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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
1,721 comments Add your comment
TNJeff
April 22nd, 2009
12:29 am
Bobby Cox (I can’t resist)
“But officer, I was swinging at a fly and lost it in the lights and somehow managed to blacken both Ms Cox’s eyes”
Tomahawkin
April 22nd, 2009
12:29 am
Aren’t You guys being a little Hard On KJ…? Sure he doesn’t play Gold Glove Defense, But at the same time he isn’t taking a whole lot money off the Payrolll, I guess Some of you guys would rather Have Keith Lockhart back…
I just want KJ hitting 6th or 7th, I think he feels less pressure in those slots because he isn’t worried about being a Table-setter and trying to maintain a high OBP…He just hits as a compliment to Chipper B-Macc And Whoever hits fifth, since that slot changes regularly…
Coach (Skip and Pete will be missed)
April 22nd, 2009
12:29 am
Lets see. Poor defense, bad base running, no execution in the ninth with two runners in scoring position,the blowpen, inexcusable coaching……did I miss anything?
Two shut outs at the hands of the Pirates followed by back to back ONE RUN losses at the hands of the horrible Nationals.
N8, we have seen this animal before in 2008, 2007, 2006 etc. etc. etc.
Yunel's Frosted Tips
April 22nd, 2009
12:29 am
Bobby Cox lost his managing ability in the lights as well
Frankie Knuckles
April 22nd, 2009
12:30 am
Alright, I have never been on the Kelly J. bandwagon but after tonight…..enough said… This loss really hurt folks. I don’t where to start, so I won’t even get started. Mid April, better be a fluke. Problem is this team is owned by a corporation; as long as there is a little profit involved nothing will change. Ted, I heard a rumor you wanted to get nostalgic. Lets get nostalgic.
braves70
April 22nd, 2009
12:30 am
Without a doubt two of the greatest managers of all time were Connie Mack and John McGraw. From 1901-1931, Mack captured 9 pennants. From 1932-1950 Mack won ZERO pennants and finished dead last 10 times. From 1902-1924, McGraw won 11 pennants. From 1925-1932, McGraw won ZERO pennants.
Do these statistics remind you of a current manager, say of the Braves? There is a time to move on and Mack and McGraw regardless of their greatness staid too long. Love him or hate him, Bobby Cox is repeating history by refusing to step aside.
Far too many teams try to sell today’s fans on the glories of yesterday. Sadly the Braves are obviously trying that old trick on all of us.
monty
April 22nd, 2009
12:30 am
I don’t know about anyone else but I’d pay to have the Braves sound man at the stadium in charge of playing the player’s song intro when they come to bat, if for Diaz when he came up, they played, “Blinded by the light, by Manfred Mann’s Earth Band. It would be comical.
P-Town Brave (Day after day calling for the mass firing of the entire Braves coaching staff)
April 22nd, 2009
12:30 am
Ich bin ein lose ball in lights
John Mccain
April 22nd, 2009
12:30 am
The fundamentals of the Atlanta Braves baseball team is SOUND !!
N8
April 22nd, 2009
12:31 am
“blame bobby all you want. just dont see it.” uga
I’m sure I hit my point home in the last post (and I respect that you disagree with me – I doubt NIETHER of us are going to change the other’s mind – just like debating this topic). But I have to respond to this comment, in sort of “addition” or continuation of the last response.
If you believe that this lineup is mediocre, (I can live with that being your assesment), who do you suppose is responsible for said guys developing and or choosing WHICH guys he takes with him out of spring training?
I don’t for a second believe that he doesn’t have input with Wren on which guys he wants or doesn’t want traded, signed or let go. So don’t pass all of those decisions off on Wren.
That’s all I’m saying. If you want to cut Bobby slack for in game decisions, fine. But he AT THE VERY LEAST has to be a little bit responsible for the 25 man roster, and certainly for the daily lineup decisions.
If he’s not, then why is he in the dugout? A manequin could do his job. Or as our old buddy Robert used to say, a donkey, perhaps.
Interested Observer
April 22nd, 2009
12:31 am
I was at the game tonight. I just don’t see a lot of mental toughness with this team. Bobby is going to have Lou Pinella on an umpire or something tomorrow to get these guys motivated.
Also, I don’t know if this has been addressed, haven’t gone back too far in the posts, but did anybody else find it interesting that Bobby used Gonzalez in the 8th and had Soriano warming up for the 9th. That’s different.
uga-brave
April 22nd, 2009
12:31 am
actually k.j. lost the pitch in the batter’s eye in center field.
“i thought it was a fastball, but with all those fans in centerfield wearing white shirts, the changeup fooled me.”
TNJeff
April 22nd, 2009
12:31 am
Monty
THAT WOULD BE CLASSIC
P-Town Brave (Day after day calling for the mass firing of the entire Braves coaching staff)
April 22nd, 2009
12:33 am
Tomahawkin-
Saying Kelly’s D isn’t Gold Glove caliber is a significant understatement!
spotts
April 22nd, 2009
12:33 am
Alright, guys…the “lost in the lights” jokes are getting very old.
Bobby Cox
April 22nd, 2009
12:34 am
Had enough. I’m going to bed, unless I lose my bedroom in the lights and can’t find it.
P-Town Brave (Day after day calling for the mass firing of the entire Braves coaching staff)
April 22nd, 2009
12:34 am
N8-
I fully believe a donkey could show a lengthier interest in the games or at least stay awake longer.
TNJeff
April 22nd, 2009
12:35 am
spotts
You’re right – kinda like this team’s play & this manager’s managing
PREDICTABLE
This team has a will to lose & lose it will
brewdawg
April 22nd, 2009
12:36 am
I’ll say it again: By all means beat your heads into a wall talking about how “Bobby has to go”. I’m sure it’ll make a huge difference. He’s here and he’s not going anywhere ’til he decides to. Find something else to complain about, or hell, continue to scream on the blog about it like it will change something. Me, I’ll just continue to enjoy the games, and come on here afterwards to amuse myself by seeing what extreme the blog has gone to on that particular evening.
Coach (Skip and Pete will be missed)
April 22nd, 2009
12:36 am
Lets see. Poor defense, bad base running, no execution in the ninth with two runners in scoring position,the blowpen, inexcusable coaching……did I miss anything?
Two shut outs at the hands of the Pirates followed by back to back ONE RUN losses at the hands of the horrible Nationals.
N8, we have seen this animal before in 2008, 2007, 2006 etc. etc. etc.
Chop Chop
April 22nd, 2009
12:37 am
I was thinking the same thing, N8.
About the roster input stuff, that is. Bobby was a GM for five years. There’s no way that he doesn’t have roster input.
P-Town Brave (Day after day calling for the mass firing of the entire Braves coaching staff)
April 22nd, 2009
12:37 am
I’d take the blue pill and forget about all this nonsense, but I seemed to have lost it in the lights.
spotts
April 22nd, 2009
12:38 am
Thanks TNJeff
And kudos on the Apostle Paul joke
N8
April 22nd, 2009
12:38 am
Braves70, BRILLIANT post at 12:30. Thus the Glavine signing. The only part that’s confusing, is why the let Smoltz go, didn’t double the Dodgers offer to Furcal, and give the CF/cleanup spot back to Andruw.
Oh yeah (wink wink)… Wren was trying to put a competitive team on the field. Well he succeeded.
EVERY night, there seems to be a competitive team. Otherwise/formerly diquised as losers, until they visit Atlanta, or the Braves come to town.
Well done Frank. Congrats on your success story.
P-Town Brave (Day after day calling for the mass firing of the entire Braves coaching staff)
April 22nd, 2009
12:40 am
Brewdawg-
Poor defense, bad baserunning, no execution in the ninth with two runners in scoring position,the blowpen, inexcusable coaching
What could you possibly be enjoying about this unless you’re a masochist?
uga-brave
April 22nd, 2009
12:40 am
N8,
i have said many times the braves need a bad cop on the bench. snitker, and chino both were minor league coaches that came up with several of these guys and dont strike me a “rattle the cage” kinda guys.
bobby does have accoutability who he chooses as bench and position coaches. there should be some changes there.
jimy williams would fit that role. so yes bobby could and should of shaken up the staff in the off season.
Mitchie-san
April 22nd, 2009
12:41 am
Chop Chop, I know what you mean. It gets stuck in my head sometimes, but I refuse to say it out loud.
N8
April 22nd, 2009
12:41 am
“N8, we have seen this animal before in 2008, 2007, 2006 etc. etc. etc.” Coach
Perhaps one of us should instruct the executives at Liberty Media to relocate to ND. Because apparently this is the only state that one is able to recognize that fact.
It’s like Deja Vu all over again.
monty
April 22nd, 2009
12:41 am
If the Braves were a corporation like AIG I guess Bobby Cox would be due a “Big OLE Bonus!!”
Coach (Skip and Pete will be missed)
April 22nd, 2009
12:43 am
N8, Leo Mazzone was the bad cop.
Chop Chop
April 22nd, 2009
12:43 am
brewdawg,
Wren could cut Bobby loose at the end of this season. It’s not all up to Bobby. Bobby doesn’t put butts in seats. Of course, you’re probably right. Wren will likely cop out and give Bobby a one-year contract extension (as he did last season), but if Wren truly wants to put his own indelible stamp on this club, he’ll take a wait-and-see approach. After all, is Wren going to be able to control when he leaves? No chance. Bobby needs to win for Wren to feel completely secure in his job. If Bobby won’t win, Wren will have to find someone else.
monty
April 22nd, 2009
12:46 am
N8
I agree completely with your tirade but the problem is if Bobby goes who steps in? One of Bobby’s underlings like Pendleton, right? It’s more than getting rid of Cox, it’s who do we get to take his place. I believe to shake the dust off of our feet we would have to go outside the organization.
Coach (Skip and Pete will be missed)
April 22nd, 2009
12:46 am
Masochist: the act of turning one’s destructive tendencies inward or upon oneself.
Like I have said many, many times before, Bobby Cox is his own worst enemy.
P-Town Brave (Day after day calling for the mass firing of the entire Braves coaching staff)
April 22nd, 2009
12:46 am
Chop Chop-
I like most others really don’t believe its up to Wren as to whether Bobby goes…
That seems as though its more up to his buddies JS and McGuirk and somehow I don’t see them getting rid of Bobby anytime soon no matter how obvious it seems to be and how mediocre his resume has been the last few years.
Jake W.
April 22nd, 2009
12:47 am
I know a lot of people on here blame the coaches but seriously, you expect someone else to get something better out of these players. If their mentally weak with the teddy bear of managers what would they be if someone like Ozzie was the manager. They probably wouldn’t be playing because they couldn’t handle it. These position players have been horrible in basically all aspects of the game since that Marlins series. The pitching gives up 3 and 4 runs in games on respective nights(and in fairness to Kenshin it should have been less runs) and we can’t win these games against the Washington NATINALS.
I agree with whoever says bobby should play Prado. Stupid baserunning mistake by him tonight but if your gonna have your 2nd baseman batting leadoff and at the top of the order he needs to hit or get on base and Kelly just isn’t doing that right now. Sad thing is in that last at bat he got a pitch right down the middle and couldn’t do nothing with it. Good news is that the Mets and Phillies aren’t exactly playing stellar ball and the Marlins are running in to a tougher part of their schedule. Bad News is the Braves keep talking about it but on the field have yet to come through. At some point there is enough talking and you have to show results. I don’t know how the triple a team is doing but this left field situation isn’t looking good. Anyone know how B. Jones or Blanco is doing?
Tomahawkin
April 22nd, 2009
12:47 am
Chop Chop…
Wren Should Bring in Ozzie Guillen…I know It won’t happen but He Wouldn’t put up with this Crap for 1 second without holding someone accountable…
Plus Ozzie would light a fire in these Guys as..es if they played like this on a consistant basis….
brewdawg
April 22nd, 2009
12:47 am
I enjoy watching the Braves, win or lose. They are my team. Believe me when I tell you I get as ticked off as anyone on here when they lose. But people on this blog goes from one extreme to another so quickly it is pointless to try reasonable debate. So instead, I just come on here after the game to see what the flavor of the night is.
N8
April 22nd, 2009
12:48 am
uga, that’s all I’m saying. I’m more pizzed about some of those decisions (coaching staff), who he keeps on the roster (like Corky last year), etc…
The in game strategy? I’ve been over that for years. Bobby has NEVER been confused with a guy that outthinks the opposing manager. LOL! Can’t believe I actually had to type that. But what he did always have was good decision making processes on his roster, his coaching staff, and preparing said players to come to the park to play hard EVERY INNING of every game.
Bobby is NOT the same guy that pulled Andruw Jones out of CF for taking a play off. Not even close. He’s grown soft. Period.
Add to that, (even though I think there is plenty of talent on this roster to win more than we lose), there just isn’t the same level of talent as he’s had in years past. Not only were the old regime’s players talented in general, but they were ususally MUCH MORE talented than the other teams’s players, and they knew how to put a team away when given the opportunity.
But I would LOVE to see Pat Corrales on the bench still. Ned Yost was even a hard ass.
From what I remember, he was the one that had to be restrained from Rocker at that meeting in Spring Training after the SI article. Not one guy on this team that is capable of acting like the “bad cop” as you put it.
Even TP, (the guy who walked off the field in his playing days because Freeman didn’t throw at the opposing hitter after he had been thrown at), has been “wussified” by Cox.
That’s why when people say they are not impressed with TP and don’t want him as a manager, I’m actually torn. I think if this was TP’s team, and he was in charge, things would be different. I could be wrong, but TP seems to have lost his fire.
Chop Chop
April 22nd, 2009
12:49 am
I’m trying not to get into the conspiracy theories about Bobby’s job status, P-Town Brave. It’s bad enough that I have to do that with the knucklehead owners of the Hawks and Thrashers.
Coach (2010 or bust)
April 22nd, 2009
12:51 am
Alrighty then, the updated me is up to speed. (2010 or bust).
MFin04
April 22nd, 2009
12:51 am
The offense needs a power bat…how many times do we have to say it? Need a guy that hits in the four spot, enough said about that. Bobby just makes soo many weird managing moves. I think he is over the hill and needs to go. Obviously…he can’t hit for the team…but he is the leader of the team…and he is leading them no where. Team needs some sort of shake-up. can’t lose 2 of 3 or 3 of 3 to a team that was 1-10 coming into this…or whatever they were.
TnBrian
April 22nd, 2009
12:53 am
ccrider, huh, they didn’t spend $15M on Lowe to trade him. Lowe and Gonzo seem like the ones that will stay put no matter if they’re out of contention come July. The rest you mentioned are probably trade bait.
Chop Chop
April 22nd, 2009
12:53 am
I know people wonder why Bobby gets so much heat, but when it seems that fringe players (Boyer, for example) are the only ones held accountable for poor play, fans have to blame someone. With all respect to Chipper, our manager is the face of our franchise. He’s the guy all these players say they love to play for. He’s the guy they play like crap for.
P-Town Brave (Day after day calling for the mass firing of the entire Braves coaching staff)
April 22nd, 2009
12:57 am
Jake-
We really don’t know how they’d perform w/ another manager because they haven’t gotten that chance…I do know that being “soft” should and would not be tolerated and they have gotten that way because of playing for Bobby.
I myself have lobbied hard for Prado to start…
Also, neither BJones or Blanco are playing well right now in AAA.
Tomahawkin-
I expressed the differences in Ozzie v Bobby a page or two back so you’re definitely in the same boat w/ me there…I also expressed how I think Ned Yost is certainly a fiery character that could rattle some cages…and he was in the Braves system originally.
N8-
Agree once again w/ all your points as usual…once again you get IT…
Just thought I’d add that the reason Bobby always looked so good in the early-mid 90’s was that we had 3 future hall of famers that could put together strings of quality starts coupled with the “Bobby Cox special at the plate” (3-run HR) and he really only had to manage 25-30% of the games…
No longer do we have Maddux, Glavine, Smoltz coupled w/ McGriff, Justice, Lopez who can go out and give up 3 runs or less all while hitting 30 bombs apiece each season…
Lots of managers could have won with that, and more than 1 championship at that!
Mark in PA
April 22nd, 2009
12:59 am
Man, the title of this blog is really mocking us all here tonight.
THanks, N8- looking for something other than “We suck! Fire the team!” You make a strong argument- back to the 2005 season.
THinking of last year, they went on a 10-11 game win streak early and lured us all in, then smashed our beating hearts into the ground with the 0-13 (or more, I stopped counting) in one-run games.
I also recall last year that the Mets got pretty mediocre (34-35), and fired Randolph et al. before the break. Jerry Manual was 17 games over .500 for the sencond half.
But it will never happen here- well, I never thought Smoltz would walk, so maybe there is hope.
uga-brave
April 22nd, 2009
1:00 am
we whiffed on the one thing we really needed a power bat at one of the corners.
this is for all intents the same lineup sans tex that we had last spring.
jordan looks like he will be an offensive upgrade in center and eventually a leadoff guy, but with no power in left or at first this team is gonna have its fair share of struggles offensively.
Bzzzz the gNat
April 22nd, 2009
1:00 am
Two down, one to go for the sweep. Golly, you guys can make my team look killer. I sure do appreciate it. Come on back anytime. See ya tonight with the broom and dustpan. Have a good night guys, and thanks.
jonatuga
April 22nd, 2009
1:00 am
Just got back from seeing “State of Play” with russel crowe and matt damon (really good movie) … looks like that was a great decision. Seems like we’re back to “finding ways to lose.” Really hurts bc I was quite excited about this year and I hope we can still savage it.
TnBrian
April 22nd, 2009
1:00 am
Bobby will not sit KJ, Jake. Bobby wants his players overly-comfortable, from what I can see. To me, they’re a little too comfortable to the point where the consequence of two guys (KJ/Norton) that can’t get a runner in from third with 0 outs, results in more playing time for the two so they can “work out of a funk”. All I can say is… hell, I don’t even know anymore. I really don’t.
monty
April 22nd, 2009
1:01 am
At least in the past Bobby would come out of the dugout to argue bad calls and to defend his players but in the past few games there have been some bad calls where Bobby didn’t even poke his head out of the dugout. The play last night where Ross was knocked down at 2nd. The play where Schafer threw the guy out at second tonight but the ump missed it. Also the camera showed a good shot of McCann looking over into the Braves dugout after an apparent strike from Gonzalez was called a ball, as if to say, “he’s sqeezing us Skip.” But still no Bobby.
Chop Chop
April 22nd, 2009
1:04 am
Oh, jonatuga, have no fear. We can savage it.
You know, one of the things that I see on this blog that really bothers me is that Einstein(?)/Ben Franklin(?) quote. You know the one. You’ve seen it before.
I have my own version of it:
The definition of insanity is repeating the same stupid quote from Einstein (or is it Ben Franklin?) over and over again and expecting people to care.
P-Town Brave (Day after day calling for the mass firing of the entire Braves coaching staff)
April 22nd, 2009
1:06 am
Chop Chop-
You mean like “I lost the ball in the lights”?
Tomahawkin
April 22nd, 2009
1:06 am
P-Town Brave…
I liked the Idea of Ned Yost Coming back last year after he was fired…
I’m Really Suprised that he has not caught On anywhere…
He will Probably be next in Line for Stan Kasten and The Nats F.O. if and When Manny Acta is let go, “Bank on It”!
MFin04
April 22nd, 2009
1:07 am
Its getting to the point where one win doesnt mean anything…this team needs to go 4-1, or 5-1 for any of us to even care anymore. Just very frustrating.
Not Again
April 22nd, 2009
1:08 am
Gee I just can’t believe that this board does not have an IGNORE option, It’s about the only one I visit that doesn’t have one, and the one that needs it the most.
MFin04
April 22nd, 2009
1:09 am
I’m over the whole Matt Diaz thing. So he missed the ball…the offense needs to be able to step up and help him out. He worked hard in the off season to get in shape…and is hitting half way decent so far this year. He earns a pass or two…but this offense cannot go silent for the last 8 innings of a game…that is just not ok.
dude
April 22nd, 2009
1:12 am
You folks think the Big team is bad go to the AAA team games …their is no immediate future there!!!!!!!!! Hansen(maybe/maybe not)aside,no one looked good;the starting pitching was not good,relief abysmal,and no one can hit. It is bad.
nolie
April 22nd, 2009
1:12 am
Wren could cut Bobby loose at the end of this season. (ChopChop)
Bobby is a VP. I’m not sure that it’s just a matter of Wren cutting Bobby loose. In fact, I’d bet it isn’t. Not saying he can’t be fired, but I bet Wren can’t do it by himself.
N8
April 22nd, 2009
1:14 am
“Gee I just can’t believe that this board does not have an IGNORE option, It’s about the only one I visit that doesn’t have one, and the one that needs it the most.” Not Again
You’re right. I couldn’t agree more. Thus, you would be the first one on my “ignore” list.
Jake W.
April 22nd, 2009
1:15 am
P-Town I agree with you that the soft guy approach is getting old, especially since these players don’t seem to be responding well to it. I agree there needs to be some changes but since i believe its just as much the players as the coaches I don’t know where you begin. Besides I don’t see Bobby being around much longer. I don’t know who said it earlier but I agree these players are a little to comfortable right now. There grown men and they don’t need to be coddled. Jimmy Rollins messes up and Charlie Manuel benches him. And while I know it hasn’t been pretty at times Bobby should give Norton the start in left because he needs the at bats.He needs one start as he is the only player who hasn’t started this year.
And on the Prado thing i’ve been a supporter of him too but gotten my head bitten off by some of the proffesional stat people on here. As long as he hitting the ball to the other field I believe he’ll hit. KJ and his streakiness has always been a problem with me.
N8
April 22nd, 2009
1:16 am
uga, forgot to ask you before. Since you think that the core of the roster is mediocre, talent wise, and obviously see no faults in Bobby, do you hold Wren (and JS before him – with bonehead moves like trading our minor league system for Tex), for putting Bobby in such a situation?
I’m only asking, because on a whole, somebody has to be to blame for the past 3.5 years of baseball. There’s only so much bad luck a team can have.
dude
April 22nd, 2009
1:17 am
If n8 is still on or anyone else—what were the main things that led to our bad fortunes during/after 2005? Was that the end of LEO,MADDUX,both,or the signing over to Liberty media?
Moby Grape
April 22nd, 2009
1:17 am
Wren Should Bring in Ozzie Guillen…I know It won’t happen but He Wouldn’t put up with this Crap for 1 second without holding someone accountable…
Plus Ozzie would light a fire in these Guys as..es if they played like this on a consistant basis (Tomahawkin)
OMG give me a break. Ozzie is one of the crappiest managers in the majors. They hate him in Chitown, players and most fans, both. He’ll be gone from there soon, and is definitely not the kind of guy that the Braves are going to be interested in hiring.
ccrider
April 22nd, 2009
1:19 am
TnBrian, I understand the probability of Lowe being moved is LOW(pun intended), but with Hudson coming back, Jurrjens, Hanson, Medlen, Morton, Kamakawi, Lowe is not needed. The Braves would move his $15 Mill salary, he would probably bring the best return and the Braves would pickup hopefully some prospects for the bullpen or second base. The less money tied up in Lowe, Vazquez, Soriano, Gonzalez, Kotchman, Diaz ( approx. $40 million) savings would allow the Braves to sign a legit closer and take on contracts of quality hitters that other teams need to salary dump.
Chop Chop
April 22nd, 2009
1:22 am
nolie,
Unless Bobby just isn’t listed as a VP on the Braves’ Front Office page, I’m thinking he’s not a VP.
Chop Chop
April 22nd, 2009
1:23 am
It’s not in his bio, either.
N8
April 22nd, 2009
1:25 am
Dude</strong, I’m not sure there is one thing.
I’m not neccesarily sold that Leo leaving had as much to do with Maddux (and pitching depth like Millwood), leaving. Then compounding those losses with guys like Hampton and Byrd who couldn’t stay healthy.
Chipper getting old/injured often. LM has had somthing to do with it. But then how do teams like Minnesota and Florida always compete? Bobby having too much patience with guys like Andruw and Francoeur have hurt this team. Trading away prospects for Tex hurt this team, because Tex was the “savior”. Thank god, they DIDN’T get him signed to a long-term deal.
It’s all trickle down effect, IMO.
Add to that, I think there are a LOT of “ghosts” to play in front of in Atlanta. LOTS of pressure to be the “next” Smoltz. The “next” Glavine. The “next” Chipper, etc…
That’s why I’m afraid for guys like Hanson, Schafer, etc… Might be too much pressure in that town for them to live up to.
That may sound silly, but some pretty damn fine prospects have come up and done well initially and then when seemingly the baton was handed to them, they fail miserably.
The ONLY common denominator is Bobby. Make what you want of it.
Coach (2010 or bust)
April 22nd, 2009
1:25 am
Nolie, I agree. Cox is an institution. Nobody, not the GM (Wren), President (Schuerholz) or the Chairman and CEO (McGuirk) want to be responsible for letting Bobby go.
Which is why the entire Braves organization is so completely dysfunctional. There is a reason why men such as Stan Kasten (Nationals President) and Dayton Moore (Royals VP/GM) left.
nolie
April 22nd, 2009
1:26 am
You’re right. I couldn’t agree more. Thus, you would be the first one on my “ignore” list.
(N8)
Really? Wow, I can think of 12-15 or more I’d put on there B4 him, but then I get pretty tired myself of the same little negative clique feeding on each other’s negativity until others feel like they don’t want to come here anymore.
N8
April 22nd, 2009
1:26 am
Dude, sorry for the bold-yelling. Obviously a typo. Gotta love NOT being able to use the **enter word** theory for bolding.
Hey, at least all my posts are posting. So I got that going for me….. which is nice.
TnBrian
April 22nd, 2009
1:27 am
ccrider, I’m sorry, I just can’t see that. To me, Atl. would look at Lowe as a future setup/closer type guy if he starts wear down a bit in the next few years. They might shock me and trade him like you say. Hopefully it won’t have to come to that and we’ll be buyers at the deadline.
Mitchie-san
April 22nd, 2009
1:28 am
I have wanted Ned Yost to coach this team for quite some time. I really hope its him…..and NOT Terry Pendelton.
I 100% agree that the team needs someone to fire things up. They were smiling and pumping fists after the first few games and now its like something sucked the life out of them. I know losing games can do that, but isnt that where the manager is supposed to step in and keep the hunger and passion alive?
I have never been behind closed doors and heard what Bobby says after a loss, but I have been watching the guy for 20 years on the field and dont really see him exciting the players…pumping them up. We all know he can do it, we hear all about his one, big speech to start the season and it seems to work.
My point is, maybe he needs to take a little of that and put it in the dugout, not behind closed doors for no one to hear one time a year.
And if he cant/wont, the veterans darn well should.
Ronald Millsaps
April 22nd, 2009
1:29 am
To the lady on here who’s talking about her daughter being in beauty pageants, guess what? You might be so arrogant to think we all care, but I will be so bold to say at least I don’t and that the typical beauty-pageant mother has few redeeming values and generally raises her daughter to be of the most-shallow variety.
As for Miss USA, the real Miss USA resides in California, no matter who walked away with the crown. The deeply-entrenched liberal agenda, which the panel was full of, doesn’t mind showing tyrannical discrimination toward those who don’t accept its perverse ideologies. Carrie Prejean indeed should sue for discrimination—and yes, the panel did show her exactly that.
Back to baseball, Melissa, you hurt your credibility when you bash Matt Diaz and Kelly Johnson, and you shatter your credibility when you say we should’ve acquired Gary Sheffield, who’s not the player he used to be. Diaz and Johnson are fine, fine players, my friend, a misplayed ball notwithstanding.
I’d switch the lineup to Blanco-Schafer-Chipper-McCann-Francoeur-Escobar-Kotchman-Johnson. Speed doesn’t slump, and we have very little of it right now, and our fastest guy’s batting eighth. Yeah, he has holes in his swing, but he has a good eye for the strike zone and needs to be high, not low, in the order.
N8
April 22nd, 2009
1:30 am
nolie, it was sarcasm. OBVIOUSLY, the moniker he/she used was directed at the negativity. Try and keep up. LOL!
I suppose you dump me in with the “negativity”??? You shouldn’t. I’m not even that upset with this team. I’ve damn near already given up on them. But then again, I had a LOT of “ifs” that had to happen for this team to compete. Not many of them are going good right now.
I might be more long-winded than I used to be, but I’m not the angry/negative guy I was a while back. Got to worked up about the music conversations on here, and since have toned it back.
Because I’d like a new manager, doesn’t mean I’m being negative. Just don’t really like Bobby. Never have. Never will. I’m just trying to explain why, in a civil manner.
P-Town Brave (Day after day calling for the mass firing of the entire Braves coaching staff)
April 22nd, 2009
1:31 am
Nolie-
I already mentioned something about this…that and I don’t feel like JS and McGuirk would really like to fire Bobby, otherwise they may have done it by now…
How about we don’t call it a firing, rather have Bobby just say he’s lost his love for the game and let him ride off into the sunset…but also make sure he takes his staff with him.
Bring in these guys to fill out the staff:
Manager: Ned Yost
Bench Coach: Phil Wellman (he’d rattle some cages)
Hitting Coach: Fred McGriff (for lack of thinking of anyone better)
Pitching Coach: Guy Hansen
1st Base Coach: Ron Gant (would be a great baserunning coach)
3rd Base Coach: Eddie Perez
And no, I hadn’t thought a lot about my choices before I posted them, BUT they are certainly much better than the current staff members
nolie
April 22nd, 2009
1:32 am
Unless Bobby just isn’t listed as a VP on the Braves’ Front Office page, I’m thinking he’s not a VP (Chop)
I’m pretty sure that he is Chop, and has been for awhile but I could be mistaken, DOB would likely know for sure or could find out. I know that I read that somewhere but maybe it was incorrect.
nolie
April 22nd, 2009
1:33 am
(Chop)
oops, maybe it is that he sits on the board, but isn’t a VP. Even if it’s that way, it might be pretty hard for Wren alone to fire him.
AR Brave
April 22nd, 2009
1:34 am
Mother truck our boys are frustrated. Why in the world can we not be more mentally tough. I feel like we just are hum do duming out there. Seems like they are just going through the motions. Someone has got to light a fire under this team or its fourth place again. .500 or below is unacceptable unless your our boys right now. Put it together guys I still have faith in you, but if we get swept by the NATIONALS I won’t have much left.
Chop Chop
April 22nd, 2009
1:34 am
I think you’re wrong, nolie.
MFin04
April 22nd, 2009
1:34 am
I hate when people get on here and complain about it being negative! Do they actually watch the games? What is there to be positive about? i love this team…but the offense is anemic…the starting pitching is decent..and the bullpen is waiting to blow itself up every single night.
N8
April 22nd, 2009
1:35 am
Ronald Millsaps, don’t take offense to this, because I’m a guy. I get it.
But don’t you find it even a bit ironic, that you would say something so insulting like: “… but I will be so bold to say at least I don’t and that the typical beauty-pageant mother has few redeeming values and generally raises her daughter to be of the most-shallow variety.”
Yet, you seem to know an awful LOT about the competition, what went on, and what agenda/political side of the fense the judges were/are on.
Which either meens you watched it, which makes you by definition, just as (if not more) shallow than the contestants and their mothers. Or you were so enthralled by the MSN headline (that many of us ignored), that you just HAD to click on it and read it.
Like I said. No offense, just calling it like I see it. Being “bold” as you put it.
dude
April 22nd, 2009
1:35 am
Well Id like the Braves to do SOMETHING with the coaching staff. What about trading out Snitker for Phillip Wellman at AA? Snitkers not aggressive and Phil is FIRERY and aggressive. We need a transfusion NOW!
P-Town Brave (Day after day calling for the mass firing of the entire Braves coaching staff)
April 22nd, 2009
1:37 am
Ronald-
You completely FAIL at life and credibility for thinking Blanco would change things by being at the top of the lineup…The guy couldn’t get the job done last year and is hitting .190 in AAA right now.
Other than that, I could care less about Miss USA…blah blah blah…once again this is a baseball blog…
uga-brave
April 22nd, 2009
1:37 am
N8,
plenty of blame to go around, but the main fact is our minor league system quit developing major league players.
look at current rotation, lowe, jjj, vazquez, and kawakami, none homegrown.
three major bullpen components, none homegrown.
position players, some haved lived up to expectations some have not.
i know we have traded a prospect or two away i.e. wainright, but for the most part our system has missed on a talent cycle.
couple that with a payroll that did not have the flexibilty to fill the holes and you get to our current destination.
i do agree with you on the ramifications of the tex trade. if we did not have the ability to re-sign him the trade was probably a poor one.
nolie
April 22nd, 2009
1:38 am
I suppose you dump me in with the “negativity”?? (N8)
no Nate, i don’t. You exasperate me once in awhile by harping on the same stuff too long, but overall I see you in a positive light. I definitely would not put you on ignore list
P-Town Brave (Day after day calling for the mass firing of the entire Braves coaching staff)
April 22nd, 2009
1:39 am
Fin-
Agree on the no reason to be positive…I’m just not sure some people here get it…either that or they have no conception over wins/losses, good/bad, and so on…
Dude-
You should check my 1:31 post about staff replacements…it hits on Wellman
nolie
April 22nd, 2009
1:41 am
I think you’re wrong, nolie. (Chop)
NO NO I AM NEVER WRONG IT’S JUST NOT POSSIBLE.
P-Town Brave (Day after day calling for the mass firing of the entire Braves coaching staff)
April 22nd, 2009
1:43 am
Nolie-
I know I would probably be on your ignore list, but really, it gets to be extremely difficult to not harp on the same players or manager when they continue to do the same things over and OVER again!
Other than that, Im cool…like some amnesia patient I will forget about this during the day tomorrow only to remember it when (insert name here) does something boneheaded again tomorrow night.
Ronald Millsaps
April 22nd, 2009
1:43 am
“n8″–If a woman wants to compete for Miss USA, that’s one thing; I’m referring to shallow mothers who push their daughters into competitions and promote superficiality over substance.
As for your “negativity” comments, there’s nothing intrinsically wrong with being negative, as “negative” is not necessarily synonymous with “bad.” I’m a Christian, and all this new-age ideology about being “positive” is infuriating. As another commenter alluded to, you SHOULD point out flaws and not adhere to this humanistic nonsense that we somehow tap into Godly power by telling ourselves how “good” we are or how “good” our circumstances are.
The Braves have the players to win with; the formula is off.
Chop Chop
April 22nd, 2009
1:44 am
There was a moment the other day when I finally realized that I’m never wrong.
I really hope I’m wrong.
melissa
April 22nd, 2009
1:44 am
Ronald, You mean to tell that you don’t think a opposing pitcher would rather pitch to Diaz than to Sheffield ?! Give me a break ! I heard a pither say he still fears Sheffield ! Bobby choose Ryan Langerhans over Gary Mathrews Jr ! No body ever mention that ! Gary went on to hit 50 homeruns with the angels !!! Bobby Cox is reponsible for the players he chooses to be on his team ! He has chosen the wrong ones over the years and it is showing up now ! I am not surprise at their failure !
N8
April 22nd, 2009
1:48 am
uga, I can agree to an extent that our minor league system quit developing ML players. Especially with our pitching.
But let’s not forget, that one of our top pitchers is almost year (unproven, but almost here), another (Harrison) is pitching and learning on the job for Texas, along with the other youngster that went to Texas (Feliz?). Don’t forget about Wainwright.
We’ve produced decent pitchers. We couldn’t get them to hit (consistently) their ceiling up arriving in ATL, or we traded them away for one-year rentals.
While the rotation, is obviously not home-grown. Other than Diaz and Kotchman, the other 6 starters in the field are homegrown.
But in general, you are right about the pitchers. Really, since Avery and Glavine, this team hasn’t developed a top-notch starter. MAYBE Millwood. But he’s ultimately pretty mediocre, with a couple of really good years mixed in. Even Pete Smith had a couple of good years. So take that for what it’s worth.
I ultimately, think the “streak” and wanting to keep it alive, is what has hurt this team the past few years. The organization is always looking for band-aids and in JS’s last years, used the farm system more to aquire ML talent, rather than trying harder to make OUR OWN talent carry the team.
When you look at teams like the Twins and Marlins, they are able to do it by knowing WHEN to trade their older (more expensive) players away. Which always sets them up with a nice surplus of young, raw talent that is ready to compete. But unfortunately, their payrolls don’t allow them to keep those players very long.
In the NFL, the Patriots are the masters at it. They cut and aging veteran, and would rather do it a year or two too early, than a year or two too late. My guess is if the Braves were run by the same people who run the Pats, Chipper would have been traded long ago, much less signed to a new deal.
But, in the end, I definitely think Bobby has his hand in this just as much as Wren does.
Ronald Millsaps
April 22nd, 2009
1:48 am
Last thing: To anyone who thinks my second paragraph a moment ago was off-topic, it’s actually 100% accurate. The stance for positivity lies atop the premise that human nature is Godly and that we must have “positive mindsets” to “experience” (another new-age term) these alleged results. It seems like you can’t go five minutes without hearing this type of premise nowadays.
Time to go to bed, and time for the Braves to re-earn respect.
dude
April 22nd, 2009
1:50 am
Folks its been a long one. Tonight for the first time this year I turned off the braves station after Nats went up 4-3. I realized as soon as that happened we would not score anymore. My frustration levels with the Braves are not good for my health. Its depressing. Good night to u all and lets hope for a damn W later today.
ccrider
April 22nd, 2009
1:52 am
TnBrian, I share your hope, but I honestly believe that too many of our starting position players are not complete in their abilities to compete. Poor defense, poor judgement at bat and on the basepaths and not clutch hitters for the last 2 seasons( Norton was good last year, but has fallen hard in 2009). Combine the lineup faults with a poor bullpen, a rotation that has had only 1 starter(Lowe) pitch 8 innings, injuries and horrible pinch hitting. All of these do not bode well in 2009.
uga-brave
April 22nd, 2009
1:52 am
n8,
until the next debate, i gotta go.
N8
April 22nd, 2009
1:53 am
Ronald “The Braves have the players to win with; the formula is off.”
That’s all I’m saying as well. If you’re optimistic and think thing will change themselves. By all means, hope the Braves ownership keeps Bobby around. If you’re a person that KNOWS nothing will change while he’s here, yet would like to see change, then don’t hope that.
As for the Miss USA thing. For the most part, just giving you crap. Actually couldn’t care less. Though I’m deeply disturbed by young girls being put in pagents. But whoever the mom was (already forot – see, I told you I really don’t care), had said her daughter joined her first pagaent in HS.
I just thought it was funny that you called it shallow, yet knew a lot about it.
It’s like the preacher condemning porn at Sunday’s sermon, and then you see him at the adult novelty store later that week. Just ironic to me.
Coach (2010 or bust)
April 22nd, 2009
1:53 am
WHAT THE BLEEP IS GOING ON HERE????
The top five teams by ERA:
Mariners 9-5, 2.94 ERA
Pirates 8-6, 3.00 ERA
Dodgers 10-4, 3.54 ERA
Royals 7-6, 3.55 ERA
Marlins 11-3, 3.61 ERA
Our Braves? 6-8 record, 4.57 ERA (17th) and also ranked (15) by offense. Mediocrity sucks.
N8
April 22nd, 2009
1:54 am
uga, that’s cool man. I’m hopped up on cold medicine (after trying to sleep this cold off earlier), so I think I’ll be up for a while.
Maybe I’ll go play some guitar or something.
N8
April 22nd, 2009
1:55 am
Coach, could it be defense?