ajcsportstalk

By Gary

June 6, 2008 11:23 PM | Link to this

Kelly Johnson either needs to be benched or dropped from the roster totally. That was pathetic and one doesn’t deserve being on a MLB roster if you cannot catch that pop up.

By Eric

June 6, 2008 11:23 PM | Link to this

Definitely the toughest loss of the season…game they should have won, at home to a division rival ahead of them. I’m starting to think this team just doesn’t have what it takes.

By Joe

June 6, 2008 11:24 PM | Link to this

Kelly, u sux.

By James

June 6, 2008 11:25 PM | Link to this

This isnt just the toughest loss of the season, it may be the end of the season. This proves that our bullpen and defense is too lousy to measure up to the rest of the division. We lose every game on the road and blow leads at home. Go ahead and call Disney to make vacation plans for October, because the schedule will be wide open.

By Chuck

June 6, 2008 11:25 PM | Link to this

Toughest loss of the season? Yes.

This game will be remembered as the game that started the Braves on a rapid descent into 2nd from bottom.

One handed catches my butt? Not your finest hour Kelly.

By indybravedog

June 6, 2008 11:25 PM | Link to this

The Braves need to do something about the bullpen. To have Hudson pitch until the ninth and a bonehead play screw up a win and to have Acosta ruin it again sucks. I live in Indy and don’t get to see the Braves much but I was in Cincinnati last weekend to watch the bullpen ruin a win and it sucks to only see highlights of losses after the bullpen sucks

By DirtyDawg

June 6, 2008 11:26 PM | Link to this

Just when it appeared that Johnson was coming around defensively, he pulls the boniest of bone-headed plays. Something’s wrong with this kid in the head…he’s simply not good enough to make lackadaisical plays…stupid…stupid…stupid.

By fan in bleachers

June 6, 2008 11:26 PM | Link to this

probably…but the phils are a studly bunch right now..their my team to beat

By Glenn

June 6, 2008 11:26 PM | Link to this

Why not go ahead and bring Richmond in a year early.Surely they can play smarter than these losers we have here now. How inept can these guys be.

By woodie

June 6, 2008 11:26 PM | Link to this

Why vent ? The Phillies are a better team whether we win or lose this game. I believe the stat was they have come from behind and won 18 games this year. You can’t argue with that.

By John

June 6, 2008 11:27 PM | Link to this

First.

By ugalaw

June 6, 2008 11:27 PM | Link to this

Before we start shooting to many arrows at Kelly Johnson, let’s not lose sight of who the two real goats were — Jeff Francouer and Blaine Boyer.

By Lee

June 6, 2008 11:28 PM | Link to this

I hate Philly. But I hate giving Philly a gift-wrapped win even more. Not one 2nd baseman we’ve had in 10 years would’ve dropped that ball. Un-freaking-believable.

By Ernie Wheelwright

June 6, 2008 11:28 PM | Link to this

KJ little league stuff.He’s got to make that catch on what looked like a easy play . But we should have put the Phils away much earlier when we missed opportunities to score.

By Charles Kilgo

June 6, 2008 11:28 PM | Link to this

If I were Bobby Cox I would fine Kelly Johnson for not using two hands. Something that all LITTLE LEAGUE players are taught when they first start playing. Also, I would have his shagging fly balls until he was exhausted making sure he uses BOTH HANDS. This may not look big now, but if we lose the pennant by ONE GAME I attribute it to that BONEHEAD PLAY!

By Ernie Wheelwright

June 6, 2008 11:28 PM | Link to this

KJ little league stuff.He’s got to make that catch on what looked like a easy play . But we should have put the Phils away much earlier when we missed opportunities to score.

By James Schroeder

June 6, 2008 11:29 PM | Link to this

I was sort of hoping Bobby wouldn’t let the team come out for the 9th. Can we send Kelly Johnson and Blaine Blower as far away as possible?

Hey Kelly, two hands. Nice buddy, NICE!

By Wayne Roth

June 6, 2008 11:29 PM | Link to this

The Braves are nearing a total melt down. Forget who blew what and ask yourself: are the braves worth watching or supporting unless they shake up there team big time. I think I will no longer watch or support them until they do. Last night was the straw that broke me. Bobby may be a nice man but someone needs to get in there and trade, demote and fire. The days of yester year are now totally gone.

By Ben Cartoon

June 6, 2008 11:29 PM | Link to this

JESUS CHRIST WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH THEM. THEY’RE PATHETIC. DOES BOBBY COX JUST SIMULATE A SEASON IN MLB 08 AND JUST COPY EVERY MOVE THAT’S MADE.

By beau vighn

June 6, 2008 11:30 PM | Link to this

Kelly Johnson cost us this game and probably the division. We now go to 4.5 instead of 2.5 out. How can a major league player not catch a pop up. Bobby should sit his butt for a while and play Infante at 2nd. Francouer hasn’t had a big hit in how long? Basically everybody but Chipper and Mac suck right now.

This was our worst game of the season. From baserunning to fielding we just sucked. They deserved to lose this game. Cox needs to quit coddling these pukes and hold them accountable. Acosta could get my grand mother out. We are toast.

By Don

June 6, 2008 11:30 PM | Link to this

My 3 year old can catch a pop fly. My dog can catch them in his mouth. But a professional athlete drops it to lose the game. These guys dont deserve to be on the field. I dont care if we have a great home record. This team is a disgrace.

By Josh

June 6, 2008 11:30 PM | Link to this

Yes, and with all the mental errors we made in this game we didn’t deserve to win, if they don’t get their heads out of theirs asses they will be 10 games out by the all star break, there is absolutely no excuse to have left that many runners on base and to have 2 out with nobody on in the top of the ninth and not be able to win the game, and Kelly Johnson is a joke on defense, there is no way anyone is as bad of a 2nd basemen than he is, they teach you in little league to catch with two hands, we should be benched tomorrow!

By Jack Lee

June 6, 2008 11:30 PM | Link to this

Yes, this was the toughest loss this year up to this point. Today’s players continue to TRY to catch the ball one-handed instead of the correct way(two-handed). If you’ll notice, Mark Kotsay is a great defender and catches the ball TWO-HANDED. Hudson and Boyer deserved a win and save, respectively.

By Bob

June 6, 2008 11:31 PM | Link to this

Dump Cox!!!

All this terrible playing… leaving millions of base runners on base every game, stupid base-running errors, dropping easy pop ups, and so on and so on… does anyone think that its NOT the fault of the so-called “Hall of Fame” manager Bobby Cox? That man has lost more games that should have been easily won than any manager in history. All this nonsense of his about endless pitching changes just to get the right “match up,” suicide squeezes that don’t have a chance in hell of working, never bunting but always expecting the big home run to win every game… and I could go on forever. Let’s face it Braves’ fans, Bobby Cox is the manager who won only one World series after his team won 14 straight division titles. That alone is testament to his complete inability to manage and motivate. Its time that idiot of a manager do the right thing and step down so Atlanta baseball can get a real manager. Cox Sux!!!

By bravesarestillmyteam

June 6, 2008 11:32 PM | Link to this

This game tonight was a team loss, because of bad baserunning,a stupid one handed catch attempt, and Bobby trying to be loyal to Manny Acosta. I think Frenchy and Tex left a small army on base tonight.

By beau vighn

June 6, 2008 11:35 PM | Link to this

Kelly Johnson should be ashamed to wear a major league uniform. A Little leaguer could have caught that pop up. Stevie freakin’ Wonder could have caught it. I used to be a Kelly fan but not anymore. That is inexcusable. If he had a pair he should apologize to every Braves fan dead and alive for that play. I am so p** off right now. We just give the freakin’ game away.

By John Zook

June 6, 2008 11:35 PM | Link to this

Lack of talent hurts, doesn’t it and it is inherent throughout this team. Boyer walks two in the top of the 9th with 2 out! Acosta stinks. Kelly Johnson, gimme a break. 2 slow a* runners thrown out at home, most teams don’t even get 1 thrown at, much less 2! And so on and so on and so on. Not good enough, not by a long shot. A repeat of the last 2 years.

By Kashi

June 6, 2008 11:36 PM | Link to this

I agree this is the toughest loss of the season. But why Bobby’s decision to keep Mr. BOYER too long in the game is NOT mentioned her? Giving 2 (TWO) walks in 9th inning will NOT give W to Hudson’s 8th inning gem work, would it? You could see in TV Boyer was shaken after a first walk and absolutely he had no command on his pitches. I felt like Bobby went to take nap or something in 9th inning. Kelly did everything he could to save the game but it was a high fly ball he had to run half way towards right field battling againts lights coming from home plate and right side field. This is what happen when you become a player’s favorite manager in close games. Good Job Bobby!

By HoustonBrave

June 6, 2008 11:36 PM | Link to this

Everyone is down on Kelly. Okay he made an error but Blaine Boyer, Manny Acosta and Cox do it every night. Look at the incredible won-lost record for one loss games. I feel for Hudson who Cox has single handedly lost his last two well pitched games.

By MJM

June 6, 2008 11:37 PM | Link to this

Kelly may have droped that ball but there is plenty of blame to go around, like Francoeur 0 for 5. A piccher getting thrown out at second because he forgot to run. etc etc.

By Robert S

June 6, 2008 11:37 PM | Link to this

Let us not mince words here to describe this absolute shambles of a baseball game:

The Braves deserved to lose.

Let’s remember that the Braves had ample opportunities to score in this game and did their usual choke job with a one run lead.

To wit-

Bases loaded in the third inning, and Jeff Francoeur flies out to end the inning.

Omar Infante gets thrown out at home on Blanco’s bunt attempt in the sixth.

Bases loaded in the seventh - Escobar is thrown out at home on Francoeur’s sac fly. Double play, inning over, rally over.

Bottom of the ninth, two on and one out. The Braves duly struck out (Teixiera) and popped to first (that Francoeur guy again).

Johnson’s error was just icing on the cake.

This is the biggest collection of choke artists in baseball, and it’s a wonder they still have a winning record.

By Joe

June 6, 2008 11:38 PM | Link to this

It is time for Frenchy to sit down or go to AAA for a while.

He is just pathetic at the plate right now. Everyone in the ballpark knows that he is going to swing at every first pitch he sees, yet he keeps hacking at bad balls.

The one constant he had was great defense, and he is not even playing an average right field right now.

Hate to say it, but the kid is really hurting the team right now.

By Bob

June 6, 2008 11:39 PM | Link to this

probably, but so what. even if we swept the phils we would go 1-9 on the upcoming road trip and be back in the bottom with the nats. this team is just lousy. pitchers that are made of glass or choke, hitters that cant hit with men on base, and base runners that look like blind retarded kids. i cant bear to watch this train wreck anymore. i’m becoming a cubs fan.

By Traver

June 6, 2008 11:39 PM | Link to this

OK Bobby,

It’s time to stop yelling at the umpires and start yelling at the players. Rearrange the locker room one time. Where’s the focus? Time for Acosta to go. Time for Frenchy TO MAKE AN ADJUSTMENT AT THE PLATE. I can see he spent way too much time in the cage with Andruw during the off season. Its time to trade Hudson and Chipper to a contender - they deserve better. HEY KELLY USE TWO HANDS. It’s time to call a team meeting to review base running. Its time to stop walking leadoff men in the 8th and 9th innings. ITS TIME TO REALIZE THAT WE NEED TO GO OUT AND GET A CLOSER. Lastly, if somebody doesn’t throw behind Victorino the first time he is at the plate tomorrow, then you guys are gutless. He did his job but he showed you up in the process. Get it together. You are embarassing us. This is not the way the Braves play ball!!!!!

By beau vighn

June 6, 2008 11:41 PM | Link to this

Yeah, you can Blame Francouer and Boyer but for crying out loud this game is on Kelly “can’t catch a pop up” Johnson. Frank Wren should put his butt on the first train to Richmond. He is no more a major league player than I am. For that matter, I could have caught that pop up because I WOULD HAVE USED 2 FREAKIN’ HANDS.

By bravesarestillmyteam

June 6, 2008 11:42 PM | Link to this

You know I think gaining that weight has hurt Frenchy in every part of his game. His bat speed seems slower,and I know he is slower on the bases and in the field. He said he wanted to add muscle to hit more homers, but didn’t he hit like 30 or more 2 years ago about 20 pounds lighter.

By Dean

June 6, 2008 11:44 PM | Link to this

The Braves have no shot to win the division. Any team that loses this many one run games clearly doesn’t have the makeup to be a playoff team, much less a championship team.

And I’m tired of hearing about Chipper. Great for him, but this team has no heart.

By BubbaGump

June 6, 2008 11:44 PM | Link to this

Wow. KJ’s one-hander. I seem to remember Bobby pulling Andruw out of a game for a similar bone-headed play. KJ isn’t good enough for nonchalanting the ball…

Francoeur left 8 men on base in his last 3 at-bats. Pathetic.

Escobar’s baserunning “blunders”. Stuff a little-leaguer should know.

A botched squeeze. A pitcher (who aparently hasn’t ever been on base before) trying to take second on a passed ball/wild pitch.

What did these guys do in spring training? Definitely not work on funda-mentals (stress the mental part).

If it weren’t for Chipper…

By Kashi

June 6, 2008 11:44 PM | Link to this

I agree with [ugalaw June 6, 2008 11:27 PM] REAL Goat tonight were JEFF FRANCOUER, BOYER, ACOSTA. O yeah Bobby didn’t play. He managed to lose tonight’s game by letting BOYER face too mange batter on day he didn’t have any command of his pitches.

By chipdip

June 6, 2008 11:45 PM | Link to this

I just s==t a scrapple sandwich and MIKE SCHMIDT just ate it.

By Wen

June 6, 2008 11:47 PM | Link to this

Braves,

You made my 6 year old cry tonight. Thanks, a-holes.

By rolltideface

June 6, 2008 11:47 PM | Link to this

There’s so many things wrong with this team. M Tex CANNOT come through when we need him, Manny Acosta and Kelly johnson should either be demoted or cut altogether, and Norton is horrible. Frenchy has had one good year- that’s it, he’s mediocre at best. Cox’s working on a new streak- 3 3rd place finishes in a row! Wow- what consistency!! Blow this team up- no way that they are going anywhere with this current lineup.

By beau vighn

June 6, 2008 11:48 PM | Link to this

For once I would like to see Booby Cocks go off on somebody and start chewing some butt out. Some of these guys need to be called out in the paper. Francouer needs to explain why he is as bad as Andrew at being hard headed and refusing to listen to TP. He needs to spend some time at Richmond or on the bench until he decides that he is going to quit swing at pitches in the other batters box. Cocks needs to send a message to these guys or this season is over. If we lose tomorrow…it’s over.

By Belvedere

June 6, 2008 11:48 PM | Link to this

Sure, this one really stings, and sure, KJ should have used two hands, but with all the stupid baserunning mistakes, botched squeezes, and lack of even one clutch hit, the team absolutely deserved to lose this game. The execution simply has to improve. As for the popup, we all know it was a fluke. It’s not the end of the world.

By AJ 25 FAN

June 6, 2008 11:49 PM | Link to this

Kelly bleeping Johnson and Frenchy freakin Francootie are going to kill this team.

By Don

June 6, 2008 11:49 PM | Link to this

Note to Braves:

Quit being huge v*ginas.

By JoeyZ

June 6, 2008 11:52 PM | Link to this

Bobby Cox shows that his nemesis is the Phillies. When it comes down to meaningful games against the Phils, the Braves always find a way to lose. I also have to say to the Umpire at the plate, nice call. The Phillies catcher got the tag in just before the foot crossed the plate. It wouldn’t have come down to that if, Escobar didn’t get thrown out at the plate, and Johnson dropping the ball in the 9th. This shows you what a team that winners and losers are made of.

By Eric C.

June 6, 2008 11:52 PM | Link to this

Folks…this is the worst loss on a defensive blunder I’ve seen since the 1992 fiasco when a pop-up landed between Justice and Lemke against the Pirates early that season. Don’t blame anyone except KJ for that loss. Good teams win lots of 2-1 games in the course of a year…how can you start spreading blame for being up 2-1 with 2 outs to go in the 9th. It’s plain and simple…the 3rd out should have been made with Braves up 2-1.

By JoeyZ

June 6, 2008 11:53 PM | Link to this

Bobby Cox shows that his nemesis is the Phillies. When it comes down to meaningful games against the Phils, the Braves always find a way to lose. I also have to say to the Umpire at the plate, nice call. The Phillies catcher got the tag in just before the foot crossed the plate. It wouldn’t have come down to that if, Escobar didn’t get thrown out at the plate, and Johnson dropping the ball in the 9th. This shows you what a team that winners and losers are made of.

By BubbaGump

June 6, 2008 11:54 PM | Link to this

Kashi - Kelly Johnson did have to run a bit for the ball, but he was camped out under it when it mattered. He set his feet, found the ball, let the ball hit his glove as he looked away, dropped the ball (because he forgot what every little league coach teaches his players - USE TWO HANDS), then proceded to trip over his feet. Not exactly what you expect from a major-league ballplayer.

By beau vighn

June 6, 2008 11:56 PM | Link to this

Tired of hearing about Chipper?! Are you kidding me!!!… without Chipper we are… the Nationals. Chipper is all we got with a little McCann thrown in.

As the ranking member of the clubhouse, Chipper needs to chew some a*. Bobby’s gonna keep breast feeding these liitle punks so we need a Chipper to kick somebody’s a*.

By UUUUUNEL

June 6, 2008 11:56 PM | Link to this

4.5 games back there is no way we will ever catch up to the phillies with only 100 games left. We might as well forfeit the season now that kelly dropped the ball. Its impossibble to comeback now. NOT!!!!!!!!!!! who cares one game they will get over it.

By robby

June 6, 2008 11:56 PM | Link to this

NO BLAME THIS ONE ON BOBBY COX FOR TAKING OUT HUDSON, IF HUDSON WAS STILL IN THERE, BRAVES WIN 2-1,NOT FREAKING LOSE 4-3.

By fubravesa

June 6, 2008 11:57 PM | Link to this

Knock Knock

Who’s there?

The Braves.

The Braves who?

The Braves are a bunch of f*ggot, fu(k-face, d!ck licking, cun%s that su

By Jim Dandy

June 6, 2008 11:58 PM | Link to this

While several of the Braves are among the best in baseball and play like real professionals, others just do not seem to give a damn.

KJ, go cash your paycheck and have a beer, your work here is done.

By Kashi

June 6, 2008 11:58 PM | Link to this

I DISAGREE WITH MANY OF YOU HERE. IT IS NOT BECAUSE OF KELLY THAT WE LOST A TOUGHEST GAME OF THE SEASON TONIGHT. IT IS THE POOR TEAM PERFORMANCE AND BADLY MANAGED. ACOSTA NEEDS A WEEK LONG VACTION TO HAWAII AND I DON’T KNOW WHAT BOBBY NEEDS…? BOBBY HAD DONE A LOT FOR US AND I WAS HAPPY TO HEAR HE SINGED ONE YEAR EXTENTION BUT HE NEEDS TO BE AGGRESSIVE WITH PITCHERS AND PLAYERS. —-STOP BEING VERY VERY LOYAL TO PLAYERS—-. PHILLIES DID EVERYTHING RIGHT TONIGHT GIVING CHIPPER 2 INT. WALKS TO FACE TEX AND JEFF FRANCOUER. DROP J.FRACOUER TO 7TH SPOT. I KNEW SOMETHING WOULD GO WRONG WHEN I SAW A BATTING LINE UP WITH JEFF IN 5TH SPOT. PHILLIES ARE NOT A LOSER TEAM TO TAKE THEM EASY. LINE UP SHOULD HAVE BEEN 1.YUNEL 2.KELLY 3.CHIPPER 4.TEX 5.BMAC 6.INFANTE 7.JEFF 8.BLANCO 9.HUDSON

C’MON BOBBY USE YOUR BRAIN PHILLIES ARE A TOUGH TEAM TO BEAT.

By Josh

June 7, 2008 12:02 AM | Link to this

Is funny how some mlb guys like KJ are so overrated.. If this guy’s name was ‘Jose’ from somewhere south, he would have not made the team…

By Mitchell

June 7, 2008 12:02 AM | Link to this

In a way, the loss to the Marlins on Wednesday still hurts a little more. I mean the bullpen is usually good but it’s overworked and the loss exposed a weakness. How do you see a game like this one tonight coming. What can you do? Kelly dropped it. It’s unacceptable but it’s also a sign of who the Braves are these past 3 years: still pretty solid but on a razor’s edge of total collapse. You can’t blame that game entirely on that one play just like you can’t blame Bill Buckner for losing Game 6 of the ‘86 World Series. You want to, you should, but you can’t. Despite all of that I thought the Phillies showed themselves to be as classless and ugly as the citizens of their hometown. They showed complete disrespect and I did not appreciate it. In my state of horror, I immediately sent two obscene emails to the Phillies website after the game. I’m sure they got erased for explicit content but just in case I go missing, tell my family I sort of love them. I honestly feel bad for Kelly, I thank God it wasn’t me who did that.

By DSan

June 7, 2008 12:02 AM | Link to this

F^^^ stupid F^^^ kelly. i don’t want to hear any of this bull^^^^ that it wasnt only his fault. I was his f^^^^^g fault!!! He knows it too! And dumb^^^ Blaine “base on ball” Boyer needs to be fall the team! Acosta can join him!! And Where the F^^^ was Soriano!! Go F^^^ yourselves you stupid F^^^ing C^^ts!

By beau vighn

June 7, 2008 12:03 AM | Link to this

I hate Kelly Johnson right now more than Kyle Bush…Oh wait what am I thinking. I hate Kyle Bush more..But Kelly Johnson is a tool.

By DSan

June 7, 2008 12:05 AM | Link to this

My bad in my rage i made a typoon my other comment: Boyer needs to be off the team!

By Harpie

June 7, 2008 12:06 AM | Link to this

That’s not the first game they’ve lost because of Kelly’s crappy defense. But, this team is basically a bunch of losers - they keep inventing new ways to give games away.

By gdog

June 7, 2008 12:07 AM | Link to this

once again! the braves snatch defeat from the jaws of victory

By Britt

June 7, 2008 12:07 AM | Link to this

Please no more squeeze plays!!! Can’t remember the last time we scored on one. The bad plays just kinda went downhill from that.

By beau vighn

June 7, 2008 12:07 AM | Link to this

Not because of Kelly? What freakin game did you watch? As badly as we played, if Kelly catches that ball we win… we freakin win!!! He didn’t so we freakin lose!!1 Now, it is because of Kelly because he DROPPED A FREAKIN POP UP OR THE GAMES OVER.

By BubbaGump

June 7, 2008 12:08 AM | Link to this

Kashi, are you kidding me? KJ catches the pop-up, the game is over. I watched similar plays this evening with Arizona/Miami, and those guys remembered the fundamentals. I watched Tex catch a pop-up in the 10th, two-handed. It’s not a difficult thing.

Two outs, easy pop-up to second baseman, game is over. Unless your second baseman is KJ.

You are right about one thing, though. The Phils did everything right tonight. They played like professionals, as professionals are expected to play. They made the routine plays, they made the difficult plays. They didn’t hit well against an excellent pitcher (Hudson), but when it came time to hit against the AAA relief corps, they did what they were expected to do. Double, triple, double, game over.

By tiger297

June 7, 2008 12:10 AM | Link to this

**Team Loss Period Before you feel to badly for Huddy there are plenty of terrific plays (double play with bases loaded) that keep him in games the numbers that hurt me are 14 runners left on base including runners on 3rd with 1 out twice 4 men thrown out running the bases and this isn’t the first game the Braves have lost because of these same offensive miscues No doubt Kelly’s boneheaded play hurt but we held the Phillies to 4 runs in 10 innings so its hard for me to blame the pitching/defense to much

By Harpie

June 7, 2008 12:12 AM | Link to this

Bunch of losers….

By warren

June 7, 2008 12:15 AM | Link to this

ive seen enough!!! too many of the same mistakes, this team,a as much as id like them to…are not going to the playoffs this year. when mike gonzalez comes back, does anyone think thats going to be the turnaround player???? no. unlike when the braves were a sub 500 team then, and went like 58-26 the rest of the way when they got fred mcgriff. this team has no chance of doing that!! the have chipper, mac, huddie,yunel and jj. after that everyone there is just about average. the bullpen has no true proven closer. the staff is decent, but you cant win close games with a bullpen that fails 4 out of 5 times. i still love the braves, and always will, but for them to recover for this there going to need a act of god. call up that kid from richmond. he’s 5-1 with a 1.70 era!!! make a trade for a real left fielder with power, sit frenchy some more, dont put acosta in a close out position. and please let infante play second. kelly johnson i thought at one time would be a great second baseman, but he has lost us too many games this year with errors, or not hitting. play anderson some in left, please do something. luv ya braves

By Rick M

June 7, 2008 12:15 AM | Link to this

I feel for everyone bashing Kelly Johnson. Yea, I’m as ticked off as you most everyone else on that bone-headed play. No one remembers the nice turn he made on the DP to end the 7th. This is a converted outfielder. Jeff Francouer will be the next Andrew Jones if he does not get it soon. Trying to pull everything and he’s not maturing. He wonders why the Braves have not offered him a contract like McCann? Acosta and Soriano are both scary thus we are back to where we were last year. No reliable closer. Stinks to lose this game but execute on the squeeze and we’re talking about how Cox is finally playing some small ball instead of Kelly’s error.

By Tim

June 7, 2008 12:15 AM | Link to this

Is Leo Mazone not available? The Braves have had a terrible bullpen since he left. Only reason that patchwork starting staff has been as successful as it has been is McDowell can’t screw up the veterans Hudson, Smoltz, and Glavine. Reyes has been better this year because he has had teaching from Glavine. Jurgens has not been under the negative influence long enough yet. I would take Dan Uggla any day over Kelly Johnson. And, give me a hurt Josh Willingham over Frenchie.

By Braves are so lame

June 7, 2008 12:17 AM | Link to this

Ugghhh.. I just threw up…in my mouth.

How does this team have a winning record?

Oh well that won’t last.

Braves, you su

By Braves are so lame

June 7, 2008 12:17 AM | Link to this

Ugghhh.. I just threw up…in my mouth.

How does this team have a winning record?

Oh well that won’t last.

Braves, you su

By Rhyno

June 7, 2008 12:20 AM | Link to this

Lots of mistakes tonight by lots of people. Base running was pathetic the whole game. Kelly will drop 1 pop fly a season like that, but Acosta will lose you a game ever other time he comes out of the bullpen. He’s an absolute joke and needs to be shipped off to some half@ss mexican league team. Sadly, it looks like the best we can hope for this season is another 3rd place NL East finish, and we may be lucky to end up in 3rd.

By Sosad

June 7, 2008 12:21 AM | Link to this

Well, the good news: I won’t be spending any more money on Braves tickets this year.

How did it come to this…when did the Braves become a joke?

By True Braves Fan

June 7, 2008 12:22 AM | Link to this

GOATS??? TAKE YOUR PICK…Johnson, Escobar, Boyer, Acosta, Fancoeur, Tex, et al….Mac, Chipper, Ohman, Huddy deserve to be on a better team.

By Fan since 66

June 7, 2008 12:24 AM | Link to this

No blaming Bobby Cox for this one.Jeff Francouer has become this years version of Andruw Jones.He can’t buy an rbi anymore.We have no postion player that can get a bunt down when needed.And it was not the pitching tonight either.Boyer did his job getting the popup that should have been the last out of the game.Kelly Johnson and Yunel Escobar among others have got to stop the silly mistakes they are making.What we saw tonight was bush league play.

By sutyu

June 7, 2008 12:26 AM | Link to this

I wonder what it’s like to root for a team that doesn’t su

By Rabiddawg

June 7, 2008 12:26 AM | Link to this

look, as a die hard braves fan, this loss does not bother me. As many braves fans we are used to this kind of loss. maybe not a dropped pop fly, but a loss nonetheless. Here is the number one problem with this team, and it has plagued the braves for years. No heart…. It’s that simple. We have a bunch of managers players who do not fear mistakes. They ho hum through every season and no one ever lights a fire under their arses. Until we get vocal and fiery leadership on this team, we will continue to settle for mediocraty. You think Lou Pinella, would stand for his players just simply going about their business and not having heart and grittyness… I think not.

By Andy G

June 7, 2008 12:26 AM | Link to this

Kelly Johnson continues to be a defensive liability. If Prado was not hurt, I seriously doubt Kelly would be at second base with all his errors. Yes, his bat can help at times, but his defense is atrocious. We need to stick him back in left field or sit him to be a bat off the bench. Errors have killed us so far. How many times has Hudson and Glavine lost because of errors or bullpen woes? More than we’d like to admit.

By melissa

June 7, 2008 12:27 AM | Link to this

the news media in this town needs to grow some balls ! and ask bobby some countable questions ! like : why did you try to squezze when your ex coach was in the other dugout and knew what was coming !! why didn’t you take kelly out when he made that bone head play !!!! why you keep leting these players get away with their play ?!!! why didn’t you bench francoeur ?! andruw jones made refence to this out in LA !! HE SAID that bobby cox and the atlanta media never treated him with tough questions about his play ?! joe torre quickly answered “you are in LA and you are playing for me ! that’s why that other team has one world series” ! get it bobby cox !!! i was hoping frank wren was better than shuerholtz when it comes from keeping the manager and team in check !!! and quickly make changes !! bobby cox signing an ext. for one more year saying “i’m not ready to leave my players” !! well!, bobby they sure have left your sorry a* !!! a sorry ! sorry ! sorry ! team ! please give chipper another chance to win another world series with someone else !!! ask the damn questions news media !!! ask the damn questions !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By Kerrie

June 7, 2008 12:27 AM | Link to this

it cracks me up that everyone can dog on kelly for this loss….people make errors…and the game never shoudl have been this close…let’s look at all of the base running mistakes the braves had tonight…shoudl have been up by a couple of runs at that point…..this loss does not belong to kelly. Yunel Escobar needs to be benched…I am tired of watching him think he needs to be the hero and making dumb decisions..send manny acosta down!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and Mike Hampton step it up….ask Smoltz about pain management and do something for a team that needs you!

Smarter base running and patience at the plate makes the difference.

By Dan in NC

June 7, 2008 12:28 AM | Link to this

As ststed in an earlier post, this could be the type of lost that begins a downward spiral in the standings.

First off, I don’t think Hudson had his best stuff tonight because there were a lot of balls, especially in the early innings that got hit. That said, he did a masterful job and should have been a sure-lock win.

The problem came in two areas. First off the absolute brain-fart by our younger players. Did you see the brief look on Chipper’s face after Yunel made that horrible base-running blunder?

Then you got KJ and his choke job in the 9th. Boyer got rattled after not getting some close pitches and allowed two to walk. That said he got himself out of that jam, or at least he thought he did?

The second problem I had was Bobby’s micro-managing of the 9th inning. Is it now against Bobby’s rule book to throw Soriano two consecutive days? Am I missing something here? This whole 9th should have been a no-brainer. That said, he makes a decision to keep Ohman in the game to face Howard only at the cost of not pushing an extra run across in the 8th. In all reality Ohman and Boyer did their part, but once again the point is that they shouldn’t have been in there anyway. Basically Bobby played the 9th inning like it was the 7th inning.

By jdaddy

June 7, 2008 12:30 AM | Link to this

this team is a minor league team. No ands,if’s, but’s about it. I knew it at the beginning of the yr.It was that way pretty much last yr and the yr before. There will never be another braves team of the 90’s. You have players on this team that are just too old or you have players who are minor leagers who are non shalant. Painful loss indeed.Im about at my whits in with watching such garbage.

By Aaalaaan

June 7, 2008 12:31 AM | Link to this

Bobby Cox lost the game again by using Acosta. Is was ridiculously stupid to bring him in. The Braves should of had many more runs but that was a team effort. Everyone thinks Cox is such a great manager but when Baseball Historians look back 20 years from now their conclusion will be that the Braves were fantastic under achievers with four hall of famers on their team.

By bravesfansarestupid

June 7, 2008 12:36 AM | Link to this

You are all losers.

The Braves don’t care what you think.

They only care about the paycheck.

Most of them can’t read anyway, so your posts are useless.

By Bob

June 7, 2008 12:39 AM | Link to this

This one hurts … but it cannot be blamed on Kelly Johnson alone. Base running blunders, bad defense, numerous runners left on base in scoring position … the Braves grabbed defeat from the jaws of victory. Francoeur had two very sub par at bats with the bases loaded and wasn’t able to bring home one single run. I am so tired of waiting on Francoeur to turn into the MLB ballplayer that he has been touted to be since the days of Parkview. This guy has had more hype coming into his career as a local star than anyone I can remember, and has yet to deliver in times when it really mattered with a bat in his hands. No one player can be blamed. Obviously Kelly Johnson and the bullpen will receive most of the blame for this loss, but it cannot go un-noticed how underwhelming Francoeur is at the plate. Right now he is probably the last guy I want at the plate with runners on, runners in scoring position, hell .. . no one on. We all know of the Braves struggles in one run games, games on the road, etc. Those are game you have to win. I know its a long season, but you cannot give games away like that. I didn’t know whether to just curse and yell, throw something at the tv, turn the tv off, call somebody to vent, punch someone, or call a psychiatrist. Bobby Cox is Hall of Fame veteran coach who must be losing his mind during games like this. We are a competitive ballclub without a doubt, but this was a complete collapse, as a team.

By billT

June 7, 2008 12:41 AM | Link to this

Are the Braves allowed to have bunting practice? Or baserunning practice? They made more miscues on those than my 10-year-old Little League team. C’mon Escobar, a fly to the outfield with one out means you tag up - and then run/ Not run one way, then another way and then a third direction back to home. And Francouerm - watch some Chipper tapes. Over and over. You stink these days.

By mikehamptonhater

June 7, 2008 12:44 AM | Link to this

Kerrie,

You want Mike Hampton to step it up?

I want Mike Hampton to die. He’s a thief, a loser, and a pu$$%.

I hope his house collapses on him.

By Mitchell

June 7, 2008 12:44 AM | Link to this

The most painful part of that for me was Tim Hudson not getting the win. All I wanted in the 9th was for Tim to ge a victory. The game might as well have ended on that dropped ball for me. That was horrific. I think Braves fans for the most part are one of the worst things about this team. People never pay attention, the rich retards sitting behind homeplate act like they’re watching a movie. I hate the way we can never fill up Turner Field anymore, it’s a disgrace. I mean, it’s the Braves! But my God, anybody who feels like they’ll never go to a Braves game again has my understanding. All I can say is, this is our payback for beating the Phillies last year at home when we scored 8 runs in the last two innings and won on a Matt Diaz 3 run double. We may lose the division again because of this and many other games we’ve given away this year but come on, don’t give up yet… give up after we lose 9 games on our next road trip.

By Matt

June 7, 2008 12:45 AM | Link to this

I watched the whole damn game and was exhausted; I now can’t sleep.

By matlanta

June 7, 2008 12:49 AM | Link to this

Tonight’s loss was a tough one, maybe THE toughest of the season so far, but there’ve been some other hard ones as well. the season opener was one of the hardest ones for me: the braves could only get 1 run off odalis perez, then they finally tied it up in the top of the 9th only to have moylan give up a two-out homer to zimmerman. then there’s last weeks game against the reds: the one when jurrjens got knocked around early but the braves came back twice to tie and then went ahead twice, then soriano walked the leadoff guy and he comes around to tie it up on that close close play at the plate, which led to the jay bruce home run in the inning after the braves blew a great chance to take the lead in the 10th.

tonight’s may very well have been the toughest yet. a great performance by hudson is wasted, the offense can’t drive in runs at home, kelly johnson drops a routine pop up, blah blah blah blah…..how many times do you see it where a failure to drive in an insurance run comes back to haunt you. plenty so far this year.

By IndianaBrave

June 7, 2008 12:49 AM | Link to this

I’m not even going to comment on Kelly Johnson. It’s all been said. Same with Acosta and Francoeur. What is really hurting the Braves is Tex isn’t making teams pay for IBB to Chipper and they have like $40M on the DL. This team is a .500 team and will finish in 4th plave about 15 GB. Season over.

Let’s look to next year. Smoltz, Glavine, Hampton, and Kotsay will all be gone. That gives Atlanta about $40M to spend. Re-sign Teixeira, go get a left fielder and a 2B. Get a power closer and another SP with that money. 2009 could be a great year. SPEND SOME MONEY!!!

By Dan in NC

June 7, 2008 12:49 AM | Link to this

Again, I will ask the question…Where was Soriano in the 9th?

I can’t sleep until I get the reasoning behind it.

By Mitchell

June 7, 2008 1:00 AM | Link to this

You gotta admit, the Phillies are a really good team. They’re really good when the better teams in the division 1) fail miserably at executing the simplest of plays and 2) manage to collapse in historic fashion at the end of the season. And you know what, I’d have f*** 21 home runs too if I could make little 3/4er choppy swings and have the ball barely go over a wall that’s 200 feet down the line to my right. Chase Utley can suck it.

By IndianaBrave

June 7, 2008 1:02 AM | Link to this

Obviously Soriano isn’t right yet, Dan in NC. Which begs the question…Will he ever be healthy this season? Gonzo will probably not pitch this year, neither will Hampton. The Braves aren’t forthright with the injury situation of the players. Nobody said anything about Smoltz injury being career ending until two days ago. Does anyone know what the Hampton or Gonzalez situations are? The truth is, They are all hurt (Soriano included) and the season is over. Manny Acosta is the Braves closer for the rest of the season. Goodnight Braves fans, see you in 2009.

By haterz

June 7, 2008 1:09 AM | Link to this

Indiana Brave,

2009 will stink just like this year because the Braves have no heart.

You can’t buy heart no matter how much money you have.

I wish they would sell the team and tear down the stadium.

I hate this team.

By pfunkatl2

June 7, 2008 1:12 AM | Link to this

WORST GAME I EVER SAW! I have been to close to 1000 major league games in my lifetime and have NEVER left feeling more SICK! I KNEW when bobby let Ohman hit that it was gonna happen…ask my companion at the game…I threw enough F-BOMBS in the 9th to send children SCRURRYING for COVER. When the post-game fireworks are the HIGHLIGHT, then ENOUGH SAID!!!

By Mike O

June 7, 2008 1:17 AM | Link to this

Bobby Cox has always been seen as a manager who never gets too high when the team loses and definitely never gets on players with threats of demotions. Well, I think it’s about time he summoned Kelly Johnson and points out that his error in this game was totally ucalled for. He has made quite a few game changing errors this season. He should remind him that the popup with no wind is something that little league players handle with ease. The game was won and he blew it. Scold him it will surprise him into doing extra fielding practice.

By BeachGaBulldog

June 7, 2008 1:19 AM | Link to this

I’m still in shock. I’m still p**. Kelly, Escobar, Jeff, Boyer, and Acosta played like s. I hate the Phillies, and to just hand a game to them like that is inexcusable. I have never been a Bobby Cox fan for a number of reasons. He doesn’t know how to handle a pitching staff. A pitcher like Acosta blows a game, and Mr. Stubborn will bring them right back out the next time to screw up. He is way too loyal to his players. What he needs to do is crack the whip, and sit Francoeur, KJ, Escobar, Acosta, and Boyer. He won’t do s! To me, not using two hands to catch a pop is just as lazy as not running hard to first.

By sudf

June 7, 2008 1:19 AM | Link to this

Who knows about Soriano.

He probably stubbed his toe or cut himself shaving.

I have a few baseball tips:

There are others, but we can start with those.

Clearly the Braves don’t have the slightest idea of what they are doing and are thus doomed to 100 more games of failure.

YOU STINK BRAVES> I HATE YOU>

By Vonshawn

June 7, 2008 1:50 AM | Link to this

Maybe it’s just me, but it seems that Bobby has a designated “pet project” player every year. And this year it just happens to be Acosta. Everyone in the stands and watching at home knows that this guy is going to blow the game, yet Bobby brings him in anyway. Check the definition of insanity and you’ll find Bobby’s picture in color.

By A.S

June 7, 2008 1:51 AM | Link to this

Of course this is the toughest lost so far this season. Thats a little league mistake that Kelly made. Its wasn’t even truly the bullpens fault we lost this one. Ohman did his job but Kelly just forgot the easiest baseball rule. USE TWO HANDS! Especially in a situation like this.

By Dave in Arizona

June 7, 2008 2:00 AM | Link to this

When Johnson droppped the ball, I laughed so hard I almost fell over. After all the chokes in the nineties, it’s finally getting easier to lose again. Reminds me of the good old days of 1979. Where’s Biff Pocoroba and Brian Asselstine? These yuks look just like them.

Bobby’s bums don’t care. They don’t have the edge that creates a winning team. They are absolutely horrific at fundamentals, which isn’t anything new. The Braves lose games in ways that would shame little leaguers. Part of it is that they don’t play the game properly, and Cox can’t do the small things with strategy to win ballgames. That makes for recurring disasters. No team should lose one run games the way this one does.

Bobby Cox does his clown act shouting at the umpires, but he won’t hold his players accountable for anything. As a result the team goes through the motions. There’s no fire in their belly. Losing is no big deal.

This team is pitiful. God bless Chipper. What an awful team to have to play for.

By scdawg1

June 7, 2008 2:11 AM | Link to this

WHAT A SORRY EXCUSE FOR A TEAM….HEY KJ USE TWO HANDS IDIOT, FRENCHY, DON’T SWING AT PITCHES THAT ARE IN THE OTHER BATTER’S BOX, HEY CLOSER, THE OBJECT OF PITCHING IS TO THROW STRIKES……NONE OF YOU DESERVE TO BE PLAYING MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL AND SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF ACCEPTING A PAYCHECK WHEN YOUR CAN’T EVEN GET THE FUNDAMENTALS OF BASEBALL DOWN, I.E., PITCHING, CATCHING AND HITTING………NICE JOB AS ALWAYS BOBBY, IT’S NO WONDER I DON’T WATCH THIS JOKE OF A TEAM, WITHOUT CHIPPER THIS TEAM WOULD BE IN LAST PLACE, AT LEAST HE PLAYS WITH HEART, UNLIKE THE REST OF YOU LOSERS……….KJ IS YOU’RE READING THIS, I HAVE SOME GORILLA GLUE YOU CAN USE, JUST SENT ME YOUR ADDRESS…

By Mitchell

June 7, 2008 2:15 AM | Link to this

You know, looking back on it now after we’ve had some perspective, that was a great game. Really, that was one of the biggest wins of the season so far, by far. Wait a minute, where am I? What the hell just happened? Can somebody take me home? I fell asleep. What did I miss?

By bravo22

June 7, 2008 2:32 AM | Link to this

did anybody else see francoeur not come through 3 times tonight??? Yall blame Kelly? You gotta score more than 2 runs on jamie moyer! He is 82!! You guys always support frenchy but he isn’t even that good!! Kj is hitting 40 points higher than him with the same power numbers and you want to cut him!?? What ignorant Atlanta fans- come to the games and watch whats going on!! It was a bad error! But without mccann we would have been shutout!! Tex and frenchy do not produce nightly! Good riddance tex. He hates atlanta anyway— we don’t have a starting pitcher than can get through 6 other than Hudson! We have plenty of problems other than a single error at a bad time- poor managing, poor coaching, poor clutch hitting!! Let’s get real! Study before you place blame on kj

By LuisGuillermo

June 7, 2008 3:18 AM | Link to this

I really don’t blame Kelly at all. He plays ok at defense, and will make an error from time to time. Acosta is the guy that drives me crazy. Seems like he does this EVERYTIME he goes to the mound. Ship him to the Kansas City Royals NOW!

And why is Francoeur still hitting in front of McCann when a lefty is throwing? Jeff hit with bases-loaded situation and didn’t come through (I think it was twice today).

By tj

June 7, 2008 3:30 AM | Link to this

To: Dan in NC

Soriano was up warming up to come in in the 9th, but apparently his arm was bothering him. Never got anything official. One of the TV guys said his arm was sore above the elbow. The way it’s going with him ( and others ) he’s probably headed back to the DL.

By kirknga

June 7, 2008 3:31 AM | Link to this

Kelly takes the blames because he failed to catch a popup. He makes that catch and we aren’t talking about Frenchie, Boyer, Escobar, and Cox. Without his error Acosta doesn’t get into the game.

All the other blunders to that point in the game were survivable except one….Kelly’s.

The Braves have talent…maybe not as much as many of us thought. Somehow that talent is coming together in a way that suggest it might not really contend for a playoff spot.

It’s way too early to give up on this year, and 4.5 games back with 100 to play does not require a heroic effort to overcome.

In the next couple of months we will learn whether or not this team has the heart and focus to be a playoff team.

By vernontheman

June 7, 2008 3:58 AM | Link to this

Bobby Cox needs to go! He’s lost it. The braves will not make the playoffs, again, and now Cox said he’s coming back another year—-get rid of him, clean house on those coaches, and get Lou Pinella in here to turn things around. Pay him whatever he wants. Atlanta needs a real manager, not some old, out of date guy like Cox.

By Fred

June 7, 2008 4:16 AM | Link to this

Wow, a guy misses a catch and the whole season is over. Cool, does that mean the players can now go home?

You freaking morons, especially the staff that so called “wrote” this piece that was so ashamed of what they did, they wouldn’t even put their names on it.

Kelly Johnson should now be drawn, quartered, burned at the stake, the ashes scattered, and the ground upon which they are scattered salted so nothing could ever grow there again. Just damn folks, get a grip on something other than your old useless, wrinkled up tool. Like none of you fat old rat b******* that couldn’t make it past little league ever missed a ball. It HAPPENS.

Yeah right, they are “professionals” so they should never make a mistake. Every pitcher should strike every batter out, yet every batter should hit a home run every time up because “they are professionals.”

The whole season is over because ONE GUY dropped a ball. Do any of you morons even begin to see how utterly stupid you sound? You should collectively be bent over a true grown ups knee and have a bare butt spanking to jar your brain into gear, because it is obviously stuck in the stupid gear.

The Braves may win the World series, they may not, that is uncertain. One thing that IS certain is that one dropped ball in early June did NOT win or lose it. Had he caught that ball would you mindless morons be now going to Vegas and betting your life savings on them winning it all?

What is scary is that I bet most of you vote, which would explain the “leadership” of this State and Country………

By grandpa

June 7, 2008 4:26 AM | Link to this

Lets not forget if Bowyer shuts down those stupid lolipop curves and goes after the hitter he doesnt walk two men in the ninth. How many times do we have to relive Wolers(sp) type relief in the ninth…..go at the hitter. And Acosta….lets find another line of work.

By SoCal Phil

June 7, 2008 4:36 AM | Link to this

Guys, relax. As a long suffering Phillies fan I know how this feels. I’ve seen it for decades in Philly. One thing I know, its a long season. Last year this time the Phils were 8 games out and yet they still won the division. Fortunes change quickly in baseball. The Braves are better than you make them out to be. They’ll be in the hunt come September.

By captain Midnight

June 7, 2008 4:39 AM | Link to this

A bonehead play by Kelly but I’m tired of hearing all of this praise for Jeff Francoeur. He came up twice with the bases loaded of drove in no runs either time. He is no better than a two fifty hitter but they all praise him when he occasionally gets a hit. He is just like Andruw Jones he will swing at anything this side of first basde.

By pfunkatl2

June 7, 2008 5:00 AM | Link to this

STILL can’t sleep!

By Fred

June 7, 2008 5:24 AM | Link to this

Me either pfunk but not because of the game……..

By Braves need to clean house

June 7, 2008 5:43 AM | Link to this

The Phillies made the plays, the Braves didn’t. Kelly dropped ball, Francoeur nine lob, Acosta .2 innings and six earned runs, why does Cox continue to play these guys? Trade Kelly and Francoeur for a good quality starter. Cox needs to go, STOP playing Acosta. Philles better managed team. Give Pendleton a chance to manage.

By Chris

June 7, 2008 5:56 AM | Link to this

Kelly dropped one…everybody does every now and then…Andruw dropped one a couple of times in center like that…so I can’t get too mad at Kelly. I can promise you he’ll never get lackadaisical again. The point is is that the game never should have come down to being decided by a pop up. I ran out of fingers counting people Francouer left on base, a botched squeeze, wtf was Escobar doing trying to score on a late tag on a line drive when McCann is on deck? Boyer walks 2 to put RISP for Kelly’s highlight. Acosta? a joke…and we thought this guy was going to be our closer? Soriano is this year’s Mike Hampton (great pitcher when healthy) Royce Ring is awful. Send him with buddy Resop to AAA…and go with Ohman, who’s been great as your only lefty.

Freakin ridiculous

By Mike

June 7, 2008 6:22 AM | Link to this

Okay, Kelly dropped a ball which lead to the Phillies tying up the game. But why does Bobby go to Acosta time and time again? He stinks up the ball park every time he comes into a game. The Braves need to go out and buy an authentic closer and cut Acosta. And while they’re at it, sit Kelly for a couple of games.

By jiohn

June 7, 2008 7:14 AM | Link to this

feel sorry for chipper. probably best on 3rd t/o all MLB but stuck in a lousy team. i hate phillies but you gotta hand it to them, they don’t die. that’s why there in 1st w/a good lead ahead of everybody in division. phillies used to suck, but you know what? i’m going to root for them now b/c braves ain’t gonna go any further. hate to say it, but go phillies! oh yeah, maybe braves better start to CHOP CHOP the other way. hate that chop shi_ that goes on in stands. take that friggin’ organ outta here and stop making a*’ out of atlanta w/that chop s**. ridiculous. what are we? little leaguers in more than 1 way?

By taco slammer

June 7, 2008 7:17 AM | Link to this

Any big league manager who let’s his players use 1 hand to catch pop ups should be fired. He is not practicing fundamentals, simple as that. Oh yeah but Cox is great, I forgot.

Cox had Boyer throwing curve ball after curve ball, when he obviously had no command of it. He could barely locate the fastball. Cox should have left Ohman in the game. I knew it was gonna be another one of those nights where he over managed the pen. Acosta must have something on Cox, there’s no way he should have been allowed to implode once again.

Francouer should sit a couple of games and rethink how to make contact with the baseball. 10 men left on base…..pathetic.

Yunel plays with the mindset of a 10 year old child. They should get him on ritalin…….he’s day dreaming half the time.

Poor Tim Hudson. Alot of your mates and your great manager let you down once more.

By Bill Donohoo

June 7, 2008 7:22 AM | Link to this

Basically, the Braves are not very good. Poor fundamentally, poor clutch hitting and poorly managed. Put Kelly in left field where he belongs. When Francouer has a two strike count throw him a high fastball, he will either strike out or pop out. How many times has Tex been called out on third strikes? How many has Tex left on base? A very frustrating team.

By Victorino wears womens cloths

June 7, 2008 7:30 AM | Link to this

Please someone with the Braves pitching staff nail Victorino at every at bat. I don’t care if we give him a free pass just nail him and give him an attitude ajustment!!!!! I’m realy sick of this $i$$y. As far as the Braves go, please send this minor league team back to Rome and give us our team back.

By Victorino wears womens cloths

June 7, 2008 7:30 AM | Link to this

Please someone with the Braves pitching staff nail Victorino at every at bat. I don’t care if we give him a free pass just nail him and give him an attitude ajustment!!!!! I’m really sick of this $i$$y. As far as the Braves go, please send this minor league team back to Rome and give us our team back.

By WhistleDick

June 7, 2008 7:30 AM | Link to this

Attention all dumbazz Braves fans…this is JUST A GAME PLAYED BY A BUNCH OF SPOILED MILLIONAIRES. Who cares is they lose every game…who cares if they never play another game? Keep spending gobs of money to see them so they all can drive their expensive cars to their expensive homes win or lose. Gimme a break!

By james

June 7, 2008 7:39 AM | Link to this

Ya’ll need to lay off KJ — its that bum BOYER who cant seem to close the deal that go the game to the point whereKJ misplayed the all. EVERY time Bobby puts that BUM BOYER in I turn off the game cause I know we have concieded defeat . BOYER should be BANNED from any major league stadium……..

By james

June 7, 2008 7:39 AM | Link to this

Ya’ll need to lay off KJ — its that bum BOYER who cant seem to close the deal that got the game to the point whereKJ misplayed the ball. EVERY time Bobby puts that BUM BOYER in I turn off the game cause I know we have concieded defeat . BOYER should be BANNED from any major league stadium……..

By mowreck

June 7, 2008 7:39 AM | Link to this

A dropped pop-up happens every once in a while, so, get off Kelly. Anybody remember any good plays he’s made? How about the bam, bam play on the double play that Escobar started laying on the ground. I have never seen him get turn the ball that quick. I am more concerned why Tex isn’t swinging the bat more instead of looking like he is trying to get a walk every bat. Look like that against Moyer last nite. I know Frenchy has great stats with people on base but that is no excuse for Tex trying to walk on … PLUS Frenchy’s stats are going down in that situation.

By Sam

June 7, 2008 7:43 AM | Link to this

0 for 5 and 9 men left on base?? Is that even possible? Is this guy overrated or what?? I am quite impressed by those fans who predicted he would be a bum way back when. I didn’t think so but you were right. This year he isn’t even Richmond material.

By mark

June 7, 2008 7:58 AM | Link to this

Im not sure what is wrong with this team..but lots points to Frenchy..he is still young however I like his outfielding better than his awful batting…he s selfish thinks of himself to much I think You know hotdog type player what a difference in attitude in McCan and Frenchy..MCCann is so much more of a mature man. the other thing here is Bobby Cox..we all get a little to old to do our jobs its just life Bobby needs to be in upper management calling some shotsnot on the field he just doessnt have what it takes to get a team with lots of talent off and running..injuries have hurt but last nights game was nastyit was a Buckner type play that Johnson will always be reminded of..there was no excure for that..TRADE HIM ASAP!!!

By lin

June 7, 2008 8:04 AM | Link to this

i said b4 season started the braves are not ready to win this yr. look frenchy he reminds me of a jones. does what he wants his way. trade him. kelly j. he like a new guy at 2nd learning still. as for all the down players hurt,that is whats hurting the team. its just one of those seasons where hardly anything will go right. as to trade there is no one out there worth trading for. play on and learn from mistakes and do not make them next season. bobby i love u but please retire and let bravess have new beginning. new school not old school is what they need. i know you want a ring. well i doubt if it will happen.

By Ray from Philly

June 7, 2008 8:05 AM | Link to this

The Braves will be fine. This one was a fluke - you get a few of those each season. Last night reminded me of a game last season that the Phils led by something like four or five runs in the 9th and the Braves came back to win almost totally on fluky plays and blooper hits. It was incredibly painful to watch - the Phils didn’t really do anything all that bad and the Braves didn’t do anything all that right, but everything just went wrong for the Phils. It was way worse than one dropped fly ball.

I like the class of your fans and paper to not mention the last call at the plate. The Braves were all over the ump for that call and it was REAL close - even tough to tell on the replay. But when they freeze-framed the replay, it was clearly the right call by about two inches.

Its very early and I like the Phils chances this year, but the Braves are always tough and they’ll find a way to be in the mix.

By myrtle Beach

June 7, 2008 8:16 AM | Link to this

Frenchy is going to demand 20 million bucks a year when the time comes and it’s soon. That’s why he’s willing to keep signing all these 1 year contracts. Who’d you rater have, Tex or Frenchy. Package him “NOW” to KC for Greinke, the kid is young and would be an number 2 picture on our team with the stuff to one day be number 1. WE CAN NOT KEEP BOTH PLAYERS and you win with pitching, Bring up Jones put him in Left coundn’t do any worse and my be the next Dale Murphy because Frency ain’t.

By Shane Victorino

June 7, 2008 8:18 AM | Link to this

Thanks Kelly Johnson, Bobby Cox, Jeff Francouer and Blaine Boyer. In the words of the Staples Singers Let’s Do it Again and let us increase our NL East lead over the Braves to 5.5 games tonight.

Oh, and no one on the Braves has the stones to throw at me tonight.

By Bobby Cox

June 7, 2008 8:32 AM | Link to this

ATTENTION BRAVES FANS: Due to last nights game I had to beat my wife (AGAIN), so I apologize in advance for what’s going to happen to me (yes, jail time). Please take care and wish me well as the people I meet in jail won’t be able to fck nearly as hard as my players do. We had a good run over the last 15 years but obviously we’re headed back down into the path of the 1980’s and we can longer compete with our rivals the Phillies, who will continue to beat on us for the next 15 years. Good luck suffering through your pathetic southern hick lives with this p** poor team and try not to fck any farm animals.

Love, Bobby

By KEV

June 7, 2008 8:34 AM | Link to this

I live in NY, and I am a braves fan..I catch all the games on cable…this is the worst game ive seen them play in years…goats? yes johnson, yes acosta…but FRANCOUER is def over rated…he does not deserve the contract that McCann received…McCann is way better than Frenchie…HE BLOWS

By Marshall

June 7, 2008 8:40 AM | Link to this

Frenchy cannot hit. why does everyone think he is such a great offensive player? He is the one weak spot in our lineup.

By Ronald Millsaps

June 7, 2008 8:41 AM | Link to this

I’m not surprised that the Braves lost. Although Tim Hudson pitched quite possibly the best game of his career, I had a feeling they’d lose. They had opportunity after opportunity to close this game and didn’t do so. Honestly, I don’t blame Kelly Johnson, dropped ball or not; if I blame anyone, I blame Bobby Cox. Bobby is one of the best managers in history, if not THE best, but I thought he made several managerial mistakes tonight. Why in the WORLD did he call for a suicide squeeze? Atlanta had a fast runner batting and one at third as well-with one-out. A base hit ties the game. So does a sac-fly. A deep grounder to the infield very well might. WHY do you call for a squeeze play in that situation? To score a run that way, a lot of things have to go right at one time; I’d take my chances having the runner stay put at third and try to knock him in. This play especially offends me when considering all the times Bobby does not have runners attempt steals. Last week, Josh Anderson was on board with no one out. Then Yunel Escobar, a fine hitter, failed to bunt him over. Then Johnson got out. With Chipper up and two outs, Anderson swiped second but did not score later, which left me asking why Bobby didn’t send him when Escobar was batting. Yes, there’s a 50% chance he’s going to get thrown out, by definition, but if he’s safe, his odds of scoring with Escobar, Johnson, and Chipper behind him are terrific. Later in last night’s game, with Escobar at first, Johnson bunted him to second. This play is fine, but why not attempt a steal? Why not show that aggression? Johnson is the best offensive player we have aside from Chipper (he doesn’t have the name recognition that some others do, but he’s currently the second-best offensive player we have). I just don’t believe in asking a guy to bunt when he’s batting approximately .360 since getting moved out of the lineup spot—which is another issue. Why did he open the year there when he proved last year that he was better off as a run-producer, and why do announcers occasionally pick at Escobar’s performance there when Johnson’s struggles there were accepted? (I’d highly consider putting Gregor Blanco in the “two” spot and Johnson lower in the order again, where he most excels.) Bobby is a great manager, and I do think he’s the greatest of all time. I just don’t like the lack of offensive aggression—-especially when he shows it tonight at an inopportune time with a squeeze play. It seems like there’s too much pressure on the pitching and defense and not enough on the offense. There needs to be more of an “us against the world” mentality, and this team needs to go on the road with better focus and aggression and less of an apparent-willingness to wait for something good to happen. Mark tonight’s loss down as the season’s crossroads. Mark it down also as one of the real “statement” games you’ll ever see, as the Phillies symbolized everything they’ve done right between 2005-now, whereas the Braves symbolized everything they’ve done wrong in the same time span. A 3-17 record in one-run games is just plain inexcusable. A lot of analyses take place on the symptoms of these losses, but what exactly is the root of the problem? This team does not set the tempo; it responds to its opponent. By the way, I was one of the 23,481 fans at Turner Field on the night of his three thousandth strikeout—an inexcusable attendance for a player who exemplifies everything that you could ask a player to promote. The fans, who generally sit quietly at huge points in the game when they should be making noise, aren’t doing so well, either. (The screen coordinator at Turner Field doesn’t help matters here, as he’s too busy putting inappropriately-lighthearted material up for view, I suppose.) I’m a Christian. I pray for this team to do its best. I’m going to pray specifically also that this team will set the tempo and not react to what its opponents do, which is the impression I get. Want a supporting example? This team has had Game 1 of the NLDS at home four times this decade and has lost all four series. I’m going to pray also for Smoltz’s return, which I think indeed will happen. By the way, anyone who thinks this man isn’t a first-ballot inductee into the Hall of Fame lacks an understanding of baseball, Smoltz’s career, or both.

By Steve

June 7, 2008 8:42 AM | Link to this

I am a phillies fan and don’t think you gguys should panic too much in June. The Braves are our biggest threat because the Mets are awful. The Phils have their flaws too and I still think that this division will go down to late September between these two teams.

By MJ

June 7, 2008 8:43 AM | Link to this

Francouer = Andruw Jones part 2….total rally killers….9 men LOB last night!!….I’ve been saying this for 2 years, trade him while he still has some value, if his name wasn’t Jeff Francouer from Parkview High his a@# would be out of here

By Kerrie

June 7, 2008 8:46 AM | Link to this

Being from Philadelphia I althought Philadelphia fans were the worst…..trust me, they really are…but after reading all of these posts….it makes me laugh….it’s a long season…I have faith and I can’t wait to see all of you doubters out their jumping back on the band wagon when everything comes together

By Mike

June 7, 2008 8:51 AM | Link to this

I hate to see the Braves lose, but Johnson missing a pop-up is bush-league. My dad taught me as a kid to always utilize two hands on fly balls when possible. For players, who make big bucks, to not be fundamentally sound is grounds for laughter. We had a saying in the military…”one “aw-s&%t” cancels out a ton of “atta-boys”….

By Ronald Millsaps

June 7, 2008 8:52 AM | Link to this

By the way, in scanning over this blog, I can see why a lot of baseball players might not stop and sign autographs, as fans in general are both arrogant and ignorant. Kelly Johnson is barely in the top ten in terms of why this team lost tonight. As for Jeff Francoeur, he has many holes in his swing, but they can be fixed. Just like in any other area of life, you have to be narrow-minded (discerning), not broad-minded (open to anything). In his case, he needs to lock his back foot in and have a better idea of what he’s looking for. These so-called experts badmouthing him forget that he consistently has been one of the top two or three RBI guys since being called up. As for the person claiming to be Bobby Cox, where’s censorship when you need it? Get that trash off here.

By Barbara

June 7, 2008 8:54 AM | Link to this

Need more African Players they release other players from the team and they go somewhere else and play better. Chipper and other players should have been gone a long time ago.

By bubba2bobbleheadbrave

June 7, 2008 8:57 AM | Link to this

This team isn’t up to being division champs. The key elements the Braves had during the 90’s are gone. With the road losses and 1 run game loses, at best the Braves may get the wild card. You have to win games like Friday night especially against your division rival.

By Ronald Millsaps

June 7, 2008 9:02 AM | Link to this

One last thing: Kelly Johnson doesn’t need to catch pop-ups using his other hand to guide the ball in. (I’m not calling myself a major-leaguer; when I was a kid, I never dropped anything playing Little League, and my coach insisted that everyone try that approach. In doing so, I dropped my first pop-up.) Anyway, the only other post on this blog that really lands credibility came from a Phillies fan. It figures, as only about 25% of fans at Turner Field really seem to understand the game, if that many.

By ben

June 7, 2008 9:03 AM | Link to this

This are just little league mistakes. You could have called 10 people out of the stands and they would have caught this ball. Base running 101 was not taken by some of these players. Where was Kelly’s other hand to cover the ball to keep it from popping out. I’m sure the Phils apperciate the gift from Kelly and the bullpen. Oh yea, Acosta keeps giving up runs and Cox keeps using him. Too bad that Hudson pitched such a good game and let the poor play give the game away. Kelly should be on the bench tonight and Acosta maybe should be sent to Rome and see if he can retire some hitter before returning to the big leagues.

By Brett Meyers

June 7, 2008 9:03 AM | Link to this

Bobby Cox - I love a good beat down on my wife too!

By Mark from DE

June 7, 2008 9:05 AM | Link to this

Listen…I am glad my Phillies won but for anyone who says that 4.5 games is too big to make up in 100 games is rediculous. If anyone has taken 20 seconds to see the Phillies remaining schedule until the All-Star break would see a deadly stretch of games that I’d be shocked if they went .500. 8 more on this roadtrip, back home for 2 of the 3 best teams in baseball (Boston, Angels), on road for 9 straight, then the Mets, STL, ARI. You could easily make up games. I like the position my Phils are in but as we learned last year…a division winner isn’t crowned in June.

By varoadrunner

June 7, 2008 9:10 AM | Link to this

Thanks to Steve for a “nice” post…. I agree with him - Far too early to panic.

All of the posts are accurate - Kelly shoulda, Yunel shoulda, Tex shoulda, Frenchy CAN’T and poor old Bobby - but my question is - where was our closer in the 9th? Did he have a sore pinky? Maybe a headache. I’m disgusted with Bobby and his managing of pitchers. Boyer is a mistake waiting to happen. Acosta - well Acosta should - dam I don’t know what to do with him.

so all of a sudden our dominating bullpen ain’t so dominating.

Clearly this was the worst loss of the season and my only concern is the way these Braves play, there might be many more of this type of loss.

By brett

June 7, 2008 9:11 AM | Link to this

Lets not be to hasty in putting all the blame on Kelly. Lets review the season thus far and we’ll see it Frenchy and the bullpen that are kiling the Braves. Jeff needs to go in the worst way.

By onotest

June 7, 2008 9:11 AM | Link to this

Ronald Millsaps,

Thanks for providing us with a history of your little league career.

We all care…a lot.

Also, I didn’t realize you had to pass a test of baseball knowledge in order to be admitted to Turner field.

By Joel

June 7, 2008 9:11 AM | Link to this

Poor fundamentals, lack of ABC hitting, and lack of using speed is the cause for our miseries. Squeeze play works there would be no tenth inning. No one can bunt on our team. Defensive drills need to be practiced. Francoeur and Escobar need to be more patient. Francoeur led the team with two out rbi situations last year. This year, we dread when he comes to the plate with no outs and runners in scoring position. only four players play abc baseball for our team - Jones, Tex, McCann, and Blanco. We do not use our speed to put pressure on the other team. We have four guys with great speed and it is rarely used. Homers are down across the league. You have to manufacture runs. Our pitching has been better than we would like to believe for what we have. They have kept us in most games, but our team puts too much pressure on the pitching when the offense shouldn’t have to. The braves better get it together and fast, or we will remember this game like the 10-9 loss to Houston which was the back breaker last year.

By Jon

June 7, 2008 9:14 AM | Link to this

Wow Kelly you are pathetic. Its like this team almost doesnt care about winning anymore!!!! They are a bunch of greedy people and all they want is money!!!!

By ben

June 7, 2008 9:20 AM | Link to this

Once the Braves management sees empty seats, they will do something about Cox and some of these AA players. Until then, just keep spending your money to see the comedy of errors.

By myrtle Beach

June 7, 2008 9:25 AM | Link to this

Is anyone listing to me? Frenchy to KC for Greinke….NOW, NOW, NOW don’t wait they will take the deal….NOW come on guy’s who love the Braves….

The Kid is a stud, a difference maker, a 9 innining picture, he’ll make our staff one of the top 2 in the NL and he’s signed for 4 years already. We won’t need Smoltz with this kid, he is alread there.

Hudson, Greinke, JJ, Glavine, Reyes. Campillo, Bennett long relief.

Gonzoz will pitch after the all star break but we can afford to get to far behand. Greinke will give us 8 innings every night and keep us in the race until Gonzoz is back to pair with Soriano. Boyer can not pitch 80 innings and be effective he’s a 1 inning every other night set up man, so is Acosta. They are to green to be out there when the game is on the line, you pitch one one day the next the other but with Greinke they won’t have to because he’ll give you 8 every night. (Bye the way with the lead). Frenchy may be the next Mantle but he’s waiting on 20 million as year brothers and i’d rather put my money on TEX.

When and if we get to the playoffs we’ll need 2 studs and we only have one. Picthing wins!!!!!!!!!!!! in the playoffs. Who has the staff to bet the Cubs? Nobody is the answer and this kid would put us right up there with the Cubs.

By TheCutMan

June 7, 2008 9:28 AM | Link to this

I can’t add anything to what’s already been said, and, in most all cases, said very well on what needs to happen for this team to be a championship contender.

Right now, they’re not, obviously. Position player keepers: Chipper (of course), McCann and Escobar.

Anyone else, make an offer and the Braves should listen carefully.

By bobby

June 7, 2008 9:31 AM | Link to this

No doubt Kelly should have caught the ball but the game should have won long before that. I have never seen a game with as many blunders in it, some on the field, some in the dugout. There was more than plenty of blame to go around tonight instead of putting it all on one person. By the way when was the last time you saw any player use both hands to catch a fly ball. Makes them less macho I guess.

By Phil

June 7, 2008 9:33 AM | Link to this

To all of those who are critical of Kelly Johnson for not using two hands on that inning pop-up, I have a question. In the more than 10 years that Andruw Jones played CF for the Braves, can you remember a single catch that he made with two hands?

By bobby

June 7, 2008 9:48 AM | Link to this

I know this is not the place for it, but Mark Kotsay should try Chiropractic care for his back if he hasn’t tried it. I have had Sciatic pain so bad that I could hardly walk and this has been more effective that any treatment I have ever used.

By Bowie

June 7, 2008 9:49 AM | Link to this

Frank Wren when are you going to do your job…power in LF, another starting pitcher, help in bull pen,and new manager with some balls. Maybe we did new GM?

By Vince

June 7, 2008 9:52 AM | Link to this

When the braves decide to invest in a quality closer they will win these games. How many times in one and two run games do you sit there knowing the pitching staff is going to blow it. Always, I’ll bet.

By Peter

June 7, 2008 9:53 AM | Link to this

Yes Kelly made a BAD play, and guess what during the season, every guy will do the same. I hope all remember the double play he turned to end a bases loaded situation earlier in the game.

Then Kelly got a double in the ninth, and he should have scored, we should have won anyway.

But unfortunately that was not the problem, as always the hitting in close games has not been productive, or timely.

Jeff Francoeur is turning into this years Andrew Jones, he has become a rally killer.

He doesn’t know the strike zone, and typically in a big situation, he is not swinging at strikes, if he walks last night with the bases loaded, then the Braves still win.

The Braves do NOT play sound fundamental baseball, they are continually running themselves out of innings, and they throw the ball around without hitting cut the off man.

This goes on game after game. I would say they have given away 10 games so far this year.

We have the “Bad News Bears” for a team. Even after the wonderful pitching we have, the closer can’t close, I believe we are now 8 for 18 in blown saves so far this year.

It will be a long season.

Chipper is becoming one of the only bright spots to watch.

By Ron

June 7, 2008 9:58 AM | Link to this

I’m so mad I can’t complete a sentence. A lot of thought has gone into what’s wrong with the Braves, but maybe it can all be summed up with: chokers. There just seem to be too many mentally weak guys out there, and that explains why nobody can man up when the team needs somebody to man up. I don’t want to hear how “bad” it feels, Kelly - use two hands like everybody told you to do since you were 5. Boyer looked like he was going to throw up he was so afraid in the ninth. Tex, clean-up man, strikes out with the winning run at second waving pathetically at a hanging curve. And don’t even get me started on Acosta.

Throw in awful, sloppy baserunning (why did Blanco graze the dugout rounding third?!?!?), and these guys are hard to watch. They need to get some guys with nads out there.

By John C Gaston

June 7, 2008 10:01 AM | Link to this

They certainly snatched defeat from the jaws of victory…

By Dennis C. Brown

June 7, 2008 10:03 AM | Link to this

I agree that last night’s loss was the most disappointing of the year. But what bothers me even more is that I like this year’s Braves more than in recent years - but, whereas in the past I was comfortable that we were going to win a close game going into the late innings, this year I’m finding myself expecting them to find a way to lose it. And I don’t enjoy that feeling!

By Matthew

June 7, 2008 10:11 AM | Link to this

By far the worst loss of the year. Probably indicative of this team, they simply don’t have the will to win.

They play absolutely moronic baseball, by nearly everyone, in close games. If you can’t hold it together against the one team you absolutely HAVE to beat, things look pretty dismal.

By Peter

June 7, 2008 10:12 AM | Link to this

By Barbara

June 7, 2008 8:54 AM | Link to this

Need more African Players they release other players from the team and they go somewhere else and play better. Chipper and other players should have been gone a long time ago.

Barbara that is just plan racist, if you knew anything about baseball, even White players are becoming fewer and fewer.

Baseball is played like we play football south of our boarder, and most of the players in the league come from South of our boarders.

Making a comment like that was stupid, I guess we need more Mike Vick’s!

By Ramblin

June 7, 2008 10:13 AM | Link to this

good bye joe —-we got to go—me-o my-o….have great fun—-when bobbys gone——-me-o my-o—- -son of a gun we’ll— have great fun in 2010—if mr wren will do something—me—o -my—o—-good bye bobby we gota-go till then—me-o-my-o—-have great fun in 2010….me-oooooooooooooo

By Mike

June 7, 2008 10:14 AM | Link to this

Wow. You guys are tough. First, nobody would have rather seen Kelly catch that ball than……Kelly. Second, if he had dropped that ball in the first inning, no one would be saying anything at all. Whoever said that baseball is a “game of inches” was right. There were plenty of botched plays last night that would have given the Braves more like a 4 or 5 run lead going into the 9th. Seems like you guys want robots on the field that never make mistakes. Get over it.

By Craig

June 7, 2008 10:21 AM | Link to this

It makes me sick to say, but I think the bigger picture is that the Braves don’t have the heart or killer instinct to win this division. They are a bunch of nice guys with no fire in their belly. Do you think Chase Utley or Jimmy Rollins drops that little league pop-up? IF they did, I assure you someone would be in their face, and rightfully so. Note to KJ: God gave you two hands, with the intent that your barehand is near your glove on a pop-up, not in your butt. Here’s another idea to shorten the time of game: When Francoeur is up, automatically start at an 0-2 count.

By lvp

June 7, 2008 10:23 AM | Link to this

The Braves are loaded with poor crunch time performers. They do absolutely nothing in clutch situations. I wonder what the BA is with runners in scoring position with 2 outs, or for that matter with less than 2 outs as well. The manager is the worst of all time. You can attribute most of his wins to Maddux, Glavine and Smoltz. Cox is a complete buffoon and is an total embarassment to at least this Braves fan. The organization is a complete joke for allowing this clown to remain at the helm

By Bowie

June 7, 2008 10:25 AM | Link to this

Kelly didn’t lose the game, its a team game! Team effort! No Fundamentals lost game. No leadership.

By CONNECTICUT BRAVES FAN

June 7, 2008 10:29 AM | Link to this

BEEN BRAVES FAN SINCE BOSTON (1948). BOBBY COX REALLY TO BLAME FOR A TEAM 2-17 IN ONE RUN GAMES. LUCKY HE IS NOT HERE IN NEW ENGLAND WHERE T. FRANCONA’S MOVES ARE DISECTED IN GREAT DETAIL ON TALK SHOWS & PRESS. HOW CAN YOU BAT FRANCOUER IN THE 5TH SPOT? HE SHOULD BE ON THE BENCH. MUSY LEAD THE LEAGUE IN RUNNERS LEFT ON BASE. ALSO WHY BUNT FAST RUNNERS TO SECOND WHEN YOU CAN STEAL SUCCESSFULLY 80% OF THE TIME? NEED NEW AGGRESIVE HARD NOSED MANAGER.

By Crosby

June 7, 2008 10:36 AM | Link to this

I’m not sure how Kelly Johnson can possibly still have a job in pro baseball. I hope Frenchy keeps holding out hopes for a big contract. The braves should send Frenchy, KJ, and Tex all packing at the end of this season. I don’t give a crap who is from this state. All three don’t deserve to wear a pro uniform the way they play. Kelly should be in the minors today like everybody else is saying. If he wants to play like a bush league player let him go down and play with some bush league guys for a while. They better be glad Ozzie Guillen doesn’t coach this team or he’d cussed all of them on the field last night in front of the cameras and the fans and they would have deserved it.

By Mike

June 7, 2008 10:45 AM | Link to this

WHY is Cox described as a “GREAT” manager when he can’t teach players to bunt, advance runners or run the bases? Only thing I’ve seen in him that he is “GREAT” at is running his mouth at the umpires trying to blame them for his ineptitude.

By a

June 7, 2008 10:46 AM | Link to this

OK,so Andruw wasn’t the smartest hitter,but he did give good power numbers for years. his defense speaks for itself for those same years. Francouer is the great home grown hero that every one wants to love so much. Maybe if Brave’s Fans had appreciated Andruw a little better, fate wouldn’t be getting back at you by making Francouer to be the same type of player.

By SouthGaRebel

June 7, 2008 10:50 AM | Link to this

The article left out the squeeze play that our baserunner just stopped in the middle of the basepath on. I have never seen the Braves play such a sloppy game. This ain’t the Braves of the 90s for sure. Ted, please buy back the team and get us some ballplayers. As Tom Hanks said in A League of Their Own, “I don’t have ballplayers I have girls.”

By Cooper

June 7, 2008 10:52 AM | Link to this

KJ should have caught the ball but he was on the run and reaching for it so the two hand-grab would have been hard to set up. Even the Phillies announcers said he didn’t have time get under the ball and setup. It still was a goat play but that crap happens to every player.

How about on the road when Chipper booted back to back hits? Did you want to bench him the next day. He lost the game for them with those two plays.

KJ’s drop was worse but it was a similar poor reaction mistake.

Boyer lost the game by walking two in the ninth. KJ sealed the deal but Boyer and then Acosta just had nothing last night.

Bobby has over used them both and they look ready for 15 day DL stints just to recover from the grind.

That said neither should ever pitch in the 9th unless it is mop up. The are not very good or wired to close.

Today is another day and most teams just want to win series versus expect a sweep every time out.

Crappy loss but no the end of the world.

By Granny

June 7, 2008 11:07 AM | Link to this

I am just too old for this! ! We are approaching the olden days of the ’80s debacles. My admiration for Chipper’s loyalty to a team which can’t seem to decide whether they are ballplayers (Frenchy excepted) or hot doggers. And I pay good ‘extra’ money from my Senior budget to see MLB games. Guess it’s time to re evaluate my finances.

By Charlie

June 7, 2008 11:09 AM | Link to this

If Chipper is the leader of this team, he should have been ripping the clubhouse apart right after the game was over. He should have made it clear that the type of play displayed during the game is NOT acceptable on this team. There was no less than 7 mental errors that led to this loss starting with Blanko diving for the ball in the first inning. There is NO excuse for that. The baserunning was pathetic.

By muhawk

June 7, 2008 11:10 AM | Link to this

It’s simply called the tail wagging the dog… Cox, your the dog…retire a/hole…

By Go Dawgs

June 7, 2008 11:18 AM | Link to this

Was at the game; worst MLB game I’ve ever seen. 70’s Braves were better.

Kelly doesn’t use two hands because none of these prima donnas use two hands.

If you are a runner on 3rd base with one out you tag up on a fly ball to the outfield. If the ball falls in you walk home. If it’s caught shallow you fake and force a throw. Escobar had his head so far up his butt he didn’t know where he was. And what the hell was the 3rd base coach doing? When the ball was caught he was still 2 steps from getting back to the base to tag and THEN he breaks for the plate and is out by a mile.

The players no longer are capable of bunting. It is a lost art on this team. I cannot believe the attempted suicide bunt. Pathetic!

Will Ohman standing on 1st watching the ball roll to the screen and then deciding 10 minutes to break for 2nd!

Relief pitchers walking the tying and go ahead runs in late innings.

The manager showing indifference when the tying or go ahead run steals 2nd base.

Francouer being totally undisciplined at the plate and swinging wildly at pitches out of the strike zone. He can no longer move on the bases or in the outfield. I am so sick of hearing about his days at Parkview and his personal life. It is a neat story whose time has passed a long time ago. I cannot imagine him as a D1 cornerback; presently he couldn’t cover me.

Are you people crazy to want to pay Tex his Boras price of $27 million. Bring up some deserving minor leaguer. If we had Elvis back along with Saltalamacchia and that minor league pitcher who threw a no hitter we would be much better off. Chipper never gets to hit in a crucial situation because the opposition is not stupid.

I could go on and on…great job Chipper, Huddy, Mac. Anderson should get to play more.

Go Dawgs, finish off the Wolfpack in game 2 and lets go to Omaha!

By Gary

June 7, 2008 11:18 AM | Link to this

Tragic loss for the Braves but it was exciting. The rain caused my satellite signal to block at the bottom of the 9th. What I have seen is Kelly had his glove turned vertically and the ball fell out, blowing a win. I haven’t crunched the numbers but expect the Braves to climb higher as the season progresses. I’m sure emotions are high in the team and public.I can’t imagine the pressure performing before thousands of onlookers each game and the anxiety. Sports are the favorite pass time of us Americans.

By Elmer Fudge

June 7, 2008 11:21 AM | Link to this

Somebody in the NFL - Bill Parcells, perhaps? - once said, “You are what your record says you are”.

I think it’s time for overly optimistic Braves fans to look at their team’s record since the start of the 2006 season and accept the fact that this is a truly mediocre ballclub.

Sure, the Braves can say, “If this happens, and this happens, and this happens, we can win the division, or make the playoffs.”

Well, I’ve got news for you, sports fans: two-thirds of the teams in the league can say the same thing.

To be blunt, the Braves simply have too many shortcomings to win the NL East:

— Between injuries and poor performances, both the starting rotation and the bullpen lack the quality depth necessary to be a contender over the long haul.

— The team suffers from an abysmal lack of clutch hitting.

— The Braves are stunningly poor in the fundamentals. From their defense, to their baserunning, to their inability to execute a bunt, these players have proven incapable of doing the “little things” that it takes to win close games.

Having said all of that, do I think the Braves are out of it? Of course not. It’s a long season, and anything can happen.

But, realistically speaking, these Braves are too “average” (or worse) in too many phases of the game to be successful over the course of a 162-game season.

By Matt

June 7, 2008 11:29 AM | Link to this

Let’s all lay off Kelly Johnson for a sec. He is NOT the sole cause of this loss. Let us not forget all of the baserunning blunders tonight that should have translated into more runs. Let us ALSO not forget that while Kelly did make that blunder, he also threw out a runner at the plate on the same play to at least keep the game tied at 2-2. Then, he had a base hit in the bottom of the 9th. He messed up, sure, and he knows it. However, he also did his best to try and make up for the mistake. I’d like to see any of you even make a minor league roster.

By TBraveFan

June 7, 2008 11:31 AM | Link to this

I was sitting within a few feet of Kelly when he was running - at an angle - close to the tarp and Tex -last night - yes he should have caught the ball - yes he should have used two hands - but my point is that it should never have come down to that play to begin with. Hudson pitched his arse off for 8 and we can’t find a pitcher to close the 9th two games in a row? I think Will did a fine job, not so much Blaine (maybe Mr. Pfister was still haunting him from Milwaukee), and if I see Manny “I’m gonna Acosta you the game” blow another following a stellar pitching display like he’s done for Glav and Huddy this week - I may put him on the DL myself… And that hot dog we have at SS — someone needs to jerk a knot in his tail and tell him he covers SS area -not the entire freakin’ field and he needs to learn baserunnig. Hey HOT DOG — there’s no I in team!!!!

We like so many just sat there last night wondering what in the heck Bobby was thinking — but then again it’s getting very routine to wonder that…. Why bring up Josh Anderson to sit on the bench with Norton out in LF? Norton is a classic PH as we’ve seen a few times so far - put Josh in CF while Mark is out and keep Gregor in LF…. and someone kick Frenchy in the butt …oh and while we’re at it… Tex,when are you going to start hitting in spots where you can do some damage?

By William Moody

June 7, 2008 11:32 AM | Link to this

What sucks is the fact that some of the best series are on Peachtree TV. First, the Braves/Marlins series (all of the games were on Peachtree), now Braves/Phillies series (two of the three game series). Win or lose, I always enjoy watching. America’s team is quickly becoming Metropolitan Atlanta’s team!

By Chuck Uga

June 7, 2008 11:33 AM | Link to this

It is LONG PAST TIME for Bobby Cox to step aside. When you see TWO baserunning blunders combined with Kelly Johnson’s lack of focus, you see a team that simply is undisciplined, lacking focus during critical times, mentally out to lunch, etc. That is a reflection of the leadership in the dugout. Thanks Bobby, but it is time to go. This team is playing itself right out of the playoff race when it is OBVIOUS they have the talent to win the division.

By mike

June 7, 2008 11:39 AM | Link to this

I love it! Go Phils! They have been on the wrong side of things for years. Now its the braves turn.

By Blame Bobby

June 7, 2008 11:42 AM | Link to this

Finallt people are strarting to see what I saw in 1998. The BRaves from 1991 till about 2 years ago either had the best team ERA, led the league in homers,batting average,best strating pitching and averaged over 90 wins a season but only managed to win one title.Lets see your have the best group of players for over 10 years so what coult be the problem. Hmmm- could it be the freakin manager! This guys is using the same game plan with this group of middle of the road players that he used in the 90’s when he had the best players in the game. If it didnt work then, why would it work now? We have the Joe Paterno of baseball as our manager—an old guy set in his ways and no one dares fire him so we have to wait till he’s tired of coaching or dies-which ever comes first.

By Why am I not managing?

June 7, 2008 11:46 AM | Link to this

I was at the game last night, and that was honestly the most poorly executed game I have EVER seen for ANY sport. 1) Francoeur and Teixeira can’t get a clutch hit to save their lives 2) Terrible base running by Ohman and Escobar. Ohman needs to know that you only run on that play if you KNOW you’ll make it. And for Escobar, how do you try to tag up on that play when Brian McCann is on deck!?!? There is such a good chance Mac, the BEST hitting catcher in the NL, gets a hit, Escobar scores anyway, and the inning keeps going. 3) Terrible coaching from Bobby Cox: letting Ohman bat was just dumb, even if it did work out. Ring was sitting in the bullpen for the lefty-lefty matchup. Concedding to give away an at bat (even though we got lucky and he walked) so he can face ONE guy the next inning, when your lefty specialist is in the bullpen, makes no sense. Worse than that, though, is not walking Victorino after going 3-0 to start the AB. Go ahead and intentionally walk him with first AND second open. The hitter has a huge advantage, up 3-0, man on 3rd, 1 out. Put him on, see if Utley will swing at some balls. If he won’t chase then intentionally walk Utley, and face Howard, who is a strike out machine , barely batting over 200, 1 for 5 on the night, and a slow runner. 4) Kelly…. two words, and those are “two hands.”

Phils win another 1 run game, and the Braves continue to prove to be the least clutch team in baseball. On another note, Jeff Francouer is my least favorite Brave, and my understanding is he wnts in the 10-12 million/year range for a contract, which is twice what McCann makes. How does he justify making twice what McCann makes, or the kind of money Hanley Ramirez is going to make? He’s not in that league. I bet he gets lowballed when he’s eligible for arbitration. He’s just not that impressive.

By Scott

June 7, 2008 11:49 AM | Link to this

Wow. I am smelling a lot of fair weather fans right now. When the Braves when the NL East this year, you guys are not allowed to celebrate. Is the season even half way over? The Phils are on a roll, but the Braves & Marlins will stay in the thick of it. Their offense is just too good.

By Scott

June 7, 2008 11:50 AM | Link to this

Wow. I am smelling a lot of fair weather fans right now. When the Braves when the NL East this year, you guys are not allowed to celebrate. Is the season even half way over? The Phils are on a roll, but the Braves & Marlins will stay in the thick of it. Their offense is just too good.

By blackwingnut

June 7, 2008 12:00 PM | Link to this

the lack of fundamentals is the reason this team is not going to be in the playoffs. I believe we have a potentially great team… but our one-run losses scream lack of fundamental baseball….who loses 98% of their games by one run?!? OUR BASE-RUNNING AND FIELDING ARE TERRIBLE! When we do something right, it seems almost by mistake. Fundamentals win ballgames… with having one just half of our one-run losses we would be cruising in first place!!!

By Blame Bobby

June 7, 2008 12:03 PM | Link to this

Hey Scott the only thing youre smelling is that great Braves offense because it stinks. Moyer was born 200 b.c and he looked like Cy Young last nite.

By proeye

June 7, 2008 12:08 PM | Link to this

Stop putting in so many pitchers! I’ve said this a thousand times! Leave the pitcher in who is most effective in the game! If you keep parading pitchers out there, eventually the other team will find one to their liking! It is really, really odd why the team has lost so many one run games and have blown so many easy wins that turned into losses. This is NOT a .500 team at all. They should be leading the division considering they are leading the league in ERA and have scored a lot of runs. They have scored 50 more runs then they have given up and yet Florida is ahead of them and they have given up more runs than they have scored!!

By Ralph

June 7, 2008 12:08 PM | Link to this

Cox said, it was the first time Johnson, drop a fly ball, and everyone deserved one mistake, when you make excuses for your player who lost the game showing off with a one handed throw, is pathic, Johnson dropping the ball, is what kill the made the Braves to lose the game… Yes base running blunders, and Bobby sending the runner on a squeeze play, that the Phillips, already knew it was coming, and let not forget Francouer, swing away with the bases loaded and a count of 3 ball, the pitches were 2 feet over his head, Francouer, who has been in the major leagues for 2 plus years, haven’t learn anything about hitting, or where is the strike zone is, plus leaving a ton of men on base, he needs to be on the bench as a part time player. The Braves are going to keep losing as long as Cox, keeps making the same stupid mistakes over and over again, the player may respect him, and think the world of him, but they don’t show it the way they play for him. Its true that Cox can’t be blame for everything, but he is the manager and can be blame for the lack of inspiration, and the non-caring attitude the Braves, show on the field. The Braves are basely a very good team, they just don’t know it, or maybe, just don’t have the chemistry, it takes to be a winner. Wonder, how much longer, the Braves front office, is going to let these stupid give away games go on before they do something. These loses are embarrassing, and a remainder of the old keystone cops, or worse. The Braves hitters try to swing for the fence, every time they bat and also, take to many strikes. The player need to play for the fan that support them, and Cox needs to manage for the fans, who pay to see a winner, not a folic of blunders. Don’t expect the Braves, to finish in first place or close to it.

By Disappointed

June 7, 2008 12:11 PM | Link to this

It’s not about being a fair weather fan. These are professional baseball players. You don’t give a game away by being cute. Fundamentals wins championships. You can’t give games away in a competitive division. It doesn’t matter what part of the season the “gifts” are given to the other team. The fans have a right to be upset. Losing competively is one thing. Losing by giving games away is unacceptable.

By Grace

June 7, 2008 12:14 PM | Link to this

**Calm the freak down! Yes, it was a tough, tough loss against the Phillies, of all teams. Yes, it was a stupid mistake by KJ.

But c’mon! A hair’s difference either way and we won it. I know that’s what makes it so tough, but it isn’t the end of the world as we know it.

Hang on - don’t be so hysterical. Chill!**

By Michael

June 7, 2008 12:16 PM | Link to this

Frenchy need to be sent back to Rome or Richmond to learn the strike zone.Kelly Johnson should have been released after the game last night. It is unexcuseable and unacceptable that a major league baseball player drop a routine popup. Frenchy swings at pitches that he cannot hit with a fishing pole. Early in the week he took a swing a ball four with the bases loaded. He either learn the strike zone in the majors or in Rome.

Michael

By Kenneth Troyan

June 7, 2008 12:30 PM | Link to this

Where was the 3rd base coach in all this… the 1st base coach needs to take some responsibility too.

By Ben

June 7, 2008 12:46 PM | Link to this

Holy crap! It’s one game people. Yes, it was frustrating. Yes, it was the worst loss of the season. Yes, Kelly should’ve caught the ball. Yes, we had many chances to clinch the game other than that. No, Kelly shouldn’t be cut. No, Bobby Cox doesn’t need to be fired. No, the season is not over. If we pull out the last two games of this series, we’ll still be in good position. I still believe this team is good enough to win this division. If we end up losing the game to the Phillies by one game, we can definitely look back on this game as the reason. But, I’m sure there’ll be at least a few other games we can look back on as well. How long have you people watched the game of baseball? There’s always going to be a few unexplicable, hard to swallow losses in a 162 game season. Stop calling for the manager’s head and for a firesale before July 31. What are we? Mets fans?

By charles corley

June 7, 2008 12:47 PM | Link to this

i wonder if bobby cox is still beating his wife. cox was a lousy player and is a worse manager. i can remember casey going to the mound and p** in his uniform. i guess cox wears a diaper. baseball really stinks after T-Ball.

By J-Roll,Ryan,Ut,Shane,Pat,Hamels,Myers,Pen&Lidge

June 7, 2008 12:53 PM | Link to this

Did you guys really think you had a shot against us? Be serious. You guys dominanted for years… it’s our turn

By Robert Whitley

June 7, 2008 1:00 PM | Link to this

And we’ve got to put up with Cox and his dumb moves at least one more season. Kelly Johnson needs to go.

By gayle

June 7, 2008 1:27 PM | Link to this

As long as this city and the fans embrace Cox as some kind of genius, the Braves are destined to failure. Beyond looking at their pathetic post season record, consider some of the “accomplishments” of this year….

• 7-22 road record
• 17 one-run losses
• xx Cox ejects

For a moment, go back to a game in the Florida series when Cox came out to argue a close call in the 9th and was promptly ejected, leaving his team to lose in extra innings. Tell me what kind of leadership this is?

Consider that this team went into the season counting on two 40-plus pitchers and another who gets injured brushing his teeth. This is a competitive team?

This is a team built for money. A trip to Turner Field is like going to a concert or to Six Flags - you can’t hear yourself think. There are commercials between each inning.

This is a team that is built for sale. Just like those of us who fix up and paint their houses before putting the sign up in front, this team is being cosmetically managed to generate the greatest profit for the Liberty Media people. The last thing on their minds is fielding a competitive baseball team.

Only when new ownership is secured and they make a commitment to winning - which means clearing the cobwebs and those wearing them out of the clubhouse - from this team will the Braves ever again compete.

Until then, enjoy the hat game, the Home Depot Race, the “kiss cam”, the dance contest, the singing contest and all that nonsense. The only thing this team leads the league in is the massive scoreboard.

Thank goodness for Chipper. Without him, this team would be in last place.

This is not a baseball team, it is a commodity being prepared for sale.

By b burke

June 7, 2008 1:30 PM | Link to this

Bobby cox has seen his day. When has the last time he has gotten p** off at any of “his” players for stupid mistakes.Not taggin up, Dropping pop ups, Walking batters in the 9th inning. Why did he take out the lefthander in the ninth that got all 3 batters out that he faced to pitch to right handers. let them throw if they are throwing well. Don’t worry so uch about the righty lefty thing. What’s up with tex?? he homers when it doesn’t count and he strikes out or double plays into a enmding rally.

By BnB

June 7, 2008 1:52 PM | Link to this

Lots of these posts make me embarrassed to be a Braves fan. Yes, the team has played sloppily this year and this game was a brutal loss but lining everybody who doesn’t hit a five run homer up against the outfield wall and shooting them isn’t exactly the solution. We need to learn how to come back instead of be comeback upon. Season is still young.

Two fifths of what we thought coming out of Spring Training would be our starting staff is gone. We have a bunch of call ups and/or rookies manning the OF. It’s a young team. A little perspective would be beneficial here. Breathe deeply. Take the gun out of your mouth.

By braves70

June 7, 2008 2:29 PM | Link to this

Let’s say Bobby Cox was the CEO of a company. Would you be happy with your stock losing value each and every quarter? If the CEO was beyond retiremet age, showing signs of senility, doing things the same way he has done them for thirty years when the business environment has changed, and had a company full of executives who could not perform the most basic job functions, would you not demand his ouster?

By Jay

June 7, 2008 2:33 PM | Link to this

There is no reason why we should be struggling to score runs when we have some in the middle of the lineup that has a obp of OVER .500!!!!!!!! This loss falls on the “big bats” of Tex and Francoeur.

By Wahoo

June 7, 2008 2:35 PM | Link to this

I’m a Phillies fan from Virginia. I know you all are down in the dumps after that amazing game last night, but I remember a game last September when the Phillies had something like an 8-2 lead on the Braves in the 8th inning and lost it. I thought it was over for the Phils but they came back to win the division. Not that I wish the Braves well, of course, but one game, no matter how disheartening, will quickly be forgotten in the course of 162 game season.

By bobby

June 7, 2008 2:46 PM | Link to this

Sure Kelly goofed but take it easy. The game should have been won long before it ever got to that point. There were more blunders in that game last night than I can ever remember in one. Even the old Mets didn’t play that bad.

By josh

June 7, 2008 2:48 PM | Link to this

Michael your a complete idiot. he went 1-3 with a walk and made a stellar play on that double play in the 7th to even keep us in the game! Cut the guy?? MORON. KJ needs to teach Francoeur how to hit and have some patience, STOP HACKING JEFF AND SWING IDIOT.

By GT80

June 7, 2008 2:51 PM | Link to this

The Braves played fundamentally like a 3rd place team. There is enough talent on this team to be in 1st, look at the stats, but fundamentally they aren’t there. It’s been like that all year, and really for the last 3 years. Who’s to blame for that?

By ATLien

June 7, 2008 2:53 PM | Link to this

Where’s Mark Bradley’s comments from two weeks ago on how this team is heading straight to the top of the NL East and not looking back. Refrain from writing editorials on the Braves, Bradley. You know nothing. It pains me to say this because I’m a die hard fan but I have to call a spade a spade and this Braves team certainly does not have what it takes to be a winner. Plain and simple. Last night’s game is only further confirmation.

By ben

June 7, 2008 3:14 PM | Link to this

Which Brave will step up tonight in the comedy of errors? Yes, Kelly will probably will be back at second waiting for his next big moment. Acosta will be ready again as Bobby calls on him to blow another save. Chipper will be walked again and again because Williams will not let Chipper beat him. The NL now has TEX down pat so he won’t be a factor. Francour will come up again and swing at anything within 3 ft of the plate. One thing about this team, you never know what is going to happen next.

By Charles

June 7, 2008 3:15 PM | Link to this

I have said for 2 years that Kelly is not a 2nd baseman but an experiment. Anybody remember he was an outfielder? This is what puzzles me about last night attempting a one handed catch. We let Renteria walk when we could have left him at short and put Escobar at 2nd. Kelly does not have a clue about playing 2nd and it shows. This is not the fisrt blunder that has cost the Braves a win. It just happened when everybody noticed. Kelly belongs in the outfield plain and simple. Let Infante play 2nd. I could vent all day about the problems with this club but it would take too long. One more thing. Why don’t you bat “Frenchie” 9th? I haven’t played since hight school but I stil think I could hit better.

By otis

June 7, 2008 3:34 PM | Link to this

I agree with most everything that has been posted,Kelly missing an easy play-Escobar’s base running blunder’s-Farncoeurs inability to get the job done-Acosta’s melt down- but what about the 3rd base couch’s blunder by sending Blanco home and getting him thrown out. OUCH-THAT HURT

By tbo

June 7, 2008 3:52 PM | Link to this

Aside from all the grammatical errors, Ralph’s 12:08 post sums this team up entirely. Bobby Cox continues to make the same stupid mistakes. Francouer does not know what pitches to swing at and those not to. Escobar makes some of the studidist plays or non-plays I’ve ever seen. I will however continue to watch the Braves because you never know what is going to cost the Braves another one run loss. Gayle’s post about this team being put up for sale is also right on. Nothing else could explain how the owners can allow Cox to remain as manager.

By Kelly J.

June 7, 2008 4:21 PM | Link to this

You can all kiss my rich a*. i still cash my check on the 1st and 15th of every month whether I catch a pop up or not. You guys are losers.

If Bobby sits me tonight he will hear from my agent.

By Dennis C. Brown

June 7, 2008 4:56 PM | Link to this

Sorry - but I disagree with all you Kelly Johnson scape-goaters. Give the guy a break. Sure he blew a pop fly and I was as disgusted at it as anyone else. But … one play does not, or at least should not make a career or decide whether a player goes or stays. From my point of view the base-running errors, and mental mistakes are of greater concern. And yes, I do think playing musical chairs with all the relief pitchers is like playing Russian Roulette. But that’s the way the game is played now - by all teams. While on the Bobby Cox book of managing, wasn’t it amusing to see his old sidekick calling the shot on Cox’s every move as so accurately pointed out by the announcers? Well, maybe not as amusing as sad. Whether or not every team has an ex-sidekick of Bobby’s that can call the shots so well I don’t know. But it seems that at least when playing the Phillies, either Cox changes his ways or he lets someone else call the shots. I’m struck by the number of injuries the Braves have had each year over the last four or five years. I’m not sure who is to blame for that - certainly in baseball at least, you don’t have the leverage that high school and college coaches have to demand good health, training, and demonstration of the fundamentals to assure playing time. Eight figure per year players start and play regardless of how well they train and demonstrate knowledge and practice of the so-called fundamentals. So what is the conclusion - luck, a manager who is backed up by ownership when it is necessary to discipline a mega-buck name including sitting him out or trading him if the demand is made, and expecting less then the quality of ball that we all think used to be played. Come to think of it - I think I’m wasting my time watching pro baseball. I already made that decision about football and basketball. Hockey and golf are still interesting. And only three more months until we have college football to enjoy again.

By Donny

June 7, 2008 10:17 PM | Link to this

Hate to say it but the Braves are done. Dropping two games to the Phills at home in this fashion. Then go on the road and play the Cubs and Angels? Its gonna be a long, painful, summer I’m afraid.

By Ronald Millsaps

June 8, 2008 3:23 AM | Link to this

“ononet”—The point was, my friend, that not every player needs two hands to catch a pop-up. Not everyone feels comfortable that way. I believe that’s what I was getting at.

Melissa—Why don’t you watch your language, first of all, and secondly, who is Joe Torre or anyone else to make that comment, if it really was said? Torre’s 1996 ring deserves an asterisk due to fan interference, and none of his teams ever beat the Braves when the Braves were at full strength. In fact, I can’t recall a year offhand when this team WAS at full strength in the playoffs (they weren’t just below full strength but 10% of more below it).

Had said squeeze play worked, you people would be talking about what a genius Bobby is. Honestly, the play call was poor, but it doesn’t mean he’s not a great manager.

Saturday night’s loss was one of the 54 I can live with. I think Atlanta will win today and file that one in the 54 you’re somewhat bound to win. friday night’s loss was in the 54 that will make or break you, and the Braves have just been terrible in that category lately.

One last thing on said squeeze, if you “knowledgable” fans will recall, Philadelphia called for a pitch-out on the previous play, so to Bobby’s credit, the stage was set. I still think the risk was far too big. I just can’t stand hearing “knowledgable” fans give their two cents when their comments aren’t even worth one.

By Jim

June 8, 2008 4:30 AM | Link to this

Lighten up! Anyone can miss a pop-up. No one cries when Chipper won’t move more than five feet to field a ball. Bobby has adopted the Earl Weaver philosophy - sit back and wait for the three-run homers. No one can bunt, no one hits behind the runner, idiots like Francoeur are swinging on 3-0 counts. Baserunning is poor. Do away with the Prima Donnas and make all roster players equal.

By By Golly

June 8, 2008 4:44 AM | Link to this

For - Ronald McMilsappy - First of all, don’t try and censor Melissa for saying what needed to be said. Secondly, I tried, I really did, to read completely through one of your rants, sorry dude, you ramble too much, and you are way too boring! Shorten it up, (you know, censor yourself) and I’ll try to read another rant. Thirdly, with the team(s) Joe Torre had in NY, even Dusty Baker could have won. Back in the real world, Torre is just another manager.

By Grace

June 8, 2008 10:43 AM | Link to this

For all you quitters and hysterics, today is a new day and the Braves are in 2nd place. ‘Nuff said.

By ATLien

June 8, 2008 3:49 PM | Link to this

Grace - we’re in third place only a game up on the mutts who are under five hundred. Get your facts straight befrore trying to offer encouragement.

And can someone please explain to me why Corky friggin’ Miller is our back up catcher. Please, anyone. My head is going to explode trying to contemplate it. You mean to tell me Bryan Pena and an aged Javy Lopez can’t hack it like Corky Miller??!

By ATLien01

June 8, 2008 3:54 PM | Link to this

Rondald - What team is ever at 100% by the time the playoffs roll around??? What a ridiculous comment.

By Ronald Millsaps

June 8, 2008 9:39 PM | Link to this

“bygolly”—-You would do well to go back and re-read. I said a lot so morons like yourself might pick up something.

“atlien”—Don’t put words in my mouth, my friend. Yeah, no team’s at 100% come playoff time, but it’s one thing to be less than 100% vs. well less than 100%.

1991—The team lacked Deion Sanders AND Otis Nixon.

2001—No Rafael Furcal, which caused a huge ripple effect.

Just two examples. Yeah, you’re right about no one being 100%, but that wasn’t my point. Feel free to read more carefully next time.

This team needs to step up and play more aggressively. The talent is there; the chemistry and execution are not. Honestly, Bobby should make them sit and watch Sunday’s game on tape and have them learn something. The boredom from sitting through it might motivate them to play better on the field, and they could stand to learn from the Phillies, who execute better than anyone else in the game.

I agree that Brayan Pena should’ve been kept. I can’t quite figure the logic on that one.

Kerrie—thanks for your rare wisdom and insight, especially after reading “bygolly“‘s lunacy.

I’d consider moving Blanco to leadoff and Johnson back to the seventh or eighth spot and Escobar back to second.

This team has a long time to go to get its problems solved, but there’s no time to waste. Thankfully, there’s no need to worry too much about scoreboard-watching, but even with the injuries to John Smoltz, Mike Gonzalez, Peter Moylan, etc., this team should be playing a lot better, a LOT better.

By Ronald Millsaps

June 10, 2008 4:05 PM | Link to this

It’ll be interesting to see how the Braves play tonight, now that the team understands there’s a true sense of urgency.

All you can do is seize the moment. Winning essentially comes down to two things: preparation and execution. I think some on the team could stand to prepare more. (If you don’t prepare, giving 100% on gameday won’t be enough.)

Mark Teixeira seems pretty conceited, which isn’t helping him. Right now, I’d settle for Scott Thorman or Julio Franco. Teixeira, who allegedly is one of the best in the game, needs to play like it.

The difference between winning and losing sometimes is paper-thin. The Phillies didn’t dominate Atlanta over the weekend, but they got the job done; the Braves didn’t. I think Philadelphia’s the best team in baseball…….. for now.

I’m glad this blog got started over the weekend, as I got to blow off some steam.

By Patrick

June 12, 2008 7:11 PM | Link to this

Kelly Johnson and the rest of this team are the Bad News Bears without the happy ending.

If it ain’t for bad luck, they would not have any.

Maybe next year.