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AJC > Sports > Braves > Blog > Archives > 2008 > September > 12 > Entry

Braves make their last trip to Shea

By David O'Brien | Friday, September 12, 2008, 02:54 PM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Flushing, N.Y. — Here’s a quick one before I head over to Shea Stadium for the opener of the Braves’ last scheduled visit to the fading behemoth of a stadium hard by the 7-train tracks.

The Braves would love nothing more than to follow up this week’s sweep of the Rockies by winning their last series at Shea, where the Braves had some memorable LCS games against the Mets, and where Chipper Jones had some of his finest moments during his 1999 MVP season (and plenty of others).

(Not to mention, the stadium where The Clash, The Who, The Beatles and Joe Willie Namath once played - yes, the Jets played here for a while).

But it ain’t going to be easy. Because the Metropolitans are rolling, folks. And Johan Santana is pitching every bit like the ace the Mets envisoned when they gave him that fat contract.

(Hey, before I forget, I should mention there’s a chance you fans in Atlanta will get to witness some important NL baseball this weekend - the Astros and Cubs are considering playing their series at Turner Field, the series that’s being moved from Houston because of Hurricane Ike. Stay tuned. I heard they were still in discussions, nothing final, but it could happen.)

Now, back to Braves-Mets. The Bravos come in on a bit of a roll - I almost forgot how to type that sentence, it’s been so long - having won six of their past nine games, including five of seven on the just-concluded homestand.

They are 6-3 with a 4.97 ERA, .314 team batting average and 62 runs scored in their past nine games, after going 4-17 with a 6.84 ERA, .259 average and just 80 runs in their previous 21 games. And in their past eight games, the Braves have an almost respectable (relatively speaking) 4.27 ERA.

But that all pales in comparison to the Mets, who have won 20 of their past 27 games and belted 36 homers in their past 26 games, fueled by the resurgent Carlos Delgado, who has hit well against the Braves throughout his career.

(Wait, I almost forgot: Anyone heard the new Metallica album out today? I’ve not heard anything yet, curious to get a review from someone today. OK, back to the Mets….)

Delgado looked done, finished, wiped out, old, while hitting .229 with 11 homers, 35 RBI and a .306 OBP and .396 slugging percentage during his first 75 games this season through June 26.

Well, he was a long way from finished.

In 67 games since then, Delgado has hit .304 with 24 homers, 69 RBI, a .395 OBP and .648 slugging percentage, and some observers - at least ones from New York - are trumpeting him for MVP consideration.

I can’t see that happening, no way. Not when Albert Pujols and others have put up the numbers they’ve put up this season. Delgado might be the second-half MVP, but I don’t know of anyone who hands out that award.

As for Santana, he’s pitching tonight. And he’s blazing. The lefty is 6-0 with a 2.31 ERA in his past 13 starts, with a .216 opponents’ average, 22 walks and 72 strikeouts in 89-2/3 innings. He’s got two complete games in that stretch, and he’s pitched 10 consecutive quality starts entering tonight.

This run followed a stretch in which Santana went 0-4 in five starts from June 6-28, despite a sparkling 2.53 ERA in that winless stretch. The Mets scored one run while he was in three of those games, and two in another.

Santana is still looking for his first win against the Braves, who’ve beaten him twice this season despite him giving up only four earned runs in 14 innings in those games, in April and May.

The former Twins ace is 0-3 with a 2.81 ERA in four starts against the Braves, who’ve hit far better (.301 average) in those 25-2/32 innings against him than most other teams have during his career.

By the way, Santana is 7-3 with a 2.24 ERA in 14 home starts this season, including 4-0 with a 1.45 ERA in his past six.

He’s matched against Mike Hampton tonight, which makes it three tough counterparts that Hampton will have faced in his past four starts, including Florida’s Josh Johnson in consecutive starts Aug. 27 and Sept. 1.

Skip Caray T-shirts: The long-awaited new batch of Skip T’s is in, and Jake Cook (radio producer extraordinaire and T-shirt designer) tells me that the denizens can get them here

Proceeds are going to the Caray Family’s preferred charities, though Jake couldn’t put that on the eBay ad because of the hoops they make you jump through to set that up as a non-profit entry.

Massive burger: If you live in the Atlanta area and have never had a “Ghetto Burger” (that’s the name on the menu) from Ann’s on Memorial Drive, you should do so at your first chance. I had my first one Thursday.

The joint (and that’s what it is) is not far from the ballpark, just a shack of a place with a screened-in front porch and about eight stools at the inside counter. Wait outside until Ann is ready for you to come in (seriously).

It takes her about 20 minutes to cook the massive gut-buster of a burger, start-to-finish. The Ghetto Burger goes for $7.75, but get the combo, with fries and a drink (great sweet tea).

It’s the biggest burger I’ve ever eaten, by far. The whole mess is nearly two pounds, with fries. It’s got chili, onions, cheese, two slabs of beef and mayo (I, of course, had her hold the mayo, because I do not eat mayo, as I’ve said before.)

It’s one of the best five burgers I’ve ever (Wall Street Journal rated it No. 1 in the nation, but I’m sticking with Le Tub in Hollywood Beach, Fla., as my No. 1).

“DOWN THERE BY THE TRAIN” by Tom Waits (written for Johnny Cash to perform)

There’s a place I know where the train goes slow

Where the sinner can be washed in the blood of the lamb

There’s a river by the trestle down by sinner’s grove

Down where the willow and the dogwood grow

You can hear the whistle, you can hear the bell

From the halls of heaven to the gates of hell

And there’s room for the forsaken if you’re there on time

You’ll be washed of all your sins and all of your crimes

If you’re down there by the train

Down there by the train

Down there by the train

Down there by the train

Down there where the train goes slow

There’s a golden moon that shines up through the mist

And I know that your name can be on that list

There’s no eye for an eye, there’s no tooth for a tooth

I saw Judas Iscariot carrying John Wilkes Booth

He was down there by the train

Down there by the train

Down there by the train

Down there by the train

He was down there where the train goes slow

If you’ve lost all your hope, if you’ve lost all your faith

I know you can be cared for and I know you can be safe

And all the shamefuls and all of the whores

And even the soldier who pierced the side of the Lord

Is down there by the train

Down there by the train

Down there by the train

Down there by the train

Down there where the train goes slow

Well, I’ve never asked forgiveness and I’ve never said a prayer

Never given of myself, never truly cared

I’ve left the ones who loved me and I’m still raising Cain

I’ve taken the low road and if you’ve done the same

Meet me down there by the train

Down there by the train

Down there by the train

Down there by the train

Down there where the train goes slow

Meet me down there by the train

Down there by the train

Down there by the train

Down there by the train

Down there where the train goes slow

Permalink | Comments (479) | Post your comment |

Comments

By Shaun

September 12, 2008 3:13 PM | Link to this

The guy a few of the conspiracy theorist-type Braves fans love to hate, Dayn Perry, wrote an article on why Carlos Delgado isn’t even the most valuable Met.

By Greg in TN

September 12, 2008 3:14 PM | Link to this

Re-posting from the last blog

Afternoon lads and lasses…

Thanks for the reflection Carroll. There has been much that has been shared by the denizens already on that sad day in our history. Yesterday was certainly a poignant day in these parts.

David-ATL14: Good to hear you’re back from Alaska. I’ve been busy with travel and work here. Breakdowns in the offensive line, in special teams and the secondary were tough to watch. We’ll see what kind of progress we see next week to be sure.

Nice sweep at the hands of the suddenly reeling Colorado Rockies at the intersection of Hank Aaron Drive and Ralph David Abernathy. Have to say that KJ is hitting at a torrid pace of late. He has a 10 game hitting streak which has seen his BA rise from .263 to .280.

The Offensive Assassin sits two percentage points above Sir Albert of Santo Domingo going into Chipper’s last trip to a ballpark where he’s had a bit of success at in the past while Pujols and the Cards spend the weekend in the Steel City against a Pirates staff that sits dead last in the league in team ERA and is 14th in number of homers allowed. As N8 would say, yikes.

The bearded icon got a good checkup from Dr. Andrews, which is good news to this denizen, however C-Mo received a setback with pain in his shoulder blade, which is disappointing.

Have to say I’m impressed with the two starts from James Parr and particularly impressed with last night’s performance from Jorge Julio. The guy obviously had a bad outing for the Indians against Texas on May 23rd (5 ERs in 1.2 innings is bad anyway one looks at it), but last night he was flat out dealing.

By ElbravoX-- EbX

September 12, 2008 3:16 PM | Link to this

Sweep the Mutts!

By BravesFan79

September 12, 2008 3:17 PM | Link to this

Wow its hard to pull for the mets….but what im really rooting for is a top 5 draft pick so we can grab a dominant starter for the future. Mike (not a big game pitcher) Hampton is pitching tonight…so even if he pitches well the score should be around 3-0 mets by the 5th inning.
With the best intrest in the long term future in mind….keep the games close…but LOOSE Braves Loose!

By flange1

September 12, 2008 3:26 PM | Link to this

BravesFan79,

Sorry dude, I can’t pull for the team to lose to the Mets for any reason all……

By richbrave

September 12, 2008 3:27 PM | Link to this

Sometimes when you’ve just had enough of a franchise and want out, 5 ERS in 1.2 IP turns the trick. Just sayin’ maybe - because JULIO was lights out once he got here to RICHMOND.

Last night fASTABALLS and I were conjecturing as to why JORGE wasn’t an A-BRAVE soon after his arrival in RICHMOND what with the parant club’s crying relief needs. Your quoted numbers would be a good reason why the BRAVES didn’t rush him to ATLANTA pronto.

By richbrave

September 12, 2008 3:31 PM | Link to this

BravesFan79:

We’re losing ground fast in the draft sweeps by winning. But even if we pull it together late on the ball-field, we won’t fall out of the top ten in the next fifteen games. #5 looks mighty sweet though.

By Section 412

September 12, 2008 3:34 PM | Link to this

DOB / others:

Several weeks back I posted remarks that Frank Wren made at a Season Ticket holders lunch prior to a Sunday game. Some on the blog felt there was no way he would have said the things he said, but others found the summary interesting.

Anyway, I got an email invitation to another one next Friday (9/19). This one will include John Schuerholz, Frank Wren, and Derek Schiller. It is at 5:30 (remarks at 6:00) in the same place as the last one, the patio outside Section 129. It is being billed as a “Town Hall Meeting” for invited Season Ticket Holders. I will be in Phoenix for the Dawgs / ASU game and will not be there, but I thought I might throw this out there to see if any other bloggers might be invited and attending and would post some highlights.

While I am sure that the main agenda item will be to encourage us to renew our tickets next year, if it is anything like the last one, it will be interesting.

By Graham

September 12, 2008 3:34 PM | Link to this

New Metallica steps back to old school, almost typical Metallica. Seems more rhythm driven and not as many strong solos, but definitely better than St. Anger (St. Anger was raw). Track 4, “The Judas Kiss”, and track 6, “My Apocalypse” are hints of early Metallica. Track 7,”Unforgiven III”, seems to lack a bit. The rest of the album is good and worth a listen.

By albert

September 12, 2008 3:35 PM | Link to this

Delgado’s poor early season performance stats are very similar to what we’ve seen from Francouer for a full season.

By Brian

September 12, 2008 3:36 PM | Link to this

GREG IS THE SMARTEST MAN ALIVE!!!!!! Don’t think so? Ask him! Kidding buddy

By Renegator

September 12, 2008 3:38 PM | Link to this

DOB

Thanks for the link on the Skip Caray shirts.

Oh yeah, and the recommendation of the burger.

By Graham

September 12, 2008 3:49 PM | Link to this

Just to clarify, the solos are good, and there are many, they’re just not as good as previous albums. St. Anger had very few solos.

By David O'Brien

September 12, 2008 3:54 PM | Link to this

Section, 142: A season ticket holder from our office (AJC) forwarded me that same e-mail. And I know what related from Wren’s last discussion was accurate, by the way.

By Couch Tater

September 12, 2008 3:56 PM | Link to this

Delgado looked done, finished, wiped out, old…

I’m not a hater but, those numbers you posted (through June 26) are eerily simular to a certain right fielder. (through 9/11)

.232 avg 11 HR .290 OBP .353 slg 65 rbi

And…don’t forget them Stones @ Shea.

By David O'Brien

September 12, 2008 3:58 PM | Link to this

Nasty weather here, lot of rain, more than was forecast. Don’t know about tonight, but I’ll bet we sit around a while before they decided to bang it, if they do. They’ll try to get it in because tomorrow’s 4 p.m. Fox game makes it almost impossible to have a split DH tomorrow (or a DH at all, unless you start before noon or at 8 or later, and that’s unlikely.

If they’d bang it early, I could watch the Jayhawks play South Florida tonight. But that’d be too easy. They won’t do that for me. (Don’t feel good about going to play them boys down at Tampa tonight, by the way.)

By richbrave

September 12, 2008 4:03 PM | Link to this

JOKER:

It’s not possible to read and not react.? Doing so makes you come off incredibily arrogant and self-possessed. “I’ve just got to educate these clueless bums” is the way it seems when you post up your take. I have been on METS blogs and read comments, but I don’t deposit a pile of doo before I leave. Just a thought MET MAN, just a thought.

By bigmosh

September 12, 2008 4:05 PM | Link to this

What did Wren say at the last “town meeting”?

By Section 412

September 12, 2008 4:08 PM | Link to this

DOB - Thanks - I’m glad I will be in PHX, but I wish I could hear the remarks. Any updates would be appreciated. Good luck with the weather tonight.

By Metropolitan Man

September 12, 2008 4:14 PM | Link to this

MetrDude-If you seriously believe that Kenny Lofton, Mike Piazza, and Mike Hampton is the way the Braves should go for 09, then it’s no wonder the Mets have sucked for so many years. That’s exactly what the Mets’ brass has done for years and where, exactly, has it gotten them? Can you say Mo Vaughan or Jeromy Burnitz-maybe Moises Alou and El Duque?

Lew I never intended for the braves to sign M. Piazza, Lofton, or S. Green next year but at least you would have had more MLB expereince on the field this year if you kicked their tires so to speak. Those guys had this year, and probably this year only to extend their baseball careers but now they can ride into the sunset. Now Hampton is your problem but if it was the METS who were in your shoes and Hampton wanted to stay and he was pitching the way he was pitching now, I’d try a 1 year option for 2 type deal. I hope the METS light him up tonight but he has suprised me so far barring his last outing. Now that that is cleared up, so far the only thing that can be agreed on is that the no one predicted the braves to be in the position they are in.

By flange1

September 12, 2008 4:14 PM | Link to this

richbrave,

Many have tried to let the Met’s faithful know that folks here don’t like the Mets and really are not that interested in what goes on with their team.

But they still come on the blog and talk trash and tell us how much they know and how little we know.

We have heard the same things from Anders for the past 2 years, over and over and over like a broken record.

Now a bit of the same from Met Man.

After what happened to them last year you would think that they would learn to shut up at least until their team MAKES the playoffs…

But no, still lots of talk and very little brains..

Same as it ever was!

By Braveheart

September 12, 2008 4:18 PM | Link to this

Depending upon the quality of your internet connection there at Shea, you can watch the Jayhawks tonight on your computer on espn360. Of course, you also got to to work but the 360 thing is cool. Have watched alot of football, baseball and NASCAR live and on replay on there lately.

By richbrave

September 12, 2008 4:18 PM | Link to this

LEW:

Bought the “ILLUSIONIST” on DVD for $6.00 sometime about eighteen months ago. Never heard of it, but figured anything with EDWARD NORTON couldn’t be all bad. As you said it was all good. Great flick.

By richbrave

September 12, 2008 4:28 PM | Link to this

flange 1:

Evidently rational thought and mutual respect are not the “JOKER’s” forte. And as you have stated, responding just seems to encourage more disrespect and at times irrational behavior. Look at how many times the “MET MAN” has posted since this written dialogue began yesterday. So it’s time to close the window. Better to suffocate than choke to death from the stink outside.

By Metropolitan Man

September 12, 2008 4:28 PM | Link to this

Here comes the tears. Its a METS braves series and you still have to question why METS fans post here. Please I cant’t wait to see the METS tonight, they are in a pennant race you know. The braves are playing their season out and trying to ruin teams playoff chances. The METS will never forget 07’, and thats why they are where they are now in 08’. They wont let the fans and the city down again. The METS gave it away last year, the philthies will have to take it this year. Just enjoy the rest of your season, ingnore all METS post if that makes things right with you, but don’t be a blog bully. Its just baseball talk and for 3 games now, 3 next weeek so the braves are relevant to the METS. Besides this is the last series there, thats enough story line in there that can create all kind of convo.

By Gary

September 12, 2008 4:33 PM | Link to this

Hey fellow denizens…..I took some time away from the blog but after taking in my last two games at the Ted this season during the Rockies series I must say I am actually ready to talk some baseball. Hope the Braves pay a little spoiler and put a nice close to Shea Stadium this weekend and take out the Mutts one last time. I miss those days in the late 90s where the Braves had some swagger going into Shea and shutting up the Met faithful. Ah how I miss those days.

DOB, haven’t bought the album because I have been at work all day, but XM has a channel dedicated to Metallica and they have been playing some of the songs from Death Magnetic (new album). Cyanide and All Nightmare Long are the only two new songs I have heard and they flat out rock. I will pick up the album on the way home and will let you know how the rest of it is. Can’t wait to hear Unforgiven III.

By JD

September 12, 2008 4:34 PM | Link to this

DOB, I’m over here in NYC and it is not looking good tonight. I’m with you on that it will be awhile before its cancelled, but I’ll still be making the trip to Shea anyway.

By Bobby's half brother

September 12, 2008 4:36 PM | Link to this

Bro, I know you’re managing for a high draft choice, but quit ruining Frenchy. He’s not going to have any trade value except with KC. Leaving 14 on base in two games is horrible. You know I taught you better…shut him down now! What you’re doing is destroying what little self-confidence he had. He’s not going to get any better this year, especially with that charity-case hitting coach you’ve got. Shoot, Big Tube of Goo Boyer is more valuable to the team right now than Frenchy. Get your finger out of your nose and listen to these bloggers…fire Roger, Terry, and forget you even know Corky. Then, have Wrenn find you some pitchers that are not a couple of years away from medicare or on their 5th arm surgery. Finally, do Chipper a favor and let him go out in style as a DH in Boston or Tampa Bay. Maybe then, they’ll let you manage for 4 or 5 more years, or until you weigh 350 lbs…whichever comes first.

By richbrave

September 12, 2008 4:39 PM | Link to this

flange 1:

Like I said - irrational.

By Bobby's Cox

September 12, 2008 4:39 PM | Link to this

Last night fASTABALLS and I were conjecturing as to why JORGE wasn’t an A-BRAVE soon after his arrival in RICHMOND what with the parant club’s crying relief needs. Your quoted numbers would be a good reason why the BRAVES didn’t rush him to ATLANTA pronto. Richbrave

After Julio’s first 10 innings in Richmond I posted his stats. I’m going on selective memory here, but he had a darn good era, and K/9. The numbers looked good on the surface, but other numbers he put up were scary.

He had like 2 wild pitches, 3 hits batsmen, 5 walks, 7 hts…something like that. Pretty much just showed damage control because his WHIP was through the roof yet his era was low.

That’s probably why they didn’t bring him up then.

By McFann ;Ô;

September 12, 2008 4:42 PM | Link to this

Cubs and Astros might be playing at Turner Field?? My word! What is this world coming to?

Ah, whatever. We cann help them out what with their city under water. I can’t stand either team, though.

I don’t really care what happens there as long as the BRAVES give the mets what for.

By Bobby's Cox

September 12, 2008 4:46 PM | Link to this

Metropolitan Man

I don’t see how Hampton is our problem. He’s been pitching pretty decent. If anything, (if he stays healthy), he’s going to get a better feel for his pitches and pitch better next than he has been this season.

He’ll likely get an incentive based contract, and I’m guessing he’d like to stay with the Braves if the braves want him back. I don’t see how he’s a problem at all.

Even if the Braves sign Hampton and he gets hurt next year, it will be a good opportunity to bring up some young pitchers like Hanson and Medley, who I’m sure the Braves view as possibly MLB ready, but wouldn’t mind them spending additional time in the minors for seasoning. Looks like a win-win to me.

By Renegator

September 12, 2008 4:49 PM | Link to this

That’s probably why they didn’t bring him up then.- Bobby’s Cox

Or, because they are a bunch of id10ts.

By Chop Chop

September 12, 2008 4:54 PM | Link to this

I’ll pick up the new Metallica album this weekend, DOB.

Rolling Stone gave it four stars. Not sure what Rolling Stone’s opinion is worth these days (probably not much), but what I’ve heard from the album (three or four songs over the last few weeks) is enough to make me believe that Metallica is, at the very least, back on the right track.

And now, after trawling around the Net for a minute or two, I found a non-review (the guy got one listen with an engineer and record company rep in two) from Tony Hicks of the Contra Costa Times. Here’s a quote from him:

“And, I have to say, while it’s nice to hear Metallica get back (mostly … so far … I think … after one listen) to what they do best instead of experimenting, It’s also nice to hear Hetfield no longer struggling with his personal demons lyrically, getting back to yelling about mangled flesh and whatnot.”

Hicks is absolutely right. It is nice to hear Hetfield yelling about mangled flesh.

And whatnot.

By TommyBoy

September 12, 2008 4:59 PM | Link to this

Guys,

Anyone who thinks the Braves are going to actually SEE that No. 5 pick is smoking crack … Wren has said the team will be active on the free agent market, and teams that sign Type A free agents lose their first-rounders.

That’s why the Braves didn’t have a first-rounder this year.

Enough of this rooting for the Mets crap.

By Kentavo

September 12, 2008 5:01 PM | Link to this

New Metallica. I just burned a copy from a colleague (take that Lars!), who said it was “best album since the Black album.” I’ll find out on my commute home.

By Hoosier Aaron

September 12, 2008 5:12 PM | Link to this

I’m pretty sure the first 15 picks in the draft are protected regardless of free agent signings. We could lose our second round pick by signing a Type A. That’s my understanding.

By bgvt

September 12, 2008 5:16 PM | Link to this

TommyBoy:

The first 15 picks in the draft are protected so a team cannot lose one by signing a type A free agent. If the Braves are in the top 15 picks (quite likely) and they sign a type A free agent, then the team from which they sign the free agent will get a supplemental pick + the Braves 2nd round pick.

Also, the draft pick compensation only applies to cases in which the team offered arbitration and the player declined. Hence, even if Andruw Jones had qualified as a type A free agent last year, the Braves would not have gotten compensation since they weren’t foolish enough to offer him arbitration. (A no-brainer but still a wise move on FW’s part not to offer AJ arbitration.)

By cincybrave

September 12, 2008 5:19 PM | Link to this

DOB, the new Metallica Album is very very good. A lot of Justice/Master back in the music, which is always a plus. The single that they have been pumping, The Day that Never Comes, sucks, but the rest of the album is definitely worth a listen or 50. I picked it up at lunch, and have not stopped listening to it since. Good stuff.

Enjoy NYC and that sewer they call Shea.

By Mitchell

September 12, 2008 5:19 PM | Link to this

I don’t care about how many games the Mets are winning, how well Santana has been throwing down the stretch… the Braves are going to kick some Yankee* a$$.

*that’s called humor, folks.

Is it me, or does it seem like every time the Braves are about to face off with an ace pitcher, our announcers act like we would be lucky to win?

I’ll give Joe and Chip and Pete credit (not a huge Boog fan), they’re the best in the biz as far as I’m concerned… If ever time one of our players hit a homerun or or the team got a win I had to hear, “You can put it on the board-Yes!” or “It’s an A-Bomb from A-Rod… the Yankees win, daaaaa Yankees win,” I’d slit my throat.

We’ve obviously been kind of sucking these past few years but they always seem to give too much credit to the other team.

We’re going to go out there tonight and kick the s* out of Santana, Wright and Old-Gado.

Weather permitting.

By Hiawatha Terrell Wade

September 12, 2008 5:21 PM | Link to this

Dave, do you consider Wren’s recent trip to Japan an indicator that he may explore that market this winter? I know his comments suggest the trip had more of a long-term focus, but could you see the Braves offering an astronomical posting fee for someone like Yu Darvish?

By cincybrave

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

The new Metallica album is fantastic. Give it a listen, for sure.

By StingerSplash

September 12, 2008 5:24 PM | Link to this

I never knew how it all got started This problem with Holland before we were born And I don’t know the name of the boy we tied down And beat til he just couldn’t walk anymore But I know the caliber in daddy’s chest I know what Holland Hill drives The state let him go, and I guess it was best ‘Cause nobody needs all us Lawsons alive

sorry. Digging through my CDs on the drive home the other night, and I never look to see which one I get before I pop it in and I got “Decoration Day.” Nothing like the title track at 2 a.m. on a dark Georgia highway, ya’ll.

By Wyatt Burp

September 12, 2008 5:42 PM | Link to this

Just caught DOB’s rah rah report on 680 the fan. Everyone is pitching great, everyone is hitting great, hard to believe we are 18 games out of first.

By richbrave

September 12, 2008 5:57 PM | Link to this

TOMMYBOY:

Hold the crack. I’ll get back to you. We do lose our second if OHMAN signs, right guys.?

By David O'Brien

September 12, 2008 5:59 PM | Link to this

Chipper scratched for “stiff back.”

As unlikely as the radar and forecast make it seem that we could possibly get this game in, Omar told Cox that it’s supposed to be off-and-on rain after 7:30 or so, and they’re going to hold off and try to play.

We’ll see. It’s been raining steadily for two hours or more.

By Mitchell

September 12, 2008 6:01 PM | Link to this

Here’s my question:

Where’s the Met’s version of the beat blog? How do I get there so I can waste my digital breath like Metropolitan Man does here?

As I said already Met Man, you’re in serious trouble this weekend but in truth, you probably have little reason to worry the rest of the way.

The Phillies may have forgotten how to win but we sure as hell don’t know how to beat them and we have six more games head to head.

If not for the fact that he flushed the hopes of a single season down the drain in the span of half a second with a drop of an easy fly ball, it’s possible Kelly Johnson has in fact redeemed himself.

I mean, he did still blow the entire season. It was absolutely the worst, most heart shattering play in the history of the Atlanta Braves. I did have to kill a unwitting back alley hobo. It did take five years off my life. The team did go severely downhill and we then did have to sell of Teixeira, who sucked anyway, and now we will finish in 4th place in the NL East for the next two years…

But let’s hope he has a good series against those Mutts.

Does anybody remember that game at Shea in April last year when Edgar got a 3 run dinger in the 6th to tie the game and then Kelly hit a three run bomb to get the win?

Okay, that was a kind of specific, but if you remember the game you’d agree it was the shiznit.

And yes, I did just say “shiznit”. Deal with it.

By David O'Brien

September 12, 2008 6:08 PM | Link to this

Wyatt Burp, you don’t listen too well, do you? Sorry it wasn’t cynical enough for you, that I pointed out the guys have gotten past that bummed-out stage since they were eliminated so early, and that some of them now seem to be playing with a purpose, or in Kelly’s case playing with more a what-the-f approach at the plate, not waiting for the perfect pitch and instead being more aggressive and swinging, or that Chipper is back in the batting race with his little run here in the last couple weeks.

Sorry, dude, but I’m sure there are several like-minded fans at the bar or that you can call and moan about how crappy things are. I mean, Braves are 17 games under .500 and 18 games out of first. You’d have to be dim not to know they’ve had a terrible year. We all know that. How many times do you need to hear that, though?

You don’t want to hear anything other than that? Should we just ignore anything whatsoever that they do on a positive note in the remaining weeks, and instead just continue to say they had a terrible season? Nothing they do the last few weeks will change the fact they had a terrible season. We all know that, Wyatt Burp. Just not everyone needs to hear it every hour to feel content.

By TennesseePaul

September 12, 2008 6:10 PM | Link to this

DOB: Picked up a copy from a friend who had an early release. He gets the goods. Not much of a Metallica fan but he was sold on it. It is good. Best in quite a while actually.

Chipper isn’t playing in Shea? Again? What gives? This guy seems to skip more Shea games than he plays lately.

By A FAN

September 12, 2008 6:10 PM | Link to this

isnt it funny chipper missing another game in NY. im startin to wonder if hes using the NY trips to party or what. he always finds a way to miss NY road games as of late. its truly amazin another NY back injury. but ill take a stab that hes back in there after the mut series. man it would be nice to remind these muts that last year can happen again by takein the series or even sweepin it.hahaha yea right . GO DAWGS!!!!!!

By David O'Brien

September 12, 2008 6:13 PM | Link to this

Hiawatha, yes I think it’s an indicate that Wren is going to turn over every stone imaginable trying to find two good starting pitchers, two very good ones — that don’t cost what Sabathia will cost.

No one’s going to have to post Dice-K level posting fees for the guys they’re looking at over there now. I think they’re looking at one who’s in the Industrial League over there, who’s purposefully stayed out of the bigger league over there so that he could come to the U.S. without all the hassle and the wait. He’s younger (than your Dice-K’s and other Japanese imports), but supposed to be very good.

By Lew

September 12, 2008 6:15 PM | Link to this

Chop Chop-Not to disparage good mangled flesh lyrics, but isn’t that dealing with personal demons, too?

By McFann :Ô:

September 12, 2008 6:20 PM | Link to this

Dang! No Chipper tonight? What kind of a…

By fastasballs

September 12, 2008 6:20 PM | Link to this

Does Chipper ever play a game at Shea anymore? He has been going good lately & was hoping he could bash the Muts one last time if that dump of a stadium.

As bad as I would like a top 5 pick for the Braves I’d rather see them sweep the Muts & help them to yet another collapse.

By Mitchell

September 12, 2008 6:25 PM | Link to this

Hey DOB,

Are you still doing your Braves report on 680thefan? I never hear it anymore. Granted I always forget until the last minute and turn it on at like 9:20am or 5:25pm and it sounds like they’re talking about something completely different.

I have to say I’ve become rather disappointed by my low Neil Young IQ. I pretty sure I had heard the song “Don’t Let it Bring You Down” before but I didn’t recognize the title.

I like to think that he’s one of my favorite artists but the only cds I have of his are After the Goldrush, Harvest and Harvest Moon.

Harvest Moon has to have one of the worst cover art design of any album in rock history but I love the s* out of that album. (that doesn’t sound right)

I’ve never driven a Harley on a desert highway (Unknown Legend) and I’m not much of a nature dude (Natural Beauty) but I find that I myself relating to the imagery of those songs. It is definitely one of my favorite albums.

I’m trying not to be like a clueless friend of mind who pretends he knows every classic album out there that he thinks he’s supposed to be into… but you gotta help me out: What other Neil Young cds do I need to get?

By David O'Brien

September 12, 2008 6:30 PM | Link to this

B. Schneider scratched from Mets lineup with inflamed knee.

By Deep Throat

September 12, 2008 6:30 PM | Link to this

that don’t cost what Sabathia will cost.

I don get it. They have 40 million. They can afford him. They could beat out the Yankees if they wanted. The Yankees aren’t going to pay Sabathia a 41 million annual salary.

If it was me, I’d take that 40 million and sign: Ben Sheets, Pat Burrell and Brian Fuentes.

The Braves afford all three. Sheets gives them a cheaper ace, Burrell a REAL left fielder with right handed power and Fuentes a backup closer and very solid left handed relief pitcher.

I’d also bring back Smoltz and Hampton for depth. Smoltz especially, I do think he’ll be back and good in 2009. Glavine I’d sadly let walk.

By David O'Brien

September 12, 2008 6:42 PM | Link to this

Mitchell: Yes, we just did the rah-rah report today at 5:10.

By Deep Throat

September 12, 2008 6:45 PM | Link to this

Guy’s don’t be stupid. The Braves didn’t call up Jorge Julio earlier because he is Jorge fricking Julio; a poor man’s Armando Benitez.

I also doubt the Braves are dumb enough to get fooled by 5 and 1/2 inning (with one earned run and a blown save) from Jorge Julio with the Atlanta Braves this year.

Seriously, some of you people are so reactionary. Prado has good August? Dump Kelly Johnson! Jeff Journeyman Jeff Bennett throws 13 good innings in late 2007 with the Atlanta Braves? Future #1 starter! Charlie Morton throws five good innings in Arizona fall league with his bad minor league track record? Also a future #1 starter!

Now it’s Jorge Julio (“but his 5 and 1/2 innings are just soooo good, give him a 10-year deal! Is he job safe for 2009? If not, why?! We can’t lose the amazing Jorge Julio!”) and James Parr and his 12 or 16 or whatever it is innings.

Can’t some of you people let someone get a decent sample size of work being wanting to sign someone long term and calling them future hall-of-famers? It’s beyond ridiculous at this point.

By David O'Brien

September 12, 2008 6:50 PM | Link to this

Oh, re: Neil Young. Mitchell, you should definitely own Rust Never Sleeps (with “Hey Hey, My My” and “Powderfinger”); Everybody Knows This is Nowhere (first album with Crazy Horse, and it had “Cinnamon Girl”); Ragged Glory (greatest album of the second half of his career, in my opinion); and Tonight’s the Night.

Also should have Freedom, Zuma, Sleeps With Angels…

By Bilal

September 12, 2008 6:52 PM | Link to this

DOB,

Do you believe that the game will be PPD due to rain?

By White Horse Tavern

September 12, 2008 6:56 PM | Link to this

Yes, I’m supposed to forward Mr. Jones and Schneider’s tab to this address to the attention of a Mr.Uga-Brave(?) They said he would be the person with the Beer-can(?) chicken stain on his Georgia shirt.

Thank you.

By TennesseePaul

September 12, 2008 6:58 PM | Link to this

Deap Throat: Perhaps the Braves could afford CC before the Yankees get involved, but they won’t be able to out bid him for the same reason the Yanks aren’t going to offer 41 million a year to him. The Yanks have 80+ million coming off the books. That’s practically the entire Atlanta Braves team. The Braves have half that being freed up. The Yankees also have a new stadium. There is no out bidding the Yankees if the Yankees want the player. And all indications are, the Yankees want the player.

By Original Jon

September 12, 2008 7:02 PM | Link to this

Man, could you imagine if we got someone like Yu Darvish? The kid is amazing. Hope we at least try for a pitcher of that caliber this offseason. If anything, this offseason will be pretty exciting.

By Chop Chop

September 12, 2008 7:02 PM | Link to this

Lew,

It depends. Some people can talk about mangled flesh without any personal demons. I know I can. I love talkin’ me some mangled flesh.

By McFann :Ô:

September 12, 2008 7:12 PM | Link to this

Rain delay? Aw, no…

Rain outs? We don’t want no stinkin’ rain outs!

If a game gets rained out, will they postpone it till the 29th? Then there’s no doubleheader!

By Couch Tater

September 12, 2008 7:21 PM | Link to this

Chop Chop…Some people can talk about mangled flesh…

Speaking of mangled flesh, I hope everyone filled your cars yesterday. The lines to pay more (because of Ike) stink.

By Choppinmama

September 12, 2008 7:21 PM | Link to this

Oh dear heavens, XtraInnings is going to make me watch the Mets feed tonite! Maybe they won’t get it in, and I can watch 2 on Fox tomorrow. If it’s a RO tonite, maybe Chipper’s (fill in body part here) will be feeling ok to play tomorrow!

DOB: not a writer in sight at that game on the 4th. Had a good time on the field during bp, even had a chat with Corralles (he remembers me from the “Fear The Fick” sign), and spoke with one of the former Kudzu Kids, Willie Harris. I told him I think of him everytime I make the trip from FL to ATL through Cairo.

We were sitting under the cow, and loved it late in the game when he missed that ball to the wall, and we went on to win.

Wonder what souvenir of Shea Chipper will be taking home with him? Maybe he has his name on a row of seats.

By Mitchell

September 12, 2008 7:26 PM | Link to this

Much obliged DOB.

I feel I need vouche for my musical prowess, to say nothing of my street cred. I have 14 days of music on my iPod.

I’m mostly a Beatles, Who, Dylan, Stones (eh), Wilco fan.

I’m a little off Wilco at the moment. But either way, I have a hard time with all the art rock/ hipster s* that keeps coming out these days.

I’m mostly into the classics, you know, Def Leppard.

I’ve become very fond of the Byrds lately and I will again vouche for a modicum of Young diversity… Buffalo Springfield Again is mindblowingly brilliant. He has a song called “Expecting to Fly” and one at the end called “Broken Arrow” which rival my heralded Beatles.

If I may be so bold as to make two final recommendations to the humble guru… you have to check out two bands that may be past their prime (okay, one is broken up) but still worth your time, Idaho’s Built to Spill and the now-defunct Grandaddy. The latter is very much like a cross between Mr. Young and David Bowie. They’re (were) amazing.

Thanks again for the recommendations.

p.s. you sounded so blasse about your 680thefan Braves Report. what gives? that’s appointment radio.

i can’t believe i just said “blasse”.

Okay, I’m gonna stop now. Way too much.

By Choppinmama

September 12, 2008 7:28 PM | Link to this

McFann - I’ve been playing catch-up on the last 3 blogs and had to comment on the old TV shows. When I was just a small girl - heh, heh, heh - my favorites were Get Smart, My Favorite Martian and Have Gun Will Travel. Isn’t TVland great?

I’d love to know who had the cojones to ok, then produce Hogan’s Heroes. A comedy about a German prisoner of war camp? No politically correct police back in those innocent days, huh?

By David O'Brien

September 12, 2008 7:29 PM | Link to this

A few writers from New York and myself were talking to Cox in the dugout before the game, and he was asked what it’ll take to get the Braves back in contention next season.

“Pitching, pitching and more pitching,” he said. “Good pitching will cover up a lot of other things. When you don’t have it, everything else becomes critical.

“We’re hoping Tommy and Smoltz come back. But we’re not going to bank on it. We’re soing to still add before that.”

Cox said the Braves want to add two strong starters.

By McFann :Ô:

September 12, 2008 7:30 PM | Link to this

Choppinmama—

Hey! How’ve you been? Haven’t heard from you in a while! Always loved your moniker.

The game is on ESPN tonight…I think. So instead of the Mets’ feed, you might get Joe Morgan!

You were at the game on the fourth? And were on the field during BP?? Sweet! Good game, too.

By David O'Brien

September 12, 2008 7:32 PM | Link to this

by the way, just in case they play: 1. Infante (LF), 2. Johnson (2B), 3. Prado (3B), 4. McCann, 5. Escobar, 6. Kotchman, 7, Francoeur, 8. Anderson, 9. Hampton.

But I don’t think they’re going to play.

By Choppinmama

September 12, 2008 7:36 PM | Link to this

One last personal rememberance of 9/11: I was at work listening to the radio when reports of the first crash was broadcast. All of us gathered in a conference room and just watched in a state of horror as the events unfolded. Then, to make matters even more horrific was the fact that there were no survivors to evacuate and help. We even had folks from our NY office calling us to say they could see the smoke and rubble from their building.

My husband flew up to NY as soon as flights resumed to help with the anthrax investigation, and was allowed down to the still-smoking rubble at ground zero. Those are some of the most stark, painful photos we have.

By TennesseePaul

September 12, 2008 7:47 PM | Link to this

But I don’t think they’re going to play.

No, they aren’t. I heard Chipper took himself out of the game so I said to myself, today is the day the oceans receed, the earth cools, the lame shall arise and walk, and a rain out will occur in NY to allow Chipper a chance to rest his back and still play on another day.

By David O'Brien

September 12, 2008 7:53 PM | Link to this

Mitchell, I was just being sarcastic (see above post from the guy who called my 680 thing tonight a “rah-rah” report.

We’ve done three per week, all season. We did one Wednesday that stretched from 9:10 to 9:30 a.m. Those guys in the morning, especially Rude, like talking about everything.

By the way, I love Boise, Idaho’s Built To Spill (their cover Powderfinger is incredible, speaking of Neil) and have three Granndaddy CDs.

By Interested Observer

September 12, 2008 7:55 PM | Link to this

Rays at Yankees has been postponed. Apparently, they don’t see the window that Minaya does.

By McFann :Ô:

September 12, 2008 7:58 PM | Link to this

Choppinmama—

Wow.

By Choppinmama

September 12, 2008 8:07 PM | Link to this

McCann - ESPN has the Rays and Yankees tonite. Looks like we’re on ESPN Sunday.

Yeah, I won the tickets at Baseball 101 earlier in the year. The baseball gods knew who would enjoy them the best! Took a black bat and had it scribbled on. Omar Infante was especially gracious.

I’ve swallowed my disappointment for the poor season, so will try to stay current on this awesome blog. (I will skip over all of the Mutts contributions, however.)

By AdirondackDave

September 12, 2008 8:09 PM | Link to this

I’m glad to see DOB report that Cox said the Braves need to add two strong starters. Couldn’t agree more, pitching wins pennants… Even so, it will be imperative to add an outfielder with serious punch. I imagine Prado or KJ will be traded. Blanco and a couple young pitchers will likely be wearing new uniforms next year.

By Interested Observer

September 12, 2008 8:12 PM | Link to this

Disregard my last transmission..

The Extra Innings schedule had the Rays-Yankess games listed as postponed, but now they have it as delayed.

By Section 412

September 12, 2008 8:23 PM | Link to this

DOB - don’t know if you have access to the game during the rain delay, but Kansas drove the field on their first possession and leads USF 7-0 in the 1st.

By Steve from OH

September 12, 2008 8:29 PM | Link to this

scoots, where ya at, buddy? Kaaihue homered again tonight….Mississippi up 3-0, Medlen on the hill.

By bravos2249

September 12, 2008 8:32 PM | Link to this

BRAVES AREN’T ON ESPN SUNDAY

By Section 412

September 12, 2008 8:33 PM | Link to this

DOB - another nice drive, this time for 3. Kansas 10-0 late in the 1st.

By David O'Brien

September 12, 2008 8:37 PM | Link to this

Yankees just got banged, so hopefully this one is about to be, too.

Excruciating, sitting here watching it rain for hours on end. A LOT of people came out and hare sitting/standing under the second and third deck overhangs, drinking brews and lining the coffers of the Mets….

Hey, you guys will love this story Cox shared today, which to my knowledge (I looked at accounts of the game and this wasn’t mentioned) hasn’t been written about or divulged before by the manager:

Cox once ripped a sink off the wall of a bathroom adjacent to the visitors’ dugout at Shea Stadium.

He was asked for the strangest thing he could recall from his many visits to Shea.

“Who was the pitcher that hit [Phil] Niekro?” Cox asked. It was Craig Swan. “Yeah, Swan hit Niekro in the head,” he said. “I got [ticked] off and tore the sink off the all in the bathroom. Water everywhere. I had to pay for it.”

The incident occurred June 5, 1979. Swan beaned Niekro, setting off a benches-clearing brawl. Swan stayed in and threw a two-hit complete game in a 2-1 Mets win before a crowd of 9,808.

By McFann :Ô:

September 12, 2008 8:38 PM | Link to this

Choppinmama—

Yeah, saw they weren’t on ESPN when we checked to see if it had come back on.

ESPN on Sunday?? I hope not! Joe and Boog have to do the final game at Shea so Joe cann pay his last “respects”! ESPN can’t take that from us! It’s all the fun we have!!

Yeah, I won the tickets at Baseball 101 earlier in the year.

Oh yeah! I remember now! That’s cool! Pretty sweet to get a bat scribbled on!

Glad to know you’ll spend more time with us! Always like to read from ya! I’m with you on skipping over the Mets stuff.

JUST SAY “NO” TO DOUBLEHEADERS, BRAVES!!

By Tomas

September 12, 2008 8:38 PM | Link to this

posponed according to the braves radio.

By David O'Brien

September 12, 2008 8:40 PM | Link to this

Game RAINED OUT.

Will be made up as straight doubleheader beginning at 3:55 p.m.

waiting for Mets to announce their pitching order, because Hampton is going to choose to pitch against Santana (gotta like that attitude, huh?) He said no reason anyone else should have to pitch against him.

By McFann :Ô:

September 12, 2008 8:42 PM | Link to this

bravos2249—

Oh…oh good! Big sigh of relief from this denizen.

By McFann :Ô:

September 12, 2008 8:49 PM | Link to this

Game RAINED OUT. Will be made up as straight doubleheader beginning at 3:55 p.m.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!

By David O'Brien

September 12, 2008 8:55 PM | Link to this

Hampton vs. Santana in game 1, Reyes vs. John Niese in game 2.

All lefties. When’s the last time you saw that — four lefties in a DH?

Pedro’s bumped to Monday.

Niese has made only one start, 15.00 ERA

By cabravesfan

September 12, 2008 8:58 PM | Link to this

damn double headers! I already have to miss tomorrow’s regular game-was really hoping they would get this one in- two days of no baseball is no fun

What is the typical break between games in a straight DH- 30 mins?

By uga-brave

September 12, 2008 8:59 PM | Link to this

well at least francoeur wont leave anyone on base tonight.

By Braint

September 12, 2008 9:00 PM | Link to this

Glad to hear Cox comment about pitching for next year. Everyone calls Sheets an ace but doesn’t JJJ have as many wins in a season (13) than Sheets has ever had? Pitching and defense wins…

When KJ is hot I find myself not wanting to leave the couch in case he comes up to bat. He has such a pretty stroke when he’s raking.

Think Chipper’s back got stiff when he saw Johan Santana on the lineup card? I wouldn’t think so but I thought I’d ask.

By Quack Quack

September 12, 2008 9:00 PM | Link to this

Anyone who thinks the Braves are going to actually SEE that No. 5 pick is smoking crack … Wren has said the team will be active on the free agent market, and teams that sign Type A free agents lose their first-rounders.TommyBoy

still an idiot I see, just like your namesake.

By edward

September 12, 2008 9:02 PM | Link to this

No wonder after seeing that sink story that Bobby gets ejected all the time. Better to be thrown out of a game than pay the MUTS for a new sink!!

By Quack Quack

September 12, 2008 9:06 PM | Link to this

If not for the fact that he flushed the hopes of a single season down the drain in the span of half a second with a drop of an easy fly ball,Mitchell

what a total load of crap. are you TommyBoy too?

By Savannah Guy

September 12, 2008 9:12 PM | Link to this

Hampton is obviously outmatched by Santana, but I have to believe that the dial moves a few clicks towards Hampton due to the wait.

Hampton is strong again, pitching just fine… and we already know that he can wait very well.

By Couch Tater

September 12, 2008 9:22 PM | Link to this

You don’t suppose a plumber in NYC would overcharge installing that sink knowing the Atlanta Braves were paying for it. (after a bench clearing brawl.) Nah.

By keylargo

September 12, 2008 9:26 PM | Link to this

McFann

I went back and read the definition of OBP and how to handle errors is not mentioned anywhere I looked.

I tell you what you can do since you are keeping all those stats is figure it both ways (on BMac’s ROE last night) and the see which figure matches his OBP in his official stats.

Hope that will clear it up because I know how important it is for you.

By David O'Brien

September 12, 2008 9:34 PM | Link to this

Omar Infante must be hoping Chipper’s back improves tonight — Infante is 1-for-20 against Santana (Chipper’s 5-for-11 against him)

By McFann :Ô:

September 12, 2008 9:35 PM | Link to this

DOB—

Good one from Bobby!

Huhboy…an ALL LEFTY doubleheader? Oh…it’s worse than I feared!

By David O'Brien

September 12, 2008 9:45 PM | Link to this

No TV for second game tomorrow.

By keylargo

September 12, 2008 9:55 PM | Link to this

Anyone who has forgotten the 60’s or needs to know what they were like can watch Gimme Shelter on the Sundance Channel at 10 pm. It’s about the Rolling Stones Concert in CA 1969.

By Steve from OH

September 12, 2008 9:59 PM | Link to this

Myrtle Beach lost tonight, 8-2, losing their best-of-five series 3-1. Although they didn’t win it all, they still had a fine season nonetheless.

Mississippi, on the other hand, is clinging to life in game 4, leading 4-3. Kris Medlen pitching, 3R (2ER), 10K.

By flbravesgirl

September 12, 2008 10:02 PM | Link to this

Probably no TV on the first game for me either. They always want to show the stinkin’ Yankees here.

By McFann :Ô:

September 12, 2008 10:02 PM | Link to this

Keylargo—

Good idea! Thanks! I’ll do that tomorrow…Yeah, it is important to me.

NO TV FOR GAME TWO??!! What??

Dang. I hope all the good guys go in game one…

Night, all.

By Braveheart

September 12, 2008 10:03 PM | Link to this

Damn, wish we had gotten Owings like the Reds did ………. could that mean Harang or Arroyo are available for us this offseason? What would either one of those two cost in talent?

How come the Reds have so many flyball hurlers throwing in a homer haven? Makes no sense. Volquez is the only one with a decent GB/FB ratio. Harang, Cueto, and Arroyo are kind of screwed in Cincy because of their flyball tendencies. Seems rather odd that they also just got Owings since he is yet another flyball guy.

It’s like they don’t know what stadium they have for a home field. They are gathering good talented young arms in Cueto, Volquez, Owings and have two solid vets but only have one GB guy in Volquez and even he’s not that awesome of a wormkiller. The Reds need more wormkillers but don’t seem to understand that.

By D-rock

September 12, 2008 10:11 PM | Link to this

GO HAWKS! Dob, you gonna get a chance to watch this game? It’s on E360 if you can’t get to a tv. Our hawks are looking pretty good so far.

By uga-brave

September 12, 2008 10:22 PM | Link to this

braveheart,

i would love to have harang. power pitcher that throws a ton of innings.

By flbravesgirl

September 12, 2008 10:26 PM | Link to this

O…M…G. We just had a drive-by shooting 2 doors down from my house. I am SO ready to move to N. Georgia.

By Steve from OH

September 12, 2008 10:34 PM | Link to this

flbravesgirl:

Wow, that’s scary. Be smart and keep safe! Wouldn’t want to lose a good blogger over something senseless.

By keylargo

September 12, 2008 10:37 PM | Link to this

Flbravesgirl

You know what Lewis Grizzard used to say?

Delta is ready when you are!

By Rush

September 12, 2008 10:41 PM | Link to this

We just had a drive-by shooting 2 doors down from my house.

Drive-by media attacking Sarah Palin?

By SNIPER-69

September 12, 2008 10:46 PM | Link to this

The braves will have to wait another day to get their a-s-s-e-s kicked. Let me hear a big loud yell…LETS GO METS!

By Braveheart

September 12, 2008 10:59 PM | Link to this

my bad. DELETE my 10:40. Meant to edit it down for the relevant lyrics but somehow submitted the whole song in its entirety i’ll tell ya though . don’t get how ba$tard gets deleted but not some of the offensive words that made it through on that last one. strange. sorry ‘bout that.

flbravesgirl, hope you are safe sweetheart

By 96,SC

September 12, 2008 11:00 PM | Link to this

DOB Your 6:08 post about KJ and his new approach seems like a great way to put it. He looks good. I thought I had heard something about him going to his old stance a month or two ago also. Why would we not have to pay posting fees for the other pitchers? Are they Japanese minor league?

By Wayne

September 12, 2008 11:02 PM | Link to this

I love that attitude from Hampton about wanting Santana. That’s a gamer. The millions of Braves fans who have slammed him for the past few years didn’t know the heart of this guy. (maybe hundreds)

If Mississippi finishes up their season, what’s the chance we could see Medlen and/or Hanson? I know about the roster ramifications, but dang it, those guys are throwing so well.

I think it was DOB that told us a long time ago that the AA is really where the teams draw from, and AAA is where they store guys who have been up and down, and they don’t want them mingling with the AA guys to keep any possible attitudes from rubbing off. Does anyone else remember that?

By flbravesgirl

September 12, 2008 11:05 PM | Link to this

I kinda wondered what you were getting at there with the “song”, BH.

By Brian

September 12, 2008 11:06 PM | Link to this

DOB- Wanna know what I think? The Braves will trade for Peavy/Halladay/Oswalt, get a Lowe type, a power bat and win 90-100 games next year!! Now, get out of that rat trap called Shea, write me back and tell me how right I am! LETS GO BRAVES!!

By Brian

September 12, 2008 11:17 PM | Link to this

braveheart- today was a good day! “a - is a - I guess, or either P-S! Now are you the type of b- that don’t think yo - stinks, - ya lucky I hadn’t had a drink cause I’d down yo - then I’d clown yo -” Not to bad for a white boy, huh?

By Mitchell

September 12, 2008 11:17 PM | Link to this

DOB, I continue to mis-underestimate you.

I apologize.

I swear though, I’ve missed like that last month of Braves reports on 680.

*If not for the fact that he flushed the hopes of a single season down the drain in the span of half a second with a drop of an easy fly ball,Mitchell

what a total load of crap. are you TommyBoy too?

Quack Quack, are you kidding me?

After the 8 and 3 homestand in May against the A’s, Met’s and DBacks, I had the feeling for the first time in two years that we really might win the division. We were already having trouble winning on the road up to that point, but then we took 3 of 4 from the Marlins in early June (two of which were come-from-behind wins) and then we had that first game against the Phillies won.

If you can’t admit that you didn’t know in your gut that it was all over when he dropped the ball, you’re lying.

I’ll give Kelly some credit, he got a double in the bottom of the 9th and if Teixeira was the clutch player he was supposed to be, he would have drove him home for the win. We still could have won the game, we obviously didn’t, but that was clearly the turning point in the season.

That’s all I have to say.

By uga-brave

September 12, 2008 11:20 PM | Link to this

brian,

you have now moved yourself to the head of the delta tau chi pledge class.

By Mitchell

September 12, 2008 11:26 PM | Link to this

Sniper69, you’re the one who needs to worry.

The Braves are going to kick a$$. You better hope we don’t.

Braves: nothing to lose, 7-5 for the season, 5 and 2 in last homestand, Kelly Johnson… sleeper Mets killer and he’s on a hot streak.

Mets: who gives a s*, everything to lose.

By Brian

September 12, 2008 11:28 PM | Link to this

Damn, you’d think with all of Chipper’s money he’d hire a masseuse full time! Seriously, that is a long plane flight they just took, but a have one of those little Japanese girls rub those boogers out.

By Braveheart

September 12, 2008 11:33 PM | Link to this

thanks for getting that deleted. hate that someone had to waste their time doing so. This kansas game is awesome. devastating INT by reesing.

By uga-brave

September 12, 2008 11:34 PM | Link to this

jorge cantu hit his 25th dinger tonight.

jorge cantu the non roster invitee.

the braves may not have one player hit 25 all season.

when was the last time no brave hit 25 homeruns?

By The Grammar Guy

September 12, 2008 11:35 PM | Link to this

FYI

Loose = Not tight Lose = the opposite of win

Resign = Quit; give up Re-sign = Sign someone to a new contract

You’ve been great! Thank you and good night!

By JD

September 12, 2008 11:36 PM | Link to this

Ouch DOB. That field goal looked far right then just barely stayed between the posts. Tough game to lose, tough throw to make on that INT.

By Jeff321

September 12, 2008 11:37 PM | Link to this

DOB - SNY won’t be showing the second game either? Or were you just talking about SS/PTV ?

By Chop Chop

September 12, 2008 11:40 PM | Link to this

South Florida with the dagger at the gun.

Someone please keep Mangino away from food tonight. He might be a little depressed.

By Braveheart

September 12, 2008 11:40 PM | Link to this

brian, ya better check yoself b4 ya wriggity wreck yoself

uga, dawgs need to win by at least three scores tomorrow. no excuse. that’s what national title contenders do against garbage like south carolina

By Braveheart

September 12, 2008 11:44 PM | Link to this

Where the hell was Reesing throwing that ball? Dumb, wreckless toss. Wish he was the Bama QB though. I’m kind of afraid that Julio Jones is gonna somewhat be wasted with our QB like Calvin Johnson was with Reggie Ball.

By uga-brave

September 12, 2008 11:52 PM | Link to this

BH,

so you dont like parker wilson? always thought he was kinda like francoeur, the golden boy, being that he is from hoover high.

By ObiWanKobe

September 12, 2008 11:58 PM | Link to this

Not a good week for the University of Kansas; Chalmers and Arthur get busted smoking weed @ the NBA Rookie Orientation, and now Reesing is throwing the ball around like Jeff Bennet and Blaine Boyer.

By uga-brave

September 13, 2008 12:01 AM | Link to this

BH,

i agree, should be a coming out party for stafford.

if willie martinez does not sabotage our athletes on defense, we should be fine.

By Yokohama Daze

September 13, 2008 12:08 AM | Link to this

DOB,

The Japanese player you referred to earlier is Junichi Tazawa, a 22 year-old pitcher for Nippon Oil, who likely would have been the first pick in the draft here. He reportedly throws in the mid-upper nineties, and has a slider and forkball as complementary pitches. I’d love to see him in a Braves uniform, and he’ll certainly come cheaper than Sabathia! Boston is among the other teams interested.

By N Nine

September 13, 2008 12:14 AM | Link to this

THE CHIPPER JONES UPDATE:

Chipper-In the hot tub relaxing back .362

Pujols-1-2 BB .361

Don’t see Chipper playing 2 games tomorrow. I am counting on him playing the other 2 games, he does great at that stadium. Need any help to keep Pujols at bay.

DOB how often do you get on 680? I missed it, had no idea you were there.

So does anyone have the LOB leaders?

By jj

September 13, 2008 12:33 AM | Link to this

Delgado looked done, Finished, wiped out- until…

Jerry Manuel took over. Delgado gave all the credit to his new manager and his new attitude. He said it gave the team new life.

By Tomas

September 13, 2008 12:34 AM | Link to this

According to braves.com, game 2 will be on sport south.

By David O'Brien

September 13, 2008 12:37 AM | Link to this

Yokohama, that’s the guy. Thanks for the info. So the blog has a man in Japan, eh? Good to know you’re there. Keep us abreast if you hear anything over there, would you?

By David O'Brien

September 13, 2008 12:39 AM | Link to this

Braveheart, that stung like hell, losing like that. Reesing was flat-out brilliant until that throw. One bad throw, just forced it. Was trying to win it in regulation, but didn’t need to make that throw to do it.

Still, tell me if you see another quarterback lead a team in a game this year any better than he did tonight, and do more by himself when plays like doomed. Kid is 5-10, and he’s a terrific D-1 QB. That’s hard to believe. The arm strength he has, don’t know where it comes from. I saw that when I went to the Nebraska game in Lawrence last year; couldn’t believe he how threaded the needle that day and made strong, crisp, across-the-field passes.

By the way, South Florida’s a very strong team. Couple of first-round draft picks on that defense, for sure.

By flbravesgirl

September 13, 2008 12:47 AM | Link to this

Sorry to bring a personal issue onto the blog but I was here at the time & was so shocked by it that I kind of blurted it out. A neighbor saw the whole thing & got the plate # so hopefully those guys won’t be back.

By Mitchell

September 13, 2008 12:47 AM | Link to this

I love Carroll and Katy Temple!!!

I’m also a douche bag.

I haven’t actually ever seen a picture of Carroll Rogers but now I’m just being superficial.

Whoever it was that said Katy Temple isn’t hot the first time I said it needs some glasses. Huh huh, get it.

Totally. Yeah.

You should be ashamed whoever you are. I should probably be ashamed but maybe for a different reason.

I do love Katy Temple. Why did all the young guys get married off so fast?

I still have to say I saw a photo of Mrs. Johnson and I was blown away, she’s foine as my street talkin’ brother would say… and by “brother” I mean my actual brother who uses slang like that sometimes in completely unoffensive ways… okay.

Kelly is a lucky man (except when it comes to catching routine pop-ups and hitting balls in the gap) but those guys are idiots gettin’ married so young. Good Christians I guess.

It always looks like there’s something going on between Katy Temple and our bases loaded fool Jeff in those post-game interviews.

Am I wrong? Somebody back me up on this.

Am I douche?

Yes.

By uga-brave

September 13, 2008 1:05 AM | Link to this

FLB,

a glass of milk and i nice piece of red velvet cake should help you relax.

By Braveheart

September 13, 2008 1:09 AM | Link to this

No doubt DOB. Reesing is a great college QB. Can’t turn off the television when he’s running around, doing his thing. He seems to play and have the effect on a game the way a great point guard does in basketball. It’s rare that you see that in a QB. Looks like your team may miss that Georgia kid Marcus Henry a bit. (I think that was his name). He was real good at receiver when I saw him last year. I like watching that Meir guy at receiver. It’s cool to see a Kansas/South Florida game not only matter but also be one of the best games of the year.

ugabrave, wilson ain’t wearing #12, the golden boy number of namath, stabler, and croyle and also the number of national titles we always boast about. without that number, I wouldn’t call Wilson a golden boy at all. He’s nothing more than the best they got right now and the guy we must tolerate until someone better starts slinging.

By uga-brave

September 13, 2008 1:21 AM | Link to this

cmon braveheart,

the boy is from HOOVER HIGH. the biggest football program in BAMA.

croyle? croyle?

brody croyle won what?

By BossLady

September 13, 2008 1:28 AM | Link to this

What’s going on?

I’m up with the hurricane heading for Houston. My husband’s children live there and I am holding night duty.

Cox has always been passionate about his players and would get angry crazy if he thought someone tried to hurt his player

Kelly and the gang realize that their contracts and season does not end until the last game. Professionals usually do not walk away from contracts.

When people finally realize that the phrase “playing” is just a baseball term. But, it is a business with contracts and money negotiated and paid. It would be very hard for these guys to sit down on the job if not resigned by the Braves that anyone else would want to sign them

By BossLady

September 13, 2008 1:39 AM | Link to this

Mitchell, my husband and friends made comments about Katy. When I asked why he told me when women stand too close to a man like that, it is like real electricity or something he could not describe happens. It just is not wise for this to happen. If a 48 year old man admits he could not handle it, then Francoeur 1/2 his age is just f’D.

Our communication is truly very good and I can say that I understand men so much more than I did before we met & married

By uga-brave

September 13, 2008 2:10 AM | Link to this

last chance, georgia is now minus 6 1/2

tech is plus 7

ohio state is now plus 11 1/2

PICKEM BOYS?

By Mitchell

September 13, 2008 2:40 AM | Link to this

BossLady, I’d very much like to understand exactly what you’re saying but your language was a little confusing.

I didn’t really understand what you were saying. No offense.

Are you saying that you too notice or perhaps perceive a little somethin’ somethin’ going on between Katy and Jeff?

For the record, I am way to old to be using the term “somethin’ somethin’” not to mention talking about this subject in general.

But talk about this subject I will.

I’m also embarrassed to quote a really terrible movie, Reality Bites, one that I am all too readily able to quote…

“If I could bottle the sexual tension between Jeff Francoeur and Katy Temple, I could solve the energy crisis.”

Okay, so that’s a paraphrase.

By Mitchell

September 13, 2008 3:01 AM | Link to this

BossLady… all I know is if I had to be around Katy Temple as much as the Braves players are, I would have a hard time not wanting to flirt with her, frequently.

I mean, I’m sure they do but I’m sure they’re all very professional. Of course, Jeff doesn’t much qualify as a professional in his current job at the moment but… I’m probably reading too much into all this anyway.

Welcome to the BravesBlog After Hours. Nothin’ but smooth jazz and sweet nothings all night long.

Okay, you gotta admit that was pretty funny. Oh, I’m good. Or not.

Holy Lord, it’s 3 freaking o’clock.

I really hope the Braves don’t read this s*.

By Hurricane Goo

September 13, 2008 3:45 AM | Link to this

What’s with all this hurricane Ike stuff?

A couple weeks ago everyone was talking about hurricane GOO stuff!

By Braveheart

September 13, 2008 5:08 AM | Link to this

the boy is from HOOVER HIGH. the biggest football program in BAMA.

UGABRAVE What the hell does Hoover High have to do with who is a golden child at QB for the University of Alabama? Historically, being the QB at Hoover High doesn’t entitle you whatsoever to be Alabama’s QB just like being the qb at Parkview doesn’t make one a golden child entitled to be the QB at UGA. Last I checked, Quincy, Greene, Shockley, and Stafford never attended Parkview.

But I guess what you are trying to do is use Wilson to get at Francoeur because Francoeur is always on that mind of yours. You somehow think that just because Francoeur graduated from Parkview that made him a golden child.

If that was true, then why hasn’t Clint Sammons been given golden child status? Sammons, after all, was the dang QB at Parkview. Francoeur was just a wide receiver and defensive back. Sammons went to UGA but wasn’t handed the QB job there. In fact, he didn’t even join the football team. He joined the baseball team and had to fight hard to make it to the majors. Nothing was handed to him. There was no golden child status for Sammons.

The Stinchcomb brothers went to Parkview but had nothing handed to them as golden children at UGA or in the NFL. They worked hard to reach the levels they reached. Jeff Keppinger certainly was no golden child because he went to Parkview. He has had to scrap hard to get the limited chances he has had in the majors. How many times has Brad Lester been suspended over at Auburn? He may falsely think he’s a golden child but no one else does or treats him as such just because he attended Parkview.

So who are the golden children from Parkview? Two names: Francoeur and your boy Caleb King. Why is that? It should be obvious. They were far more talented than everyone else. It had nothing to do with where they went to high school. They were just head and shoulders above everyone else at that level.

It reminds me of when I was a kid watching high school basketball in NYC. So-called golden children were so anointed based solely on their talent and not where they went to high school. In fact, where the golden children went to high school usually changed every year. One year, you’d have Kenny Anderson at Molloy or Jamal Mashburn at Hayes or Bobby Hurley at St. Anthony’s or Malik Sealy at Tolentine or Lamar Odom at Christ the King or Orlando Antigua at Raymond’s or Stephon Marbury at Lincoln or Felipe Lopez at Rice or Ron Artest at LaSalle. It was the talent not where they went to high school that anointed them………

And so it was for Francoeur and his so-called golden child status. When I saw Francoeur in high school football and baseball, he was every bit as dominant and maybe more than those NYC high school basketball legends I grew up watching and competing against. He earned that golden child status the way all other so-called golden children do: through peerless talent and hard work.

So I hope it is clear that none of these Parkview or Hoover kids are getting things handed to them just because of where they went to high school. Their achievement, treatment and reputation are a result of their talent and dedication and not about where they came from.

So you telling me that Wilson is some golden child at Bama because he was the QB at Hoover High is just asinine to me because I don’t know one single Bama fan who has ever considered Wilson a golden child. I really don’t. In fact, most of my friends have been dying for someone to take his job for two years now. No one cares about what silly high school he went to.

Most consider him to be the best we’ve got for now but who is nothing more than mediocre at best. The hope is that he can be surrounded by enough talent to be serviceable enough. That’s not the way golden boys are regarded by fans. If he ever earns golden boy status at Bama, it will be because he truly earns it by being far better than most of us believe he is.

croyle? croyle? brody croyle won what?

You missed what I was trying to say about croyle because I didn’t write it well at all. Croyle is obviously not on the level with Namath or Stabler. Not even close. But by bringing up Brodie’s name, what I was trying to say is that Brodie was the golden child this decade. He was highly recruited, very talented and was given that #12, which, for me, when it is given to highly sought after, highly talented QBs at Bama, signifies a golden child anointment by the school (kind of like when Rick Mirer and paulus were given Joe Montana’s #3 at Notre Dame).

It felt like Croyle was in Tuscaloosa for 7 years because we were always hearing about him for at least two years before he showed up. Croyle was a true golden child. Wilson ain’t even a bronze child as compared to how much of a golden child Croyle was. So, I’m sorry man but calling Wilson a golden child because of where he went to high school is so out of touch to me because I don’t have one Alabama friend who has ever even come close to considering him a golden child. He’s just not seen as being talented enough to warrant it. It would be as out of touch as me coming on here and saying that Joe Cox is a golden child over at UGA. Mediocre talents are not golden children. Sorry.

You can mock Croyle if you’d like. He always frustrated me because he was always injured but he was also one of the few shining lights for the team during a very dark 5 year stretch for the school where our football team became a national joke because of coaching and recruiting scandals and NCAA probation. If he had been given the chance to play with better talent and better coaches instead of being handicapped by his fragile body and the constant chaos swirling around the team, he would have won a lot more than he did. He was a darn talented QB. He wouldn’t have been drafted or started a game in the NFL if he wasn’t.

Case in the boy is from HOOVER HIGH. the biggest football program in BAMA. UGABRAVE What the hell does Hoover High have to do with who is or is not a golden child at QB for the University of Alabama? Historically, being the QB at Hoover High doesn’t entitle you whatsoever to be Alabama’s QB just like being the qb at Parkview doesn’t make one a golden child entitled to be the QB at UGA. Last I checked, Quincy, Greene, Shockley, and Stafford never attended Parkview.
But I guess what you are trying to do is use Wilson to get at Francoeur because Francoeur is always on that mind of yours. You somehow think that just because Francoeur graduated from Parkview that made him a golden child.
If that was true, then why hasn’t Clint Sammons been given golden child status? Sammons, after all, was the dang QB at Parkview. Francoeur was just a wide receiver and defensive back. Sammons went to UGA but wasn’t handed the QB job there. In fact, he didn’t even join the football team. He joined the baseball team and had to fight hard to make it to the majors. Nothing was handed to him. There was no golden child status for Sammons.
The Stinchcomb brothers went to Parkview but had nothing handed to them as golden children at UGA or in the NFL. They worked hard to reach the levels they reached. Jeff Keppinger certainly was no golden child because he went to Parkview. He has had to scrap hard to get the limited chances he has had in the majors. How many times has Brad Lester been suspended over at Auburn? He may falsely think he’s a golden child but no one else does or treats him as such just because he attended Parkview.
So who are the golden children from Parkview? Two names: Francoeur and your boy Caleb King. Why is that? It should be obvious. They were far more talented than everyone else. It had nothing to do with where they went to high school. They were just head and shoulders above everyone else at that level.
It reminds me of when I was a kid watching high school basketball in NYC. So-called golden children were not so anointed because of where they went to high school. The golden children each year changed based solely on their talent and not where they went to high school. In fact, where the golden children went to high school usually changed every year. One year, you’d have Kenny Anderson at Molloy or Jamal Mashburn at Hayes or Bobby Hurley at St. Anthony’s or Malik Sealy at Tolentine or Lamar Odom at Christ the King or Orlando Antigua at Raymond’s or Stephon Marbury at Lincoln or Felipe Lopez at Rice or Ron Artest at LaSalle. It was the talent not where they went to high school that anointed them……… And so it was for Francoeur and his so-called golden child status. When I saw Francoeur in high school football and baseball, he was every bit as dominant and maybe more than those NYC high school basketball legends I grew up watching and competing against. He earned that golden child status the way all other so-called golden children do: through peerless talent and hard work. So I hope it is clear that none of these Parkview or Hoover kids are getting things handed to them just because of where they went to school. Their achievement, treatment and reputation are a result of their talent and dedication and not about where they came from.
So you telling me that Wilson is some golden child at Bama because he was the QB at Hoover High is just asinine to me because I don’t know one single Bama fan who has ever considered Wilson a golden child. I really don’t. In fact, most of my friends have been dying for someone to take his job for two years now. No one cares about what silly high school he went to. Most consider him to be the best we’ve got for now but who is nothing more than mediocre at best. The hope is that he can be surrounded by enough talent to be serviceable enough. That’s not the way golden boys are regarded by fans. If he ever earns golden boy status at Bama, it will be because he truly earns it by being far better than most of us believe he is.
croyle? croyle? brody croyle won what? You missed what I was trying to say about croyle because I didn’t write it well at all. Croyle is obviously not on the level with Namath or Stabler. Not even close. But by bringing up Brodie’s name, what I was trying to say is that Brodie was the golden child this decade. He was highly recruited, very talented and was given that #12, which, for me, when it is given to highly sought after, highly talented QBs at Bama, signifies a golden child anointment by the school (kind of like when Rick Mirer and paulus were given Joe Montana’s #3 at Notre Dame). It felt like Croyle was in Tuscaloosa for 7 years because we were always hearing about him for at least two years before he showed up. Croyle was a true golden child. Wilson ain’t even a bronze child as compared to how much of a golden child Croyle was. So, I’m sorry man but calling Wilson a golden child because of where he went to high school is so out of touch to me because I don’t have one Alabama friend who has ever even come close to considering him a golden child. He’s just not seen as being talented enough to warrant it. It would be as out of touch as me coming on here and saying that Joe Cox is a golden child over at UGA. Mediocre talents are not golden children. Sorry.

You can mock Croyle if you’d like. He always frustrated me because he was always injured but he was also one of the few shining lights for the team during a very dark 5 year stretch for the school where our football team became a national joke because of coaching and recruiting scandals and NCAA probation. If he had been given the chance to play with better talent and better coaches instead of being handicapped by his fragile body and the constant chaos swirling around the team, he would have won a lot more than he did. He was a darn talented QB. He wouldn’t have been drafted or started a game in the NFL if he wasn’t. Ain’t David Greene Brodie Croyle’s backup QB these days?

By Random

September 13, 2008 5:21 AM | Link to this

McFann ;Ô; (August 28, 2008 9:49 PM): “Ugh…Katie Temple gets way to close to the guys she interviews.”

Ttcchh, yeah, I know what you mean.

I wish she’d ask me somethin.

By Quack Quack

September 13, 2008 6:05 AM | Link to this

If you can’t admit that you didn’t know in your gut that it was all over when he dropped the ball, you’re lyingMitchell

No I’m not lying. I’m also not a childish, over emotional idiot who thinks that a season can turn on one play. What are you about 15?

By Couch Tater

September 13, 2008 6:28 AM | Link to this

Braveheart

Dang, go easy on that caffiene this morning. It would have been nice to see Brodie with a decent line though.

By Greg

September 13, 2008 7:39 AM | Link to this

We can forget the Japanese guy. If Boston wants him, he’ll go to Boston. The Braves have absolutely no Japanese connection and no Japanese players. The odds of a young Japanese player wanting to come to a team where no one will be able to talk to him are extremely high. He will go where he will be more comfortable. With Daisuke in Boston and Boston interested, he will go to Boston. Look somewhere else, Wren. Believe me, I know. I lived in Tokyo for five years. Japanese tourists bring food from home even when they travel to some of the great food capitals of the world. Japan is a very insular place.

By Yokohama Daze

September 13, 2008 8:36 AM | Link to this

DOB

Yeah, been here in Japan on and off since 1988. Total of about 13 years on the ground. Great place to live and work. Come on over sometime one offseason- would love to share a few beers and show you around! Might even be able to findf a band you like here.

Greg

Can’t say that I agree with you on many of your points. If it was simply a matter of another Japanese player being around, then Seattle, Tampa Bay, New York, Chicago and Houston, to name a few, would also be on his list, logically. That said, he’s given no indication whatsoever that that’s of any importance to him. He may end up Boston, sure, but he may well not. I hope that Wren makes a strong pitch for him. He’ll come cheaper than Darvish, that’s for sure!

And just so you’ll know, the Braves have had Japanese players in their farm system in the past, though no one of great note. They also sold Chris Resop to the Hanshin Tigers just this year, so yes, the Braves do pay attention to what goes on over here.

As to your statement “Japanese tourists bring food from home even when they travel to some of the great food capitals of the world. Japan is a very insular place,” well, yeah, some do, but then again, you’ll have no problem finding plenty of Americans chowing down Big Macs and ordering steak and potatoes the world over, too. Don’t know when you were last here, but Tokyo has more Michelin starred restaurants than any other city in the world. You can find just about any kind of food you want here, and it’s not the handful of foreigners living here keeping alll those restaurants afloat.

By Supes

September 13, 2008 9:59 AM | Link to this

Mitchell

I think that Miss Katy Temple has a big time cruch on Jeff “Francine”. It’s evident from the way she looks at him during interviews. I think it started with the “In my own words piece”, or maybe before that.

As far as we know, Jeff is happily married to his high school sweetheart and I would like to not comment on players personal life so I’ll leave it at that.

DOB

I’ve enjoyed your segments on 680thefan all season long. Maybe you can go in studio once the season is over for an hour or so and do an hour dedicated to Braves talk, off-season speculation for 2009. I think you and Kincade would make a good pair. Buck is too much of a Braves homer, you can take his chair for the hour.

Mets Fans

We know what you are thinking deep down inside your limited minds…fear of failure. You never know when that slide will begin again, or when the Phillies will get on a roll. The only thing that’s for sure…is that…nothing’s for sure:)

By JEB

September 13, 2008 10:35 AM | Link to this

Braveheart

I do believe your 5:08am post wins the award for the longest post of the year! After that much typing I think I would have taken a nap.

By Greg

September 13, 2008 10:45 AM | Link to this

Yokohama:

When I was in Tokyo in the 90s, they had some of the finest French and Italian restaurants that I have ever experienced. Like you said, five stars.

But that doesn’t change the fact that in Barcelona, the Japanese Olympic team brought its own rice because their stomachs supposedly couldn’t digest the local stuff. I bet they did the same in Seoul, Athens, and Beijing.

You know as well as I do that very few Japanese are willing to step out of their comfort zone on food and culture, especially if they don’t have to.

And I agree with you, Boston, Houston, and especially Seattle have a better chance at getting this young pitcher than we do. The only wild cards here are if he is well traveled internationally and speaks some English or we hire a coach who is familiar with Japan, Japanese culture, and the way the Japanese play baseball. Otherwise, I see no chance of him coming to Atlanta. None.

On a side note: Yokohama is a great place. Have a wonderful time over there. I lived in central Tokyo for three years. I loved it.

By David O'Brien

September 13, 2008 10:48 AM | Link to this

ESPN just had a story about the Iowa football team helping out a high school in the state that was destroyed by a tornado. The high school team was the Falcons, and they used the old Atlanta Falcons logo, with red helmets.

Reminded me of how much cooler that old logo and red helmets look than the Falcons’ modernized unis.

Braveheart: impressive spiel, even if it made me tired just reading it. Love the passion. And gotta agree with you on one thing — once a kid gets to a college, or to the pros, or whatever, nobody on a coaching staff or a front office gives a rat’s behind what high school he went to, in terms of making decisions about playing time or making a team, etc.

By Jeff321

September 13, 2008 10:51 AM | Link to this

According to MLB.com, SS & SNY are showing the second game at a TBD time.

Btw, the second game of a double header is only available from MLB’s website and not Mosaic.

Plus they just added the option of watching either feed for all games. But, unfortunately you can’t choose through Mosaic. Its usually the home team unless they have trouble with a feed. (I prefer Mosaic because the quality is better.)

http://www.mlb.com/mediacenter/#20080913

FINALLY!! I get the game of the week, eh! 1=Braves @ Mets - 49% — Howie Rose, Mark Grace Orlando FL WOFL 1

By Steve from OH

September 13, 2008 11:02 AM | Link to this

Jeff321:

Could you please post a link for those Fox TV listings? I’ve been trying to find them but I haven’t been able to.

By David O'Brien

September 13, 2008 11:13 AM | Link to this

I’m told the first bunch of those Skip T-shirts went quickly on ebay, but Jake’s making more to keep up. There should still be some available in most or all sizes.

By Brian

September 13, 2008 11:33 AM | Link to this

If anyone on here knows about baseball cards, fill me in! I went to the mall yesterday and bought some CJ and Heyward rookie cards for cheap and I’m thinking about selling that guy my 06’ Bowman Evan Longoria and Clayton Kershaw auotagraph cards. They are mint condition and $120 and like $80. I’m low on money and pretty desperate!

By David O'Brien

September 13, 2008 11:42 AM | Link to this

Brian, I wouldn’t think that an ‘06 Mark Bowman card would be worth much.

By Brian

September 13, 2008 11:57 AM | Link to this

DOB- Did you get picked on in school? I wouldn’t make fun too much especially with some of the CRAP music you listen to!!

By McFann :Ô:

September 13, 2008 12:04 PM | Link to this

Yes! So SportsSouth is gonna show game 2?

Hmm…if it weren’t for the fact that Santana’s pitching game 1, I’d say save the Braves’ Best for game two—it won’t be on during the Tech game.

; )

By McFann :Ô:

September 13, 2008 12:07 PM | Link to this

Hmm…The schedule on braves.com is showing no TV for game 2, but the article says SportSouth will be showing it.

We shall see.

By David O'Brien

September 13, 2008 12:08 PM | Link to this

Actually, the comment was in jest and only someone with zero sense of humor could possibly have been offended. So you’re not into friendly chop-busting? OK, I didn’t know.

So I’m I’m guessing you don’t sit around with the fellas busting on each other, huh? That’s cool. I should have figured.

(By the way, that line about Bowman was me busting on Bowman, had nothing to do with you; I should have realized that line might go right over your head or, as happened in this case, be completely misinterpreted.)

Since you’d pick such an innocuous comment of mine as the impetus for you to (feebly) get all personal and such with yours truly, we’ll oblige and reply. Sorry about those rough early years you probably just revealed.

As for “crap” music, if for you that includes Johnny Cash or Tom Waits, or perhaps Metallica (also referenced in this blog) … well, hey, enjoy the card collecting.

By Jeff321

September 13, 2008 12:12 PM | Link to this

Steve from OH

http://tinyurl.com/65x95y

By David O'Brien

September 13, 2008 12:31 PM | Link to this

McFann, like I said after the rainout announcement last night, no TV (at least not conventional TV for Atlanta-area or regional viewers). SportsSouth is not doing the game, according to Braves officials and broadcasters last night when I asked.

By JD

September 13, 2008 12:38 PM | Link to this

anyone here in the NY region, SNY is broadcasting the second game…not that it helps most of you guys in Atlanta

By Steve from OH

September 13, 2008 12:47 PM | Link to this

Jeff321, thanks. As usual, no Braves for us Ohioans. D@#n Fox. And of course, can’t see ‘em on mlb.tv either. How shall I pass my rainy Saturday afternoon?

By McFann :Ô:

September 13, 2008 12:53 PM | Link to this

Thanks, Chief. Dang, that’s a bummer!

JD—

No, doesn’t help. Sorry.

By Brian

September 13, 2008 12:56 PM | Link to this

DOB- Hey, I have an excuse- I’m 26,broke and live on my own so I get a little testy sometimes!! Remember those years? These 08 Braves can bring the worst out in anybody! By the way I said SOME. I love Metalica but only the “black album”. Liked Phoenix in the Cash movie and the “ring of fire” song.

By Braveheart

September 13, 2008 1:04 PM | Link to this

Yeah, sorry about that long winded rant. But by now everyone knows how I can go on for days when I get going. The only thing worse than a long winded rant is having it show up twice in the same post.

My computer is acting nuts the last two days. I left the laptop out on the deck the other night and the humidity got to it and is making it do crazy things. If I hit a certain letter, the computer thinks that means enter. Hopefully, it will dry out. Unfortunately, It’s not the first time I’ve done this to a $2000 delicate machine.

Jeff321, thanks. As usual, no Braves for us Ohioans. D@#n Fox. And of course, can’t see ‘em on mlb.tv either. How shall I pass my rainy Saturday afternoon?

Being from Ohio, I assume you won’t have a hard time finding something to watch tonight.

By Steve from OH

September 13, 2008 1:09 PM | Link to this

Braveheart, the waiting for the big game tonight have been in progress since the schedule was released last season. But what’s another seven hours, right?

If only I could watch a Braves game to pass that time….

By keylargo

September 13, 2008 1:34 PM | Link to this

Steve from OH

Since I’m sure you are thoroughly convinced OSU will beat USC tonight, you can watch the new #1 in the nation Georgia Bulldogs overwhelm the South Carolina version of USC at 3:30 EST.

By cabravesfan

September 13, 2008 1:35 PM | Link to this

Steve from OH I’m suprised you didn’t make the trip out…I think the entire population of columbus has been hanging out in downtown LA this week- I can’t seem to get away from them…

By cabravesfan

September 13, 2008 1:41 PM | Link to this

relax there keylargo several things have to go uga’s way for that to happen:)

By Jeff321

September 13, 2008 1:53 PM | Link to this

Jeff321, thanks. As usual, no Braves for us Ohioans. D@#n Fox. And of course, can’t see ‘em on mlb.tv either. How shall I pass my rainy Saturday afternoon?

The last 2 or 3 times I have been high&dry on the Fox Braves game. If you have a subscription to MLB or sign up for a free trial.. I believe you can listen to the first game via Gameday audio. And know you can watch the second one. (Assuming they don’t black out NY games in Ohio?!)

Oh, also Starz/Encore has been free since Thursday on Directv. (If you have that.. might catch a movie, eh.)

McFann I can’t get SS in my area. (Florida) But, will check on the SS feed via MLB and let ya know.

By Steve from OH

September 13, 2008 1:55 PM | Link to this

Since I’m sure you are thoroughly convinced OSU will beat USC tonight

On the contrary, we in Buckeye nation (at least the folks I know) are quite apprehensive about tonight’s game. We could easily get blown out, especially if Boeckman doesn’t show up tonight (he’s got to shoulder the load w/o Beanie, IMO. But you’ll get no excuses from this Ohioan). I like OSU’s defense, just not so sure how the O will play tonight.

Why the villification of Buckeye nation? We root just as hard for the Bucks as you guys do for the ‘Dawgs.

By McFann :Ô:

September 13, 2008 1:59 PM | Link to this

Jeff321—

Thanks!

By keylargo

September 13, 2008 2:15 PM | Link to this

Steve from OH

I’m not sure where in my post the “villification of the Buckeye nation” was but if you got that impression, I’m sorry. I will be pulling for OSU tonight almost as hard as you will.

It’s just natural that you and other Buckeye alumni will be a little more convinced of a win tonight just as I’m a little more sure of the Bulldogs #1 ranking at the end of the year than you are.

Nothing negative was meant in any way.

By cabravesfan

September 13, 2008 2:22 PM | Link to this

Steve form OH This long time Trojan is not overly confident either- I have no doubt osu will show up and play hard- that is a good football team you have, especially on defense. That being said- it sure does make me feel better that Wells is not playing (although I will only truly believe it when I see him on the sideline in street clothes)- should be a good game regardless. And now I am off to the game 6 hours before kickoff…here’s to a Braves sweep and a Trojan win!

By Braveheart

September 13, 2008 2:38 PM | Link to this

Steve from Ohio, the level of hate many of us in the SEC have for USC and Ohio State is so irrational and so passionate, there is no way to adequately explain the reasons for it.

By Steve from OH

September 13, 2008 2:46 PM | Link to this

cabravesfan: I really don’t know what to think about Beanie, either. But even if he plays, he won’t be 100%. But I don’t think he will play. In any case, the game hinges on Boeckman’s play, IMO.

Keylargo, sorry about the misunderstanding. I just get the general idea that most (non-OSU) folks just hate OSU, and want them to lose tonight in some sort of wierd atonement for losing in the last two national title games, lol. Especially Mark May, Buckeye hater number 1. Anyway, my post wasn’t directed at you in any way, just a rhetorical guestion, I guess.

GO BUCKS! (although I’m not holding my breath)

By Steve from OH

September 13, 2008 2:49 PM | Link to this

Braveheart, perhaps it is similar to our hatred for Michigan and Notre Dame? Speaking of the enemy(ies), can they both lose today? Now that would be awesome….

By richbrave

September 13, 2008 2:59 PM | Link to this

Wazzup. BRAVES baseball TWO Saturdays in a row.!!!! I’m all agog and giddy with anticipation. I’ve been counting on the draft meter. Even if we sprint to the finish, can’t wind up with less than the tenth pick overall. So GO BRAVES.

By David O'Brien

September 13, 2008 2:59 PM | Link to this

Chipper’s not in the lineup, told me he’s doubtful for second game, too. But hopes to play tomorrow.

Meanwhile, expect Chipper overload on the Fox pregame and/or during game. They filmed Chipper giving his son Shea (and two of his other sons) a tour of the plate, having them run the bases, etc.

And Chipper did a long interview with Rosenthal that they filmed, in the dugout.

By Braveheart

September 13, 2008 3:07 PM | Link to this

Steve, I’m not sure it is like your hatred for Michigan or Notre Dame. For a Bama man like me, I hate Florida, Auburn and Tennessee the way you hate Michigan and Notre Dame.

The way I think of it is the way most Braves fans think of the Mets and the Yankees.

Braves fans hate the Mets like SEC fans hate intraconference rivals but hate the Yankees and Red Sox the way SEC fans hate USC, Ohio State, Michigan and Notre Dame.

At least, that’s my read on it. Not as much venom has been directed at Notre Dame and Michigan lately because they both really stink (sadly, Michigan is usually about the best team Ohio State ever goes against before getting killed in the big game at the end). :-)

By Brian

September 13, 2008 3:12 PM | Link to this

DOB- Do I DARE ask you a question after I (misunderstood)-disrepected you earlier? Well, it’s worth a try- Are you concerned about next year and Chipper? It seems clear to me that he is going to have his fair share of missed games in ‘09 and how it may effect us is kinda scary! If you don’t answer- completely understand

By Braveheart

September 13, 2008 3:14 PM | Link to this

They filmed Chipper giving his son Shea (and two of his other sons)

I kind of feel bad for the other kids ………. they are always called the other kids. Ugabrave thinks lil’ Shea is such a golden child that he must have already played football at parkview.

By James Alan Hetfield

September 13, 2008 3:22 PM | Link to this

is-a Chipp-a gonn-a win-a the batting title-ah?

will-a the uh Burr-aaves get-a some new-a pitch-as?

uhhhh, will ah Bobb-a Cox-a uh close his uhhh uhhh eye-yi-yi-yize?

oooooo, will-a the Burr-aaves smash into the baaays-ment?

ah ooo, thur-rash like a Burrr-aayy-ayyy-yave

ah ooo, thur-rash like a Burrr-aayy-ayyy-yave

ah ooo, thur-rash like a Burrr-aayy-ayyy-yave

AUGH-OO-YYAAUGH-AUGH-YAAAAAAA!

By DAP

September 13, 2008 3:25 PM | Link to this

chipper hurt his back? does it seem like he always tweaks something coming into shea lately? im sure im imagining it, but i feel like he hasnt played many games there the last year.

SEC fans hate ohio state because they are only the most overrated team in the country. its irritating, because a team like ohio state who has a weak schedule can easily make it to the championship game when they are contantly rated so high, when its hard for superior SEC tems to make it because ohio state starts out ranked way higher than they should be.

if there is a miracle tonight and ohio state beats usc, they will make it to the national championship game. the only question will be which SEC team will blow them out this year?

By How to watch the Braves this Afternoon

September 13, 2008 3:26 PM | Link to this

If you want to watch the Braves this afternoon, you will be able to do so over your computer.

click here

You may have to download the software. The game is free.

Wait until closer to game time for the link to show.

By David O'Brien

September 13, 2008 3:28 PM | Link to this

They’ve got a Jeep Patriot making its way around the warning track in some sort of promo thing, and they’re playing The Arcade Fire’s “Keep The Car Running” over the stadium loudspeakers. Very cool.

(there he goes again, more of that “crap” music….)

By McFann :Ô:

September 13, 2008 3:30 PM | Link to this

Keylargo—

I calculated McCann’s OBP with and without the ROE (baseball-reference.com has him with 5 ROEs). With them, his OBP is .380; without them, it’s .370.

In his “Official Stats”, it shows his OBP as .370, so I guess ROEs don’t add anything.

That’s no fun! I used to like ROEs because I thought they upped your OBP, but now that I know they don’t, they’re not as fun.

By David O'Brien

September 13, 2008 3:35 PM | Link to this

Brian, as long as the Braves go into next season expecting about 130-140 games or so out of Chipper (which I’m pretty sure is what they will expect) and have a solid backup to fill in when he doesn’t play, shouldn’t be a great concern.

By McFann :Ô:

September 13, 2008 3:40 PM | Link to this

How the heck did I miss Choppinmama’s 7:28 post last night? Dude, I feel bad about this one…

Choppinmama—

Yeah, TVLand rocks. Course, we got a lotta those shows on DVD now. (Though they refuse to release more seasons of Leave It To Beaver. We got seasons 1 and 2, and then they quit puttin’ ‘em out!)

A comedy about a German prisoner of war camp? No politically correct police back in those innocent days, huh?

Ha! Guess not! We’ve talked about that, too—seein’ as how they make the Germans pretty dumb. We’re like, “How’d they get away with this? They didn’t ‘offend’ anybody?”—we’re kinda joking, considering how overly-sensitive people cann be these days.

Sorry I missed your post last night! Don’t know how that happened! Mea maxima culpa.

By WTF

September 13, 2008 3:47 PM | Link to this

Prado batting third? Over Escobar?

By keylargo

September 13, 2008 3:47 PM | Link to this

McFann

Look on the bright side (as you always do) - You taught an old guy something! again 8)

By bruce

September 13, 2008 3:47 PM | Link to this

Brian I have not read very many of your posts, so I do not have a sense one way or the other about you, but I thought I would share a thought from a couple years ago… I recall someone writing that if Dave gave you a hard time in teasing fashion, that was very high praise on the blog. So take that!!! hang in there. Bruce

By Random

September 13, 2008 3:49 PM | Link to this

So, according to his own self, Billy Wagner has already played his last game for the Mets, expecting to miss all of his last year (2009)recuperating from TJ surgery.

The punchline? The Mets did not insure him (or his salary? whatever) against injury, and they’re on the hook for the whole amount next year (I think about $10.5 M).

Couldn’t happen to a more deserving team, huh, Lew? (Lew sez: Fans don’t let fans like Mets.)

By DAP

September 13, 2008 3:52 PM | Link to this

DOB thanx for the info. that really sux, because im always interested to see chipper hit here.

ive got a quick question…has there been any concern about jurjen’s innings this year? have they thought at all about limiting him since he has never pitched this much or has it just been a non issue?

By Brian

September 13, 2008 3:55 PM | Link to this

Good point about having reliable backup for Chipper. I like the idea of having Infante but I noticed Tatis is FA so he could be an option too. Hard to see the Mets not having him back though.

By Bobby's Cox

September 13, 2008 3:56 PM | Link to this

Sorry Steve,

Ohio State will and should lose to USC today here in So Cal.

I’m not much a college football fan, but the writings on the wall. It should be a double digit defeat easy.

Wells being out will make it that much harder for your Buckeyes. I’ll be pretty impressed if Ohio State pulls it out or makes it close.

By DAP

September 13, 2008 3:56 PM | Link to this

as long as the Braves go into next season expecting about 130-140 games or so out of Chipper (which I’m pretty sure is what they will expect) and have a solid backup to fill in when he doesn’t play, shouldn’t be a great concern.

this might be a good reason to sign a guy like casey blake to play left field. he is a right handed batter who is good offensivly, and can play all 4 corners.

By Random

September 13, 2008 3:59 PM | Link to this

While introducing the Braves’ line-up, Phil Falco (whoever he is) referred to ThreeBag Mac as “Hoss”.

Chipper’s out one game, and Triple Mac (with Cheese, All the Way, Heavy Mayo, Pickle on the Side) has already engineered a coup.

By McFann :Ô:

September 13, 2008 4:07 PM | Link to this

Keylargo—

Glad to be of service!

Hey! McCann’s up to .299!!

Random Triple Mac (with Cheese, All the Way, Heavy Mayo, Pickle on the Side)

No mayo! That’s un-American! ; )

(Inside joke…sorta. If you don’t get it, ask Joe Simpson.)

By David O'Brien

September 13, 2008 4:14 PM | Link to this

By the way, who was it on here that for weeks on end talked about how much Escobar would struggle after Pena was traded?

Escobar has hit.282 with 19 extra-base hits, 30 RBIs and a .361 OPS in his past 54 games, and .339 with a .959 OPS in his past 31 games. Yeah, that trade ruined him.

I think they should have kept Pena, but it has nothing to do with Escobar. I think they should have kept him because Pena could hit, had a great attitude, and played serviceable D at several positions.

By Random

September 13, 2008 4:20 PM | Link to this

Great.

Hampton with his patented Mexican League kick save — that’s just just great.

I tell you, not even a bagful of hammers makes that move.

By Brian

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

I’d like to know if any other NL team has worked the count on Santana this year better than the Braves? It’s very impressive!

By Anders

September 13, 2008 4:25 PM | Link to this

DOB

Are you still talking about the Pena trade. Wow. Do you ever let anything go?

By David O'Brien

September 13, 2008 4:28 PM | Link to this

Nice having a pitcher who can work a walk off Johan Santana, huh?

By Metropolitan Man

September 13, 2008 4:35 PM | Link to this

Have the tear ducts on this blog dried up yet or will the water works start again because a METS fan is posting again?
METS fans aren’t concerned about the collaspe or choking, I think thats more of a teams concern who really dosen’t want a team to succeed because they haven’t. Anyway enjoy these games, your last visit to Shea will hopefully be memorable….for the METS.

By McFann :Ô:

September 13, 2008 4:36 PM | Link to this

Random @ 4:20—

What the heck are you talking about?

By TennesseePaul

September 13, 2008 4:39 PM | Link to this

I think they should have kept Pena, but it has nothing to do with Escobar

Yes. Pena over Corky and Aybar over Gotay. The Bench would have been solid with those guys. And it wouldn’t have cost anything except the thrill of watching Ridgway in a Braves uni.

By N Nine

September 13, 2008 4:44 PM | Link to this

Its so hard to accept Delgado’s BA(.263)! This man tears the Braves pitching each time i see him. Glad he’s 0-2 so far today.

By David O'Brien

September 13, 2008 4:45 PM | Link to this

When Infante flied out with two on in the second, dropped him to 1-for-22 in his career vs. Johan.

By McFann :Ô:

September 13, 2008 4:49 PM | Link to this

Strikeout swinging? Good gosh…

Quit DOING that!

By N Nine

September 13, 2008 4:50 PM | Link to this

we had many chooses! Pena,Corky,Javy,Sammons…..and we chose the nut case. AND YES, nothing to do with Yunel.

By JEB

September 13, 2008 4:55 PM | Link to this

DOB It looks like the Mets & Braves are wearing a different cap than normal. They seem to be a lighter shade of blue than the other road blue caps. Are these special caps??

Watching in HD on FOX - the picture is GREAT!

By Brian

September 13, 2008 4:56 PM | Link to this

Anders- What goes around comes around! Keep that in mind.

By JEB

September 13, 2008 5:02 PM | Link to this

TennPaul - yea.. I would have preferred Pena over Corky (or even Javy - I know he would have beat out a .093 avg)

Would have rather had Aybar over Gotay - but… I don’t think Aybar would have given us anything better than what we have in Infante and Prado.

By TennesseePaul

September 13, 2008 5:03 PM | Link to this

OK. So I’m watching the game on TV. First time in a long time I’ve seen a Braves game on the tube. Any way, I’m seeing the blue caps. The blue cap I have has the thin A on it. Looks like the old style A but the cap is solid blue. What the hell is this cap they are wearing? The A is in bold. It looks like it has glitter on it.

By Anders

September 13, 2008 5:04 PM | Link to this

Brian

It was a joke - about myself.

By Jeff321

September 13, 2008 5:05 PM | Link to this

It seems like every time I watch a Rays game, Willie Aybar is coming up with a hit!

So, he had some personal problems.. Looks like he’s over them. And we’re hanging tough with Ridgeway. So, who wins? Ah, the Rays!

By jerry

September 13, 2008 5:11 PM | Link to this

Not to pile on, or to beat a dead horse, but, Jeff’s at bats are not only unproductive, they’re just flat out bad.

By N Nine

September 13, 2008 5:16 PM | Link to this

before this game:

Number of pitches seen:

Frenchy-90th @ 2049 pitches with 590AB (49th in TPA)

Most with that many AB have 200 to 300 more pitches seen.

Sizemore has 669AB but has seen 2763 Pitches.

Frenchy your not helping yourself. Work the count more AND enough 1st pitch popups!!!

By JEB

September 13, 2008 5:18 PM | Link to this

Hampton would really have to be a consideration for next season (at a VERY reasonable - incentive laden contract). Even if it’s in the 5 slot.

He may have been injured a lot the last few years, but… he does know how to pitch. He doesn’t have to learn to pitch all over again. Just shake off the rust and build endurance.

By Braveheart

September 13, 2008 5:22 PM | Link to this

It was a joke - about myself.

DOB finally got you to admit you’re a joke, huh?

By JEB

September 13, 2008 5:25 PM | Link to this

DOB What are the chances that the Mets open their stadium next year with the Braves (as Washington did this year)?

By Bobby's Cox

September 13, 2008 5:27 PM | Link to this

JEB

Those caps are the 9/11 caps. The logo on the cap is embroidered with stars…kind of reminiscent of the US flag. I’m pretty sure all the MLB teams wore the same type cap in memory of 9/11. The Angels wore them on Thursday. I haven’t checked out highlights this week, but i’m pretty sure all teams wore them.

Escobar took the uniform to a new level. The blue cap with the red undersleeves looks pretty nice.

By David O'Brien

September 13, 2008 5:30 PM | Link to this

JEB, those are 9/11 tribute caps, worn by all teams the past few days.

By Eau de GOO

September 13, 2008 5:31 PM | Link to this

Smell like a reliever.

If you’re an innings eater in need of an odor eater,

Try the new fragrance from Blaine Boyer:

Eau de Goo.

Straight-on, 95 miles an hour of freshness.

Wherever bait and tackle are sold.

By Couch Tater

September 13, 2008 5:32 PM | Link to this

TennesseePaul

The caps are the commemorative edition with the American Flag every team wore on July 4. You can see them on the Braves site. (in the shopping section). But, you may be on to something with that glitter thing.

By N Nine

September 13, 2008 5:36 PM | Link to this

Hampton would really have to be a consideration for next season (at a VERY reasonable - incentive laden contract). Even if it’s in the 5 slot JEB

This idea makes sense while looking at him currently. But, Do we forget the last 3 years? Shoot- just look up a previous blog about 3-4 months ago! I like him, but cannot be counted on especially in 1-5 Starting rotation. He would be a highly rated #5 guy however.

By Couch Tater

September 13, 2008 5:38 PM | Link to this

Braveheart

Free radio and USC/Ohio State or Pay per view?

By Metropolitan Man

September 13, 2008 5:40 PM | Link to this

If you didn’t get to Johan early, its very hard to beat him. You didn’t think Santana would stay winless against the braves too much longer did ou?

By Deep Throat

September 13, 2008 5:41 PM | Link to this

I think they should have kept Pena, but it has nothing to do with Escobar. I think they should have kept him because Pena could hit, had a great attitude, and played serviceable D at several positions.

I bet 98% of Braves’ fans know and think this too. It is inexplicable that Frank Wren or whoever in the Braves’ brass decided to keep Corky Miller over Brayan Pena. What the hell were they thinking???

By David O'Brien

September 13, 2008 5:44 PM | Link to this

Well, I thought that Anderson gapper might get through and the Braves might actually have a runner touch third base.

Now, not so sure. Maybe after Santana’s out of the game, if he doesn’t pitch a CG.

By McFann :Ô:

September 13, 2008 5:45 PM | Link to this

Back down to .297, which is still good…But not good enough against the Mets…

We gotta do some scoring, people!!

I bet the scrubs will be going in game two. But the scrubs have surprised us before…

By Bring on the Goo

September 13, 2008 5:48 PM | Link to this

Bring on the Goo!

Bring on the Goo!

Bring on the Goo!

Bring on the Goo!

Bring on the Goo!

By Braveheart

September 13, 2008 5:50 PM | Link to this

Free radio and USC/Ohio State or Pay per view?

Couch Tater How good is your internet connection? I’m gonna watch Bama online on espn360 and the usc/ohio state game on the television. Watched the Tulane game last week that way. I hate wasting money to see them go against garbage teams if it’s free online, If you are still living in Alabama though you won’t be able to watch it online because they’ll black you out. But in the 4th quarter or so they will most likely lift the blackout and you can watch the game then.

By Brian

September 13, 2008 5:50 PM | Link to this

I wonder if Delgado is disgusted wearing those red,white, blue hats? If you know what I mean?

By David O'Brien

September 13, 2008 5:50 PM | Link to this

Hard to believe stat: Braves lead the NL with a .353 OBP since the break. How is that possible?

Of course, their 5.98 ERA in more than three-quarters of a run higher than any other team.

By Metropolitan Man

September 13, 2008 5:54 PM | Link to this

That 3-1 pitch to Easely was a ball. Home plate upm costing big innings with gracious calls.

By McFann :Ô:

September 13, 2008 5:54 PM | Link to this

Great double play!

See, Russell Martin’s not the only one who cann get the force at home and then throw to first.

; )

By JEB

September 13, 2008 5:55 PM | Link to this

Could Delgado’s turn around have anything to do with the firing of Willie Randolph???

By David O'Brien

September 13, 2008 5:57 PM | Link to this

Now that was an impressive escape act by Hampton. Dude can still pitch, no doubt.

By JEB

September 13, 2008 5:59 PM | Link to this

BAses loaded and no outs - if I was a Mets fan I would REALLY be P.O. ‘d!!! But… I’m not - and that REALLY made me happy!

Hampton got out of that mess!

By Brian

September 13, 2008 6:01 PM | Link to this

MutMan- You want some cheese with that wine?

By Random

September 13, 2008 6:14 PM | Link to this

McFann ؟Ô?: ”@ 4:20 — What the heck are you talking about?”

Perhaps THIS will refresh your memory! (Starting around 4:30 of 6:20.)

Or THIS.

By Metropolitan Man

September 13, 2008 6:15 PM | Link to this

No, but a NY strip would do!

LETS GO METS!!

By David O'Brien

September 13, 2008 6:17 PM | Link to this

I just realized, as I’m starting at Santana’s career stats, that the Braves are the ONLY team of the 28 that he’s faced, that he hasn’t beaten. He’s 0-3 in 4 starts against them, before this one.

By David O'Brien

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

Like I said, they might get a runner to third after Santana left the game….

By Jake

September 13, 2008 6:24 PM | Link to this

Boy, if these bases loaded situations don’t find Francoeur. It seems like the last week or so he has seen about 5 or 6. Hopefully he can do something positive with it.

By David O'Brien

September 13, 2008 6:27 PM | Link to this

And Santana will remain winless against the Braves. Meanwhile the planet apparently has slipped from its axis with that bases-loaded pressure hit from Francoeur….

By keylargo

September 13, 2008 6:28 PM | Link to this

Some dude wearing #7 was impersonating Jeff F. He got a clutch hit though and I saw right through it.

By Jake

September 13, 2008 6:30 PM | Link to this

Well, DOB looks like we are going to keep that winless streak for Santana against us going. Now only if we could break a certain streak of ours.

By McFann :Ô:

September 13, 2008 6:30 PM | Link to this

Ah! Gotcha, Random.

Back to .299, aaaaaaaaaaaaannnnnd:

BRAVES LEAD! BRAVES LEAD!

Who was that guy that drove in the first two runs? ; )

By McFann :Ô:

September 13, 2008 6:32 PM | Link to this

DOB @ 6:17—

SWEET! And it’s gonna STAY THAT WAY!!

By TennesseePaul

September 13, 2008 6:34 PM | Link to this

OK, thanks for the splainin’ about the hats guys. Makes more sense now.

Aybar may have only offered what Infante and Prado offer but he still would have been a more useful body in place of Gotay.

By JEB

September 13, 2008 6:34 PM | Link to this

Was that Francoeur at bat with the bases loaded?? That guy actually got a hit!!

By Couch Tater

September 13, 2008 6:34 PM | Link to this

Braveheart I’m with you on that pay per view.

BREAKING NEWS— FRANCOUER HITS WITH BASES LOADED! The Braves world is agog!

Anyway, thanks for the info but I use my laptop and wireless card and it isn’t enough speed.

By Brian

September 13, 2008 6:35 PM | Link to this

Regardless of how this one ends up, it’s always fun for em’ to put a little scare in those filthy Muts!!!!

By McFann ;Ô;

September 13, 2008 6:36 PM | Link to this

DOB @ 6:27—

Now that was hilarious!

By keylargo

September 13, 2008 6:38 PM | Link to this

If there was a trophy for whining and pouting, Steve Spurrier would win it every year.

By Mitchell

September 13, 2008 6:40 PM | Link to this

Damn it!

I was predicting a 3 run bomb by Kelly right there.

Gotta hang on to this one.

And thank God for once Jeff gets a hit with the bases loaded. It seemed to happen right at the tail end of a replay, it was just like that. Maybe he didn’t want to give himself a chance to think.

Come on Ohman! Get this guy!

There we go!

Set it up for Gonzo in the 9th.

By Jeff321

September 13, 2008 6:47 PM | Link to this

Wow, Bobby Cox actually made a move that worked so far!

I was thinking, why on earth did Cox yank Ohman after one out and bring Blaine Boyer’s brother in? Well, he did the job. Imagine my shock.

Anyway, I guess Gonzo will either save or blow it, eh?

By Brian

September 13, 2008 6:49 PM | Link to this

I’m callin’ it- BRAVES WIN ONE RUN GAME ON THE ROAD!!!!

By TennesseePaul

September 13, 2008 6:49 PM | Link to this

Could this be it?

Let’s do this Gonzo!

By Mitchell

September 13, 2008 6:50 PM | Link to this

Bennett is my boy now!

Way to go Jeff. That’s one of those situations where Bobby would have brought Moylan in and he would have set ‘em done like nothin’.

That was a damn fine Peter Moylan impression by Bennett.

It’d sure be nice to get another run for Gonzo. He’s obviously showing he could use a little wiggle room out there.

But I have to say to all the Mets fans out there, you might be in a little trouble.

I mean, if Gonzo can’t close it out, nobody can.

Let’s just hope he does.

By ObiWanKobe

September 13, 2008 6:52 PM | Link to this

DOB, The only explanation for that hit by Frenchy is the “Atom Smasher” being up and running over in Switzerland / France.

By A FAN

September 13, 2008 6:58 PM | Link to this

one run win streak is finally over take that MUTS!!!!!!

By TennesseePaul

September 13, 2008 6:58 PM | Link to this

94 from Gonzo on that strike. 84 on the follow up.

By Couch Tater

September 13, 2008 6:58 PM | Link to this

Good job!

By MiamiBrave

September 13, 2008 6:58 PM | Link to this

I CAN’T BELIEVE MY EYES!

And so it ENDSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!

The streak is over!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Get that monkey off our backs!!!!!!!!!!!

Congrats Bravos

By MiamiBrave

September 13, 2008 6:58 PM | Link to this

I CAN’T BELIEVE MY EYES!

And so it ENDSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!

The streak is over!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Get that monkey off our backs!!!!!!!!!!!

Congrats Bravos

By MiamiBrave

September 13, 2008 6:58 PM | Link to this

I CAN’T BELIEVE MY EYES!

And so it ENDSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!

The streak is over!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Get that monkey off our backs!!!!!!!!!!!

Congrats Bravos

By MiamiBrave

September 13, 2008 6:59 PM | Link to this

I CAN’T BELIEVE MY EYES!

And so it ENDSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!

The streak is over!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Get that monkey off our backs!!!!!!!!!!!

Congrats Bravos

By MiamiBrave

September 13, 2008 6:59 PM | Link to this

I CAN’T BELIEVE MY EYES!

And so it ENDSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!

The streak is over!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Get that monkey off our backs!!!!!!!!!!!

Congrats Bravos

By McFann ;Ô;

September 13, 2008 6:59 PM | Link to this

BRAVES WIN!!!! BRAVES WIN!!!!!!! BRAVES WIN!!!!!!

THEY DID IT!!! THEY DID IT!!! THEY DID IT!!

By JEB

September 13, 2008 7:00 PM | Link to this

Let this day go down in history - September 13,2008!! The Braves break the curse of one run road losses!!

WAH -HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

By Metropolitan Man

September 13, 2008 7:00 PM | Link to this

That was bull. Cant do anything about that. See you in the night cap. Frenchy hits and the 1-run road loss snapped, yeah the devil is somewhere beating his wife.

By fastasballs

September 13, 2008 7:02 PM | Link to this

It’s over!!!!! Finally a one run road victory & in that garbage dump of a stadium called Shea.

I just finished watching my Hokies take care of GT & flipped over to see Gonzo set them down in the 9th!

The Braves helped the Phillies gain a game & hopefully a 1/2 of one in the second game, well if it’s not rained out.

By Tomas

September 13, 2008 7:04 PM | Link to this

The curse is over. a one run win in the road. Way to go Frenchy, Hampton, Ridgeway, Ohman, Bennet, and Gonzo.

By AZBravoFan

September 13, 2008 7:04 PM | Link to this

HEADLINE: Bizarro Braves Win by 1 On the Road, Francoeur Ties Game With Bases Loaded!

ALTERNATE HEADLINE: Mets Begin “the Choke” 2.0

By McFann ;Ô;

September 13, 2008 7:05 PM | Link to this

MetMan?

By Lew

September 13, 2008 7:05 PM | Link to this

Four in a row and 7 of the last 10. AND Frenchy had a bases loaded hit. Where are the Mets’ fans now?

By JEB

September 13, 2008 7:06 PM | Link to this

Let’s all give each other a collective ‘blog’ High Five! Consider it done!

The Braves can rest and chill tonight!

By McFann ;Ô;

September 13, 2008 7:08 PM | Link to this

Ah, there you are.

By MEB

September 13, 2008 7:10 PM | Link to this

HALLELUJAH, HALLELUJAH, HALLELUJAH!!!

How sweeeeeeeettt it is!!!

Let’s sweep the sucka’s.

GO BRAVES!!!

By Steve from OH

September 13, 2008 7:10 PM | Link to this

So Georgia barely escapes from South Carolina with a win. I wonder how Mark May will put a positive spin on that one?

A one-run win on the road? Frenchy with a bases-loaded hit? All in a game in which Mike Hampton started (and pitched well)!!??? I’m feeling faint. Perhaps I’ll lie down and this dream will be over.

And for the record, I’m not very optimistic on Ohio State’s chances tonight. It all depends on how Boeckman plays, IMO. He’s capable of making the throws. Will he? We’ll find out in less than an hour. Also, did anyone see where USC’s starting cornerback was charged with a felony? And Pete Carroll is letting him play tonight? Seems like team rules are playing second fiddle to winning, IMO.

By Deep Throat

September 13, 2008 7:10 PM | Link to this

Ouch! Better put some ice on this one Metrosexual Man.

It’s the Mets’ meltdown 2.0.

By Mitchell

September 13, 2008 7:12 PM | Link to this

How ‘bout those Braves!!!

Does anybody out there play tennis? If you do you know that whenever you play somebody who is below your level they always have a way of bringing your game down. And then you play somebody much better than you but you’re somehow able to play up to their abilty.

Okay, so maybe that’s kind of a universal principle, but it’s never more true on a tennis court.

This is how the Braves can play in a close game against a better team. We haven’t seen enough of this kind of clutch play. But they can still do it.

Not to say that the Mets are that good, because as far as I’m concerned… they’re not.

There couldn’t possibly be better evidence of the poor quality of Fox’s baseball telecasts than the fact that they didn’t know about the Braves fate in one run road games. But I am eternally greatful for their pathetic lack of preparation.

I completely forgot until they pulled it up with two outs in the 9th. I would have been going crazy if I was thinking about it those last two innings.

A one run road win by the Braves. What’s so hard about that?

By richbrave

September 13, 2008 7:12 PM | Link to this

HOW about a SHEA SWEEP as a going away present for the amazins. Great game to see. BRAVES break “the streak” by FRANCOUER hitting with the bases loaded. Not coincidental.

By Billy

September 13, 2008 7:12 PM | Link to this

For the Mets fans that come here and post because they have not one friend and at least here they get some attention, ……nice game. So the Mets collapse of 2008 is in full swing, sweet huh? Santana is truly a stud and that makes this win more enjoyable. Looks like Santana will have to wait until 2009 for his 1st win against the Braves.

By McFann ;Ô;

September 13, 2008 7:13 PM | Link to this

JEB—

Got my high-five!

Whoo-hoo!

What time does game two start??

By fastasballs

September 13, 2008 7:15 PM | Link to this

DOB Maybe you ought to get out of Shea Stadium right now, because between a Frenchy hit with the bases juiced & a one run road victory something might just be freezing over.

By Goat Horns

September 13, 2008 7:15 PM | Link to this

I would take this as a bad sign if I were a Mets fan!!!

On another note it looks like Kotchman is starting to hit like he can. He will turn out to be a nice player and a fan favorite.

By David O'Brien

September 13, 2008 7:24 PM | Link to this

Your national nightmare is over. The Brave have won a one-run road game.

By andy

September 13, 2008 7:30 PM | Link to this

Does anyone know what channel and time the Braves 2nd game is on ?

By govols

September 13, 2008 7:33 PM | Link to this

is the braves 2cd game on tv? ohio state won’t be a game for usc, we’ll need an alternative.

By fastasballs

September 13, 2008 7:34 PM | Link to this

I’m pleased at how this team is playing in games that mean absolutely nothing.

By David O'Brien

September 13, 2008 7:34 PM | Link to this

You know what makes Francoeur’s bases-loaded woes this season all the more painful for the Braves? The fact that he LEADS THE MAJORS with 33 plate appearances with bases loaded.

More chances than anyone else in either league. Oh, well, guess it’s not the day to point out how brutal he’s been in those spots.

By keylargo

September 13, 2008 7:37 PM | Link to this

I telling you, this is about as much as I could ask for today.

Braves win, Dogs win and another Braves game about to start!

By Mitchell

September 13, 2008 7:37 PM | Link to this

Hey MetMan and/or other Met bloggers…

I’m not even trying to talk trash with you’s guys. But you have to admit, you’re in a little trouble. You can’t expect to walk over the Braves at this point. We’re playing well. They (the Braves) may be out there to take you out of the playoff picture. I just like seeing them being competetive again.

You have to face facts, we still kind of own you. That’s 8 and 5 for the season and 3 and 0 against Santana.

And nary a Chipper Jones to be found.

I’m not sayin’ I want to see the Phillies win the division (hell, I don’t want either of you to win the division) but I better see some Tomahack Choppin’ at Citizens Bank Park.

I’m proud of my Braves.

Let’s play two!

By Anders

September 13, 2008 7:39 PM | Link to this

Lew

Four in a row and 7 of the last 10. AND Frenchy had a bases loaded hit. Where are the Mets’ fans now?

I’m right here Lew. I’ll keep your question in mind next time you ask why I’m here to begin with.

Anyway, nice job by Hampton. Guy’s a gamer. Maybe he’ll pitch for the Mets next year? That’s ok with me.

By Random

September 13, 2008 7:39 PM | Link to this

McFann :Ô:: “No mayo! That’s un-American! ; )”

I meant “MAYONNaise”, NOT “Le MARSEILLaise”.

N’est-ce pas?

By fastasballs

September 13, 2008 7:42 PM | Link to this

Well I guess mlb.com doesn’t have a feed for the game, audio only to this point. Guess it’s a night with Pete & Joe…….damn I miss hearing Skip.

By Anders

September 13, 2008 7:42 PM | Link to this

My recollection is that DOB reported no TV for the second game in Braves nation. Nice job by “America’s team”. I can give you play by play if you’d like?

By Lauren T.

September 13, 2008 7:43 PM | Link to this

The Braves’ website said SportSouth is supposed to be carrying it, but my SportSouth (Atlanta Comcast) is showing a replay of a Liberty Bowl. :( No such luck on regular Fox, FSN, or PTV.

By McFann ;Ô;

September 13, 2008 7:44 PM | Link to this

Andy—

It’s not on TV. I’m sorry.

By Billy

September 13, 2008 7:48 PM | Link to this

CF Gregor Blanco 3B Martin Prado 2B Kelly Johnson LF Omar Infante 1B Casey Kotchman RF Jeff Francoeur SS Brent Lillibridge C Clint Sammons

Only 3 regulars playing so if the Mets don’t win this game featuring mostly Richmond Braves and reserves the choke will really be on.

By Anders

September 13, 2008 7:49 PM | Link to this

Two run bomb for Sir Wright!

By David O'Brien

September 13, 2008 7:51 PM | Link to this

That bomb by Mr. Wright sailed an estimated 430 feet.

By Anders

September 13, 2008 7:54 PM | Link to this

3-0 Mets.

BTW-Beltran stole 3rd -Standing up! Yikes.

By fastasballs

September 13, 2008 7:55 PM | Link to this

Jo Jo has Chuck James derangement syndrome.

By AdirondackDave

September 13, 2008 7:56 PM | Link to this

Well, the Yankees demise almost makes up for the Braves disappointment this year. But if we can help the Mets fold, I’ll be smiling again. Anybody know if it’s raining in NYC? I live a few hundred miles upstate and it’s overcast but no rain here since this morning.

By McFann ;Ô;

September 13, 2008 7:56 PM | Link to this

3-0 NY…

Hey, Ho-Ho, just ‘cause the runners already at second doesn’t mean you have to ignore him! Gya…I am sick of this.

Random—

Saying it was “un-American” was quoting Joe Simpson, who hates mayo on hamburgers. I was just funnin’ ya.

What language are you speaking there?

By Steve from OH

September 13, 2008 8:02 PM | Link to this

Beanie not in uniform….not good.

By Anders

September 13, 2008 8:04 PM | Link to this

Me thinks DOB is falling love with David Wright, In a baseball way of course.

By Jeff321

September 13, 2008 8:05 PM | Link to this

AHHHH! MLB’s on the fritz (only for the Braves/Mets game) and they’re “looking into it” right now. So I was listening to WFAN through Gameday.

Guess I’ll check out the Dodgers until the video gets rectified. Because I really don’t like audio.

By Wondering

September 13, 2008 8:05 PM | Link to this

Hey McFann, how much fan mail do you send to Brian McCann? If so, has he ever sent you back an autograph?

By Anders

September 13, 2008 8:10 PM | Link to this

Joseeeyy,Jose,jose jose, Joseeey, Jose. HR by in the words of Mark Grace - “the best arm in baseball”.

4-0 Mets. Anybody see Lew?

By David O'Brien

September 13, 2008 8:12 PM | Link to this

Wow, Bobby either not thinking too highly of Jo-Jo these days, or he really wants to win this game, or Jo-Jo is hurt. I’m guessing it’s the first two of those three scenarios.

By Jake

September 13, 2008 8:14 PM | Link to this

Jojo got the quick hook this time. Don’t know what’s up with Jojo. In my opinion he has better stuff than Chuck James. Just wish he could get it together. If Bobby gets those two starting pitchers like he wants Jojo could find himself odd man out.

By Anders

September 13, 2008 8:14 PM | Link to this

Apparent;y Mark Grace was right. Wow, what a play by Jose.

By Choppinmama

September 13, 2008 8:17 PM | Link to this

I found the game on XtraInnings #738 - but it’s the NY feed. Bottom of 3rd, Mets 4-0, JoJo “just didnt’ have it” Reyes has been pulled for…………Buddy Carlyle.

By Savannah Guy

September 13, 2008 8:20 PM | Link to this

I can give you play by play if you’d like?

Anders, no thanks… but a detailed recap of the last game would be nice.

By McFann Ô

September 13, 2008 8:23 PM | Link to this

Wondering—

Mmm…That would be none…don’t know his address…

But we passed by his neighborhood once!

By Anders

September 13, 2008 8:23 PM | Link to this

This is why I respect Cox. He could have easily Let Reyes stay in there and take more of a beating but he knows this is an important game for the Mets and Phils so he’s managing it accordingly. The guy really gets it. Kudos to Bobby.

By Steve from OH

September 13, 2008 8:29 PM | Link to this

Thanks, Choppinmama! I’d probably still be listening to it on radio without the heads-up.

By Braveheart

September 13, 2008 8:29 PM | Link to this

I have jinxed Chuck, Frenchy and Jo Jo. I will no longer zealously defend any Brave. My defense of any Brave is like a kiss of death.

By Lauren T.

September 13, 2008 8:32 PM | Link to this

I’m a huge McCann fan, but I’ve never sent a fan letter either. All fan mail has to go through the Braves, though — you just send it to the main office, attn: [Player name].

McFann, I heard BMac just bought a new house — with an elevator!

By Jeff321

September 13, 2008 8:34 PM | Link to this

Alright watching the SNY feed now.

DOB - Cox usually waits until the pitcher has given up 6 runs to yank ‘em. With that said, I think Cox is embarrassed by losing so many games this year and chose to try and win one for a change.

By Anders

September 13, 2008 8:36 PM | Link to this

Frenchy’s on fire! BTW- watching Kotchman go from 1st to 3rd. I think McCann would give him a run for his money.

By Steve from OH

September 13, 2008 8:37 PM | Link to this

The Braves need to get Casey Kotchman to run windsprits all winter…man is he slow. I daresay McCann is a bigger threat on the basepaths.

Speaking of Kotchman, he’s been doing better lately, hasn’t he? Hope your mom is doing alright, Casey.

By McFann Ô

September 13, 2008 8:39 PM | Link to this

Lauren T. McFann, I heard BMac just bought a new house — with an elevator!

Are you serious??

By Wondering

September 13, 2008 8:39 PM | Link to this

Brian McCann Atlanta Braves Turner Field 755 Hank Aaron Dr SW Atlanta, GA 30315

“If you want to request an autograph, follow the guidelines bellow. If you just want to mail a letter with the address above, and do not want anything back, then you can stop reading! If you live in USA send a properly stamped and self addressed envelope (minimum size 8.5” x 4”) with your request letter and a photo. You can include a piece of cardboard to keep the photo from bending in shipping and also add “Do Not Bend” on the envelopes. Send your letter and wait.”

By Metropolitan Man

September 13, 2008 8:41 PM | Link to this

I understand Mitchell. In the case of the METS and philhties the enemy of your enemy is your enemy. I’m still not worried because ever since Manuel has taken over, every METS letdown has been followed up by superb ball play that last for a week or so, totally different from last year. As you can see, they came out swinging and if they don’t let up you can attribute that to Manuel.

Don’t worry Mcfann, the streets are watching. If you celebrate fast, you don’t celebrate long. (trust me I know)

By Wondering

September 13, 2008 8:47 PM | Link to this

Brian McCann

Atlanta Braves

Turner Field 755 Hank Aaron Dr SW

Atlanta, GA 30315

By McFann Ô

September 13, 2008 8:50 PM | Link to this

Wondering—

Hmm…thanks for that…

I gotta try my hand at meeting him again…We always get there to late for BP, but one of these days…

I do have an autograph of his that Lew got for me!

MetMan If you celebrate fast, you don’t celebrate long. (trust me I know)

Huh, I know it, too…

Well, the Mets laft ‘em loaded, and you know the (unwritten) rule…

By brent a.

September 13, 2008 8:52 PM | Link to this

DOB

Your post at 7:34 highlights just why RBI’s are not as meaningless a stat as some would claim them to be.

If Francoeur had 90+ RBI’s, people would likely say, “but he’s had more at-bats with the bases loaded than anyone else in baseball, he should have 90+ RBI’s.”

Which exactly illustrates the point as to why RBI’s matter.

Sure, you can counter the argument by pointing to Andruw Jones’ putrid season last year, while still knocking in a lot of runs from the 4-hole.

But you know what? At least he knocked those runs in.

Something we can’t say for Francoeur this season.

You can’t measure a guy’s contributions to a ball club strictly in On Base and Slugging percentage. (Not that anyone ever said you could :-) ).

By LKS

September 13, 2008 8:52 PM | Link to this

McFann and Wondering

If you actually wanted to meet and get an autograph of Mccann the best thing I found was going to see them play the Marlins down in FL. I ended up with 7 autographs including Mccann. He was extremely sweet. So was Frenchie. Chipper even signed some autographs…my nephew got his. Me…not so lucky ;)

By Lauren T.

September 13, 2008 8:54 PM | Link to this

McFann, I heard that from an associate of the McCann’s. Hopefully it’s true and Chop Talk or Atlanta magazine or someone shows us some pictures! I wondered how long Ashley would stay in the former Bachelor House. ;)

By Jake

September 13, 2008 9:01 PM | Link to this

Just a question *Metropolitan Man *.

Do you really think Manuel has made that big of a difference? I’m not a Mets fan so I don’t follow the team as much as someone who is a fan of the team but i’m not quite sure how different Manuel is from Randolph. From what i’ve seen they have similar managing styles. I just find it a little hard to believe in this team. If they quit on one guy what keeps them from quitting on the other guy?

By Braves20

September 13, 2008 9:01 PM | Link to this

Here’s an idea. Why not just start Carlisle rather than bringing him in with either a 4 or 5 run deficit every time Jo Jo starts.

And while we’re at it - can we just give Lillibridge back to Pittsburgh - maybe throw in a little money to sweeten the deal.

Finally for those of you who missed it. Matt Harrison went to 8-3 with Texas after throwing a five hit shut out last night. And possibly the best of the bunch we sent to Texas last year - Elvis Andrus is still a year or two away. Nice trade.

By Lew

September 13, 2008 9:02 PM | Link to this

Anders-Exactly why are you here? And Dude, that was not an existential question.

By Robert

September 13, 2008 9:02 PM | Link to this

The streak is over. The Braves win a one run game on the road

What a great manager we have

The blind pig (or rather, blind donkey) PROUDLY struts around the room showing off the plump ripe acorn (sugar cube) he found

By McFann Ô

September 13, 2008 9:04 PM | Link to this

LKS—

I wish we could go down there to see them play…in Spring Training!

Lauren T—

Sweet! Not a bad idea for a catcher…When he gets older, his knees are gonna be bad.

If it is true, they might put out pictures…stranger things have happened.

I wondered how long Ashley would stay in the former Bachelor House.

Haha!

By McFann Ô

September 13, 2008 9:05 PM | Link to this

LKS I ended up with 7 autographs including Mccann. He was extremely sweet.

I’m not surprised. 8 )

By Choppinmama

September 13, 2008 9:09 PM | Link to this

McFann: for autographs, you can always go around to the players’ parking lot, and while the traffic is clearing (not so much these days), you can try them when they come out after the game. Some will, some won’t. Also works early, early before the games just as they are arriving.

By Lauren T.

September 13, 2008 9:12 PM | Link to this

McFann, did you ever see this video tour of BMac’s house, when Frenchy and Joey Devine were his roommates? It’s classic.

By Steve from OH

September 13, 2008 9:14 PM | Link to this

brent a, your point on Andruw is exactly why RBI’s don’t matter, in a sense of individual player evaluation. Andruw had 94 RBI last season, a good one if you’re counting by RBI. Did he have a good season? Heck no.

  • But you know what? At least he knocked those runs in.*

But a league average player would have knocked in probably anywhere from 25-50% more. That would have helped the team alot, wouldn’t you say?

RBI are too context and team specific. RBI’s don’t occur without good play from your teammates. You don’t want to rely on a statistic like that to determine player effectiveness. Thank God front offices don’t do it. You can’t take a single statistic like RBI and say “that player had 100 RBI, he is good.” Doesn’t work like that.

At the extremes, of course, RBI are somewhat useful, like it’s pretty much impossible for a cleanup hitter to have 40 RBI’s and still somehow have had a good season.

But if you really, really wanted a statistic to measure how good an INDIVIDUAL hitter is, try EqA, OPS, etc.

Player A had 101 RBI in 1993.

Player B had 106 RBI in 2004.

Were they equal? You already know the answer.

By David O'Brien

September 13, 2008 9:16 PM | Link to this

Don’t know if you folks know this, but Keith Olbermann is a serious baseball fan and baseball historian (and, by the way, I hear he has has one of the best memorabilia collections anywhere).

Just thought to mention it because he just now left after sitting two seats down from me, next to the Braves PR man, for the first 15 innings of this doubleheader.

That, after arriving early this afternoon and spending time with Bobby Cox in the dugout, as he does just about every time the Braves are in NY. He gave Bobby a baseball card today of Cox with his Venezuelan winter league team in the 1960s, from a set of cards that was sold only in Venezuela.

By Metropolitan Man

September 13, 2008 9:16 PM | Link to this

Jake With the combination of putting a manger on the hot seat and then making a change in managers could all be coincidnetal but Manuel has played the best line up possible. We have seen a little of Heilman (now admitted hurt) less of Castillo, and the pen who got lit up on a constant basis we see as little in action as possible unless its mop up duty. So yeah I think Manuel saw the talent on this team, saw what Willie was doing wrong and corrected it. They are similar men, they just manage the talent differently. Manuel doesn’t care who you are, he will get after you when making mistakes.

By Anders

September 13, 2008 9:16 PM | Link to this

Yeah sure Lew.

Well I’m here for an existential experience.

By Anders

September 13, 2008 9:17 PM | Link to this

Yeah sure Lew.

Well I’m here for an existential experience.

By Jeff321

September 13, 2008 9:19 PM | Link to this

Speaking of Spring Training:

Anyone know when the schedule comes out? I live like 4 miles from where the Washington Nationals play. And haven’t been for a few years..

By Choppinmama

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

autograph advice cont’d…………

It’s also effective to say something relevant about themselves, i.e. “Hey Mr. Parr, come on over here and show us your big league autograph.”

“Buenos Tardes, Senor Escobar. Loved those two double plays late in the game. Who is in charge in Cuba anyway”?

“Tommy, glad you’re not with those abominable Mets anymore. Looking forward to your retirement as a Brave after next season. Now get that arm in shape and we’ll see you at Dark Star.”

“Hi Mate, I heard the surf’s up around the TX shore. Your neglected travel agent called me since I run a personal match site. Put your name and cell # on my ball, and I’ll check my info for a certain match tonight when I get home.”

See, just be creative, pander to their egos, and always have the cap off your pen before you hand it over!

By Higgs boson

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

Also, did anyone see where USC’s starting cornerback was charged with a felony? And Pete Carroll is letting him play tonight? Seems like team rules are playing second fiddle to winning, IMO. Steveoh

You’re kidding, right? All high and mighty OSU. Does the name Clarett ring a bell?

By Anders

September 13, 2008 9:25 PM | Link to this

Dob

Did you know that Olberman’s mother got her nose broken at Yankee stadium by an errant throw from Chuck Knoblach back when he got the yips?

True story.

By David O'Brien

September 13, 2008 9:30 PM | Link to this

Imagine that, a rookie’s throwing a shutout against the Braves….

By McFann Ô

September 13, 2008 9:34 PM | Link to this

Choppinmama—

Great tips! Haha…Those were great!

Hey, we got Lance Cormier (or however you spell that)—um, we got his autograph.

Lauren T.—

Thanks for the video! That was great! (Aw, shucks…I got a purple room…) The pool table shopping was funny!

I think I hafta sign off for the night (really hate to leave this conversation). So, if that’s the case:

Night, all!

By Steve from OH

September 13, 2008 9:35 PM | Link to this

Hmmm….Maurice Clarett was suspended for the entire 2003 Athletic season for filing a false police report.

Who here hailed the “high and mighty” OSU? I didn’t. No one ever compared OSU and USC.

By Higgs boson

September 13, 2008 9:41 PM | Link to this

DOB, do Olbermann and Cox discuss politics at length? Cox doesn’t strike me as a pinko traitor.

By Higgs boson

September 13, 2008 9:47 PM | Link to this

Well. Let’s call it a wash. (OJ Simpson, and all…..)

By David O'Brien

September 13, 2008 9:48 PM | Link to this

The Astros and Cubs are going to play in Milwaukee. Unbelievable. That’s a freakin’ home game for the Cubs.

By Anders

September 13, 2008 9:50 PM | Link to this

Imagine that, a rookie’s throwing a shutout against the Braves….

Yep, plus as you posted earlier he came into the game with an ERA over 15.00. And this from a Mets organization with no prospects in it.

BTW- Niese was born the same night the Mets beat the RedSox in Game 7 in 1986.

By Metropolitan Man

September 13, 2008 9:50 PM | Link to this

J. Niese just gave you guys a glimspe of what could be added to a METS rotation for 09’. METS could be built to win.

By David O'Brien

September 13, 2008 9:52 PM | Link to this

Higgs, yes they do talk politics (and everything else). They couldn’t be much more different in terms of politics. Then again, they can have civil discussions because they don’t call each other names like “pinko traitor.”…

Anders, yes, I do know that story. It’d be unbelievable if it weren’t true.

By Couch Tater

September 13, 2008 9:53 PM | Link to this

Braveheart There’s a nice article about Rashad Johnson on TideSports.com (The Tuscaloosa News) you may want to read.

By brent a.

September 13, 2008 9:54 PM | Link to this

Yeah, IIRC, Olberman’s mom had season tickets going back to Babe Ruth days.

By Greg in TN

September 13, 2008 10:00 PM | Link to this

Evening folks…

The 1,285 pound gorilla which is the one-run loss streak on the road is gone. The nightcap didn’t start off quite as Planet Braves would want, however nice to see Francoeur come through in a bases loaded situation.

Another setback for Jo-Jo Reyes, who looked good against the Nats on Sunday, but couldn’t escape the second in the nightcap tonight. Appearance number 21 tonight and Reyes has yet to have a game where he’s left without giving up at least one run.

Congratulations to the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, who came up just a little short of the Carolina League championship this year. The Pelicans fell to the Potomac Nationals three games to one in the championship series.

Meanwhile Matt Young has singled home a run in the home half of the fifth as mighty Mississip’ leads Carolina 2-1 in what will be the deciding game of the Southern League championship. Braves scored their first run in the 1st inning on a Kala Ka’aihue RBI single scoring Reid Gorecki. Johnny Venters started the game and went 5.1 innings giving up an earned run on eight hits. They’re through five and a half in Pearl.

By brent a.

September 13, 2008 10:03 PM | Link to this

Steve from OH:

Trust me. I get your point. I got it before you said it.

I was simply pointing out that Jeff has blown a ton of opportunities, and there is a difference between driving them in and not driving them in. He has cost us dearly with his performance. Especially the opportunities he has blown with the bases loaded.

By brent a.

September 13, 2008 10:06 PM | Link to this

Yeah, how can Milwaukee get forced on the Astros?

I do not get that at all.

Will the league office be forced to provide rationalization for this?

Is it because there is a roof, and the league wants to make certain that the games get played?

By Metropolitan Man

September 13, 2008 10:08 PM | Link to this

In a pennant race i’ll take the split. Good nite all, time to take the series tommorow with Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde named O. Perez. Remember he pretty much owns you so no funny business.

LETS GO METS!

By Couch Tater

September 13, 2008 10:20 PM | Link to this

brent a Sounds to me they want the biggest possible gate without playing in Chicago. $$$$$

By Higgs boson

September 13, 2008 10:21 PM | Link to this

DOB, wow, then one is a traitor and the other is a sympathizer. Not much of a distinction, but there is a minor distinction.

I’m guessing you’re in the Olbermann camp.

By David O'Brien

September 13, 2008 10:21 PM | Link to this

Ooh, Reyes is really testing the patience of “6,” as he’s known in some circles.

Cox not at all pleased with the young lefty’s work.

By Greg in TN

September 13, 2008 10:24 PM | Link to this

Once again, the exalted Commissioner of Baseball whiffs, forcing the Astros to travel to Miller Park for a “home” game against the Cubs.

Selig has made some good decisions over the years, and no one can argue with the revenue coming into the teams and the success that baseball has enjoyed, however he has laid some monumental eggs over the years and today’s egg was certainly grade A.

Amazing. Bart Giamatti is rolling over in his grave.

By Jake

September 13, 2008 10:24 PM | Link to this

DOB

I’m not quite sure why Milwaukee is considered a neutral sight. Why was Atlanta taken out of the equation? I know the cubs draw big a lot of places they go, but I couldn’t think of a better place to pick if I was a Cubs fan.

By Steve from OH

September 13, 2008 10:25 PM | Link to this

brent a, if your point was that Francoeur’s performance is killing us, you’ll get absolutely no argument from this Ohioan. Man, I just don’t know what to think about the kid anymore.

By Random

September 13, 2008 10:25 PM | Link to this

McFann !Ô!: “Saying it was “un-American” was quoting Joe Simpson, who hates mayo on hamburgers. I was just funnin’ ya… . What language are you speaking there?”

J’ai parle Francais (I was speaking French — sorta) — just about any English word that ends in -ais (masc) or -aise (fem) is of French origin.

If you’ve ever seen the movie Casablanca with Humphrey Bogey, La Marseillaise is the song the whole bar rises up to sing in the Nazis’ face. It’s the French national anthem.

By Greg in TN

September 13, 2008 10:27 PM | Link to this

Seven complete in Pearl, Braves still ahead 2-1 over the Carolina Mudcats.

The 2008 Carolina League Pitcher of the Year, Todd Redmond, will be on the mound for the Braves to start the 8th inning.

By Lew

September 13, 2008 10:33 PM | Link to this

Anders-Did posting it twice perhaps heighten the experience, dubious though it may be?

By ACE

September 13, 2008 10:38 PM | Link to this

DOB - Yeah they’ll be home games for the Cubs, but I bet the Astros will get the gate, and they’ll likely do very well in that department in Milwaukee.

By Anders

September 13, 2008 10:39 PM | Link to this

Lew

Anders-Did posting it twice perhaps heighten the experience, dubious though it may be?

Existentially!

By Lew

September 13, 2008 10:44 PM | Link to this

Anders-On your profound Existential Journey through the DOB/MIB blog, what have you learned about yourself? Are you searching for the unknowable and unattainable secrets of life? Or are you just looking for love in all the wrong places?

By David O'Brien

September 13, 2008 10:46 PM | Link to this

By the way, since a couple of you had asked, I asked Cox today about Redmond possibly getting called up after the playoffs. Not happening.

As I suspected, since he’s not on the 40-man.

By Anders

September 13, 2008 10:51 PM | Link to this

Lew

Ah Yes, when you can’t attack the Mets based on their results this year you instead attack me. That Lew is one of the things I’ve learned here.

By Brian

September 13, 2008 10:51 PM | Link to this

OK, I’m no pitching coach,expert guy or anything but how much could Bobby really expect out of Reyes anyway? The dude has a flat fastball and if he’s not perfectly hitting his spots he’s a no more than me pitching, really! I mean, put being young aside and focus on the movement he has on his fastball. Flat as a pancake! How many times do the Braves need to see this to realize he’s no more than a minor league pitcher right now? No Reyes for ‘09!!!!

By David O'Brien

September 13, 2008 10:51 PM | Link to this

So what if they get the gate, Ace? I mean, if they end up getting swept by the Cubs in front of packed houses of Cubs fans and perhaps missing the playoffs by one or two games, was the extra money they made worth it? Makes no sense to me.

By Chop Chop

September 13, 2008 10:54 PM | Link to this

Regarding Anders and his search for love…

Wookin Pa Nub

(Ahhh, back when Eddie Murphy was controversial…)

By Brian

September 13, 2008 10:57 PM | Link to this

Anders- We beat your ACE!! The Muts beat Reyes??? Oh my God- GIVE ME A BREAK!! A HS baseball team would’ve stomped his a* tonight!! Stop bragging, you silly boy!!

By Anders

September 13, 2008 10:58 PM | Link to this

DOB

Any word from the players on Nieses stuff? Was it more unfamiliarity or was he that good in their eyes?

By Steve from OH

September 13, 2008 10:59 PM | Link to this

Wow, just a pitiful performance by Ohio State tonight. Penalites, interceptions, missed blocks, missed tackles….this is the worst I’ve seen them play in a long, long time. But how about Joe McKnight? Dude’s gotta be in the Heisman picture after tonight, if he wasn’t already.

Oh well, there’s always the Rose Bowl, right? Hopefully your ‘Dawgs will shove it down USC’s throat in the title game and wipe that stupid smirk of Pete Carroll’s face.

Just a bad night…Braves lose, Buckeyes get smoked. Ugh.

By N Nine

September 13, 2008 11:01 PM | Link to this

wow one run curse stopped!

Party at my house! Wooo hooo

By Anders

September 13, 2008 11:03 PM | Link to this

DOB

I don’t think playing in Milwaukee is about money. I think it’s more about playing in front of some semblance of a crowd. I mean how many people do you think would go to see them at the Ted? I’d be shocked if they had 10K. I know a lot of Cubs fans were there over the summer but those were planned summer trips.

By David O'Brien

September 13, 2008 11:05 PM | Link to this

I had to hurry back up to file write-thru, only got to talk to Cox and Reyes after second game. But Cox absolutely raved about Niese, far more than he usually has for an opposing pitcher not named Maddux.

Said the kid had poise, changed speeds well, had good movement on his fastball, and didn’t look at all like a 21-year-old.

By David O'Brien

September 13, 2008 11:08 PM | Link to this

It’s a freakin’ hour’s drive from the North Shore ‘burbs of Chicago to Milwaukee. You really think those folks have to make big plans in order to make it up there? Come on, man. You wait, it’ll be 90 percent Cubs fans and the place will be packed, or very close to packed.

By Couch Tater

September 13, 2008 11:15 PM | Link to this

Anders RE: your 11:03

I was going to ask the same. Many Astro fans wanted the game(s) played at Dell Diamond in Austin (AAA). Seats 10,000.

By mets fan in atlanta

September 13, 2008 11:16 PM | Link to this

Hey Brian……..

You didn’t beat our ace…he left the game before the braves scored their first run and only two runners were on base when he left. Soooooooo, you didn’t beat him. Did you beat Schoenweiss and Stokes? Yeah, but who hasn’t?

I knew the stars had aligned once Francouer got the base hit. I knew that the one-run lead would hold up, since the last time the Braves won a one-run game on the road, it was against the Mets. Poetic justice, i suppose.

But see funny you don’t mention that if the Braves were so good, they couldn’t muster one run off a guy who has made one major league start before tonight.

And yes, Met fans will be happy they got the win tonight, no matter who was pitching. See we don’t believe in moral victories, we just want to see actual victories. We’re in an actual pennant race, so each win counts the same no matter who pitches. I realize that’s not the case in Bizarro Brave World.

By Greg in TN

September 13, 2008 11:17 PM | Link to this

Carolina ties it with a lead-off homer in the ninth from Scott Cousins. Going into the home half of the 10th with the score tied at 2 at Trustmark Park.

By Steve from OH

September 13, 2008 11:17 PM | Link to this

Congratulations to the Mississippi Braves, who beat Carolina tonight 3-2 in extra innings tonight to win the Southern League. The winning run was scored on a ground ball that took a bad hop and hit the shortstop in the face, allowing JC Holt to score all the way from second.

Luis Valdez picks up the win for the M-Braves.

By Roman Gal

September 13, 2008 11:19 PM | Link to this

While the Atlanta Braves find weird ways to lose close games, the Mississippi Braves find weird ways to win close games.

CONGRATS M-BRAVES!

By Anders

September 13, 2008 11:19 PM | Link to this

DOB

I was talking about folks going to Atlanta for these games. I know they’ll go to Milwaukee. That was my point. At least they’ll be a crowd. I don’t think Selig wanted these games played in front of 7500 fans. The Houston fans have other problems right now so it doesn’t matter where they play it they’re not coming. So it’s either in front of a lot of Cubs fans, Neutral fans (if they come which I doubt) or no fans. Houston will at least retain all the other home field advantages which is at least of equal importance.

The Astros are in one of those take one for the good of the league moments unfortunatley.They have a wiggle coming from Selig down the road if they need it.

By Greg in TN

September 13, 2008 11:27 PM | Link to this

Congratulations to the 2008 Southern League Champion Mississippi Braves.

After a Greg Creek ground out and back-to-back singles from Holt and Matt Young, Carolina pitcher Chris Mobley uncorked a wild pitch to Reid Gorecki and then Mudcats catcher Brad Davis threw the ball away allowing Holt to score.

Congratulations to GM Steve DeSalvo, manager Phillip Wellman (named Manager of the Year in the SL) and the M-Braves.

By Brian

September 13, 2008 11:33 PM | Link to this

There’s A Mut in Atlanta??- Honestly, it doesn’t surprise me a bit we lost to (we’ve never faced this guy syndrome) the Braves seem to suffer from lately! My point is where would you be right now had we won both games? Not on here being all positive, that’s for sure! Santana didn’t get L but no W either so it doesn’t matter… see, we don’t beleive in W or L just “morale victories” against your ACE!!!!!!

By uga-brave

September 14, 2008 12:01 AM | Link to this

uga to drunk

make fun later.

make fun of ohio sate.

35-3

By David O'Brien

September 14, 2008 12:01 AM | Link to this

The Astros are in one of those take one for the good of the league moments unfortunately.Anders

Honestly not being a smarta$$ here, but you realize the Astros have won 14 of their last 15, and are 30-10 since Aug. 1, right?

By David O'Brien

September 14, 2008 12:06 AM | Link to this

Of course, the ‘Stros did just sweep the Cubs at Wrigley, so maybe they figure it doesn’t matter where they play right now, that they can win anywhere.

Still seems silly not to have played the games in Atlanta or somewhere else that’s truly neutral, crowd size be damned. On the chance, however small, that this series ends up being the difference in making the playoffs, the Astros will rue the decision to play at Milwaukee.

But enough of that discussion, at least for me.

By Jake

September 14, 2008 12:11 AM | Link to this

No offense mets fan in atlanta but I wouldn’t be too excited that your young pitcher shut out the Braves. Not that I am giving any excuses to Jojo Reyes for his performance but he was the one who had the tougher battle. Your pitcher faced a shell of an Atlanta lineup. No Chipper, No Mac, No Escobar. I mean the only three regulars were Johnson, Francoeur, and Kotchman and the latter two haven’t exactly been themselves with the Braves this year. It’s like Braves fans bragging if we beat the Mets without Delgado or Beltran in the lineup. That’s not to say Niese did not pitch well,i’m just putting things in perspective. A win is a win and a loss is a loss, but a split in a doubleheader and a win by the Phillies adds up to the Mets losing part of their lead. I know Santana didn’t get the lost but he might as well have. He pitched well and his performance was waisted. He is the lone Ace in this rotation. It’s not like Chicago and Milwaukee where you have co-aces. Everytime your team loses with him on the mound pitching well it hurts. If the Mets make the playoff’s they better find a way to win Santana’s game.In the playoffs there are no Jojo Reyes’s and back of the rotation people to take advantage of like your club did tonight.

By Chop Chop

September 14, 2008 12:18 AM | Link to this

Let’s see here…

The D-Backs finally completed the Adam Dunn trade on Friday by sending great-hitting pitcher Micah Owings to the Reds before this weekend’s series between the two teams.

In tonight’s game, the Reds and D-Backs were tied 2-2 in the top of the tenth. The Reds sent Micah Owings up to the plate to pinch hit for David Weathers with two outs and a runner on first. Owings hit a go-ahead RBI double to put the Reds ahead. Coco Cordero just closed the game out, leaving the D-Backs 4.5 games behind the Dodgers in the NL West.

Ouch.

By StingerSplash

September 14, 2008 12:50 AM | Link to this

DOB,

In their book “The Big Show,” by KO and DP (what an unfortunate set of initials, but I digress), Olbermann talked about knowing every stat there was when he was growing up, but he couldn’t talk baseball at the dinner table, even though his folks, as evidenced by his mom taking one from the team in the stands, were big baseball fans. Took me about two hours to read that book. Who needs the intellectual stimulation and exercise of reading James Joyce (there used to be a page of the month club at Emory on “Finnegan’s Wake”) when you can read Dan Patrick (Pugh) go into detail about the birth of “en fuego” as a catchphrase?

By mets fan in atlanta

September 14, 2008 1:03 AM | Link to this

Please notice i was not excited, just mentioned that the Braves didn’t do much against him. Personally, i was expecting to lose that game tonight, but to win the first one, so by getting a split in the doubleheader, we got we needed. I never expect to sweep a doubleheader—its almost impossible on almost any level. As long as Oliver Perez takes care of business tomorrow (and i fully expect him to) then the weekend is a success.

And to whoever didn’t recognize my screen name, i’ve been here for the past two seasons. I usually read the blog about every other day (i was a much more frequent reader during the summer). I rarely post—only when someone says something kinda dumb that i must refute.

By keylargo

September 14, 2008 1:18 AM | Link to this

The Dodgers placed Andruw Jones on the 60 day DL ending his season. This has to be one of the most dramatic declines in MLB history.

Here is the story.

DENVER — The plug was pulled on Andruw Jones’ disaster of a first season as a Dodger on Saturday, when he was placed on the 60-day disabled list to make room on the roster for the activation of closer Takashi Saito.

Technically, Jones was disabled for the third time this year with tendinitis in his right knee, which also underwent arthroscopic surgery, a condition not needing surgery but extended rest. Realistically, the move was made to facilitate Saito’s return without costing the Dodgers a player.

Even Jones couldn’t argue with the decision.

“I don’t feel 100 percent, I don’t feel I can help the team, especially in this situation in the race,” he said. “To be a bench guy, it takes me a while to warm up and get going. Right now, we need to play the other guys.”

Jones finished the season hitting .158 with three homers and 14 RBIs, playing in 75 games. Not exactly what the club had in mind when it signed him to a two-year, $36.2 million contract at the Winter Meetings, the highest annual salary in club history.

Nor was it expected that Jones would arrive in Spring Training noticeably overweight, slow of foot and bat speed. And he compounded it with poorly chosen words about not caring what the fans thought about his play.

General manager Ned Colletti was non-committal whether he would approach the offseason assuming that Jones would be his starting center fielder for 2009.

“Yeah, I think he has a chance to be, but it’s too far away for me to comment on it,” Colletti said.

Jones, 31, is a 10-time Gold Glove winner and five-time All-Star, but the Dodgers saw none of that. Colletti was asked if he remembered another player to fall so far so fast.

“I can’t think of one and I’ve tried for the last five months,” he said.

Jones called the season “a learning experience” and vowed to report to Spring Training in better shape. Manager Joe Torre said Jones will play winter ball in the Dominican Republic.

“I need to prepare better,” Jones said. “I’m going to work on it this offseason and be better next year.”

Said Torre: “Could he have been in better shape? Probably. Do I think that’s totally to blame? No. He probably will be lighter, but it’s more involved than just weight. A lot of it is emotional. He had never been with any team but the Braves. He basically had to start from scratch, and with the responsibility of coming here.”

Torre said he was convinced Jones would be of no help the rest of the way after watching him struggle in a spot start Tuesday night in San Diego, lacking the outfield quickness that used to come naturally.

“We want him to be the player he has been. It’s in there somewhere,” Torre said. “I still have confidence he can get fixed. He’s getting older, but he’s not old. I watched him with Atlanta. In the outfield, he never took a backseat to anybody and he did it without a lot of effort. I envision the player I know being our everyday center fielder.

By gotigers72

September 14, 2008 1:25 AM | Link to this

DOB

Please excuse me if someone’s already mentioned this, but when Chuck Knoblauch was with the Yankees, he was in a terrible throwing funk. One day he threw one in the stands and hit an elderly lady. That elderly lady was Keith Olberman’s mom!

By NO MORE BOBBY

September 14, 2008 1:30 AM | Link to this

Ok so we snapped the one run losing streak I see today. Woo Hoo!! Does anyone know the last team we beat before the Mets 29 games ago (one run win)?

Just curious.

By nolie

September 14, 2008 1:47 AM | Link to this

That’s no fun! I used to like ROEs because I thought they upped your OBP, but now that I know they don’t, they’re not as fun.mcfann

I musta missed the previous discussion, but surely someone on here could just have told you that ROE is just an out.

By nolie

September 14, 2008 1:54 AM | Link to this

and played serviceable D at several positions.DOB

Not from what I saw in the minors. If he was serviceable why did Bobby never play him anywhere including catcher?

By Mitchell

September 14, 2008 3:26 AM | Link to this

ATTN Paranoid Braves Fans…

The following is your Paranoid ESPN/SportsCenter Braves Bias Report:

I don’t know exactly when SportsCenter started this “evening” because come to the think of it, it started after SNL had ended. I say this now because I realize that although they have programming that tends to come on before SC, i.e., college football, College Gameday/Night whatever the hell it is… 1:30 in the morning is a little late.

Either way, I’ll assume that I was watching the live broadcast of SportsCenter for the sports day and not one of the first of many repeats.

… okay, what I’m trying to say is that when they finally got to the Braves/Mets highlights, they only showed the second fing game!*

SportsCenter did not show the highlights from the first game of the double-header.

We’re only talking about the one started by the Mets ace pitcher Johan Santana. The one in which the heralded fireballer pitched 7 shutout innings but left after giving up hits to the first two batters in the 8th inning with a 2-0 lead.

The one in which Jeff Francoeur, the Braves right fielder who has the worst average in baseball with the bases loaded, subsequently tied the game with a single up the middle with the bases loaded.

The one in which the Braves took a 3-2 lead and held on for their first win this season on the road by a single run.

The one in which the first place Mets lost a game in the standings to the second place Phillies with 16 left to play, which is also reminiscent of 2007 when the Mets failed to win the division when leading by 4 more games but in the same span of time.

Aren’t these all things you might consider to be important, relevant, interesting? Perhaps “news-worthy” is good way of putting it.

I mean, ESPN is still a news organization. It just so happens that they cover the world of sports but, clearly, the have a duty to uphold standards of journalism like any other likeminded organization, no?

No, their idea of newsworthy is that the Mets rookie pitcher making his 3rd start, was born on the very same day the Mets last won the World Series in 19 hundred and 86. Of course, they call it “news” because of new and recent events and yet they said the same damn thing about the guy when he made his first start last month.

All they want is to show a clip of David Wright hitting a f*ing homerun in the first inning of a meaningless game.

And before you even try, don’t anybody tell me to get a freaking life or “we know what you’re talking about, but who cares?” or any of that s*. I’m doing a service to Braves bloggers and Nationers.

I’d be doing a dis-service otherwise.

Good day.

By Mitchell

September 14, 2008 3:46 AM | Link to this

Okay, I’ve seen people write blog entries at 3 in morning on weeknights so I’m not prepared to be judged, even if I am pretty much all by my lonesome at the moment.

I would just like to add that if Steve Phillips and John Buccigross of ESPN are still somehow about to convince themselves 13 game winner Johan Santana is still a freaking Cy Young candidate, then they need to start adding Jair Jurrjens to that conversation immediately.

That’s all I got.

By Bobby's Cox

September 14, 2008 5:23 AM | Link to this

Wow!

29 game 1-run losing streak snapped. Finally.

DOB

You do realize how many cubs fans show up in Atlanta right?

I imagine it’s the same all across the country. The moment they decided the games wouldn’t be played in Houston, it was an obvious advantage for the Cubs. I understand Houston’s hot streak, and the recent sweep of the Cubs in Chicago. But, with a few days off, and playing in a city like Milwaukee, which you mentioned was an hour drive from Chicago, that sucks for Houston.

Never been a Houston fan, but it’s a great comeback story & I’ll root for them this year….especially against the Cubs. I wanna see the Cubs streak reach 200 years, peering out over the gates of heaven, or the gate of hell…..wherever i’ll be in the next 100 years.

By Bobby's Cox

September 14, 2008 5:42 AM | Link to this

Also, did anyone see where USC’s starting cornerback was charged with a felony? And Pete Carroll is letting him play tonight? steve from OH

Just prepping the kid for the NFL, where he’ll likely experience the same situation.

By Quack Quack

September 14, 2008 5:55 AM | Link to this

And before you even try, don’t anybody tell me to get a freaking lifeMitchell

are you really that obsessive? really, who gives a damn??? Now I know that you gotta be a teenager, at least emotionally. Poor guy.

By David O'Brien

September 14, 2008 7:48 AM | Link to this

Did UCLA really beat Tennessee, then lose 59-0 to BYU?…

Nolie, perhaps “barely” serviceable defense is more accurate. But unless they had a third catcher on the roster, he wouldn’t have been able to play those other positions anyway, so point is probably moot.

By richbrave

September 14, 2008 8:41 AM | Link to this

BRAVES FANS:

A little quote from the N.Y. TIMES by CARLOS BELTRAN. “…we should have won the first one…We can’t afford THESE PEOPLE to come here and take two…[second game] we went out and we took care of business.”

“…THESE PEOPLE…”? Sounds like something that would come out of the mouths of most of the apartide pricks I grew up with. I don’t know about you, but this really ticks me off. Arrogant and no respect. No wonder ANDERS, SNIPER 69, MET MAN behave here the way they do.

I say RISE UP BRAVES. Winning eight against these insolent bas….ds is not enough. Take the rest of the games this year and knock them out of first.

By richbrave

September 14, 2008 8:50 AM | Link to this

MITCHELL:

ESPN. Where’s HQ for the company.? N.Y.?No respect. If you want it you’ve got to take it from the other guy. The “tude on this club is missing because we’re in transition to a new team with a new make-up. I think that’s why BOBBY stays-to see it through, and then hand-off to the next generation of BRAVES.

By JC from UT

September 14, 2008 9:18 AM | Link to this

is there any chance that with a coaching shake up this winter that Phillip Wellman is brought up from Miss. and possibly take over for BC in 2010?

By proeye

September 14, 2008 9:20 AM | Link to this

Wow, we are really coming down the home stretch with nothing to talk about…

I hope the off season is more interesting…

By proeye

September 14, 2008 9:24 AM | Link to this

Wow, we are really coming down the home stretch with nothing to talk about…

I hope the off season is more interesting…

By Random

September 14, 2008 9:29 AM | Link to this

richbrave: “ESPN. Where’s HQ for the company.? N.Y.?”

Bristol, CT<

(I know, I know — same difference for the point you were making.)

By Savannah Guy

September 14, 2008 9:32 AM | Link to this

he (Olbermann) just now left after sitting two seats down from me, next to the Braves PR man, for the first 15 innings of this doubleheader.

Given recent events on MSNBC, was he handing out his sports commentator resume?

By proeye

September 14, 2008 9:37 AM | Link to this

Wow, we are really coming down the home stretch with nothing to talk about… ;-)

I hope the off season is more interesting…

Note about the Cubs… Don’t be surprised if they win it all this year. With the Red Sox winning it twice and the White Sox winning it a couple of years ago, it makes sense that it’s the Cubs turn. Frankly, I don’t like the way the playoffs are set up. Too many hot teams and wild card teams are making it to the W.S.

I don’t even like the current agreement that’s in place and I don’t like parity. It’s dumb. Why should teams be taking turns winning the W.S.? It’s like we’ve watered down our championship to where it doesn’t really mean much to win it. Sure, it keeps more fans interested in the game and it keeps the $$$ coming in, which is the real reason baseball wants parity.

Baseball used to be defined by the players on the teams. With this revolving door system we have nowadays, teams are defined by nothing more than their fancy new uniforms and cool caps.

Still want the Bravos to win it all though. Not sure when that will ever happen with the current state of affairs and the fact that they’ve had so many chances in the last 13 years, it make take a Cub’s century to win one… Ugh!

By proeye

September 14, 2008 9:39 AM | Link to this

Hey! CT is not NY!!

By proeye

September 14, 2008 9:48 AM | Link to this

Everyone, let’s get something straight. A 29 game 1 run road losing streak is about as significant as having the worst pitcher’s team batting average or most losses against teams with 8 more consonants. A loss is a loss period. The only thing that it says is that we have a poor bullpen, we have a bad win-loss record, and the team is currently in a downturn. It just happens. Watch next year, we’ll probably have the complete opposite to make up for this really bizzare season.

Here’s to 2009! Go Braves!

By AdirondackDave

September 14, 2008 10:13 AM | Link to this

Proeye — Nothing to talk about? Puhols went 1-5 last night dropping another point or two behind Chipper. I sure think that’s worth keeping our (and his) attention. Roster planning for ‘09 of course is the main topic.

By richbrave

September 14, 2008 10:22 AM | Link to this

APARTHEID. Sorry sports fans. Haven’t memorized that word yet, although I’m all too familiar with its ramifications. Antway, Geaux Braves.

By richbrave

September 14, 2008 10:28 AM | Link to this

PROEYE:

No shyt sherlock.

By Vol

September 14, 2008 10:29 AM | Link to this

What’s more likely to be broken by the Braves first, 15 consecutive division titles or 29 straight 1-run road losses? Those two streaks may never be broken again by ANY TEAM!

You mentioned UCLA beating Tennessee and then losing 59-0. If the Vols are within 59 of Florida this coming Saturday I think I’ll be happy. At least Ohio St. got killed (I live in Columbus).

By Vol

September 14, 2008 10:29 AM | Link to this

What’s more likely to be broken by the Braves first, 15 consecutive division titles or 29 straight 1-run road losses? Those two streaks may never be broken again by ANY TEAM!

You mentioned UCLA beating Tennessee and then losing 59-0. If the Vols are within 59 of Florida this coming Saturday I think I’ll be happy. At least Ohio St. got killed (I live in Columbus).

By David O'Brien

September 14, 2008 10:53 AM | Link to this

Cox has two lineups for today, one with Chipper in it, one without him. Decision to come….

Vol, it was 14 consecutive division titles, not 15….

By Lew

September 14, 2008 11:01 AM | Link to this

Proeye-Repeating your message three times won’t make the rest of the season any more interesting. Have you given thought to a hobby to fill your time?

Anders-Why is it that when you don’t have a valid argument, you claim you’re being personally attacked? If you’re not looking for our acceptance (read that as the “Love” I referenced, you dirty minded Mets’ fan), then why ARE you here?

If we treat you as badly as you claim, I would imagine you wouldn’t WANT to be here. Since you still are, I guess you must be looking for something else (or you’re a flipping masochist). If your goal is to show us the errors of our ways in being Braves fans and making us feel bad-Dude, you would have to work a hell of a lot harder at it than you have been. Believe me, we feel pretty bad about the way this season has gone-NOT because the Mets are having a better year (and please remember we have a winning record against the Mets this year AND just beat your $20mil Stud Pitcher), but because we are not as accepting of terrible years as the Mets and their fans might be. In the past couple decades, we haven’t had that experience like y’all have-continuously.

Like we’ve all tried to tell you-maybe it would be-hoove (gratuitous Cow reference) the Mets and their fans to wait until they actually win something-like maybe one of those flags like we have on our wall-before you go running your mouths about how great y’all are (in your minds, anyway). If you don’t like the way you’re treated here, find another place that might agree with your world view vis a vis baseball. It won’t ever happen here. I can certainly understand your finding intelligent conversation here as opposed to on a Mets’ blog, but you’re trying way too hard.

As I’ve said in the past-Uneasy lies the Head that wears the Crown-but then again, you haven’t WON a crown, have you?

By McFann Ô

September 14, 2008 11:07 AM | Link to this

Good gosh…Oliver Perez is going instead of Martinez? Dang it…Let’s hope there’s no lefties going in the upcoming (Jaws music, please) series with the Fillies!

Anyway…

Nolie—

That’s OK. I had a feeling it lowered the OBP, just wanted to to be sure. It makes sense that it lowers it because it’s the fielder’s fault that you got on base.

Random—

French! OK, gotcha. Shoulda known.

By Blake Penno

September 14, 2008 11:18 AM | Link to this

DOB

Just wondering if you’ve heard anything regarding the Minor League Players of the Year Awards to be given out this Saturday, like who they might be or when they plan to announce them? If this has been covered already, I’m truly sorry. Thanks a ton.

By Lew

September 14, 2008 11:26 AM | Link to this

McFann-I don’t know about facing any lefties the Phillies might pitch against us, but Hamels just pitched, so we should miss his turn in the rotation-this time around, anyway.

By McFann Ô

September 14, 2008 11:32 AM | Link to this

Richbrave—

“These people”? Good grief! How demeaning! That ticks me off, too!

Sic ‘em, Braves! SIC ‘EM!!

By BossLady

September 14, 2008 11:34 AM | Link to this

Amen, Lew.

I feel like someone came into my Thanksgiving weekend with a car load of stepchildren.

Now, they want to ge in the family portrait and stayover.

It is a lack of something that makes people force themselves on others without any type of shame.

By McFann :Ô:

September 14, 2008 11:37 AM | Link to this

Lew but Hamels just pitched, so we should miss his turn in the rotation-this time around, anyway.

Oh good! We won’t have to deal with that guy!

Thanks for the good news!

By nolie

September 14, 2008 11:38 AM | Link to this

Just wondering if you’ve heard anything regarding the Minor League Players of the Year Awards to be given out this Saturday Blake

I know that Matt Wieters was POY for Baseball America.

By Braveheart

September 14, 2008 11:52 AM | Link to this

Anders-Why is it that when you don’t have a valid argument, you claim you’re being personally attacked?

Anders must work for Fox News.

By David O'Brien

September 14, 2008 12:04 PM | Link to this

Chipper’s playing.

Johnson out of lineup, not hurt but 0-for-7 with 6 Ks vs. Perez.

By David O'Brien

September 14, 2008 12:08 PM | Link to this

Phillies will start Moyer on Tuesday, Hamels on Thursday; they’re undecided on Wednesday’s pitcher.

By Oz

September 14, 2008 12:11 PM | Link to this

maybe that’s why they call him OlberDORK…Styx s*x

By McFann :Ô:

September 14, 2008 12:14 PM | Link to this

DOB—

Thanks for the news on Chipper.

Hamels is gonna pitch? NOT FAIR!

By Tomas

September 14, 2008 12:17 PM | Link to this

Casey Kotchman has now gotten hot, hitting 367 since comming from the restricted list. He is hitting line drives everywere, and they’re finally finding holes. Frenchy finally got a big hit with the bases loaded, and they ended the 29 one run losing streak on the road. Kelly is boiling hot, Escobar is too, and Chipper had been hitting 400 this month. McCann hasn’t been hitting homers but he is hitting 300. Hitting hasn’t been the problem lately, actually they’ve been playing good for a change. Maybe the reason is we haven’t seen, Boyer, Nuñez, and Dessens. And the starting pitchers have at least kept them in the game.

By Lew

September 14, 2008 12:17 PM | Link to this

Braveheart-Wouldn’t surprise me in the least.

BossLady. Yeah, I realize that there is much bitterness, animosity and jealousy with other teams surrounding the Braves unprecedented long run of success. However, for some bizarre reason the Mets (or at least their fans) have determined that the route to forming a dynasty is not through development of your Farm System and the signing of appropriate Free Agents and making propitious trades, but by having a better record than the Braves.

Strange point of view in my opinion and definitely one subscribed to only by Mets fans-you don’t see Phillies or Marlins fans thumping chests here. However, I don’t see their approach changing very much. Just look at Metro Dudes’ desire to sign Hampton for the Mets next year. Same old, same old. Reliance on old, often injured and players of dubious durability is the way they have gone for years. Too bad for them they can’t realize that it wasn’t a very successful way to go in the past and is not likely to be successful in the future. If their own past doesn’t indicate the futility of this method, all they have to do is look at what reliance on this type of player has netted the Braves-nothing but frustration. Now the Braves and their reduced payroll explains this approach by the Braves, but the Mets who have had plenty of $$$$$? Not smart and I don’t see their Modus Operundi changing now. I guess this also manifests itself in them raving before they’ve even won anything.

By Lew

September 14, 2008 12:21 PM | Link to this

OOPS-Must have forgotten the off day in figuring the Phillies pitching plans. Of course, Jamie Moyer is having an unexpectedly great season himself.

By Tomas

September 14, 2008 12:21 PM | Link to this

I want to say that Bobby Cox has done a great job lately. He has stolen 8 bases in the last ten games, and Anderson has only one in the last 10. Keep it up Bobby.

By BravesFanInRockies

September 14, 2008 12:22 PM | Link to this

Let the hot stove talk resume. It looks like Magglio Ordonez will be shopped in the offseason.

He has a hefty price tag, and is older than both Dunn and Burrell, but he can actually play the OF well. And he’d only be under contract for three seasons (for about the same money per-year it would take to sign either Dunn or Burrell).

The Tigers are looking for a SS with range (oops, sorry about that whole Edgar thing) and a couple of arms.

Don’t know if a fit can be found. The Tigers might, for instance, insist on including Nate Robertson in the deal to shed his salary. Perhaps a third team will need to be involved to make it work. Something to watch, however.

By Tomas

September 14, 2008 12:24 PM | Link to this

DOB, why is Escobar not in the lineup?

By Brian

September 14, 2008 12:24 PM | Link to this

I think predicting this game is impossible! Perez and Campillo? Nothing would surprise me in this one!

By Mitchell

September 14, 2008 12:28 PM | Link to this

What’s this deal with everybody always calling me a teenager?

God, just leave me alone you guys. It’s not fair.

Just because I cry myself to sleep at night on my Jonas brothers pillow case, that I stole from my daughter’s linen closet, doesn’t mean I’m not a mature somewhat-employed 49 year old house-husband.

Look, if you saw SportsCenter last night, and were waiting to see the highlights of the Braves thrilling game one win, you would agree that even though it’s widely agreed that ESPN is biased against the Braves, their omission of the game was particularly galling.

Now somebody just tell me what “galling” means.

By Mitchell

September 14, 2008 12:44 PM | Link to this

Perez sucks by the way. He’s going to get his @$$ kicked.

I really wish Lillibridge wasn’t in the line-up though. If we’re going to have Anderson in there, it’d be nice if Lillibridge wasn’t.

Where’s Gregor? I want to see some bunts today from those guys.

By NickC

September 14, 2008 12:52 PM | Link to this

If Escobar isn’t fit enough to play then it has to be Lillibridge for his defence. With Campillo, I’d expect a lot of ground balls and having Kelly and Prado up the middle is just an invitation for singles.

By Mitchell

September 14, 2008 1:17 PM | Link to this

We need Smoltz out there for this one.

He always shut these guys down.

Jorge better get it done.

By David O'Brien

September 14, 2008 1:26 PM | Link to this

NEW BLOGGAGE, right this way….

By McFann :Ô:

September 14, 2008 1:28 PM | Link to this

1-0 Braves!!

McCann broke his two-hit streak with RISP. Sitting at .290 in that depot.

By David O'Brien

September 14, 2008 1:30 PM | Link to this

Escobar has a sore right hammy, hurt it when he scored from second base in the eighth inning of Gm. 1 Saturday. Day to day.

By Jake

September 14, 2008 1:31 PM | Link to this

I’m wondering about Escobar too. It could be that Bobby Just wanted to give him a day off. I don’t think he has any new injuries I just think he is dealing with the older ones.

By the way i’m with Mitchell. I kinda miss seeing Blanco. I liked the way he worked the count and he is such a good bunter. Nice to see Chipper, I mean “Larry” continue his good ways at Shea.

By NO MORE BOBBY

September 14, 2008 5:13 PM | Link to this

SUCK ON THAT SHEA!!!!!!!

LARRY!!!!! LARRY!!!!!! LARRY!!!!!

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