ajcsportstalk

By Drixie

April 25, 2008 10:34 PM | Link to this

The trade with the Tigers is a win-win for both teams. Sorry to see Renteria go, but Jurrjens looks like the real deal.

By Jeff

April 25, 2008 10:35 PM | Link to this

Way to go Bobby… That’s what good Managers do. They stick up for their players. That Umpire had the smallest strike zone in the world. Bobby took the heat so Jurrjens wouldn’t get ejected. i am proud to have a manager that will do anything for his players

By Jeff

April 25, 2008 10:38 PM | Link to this

Way to go Bobby… That’s what good Managers do. They stick up for their players. That Umpire had the smallest strike zone in the world. Bobby took the heat so Jurrjens wouldn’t get ejected. i am proud to have a manager that will do anything for his players.

By Shawn

April 25, 2008 10:49 PM | Link to this

I thought the rookie got upset with the ump for good reason. But I guess he shouldn’t have thrown his arms up. Glad Bobby went to take up the fight so he could stay in. He bounced back nicely. Solid pitching from the youngster. Braves played like they own the muts tonight. I am impressed with Blanco’s play. He’s good with getting on base and distracting the pitcher once he’s there. Prado is solid to spot start for Escobar or KJ. Speaking of which K. Johnson is turning into a real Met-Killer. The Braves organization just keeps bringing up! Go Braves!

By Braves Fan

April 25, 2008 10:56 PM | Link to this

Why the negativity in the headline and article? Jurrjens pitched five nearly perfect innings, and frankly got hosed by a terrible call against Wright. He recovered just like you’d want and pitched a great game. I can’t believe your headline is “Rookie Struggles.” Should be “Jurrjens Solid, Offense Pounds Hapless Mets.”

What, is Terance Moore writing your headlines now?

By scott boras

April 25, 2008 10:57 PM | Link to this

the reason was the umpire!!! thats it jurrjens didnt struggled. on the front page to click here says jurrjuns struggles…whatever

By Richmond

April 25, 2008 11:01 PM | Link to this

Hampton looked pretty good. He looked comfortable, threw hard, got ahead in the count for the most part, and made several batters look silly. Two of the three hits were grounders through the infield and Hampton created some of his own problems by bobbling an easy double-play ball.

By dack jerrick

April 25, 2008 11:06 PM | Link to this

JJ clearly struck out David Wright on a pitch that choked the Umpire McClelland. The inning should have been over with no runs scored. This was not a close call. This is an ump who stays in trouble all around both leagues but can’t be canned because of union protection. JJ was great. Looks very, very poised for his age and experience.

By Mario

April 25, 2008 11:09 PM | Link to this

Rookie struggles? Wow! If he struggled tonight, I would like all our pitchers to struggle like he did for the rest of the year. I was shocked seeing that headline. Honestly, that umpire needs to relearn the strike zone b/c there were alot of bad calls. Mentally, Jurrjens had to hold his composure and get his head back in the game after those bad calls, and esp. for a rookie, I think he did an excellent job. Glad we picked him up

By Josh

April 25, 2008 11:09 PM | Link to this

I’m absolutely disgusted at this article and Dave O’Brien’s article. Did you watch the game because last time I checked giving up 2 hits and 3 runs in 6 innings is a quality start. If not for a bad call this game would have been 6-0 and Jurrjens could’ve been looking at a complete game shutout. The titles of your article needs to be changed.

By Jeff

April 25, 2008 11:25 PM | Link to this

What “bad inning”?! “Bad inning” my arse, JJ pitched good pretty much all night. It was the umpire that had a very bad inning, not JJ, end of story.

Thankfully justice was served and JJ and the Braves still won. But JJ pitched well enough to have 0 earned runs against in his six innings. The 3 ER charged against him were all due to an awful job by the homeplate umpire.

By scott boras

April 25, 2008 11:46 PM | Link to this

CHANGE THE HEADLINE….JURRJENS TWO HIT THE MUTS

By scott boras

April 25, 2008 11:47 PM | Link to this

CHANGE THE HEADLINE….JURRJENS TWO HIT THE MUTS

By scott boras

April 25, 2008 11:47 PM | Link to this

CHANGE THE HEADLINE….JURRJENS TWO HIT THE MUTS

By scott boras

April 25, 2008 11:47 PM | Link to this

CHANGE THE HEADLINE….JURRJENS TWO HIT THE MUTS

By scott boras

April 25, 2008 11:47 PM | Link to this

CHANGE THE HEADLINE….JURRJENS TWO HIT THE MUTS

By scott boras

April 25, 2008 11:47 PM | Link to this

CHANGE THE HEADLINE….JURRJENS TWO HIT THE MUTS

By scott boras

April 25, 2008 11:50 PM | Link to this

what is the process of posting articles on the site?? does it get approved and edited or does an individual just posts whatever while hes eating his hotdog??? I WANT ANSWERS!!!!!

By aswingruber

April 26, 2008 12:35 AM | Link to this

Unbelievable… I read DOB’s article and there was no mention of the ridiculous ball call by the ump that would’ve ended the inning. It’s no where to be found in this blog either. What’s going on here guys??? It’s absurd that the guys that cover the Braves for a living aren’t pointing out an obvious blown call that led to the only reason the Mutts even got on the scoreboard tonight.

By Work Ethic---LOL

April 26, 2008 12:39 AM | Link to this

Hampton actually pitched 3 innings??? You know I used to think that the UAW had the most unproductive workers in the Western Hemisphere, BUT if there is a more useless business(remember they keep telling us this is a business) entity than the Human Train Wreck from near Inverness, Florida—Well, I would like to know his or her name.

You know those people with the UAW must vote to call a strike, while all the “Ironman” has to do to shut it down AGAIN is to throw a warm-up pitch off of a big league mound.

Only in America. I was going to say “Nice work if you can get it’, but in Meek Mike’s case it’s “Nice non-work if you can get it”—Don’t worry, if Mr. Durability goes 7-6 with a 4.85 era, he’ll spit at the Braves, forget all about trying to make up for what seems a decade and look to file for free agency. And you know he will, and you know the bottom kissers like OB will say “Well, that’s his right”. Wonder why jobs are going to India and Mexico??

By Philliesuk

April 26, 2008 1:35 AM | Link to this

One of the best-pitched games this year. I refuse to count that inning, because in my mind, he got out of it with that 3rd strike to Wright. Jurrjens has looked great all year.

If anything, the guy showed superb poise following that ridiculous inning.

By MT Braves Fan

April 26, 2008 3:24 AM | Link to this

We’ve gotten the real deal in the Renteria trade, folks. Many young pitchers would have either gotten thrown, or totally gone to pieces in that situation, but JJ was able to rebound and pitched a whale of a ballgame, notwithstanding Tim “Throw It Through A Cheerio” McLelland back there. Kid can flat pitch, and it was great to see the offense pick him up. Gotta love our chances with Tim and Smoltz now, sweep the Mutts on our way out of that cesspool they call a ballpark.

By Work Ethic---LOL

April 26, 2008 7:27 AM | Link to this

Jurrjens-Hampton, Jurrjens-Hampton, Jurrjens-Hampton, jurrjens-Hampton. Only in America. Does someone wish to calculate what Jurrjens gets per INNING pitched as opposed to what Malingering Mike gets a YEAR for sitting in the dugout. I’m telling you if the guy TOUGHENS(LOL) it out and goes 5-4 with an era of 4.83 he will look for a deal elsewhere next year. Who thinks he won’t?? I don’t expect the man to be like Al Kaline in 1974 and turn down 100,000 because he thought he had a bad year in 73, but isn’t there a level of responsibility where you would think-“You know I’ve done nothing for years. I owe them something and I’m not even going to look around”. Wouldn’t you think?????

American Axle and similiar companies are looking towards Mexico. Something about not having to deal with unions. Imagine if American industry had to deal with a fantasy union like the MLBPA and not just unions like the UAW. An honest day’s pay for an honest day’s work—Right??, Right??, Right??

By LivininAL

April 26, 2008 7:28 AM | Link to this

Headline should read Home-plate umpire Tim McClelland Strugglesyet Rookie Jair Jurrjens adapts to the quart size strike zone and wins the fight…course I don’t know who won all the fights in the stands. Kid did us proud. Lets do it again! Go Braves!

By gg

April 26, 2008 8:08 AM | Link to this

i was livid over the umpire ‘s calls in the third inning and screaming at my tv. After i watched the rest of the game, i do have to say he was pretty consistent on his minute strike zone. Good job of bouncing back and how about Tex going out and trying to calm JJ while Cox is getting thrown out. Those are times of high emotion and it’s easy for a young guy to get rattled but he stuck with it and pitched a hell of a game.

By fantasygeek

April 26, 2008 8:18 AM | Link to this

HEY DOB

Why didn’t Acosta get the save… I thought if you come in the 9th with a 3 run lead or less you get the save.

By B f braves fan

April 26, 2008 8:22 AM | Link to this

Headline is AWEFUL. I should struggle like that at my job.

By TURTSNAP

April 26, 2008 9:27 AM | Link to this

While I am still a little nervous with the Hampton, Glavine and Smoltz injury situation, I will say that we appear to be deeper in the rotation, with Jair, Bennett looks usable, James is steadier as a number 4 or 5 or spot starter. Not to mention Jo-Jo refining his skills in AAA, Chuck Morton.

Jair is great and surprised some people with his 95 MPH fastball a start ago. If he develops the speed on his fastball, watch out!!

By Braves #1 Fan

April 26, 2008 10:34 AM | Link to this

JJ was GREAT! Many veteran players would have been tossed over that. He is the real deal, and I look forward to a long career with the Braves.

It is truly a shame that a game with a great tradition like baseball cannot field umpires that follow the rules. The strike zone is clearly described in the rule book. Each umpire should NOT be allowed to “have his own strike zone.” McClellan haas been doing this for years, and he gets away with it. How can any objective evaluation of his performance NOT show that he is sub-standard, and worse, that his umpiring CLEARLY changes the direction of the game??

What ever happened to Ques-Tec??

By wilson

April 26, 2008 10:38 AM | Link to this

can someone explain why Accosta didnt get a save on friday night?

By wilson

April 26, 2008 10:44 AM | Link to this

Ah! Nevermind. Here is the save answer: Credit a pitcher with a save when he meets all three of the following conditions: (1) He is the finishing pitcher in a game won by his club; and (2) He is not the winning pitcher; and (3) He qualifies under one of the following conditions: - (a) He enters the game with a lead of no more than three runs and pitches for at least one inning

By Workinlkeadawg

April 26, 2008 11:15 AM | Link to this

Jair is going to be the next Smoltz for the Braves. That trade will go down as good as the one where we got Smoltz from the Tigers. Escobar made the deal a no brainer.

By Stanley Capriles

April 26, 2008 11:26 AM | Link to this

I,m from Curacao and a diehard Braves fan and it’s embarressing reading a headline Rookie Struglles in my opinion is the writer who wrote this article is strugling and would be compared with last night umpire because both of them were not watching the game (hey guys wake up and smell the coffee)shame on you. The writer should be on disabled list or sent down to the minor. And guys come to Curacao and check it out for yourself this tiny island has a lot of prospect and potential and I think the braves should have an academy here. Food for taught. And go Braves.Bobby you’re the man.

By Cardog10

April 26, 2008 11:59 AM | Link to this

HE DID NOT STRUGGLE. HE PITCHED A TWO HITTER. The ump blew a couple of calls, especially on an 0-2 count to David Wright. How Wright can take that pitch 0-2 baffles me, that is the difference between him and Chipper. When they faced Smoltz it seemed like Wright wanted to walk too. CHANGE THE HEADLINE.

By Cardog10

April 26, 2008 12:01 PM | Link to this

There are articles on all the big sites on how impressive Jurrjens was after getting the bad calls against him. How amazing it was and how this proves his maturity. Yet our own city’s newspaper writes “Jerrjens struggles”

By Pete H.

April 26, 2008 12:36 PM | Link to this

I agree with Work Ethic. We should all just offer our labor for free.

Hey buddy, rehabbing from injuries is a lot more work than playing is. Every been to a major league camp? The guys working like dogs are usually the guys with injuries.

And on a purely psychological plane, it’s brutal watching your team play and you can’t contribute.

If it helps you get over your envy, we aren’t paying Hampton. The insurance company is.

Whether Al Kaline ever asked for a pay cut is debatable, but for sure the cases of teams, pre-arbitration, giving stars salary cuts for no reason other than they could get away with it, are rife.

For instance, Mickey Mantle was offered a pay cut after winning the MVP in 1956; Ralph Kiner was offered a pay cut after leading the majors in home runs, and no one will ever forget Koufax and Drysdale threatening to strike after they were offered insulting contracts.

Unions are good things. Unless you like being totally at the mercy of management.

As for the JJJ controversy, he rose above a bad ump. He’s been nothing but impressive and he’s going to get better and better. He’s a bright kid with a real pitcher’s mentality, as opposed to, say, Kyle Farnsworth, who has a thrower’s mentality.

By Work Ethic---LOL

April 26, 2008 2:05 PM | Link to this

Dear Pete H, I doubt very much if Michael H. agonizes over not playing. by now he should have a Docterate in Idleness. As far as comparing the working conditions of autoworkers, steelworkers or ANY OTHER organized labor outside of pro sports is madness.

I know Michael has to take the money as per the agreement. I just wish he would be a little more obvious about the “Alleged Agony” he is feeling about having been paid for doing absolutely nothing that will go into a MLB record book for the last few years.

Pete, I got to retire early at 60 as a result of the halycon stock market of the late 90’s. my wife and I only netted about 1.8 million and we are happy as lambs. I would hope that i would have the character that if I had been paid MILLIONS!!!!!!!! for doing nothing that I would be upfront about giving a SIGNIFICANT amount to charities—And I don’t mean a team sponsorship event. Pete, I bet you and a great many others would not take something for nothing without helping MANY others.

By Pete H.

April 26, 2008 3:50 PM | Link to this

Work Ethic

Mike may not be the MOST charitable guy around, but he appears to be pretty generous.

http://www.mikehamptonpitchingin.com/

It really ain’t his fault he’s injury prone. Any more than it was Nick Esasky’s fault that his career was ended by dizziness.

By yomayonifigasebe

June 30, 2008 2:06 PM | Link to this

http://yomayonifigasebe.com yomayonifigasebe