ajcsportstalk

By Jim

October 9, 2007 10:22 AM | Link to this

I’ll take our 14 year playoff streak and one world championship any day. Sure it would have been great to have won a couple more, but it didn’t work out. Most of the people that rag on the Braves are just jealous that their teams (in any professional sport) have never had a run like that.

As far as the Yankee’s (and Mets)……HA, HA, HA! It’s great when any NYC team looses…especially the way both of them crashed and burned.

By MP

October 9, 2007 10:40 AM | Link to this

No one cares what Korn Dog thinks.

By oasisbraves

October 9, 2007 10:51 AM | Link to this

Sure it would have been nice to win more, and sure the Yankees won 4 in the 90’s…great..but everything the Yankees have done from 1996 to Present was done because of $$$$$. As far as the Yankees being the Braves, or the Braves being the Buffalo Bills…Its kind of nice to see different teams in there anyway…thats the way its suppost to be. Maybe thats the way the baseball Gods want it.

By j-School Dropout

October 9, 2007 11:04 AM | Link to this

They wish. Without Torre, the Yanks will fall apart. George will meddle too much. A-Rod is gone. Everyone please note that the Braves may have a record that will stand a lot longer and mean a lot more than long forgotten championships: 14 division titles in a row may stand the test of time. After all, the Yanks were the only ones threatening that record and now they have to start all over again.

By 22oz

October 9, 2007 11:20 AM | Link to this

The Braves won their division 14 times in a row, on a tight budget the last few years, and the Yankees, with all their money and resources, only got halfway to the Braves record. That should make 14 straight a more revered record. As for the playoff losses, i’d take a chance at the title over sitting at home in October any day of the week.

By STRETCH

October 9, 2007 11:26 AM | Link to this

14 Division titles and ONE championship???!! Are you kidding? The Marlins have more championships than the Braves! The Diamondbacks won a World Series after a few years in the league. And look at the Yankees, sure they spent lots of money, but you gotta look at managers. I really like Bobby but i think its time for some changes.

By don

October 9, 2007 11:34 AM | Link to this

All of these rationalizations are fine. However, one championship and thirteen failures in the post season would lead any unbiased person to conclude that he is correct.

As they say, the numbers don’t lie.

By Mickey Mantle

October 9, 2007 11:35 AM | Link to this

It makes my day to see the NY and LA’s of the baseball world sitting home. MLB demands one of the big city teams. They were praying for a Yankees vs. Cubs World Series. Big TV bucks. Their worst nightmare is that the Rockies and Indians might be in the WS. Two teams that do not have national followings. Not enough color for them. But, these small market teams making the WS is bettr for baseball in that it proves you cannot buy a championship. Even with all the years the Braves won their division, spending millions upon millions, they won only one WS.

The Dbacks brought in a very good, young team, with a few vets. Same with the Rockies. It is nice to see someone other than Daddy Warbucks with his billions buying the title. If the Rockies or DBacks vs. Indians, that will be fine by me. But the Tribe has to get by the Sox first. MLB is praying that at least the Sox get into the WS. Then at least one big city team will be in the WS. I am rooting for a Rockies vs. Indians. If the Sox get in, I doubt I will watch. I am sick of THE SOX and THE YANKEES. Its like there are no other teams than these two. ESPN’s darlings.

By Chris

October 9, 2007 11:50 AM | Link to this

It’s a fairly apt comparison. After our crushing defeat in 1996, the Braves sort of lost that killing instinct. They never made a lot of post season noise after that. The Yankees had their’s handed to them in 2001, and they haven’t been the same since.

That said, Kornheiser is an a*, and no one cares what he has to say. He’s the MNF goofball. Congratulations on being a joke, Beardy McBaldguy.

By Randy

October 9, 2007 11:57 AM | Link to this

Korn Dog is a baffoon, Look at the post season roster…The team steam rolling everyone was the team steam rolling everyone on its way to the post season…The Rockies! Here’s the thing about the playoffs, it’s not the best team the wins most times, but the team that happen to get the hottest!

By auburn gal

October 9, 2007 12:20 PM | Link to this

Stretch, you’re an idiot. The Braves have so much to be proud of and absolutely nothing to be ashamed of. Most teams haven’t made it to the postseason in decades. Must we revisit the fact that it’s been almost a century since the Cubs won the World Series??? I feel that so many things have to go your way to make it all the way through to the World Series. Sometimes the ball just doesn’t bounce your way. I love my Braves, win or lose!!

By Braves Fan 79

October 9, 2007 12:23 PM | Link to this

stretch: the marilns got lucky everytime they got in the playoffs. And were helped out on bad calls by eric gregg in game 6 if i remember right against the Braves. If We get a break or 2 we beat the twins in 91 and the yankees in 96…..But to even compare the lowly marlins to the great Braves teams of the 90’s is a discrace!

How about them mets and yankees…im LOVING it! Btw…Braves will be in the NLCS next year!

By jon

October 9, 2007 12:41 PM | Link to this

First question: Yes Korn is right. By the diffenition: getting to the playoffs and not making or winning the world series over manying years or chances. Next: I agree with stretch….The Braves need to make a change, I am not interested in living in the past.

By daveGT

October 9, 2007 12:56 PM | Link to this

“Korn Dog” has a point. While the Yanks could be considered the new October Losers, they still have more World Series titles during Atlanta’s fabled streak of division titles than the Braves do. I’m a die hard Braves fan, but the numbers never lie.

By daveGT

October 9, 2007 12:56 PM | Link to this

“Korn Dog” has a point. While the Yanks could be considered the new October Losers, they still have more World Series titles during Atlanta’s fabled streak of division titles than the Braves do. I’m a die hard Braves fan, but the numbers never lie.

By david

October 9, 2007 1:01 PM | Link to this

BE CAREFUL BLOGGERS THE LAST COUPLE ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU STATE FACTS ABOUT BIG TIME TV ESPN AND FOX NOT HAVING THE BIG MONEY BOSTON YANKEES CUBS AND LA IN THE FINALS…. SKIP CARAY WAS THE 1ST TO TELL THIS AND LOOK WHAT HAPPENED TO HIM.. 30 YEARS AND A PINK SLIP… BEST ANNOUNCER IN ALL OF BASEBALL AND DONOT TELL ME THESE ANNOUNCERS HAVE A CLUE REPORTING TBS BASEBALL WITHOUT THE BRAVES AND NOW THERE IS NOTHING TO WATCH ON ‘WASNT THE BRAVES STATION’ OF COURSE THATS WTBS VERY FUNNY COME FOLKS GET A GRIP…

By Larry

October 9, 2007 1:02 PM | Link to this

Facts are facts!

The Braves’ scouting, farm system, and the best GM in baseball is chiefly responsible for the talent necessary to win the majority of 162 games over 4 other teams to win a division 14 consecutive years. Then, the manager becomes more important in making the key, strategic decision necessary to guide his team to success in a five or seven game series and this is why Bobby Cox is the worst strategic, in-game decision maker in the history of the postseason.

Evidence?

Including Toronto, a Bobby Cox managed team has lost the last game and series in the postseason 14 out of 15 times. When you can only win one game oput of 15 chances in a do or die, must win game, you are the absolute worst at preparing your team when it counts the most.

Oh, by the way, it took Tom Glavine pitching a one hitter against the Cleveland Indians in 1995 to give Bobby Cox his only victory.

By MEB

October 9, 2007 1:03 PM | Link to this

So, Corn Dog… tell us who is the model team for winning success in Major League Baseball? I’ll take the consistent success of the Braves over any other team in MLB.

By LudaChris

October 9, 2007 1:21 PM | Link to this

Honestly, coming from one of the biggest Atlanta Braves fan here (although many of us share that honor), this is extremely justified.

Watching the Yankees lose last night, I actually said to my friend: “Looks like they’ve got the Atlanta Braves Syndrome.”

I would still take our run of division titles over another postseason series win or two, but when it comes to playoff baseball the comparison is appropriate.

By Alan

October 9, 2007 1:28 PM | Link to this

Let’s not take this stuff so seriously, folks. PTI is what it is - entertaining (or not, depending on your taste) fluff. I happen to like the show and I like both Kornheiser and Wilbon. They’re sharp - and they’re also very sarcastic - and they like to say controversial things to spur ratings. All of that said, you have to admit there’s some truth in Kornheiser’s statement. I’m admitting it, and I’m a loyal, long-time Braves fan. The numbers don’t lie: 14 division titles since ‘91, 1 world championship. And let’s not kid ourselves. Any true fan would have traded every one of those division titles for just one more World Series victory!

By MUNKUS

October 9, 2007 1:29 PM | Link to this

ANYONE WHO THINKS WHAT HAS HAPPENED IN ATLANTA SINCE 1991 IS A FAILURE IS AN IDIOT.

By douthgadawg

October 9, 2007 1:31 PM | Link to this

As a 47 yo fan, I was use to the real “losing” Braves. I am very happy to root for today’s Bravos. I’ll take that streak of 14 anytime they want to start over again. Korndog is the Imus of sports radio.

By Dimplemonkey

October 9, 2007 1:42 PM | Link to this

I love how you “glass half-full” people rationalize 14 division titles and 1 championship. So you’re telling me that the only reason we play 162 games each season is to win the division. Everything else is just gravy on top? Why are you people fooling yourselves? Don’t be so naive! Even the Denver Broncos fought hard not be the next Buffalo Bills!

By Steve-o

October 9, 2007 1:43 PM | Link to this

It’s not just the Braves—it’s all Atlanta professional sports teams. Take your pick: Braves, Falcons, Hawks, Thrashers—they’re all losers and Atlanta will always be known as Loserville USA.

By SeasonTH

October 9, 2007 1:45 PM | Link to this

The proper parallel is just that at one time they made the Series almost every year (Braves 1991-1999), then they made the playoffs every year (2000-2005) but did worse and worse, and now they are worried that they’ll join the Braves in not making the playoffs.

By T

October 9, 2007 1:46 PM | Link to this

Ask the Falcons what failure is. They’re the experts, not the Braves.

By pargolf

October 9, 2007 1:47 PM | Link to this

There’s only one thing that matters in baseball and that is winning the world series. The Braves haven’t made the playoffs in the past two years and if people want to keep holding on to the fact that they’ve won 14 consecutive division titles and that somehow makes them a success then that is fine, but in my opinion the Braves have been a real disapointment. Until Shuroltz gets his head out of his a* and gets rid of Bobby Cox the Braves are destin for continued failure. He is the only manager in baseball that can consistantly snatch defeat from victory! It’s time for some new blood in that organization and those young players need a motivator - not an old grumpy man who get’s thrown out of games!

By tim

October 9, 2007 1:48 PM | Link to this

Name one team that wouldn’t take 14 division titles and 1 world series in the next 14 years? If all my sport teams could be that consistent I would be a happy Atlanta fan. If the GA bulldogs won 14 SEC championships and 1 NC over the next 14 years what would you think? The falcons? The thrashers? Hawks? GT, or even Red Sox and Colts for that matter? I will gladly take that for any of my teams. The ESPN analysists are supposed to be controversial: don’t take them too seriously

By Glenn

October 9, 2007 1:51 PM | Link to this

Although I wanted to see the Yanks and Mets in the world series at least once, I’m still happy with the Braves. They will be back. We have a great manager and coaches. We may be a stepping stone for many young players, but we are still loaded with talent. I do wish that there were less games each year. By the time the playoffs get here, I believe players are exhausted and cannot play to their full potential.

By tell it like it is

October 9, 2007 1:56 PM | Link to this

Amen, someone had to say it. The goal is NOT just to win the division, something we haven’t done in two seasons. I am sick and tired of the Braves getting bounced in the Division series.

Call us the baseball Vikings or the Bills - it’s the same and we won’t win the World Series until we get rid of the nose picker manager.

By RamblinLonghorn

October 9, 2007 1:57 PM | Link to this

Florida Marlins 0 Division titles 2 World Series Titles

You can’t tell me that doesn’t hurt from the Point of view of a Braves fan.

By bubba55brave

October 9, 2007 1:58 PM | Link to this

How many division titles and WS do the Braves have to prove they are winners. I would rather be in their shoes than some teams. The Braves have nothing to hide. People like Korn Dog is why atheletes cheat like Marion Jones and others so go braves

By Mediocrity stinks

October 9, 2007 1:59 PM | Link to this

Show me a good loser; and I’ll show you a loser - V. Lombardi

Not winning the World Series is FAILURE, plain and simple. I can’t believe how many so called fans actually consider a stupid division banner as something to strive for.

At the end of a non W.S. winning season the Braves are no different than the Marlins, Devil Rays or Royals.

It’s this loser mentailty that has kept the Braves from wining more championships - the ONLY thing that counts in sports!

By Jack Meoff

October 9, 2007 2:05 PM | Link to this

I am sorry to show my ignorance but who is Korn Dog?

By Glenn

October 9, 2007 2:09 PM | Link to this

We are not becoming the poster boys for failure . We are becoming the poster boys for mediocrity . The Yankees are not becoming the Braves . The Braves are becoming the Montreal Expos . Notice it was Paul Byrd (former Brave)that beat the Yankees last night . The playoff teams are , as is baseball in general , full of former Braves . If we are not able to resign are players & are put in a position of continuing to purge salary we will become as apathetic to the MLB as Montreal . Funny , everyone loved the Braves in the 80’s but the stadium was always empty . The good ole days of Rick Camp & Bob Horner , Yeah right .If baseball doesn’t get a salary cap like all the other sports only 4 or 5 markets will give a flip about baseball . Of course L.A. , New York , Boston , & Chicago have playoff teams .

By j-School Dropout

October 9, 2007 2:11 PM | Link to this

You know this whole discussion really hinges on 1996. Do you guys remember that that year, the last available player on the Yankee bench in the critical game that Leyritz hit Wohler’s hanging slider, the dregs of the Yankee bench, the 25th man was: Wade Boggs. Not the totally washed-up Boggs of Tampa Bay either. He still had some pop. That’s what the DH gives the AL. And the only way the NL can compete with that is to have deep pockets and a deep bench. We haven’t had that since 1996. The NL has very little chance of winning the World Series unless the AL team has a bad week or makes serious mistakes like Detroit last year.

By Howard

October 9, 2007 2:11 PM | Link to this

Here’s an idea for you to try and stop the yearly collapse. Trade Renteria to get better starting pitching, move Escobar to second full-time, and put Kelly Johnson in the outfield. I think there is a shortstop/third baseman available in NY to plug into the left side of the infield.

By Some Other Mike

October 9, 2007 2:14 PM | Link to this

Actually, Alan, this true fan takes great pleasure in knowing we kept our thumbs on the NL East for 10 years after New Yorkers bought the team, even if we have only won a single League Pennant after the sale.

So, the “braves == postseason failure” analogue isn’t as simple as it seems; the rest of the NL East was worse.

And yes, Stretch, the Marlins were granted both their pennants (one by Gregg, the other by Baker/Bartman in the “second strike year”), so go fish.

By Ryder

October 9, 2007 2:17 PM | Link to this

“I’ll take our 14 year playoff streak and one world championship any day.” quote

Well spoken Jim. I wish some of these idiots like Mediocrity stinks would follow the Pirates, Royals and Devil Rays, teams that never have and never will win. I’m proud of what Atlanta has done, establish a continuity of winning.

For those who cry about the Marlins and DBacks winning two WS titles (trust me they’ll win the title this year over the Indians in what is sure to be the lowest rated WS ever) in a shorter time frame than the Braves, I retort with this: At least we know the Braves will always be in contention come September, while the Pirates and Devil Rays will be out of it by May 1st.

Besides, all of those other teams who win are mostly by luck, just look at the ‘06 Cardinals. ALL LUCK! Baseball is the only sport where it’s better to be lucky than good. On paper there’s no way a team like Colorado should even sniff the playoffs, but their luck has carried them into the NLCS. Same with the DBacks, but they won’t lose a single game on their way to the WS title. I think that’s the greatest attribute in these crapshoot playoffs that the Braves have always lacked, pure luck.

Don’t give me that “winners make their own luck” crap. It’s horrible umpiring and the inability to handle postseason pressure which enables teams to win in October, where it used to be that the best team won because they were just more talented.

Anyway, kudos to the Braves organization for establishing a consistent winner all these years, and here’s to many more years of winning, with hopefully a little October luck finally coming their way.

By Disgruntled Atlanta Sports Fan

October 9, 2007 2:26 PM | Link to this

You would think in a city with 4 professional teams at least one of them would be decent. The Braves are declining rapidly, The Falcons are tanking, the Hawks have been down so long I cannot remember their last winning season and I admit I don’t follow the Thrashers so I cannot comment on them. Perhaps it is an ownership issue that prevents proven managers/coaches from coming to Atlanta. Corporate owners for the Braves who have no interest in baseball, an idiot in Blank for the Falcons and the dual ownership of the Hawks & Thrashers by Spirit are proving to be a recipe for disaster. We will never be able to get competent leadership to come here when there are so many options elsewhere. Oh well, we should be used to losing by now so what difference does it make.

By Ryder

October 9, 2007 2:30 PM | Link to this

j-School,

In the past few years the NL teams that have won the pennant (Marlins, DBacks) won due to the fact they were able to overcome the powerful AL lineups with the ability to manufacture runs and dominant starting pitching. That’s how the Marlins were able to defeat the Yankees in 03.

In reality the teams that win in October are those who can move the baserunners along and get the clutch two out hits. That’s why power teams like the Phillies and Cubs are home now because they rely way too much on the longball from their sluggers and no depth from starting pitching.

This is why we’ll see the DBacks and Indians in the World Series. The Braves used to be that kind of team. Hopefully in the offseason management will wise up and pick up some speedsters who can help manufacture runs.

By Sara

October 9, 2007 2:32 PM | Link to this

And how many times has Tony Kornheiser played in October? How many seasons has he played in the big leagues? Um hum! They Braves except for 2006 have been in contention for October for the past decade plus and that is remarkable! I bet if someone ask the Royals if they would take that that they would do it in a heartbeat! The Braves are a well rounded and good ball club!

By bill

October 9, 2007 2:36 PM | Link to this

To Steve-O: What’s your point bringing up the ‘Loserville” quote? It, like all of the dispariging remarks about Atlanta and the South. The Loserville qoute was tabbed by Paul Zimmerman, a long-time crusty old sportswriter for SI. And back in 1991, Kornheiser actually called the Tomahawk shop “insipid”.

I, for one, could give a crap what some elitist Northeasterners thinks of us!!!

By masivatack

October 9, 2007 2:36 PM | Link to this

**By Mediocrity stinks

wining more championships - the ONLY thing that counts in sports!**

You, my friend, are a loser. Do you use professional sports to validate your existence, did you not ever play sports, or are you one of those guys who only pulls for teams who are winning championships. Nobody likes to lose, but if it didn’t happen sometimes, winning wouldn’t be fun either. Sure I want my bravos to win every game and watched my team (almost) every year take a nosedive in the playoffs, but I wouldn’t be a real fan if I didn’t come back every year. I will be the one who can truly appreciate it WHEN we hoist that world series tropy again. GO BRAVOS and all the fairweather Atlanta fans, move to KC or something.

By KneeJerk

October 9, 2007 2:40 PM | Link to this

To whomever said that “winning the World Series is the only thing that matters in baseball”. You are a perfect example of the Gen-X fan. Having a team that is competitive and has a realistic shot at going to the plaoffs EVERY year is much more important than winning a ring. I live in SoFla. The Marlins have won 2 WS titles. Did you see their attendance in September? The Braves are competitive every year. Is winning a ring so important so you can brag to fans of other teams that YOUR team has won x# of rings? You follow a team because they are YOUR team, not because they win the WS every year. If winning rings is all that matters, go be a Yankee fan. They’ve won the most. And NO, I would not trade 14 division titles for 1 more world seies title. Then, we’d be the Marlins.

By BIG DADDY

October 9, 2007 2:42 PM | Link to this

I find it interesting that so many people find a way to go negative about having a winning team to watch for 16 straight years with 14 of them with division titles.

Winning a five game or a seven game series depends on a whole lot of luck and that includes pitchers who are at the top of their game after a 162 game season.

Every time I read someone saying negative things about the Braves having won only one World Series in 14 years I find myself wishing they could trade places with fans in Tampa, Kansas City, Texas, Milwaukee, Cincinnatti and I could go on and on and on. And other than the two years when Florida lucked up and won those two World Series wins after qualifying as wild cards it has not been a cakewalk for Marlin fans either. Each time we win our team is busted up and sold off and another rebuilding begins.

Atlanta fans, be thankful for JS, Bobby, Chipper, Smoltz and all those rookies that keep coming up. And stop griping all the time. You have been too far removed from all those losing seasons your ancestors went through prior to 1992. Enough already.

By Mitch

October 9, 2007 2:45 PM | Link to this

That was an unfair potshot at both the Braves, and the Yankees. You name me one other major league team that wouldnt take fourteen straight division titles. As for the Yankees, all they’ve done is to make the playoffs for thirteen straight years, twelve under Torre. Four World Series, Six AL Pennants, ten division titles. The list goes on. Personally, my best is that Steinbrenner will probably fire Torre. I feel Torre should not be fired. You dont fire a manager who makes the playoffs every year. Bobby didnt win the playoffs every year, and there was never talk about him being fired. Imagine if during the years in the 1990s before Time Warner took over, and when Ted Turner still owned the team, if he had fired Bobby for losing two straight World Series. Heck, in Atlanta, the Braves lost the World Series in 1991, and they had a parade for them! I hope Torre doesn’t get fired, but, based on the online comments I’ve read in the New York papers, and Steinbrenner’s own published comments, I believe it is highly likely that Torre probably will be let go. Very sad.

By tim

October 9, 2007 2:53 PM | Link to this

Braves are not a mediocre franchise. Ask anyone that knows anything about baseball. They built a consistent winner by developing players and are always fighting for a playoff spot. You can be a Marlins fan with there 2 bought world series. You won’t have a problem getting tickets. You can sit anywhere you want among the 2,000 fans that attend a game. Jump on the Boston bandwagon. Oh wait..they have only 1 world series and a couple of division championships in a 100 years. Go be a yankees or mets fan. You can spend 150 + million and still not win your division. I know what it was like to watch a mediocre or bad fanchise. I am also a Falcons fan. Braves have not been mediocre by any stretch of the imagination

By KneeJerk

October 9, 2007 2:55 PM | Link to this

Maybe Torre and LaRussa will switch jobs

By lin

October 9, 2007 2:57 PM | Link to this

wow so nice see yanks fail that pleases me i am a die hart bosox fan grew up with them have lived ny but never changed now in ga but atl is my 2nd team because they originated in ma. yes its nice see other teams get a chance go world series. indians if they beat the bosox then i will vote for them otherwise its boston all the way. joe t loose his job well he may as this was said last yr and they kept him. bobby leave braves he wants one more chance for a ring i think. i dont see that happen over next 2 yrs at least maybe longer see them in 1st again. they got lot redueing to do.

By Gary

October 9, 2007 2:58 PM | Link to this

If anything, the Yankees should worry about their team becoming synonomous with throwing money at big names with mediocre results. Can you imagine the kind of teams that JS would have put together for Bobby to manage with a 200 million dollar payroll? We wouldn’t be talking about a 14-year playoff run, but a 14-year World Series run. I’ll never be embarrassed by what the Braves have accomplished, only proud. Sure I used to get dissappointed over early exits from the playoffs… until I rubbed all my friends faces in the fact their team didn’t even get that far. How dare Korny pay the underserving Yankees the compliment of comparing them to the Braves!

By matt

October 9, 2007 3:00 PM | Link to this

Is it awesome that the Braves could win their division 14 straight times in a row??? HELL YEAH!! Is it dissappointing to think that the Braves made it to the postseason 14 years in a row and only won it once?? HELL YEAH!! Nobody can ever take what they accomplished away from them. However, I saw them get a beat a few times and choke a few times in the postseason. To think of how Great that legacy could’ve been with just 1 or 2 more WS titles, yeah it’s a little disappointing.

By masivatack

October 9, 2007 3:04 PM | Link to this

Lets bring Torre back to Atlanta after Bobby retires. What a classy guy.

By tim

October 9, 2007 3:05 PM | Link to this

On a seperate not the Yankees are stupid if they get rid of Joe Torre. The problem is they spend 150 million on hitters. They don’t have the pitching to compete. It is a problem with personnel not managing. JMO

By Lucus

October 9, 2007 3:05 PM | Link to this

Sure it’s fair to say. Kornheiser is quite salty and he’s not known for saying bland, boring things. When he’s wrong he admits it freely. Let’s not forget he is paid to talk.

By Chris

October 9, 2007 3:08 PM | Link to this

I think it’s hard to argue that the Braves have flopped in the postseason in the 2000s. Four NLDS exits in a row, including three losses in game 5 at home. They should have advanced further at least a couple times.

I don’t agree with Disgruntled Atlanta Sports Fan, however, that the Braves are in rapid decline. They had a bad year last year. This year, if a few more games had gone their way (and if Andruw Jones had hit even .250 this year and Bob Wickman never came to Atlanta and Gonzales and Hampton hadn’t missed the whole season) they would have at least won the wild card. There’s still a lot to look forward to for next year, at least, and I think they have a good chance of making the playoffs then.

I don’t think it’s fair to call Atlanta Loserville USA, either. It was just a couple years ago the Falcons were playing in the NFC Championship Game. The Thrashers won their division last year (sure they got swept out of the playoffs, but the season was good until then). As for the Hawks, well, let’s just pretend we don’t have a Pro Basketball team. Georgia Tech football and basketball has been equally disappointing. And UGA teams, despite what a lot of people think, aren’t actually Atlanta teams.

By Eddie

October 9, 2007 3:09 PM | Link to this

Agree with Jim. Really enjoy 162 great games during the season. If we happen to lose out in a short series. That doesn’t make you a failure. I remember a couple of years back when we ran into the D-backs when Randy Johnson and Curt Shilling were in their prime. Does that make you a failure. Go Braves lets see a another great season of baseball if we luck out in October, great.

By Wes

October 9, 2007 3:11 PM | Link to this

The simple answer to this question is: YES. Once upon a time, Korn Dog might have said “the Yankees are the Buffalo Bills,” but the Braves have now taken that mantle for themselves. The Braves are now the Buffalo Bills of baseball, no matter how awesome the streak of division titles is. As Braves fans, that’s just something we all have to live with and take with a grain of humor.

By Jim

October 9, 2007 3:16 PM | Link to this

I’m old enough to remember the horrible Braves teams of the 60s-80s when most years even the thought of being competitive was a pipe dream. The consistently competitive and high quality Braves teams starting in 1991 through this year (with the exception of 2006) are the envy of most of the organizations in professional sports, and most of them (and their fans) would trade their accomplishments for the Braves record in a HEARTBEAT! Anyone with a lick of common sense can see that. Those of you that say the Braves are crap because they only won one World Series during that time are idiots. As many of the posts have correctly pointed out, the playoffs are a crapshoot. A LOT of luck is involved. A couple of balls bouncing a few inches the other direction, a couple of games that should have been umpired by someone that actually knows the strike-zone, a game where a 250 lb. first baseman doesn’t lift our 180 lb outfielder off the bag then tag him out (remember that?), etc. —- a few of those things go differently and we have another world title or two.

Damn, I hope some of you folks aren’t as negative in your daily outlook on life as you are about your sports teams! If so, it must be depressing. I recommend kicking back with a cold beer and some Jimmy Buffett tunes……might help your outlook (works for me anyway!).

I’m ready for Spring Training! Let’s start another run! (The Muts and Phillies have had their one year reigns).

By Bo

October 9, 2007 3:38 PM | Link to this

JOE AND THE YANKEES HAD 12 YEARS IN THE PLAY-OFFS WITH 4 wORLD sERIES. THATS ALOT BETTER THAN COX’S 14 TRIPS to play-off WITH ONE WS. Sorry about the Caps. Just getting there “ante Sh*%” who played last week..see nobody remembers. You got to win it all…thats the bottom line and Cox and the Braves just can’t get it done, but some of you fans think that great. So be it..Cox needs to retire.

By rbg

October 9, 2007 3:40 PM | Link to this

as a 30 yr fan of any team Atlanta I will GLADLY take what the Braves have given me and take it with a smile.

Now Braves are done and we are left with the Falcons who are one of if not the worst franchise in the NFL. The Hawks who have 8 straight lottery picks without ever winning the number 1 pick.

Georgia is aweful this year and tech may be worse.

Thrashers are winless and the Georgia force moved to where I would NEVER be able to go to a game again because of traffic.

so with that in mind the Braves has an awesome season and the future looks bright!!

By rbg

October 9, 2007 3:42 PM | Link to this

as a 30 yr fan of any team Atlanta I will GLADLY take what the Braves have given me and take it with a smile.

Now Braves are done and we are left with the Falcons who are one of if not the worst franchise in the NFL. The Hawks who have 8 straight lottery picks without ever winning the number 1 pick.

Georgia is aweful this year and tech may be worse.

Thrashers are winless and the Georgia force moved to where I would NEVER be able to go to a game again because of traffic.

so with that in mind the Braves has an awesome season and the future looks bright!!

By Chico

October 9, 2007 3:44 PM | Link to this

The run of division titles was incredible and should be forever respected. And I can handle only 1 WS championship. But what I could not handle was losing in the first round each of the last several trips to the post-season.

Clearly, the Braves were built for 162 games, maybe not always for the post-season…. But losing in the first round was unacceptable. There should have been more NLCS appearances and WS appearances at a minimum.

Losing in the first round became their choking syndrome. When San Fran beat the Braves in the first round, I stopped watching them in the post-season. I knew what the results were going to be. Knowing they were going to win the division, yet knowing they would not win a single series in the post season was the sad part….

And frankly, it’s not out of their system yet. They finally put together a run this year when they were virtually out of it and the pressure was off. Where were they when they lost 5 of 6 to the Mets in September? The Braves were the only team the Mets could beat down the stretch.

But, there’s always next year! And I’ll continue to watch 150+ games a year! Maybe they’ll get the right chemistry to avoid the choke in the big series….

By Mike Hunt

October 9, 2007 3:48 PM | Link to this

Failure Failure Failure

The Brave have gone down hill in the playoffs due to BOOBY COX. His inability to MAKE his hitters bunt with runner on 1st and 2nd with no outs, his inability to MAKE his batters take a pitch when the count is 3-0. The Brave have had better pitching in most of their playoff flops.

Failure Failure Failure

By Steve

October 9, 2007 3:52 PM | Link to this

In this day and age, most teams build for a chance at the title every few years. They cannot afford to keep their talent level as players mature so the trade them off and start over again. The Yankees, along with a few others, have always been the exception becauase of their payrolls.

However, I will take consistently being in contention year-in and year-out over having a shot every few years. The Braves have had an incredbile run and I hope it will continue. I guess I remember too well the cellar dwellers of the 70s and 80s too well. Maybe we are just too spoiled if we complain about the Braves success.

By the way, who the hell (or what the hell) is Korndog?

By Fed up

October 9, 2007 3:53 PM | Link to this

Mitch the Marins didn’t buy the WS. Thay had a lower pay-roll than Braves. 14 straight division Titles is like winning the Region in high school and then losing in first round of State play-offs. You go home a loser. Every time I hear 14 Division Titles I want to throw up! What a Joke.

By tim

October 9, 2007 3:55 PM | Link to this

Bo, the difference is that the yankees have a 100 million more to spend every year. I don’t think you can make the comparison

By Spider29

October 9, 2007 3:56 PM | Link to this

I have said/written almost the exact same thing that our first blogger, Jim, wrote. He is absolutely right. Most of the jealous-nellies have nothing good to say about their own team so they discredit ours. Those Braves fans that talk bad about the 14 consecutive division title with only one WS title are mostly disappointed. I think most of us are disappointed about that but we realize that the Braves had a chance to win and weren’t sitting at home after October 1st. After two seasons of no post-season, maybe we will all appreciate it more next time the Braves make it in.

By Zoomie

October 9, 2007 3:59 PM | Link to this

I’ve only been exposed to him during this early season of ESPN’s Monday Night Football and I’m already very tired of “Korn-holer” and his inane comments.

Does anyone else miss ESPN’s old Sunday Night Football announcing line-up?

By Greggers

October 9, 2007 3:59 PM | Link to this

WTF is Korn Dog? The name alone brings up credibility issues.

By Chokers

October 9, 2007 4:00 PM | Link to this

Simply put, the Braves are chokers and Cox refused to apply the hymlic maneuver. People in Atlanta are so used to mediocrity they can’t see reality. Cox should/would have been canned after the 99’ series in any other major city. His style simply does not work in the playoffs.

In sports, you must strike while the irons hot. The Braves didn’t. Now they are heading into a rebuilding mode and the bitterness of only winning 1 title will grow with each passing year of sub-par baseball. Sorry folks, the reality is this team’s talent should have produced at least 3 titles and as such, its run will be viewed as an underachievement.

By B. Clinton

October 9, 2007 4:05 PM | Link to this

The Braves have gone down more than Monica Lewinski.

By Tom

October 9, 2007 4:11 PM | Link to this

STEVO, you have issues dude … you’re absolutely the “loser” … punk!

By Corndog

October 9, 2007 4:15 PM | Link to this

It would be nice to have someone who wants to win as bad as George. 14 straight is like you can kiss your date but you can’t go home with her..you dig.

By Jimbo

October 9, 2007 4:24 PM | Link to this

Bill Clinton, Man thats the first time I’ve ever agreed with you. Can’t really blame you for that.

By Mediocrity stinks

October 9, 2007 4:31 PM | Link to this

**masivatack - you’re a wuss who believes in 9th place trophies. Losing is losing. History doesn’t care about division banners - just something to hang in the stadium.

**Ryder - you blame ‘luck’ for the lack of World Series wins? Hahaha. You are a moron and that’s an insult to morons.

Both of you represent total loser mentalities.

Here’s a question for both - ask any player on the Braves on one of those years they made the playoffs but didn’t win it all if THEY consider the season a success? Any player who says yes is one you don’t want on the team.

Losing makes winning better - total hogwash. It’s just what losers tell themselves to feel better.

By Phronen

October 9, 2007 4:32 PM | Link to this

George is a moron. He’s proven as much over the years and he’ll be proving it again if/when he fires Torre. Torre isn’t the guy whose job should be on th e line. GM Brian Cashman is the guy who should be on his way out if a move is made. Cashman, even with a massive payroll, has been unable to assemble a quality starting rotation. That’s the problem with the Yankees, not Torre’s managing.

By Guy Wilson

October 9, 2007 4:35 PM | Link to this

Who is Korn Dog? What has he won,, no one really knows his name! Everyone knows the Braves. When Korn Dog has his 14 year run to fame - let me know - I’d like to see just who he is!

By Gary

October 9, 2007 4:35 PM | Link to this

Hey, the Braves WISHED they could be the Yankees. The Yankees are a class act group and the Braves are a bunch of bums. They have only 1 championship while the Yankees have won a lot more. GO YANKEES!!!!!!

By JSS

October 9, 2007 4:40 PM | Link to this

“Baldy McBaldy,” Man I thought that was Jeff Schultz!!! Two comb-over losers

By Chop Chop

October 9, 2007 4:51 PM | Link to this

Keep losing in the first round of the playoffs with a $200 million payroll and, well, you deserve to be called a flop.

By NASCARfan

October 9, 2007 4:52 PM | Link to this

Every single one of the division “titles” are WORTHLESS accept for the one in 1995.

Did they lead to a REAL Championship?

Nope, Bobby the Boob saw to it with his HORRIBLE managerial skills that the Braves would lose to ifar inferior teams like the 1993 Phils, 1996 Yankees, 1997 Marlines, 1998 Padres, 2000 Cardinals, 2002 Giants, 2003 Cubs, 2004 Astros, and 2005 Astros.

Think about it. In those NINE series, the Braves lost to a far WORSE and LESS TALENTED team, Bobby the Boob’s TERRIBLE tactical decisions negated ANY chance the Braves had for victory.

The series against the 1991 Twins, 1992 Blue Jays, 1995 Indians, and 2001 Diamondbacks were evenly matched, but Bobby the Boob’s failures as a manager doomed them again, accept in 1995, when he faced a worse postseason manager than himself.

The only time when the Braves SHOULD have lost, against the 1999 Yankees, they did, but they didn’t even put up a fight because of Bobby the Boob.

I love all of these idiot Braves fans who blame the players for all the October losses, but never give them any credit for the regular season. No, all of that credit is givin the Bobby the Boob, who then get’s no credit for the consistant flops in October because of his idiocy. Why was ANYONE surprised that Bobby the Boob cost his team about 10 games this year and another WORTHLESS division “title” by batting a .200 hitter 4th? I wasn’t surprised. It’s just the kind of idiocy I always expect from Bobby the Boob, just about 5 months earlier.

HERE’S THE REAL TRUTH BRAVES FANS: JOE TORRE, PHIL GARNER, TONY LARUSSA, OR MANY, MANY OTHER MANAGERS COULD HAVE FILLED OUT THE LINE-UP CARD FOR 14 YEARS AND DID WHAT BOBBY THE BOOB DID.

He’s a LOSER.

By boots

October 9, 2007 5:03 PM | Link to this

Screw this NYC guy. I really could care less what his opinion is of the Braves. They were the winningest team of the 90s and they played well in most of the post-seasons they took part in during this time. The only one that still stings is the 96 collapse, because they just screwed that series up in many ways. Still, the NY Yankees have outspent every other major league team and have been beaten by teams with 1/3 of their payroll, so it is not an “apples to apples” comparison. There is a reason that sports dynasties are unusual, and the Yankees are finding that out.

By Cooper

October 9, 2007 5:06 PM | Link to this

Being objective I would have to say they are right. The Braves are the baseball version of the Buffalo Bills and have been for a very long time.

Out of respect and likely fading awe MLB managers and players still hold the 14 division titles as a great achievement but the media has long written off this team as a WS contender.

The reality is the Braves need to close the chapter on Cox & JS and move on.

They had a great run, they may even have one more left in them for 2008 but if this team were the Yankees both Bobby and JS would have been canned years ago.

Sports is about winning the big game and while consistent division success is nice it is like settling for a solid B+. It is nice but it’s not an A.

Budgets have been an issue but we have seen all matter of team and budget pass us by in the playoffs and WS.

All that said this team has the pieces to be great in 08. If we don’t (barring injuries) mgt will need a major reboot top to bottom.

By BlueEagle

October 9, 2007 5:07 PM | Link to this

Really who cares…just wait until Kornholer gets a load of that circus under the big tent downtown on Monday Night Football next week; he should have some real gems for you then.

Honestly, until people start holding the poor ownership groups in this city accountable you shouldn’t get upset with the talking heads when they talk down at the Braves or any other franchise in this town because, more than likely, they’re telling the truth.

By Mr. Correction

October 9, 2007 5:09 PM | Link to this

NascarFan = Bold type(All hat) and nothing to say(No cattle).

By BlueEagle

October 9, 2007 5:11 PM | Link to this

Hey Phronen - B. Cashman is a puppet. If you think that he’s actually calling shots up there on players then I think you’re mistaken. George sees something, he writes the check, he gets him…Cashman’s just a frontman so Steinbrenner has someone else to blame.

By Mike Durango

October 9, 2007 5:11 PM | Link to this

Hey NASCARfan,

Who are the “Marlines”?

By Stew

October 9, 2007 5:12 PM | Link to this

I have only one thing to say to Korn Moron… F*#K Y@U!!! Your an idiot… The Yankees will never accomplish the SUCCESS that the BRAVES have done with the limited payroll!!! The Braves raise talent everyone else has to go buy it!!!

By Corn dog

October 9, 2007 5:14 PM | Link to this

The only difference between the Atlanta Braves and the Buffalo Bills is the Braves haven’t had an ex-player butcher his ex-wife…yet.

By Phronen

October 9, 2007 5:25 PM | Link to this

BlueEagle— There might be some truth to Cashman being a puppet, but if that’s the case, this is the time to make him accept the blame. Torre can only do so much with the crappy pitching that Cashman has given him. Bottom line: Cashman’s poor personnel decisions are the culprit, not Torre’s managing.

By Ryder

October 9, 2007 5:27 PM | Link to this

Mediocrity - a name that suits you perfectly - it’s obvious you don’t get it so i’ll break this down in a way that you and your other inbred bloggers can understand…..

…..the purpose of any organization is to build towards long term success, which the Braves have done over the past 14 years. In a sport such as baseball it is not always the most talented team that wins. Does anyone really believe that the Cardinals were the best team last year? No, they just benefited from the Tigers’ inability to field a baseball.

What this means you poor excuse for a human being is that even though the Braves have lost to inferior teams (like the ‘97 Marlins and Gregg’s strike zone, or to the ‘98 Padres and Sterling Hitchcock) it does not hide the fact that this organization is still successful.

If you’re able to comprehend this after you get the thumb out your mouth, you may want to consider the Marlins franchise as an example. Sure they’ve won two World Series titles, but they’ve also gone through so much losing that they can’t even pull 1000 fans to a game and there is constant talk of moving the franchise. You dare call THAT success? Even a blind squirrel can find a nut every so often.

No thanks, give me a team that is always in the hunt, only if they’ve won one championship. At least then I know management is more concerned about trying to win than just to bankrupt a franchise.

By BlueEagle

October 9, 2007 5:38 PM | Link to this

Phronen - Good point, but if we both agree that Cashman is only a pawn in Steinbrenner’s game of “I can spend more money and get more players than anyone” and then that pawn is fired, you still haven’t rid yourself of the problem because they guy responsible for the players there (Steinbrenner) is still calling the shots. I’d like to think that Cashman is a real GM but I highly doubt it.

However, it doesn’t matter to me as long as the Yankees and Mets keep losing. Go Braves and whoever’s playing the Mets

By jw

October 9, 2007 5:40 PM | Link to this

Well, I do know this for a fact - the Phillies did something that the Braves were on course to do SEVERAL years ago. LOSE 10,000 games. I will gladly trade every single blown chance at more championships for the monumental turnaround that the Braves began in the 90’s. Gone are the characters, the garden in the bullpen, the picnic area, three digit crowds, etc. Very few of the current fan base remember how BAD the Braves really were in the 66 thru 90 seasons. It is very nice to have a team in the hunt ALL year long, not just April - wait a minute - back when, we were out of it before April was over. Plus, it is a lot harder to count to 42,000 than 750 or even 1175 customers! AAAHHH the bad old days - don’t want to ever see them again! Just my two cents worth, sure I will get a nickels change back if I read on!

By BlueEagle

October 9, 2007 5:54 PM | Link to this

Hey jw - The bad ol’ days never leave us here in Atlanta…they just sway from franchise to franchise…The Hawks now get the Braves’ old attendance numbers. The Hawks should improve a bit this year but while their attendance should go up its just in time for the Falcons crowds to go back to the “good ol’ days” of sitting with the team if you wanted to. See…they never leave.

I don’t care what anyone says…It takes a REAL fan to fully support sports in this city…without jumping from the Bank of America tower.

By Keith Helms

October 9, 2007 5:59 PM | Link to this

I keep reading that the Braves need a #3 starter. That is as far from the truth as anyone can get. Unless Hudson pitches better next year, they definitely need a #1 and #2 starter with Hudson at #3 and Smoltz at #4. If Glavine wants to retire in Atlanta, give him $3 million and make him a part time #5 with James.

By Roland Office

October 9, 2007 6:00 PM | Link to this

The Braves may have won only one WS title in 14 postseasons, but compared to the Yankees, the Braves should be considered overachievers. The Braves continued to perform long after ownership pulled the financial rug out from undr them. The Yankees have spent 1.3 billion dollars since their last championship. The Braves are having to go at it with rookies and has beens, while the Yankee’s can pay millions for pinch hitters and middle relief. It is a potshot at the Braves. They should not be compared to the colossal failure that is the Yankees.

By cmorrisdee

October 9, 2007 6:00 PM | Link to this

I didn’t understand a damn thing David said.

By Phronen

October 9, 2007 6:03 PM | Link to this

BlueEagle— Yep, which goes back to my original comment about George being a moron. LOL.

By realist

October 9, 2007 6:07 PM | Link to this

14 consecutive division titles? WHO CARES! The braves are the poster boys of choking and sucking. I hope they never make it to the playoffs again, because if they do, they will choke again.

By submariner

October 9, 2007 6:15 PM | Link to this

Keith, Your observation on Hudson couldn’t be farther from the truth. He won 16 games this year and could have gotten 20 had Cox not miss managed a few of his starts. His last 2 starts he was outstanding. One complete game shutout and he almost backed that one up with another one. Against the Brewers he went seven strong, giving up no runs. Cox had the pen warm in the top of the 8th and sent Hudson out to self destruct. I mean, come on! It’s late in the season, he’s already given you 7 good ones, we’re winning and (at that point) still in a playoff race. I am a bigger critic of Cox than of the players. The Braves can go 1 & 2 with Hudson and Smoltz. I think that they need a ligitimate number 3 and I agree it’s not Glavine or James. What they should do is dump Hampton and go out and get a real hard throwing lefty…….like say, Johan Santana!

By Mike

October 9, 2007 6:22 PM | Link to this

Cox with Mazzone = 14 for 14

Cox without Mazzone = 0 for 2

It’s obvious now that the success the Braves had in the 90s was due entirely to Leo’s management of the pitching staff, and had nothing whatsoever to do with Booby Cox. Those of us who have criticized Cox for the team’s playoff failures have been vindicated.

By James

October 9, 2007 6:24 PM | Link to this

Baseball is a crapshoot when it comes to the playoffs, especially when compared to other sports. But comparing the Braves to other franchises in the postseason reveals that the Braves may not be as bad as everyone suspects. Since the Division series started in 1995, nine franchises have made the playoffs four or more times (not counting this year which is still in progress). Here are their records:

(1) Yankees 72-47; 12 appearances, 7 division series wins; 6 league championships, 4 world championships.

(2) St. Louis 37-28; 7 appearances, 6 division series win, 2 league championships, 1 world championship.

(3) Atlanta 48-44, 11 appearances, 6 division series wins, 3 league championships, 1 world.

(4) Cleveland 29-28, 6 appearances, 3 division series wins, 2 league championships, 0 world.

(5) Boston 22-24, 6 appearances, 3 division wins, 1 league, 1 world.

(6) Houston 15-25, 6 appearances, 2 division, 1 league, 0 world.

(7) Oakland 11-16, 5 appearances, 1 division, 0 league, 0 world.

(8) Padres 8-16, 4 appearnces, 1 division, 1 league, 0 world.

(9) Minnesota 6-15, 4 appearances, 1 division, 0 league, 0 world.

If one is looking for chokers, there are lot better candidates than the Braves. Part of the reason the Braves look bad is that the Yankees have looked so good over the same stretch. It is doubtful that the Yanks run from 1996 to 2003 will ever be duplicated. During that stretch, the Yanks went 62-33 with 4 world titles and 6 league titles in 8 years.

By Bud

October 9, 2007 6:35 PM | Link to this

Well…you know…those other 29 teams want to win the World Series as well. At the end of the day, it’s just as good for one team to win as the next team. The sun still rises and sets at the same time. Viewers will be encouraged to buy beer and potato chips regardless of the score. Players, agents, coaches, reporters, and most importantly lawyers will continue to earn large sums of money from the game.

By Stuart Brown

October 9, 2007 6:39 PM | Link to this

There may be a few teams that would be envious of:

One WS win Five WS appearances 14 Division titles in a row

over a course of 16 years.

But then, maybe I’m wrong…..

By Cliff Speck

October 9, 2007 6:39 PM | Link to this

Mike, that’s quite an oversimplification you made there w/the Leo stats. I wouldn’t argue that McDowell is a better pitching coach than Leo because he’s not. But there is no doubt that Leo had FAR, FAR more talent to work with on the starting staff when he was here.

If you want to look at it the way you’re looking at it, how’s Leo’s done up in Baltimore?

By kj

October 9, 2007 7:04 PM | Link to this

seriously do you people remember the 100+ loss seasons???

By The Flopmeister

October 9, 2007 7:12 PM | Link to this

TOP ATLANTA SPORTS FAILURES

• Mike Vick, Dumb@$$

• Arthur Blank, Incompetent NFL Owner

• The Atlanta Hawks, Semi-Pro Basketball Team

• The Philips Arena Staff, Rude, Inarticulate, Ill-Tempered, Poor-Mannered Simpletons

• Atlanta’s NON-Enforced Panhandling Ordinance Outside Sports Venues

• Kenny Lofton, Where was that productivity & TEAM-Player attitude back in ‘97, Dog?

• The AJC Sports Department

• Mike Vick, Ghetto Trash

By Blue Water

October 9, 2007 7:15 PM | Link to this

The only trhing I liked about the Yankees were they were all clean cut. The Braves all try to look like white trash or plain rednecks.

By TN Jeff

October 9, 2007 7:55 PM | Link to this

the braves have just moved their team choke tradition up a few weeks as they press to make the playoffs (see the Rockies) and then the two pitching aces backed by keystone cops defense lose the must must win, really mean it this time must win games versus the Phillies.

Someone might want to mention to the Hall of Fame booger picking manager the value of small ball - can anybody bunt?

By Danimal

October 9, 2007 8:24 PM | Link to this

The Braves were a critical part of my sports world for more than 20 years. I saw them rise. I saw them fall. It was a great run. Now, it is over. The fish rots from the head down. When the owners are looking for tax write offs and not championships, that is what you will get. Life goes on.

By Mediocrity stinks

October 9, 2007 9:11 PM | Link to this

Ryder - funny you make fun of names when you’re named after a company that had to sell off half it’s business from failure. But then you embrace failure. I feel sorry for the loser kids you must be raising. Hey kids - “hurray for second, third and fourth place. Don’t worry about ever being first - your dad wasn’t!”

Building towards long term success - is that how you explain the last two seasons?

And I knew you would not answer the question about whether the players would consider those seasons successful.

Save me your platitudes (look it up idiot) about being successful. The Braves are either the Chanps or they are not. Quite simple.

By Shamus Thacker

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

Of course the Braves are floppers; always have been. Been a Braves fan for 35-years. The 90’s were a blast. Doesn’t bother me at all that we’re floppers. We were division-winning floppers for a record duration. Lots of fans in other cities would sell their souls for a stretch like that, even with NO World Series wins! We were IN four. What would Cubs fans give, to just BE IN four? I don’t even want to THINK about what Cubs fans would give, it’s too damn disgusting!!

By Shamus Thacker

October 9, 2007 9:30 PM | Link to this

Mediocrity smells better than raw losing…

By Shamus Thacker

October 9, 2007 9:31 PM | Link to this

Blue Water, the Braves want to fit in with us fans…

By Redneck White Trash

October 9, 2007 9:40 PM | Link to this

I feel so unwanted….

By Ralph

October 9, 2007 9:56 PM | Link to this

Torre coach a lot like Cox, leaving his pitcher in way too long, giving up to many runs and than hope the long ball would get the Yankees, back in the game. Like Cox, had in the past, the money was there to get the best, and the Braves did, but even the best can’t guarantee success all the time. Plus Torre, like Cox is a predicable manager, they don’t provide very many surprises, to the opposing manager. There are smart managers and lucky managers and Cox is one lucky manager, and so was Torre. So, it may be time for Torre to say adios, and farewell, That’s what we should have told Cox’s two years ago, but the Braves general manager, lack the incentive, to adios Cox.

By Ralph

October 9, 2007 10:41 PM | Link to this

Like to say to TBS, who is carrying Play off games. You have the worst bunch of announcers, I have every heard. They look like they are going to fall asleep any minute, and I hope they do the game will sound better. Tony Gwynn was one of the greatest players that every lived, but as a commentator, he’s, not, and Clip Caray, forgets what he is talking about, and keeps going, until he gets everyone confused, now I know why he’s not on radio, losen up, Clip. Your father should be in the booth, Bob Brenly is a very good baseball man, but, three of them just don’t fit seem to belong together. TBS, needs to stop interview everyone in the stands, while playing is going on. The also need to keep the camera on the playing field, not up a players nose, and of course the commercials, by the time TBS returns to the game, there two outs. TBS, your station is not doing a very good job, you are trying to mimic ESPN, and it’s not working. So, now the best thing to do is to turn off the sound. One more thing bring, Pete and Skip, to improve your ratings.

By William

October 9, 2007 10:57 PM | Link to this

Why anyone would care what that loudmouth d-bag Tony Kornheiser thinks about anything is totally beyond me. The closest the guy has ever gotten to an athletic field is from the announcers’ booth, so for him to denigrate the Braves as a bunch of losers for “only” winning 14 straight division titles is utterly laughable. Rag at Bobby Cox all you want for some of the questionable decisions he’s made in the playoffs, but don’t disparage an organization that dominated the NL East for over a decade before becoming a corporate tax deduction. Ask the players on the Pirates, Devil Rays, or Royals - or anybody that’s ever stepped between the white lines and actually played the game for that matter - whether the Braves are losers. Then you might get an opinion that worth listening to for once.

By aaaetc

October 9, 2007 11:43 PM | Link to this

Let’s see, the Braves won 1 Series in 14 tries. Mathematically, you have 1 chance out of 8 each year to win it all if you make the playoffs. So in 14 years, you should win one or possibly two. Hmmm…

By alan

October 10, 2007 12:20 AM | Link to this

All these Braves cheerleaders are congratulating themselves on the fact that the braves won 14 division titles. But what separates champions from the wannabes is how many championships is won. They went to the world series, five years in a row but only won 1 time? That’s a 20 percent winning rate. Sure, these fans can sit back and say that they’ll take the Braves won-lost records any day. I take a championship. As one poster noted, even the Marlins who decimated their first championship team has won more World Series than the Braves. The only thing the Braves are good at is choking during the post season. I remember people saying that pitching wins ball games. If that is really true, how come when the Braves had arguably the best pitching rotation in the major leagues, they could only win one world series? Easy. They couldn’t stand the pressure.

By Catscan

October 10, 2007 8:03 AM | Link to this

It’s Bobby Cox what done in the Bravos. There are moves a manager can make as he adjusts to each game. Knowing when to walk a guy. Knowing when to pull a pitcher. You cant be right 100%, but Cox was NEVER right. He somehow convinced Ted Turner that he could manage a baseball club. I’ll never understand, nor will I forgive Ted Turner for that.

We lost one world series to Minnesota because Cox didn’t ever mention to his players how to run the bases. The rule is, by the way, to always watch the third base coach when you are approaching or rounding second base. The third base coach should always be signaling to runners when to keep running and when to be cautious and slow down and stop.

I will never ever get over that loss to the bums in minnesota. ever. I have a creme pie for ted turner with rasberry cheer topping. I hope I never meet up with the ted. Buying a new cream pie everyday is getting expensive, (you know, just in case). the rasberries are free.

By Uncle Boris

October 10, 2007 9:56 AM | Link to this

Everyone who compares the Braves favorably to the teams that would love to make it to the playoffs are stuck in a loser’s mentality mode. A winner mentality would compare the Braves unfavorably to the teams that actually win world championships, and strive for that. As far as division championships are concerned, it’s nothing but making the quarterfinals. So what? Who cares?

By Glenn

October 12, 2007 10:10 PM | Link to this

Here’s the deal…Cox as manager,Mazzone as pitching coach,and Ted spends some of his billions and comes home and the Braves are whole again…and Dorothy is back in Kansas.Also Glavine is coming home!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!And we have been so blessed that this was and is still part of the greatest Americas team ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By Kevin

October 13, 2007 6:35 AM | Link to this

Well bobby is Bobby n chokin is braves in 1st round world series only reason Braves won players decide win it…..after that was wohlers great give away…chippers oops in game 162 in 2000….Remember it!