AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2005 > October > 09 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USRelief from hapless bullpen urgently needed
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Terence Moore
Houston — We’ve been here before with the Braves. Actually, we’ve been here way too many times with this franchise, suddenly needing (stop me if you’ve heard this before) a victory in Game 4 of the National League Division Series to keep from another quick and ugly implosion during the postseason.
That said, if the Braves do the improbable today with a victory against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park, they’ll have a chance for redemption Monday at Turner Field in a decisive Game 5. Just don’t count on it, not unless baseball changes its rules during the next few hours and allows the Braves to trade all of their relievers not named Kyle Farnsworth for guys who actually have a clue. The Braves’ bullpen has been thoroughly brutal all season, and nothing has changed with the heightened pressure of the playoffs.
This is ridiculous. How did an organization that prides itself on pitching get into such a mess? Courtesy of four guys in the seventh inning not named Farnsworth, the Braves watched a 3-2 deficit Saturday night against the Astros evolve into a 7-3 loss at the end and a 2-1 deficit in this best-of-five affair that feels as if it’s already over.
The series still lives, though, but if it officially dies for the Braves in Game 4, they’ll become even more of an October pumpkin than they usually are when Halloween is near. After all, the Braves did find ways to survive Game 4 last year in Houston, and they did the same the year before that against the Cubs in Chicago. It’s just that the Braves eventually turned big and orange during both of those subsequent Game 5s, even though they were playing at home. And get this: Unlike this year, both of those Braves teams that couldn’t win Game 5s actually had a bullpen that were keys to those Game 4 victories.
“Yeah, well. This obviously isn’t the ideal situation to be in,” said Braves first baseman Adam LaRoche, easing into a chuckle to break the gloomy silence in the visitors’ clubhouse. His three-run homer in Game 4 last year propelled the Braves toward that Game 5 against the Astros. “The only positive thing about this is that we know what we have to do. We have to win two games in a row. Don’t look ahead. Look at today. Concentrate on one game.”
LaRoche forget something else: Hope Braves starter Tim Hudson goes nine, 15 or whatever amount innings it will take today to keep his teammates in the bullpen watching instead of throwing.
Anyway, despite a gorgeous night around southeast Texas, they closed the roof before the start of this one. It was the first clue that the Astros expected to treat this as an elimination game or one in which they could clinch something.
Neither was true, of course, but this was: The Braves had to approach the evening with as much urgency as their ruthless host. Whenever they close the roof over Minute Maid Park (even when a brilliant moon is dancing above warm breezes), the Astros wish to turn their already noisy home into the loudest place on earth. They even passed out a bunch of white Rally Towels for fans to wave along with their tongues.
Then they got that insect thing going in the first inning. Whenever one of the Astros’ so-called Killer B’s does anything worth noting, those in the stuffed house do their imitation of bumblebees. In other words, there was much buzzing after Craig Biggio led off with a double off the large wall in left field. He eventually scored. So did another one of those Killer B’s, Lance Berkman, on a sacrifice fly.
No problem for the Braves, who threatened earlier in the series to remain a resilient bunch. After they were ripped at Turner Field in the opener, they responded the next night by pounding the Astros. And here were the Braves, tying the game at 2-2 in the second despite all of that buzzing, all of that towel waving, all of that lack of ambience due to a closed roof.
The Astros’ Mike Lamb countered with a solo homer in the bottom of the third, but we already told you that the Astros meant business in this one. So did the Braves, but only those not named Farnsworth who claimed to be relievers.
Permalink | Comments (41) | Categories: Braves / MLB, Terence Moore
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By Carroll
October 9, 2005 12:53 AM | Link to this
Dang Terry, I agree with your sentiments but this sure seems like a hastily-thrown-together, incoherent hodge-podge of ideas with a lot of repetitiveness.
I guess there’s not much you can say. This bunch sucks. The whole team. From BC down to the bat boys. How many times do we have to go through this stuff? Just give BC his consultant position or his front office figurehead job and get us a new field general (Ned Yost?) so we can either 1) get past the first round or 2) not get to the playoffs at all.
By Jeremy
October 9, 2005 01:07 AM | Link to this
I know he may be “the greatest manager ever” but I simply don’t see what Bobby Cox has done so brilliantly this year? Was it having Brian Jordan start Game 1 or was it having Jordan pinch hit in a big spot in the 8th in Game 3? Is it just me or has Jordan not gotten a hit in 5 years? Why did Bobby pinch hit for Sosa in the 7th with some kid named Kelly Johnson? Why did Smoltz not start Game 1 so he could also start Game 4? Why did Brower and Devine make the playoff roster ahead of Kyle Davies? Why didn’t the Braves make a better effort to improve the pen in July when names like Matt Perisho, Todd Jones, Brian Fuentes, Danys Baez and Jose Mesa were being shopped? Sure Farnsworth has been great but he can’t go 3 innings every night! And why does Bobby keep going to Reitsma like he’s the setup man he was last year when his E.R.A. this year is higher than my 6-figure salary? And finally, have you ever seen John Foster get an out in a tough spot? Me neither. It’s time for Bobby to retire - you know he won’t get fired - and be schurholz’s assistant or something. 1 out of 14 signals to me that change is needed.
By cooper
October 9, 2005 04:21 AM | Link to this
I just cannot believe that Bobby Idiot Cox put Reitsma in that game tonight. Any Braves fan who’s been following the season this year could see what happened coming a mile away. Seriously. The police should investigate whether Cox is betting on baseball.
Brian Jordan is done for the year. Thanks.
Reitsma is done for the year. He’s tired. Any further attempt to put him in games WILL DEFINITELY result in a big inning for the opposing team. Reitsma is probably a nice guy but he simply doesn’t strike people out and postseason pitchers can’t rely solely on ground balls and flyouts. Why are Smoltz and Farnsworth so dominant? Because they have splitters and sliders to strike out guys who are sitting on a fastball. They don’t just throw changeups down the middle and hope to get outs. Why couldn’t Cox have put in Ramirez or Thompson? And Joey Devine doesn’t need to be coming in with 2 or 3 men on base. Poor kid.
The only consistent factor in 13 out of 14 post-season exits is Bobby Cox. Players love him and work hard for him but the facts year after year speak for themselves… He is a horrible post-season strategist. Yes, Oswalt was great tonight but that Houston offense is pretty anemic and this game was winnable. Putting in Reitsma and then Foster was equalivant to throwing the game. Pete Rose was dumb but he never did anything as obviously game-altering as that….
Damnit.
By anotherearlyexit
October 9, 2005 05:47 AM | Link to this
Terence, Is there any buzz about Smoltz’s shoulder? How bad is he hurt? Rotator Cuff? Labrum? Dish my man ….
By T Robb
October 9, 2005 06:08 AM | Link to this
You’ve got one sore-shouldered ace, another who can’t locate, a fourth starter whose ERA is 2.19 in his most recent starts and you bypass the fourth starter.
Pitching guys on short rest almost never works, and if it does you have to get into the bullpen (yikes!). Disappointing to hear that Cox is going to try it again.
By Gritz Blitz
October 9, 2005 07:55 AM | Link to this
We should be getting used to this, but somehow it continues to tick me off year after year. In the 1990’s we had the talent on our teams to win the World Series most years. In the 2000’s, each Braves team has had a glaring weakness that has held us back. Another World Series title or two in the 90’s would make watching our millenium teams a bit easier.
You can call for Cox to be fired/reassigned all you want but he will be the Braves’ skipper as long as he likes. Makes me wonder however how long Cox can stand to see the postseason disappointment year after year. At some point you would think he would welcome retirement just to avoid another underacheiving October.
I hope the Braves win today, but am prepared either way. Just hope that the Braves postseason woes do not rub off on the Falcons or Bulldogs. These are two teams that appreciate division titles but cherish the ring.
By D-man
October 9, 2005 08:06 AM | Link to this
I’ve got the answer here folks as to why Cox keeps putting Chris Reitsma in the games at crucial points…Reitsma is blackmailing Cox..yep, thats got to be it…how else to explain the reason Cox loses complete and utter control of his senses by letting Reitsma in the game? Can Cox really be that stupid? Heck no…somethings up…lets have Reitsma brought in for questioning…and lets start with blackmail!
By Tommy
October 9, 2005 08:13 AM | Link to this
To easy on this team. They have about 4 pitchers worth paying. The rest should be sent to the house!
By MEB
October 9, 2005 08:35 AM | Link to this
I have to agree with Carrol that this article is a “hodge-podge of ideas” or better yet a load of crap that you overheard in a bar somewhere. I think you are guilty of plagiarizing just like the clown from the New York Times. You could at least give the guys in the bar a byline for these ramblings. Stating that these guys do not have “a clue” is not only wrong but shows your lack of understanding of the game of baseball. I think you are really a Mets fan employed by the AJC. This team is not guilty of “implosion” like you claim but only lost a very difficult and hard fought game against a very talented ball club. Please save us from this sense of negativity and go play golf with your Met buddies. You epitomize the negativity cancer in Atlanta that John Smoltz described after Game 2.
GO BRAVES!!!
By Mark
October 9, 2005 08:54 AM | Link to this
Macay McBride should be utilized. Reitsma and Foster continue to fail, Devine is too green. Heck, Macay is seasoned compared to Devine. Give the rookie McBride a chance. The other baby braves in his class have come thru..and..what other options does Cox have?
By Dave
October 9, 2005 09:04 AM | Link to this
So, Cox called in Reitsma and we all go ballistic! BUT WHO else was there? Foster? oh, good grief, spare me! Devine? you have got to be kidding. Who else? well, we had Thompson out there who might have made an out or two. doesn’t matter. We all knew exactly what was going to happen. Win another division and then slink out of town in the first round of the playoffs. Same ole story; nothing new. From what I can recall over the past few years, all John Scheurholz {sp} talked about or cared about was winning another division. It appears he is happy to do only that and that is the shame the fan has to live with.
By Mike
October 9, 2005 09:11 AM | Link to this
The only way we lose this series is if Hudson loses two games. I’ll take that anytime.
By G-Man
October 9, 2005 09:19 AM | Link to this
Cox’s major mistake has always been making too many supposedly “baseball” moves rather than riding his horses. He’s too obvious. For example, we all know our middle relief is terrible (Reitsma and Foster - again?!). We all saw Sosa roll through the 6th last night, 90 pitches thrown or not. To me, it would have been more valuable to have him hit in the top of the 7th for the potential scoreless bottom of the 7th he could have thrown over and against the chances of a pinch hitter in that spot doing something game altering.
If (compared to our pen, not too big an if) you get one more solid inning out of him then you’ve got one more go through with the meat of the order in the top of the 8th. If we don’t win it with Giles, Chip and Andruw, etc., I feel ok. Cox does not equal creativity. P.S. Sure wish Boyer didn’t get that end of the season injury. He was one of our only reliable guys.
By Reeksma hater
October 9, 2005 09:19 AM | Link to this
Release Reeksman NOW so that Bobby can’t put him out there again to blow another one today. And if Bobby does put him out there again, retire him NOW.
By Michael
October 9, 2005 10:02 AM | Link to this
Reitsma is not blackmailing Bobby as the D MAN suggested. “Look closely” the next time Chris is called on to do his job, he is scared ——less. It’s sooooo obvious the man had rather be ANYWHERE besides the mound. I can’t believe it, I actually feel sorry for the guy.
By William
October 9, 2005 10:16 AM | Link to this
Has anyone on the Braves put out and APB on CHIPPER???
Why is CHPPER not a leader like “super stars” on other teams??? Why don’t you see him come through in Clutch situations?????
Where has CHIPPER been this series???? Notice how the Astro’s high paid hitters have come through, where is CHIPPER??? .182????
By Dave C
October 9, 2005 10:22 AM | Link to this
The reason Cox has gotten so much credit is because they were able to win the division with this roster. There are holes in it all over the place and with the injuries to Hampton & Smoltz combined with the toughest short series opponent and the Braves are decided underdogs. There is no relief in the bullpen before Farnsworth. I do not know whom they plan on starting in a potential game 5, but, the other of Thompson/Ramirez needs to be used in relief today if needed (or should have been on the mound in the 7th). I, like most every other poster, was concerned when I saw Reitsma on the mound to start the 7th as I think his confidence is shot. At this point I would also prefer to see McBride over Foster, but, neither is a favorable option. I also worry about Devine and his long term development by being fed to the Astros when he is not ready. Lastly, as to the poster who wanted Davies on the roster did you not see his performances from there the last few weeks of the season including the last game of the season? This is a good offensive team (without a strong bench) with 4 playoff caliber pitchers. Having said that, Chipper/Giles are due and Hudson will have a good game. Hopefully, the get it back here for a Game 5 (again). Keep the faith until they are eliminated. Go Braves….
By William
October 9, 2005 10:23 AM | Link to this
All the ROOKIES have been more clutch than CHIPPER!!!!!
He should give back alot of the “big bucks” he is stealing from the BRAVES!!!!
Mr. October, he is not!!!!
By CJC
October 9, 2005 10:39 AM | Link to this
When we lose to Houston it will simply be another case of the better team prevailing. It just irks me that somehow the old adage about how good pitching beats good hitting seemingly never applied to the Braves. But it certainly has the past few years when the Bravos pitching hasn’t been quite where it used to be. Makes me wonder why.
Count me among those who are tired of these division “championships” and then out we go in the first round. And yes I do remember the bad old days of 1975-1981 & 1985-1990. And no I don’t want to revisit that again but I think our genius GM could have at least picked up somebody to pitch the 7th & 8th innings. But since he didn’t Cox isn’t required to bring in Reeksma is he? That blackmail suggestion makes sense to me at this point.
By Carroll
October 9, 2005 11:13 AM | Link to this
I agree with G-Man that BC and the team lack creatvity and the ability to adapt and properly prepare. For example, in last nights game, god and all creation new that Sosy was only good for 5 to a max of 7 innings. So what better time to plan on having one of your starters-turned-relievers planned in advance to go 3-4 inings if and when Sosy started faultering. I ask again…WHY THE HELL ARE THEY EVEN ON THE ROSTER??!!
This lack of preparation and ability to adapt is also evident by the fact that you just new we were gonna get our arsses dominated by Oswalt just like we ALWAYS do! Why is it that other teams can learn and adapt after facing us, but we have several guys like the schillings, andy ashbys, oswalts, sheets, etc,etc,etc that every time we go against them, it’s semmingly an automatic loss….and an embarrasing one. I know those guys are good pitchers who give lots of teams troubles, but we just don’t even stand a chance….it’s oe whif after another.
By Steve
October 9, 2005 11:13 AM | Link to this
Terence: I don’t understand the use of these consistently proven non-performing relievers. Aren’t Ramirez and Thompson available?
By yehuda
October 9, 2005 11:15 AM | Link to this
It’s a code blue for all Braves fans every October. All our starters can not go 7 or 8 innings. Middle relief should have been the importance of the off season. As soon as Sosa was pulled from the game, I said game over. The same thing I said about game one.
The Bereaves front office will have alot to think about after the Astros knock ‘em out.
By Carroll
October 9, 2005 11:33 AM | Link to this
They clearly will not ever address the bullpen situation in a meaningful way. They’ll surely drop Kolb, and a few others and replace them with some other retreads and retards who couldn’t play for most AAA teams. They’ll come into a game early and get a key out against a bad team and then they’ll be BC’s heroe for the rest of the year even though it’s clear to god and all creation that he sux arsse. Then we’ll get here again, flop and we’ll all be b*** again…Oh what’s the point!
By b568578
October 9, 2005 12:51 PM | Link to this
The illness called Bullpen Collapse has been going on from day One of the 2005 season. I don’t see why Braves management all over the organization didn’t see this coming in post-season.
By Jim
October 9, 2005 12:54 PM | Link to this
How about this?
If Cox insists on the bullpen scenario of Reitsma and Foster first…then lets just pack the bags and spare us the agony.
Bobby if you have an ounce of brain matter left you will let anyone with an arm except Reitsma or Foster be the first resort we turn too…
What the hell happened to Thompson and Ramirez ?
I will say this… the various players on the field could take turns pitching to the various hitters and it couldn’t be any worse than the fiasco of Reitsma and Foster… period…
Taking Sosa out for a PH with no one on base is a typical stupid Bobby Cox playoff blunder…. wake up Cox this is old, old, old…
By San
October 9, 2005 04:02 PM | Link to this
OK…I am so over the Braves right now. I watch as Farnsworthless pitches a grandslam ball, and Hudson is sitting there knowing he could have done better than that. For some reason the Braves orginization has refused to even acknowledge the fact that our pitchers suck, and have all year. Everyone I have talked with say that the Braves will not even beat the Astros because we have NO bullpen. How can we think we have any kind of chance to win the World Series? We can’t take this anymore.
By Jim
October 9, 2005 05:24 PM | Link to this
Let’s see, Hudson had Biggio so befuddled that he was 0-3 with two strikeouts and Cox pulls him…
COX cannot manage playoff games…. how many times does he have to prove it to us??????????????????????
LaRoche continues to not hustle and at this point it has cost the team this game…
LaRoche has displayed this lackadaisical attitude all year and all along I have felt it was the barrier between his being decent and maybe great… today he showed exactly why that is the case.
This LaRoche thing should have stopped months ago and a manager in touch with the shortcomings of the players would have made sure that LaRoche got the message… his lally gagging around second base watching the fielder instead of watching the coach at third and busting his gut running was a joke.
If you remember just the other night Furcal did the same thing and got himself thrown out…
How many of us remember our coaches preaching to run our butts off and watch the coaches… not on the Braves…. Buddy, Buddy Cox can’t get on his players…
An excellent manager should never stop hammering in the fundamentals…
Frankly we do not deserve to win, and Houston does.. they have hustled all the way (no surprise there, Phil Garner is a hustler for sure)and has never quit.
Check our game today and see how we have handled the fundamentals… not very good…when the team at this level fails to hustle and do the little things it has to be the manager’s fault…
I have never been one to call for Cox to take a powder… but at this point it is obvious that he is unwilling to make the obvious changes that he must make to be the most successful manager ever…
By Carroll
October 9, 2005 06:09 PM | Link to this
Bill: we finally agree. And I was as p** off with SlowRoche as you are but pulling him is what cost us this game. HE would have made the out at first on the double play in the 8th and surely his hot bat would have come through at some point in the last 10 innings!
By Jim
October 9, 2005 06:25 PM | Link to this
He should have been pulled for not hustling 140 games ago and made to understand that hustling is mandantory every game…
Seeing his baserunning blunder and thinking back of Furcal doing the same thing a few nights ago (trying to stretch a double to a triple while looking over his shoulder) just p** me off with Cox and his coaches…
No they can’t swing the bats, throw the pitches or play the field.. their job is to teach and insist and cheerlead…
You’re right though LaRoche gets that throw easier than Franco….
By Jim
October 9, 2005 07:06 PM | Link to this
Are you happy now Cox…. ?
Anyone wonder why I gave up my behind the backstop season tickets years ago? It is intolerable to watch this crap year in and year out…Cox has absolutely NO FEEL FOR PLAYOFF MANAGING……PERIOD!!!
By Carroll
October 9, 2005 07:11 PM | Link to this
Ouch.
By Carroll
October 9, 2005 07:19 PM | Link to this
Bill: if anything good can come from this treachery, maybe this was the last straw for LaRoche with the Braves. Hopefully he p** them off so badly with his idiocy that he will be cast off. Grand slam notwithstanding, I am over him….his lifeless personality, non-hustling, etc. is a tired act.
I am almost to the point where I don’t want them to re-sign Fooky either. HE has turned into as big a playoff flop as any. He had one good month or 6 weeks this year and completely sucked otherwise. Let him go and use WB at SS. I’m over Gilys too. If anyone wants him this offseason (they way Oakland wanted him last year in the Hudson deal) SEND HIM AWAY and let Orrsy take 2b. Before you all go off on your usual tantrums…NO I DON’T CARE IF WE MISS THE PLAYOFFS next year, the next five years or for the rest of my life. I just don’t wanna see this embarrasment ever ever again.
Also let Farnsy go. Today,combined with two years ago wtih the Cubs was all I needed to see. That boy just can’t put it all together. I think Devine will make a fine closer or Boyer. SPread th emoney out and get us 3 or 4 good middle relievers.
By T
October 9, 2005 07:52 PM | Link to this
Well there you go! The Braves lose again! Why do people actually think this team will make it to the World Series ever again? Not only does the manager make dumb mistakes(taking Hudson out even though the Astros didn’t have one hard hit vs. him all game), they also show very little heart. They didn’t hustle, they didn’t concentrate on defense, they didn’t manufacture runs, and they just didn’t want it enough! The fans should stop wanting them to win b/c it seems like certain veteran players could care less. Where is Chipper Jones during the playoffs? He never comes through in a close game…I don’t get it b/c he’s labelled as superstar. The young players gave great efforts but 1 or 2 small plays will change a playoff game, like walking leadoff men and not staying on the bags while trying to get key outs. I just don’t understand how the fans continue to support teams that give so little!
By ernie logman
October 9, 2005 07:55 PM | Link to this
forget the 14 Straight Divisional title BS and pay attention to the 10th straight post season failure. Ten straight years of losing to lesser teams and or choking.
Bobby Cox should have been fired after 1993
By Jeremy
October 9, 2005 08:01 PM | Link to this
The Braves have a lot of changes to make and they better make them. Furcal would be good to keep as a table setter and Billy Wagner would be a perfect free agent signing. Guys like Jordan and Estrada should never step foot in the Braves locker room again and Reitsma, LaRoche, Franco,and maybe even Farnsworth should be shown the door too. And yes, Bobby Cox NEEDS to take his 200-year old legs to a comfy chair in the front office. How about a guy like Eddie Perez to energize this team as a bench coach or maybe even a manager?
The Braves sre mostly set with position players although a guy like Lyle Overbay would be a cheap upgrade over SlowRoche or Francold. The rotation is okay with Smoltz, Hudson, Sosa, Ramirez, and Davies for next year. Thompson is a FA and should not return. The pen is where major change is needed with Foster, Reitsma, and Farnsworth not coming back. That leaves Devine and McBride and MAYBE Brower. Schurholz needs to find a closer (Wagner?) and about 4 more quality guys out there. Maybe some kind of deal can be swung involving Estrada, LaRoche, and Betemit or K. Johnson for a pitcher.
The bottom line is that 1 out of 14 should signal that major change is needed!
By Carroll
October 9, 2005 08:52 PM | Link to this
Jeremy: I agree with a lot of your points but here’s where I differ. I would say that we could let Thommy go BUT with the inury to Hammy, I think Thommy provides a very serviceable veteran replacement for a bargain (unless the Yanks get involved in which case I say let him go).
Secondly, we DO NOT need to keep Fooky. Keeping him would take ALL our free agent loot and he has proven in his 6 years here that he is not worth it…in fact the only time we’ve gotten out of the first round in his tenure was the year he was injured and didn’t play (2001)!! I wouldn’t break the bank for Waggoner either and I would definitely let Farnsy walk… I think Devine and/or Boyer can do the closer job and I say spread the bullpen loot out on a couple pretty good mid relievers instead.
I love the idea of getting Overbay. I think WB can do fine at SS and Orr would make a fne 2bman and leadoff man. I also love the idea of Eddie PErez managing….hadn’t thought of that one before. I just want someone to get in these guys faces when they pull s** like Roach not ruuning hard or CJ not giving a real effort to get to balls. It would be a dream come true if we could unload CJ but I doubt that would happen. He has just become SOOO accepting of failure that he doesn’t have a clue how to win anymore…AND I’M NOT TALKING ABOUT YOUR RIDICULOUS STRING OF DIVISIONAL TITLES THAT NOBODY GIVES TWO S** ABOUT. I’m talking about stepping up when it counts!
By Gritz Blitz
October 9, 2005 08:55 PM | Link to this
Fans call for major changes every year but the ones that should take place never do. Cox should have been gone after the 1996 World Series and Chipper should have been traded after 2000(if I see him flail at another pitch I think I will puke!). Something happend in October that prevents the Braves from HITTING THE BALL. Whatever it is, it has been consistent for years. It is obvious that our bullpen cost us this year but even a decent offensive effort could have carried us to the NLCS. The Braves have become a group of underacheivers and it doesn’t seem to bother them one bit.
By Carroll
October 9, 2005 09:11 PM | Link to this
That’s the worst part….they don’t even care that they made children cry today! They have a multi million dollar ranch and hooters chicks to go home to! But yet some bloggers would have us lay off the personal attacks and negativity. Screw that! Chipper Jones isn’t even worthy of the air he draws IMHO. We knew the pen stunk..we knew the rookies with their inexperience might struggle, we knew Smoltz was hurting….but we were depending on a huge effort from 1-2-3 and we got FREAKING NILL all series long! All three should just go. Enough is enough!
By Jim
October 9, 2005 09:33 PM | Link to this
I HATE to agree with letting Furcal go, but at 8 million or so I would also keep Betemit at SS… CJ is here until his absurd contract is over ‘cause no one wants him at those astronomical numbers…
The big problem here is Time Warner… bottom line is that theier tight purse strings hamstring us year in and year out. After the big 5 or so eat up the $50+ mil or so it gets tough to find 20 players for $20 mil and include some experienced quality vets for the pen…
The problem with the Roach is that the manager and coaches have let him cruise… and the example of the other corner bagger, CJ is is the worst example you could want for the kids. CJ hasn’t run out a ground ball since he blew his knee out in ‘94…..
The big problem is the managing… absolutely zero consistent manufacturing of runs throughout the year. Cox is a home run manager and without that HR he wouldn’t have even one World Series win.. bottom line.
For those of you that have forgoten, Cox pulled the same kind of bone head substitution in the World Series in ‘91 with Lebrandt and Pucket… remember?
Only Dave Justice’s single home run and Tom Glavine 8 inning shutout, plus a scoreless 9th by Wohlers gave us the flag in ‘95.
As I write this, the Angels just scored a manufactured run … and now another as obnoxious McCarver sings Scotia’s song of “Get’em on , Get’em over, Get’em home”…
Cox just doesn’t get that part of it…
By Roger
October 10, 2005 04:11 PM | Link to this
The first thing we fans need is a salary update. We have money from Kolb, Jordan, Franco, etc. If Hampton is covered by insurance? How much is availabe?
What increase does it cost to keep Furcal, Farnsworth?
What are the best buys in middle relief?
Before the NLDS, I had a thought that even surprised myself. If we had a healthy rotation, which we obviously didn’t, I would like to use Smoltz as an old time reliever in the mold of Rollie Fingers, Bruce Sutter, Goose Gossage, etc. He couldn’t pitch but about twice or three times a week, but for 2-3 innings instead of one inning at a time. Takes a lot of pressure of middle relief, since there wouldn’t be any. Use Farnsworth as the closer with middle relief on the other days.
BTW. there are always a lot of ex-Brave pitchers on the free agent market. How do John, Bobby and Leo feel about a second shot?
Our batters seem solid, with only the possible loss of Furcal as a problem.
The rotation looks solid with Smoltz, Hudson, Sosa, Thompson, Ramirez and the kids. I was worried about Smoltz holding up as a starter and now I wonder after his shoulder problems. We could have the depth to use both types of closers.
The pen was -is- a disaster. Farnsworth, despite a loack of closer experience, and the kids are worth keeping. Can the rest and get some help.
By Joe from Houston
October 10, 2005 05:28 PM | Link to this
I’m actually from Houston and was just reading to see what the media in Atlanta is saying. One thing to remember is that for several years it was the Braves who owned the Astros and were the main reason we never advanced to the playoffs. How can a team with Randy Johnson, Darryl Kile, Mike Hampton (back before his injury) and Bagwell and Biggio lose so many times? This post is not in any way to gloat because I can only imagine how difficult this must be for you guys (remember we didn’t get to the World Series last year because Dan Miceli couldn’t hold a lead in middle relief). Of course, before you guys decide to fire your manager, just ask the Phillies what it is like to barely miss the playoffs every year. I’m sure LaRoche would rather have that experience than the one the Phillies had. I think that you guys have one of the best managers in the world and you just ran into a team that was on a mission. I’m sincerely sorry it didn’t work out but happy for Houston. After the scare with Hurricane Rita, we needed something to get excited about.