AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2006 > April > 13 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USBraves missing Mazzone
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Terence Moore
The silence was deafening among many of the Braves pitchers when Leo Mazzone left after last season as their coach. It was disgusting.
When they did speak, the words weren’t warm and cuddly. Some mentioned his stubbornness. Others said he was intimidating. Gruff. A little volcano with a tomahawk across its chest.
In other words, Mazzone was exactly what they needed. The same goes for any pitching staff that wants to win and dominate. “I heard that I was being compared to Bobby Knight, and I thought to myself, ‘Well, heck, the last I looked he’s going into the Hall of Fame.’ That actually was one of the best compliments I could have gotten,” said Mazzone, 57, laughing over the phone Thursday from Tampa, where his Baltimore Orioles were preparing to face the Devil Rays.
Mazzone with the Orioles? That still doesn’t sound right. You can blame his departure after 14 years of evolving into the greatest pitching coach ever on his best friend managing the Orioles and a yearly salary of $500,000. That’s double what he got from the organization that he still respects, and it’s more loot than anybody gets among his peers.
The drive also is easier for an elderly couple from Westernport, Md., to Camden Yards as opposed to Turner Field. “Dad’s 83 and Mom’s 79, and they came down for the weekend series against Boston,” said Mazzone of Tony and Maxine, proud of a son who already has at least the bill of his cap in Cooperstown. “(Maryland) is my home state, and (Orioles manager) Sam Perlozzo’s father and my father coached against each other when we were kids. So there are a lot of connections. When you add the other part [money, money, money], it was a no-brainer.”
Yeah, well. He’s right.
Unfortunately.
Nothing against Roger McDowell, Mazzone’s affable replacement who has the knowledge and the personality to become good, but the Braves had somebody who already was great. Under Mazzone, the Braves spent 12 years finishing first or second in the majors in team ERA. Now, with the horrific struggles of ace Tim Hudson and the rest of a staff that entered Thursday night’s game at Turner Field against the Philadelphia Phillies allowing more than a touchdown (6.63 ERA) per game, only the Kansas City Royals and the Devil Rays had worse team ERAs.
It’s early, though. The Braves have too many gifted arms to keep from holding teams to around a field goal by the end of May. They also have Bobby Cox, baseball’s best manager ever and a noted pitching guru. Even so, contrary to those who attribute Mazzone’s success to Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine and John Smoltz, historians will cite Mazzone as a primary catalyst behind the Braves’ run of 14 consecutive trips to the playoffs and those pitchers becoming Cy Maddux, Cy Glavine and Cy Smoltz.
Only Smoltz remains from the Big Three, and even his numbers after two starts (15 hits, nine earned runs in 12 innings) are un-Leo like.
“Well,” Mazzone said, pausing, before chuckling. He was reflecting on an Orioles’ pitching staff that entered Thursday’s action with more walks (57) than anybody. “I tell you what. I’ve got all that I can handle right here,” Mazzone added. “I mean, (Wednesday night) we had a ball game where we had a young kid named Daniel Cabrera, and listen to this line score: Five innings, three hits, one run, nine walks and 10 strikeouts and 110 pitches.”
Mazzone sighed, admitting that he has two teams of the heart. While the Orioles are managed by his favorite pal in life, the Braves are managed by the guy that Mazzone ranked as a father figure during his 15 years as his pitching coach.
“I always look up on the scoreboard for ‘Atlanta,’ and, of course, you always think about Bobby (Cox), and you think about Smoltzie, and you think about (bullpen coach) Bobby Dews, and you just root like heck for them,” Mazzone said, before returning only part of his mind to the Orioles. “On a couple of balls this year, I’m thinking to myself, ‘Well, there’s an out,’ and then it’s like, ‘Uh-oh. It got through.’ When you watch the game being played, and you don’t have Rafael Furcal at shortstop or Andruw Jones in center, it’s a little different there.”
Almost as different as not having somebody rocking next to Cox and keeping those touchdowns away.
Permalink | Comments (116) | Categories: Braves / MLB, Terence Moore
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Mark Casteel
April 13, 2006 09:18 PM | Link to this
I agree! Has anyone told the starters that the season has started? Maybe they will show up before the Mets bury us.
By Dick
April 13, 2006 10:37 PM | Link to this
I can’t believe the small salary Mazzone was making, I mean he basically helped write the cehck for John Shuholtz, GM. John should be ashamed of taking advantage of coaches like Leo.
By Poor Man
April 13, 2006 10:39 PM | Link to this
Relax guys we will be just fine for crying outloud we have Bobby Cox. Francoeur is coming around, he just hit 2 homers tonight, we lost, so what we will ROCK the heck out of this division in the end, just have patiance folks…
By Dave Knockahomer
April 13, 2006 10:48 PM | Link to this
Francoeur can hit all the homers he can; and the same for my Andruw but until there are pitching names taken and butts kicked, it won’t matter. Nothing against McDowell but Leo KNEW. someone said he was doing all that great at Baltimore….well, he didn’t come to the Braves and be immediately successful. These Brave pitchers need to be taken out behind the barn :) instead of pampering. Shame on those pitchers who downplayed Leo…. oh well, time will tell. Great article, TM!!!
By Stuart Lightsey
April 13, 2006 11:06 PM | Link to this
One turn is an aberation. Two turns in the rotation is worrisome. If the team has 3 bad turns in the rotation, well folks, that is a trend; I dont care how many homers a team hits. A team cannot win a pennant in April, but they sure can lose one. We are close to losing it already. Huddy and Smoltzie HAVE to win against SD this weekend. Then we have Thomson on Sunday. Then we roll TO New York with the back half of our staff (Sosa and Davies)Mon. and Tues. and Huddy on Wed. We are four out now and there is a chance we will be 6-10 games out in APRIL.
By Larry
April 13, 2006 11:11 PM | Link to this
Terence, I hate to agree with you AGAIN, but I’ll have to on this one. I wonder if it’s got anything to do with Scary Movie 3 playing in the backround…I’m TOTALLY distracted. But that’s probably a GOOD thing…
By Eric C.
April 13, 2006 11:15 PM | Link to this
Already 4 games behind the Mets and the starters have yet to win…it’s been fun but this is the end of the run.
By MARK
April 13, 2006 11:16 PM | Link to this
There isd no such nice guy coach….who is a winner…managing is not a popularity contest….Oyeah Leo is missed in less than 2 weeks this pitching staff is really clueless….all the millions spent is down the drain over a few hundred thousand…we need new ownership sooo bad.Go Braves!
By Jonny
April 13, 2006 11:30 PM | Link to this
Are we doubting the Braves this early in the season… again?
This garbage happens every year. Rocky start and the calls that the run is over start coming out faster than Cynthia Mckinney gets seconds at an all you can eat buffet.
McDowell may not be the pitching coach we need but one thing is for sure: We still have Bobby Cox leading the Brave charge. Leo has left a gap in the leadership but so many other keys remain for the Braves. Don’t you dare write these guys off when there are 150+ games left in the season.
By Michael
April 13, 2006 11:43 PM | Link to this
Is this the best that can be done on the Braves’ pitching situation? Dribble that is basicall a rehash of unintelligent sports talk radio callers? Joey Devine gave up 2 grand slams and a playoff series-losing home under Leo. He walked 75 people in one inning under McDowell. Could it be that the pitchers are royally stinking it up and the bottom of the barrel is getting empty? Smoltz got rocked his first outing last year. Tim Hudson has a near 13 ERA this year and flat-out stunk in his first start of the NLDS. A coach can only talk so much. The athlete has to go out there and do it.
The most important thing: the Braves have played fewer than two weeks. The season is 6 months long. They are through the equivalent of one Falcons game. Surely people can wait until at least May to fall off the yam wagon.
By ProfessorSack
April 13, 2006 11:48 PM | Link to this
We will see yes it is early but I don’t think the Mets are going to wilt this year. We don’t need to get to far behind the Mets—without Mazzone this team has lost alot to feel comfortable about this years pitching
By And...exhale.
April 13, 2006 11:50 PM | Link to this
Take a couple of deep breaths, folks. Smoltz, Hudson and the rest of the staff haven’t forgotten how to pitch just because Mazzone left. He’s a great coach and I’ll miss his constant reclamation projects, but the sky is not falling. Take away the first couple of innings, and the Braves might be 9-1. Once the starters get the early-game jitters worked out, this team is going to catch fire. The Mets don’t stand a chance with that rotation over an entire season, Pedro or not.
By MyMicSoundsNice
April 13, 2006 11:59 PM | Link to this
Leo who???
By Alan Hawkins
April 14, 2006 12:14 AM | Link to this
Bobby Cox - the best manager ever. Terrence, I think that you have became senile in your old age. If you measure greatness by world series rings, how many does Bobby has on his hand? What about Billy Martin? What about Joe Torre.
If anything, he’s the best manager ever for his team choking in the world series. Pitching may win ballgames but not when it came to the Braves and the world series.
By Dave
April 14, 2006 12:27 AM | Link to this
Terence, I liked this article — very classy. I wish Leo would’ve gotten the same respect from the Braves. He deserved better and I’m happy he’s happy. It’s unfortunate that it took our newfound miserable ERA to really give pause to Leo’s absence.
By Tom McCamy
April 14, 2006 12:28 AM | Link to this
Glad to see someone finally put that in print. I have been thinking it game after game when our pitchers are out there getting torched. The same pitchers Leo got a lot out of like Sosa and Davies. Hudson and Smoltz shouldn’t be effected by a pitching coach, but they seem to be clueless out there as well. Guess it would have been more economical to double Leo’s salary.
By Tom McCamy
April 14, 2006 12:28 AM | Link to this
Glad to see someone finally put that in print. I have been thinking it game after game when our pitchers are out there getting torched. The same pitchers Leo got a lot out of like Sosa and Davies. Hudson and Smoltz shouldn’t be effected by a pitching coach, but they seem to be clueless out there as well. Guess it would have been more economical to double Leo’s salary.
By Ryan
April 14, 2006 12:38 AM | Link to this
I agree that we should’ve boosted Leo’s salary as bait for him to stay. But we can’t count out the Braves yet. Thomson came in and gave us a great start and the bullpen blew it. The Braves always come around, get smokin hot, and win 13 games in a row. The bats are on fire and it is just a matter of time until the pitchers settle down and start winning games.
By geechee
April 14, 2006 01:09 AM | Link to this
Geeze people, it always amazes me how much Braves’ fans panic in April, year after year after year. They have a few pitching problems to work out. Let them work them out before you start jumping out the windows. Look at the friggin offense. They’ve never had offense like this in April. It is the best in the majors. If the pitching is still like this on June 15th then you can panic, till then, have a little faith in Bobby to work things out.
By Young Jeezy
April 14, 2006 01:25 AM | Link to this
Ooooh, Roger McDowell has such a great personality and the players love him. Well so does Jim freakin Mora. Yeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaahhhhhhh. It’s the coaches who ride the players and kick their asses if they screw up who end up ultimately getting results. Letting Mazzone go is the biggest mistake an Atlanta sports franchise has made since the Falcons traded Brett Favre.
By Sharon
April 14, 2006 01:35 AM | Link to this
One think Leo had that can’t be replaced are his expectations. He didn’t ask if you wanted to establish the fastball, he commanded it. That’s what these young pitchers need.He had the ability to get through to people and it showed.
By Mark
April 14, 2006 01:54 AM | Link to this
Nice article Mr. Moore . Leo is old school , He would simply walk out to the mound and ask : What the bleepity bleep bleep are you bleeping doing ? Throw the Bleeping ball for a bleeping strike or I will find someone who bleeping will , are you getting my bleepity bleep bleeping drift ????? at which the pitcher would then get his act together. Leo was ying to Cox’s yang , the old good guy bad , guy act. He will sorely be missed.
By Jill
April 14, 2006 02:02 AM | Link to this
It’s APRIL, y’all! Get a grip! If we’re still talking about this at the end of May, then we should be worried.
By Sebastian
April 14, 2006 02:40 AM | Link to this
Leo Mazzone was a pompous little Napolean. The only grouchier old coot in the league is Bobby “ONE World championship” Cox.
By Fab
April 14, 2006 03:00 AM | Link to this
I think that the Braves can survive without Leo, but you have to give credit where it is due. He was one damn fine pitching coach. Besides, it’s been scientifically proven:
http://baseballanalysts.com/archives/2005/03/themazzoneeff_1.php
By Richard
April 14, 2006 04:37 AM | Link to this
All I gotta say is Leo was a great pitching Coach but it doesn’t matter he’s not a Brave anymore and he’s not the one on the field. Roger will be fine and GOOO Braves!!!! How bout Jeff tonight hope tonight was him getting out of his funk!!!!
By Richard
April 14, 2006 04:38 AM | Link to this
All I gotta say is Leo was a great pitching Coach but it doesn’t matter he’s not a Brave anymore and he’s not the one on the field. Roger will be fine and GOOO Braves!!!! How bout Jeff tonight hope tonight was him getting out of his funk!!!!
By carl aven
April 14, 2006 05:23 AM | Link to this
Good People : Do not dispair ….Maybe the intensity level has softened with Leo gone , but the hunger for perfection has not dimminished in our pitching staff . Give our staff a little credit for being who they are ..where they are ..and how they got where they are ..They will come around .. Carl Aven
By DustinH
April 14, 2006 05:24 AM | Link to this
all us true braves fans know the Braves are a better second half of the season team. this year will be no different. Now if stupid a$$ time warner would just spend another 3-4 million on getting a closer the Braves would be awsome. I mean it dosent make sence, if we went further in the playoffs wouldnt we make that extra couple of million back in revenue??? COMMON time warner and SELL the Braves to someone who actually gives a s** about the team!!! i dont think weve been out of the first round of the playoffs since they bought us,, cheap rich bastards.
By DustinH
April 14, 2006 05:24 AM | Link to this
all us true braves fans know the Braves are a better second half of the season team. this year will be no different. Now if stupid a$$ time warner would just spend another 3-4 million on getting a closer the Braves would be awsome. I mean it dosent make sence, if we went further in the playoffs wouldnt we make that extra couple of million back in revenue??? COMMON time warner and SELL the Braves to someone who actually gives a s** about the team!!! i dont think weve been out of the first round of the playoffs since they bought us,, cheap rich bastards.
By PoliticalMan
April 14, 2006 05:58 AM | Link to this
Just like in the business world, sometimes you don’t know what you’ve got until you lose it. But also just like the business world, the top cats leave after they mess up the place. Expect Cox and the GM to be out of here at the end of this yr or the next.
By Bob
April 14, 2006 06:55 AM | Link to this
Amazing. So we are 4 games back. We werent leading the way last year until later in the season. Our pitching staff is to good to keep this up and our offense if outstanding. There is not a single guy in the lineup that cant hit it out and there is not a single guy in the lineup who cant change the game.
Give them some time. There is no way they will keep losing and there is also no way the Mets can continue on a winning streak like this. Remember the Nationals last year? They have yet to play a good team.
Patients is a virtue and the Braves will be just fine.
By jdutton
April 14, 2006 07:05 AM | Link to this
Last year,ESPN voted Leo the “greatest assistant coach” of all time, any sport. Did you really believe the Braves would not miss him ?
Leo demanded excellence and that scares weaker players. He knew when to push and when to give the pitchers space. Most of all, he wanted to win and see his players do well.
I personally was embarrassed that John Smoltz and others NEVER called him to thank him for his help over the years. Only class Not only didn’t they call, but they also cheapened themselves by calling it “no big deal.”
Those who remembered his help did call, Glavine, Maddux, Hampton and others.
He would have stayed for less money than he is making now, but John S didn’t even make him an offer. He loved Bobby, what a shame they can’t finish together.
You reap what you sow.
By Kevin
April 14, 2006 07:21 AM | Link to this
If bobby is a great leader why just 1 ring…If leyland was here in 1991 so forth we had 7 rings by now….It not the players the coach’s need a pep talk are we send u to A ball n bring up pitchers who want pitch here.
By Bob
April 14, 2006 07:52 AM | Link to this
This is what happens when a large corporation has no business owning a spots team. When the company has to trim down, the entities that came with a buyout of another company, is the usually the first component to get kicked out the door. All the great players that the Atlanta Braves had are gone, and now the team is starting to suffer. And besides all this, at some point in time, someone else has to win. Any team cannot win for ever, not even the Braves.
By Hank 755
April 14, 2006 08:04 AM | Link to this
This story is a crock of horse pucky! Leo was always afforeded one of the better pitching rosters in the league which is why the combined ERA was so low. Leo has been a statue for the past few years and it was time for him to move on. One needs to look no further than our injuries, especially within the starting ranks to see what the real story is.
By george
April 14, 2006 08:06 AM | Link to this
B S !!! I give Leo credit for doing a good job in Atlanta, but to say he was/is a “great” pitching coach is a joke. If that was the case, why did the Braves often find it necessary to send pitchers to Richmond to work out their problems with Bill Fisher?
I knew it was just a matter of time…when the Braves pitchers falter it would be because Leo was no longer here. Anyone want to bet that the Orioles staff ERA will be better than the Braves in October?
We’ve played 10 games and everyone is in a state of panic. The Braves have been under of slightly over .500 after 40 games for several seasons lately. They will be number uno when the proper time comes.
By Matt
April 14, 2006 08:19 AM | Link to this
I don’t think I’ve ever heard Bobby so frustrated. “You have to pitch in the first inning, not throw. Its not a thowing contest, its a pitching contest”. And then Davies: “Durrrr…If those 5 guys wouldn’t have scored we would have won the game…Durrr…Its kind of hard to come back from a five run deficit” No, really?! I was at the game last night, and I’ve got to tell you, one of the most depressing games I have ever been to, including playoff losses. I would rather lose 31-0 than lose 7-6 with a a K and a pop-up with two men on in the 9th. God, I’m still p**.
By krath
April 14, 2006 08:44 AM | Link to this
Lots of folks here are saying that we shouldn’t worry. The Braves always “right the ship” and have done it year after year. I would say there is a disturbing fact that they are overlooking. In the past, it’s been a combination of factors that have led to slow starts. Inconsistent offense, sloppy “D,” bullpen meltdowns. This year is scary. With the exception of the one John Thompson start, there has not been one performance where the starting pitching has appeared focused on the task at hand. What good does it do to pitch 4 or 5 decent innings if you go brain dead in a single inning and give up half dozen runs? Your ERA is still going to be almost double digits whether you give up a run an inning or a cluster of runs in one. You’ve still put the team in a hole they can’t climb out of.
Starting pitching has been a constant in Atlanta. Even if there were a couple of bad outings by starters, we’ve generally had someone who would pitch a gem and stop the bleeding.
I believe this would not have happened under Leo. I certainly don’t think that everyone in the rotation would have pitched like Cy Young every outing. I also don’t believe that a few big innings would not have surfaced like they have. I can almost guarantee that Leo would NOT have allowed some of these train wrecks to get as bad as they have! Whether the pitchers liked him or not, Leo was effective. He didn’t coddle the pitching staff. He wasn’t their best friend. He wasn’t supposed to be. Go drink beer with your best friend after the game, Leo’s job was to insure performance and for the most part he did that. If it meant calling you out in the middle of a game, so be it.
Like the last two nights, what if Leo had been able to scare or intimidate or whatever he was accused of doing to the staff during the game. What if he had been able to scare some focus into them before an inning got way out of hand? What if the pitching had only given up 5 runs last night and the night before? What if last Saturday and Sunday they had given up 5 runs instead of 14 and 12?
Well Leo’s gone and that ain’t gonna change. But if I were one of the pitchers who belittled Leo’s contribution after he left, I’ll be damned if I wouldn’t show some guts and prove I was able to focus on my own without Leo ranting at me! Because like it or not, right now it looks like this staff is lacking focus. Like it or not it looks like they need someone to call them out!
So this isn’t like other years. This year something is different. For the first time since this run began, there are no stoppers in the starting rotation. There is no one who has sucked it up and committed to focusing for 6 or 7 innings to stop a skid.
It’s not too late and there is a lot of talent on the staff. But just saying it’s gonna be ok ain’t gonna fix it. These guys are gonna have to step up.
And I’ll say it again, just like in DB’s blog…..the saying is, “you can’t win the season in April….but you sure can lose it!”
And BTW… I don’t blame Roger Mcdowell. He’s in a no win situation. Even if he wanted to, he can’t start taking names and kicking butts. He’s the new guy. He has to work his way into things and gain some respect. His fate is in the hands of his staff. If the pitchers like him so much, then they better damn well start performing for him!
By atwown
April 14, 2006 08:45 AM | Link to this
I’ve officially pushed the panic button on our pitching. I’m sure McDowell will be capable but he has no track record to give me any good feelings.
By Kudzu
April 14, 2006 08:52 AM | Link to this
Please don’t make more out of Leo not being here than we should; forget about it, he’s not here, it’s over… we must move on. Give Roger a chance.
Yeah it looks weird when the camera takes a shot of the dugout and there is no Leo sitting next to Bobby; Bobby must feel equally out of sorts.
Let’s just not make too much out of one man; please, all you media types looking for a story, chill; lets really try hard this year to accuentate the positive. It’s hard to do right now (to find any positives) with the way things are going, but Bobby and the coaching staff will find a way to get the team through the storm; lets just not point the blame finger already.
I can already see the Braves taking over 1st at some point in the season about the time everyone has written them off and annointed the Mets the winner…that’s going to be great…again.
By Ken
April 14, 2006 09:13 AM | Link to this
I did not think Mazzone would be missed all that much. Maybe I was wrong. You wouldn’t think it would affect Smoltz, Hudson, or Thomson. They have been around long enough to be able to kick themselves in the butt if need be. However so many mediocre pitchers came to the Braves and had career years, somebody had to have had a positive effect on them. My apologies, Leo.
By gobraves06
April 14, 2006 09:28 AM | Link to this
Roger has had his chance, and I think it’s time we found a replacement. Sorry, but when your team is 10 games into the season and none of your starters have won their first game, you are in trouble. If the pitchers don’t get their act together a.s.a.p., we are in deep doo-doo.
By Stuart Young
April 14, 2006 09:42 AM | Link to this
I want to no why the braves let mazzone go.. he was a great pitching coach for the Braves. This new guy is obvisiously not helping because the pitchers era is sky high. GET MAZZONE BACK!
By Charles
April 14, 2006 09:49 AM | Link to this
Actually, Leo did arrive to almost immediate success. He joined Bobby in the 1990 season, when Cox - then the GM - had fired Russ Nixon as manager.
The loss of Leo Mazzone will be bemoaned for generations. You don’t just watch an Icon walk away. The Mazzone Rock always will be cherished in the memories of Braves fans.
Times change, people change, baseball teams change. Braves fans have been spoiled by Bobby, Trader John, Leo, Smoltzie, Andruw, Chipper. The list is endless. Howwever, what has been achieved will stand the test of time. Ring, or no ring, I’m thankful for the years of great baseball.
I grew up a dogged Braves fan. I remember the Kitten, the Little Bulldog, Cha Cha, Hammerin’ Hank, and Knucksie.
I also remember Charlie Spikes, Tony LaRussa, Ted Simmons, Gil Garrido, Chopper Campbell, and F-Troop.
Give Roger McDowell a chance. Leo left for personal reasons. I don’t think money would have changed his mind.
That said, I wouldn’t trade a moment of my Braves memories, especially the past 16 years, and watching this team emerge as a legend.
It’s early, the Braves always gel, and Bobby is still in charge. Francoeur has hopefully shaken the slump, and life can return to normal. The Braves are scoring a touchdown a game. In the words of Chuck Tanner, “nothing wrong with winning 11-10.”
By David
April 14, 2006 09:51 AM | Link to this
I agree with the fact we shouldn’t have Leo go, but I will say a pitching coach can sometime be overrated. He did a poor job with our young guys last year and who couldn’t have won with Smoltz, Maddux and Glavine? Last I checked the Orioles are having a poor start too. If it continues, then it bears more merit. Torborg said the bottom line is they leave too many pitches up in the strike zone. I don’t think they need a pitching coach to understand that fact.
By Ant
April 14, 2006 09:51 AM | Link to this
I see you Atlanta fans are already working on your excuses for (repeated) failure again this year…Last year, it was the bullpen. I guess this year it’s because Leo’s gone. Well boo, hoo! All those division titles and you STILL have less World Series trophies than the Mets! What a waste!!
By chuck
April 14, 2006 10:02 AM | Link to this
Ant, an appropriate name for one with your sized brain. We can ALWAYS depend on the Mets falling apart. 8 games does not a season make. The Bravos will be fine, 15 is in the bag, and we’ll have an ERA under 4 by the end of MAY.
To Tim Hudson: Time to TIGER UP!!! War Eagle.
By Doug
April 14, 2006 10:03 AM | Link to this
Cox greatest manager ever?
PLEASE!~!
Great managers win championships, not division.
By Scott
April 14, 2006 10:05 AM | Link to this
While I agree with most people that it is way too early to panic, I am not now and never have been a fan of the laid back style of coaching. Maybe it’s because I served in the military, but I believe to get the best out of a person you need to challenge them and you need to demand results. You just can’t do that when you are everyone’s friend. There is a tacit respect that occurs when someone pushes you hard to be your best and doesn’t allow you to make excuses when you fail. You want to be at your best because you know it is demanded of you.
I am not going to give up on Roger yet, but he hasn’t succeded in winning me over either. Watching these pitchers so far has been excruciating, none of them can seem to get the ball down in the zone and they are throwing way to many pitches per inning.
I am looking forward to watching Hudson take the mound tonight against a less than average offensive team.
By Jack
April 14, 2006 10:13 AM | Link to this
Seems to me that I remember some early season losing streaks with Leo coaching. Give it a little time before being so critical
By Jack
April 14, 2006 10:14 AM | Link to this
Seems to me that I remember some early season losing streaks with Leo coaching. Give it a little time before being so critical
By sanchez
April 14, 2006 10:16 AM | Link to this
Mazzone never pitched one game for the braves. all credit should be given to the guys who pitched not the guy who sat in the dugout! dont get me wrong, leo had his influence, but my grandma could have coached that same staff to similar success. unfortunately he will make it to the hall, but he is NOT the reason for the braves pitching decline this year. gives these guys some time, they are professionals, and i assure you that the braves pitching staff does not miss leo!
By bobby
April 14, 2006 10:21 AM | Link to this
Get real people! Leo never threw a pitch in a game. Like all of the other sideline experts here, I don’t really know what is wrong but I don’t think Smoltz, Hudson and the others just forgot how to pitch over the off season. I’m sure they will get it straightened out regardless who the pitching coach is or even if they didn’t have a pitching coach. After all, it’s their payday on the line.
By g8tored
April 14, 2006 10:28 AM | Link to this
Mazzone meant a lot to the Braves’ success, but not enough to mask the anaemic pitching stats thus far.
It may work out that Leo’s absence will be the profound difference in our pitching performance, but to base it on the first couple of weeks, Mr. Moore, is akin to overreacting like the typical, emotional fan on the street.
By the way, do you think we could trade McDowell and a player to be named later to the Orioles to get Mazzone back? Just asking?
By tim
April 14, 2006 10:29 AM | Link to this
RELAX .. THE METS ARE PLAYING WAY OVER THEIR HEADS AGAINST POOR TEAMS …
By tim
April 14, 2006 10:30 AM | Link to this
RELAX .. THE METS ARE PLAYING WAY OVER THEIR HEADS AGAINST POOR TEAMS …
By Tony Dobson
April 14, 2006 10:38 AM | Link to this
Ladies and gentlemen, we have our scapegoat and his name is Roger McDowell!
I too would have liked to have seen Leo Mazzone treated with more respect by the team (some of Mark Bowman’s comments about him on the official Braves site have just been embarrassing), but Reitsma stunk last year, as did Devine when he was called up. Smoltz didn’t start well last year either. All of that while Leo was still here.
It is just an unfortunate coincidence for Roger McDowell that this is happening now. Judge him on a full season, not ten games for crying out loud.
By Robert(Justice Is The Best)
April 14, 2006 10:41 AM | Link to this
I agree about the Mets. They are playing the Nationals and Marlins for the love of God. You can’t take that seriously. Frenchy is back. The starting pitching is not far behind. Quit panicking people. Everything will be fine. I’m worried about the bullpen. They have been pretty good so far and I’m afraid that it won’t hold up. I guess especially if the starting pitching doesn’t improve.
By Tony Ferrante
April 14, 2006 10:43 AM | Link to this
Best Article I’ve read so far This echoes and voices exactly what I’ve been thinking since I heard the pitchers comments about being happy with the change. “Spare the rod - spoil the child” “spare the discipline - spoil the pitcher, and possibly the playoff chances?”
By Ryder
April 14, 2006 10:50 AM | Link to this
Give it time, I don’t exactly remmeber the Orioles lighting it up in B-more under Leo. It’s only April 14th; now is this was in late June there might be some concern. They may have to pursue a trade for a starter if Davies and/ or Sosa continues to struggle.
One thing at a time though, hopefully the offense will continue to get it together and the pitching will pick it up. It’s way too early to spell doom and gloom.
By Nina
April 14, 2006 10:51 AM | Link to this
That’s a lot of hot air. Because if you are crediting Leo with ALL our pitching success, you must also tag him with ALL the pitching failure. Anyone remember any of the pitching meltdowns of the last decade? Perhaps in the playoffs last year if you need a more recent reference?? Well, I guess that was ALL Leo’s doing, too, right? It’s early. Give the guys a chance. The doubters in this city border on ridiculous.
By Robert(Justice Is The Best)
April 14, 2006 10:52 AM | Link to this
Let’s not forget that the pitching started off slow last year and got going quite well. We could definitely use another starter but will be just fine.
By Ryder
April 14, 2006 10:56 AM | Link to this
Nina’s right, for every Jared Wright success story you also have to throw in every Charlie Leibrandt failure, or Brad Clontz, or Gregg McMicheal on Leo as well.
By Nina
April 14, 2006 10:56 AM | Link to this
That’s a lot of hot air. Because if you are crediting Leo with ALL our pitching success, you must also tag him with ALL the pitching failure. Anyone remember any of the pitching meltdowns of the last decade? Perhaps in the playoffs last year if you need a more recent reference?? Well, I guess that was ALL Leo’s doing, too, right? It’s early. Give the guys a chance. The doubters in this city border on ridiculous.
By OldTimer
April 14, 2006 11:08 AM | Link to this
Leo is a fine pitching coach, no doubt about it. Still haven’t seen a pitching coach who’s worth 3 runs a game though, which is basically what we’re looking at here. The bullpen is actually not doing too bad compared to last year. The problem is the starters. All six of em came out of the gate slow. Which means they simply weren’t ready to go when the season started. Could of been because Leo the disciplinarian was replaced by McDowell the comedian. The starters weren’t fighting for their jobs like the releivers were, so maybe they took it a little too easy in camp. Now they’re paying for it. Good news is, they do have a lot of pride and should get themselves back in shape within a few weeks.
By dot wordem
April 14, 2006 11:11 AM | Link to this
Can you tell me why front page of your newspaper has big headlines about FOOTBALL all year around and smaller articles about BASEBALL. Why is that? It was even mentioned yesterday on T.V. game Braves/Pitt. Announcer said “Atlanta newspapers are all for FOOTBALL” He thought it was terrible. I do too. I love BASEBALL. It is not even football season? Atlanta… comes out for your wonderful team. Stop writing big articles about football. Look at St. Louis Cardinals newspapers….all BASEBALL. It is Baseball season. What is wrong with Atlanta?
By braves fan
April 14, 2006 11:11 AM | Link to this
Absolutely ridiculous to suggest that the Braves pitching has fallen off so much just because Leo Mazzone is in Baltimore. Leo never threw a single pitch in 14 seasons for the Braves, and all 5 of the starters this year are not brand new. They all had benefit of Leo tutelege before he left. So if it was all Leo, then what he taught them didn’t stick very well and to me that would me he wasn’t very good in the first place if it didn’t stick. But I know that’s not the case. They’ve all just hit a stretch where they’re all in a funk simultaneously. It isn’t the lack of Leo, or the presence of Roger McDowell that’s f*cking everything up. It’s a fluke. If you’ll notice, Kyle Davies was awful in the first inning last night. But in the next few innings he was very good because he started throwing his curveball more often. Who do you think told him to do that? I’d bet his pitching coach did. The talent is there, they just need to work out the kinks. I was saying last night that what the starters need is to stay in a game for 6 innings, regardless of how well they’re doing. Because you’ll never get it figured out by pitching two innings then sitting down. They need some innings under their belts to work thru the problems they’re having. It’ll get done and then they’ll take off, with the offensive production they can put up.
By dot wordem
April 14, 2006 11:12 AM | Link to this
Can you tell me why front page of your newspaper has big headlines about FOOTBALL all year around and smaller articles about BASEBALL. Why is that? It was even mentioned yesterday on T.V. game Braves/Pitt. Announcer said “Atlanta newspapers are all for FOOTBALL” He thought it was terrible. I do too. I love BASEBALL. It is not even football season? Atlanta… comes out for your wonderful team. Stop writing big articles about football. Look at St. Louis Cardinals newspapers….all BASEBALL. It is Baseball season. What is wrong with Atlanta?
By Muchael, NYC
April 14, 2006 11:12 AM | Link to this
Hey, the Braves will miss him but it’s not the end of the world. Let’s face it; Smoltz and Hudson need Mazzone? Why does anyone who had him last year really miss him (other than for warm and fuzzy reasons)? What, they forgot what he taught them? The thing that bothers me most is all these assertions about the Braves being made before they’ve even played a dozen games. Unreal.
By braves fan
April 14, 2006 11:21 AM | Link to this
Oh if this theory of it’s all about Leo were true, then that would mean that Baltimore’s pitching must be the best in the major leagues, right? Wrong. The O’s are 15th in the league in ERA, 20th in K’s per 9 innings, 12th in batting average against, 17th in OPS against, and dead last in K’s per BB. They’re behind teams like Detroit and Arizona. I don’t recall either of those teams hiring Leo (or any other great pitching coach) or acquiring any top tier starters or relievers. So what’s your theory on how those two teams are doing so well? My theory is that this season is only a week and a half old and that the sample is not large enough to make any definitive statements about the performance of the pitching coaches for any of the 30 major league teams.
Terrence, when are you going to quit your job? I think we have a large enough sample of your work to determine that you suck as a sports writer.
By Robert(Justice Is The Best)
April 14, 2006 11:28 AM | Link to this
Nina, I couldn’t agree more.
By Penn
April 14, 2006 11:32 AM | Link to this
{{Quote: By ProfessorSack
April 13, 2006 11:48 PM | Link to this
We will see yes it is early but I don’t think the Mets are going to wilt this year. We don’t need to get to far behind the Mets—without Mazzone this team has lost alot to feel comfortable about this years pitching}}
Professor, you are dealing in the real world while most folks on here are dealing in dreams.
Last year the Mets had three horrible weaknesses, a closer, a first rate catcher and first base. They filled those spots with Billy Wagner, probably today’s best closer in baseball, Paul Lo Duca who is a professional catcher and will last throughout the season. He is not a streak player.
And at first they got one of the best in Carlos Delgado. The man can play the game, with the glove and with a powerful bat.
In addition they added Xavier Nady and Julio Franco.
That is five new faces out of 25 and each is better by far to what they had last year.
The 2006 Mets are not going to fold. The Braves may yet win if they get their pitching straightened out but they will not win as a result of any swoon song at Shea. We’re gonna have to beat those guys…they are not going to beat themselves.
As for Mazzone, the man knows his trade. He is a proven winner and is already being missed. He left to be back home in Maryland, near his aged parents, working for a childhood playmate (Sam Palozza)and earning $500,000 bucks a year. That is a lot of reasons. On top of that he got a three year contract worth a total of $1.5 million. With the Braves he only got a contract one year at a time for $250,000. He would have had to go another six (one year) contracts to earn $1.5 mil with the Braves.
Leo deserved it and he didn’t let sentiment get in the way of providing for his retirement. My hat is off to Leo.
Now let’s stop blaming what might have been. The Braves are what they are. Offense has been very good. Relief pitching has been good. Defense has been good. Starting pitching has been horrible. It’s really that simple.
If Hudson can’t win today all of you should panic. You will have plenty of reasons.
For the record I am not at all sure Francoeur has found his batting eye just yet. One game does not make a season. I hope he has but that is a wait and see situation.
By Kevin
April 14, 2006 11:35 AM | Link to this
Terrance another good article again! BUT it is only the first month of the season.
Let’s see what starts happening in May. Some years the Braves have started slow in the beginning and then get hot and win the division and then of course choke in the playoffs.
Baseball is a very long season so let’s be patient.
Have a great Easter weekend to all!
By Robert(Justice Is The Best)
April 14, 2006 11:37 AM | Link to this
YOu can’t go off of one game but Francoeur had that look in his eye and his body language suggested he was feeling better. He looked confident last night.
By Coach
April 14, 2006 11:44 AM | Link to this
I agree, it’s too early for people to start complaining about the season so far. Once the starting pitching settles down a little bit I’m sure the Braves will battle back to the top of the division. In regards to Leo leaving the braves, I blame the front office, why would you let him go without offerring to pay him more to stay in Atlanta.
By Robert(Justice Is The Best)
April 14, 2006 11:45 AM | Link to this
I think Leo is the best pitching coach ever. However, if you give him credit for the success then you have to give him credit for the failures. The fact is not only has the bullpen disappointed in the playoffs but so did the starting pitching. Glavine and Maddux were not exactly world beaters.
By Coach
April 14, 2006 11:45 AM | Link to this
I agree, it’s too early for people to start complaining about the season so far. Once the starting pitching settles down a little bit I’m sure the Braves will battle back to the top of the division. In regards to Leo leaving the braves, I blame the front office, why would you let him go without offerring to pay him more to stay in Atlanta.
By Coach
April 14, 2006 11:45 AM | Link to this
I agree, it’s too early for people to start complaining about the season so far. Once the starting pitching settles down a little bit I’m sure the Braves will battle back to the top of the division. In regards to Leo leaving the braves, I blame the front office, why would you let him go without offerring to pay him more to stay in Atlanta.
By Ken
April 14, 2006 11:52 AM | Link to this
What a compelling article Terrence. How could we have let such a treasure like Leo Mazzone just leave like that…and show him scant little respect on the way out the door?
By Rusty Peter
April 14, 2006 11:58 AM | Link to this
Leo was the common denominator in all those years of great pitching from the most formidable staff in baseball. The fact that the Braves let him go with so little fanfare pretty much sums up the Braves Commitment to Excellence, circa 2006: mediocre at best.
By Larry
April 14, 2006 12:03 PM | Link to this
Ok. So, I already posted my agreement on this blog. If you don’t agree Leo was a loss, well…
But impending doom and blaming it all on McDowell? That might be a little hasty, ya’ think? Like some said (much more eloquently than I), but I paraphrase: the pitchers still gotta go out and pitch. It’s a good time to start.
By g8tored
April 14, 2006 12:12 PM | Link to this
Folks,
Leo stated himself that he didn’t leave for the money or lack of respect, etc. He went to go back home, be close to family and work with his closest friend of many years.
Of course, the additional jingle didn’t hurt either.
By Penn
April 14, 2006 12:25 PM | Link to this
How do any of you know that a strong effort was not made to keep Mazzone? Did I miss that news along the way?
By Lifelong Braves lover
April 14, 2006 12:35 PM | Link to this
I tend to agree with you Terance. It was no accident that the Braves pitching was considered so great for so many years. However, I don’t think the Braves pitching woes right now are anything to get TOO worried about just yet.
1 - The Braves always stink in April. They usually play at or below .500, then in May, start to come alive, hitting it hot in June and July.
2 - People like Hudson and Smoltz don’t pitch based on who their coach is. They are both struggling right now, and I doubt seriously that after years of Mazzone or other coaches (Hudson), that a few months with McDowell has any impact on them at all. Let’s give McDowell a year before we start passing judgement.
3 - We have a lot of young pitchers. Let’s go back to 1989 and 1990. Glavine, Smoltz, Avery, etc….losers that year. Terrible. ERA out the roof. Sort of like we are looking this year. 1991, experience took hold and suddenly they were great. Will that happen with this group of young guns? Maybe, maybe not. But they need time to learn and grow. We have had a great run, maybe it’s time to have a rebuilding year and have a down year in order to build up another great run.
All in all, the Braves right now are mediocre. But I believe they have the talent, and I hope they have the coaching. Bobby Cox is the best, and I am sure he will give McDowell the time he needs, and I am also sure if McDowell can’t deliver, Bobby will recognize it and make the change needed.
By Lake Rat
April 14, 2006 12:45 PM | Link to this
What a bunch of crap - I don’t see those Orioles’ pitchers doing much! It all boils down to whether you have the horses or not, and, unfortunately, the Braves DO NOT this year!
By Wilson
April 14, 2006 12:51 PM | Link to this
YOu know at first I didn’t think Leo being gone was gonna be a big deal….i was wrong…what the hell is McDowell doing?…..Hey Lifelong…we can’t afford to be crappy in April, the Mets are already running away with the division…go Brewers…we shouldn’t rebuild, we should reload…i know the streak has to end sometime, but I had been hoping they could keep it going until Cox retires in two years..oh well, there’s still the wild car. Maybe that will be our ticket to a world series championship
By Robert(Justice Is The Best)
April 14, 2006 01:23 PM | Link to this
Can someone explain why all this ridiculous panicking is taking place after 10 games?
By Dennis
April 14, 2006 01:33 PM | Link to this
You idiot! Way to give Mcdowell a fine hand of support. This staff did not just implode because Leo left. You are talking at least two guys on staff who will be hall of famers and they are struggling. It is ironic that the year pitchers are struggling is the same year we initiated the WBC, thus giving hitters an earlier preparation. The pitching staff will come around. Give Roger a chance. Leo was/ is great. Roger has the same potential. Let the guys get into their groove and everything will be fine. By the way…last years AL and NL Cy Young winners are struggling this year also. We WILL be fine!
By Ed Glennon
April 14, 2006 01:34 PM | Link to this
Letting Leo go makes the Quilio Veras trade look pretty good. Davies was one of the overpaid pampered pitchers who welcomed the change. I wish Leo would come back and kick him in the butt. Chart that McDowell.
Ed om Eugene Oregon
By Dr. Jay
April 14, 2006 01:52 PM | Link to this
I’m still trying to figure out why your article is titled “Braves missing Mazzone”. No Braves are quoted saying they miss Leo. And it’s forever debatable that Mazzone would have helped the current situation. Now that Francouer has started hitting again, I guess the Leo Factor is the only negative “we told you so” story you guys can dredge up. He’s gone. End of chapter. Let’s save the gloom and doom for an April when we don’t have Bobby Cox.
By martin
April 14, 2006 01:53 PM | Link to this
For cryin’ out loud, Terence, talk to me in June or August. Letting Leo go may end up being the biggest mistake in sports history, but who can tell after a week. One other point—-wow, is that all the salary Leo was making? If the best pitching coach is making that much, how much is piddling first base coach making? Wage inflation obviously hasn’t filtered down to assistant baseball coaches. One last point—-not every game can be pitched like that 1968 masterpiece between Niekro and Bob Gibson that was won by the Cardinals 1-0, with R. Maris getting the lone rbi.
By Steve
April 14, 2006 02:10 PM | Link to this
Seriously, you all think Hudson will be 3-17 with a 9.43 era, Smoltz 4-16 with a 5.97, Sosa 5-17 with a 7.62, Thomson 1-12 with a 8.92??? You think this is going to be consistent throughout the 162 game season. REMEMBER ONE HUNDRED & 62 GAMES!!!!!!! 9 are in the books. I guarantee Hudson domination tonite. Relax, by the way herrrrrrrrrrrrre’s Jeffrey!!!!!
By James Gordon
April 14, 2006 02:47 PM | Link to this
Don’t count the Braves out. They will come alive. I only hope it’s real soon, I hate losing.
Go Braves!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
By Lifelong Braves Lover
April 14, 2006 02:53 PM | Link to this
We need to run Bobby, John and Roger out of town on a rail, and let’s hire Terance to manage the Braves. Clearly he knows so much more about baseball and managing and picking players than those bums on the Braves. Geez, with Terance at the helm, who knows, maybe we could have won 14 Division Championships in a row, made it to 5 World Series, and won a Series….oh wait, that’s right, Terance was sitting on his rear end at a keyboard, it was the bums on the Braves that had all that success. Silly me….
By Bill
April 14, 2006 03:08 PM | Link to this
The problem with our pitchers has been “Location”. You can only do so much about that. If it were Mechanics then a pitching Coach could help but Leo nor anyone can correct “Location” except the pitcher. Davies was down the middle thigh high all night long.
By alan from Atlanta GA.
April 14, 2006 03:09 PM | Link to this
Great column as usual. You usually say what I’m thinking. Leo Mazzone may not of the the most kind of pitching coaches but his record will stand. Roger McDowell probably comes from the new school that believes that failing is ok as long as you learned to throw the ball.
By alan from Atlanta GA.
April 14, 2006 03:13 PM | Link to this
Great column as usual. You are usually writing what I am discussing with others. Leo Mazzone will be remembered as the greatest pitching coach in Braves and probably baseball history. Roger McDowell comes from the new school where you give positive reinforcement deserved or not. He has the potential for being a good coach but a few years too soon.
By Willie B
April 14, 2006 03:23 PM | Link to this
Lifelong? Terance would make a great GM and Bobby can go coach the Little league. John retire and watch son play. Roger gets job with NYY and win WS.AJC gets new reporter.Braves win world Series as wild card next 5 years with Joe Morgan as Mgr.With C McKinney as head of security.REV* Jackson selling tickets. Barry Bonds selling T-shirts. David Justice PR Man. Its all silly man.
By McDawg
April 14, 2006 03:26 PM | Link to this
To those who said earlier in this thread that there is no such thing as a “nice guy winner”, I direct you to Bobby Cox. There is probably no manager in baseball who is more well-loved among players than Bobby, and no managers who have enjoyed more regular season success than Bobby over the last 15 years. My son and wife sat next to him on an airplane once, and they said he was very nice and extremely personable.
Yes, maybe the Braves pitchers should’ve given a little more praise to Leo for his record of success after he left, but I’m sure they didn’t want to slight their new coach, McDowell. And when you think about it, Leo really didn’t have much success w/ real young pitchers. Glavine was in his 5th season when Leo came, Smoltz in his 4th, & Maddux in his 7th when he got here. Marquis did better in STL, and Schmidt better in SF. So maybe there’s something to his lack of connection w/ young pitchers.
It’s true the pitching has been horrendous thus far, and if they’re still performing like this a month from now, it’ll be time to panic. But for now, let’s hope this is an aberration, as is almost certainly the case w/ Huddy & Smoltz. And remember, it takes a while for anyone to make adjustments to a new boss. Hopefully the pitchers will be fine come May. GO BRAVOS!!!
By Johnny L Evans
April 14, 2006 04:17 PM | Link to this
I RESPECT YOUR OPINION. HOWEVER, LEO, DID NOT TAKE TO THE MOUND AND PITCH. I DO LIKE THE START OF THE SEASON, ANYMORE THAN ANY OTHER BRAVE FAN. BUT I DISREPECT THE NEWS MEDIA, WHO THINK, BECAUSE THEY CAN EXPRESS THERE OPINION OF TOUSANDS TO SEE, AND BE PERSUADED. LETS GIVE THE BRAVES TIME. THEN WE CAN COME OUT AND CUT THEM DOWN. I DO NOT LIKE LAROACHE, TO ME HE LOOKS LAZY. AND TRIES TO LOOK LIKE A WEIGHT LIFTER IN THE GYM. WJEN HE SWINGS, AND TO ME HE IS SLOWER THAN SLOW. I AM NOT COMPLETELY SOLD ON FRENCHY NEITHER. YES HE WAS OUTSTANDING LAST YEAR AFTER THE CALL UP. I AM REMINDED OF THE PAST PLAYERS WHO HAD AN VERY GOOD SEASON, COMMANDED MILLIONS GOT IT, THEN WENT STRAIGHT DOWN TO THE LEVEL THEY BELONGED TO START WITH, EXAMPLE KEVIN BROWN. MIKE HAMPTON. AND HOST OF OTHERS, WHO I KNOW YOU ARE FAMILIAR WITH. LOOK AT THE PITCHERS THE BRAVES GAVE A SECON CHANCE TO, THEY HADSO SO SEASONS, THEN TOOK OFF FOR YES , YOU GOT IT MONEY. SOME PITCHERS COMPLETELY WASHE UP. BRAVES TURNED THEM AROUND, DID THEY SAY NO, WELL I GUESS LEO DID HELP THEM GET TURNED AROUND. I PLAYED BALL YEARS AGO. SO AS A FAN, I AM NOT COMPLETELU DEPENDENT UP ON A SPORTS WRITER VIEWS. IN THE LONG RUN I THINK LANGERHANS WILL PAY MORE DIVIDENDS THEN THE OTHER ROOKIES CALLED UP LAST YEAR. YET I LIKE ANY BRAVE. JUST GET FED UP WITH SPORTS WRITERS COMMENTS. ALSO, ANNOUNCERS LIKE JOE MORGAN AN JON MILLER. THEY THINK NO ONE KNOWS ANYTHING ABOUT BASEBALL EXCEPT THEM. I LOVE THE BRAVES ANNOUNCERS. I HATE IT, WHEN I CANOT SEE THE BRAVES ON TBS, OTHER CHANNELS NOT AVAILABLE WHERE I LIVE. BUT, YET I REALIZE WRITERS HAVE TO HAVE SOMETHING TO REPORT. SOMEIMES POSITIVE THINGS REALLY MEANS ALOT TO PEOPLE IN GENERAL. THE WORLD HAS ENOUGH NEGATIVE COMMENTS. JOHNNY L. EVANS CHESAPEAKE, VA
By Eric C.
April 14, 2006 08:12 PM | Link to this
It is time to panic because the starters cannot win a game, and because Reitsma is our closer. I followed the Braves through many losing seasons (the mid/late 80s) and held out hope in the darkest of times. But the odds this year are stacked heavily against the streak continuing.
By Jonathan Garcia
April 15, 2006 01:22 AM | Link to this
Guys we don’t have to worry right know, the weather still cool, when the weather get Hot WE GET HOT…..I live in New York I’m waiting for the Brave to come Over to NY to destroy the METS Jajaja….GO Braves
By Penn
April 15, 2006 11:55 AM | Link to this
Johnny Evans, very few people read all caps. Just thought you’d like to know.
By T Robb
April 15, 2006 12:50 PM | Link to this
Leo doesn’t make a difference? How about this?
“Tim, you’re overstriding about six inches so you can’t finish pitches. They’re gliding on you, rolling back over the middle of the plate and staying up. Shorten that stride up and snap the end of the pitch. Quick, tight breaks at the end of the pitch. G&^(&()& Tim, do it!
“One other thing. You know how lefties are hitting about .430 against you? I was looking at tape of you facing lefthanders in Oakland from a few years back - not only were you not leaving everything up, you were throwing splitters all over the place. What happened? Lost confidence? We’re gonna work on that pitch, over and over, until you regain confidence in it. We’re not paying you $12m to be Jeff Suppan or Sidney Ponson. And I’m gonna be on your a* every da*& day until you get it right.”
Nah, Leo wouldn’t make any difference…
By George
April 15, 2006 02:03 PM | Link to this
ENOUGH ABOUT LEO….HE’S GONE…DEAL WITH IT…AND GOOD RIDDANCE !!!
Anyone want to be me the Braves will not win the division again this year?
By Jonny
April 15, 2006 03:00 PM | Link to this
Mr. Moore,
I just wanted to share my opinion with you on Barry Bonds.
I read a couple stories in the AJC about Bonds being jeered in San Diego and Los Angeles. In San Diego I understand that a syringe was tossed at Bonds and in LA Bonds was roundly jeered specifically for being suspected of perjuring himself in the BALCO case.
To be clear, I think Bonds did use steroids. I believe he took them knowingly and willfully. I believe that if he testified in court that he never took steroids that he, by those words, perjured himself. Also, I was once physically threatened by Bonds in the early 90’s when I was a teen at a hotel. “If you get on this elevator I will kick your f*** a*”, were his words to me. I didn’t board the elevator.
Despite his transgressions, I also know that Barry Bonds is a human being. It is not shocking to me that Bonds is being roundly jeered at any stadium he plays in because of these issues of his lying and cheating. I am not shocked that he has had a syringe tossed at him during a game and other fans mock him by wearing his jersey to games with “Juiced” tagged on the back above his number. I am not shocked but I am disheartened at the brutality of how he is treated.
This Easter weekend is a time for all of us to take heart, to take stock and to reevaluate how we treat others and how we treat ourselves. As baseball fans, we must unite in our compassion and our sense of fair play with respect to Barry Bonds. What I mean by this is to say that we baseball fans must demand that Barry come clean but do so with compassion and respect for the man as a fellow child of God. Barry needs to absolve himself of his sins and come clean to all of baseball for the sake of justice and baseball. Moreover, he needs to come clean to absolve himself of the guilt he is carrying with him.
Barry Bonds is a physically strong man but no man is strong enough to carry the weight Barry is shackled to what with his web of lies and deceit. Barry needs to break the chains that are tying him down and come clean about his lying and cheating now. He must do so not just for baseball, but for himself.
Jonny Avery
By George
April 15, 2006 09:17 PM | Link to this
I guess Leo must have called Smoltz before tonight’s game….ROFLMAO
By i'm havin flashbacks
April 15, 2006 10:54 PM | Link to this
George:
WOW! Maddux did his thang Thurs., Tommy G. shined on Friday, & Smoltzie tonite…
as Elvis would sing, “Memories”…
By i'm havin flashbacks
April 15, 2006 10:55 PM | Link to this
George:
WOW! Maddux did his thang Thurs., Tommy G. shined on Friday, & Smoltzie tonite…
Too bad thy’re not teammates anymore.
as Elvis would sing, “Memories”…
By gobraves06
April 16, 2006 03:30 PM | Link to this
My respect for bobby is going downhill fast. He pulled Thomson after 6 1-hit innings. He pinch hit Jordan for LaDouche, and (surprise surprise) Jordan whiffed (although LaDouche would have done the same). But pulling Thomson was by far the bigger mistake. WHY did Bobby pull him when he was pitching so great? Ever since he pulled him, things in this game have gone downhill.
By john
April 16, 2006 04:21 PM | Link to this
Regarding Sunday’s game. Why did Bobby bat Thomson in the bottom of the 6th then replace him in the top of the 7th? Bobby is losing it in his old age.
By Richard
April 17, 2006 11:37 AM | Link to this
Regarding Sunday’s game, Cox chose Orr to lead off??? What more does Betemit have to do to escape the bottom of the order?
By Jessica Truex
April 17, 2006 03:53 PM | Link to this
Am I correct in thinking this was a baseball article? Cause I saw some football terms in there…stick to the sport you’re writing about!
By Jim Gordon
April 18, 2006 09:31 AM | Link to this
Well the Braves Pitching looks like an almost team since Mazzone left. Our pitching stinks and the Braves better get to work in a hurry if the Braves are to stay in contention.I beleive the Braves will be watching the Playoffs on TV this year. Lots of Luck. Go Braves. It’s the same ole story. Pitching wins and out Pitchers just can’t pitch.
By HB Ando
April 18, 2006 12:51 PM | Link to this
In the four games since your reactionary article was printed, Braves starters have given up 8 runs. Don’t you think we ought to wait until everyone knocks off the pre-season rust before jumping to moronic conclusions? We’re less than 3 weeks into 6 month season. Hardly a statistically significant sample……Thanks for the tough reporting, Chicken Little.