ajcsportstalk

By Justo

July 3, 2008 9:07 PM | Link to this

NO the braves are done, Trade tex get some prospects and rebuild with some younger prospects. Trade chipper as well he seems to me to be breaking down. Also Bobby cox needs to retire. It is time to rebuild, the braves will finish 75-87. 3rd striaght season without making the play offs, if bobby was doing this s** in newyork his a* would be fired.

By atlantaisloservilleagain

July 3, 2008 9:12 PM | Link to this

they willl finish 61-101, this team just flat out sucks and has no heart whatsoever. They need to ditch the business atmosphere and start playing like they are paid…

trade tex, bobby and franceou

By TNJeff

July 3, 2008 9:13 PM | Link to this

lose 90

doubtful they’ll win anymore series

pathetic team - cycle of losing is back & seems to be going to be with us a while

By John

July 3, 2008 9:49 PM | Link to this

Trade Tex, Chipper, and Frenchy. I can’t believe how pathetic the Braves are. They can’t bunt,and have no idea how to advance the runner. How many times have you seen the bases loaded, no outs, and still can’t score. Smoltz has had it, Glavine will be lucky to win 9 games. Hudson can’t take the hot weather, and Boyer should be sent to AA. The pitching is sad, sad, sad ! FIRE COX!!

By John

July 3, 2008 9:49 PM | Link to this

Trade Tex, Chipper, and Frenchy. I can’t believe how pathetic the Braves are. They can’t bunt,and have no idea how to advance the runner. How many times have you seen the bases loaded, no outs, and still can’t score. Smoltz has had it, Glavine will be lucky to win 9 games. Hudson can’t take the hot weather, and Boyer should be sent to AA. The pitching is sad, sad, sad ! FIRE COX!!

By Todd

July 3, 2008 10:00 PM | Link to this

Bobby Cox needs to retire. The team has not responded to him for three years. He is too easy on the players. He continually makes the wrong decisions.

By Blue water

July 3, 2008 10:04 PM | Link to this

The should lose 100. I picked them right where they are. A good manager might have them up a notch but Cox is over his head, A 220. batting average and he don’t even try to help the team, Frency need to be at AA. Batting coach should at least bench him until he learns to lay off pitches. That little league pitcher two years ago could fan him. Pitiful

By gotigers72

July 3, 2008 10:22 PM | Link to this

This is a BAD team. 72-90 at best. Bad, yet they leave Francoeur in the lineup to continually kill rallies. They should know that runs are at a premium when Hamels is pitching. So why doesn’t Bobby have Francoeur bunt with runners on 1st and 2nd and no outs early in the game? Would have helped the team and maybe helped Francoeur feel like he was contributing something. Instead he makes an out and the Braves don’t score. Like he was going to get a hit and drive in a run? Yeah, right.

This season is basically over. Trade Teixeira and get some prospects and let some younger players play and get some experience. DL Frenchy and get that ankle fixed. Look for next year. Come on Wren, do something for goodness sake!!.

By rc35

July 3, 2008 10:23 PM | Link to this

Back in the ‘70’s, I felt like the Braves were giving their best. It’s hard to believe that most of these Braves are giving anything. With a few exceptions, they’re about as competitive as Marcel Marceau at a hog-calling contest.

By Robert S

July 3, 2008 10:24 PM | Link to this

They simply don’t have a contending ball club.

That fact won’t change the Braves’ approach.

They likely won’t demote Franceour to the minors.

They likely will be stubborn and hang on to Mark Teixeira for the rest of the season, unless the Braves are 10 under or 10 back at the All-Star break. Even then, that’s iffy.

They’ll still flail away at everything pitched to them.

They’ll get some big hits eventually. Even blind squirrels can find nuts. It won’t be near enough.

They’ll still hit the ball to the left side or pop out or strike out with a runner on second.

They’ll still be making decisions on personnel based on selling a “brand,” not by the need to win.

There will still be fans, players, and announcers alike that will scratch their heads at Bobby Cox’ decision making skills.

They’ll finish 73-89.

They’ll still have Bobby around for next season as well.

And they’ll never win a World Championship again as long as that fact remains…………………..

By harry

July 3, 2008 10:25 PM | Link to this

They have decent players, but they aren’t producing. As much as I respect Bobby Cox, I don’t know if any of his teams have had heart and this team sorely needs it. They play like they’re punching the clock and don’t love their work, merely show up for it because they’re getting paid. Marcus Giles had that fire and they let him go away. Somebody (Escobar?) needs to step up and be the match that lights the fire.

By Bud

July 3, 2008 10:30 PM | Link to this

Wow! I thought the post season teams from ‘98 on were lackluster and flat. This team makes those guys look manic by comparison. I don’t understand why someone who can hit between .260 and .330 - meaning most of th elineup - can be SO BAD with men on base. This team is among the worst I’ve seen at timely hitting and/or getting on base. I’ll always be a fan, but I’m having a hard time caring right now. Trading Texeira would be the equivalent of having simply released Salty and Elvis Andrus.

By Sicofthis

July 3, 2008 10:31 PM | Link to this

Trade Andruw(Frenchy) Francoor now! He STINKS! along with the rest of though overpaid Bozo’s! Frank, when will you realize this is a very below average team with little talent. 3 years running is enough! We don’t need another Hawks or Falcon franchise in this city!

By nelson

July 3, 2008 10:33 PM | Link to this

cox need to retire !! its time cox !!

trade chipper , francoeur , texeira

smoltz bye bye , glavine and hampton !!

By Braves never win on the road

July 3, 2008 10:45 PM | Link to this

I’m glad to seee people have finally woke up and seen this team for what it is ,Theres no way in heck you can expect a team with used up pitchers ,a right fielder that can hit a fly if it was on his nose ,a crippeled up center fielder ,and a p** off short stop because they traded his friend ,and last but least a get hurt walking into the bathroom third baseman and expect to win ,time to break it all down and rebuild ,start with #7 as we all know the “chosen one”

By Braves never win on the road

July 3, 2008 10:47 PM | Link to this

i hope they don’t win another game

By Felix Milan "The Cat"

July 3, 2008 10:50 PM | Link to this

When me play bazeball I love the game but we lose all the time. I watch this team play bazeball they are very bad team. They make me no longer love bazeball.

By Braves never win on the road

July 3, 2008 10:52 PM | Link to this

I bet Tex is sayin to himself “please get me out of here this is to much like my Texas years “

Texas is at least or closer 500. now than the braves are!

By Stylin

July 3, 2008 10:56 PM | Link to this

RIP…..the 2008 Atlanta Braves and Brain Dead Booby Cox! It is time to start over and the first thing to do is find a manager who can do more than yell out ridiculous nicknames from the dugout while the Braves are batting. But, the AJC and the Braves powers to be love the nitwit, so he can stay as long as he wants. He needs to sign up for Nutri-System!!! HELLO! DUH!!! It’s time to clean house!!

By Bob

July 3, 2008 10:58 PM | Link to this

Trading Tex isn’t necessary. You can get draft picks for him by offering salary arbitration, which he’ll refuse. They have 9 games before the break. If they go 7-2, which isn’t probable, maybe that will get them back in the race. If they go something like 3-6 or 4-5, which is more likely, I say forget trying to get Hampton & Glavine back and stay with Morton, Reyes & Jurrjens to get them experience. In September, bring up Hanson for a cup of coffee. Get Brandon Jones more playing time and let’s see what Jordan Schaeffer can do. The future is brigh, but sometimes you have to take a step backwards before you can take 2 steps forward

By You got to be kidding me

July 3, 2008 11:01 PM | Link to this

Everybody blames Atlanta fans for being the worst in professional markets, but this is why! If you go by John Kinkade philosophy, we cannot call them “our” team because we don’t play for them. If you go by my philosophy, we don’t have to support them because we don’t get paid the millions that they do! They all SUCK and until they all do something to try and change that, my hard earned dollars in this weak economy will stay in my pockets!

By Pat Jarvis

July 3, 2008 11:05 PM | Link to this

This might be the worst Braves teams since the late eighties. I think we will lose all our remaining games this year. And Frenchie won’t get another hit this year. Like Bobby Petrino— Cox will quit with 60 games left on the schedule and coach first base for a college team.

By by bulldog

July 3, 2008 11:07 PM | Link to this

I have been a braves fan since 1968 and this team is worse than the teams in the 70’s and 80’s

By Braves never win on the road

July 3, 2008 11:14 PM | Link to this

“You got” i have to agree with you 100% ,john kinkade was talking about the resason we can’t boo JF ,i pay good money for my 4 season tickets and i have a rigth to Boo ,and b*** about the Braves all i want too. Kinkade is a dumb azz and needs to shut his drunk pie hole .

By Vonshawn

July 3, 2008 11:18 PM | Link to this

It’s been the same brand of baseball for years now. Station to station, that is if you can get on base, and waiting for the three run homer. The game is changing, and the leadership of this team is set in its ways.

For anyone expecting a magical run, forget about it. After nearly 90 games, the product that we see on the field is what we should expect for the rest of the season.

I love this team, but 2008 is in the books; it’s time to clean house and start preparing for a younger, hungrier team in 2009.

By t

July 3, 2008 11:19 PM | Link to this

the braves are back. another miserable pro sports team in a miserable pro sports city.

By Braves never win on the road

July 3, 2008 11:20 PM | Link to this

Just in case JF #7 “The chosen one” “Mr Parkview” reads the ajc blogs ,you stink !!!!

By t

July 3, 2008 11:28 PM | Link to this

hampton is a pus*y

By ssiscribe

July 4, 2008 12:28 AM | Link to this

Just when you think it can’t get any worse for this team, we are subjected to tonight’s effort that was marked by another anemic showing from the offense and another game dropped in the standings as the Braves continue to crumble.

Sigh … this team is in real, real trouble.

—30—

By Chris

July 4, 2008 12:38 AM | Link to this

The Braves are SOFT!!! They have absolutely No toughness about them- I have never seen such a wimpy bunch of Braves- They have one tough guy- Smoltz- who is the only Brave with Guts/Heart Unfortunately, he’s done-

By Martin Scorcese

July 4, 2008 1:30 AM | Link to this

What’s everybody so worried about? Mark Bradley says they still have a shot and the team’s apologist/beat writer is probably still picking them to win the N.L. East.

By Terence Moore=retard

July 4, 2008 2:16 AM | Link to this

hey at least now they are just getting beat down from start to finish instead of fluttering and having some huge death knell in the ninth where boyer or someone gives up a homer to send it into extra innings, where the braves inevitably allow a huge moment of triumph for the other team. At least now it’s not as heartbreaking. the braves suck nearly as bad as terence moore these days…

By Terence Moore=retard

July 4, 2008 2:19 AM | Link to this

you know the clips that sport south and what not play when they are promoting the braves, where it’ll be shots of walk off homers and stuff? I bet the braves have made just about every other nl teams ad at this point…

By Philly-d-kidder

July 4, 2008 4:28 AM | Link to this

It is sad to see the Baseline for winning the NL East suffer so much… Ever since you got rid of your Magical Leo Mazz the Braves world has never been the same.. I admire Chipper..hope he gets 400

By hop

July 4, 2008 4:50 AM | Link to this

when will the braves top management finally realize that it is past time to start the rebuilting.

this is so ugly with so many broken down players,it is so painful to watch.

loserville usa is alive and well in atlanta with braves current owners only interested in keeping the team for a few more years to placade the commissioner than on the trading blocks again.

it’s time to bail on the braves because they have long sense bailed on the fans.

By lifelong braves fan

July 4, 2008 5:43 AM | Link to this

Mr. Wren we are dead in the water this year. We have lived off the 14 year streak long enough. To get the winning ways and glory back, difficult decisions have to be made now. Who on this team can help us win the World Series next year and for years to come. Keep them. Players that can not preform in 150+ games a year will not win the Series. Thank you John Smoltz, Tom Glavine, Chipper Jones for your amazing careers. It was a pleasure being your fan. We must trade you while you have value and get players who may become the future hall of famers we can support in wins. Anyone watching Braves trades in the recent past and contract signings, knew Mark Teixiera was a 18 month player. The plan was never to sign him to a blockbuster deal. If you trade what we did we should have planned to sign Mark. Now we get draft picks in the #40- #75 next June. So lets show how intelligent the Management of our Atlanta Braves can be and make wonderful trades happen. By the way we draft great position players in our drafts but have lose the art of selecting pitching, any pitching, not one dominant pitcher in 10 years. So draft position players, trade or sign pitchers through free agency. Preferably under 31 years of age. I an a fanatic fan. I do not want to criticize, I want to help. Call me and I will actually discuss issues with you. I want to turn this organization around and win 14 more in a row. Chipper, I love you. You are great and having a great year. I will pull for you if you are a Met. You should end your career in the AL, DHing, and get close to 600 homers. I never seen Mickey play. You have always been my hero. You are an once in a lifetime player. Good Luck, Best wishes, God Bless You and all the Braves that helped make me proud to be a Braves Fan. Jeff Francouer hang in there, I believe in you. I wish I could have accomplished what you have and will do in your career. Just play ball Jeff, do not listen to jerks, you have a gift, Just use it and Just do it Baby!!! If the team needs an energizing speech, I can do it. Mr. Wren I am praying for you and your staff, Get’r Done! Son. Braves thank you for being my team!

By JS

July 4, 2008 5:50 AM | Link to this

Can we keep booing every time Francouer steps to the plate and drive him out of town? In the long run it will be better for him to move on somewhere else. At least we can take solace that he didn’t accept the contract we offered him.

By TheCutMan

July 4, 2008 6:49 AM | Link to this

The lambs are biting today! In my view, Frank Wren ought to send out a mass email to all the MLB GMs with this advisory:

“Jurrgens, C Jones, and Escobar are off the table. Everyone else is in play so make an offer.”

By Fred Guerra

July 4, 2008 7:53 AM | Link to this

I still think the braves have a chance to finish strong. Due to injury, they are still only 7 games out. We’ll see what the future holds.

By bevsouth

July 4, 2008 8:17 AM | Link to this

I don’t believe some of you, yes the Braves took a calculated gamble and hoped that two 40plus pitchers and Hampton would be healthy, it just didn’t happen They assumed that Frenchy would do what he did last year and that has not happened either,Kotsay’s back went out and Chipper is hurt some of the time and you people blame Cox.

With it all they were only 4 games out before this last series with the Phils who probably have a better team then the Braves even if healthy. And you know what if we can handle Houston and the Mets take 3 out of 4 from the Phils we are still in the race. Do I think we can win it all probably not but to read what some of write it beyond belief. Trade Tex,very few teams are willing to give up prospects for a 3 month rental(at least we had a year and a half with Tex, and by the way have you looked at what the “prospects” we gave to Texas are doing??? Trade Frenchy, sure when his value has never been lower, he ‘s 24 years old, maybe he needs to besent to Richmond but you don’t trade him when his production is so poor. Fire Cox wow! like it’s his fault we have had the injuries and the lack of timely hitting with men on base. I live in the Tampa area and for the last two years prior to this one Joe Maddon was a dummy, this year he’s a genius, why because his team is playing better. They added Longoria who is the best third basemen I have seen since Brooks Robinson, Percival and others in the bullpen and the trade that brought them Bartlet and Garza from the twins have made Joe smarter?? Come on people use you heads, DOB is a very smart baseball guy not only a fine writer, I heard him yeaterday on XM radio he tells it like it is he said “the Phils are the best team in the NL East and I agree. So lighten up hope we can get some of these guys back and still be with shouting distance befoe July 31 if not perhaps we can try and move Tex for propsects and build for next year. We have a great group of young guys wo will be here in a couple of years,Schaffer, Hernandez, Heyward Hanson etc.to go along Escobar,Mac Morton, JJ and hopefully Frenchy.

By Edward

July 4, 2008 8:24 AM | Link to this

I don’t know how many the Braves will lose. One thing for sure they will lose more than they will win.

By Vince

July 4, 2008 8:45 AM | Link to this

Living in the past. Living in the past. But this is the present and we all know what happens when you live in the past.

By bobby

July 4, 2008 10:13 AM | Link to this

7 games back is not impossible to overcome with a good team. This team is not even fair. With the enthusiasm they play with and poor managing, they will be lucky to win 70 games.

By Run Heap Run!

July 4, 2008 12:03 PM | Link to this

Geeze these comments. We really are the most spoiled fans in baseball. You’d think we were the 18 out Mariners. This is the NL East, people, and it ain’t nowhere close to September yet. I for one will be mad as hell if Wren even thinks about a fire sale.

By BeBrave

July 4, 2008 12:28 PM | Link to this

I harbor no delusions that this team, even with everyone healthy can make a run at the division. As good as we played down the stretch last year, we still came up short. Even if a miracle occured and this team got a wildcard, they are not constructed to win championships.

Sure lesser teams sometimes win championships, but we are hoping for a miracle rather than demanding our ownership field a championship caliber team? Come on people, sports is cyclical and our cycle of winning has run its course. 3 years of losing means time to start over, not keep plugging a piece trying to get to your former glory, which if you really think about it hasnt been that glorious in many many years, even before the losing. First round exits from the playoffs suck, they arent good seasons at all, no matter how many in a row you accomplish. I for one cannot stand mediocrity, lets tear down the broken team and rebuild for 2010 and beyond.

By Been There-Done That

July 4, 2008 12:53 PM | Link to this

Sitting here on the 4th of July reading a Braves blog is the last tbhing I expected to be doing. I just wanted to see what Braves fans were saying after the Phils sweep. Being a life-long Phils fan (1960!), no Braves fan has suffered more frustration over the years than me (us).

But I have to tell you all down there, you sound like a bunch of what-have-you-done-for-me-lately gang of whiners!! Trade Chipper?!?….I’ll take him in a heartbeat!…..Fire Cox??….I’ll trade you Manuel for him!!!…..Give up on Francoer???….See my point???

Injuries have decimated your team; it is what it is. The Phils have a pretty good team and it’s getting better. I only hope they can be near as good as the Braves teams of years past.

You all have to hang in there and not let your hot headed minority fans speak for the level headed majority who appreciate what the franchise has been over the past twenty years. I always hated the Braves, but I admired them at the same time.

By gt

July 4, 2008 1:16 PM | Link to this

braves biggest problem is described in 2 words. time warner. they raped the team. what diod the braves get when jd drew left? sheffield? maddox, glavine? t-w wanted them to work for minimum wage- $7 per hour.

Don’t know what new owners are like- live in tampa.Cannot see their games for the first time. Why? time -warner, the greedy liars who also tried to screw up skip caray. Listened to him in the 60’s with atla crackers.

4-20 in one run games? There are 2 knd of atletes and teams. Winners and losers. Winners find a way to win when close, losers find a way to lose. I was going to go to a game while in atla thisjuly. Not now. Too much $ and time away from family to go to see a minor league team.