ajcsportstalk

By Pissed Off Redneck

August 12, 2006 10:26 PM | Link to this

This team is a joke. Where are we getting these pitchers. Most of the guys in the bullpen dont belong in the major leagues. Pete Orr is hitting sub .200, and how in the heck is Brian Jordan still wearing a Major League uniform. Roger Mcdowell is a loser. The only thing the Braves have to look forward to is Smoltz, Mcann Does anybody know if Billy Knight had anything to do with our bullpen.

By nathan

August 12, 2006 10:28 PM | Link to this

I’m trying not to waste any thoughts on this season. LOL

Growing pains for the youngsters if you’re trying to put a positive spin on things, I guess.

I just hope Smoltz doesn’t end up regreting not asking to be traded. Because there is a good possibility that this could get worse next year before it gets better again.

But I suspect that if next year goes this bad or worse, they will ask Smoltz if he wants to stay or not. My guess is if it’s ugly, he’ll accept a trade. That’s too bad.

By Kentavo

August 12, 2006 10:36 PM | Link to this

Why not go with a four-man rotation until a trade can be worked for a major league starter? Couldn’t be worse than throwing the sacrificial lamb out there every 5th day.

Wait a minute, I just realized we’re going to be throwing a retread or rookie out there 2 out of 5 starts.

Poke a fork in ‘em.

By gotigers72

August 12, 2006 10:47 PM | Link to this

Is Barry on the bus back to Richmond yet? I said before he was sent down the first time that he’s not a major league pitcher. Might be later, but not now. Do we not have anyone down there better than him or Schiell or Cormier? Saw where Davies struggled, threw 54 pitches in 2 innings, walked 2 or 3. Same ol’ same ol’ with him. Throws way too many pitches, gets behind, walks hitters, too many pitches up in the zone.

I know all these guys are young [well, Barry is 28], but pitching fundamentals should have been learned by now. YOU CAN’T PITCH UP IN THE ZONE TO MAJOR LEAGUE HITTERS! The only one I’ve seen that could was Nolan Ryan, and he has 1000 more strikeouts than the guy in 2nd place. Even he didn’t pitch up that much, but when he did he could get away with it more because he was so overpowering. Smoltz doesn’t pitch up in the zone. He doesn’t walk hitters or get behind that much either. You can’t pitch up, get behind, throw a lot of pitches, or throw in the middle of the plate. Those are basics that all pitchers should know, no matter their age. Everybody has times when they can’t do those things, and they end up getting lit up. But these young guys pitching for the Braves are having it happen way too often. Just take a look at the real pros, Smoltz and Wickman.

By bobbo

August 12, 2006 11:21 PM | Link to this

why does everyone let Frenchy get away with his terrible concept of hitting. Great every blue moon the guy gets a big hit but bases loaded two outs, and he just gives away an out, when will he gat it that if a guy walks two in a row take a pitch, this on the heels of his dp in cincy and I hope everyone remembers his 0-4 day against pittsburgh last week when he loked at five pitches the entire game

By Todd A

August 13, 2006 12:25 AM | Link to this

The game tonight was a microcosm of the entire season…get behind early,come back and get with-in a run or two,then the bull-pen gives the runs right back.This season is a wreck.The immediate future for the Braves doesn’t look any better either.Both the Marlins and the Phillies have much better rotations.The Mets have a superior lineup,and just need to add another starter or 2 in the off-season to solidify their stranglehold on the East.Unless the Braves can somehow get creative this off-season and move some significant salary,this team might not contend for the next 3-4 seasons.On the bright side of things…kick-off is only 3 weeks away.

By kevin

August 13, 2006 12:26 AM | Link to this

Nice call Bobbo…Francouer’s batting approach is just horrible…1st pitch swing and miss or foul off, 2nd pitch foul back, 3rd pitch swing feebly at a breaking ball and strike out or pop up. Over and over again, and tonight he swung at a ball in the dirt. How does one do that??? And that goes for AJones too. That breaking ball gets him every stinking time.

By Just The Facts

August 13, 2006 01:20 AM | Link to this

‘A Train Wreck’ best describes this team. Maybe the Braves can start chilling some beer because they will be crying in it come playoff time and for years to come. You could not get a bowl of stale grits for what Atlanta has in that club house. I think Bobby needs a labotomy and a one way ticket out of town. The GM can carry his bags to their new destination …. Siberia. Good Ridence, LOSERS.

By TommyA

August 13, 2006 01:33 AM | Link to this

The theme of tonight’s loss is common to the season - awful pitching. Although I saw some pretty terrible at bats (Ahem, Francouer!), the run production was enough to win had we any pitchers that could do their freakin’ jobs.

Redneck, Why would you be coming down on Orr when he was 3-4 tonight? Also, Jordon’s not even active.

It most definitely IS like watching a train wreck, so much destruction and yet I can’t stop watching.

By James

August 13, 2006 01:37 AM | Link to this

I see only One good thing that can come out of this season. The last week of August and the Braves are say 7 to 10 games back of the wildcard and have about 7 0r 8 teams ahead of them, they can put a few players on waivers that had not been put up yet. Wickman ,Baez,Smoltz, Giles etc. Only a team will a half decent shot of making the playoffs will claim them and probably can work out a great trade for some propects that are close to the Major League level. If they don’t like the deal they don’t deal.We will find out soon enough.

By Howard Wright

August 13, 2006 02:04 AM | Link to this

Just a sorry lot. Except for Smoltz none of the pitchers are ready for prime time. Just a sorry bunch of minor leaguers.

By Rob

August 13, 2006 07:12 AM | Link to this

Francoeur needs to be sent down to AA and work his way back up. The only reason he doesn’t take any pitches is bc he is selfish and wants all the glory. did anyone think he wasn’t going to strike out with the bases loaded after you saw all those down and away balls to andruw and then down and in balls to mccann. i knew right then that francoeur would swing at all of those down and away pitches, WHY? Because the kids doesn’t want to walk and let the next guy come up. he wants to drive in the runs and be the hero and get on sports center. Well Ill tell you what jeff, you will be on SC when they show you striking out to end the rally and costing the team the game.

By Rob

August 13, 2006 07:15 AM | Link to this

Also that trade with the dodgers is looking horrid. while betemit is ripping it up for them hitting over 300 with 4 homers in only 13 games aybar has looked horrible with the bat, shaky on defense and is now on the DL while we got a rent-a-pitcher who is going to walk after the season. great move.

By NLCHAMPS

August 13, 2006 07:29 AM | Link to this

What a perfect morning. The sun is out, Mets win and braves lose. Yes, it’s a wonderful morning.

By John R

August 13, 2006 07:39 AM | Link to this

What’s so hard to take, is the fact that the Braves where built in to win back in the 90s using pitching and defense. In the good ole days the Brave didn’t have to worry about run production because they had shut down starting pitching, and a reliable bullpen. Why have they gone away from such a winning formula?

By just4fun

August 13, 2006 08:04 AM | Link to this

John R … the answer to your question is old age, alzheimer’s disease has set in with the GM and managment!

By Don

August 13, 2006 08:18 AM | Link to this

Hey, NLCHUMPS, have fun, you must have had a lot of miserable mornings for the last 15 years.

By BravesFanFromIndia

August 13, 2006 09:37 AM | Link to this

Frenchy must have lowest IQ of the hitters ever. No matter how much the pitcher is struggling, he has to hit !! If all the pitchers facing him just threw all balls, his average won’t be much better than Orr’s. But off course no one is going to say anything to him since he is such a precious baby and Bobby and the press love him to death - note last game’s report in AJC - “braves fans have come to expect him to deliver” in these situations - what braves fans expect him to deliver in this situation?? i just couldn’t wat it when he came to bat and went back to TV after 30 sec. by which time off course it was all over..

By Jay

August 13, 2006 09:48 AM | Link to this

I’ve been telling you guys about ole Frenchy. He’s like banged up Chipper, he helps when it doesn’t count. And some of us Braves fan( no me) just let me get away with everything. The guy sucks we should have traded Frenchy aolng time ago. By the way what is (A Pissed off Redneck talking about)???? Could someone please tell me???

By Mad Braves fan

August 13, 2006 10:00 AM | Link to this

I’m see some people are coming to their senses about old Frenchy. Point blank the kid’s a liability on a young Braves team. Bobby Cox shouldn’t be getting away with letting this guy free swing away, someone needs to be held accountable. We need to stop ignoring Frenchy’s little league deficiencies when we does bad and stop praising this guy for the far and few times he does good. Thanks Bobbo, Rob, Kevin, and Braves Fan from India. I’m glad someone sees what I see

By fjensen

August 13, 2006 10:20 AM | Link to this

“I got my pitch,” said Francoeur, after the Braves lost for the 11th time in 16 games. “I just didn’t get it done tonight. It’s a tough one.” He doesn’t get it and TP and Bobby aren’t holding him responsible.

By jc

August 13, 2006 10:26 AM | Link to this

Francoeur is 21. He will hit 30 HR with 100 RBI this year. He plays outstanding defense, in fact he saved a run last night with one of the best throws I’ve ever seen. Let the kid develop- his immaturity isn’t the problem. What IS a problem is the prominent role we ask him to play. If he were on the Yanks he’d be hitting eighth and they’d be loving him.

By Yars

August 13, 2006 10:52 AM | Link to this

The saddest part is that the NL is pathetic this season. (Aside from the Mets) It shows you how bad the Braves really are. We had our chances at the wildcard but it’s too late. JS waiting until late July to bolster the bullpen was a little too late. Giles not hitting until July, Chipper always hurt, the starting rotation stinks with the exception of Smoltz. What was JS thinking on opening day? What was he waiting for? I don’t think we will even finish at .500 for the season. I predict we will finish 8 games under .500, 25 games behind the Mets, and 8 games behind the NL wildcard winner. Definitely a forgettable season.

By Dawgs2006

August 13, 2006 11:24 AM | Link to this

Oh the Braves are still playing? With football at the dome, I forgot all about them. What a sorry bunch of losers. I feel the worse for Smoltz. He does not desreve this. Bobby Cox is a tired act. I have lost all interests. Call me when it is over. I will be at the dome or between the hedges.

By Kenny the Big Guy

August 13, 2006 11:52 AM | Link to this

What a bunch of losers. I’m not talking about the Braves, I’m talking about the so-called fans. Just a bunch of fair-weather fans. Hey, anybody can cheer for a winning team, all you have to do is go out and buy a t-shirt the day after the world series. Criticize, evaluate, and mourn the team all you want, but at least do it from the perspective of being a fan. If you are not going to support the Braves during the down times, do us all a big favor and stay away when the team is back on top.

By BravesFanFromIndia

August 13, 2006 11:54 AM | Link to this

Dawgs2006, don’t expect too much at the dome either. If you’ve seen the pre-season game, looks like the falcons are exactly same as the last year with same issues and will probably deliver same results. With braves, they at least have a chance to get to post-season this late in the regular season. jc - at 21, francoeus should have known to at least wait for a strike before swinging at the two sliders way outside with bases loaded and pitcher having trouble with control. This has nothing to do with his homers and RBIs and nobody has questioned his fielding. And 21 is not exactly a child - you are responsible for all your actions at this age in real world - u know, outside professional sports. I am sorry to bring up this reference - but in cricket, the only sport loved by more than billion people of India, where national team has only 11 players out of this huge population, we had a youngster Sachin, debut against Pakistan, with whom India is always at war, official or un-official, at the tender age of 16 and has carried the team on his shoulders for last 17 years. And Frenchy has to be protected when he doesn’t have 1/million - literally - pressure on him, comparatively.. But if you feel that nobody should talk to Francoeur after seeing him having these idiotic at-bats so many times, bless your heart. btw, I agree with you - he should be batting at 8.

By Log time Braves Fan

August 13, 2006 12:41 PM | Link to this

I never post on here but I finally decided its time. I have never seen a major league team as the Braves are suppose to be give away so many at bats. Most of them don’t have any idea of the strike zone. They have no patience at the plate and swing at anything the pitcher throws. I think they make up their mind to swing at the pitch before the ball is ever released. The Braves need to clean house. I know TP probably knows hitting but its obvious the players don’t listen. I am also getting sick and tired of all these injuries. I don’t think the Braves are in shape and its because of this laid back attitude of BC. Back in the day you never saw so many players going on the DL. They need to find players that can play more than 2 weeks at a time without complaining about something.

By Don

August 13, 2006 12:46 PM | Link to this

The dodgers won again. They are undefeated (11-0) with Betemit in the starting lineup and have oly lo9st one game since the “trade”.

Betemit’s two-run homerun broke a 4-4 tie, Betemit is hitting .311 with 4 homeruns and 8 rbis since the “trade”.

Aybar? Well, he did show some “movement” by joining the disabled list. That is his most significant contribution to the Braves (of course, his fielding, baserunning, and lack of hitting have contributed to the opposition) because it give Cox and Schuerholz another excuse to use. Aren’t the problems always beyond their control? I have always believed that if they get credit for the good (whether they had anything to do with it or not), they should get the blame for the screwups. It should work both ways.

By Don

August 13, 2006 12:50 PM | Link to this

Add the Capellan for Kolb trade to the growing list.

By jc

August 13, 2006 02:03 PM | Link to this

I feel certain that Indian cricket players face 85 mph exploding sliders that start at the knees and drop to the ground after the batter has made his decision. Most 21 year old players are still at AA and would embarrass themselves at this level…look at a guy like Marte who is supposedly Mike Schmidt in the making who hasn’t gotten it yet. .255/30/100 and voted best outfield arm by MLB managers all at 21 years old suggests HOF caliber potential. We in Atlanta will be fortunate to see in coming years whether he can keep his power numbers and get the one extra hit a week he needs to hit .300. Get off the kid and give me a suggestion as to who should replace him.

By Tyler

August 13, 2006 03:19 PM | Link to this

I have asked the same question the last four times Bobby Cox has brought in Tyler Yates with men on base: “Why?” He never gets the first person out, yet Cox chooses to bring him in with men on base and the game on the line time after time. What is Cox thinking? I’ll let him off the hook for doing it once, but why do we have to watch the same melt down game after game. Please wake up Bobby!

By Chattahoochee Dan

August 13, 2006 03:25 PM | Link to this

Amen Tyler, as the post season draws closer Bobby Cox loses what managing sense he has left. The natural two best pitchers right now in the bullpen is Paronto and Wickman. With Paronto a ground ball pitcher the double play was a natural. Forget Yates & Mcbride, they are triple A pitchers right now. Cox idiocy once again in play.

By Chattahoochee Dan

August 13, 2006 03:31 PM | Link to this

The Braves get the lead, leave Paronto in for the eigth then Wickman in the ninth. Do you think Cox will comply? Nooo, in will come an unstable Beaz to lose it. - Do you think?

By Neo Braves Fan

August 13, 2006 04:04 PM | Link to this

Hey Kenny the Big Guy have you seen the prices down at the Ted???!!!! Enough said!!! Put a winner on the field enough with the excuses. We real Braves fans are tired of the same old crap. If we were like the yankee fans, we would boo their butts out of the park, but no we turn our heads at the bad stuff or point fingers at the pitching while not holding certain players responsible (Frenchy). Then celebriting useless feat by certain players(Frenchy). Maybe we need some of the yankee fans spirit in us to wake us up and stop letting the Braves waste our hard earned dollars. I’M TIRED OF THE EXCUSES!!!!