Sports Columnists

By lawton

October 11, 2005 08:05 PM | Link to this

i really hate to say this, but its true, one of the main problems in atlanta sports is the racism that fans still display, how else can you account for the comments about Vick. It sad too because Shaub is a good quarterback. Why not congratulate Falcons management for having the ability to provide a true backup for Vick instead of the garbage that still is in the heads of a lot of these Southern people. And they wonder why commissioners of the major sports took so long to include Atlanta in anything special, they knew what the marketing atmosphere is here.

By lawton

October 11, 2005 08:11 PM | Link to this

while im on a roll, ive always been a true atlanta fan in all sports, got picked on thru out school for being a hawks, braves, and falcons fan, so, im authorized to tell the truth, i was glad when dion ran the ball back 90 something yards in the georgia dome against the falcons, i was glad jeff george circled the field holding the ball in the georgia dome (how ironic), i was glad david justice won a ring with the YANKEES of all people. i was glad red auerbech or whatever his name of the boston celtics got dominique wilkins to play for him and told the truth about dominique’s hustle and love for the game, you know why i love all this? because its all the truth, atlants got the worst fans in all sports, they are racist, shallow minded and not too bright.

By mex

October 11, 2005 08:56 PM | Link to this

what is this lawton dude talking about? he has obviously never stepped foot in the ga dome on a sunday when the dirty birds are in town. if so, he’d see a stadium full of fans as diverse as any in the nfl. i’ve spent many a sunday at giants stadium, the old vet, rfk and soldier field, and in none of these environments have i seen folks of all shapes, sizes and colors slapping hands and dancing together in celebration like they do in the g-dome. the type of environment that lawton describes is alive and well in places like green bay and pittsburgh, but not in atlanta in 2005. wake up lawton, take a look around you . .

By Craig

October 11, 2005 09:15 PM | Link to this

Lawton is an idiot. There is no basis for his comments. Improper classification of racism is just as bad as racism itself.

If you don’t like the South move away.

By Sensitive Much?

October 12, 2005 12:07 AM | Link to this

Lawton: You should seek professional counseling. Absolutely nothing in the column you just read (you did read it, didn’t you?) should elicit a response filled with so much misdirected anger and spite. What you’ve actually demonstrated is that you are the racist, claiming that anyone who dares question Vick’s resolve (or the resolve of any other African-American athlete, I presume) is somehow a bigot. Stop looking for reasons to feel persecuted, and that chip will fall right off your shoulder.

By Matthew

October 12, 2005 01:01 AM | Link to this

Jeff,

I’m sorry, but Booby Cox sucks in October.

There has never been a worse manager when the games count, and the season is on the line. Time and time and time and time and time again, he makes the worst decisions possible (Brian Jordan and Julio Franco? WTF!?) and puts his team in a position to lose, not giving them a fighting chance to win.

But here’s what the Braves really need to do to get better.

Dump Chipper Jones.

Don’t trade him, because you can’t.

Just dump him.

He has the worst attitude and an ego which doesn’t match his performance when it counts (I’m a “tought out.” Hahahahah!), has become complacent, and the dude just sounds unintelligent. I mean, who doesn’t think he was one of those who coasted in high school because he was an athlete, and never learned anything?

But this is the main reason:

Last night, when an idiot reporter asked Jeter if he felt that this season was any kind of a success because the Yankees have set the AL record for most divisions won in a row, he looked the idiot reporter square in the eye like he was retarded, and said, “No, this season was a failure. We don’t play for division titles. We play for World Series Championships”

Does that sound like anything Chipper Jones has ever said? Or will ever say?

Furthermore, does that sound like anything Barney Fife, oops, I mean, Booby Cox has ever said?

No.

They both should be kicked the hell out of Atlanta for that reason alone.

The supposed “leader” of this team and the manager of this team just don’t get it. And they never will.

Derek Jeter gets it though.

Joe Torre gets it.

As much as I hate the Yankees, I would trade Booby Cox and Chipper Jones straight up for Jeter and Torre.

They get it.

The idiots who are important to this team don’t.

And that’s why Torre and Jeter have 4 rings, and Cox and Jones have 1.

If Barney Fife, there I go again, I mean, Booby Cox had failed 13 out of 14 years, he would have been fired long ago by any other team in baseball.

In fact, after the 1996 season, he would have been fired by just about any team in baseball, and he for sure would have been fired for the 1998 fiasco of losing to the Padres by every other team which would have kept him on.

The teams that matter in this league play for the only thing that matters. World Series rings.

The Braves play for their little meaningless divisions titles.

And that is why they are a team full of losers. And as long as Chipper Jones and Booby Cox are running the show, they will continue to poison the rest of the players coming up with their loser mentality.

By James Stephenson

October 12, 2005 06:30 AM | Link to this

Matthew.

Chill bro. I can name one difference between the Yankees when they were winning Championships and those Braves team. Mariana Rivera. That is it. Had the Braves had a guy they could throw out there for an inning, maybe two without worrying. They have more than one world championship.

Would the Braves had lost that game up 6-3 in the 9th with Rivera on the mound. Heck no.

So just chill.

By doc

October 12, 2005 08:47 AM | Link to this

you are right james but the yankees also had contact hittters to make pitchers go deep in the count and manufactured runs with the occasional long ball. the weakness of the yankees now and braves now and then is the lack of those type guys. so as steinbreiner went out and bought folks he lost the essence of being able to win in the long run.

By kudzu

October 12, 2005 09:39 AM | Link to this

lawton, man you need a vacation. get the heck out of dodge…

matthew, it’s not the coach. It may have something (a lot) to do with Jones, I agree, but you can’t just dump him, you know that. How you gonna trade him. The guy is coming up on a projected 17 mill; damnit, are you freaking kidding me again? NOBODY is worth that money- in any sport, ever. Especially, especially when your so called, self proclaimed leader of the team, sucks up the place in post season…and plays only about 2/3’s of the year…

Maybe Leo needs to go…he’s the one responsible for this staff (staff infection).

Farnsworth, Kolb, Brower, Foster, Reitsma, get em allout…now…. before you talk yourself into keeping them….don’t take another risk with these guys.

How many games did they lose for the team this year? Did you all think that in the post season things would be different?

Cox had NO faith in them…8th inning bring in Farnsworth, hope he can hold on for two innings…hell…Cox must be having ulcers…

Yeah, the mighty Braves Pitching mystic is over…we suck….

By kudzu

October 12, 2005 09:48 AM | Link to this

…and furthermore, the entire pitching staff is screwed up. John Smoltz is not going to hold up, he’s done; who knows but Sosa may have been and enigma, Hudson seems like the only credible pitcher, and he’s suspect, Thompson-gone. Hampton-useless. Ramirez-what happened to him?

I say play all the kids… get rid of any and all baggage.

Paul Byrd wins game one last night, didn’t he play for the Braves? Good grief…

By KfromCajunCountry

October 12, 2005 09:53 AM | Link to this

I’ve been a Braves fan since back when they DID have Joe Torre as manager. Cox won a World Series BACK WHEN he had the kind of money Torre has NOW! I could manage the Yanks to a division title with the kind of money they spend! Check out the Mets, Phils, etc. ad nauseum! I’m NOT a Chipper fan, but don’t tred on Bobby!
P.S. Forgive the Yanks reference - I, too, am sick to death of ESPN & the Northeast’s talking about the Yankees & Red Sox like baseball doesn’t exist outside of NY & Boston.

By Dave

October 12, 2005 10:03 AM | Link to this

Has ANYONE read any of the AJC blogs or done any critical thinking about the problems of the current edition of the Braves??

The problem is MONEY!! Everyone knew in July that the Braves needed at least one and probably two or three good relievers if they wanted to go deep into the playoffs. JS got Farnsworth on the cheap because he would be a free agent after this season. Despite what Jeff Schultz says, an additional $10-$20 million would have gotten us that extra quality relief pitching this team so desperately needed. Time Warner just would not allow it, however. The budget was and IS sancrosanct. Deal with it!

That said, the Braves are in position for a great 2006 with the players they have. Based on what was done in 2005, this is what we can reasaonably expect in 2006:

Left Field (Langerhans, K Johnson) - .270 to .300 average, 15 - 25 home runs, 50 - 75 RBIs.

Centerfield (Andruws Jones) - .265 - .290 average, 30+ home runs, 100+ RBIs.

Right Field (Franceour) - .275+ average, 30+ home runs, 100+ RBIs.

1st Base (LaRoche, Franco) - .275+ average, 20+ home runs, 75+ RBIs.

2nd Base (Giles) - .290+ average, 15+ home runs, 60+ RBIs.

Shortstop (??) - the BIG unknown!

3rd BASE (Chipper Jones) - .300+ average, 30+ home runs, 100+ RBIs (IF he stays healthy and plays 150+ games).

Catcher (McCann/Estrada) - .270+ average, 20+ home runs, 75+ RBIs.

Offensively, this teams could match the Braves powerhouse team of 2003, but THIS team wopuld also have TWO #1 starting pitchers (Smoltz and Hudson) and a VERY GOOD set of 3/4/5 pitchers with Sosa, Davies, and Thompson (if the Braves exercise his $4.75M option). With decent relief pitching, we could have TWO 20-game winners and THREE pitchers winning 10 - 15 games each.

There are TWO keys to next season.

One key will be the relief pitching. I believe that both Kolb and Farnsworth are history (Kolb will want a fresh start somewhere else and Farnsworth will always be remembered for the Game 4 meltdown). The Braves will have to address this problem by getting a high quality closer and maybe one veteran set-up man. If not, they will have to find an answer with Devine/Boyer/McBride/Brower.

The other key is remaining relatively FREE from major injuries.

Note that I have NOT put any emphasis on signing Furcal. While I think he is a great talent, there are just too many deep-pocket teams out there who will be willing to pay him AT LEAST $40M for five years (the standard set by the Red Sox and Phillies when they signed their shortstops last year).

The Braves cannot afford to pay that price AND fix the relief pitching problem. It’s one or the other, not both! Since the Braves have a viable alternative at shortstop in Wilson Betemit plus some talent available at shortstop in their minor league system, I believe Furcal is also history.

Just my humble opinion, but I look forward to watching next year’s Braves team. I trust JS to do what needs to be done, even with the budget constraints imposed by Time Warner.

By TrueBlueBravesFa n

October 12, 2005 10:14 AM | Link to this

You know with all the talk of dumping everyone and starting over. Its real important to remember that the free agent market this season stinks. Of the potential free agents out there that could address the Braves needs there are major questions with all of them except Billy Wagner. (And yes I would take Wagner in a New York mmm I mean Atlanta minute). Lets talk about the big names!!! bleck

AJ Burnett - Great arm lousy mind. Plus the braves would never pay the pricetag.

Kevin Millwood - Even if we could afford him (remember his agent is Darth Vader). I can’t imagine him wanting to come back.

BJ Ryan - Not sure if he’s much of an upgrade over Farnsworth.

Bob Wickman - I don’t think the Braves make a uniform big enough.

Steve Karsay - See Kevin Millwood

This list goes on and on. The potential free agent pool stinks. I think the Braves have to hope they can pull of a good trade or find a pearl in the farm system. Any way you look at it you got issues.

The Good News. Sosa can’t be any wors than Thompson was this year. Davies looks like a keeper. Devine could be a great addition next year. Boyer and Mcbride look like potential keepers. Betimet looks like he can handle short if we can’t resign Furcal. Smoltz’s elbow is still holding up(lets wait and see about the shoulder). Farnsworth’s free agent price just went down. Julio’s probably eligible for MLB pension so maybe his price will go down.

By Mbatl

October 12, 2005 11:40 AM | Link to this

I think Dave is right on target with his analysis. I too look forward to next year and feel we have a great nucleus to continue to compete for championships. A couple of other comments:

1. Mazzone is a great coach, and along with Cox should be treasured, not dumped. BUT, the Braves have bought in a little too much to the Mazzone Magic, that he can turn a quadriplegic into an allstar. They must develop, or spend money for, some strong bullpen talent; if that means we have to lose Furcal, so be it. (I wonder if Pete Orr couldn’t handle short/leadoff on a fulltime basis.)

2. How did it become Atlanta fans’ birthright to win World Championships on demand? Except for the Yankees, no other organization comes close to the Braves’ success (the wildcard Marlins got hot in October twice…give them credit… but otherwise don’t even make the postseason). Yes, it’s frustrating to lose in October, and the Braves should continue to seek answers. At least we have MEANINGFUL baseball EVERY summer, which is more than any other franchise (except the Yankees) can say.

3. Braves fans should take some pride in having an organization that develops its own players. I for one get a big kick out of seeing us compete at the highest level with 8 players developed in our own system. It’s a lot more satisfying than buying petulent stars like Gary Sheffield and A-Rod to stay competitive.

No one should be satisfied with anything less than championships. But the bloggers “agony” is a little over the top. Any real baseball fans out there?

By Matthew

October 12, 2005 12:04 PM | Link to this

None of y’all who disagree with me get it.

Hey, it’s fine to disagree, it adds to conversations, differing opinions.

But it’s the attitude of this team which is so f’ed up.

That attitude starts with Barney Fife and is spread amongst the players by his deputy, Rosco P. Coltrane.

It’s that loser mentality that winning divisions is okay, it’s just peachy.

While I hate the Yankees… they have the right attitude.

That’s why they’ve won 4 World Series out of their 9 trips to the postseason, and we’ve won 1 out of 14.

Y’all who keep claiming that the postseason is a crapshoot… well, 4 out of 9… that’s a crapshoot.

1 out of 14 is a trend. And it is a trend because of losers like Cox and Jones spreading their loser attitude throughout the team.

No… winning divisions is not okay, like Jeter said. Winning your division should never be the goal. Your season should be a disapointment if all you win is your division.

No one talks about all of the divisions the Eagles have won. Or how many divisions the Bills won, or how many times they made it to a Super Bowl (a record for consecutive appearances).

And what makes it worse is that many “fans” have bought into the Booby Cox loser mentality. They’ve been force-fed it so many times (I guess it’s that dirt that Barney Fife wants us all to eat), and they diefy this loser so much, that they accept less than the best.

Getting them next year is fine for little league and high school teams.

It is unacceptable for an organization such as the Braves which ha routinely p** away great seasons against inferior opponents in the postseason.

Twins in ‘91

Phillies in ‘93.

Yankees in ‘96.

Marlins in ‘97.

Padres in ‘98.

Cardinals in ‘00.

Giants in ‘02.

Cubs in ‘03.

Astros in ‘04 and ‘05.

All of those teams were inferior to the Braves in the those years. ALL OF THEM!

I place the blame where it belongs. On the man who makes the line-up card. On the man who makes the in-game decisions, on who chooses the rotation, his bench and bullpen for October, and who always leaves his pitchers in too long, or takes them out when they’re performing lights out (Bielecki in ‘96, Hudson this year), or brings in the wrong pitcher at the worst moment (Liebrandt in ‘91 and ‘92, Wohlers an inning early when Bielecki was mowing them down, and Reitsma anytime).

If you’re going to credit Bobby Cox for his awesome regular season performances, than dammit, you need to also blame him for some miserable postseason performances, when he’s taken some great teams and managed them into the ground when they had no business losing.

But some of you Cox-o-philes refuse to do this.

And it is so perplexing, and just not at all reasonable or realistic.

Like the Bug who thinks they have a chance in hell in beating Georgia this year.

It’s just frustrating.

Like the Braves’ loser attitude as a team and organization.

By Mbatl

October 12, 2005 12:20 PM | Link to this

Matthew, I appreciate your view, but just who is this manager who makes all the right calls? Torre is on the hot seat in NY - did he forget how to manage, or did HIS PLAYERS NOT PERFORM? Larussa’s Cards didn’t even show up in the WS last year. Many managers with MUCH more talent than the Braves don’t even make post-season. If Cox has a flaw, I think its that he supports his players and trusts them to do their jobs. It’s what makes him a great manager, but maybe a weakness as well, I admit.

I am curious: who would you suggest as a better manager than Cox?

By Braves fan

October 12, 2005 12:24 PM | Link to this

A couple of notes: Matthew, try to keep it under a 1000 words per blog dude. My scroll wheel finger is tired from scrolling past your drool to read other people’s thoughts. The Braves play for meaningless division titles? The last time I checked in order to win the World Series you have to get into the playoffs. And to do so you must win your division or the wild card (but nobody’s goal is to win the wild card, and there’s no way to “try” to win the wild card anyway). So by your typical retarded logic, the Braves should lose their division in order to win the WS. I guess that works in the bizarro world that you’re living in, but the rest of us know better. You have to get there, before you can win. And that requires a division title. So they are not meaningless.

The bullpen is priority #1. I know Furcal is a free agent, and he was good down the stretch. But lets be realistic. During the playoffs, how many pitches did he even see per at bat? I kept throwing stuff at the TV every time he swung at the first pitch. A leadoff hitter has two responsibilities: get on base and work the count early in the game to let your teammates see what a pitcher’s got. Furcal did little of either in the playoffs. I’ll miss his defense more than his hitting, which seems to be the reverse of what I thought of him early in his career. But the fact of it is, SS is the deepest position in the minor leagues for the Braves other than at catcher. They don’t have a lot of relief pitching prospects, as evidenced by Joey Devine’s meteoric ascension. A couple weeks ago I thought they should resign Farnsworth, but after Game 4, he’s just not worth the coin he’s going to get offered around the league. I say try to entice Billy Wagner (that is if he didn’t resign, I lost track a few weeks ago when there was a possibility of that). And then piece the rest together with the younger guys like Boyer, McBride and Devine.

Vick wanted to play but the team wouldn’t let him. Schaub played well, but if Vick had played the running game would have been more effective and shortened the game, keeping Brady off the field. No way to know if the outcome would have been different.

By BUSHWACKER

October 12, 2005 02:57 PM | Link to this

I don’t care if Vick is Barry Sanders and Joe Montana combined!! Coach Mora has to let the team know who is the boss. If you don’t practice ,you don’t play! And after the performance by Schaub “who by the way can see downfield which is why he completed passes to everybody” against the Super Bowl champs,I don’t care if Vick ever practices or plays again and I bet the rest of the TEAM agrees with me.

By BUSHWACKER

October 12, 2005 03:35 PM | Link to this

Simple solutions for the Braves,hire Pete Rose as manager,he would not tolerate Chipper jogging to first.We need someone with fire in his belly and nobody ever had more fire the Pete!

By Mike G.

October 13, 2005 02:35 PM | Link to this

You cannot compare a division title in football (16 games), to a division title in baseball (162 games). Matthew, you’re not very bright. What was the payroll comparison between the Yankees and Braves, 200 mill to 80 mill? Same result—-a loss in the first round. Joe Torre and Jeter are SO GREAT!!! NOT!