Braves

By Yokohama Daze

August 31, 2008 2:08 PM | Link to this

Hey, First?!?

This is what I get for being up at 3:00am on a Monday morning.

Door prize is a free pitching lesson with Craig McMurtry, I’m told?

By McFann :Ô:

August 31, 2008 2:10 PM | Link to this

First?

By richbrave

August 31, 2008 2:16 PM | Link to this

CARROLL ROGERS:

RE: FURMAN. e-mail on the f-r-r-ritz! I posted him up with the suggestion on his current column/blog. If you’re in contact anytime soon, a heads up would be great.

By N Nine

August 31, 2008 2:18 PM | Link to this

not so much of a hot call-up year..I was expecting better, since any spot can be taken

By N Nine

August 31, 2008 2:23 PM | Link to this

this score should hold up..another 1 run loss..very sad and im out

By richbrave

August 31, 2008 2:23 PM | Link to this

RE; JEFF RIDGWAY.

BRAVES need to see if they have any currency in the AYBAR - FONTANE trade they made with the RAYS last year. So far, things not looking good, but on rare occasion a second chance bears some fruit that’s sweet and not bitter. Here’s hopin’. If not, they know what new moves to make in that area. Seems like they’re just tying up loose ends before the end of this lost season.

By Braint

August 31, 2008 2:28 PM | Link to this

If you told me in April that our 3 & 4 hitters in the lineup at the end of August were Prado & Infante instead of Chipper & Tex — I’d say that we had a horrible year and would be out of the playoff race….Oh, it’s not just a nightmare?

By Jeff321

August 31, 2008 2:31 PM | Link to this

Bobby Cox promised Corky, eh?

Its no wonder the Braves have been infested with neverwills and hasbeens for at least the last three years. Because its quite obvious Cox doesn’t fill roster spots based on talent.. its all about being his favorite!

By Carroll Rogers

August 31, 2008 2:32 PM | Link to this

rich brave, sorry on furman’s e-mail. don’t know what’s going on there. i’ll try to get word to him.

By Tomas

August 31, 2008 2:40 PM | Link to this

At last Bobby is at least trying to steal bases. They haven’t practiced that much and maybe that’s why Blanco was caught. But it’s a good time to learn in September, when the team is out of it, and it could turn into a valuable weapon next year. Why bring up Ridgeway, he is the worst pitcher they can bring up from Richmond, I would even prefer Royce Ring. Jorge Julio, should be given a chance.

By McFann :Ô:

August 31, 2008 3:10 PM | Link to this

HEY! The Braves are winning a one-run road game!

Where is everybody?

By kirknga

August 31, 2008 3:28 PM | Link to this

McFann I think we’re watching through I fingers hoping against hope that the Braves can hold that lead.

By True Braves Fan

August 31, 2008 3:42 PM | Link to this

We are thinking about dumping Hampton and keeping Jo Jo? I can’t believe it.

Time to back up the truck with Kelly Johnson driving it. If Kotchman comes back Monday, don’t see how Bobby can help but move Prado to second, and give KJ a seat on the end of the bench…

By Jake

August 31, 2008 3:43 PM | Link to this

I’m really liking what I see from Prado. Don’t know what there plans are for him next year, but I for one would like to see this kid stick around. He doesn’t have a lot of power in terms of homeruns, but I see him hitting a lot of doubles and just being a good hitter.

By kirknga

August 31, 2008 3:44 PM | Link to this

“…watching through our fingers….” is what I meant to say :)

By McFann :Ô:

August 31, 2008 3:45 PM | Link to this

kirknga—

Ah, I gotcha.

By JEB

August 31, 2008 3:49 PM | Link to this

Men on First & Third and one out - the story of our season… Escobar & Frenchy leave them there.

Well, in comes Gonzales… will the curse of the one run road loss end with a one run road WIN???

Stay tuned……….

By kirknga

August 31, 2008 3:53 PM | Link to this

Why is Dessens in there? Is Acosta hurt?

By Goodoleboy58

August 31, 2008 3:54 PM | Link to this

Elmer comes in on a one run game in the 8th? Really?

By Tomas

August 31, 2008 3:56 PM | Link to this

Here we go on again. Where the hell is Acosta.

By JEB

August 31, 2008 3:56 PM | Link to this

Prado & Infante are GREAT utility guys!! Not only are they GREAT hitters, they play great defence no matter what position. For a long season, you can really rest your team or not be concerned when injuries come along, these guys are what are known as ultimate back up guys - AND you can still play them about everyday - giving breaks to others on the team.

Would not mind having Dan Uggla playing second base - good power bat! Fla. may be willing to trade this winter.

By Jake

August 31, 2008 3:57 PM | Link to this

I really don’t understand this move. You bring in Dessens(think I spelled that right) to face the middle of their lineup. Let’s see how this backfires.

By Tomas

August 31, 2008 3:59 PM | Link to this

Acosta must be hurting, to have Dessens in the eight inning. Now a homer by Boone with two guys on. Bobby explain yourself.

By JEB

August 31, 2008 3:59 PM | Link to this

Well. so much for looking to Gonzales to come in to hold the one run lead… Elmer fudd gives up a HR to Boone, there goes the lead.

Washington loves to beat Atlanta, for some reason more than they do anyone else!

By Goodoleboy58

August 31, 2008 3:59 PM | Link to this

Is there really not a better option to pitch in a setup role then Elmer Dessens? I thought he was brought he for garbage time. Ridiculous.

By Jeff321

August 31, 2008 4:00 PM | Link to this

What do we have here? Cox brings in Elmer Dessens and he proceeds to allow two on with no outs.. What happens next? A three run jack.

You gotta love that old goat Cox! He is so damn incompetent its not even funny anymore.

By True Braves Fan

August 31, 2008 4:00 PM | Link to this

Aren’t we lucky that we were able to outbid all the other clubs for Dessens?

All the other GM’s must be snickering….

By kirknga

August 31, 2008 4:02 PM | Link to this

Well, no need to watch through your fingers anymore. The monster has jumped out and turned the lead into another loss.

By THIS JUST IN

August 31, 2008 4:03 PM | Link to this

This team really does want a top 5 pick in next years draft. They most certainly do.

By Tomas

August 31, 2008 4:03 PM | Link to this

Dessens what a great pickup. Congratulations Wren. Acosta hasn’t pitched since the series against the Cardinals.

By LuisG

August 31, 2008 4:04 PM | Link to this

Elmer is KAPUT too!!!

By Goodoleboy58

August 31, 2008 4:07 PM | Link to this

kirknga

Never thought you’d be clamoring for Acosta to be in the game in a close situation huh… Me either but Elmer come on

By Goat Horns

August 31, 2008 4:08 PM | Link to this

WTF????

I thought Dessens was brought in to be an extra pitcher. Why is he out there in a one run road game in the bottom of the eighth??

Come on Bobby!!!!!!

What are you thinking!!!!

By JEB

August 31, 2008 4:08 PM | Link to this

Goodoleboy58

No… there’s not! That’s the story of our bullpen right now. We get a lead, we just don’t have the bullpen to hold a lead.

Welcome to how 2/3’s of all baseball teams have felt for the last 18 yrs. We just didn’t know the feeling…now we do.

By gotigers72

August 31, 2008 4:09 PM | Link to this

Good move Wren in picking up Elmer. Better move Booby by putting in Elmer in a one run game in which you lead. That should get Wren GM of the year, and Booby Manager of the Year. My God, these guys have dropped to the bottom with moves like this. Good thing is the only way to go is up. They are just being drilled by the worst team in baseball in the season series. Pathetic.

According to Carrol’s blog, Corky is being recalled tomorrow because Booby “promised” him he would be recalled when he was sent down. Really? You feel like you have to make promises to a guy hitting .093? No wonder this once proud franchise is at the bottom of the barrel. Fire Wren, fire Booby [and I hate to say that, ‘cause the guy at one time was a first class manager], fire all coaches except Hubbard, get rid of a bunch of these Class A players and start over! PLEASE.

By braves70

August 31, 2008 4:10 PM | Link to this

Maybe the Braves hired Elmer from Mexico because he will do the work that Americans just won’t do for the money. It’s a togh job to come in and give away a hard earned lead. Oh well, where is the Elmer is a tub of glue guy?

By Goat Horns

August 31, 2008 4:10 PM | Link to this

If Ohman was available to pitch then why wasn’t he out there to start the eighth???

This team is so mismanaged it is pathetic.

By JEB

August 31, 2008 4:12 PM | Link to this

Carrol Since it was brought up, what is up with Acosta?? He hasn’t pitched any since he was brought back up.

By Andy

August 31, 2008 4:13 PM | Link to this

There is no explanation for bringing in Elmer Dessens to pitch the 8th inning with a one run lead. None. Unless your strategy is to lose as many games as possible and get a high draft pick. Dessens should be used in mop up duty and has no business pitching the 8th in a close game. He is not trying out for a roster position. Thus, there is no need to pitch him in a pressure situation. Makes no sense, like most of Bobby’s bullpen moves.

By enough already

August 31, 2008 4:14 PM | Link to this

Sure, the Braves are bad. But Bobby Cox has single-handedly lost a lot of games this year. Dessens, 8th inning, 1 run lead…that’s just an indefensible move, and proof that it’s time for Bobby to hang it up.

By StingerSplash

August 31, 2008 4:14 PM | Link to this

Maybe they should send Elmer to the glue factory, because he is clearly shot.

By Interested Observer

August 31, 2008 4:15 PM | Link to this

I think it’s nice that Corky was promised he could come back. You would hate for somebody to think that hitting in the .090’s for a whole season would be enough to lose your job!

Also, somebody forgot to tell Bobby that Dessens was just a scrub brought in to gobble up some innings. There’s a reason why he pitching in Mexico all season.

By Tomas

August 31, 2008 4:16 PM | Link to this

This is the main reason they don’t win one run games, the bulpen sucks. After last year I really thought they had solve their bulpen issues, but this bulpen is no better than the ones having Dan Kolb, or Chris Reitsma as their closers. What is Bobby thinking. If he bring Acosta and he gives up runs, I’d blame Acosta, but bringing Dessens is a stupid mongolic move, and Bobby deserves the blame. I don’t know how he was succesful for 14 years, cause of his really mediocre moves. He doesn’t hit and run, doesn’t steal bases, calls up the wrong guys from the minors, and brings in the wrong guys from the bulpen. Tell me please if what I said is totally untrue. I’m angry, and I want to know why, we die hard fans are still watching Bobby in that dugout. I’ve tried to be patient, but he is not doing the job right. He might be a great person, who is respected by all the players, but he doesn’t know how to manage a game, maybe thats the reason that after 14 consecutive division titles he only had one world series.

By fastasballs

August 31, 2008 4:16 PM | Link to this

After today the Nats will only be seven games behind the Braves. There is a chance, an outside one to a move into the top 3 for draft picks next season. Odds are a top 5-6, which isn’t too shabby.

Sorry but that’s about all the good this season will bring & even those results will be years away even if they draft well.

Who runs this club anyway? Cox promising Corky Miller he would return to the Braves. Loyalty is one thing, but stupidity is quite another. I really do hope Cox retires at the end of the season. The roster moves the past two seasons have been bad, very bad at times.

By Goodoleboy58

August 31, 2008 4:17 PM | Link to this

JEB

You can’t convince me there’s not a better pitcher in the bullpen to use as a setup man then Elmer…

By Braint

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

Would someone in the media please ask Bobby Cox what he was thinking in that situation?

I guess Terry Mulholland and Mike Remlinger weren’t warmed up yet?

By braves70

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

Now , now. Maybe Booby promised Elmer that he could pitch today. If only he would promise us to retire and end our suffering.

By Carroll Rogers

August 31, 2008 4:24 PM | Link to this

JEB acosta had one outing on Aug. 24 in St. Louis. two scoreless inning, two hits. two walks. not sure why he wasn’t used….and not sure if dessens will be making the trip to Florida!

Braves just announced their september call-ups for coaches…..Mississippi manager PHILLIP WELLMAN of fame for a certain tirade, as well as helping straighten Frenchy out, will be up with the big club from Sept. 16-28 after the Southern League playoffs.

Gulf Coast manager Luis Ortiz will be up from Sept. 1-14.

By JEB

August 31, 2008 4:25 PM | Link to this

BMac - another double, he keeps this up, we will call him the “Doubles King”.

By Carroll Rogers

August 31, 2008 4:25 PM | Link to this

JEB acosta had one outing on Aug. 24 in St. Louis. two scoreless inning, two hits. two walks. not sure why he wasn’t used….and not sure if dessens will be making the trip to Florida!

Braves just announced their september call-ups for coaches…..Mississippi manager PHILLIP WELLMAN of fame for a certain tirade, as well as helping straighten Frenchy out, will be up with the big club from Sept. 16-28 after the Southern League playoffs.

Gulf Coast manager Luis Ortiz will be up from Sept. 1-14.

By McFann :Ô:

August 31, 2008 4:26 PM | Link to this

DOUBLE! Whoo-hoo!

This game stunk. A sweep? That’s crud.

Rotten series…glad it’s over.

By Goodoleboy58

August 31, 2008 4:28 PM | Link to this

Well good luck to the Nats in the playoffs. They’ve played us tough this year and it’s obvious they are the bound for good things in the postseason. Willie Harris should give Pujols a run for the MVP as well.

By Tomas

August 31, 2008 4:28 PM | Link to this

Top priority for Wren this offseason, ask BC to retire or fire him, but a change should be made, a different presence in that dugout.

By Jake

August 31, 2008 4:32 PM | Link to this

The Pitching an in particular the bullpen has been very bad the second half. It’s kind of been the trickle down effect of a ll the injuries to Smoltz, Glavine, Moylan, Soriano, Hampton,, and now Hudson. Hudson was the only guy who you could really count on to take you deep in games and once we lost him there was really no one. Hampton is still working his way back from three years off and just went 8 innings for the first time his last start. I think Boyer leads the league in appearances and Ohman is close behind. Bennett and Acosta would probably be right there if they didn’t get hurt. Jojo needs and has to do better. It’s Charlie’s first year and I will give him the benefit of the doubt, but its time for Jojo to find a way to get late in these games. Jair has been the workhorse and only has missed one start this season. He’s wearing down a little bit but he’s trying. I would like to see one series where these rookies go out and gut it out thru at least 7 innings so we don’t have to worry about the Dessens and other September Call-ups in vital situations. These kids have to figure it out not for this year, but for next year. JJ didn’t have his best stuff today but he was given a lead and battled thru it. Charlie was given the same thing the other day and almost blew it if it wasn’t for some good defensive plays, and Jojo blew his by letting the first two runners get on the next inning.

By kirknga

August 31, 2008 4:32 PM | Link to this

Goodoleboy58 Well, I’m one of the very few who actually likes Acosta, so it isn’t any leap of desperation for me.

I think the pen has clearly been worse since he went down, or at the very least, his absence was noticeable.

He must have reinhured that hamstring last time out.

What’s really scary is that there doesn’t seem to be any help coming according to Carroll’s report. It might be a very long September.

By McFann :Ô:

August 31, 2008 4:34 PM | Link to this

From the last blog: N Nine Our backup catchers have been very bad this year.

Yeah, well…You all wanted Sammons SO badly (well, maybe not N Nine specifically).

Just sayin’…

By Goodoleboy58

August 31, 2008 4:34 PM | Link to this

Meanwhile CC is about to pitch another complete game shutout and has 11k’s with only 1 hit allowed

By Goodoleboy58

August 31, 2008 4:44 PM | Link to this

kirknga

Yea I don’t mind Acosta when he is used for one inning… I’m not sure what he’s ever done to give the impression that he can go longer.

By braves70

August 31, 2008 4:46 PM | Link to this

Your honor and people of the court, I would like to present today’s game and terrible decisions as dircet evidence that Mr. Robert Cox is indeed senile and must be relieved from his duties to insure the safety of all humans and animals and the sanity of the remaining Braves fans who have not yet become insane. The prosecution rests its case.

By AZBravoFan

August 31, 2008 4:49 PM | Link to this

Wow, I guess now that Julio’s gone Mexican League hitters aren’t what they used to be…

By kirknga

August 31, 2008 4:57 PM | Link to this

Well I’m going to continue to beat the drum for Sabathia. I think the Braves should go after him. I think that he is worth Santana money and so there’s no need to play around.

If he continues on the way he has so far, he might sneek in and win the Cy Young over Webb.

By Chuck Uga

August 31, 2008 4:58 PM | Link to this

PLEASE RETIRE BOBBY COX. You just sacrificed a win for Jurrjens with a dish rag in Elmer Dessens who has no business being on the roster. SHAME ON YOU FRANK WREN! You should be fired. Dessens could not even secure a Minor League contract with ANY TEAM, yet we have to add him to the roster and give away a win with Ohman and others sitting ready in the pen?! COX, YOU HAVE LOST IT. PLEASE RETIRE!! PLEASE!!

By Chuck Uga

August 31, 2008 4:58 PM | Link to this

PLEASE RETIRE BOBBY COX. You just sacrificed a win for Jurrjens with a dish rag in Elmer Dessens who has no business being on the roster. SHAME ON YOU FRANK WREN! You should be fired. Dessens could not even secure a Minor League contract with ANY TEAM, yet we have to add him to the roster and give away a win with Ohman and others sitting ready in the pen?! COX, YOU HAVE LOST IT. PLEASE RETIRE!! PLEASE!!

By Chuck Uga

August 31, 2008 4:59 PM | Link to this

PLEASE RETIRE BOBBY COX. You just sacrificed a win for Jurrjens with a dish rag in Elmer Dessens who has no business being on the roster. SHAME ON YOU FRANK WREN! You should be fired. Dessens could not even secure a Minor League contract with ANY TEAM, yet we have to add him to the roster and give away a win with Ohman and others sitting ready in the pen?! COX, YOU HAVE LOST IT. PLEASE RETIRE!! PLEASE!!

By Carroll Rogers

August 31, 2008 4:59 PM | Link to this

found out after the game manny acosta has felt some soreness in his shoulder after his one outing back. he tried to throw a couple bullpens and couldn’t get his strength up. he thinks he should be fine in a couple of days.

By Goodoleboy58

August 31, 2008 5:08 PM | Link to this

kirknga

I agree with you about CC.. He has the Brewers on his back and should definitely be in consideration for the NL CY Young at the end of the year.

By Lawman

August 31, 2008 5:08 PM | Link to this

Hate to question pitching decisions, not, but is Gonzales hurt? Seems like he should have gotten in the game the last 2 days. Elmer might be goo….

By TommyP

August 31, 2008 5:14 PM | Link to this

Just need an arm so we sign Dessens. LOL Hey, defend it all you want, folks (you know who you are). We deserve what we’re seeing.

Wow….

By Bobby Cox

August 31, 2008 5:18 PM | Link to this

Time and cosmos fries the hippie fart-pan to the north wiggle. I am a spoon. Has anybody seen where I put my scorecard and milkshake? I’m tired. Wren told a joke and I’m it and you can’t laugh for crying. ELMER ME ELMER YOU ELMER INTO SPACE. Mission control? Hello? hangs up Damned young people….

By Firetheoldfool

August 31, 2008 5:25 PM | Link to this

Is there anyone left out there that still thinks Bobby Cox is sane. The old fool is absolutely the worst manager in the game right now. The only way Wren will listen to us and get rid of the old fool is if we all stopped going to the games. And even then I am not so sure. My god this guy is killing us.

By Chop Chop

August 31, 2008 5:35 PM | Link to this

This team stinks.

It has been bad for a couple of months.

Any fan micromanaging games now is just crazy.

The season is over. It has been over for many weeks.

It’s like micromanaging Falcon games when the team is 3-11. Does that make any sense?

By Brian

August 31, 2008 5:41 PM | Link to this

Did anyone hear Cox in the post game interview? The man has no f*** clue how to run a bullpen. He’s in denile. I think we all knew what was about to happen before Dessens threw that first pitch, so nobody act surprised.

By kirknga

August 31, 2008 5:50 PM | Link to this

My goodness, now Acosta has arm issues too? I say just go ahead and send him to Dr. Andrews and get the surgery over.

No need to wait, no need for rest. He was on the disable list long enough to rest. So far this season, every pitcher with a forearm, elbow, shoulder issue, who was going to “rest it” has ended up on Dr. Andrew’s table. So why would Acosta be any different?

Overuse has terrible, ugly consequences. Next season,the Braves must assemble a starting staff that can give them 850-1000 innings.

By Colonial Dawg

August 31, 2008 5:57 PM | Link to this

Headed to Richmond tomorrow to catch the last game and to see Murph, Javy and the rest. I’ll let you know how it goes. Wish the Braves didn’t have to deal with Doug Wilder, we would probably still have the R-Braves.

Go Dawgs! (sorry, couldn’t resist)

By Lemke's Pot 'O Gold

August 31, 2008 6:00 PM | Link to this

Is there any chance that Diaz makes a cameo appearance in late September?

By bfan54

August 31, 2008 6:04 PM | Link to this

doG Soup needs to be banned. Now!

By BravesFan79

August 31, 2008 6:18 PM | Link to this

Why is everyone getting worked up by losses?

So would yall be Happier if the Braves went off and won 10 in a row and got say…the 20th draft pick instead of the 4th or 5th?? Is that REALLY in the best intrest of the franchise?? Get real people! As for me… the Braves lost today…and i couldnt be happier because at least were working towards a high draft pick.

The start of next year tho will once again have me hanging on the edge of my seat with every pitch pulling for the Braves to win.
But for now… keep playing Elmer, in fact i say lets bring back woodward, thorman, and corky, and pickup Mark Redmen as well. Lets rest Mccan and Chipper more often…and gear up for a true run next year.
Hopefully with a manager that will play small ball.

By LKS

August 31, 2008 6:18 PM | Link to this

CR I live in Atl but I’m in FL to go to the game tomorrow. The weather was terrible this morning. Wind, Rain and went to the beach….crazy waves! Now, sunshine. It is supposed to be cloudy tomorrow but the game should be good to go. See ya tmrw! I will be row 1 behind braves dugout ;) Oh btw….going to be Extremely Hott….I don’t know why that needs noting. S. Florida ;)

By bfan54

August 31, 2008 6:23 PM | Link to this

I want to suggest “a small affordable” piece - not a panacea. Don’t choke - but his name is Odalis Perez and his current salary in 850K (not 850m!).

Why - durability, consistency, BB/S ratio for starters. Look at his innings - between 93 and 222 over the last 9 years! ERA is in the mid-fours, ok, that’s why he isn’t making 40 gazillion a year, and why a call “a small piece” instead of a saviour. Look at his career SO/BB ratio: 891/383. Not shabby! He has started between 16 and 32 games for the last 9 years. He’s not going to take us to the promised land, but we need some affordable, durable, seasoned players. Oh, by the way, his 2 worst years were with KC. Good career. Dude is 31 yoa. You heard it here. Mark it!

By Bobby's Cox

August 31, 2008 6:26 PM | Link to this

Caroll

No offense, but why didn’t you ask Cox if he considered using Gonzalez for 2 innings today?

He should’ve been fresh, right?

Gonzalez didn’t pitch in the series. He last pitched on thursday throwing 1 inning. That was the only inning he’s thrown since Aug 23.

Am I missing something? Please don’t tell me cause they’re trying to bring him back slowly after TJ….they made him throw on back-to-back days and 2 innings in the minors before they let him come back to Atlanta.

Well, at least Prado continues to rake.

By chipdip

August 31, 2008 6:29 PM | Link to this

WHO GIVES A RATS A* ABOUT THE SEPTEMBER CALL UPS???!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!THIS TEAM IS DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!BOBBY COX NEEDS TO GO….THIS OWNERSHIP NEEDS TO GO AND THIS STUPID BLOG !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!UP THE F*** IRONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!MOTORHEAD RULES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By Renegator

August 31, 2008 6:30 PM | Link to this

You know why the Nationals can beat the Braves like a drum?

They try harder. That team goes out there and gives it their all to beat the Braves. And it works…

They certainly don’t have more talent than the Braves - they just have more heart.

I really hope that Bobby Cox finally retires this year so we can see what a new managerial approach could do for this club.

Oh well, at least we’ve got all these exciting prospects coming up tomorrow. Oh wait, all we got is Corky Miller (.093) and some old pitching re-treads.

Joy!

By McFann :Ô:

August 31, 2008 6:50 PM | Link to this

Chipdip MOTORHEAD RULES!!!!!

Are you the dillweed playing pool in the AT&T Commercial?

The ace of spades…

Seriously, dude, grow up. My word…

By McFann :Ô:

August 31, 2008 6:54 PM | Link to this

Holy cow…Russell Martin is batting leadoff for the Dodgers tonight.

That’s different.

By Steve from OH

August 31, 2008 7:04 PM | Link to this

Now, now, McFann, Motorhead is actually pretty good…as for the rest of the aforementioned post, well, that’s another story, isn’t it?

By Goodoleboy58

August 31, 2008 7:08 PM | Link to this

BravesFan79

I’d much rather see the Braves win then worry about a draft pick that may never make it to the majors in 5 years.

By McFann :Ô:

August 31, 2008 7:09 PM | Link to this

Steve from OH—

Oh, I wasn’t calling him a dillweed for liking Motorhead (I’ve never heard them, so how would I know?) I was just referencing that (funny) AT&T commercial.

Actually, the word “dillweed” doesn’t quite do Chipdip justice. Another story, indeed! Disgusting post…

By The Chopping Cow Blues Boogie of Elvis

August 31, 2008 7:11 PM | Link to this

Well, I woke up this morning, And I looked out the door. I can tell that old chopping cow By the way she lowed.

Hold it fellows, that don’t move me. Let’s get real, real gone for a change.

Well, I woke up this morning And I looked out the door I can tell that that old choppin’ cow I can tell the way she lowed.

Well, if you’ve seen my choppin’ cow, Please ride her on gone. I ain’t had no milk or butter Since that cow’s been home.

By McFann :Ô:

August 31, 2008 7:11 PM | Link to this

The best movie ever made (IMHO) is on ABC Family right now!

By bruce

August 31, 2008 7:20 PM | Link to this

mcfann— wow tough weekend, thought we had one won today too. truly sad. decided to wear Smoltz the regular way today… thanks for helping make this series more enjoyable for me.

what is the movie?

By McFann :Ô:

August 31, 2008 7:21 PM | Link to this

BravesFan79—

Whoa…You gotta be kiddin’ me…

By kirknga

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

This has got to be one of the weirdest blogs in recent Braves MIB history. Perhaps it’s the holiday.

I have Ace Of Spades on my Ipod, it’s actually rocks pretty good.

By McFann :Ô:

August 31, 2008 7:23 PM | Link to this

McCann’s next extra-base hit will give him a new career high in XHB.

He has 58 now, the same amount he hit in 2006.

By Amber

August 31, 2008 7:27 PM | Link to this

Gosh… can’t imagine why nobody’s come calling for Hampton…

By bruce

August 31, 2008 7:30 PM | Link to this

oh I see.. Sound of Music… a classic for all time

By bfan54

August 31, 2008 7:32 PM | Link to this

Bobby Cox got blindsided by all the injuries, and the lack of production from Tex and Francour. Having said that, and giving him his rightfull due for past successes, I think his tenure should end, now. The ERA ended, and whether or not you liked Ronald Reagan (as I did, for years), you knew when it was over - about 2 years before his second term ended. But to keep this non-political - I will add the Reagan era ended “for better or worse” and - so it is - that the Cox era needs to end.

The first clue - not keeping Javy Lopez - not as a starter - but as a backup, with experience. Instead of Javy, we got Miller, or what’s his name, who hit .093 and is coming back.

We have little speed and no good bunters -why? I have to assume that BC has not valued these skills.

By now this is a long post, so I must finish. There is some talent to be preserved. Next year is not going to be a contending year. We should keep Hampton, who has gas left, say Sayonara to Glavine (with due “props”), and allow for Smoltz, an incentive-laden contract, to do, what we know he can do, “give it all and smoke ‘em or fool ‘em”!).

Beyond that, we need to role play, and platoon, and mentor (yeah, Chip is 37, 38, and apart from BA, his decline is a slow, precipitous slope.

Folks, lower your expectations! This is a bad club now, run by a good management team that does NOT by any stretch have sufficient ‘new blood’ to contend next year. But in the words of OUR SAVIOUR (I think?)…’woe until them’ - as the nuns used to tell me.

Now you tell me, I’m just and old man, with no baseball sense…ok, ok…leave me alone! (God Bless Obama, Biden, McCain, Palin!)

By bfan54

August 31, 2008 7:43 PM | Link to this

Of course, the ‘call ups’ are for the GM to see how these players do in the bigs. But in thi

By McFann :Ô:

August 31, 2008 7:43 PM | Link to this

Bruce—

Aw, you’re welcome! Yeah, for a while there, I thought they were gonna finally get that long-awaited ORRW (One Run Road Win). But no…Very sad, indeed. (At least you got to see some good stuff from my personal favortie ; ) )

Went with Smoltz, eh? Dang…nothing seems to work! Those darn Braves…

Sound of Music… a classic for all time

You got that 100% right!!

By bruce

August 31, 2008 7:51 PM | Link to this

McFann_— Braves need a spoon full of sugar about right now, maybe I can be more optimistic if I buy in to Mark Bradley’s title that we are at rock bottom… so it is going to get better, hopefully soon, maybe a couple of spoonfuls is what Braves could use. I am impressed with Brian’s comment about not caring so much about hitting 300 but rather wants a string of wins to go into the offseason on a positive… I’ll take both!! that would be great.

By bfan54

August 31, 2008 7:51 PM | Link to this

My last post ‘got posted’ by an accidental keystroke - but my point is that the “callups” don’t warm our hearts. If there is a ‘phenom’ (ok, it’s a 50’s term!), we already know about him. But we also know about AAAA players, who bomb in the show, and we don’t get excited about weak hitting Richmond .222 hitters. (As a very occasional liberal, I am pleased that they get pay raises….but…I am always a Braves Fan and I haven’t seen anything from the farm to excite me for next year.)

Folks, I’ve had no response to my Odalis Perez post. Gimme’ hell, but don’t ignore me as you sulk in the stupor of a lost season. Wake up, wake up!

By kirknga

August 31, 2008 8:00 PM | Link to this

bfan54, what no God Bless Barr or McKinney? Georgia’s own, both of them? Just kidding!

I don’t see why we should lower our expectations. There is enough core talent on this team to contend if the Braves bring in some veterans who can carry the load. While adding a superstar to the rotation would be very encouraging, the Braves need some players who are steady and have some grit about them.

In other words, the expectation level needs to rise in the clubhouse. It needs to rise by example.

By Robbie T

August 31, 2008 8:06 PM | Link to this

The day that the Braves traded Tex was the day this team gave up.They traded a cleanup hitter with 19 homeruns that protected Chipper Jones in the lineup.The remaining players knew at that time that management was throwing the towel in on the season and they gave up also.This regime is not going to pay to obtain and keep winning caliber players for the team.Instead they want to sign washed up players with nothing left to plug holes with.The trades they make are pitiful.Bobby Cox has to pitch washed up Mexican Leaguers because of the tired armed relievers who can’t or won’t take the ball anymore.The team simply quit because upper managenent sent the message. And the message was,WE ARE NOT SPENDING MONEY ON PLAYERS LIKE MARK TEXIERA OR ANYONE ELSE OF THAT CALIBER.Lets face it Braves fans,this ride is over and we will never see another winner here as long as Liberty Media owns the team.

By SNIPER-69

August 31, 2008 8:10 PM | Link to this

There’s still time to finish in last. Only seven games in the loss column seperate the braves and the Nats.

By SNIPER-69

August 31, 2008 8:19 PM | Link to this

Finally some honesty from an AJC writer. Mark Bradley’s story was contrary to what so many brave fans go on and on about. (Especially LEW) That the braves have all this talent in their farm that will make them winners year after year. It’s nice to see some truth.

By McFann :Ô:

August 31, 2008 8:29 PM | Link to this

Bruce—

A spoon full of sugar would be nice…Good point, though: If this is rock-bottom, nowhere to go but up!

I loved Brian’s comment, too! I hope they cann finish on a high note…and I hope he ends the season at .300!

He’s got a real good shot at 40 doubles, too—just needs 6 more. And he only needs 7 more homers to get to 30!

But I’d settle for .299, 39, and 29 if the team cann end the season on a winning streak!

; )

By McFann :Ô:

August 31, 2008 8:39 PM | Link to this

Sniper Only seven games in the loss column seperate the braves and the Nats.

Yeah, well, you Mets fans better prepare to eat some crow! Your off-season predictions about the Braves look wrong from here!

Bwahahahaha!

By ColoradoBravesFan

August 31, 2008 8:44 PM | Link to this

Sniper… OK honesty/ I believe the Braves farm system is much better than the Mets. Do you?

You had better pray that Santana’s left arm doesn’t blow up. If it does the mets will sink fast. Wright, Reyes Beltran, Santana, and Pelfrey… I would agree is a solid core, and moving to new stadium will give lots of cash to fill holesnext year. But you guys have work to do at 1B, 2B, LF, RF and catcher. Not to mention the bullpen. Wish I could give you grief about your bullpen, but I believe ours is worse. Our bullpen is pitching us closer to a top 5 draft pick is the only good thing they are doing.

GO BRAVES

By wildbird

August 31, 2008 8:45 PM | Link to this

Why bring old dogs like miller what does tha do form us help us loose one more game When to develop the young hiiters in our minors Heyward Johnson the young firstbaseman that if I am not wrong has more hrs than anyone else in our system

By wildbird

August 31, 2008 8:45 PM | Link to this

Why bring old dogs like miller what does tha do form us help us loose one more game When to develop the young hiiters in our minors Heyward Johnson the young firstbaseman that if I am not wrong has more hrs than anyone else in our system

By Steve from OH

August 31, 2008 8:46 PM | Link to this

Sniper, Bradley’s piece has lots of flaws. Obviously, the outfield and pitching needs work, but alot of his points weren’t valid (case in point: Schafer, Dunn, Burrell). His argument about Francoeur might be ok, but he’s just as likely to revert to previous form as he is to remain at the same level as this year.

To me, this team has the resources to make the trades it needs to, the cash to sign what it wants, and the savvy general manager to keep things in perspective and not do anything crazy, like sell the franchise for guys like Edgar Renteria (seriously, how good was that trade?).

Apparently Mr. Bradley doesn’t follow our farm system very carefully. I really think that Tommy Hanson will make an impact next season (he’s absolutely dominating the Southern League right now), and it won’t take more than 1-2 (probably two, i.e. mid 2010 or early 2011)seasons for our impact prospects in the low minors to be ready (Heyward, Freeman, Rohrbough, etc.). Obviously, guys like Locke, Evarts, Cody Johnson, et al will take longer, but all in all, while I don’t think we’ll win 90 games next year, I think it’s entirely possible we will be competitive and honesty, I think we’ll be better than the Mets, if Frank Wren makes the right moves, and the right guys return to health (Moylan, Soriano). It seemed to me like Bradley was suggesting like it would take 5ish years to get back to being competitive, and I couldn’t disagree with this more. Unless Wren loses his mind and trades away the entire farm system.

By Random

August 31, 2008 8:49 PM | Link to this

bfan54: “doG Soup needs to be banned. Now!”

Ahhh, forget “Alphabet” Soup — just ignore ‘im. He’s prob’ly sleepin’ it off right now.

On to other matters:

“I want to suggest “a small affordable” piece - not a panacea. Don’t choke - but his name is Odalis Perez and his current salary in 850K (not 850m!).”

“Folks, I’ve had no response to my Odalis Perez post. Gimme’ hell, but don’t ignore me”

Well, for his career, his WHIP (walks + hits per inning pitched) is 1.35, which ain’t stellar. His WHIP for this season is slightly over 1.50, which is bad.

He pitched 222 innings six years ago — in the past three years, he’s pitched 108.2 (‘05), 126.1 (‘06) and 137.1 (‘07). He’s logged only 134.2 IP this year.

IP/start avgs for the last three years: 5.7 (‘05), 5.6 (‘06 for KC; he started 8 games for LAD and came out of the bullpen in 12 — couldn’t sort it out for them) and 5.3 (‘07). So far this year, he’s averaged less than 5.4 innings per start.

Seems to me like he’s on that same “slow, precipitous slope” as “Chip” (please — it’s Chipper Jones and Chip Caray), only a little earlier and probably a little faster. (Plus, he never was equivalently as good as Chipper.)

“We have little speed and no good bunters -why? I have to assume that BC has not valued these skills.”

And for good reason — bunts are usually not advisable. I could have screamed last night when Cox had Blanco sacrifice after Anderson’s lead-off walk. It made me sick — why give away one of your outs, for no good reason?

Oops, gotta go!

By Steve from OH

August 31, 2008 8:52 PM | Link to this

Colorado Braves Fan:

Wright is a great player….Reyes is averageish, but the stolen bases help him tremendously….Delgado is old….Beltran is pretty darn good. Who else do they have? Bullpen stinks, and they don’t have anyone coming back from injury like we do. Santana is a wonderful ace, but the rest of the rotation is suspect. I’m very, very surprised they’re where they’re at right now. I don’t expect them to win in 2009, unless they go out and buy everything they need. They’ve got no farm system to trade from (unless they really want to hose themselves over).

By Todd A

August 31, 2008 9:01 PM | Link to this

During the debacle of ‘06, I said it was time to bring in the wrecking ball and start over. This mess certainly wasn’t going to get fixed by putting a band aid on it. Now we may not contend for another decade thanks to Schuerholz’s insistence on trying to hang on to the 90’s. And can we please retire Bobby Cox now? Enough is enough.

By Metropolitan Man

August 31, 2008 9:12 PM | Link to this

Jonathon Niese, Tuesday’s likely starter, can help the Mets win a game and very well might have to — at least as long as John Maine remains disabled. Fellow starter Bobby Parnell can also help the Mets win a game, after striking out 22 batters in 19 1/3 innings during his own stint with Triple-A New Orleans. Relievers Ricardo Rincon and Al Reyes have the ability to help a taxed bullpen, and position players Argenis Reyes and Marlon Anderson can do the same for the bench.

Witht the exception of Anderson, I say the farm system isnt that bad. Besides, the guys who were called up this year for injury purposes have filled in adequately. We all know injuries can kill a season, but a farm system can keep a season going as the braves used to prove this. Now all your babies are on the same team at the same time trying to figure out how Chumper, Maddox, Smolzt, Glavine and Cox did it all those years.

By Random

August 31, 2008 9:17 PM | Link to this

Robbie T: “The day that the Braves traded Tex was the day this team gave up… . This regime is not going to pay to obtain and keep winning caliber players for the team… . upper managenent sent the message. And the message was,WE ARE NOT SPENDING MONEY ON PLAYERS LIKE MARK TEXIERA OR ANYONE ELSE OF THAT CALIBER.Lets face it Braves fans,this ride is over and we will never see another winner here as long as Liberty Media owns the team”

Beg to differ — the Braves may have decided not to spend the money on Tex that it would take to retain him, but imo you can draw no other conclusion from that decision other than that they thought Tex wasn’t worth it. (And btw, I agree — he did not make the difference we expected from him.)

I do not think their deciding not to spend the millions on Tex automatically means they won’t spend millions on someone else.

We’ll just have to wait and see.

By Steve from OH

August 31, 2008 9:26 PM | Link to this

Metro Man:

Argenis Reyes, of the .281 OBP and 51 OPS+ this season? Or the Argenis Reyes with a minor league career OBP of .329 and OPS of .674? Yeah, let’s sign him to a big contract right now. By golly, he’s better than Utley.

Jon Niese is a good prospect, but not on the level of guys like Tommy Hanson, Chris Tillman, Madsion Bumgarner, etc. Peripherals are kinda average.

Bobby Parnell is in the same boat, decent prospect, but average peripherals. Wouldn’t put him in Tommy Hanson’s class either.

I would take our young guys and farm system over yours any day and twice on Sunday.

By McFann :Ô:

August 31, 2008 9:39 PM | Link to this

Well, think I better be going…

Night, all! (And, Bruce, glad I could help make this series enjoyable! Hopefully the team get better results against the Marlins.)

By Random

August 31, 2008 9:44 PM | Link to this

wildbird: “Why bring old dogs like miller what does tha do form us help us loose one more game When to develop the young hiiters in our minors Heyward Johnson the young firstbaseman that if I am not wrong has more hrs than anyone else in our system”

Check out DOB’s take on that question here, and here.

There’s a lot of discussion on that one between DOB, TommyP, Shaun, Original Jon, Howie from Poughkeepsie and others about the issue of who to put on the 40-man roster and call up in Sep.

Cheers!

By Random

August 31, 2008 10:05 PM | Link to this

McFann ;Ô;: “The best movie ever made (IMHO) is on ABC Family right now!”

My favorite scene is the yodel song with the puppets.

By bravos2249

August 31, 2008 10:09 PM | Link to this

ABOUT DIAZ

I don’t know WHO said it but what part of: The Braves are putting Matt Diaz on the 60-Day DL do you not understand?

By Johntide

August 31, 2008 10:13 PM | Link to this

I picked the Braves to finish right where they are. Reason. Chippie will never play the entire year again. Age slows players down but to his credit he still hits like a mature kid. All the old pitchers, Smoltz is the only one I would have counted on. Glavin can’t win with strikes being called that. His ERA the past few years has shown that. Don’t re-sign him or Hampton again.

By BravesFanInRockies

August 31, 2008 10:57 PM | Link to this

BTW, folks, D. Lowe is absolutely dealing with the Dodgers. Gammons said he wants to return to the East Coast. If the Braves aren’t too tarnished to be a contender for him (say, by losing 94-95 games this year), he would be a killer pickup this offseason.

By Random

August 31, 2008 10:59 PM | Link to this

Goodoleboy58: “I’d much rather see the Braves win then worry about a draft pick that may never make it to the majors in 5 years.”

Hear, hear!!! Dam right.

That loser (BravesFan79) was spouting off about the same thing a few days ago here.

He doesn’t seem to get it that NO draft pick, no matter how high, will be able to immediately help the Braves “gear up for a true run next year”. I tried to explain it to him in simple terms here.

BravesFan79: “Hopefully with a manager that will play small ball.”

Well, fella, you probably won’t get this either, but I’ll try:

What “small ball” boils down to is trading an out for a base — most notably sacrificing a runner to second base or third.

There are very few situations where “small ball” is appropriate. You’re almost always better off with the out in your pocket rather than the base.

By Bobby Cox is an idiot

August 31, 2008 11:03 PM | Link to this

If they don’t give that old b******* a gold watch and send him to the puppy farm, we don’t have a chance to rehabilitate this team, I have never seen a manager make so many stupid decisions as he has this year. There is no way in hell he should be allowed to return in ‘09, whoever suggested the one-year extension should be shot

By bruce

August 31, 2008 11:06 PM | Link to this

McFann— But I’d settle for .299, 39, and 29 if the team cann end the season on a winning streak!

You are a very unselfish fann. It would be great for the team to have a nice finish as Brian hopes, but it would be awesome for him to hit those significant milestones .300 40 30 and 5 along the way. Only one more stolen base to go.

By Tomas

August 31, 2008 11:11 PM | Link to this

Just read Mark Bradley’s article, I think he is way to pessimistic. These were my comments to his blog.

Mark you make some good points, but I have to disagree in some of your opinions. Jordan Schafer did start slow, but he has gotten hot and after the allstar game he is hitting 302 with 6hr and 26RBI, 45hits, and 43SO. They also have top prospect Jayson Heyward, who is still on good pace, Julio Tejeran who has a lot of potential for a 17 yr old pitcher, might get to the big leagues by age 20 if he doesn’t suffer an injury, Thomas Hanson just had a great minor league season, and seems to have a bright future. Marek also could be a good fit in the bulpen as a setup guy some time in the next couple of years. Gorky’s Hernandez made the futures team. Kotchman has just played 20 games since comming from the angels, and has struggled, but that is not a reason to think he will still stink, don’t give up on him because he just had one bad month. Prado has played so well, Kelly can be traded, and I could leave with Lillibridge at short, he runs well but a low average, but his defense is outstanding, and if they can get a power bat to play the outfield like Aubrey Huff, Matt Holliday, or Carlos Lee. Remember all those division titles, their shorstops couldn’t hit a beach ball until Furcal appeared. Raphael Belliard, Ozzie Guillen, Walt Weiss. Lillibridge can play defense, and really that’s the most important thing for a shorstop. Franceour will bounce back, have some faith. But they can’t depend on Smoltz, Hudson, or Glavine next season, they need to sign Aj Burnett, or Ryan Dempster, and a reliever or two like Juan Cruz and Jeremy Affeldt. If they sign Derek Lowe, or Jon Garland, Wren would officialy be mongolic. I also hope they resign Hampton if he stays healthy for the rest of this season, and can accept a low payed contract. The Braves have a lot of young players in the majors, but they just suffered too much injuries. Mark this team really stinks right now, and as you I thought they would at least get to the playoff or finish in third plays behind the phillies and mets.

Aj Burnett or Ryan Dempster, Jair Jurrjens, Mike Hampton, Jorge Campillo, Charlie Morton, that’s a respectful pitching rotation. Peter Moylan, Mike Gonzalez, Rafael Soriano, Juan Cruz, Jeremy Affeldt, Manny Acosta, Will Ohman, Manny Acosta, and Blaine Boyer, that is a respectful bulpen if not a great bulpen. Anderson/Blanco, Prado, Chipper, Huff, McCann, Franceour, Kotchman, Lillibridge, this lineup could be great if Huff repeats the same season he is having now, and Franceour can bounce back, but even if he doesn’t I still think this lineup would be great. Campillo would be my biggest concern because of his reasons struggles, I hope it’s just because of pitching so many innings for the first time in the big leagues. So if they sign one starting pitcher it still might be a weak spot.

By David O'Brien

August 31, 2008 11:22 PM | Link to this

To lose a no-hitter on a ruling like CC did today … wow, that’s rough, man. Hey, at least it was a bad call on his own error … er, hit (yeah, right) rather than another fielder making the mistake. Not that it’s any easier for CC to take, but at least another dude doesn’t have to go sleepless thinking about the play he should have made that cost his pitcher a no-no….

McFann, just scanning over posts and saw your 6:50 p.m. Made me laugh my arse off. Didn’t know you had it in you. Hilarious….

Saw Patterson Hood do a solo show tonight to close the Decatur Book Festival. He played a lot of stuff off his upcoming solo album. It’s not gonna be out until after the new year, but it’ll be very good, trust me on that, after hearing the tunes he played tonight. Strong stuff…..

Oh, and I’m late getting to the series finale of Generation Kill, but I watched it tonight. Tremendous. That should get some Emmy nominations. Powerful, powerful hour of viewing. I loved the whole series, but the finale was by far the best episode. And I’d have said that even if they didn’t close it in sublime fashion with Johnny Cash’s “The Man Comes Around” used perfect with the video of mayhem and death.

By Robert (Chipper Is The Best)

August 31, 2008 11:23 PM | Link to this

Dear Jesus this season cannot end soon enough. This team has just totally given up. It is awful. God awful to watch and listen to!

I will say I disagree with Mark Bradley and his belief this team is far away from being contenders. The Braves will have a crap load of money from the departures of Hampton, Smoltz, Glavine, Kotsay, and Texieria. They will have enough money to sign a quality starter like Sabathia despite the Yankees bidding on him. Now, getting a quality outfielder will be harder since I don’t think Adam Dunn is the answer. I think Manny could be if he would be willing to take a two or three year deal and not expect to receive $22 mil a year or something.

The Braves do have some pieces to trade. I think Kelly Johnson will be (or should be on the block). I don’t think they necessarily have to get big names to fill some holes. Guys like Melkey Cabrerra, Xavier Nady, Juan Rivera, Rocco Baldelli (yes I said Rocco Baldelli) could be options. Matt Diaz will be back and healthy. Jordan Schaefer could very well be ready next spring as well as I think Gregor Blanco has played well overall. And, I still say Matt Holliday could be had for the right price. Question is will the Braves be willing to pay that price?

By N8

August 31, 2008 11:24 PM | Link to this

Carroll

“…Mississippi manager PHILLIP WELLMAN of fame for a certain tirade, as well as helping straighten Frenchy out, will be up with the big club from Sept. 16-28 after the Southern League playoffs.”

Uh…..

In 175 AB’s since being recalled from AA and being “straightened out” by Wellman, Franceour has proceeded to go 37 for 175 (.211) with 2 HR and 18 RBI in 40 games.

If THAT is what you consider straightened out…..

Just bustin your balz….er….on second thought…..never mind.

Having said that, there are plenty of people on this roster that I would LOVE to see Wellman throw and actual grenade at.

By Brian

August 31, 2008 11:24 PM | Link to this

Tomas- Good blog that makes alot of sense. If Escobar has to be packaged in a trade for an ace or a big bat, I would do it, more so for an ace. I like Lillibridge’s defense too. Maybe Braves front office gets a hold of Bradley’s article and gets even more determined to get things done this offseason. Doubtful that they read his crap, but it’s possible.

By Carroll Rogers

August 31, 2008 11:35 PM | Link to this

i have arrived in sunny florida, which is the good news….and i see some righteous anger on here, which is easy to believe after today’s game. watching elmer dessens come in in that situation was pretty baffling. that it’s come to that. …

i was less baffled after bobby spelled out what happened with acosta. and doing the math on all the other bullpen guys except maybe gonzalez, it was obvious he was in a total bind because of overuse. gonzalez has pitched more than one inning three times this year, once was because he started in the ninth on july 6 and the game went into extra innings, the other two he did not start the eighth inning…

i’m not convinced gonzalez is totally healthy tho. saw him with a big wrap on his leg a couple of weeks ago, DOB asked him about it, he was kind of coy (hey this is a guy who told the braves his arm didn’t hurt and had tommy john surgery a couple of weeks later). so that might have played a part today.

anyway. i’m sure jumping into the frey on this issue will only get me bombarded, which is fine. but let me just say the fire bobby stuff started coming this afternoon before all the facts about acosta were known. (ok, fire away).

By Miami Brave

August 31, 2008 11:50 PM | Link to this

A little rain in the Magic City early tommorow.Is Bobby going to limit JJ down the stretch?No need to run him down.

By N8

August 31, 2008 11:53 PM | Link to this

Today’s game was PRECISELY why Elmer Dessens was signed.

I suspect that this wont be the last time this year that he “takes one for the team”

You would never see Bobby hang somebody out to dry like that, if they were a future cog of the team.

What’s Mark Redman up to these days?

By Robert (Chipper Is The Best)

August 31, 2008 11:58 PM | Link to this

I would try to trade Kelly Johnson first but are likely to get more for Escobar so I would consider trading him. The Angels could be willing to give up Juan Rivera and another player for him.

Here is a quetion I have for everyone. If Manny would sign a deal for two years at $20 mil would he be worth it? It would still leave money to sign a quality starter. Maybe not Sabathia but a guy like Sheets would work. Basically, if Smoltz is for sure not going to be ready by the time the ‘09 season begins the Braves should have about $50 mil to spend. That is a lot of money.

By Tomas

August 31, 2008 11:59 PM | Link to this

Carroll, my first choice would have been to bring Acosta into the game because he is the only pitcher along with Mike Gonzalez who were fresh, but there is no way he should have used Dessens, Nuñez, or Buddy, and Bennet was also tired cause he threw 2 innings saturday, so that leaves Ohman as the most viable choice, which he eventually used after Dessens could only get one out after giving up 5. The truth is that Bobby has made so many debatible moves this season that have backfired, and I would like a change after 20 seasons with the Braves and one world series. I think it’s 20 (78-81), and (91-08). And if they do make a change I hope it’s someone who likes to play aggresive baseball especially using the running game.

By BravesFan79

August 31, 2008 11:59 PM | Link to this

Goodoleboy58 and Random:
Oyea lets go on a winning streak for no reason at all….GREAT IDEA! This isnt about just a better draft pick in the first round…but EVERY ROUND!

Why do you think we havent developed a dominate starting pitcher since 1991??

Theres usually some cant miss prospects (Prince Fielder is a good example) in the top 10 of he draft. But hey lets follow yalls lead …go on a winning streak…and settle for the 20th pick in the 1st round, 2nd round, 3rd, ect….therefore getting us NOWHERE except more mediocrity!

Besides..its just alot less stressfull these days to pull for the team to make it close… but loose. And here lately they havent let me down.
Good ol Bobby Cox….at least im cheering his terrible bullpen moves now instead of cringing. Scarry thing is… if hes SEIOUSLY trying to win with these moves….im worried about next season. But right now Cox is doing a FINE job of getting us towards that top 5 pick.

And im by far not the first fan to pull for their team to tank. Where would the Bulls of ever been without Jordan, or the Spurs without Duncan?

By Steve from OH

September 1, 2008 12:07 AM | Link to this

Robert (CITB):

I agreed with most of your post but I can’t say I like you OF picks (I personally like Adam Dunn on a shorter-term deal). While I agree that Schafer wil probably be with the team next year, I don’t see Diaz with the team (which is unfortunate; I like the guy), and I could see Blanco or Anderson traded this offseason. Melky Cabrera? No (career OBP: .328, EqA: .251)

Nady is under contract next season so we’d have to trade for him. Juan Rivera hasn’t OBP’ed over .300 in the last two years. This is bad. Baldelli has also never been a high OBP guy, but his injury history obviously worries me more than anything (normally I wouldn’t say that about a position player, but he’s a special case). Can’t fault you for thinking outside the box, though.

I liked your last two sentences. Summed up our offseason dilemma pretty darn concisely.

By Robert (Chipper Is The Best)

September 1, 2008 12:08 AM | Link to this

Well, I definitely believe Bobby Cox is part of the problem. The man is a legend. He is a Hall of Fame manager but I think it is becomming apparent his better days are behind him.

I realize this team has had a lot of injuries but I still don’t think it is anywhere as bad as it has looked. Not even close. The fact of the matter is Francouer should’ve been dealt with two years ago but instead he let it go and now I’m not sure Frenchy can be fixed. Yes, I realize he is only 24 but he has been lead to believe that his undisciplined ways are okay.

Cox’s use of the pitching staff makes Dusty Baker look like Mike Scioscia. He handles the bullpen horribly.

And, lets just be honest. This “ra-ra everything is going to be okay” mentality just isn’t working. This team needs a kick in the a** and Cox either can’t or won’t give it to them. I don’t care what anybody says mediocrity has been accpeted with this team. I don’t believe it is intentional but Cox’s “polyanna” approach leads to a lackadaisical (sp?) mentality.

I mean how many times can one hear Cox cheering Frenchy on when he was walked up to the plate and struck out on three pitches that were no closer than 50 feet from the plate or with runners in scoring position he takes a swing at the first damn pitch he sees whether it is good to hit or not.

Sometimes a different voice needs to be heard and I think that time has come in Atlanta. The problem is that nobody in the front office has the guts to say it!

By richbrave

September 1, 2008 12:11 AM | Link to this

CARROLL ROGERS:

It’s my e-mail that’s down. Thanks though. As a cyber unsophisticate do I just google FURMAN BISHER and get his e-mail.?

Didn’t make today’s game because of the heat and humidity. Tried three weeks ago and only lasted three innings. Kind of like our SP except for JUIRJENS and CAMPILLO on occasion. In regard to our initial Mexican experiment, very accurate statement about “the book”. It’s out on him and the jig is up. Doesn’t look as though our latest trip south of the border is going to be as fruitful.

By Steve from OH

September 1, 2008 12:13 AM | Link to this

Intentionally losing for better draft position is extremely unethical and violates the spirit of the game. Bobby Cox and the Braves organization are far too classy for this and I doubt the thought has even crossed their minds.

Robert, RE: Manny: Yes. Absolutely. I would trade Kelly before Escobar, btw. Just my humble opinion, though. Please no Juan Rivera. Please

By BravesFan79

September 1, 2008 12:27 AM | Link to this

This was taken from Bradleys blog: *By Built to last (oops): The Rays are finally succeeding because they have had a top five draft position in 8 of the last 10 years.

In two of the last 10 drafts, the Braves didn’t have a first round pick. We had a pick below 20, 1 out of the 10 drafts*

My point EXACTLY!!

By Robert (Chipper Is The Best)

September 1, 2008 12:33 AM | Link to this

It would be interesting to see if Kelly Johnson would interest the Pirates for one of their young pitchers. The Dodgers would be a nice target if they would be willing to give up somebody like Matt Kemp. The Braves could get Kemp and then sign Furcal?

This offseason will be very interesting. I honestly think it is better than 50/50 that Kelly Johnson and/or Jeff Francouer is not with this team next year.

Frenchy sure could blossom under a Joe Maddon or a Ozzie Guillen or a Lou Pinella if you know what I mean.

By Canuckbravesfan

September 1, 2008 12:46 AM | Link to this

Carroll—let’s be honest here about Dessens. Wren blew it with this signing. We have Jorge Julio pitching extremely well at Richmond (check his numbers !) They could just as easily made room on the 40 man roster for him as Dessens and Julio has been pitching for us at Richmond since May. The Dessens signing was flat out stupid. Besides, they could have signed him and sent him to AAA. I think both Cox and Wren have totally disrespected Braves fans and players by not trying to win as many games as they can.

A real major league manager would have had Ohman start the 8th inning today and if got into trouble, Gonzalez could have finished the inning and pitched the 9th. It’s done quite often these days. Cox has gone brain dead not to consider this option. Dessens got lit up on Friday night and they should have known he would have done a lousy job today facing the same team.

By uga-brave

September 1, 2008 1:29 AM | Link to this

the sooner that frank wren realizes that the braves are a long way from being competitive, the better.

this entire organization has overated their talent.

the fact that dessens, nunez, buddy carlyle, campillo, tavarez, and jeff bennett are even on a major league roster speaks volumes about your player development.

someone in their scouting and player development staff needs to be held accountable.

oh wait, that is frank wren. he has been js’s sidekick for a while.

pretty sad state of affairs to put it mildly.

By uga-brave

September 1, 2008 1:43 AM | Link to this

why draft josh fields in the second round when you know his agent is scott boras and he is gonna want first round money?

i am sick and tired of the braves crying poor.

if the braves dont come out this offeason and do something radical it is going to be a couple of lonely years down at the ted.

By Gil In Mechanicsville

September 1, 2008 1:50 AM | Link to this

Yo Carrol, I am pretty sure Doug Wilder won’t be making an appearance at the Diamond for Richmond’s final game either…

Been nice knowing you guys, seems that now is as good a time as any to move on as a baseball fan. Appears to me that the Nationals are closer to being a contender next year than the Braves. They only need a couple of pieces too…

By Brian

September 1, 2008 2:03 AM | Link to this

uga-brave- How do you blame FW for any of this? That’s ignorant dude. We,the fans, and the players should really feel betrayed by JS. He ran when he knew damn well he got this team in trouble trying to “win now”. Bobby is to blame on alot this year but JS screwed up and didn’t have the passion or patience to fix it. Think about this- who really thought we’d be where we are right now 5 months ago? Not many, I’m sure. Wren stole JJ,Infante,Hernandez and Ohman. Pretty damn swift. He signed Glavine- so what! Even if we’d gotten Haren or whoever, it wouldn’t have made a damn cause of the injuries. No Way. Carlyle, Bennett and Campillo have done fine. After you wrote that about them, I think you’re just trying to be stupid. No way you beleive that. Do you?

By uga-brave

September 1, 2008 2:11 AM | Link to this

smooth sailing gil always liked your posts.

the braves kind of left richmond out to dry. cant say i blame you.

being pretty much an atlanta native i am a doomed hawks, thrashers, falcons, and now the newest member of the we suck club the braves fan.

By uga-brave

September 1, 2008 2:32 AM | Link to this

brian,

the braves have missed an entire talent cycle.

under aol, they cut their scouting and player development budget in 2001.

those cost cutting moves are now fairly obvious.

if you had actually read any of my posts in the off season i lamented about the LACK OF OUTFIEILD power and the the fact that we made no real moves to improve the bullpen.

frank wren should of never committed that money to sorriano.

take the time to look at our everyday lineup and tell me who in our curr ent lineup besides macc, escobar, and chipper are at least adequate.

terrible collection of players. gotta to admitt that i am not a blaine boyer fan.

the guy for some reason strikes me as a cocky arrogant type.

By ObiWanKobe

September 1, 2008 2:32 AM | Link to this

I’m sure Bobby manages according to this blog. If you’ve got nothing in the “Bull-Pen”; ain’t a lot you can do… From reading this blog since day one; I have problem declaring ATL has a goo-pen. An aside; good-luck to all that have family & friends in the path of Gustav. At least you know it’s coming; earthquakes, not so much.

By Robert (Chipper Is The Best)

September 1, 2008 2:33 AM | Link to this

Blaming Frank Wren for this season is a bit unfair. However, he does share some blame. I warned back in January how silly it was to rely upon old guys like Smoltz and Glavine and “Mr. Injury” Mike Hampton to fill the rotation. That was a recipe for disaster from the beginning. I said then the Braves should’ve either made a trade for another starter or acquired one through free agency. But, I was blasted by many people for saying that. I was told that going after a Carlos Silva or somebody of his ilk was silly. Well, maybe Silva was but there were guys out there the Braves could’ve and should’ve given a look. And, I also said a power hitting left fielder should’ve been acquired.

By the way how did that decision to not go after Josh Hamilton work. I’ll bet you the Reds would’ve taken Jo Jo Reyes and Brent Lillibridge for him. Yeah, that would’ve been a HORRIBLE trade. So bad that right now the Braves would likely be in the thick of the NL East race instead of hoping they don’t finish dead last.

The reality of the situation this year is that the Braves relied upon the AARP to fill the rotation out despite it being an obviously risky proposition. As I and anyone with good sense feared the senior citzens got hurt and the very solid bullpen lost a couple of arms who had to fill the rotation and guys who had no business being out of AAA were brought up to pitch.

Now, I realize that losing Hudson was a big deal too. I even dare say that if Hudson was in the rotation the Braves would at least be in earshot of the NL East race. And, not having Soriano and Moylan was big.

That is, of course, why I’m not quite as doom and gloom as Mark Bradley is. The Braves will have Moylan, Gonzalez, and Soriano all back in their pen next spring. They will have more than enough money to go after a big name starter (ie: Sheets and Sabathia) and another solid #2 if they want. They will also have the money to fill the gaping hole in LF or have the pieces to make a trade for a solid outfielder (ie: Alex Rios, Raul Ibanez).

I think Casey Kotchman will be good at 1B. It is obvious he had some family issues along with the fact he was traded from a team with the best record in baseball to one that really had no chance to make the playoffs and that affected his play upon his arrival.

I also think Jeff Francoeur will be quite a trade piece. Believe me there will be a GM or several who believe they can turn Frenchy around and will be willing to give up an important piece (ie: Rays, Yankees, Orioles, Jays, Giants, Cardinals, and Astros). Package Frency, Lillibridge and maybe Reyes or one of the young pitchers down in the lower minors and I’m willing to bet it would net a solid return.

By Robert (Chipper Is The Best)

September 1, 2008 2:44 AM | Link to this

If the Braves could sign Manny and Ben Sheets it would solve so many issues. The rotation wouldn’t be great but good enough likely with Sheets, Jurrjens, Morton, Campillo, and who knows maybe Smoltz.

The lineup could be: 1. Anderson, Blanco or Schaefer 2.Escobar 3. Chipper 4. Manny 5. McCann 6. Kotchman 7. Francoeur 8. Kelly Johnson or Prado.

Well, one can dream. I know there is no way hell Manny will come here because the Braves won’t make a serious run at him. I think Manny would come. He won’t stay in LA. His probable destinations are: Angels, Mets, Yankees, Tigers or my dark horse the White Sox.

The reason I say Manny won’t stay in LA is because they can’t afford him. They are going to have to get rid of either Pierre or Andruw and that is going to be awfully hard to do. Andruw would be easier because he would only have one year left on his contract but they would have to eat quite a bit of that salary which would defeat the purpose.

I know I will get hammered for this but I will say this. If I were Wren I would look at Andruw if the Dodgers were willing to eat about 60% of the contract. I have this feeling Andruw would perform if he were back in Atlanta. Think about this. Andruw hasn’t been the same since he found out he was put on waivers and was potentially traded to the Red Sox in ‘06. It is possible he didn’t perform in ‘07 becaue he knew the Braves weren’t going to make a real effort to sign him.

Its just a thought.

By uga-brave

September 1, 2008 2:54 AM | Link to this

citb,

agree with a lot of what you said. however frank wren at the end of the day is the one where the blame lies.

heavy is the crown. he makes the player personel decisions. prado, infante in the 3,4 hole. that is no knock against either of them but they aint 3 or 4 hole kinda guys.

dont blame bobby, he is saddled with this group of underachievers and j*******.

sorry robert, jeff francoeur has little trade value.

By uga-brave

September 1, 2008 3:27 AM | Link to this

citb,

i dont think it is foolish at all. i would definetly give andruw another shot. blast me as well braves fans. i would take another shot especially considering the dodgers would be willing to eat most of the contract.

By Random

September 1, 2008 8:05 AM | Link to this

Steve from OH: “Intentionally losing for better draft position is extremely unethical and violates the spirit of the game. Bobby Cox and the Braves organization are far too classy for this and I doubt the thought has even crossed their minds.”

Thank you.

Also, losing begets losing, even more surely than winning begets winning.

What goes around, comes around. If you sow the wind, you will reap the whirlwind.

By Random

September 1, 2008 8:26 AM | Link to this

Canuckbravesfan: “Carroll—let’s be honest here about Dessens. Wren blew it with this signing. We have Jorge Julio pitching extremely well at Richmond (check his numbers !) They could just as easily made room on the 40 man roster for him as Dessens and Julio has been pitching for us at Richmond since May. The Dessens signing was flat out stupid. Besides, they could have signed him and sent him to AAA. I think both Cox and Wren have totally disrespected Braves fans and players by not trying to win as many games as they can.”

It’s all about roster management.

See this by DOB and this by MGL.

This season is lost for us, as far as the play-offs go. Why throw our future down the same drain as this season?

By semiballcoach

September 1, 2008 8:46 AM | Link to this

forget manny or any other boras clients

By Random

September 1, 2008 9:16 AM | Link to this

Brave should trade for A-Rod and get the Yankers to foot some of his salary. Who do you think the Bumbers would want for him?

Escobar, Soriano and some surplus A/AA prospect?

By brent a.

September 1, 2008 9:20 AM | Link to this

Possible Cox-Wren relationship deterioration mentioned in this article.

Wren “too inolved” in clubhouse matters?

By McFann :Ô:

September 1, 2008 9:22 AM | Link to this

DOB—

Thanks! Glad you liked it! Guess I do have it in me…just that I don’t always let it out.

Random—

I love that scene with the puppets, too! They do that so well. I can’t decide on a favorite seen, though.

Bruce You are a very unselfish fann.

Thank you! It would be so great for them to end the season as good as they cann…Maybe a 4 or 5 game winning streak…But I’d settle for 3, I guess.

Man! I can’t believe I left off stolen base #5, though! Thanks for pointing that out! I really hope Brian cann hit those milestones…Perhaps the one I want him to get the most is 40 doubles…I don’t know what it is about doubles, but they’re prob’ly my favorite kind of hit.

Hey! He has hit one milestone already this year: He hit that triple!

By TommyP

September 1, 2008 9:26 AM | Link to this

Robert: Sorry, man. Gotta disagree with you in a huge way.

I wouldn’t take Andruw for the major league minimum.

Regarding the “40-man roster” argument: Everyone go to atlantabraves.com and click on the 40 man roster.

Are there not at least 5 names that could be dropped from this thing and we’d never bat an eye?

I mean there’s arguing the company line but then there’s, well, this.

By MGL

September 1, 2008 10:01 AM | Link to this

TommyP - “Are there not at least 5 names that could be dropped from this thing and we’d never bat an eye?”

I guess you cannot let this thing go can you? I’m sure glad that you are not responsible for roster management. Do you think about:

1) There are guys on the 60 day DL that will need a roster spot after the season.

2) Every Free Agent that is hired will need a roster spot.

3) Every player that is MLB ready acquired via trade for non-roster prospects will require a net additional roster spot.

4) The 40 man limitation is in place through the start of spring training (no DL freebies)

5) If you put a prospect on the 40 man, you loae a full year of the option clock. For what? - A few minuts of playing time in a lost season.

6) having only 5 names that can be dropped is not many.

Wake-up guy, your argument is getting dull.

By Lew

September 1, 2008 10:14 AM | Link to this

TommyP-Dude, it isn’t just a matter of dropping players from the 40 Man Roster just to add others. If players like Hansen, Schafer, or others are added to the 40 Man, their Options Clock also begins. In essence, you’ve knocked off an entire season of eligibility by bringing them up for a month. You have to ask yourself if it is worth losing a future roster move you might really need, just for a limited stint in the Bigs-especially during a month where zero is at stake, as it MAY be some time in the next couple of years..

For example-If Francoeur had been sent up and down the first three years he was in the league, they couldn’t have sent him down to AA this season-OR NEXT!!!! It might not have been an effective move, perhaps, but they DID have that option available.

By Steve from OH

September 1, 2008 10:14 AM | Link to this

In two of the last 10 drafts, the Braves didn’t have a first round pick. We had a pick below 20, 1 out of the 10 drafts

Hmmm…let’s see here:

Tommy Hanson: 22nd round

Kris Medlen: 10th round

Cole Rohrbough: 22nd round

Freddie Freeman: 2nd round

Yunel Escobar: 2nd round

Jordan Schafer: 3rd round

Tyler Flowers: 27th round

James Parr: 4th round

The list goes on. Some of our mid-late rounders like Richard Sullivan, David Francis, Paul Clemens, Craig Kimbrel and Casey Hodges are performing well at Danville and Rome, higher levels than DeVall, Spruill and Stovall are playing at. Obviously, Heyward was a first rounder, but who were our other first-round picks in the last few years? Beau Jones, Cody Johnson (still like him), Steve Evarts (injured, but I like him), Cory Rasmus, Luis Atilano, Dan Meyer, Jeff Francoeur, Macay McBride….Or better yet, go to baseball america and look at our first-round picks going back to Chipper. You’ll find that he was the only worthwhile one in there. Are you seeing my point?

Also, why spend 5,7,8 Million on a first-rounder when we can spend 800K on Julio Teheran or 190K on Jacob Thompson? Seems foolish to me.

Your point was?

By NCBravesFan

September 1, 2008 10:15 AM | Link to this

I don’t get the Andruw stuff - the Braves are in rebuilding mode, and he may actually be done. You have to wonder, since he’s been so bad for so long.

By jj

September 1, 2008 10:18 AM | Link to this

Bobby didn’t like it when Wren ordered Frenchy to AA— Wellman. So they return Frenchy in 3 days and he’s still a 228 hitter. Since Bobby don’t want his golden boy to go down they’re bring Wellman up. Bobby better watch it , Wellman may be after his job…

Its time Wren are somebody gets involved in clubhouse. Time for Cox to exit.

By TommyP

September 1, 2008 10:22 AM | Link to this

MGL: Sorry, guy. Just tired of seeing horrific baseball with retreads.

You look at what the Giants are doing with their lost season and they’re making use of it. They’ve found a few regulars for next year by auditioning the past month or two and it would be great to see us do it as well.

Alas, your list is the best written I’ve seen of the whole situation so far.

I guess the difference between what the Giants are doing is that they were ready to rebuild at the beginning of the season and were prepared with their 40-man roster to make moves.

Ours is a bit retro in how we have to deal with all of these major injuries.

I do feel Wren is up against it. Year 1 has been a disaster and the future looks tough.

Have a great Labor Day.

By Steve from OH

September 1, 2008 10:22 AM | Link to this

Tommy P:

Don’t forget that we’ll need to protect some guys this offseason from the Rule V draft: some that come to mind are Stephen Marek, Eric Campbell, Kala Kaaihue, Todd Redmond, and Diory Hernandez, for all of you Hernandez fans out there. James Parr is also Rule V eligilbe but now is on the 40-man. Schafer, Hanson, Medlen are not.

Maybe it is Todd Redmond coming up after the Southern League Playoffs?

By Random

September 1, 2008 10:33 AM | Link to this

Rogers: “The Braves have 13 homers now heading into today’s season-finale in DC. This is after hitting 27 in April, 22 in May, 28 in June and 22 in July. Of course, those were the day when Mark Teiexeira was around.”

Oh, yeah — totally Tex.

Good ole wonderful Tex — who went yard all of 4 times in April, 3 times in May and 4 times in July. (9 times in June.)

TOTALLY Tex — you sure nailed that one, dintcha?

(Hear that Robbie T?)

By David O'Brien

September 1, 2008 10:44 AM | Link to this

If I were Wren I would look at Andruw if the Dodgers were willing to eat about 60% of the contract. I have this feeling Andruw would perform if he were back in Atlanta. Think about this. Andruw hasn�t been the same since he found out he was put on waivers and was potentially traded to the Red Sox in �06. It is possible he didn�t perform in �07 becaue he knew the Braves weren�t going to make a real effort to sign him.Robert (CITB)

You canNOT be serious.

By the way, if the Dodgers paid 60 percent of his salary next year, whatever team gets him would still owe him about $7.25 mill. So you’re suggesting that you think that’d be a wise investment? A team beset by injuries should pay Andruw Jones over $7 mill and pencil him in for CF, after the last two seasons he’s produced? What they should do this based on a simple “feeling” you have, rather than actual results and all evidence that points to him alreday being in post-30 decline?

By Carroll Rogers

September 1, 2008 10:47 AM | Link to this

good morning…..Casey Kotchman is back….Braves are awaiting approval from commissioner’s office to get him active again. shouldn’t be a problem. i haven’t spoken to him yet to find out how his family situation is but hopefully it’s not bad.

Gotay is active today. And after what transpired yesterday, the Braves are calling on Jorge Julio. He’ll be brought up with the other call-ups and activated tomorrow. Julio is 1-2, with a 2.04 ERA in 38 games for richmond with 13 saves. 23 walks and 45 K in 39 2/3 innings….there were a couple cackles from the florida press which saw his attempt to close here last year fall well flat.

Chip Caray is the man. he just read me the lineup. Anderson CF, Prado 1B, C Jones 3B, McCann C, Escobar SS, Johnson 2B, Frenchy RF, B Jones LF, Hampton P.

By Lew

September 1, 2008 11:04 AM | Link to this

I’d like to wish all the Denizens, Carroll and DOB a great Labor Day, today.

Too bad y’all can’t be enjoying the beautiful weather we have up here in Vermont. 48 last night and today is 70, sunny, with a 5 MPH breeze blowing through the leaves which started changing colors about three weeks ago. Doesn’t get much better than late summer/early fall in the Green Mountains.

Now if I could only find some BBQ, it would be perfect.

By Greg in TN

September 1, 2008 11:09 AM | Link to this

Morning denizens and Happy Labor Day.

End of an era today in the River City as the Richmond Braves take their final bow. I tip my cap to Rich and Gil, the Richmond contingent for the blog. Gil, hate to see you go, but I understand. You will be missed.

The combination of Mark Bradley’s column along with the weekend sweep in DC has the masses looking at the reasons for mediocre results in the last several years.

Personally, I think Time Warner is on the hook for everything that we’ve seen until this off-season. Certainly there are some other issues at play here. I think injuries can be blamed for some of the issues, I also think there were some rather poor years from key players (AJ and Francoeur and to a lesser degree KJ this year).

Obviously hitching the wagon to having Smoltz and Glavine anchor the pitching staff didn’t work, however going into the season, there were not a lot of other options out there, certainly few on the free agent market.

Cox, Schuerholz and Wren have been taking a beating (with Cox and Schuerholz taking lumps from some for some time) from the fan base, and certainly each has their own responsibility for the shortcomings. BC has made some questionable decisions, Schuerholz I am sure would like to have a trade or two back and I know Wren would like to have Soriano’s signing back also (however the argument can be made of every GM in baseball folks, there are moves that work and make a GM look smart, and there are moves that don’t work that make a GM look not-so-smart).

The window where Time Warner holds the burden for much of this mess closes this fall when several contracts come off the books. Some of the payroll shackles have already come off since Liberty has taken control, but let’s not kid ourselves. Even in the Ted Turner days of the 90s, this franchise never spent higher than third in MLB in team payroll. And that was when the economics of the period and in baseball made it easier to be competitive with player contract dollars.

The money coming off the books in addition to a little extra money from Liberty would give Frank Wren a nice war chest to pursue help in the FA market. The team will also need to fill needs by some trades as well. At the moment, I don’t see the situation as dire as Mark Bradley sees it, however I also don’t think a couple pitchers and a LF’er alone will fix things either.

By flange1

September 1, 2008 11:39 AM | Link to this

Morning all,

Gloom and despair for the Atlanta faithful. Got to find someone to blame!!!!

I guess I just look at things a bit different. To me what has happened is in the past, the more important thing is what will happen between now and the beginnings of next season.

WHile I don’t agree with Mark Bradley’s assertion that the Braves have little hope of fielding a decent team in 2009, I DO think that FW will have to be very astute, quick and aggressive this off season.

He might have to trade guys when they are not at their peak in value and he might have to overpay in players and in money to get players the BRaves need.

Folks here will be angry and revolting that their favorites are being traded for “a dozen balls and a case of beer,” but in this case you have to break some eggs to make the omelet. In this case lots of eggs.

Let’s just hope that the September call ups can get some playing time and show off their skills.

FW needs all the ammo he can get for the most active off season in Braves history.

By Random

September 1, 2008 11:43 AM | Link to this

brent a.—

Thanks for that link to the CBSSports.com article mentioning Bobby Cox & Frank Wren!

For the more internet-challenged, here’s the pertinent excerpt:

“Or maybe Bobby Cox gets tired of managing in Atlanta, after what has been an incredibly tired year.”

“Several baseball officials said Sunday they wouldn’t be shocked to see Cox leave, even though he signed a contract extension through 2009 this past May. One official said that the relationship between Cox and GM Frank Wren has deteriorated, in part because Wren involves himself more in clubhouse matters than ex-GM John Schuerholz did.”

“But two baseball men who know the Braves well said that the troubles between Cox and Wren have been greatly exaggerated, and both predicted that Cox will stay.”

Thanks again, brent a.!

By Steve from OH

September 1, 2008 11:45 AM | Link to this

Greg in TN:

Very nice post at 11:09. Well put. I also can’t understand the Frank Wren bashing going on around here. I dunno, I guess it’s just fashionable to bash the management.

I dunno if FW would like the Soriano signing back just yet, but it could very easily wind up being a bust. However, a 9MM bust over two years sure as heck beats a 36MM bust over two years (Andruw).

By Lew

September 1, 2008 11:50 AM | Link to this

Denizens-Let us not forget that Balloting for the HOF’s Ford Frick Award (Broadcasters), begins today on the HOF website.

You can vote for your top three choices (Pete and Ernie are also on the ballot) once a day. Let’s all do our parts to get Skip elected to the HOF-where he should have been for quite a few years. There was never a more deserving announcer.

By Greg in TN

September 1, 2008 11:58 AM | Link to this

Steve,

Certainly true. If Soriano is able to rally and pitch effectively in ‘09 that could change. Not sure how many pages of slick charts and graphs Bora$ would have to come up with to explain Andruw’s slide now.

By Greg in TN

September 1, 2008 12:04 PM | Link to this

Hear, hear Lew.

Folks, follow this link to go vote.

By McFann :Ô:

September 1, 2008 12:04 PM | Link to this

Thanks for the lineup, Chief! Hope everything is OK with Kotchman.

Ugh…Why is Escobar batting fifth again?

By bobby

September 1, 2008 12:06 PM | Link to this

There is more than enough blame to go around this. With a bunch of players that are worse than the cast of any old movie TBS ever shows all the way to the top in management. I have been watching baseball for 60 years or so and have never seen such bad managing as BC does. Particularly with the pitching. Although I have never been a manager (Not even little league), it doesn’t take an Einstein to be able to make the right moves sometime.

By Carroll Rogers

September 1, 2008 12:07 PM | Link to this

bobby is going to give Kotchman a couple of days to get re-acclimated. he’s done nothing for two weeks and it would be hard to jump right back in. some of these guys don’t go two weeks without picking up a bat in their lives!

sounds like CBSsportsline is covering all the bases there….personally, i don’t see bobby backing out after saying he’d be here next year.

By Random

September 1, 2008 12:09 PM | Link to this

Please pardon my earlier sarcasm — sorry.

Here goes a kinder, gentler attempt to make the same point.

Rogers: “The Braves have 13 homers now heading into today’s season-finale in DC. This is after hitting 27 in April [23 less Tex’s], 22 in May [19 less Tex’s], 28 in June [19 less Tex’s] and 22 in July [18 less Tex’s]. Of course, those were the day when Mark Teiexeira was around.”

Braves’ Tex-less HR totals for Apr — Aug:

A 23 — M 19 — J 19 — J 18 — A 13 so far. I don’t think Tex’s absence provides any insight into or reason for the season-long decline in the Braves’ monthly homer totals.

(Whew — that was hard. I don’t see how Shaun and Greg in TN et al do it!)

Better?

By Falcom1

September 1, 2008 12:39 PM | Link to this

We’re gonna be in for some 80’s style sucking next year, and for many years to come. JS turned it over to Wren when he realized his ship had developed catastrophic flaws. Gonna take years to rebuild this rubble pile of a once proud franchise.

By Robert (Chipper Is The Best)

September 1, 2008 12:44 PM | Link to this

Okay, first DOB it was just a thought. Guess I should quit thinking.

Secondly, I am sure that the relationship between Wren and Cox isn’t as good as it was with JS. The main reason could be that JS let Cox do whatever the hell he wanted where maybe Wren calls Cox out on some of his non-sense (ie: Francoeur). Lets be honest here shall we. A lot of Francouer’s issues can be traced directly back to Cox and his coddling of him. Instead of Cox getting in his butt about his undisciplined approach Cox just tells him to keep doing it because they don’t want him to lose his “aggressiveness”.

Wren did what he thought he had to do. He knew Wellman would not coddle Francouer’s behind and would tell Frenchy what he NEEDED to hear and not what he WANTED to hear. Seems awfully stange to me that in Frenchy’s short stay in AA he became a smarter hitter who was more patient and the second he got back to Atlanta it was back to the same ‘ol Frenchy. Coincidence I guess, huh?

Cox is a legend but his ways of managing just aren’t working. And, I venture to guess that Wren isn’t the only one dissastisfied with Cox’s approach. I still wonder just how badly TP’s hands are tied when it comes to his hitting coach duties. TP gets a lot of crap on here but is it really his fault or is he simply doing what he is told to do?

By Oz

September 1, 2008 12:44 PM | Link to this

bravos are unwatchable…i can fall asleep listening on radio, as long as chippy’s not there…but i’ve put the nostalgia away and regardless of past sentimentalities have moved on the way a lot of guys on this sad collection of wannabes need to…down in CW(Clearwater) for the weekend and it’s the spirit of ‘91 with the RAYS, baby! ROCCO’S rockin’ again!

By McFann :Ô:

September 1, 2008 12:53 PM | Link to this

I get a load outta people who quit watching. For some odd reason, I can’t stay away from the Braves!

I can’t believe there’s only 25 games left! AAAA!!

Wellman…Wellman…Is he the guy who climbed up a foul-poll or something?

By THB

September 1, 2008 12:55 PM | Link to this

Instead of Cox getting in his butt Robert CITB

If that’s the case, Cox should definetely be fired!

By Brian

September 1, 2008 1:02 PM | Link to this

Josh Johnson pitching so if Bobby wants to have a chance, what about taking some chances. Bunt, steal a base or two. Doesn’t look good with Bobbys style. What else is new?

By cabravesfan

September 1, 2008 1:04 PM | Link to this

McFann

Wellman is the guy who army crawled across the infield and launched a rasin bag granade at an umpire (amoung other things)- you can probably find it on You Tube..pretty funny actually

By cabravesfan

September 1, 2008 1:05 PM | Link to this

Obviously I meant ROSIN bag…

By McFann :Ô:

September 1, 2008 1:13 PM | Link to this

Thanks, cabravesfan. I remember that now—that was pretty funny!

I thought there was somebody who climbed a foul-poll.

By keylargo

September 1, 2008 1:20 PM | Link to this

I hate to see a professional baseball player dog it to first base, especially Chipper Jones, who does it regularly. That (first inning ball to Uggla) was a hit for KJ, Prado, Josh Anderson.

By Robert (Chipper Is The Best)

September 1, 2008 1:20 PM | Link to this

And, as borderline psychotic as that behavior of Wellman’s was it was sort of refreshing. Its nice to have a manager with that kind of fire and passion.

I’ve always wondered what is it that Bobby does to get thrown out of so many games. He must use some pretty colorful language about the umps mothers and wives. He sure isn’t what you would call fiery!

By Carroll Rogers

September 1, 2008 1:23 PM | Link to this

well even by florida standards this “crowd” is ridiculous…..guys here are tossing around numbers and the numbers floating are 1,000. .1,500. i’m thinking somebody could count it if they really wanted to

By jerry

September 1, 2008 1:23 PM | Link to this

For rebuilding the Braves…If Hampton completes the season without injury, and remains as steady as he has thus far, he’ll be in the Braves rotation next year.

Hampton, JJ, Morton?, and two new guys.

By Brian

September 1, 2008 1:28 PM | Link to this

For all the morons predicting the Braves future,Bradley,etc., wonder if any of these “experts” predicted one of the last pitchers standing would be Hampton?

By JEB

September 1, 2008 1:30 PM | Link to this

Good to see Kotchman is back - hope everything is working out well with his mom.

I do believe Kotchman will be VERY good! Mentally I think it is tough on an athlete to come from a team that looks very much like they are going to the World Series (a very rare opportunity for most ball players) then go to a team that is struggling and not even going to the post season. As a young guy, it takes away your gas and goals for the year.

Next year will be a different year for Kotchman, he will really be judged as a good trade by Wren, watch and see…

By mr baseball

September 1, 2008 1:35 PM | Link to this

For those wondering how the Braves arrived at their currently sorry destination, look first at the Homeboy Upstairs.

Braves during the Schuerholz regime currently employed elsewhere in the major leagues:

Infield — Teixeira, LaRoche, Derosa, Betemit, Helms, Aybar, Marte, Furcal, Renteria, T. Pena, Ward.

Outfield — Dye, Drew, Harris, Matthews (Spring Training cut), A. Jones (good riddance), Sheffield (ditto).

Catcher — Saltalamacchia, Blanco, Bako.

Starting pitcher: Millwood, Byrd, Maddux, Odalis Perez, Marquis, Wainwright, Davies, Miner.

Relief pitcher: Mahay, Farnsworth, Dotel, Embree, Juan Cruz, Seanez, Springer, Devine, Yates, others not worth mentioning.

Current Braves of consequence acquired during the genius ex-GMs tenure here:

Hudson, Gonzalez, Soriano, Diaz. Do the letters DL have any meaning?

Wren’s additions: Jurrjens, Campillo, Ohman, Infante, Kotchman.

The team of ex-Braves would be a whole lot better than what is currently on the field, with an obvious exception or 2.

While Schuerholz managed some shrews deals here and there (Hudson & Renteria), his last decade here mostly consisted of trades that were detrimental to the team long term. The ones that worked out (Ortiz & Estrada) were strictly short term successed and did not offset his major (and I do mean major) blunders: Grissom/Justice/Dye, Boone/Klesko.

Despite Wren’s efforts (Jurrjens, Ohman/Infante), the slide that began in early ‘97 and got steeper and sharper the past few years, was irreversible. Whether he can repair the damage his predecessor caused is a big time task, especially with so few MLB-ready prospects in the minors.

Schuerholz killed one franchise before he got out of Dodge. He may have added a second one on his way to the Hall of Fame.

By larry

September 1, 2008 1:37 PM | Link to this

What will Kelly do? Will he strike out or hit into a double play?

By larry

September 1, 2008 1:37 PM | Link to this

What will Kelly do? Will he strike out or hit into a double play?

By larry

September 1, 2008 1:38 PM | Link to this

What will JF do? Will he strike out or hit into a double play?

By Carroll Rogers

September 1, 2008 1:40 PM | Link to this

N8, i beg your pardon. and i knew saying frenchy getting straightened out was going too far, but in a hurry i didn’t word it right. and i was trying to catch a plane. guess i should have said: the coach who helped frenchy hit .300 for three days in mississippi but whose influence was lost when frenchy got back up to the bigs and he didn’t hit for another month….

but in defense of myself, was it not on this very blog everybody was identifying wellman as the guy who could save JF’s swing. so you know what i meant. cut me a little slack.

ok, Random, the dropoff in power in august had nothing whatsoever to do with Tex’s departure. you got me. i’m sure chipper would agree with you.

getting a little moody, aren’t i?

By JEB

September 1, 2008 1:46 PM | Link to this

As Skip used to say: “If you’re in the neighborhood, come on down to the ballpark - plenty of good seats are still available!”

WOW! Marlins are STILL in it - and there is hardly anyone at the game at all! All those empty seats… as a player you really have to suck it up to play in these games! Athletic pride is the only thing that keeps you going!

By N Nine

September 1, 2008 1:49 PM | Link to this

so is elmer fudd gone now? sweet we have corky and gotay back! been counting the days for their returns. SOLID

By cabravesfan

September 1, 2008 2:01 PM | Link to this

who got hurt?

By keylargo

September 1, 2008 2:05 PM | Link to this

I was looking at the Marlins pitchers and was amazed at their size. Not too many mound charges on this bunch.

 63 Kevin Gregg     R/R     6-6     240     06/20/78    
30 Mark Hendrickson     L/L     6-9     240     06/23/74    
55 Josh Johnson     L/R     6-7     230     01/31/84    
19 Logan Kensing    R/R     6-1     185     07/03/82    
22 Matt Lindstrom   R/R     6-4     210     02/11/80    
23 Andrew Miller    L/L     6-6     210     05/21/85    
46 Joe Nelson   R/R     6-1     200     10/25/74    
47 Ricky Nolasco    R/R     6-2     220     12/13/82    
34 Scott Olsen  L/L     6-5     215     01/12/84    
53 Arthur Rhodes    L/L     6-2     210     10/24/69    
36 Anibal Sanchez   R/R     6-0     180     02/27/84    
41 Chris Volstad    R/R     6-8     225     09/23/86    
35 Doug Waechter    R/R     6-4     210     01/28/81

By Brian

September 1, 2008 2:17 PM | Link to this

I agree, JS doesn’t get nearly the blame he deserves. That dumb SOB traded my favorite player and a guy who should have finished his career here,Justice. What a chicken s**. He basically runs and hides after he really screwed the fans and players. no other way around it. Saying Cox is overated doesn’t compare to how much JS is overated.

By JEB

September 1, 2008 2:20 PM | Link to this

Mr. Baseball Totally disagree with your assessment of JS! JS did exactly what he needed to do to keep us competitive and going into the post season for 14 straight years!! 14 Straight years! Name one GM that has EVER done that!!

We were the beneficiary of watching those teams and those trades pay off for us each year! Every one will not always make the right trade or choice, but when you make more right ones than wrong, you’ve done a great job!

Out of your list up top: Infield: there are some good players there - but not great impact players that would have changed this team for the better at the time.

Outfield: Drew is good, Dye is good - other than that, can’t see where we missed the others (maybe Sheffield for 1 - 2 yrs - not now)

Catching: 2 out of your 3 are backups, always have been, always will be! (of course would have liked to have either over Corky!!) The book is still out on Salty (but I would not trade him for McCann).

Relief pitching: Would like to see Mahay, Devine though good - is injury prone, everyone else is aging and they would not be of help.

Starting pitching; I’m sure we would like to have had any of those guys starting for us (our staff has been depleted) but, at the time of trading, releasing, or letting anyone of those go - it made perfect fiscal sense and the right moves were made for the present to compete and win.

You don’t just build your minor leagues for a future, you build them to have prospects and trade pieces to help you win at the present. JS did a VERY good job of utilizing this fact -which made him a Hall of Fame GM!

Agree with you on Grissom, Justice, and Dye hated to see them go - but, at the time we (financially) decisions had to be made - JS did make those trades, but he did so keeping us competitive. Klesko, he was OK… not great. A good 30 HR guy, but struck out a lot, and not great on defence (LF or 1B). Boone was better after he left us (wish we could have gotten out of him what the Mariners got out of him!)

By bocabrave

September 1, 2008 2:20 PM | Link to this

Update from Aspen: Music festival at Snowmass (not actually Aspen-a few miles away) Saw Ziggy Marley Saturday, and he was great. I was lucky enough to see Bob Marley 30 years ago-brought back good memories seeing Ziggy.

Dylan was So-So. It was an outdoor concert, so sound quality was not perfect. Too much bass, too much drums, etc. The real interest though was the conspiracy theory running through the crowd. There were lots of close-ups of Ziggy on the big screen TVs; but when Dylan was playing, the big screens only had distant shots (and very looonnnggg distances). Some around me were convinced it wasn’t Dylan, but a stunt man. Others thought it was Dylan, but pre-recorded music. Most of us thought it was Dylan, but he just didn’t want anyone to see how old and baten up he is.

Anyway, my 3rd Dylan concert-last one was 25 plus years ago, and probably my last. Usually, nostalgia is better than reality. That said, there are worse ways to spend a Saturday than listening to music in perfect weather with good friends and amazing views.

As for the Braves, sad! sad! sad!…

By N Nine

September 1, 2008 2:21 PM | Link to this

i guess DOB not all about AJones! went out of the way today to express that.

Can we just fire the whole team and start from scratch?

Lets hope we only lose by one run today.

By Goodoleboy58

September 1, 2008 2:28 PM | Link to this

keylargo

Wouldnt want to run out there on many of those folks… Especially when you got Jacobs and Uggla on the right side of the diamond. Both of those folks are scrappy.

By Goodoleboy58

September 1, 2008 2:30 PM | Link to this

Some good hitting today by BJ

By Goodoleboy58

September 1, 2008 2:31 PM | Link to this

Base hit for Hampton wooo

By Carroll Rogers

September 1, 2008 2:34 PM | Link to this

random, you’re acting like tex has no effect on the second and third best power hitters in the braves lineup - mccann and jones. you don’t think he changed what pitches those guys saw? there’s more to it than just simple math….and there was also a change in mentality when the braves dropped out of contention. all those things weigh in.

By JEB

September 1, 2008 2:36 PM | Link to this

One thing about playing the Marlins, we get to look at a lot of players that can be good for trade talk during the winter.

According to DOB, any Marlin player could be open for trade!

By crappy..........

September 1, 2008 2:39 PM | Link to this

throw the baby braves out with the bath water

By Goodoleboy58

September 1, 2008 2:39 PM | Link to this

We caught a break there… If JA would have been running on that Chipper hit the 2nd baseman woulda been there.

By Carroll Rogers

September 1, 2008 2:44 PM | Link to this

and then the break was given back….escobar was safe. woulda been the go-ahead run

By Goat Horns

September 1, 2008 2:45 PM | Link to this

Josh Anderson brings a dimension (speed)that this team has not had for quite a while.

If a team does not have power then you need speed! You must have one or the other.

Someone was asleep at the wheel leaving this guy at AAA all season!

By Goodoleboy58

September 1, 2008 2:45 PM | Link to this

Looks like Yunel was safe but what can ya do…

By McFann :Ô:

September 1, 2008 2:54 PM | Link to this

Ugh! If there’s one thing I hate, it’s multi-strikeout games!

: (

Lost popup…wow.

By Goodoleboy58

September 1, 2008 2:55 PM | Link to this

I think thats the first bit of luck Frenchy’s had all year

By Robbie T

September 1, 2008 2:55 PM | Link to this

Random,My point about Tex was that he was batting cleanup behind Jones in the lineup.And say what you want but,Chipper was getting a lot more hittable pitches with Tex batting behind him.Sure McCann can hit but he is a left hand batter.They give Chipper nothing to hit and then bring a lefty to face Brian in most situations.I don’t think Tex or any player for that matter is worth what Scott Boras will get for him.But,Tex is a proven Major League Rbi machine.He has started slow almost every year.But he has always hit his stride and finished strong.I’m not tooting his horn however,a player like that is looked at as a rock by other members of a team.When a player of his stature is lost by a team already decimated by injuries and a lack of power hitters anyway it can send a negative message to guys.And when management trades the best power hitter on the team because they have no intention of trying to sign him well,believe me the rest of the guys get the message.Couple that with the loss of Hudson who was the heart and soul of the pitching staff and there you have it.Now the front office is plugging holes with guys like Julian Tavarez,Elmer Dessens and Rodrigo Lopez.And they are sitting back waiting on guys like Smoltz,Glavine,Moylan,Soriano,and Hudson to come back.And if you need to know why well,its because they know they can sign guys like Smoltz and Glavine to one year deals for less money.These guys are in their early forties will major arm injuries.They may never be effective again.The younger guys with arm injuries may never regain their previous form.The team needs different players and those players will cost the Atlanta Braves something.You can’t win with washed up retreads who have been released by team after team.And you can’t bring up three or four rookies a year and plug them all into the lineup and win either.Maybe a guy in the everyday lineup and one on the pitching staff yes but,trying to use all the young guys at once does not work.Chipper has slumped since Tex left but,nobdy could keep up a .420 pace anyway.Brian McCann has gotten tired also from catching so many games.And Jeff Francouer has been a disaster this year.In fact he may be the biggest problem of all.The team also sent a negative message to the the other players by bringing him back so soon after he bad mouthed the team for sending him down.They stuck with Andruw Jones too long and they are doing the same with Francouer.You give Greg Norton the number of at bats that Jeff has had this year and you would have had a lot more production from right field.All I’m sying is Liberty Media is not gonna spend the money to bring top free agents in.They will try to trade and bring in utility type stop gap players just like they always do.So we may as well get ready for a long dry spell folks.

By Bobby's Cox

September 1, 2008 2:56 PM | Link to this

did anyone happen to run the Nike Human Race yesterday?

By brent a.

September 1, 2008 3:09 PM | Link to this

Wren: “It’s too early to talk to John and Tommy [about possible new contracts] until we get into the offseason and we have more information. There’s no sense talking about it now.”

I really wish he had said, “Tommy and John”.

It would’ve been more appropriate.
Still a little uncanny, as is.

By McFann Ô

September 1, 2008 3:10 PM | Link to this

Everyone in the starting lineup for the Braves has a hit except Nitram and McCann.

By keylargo

September 1, 2008 3:11 PM | Link to this

Another quality start by Hampton. I sure would like to sign him up for 2009 as a #4 in the rotation. Give him about $2 million base salary and $500,000 a victory. Wouldn’t you love to pay him $12,000,000 for a 20 win season?

You know he won’t sign with the Marlins. With all those big guys Hampton would look like one of those lawn jockies!

By Goodoleboy58

September 1, 2008 3:13 PM | Link to this

Whoever our next coach is I hope they utilize our talent in the minors. We have so much speed with JA, Gorky, Jordan, and Blanco we have to find a way to use it to our advantage.

By Goodoleboy58

September 1, 2008 3:15 PM | Link to this

I like this Andrew Miller kid.. . Liked what I saw from him either last year or the year before when he pitched against us when we played the Tigers. Wouldn’t mind trying to snag him away from the Marlins.

By mbatl

September 1, 2008 3:17 PM | Link to this

In retrospect, I think 3 things have put us in the position we’re in now.

First, the Laroche trade. The Braves miscalculated, thinking that Thorman could step in at 1B. It really hurt that he failed, because that eventually led to unloading a boatload of prospects for Tex. And with Gonzo hurt most of his time here, and Lillibridge’s development seeming to stall, it has not been a good deal for us (though it made sense at the time).

Second, failing to recognize AJ’s complete demise. Wanting to “win now” the Braves passed on their chances to trade AJ at the deadline in ‘07. I was never a huge AJ fan, but didn’t really disagree at the time. But what if we’d gotten a couple of solid players for AJ last year, instead of losing him as a class B FA?

Third, Francouer. He’s always had his flaws as a hitter, but a .549 OPS in ‘05, and some accomplishments the next couple of years, made it reasonable to think he’d get very good, instead of very mediocre. So far, hasn’t worked out.

Rewrite history, and put Laroche back at 1B (he ain’t great, but affordable and worth 20 HR and a plus-OPS and good defense); give us a Francoeur hitting .275/.340/.500, which was a reasonable expectation; and put Matt Harrison, Neftali Feliz, Salty, and Elvis Andrus back on the prospects list — you may not have a winner right now (because the pitching is still suspect, or at least young) but you have a pretty solid base.

I didn’t really fault any of these decisions when they were made, because they were all reasonable and made in the interest of winning (as opposed to just dumping salary). But to me, those are the 3 things that have really hurt us.

Throw in Hampton’s extended injury problems, plus those to Smoltz, Hudson, Moylan, Soriano and Diaz … and here we are.

I think KJ, Yunel and Brandon Jones are still quality young players and wouldn’t rush to dump any of them, though of course they’re not “untouchable”. Add a power bat (Burrell?) and a 1/2 starter and this team can compete in ‘09.

By Bobby's Cox

September 1, 2008 3:20 PM | Link to this

Wren: “It’s too early to talk to John and Tommy brent a.

I thought this was gonna be a Tommy John comment.

By McFann Ô

September 1, 2008 3:25 PM | Link to this

Good gosh, why don’t you take a few pitches from the new pitcher, dummy…

Sheesh!

By Goodoleboy58

September 1, 2008 3:25 PM | Link to this

McCann sure does make an awful lot of first pitch outs late in the game

By McFann Ô

September 1, 2008 3:30 PM | Link to this

“Line of the day:”

Both Prado and McCann are 0-4 with 2 stikeouts, and they’ve both left 3 men on base.

By Goodoleboy58

September 1, 2008 3:32 PM | Link to this

Lets see if Bennett has two inning magic in him today

By Goodoleboy58

September 1, 2008 3:37 PM | Link to this

Fairchild must know he’s a crappy umpire because he sure let La Duca let him have it for a good while

By Goodoleboy58

September 1, 2008 3:42 PM | Link to this

JA with a 3 hit day… Speed gotta love it

By Carroll Rogers

September 1, 2008 3:45 PM | Link to this

hampton’s 106 pitches is hit most in a game since April 22, 2005 vs. Florida when he had 118.

By Goodoleboy58

September 1, 2008 3:46 PM | Link to this

Ben Sheets left game with strained groin… OUCH

By Goodoleboy58

September 1, 2008 3:50 PM | Link to this

Prado had a good atbat… 10 pitches… Trade it for a hit though

By McFann Ô

September 1, 2008 3:51 PM | Link to this

Goodoleboy58 @ 3:25—

Are you thinking there’s a reason for that…because please don’t throw that “fatigue” line out there…I’m a little sicka that one from Simpson.

Mac’s dropped 3 points off his AVG…And his AVG with RISP is down into the high .208’s.

By Goodoleboy58

September 1, 2008 3:54 PM | Link to this

Gonzo cant walk Uggla to lead off the 9th knowing his struggles against lefties.. Come on now

By N8

September 1, 2008 3:56 PM | Link to this

I don’t care WHAT the minor league numbers say. Based on what I’ve seen with MY EYES, Prado needs to be the everyday 2B next season, or at the very least, go into spring training as the favorite.

His defense is FAR superior to KJ, his ability (and willingness) to take the ball to RF, the way he NEVER gives AB’s away, and the fact that he strikes out considerably less than KJ does, are ALL factors.

I like KJ. But he’ll be our best trading chip out of all the non-pitchers, on the roster. Somebody will give us something for him.

Between Infante and Lillibridge, we’d have plenty of infield “depth” and spot starters.

But that last AB by Prado (even though he popped out), was a classic battle, and he’s one of only a handful of batters on the team that would have hung in there like that.

Not saying he’s gonna be the second coming of Jeff Kent (with the bat), or Joe Morgan (with the glove), but when taking hitting ability, defensive ability, and the ability to put the ball in play on a regular basis to move runners, Prado is a better “fit” for this roster, IMO.

Now, that being said, if Wren goes out and gets a TON of power to add to the lineup, I could “put up with” KJ’s weaker defense and strike out totals, in the 8th spot of the order.

But this team should be built on pitching, GREAT DEFENSE, and guys that get timely hits, and IMO, guys that put the ball in play are much more likely to get “timely hits” than hackers.

An infield of Chipper, Escobar, Prado and Kotchman, is a lineup of pretty damn good defensive players, that put the ball in play. If we can add a corner OF (or two…..yes, I’d be for trading Francoeur if it brought us pitching and a more steady bat), with McCann behind the plate, we’d have a lineup that would compare in my opinion to the 91 team that played great defense, and got hits when it mattered most.

Now about that pitching…..

By Goodoleboy58

September 1, 2008 3:56 PM | Link to this

Walking the bases loaded… Dont like where this is headed

By McFann Ô

September 1, 2008 3:58 PM | Link to this

That was cruddy.

By brent a.

September 1, 2008 3:59 PM | Link to this

Does anyone else (besides Mets’ fans) get a sort of twisted enjoyment out of the continued one-run losses?

I mean, at this point, it’s almost comedic to see the different ways they occur, and since the games don’t really matter … .

And this one today, the Marlins got without a hit in the bottom of the 9th.

By N8

September 1, 2008 4:05 PM | Link to this

I’m beginning to think that with the “surplus” of money the Braves are gonna have, that Wren should throw some serious coin in the direction of K-Rod.

I realize that Gonzo is coming off of surgery and likely isn’t 100% (if I’m remembering correctly - I warned EVERYBODY and their mother of this from the second he came back in only 12 months - by the way, I’m not bragging about using common sense in this subject - just poking fun of those who didn’t believe it), and I for one, certainly don’t trust Soriano to be healthy next year.

But Wren would have to seriously over-bid for K-Rod in order for him to even think about coming to this sad excuse of a team. Which is why the trade market is the better place for Wren (why would any free agent wanna come play for the Braves?).

But this team needs two (if not three), reliable inning eaters in the rotation (assuming Hudson won’t contribute until very late, if at all, next year), and if Ohman walks, we’ll need two or three DIFFERENT arms in the pen.

So, by my “calculations”, we need a minimum of two starters (a third would be nice in case Morton, Jo Jo, and -or- Hanson aren’t ready), two relievers, preferably a proven closer NOT coming off of major surgery, AT LEAST one corner OF with some massive pop in his bat (or a .350 hitter like Ichiro would do), if not TWO corner outfielders with power.

Think that can all be had with some creative trading and 50 million dollars to spend? I do. The only question left is whether Wren has the balls to do it, while taking a couple of gambles along the way.

By Goodoleboy58

September 1, 2008 4:05 PM | Link to this

McFann

I got no idea as to the reason… Not sure if he is trying to end it with 1 swing or maybe it’s his strategy against relief pitchers? He really works the count against the starters… Just my observation who knows.

By Rick

September 1, 2008 4:07 PM | Link to this

I think this is 29 straight one-run losses on the road and the streak is still going . One of the most amazing records in the history of baeball ( a negative one but still amazing ) .

By McFann Ô

September 1, 2008 4:09 PM | Link to this

Brent A.—

Haha…I forgot how to laugh.

By Goodoleboy58

September 1, 2008 4:10 PM | Link to this

brenta

Did you notice how they let their big bopper Willingham sacrifice the runner over to get it started… And he got the bunt down… Something we’ve struggled with all year.

By Jake

September 1, 2008 4:10 PM | Link to this

Gonzo was rusty. I know we don’t have enough save situations to get him out there, but the guy is still coming off of Tommy John surgery. He needs to get in there more regularly so he can regain his form. The season isn’t on the line like for the Marlins. No matter the situtation I think Bobby needs to find a way to get him in the game every two or three days.

By McFann Ô

September 1, 2008 4:13 PM | Link to this

JEB The book is still out on Salty (but I would not trade him for McCann).

Uh…Excuse me, but…do you mean you would not trade McCann for Salty?

‘Cause if you’d take Salty over McCann, I can’t help you…nobody cann help you…

By Efrim

September 1, 2008 4:17 PM | Link to this

N8

But this team should be built on pitching, GREAT DEFENSE, and guys that get timely hits, and IMO, guys that put the ball in play are much more likely to get “timely hits” than hackers.

Are the Red Sox built like that?

Every team should be built on pitching. But dude, getting on base and hitting for extra bases. Power and On base ability is how you win. Not sure why strikeouts matter…..

By It's not just Blaine Boyer...

September 1, 2008 4:19 PM | Link to this

The entire Braves team is a morass of goo.

A travesty of a baseball team. Managed by a nitwit.

Unreal!

By mr baseball

September 1, 2008 4:19 PM | Link to this

Terence Moore contends it’s not Cox’s fault that the Braves suck. He’s right. To a point. Cox is not reponsible for this team being this bad. On the other hand, he has played a significant role in the Braves’ demise.

Watching him manage night after night, anyone with a shred of baseball knowledge can deduce that he is nowhere close to being the sharpest pencil in the maangerial box. It’s not his fault he has a bullpen of retreads, a bunch of starters not ready for prime time and no power or speed in the lineup.

However, he is responsible for the boneheaded decisions he makes every day and we witnessed another one today. Why issue an intentional walk by a pitcher know to have control problems?

Cox can only process one thought at a time, mostly gleaned from the Baseball for Managerial Dummies handbook. In this csse, the book says walk the batter to set up a possible double play. Fine, provided your pitcher is not having a problem throwing strikes. That makes two competing options, which is one too many for Chance the Manager.

Simply put, the guy has never been the most astute strategist to occupy a major league dugout. That trait was overlooked when he had a wealth of talent and his managerial style fit his personnel. His strategic shortcomings can no longer be ignored, and he clearly has lost whatever ability he had to maintain a winning attitude in the clubhouse.

Unfortunately, the Braves can’t fire him. Maybe he’ll see this season as a sign that it’s time to go.

Wouldn’t bet on it.

By McFann Ô

September 1, 2008 4:21 PM | Link to this

Goodoleboy58—

OK…Sorry I sorta to snap at ya…just a little frustration on my part.

I have noticed the first-pitch outs thing. If that’s his strategy against relievers…well, maybe it’s time to try something new.

But isn’t it odd…People (including myself) seem to notice the first pitch outs, and remember them better than the first pitch hits. He could have a good AVG on the first-pitch-from-a-reliever, but we always notice the outs.

But IMHO, even if you have a good AVG on the first pitch from anybody (which he did going into today), when there’s a pitching change, you need to take at least one pitch—especially when the reliever hasn’t faced anybody else, as was the case with that popup. Just wait and see what he’s throwing!

That’s just me though…And I’ve never played a minute of baseball away from our backyard.

By Brian

September 1, 2008 4:23 PM | Link to this

After this season, Wren would be smart to really consider trading Francoeur. He will bounce back, no doubt, but this is the perfect opportunity to get a good young arm and a decent bat for him. Build around Mac,JJ, and Escobar, not Jeff. Out of those four, Jeff has to be the odd man out. It almost has to happen. Take Cox,McDowell and TP with him.

By Steve from OH

September 1, 2008 4:25 PM | Link to this

Efrim, good post at 4:17. You read my mind on the strikeouts issue….

By Brian

September 1, 2008 4:34 PM | Link to this

What about trading Francoeur,KJ,Morton and Brandon J. for Halladay and a bullpen arm? Makes alot of sense to me. Would the Jays ask for more? Probably, but we need a front line starter so do what it takes within reason.

By N8

September 1, 2008 4:38 PM | Link to this

Efrim

“Not sure why strikeouts matter…..”

So earlier today, when Prado MADE CONTACT and advanced the runner, which was followed by Chipper MAKING CONTACT on a defensive swing, you’re telling me that that run scores if BOTH Prado and Chipper strike out?

Must have been 3 or 4 wild pitches and “Bad News Bears” type of throws around the horn, in your fantasy world inning, huh?

But seriously. In a perfect world, I’d like guys that get on base AND show power, as well.

But considering the type of hitters we have (not much power) and the type of managing that Bobby goes with (waiting for the 3 run HR), Bobby and this current roster are a HORRIBLE match.

I’d be all for going after a guy like Manny for a two year “stop gap” until Heyward is here. But DOB has already stated that that is NEVER gonna happen as long as Bobby is here.

So apparently, a guy like KJ that plays mediocre to below average defense (at best), has occasional power (where has it been for the past 12 months?), and strikes out a TON are a better “fit” for a Bobby 25 man roster?

Lets just keep it simple, and say this team needs BETTER PLAYERS, and we’ll save the nit-picking and bickering (in a fun way), for the LOOOONG off-season that lies ahead for all Braves fans.

By dack jerrick

September 1, 2008 4:44 PM | Link to this

Posted this approximate comment a couple of weeks ago but DOB deleted it so I’ll try again. I have been following this team since 1966 and will remain a fan forever but this is as bad or worse than any team the Braves have fielded since arriving in Atlanta. This team is baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad! Now you know why JS bailed when he did. Whatever he is he’s no dummy. The major league calibre players on this team are McCann, C Jones, Escobar, Infante and Kotchman. There is little if anything left. Those of you who think that a tweek here or there is going to change things are whistling past the graveyard. When JS sent a boatload of top prospects to the Rangers for two partial seasons of Teixeira he made his worst blunder ever. Worse than Adam Wainwright and Jason Marquis for one year of JD Drew. Worse than Jermaine Dye for Michael Tucker and Keith Lockhart. Teixeira is long gone and the minor league talent has been gutted. The Braves are three to four years away from ever contending again without a payroll in excess of 140 million dollars and some shrewd negotiating. JS created this disaster and Wren will take the heat. As long as BC had the players to play his “pitching, defense and three-run homer” style he was OK. But now you see why position players can’t bunt, or steal a base, or hit and run. They were never taught these skills at the minor league level because it was believed that they would never be needed. But now BC has to compete with strategy and timing and his shortcomings are obvious for the world to see. It’s been a great run and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it but it’s over and if you can’t see something so obvious as this, then you don’t understand the game at all. To quote Thomas Wolfe: “too bad, too bad, too bad”.

By JEB

September 1, 2008 4:51 PM | Link to this

By McFann Ô

September 1, 2008 4:13 PM | Link to this

JEB The book is still out on Salty (but I would not trade him for McCann).

Uh…Excuse me, but…do you mean you would not trade McCann for Salty?

‘Cause if you’d take Salty over McCann, I can’t help you…nobody cann help you…

McFann - I wouldn’t do either!! If you read the whole context of thought you would see, I’m not so high on Salty right now. Don’t know that he will ever be what McCann is right now. Whatever way it is said,it means the same!

By McFann Ô

September 1, 2008 4:56 PM | Link to this

Washington is pounding the Fillies 6-0 in the bottom of the fifth! Haha!

That crazy Grove keeps on hitting! He’s now up to .293…two points behind McCann.

Hey, if you win ROY, does that disqualify you for the Silver Slugger??

JK.

By McFann Ô

September 1, 2008 5:04 PM | Link to this

JEB—

No, I don’t think Salty will ever be quite like McCann. I could tell you weren’t high on Salty, so that’s why I asked.

Sorry.

Haha…no way I’d take Salty over McCann, you know that!

To be honest, I don’t think there’s anybody I’d take over McCann…Nobody in the present, that’s for darn.

By N8

September 1, 2008 5:05 PM | Link to this

Efrim

“Are the Red Sox built like that?”

The Red Sox are built on guys that surely strike out a lot, BUT they have an approach at the plate, and stick to it, thus they put up pretty good power numbers as well.

JD Drew….GOOD HITTER

David Ortiz…..GREAT HITTER and tons of power

Manny Ramirez, even though he’s not there anymore, is in the same mold as Ortiz.

Youkilis is a GOOD hitter (sure, 94 K’s, but dude is STILL hitting .314)

The Red Sox have 5 guys (Drew with 79, Youkilis with 93, Ellsbury with 72 and Varitek with 104, and Manny had 86 with the Sox), with over 70 K’s. But those 5 guys combined for 210 XBH’s (115 doubles, 14 triples and 81 HR)

The Braves have 3 guys with over 90 K’s (Tex had over 70, making him the 4th guy over 70).

Our foursome (including Tex), have combined for 153 XBH’s (94 doubles, 9 triples and 40 HR’s - Tex had 20 of those). Meaning that Blanco, Francoeur, and KJ have COMBINED for 280 K’s between them, while compiling ONLY 20 HR’s. PATHETIC!!!!

So yeah. I guess you’re right. The K’s don’t make that much difference. But the fact that the 3 of them (Jeff, KJ, and Blanco) aren’t very good hitters, DOES make all the difference.

In the NL, when 3 of your 8 (ahem) hitters, strike out in about 1/4 of their AB’s, and combine to provide ZERO power, that’s a big issue.

Prado in roughly 1/3 the AB’s as KJ has over half of KJ’s RBI total (26 to 50), his slugging is 138 points higher (in fact KJ’s slugging percentage is only 3 points ahead of Prado’s OBP), and Prado has K’d 17 times in 158 PA’s (once every 9.29 PA - or once every 3 games or so), while KJ has K’d 97 times in 495 PA’s (or once every 5.10 PA).

So while your theory of power hitting and getting on base is a good one. Clearly KJ and Francoeur don’t back that theory up for you. BOTH of them strike out far too often, for how much other production they provide.

Even Tex’s 70 K’s were tolerable, with the HR and RBI power he provided. But one could argue that if he made better contact, and didn’t hack so much, those numbers would be higher with his natural power he can provide.

Nobody’ is claiming that Jeff or KJ have “lost power” (at least I’m not), I’m claiming that they’ve both lost their ability to make enough contact to do anything with their power they possess.

Neither of them make enough contact for me. Period. Add to that, KJ doesn’t play good enough defense for a guy that can’t hit consistently. At least Rafael Belliard could field (same for Lemke). Jeff used to be a good RF, or at least runners and 3B coaches feared his arm.

Now the only people fearing his arm, are the people sitting in the first 10 rows along the 3B line.

I stand by what I stated before. If Bobby is staying. This team needs MUCH more power to play his style of ball.

If Bobby is leaving, then the guys that strike out too much, need to go.

If we were to trade Kotchman, and Blanco and trade for/sign a BIG POWER HITTING 1B and LF, then this team could survive with KJ and Jeff hitting in the 7th and 8th holes of the lineup. But NEITHER of them should ever be counted on again as top or middle of the order producers.

That is, on a team that considers themselves contenders. If the Braves brass likes (or will tolerate mediocrity and finishing in 4th place), those guys are PERFECT to build a heart of the lineup around.

If this team didn’t have Chipper, it would make the late 80’s team look good.

But based on what I’ve seen of Prado, he’s a better HITTER than KJ.

By McFann Ô

September 1, 2008 5:16 PM | Link to this

I don’t know about anybody else, but I hate strikeouts (unless our pitcher is causing the opposition to make them).

It’s really disturbing that the Braves only have two guys with 20 or more homers.

By richbrave

September 1, 2008 5:16 PM | Link to this

DOWN ON THE FARM:

BRAVES WIN, BRAVES WIN, BRAVES WIN.

A sold-out “Diamond” crowd of 12,167 crown the end an era on a five game win streak. Still last, but they close out the run with heads held high.

It’s personally a little too much right now. Kind of hollow realizing they won’t be back. To give a little perspective. I was 23 and one year removed from college graduation when they arrived. I’m now a lucky survivor of 65 years as they leave. An entire productive life-time.

I’ve been blessed with a life full of wonderful people that I’ve had the good fortune to share experiences with over that time, and the memories are rich especially those shared with the BRAVES.

How apropos. Third baseman WES TIMMONS gets the last RICHMOND BRAVE hit, a home run. This from a young man who was going to hang ‘um up after last year’s GOVERNORS CUP run, but was convinced to return because the team needed him this season. With no chance of seeing ATLANTA as a player, he placed the needs of the team above his personal ones and played well until injured. Returning the last two weeks, it is fitting that he should provide the parting shot for the organization. I could go on and on, but you get the picture. As GIL IN MECHANICSVILLE said last night, time to move on. But the BRAVES will always be my team.

Sorry, BRAVES fans but I won’t be able to provide first hand accounts of BRAVES organization personnel next year unless I travel to DANVILLE to see that top ten pick that we will surely have in the organization. Two hours travel time, but I hope to make it on several occasions. See ya’ in ATLANTA for an early season game, and double up with the HAWKS at PHILLIPS. Go BRAVES. Go HAWKS.

By Brian

September 1, 2008 5:21 PM | Link to this

Dack Jerrik- I’m 26 and have olny been following the Braves since 1992 so you got me there old fella. I have to disagree with you on a few things. First of all this team wasn’t that bad earlier in the year if you remember. When Moylan and Soriano went down-OK, we can live with that. Remember the worry in Chipper’s voice when Smoltz went down followed by Glavine, Hampton, Diaz and now we know how big Prado’s loss was. How the hell was this team supposed to just bounce back and compete? Yeah, no excuse for how bad ther’re playing right now but I think it’s just the snowball affect and it’s mostly mental. Stop and think about these one run loses. If we win half of those games we’re right there competing for first place. Cox has screwed those games to hell. You may be older than me but I’m wiser than you on that one.

By JEB

September 1, 2008 5:21 PM | Link to this

N8 Got to agree with yo on your KJ / Prado comparison!

IF Prado plays an entire season, how much better is KJ when he only gives you (at most) 16 - 18 HRs (on a good year) to Prado who may only give you 5 - 8 HRs. All other numbers considered, Prado is your man!! The other 7 - 8 HRs that KJ may give you over a 162 game season are not very big compared to Prado’s slugging pct, avg, RBI’s, OBP.

But… what I REALLY like about Prado is he CAN be an everyday player at SEVERAL positions - that is a HUGE benefit!

By N8

September 1, 2008 5:22 PM | Link to this

dack jerrick

Not so sure about DOB deleting your post (that’s your argument - not mine), but I agree with everything else of your post.

This team is bad, and the Tex trade (and LACK of an Andruw trade) are the two biggest factors.

I’m not claiming that the pieces we gave up for Tex, would have amounted to anything that would help us win themselves. But surely the end result of said traded players would be better than Kotchman (who looks like a fine young players - but didn’t we already have Adam LaRoche once?).

JS “went for it” with the Tex trade, and that’s fine. It seemed like a good gamble at the time. But it didn’t work, and then we hung on to Tex too long, and got little to nothing in return.

But to me NOT trading Andruw always have, and always will be the worst move (or non-move) of JS’s tenure. I was ALL FOR IT in 2006 (and said so loudly and proudly), and in hindsight am even MORE FOR IT.

His stock was NEVER gonna be higher. Don’t remember who the White Sox and Red Sox (I think those were the two big players for Andruw), were allegedly offering, but certainly had to be of better use to us than Andruw was in 2007, and what we got for him (which was nothing, zilch, nada, ZIPPITY SQUAT), to use in 2008.

In fact, had JS gotten us a power hitter for Andruw at that deadline, (or in worst case scenario, dumped Andruw’s salary for the 2007 season, allowing him to pick up another bat via trade or free agency), he might not have HAD TO make the Tex trade, thus leaving more “chips” in our farm for last off-season.

But you’re right. JS got the hell out of Dodge, before the sh!t could hit the fan, and his legacy be tarnished.

I think both JS and Bobby have shown what they are truly made of (ability wise - not character wise), since Ted sold the team.

As soon as the budget dropped, so did their abilities to add new pieces to the puzzle that amounted to anything. The “old-timers” like Smoltz and Chipper, still carried them through the initial post-Ted era.

But now that all of them are on their last legs and the team needs to be built around other players, the real truth is out.

Chipper, Glavine, Smoltz and Maddux carried this team (with other all-star players playing bit roles along the way), through the success of the 90’s. JS, Bobby and even Leo were along for the ride.

Nothing more. Nothing less.

By McFann Ô

September 1, 2008 5:32 PM | Link to this

Richbrave—

I’m so glad the R-Braves won today!

Your post brought a few tears to my eyes…I’m so sorry your team won’t be coming back.

:,(

By richbrave

September 1, 2008 5:33 PM | Link to this

P.S.:

ANTHONY LEREW had an absolute epiphany last night after a one-on-one with pitching coach GUY HANSEN. The guy was lights out. Pitched 7.0. 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 5 SO. He was 0-4 prior to that outing with an astronomical ERA and WHIP.

Oh, and DALE MURPHY was the 43 year fan favorite receiving votes from 75% of the fans who participated in the survey. Richmonders are no dummies. Frankly, I didn’t vote because I just couldn’t pick one over so many other great ones - CHIP JONES, RALPH GARR, JIM BEACHAMP, TOM GLAVINE, JASON SCHMITT, BRETT BUTLER et.al.

By Random

September 1, 2008 5:39 PM | Link to this

Robbie T: “My point about Tex was that he was batting cleanup behind Jones in the lineup. And say what you want but, Chipper was getting a lot more hittable pitches with Tex batting behind him.”

Totally agree with you there. Totally.

“I don’t think Tex or any player for that matter is worth what Scott Boras will get for him.”

I (and presumably the Braves) do certainly agree with you there as well.

Which brings us to the point that I was trying to make: just because the Braves decided not to pay Tex millions doesn’t mean they won’t go after some other high-ticket player who might actually be worth those millions. (Or at least better worth it than Tex would’ve been.)

It’s just too early to get as down and discouraged as you seem to be. The Braves can’t make the big-money free agent moves (if any) until the off-season. And probably the same for any blockbuster trades, because of all the ramifications with the other team(s) involved.

“Now the front office is plugging holes with guys like Julian Tavarez, Elmer Dessens and Rodrigo Lopez.”

This season’s gone — why would you expect them to waste time and energy on this year’s team? (Reference the discussions of the past several days about roster management.)

In a nutshell, we’re finishing this season with the best available cannon fodder, so as to not waste our own prospects on the tail-end of a lost season.

“And they are sitting back waiting on guys like Smoltz, Glavine, Moylan, Soriano, and Hudson to come back.”

No, I think they’re waiting to see whether they CAN come back. I’m sure they’re not making any plans at this point that rely on either Hudson’s, or Smoltz’s, or Glavine’s healthy return.

As for Moylan and Soriano — yeah, they’re probably counting on them, and yeah, it’s a guessing game whether they’ll return healthy and effective, but that’s just the hand they’ve been forced to play. That’s the nature of injuries in professional sports.

“All I’m sying is Liberty Media is not gonna spend the money to bring top free agents in. They will try to trade and bring in utility type stop gap players just like they always do.”

And all I’m saying is that you simply do not and CAN NOT know that on the basis of the evidence we’ve got in front of us.

And we’ll just have to agree to disagree on what-all constitutes a “negative message”, and even how significant “negative messages” actually are. (I think they are insignificant, at least the “negative messages” you cited.)

BTW, how’d you like my trade suggestion: Escobar/Soriano/A-AA surplus prospect for A-Rod, with the Yankees tossing in some salary relief as well?

By N Nine

September 1, 2008 5:47 PM | Link to this

few things to count on this year:

Bullpen meltdown

one run nightmares

bullpen meltdown

first pitch strikes on stinchie

bullpen meltdown

Bobby cox’s terrible late inning moves

bullpen meltdown (thx tavaraz)

no HR games

Ummm nats are beating phillies! 5th place here we come!!!!!!!!!!The worst year of baseball is ending soon guys.

By Random

September 1, 2008 5:48 PM | Link to this

Carroll Rogers: “you’re acting like tex has no effect on the second and third best power hitters in the braves lineup - mccann and jones.”

Now that you mention it, Yes, I Am acting like that, because I believe he had no significant effect.

“you don’t think he changed what pitches those guys saw?”

I don’t think he changed their performance (whether because of different pitches or what-have-you).

If you don’t have the numbers to back up your assumptions, you’ll have to excuse me awhile while I dig up my own.

PS: “getting a little moody, aren’t i?”

“Feisty”, I’d say. Good to see.

<-;

By Steve from OH

September 1, 2008 5:49 PM | Link to this

N8:

That is surely a case where striking out hurts the team. But, in general, strikeouts are only ever so slighly more damaging than regular outs. If no one is on, and Prado strikes out vs. flying out to center, who will know (or care about) the difference? Also, considering in many situations with runners on base that a large % of ground balls will result in double plays, this makes strikeouts seem less damaging. In any case, the moral of the story is to not discriminate against a patient and powerful hitter because he strikes out “too much” (who decides how much is too much, btw?). The OPS points vastly outweigh the strikeouts.

The converse is true for pitchers, though (seems counterintuitive, I know). A pitcher with a lot of K’s is a more valuable pitcher than one that “pitches to contact,” because a pitcher’s hit totals vary wildly from year to year (even good pitchers), so if a pitcher can control the number of balls in play he can thus provide a means to control his hit totals.

Think about that for a while. I’m off to study, and I’ll be back in a few hrs. I’m sure you’ll want to debate me more later.

By N Nine

September 1, 2008 5:50 PM | Link to this

BTW, sheets is not the answer to our pitching problems, unless we need reruns of ‘08..he’s just as fragile as Hampton!

5th place here we come!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By Carroll Rogers

September 1, 2008 5:51 PM | Link to this

very cool post RichBrave, thanks much. must have been one of those hair-raising afternoons. and i’d be willing to bet there were lots of slow-shufflers leaving the ballpark.

(and funny, they said attendance here was 12,209 today. that’s a different kind of 12,000 from what you saw!)

i’m glad to hear you will keep on following the braves. I get where Gil’s disappointment comes from, but i hope he reconsiders. I was born in Dallas and born a Cowboy fan (you Richmond guys are probably Redskins fans - p.u. - but hear me out). I was raised in Charlotte from age 4 on…and now everybody in my family (it’s a big one) pulls for the Panthers except for my brother and me. (He pulls for both. Me? it’s mostly ‘boys.) There are some loyalties geography can’t mess with. Least not for me.

oh and hey, won’t the (dare i say it?) gwinnett braves play in norfolk? couldn’t you hop on down the road and give us at least a couple of reports?

By N Nine

September 1, 2008 5:55 PM | Link to this

our only pride was for chipper to win batting title and now thats almost gone. Pujols another HR today. The man is unreal.He is so hot—fits our season’s saddness—waiting on a positive day. When will we have good days to talk about? One win and then 5 losses..7 is the elimanation number..yes we are getting ELiminated this week!

By richbrave

September 1, 2008 6:04 PM | Link to this

McFANN:

Thanks sweetheart. Got a little misty while typing also.

By McFann Ô

September 1, 2008 6:12 PM | Link to this

You’re welcome, Richbrave. I know this must be really hard.

Living in Gwinnett, I feel kinda bad about it…

By fastasballs

September 1, 2008 6:12 PM | Link to this

If the Nats hold on the Braves will move one game closer to the 1st pick of the draft next year. The Nats & Padres have been playing a lot better of late so who knows it may happen.

About the only team in baseball playing worse than the Braves right now is the Pirates, maybe KC as well.

This has been such a busted season for so many reasons that hopefully the positive from this year will come from the draft picks gained from it.

By richbrave

September 1, 2008 6:22 PM | Link to this

CARROLL ROGERS:

Sure thing. That’s hometown for me. Lots of old high school and college chums to stay with.

Picked the BRAVES and the REDSKINS in 1952. All through high school and college my friends were COLTS and YANKEES fans. I never considered it fashonable to root for whoever happens to be on top today. You pick and you say with it. 56 years as a long suffering ‘SKINS and BRAVES fan. You bet.

My two sons-in-law. YANKEES, METS, COWBOYS, BEARS fans. They never lived in N.Y., CHICAGO or DALLAS. Seems a mystery to me. But I suppose they picked them the same way I did. Just something about the team that appeals. Whatever. At least they stay with the loyalty. Its cool. We get to razz each other from time to time.

Saw SAMMY BAUGH’s last game. But that’s another story. Thanks for the boost CARROLL, McFANN. I feel better now. Thanks.

By Metropolitan Man

September 1, 2008 6:23 PM | Link to this

Does anyone else (besides Mets’ fans) get a sort of twisted enjoyment out of the continued one-run losses?

After all the dominance in the past, I’m pretty certain the entire NL east is.

By richbrave

September 1, 2008 6:32 PM | Link to this

McFANN:

Don’t girl. Its life. We can’t go back. We just go on and change is our one constant companion. Business calls and duty awaits.

Lets have those first hand reports from the ballpark about the GWINETT BRAVES. I’ll be readin’ in anticipation.

By richbrave

September 1, 2008 6:37 PM | Link to this

THE MET MAN. GOTHAM’s JOKER. Hey, MET MAN how about twisting in the wind.? Where’s the “DARK KNIGHT” when you need him. Fire up the searchlight.

By Efrim

September 1, 2008 6:37 PM | Link to this

Fastasballs

I wonder if the Braves would take the Boras advised Strasbourg kid from SDSU if he fell to them at say, pick 6? I suppose some team will take a chance on him before that, but a guy can dream. I know it is light years away, but a college bat or college starting pitcher would make the most sense to me. I understand that you should take the best player available. But the draft is a crap shoot, and maybe taking a guy like Dustin Ackley or Grant Green would be the safer choice.

By Colonial Dawg

September 1, 2008 6:42 PM | Link to this

I, too was at the Diamond today for the Braves’ last hurrah, or as we say in Williamsburg, huzzah!
A nice day, a fitting sendoff, a great day for Wes Timmons (doesn’t really matter but he played second base, Hernandez played third). At the end of the game it was great that most of the crowd was still there and giving the R-Braves, who gathered at the pitcher’s mound to wave goodbye, a standing, LOUD and LONG ovation. Sad to see them go. I’ve pulled for the A-Braves since ‘57 (a mere child of 6) because that’s who my Dad pulled for. It was perfect having them this close. Good luck G-Braves!

By Metropolitan Man

September 1, 2008 6:43 PM | Link to this

Just think about this way (baseball Karma). You guys were bad in the 70’s and 80’s…..So bad that all MLB teams used you as a doormat. Then came the dominance for 14 years, your payback for the 70’s and 80’s as you won series after series extracting revenge. Even though some will say that time was wasted (ME) by only bringing home 1 ring, you made everyone take notice in Atlanta. Now for 1 year you went back to the dark ages so either it will continue and MLB gets payback for the 14, or you dust yourself off and compete in 09’. Bottom line after all that success, it would be a shame to finish in last. I didnt see that happening 2 weeks ago but now its a possiblity. Oh well there is still baseball to be played, watched, critiqued, and blogged about so take notice. The METS will not collaspe, they may not take it all, but a collaspe will not take place.

By McFann Ô

September 1, 2008 6:47 PM | Link to this

Richbrave *Thanks for the boost CARROLL, McFANN. I feel better now. *

You’re welcome!

We just go on and change is our one constant companion. Business calls and duty awaits.

I guess so…Just makes me kinda sad they’re takin’ ‘em from you.

Lets have those first hand reports from the ballpark about the GWINETT BRAVES.

OK, I’ll try…I’m sure we’ll go to some games.

By Metropolitan Man

September 1, 2008 6:52 PM | Link to this

richbrave:

Search light got disbanded when the Dark Night decided to tkae the fall. The Joker lives and will reak havoc while Batman is on the run.

By BravesFanInRockies

September 1, 2008 6:59 PM | Link to this

Happy Labor Day denizens,

Man, is it painful to watch this staff. Unless the starter pitches a complete game, no lead is safe.

As we look to the offseason here’s an interesting list from MLB Trade Rumors of the strikeout rates of free-agent pitchers.

Smoltz tops the list, though he probably doesn’t count, since if he comes back at all it will be as a reliever (that from DOB, who should know).

What’s downright stunning is that Jon Garland and Mike Hampton strike out fewer than four per nine innings. I had no idea. Maddux, Glavine, even Moyer strike guys our more regularly. Randy Wolf? Nearly 7 per 9.

I see that and say stay away from Garland. And yeah, push hard to get Lowe.

By ben

September 1, 2008 7:10 PM | Link to this

I don’t think this team could beat a good AAA team on a consistent basis. Too bad the Braves didn’t call the relief up sooner and send some of the starters down for a few tips on hitting and fielding.

By Tomas

September 1, 2008 7:32 PM | Link to this

Today Bobby made the right moves, and I don’t blame this lost on him. This team confidence is just at rock bottom, and Gonzalez hadn’t been used in a long time, and was rusty because of it.

By chuckw/deadjournalist

September 1, 2008 7:32 PM | Link to this

richbrave -

those update’s will be missed next season for sure; and it’s sure nice that timmons got the the last hit.

By richbrave

September 1, 2008 7:37 PM | Link to this

BUT….BUT you’re in JAIL !!!! There’s no sequel.

By GeorgetownKid

September 1, 2008 7:58 PM | Link to this

richbrave is the coolest person on this blog.

By Saltywoody

September 1, 2008 7:58 PM | Link to this

Pretty funny article on K-Rod’s impending record setting:

http://thesportsbizzo.com/2008/08/the-nasty-boys-bobby-thigpen-vs-francisco-rodriguez/

By Savannah Guy

September 1, 2008 8:07 PM | Link to this

BravesFanInRockies, push hard for a 35 year old starter? As much as I like Lowe and enjoyed his years with Boston… I think not. He’s been a stud for years but he’s getting way too close to the pasture.

With Liberty we may not be able to compete with the Phils and Mets on payroll, since they’re able to go out and buy what they need when they need it, like Sabbathia… but we can be smart about finding and developing our own, next two ‘amigos’ and then spend money on an ace to complete the trio.

Braves can still be smart about that, right? Time will tell and we shall see. In the meantime, I’m hoping we rebuild with younger arms that have more upside and more expectation of a full season without shoulder and elbow problems. That strategy has worked before.

Florida seems to be a few years ahead of us in that strategy and it seems the Nats may also be on track with pitching development.

By McFann Ô

September 1, 2008 8:19 PM | Link to this

Bobby Cox on today’s controversial calls: “But, that’s the way it goes. You can’t complain. This is a good umpiring crew.”

Haha…”good crew” my fanny…

I’ve never been a fan of Fairchild. Sorry, just don’t care for him.

But he’s better than Joe West…

By BravesFanInRockies

September 1, 2008 8:30 PM | Link to this

Savannah Guy,

Lowe’s been a horse since he became a full-time starter at age 29. He doesn’t have as many miles on the clock as a lot of his same-age peers. And I’m thinking he’ll get a three year deal, tops.

Sure, I’d like a younger arm, but aside from Oliver Perez, who are you going to find on the FA market who’s not been injured or overworked?

If Wren can unearth another Jurrjens via trade, sure, go for it. But since this team will be in no danger of losing a draft pick if they sign a FA, they should pursue one. And Lowe may be the best “affordable” guy out there.

By N Nine

September 1, 2008 8:38 PM | Link to this

Mcfann..aaah your continous love for joe west

I have a secret lover too..(tavaraz)

and oh we both love corky the funny guy miller too

By BT

September 1, 2008 8:39 PM | Link to this

RichBrave,

I can remember when we lost the Atlanta Crackers, everyone was devastated. For years the Crackers would lose the MLB affiliation only to get another one. Finally it was all over but soon came the old Milwaukee Braves.

Maybe you guys will team up with someone else in the Bigs. Although, I am sure you will remain a Brave.

By N Nine

September 1, 2008 8:41 PM | Link to this

check out mlbtraderumors.com and the first article features someone we know very well..and others that we may need!

By N Nine

September 1, 2008 8:47 PM | Link to this

But since this team will be in no danger of losing a draft pick if they sign a FA, they should pursue one BravesFanInRockies

how come? because too high of pick in standings? I thought any highly regarded FA give their old team some picks

By McFann Ô

September 1, 2008 8:49 PM | Link to this

N Nine—

I’ve noticed that you and Tavarez had a “thing” going on…

Ah, Corky…The main reason he bugged me was because with his lack of hitting, Bobby was forced to use McCann maybe a tad too much.

But that brings us to another one of my “loves”: The “fatigue” thing. IMHO that excuse is grossly overused.

By TennesseePaul

September 1, 2008 8:57 PM | Link to this

It’s amazing, this 1-run streak is lasting longer than ‘The Streak’ in terms of quantity. DOB called it at the start of the year. About how not turning this type of ridiculousness around can hit a team hard, particularly the young crew, eventually spiralling out of control. I think that’s pretty much what has happened.

On another note, the Watson Twins were fabulous. After the show they came and hung out and talked for a while. Delightful ladies. Nada Surf was entertaining. I was reminded why I’m not a big fan of this group. I admitted as much to their former producer as we hung out and watched. They haven’t been noteworthy since Fudurich worked with them.

Additionally, I’m leaning more and more towards the idea of offering Hampton a deal. A 1 year deal. If that guy is actually healthy and good, 1 year of him in the back of the rotation would be worth it. Jurrjens, Campillo, Hampton, plus two other guys… damnit this team has a lot of moves to make. It isn’t looking good for retooling in time for next year. We’ll see though. I’m still leaning towards trading some “solid” players we have now for upper tier players next year and replacing the “solid” with FA pick ups who won’t be as over priced as the “stars”. “”. Just sayin’

Congratulations to Chipper for his 14 straight 20+HR record. Nice to see that the two men on top of this list are both Braves third basemen.

By N Nine( I love tavarez)

September 1, 2008 9:12 PM | Link to this

lets all donate and help Liberty “writeoff” Media get CC in the ATL. I got my dollar ready

CC is the answer to our problems and the missing Huddy problem.

cc,jurrjens,someone (garland),Campillo,maybe hampton or someone cheap..sign glav,smoltz as backups and pen maybe.

By Savannah Guy

September 1, 2008 9:18 PM | Link to this

BravesFanInRockies, it’s a chess game to be sure and you’re right… Lowe is a horse. Comes alive in big games too. But with his age it’s a roll of the dice. That’s two board-game analogies in one paragraph. Yikes.

Richbrave, you’re a good fan and I enjoyed your post earlier. Glad you’re sticking with the Braves. Now, if we can turn Gil around from becoming a Nats guy we’ll keep another good Braves fan.

I long for the days when our local Sally League team was part of the Braves franchise. Then Cardinals then Nats and now the Sand Gnats are owned by the Mets. Still, the kids haven’t been to Flushing so they’re still innocent and support worthy. Change is constant in this old world… and in this old game.

By Brian

September 1, 2008 9:21 PM | Link to this

We all have our opnions about what should happen to this team in the offseason but I beleive Cox has alot to do with who comes and goes. Our future is in the past when it comes to Bobby’s stuborn ways.

By N8

September 1, 2008 9:36 PM | Link to this

Steve from OH

“If no one is on, and Prado strikes out vs. flying out to center, who will know (or care about) the difference?”

Obviously with nobody on base, or two men out, a K doesn’t make a damn bit of difference (unless you are of the belief that ANYTHING can happen when a ball is put in play - errors, infield hit, etc….)

“Also, considering in many situations with runners on base that a large % of ground balls will result in double plays, this makes strikeouts seem less damaging.”

Can’t argue with that. But if there is a runner on 2nd base only, I’ll take a ground ball to the right side (or a deep fly ball), to move that runner to 3rd base, where a wild pitch and very often an infield ground-out produces a run.

“In any case, the moral of the story is to not discriminate against a patient and powerful hitter because he strikes out “too much”….”

I’m NOT discriminating against a patient hitter with power. Guys like Manny Ramirez, Tex and even Chipper can be lived with if the strike-out more than others. You know….risk/reward. However, I absolutely AM “discriminating” against KJ and Jeff. Two guys that have combined for 19 HR and 109 RBI in 950 AB’s. You can’t possibly fault me for that, can you?

If Prado is gonna only produce in the ball park of what KJ has done this year (and I believe that Prado could EASILY be a 30 doubles and 50 RBI guy next year), why not go with the guy with better defense, which is CLEARLY Prado?

“The converse is true for pitchers, though (seems counterintuitive, I know). A pitcher with a lot of K’s is a more valuable pitcher than one that “pitches to contact,” because a pitcher’s hit totals vary wildly from year to year (even good pitchers), so if a pitcher can control the number of balls in play he can thus provide a means to control his hit totals.”

Couldn’t agree with you more. But you’re precisely making the point. LESS “bad stuff” can happen to a pitcher (IE: less runs will score), when the ball is NOT put in play. I believe it’s common sense why guys like Avery and Smoltz are/were far more successful in the post-season than Maddux and Glavine were, even though Maddux and Glavine have clearly had more regular season success.

“I’m sure you’ll want to debate me more later.”

Of course I will. Can’t get enough debate, when the responses are thought out and name calling is thrown out of the equation.

By brent a.

September 1, 2008 9:43 PM | Link to this

Goodoleboy

In response to your comment from earlier:

those types of things are just part for the course.

Our opponents do all the little things to win the games, while the Braves fail to execute.

We are firmly in year 3 of that pattern.

It has been that way in April, which is why I realized back then that we were likely a 4th place team.

The Marlins have been better than us all year long. Our only hope for 3rd place next year is that we have money, while the Marlins are slashing payroll.

We need an overhaul.

By BravesFanInRockies

September 1, 2008 10:01 PM | Link to this

N Nine,

I was not precise. The Braves will qualify for one of the top 15 picks in the first round and they wouldn’t lose that pick if they sign a Type A; they would lose their next highest pick … which could be a supplemental, if they don’t re-sign Ohman and he’s a Type A?

Anyway, they’re not going to lose a first-round pick this year as they did last year, when they signed Glavine.

BTW, the draft pick the Braves got when they lost Glavine the first time wound up being JoJo Reyes, for what that’s worth.

By Steve from OH

September 1, 2008 10:19 PM | Link to this

N8:

Excellent response. After I read your post, I went over to Baseball Prospectus and found this, which I think I’ve read before, but I wanted to double-check my facts and so on before responding.

Anyway, I think your point about strikeouts not being able to advance runners may seem a bit exaggeraged because if, say, half of a batter’s AB are situations in which advancing a runner is beneficial, than only half of his K’s are detrimental to the team. In addition, a guy like Kelly only K’s 22% of the time, so three out of every four times he steps to the plate with runners to be advanced he puts the ball in play and potentially advances them (run-on sentence).

I’m willing to take this 25% failure rate in exchange for a hitter with a good OPS. Obviously, with average hitters (which Kelly is) and below average hitters (Jeff) strikeouts become marginally more important, but the K’s don’t make them average or below-average. The reason you don’t want Jeff is his .287 OBP and .219 EqA, not his 20% strikeout rate. Honestly, I could care less about strikeouts. I really could. Of course, I would like a team that K’s very little, but I wouldn’t sacrifice OPS or EqA points to get it. I guess my point is a strikeout doesn’t compromise a hittes on-base ability, because obviously it’s already there if he has a high OPS/OBP, which is what we were discussing previously.

I was only using Kelly/Martin as an example because you brought it up in a previous post, so I’m not trying to prove one better than the other in this case. Just a name to use, for the record.

I also hope you don’t find me boorish or rude, becuase I agree wholeheartedly with your last paragraph. Just wondering if it was directed at me or not.

By Carroll Rogers

September 1, 2008 10:25 PM | Link to this

So Savannah Guy, what’s the word on hannah? (it’s spelled hanna, i think, but that don’t look right to me. that’s a last name…then again, who am i to talk?)

i’m sitting here in a high rise hotel by the ocean in ft. lauderdale with a thursday morning flight out, so either i get bad weather here or in georgia and this hotel ain’t exactly going to be refuge….

will i get bonus points from blogging in a hurricane? now that would be something. tho i guess i’d better come to the georgia coast for that.

by the way, i dig the moral support for the richmond faithful. excellent points by all.

By Susan B. Anthony

September 1, 2008 10:25 PM | Link to this

Reading this blog gives me such a fine feeling of feminine solidarity. It is so fitting for this Braves team.

By Corky Miller

September 1, 2008 10:36 PM | Link to this

I can’t wait to get back with Bobby! The Braves are lacking power and need my bat big time! Oh, by the way, Bobby has assured me a spot with the team next year.

By SNIPER-69

September 1, 2008 10:42 PM | Link to this

Last place is looking for the braves like the grim reaper in the ICU at the hospital.

By SNIPER-69

September 1, 2008 10:51 PM | Link to this

Lew-Ser. since the braves are heading for the cellar does that mean you won’t be coming round here anymore?? Braves and their fans will be watching from the sidelines.

By N8

September 1, 2008 10:57 PM | Link to this

Steve from OH

Yes the last paragraph was a compliment to you. I can (and have) debated over and over with people who want to argue their point and don’t resort to name calling and insults. It brings NOTHING to the conversation.

As for the Prado/Kelly argument? Earlier I was specifically talking about them because I think based on what I’ve seen THIS YEAR, Prado looks to have more up-side (due to his superior defense), as an all around player. Who knows? KJ might have a nagging injury that’s kept him from hitting like he has in the past. I had HIGH hopes for KJ going into this season, and was on board with him as a 2B, because of his bat and commended him for learning a position he had never played before. But that being said, we cannot (and should not) put up with his mediocre at best offense this year, if his defense isn’t good enough (which it’s not).

You can always “choose” for various reasons which type of player you want at a position (defensive guru or big time hitter), that is unless you’ve got a guy that does BOTH. But teams that expect to contend should not have a guy that is a liability in the field AND at the plate. For the 2008 season, KJ has been just that.

As a fan, I am a BIG believer in the theory of having strong “up the middle” defense. Which is the reason, I would go with a guy like Prado over KJ (even if KJ was hitting like he did in the first 5 months of 2007). To each his own, I guess, huh?

Our pitching can use all the help it can get defensively, but that being said, having a team that can score some runs in close games wouldn’t hurt either.

Going with that “defense up the middle” theory, even puts McCann at “risk” for being a liability (with a team that loses a TON of close games, having a catcher that can keep runners at a stand still - with both his arm and pitch blocking ability - is a MUST).

THAT being said, McCann obviously makes up for any poor defense with his hitting ability, and his game calling skills which many have stated are well above average.

But here’s the thing. I’ve never been a big fan of having one of our biggest (and right now, one of only two - McCann and Chipper), offensive weapons coming from the catcher, with Bobby at the helm. Why, you might ask?

Because Bobby has ALWAYS gone with the theory of giving his catchers regular days off, and justifiably so. But that doesn’t help the offense score runs on a consistent basis, which is why I don’t think McCann should be the clean-up hitter next year (even though I’ve stated repeatedly that his approach at the plate would be PERFECT for that spot in the order), because, I don’t wanna have our clean-up hitter out of the lineup for 30 or so games. Who would?

Since McCann’s defense isn’t that stellar, we’d be better off having a defense only catcher (that wouldn’t be “missed” in the lineup when getting a day off), and having a 1B or a LF that starts 150+ games be the more important cog in the lineup.

Does that mean that I don’t want McCann? Absolutely not. How can you NOT love that guy?

But unless some more thunder is in the lineup to surround him and Chipper, there will be many nights like the recent ones with Sammons catching, (or Corky before him), where the offense flat out fails to score runs.

The same could be said when Javy was in his prime. But remember who he DIDN’T catch on a regular basis. When Greg Maddux pitched, we could be without Javy’s bat. And there is a reason that in the 95 WS, Javy DID catch Maddux in game one.

The whole point of my initial response to yours, was to essentially say that I agree with you that strike outs are relatively of no deciding factor when a guy can STILL produce while accumulating high K totals. But when guys that don’t put up big numbers (like KJ and Jeff in 2008), K that much it’s unacceptable, IMO. Hell, Blanco striking out that much is VERY unacceptable if he’s gonna be a lead-off option. In the 8 hole, who cares. But if he’s a legit option to hit lead-off in 2009, the K’s have to come down.

Not because the K is a “worse” out than popping up, or grounding out. But because with guys that don’t hit for power, it’s just a sign of them not having a very good clue of what’s going on while in the box. If Adam Dunn wiffs, it’s not because he is clueless, it’s because he was trying to hit a 500 foot bomb and aired it out. But the possible “reward” (the occasional HR), are worth the risk of hacking. When a guy hit’s only 10 HR, it’s hardly worth the risk of hacking.

I tell you what, though. I’d rather have a guy have an AB like KJ often does, where he fouls off a ton of pitches and eventually strikes out, than some of Jeff’s (or Tex early in the year), where he goes up there and hacks at the first pitch and pops out (after the previous two batters walked).

So I’ll agree. Striking out doesn’t ALWAYS mean poor approach.

Sorry to be so long winded. But you genuinely seemed like you wanted to read what I had to say in justifying my thoughts on this subject.

I can’t wait for the backlash for giving McCann a “semi-rip”. Even though if you clearly read the post, I’m not ripping him. Just ripping our unfortunate situation of having one of our only two really good hitters be a catcher, while playing for a manager who only starts his starting catcher about 130 games or so.

NONE of that is McCann’s fault. If anything, it’s a compliment to him being such a good hitter, that it SUCKS he can’t be in the line-up every day. (and a little “rip” on his throwing/blocking of pitches. LOL! - sorry McFann).

By Steve from OH

September 1, 2008 11:26 PM | Link to this

N8, nice points. The only thing I’d like to add is be careful when trusting your eyes. Martin’s BABIP this season is nearly 50 points higher than his career minors BABIP, so it is very probable that he will regress (possibly significantly) from where he is now. Also, his walk rate is nearly 2% lower than Kelly’s this season, and when you consider that this is Kelly’s lowest walk rate season (by a long shot) since 2005, this is significant, because it suggests that Prado may have a difficult time maintaining a high OBP if he doesn’t hit for a high average.

Not to bash Prado. He’s impressed the heck out of me this year. All I’m saying is that (in all likelihood) Martin is incapable of maintaining his current success and that Kelly is underperforming both his career stats and potential, so I’d expect him to return to 2007ish form next year.

Now, I’ve softened on my stance from before after watching Martin play a bit more, and I’d say that I still wouldn’t trade Kelly for a position player unless he can help net us a Magglio Ordonez type outfielder (aka top notch outfielder). I’m much more willing to trade him for pitching than offense, and under no circumstances should we just give him to the highest bidder. We must get exactly what we want and need for him. No trades for Melky Cabrera/Adrian Beltre type hitters or Joe Blanton type pitchers.

I’d still like to see Kelly and Martin both be in the fold next year. This gives Kelly a chance to revert to previous form and a chance to get a closer look at Martin. If both again do well, we’ve boosted Kelly’s trade value and given ourselves a better sense of what Martin can do. But I guess I’d be comfortable with Martin as our everyday 2B next year though. But don’t come crying to me if he posts a .260/.320/.410 line, which I think is entirely possible. Don’t forget that Kelly’s trade value has probably taken a hit this season.

By Steve from OH

September 1, 2008 11:29 PM | Link to this

Oh, and thanks for the compliment, btw. I enjoy many of your posts as well.

By joebrave

September 1, 2008 11:39 PM | Link to this

OHHHHH,but wait a minute,Snippy-69, I’m still here,You Mutt loving,turd troll.. Ol’Joe still loves dem Braves,I may not love their choice of Frenchise players but they are still My Team!! You on the other hand better listen real careful Girly-Man,I hear Some Mutts Choking and Going Down the perverbial,FLUSH!!! Idiot,What in the He11 do You know about the Braves??? and What has that Doormat Team of Yours done in say oh the last 22 years???? NOTHIN THAT”S WHAT!!! Go home and play with Your Toys now little one,before You get Your fellings hurt,Damn buttgoblin!!!

By joebrave

September 1, 2008 11:39 PM | Link to this

OHHHHH,but wait a minute,Snippy-69, I’m still here,You Mutt loving,turd troll.. Ol’Joe still loves dem Braves,I may not love their choice of Frenchise players but they are still My Team!! You on the other hand better listen real careful Girly-Man,I hear Some Mutts Choking and Going Down the perverbial,FLUSH!!! Idiot,What in the He11 do You know about the Braves??? and What has that Doormat Team of Yours done in say oh the last 22 years???? NOTHIN THAT”S WHAT!!! Go home and play with Your Toys now little one,before You get Your fellings hurt,Damn buttgoblin!!!

By N8

September 1, 2008 11:55 PM | Link to this

Steve from OH

EXCELLENT points on Prado hitting above his career level, and KJ playing below his. So while I agree that there might be under-lying circumstances (like injury to KJ - or zero pressure on Prado in meaningless games), allowing the numbers to be skewed, I’ll remind you that KJ has been in this “slump” since LATE 2007, his September last year was HORRIBLE (and August wasn’t much better).

Since August 1st of last year, in 617 AB’s, he has 158 hits (.256) and has 13 HR and 63 RBI (155 starts). Yikes to say the least. Which is why in my previous post I referred to him returning to EARLY 2007 form.

In other words, the dude has stunk it up pretty bad for about a year now. My point still stands. For THAT type of offensive production (or lack there of), the 2B needs to be STELLAR with the glove. KJ is not.

It’s that simple of a point.

Ideally, I’d like Wren to find a better option than both Prado and KJ. But if it comes down to the two of them, I’ll go with the glove. Prado’s defense will “save” more runs, than KJ’s bat will produce. Just my opinion.

As for cautioning me on what my “eyes see”. I get it. But lets not forget that many of us saw Andruw’s decline and openly talked about it, while others tried to refer to his past numbers as “proof” (or evidence) that he’d return to previous form. Those people are still waiting.

For what it’s worth, Prado just looks to have a better approach at the plate. But I “get” that his numbers are a very small sample size of a 162 game season.

Example: In the month of May, KJ batted .355, with 2 HR and 14 RBI (starting 23 games).

In Prado’s last 23 starts (dating back to July), he has batted .373 (40 for 107), with 2 HR and 20 RBI.

So the point is that anybody (and everybody) can and will have a “hot” month or two.

I just happen to like the way that Prado is staying on the ball and driving it the other way. Which is also what made KJ so special earlier in his career.

Maybe the “report” hasn’t gotten out on Prado yet. Too soon to tell.

But I know for fact, that no matter how much KJ works at his defense, he won’t catch Prado in that department.

By Brian

September 2, 2008 12:05 AM | Link to this

It’s amazing how from 2000-2005 the Braves won the division with,really, not much more than we started out with this year. Look at those rosters,with exception of a few, and tell me who really stands out as a difference maker. That tells me that injuries have killed this team. Those teams had good chemistry and weren’t bitten by injuries to key players. It’s not always big names and big money that brings you success as those teams proved. Wren needs to focus on those years cause we need to bring alot of chemistry back here. That’s the one thing I really admired about JS.

By Boo Boo

September 2, 2008 12:24 AM | Link to this

Is anyone keeping count on how many wins the Braves have in those all blue & white uniforms? I bet its under 5 total, with at least 40 loses. I say burn those with the bats this winter.

By Random

September 2, 2008 1:09 AM | Link to this

Robbie T: “Sure McCann can hit but he is a left hand batter. They give Chipper nothing to hit and then bring a lefty to face Brian in most situations.”

McCann’s BA against RHP: .296; against LHP: .294. McCann’s OBP against RHP: .370; against LHP: .373.

“And you can’t bring up three or four rookies a year and plug them all into the lineup and win either.Maybe a guy in the everyday lineup and one on the pitching staff yes but,trying to use all the young guys at once does not work.”

Except perhaps in 2005 — Braves were NL East Division winner with 18 rookies — including significant contributions from rookies Pete Orr, Ryan Langerhans, Wilson Betemit, Roman Colon, Kyle Davies, Kelly Johnson, Blaine Boyer, Brian McCann and Jeff Francoeur.

“Chipper has slumped since Tex left but, nobdy could keep up a .420 pace anyway.”

Chipper started “slumping” two months before Tex’s departure: Jun AVG/OBP/SLG = .328/.443/.552; Jun AVG/OBP/SLG = .270/.390/.460.

By Random

September 2, 2008 1:52 AM | Link to this

Robbie T: “Chipper has slumped since Tex left but, nobdy could keep up a .420 pace anyway.”

1st response: “Chipper started “slumping” two months before Tex’s departure: Jun AVG/OBP/SLG = .328/.443/.552; Jul AVG/OBP/SLG = .270/.390/.460.”

PS: Please Note: for the month of Aug, with Tex totally absent, Chipper’s AVG/OBP/SLG = .315/.420/.452, a notable and significant improvement over his performance in Jul, when Tes was still here.

By usnavyvolfaninva

September 2, 2008 2:03 AM | Link to this

Hello, everybody…

Can’t stay long… know we had another loss today; two things…

glad the hurricane in NOLA wasn’t as bad as predicted… lot less damage than Katrina

Secondly, could be worse… saw the Vols against UCLA, and couldn’t help but think of the Bravos… to all the UGA fans, my most sincere apologies for any trash-talk beforehand.

By Coach ( Skip will be missed)

September 2, 2008 2:18 AM | Link to this

N8, you hit upon one fact that will absolutely sink this team in 2009.

If Chipper, who is in the three hole, misses another 40-45 games in 2009 like I think he will.

And McCann, who is in the four hole, misses 25-30 games. It leaves the Braves starving for offense. Much like what we have seen this season.

No team can afford to loose an estimated and possibly combined 65-70 games from the heart of it’s batting order and expect to be competitive.

It just cannot happen.

By Coach ( Skip will be missed)

September 2, 2008 3:21 AM | Link to this

In case no one else has been paying attention, ladies and gents:

MIKE HAMPTON IS BACK.

August 16th, 6 innings 7 hits 2 earned runs.

August 21st, 6 innings 8 hits 3 earned runs.

August 27th, 8 innings 8 hits 3 earned runs.

Sept. 1st, 6 innings 6 hits 3 earned runs.

And his 5 inning 4 run effort on July 31st wasn’t that bad either. Suffice to say, the lefty is healthy so far (knock on wood) and pitching well.

The fact that no GM wanted him before the August 31st deadline means that the scouts have not been doing their jobs. Or at least, no one has informed the rest of baseball that Hampton is pitching well.

I’m certainly not complaining. I think the Braves should attempt to resign him to an incentive laden contract for 2009 with a team option for 2010 before the end of the season. that is of course, assuming Hampton stays healthy during the remainder of the season.

By nolie

September 2, 2008 3:51 AM | Link to this

Free Agent Starters By Strikeout Rate

By Tim Dierkes [September 1, 2008 at 3:45pm CST]

The free agent market offers fewer than thirty viable starting pitchers. If you’re looking for dominance, here’s how they rank by strikeouts per nine innings:

Player K/9

John Smoltz 11.57

A.J. Burnett 9.31

C.C. Sabathia 8.90

Randy Johnson 8.74

Ryan Dempster 8.15

Oliver Perez 8.14

Randy Wolf 7.90

Ben Sheets 7.45

Bartolo Colon 7.09

Pedro Martinez 6.93

Andy Pettitte 6.80

Derek Lowe 6.38

Mike Mussina 6.22

Odalis Perez 6.01

Tim Wakefield 5.81

Jamie Moyer 5.75

Josh Fogg 5.26

Tom Glavine 5.26

Kyle Lohse 5.06

Brad Penny 4.90

Greg Maddux 4.60

Braden Looper 4.37

Kenny Rogers 4.31

Jon Garland 3.96

Paul Byrd 3.89

Mike Hampton 3.83

Sidney Ponson 3.79

Livan Hernandez 3.47

A strikeout rate of 6.0 per nine or greater is considered decent. Only 14 free agents managed that so far. John Smoltz, Bartolo Colon, and Pedro Martinez are injury risks. Randy Johnson and Andy Pettitte aren’t true free agents in that they’re likely to be very selective about their teams (Smoltz and Mussina may also fit in this group). That basically leaves us with fewer than ten healthy pitchers with decent strikeout rates who are expected to hit the open market. These guys should fly off the shelves quickly.

By Random

September 2, 2008 5:00 AM | Link to this

Thanks, nolie.

Ain’t it so true, though — you don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone.

John Smoltz 11.57 [K/IP]

PS: yeh, yeh, yeh — I’ve got a CD of Melanie’s biggest hits. I like it.

PPS: And was that even Melanie? Or was it Jody Mitchell? Whatever. (Forgive me.)

PPPS: “Odalis Perez 6.01”

bfan54 — OP’s in under the wire, eh?

By Random

September 2, 2008 6:33 AM | Link to this

Wll, hll, rroll Rog, I tried.

I tried more than half a dozen times since midnight last night to post Larry’s and Triple Mac’s (with cheese’s) stats with and without 1B marco’s presence in the line-up, but not one single one of them got posted!

Nutshell: you were right, I was wrong, though I do plead extenuating circumstances.

If you’ll please fer dogs sake call off the filthy filtering censors, I’ll provide you with their stats and my excuses.

Hopin’ to hll this gets to you.

By TIMEFORCHANGE

September 2, 2008 7:22 AM | Link to this

September call ups are here. So let them play out the season. All of them, everyday. Give the fulltime utility players the rest of the year off. Im tired of seeing them.

Also every single player needs to be put to the dog pound. The only players that should return to this team next year are Chipper, McCann, Jurrjens and Kotchman (he needs a chance). Ohman and Gonzalez. There is your building blocks and its not much. Of course when you penny pinch for 4 years it catches up with you in a big way.

I am very disapointed in this team, the way the play and the coaching system. Pendleton is no where near a hitting coach and should have been replaced long ago. He has really hurt this young hitting. Wren should have never called upon the ego of Glavine as he did not help and what kind of damage have we done to Morton and Reyes. They were not ready for the majors. Same with Devine, he was not ready and they ended up getting rid of him. Look at him now.

The braves have got to stop hurting their young players and start putting money back into the team. Until they do that, I cant support them with my time or money. I am so sick of the penny pinching business owners who only want a writeoff. They certainly got a big write off this year. This team is no better then little league. In fact I think they are worse.

By Shaun

September 2, 2008 8:22 AM | Link to this

The fact that no GM wanted him before the August 31st deadline means that the scouts have not been doing their jobs. Or at least, no one has informed the rest of baseball that Hampton is pitching well.

Could be that teams don’t want to give up players and pick up the remainder of Hampton’s contract. Remember he’s 35 and only 8 starts removed from a 2-1/2 year absence. I’d imagine a lot of teams don’t think it’s worth giving up players and the money for just four or five starts of a 35-year-old with recent injury troubles.

By Ditto

September 2, 2008 8:43 AM | Link to this

I’d imagine a lot of teams don’t think it’s worth giving up players and the money for just four or five starts of a 35-year-old with recent injury troubles.

Make that EVERY team. No GM is foolish enough to risk a prospect with the slightest promise for a mediocre-at-best, injury-prone pitcher clearly on the decline.

Leave it to Coach to be the lone soul out there banging his tom-tom for Mike Hampton.

By Lew

September 2, 2008 8:43 AM | Link to this

TimeFor Change-Yes, it certainly is. If this is the best you can do to support your team, after a decade and a half of producing winners, then maybe you need to find a new team to bless with your devotion. I’m absolutely certain no one will even miss you when you go. Later. Peace be with you in your quest for a good team that will always win for you-and do so in the economic manner you deem the best.

Snipper-Awfully full of yourself (or something, anyway), considering that your team has not won anything. I suppose to your so inferior brain, that the real goal is to win more than the Braves do. I always thought it was to first get to the post season, which the Mets have not yet done and then to progress as far as you can (which the Mets also have not done).

Oh well, I suppose you really do have something to be happy about. There are only two games of lead (as opposed to last year’s 7.5) for y’all to lose before the end of the season. The fall from those heights shouldn’t hurt too much. Let me know just how that Bullpen is working out, OK?

By Shaun

September 2, 2008 8:45 AM | Link to this

It’s amazing how from 2000-2005 the Braves won the division with,really, not much more than we started out with this year. Look at those rosters,with exception of a few, and tell me who really stands out as a difference maker.

Brian, there was Maddux, Glavine, Chipper, Galarraga, Andruw in his prime, Sheffield, Javy Lopez at his best, Marcus Giles at his best, JD Drew at his best, Smoltz as a lights-out closer then a dominant starter again, Tim Hudson.

This season there are lots of young players with plenty of promise, lots of older players who got hurt and some players in what should be their primes who are merely okay players. It’s a time of transition for the Braves.

By McFann Ô

September 2, 2008 8:56 AM | Link to this

Neight—

You don’t have to apologize—but I appreciate it. Huh…I know as well as anyone about his—ahem—throwing…

Totally agree that the Braves need another thumper in the lineup…And maybe in the future, Bobby cann separate Chipper’s and McCann’s scheduled days-off. I like Bobby a lot, but I don’t know why he gives them the same scheduled days-off. Sunday was the second one that I cann think off…I’m pretty sure they lost the first one, too. I’ll get back to you…

By Savannah Guy

September 2, 2008 9:29 AM | Link to this

Carroll, I realize that traveling to cover the Braves beat isn’t always glamorous but that room w/ ocean view you described in Ft. Lauderdale sounds spectacular.

Now, you asked about Hard Hearted Hannah (I also think they spelled it wrong): Until this morning, all predictive models showed an almost direct hit to our fair coastal city but now the projected path has moved north, with a landfall around Charleston. We’ve barely dodged so many bullets here; including Hugo… it seems each time Charleston has taken the hit.

Hopefully this vamp Hanna will continue to defy prediction, as all hurricanes are apt to do, and head NE out into the ocean to die a peaceful death in the North Atlantic. Otherwise our very own chrisklob (Klobber) in Charleston may get clobbered… again.

Then we have Ike coming right behind her. The thing about ‘canes is that you hope and pray they don’t come your way, you don’t wish them on anyone else and if they do come, you just stock up, board up, hunker down and enjoy the awesome power of mother nature and the camaraderie of friends and neighbors who pull together, pitch in and help each other and ride it out. Then you grill out for a few days or longer… until power is restored.

Either that or, if a CAT 2 or above, head to Atlanta, go out for a nice sushi dinner, come back to the room high atop Midtown, have a cocktail and watch it on TV.

By Carroll Rogers

September 2, 2008 9:43 AM | Link to this

Savannah Guy, you’re right. this hotel ain’t bad at all…and nothing quite as soothing as the sound of the ocean, which i can hear through the sliding glass door right this minute….

thanks for the update. from what i’m watching this morning it sounds like things won’t hit until friday and well up the coast from here. I might spend the day thursday at the AP with some delays but there are worse things. …

you sound a lot like my brother who told me last night that forecasters very often get stuff wrong. he used to live in charleston and rode out his share of hurricanes. sounds like our friends in charleston might take it in the teeth again tho…. i like your plan of going to atlanta! i hope you guys are not hit and this bad girl takes a hard right turn very soon. thanks much.

By richbrave

September 2, 2008 9:46 AM | Link to this

In the race for the big prize, the BRAVES appear to be nosing ahead. Only PITTSBURGH seems to be determined to snatch this season’s just due from ATLANTA with an 0-10 run while we have actually won three in ten. Meanwhile, rising from their slumbers, both Washington and Seattle have gone 8-2 and raised the hopes of BRAVES fans everywhere that the next golden-armed left-hand throwing wunderkind will be ours. KC has an outside shot, but they actually won a game day before yesterday. However, they are 2-8 over their last ten and are staying close on our heels. We are closing fast on San DIEGO as they are playing .500 ball over their past ten games. Yes, it seems that we have a legitimate shot at capturing #1 in the next player draft if we remain focused on the prize.

When I said yesterday I would drive to DANVILLE’s rookie league park next year, I wasn’t kidding. At the rate we lose one run games, its within our grasp. And thank goodness we have Washington on our current schedule for four more games. We control our own destiny. The topper would be to lose all four by one run. What a way to cap off the ML record we have established this year. Go BRAVES.

By richbrave

September 2, 2008 9:54 AM | Link to this

CARROLL:

Just venting a little, mostly over a metropolitan area of almost 900,000 being unable to retain a AAA team for cripes sake.

And with the monopolistic way the minor league honchos and affiliates are acting, I’m for the independent ATLANTIC LEAGUE and keeping OUR options open, not organized ML baseball’s.

By Steve from OH

September 2, 2008 10:06 AM | Link to this

N8, I guess we’ll just have to agree to disagree. Like I’ve said before, I’ve really softened my stance on the whole issue becuase Prado has really impressed me. I’m much more willing to go out and get a good deal (MUST be on our terms) for KJ because I think Prado could be at least league average. I dunno, though, I just think Kelly’s got too much potential to just give away. Like I’ve said before, I would really like to give them both one more season in Atlanta.

By Coach (Skip will be missed)

September 2, 2008 10:25 AM | Link to this

Shaun, you my friend are living proof that aliens exist because you are obviously from another planet.

Unlike your completely uninformed opinion, I actually saw Hampton pitch during spring training and I knew he would be back eventually. His arm was fine after his second surgery, the rest of his body has been the problem.

Four straight quality starts tells me everything I need to know.

I’ll say it again, HAMPTON IS BACK. As long as he is healthy, the Braves should offer him an incentive based contract for 2009.

By richbrave

September 2, 2008 10:38 AM | Link to this

Coach)Skip will be missed(:

HAMPTON at the right price as you have posted and infer again. Yes, lets get it done. Certainly no more of a gamble than TOMMY’s contract.

By dorothy davis

September 2, 2008 11:11 AM | Link to this

I will admit that for the first time in 30 yrs., I have been watching the Mets and Phillies games instead of the Braves. As long as Bobby Cox is at the helm, I see no future for the team and it is sad that head office is willing to see the stands empty in order to keep their commitment to the coach that has put them at the bottom of the league. It is time to realize that he no longer cares where the team is going.What a sad ending for the team that had it all and now can’t buy a win.

By The real

September 2, 2008 11:11 AM | Link to this

It’s a time of transition for the Braves.

You said it. The question is, how long till we can gain some respect back? 2009 doesn’t seem too good and to be honest, 2010 doesn’t seem like this team is a great chance to succeed as well. Okay, so how do we get back to being great in 2011? Trading Chipper Jones, Kelly Johnson, and others for prospects. Suck for 2 seasons, then dominate. So many teams do it. Is it not a flawed science? Of course not, but it is becoming a lot more popular, REGARDLESS OF PAYROLL. Yes we aren’t the Indians with a 60 million dollar payroll, but we may as well be if we can’t afford the big boys like C.C Sabathia and Mark Teixiera.

Trade Jones. Trade Johnson. Trade Kotchman. You’ll be a VERY good team in 2011.

By McFann Ô

September 2, 2008 11:22 AM | Link to this

I find it disturbing/sad that the Braves’ RBI-leader isn’t even on the team anymore.

By dorothy davis

September 2, 2008 11:23 AM | Link to this

I can’t imagine how Clint Sammons feels when he hears Bobby has promised to bring Porky Miller back from the minors. Just goes to prove Bobby has totally lost all reality about how to manage a team. Is it about rewarding “old timers”, or playing the best? At least Clint has years to improve and Porky is just Porky. Bobby needs to retire and let this team get a fresh new start next year.

By Carroll Rogers

September 2, 2008 11:24 AM | Link to this

new blog should be up shortly y’all…..

By Efrim

September 2, 2008 11:30 AM | Link to this

The Real

Trade Jones. Trade Johnson. Trade Kotchman. You’ll be a VERY good team in 2011.

If only it was that simple.

Yes we aren’t the Indians with a 60 million dollar payroll, but we may as well be if we can’t afford the big boys like C.C Sabathia and Mark Teixiera.

A fair point. There are about a handful of teams that can afford a 20 million dollar a year player, then there are those who can’t.

By Lew

September 2, 2008 11:34 AM | Link to this

The Real-Are you really? Let me know how the perpetual youth movement has worked for the Marlins. One Bought World Series and then one by Fluke. Other than that? Not so successful a strategy (and I know of NO OTHER team who has done it once with that approach). This winter will mark the third time they’ve sold everyone off for prospects since then and nothing more to show for it. Nothing. Unless you count the prospects they’ll get this time.

As it already stands (whether you’ve noticed or not), the Braves have one of the youngest teams in all of baseball. All of the old players (except Chipper) are on the DL and likely to end up retired. Kotchman, Kelly Johnson, Yunel, Brandon Jones, McCann, Francoeur, Boyer, Gonzalez, Anderson, Blanco, Prado, Infante, Jurrjens, Morton and JoJ are all under 30 years old-most 25 and under. Hansen, Medlin and Schafer, who are on the radar for 09, are all even younger. And you want to go out and get younger still? Good luck with that strategy. It makes no sense, but you just go ahead and believe it does.

By redclayer

September 3, 2008 5:31 AM | Link to this

E-gads! The Braves are literally killing me. They have gone from a National League Power to a AAA team in the short span of 2 years! Use the $10 million contracts of Hampton, Smoltz, and Glavine to find and sign young pitchers! Pitching, pitching, pitching….remember 1991-2005? Seems like only yesterday.