Chop Chick

By Tony

October 27, 2005 10:21 AM | Link to this

Congrats to Ozzie…liked him when he was White Sox and enjoyed his stay with the Braves. And yes indeed Ozzieball works…and it’s also nice to be on the same page with the GM.

Maybe this is Cox’s replacement….

By Carroll

October 27, 2005 11:20 AM | Link to this

We prolly couldn’t pry him away from the Sox Now but I think Eddie P could do the same things.

By Bunt

October 27, 2005 11:39 AM | Link to this

The Braves will never know what a new manager can do for the team until Boog Cox finally succumbs to advanced mucous retention—guess you’re all stuck with watching “Boogerball!”…

By Carroll

October 27, 2005 12:19 PM | Link to this

Boogerball??!!! OMG!! LOL!! ROFLMFAO!!!

By Brian Gallagher

October 27, 2005 01:11 PM | Link to this

If the Braves acquire Zack Duke and Billy Wagner somehow, it will make it much easier for our new pitching coach. We might have to give up one of our big-money guys, but these additions can win a series.

By MT

October 27, 2005 01:34 PM | Link to this

First, please stop with the completely dorky internet abbreviations, like OMG, LOL, etc. It’s not that hard to type out the actual words. We can’t acquire Zack Duke, because even the Pirates aren’t stupid enough to give away the best young pitcher in the majors, who’s making the league minimum, and will for a few more years. I don’t think we’ll get Billy Wagner, because he’ll want too much money. If we did, it would certainly keep us from making many other moves.

By Curveball

October 27, 2005 02:16 PM | Link to this

According to Chicago Sun-Times staff reporter Doug Padilla Atlanta Braves manager Bobby Cox had something to say about all this talk that Guillen might retire if the White Sox win the World Series. “Bobby called me (Tuesday) and said, ‘You’ll never retire from baseball; make them retire you’,” Guillen said. “He called me like 4 o’clock (Tuesday)and said, ‘You’re too good a man, baseball man. We need people like you. Make those guys fire you. Keep taking the money away from them.‘“And I said, ‘Skip, I already signed the contract. ‘He said, ‘Make them renew the contract now.’”…What an attitude the beloved Braves manager has—“make those guys fire you”—“keep taking the money away from them”—from the sound of that the Braves will be stuck with this wifebeating geezer until either they fire him, “make” him retire, or until he “takes” enough money away from the organization to satisfy him…and one more item before I go throw up…I bet Leo Mazzone would have appreciated a phone call like that from ol’ Skip!…

By Tomahawkin

October 27, 2005 03:04 PM | Link to this

With so much demand for established closers out there, how do you guys expect us to compete for Wagner with a steady payroll over 80 million, the one’s that are entertaining the idea of us getting Wagner are straight up living Fantasies…you guys will be so dissappointed when we settle for some more junk off the released by other teams list ( I think Burger King will be back)…By the way I really missed Chris Hammond, and Kent Mercker… and whatever happened to Jose Cabrera?

By Ron Roberts

October 27, 2005 03:18 PM | Link to this

I see the ‘usual suspects’ have weighed in on their latest opportunity to “Bobby-bash.”

“OMG” you’re showing your lack of baseball knowledge with each shallow dig at a guy who’s won as many World Series titles as:

Ozzie Guillen

Tony LaRussa

Lou Piniella

Jim Leyland

Mike Scoscia (sp?)

…and MORE than the likes of Bobby Valentine, Dusty Baker, Phil Garner, Buck Showalter, Ken Macha.

Ya’ll keep “LOL”ing it up. Meanwhile, those who know what they’re talking about (I’m speaking of the MLB players, coaches, managers, GMs, writers and reporters who’ll assuredly vote Bobby Cox in as AP ‘Manager of the Year’ [he already won ‘Sporting News’ award]) will keep singing his praises.

What is AOL/TW THINKING by not listening to you guys instead of noticing what those who know baseball at those levels??? Why haven’t they fired this worthless manager?

Could it be they know better?

It could.

One more thing to consider… you think Cox had any influence on Ozzie Guillen, the manager? Ask Ozzie.

By Chop Chop

October 27, 2005 04:17 PM | Link to this

Bobby Cox has gone with his “gut feeling” many times and been wrong in the postseason, so I don’t want to read (or hear) anyone talking about how “gut feelings” could give the Braves more success in the postseason. “Let the players play”? Come on, Chop Chick. You know Bobby Cox has had that philosophy his entire time as manager of this team. In fact, that’s one reason why the Braves haven’t been winning when it truly counts. There has to be fire and determination and a certain level of athletic arrogance that says to your opponent, “You can’t beat us because we won’t let you.” Ozzie Guillen does have that fire. That’s something the Braves have always lacked from Bobby Cox. He protects his players, but he doesn’t challenge them as long as they give an honest day’s work. That one thing is what I want to see in a Braves clubhouse. I want to see a guy who can constructively (not destructively, like Larry Bowa) get in a guy’s face and get him to give more than “an honest day’s work”.

As for the handling of White Sox starters and relievers, the Braves couldn’t come close to measuring up to that White Sox pitching staff. By the way, did anyone notice how the Astros hit against the White Sox like the Braves did against the Astros? The similarities were quite scary.

By BG

October 27, 2005 04:27 PM | Link to this

Zack Duke isn’t selling tickets yet. Chipper Jones and Andruw Jones do. Zack Duke will fit right in with the Baby Braves. With a trade of one of these, a couple of pitching prospects (maybe even one of our proven vets, we could get him. That would free up the money for Billy Wagner. Giving up a Jones is tough, but Duke and Wagner are not out of the question. We need both of them, not just one. It can be done.

By Carroll

October 27, 2005 04:50 PM | Link to this

Tomahawkin: I believe we gave Cabrera away with Wes Helms in the deal that brought us Burger King (I think).

Does anyone know what the hell ever happened to Kevin McGlinchy? Wasn’t he supposed to be the next Nolan Ryan? He lost us that game 5 in NY in 99 when Boog should’ve had Kevin Millwood in there to close it out in the 100th inning or whatever it was… and I never heard from him again. Any ideas?

I heard an interesting thought from the guy on ESPN radio as to how middle market teams like the Braves should conduct business. Every draft, spend the first 15 picks on pitchers (preferably power pitchers). Period. It has some merit. If you get too much pitching you can ALWAYS trade. But if just 3 of those fifteen become good major league pitchers, you’ll likely be in the playoffs and go deep. Think about the teams that have gotten to and won the WS recently. ALL had dominant, power pitching from top to bottom. Hell, even Backe at number 4 is as good a big game power pitcher as our supposed #2.

Godbless, Carroll.

P.S.: TTFN, BRB, GGP, LOL, TTYL, FYI, FFR, BBDHET, ZZXU, FAYMFA etc,etc,etc. Thought you guys might enjoy those :)

By Tomahawkin

October 27, 2005 09:53 PM | Link to this

Carroll I Know that McGlinchy was claimed in the rule 5 draft I think in 2000 by Tampa Bay, but have’t heard of him since… I know that Cabrera went to Milwaukee in 2002 but wher did he go after that… By the way for those that don’t remember, Cabrera was one of Mazzone’s restoration projects in 2002 when we had that sick a-s-s bullpen, and furthermore it gives another case in why Leo Will be missed

By Curveball

October 28, 2005 12:25 AM | Link to this

If Boogie Cox did have any influence on Ozzie Guillen it sure didn’t show in the postseason or in the World Series—Ozzie won!…

By Theoldprofessor

October 28, 2005 09:55 AM | Link to this

Guys;

In my spare time from the Braves, I’m a Pirate fan — grew up there and never got over it. Are you awake??!! A club whose budget is $32M isn’t going to trade a 23-year old phenom for one of the older Braves, even if we toss in the majority of his salary (ala Hampton). Clubs like the Bucs and the Brewers have limited futures — they get excited when they finish above .500. They know their only chance at “success” is to develop home grown talent, play them until they get too expensive, and enjoy their run at 50-50 baseball.

A while back I suggested trading Andruw, and I’d like to bring it up again. He’ll never be worth more, his defensive skills are obviiously slipping, and we could have a solid outfield without him. What to get? Pitching. Pitching. Pitching. And, oh yeah, pitching.

By Jim

October 28, 2005 10:01 AM | Link to this

Let’s be real. Ozzie had the team to win the world series. It wasn’t as if he made these crucial changes or really did anything during the postseason. Accept pat the starters on the back which carried him though the entire postseason. Half the time he was just cracking jokes or making fun of how fat jenks is.

By Jim

October 28, 2005 10:20 AM | Link to this

I hate to upset the wagner hopeful, but from what i’ve seen from bobby and JS, I believe Devine has been ordained for that role next year, see ya farny!

By BG

October 28, 2005 10:42 AM | Link to this

You’re right. What was I thinking? Pirates can’t afford a Jones. We can do a three for one with young players.

By Carroll

October 28, 2005 11:24 AM | Link to this

OH NO, OLD PROFESSOR!!! You DARED to suggest trading AJ…according to some simple minds on these here blogs, that means you know NOTHING about baseball. You’re no longer entitled to an opinion.

Godbless, Carroll.

By Carroll

October 28, 2005 11:37 AM | Link to this

Here’s a realistic trade possibility. The Brewers need starting pitching, and have two firstbasemen. What about HoRam OR Davies to the Brewers for Lyle Overbay. The Braves have done many deals with the BrewCrew in the past so this is defintiely possible. And Overbay is cheap, young, consistent and actually runs the bases with effort.

Then, Adam LaRoche and KJ to the Pirates for Jason Bay. Pirates are always looking for young and cheap…they get a young lefthanded bat, we get solid, powerful outfielder. That puts Langy back in the utility role where he belongs.

Thoughts? Other suggestions?

By david

October 28, 2005 11:57 AM | Link to this

Carroll,the Brewers can get more than HoRam or Davies for Overbay who is a good solid everyday 1st baseman.The Pirates already have young and cheap at 1st base in Brad Eldred.While I agree that the Brewers will move Overbay if you look at their needs they will probably move him for a young 3rd base prospect and a bonafide #3 starter,or possibly a young proven corner outfielder.Though I agree that Overbay will be a fine addition for some team.If the Pirates move J.Bay,suitors will be lined up from all over.

By BG

October 28, 2005 12:39 PM | Link to this

Oldprof. I agree about pitching. Carroll forget the position players. The Braves need a closer and a young power pitcher. Don’t tell me that Zack Duke and Billy Wagner can’t wear tomahawks Professor. The Braves have the best farm in baseball. Chipper or Andruw might not end up playing in Pittsburg, but Boston or New York or LA are certainly possibilities. Three way trades happen every day.

By True Braves Fan

October 28, 2005 01:04 PM | Link to this

CARROLL: Overbay did have a higher BA than LaRoche….276 to .259; but the other categories were:HR O - 19 La - 20; RBI O - 72 La - 78; SLG O - .449 La - .455 and Overbay had 537 AB to LaRoche 451. Fielding O - .992 La - .994…Speed Overbay had 1 SB to LaRoche 0. I am not opposed to getting a new 1B, however, I do not believe that it should be top priority, and if we do get one, get one with better statistics that LaRoche.

By True Braves Fan

October 28, 2005 01:07 PM | Link to this

OOPS..TYPO…Getting a new 1b should NOT be at top priority.

By Ron Roberts

October 28, 2005 01:40 PM | Link to this

It gets old, though, reading people just want to punt away players when they get all hot under the collar at ‘em because they don’t come through in EVERY key situation. Hell, a GREAT ball player will fail 65% of the time… it’s the nature of the game.

But folks wanting to toss out LaRoche when good INEXPENSIVE 1B are so hard to find is myopic. Roachie’s best days (I believe) are still ahead of him. He was sick as a dog in G5 of the NLDS and didn’t leg out the bases on a hit like we all would’ve liked, but he DID hit a granny, too, let’s all remember.

In fact, down the stretch, that guy was MONEY at the plate.

Some of ya’ll get so caught up in your nicknames (not THEIR nicknames - yours) and put-downs about ‘em that you start to believe all that’s negative about their play and never notice their positive. 65% of a great player’s at-bats would be negatives.

Just remember that.

By josh

October 28, 2005 02:54 PM | Link to this

To the “OLDPROFESSOR”

In 2005, Andrew Jones had a career low of only 2 errors. He was one of 3 candidates for MVP. Yeah he had 51 HR’s but he had a 263 batting avg. I don’t understand how a player would even be considered for MVP with that avg. unless you have a glove like andrew Jones’s. And besides that PROF. he had a career low of 2 errors this season. I guess since he makes full extension dives and catches and probably didnt have as many chances this year b/c the ball was usually in the stands, his def. has slipped.

By Carroll

October 28, 2005 04:35 PM | Link to this

Ronnie: can you just discuss without being such a jerk. This blog is for discussion. This time of year it is highly appropriate to discuss trade possibilities. But you always act like if you didn’t say/think of it first, it must be wrong…nay, it must be stupid. You could try just saying “I disagree…I think Roachie will be fine at first base”…and maybe suggest a different move that you think would be better (If any). Or just ignore me. Try looking at how david, BG and TBF responded in a civil manner. And I know they despise me…but even they managed to be nice. You might try it sometime?

By the way, how do you KNOW that roachie was “sick as a dog”? He didn’t look like it when he hit the grand slam did he? How do you know it’s not another attempt by Boogie to cover for his players? Were you there? Do you have a first-hand report from somebody who actually confirmed that laroche was sick? Not someone who heard BC and the Braves say as much…someone who was actually in the clubhouse and said Roachie was sick? (I’m not being cute, I really want to know).

BG: I love the thought of getting Duke but I just don’t see any way the Pirates would part with him right now….he’s young, cheap, popular, etc.

By Ron Roberts

October 28, 2005 06:24 PM | Link to this

Carroll,

My last post had nothing to do with you, jackass. If you felt some sense of guilt, that’s your own shortcoming.

I mentioned my disdain for such belly-aching, and then you did what? You followed it up with a reactionary belly-ache. Way to step in your own poop after pinching it off, Carroll. Sheesh. It’s not always about you, you diva.

I’ll take Cox’s word that he was ill, yes. Bobby didn’t say Lonnie Smith was ill in ‘91, did he? Bobby’s pointed out mental errors before, but done so without rolling a player under the bus, that much is for sure. That’s why so many guys that play for him say they LOVE playing for him.

Sheesh. What a conspiracy theorist. The question is, do YOU have some sort of information that COUNTERS Cox’s statement that LaRoche was stomach-sick?

By steve

October 28, 2005 07:24 PM | Link to this

uh, who started these zack duke to atlanta rumors?

By Carroll

October 28, 2005 07:49 PM | Link to this

Bless your heart and soul Brother Ronnie. You’re almost as good as Slick Willie, my boy! But I love ya, and hope god blesses you and yours each and every day!

Carroll.

By Ron Roberts

October 28, 2005 08:06 PM | Link to this

I’ll say an extra prayer for you, as well, Carroll.

As I will for the soldiers Dubya, Scooter and Rover lied to get sent to invade Iraq.

Whattup w/the political dig, dude? It can go either way.

By Carroll

October 28, 2005 08:30 PM | Link to this

It was not necessarily a dig…and certainly not political in nature. I hate politics….both parties are strung up like puppets by the extreme outer fringes of their constituency. For example, I just read an article by Ann Coulter, a staunch conservative, and she was dissing Dubya as if she were a liberal….all because he’s not conservative enough. Well, if Dubya isn’t conservatve enough for ya (at least socially)…I’m sorry but you scare me.

It’s a very hopeless situmiation that will NEVER change until enough people start voting libertarian. In the meantime, all we can hope for is that the far right wing (ie-radical religious zealots) and the far left wing (ie-the ACLU) sorta offset one another.

Okay no more poltics from me….I promise..unless someone else wants to discuss.

Godbless Dubya, Rover, Scooter, Cheney, the troops, Slick Willie, ROnnie Roberts, LeTwan, BB, and everyone else. Carroll.

By Ron Roberts

October 28, 2005 08:34 PM | Link to this

We agree on one thing…

the US would be a better country w/out both sides of the fringes.

Ann Coulter. What an ignorant, arrogant, presumptuous b!+ch.

By Carroll

October 28, 2005 08:50 PM | Link to this

I won’t go that far, but like I said, it is very scary how some people such as her seem to want theocracy in this country. Their ignorance and simple-mindedness on some issues is staggering. I am just such a libertarian at heart (as I think most people would be if they really thought about it) that it pains me to see what’s going on in this country these days. We are so wrapped up and waste so much time, effort, energy, money, resources worrying about things that just don’t matter. But what can ya do….besides vote libertarian. Okay that’s it for reals.

By Carroll

October 28, 2005 08:57 PM | Link to this

I know some might say “but Carroll, you seem to waste a lot of time worrying about the Braves and that certainly doesn’t matter.” Granted…..but I’m talking about people trying to use the police power of government to change the way people live their lives…all because they have convaluded, backwards beliefs. And it’s fine if ya do, but leave everyone else the hell alone. Okay that’s definitely it.

By josh

October 29, 2005 01:20 AM | Link to this

HEY i have an idea, lets talk about the braves

By Hal

October 29, 2005 09:50 AM | Link to this

Josh if there going to make comments about Andruws Weaking defence and how bad BC is maybe they should talk politics we can always hope they know something about that

By Carroll

October 29, 2005 10:43 AM | Link to this

Sorry guys…I shouldn’t have gone there. My bad.

Godbless me, Carroll.

By josh

October 30, 2005 10:14 AM | Link to this

ROGER MCDOWELL new pitching coach! I’ve already got over the Mazzone loss gahh thats pretty sad

By Adam

October 30, 2005 10:50 AM | Link to this

The Second Spitter is a Brave. Sweet!

By ATILLA

October 30, 2005 11:19 AM | Link to this

Any ideas about this McDowell guy ,anybody out there knows anything about his coaching ability? I guess JS and Bobby knows something we don’t.

By Carroll

October 30, 2005 02:30 PM | Link to this

If you think about it, what exactly/specifically did Leo do for the Braves? He inherited Glav, Maddog, Smoltz, Avery and Millwood (all of which would’ve been just as good w/o leo in all likelihood). I can’t think of one young arm that he cultivated….couldn’t do it with Schmidt, Perez, Chen, Marquis…has almost ruined HoRam (or is he just not that good?)…he certainly never did ANYTHING with the bullpen outside of one year which had more to do with great personnel than Leo. The one thing everybody points to is the reclamation project of John Burkett. Impressive, indeed, but John gives most of the credit for that to his previous coach just before he left Tampa Bay (Larry Rothschild). Leo did do a great job w/ Jaret Wright (but how much of that was Leo’s doings versus BC instilling confidence in Jaret?) If anything, Leo’s philosophy got a lot of mileage out of arms which is good for the regular season, but left us doomed in the postseason….we were unable to overpower guys. Am I being unfair or missing something?

By Carroll

October 30, 2005 02:39 PM | Link to this

Not suggesting that Leo was bad or that he didn’t have a positive influence on this franchise over the last 30 years…..just wondering if he did anything that someone else (like McDowell) isn’t capable of doing just as well.

By Jane

October 30, 2005 05:52 PM | Link to this

Please forgive me, but I actually was a Mets (!) fan in the olden days when I lived up North. So I remember McDowell fondly, both for his pitching and wacky sense of humor. Let’s all give him a chance — someone new and different sitting next to Bobby might be fun and having been in a World Series and was a reliever himself, he might be prove to be a welcome “relief.”

By josh

October 30, 2005 06:37 PM | Link to this

Some new faces around the club might be just enough to fire up the fans and therefore fire up the team.

We need a little more fire!

By Jim

October 31, 2005 09:58 AM | Link to this

Ozzie is this year’s Jack McKeon. Rode a hot team into the postseason and won a WS. Now he is a media darling and we have “Ozzie Ball” to suffer through.
Fortuanately for him the postseason didn’t start two weeks earlier, or his team would have gone 3 and out with the slump they were mired in. Then his antics would have been viewed as nothing more than laughable.

By Carroll

October 31, 2005 10:18 AM | Link to this

Jim: interesting point; however, I don’t think it’s just a coincedince or luck that a team gets hot at the right time. I think it’s a direct result of a good, energetic manager that he can fire his team up at the appropriate times.

By BG

November 1, 2005 01:02 PM | Link to this

So you don’t think we can get Zack Duke, and you don’t think we can get Billy Wagner. What do you think the chances of us getting Adam Wainwright back from the Cardinals? He played with all these young guys and was our number one prospect. The Cards are loaded up with pitching. How would you do it Carroll? By the way, W. wants to talk about anything but the CIA leak?

By BeanBall

November 1, 2005 09:22 PM | Link to this

If you’s guys can hang on just one more season there will be new blood for the Braves—Sourhurtz and Boogie will both be gone!…and if you want to know who the Braves will pick up this offseason then you will have to wait till the last day or two that moves can be made—cause that’s when the free agent cupboard is bare—and Sourhurtz picks up the cheap stuff…or whatever is left over…

By brewerfaninATL

November 3, 2005 12:13 PM | Link to this

Yeah Jim looks like you’ll have to suffer through “Ozzie Ball”…poor baby! If you don’t like it, then don’t pay attention! Or better yet, get your Braves in to the World Series against him and beat him! Other wise, accept the fact that they have the same amount of WS titles as the Braves!

By Juiced

November 3, 2005 11:05 PM | Link to this

How about a little “Boogerball?”…

By Friend

November 3, 2005 11:29 PM | Link to this

Ron Roberts, the more I read about your comments on the Braves the more I agree with you. The political dig, No! I fought in Vietnam, I’m a American and this is my country, My President, My Congrees, my Senate. I love the USA—Its time to work together. God Bless everyone. Go Braves!!!!!!!!!

By BG

November 8, 2005 01:07 PM | Link to this

Where did everyone go. The GM meetings are on. Is pitching more important than Furcal? I certainly think so. We need a solid starter and a closer. Have I said that before? Who and how?

By Del

November 8, 2005 10:29 PM | Link to this

Sadly BG the blog has been taken over by 5 or 6 jackasses with multiple titles who cut loose with a steady stream of vile and bitterness.Plenty of rants that have nothing to do with baseball.If you like jokes that aren’t funny and lengthy dicussions about nasal mucus join in.You also need to state that every player on the Braves is a no good lazy overpaid bum also.All the serious fans have deserted.Carroll still tries to carry on a baseball discussion but it’s nearly impossible.Who would have ever thought that Carroll would be the voice of reason-but he is now quite a change from this summer.