be a strike out? Or will Tex or McCann get on and Frenchy hits into a game ending DP?

What fun!!!

By Sellers

July 22, 2008 9:40 PM | Link to this

And I was afraid it would slip by without anyone catching it. Yes, he was brilliant! Perhaps my favorite work of his was “Being There.” I know others would differ, especially with all the other classics like “Dr. Strangelove” and the “Pink Panther” movies, but “Being There,” was nothing short of amazing.

I miss him and the humor he brought to the world.

By Yokohama Daze

July 22, 2008 9:40 PM | Link to this

One hit through eight tonight, and against Rick VandenHurk, who I suspect will never be confused with Nolan Ryan- or Joaquin Andujar, for that matter.

That’s gotta be a sign that this just isn’t the year for us. Hope Frank Wren has his pencils (and wits) sharpened and ready to go in the next six days.

Hey DOB, have you tried the Pig ‘n’ Chik on Roswell Road? Fab pulled pork BBQ sandwiches. First place I went after getting home from two years in argh India.

By southbeachdietfreak

July 22, 2008 9:42 PM | Link to this

Let JF go screw himself into the ground swinging at a pitch 2 miles out of the strike zone somewhere else!

On a brighter note, I’m watching the Breakfast Club. Great classic.

By James

July 22, 2008 9:43 PM | Link to this

I don’t think i’ve seen a team that is more inconsistent.

By Coach (Lets Go Braves In 2009)

July 22, 2008 9:45 PM | Link to this

Difficult????????

Difficult to watch.

By Couch Tater

July 22, 2008 9:46 PM | Link to this

Do you like vineger based sauce or ketchup based sauce?

By Mike Hampton's vajayjay

July 22, 2008 9:46 PM | Link to this

Chin up, Braves fans! I’m on my way back. For real this time. And we’re gonna turn this season around. For real this time!

By Greg

July 22, 2008 9:46 PM | Link to this

I now realize what Francouer’s ploblem is: He’s really quite stupid. It’s one thing to strike out once on an eye level fastball. But it’s another to do it twice in the same game and the second time with bases loaded.

By Doc Holliday

July 22, 2008 9:47 PM | Link to this

Baseball is a wise game …………its like nature………..

JF ending the game on a popup……….

Atlanta Popups end the game on a popup to 1B.

By Another Loss

July 22, 2008 9:47 PM | Link to this

How fitting. JF makes final out on the 1st pitch.

Now 7 games out.

What’s left to say?

Uncle!

Uncle!

Uncle!

Uncle!

Uncle!

Uncle!

By I was a teenage Francophile

July 22, 2008 9:48 PM | Link to this

Frenchy = .231

Norton = .231 (full season)

Frenchy = Norton!!!

By fastasballs

July 22, 2008 9:48 PM | Link to this

Yet another disturbing display from our esteemed team.

Smoltz should have handed Franchy a sand wedge prior to that last at bat, it would have been of more use.

By Chop Chop

July 22, 2008 9:48 PM | Link to this

geauxbraves2000,

Is it really that difficult to figure this team out? Nah. Tonight’s Braves are the “real” Braves. We’ve seen the “real” Braves a lot this year. They find many ways to lose ballgames.

By Yokohama Daze

July 22, 2008 9:51 PM | Link to this

And Jeff “The Betrayed” Francoer goes quietly into that dark night after swinging at the first pitch yet again.

A fitting end, a fitting image of the season.

By Scott from Fairburn

July 22, 2008 9:51 PM | Link to this

Folks, we deserve a better product than this

By uga-brave

July 22, 2008 9:52 PM | Link to this

well at least francoeur saved kelly from a 0-4.

pretty safe to say frank wren under estimated the power in this lineup.

anyone else think 25 more home runs at this point might of made a difference?

By Mike Hampton's vajayjay

July 22, 2008 9:53 PM | Link to this

Serious question: can we trade Frenchy? Would any team be interested in a package deal including him?

By Chad

July 22, 2008 9:53 PM | Link to this

Why must Braves make this so easy, so fast, so, so, so depressing. I, I, I can’t take it anymore. Please, please Mr. Wren make it stop, make it better, make it go away; this wretched baseball, play.

By JJMB

July 22, 2008 9:58 PM | Link to this

Sellers was at his twisted best in “Lolita.” Damn, I hate it when the geniuses die young.

What a crap season.

By Now It's Obvious

July 22, 2008 9:58 PM | Link to this

Frenchy: Good looking, athletic, folk hero, golden boy, chosen one, ex-football star and most importantly MENTAL MIDGET! Having Einstein’s IQ to play baseball isn’t necessary, but you can’t be a complete idiot either!

By N9

July 22, 2008 9:59 PM | Link to this

frenchy=norton…OUCH

.231

By N9

July 22, 2008 10:00 PM | Link to this

frenchy=A JONES… more OUCH

By lilman

July 22, 2008 10:00 PM | Link to this

Royce Ring needs to be on that bus out of town with Frenchy and the gang.

By lilman

July 22, 2008 10:00 PM | Link to this

Royce Ring needs to be on that bus out of town with Frenchy and the gang.

By Chad

July 22, 2008 10:01 PM | Link to this

Can we trade Hampton while he is healthy? I don’t care who you are (even you Hampton), that’s funny.

By Shamus Thacker

July 22, 2008 10:04 PM | Link to this

By Mike Hampton’s vajayjay: Serious question: can we trade Frenchy? Would any team be interested in a package deal including him?

Serious answer; yes we can. Want Andruw back?

By N9

July 22, 2008 10:04 PM | Link to this

phils score 5 runs in 9th to steal santana’s win. Do the one hit braves have abilities to do that? one answer: sell!

By Yokohama Daze

July 22, 2008 10:05 PM | Link to this

Coach Tater,

Partial to vinegar-based myself, but mixing some with the tomato-based sauce at Pig ‘n’ Chik….Awww, man, why do I always end up living thousands of miles from home?!?!

Mixing may be sacrilege to some, but it sure does taste good at PnC, especially with a little Brunswick stew and coleslaw on the side. SIGH

By uga-brave

July 22, 2008 10:06 PM | Link to this

the braves actually take the fun out of watching baseball tonight.

good thing the OFFICE is on back to back at 10 on tbs. maybe tbs might of known something when they dumped the braves.

By Serge

July 22, 2008 10:07 PM | Link to this

I wonder if Wren is considering sending Franc back down for 3 more days cause those 3 days with Wellman sure didnt do one bit of help

By southbeachdietfreak

July 22, 2008 10:07 PM | Link to this

My condolences to those with MLB Extra Innings

By Hoops

July 22, 2008 10:07 PM | Link to this

Get something for Tex and TRADE/DUMP Francoeur too! Once again I say this - He is not INTELLIGENT enough to be a reliable productive player in this league. An average pitcher can easily pitch to his obvious weaknesses and he is not intelligent enough to make the necessary adjustments - period! Talent got him this far, his brains or lack thereof will take him no further.

By Jake

July 22, 2008 10:09 PM | Link to this

Whoa, that Phillies-Mets game just took a wicked flip in the 9th…….. not that it matters in which way to the Braves since they lost. Phillies score 6 and now lead 8 to 5.

By Chad

July 22, 2008 10:17 PM | Link to this

Terence Moore: Braves still have a chance

Terence, what you smokin Bro? You got to come back with another article tomorrow and wipe that one off, quick.

I think it’s time for all of us to admit the joy ride is over. It was fun while it lasted; back in the day.

By Jake

July 22, 2008 10:17 PM | Link to this

Hey N9, unfortunately Frenchy doesn’t equal AJ. He is even worse. If you compare him to Andruw’s Numbers last year Andruw still had more power and would still hit a homerun every now and then. Besides he defense never suffered. If you go even further and compare him with Andruw’s third full season in the league, well he hit .275 with 35HR, but he did strike out 103 times, but I think I would take that right now.

By Doc Holliday

July 22, 2008 10:18 PM | Link to this

Hey SNOOPY69 you can come in and blog with us……..today is free………its blown save night……….everything is on the house………..

I hope you are enjoying the breeze in 1st place…..ooppss, you are not in 1st anymore………….sorry……. I have to admit one thing…….your muts sure are classy……they always find a way to lose with clASS.

By Jake

July 22, 2008 10:18 PM | Link to this

Hey N9, unfortunately Frenchy doesn’t equal AJ. He is even worse. If you compare him to Andruw’s Numbers last year Andruw still had more power and would still hit a homerun every now and then. Besides his defense never suffered. If you go even further and compare him with Andruw’s third full season in the league, well he hit .275 with 35HR, but he did strike out 103 times, but I think I would take that right now.

By BravesFanInRockies

July 22, 2008 10:20 PM | Link to this

uga-brave,

25 HR would have made a difference. Heck, 5 well-timed HR might have made a difference.

By Scott from Fairburn

July 22, 2008 10:20 PM | Link to this

I don’t think too many companies will be knocking down the door to align themselves with the Frenchy brand this off-season … hopefully he will focus on being a baseball player and not his Q score this winter

By Shamus Thacker

July 22, 2008 10:21 PM | Link to this

I liked the poster whose name was something like, “Greg Norton Is Still Batting .231.” You should do one on Stenchy! I thought the Norton ones were funny as Hell.

Scientists predict Atom smasher could cause black hole engulfing earth

BUT, Francine’s Stench Level is above .000.

By SRF

July 22, 2008 10:23 PM | Link to this

SELL ! SELL !! SELL !!!

By Mike Hampton's vajayjay

July 22, 2008 10:24 PM | Link to this

Shamus

At this point….YES.

By Doc Holliday

July 22, 2008 10:26 PM | Link to this

Rollins sure showed Beltran tonight which is the team to beat………….

Sorry SNOOPY69

Maybe next year.

By southbeachdietfreak

July 22, 2008 10:26 PM | Link to this

5 runs by the Phils??? That’s more than the Braves score in a week!

By Larry

July 22, 2008 10:28 PM | Link to this

Can somebody please tell Jeff Francouer how to play this game? He is clearly a case of someone whose gotten by strictly on his talent, but not on his brains!! Florida’s pitcher had just walked the bases loaded and brainless Francouer comes up and swings at the first pitch!! Then he proceeds to swing at pitches that the catcher had to stand up to catch!!! How can Cox keep playing him after tonight? It’s clear that the major league pitchers have his number, just like they have Andreu Jones’ number. Until Francoeur develops some brains and discipline, he should play in the minors!!!! The game tonight also summarizes the Braves whole season. Their inability to hit with men on base puts too much pressure on their pitching. Nobody can pitch if he knows he will lose by making one mistake!! All those years of being owned by Crime (W*******)ner has taken its toll. They are the real culprits and have single handedly destroyed what was once a great franchise!!!

By Mike Hampton's vajayjay

July 22, 2008 10:28 PM | Link to this

Someone with some e-talent needs to make one of these for the Braves: http://youtube.com/watch?v=OYvTxXAobls

I can think of plenty of horrifically comedic moments this season to use for the photos.

By kev

July 22, 2008 10:29 PM | Link to this

So…is it too late to ask for a refund for my MLB.tv account? I don’t think I want to watch any more games.

Mr. Wren, just sell Tex. It’s not like the line up is that much better with him in it anyway. I’d much rather have a AAA firstbaseman with a lot of heart and hustle than to see Mark “Mr. Robot” Teixera out there taking big swings and trotting to first like a buffoon every night.

By Wayne in Utah

July 22, 2008 10:29 PM | Link to this

Yoko Daze I don’t get as many chances as I would like to, due to my work schedule, but I love to do my own BBQ. I am not too choosy as to what I cook, but I love to create my own sauce, and I usually have some vinegar, mustard AND tomato sauce in it. Might be a no-no in the industry, but dang it tastes good!

Time to stick a fork in the Bravos, they are done! (and that coming from one of the most positive fans on this here blog!)

Miracles have happened before, but they are few and far between. Frenchy needs to go down for more than 3 days. We need an infusion of spit and vinegar (not BBQ) on this club.

I can’t see where keeping Tex will buy us anything, unless we can’t get a decent return, and I am not expecting an unrealistic return.

If we could get Brandon Wood (he is struggling at SLC this year) and another piece from Anaheim, go for it. Loney would be better, or even Kotchman, but the Angels never make that deal.

Ohman might bring a decent piece, and I can’t see the Braves keeping him with Gonzo here. The rest of the year is a time to try out some of 2009’s prospects… Medlen, Hanson (later in the year), Redmond, Chuckie James, Lillibridge, Perry, Gorecki, Brandon Jones, etc.

What say ye denizens?

By Lawrence

July 22, 2008 10:30 PM | Link to this

Hoops,Just tell me which team would like to trade for Francouer.This guy is done for.He does not have the mental capability to address his problems.The 4th. inning strikeout tonight cost his team tonight.It changed the whole complexion of the game.Swinging at 3 balls that high out of the strike zone shows stupidity.And its following him to right field also.Time to recall Matt Diaz and release this liability.Andruw Jones did it all year last season and now Francoeur.Get him out of there now and give someone else the job.Clueless players like him have no business on a Major League team.

By AJ 25

July 22, 2008 10:33 PM | Link to this

I have diabetes. I’m going to Mississippi for three days. That should fix everything

By Mike Hampton's vajayjay

July 22, 2008 10:33 PM | Link to this

how apropos is this little gem I stumbled on.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyd6CZEV6Sg

Heh. Foreshadowing at its finest.

By justafan

July 22, 2008 10:33 PM | Link to this

Just think what you got to be thankful for: Tomorrow Bobby will be Back. Hearssssssss Bobby!!!!

Management has got to be crazy to think this team could win!

SportSouth and their home boys and Katy make me sick. Everything that happens is against Braves or making excuse for players when the screw up.

Pray for Rain we have no Sain

By justafan

July 22, 2008 10:34 PM | Link to this

Just think what you got to be thankful for: Tomorrow Bobby will be Back. Hearssssssss Bobby!!!!

Management has got to be crazy to think this team could win!

SportSouth and their home boys and Katy make me sick. Everything that happens is against Braves or making excuse for players when they screw up.

Pray for Rain we have no Sain

By Shamus Thacker

July 22, 2008 10:34 PM | Link to this

I’m sure Wren’s phone has been flying off the hook since Hammy got “healthy.” LOL Dangling Hammy would be fishing with a bare hook.

By westy12

July 22, 2008 10:41 PM | Link to this

Frenchy’s baseball IQ is below the retardation line.

By BravesFanInRockies

July 22, 2008 10:45 PM | Link to this

Wayne,

Mustard is allowed under certain circumstances. There’s a pretty good rib joint out here in Rockies country — Rib City Grill (may be a chain) — that has what they call a “Carolina style” sauce with mustard. I’ve had some Low Country BBQ from SC that has a touch of mustard. Not my favorite, but hey, it’s hard to go wrong with smoked, charred flesh.

As for the Braves — I think Chuckie needs to come up for more than a cup of coffee in September. If he’s in the team’s plans for 2009 and he’s healthy now he deserves to show what he’s got.

I’d prefer they shut down Hanson pretty soon and not call him up. He’s about to match his career high in innings and you don’t want to risk the kid’s arm at this point in his career.

Same with Jair, say after Sept. 1. Start him once a week or less often than that . The kid may or may not be an ace but I see him giving you Hudson-like performance for a long time … if he stays healthy.

So if Hamp can pitch at all, put him in the rotation. Chuckie too. Return Charlie (and maybe even HoHo) to Richmond to work on his pitches. Go get ‘em next season.

Brandon Jones? Put him in RF for a few weeks, at least in a platoon, and see what he can do. Unless the Braves get another bat, of course.

By CPA

July 22, 2008 10:47 PM | Link to this

KC at 8:17—They got into the bullpen.

Dave(At Any Time), The rest of the nation—that follows baseball—has it figured out. Only a certain segment of the population that does not get it.

Is there EVER a pitch that is hit that is not either a “mistake”, “right over the plate” or “left up in the zone”??? Every one of these color guys describe EVERY hit under one of those categories. If you watch an entire game you will notice that a GREAT many pitches are pretty much, right over the plate or up in the zone but majority are not converted into hits. Am going to assume that MOST hits come off of pitches that don’t paint the black, low in the strike zone SO is it necessary to say most hits are off of less than perfect pitches??

By JJMB

July 22, 2008 10:52 PM | Link to this

Shamus Thacker, the CERN LHC (Large Hadron Collider) is safe. Hysteria about Black Hole formation is just that, hysteria. More info here If they’re wrong, we’re all going to die.

Francoeur on the other hand…..very dangerous.

By Mike Hampton

July 22, 2008 10:52 PM | Link to this

What’s the matter with you Sobby Bobbies ? Now that it means ablolutely dick,I’m ready to go.

I know most of you think I’m doing this just to annoy you.That’s not true,it’s not just to annoy you.I also want to annoy management as well.

Why would I want to annoy and embarrass Bobby Cox ? Sure he’s stood behind me longer than any rational person would have.

See that’s what really bugs me. By sticking by his players longer than makes sense.He reminds me of what a weasel I am .

By N9

July 22, 2008 10:53 PM | Link to this

i bet you hampton will pitch 2 weeks in meaningless september games so he can try to get a contract for next year, and then promply sit out anotheryear and watch his stocks online.

By TennesseePaul

July 22, 2008 10:54 PM | Link to this

Interesting topic DOB. I know this was written prior to tonight’s loss, but it didn’t matter. The Braves really haven’t made this difficult. If Frank Wren is waffling on his decision making on a game by game basis he’d be just as bad as some of the suggested moves on this blog, made on a game by game basis. He should be shopping Teixeira and Ohman and maybe any other piece he sees fit. Whatever would offer the best results for next year. I understand the trading of Teixeira isn’t going to be easy. He really hasn’t had the typical Scott Boras walk year, but neither had Beltran at the time of his trade. Beltran didn’t really shine until the post season. Perhaps that’s the angle he should be marketing. Teixeira has excellent second half numbers he could go nuts in a post season setting. But, on the other side of this, it could be best to take the draft picks if the offers really don’t help this team in the long run.

By N8

July 22, 2008 10:54 PM | Link to this

I was at my parents house for dinner tonight. Thank goodness it’s “free preview” week for those without the Extra Innings package. Otherwise I would have missed the 4th inning, that pretty much sums up this season in a nutshell.

Top of 4th, bases loaded NOBODY out, and the Braves score zero, zilch, nothing, nada, squat, diddly, jack-sh!t, zip.

Bottom of the 4th with 2 outs, Morton can’t put Uggly away, and then Mike Jacobs goes all Bret Myers (Boom……outa here!), on Mortons back end.

Like I said. Season in a nutshell. It’s not even worth discussing the fact that the Braves got only 1 frickin hit.

I’m sure prospective trade partners are salivating over the chance to trade for a 1B that can’t muster any offense for his team in a do or die situation, but has enough energy to pizz and moan about a foul ball.

Classic to say the least.

Royce Ring. Hmmm. I wonder why the Padres (you know….the pitching “rich” Padres), didn’t want him.

By Flustered Fan

July 22, 2008 10:56 PM | Link to this

Good point, Larry. But I think that the ownership got even worse when Liberty Media took over. I keep wondering why in the world don’t some rich local businessmen don’t get up some kind of scheme to buy the Braves and make them good again??? Also, talking about “Stenchy”, Cox’s consistent habit of starting him just validates his imcompetetance as a manager. As long as the Braves are owned by Liberty Media and as long as Cox is there, the Braves are just going to get worse. Hell, they have the passion of a eunuch(a man with no scrote). The Braves that we used to know are no more, unless some changes are made top to bottom.

By bravos2249

July 22, 2008 10:56 PM | Link to this

he poor performance by Francoeur/Johnson/Kotsay with the bases loaded in the 4th had the effect of encouraging Teixeira and McCann to swing at bad pitches in their next at-bats.

brent a…exactly whenever others prove they can’t do $%(&…it makes the others pressured….you could argue the same when Tex has frigging Frenchy batting behind him with RISP.

justafan

don’t know what post game you where watching but Joe and Jon both said guys besides Chipper/Tex/Mac need to step up…..that’s not an excuse it’s called the TRUTH…

By Greg O.

July 22, 2008 10:56 PM | Link to this

Anybody see that the Braves’ 12th round pick in this year’s draft, Ross Francis, threw six no-hit innings at Danville tonight? He struck out 16 in six innings before handing it off to the bullpen. The reliever threw a clean inning and the game was called due to rain after seven. A no-no nonetheless. Here’s the batter-by-batter recap

By SoWeGa Fanatic

July 22, 2008 10:57 PM | Link to this

Those Mutts are more fun to watch than our Braves. They should patent “the choke”.

By Mike Hampton's vajayjay

July 22, 2008 11:03 PM | Link to this

Another thing. I haaaaate how Jon and Joe always find something good to say when Frenchy is up there absolutely hacking at the ball.

If I hear “He really smoked that one….but it was right to the (insert position player here)” or “he really smacked that one…but it was foul” or “BIG swing” “good swing” “good looking swing” “good looking stance” or any variation thereof many more times I may shoot my television a la Elvis.

If I was a commentator I’d be saying “What in hell is he doing!?” and “Ugliest swing I’ve seen since little league!” or “Did Jeffy lose his contact?” and “how ‘bout that 3 day trip to AA ball?!”

By Mano a Mano

July 22, 2008 11:04 PM | Link to this

Someone earlier suggested Ross be knocked down after Jacobs “stared” at his home run. When was the last time or EVER that a pitcher for GUTLESS Bobby buzzed anyone?? And I’m not talking about head hunting that I despise, but just an inside pitch at the belt to say “that was unacceptable”. Bobby seems to be “tough” with only a “select” group of the population. Course easier to get away with garbage with those you can BEAT UP.

By LT-AA Blogger

July 22, 2008 11:04 PM | Link to this

Yep, this team is officially bad, and officially done, and I’ve officially given up on the season. I don’t see any hope for next year either (aside from a potentially good young rotation).

Next year, we are only solid at catcher, short stop, and third base (though Chipper will be one year older). The other five positions are huge ?s in my mind. 1st base who knows what, 2nd base mediocre KJ, and the entire outfield an absolute joke. I’m not trying to be pessimistic or outraged or what. I just don’t see this team competing sans whole sale changes in the outfield.

By fastasballs

July 22, 2008 11:05 PM | Link to this

There is no way Frenchy gets traded, at least not for a while. There’s too much invested in this kid. If he were KJ or another prospect then I can see it, but the Braves have hyped that kid up so much they are stuck with him. There would be some serious backlash if he’s traded, IMO.

Wren made a fiasco out of sending him down or this wouldn’t even be an issue right now. He would still be in Mississippi where he belongs. Between Frenchy’s mouth & Wren deciding to bring him back in three days things are spiraling downward.

We’ll never know if Wren was “pressured” to bring him back up or if it was his decision alone to make. Regardless by bringing him back after 3 games the Braves have made a huge mistake. The entire objective was to get him straight so he could come back strong. This year shouldn’t have even been an issue, it’s the future where he’s concerned.

Being sent down was almost being treated like he was taking a cruise. I can’t recall if the Braves said he would be back after 10 days/games or if that’s something Jeff came up with. It didn’t seem to matter if he improved or not because he was coming back shortly. Jeff had decided he didn’t need any fixing & the Braves validated his opinion by bringing him back so soon.

I know there was an injury & an outfielder was needed, but there are always other options & they were not explored for whatever reason.

Half the time it seems Cox is pulling the strings even off the field. Bringing Jeff back that fast has all the marking of what Cox would want. He never gives up on these guys, which is why he’s so loved by the players, but also it’s why players such as Frenchy & Andruw are left in positions to continue to hurt the team.

It seems anymore the Braves lose sight of the future because they are still clinging to the past. I really don’t think this team is going to move on until Cox retires.

By tiger7_88

July 22, 2008 11:06 PM | Link to this

After every Francoeur at-bat, I hear this sound in my head…

Pratfall!

DOB: I heard around the water cooler at the office (and where else would anyone get their most accurate information) that the decision to bring Frenchy back up from the minor by Wren was because Wren was “convinced” to do so by others with more time-in-service with the organization (both in the dugout and higher in the front office)? Can you affirm or deny my SCOOP!!!

By N9

July 22, 2008 11:06 PM | Link to this

i bet you hampton will pitch 2 weeks in meaningless september games so he can try to get a contract for next year, and then promply sit out anotheryear and watch his stocks online.

By Steve from OH

July 22, 2008 11:07 PM | Link to this

Hmm. Braves win 4-0 yesterday. Braves lose 4-0 today, record 1 hit? Who is at fault, you ask? The answer of course, is Chino Cadahia. Fire Chino! Fire Chino! (Insert sound of pants being stretched too far)

By vic

July 22, 2008 11:11 PM | Link to this

Call up JOSH ANDERSON and send Viva La Frenchy to Richmond.

By Flustered Fan

July 22, 2008 11:12 PM | Link to this

Ever notice that no matter how bad another team is playing, when they play the Braves, they look awfully damn good!!!

By N8

July 22, 2008 11:14 PM | Link to this

* Flustered Fan*

“Good point, Larry. But I think that the ownership got even worse when Liberty Media took over. I keep wondering why in the world don’t some rich local businessmen don’t get up some kind of scheme to buy the Braves and make them good again???”

For one. LM approved the acquisition of Tex last year. That took some cash.

They “allowed” 8 million dollars to be given to Glavine this past off-season.

Not sure what you mean by ownership getting worse since they’ve taken over. In fact, there’s actually a chance (nobody really knows), that they’ll allow payroll to be raised after the season.

The “transferred” ownership of the Braves for tax break purposes, but have stated publicly that they might not “dump” the Braves when the tax laws say they can. They have made mention that they realize having the team winning and selling tickets (and merchandise), only raises the value of the team for when the DO decide to sell.

Besides. Art Blank WANTED to buy the Braves. Time Warner wasn’t interested in selling to him. They wanted to “sell” to LM for the tax break.

In case you haven’t noticed, Mark Cuban has literally been begging to buy the Cubs, but they (along with MLB), have zero interest in Cuban owning a baseball team in this league.

So until the “sellers” are willing to open up bidding to anybody capable of actually buying them, it’s kind of hard for a “rich local businessman” to buy them.

Maybe “Bugsy” will walk up to the main offices of LM and TELL them he’s buying the team, like he did with his house. That’s how it works, right?

By Mike Hampton's Offshore Bank Account

July 22, 2008 11:18 PM | Link to this

By fastasballs

July 22, 2008 9:48 PM |

Yet another disturbing display from our esteemed team.

“Smoltz should have handed Franchy a sand wedge prior to that last at bat, it would have been of more use. “

Correction, Smoltzie should have shoved a sand wedge up Frenchy’s a* prior to that last at bat

By Couch Tater

July 22, 2008 11:20 PM | Link to this

Yokohama@10:05

I’m partial to vinegar,but usually with any sauce on the side. If the meat is cooked correctly,I don’t want the sauce to cover the flavor.

Skewer dim skrimps and throw um on the hibachi!

By SoWeGa Fanatic

July 22, 2008 11:22 PM | Link to this

If I was a commentator I’d be saying “What in hell is he doing!?” and “Ugliest swing I’ve seen since little league!” or “Did Jeffy lose his contact?” and “how ‘bout that 3 day trip to AA ball?!” And that explains why you are not a commentator.

By Yokohama Daze

July 22, 2008 11:24 PM | Link to this

Wayne and RockiesBrave Low country BBQ (mustard based) is great stuff, depending on how it’s served. Hey, I’ll admit to liking brisket as well, while I’m at it, although pulled pork BBQ sandwiches will always have a special place in my heart. Sadly, none to be had here in Japan, although you can now get a darned good burger here, which wasn’t always the case.

I’m amazed at the vitriol directed at Francouer, btw. Yeah, he needs to be sat down and told that he’d better learn to play the game right, and lay off building the brand image until he’s really established himself, but it’d be foolish to jettison a 24yr old with that much talent. Some folks on the blog seem to have conveniently forgotten how young he is. What he really needs is to be sent down until he learns the strike zone, and then brought to spring training with no guarantees that he’ll simply be given the RF job out of spring training, unless he shows some discipline. It’s been a loooong time since he’s had to earn anything through pure hard work and results. Problem is that he thinks he’s a ten year vet, like Andruw, and should be accorded the right to a crappy season with no questions. Jeffrey, in case you’re listening in: you’re not there yet.

By Wayne in Utah

July 22, 2008 11:27 PM | Link to this

BravesfanintheRockies Some very good points: Any charred animal flesh with a good sauce usually meets with my approval. Hard to get good Q here in Utah though. I do like a little mustard in my sauce though.

Good points on Chuckie. I think he has become the forgotten man in our rotation. To be fair, when he was not injured, he has been a very capable 3/4 guy.

I am not sure that I would baby these young guys so much. I think back on the 60’s when I started watching baseball, and these guys were pitching a load more innings than they are going these days. I am not sure why guys can’t stay healthy in present day??? Could it be the ‘roid influence?

I am not opposed to extending JJJ’s rest in September, but that kind of conflicts with what I was just saying. I think these players are pretty soft in today’s generation (that is a generalization, not to implicate all pitchers).

Personally, I think Glavine is through. I have a feeling that his elbow is not going to hold up. To be honest, we don’t need him. He is really not that much better than JoJo or Morton right now.

Now, as for Mike Hampton. I have always been a Hampton supporter, but he is sure a puzzle. He was a real bull dog when healthy. I really don’t believe he is dogging it, but I can see where most think he is. I think it would be poetic justice if he comes back and pitches phenominal for the rest of the year.

Well, I have about worn out my welcome tonight. Gotta get to bed.

Dear Frank Wren, when I check in tomorrow evening, I want to hear about that Tex for Kemp and Loney trade!!! (heck throw in Infante, Prado, Ring, Soriano, and even Mike Hampton if necessary)

:-) (OK, I nominate myself for the “your and idiot” award for the night!)

By Flustered Fan

July 22, 2008 11:28 PM | Link to this

That whole ownership thing is kinda complicated, to me, Im just a redneck. but anywaysers, why is management so stuck on Cox?

By Wayne in Utah

July 22, 2008 11:29 PM | Link to this

Watching WNBA highlights on ESPN. Does anybody really care about this?

By David O'Brien

July 22, 2008 11:35 PM | Link to this

Uh, please disregard my lead sentence about how the Braves don’t make it easy to shovel dirt on them.

By bravos2249

July 22, 2008 11:39 PM | Link to this

*”Be patient, because you’ve got the pitcher where you want him,” Pendleton said. “You’ve got to be aggressive in the strike zone, make him throw you a strike.”

Kelly Johnson followed Francoeur by also striking out swinging, then Mark Kotsay popped out to end the frustrating inning.

Cox, serving a one-game suspension for excessive arguing in Sunday’s game against Washington, watched the game on television in the visiting manager’s office while bench coach Chino Cadahia served as interim manager.**

seems like TP is just as po’d at Jeff as anyone…Seriously Andruw was bad..but he wouldn’t swing at any of those pitches……

I thought when a manager was suspended they weren’t even allowed to stay in the clubhouse?

By David O'Brien

July 22, 2008 11:41 PM | Link to this

tiger7_88:DOB: I heard around the water cooler at the office…

Please, stop right there.

By Wayne in Utah

July 22, 2008 11:43 PM | Link to this

Going to see “The Dark Knight” tomorrow with my teenangel. Looking forward to it.

Nite folks… that Q talk tonight has gotten me hungry.

BTW, what are you food lovers thoughts on Zaxby’s Chicken in the southeast??? I am a big fan. Maybe I should get a franchise started in Utah.

By J.D.

July 22, 2008 11:43 PM | Link to this

vic yeah, that is what will solve our problems…yet another slap hitter who hits one home run a year…would really help our power outage in the outfield

By Mike

July 22, 2008 11:44 PM | Link to this

Season over. Another wasted year. Good team on paper, but too many injuries and no discipline. The Braves, as a team, have the worst approach to hitting I have ever seen at the big league level. The sad thing is, I don’t see them improving. They have had terrible at-bats all season long. They never seem like they are hungry enough. It’s like “oh well,I struck out, no big deal.” JF is a joke, and KJ isn’t much better at this point. Time to sell and see what we can get for the future. Sad, but it’s time.

By David O'Brien

July 22, 2008 11:44 PM | Link to this

Pulled pork … mmm

Vinegar-based Eastern Carolina BBQ … mmm

Bases loaded, none out, no runs … ugh.

By Couch Tater

July 22, 2008 11:46 PM | Link to this

DOB

The oil prices have caused a serious shortage of Spandex.Swimwear is smaller and more expensive this year.You may want to check with the “Living Section” to cover the crisis at the Miami Fashion Show this week.(since you are already there of course.)

The Braves will be the same old story.

By Andruw update

July 22, 2008 11:46 PM | Link to this

0-3 1K .163 avg

By uga-brave

July 22, 2008 11:48 PM | Link to this

fastballs,

the braves dont really have any BETTER options in right field, and that is an indictment of their high minor league system.

they really missed a cycle in their position player development.

they really got caught up in that home grown thing and doing it on the cheap.

what you’re seeing now is the manisfestation of those things. spin it any way you want, but a outfield of francoeur, kotsay, and diaz was a stretch to start with.

diaz and kotsay are better suited as fourth outfielders and francoeur is having a humbling season.

all this talk of trading him is stupid.

the guy needs to play winter ball so he can learn the strike zone.

he really reminds me of jermaine dye, both tall guys with long swings. takes guys like that a little longer to hone their skills.

that being said, until francoeur realizes he stinks he will not start getting better, i am not sure that he actually believes he is struggling.

By tvsportscaster

July 22, 2008 11:48 PM | Link to this

DOB, I noticed Kelly Johnson was man enough after the game to talk about the game, is Francoeur not man enough to take the heat from his putrid showing or did you guys not seek him out.

By BravesFanInRockies

July 22, 2008 11:50 PM | Link to this

Wayne,

Tom Verducci of Sports Illustrated has been pitching (heh) this theory that a young pitcher who throws 30 innings more than he did the previous year is a candidate for injury. He says attributes this to conditioning.

It sounds plausible. Remember too that during Leo’s heyday he didn’t want pitchers younger than 26 throwing more than 120 pitches in a game.

Today’s shrunken strike zone also makes that theory more credible. There seem to be a lot more “high stress” pitches now than in the day when the strike zone was from the armpits to the bottom of the kneecap.

Anyway, if the team’s going home in early October, I’d just as soon ease up a bit on the kids so they’ll be healthy in the future.

By Hydee

July 22, 2008 11:56 PM | Link to this

Ok this is not the most burning question but I am quite curious DOB (love this blog, by the way)-what are the odds of Tavarez staying on after Bennett comes off the DL? He seems to have turned into a rather reliable reliever (at least for the past week)

By uga-brave

July 22, 2008 11:58 PM | Link to this

DOB,

generation kill is as good as anything hbo has done. i heard that some of the actors are actually guys that served in that unit. fascinating stuff. kind of wish you could watch all seven of them in a row.

By Interested Observer

July 22, 2008 11:59 PM | Link to this

Mano A Mano

The last one I remember was Chris Hammond, and I believe he was acting on his own. I don’t remember what led up to it but needless to say there was some bad blood brewing. I remember Hammond came into the game, threw his warm-up pitches, then drilled the batter in the small of the back and started walking to the dugout before the umpire could react and toss him from the game. He earned my respect that day.

By BravesLover

July 23, 2008 12:00 AM | Link to this

We need a captain for this ship. In any other city but Atlanta not only would the fans be clammering for Cox job to go bye bye but management would be making noises about the record and level of play for the past three years not being acceptable. Our management glorifies less than mediocrity and stands behind the old man. Cox is not Joe Pa! He has no work ethic for himself or his team. Children shouldn’t run the house either. JF either goes down and learns to baseball the right way or he takes a hike. The Braves pay the salary the player keeps his mouth shut and becomes a man instead of a cry baby. We’ve lost leadership from the top. Used to be every major leaguer wanted to come play in Atlanta for the class and the winning. Now the team is in disarray from the top and I’m not hearing anyone say they are glad to come here.

By skip

July 23, 2008 12:03 AM | Link to this

DOB-this isn’t a burning question for anyone probably but me, but is there any chance Tavarez stays on after Bennett comes off the DL? He seems to be doing a nice job for you guys. Love this blog by the way, very fun how you follow along with the comments!

By BravesFanInRockies

July 23, 2008 12:05 AM | Link to this

uga,

If you’re right and Frenchy has a career path like JD’s I’ll eat my hat.

Their early career numbers are somewhat similar. JD did spend a good deal of time in the minors after being traded to KC and then had a breakthrough year at age 25.

I’d actually feel better about Frenchy’s career path if he did spend some time on the farm.

By kris

July 23, 2008 12:12 AM | Link to this

I’m so tired of this “buying vs selling” talk. fight to the end-damn it-make trades-get better regardless-they are not going to be better by trading Tex. Add an outfielder to the most pathetic outfield in baseball-I bet they could pull off 7 or 8 wins in a row if they got an outfielder who could hit with some power and everage-geez it aint rocket science

and don’t ever have kelly johnosn and francoer hit back to back again lol

By bravos2249

July 23, 2008 12:19 AM | Link to this

BravesFaninRockies

Jurrjens had inflammation last year and a shoulder strain the year before….which is one reason why he hasn’t pitch many innings before this year…..BUT he’s thrown almost 2000 pitches so that’s probably more than the past years…so IDK if something will happen to him but I think he’d have atleast some issues before now.

By kris

July 23, 2008 12:19 AM | Link to this

Francoer-69 strikeouts K Jonson-68 strikeouts Blanco-64 strikouts Tex-66 strikeouts (at least he get some rbis when we are down 10-2)

The most pathetic Braves hittin team i’ve seen in 15 years. These guys could not buy a clutch hit if it was auctioned on ebay for $1

By bravos2249

July 23, 2008 12:27 AM | Link to this

one thing is if a guy like Frenchy has those type years you don’t all of a sudden out of nowhere can’t hit to save your life……Andruw was decling it wasn’t a head on crash like Frenchy…but Andruw still hit and drove in runs..in the last 25 games Frenchy’s drove in a total of 2 runs that weren’t from a solo homer that he pulled

By Robert S

July 23, 2008 12:32 AM | Link to this

“Uh, please disregard my lead sentence about how the Braves don’t make it easy to shovel dirt on them.”

Yeah, and they just added a nice, thick layer of cement on top tonight.

I’m sure someone will think of a clever headstone.

By A-ville Ranger

July 23, 2008 12:33 AM | Link to this

TennesseePaul, What makes you think Boras has any interest in Tex being traded ? I’m not sure it matters at all to him.

I suppose he could think a high exposure trade to say, The Angels, might showcase him better for the remainder of the season.Perhaps get him some post-season air time as well.

By uga-brave

July 23, 2008 12:33 AM | Link to this

every manager has to be accountable at the end of the day, but to continue to lay all the blame on cox is ignorant.

besides our 3,4, and 5 hitters there is a serious lack of ability. couple that with smoltz, glavine, hampton, moylan, and soriano basically being non contributors all season and we are probably right where we should be.

cox did not get one hit tonight, he is not responsible for that thing we call an outfield. he is not responsible for poor baserunning or the lack of power.

those problems lay on the feet of the front office.

if you want to rail on someone, rail on wren and his wait and see approach.

he waited and he has seen the same thing for 100 games. suprisingly competitive pitching, considering the injuries, and a tepid offense that is dependent on production from three players.

if he would of done something about the outfield when kotsay went down in may it might of been different.

the braves have wasted a ton of quality starts.

By David

July 23, 2008 12:34 AM | Link to this

BRAVES SUCK! Take tonights game, its the story for 2008! Bases loaded and they can get a hit, a fly ball, no one knows how to bunt! hell they need to learn to bunt.

It doesn’t matter where they trade “TEX” or not, there have two top picks if he walks at the end of the year. No one is stepping up and making a difference…

ITS TIME FOR FOOTBALL! GO DAWGS!!!!!!!

By Mano a Mano

July 23, 2008 12:48 AM | Link to this

Interested Observer. That’s One.

By geauxbraves2000

July 23, 2008 12:50 AM | Link to this

I’m a cowboy, on a steel horse I ride, I’m wanted, dead or alive.

That’s for DOBs amusement. We all know how much he loves Bon Jovi.

Bad nite at the ball park. For the 53rd time. Oh well, win tomorrow and it’s a series win, continue winning 2 of 3 and you never know what might happen.

Nite All.

Geaux Braves!!

By Mike

July 23, 2008 12:55 AM | Link to this

If you think the Braves really have a slim hope of making this a pennant race, think again and consider this: If the Mets or phillies or even the Marlins play at their current winning percentage,. It will take 94 to 95 games to win the division. Then figure out how many of their remaining games the Braves will have to win to equal 94-95wins. They would have to play about .730 baseball. They can’t even play .500 baseball. It’s over—been over— start the trading!

By N8

July 23, 2008 12:57 AM | Link to this

“I’m sure someone will think of a clever headstone.”

See if you guys can catch the following reference.

“Here lies the 2008 Atlanta Braves…..and why not?”

By Canuckbravesfan

July 23, 2008 1:02 AM | Link to this

Both KJ and JF are lucky we don’t have a hot prospect for either of their positions at AAA or AA right now or they would both be on the pine. It may be time to see if Prado or Brandon Jones can do a better job than the incumbents. Playing every day for two weeks should be a good test. How do young players get a chance with other teams ???

By kris

July 23, 2008 1:02 AM | Link to this

Would it be so hard to have a team rule that when a Pitcher walks three guys in a row don’t swing until he throws a strike? How about a 10k fine if you swing at the first pitch in that situation? Would that be so hard?

scratching my head

By David O'Brien

July 23, 2008 1:02 AM | Link to this

I suppose he could think a high exposure trade to say, The Angels, might showcase him better for the remainder of the season.Perhaps get him some post-season air time as well.A-ville Ranger

I think it’s more likely he’d prefer Tex stay just where he’s at and keep piling up stats the rest of the season before free agency, in a place he’s comfortable, rather than have to make an adjustment to a new team in the last two months of the season.

His numbers will be there — already are — when free agency comes around. He doesn’t need to be “showcased” for anyone else at this point. He’s got in six seasons of big production. Boras will handle the rest.

By bravos2249

July 23, 2008 1:04 AM | Link to this

Kris Frenchy 22 BB 44rbi 9hr KJ 36 BB 39 rbi 8hr Blanco 42 BB 19 rbi 1hr Tex 60 BB 73 rbi 19 hr

Blowout or not SERIOUSLY & I may be mistaken but Tex hasn’t faced those pitchers he hit a homer off of so yeah.

And YES atleast he did hit unllike the REAL problems on the team

By Posted earlier

July 23, 2008 1:04 AM | Link to this

(According to CBS Sportsline).

Jacobs salary = $395,000

Tex salary = $12,500,000

Is Tex worth 30 X more than Jacobs?

Think about it. You could have 30 Jacobs for what you pay 1 Tex!

Tex is not worth it. Tex is not worth it. Tex is not worth it. Tex is not worth it. Tex is not worth it. Tex is not worth it. Tex is not worth it. Tex is not worth it. Tex is not worth it. Tex is not worth it. Tex is not worth it. Tex is not worth it. Tex is not worth it. Tex is not worth it. Tex is not worth it. Tex is not worth it. Tex is not worth it. Tex is not worth it. Tex is not worth it.

(get it?)

By David O'Brien

July 23, 2008 1:08 AM | Link to this

Skip, definitely a change Tavarez could stay. He’s pitched well every time out after that initial nightmare….

tvsportscaster: I waited as long as I could specifically for Francoeur, but deadlines call and I couldn’t wait any longer, had to go up and write my game story. Bowman waited another 10 minutes, but I haven’t read his story to see if he talked to Francoeur. Deadlines supercede all else in these instances, and Francoeur wasn’t out in the clubhouse eating the postgame spread with most of the rest of the team.

By Headstone

July 23, 2008 1:08 AM | Link to this

2008 Braves

Here they lie, broken-hearted

They had to hit, but only farted

RIP

By bravos2249

July 23, 2008 1:09 AM | Link to this

Orlando Hudson was injured tonight….foot don’t know how serious he had to be helped off the field and he couldn’t put weight in it..they just traded away the possible backup..I really like Conor Jackson…don’t know if he’s available but I say make a move…he can play LF and 1st

By TennesseePaul

July 23, 2008 1:13 AM | Link to this

A-Ville Ranger: What makes you think Boras has any interest in Tex being traded ?

Not sure where this is coming from? I didn’t say Boras had any say in the trade matter… He doesn’t. So his interests are moot. I was merely stating that Boras’s stars typically shine brightest in a contract year. And while Teixeira really hasn’t lit the place up yet, Wren could market the guy based on his second half history and the potential mega show he could offer in the post season.

By bravos2249

July 23, 2008 1:15 AM | Link to this

and how many people thought Jacobs would have these numbers?

how many people KNEW Tex is a 30-100 guy?

case in point…..

By N8

July 23, 2008 1:20 AM | Link to this

DOB

Your 1:02 post is more than likely right. But while Tex has 6 years of piling up good numbers, he also has 6 years of NOT making the playoffs.

If he were to get traded and CARRY a team (no….really….I’m serious), to and through the playoffs (see: Carlos Beltran), he might get a few more teams entering the bidding war, thus upping the price a little bit.

You can’t tell me that in Boras’ mind, “the more the merrier” when it comes to teams that he can pit against each other in a bidding war.

But, in general, without the playoff run, the “book” is out on Tex. Good and bad.

I’m quite sure you know where my headstone quote is from. Put your barbecue down and take a stab at it.

Just kidding. You can finish eating first.

By Mano a Mano

July 23, 2008 1:31 AM | Link to this

Always wanted to ask this question. Can you guys(and girls) pull for a team who is made up primarily of what you would consider not to be “good People”?? By “good peope” I mean would you want to have a drink, go out to dinner with them or just plain socialize—assuming they weren’t multi millionaires, but had the same personality characteristics that they do now as multi millionaires. I personally just can’t pull for the name on the front of the shirt if many of the names on the back are boorish, rude and just not “good people”. AND I’m not talking about any specific team.

By bravos2249

July 23, 2008 1:40 AM | Link to this

“We’re getting to that point now where every game seems that way,” right fielder Jeff Francoeur said when asked if Wednesday was a must-win. “Especially against teams like the Marlins and Phillies, we have to take two out of three and win the series.”

seriously??? some people shouldn’t make certain comments while hitting .231

By Jake

July 23, 2008 1:49 AM | Link to this

I think TP summed up Jeff’s problem as politely as he could. Ron Gant was very good at saying it. You just saw three guys get walked and you come up swinging at the first pitch. Yet he didn’t feel as though sending him down was warranted. He said he felt he was coming around when they did it. You said it Francoeur now prove it. Prove that they were wrong to send you down. Show us how Wellman helped you. It’s your third year, make the adjustment. You struck out twice on pitches that would never be a strike and in the same place. At least Johnson struck out on a pitch that appeared to be a strike(not to say thats good). Your aggresive, I get it like football. But Come on man, even in football being overagressive can kill. I mean to use the former football star Mike Vick as an example, defenders had to learn they could not over commit on him because he could outrun you so they made the adjustment and learned to hang back. If by some chance you’re reading this blog please, please make the adjustment to lay off the high pitch. Even if it means you miss some pitches to hit. Swallow your pride that was hurt when you went down to Mississippi and realize that you could have done something positive with that trip that would not have had you doing what you did tonight. Cause right now you have Frank Wren looking stupid not for sending you down there but for bringing you back up here.

By bravos2249

July 23, 2008 2:01 AM | Link to this

Tavarez has been good last 3 outings….don’t see him going down….maybe Frenchy?

probably not but it happened once….

By Moby Grape

July 23, 2008 2:12 AM | Link to this

Give me all the stats you want about Tex’s “clutch” numbers. I’ve watched enough games this year to know that he’s failed more often than not, when the team needed him to come through.N8

FCS H8 , of course he’s failed more often than not,everybody fails more often that not. It’s baseball… a 3o-33% success rate is considered outstanding.That includes clutch situations. Get a real idea huh instead of this emotional crap. Sheeesh!

By AZBravoFan

July 23, 2008 2:15 AM | Link to this

I wonder what would happen if they pulled the plug right now and dealt Ohman and Tex, and got a decent major league ready 1B in the process. (Youkilis would be a stretch but maybe not Conor Jackson) Suddenly the pressure would be off. Maybe you’d have some new, hungrier blood. Since “the plug is pulled” they might actually relax and start playing some ball. Maybe even put together a little winning streak…Hey, it’s still only 7 games with 2 full months to play….Remember a few years ago when the A’s were horrible and they cleaned house in mid-season then suddenly couldn’t lose? OK never mind….I’ll wake up now.

By Moby Grape

July 23, 2008 2:27 AM | Link to this

Steroids add bulk… Frenchy has never had that. He’s rail thin.CHC4

6’4” 230 lbs is hardly rail thin dude

By The Goche

July 23, 2008 2:27 AM | Link to this

“We’re getting to that point now where every game seems that way,” right fielder Jeff Francoeur said when asked if Wednesday was a must-win. “Especially against teams like the Marlins and Phillies, we have to take two out of three and win the series.”

*bravos2249 *

seriously??? some people shouldn’t make certain comments while hitting .231

so Francouer is hitting to badly to say that the situation is getting dim?

he didn’t call anyone out, all he said was they (he included) need to win more ballgames.

he wasn’t even asking for much, what he said is the absolute minimum they can do and not fall out of it further.

By BA

July 23, 2008 2:56 AM | Link to this

Call me stubborn, but I refuse to give up.

Despite the fact that Jeff Francoeur can’t hit Rafael Belliard’s weight.

Despite the daily reality dose from our Crusading Everyman.

Despite the fact that everybody in town appears to be ready to blow up our roster like some half rate Marlins/Padres type of ballclub.

I just can’t give up with sixty games to go in a crappy division.

By ed

July 23, 2008 3:03 AM | Link to this

I hate to say this, but Jeff Francouer=Brad Komminsk.

By Bobby's Cox

July 23, 2008 3:23 AM | Link to this

*Did anyone see Andruw Jones went 0 for 5 with 5 strikeouts vs. the Marlins just before the break? * Keylargo

Saw that game on TV here in LA.

The 5th K, believe it or not, was on a ball in the dirt. Although AJ struck out, he reached first when the “wild pitch” got away from the catcher.

By bravos2249

July 23, 2008 3:34 AM | Link to this

Goche

players that make comments about being pressed to win should be able to back it up with their bat.

he’s hit .205 vs the Phillies.

By Pardon My Frenchy

July 23, 2008 3:37 AM | Link to this

Anyone else recall McCann’s outrageously optimistic comments after Francoeur was recalled on how Frenchy was really going to rake after the break and practically carry the team?

I’m so glad I didn’t take that to the damn bank and cash it.

By Bobby's Cox

July 23, 2008 3:43 AM | Link to this

they really missed a cycle in their position player development.

they really got caught up in that home grown thing and doing it on the cheap. UGAbrave

BAM. You nailed it.

Can we see Prado start tomorrow?

By Bobby's Cox

July 23, 2008 3:58 AM | Link to this

I said it before & I’ll say it again:

What Wellman told Francoeur was not right. Wellman told Francoeur to remain aggressive.

A few weeks ago, we broke down Jeff’s swing and compared it to Vernon Wells. We saw that JF started his swing earlier yet finished at the same time. We saw Jeff get ahead of pitches so he could “catch up” to it.

Wellman telling Jeff to stay agressive, keep swinging, yada yada yada, while TP was trying to get him to change his swing, was not good for the kid. Jeff needs a new approach, plain and simple. This isn’t high school ball where you start your swing early to “catch up” to the pitch. You have to see the pitch first. Francoeur swings too early and ends up swinging at pitches 8 feet high. It’s a joke. If he can’t stay back on the ball and recognize pitches or adjust to a ball mid-pitch, he shouldn’t be a ML hitter. That’s what differentiates ML hitters from amateurs.

This is getting ridiculous. I’d rather see Anderson get a shot to play and have the braves resort to small ball, cuz I haven’t seen any power at all except from Tex in 15-5 games.

By gotigers72

July 23, 2008 3:59 AM | Link to this

I have finally figured out the reason for the Braves horrifically bad play lately. You’ve heard of the “Goat Curse” at Wrigley? Well could the Braves be suffering through a “Cow Curse” since that ugly monstrosity was put up at the Ted? What’s the Braves record since then? I don’t know the record, but I do know the play has been “udderly” atrocious. Sloppy fielding, poor pitching, lack of hitting, especially at the Ted. Think about it.

Someone with a mortar and the knowledge to use it, go out there in the darkness of night and put a round right between that big bovine’s eyes. Curse over, and brisket from the cow to be served at Pete and Skip’s BBQ for those of you so inclined to enjoy brisket. In my world, pig is king.

Oh that’s right. It’s a fake cow isn’t it? Forget about the brisket, but truly, let’s get rid of the cow. “Moove” it out of there.

By Stark Raving Mad

July 23, 2008 4:03 AM | Link to this

Unsung Braves built for October glory

By Jayson Stark ESPN.com

March 30, 2008

We take you back in time to the first week of March. The 2008 Grapefruit League was only a few days old. But a National League scout already had caught on to something that hadn’t yet dawned on the rest of the hemisphere.

He’d just returned from watching the new, improved Atlanta Braves. It didn’t take him long to make this important announcement:

“They’re back.”

And they are. Consider this a warning — to you and the rest of the National League East. They’re back.

It’s been 2½ years since the Braves last played a postseason game. It’s been 13 years since they won the only World Series of their 14-year rampage as division champions. It’s been 17 years since the Braves of John Smoltz, Tom Glavine, Steve Avery and Charlie Leibrandt made their first foray into October in the Bobby Cox-John Schuerholz era.

But it wouldn’t shock anybody — anybody — who has seen them this spring if this Braves team turns out to be as good as any of those teams. And by that we mean: The Braves — yeah, the Braves — are our pick to win the World Series.

Go ahead. Call us nuts. Start typing those e-mails lecturing us on why the Red Sox, Yankees, Indians, Tigers, Mets, Phillies, Cubs, Rockies, yada yada yada are better than this team. Maybe they are. All we know is, while 98 percent of the planet was busy obsessing on those clubs, the Atlanta Braves built themselves a tremendous team.

Everywhere we went this spring, we asked the same question: What team has opened your eyes? Everywhere we went, we heard the same answer: The Braves. Take a listen:

“People are wayyyy underestimating that club,” said one NL executive. “It’s amazing how far under the radar they’ve been. But you might think that till you see them play. Then you say, ‘Shoot, this team’s dangerous.’”

“I don’t think anybody should be looking forward to going into Atlanta this year and facing [Tim] Hudson, Smoltz and Glavine,” said Nationals manager Manny Acta. “And [Mike] Hampton, too. That’s a bunch of tough hombres to go up against. And as long as Bobby Cox is over there, I don’t think anybody should overlook that team.”

“They’re good,” said the voice of the Phillies, Jimmy Rollins. “They’ve got the swag back. There’s no doubt about that.”

Hey, funny he should mention that. The Braves, after all, have Rollins to thank, in part, for their exclusion from the NL East conversation. When he launched that raging who’s-the-team-to-beat debate last year with his good friends, the Mets, he did more to redirect the floodlights away from the 404 area code than any other living human.

Well, it was fun while it lasted — that Phillies-Mets talk. But even the man who kicked it off thinks people have been much too inclined to forget That Other Team.

“You know how people are,” Rollins said. “It’s refreshing to talk about something different. And we got to talk about two new teams after talking about the same team for 14 years. But no one’s forgotten about them. Just the light isn’t on them because they haven’t won the last couple of years.”

Nope. Sure haven’t. And that’s part of it. But it’s not as if they were going 65-97 the last two years, either. In fact, the Braves (163-161) actually won more games during those two seasons than the Cardinals, Cubs, White Sox or Brewers.

So let’s face it. What really has helped them stay out of that team-to-beat chatter is that the Braves just aren’t yappers. They don’t teach that Yapping 101 course at Robert Cox University, apparently.

“We’ve never been in that situation, where we’ve been able to do that,” said Smoltz, now in his 21st season of eligibility at this fine institution. “I mean, think about it. We won 14 years in a row. So what are we going to do — (say we’ll) add on? It was hard enough to win one in a row or two in a row. So if they want to talk, that’s fine.”

But to be honest, it wasn’t really that fine with every resident of Coxville. With a little intrepid reporting (alert the Pulitzer committee), we finally uncovered one Brave who admitted he couldn’t suppress his urge to speak up one minute longer.

“For a while,” said right fielder Jeff Francoeur, “you just want to be professional and stay out of it. But you know me, with my football mentality. After a couple of weeks of that (Phillies-Mets talk), it started getting to me a little bit. I wasn’t going to shoot out there and say we’re going to win the division. But I’ll say this: We’ve got a damn good team. … I think we’ve got the best team in this division, if we stay healthy.”

Uh-oh. Was that a brand-new war of words we just heard rise up out of the southland? Well, not exactly. Francoeur said this stuff so matter-of-factly, we’d be hard-pressed to call it a skirmish. Or a fray. Didn’t even feel like isolated sniper fire.

The fact is, no matter how much or how little they say, this edition of the Braves knows exactly what it is — a team that can play baseball with anybody.

“I really believe,” said catcher Brian McCann, “we’ve got every piece of the puzzle in place.”

So do they? Let’s break them down.

The lineup: Do they have enough offense? No question about that. The only teams in the league who scored more runs than they did last year (810) were two clubs that play in official hitters’ paradises — the Phillies and Rockies. But this year, even though the Braves will start five players 26 or younger, they should be even better — now that they’ll get a full season out of first-base mega-force Mark Teixeira.

Want to know how much that matters? After Teixeira showed up in the final two months of last season, the Braves’ batting average at first base went up 100 points (from .212 to .312), their slugging percentage went up 242 points (.363 to .605) and their OPS went up by a ridiculous 371 points (.633 to 1.004). My colleague, Keith Law, estimates a full season of Teixeira represents about a 60-run upgrade just at that one position. So this lineup has a chance to score as many runs as any team in the NL — the Phillies included.

The leather: Do they catch the ball? Yep, they do that, too. In last year’s defensive-efficiency ratings by the Hardball Times, the Braves led the National League in fielding plus-minus (plus-58 plays made that an average fielder doesn’t make) and outs made outside a fielder’s “zone” (454). And, for those who still might believe that Andruw Jones was single-handedly responsible for those ratings, they raked in the second-most infield outs (only two fewer than the Cardinals) outside the “zone.”

When healthy, John Smoltz, 40, is still among the most effective starters in the National League. True, the Braves have subtracted Jones and Edgar Renteria. But they’ll be replaced by Mark Kotsay and Yunel Escobar. And, given Teixeira’s Gold Glove abilities at first, it’s not a stretch to argue this team will be at least as good defensively now as last year, if not better overall.

The arms: Finally, can this team pitch? A year ago, even they knew they didn’t have enough pitching. The proof was that, halfway through the spring, they went out and signed a free-agent pitcher who was still sitting at home in March (Mark Redman) — and plugged him into the rotation the day he got off the plane.

For a team that not so long ago produced seven NL Cy Young winners in eight years, and finished first or second in the league in ERA 11 years in a row, that was the baseball equivalent of a billboard on the side of a highway, flashing this message:

You need more frigging pitching.

“We’ve talked about that the last two years,” said new GM Frank Wren, hand-picked successor to the legendary John Schuerholz. “John and I talked about it at length, that we had to get more pitching depth.”

So they did what they needed to do. Now we look up, just a year later, and here’s what we find:

They’ve added Tom Glavine (free agent), the electric Jair Jurrjens (centerpiece of the Renteria deal) and Mike Hampton (freed from captivity in the trainer’s room) to the rotation behind Smoltz and Hudson. That means they’re so deep in potential starters that Chuck James, Jo-Jo Reyes, Buddy Carlyle and Jeff Bennett — who combined for 23 wins and 62 starts last year — will start the season either in Triple-A or the bullpen.

And, with the addition of left-hander Will Ohman (trade) and 98-mph flameball launcher Chris Resop (waiver claim), they have so much bullpen depth that they had no room for Tyler Yates. That might not seem like a stop-the-presses development. But Yates (just traded to the Pirates) was such an integral bullpen cog last year, he finished second on the team in appearances (75) and struck out 69 in 66 innings.

“The feeling here last year was, we had to have our two studs, Smoltzie and Huddie, go and go big,” Francoeur said. “But the feeling this year is completely different. I think the feeling is, if Smoltzie misses a start or two this year, we’re covered. If Hampton needs a couple of starts off, or anybody, it’s OK now, because we have that depth to fill that in. Last year, if we didn’t have our two big guys going, we had to score six, seven, eight runs a game.”

We understand, of course, that the top four starters will all be 33 or older by midyear. And that by Memorial Day, Smoltz and Glavine will be 41 and 42, respectively.

We’re aware that Smoltz has had shoulder issues already (though he’ll miss just one start). And that Glavine went 0-3, 14.81 in his final three starts with the Mets. And that if Hampton wins even 10 games, he would be the first pitcher to do that at his age (35) after missing two full seasons since Schoolboy Rowe in 1946.

But we should also point out that Smoltz, Hudson and Glavine finished second, fourth and fifth, respectively, in the league in quality starts last year.

And having nine legitimate starting pitchers — when the Mets and Phillies can barely find five — is no small factor when you consider that the average NL team last year needed to get 42 starts out of pitchers who weren’t in its original rotation.

So the Braves have enough arms to survive the marathon. For them to win that marathon, “this is one of those seasons where health will be huge,” said Smoltz.

Will Smoltz stay healthier than Pedro Martinez? Will the closer, Rafael Soriano, have a healthier year than new Phillies closer Brad Lidge? Who will come back and make the bigger contribution after major surgery — Mike Gonzalez (Braves) or Kris Benson (Phillies)? The NL East could well be decided by all of those questions.

But if this does turn into a war of attrition, remember this: The Braves are younger than the Mets and Phillies, deeper in most respects than the Mets and Phillies and have a better farm system to mine for reinforcements than the Mets and Phillies.

Plus, the Braves have a quality that struck everyone who saw them this spring. When we say they’re back, we don’t just mean on the field. We mean in their minds.

Just because they’re not swapping we’re-the-team-to-beat diatribes with the Mets and Phillies doesn’t mean the Atlanta Braves don’t believe it. It just means that as long as the remarkable Bobby Cox has been their manager, they’d rather do it than say it.

“It comes from Bobby,” said Wren. “Bobby has a way of making these guys feel like good things are going to happen.”

Cox wasn’t able to work his customary miracles the past two years. But all of a sudden, the Braves have that mojo back that they rode into 14 consecutive Octobers.

“When I walked in here for the first time, in spring training of 2000, there was a clear difference [in attitude] from any place I’d ever been,” said Wren. “I’m not sure we had that feeling in our clubhouse last year. But I think we have it again.”

If they do, and if this is The Year, think about the story they’re about to write for themselves. How unbelievable a tale would that be?

Which would make less sense — 14 straight division titles that led to only one parade? Or a season that started with all the cameras and microphones pointed somewhere else, and then ended the way 13 of those championship seasons didn’t end?

“You know, you get to my time frame, and there’s kind of a desperation,” Smoltz said. “If I had to write my perfect scenario — along with Tommy and Chipper, who have been here and endured it the most — I think it would be to just kick off the next generation with guys who are starting their run. I’d like to say, ‘I was along for the ride, I got one more sweet taste of it, and now it’s their chance to run off a string of championships.’ …

“I think these guys have the right mind-set. They’re basically saying, ‘The heck with a playoff string. We’re going to win championships.’ Not that that playoff string didn’t mean something. But I sense that these guys are saying, ‘We’re going to change the way things have been viewed here over the last four or five years.’”

It’s too late to rewrite the history of the teams that ran off those 14 titles. But the great thing about sports is that the next chapter in the history books always can look different than the chapters that came before it. So don’t let the lack of clubhouse volume fool you. This is a team talented enough to resculpt history.

“We haven’t been in this position for a while,” said John Smoltz. “Well, it’s time to change that. It’s time to make it happen.”

By Taskmaster Flash

July 23, 2008 5:01 AM | Link to this

Braves: assume the position!

By Coach ( Lets Go Braves In 2009)

July 23, 2008 5:05 AM | Link to this

Here is the good news.

The absolute worst case scenario is: the Braves end up keeping both Tex and Ohman, the two of them leave in free agency and the Braves get four picks in the top 50 of the 2009 draft. Including the Braves 2009 first round pick, that is five of top fifty picks. That ain’t half bad.

By gotigers72

July 23, 2008 5:56 AM | Link to this

For those of you wanting to bring up Jordan Schafer and plug him into a starting outfield slot, please be aware that he is now hitting .214 at AA Mississippi with 49 strikeouts in 179 at bats. YIKES! May want to rethink that there boys. Looks like the juice may have had a lot to do with his sudden improvement in hitting and power last year. Probably didn’t affect his defense which is supposedly superb, but what a shame. At the least it probably got into his head. Well, he’s young, hopefully he’ll overcome it.

Also down on the farm, Stockman pitched tonight. 1 1/3 innings, 2 hits 1 run, but he had 2 strikeouts.

By TIMEFORCHANGE

July 23, 2008 7:26 AM | Link to this

Looking through this its amazing how people still think we have problems with pitching. We do not have pitching problems. Its the entire lineup that stinks. Last night 1 hit from an entire lineup against a nobody. Come on this has happened over and over. Tex, Frenchy, McCann, Kotsay. Its the regular lineup less Diaz and these guys are dead.

Its time to trade some of these players. We have not gotten anywhere with them and we wont either. Im not ready to give up on Frenchy but Tex has got to go. He was brought in to make a difference and that difference was not made. Like I said, it takes more then one player to make a difference. Ask the Marlins, they do it over and over with young rookies and a couple vets thrown in. We just have the wrong vets.

Trade Tex, trade Johnson, bring up Schaffer and see what he can do for the rest of the year, you can even trade Reyes. Hes not ever going to be that star they think. Hes not a Atlanta pressure pitcher.

As for the lineup and one hit. There is one person on this team who really has to go. PENDLETON. For three years now we have had players come in hitting and then die never to recover. To bad they recover moving to another team. Langerhans, Orr, and the likes of the rest of the dead braves. We have not had good hitters because we have not had a hitting instructor that does not destroy the players by all his garbage. Hire a real instructor, not a wanta be Bobby Cox.

By Greg

July 23, 2008 7:43 AM | Link to this

Francouer should take to heart the immortal words of Crash Davis:

Don’t think you’ll hurt the ball club.

The guy is dumber than a box of sand.

By Al

July 23, 2008 7:43 AM | Link to this

The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. First thing to do is get a new hitting coach. It would not hurt.

By bravo

July 23, 2008 7:59 AM | Link to this

McJerk is the problem!

By Salty

July 23, 2008 7:59 AM | Link to this

seriously??? some people shouldn’t make certain comments while hitting .231

If only he were hitting that high…sadly, much lower over the past two months since he was above .270. Season averages don’t mean much after a bit…personally, I look at two week increments. Even Chipper is well below .370 the past month; however, he’s Chipper….some players earn a pass….others, nope.

By Moby Grape

July 23, 2008 8:01 AM | Link to this

Man I’m getting tired of reading that damn definition of insanity all the time, especially as baseball is one place where you can do the same thing over and over again and expect different results on a regular basis. That’s one of the reasons that it is such a complicated game. What a buncha morons.

By Bill

July 23, 2008 8:02 AM | Link to this

It’s time to shake this team up. They have no chance this season. The Braves will not trade Frenchie. They will give him one more season. The Braves future 2nd. baseman and 3rd baseman are at high A Myrtle Beach. Travis Jones & Brandon Hicks are college kids with alot of promise. They should move fast. It’s a possibility that they could be ready sometime next season. They both have good power. The Braves need a total makeover.

By Doc Holliday

July 23, 2008 8:04 AM | Link to this

Cant the Braves send KJ and JF on vacation? I mean, let them go to the Caribbean and come back next spring.

On the bright side muts did their amazing trick to perfection, now the phillies are on their heads……..if they cant win while Santana is on the mound……well, its the muts, what else could we expect??? They just looked amazingly bad.

On the darker side………Morton looked impressive……only 2 mistakes……….the allowed HR and the team he played for.

Oh well…….lets try stay positive………if we win today we will still be only 1 GB to what we need (playing .666 in the second half), that would mean we will have to win today, then 2 of 3 from phillies and then 3 of 4 from cards.

By cricket

July 23, 2008 8:21 AM | Link to this

Since Braves management clearly hates Anderson, can Hampton play RF? Since he has been so productive except this year (eyes rolled all the way up)is it possible to trade Frenchy instead of Tex? Having said this, Frenchy will hit a homer in next few games and we’ll hear how his replacements couldn’t do that.. Even though the roids superhumans era is behind us, managers, sports writers and chicks still dig the long ball over sensible hitting approach.

By Shaun

July 23, 2008 8:21 AM | Link to this

Hey Shaun what about that K to JF and KJ back to back after 3 straight walks to load the bases with nobody out………..

Quite a 2B and RF…………….

Come back in four or five years and let’s see where they are……………………………

By Doc Holliday

July 23, 2008 8:30 AM | Link to this

• While throwing between 35 and 40 pitches in the bullpen, Hampton didn’t feel any troubling discomfort in the strained left groin that forced him to exit his Minor League rehab start at Double-A Mississippi on July 15.*

“It went good,” Hampton said. “I threw everything and I felt pretty good. I didn’t overdo anything.”

Hampton, who has missed the past two seasons recovering from separate surgical procedures on his left elbow, will push himself a little harder during another bullpen session in Philadelphia on Friday.

If he’s finally able to avoid another injury-related setback, Hampton plans to tell the Braves he’s ready for immediate activation without the need to make another Minor League rehab start.

*”I told them if everything went well [Friday], I would be ready [to return],” Hampton said. “But it’s not my decision.” *

By Bruce's Pearl

July 23, 2008 8:33 AM | Link to this

Bobby’s Cox: I have said for a while now that Francoeur has a “slider speed” bat.He can not catch up to a fastball over 90 unless he starts his swing early.How many times have you saw him swing right thru a ball? That explains the many bad swings,because he has committed before he recognizes the pitch.And I agree Wellman probably hurt him with that advice.Pitchers now have a book on him.If he doesnt make an adjustment (as opposed to Wellman’s advice)he simply will not make it.

By Doc Holliday

July 23, 2008 8:38 AM | Link to this

Shaun

What are we gonna do in those 5 years? watch the phillies and mets play in the playoffs?

At least 1 of those 2 needs to go…….hopefully its JF………but braves will die with their soldiers………even if wounded……

By Mano a Mano

July 23, 2008 8:44 AM | Link to this

Hey ba, why would the Marlins get broken up? last i looked they were one out and we seem to be 7 after some kid from Holland and a trio of no names ONE hit us. Besides marlins only get broken up after they win a World Series. We are a sad group always sweating other people while we got a stiff leaving the bags juiced and two washed up hurlers about to again screw with anybody’s mind foolish enough to AGAIN take their false crap seriously. Tex is gone in 72 days and then we get to read make-up prose from hack scribes who will then say “Hey, why didn’t we pull the trigger” Yuck.

By unsupervisedtoddler

July 23, 2008 8:45 AM | Link to this

MGL, N8 & others, Tex only driving in runs because people are on base in front of him. How DARE he, as a cleanup hitter, actually have the NERVE to drive in those runners that are on base when he comes up to bat. What’s the modern game coming to when the no. 4 hitter actually drives in runs? Lets just bat him lead off & see how many rbi he gets. That’ll show ‘em. Geeze.

By McFann :Ô:

July 23, 2008 8:56 AM | Link to this

Well, the Braves weren’t the only ones with a power outage last night…7:04-10:50, no power here, either.

But listening to the game on the radio cann be fun…if the game is, you know…entertaining!

Best part was obviously when McCann threw out Ramirez! I just watched the replay. What a great throw! Very nice!

I heard Morton threw one into the dugout? Well, you know Chip, he exaggerates…

Heard McCann had a passed ball, too…and he almost made an error in the same inning! But he made up for it by throwing out Ramirez.

As for a certain someone swinging at four straight pitches after the pitcher walked the bases loaded? Ah, no comment!

By Al

July 23, 2008 8:57 AM | Link to this

Ah Mobey, enjoy the rest of the season then, I am on to football. I cannot take it any more.

By Doc Holliday

July 23, 2008 8:57 AM | Link to this

That at bat by JF just tells what he is all about……that young florida pitcher couldnt throw a strike, ends up walking Chipper, Tex and Mc. Then as soon as he sees JF at the plate, he knew he was gonna get out of the inning…….. He put extra mustard to all his pitches some down…………some up the ladder and bye bye……..

Pitchers are hungry to face him………they know all they have to do is throw it around the plate and Jeff will do the rest.

By Shaun

July 23, 2008 9:00 AM | Link to this

Doc, again, what makes you think neither Johnson nor Francoeur will improve? It’s just strange to assume that young players will never get better.

By Doc Holliday

July 23, 2008 9:07 AM | Link to this

McFann

I think that PB you mention looked more like a WP, Mc was setting up outside and the pitch was low and inside, thats why he couldnt handle it.

By Random

July 23, 2008 9:08 AM | Link to this

DOB — Good moorning!!!

So, you’re saying that the Braves have become “Seller Dwellers”?

By Shaun

July 23, 2008 9:10 AM | Link to this

Since Braves management clearly hates Anderson, can Hampton play RF?

Hates Anderson? They traded for him; a guy with modest on-base ability and no power. And they gave him some time in the big leagues.

By the way, he’s hitting .284/.332/.345 against Triple-A pitching this season, as a 25-year-old.

Since he has been so productive except this year (eyes rolled all the way up)is it possible to trade Frenchy instead of Tex?

I’m sure there are plenty of teams who would love to trade for a 24-year-old with some potential to be a decent player.

Having said this, Frenchy will hit a homer in next few games and we’ll hear how his replacements couldn’t do that.. Even though the roids superhumans era is behind us, managers, sports writers and chicks still dig the long ball over sensible hitting approach.

Are the long ball and a sensible hitting approach mutually exclusive?

By Doc Holliday

July 23, 2008 9:11 AM | Link to this

Shaun

Sure they will improve……….question is……..what do we do while they are at it?

And in JFs case………improving from a .260 BA is something, but he has turned into a .230 player………do you expect that to change anytime soon?

Yesterday is a clear sign that it wont be changing soon. at least not this year.

By DirtyDawg

July 23, 2008 9:14 AM | Link to this

I’ve been trying to understand what the Braves were thinking about when they brought Francoeur back after only 72 hours of ‘getting himself straightened out’ in Mississippi. At first I figured that they were hopeful that the performance while ‘down there’ was indicative of something - combined with the fact that the kid they were playing in his place was pretty-much not going to do anything either, so why not play Frenchy?

Now I’m not so sure but I’m beginning to think that they want the let the kid rub his own nose in the fact that ‘he ain’t good enough to be demanding as much money as he thinks he’s worth, much less to display the kind of attitude that took offense to the Braves’ effort to get him to attempt something resembling an adjustment to the lousy approach that has exposed him to be ‘not much’.

As Bruce Pearl said above, the kid’s bat isn’t quick enough to catch up with almost anybody’s fastball. As a result his only choice is to concentrate on going to right - forget about pulling the ball, he just ain’t got it in him.

By Will

July 23, 2008 9:18 AM | Link to this

At this point it makes me sick to watch Jeff Francoeur hit. This is not a slump, this is the fact that major league pitching has him totally figured out. Its laughable he is not still in the minors.

By Pat

July 23, 2008 9:23 AM | Link to this

DOB-Congratulations on making firejoemorgan.com yesterday for your piece on Teixeira being a stat compiler.

By 18 Wheels of Love

July 23, 2008 9:34 AM | Link to this

This is my opinion and not based on any rumor or innuendo…but I think there could be something wrong with Jeff’s eye. Physically he looks fine but I’ve never seen someone (other than maybe Andruw) look so completely lost on offense and now it is even showing up in his defense - misplayed balls and terrible throws. Also, he never dives for balls any more. I hope that is not the case but it does make me wonder if there is something wrong.

By Dadgum

July 23, 2008 9:35 AM | Link to this

Doctor walks in to talk with the Braves family. ” I am afraid there has been no change and in fact things may be looking a little worse. The life support of pride and guts is the only means of survival now. Breathing is still labored but I will inject a Hampton and Glavine to see if there is a stimulus there. If not it might be time to pull the plug.”

To which a Braves family member says, “Doc can you tell me if there are any good BBQ joints, you know, similar to Rendevouz in Memphis anywhere within walking distance? Waiting on the turnaround, you know, I’m starved”

Rock on…..BBQ is king. Sweat tea too.

By McFann :Ô:

July 23, 2008 9:36 AM | Link to this

Doc H.—

Really? That’s a shame. They gave Mac a PB (his fourth). Chip and Pete were sort of acting like it was a wild pitch. Sheesh…

Who was pitching when that happened? Was it still Morton?

Will At this point it makes me sick to watch Jeff Francoeur hit.

But he doesn’t hit…Watching him hit would be OK.

By Bravissimo

July 23, 2008 9:38 AM | Link to this

Frank Wren, Terence Moore and you, DOB, have all been drinking from the same wishing well. IT’S OVER! The players know it. You can tell just by looking at them sitting on the bench, just putting in time on the job until it’s time to go home.

And those guys talking about the Braves should play better with “all that talent”. Where? Chipper, Escobar, McCann and Texeira are just about all of “all that talent” as position players. That’s one-half of a good team. Not good enough!

By Will

July 23, 2008 9:44 AM | Link to this

18 Wheels, What is wrong with Frenchy is that he is just not a good baseball player and to top it off is a total head case at this point. He should be playing in the minors for as long as neccesary.

By Shaun

July 23, 2008 9:47 AM | Link to this

Doc, Francoeur hit .293/.338/.444 last season. He’s 24. That means he’s two years away from the beginning of when most players peak. I see just as much reason to expect improvement as to expect no improvement.

What do we do while the players are improving? You surround them with decent players preferably that you aren’t going to have to overspend on or over-commit to. Maybe those players will lead you somewhere before guys like Heyward are ready. Either that or you surround them with talented players roughly the same age or at least talented players that will still be fairly young in two years or so.

By KC is MIA

July 23, 2008 9:54 AM | Link to this

I was looking forward to this morning, when i was certain KC and His Sunshine Band of Brothers would be here stirring up whatever hope for optimism remains. Instead all I get is Shaun’s vague promises of a return to greatness 4 or 5 years down the road.

Where ya at, KC? Tell me a story about the long winning streak that’s starting today.

By Doc Holliday

July 23, 2008 9:55 AM | Link to this

Who leads the team in AB???

Who has the lowest BA among regulars???

Thats right……now you have some answers of whats wrong with the team.

By David O'Brien

July 23, 2008 9:56 AM | Link to this

IT�S OVER!Bravissimo

Man, that’s a bold statement. Really going out on a limb there, aren’t you? Swimming against the current with that assessment, pal.

Don’t know if you’ve bothered reading anything I’ve actually written or if you just come on and repeat what a thousand others have said in the past week, two weeks, one month … but I’m quite realistic about this team’s chances, which have gone from slim to slimmer in the past four games.

So please, come up with something new or address your comments toward someone who believes this team still has a real chance of making the playoffs.

By Doc Holliday

July 23, 2008 9:59 AM | Link to this

Mc

Yes I think it was Charlie.

By 18 Wheels of Love

July 23, 2008 10:00 AM | Link to this

Will, while I don’t disagree that he is a head case, I do have my a different opinion.

Eye stuff aside, I believe that Jeff simply got by for most of his life on his superior athletic ability. I think his athletic ability allowed him to not have to learn how to correctly hit. He could always go up there and wail and get hits because he was better than everyone else. Sure he would strike out a lot but his hits overshadowed his ineffectiveness. Now, pitchers know how to exploit him, and like most trained hitters (McCann and Chip come to mind) that learn to adjust to pitchers learning how to pitch to him, Jeff can’t do that. He has always just swung through his slumps in the past. What he is facing is extremely cerebral and he isn’t use to having to think when he is batting. That combined with being demoted and boo’d on occassion are making him lose confidence. It’s easy to see and even harder to deal with…especially with that AB last night after he struck out after the guy walked the bases loaded.

That said, I have no idea what he needs to do to fix what is broken. Not a clue…

By KC is MIA

July 23, 2008 10:04 AM | Link to this

Wonder if Shaun would hold out the same hope for a Frenchy renaissance if she were a Phillie or a Met?

Last year, he spent months insisting Andruw would come out of his slump any day now.

By Doc Holliday

July 23, 2008 10:06 AM | Link to this

We have 3 2B on this team (Gotay is a batboy), of the 3, guess who has the lowest OBP???

You are right again……….thats part of the problem too……….now you are getting some more answers of what is wrong with this team.

By Anders

July 23, 2008 10:08 AM | Link to this

Not sure you guys care anymore but I have to say the Mets loss last night was huge on many, many levels. The Phils have really got to be in the Mets heads and will stay there no matter what happens the rest of this series. To go from a nice crisp Santana win in the bottom of the 8th to an implosion in the top of the 9th was painful.

Normally I would say it’s just one regular season game but to say that about that particular game would be bull.

Not saying the Mets can’t win the division, just saying that the road, especially psychologically, just got very tough again last night.

I know you guys have your own issues right now but I felt I needed to “man up” and come take my medicine from you today. Smoke ‘em if you got ‘em.

By KC is MIA

July 23, 2008 10:09 AM | Link to this

Have some coffee, Dave. It’s really not fair to subject us all to this attitude before your first cup.

By McFann :Ô:

July 23, 2008 10:14 AM | Link to this

I know we’ve said this before, and it hasn’t always been correct, but you have to like the Braves’ chances to win tonight. Ricky Nolasco is starting for the Marlins.

Nolasco has faced the Braves twice this year, and he’s given up 13 runs in 9 1/3 innings. When the Braves faced him in Florida on April 17, he gave up 6 runs in 4.2 innings. Chipper hit two homers off him, and in the fifth, Chipper, Teixeira, and McCann hit back-to-back-to-back home runs.

McCann is 3-6 with two homers, a double, 4 RBI and a walk against the “southpaw” this year. Against him in Florida this year, he’s 2-3 with a homer, a double, and 2 RBI.

Doc H.—

Thanks.

By DAP

July 23, 2008 10:15 AM | Link to this

TIMFORACHANGE i think o agree with the overall message of your post, but please dont wish the braves to be like the marlins. the marlins have been terrible to their fans over the years with the firesales, and i DO NOT want the braves to become like that.

also, you said There is one person on this team who really has to go. PENDLETON. For three years now we have had players come in hitting and then die never to recover. To bad they recover moving to another team. Langerhans, Orr, and the likes of the rest of the dead braves

are you kidding me? you are citing langerhans and orr? those guys are still terrible! a bad utility player batting .190 and a 4th outfielder with less than 50 ABs this season have recovered from terry? thats stupid.

By MGL

July 23, 2008 10:15 AM | Link to this

“By unsupervisedtoddler

July 23, 2008 8:45 AM | Link to this

MGL, N8 & others, Tex only driving in runs because people are on base in front of him. How DARE he, as a cleanup hitter, actually have the NERVE to drive in those runners that are on base when he comes up to bat. What’s the modern game coming to when the no. 4 hitter actually drives in runs? Lets just bat him lead off & see how many rbi he gets. That’ll show ‘em. Geeze.”

Once again, your age and lack of reading comprehension traps you into a worthless post. The discussion was centered around the fact that Tex has more RBI’s than Chipper. Reason would tell one that it is at least in part because Chipper bats in front on him and has the highest OBP on the team by far.

I would recommend that at your tender age you limit your posts to the simple ideas you might have on your own. It is obvious that you still have trouble with your reading.

By David O'Brien

July 23, 2008 10:16 AM | Link to this

I’m going to assume, based on Carson Palmer’s comments about Ohio State, that he never heard about that Jim Mora Jr.’s radio interview with a “local” audience in Seattle while he was still coaching the Falcons.

(although, in retrospect, that worked out well for Mora if it helped get him fired by the soon-to-be-immersed-in-scandal Falcons. I mean, Mora’s head coach of the Seahawks now.

By 1957 Braves Fan

July 23, 2008 10:18 AM | Link to this

When the Braves loaded the bases with no outs I just couldn’t watch so I turned to the Phillies-Mets game. Minutes later when I turned back and saw a commercial was on I knew that the Braves didn’t score. Whenever I meet a fellow Braves fan I say “Braves can’t score with the bases loaded.” Sad but true. Can Hudson get us a series win today?

By David O'Brien

July 23, 2008 10:22 AM | Link to this

KC is MIA, you beacon of manners and geniality, you: I think if we try really hard, we can run this blog without any guidance from you. So why don’t you just focus on making snarky comments about good bloggers who continue to be optimistic about their team?

And I’m already on my third or fourth cup, by the way. Did my 680 radio interview and doing an expense report from the last trip as we speak. Some of us don’t have time to sit here taking shots at the likes of KC and Shaun and telling the person whose blog we’re on how to run said blog.

You know, because we actually have to do our job.

There, how’s that attitude work for ya?

By Doc Holliday

July 23, 2008 10:23 AM | Link to this

Im impressed Anders……….

And you are correct……mets would have to tear apart the phillies the rest of the series with blow outs or heartbreaking wins to take the phills out of their minds.

Im guessing Wagner will try to rush himself and that could be dangerous.

At the same time you have to tip your hat to the phillies……they always find the way to win…….lots of self confidence in that team. I think theyll matchup against cubs in NLCS. But the is still plenty of games left………Brewers might make a move now that they have CC And Sheets as an spectacular 1-2 punch. Best in NL I would say.

By The Obverse

July 23, 2008 10:23 AM | Link to this

Unfortunately, McFann, you also have to like the Braves chances of getting swept by the Phillies this weekend, so a win tonight won’t count for much.

By Shaun

July 23, 2008 10:27 AM | Link to this

KC is MIA, could be a return to greatness in two years. If things go swimmingly, maybe next year. Look at the young talent in the majors and the minors. Looks an awful lot like Cleveland four or five years ago or Milwaukee two or three years ago. I guess a lot of us Braves fans are spoiled because of the ridiculous run of success. I guess some of us don’t realize that there are going to be some years where the team plays around .500 ball. And I guess some of us don’t realize how long it’s been since the Braves lost 90-100 games in a season. And I guess some of us don’t realize how bright the future looks for this team. To many of us can’t see beyond what Jeff Francoeur and Kelly Johnson did last night against the Marlins.

This has been and looks like will turn out to be a disappointing season. But many are acting as if we are watching the 1995 Pirates—a horrible team with no potential that will never finish above .500 again.

By Random

July 23, 2008 10:29 AM | Link to this

Stark Raving Mad: Unsung Braves built for October glory —

Bitter-sweet, sometimes prescient (So the Braves have enough arms to survive the marathon. For them to win that marathon, “this is one of those seasons where health will be huge,” said Smoltz… . Will Smoltz stay healthier than Pedro Martinez? Will the closer, Rafael Soriano, have a healthier year than new Phillies closer Brad Lidge? … The NL East could well be decided by all of those questions.), memories — thanks.

By Doc Holliday

July 23, 2008 10:30 AM | Link to this

A win today gives us a series win……….but, dont forget we are still 1GB of schedule……..we will still have to make up for one of the game we lost against nats. With the phillies and cards coming up in the schedule………that game will not be easy to pick up. But if we do, we will still be alive and kicking.

By David O'Brien

July 23, 2008 10:38 AM | Link to this

1957 Braves Fan, consider this stat: With the bases loaded, the Braves are third in the NL with a .282 average (29-for-103) and fourth in OBP (.307).

But Francoeur is 3-for-22, twice as many at-bats with bases loaded as any other Braves player.

Without his numbers, the rest of the team’s average with bases loaded is .321.

The NL leader, by the way, is the Dodgers at .308.

The Braves’ individual leaders are Chipper at .750 (3-for-4, one walk), Tex at .500 (5-for-10), Kelly at .500 (2-for-4) and McCann at .455 (5-for-11).

Chipper has 17 fewer at-bats with bases loaded than Francoeur does, and that Tex and Mac combined have one fewer bases-loaded at-bat than Francoeur.

Yes, continuing to bat him fifth or sixth has been a costly mistake.

By Doc Holliday

July 23, 2008 10:39 AM | Link to this

The Obverse

Getting swept you said??? I think the Phillies are facing JJJ and Campillo……….we have good chances of winning 2.

By Shaun

July 23, 2008 10:39 AM | Link to this

Doc, it’s clear this season is pretty much over. It’s pretty obvious which players are having bad seasons. So the Braves can do what you want to do and trade anyone and everyone who has had a bad season this year. Or they can try to figure out who has talent and stick with them at least through a year or two of their primes. They can go the rational, logical route or they can go the emotional one. I’d prefer a GM that’s going to look out for the franchise and put the team in a good position to get to the playoffs over one that is going to follow the advice of a few highly emotional, ticked off fans.

By McFann :Ô:

July 23, 2008 10:42 AM | Link to this

The Obverse—

Well, yes it would count for much, because if they lost tonight and got swept by he Fillies, they’d be even further back in the standings.

Every win at his point is important. Why can’t people see that?

By DAP

July 23, 2008 10:43 AM | Link to this

stark raving mad thanx for posting that article. its exactly why so many of us had high hopes, and this season is such a terrible dissapointment. at least the “sports experts” were as optimisitc as we were to start the season.

by the way, the mets implosion in the 9th last night was a microcosm of their 2007 season, where they also folded to the phillies. seeingt he mets suffer bring my a bit of joy in the midst of this braves mess.

the team was built well, but nothing went to plan for the braves this year. the underperfomance of many players: frenchy, diaz, kj, tex for the first part of the season, along with tons of injuries to major major parts of the team: 3 starters, glavine smoltz, hampton, soriano, moylan, diaz, prado, kotsay and escobar for awhile…its just been unreal, and i think too much for any team to be expected to get through.

to me, though, the future is where i find hope, and where i get excited, because the braves are going to go through a purging this offseason, where several of the highest paid players on the roster will be off the books, including hampton, smoltz, glavine, and teixiera. and while it looks like this would leave many holes to fill…it really doesnt, since three of these players havent played much anyways. so weve got money to spend, and some holes to patch up, and i think we are capable of going into spring training 2009 with another team that many will pick to win alot of games.

By Anders

July 23, 2008 10:45 AM | Link to this

Doc Holliday

Difference in last nights mets/phils game. Phils bullpen came in and held the Mets (some help from Mets running Chavez into a ridiculous out at the plate) and the Mets bullpen couldn’t get three outs with a three run lead, they actually didn’t get any before giving up 4 runs. This wasn’t about Wagner not being available. Maybe with a 1 or 2 run lead but with 3 you should be able to get out of the 9th without your closer.

Good point about wagner possibly rushing back. Might not be prudent. The best thing right now is for them not to panic. Time for Mr Maine to step up tonight. He’s been the least reliable of late and needs to make it happen tonight. Unfortunately even in the games he’s been effective in it takes 100 pitches by the 5th to get there - We’ll see.

By KC is MIA

July 23, 2008 10:47 AM | Link to this

Dave, maybe you’d be happier working for the Marlins again. But I certainly don’t mean to run your life or your blog. Carry on.

And I’m sorry you have so many burdens and responsibilities weighing you down that even snarky (good word choice, by the way) little mental lightweights like me can so easily get your goat. But I must say this vulnerable side you’re showing only makes you more attractive.

Hope you get out from under and feel better real soon. Hang in there!

By Mano a Mano

July 23, 2008 10:53 AM | Link to this

Dumb Question—I guess—Have we sunk so far that we are on here speculating on chances of winning a series from the Marlins to move within 6?? So let’s say we beat, arguably a guy who has been among the Top 5 pitchers in league since miserable start—Right Dave??—,What actually does that mean?? Think about it.

By Thrillhouse44

July 23, 2008 10:54 AM | Link to this

Who cares if “it’s over”? Baseball is still my favorite sport and the Braves are still my favorite team. I rooted for them before when they stunk and I’ll continue to root for them until the final out of 2008.

It seems that some people here think the team owes it to them to win. I mean, how dare the Braves actually lose a game that a family pays money to see? Never mind that the fan can still make lifelong memories for their kids. I still remember my first game in September of 1990. Against the Mets, Dale Murphy tripled and my idol Ron Gant stole two bases. Sure, the Braves lost but I cherished sitting behind home plate with my glove in 100 degree heat just waiting for a foul ball. Booing Strawberry while pulling for Marty Clary to actually get someone out. Eating hot dogs while my mother and sister read a book. Mookie, my father never complained about the price for the outcome of that game like you did on Monday. But he’s a better fan, and a better man. Had you seen a no-hitter or a walk-off homerun, would you have sent The Braves extra money? I think not. (Oh, and Mookie, the Braves haven’t been over .500 in awhile – the odds were against a win in the first place, Genius.)

See, you root for your team through thick and thin. You’re supposed to be a fan, short for fanatic, as much during 5 game losing streaks as you are during 3 game sweeps. You don’t repaint your Braves room to Diamondback red just because of three seasons. It seems that “The Run” has spoiled many fans here. They’re ready to bash the Braves, slam the owners, turn on the HOF manager, and criticize the GM for every single thing that goes wrong. Never mind the fact that $$$ doesn’t buy championships (I know, I’m also a Redskins fan). Forget the fact that everyone close to the game thinks Bobby Cox is one of the best to ever manage and players love to play for him. Pay no attention to the fact that Frank Wren has been particularly crafty with trades. I’m not saying it’s okay to bury your head in the sand and pretend everything is peachy, but some of the bashing is redundant and in on ways constructive. It’s much easier to point fingers than it is to support your favorite team when they play awful. It’s more fun to check the standings when you know your team is 5 games ahead.

KC is MIA is taking shots at KC for being optimistic and rooting for his team? Are you a Braves fan MIA, or a troll? I’d like to think that a fan wouldn’t take a shot at a fellow fan for continuing to believe. KC’s optimism is a welcomed change of pace on here, and one of the reasons I continue to check in here.

As DAP pointed out, the future looks to be promising. I hope we can put together another streak of division titles. If we don’t, I’ll still be wearing my faded Braves hat like many of the others on here. Here’s to an exciting last part of 2008 and to a great 2009 season.

By Reid in EAV

July 23, 2008 10:55 AM | Link to this

Is there any hope for a “behind closed doors” adjustment to what’s increasingly happening with the umpiring crew? I mean, Bobby’s suspension was ridiculous. Not because he didn’t deserve it from his behavior, but that he shouldn’t have even had to resort to that behavior. The ump INSTIGATED and ESCALATED that situation by wagging a finger at Buddy and getting in his face. It was a needless confrontation.

And I wish I could say that was isolated, but there’s been a disturbing trend of egomaniac umps escalating when they should be calming, instigating when they should be letting it ride, and generally grandstanding. I realize the job is difficult, but guys, we don’t come to the ballpark to see you, nor is it your job to generate confrontations (though you do have to respond to them from time to time.)

I’d much rather have umps act like the ones of 20, 30 years ago than any such “reforms” as instant reply or Questec. But probably no chance of that, eh?

By Shaun

July 23, 2008 10:56 AM | Link to this

DOB, good post to KC is MIA.

Yes, some of us can see beyond a bases-loaded, no-out situation against the Marlins on July 22 with the team over 7 games out (as horrible as that was).

Some of us realize we have a solid GM, one of his assistant is one of the most successful GMs in history, contrary to the beliefs of some the manager is a great one, the major league team is loaded with young talent, the farm system is pretty well stocked, a lot of payroll is coming off the books at the end of the season, and this team hasn’t finished more than four games under .500 since George HW was in the White House….sorry if all that makes me optimistic….actually, no I’m not sorry at all.

You want to watch a team that “goes for it” by acquiring big names instead of sticking with and acquiring players who will actually help them, then go watch the Astros or the Orioles.

By Doc Holliday

July 23, 2008 10:56 AM | Link to this

To many of us can’t see beyond what Jeff Francoeur and Kelly Johnson did last night against the Marlins. Shaun

What they did last night???

You are missing the point………..its not last night my friend……it is A LOT more than that. Last night could be seen as another day at work for JF and for KJ…..well……at least he committed no errors………so his 0 for 3 with 3 men LOB is not that bad……..right? You think Rollins and/or Utley would have left those guys on base??? There is no killing instinct in these guys……….we are not talking talent here……we are talking clutch……..getting the hit when it counts the most.

But to tell you the truth………I still think Cox is the main guilty character in this soap opera………….hitting JF 6th, set that catastrophe up.

And we will see no change on that lineup tonight.

The philosophy is…………lets put KJ behind JF to protect him in order for him to see some strikes………

What it really does is it lets pitchers get off the hook when our 3 best hitters get on base………. There is no way JF is driving them in, he will just K, hit a popup or into DP.

KJ should be hitting 6th……..JF is not going to get a strike pitch even if ARod is hitting behind him. They know he wont take the walk, or what is worse…….they know he will think he is swinging at strikes and all he is getting is balls 5 inches off the strike zone in any direction…….

By supajro

July 23, 2008 10:58 AM | Link to this

from joe sheehan @ si.com…

The Braves join the Indians as the two most frustrating teams in baseball, with positive run differentials and sub-.500 records. The Tribe punted its season when it traded CC Sabathia to the Brewers. The Braves have a similar decision to make when it comes to Mark Teixeira — like Sabathia, he’s a free agent at the end of the season — a player worth two or three wins to a contender down the stretch. Unlike the Indians virtually non-existent postseason hopes at the time of the Sabathia deal, the Braves are actually still in contention (6 1/2 games of first place) and they haven’t suffered the long losing streak that would make dealing Teixeira an easy call. In fact, I think the Braves should deal for a mid-rotation starter and an outfielder, because they’re as good or better than the teams they’re fighting for a post-season berth, and still capable of winning the wild card. They play 13 straight games against those teams beginning tonight, so we’ll know by the deadline where they stand.

By KC is MIA

July 23, 2008 11:01 AM | Link to this

Sorry about that, Thrill, I stopped paying attention after the phrase “my idol Ron Gant”!

By MGL

July 23, 2008 11:04 AM | Link to this

Nice post Thrillhouse44!!

By KC is MIA

July 23, 2008 11:05 AM | Link to this

In fact, I think the Braves should deal for a mid-rotation starter and an outfielder, because they’re as good or better than the teams they’re fighting for a post-season berth…

Joe Sheehan obviously WAS NOT tuned into SportsSouth on Sunday or last night.

By Lee in S GA

July 23, 2008 11:07 AM | Link to this

I will be a Braves, Dawgs, Falcons and yes even Hawks fan forever. If I can tolerate the Falcons and Hawks for years, I can certianly tolerate the most succesful franchise to have ever come out of the city of Atlanta for a few rebulding years. Fans did get a little spoiled for 14 years.

By BravesFanInRockies

July 23, 2008 11:09 AM | Link to this

Anders,

Welcome to the pity party. Lots of room.

uga’s comment last night comparing Frenchy to a young Jermaine Dye is fascinating. There seem to be some parallels.

If I had a reliable crystal ball I’d be at the Vegas sports books. Since I don’t, the faithful have to ponder Frenchy’s future.

If the Braves maintain this wacky idea they can win in 2008, then Frenchy’s their only option in RF unless they get another hitter. If Frenchy’s in the lineup, he hits eighth. Otherwise, he continues to be an anchor on the offense.

If the Braves decide they’re going to pull the plug on this season and build for 2009, I would ship him to the minors — maybe not to Wellman, who seems to have no idea how to improve Frenchy’s approach. Is there a better minor league hitting instructor in the system?

The idea is to treat him like a prospect again. Teach him a better mental approach at the plate. (OK, a mental approach at the plate.) The goal is for him to make the team in the spring and win a regular job again.

Could JF’s ego handle this? Does the front office have the cojones to do this? Would the Braves’ marketing department commit mass suicide?

Since the Braves seem to be “all in” on Frenchy, and because he occupies a crucial offensive position, how they handle his situation over the next few months may say a lot about how soon the club is a serious contender again.

Or they could trade him!!

By Lew

July 23, 2008 11:11 AM | Link to this

Why don’t y’all just go out and commit mass suicide? Burning Francoeur, KJ , Bobby Coxc and TP in effigy hasn’t worked-take it to the next level. Y’all will be much happier dead and your suffering will be at an end. Then the rest of us can indulge in intelligent conversation.

By 1957 Braves Fan

July 23, 2008 11:12 AM | Link to this

DOB Thanks. I must see all the times they fail to score.

By Doc Holliday

July 23, 2008 11:14 AM | Link to this

Shaun

Season aint over…………Braves have been close to winning about 80% the games they have lost. That means the problem is not that big………..This all is the result of the great pitching that we have…………the high team obp. and BA (at least until last week) but the lack of clutch. That all could change in the blink of an eye………starting by benching JF or batting him 8th.

Why bother trying to use KJ or Kotsay to protect him in the batting order………..he wont get any strikes to hit no matter where you put him……….so you better put him in the 8th spot……….maybe he will the a clue there that he should take the walk because the pitcher is next…………

Think about it Shaun……….Soriano and Gonzo are back………..Hampton could be back next week and be effective……….Chipper, Yunel and Infante are now healthy………Morton had a great outing against a good hitting team………..Bennett is coming back soon…….

Id say our only problem right now is JF……….even KJ is not a big problem……….he is underachieving but as you said………its enough for a 6th place hitter.

We have that thing that can give you a chance everytime out………..PITCHING……….. and now we have a bullpen to back it up……….lets just hope hitting starts clicking a little better on key situations…………

This last 2 days have been an example of how wide open this division is………….We shot down the marlins with campillo……….Morton makes 1 mistake and JF K was the history of last night………….

Then you have the mets showing you that they are not a strong team………….

Phillies ………….that could be a problem, but mets have handled them well lately………until last night.

By MEB

July 23, 2008 11:18 AM | Link to this

Thrillhouse44… Two thumbs up! Way up!!

GO BRAVES!!!

By Braveheart

July 23, 2008 11:25 AM | Link to this

Shaun, the thing you are missing is who are the difference makers over the next few years? McCann is a difference maker. McCann, however, is also a catcher who has to miss 30 to 40 games a year.

Outside of McCann, do the Braves seriously look to you like they are raising any Fielders, Brauns, Sheets, Sabathias, Carmonas, Sizemores, Lees, etc. that are gonna be difference makers?

Outside of McCann and possibly Escobar, I really don’t see it. A bunch of average or slightly better hitters and pitchers are nice and all if surrounded by impactful difference makers.

I really don’t see any of the young players on the Braves outside of McCann and Escobar turning into difference makers. McCann will be limited in the difference he makes because he is a catcher who has to miss games and may have seasons hindered by getting nicked up. Escobar’s difference making will be especially in relation to his position and not so much in relation to the overall talent pool.

It is becoming more and more clear that there is no Rollins, Utley, Howard, Burell, Hamels core rising out of the Baby Braves.

Nor is there a core like Beltran, Wagner, Santana, Reyes, Wright rising out of the Baby Braves.

It’s Escobar, McCann and a core of two can Sams.

Thus, they need to cheat and compensate for the lack of adequate development of core players by paying for someone like Tex and possibly a few others as well..

By David O'Brien

July 23, 2008 11:26 AM | Link to this

Ah, yes, another post from the snarky, miserable one, who just can’t help himself. There will probably be plenty more today, under KC is MIA or other such clever screen names. Dude, nobody’s laughing but yourself. You’re a little smarmy, but funny? Uh, no.

You said: “Dave, maybe you�d be happier working for the Marlins again.”

No. God no. I love living in Atlanta. But just to correct the oft-made mistake by those outside the biz: We work for newspapers, not for teams. Broadcasters often work for teams, but not newspaper reporters. (If you’d seen the look I got from a certain player when he entered the clubhouse yesterday, you’d know that.) I could be covering college football tomorrow. Or metro government. Whatever the AJC higher-ups tell me to cover. Hopefully, they’ll keep me covering ‘ball a long time. Despite a few annoyances, such as your need to write posts like you have this morning.

“But I certainly don’t mean to run your life or your blog. Carry on.”

Please, don’t flatter yourself. You could never have any significant impact on this blog and its denizens.

“And I�m sorry you have so many burdens and responsibilities weighing you down that even snarky (good word choice, by the way) little mental lightweights like me can so easily get your goat.”

Burdens? Relatively speaking, I’ve got few (in this day and age, I’ll consider myself quite fortunate). Responsibilities? Hey, that all comes with having a good job and being compensated for it. Different jobs, different responsibilities. For me, deadlines and erratic schedules, helluva lot of travel, etc., is all part of it. Bought the ticket, taking the ride. Gotta do the work. I’ve enjoyed doing it for, oh, coming up on 25 years in newspapers.

But you are right about one thing — the lightweight part. No question about that.

By Doc Holliday

July 23, 2008 11:30 AM | Link to this

*BravesFanInRockies *

If Braves couldnt hold JF longer than 3 days in the minors……..do you think they will have the balls to send him to the 8th spot in the lineup?

Doubt it ………

By Lew

July 23, 2008 11:31 AM | Link to this

Doc-And exactly who would you have batted sixth last night that would have made a difference? One of the other six starters that didn’t get a hit? Maybe we could have Chipper bat in all eight spots.

By John Donovan of SI

July 23, 2008 11:33 AM | Link to this

I read this on SI in an article by John Donovan. It pretty well sums up my thoughts on the Braves.

Right now, the Phillies are staggering. The Mets are playing their best ball of the year. The Marlins are sticking around. The Braves, the one-time king of the division, are … I don’t know. What the heck are the Braves doing?

Those of us in the Braves Nation have been asking that all year.

By cricket

July 23, 2008 11:41 AM | Link to this

Shaun

Hates Anderson? They traded for him; a guy with modest on-base ability and no power. And they gave him some time in the big leagues. By the way, he’s hitting .284/.332/.345 against Triple-A pitching this season, as a 25-year-old.

I know they traded for him. Then he hit .318/.375/.409 in 2008 in major league, when he got the chance. Personally, I would care more about his performance in majors than minors. The guy has always done as expected in the majors. I am not an Anderson crusader but I’ve followed his play (in majors) with Astros and Braves and do think that he should have been on the roster right now.

I’m sure there are plenty of teams who would love to trade for a 24-year-old with some potential to be a decent player.

I am sure it would never happen due to his high profile, but I would do that trade anytime. BTW, exactly what point are you making by quoting the ages of JF and Anderson?

*Are the long ball and a sensible hitting approach mutually exclusive? *

They should not be but that is the case for many hitters. Long ball pays you more and nobody seems to care about high number of strikeouts. I also think that JF has this mentality I would call “wanting the ball for last shot”. It is like MJ wanting the ball for last shot in NBA games. JF thinks that he has to get a big hit with, e.g., bases loaded. He is too much of a man to take a walk to get 1 run in, something Chipper would do happily. Only problem here is baseball is no basketball and JF is no MJ. The 2-out RBIs stuff worked when pitches were around the strike zone. It is never going to work again unless he makes changes to his batting approach.

By bravesedandconfused

July 23, 2008 11:50 AM | Link to this

ON A LIGHTER NOTE:

DOB

What’s a perfect song to you? I can’t say “the” because that’s just impossible. What I mean is,music,lyrics,production…the perfect storm if you will. such as:( a couple of my choices in no particular order)

-Stand BY Me -Hotel California(live version) -Freebird :(I know,I know,but really. I actually listened to it all the way through recently for the first time in a long time and I got to give them their due) -Shine on You Crazy Diamond

By Tombstone Delivery

July 23, 2008 11:53 AM | Link to this

HERE LIES THE ATLANTA BRAVES FRENCHY WHINES AND BOBBY CAVES SMUGLY, SHRUGLY, TEX BEHAVES “GOODBYE SUCKERS” NOW HE WAVES

REST IN PIECES

By N8

July 23, 2008 11:54 AM | Link to this

Moby Grape

“FCS H8 , of course he’s failed more often than not,everybody fails more often that not. It’s baseball… a 3o-33% success rate is considered outstanding.That includes clutch situations. Get a real idea huh instead of this emotional crap. Sheeesh!”

First of all, you’ll have to “educate” me on what the hell “FCS” stands for. I’m not a texting 13 year old girl. Sure I use the standard “LOL” occasionally, but have zero clue what FCS means.

Second. No Sh!t, huh? I expect my cleanup hitters to hit around .750 with RISP. Thanks for the info. Go ahead and think Tex is the clutch guy that you think he is.

Like I posted a couple of days ago, the dude is gonna end up with 120 or so RBI, and STILL he will end up with less clutch/game winning hits than TP had in 91, when he totaled 86 RBI.

When I say that he has failed more often than not, I’m pin-pointing moments in games (yeah, I’m counting April and May), where the dude just flat out FAILED to pick the team up when he was given opportunity to do so.

I could care less if the guy ends up with a .400 average with RISP, and a .500 average in “late-close” games.

In April and May, he repeatedly came up with opportunity to help the team win a few of those 1-run losses and he FAILED.

If you want to continue to argue with me on that point, you’re gonna lose. And there are more people on this blog (including the blog-master), that are gonna have my back. Not because they like me. Because it is fact.

Seems to me like YOU are the one getting emotionally attached to choke boy….er….Tex.

“Man I’m getting tired of reading that damn definition of insanity all the time, especially as baseball is one place where you can do the same thing over and over again and expect different results on a regular basis. That’s one of the reasons that it is such a complicated game. What a buncha morons.”

REALLY? You mean if Jeff Francoeur is batting around .200 for the first 100 games of the year, continuing to bat him 5th or 6th in the lineup, is a smart move, because it’s reasonable to EXPECT something different to happen?

Hell. Why not sign Mark Redman again and throw him in the rotation? Even though the guy has an ERA over 10.00, Bobby could EXPECT a different result because this is baseball, huh?

Be careful who you call morons, when your gonna back it up with such a moronic statement.

After 100 games, it’s the RULE, not the exception.

By your definition, the Braves should have left Andruw in the cleanup spot, even AFTER acquiring Tex last year? Why did Bobby make a change?

As for the Joe Sheehan from si.com article?

“In fact, I think the Braves should deal for a mid-rotation starter and an outfielder, because they’re as good or better than the teams they’re fighting for a post-season berth, and still capable of winning the wild card.”

While they are within striking distance…for now. Why do people continue to say that the Braves are as “good” as the Mets, Phils and Marlins?

While they’ve “handled” the Mets, they’ve got their azzes handed to them by the Marlins and especially the Phillies.

If a national media person wants to compare the Braves to the teams their chasing, that’s fine. But they should refrain from using the word “good” in any sentence describing the Braves play. Perhaps saying that the Phils, Mets and Marlins are just as bad as the Braves would be more appropriate.

ANY team under .500 at this point of the season, is NOT good in any way, shape or form.

Besides, this guy lost ALL credibility when he stated the Braves are still in the wild card race. The Braves are 7 back with 3 teams to chase in the NL East.

In the WC, they are 10 back, with 7 teams to chase.

Amazing how uninformed some people with national outlets to spew their nonsense are. The dude might as well have written that the Braves have a legitimate shot at winning the NL West.

By Doc Holliday

July 23, 2008 11:55 AM | Link to this

Lew

I would have bat KJ 6th……… He didnt drive in the much needed run in THE INNING. But IMO JFs K set the tone for the inning to go down the drain……….

KJ is a patient hitter………after 3 straight walks…….Im pretty sure he would have at least hit into a DP……….or hit a sac fly……….

Once JF K´ed, KJ had extra pressure added to his hamburger, the pitcher and the crowd went to the next level. That just showed KJ is not a clutch hitter, but JFs K as I said before………..didnt help at all.

By McFann :Ô:

July 23, 2008 11:59 AM | Link to this

Thrillhouse—

That was a great post, dude! You are 100% right!

Going to games should be a fun family outing no matter what the outcome is. Heck, the last game we went to, I watched McCann go 0-4 with 3 strikeouts, including one with the bases loaded—OK, the Braves won, bad example. Let me give you a better one:

We went to a play-off game with our Grandpa in 2005 while our Grandma was on a trip. The Braves lost 10-5, but I’m telling you, it was a lot of fun. Chipper hit a home run, and it was a high scoring game—something we hadn’t ever seen in person before.

It’s frustrating when they only get one hit, or they get blown out or whatever, but heck, it’s still fun to be a fan. I couldn’t ever root for anybody else!

I wish today’s game was on in the afternoon!!

GO BRAVES!!

By Doc Holliday

July 23, 2008 12:06 PM | Link to this

Mark Bowman, of MLB.com, reports Atlanta Braves OF Matt Diaz (knee) went 1-for-3 with Triple-A Richmond Monday.

So it looks like Matt might be 10 days at the most from coming back……….and when he does………what roster move will the braves do?

Mark Bowman, of MLB.com, reports Atlanta Braves P Jeff Bennett threw five pitches in a scoreless inning with Single-A Myrtle Beach Monday, July 21.

Bennett is also close……..Id say next week he will be at the bigs. Mid week? Will they send Tavarez to the minors? That should be interesting

By David O'Brien

July 23, 2008 12:08 PM | Link to this

While they�ve �handled� the Mets, they�ve got their azzes handed to them by the Marlins and especially the Phillies.N8

Not to pick nits, but the Braves are 6-5 against the Marlins this season, after going 10-8 against them in 2007.

By Doc Holliday

July 23, 2008 12:09 PM | Link to this

Wagner had an MRI Tuesday, which showed “no structural damage,” and the diagnosis is a “muscle spasm” around the pitching (left) shoulder, the NY Newsday’s Mets blog reports.

By Shaun

July 23, 2008 12:09 PM | Link to this

Braveheart, I do believe Kelly Johnson could become a difference maker…yes, I said Kelly Johnson. He very well could develop into one of if not the best secondbaseman in the league.

Jason Heyward looks like a good bet so far, although it’s still early.

Plus, the Braves get rid of some expensive contracts after the season, presumably. They could get some pieces with that money.

I don’t think they should use that money on Teixeira. He’s 28 and he’s not an elite offensive player, therefore he’s not worth the money he’s going to command.

Is it a sure thing the Braves are headed toward a big run? Of course not. But I like their chances.

Doc, I agree that Francoeur should hit low in the order.

And the problem has been clutch hitting (along with overall slugging). But I don’t think you can predict all that reliably how a team is going to do in the clutch, therefore I’m not sure what anyone within the organization can do to control it.

Braves get plenty of runners on (evident by their OBP and AVG) but they only go one base at a time (evident by their SLG). This is the major problem this season. They just aren’t getting power from positions from where you need power to come—corner outfield and, to a lesser extent, centerfield.

By unsupervisedtoddler

July 23, 2008 12:10 PM | Link to this

MGL, So your point is that a no. 4 hitter gets more rbi than a no. 3? Man, that’s so insightful. You know what? I bet Chipper has more rbi in the no. 3 spot than the no.2 guys. And guess what, just because Chipper gets on does not mean that he’s going to score. Tex drives him in. What a plan! And your problem with that is what? The problem is not my reading ability, it’s your logic, or lack thereof.

By Doc Holliday

July 23, 2008 12:14 PM | Link to this

Which team do mets fans hate the most………..Braves? Phillies? Yankees?

Id say:

Yankees…………Braves………..phillies…………

But boy……..they are learning to hate the phillies in a hurry. LOL.

By N9

July 23, 2008 12:15 PM | Link to this

But Francoeur is 3-for-22, twice as many at-bats with bases loaded as any other Braves player.

Without his numbers, the rest of the team’s average with bases loaded is .321 DOB yep shows frenchy is not the best player picked to be cleanup hitter for our 3 best players—- chip,tex,mccann. Just flat out bad decision!! he will get the best crack at basesloaded again if batting 6th

By Lew

July 23, 2008 12:17 PM | Link to this

Doc-You’ve just got this thing with Francoeur. Maybe you and UGABrave should get together and have a party-you’d have plenty of common ground for discussion. Not too sure either of you would be capable of different topics, though.

However, batting anyone else in the 6th spot last night would not have made a damn bit of difference, NO ONE GOT A HIT except Chipper-for the eintire game. Francoeur was not the only one to fail in that situation last night. Batting KJ there would have resulted in the same thing as when he came to bat with the bases juiced one batter later. NOT A DAMN THING.

Come up with a new rant. This Francoeur is the root of all evil and the Braves’ problems hate fest is ridiculous and is getting real old and stale. You’re becoming every bit the one trick pony that Robert with his Donkey rants is.

If you can’t grasp the concept that he’s in a slump and that past performance (the other two and a half years) is indicative of future performance, then no one can help you.

By Quack Quack

July 23, 2008 12:19 PM | Link to this

Getting swept you said??? I think the Phillies are facing JJJ and Campillo……….we have good chances of winning 2DocH

now that’s funny

By N8

July 23, 2008 12:20 PM | Link to this

DOB

“Not to pick nits, but the Braves are 6-5 against the Marlins this season, after going 10-8 against them in 2007.”

You are correct. My bad. I was thinking of the miserable 4-7 record against the Nats.

whatever the combination, they are 19-22 against the NL East. So there is not much reason to believe they’ll take care of business in all the upcoming games against their division rivals.

But, I stand corrected.

By StingerSplash

July 23, 2008 12:21 PM | Link to this

All this talk of sellers makes me want to watch “A Shot in the Dark” with Elke Sommer again. Mmmm … Elke Sommer … even better than Vandy’s Barbecue. But not by much. Well, after that truly wretched offensive performance last night (Kelly staring at a 2-2 fastball on the inner half - did he think he was going to throw an eephus pitch or something; Francouer swinging at two third strikes that were in Manute Bol’s eyes) against a guy who couldn’t get major league hitters out earlier this year, maybe some retribution or redemption is on the way. I hope.

By BravesFanInRockies

July 23, 2008 12:21 PM | Link to this

KJ’s has had a brutal July — .163/.212/.224. He hasn’t struggled like this since he was first called up in May 2005. June was better but still below par for him — .723 OPS.

Perhaps platooning him briefly wouldn’t hurt, just to give him a bit of a break. I still consider him a solid offensive player who should be remain among the top 10 of all ML second basemen.

By Doc Holliday

July 23, 2008 12:22 PM | Link to this

Shaun

Arent you Kelly Johnson himself???

Is it possible that you are here blogging with us like Chipper???

Oh, never mind………just a thought. ;-)

By French Fried (Run Heap Run!)

July 23, 2008 12:26 PM | Link to this

Pitchers are hungry to face him………they know all they have to do is throw it around the plate and Jeff will do the rest.

Hell they could ROLL IT TO HIM and he’d still take 3 hacks at it. AHHHHHHHH!!!! I’d take Andruw and his .133 batting average (last time I checked) back any day over Francine.

By N8

July 23, 2008 12:28 PM | Link to this

unsupervisedtoddler

Your 12:10 post, proves that you missed the boat on the initial post of mine that MGL was responding to.

My first post on this topic, was stating that Buck and Kincade were stating that Tex was far and away, clearly the best hitter in a Braves uniform since the trade last year.

In 15 fewer games, Chipper has more hits, better OBP, only 6 less HR, and almost 30 less RBI.

I stated that Chipper was superior in all offensive category, other than the 6 HR, and the significant difference in RBI.

MGL simply responded by saying the difference in RBI can be attributed to Chipper being ON BASE for Tex so often.

If Chipper could hit cleanup with a guy doing what Chipper’s done since the trade, believe me, he WOULD have more RBI than Tex has had in that time frame.

But if you wanna keep responding like and idiot. Feel free. It’s entertaining. By entertaining, I mean like looking at Nick Nolte’s mug-shot type of entertaining.

By Doc Holliday

July 23, 2008 12:32 PM | Link to this

Quack Quack

How about sweeping them??? Your words will come back and hunt you……..

Lew

Its not like if you chipper went 1 for 3 and you bat him 8th in the same game………..he would have go 1 for 3 also and that he would have also got a single to CF in his 2nd AB.

Baseball does not goes that way……….

Every single pitch changes the next decision, next pitch and therefore the next play……….

The pitch selection for KJ would have not been the same if he came up with 1 out and the bases loaded after a K or if he came up right after Mc.

It sounds as a scientist theory, but its the truth.

Thats why you argument that no one but chipper got a hit so it would have not matter if the pitcher was hitting leadoff or TEX was hitting 9th………..it doesnt works that way……….sorry.

By BravesFanInRockies

July 23, 2008 12:33 PM | Link to this

OK Lew, I’m convinced. Hit Frenchy third and drop Chipper to 8th. That’ll turn this club around, I’m sure.

By Shaun

July 23, 2008 12:34 PM | Link to this

cricket, Anderson’s minor league performance is important because he has a lot more of a sample to look at there than in the majors.

The point about Francoeur and Anderson’s ages are Francoeur is young and likely to improve, as he held his own in the majors last season at a very young age. Anderson is 25 and struggling against Triple-A pitching, which means he probably can’t hit in the majors.

Long balls pay more because they are the best offensive weapon. And nobody cares about strikeout totals because how often a hitter makes an out is more important than how he makes an out. There are plenty of players that add offense to a team even though they post what we think of as a lot of strikeouts. Sure, it would be nice to have a guy who does it all at the plate and never strikes out but strikeout total is secondary if the guy does every other important thing well.

What exactly is a clutch hitter? A guy can either hit or he can’t. Every situation in the majors is a pressure situation.

Everyone thought Jeff Francoeur has some innate ability to hit in the clutch. Where are all those people now?

Yes, hitters sometimes perform well in the clutch and sometimes they don’t. But does that mean it’s a skill? I’m sure sometimes hitters perform well with gum in their mouth and sometimes they don’t. Does that mean that performing with gum in the mouth is an skill?

Is there really anyone in baseball history with say at least 500 plate appearances in a clutch situation whose stats look significantly different from his overall stats?

By j-school dropout

July 23, 2008 12:35 PM | Link to this

To answer the poll. I would love to have Bonds on the team if he plays in Frenchie’s spot. Otherwise, no.

By Smokin Joe

July 23, 2008 12:37 PM | Link to this

Just call the Braves the “One Hit” wonders.

By MGL

July 23, 2008 12:39 PM | Link to this

N8 - Thanks for clering that up for the toddler, I don’t think he can read well yet, maybe he can get his mommy to read the earlier posts to him next time.

As for you, unsupervised toddler, you sure are cranky. Did you wake up from your morning nap needing a diaper change?

By BravesFanInRockies

July 23, 2008 12:39 PM | Link to this

But seriously, Lew, since May 1 Francouer has arguably been the least productive corner OF among major league regulars. (OPS .679 in May, .584 in June, .051 in July) The Braves, to their discredit, have no alternatives on the current roster or in the high minors, so they’re stuck with him.

I doubt he can return to his earlier charmed life. I’d gladly be proven wrong. But if this Braves club wants to win in 2008, he has to be dropped in the order — to 8th. Other teams are pitching around better hitters to get him up with RISP. And he continually fails.

The Braves have had no trouble hitting Kotsay, KJ and Blanco 8th. What’s so special about Francouer?

By J.L.

July 23, 2008 12:40 PM | Link to this

Been a fan since the early 70’s.Liked the players effort, they lost more than they won.However, this Braves team seems to accept losing. The past few weeks with a few exceptions, they seem to be just going through the motions.I hate it when management comes out with the excuses. they hit it right at people,he had good stuff but bad location,yada,yada,yada.Management must take the responibilty for the lack of effort by this team.

By N8

July 23, 2008 12:41 PM | Link to this

DOB

“(If you’d seen the look I got from a certain player when he entered the clubhouse yesterday, you’d know that.)”

Hey. You tell Charlie Morton that the next time he so much as glances in your direction, the denizens are gonna take him out back and give him an azz whuppin’!

What’s that?…..It wasn’t Charlie? Oh. Never mind.

By David O'Brien

July 23, 2008 12:45 PM | Link to this

Understood, N8. I’m sure they’d rather reverse their records against Marlins and Nats, then it would be just as bad overall but not quite as embarrassing (they’re no defending their record against the lowly Nats).

By the way, didn’t intentionally leave off the 8 from your screen name in my previous message. Just a typo, fixed now.

By Lew

July 23, 2008 12:46 PM | Link to this

BravesFanIn Rockies-Are you intentionally being contentious and clueless or is it your natural state of being? All I said was that this season’s failures are not just to be laid at the feet of Francoeur and that last night it wouldn’t have mattered WHO batted sixth-they all sucked.

Has Frenchy had a rotten season? Of course he has. Does that mean he should be shipped to Walla Walla for eternity, condemned to Dante’s Ninth Circle of Hell or just DFA’ed? Of course not. He’s young and has had success in the past. Why is this any less an abberration than Nady’s decent half season for the Pirates (who so many think would be our savior) is?

Search for a scapegoat all you want and I’m more than certain that you’ll be more than capable of finding one-probably Frenchy. Will that explain or change what has happened this season. No, it won’t. But that ain’t going to stop y’all from blathering , is it?

By Doc Holliday

July 23, 2008 12:47 PM | Link to this

Lew

What do you want me to do? Love him? He represents our mark redman or wickman or woodward this year………..bad after bad after bad performances.

What makes it sicker is that i could get 10 ABs on a DVD and show them to you………….and you could not tell if they were this week or 3 months ago………..same approach, same result………….they all look exactly the same………

Its like if when he comes to bat, they just playback a video they have of him……….3 and out……….

You want me to ignore that?

I can understand KJ………he is streaky and he is in a slump………….he is not a 2B……….

But JF??? he should be making pitchers at least think………”Oh my god, what do I throw this guy next?, He is dangerous”………instead of…………”Oh good, its JF time………..lets just relax he is on our side.”

By N8

July 23, 2008 12:47 PM | Link to this

Shaun

“And nobody cares about strikeout totals because how often a hitter makes an out is more important than how he makes an out.”

I care.

By Jack G

July 23, 2008 12:48 PM | Link to this

Stastics are for loosers.——all that really counts are wins and losses. every thing else is just garbage.

By Jack G

July 23, 2008 12:48 PM | Link to this

Stastics are for loosers.——all that really counts are wins and losses. every thing else is just garbage.

By BravesFanInRockies

July 23, 2008 12:48 PM | Link to this

Oops. JF’s OPS in July is .501. Not great but not as bad as my dysfunctional fingers indicated.

By Lew

July 23, 2008 12:49 PM | Link to this

Doc-Your 12:32 makes no sense what soever. What the hell does Chipper have to do with the rest of the team not having a hit? Go take a nap. You’re thoughts are becoming increasingly meaningless.

By N8

July 23, 2008 12:53 PM | Link to this

MGL

Not a problem.

As much as I rag on Tex, I don’t think he sucks. The dude can play. I just don’t think he’s worth what he’s asking (or gonna be asking) for. Not based on THIS YEAR’S early months.

The topic we were discussing, was leaning much more towards praising Chipper, than bringing Tex down.

Every time that Tex fails to carry this team, he brings himself down much more than any comments from me could do.

DOB

Seriously, now you got me curious. Tex or Jeffrey? Just watch yourself, you don’t need anybody going all Bret Myers on you. Though I would get a kick out of hearing an audio clip of you asking somebody “How do you spell retard?”.

By MiamiBrave

July 23, 2008 12:55 PM | Link to this

DOB Just keep doing what you’re doing brother, us diehards appreciate the work, and even tho you say you aren’t a fan of the team, you sure do a hell of a job coverin them, giving us good stuff day in and day out.

also not much to clap for last night, saddest part was watchin Frenchy come up to the plate with bases juiced and doing exactly what he did. He is absolutely lost up there, Vanden Hurk was allover the place both times before he came up and Jeff swung at the first or second pitch each time…

DOB like I said, keep it up

By Doc Holliday

July 23, 2008 12:56 PM | Link to this

Shaun

So ………you think that if JF goes to AAA he will not struggle there???

I think he would………..

The Braves, to their discredit, have no alternatives on the current roster or in the high minors, so they’re stuck with him. *BravesFanInRockies *

What about Anderson, BJ. Schafer?, Maybe they can hit above .260 (not to say .240) and steal some bases.

They are not sluggers………….but………..is JF?

By A-ville Ranger

July 23, 2008 12:58 PM | Link to this

To my way of thinking, bringing Jeff back after 3 days in Mississippi speaks volumes.When I first saw it I was shocked,it just didn’t make sense.

Looking back my knee jerk reaction was the correct one.How could management have thought that short stay would be enough ?

Bobby is still up for lashing out at umps but where’s the internal discipline ? Will real changes in approach and attitudes happen with Cox at the helm ?…It seems very doubtful to me.

By DAP

July 23, 2008 12:58 PM | Link to this

LEW im not gonna argue with the overall point of your poast, but actually, jeff WAS the only player last night that failed with the bases loaded and no one out. kelly came up with one out, after the pitcher had thrown 4 straight pitches at jeff’s head level, and got him to swing at 3 of them. all unhittable pitches, that were balls. that was the worst at bat ive seen maybe ever.

so now the pitcher has some confidence back and goes right after kelly, and gets him on a good pitch.

jeff killed that inning with his pitiful at bat. were it kelly, the count is 2-0 before anything happens, and weve got a much better chance of getting at least one run.

By Trade Talk

July 23, 2008 12:59 PM | Link to this

“As the Braves continue to prove they aren’t legitimate postseason contenders, general manager Frank Wren is moving closer to trading Mark Teixeira, Will Ohman and Mark Kotsay. But despite some recent speculation, he is not shopping Mike Gonzalez and has no intention to do so.

Baseball Prospectus’ Will Carroll speculated Tuesday night that the Rangers would be willing to deal Frank Catalanotto, Marlon Byrd or Milton Bradley to the Braves in exchange Gonzalez.

Reacting to that rumor on Wednesday morning, one Braves official said, “Gonzalez will not be traded before the deadline or during this off-season unless Texas offers us Josh Hamilton.”

With the high salaries owed to Teixeira, John Smoltz, Tom Glavine and Mike Hampton coming off the books at the end of this year, the Braves will feel comfortable going into next year paying approximately $10 million to have both Gonzalez and Rafael Soriano in their bullpen.

Interest in Ohman has picked up recently. The Braves are looking for something greater than the Type B compensation they’d receive if they were to offer him arbitration and lose him to free agency this year.

In addition, the Braves continue to say they’ll keep Teixeira for the remainder of this season if they feel they can get better compensation through the draft picks they’d receive after losing him on the free agent market.”

-Mark Bowman

By unsupervisedtoddler

July 23, 2008 12:59 PM | Link to this

N8, Wow, now you know what WOULD happen, if only. You know that Chipper would get the same pitches in the no. 4 slot as he’s getting now?

I don’t think any Braves fan fails to see what Chipper does day in, day out. One of the best Braves hitters ever. I’m not downplaying Chipper’s abilities, but the dissing of Tex’s ain’t right either. If not for Chipper’s extremely hot start (which NOBODY could sustain) this year, their numbers would be neck & neck, with maybe even Tex edging him out. Could also be that Tex hitting behind him has helped Chipper out a little.

By Contentious and Clueless

July 23, 2008 12:59 PM | Link to this

Lew, man, settle down.

If you don’t think getting replacement-level performance from our RF this year would have made no difference in the Braves’ record, that’s your right. I’m pretty sure you’ll get few to agree with you.

He’s gotten worse every month of the season and the brass keeps putting him in run-producing situations. And the brass continues to expect the team to succeed given those circumstances.

As I said before, if the Braves are hoping to win this year, he has to be taken out of the run-producing slots in the lineup. If not, I think he needs a change of scenery or some serious time in the minors to work on his game.

And I realize I’m starting to sound like Robert.

By chipdip

July 23, 2008 1:00 PM | Link to this

WORLD SERIES BOUND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By Moby Grape

July 23, 2008 1:00 PM | Link to this

I expect my cleanup hitters to hit around .750 with RISP. Thanks for the info. Go ahead and think Tex is the clutch guy that you think he is.N8

LOL,(there that better?)Who is it exactly that hits that .750 for you dude?I’m not hung up on Tex, just intelligent and experienced enough to know that nobody succeeds more than 1/3 of the time and even the best players need others to produce too. I didn’t say he was a great clutch guy, I said that of course he failed more than he succeeded(a totally stupid statement by you) .

As for the insanity quote, 100 games proves little, certainly not any new rulesjust like Chippers full season of hitting .248 proved nothing but that he had a bad year. I’m not defending Jeff,but in baseball things can turn 180 degrees in an instant and know when it will happen. I’m not saying that he shouldn’t be batting lower in the order, I’m not even a Jeff fan, my point was that the quote is on here a lot and really does not apply well to baseball because no matter what a hater like you says, any given action can produce different results at any time.

You love to hear yourself talk dude(in your head as you type) but like all ranters you are crazed by emotion and usually light in the logic department. And you take up SOOO much cyber-space with it too.

By McFann :Ô:

July 23, 2008 1:01 PM | Link to this

Welcome back Run Heap Run.

But why would you take a .133 AVG??

By Contentious and Clueless

July 23, 2008 1:01 PM | Link to this

And Jack G, if stats are indeed for “loosers,” (whatever that means), how do you plan to assess the abilities of players to win or lose? Pray tell.

By N8

July 23, 2008 1:05 PM | Link to this

DOB

“By the way, didn’t intentionally leave off the 8 from your screen name in my previous message. Just a typo, fixed now.”

A) I figured so. B) I surely wouldn’t get upset and go all T.O. on you (IE: Saying, N8 doesn’t like it when people spell N8 wrong!)

Anyhow your point is true yet in the end, other than pride, it doesn’t much matter does it. Even if the records against the Marlins and Nats were flipped, the over all results would be the same.

Also, from last night (whether you actually care or not), my quote was from Spinal Tap.

“Here lies David St. Hubbins…..and why not?”

Not sure why, but that line has always made me laugh.

Lew

I’m finally getting my computer with all my tunes on it back up to speed. So expect an email in the next couple of weeks with that list I was telling you about.

By Quack Quack

July 23, 2008 1:05 PM | Link to this

How about sweeping them??? Your words will come back and hunt youDocH

Golly i hope so Doc. That was the idea.

By cricket

July 23, 2008 1:07 PM | Link to this

Shaun

Well, Anderson hasn’t really been blown out of water in majors either. But off course he was never rated in the same league (or planet) as JF, didn’t receive any significant amount of money to sign. So I understand that one would look at his minor numbers and come away unimpressed. I just hope he gets traded to a small market team like KC and get a chance to play in majors. I will bet real money on his success, his minors sample nonwithstanding.

Anyway, this doesn’t really affect the current state of braves. So I will give this discussion a rest now.

By Kevin

July 23, 2008 1:09 PM | Link to this

DOB Just Curious like N8, do you ever have players that really hold a grudge about something you say or do they understand that it is just business and you’re just doing your job? That must be a pretty fine line.

By Shaun

July 23, 2008 1:09 PM | Link to this

Doc Holliday, I don’t think Francoeur would struggle nearly as much against Triple-A pitching and defenses.

By ManOfTeal

July 23, 2008 1:10 PM | Link to this

Ha Ha Marlins win….flawless victory……Braves suck.

Go Marlins!!!!

By THB

July 23, 2008 1:11 PM | Link to this

I have an idea I don’t think most have thought of. Why not offer Manny Ramirez a contract if the Red Sox decline his option? We could do a 2 year deal with an option, nothing more though because he is 36. My reasoning is this:

He has hit over .300 with runners on second base, over .400 with runners on third base, .600 with runners on first and third base, and .800 with runners on second and third.

With all of our OBP guys and young guys, I think he would be a nice addition, and one we wouldnt have to give up prospects for or a long term contract.

I think he would be a better cleanup hitter than Tex and bring some experience. He has won 2 rings with the Sox.

Thoughts?

By TennesseePaul

July 23, 2008 1:12 PM | Link to this

Ha! I just pulled up ESPN.com and saw “Mets Meltdown” Six runs score in the ninth. That made for a good morning on the west coast.

By DAP

July 23, 2008 1:14 PM | Link to this

unsupervisedtoddler If not for Chipper’s extremely hot start (which NOBODY could sustain) this year, their numbers would be neck & neck, with maybe even Tex edging him out.

yeah, i mean, if chipper wasnt hitting so well, his stats would probably be closer to what tex’s are. i mean, duh. his stats are only good because he is hitting so well. what does that prove?

By DAP

July 23, 2008 1:14 PM | Link to this

unsupervisedtoddler If not for Chipper’s extremely hot start (which NOBODY could sustain) this year, their numbers would be neck & neck, with maybe even Tex edging him out.

yeah, i mean, if chipper wasnt hitting so well, his stats would probably be closer to what tex’s are. i mean, duh. his stats are only good because he is hitting so well. what does that prove?

By N8

July 23, 2008 1:16 PM | Link to this

unsupervisedtoddler

“N8, Wow, now you know what WOULD happen, if only. You know that Chipper would get the same pitches in the no. 4 slot as he’s getting now?”

That’s not my point. Your dissecting the comments too much dude. In fewer AB’s Chipper has MORE hits than Tex since the trade. Common sense tells you that if Chipper had somebody hitting in the two hole (along with NOT having a pitcher in the 9-hole - you know? having THREE hitters ahead of him to get on base), with those hits he’s racked up, he’d easily have the 129 RBI that Tex has. If not more.

Or are you one of those people that need physics and graph charts to tell you that when it’s raining outside you might get wet without an umbrella?

” If not for Chipper’s extremely hot start (which NOBODY could sustain) this year, their numbers would be neck & neck, with maybe even Tex edging him out.”

OK. Right back at you. If not for Tex’s extremely hot FINISH to last year, Chipper would STILL have the edge.

“Could also be that Tex hitting behind him has helped Chipper out a little.”

Maybe. But Last year Chipper hit .339 BEFORE Tex was traded for, and .333 AFTER the trade. That was with Tex tearing the cover off the ball.

So to give credit to Tex (with how horrible he was early in the year), for Chipper’s hot start is not fair, IMO.

By Shaun

July 23, 2008 1:17 PM | Link to this

And Jack G, if stats are indeed for “loosers,” (whatever that means), how do you plan to assess the abilities of players to win or lose? Pray tell.

Right. Try telling stat-conscious GMs like Theo Epstein that stats are for losers. He was probably worth more before turning 30 than me and Jack G combined. But I guess he’s just a looser.

By Random

July 23, 2008 1:24 PM | Link to this

For N8, Moby Grape, Braves Fan in Tn, et al, and yes, for DOB:

What with all the hoo-ha (aka foofaraw) the past couple days as to whether Tex is “clutch” or not, I thought I’d take a look at how he’s done in “important games” in this season only. (No career stats, no season stats, no last arbitrary number of games played stats). By “important games”, I mean simply the Braves’ 22 one-run so far losses this season.

Arbitrary sample? Maybe, but I hope it focuses on those games where he could have most made a difference, and it represented a manageable effort on my part.

In those 22 one-run losses, I have concluded that Tex was “clutch” in 8 games, “non-clutch”* in **11 games, with 3 games being a toss-up. My game by game figurings are listed below.

I agree with N8 — I have high expectations for a player to be considered “clutch”. As a minimum, for Tex to be considered a “clutch” hitter, I would expect him to come through “in the clutch” twice as often as not. I think the recaps below show that he has fallen well short of that expectation in the Braves’ 22 one-run losses.

3/30 @ WAS, 2-3 (Tex 1-4, 2B, 1 K, 1 LOB; top 9th, Tex doubles, Prado pinch runs, scores to tie game at 2: clutch for Tex)

3/31 v PIT, 11-12 (Tex 0-6, 1 K, 5 LOB; bottom 9th, down 9-5, Chipper drives in 6th & 7th runs, Tex pops up, McCann drives in 8th & 9th runs: no clutch for Tex)

4/3 v PIT, 3-4 (Tex 0-5, 4 LOB; bottom 6th, down 2-0, Chipper singles & later scores, Tex pops up; bottom 9th, 3-3, Tex pops up: no clutch for Tex)

4/7 @COL, 1-2 (Tex 0-3, 1 LOB; top 1st, 1 out, up a run, Tex strands Chipper at 2nd; no clutch for Tex)

4/8 @ COL 3-4 (0-3, 1 BB, 1 K, 2 LOB; top 1st, none out, up a run, runners 1st & 2nd, Tex lines out 4U; no clutch for Tex)

4/14 @ WAS 4-5 (Tex 2-4, 1B, 2B, 1 BB, 1 R, 1 LOB; top 6th, down 5-2, Tex doubles, scores 3rd run; top 8th, down 5-3, Tex singles, is forced at 2nd by Francoeur, who scores 4th run; top 9th, down 5-4, Tex IBB: clutch for Tex)

4/16 @ FLO 5-6 (Tex 1-3, 1B, 1 BB, 1 R, 2 LOB; top 3rd, down 3-1, 1 out, runners 1st & 2nd, Tex GIDP; top 6th, down 4-3, Tex singles, stranded; top 8th, down 6-3, Tex walks, scores 4th run: clutch for Tex)

4/26 @ NYN 3-4 (Tex 1-3, 2B, 1 BB, 1 RBI, 1 K; top 3rd, down 4-1, 2 outs, Tex walks to load bases, Hudson scores 2nd run on WP; top 6th, down 4-2, Tex grounds out to lead off; top 8th, down 4-3, Tex Ks to lead off: no clutch for Tex)

4/30 @ WAS 2-3 (Tex 2-5, 1B, 2B, 1 LOB; top 7th, 1-1, Tex grounds out to lead off; top 9th, 1-1, 1 out, Tex singles, stranded; top 12th, 1-1, Tex doubles to lead off, Prado pinch-runs, scores go-ahead 2nd run: clutch for Tex)

5/9 @ PIT 2-3 (Tex 1-3, 1B, 1 BB, 1 R, 1 LOB; top 8th, down 2-1, 2 out, Tex singles, scores tying 2nd run: clutch for Tex)

5/13 @PHI 4-5 (Tex did not play)

5/17 v OAK 4-5 (Tex 2-4, 1B, 2B, 1 R, 1 LOB; bottom 2nd, down 4-0, Tex singles to lead off, stranded; bottom 4th, down 5-0, 1 on, 1 out, Tex pops up; bottom 6th, down 5-1, 1 out, Tex grounds out; bottom 9th, down 5-1, Tex doubles to lead off, scores 2nd run: clutch for Tex)

5/27 @MIL 2-3 (Tex 1-4, 1B, 2 LOB; top 9th, 2-2, 1 on, 0 out, Tex GIDP: no clutch for Tex)

5/28 @ MIL 0-1 (Tex, 1-3, 1B, 1 BB, 1 K, 3 LOB; top 1st, 0-0, 1 on, 2 out, Tex walks, stranded; top 3rd, 0-0, 1 on, 2 out, Tex singles, stranded; top 5th, 0-0, 2 on, 2 out, Tex flies out; top 8th, 0-0, 1 on, 1 out, Tex Ks: no clutch for Tex)

5/30 @ CIN 2-3? (Tex 0-4, 1 RBI, 1 K; top 6th, 0-0, 1 on, 1 out, Tex sac fly RBI for 1st run; top 8th, 2-2, 0 on, 2 out, Tex grounds out; top 11th, 2-2, 0 on, 2 out, Tex grounds out: no clutch for Tex)

5/31 @ CIN 7-8 (Tex 2-6, 1B, HR, 1 R, 3 RBI, 1 K, 5 LOB; top 3rd, down 5-2, 2 on, 0 out, Tex HRs to tie game; top 4th, up 6-5, 2 on 1 out, Tex Ks; top 6th, 6-6, 1 on, 1 out, Tex grounds out FC; top 8th, 6—6, 0 on, 1 out, Tex flies out: no clutch for Tex)

6/6 v PHI 3-4 (Tex 1-3, 1B, 1BB, 1R, 2 K, 3 LOB; bottom 1st, down 1-0, 1 on, 2 out, Tex Ks; bottom 3rd, down 1-0, 2 on, 2 out, Tex BBs, stranded; bottom 6th, down 1-0, Tex singles to lead off, scores tying run; bottom 7th, up 2-1, 2 on, 1 out, Tex HBP, stranded; bottom 9th, 2-2, 2 on 1 out, Tex Ks: clutch/no clutch ???)

6/12 @ CHI 2-3 (Tex 0-3, 3 BBs, 1 K, 3 LOB; top 1st, 0-0, 1 on, 2 out, Tex grounds out; top 8th, up 2-1, Tex BBs to lead off, stranded; top 9th, 2-2, 1 on, 2 out, Tex IBB, stranded; top 11th, 2-2, 2 on, 2 out, Tex Ks looking: no clutch for Tex)

6/19 @ TEX 4-5 (Tex 1-3, 2B, 1 BB, 2 Rs, 1 K; top 4th, up 1-0, Tex doubles to lead off, scores 2nd run; top 6th, up 2-1, 0 on, 1 out, Tex Ks; top 9th, down 4-2, Tex BBs to lead off, scores 3rd run: clutch for Tex)

6/24 v MIL 3-4 (Tex 2-4, 2B, HR, 2 Rs, 2 RBIs, 1 K, 1 LOB; bottom 2nd, down 3-0, Tex pops up to lead off; bottom 4th, down 4-0, 1 on, 2 out, Tex Ks; bottom 7th, down 4-0, Tex doubles to lead off, scores 1st run; bottom 9th, down 4-1, 1 on, 0 out, Tex HRs, drives in 2nd & 3rd runs: clutch for Tex)

6/29 @ TOR 0-1 (Tex 0-1, 3 BBs, 1K, 1 LOB; top 6th/8th, Tex IBB: clutch/no clutch ???)

7/9 @ LAN 1-2 (Tex 0-3, 1 LOB; top 7th, down 0-1, 1 on, 2 out, Tex flies out: no clutch for Tex)

PS: FCS = ferchrissakes?

By Shaun

July 23, 2008 1:26 PM | Link to this

THB, not a bad idea to at least make an offer to Ramirez. I just doubt he’s worth what he or his agent thinks he’s worth and what he could get from a richer team like the Red Sox, Yankees, Angels, etc.

Also, the Braves like players who can field so odds are they’ll stay away from Ramirez.

By N8

July 23, 2008 1:26 PM | Link to this

Moby Grape

“LOL,(there that better?)Who is it exactly that hits that .750 for you dude?”

The fact that you completely missed the sarcasm in that statement explains a lot.

“…my point was that the quote is on here a lot and really does not apply well to baseball because no matter what a hater like you says, any given action can produce different results at any time.”

You mean like if you keep telling me that the “definition of insanity” doesn’t apply to baseball, I might actually eventually agree with you?

“You love to hear yourself talk dude(in your head as you type) but like all ranters you are crazed by emotion and usually light in the logic department. And you take up SOOO much cyber-space with it too.”

A) Yes. I absolutely LOVE to hear myself in my head AND read myself in print form. B) I’ve hardly ever been accused of NOT using logic. Over the top and overly negative at times? Absolutely. Lack of logic is the least of my issues.

As for taking up a lot of cyber-space? There’s a lot of it out there, and until somebody emails me and tells me that my blogging on the AJC is a causing cyber space to be put on the endangered species list, I’ll continue doing so.

But thanks for you concern.

By McFann :Ô:

July 23, 2008 1:32 PM | Link to this

DAP re: Your 1:14s—

Very funny! Well said.

Stats are for “loosers”? Wow. I didn’t even know there was such a thing, yet it turns out that I’m one of them!

By N8

July 23, 2008 1:32 PM | Link to this

Random

Well done. Thanks for the FCS explanation.

While yes, the 1-run games are a small sample size, they are a good indicator THIS SEASON at the failures of not only Tex but the rest of the lineup.

By DAP

July 23, 2008 1:33 PM | Link to this

shaun and doc holliday if AAA pitcher just threw head level fastballs at francouer, he would struggle.

By Lew

July 23, 2008 1:35 PM | Link to this

Yes, The Braves’ season this year is a direct result of Frenchy’s slump and My getting worked up.

Y’all sit here, day after day, drunken night after drunken night denigrating whoever happens to displease you the most on any given occasion.

In the past two weeks (or so) we’ve been one hit twice, two hit at least once, shut out several times, lost a game in Toronto where JoJo (also a survivor of y’all’s character assasination) pitched lights out to lose 1-0 and of course, it’s all Francoeur’s fault. If only Jeff were better, we would be leading the league by twenty games.

But then again it could be because KJ is the worst defensive second baseman to ever play the position and can’t hit his weight-but if Frenchy had hit it would be moot.

Of course, maybe it’s because we went and dumped Andruw and signed Kotsay, who should have never been signed because he has back problems. Of course, the fact he’s hitting about his career average isn’t indicative of anything except that he was injured-but if Frenchy had hit this would be moot..

Then again, maybe it’s because Matt Diaz (who many clamored for to play every day) had a dreadful first half until he tore his knee out-or maybe because Blanco (who Coach loves because he can run) hasn’t hit worth a damn and whose defense is somewhat less than advertised-but of course, IF Frenchy had hit this would be moot.

But that would only be if Tex had actually hit a couple of HOme Runs in games where it mattered-where weren’t behind by twelve runs when he hit that solo dinger-of course if Frenchy hit…….

Or maybe it’s because two thirds of our outfield was DL’ed along with Smoltz, Glavine, our main set up guy, our two closers and about fifteen others and Chipper and Yunel have been injured for quite a number of games, themselves-but if Frenchy…….

Of course it could just be that all these things combined make for a team whose destiny is not going to lead them to the promised land, but will have almost $45 million to spend in the offseason-but, then again, IF Frenchy had hit all would be well-UNLESS I get worked up and call y’all clueless.

Yes. Proof positive, get rid of Frenchy and have me be totally complimentary whenever I hear moronic drivel and all will be well. Sure it will.

By Lew

July 23, 2008 1:42 PM | Link to this

Nathan-No problem Dude. I owe you some music, too. Maybe now that the latest round with the Opthalmic Surgeon is over, I can get to those tunes.

By DAP

July 23, 2008 1:46 PM | Link to this

THB re:manny ramirez….im not sure he would be in our price range, but i wouldnt be totally against getting him if we could. his defense is bad, and i dont like him as a person…(from what i cant tell..i dont know him) but he would be good for our lineup, thats for sure.

By Doc Holliday

July 23, 2008 1:49 PM | Link to this

All I said was that this season’s failures are not just to be laid at the feet of Francoeur and that last night it wouldn’t have mattered WHO batted sixth-they all sucked. Lew

We are 6-22, read carefully. 6-22 in 1 RUN GAMES.

JF has 9 HR and 44 RBI.

He should have what Mc and Chipper have…….. 18 HR and 54-56 RBI. That alone could easily mean that our record could be……… 16-12 ………….Thats 10 games in the standings…………

He leads the team in ABs, K and outs, and make no mistake………….he is no jimmy rollins (leading the team in outs). He is also 2nd on the team in GIDP………….

He is also last among braves with at least 300 AB (there are 6) in Runs created. He leads Blanco by just 0.2 points. Thats unbelievable.

Of all the players including rookies and everything there are only 2 position players that have seen less pitches per AB than him…………ANDERSON AND KOTSAY……….. and Hudson has a better number than him in that department………..

How can a team survive is its RF sees less pitches per AB than one of its SP???

Unacceptable

Of all the players that have been to atlanta this year……….only Gotay and JPerry have done worse than him with RISP………….Can you imagine that??? worse than Corky Miller? Worse than everybody???????? but gotay ……….he comes only as PH……..thats tough………….

Can you say GUILTY???????

Not the only one of course………..but…………Id say……….among top 3………..by far (Ill include Cox also, not KJ though)

By Bobby's Cox

July 23, 2008 1:52 PM | Link to this

I do believe KJ should’ve been hitting 6th last night ahead of Francoeur.

I also believe Prado should’ve been hitting 6th instead of KJ.

Play the kid.

By Roman Gal

July 23, 2008 1:52 PM | Link to this

gotigers72 Do you watch or listen to Mississippi games or do you just go look at stats pages and make your own inferences about how Jordan Schafer is doing?

He’s been in a slump for practically the entire month of July, yes. But a lot that has to do with him getting unlucky. When he hits the ball, he hits it hard, but always seems to hit it right at someone. He strikes out a little too much, but that’s been a problem his entire career. He works the count and takes a lot of walks. Sort of like Kelly. When you work the count a lot you tend to strike out more.

He also had a very solid month of June where he had an OPS of .889. Sometime you just have to remember that players are LEARNING in the minors and they’re not always going to be consistantly great. But maybe you’re right…it’s the juice.

By I was a teenage Francophile

July 23, 2008 1:53 PM | Link to this

Questions for DOB or the blog

What is the record for LOB by an individual hitter?

Does Francoeur have a chance to break that record?

By southbeachdietfreak

July 23, 2008 1:53 PM | Link to this

I am as frustrated as anyone about JF, but I agree with those who say you can’t blame him for the whole season going down the tubes.

I do believe he needs to go back to Mississippi, or Myrtle Beach, or wherever, and get his head on straight or something. Clearly something is wrong.

Those of you who continue to post and say those who criticize the team are not real fans can get over yourselves. Maybe it’s those who care most about the team that are venting the most, because they ARE frustrated. Either way, it’s a free country (I’m helping to keep it that way, USN), so let the posters post! I have been a fan of the Braves for 30 years! (since I knew what baseball was). Doesn’t mean I’ll endorse every decision that management makes. I am not niave enough to think that management takes orders from us blogger types. I’m just offering my opinion, like all concerned fans.

DOB, apology for my post to you on previous blog. out of line, just an emotional rant. Keep doing what you’re doing, love your columns!

By CONNECTICUT BRAVES FAN

July 23, 2008 1:56 PM | Link to this

Julian Taverez look like a 20 game winner in 2009. i heard he could even strike out Frenchy by throwing behind him.

By Big Easy

July 23, 2008 1:57 PM | Link to this

Lew, I think you missed the point of the denizens. You see, if Frenchy had hit…

Oh, nevermind. :)

~E~

By N8

July 23, 2008 1:57 PM | Link to this

Lew

Cool on the music. As for Frenchy? Dude you’re missing the point. It’s Tex that’s caused this season to go bad.

Sorry. Couldn’t resist. But apparently, I’m the only one on this blog that holds Tex more responsible for what happened in April and May, than what people hole Frenchy responsible for since then.

Short memories I guess. Maybe because Tex DID finally heat up (like everybody said he would), we’re supposed to forget what he did for two months to start the season.

Sorry. But when I look back on the 2008 season, it will be his performance in April and May that I remember dooming the season, even WITH all the injuries.

Everybody has said how “amazing” it is that with all the injuries, this team has still hung in there until recently.

Sure. Fair enough. But this team was built upon depth. That depth (that many, including myself), questioned earlier in the year, has actually helped keep us “in it”.

Had Jeff and tex performed up to expectations, Wren would be considered a genius for building such depth.

But they haven’t, and he won’t. Because the golden boy had his first real big-league slump, and ANOTHER Boras client choked in his walk year.

Aaahhh. Baseball. CATCH THE FEVER!

By Doc Holliday

July 23, 2008 2:03 PM | Link to this

I forgot to mention…………JF is hitting .193 wih RISP

By Braveheart

July 23, 2008 2:05 PM | Link to this

I do believe Kelly Johnson could become a difference maker…yes, I said Kelly Johnson. He very well could develop into one of if not the best secondbaseman in the league.

Shaun, I know you love Kelly Johnson and fancy him as a future Utley but I continue to believe he’s nothing more than Todd Walker reincarnated. Todd Walker was a nice complimentary player on some good teams but was hardly a difference maker. KJ is a complimentary piece. He’ll never be a middle of the order difference maker. Thus far, he has not demonstrated great speed, great power, great batting average ability and great fielding. He’s also no longer great at the one thing he was great at: getting on base and drawing walks and getting into deep pitch counts.

Jason Heyward looks like a good bet so far, although it’s still early.

Isn’t Heyward like 18 years old? Yes, he looks real good but he won’t even be entering his prime until 2017. That;s 9 seasons from now. Only nuns and priests practice that much delayed gratification.

By Bobby's Cox

July 23, 2008 2:11 PM | Link to this

*This is my opinion and not based on any rumor or innuendo…but I think there could be something wrong with Jeff’s eye. *

Nothing’s wrong with Jeff’s eye. Get a clue. He had the eyes checked. The vision was a little less in the right and he was fitted with a contact.

If Jeff has a degenerative condition in his eyes, it’s a slow condition that obviously contacts can cure now.

He’s had his eyes checked and is playing with normal vision. What’s your next excuse? I’m sure you’re a local dude that loves the kid and wants to see him succeed, but JF never will until he stops worrying about getting paid & doing too much, and starts thinking about his approach at the plate and how he can correct his swing.

Sorry if i’m being a little harsh for what was just your opinion, but JF needs to open his eyes and wake up. If he’s not seeing that sports psychologist anymore, I think he’d better start again. What about the batting drill where you write numbers on the baseball & the hitter has to recognize the number? What about vision training that was popular in the 90’s. I don’t think Jeff is doing any of that stuff.

By Bobby's Cox

July 23, 2008 2:19 PM | Link to this

Bruce’s Pearl

Great 8:33 am post.

By Jeff F., from Atlanta

July 23, 2008 2:26 PM | Link to this

Can anyone tell me where I can go to sell my soul in order to regain my hitting ability?

By TennesseePaul

July 23, 2008 2:28 PM | Link to this

Lew: Loved the rant. But Of course, maybe it’s because we went and dumped Andruw and signed Kotsay, who should have never been signed because he has back problems.
Not sure if this was part of the sarcasm or not, but we traded for Kotsay.

Any way, this team obviously needed some more veteran power on it and less health risk. Stability in the pitching staff probably would have done wonders for confidence on a game by game basis. No one expected Francoeur to take over for the 2007 version of AJ. I think everyone would have been happy with the 2000 version instead. KJ could be a real good player some day but his inconsistency is glaring when the team struggles to field a regular line up from opening day. But isn’t this the story with all young players? Hence the need to decide on one of two paths, go completely young and watch the tortuous learning years for a while and hope they all can mature into a power house team without in atrocious scars from the maturation process, or continue what JS set in place, fielding a team with a good mix of veterans and youth. This teams veterans have all been injured or are injury risks. (I know technically McCann and Francoeur are vets, but they aren’t the type of vets this team used to “mix in” during the winning days. It was typically vets with more than 3 or 4 years experience).
This coming off season a ton of money comes off the books. Hampton is gone. Glavine. Smoltz. Teixeira. Kotsay and even Ohman. That’s half the opening day salary. (53.5 - 58.5 million depending on how and who is doing the accounting). This team could afford to sign Teixeira, though I don’t know that it’s the best move that could be made. He’s shown he’s not the type of player that carries a team. He’s good, but not that type of good.
Here is the list of Free Agents for this coming off season. The team can make some serious moves. I know Payne loves KJ, but I’m not opposed to dealing him. He has value and the return could be what is needed. I’m no Prado fan but defense up the middle was always the key back in the day. If trading KJ improves the defense up the middle while also hoisting up the offense in the outfield and/or veteran pitching in the rotation, I don’t see a reason not to look into it.

By It's all Scatalogical

July 23, 2008 2:31 PM | Link to this

This blog need more fart jokes.

By David O'Brien

July 23, 2008 2:34 PM | Link to this

New BLOG-A-RAMA now being presented.

By It's all Scatalogical

July 23, 2008 2:36 PM | Link to this

What about the batting drill where you write numbers on the baseball & the hitter has to recognize the number?

Even better, what about the drill where the BP pitcher farts on the ball and the hitter has to smell it?

It might work for Jeff. His problem is whiffing.

By Bobby's Cox

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

Random

Wow. That must’ve taken you forever. Thanks.

So, i counted 2 HR in those 1 run losses, but in one of those games that Tex homered, he failed later in the game with the game on the line.

Pretty sad. It’s safe to say Boras won’t be using those situations in his Teixeira assessment booklet he puts together for interested teams.

By TheProfessor

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

Long time reader, first time poster. Mr. O’Brien you sure do join in on all the talk,more than most writers (it is great)…I am driving a long way to see the Cards & Braves on July 30 and just hope that some of the players I have watched all year are still there. Lots of terrific points here but everyone is just guessing and I just want them to win, whatever it takes. Maybe a few will be left for July 30…GO BRAVES…GO PENDELTON (away)GO BOBBY (away), then see what happens !

By Random

July 23, 2008 3:03 PM | Link to this

DOB: “I could be covering college football tomorrow. Or metro government. Whatever the AJC higher-ups tell me to cover. Hopefully, they’ll keep me covering ‘ball a long time.”

AJC announces section changes, staffing …

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution will cut its workforce by 8 percent, or about 189 jobs, and eliminate all of its geographically targeted news sections as part of a cost-cutting plan announced Wednesday… . Mellott said the AJC will maintain news bureaus in Gwinnett, Cobb, DeKalb and North Fulton, adding that the daily newspaper’s metro and sports sections will expand to handle coverage from those areas.

The Good News: DOB still has a job.

The Bad News: DOB will now be the Beat Reporter not only for the Atlanta Braves, but also for the Gwinnett Braves, West Georgia Braves, Long Branch Braves, Hightower Chiefs, College Park Warriors, Cross Keys Indians and Creekside Seminoles.

PS: apologies to Chop Chop.

By Jack G

July 23, 2008 3:22 PM | Link to this

Contentious—Shaun—McFann

So i mispelled a word. You still got the message. Before I retired I had a secretary who could spell and type. She was the smart one in the office. To have made myself clear, I should have said reciting stats is for losers. Certainly stats have a place in evaluatingballplayers. But DOB keeps throwing out all those stats about low ERA and team high (compared to other teams)batting average so how do you explain all those losses?? Would you rather have 10 usless hits that make your batting average look good, or 1 clutch hit that drives in a run?????

By Moby Grape

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

I agree with N8 — I have high expectations for a player to be considered “clutch”. As a minimum, for Tex to be considered a “clutch” hitter, I would expect him to come through “in the clutch” twice as often as not. I think the recaps below show that he has fallen well short of that expectation in the Braves’ 22 one-run losses.Random

C’mon Random, I’m not trying to insult you, but that is plain crazy. Nobody produces 67% of the time in any situation over the long term. I fail to see how you could possibly posit that, I mean it seriously blows my mind. You might find some small totally arbitrary sample when that happened, but that’s just not right. Tony Perez had the nickname Mr Clutch in the old days and his BA in clutch situations was about 5 points higher than his normal level.

If you had ever played or worked in pro ball at any level you would understand how nuts that qualification is. Playing well under pressure is more in line with not letting the pressure make you produce at a lower level than normal, not about producing God knows how many standard deviations above your normal level. If I’m not mistaken Arod led the league in game-winning hits last season and none of his clutch BAs were more than 10% over his normal average and most weren’t that high. None above 36% ,Golly thats a long long way from 67%.

Anyway, I never said whether I thought tex was clutch or not. That was an assumption(no no) that H8 made in regards to what I replied to him, it was not based on what I actually said.(though I do feel that he is a reasonably clutch player over the long run) If you can even define clutch. Certainly many don’t even believe in the concept. and in general those stats tend to vary from season to season.and the larger the sample size grows the closer it usually come to the mean.

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