AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2006 > April > 03 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USBraves can still see blue skies ahead
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Terence Moore
Los Angeles — Way beyond the left-field bleachers at Dodger Stadium, there are letters the size of Tommy Lasorda’s old belly spread across the pretty hill on this side of the San Gabriel Mountains. The letters refer to the cherished home team, but they also could have something to do with the Braves when it comes to the epitome of dominance in the National League:
“Think Blue.” More specifically, think navy blue, as in the Braves and as in the NL’s dynasty of the present, instead of royal blue, as in the Dodgers and as in the NL’s dynasty of the past.
You also can think about a 15th consecutive division title for the Braves, and not only because the present survived the past on Monday during the soggy opener for both teams. Until somebody else wins the NL East, you have to figure that the Braves will do so forever. They also showed enough during their 11-10 victory to give the choppers and chanters hope of nice things to come.
That is, if you ignore the inability of Tim Hudson to coast with a seven-run lead as the new John Smoltz, Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine as the Braves’ pitching ace. Hudson didn’t survive the fifth inning, with two wild pitches mixed among six hits and three walks along the way. Worse, the Braves’ bullpen was as wretched as advertised. It nearly blew an 11-5 lead. Most of Hudson’s six (yes, six, and this was just opening day) successors were quite hittable and forgettable. Even so, their teammates did enough before and after those meltdowns on the mound to keep alive the Braves’ chances of going 162-0.
The Braves’ ripped three home runs, including a pair of three-run shots by Adam LaRoche and Andruw Jones. Plus, Edgar Renteria had a successful debut as the Braves’ shortstop. He was smooth in the field on challenging grounders to his left and right, and he contributed at the plate with two hits and two RBI. Good thing, because his predecessor, Rafael Furcal, was going nuts for the Dodgers (on base five times, including three hits).
Anyway, with the Braves brass somewhere praying that their team won’t have to slug their way into October this time, let’s move to the big picture of NL history, where the Dodgers are the Braves, and the Braves are the Dodgers. In addition to both teams having the same predominant color on their uniforms, they both are noted for developing their own players. They both are noted for longevity when it comes to their team executives and managers. They both are noted for having everybody throughout their organizations function in a distinctive and professional way.
There are a couple of mighty differences, though. First, the Dodgers were noted for all of those things during most of the five decades prior to 1991. Not coincidently, that’s exactly when the Braves went from brutal for much of their Atlanta existence after leaving Milwaukee to the start of 14 consecutive trips to the playoffs. Then there is that other difference, nearly as significant as the first. Braves hitting coach Terry Pendleton squinted on Monday in the visitors’ clubhouse, before saying, “How many championships did they win during those years? Do you know?”
Yeah. A bunch. We’re talking about 1955, 1959, 1963, 1965, 1981 and 1988. That’s opposed to the Braves’ managing their only world championship during their current run 11 years ago. So this game was just another brick in the foundation toward where the Braves need to be in search of becoming more than just a postseason tease.
“I like the Braves’ attitude, and that attitude comes from the mystique of Bobby Cox and what he learned when he was in the Dodger organization for a number of years,” said Don Newcombe, the former pitching great for the Dodgers, referring to Cox’s minor-league days in the early 1960s. By then, Newcombe had finished starring for the Dodgers from the late 1940s through 1950s, with the likes of Jackie Robinson, Roy Campanella and Duke Snider. “We had the attitude, and that’s the most important thing you have to have in anything in life.”
This time, the Braves had the attitude and the luck (how else can you explain surviving bad pitching?). Near the end, with the sky leaking big drops on the 56,000 gathered, the Dodger Stadium organist played the old Carpenters hit called “Rainy days and Mondays (Always Get Me Down).” Such only was true if you were wearing royal instead of navy blue.
Permalink | Comments (25) | Categories: Braves / MLB, Terence Moore
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By Dave Knockahomer
April 4, 2006 12:56 AM | Link to this
“postseason tease”
copyright that, TM..cause that is truly the truth! Somehow, someway, I believe we will git that 15th division title but we will go through our typical ‘postseason tease’.
Man, you got that right!!!!!!!!!!
When we had pitching, we could round up any offense. We are hurting pitching-wise and maybe we will have the offense, but it sure would be nice to have pitching AND offense.
oh well……at least we ain’t been in the cellar! But man, do I remember the ‘heart’ of alot of players prior to 1991. We will need lots of heart this year if JS doesn’t improve the blowup bullpen
By bob
April 4, 2006 08:15 AM | Link to this
My name is Luca and I live on the second floor.
Go Braves
By Michael
April 4, 2006 08:17 AM | Link to this
Say what you want about the post-season crap shoots and heartbreaks we have endured, but this stat from today’s SI.com says all you need to know about the excellence we have enjoyed since 1991: The Braves have a 1,432-931 record since the start of the 1991 season - the best in baseball.
By Ross
April 4, 2006 08:30 AM | Link to this
Um, Hi Terence,
1957, Braves win WS over Yankees in 7. I imagine that counts as a world championship, although there are no stats for how Cuba and Japan fared that year.
Warren Spahn has 18 complete games that year. Here’s hoping Hudson and the BP can manage 18 complete innings.
-drl
By Carroll
April 4, 2006 09:21 AM | Link to this
On a positive note, the offense was incredible yesterday. SUre we can’t expect 11 runs every time, but it looks like there’s not a weak link in the starting 8.
By Ryder
April 4, 2006 09:46 AM | Link to this
In spite of the pitchers’ attempts to keep LA in the game, the offense did just enough to pull it out. Terence made some very strong points, this team has such an attitude and expenctancy to win that its contagious to anyone who enters the locker room.
The difference between Atlanta and the other pretenders in the East is that there has always been a strong foundation of leadership, starting with the front office to the manager (Thrashers & Hawks take notes, oops sorry wrong blog).
While we would all like to see more postseason success, that should not diminish what they’ve accomplished, something that will never be done again. As for today, no need for anyone to come on this blog and overreact, it’s only one game. Hudson will adjust and I believe the pen will improve, not sure if keeping Thomson in there is good for the long haul, we’ll see.
By Daniel
April 4, 2006 10:01 AM | Link to this
I think we may be looking into this one game a little too much. It was just one game, the first of 162. Just because we won this one doesn’t mean we’ve wrapped up the East like everyone is implying. And just because the offense was great doesn’t necessarily mean it will be great this season. And, hopefully, just because the pitching was bad this game doesn’t mean it will be that way all season.
By Lew
April 4, 2006 10:09 AM | Link to this
Just like in the playoffs last year, Hudson will pitch better the second time around now that the adrenaline has toned down. I have serious questions about whether Boyer and Thomson are healthy. I question Devine being sent down with the situation what it is. Villarreal, Cormier and Remlinger looked pretty good yesterday, so all is not hopeless. The offense is going to be much better than anyone gave it credit for. What TM says is definitely true about the organization, though. This team will contend for at least another 5-10 years with the current players in the pipeline.
By Rutuger
April 4, 2006 10:15 AM | Link to this
How many years must go by before we get a decent middle reliever in this town again? I know they didn’t have a whole lot to choose from this year, but man… digging through the Diamondbacks’ trash to pick out Cormier? The guy is complete garbage, and he lived up to this reputation yesterday, as did the rest of these inept minor pitchers masquerading as Major League relievers.
No reliever
+ No closer= MLB’s worst bullpen
x 162 games= Lots and lots and lots of runs to score if we want a fighting chance at a pennant this year.
The offense did look impressive though. Let’s just hope the members of our bullpen can overcome themselves.
By Daniel
April 4, 2006 10:20 AM | Link to this
The bullpen is a ABSOLUTE joke. Come on guys we almost blew a 7 run lead. I’m more concerned with how Bobby Cox stomach is going to hold up when the Braves enter the 7th , 8th ,9th innings with only a one two lead and having to look toward that bullpen to hold a lead. I just don’t see it. Will the Braves win the East? Philly pitching is not that good, Mets have ahistory of high expectations, but always failing to achieve. Until the bullpen shows any sign of the ability to hold a lead, Bobby better hold the Mylanta close by
By braves fan
April 4, 2006 10:44 AM | Link to this
CALM DOWN. Geeez, you’d think this was late September in the middle of a losing streak the way some of you act. It was game one and guys are amped up to get going. Remember game one last season. John Smoltz was blown up by Florida and everyone was chicken little, predicting gloom and doom for the Braves. How’d that turn out? Why is it the only guy in this town who seems to understand that this is a marathon, not a sprint is Bobby Cox? Of all the things about Bobby that make him a good manager, that is one that has made the 14 straight possible. His patience and understanding that there is time to work things out and get a team on track. Everyone around here has memory problems. Geez.
Oh on a side note, did any of you catch the Barry Bonds syringe thing? That was probably the most perfect visual I’ve seen in some time. That picture was priceless: Bonds standing in full uniform on a baseball diamond, holding a syringe, with a dumb look on his face. Whoever tossed that syringe on the field should be given a standing ovation (instead of an escort out of the stadium, which is what they got if they were caught). Also, there was a guy in the stands with a posterboard with a giant asterik on it. I think when Bonds come to Atlanta, the whole damn stadium should be holding one like that.
By Lew
April 4, 2006 11:05 AM | Link to this
As I mentioned before, Cormier (who someone above says he sucks), Remlinger and Villarreal pitched 3 innings and gave up no runs. Just because they left people on base does not negate the bottom line. Atlanta fans are not going to be happy even if the Braves went 162-0 and pitched no hitters every night. They would complain that no one won 35 games and no one hit 75 HR. Even if someone pitched a perfect game they would complain that the pitch count was too high. Come on people, it was only one game. The Braves are still the team to beat now and the next decade. Be happy you are not KC or Detroit fans. Even Tampa Bay will be happy if their team goes .500.
By kabichi
April 4, 2006 12:26 PM | Link to this
Tim Hudson = Cy young
Andruw Jones = MVP
Atlanta Braves = World Sereis Appearance
By JIMO
April 4, 2006 01:37 PM | Link to this
The problem has been the same for years.(except Sir Smolz) IF JOHN IS SO GREAT A GM, AND BC A MGR. WHAY HAVE THEY NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM? ITS NOT MONEY BECAUSE THEY SPEND IT TO GET OTHER PLAYERS. THEY SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. a Bravefans blog above 10:44 about Bonds is right on . Everyone get a sign I will. Lew Detroit and Tampa might fool you this year.
By Eric Shelander
April 4, 2006 02:14 PM | Link to this
Bottom line, each team in MLB will probably, most likely win 60 games and lose 60 games. As it has been said, over and over again, it is what you do with the other 42 that determines championships. Bottom line, game 1 of 2006 for the Braves was one of those 42. The offense is what it is, the defense is what it is, and the pen, as bad as it looked yesterday, is really a lot better than last year. Hang in there, this is a marathon, not a 100 yard sprint. Braves World Champs in 2006
By Steve
April 4, 2006 02:17 PM | Link to this
Seriously, Hudson will bounce back no doubt…..Smoltz will shut them down tonight….but they need to address the bull pen, or else the postseason will come and they will lose to another bullpen…..again…Thats what seperates CHAMPIONSHIP teams to CONTENDERS….Does it look like the Mets had a problem yesterday when Wagner came in?? NO…we SHOULD have gotten Trevor but we were too dam cheap to pay him 2 years 10 million…
By Aaron
April 4, 2006 02:24 PM | Link to this
After being a Braves fan since birth (I was named after Hank Aaron) I can’t understand why so many “Atlanta faithless” can continue to badmouth what JS and BC have done over the past decade plus. I grew up in this city and spent countless hours watching Jerry Royster, Bob Horner, Brian Asselstine, Rick Camp, and Biff Pocoroba repeatedly fail to be contenders. The city hated losing and griped every chance they got. Now we’ve been winning for 14+ years and you’re still griping. Sure, a few more Series titles would be great, but what then? You’d complain that we didn’t go undefeated in spring training. Sit back and enjoy the season for a change.
By JOHN B.
April 4, 2006 02:54 PM | Link to this
Steve,
The Braves could not have offered Hoffman enough money to get him to leave. No team could. Hoffman was not going to leave SD. The Indians offered him more, but he went back.
The bullpen is not as bad as they looked last night. And don’t forget, it wasn’t just the bullpen that blew an 8-1 lead. Hudson left with no outs in the 5th winning 8-4. He also left a man on 2nd for Cormier. Hudson was not very good at all. But again, it is only game 1 of 162. Hudson will be a lot better than he showed yesterday.
It’s great to have baseball back.
By JOHN B.
April 4, 2006 02:55 PM | Link to this
Steve,
The Braves could not have offered Hoffman enough money to get him to leave. No team could. Hoffman was not going to leave SD. The Indians offered him more, but he went back.
The bullpen is not as bad as they looked last night. And don’t forget, it wasn’t just the bullpen that blew an 8-1 lead. Hudson left with no outs in the 5th winning 8-4. He also left a man on 2nd for Cormier. Hudson was not very good at all. But again, it is only game 1 of 162. Hudson will be a lot better than he showed yesterday.
It’s great to have baseball back.
By mcdwag
April 4, 2006 03:45 PM | Link to this
the key to the braves winning another division title may well rest on a team like the Washington Nationals-the NATS provided enough comeptition w/in the division to allow a fairly good braves team to eke out a title-hopefully thewith enough losses to offset questionable bull pen and bench-161 to go
By Penn
April 4, 2006 05:26 PM | Link to this
I’m a native Georgian who has lived in New Jersey, Chicago and South Florida.
I never liked either NY team but I did enjoy going to Wrigley while in Chicago. I even went to see the White Sox occasionally.
Since retirement I have lived in South Florida. The Mets train five miles from my home and within 50 miles we have the Dodgers, Cardinals, Phillies and the Marlins and others nearby.
I have grown to enjoy the Marlins but their penchant for dismantling is disconcerting to say the least.
This year they kept only two front liners from last year, Dontrelle and Cabrera. There are two franchise players but I’m willing to bet neither will be here five years from now.
While you spoiled ninnies in Atlanta gripe about the bullpen giving up those runs yesterday Dontrelle and the Marlins pen gave up only ONE RUN to Houston and still lost 1-0.
Take another look and be thankful for a change. Joe Girardi may well be the next Bobby Cox but so far he has only about three or four major leaguers to manage. I feel sorry for him but will still pull for them except when they play the Braves.
I can say this; all this negativism I see on these blogs is not becoming. Why not relax for a change and enjoy what you have, another winning team?
By braveboyfromblairsville
April 4, 2006 06:09 PM | Link to this
braves rule…another division title in sight after offensive explosion against dawjas….bobby has crew ready again
By braveboyfromblairsville
April 4, 2006 06:09 PM | Link to this
braves rule…another division title in sight after offensive explosion against dawjas….bobby has crew ready again
By TheSouthernJackAss
April 5, 2006 12:19 PM | Link to this
Braves didn’t look too good last nite against the Dawjas, Did they braveboyfromboogerville???…GO DAWJAS!!!…
By cowman23
April 5, 2006 04:46 PM | Link to this
Come on guys, give the team a break. It’s only two games into the season and you think we’ve got a disastrous season already. BC and JS too astute to give up the ghost. They’ll pull some more magic. Maybe you guys need the Mylanta!