AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2006 > June > 24 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USTurner Field’s a graveyard of ‘06 hopes
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Furman Bisher
In the throes of misery, there can sometimes be found a ray of hope. Not so in the case of the Braves of 2006.
Having said that, let me illuminate you as to just how bad things really are: They’re so bad even an outfielder (Kelly Johnson) had to have Tommy John surgery. They’re so bad that they’ve even raided the Australia National team in search of pitchers. They’re so bad that only Milwaukee has a worse ERA. They’re so bad that their pitching roster leads the league in asterisks (that indicates wounded or in surgery). They’re so bad that John Schuerholz might as well disconnect his line to Richmond and Pearl, Miss.
That’s just for openers. Friday night, playing Tampa Bay (in St. Petersburg?), John Smoltz throws something out of joint and leaves after two innings. Then one of the Australians, Phil Stockman, stubs his toe on the pitching rubber and pulls something. I’m sorry I don’t remember what, but there is one thing the Braves lead the league in: bruises, contusions, pulled groins, pulled hamstrings and assorted strains.
Aren’t these guys in shape, or are they just brittle? When a club starts sending its stars to the body shop for help, you know it’s trouble, and that starts with T and that rhymes with P and that stands for pool, for all of you who missed “Music Man.”
The clubhouse is beginning to look like a bus station. A lot of strange (unfamiliar) names over the cubicles. Some guys just passing through. They recalled one player from Richmond and he was on his way back before he could unpack. The best pitching “find” they came up with this year has been in pro ball since 1993, had pitched for 13 different teams, had pitched 11 innings in the major leagues, is 31 years old. Heaven knows what they’d have done without Ken Ray. His ERA is the best on the staff and he hasn’t yet blown a save.
That’s just the minor stuff. Get this: Chipper Jones was hitting .270 last time I looked. Smoltz was 4-5 and couldn’t win because somebody out of the bullpen was blowing his leads. Tim Hudson hasn’t been living up to his wages, and I wouldn’t exactly call his season of ‘05 up to par. Winning 14 is fine, but he was paid a 20-win salary when the Braves traded for him. Chris Reitsma, closer by appointment, took the ball for weeks and got blasted before he finally admitted he wasn’t feeling good. In fact, not at all in part of his pitching hand.
You remember how it was last season. It’s getting to be a different story now. When trouble struck, all they had to do was called Richmond or Mississippi, and presto! They came up with a Kyle Davies or a Brian McCann, or a Jeff Francoeur, or a Blaine Boyer, or a Macay McBride. Each time a star was born. Everybody was ready last season. This year they’re dragging bottom.
“Nobody left down there,” Bobby Cox said.
It’s one of those in-between seasons. Nobody on the farm is hot, or ready. The best-looking hitting prospect in the spring was James Jurries, who can play first base or outfield. He was hitting over .400. Then he’s farmed out to Richmond and gets hurt. In his stead, Scott Thorman, another first baseman, is called up and everything he hits gets caught.
Something else bothers me. Two of the brightest prospects are sitting on the bench, or being platooned, Adam LaRoche and Ryan Langerhans. Somebody needs to build a fire under LaRoche, not just referring to that embarrassing play when Washington was in town. Casual is fine, but it seems he’s overdoing it. Langerhans? He has all the tools, great defense, strong arm, sharp baserunner. My idea: Put Andruw Jones, Francoeur and Langerhans in the outfield and leave them there, no matter, right-hander or left-hander pitching.
You never suspected that a Braves bullpen would take such a pratfall. Roger McDowell can do just so much. He is developing a streak of gray down the middle of his locks, and don’t bring up the name of Mazzone. Leo is having troubles of his own. The Orioles’ ERA is next to the worst in the American League.
I guess that’s about all I had on my mind. But who can complain? After 14 years of prosperity we’re due some hard times. On the other hand, here’s to Brian McCann, who has handled all these cranky pitchers, old or young, has swung a competent bat, and never faltered.
Permalink | Comments (21) | Post your comment | Categories: Braves / MLB, Furman Bisher
Comments
By David Davis
June 24, 2006 11:59 PM | Link to this
Ol’ Furm makes some good points, but ignores the obvious:
The suspicious, sharp decline in Chipper’s power numbers, and health.
A similar drop in production and power from Marcus Giles.
A disturbing lack of discipline from players swinging at bad first pitches, a foot outside and in the dirt. Major leaguers should know better.
And it’s not just LaRoche. This team lacks leadership, fire, personality and passion. Frankly, even when they were winning, they were not particularly interesting to watch. Now it’s like watching a death march.
Sure, the fans are spoiled, but if it looks like bad baseball, and smells like bad baseball….
By Jim Ragan
June 25, 2006 12:14 AM | Link to this
When I read the beginning of Bisher’s column describing how Phil Stockman stubbed his toe on the pitching rubber and pulled something, I remembered back when Lewis Grizzard had a column about the bad teams of the 70’s and 80’s and how one of the Braves’ players injured his thumb while putting on his socks. Yes, any injury is not funny, but I had to laugh when Grizzard told that story.
By gotigers72
June 25, 2006 12:46 AM | Link to this
This is just a bad team, period. It’s obvious they’re out of the division race, so now people are talking about the wild card. Have you people talking about the Braves making the playoffs watched any of their games? They lost to a Devil Rays rookie pitcher tonight when they scored only 2 runs. Last night it took them 11 innings after scoring only 2 runs off of Casey Fossum, who is not exactly Warren Spahn.
At least the front office has seemed to have finally realized how bad they are. Remlinger was let go and I think some more changes are in the offing soon. Time to start building for next year and enjoy watching the new guys this year.
Thorman doesn’t have many hits yet, but he has a nice compact swing and has been hitting the ball hard, and I can’t wait to see how Chuck James will do after being so dominant in the minors. THAT gets me excited. The TEAM I’m watching this year is not much fun to watch.
By bear bryant
June 25, 2006 12:52 AM | Link to this
Furman, you old fool,
Ken Ray has blown 2 saves in 6 opportunities. Wally Butts and I ought to sue your lying a*.
By gotigers72
June 25, 2006 01:21 AM | Link to this
Another note about tonight’s game. The Braves only scored 1 run off of the Devil Rays rookie starter. They then scored 1 run off of three Devil Ray relievers in four innings. The LOWEST ERA of those three relievers was 4.85. The offense is smoking!
By Head Coach
June 25, 2006 05:43 AM | Link to this
Yes ,they are a fundamentally unsound baseball team. But , what bothers me is when we all hear McCann or Francoeur say how that they believe the team is so talented. These guys stink and they dont know it. Cox doesnt hav a clue and everytime Giles bats in the leadoff hole it proves my point. They have no speed at all( Furcal did )and friday nights 11th inning manufactured run might not be seen again this season. This team is HORRIFIC top to bottom. John Schuerholz better start the horse trading soon because his only position of strength is as a seller in the trade market.
By just4fun
June 25, 2006 08:50 AM | Link to this
Spring training is the Braves’ vacation home! Bobby lets them do whatever they want instead of getting in shape … (wonder why so many injuries?) Does anybody but me see through this guy? I’ve been saying for years there’s no way of telling how many World Series the Braves would have won without Cox as their manager. They always had the talent, just not the leadership! And now it sticks out really bad since he doesn’t have the talent and the guts to get in people’s faces! Suck up to him guys!! Welcome to the cellar!!!!!
By Metropolitan Man
June 25, 2006 09:02 AM | Link to this
Is it me or is it weird that Booby Cocks can not manage a relatively good team on paper, and is just horrible on the field. Has Booby Cocks finally been exposed??? Think about it and compare lineups and pitchers to the other NL east teams(not the METS, they are far too superior). There isnt much of a difference except Booby Cocks loyalty is costing you guys a whole season. He loves his old bums and will play them until there is a recall on old timers. This will be a clssic case of nice guys finishing last, but in this case a team finished last. Thank you Booby Cocks for supporting a METS team from behind the scene. Now make sure you keep up the good work Roger Mcdowell (METS MOLE)!!!!
By Gene
June 25, 2006 09:17 AM | Link to this
In the last few years, the Braves announcers have become angry when anyone criticizes the Braves, and they always point to the “unprecedented division championships.” There is no doubt that the Braves have had good teams, but they have obviously played in the weakest division. Then they are humiliated at the next level. (I still can’t get over Chumper pulling up on the foul ball in the marathon game with Houston. Please, trade him to the AL where he can be a designated hitter.) The one good thing about their present sad state is, everyone from Joe Simpson to Chumper will have to shut up and go back to work. The run is over, but there are some good, young players who can give us .500 baseball in the future. That ain’t love, but it ain’t bad.
By p
June 25, 2006 09:58 AM | Link to this
where is the pitching in the minor leagues? JS has been blowing smoke for 15 years, we have not been able to develop even one quality starter in his tenure.
oh, but his kid is in AAA. built to lose, baby. built to lose.
By Tim
June 25, 2006 10:00 AM | Link to this
Yep, this team just doesn’t have the talent level to win. Remlinger is the first good move, in what will, I hope, be many more such moves. Time to get rid of the dead weight. About 2/3 of the bullpen needs to go. Wilson Betemit needs to play every day. Giles and LaRoche need to be traded, while still worth something. And Chipper? Well, it is obvious that the years and injuries have started him onto the downside of a great career. Maybe it’s time to move him, as well. I wonder if anyone would take a .270 hitter making $11 million?
By Judy
June 25, 2006 10:55 AM | Link to this
Let’s keep in mind that Chipper is not in a contract year yet. He’ll play lights out when his contract is up for renewal. I compare Chipper to an anchor that has stopped the boat from moving forward. His attitude and surliness are not a positive role model for the young guys. Trade him, pay some of his salary if that is what it takes.
By Jeff
June 25, 2006 10:59 AM | Link to this
Sophomore jinx is what they used to call it. That describes what’s happening to the Braves younger core of players. No mystery to it. The league has figured them out, and it will take time for them to make adjustments. There is a solid group of kids in the farm system, but Furman is right: they’re not ready yet. Beyond that, it’s about money. This offseason, the Braves need a bigger player payroll. They need more dough to sign a leadoff hitter, fix the middle inning releif core and, above all else, sign a closer (unless Smoltz agrees to move back, if he’s around).
Forget 2006. Build for 2007 and beyond.
By Corey
June 25, 2006 11:04 AM | Link to this
Oh, what this team could have looked like if not for budget cuts and bad moves. What if we still had 2B Mark DeRosa (.344 BA), OF Jermaine Dye (.300/20/54), P Jason Schmidt (6-3, 2.82), P Tom Glavine (11-2, 3.33), and P Kevin Millwood (8-3, 4.29) along with McCann, LaRoche, Chipper, Renteria, Andruw, Francoeur, Smoltz and Hudson? Makes me sick.
By Corey
June 25, 2006 11:05 AM | Link to this
Oh, what this team could have looked like if not for budget cuts and bad moves. What if we still had 2B Mark DeRosa (.344 BA), OF Jermaine Dye (.300/20/54), P Jason Schmidt (6-3, 2.82), P Tom Glavine (11-2, 3.33), and P Kevin Millwood (8-3, 4.29) along with McCann, LaRoche, Chipper, Renteria, Andruw, Francoeur, Smoltz and Hudson? Makes me sick.
By Harry
June 25, 2006 01:18 PM | Link to this
CHIPPER USED ROIDS ITS A FACT
By cantweallgetalong2004
June 25, 2006 05:58 PM | Link to this
Anybody who says Bobby Cox is being exposed or not a good coach is a F#&*King idiot. What type of short term memory do you have. You are probably the same fans that sat at home instead of showed up to the Playoff games and complained when they didn’t win versus acting like a real fan and support the team. You spoiled Atlanta fans sicken me. SUCK IT UP - you had 14 years of championship level baseball and you wouldn’t of had it without Cox.
By Head Coach
June 25, 2006 06:36 PM | Link to this
Mr. Bisher I did some digging and found a not so suprising result of all the horse trading John Schuerholz has done over the years he has been the GM. There are as we speak 32 ex-brave draft picks playing professional baseball in the majors or triple AAA. 16 pitchers and 16 position players. Here is a 25 man roster that would run circles around the current bunch we have. rotation: Tom Glavine , Jason Schmidt , Jason Marquis , Kevin Millwood and Odalis Perez. Bullpen : Jose Capellan , Adam Wainwright , Roman Colon , Bruce Chen , Matt Belisle and Kent Mercker. Line up : Rafael Furcal ss , Damon Hollins lf , Jermaine Dye rf , Javy Lopez c , Ryan Klesko 1B , Vinny Castilla 3B , Mark Derosa 2B and Tony Graffanino SS. Bench : Charles Thomas OF , Mike Mordecai IF , Mike Mahoney C , Andy Marte 3B , Wes Helms 1B and Nick Green IF. If that isnt an indictment against the incredible waste of talent and great scouting , I dont know what is.
By GermanBravesFan
June 25, 2006 09:24 PM | Link to this
To Metropolitan Man: it’s nice to see the Mets finally made it - enjoy it, while it lasts!
To Head Coach: what are you smoking? Some of the pitchers you mentioned (e.g. Odalis Perez, Bruce Chen, Jose Capellan, etc.) have ERA’s that would make the current team look like Cy Young Winners… Odalis Perez and Bruce Chen have been demoted to the bullpen!
To all REAL Braves fans: let’s support this team to the last game this year! Obviously, things aren’t going well, but this was bound to happen at some point. I guess the real bummer is that we didn’t lose the division in September, but in June. However, I have faith in JS and BC to get this team back to where it belongs: atop the NL East!
GO BRAVES!!!
By Bo
June 25, 2006 11:42 PM | Link to this
cantweallgetalong and German-KEEP DREAMING!!! Bobby and Faith don’t win ball games.
By Head Coach
June 26, 2006 01:24 AM | Link to this
Its an agregate roster of Braves draft picks , not a real team. Its an example of all the talent John Schuerholz has given away and I’m sure you would hate to have Glavine , Millwood , Marquis and Schmidt in your rotation. Blind faith can be deadly when you follow blind leadership and yes you can have some of my whacky weed to smoke.