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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
1,327 comments Add your comment
Alexandria.
April 21st, 2009
1:18 am
Wayne, 60’s were a piece of cake compared to following one team that has a .5% chance of making the playoffs and another that has about a 15% chance. And even if they do you know it’s just more heartbreak. Nat fans never get their hearts broken.
Tokyo Bravo
April 21st, 2009
1:20 am
Wayne, you know better than talking sense on this blog!
Coach (Skip and Pete will be missed)
April 21st, 2009
1:21 am
Anybody notice the what the Pirates have done lately?
Three shut outs in their last four games. Of course , they got spanked 11-1 on Sunday…but still I got to wonder, could this be the year?
Wayne in Utah
April 21st, 2009
1:24 am
Moby
How did he figure out that I really AM the president of the moral majority????
Alexandria
I feel your pain.
Moby Grape
April 21st, 2009
1:25 am
that again I’m going to bitch and complain just like tonight. I at least have a right to do that after all this incompetence —MITCHELL
yer sir it’s all about your rights and nobody else’s. puke
MFin04
April 21st, 2009
1:27 am
Ok here is the $100,000 questions. How is this team going to score runs?
TnBrian
April 21st, 2009
1:28 am
Alexandria, I’m not going to say the Braves are a “bad” ball team…yet.
Wayne in Utah
April 21st, 2009
1:29 am
Coach
I think the Pirates are maybe close to where the Fish were a year ago. A lot of good, young talented players. I like a lot of the guys they got in the Bay trade last year.
Their pitching could go either way. I suspect they might linger for a while, then falter down the stretch.
As badly as our Braves have looked in the past week, I still think we could have a decent season. We do have an incredible amount of question marks though. And the “blowpen” will eventually round into a decent “bullpen” as the next month or so passes.
Or maybe it’s just me being to “KC”.
(said in fondness!)
Moby Grape
April 21st, 2009
1:31 am
ut I don’t want to be another idiot mouthing off after every damn pitch that doesn’t go the way the hometown team wants/needs it to. —Chop
think of it as being a caring denizen. we certainly appreciate your restraint . We all hate it when they play badly
TnBrian
April 21st, 2009
1:31 am
MFin04, they’re going to score runs when they face Martis tomorrow because he kinda stinks. I’m telling you, all through the 90’s we had a leadoff hitter with a not so different lineup we have now. I’m not venting on you, I’m just frustrated.
Wayne, I agree.
TIRED… going to sleep. Nighty Night bloggers!!
Coach (Skip and Pete will be missed)
April 21st, 2009
1:41 am
Wayne, right now I have no idea which direction our Braves will go.
The starting pitching is much improved but the defense has been hit and miss. The bench is solid but not as versatile and that bullpen/blowpen is the elephant in the room.
The offense is back down to 4.46 runs per game, no better than last season and I really believe this may be the slowest Braves team I have ever seen.
With Chipper and Garrett Anderson both being so injury prone along with the McCann’s eye issues, the injury bug has thrown a monkey wrench into this teams fortunes.
We will just have to wait and see how it all works out.
By the way, is it me or am I imagining things? There have been 422 HR’s hit already. Baseball’s are flying out at a break neck pace. Is the ball loaded this year?
spotts
April 21st, 2009
1:43 am
Once again the Braves’ bats make average to borderline awful pitchers look like the reigning Cy Young.
Four relievers with career ERAs above 4, most of whom have a BAA over .270, and we managed exactly 0 hits. Oh, and not to mention a good start from a rookie.
What exactly does TP do?
Wayne in Utah
April 21st, 2009
1:44 am
Runs were so much the problem last year, and we scored more after Tex left, it’s just we had no pitching. I think our run production will be at least as good, if not better, unless Chipper misses more than 30-40 games.
Wayne in Utah
April 21st, 2009
1:54 am
Coach
I think the bench is OK. If Norton gets untracked, it will be much better. Problem is when you have 3 regulars that are out, it puts a crimp on the bench.
I think GA might not be too long for this team.
Would you move KJ to STL for Ludwick if they offered? I think I would at this point.
Getting late…….
Wayne in Utah
April 21st, 2009
1:56 am
Moby
Some of these whiners sound like 10 year olds getting their azzez whipped at a Wal-Mart!
Marv Kleeman
April 21st, 2009
2:12 am
Hey fellow Braves fans:
Some random thoughts thirteen games into the season.
I may be a minority of one; but I was so excited about seeing Josh Anderson as our starting center fielder and leadoff hitter. Not since Rafael Furcal was a rookie back in 2000 did we have someone with game changing speed at the top of the lineup.
But then Jordan Shafer had to come along and upset the apple cart. Braves management was completely bamboozled by Jordan Shafer’s spring training performance and allowed their emotions and sentiment to cloud their judgment. Maybe they were just playing to the fan base.
Bottom line is that 26 year old Josh Anderson had paid his dues. He was standing first in line but Braves management allowed some young upstart to cut in front of him.
So where are we now? The Braves have no leadoff hitter and are using Kelly Johnson in that spot. We’ve been down the Kelly Johnson as leadoff hitter road once before. The result? We still have no leadoff hitter and Kelly’s value as a hitter is not being maximized.
I had a bad feeling about the Josh Anderson trade because immediately thereafter Jordan Shafer went into a 1 for 11 slump and I’m thinking to myself “Uh Oh”.
Yes, Jordan Shafer performed very well against the junior varsity but now the grown ups had arrived.
Please ban goo guy
April 21st, 2009
2:40 am
This is, and has been, one of (if not THE best) baseball blog on the information super highway. And it’s obviously propping up the AJC- so many comments!
But this year approximately 1/3 of all comments are utterly useless. The last post featured something like 200 posts from that boob Lou Vales, and the subject matter never changed- I hate Chipper and I remain delusional.
And of course, there’s our new superstar- TnBrian, with all the wit and wisdom of a doorknob, checking in with about 87 useless posts per day.
But no one, I repeat NO ONE, has done more to demoralize our collective I.Q. than the goo guy, or as Lew calls him, jealous Johnson. How many zany one-liners from this dolt per day- 150? 180? You can recognize him by the series of names (Loaf Garrett- will the hilarity EVER cease) and the obsession with Will Ohman (just can’t let it go) and of course Boyer.
I admire the free speech principles ajc, I really do. But it would only be banning one loser, and this has gone on for about a year too long already.
Dude it’s never been funny. Not once. No one is laughing.
Your poor, poor mother.
PWHjort
April 21st, 2009
2:58 am
I think one reason we scored more runs after Tex left is is because we played a lot of games behind by a lot of runs so we didn’t encounter the relievers we would’ve in high-leverage situations. We allowed 7+ runs in a loss 13 times after Tex.
Mitchie-san
April 21st, 2009
3:04 am
Well, at least they aint the “pits” kid.
Coach (Skip and Pete will be missed)
April 21st, 2009
3:51 am
Wayne, I don’t think the Cardinals have any interest whatsoever in trading Ryan Ludwick.
Yo Marv, Josh Anderson is a great fourth outfielder but he will almost certainly never be an everyday player.
Coach (Skip and Pete will be missed)
April 21st, 2009
4:00 am
And one more thing. I backtracked all the way to 1966. The lowest team stolen base total was during the abbreviated strike season of 1994 at 48. This 2009 squad is on pace for a whopping 25 steals. This cannot be good for the offensive output.
jj
April 21st, 2009
4:32 am
I have said this to many people and I am saying it again.”The Braves will never win with Bobby Cox as manager.”There is a saying “that doing the samething over and over and getting the same bad results is insanity.”Thats where the Braves are with Bobby.He plays favorites instead of best player and I don’t think he can get anything out of his players because his message and his ways are to stale and pridictable.It’s time for a change and he needs to follow GM and TG into retirement.Oh yeah,Kelly is not a legit second baseman.Prado is better and for some reason he and Afante are delegated to subs when they are better than some starters.Also Escabor needs a raise just like Mac and Frenchie recieved early in their careers even though Frenchie refused his.I wonder about the Braves sometime and their treatment of certain players.Maybe Sheffield knew what he was talking about.
Coach (Skip and Pete will be missed)
April 21st, 2009
5:59 am
JJ, that is not accurate.
Bobby Cox is fourth in wins among all managers (1978-1569) and fast approaching 2000 wins. His fifteen division winners, five pennants and one WS speaks for itself.
His 66-66 post season record and 1-4 record in five WS says something else entirely.
The man is a winner and a first ballot slam dunk Hall of Fame inductee into Cooperstown.
But to say that he isn’t the same fiery manager we saw back in the nineties would be more accurate. The longer Bobby Cox manages, the more tarnished his accomplishments become because he like so many before, doesn’t know when to retire.
Joe Paterno, Bobby Knight, Bobby Cox…. all Hall of Fame coaches and all have stuck around far to long.
Coach (Skip and Pete will be missed)
April 21st, 2009
6:02 am
Check that, Cox’s 1978-1569 record is with Atlanta. His complete win-loss totals including Toronto is 2333-1861.
bob
April 21st, 2009
6:19 am
Pitch count again is crazy. Braves pitchers threw 158 pitches in 8 innings. Nats threw 102 pitches in 9 innings. This is nuts. More pitches means more chances to hit the ball. And, more pitches means longer waits in the field. And, most importantly more pitches means greater chance of injuries to our pitchers. McDowell must go.
Jeff321
April 21st, 2009
6:58 am
Looks to me like Cox left Lowe in too long last night. He was obviously laboring, walking around behind the mound, and basically looking for relief! So, he got “relief” alright.. once we were losing the game.
SOS
April 21st, 2009
7:19 am
Cox needs to go. He is over the hill and the Braves will continue to suck with him still here.
Baba O'Riley
April 21st, 2009
7:34 am
Yeah, Bobby messed up McCann’s eye and Chipper’s thumb. Shame on you Bobby. If Bobby summons the bullpen, half of the people here would ask why he didn’t leave Lowe in. The man knows more baseball than you and me. Let him do his job. I love baseball and the Braves, but my life and well-being don’t depend on them winning. Sit back and enjoy the game.
Some of you will get your wish soon when Bobby CHOOSES to leave. Then you can go back to the 80’s Braves when we were HOPING that our best pitcher, Zane Smith would reach the 15 win mark and we got all excited about a trade for Daryl Motley. These blogs will be as dead as Campillo’s arm when that happens.
Rob
April 21st, 2009
7:35 am
does anyone know why Cole Rohrbough is on the DL
N Nine
April 21st, 2009
8:01 am
This 2009 squad is on pace for a whopping 25 steals. This cannot be good for the offensive output
One part of the game Bobby like to fully eliminate. The team was assembled around his style…players with very little/no speed. ……and now we lack power too. I miss having a speedy team also.
Don’t care about today’s game as much as what’s up with our McCann.(crossing finger)
N Nine
April 21st, 2009
8:16 am
RobLHP Cole Rohrbough, ranked the No. 7 prospect in the Braves organization by Baseball America, was slowed by biceps tendonitis in his pitching arm coming out of spring training. Braves director of player development Kurt Kemp said an MRI showed no structural damage in his shoulder and Rohrbrough just needed several more weeks to build back up his arm strength. Look for Rohrbough to ultimately land in Myrtle Beach.
Life Goes On BEST SHOW EVER!
April 21st, 2009
8:16 am
Well
Seems like back to back fourth place finishes seems likely
.
Knuckle Sandwich
April 21st, 2009
8:35 am
The Braves played some sloppy, uninspired baseball last night. I’m kind of concerned with the clubhouse chemistry. Was it just me, or did they all look pi$$ed off last night? There have been a couple of times this year where I have seen people shoot Kelly Johnson dirty looks when he botches a defensive play. Am I the only one seeing that?
FlaBravesFan1
April 21st, 2009
8:37 am
Ugaman Great 12:17 am post Agree 100%
McFann =Ô=
April 21st, 2009
8:42 am
N Nine Don’t care about today’s game as much as what’s up with our McCann.
Glad someone else said it before I did. Now I cann say it, knowing you feel the same way…
Tom O’Hawke–
Ah, I’m not mad atchya! But the other rally turtle did go into hiding again. Might be able to get him out by game time…but I think that sorta depends on what’s up with BMac. If it’s bad news, don’t think I’ll even be able to get Rally McTurtle out of his shell.
Bill
April 21st, 2009
8:48 am
This has got to be the worst fundemental team in the NL. The bad thing is that there has been no improvement at all over the past few seasons and that is the main reason we are not winning the one run games. No leadoff man, the wrong person is batting 2nd, 2 stolen bases in 13 games, cannot get the runners over (and in). The bunting is just SAD and I just do not understand why it cannot be improved. These issues will cost us 8-15 games a year and the only cure is to have 3-4 guys that will have 25-30 homers. Bobby has had a great career but we really need a change at the top and if you cannot see that then you are not a baseball person.
Run Heap Run
April 21st, 2009
8:51 am
Anxiously awaiting word Heap!
Run Heap Run
April 21st, 2009
8:54 am
uh that’s word ON Heap. Not enough caffeine yet.
McFann =Ô=
April 21st, 2009
8:59 am
Run Heap Run–
Haha…no problem!
Tick tock tick tock…he should call Ms. Rogers when he finds out so she cann tell us sooner–that way, we don’t hafta wait until she gets to the ballpark to find out.
Ben
April 21st, 2009
8:59 am
Best way to beat the Braves – bring up a rookie pitcher and put him on the mound against the Braves for his first start in the major leagues.
Baba O'Riley
April 21st, 2009
9:00 am
Yeah, Bill. All the Baseball Tonight guys are not “baseball people” but you are.
Efrim
April 21st, 2009
9:01 am
Rohrbough did start the season and pitched a good game. He was just placed on the DL, so I would be interested to see if there is still something wrong there. Hopefully just needs to build back the arm strength.
Kris Medlen’s Triple-A line to date: 3 games, 13.2 IP, 6 hits, 2 ER, 1 BB, 16 K’s
WILLSTER
April 21st, 2009
9:02 am
itold all you so called idiots the braves would lose yesterday,3-2 igave you all 5 winners the day before the games played,no more freebies, but i will tell you this team will finish in 4th place maybe last place sincewashington put a fire under the nationals,thank you braves organization you make my bank acct fill out nicely in the spring and summer each year, rogers good article.talk to you later losers.
WILLSTER
April 21st, 2009
9:05 am
bobby cox needs to stay he makes me alot of money
Daybed Wagmoe
April 21st, 2009
9:08 am
Bobby said he didn’t think that was interference on the Ross play. “Not to me, i didn’t think so. i think he got to the bag, he just got past it. And one of those plays, a judgement play. I think the umpire probably got it right.” — Carroll Rogers
Ladies and gentlemen, you are now entering….the Twilight Zone.
sportsmandh
April 21st, 2009
9:10 am
I have been very disappointed too at the lack of fundamentals to manufacture runs. It’s no secret this team needs to be able to manufacture runs, so that should be all their mindsets when they come up with RISP.
Two examples that have really angered me:
1) Friday night at Pittsburgh, bases loaded, no outs. We get zero runs. Someone struck out I think (Schaeffer I think), then someone grounded into a double play.
2) Last night, Kotchman doubles, gets thrown out at third with no outs. I realize that was a fluke bounce, but why risk advancing too third when you’re a slow runner and there’s no outs. Diaz hit a double after Frenchy got out, would’ve been up 1-0.
Also, last night 1-5 with RISP. Not going to cut it. (And they were once strike away from wasting a lead off triple by Chipper, thankfully Diaz came through)
And Frency looked suspiciously like last year’s Frency last night.
I know you’re never going to win them all, but they better step it up PDQ.
BlawgDawg
April 21st, 2009
9:13 am
Terry Pendelton has got to go. No one on this team has any approach when they get to the plate except to swing early and swing often. How hard is it to tell guys to see a strike and work the count. And if he is telling guys that and they are ignoring it then they obviously have no respect for his coaching, and he can’t be kept then if no one listens to him.
BlawgDawg
April 21st, 2009
9:14 am
I like the name Boog and Joe threw out there during the telecast last night…Chris Chambliss might be one that would be worth a shot. But just about anyone would do a better job than Pendelton has done.
sportsmandh
April 21st, 2009
9:15 am
I got that wrong in my point above, I think it was Kotchman that struck out and Schaeffer grounded into a DP. Either way it was bases loaded, no outs, and got 0 runs.
Jeff321
April 21st, 2009
9:15 am
Bobby Cox can’t be bothered with such things as telling players not to swing on the first pitch or bunting. The fundamentals are being ignored and all you Cox lovers can do is wave the HOF flag! The time for excuses is over.
Btw, finishing 3rd, 3rd, and 4th in the league would be considered a trend, no? Where do we go from here? Unseat Washington as the perennial loser? Never mind all that, Bobby “deserves” to manage until he wants to leave. (Because really, its not about winning or even whats best for the team.. just what Bobby wants, eh?)
sportsmandh
April 21st, 2009
9:16 am
The blog ate my first post so never mind.
BlawgDawg
April 21st, 2009
9:17 am
And if Bobby can’t see what a terrible job his coach (coaches really because McDowell hasn’t exactly impressed, though I think he’s better than Pendelton, not saying much there though am I)is doing, then maybe it really is time for him to retire. I love Bobby, have all the respect in the world for him, but he’s just not getting the job done the last several years.
Jeff321
April 21st, 2009
9:18 am
league = division
brent a.
April 21st, 2009
9:18 am
In response to anyone admonishing fans to “sit back and enjoy the game”.
What exactly is it that we are supposed to be enjoying at this point?
This last week and a half has been anything but enjoyable.
It is boring baseball.
But its early.......LOL(Doc H.)
April 21st, 2009
9:23 am
Is McCann really sick or just doesnt want to watch the braves play………come on Mc please …… are we that bad?
TnBrian
April 21st, 2009
9:24 am
BlawgDawg, my gut tells me TP won’t be the h.c. in 2010. It leaves me hopeless to see the Braves, yet again, having no idea on how to manufacture runs with a decent to great pitcher on the hill. Not having that legit leadoff guy is a huge reason why but it is what it is.
eltrompoBRAVESfan
April 21st, 2009
9:24 am
Have we really come to the point where people wish Bobby was not our manager? After two weeks of baseball? The same people asking for him to retire would bitch up a storm the moment the incoming new manager would encounter difficulty.
Amazingly sad.
brent a.
April 21st, 2009
9:27 am
Have we really come to the point where people wish Bobby was not our manager?
Some people have been at that point for years. It goes much deeper than just two weeks of baseball.
But its early.......LOL(Doc H.)
April 21st, 2009
9:29 am
Pirates and Nats have a higher BA than the braves………LOL………..
BlawgDawg
April 21st, 2009
9:29 am
TnBrian–I hope your right about Pendelton for next year. But as far as a legit leadoff guy, what good would that do if the guys behind him are hacking at the first pitch and popping up or grounding into a double play every time he does manage to reach base? These guys don’t seem to understand that working the count will allow them to get better pitches to hit as the game goes on and would cause the other team to work through more pitchers. That would benefit the Braves later in a series with that team as they see relievers twice or three times in a series.
Wayne in Utah
April 21st, 2009
9:31 am
BlawgDawg
It’s called the lack of winning personnel, topped by aging superstars.
But its early.......LOL(Doc H.)
April 21st, 2009
9:31 am
Only the nats and the cards have a worse FPC than the braves
BlawgDawg
April 21st, 2009
9:35 am
Wayne—-Not sure what “winning personnel” or “aging superstars” has to do with the approach at the plate of this ENTIRE lineup. It’s one thing for Escobar or Frenchy to swing early and often (which I wish they wouldn’t do as well), but it seems to me like no one in the lineup ever sees more than three pitches in any at bat. Swinging at and fouling off ( or missing) the first pitch constantly is putting the pitcher in an advantage in every at bat. Opposing pitchers seem to never be under pressure when they’re going up against this team.
buzzmeat
April 21st, 2009
9:35 am
sportsmandh
actually kotchman hit an infield fly, and schafer hit into a double play, and yes that angered me very much.
i thought one run was at least a GIVEN in that situation
siskel_god
April 21st, 2009
9:36 am
Any chance the Nats move Dukes for KJ? I would jump on it in a second. I know he has a bad attitude and doesn’t always hustle but dude can stroke it. I make a deal for KJ right now if I’m FW he is so streaky next month his BA will probably be 270. Prado and Infante can play and we desperately need one more guy to drive in runs. As long as we continue to hinge our success on somebody who misses 30-40 games a year we are in big trouble. Our lineup reminds me alot of the Dodgers last year before Manny. Jeff Kent was their big guy and he was always hurt, Manny comes and boom everybody hits better. Not that Dukes is Manny but hey, I don’t think Manny is available anymore.
TnBrian
April 21st, 2009
9:36 am
Another thing that is getting very old is to hear how the mighty Braves of the 90’s. Believe me, I understand how great that pitching was and nothing will probably ever be as great as having a staff, 1-4, be that dominate. But, there is more good pitching, better and stronger hitters, and of course video of every hitter/pitcher for the players to analyze than there were in the 90’s.
I’m not taking anything away from my Braves in that era, just saying the game is more even, imo. Face it, this division is tougher than ever before. The team we have right now just needs a few adjustments to be serious contenders again.
Wayne in Utah
April 21st, 2009
9:39 am
BlawgDawg says “what good would that do if the guys behind him are hacking at the first pitch and popping up or grounding into a double play every time he does manage to reach base?”
EVERY time seems to be a bit of over dramatization, don’t you think? Wasn’t it stated last winter that KJ needed to be more aggressive this year. And I see a lot of improvement in Francoeur this year.
Sometimes looking at a lot of pitches justs gets you into 0-2 and 1-2 counts, though I am not discounting the practice altogether.
I am sure one of our stats geeks can tell us the average number of strikes/balls young Zimmerman threw last night. (I truly don’t know)
Also, some of our hitters are not going to see a lot of pitches (Diaz comes to mind), while others are usually much more selective (Chipper, McCann).
Whadddya think?
LT- A Blogger
April 21st, 2009
9:39 am
TnBrian- this lineup is not close to what we had in the 90s. In my opinion, not even close. Those lineups all had some considerable punch, e.g. Gant, Justice, McGriff, Gallaraga to name a few which went along with other guys who were similar to the lineup today. Late 90s/2000s you had a C Jones in his prime along with AJ.
Currently, we don’t have any hitters that have close to that type of power. To me, this is the same inept lineup we watched last year. What has really changed? Ok Franceour is hitting more singles but his power seems to be gone. LF seems to once again be a big hole. CF we have a promising rookie who has been hot and cold. Sure, McCann being out is hurting big time but I don’t think his return will have much of an impact.
Couple that with starters who avg 5-6 innings and the pen will be over used.
This is going to be a long season I think.
shelby dawkins
April 21st, 2009
9:40 am
not sure if anyone mentioned this but… this game is exactly what anyone could have predicted for the Braves following a 10-0 game. Gee Bobby can we suck again since we beat them 10-0?
Efrim
April 21st, 2009
9:41 am
Why do people on this blog dislike Kelly Johnson? I’ll never understand it. It amazes me.
Jeff321
April 21st, 2009
9:42 am
The team we have right now just needs a few adjustments to be serious contenders again.
Just a few? How about one on one instruction for 4 hours a day until these guys learn how to bunt and work the count?
I have never called for TP to get the boot. However, I am seriously considering jumping on that bandwagon. And what does that say about Cox? Staying with a hitting insrutctor that either, 1) Isn’t doing his job, 2) Isn’t getting taken seriously ?
Is it possible for the team to be any worse in the aforementioned skill sets?
Wayne in Utah
April 21st, 2009
9:43 am
Doc
Wake up and make an intelligent statement if you can. You can’t really believe McCann (or any player for that matter) is making up this stuff?
siskel_god
April 21st, 2009
9:44 am
KJ’s constatnt goofs in the field, understand it now?
TnBrian
April 21st, 2009
9:45 am
BlawgDawg, a speedy leadoff guy would turn things around, I believe. This game is so much mental and when you have a guy that can get in the pitchers head out on the bases, he will screw up and that seems like the only way our hitters can do anything good here lately.
siskel_god
April 21st, 2009
9:45 am
The writing should be on the wall for TP when B Mac would rather work with his dad and Frenchy wants to go to Texas for BP
Run Heap Run
April 21st, 2009
9:45 am
My biggest complaint about the Braves is that nobody besides Chipper and Mac have much discipline at the plate. And it’s frustrating to see it happen over and over and over again, I’m a woman and I’ve never coached a day in my life but I can see this and the Braves can’t? I mean, if it just happened one game I could overlook it but it happens night after night, the Marlins beat us because they were disciplined at the plate and wore out our starters to get to our notoriously shaky bullpen. Anyway, that’s my rant…I’m still not ready to write them off for the season with 150 games left, there’s plenty of time to turn it around even with the players they have but they are going to have to start playing smarter or its just going to be more of the same. I agree that there is a little bit of luck involved in baseball but sometimes you make your own luck.
Knuckle Sandwich @ 8:35 hmm you may be right. I didn’t see it but Joe and Boog commented on the look Ross gave KJ when he attempted to throw out the runner at 2nd, and JoJo blamed a hit on a botched play by JS in Pittsburgh…both gripes were legitimate for sure but it’s very unlike a Bobby managed team. I’m sure they’re all just as frustrated as we are and if calling each other out helps then by all means, let them get mad and call each other out. It would actually love to hear of Chipper standing up and the clubhouse and going down the list and saying “Ross…WTF was that at 2nd last night” and “Kotchman, could you BE any slower?” and “Bobby…Kotchman batting cleanup…really?”
Of course someone would have to jump up and call Chipper out on all his missed games but at least when he does play he acts like he knows how.
Run Heap Run
April 21st, 2009
9:47 am
Wow I think that’s the longest post I’ve ever written. I’m better at one or two word comments, like Go Braves!
jbutler
April 21st, 2009
9:48 am
Doc H…as ugly as its been the first part of the season..surely it hasn’t been bad enough that our All-Star catcher would whack himself in the eye w/a bat just so he wouldn’t have to watch it. They get swept by the Nats- he won’t be the only one whacking.
Run Heap Run
April 21st, 2009
9:48 am
And apparently everyone else was saying the same thing as I typed that.
brent a.
April 21st, 2009
9:52 am
As far as speedy lead-off guys go . . .
The Mets have Reyes
The Phillies have Rollins
The Marlins have Bonifacio
The Braves have K. Johnson
It’s interesting to consider, even though it’s not the sole cause of our struggles; nor, is it something that can’t be overcome. (Meaning, KJ at lead-off does not have to be a weakness, even if it has been for the last week, or so.)
BlawgDawg
April 21st, 2009
9:52 am
Wayne–Our #2 hitter, Escobar, sees the fewest pitches per at bat in the entire MLB. That’s not a dramatization, it’s a fact. They sited that stat in Sunday’s game. And I can understand if you catch a guy that gets into a habit of throwing first pitch fastball over the plate to try and get ahead. Yeah, you jump on him when he shows that at bat after at bat.
But even if you do fall behind 0-2 or 1-2, be a tough out and make the pitcher work at that point. There have been way too many 10 pitch innings for opposing pitchers.
You sited Diaz, and I agree he’s a guy that will never see many pitches, that’s why he looks stupid sometimes like the other day when he swung and three straight pitches (the first and third were sliders in the lefthanded batters box). I personally can’t stand that guy. He gets hot from time to time and is productive for two or three games, but he will never be an effective every day player because opposing teams know where to go to get him out, anywhere other than over the plate.
Threadkiller
April 21st, 2009
9:53 am
siskel_god & LT; Are you implying we need a power bat? WHo could we have gotten this year without costing us a boat load of prospects? All the experts on here say no to Dunn! Last night many of the folks on here where bashing his defensive play last night. But, I have a couple of questions about Dunn’s play last night..Did Dunn’s defense cost his team the game last night? Who one the game last night? Dunn’s 316 avg, 527 Obp, and 632 Slg looks pretty good right about now. Oh, Btw he has fewer errors than our curren platoon!!
Rock On.......
April 21st, 2009
9:53 am
Look, even the most diehard supporters of Cox must surely be uneasy in their support now. Without question Cox should have gone a couple of years ago but it is hard to get rid of comfortable old furniture. Chemistry has so much to do with winning and that is where Cox has fallen down so badly on the job.
Blame injuries but last I checked the sports page is full of other teams players hitting the DL. We have very solid players filling in for JOnes, McCann, Esco, et al so I am not going to play the injury card. The bottom line is we are getting very good starting pitching but aren’t producing enough runs to get over the hump.
Speed produces runs and this team is woeful in that regard. Too stoic. Can’t advance runners. No hit and run to stay out of the DP (one of Bobby’s big faults). You name it.
It may be time to put Escobar at leadoff. Shaefer would be preferable for speed but he strikes out too much right now and is just learning the ropes as a rookie.
Remember the rule of “64″ in baseball. Score 6 runs you win 60% of the time, score 4 runs you win 40% of the time. Score over 6 or under 4 and the percentages are 80% win/lose. 5 runs is 50%. Doesn’t always hit the number on the head but look it up and you will see how close it is. In baseball you manufacture runs to win or die trying to play long ball over the course of the season. Always been that way always will continue to be that way. Getting on base with speed and advancing/scoring is the name of the game. Home runs are the gravy.
Dadgummit…..so Zimmerman looked sharp in his first MLB start. The Braves should look at this as a challenge to now bring up Hanson.
atlbravesfan44
April 21st, 2009
9:55 am
Knuckle Sandwich – that is so dramatic…
18 Wheels of Love
April 21st, 2009
9:56 am
I like Kelly but I absolutely hold my breath (I think he does too) when the ball it either hit to him or he has a play to make.
BlawgDawg
April 21st, 2009
9:56 am
TnBrian–I agree completely this team needs a speedy, high OBP lead off guy, I just think that with the approach of the rest of the lineup, that guy would be stranded on base most of the time.
siskel–That is another good point about Pendelton. You have never heard a guy talk about how much Pendelton has helped his swing or his approach at the plate. It’s always their dad, a minor league coach, or the Rangers hitting coach.
Jeff321
April 21st, 2009
9:58 am
Matt Diaz thinks he’s Vlad Guerrero with shorter arms.. Which is why he swings at stuff 3 feet in any direction. Now, I happen to like Matt Diaz, but I think the book is out on him. And his lifetime .309 average (or close to it) is going down. (Unless of course he shrinks his strike zone.)
Finally, Diaz hustles in the field and gives 100% which is good to see.
Jersey Gil
April 21st, 2009
10:03 am
If anyone know the Braves Record in the last few year when they face a new Pitcher in the league?……look to me that everytime they face a new guy they lost. If this a lack of Scouting report or lack of preparation of the team.
Wayne in Utah
April 21st, 2009
10:07 am
BlawgDawg
You’ll get no disagreement with me on Escobar. Diaz, I believe is a good hitter, who can get overexposed (ref last year).
Also, you look at most hitters BA when they are behind 0-2 or 1-2 and I suspect it will be lower for most hitters.
I am not saying that we don’t need to work on working the count, I am just saying sometimes there are othere answers.
LEADOFF hitter:
Who would you folks propose to put in the leadoff spot? (this is an honest question)? Who on our current roster? (please don’t talk to me about Josh Anderson) Who could be had in a trade, that would make us better as a team?
For my money, we won in the 90’s due to pitching, pitching and more pitching. Throw in some timely hitting. The Braves are trying to get back to that point, with our acquisitions of last winter (Vazquez, Lowe and KK).
With a limited budget (or maybe better stated, for a lack of an unlimited budget), the best way to get back on top is to develop the talent you have. We tried the “trade the house” approach for a shot 2 years ago w/ Teixeira. It wasn’t my idea of how to do it, but it was a shot, that didn’t pan out.
Personally, because I have lived through thick and thin, a visit to the post season every year; while it would be nice, is not realistic. I am more than willing to develop our talent.
Maybe that is why I get so ticked off sometimes at all those that go off on every other at bat, or who can’t smell the “Bobby Cox coffee”. Folks, Bobby is what he is. He hasn’t changed much. Some think he has lost some of his fire. Heck, I am going on 54 and I have lost some of my fire. It happens. But I don’t think it is as drastic as some would have you believe.
And to be a Positive Paulie (versus a Negative Nellie), I too can’t for the life of my understand some of the tactical moves Bobby makes??? I also think TP is highly overrated.
I just know that I can rant and rave all day long, and it don’t make a hill of beans in the end.
What say ye?
CB
April 21st, 2009
10:08 am
I agree it is time that we had a speedy guy at the top of the lineup. The Braves traded away Josh Anderson who could have filled that role so it is time to find out if his replacement can do the job. Put Schafer at the top and put Kelly in a position where he can drive in runs. Schafer may have some growing pains but with the decision you made
Wayne in Utah
April 21st, 2009
10:08 am
Dang it that was long. Sorry about that!
Renegator
April 21st, 2009
10:10 am
Over/Under on losses for this 4th place Braves team in 2009…
88
LT- A Blogger
April 21st, 2009
10:12 am
Threadkiller- yes. I think not having any true power hitter or 2 in this lineup is hurting the team. One of the big knocks on BC during all those runs was he waited around for the 3 run HR. Which worked, when he had some of the most dominant rotations in the history of the game. Rotations which had effective, efficient pitchers that could regularly go 7-8 innings.
That being said, there seemed to be no good options in the offseason. I would take Dunn in LF or 1B over what we have right now. I just don’t think there’s any real solution for the team- they are what they are. I’m hoping we get the young guys up by next season, Heyward/Freeman that we hear so much about to put some life back in the lineup.
Rock On.......
April 21st, 2009
10:13 am
Wayne….talk about right on the money. Good post. Cox makes at least 2-3 tactical managerial errors every single game. I just watch and shake my head. Not saying he has to be perfect and that other managers don’t do it but agreed some of his baseball acumen leaves me thinking he is the Yogi Berra of managers.
Wayne in Utah
April 21st, 2009
10:16 am
For those who are slamming Kotchman as being slow, I don’t know who would clog up the basepaths quicker, him or Adam Dunn.
Also, while not having listened to all innings this year, it seems to me that Kotchman has saved several (if not more) throwing errors so far this season. While a lot of folks would put a strong bat at first, regardless of their glove, the first sacker can save you a lot of grief and runs over the course of the season.
Life Goes On BEST SHOW EVER!
April 21st, 2009
10:16 am
We need a power bat badly, go get Frank Thomas or even Bonds, McCann and Frenchie are not that.
Rock On.......
April 21st, 2009
10:17 am
CB….I too like the idea of Shaefer at the leadoff spot but only after he cuts down the K’s. Way too many for a leadoff guy right now.
Baba O'Riley
April 21st, 2009
10:17 am
Dukes for KJ? Are you kidding? That’s like choosing cancer over a stomachache.
Lew
April 21st, 2009
10:19 am
The inning Soriano pitched last evening is a perfect example of why some people should not blog while the game is going on.
Mitchell-Your And Idiot. You should have your Mother block your access to the computer during games and then you should schedule a Doctor’s appointment. Get your blood pressure checked before you stroke out.
jj-Maybe Sheffield knew what he was talking about but it’s pretty obvious that you don’t. Why should we lock up Yunel already? He won’t even be arbitration eligible until the end of the season, he has attitude issues that the Braves may want to watch (to see if he grows up) and he won’t become a Free Agent until after the 2012 season. There is no hurry.
Willster-Whatever-nothing has changed. You’re still an @$$.
And Good Morning to the rest of y’all.
where's the beef?
April 21st, 2009
10:20 am
88 losses if Chipper is in the lineup for most of the season… If he misses significant time (~50 games or so), I’d guess closer to 93 losses.
The Braves still has the potential to win 88-93 games, but at the moment, the ghost of last year’s “feast or famine” offense is back in effect, and the bullpen still has question marks.
I don’t think the Braves will have a consistent team all year, and I expect that the only way they end up with a winning record is if they get hot for a couple weeks, win 8-10 in a row and sneak into the wild card.