Chop Chick

By geekboy

April 18, 2008 8:46 AM | Link to this

Smoltz looked unhittable last night! I know he was hurting but that was some of the most dominant stuff I have seen him throw. 6 more K’s and he is in the hall of fame.

Chipper will enter the hall too. I think he is the best switch-hitter since Mantle. Now, if the rest of lineup would WATCH AND LEARN we could actually win some games. Tex must be looking to Frenchie for tips.

By ahole1178

April 18, 2008 9:30 AM | Link to this

I tell you what was refreshing, to see the look on everybody’s faces during each at bat. The past 2 weeks, it looks like every late swing, every strikeout…alot of the lineup was very passive. And Bobby is big culprit of this, with his business-as-usual tactics since he has been here. But last night, you could tell…players went up there wanting to take the frustration they have endured since the season started out on the baseball last night. Tex, Chipper, Matty Diaz….you could tell that the “its time to get your sh*t in gear” speech woke something up. Now lets see if its a temporary shift in the direction of the offense, or does Bobby need to give this speech 150 more times the rest of the year!

I say bring up Matt DeSalvo or a Charlie Morton, give them a cup of coffee at the bigs, and see what kind of impact they can have. If anything, it would showcase their trade value the team would need to make to bolster the bullpen for a run at the Mets-Phils. And if Hampton is truly done, you keep one of those guys as insurance. Chucky is done, Buddy Carlyle is a AAA starting pitcher at best, and Jeff Bennett looks more comfortable coming out of the bullpen.

By Tom

April 18, 2008 9:31 AM | Link to this

I still think Richmond has a better bullpen than Atlanta does, we need to start making some moves soon if we don’t see drastic improvement from guys like Ring, Boyer, and Resop. Last night helped a little. I really don’t understand why the guy with the worst ERA on the Richmond team was called up. Guys like Reyes, Stockman, Rouwenhorst, and Ridgway are tearing it up down there, all with ERAs under 2.50, and with more than 7 innings pitched each. If these stats stay consistent for the next month or so, the bullpen will need to be revamped with these Richmond guys.

By RichmondBrave

April 18, 2008 9:34 AM | Link to this

Smoltz and Chipper have been my favorite Braves for years. I guess because I am an old guy and they have been around the longest, but they are the best players on the team. We need more games like last night. KJ, Diaz and Tex still don’t look good eventhough they got hits last night.

By Caryn

April 18, 2008 9:40 AM | Link to this

Bobby Cox should make John Smoltz and Chipper Jones co-captains. They are the LEADERS, and this would further solidify the team. Look at the Red Sox with Varitek!

By Tom

April 18, 2008 9:41 AM | Link to this

Morton is way too valuable to give up for a bullpen pitcher, there is no way they’d do that unless they get a closer in return.

By Yehuda Hamer

April 18, 2008 9:46 AM | Link to this

If John Smoltz is a 5 inning guy, we will need a better bullpen. Great game by Smoltzie! I am looking forward to seeing strikeout victim number three thousand.

By Matt

April 18, 2008 10:02 AM | Link to this

I can’t single either of the milestones out, because I am looking forward to both of them equally. I hope I’m at the game for one of them, if not both.

By richbrave

April 18, 2008 10:18 AM | Link to this

DOWN ON THE FARM

CANIZARES (.442) almost matches CHIP JONES (.444) in hitting for average. I suppose he’s trying to say something to Atlanta’s management. Anyway, he loves the game of hitting that’s for sure. It continues to be ALL-WORLD. Or maybe he just likes Rochester’s and Buffalo’s pitching Richmond’s two opponants in 15 games this season.

CLINT SAMMONS had his nine game hitting streak broken in Wednesday’s game, but was back on the hit parade yesterday. He continues his great defensive work and bat discipline.

SCOTT THORMAN is trying to make up for lost time since breaking into the hitting department going 10-27 (.370) in the past 9 games.

position/player—a-r—h—bi—avg

cf-ANDERSON——4—0—1—0—.333

ss-LILLIBRIDGE-4—0—0—0—.085

lf-JONES———-4—0—0—0—.280

dh-CANIZARES—-4—0—2—0—.442

1b-THORMAN——-4—0—2—0—.239

rf-TAYLOR———4—0—1—0—.348

-c-SAMMONS——-4—0—2—0—.375

2b-HOLT————3—0—0—0—.250

3b-TIMMONS——-3—0—0—0—.152

DP: 1. LOB: 6. 2B: Canizares 1 (6). SB: Anderson 1 (5), Sammons 1 (2).

pitching—-IP—-H—R—ER—BB—SO—ERA

BUENO——-7.0—-9—2—2—-0—-4—3.38

NELSON——1.0—-0—0—0—-0—-2—0.00

LP: Bueno (0-1).

Bueno’s seven inning stint is the longest to date for ‘08. With the warmer weather, the pitching staff can be turned loose and allowed more work. Francesley pitched well in his third start of the season in a losing cause. Pleanty of hits, plenty of runners left on base by the offense (6). Over 100 LOB’s in 15 games.

By justin

April 18, 2008 10:23 AM | Link to this

Chop Chick

I know personally I am more excited to see Smoltz get to 3000 k’s. I think if he can do that there is no way he is NOT in the HoF when he retires.

As for Chipper and 400 homers, all I can say is if he wouldn’t have been injured the past few years he’d probably already be past that now and workin on 500. It will be good to see, but it’s more common than 3000 K’s.

I’m planning on going to the game tonight, and I don’t care what anybody else does I’m giving Andruw a Standing O. He did not choose to leave the Braves, the Braves fired him. What he did for 11 plus seasons in Atlanta is too much for me to just boo him. Then again, I never booed Tommy when he was a Met either. I can’t wait to see the reaction. I hope it’s like the one Maddux got last year and not like the one Tommy got for all those years.

By jobu

April 18, 2008 10:29 AM | Link to this

i’m glad we have smoltz and chipper- thankfully chipper has been in the news about baseball and has finally become the leader off the field as well as on. with regard to Andruw, i loved the catches, throws, big home runs, but anyone who watched baseball knows what a pain he was- never running out plays to first, loafing it when others where hustling, ‘arguing’ in public with TP about his hitting style. In my view, it’s the best 18M we never spent. thanks for the things you did, but good riddance to all the things you didn’t.

By Stuart

April 18, 2008 10:37 AM | Link to this

I think both milestones are awesome, but 400 HR is still an amazing number, especially in light of the steriods stuff. Chipper, Big Hurt, and Griffey will be remembered fondly since no one has besmurched their achievements were not tainted.

Smoltz’s accomplishment is awesome as well. He is as unigue a pithcer as baseball has seen. He is my ‘hero’ and favorite brave. Chipper is my wife’s favorite. I hope to be there this weekend and cheer Andruw as well.

On to the Bullpen:

The only issue with bringing up Morton or another youngster is that is starts their service time clocks and the option ‘clock’ The sooner they come up, the sooner they get paid. Look what the D-Rays did with Longoria, and the Reds with the OF Bruce. They were probably better players than the people that won jobs, but the organizations did not want to start their service time ‘clocks’ so they sent them down to get and ‘extra’ year before the big contract hits. No reason to have to pay people sooner than you have to, besides Morton probably needs some more seasoning. He looked kind of rough vs. the Mutts toward the end of spring. The rotation needs innings, which, historically, won’t come from rookies. JoJo needs to stay down too until he gets his fastball down. James is a head case right now, so hopefully he stays down. Ridgeway is not the answer either.

Remember, pitching to AAA batters is different from the show. JoJo knows that first hand. Pitchers get away with stuff down there that would get pounded in the majors.

Now Stockman seems like a canidate to come up and help the pen. I wonder what the deal is with him? He did not do so hot in a couple of coffee stops, but neither did Moylan and we all saw what happened with Pete. I think Stockman is worth a look at least.

By beau vighn

April 18, 2008 10:58 AM | Link to this

I would like to see Diaz sit a while and give someone else a shot inleft. he is struggling right now because he is trying to pull everything.

By WILL

April 18, 2008 11:30 AM | Link to this

WAIT TILLTHE BRAVES PLAY THE DODGERS THEY WILL SWEEP SOORRY ATLANTA THIS TEAM ONLYWINS 1OF3 AGAIST FLORIDA A TEAM WITH A 10 MILLON DOLLAR PAYROLL,WHEN ATLANTA PLAYS ARIZONA BRANDO WEBB WILL PROBABLY PITCH A NO HITTER,THIS TEAM IS TO OLD BEFORE JUNE SMOLTZ,GLAVINE,HAMPTON,MOYLAN,CHIPPER,AND WHO ELSE EVER LIKE SORIANO WILL ALL BE ON THE DL GUARANTEED IWILL BE ABLE TO BUY A NEW SMALL CAR AFTER THE DODGERS BECAUSE THE DODGERS WILL SWEEP ATLANTA, THIS TEAM IS ONLY BETTER THAN WASHINGTON WELL RIGHT NOW BECAUSE AFTER NEXT WEEK ATLANTA WILL BE IN LAST WHERE THEY BELONG YOU CANT LIVE OFF REPUTATION FOREVER.

By green tea

April 18, 2008 11:33 AM | Link to this

Will the AJC quit shoving it down our throat to cheer for Andruw tonight already? GEEZUS…

By Zack

April 18, 2008 11:33 AM | Link to this

Why does Bobby not platoon Matt Diaz this year like he did last season? He can be a .330 hitter but is so streaky, we need someone else that can play while he’s not so hot. Why not bring up Josh Anderson and add some speed to our lineup every third day or so? Or why not let Gregor Blanco play some left field to see if he can play or not; then we’d know if we’ve got a player or somebody we can trade for another bullpen arm before trade deadline.

My biggest concern is letting ace starting pitchers go to other teams without an effort on our part. Why we wouldn’t offer some of our myriad of outfield and other prospects to get in the Santana or the Bedard (I know he’s hurt now, but he’s good) sweepstakes? When we got Maddux after he won his Cy Young with the cubs, it helped set the tone for our dominance over the rest of the 90’s. Why not take a shot at trying to do that again? CC Sabathia is young and will be available after the year….

By WILL

April 18, 2008 11:33 AM | Link to this

THIS TEAM IS BAD

By Varoadrunner

April 18, 2008 11:37 AM | Link to this

A few thoughts

First Chop Chick, please move that glove, I think I love you.

second AJ - I’ll applaud him every at bat - he was a long-time Brave and did his best. I must admit, offensively, Im glad he’s gone.

Third Chop Chick - Move that glove!

fourth I hope that the aging Braves can hold up to the season. The early results aren’t encouraging.

fifth and last Move that glove and show me your smile.

By WILL

April 18, 2008 11:38 AM | Link to this

CC SABATHIA IS FINISHED,HE WILL NEED SURGERY,DETRIOT HAS ALOT OF YOUNG GOOD PITCHERS., WE NEED SOME OF THESE GUYS., OR THE DRAFT

By LivininAL

April 18, 2008 11:41 AM | Link to this

Fun night! Been a long time arriving. I appreaciate both Chipper and Smoltzie. The off season Chipper bashers have been strangely quiet this season. NICE!!! I gotta say Im more apppreciative of the 3000 strikout milestone, when I consider that Smoltz was a closer working only 1 inning in part of the games for a period of time, add 4 arm surgeries in his career; Amazing! And welcome back Andrew hope you have a great year after we seep the series! Go Braves!

By The Crab

April 18, 2008 12:29 PM | Link to this

WILL -

Stop capitalizing everything; it is hard to read and gives me a headache. On second thought, never mind, it isn’t worth reading anyway.

By Suenah

April 18, 2008 1:44 PM | Link to this

Superman delivers again. Go Smoltzy!!!

By richbrave

April 18, 2008 1:54 PM | Link to this

STUART:

Agree on your take on Morton. More starts, more innings needed. He’s not ready for prime-time yet. But by early call-ups I expect him to have nothing more to prove in AAA. He’s been out three times for Richmond, and has been steady.

By richbrave

April 18, 2008 2:12 PM | Link to this

STU:

Stockman had an excellent middle-relief stint last time out. He been out five times. Not so good at first, cold, rainy. Middle three, uneven. But last time 3.1 IP, 0 H,0 ER,0 BB 4 SO. You can’t hang your hat on it, but that’s a positive trend. If that trend holds up for a month or two he might be ready for some prime-time.

By Mike

April 18, 2008 2:13 PM | Link to this

Another former Brave makes a return tonight, Joe Torre.

By WILL

April 18, 2008 2:22 PM | Link to this

I M A MORRON. 1 OF THHE BLOKS FELOFF MA DUBLEWIDDE ANND THEDODGERRS R GONNA WIN. HEY SIS, AH MEAN HUNNY, GETT ME ANUTHER COLLD 1. AHM GUNNA LOOK FA WORK TAMOROW.

By Darrell

April 18, 2008 2:25 PM | Link to this

I’d be glad they’ll get those milestones in Brave uniforms unlike Maddux and Glavine’s 300 wins.

By richbrave

April 18, 2008 2:37 PM | Link to this

WILL:

Didn’t take your pill? Thats it for you buddy. I’m calling the white coats.

By Lee

April 18, 2008 2:39 PM | Link to this

Interesting other N.L. game tonight has Santana (Mets) against Hamels (Phillies). Good pitching matchup. The Braves really need to take advantage this weekend with the other 2 divisions rivals playing one another.

By FEAR

April 18, 2008 2:53 PM | Link to this

Will is a loser….’nuff said

By J_Dubb

April 18, 2008 3:23 PM | Link to this

Much respect to Smoltz. Now that’s a ballplayer. As for Chipper, i’ve been watching him do great things his whole career, and will continue to watch….Mixed emotions on the Andruw deal. GO BRAVES!!

P.S. BOOG IS CHEATING!!!

By iMissTBS

April 18, 2008 7:16 PM | Link to this

Chipper is the reason I became a Braves fan in his rookie year, so I’m more excited about the 400 home run mark, but I’ve also become a huge Smoltzie fan over the years. I hope they both get the chance to finish their careers with the Braves (but not too soon, please!).

By Jim

April 19, 2008 12:03 AM | Link to this

It’s kind of pathetic everyone wants to bench/platoon Diaz after 2 weeks, especially when it’s been pointed out that April is historically his worst month. Look at what others have done this month to date - Ryan Braun, David Ortiz, Hunter Pence, all better ballplayers than Diaz can hope to be. Gabe Kapler and Ryan Ludwick lead the league in slugging and Christian Guzman is ninth in Total Bases. Now, if he’s where he is after May, OK, but it’s way to early to do anything yet

By Bowie

April 19, 2008 12:10 AM | Link to this

Sure was good to see Blanco playing tonight and Diaz on the pine.

By The Wizard

April 19, 2008 1:38 AM | Link to this

Now old man Glavine is on the DL. Boy am I glad we replaced him with the great Santana. Your pitching sucks, tomahawk choppers. And that will be your downfall this year. Larry is off to another good start..I tip my hat to him. But Wright is now the best 3Baseman in the NL. His career stats will dwarf Larry’s in the long run…and Jones is a certain Hall of Famer. But how long will it be this year before old Larry hits the DL?

By richbrave

April 19, 2008 8:40 AM | Link to this

WIZARD:

Who knows. Same thing will happen to DW in his time. So what? That’s life, or do you just enjoy stating the obvious?

As for Santana, you’re posting with the one who raised Dave O’Brien’s ire for insisting acquiring he and Aaron Rowand were the only two moves necessary to establish supremacy of the Braves in the NL east once again. So what. Nobody listened to me, otherwise we’d have him and you wouldn’t.

David Wright is a fine ball-player, and will be hopefully for a long time. He’s a local product of S.E. Virginia and we’re proud of him no matter what uni he wears. Will he be better than Chip.? That’s always debatable, but be glad as a Mets fan that is and will be a subject for debate.

By richbrave

April 19, 2008 10:20 AM | Link to this

PLAYER-POSITION-AVG

ANDERSON-cf-.323

LILLIBRIDGE-ss-.113

JONES-lf-.259

CANIZARES-dh-.436

BORCHARD-rf-.292

THORMAN-1b-.220

FASANO-c-.176

HOLT-2b-.250

TIMMONS-3b-.162

E: LiLLIBRIDGE 1 (2), Timmons 1 (5). DP: 1. LOB: 9 (100+). @B: Lillibridge 1 (2), Borchard 1 (2). SB: Lillibridge 1 (5), Holt 1 (4). CS: Lillibridge 1 (1).

pitching

REYES-5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 4 SO, 0.00 era.

By The Wizard

April 19, 2008 10:59 AM | Link to this

richbrave: Fair enough. Didn’t that other fine young 3rd baseman Zimmerman come from your area too? Both Wright and Jones are on fire right now…just about 1-2 in RBI’s. The one real advantage Wright has over Larry, besides his age, is his speed. He has been among the league leaders in SB’s and SB% each year he has played so far. Add his Gold Glove last year….he can do it all. 5 tool player. Larry is a sure HOF’er, and David is certainly on his way. You raise some great ballplayers there in VA.

By J_Dubb

April 19, 2008 11:33 AM | Link to this

Wizard, You can’t seriously think that Wright deserved the gold glove over Chipper last year. Don’t get me wrong, David Wright is a good ballplayer. But his 20 something errors to Chipper Jones’ 8 errors? Clearly it was a popularity contest.

By The Wizard

April 19, 2008 12:55 PM | Link to this

J_Dubb: Maybe, maybe not. But Wright will make the spectacular plays…he has more range…where Larry can not anymore. (Like the MLB Productions play of the year in 2006…Wright’s bare handed leaping catch running into left field in San Diego). Almost all of Wright’s errors are on throws…it is the one area he has been working on to improve. But I agree that Jones is still a solid defensive player. And Wright is a “good” ballplayer? Please. The kid is great, and still a couple a years away from his prime.

By richbrave

April 19, 2008 2:04 PM | Link to this

WIZARD:

Tied 42 all at the half. Wiz-z-z-ard!!! My bad.!! Wrong Wizards.

Ryan went to U.Va. which my eldest grandson wants to do as well. If my g-son can even come close, he’ll be great.

By The Wizard

April 19, 2008 2:44 PM | Link to this

richbrave: Good luck with your grandson. My daughter just had our first grandchild…a boy. And since both his parents work for MLB Productions…they are producers for the “This Week In Baseball” show on FOX…I’m sure he will be brought up with a love for great game of baseball. Only problem is it may get confusing for little Alex…my daughter is a Mets fan, and son-in-law a die hard Yankee fan! Good luck with your Braves…it should be a great race in the NL East this year. PS: you better sign Tex…because you can bet that the Mets, with all that $ they are generating now, especially with their own TV station, will surly try to.

By richbrave

April 19, 2008 7:35 PM | Link to this

WIZARD:

Tex to one of the NY teams after this year. I cannot see Liberty springing for a 168-170 million $ contract to keep him. After all, they wouldn’t lay down for that type of money for Santana. Why would they do that for Teixeira.? They need a major national revenue source like the Yankees and Mets. Won’t happen.

By richbrave

April 20, 2008 11:18 AM | Link to this

DOWN ON THE FARM

RICHMOND-BRAVES now 11-6 overall.

OFFENSE:

For the first game in 16, BARBARO CANIZARES took a hitting night off, going 0-4 and lowering his league leading batting average to .407.

On a more positive note, BRENT LiLLIBRIDGE went 2-4 and everyone here from coaching staff to fans are hopeful this is a sign that he is finally coming around at the plate. His defense continues to be excellent. Only two errors in 16 games so far.

CLINT SAMMONS continues his outstanding play both offensively and defensively. 2-4 last night, SAMMONS is now .395 with just one passed ball in 13 games.

DEFENSE:

JONOTHAN ROUWENHORST bounced back from a rough first start to post 5.0 solid innings with 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 SO and lowered his ERA to 2.24 overall( 16.1 IP, 14 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 4 BB, 10 SO ).

PHIL STOCKMAN followed with his second strong relief stint in a row pitching 2.1 with 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 SO. He finished the night with an overall 1.62 ERA. His line: 11.1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 14 SO. As I said in earlier comments about STOCKMAN, an excellent trend. He’s getting that curve over and the angle from 6’ 8” is tough on hitters. Hence that great 4-14 ratio of balls to strikes and the 4 H in 11.1 IP. If he doesn’t hit the DL, there’s light at the end of the tunnel to Atlanta. In this league, when ERA’s stay below 2.00, and ratios like STOCKMAN’s continue or improve, most pitchers have at least limited success in Atlanta. It’s still early in the season, but a good trend, Declining ERA, improving ratios.

RIDGEWAY pitched two outs in the eighth, and Schreiber got his fourth save by pitching the ninth.

By The truth

April 20, 2008 11:35 AM | Link to this

So a couple weeks back Chop Chick, exploring means to increase traffic on her blog, mentions casually to “richbrave” that he can contribute some AAA information. Next thing you know this moron is responsible for 40% of the posts on here responding to everyone as if its his blog (might as well be since the Chick never comes around). Even went on DOB’s blog proclaiming himself Chop Chick’s official Richmond corresponent, suggesting that he and DOB hook up to compare notes. Best part is, the more he types the dumber he seems. C’mon AJC put richbrave on the payroll! Let a man live his journalistic dreams! What…a….loser…

By richbrave

April 20, 2008 12:07 PM | Link to this

the TRUTH:

My man. Post up some so my % will go down. Heh, heh, heh.

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December 15, 2008 12:54 AM | Link to this

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December 15, 2008 12:57 AM | Link to this

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