AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2006 > July > 29 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USCox, Braves will never quit
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Terence Moore
They won’t continue their miracle by reaching the playoffs for a 15th consecutive season. They won’t slip into October as one of those hideous wild cards. Even so, with the dominant color of the National League East finally turning from the navy blue of the Braves to the royal blue of the Mets, the most important “won’t” involving those around the home clubhouse at Turner Field is that they won’t quit.
They never quit.
They aren’t allowed to do so. “Most of this obviously comes from Bobby,” said Braves first baseman Adam LaRoche, referring to Bobby Cox, baseball’s all-time best manager for so many reasons. In fact, Cox is adding something else to his already dandy list of accomplishments, ranging from those slew of trips in row to the postseason with the Braves and the Toronto Blue Jays to his ability to perfect victory more often than not with different rosters.
Cox is adding his ability to make his players fight when there actually is nothing left to fight for. Well, not when it comes to after the regular season. “The mentality around here is that you should never lay down,” said LaRoche, in his third year in the major leagues, all with the Braves. “You don’t worry about how many games back you are, and you forget about how close the wild card is. Just go, play every inning. That’s the way Bobby has trained everybody, and coming here, you know his expectations.”
You can see Cox’s expectations, because he lives them through his ability to remain the same no matter what. He is intense in battle (just ask any umpire), and he is comforting afterward to anybody with a tomahawk across his chest, especially those who never give up. “The way I look at it is that you’ve got to give everything you have every day, and you can’t wait for one series to say that it’s crucial,” Cox said, pausing before increasing his voice a few decibels to make his ultimate point. “You’ve got to play with that mentality from game one. I mean, that’s how you get through 162. Every game is big, and that has been my attitude since I was 18 years old.”
This isn’t to say Cox’s Braves never lose. They’ve done so enough these days to sit within a winning streak or three from just mediocrity. On Saturday, for instance, courtesy of Tim Hudson’s ongoing evolution from All-Star pitcher to whatever he is now after getting clobbered in an 11-3 loss to the Mets, the Braves lost for the sixth time in 11 games.
Still, the Braves remain in their fantasy chase of playing near Halloween. After the Mets took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning, the Braves scrambled for a run in the bottom of the inning on a sacrifice fly. Then, when the Mets scored again in the top of the second, the Braves rallied in the bottom half with a single, an error, sacrifice bunt and Marcus Giles’ two-run single.
“Oh, you know they’re going to play hard, and they play hard every single time they take the field,” said Carlos Beltran, after he homered twice and collected five RBIs to help push the Mets’ lead over the Braves in the division to a ridiculous 14 games. “All of those guys, I have a lot of respect for them, because [Jeff] Francoeur, Chipper Jones, Marcus Giles, Andruw Jones, they always come to the ballpark every time to win ballgames.” The thing is, the Braves only could take their hustle so far in this one, with Hudson looking more like a joker than an ace during another start. In contrast, the Mets’ Orlando Hernandez was whirling and hurling like the old El Duque to cool what was baseball’s most sizzling offense.
You could see the Braves’ effort, though, because they don’t quit, and they haven’t for the longest time. Not during their shockingly relentless run from worst to first to start this streak. Not when they once trailed San Francisco by 10 games in July, only to win 104 times to the Giants’ 103 for a division title. Not given their ability to survive horrific injuries for long stretches to David Justice, Andres Galarraga, John Smoltz, Javy Lopez, Mike Hampton and Chipper Jones. Not this year, when they refused to mail, fax or special delivery it in during their 6-21 disaster of June, along the way to this big series that really isn’t at Turner Field against the Mets.
Not with Cox across the way, cheering, prodding, demanding.
Permalink | Comments (60) | Post your comment | Categories: Braves / MLB, Terence Moore
Comments
By Knuckleballer
July 29, 2006 07:48 PM | Link to this
Bobby Cox: time is not on your side this year. Better get it together soon or the remainder of your games will be meaningless.
Interesting how El Duque became available a month or so ago yet where was John SchuerPutz? Busy signing copies of his book maybe? JS and Tim Husdson are in a race to see who can do their job worse the fastest.
Glad to see that we traded Betemit to LA in order to allow Chipper and Marcus to carry the team. Chipper may not see action again this year until the Braves are out of the race and Giles sits at 2nd base watching balls roll by. Thanks John for putting this franchise in capable hands. I will show my appreciation by NOT showing up at Disneyland er.. I mean Turner Field anymore.
By ByeByeBraves
July 29, 2006 07:50 PM | Link to this
It was a nice run Braves, kudos. But it’s the Mets’ time now, time to admit it.
By Kenny
July 29, 2006 07:57 PM | Link to this
But what about Cox’s decisions to stick with players he likes (Giles) and not really give another deserving player Betemit) a chance. I like it that Cox throws players who come up from the minors into the game but he is too loyal to some established players. And of course, he is only as good as his players. Still, they sometimes loaf (La Roche), pull off the ball and strike out (A. Jones), fail to run to first base (A. Jones). Despite Cox’s upbeat bravura, they are not always sound on the fundamentals and he’s not always sound in his game strategy. But let’s face it, these Braves stink, quit or no quit. They’re just bad.
By Jeff
July 29, 2006 07:58 PM | Link to this
Nice that the Braves won’t quit. These guys aren’t getting paid the big bucks to quit.
But the ‘06 Braves are about as done as an overcooked steak…so done you can’t even put a fork in them.
Interesting to see if management acknowledges that reality by trying to move some of the team’s veterans before the Monday trading deadline. It’s now about 2007 and beyond.
By time for the truth
July 29, 2006 08:07 PM | Link to this
Cox is so far past it it isn’t even funny!! Cox may have a very impressive number of wins under his very ageing belt, but his teams virtually ALWAYS choked in post season. Which is the REAL test of any manager/team. Winning league titles is one thing, winning the final post season series (its not a bloody world series, and never ever will be) is how you are ultimately measured, as a team and a manager.
Cox and Suerholz have total responsibility for the debacle this season, excuses and waffle are inexcusable. The team’s balance, will to win, cohesion and competence, depth in hitting and pitcing and all the rest needed to be league champions (once again) has all but dissipated. A fairly brief winning run mid season doesn’t undo ALL the losing dross that preceded it.
Dump Cox NOW, give the new chap time to get to know the job/players/set up/sign some of his own faces etc and quietly suggest that Suerholz join him in the Braves Hall of Fame. Their achievments have been mostly excellent, but now its long past time for a change!!
By Steve
July 29, 2006 08:49 PM | Link to this
“time for the truth” has hit the nail on the head. 14 titles BUT only one world series does not a good manager make. Those titles were because of a very weak division that the Braves were in. When they had to play really good teams, they choked all but once.
How interesting that when the Bills made it to four superbowls and lost, te media called them losers and chokers. But when the Braves couldn’t win the world series in 14 attempts, the media called them and Cox, “champions”.
Sorry folks, but when the important games come up, they are losers and chokers too.
By Allegro
July 29, 2006 09:13 PM | Link to this
Not sure what Terence is basing his “greatest manager of all-time” declaration on.
Bobby has benefited from some good ball clubs. Almost every season—if not EVERY season— since 1990 he has had the best ball club in the division.
When it comes time to meet teams with equal talent….well, you know the rest of the story.
I’m sorry, but all I see and hear now is Bobby babbling like the village idiot while the Braves are at the plate. As well as horrible over-reactions every time a call doesn’t go his way.
I think it’s well past time he was put out to pasture.
By Ron Roberts
July 29, 2006 10:16 PM | Link to this
Was last year’s ballclub a “good ball club” that Bobby benefitted from, Allegro? You know, the one with 8 rookies?
What about the year where Russ Ortiz was our ace? Was that a “good ball club” that Cox benefitted from?
Our how about the year Jared Wright and J.D. Drew enjoyed their lone flash-in-the-pan year of success that enabled ‘em to go out and get fatter contracts elsewhere. Was that a “good ball club,” Allegro?
Don’t belittle Cox with weak arguments like that, guys. Bobby Cox is about the most respected manager in the game - ask the players. My God, look what he’s had to work with this season… a horrible bullpen (too little too late, Schuerholz), nobody beyond Smoltz on the rotation pitching consistantly, except for Horacio Ramirez, and even he’s not infallable, a lineup with no leadoff guy (and the one who was put there struggling, because he’s no leadoff guy), and out of that Cox is supposed to wave his magic wand and make you spoiled fans happy with another “how’d he do that” season? Only to hear your venom spew when his grossly over-manned squad bows out in the playoffs?
He does his best with what his corporate ownership gives him, people; the board room has spoken and said “we can’t spend New York money on an Atlanta budget, anymore,” (ironically from their New York headquarters), and that’s that.
By Big Al
July 29, 2006 10:35 PM | Link to this
Maybe its time to take a good hard look at the entire Braves’ organization from top to bottom. Did anyone, and I mean anyone, see a losing season for this team? I honestly don’t believe the Braves can reach .500. Sometimes, during a long of success, organizations become stale until an upstart puts them on their butts.
By Dell
July 29, 2006 10:37 PM | Link to this
It amazes me how pathetic you Braves bashers have become. I’m as disappointed as anyone about this season, but we’ve won this division 14 times in a row, we’ve won 5 NL pennants and yes only 1 World Series. However, this run has been a joyride and it hurts me that it’s ending, but Cox and Schuerholz brought this excitement here and we should be thankful. Bashing the builders of this dynasty sickens me, if not for Schuerholz and Cox we’d probably still be in last place. Scheurholz and Cox have done the best they can with the cards they have been given. If we could have a 100 million dollar payroll, I have no doubt we’d be a constant WS contender, but we can’t outspend anyone and we’ve still been a contender. This team needs our support not our hatred. If you are a true fan this team is in your blood, if not then hit the road, bandwagon fans are a nuisance and not appreciated.
By Louis Vales
July 29, 2006 10:48 PM | Link to this
They don’t quit. They just get eliminated quickly in the post season, this year won’t even make that. YOU MORONS are proud of that 14 in a row, I’m more taken with no Easrenn Div. titles and 2 World Series Titles—one more than you know who—“Your Underachieving, Silly NLEast banner displaying Atlanta Braves”—-1/2 game behind a team who sold off their roster, very nice!!!
By Louis Vales
July 29, 2006 10:57 PM | Link to this
Allegro, If the “greatest manager of all time” parlayed the presence in their prime of 3 Hall of Fame pitchers into 1!!!!!!World Series Championship in 14 years, then I am Denis Menke, and I’m not Denis Menke. Smoltz, Glavine, Maddux and a collection of talent touted as some of the best ever assembled on one team and this alleged “Manager For The Ages” wins o1!!! more World Series Title than the Marietta School For Wayward Boys Intramural Team and they didn’t have 14!!!!!!!!!!! cracks at the post season in a division so weak that it rivaled the WAC and Mid -American in football. Yea, Bobby is a genius!1 Keep repeating that and you will be made to feel guilty for being critical of a guy who was at the helm of more defeats that the Argentine Navy in the Falklands War!!
By haterhater
July 29, 2006 10:59 PM | Link to this
Know what’s funny? A bunch a fat know-nothings, who have never played a single game of organized baseball, criticize the Braves, Cox, and Schuerholz. Rant on, idiots.
By haterhater
July 29, 2006 11:00 PM | Link to this
Know what’s funny? A bunch a fat know-nothings, who have never played a single game of organized baseball, criticize the Braves, Cox, and Schuerholz. Rant on, idiots.
By Louis Vales
July 29, 2006 11:06 PM | Link to this
I’m 5 foot 11 and weigh 170. If you’re ever in Greenville or Clemson area you can hear me as the first caller of the 9:00-12:00 show on WCCPFM, the Clemson flagship station or just listen online Monday as I’m going after Bobby and the gang with a vengenance rarely heard on radio. Just wait for Lou about 9:15 this Monday. You will enjoy it!!So why do you think everybody who thinks the Braves are frauds is fat?/ There are also smart thin people.
By Louis Vales
July 29, 2006 11:14 PM | Link to this
Also, only “idiots” think Braves have underachieved since 1996—like I said earlier—Inagine Georgia winning next 10 SEC East Div. titles and then losing 10 SEC Championship games and come back and tell me Georgia fans should be “Happy”—Right????
By haterhater
July 29, 2006 11:19 PM | Link to this
Vales, you’re an idiot, regardless of your height and weight.
By Louis Vales
July 29, 2006 11:22 PM | Link to this
Ron Roberts, “What ownership gives him”—you mean like the ownership of 2003 Florida Marlins and ownership of 2006 Florida Marlins with no money, no fans, no stadium, no prospects for a stadium and no place to move and who are 1/2 game ahead of the Braves with an 80 percent rookie rotation and rookies at 2B, SS, LF, RF and a utility man playing CF and Joe Borowski as your closer, Yea Girardi has it made compared to Time Warner Bobby—You Are The Idiot!!
By Louis Vales
July 29, 2006 11:31 PM | Link to this
HaterHater, Would the Georgia fans be happy with that scenario, yes or no?? And would they be “bad fans if they weren’t happy?? Please listen online Monday, it’s easy to stream, even you can do it!! I will not only carve them a new one, there will be leftovers. WCCPFM.COM—-Of course I’m Sweet Lou, you all listen in now, ya hear!!! About 9;15 to 9;20. You’ve inspired me with your nastiness, I will take it to another level Monday.
By time for the truth
July 29, 2006 11:47 PM | Link to this
NO question that Cox and Schuerholz delivered 14 titles, one or two in that glorious run were even a bit unexpected. But the negative posts here are not just sour grapes about one poor season. Even with a smaller wage bill than the smug mega rich Yankees some teams have cometed with them and beaten them.
It isn’t just money. Cox is a nice guy, knows the old style baseball very well. But its time to say goodbye and thanks . The new pitching coach seems poor, the hitting coach is average, not bad but not good. The constant dealing in players is a sign of panic at times, and not just this season. It shows there’s not enough confidence in what they already have. It also shows they are ready to make changes when needed … but its often change for change sake. Or to get a ‘big name’ in who doesn’t perform. Hudson has been overall poor. Sheffield was good but left. Hampton’s been an expensive disaster … there’s a long list of players that at best is very questionable. And the poor trades/signings that have finally caught up with them. The great rookies from last season have mostly been found out. There are at least some players who can play well consistently, most of the season in all teams. Cox has signed very few of those recently. And he persists with dross. The Braves literally ruined Rocker, although he clearly contributed to his own downfall. The closer’s they’ve signed have been mostly dire in recent years. Smoltz is wasted as a starter, but he’s earned the right to do it. Chipper seems all but finished as an All Star and that ludicrous big long contract seems utterly insane now. Giles is now pretty consistently dire, Furcal had peaked and was a poor hitter most of the time. You can go down the list and all the time it comes back to Cox and Suerholz plugging gaps and not properly looking to the future.
Its easy to sneer at Braves bashers … but look beyond the glamour of the league titles and see the innate weakness of this team when it really counts. The nice guys who almost always play to lose in post season …
I’m English and yet I can see the flaws in a team/sport I dont know as well as “real football”.
By Andee
July 30, 2006 12:02 AM | Link to this
As a Mets fan, I have to say this: If Cox manages to get this team into the postseason, even as the WC, after what it’s been through so far, he deserves another Manager of the Year award. Seriously.
Believe me, I’ve watched enough Mets teams quit when they weren’t even this far back to know what I’m talking about. It’s no fun for a fan to tune in, let alone show up, to watch a team that knows it’s just filling out the schedule and just plain doesn’t care anymore.
That obviously isn’t the case with these Braves. Old, inexperienced, banged-up, a bit talent-challenged? Maybe. But indifferent? Never. That’s on the manager.
What the heck, nobody else seems to want the WC that badly this year, the Braves might as well go for it. Terence Moore may not like the WC, but WC teams have been among the most exciting in baseball come October and quite a few have won all the marbles. Nobody has anything locked up yet. Well, okay, maybe the Mets can start printing playoff tickets, but only for the first round!
By TG
July 30, 2006 12:02 AM | Link to this
Braves Fans,
What you are going through is normal - its the seven stages of grieving:
Shock: That was June
Denial: That was the smug attitude heading into this weekend’s series.
Bargaining: Please, please, just one more.
Fear: The Mets as a dynasty?
Anger: Just read this blog’s posts.
Despair: Same as above.
Acceptance: Sometime in early September the ratio of comments will become much more appreciative of what Cox and JS have accomplished.
It’s the natural stages for a death - in this case the Braves remarkably and ultimately smug hold on the division title.
Sincerely,
A Mets Fan
By Scott
July 30, 2006 12:20 AM | Link to this
Steve, you stupid, dumb, ignorant fool. The Braves won weak divisions? You do realize that the Mets in the late 90s early 00s usually were in the hunt for the wild card and actually won it a couple of times. Right? The Phillies were considered contenders. And those Florida Marlins won TWO world series titles. Yet the Braves played in a weak division? The Giants and Dodgers were always contenders in the early 90s and the Giants won 103 games in 1993 and yet it was considered a weak division?
WHAT FREAKIN UNIVERSE DO YOU LIVE IN? Seriously, stick with the college football you stupid dumb hick because you know nothing of baseball.
By burt
July 30, 2006 01:29 AM | Link to this
does it really make and sense. js has traded off more all-stars player than any gm in baseball. he says this trade is good for benemit because he can play regular. he should have been playing regular for the braves this year. it’s time for js and bobby to catch the train.
By shvictor
July 30, 2006 01:40 AM | Link to this
The Braves aren’t gonna quit? After watching the last two games and the way the team has played with their season on the line, it is obvious to me that this team has quit.
By shvictor
July 30, 2006 01:41 AM | Link to this
The Braves aren’t gonna quit? After watching the last two games and the way the team has played with their season on the line, it is obvious to me that this team has quit.
By cincybravesfan
July 30, 2006 01:42 AM | Link to this
Guess the Braves better have more “faith days” after this Betemit trade. Apparently God wasn’t listening to Smoltzie! Looks like the Braves may be “left behind.” What a dumb promotion and dumb trade. I admire Bobby Cox and really feel for him sitting in the dugout without Leo next to him, but who needs a setup man when your starting pitching can’t get through 3 to 4 innings? They need to get some starting pitching! Hudson and Ramirez were beyond pathetic. And now with no Chipper and no Betimit the starting pitching won’t get 8 runs of support from the Braves anymore. When are they going to spend this extra $$$$ they supposedly have?
By Ron Roberts
July 30, 2006 04:29 AM | Link to this
The Mers are on pace to win their first division title since, what, 1986, and their fans are anointing them as a “dynasty?&”
Are you SEIROUS!?!?!?!?
Louis Vales… … I wasn’t comparing Bobby Cox to Joe Girardi, nor the job Girardi’s doing with the Marlins; Girardi would have my vote right now as Manager of the Year this season, frankly. He deserves it.
I’m just arguing that Bobby Cox hasn’t been given World Series-caliber rosters in quite a few years, and yet people log on here and berate him for it, like he’s supposed to blink marginal teams into World Champs. He works with what he gets, and our playoff performance of late has shown us that he doesn’t get enough to win it all.
By BravesSuck
July 30, 2006 05:23 AM | Link to this
* DEAD AND BURIED *
* WILDCARD? YOU SHOULD BE SO LUCKY! *
By WC Wannabees
July 30, 2006 05:28 AM | Link to this
“one of those hideous wild cards”
Are Braves fans too proud to get into the postseason without a division title?
As if you had any shot at the wildcard anyway!!
Sounds like a serious case of sour grapes to me…”we wouldn’t want that icky wild card anyway.”
By MikeY
July 30, 2006 07:01 AM | Link to this
I think Bobby has quit. Yesterday Andrew made a lazy play, with a light toss into second that resulted in Pail LoDuca getting a double, when a normal throw-in holds LoDuca to a single. The Bobby of old would have pulled Andrew IMMEDIATELY. And this is not the first time: Andrew, LaRoche, and some others on the team do not hustle. And it is costing the Braves games.
By Lee
July 30, 2006 07:08 AM | Link to this
The Braves are a ridiculous joke. Doing their ridiculous Tomahawk chop in the bottom of the sixth yesterday was almost as ridiculous as “.249” Brian Giles’s comments before the meaningless series with the division champs began. Not to mention that the Tomahawk chop is not really an appropriate cheer since the original Boston Braves were named after guys that dressed up like Indians(for the Boston tea party) not real ones. But, most idiotic Braves fans wouldn’t know that. Good luck Braves! ha ha ha
By jerry
July 30, 2006 08:02 AM | Link to this
This disgusting garbage of a sports column is an insult to anyone who has a brain.
By Joe
July 30, 2006 08:04 AM | Link to this
Chipper should take better care of himself. Stop chewing tobacco.
By Metmadhatter
July 30, 2006 08:49 AM | Link to this
Thank you Braves. It’s been 14 long hard years. I hope you enjoyed the ride. Now it is our turn
By Tom
July 30, 2006 09:02 AM | Link to this
We have one guy on here calling Braves “idiots” and then ridiculing “Brian” Giles. He’s not on our roster, loser.
Another is blasting Schuerholz for not trading for El Duque. LOL Uhhhhh….I believe Hernandez had his first quality start in months yesterday. Yeah, that’s what we need, genius.
I wish I had the postseason lineup for the Braves team that played the Yanks in the World Series in ‘99, I believe. (could be another year,though) You know, the year that Javy was out for the season, Galarraga was out for the year, etc. That team had a horrible lineup yet ended up in the World Series.
If you can blast Cox or Schuerholz after all these years of historic excellence, it shows how uneducated you truly are.
When talking baseball, nobody outside a Yankee fan can touch the Braves so you’re plain dumb to even try to argue some of these points.
Many of you blast the Braves for only one World Series and while it’s been disappointing, many of those years we never should have made the postseason.
By GermanBravesFan
July 30, 2006 09:06 AM | Link to this
Dude ur retarted el duque threw a shutout two starts ago. AND THE METS LOCK UP THE DIVISON ON AUGUST 1ST SUCK IT GEORGIANS,u better start watching ur a*s or u will fall in to last u piece of s**t 2nd rate team. I think you have a better chance of winning if u forfeit
By Louis Vales
July 30, 2006 09:47 AM | Link to this
Tom, If you really believe they should have never made the playoffs that means you think they had no chance to win in the playoffs. If that is true than King John is responsible for perpetuating a myth of excellence based on stringing banners in the outfield for winning divisions. Your feelings mean that he knew product on field was marginal but we can keep telling people we are great based on winning NL East. You do know that is what you’re saying.
By John
July 30, 2006 09:48 AM | Link to this
There are some mighty ignorant sports fans who don’t know a thing about sports. Bobby Cox is the best thing to happen to the Braves. Those who weren’t around through the late 60s to 91just simply don’t get it. The ONLY coach I MIGHT love to see in a Braves uniform is Jim Leyland. But having said that, let’ssee if Jimleyland can do what Cox has done here in Atlanta. Nope he won’t. I will take Bobby Cox over any other coach and so will his players. Ultimately that is what counts. We all know of professional teams with far more talent right now who can not win consistantly. Cox is able to marshall both talentedand marginal players into astounding teams. Time and budget has caught up this year, but I am still not convinced that they won’t pull things together this year and make a run that might put them into the playoffs - it’s been done before.
Those who want to see Cox go are simply macho konw-it-alls who probably sit around on their brains wishing they could play sports - not a person who has played and knows how valuable a real coach can be - Bobby Cox is a real coach and will be voted into the Hall of Fame the first time he’s eligible.
Wake up folks - Bobby Cox and this team deserve your support.
By Nelson
July 30, 2006 09:56 AM | Link to this
We were recovering from June debacle, but gess who was in Braves uniform at the bench? Christ Reistma! We can’t blame the front office, or time-wrner,etc. It is the way the game is played, even the Marlins with lower pay-roll and loaded with young players knows it. baseball is a combination of many things but overall it requires Guts like any other sport and when you are doing something that hurts the team or your performance you have to work on it and solve it, thats what great players do! Got it Andrew?
By Nelson
July 30, 2006 09:57 AM | Link to this
We were recovering from June debacle, but gess who was in Braves uniform at the bench? Christ Reistma! We can’t blame the front office, or time-wrner,etc. It is the way the game is played, even the Marlins with lower pay-roll and loaded with young players knows it. baseball is a combination of many things but overall it requires Guts like any other sport and when you are doing something that hurts the team or your performance you have to work on it and solve it, thats what great players do! Got it Andrew?
By Brian
July 30, 2006 10:00 AM | Link to this
I have never heard such a bunch of whiny little idiots in my life. Anyone one that criticizes the braves, jS, or bobby are not true fans. you all are a bunch of front running babies. How about some support for a team that last time i checked is still only 6.5 out of the wildcard. will see where you guys are when we at the end of Aug we are leading the Wild Card.
By metsfan
July 30, 2006 11:05 AM | Link to this
Is Cox a genius? The genius is having Smoltz, Maddux, Glavine, Chipper and Andruw for more than 10 years. Only Andruw is still in his prime. That’s five hall-of-famers on one team. Who else has ever had that but the Yankees?
Francouer and crew look good, but there are a lot of good players around, and I don’t see signs yet that they are hall-of-famers. From now on, with your competent but ordinary players, you’ll just have to compete in the pack like everyone else - no automatic championships for the Braves. Maybe Chipper will have a Kirk Gibson moment, but that’s about it.
This article about trying is funny. Almost all teams try. The Mets always tried, even when they lost. The Nationals try. Maybe the Phillies don’t try, but everyone else does.
So welcome to the next decade of mediocrity. Good luck finding the next full house of hall-of-famers, if you ever do.
By Haywood Jablome
July 30, 2006 11:30 AM | Link to this
Damn you, MetsFan, but there is a kernel of truth in your post. I don’t think Bobby’s a genius, but how does a manger qualify as a genius? Is Joe Torre a genius? I don’t think so. How about Willie Randolph…please, get serious. Is Tony LaRussa? Maybe, but then where are all his World Series rings? Who is the smartest manager in baseball anyway?
On a related point, who is Bobby’s successor? He’s 65 years old and the end is near. Does Terry Pendleton get serious consideration? How about super-lifer Brian Snitker? Just wondering…..
By Knuckleballer
July 30, 2006 11:40 AM | Link to this
Tom- El Duque is throwing better than ALL of our starters except Smoltz.
The 1991 run started with great pitching and marginal position players. Going forward, the Braves pitching cupboard is bare and they have a handful of good position players. I do not see a nucleus strong enough to build another championship caliber team. They need strong young pitchers to get it started yet they just traded a great young infielder for a washed-up reliever and run-of-the-mill utility player. We have come full circle here.
By NYMetsRG
July 30, 2006 01:31 PM | Link to this
HAHA! I could read this all day. Just remembering all the times that Cox made sure to step on our necks even after beating us the first two games while we were still battling for the wild card. Nice to return the favor (already 3-0 in the 1st)
But seriously I cannot understand how spoiled some of you guys sound by criticizing Schuerholz and Cox. For fans that need a “buy one get one free” policy to sell out a playoff game, you really can’t complain.
By John
July 30, 2006 02:02 PM | Link to this
If I read a bunch of cry babies complaining about losing to the Mets, this year, I’l plotz……You sound as if it’s been a trying time for you all. Try being a Met fan since 2000. You don’t know what suffering IS! I’m happy now…you guys aren’t…TOUGH! Grin and tough it out! 14 years was a good run. Try being classy and acknowledge which the better team, this year, is!
By Tomas
July 30, 2006 02:54 PM | Link to this
“It´s not over till is over” thats a frame that Yogi Berra used to say. The GM JS has done a very good job this deadline, if he adds a starting pitcher, “a good one” then they have the team to get to the playoff. Imagine Barry Zito, Mark Redman, Jon Lieber, Dontrelle Willis, Brian Moehler, Greg Maddux,Kip Wells, Rodrigo Lopez, Livan Hernandez, Shawn Chacon,Joel Pineiro, Jon Garland, Tony Armas Jr.,Jeff Suppan, or Jason Marquis.
By Ron Roberts
July 30, 2006 03:50 PM | Link to this
TOM…
Excellent post, my friend.
By Freddy
July 30, 2006 04:37 PM | Link to this
We are not only running out of time this season. We have just mortgaged our long term future trading Betemit. It seems that short term desperation is clouding JS big picture. This is not what made the Braves the top MLB organization. Missing one postseason maybe isn´t that bad. It may be just what we need
By Roy
July 30, 2006 05:22 PM | Link to this
You know, fans of mets and braves should cool it down, we should support each others I like the braves, I’m a long die hard mets fan since 1967. Even either the mets or braves in the world series I will always support them to win over the american league, I don’t like any american league teams period. And if bobby cox is a manager for the Ny Mets instead of braves…..then this page of comments will be the opposites way, wouldn’t they!!!.
By HK
July 30, 2006 06:02 PM | Link to this
The Squaws don’t have to quit! The Mets just fired them!
By Dave
July 30, 2006 06:58 PM | Link to this
Get the pwmership settled and get it away from the Board room. give JS and BC a decient budget and you will see a big change, sounds like fair weather fans to me
By You Dont Say
July 30, 2006 07:00 PM | Link to this
Its nice they wont give up, however they do not have the tools to make a playoff birth. Its either pitching and no hitting or hitting and no pitching. They put so much into finding bullpen arms that the forgot the starters. Hudson, Smoltz, Rameriz and James are not the pithers we need. Maybe since we have all rookies now and just traded for a 2nd baseman, the braves can say goodby to Giles and get some pitching. Starters that is.
My question to the Braves Management is why cant we have both at the same time?
By Braveslifer
July 30, 2006 07:12 PM | Link to this
Time Warner is running (ruining) the Braves consistent with the way they run the company. TW - sell the Braves to someone who wants and knows how to be a “winner”.
By Robert
July 30, 2006 07:50 PM | Link to this
“On a related point, who is Bobby’s successor? He’s 65 years old and the end is near.”
Please please please say this is true
Did y’all see Terrence’s article today - talking about how great Cox is?
I think I now know where Mark Bradley’s missing crack pipe might be located
By John K
July 30, 2006 08:35 PM | Link to this
Yes, the Braves may not make the post-season. But as long as they play hard, I’ll continue to watch.
By Bob
July 30, 2006 09:16 PM | Link to this
This streak started with me returning from Desert Storm for the treat of a first World-Series for my favorite team, with my 4 year old son watching beside me. It now ends 15 years later, with a few more pounds, and a 19 year old son getting ready to go off and serve his country. Braves, you will always be #1 to me. What a run.
By Jenn
July 31, 2006 12:30 AM | Link to this
To whoever said he did, Chipper doesn’t chew tobacco. I decided to respond to that cause I pretty much hate what has been said on here. No way you guys are real Braves fans. Quit crying about us missing the postseason. I’m sure you’ll jump on someone else’s bandwagon, take your pick of the Yanks, Red Sox, heck even the rival Mets. Win or lose…I’ll always say “Go Braves!” with a smile on my face.
By Eugene
July 31, 2006 01:08 AM | Link to this
I would not change a thing about the Braves’ organization, especially not their farm system. They always seems to pick a player from the farm that is just ripe to be served up in the Bigs.