AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2007 > April > 02 > Entry
Simply put, the Braves are back
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Philadelphia - The bullpen was as wonderfully scary as advertised. That’s enough right there for the rest of the National League East to shiver for a 15th season out of the past 16, especially whenever they see somebody with a tomahawk across his chest.
Simply put, the Braves are back as the bogeymen of the division. They haven’t a glaring weakness, and they have more than a few strong points. They also have a chance to go 162-0 after resembling some of their forefathers by finding ways on Monday at Citizens Bank Park for a 5-3, 10th-inning victory over the supposedly improved Philadelphia Phillies.
“Dang. First loss of the year. Guess our season is over,” said Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins, joking. His team is expected to join the Braves and the New York Mets throughout the summer in a cozy NL East battle. It’s just that the Braves are suggesting they’ll spend more time having chasers than doing the chasing.
And, yes, this was only one game to start the year, but this was a telling game for so many reasons beyond the Braves having a bunch of relievers who finally get it.
There were those timely hits, punctuated by the second of Edgar Renteria’s home runs. With teammate Kelly Johnson at first base, this one settled among Philadelphia’s lovely boo birds behind the wall in right-center field. Just like that, the Braves were a perfect bottom-of-the-10th away by reliever Chad Paronto from victory.
That was after Paronto’s predecessors - holdover Bob Wickman, along with newcomers Mike Gonzalez and Rafael Soriano - kept the Phillies scoreless for the previous three innings.
Then there was John Smoltz starting and dominating with his Hall of Fame arm for much of his outing. It also didn’t hurt the Braves’ cause that Brian McCann is hinting at making his third season in the major leagues look as potent as his previous two. Among his three hits was a two-run homer that gave the Braves a start toward where they finished.
“I don’t know if my home run had anything to do with what we did today, but I just know that coming from spring training, everybody had that attitude back,” said McCann, the All-Star catcher, in a relatively businesslike clubhouse filled with quiet confidence.
Just like old times for the Braves. He was among the 18 rookies who helped the Braves win their 14th consecutive division title in 2005 before their bullpen-related crash to third last year.
Added McCann, “This division is up for grabs, and we know that. We know we have to play good every night, and I think our ballclub is going to do that.”
Generally, these Braves will do that after last year’s taste of mediocrity gave them a collective tummy ache. They began their healing process with their version of baseball ecstasy for a day.
It began with the weather. Give or take the ones likely invented by Ben Franklin, this was the prettiest April afternoon ever between the Schuylkill and Delaware rivers. The bluest of skies. Temperatures in the low 70s. No clouds within a few fungoes.
It also was opening day, sports’ first unofficial holiday, and it was all enough to make those eternally in love with baseball even more so. Thus the extra giddiness for the 65-year-young Bobby Cox, starting his 26th season as a manager in the major leagues.
“You still get the butterflies and the goosebumps. All the ceremonies. The flyovers,” said Cox, the Braves’ accomplished leader. He also could have mentioned the Philadelphia Boys Choir and Men’s Chorale singing the national anthem, the U.S. Navy Parachute team delivering the first pitch and the Phillie Phanatic turning back to green after becoming red during what was called “Paint the Town (Phillie) Red” week.
Suddenly, Philadelphia was blue. As in the Braves’ dominant colors. As in those lovely boo birds watching the Phillies already losing to the team to beat in the NL East this season.
Permalink | Comments (68) | Post your comment | Categories: Terence Moore




DEL.ICIO.US

Comments
By jp
April 2, 2007 9:21 PM | Link to this
Nice to see the Braves back on top. Bullpen looks great. Kelly johnson should not have made that drop on the pop up. Renteria has to call him off as the vet and the SS. Smoltz looked fantastic. GO Braves/
PS..The Hawks suck, leave now
By KC
April 2, 2007 9:42 PM | Link to this
Terence, nice work. Very well said!
By Volman
April 2, 2007 9:45 PM | Link to this
jp… you suck.
By John
April 2, 2007 10:25 PM | Link to this
Looks like the “DG” did a good job of trading to improve the bull pen. Guess Terrance could not bring himself to pay JS his due.
By Lance Krall
April 2, 2007 10:34 PM | Link to this
As I sat in my apartment in Los Angeles, I felt like was back at home today watching the Braves kick butt on TBS. All I needed was some boiled peanuts! Go Braves! So good to have you all back in winning form.
By bravesfan
April 2, 2007 10:46 PM | Link to this
Nice blog, buttttt. We have to many weak players. Thorman at 1st, Langerhans in left. Andruw started out with strike outs. We never should have traded LaRoche. I will stand pat. With Thorman and Langerhans opps. Not good. And Francoeur didnt look good either. Swinging at everthing in and out of the strike zone. Im sorry, If we dont get another hitter, we will be eaten up. The mets and Phillies have a line up we cant compete with with Langerhans and Thorman. Those two simply cant hit. Sorry.
By Bo
April 2, 2007 11:04 PM | Link to this
GREAT WIN! Well said TM. Go Braves!
By El Caganer
April 2, 2007 11:32 PM | Link to this
Mr. Moore,
Excellent article and I agree. I thoroughly enjoyed the game. The bullpen looked good on paper and delivered as well. There are still some unknowns like if the rotation after Smoltz and Hudson will hold up. Then also hopefully the injury bug will stay at bay. The “Baby Braves” are now entering baseball “adulthood” and they must show the progress. All in all though I am feeling good and optimistic.
One more thing Mr. Moore. Good job dude, you called it at the beginning of the tournament and the Gators did it and became repeat champions. I guess all those haters who said you were full of crap were actually the ones who were full of it. But then people who are full of hate are usually blinded by it, even of the obvious.
By Spike
April 2, 2007 11:32 PM | Link to this
Bravesfan, shame on you. I’ve read many of your blogs and you usually make great points, but I don’t agree with this one. First off, its the first game of the year, we get three homeruns and win a ten inning opener with McCann and Renteria looking great, the bullpen was as advertised and the rest of the Braves looked like themselves. Andruw and Francouer looked like Andruw and Francouer. They both take their hacks, sometimes it ain’t pretty, but by the end of the year they will put up the numbers expected of them. As for Langerhans and Thorman, that’s why we have Wilson and Diaz…just in case. All in all, I think we saw what we’ll see most of the year and I’m as optimistic as ever the Braves will be in the hunt in September. As for Laroche, he’s gone. Can’t do anything about it and Mike Gonzalez looked great once he settled down today. Only time will tell if the trade works out, but its done and there’s no going back. The good thing is if we don’t get production from left field and first base we have plenty of trade bait.
By Pinto
April 3, 2007 1:01 AM | Link to this
Wow, one game and the Braves are back
Simply put, the AJC columnists—especially Moore and Bradley—are a group of remarkable simpletons.
By Braves fan 202
April 3, 2007 1:46 AM | Link to this
Moore, i am as happy with this win as anybody, but not a good time to write this article, if they sweep em, maybe. But yes they looked good and they are definately going to be better than last year. The mets will win 90 tho and im not sure if the braves can do that. Who knows, if redman and cormier can do good and if hampton comes back early, than maybe we can get on top and get to the world series. Hopefully this will be the first year since 91 that the attendance hasnt declined
By adam
April 3, 2007 2:07 AM | Link to this
i think the braves will win the world series this year.
By David Duncan
April 3, 2007 2:14 AM | Link to this
Only One game. The Mets will win the NL East by 15 Games. I am not even sure that the Braves can finish 3rd.
By Braves fan 202
April 3, 2007 2:35 AM | Link to this
Hey david duncan whos ur team, cuz if its the braves than nice optimism a*****, and if its not get the hell off this blog
By Andy--LA
April 3, 2007 2:53 AM | Link to this
Pinto the Braves won of old by great—not good—GREAT pitching and timely hits as TM said. This game simply did not happen ALL of last year. The Braves would have lost this game last year—at the beging of last year we started losing alot of games like this and it just never seemed to end. The fact that the Braves can win games like this says the Braves are back—have the Braves won anything yet? Of course not—but you can be excieted that there great spring is carrying over for at least one game. But how the Braves were constructed for the ‘glory’ years is how they are built now. There will be plenty of one and two run losses—but there will also be plenty of one and two run wins. Did we ever win a game by one run last year? Smotlz lost 6 or 8 games after leaving with a lead last year. Maybe put the axe you are ginding down and at least appreciate the simple truth in this article. The Braves are a better desgined team this year—that being leaning toward pitching. The defense can improve greatly—that is my big fear for the year, but would you say this team is better suited to ‘Braves brand of baseball’ than last year? I think it is an overwhelmong yes.
To David Duncan: what are you worried? You should be—the Braves have handled your team for years. You had a great year last year—a great line up still. You are still the division champs until someone knocks you off. Just keep scrolling the Braves sites and keep posting as we beat you for the tenth out of eleven years.
By Spike
April 3, 2007 3:39 AM | Link to this
David Duncan Bend over and grab your ankles…that popping sound will be your head returning from the dark recesses of your arse. What a stupid statement.
By Spike
April 3, 2007 3:44 AM | Link to this
Pinto The Braves were back before this game. They could lose Wednesday and Thursday and the Braves would still be back. This is a 162 game schedule and when September rolls around, the Braves will be right there. Who knows who will win, but make no mistake, the Braves are back.
By south will rise
April 3, 2007 3:53 AM | Link to this
1 game and ur ready to crown the Braves, has anyone seen the team the Mets put on the field on Sunday night, now that was scary!!!
By RA
April 3, 2007 4:07 AM | Link to this
Hey south will rise,
I don’t think anyone,least of all Terrance Moore is ready to crown the Braves yet, but the truth of the matter is that they may have the best pitching in the NL, possibly all of baseball. That in itself usually makes a team a frontrunner. NOBODY is looking past the Mets, but the reality is that the Braves ARE up to the challenge this year if they stay healthy.
By Mrs. Schuerholz
April 3, 2007 6:30 AM | Link to this
Terrence Moore, you’ve got to be kidding me.
Are you bipolar? Seriously, have you talked to someone.
Yesterday I read about Jermaine Dye as the second coming of Willie Mays and how the Designated Geniuses screwed up one more time SEVEN years ago by trading him.
Today, one game gets played, the Braves do well, and they’re BACK. Trust me, I want them to be back, but let’s at least play a series, you think?
No glaring weaknesses? Scott Thorman and Kelly Johnson are our first and second basemen. Right, they’re each 6 time all stars.
Mark Redman? ERA of almost 6 last year. Lance Cormier? Never judge a pitcher in March or September.
How about a little consistency, good transitions in your writing, coherence and reflection rather than just sensationalism with a headline to get somebody to read your column.
Wow, you’re a professional sports writer.
Wow.
By metfaninatl
April 3, 2007 7:30 AM | Link to this
Terence,
The Braves will improve, however, my Mets will be better. The Mets will win that division. Hands down, they have one of the best lineups in baseball. That should take care of their mediocre pitching. Looking forward to going to Turner this weekend. Go Mets!
By metfaninatl
April 3, 2007 7:30 AM | Link to this
Terence,
The Braves will improve, however, my Mets will be better. The Mets will win that division. Hands down, they have one of the best lineups in baseball. That should take care of their mediocre pitching. Looking forward to going to Turner this weekend. Go Mets!
By metfaninatl
April 3, 2007 7:30 AM | Link to this
Terence,
The Braves will improve, however, my Mets will be better. The Mets will win that division. Hands down, they have one of the best lineups in baseball. That should take care of their mediocre pitching. Looking forward to going to Turner this weekend. Go Mets!
By metfaninatl
April 3, 2007 7:30 AM | Link to this
Terence,
The Braves will improve, however, my Mets will be better. The Mets will win that division. Hands down, they have one of the best lineups in baseball. That should take care of their mediocre pitching. Looking forward to going to Turner this weekend. Go Mets!
By Jeremy
April 3, 2007 8:22 AM | Link to this
Go Braves!!!!!
By Ellen
April 3, 2007 8:29 AM | Link to this
Before the bandwagon overloads, it was just one game, people. Yes, the Braves looked good, but it’s a still a long season. Let’s see where this team is in July, or better yet September, before we declare “they’re back.”
By Carroll
April 3, 2007 8:39 AM | Link to this
EASY, Terrence! I too was very moved and excited by yesterday’s performance…even got a bit goosepimply at times. But it’s WAY too early to start talking trash about the Braves being “back.” Further, you claim that we don’t have any “glaring weaknesses,” but I would wait to make such a declaration until we see the rest of our starting rotation. Also, the offense could very much end up being a concern….heck, how many times do you think we can count on a pair of homers from Renteria to save our butts?
By tp
April 3, 2007 8:58 AM | Link to this
Not so fast my friend. I agree that our relievers stronger than they were last year. My concerns with this team are the inconsistency with certain players. Andrew J is a consistent hitter and should hit behind Brain McCann. He rarely come through when we need him to. Kelly Johnson and Lanergerhans are just average hitters. Bad decision to trade away Wilson Betemit and I’m still sick about it. He was the best defensive player we had and on top of that, he was a decent hitter. I believe we will struggle scoring runs this year and alot of errors in the infeild.
By tp
April 3, 2007 9:12 AM | Link to this
I meant to say Andrew Jones is a inconsistant hitter.
By Mark Lemke
April 3, 2007 9:18 AM | Link to this
I was the best second baseman the braves ever had
By George
April 3, 2007 9:19 AM | Link to this
This looks like a Braves team of old. The starting pitching should be equal to any rotation in our division. then the Braves factor of who will be the hero in todays game. Chipper, Andrew,B-Mac, Francour,Renteria (that is what made the Braves great all these years,) now add 22-25 loss saves from last year to this years win total. I think we have a TEAM.
By Metropolitan Man
April 3, 2007 9:27 AM | Link to this
All I have to say is congrats on following last years formula on your 1st win. If its not a 2run/3run bomb, you guys will mostly lose. How many times will a guy follow a failed attempt to bumt a guy over and hit the game winning blast?? Heck, Frenchy couldnt even advance a guy on a leadoff double and of course I saw some shoddy defense. Your bullpen looked shaky but got the job done. So with all that said, I cant wait for the METS to spank you this weekend. Oh yeah once again Smoltz got burnt becasue of a manager who cant seem to take him out early enough for him to get a win. If the pen is so tight, why not get them in there to save his game when he had the lead? I know its a long season and you still won, but the victory looked all to familar to last season that lead to losses last year against good and bad teams. No long ball and a 6-1 victory for the METS, 3 long balls and an extra inning victory for the braves. You guys might want to learn how to manufacture runs, just a thought.
By PHATT
April 3, 2007 9:30 AM | Link to this
I say we go after Jorge Cantu of the Devil Rays. The guy can hit 30 hr’s and drive in 100 RBI’s at 2nd base. The defense may be a little skeptical, but isn’t Kelly Johnson’s?
By Gene
April 3, 2007 9:38 AM | Link to this
I would feel better if LaRoche were still at first. McCaan is something else.
By Rain Delay
April 3, 2007 9:53 AM | Link to this
LaRoche has ONE GOOD Year..and yet everyone is soo sad he left and that JS shouldn’t have traded him.
Get over it. A. We got a quality arm in return. B. What LaRoche did last will NOT be repeated this year.
The Braves did the right thing and traded him while his value was high.
By Chris
April 3, 2007 9:57 AM | Link to this
I agree to a point, but there were some pretty ugly AB’s by Jones, Jones, Francoeur and Langerhans…We need those guys to at least be extending the count further…
However, offense can be corrected, the Bullpen looks dominating, which is a sight for sore eyes.
We need to really send a message by kicking the crap out of these Phils and the rest of the devision this month…
By Maurice
April 3, 2007 10:20 AM | Link to this
Why does JS need his due for overhauling the bullpen? He only added two great arms. It’s their jobs to perform. Give the hand to the bullpen not JS.
By AMR
April 3, 2007 10:25 AM | Link to this
You are stupid. ONE GAME, and they’re back?!?! I’m not saying they’re not, but might want to wait a week or a month before crowning them the champs.
By Versiroth
April 3, 2007 10:47 AM | Link to this
Laroach Went 0-5 yesterday for the Pirates with FOUR strike outs! What you guys need to get is that ALL players have bad days. McCann and Chipper are awesome hitters and they too will have days where they suck at the plate. Why you guys are acting like Kelly/Thorman/others are garbage after ONE day and 4 or 5 at bats is beyond me…… Lets give our team atleast a month or so and see how it ends up. If you remember, even the mighty LaRoach only hit like 240 before the all star break with what? 9 Homers? Thorman will be fine once he learns he’s powerful enough to drive the ball a long way without swinging as hard as he can and Kelly will easily have a 360 OBP, which will be a big improvement over giles.
By Carroll
April 3, 2007 10:48 AM | Link to this
Rain Delay: Actually, LaRoche had one good HALF year. He will not be missed…Thorman will be just as good. And everyone stop panicking about KJ. He too will be fine. My biggest concern is about Langerhans. The guy is just not a major league caliber hitter. He is basically an automatic out. I also like tp’s suggestion that B-Mack should hit BEFORE the inconsistent and enigmatic Andruw Jones. Dude just seems to have a flare for the dramatic.
By BamaBrave
April 3, 2007 11:24 AM | Link to this
Let’s face it…much like last year, there are perhaps 7 or 8 teams which have a shot at representing the NL in the World Series, and I believe the Braves are one of those teams. Plus, I get a feeling that this team will play with a sense of urgency…something they haven’t done in ten years. It’s a great mix of vets and eager, talented youngsters, and everybody knows this is the last year as a Brave for Andruw and perhaps Smoltz. Next year could be very different and ‘09 could be downright scary. This is the year. Go Braves. Nice way to start the year.
By bfred
April 3, 2007 11:58 AM | Link to this
I think it’s fair to say the Braves have never had a bullpen like this. I agree that we have to wait and see how things play out, but historically we have started the season without a clue who would assume what roles after the starter left the game. The Mets clearly have the best offense in the East (maybe all NL) but pitching wins championships, especially when you have to get through a five-game series first. Glavine looked good yesterday, but what now? The Braves scored the second-most runs in the NL last year and were under .500. Now they have a very similar everyday lineup with far superior pitching. I like our chances.
By nelson
April 3, 2007 12:09 PM | Link to this
we go people is single a game to judge to andruw jones and to francoeur he is absurd, we won and it is what counts and it is a clear message for mets, we go by you
By nelson
April 3, 2007 12:09 PM | Link to this
we go people is single a game to judge to andruw jones and to francoeur he is absurd, we won and it is what counts and it is a clear message for mets, we go by you
By nelson
April 3, 2007 12:10 PM | Link to this
we go people is single a game to judge to andruw jones and to francoeur he is absurd, we won and it is what counts and it is a clear message for mets, we go by you
By nelson
April 3, 2007 12:11 PM | Link to this
we go people is single a game to judge to andruw jones and to francoeur he is absurd, we won and it is what counts and it is a clear message for mets, we go by you
By Jason
April 3, 2007 12:59 PM | Link to this
Moore is an idiot. One game does not a season make.
By Braves fan 202
April 3, 2007 1:09 PM | Link to this
Mets fans, get off the braves blog and go back to pickin up trash, we wont be seein yall on here in about a month or two when yall are 12 games back.
By Tyler
April 3, 2007 1:11 PM | Link to this
Don’t you all remember when Kelly Johnson was a rookie? He wasn’t one of our standout players, so why do we think he will be now? I just think the Braves have a problem with settling for mediocracy. That’s why we never seem to win the World Series. We need better starting pitching, and another spark to our offense if we want to beat the mets, because they will not be a pushover just because our pen is very strong.
By TheSouthernJackAss
April 3, 2007 1:21 PM | Link to this
…”after resembling some of their forefathers”…???
By Paul In Richmond
April 3, 2007 1:35 PM | Link to this
Not that it will change any minds but…LaRoche went 0 for 5 yesterday with Four strikeouts and left 2 on base…..
So far our guys have matched that at a much lower salary….
By Antonio Gramsci
April 3, 2007 1:38 PM | Link to this
Who kidnapped Terrence Moore and wrote this???
By quint
April 3, 2007 1:48 PM | Link to this
Why are so many Mets fans watching the Braves game and why are they on this blog? Do they comment as much on Phillies blogs? What about the Marlins blogs? Sounds to me like they are already trying to convince themselves they have pitchers other than Glavine.
Terrence, good article for the end of the first month, not after the first game. By the way, Justice was an arrogant donkey, in the Biblical sense. Remember the license plate swetswng?
By Atlanta via Cohutta
April 3, 2007 1:54 PM | Link to this
Kelly Johnson may not have gotten a hit, but he did walk and score a run. That’s good enough for me. I think he’ll have more success as a leadoff hitter than Giles, seeing as how he still has limited major league experience, whereas Giles had batted in he second slot for several years before being asked to change his mental approach and hit leadoff. Johnson also has a better history of patience.
It was also good to see Gonzalez get two srikeouts. It’s nice to have power arms.
My biggest concern is still Francoer’s tendency to give away at bats with weak grounders and strikeouts. Andruw does it some too. I don’t want the team to live and die by the longball.
I’m not worried about Langerhans and Thorman yet.
By Chris
April 3, 2007 2:13 PM | Link to this
Villareal for Cantu. I bet the D-Rays would make that trade with their terrible bullpen. He could probably close for them.
By dmurph03
April 3, 2007 3:13 PM | Link to this
The Mets remind me of the ‘95 Indians. Lofton, Vizquel, Manny Ramirez, Thome, Belle, Murray, etc…Remember what happened in ‘95? Great pitching always beats great hitting. I was a little concerned about Franceour’s At Bats. They were truly awful. I know it’s one game but it was nice to see a little swagger…
By Ryno
April 3, 2007 3:32 PM | Link to this
yeah, LaRoche was great yesterday. 0 for 5 with 4 strikeouts.
By Joe Smoe
April 3, 2007 3:39 PM | Link to this
TM!
Wow, two positive articles in a week! I am impressed.
I think the Braves may give the always way to egotistical Met bandwagon a reason to go back to being normal Yankee fans again.
If Hampton rebuilds form, its going to be checkmate!
By Green
April 3, 2007 3:49 PM | Link to this
I think the Braves could be better than last year. The only thing I’m concerned about is our reliability on the HOME-RUN. We would have lost if it wasn’t for two mistakes from Brett Myers. Our bullpen looked a lot better than last year. If we want to win the division we need more guys on base than just solo homeruns. Yes, homeruns are great, but you can’t expect three homeruns every game. All in all I think the Braves will contend with the Mets for the Division title, but to win it we need to turn the stikeouts into hits.
By nelson
April 3, 2007 4:08 PM | Link to this
mets fans kiss my a* you and all his team
By Russ
April 3, 2007 4:18 PM | Link to this
It was one game. One. I will not be convinced the Braves are “back” until they win the deciding game of the NLCS followed by four at the show. Otherwise, they’re still the same old chokers.
By Nancy
April 3, 2007 4:29 PM | Link to this
I’m encouraged by the fact that our bullpen hung tough in a close game. I definitely think that the pen will be a strong point this season. Good job by Schuerholz in acquiring some quality relievers!
By yoyoma1234
April 3, 2007 4:57 PM | Link to this
Hey MUTTS fans, got tired of jerking each other off on your own site so you decide to come ride our jock for a little while? How did you guys possibly get John Gotti’s nuts out of your mouth long enough to visit teh internets? Take your undeserved sense of accomplishment back to that dumpster you call a city. And don’t forget your hair gell.
By Cam
April 3, 2007 5:31 PM | Link to this
I am a die-hard Braves fan, watching games out of my computer in Japan. I must say, man, these guys look good. Give credit to Bobby for pitching to Ryan Howard. He believes in this bullpen, and you can see it in their eyes, they aren’t ready to let him down. They throw hard. They get outs. That is a big difference in the Braves of old and the Braves of now. For any Braves fans out there, I say, get to the stadium, get ready to take to the streets, if they keep this up, they are the team to beat. No question.
By Eric Shelander
April 3, 2007 6:55 PM | Link to this
Hello Terence, Haven’t written in a while from out here in the Big D. Usually it is to malign some idiotic (at least in my mind) comment you have made. However, you got this one right. 100% right!!!! If you ever get jaded writing about the Braves, just take a few days and focus on the Texas Rangers and you will realize how good you folks in Atlanta, even the sports writers have it. I often prod my co-workers to check out the Braves on TV so they can see what a “REAL BASEBALL TEAM” looks like. You know even in the midst of adversity and loss last year, the Braves still carried themselves like the winners they are! Thanks for a great post.
By Braves Fan 79
April 3, 2007 7:26 PM | Link to this
David Duncan ?? what are you smoking…?? Ive known the braves would be a playoff team again since the end of last season. The mets pitching is very suspect! the mets will be lucky to get a wild card.
By Eric from Mo
April 3, 2007 9:13 PM | Link to this
Mets fans are you kiddin me. First of all you normally had better lineups in the 90’s but the Braves still won the division. Why, because we had the pitching. Also you keep talking how your lineup is so superior to the Braves. I pretty sure the Braves offense did finish second in runs last year. Not too horrible. I dont recall who finshed first and really dont care as long as the Braves finish in the top half of the league in runs then the division is ours.
By WhereAreYouFrom
April 3, 2007 9:21 PM | Link to this
That’s GREAT - NY is one of the wonderful and BEST examples of AMERICA. I am blessed to be an Atlanta native - but - I bet you are NOT. Go Braves - BEAT NY - but - NY - LOVE NY…