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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
1,878 comments Add your comment
Bubdylan
April 29th, 2009
3:08 am
Wayne in Utah, can’t I just be irrational and grumpy about it, though?
Wayne in Utah
April 29th, 2009
3:15 am
on the blog, you can be anything you want to be, my friend.
That’s why these A-holes like MFin04 exist. They can be anonymous (sp) on a blog, and post as much stupid $hit as they want.
Nite friend!
Bubdylan
April 29th, 2009
3:22 am
G’night.
Bobby's Cox
April 29th, 2009
3:57 am
Coach,
You’re right. Yunel also scored a high percentage of the time he led off a game. Calculate his % with any other Braves (runs scored in 1st inning when batting leadoff per game), and if I remember correctly, it was quite high. What the hell, I did it for you…
Escobar
24% in 2008 (9 runs in 38 games, .368 OBP)
38% in 2007 (13 runs in 34 games, .529 OBP)
Johnson
19% in 2009 (3 runs in 16 games, .313 OBP)
11% in 2008 (3 runs in 28 games, .143 OBP)
14% in 2007 (14 runs in 76 games, .303 OBP)
Now, the devils advocate will be that runs scored are dependent on the hitters behind you, but note, these are also dependent on getting on base with 0 outs, so I went back and got the OBP for each player.
Until Schafer is deemed ready, Yunel indeed is the better leadoff option.
Ed
April 29th, 2009
3:57 am
Bring on the mutts…I can hear Buck & Kincaid singing now. Beat the Mets, Beat the Mets…
ncscoots
April 29th, 2009
6:30 am
Nothing wrong with the idea of Yunel hitting leadoff, he’s produced there in the past. But, I can understand why Cox started out the season with Kelly at 1 and Yunel at 2. It’s the same situation as last year, except the team is even more lefty-heavy. HItting one of the few right-handers at the top just unbalances the following hitters even more. Not saying that’s a good enough reason, just pointing out what could have been the mindset for the early-season lineup positioning.
Braveheart
April 29th, 2009
6:53 am
Great win last night. Loved the way JoJo pitched, but loved the determined look in his eye throughout the whole night and the fire he showed even more. You really never saw that out of JoJo before. He always looks so nervous and wide eyed, like he’s hoping, wishing, pleading that he’ll do good. Last night, was about the first time I saw him look determined on the mound with the way he carried himself, as if he finally believes he belongs. You could just see it in his eyes. I also liked the fist pump and scream he let out when Escobar and Infante turned the DP for him, as if he finally felt comfortable in his own skin out on the mound to let his personality show. It’s good to see some emotion. JoJo also looks much trimmer. He’ll probably go back to sucking next weekend though
Braveheart
April 29th, 2009
7:04 am
Watched the game with my brother last night. When Schafer was leading off first, standing next to Pujols, he says Look how tiny Schafer is, and look at how much of a horse Pujols is. Now, if I told you one of these guys was using HGH, which one would you guess? You wouldn’t even guess. You’d say the guy who doesn’t even look like a human being. But, no, no, that scrawny lil’ kid is the roid freak. What the hell ever. If Schafer was using roids, he was only doing it so he wouldn’t look so silly standing next to and competing against roidheads like Pujols. Name me one superstar positional player over the last two decades who played for Larussa who didn’t look like he was on roids.
Gummy Bears...Bouncing here and there and everywhere....THEY ARE THE GUMMY BEARS!!!!
April 29th, 2009
7:06 am
Anyone remember the movie creepshow 2? I thought it was a pretty good movie back in the day.
Kenneth Simpson
April 29th, 2009
7:49 am
Garrett Anderson is a bust to say the least. With no speed and no power the braves are doomed. Cox would not let anyone steal a base anyway so why bother to have one at the top of the order. I read today concerning the braves facing Wainright tonight and how he was once a top prospect for the braves. Yes he was and they gave him to the cardinals for a rental JD Drew and they also threw in another pretty good pitcher along with Ray King for nothing. That was a bum trade but nothing compares to the one for Tex. I watched Salty, Andrus, and Harrison the other night playing for Texas and they were awesome. What do the braves have to show for that bum deal. Nothing! I will stick to my prediction that they will find some way to trade the 2-3 prospects they have left for some bum to play for one season and then leave for the yankees or mets. JS and Wren both need to be put out to pasture along with Cox and get some management that won’t delete the farm and will give young players an opportunity to play.
NEW CARS
April 29th, 2009
8:03 am
I wonder what the odds are that FW is looking for a trade partner to move some of our surplus pitching for a big rh bat…I wonder if a Carlos Lee, Dye, Magglio type would be available at a discounted contract rate for a prospect or two… Not one of the top top guys, mind you…I just would like to see us have a real cleanup hitter…righthanded preferrably…
Jeff321
April 29th, 2009
8:14 am
Concerning Heyward — Recently Chip Caray had a caller ask about young talent. Chip basically said Heyward is like Strawberry without the baggage.
RC
April 29th, 2009
8:41 am
I’d love to see the Carlos Lee in the Braves lineup….but I would NOT love to see that contract on our books. $18.5 million a year for the next FOUR years….not exactly what you want to see for a 32-year old corner outfielder with a weight problem.
Couch Tater
April 29th, 2009
8:41 am
Braveheart,
I wonder if Jo Jo may be better without Smoltz. No slam on Smoltz, but Jo Jo may not responded well to the alpha dog.
Scoots,
I did a whole lot of scrolling during the game. Ever seen the movie The Ox-Bow Incident? Ol’ Sheriff Risley told the posse the Braves won.
Joe Fan
April 29th, 2009
8:46 am
Patience is needed here. The Braves have the foundation for an incredible starting rotation with Lowe, Hanson, Hudson, Vasquez,JJ, Reyes and Morton not to mention Heyward and Freeman waiting in the wings. Maybe not this year but certainly in the nest two the Braves will become once gain the team to beat providing management doesn’t waste the talent in a stupid trade and positive coaching changes are made.
McFann Ô
April 29th, 2009
8:56 am
K.Street–
Hey, that’s sweet! He oughta rehab with Gwinnett when he’s ready to come back……
Tom O’Hawke–
Oh yeah, no worries! You tried.
PMC
April 29th, 2009
8:58 am
Maybe they could move Kelly around in the lineup? Why not flip him and Escobar temporarily.
It’s not going to work out well with either of them leading off but we didn’t really address leadoff in the offseason.
Either way if they win tonight, I’m not entirely displeased with 11-10 in April. They historically have average to poor Aprils. Kelly will eventually go on a hot streak. The bullpen is coming around. If they could just average 4-6 runs a game instead of 10 and 0 they could string some wins toegther. 6 strait wins would be a nice change.
McFann Ô
April 29th, 2009
9:00 am
That article on the “Official Site” said BMac felt good last night, and that he’s confident he’ll be ready to come off the DL when he’s eligible to.
Also said his eyes felt dry towards the end of the game–gonna try using drops tonight.
Ah, man, I can’t wait for this to be over…no wonder Mommy found a gray hair on my head yesterday…
McFann Ô
April 29th, 2009
9:01 am
Joe Fan Patience is needed here.
Huh…that’s leaves me out, I guess.
Greg
April 29th, 2009
9:10 am
I was thrilled to see Infante leading off last night. He was excellent, and he fielded his position well. I say its time to Wally Pip Kelly out of the lineup. Yes, Infante doesn’t hit for as much power as Kelly, but he gets on base. Infante is our best current solution to Kelly’s terrible OPS.
sportsmandh
April 29th, 2009
9:10 am
I may agree with some of you guys about plugging in Yunel at leadoff to see what happens, IF he hadn’t made 2 base running blunders 2 nights in a row. I don’t think it would send a good message right now to plug him in at the top, I think it may seem sort of like a reward or something, which I don’t think sends the right signal after the base running the last two night. I would go with Schaefer. He’s doing fine despite the strikeouts, let me give my thoughts:
Several have said Schaefer’s only walked b/c he’s hitting in front of the pitcher. Some truth in that. BUT, also it’s very true that he’s going to see more pitches to hit at leadoff, especially once Chipper really gets rolling, they’re not gonna pitch around the leadoff guy.
I know there could be some growing pains. But on THIS team, with the roster you currently have, especially with Kelly struggling and even admitting himself he doesn’t prefer to hit leadoff, Schaeffer is the OBVIOUS choice for this season. Long term I don’t know, maybe he’d be better batting second, BUT for right now the choice is obvious to me.
It also makes no sense that they let Schaefer bat lead off all spring to ‘compete for the job’, then put him down in the 8th hole. That is STUPID. Unless the kid came up here and completely bombed out, which he obviously has not, then put him in there and let’s go with it. If he strikes out quite a bit, so be it.
By the way, why would, if you were the coach, insist to keep putting Kelly at leadoff when you know he has it in his head that it’s not where he should be? I want a guy that’s gonna step up there and take the bull by the horns and say let’s get it on. Think Ricky Henderson ever said ‘I’m just not sure I should be batting lead off’? (Not attempting to say Kelly should be like a Ricky Henderson either, I’m just saying players are what they are). I think Schaeffer has the attitude to do well if you plug him in up there.
Chief
April 29th, 2009
9:17 am
You cannot win a World Series with Kelly Johnson on your team….and Matt Diaz, Y.Escobar, C.Kotchman….etc. This will be another long summer.
Rock On....
April 29th, 2009
9:17 am
The Braves have just scored 2 runs in back to back games and come away with a 1-1 record. Historically you lose 80% of the time when that happens. They can’t keep throwing caution to the wind. We have been calling for a shakeup and we have guys needing to play. Prado needs to be in there for absolute certain. Infante provides a spark.
Our starters have been outstanding. Why in the world Wren has not told Glavine goodbye by now is beyond me. We absolutely do not need him and he will cost another million if he throws a pitch for Atlanta. What in the name of all baseball gods is Wren thinking? Oh well…..
David O'Brien
April 29th, 2009
9:18 am
Chop Chop: Good point at 11 p.m.
Gummy Bears...Bouncing here and there and everywhere....THEY ARE THE GUMMY BEARS!!!!
April 29th, 2009
9:19 am
chief dont forget about corky
DirtyDawg
April 29th, 2009
9:20 am
Anybody that watched last night’s game and still thinks that Kelly Johnson should ever play second-base for the Braves again is delusional. It’s not just the routine plays, it’s turning double-plays – neither of which KJ could have, or would have, done – along with the tough plays. Infante is a ball-player. Kelly has a sweet swing. I say have Kelly dust off his outfielder’s glove and get ready to return to left-field, and when Anderson gets well – if he ever does – they can fight it out. Shoot, I wouldn’t mind seeing KJ in right. It’s about time Francoeur was put on notice that his overall level of play has got to improve if he expects to be penciled in every day. As for our guy Diaz, it’s become a case of ’swing hard in case you connect’. I’m really disappointed in his latest funk. Like Simpson (I think) said, ‘he decides to swing before the pitcher takes the ball out of his glove’ – and it’s happening way too much these days.
Dammit, the pitchin’s doing the job, Bobby and his minions have got to squeeze more runs out of this bunch – too many mental mistakes, too timid, failure to execute fundamentals, won’t run (or can’t because you don’t have confidence in their ability to get a decent jump or make contact). Come-on Bobby, surely you haven’t forgotten how to manage aggressively…try it you’ll like it. And if it doesn’t work then you’ll know that it’s time to bring some kids up – like Heywood and Freeman – and let them stir the pot. At least it may get the fans excited instead of sitting back and waiting, like you guys are doing over on the bench.
Gummy Bears...Bouncing here and there and everywhere....THEY ARE THE GUMMY BEARS!!!!
April 29th, 2009
9:21 am
DOB are you going to see Wolverine this weekend? Oh and may I suggest you go rent Creepshow 2 and Return of the living dead 1 and 2..Both classics if I may say so.
OH and BTW what did you eat for breakfast this morning?
David O'Brien
April 29th, 2009
9:22 am
Bay Area Steve: Never thought you’d stoop to using such an cheesy, adolescent, commercial catch-phrase in your usually clever, original comments.
David O'Brien
April 29th, 2009
9:23 am
Gummy: no.
Eware
April 29th, 2009
9:25 am
Wow. I actually pumped my fist last night. It felt great!
David O'Brien
April 29th, 2009
9:25 am
However, Bay Area Steve, I laughed at your 12:55 a.m. message to MFin04 (even after seeing you use that awful catch-phrase in another comment). Like I said, yours are usually quite clever comments.
Eware
April 29th, 2009
9:27 am
DOB, since I haven’t heard a review of the Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears album, I’m assuming you haven’t picked it up yet. Big mistake – you’re gonna be mad at yourself…
Gummy Bears...Bouncing here and there and everywhere....THEY ARE THE GUMMY BEARS!!!!
April 29th, 2009
9:35 am
DOB you had no breakfast and no to wolverine? How can you miss the start of the summer movie season!!!
Daybed Wagmoe
April 29th, 2009
9:35 am
DOB – Not sure if you overlooked ‘em in the hubbub of yesterday’s game, but I made some comments on Dylan’s new album on page 1 of this here blog. Overall: it’s good stuff.
David O'Brien
April 29th, 2009
9:35 am
8 dingers in the first 3 games.
10 dingers in the last 17 games. — uga-brave
Keep in mind where the first three were played (Citizens Bank Park). But yes, still a good point. Obvious lack of power since then.
Gummy Bears...Bouncing here and there and everywhere....THEY ARE THE GUMMY BEARS!!!!
April 29th, 2009
9:36 am
FYI to you all dont rent or see the last house on the left remake, it has horrible. Get the original.
Has anyone tried KFC’s new chicken yet?
Boss Fan/Braves Fan
April 29th, 2009
9:37 am
Springsteen’s concert was incredible Sunday night. It was my fourth Springsteen concert, and probably my favorite. He played for three hours, took audience request- including 96 tears and Trapped, and closed with Detroit Medley. I agree that Max Weinberg’s son was phenomonal on drums when he sat in for his dad. The E Street Band proved it all night that they are “the Best bar band in the land” as the Boss called them. You missed a tremendous show. If you can catch a show on the tour, do so. You will not regret a minute.
David O'Brien
April 29th, 2009
9:40 am
Daybed, saw the comments on Dylan’s new one. Thanks, man. Plan to get it today. Sounds like great stuff. I’d read how much blues he incorporated into this, and heard that in the first song (there’s a video on the Borders site, or somewhere, popped up when I googled the new album).
Gummy Bears: Have fun at the start of the summer movie season. Enjoy a bag of gummy bears and a big ol’ coke while you’re there, bouncing off the walls. Don’t worry about turning down your phone, either.
David O'Brien
April 29th, 2009
9:42 am
Eware, the Black Joe Lewis CD is terrific. Can’t believe how old-school soul that guy is. Love the album. got it last week, but just listened to it start-to-finish yesterday, driving to and from ballpark.
AdirondackDave
April 29th, 2009
9:44 am
‘Morning, sports fans. If you want to feel really good about the Braves prospects Heyward and Freeman, check out the Gordon Edes piece at Yahoo MLB “Top Prospects…”
Let’s hope the Braves can put 3-4 on the board today and squeak out another win.
bravofan
April 29th, 2009
9:45 am
The Braves did a good job rallying in the 8th. Diaz came through with a clutch hit. DOB has anybody talked about in the clubhouse how gonzo can be wild at some times and on it at other times? Don’t get me wrong I like the guy!
69braves
April 29th, 2009
9:46 am
It is not that the Braves can’t steal bases it is that Cox is not hitting and running or giving them the green light to steal. They were 17 of 18 in stolen bases in the spring with Schafer being 5 for 5. We are not aggressive on the bases but we are very sloppy. We need to go back to basics and play ball the way it was meant to be played. Station to station just don’t get it when your not a power hitting team. Adjust and adapt!!!!! GO BRAVES!!!!!!!!!!!!!
bravofan
April 29th, 2009
9:46 am
Anybody else agree with me that the Braves made a horrible decision trading away Josh Anderson?
getnathan
April 29th, 2009
9:47 am
Last night was “Clutch” by Matt Diaz. He has always seemed to come up with a hit that ties or gives the Braves the lead late in ball games. Braves need more of that because until we get some power in the lineup, we will be in those low scoring, tight ballgames.
What was CLUTCH was the Carolina Hurricanes two goals in 80 seconds in GAME 7 to defeat the New Jersey Devils…WOW!!!!
getnathan
April 29th, 2009
9:48 am
AdirondackDave that will be tough against Adam Wainwright. Why can’t we get players like Adam Wainwright?
bravofan
April 29th, 2009
9:50 am
genathan I appreciate the hockey insight but I like Diazs clutch hitting rather that hockey I dont give a rip about hockey good point though it was nice saw it on Sports center this morning not to mention two of the top ten plays were defensive plays that the Cardinals made against us
Random
April 29th, 2009
9:52 am
TNJeff (April 28th, 2009 11:01 pm): “Poor fundamentals continue to plague these braves . . . . Escobar’s 2nd straight game with a monumental base running blunder”
sportsmandh (9:10 am): “I may agree with some of you guys about plugging in Yunel at leadoff to see what happens, IF he hadn’t made 2 base running blunders 2 nights in a row.”
Don’t know where this “2 in 2″ came from — it should be “3 in 3″.
Overrunning 3B last night, getting picked of 1B the night before, and in the 7th inning Sunday in Cincinnati, getting thrown out at 2B trying to stretch a single to RF into a double.
Slugger
April 29th, 2009
9:53 am
Braves Pitchers -
Thanks for two good games in a row. It’s a lot calmer here when we almost lose the game due to a lack of offense versus scoring a ton of runs and almost having the bullpen blow the game.
bravofan -
Where would Josh Anderson play, left field?
I’ll take KJ in left versus RHP (Prado/Infante at 2B) and Kelly at 2B versus LHP if this Brandon Jones thing doesn’t work out.
Still lobbying for Micah Owings to have around a 8-10 ERA by the All-Star break so the Reds can trade him to be our left fielder.
Guess I’m dreamin’ though.
Turtsnap
April 29th, 2009
9:55 am
Maybe the Diaz seeing eye hit will be the spark that DOB referenced needing in this blog. Sometimes it is those type of hits that opens the flood gates. One can only hope. Still though, Braves as a team need more discipline at the plate. Our most disciplined hitter is in Myrtle Beach, that leaves Chipper and Kotchman with a bunch of free swingers.
Gummy Bears...Bouncing here and there and everywhere....THEY ARE THE GUMMY BEARS!!!!
April 29th, 2009
9:57 am
Are you going to see Star Trek XI?
Coke *BLAH*, give me a blueberry icee and a hot dog!
Steve from OH
April 29th, 2009
9:57 am
getnathan, that was wild. What a couple of good hockey games last night, eh? I see Sergei Fedorov put the proverbial stake in Anders’ heart…
Jonathon
April 29th, 2009
9:58 am
The Cardinals showed ZERO respect for Kotchman last night. Walking Chipper 4 times! I couldn’t help but laugh looking a the MLB Tonight graphic showing Chipper went 0 for 0. Hoss needs some protection or Chipper is going to challenge guys like Dunn, Pujols and Manny for the most free trips to first base this season.
getnathan
April 29th, 2009
9:58 am
bravofan
April 29th, 2009
9:50 am
genathan I appreciate the hockey insight but I like Diazs clutch hitting rather that hockey I dont give a rip about hockey good point though it was nice saw it on Sports center this morning not to mention two of the top ten plays were defensive plays that the Cardinals made against us
Cardinals have been playing some phenomenal defense against us in this series. Monday, too. I am beyond PLEASED with the Braves pitching staff. It has been good as I anticipated it would be. It’s the offense. We won’t need the power IF we can get the key hits late in games that give us the lead. Moylan, SOriano and Gonzalez are capable of holding it down late.
pryguy
April 29th, 2009
10:00 am
CHOP CHOP,
Echoing DOB’s sentiments, your post at 11:00 PM was on point. It’s kind of humorous to come on here and just read negativity on a consistent basis. A lot of good things came out of last night, people need to take off the blinders. Maybe we aren’t a 90 or 100 win team, but it’s way too early to not have hope that this team can be. Give them a shot and give them your support when they do well and win a game.
KC
April 29th, 2009
10:01 am
Coach (2010 or bust), we’ll have to agree to disagree on your point that it’s impossible to win without a running game. There are numerous ways to reach base, advance runners, and score.
Again, when this lineup is healthy (which it hasn’t been since the Washington series) and functioning as it should… you’ll have a high team average, a lot of base runners, good hitting with RISP, a lot of doubles, and adequate HR power.
I forgot to mention last night… the 2006 Braves were second in NL runs scored. And when you take ballparks into account, they were the best offensive team in the league. Their leader in SB’s was Renteria with 17. No one else had more than 6.
In 2007, the Braves were 3rd in the league in runs scored, even though Willie Harris led the team with 17 steals (while being caught 11 times).
Offense wasn’t the problem with those teams. Pitching was the problem. Yes, I realize those teams had more power. I’m just speaking to your blanket assertion that you can’t win without stealing bases.
What we’ve had over the last 2-3 weeks has been a combination of injuries (McCann, Anderson, Chipper), and extreme underperformance (Diaz and KJ). But if they can get healthy, most critically – Brian McCann… the Braves will score more than enough runs to win with this pitching.
However, while I believe – and in fact–am positive – that you can score runs without stealing bases… that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t like to see more of it. I’ve been cursing BC every time Schafer reaches and throws out an anchor at first base. Even when he’s hitting 8th, I thought that once or twice, he might send Schafer with no one out and have the pitcher pull back the bunt… then (assuming the steal is successful) have the pitcher bunt him over to 3rd, followed by a sac fly to score a truly manufactured run. But it never happens.
KJ is also capable of stealing 15-20. If we let our guys run, we could have Schafer with something like 27 steals, and KJ with 17 or so. And that would be very much in line with what we’ve had on several of those Braves teams during the 14-year run.
Make no mistake, I want to see more running.
We don’t have a lot of speed, but the refusal to use the speed we do have is puzzling and infuriating to me as I watch.
getnathan
April 29th, 2009
10:03 am
Steve from OH
April 29th, 2009
9:57 am
getnathan, that was wild. What a couple of good hockey games last night, eh? I see Sergei Fedorov put the proverbial stake in Anders’ heart…
Rangers gave it all they could though, although they did choke the series…
I am a Hartford Whalers/Carolina Hurricanes fan. I thought they were done because all I could do was follow it online. Now we gotta play Boston and Tim Thomas. I don’t think we’ll beat Boston, but I sure hope we do.
flange1
April 29th, 2009
10:03 am
Morning All,
I have to say I really enjoyed last night’s game. JoJo looked like the pitcher that we wouldn’t trade for Tex! Too bad he did not get the win.
Gonzo looked as good as he EVER has in a Braves uni. You could tell he was pumped. He WANTED Pujols and took him out.
Finally to our “friend MariettaDerek”, let’s lose the double pits to chesty or when I see you I will have to use 1 foot to testes…….
JD
April 29th, 2009
10:04 am
After reading the Braves Vent and some of the comments on here, you’d think we were about to throw a parade for Matt Diaz. Truth is, he’s hitting near .230, and his single last night was, as Chip put it, a “70-hopper” up the middle that barely got through.
Just seems to me like a temporary stroke of luck in the midst of horrible offensive woes. The problem hasn’t been fixed, and we’re in for more games of feeble run production (except for every 5th or 6th game when we score 20).
getnathan
April 29th, 2009
10:05 am
Steve from OH the game time kept dwindling as I was refreshing the game online lol until I saw that Jussi Jokinen scored, and I thought it was going to OT, then I saw Eric Staal scored and I was like wow!!!
McFann Ô
April 29th, 2009
10:05 am
pryguy people need to take off the blinders.
That’s for sure…
JD
April 29th, 2009
10:06 am
Oh, but on a plus note, I finally know what everyone means by “double pits to chesty.” I caught the commercial.
DirtyDawg
April 29th, 2009
10:06 am
Hey Bravefan, I’ve been saying the same thing about Josh Anderson, then a saw the replay of last night’s Tigers game where he ‘lost the ball in the lights’ – at least he looked just like Diaz when he said as much – ball rolled to the wall and Detroit lost. The only way they can realize the potential value of keeping Schafer instead of Anderson is for them to move him, JA, to lead-off and tell him that if he swings for the fences again, he’s ‘gone to Gwinnett.
CB
April 29th, 2009
10:07 am
McFann don’t worry about the gray hairs,they have hair color for that. We old people have to worry about the hair in the comb. A lot of good things to see out of last nite’s game. Good to see Reyes pitch lights out,a clutch hit by Diaz and who could not love the way Gonzalez looked last night! For all the negative fans out there still plenty of reasons to have hope. We will start hitting better, hope Schafer will be moved up soon.
Calvin
April 29th, 2009
10:09 am
Hmmm. I think this really needs to be said. MariettaDerek STFU with the double pits to chesty. It’s not funny and it never was. Just completely and horrifically lame. Jeez.
vabravesfan
April 29th, 2009
10:11 am
Best 10 seconds in a long time happened last night. Watching the Caps game on tv and braves game on computer. Federov scores a goal late and 10 seconds later Matt Diaz gets a hit to put the Braves ahead. Whew I love sports.
JD
April 29th, 2009
10:11 am
I think DPTC was funny, until MariettaDerek beat it to death and then shot it (and that was before I’d even seen it)
flange1
April 29th, 2009
10:11 am
Further, it was great to see Diaz get a clutch hit. Nice job by Chipper of screening Greene so he couldn’t see the ball until too late.
I am getting a bit perturbed with the base running errors by Yunel. Saw a post on here about Snitker giving him a sign, I saw no sign at all. Maybe that was the problem?
Kim
April 29th, 2009
10:12 am
flange1 – you’ve got me cracking up at work! Folks are gonna know I’m goofing off!
ncscoots
April 29th, 2009
10:14 am
I thought one of the standard blog perceptions was that “good teams find a way to win”, “they make their own luck”, etc., etc., blah, blah. How could you look at the win last night and not think exactly that about the Braves, LOL? Or is it that some bloggers only bring up such trite perceptions when a 70-hop-SS-screened dribbler BEATS the Braves? Eh? No fun in winning one that the team probably should have lost? That it?
getnathan
April 29th, 2009
10:18 am
People want Braves to solve their hitting problems, with what? There’s nobody out there to get without mortgaging the farm to get it. Even Matt Holliday is struggling (and I was clamoring for him to be a Brave). Until then, there are going to be close to the vest, well pitched games like the last two nights against a good team, and we need hitters to come through when we are in a position to take the lead or tie late in games.
JD
April 29th, 2009
10:20 am
“No fun in winning one that the team probably should have lost? That it?”
No, it’s the fact that it’s a LONG season and an implosion of opposing pitchers teamed with a dribbler by Matt Diaz is what it took to get the W last night. I want reason to be hopeful. But with this lineup and Bobby/TP at the helm, this offense can be frustrating. I’ll keep watching and cheering, but my goodness…this lineup can hardly buy a hit.
DirtyDawg
April 29th, 2009
10:21 am
Hey DOB, I’m curious, just what is it about all the movies and music? Do you run out of baseball stuff to talk about or do you just get bored with it? I’m wondering, what is the strategy about how you go about doing your job here? Can you be critical when criticism is called for, or do you have to worry about how you’re welcomed in the clubhouse? Sure you point out the ‘team’s’ failures but do you feel open to take on specific player’s performances? I know we’re only two games out but it looks as if the Phillies have turned it around and a team that features Kotchman at clean-up – hopefully McCann will come back strong – is not going anywhere.
CB
April 29th, 2009
10:23 am
I also agree with Chop Chop with the negativity. When the Braves lose I don’t even come on until the next day. Nothing to be gained out of being taken down,down, down into the pits. Life is too short folks.
flange1
April 29th, 2009
10:23 am
scoots,
I am not sure that most of these folks WANT the Braves to win. They have so much more to talk about when they lose.
ArkyTech
April 29th, 2009
10:24 am
VERY cool interview with Matt Diaz on MLB network last night. Loved his response to Harold Reynold’s question about his role. Cool, humble guy.
http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?content_id=4345777&c_id=atl
getnathan
April 29th, 2009
10:24 am
This offense can be frustrating, but it’s what we got. Casey Kotchman had a chance to put the Braves in the lead on Monday and didn’t. Matt Diaz had a chance to put the Braves in the lead and he did. it’s going to be like this folks. Get used to it.
Epinephrine
April 29th, 2009
10:26 am
need Frenchy to step up. If that doesn’t happen, this is going to be a bad offense for some time-at least until Mac and GA get back. And there is no guarantee either will happen.
stynes
April 29th, 2009
10:26 am
I also really appreciated Chop Chop’s 11pm comment. It seems like some people won’t be happy until the Braves are winning 20-0 every night. And then those very same people will probably be complaining that the games aren’t competitive.
If people couldn’t be enthusiastic about the way Jo-Jo pitched last night and seeing Moylan with another good outing and seeing Gonzo utterly dominate in the 9th then I don’t know what’s going to get you enthused. In this series the Braves have given up a total of 4 runs to the league’s best offense – with their 4 and 5 starters taking the hill. The pitching on this team has been oustanding lately.
Offensively they’ve got a ways to go, though. The pitching is good enough to keep them close and they could stay close to a .500 club for the rest of the year. If the offense gets better, they’ve got a chance to be a really good club, though. Which leads me to my question…
If the pitching continues to perform as well as it has this series and the offense continues to sputter does it increase the odds that FW has to try to make a move to land a bat in the middle of the season?
That said, I do think there’s reason to believe the offense can get better. Can – not will – but can get better. Hopefully McCann will be back healthy soon. Hopefully we can keep Chipper healthy. Hopefully Anderson will be back healthy soon. If we can keep Jeff playing well, get KJ more consistent, if Shafer continues to get better and Yunel can learn to get some lift on his swings and stop hitting into so many DPs… if all of that happens then the Braves will have a pretty good offense.
But since the likelihood of all (or even most) of those things happening is pretty slim, would such a disparity in the performance of the pitching vs. the hitting force FW’s hand to try to make a trade for a bat?
Double Pits to Chesty
April 29th, 2009
10:29 am
Double Pits to Chesty: “Double Pits to Chesty!”
Double Pits to Chesty!!
PS: DPtC!!!
Poorbrave
April 29th, 2009
10:32 am
DOB—Cool..Brings back memories. Midnight Special 1975 Full..Peter Frampton..Do you feel like we do. You much see.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7rFYbMhcG8
Eware
April 29th, 2009
10:33 am
I’m glad you got the album, DOB. The Honeybears are an amazingly tight backing band.
I get revved up when I hear, “Gunpowder, Baby!”
David O'Brien
April 29th, 2009
10:34 am
DirtyDawg, the “strategy” for doing this blog? It’s whatever comes to mind in addition to primarily discussing Braves and baseball. We like to be well-rounded, or at least somewhat so.
It’s a blog, DD. We have freedom here to discuss personal experiences, etc., which we don’t have in traditional journalism, other than columnists. Things tend to go a lot better, a lot more participation, when we keep it loose and entertaining.
coach joe
April 29th, 2009
10:35 am
Johnson drops a routine double play ball, costs the braves a win and he is a funk ever since. same thing last year when he dropped the fly ball against the phillies..get over it..or sit forever
Gonzo was awesome last night..
Patron Saint of the Lost Art
April 29th, 2009
10:36 am
There are many lost arts in the world. One is “timely hitting.” It doesn’t matter if you score 12 runs or two. Without hitting at the right time, it is impossible to win baseball games. Last night, the Braves got timely hitting. Not a lot of it, but enough. And this is a good thing.
McFann Ô
April 29th, 2009
10:36 am
CB–
Oh yeah, I know…haha, I’m a little young to go completely gray!
Last night’s game was great! Loved the way Gonzo pitched. I really despise the Cardinals with a passion (love the birds, can’t stand the team!), so beating them always feels great–almost as good as beating the Fillies!
Horner's Corner
April 29th, 2009
10:39 am
Bravofan-
I am also VERY disappointed about losing Josh Anderson. I know I have to let this one go (as it has already happened), but the Braves are actually slower and worse defensively than they were last year. With no real power, no base stealing threats, no legitimate lead-off hitter and absolutely no defense in LF; it seems bizarre that the Braves would let the one guy go that could help fill a majority of these voids. The Garrett Anderson signing was a move of complete desperation. The guy is a professional DH, as he has played very little OF over the last several years. And as for Norton, I just don’t put a lot of stock in guys that have zero defensive ability. I know he’s a good PH, but what a limited skill in this era of baseball. The time of Greg Gross and Rusty Staub has long passed.
So DOB, you ask about the Braves stealing more bases?? My question in return is, who is that person supposed to be? The Bravos only have a handful of guys with average speed (Johnson, Escobar, Chipper, Diaz) and none of them have shown a skill for swiping bases. The rest of this team is dead slow! As for Schafer, I am very excited that he’s on the team (even at the expense of Anderson), but he will never run as long he’s in the eighth spot and batting ahead of the pitcher.
By the way, watching the way Leyland has used Josh Anderson in the early going makes me wonder about Wren and Bobby’s lack of vision. I almost forgot what it’s like watching a manager use his players in situations where they will be successful, rather than just running the same eight guys out there night after night.
Ken Overstreet
April 29th, 2009
10:41 am
McCann needs to rehab with MB at least until next week. They play here (Lynchburg, VA). Tiny stadium, stands very near the field.
Poorbrave
April 29th, 2009
10:42 am
you must see..not much. getting old?
pryguy
April 29th, 2009
10:43 am
would be nice to take 2 out of 3 here, ride the wave of last night’s thriller. I hate harping on Anderson, but so many were already infatuated with Schafer, and why not? He had a hot spring, and looked ready to take on his assumed role. I’m still not disappointed in the decision. Like Matty said last night on MLB Network, I trust Bobby with my career because before him, I didn’t have one. Great quote from Matt last night by the way. But I trust Bobby and the Braves front office with their decisions, and everyone here should likewise, considering their recent successes albeit the past 2-3 years of non competitive baseball.
PWHjort
April 29th, 2009
10:45 am
I really like this quote from Gonzo:
“After I saw Matt do what he did and get those runs in, I said there’s no chance they’re going to touch the plate,” Gonzalez said. “We had to get this win.”
And this one from Diaz:
“I put it in play and got lucky,” Diaz said, smiling. “A beautiful 85-hopper up the middle. But it’s a laser in the books.”
Great game story, DOB.
ncscoots
April 29th, 2009
10:47 am
scoots, I am not sure that most of these folks WANT the Braves to win. They have so much more to talk about when they lose.
Well, I don’t think winning will stop some of our folks from doing what they do, LOL. I wouldn’t even mind a good hate rant from some of our complainers, if only they weren’t so doggone relentless about it, post after post after post. Or after every blinkin’ pitch or AB for the in-game.
I mean, Diaz was a bum at 2-2 (according to the posts) and only a semi-hero at 3-2 with a hit (according to the posts). Brother, that’s some hard hatin’ goin’ on there, bubba.
flange1
April 29th, 2009
10:47 am
Now the pining starts for Josh Anderson. Is this a Wilson Betemit redo?
Let’’s cry for Joey Devine and Will Ohman while we are at it.
buzzmeat
April 29th, 2009
10:48 am
pryguy,
I agree. Shafer jumped from AA to MLB, so of course he will strike out every now and then, he is still hitting a VERY good in comparison to Blanco in the minors.
buzzmeat
April 29th, 2009
10:49 am
This has been a great seires so far, lets win it tonight!!!!!
Scuba Steve
April 29th, 2009
10:51 am
*DOB*, do you still think we should be worried about Gonzo?
PWHjort
April 29th, 2009
10:51 am
I just watched the 2 most recent “Know Your Braves” videos. Kelly Johnson said he looks like Charlie Sheen. Very true.
getnathan
April 29th, 2009
10:51 am
Wainwright vs. Vazquez tonight. Another low scoring affair on tap. It’s going to come down to the bullpens and who can get the big hit that puts their teams ahead late.
PWHjort
April 29th, 2009
10:54 am
Randall Delgado gave up 3 runs on 4 hits and 4 walks while striking out 6 in 4 innings last night. Richard Sullivan is pitching for Rome as we speak.
Steve from OH
April 29th, 2009
10:55 am
Let’’s cry for Joey Devine and Will Ohman while we are at it.
Let’s not.
Run Heap Run
April 29th, 2009
10:55 am
Overnight summary:
Braves won, Cy Reyes shocked everyone, Chipper 0 for 0, Pujols 0 for 3, Chip Caray wept, Krotchy and Frency are on the list again, Yunel is Yunel, Gonzo is the man, Infante is the man, Diaz may or may not be the man, KJ is most definitely NOT the man, Bubdylan quit drinking, and Josh Anderson is the new Will Ohman.