AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2005 > October > 05 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USTeam keeps using worn Game 1 plot
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Mark Bradley
Move along, folks. There’s nothing new to see here. Nothing except another Braves’ playoff opener, another putrid performance therein.
We keep hearing this is a new and vibrant team, but nothing about Game 1 was new or vibrant. On the contrary, it was the same old same old writ lousy and large. The Braves’ starting pitcher got outpitched. The Braves’ lineup got outhit. The Braves’ bullpen reeked. The Braves’ stadium was conspicuously unfilled. The seasons change, but somehow Game 1 of the Division Series never does.
This marked the fourth consecutive Braves postseason — and sixth of the past seven — that has commenced with a loss. Some of those openers were utterly wretched, but this one reached a new low in the top of the eighth inning. Houston scored five runs, one coming on a bases-loaded walk, another on a wild pitch. That ran the Astros’ lead to 10-3, a score that was actually kind to the Braves.
Given that eight of Houston’s first 22 outs were made on either sacrifice bunts or double plays — and a ninth came when Brian Jordan reached above the left-field fence to snatch Adam Everett’s screamer — it could easily have been 13-3 or 15-3. And to think: This was supposed to be a series in which the Braves have the better lineup and the better offense.
Alas, October offenses are at the mercy of October pitching, and the Astros had way more of that Wednesday. Andy Pettitte was mostly superb, as you’d expect, and Tim Hudson, imported over the winter to be the No. 1 starter the Braves lacked last fall, looked instead like a No. 3 starter in over his head. The starting pitcher’s job description: Give your team a chance to win. Hudson gave the Braves no chance. Craig Biggio singled on Hudson’s second pitch. Ten of the first 17 Astros batters reached base. It was 1-0 after a half-inning, 4-1 after 3 1/2.
“He was way off his game,” said Bobby Cox, speaking of Hudson. “He was maybe too fired up.” So, to all those who insist the Braves lose in October because they’re too blasé, there’s the rebuttal: See what happens when they get excited?
Once Hudson exited and the alleged relievers entered, a bad day got exponentially worse. Poor Chris Reitsma, who yielded four runs in less than an inning in a Game 5 loss to a better Houston team last October, was charged with four more runs Wednesday. This led Cox to say, as only Cox can: “Reitsma couldn’t have made better pitches. ? He’s not going to throw the ball any better than he did tonight.” To which we can only say: Yikes.
Afterward, the Braves made their usual can-do noises about how this was only one game, and no team in the world is more practiced at pronouncing Game 1 “just one game” than this bunch. But now John Smoltz, who’s really good, has to beat Roger Clemens, who’s really good himself, tonight or this series will essentially be aborted on the launch pad.
The odds, oddly enough, are with Smoltz: After those five previous losses in Division Series openers, the Braves roused themselves to win Game 2 four times. The Braves, lest we forget, are not totally overmatched when it comes to this postseason thing. It’s just in Game 1 where they’re hopeless.
Toward that end, here’s a suggestion: When the Braves win their 15th consecutive division title, they should begin the 2006 playoffs by trying something new. (Clearly, whatever they’re doing isn’t working.) Next time they should forfeit the opener and start the Division Series down 1-nil. Bud Selig might frown on such a maneuver, but think of the aggravation it would save the Braves. And us.
Permalink | Comments (92) | Categories: Braves / MLB, Mark Bradley
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By Carroll
October 5, 2005 11:51 PM | Link to this
Well said. It’s a sad day in the Atl. For all those who talk about the 14 division titles, I’d trade most of them for one more ring and at least half just not to have to endure this treachery anymore. Frankly, the Phillies have more to be happy about right now….for that matter, even the gNats and Mets too. All had unexpectedly strong seasons and show promise for the immediate future. For us, as currently constituted, the best we can hope for is the same old b****** year in and year out. Unless this team does a complete 360 I definitely think it’s time for Cox to go. His usefulness to this team is gone if he can’t ever get us out of the first round. Even if no other manager could do what he did this season and get this team to the playoffs….WHO CARES! We don’t deserve to be here and keep taking the place of teams who’d at least make a decent game/series out of it.
By Birdbrain
October 6, 2005 12:51 AM | Link to this
Get a Grip Carroll!!! Blaming Hudsons poor pitching performance on Bobby Cox is pathetic reasoning.Saying it “is time for him to go”, is childish. He is hands down the best manager in Baseball. Typical Bandwagon, fairweather fan.If anything, blame the poor Atlanta fans, who failed to fill the TED,there will be more noise at a Georgia high school football game this Friday than there was at tonights playoff game. We got beat, suck it up and let smoltz get us back even.The Braves don’t need bandwagon fans like you anyway, go root for the Phillies if you don’t like Bobby.
By Jake
October 6, 2005 12:54 AM | Link to this
Carroll, though I feel all the pain that you are feeling with the Braves, I can’t help but notice your comments here and on other posts. Fire Bobby Cox? Let other teams in? You call yourself a Braves fan? So what happens when the Braves rally and win this series? Do you change your tune and jump back on the bandwagon again? It’s people like you that give Braves fans such a bad rap. Sure its frustrating what the fans have endured through the years, but being a TRUE fan means sticking with them through thick and thin, win or lose. You can say all you want about being sick of enduring these losing years and losing faith, but as for me, I am a Braves fan through and through. They may have lost today but its only 1 game. Last I heard its a 5 game series. So instead of sitting their and b*tching and moaning of how bad it is to be a Braves fan, go get a Philly or Mets jersey because there are still plenty of REAL AND TRUE Braves fans to go around!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Jake
October 6, 2005 12:56 AM | Link to this
Birdbrain, great minds think alike!!!!!
By HAHAHAHA
October 6, 2005 01:12 AM | Link to this
I love these excuses you buncha idiotic inbred rednecks come up with.
You all are so ignorant!
Bobby Cox is the worst postseason manager ever.
I hate the Craplanta Braves witha passion, yet even I could not have picked a better line up to lose this game for this crappy team.
This guy is Barney Fife. He’s an idiot.
And Mark Bradley and the rest of the “journalists” are idiots, too. They suck up to him like sycophants, it’s so funny!
They’re scared of him, otherwise, why don’t they ever question his October idiocy.
Tell me Bradley, that you didn’t shake you head when you saw the lineup with Jordan, Franco, and Estrada in it.
But do you guys ever toss harball questions at this October moron?
Do you ever question anything he does?
No.
And it’s freakin’ hilarious!
You just make your readers suffer even more, because you paint a rosey picture around this idiot manager, and I love it!
Charlie Liebrandt. Twice!
The 93 NLCS.
Wohlers.
Letting Eric Gregg get the best of his team in 97 instead of telling them to stop crying and adjust. Lest you forget, you guys were getting those calls as well as Hernandez.
The Padres in 98.
The list goes on and on and on and on and on!
Add Jordan-Franco-Estrada to the list.
Bobby Cox the Moron strikes again!
HAHAHAHA!
By Chop Chop
October 6, 2005 02:09 AM | Link to this
Birdbrain, I like your “if anything, blame the poor Atlanta fans who failed to fill the Ted” comment. That’s an odd way to approach a Braves loss, isn’t it? It’s the fans’ fault? Give me a break. It’s fans like YOU that make any team’s fans look idiotic. Players and managers are responsible for losses, not fans…unless you’re a Cub fan and can’t get over Bartman or an Oriole fan who cringes upon the utterance of “Jeffrey Maier”. So, unless Bubba Joe Bumf* from Coweta County interferes with a sure out in the game tomorrow, there are no Braves fans to blame.
The fact of the matter is that Huddy pitched like garbage today. He’s been in the postseason before, so whether he was too excited or not, he has no excuses for his poor performance. He can only try to correct things later in this series…if he gets another chance. Our hitting was alright today. I’ve seen much worse hitting performances in past postseason games from the Braves. Just remember this: Getting ahead in playoff games is very important, especially at home…and especially for a team with the postseason baggage that the Braves have. So, that being said, let’s get a 1-2-3 top of the first and squeeze a run or two off the Rocket. Let’s put the Astros behind the 8-ball for once. You know, like we did to them in postseasons prior to last year’s.
By Edwin
October 6, 2005 02:15 AM | Link to this
Wow… i just typed a whole lot and then it deleted it cause i didn’t put in my email address.. In summary: Bobby Cox has earned the respect of every one of you losers. Plus, he’s old so shut up. It’s only game one. Hopefully Cox will put in his rookies tomorrow. I think we’ll win. Be more positive you freaking morons! Real fans would be beating up on those cocky a-hole Astros!!!! They suck.
By Tybee
October 6, 2005 02:30 AM | Link to this
Bobby is a great manager who will be in the hall of fame. But he will be remembered with a foot note for is his coaching in the post season.
“He wants to play the post season with his veteran players” while his young players keep the bench warm. I think I have read that before a few times with the same results. I didn’t see the young BRAVES in game one until the game was out of hand.
Go Braves, and let your talent play the game.
By geechee
October 6, 2005 06:02 AM | Link to this
Mark your column was to the point but here we go again. You have opened the gates to the annual Cox has to go crowd. It’s not enough he won his 14th with 15 rookies and it’s only the first game of the playoffs. Hudson would probably have pitched a no hitter today if LaRusa had been sitting in our dugout. Hell, they should make it easy on everyone and fire Bobby at the same time he is awarded his manager of the year trophy.
By CJC
October 6, 2005 06:12 AM | Link to this
I would like to think we have an advantage tonight with Smoltz on the mound but there’s probably a good reason he hasn’t pitched in 2 weeks. Who knows how bad he’s hurt? Plus, we sure don’t have any odds in our favor just because it’s game 2 and we always win game 2. That’s peculiar reasoning. I’d like to think we could win because we just might execute the plays. No matter who Cox puts out there-they are major leaguers & they should be able to play. Well, except for Reeksma.
By T Robb
October 6, 2005 06:29 AM | Link to this
Hudson has been a profound disappointment. I thought he was a gamer when I saw him with Oakland, but he’s not shown any such thing.
Yesterday he followed in the great Atlanta tradition of Tom Glavine and Greg Maddux, great regular season pitchers who spit the bit in the postseason. In their last three postseasons, Maddux and Glavine had a combined ERA of 6.00 (Maddux a little under, Glavine a little over. You can look it up.)
Like Bradley said, you’ve got to give your team a chance. Offensively, they actually did some damage against Pettitte, but it was wasted because Hudson couldn’t locate anything.
Hudson’s performance was borderline disgraceful. Now they’re backed into a corner in a short series - again - and Smoltz has a balky shoulder.
It doesn’t look good for the home nine.
By Scottamus
October 6, 2005 06:56 AM | Link to this
Guys and Gals….. You are all wrong. Bobby Cox MUST stay. Otherwise we wouldnt be here. But, Reistma needs to be run out of town on a rail (see “Oh Brother, Where Art Thou”). This guy cannot and will not keep us in games. In fact, if anyone is to blame this year, it’s John S., where are all the free agent bullpen signees we have needed since 98? We have none. I do agree with HAHAHA in the fact that the hard questions regarding the bullpen havent been asked. Go Braves……let’s launch the Rocket in game 2.
By Emilio
October 6, 2005 07:14 AM | Link to this
Get a grip, some of you! Cox did not pitch the game, but made a good decision to start Hudson for reasons most of us understand. He has to go with the pen as it is! AND there it is! It’s step up time for the boys (players)!
There isn’t any way to know about some of the other lne-up choices. The only one I did not like going in was Estrada. We did enough with the bats and played decent defense. Pitching, Pitching, Pitching!
Cox’s record speaks for itself! Yes, the good, bad, and the ugly. He will go down as one of the best - period. Remember, you have to play well enough during the 162 to get a CHANCE to move on! I appreciate the CHANCES we’ve had so consistently over the years, but hate to see us fold so many times in October. However, I’ll take it! We get good baseball for most of the 162 and then we get a CHANCE! You would think the stars and odds would line up for us during our run (more than once)- but it has been a run for the ages, nontheless!
Let’s hope for a major turn around! Hope and Fans go together!
By Dave
October 6, 2005 07:21 AM | Link to this
The rookies got us to the playoffs and they should have been playing. Cox is in his usual playoff losing mode. He is a great regular season manager, but in playoffs he has got to be # 1 in losing without ever learning a thing. LaRussa is a close second. Bradley spoke it right…..and Garner outmanaged Cox which is norm for all post season managers.
Too bad—-it will be a short postseason; Cox will get a manager of the year even though it oughta be measured by post season play as well; the rookies will learn how to lose while observing from the bench. But to be honest, all the regulars stunk last night but got out-stunk by the pitching. But didn’t we know that going in? You betcha. Maybe that is why alot of people didn’t want to put out the big bucks to watch the expected—-Braves lose. Ah, I would give up just about every division title for one more World Series ring but it will never happen. Can anyone tell me a team that plays worse than us in post season—-year after year???????
By Pete
October 6, 2005 07:27 AM | Link to this
Mark: I see you’re back in your well-worn rut of using the phrase “lest we forget” in every column you write. Do you also use it in daily conversation? It seems like a bizarre habit to me, but whatever.
Anyway, to the topic. I am puzzled why there is so much angst over all of this. It’s been a very simple formula for many many years for the Braves: When the leaves turn brown, the Braves lay down.
Give Cox a 5-year extension!! He’s great!!! Hahahahahaha!
By Brian
October 6, 2005 08:04 AM | Link to this
Why all the agita? This is just the Braves being the Braves. If you’ve been a fan for any length of time, you know that once October comes, they puke all over themselves.
You just need to manage your expectations and enjoy the Braves for what they are… a team to watch on TBS during the summer reruns that always puts a decent regular-season product on the field. A helluva lot more entertaining than watching the Devil Rays or the Royals.
Just don’t ever expect anything more. They don’t have it in ‘em.
Astros in three…
By Gritz Blitz
October 6, 2005 08:06 AM | Link to this
It was a disappointing game for the Braves. Every time the Braves scored, Hudson gave up another run. Jordan’s double play rally killing grounder was the big blow. It left the crowd silent after being fired up about Andruw’s HR. Reitsma was the next killer. Sorry Bobby, Reitsma has been a bust since early August. How long will it take you to realize this?
Do I blame fans for not coming? No. I was there yesterday and it is very expensive. To make matters worse, the traffic patterns coming into and leaving Turner Field are horrendous. I parked in the Gold lot and the only way out involved about a 3-4 mile trek through a neighborhood. It took a good 90 minutes before I ever sniffed a highway. I can’t imagine how bad it would have been if the game was a sellout.
By Del Young
October 6, 2005 09:01 AM | Link to this
As some of you know, I believe
(1) That BC is a good mgr (2) That winning the division does mean something (3) That the playoffs are a crapshoot.
I also believe in the old Confucious(sp) saying “The man who keeps doing the same thing time after time but expecting different results is a damn idiot”.
Bobby … play the people who brought you to the dance !!! Win or lose with the kids, they deserve the chance, better yet they earned the chance. Sit the vets and kick some butts in the bullpen.
By HAHAHAHA
October 6, 2005 09:11 AM | Link to this
I love it!
More excuses from the Craplanta Braves and their Craplanta fans!
I’m you guy’s DADDY!
I told you this was going to happen. I told you guys how this would play out, and it all happened before the first pitch was thrown!
Bobby Cox is the most dependable moron in all of sports.
Brian Jordan? HAHAHAHA!
Johnny Estrada? HAHAHAHA!
Julio Franco? HAHAHAHA!
I’m telling you, check that idiot’s bank accounts, you bunch of ignorant hicks!
I guarantee you’ll find a self-generated bonus every October for the last 14 years, if you know what I mean.
No one, not even this idiot could be that stupid. Well, maybe Rudy.
He’s throwing the games!
The old wife-beater is betting on this team to lose!
It’s the only explanation.
Well, unless he, like the rest of you sister-kissing rednecks, is really that ignorant and stupid.
Could be.
HAHAHAHA!
By Larry
October 6, 2005 09:12 AM | Link to this
Why is this simple answer so difficult for some of you to grasp?
Who is the common denominator in the Braves 14 consecutive seasons of a 162 game better record than what, 4 other teams since 1995? Bobby Cox.
Who is the common denominator in the Braves’ mediocre—and lately horrendous—post season performance against comparable players and their manager? Bobby Cox.
I keep telling you, the Braves scouting, player development, and GM are responsible for spoon feeding Cox enough talent—especially starting pitching—to beat out the other 4 teams to win a division. But, when they are in a series that requires a manager to manage inning by inning, batter by batter, Bobby is the worst in-game decision maker ever.
Allowing Hudson to pitch to the cleanup hitter in the top of the 7th, having been shelled all night, and after just allowing a leadoff double to the pitcher, perfectly exemplifies Bobby Cox. Result, base hit, 5-3, and THEN Bobby removes him�as usual, always a batter too late!
We win tonight only if Smoltz pitches almost perfectly into the 8th inning and Farnsworth closes it out. We will not win if Bobby Cox has to make ANY decisions. He is 1-14 in the last series or game of the playoffs.
1-14 is managerial failure in the postseason.
By HAHAHAHA
October 6, 2005 09:31 AM | Link to this
HAHAHAHA!
Finally, a Craplanta fan willing to embrace the truth!
Now, why don’t your “journalists” do the same?
Hey Bradley, why are you scared of Bobby Cox?
Why don’t any of you guys ever ask this guy real questions?
Any other city’s journalists would have jumped all over that idiot’s decision to bench his hottest hitter and his most clutch hitter over the last two months, but you hear nary a peep from the “journalists” at the AJC. You guys are a bunch of sycophants too worried about p** Barney Fife off, afraid he might kick you out of his office for asking real questions with an ounce of integrity in them. If there’s one thing Barney Fife hates is having his idiocy questioned and shoved back in his face.
Catch lightening in the bottle?
HAHAHAHA!
Play lefty-righty when your best hitter over the last two months has hit .293 against lefties, and sit your most clutch hitter over tha span as well?
How has that worked for you all these years ion the postseason, Barney Fife?
That’s a question a REAL journalist would have asked, Bradley. You know, guys from New York, Philidelphia, Pittsburgh, Detroit, Chicago, Boston, LA, Seattle, Phoenix, Dallas, Miami… you know, anywhere else but in sycophantic Craplanta!
So why don’t you guys ask any tough questions of Barney Fife, Bradley?
Is it because you guys have your lips permanately attatched to his a*?
I love it!
Where’s your journalistic integrity? Why not go after this moron for his moronic decisions time and time again? Don’t you know you just keep on making your constituency suffer even more by never giving them the insight you should be giving them by asking the tough questions of this braindead wife-beater?
On second thought, keep up the good work!
The only thing better than Bobby Cox’s October idiocy and the collapse of the Craplanta Braves, is the suffering of the ignorant inbred yokals who are too stupid not to get suckered in by this loser team every year!
HAHAHAHA!
By Eric
October 6, 2005 10:04 AM | Link to this
We’re being very emotional, and I can understand that. Let’s try being a little more analytical.
Hudson gave up a double to a .091 hitting pitcher.
Franco’s failure to stretch for Giles’ throw from the hole opened the floodgates.
Estrada made a matador move on a pitch in the dirt with the bases loaded.
Jordan’s DP took the life out of a rally and out of the fans.
Hudson was high, high, high for five innings, which meant he was either walking people or getting hit. In a short playoff series, we can’t give a pitcher 5 innings to “make adjustments.”
Francoeur had never faced Pettitte, yet he swung at the first pitch in is first 3 ABs. After Giles’ double, Chipper swung at a first pitch and tapped to the mound.
Without fanfare, McBride had a great inning of relief. The rest of the pen was a nightmare. Who would have guessed?
We can’t fairly blame Bobby for rotten play, but he deserves our wrath for putting aged, unproductive players out there when it was the kids who got us here. Also, I saw nothing resembling a game plan, and I hold the entire coaching staff responsible for that.
The role that guys like Jordan and Franco can play best is to parade up and down the dugout, firing people up, and insisting on focus and performance. But that is not the Bobby Cox way, so an advantage of veteran presence is lost. Besides, they can’t do that when they themselves are on the field stinking up the place.
At the end of the day, the players will continue to love their “players’ manager,” but the cost of that is to go home early.
By Claudette
October 6, 2005 10:13 AM | Link to this
HAHAHAHA you are the idoit
By Carroll
October 6, 2005 10:47 AM | Link to this
Del and others: I understand your desire to be positive but COME ON!!! Flopping in the postseason 13 out of 14 times in amazingly similar fashion each time is not a crapshoot…it’s a goddang tradition….a virtual stone-cold, lead-pipe iron-clad guarantee!
I know HA is a bit out of bounds on some of his comments but he’s definitely right to the extent that the endless excuses have got to stop! SOmebody man up and own up for this annual disgrace. I’m sick of hearing about “just on or two bad pitches,” or “just a crapshoot” or “they’re a little tired” or “they went in cold while the oter team was hot”
HORSESHIT! This is what every little kid plays the G.D. game for and you’re telling me you can’t man up for two more weeks and AT LEAST keep from completely unravelling at the seams??!! You guys suck! The whole organization sucks! Starting with BC and all the way down to the guy who sweeps out the dugouts after the games to the DANs who throw overpriced concessions at you with their typical attitude.
If something major doesn’t change either in the playoffs or in the offseason, I am OFFICIALLY done with these losers. Now that I’m in Florida, my new team will be the D-Rays…hey, at least they can’t dissapoint…they can only get better.
By Mark
October 6, 2005 10:51 AM | Link to this
Amen to the true Braves fans among us!
By Steve - Smoltz will be dominant tonight! ATL win!!!
October 6, 2005 10:53 AM | Link to this
HAHAHAHHAAH,
You are a loser, you sit here and type novels about how much the Braves suck etc. What did all your posts take about 4 hours up of your unemployed pathetic day? You must be a bitter Marlin, Phillie, or Met fan. Screw you and watch the Braves win tonight and do all us Braves fan a favor and have the balls to come back on here and talk garbage after we handle Clemens. Thanks.
By dannycardwell
October 6, 2005 10:55 AM | Link to this
i remember last year i told my family i would never go to another post season game because of the way the braves did the traffic. this year i thought they would learn from their mistakes. they did not. with only half a stadium in attendance, they had all the traffic directed to fill up the side lots first on and off hank aaron bulevard. this put a lot of us to walking a long way after paying 30 dollars to park. i have tickets for tonight but this will be the last time any of us will waste our time and money to go to a playoff game. those bastards have no class at all when it comes to the fans. old people and handicapped walking a half mile because of uncaring idiots. as for cox, i love him, but playing someone that has splinters in his butt instead of what got you there makes no sense. mcguirk needs to resign.
By Kyng
October 6, 2005 10:59 AM | Link to this
I dont know but for some reason it seems like people keep blaming the fans for not sellin out Turner field. and for some reason people actually think that this is to blame for the post season flops that the braves endure every year. Could anyone be that stupid? I don’t blame fans for not coming because of games like yesterday. It was too much of a familiar game to game 5 last year. Why put up with the high price tickets, food and parking only to endure what happened last night.
Tim Hudson hasn’t pitched a good game in a while. Im tired of hearing all the excuses about how he couldn’t get the ball down. that’s bulls##t! the whole game yesterday was bull and a loss today will end all of the braves fans agony.
By Carroll
October 6, 2005 11:01 AM | Link to this
Steve: the Braves just might do it tonight, but what the hell does it matter??!! Like Mark said, every year they follow this same path of playing awful in the all important game 1, and it’s like they don’t even show up til game 2. And I get all excited thinking 1999, and okay now we’re cookin….just to be treated to a nice F-you in game 5 at home every time.
By olcottr
October 6, 2005 11:04 AM | Link to this
It will just make it that much sweeter when we get the next ring.
By Steve
October 6, 2005 11:06 AM | Link to this
Carroll,
I completely understand your frustrations, because I see it all too. But guess what….it has to end sometime and I KNOW Smoltz will win tonight and I KNOW Hudson will bounce back. Have faith. Astros got lucky with their bats yesterday and Hudson won’t do that again. Stay true. The slump has to end sometime and that time is now and if you don’t believe don’t waste your time watching them win tonight.
By D-man
October 6, 2005 11:06 AM | Link to this
I will say this and this only. I love Bobby Cox and his baseball spirit..I love the way he appreciates his players (well, up to a point..it can be overkill) I do think Cox is a hall of fame coach- the reg season record supports that. (yes, there is a BUT coming) BUT…what the heck is going on in the post season? Why does most every team he manages in the post season go STONE COLD? why? Can anyone explain that part to me? It’s like a freak’n curse. The Braves fall apart most every post season…that’s ok, if you are speaking of one or two post seasons (the odds will not be with you always) But man, with as many screwed up Octobers as the Braves have had…it really is maddening. I just wish someone, ANYONE could explain why this team more times than not crashes in the post season??? And dont tell me it is because the talent level is higher..think about it…the Braves do it to themselves…pitchers forget how to pitch, hitters forget how to hit and Bobby forgets how to manage (you must admit he does some stupid things in the postseason) I mean, Bobby..letting the rookies that brought you to the dance SIT? And let Brian Jordan play? Franco? Estrada? Dang, Bobby..WAKE UP!!
By Steve
October 6, 2005 11:06 AM | Link to this
HAHAHAHAHAHA, you are laughable, HA! People question Cox all the time, trust me. And your anger toward Braves fans is a little weird. The hick, inbred, and redneck jokes are very funny, too. Sounds a lot like jealousy…and why you gotta be so damn angry at other teams’ fans? Take your aggression out on the sorry Phillies, that I think you root for, since you wont tell anybody your teams or name. Coward.
By Cooper
October 6, 2005 11:07 AM | Link to this
DAMN DAMN DAMN.
why Brian Jordan? why Estrada? why Franco?
Mcann, Langerhans, and Laroche have all been hot lately. I hate Bobby Cox on a personal level! AND WHY REITSMA????? I know that a manager is around the players all the time and has a lot more information about matchups than a regular fan does but DAMN. Sometimes a regular fan can see some things coming a mile away. NO MORE REITSMA! He’s tired. Learn the lesson and move on… hopefully to the next round. And how many times does Ensberg beat you before you stop putting Berkman on ahead of him? I am so sick of this crap.
By Pete
October 6, 2005 11:14 AM | Link to this
Well………this is what I want to see tonight:
Langerhans, McCann, and LaRoche IN the line-up. I don’t even know what to say to Bobby Cox. Going into the postseason, these were our hottest hitters and he BENCHED them. Believe it or not Bobby, lefthanders can hit lefthanders, especially when they are on a roll. The only move Cox has any justification for is Franco over LaRoche because he is .471 lfetime against Pettite.
Lastly, if anyone can turn this serious around it’s Smoltz. We need at least 7 or 8 innings of scoreless or one-run ball from him. Farnsworth better be prepared to go two or more innings.
This is it. We better win tonight or its pretty much over. And we can’t just win. We need to win BIG, i.e. 6-0 or 6-1 with Smoltz giving up 3 or 4 hits.
By braves fan
October 6, 2005 11:16 AM | Link to this
Carroll,please switch your allegiance to the Devil Rays now and I’m sure they have blogs you can spew your idiocy on available right now.
By Ronald Harper
October 6, 2005 11:20 AM | Link to this
Hudson is not worth what he is being paid. Estrada and Jordan had no business being in the line-up yesterday. Reitsma is no better than Dan Kolb. At least you can’t blame the Joneses for this one.
This “fire Cox” mentality is stupid at best. Who do you want? Russ Nixon? Eddie Haas? Chuck Tanner? I wouldn’t even take LaRussa. He has no more world series rings than Bobby yet he has had, arguably, far better talent over the years. If anyone is over rated it’s LaRussa.
Stop moaning. I know we are headed to an early exit from post-season play. I don’t like that one bit either. But do you want to go back to the days of 65 win seasons? I don’t. Until the ownership opens the purse strings and decides to spend some real money this is as good as we are going to see.
By Kyng
October 6, 2005 11:24 AM | Link to this
The bullpen stinks and its time to poop a scoop and clean house. Hell, i might as well go out there and try to pitch, at least the results will be the same. Im sick and tired of hearing all the excuses from braves players about how they didn’t get the job done, then when are u going to get the job done? i would have rather seen the phillies advance to the playoffs and put up a fight rather than see the braves just lift their skirts up and let houston have their way with them.
And to the fans that are blaming bobby cox for the postseason. u are stupid. bobby isn’t the one goin out there and giving up runs, wild pitches, and hitting into double plays. bobby expects his team to go out there and play well and pitch well, it isn’t his fauld Tim hudson couldn’t “get the ball down”. He has to use the players that is given to him. he has no choice. Hopefully smoltz can throw a shutout for 8 innings because the bull pen can’t be trusted. and hopefully farnsworth can close it out. anything short of that will result in a loss. and can someone tell me why did we acquire Tim Hudson?
By Steve
October 6, 2005 11:25 AM | Link to this
ALL YOU FAKE BRAVES FANS THAT DONT HAVE ANY FAITH IN THIS SQUAD, ESPECIALLY BOBBY DON’T WATCH THE DAMN GAME AND SHUT UP AND GO PICK ANOTHER TEAM. STOP MOANING AND B*** AND COMPLAINING. I HATE IT AND ITS ANNOYING. IF YOU ARE SO MAD DON’T WATCH!!!!! PLAIN AND SIMPLE!!! I KNOW I WILL BECAUSE I KNOW THEY WILL BEAT THE ASTROS. SO SHUT UP GIVE UP BEING A BRAVES FAN BECAUSE WE DON’T NEED YOU FAKE ONES. THANK YOU!!!!
By Alan in PA
October 6, 2005 11:32 AM | Link to this
Hey, I’m as disappointed as everyone else, but here’s the bottom line: Hudson was terrible yesterday. He was brought to Atlanta to be the “ace,” signed a huge contract (supposedly at a “discount”), and under-performed almost the entire season. I really expected him to redeem himself in game one and he didn’t. So, today is absolutely a must-win game, and we should feel good with Smoltz on the mound. And LaRoche, Langerhans and McCann in the lineup. But… is Smoltz healthy? And will the Braves get to Clemens? We’ll all find out soon. True Braves fans will keep the faith. And the rest of you will keep venting.
By HAHAHAHA
October 6, 2005 11:34 AM | Link to this
Steve, you’re the kind of idiot redneck I love.
You keep on doing it to yourself, buddy!
You believe?
I bet you believed last year, and the year before, and the year before, and so on and so on… didn’t you?
I do hate the Craplanta Braves, but I don’t hate you guys. I just like to revel in your ignorance and suffering.
It’s not Bobby Cox’s fault.
You bunch of sister-lovers, is it ever his fault?
Your girl Carroll (or is it guy, as in O’Conner?) had it right.
Who’s been the constant in your Octobers of Futility?
You inbreeders are so ignorant!
I love it!
HAHAHAHA!
By Ronald Harper
October 6, 2005 11:35 AM | Link to this
Oh by the way, HaHaHa is hardly worth responding to. He is the true idiot. I do have one question for him though. You are a Yankee aren’t you? I don’t mean a New York Yankees fan. I mean a Yankee. My guess is that you come from some pathetic northern city.
By PGFan
October 6, 2005 11:36 AM | Link to this
If you people (and I use that term loosely) don’t like the Braves in post season then why don’t you just watch the 162 regular season games like the Phillies, Nationals, Marlins, and Mets fans. Pretend there is not post season because your team never gets there.
You like to complain, but don’t realize how good you have it. Some people live in places where there local team hasn’t been in postseason in many years (50-70) let alone won a world series yet being true fans you except the team for what they are.
Atlanta has been spoiled. Several of you say that you would trade the division titles for the big ring. Well if you don’t get to the play offs you can’t win there. Ask some one from Dallas how it feels to be a Rangers fan or someone from South Florida how it feels to be a Devil Rays fan. Then maybe you would appreciate what you have had for the last 15 years.
If you would rather live in the 1960’s and 70’s with the losing Barves then lets just get rid of everyone and start over maybe that would make you happy. You would honestly have something to b*h about.
By Steve
October 6, 2005 11:40 AM | Link to this
HAHHAHAHA,
I’m from NYC to begin with. 2nd of all I go to Atlanta for about a month every year and there are gorgeous girls everywhere. Well that must not make you happy since you enjoy men. SO maybe that is why your venting about how the men are rednecks, because their are not good lookin’ ones to please you. I’m sorry I can’t help you there Fudge Packer. Braves in 5, Braves in 5.
By Larry
October 6, 2005 11:42 AM | Link to this
D-man,
Let me answer your question about Cox.
In a playoff game or series at least one or two games will be decided, or at least affected, by a managerial decision. These in-game decisions, right or wrong, have less permanent affect over the course of a season. The other games in a playoff series will be decided by a dominant pitching performance, offensive performance, or both, and thus the manager’s in-game influence is minimal.
Take last night for example. Only down 4-3 at the time, we were very fortunate to be in the game based on how Hudson ahd pitched and Jordans’ catch. When Hudson, having pitched absolutely horrible to this point, gave off a lead-off double to the pitcher, this was the time for Cox to MAKE something happen or at least attempt to.
First he should brought in McBride to face Berkman. Second, he NEVER should have allowed Hudson to pitch to Ensberg. Those two managerial mistakes lead to a 5-3 lead late in a playoff game with Lidge waiting for us in the 9th. Terrible managing.
Last night was one of those games the manager CAN make a difference. Bobby Cox is the primary culprit for our consistantly poor playoff performances because he nearly always makes poor decisions durin the game.
By Ryan
October 6, 2005 11:46 AM | Link to this
Here is an Astros fan. I think you guys are almost over analyzing the game, it’s all coincidental. However I was even scratching my head when I saw that Franco, Jordan especially, and Estrada were starting. I think the Braves have a great team and their lineup scares me in the Jones boys. Smoltz is a stud and has always been an Astro killer. I think you guys have a lot to be hopeful for tonight. I think if the Astros win tonight the series is certainly over, but I wouldn’t bet any money on the Astros tonight. They have a long history of scoring a bunch of runs then coming out and laying a goose egg the next night. Stick by your team, because I still think this series goes 4 or 5. I just hope for the ‘Stros.
By Steve
October 6, 2005 11:49 AM | Link to this
I appreciate people like Ryan, true intelligent normal people. Who can discuss things in a normal fashion. Hey bud may the best team win!
By Bob
October 6, 2005 11:50 AM | Link to this
I like Hahahahaha. He makes me laugh. C’mon Smoltzie! WooooooHoooooo!
By Ronald Harper
October 6, 2005 12:05 PM | Link to this
Now we know, HaHaHa is from NYC. I knew he was from some pathetic northern city. I’ve been there and that is exactly what it is. A pathetic northern city.
By HAHAHAHA
October 6, 2005 12:23 PM | Link to this
Ronald, once again you prove that Craplanta resides in one of the most illiterate and ignorant states in the Union.
If you could read, or comprehend your a* from a whole in the ground, you would see that STEVE is from NYC.
You dumb, incestous redneck!
Come on, let me here more excuses as to why Cox doesn’t suck!
HAHAHAHA!
By Bill
October 6, 2005 12:39 PM | Link to this
14 YEARS of post season, Win or Lose….What Are ya’ll complaining about?
By Bob
October 6, 2005 01:00 PM | Link to this
Note from Houston: Personally, I don’t ever consider the Atlanta Braves anything other than a great baseball team. Past, Present, & Future. Houston has always known been grasping to be a team like Atlanta - great pitching - great team - great fans. Competitive - you betcha! Nasty baseball games you better get ten runs or Jones and the guys will start hitting and Houston has said on many occassions - wait till next year. As a baseball fan - I never, ever consider the Atlanta Braves anything other than a tough, tough, team to play - especially in Atlanta. Gardner makes mistakes…Bobby Cox makes mistakes. Both of them are trying to make something happen - watching it is the fun part. Yesterday Houston. Today may be Atlanta. No more talking - pass the beer and peanuts - Games On.
By Norcross
October 6, 2005 01:20 PM | Link to this
It’s amazing to me that in 52 comments, no one mentioned John Foster’s continued inability to get more than one batter out before blowing up. To me that was the most frustrating point of the whole. Of course Hudson pitched poorly, but without Foster’s blowup, we still have a chance. Limit Foster to one batter!
By D-man
October 6, 2005 01:28 PM | Link to this
Larry, thanks for the insight on Bobby Cox..I agree..he does make some really awful mistakes that can really hurt in a short series (even a long one). Anyway, yes..I agree, it is not always his fault, and it is true he cannot actually go out and play for his players that are screwing it up (Hudson). BUT..his inability to manage around the screwups is what I am talking about. It’s almost like he believes TOO much in his players, to the point where he has a blind eye when they are screwing it up. Being loyal to your players is one thing, but leaving them in to do more damage is another. And therein lies the problem..Bobby left Hudson in too long yesterday. Bobby also started some veterans yesterday that he shouldnt have. Jordan did not get us to post season. Estrada did not either. Bobby benched some of the hot players that got us to the dance for veterans that he no doubt felt loyal to. Folks, that is wrong, wrong, wrong. Put the freak’n guys in there that got you here. (How hard is that?). If a pitcher doesnt have it on a particular day (hudson-yesterday) pull him..sooner than later. Bobby just doesnt have a good feel for his players it seems. He leaves them in too long…or yanks them (or doesnt play them) when it suits his loyalty to another player. There is the deal. There is the problem folks.
By Braves fan in Yankee land
October 6, 2005 01:32 PM | Link to this
If Bobby would concentrate on beating a 1st round opponent instead of his wife then maybe the Braves would be more competitive? Langerhans plays most of the year and leads the team in clutch hits but he plays Jordan who has done nothing all year. He plays Estrada who has been a complete waste (probably will be released in the off season) instead of McCann who has been a savior behind the plate. Franco should be in the Mexican League doing his roids seeing he is a liability in the field( nice stretch at 1st). When all is said and done another year of one and done. Is it worth getting to the playoffs and being someones batting practice, the fans obviously don’t think so seeing there were alot of fans dressed up for Halloween as empty seats. See you next year with the same questions as this year.
By Nicholas
October 6, 2005 01:34 PM | Link to this
Everybody who complains about the way Cox manages need to actually watch more than one game a week through the regular season. He always goes with the lefty righty matchup and it seems to have been workingfor the past few years. Yes I agree estrada and jordan kind of suprised me, but what if langerhans is playing left in the first. The braves are down by a lot more to start the game. I hate estrada. He had a great year but its time to put him on the bench for good. I would rather have Pena as the backup. Estrada is a dp machine at the plate. He has no power and has even lost the ability to hit the ball solidly. So Hudson had a bad game. Yes Cox should have pulled him before Ensberg. But if its Smoltz everybody would be blaming him and not Cox. Look we all know that the Braves always loose in the first round, but does anybody realize that year in and year out we face the hottest team in baseball in the first series. We always face the wild card, a team that has been in a playoff atmosphere for the past month. They come in used to having to win on the road and prepared to fight. The braves have always had an easy time of it in the last week of the season. So everybody needs to blaming Cox. The bullpen sucks, the owners wont spend any money, injuries have desimated our vetrans, and our fans can even sell out a POSTSEASON game. I really think the fans need to take some of the blame. Turner field is the only venue in all of sports that doesnt sell out for playoff. So all of you true fans who live in Atlanta or at least close enough to get there need to get off your asses and go support our team so that we cant blame ourselves for not showing the support the Braves deserve!
By Andrea
October 6, 2005 01:40 PM | Link to this
Caroll,
“Unless this team does a complete 360 I definitely think it’s time for Cox to go”
Einstein - 360 takes you right back to your starting point. You are advocating that Cox continues doing what he has been doing. I believe you meant to say a 180
Glad our coach is brighter than you
Braves in 4
By BB FAN
October 6, 2005 01:42 PM | Link to this
I agree that Cox is TOO loyal to his veteran players. He has done that every post season except 95. He thinks that experience is the key to teh WS. It’s not. Good hitting and pitching is. I understand the Franco deal with his batting avg close to .500 against Pettitte. However, he should have replaced Franco in the late innings with LaRoche, the better defender. And true 1st baseman. I bet LaRoche would have stretched for the ball. Now, Jordan and Estrada! That was just stupid. Neither one has been hitting at all. In fact they both have hit like sh!t all season. McCann and Langerhans were the two hottest hitters for the Braves.
I think Cox second guesses himself into making stupid mistakes. I admit he does cost the Braves some games, but it was Lonnie Smith on the basepaths and Wohlers threw that hanging slider instead of the 99-100 MPH fastball he had back then. Cox did leave Maddux in TOO long in 99 WS game 1. But his decision to start Hudson yesterday made sense. It just did not work out. But the Bullpen blew that one. If they did their job, it would have been 5-3, not 10-3.
By Wolfman
October 6, 2005 01:44 PM | Link to this
Harper ……………amen brother , you are 100% accurate and to the point in your statement. Better to have a shot every year , than to be a Loser every year like 80% of the other baseball clubs !!! It will only change and get better when THEY cough up more dough for free agents,i.e……bullpen ,another ace, and another BIG bat!!! That is all that anyone needs to put in their VENTS Period !!!! All this bashing Cox, and chokers, and rookies, etc…..is all B.S !!!!!! I love them and always will win, or lose !!!!!
By Judy
October 6, 2005 01:47 PM | Link to this
I moved to Fla. in May and had to pony up $180 to Comcast to pick up the Braves this year on tv. It was worth every penny and I’ll watch and chop throughout the playoffs. I’m still a believer.
By Steve
October 6, 2005 01:51 PM | Link to this
Andrea, I love your point…Carroll is a fake fan fool. Hah, I can’t wait to see these fake fans and haters not show up on these blogs once the Braves win. Braves in 5, Braves in 5….WATCH SMOLTZIE dominate tonight!!!!
By Larry
October 6, 2005 01:58 PM | Link to this
Bobby Cox has always goes by the book. And i agree with Nicholas , it has worked for several years. By the way, we are so spoiled. Doesnt anybody remember when Jim Presley was the answer at third base? They will win tonight and take it in 5.
By RRR
October 6, 2005 01:58 PM | Link to this
Let me repeat what I wrote in the Shultz commentary in case anyone missed it:
What happenned to all of that: “…it was a miracle we got there at all this year, and anything else is gravy�???
Wow, how negative everyone is. Did Cox not go with BJ, Estrada, and Franco because they were facing a LEFTY?? Did BJ not save a two run homer early in the game??? Did Hudson not pick up HIS end of the bargain, again? He was all over the place right from the door just like Clement did in the Bosox loss. I knew right away we were in trouble. Did not Reitsma and Foster blow it again??? Geesh, we scored FIVE runs against Pettite, and that SHOULD have been enough. Tell me the truth: if you all knew the Braves would score five runs in game one, wouldn’t you have taken it and figured a win was ours??? Our PITCHING blew it again, as they have SOOO many times before. I mean we gave up NINE walks and two more hit batsmen!!! The stos left 18 men on base!!! We’er lucky the score wasn’t even worse… NOT Cox, not BJ, not Estrada. The lack of pitching AGAIN!!
Let’s hope John does something about that.
By Steve
October 6, 2005 02:04 PM | Link to this
I GUARANTEE, there will be no more than 1 walk by Smoltzie tonight if NONE. 9 Walks is what lost the game, nothing else NINE FREAKIN WALKS!!!!!!!!! NINE!!!!!!!!!! That WILL NOT happen again. I wish the game would start now. I just can’t wait to sit in my rockin’ chair and be at ease with Smoltzie workin his magic!!! By the way for you Jordan haters, He DID save a 2 run homer AND made 2 more great plays. I HATE ESTRADA!!! HATE!!! McCann tonight will be breathe of air!!!
By Dave
October 6, 2005 02:08 PM | Link to this
It’s the same old crap, just a different year. Bobby Cox was a twentieth century manager. Every year in the 21st century the Braves get clobbered in sickening fashion.
By Randy
October 6, 2005 02:28 PM | Link to this
Mark Bradley is an idiot, and you all are letting him manipulate you. Bobby Cox is an idiot and always has been. Hahahaha is an idiot, Look at his “name.” It is only baseball, yes play-offs, and I would love the world series again, but it is baseball. We are in the post-season AGAIN. Just watch, enjoy, and yell at the television and say “I could do better than that!!!”
By Larry
October 6, 2005 02:40 PM | Link to this
The only thing Estrada needs is rest, he hasnt been the same since the collison. Usually, hes a great hitter , he’s just not himself. I hope the kids start tonight, they are the ones that got the Braves here in the first place
By jim
October 6, 2005 02:45 PM | Link to this
Have you fans been watching the Braves for the last month of the season? This isn’t an October swoon, they played like this in September too. Did you expect to them suddenly tighten up and play great? They played well for about a month after the All Star break and have been mediocre ever since.
The bullpen blew a game wide open. Wow, haven’t heard that one yet this year…
And now people are calling for LaRoache to play? The same guy you people lampooned in blogs all year w/ the big swing and can’t hit lefties?
Game 1 was not a surprise and had nothing to do w/ this being October. If you were paying attention it’s been happening all year.
By Ken
October 6, 2005 02:57 PM | Link to this
Listen, I must confess. Everyone is blaming someone when I am the one to blame. I must confess that in 1995 I prayed for the Braves to win the WS. I also prayed that if they did win, then I would not ask for another one. Perhaps I have jinxed the Braves. If that is the case, then I am praying now for the jinx to be lifted.
Good luck Braves — let’s get it done this year!
By Del Young
October 6, 2005 03:14 PM | Link to this
Does anyone other than me wish that HAHAHAHA would clean up his language and blog with out all the bombast.
Surely he can make his points without all the hateful adjectives and thoughts. He makes some good points, but by the time I wade through all his drivel I’m so mad at him I overlook his good thoughts.
By Bif Pocaroba
October 6, 2005 03:19 PM | Link to this
It really doesn’t matter what this HaHaHa thing writes. As long as the Braves are in the post season and his team is at home.
By Stevie T.
October 6, 2005 03:56 PM | Link to this
HAHAHAHAHA needs to get laid
By Jim
October 6, 2005 03:57 PM | Link to this
Bobby is the manager… he made out the lineup … it IS HIS FAULT!
Blame the fans???? I don’t think so… I once held season tickets behind the backstop at ATl Fulton County statdium… Field Level… what do you think those seats cost today?
I don’t watch reruns on tv, don’t go to watch the same movie a million times and don’t like leftovers…. that is why I just watch on TV now… no more $5K for season tickets to get to the big game and choke once more…
All the comments on the lineup is right on target…
Cox wasn’t even savy enought to pull all those bums when Petit left the game… Jordan was swinging a bat in the dugout at the end…
So Cox, kiss my you know what….you’re supposed to win these things not play some “players’ favorite buddy” game…
By LJC
October 6, 2005 03:57 PM | Link to this
To HA HA HA,etc. The correct spelling is HEAR NOT HERE. And he calls others idiots….he’ll tell us that it was a typo….try proof reading!
By HAROLD LEE SCOTT
October 6, 2005 04:55 PM | Link to this
SURE THEIR WERE SOME MISTAKES MADE YESTERDAY! AND WE ALL KNEW THE ROOKIES WERE THE MAIN REASON FOR THE GREAT SUCCESS THE BRAVES HAD THIS YEAR. BUT SOME OF OUR CRITICISMS ARE HINDSIGHTS WHICH IS EASIER THAN FORESIGHT. SO LETS DON’T BE SO CRITICAL AND BLAME THE MANAGER SO MUCH. HE IS CLOSER TO THE SITUATION THAN WE ARE AND HE HAS MADE SOME MIGHTY GOOD DECISIONS THIS YEAR. I THINK WE WILL DO HIM MORE GOOD AS WELL AS THE TEAM IF WE GIVE WHAT WE THINK ARE ENCOURAGEMENTS. OUR GOAL SHOULD BE TO ENCOURAGE AND SUPPORT THE TEAM AND HOPE THEY GET IT RIGHT AND DON’T FORGET THEY SHOULD KNOW A LOT MORE THAN US. MY THOUGHT IS WE WANT THE BRAVES TO WIN TONIGHT. IF YOU DON’T HAVE THAT DESIRE THEN YOU ARE NOT MUCH OF A BRAVES FAN. BRAVES, GET THAT OLD TEAM ATTITUDE BACK TONIGHT AND JUST REFUSE TO LOSE. GO BRAVES!!! SEE YA IN THE WORLD SERIES!!!!!
By T Robb
October 6, 2005 04:58 PM | Link to this
Guys and gals, Ha ha ha is not a New Yorker - it is just another Matthew Cafaro nom de plume. Look at the writing styles, look at the paragraph styles. Even the slang and the predictable spelling errors line up. This guy has been f*&ing up the blogs for two years and they still haven’t managed to shut down his IP address.
But you are right, he is an unemployed loser who lives in his mother’s basement and needs to get laid.
Now, to the Braves - I don’t care if Brian Jordan never gets another at bat, but the guy who’s got some ‘splaining to do is Tim Hudson. His effort was profoundly disappointing.
How you take $11m from a club to throw strikes and command the strike zone and this is what you produce, I don’t know how you sleep.
He’s been spotty all year, but guess what - YESTERDAY’s game was the one we hired him for, and he took the hose. Disgraceful.
By Lew Hartman
October 6, 2005 05:29 PM | Link to this
iF ALL OF YOU WENT TO THE GAMES YOU COULD JUST YELL AT EVERYONE ON THEIR HOME TURF. i’M TIRED OF THE LOSING, TOO, BUT IT WOULD BE GREAT TO SEE THE SEATS FILLED. HA HA HA, YOU MAY HAVE A POINT OR TWO, BUT YOU’RE STILL AN A*****.
By Scott
October 6, 2005 05:42 PM | Link to this
HAHAHA sounds like a Yankees fan…have you heard the joke “what do Yankees fans use for birth control? Their personalities”
Bobby is a good manager and has done exceptionally well considering our bullpen is awful and we have a ton of “Baby Braves”.
Yes I get tired of the post-season flop but there are a whole lot of teams watching the playoffs from home….so those of y’all “fans” that complain about their lack of WS wins, sit your ungrateful behinds at home, but please give your tickets to a real fan
By Eric
October 6, 2005 08:09 PM | Link to this
Lew and Scott and all others who are lecturing us about going to the games, I ask - - again - - why? Do you really feel that your being there or not being there somehow affects the outcome of the game? What possible difference does it make if there are some empty seats. I hope you aren’t going to tell me that professional athletes who are making more in a year than most of us will make in a lifetime have such massive egos that they won’t give 100% if we aren’t there to idolize them.
By HAHAHAHA
October 6, 2005 10:36 PM | Link to this
Alright, you buncha rednecked losers, I’m back.
Sorry for being away, I had a hockey practice to attend.
Ahhh, look… you’re winning.
Good.
It’ll just highten your suffering when they choke!
HAHAHAHA!
By Del Young
October 6, 2005 11:20 PM | Link to this
I feel us bloggers who took exception to BC’s vet lineup in game #1 have been completely vindicated by the play of McCanns, Langerhans and LaRoche tonight. Great win in a must win situation. Great defense by Chipper, Great pitching by Smoltz, Reitsma (yeah) and Farnsworth. However, don’t be surprised when BC reverts to his vet lineup again down the road.
By Carroll
October 6, 2005 11:52 PM | Link to this
Del: agree with your sentiments…I found myself all night long saying “told ya so.” And I believe he will go back to the vets some, but to a certain extent that’s not bad. The only one I really disagreed with was Jordan.
Julio should be in there against a tough lefty like Pettite. If ROachie had played, it might have totally screwed him up (we all know how streaky he is, and we don’t need him slipping into a tailspin now). Also, Estrada has to play some….if for no other reason we don’t want McCann tiring as catchers do this time of year. Plus he’s better defensively and almost as good offensively.
Moral of the story, don’t start BJ anymore and we’ll be kewl.
By William Kitchens
October 7, 2005 01:24 AM | Link to this
How many of you wish the AJC Blogs would go back to “Paid Subscriptions”
By braves fan
October 7, 2005 01:24 AM | Link to this
Del I dont see how you are vindicated McCann and Langy had a good game that we were all glad to see,but just yesterday you hammered Reitsma and you’ve lead the charge to run LaRoche out of the atl,and now your a supporter. Typical pessimistic front running fan is where your vindication lies.You have every right to be as negative and pessimistic as you want but please dont act like you are now a fan of Laroche and Reitsma,because you are not
By Del Young
October 7, 2005 09:27 AM | Link to this
To Braves Fan … I didn’t say I was a LaRoche and Reitsma fan, I DID say that they had a good game. There is nothing contradictory in that!! I”m still not a fan of either of them, but when they have s good game they deserve an attaboy. And just because I’m not a fan of theres doesn’t mean I want them to play bad, after all we all want the same thing … a team win. Go Braves
By Steve
October 7, 2005 10:43 AM | Link to this
Del, you are an idiot …. if you are a BRAVES fan you should love the whole team EXCEPT KOLB who is a miserable terrible reject. How you gonna hate LaRoche and Reitsma?? ESPECIALLY AL?????????? You’re an idiot. That is like bein a die hard Yankee fan and saying….I hate Giambi, I hate Tom Gordon … GO YANKS!!!! You are a fool.
By David
October 7, 2005 11:25 AM | Link to this
Fellow braves fans
never should we be ashamed that we have we won as many world series titles in the 90s as the reds. we should never say bobby cox has to go, for he is the reason that out club has been able to reach the tier it is at now. i live in cubsland, and if you want to feel what real disappointment is, come watch my pathetic roommates b*** about bartman and the injury bug. i enjoy every braves game, even ones where are number 1 forgets to show up. stop complaining and start going to our home games. last nights game was 92.2 percent full. where were you guys. how can we not sell out our home games? traitors. when will you guys jump on the bandwagon? nlcs? world series. fairweathers make me nauseas. pick up a tomahawk and chop it like you should.
By Del Young
October 7, 2005 12:07 PM | Link to this
Steve … now that you have jumped in with your idiot and fool name calling, I might point out to you that I have NEVER said I hate LaRoche and Reitsma. I don’t hate them nor do I love them, I just have to accept them since they are part of our team. Since when does a Braves fan have to love the entire 25 man roster to be a Braves fan?
And by the way, I personnaly do not think there is that much difference in the performancesw of Kolb vs Reitsma !! IMO.
Have a great day.
By braves fan
October 7, 2005 01:47 PM | Link to this
del does love the rookies though and if devine had the exact same stats of Kolb or Reitsma then he would blindly call for their continued spots in the lineup.just as long as the rooks are in there it doesn’t matter whether we win or lose.Kind of like a soccer mom we can all hold hands and sing”kumbya” and have a good time.if your a rook that’s okay.
By Del Young
October 7, 2005 02:38 PM | Link to this
Braves Fan … I plead guilty as charged and no apologies offered. IMO the rooks have brought something to this ballclub we have needed for a long, long time = excitement and enthusiasm. So you are 100% right, I would like us to sink or swim with them in the lineup. IMO we have a far better chance with them in the lineup rather than riding the pine. I guess it is a fair question to ask, who has failed the team more this year the rooks or the vets??
By braves fan
October 7, 2005 03:03 PM | Link to this
del,I dont feel there has been any failure yet considering the injuries,youth,and payroll constraints on this club .The Braves have won the division and are now tied with a good Astrs ballclub at this moment.It takes contributions from the entire squad and not just the 8 rookies and the hell with the other 17 players on the playoff roster.If the Braves advance it will be because of good pitching and the hitting from Furcal,Chipper,Andruw,Giles and yes the rookies but if the Braves win the series it will be because of the top 4 in the order and our starting pitchers. The lineup that played in game 1 did not cause the loss,the lack of pitching did.
By Chucky
October 10, 2005 10:31 AM | Link to this
Fire Boobie Cox!
Yesterday was embarrassing to be a Braves fan. Hudson pitched well all day long and then Boobie comes out of his hole in the wall and takes him out, for what?
He walks a batter, then Furcal makes a dumb play on a ground ball up the middle trying to get the guy at second, and somehow this is Hudson’s fault? Therefore, Boobie takes him out and that was the end of the game for the Braves. Where was John Thompson? Boobie could and should have put him into the game when he took out Hudson instead he waits until about the 14th inning, what a poor job of managing.
If Laroush would have ran yesterday the Braves would have won the game in nine innings and the score would have been 7-6.
I have been a Braves fan ever since I was old enough to know what baseball was. I am forty years old now so that is a lot of suffering. I remember watching the Braves lose every year with players like Roland Office, Claudell Washington, Biff Pocoroba, Buzz Capra and Phil Neikro and I still watched.
I cannot take much more of the embarrassment that the current Braves put on us every year. Go to the playoffs and run home after a beating. It is time to do something…time to retire Boobie Cox and find someone like an Ozzie Gullien to manage the lifeless Braves.
Just my opinion but after last night’s debacle something has to change.