AJC > Blog > Archives > 2006 > May
May 2006
We’re just wondering
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Can we only win against the stink teams?
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Havin’ a Field day
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Whether or not the Bravos win today’s rubber game against the Northsiders at Wrigley for the three-game sweep, I just want to say how much I love Edgar Renteria. What a pickup. Finally, we have a shortstop who plays great defense, gets quality hits and hits his share of homers but understands the importance of TIMELY base hits as well.
He wears No. 11 but in my book, the guy’s No. 1. Good move, JS. Thank you.
Good that we won this series against the Cubs. We needed that because the Cubs? They’re terrible, even though they didn’t play like it this weekend. If Dusty Baker isn’t managing them by season’s end, you’d best believe he’ll be in charge of some other MLB club. Not his fault that the Cubs are horribly mismanaged at the upper levels and that they rushed Wood and Prior to the bigs because, since letting us steal Maddux, they’ve never had pitching worth a flip.
Not Dusty’s fault that the injury bug has attacked the Cubs ferociously this season. Or is it? I don’t know. Thoughts, gang? Personally, I think Wrigley Field, for all its beautiful ivy and brick, is the place where MLB managers go to die. It’s lovely - a lovely graveyard that eats skippers alive. Weirdness.
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DO it, Doggie!
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
WGN-TV/Chicago Tribune
Fine. I’ll admit it.
I’d LOVE to see one - just ONE - Braves starter take full-throttle batting practice on an innocent Igloo cooler in the dugout the next time some team we should pound into the Turner Field ground is about to sweep us or has a huge lead or - get this - the bullpen has blown said starter’s lead late in a game.
Don’t care which guy it is, although seeing Smoltzie or Huddy attack anything that isn’t breathing with a bat in the dugout would be my choice - just want to see that kind of fire. Just ONCE, if - God forbid - we’re blowing it bigtime.
ETA: I mean, just LOOK at Maddux in the photo above. Yeah, I just added it in here. (Oh, the joy of technology.) Doggie’s going craaa-zay on that cooler and as any good Tomahawks fan knows, that’s totally So Not Maddux. But dude… how totally KILLER is it to see the MAD in Mad Dog come out to play? Or, um, smash stuff?
And OK, so Kolb had hissy fits when he was here. Big whoop. Maddux has established himself as a proven winner who’s Hall of Fame-bound. He’s also known for his quietude in the clubhouse and on the mound - the occasional “$#@%!” single-word obscenity outburst to the sky notwithstanding. Guy like that grabs a bat and goes wackadoo on the Gatorade, his teammates take notice and understand that it means something. Guy like Kolb does it and the team likely wonders when the clubhouse kid is gonna replenish the drink supply because the cooler was nice and full and all icey-cold. In other words, nobody’s impressed.
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Closer by committee
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Chop Chick, Inc. is tired of waiting around to see who’s going to close out Tomahawks games. We’re taking action.
If Bobby Cox, et. al., want to pull this “closer by committee” jazz, we’re ready to help.
Our committee (that’d be y’all) is set to offer suggestions on who the Braves should deal for in order to get this closer thing right. “Closer by committee” - problem solved.
That’s your agenda, folks. Go.
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Fragility
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
First, Barbaro. Then, Brian.
Bad weekend for big fellas and ankles. Let’s say prayers for both, y’all.
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Frenchy fries ‘em
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Ninth inning: Three sweet outfield snags by Langerhans (center), Diaz (left) and Frenchy (right) to SWEEEEEEEEP the Fish out of town. Apparently it was Broom Day at the Ted. Hee. FINAL SCORE: Sharks 9, Minnows 1
Eighth inning: I think tonight marks the series finale of “That ’70s Show.” Other things getting long in the tooth include this game and Braves reliever Chad Paronto’s counts to the Fish. Wrap it up, dude. Two on, two out. Paronto’s looking eerily like Dan Kolb right now. Oh, lord. Grounder to Chipper ends that. Thankfully. Sorry… Stuff happened here at the office. Is this inning STILL happening? Oh… um… GO WILSON BETEMIT! Yeah. Really, good hit there. McCann at second, Betemit at first, Giles batting with nobody out for those scoring at home. Or at work. We won’t tell The Man. K for Giles, Renteria hits into DP. Bummer.
Seventh inning: The Boss is reconsidering his earlier statement on Sosa. Just so you know. And… Sosa’s gone so there that went. TBS has obviously gotten way bored with this game because they’re tracking windblown potato chip bags across the field on-camera. And it has been a long game. Frenchy’s developed a five o’clock shadow since this thing started and… he just bopped another homer, this time solo, to now lead the team with 10. Oh, and Diaz got to third on an outfield error. Is it bad form to giggle? Sharks 9, Minnows 1
Sixth inning: 1-2-3, Sosa retires them. Meanwhile, The Boss wondered out loud what the highest jersey number retired in the Baseball Hall of Fame is so I’m trying to look that up online. Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?
Fifth inning: Dang… Sosa is posting Ks? And this guy, Dan Uggla, already has two of them today. I bet Uggla never got teased in school with that last name. Add a flyout to Uggla’s 0-fer day so far. Another 1-2-3 set ‘em down for Sosa. Feels weird, typing that. Base hit for Renteria that bonked off second base - literally - and Chipper’s laughing at the plate with Edgar and Giles at first and second with one out, respectively. Well, it was kinda funny. And this double he just hit that scored both those guys? OK, I laughed but nobody in the Fish Camp probably is. Frenchy’s homer to left just blew it WIDE open. The Boss: “Even Sosa would be hard-pressed to cough this one back up.” Before I could say “Don’t bet the farm, Boss,” Diaz nailed his own dinger. Cinch Knots 8, Neck Feathers 1
Fourth inning: OK, is there ANYTHING Diaz can’t do? Sweet gun-out of some Fish named Jacobs trying to stretch a LF single into a double. Note to Jacobs: See Frenchy hit. See Frenchy run. See Frenchy double. Double, Frenchy, double. That’s how it’s done, dude. Frenchy scores on Jordan’s flyout to right. Didn’t even have to slide. Trawlers 3, Bait 1
Third inning: Ummm… Can Sosa, like, NOT put guys… Oh, forget it. I dunno why Yes We McCann is batting in the 8-hole but dude can flat-out hit anywhere so it’s all good. Ummm… Can Sosa, like, NOT screw up the bunt? Oh, forget it. The Boss, no baseball slouch himself, puts it best: “If Sosa nails the bunt, with Giles’ double, McCann’s scored a run.” Yep. A-B-C ball. The Boss also said “You S**K, Sosa!” Yep. Renteria walks, bases loaded and one out for Chipper, who just tied it with a long flyout to center. Wild pitch and Giles books home from third. Whee! Simon Peters 2, Stinky Fish 1
Second inning: Ummm… Can Sosa, like, NOT put guys on base? And, like, NOT bleed hits? We’re just wondering. Oh and hey TBS - here’s my “Know How” Question of the Game: I’d like to know how Sosa is STILL IN THE STARTING ROTATION. Frenchy, Frenchy, Frenchy… One pitch, one popout, no knowledge gleaned for the next at-bat. Yep, the TBS crew nailed that, analysis-wise. sigh
First inning: Sosa gives up what The Boss called “this You Shoulda Seen It 420-foot” homer. Nice way to start the game, fellah. OK, it’s Marcus Giles’ birthday and his present to himself is his 10th double of the season… which was promptly followed by three Ks. Blah. Guppies 1, BroomBearers 0
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Luke, Laura, Frenchy…
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Boss just said, “Chick, turn the TV around and blog while the game’s on today.” I said, “Do I get paid to do this?” Boss said, “Yeah.” Blog ahoy! Chop Chick at 1 p.m. Turn on, drop out, tune in, log on.
So I’ll be missing All My Children and whatever happens with Erica, her latest husband, Tad the Cad and Dixie (oh yeah - she’s back… again) today in order to tune in to Atlanta’s true fave soap opera: As The Team Turns, chronicling the ongoing saga of the Braves’ fight to regain their rightful place atop the NL East from those dastardly Mets.
Let’s recap, in case you missed the show: Tuesday, the Fish tried to make the Braves think that their Evil Twins who can’t pull out the close ones were taking the field but our handsome young heroes, Jeff Francoeur and Matt Diaz, saw through the ruse and saved the day. The real Braves pushed the Evil Fake Bravos down the stairs to their eventual soap opera death in the bottom of the 9th and won the game in the 11th inning. All was well at the Ted and the sun rose on another happy day in Atlanta. It was more of the same Wednesday as longstanding resident Good Guy Larry “Chipper” Jones thwarted the Marlins’ psycho plot to steal the game away from the Braves. Chipper’s three-run dinger blew up the Fish as they tried to cut the brakes on Atlanta’s comeback car and the Tomahawks came away with the 6-4 victory, again in 11 innings of melodrama. Adventure Couple Du Jour Luke and Laura Spencer from General Hospital e-mailed congrats to Chipper today from Port Charles. They’re off to save the world from being frozen again or whatever but late-inning heroics have always impressed them, they say.
Erica Kane throws out today’s first pitch, just so you know. Spoilers say she makes Frenchy her 11th hubby during the 7th inning stretch but that’s just a rumor.
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Eleventh Heaven
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Braves 6, Marlins 4 (11).
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!
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We got loud
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
We got loud in the late innings of Tuesday’s game. And not just because the BravesVision (tm) mega-teleprompter told us to “MAKE SOME NOISE.” (It’s a sad commentary on our times, I think, that baseball fans need digital cue cards reminding them to get in the game but that’s a whole ‘nother blog.)
We got loud because when the posers who arrived late to the game started streaming out of the stands early - like, after the last out of the eighth inning (the EIGHTH!) - those of us who have the guts and grit to stick it out to the bitter end were left to cheer on the Tomahawks. We know who we are; we stay until the last out is in the books. We report to work the next day wiped out and hoarse from doing The Chant. We live and die with the Braves. We aren’t going to let the insipid fear of fighting ATL traffic dissuade us from keeping our seats, Chopping and rooting on even those guys who should have This Week’s Goat embroidered on their jerseys after making - or not making - plays that would be no-brainers to your Little Leaguer.
We got loud because we’d seen two great young pitchers - our boy Huddy and their D-Train - battle it out all night. If pitching duels are your thing, Tuesday’s matchup was as good as advertised. And Willis’ losing record has to result from lack of offense keeping it in “W” reach; he was in fine form, far as I saw. Add him to our rotation and the wins just keep on comin’. (If only… sigh)
We got loud when Matt Diaz popped a fifth-inning homer to make it 2-1. We got loud when Frenchy calmly sent the game into extra innings with yet another of those dramatic ninth-inning feats of fabulousness he’s been pulling out of his magic bag of tricks since his Parkview H.S. days. We got loud when the Fish scored the go-ahead run top of the 11th, thanks to some infield action that was eerily reminiscent of those early “Bad News Bears” montages showing just how bad Tanner Boyle and the gang really were before Kelly Leak rode his Harley onto the scene. (OK, it wasn’t that awful but still… )
We got loud when Andruw’s double again tied things and we got REALLY loud when Chipper booked it from first to home, never entertaining the idea of stopping as he rounded third. Make ‘em throw you out, Chip, and that’s the breaks if they do. We got loud, watching Chipper hustle. We got loud when Diaz smacked the game-winning single in the bottom of the 11th and Andruw bounced to home, the team jumping for joy as they greeted him. We got loud when Diaz pumped his fist in the air. It was weird but when the young fourth outfielder strode to the plate… well… we just KNEW he was going to get it done. We knew we were going to win.
We got loud when the “Braves Win!” fireworks lit up the sky and we stayed loud as the dogged lot of us reluctantly left the Ted, the scene of such drama, such sheer joy. Braves 4, Marlins 3 (11). What a score. We got loud when we, perfect strangers united only perhaps by our shared love of Braves baseball, high-fived each other in the stands. We’ll likely never see each other again but for one moment, we had to take a page from the ‘79 World Champion Pirates and ex-Braves coach/MLB great Willie Stargell. When the boys rally to win and we, the diehards, stick it out to witness such an emotional comeback then yes - We Are Family.
We got loud because we needed this win. The Cards didn’t help us against the Mets and we know because all night we kept checking the NL scoreboard. We got loud because we WANTED this win, because we wanted the Tomahawks to prove to the doubters that they’ve still got that intangible “it” when it counts. (You listening, ESPN?)
We got loud because this is why we’re baseball fans; we live for games like this. The Braves didn’t quit Tuesday night and neither did we.
We got loud because we were there.
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Baby, why’d you do it?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
In the spirit of not piling on re: the Lazy Sunday LaRoche Screwup, I’m going to give This Week’s Goat a break and instead jump on the dogpile of folks dissing Kyle Davies for just sort of not happening to mention that a certain, delicate part of his physique was a mite strained.
Davies is a gamer and I love that about him. Like me, he’s a Southside Riviera native. At Winter Braves Fan Fest, we joked about growing up Southside for the allotted two minutes the team grudgingly gives players signing baseballs, etc., to actually speak with the fans who help pay their salaries. Kyle’s my boy.
But still. Dude, when you’re hurting you’re HURTING. The Boss (here at work; not Bruce Springsteen) and I deconstructed the going theories as to why Davies kept mum about his groin strain, which he aggravated Monday while pitching. Now he’s on the 15-day DL. THAT hurts.
Bossman opined that a vet would’ve said “Skip, I can’t go today. Groin’s hurtin’. Ugh.” to Bobby Cox and Cox would’ve said “Okey-dokey” (or something to that effect) and there you go. Davies isn’t a vet and he likely tried to carry the team on his back - which really strained his groin. The kid did too much. Maybe he was a little intimidated about saying anything after Lazy Sunday.
We agreed on this: Davies and the other young Braves aren’t Babies anymore. Now they’re Bonafide Braves who have to put the team first. If that means admitting injury and looking ahead to your NEXT start because you know the team needs you in the rotation - not on the DL - then so be it.
Not telling your skip that maybe you need a break because you’re hurting? That’s Baby stuff. Park it on the bench and rest up like a man.
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It’s still early, Pt. 148
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
On the latest NL East road swing thus far, we’re 1-4. Three of the four losses were one-run heartbreakers and our lone win was a 13-3 rout.
Either the bats go cold when we need just enough offense to pull us through or they’re hot in bunches - but for one game and then we’re back to digging around in the cushions for enough couch change in order to just try BUYING some runs again.
I guess it’s somewhat safe to say “It’s still early” seeing as how at this writing we’re barely two weeks into May but the Braves’ lack of consistency so far definitely troubles me. I’ve come to expect that the bullpen won’t coast through the season on cruise control but I do expect decent offense from the Tomahawks. Why are we playing AL “Wait For The Three-Run Homer” ball instead of good ole NL smallball/smartball of the kind that has been proven to produce division titles and World Series championships? Are we too cool to swipe a base? Take a walk? Plonk down some well-placed situational hits or sacrifice fly balls instead of trying to make the “Baseball Tonight” highlight reel? Good grief, y’all - PLAY THE GAME.
There’s a piece to this puzzle that hasn’t yet been filled and I’ve been trying to figure out what it is. For the life of me, so far, I cannot. But one thing I notice: I don’t see that same fire and energy that was so evident last season. The Babies have grown into regular old Braves and The Ted has that old, staid businesslike feel to it again.
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Mission: Impossible?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
“We need to go to New York and get things turned around,” Jeff Francoeur said after the Braves were unceremoniously swept in a quick two-game wham-bam-thank-you-ma’am Philly stopover.
True, Frenchy. Going to Shea and, you know, WINNING makes for a great plan. Always does, always has. But getting things turned around - see, there’s the rub.
It’s such a blanket statement - “getting things turned around” - isn’t it? Thank God I’m not in charge of Getting Things Turned Around for the Braves right now because, truth be told, I wouldn’t know where to start.
Defense has improved, I’d say. So that leaves… everything else.
Starters: After Huddy and Smoltzie, it’s a crapshoot. Bullpen: Reitsma impresses… when he even GETS a save opp. Offense: Hello? Hello? Is this thing on?
Apparently, the Tomahawks need a CEO of Getting Things Turned Around. Quick. Any applicants? Post your resumes here.
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Viva Las Bravas
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Heads Up: I rearranged this for easier reading. Remember, I was updating live from the game Tuesday night. That’s why everything was bass-ackwards Wednesday morning, y’all. Mea culpa.
Shake, Rattle And Roll
Folks, I spent Tuesday night at El Ted watching Los Bravos take on the Rockies and… it was Elvis Night at the ole ballyard. Whenever the Tomahawks were shown on BravesVision (tm), their ginormous smiling mugs were glammed up, King-style, with pompadours, the big ’70s-era sideburns, the bejeweled white leisure suits that marked the “Fat Elvis” years - the works. The crowd loved it, along with the Elvis songs played as start-up music before each at-bat. What they didn’t love, however, was the lackadaisical way Adam LaRoche grounded one to Rocks first baseman Luis Gonzalez with men at first and second to end a primo scoring opp in the first. Tonight’s starter, Jorge Sosa, ditched that “Breakin’ 2: Electric Boogaloo” look he had going early on and he breezed through the top of the first 1-2-3.
That’s When Your Heartaches Begin
Ummm… Yeah. Sosa’s whole 1-2-3 thing he had going in the first didn’t carry over to the second inning. Rockies RF Brad Hawpe hammered one to the guest field he’s patrolling tonight. Frenchy ran and ran and ran and… watched a Braves fan make a great catch in the stands. Showgirls 1, Elvises 0.
I Got Stung
FRENCHY TOOK A FIRST PITCH! Then he popped one up on the infield around second, ran like his britches were on fire down the line to first and was still out. Dude is up ‘n’ down. Where’s Annie Savoy when you really need her?
Rip It Up
The defense in the top of the third was spectacular. Chipper gloved a true hot corner scorcher, slinging to LaRoche (who made a stunning pick at first); Giles followed suit with literal armed robbery at second; and then Frenchy ran back to the wall to end things with a just-enough-room catch that gave the home crowd something to get happy over. How much are we loving Edgar Renteria? As much as he’s apparently loving his new warm-weather climate. Guy gets things happening, that’s for sure. So does Andruw, who brought in Giles and, oh by the by, ripped off second after that. Yawn. No big. LaRoche atoned for making the third out of the 1st inning by doubling Andruw home and FRENCHY singled to score Rochie from second. No, he didn’t wait around to see a second pitch. Francoeur ripped the first sucker that crossed the plate. Elvises 3, Priscillas 1.
Anyplace Is Possible
And there was much rejoicing. As well there should have been. Langy s-t-r-e-t-c-h-e-d for the diving catch in left to save a likely double and the crowd let out a roar, only to have Sosa give up a solid homer to the same field about one pitch later. Sosa wasn’t doing himself any favors, apparently feeling a need to toss extra BP to the Purple Palladins, since Andruw had to hoof it back to the 400 mark in CF to bounce off the wall to glove a long out. Rocks nabbed another run. Sheesh. Elvises 3, Memphis Mafia 2.
Ready Teddy
First-year leadoff hitter Marcus Giles told DOB that he’d find his stroke in the new spot in time and it looks like that’s the case. In the 4th, Popeye whipped a solid grounder for a single. Sosa walked and he was at second; Giles at first. Another case of Braves on base, table’s set and… and… Guess Chipper wasn’t hungry; he whiffed. Inning ooooooooover.
Burning Love
So after seeing the defensive-offensive combo platter that Renteria has to offer when he’s healthy, I’m buying my No. 11 t-shirt ASAP. Just felt like sharing. I really don’t miss… um… er… what was that other guy’s name again?
All Shook Up
Nice try in left again for Langy (guy’s not getting the easy cans ‘o’ corn) but no luck this time. Andruw had to grab the ball at the wall after No. 18’s valiant dive was just shy of where the ball actually fell, Rocks’ CF Cory Sullivan tripled, then scored on a long flyout to Andruw. Next, Matt Holliday had to show off and, you know, hit HIS long dinger out of the park to left. Sosa was just kind of giving hits away then, in case anyone had been wanting one. If you were in the market for your own MLB hit, The Ted was the place to be during the top of the sixth Tuesday night. Ann-Margrets 4, Elvises 3.
Don’t Be Cruel
Some fools tried to start The Wave. GOD, that is THE most annoying thing you can do at a ballgame. In fact, I’m of the opinion that anyone who attempts to start The Wave or goes along with doing The Wave at a baseball game must really HATE baseball. So from all of us who are true baseball fans to all of you who get bored watching the intricacies of what’s happening on the field of play and start trying to get The Wave going in the stands, here’s a message: Stop it.
In actual game-related news, in the top of the 7th, reliever Oscar Villarreal came in and Colorado’s Cory Sullivan swiped second on a nanoseconds-late throw from Braves backstop Brian McCann. Bang-bang play of the type we weren’t used to seeing when Javy Lopez handled plate duty. Ladies, I know he was handsome but good looks don’t help you on defense. I’m just saying. Your Braves Leadoff Hitter Marcus Giles has posted three hits against Purple pitching. That ain’t hay.
Dixieland Rock
Andruw doubled home that other Jones Boy, Chipper, and you could literally FEEL The Ted trembling as the fans did, in fact, follow the instructions on BravesVision (tm), taking it upon themselves to “Get Loud.” Rochie walked so the Rocks could pitch to Frenchy. Hey, if he can slap dingers to Denmark in order to get that kid fan an autographed ball then he should be able to score Andruw from second, right? Right? Wrong. No. 7’s luck ran out. Whifferoo. sigh Elvises 4, Colonel Parkers 4.
One Night
Betemit singled to first and frankly, it was about time someone (preferably us) breaks the scoring juggernaut. Oh, this just in: ABC is axing “Commander In Chief.” Geena Davis and TV just don’t mix. I wish her all the best. Maybe Bill Paxton will need a 4th wife to put Nicki in her place next season on HBO’s mega-hit “Big Love.” Giles, The Leadoff Hitter Who Couldn’t Hit Leadoff, drove in Betemit. Look for his multi-hit heroic epic exploits from tonight’s game on the 2006 version of “Fans Gone Wild.” Elvises 5, Backup Singers 4.
It’s Now Or Never
When Reitsma ran in, people went nuts and they reacted to calls that didn’t go his way like the old days when Smoltz was saving every Braves game known to man. Go crazy, Hotlantans. Reitsma just notched another save: no. 6. What happens in Vegas stays in ATL traffic: Elvises 5, Backup Singers 4.
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