Chop Chick

By Josh M

July 21, 2008 9:42 AM | Link to this

“Sell, Mortimer, sell!”

By Milton Jeff

July 21, 2008 9:43 AM | Link to this

Funny how our former players/coaches are coming back to haunt us. Wished we had Harris back in OF & leadoff. Wren: TIME TO TRADE. If there was any indication of this season has gone for the braves..yesterday was the answer. In fact, the whole series was PATHETIC & WEAK. I predict winning 1 out of 6 for the remainder of this stretch. Trade away and lets forget the season. Dump Tex, TP, & Ohman for some great prospects. Find a great hitting coach and MY GOD, take down the cow. What is our record with cow now?? It is a curse!! Bring on Football.

By George

July 21, 2008 9:48 AM | Link to this

Great point about Corrales.

By thad

July 21, 2008 10:03 AM | Link to this

what gets me is the importance of the series and yet we start corky??? mccann just had almost a week off with the allstar break.
this series was to set the tone.
well it did.
also too, Hampton needs to be dumped. he dont want to play. francoeur needs TP to leave him alone. he was hitting fine before TP started messing with him. we need some hitters. lets look to next year.

By Zerevan

July 21, 2008 10:06 AM | Link to this

Pathetic is the word for TP. He is not good at all. Tex should be traded for some young prospects.The season is not yet gone but not far off…! Loosing the lowly Nats did it for me..I have no desire to watch or go to the games now..What will Wren do? I don’t know but I know he is limited to what he can do. We need a hitting coach like Obama needs Hillary…!

By knockahoma

July 21, 2008 10:08 AM | Link to this

not much need in trading anyone…this team is done. best thing is to retired Bobby Cox and get rid of T.P. This team is the sorriest of all when it comes to bunts! Folks, only one or two seem to know how but all of them esp. pitchers oughta be able to bunt. we can get em on, maybe get em over, but can’t get em in. we need a manager who knows ‘small’ ball. Cox and the braves management know only home runs. wont’ get it done…… Francouer should never have been brought back….needed to stay in AA for rest of the year til he got his act together. Can’t hit; can throw…..pitiful

By screeder1au

July 21, 2008 10:11 AM | Link to this

Good column Chop Chick. It is very embarrassing and it is time to just cut bait with some buys and focus on restocking for next year. This time is nothing more than a .500 team (not even that for now) and if they haven’t shown anything by now, they aren’t going to. For the last 2.5+ years they haven’t shown they can go out and win 10 in a row like the mets just did. They have been 10 games over .500 once since their last division title. That was 24-12 last year during the first part of season. Look at this year, they get to 6 games over .500 and now they are 13 games under since. Trade Teixera, you aren’t going to sign him for $23million a year, that is not our style. Get a good first baseman and look for a left field with power and numbers in the off season along with a starter and go from their. The pitching was bad yesterday, but that hasn’t been the problem overall this year. It has been our hugely disappointing outfield output offensively relating to Frenchy’s horrible year along with injuries and playing guys that are just role players.

By bigpapat

July 21, 2008 10:12 AM | Link to this

Great call about Corrales. It seems that I saw our outfielders burned on two or three fly balls in this series. That’s a positioning problem. But the real problem is run production. If we are going to stick with these guys, we need another offensive cog. If not, we need to trade Tex now.

Someone please tell me why CORKY MILLER IS PLAYING PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL? I wouldn’t even want him in my minor league system.

By Mark

July 21, 2008 10:12 AM | Link to this

Honestly…at this point it doesn’t matter what Wren does…this season is over…I’m ready for football

By Bill G

July 21, 2008 10:14 AM | Link to this

Why is Bobby Cox ‘free and clear’ of all the problems the Braves are having. Over the past three or four years, his incorrect use of pitchers has left the bull pen in a shambles over the second half of the season; two star players Andru Jones and Franceour have gone down the tubes as hitters; and the players often play as if they are in a daze.

God bless him for the team’s previous high standards, but that was the past. He has to go if the Braves ever going to improve. Put him out to pasture!

By Zerevan

July 21, 2008 10:15 AM | Link to this

FIRE TERRY PENDELTON…!PLEASE….HE IS AWFUL…TRADE TEX..HE IS GOOD BUT NOT 20 MIL A YEAR GOOD…GET SOME YOUNG PITCHERS WITH FUTURE PROMISE…!THIS YEAR IS DONE LIKE THANKSGIVING TURKEY…. THE BRAVES ARE A TEAM, ONE PLAYER CAN’T SAVE US..

By chc4

July 21, 2008 10:17 AM | Link to this

This season is over and the future isn’t all that bright. Outside of Yunel, McCann, KJ, Jurjjens and possibly Morton I don’t see where we go from here. Frenchy is completely lost… he may get it back but also may not. Thank god he turned down that long term contract in the offseason. Our pitching in the minors is weak. I just hope we can get a good starter for Tex and move on. All we have for next year is a gimpy Chipper, McCann and a bunch of singles hitters. Not looking good.

By CORKY UGH!

July 21, 2008 10:24 AM | Link to this

COME ON BRAVES!!!!! I HAVE MORE HOPE THAN ANYONE THAT THE BRAVES CAN UNDO THIS AND STRING OFF TEN OR SO, BUT BEFORE WE DO THAT WE NEED TO GET INTO THE GAMES!!! IT IS NOT THAT WE DONT HAVE A GOOD TEAM OR OUR PITCHING ISNT THERE OR WE HAVE A MINOR LEAUGE STAFF, IT IS WE ARE NOT HUSTLING!!!!!!!!! I SWEAR THAT I HAVE NOT SEEN ONE NOT ONE OUTFIELDER EVEN SLIDE TO MAKE AN ATTEMPT AT A BALL>>> IF THAT P^SSY RIGHT FIELDER OF OURS DOESNT QUIT RUNNING LIKE A SISSY THEN WERE DEF NOT GETTING ANYTIHNG OUT OUT THERE!! I WOULD RATHER SEE HIS WIFE OUT THERE, AT LEAST SHE IS SOMETHING TO LOOK AT!!! NEXT WHY IN THE SWEET NAME OF WHATEVER ARE WE PLAYING CORKY MILLER… GIVE ME A 2X4 PRESSURE TREATED AGAINST SANTANA AND I COULD DO BETTER THAN THAT!!!!!!!!!! ALSO WHY DOES IT SEEM LATELY THAT OUR BENCH SUCKS BALLS???? I MEAN COME ON PEOPLE IS IT JUST ME OR IS IT EMBARRSING TO BE IN THE 9TH INNNING OR LATER AND HAVE A CHANCE TO WIN AND THE ONLY PLAYERS WE HAVE ON THE BENCH IS NORTON, MILLER, AND GOTAY… GO OUT AND SPEND THE MONEY BRAVES THIS IS OLD!!!! BACK TO THE 80”S WE GO!!! JAIR IS GREAT, HUDDY IS THE MAN, MORTON WILL BE GOOD JUST NEEDS EXP, CAMPILLO IS AIGHT, AND JO-JO REYES SUCKS!!! hE IS A JOKE… SEND TO HIM TO SINGLE A, BETTER YET SEND HIM TO NATS. THAT WAY IN A COUPLE OF YEARS HE CAN COME BACK AND BEAT US!!! I AM A SEASON TIX HOLDER AND LOVE THE BRAVES BUT IF THIS SH&T DOES NOT STOP I SWEAR IM GOING TO BUY AS MANY TIX AS I CAN AND BURN EVERY F-ING ONE OF THEM!! JSUT THINKING ABOUT THE BRAVES RIGHT NOW MAKES ME WANT TO GO PUNCH MY BOSS RIGHT IN THE FACE!!!!! I LOVE BOBBY COX! i LOVE CHIPPER, ESCO, KOT, JOHNSON, TEX, MCC. BUT EVERYONE ELSE NEEDS A NEW HOME… EITHER SPEND MONEY OR QUIT BRAVES!! DONT TELL ME YOU DONT HAVE IT TO SPEND EITHER, CAUSE I DAMN SURE KNOW I HAVE PAID FOR CHIPPERS SALARY AT LEAST 5 TIMES!!! SO GO SPEND MONEY, AND GET SOME HOTTIE USHERS, AND ALSO MAYBE IF YOU PUT THOSE BRAVES CHEERLEADERS AND THERE SHORTY SHORTS WHERE THEY BELONG, (IN A HO HOUSE) THEN WE COULD GET BACK TO BASEBALL???!!! I MEAN I DONT RECALL HAVING THEM WHEN WE WERE LOSING, SO WHY WOULD WE HAVE THEM NOW???? QUIT MAKING THE PARK BETTER AND MAKE THE DANG TEAM BETTER!!! BURN THE COW, REMOVE THE CHEERLEADERS, AND SPEND MONEY ON THE TEAM… THE FANS WILL BE THERE IF WE GOT THE TEAM SO GO FOR IT…….. BTW GO MCCAIN ‘08 OBAMAB SUCKS!!!!

By BUSHWACKER

July 21, 2008 10:27 AM | Link to this

Let’s see, the Mets fired their mgr and now they are in first place with the same players.

????

By BUSHWACKER

July 21, 2008 10:28 AM | Link to this

Let’s see, the Mets fired their mgr and now they are in first place with the same players.

????

By BUSHWACKER

July 21, 2008 10:30 AM | Link to this

Let’s see, the Mets fired their mgr and now they are in first place with the same players.

????

oh yea, for not backing up the throw that Corky uncorked into right field, trade Frenchy for an American.

By BOBBYCOX

July 21, 2008 10:34 AM | Link to this

IF BOBBY COX WOULD RUN FOR PRESIDENT THAT WOULD BE AMAZING, BECAUSE HE ALWAYS HAS OUR BACK!!! I MEAN HE SITS THERE AND CUSSES A DUUDE OUT FOR 10 MINUTES BECUASE HE POINTS A FINGER AT HIS PITCHER, WONDER WHAT WOULD OF HAPPENED IF BOBBY WAS IN CHARGE WHEN 9-11 TOOK PLACE!!! wOW I THINK I WOULD HAVE JOINED THE ARMY FOR THAT ONE!!! BY THE WAY ANYONE WHO DISLIKES BOBBY COX, CHIPPER JONES, AND OR BRIAN MCCAIN IS OFFICIALLY MENTALLY CHALLENGED AND REALLY NEED MY NUMBER 13 SHOE UP YOUR A$$ SO COME ON AND I WILL GIVE YOU THAT! DAMN I HATE POEPLE THAT HATE PEOPLE!!!! DAMN!

By DHD

July 21, 2008 10:35 AM | Link to this

Corky…dump the all caps thing.

Blaming Cox and Templeton is crazy. The injuries this team has been through has nothing to do with either one of them. While injuries is a part of the game, you have to think a healthy Smoltz, Soriano, Moylan, Glavine, Diaz, Escobar, Chipper and Kotsay would have made a 7 game difference.

Where do we go from here? I have said that we should deal Tex for a couple of young guys who are ready to step in. However, if we can’t get a decent deal, I would rather have the draft picks. I do think Wren will wait until the deadline. Teams will panic and give you more. Wren would be in the driver’s seat.

Next year, we will free up lots of salary. I wouldn’t mind seeing us pick up Furcal and move Escobar to third and Chipper to first. We would have room for another pitcher also.

Let the fun begin.

By Bob

July 21, 2008 10:40 AM | Link to this

How in the world can you say anything bad about Terry Pendleton?!? You have no earthly idea what he’s doing and if he’s helping or hurting things. He might not be the best hitting coach, or he might be pretty good. You have no clue if maybe, he’s telling the hitters how to improve, but they’re not doing it. Just don’t critisize him, because you don’t know what goes on. I think you wait for any trades until after these next two series. If the Braves win 3 of the 6 or more, then i say you don’t give up anybody important (you could give up a bullpen pitcher). If you don’t win 3 of these next 6, then it might be time for a trade to happen. I hope the Braves can win, and show us why we are Braves fans!

By submariner

July 21, 2008 10:40 AM | Link to this

OK Frank, Here’s what ya’ do. The season is over, let’s face it. What you do is get rid of Hampton, whose been all salary and no return on the investment. Then, it’s probably a sure thing that Smoltz is done and Glavine as well. With the young pitchers doing well, all you need next year is a veteren starter to back up Huddy. Someone you can get relatively cheap. The starting staff should be good. Next, with all of the salary cleared from Hampton, Smoltz and Glavine…sign Texeria. He’s the bridge for Chipper, who’ll you’ll pick up the option on and then get him extended with a hometown discount. Put Anderson out there everyday and bring up Schaeffer. Put Frenchy and Ohman on the block for a leadoff guy and second baseman. Then, finish the season trying to figure out the outfield. There’s where the job isn’t getting done. The bullpen will always be a sore spot, but with Gonzo and Soriano in there it’s better than most Brave’s pens of the past. We need a REAL power threat in the outfield!

By submariner

July 21, 2008 10:42 AM | Link to this

OK Frank, Here’s what ya’ do. The season is over, let’s face it. What you do is get rid of Hampton, whose been all salary and no return on the investment. Then, it’s probably a sure thing that Smoltz is done and Glavine as well. With the young pitchers doing well, all you need next year is a veteren starter to back up Huddy. Someone you can get relatively cheap. The starting staff should be good. Next, with all of the salary cleared from Hampton, Smoltz and Glavine…sign Texeria. He’s the bridge for Chipper, who’ll you’ll pick up the option on and then get him extended with a hometown discount. Put Anderson out there everyday and bring up Schaeffer. Put Frenchy and Ohman on the block for a leadoff guy and second baseman. Then, finish the season trying to figure out the outfield. There’s where the job isn’t getting done. The bullpen will always be a sore spot, but with Gonzo and Soriano in there it’s better than most Brave’s pens of the past. We need a REAL power threat in the outfield!

By submariner

July 21, 2008 10:42 AM | Link to this

OK Frank, Here’s what ya’ do. The season is over, let’s face it. What you do is get rid of Hampton, whose been all salary and no return on the investment. Then, it’s probably a sure thing that Smoltz is done and Glavine as well. With the young pitchers doing well, all you need next year is a veteren starter to back up Huddy. Someone you can get relatively cheap. The starting staff should be good. Next, with all of the salary cleared from Hampton, Smoltz and Glavine…sign Texeria. He’s the bridge for Chipper, who’ll you’ll pick up the option on and then get him extended with a hometown discount. Put Anderson out there everyday and bring up Schaeffer. Put Frenchy and Ohman on the block for a leadoff guy and second baseman. Then, finish the season trying to figure out the outfield. There’s where the job isn’t getting done. The bullpen will always be a sore spot, but with Gonzo and Soriano in there it’s better than most Brave’s pens of the past. We need a REAL power threat in the outfield!

By submariner

July 21, 2008 10:43 AM | Link to this

OK Frank, Here’s what ya’ do. The season is over, let’s face it. What you do is get rid of Hampton, whose been all salary and no return on the investment. Then, it’s probably a sure thing that Smoltz is done and Glavine as well. With the young pitchers doing well, all you need next year is a veteren starter to back up Huddy. Someone you can get relatively cheap. The starting staff should be good. Next, with all of the salary cleared from Hampton, Smoltz and Glavine…sign Texeria. He’s the bridge for Chipper, who’ll you’ll pick up the option on and then get him extended with a hometown discount. Put Anderson out there everyday and bring up Schaeffer. Put Frenchy and Ohman on the block for a leadoff guy and second baseman. Then, finish the season trying to figure out the outfield. There’s where the job isn’t getting done. The bullpen will always be a sore spot, but with Gonzo and Soriano in there it’s better than most Brave’s pens of the past. We need a REAL power threat in the outfield!

By submariner

July 21, 2008 10:43 AM | Link to this

OK Frank, Here’s what ya’ do. The season is over, let’s face it. What you do is get rid of Hampton, whose been all salary and no return on the investment. Then, it’s probably a sure thing that Smoltz is done and Glavine as well. With the young pitchers doing well, all you need next year is a veteren starter to back up Huddy. Someone you can get relatively cheap. The starting staff should be good. Next, with all of the salary cleared from Hampton, Smoltz and Glavine…sign Texeria. He’s the bridge for Chipper, who’ll you’ll pick up the option on and then get him extended with a hometown discount. Put Anderson out there everyday and bring up Schaeffer. Put Frenchy and Ohman on the block for a leadoff guy and second baseman. Then, finish the season trying to figure out the outfield. There’s where the job isn’t getting done. The bullpen will always be a sore spot, but with Gonzo and Soriano in there it’s better than most Brave’s pens of the past. We need a REAL power threat in the outfield!

By southga brave

July 21, 2008 10:44 AM | Link to this

They are done and have been for a while now. Those that say we are ONLY 61/2 games out, you are right, but it so much hard being 6 out behind 4 teams than 10 out behind one team. The other thing is we have not played 500 baseball all year and now you would have to play 630 to catch THREE teams playing over 500. Yes there are head to head meeting but the other two could be winning and you would not gain any ground. If we were to win 2 of 3 in every series, and the other three were to lose 2 of 3 at the same time, it would only take 18 games to tie them. That is highly unlikely. Best case senerio if they alternate losing 2 of 3, it would take Atlanta 30 games to catch all three while winning 2 of 3, also not likely. So somewhere in the middle would be Altanta winns 38 and losses 22. NONE of the other three could do better than playing 500 ball (30-30). Anyone realisticly think all of a sudden all three stop playing 500 baseball? ANYONE think even with a major trade or addition, the Braves will play 633 baseball?

I have read here that tj thinks the season was lost to injuries. All teams have injuries and you have to overcome those. You can not depend on one or two players to carry you all season. It is a team sport and you need the other guys as well. This is not tennis or golf. Look at the injuries they have had. The only long term injuries are to Moylan, Smoltz, Glavin and Diaz that were supposed to be starters or major contributors. Diaz has never been an everyday player. The other 3 are pitchers and that honestly as not been the problem with ths team. Injuries happen to every team, ask Boston. Ortiz has been out a month. He is a major everyday player. J.D. Drew has hurt fir them also earlier in the year. In other words you have to have a way to pick up the slack. Yes the Braves have had a lot of guys come and go on the DL but nothing long term from the starters. Kotsay and Escobar are the longest and those are not long term. Don’t make an excuse for poor performance and decision making on injuries.

I also have read some of you say don’t blame Cox. You said he wasn’t to blame and then criticized his decision making, you can’t have it both ways. Well who made the decision to cut B. Pena and keep Corky Miller? Cox not Wren I assure you. Who decides in a must win game to start a catcher hitting like a pitcher instead of your all-star? Does Big MAC need a day off? He just had four and get another this week on Thursday. Maybe in another situation yea, but not when your season is on the line. For those of you that think Cox is a great manager and should stay tell me why, and no not because he lead a hall of fame pitching staff to the playoffs for years. He was out manages in the playoff games. Torre exposed him in every head to head game. If Torre can be let go by the Yankees and replaced so can Cox. If he were a CEO of any business he would be held accountable for his present results not his past accomplishments. How often do you hear this is a business when it comes to salary moves or trades. Tex said it yesterday on the possiblity of being traded. Believe it! Hold Cox accountable, yes he may be an above average manager but he is not the guy for the Braves. He will play favorites until the end. Ask Andrew Jones (yes I was a big fan of his his too), and see B Pena if he doesn’t. We could go on and on but a leader should be held accountable for his results, no excuses. Injuries maybe there are some but what about last year?

As for trades, we should begin to retool or rebuild depends on how you view it. There are players that will not be back next year, Hampton. Glavine, Tex (face reality) and possibly Smoltz. Three from injury and retire and one from money. This will free up close to 50 million dollars. Contrary to one statement here the Braves are paying a majority of Hamptons salary. Lords of Landon would not fully insure him for this or last year. Some have also suggested we trade Hudson, another 15 mil. That is 65 mil, and with the trade of Tex and Hudson we could possibly get another Jurjjens. What could the Braves do with 50-65 mil for free agents to go along with the players they get in trades? They must improve the bench and getter better in the starting lineup. Otherwise expect more of the same for years to come

By southga brave

July 21, 2008 10:49 AM | Link to this

They are done and have been for a while now. Those that say we are ONLY 61/2 games out, you are right, but it so much hard being 6 out behind 4 teams than 10 out behind one team. The other thing is we have not played 500 baseball all year and now you would have to play 630 to catch THREE teams playing over 500. Yes there are head to head meeting but the other two could be winning and you would not gain any ground. If we were to win 2 of 3 in every series, and the other three were to lose 2 of 3 at the same time, it would only take 18 games to tie them. That is highly unlikely. Best case senerio if they alternate losing 2 of 3, it would take Atlanta 30 games to catch all three while winning 2 of 3, also not likely. So somewhere in the middle would be Altanta winns 38 and losses 22. NONE of the other three could do better than playing 500 ball (30-30). Anyone realisticly think all of a sudden all three stop playing 500 baseball? ANYONE think even with a major trade or addition, the Braves will play 633 baseball?

I have read here that tj thinks the season was lost to injuries. All teams have injuries and you have to overcome those. You can not depend on one or two players to carry you all season. It is a team sport and you need the other guys as well. This is not tennis or golf. Look at the injuries they have had. The only long term injuries are to Moylan, Smoltz, Glavin and Diaz that were supposed to be starters or major contributors. Diaz has never been an everyday player. The other 3 are pitchers and that honestly as not been the problem with ths team. Injuries happen to every team, ask Boston. Ortiz has been out a month. He is a major everyday player. J.D. Drew has hurt fir them also earlier in the year. In other words you have to have a way to pick up the slack. Yes the Braves have had a lot of guys come and go on the DL but nothing long term from the starters. Kotsay and Escobar are the longest and those are not long term. Don’t make an excuse for poor performance and decision making on injuries.

I also have read some of you say don’t blame Cox. You said he wasn’t to blame and then criticized his decision making, you can’t have it both ways. Well who made the decision to cut B. Pena and keep Corky Miller? Cox not Wren I assure you. Who decides in a must win game to start a catcher hitting like a pitcher instead of your all-star? Does Big MAC need a day off? He just had four and get another this week on Thursday. Maybe in another situation yea, but not when your season is on the line. For those of you that think Cox is a great manager and should stay tell me why, and no not because he lead a hall of fame pitching staff to the playoffs for years. He was out manages in the playoff games. Torre exposed him in every head to head game. If Torre can be let go by the Yankees and replaced so can Cox. If he were a CEO of any business he would be held accountable for his present results not his past accomplishments. How often do you hear this is a business when it comes to salary moves or trades. Tex said it yesterday on the possiblity of being traded. Believe it! Hold Cox accountable, yes he may be an above average manager but he is not the guy for the Braves. He will play favorites until the end. Ask Andrew Jones (yes I was a big fan of his his too), and see B Pena if he doesn’t. We could go on and on but a leader should be held accountable for his results, no excuses. Injuries maybe there are some but what about last year?

As for trades, we should begin to retool or rebuild depends on how you view it. There are players that will not be back next year, Hampton. Glavine, Tex (face reality) and possibly Smoltz. Three from injury and retire and one from money. This will free up close to 50 million dollars. Contrary to one statement here the Braves are paying a majority of Hamptons salary. Lords of Landon would not fully insure him for this or last year. Some have also suggested we trade Hudson, another 15 mil. That is 65 mil, and with the trade of Tex and Hudson we could possibly get another Jurjjens. What could the Braves do with 50-65 mil for free agents to go along with the players they get in trades? They must improve the bench and getter better in the starting lineup. Otherwise expect more of the same for years to come. This was a comment I made from an earlier post I believe it to apply.

By BravesInfo

July 21, 2008 10:52 AM | Link to this

Chat about it today at 2 PM Eastern.

BravesInfo

By Cooper

July 21, 2008 10:53 AM | Link to this

Pitching is killing this team now like anyone with half a baseball brain would have seen coming after Smoltz and Glavine went down.

Sure the stats say the team’s pitching is good and to be fair it was for a while.

But the idea that Hudson (a number 2 not an ace) and four rookies could whether a full season with a bipolar offense was the dumbest more short sighted move I have ever seen come from this ball club.

Instead of getting Harden for a song he was worrying about how to send JF to minors without hurting his feelings.

He was picking up scrub relievers who can’t pitch anymore to replace similar junk in the pen.

He let the decoy of a month of good starts from the rookies lull him into a false sense of security proving he is an inept at being decisive.

Blame inconsitent pitching for this weekend’s debacle.

Our starters put the team in holes and gave them almost no chance to win.

So what the logical move is to trade one of your best 3 players?

Stupid is as stupid does.

Trade Tex and enjoy last place.

If anyone needs to go it is Wren.

If he had one iota of foresight he would have traded for Harden to give this team talent and an emotional boost.

But he let is Baseball America side shine through and believe 22-24 ok pitchers where going to carry the team.

He was likely alone in that assessment.

By Forrest

July 21, 2008 10:55 AM | Link to this

It is not an issue of disliking Bobby or Terry. Fact is for three years the Braves have not won their division. The Braves have been plagued with injuries, but at some point there has to be a reason for all these injuries. I think Wren has to start to question the dedication, motivation and fitness of the players. Once a GM has to start questioning those things, a change has to be made.

I love Bobby Cox and owe him a great deal of gratitude. He is Atlanta Braves baseball, but he needs to think about if he is still able to coach at the same level as in the 1990’s. The Braves are a far less aggressive team and with the long ball diminishing, aggressiveness is the name of the game.

Who cares about Willie Harris. One player in the history of players the Braves let go comes back to haunt us. Lest we forget Dale Murphy, Javier Lopez, Greg Maddox, Andruw Jones, Raphael Furcal? I think the Braves history of letting talent go at the right time is the best in the game.

So, bring in some young blood. Bobby might have two or three more years left as manager. TP is trying to audition to coach the Braves and not be the hitting coach, so find someone willing to work hard at batting coaching. Getting rid of Tex is the right move. He will not be a Brave next year no matter what so lets have something to show for it. Not to mention we could probably fill first and not lose that much productivity this year.

Finally, Barry Bonds anyone?

By TIMEFORCHANGE

July 21, 2008 11:03 AM | Link to this

They have been done for three years now. They continue with the same players who cant get the job done. We either have pitching or hitting, not both.

We need to trade Tex for something in return. We cant use him and I would not sign him for 20 million when hes only good for 1/2 year. Hes just now hitting.

We also need to quit signing over the hill, just off the injury block players. These never pan out. As far as Hampton, Smoltz and Glavine go, its over for them. We need younger, stronger players who dont buckle under pressure of Atlanta Play. Where we got these two new pitchers I have no idea. They are terrible, cant pitch against Nationals. Come on. Ditch them and say bye bye to Mr. Buddy too. He has been a thorn in out rears for way to long.

Its time for Atlanta to start paying for players but not overpay and sign them long term when they preform. For those who have given up on Francouer dont. He will get his swing back as soon as the braves decide that Pendleton hurts players and they replace him. Chipper would be a great replacement for hitting coach. He would do an excellent job.

By jcarson

July 21, 2008 11:04 AM | Link to this

“southga brave” hit the nail on the head. It’s not the 6.5 games that is the killer, it’s the fact that we are 6 or more games behing 3 different teams. There is absolutely no way to make that up. Of course you shop Tex and Ohman. It’s a no-brainer.

By Cooper

July 21, 2008 11:05 AM | Link to this

p.s. unless some offensive star goes on the dl in the next week the Braves won’t more than a bag of balls for Tex/

Contenders don’t need him for two mos at the expense of good players. Give up on that fantasy.

By Van-the-Man

July 21, 2008 11:10 AM | Link to this

It’s time to realistic, the season is OVER!

1. Trade Texiera, Boyer, and Ohman
   immediately while they still have
   value!

2. Release Hampton; he has NO pitching future!

3. Wren should show confidence in “Frenching” and sign him to a long- term contract!

4. Wren and Cox need a “war room” chat with Glavin, Smoltz and Jones and lay ALL the chips on the able to plan for 2009!

By Clint

July 21, 2008 11:22 AM | Link to this

What exactly do you people want in a hitting coach? The Braves are 3rd in the league in Batting Average and OBP. Do you want someone from one of the 13 teams in the National League who are worse than we are. With an outfield that doesn’t hit homers, the Braves are still 6th in OPS. Pendleton has done a great job with what he has to work with.

Also, some of you who think we’re going to get someone like Loney, Ellsbury, or Nady for Tex, are flat out dreaming. I saw one goof-ball on here who thought we could get Loney AND Kemp from the Dodgers. We won’t get a PROSPECT as good as Salty much less an established big leaguer. Face it, the draft picks we get for losing Tex to free agency might be as good as it gets. Of course he might pull a Maddux and accept arbitration, so maybe we should just trade him for a bag of balls.

By cb

July 21, 2008 11:25 AM | Link to this

I said it was dumb to sign Glavin (here several months ago). Over the hill with no future. Combimed with Smoltz age, the future of this season depended on two great guys, fabulous pitchers who are in the last gasp of their career and very injury prone. Not strategic or smart. The Braves have a good hitting line up if the keep Texiera (current team batting slump not withstanding). For the future they need pitching and maybe a new hitting coach. But dumb and dumber thinking got them where they are today..

By GotCurry

July 21, 2008 11:28 AM | Link to this

Releasing Hampton would do us no good. His contract is up at the end of the year. He will get paid regardless of what happens. We might as well keep his sorry a** on the roster in case he ever decides to take that tampon out and start playing. I agree that we need another starting pitcher, but we also need another outfielder. Blanco has been a decent lead-off hitter, he gets on base. Kotsay’s not bad, but his defense has been surprisingly good considering who was playig centerfield before. Francoeur is flat out terrible. I’m probably beating a dead horse here, but his defense and offense have greatly diminished this year. Wonder why we signed Mac to a long term deal but not Frenchy? This is why. Get rid of him and maybe a few other prospects and try to get Nady and another veteran pitcher.

By F.Wren

July 21, 2008 11:31 AM | Link to this

“What to do” will be crystal clear come Sunday … just in time for the trade deadline.

By Darren

July 21, 2008 11:33 AM | Link to this

I say keep Teixeira. I’d rather have the two sandwich picks than two or 3 fringe prospects. I think there is more value in the picks.

By CM

July 21, 2008 11:42 AM | Link to this

Why is Corky Miller on a major league roster? I wouldn’t pick him for a slow pitch softball team. Greg Norton?? Call up Brandon Jones or Jordan Shaeffer- I would rather see them fail. Texeria? The Braves have been under 500 since he arrived. Trade him and get a proven prospect i.e. Jurjens.

By michael

July 21, 2008 11:42 AM | Link to this

The Braves is in the top three in the NL in pitching and hitting. The reason why they are 5 games under 500 is because they don’t hit good with rummers in scoring position. Frenchy should stay in Mississippi. I cannot understand why Corkey Miller is on a major league baseball team. No position player should be playing with a batting average of .103. Cox need to be sent packing. Start preparing for next season. Us all of the money that you will play Glavine and Hampton ans sign a good pitcher.

Michael

By Brian

July 21, 2008 11:52 AM | Link to this

Why trade Tex? He is one of 4 decent hitters on the team. Our pitching is fine, we need hitters, we have plenty of prospects, we need vets. Lets trade Ohman for a outfielder with some pop, and bench frenchy. We will have salary room as Glavine, Hampton leave, and as the price to keep Frenchy drops.

By jeanE

July 21, 2008 11:53 AM | Link to this

I just flat out hate watching this team play, it is pathetic. What, don’t they get up to play the Nats? Who needs Tex, let him go & get something for him, please! Trade Francoeur while you’re at it, I think it would also help him to change cities. We went into the season relying on an old starting pitching staff & you see what you get with that. We play with no fire, no life whatsoever. We need some fiery guys here & we have none. Escobar’s attitude doesn’t count as fiery. I don’t know what the answer is but watch a team like the Cubs play, & they fight & find ways to win. Maybe we shouldn’t have ditched Mark DeRosa who can play all over the field & hit, too!

By Brian

July 21, 2008 11:53 AM | Link to this

Why trade Tex? He is one of 4 decent hitters on the team. Our pitching is fine, we need hitters, we have plenty of prospects, we need vets. Lets trade Ohman for a outfielder with some pop, and bench frenchy. We will have salary room as Glavine, Hampton leave, and as the price to keep Frenchy drops.

By Scott from Fairburn

July 21, 2008 11:55 AM | Link to this

As much as I believe that Corky should be working in the lawn and garden section at Home Depot, folks … he’s not the reason we are losing.

The Braves have done a good job ‘selling the kids’ for the last few years, however as Chipper said recently, they are being exposed. Let’s face facts … we’ve been living off hype from our minor league system for years … there is not much down there unless you go to A ball.

By Clint

July 21, 2008 11:56 AM | Link to this

It’s time for a fire sale. Completely tear the team up, and restart like Florida has done in the past. Trade Tex, Hudson, Francouer, and anybody else you can. Blow it up and start over from scratch.

By Fan since 66

July 21, 2008 11:59 AM | Link to this

Jimmy Leyland, Joe Torre, Tony Larussa, Lou Piniella,Mike Scoscia, Freddie Gonzalez, Ned Yost (needs to be next Braves manager), Charlie Manuel, and Mets manager are all better managers than Bobby Cox who thinks he is Earl Weaver without Boog, Brooks, Frank, and company. Fire TP, trade Tex, Ohman, Francouer for major league ready ballplayers, and put KJ in leftfield where he belongs. Lay off Hampton, he wants to play worse than you want him to and management’s hands are tied about him anyway.
Anyone who wants to trade Hudson is a complete fool.

By Lawdog

July 21, 2008 12:00 PM | Link to this

Trade Tex to Seattle for Mike Wilson to play left field and Marshall Hubbard to play first base and about 4 other players including a pitcher or two. Also I believe we might get Ichiro Suzuki and plug him into the leadoff spot. Wilson and Hubbard both made the Southern League All-Star team, both are hitters and are both quality individuals. Both are big league ready. For Tex, we could probably include the best pitcher in the Mariners organization as well. That could get us on track to make a run this year and we would be set for the next ten years in one fell swoop. With the east still bunched and neither the Phils or Mets that far ahead, we could make a run with this package this year and for years to come. Also thanks to Jair and Jorge for showing up when the cupboard was bare and providing quality innings pitched. Include Jojo Reyes along with Tex and get a real pitcher and you’ve got a pretty good rotation in Atlanta. You got all that Frank?

By MikeC

July 21, 2008 12:01 PM | Link to this

Bobby Cox has been one of the greatest regular season managers in baseball history but has been at best a mediocre manager in the post season. For the past three years, he has become ever more set in his ways. He is loyal to a fault to his players which is why so many of them love him. However, this hurts the team when he won’t bench a man in a slump or at least move him down in the order. My biggest problem with him is not his overuse of Acosta, Boyer, Bennett and Ohman, or the asinine desire every season to keep a backup defensive catcher who cannot hit (Pratt, Miller, etc.). My problem is how poorly prepared his last few teams have been. I think spring training has turned into get off the field and onto the lake or the links as quick as possible. The team cannot manufacture runs because they are fundamentally inept. No one but Blanco and Kelly can bunt; there have been numerous baserunning blunders; Blanco has a defect in his throwing (as pointed out by Joe Simpson recently; no one but Blanco and Kelly can steal a base; and the pitchers cannot field their position. There are simply too many other teams contending for the wildcard and the division for the Braves to be able to make the post season. Now is the time to start building next year’s team. There is no NL powerhouse who is going to rip off several years of post season appearances so a few correct moves will give Atlanta a fighting chance next year. Forget Smoltz and Glavine. Try to use Tex and Ohman to get a decent starting pitcher who can eat innings. Try to acquire a good right handed bat for the outfield and a backup catcher who can contribute with the bat. And for God’s sake, acquire some speed. The Braves need a Brian Roberts type who can stir things up on the bases. Move Cox up in the front office so he can help evaluste talent (always one of his strong suits) and get a manager who will drill these guys in fundamentals and play an aggresive game instead of waiting on the 3-run homer. Finally, pray that Francouer gets his head straight during the winter.

By Rickster

July 21, 2008 12:07 PM | Link to this

Great job, Willie! Show ‘em just how stupid they are!!!!!

By Brave Fan no more

July 21, 2008 12:08 PM | Link to this

I said the first week of the season that bringing back Glaven was stupid. Hampton should be realesed. Hudson can’t take the humidity in Atlanta. The great Smoltz is history.KJ and Frenchy will never be major leauge players. Chipper will always be a “walking wounded”. Corky Miller is a disgrace to baseball. The OF is horrible. The players can’t bunt and have no idea what RISP means. Trade Tex and Chipper, fire Cox and TP.

By Jeff

July 21, 2008 12:16 PM | Link to this

Let’s see….we have no outfielders that can hit….maybe we could just replace them all with minor league prospects…wouldn’t be any offensive drop-off at all. Trade Tex for the prospects….

By BlackberryCobbler

July 21, 2008 12:23 PM | Link to this

If Wren doesn’t make big changes and shake things up, this once proud franchise is history.

I can hear Skip Cary now, complaining about all the negative web posting… well, you know what, ‘ol Skip can move on too. He is horrible.

By NO MORE BOBBY

July 21, 2008 12:26 PM | Link to this

CORKY MILLER looks and plays like an extra from The Sluggers Wife (horrible 80s movie about the Braves).

By steve

July 21, 2008 12:28 PM | Link to this

It is time to sell and gets some prospects in return. The Braves are a very mediocre team and it is time to raise the white flag and begin trying to build this team for a run within the next 2 to 3 seasons.

By the way, to all of you bashing players, lay off. Atlanta has a lot of good players and a great manager. They just have a lot of good role players that are having to carry the load. This team also has a lot of youth AND a lot of age - just not the right mixture of them.

Kelly Johnson is a very good player and every team in the league would love to have him.

Frenchy may not ever be the superstar predicted for him earlier in his career, but I would not bet against him.

Corky Miller is a back-up catcher. He is not a good hitter, but does have some power when he connects. He is GREAT at calling games and handling pitchers. He is a solid defensive catcher (yes I saw the bad throw yesterday). Good game calling and solid defense does not get casual fans very excited, but every team needs it. He is exactly what most teams would want as a back-up catcher.

And “Braves Fan no more”, I am not sure you were ever a Braves fan. If you cannot root for your team when they are not winning division titles, that you are not a fan. You are just someone who wants to jump on the bandwagon when the times are good.

We have a good organization…the Braves will be in the running again. I think we got spoiled with all of those division titles in a row.

By Tomahawk Matt

July 21, 2008 12:31 PM | Link to this

Is every IDIOT with a PC on the Braves Blog today?

The Fat Lady hasn’t started her song yet!

GO BRAVES!!!

By Fan since 66

July 21, 2008 12:35 PM | Link to this

Lawdog, what makes you think Seattle wants Tex for two months for? Why not just trade him for Willie Harris and make the crazies who can’t see the total picture happy. Better yet, lets trade him for Pat Corrales who probably is a better manager than Cox also. Isn’t Don Baylor (who made Chipper a great hitter) in need of a major league job?

By fieldofdreams

July 21, 2008 12:37 PM | Link to this

Regarding the epileptic outfield bovine: Most folks don’t realize that, when the Braves began slipping into decline, perplexed Bobby Cox joined a cult that secretly worships ancient Egyptian deities, notably Hathor, the Cow Goddess. Interesting lady, this Hathor; Not only did she sustain devotees with life-giving, metaphysical milk, but She also blessed fertility, procreation, and, yes, even athletic endeavors. As such, during losing streaks anxious Egyptians appeased Her with alcoholic offerings; hence the strategic placement of Hathor’s Turner Field altar near the pavilion where beer and wine freely flow. Alas, when failure so infuriated her that death alone could satisfy her anger, as psychopomp She led the embarkation of human souls into Nether Fields. Oh sure, everybody knows that cowhide plays an important role in all things baseball, but only a chosen few recognize that, in the bigger picture, Hathor is presiding over the symbolic death of our beloved old Braves, and the birth of the new ones. Ps: When you see a Pyramid rising near The Ted, you’ll know why.

By Skeptic Tank

July 21, 2008 12:40 PM | Link to this

Sadly, we got rid of Salty last year for Tex. Soon we’ll have neither, and a pretty crappy year of baseball in between. All in all, a total bust. I hate to say it, but this team is over the hill and needing a total overhaul. It’s not 1991 anymore, folks.

By Brave Defender

July 21, 2008 12:42 PM | Link to this

Who likes BlackberryCobbler anyway?

I’ll have Skip sit ON you fools to shut you up!

The only thing worse than the way the Braves are playing right now is the miserable people claiming to be Braves fans.

AND PLEASE STOP CLICKING POST OVER AND OVER AGAIN!!!! READ THE MESSAGE UNDER THE POST BUTTON.

By Cevin

July 21, 2008 1:00 PM | Link to this

Hey Fan since 66, of all the managers you listed, Joe Torre and Tony LaRussa are the only ones to win more than one WS. Oh yeah, Torre had a $230 million payroll and DIDN’T win in Atlanta, and it took the genius LaRussa 28 years to get his second title. Remember the Bash Brothers A’s team? He only managed to win once with that All Star team. Be careful what you wish for. Besides, Bruce Bochy and Ron Gardenhire are widely believed to be the “best” managers in baseball, and you didn’t mention either one of them, so what do you know?

By Deb

July 21, 2008 1:05 PM | Link to this

Hey!

How about those Baby Braves!

By gayle

July 21, 2008 1:05 PM | Link to this

Tex for Ichiro? The Mariners may not be doing well, but they are not stupid. For a team owned by a Japanese company to trade their marquee player with 4 years left on his contract for a two-month rent-a-player when you have already conceded the season? Nonsense!

With these silly comments and the many multiple postings, I’m thinking that most are suffering from a severe “out of contention” hangover over the plastering by the last place Nationals.

Trade/no trade? The reality is that no matter what the Braves do, unless they are willing to make changes at the top - even getting ARod, FRod, Zambrano, Manny Ramirez, Pedrioa, etc - If Cox could not win Championships with three bonafide Hall of Famers in the rotation, he is not going to win now.

It’s scary to imagine how many more Championship (yes, World Series, not the kiss your sister division titles) flags this team would have won with a better manager.

Think about 1991 and 1996 for sure. think about Liebrandt left in to pitch to Puckett - or the worst - Wohlers to Leyritz.

The truth is that the Braves were so good in the 90’s that they overcame the shortcomings of their manager. Now that the team struggles, those weaknesses are painfully obvious.

Tell me what good Cox did to the team yesterday when he watched the last 6 innings from the clubhouse? Are his 141 ejections something to be proud of?

I’d much rather have half the ejections and the lost titles from 1991 and 1996!

Don’t do anything until you fix the head of this team!

By Cevin

July 21, 2008 1:08 PM | Link to this

Best Managers in Baseball

By blackjacket

July 21, 2008 1:12 PM | Link to this

A Wren is a bird. Consequently, I suggest he go screw around with some BIRDS and leave Braves to Surehose. The birds I have in mind are talon-less Atlanta Foulcons. See if you can screw them up any worse than they presently are!!

By Wohlers Jr

July 21, 2008 1:12 PM | Link to this

gayle…some good points…but leaving Wohlers in to pitch to Leyritz. Wohlers was a premier closer at that time. He made a poor pitch. Not Cox fault on that one.

By Dwayne

July 21, 2008 1:16 PM | Link to this

Is it football season yet?

By Kreptor

July 21, 2008 1:20 PM | Link to this

Liebrandt to Puckett was in the eleventh inning of a tie game after Pena and Stanton had both pitched two innings. Who did you want in there? Randy St. Claire?

Wohlers to Leyritz was also the correct choice. Bielecki had already pitched two innings and Clontz & McMichael both got lit up the night before. Avery was the only other option, and he actually took the loss in the 10th inning.

Try again.

By TNJeff

July 21, 2008 1:24 PM | Link to this

Gayle - you never disappoint!

When is Gayle gonna get a staff position at the AJC?

“3 Hall of Famers” - yes, there were 3 in the rotation but don’t forget there was also another Hall of Famer in the infield @ 3rd base. So all Cox needs is 4 “in their prime” Hall of Famers & he can win 1 Championship in 14 tries.

By gayle

July 21, 2008 1:28 PM | Link to this

Wohlers Jr. - I’ll concede your point - it was just one bad pitch. But after that one bad pitch, the team just crumbled - they lost the series - they never even held a lead in a game after that pitch.

Buster Olney was on one of the talk shows last week plugging a new book about the second Yankee dynasty. He went into the 1996 World Series in great detail. He said that had the Braves won that fourth game and gone up 3-1 on the Yankees and then win the series - it would be the Braves with the dynasty and not the Yankees.

It was pretty fascinating. He said that Torre would have likely been fired and basically baseball history for the last 12 years - especially in Atlanta - would be radically different.

By fieldofdreams

July 21, 2008 1:29 PM | Link to this

Kreptor: Should have left Bielecki in, he was destroying their lineup. Nervous Wohlers was overmatched from the first pitch, almost as overmatched as Cox was in every World Series he managed, except ‘95.

By Jake

July 21, 2008 1:32 PM | Link to this

Serious question here, When are the Braves going to get rid of Corky Miller? I mean itis nothing personal about the guy, but he is not performing well in any aspect of the game. He is not hitting nor is he playing stellar defense. We let Javy go for the same reasons and i’m still not quite sure why we let Bryan Pena go. McCann is one of our best young players and we don’t want to over work him so we need someone who can play every five days who could contribute in some form to the team.

Other than that glaring problem, I don’t know what Frank Wren is going to do. Unlike most people I do not beleive that TP is the problem. I’m sure he is not telling them to look at a strike then swing at a ball, take a hack at a pitch in your eyes, don’t work the count, or swing for the fences as soon as you get someone on base. What I’ve heard from the announcers is that some of the players don’t really even take TP’s advice and frankly you can tell. You understand the pitching struggling with all the injuries and the use of all these young pitchers, but the way this offense has struggled is monumental. Teixeira is still getting use to some of the pitchers in the N.L. so I understand some of his struggles, but he still has not been what we have needed him to be along with the rest of the offense except of course for your two all-stars, and boy if those two are struggling like our recent offensive slump has shown we have no one to pick them up. The Francouer thing made no sense. If you’re gonna send the guy down and tell him you’re gonna bring him up in 10-20 days do that. Don’t bring him back up when we go on a road trip to the West where they have some of the best pitchers after three days in Mississippi. Unfortunately he is still struggling defensively along with his offense, and this year we really needed him to be the gold glover out there with Andruw gone. I brought the excuse when Andruw was hitting .150 at the plate that we still needed his glove because he still performed defensively well. The outfield defense as a whole has been bad.

The one slight bright spot is that we have something of a leadoff hitter. Blanco works the count, can bunt his way on, has speed, and his average is starting to pick up a little.

By Your Kidding, Right?

July 21, 2008 1:32 PM | Link to this

Bobby thinks Braves are still in it Friday? Right before getting smacked twice by the worse team in the NL after the Braves. 15-6 in one of them. Well Bobby, after your play at FLA and PHIL this next week, you WILL BE OUT of it and then can trade anyone and everyone on the club. But, the Buster Owney on ESPN spoke today of possible trades and Tex was not mentioned because none of the teams in the races needed a firstbaseman for 1/2 a season for several top prospects. Braves will be lucky to get a player to be named later for Tex. With the current Braves, I think I am back in the 1970s and middle-late 80s again with this sorry team.

By Threadkiller

July 21, 2008 1:33 PM | Link to this

Wren will not do anything the rest of the year..He will have the team finish out with what they have, and the re-evaluate in the off season.

By bobby

July 21, 2008 1:34 PM | Link to this

Why the love affair with Willie Harris? He couldn’t hit last year when he was here and he hasn’t hit anywhere else except against the Braves. As for Frenchy, he at least needs the rest of the year in AA. He has got to the point where he can’t even play defense or maybe he just doesn’t try anymore. Better yet, just give him the rest of the year off to get his head straightened out and tell him not to play anymore before spring training.

By roadrunner

July 21, 2008 1:34 PM | Link to this

I am so fed up with the Braves, Bobby Cox and Frenchy that I will never pay to see another game until they prove worthy of the price of a ticket. They will never get anywhere as long as they have Bobby Cox sitting on the bench shaking his head and frenchy going up to the plate and trying to hit the ball out of the park (and missing). They need to ship a whole bunch of them down to the minors (including Bobby) and LEAVE THEM THERE til they’re ready to play like professionals.

By TNJeff

July 21, 2008 1:35 PM | Link to this

Kreptor

I’ll admit that I don’t remember the specifics about those 2 games referenced by Gayle.

However, it seems to me that back in the good old days when the Braves had 4 Hall of Fame players, they would beat the snot out of teams during the regular season. However, in the post-season when the games tend to get close, the Braves inevitably failed to win because Bobby can’t/or refused (then and refuses now) to play small ball.

He is forever running out of pitchers because of his anal-fixation with Lefty pitcher vs Lefty hitters etc even though with such stupid logic why would you ever pitch a starter more than 1 or 2 innings.

By Turner Field

July 21, 2008 1:48 PM | Link to this

The atlanta braves are a team that has been here in atlanta since 66.. No brainer, 42 yrs, and for 28 of the years that was some pretty crappy baseball.. 2/3 of Atlanta baseball history has sucked!! BUT I think that the reason so many people are taking this season and the past two so bad is because they are these northern homeo’s that move down here and try and change things!!! Anyone that writes one negative thing on this blog IS NOT A TRUE BRAVES FAN!! JUST ANOTHER GDMFSOB move in from up north!! If all ya’ll hate the Braves and there managers, and there GM and players so bad then why dont yall start cheering for other teams and quit dishing my team!!!

I will admit were not playing good baseball, and we might not be doing our best, but it is not one PERSONS FAULT>!! IT IS A TEAM GAME

Now for the idiot that said he would rather have half the ejections, your stupid! Bobby Cox’s 141 ejections have been protecting his player, and if you did not watch the game yesterday then you did not see that the two pitches to harris WERE STRIKES!! How many times have you seen a player been thrown out of a game for the braves??? NOT MANY, you know why because Bobby is always there for them.. AND YOU DAMN RIGHT IM YEAH IM OF Bobby’s ejection record.

People in ATL need to calm down, you know maybe if everyone that was writing on this blog and complaing would actually go to a game or to, and buy seats from the braves, then maybe the team would have more money.. Dont bring in NY BOS METS b/c you know why they have so many good players, BECAUSE THERE FANS ARE LOYAL THEY STICK TOGETHER and they sell out every game!! So for anyone who is badmouthing any of the BRAVES then you better just wish i dont here you say it!!! GO BRAVES SHOW ALL THESE MORANS WHAT YOUR MADE UP!!!! EAT ONE A*******HOLES!

By TNJeff

July 21, 2008 2:00 PM | Link to this

Turner Field

What does Erin Moran have to do with this and why is calling others by her name an insult?

ALSO, I watched the replay of the last pitch to Harris & it was barely outside. Ummmmmm…. outside means that the ump’s call was correct.

Also, part of the “crappy” baseball of the Braves past was due in part to Cox’s first managing stint with the Braves - he got fired for such crappy baseball then but what about now?

By Bobby...NO!

July 21, 2008 2:05 PM | Link to this

I just don’t have anymore passion to discuss why Bobby does what he does…Greg Norton starting in left field on Saturday, and Corky (Wonder Years) Miller starting at catcher yesterday. I am depressed and I need serious medication if I have to continue to endure this…Bobby…NO!

By TNJEFF IS STUPID

July 21, 2008 2:07 PM | Link to this

GO JUMP OFF A CLIFF AND TAKE ALL THE OTHER COMPLAINERS WITH YOU!!!! IM WITH SKIP ON THIS ONE!!! p.S. it was a strke!!! and it is moron so sorry!!!

By gayle

July 21, 2008 2:10 PM | Link to this

Turner Field - your misspellings aside, the point I was trying to make about Cox’s prolific ejections is that a manager cannot help his team while he’s sitting in the clubhouse.

While I will gladly accept you disagreeing with my point, I dismiss any derogatory statements - that only weakens your argument. I am not stupid because I disagree with you any more than you are stupid for not seeing my point.

I do agree that it is an excellent inspirational device to go toe to toe occasionally with a reluctant umpire, but every time you get ejected, you are costing your team your leadership and experience. And given the lack of skill in Atlanta’s bench coach as opposed to Pat Corrales of the Nationals pointed out here, it becomes even more of an issue.

I recall an occasion this year when Cox got himself kicked out in the bottom of the ninth inning when the Braves got tied and then they went on to lose in extra innings. Another one-run loss.

Do you want a bully or do you need a leader?

By sportsnut4

July 21, 2008 2:14 PM | Link to this

http://www.total-e-sports.blogspot.com

By TNJeff

July 21, 2008 2:14 PM | Link to this

Turner Field

SKIP has never told me to jump of a cliff.

However, I will do my part and purchase season tickets so that the Braves will have a winning team again (regular season only of course).

By REPLY TOGAYLE

July 21, 2008 2:16 PM | Link to this

I would prefer both! Bobby is aleader, and someone that u do not cross.. we have excellent backup managers, and when you lose a one run GAME IT IS NOT THE MANAGERSS!!!!!!!!! YOU CANNOT SAY IT IS SOMEONES FAULT BECAUSE MANNY ACOSTA CANT GET ANYONE OUT OR IT IS NOT HIS FAULT IF SOMEONE CANT LAY A BUNT DOWN!!!!!!! MAYBE THEY NEED TO PRACTICE THEM MORE, BUT IF THE PITCHER OR HITTER MESSES UP IT IS THERE FAULT!!! IM SO TIRED OF PEOPLE BLAMING MANAGMENT>! If I go outside and wreck a forklift into the side of the building will it be ok to say oh it is the bosses fault because he left at lunch today to go do his hot wife!! NO IT IS NOT SO SHUT UP!!!! JEEZZZZZZZZ

By TNJeff

July 21, 2008 2:19 PM | Link to this

Wow - Gayle is back!

I’m a fan - you won’t tell me to jump off a cliff will you?

By TNJEFF

July 21, 2008 2:19 PM | Link to this

Im not saying just you… I have my season tix, but I am saying that if we go to more games and have more than 20-30000 fans there a night like in NY Bos and other places than maybe we could spend a little more.. I mean why would the braves spend more money on good players if all the fans are going to do is sit a home and complain when and underrated team like the Nats beat us…

By gayle

July 21, 2008 2:22 PM | Link to this

TNJeff……..

Have you driven any good forklifts lately?

I might just have to head back north and see if I can find me one.

By Big Donnie

July 21, 2008 2:25 PM | Link to this

I’d like to drop my trousers, hover, and crap a big steaming Havana Omlette all over home palte umpire Guccione’s face. What a pathetic game he called, and how ridiculous it was pointing at Carlylse for turning his back. MLB should fine him for that behavior.

By NCBravesFan

July 21, 2008 2:29 PM | Link to this

This season is over! I drove 250 miles to endure three (3) games of the worst baseball I have seen in my 25+ years of being a loyal Braves fan! Time-Warner sucked this team dry of any life, desire and hope of a winning attitude. The dying corpse was offered up for tax write-offs to “ownership” that can’t even find their entry line in their financial report. Their “play” was an embarassment! The starting pitching is either too old and injured to take the mound or too young to find the plate. The relief pitching can’t hold any lead the team may have lucked into and the closers are a joke. The rest of the team has one or two decent players but the rest are second rate bench players at best. The loyal announcers that would have pointed this out in the past have been replaced or demoted for a bunch of “yes-men”. With TBS dropping the team, the nationwide and worldwide fan base has been reduced to a few Southern states so it will not be growing again any time soon. The management continues to cut cost at every turn and sell adds on everything possible. The fan “experience” is no where close to what it once was. Bobby Cox is NOT the problem. It is much deeper than that. I watched the dugout in the late innings of the Sunday game and you could not tell if they were watching the game or involved in the game or even cared if a game was being played. That attitude comes from the ownership, not from Bobby Cox! They just don’t care any more. After the last three years, I wonder why I care any more!!

By TNJeff

July 21, 2008 2:29 PM | Link to this

REPLY TO GAYLE

When you say “hot wife” - just how hot? That could play into who is at fault I think?

By mark

July 21, 2008 2:29 PM | Link to this

Its about chemistry , a mix of players ans coaches who get along in a special way. the fact is its kind of odd the Braves play off days ended when Leo was sent packing to Baltimore perhaps the combo of Old Bobby and Leo worked ..well now really nothing woprks long story short its time for change ..starting from the top…Ive written this a few times this is a very inconsistent team and I beleive managment is responsible they would be very lucky to finish .500 this season I dont even think thats posible its a bad mix in need of new recipes…

By genuinebravesfan

July 21, 2008 2:32 PM | Link to this

There is no way the Braves will give Teixeira the dollars he’ll want. Trade him now and move on. Send Corky Miller to Coca Cola and let him drive one of their trucks. We should have given Javy Lopez a chance. What a dumb move. As for Francoeur, this guy has to feel like the roof has fallen on him. I don’t think he is all there mentally. He needs to spend the remainder of the year in the minors and start fresh in ‘09. We have 3 fairly consistent players now. Chipper Jones, Mark Teixeira and Brian McCann. Those 3 have hit 55 of the team total of 95 homers. Might as well go to the trading block and plan on loading up for ‘09. This season is a bust.

By JimK

July 21, 2008 2:36 PM | Link to this

Teixeira to Boston for Youkilis+ makes the most sense. Youkilis could move to 3B when Chipper retires and Freddy Freeman is ready to take over at 1B in 2011 or so. Youkilis is a determined competitive guy and a righty bat.

Teixeira would give Boston a middle of the order with Drew-Ramirez-Teix-Ortiz-Lowell so they’d likely make it to the WS this season and that plus Boston’s millions would induce Teix to stay, leaving the Mets high and dry.

The trade could be expanded out like this: Teixeira, Tom Glavine (for one last postseason in his native state), Brandon Jones and Will Ohman for Youkilis, RP Craig Hansen, OF Brandon Moss, and whichever of Boston’s young starting pitching prospects we value more than they do.

By fifthbusiness

July 21, 2008 2:43 PM | Link to this

In the words of Don Meredith “Turn Out the Lights the Party is Over”. How many teams pass three teams to win a division?

I think that selling thing worked pretty well for Florida and got a future hall of famer for the Brave a few years ago. If some one will give a better deal than two draft picks take it.

By TNJeff

July 21, 2008 2:57 PM | Link to this

Gayle ….

I quit on arguing with the ever-changing name guy (Turner Field etal).

I got me a good forklift here in Tennessee. I wish I got to drive it more/some - ha ha.

By Dale Murphy

July 21, 2008 2:58 PM | Link to this

I think the Braves should trade Chop Chick, bring back Dale Murphy so he can hit two more homeruns to get into the Hall of Fame, also bring back Chief Noc-ahoma, and the Syd and Marty Croft Bleacher Creature mascot from the 70’s.

By bill

July 21, 2008 3:01 PM | Link to this

Bottom Line…..Trade Tex for the best young prospects possible and start the rebuilding NOW! Build for 2010-2011

By Lawrence

July 21, 2008 3:14 PM | Link to this

I still see people tooting Salty’s horn on here all the time.Salty was a prospect in the Braves system not a major leaguer.Now he is a major league player for the Rangers.This year he has 146 at bats with 32 hits for a .219 average.He has 3 dingers and 20 rbi.He also has 6 errors and a .977 fielding pct.He has thrown out 2 of 24 base stealers.My point is some prospects turn the corner and become bonofide major league players.Salty has not turned that corner yet.He was stuck in the Braves system behind Brian McCann who is a all star player.The Braves were thinking of moving him to first base but instead traded him to Texas.Looks like they knew what they were doing to me.Salty at least is getting a chance in Texas.The Braves also traded some other good young prospects in the Teixiera deal.They may be stars in the big leagues but,it appears Salty has a rough road ahead.

By DirtyDawg

July 21, 2008 3:21 PM | Link to this

Injuries and under performance…pretty much the excuse every team has when they don’t win. Trouble is with the Braves ever since they decided to not spend with the leading spenders…thinking that they were smarter than those other guys, and/or they were just cheap…we’ve been going into the season with a hope and a prayer and a bunch of reclamation projects. Usually those that didn’t work out.

This year we’ve had an outfielder that thinks he’s God’s gift to baseball only to find out he’s God’s gift to struggling pitchers (never forget the Myers guy at Philly telling his manager who was about to pull him with Frenchy coming to the plate, ‘I own this guy’ , to which the reply could have been, ‘so does everybody else’). A ‘temporary’ center fielder coming off back surgery, who went down, and a left fielder that still should be platooning, if playing at all, who also went down. All toll, all the Braves outfielders, all of ‘em, have 20 HRs and 123 RBIs. I didn’t bother to check out the rest of the league but I doubt if any are worse - other than the team we just got waxed by this weekend.

OK, give ‘em the next six games. Unless they/we win at least four of ‘em, then sell the ‘s**t’ out of everybody that’s making more than seven figures.

By PJ

July 21, 2008 3:24 PM | Link to this

Trade Frenchy & Hampton……………why get rid of Tex when he is doing great on offense & deffense…………that would be crazy!

By NS from Kennesaw

July 21, 2008 3:24 PM | Link to this

* People, the season is not yet over !!*

It’s only 6.5 games different. Things can change in just a matter of days in NL EAST. Remember the METS last year???

but the BRAVO needs to keep their heads down and start to “PERFORM BETTER and DO IT NOW”. Be tenacious at winning one game at a time then win the series. Give ourselves a better chance to be in contention.

I don’t know know about how good or not so good TP is. AJC rarely showcase TP. What I know from reading AJC is that for our 2 best hitters Chipper and McCanne - looks like none of them need TP as much because:

(1) Chipper has been great hitter long before TP became hitting coach here, also he has his Dad for advice when he is in a slump

(2) Likewise, McCanne has his Dad and that he also ask Chipper for help

(3) ohh… also Frenchy. He was demoted and he chose AA because he could go back to his old hitting coach

I have not heard much from AJC as to what TP is doing to get TEX out of slump, or other players whose Dad are not hitting coach for how they work with TP to be a better hitter.

SO… AJC, can you fins some facts on this poor hitting of the Bravo?????

I also agreed that the laid back style of managing this team, “HAS TO CHANGE”. Stop living in the past of the 14 years ago. It worked because we had 4 relatively healthy hall of fame pitchers in there almost everyday to get the win. Right now, our pitching core is no where close to those old days, thus we need great DEFENSE and OFFENSE to keep us close.

The BRAVO season is being decided between now and next 3 weeks. So, show us what you are made off … .

Go BRAVES

By SKIP CAREY

July 21, 2008 3:26 PM | Link to this

Hey TNJeffy…

Me and a fan from Conyers are telling you to GO JUMP OFF A CLIFF!

Plus, I checked Pete Van Wieren’s Diamond Notes and they say “TNJeff is a moron.”

By LivininAL

July 21, 2008 3:27 PM | Link to this

Anyone know the story on Pat Corrales move to Washington? I thought he was to retire at the end of last year. I’m disappointed, not so much the record but more by seeing the Braves play with intensity of a 3 day old garbage fire from game one this year.

By Brave Defender

July 21, 2008 3:39 PM | Link to this

I thought I clicked on the Braves AJC Blog.

Somehow I’ve ended up reading parts of the “I know everything and I have all the answers” section of the AJC.

GAYLE makes me vomit It’s so obvious GAYLE should have been the Braves manager during those 16 World Series we played in throughout the 90’s. If only we had GAYLE making the pitching changes we would have 16 World Series trophies in 10 years.

Instead we only get to read GAYLE’s great wisdom online. WHAT A WASTE!

I just vomited again from the rampant smell of BS that is all over this blog.

By gayle

July 21, 2008 3:46 PM | Link to this

I was done with the blog, then I saw PJ’s comment. Trade Hampton? Trade Hampton?

OK, let’s examine this. You have a “pitcher” who has not thrown a pitch in a game in nearly three years making $15million/year.

Please, maybe I missed something here. Who wants to trade for a pitcher who can’t pitch so they can add $6-7million to this year’s payroll? Are there lots of teams looking to add payroll for no gain?

And….. better still . .what should the Braves ask for to get Hampton? The only possibility would be the infamous PTBNL with the Braves picking up ALL of Hampton’s salary.

And - I’m not sure about this - but if the Braves were to trade Hampton, wouldn’t they forfeit the insurance payout they have received for this non-performer?

This is dumber than the idea to trade Tex for Ichiro.

And Skip, you can throw TNJeff, me and all the other Braves doubters off a cliff and guess what? this team will still stink. Three years out of the playoffs and counting. Even the Professor can’t save this team.

By TNJeff

July 21, 2008 3:47 PM | Link to this

I always knew Pete could spell correctly!

SKIP still hasn’t forgiven me for asking him on his radio call-in show to explain the infield fly rule.

Re:Conyers fan … & I was pulling for Salem to go back to the state championship this year

By TNJeff

July 21, 2008 3:52 PM | Link to this

Gayle came to my defense

Why are all the Braves announcers picking on me?

Man that SKIP CAREY can sure hold a grudge!

By prattvillenolzfan

July 21, 2008 3:54 PM | Link to this

NCBravesfan

I feel your pain…I live 170 miles from Atlanta. I’ve been to 4 games this year, and feel somewhat cheated by the play this season.

I know that as out-of-town fans, we can’t expect the Braves to win every game, BUT I do expect the team/coaching staff to put forth an effort. In the games I’ve been to this year, I don’t see the same swagger/confidence this year than I have in the past (except the Smoltz/Santana game on opening weekend)

That’s what got me a little upset this year. The team has played all year, without any kind of heart or emotion (for a team aleady known around the majors for not having emotion, it’s even worse this year). I think when Smoltz/Glavine went down, it took the life out of this team.

All the talk after the All-star break was how we needed to come out smoking. The team showed absolutely no heart this weekend.

Also, I think Cox has done alot to kill the spirit of this team. Inexcusable to bench McCann yesterday. His constant R/L L/R matchups Has to be demoralizing this team. KJ is being platooned, yet he has a better average against lefties that his platoon partner, Prado…..

I know none of the players will say this publicly or privately, but there has to be some sort of underlying dissension on this team. Then again, maybe not, Chipper and Smoltz are pretty straightfoward with the media, and I’m sure DOB would mention it if he heard it….

DOB

couple of questions (i know the answers in advance….but I still want to bring it out in the open)

are the players getting fed up with Cox’s hor5e5hit that they have become discouraged as well (they will never criticize cox….he is the ultimate player’s manager)

any comments about McCann not starting yesterday (McCann will never criticize anyone…too much class)

when Diaz comes back, what are the chances Franceour will be sent down…(absolutely none, Wonderboy will continue killing this team in RF, and Diaz, Kotsay, Blanco will be in some sort of platoon)

I’ve supported this team since a young kid in the early 70’s, I will continue to support this team (NO TURNER FIELD I AM NOT A YANKEE….PROUDLY BORN AND BRED IN THE SOUTH)

all we ask for as fans, win or lose, is 100% effort all of the time, that includes upper management giving us the best players available and field coaches making the proper decisions also (ie. line-up,strategy,etc.)

By gayle

July 21, 2008 3:54 PM | Link to this

Defender, there are things you can take for that. Just a quick trip to CVS is all you need.

If you are satisfied with just one title in all those championship runs, good for you. It’s been said here many times that if Cox was managing in any other city with the players he had and that kind of performance, he would have - and should have - been booted a long time ago.

Look what the Yankees did to Joe Torre.

By Kreptor

July 21, 2008 4:05 PM | Link to this

I actually have the two games Gayle mentioned on video, and I’ll concede that Beilecki threw lights out for two innings in the Wohlers/Leyritz game. However, Wohlers was the dominant closer in the league that year, and they did give him a 3 run lead. It still seems like the right call if you don’t have 20/20 hindsight. Sometimes major league hitters hit good pitches - even that dweeb Leyritz.

As far as Leibrandt/Pucket is concerned, Kirby had a little Vlad Guerrero in his swing. He could hit any pitch, good or bad, so it’s hard to fault Charlie. It’s not like he grooved one down the middle. Tip your cap to Puckett and blame Lonnie Smith for losing that series.

By Warren S.

July 21, 2008 4:11 PM | Link to this

I’m glad others have seen the effect Corrales had. If they had him this past week end things may have been different. Seeing the outfielders turn their backs on home plate to chase flyballs is a sign of poor coaching.

Time to sell, guys. Tex, Ohlman, Frenchy, back up catcher, and Prado are good candidates. Bring up the phenom kid in Mississippi. Time to play Johnson every day. Get rid of the Greyhound outfielders.

By TNJeff

July 21, 2008 4:16 PM | Link to this

If players win & lose games - why is Cox touted as a Hall of Fame manager. He didn’t lose all these games this year so he shouldn’t get credit for winning all the 14 division championship years.

Why do we have a manager?

Why do we have a pitching coach IF the manager makes all the pitching changes?

By Sam

July 21, 2008 4:20 PM | Link to this

I have been a Braves fan since the early 1950’s. In my opinion this season is OVER. They should start trading Tex and look for some real good top minor league players to make up for the players they lost last season. I am not too impressed with Jo Jo Reyers plus Corky Miller is the worst 2nd string catcher in baseball. Frank Wren do what you have to and improve this team for 2009. Let’s forget about this year.

By SL3

July 21, 2008 4:22 PM | Link to this

No chance of resigning Tex with Boras as agent. He got 36 mil for Andruw! Boras will want 20 mil for 10 yrs. Even if we had the $ would not be worth it. We don’t have the pitching among other things to be serious contenders. We need a couple of power pitchers to get through the playoffs and we don’t have any. Let’s do what’s best for next yr. No more old over the hill guys like 8 mil for Glavine. Let’s stock young guns and stay away from 30+ injury prone overpaid players. I say everybody is available at the right price.

By Sam

July 21, 2008 4:30 PM | Link to this

I cannot believe that 2 or 3 balls went over Frenchy’s head. Now BC if you had Pat Corrales Frency would have been in a right position to catch those balls. Why did Pat leave or was he shoved out of the door.

By Golf-1

July 21, 2008 4:33 PM | Link to this

I cant beleive the Braves would trade Salty and 3 good prospects for mark for basically one year

Why not kept Salty and teach him to play 1st Base, He is a switch Hitter also. Better than losing him and Mark Shame=Shame on the braves,I hope they learned their lesson after two former Braves knocked their brains over the weekend

By bravesfan

July 21, 2008 4:39 PM | Link to this

How did Corrales get away from the Braves? Regardless…

Pendleton must go.

By Vic Correll

July 21, 2008 4:40 PM | Link to this

THE METS FIRED THEIR INEPT, CLUELESS MANAGER. NOW THEY’RE IN FIRST PLACE.

WHAT ARE THE BRAVES WAITING FOR ?

NO WORLD SERIES SINCE 1999.

NO POST-SEASON APPEARANCE SINCE 2005.

TIME FOR REGIME CHANGE IN ATLANTA !

IF TONY LARUSSA HAD THE SAME TALENT BOBBY COX HAD IN THE 1990S, HE’D HAVE 3 OR 4 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS.

By ronyp

July 21, 2008 4:42 PM | Link to this

It’s time the Brave’s management stepped up to the plate and stopped whining over the payroll…here’s the simple formula…

Keep Tex, buy a real pitcher, get an outfielder who can run, dump Hampton (finally) and Glavin, keep developing the young arms and guess what?

We’re contenders again!!!

By Walter

July 21, 2008 4:43 PM | Link to this

I’m trading Tex and I’m making sure Smoltz, Glavine and Hampton retire, freeing up mega cash to rebuild this roster. Ohman will stay, by the way.

By R. E.

July 21, 2008 5:04 PM | Link to this

The Braves are no better with Texiera than they were with out him. The day for this generation has come and gone but it was a great ride. All of those sucky teams in the 80’s led to all the great picks to get Smoltz and Chip and Glavine. This years group is not a great team, besides the Phills are some pitching away from being the best in baseball. I f the Braves can’t do it then go Phillies, at least the NL East could take it any way.

By coocoo falcon fan

July 21, 2008 5:05 PM | Link to this

dang! sounds like some folks need to get laid. The Braves gambled and lost, period. We have a good nucleus of young talent here, and still quite a few in the minors. Lets get some prospects and a front line pitcher for Tex, cause he WILL NOT resign at the end of the year. Lets bring Mazzone back as coach and let Smoltzie take over the pitching staff next year. The hitting will come, patience. Give Murph a call maybe he can give our rf some pointers. Moral is, I will always love my braves for 14 years of pure excitement and nomatter what our record is I am going to watch. Its because of fans like me, we still have a team in the first place. You want change, convince Aurthur Blank to buy the team.

By Ron

July 21, 2008 5:13 PM | Link to this

OMG, this is it! The BOTTOM of the stinkin’ barrel! This is the lowest the Braves have sunk since Jim Leiritz stole the “Team Of The 90s” moniker from the Braves. Since winning an astounding 14 titles in a row, they’ve hovered just below .500 for three long years. Let’s face it: they’re not “still in it.” They cannot compete against the chaff of the National League, much less the cream of the American League. I am a HUGE Braves fan, always have been. I’ve supported Bobby from Day #1. But, alas, perhaps it’s time for him to go. Maybe it’s time for the Braves to have a fire sale and begin the painstaking process of building from the ground floor up. It’s time to start over. Frank Wren needs to begin his tenure the same way Bobby Cox/ John Schuerholz did. He needs to pull off a couple of Doyle Alexander-for-John Smoltz-like deals to get this organization back on its feet. The glory days were sweet, but for pete’s sake, the Glavine-Smoltz-Chipper era is OVER. Time to turn the page.

By tr

July 21, 2008 5:32 PM | Link to this

Maybe it’s just wishful thinking, but David Ortiz CAME OUT of Saturday’s game early at Pawtucket and DID NOT PLAY Sunday as scheduled on his rehab - He did hit 3 HR in 3 games before that, though. He’s supposed to play for AA Portland for 3 games, tonight thru Wednesday before returning to Boston.

If he re-injured his wrist, even slightly, that might open the door for a Tex-Youklis trade package.

By Bobby Cox

July 21, 2008 5:46 PM | Link to this

Gee, Skip. Corky’s been tearing it up in batting practice. Frenchie, too. Terry’s been working with him and teaching him everything he taught Andruw - swing at the first pitch and everything 5 feet off the plate.

Duh.

By Joe

July 21, 2008 5:47 PM | Link to this

Can someone please explain to me why Corky Miller is still on the roster?

He is clearly not a major leaguer. At least let Sammons come up and get some at bats. Literally, NOBODY could be worse than Corky Miller. He has made errors in 2 of his last 3 starts. He is abysmal.

On days he and Lillibridge start, we have minor leaguers at Catcher, SS, Left-field (Blanco), RF (Francouer) and often on the bump.

Please trade Tex now while we can get something for him.

By melvin

July 21, 2008 6:24 PM | Link to this

Terry Peddleton and Bobby Cox are past retirement ans dhould go. No need to get better players if you keep the same manager and hitting coach. Make Chipper Jones the hitting coach.

By melvin

July 21, 2008 6:25 PM | Link to this

Terry Peddleton and Bobby Cox are past retirement and should go. No need to get better players if you keep the same manager and hitting coach. Make Chipper Jones the hitting coach.

By melvin

July 21, 2008 6:26 PM | Link to this

Terry Peddleton and Bobby Cox are past retirement and should go. No need to get better players if you keep the same manager and hitting coach. Make Chipper Jones the hitting coach.

By Pops

July 21, 2008 7:02 PM | Link to this

Kreptor Regarding your 1:20 post and leaving Wohlers in to pitch to Leyritz:

The problem was not in leaving Wohlers in, but in bringing him in too early. Bielecki not only threw two innings, he was dominant and he was brilliant. Only about a month earlier he was a (reasonably sucessful)starting pitcher. Why take hime out when he is totally “on” and you are leading by three runs? If he allows a baserunner or two, or even starts to look shaky, bring Wohlers in then. This game stuck in my craw worse than any Braves game since 1978 when I moved here. I was cussing my brains out even before Leyritz even hit the d@#* thing.

By ArT

July 21, 2008 7:03 PM | Link to this

The Braves issues are a left fielder with some power and some consistant bullpen. So the Braves need to acquire a left fielder like Nady or Bay and fine tune the bullpen. The Braves also need to send down or trade Jo Jo as he has been dissappointing. Maybe a Jo Jo, Brandon Jones trade to the Pirates for Bay or Nady.

By Fire whole team

July 21, 2008 7:06 PM | Link to this

If the Braves don’t care (and they obviously don’t anymore), then why should we???

By richbrave

July 21, 2008 10:31 PM | Link to this

MATT DIAZ goes 0-3 with 1 SO in his first rehab game in Richmond.

By richbrave

July 22, 2008 5:14 AM | Link to this

DOWN ON THE FARM:

R-BRAVES fall into a tie for the cellar with the NORFOLK TIDES. Offense plays well enough to win, but defensively, the combined pitching of FRANCISELY BUENO (4 IP - 4 ER), JONOTHAN ROUWENHORST (2 IP - 1 ER), and RYAN BASNER 2 IP - 1 ER) leaked too many runs late, as the YANKEE alliliated SCRANTON-WILKESBARRE team wins 6-4.

MATT DIAZ goes 1-3 with an RBI single , a walk and 0 SO’s. Total now 1-6 in his rehab assignment with 1 RBI, 1 BB, 1 SO.

BARBARO CANIZARES has a good night going 3-4 with his 11th HR, a solo blast in the top of the 4th. He raises his average back to .294.

JOSH ANDERSON goes 2-4 scoring a run and getting an RBI.

BRANDON JONES goes 1-4 scoring a run.

CLINT SAMMONS gets a BB, steals his 6th base and scores a run, but goes 0-3 as his average continues to plummet into JEFF FRANCOEUR territory.

By Hoosier Daddy

July 22, 2008 11:40 AM | Link to this

I have to take exception to all those wanting to dump Terry Pendleton. The Braves as a team are third in the N.L. in hitting. TP is showing them how. It takes desire to hit with RISP. That’s pretty much up to the individual. Maybe it’s time to unload some of those guys. Find players who really want to be here.

By Unknown Blogger

July 23, 2008 8:50 AM | Link to this

Why are there no more fans dressed as Frenchy’s Franks in the stands? Only wieners now. Sad. 10 wieners and only 8 buns. One of life’s mysteries.

By richbrave

July 23, 2008 4:22 PM | Link to this

Listened to CHARLIE MORTON’s last start, at least until the bottom of the 4th when he walked two then gave up a homer. The lesson in this is walks hurt. He’s throwing too many balls and not enough strikes. Hopefully, for all our sakes, he’ll learn when to come in on hitters and when to stay away. Its called pitching instead of throwing. I’m betting he’ll learn better than any of the current crop of newbies pitching in Atlanta now.

By santa3247

July 24, 2008 4:38 AM | Link to this

Hi, I’m Seong-Ho,Yoon living in Jinhae City southkorea now.

Chipper Jones injured? Hamstring injury always come from tiredness. And the only cure must be REST.

What is manager?^^ People who manage Brave.^^ But dull cox can’t manage for the neutron sound. He don’t know what is this sound in brainwave and who is real culprit of threatening. ^*^

Culprit can be Player and Agent, whole kind of light speed cable can be the weapon for people like babylon. ^*^

Hey!! Theseday the economical status in USA worst I think. Because USA are under attack by neutron of Babylon. ^*^

For over three years I have been writting the only method solving this problem.

Without exterminating Babylon from earth, you can’t be happy in USA anymore. Slave only can lie “I am happy” Do you understand?

Do you USA waiting for the attack of Japan’s Army? ^^ Or waiting Messiah’s fleet of Laputa to exterminate Babylon? ^^

And USA people just want to wait the judgement of Sun’s Hades? You failed to be qualified for the Messianic Era for 5,771years from past to now. And to the last you waiting for the judgement of Hades? You qualified?

So I am now teaching the only method of your salvation from the last judgment.!!! You got it?

ALMOST PEOPLE OF LAPUTA(YERUSALEM) DIED FOR SACRIFICE IN THE NAME OF JUSTICE AND CONSCIENCE WHEN THEY BORNED IN HUMAN IN EARTH IN PAST.

WHY? FOR OTHER PEOPLE’S HAPPINESS, FOR THEIR NATION PEOPLE’S SAFETY FROM ARMY OF BABYLON(SATAN’S ARMY).

May the force of Messiah be with you

By SOUTHERN BOY

July 24, 2008 6:28 AM | Link to this

I hope he’s NOT talking to that idiot McGuirk. He’s done enough to the Braves by his incompetence and SPINELESS “leadership,” which is a joke!

McGuirk… do you really get a paycheck to do what?????

Fire the top architect of this disaster…McJerk!

By santa3247

July 26, 2008 9:04 AM | Link to this

Hi, I’m Seong-Ho,Yoon living in Sea of Glass southkorea now.

Don’t blame Cox!!! Yeah!! Blame Babylon^*^

Good answer I think!!!^*^

Cox is same as past!!!^^ Yeah!! Cox was same as now in past 10 consecutive fail to be Champion!!! ^^

Solve the problem of real culprit!!

Yeah!!^*^

May teh force of Messiah be with you

P.S: The last week I shouted to Yerusalem(Laputa) like this

“Fire the force of Golden Censor throughout the Batican for one week” ^*^

And soon they moved to Austrailia for sex problem of their priest. ^*^

And this week I shouted again to Laputa to do same about Austrailia. ^*^

Do overcome neutron and your power of word must be explode like a spell. ^*^

By Frank

July 26, 2008 2:58 PM | Link to this

If we do well the next two games in Philly…..Tex will probably be kept which wouldn’t hurt my feelings at all.

Now…what I wouldn’t mind seeing…..as you mightive seen…..Manny Rameriz(sp) mightive do his..Manny Being Manny for the last time in Boston for faking a injury the other night……Frenchy is struggling and is now where NEAR his 2005 season……..how bout a Jeff Francouer for Manny trade? Manny would definately be the difference maker in the line-up the Braves need to make a run this year. Something they haven’t had since the Crime Dog or Big Cat.

I would take a middle-of-the-order of Chipper Jones, Mark Texeria, and Manny Rameriz(sp). That’d be like the middle of order line-up the Braves had in 93 with Justice, McGriff and Gant.

By richbrave

July 26, 2008 5:11 PM | Link to this

Boston would make that trade? If I were Theo Epstein, I’d be saying lets have the farm and Morton for good measure.

By Bo

July 27, 2008 11:06 PM | Link to this

TIME FOR NEW POST!!!!

By Lee in S GA

July 28, 2008 9:58 AM | Link to this

Chop Chick -

You still around these days? I can certainly understand a two day drinking binge after the last couple of games. Any updates on any possible trade talk?

By Abe

July 28, 2008 6:34 PM | Link to this

This is not Frank Wrens first time facing a trade deadline. He was the general manager of the Orioles in 1999 but was fired at the end of the season.

By dorothy davis

July 31, 2008 11:09 AM | Link to this

Has Wren been watching the games? What other team in the majors would have Corky Miller on their team? And how many games is Blaine Boyer going to be allowed to blow for this team? Come on head office…do something to save this team from having the most embarrising season ever!! I will believe Wren is serious about next year if he goes out and gets Sabathia and gets rid of Boyer and Bobby Cox (way past his time) and gets a coach that can recognize a BAD pitcher, and when not to put one in the game!!

By vwburt

August 7, 2008 1:29 AM | Link to this

cox ia a value member of the atlanta braves. bobby needs to be upstaires finding talant and that is where he shines.the braves has got the worse coaching staff in baseball and it don’t take a good baseball man to see that. the braves can’t hit, bunt, home runs are way off, and thay need a new manager that hire can the best coaches in baseball to put the team togeather that will play with a lot of vigor. frank wren is going to be a good gm. about three good moves and the braves can be a top contender again. but the leadership on the field has to change.

By Jim Crider LAwrenceville, Ga

August 13, 2008 9:28 PM | Link to this

Frank, I have been a Braves fan since the mid 7os. Bobby Cox has been a great manager, but I thinkeven as much as I admire and respect him, it is time to hang it up. We need help as a team and I say we because Skip Carry used to say we. I think that if you are a fan you can say we. We have looked pathetic lately. I am in no way trying to tell you how to do your job, like you would listen to me anyway. I would not want the responsability that you have as a GM. I love the Braves always have and always will, no matter what. Please do not take this wrongly,also Jeff Francouer needs to go he is pathetic. Thank you fo listening to my heart I have never done this before I was just sitting here watching us lose to the Cubs 5 to 0. After loosing 10 to 2 earlier and thought that I would just voice my concerns. Have a great day and GO BRAVES.

By Denise

August 21, 2008 8:28 PM | Link to this

I have noticed a pattern over the last 3 years, ever since Leo Mazzone left for Baltimore the Braves have not been anywhere near the playoffs, the 14 years he was the pitching coach the Braves made the playoffs, the first year Leo leaves the Braves miss the playoffs, I believe the problem is McDowell, to me he is just not a quality pitching coach, just because you were a pitcher in your career doesn’t make you an expert, Leo worked with the talents of Smoltz, Glavine, Avery, Maddux and more and they became the cornerstone of the orginization, Roger is just not that good with the players. I bet if the Braves bring Mazzone back the Braves will return to the postseason. So Wren if you ever read this BRING BACK LEO MAZZONE NOW PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By baby brave

August 23, 2008 5:45 AM | Link to this

Hopefully not McGuirk, who is an ABSOLUTE IDIOT and is at the root of this problem.

By Denise

August 28, 2008 5:56 PM | Link to this

Why not just get rid of the whole team? Since the trade deadline the Braves have just dumped all the good players for nothing worth mentioning in return, I have been a Braves fan for over 30 years and I am ashamed to go to the games now. This is just plain old SLOPPY & SORRY BASEBALL. A HIGH SCHOOL TEAM COULD BEAT THE BRAVES.