AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2006 > June > 06 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USBrave run of luck, titles ebbing away
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Furman Bisher
So you thought it would go on forever. A grim forecast imbedded itself in my mind after a few days at spring training, that this might be the season the Braves’ delicious streak of division championships comes to an end. My book of notes included such a dismal thought, but the coward in me suppressed it. Only when some inquisitive person, perhaps beset by the same dastardly suspicion, asked what I saw of the season ahead did I confess any doubt, though cast in carefully couched terms.
It’s a constant theme of spring that exhibition games are not played to be won, but to prepare a team for the real thing. The Braves were not looking good, and there were excuses. Five of their employees were away playing in that thing called the World Baseball Classic, an instrument designed to spread the gospel among lesser nations. Chipper and Andruw Jones, two prime properties, were among the absentees, and so was their latest gate attraction, Jeff Francoeur.
I won’t insist that while he had only two at-bats, and missed about three weeks of Braves camp, this was the reason Francoeur started the regular season in a horrible slump. But it’s a pretty strong premise. While most major league managers and officials spoke kindly of the somewhat Classic, deep down inside most of them were only playing the company line.
That was only the original cause for concern. The other, and surely the most likely one, was how the season of ‘05 had gone. If there are two things in baseball I can get along without it’s the designated hitter and the “closer.” But since “closers” have become an essential, if you play by the book, the Braves had to have one, and they traded for Dan Kolb. Poor fellow. He had had one rather bright season in Milwaukee. John Schuerholz rarely makes a bad deal, but this was one. Remember, he gave up a good prospect, Jose Capellan, to get Kolb, who, among other things, was expected to fill in the void left by John Smoltz.
“Closers” came and “closers” went, but the Braves managed to hang on. That brings me around to what really made the season of ‘05 the season that it was. When the Braves needed help, Schuerholz picked up the phone and called Richmond or Mississippi. Mike Hampton went down, Horacio Ramirez went down. Schuerholz called Kyle Davies up from Richmond and Blaine Boyer from Mississippi. He needed an outfielder, he called Francoeur up from Mississippi. Johnny Estrada got hit by a truck at home plate, he called up Brian McCann from Mississippi, and with all due respect to the glamour of Francoeur, McCann was the most valuable of them all.
Here was a 21-year-old kid called on to handle Smoltz in his first full game, and a whole staff of pitchers of all ages, from Davies to Kyle Farnsworth, and he did it with the aplomb of an ancient mariner, all the while carrying a heavy load with the bat.
Along came Kelly Johnson, and later Macay McBride out of the farm system. The only move that didn’t work was Joey Devine, drafted from N.C. State University and rushed into a firestorm of bases-loaded home runs. It was his misfortune to throw the final pitch of another Braves October failure. Not to be overlooked, Wilson Betemit had been kept, mainly because there was nothing else to do with him, and he came forward in time to lessen the loss of Chipper Jones at one time.
But, you see, every critical move worked. They couldn’t make a mistake, and seldom do you ever see that happen at any major league address. Not so this season at the corner of Henry Aaron Avenue and Bill Lucas Street. Just when it seems everything will go wrong, it does. The bullpen is a mess. Even with Edgar Renteria on hand, defense has become a forgotten art. McCann is among the walking wounded, and catching is left in the hands of a career back-up, Todd Pratt. And there is no number Schuerholz can dial and expect instant help.
So that’s the way it is. And yet, they still manage to keep the Mets within view. It ain’t over yet, but I wouldn’t include them in my exacta.
Permalink | Comments (35) | Post your comment | Categories: Braves / MLB, Furman Bisher
Comments
By Anne
June 6, 2006 10:06 PM | Link to this
Wow, that was nice and cheery. I don’t think the Braves have a great team this year, but I’m hoping they can pull it together and at least become good and make a run for the title. It will be interesting to see where everything stands in a month.
By greg
June 6, 2006 10:46 PM | Link to this
Hate to agree with you F.B. but I’m afraid your right. Please J.S., don’t give away all our minor league stars like you did with Adam Wainwright just so we can have one more pennant. I would rather you back up, reload, and make this team strong enough to make it to the World Series. And Bobby, get rid of Chris Reitsma or bury him in the bullpen so deep we use him when we used Dan Kolb.
By Chris
June 6, 2006 10:52 PM | Link to this
Nice article F.B. I’ve got to say, last season made me very nervous, and the idea that the Braves were relying on repeat performances from Jorge Sosa, an inexperienced Jeff Francoeur (still a future star in my eyes), Adam LaRoche, and an inconsistent Tim Hudson lead me to believe this season was going to be rough. I want to have confidence that we can come back, and I hate to say this, but 2005 may have been the one fluke year in this run of success. We went into the season with an inexperienced team and, God bless them, I don’t think they can do it. They need help. I only hope we can get it in time to contend for the playoffs.
By dannycardwell
June 7, 2006 12:01 AM | Link to this
this season went south a couple weeks ago when mccaan went down. he and renteria are the glue that holds the team togather. reitsma and villearreal need to be traded along with giles for a closer and long relief pitcher. laroach is also tradeable for pitching. its time for cox to walk on water again as i think he will do. and please bobby tell the golden child not to swing at the first pitch for any reason for 2 weeks. he is dale murphy all over. a walk is just as good as a hit.
By David Duncan
June 7, 2006 12:40 AM | Link to this
I agree with you Mr Bisher. Last year was a fluke. It may take the Braves 10 years to win another NL East Division title.Bobby Cox is sometimes to loyal to his players. Chris Reitsma should never be allowed to close another games for the Braves. And yet Cox will continue to use him. This is the year of the Mets. The Mets are going to run away with the NL East. The Braves will be lucky to stay within 15 or twenty games of the Mets.
By Head Coach
June 7, 2006 01:28 AM | Link to this
As a 30 year Braves fan and in my mid forties I can agree with you Mr. Bisher. Last season they played way above their talent level , unfortunately the wheels came off about a week before the season ended and they backed into the playoffs a sitting duck about to be buckshot. I knew this team was flawed in spring training , they replaced the SS but not furcal and the closer situation went totally unanswered. Dont get me wrong , this team is talented , flawed , slow , inconsistent , and young. Cox is a great coach and a flawed manager. The regular season and post season jykle & hyde results speak for themselves. His 18 years of managing in the big leagues has proven him to be resilient and predictable , the book on how to beat Cox has been read and reread by every manager in the majors. Payroll restraints , bad trades , horrible ownership and the constant bleeding of talent has finally caught up with this franchise. Five players take up 80% of the team budget , JS cant make a trade without first unloading a contract or two. It’s time to pull the plug , SERIOUSLY. A fire sale is in order , trade every single big contract for as much minor league talent and or draft picks as possible. Rebuild with the scouting and draft before the rest of this season is wasted on another underachieving , overpaid team.
By Mart
June 7, 2006 08:22 AM | Link to this
Perhaps the most insightful article I’ve read this morning. Oh for the days of Max Leon and Marty Perez (Gil Garrido too).
By Tom
June 7, 2006 08:27 AM | Link to this
We hear this EVERY SINGLE YEAR. The season is barely one-third over, folks. Stop being so negative.
Mr. Bisher, you of all people should realize that a 162 game season, or 154 in the “good ole days”, provides for many peaks and valleys. This just happens to be a valley.
The Braves will get hot and go on a run. They’ll be right in the thick of things all the way to the end.
By Rick
June 7, 2006 09:06 AM | Link to this
Great article, was thinking the same thing myself going to bed last night. Living in the Northeast I hear it from Mets fans all the time. Been a Braves fan since I was 9 (Justice’s Rookie year and the basement) Leo leaving really took its toll and Jack needs to find that same magic. Our offense is serviceable but we can’t outscore everyone. I keep hope that we can breed some relievers the way we bread the postion players that came up last year and provided instant productivity.
By Big Braves Girl
June 7, 2006 09:36 AM | Link to this
Win or lose, a real fan will stick with her team. Go Braves!
By star94man
June 7, 2006 10:10 AM | Link to this
Finally some truth..very refreshing. Was in NY last week at Mets game in Shea. They are for real. They can execute…bunt, move runners, put the ball in play, and are solid defensively, not to mention very strong pitching. We have none of those elements..no position player on this team can even bunt…it’s disgraceful. Strikeout ratio very dismal. Baseball in design is a game of failure, but this it too much right now. Too many holes. A 3rd place finish if they’re lucky and the Nats cool off.
By KRao
June 7, 2006 10:31 AM | Link to this
I agree with Tom and Big Braves girl…stop panicking. As bad as it’s been the last couple of weeks, remember we’re gonna get McCann back in a couple of days, and that we’re still only 6 games behind the Mets. That’s not impossible by any means to overcome. Last night was a huge win for us, not only because it snapped the losing streak, but the way in which it was done. Starting pitching was strong, there were clutch hits, and a Closer got his due (way to go ray!). We still got some 100 games left, so quit bashing the braves and their chances of a repeat division title. I for one will put my trust in JS and BC…
On another note, how about Pena?! I really like his makeup behind the plate and at it. He was huge last night with two hits going the other way at crucial times, esp that one where he slapped a ball through the left infield even though the pitch was high and away. Great contact to try to get Ryan home from 3rd and even better results. It’s the little things that count…
By Gulf Coast Bandit
June 7, 2006 10:55 AM | Link to this
Okay, guys, let’s all freak out. Seriously, we’re only 6 out. Giles isn’t working as a lead-off man, let’s move him down in the line-up. Move Chipper to 1st, and put Betemit at 3rd batting lead-off. LaRoche hasn’t been doing much for me lately, so he sits. And Ken Ray is a perfectly fine closer, we just had to discover him. The Braves will get hot, and the Mets will sink. It happens every year. (Of course, I’m too young to remember when the Braves didn’t win, so maybe it’s just misguided youthful exuberance)
By Hal
June 7, 2006 10:59 AM | Link to this
KRao couldent agree with you more on Pena that kid can hit and looks better behind the plate then Pratt has as far as a mentor for Mccan i submit thats not nessary he is on the ball wish he could teach his room mate and much more lauded team mate a few of the intracies of the game like maybe not swinging at EVERY pitch a pitcher throws .When Mccan comes back Pena should be kept and Pratt traded aint happenin though we all know that the best player dosent always stay the player with the most money invested in does
By Realistic Ricky
June 7, 2006 11:05 AM | Link to this
Tom,
Yes, we do hear this almost every year, but you have to admit things look REALLY BAD this year. You may call it a valley if you wish, but I can not recall any other instance during our 14 year run when ANY of our pitchers were as consistently ineffective as Reitsma and Sosa have been this season. (Okay, maybe Wohlers when he went off the deep end during his final days as a Brave.) Can you honestly say you think they will both “turn things around” and help this team win this season? Even Kolb’s problems last year were more about control and walks than giving up home runs every other batter. Giles is trying very hard to bat leadoff, but he just does not have the tools. LaRoche is only a mediocre player on his BEST days, and he is woeful the rest of the time. Chipper and Andruw are “feast or famine”…they are either very good or very bad and seldom in between. As a team, we can not bunt and we lead the majors in striking out. (Tell me once more exactly what Terry Pendleton and Roger McDowell are beind paid to do for the Braves, as it continues to escape me.) I agree that Ramirez looks good right now and getting McCann back will certainly help, but I just can not see all of our other problems being solved this season unless Schuerholz pulls off one or two major trades.
By Gary T.
June 7, 2006 11:05 AM | Link to this
I wrote in another blog: bankrupt time warner, who did something no major league team could do. Crush the Braves.If Mr. Turner or anyone like him still had the Braves they would have kept 1,2, or 3 players- Drew or Sheffield for example- or signed someone, and the Braves would be a lot better.Mazzone would still be a Brave. There would be hope based on fact, not prayer.
Maybe I could see more games here in Florida. Maybe they would be worth seeing.
By Matt
June 7, 2006 11:15 AM | Link to this
What do you know you old coot. It’s not even the All-Star break yet and already you are jumping off of the bandwagon. I would have thought that somebody that has been hanging around this planet since the Jurassic Period would have learned a little patience by now.
By Bill C.
June 7, 2006 11:37 AM | Link to this
‘Ole Furman is getting wiser in his old age! He is about as smart as he will get, as this article shows.
By Peter Walsh
June 7, 2006 01:04 PM | Link to this
I live in Canada, Nova Scotia to be exact and I have been a braves fan since 1992 This year is rough but I will never give up, even if they go 0-182 one year I would never give up, but two things bother me First its Francouer, the guy swings at everything and he has maybe one good game a week. The only consistent thing is his arm in right field, its a gun, if only his bat were on fire all the time. Secondly, Laroche, hhe has made two horrible blunders this year, I think they should sit him down or send him down and get a proven veteran.
By Joe
June 7, 2006 01:12 PM | Link to this
I said it in the Jeff Schultz blog on 6/5 and I’ll say it again: Not many of you have focused your attention to what’s happened over the past decade. Mets & Phillies fold come July, Braves get hot. There’s 103 games left and Atlanta is only six out. In the next month there’s even six games with mighty St. Louis and without A. Pujols, who should be out until late July, the Cardinals don’t have a chance. When you all wake up on October 2nd and hear on your radio: “Braves: NL East Champions, again”… you’ll all jump back on the band wagaon and pretend you never sent in your negative comments. Now what happens in the post season will probably be a different story.
Before we worry about all of that, let’s get exited about the Dogs & Jackets in the super regionals. Damn… we’ve got some good baseball in North Georgia. Let’s enjoy it. That Div. III program at Emory (31-9, ranked 30th overall) isn’t so bad either.
By Peter Walsh
June 7, 2006 01:17 PM | Link to this
Joe is right, ever since 2002 or so the Braves have started slow, very slow actually and got red hot in late June all the way to early August or so. A couple years ago, Ortiz, Ramirez, Wright and Hampton went unbeaten in July. I truly believe they will get to the playoffs, maybe winning the Wild Card would be better. And that sweep to Arizona maybe wasn;t so bad becasue back in 1995 the Phillies swept a 4 game home series and what happened that year? Oh just the Braves winning it all.
By mcnultylaw
June 7, 2006 01:19 PM | Link to this
The Braves are going to be around the .500 mark all year, with losing streaks every time them begin to get it together. What has been overlooked is that the Braves are not a very good team. The bullpen is a mess, and the starting pitching has been inconsistent. They have no leadoff man, and little speed. The defense is surprising shaky. The Braves cannot be carried by their hitting. With their current pitching, the would still be a .500 team even if they scored 5 runs a game, which they won’t. The great thing about the Brave teams of they past 15 years, was that their pitching was so good that they could never go on losing streaks. A good pitcher could go out and stop the streak, even if the game was close 1-0. That is no longer true. Even Smoltz and Hudson get knocked around for any inning or two these days, and the bullpen offers no help. The streak is over, I am afraid. Woe to us because the minor leagues are not exactly bluging at the seams with major league players.
By mcnultylaw
June 7, 2006 01:19 PM | Link to this
The Braves are going to be around the .500 mark all year, with losing streaks every time them begin to get it together. What has been overlooked is that the Braves are not a very good team. The bullpen is a mess, and the starting pitching has been inconsistent. They have no leadoff man, and little speed. The defense is surprising shaky. The Braves cannot be carried by their hitting. With their current pitching, the would still be a .500 team even if they scored 5 runs a game, which they won’t. The great thing about the Brave teams of they past 15 years, was that their pitching was so good that they could never go on losing streaks. A good pitcher could go out and stop the streak, even if the game was close 1-0. That is no longer true. Even Smoltz and Hudson get knocked around for any inning or two these days, and the bullpen offers no help. The streak is over, I am afraid. Woe to us because the minor leagues are not exactly bluging at the seams with major league players.
By Dr. Jay
June 7, 2006 01:28 PM | Link to this
While I’m not ready to bury us yet, it sure does seem like luck has run out and the front office gambles have come home to roost. I sure would like to have the aforementioned Capellan and Wainwright back, but I have a hard time second-guessing Schuerholz too much because a) it’s worked for most of my adult life, and b) his hands have been tied by TimeWarner and the impending sale this year. But hey, if it’s over, it’s over. Division titles couldn’t go on forever. We’ve been spoiled, and I’m not sure a World Series victory would have energized the Braves fan base like it should anyway. Maybe it’s time to have a few rebuilding years so the masses regain some perspective. My attitude is: As long as the Yankees don’t win, it’s a good year.
By Michael M Beard
June 7, 2006 02:02 PM | Link to this
The Braves need to be sold to Arthur Blank. He would take interest in them. I blame Ted Turner for help selling TBS to TWX> The people at TWX in New York could care less about the Braves. This stupid policy anout not giving coaches but two year deals need to stop. They gave away two good young pitchers to get Farmsworth and Kold. Try to sign Braden Webb if he is a free agent. Beard
By Michael M Beard
June 7, 2006 02:02 PM | Link to this
The Braves need to be sold to Arthur Blank. He would take interest in them. I blame Ted Turner for help selling TBS to TWX> The people at TWX in New York could care less about the Braves. This stupid policy anout not giving coaches but two year deals need to stop. They gave away two good young pitchers to get Farmsworth and Kold. Try to sign Braden Webb if he is a free agent. Beard
By Joe
June 7, 2006 02:05 PM | Link to this
P. Walsh,
Thanks for backing me. You’re one of the few left who believe. My only concern about a Wild Card is that the NL East is too weak of a division to have two teams represent it in the playoffs. St. Louis & Cinci in the Central and the entire NL West are looking pretty dominant (Albert Pujols will eventually be back). Nonetheless, the Mets & Phillies just don’t have it in them to last an entire season. That will start showing in July. That’s when Atlanta will make their move and eventually take the division. Like I said earlier, I dread the post season dealing with the NL Central & West powerhouses.
By L Jacob
June 7, 2006 02:33 PM | Link to this
I agree we need to take Giles and move him now closer to the bottom of the line up and we need better pitching. I enjoy all the comments,they are some very good one’s keep up the good work
By Kutwer
June 7, 2006 03:18 PM | Link to this
The Braves will win the World Series this year anybody disagree? Negative thoughts are for negative people. I love the Braves…!
By Tomas
June 7, 2006 07:07 PM | Link to this
Horacio Ramires has really pitched well since coming of th disable list. 3 starts and has throgh the 8 innin those three starts. Ken Ray new braves closer and trade Reitsma the reincarnation of dan kolb.
By Mr. Garrison
June 7, 2006 08:26 PM | Link to this
“…this might be the season the Braves’ delicious streak of division championships comes to an end. My book of notes included such a dismal thought, but the coward in me suppressed it. Only when some inquisitive person, perhaps beset by the same dastardly suspicion, asked what I saw of the season ahead did I confess any doubt, though cast in carefully couched terms.”
What’s cowardly is not that you supposedly suppressed it then, it’s that you are printing these thoughts now, when the Braves are on a 5-game losing streak and all the fair-weather fans will be inclined to agree with you. The Braves were only 3 games behind the Mets just a week and a half ago. As long as this team has Bobby Cox it will be in contention. Mr. Bisher, apparently old age doesn’t make your opinions any less vulnerable to swaying in the wind.
By clay
June 7, 2006 10:26 PM | Link to this
Why aren’t fans allowed to point out things that are wrong with their team? As long as the ‘yeasayers’ continue to live in denial that there’s a real problem, it will hit them all the harder when the Braves don’t make it to the postseason. There are way too many holes in this team, and if there’s a problem, wishing it away won’t fix it! Don’t accuse us of being “bandwagon” fans just because we’re unhappy with the way this team’s playing!
By hop
June 7, 2006 11:23 PM | Link to this
finally, an article written in the ajc that paints an objective(nonhomer)views of the braves.
the ownership has kicked the legs out for some time and it was only the great job of braves management that kept the team competitve.
the braves have made a great run and it lasted for a long time, but you can’t continue to give up great talent and get very lttle in return and expect to be a contender.
it is now time to get rid of the big salaries including clipper,and smotzie to name a few. then really stock up on great young talent that will can get for a change.
the ownership will be the same and hopefully, the colorado group will get tired and make the team availabe to some owners who really do care!
time/warner period has been a disaster from the get go and we are seeing the results now!
By joey
June 7, 2006 11:32 PM | Link to this
I’ve been telling everyone in Atlanta that this is the Mets year. They have alot of injuries and still hold a decent lead…wait till they get healthy and get another ace in their rotation and they wil be 10 to 15 games a head of everyone! Go Mets!
By Joe Smoe Braves Fan
June 8, 2006 12:24 AM | Link to this
“I have heard this before…I just cant seem to remember when… Hmmz could it have been the last 15 years?”
Every year, I read this same blah blah its over editorial. Yes it will end sometime. But, not on J.S’s and Bobbys watch!
If I had a penny for every fair weatherd braves fan. I would be in the running to buy the team!
Do we have issues, sure, but we’ve got tissues. Bobby always waits to break em out. J.S. also has about 5 Million left in his budget… and he always has been steller with trades. Dont forget our farm teams still are not dry. Just a little green behind the years.
So all you fair weatherd fans, stick a cork in it now, or you’ll be shoving your foot in it later. Sheeesh… 15 years, and you still dont learn. Including you Furman Bisher… shame on you.