Chop Chick

By geekboy

May 23, 2008 11:34 AM | Link to this

Sure, I wish we could play all our games against division rivals at home! I also wish for a cure for cancer and a bottomless beer mug, but I doubt those will happen either!

Our on-the-road blues will not last much longer. Atlanta’s bats are too good. I think the one-day benching of Frenchie might actually have made him a wiser hitter … he has always been a chump on the road, so hopefully he can end that soon … along with the rest of the team.

Why do the Braves stink on the road? Because they can’t hit a lick. Only Chipper and McCann are batting over .270 on the road among regulars. I would start Blanco and Infante in the outfield on the road though … they are not stinking it up completely. That might wake up the starters.

By mike

May 23, 2008 11:39 AM | Link to this

who are the scheduled starters for Saturday’s game?

By David

May 23, 2008 12:39 PM | Link to this

Might be more prudent to focus on the upcoming 4-game homestand agains the Diamondbacks. All these good feelings will be but a memory if we lose the series or get swept by Arizona before even going out on the road!

By Wanda

May 23, 2008 12:40 PM | Link to this

Santa3247, maybe you should get into a chatroom with the rest of the crazy people! This is a baseball forum.

By Kashi

May 23, 2008 12:46 PM | Link to this

The reason we couldn’t take this “mojo” to road games is we could hit anything against LEFTIS and we were facing lots of them in our last road trip. Now all of a sudden we are taking advantage of our bench players to match up Leftis Vs. Righties and Righties Vs. Leftis. It is all about doing a good homework on starting pictchers and going over it before and during the game in dogout. We did little bit of everything as a team with “Melts”. As Hoss said, “If you think you can’t take a pitcher on mound over the fence, then hit balls that just fall dead between infielder and outfielders. Go Braves!

By Kashi

May 23, 2008 1:00 PM | Link to this

Hmmm…I have a adivce for Hoss. Maybe Braves should consider eating foreign food at home and start sleeping in a couch. And STOP wearing “Navy Blue” jersey on road trip.

By bravesfan

May 23, 2008 1:10 PM | Link to this

We havent won on the road because we havent hit anything on the road. But like one poster already said, we are too good for our bats to stay dormant on the road. They will come alive and when they do the rest of the league better watch out. Almost every single player on the team is hitting their stride right now and its a beautiful thing to see. Especially for all of those that doubted Tex and his abilities - what’s he doing now?……Yeah thats what I thought. Nothing but praises for Tex now. Pay attention people, he is a slow starter EVERY YEAR. Now look at him…If the Braves dont do everything to re-sign this man long term they have lost their minds. GO BRAVES!!!

By bravesfan

May 23, 2008 1:12 PM | Link to this

We havent won on the road because we havent hit anything on the road. But like one poster already said, we are too good for our bats to stay dormant on the road. They will come alive and when they do the rest of the league better watch out. Almost every single player on the team is hitting their stride right now and its a beautiful thing to see. Especially for all of those that doubted Tex and his abilities - what’s he doing now?……Yeah thats what I thought. Nothing but praises for Tex now. Pay attention people, he is a slow starter EVERY YEAR. Now look at him…If the Braves dont do everything to re-sign this man long term they have lost their minds. GO BRAVES!!!

By Tomahawk Matt

May 23, 2008 1:14 PM | Link to this

So Chop Chick, is it still time for Bobby Cox to step down? Sorry, I can’t let that one go.

The fact is… a win is a win whether home or away. It’s not like the rules are any different in away games. And no pro ball player goes out on the field thinking they can’t win just because they slept in a hotel last night. The daily grind of baseball requires you to forget about yesterday. Living in the past won’t get you a win today. The road wins will come.

I’m a bit surpised the Braves didn’t serve up a bean-ball after 4 of our guys were drilled by the “talented” Mets pitchers. Maybe we’ve just got more class than the Flushing NYers.

GO BRAVES!!!

By fieldofdreams

May 23, 2008 1:28 PM | Link to this

I love the Braves but until they win on the road I can’t see them finishing better than .500. The National League looks like a medieval society; a few haves are laying waste to a lot of have nots, and to date we’ve mostly played have nots. Things might get interesting, however, if they can somehow bring Maddux back for a curtain call, and Johnnie “the Baptist Terminator” Smoltz can give them some quality relief appearances.

By Jim H.

May 23, 2008 1:28 PM | Link to this

A lot of the road losses were one run losses where we just didn’t get the big hit we needed late in the game. We were in all these games and easily could have won……it’s not like they were blowouts. This hopefully won’t last and things should begin evening out. The fact that Tex has heated up and that Bobby finally moved Kelly Johnson out of the leadoff spot (where he didn’t belong) to lower in the order where he is now being productive should help greatly. Getting Smoltz, Gonzalez, and Soriano back in the bullpen will definitly help it. The starting pitching is getting more stable and beginning to go deeper in games (thank god Chuck James is back in AAA working on his problems now). We’ll be alright….just gotta keep plugging and hope to avoid injuries.

By otis nixem

May 23, 2008 1:42 PM | Link to this

i still think the braves should hire a new manager, but just for road games, like the Dawgs do with their football announcer. then bobby cox could manage at home, where he’s great and never makes a mistake, and he wouldn’t have to manage on the road, where he starts guys who can’t hit and misues the bullpen. at least, that’s the sense i get from this blog.

By Darrin "The Vent King"

May 23, 2008 1:51 PM | Link to this

Maybe the guys are watching too many NBA playoff games where “home is where the heart is” there too…

By dogmeat

May 23, 2008 2:13 PM | Link to this

one great home stand don’t make a season, r BC great…its still early and Braves still have some problems but things look better. Braves need to try to sign Tex and not wait and lose him to top bid.(free agent)

Wanda, Santa is no more crazy than U. 3247 you are welcome to blog and great Braves fan.

Chipper, the Hoss, better than Mantle. That sounds good.

fieldofdreams, are you making fun of Smoltz religion? Never talk about a persons religion and his wife.

By richbrave

May 23, 2008 2:16 PM | Link to this

DOWN ON THE FARM

Pitcher Newbies shelled 17-3. The pitching of NELSON et.al. was flat putrid last night. The R-Braves were down 12-0 before they knew what “hit” them!!! Lead in the division dwindling fast - only one game.

MORE BAD NEWS

JOE BORCHARD’s sore elbow?? Reconstructive surgery and ligament replacement. Out for the season.

SCOTT THORMAN goes 2-4 and average up, but SAMMONS had a RARE 0’fer night. Not good, not good all ‘round sports fans except for SCOTT’s hitting which continues….

By KennyT

May 23, 2008 2:18 PM | Link to this

I agree with Kashi! The dark blue unis are the curse. GET RID OF EM!!!

By tr

May 23, 2008 2:37 PM | Link to this

When the Braves were a staple of the Superstation (TBS), we often had as many vocal fans on the road as the home teams did. Consequently, we seemed to play better on the road. I still notice a lot of Brave fans at away games, but they’re not nearly as vehement as they used to be!

By David

May 23, 2008 2:44 PM | Link to this

Otis Nixem - you’re right, it’s obvously Bobby Cox’s fault that the hitters go cold and the Braves lose one run games on the road….huh?!?!

By Horner's Corner

May 23, 2008 2:52 PM | Link to this

richbrave- I appreciate the update, but can we please put the “Thorman era” behind us. Let’s hear about Barbaro Canizares, the 28 yr old Cuban defector that’s hitting .333 with an .870+ OPS over the last two seasons at Richmond! What about Diory Hernandez, the “other guy” in the Jurrjiens/Renteria trade? Diory’s hitting .330, but is he splitting time at short with the feeble hitting Lillibridge? It seems Brandon Jones has been hitting well of late after a slow start and Charlie Morton has been ML caliber through his first eight starts!?! What’s the scoop with these guys? I want a report on players that may have a serious future with the Atlanta club, not an update on a bunch of wash outs!!

By otis nixem

May 23, 2008 3:02 PM | Link to this

david: you’re obviously not a regular reader of this, or any other sports-related, blog, are you? huh?!?!?

By Poorboy

May 23, 2008 3:09 PM | Link to this

I wish someone, will tell/explain to me what the word “BEACH” on the uniform sleeve of the Braves uniform indicates. I have been waiting for the announcer’s to talk about it but I never here them if they have. Thanks.

By Poorboy

May 23, 2008 3:11 PM | Link to this

I wish someone, will tell/explain to me what the word “BEACH” on the uniform sleeve of the Braves uniform indicates. I have been waiting for the announcer’s to talk about it but I never hear them if they have. Thanks.

By Milwaukee Brave

May 23, 2008 3:55 PM | Link to this

“I wish someone, will tell/explain to me what the word “BEACH” on the uniform sleeve of the Braves uniform indicates.”

For former bench coach Jim Beauchamp who passed away during the off-season.

By richbrave

May 23, 2008 5:11 PM | Link to this

Poorboy:

I saw him play here in Richmond in the late 60’s. He was a tough customer. A no nonsense player with some limited ability. Coached with Atlanta until he died last year. Its great that the Braves wear the “Beach” patch in rememberance of a good player and a great guy.

By richbrave

May 23, 2008 5:36 PM | Link to this

Homer:

I’m busy. Get up what I think is significant, AND when I can. I didn’t listen to the R-Braves because of the Mets game. And glad I didn’t. Whew! 17-3.

Put up all those guys season stats that you mentioned on CHOP CHICK’s last blog, that is, the one before the blog with no response box. HERNANDEZ steady. 1 Hit last night. Same for CANIZARES. ANDERSON also, at .276. Sammons had an 0-4 and fell to .299.

CHARLIE MORTON last outing was solid, but did not raise his level of pitching beyond normal(which is good BTW). There really isn’t any pitching to rave about now that PHIL STOCKMAN’s gone and CHARLIE MORTON’s on a time-table to Atlanta.

FRANCISLEY BUENO has possibilities as does VLADIMER NUNEZ, the other Cuban pitcher here. But neither is over the hump and headed toward steady progress. It’s the old two steps forward, one back.

DAMIAN MOSS ordinary right now. Flat - no progress.

CHUCK JAMES pitched well enough to win the other night, but didn’t. Too many hits(pitching high)early, then he loses on a great pitch. R-Braves score zip behind him.

Those guys you don’t want to hear about are the ones that will carry the club’s pitching unless JAMES gets it together. I shudder to think of where we’ll be in September ‘cause Morton’s gonna’ be in Atlanta by then. Count on it.

By richbrave

May 23, 2008 5:38 PM | Link to this

Homer:

I’m busy. Get up what I think is significant, AND when I can. I didn’t listen to the R-Braves because of the Mets game. And glad I didn’t. Whew! 17-3.

Put up all those guys season stats that you mentioned on CHOP CHICK’s last blog, that is, the one before the blog with no response box. HERNANDEZ steady. 1 Hit last night. Same for CANIZARES. ANDERSON also, at .276. Sammons had an 0-4 and fell to .299.

CHARLIE MORTON last outing was solid, but did not raise his level of pitching beyond normal(which is good BTW). There really isn’t any pitching to rave about now that PHIL STOCKMAN’s gone and CHARLIE MORTON’s on a time-table to Atlanta.

FRANCISLEY BUENO has possibilities as does VLADIMER NUNEZ, the other Cuban pitcher here. But neither is over the hump and headed toward steady progress. It’s the old two steps forward, one back.

DAMIAN MOSS ordinary right now. Flat - no progress.

CHUCK JAMES pitched well enough to win the other night, but didn’t. Too many hits(pitching high)early, then he loses on a great pitch. R-Braves score zip behind him.

Those guys you don’t want to hear about are the ones that will carry the club’s pitching unless JAMES gets it together. I shudder to think of where we’ll be in September ‘cause Morton’s gonna’ be in Atlanta by then. Count on it.

By richbrave

May 23, 2008 5:42 PM | Link to this

I swear, I did not post HOMER’s response twice. WTH!!!

By richbrave

May 23, 2008 5:52 PM | Link to this

CHOP CHICK:

My last prognostication on road results was 3-4. Missed by one. Too optimistic.

Reasons?? Who knows!! Only the guys who swing the bats and throw the balls know for sure. And only they can turn it around. An earlier post today said the old days of every ball-park having a huge contingent of Braves fans when TBS carried them is true. Now not so much. Soon only the eccentric Atlanta fan will be present at road parks. Not the same atmosphere. Maybe that’s a difference. Good a reason as any.

By richbrave

May 23, 2008 5:58 PM | Link to this

HOMER:

BTW, I think the “other” player was GORKYS HERNANDEZ, not the current R-Brave DIORY.

By richbrave

May 23, 2008 6:03 PM | Link to this

And also, love the term “MELTS”. So apropos.

By richbrave

May 23, 2008 6:07 PM | Link to this

COX haters. One more year!!! SSDD.

By Roddy White

May 26, 2008 2:26 AM | Link to this

Maybe the Braves can take chop chick on the road…and leave her out there.

By Bowie

May 26, 2008 9:58 AM | Link to this

Roddy White…I’d be glad to take Chop Chick any where she would like to go…U need to get a life!