Chop Chick

By George

May 18, 2007 2:20 PM | Link to this

“Fair” is something that comes in the fall. True Champions beat everybody.

By Theo

May 18, 2007 2:31 PM | Link to this

Let’s see….you lost 3 out of 4 to the worst team in the NL and now you are whining about interleague play. Could it be that you are trying to distract fans attention away from the fact that you lost 3 games to a team who has a pitching staff in shambles. I hate interleague play, because it takes away from the World Series. However, life isn’t fair, so just deal with it. Stop the complaining

By jimbo

May 18, 2007 2:47 PM | Link to this

Just another example of how overrated chippy and no contact awndru are!

By Lee

May 18, 2007 2:56 PM | Link to this

Always been a big Chipper fan but he stuck his foot in his mouth on this comment. Only wish Orr or Woodward would have said it and maybe Cox would have kicked them off the team.

By Jonathan

May 18, 2007 3:05 PM | Link to this

Heard complaints out of David Justice and he got shipped outa here. Millionares should not complain at all. We average citizens work hard day in and day out for around 600 to 1600 dollars a week. GET OVER THE UNFAIRNESS!! Life is UNFAIR, but deservedly so for the majority of us living in the 21st century.

By bruce

May 18, 2007 4:20 PM | Link to this

who is whining now… sounds like Chop Chick to me… which is not like you… Chipper probably answered a fair question fairly and it has been taken out of context.

By KayakJack in VA

May 18, 2007 4:24 PM | Link to this

You people really need to get over it! Jeez!!! “Millionaires should not complain”. HUH? Is Chipper complaining about his pay? No! He has a valid point in that MLB is trying to build rivalries in interleague play, but this causes teams to play the same teams over and over. If it was us playing KC and other bad teams instead of the Marlins, it would still be unfair. I don’t understand why one of the greatest players in Braves history (Chipper, for any brain dead people reading!) can’t talk about a process that penalizes the Braves and Mets by forcing us to play very good teams while other teams in their division get to play the bad teams…

By Chop Chick

May 18, 2007 7:05 PM | Link to this

Bruce, come on. Chipper never said a word about the “unfairness” of interleague play when the Braves played the Rangers or Seattle back in 2003. Why all the fuss now?

Maybe I’m wrong but I thought the point of making it to the big leagues was to play the BEST teams. Isn’t MLB all about testing yourself to see how you match up against the finest talent in baseball? I thought guys like Chipper, Frenchy, et. al., were in this game to prove how great they are but hearing them complain about having to play top teams leaves me thinking they’re unhappy because they’re going to have to step it up a notch.

I thought that being proud of getting a chance to show the fans your best stuff against the best opponents was the point of working hard to become a ballplayer. Guess I was wrong.

By eric the elder

May 18, 2007 8:16 PM | Link to this

CC, I’m with you most of the time, but I think you’re off base on this one. There is not a shred of connection between life’s ordeals and unfairness, over which we have little control, and the scheduling of major league baseball teams, which is deliberately done with built-in unfairness.

The logical extension of thinking teams ought to have pride in playing the best teams is an NCAA basketball tounament in which all the elite teams go into one bracket, all the also-rans into another, and whichever team wins the most games is the national champ. In the BCS system, playing tough football opponents earns you points, even if you lose.

In baseball, a W is a W, and an L is an L. The results of a long and grueling season are cheapened if the winner is the one with a demonstrably easier schedule. There are a hundred ways to create a fair, balanced schedule, but MLB will never do it for one reason: Money. In America, that is the prime measure of fairness.

By Chop Chick

May 19, 2007 9:57 AM | Link to this

But Eric, the main point that being made by most folks who disagree with Chipper’s complaints about the 2007 interleague scheduling is this: Why wasn’t this such a big deal to him in the past? And if it was, why is he just now harping on it. He’s not been a shrinking violet during his time in the Braves’ clubhouse and the recent negative comments have a twinge of “Poor us” whining to them.

Where was the outcry when the Braves were playing Texas in 2003, sweeping that team? Why no comments to the press when Atlanta played Seattle that season? What’s the explanation for that?

Frankly, I hate the unbalanced schedule because I’d just like to see all the other MLB teams instead of the NL East clubs over and over and OVER again. It gets boring (to me). Chipper knows how MLB works and he’s been playing their game to his advantage for years. Let it go, play the games and post some Ws in the win/loss column.

If he’s upset about going toe-to-toe with the AL’s best right now, what happens if the Braves get to the World Series? See what you’re made of early on for the winner-takes-all fight down the road. What in the world is wrong with that?

By eric the elder

May 19, 2007 10:30 AM | Link to this

CC, I don’t necessarily disagree with you on those specific matters, and Chipper does come across as complaining selectively. If your topic is just about Chipper, then I concede.

In my previous post, I wasn’t as general as I had wished to be. I don’t like to see the Braves being strapped with a harder schedule, but I don’t think the Mets should be either, or any other team. The schedule wasn’t clean when we were playing Texas/Seattle, and it’s not clean now. At the end of a long, 162-game schedule, I want the winner, especially if they won a playoff position by a game or two, to have won it fair and square by competing against the same teams that everyone else did.

Sure, a playoff team benefits from having played at a higher level of competition, but the team has to get there first. If team B, with a more challenging schedule, gets edged out by team A, with a weaker schedule, that takes some of the blush off the rose, I think.

Our different outlooks on this don’t matter, though. MLB’s bottom line will always trump fair and even competition, so you’re right, everyone just needs to go out there and play ball.

By bclontz

May 19, 2007 11:44 AM | Link to this

No disipline! That’s the only thing I can figure out about the braves hitters. Swinging at first pitches, not giving opposing pitchers a chance to work deep into the count. Three pitches, three outs! Come on now! Can Bobby or Terry not sit down with the team and say enough is enough? It seems that getting the game over quickly means more than winning. And, isn’t it about time to abandon the righty lefty thing ? It’s a proven fact that Atlanta’s hitters hit one just as bad as the other! Sorry! But I’m with Chipper on this, we gotta start playing hard against all teams. But then, that’s just my humble opinion, what’s yours?

By Chop Chick

May 19, 2007 12:40 PM | Link to this

Oh, no concessions necessary, Eric. You’re right on about MLB doing whatever to put fans in the stands. Interleague play is another means to that end. The real “What happened to our fanbase?” issue that MLB will never find the solution to is, sadly, that Americans’ attention spans just aren’t what they used to be.

People have so many diversions at their fingertips now that settling in for nine (or more) innings of The Game of Inches has lost its luster to the vast majority of those who don’t appreciate baseball’s subtle nuance and gamesmanship, the fact that its seemingly “slow” pace is a key part of what makes the game itself unique and exciting — it’s what gives fans that special in-the-stands bond, having that time to commune as the game progresses.

It’s too bad that everything these days has to be artificially boosted with some kind of razzle-dazzle to keep so-called “fans” interested. Real fans love the game of baseball no matter where it’s being played — be it in your team’s glittering major league stadium or down the block as a pick-up contest in the big grassy field locally down the street at your neighborhood park. We just love it because it’s baseball.

I guess I still want the MLB guys to feel that way, too. Maybe it’s naive of me. But they should really love the game, the struggles as well as the easy rides.

By Dave knockahomer

May 19, 2007 1:27 PM | Link to this

well, Chipper should zip his lip and play. now on to a question:

WHY isn’t Smoltzie pitching against Dice-K as was scheduled? Instead, he is pitching the night game.

so who’s afraid of the big bad Dice-K?

come on….this sucks!

was looking forward to John teaching the pup a few things….

oh well…….

but can anyone explain why John was moved to the night game:

By Bob

May 19, 2007 2:31 PM | Link to this

Yeah Dave,

Smoltz and Bobby both agreed that they would rather have him pitch the night game. Weather forecast had indicated likely showers and delays in the afternoon game. That would be tough on any pitcher but especially on a 40 year old pitcher. The weathermen indicated that there was much less liklihood that the evening game would be interrupted by rain.

As for Chipper’s comments, he simply stated the obvious. He did not complain about interleague play just the imbalance of the scheduling. He was asked the question and he answered it. If you can’t handle the answer, tough.

By Bob

May 19, 2007 2:38 PM | Link to this

Actually I like interleague play. I would recommend that they change the so called rivalry games to one series and then everyone else in the division play the same remaining 5 opponents. Would not be perfect but would make it a little more fair.

The only thing I really hate is the stupid rule giving home field advantage to the winner of the All Star game. Why not make it the team with the best record in Spring Training? Makes as much sense.

Three years ago Carlos Beltran drove in the winning run for the AL. Two weeks later he was traded to the Astros. Houston almost won the NL from St. Louis and would have been in the position of not having home field advantage because one its own players won the All Star game for the other league. Dumber than dirt.

I fail to see what was wrong with alternating between the leagues like it used to be. Whatever, the NL is obviously considerably weaker than the AL and it may be a long time before any NL team gets homefield advantage again.

By Bob

May 19, 2007 2:40 PM | Link to this

Actually I like interleague play. I would recommend that they change the so called rivalry games to one series and then everyone else in the division play the same remaining 5 opponents. Would not be perfect but would make it a little more fair.

The only thing I really hate is the stupid rule giving home field advantage to the winner of the All Star game. Why not make it the team with the best record in Spring Training? Makes as much sense.

Three years ago Carlos Beltran drove in the winning run for the AL. Two weeks later he was traded to the Astros. Houston almost won the NL from St. Louis and would have been in the position of not having home field advantage because one its own players won the All Star game for the other league. Dumber than dirt.

I fail to see what was wrong with alternating between the leagues like it used to be. Whatever, the NL is obviously considerably weaker than the AL and it may be a long time before any NL team gets homefield advantage again.

By Dave knockahomer

May 19, 2007 3:30 PM | Link to this

oh, hey! I can understand Chipper’s frustration…..oh yea!

but thank you for why Smoltz isn’t pitching until tonight.

By Dave knockahomer

May 19, 2007 3:53 PM | Link to this

Another thought on interleague play, especially against the tough guys. This should give the powers that be a good look at what the Braves NEED in world series.
Right now, we need some hitting…..and some pitching that works.

tis a good way to see how our team measures up against some of the best in the AL. IF we can’t even up on these guys, we may not even get a division win.

By beki

May 19, 2007 10:15 PM | Link to this

Braves are winning the second game of the double-header, 11-0 ( that’s zip,nada runs ) going into the bottom of the 8th inning. This is what they were supposed to do against the Nats. Jeesh.

By Daxxed

May 20, 2007 6:11 PM | Link to this

Once again runner on first no outs and no bunt…With Mc on first if CW would have bunted hime over then he would have scored on Prada single off the Monster. Go back and look at the play by play on some of the other games…We would be ahead of the Mets still if BC would only play small ball…That is the difference in a great coach and a good coach…A great coach manufactors runs while a good caoch only hopes for a hit to scorea run. Watch the Mets they have a great coach and they manufactor runs not depending on just hits or HR…So if the Braves and BC don’t learn small ball…They will see the Phillies and Marlins pass them by before the break.

By Daxxed

May 20, 2007 6:38 PM | Link to this

Ok instead of 2 it would be 6 to 3 if BC would only play small ball…If AJ, CJ or who ever else will not bunt…bench them and put in some one who will…Watch and if the Braves loose by 1 then the bunt or lack of it would be the difference maker.

By Dave

May 21, 2007 10:55 AM | Link to this

Chop Chick said “Bruce, come on. Chipper never said a word about the “unfairness” of interleague play when the Braves played the Rangers or Seattle back in 2003. Why all the fuss now?”

The reason for the fuss now is because the Braves are consistently playing the very top teams in the AL while other teams in the NL East are playing easy games.

Chop Chick said “Maybe I’m wrong but I thought the point of making it to the big leagues was to play the BEST teams. Isn’t MLB all about testing yourself to see how you match up against the finest talent in baseball?”

Yes, you are wrong. It simply isn’t fair. Would it be fair if the Braves played the BEST teams all of the time and the Phillies or Marlins didn’t and they compared win/loss records at the end of the season? Nope.

The balanced schedule is fair because each time in a division plays the same opponents and equal number of times. Inter-league play can be fair if a specific division plays another specific division. But to cherry pick different teams for each inter-league series is grossly unfair.

Do you honestly think it is fair for teams to compare records for a playoff berth when one team plays Boston and Detroit when the other team plays the Kansas City and Toronto?

By bruce

May 21, 2007 12:15 PM | Link to this

Hi CC, thanks for responding. It would be helpful to hear the entire interview with Chipper… and then judge. You might be right, he might be whining, but in my view, that is out of character for Chipper, which is why I defended him.

Also, I disagree with you on one other point, in these days it is not about playing the best and proving yourself in the regular season. Its about playing well enough to make the playoffs and being prepared to win short series to be champs. It is great however when we do play great against the best and win, it sure feels good. Thanks, Bruce

By bclontz

May 21, 2007 2:29 PM | Link to this

“It ain’t no big deal”! That was the quoted words of Andrew after striking out 5 times swinging Sunday. About falling down so much ” I don’t know why”! About his poor hitting this whole season ” They’re pitching me harder this year, going in and out on me”! About Bobby finally making a move! Too little, too late….Send him to the doctor, the phycse, the tx center, or maybe even sit him down and talk to him….He was on the roster to play 2nd game Saturday but was changed because his back was hurting from the earlier game….am I supposed to beleive that Bobby didn’t know before he made the line up? Did Andrew refuse to play that game? Why wouldn’t a manager talk to a player before the game and tell him when he’s gonna make that kinda change? No communication! Plain and simple, this is too good a team to go through the same ole bull crap as past seasons. Serve notice, either you won’t be here next year or I won’t, but you don’t play your best, you find another team to swindle your meal ticket from….Liberty whatever? isn’t going to do it, it’s up to John, Bobby and Bill….course I don’t know much about this game either…what’s your ideas?

By Coach

May 22, 2007 6:21 AM | Link to this

Just shut up and play ball. Try working a real job and punching a clock , then you overpaid spoiled ball players can whine about something being unfair.

By Voice of Reason

May 22, 2007 2:41 PM | Link to this

“Fair” is an ambiguous word subject to interpretation by whomever is speaking it or hearing it. Like it or not, inter-league play, and it’s inherent necessity for scheduling differences for teams within the same league/division competing for the same prize, creates an inequity. I don’t know that the attributed quotes from the Braves in 2007 are any different from any other year - maybe they are, maybe they’re not… Whether anyone likes the comments or not, the fact remains that the Braves’ inter-league schedule is ranked as the most difficult in MLB. Players such as Chipper and the others have a much more vested interest in that inequity than we do. I personally could not care less who “whines” and who doesn’t, as long as they perform on the field. I believe Mr. Larry Jones has done just that…

By Smoltz1Fan

May 25, 2007 12:23 AM | Link to this

Congratulations Smoltzie! You just secured your place in the HOF.
GO BRAVES!!