AJC > Blog > Archives > 2008 > August > 28

Thursday, August 28, 2008

Oh yeah, I remember this feeling now …

So this is what it feels like when your team is out of it with a month left in the season.

Like all you other longtime Braves fans, I was entirely too familiar with this before 1991, but that was a while ago. And even though they didn’t exactly tear up the NL East the past couple of years, the Wild Card race kept things interesting. Not this year.

A lot of things went wrong this season, things no one could have predicted. Like the fact that the only veteran starter healthy enough to pitch in August would be Mike Hampton. Or that Mark Teixeira and Jeff Franceour would have such terrible offensive seasons. Or that the Braves would lose an astounding 27 (and counting) consecutive one-run games on the road. There’s more, but let’s stop there.

On the bright side (yes, there’s a bright side), we’ll get to see more of Josh Anderson. The 26-year-old outfielder who hit .314 with 42 stolen bases in 49 attempts for Richmond — earning him a berth on the International League’s postseason All-Star team — was called up after Mark Kotsay was traded to the Red Sox on Wednesday. He’ll probably split time in center with Gregor Blanco — another pleasant surprise this season.

Unfortunately, Dave O’Brien says we won’t get to see many other youngsters in September, including outfielder Jordan Schafer or pitcher Tommy Hanson. Oh well, something else to look forward to in spring training.

It seems really strange to be talking about spring training in August, doesn’t it? But that’s what it’s come to around here. I forget: Can the hot stove league officially begin before we hit Labor Day?

So how much of the Braves do you think you’ll watch in September? Will you hang on through the bitter end, like me, even if it’s merely out of habit, or will you just put all your energy into college football or the NFL?

Upcoming TV Schedule
Thursday: vs. Marlins, 7:00, SportSouth
Friday: at Nationals, 7:35, SportSouth
Saturday: at Nationals, 7:10, SportSouth
Sunday: at Nationals, 1:335, SportSouth
Monday: at Marlins, 1:10, SportSouth
Tuesday: at Marlins, 7:10, SportSouth
Wednesday: at Marlins, 1:10, FSN South

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