ajcsportstalk

By Pat Jarvis

July 26, 2008 7:26 PM | Link to this

Was this the Braves worst loss? I can think of about a dozen others that was just as sickening as this one. Somehow Blaine Boyer has has had a hand in most of these loses. At least Hampton can say he hasn’t pitched in three years. What’s Boyer’s excuse?

By bobby

July 26, 2008 7:26 PM | Link to this

Even with a 6 run lead, couldn’t you just see this one coming? Even a poor team most likely could have held on to that big of a lead.

By Corey

July 26, 2008 7:28 PM | Link to this

1) Teixeira to Arizona for Conor Jackson & Prospect(s) 2) Prospects to Pittsburgh for Jason Bay 3) Francoeur & James to Kansas City for Grienke & Guillen

You’re Welcome

By Bronze

July 26, 2008 7:30 PM | Link to this

My goodness, as a 9-3 game was being thrown away, Bobby Cox was in the dugout picking his nose. Ladies & gentlemen Bobby ain’t getting it done anymore, it’s time for a change.

By william cranman

July 26, 2008 7:30 PM | Link to this

I honestly believe the Kelly Johnson drop of a pop-up a few weeks ago was the turning point of the season. They have simply never recovered.

By dICK

July 26, 2008 7:34 PM | Link to this

Pathetic pathetic pathetic pathetic

By Reg L

July 26, 2008 7:36 PM | Link to this

Tough to watch these days. I knew a 6 run lead would not last, so I didn’t change the channel. No, I’m not psychic, but these Braves are pretty darn predictable these days. Boyer is just plain rotten, and Bobby should have pulled him before things got out of hand. This was just another one of their amazing 1 run loss fiascos…

By Thomas

July 26, 2008 7:38 PM | Link to this

Hampton threw some wonderful pitches and did really well considering he hasn’t started in almost three years. He was just a bit rusty. If we had Ohman or Taverez come in during the 5th instead of dumb and dumber (Ring and Boyer,) we would have won that game and Hampton would have gotten away with only giving up 4 or 5 earned runs. Instead of making this game the turning point of the season, the Braves turned it into an utter disaster and a huge embarassment. This was the Braves’ chance to really take a huge, motivating step forward. Instead, they watched it slip through their fingers. I hope Boyer gets no sleep tonight.

On another note…Eric Karros has got to be the worst announcer that I have ever heard. Anyone else agree or is it just me?

By DNZ

July 26, 2008 7:39 PM | Link to this

First off I’d like to say from his time missed, i think Mr. Hampton was rather impressive. My question is why did we wait so long to make a move? We are now 4 days away from the trade deadline and possibly 7 1/2 games out, why didn’t we make moves last month? This way it would have made it easier to know if we were gonna be buyers or sellers at the trade deadline. I cant believe that we havent filled the right handed hitting situation in left field yet. We waited too long to pull the trigger and if its not already too late its getting close. And have we had any contract discussions with Big Tex up to this point?

By dean

July 26, 2008 7:42 PM | Link to this

I hope the Braves trade Tex

and Chipper

and McCann

and Frenchy

and Yunel

and then I hope they move to a city that will put up with a totally pathetic team willing only to live in the past.

Braves = losers

By Ro nRoberts

July 26, 2008 7:44 PM | Link to this

Knowing this game is important for Braves’ management to make a decision as to whether we’re buyers or sellers, Bobby Cox should’ve managed this game like a College World Series’ game.

He used the bullpen backwards, frankly. The Braves didn’t use Raphael Soriano or Mike Gonzalez yesterday, so in a situation where we could’ve stifled a big threat early on, we needed a “closer-like” performance out of somebody, and calling upon a guy who doesn’t have closer-like stuff to pitch with the bases juiced, ina bandbox, in a key game for this team… bad call, Bobby & Roger; bad call.

I thought Hampton looked fairly good, all things considered; I think his outing was an encouraging one, loss notwithstanding.

But geez, the bullpen should’ve been used the exact opposite of the way it was today. Bring in the stopper(s) when the stoppers are needed, Bobby. Sheesh.

You have the luxury now of having, in essence, two closers, and you needed one, despite it not being a “textbook” closer’s situation. Toss the book, dude.

By Candid Blogger

July 26, 2008 7:47 PM | Link to this

That was some ugly baseball. Break up this team and send Bobby Cox to the farm. Three years is not a blip - it is now a habit. This team is in the habit of losing. Break the habit. Fire Bobby Cox.

By DNZ

July 26, 2008 7:47 PM | Link to this

I agree with this is probably the most devastating loss. I also believe that Boyer’s time should be up. I also question why is ring pitching to howard and not Ohman or Gonzalez. I understand he hit a home run the night before off Ohman but that HR was meaning less, this is why we pay those two millions for those situations.

By Dean

July 26, 2008 7:48 PM | Link to this

25 straight 1-run losses.

I’m serious.

How does that happen?

Why has no one stepped up and done something?

Is it the lack or pay and the small salaries that Braves players receive?

Is it the grueling 7 month work year with only 5 months of vacation?

Is it the toughness of playing a sport that requires you to hit and throw a little white ball with a stick?

Seriously? What is it?

By littlebigman

July 26, 2008 7:49 PM | Link to this

You got to be crazy to blame the Braves pathetic season on one dropped fly ball … that is just someone who dislikes a particular ball player and wants to run him down. How about all the good plays he’s made? This season must be placed on the management from the top down. These guys were not in playing shape when training camp broke. Where does that dog sleep? Is it the trainer? Is it the players’ manager, is it the hitting coach, the base coaches, bench coach, pitching???? Try getting in shape during the off season next year instead of playing golf, fishing, hunting and maybe there won’t be so many “injuries”. Enough said!!!

By TampaGator

July 26, 2008 7:50 PM | Link to this

This game goes to Bobby Cox. It was obvious that Boyer had nothing, but Bobby just sat there and picked his nose until the lead was gone. Any other good manager would have realized how important this game was and pulled Boyer almost immediately. But not Cox. I predicted the HR to put Philly ahead, and I said it would be Cox’s fault before it happened. Braves will never win another title as long as Cox is the manager…no in game sense to me.

By DirtyDawg

July 26, 2008 7:51 PM | Link to this

No this wasn’t the worst loss…the worst loss was the KJ dropped pop-up - also against the Phillies, back when it really mattered. Now I’m not so sure. I agree with whoever said that there’s no use in getting rid of Tex, it’s not as if you’re gonna get anything for him. Just play it out and hope you can catch fire. Of course with Frenchy in the middle of the lineup we’re not likely to have very many rallies.

By Candid Blogger

July 26, 2008 7:52 PM | Link to this

Now, now, let’s not talk nose picking here. Let’s keep this blog on a higher plane. Did your grandfather pick his nose?

By DNZ

July 26, 2008 7:52 PM | Link to this

The Red Sox are fed up with MANNY!

By littlebigman

July 26, 2008 7:57 PM | Link to this

Typical Braves game … score them all at once and stop. That’s the way they play. 9-10-12 runs then 0s the rest of the time. Unfortunately most of the time its 000 000 000.

By Ron Roberts

July 26, 2008 7:58 PM | Link to this

Sorry, TampaBrave, but how was it obvious Boyer didn’t have anything? I agree, he was the wrong man for the situation (whichi is much easier for us to say, in hindsight), but it wasn’t obvious that anybody came into the game with anything less than they were expeceted to come in with.

But, for my edification, the minute Kenny Albert mentioned his appearance was a league-leading figure, I had a bad feeling.

The relievers Cox wears out eventually wear D O W N.

By Run, Heap, Run!

July 26, 2008 8:00 PM | Link to this

It was a heart breaker for sure but worst loss? Not even close. Hampy did fine. I was glad to see him last 97 pitches. Hope he feels okay tomorrow and will be back to finish out the season. He certainly pitched better than Reyes has done lately. Not many teams can come back 7 runs, our bullpen let us down today.

Ah well…they’ll get ‘em tomorrow, right? Tex’s day game numbers, Heap hitting cleanup, Campillio vs Blanton? I like our chances..

By Josh M

July 26, 2008 8:01 PM | Link to this

Eric Karros was horrible. I mean, he praised Brian McCann for his SPEED. Seriously.

Teixeira should be on a plane for Arizona tonight, along with Ohman and Francoeur for Jackson, Scherzer and a minor leaguer.

By greenvegas

July 26, 2008 8:02 PM | Link to this

only Bobby Cox would bring in Ring to face howard in the most important part of the game. Ohman should have been brought in there against Howard. Pathetic.

By MidTnDawgFan

July 26, 2008 8:08 PM | Link to this

Last Sunday we drove down and caught the game against the NATS. After watching Reyes get absolutely raped for a few inninngs we got fed up and left. And I’m the type of fan that typically never leaves early. I actually sat through the 22-1 butt kicking the Orioles gave us back in ‘99 when Cal Ripkien went 6 for 6. Up until now last week’s game against the NATS was the worst loss of the season in my opinion. Today’s loss was just un-friggin-believable! How in the hell does a national league team score 9 runs in one inning and take a 6 run lead, then turn around and give up 7 runs that same inning? Is this what the 80’s were like?

By Don

July 26, 2008 8:10 PM | Link to this

I said it before, I do not see why we bother to to do anything for Hampton. He does not deserve to start, H3$$, he does not deserve to be on the team. He won’t be here next year, so what are we trying to do, audition him for another job next year? Starting Hampton is wasting maturity and growth of someone else (Reyes, Morton).

Hampton is a piece of __.

By DirtyDawg

July 26, 2008 8:10 PM | Link to this

Well littlebigman, based on your comments above, I’d say it was quite enough. Assuming you’re talking about KJ, just what good plays would you be talking about? Certainly none that figured into winning a game. Sure he can hit ball at times, but he’s not much with the glove, and his arm is probably good enough for first base but no place else, which is probably where he should play when Tex is gone.

By WildBill

July 26, 2008 8:16 PM | Link to this

notes: 1.Listen to the game on radio, watch tv. 2.Braves need to get rid of Frenchy, Johnson, and Boyer. 3.Cox needs a case of Boost to wake him up. 4.How much has been spent on Hampton? Hampton has cost the Braves dearly, not playing and drawing a big paycheck. Morale is low as a result. 5. How many days till UGA’s first game?

By TNJeff

July 26, 2008 8:17 PM | Link to this

One thing I’ve learned about this group of Braves and this idiot manager, they’ve got a seemingly infinite supply of stupid ways to lose games. I’m confident they can top this game down the road.

By southbeachdietfreak

July 26, 2008 8:17 PM | Link to this

I think these guys just remembered who they were… “hold on, here, we’re about to win 2 straight on the road! againsta winning team! Can’t have that!”

By TNJeff

July 26, 2008 8:17 PM | Link to this

One thing I’ve learned about this group of Braves and this idiot manager, they’ve got a seemingly infinite supply of stupid ways to lose games. I’m confident they can top this game down the road.

By Matt

July 26, 2008 8:20 PM | Link to this

The KJ dropped pop-up game was the worst, but this game comes pretty darn close. I have never been more disgusted with the Braves than I have this season. No offense, no bullpen, poor management, poor decisions every night, no fundamentals, a myriad of injuries (though those can’t be avoided sometimes), keeping Corky Miller over Brayan Penya, keeping Resop over Yates, etc., etc., etc. I’m very close to becoming a Tampa Bay Rays fan. THEY are a competitive team with a desire to win.

By southbeachdietfreak

July 26, 2008 8:21 PM | Link to this

Don, sadly, I agree.. Wby 4 ER over 4 innings was a “good start” I’ll never know. But the Braves are trying to legitimize keeping him and paying this princely salary. He is well past his prime, and it is time to invest in the future… sell today!!

By TNJeff

July 26, 2008 8:21 PM | Link to this

MidTnDawgFan

That’s exactly what the 80’s were like when I believe Cox was blindly managing the Braves (predating the 90’s when he had 3 Hall of Fame pitchers & a Hall of Fame 3rd baseman in their primes).

By Joz

July 26, 2008 8:22 PM | Link to this

First off, I feel bad for Boyer, a local kid who just keeps getting smashed. We were about to sit down for dinner when they brought him in and I looked at my wife & said, “This guy worries me MORE than Reitsma used to…” Needless to say it was a miserable dinner…

By southbeachdietfreak

July 26, 2008 8:24 PM | Link to this

How about tomorrow???

Braves score a run in each inning, and then give up 10 in the bottom of the ninth!!! any takers?

By southbeachdietfreak

July 26, 2008 8:25 PM | Link to this

Braves seem to save their best (by that, I mean their worst) for nationally televised games.

By southbeachdietfreak

July 26, 2008 8:29 PM | Link to this

TN Jeff,

Hate to be picky, but during most of the ’80s Cox wasn’t with the braves… It was a decade of them going through disposable no-name managers… all except Torre.

By TNJeff

July 26, 2008 8:29 PM | Link to this

southbeachdiefreak

Seriously doubt Braves will score any runs tomorrow.

By D-Cider

July 26, 2008 8:30 PM | Link to this

I agree with DirtyDawg, the dropped popup by K. Johnson put the Braves 4 back instead of 2 games back and after 2 more lousy games they were 6 back. how many games are the Braves out of 1st place now? THE DUDE CANNOT PLAY 2ND BASE!! just another example of moving a player from one position to another and then watch him butcher the new position. as far as bad losses go, how about setting a RECORD for one run losses on the road? this is a dysfunctional team!!

By southbeachdietfreak

July 26, 2008 8:32 PM | Link to this

I guess the big difference between this team and the teams of the ’80s (besides the sexy powder blue uniforms) was that the fans keep coming to the park. I remember one night sometime in the mid-’80s my Aunt living in Roswell told me they drew about 1,900 fans. I think that was the year they were outdrawn by Pittsburgh’s AAA affiliate.

By southbeachdietfreak

July 26, 2008 8:35 PM | Link to this

TNJeff,

Agreed…they made their quota for the rest of the month.

By southbeachdietfreak

July 26, 2008 8:37 PM | Link to this

I got it… Blaine Boyer and JF switch spots!!! Let Boyer hit in Boyer’s spot, and JF can come in for middle relief! Couldn’t hurt!

By dean

July 26, 2008 8:37 PM | Link to this

Ohh

Ohhh

I want to play the game where we predict new ways the Braves can lose.

How about this.

Braves are losing by 17 in the top of the ninth, score 29 runs and go up by 12.

Then Boyer comes in and gives up a 13 straight HR.

or….

all the players quit in disgust tonight, the braves forfeit the remainder of their games, and Frank Wren moves to Charlotte.

By dean

July 26, 2008 8:40 PM | Link to this

Note to self

Since when is giving up 6ER in 4 inn anything but a horrible outing…..

at any level of baseball….

for any player regardless of the situation….?

Mike Hampton was awful tonight.

By dean

July 26, 2008 8:44 PM | Link to this

Why even play tomorrow?

Oh yeah. The paycheck.

That is the only thing the Braves play for anyway.

It sure as hell isn’t to win…or to take pride in your job.

Losers.

By tiger7_88

July 26, 2008 8:50 PM | Link to this

Dean…. seriously… I’m shocked at such language. This s a FAMILY chatroom.

From now on, you should refer to Eric Karros as a va-jay-jay.

By siskel

July 26, 2008 8:56 PM | Link to this

These guys shouldn’t even be allowed to call themselves Braves, absolutely no heart. Did you catch Boyer’s reaction to giving up the 3 run dinger? Even Chris Reitsma is laughing at him. These guys never show any emotion there like robots out there and if they suffer any little injury, they sit out a week. Chipper is a V A G I N A, Frenchy is a basket case, KJ is the worst defensive second baseman in the history of baseball and now he can’t hit, Glavine, Smoltz, and Hampton are all finished, Gotay and Norton couldn’t start for Richmond, and Kotsay is a V A G I N A also. Now having said all that don’t trade Tex, he and Mac should be the staples for the next ten years there the only ones who are rarely injured and are consistent!

By gary

July 26, 2008 8:59 PM | Link to this

Imagine listening to a Braves game and not having the paid Braves announcers telling us how great every play made by a Braves player was. Funny how someone thinks Karros is serious about McCain having speed, but likely find it amusing when Joe or Chip talk about him stealing a base.

By rick

July 26, 2008 9:00 PM | Link to this

team is only going through the motions. Francour should be benched and traded along with johnson.Tex should be signed to a long term contract, others cox losers should be released, including the intire coaching staff.

By tiger7_88

July 26, 2008 9:02 PM | Link to this

southbeachdietfreak said: Don, sadly, I agree.. Wby 4 ER over 4 innings was a “good start” I’ll never know. But the Braves are trying to legitimize keeping him and paying this princely salary. He is well past his prime, and it is time to invest in the future… sell today!!

Don, southbeach… catch up with todays MLB. Even if they cut Hampton today, they’d still owe him the balance of the money on his contract. So “legitimiz(ing) keeping him and paying this princely salary” has absolutely nothing to do with it. It’s either pay him, try to get him healthy, and play him. Or pay him and cut him. You guys seem to think the wiser choice is to pay him for doing absolutely nothing.

By BEBO

July 26, 2008 9:02 PM | Link to this

ALL OF THE ABOVE “None Sense”!!!! COMES FROM THE INTELLIGENSE OF THE STUPID AND PATHETIC SOOTHSAYERS.

PLEASE GO AROUND THE CORNER AND EXPECTERATE YOUR OPINION

By MadMax

July 26, 2008 9:03 PM | Link to this

Hampton did a fair job considering his long layoff. The game was lost by Bobby leaving Boyer in the game when it was apparent to everyone but Bobby that Boyer was headed for disaster. But then, that has become an all to familiar scenario over the last several years.

It is past time to dismantle this club and start over. It is clear that they have lost the will to win and are just going through the motions. That, of course, starts at the top and filters down. Since management can’t, or won’t, build a fire under these underachievers, a change at the top is also in order. Until that happens, there may be twenty five more one run losses in our future. As William Bendix would have said, “what a revoltin’ development.”

By cooper

July 26, 2008 9:03 PM | Link to this

Wren should not sell b/c of this game. This was pure and simple bad in game mgt by Bobby.

He sat there dumbfounded as the game slipped away.

The Braves also need more pen help and if there ever was a commercial for another long man needed this is it.

Get AJ Burnett and put Campillo in the pen. Carlye is spent and apart from Ohmna and Gonzo the whole pen reeks.

Blaine Boyer is overused no doubt but he also is too unreliable to be on this team.

Hampton is not the goat of the day that title belongs to Ring/Boyer/Cox - the three stooges of the day.

If this were the Yankees BC would have been fired on the way to the showers by Steinbrenner.

A must win game and you you bring in Ring a guy who has dusty collecting on his arm and the Boyer a guy you will need later in the game and how flat out sux with runners on in pressure spots.

Does Bobby even watch any of the games?

By rmh

July 26, 2008 9:06 PM | Link to this

What gets me is why Boyer was allowed to stay in until the lead was blown. Geez concede three or 4 tops after Hampton went out, but to concede 7 is inexcusable. There is no way Boyer should have gotten a second batter after he surrended runs. Royce would have been better to leave in for the inning. Unreal.

By djp

July 26, 2008 9:10 PM | Link to this

if there’s ever been any doubt that this is a team that sits around waiting for an opportunity to lose, that doubt should be vanquished now. i don’t know if i know how to fix it, but this team needs a fix.

i will say that bobby is not the problem. hate him all you want but he’s a class act and knows how to win. all you clowns who wished you lived in philly so you could boo the team and the manager whenever things go south can find a home at philly.com. the baseball fans among us should know that patience is a virtue!

By hAL

July 26, 2008 9:15 PM | Link to this

actually the bad calls not bobbys but having losers like boyer and frenchy on the team they are home grown boys though and ill bet hes told to play them

By TechMan

July 26, 2008 9:18 PM | Link to this

I knew the game was lost right before the Phillies big inning. When Frenchie attempted to take third base and was out by a mile. Why give the Phillies an easy out, unless you think you’ve already won the game. Can the Braves take first place. The answer is yes. Can the Brave take first place by giving up games like today the answer is no. Braves need to change their attitude if they are going to move up.

By notabravesfans

July 26, 2008 9:18 PM | Link to this

Hey all you trade Tex people, please stop over shooting for what you can get for him. You might get a 2nd rate player and 2 AAA players but nothing like what you all are wanting, most of the teams that are in it have a good 1st baseman and don’t want to dump their farm on him. You might as well just keep him and next year start all over clean house from top to bottom even your injury pron 3rd baseman Larry Jones talking about missing time with Hanpton has Larry played a full season this decade?

By Reid

July 26, 2008 9:20 PM | Link to this

The Braves worst lost I think not! But I will say this, it is time for Cox to go…Cox should have come out and got Mike after the first guy reached base in the fifth because at that point in time his was around 80 pitches…And with the bases loaded and no outs Cox brings in Ring…What was he thinking? Oh yeah, he wasn’t…And after Boyer’s second guy reached base it was clear he did not have his good stuff but yet Cox left him out there to face Dobbs…What was he thinking? Oh yeah, he wasn’t and hasn’t all season…

By Joe

July 26, 2008 9:23 PM | Link to this

As i’ve stated many times on here. The game has passed Bobby Cox by. I still love him and have been a fan for years but it’s time for him to go. The decisions he’s made the last few years especially with the bullpen have been Willie Randolphen. How could he possibly leave Boyers sorry azz out there to blow this game today. It was obvious he didn’t have it form the first pitch he threw. I’m just tired of watching Cox blow ggames for this talmted team….

By BraveFan

July 26, 2008 9:25 PM | Link to this

Bobby Cox is a stupid Manager.He should be fired. Trade Tex, Chipper, KJ, and Frenchy. Dump Glavine,Boyer,Ring, and the remaing coaching staff. Send Miller anywhere out of baseball.THE BRAVES ARE AWFUL!!!

By steve

July 26, 2008 9:29 PM | Link to this

yep, Tex saw his ATL career come to an end today..

By Joseph Allen McWhorter

July 26, 2008 9:31 PM | Link to this

If the Braves can pull off a trade involving Texeira by the deadline, I would love to see them get some solid bullpen help. The bullpen has had issues all year long. It is just not consistent. There is no true closer in the bullpen. Hampton should have won that game today. The bullpen just stinks right now. Plain and simple. I still can’t believe the bullpen blew that big lead today. If the Braves can make a major trade and get some well known middle relievers, they should go for it!!!

By Material Man

July 26, 2008 9:31 PM | Link to this

Tex is leaving at the end of the season. Trade him now if you can get anything worthwhile for him. Rework the bullpen, it has become a cesspool of gopher ball chunkers. Re-assess the manager’s performance over the past three years. It has been mediocre at best. Tough to be a genius when you no longer have Maddux, Glavine and Smoltz in their prime, eh Bobby?

There needs to be someone brought in who can build a fire under this lethargic team. Look what happened with the Cubs in Chicago and is happening with the Yankees right now. This team has no spirit, no drive and seemingly no willingness to step it up a notch. Maybe they are as bad as they appear, but I suspect there is a lack of enthusiasm filtering down from the top. But Bobby will be there until he decides to hang it up. The front office is incapable of making a change on their own. Get used to a mediocre team until a magerial change is made.

By Kentavo

July 26, 2008 9:33 PM | Link to this

Well, if he hadn’t used Ohman last night…

Oh yeah, why was Ohman used last night?

By Pete

July 26, 2008 9:44 PM | Link to this

Good news for Mrs. Cox is Bobby wont be coming home. Otherwise, shes on the phone calling local hotels for a room.

By Reality

July 26, 2008 9:50 PM | Link to this

Only ONE thing to say about this loss. SOMEONE was removed fron the rotation to give The Man With The Golden Groin this start. Do you believe the man who was removed from this start could have made it through the 5th inning allowing only 5 runs.If you do that means this is a loss that can be layed directly on the BRAINTRUST—ROTFLMAO—who decided they had to demonstrate they had received something from this Human Waste of Roster Space.

Hampton—1

Good Sense—0

By brandon

July 26, 2008 9:53 PM | Link to this

Look I know Bobby Cox hasnt always made the dicissions that I would or most fans but honestly He is a dang good manager. I dont think this team would be as close as it is with out the coaching staff. Did any of you read Chipper’s statement on that? Tex needs to go because frankly he is good but not worth what it will take to resign him. As for the one run loses and lack of clutch hitting someone show Terry Pendelton the door please. Promote Wellman from the Double A team or better yet hire McCann’s Dad since he is the one McCann goes to when he needs help and he is the best hitter in a Pathetic lineup.

By Jack G

July 26, 2008 9:54 PM | Link to this

Why waste your time talking about trades. Trades dont matter because you still have Bobby, Terry, and Roger. You dont kill a snake by stomping on its tail, and you wont cure the braves problems with trades. Cut the snakes head off and it wil die.

By Firetheoldfool

July 26, 2008 9:54 PM | Link to this

FIRE Bobby Cox. I cannot understand how a major league manager can make such stupid moves time after time after time for the last 3 years now and NOT be Fired. Can someone tell me? Does he have something on Wren or Schuerholz? Please, please, please get rid of the old fool.

By Braves blow

July 26, 2008 9:59 PM | Link to this

The Kelly Johnson drop is the worse by far ,That one loss changed the whole year for the Braves .I even think Boyer was pitching that night so a game like today makes it come full circle .season over !

By Pete H.

July 26, 2008 10:00 PM | Link to this

Hampton actually looked pretty good. He just had no command and that will come as he faces ML batters. Throwing to minor leaguers just ain’t the same. He was leaving pitches up; it’s fixable and his stuff was pretty good when it went where he wanted it to.

Too late to trade Tex. No one is going to cough up a Conor Jackson for two months of him. Better just take the draft picks and try to grab Max Ramirez from Texas and stick him at 1B. He has no value for Texas but might be a good stopgap for us next year. It will hurt losing Tex’s glove, though. Man, that guy can pick it.

I’d look at trading Ohman. Any contender would love him in their pen and we could pry loose a good prospect.

Kotsay might be useful to the right team. The Cubs, perhaps. I’m not sure what we could get for him, though, and it might be better just to keep him for next year until Schafer or Hernandez is ready.

Disappointing loss and disappointing season, but we still have a good nucleus and some good kids on the way, so next year should be better, particularly if we have Smoltz in the pen.

By james

July 26, 2008 10:03 PM | Link to this

If they can get some good names for Tex, go ahead with it. However, I believe they should just keep him. They will get some very high draft picks if he signs elsewhere. So, why “take what you can get” when you could get some solid young talent when he signs with someone else. BLAINE BOYER FOR PRESIDENT!!! HE IS THE BEST PITCHER EVER!!! Rumor has it that Greg McMichael and Mark Wohlers are coming out of retirement to make the bullpen more stable. Also, CORKY MILLER should be starting over McCann. He is so good. Wren and Cox say his defense is so good, he doesn’t need to hit. J/K….Javy Lopez is sitting at home thinking “this guy was chosen over me? You’ve gotta be kidding me!”

By Bearcat

July 26, 2008 10:05 PM | Link to this

Send Francoeur to the Dodgers so they can have a backup for Andruw “I’M A PULL HITTER” Jones. And please send Corky Miller back somewhere and ask Javy Lopez if he would reconsider coming back to the team and tell him the Braves made a BIG BOO BOO. At least we would have a little pop in that bench instead of a .093 hitter working every Sunday. Now that is some pop in the bottom of that lineup once a week while McCann rests. We Love You Bobby but please give it up after this year. Where was your sharp mindset today?

By LOST BRAVE

July 26, 2008 10:08 PM | Link to this

IS THIS THE WORST LOST IN BRAVES HISTORY? I DON’T KNOW ABOUT THAT BUT IT IS THE WORST LOST FOR THE BRAVES IN THE LAST 20 YEARS. HEY I HAVE BEEN ON HAMPTON’S BUTT FOR ALMOST 3 YEARS, BUT I WILL ADMIT HE DONE BETTER THAN I EXPECTED TODAY! THIS LOSS CAN ONLY BE BLAMED AT THE FEET OF THE ALMIGHTY BASEBALL GREAT JERK OF A MANAGER BOBBY COX. LOVE HIM OR HATE HIM HE HAS NO CLUE AS TO HOW TO HANDLE A PEE-WEE TEAM ANY LONGER. HAS ANYONE ELSE NOTICED DURING THE GAME MOST OF HIS TIME IS SPENT PICKING HIS NOSE OR SCRATCHING HIS BUTT.THIS LOSS REALLY DID END THE BRAVES SEASON.AS LONG AS COX AND ALL OF THE CURRENT EX-BRAVE PLAYER’S REMAIN AS COACHES, ALL OF THE BRAVES FAN’S CAN JUST FLAT OUT FORGET ABOUT MAKING THE PLAYOFF;S

By jc_dawgs

July 26, 2008 10:09 PM | Link to this

worst loss? No way.

The worst loss was when KJ dropped the fly ball against Philly about a month ago.

He catches that and the game is over. Instead the Braves end up losing.

The loss today was a tough loss but not one that they can’t bounce back from.

By Bill in VA

July 26, 2008 10:17 PM | Link to this

Who was the idiot announcer who said that “Now Hampton has PLENTY of breathing room?” I saw it coming then.

By Tomas

July 26, 2008 10:19 PM | Link to this

jc_ dawgs, I agree with you nothing beats the kelly johnson drop.

By gayle

July 26, 2008 10:25 PM | Link to this

Will someone please put this dog - and Bobby - to sleep?

By pete

July 26, 2008 10:28 PM | Link to this

The most disappointing thing to me is the p—- ant ownership group who have completely ruined what Ted built.Keep the team and get rid of these losers.They have taken us from first to worst.

By Reality

July 26, 2008 10:32 PM | Link to this

Hampton DID NOT look pretty good. He gave up 6 runs in 4 rlus innings in a game that is part of a series in which you must win 2.

This isn’t spring training.

Did The Golden Groin give you your BEST chance to win Game2 of a series that might define your season?? If the answer is a NO, then don’t you guys think someone should be run out of here post haste??

This is not an audition so that the Pitiful Pectoral can get another deal next year.

By Harpie

July 26, 2008 10:33 PM | Link to this

This team is THE WORST!!!!

By Kashi

July 26, 2008 10:46 PM | Link to this

I am finally happy to see Cox dropped Frency from 6th spot and also to see Frency got two hits today. But aah man itn’t is a bad move to bring Ring and then letting Boyer get wild for so long? I would have pulled Boyer after the 3rd run scored in 5th inning. He is unexperienced to pitch in these situation. He threw inside strick after 0-2 pitch….oh god please tell this guy how to get away from hitters. I partially blame Bobby Cox for poorly managing today’s game to devasting lose. Bases loaded he should have brought Omaha, boyer for 6th, Gonzales for 7th and 8th, soriano in 9th. we won the game/series. Peace!

By Bill

July 26, 2008 10:55 PM | Link to this

Worst loss of the year.The braves season is over with this loss.Braves need to trade and release players and rebuild the team.

By Drew

July 26, 2008 10:55 PM | Link to this

“Roger? What’s our record”

“49-54, sir”

“How did we win 49…..”

“It’s a miracle”

By BravesFan79

July 26, 2008 10:58 PM | Link to this

Brandon: I dont think this team would be as close as it is with out the coaching staff.

WHAT? u mean the coaching staff that choose a .070 hitting Corky over a .310 Pena? Not to mention that sent Escobar into a slump.

The SAME staff that last year put a carreer .200 hitter (Woodward)on the team over a .350 spring training Escobar??
THAT cost the Braves the playoffs last year….NOT THE PITCHING!

Think about it…if you replace woodcraps failed clutch at bats with Escobar thats a difference in AT LEAST 10 games last year. If we had Escobar on the team when Chipper got hurt last year…. i GUARNTEE we dont fall back to .500 after being up +10 games.
I still have nightmares of the lineup Bobby stupidly ran out there expecting to win. Orr, Woodcrap, Thorman, and Andrew hitting cleanup! Add the pitcher and thats pretty much 5 automatic outs!
WTF was Bobby thinking? That we still had 3 cy young winners on the staff to cover for his bad roster decisions??

The terrible roster moves at the start of last year is what cost the Braves the playoffs, NOT the 2nd half pitching!
More evidence Cox needs to go.

By BravesFan79

July 26, 2008 10:58 PM | Link to this

Brandon: I dont think this team would be as close as it is with out the coaching staff.

WHAT? u mean the coaching staff that choose a .070 hitting Corky over a .310 Pena? Not to mention that sent Escobar into a slump.

The SAME staff that last year put a carreer .200 hitter (Woodward)on the team over a .350 spring training Escobar??
THAT cost the Braves the playoffs last year….NOT THE PITCHING!

Think about it…if you replace woodcraps failed clutch at bats with Escobar thats a difference in AT LEAST 10 games last year. If we had Escobar on the team when Chipper got hurt last year…. i GUARNTEE we dont fall back to .500 after being up +10 games.
I still have nightmares of the lineup Bobby stupidly ran out there expecting to win. Orr, Woodcrap, Thorman, and Andrew hitting cleanup! Add the pitcher and thats pretty much 5 automatic outs!
WTF was Bobby thinking? That we still had 3 cy young winners on the staff to cover for his bad roster decisions??

The terrible roster moves at the start of last year is what cost the Braves the playoffs, NOT the 2nd half pitching!
More evidence Cox needs to go.

By Robert S

July 26, 2008 10:59 PM | Link to this

This, the worst loss? I’m running out of adjectives to describe this endless array of futility. Don’t expect it to stop as long as Bobby Cox is running the show, and as long as the Braves have their current roster of free swingers and strikeout kings, and I’m not talking about the pitching staff.

Like many on the blog, I almost expected the Braves to choke away the lead, as they have done so often this year.

Sure enough, they did, and with style - and look! Yet another one run loss!! Is this the most choke-laden team ever?

Twenty-five consecutive one run losses on the road tells me yes.

Absolutely yes. What futility! And sadly, Bobby Cox will be in the dugout tomorrow, the rest of the year, and next year, too.

And do you really think things will change? They’ll just keep on teasing us, only to revert to form, meaning finding every which way to lose.

See ya Tex. Hope we can get something good in return……

By Reality

July 26, 2008 10:59 PM | Link to this

I know I’m a rare visitor here, but if someone would answer my question I would appreciate it.

Did Mike Hampton give The Beaves the best opportunity to give us a series clinching win??

if the answer is no, and with the realization that other options were available, what does that say about the Atlanta Braves??

By Phi

July 26, 2008 11:03 PM | Link to this

I agree with William Cranman’s post - Kelly Johnson dropping the pop up a couple of months ago was the turning point of the season. Everything went downhill (even worse) from there. Today had to be one of the most frustrating games though. And, I also agree with another post about how Boyer’s been involved heavily in the frustrating losses. It’s crazy though - I’m so disappointed with the losses yet I can’t seem to turn my tv off. Still have to watch everyday…

By soxman

July 26, 2008 11:11 PM | Link to this

Poor Bobby, managing his heart out with one finger in his nose and the other hand punching out his wife…25 one-run losses- ALL belong to one man, the manager…get ready for another (at least one) losing season next year- since the “management” has said Bobby can manager as long as he wants….Atlanta is just a bunch of Cox suckers…

By your daddy

July 26, 2008 11:24 PM | Link to this

man, what a bunch of morons you people are. dean, don and the rest of you rubes should feel fortunate to have a team 6 or 7 games out and wondering whether to buy or sell at the deadline. i was a fan during the ’80s when the only good thing that ever happened was murphy or horner hitting a homer and an occaisional win over the dodgers. appreciate the team you have had during the ’90s and even today when you can hope to reach 1st; not just try to stay out of last….

By Gary

July 26, 2008 11:27 PM | Link to this

Damn, another train wreck, somehow we keep finding ways to lose. Don’t even know what to say, just dissappointed. Been saying, “if they would just score some runs”. Well, nine runs oughta do it ! Seems this team never tires of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.

By Bama

July 26, 2008 11:34 PM | Link to this

Buyer, seller or trader don’t matter as long as Bobby Cox is in the dugout. All players will say to keep Cox, what the hell do you expect them to say. You don’t rat on your boss and expect to be around long. Sure he’s good to the players but that don,t win games…look at Frenchy, Corky ,Norton, Boyer and others that are Zero help to this team but Bobby stands by his buddies. Friend that don’t win. Please Mr. Wren move Bobby to Vice President with Hank and get a new Mgr.

By Train Wreck Bystander

July 26, 2008 11:46 PM | Link to this

Hampton’s efforts today are another step in the right direction. Fox HD would cut in to that facial close up as he walked off the mound each inning. You could see the guy was as uneasy as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs.

I say keep Hampton in the rotation and let Morton polish himself in Richmond for the rest of the year.

And don’t pull the trigger on Texiera - unless you are going to trade him to the D-Backs for Conor Jackson. That’s a trade I could appreciate, and that keeps hope alive for this season.

By NO MORE BOBBY

July 26, 2008 11:47 PM | Link to this

All those dang injuries made us blow the game today. Oh Darn it!!

WAKE UP PEOPLE AND QUIT FALLING FOR THE LAME INJURY EXCUSE.

By Catfish

July 26, 2008 11:49 PM | Link to this

Observations:

Blaine Boyer can’t pitch under pressure with runners on base….but not many relief pitchers can. No relief pitcher likes to come in with runners on base to clean up a mess. They have no room for error.

It looked like Hampton lacked arm strength. Was he activated too early? He was obviously out of gas in the 4th.

Buddy Carlyle - Why is he being protected on the roster? He needs to pitch somewhere…preferably in AAA.

Royce Ring - He cannot get left handers out, so why is he on the team?

Jo Jo Reyes - A stint in Richmond would do him good, so why was Charlie Morton sent down instead?

Mark Kotsay - No power, can’t steal bases, spends long periods on the D/L, so why was he acquired? Blanco and Anderson are adequate until the big leaguers arrive.

Bobby Cox - Is it patience or just plain old stubborness with pitchers like Jeff Bennett, Chris Rietsma, Kevin Gryboski, and now Jeff Francouer?

By The voice or reason

July 26, 2008 11:51 PM | Link to this

Boyer may have big league stuff at times, but he definitely show Class A mound presence and confidence. I don’t think he is worth the bother. He can join Kyle in KC where they don:t expect to win.

By Coach (Lets Go Braves In 2009)

July 27, 2008 12:01 AM | Link to this

Exactly ! Jo-Jo Reyes is 0-5 with an ERA of 7.65 in his last five starts. So, what does Bobby Cox do? he sends Charlie Morton packing and we get to watch Mike Hampton stink it up to the tune of 4 innings pitched, 6 earned runs and that whopping ERA of 13.50.

Thank you Bobby Cox, for destroying the last bit of strength this team had, the starting pitching!

I swear by all that is holy. If Bobby Cox is still managing the Braves come spring training of 2009, all fans should boycott Turner Field. Don’t even bother showing up, it’s a waste of money and time as long as this clown is running the Circus!

By Mike

July 27, 2008 12:01 AM | Link to this

I don’t like Bobby’s style of managing, and didn’t even when the Braves were winning last decade… I want a manager that can fire up the team and play a season like every game matters.

I understand that baseball is a game of streaks and you don’t bench a guy after a bad game or two… but Cox is notorious for sticking with guys too long when they go out and hurt the team in game after game.

You want to build confidence in Boyer… I dig it. But surely there would be better opportunities to do so. You could feel the game slipping away in the fifth, yet Bobby went with Blaine and stayed until the ship sank.

The importance of this road trip can’t be understated. Ohman should have gotten the call over Ring… Like someone posted earlier, sometimes you gotta throw the book out the window and go with your gut.

The inability of this team to execute the fundamentals of the game conistently, their apparent lack of passion, and consistent failure in close games has to fall at the feet of their leader… one Bobby Cox.

I think the successes of the 90’s were due to the talent the team had, not the managerial acumen of Cox. Nothing personal, but I’d like to see a change.

By alan from Atlanta GA.

July 27, 2008 12:15 AM | Link to this

So the braves blew it again. A 6 run lead and they can’t hold it. tsk tsk; When are the rest of the fans going to wake and realize that J.J. reyes should be back in the minors. Charlie Morton is going to be a better pitcher than Reyes, yet all the shills in the AJC, the braves and bc love him. How long is mcdowell going to be pitching coach? Blaine Boyer spells doom when he pitches, I’m glad Acosta is on the DL or he would have helped blow a 6 run lead. Can’t blame TP for this fiasco. BC should resign gracefully. We need a team with local pwnership and pride, until then BOYCOTT THE BRAVES!!!

By Bob Brown

July 27, 2008 12:25 AM | Link to this

I think Cox can take the rap for the loss today to the Phillies. He is too much by the book. Come Doomsday, and he will still cling to putting his middle guys in first. I don’t care if his pants were burning, he would not bring in a late inning guy to put out the blaze.

Today is a good example of that. The Phillies had momentum, they had runners on base. The Braves needed outs any way they could get them. What did they get: A 3-run homer. Why not bring in a Soriano or Gonzalez to put out the fire before it burns the house down? Those guys cannot save a game when the Braves are behind.

Cox never has learned that games can be saved in the 5th inning as well as in the 9th.

Even sadder than the gopher balls served up by Boyer was the total ineptitude of the Braves hitters in the closing innings. They looked like over matched little leaguers in their flailing, futile efforts with men on base.

Francouer is a case in point. He has no idea where the strike zone is. He takes a ball, and then strikes out on 3 consecutive pitches. Anybody recall the last time he had a really solid hit that screamed as it left his bat?

Why throw him a strike? He swings at anything inside that looks like it might be within reach. Sliders down and in just off the plate will have him chasing every time.

I think the Braves can fold their tent and send in a proxy for the rest of the season. They don’t have the pitching on the roster, nor is their anybody in the minors who is a gem waiting to be set in a ring.

When you have to count on bringing back guys who are past 40 and prone to injuries, you know you got problems.

By kris

July 27, 2008 12:35 AM | Link to this

Mets lose in 14 innings. We continue to hang on by a thread

By Mitchell

July 27, 2008 12:48 AM | Link to this

Kelly Johnson ruined the season. This was not the worst loss we’ve had, Kelly Johnson made sure of that. That one play might derail this team for years to come. I say this with as little disrespect as I can muster, Kelly has an incredibly hot wife and I’m happy for him but he’s assuming Bill Buckner status. If I were him I’d blow the game every night and go home to have Mrs. Johnson make it all better. I hope they have a good relationship and have plans for the future because I don’t see Kelly playing baseball for much longer.

But as for today, well, it really reminded me of like a mid-February basketball game where one team has a twenty point lead and looks to be rolling to a sure win. And then they let up a little and the opposing team goes on a run and next thing you know it’s only an eleven point lead and before you know it they’re right back in the game and those twenty points didn’t seem like nearly enough.

As soon as you start to give up even a run in that game after the 4th inning they might as well be only a run behind. Some might remember that before Kelly dropped that ball Boyer had a few, two strike counts but let up and walked the two batters who made it on base.

I think if we only scored say five runs in the inning, Hampton and Ring and Boyer would have kept it tighter and we probably would have won. All we needed was for Hampton to get through two more innings and we would have been set but they let up. And just when you think you might be in for a shoot-out the Braves prove once again, they’re only capable of so much.

All in all, it really wasn’t the worst loss you can have, you should expect something like that to happen, for the Phillies to get right back in it. The problem is that now we’re not going to even be able to think about winning the division again for a long long time.

The shame is, they went on for so long and those last years winning the division were, at the time, so insignificant in terms of actually winning in October, I’m having extreme difficulty remembering what it was all like for so long.

By TimeForChange

July 27, 2008 12:52 AM | Link to this

I have watched as Bobby Cox sits on his lazy butt and watch the pen blow game after game. There was no sense in what happen tonight. Hampton left with the game 9-3 and there is no understanding why a couple guys in our pen can let that lead slide away. This tonight was not Hampton. He did great for his first time out in 36 months. This was bobby and the pen. Cox has a habit of letting the pen stink it up when they dont have good stuff. IMPO if a pitcher comes in and starts to give stuff away then replace him before it gets out of hand. The pen basically gave up 7 runs. Yes a couple might have been put on by Hampton but its the pens job to hold them. I am so sick of the not reacting. Hes just lost it in my opinion. He hangs to long with his boys. I think there is more then one or two pitchers in that pen. And get rid of that Tarvas guy or whoever. We dont need him and hes not helping.

By James

July 27, 2008 12:59 AM | Link to this

If people will remember back before the 14 year playoff streak started, who managed the Braves? Joe Torre, thats who! Joe Torre built the core of the team that won 14 straight division titles. Bobby Cox rode in on Torre’s coat tail and got all the credit. (Look at what Torre did in New York as evidence) Now that all but three of those players are gone, that point is proving to be true. Cox can not manage a team or make decisions.In his mind, the Braves only need Bennett, Ring and Boyer in the bull pen, and Corky Miller catching and everything will be “A-OK” I’m tired of hearing about bad breaks and all that crap. A manager/leader makes or breaks their team. Bobby Cox has broken this one beyond repair.

By Chuck Uga

July 27, 2008 1:10 AM | Link to this

WHY IN THE HELL IS BLAINE BOYER STILL A MEMBER OF THIS TEAM?!! HE IS THE WORST PITCHER SINCE THAT BUM RELIEVER WE HAD FROM MILWAUKEE. BOYER HAS COST US AT LEAST TEN GAMES. WHAT A RAG-ARM!!

By johnny

July 27, 2008 1:13 AM | Link to this

i understand everyone’s annoyance w/ bobby, but really is he the problem or the fact that since turner sold the team, this team doesn’t have the financial resources to scout, develop talent, or sign high price free agents, the fact that some of our so called can’t miss prospects are really can miss ones, i understand that bobby makes blunders, but other than torre, who also had jeter, o’neal, rivera, wetland, and posada, and other stars, who else would u want managing the team, there are so many bums out there, bobby isn’t getting any superstars to come to this team cause we aren’t going to sign them, and there isn’t any blue chip prospect coming from the minors, until we don’t get an individual owner in who can invest money into this organization, this is the kind of team we are going to have and w/ the way the deal went down last year w/ liberty media, they won’t sell the team for another two to three years, and than when Aruthur Blank purchases the team than we mite be good again

By spotts

July 27, 2008 1:15 AM | Link to this

I’d like to second Mike…everyone loves Bobby Cox because of the 14 straight division titles. But those titles are due largely