AJC > Blog > Archives > 2008 > June > 12
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Have Braves lost more than a few players?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It’s official: Joe Simpson and I are concerned that the Braves are starting to crack.
In the fifth inning last night, Jeff Ridgway, who had just been called up from Richmond, entered the game and set the Cubs down in order for the first time all night — and got absolutely no reception in the dugout. No one even talked to him, much less gave him a high-five or a slap on the back.
That’s extremely uncharacteristic of the guys on this team, whom Joe accused of having their own individual “pity parties.”
Maybe I’m making too much out of it, but if they’ve lost the camaraderie and support that makes them a team, they’re in serious trouble. And while I can stomach losing if the guys hang together and keep laying it out on the field, it’s getting difficult to keep watching when it looks like they’re putting up minimal resistance. Those of us in Atlanta may soon envy those of you outside Peachtree TV range.
It’s up to Bobby to get in their heads and bring them back around — that’s what good managers do. (Check out Ozzie Guillen’s tirade from a couple of weeks ago and what the White Sox have done since.) And no matter how you feel about Bobby, if it were any other manager in that dugout, he would be on the hot seat on this trip, regardless of how many injuries there have been. If for no other reason than to shake the team up.
Speaking of management, I also have to ask: What the heck was up with sending down Josh Anderson, who has speed and was hitting .318, and bringing up Brandon Jones, who might have a little more pop? Is Bobby that desperate for a three-run home run?
I really hope Dave O’Brien is right when he suggested they might be showcasing Jones, because otherwise, that move is a sign that the entire organization has lost it.
Now I have to give props to a couple of posts from yesterday’s blog asking for exorcisms and rituals:
jonny: Any way you can get that fried chicken for lunch, before today’s 2:20 start?
Amy: I love the idea of a bonfire using those dark blue jerseys as kindling, and Tom Glavine will light the match. (He was wearing that jersey when he sustained the only two injuries that have put him on the DL in his career.)
Jeff321: Good idea to bring back Chief Nocahoma’s teepee!
A shout out to toon to say thanks for reminding everyone that a blog isn’t necessarily supposed to be a 2,000-word tome — no offense, DOB :-)
And to richbrave: We’ll miss you and those farm reports. Good luck with the surgeries and get well soon!
Upcoming TV Schedule
Thursday: at Cubs, 2:20, Peachtree TV
Friday: at Angels, 10:05, SportSouth
Saturday: at Angels, 9:05, SportSouth
Sunday: at Angels, 8:05, ESPN
Monday: at Rockies, 8:05, SportSouth
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