AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2007 > July > 13 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USMoves by Mets reek with panic
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Mark Bradley
If a blink can make a sound, that sound you heard Thursday was the Mets blinking. A first-place team fired its hitting coach and added to its staff one of the biggest Me-Firsters in the long history of baseball. A first-place team sought to quiet its recent palpitations by adding the calming influence of … Rickey Henderson?
Never mind that Henderson has never coached. Never mind that his contributions to the epic Braves-Mets 1999 NLCS were limited to exiting Game 2 in the second inning — an upset stomach was the reason given, though there were howls throughout the press box when the diagnosis was announced — and by allegedly retiring to the clubhouse to play cards with Bobby Bonilla while their Met mates were blowing late leads in the climactic Game 6.
The same Henderson was introduced Friday as the Mets’ new first-base coach. (Howard Johnson, who used to coach first base, is now the hitting instructor, replacing Rick Down.) If nothing else, Henderson’s presence should assure the Mets of always having a fourth for bridge. Beyond that, it’s hard to know what fueled Omar Minaya’s decision — manager Willie Randolph made it clear the GM had acted unilaterally — beyond a bizarre sense of panic.
Meanwhile, here in Atlanta, all is calm. Serene, even.
The Braves reopened for business Friday feeling really swell. “I thought we might be in first place, to be honest,” Bobby Cox said, and soon his team would draw within 1 1/2 games of the Mets by beating Pittsburgh while New York was losing to Cincinnati. And if you can’t be on top, running a close second to a leader so shaky it has turned to Rickey Henderson is surely the next-best thing.
It has become fashionable, at least in some shortsighted circles, to characterize the Braves as being too businesslike. If the alternative is hiring Rickey Henderson, then here’s to the bean-counters. Say what you will about this organization, but it never gets rattled, never makes a move just for the sake of generating some motion.
Said John Schuerholz, speaking of himself and Cox, each on the far side of 65: “We’re too old to panic.”
There’s a good chance the Braves will trade for a starting pitcher before the month is out. (Indeed, Schuerholz had a list of possible deals written on an index card, which he declined to make available to the media.) There’s no chance such a trade will be made in haste. These are the staid Braves, not the kneejerk Mets.
Every potential trade partner asks about Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Yunel Escobar, of whom Schuerholz said: “Those two guys are known to be two of the finest young players in the game.” Of Salty in particular: “I don’t have any intention of trading him.”
One more starting pitcher, Schuerholz conceded, could tip the balance of the NL East. The Mets are also looking hard, and so are the Phillies. “But it has to be one more properly talented starting pitcher,” he said. “Not just one more pitcher.”
Even if the Braves stand pat, Schuerholz likes this about his team: “Our guys have played very well against [the Mets]. Our guys know that, and the Mets know that.”
There is, however, one tweak this team might make involving a former Brave who just became a former Met. Julio Franco was released Thursday. “We like Julio,” Schuerholz said. “We like the impact he had in our clubhouse. There’s interest there, yes.”
The Mets just brought Rickey Henderson into their clubhouse and ushered Franco out. The Braves would welcome the latter back in some capacity and would never in a million years employ Rickey Henderson. That’s why the Braves became the Braves, and it’s why the Mets, for all their talent and money, are starting to look like their silly old selves.
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By Judy
July 13, 2007 11:17 PM | Link to this
Good point about the lack of panic mode with BC and JS, unfortunately the flip side is there is no kick start or burn and go when it comes to the playoffs. Great for the long haul of the season but flame out during the playoffs. Did Andrew come out of the game because he was traded??? One can only hope. Maybe the rest of the league saw his one nice swing of the night and JS convinced him to approve a trade. Here’s hoping for a nice winning streak during this home stand.
By Chris
July 13, 2007 11:20 PM | Link to this
So, what, are you picking Atlanta to win the division now Mark? Has this coaching move brought you back to the home team from the dark side? Ah ha ha ha ha.
By rupert
July 13, 2007 11:23 PM | Link to this
ding ding ding!
By Ken Stallings
July 13, 2007 11:26 PM | Link to this
At first I was shocked at Julio’s .200 batting average. Then, I noticed he’s only gotten 10 AB’s. One thing that’s always given Bobby a better bench is that he knows how to play them to give them enough AB’s to stay ready.
Unfortunately, Julio is suffering from a knee injury at this time. He needs to be healthy before coming back but the man is basically a coach while on the roster already. I’d love to see him back.
By Lee
July 13, 2007 11:37 PM | Link to this
For what its worth, I think Julio could be a hell of a hitting coach.
By Bob
July 13, 2007 11:41 PM | Link to this
Actually Judy, some of us were hoping that you were being traded. The Braves don’t win this year unless both Jones’ are contributing. Andruw appears to finally be coming around and you want him to consent to a trade? He won’t so why don’t you stop whining.
By Steven
July 13, 2007 11:57 PM | Link to this
BRING BACK JULIO..
He couldn’t be any worse than Woodward or Pete Orr!
By Michael Procton
July 13, 2007 11:59 PM | Link to this
Umm…actually, Bradley, Henderson has served as a spring training instructor for the Mets over the course of at least the last couple years…your point may still stand, but your information is wrong.
By Wake Up
July 14, 2007 12:03 AM | Link to this
Judy You’re an idiot. Do us all a favor and stop commenting on stuff you obviously know nothing about. As a matter of fact, you should probably just give your computer to someone who knows how to use it.
By Michael Procton
July 14, 2007 12:04 AM | Link to this
Ken, I see 50 ABs for Franco…not a ton, but certainly more than 10.
By chris
July 14, 2007 12:43 AM | Link to this
I think the Mets are getting a little scared right now. Their lead has dropped to only 1 1/2. I think that if the Braves have an interest in Julio Franco they need to sign him. I think he would help the Braves alot. He’s always been a great hitter. He takes outside pitches the other way and everything. There are some people on our team, cough andruw (i love andruw to death and dont ever want him gone but he has to get a little better with his swing), that might benefit from Julio.
I think the Braves have an excellent chance at winning the division if they just keep on doing what they’re doing. It would be better to see Soriano as the closer because I think Wickman is losing it. But if they go out and get another starting pitcher without giving up Salty or Yunel then they are the team to beat.
By BRAVER
July 14, 2007 1:29 AM | Link to this
THE TEAM THAT CHOKES THE LIST WILL WIN THE EAST. THE BRAVO’S HAVE PLENTY OF CHOKERS IN THE FIELD & ON THE BENCH. THE METS HAVE MORE TALENT FOR SURE. THE PHILS COULD USE A CHANGE OF NAME & ADDRESS AND POSSIBLY DO SOMETHING PHANATIC. MARLINS HAVE MORE CHAPIONSHIPS THAN ATL SO THEY ARE NOT SCARED OF INEPT BRAVOS EITHER. BRAVES CAN PLAY WITH NATS ON A 500 BASIS. FINAL ANALYSIS IS GOD WILL HAVE TO GIVE IT TO THE BRAVES FOR THEM TO WIN.SHOULD THEY WIN THE EAST OR A WILD CARD THEIR EXIT FROM THE PLAYOFFS WILL BE SWIFT AS IN A THREE & OUT SWEEP.
By DAD
July 14, 2007 2:06 AM | Link to this
Braves fans ! The Mets are not panicking. The Mets know that the Braves have too many weaknesses to continue competing with the Mets. So, don’t let Mark raise your hopes. Just wait and see. The Mets are going to get it right pretty soon. Then, the Mets will leave the Braves in their dust.
By HP
July 14, 2007 2:23 AM | Link to this
DAD: So are you saying that mets don’t have any weaknesses? Let me point you out my buddy. Braves are better hitting team than mets. Mets have shown sign of last three weeks that their pitching is horrible and will never get better. And don’t tell me that Pedro is coming back and will be healthy. He is questionable to be good? In my opinion he is not good and solid pitcher that he used to be. The only thing that mets have better right now is good fielding, which shouldn’t matter much when the braves hitting and pitching is good. So, just wait until the braves take over the NL East.
By mike
July 14, 2007 3:08 AM | Link to this
DAD: You pointed out 2 weeks ago on one of the other blogs that the Mets would have a 10 game lead at the break. For your sake idiot, quit making predictions. Or go ahead and keep amusing us with your nonsense.
By Sane Jane
July 14, 2007 3:40 AM | Link to this
Love the idea of Julio coming in as some kind of coach. (Frankly the name Snitcker is frightening anyway)
And even if he was the 25th man making the minimum, I could live with that. Sorry Woodie, we barely knew ya.
By Sane Jane
July 14, 2007 3:44 AM | Link to this
The NL East winner will take 90 games or thereabouts. Milwaukee’s just happy to be in the playoffs & San Diego’s probably the alleged Western juggernaut.
Mets can’t beat the Pads. Braves can. Regardless, the winner will get creamed by whoever’s coming out the AL.
Happy Halloween!
By Chris
July 14, 2007 4:17 AM | Link to this
J.S. PLEASE bring JULIO back!! I love the man. Great hitter, great in the clubhouse. Bobby would actually give him the at-bats he needs to be a tremendous player off the bench. Please bring the man back. Plus, when the Braves lost in the playoffs a few years ago I remember seeing Julio sitting in the dugout after all the other Braves had left with his head between his knees. The man wants to win and that’s the type of player I want on this team!!
By falcon80
July 14, 2007 4:20 AM | Link to this
Gotta admit that the first thing I thought when Andruw was yanked was that he’d been traded, though it seems not. Might’ve been for the best, but I would hate to see it. Whether he’s hitting or not, he’s still probably saved the Good Guys over 500 runs through the years with his D.
By Scott
July 14, 2007 4:22 AM | Link to this
The Mets are the biggest idiots in baseball. I hate them and they should be contracted.
By Ray Kelsey
July 14, 2007 4:31 AM | Link to this
Dad, the mets have looked like a AA team for almost a month now. Those early season dramatic 9th inning heroic games the mets were pulling out are a distant memory. Your pitching is often risible—and when it’s decent, you can’t hit. We, on the other hand, without Mike Gonzales, with cameo appearances by Chipper, with Chris Woodward, the cancerous white elephant you handed us, with Andruw hitting under .200, with a below average first baseman, with millions less on our payroll than you and fairweather fans to boot!!!….have handled you easily head to head this year and are only a game and a half back. You mets fans had your joy ride last year. You had your fun. So just give the car keys back to the REAL DADDY, Dad, so he can reclaim his dominance as the alpha male in the east. The Braves will win the east.
By Wake Up
July 14, 2007 4:48 AM | Link to this
Note to John Schuerholtz: Get a starting pitcher already and stop flirting with Mark Texiera. Trading for Texiera would truly be one of the dumbest moves you’ve ever made. We already have a (cheap) power hitting first baseman. He just doesn’t get to play! Note to Bobby Cox: Are you high? Take Scott Thorman out of the line-up. Let Salty play at 1B every day. He needs consistent at-bats. He does not need to be buried on the bench for the rest of the season.
By falcon80
July 14, 2007 5:00 AM | Link to this
Good job Wake Up—Salty should be playing every day at first. Then again so should Escobar and Kelly Johnson at second. Can’t fit ‘em both in! Gotta get a pitcher for one of them plus whichever of the glut of middle infielders blowing steam in Richmond or Pearl.
By steve-o
July 14, 2007 7:43 AM | Link to this
To the clown that said the Mets have no weaknesses: Are you one of those guys that goes to Michael Moore movies, and actually beleive that Cuba’s health care system is better than ours? Do you actually watch and follow baseball, or are you just one of those loud-moth NYers? Rickey Henderson? ha ha ha ha ha What a maroon! What an imbecile! I’ve got some great Florida swampland, er, uh, home acreage, that I’ll sell you real cheap!
By Brian
July 14, 2007 8:28 AM | Link to this
Rickey Henderson what a joke.Rickey always played for him self his whole career.Great leader
Willy Randolph & Rickey’s reunion will mirror their Yankee teams in the 80s. Talent, Dissension and underachievement
By Brian
July 14, 2007 8:31 AM | Link to this
Rickey Henderson what a joke.Rickey always played for him self his whole career.Great leader
Willy Randolph & Rickey’s reunion will mirror their Yankee teams in the 80s. Talent, Dissension and underachievement&
By Mark Bradley
July 14, 2007 8:48 AM | Link to this
Sorry, but there’s a difference between being a part-time baserunning instructor — which is what Rickey Henderson was before this week — and a full-time coach.
By Big Ed
July 14, 2007 9:49 AM | Link to this
I think it’s foolish to assume that a hitting coach has very much of an impact especially when it comes to veteran players. Case in point the Jones boys. When Cipper gets in a slump his dad gets him out of it. Andruw continues to show that he is selfish and only thinks of himself by trying to pull pitches that are a foot off the outside corner. All in the name of getting that next big contract. I went to the Braves vs Tigers game when Smoltz was pitching a gem. By the third at bat, every one of the Tigers power hitters got hits going to the opposite field. Thats why they lead the majors in team batting. More importantly it shows that they leave their selfish interest at the door and put the team first. I also went the next game when Chipper came off of his self imposed disabled list. He looked and acted like he didn’t want to be there. The Braves have more problems that meet the eye. The Mets have the best chance to win in the playoffs against better competition.
By Brick Tamland
July 14, 2007 9:52 AM | Link to this
I’m all for Julio…nothing gets the crowd fired up like hearing Twila Paris blasted before his ABs. It’s better than anything Woodward’s got. I think before tododay’s game we should bring back Sheff’s Chefs to remind that douche of the good set up he had here and to remind him that he chose to go to the Yankees for the $$$ so stop complaining about Torre.
By Matt the Brave
July 14, 2007 9:56 AM | Link to this
Mark Bradley is the biggest flip-flopper since John Kerry. Was it not this same “reporter” who said the Mets were going to finish first? Was it not this same “writer” who said that Tech was going to win the game this year and then UGA was going to win?
MAKE UP YOUR MIND ONE WAY OR ANOTHER!!!
By bwash21
July 14, 2007 10:11 AM | Link to this
Mark, I couldn’t have said it better myself. It’s good to be an Atlanta Braves fan. Even better to hear JS say he has no intention of trading Salty. I hate the Mets and all they represent and couldn’t be happier that they just employed Rickey Henderson to lead their young talented offense. And they just called up Lastings Milledge who has a history of questionable behavior and selfishness. He and Rickey outta get along great. Now, if we can just acquire a SP, with a sub 4.50 ERA whose a proven winner, I will be estatic. Go Braves!
By Seymour
July 14, 2007 10:18 AM | Link to this
Julio Franco would be a great addition to the Braves- be it as a player off the bench or as a coach.
By Richard Stripling
July 14, 2007 10:22 AM | Link to this
Wow! Now we have someone that believes that some mythical character(god) will decide the NL East winner.That is so brainwashed!
By Sane Jane
July 14, 2007 10:37 AM | Link to this
Bradley channeling a little DOB with his in-blog commentary!
Think about the “styles” of various teams across the leagues: the Braves will kill you if you let them hang around; the Astros like to build up enormous deficits & make a last minute charge; the A’s or Mariners will occasionally peel off 20 wins in a row.
My fave is probably the Fadin’ Phils…
By Adirondackdave
July 14, 2007 10:53 AM | Link to this
Couldn’t agree more. Bring back Julio and drop Woodward. In a pinch, Franco can probably play every infield position except short and maybe even catch a few innings if necessary.
By daveGT
July 14, 2007 10:53 AM | Link to this
I would like to see Julio Franco back in a Braves uniform, but as a bench coach or 3B coach. He’s a terrific leader and brings with him a competitive drive that often seems lacking in our business-like Braves. His playing days should be over, though.
On another note, JS would be smart not to trade Escobar as well as Salty. I hope on that index card that he has trades written down to acquire a starting pitcher and first baseman. Unless, of course, that’s where Salty is going to be playing. Thorman hasn’t cut it and could be trade bait for getting one of the glaring weaknesses on the roster. Here’s to hoping.
By Adirondackdave
July 14, 2007 11:12 AM | Link to this
DaveGT - Glaring weaknesses on our roster? Not sure what you are talking about.. Sure we could use another starter, but who couldn’t? And as for position players, we actually have too many, not too few. Plug Salty in full-time at first and trade Escobar for a pitcher. I just don’t see the glaring weaknesses.
By csg
July 14, 2007 11:30 AM | Link to this
I would love to have Franco back. Drop Thorman and Woodward and raplace them with Julio and Pena. Pena will be McCann’s backup and switch hitter off the bench. Let Franco back up Salty at 1b and be a PH.
Neither Thorman or Woodward are bringing anything to the club right now. Escobar can play everywhere that Woodward is used. Diaz can be a utility 1b and emergency catcher. However we still need another SP
By Sane Jane
July 14, 2007 11:33 AM | Link to this
I like the part where posters on this blog think a dude who whiffed at his chance to secure a starting 1b job can also mean he’ll be “trade bait” to another team.
Hey, does anybody need a defensively average, .205 hitting first baseman?
I’ve got an idea - let’s round up Thorman & Woodie & Pete Orr & see if we can’t package them for Buerhle.
By daveGT
July 14, 2007 11:37 AM | Link to this
The glaring weaknesses are Starting pitching and first base every time Thorman plays, as well as the bench. Chris Woodward just doesn’t cut it. Having too many position players does not make up for poor hitting. I consider Andrew Jones as being a bit of a weakness in the line-up as well. Hopefully he’ll turn it around during the second half.
By h_charles
July 14, 2007 11:41 AM | Link to this
Julio would be a welcome addition. Primarily, he is a stable verteran. This team needs those due to the youth.
Also, he is RH bat off the bench who can hit in the clutch, unlike Woodward who is just taking up space.
Third, he can play 1b.
However, he is NOT worth bringing in unless he agrees to go to a lighter bat. Many hitters do this as they age, and Julio carries one of the biggest bats in the game. IT took longer than expected, but father time is catching up. If he went down just a bit he may regain enough zip to hit again. Sadly, right now he can’t. That is why the Mets released him. Can’t catch up to the fastball anymore.
By daveGT
July 14, 2007 11:42 AM | Link to this
Thorman could be used as trade bait! I’m sure there’s some independant league that would take him and give the Braves a few good batting helmets in return.
By Sane Jane
July 14, 2007 11:42 AM | Link to this
I don’t want to trade either.
Think about the patience JS showed with Wil Betemit. Even as he was toiling & underperforming in the minors all those years, he entertained trade offers for our “prized prospect” yet never pulled the trigger.
Betemit finally makes the team, makes a splash subbing for Chip… only to be swapped for the Dodger’s own junk (sorry Willy, I’m a stoner too) in a hasty move…
Yunel, on the other hand, appears to be able to contribute right away. Let’s keep ‘em both!
By bevsouth
July 14, 2007 11:48 AM | Link to this
Sane Jane; That’s what everyone said last year,”the national league winner has no chance’. Guess who won the world series!!!
By DNice
July 14, 2007 11:51 AM | Link to this
Couple points. Andruw is a Tue Brave and anyone who says otherwise is a total idiot. Braves dont win without Druw and Bobby knows this. While I like Willie we see him not even come close to hitting left hand pitching nor come close to balls in CF that Andruw normally catches while gliding.
Too the idiots that said Andruw was selfish then you really have never played the game of baseball before. Word on the street is that hitting a 90 mph fastball or an 80 mph curve is not easy. Andruw goes up to the plate with the intention to hit the ball and if you were taught to do it one way then it is hard to beat old habits. Honestly for everyone who thinks it is easy meet me at any Park in ATL and I will pitch to you and see if you can hit what I throw to you. hint… I throw 92 mph but lack control.
Rickey Henderson was a good teammate and you can ask any team he played for. You never heard Rickey’s name involved in drugs or crime albeit he was a entertainer on the field. Ask any of hsi young teammates especially when he played for the Padres in the twilight of his career, about how helpful he was. In addition you cant ignore the fact that he had 4 WS rings. Now hsi teammates in Oakland could eb considered selfish and that would be one Mark MCGwire and Jose Canseco who have admitted to drug use (steroids are drugs). The Mets suck but Rickey is the man.
I love Julio but we dont need him in ATL. Salty should play every day and maybe Bobby needs to look at giving Mac a glove for 1B because Salty is a better catcher and anyone who does not agree is using Ray Charles glasses to see.
Last point I have to make is why is Ledezma going to Venezuela over a break. With his ERA he should have been at Turner Field working out. I hope he never comes back and hopefully the young kid will work out and provide some much needed enthusiasm out of the bupen other than Soriano. Soraino goes out there like its personal between him and the batter and I love that fire. I hated Rocker but he had that same personallity.
By Mets Fan
July 14, 2007 12:00 PM | Link to this
Julio Franco is finished as a player. As a Met fan, I sincerely hope that the Braves give him a roster spot. He’s late on every fastball and he’s fooled very easily. Check his slugging percentage, tell me that’s the guy you want coming off the bench in a close-and-late.
As for replacing Down with Henderson, what, exactly, about this move screams panic? The Mets have had a terrible OBP since May 1, and they have been terrible with RISP, especially runner on third with less than 2 out. It’s great that Down did well last year, but his message was obviously falling on deaf ears this year.
Howard Johnson always had a good approach to hitting, and he will make an excellent hitting coach. Henderson is a great experiment - the all time steals leader sitting at first for a game, just watching the pitcher and picking up his tendencies. Reyes, Gotay, Gomez, Wright, and Beltran will all benefit from that insight.
By Gigawit
July 14, 2007 12:00 PM | Link to this
I would not count the Mets out so soon. The East will be decided by whether Beltran and Delgado come out of their respective funks and how effective Pedro is when he returns.
As far as the panic moves are concerned, firing a hitting coach and DFAing a 49 year old bench player is concerned, I would hardly call that panicking.
This is what Rickey does positively for the mets. He makes Reyes, Wright, Milledge, Gotay and Beltran more effective threats on the base paths.
I see this as the smartest move the mets can make. The first base coach is a nearly meaningless position, except for being able to play cards. To hire an accomplished card player who was the greatest lead off hitter to ever play the game to tutor Reyes and the greatest base stealer of all that time to make the Mets get the maximum out of their considerable speed doesn’t seem like a panic move to me.
By Tej
July 14, 2007 12:05 PM | Link to this
Stupid hicks.
By Mike
July 14, 2007 12:05 PM | Link to this
Get over the stupid hometown team. If they’re so good, they should have more to show for their meaningless string of division championships than 1 World Series.
By joe
July 14, 2007 12:09 PM | Link to this
Yes, Mets are panicking…just like the Puppies will be doing on September 9 after starting 0-2. MARK IT DOWN!!!
By Sane Jane
July 14, 2007 12:10 PM | Link to this
Sssh, Bev! It’s a great little chip to have on one’s shoulder…
Readers, disregard what Bev is saying… The National League stands no chance… carry on…
(go braves!)
By DNice
July 14, 2007 12:15 PM | Link to this
And Mike the Mets have exactly how many chapionships during that same time? If I remember correctly the Mets in the same time period including last year have 1 pennant and 1 DV banner to 14 DV, 1WS, and 5 Pennants hanging at Turner. Like they say its better to have been invited to the dance than to not have attended at all.
By Sane Jane
July 14, 2007 12:19 PM | Link to this
I love the Mets fans seething with their special mix of envy & self-loathing.
But they’re right about one thing: there are some lame, crappy, half-assed fans in this town.
I remain hopeful that some of the posts found here are simply caricatures made by some Emory grad from long island having a big laugh… but we got some yokels on here, y’all!
(Augusta out)
By Sane Jane
July 14, 2007 12:22 PM | Link to this
Clearly the only division that matters is the AL East. The Worldwide Leader told me so.
Yankees Sox, Barry & our own lame-o ESPY awards!
Did I hear someone say Arena Football?
By DirtyDawg
July 14, 2007 12:26 PM | Link to this
Ya gotta understand, Bradley, like so many other of these ‘journalists/columnists’, is like a surfer…for each submission they look for the current wave of interest then try to ride that interest - taking one side or the other - just to get a rise out of us. So he isn’t consistent, he’s a sports columnist for heavens sake, surely you don’t expect consistency. The one thing that bothers me here is that this is just the kind of smart-a*, c**-sure attitude that the sports gods use to slap you in the face. Then I see something from the ‘dads’ of this blog and I get comfortable again.
I hated JS’s decision to trade Betamit last year and still do…and unless he’s willing to look at Escobar the way he looks at Salty (I won’t even try to spell it), I’m going to reserve my opinion on whether or not he’s too old (and too rich) to panic. I’ve said and I mean that I’d rather see the Braves not make the playoffs this year and keep these two, than to trade either of them for a ‘chance’ to get in. Remember Bret Butler, et. al., for a sore arm has-been?
Julio, assuming he’s still not gonna get caught in the steroid testing, would make a great September addition but I don’t know who I would replace on the current roster?
One more thing, would somebody give Thorman a bat with a bigger handle, he seems to break one on every every time up and almost on every swing…bigger bat, go to left and up the middle - get the ball off the end of the damn bat son and you might have a career. The kid reminds me so much of Klesko it’s scary…he made a nice reputation for himself when he stopped swinging for the right field bleachers - of course that ballpark in San Diego had a lot to do with it, but at least it got into his head and he adjusted.
By edward
July 14, 2007 12:30 PM | Link to this
To BRAVER and all you dumbass mets fans out there, just stop making posts b/c all it does is show how dumb yal are. your team is a JOKE!! your pitching is horrible, good luck the rest of the season with perez el duque and glavine. Pedro is not gonna come back and save your season. delgado and beltran are two of the most overated players in the game. Yes, the braves do need another starter but im sure the best GM in the game knows what to do. I look forward to winning another division title as the garbage mets and their fans watch us in the playoffs. GO BRAVES!!
By Sane Jane
July 14, 2007 12:33 PM | Link to this
The Braves have several holes, indeed. But the kids are all right.
YE & Salty may get most of the press, but I’m a closet Harris fan.
Hitting .340, just like Chuckie Thomas did a few years ago. I loved that kid too. Jermaine Dye before him.
Bobby plays his entire team ~ that’s why we’re great over the long haul & meat in a short, tension filled series…
By Eric from MO
July 14, 2007 12:36 PM | Link to this
To all of the people who say the winner of the N.L. doesnt matter because the A.L. champ will kill them; did you miss last years world series.
I hope that the Braves dont bring back Franco, at least not as a player. He is too old and I think he is finally done. We already have Salty and Thorman to play first. We dont need 3 first basemen. Now if the Braves want to make him a coach thats fine. I have always thought Franco would be a great coach.
Im not sure how bringing back Ricky is panicing. I mean he won 4 championships and he is very passoinate about baseball. To me it sounds like a smart hire. Besides first base coachs dont do much anyways.
As for Andruw, I dont want to jinx it but he had a great series against Padres and he hit homerun last night. Maybe he is finally coming around. Maybe he will have a great second half like Furcal did his contract year.
By Sane Jane
July 14, 2007 12:39 PM | Link to this
Dawg, that’s a nice association you made with Thor & Klesko ~ I hadn’t thought of it before.
We would be lucky if Scott developed into Ryan.
But I have a hunch it’ll only happen if he’s traded, a la Klesko.
Here’s an interesting question: would LaRoche have struggled like he has with the Bucs this year if he had stayed?
I kind of think not. Count me among the first to be surprised that ol’ ADD-eyes has not developed into the beautiful swingin’, left handed home run hittin’ stud I was certain he’d be.
(And maybe still will)
By Aaron
July 14, 2007 12:44 PM | Link to this
Great read! Gets me fired up for the second half when we make our run.
By Dave
July 14, 2007 12:46 PM | Link to this
hey edward, and all other mets doubters, the last time i checked hte mets were in first place and the braves were not. While the Braves were in the midst of a sissy fit between the ultimate sissy, Chipper Jones and John Smoltz over who was faking their injury more, the Mets were busy building a strong 8 game lead that would maintain their lead even in times of difficulty, as in recent times. Go ahead, I invite you to take Julio Franco and his slow motion bat speed, while you’re at it you might as well put Cox at the plate and see if he can make contact. Mark Bradley and other quote unquote ‘experts’ should stop worrying about who the Mets hired to be their first base coach and start worrying about the Braves, who have still yet to overthrone the Mets.
By Eric from MO
July 14, 2007 12:46 PM | Link to this
I hope that we trade Escobar. Not because he is bad but because eventually you have to got for it. You cant keep waiting till next year. If you have a chance to win it you have to pull the trigger and go for it. We dont know how many more years Smoltz’s arm will hold up and we have to take advantage of havine 2 aces with him and Hudson. With another great pitcher we can win it all. I say trade Escobar. Its either go big or go home!
By Dave
July 14, 2007 12:50 PM | Link to this
hey edward, and all other mets doubters, the last time i checked hte mets were in first place and the braves were not. While the Braves were in the midst of a sissy fit between the ultimate sissy, Chipper Jones and John Smoltz over who was faking their injury more, the Mets were busy building a strong 8 game lead that would maintain their lead even in times of difficulty, as in recent times. Go ahead, I invite you to take Julio Franco and his slow motion bat speed, while you’re at it you might as well put Cox at the plate and see if he can make contact. Mark Bradley and other quote unquote ‘experts’ should stop worrying about who the Mets hired to be their first base coach and start worrying about the Braves, who have still yet to overthrone the Mets.
By Sane Jane
July 14, 2007 12:54 PM | Link to this
As a Mets fan, what does it feel like to be historically clobbered by the man you refer to as the “ultimate sissy”?
What does that make the Mets?
By Sane Jane
July 14, 2007 1:01 PM | Link to this
Larry Wayne Jones made his bones
by singlehandedly killing the Mets.
They question his heart
when he misses a start
Yet remain on his leash as his pets.
By Nathan Lewis
July 14, 2007 1:01 PM | Link to this
As a Mets fan I do not think the team is panicking at all, but rather are making good and necessary moves. The Mets are not hitting at all. Rick Down had to be let go. The Mets hitting is awful and so is their bench. Julio Franco is part of that awful bench. Good clubhouse guys do not win pennants. Personally I would like to see other changes made. For instance sitting Paul LoDuca on the bench.
By DNice
July 14, 2007 1:03 PM | Link to this
Sane Jane
this makes the ULTIMATE Punkified Donofied LOSER.
ANd he is bragging that they are up by 1 1/2. I tell you some people can make an excuse out of 2 letters. (LOL)
These so called great Mets did very well in the Playoffs last year if memory serves me right (LOL). I have more fear in the Marlins than I do the Mets. THey too will find out like we did with Hampton that dont count on a pitcher comingback in the season from an arm injury. As a person who just went under the knife for a 3rd time on 28 June, it is not easy. I dont have the same range of motion prior to the rotator/labrum, bankhart repair as before.
By Bruce
July 14, 2007 1:05 PM | Link to this
Judy, If Andrew were traded which he has a no-trade provision, he would not have been smiling and sitting on the beach.
By JR
July 14, 2007 1:05 PM | Link to this
Braver: U sur r a inteligint gy. Wud u run mi teem fer me? JR
By Chase
July 14, 2007 1:09 PM | Link to this
Its FUNNY
The SMALLER the Mut’s lead gets….
The MORE Mut’s fans get on OUR blog to say how they are NOT WORRIED and how the Muts are SO Great”
Who are you all trying to convince?….
BRAVES’ Fans….OR….YOURSELVES?
By Sane Jane
July 14, 2007 1:17 PM | Link to this
Agreed on the Marlins, D.
Common thread is having hungry, dangerous, young talent.
That’s why I would rather go to war with the kids we have than find some overpaid soon-to-be free agent start who may or may not succeed.
The Braves are much more adept at resurrection projects like Buddy Carlyle (though who’s really convinced yet there), Mulholland, John Thomson over the years… shoot, Dennis Martinez…
All of those suggest that it’s much more likely to patch & adjust, rather than bring in some big name big shot.
(Other than mid-90s Maddux who can never be topped)
By DNice
July 14, 2007 1:21 PM | Link to this
Andruw came out due to an apparent Quad ijury but he expects to play today. I just checked my Yahoo fantasy team and that was the update on Andruw. I think if it was a game he would have stayed out there. I would have liked for Bobby to have taken out Chipper and put in Escobar along with Salty for McCann. It seems as if Chipper is trying to prove a point but Bobby gotta say hey big guy I need you for the long haul so when I can get you a rest I gotta do that. Resting Chipper and putting in Orr or Woodward is not what a Braves fan calls a rest we call it a loss (LOL). Well at least we can say 2 down one to go (Wilson, Orr, Woodward). Wickman may be edging into that category if he doesnt shape up and stop blowing games. He is looking more and more like Kolb and thats even after an impressive last year. Yates is also not all tey make him out ot be cause I have seen him choke far too often also. The only consistents we seem to have or Moylan, and Soriano, and Gonzo before the injury. Give Devine a chance to see what he can bring otherwise he blew a pick on drafting him and rushing him to the bigs. I think he will be okay if we give him the ball.
By Sane Jane
July 14, 2007 1:21 PM | Link to this
My shoulder hurts too!
So much so that I can’t lift weights anymore.
I’m afraid to get it looked at, for fear of what we might find.
Much easier to only sleep on my left side at night…
By Sane Jane
July 14, 2007 1:28 PM | Link to this
We do well with guys coming off crappy seasons, inferior teams (helloooo Diaz!) or the plain old scrap heap.
For sure, it doesn’t always work - and the list of busts has not been short - (don’t worry Redman, you’re only the most recent) but I’d rather make a $2MM mistake than the $15 MM variety.
(ESPECIALLY with pitching)
It’s just how the Braves roll —> Bobby can take ‘em off the scrap heap for a couple of years & squeeze out every last inch of available talent out of journeymen guys.
Then their lifeless, dessicated bodies are tossed aside as the snarling for Davies’ head begins…
By DNice
July 14, 2007 1:30 PM | Link to this
I hurt mine playing flag football. I fell on it and all &&^&() broke loose. Me playing baseball through college did not exactly help the situation but hey Uncle Same took care of the bill for me (Smile).
By owlhunter
July 14, 2007 1:32 PM | Link to this
how do you overthrone someone?
By Sane Jane
July 14, 2007 1:36 PM | Link to this
We’ll know in Wick’s first game if he’s in a steeper rate of decline, or if it was just one of those funks.
Since he lives around the plate anyway & doesn’t walk or get wild… when he goes down for good, it will be to the sound of opposing batters consistently lighting him up.
Wick v. Julio = a foul ball for every fan in the stands.
By Sane Jane
July 14, 2007 1:41 PM | Link to this
I have a coworker who was a 3 year starter at short at Middle Tennessee State ~ and after his surgeries as an adult, he can make a sickeningly awful display of elbow cracking, on demand.
It’s horrifying ~ crunch, crunch, crunch.
I can only do that with one finger.
It’s his entire right elbow.
By DNice
July 14, 2007 1:44 PM | Link to this
LOL. Wick and Julio
By Yars
July 14, 2007 1:45 PM | Link to this
Schuerholz needs to be thinking about the playoffs now. Act as if we are going. Create a roster that has a chance of going deep into the playoffs, not getting knocked out in the 1st round. Trading for Texiera isn’t the answer. He makes too much $$$. Just not worth it in the long run. A quality starting pitcher is what the Braves lack. We just never know what to expect with Smoltz. He ain’t no spring chicken. Hudson is pitching great, James is mediocre, Davies is turning into a head case, & Carlyle would get torched in the playoffs. The bench is what it is. JS probably won’t address it. I’m much rather keep Salty than Yunel. Salty can play 1B everyday next season. There really isn’t room for Yunel, unless Renteria is traded over the winter. I can’t stand this 2B platoon with Kelly Johnson & Yunel. It’s not fair to KJ. He should be playing everyday.
By Sane Jane
July 14, 2007 1:47 PM | Link to this
Vote for Pedro, and all of your hopes & dreams will come true.
By Mark Bradley
July 14, 2007 1:50 PM | Link to this
I suppose overthroning is what happens when a prince becomes a king before he’s ready.
By Navigator
July 14, 2007 1:58 PM | Link to this
I like the return of Julio too, after all Bobby doesn’t have enough old guys on the team. He should get well and platoon with one of the young players. That way the Braves can undervalue another of there young talent. Then Bobby can say they can’t hit against lefties or righties, whichever. Why embrace the youth on this team, when we can insert a 55 year has been. Cox is the reason the Braves won 14 divisions and went to World Series 5 times. He was not the reason the Braves lost four, no that was someone else’s doing. The braves were horrible last year, and mediocre because the Braves don’t have enough 50 year players.
By Sane Jane
July 14, 2007 2:19 PM | Link to this
Bobby’s steady hand includes occasional over-reliance on an aging vet.
But there’s a reason that 99% of all respected vets around the league REVERE their time under Bobby (Sheff, Drew, Glav, Mad Dog, etc.) - even as they moved on, usually to cash a newer, bigger paycheck.
Nobody cares that Bobby & Leo may have been a little rough with Bruce Chen, Odalis, Marquis & whoever else in terms of young guys & rookies may have chafed under his vet-heavy preference.
It’s better than the clumsy, random efforts of most Manager/GM combos.
Sure wish Girardi was part of our little fraternity/network of successor coaches. He’d be great as Bobby wraps it up ~ getting the most out of our talented kids & working with a middle-of-the-pack corporate payroll.
Off to play some tennis ~ Bradley, more in-blog comments = better overall commentary. Keep it up, even as you remain a blowhard. (generally speaking)
If you can be 70% as smart & funny as Kornheiser, I’ll keep reading & posting.
By King Nick Saban
July 14, 2007 2:21 PM | Link to this
the mets showed their real baseball stripes several years ago when they had ‘buffet’ benny agbyani batting leadoff… his home to first time could be measured with a sundial… the mets really have no clue.
By Eric from MO
July 14, 2007 2:22 PM | Link to this
Dave,”the Mets were busy building a strong 8 game lead that would maintain their lead even in times of difficulty, as in recent times.” When did the Mets have a 8 game lead. I dont remember that. I didnt think it got over 5 but I could be wrong.
By Art
July 14, 2007 2:26 PM | Link to this
Here is a move that could help if Andruw. Why not trade for Ken Griffey, Jr. He is signed thru 09 at 6.5 Mil and that would certainly fit it with the Braves payroll. Willie Harris and Matt Diaz are not the fit for hitting for the Braves but Griffey would be. Next year if Andruw leaves Francoeur could go to CF and Griffey coule move back to RF
By Barry
July 14, 2007 2:31 PM | Link to this
King Nick,
So the best you can dis the Mets is by pointing out what you think is a questionable move by a FORMER COACH from SEVERAL YEARS AGO? That’s very relevant criticism, well done. Here, let me go rip on the 1987 Braves now.
By Jimmy
July 14, 2007 2:35 PM | Link to this
Yes, terrible move by the Mets. Why would they want to hire a selfish guy like Henderson, who, by himself, has amassed more World Series rings than the Atlanta Braves franchise?
By King Nick Saban
July 14, 2007 2:46 PM | Link to this
barry,
i don’t feed trolls…
By Sane Jane
July 14, 2007 2:54 PM | Link to this
Seriously, how many non-Brave fans on this board WOULDN’T trade their past 15 years for ours? My list looks like this:
Yankees Marlins Sox (either color)
Cards, maybe
Am I forgetting anybody?
By RickeyFan
July 14, 2007 2:55 PM | Link to this
Wow,
this is a funny article…They got rid of Rick Down(who has been fired 2 other times)…They gave Rickey Henderson the First base coaching duties which are basically just helping the runners read the pitchers…who can help out more than the greatest of ALL TIME!!! Reyes has credited Rickey with his new batting approach, which has helped him become the best leadoff man in the GAME. Rickey didn’t just appear this year…he worked 1 on 1 with Reyes last Spring also. And the mets have dropped a guy batting .200. Hmm…yeah, real panic there!
Meanwhile…the Braves have…well…done the “brave thing” and stand pat. Lets ignore the fact that they are dying to make a huge splash and acquire Texeira, and were in on Buehrle. They are not satisfied. Just because they haven’t made a move yet, lets not act like they are “serene” Please, better journalists write for the Myrtle Beach Pelicans than for the AJC!
By Barry
July 14, 2007 2:55 PM | Link to this
King,
That doesn’t change the fact that your “point” is comical. The decisions the Mets made 6-7 years ago have what, exactly, to do with the decisions they make today?
And yeah, really dreadful move, putting the greatest basestealer of all time down by first base. I don’t know what they’re thinking.
By Lets Go Mets!
July 14, 2007 3:11 PM | Link to this
This is a great article because of the response from all the people. As a realistic Mets fan I thought we would have issues this year because I thought we would struggle with our pitching. That has become true along with injuries to our OF (believe it or not losing Alou hurt b/c he is a good bat and losing Endy hurt our d).
Mr. Bradley I would have said the Mets were panicking if they hired Henderson as the hitting coach. I don’t think he will have that big of an impact because we have some good veterans in the clubhouse like Glavine and Delgado. Those guys will make sure no shenanigans go on in the clubhouse. I think you’re not giving Minaya any leeway to make a mistake. All the moves he has made have worked so far.
Go ahead and sign Franco but he’s cooked folks. Age might have caught up to him.
I think whoever makes the big pitching move before the deadline will win the East. Victory will be sweet when we clinch the East on September 30th.
By Mark Bradley
July 14, 2007 3:18 PM | Link to this
It’s not that the Mets added Henderson to their coaching staff per se; it’s that they added him to their clubhouse.
By ES
July 14, 2007 3:25 PM | Link to this
**This town has weak fans. The braves could not even sell out the playoffs or the World Series games that they were in. Just more fair weathered fans talking redneck crap. The only thing that Atlanta does better than New York is in having worse traffic.
Good Luck with ol’ Larry (real men are not called “Chipper”) and the other braves.
LETS GO METS!!!**
By Sane Jane
July 14, 2007 3:32 PM | Link to this
Recent convert though he may be, Bradley’s still right ~ it’s a desperation move.
Not the move of a front runner.
Braves, meanwhile, jumped out to a 9-0 lead in the first game back after the break.
By Dave
July 14, 2007 3:33 PM | Link to this
As usual the folks in the ATL think they know everything about baseball, afterall you have dominated it April-September for many years. If you look at the collective Mets hitting you would see a move needed to be made. And for the record its been about 8 years since the Braves did what the Mets did last year, which is win a playoff series. The Mets have 1 more WS apperance in that same 8 years. Hey, good news in ATL though, you lead pro sports in dog fighting.
By Eric from MO
July 14, 2007 3:36 PM | Link to this
Let me start by saying I hate the Mets and love the Braves but Mark why do you hate Ricky so bad? When I heard this I thought it was a good move for the Mets. Ricky is one of the 10 greatest players of all-time. You keep saying he will hurt the clubhouse but he is a proven winner. He was a big reason his team won 4 World Series. Sure he is a hot shot but he cant make that big of a scene at first base. If he is such a cancer to a team how did he keep winning rings?
By Sane Jane
July 14, 2007 3:37 PM | Link to this
Bradley, I think you struck a nerve with this one.
the Mutts are lashing out more than usual, dusting off their “big” insults.
Heh.
yes, it sucks so much down here. That’s why you’ve all fled NJ.
By Sane Jane
July 14, 2007 3:43 PM | Link to this
So many Mets fans on ATL boards! So many potential Haters of the Year, it’s divine!
You’re like the idiots who rip reality TV, yet can’t seem to stop watching.
You know every transgression because you’re obsessed & insecure…
By chipdip
July 14, 2007 3:45 PM | Link to this
METS CAN GO BLOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!SEND SHAUN GREEN AND THE REST OF THE BUNCH TO THE GAS CHAMBER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!HOI…HOI…HOI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Eric from MO
July 14, 2007 3:48 PM | Link to this
Dave,”The Mets have 1 more WS apperance in that same 8 years.”
Are you serious Dave? You just happened to go to the World Series one year after we did. Also you got embarresed in that World Series by the Yankees. If you take the last nine years we have the same World Series appearances, which is 1. If you take the last 17 years we have 5 to your 1. Also if you take the last 17 years we have more World Series titles. Also we won a playoff in 2001. I know Met fans cant do math but that is not 8 years. So when you come and try to argue why dont you at least get facts straight.
By traun
July 14, 2007 3:51 PM | Link to this
Just two days ago I was bad mouthing Mark because of his Sheldon Williams comments and other comments about the Hawks. And here he goes and puts out a great article. I really enjoyed this one Mr. Bradley, keep it coming.
By RickeyFan
July 14, 2007 4:18 PM | Link to this
When did the Mets get “embarrased” by the Yankees? They lost 4-1, but had Benitez not blown two leads in that series, the Mets probably win. that is not “embarrasing”.
Second fact… Ricky is going to be excellent. No doubt about it. Fans love him, players love him, former coaches love him. Just because you want to pull out two examples from a 20 year career to make him look bad doesn’t make it so. Rickey had a GREAT career. Maybe the Braves should try making a move. And yes, they did jump out to a 9-0 lead their first game back, but the Mets won their first game back, too. They started the second half the same way as the Braves did. We’ll see what happens when September rolls around. I have a feeling that the Mets will win the division by over 6 games.
By A-ville Ranger
July 14, 2007 4:34 PM | Link to this
Mr Bradley I’ve been clear in disagreeing with you on many things.On this I agree completely however.The GM acting without regard to the Manager is something JS has never done (to my knowledge).It does smack of a panicky corrosive mind set.There’s no doubt in my mind that the steadfastness of leadership in this organization is key to the remarkable longevity of it’s success.GO BRAVOS…..STAY BC AND JS.
By Worryaboutyourself
July 14, 2007 4:41 PM | Link to this
Hey sports writer guy, next time I want your opinion I’ll beat it outta ya, OK. Don’t worry about what the Mets are doing. Worry about the Braves. Worry about Smoltz. Worry about that suspect bullpen. Worry about your old man coach having a heart attack out there screaming and getting thrown out all the time. You got plenty to worry about in the ATL. Yeah sure, its going to be a race this year. By no means do I believe the Mets are going to run away with it in the second half. Last year the Mets blew everyone out in the East. Not so this year, but this the next class for the Mets to learn in their quest to be good consistently. The lesson on how to win when you are being chased, and chased hard. I expect nothing less from the Braves nor the Phillies. But for you to say that the change at the coaching positions somehow implies that the Mets are panicking is ludicrous. And to also say that the move is taking the Mets back to their “silly” ways is the dumbest comment I have heard in a long time. What period are you referring to? The time when the Braves beat the Mets pretty regularly? The same management that was in place when the Mets wrestled control of the NL East from the Braves is in place now. So until its all decided reserve your opinions about the moves. All this is just moves teams make in the course of a season when they are trying to win a pennant.
By DirtyDawg
July 14, 2007 4:51 PM | Link to this
First, I submit that there ‘might’ be only a handful of fans that wouldn’t trade with us. Yankees, RedSox, Cubs and Cardinals…and only because the tradition of being fans of those teams transcend the wins and losses…particularly for the Cubs. I say that because if the reason a fan goes to a game is because he/she has a hope that they’ll go home happy, no team in baseball has done that more for their fans than Atlanta over the past 16 years. Trust me, I say that as a fan that for 25 or 26 years by mid-July all we had to look forward to was football. The Braves under JS and BC made baseball fun in August, September and October for us again and has kept it up for longer than some you you have been paying attention to baseball at all.
As for being spoiled, maybe we have been. But it’s kind of spoiled that makes us accustomed to going into the post season having to fork over thousands of dollars in advance for every potential home game - right through the WS - and then wait for your money back if you lost early, and if you were only going to buy single series or game tickets - at prices double, triple and beyond, regular season - you often had to choose which ones you’d go to. Sure some early play-off series may not have been sold out, but not in the first six to eight years we were in them and never a WS game, ever.
Come back to see us Mets fans after you’ve had to shell out 15 years in a row for playoff tickets, or sports columnist, after you’ve had to pay for a ticket to any sports event.
By Ralph
July 14, 2007 5:30 PM | Link to this
There is only one young player on the Braves team that I would get rid of and that is Thorman, good glove, can’t hit, every once in a while he’ll get lucky and hit it out, if he bats over 245 it will be surprising. The pitching coach can do only so much, the same for the hitting coach, if the players don’t listen, it won’t help. Why is Thorman put in day after day, what point is there, put Salty in and let him continual to learn how to play first base. Anyone who wants to trade Salty or Escobar most be having a brain fared. As far as the Met’s they are in a down spin that doesn’t mean it going to last for the rest of the season, no matter what they won’t go down easy, if they do at all. That’s why the Braves have to stop their inconsistency, and put the best team out there every night, and play with more heart and desire. Can’t figure out the reason for Ricky being first base coach, if it hurts or helps, time will tell.
By Mike
July 14, 2007 5:55 PM | Link to this
I’m glad there’s hope in Atlanta. Hope that factors such as losing Julio Franco and adding Rickey Henderson will make a difference in this race. Maybe the Ted will be only 1/2 empty in September.
Those with perception know the Mets will flip their switch on at some point, and this “race” will be over quickly.
By V in
July 14, 2007 6:24 PM | Link to this
Bradley- You and the Braves can have Julio Franco- He is a great guy but he is finished— Whats wrong with Ricky Henderson? Have you seen his career stats? Do you think Ricky cant coach first base or maybe you know more about baseball than Henderson. The Braves are finished- They have no starting pitching and their star players are getting old- Stop picking oin the Mets- You sound like a fool
By DNice
July 14, 2007 6:33 PM | Link to this
Hey the Mets got younger. They dropped Julio but brought in Sandy Alomar Jr (41 yrs old) (LOL).
I will give ricky credit though because he was not just a basestealer as his 280 career batting average will attest but yet instead HoJo is named the batting coach he of the .249 career batting average. Now that is a wise decision. Braves win division by 7 games over the Marlins. Write it down as Mets come crashing and Glavine barely gets 300 with 302. I feel sorry for him because he would have had 300 by now if he had been on the team but I know business can change places plenty of times.
By DNice
July 14, 2007 6:40 PM | Link to this
We may not have any starting pitching but I would rather have Smoltz, Hudson, and James than your band of brothers or shall I say has beens. Glavine is stuck in nuetral, Sosa is our trash, El Duque is Doonkey, and no one this side of the Hudson has ever heard of your other misfits.
By DNice
July 14, 2007 6:43 PM | Link to this
Making HoJo the batting coach is the equivalent of making Rafale Belliard the hitting coach and not the infield coach (LOL).
By yellowblood
July 14, 2007 7:11 PM | Link to this
The Mets are obviously saying “please take us out of first place”. I get tired of having to read about Omar Miniya being the greatest brain in baseball. What has his team accomplished except spend money ? Lets get Franco. He’s a positive influence. Like others are saying, forget Texiera and get a pitcher. Also bring in another strong reliever. The Braves can beat any team in the national league which, unfortunately, isn’t saying a whole lot. The question is whether they can beat any American League team.
By Sane Jane
July 14, 2007 8:50 PM | Link to this
Every time a Met fan talks trash on this board, it is a reminder of how sad & desolate they must be, to have to infiltrate our home team blog pages.
They’re like the untalented, unpopular kid brother to neighborhood jock & alpha male, the Yankees.
Honestly, would Braves fans ever go hit up the Newark Star Ledger or NY Daily News to try to rankle Mets fans?
Silliness.
(we send our redneck ambassadors to ride the 7 train, natch)
By Vin
July 14, 2007 11:22 PM | Link to this
What is it 15 years in first place until last year and only one world series victory— Bring back Mazzone - Chuck James ( Hahahaha)
By harry
July 15, 2007 12:49 AM | Link to this
come on, worry about your own team, not the Mets, even with the mets stumbling they’ve still been in first all season. Hitting coaches really arent that important and henderson wont be that much of a headahce. I’ve loved wathcing Franco play for the mets these past 2 season, but the fact is he isnt very productive, singes to right field is it, offers no help in the field, and his ‘mentor’ tag is wearing off. I wouldnt recommend him for any type of major role at this point in his career.
By grillz
July 15, 2007 1:10 AM | Link to this
please. braves fans are the most dispassionate fans in the world. reading these “talk tough” posts is laughable. be my guest and sign julio franco. great guy, great coach material but let him clog space on your bench with his ridiculous swings and misses on outside breaking balls. yes, you’ve beaten the mets in two series but the mets are STILL IN FIRST despite deplorable, lackluster play. you all know in your hearts that the mets will win this division. let’s be honest…
By grillz
July 15, 2007 1:12 AM | Link to this
please. braves fans are the most dispassionate fans in the world. reading these “talk tough” posts is laughable. be my guest and sign julio franco. great guy, great coach material but let him clog space on your bench with his ridiculous swings and misses on outside breaking balls. yes, you’ve beaten the mets in two series but the mets are STILL IN FIRST despite deplorable, lackluster play. you all know in your hearts that the mets will win this division. let’s be honest. and mark, please…the mets are panicking because they’ve hired rickey full time? like it will really make a diff. what a desperate, laughable column…
By grillz
July 15, 2007 1:13 AM | Link to this
please. braves fans are the most dispassionate fans in the world…be my guest and sign julio franco. great guy, great coach material but let him clog space on your bench with his ridiculous swings and misses on outside breaking balls. yes, you’ve beaten the mets in two series but the mets are STILL IN FIRST despite deplorable, lackluster play. you all know in your hearts that the mets will win this division. let’s be honest. and mark, please…the mets are panicking because they’ve hired rickey full time? like it will really make a diff. what a desperate, laughable column…
By grillz
July 15, 2007 1:13 AM | Link to this
please. braves fans are the most dispassionate fans in the world…be my guest and sign julio franco. great guy, great coach material but let him clog space on your bench with his ridiculous swings and misses on outside breaking balls. yes, you’ve beaten the mets in two series but the mets are STILL IN FIRST despite deplorable, lackluster play. you all know in your hearts that the mets will win this division. let’s be honest. and mark, please…the mets are panicking because they’ve hired rickey full time? like it will really make a diff. what a desperate, laughable column…
By DirtyDawg
July 15, 2007 1:55 AM | Link to this
Heh ‘grills’, do you stutter when you talk too, cause you sure got a happy trigger finger. All I know is I’ve been to a lot more Braves/Mets games that I went home happy from than you have…and will again. Sure you’ve got a first-rate line-up, but you still gotta beat the Braves in a pennant race, which you’ve never done. You ran off and hid last year - and what’d you do with it? Seems to me you were watching the Cards and the Tigers just like we were. See where you are October first then come back to see us.
By Mike
July 15, 2007 2:44 AM | Link to this
Slag Rickey all you want - In the past couple of years he has had great impact on teaching Jose Reyes how to take pitches and steal bases. The Mets have a lot of young speed. Who better to impart wisdom than the greatest base stealer and lead-off hitter of all-time? The idea that either Omar or Willie would allow a negative personal influence on their coaching staff is laughable. And to say suggest that a team is in a panic because they changed a hitting coach and released a guy with a .200 average is beneath anyone who thinks themselves a sports analyst. No disrespect to Franco, he’s been a great Met. But the truth of the matter is that he hasn’t caught up to a fastball since before the 06 all-star break. If you’ve paid any attention, you’d know that. The 2nd half of 07 will give the NL East its first real race in a very long time. Its’d be nice if the sports writers in NY and ATL would have something insightful to say instead of the stupidity of this column….
By mike
July 15, 2007 2:45 AM | Link to this
Slag Rickey all you want - In the past couple of years he has had great impact on teaching Jose Reyes how to take pitches and steal bases. The Mets have a lot of young speed. Who better to impart wisdom than the greatest base stealer and lead-off hitter of all-time? The idea that either Omar or Willie would allow a negative personal influence on their coaching staff is laughable. And to say suggest that a team is in a panic because they changed a hitting coach and released a guy with a .200 average is beneath anyone who thinks themselves a sports analyst. No disrespect to Franco, he’s been a great Met. But the truth of the matter is that he hasn’t caught up to a fastball since before the 06 all-star break. If you’ve paid any attention, you’d know that. The 2nd half of 07 will give the NL East its first real race in a very long time. Its’d be nice if the sports writers in NY and ATL would have something insightful to say instead of the stupidity of this column….
By Mike
July 15, 2007 3:26 AM | Link to this
Oh… and Yellowblood (is that naything like red-neck?)… You ask “What has (omar’s) team accomplished except spend money?” Ummm…. Jose Reyes, David Wright, John Maine, Oliver Perez, Endy Chavez, Aaron Heilman, Jorge Sosa, Ruben Gotay, Jose Valentin, Joe Smith… need I go on? This is a big part of our roster, and all came in as insignificant additions or draft-picks. You cant put the “all-they-do-is=spend” tag on this team. Its not fair.