Atlanta Metro News

AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2007 > July > 09 > Entry

Braves have done everything but vanish

By Mark Bradley | Monday, July 9, 2007, 06:56 PM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Mark Bradley

Somebody up there likes them. How else to explain the Braves, who have played under .500 over the past 12 1/2 weeks, finding themselves only two games back at the All-Star break? How else to explain them being within sight of a team that has outpitched and outfielded them and had, for most of the season, outhit them as well?

The Braves should be feeling good about themselves. They’ve had injuries (Mike Hampton, Lance Cormier, Mike Gonzalez, Chipper Jones) and washouts (Mark Redman, Ryan Langerhans, Craig Wilson) and no-shows (Willy Aybar) and a slump of epic proportion (you know who), and they’re one good series from leading the NL East. Were you-know-who hitting .241 instead of .211, they’d be ahead now. They’ve had a hundred things go wrong and not a lot go right, and they’re actually a bit ahead of where Bobby Cox says a team needs to be.

The Cox formula: “As long as you’re around .500 at the All-Star break, you’ve got a chance.”

In 1991 the Braves were 39-40 at the break and won the first of those 14 consecutive division titles. In 2004 they were below .500 on the Fourth of July and won their division by 10 games. These Braves were 38-38 on the morning of June 25; they’re 9-4 since. They still don’t look like a playoff team to these eyes — too many holes in the rotation and in the batting order — but honesty compels me to note that the Mets aren’t looking like one, either.

The Mets have lost 27 of their past 54 and are 14-21 since May 31. They broke for their holiday telling reporters how “lucky” they feel to be leading the East, but you have to wonder if such sentiments represent the truth. This race could have and probably should have been settled by now. Instead the Mets have allowed the Braves — and the Phillies, sort of — to hang around.

History teaches that opponents who let the Braves linger wind up kicking themselves. On cue, manager Willie Randolph has already given in to frustration at least once: He has admitted he threw a chair and broke a door in the manager’s office at Dodger Stadium last month.

His team, which looks armor-plated on paper, has sprung leaks of its own. Carlos Delgado has been nearly as bad as Andruw Jones. (Actually, Jones has more RBIs.) Hot prospect Mike Pelfrey has been worse than Kyle Davies. (Pelfrey has started eight games; he’s 0-7.) Paul Lo Duca has fewer RBIs than Scott Thorman. (And Thorman hasn’t done much.) Even the most un-Braves-like moment of the season — John Smoltz questioning Chipper Jones’ commitment — was matched by a Mets lapse. (Jose Reyes didn’t run out a grounder in Friday’s game and was pulled by Randolph.)

There is, however, a massive difference among the similarities: The Mets have the National League’s biggest payroll; the Braves rank eighth among 16 NL teams. The Braves, give or take a few games, are where they ought to be. The Mets should be much better. Give Cox that roster and that payroll and he’d be six games in front.

The Mets should still win the division, but the longer the Braves stick around the harder it will get for the New Yorkers, who must deal with the tabloids and the vacuum that will spring from the Yankees being lousy. Everyone around the Mets expects them to trade for a starting pitcher, but news that Mark Buehrle has re-upped in Chicago means they won’t be getting him, either.

Before you accuse me of egregious flip-flopping, let’s be clear: I haven’t regarded these Braves as anything special and still don’t. Barring a trade of major impact, I can’t envision them winning 90 games. But the Mets are on pace to win only 89, and that surprises me. I imagine it surprises Omar Minaya, the general manager labeled “Mix Master” by Sports Illustrated, even more.

Permalink | Comments (79) | Post your comment | Categories: Braves / MLB, Mark Bradley

Comments

By Thedream21479

July 9, 2007 7:11 PM | Link to this

Weird, I actually agree with an Atlanta sportswrite not named (Mr.) Furman Bisher.

Braves, albeit not lousy, are a middle-of-the-pack team—as much as it pains me to say. That said, however, the pitching HAS looked better lately and the all-star break comes at a most opportune time to let everyone rest and heal. Tim Hudson, though, not super sharp, was hurt badly by his defense his last game and the others have kept us in games lately….I think the Braves will be in the race till the end…and with Andruw heating up (about bloody time) perhaps we have a decent shot at winning a division or wild card.

By Justin Tyndell

July 9, 2007 8:37 PM | Link to this

THORMAN PLAYS TOO MUCH

By ugapip

July 9, 2007 8:52 PM | Link to this

Bradley, Good blog. I still think that the Braves are going to pull it out. If they can get one more reliable starting pitcher, they will win the division. Two players that need to step it up are Andrew and Wickman.

I hope the Braves do not trade, Salty and Escobar. They need to build aroung these two!

By Ron Roberts

July 9, 2007 9:10 PM | Link to this

Mark, this column lacks some substance. Like strength of remainng schedule…

The Braves come out of the break playing 17 of their first 23 games against sub .500 teams; throw in three of those against the Rockies at .500. That’s before a three-and-three on the road against the Mets and Phillies.

The Mets play only 11 of 24 out the break against sub .500 teams.

The Braves play 19 games against teams with winning records, 12 against teams currtently at .500, and 41 against sub .500 teams.

The Mets play 28 games against teams with winning records, 7 against teams currently .500, and 40 against sub .500 teams.

The two teams play each other 9 times, by the way, accounting for nearly half the Braves stronger portion of the schedules.

In essence, the Braves’ have an easier schedule the rest of the way than the Mets do. Their chance to win this division without much of a fight has come and gone.

By yer a doofus, mark

July 9, 2007 9:18 PM | Link to this

“but honesty compels me to note that the Mets aren�t looking like one, either.”

how it must have galled you to write that sentence. you’re such a hater.

By Peter

July 9, 2007 9:27 PM | Link to this

Size in payrolls does matter. It doesn’t mean you’ll win but it means that you can rectify mistakes and everybody makes mistakes. It’s what a Shuerholz and a Cox can do with a bigger payroll.

The Braves have performed a real feat here. They’ve rebuilt and stayed in the race. But it’s a young team and they can’t afford to trade Salty and Escobar.

As a season ticket holder I want the payroll to be increased. As a season ticket holder and a Liberty stockholder I don’t want it increased because people don’t show up to see the team.

I don’t care about all of the excuses that people give. Nothing happens in Atlanta that keeps people away from the games that doesn’t happen in every other MLB city.

The payroll now may be in the middle but five years from now it won’t be. Show up to the games, the tickets are some of the cheapest in baseball.

By clmtigr

July 9, 2007 9:29 PM | Link to this

Why don’t we trade Renteria now (while is value is highest) for some Pitching and let Escobar take over at SS?? I like Reneteria a lot, but we could really get something for him and let the kid take over.

By Kentavo

July 9, 2007 9:34 PM | Link to this

I like it when the Braves play the better teams - they seem to rise to the challenge (Detroit and Boston notwithstanding). But they absolutely kill me when they play down to the competition. Hopefully the most recent set with the Nationals will be something to build on and show the youngins that intensity is required to beat the crappy teams, too.

By Justin

July 9, 2007 9:46 PM | Link to this

WHO CARES! * THE BRAVES SUCK!*

By GTA

July 9, 2007 9:50 PM | Link to this

Because Edgar’s been the cornerstone of the first half for this team. Without his bat, we win at least 5-10 less games in the first half. Plus he’s got gold glove defense. Not that Escobar won’t, I just think he’s there yet. Chipper and Edgar have been the MVPs this season, and there’s no denying it.

By Dawg19

July 9, 2007 9:58 PM | Link to this

You don’t trade Renteria because we have him cheap for one. Second, he is our most clutch hitter in just about any situation. Third, we have near major league ready prospects OTHER than Salty and Escobar that many teams would be interested in right now and would be willing to give up talent that would make a difference to the Braves push for the playoffs.

By brave man

July 9, 2007 10:02 PM | Link to this

The Braves will be there at end because NL east is really not that good.

By brave man

July 9, 2007 10:02 PM | Link to this

The Braves will be there at end because NL east is really not that good.

By kenny the big guy

July 9, 2007 10:12 PM | Link to this

This puts AJ’s slump into perspective: Last week he had a game where he was one for five. And his batting average actully went up.

By Rick in Dallas

July 9, 2007 10:17 PM | Link to this

I Believe…I Believe. If Bobby Cox left Bob Wickman in after a 5 hit, 3 run inning and we still won. I will trust in this team. I love the Braves.

By Rick in Dallas

July 9, 2007 10:18 PM | Link to this

I Believe…I Believe. If Bobby Cox left Bob Wickman in after a 5 hit, 3 run inning and we still won. I will trust in this team. I love the Braves.

By SamT in Lake Arrowhead

July 9, 2007 10:50 PM | Link to this

Here’s the thing…Even if we win the division, we need another top notch starter to go very far in the playoffs…With only Hudson and Smoltz, we can’t sink the boats…

By Chris

July 9, 2007 10:55 PM | Link to this

Great points. Give Bobby and John the Mets payroll and the Braves would be back to winning the East with ease every season again. To me the thing the Braves need more than any pitcher or hitter, is a higher payroll. That along with the brilliance of Bobby and John would fix all of the Braves problems.

By Researcher

July 9, 2007 11:09 PM | Link to this

The five best records in MLB belong to AL teams. The Braves have played 12 of their 15 interleague games against this group of teams. Their other three interleague games were played against a team with a winning record. Taking into account this schedule quirk, the Braves have played as well as any team in the NL. They actually have the league’s best record against teams with a winning record. They are certainly not great, but who in the NL is clearly a better team? Someone from the NL is likely to get swamped by an AL team in the World Series, and the Braves could end up being that team.

By Josh GT

July 9, 2007 11:33 PM | Link to this

Mark,

I don’t believe this Braves team is as bad as you think it is. Most of the problems of the first half were due to inconsistency. Both the hitting and pitching have been streaky. I think the pitching is starting to work itself out. The top three are pretty solid (Hudson can be frustrating at times, but he keeps you in games). As long as Davies and Carlyle give mostly quality starts (the way they have been of late), everything will be okay. As far as the lineup goes, how can you not like: Escobar/Johnson, Renteria, C. Jones, Frenchy, McCann, Salty, Diaz/Harris? IF A.J. gets going, I think that lineup can compete with the Mets.

Plus, the Braves schedule was front-loaded.

So, exactly why do you think these Braves are dead and buried.

By Mike

July 9, 2007 11:47 PM | Link to this

Lets face it, I dont get serious about baseball anymore because PAYROLL is where its at. Is the AL that tough, or are they really just spending more money? Look at the top 10 payrolls and 7 are in the AL. Only one contender (Cleveland) is not in the 100+ million club. The Braves are middle of the road for a NL club and the NL owns most of the bottom 10 payrolls.

Are there some teams that flop on payroll? Sure - See Dodgers, Cubs, Orioles, THIS YEARS YANKEES AAAHAHAHA I LOVE IT!!!

But for the most part, the payroll clubs are the ones that make the playoffs by buying the lower payroll club all-stars when their contracts are up - See Josh Beckett, Kurt Schilling, Vlad Guerrerro, Gary Sheffield, Tom Glavine, AROD, on…and on…

By Mike

July 9, 2007 11:53 PM | Link to this

Josh GT, Mark (much like Terrence Moore) often (and I mean about 98% of the time) seems to believe he is writing for the Twilight Zone FanFiction site. I dont get these two. In a couple of decades of reading these guys, I am convinced they are all night gamers writing their columns while coming down off a caffeine high and a 12 hour gaming binge.

By TennesseePaul

July 9, 2007 11:59 PM | Link to this

Ron: The Rockies swept the Yanks. Anything can happen. What looks easy, could be the toughest mountain to climb. I agree, the schedule is favorable, but let’s not count our chickens before they hatch.

By The Ring Leader

July 10, 2007 12:08 AM | Link to this

Ahhh….

It gives me such great pleasure to see how wrong Mark Bradley is. Once again, the Braves will be dominant in the second half of the season and Georgia Tech will finally beat UGA behind the strength of a much older and deeper team.

The Braves really are going to be fine. Another pitcher would help secure us a spot in the playoffs, but I think this team has many brighter days ahead. The truth is the truth: The Braves’ schedule was very front heavy, loaded with the AL’s best teams. I completely agree that in light of the Braves performance against .500+ teams, there is no team in the NL better than they are. Not the Mets, not the Padres, not the Dodgers.

When it’s all said and done, the Braves win the division by 3 or 4 games and make the NLCS. Don’t know if they’ll win it, but it probably won’t matter because whatever team comes out of the AL will smack whoever comes from the NL.

Go Jackets…..count on them beating UGA this year. You can shove it Mr. I’ll Believe It When I See It. You’re going to see it, probably for the next 3 years at least.

By sansho1

July 10, 2007 12:10 AM | Link to this

As a season ticket holder and a Liberty stockholder I don�t want it increased because people don�t show up to see the team.

Congratulations, you’ve just described everything that’s wrong with a publicly traded media corporation owning one of the best civic assets this city has to offer.

By Ralph

July 10, 2007 12:18 AM | Link to this

Whatever stupid thing the Braves organization does won’t surprise me one bit. They are good at making empty headed decisions.

By Blake

July 10, 2007 12:34 AM | Link to this

i kind of agree w/ the article in the aspect that the mets should and probably will win the division…but i see us as more than just a team who should be thankful we’re still in this…i think we have a shot to win the division and definitely the wild card…and i also disagree w/ the “too many holes in the offense” remark…i think our offense lacks a hole other than the #8 slot…i feel confident w/ every hitter who steps in the box…yes even andruw…

By Coach (The Spin Machine)

July 10, 2007 12:43 AM | Link to this

The Braves are 126-125 since the beginning of last season with a team ERA of 4.48 , that screams M-E-D-I-O-C-R-I-T-Y !

By Larry

July 10, 2007 1:04 AM | Link to this

I also think the Braves should build around Escobar and Salty…JS gave Wilson away…I know, I know We are all tired of hearing that one, but admit it…I AM STILL P.O.ED about that move….worst move JS’s ever made….I know this sounds nuts, but try this: Trade Edgar….he’s the hottest right now…you’d at least a good starter for him…he has another year locked at this (or close) salary….Put Eunel at short…platoon Scotty with Salty, and let Salty spell Brian…PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE DO NOT USE EUNEL AND SALTY FOR TRADES….LARRY IN LEXINGTON, SC

By K

July 10, 2007 1:04 AM | Link to this

Look, the Braves keep you watching..year after year. We’ve been spoiled by them to say the least. I love the “boys of summer” and will forever be a fan..win or lose. That’s the sign of a true fan. I ask you………what other team of Atlanta’s has given us this much fun since 1991??? GO BRAVES! Bobby Cox rocks!

By Scott

July 10, 2007 3:00 AM | Link to this

The Braves had a crappy run the last month because they were playing interleague games and they were playing the toughest schedule in baseball. It doesn’t take a genius to figure that one out.

By kdk

July 10, 2007 3:19 AM | Link to this

let chipper play both 3rd and 1st. if you move chipper to first and platoon him with salty(both switch hitters) and let escobar play the majority at third that means chipper stays fresher. this would allow the three to get max playing time. when salty catches, then larry at 1st, escobar at 3rd. when salty plays first then chipper could play third or take the day off and let his more than capable replacement escobar play 3rd. chipper needs days off, to be at his most effectiveness. i love chipper, but hes getting up there… and if andruw doesnt turn it on the 2nd half we need to trade him to get something in return bc he is gone this offseason or maybe try salty or yunel out there lol

By bgkahuna88

July 10, 2007 5:15 AM | Link to this

METS FAN hey guys i am not going to sit here and say the braves have no chance. but as bill parcels says. ” you are what you are.” no self respecting reporter would compare the braves and mets and talk about the injuries the braves have had w/out stating the injuries the mets have had. NOTHING compared to any other team in MLB. talk about the schedule the mets have played every team in the playoffs from last yr and are still in 1st. played 21 straight games vs. teams over .500 and lost a 1/2 game on their lead.

Have the Mets struggled? Yes. Could they have a larger, maybe insurmountable, lead had they not struggled? Yes. But the prognosis is positive. they have lost there entire OF to injury at one time or the other. BELTRAN, ALOU, GREEN. not to mention the 3 top OF reserves. GOMEZ, MILLEDGE and CHAVEZ. VALENTIN is walking wounded.

they have lost to the DL EL DUQUE 3.22 era, PEREZ 7 wins, SOSA 7 wins, and lets not forget about PEDRO. as well as their best RP last yr. SANCHEZ.

subpar yrs. from WRIGHT, DELGADO and LoDUCA, GLAVINE, PELPHREY (0-7), HEILMAN and SCHOENEWEIS.

excelling for the mets in ‘07 REYES only regular. FELICIANO, SMITH, MAINE, and WAGNER. so if mets fans and their team feel good about being in 1st at the break 2 up 3 in the lost column. it’s well deserved Mr. BRADLEY.

i fully expect this to be a really good race until the end but lets keep things in perspective braves fans.

By Braveman

July 10, 2007 6:06 AM | Link to this

New owners Liberty…. get rid of the deadweight at the front office! McGuirk must go!

By Ron Roberts

July 10, 2007 6:31 AM | Link to this

TennPaul… when did I count the Rockies as W’s or L’s?

We took 2 of 3 in Denver against ‘em, but they’re a .500 ball club, which we aren’t far from being ourselves. I’m not counting them one way or the other; but mentioning that they swept the Yankees this year is fairly meaningless, don’t ya think? :)

By br

July 10, 2007 7:06 AM | Link to this

Mr. Bradley,

You are the biggest pile of crap the sorry AJC fishwrapper has to offer. Wasn’t it you who, just 2 weeks ago, said the Braves were finished because they couldn’t hit, pitch, or field any better than a little-league team? And you don’t want us to call you a “flip-flopper?” Ummmmm, HELLO, what would you call it? Oh yeah, you call it great journalism…hmm, you must’ve learned from the great Terrence Moore!

By Drixie

July 10, 2007 7:32 AM | Link to this

If the Braves get any starting pitching in the second half, they will win the division. The first half schedule was a tough one, and the second half is much lighter, but they still need all their starters to consistently give them 5 - 7 good innings. Common sense says that Andruw and Thorman eventually will listen to Pendleton (or someone) and stop their “all or nothing” approaches to hitting. As much as I love Andruw’s glove, he has hurt this team with his hitting this year (and in years past); check his average with RISP. Thorman gives 100%, but maybe if he gave “90%” at the plate he’d actually hit something. We cannot afford to have these 2 gaping holes in our lineup each game and expect to contend. Andruw may well heat up in the second half; Thorman, who knows?

The good news is we have a lot of good talent on this club. If it all comes together in the second half, we will win the division, and do some damage in the play offs. By the way, the Mets’ mediocre pitching staff was good for awhile when they started the season with a ridiculously easy schedule; they’re due for a meltdown in the second half.

GO BRAVES!

By Jim

July 10, 2007 7:35 AM | Link to this

Hey Bradley, Why don’t you move to NYC (and take all the rest of the stupid a** yankees with you) you friggin’ negative idiot!

By Boclive

July 10, 2007 7:48 AM | Link to this

It’s all true, but if Andruw did start hitting a little better, and maybe Thorman started hitting a little better (I have no hope for his fielding), and the current starting pitching firmed up just a little, and Willie Harris played just a little more, and McCann hit a little better, and Francour maybe started caring about the fact that he strikes out too much, and I actually think I can see the starting pitching coming around some… What you say is mostly true, but you could be wrong about them not winning 90, or the division. If the starting pitching firms up just a little, and Smoltz is able to make it back…

By opieandy

July 10, 2007 8:31 AM | Link to this

What an ingnorant remark. How to explain it? It’s easy, stupid. The rest of the NL East sucks, which is why the Braves are still in the race, and the entire NL sucks, which is why they’re also in the wild-card hunt.

By tampabrave

July 10, 2007 9:11 AM | Link to this

For The Braves to win the division, the following things must occur/not occur:

1) Smoltz’s shoulder heals and stays healed(50/50) 2) A non starter on the staff steps up to become a reliable starter.(There are no magic deals out there) 3) Pedro Martinez must be a .500 pitcher when he returns 4) A reliable hitting 1st baseman must be acquired, or Cox must use Salty more. 5) The Mets don’t make some big acquisition. Payroll not a concern. 6) Willie Harris must continue to play well. 7) Hudson’s arm doesn’t tire. 8) AJ steps up with RISP,forget the BA 9) Chipper doesn’t take any more nasty spills. 10) Must win 6 of 9 from the Mets head to head.

By GT

July 10, 2007 9:18 AM | Link to this

Bradley, if you’re going to use 1991 as a reference to point out that they were under .500 at the break but went on to win the division, you might also point out they had a little thing called a starting rotation that year to rely on. It doesn’t matter how poor is the Mets’ upcoming schedule, how much you pick on Willie Randolph’s outburst (why doesn’t Cox throw a similar outburst from time to time? is he actually watching this team?), how much the NY tabloids run interference, the Braves won’t win their division or the wildcard without a better rotation. This really is not that difficult a concept to grasp, except for the AJC.

By Roswell Ed

July 10, 2007 9:18 AM | Link to this

LABOR DAY CAN’T COME TOO SOON!!!

Thank god for the Braves. They fill the void b/w the Super Bowl and Labor Day, but enough is enough.

“Yes Bocephus I am ready for some football!!”

The SEC RULES!!!

WAR EAGLE!

By notagain

July 10, 2007 9:21 AM | Link to this

This is the death nail everything this clown writes is the absolute opposite of what will happen. The braves suck and have for some time one world series out of all this? They can kiss my A$$

By tim

July 10, 2007 9:42 AM | Link to this

The Braves can and will win the division. Let’s start this division streak over.

By TampaBrave

July 10, 2007 9:43 AM | Link to this

Thorman reminds me of that big oaf villian in Superman 2. Size and power without any brain power. What was that guy�s name? Anybody?

A little help….

By TrickyDick

July 10, 2007 9:59 AM | Link to this

The superman character’s name is NON. How appropriate!! It’s very sad that I know that.

By bravo kid

July 10, 2007 10:03 AM | Link to this

There is no way JS would consider trading Salty or Escobar. We have so much depth up the middle and behind the plate we can afford to trade the minor leaguers. Elvis Andrus and the SS we got from the Pirates are both promising . I know we need pitching but why not try to pick up a bat at the deadline? Andruw is gone unless he tells Boras he is going to sign his own deal again regardless of his final numbers. If we got a bat it may be easier to keep them in the offseason similar to Wickmans deal last year. Maybe bring back Jermaine Dye? Just a thought. That being said, pitching is the top priority.

As for the Mets. Imagine if they had not decided that Scott Kazmir for Victor Zambrano was a good trade for them. Kazmir is becoming one of the ALs best and Zambrano just got cut by the Blue Jays after being cut by the Mets and Cubs. Great scouting Omar!

By TallyBrave

July 10, 2007 10:13 AM | Link to this

I must say that I am surprised that everyone is so high on Escobar. I have not been impressed with his fielding at all. But Willie Harris and Kelly Johnson are definately high on my list.

Go Braves!

As someone from out of town reading this paper, it is sad how little support the writers give their home team. Honestly!

By Ronald

July 10, 2007 10:22 AM | Link to this

What the Braves need is for Kyle Davies and Chuck James to live up to their potential. (Remember, Smoltz and Glavine weren’t so great their first couple of years, either.) What they don’t need is to trade Salty or Escobar for some tired-armed journeyman pitcher who will be gone in two years. Be patient.

By TampaBrave

July 10, 2007 10:28 AM | Link to this

TallyBrave,

If Tampa had a team, I might support it. I grew up with the Braves. Their AA team was in my home town for years and with TBS, I had easy access to watching them frequently. Moved to Tampa in 95 and have a hard time getting behind the rays. With one of the lowest payrolls in baseball and the league’s worst stadium in a town that is full of old farts(St. Petersburg). I think I’ll stick with my lifelong loyalties. You are right, it is sad.

By Lew

July 10, 2007 10:44 AM | Link to this

Why are you surprised by the Mets’ collapse? With the exception of last season, despite spending like our out of control congress, they have continuously underachieved year after year. Can you say Mo Vaughan? Can you say Jeromy Burnitz? It’s no different this year. The only reason they won last years’ division is that the Braves didn’t hang around. Ain’t a bullpen a wondrous thing? You never count out a Bobby Cox team. Haven’t you learned anything the past sixteen years?

By Brian

July 10, 2007 10:44 AM | Link to this

I think the idea of trading Renteria is an interesting one. Escobar is certainly playing well and we could sure as heck use some more pitching or a real 1st baseman.

The argument that we should not trade Renteria because he is playing well and is affordable is a terrible one. That’s exactly why he has trade value. We could get somebody really good for Renteria right now.

By Lew

July 10, 2007 10:53 AM | Link to this

TampaBrave-I feel your pain-not really. I lived in St. Pete for twelve years. Do you realize what Howard Stern called Tampa residents in his first and last broadcast? He wasn’t far off in his assessment, considering the amount of complaining you do. All you people from Tampa do is gripe about St.Pete’s inaccessability. Don’t you know where the Howard Frankland bridge is? Good Lord, if you wanted real difficulty, you should have lived there before they went to two spans. Then you might have had a bona fide beef. Get over it and go support your team, even if they do suck (that doesn’t mean you should give up on the Brvaves!). The stadium isn’t all that bad. It’s great for arena football, anyway. At least the Rays have some good young players. Go support them. At the very least you’ll see someone win.

By greg in ellijay

July 10, 2007 11:17 AM | Link to this

As a long-time Braves fan, (saw the opener with my father in 1966), I appreciate and admire what Chipper Jones has done for this fanchise. However, his ego has occasionally been a stumbling block. The best thing he can do NOW for the team is to allow/convince Cox to move him to first base where he can play virtually every day. His bat is essential to this team’s success. This move will also allow Escobar to become an everyday player at third. Escobar is ready TODAY. Concerning a trade, Salty is a first-line major league catcher. So is McCann. There’s really no room on the roster for both; Salty is expendable. I believe Cox’s patience and experience, along with the team’s dugout chemistry and youth, should give the Brave’s the edge over the Mets and Phillies in the second half. A healthy Smoltz and Hudson give them the edge in the best 2 of 3 opener in the playoffs. The NLCS is a toss up. Finally, Braves fans should show their support for Andruw Jones during this second half. These 80+ games will be the last we will see of him in a Braves uniform, and, despite his failings, he’s given Atlanta many highlights.

By Mark Bradley

July 10, 2007 11:20 AM | Link to this

I wouldn’t trade Renteria. I wouldn’t trade Escobar. I wouldn’t trade Saltalamacchia. But that’s just me.

By Lew

July 10, 2007 11:34 AM | Link to this

Uh, Greg-Chipper hasn’t missed a game this year as a result of playing third base. He tripped over a fielder on the basepaths. Even last year, it wasn’t his position, it was playing on a field that shouldn’t have seen baseball that day. That particular injury could have happened at first, second, or short as easily as at third. He plays a decent third base-why should he move if he can still play his position at a pretty high level. Leave Salty over there to platoon with Thorman until Salty has the position down. We’re winning and a move of Chipper to first won’t help us win any better.

By tasman

July 10, 2007 11:37 AM | Link to this

What is going on? It seems that every game the Braves lose, it is a result of giving up 4-5 runs in one inning. It’s not just the young pitchers, it’s Smoltz and Hudson too. Also, it is not just the starters. Cut the 4-5 run innings down to 2-3 runs and it would make a big difference in wins and losses.

Also, is there any word on the forgotten Braves? — Aybar, Lerew, Sturtz, etc. Are they likely to return? If so, is there a timetable?

It is nice to see a former Brave, Tony Pena doing well. He was a victim of numbers with the Braves. He seems to have thrived in a lower pressure market. It is good to see traded Braves doing well because it enhances the chances of the Braves getting good return on future trades. The word around has been that the Braves prospects have been over-rated.

By bgkahuna88

July 10, 2007 11:45 AM | Link to this

TO BRAVO KID.

omar didn’t make the kazmir for zambrano trade. first know what you are talking about. remember. it’s better to let others think your an idiot instead of proving them right.

By h_charles

July 10, 2007 12:19 PM | Link to this

Trading Escobar, Salty or Edgar would be tough. Certainly, you wouldn’t trade more than one. It might be worth giving up one for a #2 starter that is under contract for several years. Trading one (or both, as clueless Ken Williams wanted for Buerle) for a rent-a-player is a VERY bad idea. If you have owners willing to spend, you can afford to do that. With the tightwads running the Braves, you can’t give up a top prospect for a few months of pitching because you will lose others to free agency. While it looks right now as if Escobar and Salty are blocked, Renteria unfortunately won’t likely be back after next year. McCann will be here for a while, but Thorman hasn’t shown he is up to the task as an everyday 1b. Also, after the inevitable Andruw departure, we may need to trade one of these guys for a top-shelf outfielder (Brandon Jones isn’t quite ready to fill those big shoes in CF).

If we could land Dontrelle, trading Salty OR Escobar would be worth it. You have to give to get, and Dontrelle would be a huge “get.”

By TampaBrave

July 10, 2007 12:48 PM | Link to this

Sorry Lew, NO CAN DO!! It’s not the commute to St pete, Its the terrible stadium and the crappy people. The base crowd want everyone to sit down and shut up. Sort of like the movies. Fly balls hit the ceiling structure. The field looks like shag carpet and its too cold in there. I’ve been a braves fan too long to quit. I’ll probably go to a couple of brave games this year and thats a couple more than I’ll attend at tropicana field. After next year, Tampa will be the only team in baseball will exclusive indoor baseball. Let’s go Braves!!

By Jeff R

July 10, 2007 12:49 PM | Link to this

The Braves are a little bit better than a mediocre team in a mediocre division. Whether the Mets or the Braves find some way to pick it up in the second half remains to be seen. My bet is that neither team will, and that the division winner limps across the finish line in the 85-90 game range, though hitting ninety wins may be a tall order for either team.

Pitching, more than hitting, is still the key to winning. The now vintage Braves squads that went from .500 at the All Star break to division winners amassing win totals in the nineties had the likes of Glavine, Smoltz (younger), Maddox and Avery (for a while, a pretty good pitcher). Not so today. Smoltz is a very good pitcher with vulnerabilities, James seems to be a good #3 starter and Hudson a #2 or #3… But this trio isn’t that trio.

By Lew

July 10, 2007 1:07 PM | Link to this

TampaBrave-Dude, I know all about the stadium. I lived there before it’s existence, saw it built and went to the grand opening. Although I haven’t seen baseball there, I’ve been to numerous concerts and I even went to a Storm game. It’s baseball, Dude. Besides, it’s the Rays-what do you have to stand and yell for? I promise you it’s more comfortable at Thunderdome (that’s what it used to be called) than Fenway (though with less atmosphere. If you really want to see some baseball, it works just fine. Parking’s free, too.

By unf016

July 10, 2007 1:08 PM | Link to this