AJC > Sports > Braves > Blog > Archives > 2008 > July > 25 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USBraves fighting for survival
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Philadelphia — Welcome to ground zero….Or something like that. Here it is, the city of brotherly love (hmph), six days from the trading deadline, the Braves are 6-1/2 games behind the Mets and they have three days of must-win baseball ahead.
Or at least two.
With apologies to our forefathers, Philadelphia seems a hardscrabble town — is that the right word? At least it does from a cab ride on the way in from the airport. Granted I’ve seen it more on “Cold Case” than in person since 2001.
But it’s a fitting place for the Braves to face some hard truths.
(Just me? Or was it some kind of sign that I have a huge three-way mirror in the bathroom of my corner room in this sweet high-rise hotel? It’s a weekend of self-evaluation. Well, wait. Maybe shouldn’t have said that.)
The Braves have three games against the Phillies to prove to Frank Wren they’re still hanging in there in the division and worthy of hanging on to the trade market’s biggest name: Mark Teixeira.
They’ve got to do it against a team that just dropped two of three to the Mets, and comes in riled up after falling a game back into second place in the NL East. And the Phillies, lest some of us have blocked it out completely, have beaten the Braves seven in a row this season and eight of nine.
Did I mention the Braves have to face Cole Hamels tomorrow? A guy who has beat them twice, coming one out shy of two complete games, while allowing only a run? That’s 2-0 with a 0.51 ERA.
Oh and yes, this little nugget still looms — they might have to do it without Chipper Jones. Word on that to come. My hunch is he doesn’t play tonight, maybe not tomorrow, but I can’t see him sitting out this entire series. At least some pinch-hitting?
We should also find out if Tim Hudson’s elbow is sound and if so, whether the Braves might go ahead and run Mike Hampton out to the hill tomorrow. Look, (don’t e-mail me, ahem, I know how you feel about him) I happened to think it’s a darn good idea. Jo-Jo Reyes has been struggling - he’s lost his last five starts while putting up a 7.65 ERA and a .353 opponents batting average. Hampton doesn’t need any more chances to pull something preparing to get back. He says the arm is solid. Get him back out there before anybody else has any more time to think about it. And if something pops, Reyes can come right back up - he wouldn’t have to wait 10 days.
But we’ll see how it plays out.
Meanwhile, numbers against the Phillies this season? You know they aren’t pretty. Braves are 1-8, scoring three runs a game, hitting .230 and giving up a 5.63 ERA. The only Phillies starter they beat - Brett Myers - is just back from the minors but not pitching in this series. And they’d better not sit around and wait for great chances late in games either.
The Phillies’ bullpen is leading the majors with a 2.84 ERA, while going 22-15 and converting 26 of 34 save chances.
The only Braves starter to beat the Phillies this year is supposed to throw a bullpen today — Tom Glavine. He’s still hoping for a mid-August return.
As for trade scenarios, they seem to be on hold until this weekend plays out. Wren really can’t and shouldn’t pull the trigger until he has a feel for how this series goes. It’s almost like a Division Series though, isn’t it? (Back in the days when we were all involved in those.) Game 1 could make a huge difference: Kyle Kendrick vs. Jair Jurrjens.
In Jurrjens’ last game against the Phillies he gave up three homers in a loss. He’s given up only eight homers all year. He’ll have to be sharper than that, especially in a hitters’ park.
As for the rumored scenarios, Jayson Stark did give some credence to the idea an NL West contender might be the best fit for a Teixeira deal, when he declared Arizona the frontrunner in positioning for Teixeira. The Arizona Republic said D-backs officials downplayed a potential deal, saying they haven’t spoken to the Braves in days. Then again, all it takes is picking up the phone again.
In the meantime, I’m off to Citizens Bank Park for the first time. The crusty old backup beat writer has only been to the Vet. So do fights break in the stands at Citizens Bank Park, too?
By the way, you know you’re in a northern town when your hotel room AC is blowing 64 degrees. Gracious. Oh, and Jeff Francoeur’s dad was on my plane coming up from Atlanta. Can’t hurt to have that kind of support around this weekend.
Comments
By lexbrave
July 25, 2008 2:45 PM | Link to this
uno?
By br54
July 25, 2008 2:47 PM | Link to this
First?
By TennesseePaul
July 25, 2008 2:49 PM | Link to this
Thanks for the Blog Carroll. Have fun up there in Philly.
By Hijo de la patria mexicana
July 25, 2008 2:49 PM | Link to this
Primero?
By aefwb
July 25, 2008 2:51 PM | Link to this
I would be happy with a Connor Jackson and Scherzer for Teixeira and Ohman swap. If we had to, I would even through Kotsay in there to insure we get the deal done.
By Chop Chop
July 25, 2008 2:52 PM | Link to this
Carroll,
Welcome back.
They have fights in the stands at Citizens Bank Park, but you get free checking if you throw a punch. That’s kinda nice.
By chc4
July 25, 2008 3:00 PM | Link to this
Why is the AJC trying to convince us the Braves are still contenders? Carroll and DOB have been saying for oh 6 weeks now… “these next 2 series will define the season”. The Braves have failed every time. This season is OVER.
By mighty mike
July 25, 2008 3:02 PM | Link to this
Doing my best impression of W.C. Fields: I once spent three weeks in Philadelphia … one Sunday afternoon.
If the Braves get swept, they will probably feel the same way.
By the way, enjoy your work Carroll. You and DOB make a great team. And don’t look in those mirrors too long. You know what happened to Narcissus.
By Mark C.
July 25, 2008 3:05 PM | Link to this
I heard Gammons on the radio this morning and he mentioned Tex for Tracy and a young arm. Jarrod Parker I think. It definitely wasn’t Scherzer.
By bobby
July 25, 2008 3:06 PM | Link to this
Don’t know why I am doing this. The Braves are just not worth wasting your time talking or reading about.
By pfunkatl2
July 25, 2008 3:06 PM | Link to this
Hey Carroll,
Maybe Francoeur’s dad will give him some hitting tips like Mac and Chip’s dad do!
By bravos2249
July 25, 2008 3:08 PM | Link to this
Carroll
What’s up with Hank Aaron wanting to buy the Cubs?
I’d assume that if he wanted to buy a team it would’ve been Atlanta about 1-2 yrs ago?
IDK?
By Cecil34
July 25, 2008 3:09 PM | Link to this
Carroll
Might want to tell Tex to call PODS and get his furniture loaded up.
Get with Will too, while you are at it…
Have fun in Philly!
By Braveheart
July 25, 2008 3:09 PM | Link to this
Oh, and Jeff Francoeur’s dad was on my plane coming up from Atlanta.
I thought Jeff’s dad was supposed to manage some games in Mississippi this weekend
By Patrick
July 25, 2008 3:10 PM | Link to this
Trade the following players:
Tex Glavine Francouer Ohman Kotsay
PLEASEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
By TennesseePaul
July 25, 2008 3:19 PM | Link to this
Braveheart: That one made me L - O - L. Good stuff.
By Carroll Rogers
July 25, 2008 3:23 PM | Link to this
A roster move - not the one you’re most curious about but - Anthony Lerew has been activated from his rehab assignment and the 60-day DL - and optioned to Richmond. He’s been recovering from Tommy John surgery since May 2007.
And the Braves have completed the sale of Chris Resop to the Hanshin Tigers of the Japanese League. Maybe that’s why I saw his Braves jersey on the sale rack at the CNN Clubhouse Store the other day.
By Shamus Thacker
July 25, 2008 3:24 PM | Link to this
With an all-you-can-eat buffet around every corner nowadays, if you can FIT between the three mirrors you’re ahead of the game!
Fine blog Carroll!
By Carroll Rogers
July 25, 2008 3:26 PM | Link to this
Good one, Chop Chop
Hey, so THIS is what a view of the downtown skyline looks like from the press box. The giant video board doesn’t actually block it.
By TampaCuban
July 25, 2008 3:28 PM | Link to this
Who are we kidding? Is Frenchy NOT going to swing at 3 bad pitches in a row? Specially with runners in scoring position? Is any Brave player (other than Blanco) going to lay down a bunt in a key situation? Is Bobby NOT going to use at least 4 pitchers tonight even if Jurrgens pitches well? This team is flat as a pancake and has been for a long time now. Does a manager make a difference? Look at the Cards with inferior talent but with a skipper that motivates his team!!! Yuk!!!!
By Rick
July 25, 2008 3:29 PM | Link to this
I just realized - the Braves could sweep this series and still be 6 1/2 games back because the Phillies are not in first place anymore ,the Mets are . The Mets are playing the Cards who are reeling and might sweep them , in which case we would not gain a bit .
Thats the killer about chasing two or more teams instead of one . A sweep of the Phils would hurt the Phils but not necessarily help the Braves very much . In fact the Mets will be rooting for us .
By Shamus Thacker
July 25, 2008 3:31 PM | Link to this
Bet the suicide rate is high up there. If ya gotta live in Philly, why live?
I think Plato mighta said that…
By Thrillhouse44
July 25, 2008 3:34 PM | Link to this
How many yen did we get for Resop?
By Lee in S GA
July 25, 2008 3:36 PM | Link to this
I’d say there is a 50 / 50 chance Tex and Ohman will not be a Brave after this 3 game series. Tonight’s’ game will probably tell the story. A loss will get the phone lines busy or should I say start the text messaging.
By prattvillenolzfan
July 25, 2008 3:36 PM | Link to this
Welcome back Carroll
Heard on the radio this morning that the Braves are having trouble with the Angels and Red Sox in what to trade for Tex.
It seems the Arizona/Braves talks are gaining momentum. The guest (never did get his name..sporting news radio) said that the Dodgers and Diamondbacks are the two teams in the “forefront” for Tex right now…..
If we trade Tex, I personally think a Kemp/Loney (although the guest said the Dodgers are now looking for a SS…Lillibridge maybe????) package makes better sense than a Conor Jackson/prospect package…
Not that I’m waiting for Wren to call me and ask my opinion, but I would like to see us take our chances and keep Tex the rest of the year. I know our chances of reaching the playoffs are slim, but Tex gives us our best shot…..
All we need to do is sweep the Phillies, have the Cubs sweep the Marlins, and have St. Louis sweep the Mets……You will then have 4 teams within 4 games of first place….(it was hard for me to type that, my fingers were dripping with HEAVY sarcasm…..)
While I’m dreaming, Hampton will pitch a CG shutout saturday, Franceour will get a hit with the bases loaded in each game this week-end, and Cox will NOT start Norton or Miller this week-end…
Oh yeah, my beloved Seminoles will go 12-0 this year as well……
By N9
July 25, 2008 3:38 PM | Link to this
yes this is the biggest series of the year, and yes we hear that before..but really
By Gil In Mechanicsville
July 25, 2008 3:38 PM | Link to this
Crusty Old Beat Writer I hardly think so… You trying to move in stealth mode?
Things in Richmond have been in steady decline since your last visit. Of course, nearly all of the prospects are already in Atlanta due to injuries or are themselves on the DL… Too bad for Joe Borchard, Atlanta could have used his bat this year…
By Renegator
July 25, 2008 3:40 PM | Link to this
Thrillhouse
6 yen
By coocoo falcon fan
July 25, 2008 3:43 PM | Link to this
I love it when a true fan writes, its the perspective every fan should have. Its not over until its over, I wonder if the Phillie fans gave up last year when they were 7 games out with 17 to play? Maybe a bad analogy considering the same Phils hold our fate in there hands this weekend. I am a true fan and think we can sweep or win atleast two. If Glavine comes back and Hampton then thats our help without losing anybody. I know, I know wishful thinking but thats all a true fans really got in these days of fly by nighters.
By McFann :Ô:
July 25, 2008 3:44 PM | Link to this
John Grove has homered for the ChiCubs. That’s number 17 for him, and he’s now up to 58 RBI. He’s also struck out…that gives him 89 K’s for the year…Zoyks!
(Welcome aboard, Ms. Rogers!)
By Moby Grape
July 25, 2008 3:45 PM | Link to this
“LOL,(there that better?)Who is it exactly that hits that .750 for you dude?”
To which I responded:
“The fact that you completely missed the sarcasm in that statement explains a lotH8
It says a lot about what I think of your posts no question, I consider your normal posts to be so foolish that I could take anything that you say at face value and believe that you mean it H8. Sarcasm can only be suspected if you think that the deliverer is intelligent enough to create it,and your continual long-winded blatherings in order to feel like a big-shot and get attention have never caused me to expect anything better. Sorry I missed that one , dude. Maybe in another year or so you will show another spark of intelligence. I’ll try to be right on top of that one.
By Skeezix
July 25, 2008 3:47 PM | Link to this
Lots of crazy things can happen in B-Ball. Remember Colorado and the historic Mets choke at the end of last seaso? It will take the Braves (a mediocre team) playing 600 plus ball here on out and the Mets/Phillies/Marlins (three good teams) choking. I hope it happens but I ain’t gonna put money down on it. To me, the recent Nats series was proof enough that the 2008 Braves are a mediocre team—- thus some of us refer to them as the “Bravettes”
By DAP
July 25, 2008 3:48 PM | Link to this
prattvillenolzfan actually, the braves might have a better chance to win with kemp and loney than they do with tex. that would be a great trade for us. LA wont do it unless they are planning on signing him this offseason.
By Dirt Dobber
July 25, 2008 3:51 PM | Link to this
coocoo falcon fan
Spoken like a true Falcons’ fan.
By ncgary
July 25, 2008 3:55 PM | Link to this
yeah but if the braves cardinals and cubs all sweep, we are one series away from being on top again
then again if congress regulated oil futures gas would be under 2 bucks again too,
both are possibilities, but does anyone believe they will?
By davidputty
July 25, 2008 3:58 PM | Link to this
Even if the Braves do not have a chance to get back in the race (and they probably do not), they still need to hold on to Tex. He is only 28 years old and, in addition to being a great hitter, he is also a fantastic defensive first baseman. The Braves are already paying him $12.5 million a year. They will free up $16 million in payroll at the end of the season when Hampton’s obscene contract expires. Add half of Hampton’s pay to what Tex is already making and he’s up to $20.5 million a year. If it takes more to keep Tex, they still have $8 million left to negotiate.
By MBPELICAN
July 25, 2008 3:58 PM | Link to this
Those jerseys at the CNN center are awesome, they are spring training worn jerseys, i’ve been getting them every year for the past 4. This year i got Diory Hernandez’s…and they are only $25!!!!! They are authentic majestic bp jerseys, you can’t beat that deal.
By N9
July 25, 2008 3:58 PM | Link to this
DAP how do you know that loney or kemp would do better for us than TEX?
By Thrillhouse44
July 25, 2008 4:00 PM | Link to this
Renegator
How many Saporas can you get with 6 yen?
By Brett
July 25, 2008 4:01 PM | Link to this
Surprised to see bloggers finding a way not to blame Francoeur for Chipper’s injury.
By TheCutMan
July 25, 2008 4:02 PM | Link to this
Even in the most optimistic scenarios, can anyone realistically see the Braves being a force should they make the post-season by some minor miracle?
Anyone? Anyone? Buhler? Buhler?
By McFann :Ô:
July 25, 2008 4:04 PM | Link to this
DAP LA wont do it unless they are planning on signing him this offseason.
I don’t think LA will be signing any of our free-agents for a while…
By Chop Chop
July 25, 2008 4:05 PM | Link to this
Myrtle Beach has seven players with more than 10 HRs this year. Is that a record?
If nothing else, Mississippi ought to be a damn good team next year.
By AZBravoFan
July 25, 2008 4:10 PM | Link to this
Hey I just saw that Johnny Estrada was DFA’d by the Nats today. I know he’s been banged up but he’s gotta be a better option than Corky right? I totally agree with you Carroll about this weekend having a Division Series-like feel to it, at least on the Braves end. The sad thing is that these “playoff-type” series seem to be occurring earlier and earlier every year. Finally, someone mentioned Tex for Tracy and a prospect. Surely they can do better than that. Chad Tracy was a nice player a couple years ago, but he has yet to prove he’s fully healthy yet after knee surgery. I’d much rather have Conor Jackson or Loney.
By pinkygonzales
July 25, 2008 4:10 PM | Link to this
Listen y’all, I’ll be just as ready to throw the season away this weekend if things go as poorly during this series as they have recently against the Phillies. But it seems like some of you guys are rooting for them to fail. What’s that about? It’s not even august yet. It’s a full month until college football season. What the heck are we supposed to do with our August if the Braves give up the ghost? The last time I had to deal with this was when I was a sophomore in high school. Let’s hope against hope that they get it done this series and can we please can the negativity until after the weekend.
By Thrillhouse44
July 25, 2008 4:13 PM | Link to this
Brett, a classic right there, my friend.
By Chop Chop
July 25, 2008 4:14 PM | Link to this
Brett,
Chipper saw Francoeur hit that double the other night and, well, the shock caused him to feel a little twinge in his hamstring.
It’s all Francoeur’s fault.
By DAP
July 25, 2008 4:14 PM | Link to this
N9 DAP how do you know that loney or kemp would do better for us than TEX?
i said kemp AND loney, not kemp OR loney. i misunderstood the post i responded to to be refeering to kemp AND loney i think its obvious why kemp AND loney would help us win more than tex by himself. LA isnt likely to trade kemp AND loney.
By ncgary
July 25, 2008 4:17 PM | Link to this
so hampton starts saturday and chipper sits tonight
By Graham
July 25, 2008 4:22 PM | Link to this
Chipper is not in the line-up tonight (as if we didn’t already know he wouldn’t be). Reported at atlantabraves.com.
By David O'Brien
July 25, 2008 4:23 PM | Link to this
Here’s what I just filed:
Philadelphia — Mike Hampton will pitch in a major league game Saturday. Seriously.
Barring any last-minute setbacks, the veteran Braves left-hander will make his first major league start in 35 months on Saturday against the Philadelphia Phillies, manager Bobby Cox announced Friday.
“Right now, he is [scheduled to start Saturday], said Cox, who was convinced Hampton was ready after a Tuesday bullpen session in Florida. “His last bullpen, it couldn’t get any better than that.”
Cox said Tim Hudson, who left Wednesday’s game at Florida after six innings due to tightness near his pitching elbow, felt significantly better and is expected to make his next scheduled start Tuesday against St. Louis.
Hampton will pitch the middle game of the crucial series against the Phillies in place of young lefty Jo-Jo Reyes, who has lost five consecutive starts. Reyes is scheduled to move to Monday’s series opener against the Cardinals.
It would appear rookie Charlie Morton is the odd man out of the rotation, at least for now. His next turn would have been Monday if the Braves hadn’t shuffled the rotation.
Hampton, 35, has been sidelined all season by a twice-strained pectoral muscle and, most recently, a strained groin.
Three times this season, the former 22-game winner has been injured just before what would have been his first start _ once during his pregame warmup in the first week of the season, and twice in his last scheduled minor league rehab start.
Barring some unforeseen injury between now and the first pitch Saturday, Hampton will pitch for the first time in a regulation game since his last start Aug. 14, 2005.
He went 5-3 with a 3.50 ERA in 12 starts in 2005, and missed the 2006-2007 seasons recovering from two separate elbow surgeries. Hampton is making $15 million this season in the final year of an eight-year, $121 million contract he signed with Colorado before the 2001 season.
He was traded to the Braves after the 2002 season and has a 32-20 record and 3.96 ERA in 72 starts for Atlanta, including 14-8 in 2003 and 13-9 in 2004.
By CanEmAll
July 25, 2008 4:25 PM | Link to this
None of the trades mentioned makes Atlanta appreciably better. It’s not a “trade Mark Texiera & things are all better” scenario. I say trade Tex because he is in a contract year and Boras is his agent. The Braves are not apt to spend any money. Their bigger problems are that the players they have are not durable. They can not catch the ball. They do not get timely hits. It doesn’t really matter whom you put on this roster as it is, they are still not going to be very good. Jeff Franceour gets beat to death, but he’s only one player who caught the ball and hit the ball pretty decent prior this season who seems to have forgotten how. What about Mark Kotsay? What about Kelly Johnson? What about fill in the blank with whoever is in left field. You could strip this roster back to Chipper Jones and Brian McCann and start over again and this team wouldn’t be any worse.
By N9
July 25, 2008 4:29 PM | Link to this
DAP oh i see.yes that would be nice. that does sound like alot to give for TEX but if we add ohman we might be talking.plus seems like some pitcher is getting bumpped since a few are comming back.if no pitcher i would guess buddy or ring would be the casualty
By Lew
July 25, 2008 4:30 PM | Link to this
Hampton pitches a one hitter for 7 innings and Frenchy breaks out with a 9-15 weekend, a pair of Home Runs and 10RBI’s.
OK. It”s been raining here for a week and today’s the first sunny day. It’s affected my sense of reality. But it could happen, right? Yeah, I know-they’re fitting the pigs with rocket packs right now, aren’t they?
By Milton Jeff
July 25, 2008 4:31 PM | Link to this
Braves need to have a “October” mentality going into this weekend. If we lose 2 or 3..become sellers asap. My theory is that if we stay a short distance from the leader..no trades at all. Trading Tex could bite us in the butt. Since we are renting him anyways, why not use him till at least September. I would hate to see the Braves heating up while the competition is losing and trade Tex. We know the Braves are dropping a lot of folks at the end of this year..wait and see what happens then go shopping during the off-season.
By N9
July 25, 2008 4:33 PM | Link to this
DOB ohhh thx for the GREAT HUDDY news!!!!!
By McFann :Ô:
July 25, 2008 4:34 PM | Link to this
AZBravoFan—
Johnny Estrada, eh? That’s be funny…sort of the opposite of 2005…WITHOUT AN ERSTAD, I mean…
Hampton? On Saturday? Oo-noo…
By David O'Brien
July 25, 2008 4:34 PM | Link to this
Ben, in answer to your question from other blog, regarding rumors: There are four or five well-connected national writers at major websites who report most of the trade rumors you are referring to, and several other national writers from assorted newspapers (we don’t have that position at our paper any longer) who chip in with rumors to a lesser degree.
Anyway, those guys, their job is to stay on the phone most of every day, or talk to scouts when they’re working for their TV employers at ballparks, about national-impact baseball issues, and at this time of the year that’s almost exclusively trade rumors. That’s their job.
My job is to follow this team, do an (almost) daily blog about ins and outs of the team (and BBQ, and music, and whatever else we like to talk about), and cover about 130 games plus spring training, winter meetings, postseason some All-Star Games, and offseason moves.
Each game day is about 10 hours devoted to the blog and scout box, game story and notebook, from the couple hours of work I do at home in the morning/noon on the blog and numbers-crunching, to pregame when clubhouse opens at 3:30 for 7 p.m. game, to standing around waiting for guys to hit, or waiting for Cox to talk to us, or to get an injury update, etc, to postgame writing and re-writing, when you typically file your final story between 11 p.m. and midnight on East coast, or later from other time zones.
That’s about 10-12 hours of duties each day that aren’t part of those national writers’ days. While I’m doing my thing, they’re working hard, putting in equally long hours doing what it is they do — chasing rumors, working on big-picture national stories, chasing info on Roger Clemens or Barry Bonds, etc, and at this time of year doing a lot of searching for the latest info about trades, etc, watching games and talking on the phone. A lot.
I report trade discussions when I have well-sourced, valid information, but not to just throw out everything I hear (they can do that in their forums; I can not in mine).
Again, entirely different jobs. Most national writers don’t have to worry about covering games and injuries and all the other time-consuming parts of the beat writer’s job. They make calls all day, talk to team officials from various teams, scouts, and other writers, etc.
They do a terrific job at what they do. All of them are former beat writers. When they did my job, they did not report all the rumors and trade discussions from across baseball. They covered their teams.
And, by the way, don’t know if you’ve ever heard, but the Braves are the single-most airtight organization in baseball in terms of rumors being leaked. Always have been. So about 98 percent of the rumors you read involving Braves players or players they’re going after, is leaked from the other teams involved.
So there. Hope that helps you understand why you don’t ready countless trade rumors here.
When actual trades happen, or the Braves are about to sign someone, we try to bring it to you first, as we did with the Kotsay and Glavine things last winter. But with the myriad rumors, can’t claim to have all of those first. And even if I heard them, I couldn’t get all of them in the paper, not without sourcing. Some writers can simply write stuff they’ve heard and not have to reveal sources to any higher-ups, etc. I can’t do that. We’ve got sourcing rules, and a lot of them.
By Matt
July 25, 2008 4:35 PM | Link to this
Good article Carrol! Ill be glued to the TV!
Tonight does feel like a NLDS. Just hope the Braves can find the heart to keep them in it and as well as the fans. It kills me to see all the Braves bashing that is going on here in Atlanta. They dont deserve that but fans here in Atlanta rock back and forth more than a 4 year old on a see-saw!
Lets keep the season going so we can send Glavine and Smoltz out with a play off run! They deserve that!
GO BRAVES!!!
By BravesFanInRockies
July 25, 2008 4:36 PM | Link to this
AZBravoFan,
I’m not sure Estrada is an upgrade over Corky, if you can imagine that. He can’t throw at all. He has less power than Corky, who can occasionally get hold of one. He’s even slower than Heap, for whatever that’s worth. And his offensive production (on-base-plus-slugging) is almost identical to Corky’s.
I’m still lobbying for Sammons …
By TheCutMan
July 25, 2008 4:38 PM | Link to this
OMG! The clouds are parting, the angels are singing, bright sunshafts are shining down and the miracle, brothers and sisters, the MIRACLE is realized!
Hampton is here to save the season and start Saturday. Ummmmm. Wait a minute! Where are the confirming chorus of believers yelling the hosannas on high?
By john
July 25, 2008 4:41 PM | Link to this
Is it really wise to have a pitcher who hasnt pitched in 3 years pitch this weekend ? I mean this is a very important series. Can we really count on a guy who hasnt started in 3 years ?
By Renegator
July 25, 2008 4:42 PM | Link to this
DOB
I’ll believe it when I see it…
By Shamus Thacker
July 25, 2008 4:49 PM | Link to this
For Hammy, there’s still the pregame warmup. Don’t get the cart before the horse.
By Lennie G
July 25, 2008 4:50 PM | Link to this
Hampton will get a liner square in the face on the first pitch Saturday.
By TommyP
July 25, 2008 4:51 PM | Link to this
Gotta hope the rumors of the D’backs and the Dodgers being the best dealing partners for Tex are true.
A deal centered around Conor Jackson with Az. would be very nice. Jackson is just now coming into his own as a middle of the lineup presence. Line drive hitter with pop, youth, and speed (if Bobby will use it). Maybe Tex and Ohman for Jackson and Scherzer???? Provided Az. can sign him long term?????? Too perfect a scenario for the Braves, I believe.
LA? We’ve all talked about Loney and it would be wonderful to nab him.
If the Braves deal Tex for either of these players, it’s not like they’re giving up. They’re making a smart business decision with tons of upside.
I’m just hoping we don’t do the Boston deal.
By KC
July 25, 2008 4:51 PM | Link to this
Great news on Hampton. Not exactly easing him back in, but being the competitor he is, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Hopeful he’ll have a Gonzo-like response. That is… If nothing happens to him between the first pitch tomorrow. =}
Call me a sucker, but I’m actually optimistic that he can help this team IF we the Braves can inspire wren to add to this team and make a go of it.
By lilman
July 25, 2008 4:52 PM | Link to this
Let’s hope that Hampton can remain healthy for the remainder of the season. Sometimes little things like a player coming back after a long absence can motivate the rest of the team. Strange things happen in baseball.
I’m excited about this series & I’m excited about Hampton. After you become used to the big payday, this is why you play the games, for series like this.
Go Braves!!
By rupert
July 25, 2008 4:54 PM | Link to this
anyone who would say that a loney, jackson, or kotchman is not as good as two draft picks does not know baseball, those guys could plug in RIGHT NOW, and be cheap in the FUTURE, it would be somewhat waiving the white flag, but not completely and would make a hell of a lot more sense come next year when you consider no one is waiting in the wings in the minors and the free agent class is suspect, give me one of those guys and maybe a prospect (which is what olney, stark, rosenthal etc. have been talking about) good deal, love tex, hate tex, he aint worth 22 mil, and he aint coming back, why not get a top young firstbaseman instead of watching him walk away?
By Supes
July 25, 2008 4:55 PM | Link to this
Thanks for the new blog Carroll
DOB that update was surreal! I’m trying not to just roll my eyes at the statement of Mike Hampton is scheduled to pitch a major league game tomorrow. I guess I’ll believe it when I see it, as in when I turn the TV on and see him out on the mound making a pitch.
As far as is it a good move to skip Jo-Jo right now, you never know until you play the game. That stadium is a bandbox and I really wish we had Hudson going in one of these games but we don’t. Need all the sinker ballers we can get right now against a power hitting team like the Phillies in their own park.
The news about Chipper is probably the worst the Braves can get. Basically have to play this critical series without our best player.
Well, I just got back from a vacation in the pacific northwest. First time out there in the summer and loved it. Even took the time to go out to a Seattle Mariners game against the Bo Sox on Tuesday. If you think being a Braves fan is madness these days and frustration, try being a Seattle Mariners fan. That was one offensively inept team, they have 2 guys that are playing good…Ichiro and Raul Ibanez (I wish the Braves had an OF-er like that right now, instead of the mediocre OF-ers with a total of 20 jacks! )
I wore my Chipper Jones jersey to represent the NL and the ATL and got a bit of grief from the Bo Sox fans there (and yes, they come out everywhere the RedSox play apparently, not just taking over the Ted when they have games against the Braves. On the way back to ATL even met some of them flying back home, they said it’s cheaper for them to go to games in other towns like Seattle than to Boston to see the Sox play so they do it)
So the wretched Mariners offense sucked. Didn’t help they faced Dice K and Papelbon got in there to close it. It was nice to see Dice K pitch in person, never seen him before live. Dude can dominate on any given day.
Anyways, enough about my visit to Safeco Field (btw…what’s with the darn train coming by every 20 min and annoying the hell out people by sounding it’s horn until your ears are bleeding!)
Let’s hope the Braves don’t just lay down without Chipper in the lineup. Their lackluster 2 wins without him speaks for itself.
Need everyone around TEX to step it up. Kelly, Kotsay, Yunel.
Need Jeff to actually contribute for a change. I think a huge series from him will come a long way toward getting him back on track (is that even possible this season?)
Gotta play small ball as well. You are missing your best hitter Bobby, B-Mac and TEX can only hit so many HR’s…where is the hit and run, base stealing and bunting from the 2008 Braves?
I read the blog the other day with Will Ohman’s comments, and I think DOB did a good job. However, the question remains, why isn’t Bobby doing the things that the personel on this team can do instead of waiting for the 3 run jack. This 2008 team simply doesn’t have enough HR hitters for you to manage that way?
I see that N8 has started a trend…we’ve got a N9 now? What’s next? N10?
By what??
July 25, 2008 4:55 PM | Link to this
Carol or O’Brien….What possible reason would make them move JoJo back and drop Morton from the schedule? He seems to be a significant upgrade over what I’ve seen from Reyes.
By Ben
July 25, 2008 4:58 PM | Link to this
DOB, I really appreciate your response. Of course when it’s laid out, it seems pretty simple how the jobs are so different, but I just hadn’t quite thought about how truly different the job you have is compared with that of Stark, Gammons, and the rest. Again, thanks for the substantive response, and for not taking offense to my comments. Oh, and by the way, I do check out this website numerous times a day since most of the things that DO happen with the Braves break on here first.
By N9
July 25, 2008 4:58 PM | Link to this
you know for some odd reason i can see Hampton pitching tomorrow.call me crazy but he might pitch well too!
By Wes
July 25, 2008 5:00 PM | Link to this
If Hampton comes up, why would Morton get sent down over Jo Jo? Have they been watching Jo Jo pitch the last few weeks?
By Jerry
July 25, 2008 5:03 PM | Link to this
Tex’s bat and defense call me to keep him. We have talent that can be traded and it doesn’t even have to be Tex. Keep Tex.
Personally, I would move KJ to left, Blanco to center and Frenchy in right and my infield would be Tex at first, Escobar to 3rd, Lillebridge to short and Prado to 2nd.
I may be fooless but the Lillebridge kid impressed me the same as Blanco is beginning to impress me.
Gotay must go and when Hoss gets back you can rotate Lillebridge and Prado.
Omar is a decent bench player. You would cut Norton because Kotsay would be your bench hitter and give rest for KJ and Blanco and Frenchy. Yes rotate Frenchy.
The only reason I can see keeping Corky is salary. They say he crushes in BP but that ain’t no game. If its salary then a catcher from Rome or Mississippi should be up here. They would give us a better chance. At least an equal one.
Why is Josh Anderson not up here. There again better than Norton.
It seems that Bobby Cox is not giving us our best chance to win. Wren doesn’t tell him who to play or call up. That’s all Bobby.
Waive Gotay, waive Norton and waive Corky. Call up Lillebridge, Anderson and a catcher.
Trade Ohman for a front line outfield prospect and then stand pat. Let the team play out this way and then sign Tex long term with muscleman’s money and do it all over again. During the offseason all we would need to sign would be a front line outfielder.
By Tomas
July 25, 2008 5:03 PM | Link to this
If Hampton injures himself warming up i will flip out of my chair. I hope he can return the braves need him. By the way DOB, or Carroll, whats the latest on chipper?
By aefwb
July 25, 2008 5:06 PM | Link to this
Lennie G — Now I don’t care who you are, that there was funny.
By David O'Brien
July 25, 2008 5:07 PM | Link to this
Ben, you’re welcome.
By art
July 25, 2008 5:09 PM | Link to this
Trade Reyes and Brandon Jones and a AA player to Pirates for Nady
By GT
July 25, 2008 5:10 PM | Link to this
What about this 3 game series qualifies it as a “Defining Point”? What could possibly remain undefined about the Braves this year? If you haven’t already learned who this is team by now, it means you either have a learning disability or you’re looking for something that doesn’t exist.
And what if the Braves do - by some chance - happen to take 2 of 3 this weekend? What does it really change? Are the Braves suddenly contenders at 5 games under .500, with X left to play? Please. The Braves haven’t mattered in this division in 3 years. We’re now just bit players.
By Couch Tater
July 25, 2008 5:11 PM | Link to this
Well I guess Hampton skipped over to the Dominican with Soriano to get some Herbal medicine while in Miami.
By CanEmAll
July 25, 2008 5:12 PM | Link to this
Are you kidding me? Stand pat, add an outfielder and this team is better? Wow.
By Tomas
July 25, 2008 5:13 PM | Link to this
Really Arizona is willing to trade for Tex, well in that case I think the braves should get a guy like Conor Jackson at least. But I don’t think they would give up conor. Specially when Chad Tracy is hitting the way he is hitting.
To the dodgers if they were to trade Matt Kemp, Andre Either, or James Loney, and a player to be named later. They are looking for power, have a lot of depth in the OF, and they’re in the hunt against the D-backs, so they might be willing to take the risks.
To the Angels it would require Reggie Willits, and Casey Kotchman, who would fill two holes in the lineup, and would give them a good speedy center fielder who can switch hit and had an awesome year(hitted 293, stole 27, played good defense and had 391 OBP) last year when he was given a chance to play. They have a lot of depth in the outfield as well, and they are in need of power bat. But they’re division is just not a threat to them and they have a lot of depth but maybe they go for it and try to win it all.
By Tomas
July 25, 2008 5:15 PM | Link to this
Regarding trading tex if IF they don’t win this series, this would be my trades:
Arizona is willing to trade for Tex, well in that case I think the braves should get a guy like Conor Jackson at least. But I don’t think they would give up conor. Specially when Chad Tracy is hitting the way he is hitting.
To the dodgers if they were to trade Matt Kemp, Andre Either, or James Loney, and a player to be named later. They are looking for power, have a lot of depth in the OF, and they’re in the hunt against the D-backs, so they might be willing to take the risks.
To the Angels it would require Reggie Willits, and Casey Kotchman, who would fill two holes in the lineup, and would give them a good speedy center fielder who can switch hit and had an awesome year(hitted 293, stole 27, played good defense and had 391 OBP) last year when he was given a chance to play. They have a lot of depth in the outfield as well, and they are in need of power bat. But they’re division is just not a threat to them and they have a lot of depth but maybe they go for it and try to win it all.
By Chop Chop
July 25, 2008 5:17 PM | Link to this
art,
What if the Pirates tell the Braves to stick that offer where the sun don’t shine?
KC,
Okay. I’ll bite. You’re a sucker.
(Hahaha.)
By David-ATL14
July 25, 2008 5:21 PM | Link to this
DOB or CR?
Is Lillibridge by any chance in the clubhouse?
Shouldn’t be hard to identfy.
I figured with Chipper’s iffy status that Lillibridge would possibly be on standby.
Also why Lillibridge was added to Richmond’s roster yesterday, he didn’t play at all in either end of a Double dip.
Probably an indication that he was in transit to Philly?
By BravesFanInRockies
July 25, 2008 5:23 PM | Link to this
Tomas,
I like Kotchman, but is Willits any better than Blanco? Neither one has any power to speak of. Both get on base and can run. Gregor’s already here; I’d rather get a different prospect in that deal.
By bravos2249
July 25, 2008 5:23 PM | Link to this
Okay if Morton is demoted over Reyes where is that logic?
Jojo has 3 starts in July and only 10 IP.
Sure Charlie gives up runs but he has a better chance of going 5 up against Jojo right now.
By skip
July 25, 2008 5:28 PM | Link to this
DOP-Now for the burning question on everyone’s mind (ok maybe only mine): is Julian still on the team? With these different pitchers coming back I wasn’t sure if he got cut and no one remembered to write it. Thanks in advance for your response! *Plus you are right-ARod is not and never has been “clutch”.
By Couch Tater
July 25, 2008 5:28 PM | Link to this
Hermida pinch hit HR to give fish 3-2 lead top 9.
By skip
July 25, 2008 5:30 PM | Link to this
Oops sorry-DOB
By Josh M
July 25, 2008 5:34 PM | Link to this
A deal for Jason Bay is imminent, say the little birdies…
By bravos2249
July 25, 2008 5:34 PM | Link to this
skip
no one was called up….they are going to evaulate Chipper again tomorrow and if he’s DL’d then Hampton’s activated or Morton appears to be the odd one out. While we watch Jojo pitch 3 innings again.. :)
By braves70
July 25, 2008 5:38 PM | Link to this
I feel like Mike Hampton and I must have stars crossed.
36 months ago, my work unit was transfered from one Department to another.
35 months ago, Mike Hampton pitched his last game.
Last week my work unit was informed that we are being moved back to our original Department.
This week, Mike Hampton is scheduled to pitch his first game back.
I sure hope Mikey makes it or the could be the end for me and my workmates…… Here in the Twilight Zone.
By skip
July 25, 2008 5:40 PM | Link to this
Thanks Bravos2249 :)
By BravesFanInRockies
July 25, 2008 5:40 PM | Link to this
Fearless prediction —
One of the following players will be with the Braves by the deadline: Loney, Nady, Kotchman, Tracy.
OK, not so fearless.
By Carroll Rogers
July 25, 2008 5:41 PM | Link to this
just talked to Chipper, he wasn’t sounding very hopeful. said the day off did not give him much improvement on the hamstring and he’d consider himself doubtful for the series. he said DL is a possibility, though i’d imagine the braves will wait to see if he can at least pinch hit this series before making a move like that.
lineup: Blanco Escobar Teixeira McCann Kotsay Francoeur Johnson Infante 3b Jurrjens
By N9
July 25, 2008 5:53 PM | Link to this
CARROLL RODGERS not so hot news on chipper huh..is this the first time this year chippers down with hammy issue? the other times i believe was the quad (which kinda heal quicker)
By Tomas
July 25, 2008 5:53 PM | Link to this
BravesFanInRockies how about Brandon Wood, Daniel Davidson, and Casey Kotchman for Mark Texeira, and Will Ohman.
By Hoosier Aaron
July 25, 2008 5:55 PM | Link to this
Any chance Hampton makes a decent start on Saturday and the Yanks offer us a bucket of balls and an autographed photo of Yogi at the deadline?
By Gosh, By Golly and By Jove
July 25, 2008 5:59 PM | Link to this
Ben, O’Brien gave you a pretty thorough view of the beat business. Just to add (and give a nod to the DOB: beat writing is not a job, it’s a calling. It’s usually not going to make you rich, but like anything else creative or around sports, it’s rewarding in ways that aren’t measurable. It’s pretty rich in experiences.
With the late nights and early mornings and deadlines and travel and lonely nights and packing, unpacking, coming and going, not to mention the oft needy or unpleasant tenor of the blogosphere, it’s not always very glamorous either.
So why would anyone in their right mind do it? Well, ‘right mind’ being relative, it’s what everybody that writes about sports wants to do but can’t. Like I said, it’s not a job - more like an obsession. It’s cool and you get to meet some pretty cool folks too.
No, I’m not a beat writer nor did I play one on TV, but I have an understanding the writing, reporting and creative profession. Trust me, they earn their pay.
It’s not every day you’ll find a beat writer that provides all the info, the content and the round the clock entertainment, all the while being amazingly patient with all of us needy Braves fanatics. Not sure how he does it. Must be Red Bull and xanax or something.
By McFann :Ô:
July 25, 2008 6:01 PM | Link to this
Thanks for the lineup, Ms. Rogers.
Int’resting…I was wondering if Tex would bat third…
By Braveheart
July 25, 2008 6:03 PM | Link to this
Don’t give up on JoJo just yet. He’s regressed lately but has shown alot of promise since August 26th last year. Here’s what he has done since last August 26th:
5 wins 10 losses 106.3 IP 112 hits 53 earned runs 45 walks 79 Ks 4.50 ERA
Doesn’t look all that impressive but doesn’t look that bad either for a very young starter with really good stuff. In many ways, JoJo reminds me of how Andy Pettitte looked as a rookie in 1995. JoJo even kind of physically looks like Andy out on the mound. Here’s how Pettitte did in his first 111 innings as a rookie starter in 1995:
6 wins 8 losses 111 innings pitched 130 hits 58 earned runs 49 walks 68 Ks 10 homers 4.70 ERA
Don’t know if JoJo will turn into Pettitte because who the hell can predict such a thing. But there are alot of things about JoJo physically and statistically that remind me of a young Pettitte.
By JEB
July 25, 2008 6:06 PM | Link to this
Now that line-up is smart!! A GOOD lineup! McCann IS a great #4 hitter! With TEX at #3! Only thing different I would have done - is move Francoeur to the 7th or 8th spot!
By BravesFanInRockies
July 25, 2008 6:08 PM | Link to this
Tomas,
I like Wood, too. Davidson’s worrisome because he’s already had rotator cuff surgery.
It’s not unusual for a young pitcher coming off TJ surgery to have a long and effective career. A rotator cuff bad enough to require surgery is often trouble in the making.
By BravesFanInRockies
July 25, 2008 6:16 PM | Link to this
Braveheart,
Amen to 6:03 post.
JoJo’s walk rate is way down from last year, K/BB ratio OK overall. I like the comparison to Pettite.
Sometimes we forget how young this rotation is and how much the Braves really are relying on kids to shoulder the burden.
By Braveheart
July 25, 2008 6:16 PM | Link to this
Fearless prediction — One of the following players will be with the Braves by the deadline: Loney, Nady, Kotchman, Tracy.
I don’t really like Nady or Tracy. Kotchman is okay but I really, really want and like Loney. My order of preference would be Loney, Conor, Kotchman, Nady, Tracy. If the Braves get Loney, Kotchman or Conor for Tex, I will be very happy. Loney would make me ecstatic. I could do without Nady or Tracy.
By bravos2249
July 25, 2008 6:17 PM | Link to this
It took Bobby this LONG to realize Tex is a * .300 career hitter while hitting 3rd*….when Chipper’s been out I’ve been questioning why he refused to bat Tex 3rd.
By Gil In Mechanicsville
July 25, 2008 6:20 PM | Link to this
On the plus side… Mike Hampton can handle a bat. I hope he gets to hit at least three time Saturday…
By pinkygonzales
July 25, 2008 6:23 PM | Link to this
Btw, DOB, I must say that after seeing that your editors cut your initial lede from the story you filed about Mike Hampton and started it with your second paragraph, I have concluded that the editors at the sports desk of the AJC have no sense of humor. Go braves.
By Braveheart
July 25, 2008 6:27 PM | Link to this
There are four or five well-connected national writers at major websites who report most of the trade rumors you are referring to, and several other national writers from assorted newspapers (we don’t have that position at our paper any longer)
The AJC should reconsider that. Carroll does a good job covering the beat. It would be nice to see the AJC make Carroll the full time beat writer and promote DOB into the Tony Barnhardt role for baseball chasing down rumors across MLB and providing a more intense daily focus upon the ups and downs of the NL East or the National League as a whole. I understand they’re going through cutbacks and everything but it seems to me they could make alot of money with increased page hits and all if DOB was reporting and blogging from a broader national standpoint and if Carroll was reporting on the local beat. Might make for one of the better baseball coverages at any paper in the country. I dunno. Just throwing that out there.
.
By McFann :Ô:
July 25, 2008 6:32 PM | Link to this
Bravos2249 Tex is a .300 career hitter while hitting 3rd
McCann is has a career AVG of .286 in the cleanup spot. Not too shabby…but we shall see!
By N9
July 25, 2008 6:32 PM | Link to this
hampton wakes up,hampton pitches great game ,hampton gets traded for a minor…ok wishful thinking!
By Jeff321
July 25, 2008 6:38 PM | Link to this
Interesting lineup tonight..
By Gil In Mechanicsville
July 25, 2008 6:40 PM | Link to this
Yo Braveheart I don’t know if the Dodgers are willing to make the trade but from my perspective, it is the trade that would do the most to help both clubs.
I am not sure what LA plans to do with Andruw but I would not be surprised to see them eat a large portion of his contract just to get someone to take him off their hands.
I am not saying that the Braves would want to take him back but someone like Pittsburgh or Washington might take a deeply discounted flyer on him.
By McFann :Ô:
July 25, 2008 6:40 PM | Link to this
“Is has”? Whoops! My bad. Sorry!
By MAV
July 25, 2008 6:44 PM | Link to this
Something is seriously wrong if we keep JOJO herre instead of Morton. Jojo is hopeless and needs to work in the minors until he figures things out, if he even can!
By brent a.
July 25, 2008 6:45 PM | Link to this
Carroll,
yes, the cab ride from the airport to downtown, does not exactly show off philadelphia’s finest; but, that is truly a great city, especially once you are in downtown.
it has a lot of charm, and it’s easy to enjoy this time of year, as long as it’s not too hot.
on the way back to the airport, if you don’t want to be so disappointed, try to taking the train. it’s a lot more “urban”, and gives you a better feel for Phildadelphians than a cab ride does.
Speaking of the new park, the one game I attended there, there were no less than 50 people ejected from the game, all within a few sections of where I was sitting in right field.
In fact, I think they have some “planned” ejections at that park; wherein, long about the 7th inning, around the time beer sales are over, security goes around and kicks out large groups of people who have been unruly throughout the game, probably in an attempt to get them out before the larger crowd exits.
At least that’s what happened the time I went, but hey, that’s such a small sample size, you probably can’t rely on it.
By the way, be sure to get a last good look at the Philly Spectrum, home of Rocky’s 1st two championship bouts (and Christian Laettner’s evil shot). They are tearing it down soon.
By bravos2249
July 25, 2008 6:46 PM | Link to this
I know 1 thing…my PTV better work.
By N9
July 25, 2008 6:50 PM | Link to this
hey MAV, i know deep down u love jojo more than hampton
By Chop Chop
July 25, 2008 6:51 PM | Link to this
“Don’t give up on JoJo just yet.”
“…Jojo is hopeless and needs to work in the minors until he figures things out, if he even can!”
(That’s some confusing s**, man.)
By mark
July 25, 2008 6:51 PM | Link to this
wouldnt it be sweet for Hampton to pitch 5 really good inings tomorrow and the Braves win as well..You could imagine what he has been through the past almost 3 seasons wanting to do hid job but his body not letting him.,..I know this all to well..I have had countless neck surgeries past few years and radiation treatment..Health is everything!!!
By N9
July 25, 2008 6:53 PM | Link to this
Gil In Mechanicsville ya one big upper cut swing and he’ll visit the 60 day DL and Dr. andrews office.
By Bravissimo
July 25, 2008 6:54 PM | Link to this
Whatever trades may be made it could all be in vain. Traditionally the Braves surges have been fed by strong, successful teams in Richmond. From what I hear the Braves minor league teams are also in disarray. We may be in for a long haul rebuild.
By old man
July 25, 2008 6:54 PM | Link to this
Smoltz is one of the best ever! However thi team isn’t going anywhere as long as Pendleton is a coach. Nice guy, but can’t coach hitting!
By ARE THEY CRAZY!!??
July 25, 2008 6:57 PM | Link to this
What in the hell! Why is Charlie Morton the one getting sent down and not OhNo Reyes?! That is truly the dumbest thing the braves management has done all season. I am shocked right now.
By BossLady
July 25, 2008 7:06 PM | Link to this
This is really strange…so many people spend time worrying about DOB’s schedule, his opinion of other writers and now his duties. Strange indeed.
By Shamus Thacker
July 25, 2008 7:15 PM | Link to this
I’ll be shocked if Hammy doesn’t wince and grab during warm-ups. Hope it doesn’t happen, but you have to hope for the best and expect the worst with him. If not, you’re setting yoursef up for a HUGE letdown.
By Robin
July 25, 2008 7:16 PM | Link to this
My “key to this series”: Keep the top of their order OFF the basepaths!
By keylargo
July 25, 2008 7:19 PM | Link to this
One of the few benefits of having directv and mlb extra innings is that you get the feeds of both teams most nights. Some are HD and some are not. Most of the Braves are not so you end up with the choice of watching HD with the other teams’ annoucers or the Braves and regular TV. The HD picture is superb and most nights I will put up with the other teams announcers.
By Random
July 25, 2008 7:20 PM | Link to this
Another errant bounce pass from McCann (sorry, McFann).
By Jake
July 25, 2008 7:24 PM | Link to this
I don’t think its anything against Morton. The only reason he ever came up was because of the myriad of injuries and Chuck James struggles this year. He still has some things he needs to work through and the Braves are giving Jojo the benefit of the doubt since he has pitched some gems and he really hasn’t had any run support. Who knows, with our luck he could be right back up.
By Jeff321
July 25, 2008 7:25 PM | Link to this
I like McCann a whole lot but he needs to work on the throwing some more. I know it hit off Shane Victorino’s foot, but was still a poor throw. (It hit his foot on the bounce!)
By Mark C.
July 25, 2008 7:28 PM | Link to this
Nady just got removed from the game in top of the 2nd. Hmmmmmmm….
By McFann Ô
July 25, 2008 7:28 PM | Link to this
Robin—
Mine, too.
Tell me…How do you give an error when the runner kicks the ball??
By THWG
July 25, 2008 7:29 PM | Link to this
Carroll-What do you know of the Jason Bay rumor they just mentioned on TV? I know his name has been thrown around if we do decide to become buyers, but who would we potentially be giving up?
By brent a.
July 25, 2008 7:36 PM | Link to this
McFann, it was a bad throw, into the runner. If you hit the runner with a throw, and it kicks away allowing the runner to take an extra base, then it’s an error on the throw.
The “kick” was incidental.
Had the runner made an active effort to kick the ball, then there is no error, b/c the runner would be out.
By McFann Ô
July 25, 2008 7:36 PM | Link to this
Random—
What the heck ever. It short-hopped, yes, yes.
(But I’m sick of Escobar trying to tag the guy before he has the ball.)
Jeff321—
Yes, yes. He needs to work on the throws, yes.
By Robin
July 25, 2008 7:38 PM | Link to this
McFann : Dunno chief. “Homebrew” scoring I ‘spose.
Tough break on that line drive by Infante. Sheesh!
By Braveheart
July 25, 2008 7:39 PM | Link to this
Come on, let’s kick the crap out of the Phillies. They’ve owned us. It would be nice to beat them to a pulp. We could also play spoilers and perhaps get back into … ah, never mind ….. let’s just focus on revenge and playing spoilers
By bravos2249
July 25, 2008 7:39 PM | Link to this
THWG
I want to know too cause I haven’t heard any Bay to ATL rumors.
By keylargo
July 25, 2008 7:43 PM | Link to this
Mark C.
I am so gun shy of Boras for what he has done to this team the last two years that I sincerely hope we never get a player he represents again.
And that’s just for the last two years. That does not include his dishonesty in the Maddux negotiations in 2002. His accepting arbitration cost us Kevin Milwood eventually.
By JC FROM UT
July 25, 2008 7:46 PM | Link to this
Could Morton and Lillibridge be going to Pittsburgh for Bay or Nady?
By BravesFanInRockies
July 25, 2008 7:46 PM | Link to this
Folks, Nady left the game, not Bay, according to Yahoo.
By BravesFanInRockies
July 25, 2008 7:48 PM | Link to this
Damaso Marte gone, too. To whom???
By Leprechaun
July 25, 2008 7:49 PM | Link to this
I see this headline on ESPN that the Cubs have called up an ex-Irish wide receiver. How can he be ex-Irish? I was raised believing that once you were born a dirty potato eating paddy, you were always a dirty Guiness drinking mick. What’s the deal with this Cubs rookie? Is he a Protestant from the North whose loyalty lies with the British? The Cubs do wear those damn blue and red British flag colors. Shamus Thacker, you need to get some of your IRA buddies to take care of this Cubs rookie.
By THWG
July 25, 2008 7:51 PM | Link to this
According to FSN Pittsburgh, the Pirates have traded OF Xavier Nady and LHP Damaso Marte pending medical reviews. However, a the receipent is unknown at this time.
Mark C- nicely done. Doubt they’re hopping a plane to Philly though.
By Mark C.
July 25, 2008 7:51 PM | Link to this
keylargo
Me too. I’m not a Nady fan and don’t think he’s a difference maker, for us at least. I just noticed it checking scores, but he’s got to be headed somewhere, right?
By THWG
July 25, 2008 7:55 PM | Link to this
Update
Just read Will Carroll reporting that Nady and Marte are going to the Yanks. Doesn’t say who the Bucs are getting in return.
By welikebaseball2
July 25, 2008 7:56 PM | Link to this
Anybody want to tell me again how “replaceable” Texeira is?
By Robin
July 25, 2008 7:58 PM | Link to this
McBrian!!!!!
LF ball gal ain’t too shabby either. :)
By BravesFanInRockies
July 25, 2008 7:58 PM | Link to this
GO HEAP!!
By McFann Ô
July 25, 2008 7:59 PM | Link to this
Brent A.—
Yeah, I guess so.
Robin—
I s’pose.
HOME RUN!! Ha ha! To make up for the error (which didn’t lead to a run thank goodness)…
Grove got to 58 RBI today with a solo shot, so why not 3BMac?
(Funny belly-flopping catch by Jenkins, BTW.)
By Braveheart
July 25, 2008 7:59 PM | Link to this
That was really an unnecessary dive by Jenkins. He caught the ball and then dove.
Anyone see this minor leaguer who threw a ball at a fan:
http://sports.espn.go.com/minorlbb/news/story?id=3505522
By Interested Observer
July 25, 2008 8:00 PM | Link to this
http://trades.mlblogs.com/
This mlb.com blog addressed the Bay rumors. Apparently, several Braves players thought a deal was imminent.
Also mentions Nady and Damaso Marte have been traded by the Pirates but team official won’t disclose to who or for who until medical evaluations are completed.
By TommyP
July 25, 2008 8:01 PM | Link to this
Apparently the Yanks nabbed Nady.
By northbeach Scott
July 25, 2008 8:03 PM | Link to this
Braves will not be buying. Nady is not coming here. Much more likely to be a Marte/Nady package to some team with a better chance of winning such as the Tampa Bay Rays.
By McFann Ô
July 25, 2008 8:03 PM | Link to this
JC From UT—
I hope not…
By flange1
July 25, 2008 8:05 PM | Link to this
Marte and Nady to the Yankees….
By Braveheart
July 25, 2008 8:09 PM | Link to this
Jurrjens is looking NASTY!!!
By uga-brave
July 25, 2008 8:09 PM | Link to this
bravehaeart,
kinda like jim edmunds.
By Mr. Optimistic
July 25, 2008 8:10 PM | Link to this
what about this idea. be sellers and buyers. trade for bay i dunno what its gunna take. have mccann hit clean up and try and trade tex to either arizona or the dodgers. if they can get conor jackson or loney they would have them for some time. loney plays good D maybe not like tex but hes good. jackson is a real solid hitter with a good eye at the plate. they would be getting 2 bats selling off someone they cant sign next year and in fact strengthening their lineup.
blanco/esco esco when blanco in chipper mac bay loney or jackson francour kotsay johnson pitcher.
bay has some pop and jackson or loney dont strike out alot. a major problem with this team is they dont put the ball in play to score that run in scoring position with less than 2 outs. if they can get on of those guys it might help?????
By Mr. Optimistic
July 25, 2008 8:10 PM | Link to this
what about this idea. be sellers and buyers. trade for bay i dunno what its gunna take. have mccann hit clean up and try and trade tex to either arizona or the dodgers. if they can get conor jackson or loney they would have them for some time. loney plays good D maybe not like tex but hes good. jackson is a real solid hitter with a good eye at the plate. they would be getting 2 bats selling off someone they cant sign next year and in fact strengthening their lineup.
blanco/esco esco when blanco in chipper mac bay loney or jackson francour kotsay johnson pitcher.
bay has some pop and jackson or loney dont strike out alot. a major problem with this team is they dont put the ball in play to score that run in scoring position with less than 2 outs. if they can get on of those guys it might help?????
By Interested Observer
July 25, 2008 8:11 PM | Link to this
Lillibridge is playing for Richmond tonight. Scott Thorman, interestingly enough, is playing 3B.
By Supes
July 25, 2008 8:14 PM | Link to this
Let’s only hope that Bay is coming to the Braves.
Outfield production is beyond disappointing so far in 2008.
Meanwhile…Mac bashes another HR. Too bad it was a solo job, he has not had the chance to drive too many RISP with the long ball.
JJJ has been outstanding so far! Even hitting mid 90’s on that radar gun, not sure if it’s accurate but he’s pitching extremely well. The key…location, location location!
It would be huge if the Braves can win tonight, give them some confidence going in to face Cole tomorrow.
Nady and a reliever for 4 prospects to the Yankees.
So the rich get richer! Why doesn’t that surprise.
By Carroll Rogers
July 25, 2008 8:15 PM | Link to this
i don’t know that there’s any truth to the jason bay thing. think it’s just one of those things making its way around….mlb is reporting xavier nady just got traded along with Damaso Marte to what they are presuming is the yankees. i know it’s not here.
nady is a guy the braves have had some interest in ….
The charlie Morton-Jo-Jo Reyes question a good one and one I’ll pose to bobby when it doesn’t make him squirm to even indicate to me that that much is going on. you know what i mean?
brent a., i’m just pickin. i’ve visited here for real before and had a great time. south street, rocky museum, cheesesteak, the works….but thanks for reminding me to pay homage to the spectrum. all hail christian!
By THWG
July 25, 2008 8:17 PM | Link to this
Interested Observer- Thanks for the link. If the Braves can keep pitching like JJ tonight, esp against the Phils, perhaps another bat may be what they need. I’m not necessarily for them deciding to be buyers, but if the stars can align this weekend (and Hampton can avoid getting hurt again) I see the Braves making some moves for big bats like Bay. If you look at the next month, Hampton and Glav are both returning to the rotation (which also hopefully means that JoJo goes back to Richmond).
By Braveheart
July 25, 2008 8:20 PM | Link to this
kinda like jim edmunds.
Yeah, ugabrave. Edmonds was definitely the master of the catch and then dive. Ryan Freel is the master of the catch, then dive, then drop it.
By ernesto
July 25, 2008 8:24 PM | Link to this
Whoever it is keepign track of Tex’s clutchness you’ve got to go - Non-clutch there.
Not so sure about the outside corner calls Kendrick is getting - I’m amazed there’s not more complaining.
By Jeff321
July 25, 2008 8:25 PM | Link to this
Didn’t DOB post something about the Braves getting yanked off Saturday baseball? Was that for tomorrow or a later date? Because my guide says RedSox/Yankees. So, I guess it’ll be gameday audio for me.
By keylargo
July 25, 2008 8:27 PM | Link to this
Mark C. good eye catching Nady coming out. You may be too sharpe for this blog. 8)
When they started talking about Bay and Nady as possible OF’s in trade and that we would have to go through this Boras BS with Nady in two years, I was completely against it.
Maybe something will happen with Bay. At least we might be able to sign him.
By THWG
July 25, 2008 8:27 PM | Link to this
Escobar… what a great play. That’s the sort of stuff we need to see more of.
By Robin
July 25, 2008 8:30 PM | Link to this
Braveheart: Jurrjens is looking NASTY!!!
Absolutely philthy!!!
Esco & Infante flashin’ the leatha!
By Random
July 25, 2008 8:30 PM | Link to this
So Infante bare-hands it, and the announcers praise him for flashing leather?
’S far as I know, Omar’s not been cured yet, knowuddamean?
By Pistol Pat
July 25, 2008 8:31 PM | Link to this
It took Homer Simpson almost five innings to complain about the bad balls and strikes calls going against the Braves tonight.
I believe that’s a new record for him.
By Braveheart
July 25, 2008 8:32 PM | Link to this
all hail christian!
Why? Shaun says there was nothing special about Laettner hitting all of those shots in the NCAA tournament throughout his college career. Any good player could have and would have hit those shots. Whatever….. I say that a dude with a pet shark is less likely to be scared in a big moment
By Tomas
July 25, 2008 8:32 PM | Link to this
Just heard Nady got traded in TV, for Ross Olendorf and some other guys I don’t remember.
By N8
July 25, 2008 8:32 PM | Link to this
Mr. Optimistic
That’s a good thought process on the trade.
Depends on what they’d have to give up for Bay, IMO.
The plus is that it may just spark a run this year (still doubtful, but who knows?), but surely would set the lineup up nicely going into next year, not to mention giving Wren the entire winter to tweak it a bit.
By Jake
July 25, 2008 8:37 PM | Link to this
Mets up 5-0 to the Cards. Cards slippin off a bit. I figured that they would come out better in this series seeing as though they just got swept by the Brew Crew.
By Mark C.
July 25, 2008 8:44 PM | Link to this
keylargo
Ha! I doubt it, especially looking at my fantasy teams.
Let’s just hope the Pirates pulled in some major talent to set the price for Tex and Ohman.
By Random
July 25, 2008 8:44 PM | Link to this
Two on, two out, and Burrell catches a long fly ball in the left field corner, and the announcers say he saved two runs, despite the fact that he was in foul territory when he caught the ball.
You gotta respect consistency, I guess, even if they’re consistently wrong.
By Peachtree TV Wannabe
July 25, 2008 8:45 PM | Link to this
Peachtree TV is nothing short of a joke! They have problems, game in and game out. Tonight the video and audio out for about an inning. At least the vid came back. What’s up with that? Did the powers that be at TBS decide they could take all their outdated gear and try to cover a MLB team like some type of professional outfit under the guise of Peachtree TV?
If TBS and Peachtree aren’t capable of bringing the Braves game dependably, they shouldn’t be allowed to bid on the contract!
By Yokohama Daze
July 25, 2008 8:48 PM | Link to this
Yanks get Nady and Marte for 4 minor leaguers. Have no idea if the Pirates got value there or not, considering what they gave up.
By N9
July 25, 2008 8:54 PM | Link to this
man seems like when we do get great pitching we cant score much. Its been a tough season but J.J. is here to stay for a while. The kid is amazing the way he shuts down the offense of phils like that.
By faninFaytown
July 25, 2008 8:55 PM | Link to this
nady to the yanks huh
By Carroll Rogers
July 25, 2008 8:56 PM | Link to this
jeff bennett pitched a scoreless inning tonight in myrtle beach, striking out two.
By northbeach Scott
July 25, 2008 9:02 PM | Link to this
Random Well said at 8:44. Chip Carey is so annoying, even Tim McCarver or Joe Morgan would be an improvement and they both stink.
I am actually looking forward to Hampton pitching tomorrow and really pulling for him to have a decent game. He must be joining a rare club in missing almost 3 full ML seasons because of injury.
Believe he could give the Phillies left handed bats, fits. Just need to watchout for Burrell going yard on him.
By Carroll Rogers
July 25, 2008 9:04 PM | Link to this
mccann just set a career-high, mcfann. that’s three stolen bases in three tries this season. he had 2 in 2006
By N9
July 25, 2008 9:05 PM | Link to this
Yankees just robbed the always sell pirates! i mean come on wouldnt you be tierd as a fan if your team always sell sell sell? the featured centerpiece guy is jose tabata…248 avg..3hrs and twice more strikeouts than walks..for two pretty darn good players..boy sucks to be a pirates fan
By northbeach Scott
July 25, 2008 9:06 PM | Link to this
Savy steal by BMac to no avail as Frenchy kills the rally with his usual choke.
Very impressed with BMac’s last two steals. Curious if he received some pointers at the All Star Game, because he clearly is approaching base running differently.
By McFann ;Ô;
July 25, 2008 9:06 PM | Link to this
Stolen base #3!!
It would make sense for McCann to be good at steals…I mean, he sees enough of ‘em.
Gotta love his competitiveness!
By Carroll Rogers
July 25, 2008 9:07 PM | Link to this
has scott thorman played third base since he was drafted out of high school? …that is interesting, IO.
By McFann ;Ô;
July 25, 2008 9:08 PM | Link to this
Another thing about that steal: It was off a lefty with two outs!
Then again, they weren’t holding him. 8 )
By N9
July 25, 2008 9:14 PM | Link to this
worth repeating northbeach Scott , Random
chip carry is as bad as it gets. I hate to listen to him. sometimes he miss reads a flyball and acts like its going out…etc
the man needs to try something else. I know its a nice tradition to follow your families footsteps but you can do other things in your life CHIP.
on other notes JJ you rock man!!!!
By McFann ;Ô;
July 25, 2008 9:15 PM | Link to this
Ms. Rogers—
All right!! (Shame on me for not realizing! ; ) )
So he now has as many stolen bases this year as he had in his other 3 seasons combined!
By uga-brave
July 25, 2008 9:16 PM | Link to this
this offense is absolutely inept. time to make some serious decisions about two players this franchise thought would be around for a while.
By northbeach Scott
July 25, 2008 9:16 PM | Link to this
my bad that was Kotsay not Stenchy that choked in the 7th. French’s drive for the Mendoza line actually resumed in the 8th. Not very savvy of me or even savy.
By bgvt
July 25, 2008 9:17 PM | Link to this
Francoeur’s struggles this year remind me of Pat Burrell’s 4th year in the majors. After hitting .282 (with an OBP of .376 since he walks a lot) and having 37 HRs and 116 RBI in 2002, Burrell dropped to a .209 BA with 21 HRs and 64 RBI in 2003. The Phillie fans were brutal. They had but huge expectations on Burrell as a star of the future and he tanked in 2003.
Subsequently, he has bounced back with some fairly good years.
By N9
July 25, 2008 9:22 PM | Link to this
McFann ;Ô; you must be loving life..career high in SB and a triple! i WANT A REMATCH WITH CORKY for the slowest man competition! mccann is revived and poised to step on corky. what you think?
By Jake
July 25, 2008 9:26 PM | Link to this
Well here we go. We have a closer in Gonzalez and a slim lead. If JJ can hand him the lead, its worth watching the game.
By the way, Northbeach Scott, it was Kotsay that grounded out, not Jeff. Watch the game next time.
Go Braves!!!
By Green Eggs and Hampton
July 25, 2008 9:26 PM | Link to this
Hampton is 53-48 with a 4.80 ERA in 134 starts since signing a $121 million, eight-year contract with Colorado before the 2001 season.
Let’s see a 4.80 ERA that should translate, with these Braves, to a record of about 4-8. (Just ask Jo-Jo).
And that’s if he stays “healthy”.
By Braveheart
July 25, 2008 9:26 PM | Link to this
What a friggin’ play by Jair Francoise Jurrjens!
By LT-AA Blogger
July 25, 2008 9:28 PM | Link to this
Jurjens is the man!!! Man, it’d suck to be a Tigers fan.
By keylargo
July 25, 2008 9:28 PM | Link to this
Jeff You are right about the Yankees/RedSox being the 3:30 Fox game tom. I guess I’ll have to “watch” Hampton pitch on MLB.com gameday.
There are as many Yankees (the damn yankee kind that doesn’t go home in the summer) down here in S. Florida as in NYC.
By Jeff321
July 25, 2008 9:28 PM | Link to this
Great game pitched by the stud JJ!
And that play headed towards his noggin was great, eh! I mean, he blocked it and still manager to throw the guy out.
By MEB
July 25, 2008 9:28 PM | Link to this
WOW!!! JJ just makes the play of the day for ESPN. Can we please get at least one more run… please? One run leads on the road make me a little nervous!
GO BRAVES!!!
By THWG
July 25, 2008 9:31 PM | Link to this
How is it that Frenchy goes 0-for-4 most nights and is still above the Mendoza line? I’m pretty good with numbers (I go to GT), and I understand that he needs 1 hit per 5 ABs to stay at .200, but it REALLY seems like he gets a hit even less often than that.
By northbeach Scott
July 25, 2008 9:33 PM | Link to this
Norton’s double followed by a sweet bunt single by Blanco. Love to see the Braves playing fundamental baseball. Common on guys get JJ some insurance.
By Jake
July 25, 2008 9:34 PM | Link to this
Boy, how many people find themseleves begging for the imposing pitcher not to load the bases with no outs for this team? Well here we go.
By Braveheart
July 25, 2008 9:37 PM | Link to this
Some Sage Francis lyrics for Jair Francoise Jurrjens:
No man’s an Island, except for Island man; he’s a ROCK STAR! No man’s an Island, except for Island man; he’s a ROCK! Call Me Francois, call call call me francois, Call call call me francois
By uga-brave
July 25, 2008 9:38 PM | Link to this
BAMM!!!!!
By LT-AA Blogger
July 25, 2008 9:39 PM | Link to this
Done!
By Robin
July 25, 2008 9:39 PM | Link to this
MACVILLE!!!
By THWG
July 25, 2008 9:40 PM | Link to this
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By McFann ;Ô;
July 25, 2008 9:40 PM | Link to this
GRAND SLAAAAAAAAMMMMM!!!!!! (Can’t these letters be any bigger?)
Take that LIDGE!!!
Beat them Fillies!!!!!!!!
By MiamiBrave
July 25, 2008 9:40 PM | Link to this
McFann have yourself a night lol
Great D and some timely hitting, especially from the big boy behind the plate
lets keep it goin
By northbeach Scott
July 25, 2008 9:40 PM | Link to this
BMac is a baaaaad mama jama. Grand Salami, good night Phils, 6-1 good guys. We own Lidge.
What a night for BMac. Way to take care of your pitcher.
By MEB
July 25, 2008 9:40 PM | Link to this
I don’t think we should include Brian McCann in any trade discussions… he’s a keeper!
GO BRAVES!!!
By Carroll Rogers
July 25, 2008 9:40 PM | Link to this
mcfann might beat me to this but that’s mccann’s fourth career multi-homer game, second this season (july 8 at LA) and it was his fifth career GS.
and it was crushed.
By keylargo
July 25, 2008 9:40 PM | Link to this
Nobody EVER say BMac can’t hit clean up.
By Jeff321
July 25, 2008 9:41 PM | Link to this
McCann is the man! WOOOOOOOOOOO! Gigantic jack!
Plus, its about time Tex got a clutch hit. Because I sure don’t remember the last one.
By Maturin
July 25, 2008 9:41 PM | Link to this
Yuss! MAC! AGAIN!
By ernesto
July 25, 2008 9:41 PM | Link to this
BMAC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lidge’s ERA? It ain’t so pretty no more.
By SaltyDawg
July 25, 2008 9:42 PM | Link to this
Damn, you gotta love seeing this from the Braves! What a leader B’ Mac is to step up and fill Chipper’s shoes tonight. Is there any doubt that this kid is going to be an All Star for many, many years?
By bgvt
July 25, 2008 9:42 PM | Link to this
Well, I was going to say that it would be great for the Braves to win a 1-0 game on the road to get that monkey off their back. It is even sweeter to break the snake-bite bases loaded hitting.
WTG McCann!!!
By i cant take it anymore
July 25, 2008 9:42 PM | Link to this
hope you saw that, mcfann
By Supes
July 25, 2008 9:44 PM | Link to this
BMac is MONEY!
Just as I was posting earlier that B-Mac doesn’t get too many HR with RISP…the GRAND SALAMI by Mac! That was sweet. The crowed was just stunned in Phillie. Hopefully this will fireup the entire Braves Team for the weekend.
A big hit by Norton, Blanco hustling on an awesome bunt…patient at bat by Yunel…TEX with a rare clutch hit, all setting it up for BMac.
Jeff with a hit and Kelly with a deep hit to center to drive him in!
Take it easy guys, don’t want to “cash in” all the runs tonight! Save some for Cole Hamels tomorrow!
BTW…JJJ hitting 95mph on the gun. Not sure if that’s right, but everything with movement. He’s the anti-chuck james on his fastball!
By Yokohama Daze
July 25, 2008 9:45 PM | Link to this
Anyone for trading still trading Tex, and just keeping Mac in the cleanup spot?
Dude likes the pressure situations.
By N8
July 25, 2008 9:45 PM | Link to this
“Let’s see a 4.80 ERA that should translate, with these Braves, to a record of about 4-8. (Just ask Jo-Jo).”
Except that since joining the Braves, he’s 32-20 with a 3.96 ERA.
So what’s that translate to?
On a side note, I do believe that Bret Myers response to Lidge in the dugout, would have been……BOOM! Outa here!
On a “side” side note, anybody out there see us losing two 1-run games in the other two games on Saturday and Sunday?
Save those hits boys.
By ernesto
July 25, 2008 9:45 PM | Link to this
Talk about a big inning in a must have game!!!!
Maybe this is where we catch fire.
By bgvt
July 25, 2008 9:45 PM | Link to this
Of course, looking at the box score from this “rout”, some blogger will say that Tex only gets RBIs in blow outs.
By SaltyDawg
July 25, 2008 9:45 PM | Link to this
Frenchy has just his 2nd multi-hit game in a month.
By flange1
July 25, 2008 9:45 PM | Link to this
uga,
I thin we are supposed to say:
BOOM!
By ernesto
July 25, 2008 9:45 PM | Link to this
Talk about a big inning in a must have game!!!!
Maybe this is where we catch fire.
By Robin
July 25, 2008 9:46 PM | Link to this
W-w-what’s goin’ on?
Frenchie? K.J.? Back to back doubles?
Save some for tomorrow boys!
By The Man From Shingler
July 25, 2008 9:46 PM | Link to this
The only negative thing is the Mets are beating the Cardinals like they mean business. Braves will not gain a game on them tonight.
By brent a.
July 25, 2008 9:47 PM | Link to this
after McCann hit his first homer, I figured he wouldn’t see another decent pitch all night - unless he came up with the bases loaded.
That kid is someone every Braves fan should be proud of.
By keylargo
July 25, 2008 9:48 PM | Link to this
I’m happy for all the Braves but especially JJ. !
You too McFann
By Braveheart
July 25, 2008 9:48 PM | Link to this
Oh damn! The heart, soul, passion, fire, face and future of the franchise. Brian Michael Friggin’ McCann! Saint Brian! 2 homers, a stolen base, 5 ribbies! MVP! MVP! MVP! Okay, getting a little carried away and am feeling a bit embarrassed about sounding a bit McFannish but if they turn this thing around remember this Friday night. Hopefully, it will reverse the travesty we’ve witnessed since KJ dropped that flyball on that infamous Friday night. Stomp their throats boys. Let’s sweep these phoolies. Trade for a left fielder, then trade Tex for a promising young first baseman and let’s watch McCann win an MVP as he leads the Braves to a divsion title as the cleanup hitter.
By bgvt
July 25, 2008 9:48 PM | Link to this
Do you think Bobby has had enough time to get someone other than Gonzalez up for the 9th? Or, will Gonzo pitch the 9th b/c “he had already warmed up”? I would prefer to give him the night off.
It is great to let the Phillies bullpen work a lot on the first night of the series, especially Lidge.
By StingerSplash
July 25, 2008 9:48 PM | Link to this
Two homers. Five RBIs. And a stolen base. That McCann is a bad man. Leaving all those guys on base early on is almost always fatal for the Braves. But this ninth inning explosion off Lidge is hoooge. Just hoooge.
By Frenchy
July 25, 2008 9:49 PM | Link to this
sure is easier to hit with no pressure and when the runs are meaningless. I’ve been getting some lessons from Tex. He sez that empty RBI could get me a big contract someday. Wonder if the Braves will stupidly reward me or if they will wise up and get rid of my worthless dumba$$ this offseason.
At least I did not hit the backstop with an overthrown toss to the plate, tonight. The tarnish is starting to accumulate on the Gold glove, do you think it is brass?
Wish I were as good as BMac. Can’t believe the round boy turned out to be 10 times the man and player that I am.
By SaltyDawg
July 25, 2008 9:50 PM | Link to this
Odds on Hammy actually making tomorrow’s start w/o some freak injury during warmups: 50/50
I still support the guy, but I won’t believe it until I actually see it happen. By the way, if he does actually end up playing, how f’in psyched up is he going to be? Remember a few weeks ago when Gonzo came back after a year off? Triple that. His eyes might actually pop out of his head.
By N8
July 25, 2008 9:50 PM | Link to this
“Jurjens is the man!!! Man, it’d suck to be a Tigers fan.”
Just put the “irony” of it all into perspective. It was 20 years ago in 1987 that the Tigers traded a future ace to us, in John Smoltz.
Then last off-season, they give us what seemingly could be our anchor of our rotation for years to come.
I wonder who they’ll trade to us in 2027?
B-Mac with a nice night. 2 HR, 5 RBI, called a great game for JJJ…….and drum roll please……a SB.
Lady’s and gentlemen, our cleanup hitter for the 2009 season is already on the roster, and his last name is NOT Teixeira.
By brent a.
July 25, 2008 9:51 PM | Link to this
jeff321,
braves-d-backs game got yanked for later in the year
By Michael
July 25, 2008 9:52 PM | Link to this
DOB, IF the Braves and Mets sweep, do you think the Braves will be sellers?
By McFann ;Ô;
July 25, 2008 9:53 PM | Link to this
That’s uh, .303 with RISP, BTW.
Had a short post right after the homer so I could get back in the TV room for the replays.
Jair looked very happy after that!
Ms. Rogers—
Man! You beat me again!
Ya know, his first multi-homer game included a GS (and a solo shot). Tyler Yates made sure they lost that one, though.
LET’S FINISH THIS THING!!!!!
By Green Eggs and Hampton
July 25, 2008 9:54 PM | Link to this
Why is Ohman in there with an eight run lead?
We should have a mop-up guy in. Tavarez.
Even in victory, Cox demonstrates his mental deficits.
By kirknga
July 25, 2008 9:57 PM | Link to this
Good to see so many looking forward to giving Hamptom a shot.
I’m really looking forward to it. Unfortunately the way the season has gone, he likely will get little or no run support since the Braves are blowing them out tonight.
I bet he gives a quality start.
You have to like the win tonight and the breaking of the losing streak against the Phillies.
I saw a lot of hustle, and passion and determination in the Braves tonight.
I saw an urgency that I have not seen all season. Now let’s see if they can sustain it.
By StingerSplash
July 25, 2008 9:57 PM | Link to this
Ryan Howard has gone the whole game without striking out … so far.
By doug
July 25, 2008 9:57 PM | Link to this
day game after a night game tommorow. will corky catch hammy?
cann’t (i couldnt resist it)sit brian now.
By Random
July 25, 2008 9:58 PM | Link to this
No-Hitter by Hampton Tomorrow
By chopper
July 25, 2008 9:58 PM | Link to this
Man, I’m out of town—hate to miss Bmac’s homer. That has to be a season highlight. Carry the team!
By Supes
July 25, 2008 9:58 PM | Link to this
Glad that Gonzo isn’t in the game tonight. Don’t need a closer in there with such a big lead.
Co-Players of the game…JJJ and B-Mac.
There goes the shutout…darn Ohman serves up a 2 run dinger to Ryan Howard.
Oh…we get a mention from Chip “about the bloggers and talk show callers” saying “bad things” about Mike Hampton.
Let the Chip love fest continue on the blog!:smirk:
By bgvt
July 25, 2008 9:59 PM | Link to this
Down on the farm … Chuck James, 6 IP, 1 ER. Bad news: 96 pitches so he came out after 6 and Nunez gave up 4 runs in relief. CJ is still having trouble keeping the pitch count down.
By ernesto
July 25, 2008 9:59 PM | Link to this
How big was that BMac blast now?
Hope that got that out of Utley and Howard’s systems.
Whew.
By brent a.
July 25, 2008 9:59 PM | Link to this
I think it’s “interesting” that Interested Observer is posting on a night while the Braves are on the road and Skip Caray is off, because earlier in the month, someone was pretty sure that IO was none other than the bar-b-q man himself.
By Mr. Optimistic
July 25, 2008 10:00 PM | Link to this
team is gunna need a bat their schedule isss extreamly tough. they get hamels tommorrow . then a modest break with st louis.But then they will get both sheets and C.C in that series/ cain lincecum cain and sanchez in that series webb and haren . bat is a must lets go Frank!!!!!!!!
By Random
July 25, 2008 10:00 PM | Link to this
Six-Inning, Rain-Shortened No-Hitter by Hampton
By Mr. Optimistic
July 25, 2008 10:00 PM | Link to this
team is gunna need a bat their schedule isss extreamly tough. they get hamels tommorrow . then a modest break with st louis.But then they will get both sheets and C.C in that series/ cain lincecum and sanchez in that series webb and haren . bat is a must lets go Frank!!!!!!!!
By Mr. Optimistic
July 25, 2008 10:00 PM | Link to this
team is gunna need a bat their schedule isss extreamly tough. they get hamels tommorrow . then a modest break with st louis.But then they will get both sheets and C.C in that series/ cain lincecum and sanchez in that series webb and haren . bat is a must lets go Frank!!!!!!!!
By SaltyDawg
July 25, 2008 10:00 PM | Link to this
Don’t look now, but OhMan’s trade stock just dropped a little. I sure wish they had saved him for a game in this series when they didn’t have such a big lead. Oh well, a win is a win is a win is a win is a win is a win is a win. Great game for the substitute lineup tonight. I’ll be real interested to see how they play the rest of the series. Tomorrow night could easily be considered the most important game of the season.
By Mr. Optimistic
July 25, 2008 10:00 PM | Link to this
team is gunna need a bat their schedule isss extreamly tough. they get hamels tommorrow . then a modest break with st louis.But then they will get both sheets and C.C in that series/ cain lincecum and sanchez in that series webb and haren in arizona . bat is a must lets go Frank!!!!!!!!
By Mr. Optimistic
July 25, 2008 10:00 PM | Link to this
team is gunna need a bat their schedule isss extreamly tough. they get hamels tommorrow . then a modest break with st louis.But then they will get both sheets and C.C in that series/ cain lincecum and sanchez in that series webb and haren in arizona . bat is a must lets go Frank!!!!!!!!
By The Man From Shingler
July 25, 2008 10:01 PM | Link to this
Why is Ohman in there with an eight run lead?
Showcasing him for a trade and it may be backfiring a little.
By N8
July 25, 2008 10:01 PM | Link to this
bgvt
“Of course, looking at the box score from this “rout”, some blogger will say that Tex only gets RBIs in blow outs.”
That’s the problem with “stat guys” that only look at the box score.
Those of us that WATCH the games, know that that base-hit was the first clutch hit the dude has had in a while, and the 2 HR’s in the blowout loss a couple of Sunday’s ago were completely meaningless.
The stats only tell half the story. Your eyes will tell you the rest.
Damnit! Ohman is hurting his trade value.
“The only negative thing is the Mets are beating the Cardinals like they mean business. Braves will not gain a game on them tonight.”
While I still don’t think they’re gonna pull off the miracle comeback and make the playoffs, if they do so they’re gonna have to gain on the 3 teams ahead of them, one at a time. Which head to head wins certainly do.
But you’re right. As long as the NL East teams are all playing each other, it’s gonna be tough to gain ground quickly. Gonna have to grind it out.
Time will tell.
By bgvt
July 25, 2008 10:01 PM | Link to this
Wow. Ryan Howard is hitting .234 (almost like JF) but he has 30 HR and 90 RBI. I guess he makes his hits count.
By A-ville Ranger
July 25, 2008 10:02 PM | Link to this
I promised myself I wouldn’t comment on Hampton anymore.The Peachtree tv guys just said something I can’t let pass though.One of them said,”He could have took the money and retired”…NO he couldn’t that’s the thing.Some of us think he’s held on to TAKE the money.
If he hadn’t at least went through the motions of attempting to play he would have his contract voided.
If you think he’s done all he can to come back fine.Just don’t blow the BS that he sacrificed for the team,sure…. all the way to the bank.
By McFann ;Ô;
July 25, 2008 10:03 PM | Link to this
Neight—
You could be right…
Another fun fact (if you will): McCann has never hit a Grand Slam at Turner Field. All five have been on the road (STL, COL, CIN, FLA, and PHI).
Also, the Braves won 8-2, and the record against the Fillies for the year is 2-8. Weird…
(Could be my last post, so in case it is:) NIGHT, ALL!! And, as you know, McCann is da MANN!! (Jair is, two! They make a GREAT battery!)
By spotts
July 25, 2008 10:04 PM | Link to this
DOB - do you know Mike Hampton’s velocity after the 50 surgeries?
By ncscoots
July 25, 2008 10:04 PM | Link to this
Of course, looking at the box score from this “rout”, some blogger will say that Tex only gets RBIs in blow outs.
Exactly right. No one will mention that his AB to get the second run in was the most important AB of the inning.
By McFann ;Ô;
July 25, 2008 10:05 PM | Link to this
Doug cann’t (i couldnt resist it)sit brian now.
Great spelling! ; )
No way he sits Brian tomorrow.
By Jake
July 25, 2008 10:05 PM | Link to this
JJ was great. He gave us 8 innings and saved the bullpen. Hopefully (fingers crossed) nothing goes wrong with Hampton, but just in case we have a fresh bullpen if either Hampton nor Jojo (i’m assuming there keeping him as a backup with all of Hampton’s bad luck)can’t go that far. By the way, Mac is a beast. Hopefully this is the start of a great series. Good Defense, Good Pitching. Nice to see that we finally found out how to win on the road. I just hope its not too little too late.
By Braveheart
July 25, 2008 10:06 PM | Link to this
But this ninth inning explosion off Lidge is hoooge. Just hoooge.
That was very Mike and the Mad Dog-ish with the use of the double exaggerated Huuuuuuge!
By McFann ;Ô;
July 25, 2008 10:06 PM | Link to this
Thanks, Keylargo!
MiamiBrave—
Oh yeah, it was a GREAT night! Thanks!
By Robin
July 25, 2008 10:07 PM | Link to this
Will, don’t sweat that dong by Howard, he hit a good pitch. It’s gonna happen, shake it off Ohms!
Wishing my Warner Robin’s Little Leaguers good luck in their state title game tonight …defense of their World Championship hopes too! Win tonight and it’s on to Fla. for the S.E. regionals ….again.
By Jeff321
July 25, 2008 10:12 PM | Link to this
Anyone for trading still trading Tex, and just keeping Mac in the cleanup spot?
YEAH! I have been demanding McCann to the cleanup spot for what seems like the entire first half. When ya think about it, he is a much better hitter than Tex. IMO, Tex does know how to hit (for singles) but tries to jack too many out of the park.
By Supes
July 25, 2008 10:13 PM | Link to this
McFann, if B-Mac sits tomorrow b/c of Bobby Cox’s strategy to rest him on back to back games when they play night game followed by a day game…well COACH will have a lot ot say about Bobby, and so will everyone else.
You just can’t sit B-Mac now. Just can’t. I know he’s gotta be tired, etc but the guy is a gamer and we don’t have a legit backup option. I mean if Corky was a .220 hitter at least, you’d think about it. But the guy is hitting less than .100! I mean I’d have a pitcher pinch hit for Corky than allow him to hit in a game that meant something from now on…and they all do!
Yes, the Chip comment about Hampton retiring and taking his money was talking out of his…backside. Hampton has to remain a member of the Braves organization to get paid. If he would have retired he wouldn’t have gotten paid. I wish Chip would learn the situation rather than just passionately defend Mike Hampton and throw fans under the bus. Oh well, at least won’t have to listen to him tomorrow!
By McFann ;Ô;
July 25, 2008 10:13 PM | Link to this
BTW—
Braveheart—
An MVP would be sweet…But that call may be a bit premature.
Heart, soul, passion, fire, face and future of the franchise…I think you’ve got something, there!
OK, this is my last post!
NIGHT, ALL!!!!!
By Braveheart
July 25, 2008 10:15 PM | Link to this
Remember when the Phillies were 6 games under .500 on July 31st two years ago when they traded Bobby Abreu? They were 49-55 at the time. They went 36-22 for the rest of the season to finish with 85 wins and then of course won the division title the next year. The Braves are now 49-53. 85 wins might win the division this year. Maybe trading Tex will change things the way trading Abreu did for the Phils. You never know.
By ncscoots
July 25, 2008 10:16 PM | Link to this
Lady’s and gentlemen, our cleanup hitter for the 2009 season is already on the roster, and his last name is NOT Teixeira.
Well, you’d be 80% right, maybe, since McCann is going to sit 35 games, regardless of his lineup spot. You’d absolutely hammer any other player hitting cleanup who missed that many games in a season, for whatever reason.
By bgvt
July 25, 2008 10:16 PM | Link to this
Just toured the farm system box scores and there was lots of good pitching tonight for the Braves. At Richmond, Chuck James pitched 6 innings giving up 1 ER. At Mississippi, Tommy Hanson has pitched 6 innings giving up no runs so far. Myrtle Beach had 3 relievers (including Jeff Bennett) combine for a shutout. Rome had Cordier give up 1 ER in 5.2 innings (the reliever let in the inherited runner). At Danville, Hodges pitched 7.1 innings giving up 1 ER (he is off to a hot start).
The GC Braves were the exception — they won a slugfest 9-8.
N8 — My point exactly on not being careful about defining what a clutch situation is. I don’t think you were arguing the point. My opinion on Tex is that he will get far more money then he is worth over the winter. He wasn’t close to being an All-Star for the NL. Sports Illustrated this week has a poll of baseball execs about what player you would want to build a team around: I think 27 players got votes; Tex was not on the list. McCann was the only Brave on the list and he barely made it.
By Bennett
July 25, 2008 10:18 PM | Link to this
All said and done good overall game and this team should have been playing like this all season; however, they are still 6 1/2 games back. Trades are coming.
By Doc Holliday
July 25, 2008 10:20 PM | Link to this
Ohman was out there because we dont need phillies to get any moment carried into tomorrows game…….
As I said about 3 months ago………innings are starting to catch up with phillies relievers…….
Muts are on a nice run…….its just a matter of time until they fall to their usual mediocre baseball………Thats guaranteed…..
We just have to keep up the good baseball………We are hot……….tomorrow is probably one of the most important games of the year………..
If hampton pitches 5 good innings …………..that would be huge
If we win………that means another series win and puts us in position to sweep and pick up the game we left back with the nats.
It will send a message to the rest of the east………braves arent gone yet………….
Can wait for the game to begin……….
By SaltyDawg
July 25, 2008 10:25 PM | Link to this
DOB, IF the Braves and Mets sweep, do you think the Braves will be sellers?
Not to speak for the man, the myth, the legend himself DOB, but if the Braves sweep this series there is no way they will be sellers unless they follow up by dumping 3 or 4 to the Cards. Reason being that in the meantime they would have closed to within 2 games of Philly and the Marlins are likely to lose at least one of the next 2 games against the Cubs. So while the Mets would still be up by 6.5 games, the Braves wouldn’t be in nearly as bad of a situation. Plus you have to remember that the Braves and Mets still have 9 games to play this season. If the Braves can take 6 of those 9 games, that lead isn’t so big anymore. After this series they still have 6 games against Philly and 6 against the Fish, so there is lots of potential to move up in the standings.
My only concern is that we are “waiting to see how the team is playing” before deciding whether or not to bring in a bat that could make the difference and help us close that gap. Sounds a little counter intuitive to me. Kind of like needing a heart transplant but waiting to see if the one you have actually stops before deciding whether or not to go through with it.
By the way, I just say that the Yanks snapped up Nady, so there is one less outfield bat on the market and the price is going to go up on anyone still up for grabs.
By F*ck Chip Carey
July 25, 2008 10:29 PM | Link to this
spotts Hampton was consistently hitting 90-91 in Spring Training. As I understand it, velocity will not be an issue. His sinker is working, more a matter of throwing it where he wants it. If he can stay healthly, I think he can still pitch in the majors.
By THB
July 25, 2008 10:30 PM | Link to this
I like the optimism at least on the blog. We should be happy tonight, a well deserved win overall. JJ is something else, and Mac is very advanced for a 24 year old. I’d like it if we picked up Jason Bay and traded Tex. Maybe we could snag McLouth, doubt it though. Maybe we give up some solid prospects, but I would not give up Hanson, Heyward, or Freeman. By the way, I’d give Blanco the CF job if we got Bay. Blanco deserves the leadoff spot, so Kotsay would be expendable. Then if we get a return of Loney and MacDonald from the Dodgers.
By the way, Hanson pitched tonight, pitching 6.1 innings with 3 hits, 3 walks, and 10 K. He’s a keeper. And he’s on his way to AAA quickly. I would offer the Pirates Locke and Schafer/Hernandez for Bay but not another elite prospect.
By Who does OhNo Reyes have naked photos of?
July 25, 2008 10:30 PM | Link to this
Bravo, Braves! 17 runs in the last 2 games and some flashy defensive work? Now thats more like it.
Oh and way to go HEAP!
Good, aggressive play and management. If you’re gonna beat the Phillies you gotta play like the Phillies.
Biggest 9th inning since 04!
By Interested Observer
July 25, 2008 10:32 PM | Link to this
brent a.
What makes you think Skip Caray even knows what a blog is??
… You may now walk your canine.
By Supes
July 25, 2008 10:35 PM | Link to this
How many innings will Hampton be expected to pitch tomorrow? 4 or 5? If that’s his limit…that’s going to tax the pen tomorrow, no matter what happens with the game score.
By Who does OhNo Reyes have naked photos of?
July 25, 2008 10:43 PM | Link to this
McFann, I thought about you and the girl who does the braves love blog when Heap stole that base (Run Heap Run!) but I was so happy when he hit the slammy I was too busy whooooping it up around my living room to think of anything else.
By Greg in TN
July 25, 2008 10:45 PM | Link to this
Evening gang…
Braves brought the leather and lumber to the yard tonight and although the lumber didn’t really seem to arrive until the ninth against what looked like a beleaguered Brad Lidge, the leather was evident all night long.
The double play started by Escobar in the fifth was outstanding as well as a nice barehanded play by Infante.
JJJ is the second starter to reach the ten win plateau, something very few would have bet on at the beginning of the season with the rotation that broke camp from Dark Star in March. Jurrjens is making a lot of noise for NL ROY consideration and this denizen feels he’s very deserving of the honor.
Nady and Marte are heading from the Bucs to Fort Knox-The Bronx, and with the non-waiver trade deadline fast approaching, all eyes in Planet Braves are on Frank Wren and company to see if we’re shipping in or shipping out. The jury’s still out on what will happen between now and the end of next week, but for tonight at least, everything went according to plan.
By uga-brave
July 25, 2008 10:48 PM | Link to this
scoots,
could not agree more. tough to have a cleanup hitter that is gonna sit 35.
macc is in the right spot, he is a very good five hole hitter.
i know i am in the minority, but i want tex back.
the guy plays everyday and he plays a sic 1st base.
jjj was pretty darn good tonight.
we finally won a game that many of us thought we were going to lose.
tex’s bases loaded knock was huge.
By Doc Holliday
July 25, 2008 10:50 PM | Link to this
supes
I think they will let hampton have 70 pitches or 5 innings……Considering the day off yesterday and that everybody but Ohman had the day off………… And considering campillo pitches on sunday…….I think 5 innings would be enough for his 1st time ………… Carlyle could pitch 2 and boyer 1………..easily and we still would have soriano, ring and ohman fresh for sunday………NO SWEAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lets go Bravos!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Kentavo
July 25, 2008 11:02 PM | Link to this
Why use Ohman tonight?
Couldn’t Tavarez or Ring handle a blowout?
By uga-brave
July 25, 2008 11:14 PM | Link to this
gotta sweep period.
gotta be patient with hammels. my guess is that you will see both prado and norton tommorow.
By Carroll Rogers
July 25, 2008 11:15 PM | Link to this
i believe when will ohman started to warm up the game was 1-0 and lefty Chase Utley would be up in the inning and possibly howard.
some stuff from francoeur i thought i’d share from the postgame: “It gives us some confidence we can play in a one-run game vs. a team like this in this kind of park. That was awesome. Wtill with a 1-0 lead the whole seventh inning, I’m holding my breath in the outfield.”
and Francoeur on Hampton’s start tomorrow. “I don’t think there’s any doubt that we’ll be playing with a little extra emotion tomorrow, an extra edge, for him,” Francoeur said. “I was talking to him tonight. I know he’s nervous to go back out there tomorrow, but he’s been waiting for this moment for a long time.”
By DesiBrave
July 25, 2008 11:16 PM | Link to this
KEY To Tomorrow’s game is McCann to be in the lineup Normally Bobby will rest McCann for a day game after a night game the previous night. But with the day’s rest on thursday McCann should be good to go tomorrow. I not only want McCann in tomorrow’s game but I also want him to hit cleanup even though it is against the lefty Cole Hammels.
Go Braves !!!
By jed
July 25, 2008 11:18 PM | Link to this
i’m not sure what the braves should expect from hampton tomorrow—other than a strained muscle during warm-ups. but having said that, and having been tough on hampton myself, i expect he’s gonna be rusty as he can be, and will be out by the 3rd inning. if so, i will not criticize the guy. rust is to be expected (it never sleeps, i hear). it’ll be interesting to watch him give it a whirl out there and see what he’s got left. and i’ll sincerely be pulling for him. (no pun intended)
By BeatWritersSuck
July 25, 2008 11:23 PM | Link to this
Hey Doc Holliday…what comedy club do you work at??? you calling mets mediocre..at least they are above .500…its late july and the braves are under .500 hahahahahahahaha what a joke do yourselves a favor and trade tex and call it a season.
By N9
July 25, 2008 11:24 PM | Link to this
wow i leave for the last inning and BOOM! i couldnt believe the score i saw!!!
By BeatWritersSuck
July 25, 2008 11:25 PM | Link to this
Hey Doc Holliday…what comedy club do you work at??? you calling mets mediocre..at least they are above .500…its late july and the braves are under .500 hahahahahahahaha what a joke do yourselves a favor and trade tex and call it a season.
By bruce
July 25, 2008 11:31 PM | Link to this
that was fun… they flashed “Lights Out Lidge” on the scoreboard, sure enough, he turned the lights out on that 1-0 score…. it was really fun to hear the Philly fans moan and then just leave
By brent a.
July 25, 2008 11:34 PM | Link to this
IO
The blog is known to be very popular amongst the Braves announcers.
By Who does OhNo Reyes have naked photos of?
July 25, 2008 11:35 PM | Link to this
I take it this wasn’t a good time to ask Bobby about Reyes over Morton,* Ms. Rogers*? : )
Thanks for the quotes. It just doesn’t seem right that they came from Frenchy but after a night like tonight I don’t even mind.
By braves fan in pittsburgh
July 25, 2008 11:35 PM | Link to this
i aways find it funny that francoeur likes to talk to the media after he has a couple of hits.
By Chop Chop
July 25, 2008 11:36 PM | Link to this
uga-brave,
I’d like Tex back. I just don’t see him as being part of this team’s future because paying him $20 million a season makes no financial sense for a team with a payroll around $90 million.
If it were up to me, I’d raise the payroll to $120-$130 million and keep the guy. The Braves would be in the playoffs every year because we wouldn’t be cheap. We’d go get what we want and bring the NL to its knees again.
By NL EAST
July 25, 2008 11:36 PM | Link to this
ooooooohhhhhhhh you beat the scuffling Phillies…Im so scared…watch out here they come….
By N9
July 25, 2008 11:47 PM | Link to this
yep chop chop glory days again would be nnnnice
By brent a.
July 25, 2008 11:47 PM | Link to this
I realize that I am probably overstating tomorrow’s a game a bit; but, I do find it fascinating that Mike Hampton is going to be the starting pitcher in what could ultimately be our most critical game of the season.
We are playing decent baseball right now; refusing to bow out of the race; but at the same time, we are teetering on the edge of becoming both buyers and sellers, charting the course for not only the rest of this season, but for our future.
Tomorrow, Mike Hampton, the man of too many injuries to count, takes the mound against the braves’ nemesis, Cole Hamels. Win tomorrow, and we could be 5 1/2 games back, and looking to make a run for the division. Lose tomorrow, and we could be looking to dump Mark Teixeira and focus on the future.
And in the middle of all this - Mike Hampton, the $121 million man, will take the mound for the first time in 35 months.
Ultimately, this game could just be an insignificant footnote in history. However, it stands a chance to be a pivotal day not only in Mike Hampton’s career, but also in the Atlanta Braves season.
By Doc Holliday
July 25, 2008 11:56 PM | Link to this
*BeatWritersSuck *
If you thought Braves were done………you wouldnt be here my “friend”.
Cox cant bench Mc ………….Chipper is not playing……..cant play that crucial game with half your best hitters on the bench.
Cant expect to beat the phillies if we are handling them 6 outs before games starts (pitcher and Corky).
By Doc Holliday
July 26, 2008 12:07 AM | Link to this
*brent a. *
Pitching Hampton tomorrow is just what we need……….if he comes out big………the boost would be a turning point for our team ……… They need good news from any source…….Hampton would be the best source at this point.
If he has a bad outing or something like that……….so be it. But if he comes big……… we are talking sweeping the phillies. Limping Cardinals are next…………
You think muts will continue to play .700 ball rest of the season??? Theyll be lucky to finish 3rd.
Lets keep it up Braves……..
Our chances of beating Hamels are not good……..no matter who is on the mound for us……….So having hampton pitching tomorrow cant harm us …………I rather watch him give up 10 runs tomorrow when hamels is on the mound than on sunday……. In others words………our chances tomorrow are not good anyway…………
By kirknga
July 26, 2008 12:08 AM | Link to this
brent a.
The reason why Hampton is pitching in a pivotal game is because he’s done so many times in his career.
It’s good to have a vet taking the mound in that type of game.
I’m still predicting he pitches well enough that he gets a contract offer from the Braves during the winter.
By Robin
July 26, 2008 12:12 AM | Link to this
Oh what a niiiight! Braves win AND my Warner Robins LL team defends their State Title. On to the regionals and hopefully Williamsport again for back to back World titles!
[http://www.macon.com/198/story/414702.html]
By Doc Holliday
July 26, 2008 12:27 AM | Link to this
*kirknga *
GIVE ME HIGH5…………..lets not lose the faith……….Hampton could still made up for all his absence this season……..he knows it and he will make his best effort.
By BravesLover
July 26, 2008 12:28 AM | Link to this
It would be unwise for the Braves to trade Tex, Ohman, or any pivitol player. I can’t imagine too many fans will step up to the turnstiles with a AA/AAA caliber team on the field and still pay full price for tickets and food. This would, also, continue in to next season when season ticket sales will drop for the same above reasons. To let go of any big guns and “start over” (shudder) would set this team back ten years. Win, baby. That fills the seats and generates income. Let’s sign Tex for four or five years and go get some boomers in the off season. Pay the money and let’s go.
By Doc Holliday
July 26, 2008 12:31 AM | Link to this
We need corky to get injured …………..and Gotay……….
By sri
July 26, 2008 12:36 AM | Link to this
DOB/Caroll…Do you have any inside info if the Braves had any serious interest in Nady? Were you able to coax any information out of the Braves officials if we were interested/if so what we offered? Thanks..
By braves fan in pittsburgh
July 26, 2008 12:37 AM | Link to this
CARROL,
or anybody, know our record when we get quality starts?
considering that smoltz, glavine, hampton, moylan, and soriano have been somewhat non contributors, our pitching has been boarderline outstanding.
first time in a long time we have won a road game like this.
i kept thinking when it was 1-0 late, that we would issue a walk and a bomb.
nice to see the braves add on late.
only if our offense could of mustered more runs early in games, and the season.
we will look back and say if we only had two more power type hitters.
i think wren obviously counted on right field to provide that.
at this point i dont think you will know what francoeur will be.
i really dont think he is going to be a .230 type 14 75 guy, but i dont think he will ever be a middle of the order guy either.
he is a complement type of player at the best, unless he reinvents himself.
you got to wonder how his psyche is as he watches macc take it to another level.
i know they are good friends but it is likely that me might be a tad envious of the three time ALL STAR.
he is gonna be a brave for probably the next two years at least.
unless he is totally brain dead he has to realize that the braves need power from him.
.233 aint good, but in reality the power numbers are worse.
By Frank
July 26, 2008 12:37 AM | Link to this
All I have to say is….look out Muts, Phils, and Fish….the Bravos might just be about ready to make a run to the top!!!!
By Robin
July 26, 2008 12:37 AM | Link to this
My links don’t work.
Tries again: (http://www.macon.com/198/story/414702.html)
By Tomas
July 26, 2008 12:44 AM | Link to this
What a game. Great defense and good pitching and an offensive outburst in the ninth. Lidge ERA went from 1.29 to 2.36. JJ is tremendous, what a trade to get him and hernandez, it doesn’t get a lot better than that. Hope Hampton can pitch at least five innings before he gets injured again.
By N8
July 26, 2008 12:46 AM | Link to this
“It would be unwise for the Braves to trade Tex, Ohman, or any pivitol player. I can’t imagine too many fans will step up to the turnstiles with a AA/AAA caliber team on the field and still pay full price for tickets and food.”
Yeah, because the (ahem), all-stars have been getting the job done.
I thought fans bought tickets to root for the TEAM to win, not to watch “super-stars”.
You don’t think ticket prices and concessions are gonna go UP if Tex re-signs and payroll is raised?
Besides. There has been a LOT of fans arriving to the park disguised as “empty seats”, as Skip used (and probably still does), say.
Besides, if the way the Renteria for JJJ trade (along with the Ohman & Infante for Ascanio move), have worked out, I’d say Wren has done a nice job of getting more bang for the buck.
What makes you think that adding a couple of players in the Tex trade, along with having the extra cash to be used on multiple players instead of 25 million for one guy, wouldn’t improve the team’s performance on the field, vs. just re-signing Tex?
If I’m Wren, and I have my eye on some potential free-agents, or trade possibilities that have been uncovered in this Tex negotiating, (remember, it was said that “footwork” for the Renteria/JJJ trade was done long before the trade took place), and we can get a couple of pieces for Tex, I STILL trade him, even if it appears LM is willing to shell out the cash for Tex.
Tex is not a difference maker with our payroll where it’s at. We just have to hope that Wren can convince other GM’s that he is before July 31st.
By Chop Chop
July 26, 2008 12:48 AM | Link to this
Robin,
Write something describing the link you’re posting in brackets:
[Like this]
After you do that, take the link you want to post and put it in parentheses immediately following the brackets.
(http://www.macon.com/198/story/414702.html)
It will end up looking a little something…
Like this.
By Chop Chop
July 26, 2008 12:50 AM | Link to this
The Braves are the best team in the NL.
You know how I know this?
They won tonight.
Case closed.
By Choppinmama
July 26, 2008 1:00 AM | Link to this
Peachtree TV Wanabe: what about when McCann was up with bases loaded and somebody hit the “go to commercial” button? Thank goodness it only lasted about 2 seconds.
By J.L.
July 26, 2008 1:09 AM | Link to this
Regarding tex; He’s and excellent defensive 1st baseman ,above average hitter, appears to be good in the clubhouse.Who will be demanding a salary in the 23 mil per year range.He also does not show up til June,there are 5or6 better 1st baseman in the national league. Any team that pays 23 mil a year for him is a fool.that being true,then the Braves have a chance of signing him in the off season.
By uga-brave
July 26, 2008 1:20 AM | Link to this
you want to know why we are 6 games back?
chew on these numbers.
coming into tonight the braves had 95 homeruns and 35 stolen bases.
the fightin’s had 140 homeruns and 83 stolen bases.
and they have hit as many on the ROAD as they have hit at home.
our pitching has been too good to be under .500.
no way that our right fielder should be accountable. the braves owe him, right.
heck our whole outfield is AND SHOULD BE ACCOUNTABLE. that includes you diaz for that lousy .ops you jacked up.
frenchy just happens to be at the top of the delta tau chi pledge class.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves In 2009)
July 26, 2008 1:27 AM | Link to this
Chop Chop, you’re a funny guy.
Well, the Yankees just set the bar. Nady and Marte brought four players in return.
Teixeira and Ohman should bring at least five total.
By THWG
July 26, 2008 1:35 AM | Link to this
I think I found Jeff Francoeur’s problem right here.
By uga-brave
July 26, 2008 1:36 AM | Link to this
j.l.,
pujols, berkman, lee, gonzalez, howard, tex.
not a bad point, but tex is on their level.
at some point you gotta pay to play.
tex is 27, i got a hunch he would play eveyday and hit .290, 37, 120 every year.
plus he is the best fielder of the bunch.
glav’s 7 mill comes off, hamptons 14 comes off, smoltz probably comes off, or discounted.
so who in the f.a. market would you spend it on?
By Robin
July 26, 2008 1:39 AM | Link to this
Ahhh …Thanks a bunch Chop Chop!
(a bit embarrassed)
I can operate a million+ $$ sound system yet, have just had my butt kicked by some formatting. :)
Warner Robins Little Leaguers
By Coach (Lets Go Braves In 2009)
July 26, 2008 1:43 AM | Link to this
Yankees trade
By Supes
July 26, 2008 1:51 AM | Link to this
coach
*Well, the Yankees just set the bar. Nady and Marte brought four players in return.
Teixeira and Ohman should bring at least five total.*
I don’t think you can go by that at all. It all depends on the caliber of players involved. I would think you would be able to get one “A” rated prospect, and at least two “B” rated ones talking about minor leaguers. Don’t forget the deal, if there is a deal could involve someone on a current major league roster, as the Braves have no viable option in the minors to play first (If anyone suggest Scott Thorman, you didn’t watch any games last year!).
I would like to speculate the other way around.
What would Jason Bay cost the Braves?
A package of at least 2 players, maybe 3. I’d be willing to bet Brandon Jones (an outfielder) and a pitcher like a Chuck James would be enough. I mean it’s not a stretch…James has been a wash this season but he’s also been quite good in certain stretches. Brandon Jones could project to be a serviceable major league outfielder. Maybe need to throw another player in, someone in the lower minor leagues since Bay has an affordable contract for 2 more years (I may be wrong about that number)
By Coach (Lets Go Braves In 2009)
July 26, 2008 2:16 AM | Link to this
Supes, yes I can go by that. So many fans don’t understand the value involved with Teixeira.
The man is worth three players by himself. Because, the team trading for Tex gets him for one-third of the 2008 season and two draft picks in the top fifty of the 2009 draft. Ohman is likely a type B free agent. He will garner a draft pick too.
So, basically. By trading Tex (type A free agent) and Ohman (type B free agent), the Braves are giving up two players and three draft picks. They have every right to expect four to five players in trade.
The Braves know this and so do prospective teams. If Atlanta can’t get that kind of return, they might as well hang on to Tex and or Ohman and take the three draft picks if both of them leave via free agency.
By CharlieAlphaBravo
July 26, 2008 2:25 AM | Link to this
Be weary Bring me the head of Francisco Cabrera… Who’s that sneaking up behind you?? That’s right. It’s Green Eggs and Hampton making a solid run at the coveted “CharlieAlphaBravo’s Semi-Annual Greatest Blog-Name of the Century Award.” I’m still waiting for a good Sciambi-Syndrome reference to vie for the title as well….
By rupert
July 26, 2008 3:01 AM | Link to this
i wouldn’t be surprised if what wren is waiting on is whether to aquire a bat like bay, and if they have not allready decided to trade tex, i hope that is the case because if some of the names that are being thrown around are possible (loney, jackson, or kotchman etc.) that would be a great long-term move, they’d be cheap for a number of years and are not really prospects, they are just young major leaguers, if you get bay, and have say loney, that wouldn’t be much of a drop of in total production from tex, next year the braves could then use tex’s money to sign a starter or another bat, maybe both, sure up the pen, and make a serious run, this year would not be wasted either, like i said the production wouldn’t be much less, if at all, and maybe they get hot and make a run, it would seem logical to take the tex sweepstakes all the way to july 31, so we shall see
ohman and kotsay are more of a barameter, especially ohman (kotsay could be moved if they get an outfielder), moving ohman would be a white flag, i think they have all ready made their mind up on tex and hopefully they will trade him because it makes a lot of sense (if your getting the return that has been mentioned)
bottom line is the odds of this team making the playoffs is slim and personally, i’d like to see them make a move that creates a ton of flexibility in the future, while not totally ruling out the present, as opposed to stubbornly holding on to tex (who is overated for reasons many have stated) and hoping for a near miracle, you can get a little bit of both and that seems like a great option….
By Moby Grape
July 26, 2008 3:25 AM | Link to this
so who in the f.a. market would you spend it on?UGA
The Braves very seldom spend much at all on the free agent market and as weak as it will be for the most part this winter I doubt that they will be shopping there much. Like 90% of the time they will most likely upgrade through trades
By Quack Quack
July 26, 2008 3:40 AM | Link to this
Supes A package of at least 2 players, maybe 3. I’d be willing to bet Brandon Jones (an outfielder) and a pitcher like a Chuck James would be enough. I mean it’s not a stretch…
It’s a huge stretch. You think other teams won’t be offering? You can’t honestly believe that even the Pirates are stupid enough to do that deal can you? My oh my. Let’s do it right now. Wake up Wren and have him get right on it. I expect Jason in the lineup Sunday.
By bravos2249
July 26, 2008 4:04 AM | Link to this
i aways find it funny that francoeur likes to talk to the media after he has a couple of hits.
Yeah Chipper made a comment about how he’s finally manned up and will admit when he stinks..ala that walk off error @ Cinny…..
“I just have to remind myself that I’m not going to improve my batting average from .250 to .290 in a day,Francoeur said.*
nope but you can lower it
By Braveheart
July 26, 2008 4:05 AM | Link to this
Ugabrave, I would rather hold onto Tex because he is 28 and in his prime and the Braves need to start building a contender around players in their primes. I want Tex to stay but I understand the reality of the situation.
Unless they are willing to jack the payroll to $125 million, are willing to make at least a 7.5% annual salary increase commitment every year thereafter, and are willing to go 7 years, $152 or 8 years, $165, I don’t see the point of holding on to him if and only if Loney, Jackson or Kotchman are available.
As for the value of first round picks, well, first round picks are nice and all but since 1965, the Braves have drafted 52 players in the first round.
Only 3 first rounders in the past 44 seasons have hit 100+ homers in their careers: Murphy, Horner and Chipper.
Only three first rounder have had an .800+ OPS for their careers: Murphy, Horner and Chipper.
Only two first rounders have stolen 100+ bases: Murphy and Chipper.
No first rounder has won 100+ games in their career. Avery has the most career wins for any first rounder with 96.
Only one first rounder has 100+ career saves: Duane Ward.
Loney, Kotchman and Jackson over the course of the next 5 seasons could give the Braves 75 to 100% of the production of Tex for about 25% of the salary.
Considering the first round history over the last 44 seasons, if Jackson, Loney or Kotchman are merely average over the next 5 years, they will have been more successful than 90% of the 52 first rounders taken in the past 44 seasons by the Braves.
By gotigers72
July 26, 2008 4:07 AM | Link to this
The Nats come in and take 2 of 3 from the Braves at the Ted, both of their wins being wax jobs. And they scored about 300 runs in the process.
Since then they are 0-4 against the Giants and Dodgers. I forget what they scored in the first loss against the Giants, but the last 3 games they have scored 4, 0 and 2 runs. How can they be winning the season series against the Braves while also being the worst team in baseball?
By Moby Grape
July 26, 2008 4:47 AM | Link to this
Considering the first round history over the last 44 seasons, if Jackson, Loney or Kotchman are merely average over the next 5 years, they will have been more successful than 90% of the 52 first rounders taken in the past 44 seasons by the BravesBraveheart
Good post. That’s why they call them prospects .
By uga-brave
July 26, 2008 4:53 AM | Link to this
moby grape,
good question, but letting tex go without some type of offer is wrong.
at some point the braves have to offer their everyday players, especially those in their prime money.
we have watched players like drew, furacal, sheffield, and even javy walk after good seasons.
tex may not be having a great season, but if he is gone who is going to be a middle of the lineup guy.
as braveheart said, we dont have any of those so called 27-32 year old studs.
i would have no problem with tex being here long term. who would be better?
he is somewhat of a given. you know what you will get. .290 ish 35, 120.
chipper cant stay in the lineup, francoeur and johnson have been to this point a disapointment.
you need tex to anchor the middle.
if they trade him, the braves better get two players that are ready to be productive next year.
tex’s defense has really been overlooked. the guy can pick it.
if the braves payroll reamains in the 100 million dollar range it is doable.
By Moby Grape
July 26, 2008 5:17 AM | Link to this
good question, but letting tex go without some type of offer is wrong.UGA
oh I agree. I would prefer Tex to stay. I think quite highly of him. A very good hitter and a great defender. I just don’t think it is going to happen unfortunately. And I can understand the payroll constraints that will probably cause him to leave, even though I’m not happy about it. If I had to get rid of him I would make every effort to acquire at least one young major leaguer with promise-like Loney, Connor etc instead of just prospects agreeing with what BH said. I just meant in the previous post that whatever they end up needing for next season after this is all done right now they will most likely address it through off-season trades rather that free agency.
By Supes
July 26, 2008 5:43 AM | Link to this
Quack
It’s a huge stretch. You think other teams won’t be offering? You can’t honestly believe that even the Pirates are stupid enough to do that deal can you? My oh my. Let’s do it right now. Wake up Wren and have him get right on it. I expect Jason in the lineup Sunday.
Please tell me how what the Yankees gave up Friday for Nady and a lefty reliever isn’t as good as a possible trade of
Jason Bay for Brandon Jones, Chuck James and one of our minor league ‘B’ rated guys in AA or A ball.
The Yankees gave up 4 minor leaguers, one rated 3rd best in their system, the rest not so much. They got Nady (having a better season than Bay) and a lefty reliever.
Braves would only be getting Jason Bay. Yes, Bay has more years at an affordable rate left on his contract while Nady’s is up, but that can only count for so much.
So I don’t see how what I was speculating about is a “stretch”. Chuck James at one point was an above average pitcher in the major leagues, and we know the Bucs need all the help they can get in that department with the history of injuries to their high draft picks/pitchers.
Brandon Jones showed that he can be serviceable, with some upside if given a chance.
A 3rd minor league player would be thrown in, most likely another pitcher, or possible a position player, I have no idea who is “b” rated in AA or A ball right now.
By Braveheart
July 26, 2008 6:00 AM | Link to this
Time for some overkill on my part. Hey, I finally sweated out the pounding headache and fever I have had for the last 3 days and now I am wide awake. So bear with me on this.
In the above post, I noted that Chipper, Murphy and Horner have been the only first round hitters in the last 44 years to have 100+ career homers and are the only ones to have an .800+ career OPS. Murphy and Chipper are the only first rounders with 100+ career stolen bases.
None have won more than 100 games. Avery has the most with 96 wins. Ward is the only one who has more than 100+ career saves. Ward had 121 career saves (33 less than a certain bearded but balding 22nd rounder reluctantly agreed to earn when forced to be a closer for just 3+ seasons).
It’s important to note that Chipper and Horner were drafted first overall, Avery went third overall, Murphy went fifth overall and Ward went 9th overall. The impactful first rounders in the 44 year history of their first round picks were all taken with the first 10 overall picks in the first round. Compensatory picks are not in the top 10 overall.
Of the rest of the first rounders, only KJ, Frenchy and Tyler Houston amassed more than 1000 at bats in the majors and only Wainwright, Devine, Marquis, Dayley, Acker, Mercker and Lilliquist are noteworthy as pitchers.
Of the 51 players picked in the second round by the Braves since 1965, none have hit 100+ homers. Only two second rounders have a career OPS over .700: McCann and Escobar. No second rounder has more career stolen bases than Lombard’s 23 career stolen bases. Only one second rounder has won more than Brian Fisher’s 36 games: Tom Glavine. No second rounder has recorded more than 40 career saves.
Of the 44 third rounders, Ralph Garr has the highest career OPS with .755, the most homers with 75 and the most stolen bases with 177. After Garr, Langerhans is the only other one with an OPS over .700, and Frank Duffy has the second most homers with 26 and second most career stolen bases with 49. Zane Smith is the only third rounder to win 100+ games. Bedrosian is the only other third rounder to win 75+ games. Rob Bell with his 34 wins to go with with his 5.71 career ERA is the only other third rounder to have won more than Blaine Boyer’s 6 total career wins. That’s right. Blaine Boyer is already the third most successful third round pitcher in franchise history because of all the third rounders in franchise history he has the fourth highest career win total with 6 and third highest career saves total with 1.
Of the 45 fourth rounders, after Justice, Gant and Big Unit, the next best fourth rounders in franchise history are Hollins and Office. ‘Nuff said right there.
Of the 44 fifth rounders, only Klesko, Benedict, Horam, Turk Wendell and George Stone are worth mentioning.
Of the 44 sixth rounders, Albert Hall is by far the best hitter of the bunch and no sixth rounder has won more than 4 games. ‘Nuff said
Of the 44 seventh rounders, only Derosa and Camp have played more than a season’s worth of ballgames.
Of the 44 eighth rounders, only Mark Wohlers, Jason Schmidt, Brian Hunter, Al Martin and Ken Phelps are worth mentioning.
Of the 44 ninth rounders, the only player who ever did anything was Jay Buhner.
Of the 44 tenth rounders, Graffanino, Helms and Clontz are the three best. Ahem, ‘nuff said.
The Braves should make sure they get whatever is fair compensation for the two supp. first round picks but don’t get too attached to the draft picks.
I should note though that my list is a bit misleading because 18 of the first round picks have come in this decade. Some of those picks haven’t had the chance to even get to the major league level yet - nevermind actually succeeding at it.
While the supplementary picks with the exception of KJ and Marquis thus far have not been all that productive on the field, they do add value as bodies that can later be used as trade bait.
Marquis as a supp pick was decent enough while here and then helped get Drew. Supp pick Dan Myer helped later land Hudson. Supp picks Salty & Beau Jones got the Braves Tex which in turn may enable the Braves to get some good young possibly productive players or supp picks that can then be later used after the picks are used as the trade bait needed to land a bigger and better player like Drew, Hudson or Tex..
alright. i will shut up now on this topic
By Quack Quack
July 26, 2008 7:15 AM | Link to this
Please tell me how what the Yankees gave up Friday for Nady and a lefty reliever isn’t as good as a possible trade of
Jason Bay for Brandon Jones, Chuck James and one of our minor league ‘B’ rated guys in AA or A ball.Supes
If it were that cheap they would have done it already I think. Neither Jones nor James have all that much trade value right now, and the Pirates have been said to be asking a very high price for Bay. Recent articles have stated that they were backing off on the price of Nady but not Bay. Nady is having a career year but in no way is as valuable trade wise as Bay. I’d like to have had either one but would have preferred Bay because the odds are strong that Nady will drift back toward his career numbers if not this season then probably next.
I agree with your earlier statement that it is not just about numbers of players but involves quality too, but I know very well that if I were the Pirates GM I would not even consider James & Jones for Bay, perhaps with an A leve l(I don’t mean Heyward) prospect thrown in it might fly, but not with some B level high risk possible who will likely never make it anyway.
Having said all that perhaps I am giving the Pirates GM too much credit. I agree that he did not get as much as he probably should have for Nady & Marte.
By semiballcoach
July 26, 2008 7:39 AM | Link to this
leave mccann in the 4 hole and drop tex down (when chipper returns)….bat frenchy 8th, if not 9th…oh wait, the pitchers get on base more than him
By flange1
July 26, 2008 7:55 AM | Link to this
Morning all,
Games like the one last night give fans the thoughts of grandeur for this team.
JJJ pitched a masterpiece. One of the best games pitched that I have seen for a long time.
The Braves played GREAT defense.
The offense looked great in the 9th.
Games like this make it hard for F Wren to be a seller.
It would be nice if the Braves would play more games like this….
By Notewise
July 26, 2008 8:00 AM | Link to this
Good morning, Carroll. Great blog and great win last night! If you get a chance to ask McCann, I’d love to know if he thought catching Lidge last week in the All-Star game helped him in his at bat against him last night when he hit the Slam. GO BRAVES!!
By nolie
July 26, 2008 8:08 AM | Link to this
SOME BASEBALL AMERICA TIDBITS•
Jordan Schafer, cf, Braves. Has anyone had a worse year than Schafer? The top prospect in the Braves system entering the season, Schafer has been surpassed by Jason Heyward, but that’s been the least of his problems. With Andruw Jones out of the center-field picture, Schafer played in just four games before being hit with a 50-game suspension for human growth hormone. Since returning to Double-A Mississippi on June 2, the results haven’t been good for Schafer—he’s batting just .218/.354/.371 in 170 at-bats and he hit .150/.190/.150 (3-for-20 with six strikeouts) this week. Keep in mind that Schafer is still just 21 and is at least getting on base by drawing walks, but it’s far from how the Braves would have scripted his development.
Jeff Locke, lhp, Braves. After a rough start for low Class A Rome, Locke was heading in the right direction for most of May and June, but he’s now lost his last three starts, and had one of his worst outings of the year Wednesday against West Virginia. The 20-year-old lefty surrendered 10 hits and eight runs (seven earned) in just four innings of work, dropping his record to 4-10, 4.23 in 117 innings.
David Francis,rhp,Braves Team: Rookie-level Danville (Appalachian) Age: 20 Why He’s Here: 1-0, 6 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 16 SO The Scoop: Francis turned in an otherwordly performance by striking our 16 batters in a no-hitter last week. He was a 12th-round pick by the Braves from Walters State (Tenn.) CC in June. His arsenal includes an 88-94 mph fastball and a good curveball and an above average changeup. Another reason Francis may be otherworldly is his “Vulcan” changeup, which is gripped between the middle and ring fingers.
Brandon Wood,ss,Angels Mentioned in possible trade for TEX. Team: Triple-A Salt Lake (Pacific Coast) Age: 23 Why He’s Here: .429/.484/1.000 (12-for-28), 5 HR, 1 2B, 10 RBIs, 10 R, 3 BB, 9 SO The Scoop: Wood crushed a trio of 420-foot home runs last weekend at Fresno to kick off the week in style. But he didn’t stop there. He also homered in Salt Lake on both Wednesday and Thursday, and collected four multi-hit games on the week. As we know, Wood’s game is all about power, and as his slugging percentage has climbed this month (.758), so has his strikeout rate (29 percent of at-bats). This has been true throughout his career, but for a guy who can fit at shortstop or third base, the sort of outburst Wood displayed this week could make him attractive to other teams as the trade deadline approaches. With nearly two full seasons of Triple-A experience, Wood has had ample time (732 at-bats) to show what kind of player he can be. In that time he’s batted .275/.340/.518 with 42 home runs (one every 17.4 at-bats) and 71 walks and 200 strikeouts (.35-to-1 ratio).
Scott Diamond,lhp,Braves A year ago, Scott Diamond wondered what he had to do to prove himself to the professional ranks. After twirling three seasons at Binghamton and pitching well in his second stint in the collegiate Coastal Plain League, the lefthander wanted to sign, yet no team called his name during the 2007 draft.
“I was disappointed when I wasn’t drafted, and I didn’t know what I was going to do,” Diamond, 21, said. “It was pretty rough for the first month after the draft. Fortunately I had the support of my friends and family, who really encouraged me to keep my head up.”
He also had some unexpected connections that helped open some doors. His host family while pitching in the CPL was good friends with Braves scouting director Roy Clark. That relationship led to scouts Paul Faulk and Lonnie Goldberg getting a good look at Diamond and deciding to sign the rising college senior as an nondrafted free agent.
“He’s an aggressive lefthander who knows how to change speeds,” Goldberg said. “It turned out he lived in the same town in Canada that my wife is from. I could have practically walked to his house to sign him.”
A delay with his work visa prevented Diamond from joining the Braves until instructional league. But he went 3-1, 3.08 in nine starts for low Class A Rome this season prior to winning four of his first five starts following a promotion to high Class A Myrtle Beach.
Overall, he was 7-2, 2.76 in 85 innings, with 64 strikeouts and 19 walks. He is not afraid to live on the inside part of the plate or challenge hitters with any of his offerings.
By OldBravesBag
July 26, 2008 8:10 AM | Link to this
For posters to still be mentioning KJ’s drop, which happened weeks ago, is pretty darn silly. It was one play, and yes, it was a horrible error, but hardly season changing. They weren’t playing that well before that, and the rest of the team certainly didn’t pick him up after. It’s a team game, in case anyone has forgotten. I really wish people knew a bit more about baseball before they put a post up, not just what they learned before they burned out in Little League. Good, fundamental teams brush that off like lint on their uniforms, or get a hit in the bottom of the ninth with Kelly on 2nd base with one out, to preserve the win…the Braves aren’t that good.
By nolie
July 26, 2008 8:12 AM | Link to this
WHAT IT TAKES TO SIGN A BORAS CLIENT
By fastasballs
July 26, 2008 8:14 AM | Link to this
I would love to see Bay in a Braves uniform. He’s the type of player that this team lacks, consistent & durable.
Wren may be working some three way deals involving Tex & Bay. If they can get a Jackson, Loney or Kotchman to play first plus Bay for the outfield I wouldn’t complain. That would fill two big holes in the line up for this season & next season as well. Maybe whatever prospects included in the Tex deal would be moved onto the Pirates for Bay.
Don’t ever under estimate other team’s GMs from placing too high a value on some of our prospects. It’s happened time & time again in the past. I’d be shocked if some big moves are not made soon.
Wren has to get a 1st baseman & outfielder(s) by trade or free agency because there isn’t any prospects above A ball, aside from Schaefer & he’s taken about 10 steps backwards this season.
By P-Town Brave
July 26, 2008 9:05 AM | Link to this
This is how I’d get it done:
LiL, James, Locke, Kotsay for Bay, Paulino;
Tex, Ohman for Jackson, AZ OF and prospects
By Kentavo
July 26, 2008 9:21 AM | Link to this
I’m sure good ol’ Bobby will ruin any momentum gained the last two games by fielding a lineup including:
Norton, Corky, and minus McCann and Kotsay.
He needs to stick with last night’s lineup until Chipper’s back.
It’s too late in the season to be giving guys the day off'' andgetting guys some ABs.”
I hope he realizes that Hammels is pitching today.
By Shaun
July 26, 2008 9:40 AM | Link to this
Why? Shaun says there was nothing special about Laettner hitting all of those shots in the NCAA tournament throughout his college career. Any good player could have and would have hit those shots.
Huh? This is not what I said. Never ever said there was “nothing special” about Laettner hitting big shots or Jordan or Tiger or Gibson or Reggie.
I said their performance in the clutch or under pressure is not because they had a better ability than others to perform well in the clutch or under pressure. Although maybe he does. College players may be different than players who have been top players their entire lives then make it through a filter of three or four levels of pro baseball. Clutch ability probably differentiates more in college than it does in Major League Baseball.
I’m sure some freshman walk-on that a team just uses to fill their roster would have been much less likely to hit those shots than Laettner. (But not a lot of you. A lot of you would say that freshman, no matter how bad he was, could hit those shots if he had clutch ability.)
By Shaun
July 26, 2008 9:44 AM | Link to this
Quack Quack, I think James, BJones and a decent minor leaguer may be a decent trade for the Pirates. I mean, they probably aren’t contending during Bay’s prime anyway. The key to such a trade could be that minor leaguer—whomever the Braves would be willing to throw in.
By Moby Grape
July 26, 2008 9:54 AM | Link to this
Don’t ever under estimate other team’s GMs from placing too high a value on some of our prospects. It’s happened time & time again in the past. I’d be shocked if some big moves are not made soon.Fastasballs
yeah that has happened a few times, but I firmly believe that if Bay could be gotten as cheaply as Supes is saying, that the deal would have been done already. The Braves at this point are showing little real interest in either Jones or James, they would have traded them in a heartbeat to acquire Bay or Nady I betcha.
Oh well, I’m thinking we ain’t gonna get no big bat unless we trade Tex for one and that will be a wash this year… at best. Interesting times though. If they keep playing poorly it could be the last really compelling week of the season. I hope not, cause win or lose I miss them when the season ends.
By BossLady
July 26, 2008 9:57 AM | Link to this
How about McCann, two homeruns in the game and a stolen base. Not to mention a Grand Slam.
Along With Chipper, McCann is the best.
Our JJ is the best.
By BravesFanInRockies
July 26, 2008 9:59 AM | Link to this
Braveheart (6 am),
Nice work, my man. Them’s some useful numbers.
That is evidence that trading Tex and/or Ohman (and/or Z-man?) to pick up prospects that aren’t too far from the majors, along with perhaps one big leaguer (Loney/Kotchman?) carries lower risk than waiting on draft picks. Plus you have to pay the draft picks signing bonuses, run them through your system, and hope they’ll be adequate replacements in 3, 4, 5 years.
McFann,
Congratulations. You must be very proud. I was talking up Heap as the 2009 cleanup hitter several weeks ago. Even if he misses 35 games, this team needs another RH power bat no matter where Mac is in the lineup. So this yet-to-be-acquired player could hit cleanup when Heap is resting.
Lew,
My cup is half-full today, so I will say I appreciated the swing Francouer put on that double last night. That was a shot, well-balanced, the real deal. Maybe he’s entering the next Jermaine Dye phase of his career; the part where he has solid ABs and rakes. :-)
By Doc Holliday
July 26, 2008 10:01 AM | Link to this
Shaun
I agree with parting ways with James……….this is the right time if he is not injured or something……. but BJ???………I rather throw in Blanco or Anderson…….No need for 2 speedesters with absolutely no power, specially if running is not Coxs type of game. And specially as we have proofs that JF is gonna stay no matter what.
Since Blanco has show signs of live while hitting leadoff, Id say the best move would be to send JAMES, ANDERSON AND ANOTHER KID FROM AAA OR AA if needed.
By McFann ;Ô;
July 26, 2008 10:08 AM | Link to this
Supes—
McCann will play today. If not, well, then I guess we cann assume that something is wrong…
Hey, we just watched the “Top 10” on SportCenter, and NOT ONE of the Braves’ GREAT defensive plays made it! They showed that Fillie guy making the catch with an unnecessary dive, and Not wRight making a play that Chipper makes every day, but the plays the Braves made last night? NOT A ONE!
Lame.
But who cares?
I hope today’s game is half as good as last night’s (so I guess that means the Braves win 4-1 and McCann only hits one homer : J )
5-6 innings from Hampton sounds doable, doesn’t it?
Possibly the best part of last night’s game was that 3BMac’s GS was off Lidge—and it was the FIRST home run that Lidge has given up this year!
By art
July 26, 2008 10:09 AM | Link to this
Well since Nady is gone how about this. Lillibridge, B Jones, Jo Jo and a AA player for Jason Bay. Bay is better than Nady and this trade gives 3 who have played in the majors to the Pirates. The nady trade did not get that.
By BravesFanInRockies
July 26, 2008 10:14 AM | Link to this
Shaun,
I’m sympathetic to the argument over whether clutch performance exists.
Part of the issue is that there’s a desire to both observe and measure, and you can’t quantify “heart” or “focus” or whatever it is people mean when they talk about clutch.
In the case of this year’s Braves team, they clearly have a number of young and talented players, McCann being the best. We both like KJ, you’re higher on Frenchy than I am. Some excellent young arms, too.
But I think what may happen with players who are considered clutch is that they seem to trust their ability in pressure situations. That may be by relaxing or by focusing, whatever the mental process is.
McCann is showing great improvement there. He doesn’t seem to get rattled but to relish pressure situations.
KJ has the talent to become that type of player and so does Francouer.
As (yes) Bill James wrote years ago, there appear to be about 600 people who can play major league baseball at a quality level at any given time. If you’re one of them, you’re pretty doggone good. Sometimes young players forget that and fail to trust their judgment and their ability and (like Francouer for much of this year) let the game overwhelm them. The ones who are guided by their natural skills and their coaching become very valuable.
By keylargo
July 26, 2008 10:16 AM | Link to this
This is a simple post for simple thinkers.
Here are the highest paid baseball players.
http://www.newsdayinteractive.com/sports/salaries.php
Boras and Tex want to be at least #3 on this list despite:
Tex is no MVP
Tex is no All Star
Tex is maybe the fifth best 1st baseman in the National League (Puhols, Berkman, Lee, Howard are better)
I would like to keep Tex, make no mistake about it. But I want to keep Tex at a price that will not wreck the Braves!
By LT-AA Blogger
July 26, 2008 10:21 AM | Link to this
I don’t think any team is going to place any value on Chuck James. Sure, he pitches well in AAA, but he has a proven track record of not going past 6 in the bigs. If all it took to get Bay was a bunch of minor leaguers, I’m thinking the Braves would already have him.
If the Braves do make a trade, I think Tex/Ohman are their best pieces. I think the next 2 games will play large into the moves the Braves do/do not make.
What’s the line today on Hamp’s pec, groin, hamstring, calf, and oblique? I’m going with the groin again today- Hamp done after the 4th giving up 5.
By BravesFanInRockies
July 26, 2008 10:21 AM | Link to this
art,
That’s a lot for Bay. I think JoJo is more valuable than James because he’s shown he can pitch deep into games.
I’d say Chuck, B. Jones and another AA player should be enough. If the Pirates want the Small Bridge back, then keep Brandon with the Braves and include a lower-level prospect. Bridge has more upside and has already shown a bit more as a big leaguer.
By Doc Holliday
July 26, 2008 10:28 AM | Link to this
art
I agree on giving up Lilly for Bay, but why give up on Reyes??? I dont like that move……….why not give James?
And Giving up on BJ??? He will be our best OF playing next summer………..
By Doc Holliday
July 26, 2008 10:31 AM | Link to this
The Braves completed the sale of right-hander Chris Resop to the Hanshin Tigers of the Japanese League. …
The Braves activated right-hander Anthony Lerew from the 60-day disabled list and optioned him to Triple-A Richmond.
By Doc Holliday
July 26, 2008 10:34 AM | Link to this
*BravesFanInRockies *
Totally agree on last post………..
By McFann ;Ô;
July 26, 2008 10:36 AM | Link to this
BravesFanInRockies—
Thank you! Yes, I’m very proud! I hope they cann keep it going today, so they cann finally win a series against these clowns!
I like McCann batting cleanup. Course, I also like him as a #5 hitter. But if they don’t keep Tex after this year and decide to move McCann into the cleanup spot, they would need a good RH bat that could bat fourth when McCann sits.
BTW—It would be REALLY nice if they could get Bay…
By Braveheart
July 26, 2008 10:49 AM | Link to this
Shaun, I was just messing with you. I actually do agree with you for the most part on the clutch thing except that you get far too carried away with the point you are trying to make and lose credibility on that issue.
As for your response on Laettner, you really didn’t need to waste all of those words. All you had to really say was if Laettner was so clutch, why wasn’t he considered clutch in the NBA? Was it a skill that he lost when he got to the NBA because of all the weed he smoked? The best point you could make is that he seemed more clutch in college because he was generally much more talented than other players in college but when he got to the NBA and was encountered with so many people with equal or far superior talent, his clutch ability disappeared because it was more about his overall talent than an inherent clutch ability.
I’m sure some freshman walk-on that a team just uses to fill their roster would have been much less likely to hit those shots than Laettner. (But not a lot of you. A lot of you would say that freshman, no matter how bad he was, could hit those shots if he had clutch ability.)
My counterpoint to that is why does a scrub like Robert “Big Shot Bob” Horry always seem to hit a gamewinning J or two or three every year in the playoffs? Is it because he is more clutch or is it because he sucks so bad and Duncan, Shaq, and Kobe are so good that no one guards him closely because they are double teaming the good players and he is left wide open and any NBA player should be able to hit a wide open J?
By Carroll Rogers
July 26, 2008 10:51 AM | Link to this
i understand it was a little weird to quote jeff francoeur so much in a game like that. but first off, we approached jeff. he didn’t come up to us. so it’s not like “funny how jeff talks to the media when he gets two hits…” that’s not how it works.
i just thought it was worth it to use what he said because of the value of what he said. they were good quotes. sometimes the stars of the game don’t wrap it all up so eloquently. it’s why chipper jones is and always has been the quote machine. he’s always relevant in a game, and he’s a terrific quote.
since when did N8 become N9? what did i miss?
Shaun, any way you slice it to me that game proved laettner was about as clutch as you can get. and the beauty of it is i think coach k saw that in him and nurtured it. why he designed so many late-game plays for him, why he went up to him on the free throw line after he missed vs. arizona earlier in the year and told him he’d get another chance. that set him up to succeed in the two free throws vs. unlv. and the baseball pass from hill to laettner didn’t work earlier in the year vs. wake, but they were ready when they whipped it out again. don’t even get me started….(obviously)
By Lew
July 26, 2008 10:58 AM | Link to this
BravesFanInRockies-Last night I jokingly claimed Frenchy would go 9-15 this weekend with 2 HR and 10 RBI and that Hampton will go 7 and pitch a one hitter (I also said they were fitting the pigs for rocket packs).
Well, maybe that won’t happen, but Frenchy DID have two hits for the first time in quite a while and Jair pitched a 3 hitter (EXACTLY like the game he threw in Toronto with my wife and Me in attendance) and Mac hit two out. That’s a start that I’ll take any day of the week for any reason.
Whoever mentioned Christian Laettner’s clutch abilities-No one better denigrate Laettner on a Carroll Roger’ blog. That’s her Alma Mater and I know she’s a Laettner Fan because that’s who she chose for her Wurlitzer portrait. Walk softly before bashing Icons.
Here’s Hoping Hampton Has His ground ball working today. He (and the Braves and their fans) are due for something good from him. Hopefully he makes it to the mound after bullpen warmups-AND well into the game.
By David O'Brien
July 26, 2008 10:59 AM | Link to this
LiL, James, Locke, Kotsay for Bay, Paulino;P-Town Brave
That wouldn’t do it. To start with Pirates would want Braves BEST prospect, or a couple of their top five. So think Schafer, Heyward, Hanson, that kind of talent … they’d have no interest in Kotsay. They want young, affordable, impact players. Otherwise, they’ll hold onto Bay.
By JEB
July 26, 2008 11:00 AM | Link to this
For Hampton today: After nearly 3 yrs. of not pitching in major league league level games - you wipe out all stats. Just see what kind of pitcher shows up. He’s 3 yrs. older (maybe a little stronger - but injury prone) 3 yrs. less experience and a whole lot of jitters and butterflies to overcome. Not to mention a pysche that has been programmed to 3 yrs. of sudden disappointments. Could be great….. could be… whatever.
By N8
July 26, 2008 11:03 AM | Link to this
Braveheart
That’s some pretty impressive research on the draft picks and what not.
Pretty telling at how few (at least in the Braves organization - regardless of who is GM), have had what we would consider successful and lengthy careers.
While you’re in the “research” mode (maybe you’re past it), I’ve got a question for you.
How many of our draft picks that DIDN’T pan out in the long run, have been included in trades for players that WERE very productive for us?
Because, ultimately that is how JS operated, and Wren appears to be of the same mold.
While letting Tex walk, assures us of 2 draft picks (and good ones), it doesn’t assure us that those draft picks will amount to anything.
That being said, it’s not a stretch to assume that somewhere down the road, those two draft picks will net us another player in a trade.
Unfortunately, that means, we might not see the upside to letting Tex walk for 3+ years. Whether it’s the draft picks themselves playing, or a player we get in a trade after those players are drafted.
Which is why if I’m Wren, I offer Tex a reasonable contract that fits our budget, before July 31, and if he doesn’t accept, I trade him, for WHATEVER can be had. Obviously if nobody offers any significant value, take the picks.
It really comes down to how serious Wren and the Braves are about winning next year. With Bobby on board for one more year, I think they are. Other wise, if Bobby were to retire this year, Wren might be better off, taking the draft picks, hiring a young, up and coming manager, and just calling it a slow rebuild.
But that’s not gonna happen.
For the short term success of a playoff run next year, if Tex doesn’t accept an extension before the deadline, a trade makes the most sense.
I suspect that is exactly what will happen.
By McFann ;Ô;
July 26, 2008 11:13 AM | Link to this
A little less than five hours till the game starts? Where’s a fast-forward button when you need one?
By JEB
July 26, 2008 11:13 AM | Link to this
Jason Bay should be a player the Braves get regardless how this year goes! Bay can give you almost TEX type numbers for the year (at a fraction of the cost). He gives us a power bat in the outfield, and can be a great #4 or #5 hole hitter. (Personally, I have always thought McCann was the typical #4 hitter - especailly when TEX was cold, the first part of the year). We get a good productive bat for 1b (whether by trade of TEX or at seasons end) and we have more than filled our needs for offence and probably at half the price that we would pay TEX for a years salary (maybe a little more than half).
For Bay: I could see a trade of BJones, Chuck James, and another AA or AAA prospect (outfielder or pitcher).
By N8
July 26, 2008 11:14 AM | Link to this
Doc Holliday
Thanks for the info on Lerew getting activated and sent to AAA.
I actually had forgotten about him, since earlier in the year DOB stated that they weren’t counting on him contributing.
I still don’t expect much (if he even gets called up in September), but he could be a wild card to make the rotation next spring, after using the rest of this year to recover and get his arm back in shape.
Hard to say if he’ll ever be as good as he was touted. But we was highly ranked in our system at one time.
Lets also not forget about the hard throwing get that was acquired for Tony Pena Jr (forgot his name), that was recovering from TJ surgery at the time.
By texmex
July 26, 2008 11:16 AM | Link to this
DoB what about tex to the angels for Juan Rivera and Kendry Morales - i havnt heard any such rumor but doesnt that seem like it would be an awesome trade for both teams.
By Moby Grape
July 26, 2008 11:17 AM | Link to this
And Giving up on BJ??? He will be our best OF playing next summer…DocH
I’m sorry, but what in the world makes you think that?
By Lew
July 26, 2008 11:19 AM | Link to this
Nathan-You nailed my question to Braveheart. I too, would like to know how many of those picks brough better in a trade. Look at the trades for Freddie McGriff and Tim Hudson. Where did Chucky T and all those never did make it’s for Freddie come in the draft? How about that A ball catcher that brought Wicky for a 16 of 16 saves second half in 06?
By Ryan
July 26, 2008 11:21 AM | Link to this
DOB — Does the bay rumor have legs, or has it been completely blown up? What is your line prediction on Hampton today? I say 4 innings, 6 hits, 3 runs.
By N8
July 26, 2008 11:21 AM | Link to this
Carroll
“since when did N8 become N9? what did i miss?”
Not me.
By Doc Holliday
July 26, 2008 11:28 AM | Link to this
Moby Grape
What are the options?
Francoeur
BJ
Blanco
Kotsay might be gone
Diaz is not consistent.
BJ has show he can hit in the majors……….maybe even better than Blanco……..JF is a question mark.
Thats why I said that.
N8
You´re welcome pal.
By N8
July 26, 2008 11:29 AM | Link to this
Lew
It’s one of those things, that shows A) how hard it is and unpredictable for TOP draft picks to make it to the show, and not only produce at all, but sustain it.
and
B) how good of a job JS did in dumping what boils down to CRAP prospects for pieces of the puzzle that helped us win a lot of games.
It shows that no matter what happens with Tex, that all three options will help us win some games in the following years. Either by playing for us, gaining an MLB ready player in a trade, or by using the draft picks as trade bait.
Lets hope in the long run, that Wren is as good as suckering other GMs on our prospects as JS was. If so, life will be good soon enough in Braves land.
By JEB
July 26, 2008 11:31 AM | Link to this
N8 Unfortunately, that means, we might not see the upside to letting Tex walk for 3+ years. Whether it’s the draft picks themselves playing, or a player we get in a trade after those players are drafted.
Which is why if I’m Wren, I offer Tex a reasonable contract that fits our budget, before July 31, and if he doesn’t accept, I trade him, for WHATEVER can be had. Obviously if nobody offers any significant value, take the picks.
For the short term success of a playoff run next year, if Tex doesn’t accept an extension before the deadline, a trade makes the most sense.
Agree with you totally!! The Braves ARE long term thinkers - but, they are more interested in the year to year results! You look at their trade record of the last 18 yrs and you can see that! Draft picks would be a 3 - 4 year gamble (at best)! If they can work out trades that not only work good for the long term (next year and following) and the short term, they do what is best to keep a quality team on the field. Braves CAN realistically make a trade that will still keep them competive for this year, AND be good for the future also! That’s the kind of trade I look for the Braves to make, or they will not make any. They will keep what they have and go into the offseason with their eyes wide open to make some good trades or free agent signings that will better the team.
By chuckw/deadjournalist
July 26, 2008 11:35 AM | Link to this
lew -
the a-ball catcher in the wickman trade was max ramirez who was later traded to texas. i believe he’s been in the majors this season, and it a legit prospect, but texas has more catching depth than any team in the majors, so i would be shocked to see him moved.
By Doc Holliday
July 26, 2008 11:36 AM | Link to this
Ryan
You might get a pleasant surprise……….you line for today for Hampton might be very close to what hes gonna get……….but…………dont be surprised if he gets out throwing darts. Maybe not 1st inning, but 2nd and 3 I think will be what we will get from him the rest of the season.
Personally I think he is going 5 IP 2 ER 6 H 2 BB 4 K. Wouldnt be surprised if he goes 5+ or even 6, but I dont think bobby is allowing him, no matter what his performance is nor what hampton says….
And even if he is dealing a shutout after 5 IP, I think Hampton would prefer to go 1 step at a time and give the ball to someone else after 5.
By MBPELICAN
July 26, 2008 11:38 AM | Link to this
Reyes, Lilli, Schaffer for Bay. Hopefully sign Bay long term, and this offseason get a SP Lowe or maybe CC or Sheets. Then our staff would be Hudson, JJ, FA Signing, then your pick of Campillo, Morton, James, Hanson, maybe Smoltz or maybe Hampton (if we sign an incentive laced contract) Ok we lose Reyes, but we have other pitchers in the minors that can take up his slack, we lose lili, but he is blocked by Yunel anyway, and we lose Schaffer, but we have Gorkys, and Blanco. Yes we will lose some nice pieces but we will gain a VERY nice and proven piece, without losing anything that will significantly hurt us.
By nolie
July 26, 2008 11:39 AM | Link to this
I’d say Chuck, B. Jones and another AA player should be enough. If the Pirates want the Small Bridge back, then keep Brandon with the Braves and include a lower-level prospect. Bridge has more upside and has already shown a bit more as a big leaguer.BravesFanIR
I just don’t think that is enough. They will either get more from another team or not trade him. Other teams have indicated that they want a lot.
By Doc Holliday
July 26, 2008 11:39 AM | Link to this
I think the magic number is 5………….if we are only 5 out come July 31st…………..we are buyers………..6 games will put the sellers stamp on us………
By ccrider
July 26, 2008 11:48 AM | Link to this
To Doc Holiday and Bravesfan in the Rockies: I like your trade suggestions except for one player. I don’t agree on sending Lillibridge! I would send Kelly Johnson in a trade before Lilli. Kelly is as good offensively as he will be, which is slightly above average. Unfortunately, his defense is as good as it will be too, below average!. I know Lilli is exceptional defensively and I think in time he will be average on offense, so move him or Escobar to 2nd and use Kelly in a trade for what we need.
By Doc Holliday
July 26, 2008 11:53 AM | Link to this
What about going with Mc batting cleanup the rest of the way!!!!!!??????? He looked very comfortable there last night.
Maybe TEX could relax a bit hitting 5th.
I would let Prado play today……….give KJ some time to regroup. He is not contributing anyway right now (with his bat). Hamels pitching………..
KJ is hitting 1-11 against Hamels, but he is an OBP of .457 against phillies this year. He has not faced Hamels this season, or at least it was not listed……… KJ is hitting .323 against lefties this year
Intetesting stuff……..
What are your thought about this one and about letting Brian hit cleanup the rest of the way, or at least against righties?????
By Moby Grape
July 26, 2008 11:56 AM | Link to this
uly 26, 2008 11:28 AM | Link to this
Moby Grape
What are the options?
Francoeur
BJ
Blanco
Kotsay might be gone
Diaz is not consistent.
BJ has show he can hit in the majors……….maybe even better than Blanco……..JF is a question mark.
Thats why I said that.DocH
well Doc IMO .242/.282/.397 in 73 ABs with 2 walks and 24(33% of ABs) Ks is hardly proof of being able to hit in the bigs and are all lower than Jeff’s career numbers too. The OBP really stinks so far. You might be right, but I’m going to wait until I see it for a season or two. I kinda smell a Frenchy Jr maybe.
By BravesFanInRockies
July 26, 2008 11:57 AM | Link to this
nolie,*
What I proposed may not be enough. But the Buccos got dang little in return for Nady (who’s a decent corner OF) and Marte (a very valuable bullpen arm), so perhaps the Bucs can be had again.
Jose Tabata was the cornerstone of that deal and he’s a 19-y.o. outfielder who has been benched at least once for disciplinary reasons and whose stat line this year is the worst of his minor league career — comparable to Josh Anderson’s.
So up the ante a little. Offer Schaefer, Lillibridge and Chuck. Toss in another low-level prospect if needed. See what happens.
By MBPELICAN
July 26, 2008 11:58 AM | Link to this
Doc Holliday, i wouldn’t mind BMAC batting cleanup, if nothing else it will get him use to it if he has to do it next year, it is so much fun watching BMAC progress as a hitter and a player.
By BravesFanInRockies
July 26, 2008 12:01 PM | Link to this
ccrider,
I think KJ will be a better major leaguer than Lillibridge. We may never see eye-to-eye on that one.
The Bucs are looking for a shortstop to replace Jack Wilson, however, which makes Lillibridge more valuable in that deal. Plus, they drafted him and apparently liked him, so they may want him back.
By Mike Hampton
July 26, 2008 12:03 PM | Link to this
Oh no, oh man, oh boy, oh shucks, oh no, oh no, oh no, oh no.
I’ve already used the groin twice. No way I can do the pec thing again. Everybody knows my arm’s fine.
What have I got left?
Wait! I know! I haven’t used the blister thing yet! And that works for EVERYBODY!
By McFann ;Ô;
July 26, 2008 12:05 PM | Link to this
Doc H.—
I think they should do it—bat 3BMac in the cleanup spot for a while, at least. See how it goes. He did look comfortable.
MBPELICAN it is so much fun watching BMAC progress as a hitter and a player.
Couldn’t agree more!
By Doc Holliday
July 26, 2008 12:08 PM | Link to this
Against Cole Hamels ( career):
Infante 2 for 8
KJ 1 fo 11
Prado 1 for 7
TEX 1 for 11
Norton 0 or 1
Blanco 2 for 6
JF 5 for 24
Yunel 1 for 10
With all this numbers…….I think shutout is what we are getting today. Only chance will be somebody getting a bomb with 1 on base……….. There is not room for a rally……… history against this guy says so. Kotsay 0 for 2
By cooper
July 26, 2008 12:13 PM | Link to this
Boras clients don’t usually do in-season deals.
Since the Braves know this why back him into a corner with an ultimatum? Not a great negotiation technique if you want to keep a guy.
The most Wren can get from Tex by 7/31 is a verbal on wanting to resign with the Braves (saying it was his first choice) and then a fax from Boras saying they will be in the 19-23mm range and 6-9 years.
The reality is fans and the press are stretching big time for Tex trade ideas. Contenders don’t need him for 2mos unless he is dirt cheap.
Dirt cheap is no better than draft picks so why empty out the stadium Aug-Sept with no Tex perhaps Chipper on the DL for an extended period and a face plant into 4-5th place?
The Youkliss fantasy deal was the only face saving/fan attendance saving move to be had and it was pure speculation.
Even if the Braves lose 10 in a row that is not going to increase Tex’s trade value so big time first baseman will need to hit the deal in less than a week. No likely.
The only players we have that will net good to great talent are Hudson, Ohman, Gonzo and Escobar.
Of the lot (even if you are bailing on 08) only Ohman makes sense though he wants to stay a Brave like I suspect Tex does - likely more.
Angels are not going to do jack per their GM. Sox (both), Yankees, AZ, likely the Rays are not going for the rental bit and are looking for SP or Pen help.
AZ needs offense but trades based on Micah Owings are not very enticing or smart moves.
For a team that has flat out stunk at 1B for a long time it is amazing how quickly Tex is hung out to dry.
And let’s not be delusional only Wren, Tex and Boras know what it will take to keep him. Could be 18mm could be 22mm no one knows.
On Aug 1 2007 you could scream loud enough for the guy now you will trade him for a bag of balls.
By Doc Holliday
July 26, 2008 12:13 PM | Link to this
Batting Mc cleanup last night kind of talks about the braves dealing TEX and wondering how Mc would do there…….expect some more of watch you saw last night (batting order)
By cooper
July 26, 2008 12:14 PM | Link to this
Boras clients don’t usually do in-season deals.
Since the Braves know this why back him into a corner with an ultimatum? Not a great negotiation technique if you want to keep a guy.
The most Wren can get from Tex by 7/31 is a verbal on wanting to resign with the Braves (saying it was his first choice) and then a fax from Boras saying they will be in the 19-23mm range and 6-9 years.
The reality is fans and the press are stretching big time for Tex trade ideas. Contenders don’t need him for 2mos unless he is dirt cheap.
Dirt cheap is no better than draft picks so why empty out the stadium Aug-Sept with no Tex perhaps Chipper on the DL for an extended period and a face plant into 4-5th place?
The Youkliss fantasy deal was the only face saving/fan attendance saving move to be had and it was pure speculation.
Even if the Braves lose 10 in a row that is not going to increase Tex’s trade value so big time first baseman will need to hit the deal in less than a week. No likely.
The only players we have that will net good to great talent are Hudson, Ohman, Gonzo and Escobar.
Of the lot (even if you are bailing on 08) only Ohman makes sense though he wants to stay a Brave like I suspect Tex does - likely more.
Angels are not going to do jack per their GM. Sox (both), Yankees, AZ, likely the Rays are not going for the rental bit and are looking for SP or Pen help.
AZ needs offense but trades based on Micah Owings are not very enticing or smart moves.
For a team that has flat out stunk at 1B for a long time it is amazing how quickly Tex is hung out to dry.
And let’s not be delusional only Wren, Tex and Boras know what it will take to keep him. Could be 18mm could be 22mm no one knows.
On Aug 1 2007 you couldn’t cheer loud enough for the guy now you want to trade him for a bag of balls and give Thorman another shot at 1B? We deserve what is will come next that is for sure.
By Mike Hampton
July 26, 2008 12:18 PM | Link to this
I feel a cold coming on…
By Trade for Bay
July 26, 2008 12:19 PM | Link to this
The Braves’ players think there is a Bay trade upcoming. Joe Simpson was told a deal for Bay was set in place and awaiting Wren to pull the trigger. Mark Bowman sort of said “nothing close” but then said the Braves are looking at Bay.
I think there is something going on. We’ll see.
Kelly Johnson is better than Yunel Escobar (see season stats). Escobar is better than Brent Lillibridge. Lillibridge is better than Martin Prado. That’s how it goes among those four.
By nolie
July 26, 2008 12:21 PM | Link to this
What I proposed may not be enough. But the Buccos got dang little in return for Nady (who’s a decent corner OF) and Marte (a very valuable bullpen arm), so perhaps the Bucs can be had again.BFIR
Yeah, I agree that they got less than they might have in that trade. On the other-hand i do not see Nady as anywhere nearly as desirable as Bay. He is having a career year by a lot and most teams realize that I would think. and I kind of doubt that they would want Lilli right back, but maybe. Who knows really? I doubt seriously that we are going to find out this year either, at least from a Braves point of view.
By nolie
July 26, 2008 12:27 PM | Link to this
I think KJ will be a better major leaguer than Lillibridge. We may never see eye-to-eye on that one.BFIR
me too, though Lilli will always be a much better defensive player
By Interested Observer
July 26, 2008 12:33 PM | Link to this
If there is a Bay deal in the works, that might explain why they’re not counting on Morton in the rotation. He’d be the type of prospect you’d see in a deal for Bay. If I’m not mistaken, Bay is signed through next season, unlike Nady. That makes him more valuable than Nady and gives the pirates no reason to trade him now if they don’t get the package they want in return. I also doubt the Braves would want to trade for him if he wasn’t signed through next year.
By nolie
July 26, 2008 12:33 PM | Link to this
The Youkliss fantasy deal was the only face saving/fan attendance saving move to be had and it was pure speculationCooper
I don’t know. I would rather have Jackson or Loney than a couple of draft choices who will take years to develop and on which the odds are very high that they would never be as good as either of those two. Youk woulda been nice too, but I just never thought that was any more than fantasy time either.
By N8
July 26, 2008 12:34 PM | Link to this
DOB
Thanks on giving Carroll credit, I too wish to give credit where credit is due.
I was gone all day yesterday until about the 5th inning of the game, and didn’t scroll backwards and read it all.
Wherever the post first came from, I’m interested and glad to see Lerew is gonna start pitching again.
With a strong showing in the last two months of the season, he will either be a part of the roster next year or part of a deal this winter. Just another piece of the puzzle.
By JEB
July 26, 2008 12:39 PM | Link to this
Nolie Jason Bay is not having a CAREER year - he is having a TYPICAL year! Look at his stats for the last few years and he is solid every year. With the exception of a low avg. last year. (power numbers were still good though). This guy would be a good acquistion for now and the future of the Braves!
By ernesto
July 26, 2008 12:40 PM | Link to this
Even though French had 2 hits last night it still doesn’t look like he’s coming out of it to me.
He looks like he’s still going to roll almost everything over to the SS.
One hit last night went over the SS’s head, the other was off the end of the bat so it went the other way.
I hope I’m wrong but that’s what it looks like to me.
On a happier note, you can’t sweep unless you win the first one.
Hopefully the Braves’ bats pick up where they left off, Baseball Karma owes Hampton a storybook comeback for all the frustration he’s had, and even if he can only go 5, Jair did us a huge favor last night by saving the bullpen for today.
Let’s go Bravos!!!!!!
By Bobby's Cox
July 26, 2008 12:48 PM | Link to this
Trading for Bay doesn’t make sense.
The pirates wouldn’t want to trade 2 of their outfielders. I heard they wanted to trade either Bay or Nady to open a spot for their top prospect who was blocked. Nady’s gone, they’ll keep Bay. Why would they want to create a hole in their outfield?
Also, the best trade with Pitt already happened. That included Marte in a package with either Bay or Nady. Marte went with Nady to NY. So getting Bay would be a naked deal in my mind.
Good luck to Hampton! Games gonna start soon.
By Bobby's Cox
July 26, 2008 12:51 PM | Link to this
Bay is hitting .218 with RISP this year.
Ouch.
Lillibridge is better than Prado
LOL. No way.
Prado is better than KJ. Offensively and defensively.
By JB
July 26, 2008 12:57 PM | Link to this
Am I the only one who keeps checking AJC looking for an update that Hampton tweaked something and won’t be able to start today?
By Deep Throat
July 26, 2008 1:02 PM | Link to this
Prado is better than KJ. Offensively…
Stupidity reigns supreme among some bloggers here.
By flange1
July 26, 2008 1:16 PM | Link to this
Interesting moves being made.
Casey Blake to the Dodgers to play 3rd. (Not done but close)
Manny may have finally got the Sox POed.
Check out this article:
(http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2008/07/26/nowhesaguaranteedout/)
The market for Tex is REALLY in flux now.. Dodgers and Yankees probably out, D Backs, Red Sox and Rays need to respond.
And the Angels are just thinking with a 10 game lead….
By Interested Observer
July 26, 2008 1:16 PM | Link to this
Dodgers have acquired Casey Blake for two minor leaguers, neither of whom are their top guys.
By bruce
July 26, 2008 1:19 PM | Link to this
Want to read some fun stuff from Philly fans about what they are saying about their team… I just read this newspaper article online and below that are some comments that makes me want to be in the park early today and enjoy the ethos of Philly fans in a funk… gonna wear my McCann Tshirt today to get extra boost of love from the Philly nasties. Thanks, Bruce
By Tomas
July 26, 2008 1:28 PM | Link to this
No setbacks for Hampton yet, is a miracle normally at 1:30 he makes his schedguled visit to the hospital.
By McFann ;Ô;
July 26, 2008 1:30 PM | Link to this
gonna wear my McCann Tshirt today to get extra boost of love from the Philly nasties. Bruce
Oooo! That oughta be FUN!
Course, I better shut up now or this “boasting” is gonna come back and bite me in the rear!
By justafan
July 26, 2008 1:32 PM | Link to this
Who is Bay’s agent? Hope its not Boras.
Just a Thought…Did Yankees trade for Nady to turn around and trade to Braves for Tex plus minor leaguer. It has been said the NNY wanted Tex! Why Not? Go Braves !!
By Bobby's Cox
July 26, 2008 1:36 PM | Link to this
Jeff Francoeur — whose .319 on-base percentage since the beginning of 2007 ranks as the worst among Major League right fielders — shouldn’t anticipate the Braves parting ways with him. He has drawn little interest on the trade market. Bowman
That speaks volumes on Frenchy’s talent.
By LT-AA Blogger
July 26, 2008 1:37 PM | Link to this
Dodgers just landed Casey Blake from the Tribe. I don’t think this takes them out of the running for Tex, but I believe it makes a Tex deal less likely.
By LT-AA Blogger
July 26, 2008 1:46 PM | Link to this
I think Hampton will at least make it to the hill today to start. I’m imagining that he’s wrapped up in bubble wrap right now stuffed in a box filled with styrofoam peanuts. I think I’d be awesome to see a big Hampton size box rolled out to the mound taped to a Hannibal like dolly. Then our trainers open cut open the box with some box cutters and out pops Hamp with the styrofoam peanuts flying everywhere and he rips off the bubble rap a la Hulk Hogan. I think that’d be an great psych job on the Phils.
By SaltyDawg
July 26, 2008 1:47 PM | Link to this
I don’t think any team is going to place any value on Chuck James. Sure, he pitches well in AAA, but he has a proven track record of not going past 6 in the bigs. If all it took to get Bay was a bunch of minor leaguers, I’m thinking the Braves would already have him.
I just don’t understand why Chuck is still looked at as a starter. He has shown time and again that he is only good for 5 or 6 innings, or roughly 2 times through the lineup before guys make adjustments and start to hit him pretty well. Seems like he would do really well as a middle reliever and could prove very valuable in a long relief situation. Anybody know if there is a reason he hasn’t been tried as a reliever (or has he been)?
By THWG
July 26, 2008 1:59 PM | Link to this
I just flipped on the Cubs game (I’m originally from Chicago) and it looks as though whoever was calling balls and strikes got hit by a pitch and had to get taken out of the game.
Also, Kerry Wood was placed on the DL. This means one less reliever on the market who will be a FA after this season.
By N9
July 26, 2008 2:07 PM | Link to this
the new and “speedy” improved mccann is becoming my mvp for 2008.
By Tomas
July 26, 2008 2:12 PM | Link to this
Dodgers are stupid.
By cooper
July 26, 2008 2:26 PM | Link to this
Carrol based on your four targets for Tex trade piece I guess he is staying.
None of those teams need him for a 2mos rental and apart from maybe AZ would deal for him.
Sox don’t need him.
Angels are fine.
Dodgers just make a trade.
The Braves need Tex more than the rest and no one is going to gift wrap a Youkliss level player for a rental.
I also don’t see Bay going anywhere now that Nady has been traded.
So that leaves - maybe - Milton Bradley or hoping the Rockies tank this week and punt Holliday.
Very unlikely. It is more likely the shop Holliday during the winter meetings than now.
By BravesFanInRockies
July 26, 2008 2:28 PM | Link to this
Well, at least the Dodgers made A trade. Since they whiffed on Sabathia, I guess Coletti had to show he could do something.
I may be wrong, but I worry that if the Braves wait til the 31st to move Tex or whoever, the market may have cleared. Pure buyers may not want to be stuck overpaying at the last minute and may make their moves earlier rather than later. So if you’re in the game, Mr. Wren, make it happen!
By cooper
July 26, 2008 2:30 PM | Link to this
From ESPN today.
Teixeira not headed to AZ Mark Teixeira | Braves | Interested: Diamondbacks? According to the East Valley Tribune, rumors of a possible deal between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Atlanta Braves for first baseman Mark Teixeira are completely unfounded. One D-backs executive called it “rumors without any real basis.”
By Shamus Thacker
July 26, 2008 2:46 PM | Link to this
McFann, it’s not that long till pregame warm-ups. That’s the first order of business for Hammy. If he makes it through that, I’ll bet he won’t go over four, no matter what.
By Bama
July 26, 2008 2:51 PM | Link to this
In Rookies fan, if I was a betting man I’d bet my wife that WREN makes no moves, then he will say we can still trade after deadline…same bs over and over every year. How many pass waviers after deadline…not many, we are dead in the water waiting on Wrens and management to pull the trigger.I don’t have much faith in this group anymore.
By Who does OhNo Reyes have naked photos of?
July 26, 2008 2:53 PM | Link to this
An hour until game time and no reports of injury for Mike Hampton. Three years coming…I bet he’s as nervous as a hooker in church.
Good luck today, Hampy. We’ve given you a hard time but we want nothing but to see you do well (as long as you’re wearing a braves uni).
Go Braves!
By McFann ;Ô;
July 26, 2008 2:58 PM | Link to this
Shamus—
Hmm…Good point. 6 was way too many to ask. Sorry, Hampton!
If he cann go four, I’ll be very happy (well, OK, I guess that depends on what the score is…)
By Carroll Rogers
July 26, 2008 2:58 PM | Link to this
It’s Charlie Morton. He’s going down to Richmond. the move won’t be official until game time but that’s what it’ll be if hampton gets out to the mound. The reasoning Bobby gave is that Jo-Jo is backing up Hampton today on regular rest. For Morton to do it, he would be on three days’ rest. Simple as that.
I asked if it was anything more than that, Jo-Jo’s having a little more big league experience, what have you, cox said “I like them both.” I asked if he’d liked what he’d seen out of Morton, he said “Yeah. A lot. Like to keep him. He’ll be back.”
BE SURE to check out Will Ohman doing the lineups on FOX today. he’ll be doing it in the voice of Harry Caray. I heard him do a snippet or two and it was damn good. fire back what you think. i bet will’s curious….
By Shamus Thacker
July 26, 2008 2:59 PM | Link to this
Hex has great ability, can put up great numbers, but he’s not a winner. I’d have traded him long before spring training. His early season funk, which HE predicted, is the reason we’re not higher in the standings. I wouldn’t have a player who accepts that he’s gonna start slowly, EVERY year. I said this during spring training, and I’m gonna keep saying it till he’s gone. The guy is a LOSER!
By Curt
July 26, 2008 3:00 PM | Link to this
DOWN ON THE FARM!
I went to the Mississippi Braves vs Birmingham Barons game last night to see Tommy Hanson pitch. He was absolutely lights out. Only gave up 3 hits and only one of those was hit hard. He struck out 10 in 6 1/3 innings pitched. He had all of his pitches working except for his change which seemed to work about every other time he threw it. I can see that he would fall in love with his fastball to much because when he got way ahead of hitters such as 0-2 or 1-2, he would shake of the catcher and then proceed to throw the heater. He did this pretty effectively consistently hitting 92-94 on touching 96 once. He was throwing the fastball high in the zone when he was using it to get the strike out and with his good control that worked for him. He could pretty much spot the fastball where ever he wanted. His curve was great and he threw it at about 72-75 which is a full 20mph difference from his fastball which was devastating to the hitters. No one could touch that pitch cause they were all respecting the heat. All in all I was very impressed with Hanson and cannot wait to see what he does in spring training next year.
ALSO: Schafer looked pretty good as well. I guess he just had a good game but I was impressed with his plate discipline and willingness to go the other way when the ball was pitched there. He was 3-4 with a walk and 2 RBI. Both RBI came with 2 outs and one after a 7 pitch at bat. The one ball he made an out on was hit very well and if the corners where not so deep would have been gone in most parks and the right fielder made a nice leaping catch at the wall to rob him of extra bases.
By Ned Coletti
July 26, 2008 3:05 PM | Link to this
i will give you loney and 2 prospects for Tex and Kelly Johnson. Kent is old, we need someone to fill his shoes. You have Lilbridge, Prado, and infante that can all take KJ’s spot, maybe even Diory Hernandez. Loney is a young guy with a good bat. We need Tex’s pop in our lineup. It’s a fair trade.
Oh, forgot to mention, we will only do the deal if Tex does a sign and trade. Since Boras is his client, we’ll just take our chances on the free agent market come winter. We don’t want to risk a player like Loney if Tex is going to walk. Enjoy the draft picks.
By jed
July 26, 2008 3:14 PM | Link to this
i just woke up all cobwebs from last night and read that the indians had traded casey blake for carlos santana. my question is why do the indians want a 60-something guitar player whose last decent album was 30 years ago and who, of late, has been recording with the likes of that abject wanker rob thomas? this is EXACTLY why the indians are an organization in decline.
By McFann ;Ô;
July 26, 2008 3:16 PM | Link to this
Lineup!!
1 Blanco LF
2 Escobar SS
3 Teixeira 1B
4 3BMac C
5 Infante 3B
6 Francoeur RF
7 Prado 2B
8 Kotsay CF
9 Hampton P
Ms. Rogers—
I don’t know Harry Caray’s voice, but I’ll tell you what I think of Will’s job anyway! Sounds funny to me!
By Deep Throat
July 26, 2008 3:17 PM | Link to this
i will give you loney and 2 prospects for Tex and Kelly Johnson. Kent is old, we need someone to fill his shoes. You have Lilbridge, Prado, and infante that can all take KJ’s spot, maybe even Diory Hernandez. Loney is a young guy with a good bat. We need Tex’s pop in our lineup. It’s a fair trade.
You’re not Ned Coletti. That trade is too good for the Dodgers for village idiot Ned to make.
If it was Ned, he’d offer something like Loney and Kemp for Teixeira and Blanco. Ned loves him some lower-power, speedy outfielders.
By Mike Hampton
July 26, 2008 3:20 PM | Link to this
Man, I bet Glavine and Smoltzy are having fun on the DL.
This having to pitch stuff is no good.
Maybe if I take a flying leap off my incredibly thick wallet, I’ll hurt myself bad enough to miss a couple starts…
By J-Man
July 26, 2008 3:21 PM | Link to this
@ 3:45,
Take Prado instead of Kelly and it’s a deal. If you want Tex, you’ll have to take Prado too.
By Mike in LA
July 26, 2008 3:25 PM | Link to this
Ned Coletti, I like your proposal. I would give up Tex and KJ for Loney and Kemp but I’m not sure the Dodgers would go for that.
By StingerSplash
July 26, 2008 3:26 PM | Link to this
Carroll,
Can you get someone on the desk to fix the mistake in the breakdown about Conor Jackson in the Tex trade deal possibilities story? It’s got him leading the Angels in average and OBP, and not the Diamondbacks.
By Couch Tater
July 26, 2008 3:28 PM | Link to this
Jed
I saw Carlos w/Derek Trucks at short.He can still rake it.
By Logan23
July 26, 2008 3:29 PM | Link to this
I’m beginning to sweat BB’s in anticipation of the Hampton start. All I can envision though is the bottom of the first with Mike emerging from the dugout dressed in garb that looks like the Michelin Man or better yet one of those suits the canine units use to train their attack dogs. Jeff Porter escorts Mike toward the mound using the shortest route possible in an attempt to avoid any unnecessary pitfalls. In a gesture unprecedented in MLB history the home-plate umpire whisks away the chalk line in order to mitigate the trip and fall issue. Once he reaches the base of the mound a chair lift awaits for the short ride to the rubber. Then things get a bit hazy You take from there Mike. Good Luck.
By freak of nature
July 26, 2008 3:31 PM | Link to this
BREAKING NEWS HAMPTON SPONTANEOUSLY COMBUSTS IN WARM-UPS
(Sports Network) - Oft-injured pitcher Mike Hampton experienced another setback today, as he spontaneously combusted during a bullpen warm-up session. Hampton had been scheduled to make his 2008 debut for the Atlanta Braves in the second installment of a three-game series against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park.
Reached for comment, Braves manager Bobby Cox said “Hampy looked great. Best I’d seen him throw in a long time. Then he just felt it come up and bite him a little. Next thing I know, he’s exploded and half the bullpen’s on fire. But nobody’s more disappointed than Hampy. We’ll just give him a couple weeks to rest, and then send his ashes to Mississippi for a rehab. Hopefully, he’ll be back in late August and be able to contribute to our stretch run.”
By Ned Coletti
July 26, 2008 3:32 PM | Link to this
Deep Throat
Why would I want Blanco If if have Pierre, Eithier, Kemp, and Andruw Jones?
I don’t think you’re looking at my team. I need a 2B beyond Kemp. You have many good players to fill the hole Johnson would leave. I think it’s a fair trade, but Tex won’t do a sign and trade, so it’s a no go anyway.
By Carroll Rogers
July 26, 2008 3:36 PM | Link to this
the roster move was made with charlie. hampton is active. he’s got 20-30 more minutes to stay healthy and get on the mound! (too bad they’re on the road, waiting the first half-inning gotta be excruciating.)
By Ned Coletti
July 26, 2008 3:38 PM | Link to this
J-Man
Fine. I’ll take Prado. He’s better than KJ defensively anyway, hits the ball to the opposite field, hits for average and many many doubles, disciplined at the plate. Doesn’t look like he’ll slump as often as Johnson either. I thought you’d might want Prado, aka a change at 2nd and your struggling lineup, but I’ll take him anyday.
Call Boras and do a sign & trade & it’s a deal. I’ll give you 2 prospects too.
By prattvillenolzfan
July 26, 2008 3:39 PM | Link to this
This just in
HAMPTON SCRATCHED FROM LINE-UP
While getting out of the whirlpool, Hampton tripped and twisted his knee….
JUST KIDDING
Hopefully Hampton will get us to the 5th/6th inning. Win today, and I honestly feel like there is hope for the season yet….
Lose today, and tomorrow’s game really will make or break our season…..
HERE’S TO YA HAMPTON….GO GET EM….
By Who does OhNo Reyes have naked photos of?
July 26, 2008 3:39 PM | Link to this
Thanks for the answer on Morton/Reyes, Ms. Rogers
I hope that means that OhNo and Morton will swap places if not my Reyes’ next scheduled start then before his next one after that.
Go Braves! Good luck Hampy!
By Realist
July 26, 2008 3:39 PM | Link to this
seriously, has hampton made it through warm-ups?
By Shamus Thacker
July 26, 2008 3:40 PM | Link to this
If Hammy jumped off his wallet it’d kill him.
By fastasballs
July 26, 2008 3:44 PM | Link to this
Anyone see the getting to know segment on Fox about McCann just now? I’m still laughing at this favortie TV show “Saved by the Bell” & believe it or not he says he loves to eat.
He said he would be a police officer if he didn’t play baseball. Seems like a great guy to hang out with, well maybe not watch TV with…..
I’m waiting on the Hampton injury of the week. He’s probably getting ready to warm up now so stay tuned……….
By Carroll Rogers
July 26, 2008 3:44 PM | Link to this
he’s warming up right now, realist. haven’t seen any problems. the visiting bullpen here is a level up, so i have a good view of him. so far so good….seriously
By McFann ;Ô;
July 26, 2008 3:45 PM | Link to this
Ms. Rogers (too bad they’re on the road, waiting the first half-inning gotta be excruciating.)
I hope the Braves’ offense makes it a looonng wait, too!
By DesiBrave
July 26, 2008 3:47 PM | Link to this
From the heart of a DIE HARD Braves fan, If the braves keep their heat from 9th inning last night , Hampton could show up with the Bat in the 1st inning before he shows up with a Glove. and comes with bases loaded and hits a grand slam. How about that?
Go BRAVES !!!! Beat the CRAP out of Hammels and phillies !!!
By Shamus Thacker
July 26, 2008 3:50 PM | Link to this
If Hammy makes it through warm-ups, he should be named Comeback Player Of The Year, be immediately inducted into the Baseball Hall Of Fame, and assume the Presidency Of The United States.
By J-Man
July 26, 2008 3:53 PM | Link to this
Fine. I’ll take Prado. He’s better than KJ defensively anyway, hits the ball to the opposite field, hits for average and many many doubles, disciplined at the plate. Doesn’t look like he’ll slump as often as Johnson either. I thought you’d might want Prado, aka a change at 2nd and your struggling lineup, but I’ll take him anyday.
And this is why, Mr. Coletti, you’re probably now considered the worst GM in baseball with Dave Littlefield and Bill Bavasi gone.
Prado is just a guy. Neither someone who takes you to or away from a playoff contending team. He’s an above average bench guy and a below average regular. Prado has low OBP skills, doesn’t walk, doesn’t really hit for any power and isn’t a particularly fast player. His defense isn’t anything special either.
Kelly Johnson is an above average second baseman. Has good plate discipline, hits for power (especially for a second baseman), walks and has above average speed and good base running abilities. His stats put him as the Braves’ fourth best hitter this season, behind Chipper, Teixeira and McCann.
There is a reason why Kelly Johnson was the most asked for player in Braves’ trade-talks last offseason according to Frank Wren himself and Prado was not.
By Steve from OH
July 26, 2008 3:54 PM | Link to this
Ugh. Hammy’s first game in three years and mlb.tv is blacked out. Why, MLB, why?
By Carroll Rogers
July 26, 2008 3:55 PM | Link to this
Hampton is done with his warm-up. safely into the dugout now….i’m telling you.
By faninFaytown
July 26, 2008 3:56 PM | Link to this
wtf i dont want the yankees sox game on fox
By Shamus Thacker
July 26, 2008 3:56 PM | Link to this
If Hammy’s “injured” today, I shall henceforth refer to him as Scammy…
By Scott from Fairburn
July 26, 2008 3:57 PM | Link to this
Sign Ohman to a five year deal and give him what he wants … that was awesome
By McFann ;Ô;
July 26, 2008 3:58 PM | Link to this
OK, now THAT was HILARIOUS!
Great job, Ohman!! We gotta keep that guy!
By Saltywoody
July 26, 2008 3:58 PM | Link to this
freak of nature That was hilarious. I’ve been trying to think of something funnier than the purple nurple he came up with last time, and you did it.
By La Jolla Dawg
July 26, 2008 3:59 PM | Link to this
Stupid Red Sox/Yankees game is on Fox here—I can’t find the Braves game anywhere on DirecTv—darn!
By johnny 99
July 26, 2008 4:02 PM | Link to this
We simply must find a way to keep Will Ohman after that intro bit. The stuff about Tex, Chip, “Julio Iglesias”, Hampton…priceless.
That’s the kind of guy I want in my bullpen.
By SaltyDawg
July 26, 2008 4:04 PM | Link to this
Wow, the moment of truth is rapidly approaching. Hammy is actually going to take the mound in a live game situation. Good luck Hammy, bring it home and give us a good 5 0r 6 innings.
By freak of nature
July 26, 2008 4:04 PM | Link to this
i’m betting 10 pitches before something snaps.
By Scott from Fairburn
July 26, 2008 4:04 PM | Link to this
Here we go …
By lexbrave
July 26, 2008 4:06 PM | Link to this
folks mike hampton has thrown a pitch in 2008!
By Jeff321
July 26, 2008 4:07 PM | Link to this
This really sucks not being able to watch the game!
However, I am listening on mlb gameday audio.
By Shamus Thacker
July 26, 2008 4:08 PM | Link to this
Hammy made it through warm-ups!?
I’ve grabbed a snake and shall procede to talk in foreign tongues….
By Scott from Fairburn
July 26, 2008 4:10 PM | Link to this
Go sit down J-Roll … good job McCann
By SaltyDawg
July 26, 2008 4:10 PM | Link to this
Scoreless first for Hampton. Not bad considering the circumstances.
By McFann ;Ô;
July 26, 2008 4:11 PM | Link to this
YES! Rollins’ streak of 39 consecutive stolen bases is OVER!
Again, though, I better quit…What goes around, comes around…
By Jake
July 26, 2008 4:11 PM | Link to this
I understand Hampton was a good hitting pitcher before he got hurt………….. 3 years ago, but I think its pretty safe to say Bobby doesn’t want him swinging hard or even remotely trying to leg anything out.
By The Goche
July 26, 2008 4:11 PM | Link to this
“if I was a betting man I’d bet my wife that WREN makes no moves, then he will say we can still trade after deadline…same bs over and over every year. How many pass waviers after deadline…not many, we are dead in the water waiting on Wrens and management to pull the trigger.I don’t have much faith in this group anymore.” bama
this is the best part same bs over and over every year
hilarious!
so is this the same bs that wren pulls year after year, this being his first year?
or is this the same bs the braves pull every year, like last year when they only traded for the biggest bat on the market?
By StingerSplash
July 26, 2008 4:13 PM | Link to this
Two easy flyball outs and a caught stealing. Not a bad first inning. Gotta get the ball down, though, especially in that ballpark.
By Doc Holliday
July 26, 2008 4:13 PM | Link to this
WHAT DO YOU SAY NOW HAMPTON HATTERS?!?!?!?!
Great zip on that ball………
Dont look now………if this goes well today……..we might be in business.
Go Bravos………..Go Mike
By Heath
July 26, 2008 4:13 PM | Link to this
you know… as much as we have complained and moaned and groaned about mike hampton… if he is able to pitch the way he did when he was with the ‘stros…. and if franceour ever does something resembling a decent right-handed batter… the braves could put something together
By Tomahawk Kris
July 26, 2008 4:14 PM | Link to this
I can’t believe my eyes - Mike Hampton has completed an inning in a Major League Game. I must be dreaming this can’t be happening. I think if an Alien from another planet appeared in my living room I would be less shocked.
By Couch Tater
July 26, 2008 4:16 PM | Link to this
For those of you who (unfortunately) have the Red Sox/Yankees Try FreeBaseballRadio.com.
By Doc Holliday
July 26, 2008 4:16 PM | Link to this
Dont worry jeff321
We will keep up up to date…………
By kirknga
July 26, 2008 4:18 PM | Link to this
He made it through the 1st inning!! Yea!
By Doc Holliday
July 26, 2008 4:18 PM | Link to this
Braves are due against this guy………
By BayouBrave
July 26, 2008 4:19 PM | Link to this
Got yanks and sox here in louisiana on fox. Blacked out on mlb.com. Bummer
By fastasballs
July 26, 2008 4:22 PM | Link to this
I guess I’m with the rest of you having to listen to Pete do the game on radio. I hope someone recorded the Ohman line up & sticks it on youtube for the ones of us who missed it.
By Doc Holliday
July 26, 2008 4:22 PM | Link to this
Mike is throwing up in the zone……..I think we are going to see some HR by the phillies before mike is gone but he is strong ……………..doing very well.
By jed
July 26, 2008 4:23 PM | Link to this
what’s a hampton hatter? someone mad enough to believe in him?
By La Jolla Dawg
July 26, 2008 4:26 PM | Link to this
Couch Tater—thank you!
By Jake
July 26, 2008 4:28 PM | Link to this
Let’s go Braves. Guess what, I’ve seen it. You can score runs off Cole Hamels. Now do it!!!!
By StingerSplash
July 26, 2008 4:32 PM | Link to this
good piece of hitting by Coste, who kills the Braves. He’s the new Mickey Redmond. He didn’t try to do too much with a pitch down and away from him, just put the bat on the ball.
By McFann ;Ô;
July 26, 2008 4:33 PM | Link to this
No, Fastballs, I did not see that…
By fastasballs
July 26, 2008 4:34 PM | Link to this
Well I guess it was too much to ask for The Mad “Hatter” Hampton to continue his shutout streak much past three years.
By Doc Holliday
July 26, 2008 4:34 PM | Link to this
Well……….he got into some mess………..but he is pitching very well………
As we all know……….we aint coming back against Hamels……but at least we now know Hampton throwing some good strikes……….almost got out of that mess with no harm done……….
By Saltywoody
July 26, 2008 4:35 PM | Link to this
Of course 35 year old Chris Coste from Fargo, ND is the one to get the clutch hit.
Why wouldn’t he be?
By Saltywoody
July 26, 2008 4:35 PM | Link to this
Of course 35 year old Chris Coste from Fargo, ND is the one to get the clutch hit.
Why wouldn’t he be?
By McFann ;Ô;
July 26, 2008 4:36 PM | Link to this
(Pressed “post” too soon. Left this off my last one:)
Fastballs *He said he would be a police officer if he didn’t play baseball. *
He must really like going after guys trying to steal…
“Saved By the Bell”? Too funny…LOL!
By N9
July 26, 2008 4:40 PM | Link to this
hampton please dont swing bat hard..i worry at every swing!
By Chop Chop
July 26, 2008 4:40 PM | Link to this
How does a Hampton hatter work?
Verrrrrry carefully.
By FEAR
July 26, 2008 4:43 PM | Link to this
Hampton pitching??!!! HOLY SH*T!
By FEAR
July 26, 2008 4:43 PM | Link to this
Hampton pitching??!!! HOLY SH*T!
By Boogasciambi Syndrome
July 26, 2008 4:47 PM | Link to this
Have you heard the rumor?
Shane Victorino may soon be imployed by the CIA.
If so, he will then be referred to as “The Spyin’ Hawiian.”
By N9
July 26, 2008 4:48 PM | Link to this
all that talking,stressing,the suspence,and waiting for 3 years for this?
By Boogasciambi Syndrome
July 26, 2008 4:50 PM | Link to this
However, Victorino claims the rumors are ungrounded.
Guess he’s the Denyin’ Hawiian.
By Heath
July 26, 2008 4:51 PM | Link to this
well..i guess it is a good thing that directv has decided that i should be watching the redsox and yankees…. cause the with a 3-0 lead and hamels pitchings… the phillies and braves game is already over… is there a rule that says the braves aren’t allowed to score against this guy?
By Bo
July 26, 2008 4:52 PM | Link to this
One Foxy Lady in Red behind home plate—makes it hard for Hampton to pitch.
By jed
July 26, 2008 4:53 PM | Link to this
3-0 phils after 3, but hampton looks better than i expected. i’m pleasantly surprised. certainly aint saying we can put a bunch of eggs in the hampton basket, but he’s looking alright for having been out so long.
By Boogasciambi Syndrome
July 26, 2008 4:57 PM | Link to this
And apparently, Victorino is somewhat of an amateur chef. Does some chicken, country steak, Chinese vegetables…
He’s the Fryin’ Hawiian.
By tomahawk Kris
July 26, 2008 5:00 PM | Link to this
nice clutch hit infante!!!!!
By IgCognito
July 26, 2008 5:01 PM | Link to this
From Jason Stark by the way of MLBTradeRumors:
After discussing Mark Teixeira, the Rays have decided to pass, not wanting to move Carlos Pena to DH.
By Convince Me
July 26, 2008 5:02 PM | Link to this
Want to convince me that there is a real chance for the Braves in this division? Score a bunch of runs off a tough pitcher. (Hamels) Then, maybe I’ll jump on the bandwagon. Any performance by Hampton (3 runs-5 runs) that results in he feeling healthy after the game is a plus. If he can stay healthy, he’ll figure it out.
By FEAR
July 26, 2008 5:02 PM | Link to this
Infante to the rescue!!!!
By kirknga
July 26, 2008 5:04 PM | Link to this
The Braves are showing signs of life. The way the season has gone thus far, you would’ve predicted this game was over.
But we’re seeing some resilience that we’ve not seen, certainly not in back to back games.
By Heath
July 26, 2008 5:04 PM | Link to this
holy ^&*% !!!! i stand corrected… we CAN score against hamels…ok hampton…make this a feel good story today… make this lead hold up and win in your debut!!!
By FEAR
July 26, 2008 5:05 PM | Link to this
blanco with the surprise bunt….YEAH!!!
By Boogasciambi Syndrome
July 26, 2008 5:05 PM | Link to this
Git dem Rally Hampton Hatters on!
By SaltyDawg
July 26, 2008 5:05 PM | Link to this
WOW!!! I can’t believe what I am seeing. Have the baseball gods finally smiled upon the Braves??? The wheels are coming off for the Phillies.
By Couch Tater
July 26, 2008 5:05 PM | Link to this
I love hearing those booooos
By faninFaytown
July 26, 2008 5:06 PM | Link to this
I dont know who these braves are, but I kinda like em
By Run, Heap, Run!
July 26, 2008 5:06 PM | Link to this
ARE YOU KIDDING ME!? I am LOVING this team right now. Go Braves! Hold ‘em Hampy!
TAKE THAT, COLE HAMMELS!
Buyers! Buyers! Buyers!
By Steve from OH
July 26, 2008 5:06 PM | Link to this
Joe Simpson: “Blanco can flat out bunt.” Can he ever.
By sandyb
July 26, 2008 5:06 PM | Link to this
Okay, I realize that it’s still early yet, BUT, I’m beginning to believe anything is possible…..
Hampton is pitching; BMAC throws out Rollins after 39 successful steals; BMAC scores from 3rd on a short fly; Utley makes error; Hampton gets on on an error; we’re scoring against Hamels……I can’t leave the TV!!
By Jake
July 26, 2008 5:07 PM | Link to this
Wow!!! Keep it commin boys!!! I told you we could get some runs off this guy. Francouer had a nice at bat. Hampton still in the game. I think I might cry, this is just too much.
By Jeff321
July 26, 2008 5:08 PM | Link to this
Sounds like the Phillies are unraveling!
By SaltyDawg
July 26, 2008 5:08 PM | Link to this
Hampton gets a 2nd chance in his comeback effort today. It’ll be interesting to see how he responds.
By Carroll Rogers
July 26, 2008 5:08 PM | Link to this
for the ladies on the blog?! and the fellas to get a kick out of….i’m told Jair Jurrjens will get a featured spread and maybe even be the cover boy on Jezebel magzine’s upcoming issue of Atlanta’s most eligible bachelors….
and yes, this is the kind of thing i’m blogging about with the braves scoring six runs on cole hamels this inning. what’s the matter with me?
By Doc Holliday
July 26, 2008 5:09 PM | Link to this
I smell some momentum ………. can you spell sweep?????
Go Braves!!!!!!!!!
By jed
July 26, 2008 5:09 PM | Link to this
wow
By SaltyDawg
July 26, 2008 5:09 PM | Link to this
And a BOMB by Tex!!!
By fastasballs
July 26, 2008 5:10 PM | Link to this
cole hamels is having a major meltdown this inning. It is to be expected since he’s sharing the mound with Hampton. You knew something bad would linger in the air out there………
Holy Smolie, 9 runs. That’s getting the Hatter some run support. WOW
By Steve from OH
July 26, 2008 5:10 PM | Link to this
Tex=Clutch. YES
By Jeff321
July 26, 2008 5:10 PM | Link to this
Oh wow, Tex hits a 3 run jack!
By Couch Tater
July 26, 2008 5:10 PM | Link to this
Keep Tex.
By THWG
July 26, 2008 5:10 PM | Link to this
Who are these people and WHAT THE HECK have they done with the Atlanta Braves?
By FEAR
July 26, 2008 5:10 PM | Link to this
TEX just handed the Phils their a*
By McFann ;Ô;
July 26, 2008 5:10 PM | Link to this
This is FUN!
Please don’t end now…
By flange1
July 26, 2008 5:11 PM | Link to this
The only thing I can say at this point is:
BOOM!
By The Goche
July 26, 2008 5:11 PM | Link to this
anyone else think that “error” by utley looked awfully base-hit-like?
he did good to even knock that ball down, you can’t give him an error just because after he made a great job just to keep the ball from getting through he had trouble picking it up, and you can’t give him an error for looking at third before going to first, mental errors don’t count.
“That just happened,” someone in the Braves dugout after Tex’s homer…my guess: Bobby Cox, a well known Will Ferrell fan.
By N9
July 26, 2008 5:11 PM | Link to this
wow TEX!!! buyers buyers buyers!!!! what ??? hampton might get a W ?? I called it yesterday that this might happen!
By Doc Holliday
July 26, 2008 5:11 PM | Link to this
And TEX say with his bat……………
I DONT WANNA GO NO WHERE……….IM HERE TO STAY!!!!!!!!!!!!
What a bomb!!!!!!!!!
By Chris
July 26, 2008 5:11 PM | Link to this
Trade Infante!!!
He hits far too well to be an Atlanta Brave. To me, the problem with the Braves the whole time (since ‘91) has been that they can’t hit when it counts!! The lone exception would be the 1 year (when they had Sheffield & others) when they could mash the ball but couldn’t do much else.
I like watching Infante play. Can’t they find a spot for him to play every day? What about LF?
Big thumbs up to Jair and B’Mac for last night’s effort!
By Heath
July 26, 2008 5:11 PM | Link to this
9 runs in one inning off of this guys is probably more than we scored total in ALL previous tries… funny thing this baseball thing, huh?
By faninFaytown
July 26, 2008 5:12 PM | Link to this
I don’t know about the rest of you guys but this Infante fella can play. I feel pretty comfortable with him backing up defensively and offensively. seems like he has come up with some big hits for us.
By JEB
July 26, 2008 5:12 PM | Link to this
WOW!!
That just happened!
Cole Hamels is out after 2 2/3 inn. The Braves actually bust through that protective sheild of his and lit him up! Topped off by this guy named Mark T. 9-3 in the 4th - who would have taken that line and bet on it??
Now let’s hold em’ - we’ve still got 5 more innings of the Phils in this game.
By sandyb
July 26, 2008 5:12 PM | Link to this
Convince Me We’ll slow down if you’ll jump on as we go by…..
By IgCognito
July 26, 2008 5:12 PM | Link to this
funny thing is…and no, i am not trying to be “debbie downer”, but we can sweep the phils and still not be any closer to first place than before the weekend started.
By Boogasciambi Syndrome
July 26, 2008 5:13 PM | Link to this
Who’s afraid of Cole Hammels?
Nobody but the Hampton Hatters
By Carroll Rogers
July 26, 2008 5:13 PM | Link to this
wow
By DesiBrave
July 26, 2008 5:14 PM | Link to this
THAT SHOT FROM TEIX has Mr WREN !! Keep Teix and go get Jason Bay for rest of the season written allover it .
By Robert S
July 26, 2008 5:14 PM | Link to this
Holy Uprising, Batman!!!
Where has this been all year??
Well, now’s as good a time as any. Wow.
By Tomahawk Kris
July 26, 2008 5:15 PM | Link to this
BUY!!! BUY!!! BUY!!! This season aint over yet!!!
By Tomahawk Kris
July 26, 2008 5:15 PM | Link to this
BUY!!! BUY!!! BUY!!! This season aint over yet!!!
By The Goche
July 26, 2008 5:16 PM | Link to this
Utley just got booed for almost not making a catch… Now don’t get me wrong. He made the catch, but he got booed because he looked like he was going to drop it.
I assume Phils fans also boo him when his homers barely get over the fence.
So who is this team that just scored 9 runs in an inning, and last night scored 7 in an inning? I’m glad when we put up more than 3 runs in a game!
By Doc Holliday
July 26, 2008 5:16 PM | Link to this
Now we are ready………..bring on the muts!!!!!!!!!!
By SaltyDawg
July 26, 2008 5:17 PM | Link to this
Don’t look now folks, but the Braves are playing good fundamental baseball. A little small ball, a few long balls, solid (actually great) defense, and taking advantage of the other team’s mistakes. If they had been doing this all year, there would be no division race - it would be over already.
By Reid in EAV
July 26, 2008 5:17 PM | Link to this
Holy Big Inning, Batman! That, my friends, was awesome. Last night and again today.
Also, a friend told me that if Hampton got all the way to the mound and threw a pitch, that flying monkeys would, um, proceed from his posterior.
I’m kinda glad I’m not watching the game with that friend, given that we’re now into Hamp’s 4th inning.
By Doc Holliday
July 26, 2008 5:18 PM | Link to this
Looks like heart is finally beating in that braves dogout……..
By kev
July 26, 2008 5:18 PM | Link to this
To FOX:
Not everyone in this country wants to watch the Red Sox and the Yankees everyday and every weekend. Please be considerate for those of who aren’t their fans and try to show other teams. There ARE 28 other teams in MLB. If you aren’t going to show the ‘alternate’ game on your worthless channel, then at least allow this game to be shown online. Because, really, as a Atlanta Braves fan, I could care less about the Red Sox and the Yankees…
To MLB:
You people are sellouts and thieves. A handful of people paid good, hard-earned money to watch games online. At the very least show games people cannot see on TV so that your loyal customers get their money’s worth. Also, why not give us the option of choosing the broadcast instead of giving us the default home-team broadcasts all the time?
By kev
July 26, 2008 5:19 PM | Link to this
To FOX:
Not everyone in this country wants to watch the Red Sox and the Yankees everyday and every weekend. Please be considerate for those of who aren’t their fans and try to show other teams. There ARE 28 other teams in MLB. If you aren’t going to show the ‘alternate’ game on your worthless channel, then at least allow this game to be shown online. Because, really, as a Atlanta Braves fan, I could care less about the Red Sox and the Yankees…
To MLB:
You people are sellouts and thieves. A handful of people paid good, hard-earned money to watch games online. At the very least show games people cannot see on TV so that your loyal customers get their money’s worth. Also, why not give us the option of choosing the broadcast instead of giving us the default home-team broadcasts all the time?
By kirknga
July 26, 2008 5:22 PM | Link to this
Well if we don’t keep Tex, the asking price is surely rising!
Hamel was due an inning like that from the Braves.
By JEB
July 26, 2008 5:23 PM | Link to this
Reading through the blogs and leading up to the Hampton start.
It was more like going through a NASA watch. All on pins and needles to see if this was going to go off without a hitch.
By FEAR
July 26, 2008 5:24 PM | Link to this
if this is not a fluke and we keep playing like this through Sept. We might can pull off one of the bigger comebacks in MLB history
By THWG
July 26, 2008 5:24 PM | Link to this
IgCognito-While there is a chance that we could sweep and remain 6 1/2 out, we would gain 3 games on the Phils. We play the Fish and the Phils 6 more each (take 4 from each and we gain 2 more games on both teams), and the Muts 9 more times. If they can keep up this kind of playing, especially against our NL East rivals, 6 1/2 doesn’t seem too daunting.
By Run, Heap, Run!
July 26, 2008 5:24 PM | Link to this
Thanks for the tip on Jezebel, Ms Rogers. I think theres 2 of us, me and McFann. Three of us counting you. : )
Who else thought of Tex’s day game stats as he came up to bat? And then……BOOM. OUTTA HERE.
Apologies to Brett Myers.
By uga-brave
July 26, 2008 5:25 PM | Link to this
braves must be staying at a holiday inn express?
By fastasballs
July 26, 2008 5:25 PM | Link to this
Having a big lead is a great thing for Hampton, less pressure. Hopefully he gets through another inning or two & leaves with a big lead & a W.
Infante was a great pick up to say the least. The guy is money.
By Caleb
July 26, 2008 5:25 PM | Link to this
I hate Fox.
By Boogasciambi Syndrome
July 26, 2008 5:26 PM | Link to this
One thing I can’t stand is popping out on the first pitch after they change pitchers. Why not wait and see what the guy’s throwing?
Oh well. That was just about the most fun innings I’ve ever seen!
Last time Braves scored nine runs in an inning: In 2004…Mike Hampton was pitching (just heard them say it on TV).
By Couch Tater
July 26, 2008 5:28 PM | Link to this
Skip & Chip: You can read the blog today.
By Tomahawk Kris
July 26, 2008 5:29 PM | Link to this
Wow - Francouer is slow. I can’t believe he got thrown out at 3rd on that hit. His ankle must really be bothering him.
By Austin
July 26, 2008 5:30 PM | Link to this
Mike Hampton. My new favorite player.
By Doc Holliday
July 26, 2008 5:31 PM | Link to this
Hey JF……….you need to go to the minors…………
There they will teach you………..NEVER MAKE THE LAST OUT AT 3B………….
This kid is in deep trouble
By JEB
July 26, 2008 5:32 PM | Link to this
By the way Carrol, Will Ohman was hilarious!! I absolutely loved it! The best intro ever done in one of these FOX games, as far a I’m concerned.
Go Hampton! Get through the 5th! You deserve it!
By used cars
July 26, 2008 5:33 PM | Link to this
Maybe we can get more for Tex now….Dudes won’t think we are having a fire sale….Nice to see us finally get to Hamels, he has been tough on us…
By SaltyDawg
July 26, 2008 5:34 PM | Link to this
Who would have ever guessed that Hampton would outlast Hamels today?
By Doc Holliday
July 26, 2008 5:35 PM | Link to this
I know Braves were winning by 3 but you can say that HR was clutch fromo TEX.
By fastasballs
July 26, 2008 5:37 PM | Link to this
uh oh
By GamecockBrave
July 26, 2008 5:38 PM | Link to this
There have been grumblings about “Manny being Manny” in boston. If the Sox decide to trade him, would there be any intrest on the Braves part to pick him up?
By Doc Holliday
July 26, 2008 5:39 PM | Link to this
Why did Braves send Morton instead of JoJo to minors to activate Hampton?
Was that the right move?
By Reid in EAV
July 26, 2008 5:41 PM | Link to this
Don’t look now, but 9-5 still nobody out and two on. Are we about to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory?
By uga-brave
July 26, 2008 5:42 PM | Link to this
as soon as rollins and victorino got slop hits you could smell this coming.
we probaly are gonna need more then nine runs.
By N9
July 26, 2008 5:43 PM | Link to this
can we please give TEX a new contract? we need to we need to build around TEX. Yes, we have chip,mccann,and others—but TEX—- yes TEX is the guy who fits..why? hes a cleanup hitter and a gold glover.TEX has mad skills. His age is perfect for our centerpiece. Im afraid chip wont be reliable enough to FIT the build around centerpiece. GIVE TEX MONEY NOW. TEX could continue on a second half tear which only helps team now> we have always been a win now mentality and thats why new GM is waiting to last days. DONT TRADE TEX. GIVE MONEY INSTEAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Jake
July 26, 2008 5:44 PM | Link to this
Dang it Ring. Ryan Howard is not that hard to pitch to. Book on him, he can hit anything on a line. If it has any movement once so ever he cant hit it. You throw him a pitch right down the middle. Don’t ruin this please.
By Heath
July 26, 2008 5:44 PM | Link to this
Can anyone remember when ring did a good job by getting out a lefty? you have to think that someone out there is desperate enough for a lefty reliever that we can get some cash for him or something… he is horrible.
By BravesFan79
July 26, 2008 5:44 PM | Link to this
Keeping Winning and the rest will take care of itsself! The Muts know we dominate them head to head…and theres still plenty of games left with them!
Now if we can PLEASE get rid of the useless Corky Miller ill believe we can do something this year.
Speaking of corky… if this games a blowout in the later innings… Cox should take out Escobar and Mccan.
By Heath
July 26, 2008 5:44 PM | Link to this
Can anyone remember when ring did a good job by getting out a lefty? you have to think that someone out there is desperate enough for a lefty reliever that we can get some cash for him or something… he is horrible.
By Boogasciambi Syndrome
July 26, 2008 5:45 PM | Link to this
Fastballs & believe it or not he says he loves to eat.
Well, it says in our program his favorite family tradition is Thanksgiving.
Also says the best piece of advise he ever received was “Live life to it’s fullest”…
I’m terrible. I can’t believe myself…So sorry…
By lilman
July 26, 2008 5:47 PM | Link to this
Can we send Royce Ring to Japan to join Resop?
He hasn’t done anything all season long!!!
By faninFaytown
July 26, 2008 5:47 PM | Link to this
braves cant afford manny’s salary. not a chance. and for the fans sake I hope they wouldnt put up with his s** either
By N9
July 26, 2008 5:48 PM | Link to this
hey Austin is he still your favorite player now?
By Jeff321
July 26, 2008 5:48 PM | Link to this
My ears tell me this wasn’t a very impressive start by Hampton. 4.0IP/8H/6R/2BB/1SO
I mean, couldn’t we have gotten the same crap or “better” from JoJo? Oh right, JoJo is the young guy and Hampton is the wily veteran, eh? So, by all means SEND MORTON down for this hasbeen! SHAME!
By The Goche
July 26, 2008 5:48 PM | Link to this
all this, and i’m still not sure we should buy. at the end of the day, we’ll be no better than 5.5 games out.
if the Braves play well enough to convince Wren not to sell (which doesn’t seem like it will be a tough case to make) or even well enough to convince them to buy, they had better make it a race.
5.5 games would certainly not be insurmountable, but that would take some awesome baseball playing for an extended period of time.
i think that selling would be clearly the best for the braves long term, even better than a division championship and a first round playoff exit.
So i’m talkin about playing well enough that we could at least make the Series, not just well enough that we could luck into the playoffs with 88 wins based on some other team blowing it.
By McFann ;Ô;
July 26, 2008 5:49 PM | Link to this
Ah, crud! Ya know, my last post came under the wrong name!
My brother was using the thing, and I forgot to put my name back!
So that post about McCann in response to what Fastballs said—that was me.
OK, uh, let’s not squander this game, BOYER!
By Tomahawk Kris
July 26, 2008 5:49 PM | Link to this
Well - this game is far from over.
By BayouBrave
July 26, 2008 5:54 PM | Link to this
Kev…. I agree wish your remarks. Wish they would find their way to those that could and would help us out
By kirknga
July 26, 2008 5:54 PM | Link to this
I know people will howl about this, but the Braves miss Acosta.
This inning is awful.
By keylargo
July 26, 2008 5:55 PM | Link to this
SIX singles so far this inning for the Phillies. Just two outs
By Enuffzenuff
July 26, 2008 5:56 PM | Link to this
Blaine “Blow the Lead” Boyer. I know we’re still ahead but good Lord. This guy does this every time he pitches!
By Michael
July 26, 2008 5:56 PM | Link to this
Wasn’t it obvious from the first pitch the Boyer couldn’t hit his spots?
By faninFaytown
July 26, 2008 5:57 PM | Link to this
ARE YOU KIDDING ME can we not get a freaking out
By The Goche
July 26, 2008 5:57 PM | Link to this
then again, we could just blow this game and remove all buyer/seller doubt.
on the bright side, maybe we can get the Phils going to they can catch the Mets.
By Tomahawk Kris
July 26, 2008 5:58 PM | Link to this
Great job Boyer! Way to go you stinkin’ BUM!!!!! Braves score 9 runs in an inning and it’s still not enough to put away the Phillies. The Offense better get it going again because this game is a slugfest.
By Heath
July 26, 2008 5:58 PM | Link to this
what a joke…the baseball gods spite the braves again…we just aren’t allowed to hand an “L” on hamels…rediculous.
By fastasballs
July 26, 2008 5:58 PM | Link to this
Well the wheels fell off in a hurry, didn’t it? You knew it was coming the way the inning began & that damn Coste was coming up.
By brian
July 26, 2008 5:58 PM | Link to this
looks like the Braves are trying to convince Wren to SELL
By uga-brave
July 26, 2008 5:58 PM | Link to this
boyer had every hitter in a two strike count and could not put any of them away.
nice job blaine.
By Del
July 26, 2008 5:58 PM | Link to this
Makes me so dag gum MMAAAAADD.
By Jake
July 26, 2008 5:58 PM | Link to this
I guess I got to give the whole scouting report. Book on Coste: Likes the ball away, dives into the plate. So when you pitch him away you give him time to catch up. Boyer was ahead of three consecutive hitters and to get them out he throws them pitches they could hit. Not to mention he was dealing with the lower half of the order. Well down by one, here we go again. Way to let this sorry team off the hook.
By used cars
July 26, 2008 5:59 PM | Link to this
I retract my earlier statement, we may need to trade Tex before he gets Vertigo from all the Phils going past him…I’m sure the tv folks are enjoying this….
By Winning GM
July 26, 2008 5:59 PM | Link to this
Six run lead blown. Are you kidding me? Hampton really IS snake-bit! OOPS, gotta go—- Frank Wren is bitting me on my blackberry.
By StingerSplash
July 26, 2008 5:59 PM | Link to this
Wow. Was that bad. Looks like somebody woke up the Phillie bats.
By Austin
July 26, 2008 6:00 PM | Link to this
Good work there by Boyer.
By lexbrave
July 26, 2008 6:00 PM | Link to this
this is precisely why the braves have no prayer of making the playoffs this year..
By N9
July 26, 2008 6:01 PM | Link to this
BravesFan79 we all know that games with phillies AT their stadium is mostly unknown until late in game. The Phillies never have problems scoring.
By Ron
July 26, 2008 6:01 PM | Link to this
A 7-run inning for the Phils? You gotta dump Boobie Coxroach.
By kirknga
July 26, 2008 6:01 PM | Link to this
Disgusting. Utterly disgusting. I take back what I said about resilience.
No it wasn’t what we wanted from Hampton, but we know he can still pitch. He needs to work on location. And with a 138-101(102) record, he’s a better bet than JoJo over the course of time.
By lilman
July 26, 2008 6:02 PM | Link to this
The Braves actually hit a pitcher that normally beats them like a rented mule, and the bull pen pitches like little leaguers!
Hampton pitched well just to come back after so many injuries. These choke artist pitchers have had several days off, and this is the best they can do.
This is why Cox used Ohman so much. Ring is useless.
By MT Braves Fan
July 26, 2008 6:03 PM | Link to this
Anybody understand why Bobby thinks Boyer can get anybody at all out in a big situation? Remember early in the year, it was always him and Resop giving up the big runs in the late innings. I think we should sell Boyer to Japan also. The guy sucks.
By Phi
July 26, 2008 6:03 PM | Link to this
Dammit Boyer. DAMMIT!
By McFann ;Ô;
July 26, 2008 6:04 PM | Link to this
I can’t stand Boyer. That was PATHETIC!!
Now it’s a one-run game…this can’t be happening…
By monty
July 26, 2008 6:05 PM | Link to this
Boyer’s problem is he is one dimensional 95 and straight. He has no other pitch to get people off his fastball, Yeh, I know he throws that slow breaking ball but it isn’t a weapon. He has got to develop a hard slider. He wasn’r about to hang that curve ball to the dude who hit the HR and that guy knew it.
By BravesFan79
July 26, 2008 6:06 PM | Link to this
The signing of Hampton was the worst decision Scherultz ever made! 1) To start with signing him made us not be able to bring back Glavine…therefore making the Mets more powerfull!
2) Even when healthy, Hampton is not and has NEVER been a BIG game pitcher! Cox starting Hampton over Smoltz in that game 5 is still one of the biggest managerial mistakes in Braves playoff history!
To be serious contenders next season the Braves need to add a top line starter, a TRUE #1, have Smoltz come back after the all star break next year, and please, please no more useless players on the team like Woodward and Corky miller.
By BravesFan79
July 26, 2008 6:06 PM | Link to this
The signing of Hampton was the worst decision Scherultz ever made! 1) To start with signing him made us not be able to bring back Glavine…therefore making the Mets more powerfull!
2) Even when healthy, Hampton is not and has NEVER been a BIG game pitcher! Cox starting Hampton over Smoltz in that game 5 is still one of the biggest managerial mistakes in Braves playoff history!
To be serious contenders next season the Braves need to add a top line starter, a TRUE #1, have Smoltz come back after the all star break next year, and please, please no more useless players on the team like Woodward and Corky miller.
By FEAR
July 26, 2008 6:07 PM | Link to this
wow. I take a p** and the braves are done. Get the fork out for the brave’s carcass.
By Mike
July 26, 2008 6:09 PM | Link to this
aaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrggggggghhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!! Why cant we get some consistant play from the WHOLE team, at the same time? That means good timely hitting, good defense, good pitching, and good relief pitching. Yes it has happened…some.
By Jake
July 26, 2008 6:11 PM | Link to this
On a good note, at least Escobar has a good eye and knows how to lay off those high pitches. Maybe he and Gregor acting as his translator can talk to Frenchy. By the way that was a ball on Tex.
By Chris
July 26, 2008 6:11 PM | Link to this
Congrats on a pretty solid start Mike (Hampton).
Congrats to the Braves for putting up 9 runs in an inning.
DARTS to Bobby and Roger for letting BLAINE “BLOWS IT” BOYER to allow the Phillies to come back in the game….another reminder of why the BRAVES will NOT be in the POST SEASON this year….
It’s a shame.
By NL EAST
July 26, 2008 6:11 PM | Link to this
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
By Andy
July 26, 2008 6:12 PM | Link to this
As long as Cox keeps letting pathetic Chris Coste keep beating us, we have no chance. Cox never looks at a stat sheet and never chooses the right pitcher. In a shut down situation you should just go ahead and bring in soriano. He always lets these back-up catchers keep beating us.
By NL EAST
July 26, 2008 6:12 PM | Link to this
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
By Mark C.
July 26, 2008 6:13 PM | Link to this
They’re going to love Tex in Baltimore…
By NL EAST
July 26, 2008 6:13 PM | Link to this
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
By kev
July 26, 2008 6:15 PM | Link to this
If Tex was really clutch, he would’ve done something more than strike out with two men on base and one out. The Braves don’t need that loser hanging around and hitting on his own terms, only playing for himself.
Tex talks like a $20 mil FA but doesn’t play like one.
By fastasballs
July 26, 2008 6:15 PM | Link to this
Thought Infante had put them back in front when it left the bat. Oh well. Three more innings to get it done, well if the pen can hold them, yeah right.
By Frank Wren's Logic
July 26, 2008 6:17 PM | Link to this
Hey Braves, I know you desperately need another bat in the lineup. I have an idea, if you can first win without that bat, thus showing that you don’t need it anyway, I will get you one.
By Jeff321
July 26, 2008 6:18 PM | Link to this
Can anyone find the Boyer lovers? How about the Cox lovers? Oh, and what about the Hampton lovers? Great game you losers.
By Heath
July 26, 2008 6:20 PM | Link to this
apparently bobby is a good manager of people…but he constantly makes some head-scratching baseball decisions…. i still can’t imagine why ohman wasn’t in the game in the 5th… very perplexing
By MT Braves Fan
July 26, 2008 6:23 PM | Link to this
The next time Bobby heads out to put in Boyer in a big spot, I’m begging for Teixeira to form-tackle him, so that worthless, fastball-only junker can’t cost us any more games. What a joke. He’s never been able to get anybody out.