Braves need offensive spark
Kelly Johnson (l) slump deepens
A few thoughts about some less-than-riveting recent performances by the Braves, while listening to a very good CD titled “Keep Your Soul: A Tribute to Doug Sahm.”
The Braves were wrapping up last night at about the same time as this week’s episode of 24, and neither were exactly riveting. The positive view: Both have the potential to turn it around (24 has been very good most of this season).
The negative view: Someone needs to light a spark to get them going. Not that we necessarily want to see that canister explode on 24 and thousands of innocent people die, but a stolen base might be nice, eh?
How’s that for transitioning, compadres?
No, but seriously. I know this Braves team is anything but built on speed, and I know it’s probably not the biggest thing holding them back. But still, three stolen bases in 19 games? Three!?
That’s the fewest in the majors. In fact, the next-lowest totals belong to the Padres and A’s, who each have six — er, twice as many as the Braves, if my failing math doesn’t fail me.
Nineteen of 30 major league teams have at least 11 stolen bases, including nine NL teams. Eight NL teams have a player with at least four steals; the Braves have no player with more than one.
Entering spring training, it was widely assumed Josh Anderson was going to be the leadoff hitter for the Braves, and we were told he gave them something they otherwise lacked — the ability to steal 40 bases.
Hey, right now they don’t have anyone on pace to steal as many as 10.
Meanwhile, Anderson has six steals (in seven attempts) for the Tigers, even though he’s not playing every day (he’s played 14 games).
Jordan Schafer beat him out for the center-field job rather thoroughly this spring. But you’ve gotta wonder if the Braves might regret not keeping Anderson as an extra outfielder.
I’m not gonna suggest they should’ve kept him instead of signing Garret Anderson, because it’d be entirely hypocritical of me. I said to several of you, and to others, that there was no way Frank Wren could make no significant additions to the outfield this winter after the entire unit produced a major league-low 27 homers in 2008.
If he’d done nothing but add Schafer to this year’s outfield and hope that Jeff Francoeur and Matt Diaz bounced back from bad and/or injury-plagued 2008 season, Wren would have been excoriated here and elsewhere when/if the outfield produced simimilar numbers in 2008.
Were there better choices to sign or trade for than G. Anderson? Yes, earlier in the winter there were. But for whatever reason, the deals didn’t work out or the Braves deemed the price tags too high of the defensive weakness of this free agent or that one to be too great.
So far, G. Anderson has been an injury-riddled bust. No doubt.
G. Anderson: Small impact, so far
Garret hasn’t stolen more than seven bases in any of the past seven seasons, and I’ll go out on a limb and say he’s not going to steal more than that this season, even if he gets back from the DL soon and plays 120 or so games (humor me and allow that assumption).
So unless Schafer moves up the order and starts running — he did steal 23 bases in 2007, albeit in 38 attempts — or the Braves bring Gregor Blanco from the minors and hope he figures out how to use his speed a lot better than he has in the past, then the only way these Braves are going to have a legit, big-time base stealer is by making a move to get one.
Not suggesting they should or would do it. Just stating facts.
It’s not a team with a lot of power hitters, or at least it hasn’t been so far. And so, also not having any serious base stealers becomes more of an obvious flaw. You’ve got to generate runs somehow.
♣ Speaking of no runs: During their current 4-9 stretch, the Braves have scored two runs or fewer eight times. That’s eight times in 13 games, two runs or fewer.
They’ve lost three games in that span in which they allowed only three runs (including Monday night’s 3-2 loss to St. Louis), and lost another while allowing four runs.
Jair Jurrjens has turned in three consecutive consecutive quality starts, but gone 0-2 in that span. And I mean strong starts, not just the minimum “quality” standard of six innings or more, three earned runs or fewer.
He’s allowed one run in 6-2/3 innings, no runs in 7-2/3 innings, and two runs in six innings last night, and the Braves haven’t been able to get him a win in that stretch.
Jurrjens is 0-2 with a 1.33 ERA and .219 opp average in that three-game span, with 16 hits (no homers) and three runs allowed in 20-1/3 innings. He hasn’t issued more than two walks in any of those starts.
The Braves are having most of their big-run outputs behind two starters: Javier Vazquez ranks second in the NL in run support with 9.4 runs per nine innings he’s pitched, and Derek Lowe is 10th at 7.1 runs per nine innings.
♣ Big glove, not bat: Braves first baseman Casey Kotchman has played exceptional defense, as usual. And he’s hitting .309. But as a power hitter … well, he’s a hell of a glove man.
Great glove, no homers
The Braves have zero homers and major-league low five RBIs from the 1B position. Among 30 major league teams, the Dodgers and Giants are the only others who have no homers from the 1B position.
♣ Clutch hitting lacking late: The Braves rank among MLB leaders in hitting with runners in scoring position, particularly with two outs. But in the late innings (after sixth) of close games, the Braves have just eight RBI.
Among NL teams, only the Rockies (seven) have fewer RBI in late-and-close situations. The Phillies have a whopping 35 RBIs in those spots, and the Dodgers and Marlins have 19.
♣ “Reverse” platoon? Kelly Johnson might be the first Braves player in recent memory to warrant consideration for a reverse platoon, or whatever you want to call it.
It won’t happen, but consider these numbers:
Johnson, a left-handed hitter, is batting .320 (8-for-25) against lefty pitchers, with seven RBI, a .414 OBP, and a 1.094 OPS.
Against right-handers, he’s hitting .136 (6-for-44) with two RBI, a .224 OBP and a .471 OPS.
That’s the fourth-lowest average in the majors against RH pitchers, among qualifying hitters with at least 2.3 plate appearances per team game.
Late he’s not hitting any pitcher, lefty or righty. Johnson is 4-for-39 (.103) with no extra-base hits and two RBI in his past 11 games.
♣ Tough task tonight: Jo-Jo Reyes will try to break his long winless skid tonight against the Cardinals and Kyle Lohse, and it won’t be easy.
Lohse is 5-0 with a 2.81 ERA in 10 starts going back to late August, and he’s 2-0 with a 3.28 ERA in the last four of his five career starts against the Braves (they beat him in 2002, but he’s not lost in four starts against them over the past three seasons).
Chipper is 5-for-9 with a homer off Lohse, and Garret Anderson is 9-for-25 with a homer. What’s that?Oh, that’s right. Nevermind about Garret.
Reyes is 0-8 with a 7.13 ERA in 15 games (14 starts) since June 18, including 0-3 with a 9.82 ERA and .366 opp average in five home starts during that period.
Against the Cards, he’s 0-2 with a 4.24 ERA in three starts. Mr. Pujols is 4-for-7 with a homer against him.
♣ Bob Dylan today: Don’t think I’m gonna have time to get the new Dylan album released today, but I’ve seen some great reviews for it so far, including a NY Times review we ran in the AJC today. I’ll pick it up no later than the Braves’ off day Thursday.
The Dylanphiles we have here, let us know what you think of it.
I got a few CDs last week at Decatur CD (man, the depth and breadth of that dude’s selection is outrageous), including a great recently released one by The Heartless Bastards and a Hold Steady CD/DVD documentary thing.
This Doug Sahm tribute album I’m listening to is stellar. It’s a tribute to the hugely influential leader of Sir Douglas Quintet (among other eclectic projects), who died in 1999.
Among artists covering his tunes on this album: Los Lobos, Alejandro Escovedo, Greg Dulli, Dave Alvin, Flaco Jimenez, Delbert McClinton, Jimmy Vaughan, the Gourds and Joe “King” Carrasco.
But my favorite tune on it might be Little Willie G’s version of “She’s About a Mover.”
Anyone go to the Springsteen show in Atlanta Sunday? I couldn’t get back from Cincy in time.
“POINT BLANK” by Bruce Springsteen
Do you still say your prayers little darlin’
do you go to bed at night
Prayin’ that tomorrow, everything will be alright
But tommorow’s fall in number
in number one by one
You wake up and you’re dying
you don’t even know what from
Well they shot you point blank
you been shot in the back
Baby point blank you been fooled this time
little girl that’s a fact
Right between the eyes, baby, point blank
right between the pretty lies that they tell
Little girl you fell
You grew up where young girls they grow up fast
You took what you were handed and left behind what was asked
but what they asked baby wasn’t right
you didn’t have to live that life,
I was gonna be your Romeo you were gonna be my Juliet
These days you don’t wait on Romeo’s
you wait on that welfare check
and on all the pretty things that you can’t ever have
and on all the promises
That always end up point blank, shot between the eyes
Point blank like little white lies you tell to ease the pain
You’re walkin’ in the sights, girl of point blank
and it’s one false move and baby the lights go out
Once I dreamed we were together again
baby you and me
Back home in those old clubs the way we used to be
We were standin’ at the bar
it was hard to hear
The band was playin’ loud and you were shoutin’ somethin’ in my ear
You pulled my jacket off and as the drummer counted four
You grabbed my hand and pulled me out on the floor
You just stood there and held me, then you started dancin’ slow
And as I pulled you tighter I swore I’d never let you go
Well I saw you last night down on the avenue
Your face was in the shadows but I knew that it was you
You were standin’ in the doorway out of the rain
You didn’t answer when I called out your name
You just turned, and then you looked away
like just another stranger waitin’ to get blown away
Point blank, right between the eyes
Point blank, right between the pretty lies you fell
Point blank, shot right through the heart
Yea point blank, you’ve been twisted up till you’ve become just another part of it
Point blank, you’re walkin’ in the sights
Point blank, livin’ one false move just one false move away
Point blank, they caught you in their sights
Point blank, did you forget how to love,
girl, did you forget how to fight.
Point blank they must have shot you in the head
Cause point blank
bang bang baby you’re dead.
1,878 comments Add your comment
vabravesfan
April 28th, 2009
2:20 pm
first? thanks for new blog DOB
Andy
April 28th, 2009
2:21 pm
First!
GAPeach
April 28th, 2009
2:22 pm
DOB-
I’ve been out of town so excuse my ignorance. What’s going on with Diaz? Is he playing tonight?
Thanks!
Question
April 28th, 2009
2:22 pm
We’ll get that spark back with McCann…
hoho
April 28th, 2009
2:25 pm
From last post:
I do think ATL is mostly a football town, but the “fair weather” attitude may be explained by the fact
that, as T. Moore suggests, there has been NO sustained winning in this town ever (almost). Except for the Hawks in the late ’80’s and ’90’s and the Bravos in the ’90’s and early 2000’s. However, as we all know, there was only one championship involved in all of that winning.
It’s tough to keep going back to watching your team lose night after night, or playoff after playoff and not get discouraged. Other than that I get tired of hearing the moaning about the sports fan in this town- I don’t remember hearing it much before the wave of Yankee immigration in the late ’90’s (post Olympics). Must just be how we roll down here in the lazy south, you know, a little slooow.
So what? Adapt to your surroundings, if you don’t like it, there are other places to live if a town’s sport’s attitude is that important in our life. I love the south and Atlanta. I don’t bat an eye at WHY we react the way we do, we just do it.
Cheers, and gooooo BRAVOS!!!!!!! (that’s supposed to be enthusiastic)
MattyRoss
April 28th, 2009
2:26 pm
I feel like David Ross should be playing 1st. Maybe Kotch can spell Chipper at third when he’s out? Love Casey, but we need a little more pop. Alas, that’s probably not realistic. It’d be cool if Greg Norton could hit.
Whiskey Pete
April 28th, 2009
2:27 pm
Hey Dave, I miss your radio spot. Too bad.
gatorhead1013
April 28th, 2009
2:30 pm
Bobby is starting to drive me crazy. Not trying to steal, not trying to sacrifice…just sitting around waiting for a big hit which NEVER comes.
I predict the Cards score at least 12 runs tonight. We’ll see if the Braves can muster more than 2.
NC Braves Fan
April 28th, 2009
2:30 pm
DOB: any plans to catch up with Blaine Boyer (or the latest with him from the team)? I noticed he finally got into a couple of games this weekend for STL.
cphizzle
April 28th, 2009
2:31 pm
i do believe a sacrifice was laid down last night cant remember by who but nothing came of it
Meat Rabbit
April 28th, 2009
2:31 pm
Somebody tell Snitker what the steal sign is.
cphizzle
April 28th, 2009
2:33 pm
braves are a big believer in the 10 commandments…specially thou shall not steal, hehe i appear here daily folks
David O'Brien
April 28th, 2009
2:36 pm
Whisky Pete: I miss doing those spots on 680. That was fun.
fifthbusiness
April 28th, 2009
2:37 pm
Amen Hoho
macdwolfpack
April 28th, 2009
2:37 pm
Unless there are some major changes this team will finish one or two spots above the Washington Nationals. I’m afraid that it may be time for management to consider a change in leadership for this team. This team seems to be going through the motions, lacks focus and seems over the last 2-3 years to be consistantly making the same mistakes over and over again. Management of this team has shown an inability to make changes to the process in timely manner, almost always hoping that they would just work themselves out and they never do. I hate to say it but with this team I think Bobby’s time has come and gone and he and the team would be better off with different leadership. Because as DOB says this team needs a spark and in times like these when you can’t spend money the spark needs to come from the top and it hasn’t in years.
Bobby won’t change his lineup despite the fact that he lacks power hitter and put speed at the top. He keeps putting KJ at the top when over time KJ has proven to be a much better batter at the 6th spot. He keeps KJ leading off when he’s only hitting .209. That is just one of the specific examples of lack of leadership in decision making over the last couple of years.
MFin04
April 28th, 2009
2:38 pm
The team has got to switch the lineup around. That is Bobby’s area…but he is too stubborn to do so. i dont know what he is waiting for. The Braves offense CANNOT score runs…so lets do nothing about it? That doesnt make sense. We have one of the best benches in baseball yet we only use it if guys are on the DL? How stupid is that.
In order to win tonight we have to have 3 things happen…
1) JoJo goes 5-6 innings of 4-5 run baseball
2) Braves score at least 6 runs.
3) The bullpen comes in and is lights out
ndbraves fan
April 28th, 2009
2:38 pm
I could care less how many homeruns the braves hit. They just need to start being better situational hitters and start playing smarter baseball. The top of the order needs to get on base and not have so many baserunning mistakes. Let’s get the bats rollin’… GO BRAVES!
Caleb
April 28th, 2009
2:38 pm
DOB,
since the braves are playing the Cards, I’m surprised you didn’t mention in your new blog the braves trade for Ryan Ludwick that never happened. With the season he’s had so far, you’ve got to wonder if the braves wished they’d pushed harder on that one.
PWHjort
April 28th, 2009
2:38 pm
1) Thou Shalt not Bunt.
2) Thou Shalt Have no Low On Base Percentages Before the Cleanup Hitter
3) Honor the three-run homer and the leadoff walk.
4) Thou shalt not steal at anything less than a 70% success rate.
5) Thou shalt make no idol of the light-hitting middle infielder.
6) Thou shalt not count to the credit of the pitcher that which is done by his fielders or by his hitters, nor charge him with their failings.
7) Thou shalt not abuse thy starting pitchers.
9) Place thy faith not in veterans, when youth be available to ye.
10) Thou shalt not pass freely thy opponent’s number eight hitter, nor his cleanup hitter, nor his left-handed pinch hitter, nor any hitter that is thy opponent’s.
Run Heap Run
April 28th, 2009
2:39 pm
I predict the Cards score at least 12 runs tonight.
With Jo Jo on the hill I can’t disagree. Oh well, I’ll watch anyway.
My brother is going to the game tonight, he’s going to be furious when he finds out Jo Jo is the starter.
He should learn to check the schedule.
cphizzle
April 28th, 2009
2:39 pm
DOB since you are to big for radio now that you made your appearance with joe and boog the other day but you still have a face for radio
Darlington
April 28th, 2009
2:40 pm
Pre-ordered the Dylan cd from Amazon, hoping it gets here today or tomorrow. Didn’t make it down for the Springsteen show, going up to Greensboro Saturday.
PWHjort
April 28th, 2009
2:40 pm
Patrick Schuster goes for his 5th consecutive no-no today.
Daybed Wagmoe
April 28th, 2009
2:41 pm
DOB — Pasted from the end of the other blog…
“BTW, I bought Bob Dylan’s new album which comes out today, “Together Through Life.” I’m on the first listen, and it’s very good. Lots of blues, lots of accordion. Seems like a good listen for the summer. I actually like it better than “Modern Times” — it seems like a more consistent album, the blues tracks are better and there’s not the sentimental-ish filler like “Spirit on the Water” and “Beyond the Horizon” on here.”
I’d also add that while there are a couple other “filler” songs on Modern Times (like “The Levee’s Gonna Break” and “Someday Baby”), there doesn’t seem to be any on the new one. There’s a lot of 12-bar blues on this album, just like there were on Modern Times, but these are a lot better, and he does more vocally…I’d also add that the use of the accordion really adds to the album. The album starts off a little lazily (though that’s not necessarily a bad thing), and picks up as it goes.
DOB — what do you think about the idea of hitting Kotchman second? You say in this blog that he’s not a power hitter, and it’s obvious that he’s not. He seems more like the type of player to get on base and set the table for Chipper and Frenchy and Mac (when he comes back) than an RBI man to bring those guys in. They could then hit Escobar 5th or 6th, which could give him some more RISP opportunities and perhaps be more selective with pitch selection.
Threadkiller
April 28th, 2009
2:45 pm
MattyRoss Hmmm, Kotchman a left handed 3rd baseman? We had a left handed 3rd baseman in college and it made the front page news. I don’t recall ever seeing a left handed 3rd baseman in the majors..
Baba O'Riley
April 28th, 2009
2:45 pm
Can we trade GA for Nick Esasky?
cox1976
April 28th, 2009
2:48 pm
Can we go get Jeff Geonkins. He was released by Philly.
getnathan
April 28th, 2009
2:48 pm
It looks like the Braves formula for winning (as for most teams, but particularly the Braves) that hitters come through in the clutch in the late innings as Casey Kotchman did not last night. It is imperative that the starters go deep in games (which has been happening), and that the pen holds their own (which has been happening lately). We must have all three, or you can forget about playoff possibilities.
ease19
April 28th, 2009
2:48 pm
PWHjort – As exciting as that is, you are just inviting Dadgum to come on and say how high school pitchers are a dime a dozen and that he sees them all the time in the Richmond area…I think that would be quite a feat…
PWHjort
April 28th, 2009
2:49 pm
Everyone seen this story?: http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/8170920?MSNHPHMA
Threadkiller
April 28th, 2009
2:49 pm
Daybed Wagmoe; Kotchman needs to be hitting 2nd! With a runner on first, Kotchman can hit it through the hole!
jonathan Simeone
April 28th, 2009
2:50 pm
I was shocked when management made no effort to bring a power threat to the team during the winter. Now, the Braves are a team with almost no power and no speed. So, it’s time for an unconventional lineup. What do you guys think of hitting Kotchman leadoff? He works the count and gets on base–two things the Braves really need more of in that spot. Then, I would move Kelly to the third spot–it’s the only place he’s hit in for the last year. This would require that Chipper bat cleanup, but since he’s the club’s only home run threat I’m not bothered by that. When Kelly was hot last year he showed the ability to be more of an impact bat than I think Prato could ever be. But if Kelly does not turn it around after a couple of weeks in the third spot I would find out if Prato can be an every day player.
Loaf Garret on a blackberry from the bank
April 28th, 2009
2:50 pm
Oh sweet, a blog about me.
Baba O'Riley
April 28th, 2009
2:50 pm
I don’t believe in clutch.
PWHjort
April 28th, 2009
2:52 pm
Prato? Really?
NC Braves Fan
April 28th, 2009
2:55 pm
PWH: that story happened last season – and the player involved died earlier this year. It was in the AJC.
Rock On.......
April 28th, 2009
2:55 pm
Well DOB….the Braves could always get Kelly Johnson a little seasoning on his hitting in AAA and insert Prado at 2nd. Anyone think of that little change I wonder? Man talk about some glaring shakeups needed.
Hey they sent Francouer to Ole Miss for the same thing. Didn’t work real well but worth a try for KJ in Gwinnett. Bottom line is they can’t afford to keep Prado out of the lineup. Enough games have passed and the Mendoza line looms for KJ. Time for KJ to get his hitting squared away in games that don’t count.
Tell Bobby he won’t get caught at Turner Field for stealing. And the lyrics from Uriah Heep keep popping into Wren’s head…”stealing when I should of been buying”. Ya’ll think about it.
Threadkiller
April 28th, 2009
2:56 pm
PWHjort: That story was about a year ago!! This young man has since passed away!!
oldmike
April 28th, 2009
2:57 pm
I was at the concert Sunday night, Dave. The Boss is still the boss. An interesting highlight was the son of Max Weinberg sitting in for his dad for 5 songs. From what I’ve read it’s a precursor for the summer when Conan takes over for Leno and Max moves to LA. The kid was dynamic. He’s only 18 but played like gangbusters. He’s slated to replace dear old dad Max. Sorry I never saw Bruce before Sunday. He’s a force of nature on stage. What a showman and the E-Street band can still do rock and roll.
brent a.
April 28th, 2009
2:58 pm
And the good news is . . .
today, we have Jo-Jo pitching.
I’ll be there. I’ve seen the Braves lose so much over the last 3 years, that I’m finding my enthusiasm somewhat dampened.
Please hit the ball tonight. Please.
DOB, Good comment about the reverse-platoon. Reminds me a bit of back in 2006 when the Braves got that lefty-relever who could only get out righties. But, of course, Bobby used him against lefties because that’s what lefty relievers are for, right?
If Kelly hits left-handers better than righties, then he absolutely needs to be in the line-up against lefties. Plus, Prado and Infante both hit pretty well, in general, so it’s no crime to have them in the line-up against a righty, with KJ on the bench.
Of course, this is Bobby Cox, the man who had Todd Pratt pinch-hit for Brian McCann, because Billy Wagner was on the mound.
Don’t trust your gut, just keep pushing the same old buttons. When you have the most talent in the league, it works more than it doesn’t. But now, of course, the Braves don’t have the most talent in the league.
PWHjort
April 28th, 2009
2:59 pm
Wow, so I guess he’s not going to be making it to the big leagues. I saw it for the first time the other day when I was reading an article about a minor leaguer who got traded for nothing (which didn’t turn out to be true, it was PTBNL or Cash). The guy linked to the bats story suggesting maybe the Tigers threw in some bats. I figured we may be able to get 10 bats for Garret Anderson.
nfieldr
April 28th, 2009
3:00 pm
DOB, we caught the Springsteen show in Glendale, AZ. It was AWESOME! Almost three hours of solid rock n roll. We had such a good time that I tried very hard to get tickets for the Denver show the following week, but no luck. *sigh*
cphizzle
April 28th, 2009
3:00 pm
i say just flop the order bat schafer first and johnson eighth it might work
njbraves
April 28th, 2009
3:01 pm
I have to agree with most here…Kotchman seems like a perfect #2 hitter. He’s patient and can hit the ball where they need him to. KJ needs to be moved out of the top spot. Why not give Schaefer a shot or Yunel if you don’t want to put added pressure on the rook. I’m a Bobby supporter, but I’m starting to question some of his decisions. KJ should have been bunting last night with a man on 1st and nobody out. To me, that’s just common sense. This team will need to manufacture runs all year long if it wants to compete.
ElbravoX-- EbX
April 28th, 2009
3:04 pm
Crazy truck chase in Georgia.
BostonBravesGirl
April 28th, 2009
3:05 pm
How many bats could we get for GA?
Rock On.......
April 28th, 2009
3:06 pm
5 consecutives no-hitters for the Shuster lad? At this point you have to wonder just a bit about the competition and that perhaps his teammates are just bored to death.
cphizzle
April 28th, 2009
3:08 pm
well if schafer is big enough to take the pressure of playin in cf in the bigs then i believe he is big enough to bat leadoff…poop or get off the pot
AndyC
April 28th, 2009
3:08 pm
njbraves, from a contact perspective Kotch would be a good #2 hitter but he is the slowest base runner on the team so he would ground into a lot of inning killing double plays so I don’t think you can do it.
AndyC
April 28th, 2009
3:09 pm
I think we could get maybe two good bats and a few broken ones for GA
Bravesfan54
April 28th, 2009
3:09 pm
Where would we be without the good pitching (even middle relief is much improved since the start of the year)? Lack of power and speed will kill our chances for anything above third in this division, but I don’t expect either to dramatically improve.
Does anyone know where we are defensively? – my impression would be “middling”.
cphizzle
April 28th, 2009
3:11 pm
throw in a wiffleball bat and a couple corked bats and you got yourself a deal
TnBrian
April 28th, 2009
3:12 pm
From watching the games on TV here lately, the only time I see a disgusted Bobby is when the pitcher hits a batter…THAT’S IT! I mean, he might shake his head a little with a beat red face, but nothing riles up the old skipper like his pitcher drilling a guys ribs.
Bobby’s predicted lineup tonight:
Infante
Escobar
Jones
Kotchman
Frenchy
B.Jones
Ross
Schafer
PWHjort
April 28th, 2009
3:13 pm
Rock On, he’s going for number 5 today. And he plays in the 6A classification in FLA, so you figure the competition has to be decent, right?
Rock On.......
April 28th, 2009
3:14 pm
Well I’ll be dadgum did someone summon my alter ego?
Where’s New Cars at? We need him back on the blog patrolling for would be offenders.
sportsmandh
April 28th, 2009
3:17 pm
Threadkiller,
Kotch hitting the ball through the hole at first would require the leadoff hitter to get on base. So there may be a problem there.
dwaynerice
April 28th, 2009
3:21 pm
Kelly, God love him, needs to be less concerned with imitations of teammates’ mannerisms and more concerned with taking less called 3rd strikes, or, when he’s not doing that, swinging at 1st or 2nd pitch all the time..all Braves’ hitters, except for Chipper and Brian, could learn something about that: making pitchers work and earn it. Oh!! how about an imitation who looks like they are at least comfortable playing second…guys, it’s not working, this whole 2nd base thing. everyone makes mistakes but perpetuating a mistake for someone who isn’t never gonna be but just barely adequate is even worse. Fact is, he seems to just be a guy w/out a position on the Braves, save for the forced “we’ll stick him at 2nd” routine. Balls hit will always find the defensive weak link. That said, Kelly, you’re a good guy I know..
Rock On.......
April 28th, 2009
3:21 pm
PWHhort….well yeah probably. 6A covers a lot of schools in Florida but you have to look at the divisional teams he plays within his 6A conference. Not trying to take anything away from him but it warrants a closer look. Just because a team is classified 6A doesn’t mean they are good it simply means they have a large population base to draw from.
STRETCH
April 28th, 2009
3:22 pm
People knock Adam Dunn, but anything was better than what i saw last night! Ibanez and Dunn, those guys will hit. But we got Garrett Anderson????
Glad the Nationals are terrible again this year. Hope management gets it together next season cause if they arent careful the Bravos might find themselves in that spot next season! Way to go WREN and company!
PWHjort
April 28th, 2009
3:23 pm
Ya, true. I really have no idea how stiff his competition is. I’m guessing.
Chop Chop
April 28th, 2009
3:27 pm
I’m bored, so…
If Bobby had a hot hand, I think he’d put the hot hand in the leadoff spot. You can ride a hot hand (or bat) until it cools off. You just have to be smart enough to figure out when it has cooled off.
I remember reading something in my copy of BP 2009 about relatively recent managers who really cut their teeth during a more difficult (read: comparatively powerless) era of baseball. You know, the Weavers, Sparkys, Billy Martins, Whitey Herzogs, Davey Johnsons, Leylands, La Russas and Piniellas…and Bobby Cox. Basically, these guys began managing at a time when tactics, especially at the plate and on the basepaths, were considered much more important.
I think that Bobby’s a naturally conservative manager (like Earl Weaver), so the last 15-20 years of baseball have fit his style. The problem is that, when his team is not built in such a way that takes advantage of his conservative approach, Bobby has a really hard time adjusting. I also think that he’s not quite as conservative as some, including myself, make him out to be. I think Bobby would like to have a good-hitting, slick-fielding utility guy that he could just plug in at different spots in the lineup. He’d like to have a few basestealers that are good enough to steal whenever they choose to. He’s never really been a hit and run guy, but he’s certainly not immune to bunting (which, of course, is evil…I’m rolling my eyes). He’d like to have several position players who are adept at that skill. He doesn’t.
Bobby’s conservatism probably works best in the pitching staff. He wants guys to have defined roles. That’s fine. Most people want to have defined roles. They want to know what’s expected of them. They don’t want a manager constantly switching them from one role to the next.
His most conservative bent is toward the players he sticks in the everyday lineup. Like Joe Torre (another one of those guys), and every other manager who has ever sat in a dugout, Bobby has favorites. Once you have been deemed a Bobby guy, you get to work through slumps. In fact, he’ll let you remain a hole in the lineup for weeks or months because he’s sure that your next AB will get things turned around. That’s great for trying to keep a player in a positive mindset, but it hurts the rest of the club. This is Bobby’s true flaw as a manager. He doesn’t know when to quit.
Anyway, I don’t think that Bobby has a team that suits him. He can’t be expected to adjust to the current team he has now. Bobby ended up being the most successful of that group of managers because he had the best overall roster for a longer period of time. He’s done things his way for a long time. He can’t suddenly change his personality to fix the problems with this current roster. It’s up to the players to find it within themselves to, as unlikely as it is, conform and allow Bobby’s conservatism to pay off.
Jeff R
April 28th, 2009
3:29 pm
Kelly Johnson needs to ride the pines for awhile. Not only is he not hitting, but he’s not hitting at leadoff. I still think Prado’s gotten a raw deal from management. He out performed Johnson in spring training two consecutive years, but he’s a assigned a super utility role. He needs to play second. Swing Johnson to the outfield and let him sub for Prado at 2B.
Pitching is a problem as well; not just the hitting. The 4/5 spots in the rotation are in doubt. The going is early, but, so far, Kawakami is looking like an expensive version of Mark Redman. I had hoped that Reyes had turned a corner over the winter, but… Glavine may or may not come back.
Middle relievers and set up man Moylan have disappointed, too. Are Gomez and Medlen the answers?
Frankie Knuckles
April 28th, 2009
3:30 pm
“I hope KJ gets in a life ending car crash” The Blog.
He’s still a decent second baseman folks and its still April. He’s a top 4 NL second baseman
monty
April 28th, 2009
3:31 pm
JJ
Did you read the lead-in to the blog today? The Braves do not have clutch hitting. Which is defined by late inning heroics with the game on the line, getting a two out base hit in the second inning with a guy in scoring position is great, but not the same as doing it to tie the game or giving your team the lead late.(don’t argue that all runs are the same) The Braves have been helped to a couple of wins as of late due to pitchers walking in runs, but they weren’t due to someone driving them in. This team does not perform well under pressure. There have been too many games like last night where all we needed was for someone to get a hit late to tie the game up and nobody has.
TnBrian
April 28th, 2009
3:31 pm
Chop Chop, I don’t know who would disagree with that. Very good post and sums up Bobby’s style that we can all understand.
Supes
April 28th, 2009
3:31 pm
Stretch, I was calling for Ibanez last year, but bottom line…he was too expensive for the Braves to sign. I’m sure they would have LOVED to plug him in at LF. Guy is a veteran hitter who isn’t made of glass (unlike the guy the Braves ended up getting).
As far as Dunn…He’s a defensive liability anywhere you put him. Esp. 1B, where I believe he can actually be servicable (rather than LF).
They are also both left handed hitters, but so is Anderson (who we ended up getting), Braves really need a RH power bat. That’s going have to be their number 1 priority for the future. Get someone who can bat 4th behind Chipper and infront of B-Mac.
mr baseball
April 28th, 2009
3:33 pm
It may not be Wren’s fault entirely, but this is not a well-constructed team. No speed, a lack of overall power, too many LH hitters. The Braves have no legitimate leadoff hitter, nothing approaching a real cleanup hitter and a No. 2 hitter who really isn’t really suited to that role.
In retrospect, the decision to trade for Kotchman doesn’t appear especially wise. He is simply a poor fit here given the team’s absence of power & speed and abundance of other lefty hitters. Jury’s still out on Kawakami, but he has shown little thus far to indicate that he was worth the money the Braves shelled out for him, considering other areas that could have been addressed with the money.
The team as currently constituted is a long shot at best to make the playoffs. If the Cardinals keep playing well, the wild card is probably out (Cubs should also make the post-season), and the likelihood the Braves will finish ahead of the Phillies is remote, barring a bunch of Philly injuries.
Obviously, it’s too early to write the Braves off, but exactly what (other than the first 3 starters) has this team demonstrated through the first 3 weeks that makes anyone on here think this is anything other than a team that will finish a handful of games over/under .500?
PWHjort
April 28th, 2009
3:33 pm
I’m still waiting for ONE scientific study that suggest clutch hitting exists.
PWHjort
April 28th, 2009
3:33 pm
Well, not that it exists, but that it’s a repeatable skill.
fat people sink faster
April 28th, 2009
3:34 pm
this team is garbage at the dish
Jeff R
April 28th, 2009
3:35 pm
Cox isn’t the essential problem with the Bravos. I’m of the school that says teams make managers; managers don’t make teams.
Yes, a manager can make a bonehead move, but when the Braves were racking up fouteen straight division titles, how much criticism was there of Cox? Not much. Why? The caliber of players were generally better during The Run.
Braves still have personnel questions without immediate good answers.
ease19
April 28th, 2009
3:36 pm
Rock On….New Cars is out selling used cars, so let’s leave him be, ok? Not sure how Florida stacks up to GA but back in the middle nineties 6AAAA encompassed the East Cobb and Alpharetta teams. If that had happened then…well would have probably been near impossible, with all the talent here, however I would suspect the same of Florida, alot of talent from down that way.
61 year Braves Fan
April 28th, 2009
3:37 pm
Time for Cox to sit Kelly Johnson down and insert Prado. He has more range and is a better hitter.
Also if Reyes fails again tonight, send him down to Myrtle Beach or release him. Work on Escobar
to be a more “patient” hitter. A shame to waste good starting pitching.
AZBravoFan
April 28th, 2009
3:39 pm
DOB
Didn’t Kelly’s turnaround last year occur when he was moved down in the order? Why did they get away from that? I think the time has come to insert Shafer in the leadoff spot and see if he can bring some of that energy he brought in spring training.
Ted
April 28th, 2009
3:40 pm
Any chance Schafer gets moved up soon (to take advantage of his speed and his .370+ OBP) and drop Kelly to 7th (where he historically has batted much better than 1st or 2nd)?
I guess I’m just asking if Bobby plans to shake things up anytime soon based on this anemic offense of late. I know McCann is missing, but he’s going to be gone two more weeks (best case) and they have to do something, right?
bravos2249
April 28th, 2009
3:42 pm
I’m sorry but KJ fan or not if you hear anyone talk about solid 2nd basemen they do not include Kelly Johnson.
In terms of lead off, Fontenot from the Cubs is not bad. Neither is Ryan Theriot, who can play 2nd. You also have Utley, Uggla, who will make as many errors as Kelly, and Hudson.
Jeff R
April 28th, 2009
3:42 pm
Kotchman was the best Wren could do to get something in exchange for the (always) New York bound Super Tex. Kotchman is a place holder, in my estimation. Freddie Freeman is on the way up – if he keeps hitting the ball the way he has early in his career.
Super Tex was one of the dumbest moves made by John S during his tenure as GM. He gave up a lot of quality kids (who are now Rangers or close to promotion)for a 1B who wasn’t going to deliver a post season. Oh, and the Wainwright deal was pretty bad, too.
bravos2249
April 28th, 2009
3:43 pm
Man you can tell it’s early cause wasn’t Chipper just hitting like .270 and now he’s hitting .333.
David O'Brien
April 28th, 2009
3:44 pm
I’m still waiting for ONE scientific study that suggest clutch hitting exists– PWHjort
You’re probably also waiting for a “scientific study” that tells you Michael Jordan was money with games on the line, and Joe Montana was awesome in pressure situations. Right?
Frankie Knuckles
April 28th, 2009
3:44 pm
bravos2249 – As soon as the pressure is off he’s a solid second baseman
Smoky Peaks
April 28th, 2009
3:46 pm
My daughter has a program tonight at her preschool @7 pm. It will only go 20-30 minutes so I should be home by 8 to see what the Braves hath wrought.
This might actually be the way to approach watching the Braves. You get in about the fourth inning. If the offense has scored a couple of meaningless runs early and is sputtering, you don’t suffer through a couple of innings of missed opportunities. If JoJo throws 3 good innings, you don’t have false hope because you will be seeing him get killed in the fourth. Frustration is a slow burn. Watching three less innings doesn’t allow it to build to as much of a boil.
On the other hand, if the Braves are holding a 7 run lead in the fourth, I can just smile and think how sorry I am that I missed it.
Steve from OH
April 28th, 2009
3:47 pm
Kelly Johnson has a career .790 OPS. His career OPS from the leadoff position? .794.
getnathan
April 28th, 2009
3:47 pm
David O’Brien
April 28th, 2009
3:44 pm
I’m still waiting for ONE scientific study that suggest clutch hitting exists– PWHjort
You’re probably also waiting for a “scientific study” that tells you Michael Jordan was money with games on the line, and Joe Montana was awesome in pressure situations. Right?
THANK YOU DOB…
ncbravesgirl
April 28th, 2009
3:48 pm
If only we had Dexter Fowler on this team to steal 5 bases in one game…of course, he has a green light!
getnathan
April 28th, 2009
3:48 pm
DOB – I couldn’t agree more with the moronicism (Not a real word, I made it up) of this comment (I’m still waiting for ONE scientific study that suggest clutch hitting exists– PWHjort)
P-Town Brave (Pleading for DRASTIC Change)
April 28th, 2009
3:49 pm
jonathan Simeone-
Given the fact that you couldn’t even muster up the ability to spell “Prado” correctly, I’m not even going to bother arguing the point with you over him being better than Kelly (and more consistent at that) because I figure if you can’t spell his name correctly putting the “D” instead of “T” in, how could I fully expect you to properly evaluate the talent of the ballclub…
Oh, and Kotchman for leadoff? As the ESPN commercial would say… C’MOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNN!
Ronald Millsaps-
Hey, agreed w/ about 99.9% of what you brought up on the last page of the previous blog, but the (___) where you said you weren’t blaming Bobby or TP for anything…
At this point is there really anyone but maybe 8 guys of the 25 man AND the entire coaching staff that aren’t to blame for this mediocre April?
bravos2249
April 28th, 2009
3:50 pm
Knuckles
Not saying he won’t but when you talk to people from other teams about 2nd baseman or read anything about them, KJ does not come to mind.
toga party
April 28th, 2009
3:52 pm
DOB, I think you meant: Michael Jordan was game with money on the line.
Jeff321
April 28th, 2009
3:54 pm
Johnson’s struggles crippling Braves lineup
http://markbowman.mlblogs.com/archives/2009/04/johnsons_struggles_crippling_b.html
Scuba Steve
April 28th, 2009
3:54 pm
Does any body else notice that when Kelly is slumping he just kinda slaps at the ball, doesn’t really put his hips into it??
MFin04
April 28th, 2009
3:56 pm
I like KJ…he just doesnt need to be hitting leadoff right now…and with his slumping…needs to be lower in the order. Put our leadoff hitter in LF and lets get on with it.
buzzmeat
April 28th, 2009
3:57 pm
I hate the word “clutch” so i agree with the point about Michael Jordan and Joe Montana that DOB stated.
Gummy Bears...Bouncing here and there and everywhere....THEY ARE THE GUMMY BEARS!!!!
April 28th, 2009
3:57 pm
DOB why didnt you comment about the crowd last night being so pathetic?
P-Town Brave (Pleading for DRASTIC Change)
April 28th, 2009
3:57 pm
Frankie Knuckles-
PERFECT statement about KJ…quite reminds me of a guy who we had playing 1b for us the 1st half of last season…hmm…
Steve from OH-
Maybe so, but the point of being in the leadoff spot isn’t to hit HR…there aren’t too many Soriano’s and Rickey Henderson’s out there…The idea is to get on base and have the guys behind you hit you in…then again, thats in a perfect world where you have a legit 3-4-5 tandem AND in a perfect world where you’re smart enough to place your FASTEST guy in the 1-slot and let him run (See Dexter Fowler)
My point is this: If Kelly wants to hit HR then FINE, by all means put him in the 5-6-7 hole, BUT don’t claim to be a leadoff hitter when you’re 1 of the if not the worst leadoff hitter in the NL…
At this point, the old man should just know better….
Obviously people were wrong about wisdom coming with age!
NCBravesgirl-
I’m not sure our coaching staff knows what green lights or red lights are…
Although this would be a fine example with the Braves:
Green light- Any time, ANY hitter, 2-0 or 3-0 counts to swing at bad pitches and get yourself out
Red light- Any time, ANY baserunner to swipe a bag OR any hitter to bunt when a situation dictates it
Yellow light- Any decision (usually being wrong) made by Snitker at 3rd.
ccrider
April 28th, 2009
3:59 pm
I think it’s time to rethink the batting order: Schafer was successful in spring training at leadoff and he has had time to get over the rookie jitters. Prado should bat second: he doesn’t strikeout much, has bat control and patience. Chipper, Franceour, Escobar, Kotchman B.Jones/Diaz, Ross. The rotation should be asap: Lowe, Jurrjens, Vazquez, Hanson and Kawakami for 3 more starts, if he continues his poor performance, he goes to the pen (he seems to do well the 1st time through the lineup) and try Medlen or Morton(if he comes around). Gonzalez, Soriano, Moylan, Bennett, O’Flaherty, Reyes, Kawakami in the pen. Sign Jim Edmonds, Release Greg Norton(Prado can backup 1st) Edmonds can backup all outfield positions and platoon in left if G.Anderson never recovers.
Jeff321
April 28th, 2009
4:00 pm
McFann – At the bottom of the Bowman writeup, it says McCann will be rehabbing in Myrtle Beach.
big dawg
April 28th, 2009
4:01 pm
i got drilled last week when i said that escobar was average and that he makes a lot of mistakes…who in their right mind gets picked off 1st when chipper is at the plate representing the go ahead run? and man does he hit into alot of dp’s..
plus, nobody deserves to win when you walk the pitcher.. WALKS KILL YOU… we learn this at a very young age!!!!
Steve from OH
April 28th, 2009
4:02 pm
So the stat “on base + slugging %” would have nothing to do with getting on base, then? Besides, I was merely showing that KJ hits as well in the leadoff role as he has for his career–it’s not a matter of “he can’t do it,” it’s a matter of “he is struggling right now.” It happens. You would sound a lot more intelligent saying that rather than making up sh!t like “Kelly can’t hit in the leadoff spot,” which, as those numbers suggest, he can. He is no different in the leadoff spot than he is over his career numbers. I don’t know how much more plain it can be.
Jersey Gil
April 28th, 2009
4:02 pm
Smoky Peaks … Enjoy your Daughher Program and don’t worry about the Braves Game tonight…those moment with your child are priceless….
Original Jon
April 28th, 2009
4:03 pm
You all do realize that that wasnt the only time someone was traded for something like bats dont you? It happened to an Atlanta Braves player. Who can guess who it was?
PWHjort
April 28th, 2009
4:03 pm
Talking about clutch hitting in the same breath as Michael Jordan or Joe Montana doesn’t do it for me. There’s no doubt the two examples you cited are clutch performers, but round bats don’t hit round balls in football and basketball. There’s a ton of random chance in baseball with regards to hitting (weather or not a ball put in play falls for a hit, where the defense was playing, etc…). That’s not to say the game is completely random, of course it isn’t. But you can’t deny there’s a great deal of luck/randomness involved in baseball. Weather or not players have an ability to deliver a hit in a “clutch” situation more frequently than in other situations (aka is clutch hitting a repeatable skill) is a question for the ages. And I’m still waiting on ONE study that suggests this is the case. I don’t have an opinion on the issue. I’ll neither confirm nor deny it exists. Some people will tell you that nobody possesses the ability to preform beyond his normal capabilities in clutch situations. They’ll swear by it. And spit out bogus studies to suggest they’re correct. Other people will tell you that some people all the sudden gain extra abilities during pressure situations. They’ll also swear by it. I’m neither of those people. I don’t know if it does or not at the major league level. Still waiting.
big dawg
April 28th, 2009
4:04 pm
and i wish that TP would tell schafer that he is not a homerun hitter… i sure do miss having a slap hitter with speed. which leads me to one other thing, i haven’t seen schafer get on,steal a base, then have the pitcher bunt him over to 3rd yet. and yes, there have been numerous times that could have happened.
bravos2249
April 28th, 2009
4:05 pm
Big Dawg
Considering a TON of MLB players have been picked off by Molina I’d say a few, and Pujols does put his foot in the baseline where the runner has to dive around his leg. Either way Y. Molina has picked off his share of runners with good hitters at the plate, and had Kelly not hit a DP it wouldn’t have ended the inning anyway. You can’t prevent a DP, but I still don’t get why he wasn’t bunting there, especially since Escobar hits into so many DP’s.
Bobby's Cox
April 28th, 2009
4:05 pm
KJ, as OH Steve pointed out, can hit in the leadoff spot. However, when and how often is another issue. It’s all feast or famine, all the time with KJ. He knows it, the Braves know it. We know it. DOB knows it. Bobby? Not so sure.
Atown
April 28th, 2009
4:05 pm
DOB,
I did not go to the Springsteen show, but my brother did. He said it was outstanding. He finished with a rare treat, “Detroit Medley”.
LT200
April 28th, 2009
4:07 pm
Its amazing how everyone on this blog thinks they can do such a much better job than professional athletes and coaches. Everybody needs to take some prozac and realize we are only 2 games out and that it is April. Give it a chance.
Atown
April 28th, 2009
4:07 pm
PWHjort,
Have you ever heard of a guy named Jim Leyritz??? (Before the DUI’s)
BamaBrave
April 28th, 2009
4:07 pm
One of the biggest laughs I’ve had recently was over the weekend, watching Texiera “running” the bases at Fenway. I’d forgotten how goofy he looks at speed. It looks like he has several million Yankee dollars, in small bills, shoved up his caboose.
McPoyle
April 28th, 2009
4:08 pm
PWHjort – I can see where you’re coming from here, but you have to admit some guys certainly seem to step up their game under the pressure situations. And maybe it’s not so much them stepping up their game, as it is comparing them to others that fold under those conditions (Frenchy last season). Guys start to press and can’t handle the pressure, other guys handle that pressure better, thrive on it, and ultimately have consistant success. I’d agree with you and say it’s impossible to gauge precisely, but I think you can label some players as “clutch” over others because they’re bound to perform no matter what… ala Pujols. (pitchers did a great job on him last night by the way)
big dawg
April 28th, 2009
4:09 pm
i know melina picks off a bunch of guys, but it CAN’T happen in that spot of the game. you’ve got to give chipper a chance there.
oh, and this coming from a VERY VERY knowledgable inside source, don’t be surprised to see KJ or frenchy get traded soon.
DAP
April 28th, 2009
4:11 pm
mr baseballIt may not be Wren’s fault entirely, but this is not a well-constructed team.
that isnt true. whats true is that this team isnt working…and why? because garrett anderson is hurt. mccann is hurt, and chipper has been hurt.
we have speed, its just in the wrong places. we have good overall power, but most of it is DLed or hurting. we have alot of LH hitters, but it doesnt matter, because they all hit lefties very well. we have a legitimate leadoff hitter…maybe. were trying to ease him into it. no cleanup hitter? your pretty much right on that one, although our DLed catcher does make a pretty good one, and we have several players who make good #2 hitters.
id say wren did a good job building this team, it just hasnt worked out yet, mostly because of injuries. the pitching is good, the bench is good…the braves have an overall very solid team.
Original Jon
April 28th, 2009
4:12 pm
big dawg, what sources do you have? MLB 2K9???? They are not going to trade either of those players because A) Kelly has no trade value at the moment and B) Frenchy is actually the only one who is hitting anything. So nice try, but no cigar.
PWHjort
April 28th, 2009
4:12 pm
Again, 1 example isn’t compelling evidence. Jim Leyritz had an extremely clutch hit. But just how does that suggest it is a repeatable skill?
ease19
April 28th, 2009
4:12 pm
Is DOB the source? Sorry DOB…
Brad
April 28th, 2009
4:13 pm
Schafer is the closest thing the Braves have to a prototypical leadoff hitter, but he won’t be placed there until he reduces the strikeouts and gets on base more often. I agree with others that Johnson needs to be moved out of that spot. Here are his averages from last season:
Batting 1st: .263
Batting 2nd: .259
Batting 6th: .283
Batting 7th: .303
Batting 8th: .405
Bobby's Cox
April 28th, 2009
4:13 pm
Yes, Fowler stealing 2 more bases in 1 game than the Braves as a team stole in 19 games is pretty sad. Not that I would care if it was 2002, but it’s not, and the speedy leadoff guy and manufacturing of runs is coming back to baseball, and we’re still playing for the long ball with a lineup that lacks a power hitter.
There really is no option for the Braves other than to try Schafer there. But, like Willy Wally said yesterday when he schooled me, Schafer’s OBP is a product of pitchers pitching around him in the 8 slot.
I really believe Schafer’s big head would love the promotion though. That’s just speculation, but Schafer is up for any challenge and he has acknoledged he needs to cut down on his swing. Moving him to 1 might do that. Watching the ESPN replay of last night’s game, they showed Jordan’s 1st hit of his career (the HR). The swing was short and sweet. Jordan needs to get back to that, and he can’t do worse right now in the leadoff role than the other options.
monty
April 28th, 2009
4:14 pm
Propose lineup:
Schafer-cf
Prado-2b
Infante-lf
C.Jones-3b
Ross-c
Kotchman-1b
Frenchy-rf
Escobar-ss
Kelly slumping, Diaz slumping, you just can’t have Infante and Prado sitting on the bench, Esco hits well early with guys in scoring position but he simply doesn’t work a count early in the game. With McCann out I believe you have to move Chipper to clean-up, and try to get a couple of guys on in front of him. Kotchman is hitting for avg. but not alot of pop currently. Schafer is the answer to our league leading fewest stolen bases. You have to give him 4-5 chances at the plate versus 3-4 every night. Ross has some big time pop in his bat and should help Chipper see some better pitches.
P-Town Brave (Pleading for DRASTIC Change)
April 28th, 2009
4:14 pm
Steve-
Actually I posted a couple nights ago that Kelly was hitting .265 as a leadoff hitter and under .220 when leading off the game…
And that was before the last couple games which would drop his avg further down….AND I don’t even have to look at his stats to know he’s not stealing many bases…
Maybe I’m just old school but I could really give a crap about his HR numbers…
Like Lou Brown said to Willie May-Hayes in Major League 2…I could give a rats *ss about your power and hitting homeruns…You’re the leadoff hitter and you’re being paid to get on base and steal bases!
Do I really need to explain again how much better Kelly is when batting 5th-6th-7th-8th?
Awww, come on guys, it’s so simple. Maybe you need a refresher course. Its all ball bearings nowadays.
Smyrna Jim
April 28th, 2009
4:14 pm
Original Jon – I take it you’re referring to Kerry Ligtenberg.
Necromancer
April 28th, 2009
4:15 pm
Before McFann chimes in, I just thought I would say, THANKS FOR THE NEW BLOG, CHIEF!
cphizzle
April 28th, 2009
4:15 pm
big dawgs knowledgable inside source is about as reliable as blaine boyer out of the pen…humour us with some more please
Original Jon
April 28th, 2009
4:16 pm
Ding ding ding ding ding!!!!! Good one Smyrna Jim, at least I am not the only one who remembers that.
big dawg
April 28th, 2009
4:17 pm
trust me one this one, i’ll be saying “i told you so” very soon.
Steve from OH
April 28th, 2009
4:18 pm
Do I really need to explain again how much better Kelly is when batting 5th-6th-7th-8th?
And do I need to mention sample size to you? Like, how Kelly has about twice as many career AB from the leadoff spot than from the 5-6-7-8 spots combined?
Oh, and you want OBP? Fine, you got it:
Kelly Johnson, career OBP: .353
Kelly Johnson, career OBP from leadoff spot: .354
PWHjort
April 28th, 2009
4:18 pm
McPoyle, I think the ability to not buckle under pressure and produce normally where others would produce at a diminished rate probably exists more-so than the ability to rise above and produce at a higher level in pressure situations does. But how many major leaguers buckle under pressure? I know I usually did when I played sports. But a lot of people will argue that players that buckle under pressure naturally get weeded out of the organizations and hardly (or don’t) exist at the major league level
big dawg
April 28th, 2009
4:19 pm
boyer was awful.still is.
blueridge
April 28th, 2009
4:21 pm
1. Esco
2. Kotchman (hello? Capt. Obvious?)
3. Chipper
4. Frenchy
5. Infante (2b-time to rest KJ)
6. Schafer
7. Ross
8. Diaz/ Jones
Ken Overstreet
April 28th, 2009
4:21 pm
Run Heap Run: You said your brother is going tonight and watching JoJo pitch. Last year I drove 450 miles to one game. Pitching matchup: Charlie Morton vs. Tim Lincicum. OMG
Bravesologist
April 28th, 2009
4:21 pm
Simply put and this is not to be rude, but if you are planning on sitting Kelly because Martin is a better hitter then you simply do not know much about baseball nor the Atlanta Braves and should do more research on the sport before you make statements like those.
Atown
April 28th, 2009
4:22 pm
PWHjort,
It was way much more than one clutch hit against the Braves. He made a career out of it. Teams were falling all over themselves to sign the guy late in the season.
fat people sink faster
April 28th, 2009
4:23 pm
gotta question:
is it legal for pujols to stand in the basepath like that? well, if you run into him, are you rewarded the base? i’ve watched guys block the plate like that but when you’re retreating to the previous base do you get the right to the basepath?
jus’a'wonderin’
fat people sink faster
April 28th, 2009
4:23 pm
infante as your 5hole hitter?
you serious clark?
Necromancer
April 28th, 2009
4:23 pm
Other teams would do bench their players if they were not performing. Why not the Braves?
cphizzle
April 28th, 2009
4:26 pm
well then big dawg you get the point im tryin to make here?…you pickin up what im layin down?
McFann Ô
April 28th, 2009
4:26 pm
Thanks for the new Blog, Chief! (Necromancer, copycat!
)
Jeff321–
Yeah! Gonna be keepin’ track of that one online! I hereby declare myself Official…uh…Updater for the…Myrtle Beach Game…Tonight and Tomorrow!
Guess that would be OUMBGTT. (Think he’s doing a two-day thing.)
Hey, and if he comes off the DL on schedule, he might get to do his rehabbing here in Gwinnett, ’cause they’re gonna be home that week! So…it’s already been discussed here at home that if that’s the case, we’re prob’ly goin’ to one of the games.
MFin04
April 28th, 2009
4:26 pm
Infante could be hitting cleanup on this team….its about darn time he plays too!!!
big dawg
April 28th, 2009
4:26 pm
bobby doesn’t bench anybody, at least until august!!!!
PWHjort
April 28th, 2009
4:27 pm
It’s still 1 person aka 1 example.
DAP
April 28th, 2009
4:29 pm
i think if you have the baseball, you can be in the basepath…
bravesologist if you are planning on sitting Kelly because Martin is a better hitter then you simply do not know much about baseball
what if its because martin is the better hitter right now? you know…kelly might could use some time to clear his head…
Dozer
April 28th, 2009
4:29 pm
How about someone wake Bobby up and tell him to give a take sign once in a while. Escobar swung at the first pitch (a ball) last night late in the game & popped up. Other than Chipper & sometimes Mccann, nobody in that lineup ever makes a pitcher earn anything.
Ted
April 28th, 2009
4:29 pm
Kelly Johnson’s career OPS: .790
Batting 1st: .794
Batting 2nd: .740
Batting 7th: .945
Batting 8th: .819
Simply put, either due to pressure he puts on himself or some other factor (and considering he gets even worse batting 3rd, I think it is pressure he puts on himself), Kelly does not perform as well when he’s higher in the order than when he’s lower in the order. While he may be close to his career OPS batting 1st, I’d rather have the guy with the .819+ OPS in my lineup than the one with the .794 OPS.
Andre "Pulpwood" Smith
April 28th, 2009
4:30 pm
I’d rate the show Sunday as good, not great Springsteen (although good Bruce is better than just about everyone else IMO). 25 songs, 5 covers, including 96 Tears and a great Detroit Medley. I know most of the crowd loves it, but to me the show is brought to a screeching halt by “Waiting on a Sunny Day”. Interesting note: not one song from Born in the USA. When was the last time that happened in ATL?
Sethual Healing
April 28th, 2009
4:30 pm
Necromancer, the Braves don’t bench players because of a mentality that isn’t going to change no matter how much we complain about it. It’s also a mentality that won somewhere between 4 and 5 hundred division titles in a row so it kind of gives Cox the credibility to do what he wants. We’re just writing on a blog while bored at work ( = me).
Original Jon
April 28th, 2009
4:32 pm
big dawg, why would we trust you? we dont know you and you have never been right about anything of significance before, so forgive us if we know you arent serious.
Who would trade anything of value that we could use right now when we are only 19 games into the season? Who is that far out of it at this point that they would trade something we can use for either kelly or Frenchy? Who??
Fleming
April 28th, 2009
4:32 pm
Dozer – You do realize that sometimes the first pitch is the best you will see in an at bat. Many times pitchers try to get ahead in the count with the first pitch. Instead of just taking the first pitch for the sake of taking, a better approach is to look for a certain pitch in a certain location and swing if you get it and don’t if you don’t
Mike
April 28th, 2009
4:33 pm
DOB, AOL is streaming the Dylan album for free. Take a listen while you’re around a computer. I haven’t had a chance to get all the way through but I like what I hear. His voice sounds great, Mike Campbell is on, and the accordian adds a nice touch that makes it stand out from his other recent work. At first listen it’s better than Modern Times but not as good as Time Out of Mind. Here’s the link: http://music.aol.com/new-releases-full-cds/#/1
PWHjort
April 28th, 2009
4:33 pm
With all the players that played baseball through the years, wouldn’t it stand to reason that a few people’s hits happen in “clutch” situations more frequently than in other situations just by random chance? I mean, that’s reasonable, right? I’m not denying clutch hitting exists, but just by random chance won’t some people deliver in the clutch more frequently than others without possessing any special ability?
18 Wheels of Love
April 28th, 2009
4:34 pm
I’m lizzing…I’m lizzing!!!!
P-Town Brave (Pleading for DRASTIC Change)
April 28th, 2009
4:34 pm
Ted-
Thanks for making my point for me…I’ve grown tired of arguing w/ Steve from OH…
But hey Steve, if it makes you feel any better, I do love your OH chili
Steve from OH
April 28th, 2009
4:35 pm
Ted:
Sample size, dude, sample size. Did you read my previous post? He has 577 career AB leading off, and about 299 combined batting 7th/8th. That is two times more of a sampling at leadoff.
I am NOT saying that KJ’s numbers won’t increase by moving him down the lineup. What I AM saying is that those of you who think Kelly “can’t hit” while batting leadoff apparently have no idea how to, um, test their hypothesis.
The Truth
April 28th, 2009
4:36 pm
Wouldn’t of Wren/Cox traded Johnson this past offseason if they felt Prado was an everyday player? They obviously don’t think he is. Nor do most intelligent baseball people. The guy isn’t an everyday player.
A.D.
April 28th, 2009
4:36 pm
Dave
Frank Wren has no one to blame but himself. He had an option to go after a real cleanup hitter ( one the braves have not had since the big cat left and although tex was great he is a true 3 or 5 guy not a 4) in Adam Dunn. Instead he went after a nother guy who hasn’t played a full season probably since high school in garret anderson. Nothing against Garret he is a solid player but we already have a great player who plays 3/4 of a season with chipper we needed someone who will be able to plug in for 162 games a season which Dunn could have been. I have been impressed by the pitching and have not given up on them but reality is our offense is not at the level a real contenders is at.
Love you blog and articles.
Necromancer
April 28th, 2009
4:37 pm
Sethual,
It seems like that the Braves would try a different approach since the one they are currently implementing isn’t working right now. The way I look at it is if the Braves want to start getting positive results, they would change some things. Just sayin’…
A kodak Memory
April 28th, 2009
4:37 pm
From this offseason, Dec 5, DOB writes:
They could trade Kelly Johnson for St. Louis outfielder Ryan Ludwick, whose 37-homer season in 2008 contrasted sharply with his injury-plagued past seasons. He’s a gamble, and the Braves are reluctant to trade Johnson, who they really believe can be a well-above-average second baseman defensively, and one of the best hitting second basemen in all of baseball.
But if they don’t think they can get a power bat anywhere else, well, it wouldn’t surprise me if they pull the trigger on that deal, particularly if the Cardinals sweeten the pot just a bit with another young player or prospect.
Martin Prado will never be the hitter Johnson is, but he’s a solid defensive second baseman and a good line-drive hitter who plays the game the right way, has plenty of versatility, and could probably hold down the fort at second base for a season, or until the Braves could get a better player there.
Sounds like the deal was on the table and the Braves wanted more. Google Kelly Johnson, Ludwick trade, and you get tons of info. I’m still scratching my head though how the Braves analyze their talent. Prado is more than servicable, and every other media outlet (if you Google like I showed above), thought the deal was a steal for the Braves if done straight up. Sure Ludwick may have been injury prone, but look at his AB and you can tell he’s legit. Plus, he’d have been the power RH bat, would’ve been cheap (1 year, 3.7 mil deal avoiding arbitration), and you still have Diaz, Josh Anderson, Heyward, B Jones, etc…if things don’t work out. Ludwick/Prado > KJ/Anderson/B Jones/Diaz
cphizzle
April 28th, 2009
4:37 pm
clutch smutch hit it when it counts
Fleming
April 28th, 2009
4:38 pm
PWHjort – I think as has been previously stated, it’s not so much that some people rise to a higher level in the clutch but the fact that they concentrate more and are more focused. Plus others choke due to pressure and are worse. This is a phenomenon you see in every day life not just in sports. Who doesn’t have people in their work place that seems to rise to the occasion when there is deadline pressure while others become shrinking violets.
A.D.
April 28th, 2009
4:40 pm
Also everyone needs to stop getting down on kelly johnson. First of all we are batting him leadoff most days and he isn’t a real leadoff man. He should be hitting either 2 or in 7 or 8 hole. You give me a 2nd baseman who hits over 270 with close to 15 HR’s a year that is pretty Damn Good.
Efrim
April 28th, 2009
4:40 pm
Who needs sample size? It’s totally worthless………
Dozer
April 28th, 2009
4:40 pm
Fleming – who’s talking about always taking the first pitch? the fact is that the Braves always have been free swingers under Bobby and its hurt them in close & late situations – they could use just a little more plate discipline, especially the younger players.
monty
April 28th, 2009
4:42 pm
PWHjhort
I’ve never seen the wind but I’ve seen it’s affects. I don’t know about studies, but I do know some players are better under pressure than others, by 44 years of watching sports.(through observation) although certainly not a clinical study. Some sports figures have the reputation of being “money.” Some people perform better under pressure than others. I believe Puljolts is one. They gave a statistic last night during the game that his career batting avg. was .333 but against the top 10 pitchers(I believe in ERA) his batting avg. is .350. Now that doesn’t mean he is clutch but as I’m sure most level headed fans on this blog would attest to that they would rather see anyone bat but Albert in a late inning situation with runners on and the game close. THere is a staistic about game winning hits, anyone who year in and year out who ranks high in game winning hits is clutch IMHO, there’s your study, do the research. If you watch your favorite team enough you know who you want up late in the game with a chance to tie or take the lead and who you don’t want. Scientific or not.
Fleming
April 28th, 2009
4:42 pm
Dozer – Agree they need more plate discipline but maybe I misread but I thought you wrote give esco the take sign on the first pitch.
P-Town Brave (Pleading for DRASTIC Change)
April 28th, 2009
4:42 pm
Ted-
And I have to agree w/ your assumption on Kelly…
Speaking from personal experience, I myself am not a big guy (think Pedroia), but I do have some pop in my bat…
However to the point you made, I was a good leadoff hitter, and an even better 2-hole hitter, BUT there were times where I was asked to bat 3 or 5 or even 6 and didn’t do as great of a job as I would like or as my original numbers would suggest I should do simply because I sometimes felt like when I was that 3 or 5 hitter I absolutely HAD to play like a 3 hitter and not so much within myself, and I did in fact struggle.
This doesn’t just tend to happen playing out of batting order or position in baseball, it happens in other sports as well. Basketball for example…this would be like rotating a guy from SG to the PG position or asking a smaller 3(SF) to play the 4(PF).
Steve from OH
April 28th, 2009
4:43 pm
Efrim, I think I’m just going to totally give up. I mean, seriously…you just can’t get through to some people…
Efrim
April 28th, 2009
4:43 pm
A kodak memory, it’s funny you say that. Not sure if you’d be able to find this, but try to search within some espn chats for Jim Callis’ and Keith Law’s assessment of that potential trade. They both thought the Braves would be fools to make a move like that citing Ludwick’s age and injury history.
brent a.
April 28th, 2009
4:43 pm
I can prove to you with scientific and physical evidence that Tiger Woods won the US Open last year with a torn ACL and a double-stress fracture.
Macon Braves (RIP)
April 28th, 2009
4:43 pm
Fleming–Your point of picking a spot on first pitch is right on. The first pitch should be treated like a 3-0 pitch. Pick an area the size of a cantaloup and if you get a pitch in that one spot, swing at it. The problem with Escobar this season seems to be that it doesn’t matter where that first pitch is, he’s swinging at it. I’ve seen him on several occassions swing at sliders off the plate on the first pitch. No excuse for that. First pitch and 3-0 should be treated the same, pick your spot and if it’s not there, let it go.
Ted
April 28th, 2009
4:45 pm
Yes, I understand sample size. I also understand that KJ doesn’t have a full season of ABs at any position in the line-up. So until he gets more time in the majors you’re going to have “sample size” issues for any spot in the line-up.
And if you can show where I said he “can’t” hit leadoff, please feel free.
I have said that based on what he has shown to date that he appears to be a better hitter batting lower in the order than higher. And for a team that is struggling to score runs, why not try and run the best offense you can out there? It would appear that this means a line-up where KJ is batting 7th and letting someone else handle leadoff. And, if correct, that KJ puts pressure on himself, and he’s doing so now, then why not make a change?
Now I understand sample size, but Schafer is sporting a .378 OBP – higher than KJ’s career OBP and batting 1st OBP. Schafer also has better speed and might actually be able to steal a base if he didn’t have the pitcher batting behind him.
So, again, my earlier question – is there any chance to get a higher OBP (yes, sample size) batting lead-off and move KJ down in the order where (yes, sample size) he appears to be both more comfortable and simply a better hitter?
big dawg
April 28th, 2009
4:45 pm
jon, first of all, i’ve never said anything on this blog. second, true, you don’t know me, nor do i know you, but know this, i am simply stating something that i heard with my own ears from someone who definately knows.
with that said, now you’re in the know!!
ABravesFan
April 28th, 2009
4:46 pm
DOB lineup should be posted lets hear it.
Efrim
April 28th, 2009
4:46 pm
I’m just going to keep backing up KJ. And I really do like Prado. I really do. But some folks on this blog make that difficult. Hell, shouldn’t everyone want Johnson to have a great season? As well as Escobar? I mean, do we want their value to be at an all time low going into the offseason. Folks, that is a bad spot for the Braves given what is currently available in the minors. If you don’t like Kelly, at least hope that he has a good season so that we can trade the guy at the end of the year. Sell high maybe?
Macon Braves (RIP)
April 28th, 2009
4:47 pm
Lineup I would like to see tonight:
1. Schafer
2. Kotchman
3. Infante
4. Chipper
5. Frenchy
6. Escobar
7. Brandon Jones
8. Ross
Jackson (The Sniper)
April 28th, 2009
4:47 pm
I agree that clutch performances do hinge on luck to a certain extent, but clutch players are the ones who have a greater ability to take the pressure and use it to focus more (ie: see the ball better, etc..) Whereas players that are not clutch allow the pressure to distract them from what they are doing (anyone see Hanrahan give up the bomb to Ibanez, he looked scared and confirmed as much after the game). So to summize, luck does play its role but clutch players stand a much better chance of coming through in those situations.
Macon Braves (RIP)
April 28th, 2009
4:48 pm
Chipper may like the 3 hole the best, but he’s obviously the biggest homerun threat in the lineup and should be in the cleanup spot. Maybe when McCann gets back, stick Chipper back in the 3 hole, move Frenchy into the cleanup spot, and bat McCann 5th.
cphizzle
April 28th, 2009
4:48 pm
big dawg needs a muzzle nothing is more annoyin than rumours…its like a tricycle with a kickstand…theres no need in it
Bobby's Cox
April 28th, 2009
4:49 pm
OH Steve,
I love you man…really do. But, you live and die by sample size. This was argued last year. Numbers aren’t everything. I mean, can’t you look at players and how they change their approach, batting stance, hand position, how they stay on a baseball at the plate, etc.. and determine their value? I watch Nelson Cruz last year and I could tell you he was not the player he was labeled in years past. Dude is a solid hitter. Same with Hamilton, Carlos Quentin, etc, and I had the same feeling with Ludwick. Ludwick I’ll admit was a little risky based on how he did hitting behind and in front of Pujouls last season, but looking at his approach at the plate, more times than not, you could tell he was a damn good hitter and that’s been shown this season hitting behind Albert.
The Truth, Kodak & Everyone else…
About the supposed deal of KJ for Ludwick.. Not sure if I agree with any reasoning the Braves may have for not taking that. It’s not like they didn’t have a solid replacement (infante/prado) and not like they weren’t looking for other options anyway even if they didn’t feel comfortable with Infante/Prado. They were looking at Hudson and Furcal too..remember? Again, the Braves had pieces but were afraid to take the “risk”, but analyzing the players and pieces, I think the Braves dropped the ball.
ABravesFan
April 28th, 2009
4:49 pm
Or I can save you time wrestling it away from Hudson.
1. KJ 2B
2. Escobar SS
3. Chipper 3B
4. Kotchman 1B
5. Francouer RF
6 Brandon Jones LF
7. Ross C
8. Schafer CF
9. Pinch hitter as Jo Jo will not last long enough to get an AB
Eware
April 28th, 2009
4:50 pm
I think the thing that bothers me the most about this team is my lack of fist-pumping. Sure, I’ve pumped the fist once or twice when D. Lowe has gotten the big strikeout. But, our lack of clutch hitting is causing my arm to lose muscle mass and weaken. Plus, I’m staying inside to listen to these crappy games, so the arm is not getting any sun. A weak, pasty white arm is not good for the beach.
Come on, offense – I need my arm back.
Steve from OH
April 28th, 2009
4:51 pm
Now I understand sample size, but Schafer is sporting a .378 OBP – higher than KJ’s career OBP and batting 1st OBP.
Really? You understand sample size? Then why are you advocating Schafer and his 19 career games as worthy of the leadoff role?
Never accused you of saying that, but others have, and you jumped into the conversation…
And 577 AB IS a full-seasons’ worth of AB.
I need to take a break…one more post like these and I may have a stroke.
Macon Braves (RIP)
April 28th, 2009
4:52 pm
ABravesFan—Unfortunatly I think your spot on with your lineup for tonight. Don’t doubt for a second that it will be the same, just as I don’t doubt for a second that I’ve actually been dreaming the last week or so and am actually having my own “Groundhog Day”
bob
April 28th, 2009
4:52 pm
Bobby was a terrific manager when there was a solid starting pitching rotation, speed at the top of the order and some pop in the bat. In short, the players made Bobby a great manager.
Today is a different story. Bobby does not have the talent and his staff can not work miracles (even minor ones) with the current crop of players. And, he can not rely on ‘hope’ on a daily basis. His job is to diagnose the problems and fix them before it is too late.
If no change happens, then this year will be one of those years where the Braves fans (myself included) will suffer throughout the year. Changes are necessary or the fan base will just leave.
My game plan hope is (1) release Anderson, (2) promote Hansen, (3) trade for speed, and (4) pray for a healthy Chipper and a good eye surgeon for McCann.
Cecil34
April 28th, 2009
4:53 pm
I hesitate to bring this up, especially this early, but watching the ‘09 edition of the Braves reminds me of a team filled with what I refer to as “2nd tier” level of major league players.
Players who can be good and can contribute, but are more streaky and cannot carry a team over the long haul nor put up monster numbers.
In other words, they are not “top tier” players, or what one back in the day would call “star players”.
Believe me, there is a difference in the two.
Chipper once was a “star player”, but certainly no more. He does the best he can, but he is a part-time contributor now. And cannot carry a team because he cannot play every game.
McCann is on the verge of “star player” status.
The rest of this team is most decidedly 2nd tier.
Even Lowe is not what I consider top tier. Otherwise, why go after Burnett and Peavy first?
I won’t blame Wren for this, I blame Liberty Media.
Wren gets who he can get based upon financial perameters that the ownership lays down for the franchise.
Maybe we should have paid Dunn and passed on Garret, but decisions in talent now are coming down to fitting the budget instead of fitting the team. Chipper knows this.
This is why I don’t really expect much from this squad.
When this reality is joined with the reality that the coaching staff increasingly appears ineffective and clueless, then a recipe for occupying the lower levels of the division for the season has been cooked up.
I really believe the salvation for this franchise is not who is on the team now, but who we will pull up from the minors in the next year or two.
So prepare yourselves for 2010 or better 2011.
It is going to be a long season this year. I pray it won’t be, but when you have watched 44 years of Braves baseball, you have the template pretty much down.
Willy Wally
April 28th, 2009
4:54 pm
Escobar is hitting .370 for his career swinging at the first pitch. He hits .286 after falling down 0-1. Don’t think swinging at the first pitch is killing him too much.
jason
April 28th, 2009
4:54 pm
Perfered lineup. CF)Schaefer
1B)Kotchman
3B)Jones
C) Ross/McCann
RF)Francouer
SS)Escobar
LF)Jones B.
2B)Johnson/Prado
For people to gripe about Kotchman, he is a good opposite field hitter who makes outstanding contact. With Scheafer leading off, his whole approach will change. He will probably work counts better by seeing better pitches. Johnson should be benched for a lil’ bit, but will never happen. So, a platoon would be nice to see. Hey we can only hope can’t we ?
Frankie Knuckles
April 28th, 2009
4:55 pm
Big Dawg – do you know anymore details? If so, is it a good move? I know you have to protect your source. I believe you man, teams have a lot of staff which = a lot of running mouths.
Bobby's Cox
April 28th, 2009
4:56 pm
PWHjort,
In response to your 4:33, what about clutch pitching? Don’t you think pitching tightens up in clutch situations, or in our bullpen’s case, falls apart? There’s 2 sides to that equation, and in the case of the ‘95 World Series, better pitching usually beats better hitting.
dogsbrekky
April 28th, 2009
4:57 pm
KJ will get his hitting back but his 2nd base skills possibly never, dude just doesn’t have it there…….
The Real Truth
April 28th, 2009
4:57 pm
The Truth
Thing is did anyone else even want KJ?
big dawg
April 28th, 2009
4:59 pm
okay okay, i’m putting my muzzle on. but i’m NOT one to spread rumor’s.
until next time, GO BRAVOS!!!
Necromancer
April 28th, 2009
5:00 pm
Cecil,
Very well said. Back when we had Ted Turner and his big wallet, we were unstoppable. Current ownership isn’t really concerned what the fans think, and do not give a fig about fielding a contender.
Until ownership of this team changes to someone willing to spend money, the Braves will continue to be mediocre.
Bobby's Cox
April 28th, 2009
5:00 pm
OH Steve,
You need to invest in some padded walls for your home/office/desk…or just buy a helmet.
chipper 4 pres
April 28th, 2009
5:00 pm
I heard that the braves were going to trade the starting eight position players for Pujols but the Cards didn’t feel like that was enough
MFin04
April 28th, 2009
5:01 pm
What time we getting lineups so we can all start #$@#$#!
big dawg
April 28th, 2009
5:02 pm
frankie, they’re just looking for some middle relief. and they’re waiting for a shot in the arm when huddy comes back..
Steve from OH
April 28th, 2009
5:02 pm
Bobby’s, it’s far too late for that…
Ted
April 28th, 2009
5:03 pm
Well, genius, it is 577 PA – not AB. Perhaps you’ve had the stroke already if you can’t tell the difference between the letters “PA” and “AB”. And, no, 498 AB is NOT a full season (unless you are Chipper) – which can also easily be seen in that he has 123 career starts (and 125 games) batting 1st – and last I checked they played 162 games in a season not 123-125. So, no, he doesn’t have a full season batting 1st. Nice try.
And all you have is “sample size”. Well, great. That is also an “opinion” that sample size matters here.
FACT – Kelly Johnson has a better OPS batting 7th or 8th than he does batting 1st.
You can argue sample size all you want but is does not change that FACT. Period.
Of course, people like you always like to ignore FACTS when they don’t support your opinion. But have fun running around like Chicken Little yelling “sample size, sample size” when the facts simply do not support the position that the Braves have had a better line-up when KJ batted 1st than when he’s batted 7th or 8th.
Supes
April 28th, 2009
5:05 pm
Yeah, I’d do that trade Ludwick for K. Johnson right now:) Straight up:)
Plug in Prado or Infate at 2B, and Ludwick in for LF. He also bats 4th behind Chipper and infront of B-Mac.
Would be nice. But Frank Wren didn’t wanna trade for an “unproven guy” as in someone who’s up there in age and only “did it for 1 year”. However, if 2009 is any indication, Ryan Ludwick will be a legit 30HR, 100RBI man for the next few years. Sure would have been nice to have him play for the home team.
What could have been….
chipper 4 pres
April 28th, 2009
5:06 pm
we need a sparkplug like Furcal or Hudson at the top of the lineup and get rid of some of these AAA players we have.Krotchman still doesn’t have a homer and that ain’t gunna cut it Hell McGriff could come back now and have a homer in as many at bats
MFin04
April 28th, 2009
5:06 pm
FACT: KJ is 4-39….anyone can hit better than that right now!!!!!
Bobby's Cox
April 28th, 2009
5:06 pm
The Real Truth,
Good question. We got rejected by the Brewers for a KJ, Cory Hart Trade. Ouch.
Source: Scroll down to Dec. 19 on this link
http://www.kffl.com/player/7008/MLB
PWHjort
April 28th, 2009
5:06 pm
Bobby’s Cox, I have no idea. I’ve never seen anything written on clutch pitching. Throwing a ball is much more precise than hitting it with a round bat so I’d say if only 1 of them existed it’d probably be clutch pitching, but I have no idea. I think clutch defense probably exists even more than clutch hitting or pitching too. I don’t know though. I have no opinion. I’m waiting for a genius to publish a study that I buy into on weather or not they exist.
P-Town Brave (Pleading for Change)
April 28th, 2009
5:08 pm
Efrim-
You’re great and I agree w/ what you said, BUT I’ve seen this rodeo already way too long w/ the KJ and Cox Bromance and I’m sorry, it just has to end! I’d love for Kelly to have a great year, but like Yogi the Bear he disappears into the forest for way too many weeks at a time and all this being equal, I can’t possibly accept waiting until September for him to have a big month when we’re already eliminated from playoff contention.
BC-
I agree w/ what you said about sample size not being everything…
Besides, if it WERE everything, Albert Pujols never would’ve made it to the bigs when he did…he had 0 PA’s in AA, 0 in AAA, and 0 in ML…If they would’ve went w/ Steve’s gut, Albert would probably have made it to the majors around 07.
Steve, the reason ppl are advocating for Schafer to hit leadoff is pretty obvious…If you can’t see that, maybe you need to get out of the sun, wake up and smell the coffee, and insert here whatever other ridiculous metaphor you can think of!
PWHjort
April 28th, 2009
5:10 pm
The Nationals shuffled their bullpen again. http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090428&content_id=4462840&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb
Blausers curly hair
April 28th, 2009
5:12 pm
right now I feel like jeff Blauser is batting in all 9 spots of the lineup
Eric from MO
April 28th, 2009
5:12 pm
Cecil”Even Lowe is not what I consider top tier. Otherwise, why go after Burnett and Peavy first?”
Um…you can argue Lowe is doing better than Peavy and Burnett and honestly I dont know why anyone would rather have Burnett than Lowe. Even before Burnett signed I was praying we would not get him because he would just be another Mike Hampton.
Frankie Knuckles
April 28th, 2009
5:15 pm
big dawg – why would be pursue pitching? Its not exactly our weakness.
ABravesFan
April 28th, 2009
5:15 pm
Looks like DOB fell asleep again.
buzzmeat
April 28th, 2009
5:15 pm
Burnett is awesome, but for the Braves history of injuries i DO NOT want him!
The Real Truth
April 28th, 2009
5:15 pm
At least Acta isn’t putting up with it, and strives to give the fans that follow that team the best possible pitchers out of the pen. Good for him, too many other Nationals Managers have set back and did nothing.
Eric from MO
April 28th, 2009
5:16 pm
Bobbys Cox big deal. So we got turned down by a trade. Whats your point?
MFin04
April 28th, 2009
5:16 pm
DOB takes sedatives before the game to calm himself down.
Lew
April 28th, 2009
5:16 pm
Chipper “does the best he can”? Dude has lead all of ML Baseball in hitting over the past three seasons.
Interested Observer
April 28th, 2009
5:18 pm
I have to assume that DOB either hasn’t received the lineup yet, or he hasn’t been able to stop laughing at it long enough to post it.
The Real Truth
April 28th, 2009
5:18 pm
Lowe vs. Peavy vs. Burnett
http://mlb.mlb.com/stats/sortable_player_stats.jsp?c_id=mlb§ion2=null&statSet2=null&sortByStat=IP&statType=2&timeFrame=1&timeSubFrame=2009&baseballScope=mlb&prevPage2=1&readBoxes=true&sitSplit=&venueID=&teamPosCode=all&box7=XXXX408241sdnX&box12=XXXX117955atlX&box47=XXXX150359nyaX&compare.x=28&compare.y=4
PWHjort
April 28th, 2009
5:20 pm
http://www.tinyurl.com/
bravos2249
April 28th, 2009
5:21 pm
Hmm…Is someone from either team hurt, cause why would it take this long for lineups. Unless they are having a players meeting or something,but still.
P-Town Brave (Pleading for Change)
April 28th, 2009
5:22 pm
Efrim-
You’re great and I agree w/ what you said, BUT I’ve seen this rodeo already way too long w/ the KJ and Cox Bromance and I’m sorry, it just has to end! I’d love for Kelly to have a great year, but like Yogi the Bear he disappears into the forest for way too many weeks at a time and all this being equal, I can’t possibly accept waiting until September for him to have a big month when we’re already eliminated from playoff contention.
BC-
I agree w/ what you said about sample size not being everything…
Besides, if it WERE everything, Albert Pujols never would’ve made it to the bigs when he did…he had 0 PA’s in AA, 0 in AAA, and 0 in ML…If they would’ve went w/ Steve’s gut, Albert would probably have made it to the majors around 07.
Steve, the reason ppl are advocating for Schafer to hit leadoff is pretty obvious…If you can’t see that, maybe you need to get out of the sun, wake up and smell the coffee, and insert whatever other ridiculous metaphor you can think of.
ZC Rider
April 28th, 2009
5:22 pm
Anyone else get a thrill from seeing Buddy shake off two pitches in a 3-1 count to go after Pujols? You can never defend yourself from Pujols, but he can’t always defend himself from you. Buddy really showed some resolve, too bad he doesn’t have great stuff
Jack G.
April 28th, 2009
5:22 pm
I have stated on here several times that 2009 would be a repeat of 2008, and that the players and pitchers didnt matter as long as Bobby and his coaches were managing and coaching this team.
I have seen nothing to change my mind.
GM R
April 28th, 2009
5:23 pm
Let’s face it folks, now that we have moved out of fantasy league status where everyone we sign is going to do great, and we see exactly what we have, the sad news is that the Braves are mediocre at best. The bullpen is a mess that badly needs a quality lefty and some reliable injury free long relief. There are only 2 quality big bats, one of which is injury prone, and the other guys are unable to manufacture runs. Sorry, but this is going to be another long year. To top it all Bobby seems to be losing the plot – a more aggressive risk taker is going to be needed to get the best out of these guys and light some fires. Last night’s game was another example of a lackluster performance that will drive fans away.
monty
April 28th, 2009
5:24 pm
While certainly not scientific, everyone who watches their favorite team knows who they want up in pressure situations and those you don’t. Some guys you know are going to be an easy out and others even if they don’t always come through are going to battle. Whoever can bat closest to their normal batting avg. or in some cases slightly higher with the pressure on is “clutch.” When the adrenaline rises it’s fight or flight! Most run or “choke”, but some more than others seem to be able to stay and fight or perform.
mr baseball
April 28th, 2009
5:26 pm
To any and all who are making up their own batting orders:
Kotchman is is no way, shape or form a No. 2 hitter. With a runner on 1st & less than 2 outs, he is a GIDP waiting to happen. And if he happens to get on base, it will probably take 3 hits to score him.
He can’t run, he doesn’t hit for power and he gets most of his hits when it doesn’t matter all that much. And ya’ll want to give him more ABs than anyone else on the team except the leadoff hitter? Really?
With McCann out and KJ slumping, there aren’t many decent choices for either leadoff or cleanup. If Schafer was hitting better, it would be a reasonable choice to move him to leadoff, hit Kelly somewhere in the middle of the order and drop Kotchman near the bottom, which is where he deserves to be.
Kotchman neither drives in nor scores runs. He does not need to be hitting 4th and certainly should not be hitting 2nd. Unfortunately, there is no one on the active roster who has any business hitting cleanup.
Since Kelly isn’t doing much where he’s hitting, maybe this would work:
Schafer
Escobar
Chipper
Francouer
Johnson
Ross
Kotchman
Diaz
If BJones is in LF, too many lefty hitters near the bottom of the order. There are going to be flaws with any batting order the Braves might use, but having Kotchman hitting 2nd or 4th just makes the problems worse.
Today’s poll question: For $10 million, who would you rather have — GAnderson & Kawakami or Raul Ibanez & Hansen?
P-Town Brave (Pleading for Change)
April 28th, 2009
5:28 pm
What the is wrong w/ WordPress today?!
bravos2249
April 28th, 2009
5:28 pm
Ok I’m going to be stunned on this on fact(If KJ starts). Kelly has as many hits against Lohse as Prado does but KJ has 10 AB and Prado has 3 AB against him. Prado could’ve had a lucky day but facts are facts. Slump or not I’d have Prado in there tonight,
MFin04
April 28th, 2009
5:29 pm
Anderson and KK….Kawakami is going to be great. Give GA a shot. If not…Ibanez isnt the answer
P-Town Brave (Pleading for Change)
April 28th, 2009
5:29 pm
Since WordPress is being screwy looks like I have to break up my post into pieces…
Efrim-
You’re great and I agree w/ what you said, BUT I’ve seen this rodeo already way too long w/ the KJ and Cox Bromance and I’m sorry, it just has to end! I’d love for Kelly to have a great year, but like Yogi the Bear he disappears into the forest for way too many weeks at a time and all this being equal, I can’t possibly accept waiting until September for him to have a big month when we’re already eliminated from playoff contention.
WHY bother
April 28th, 2009
5:30 pm
I don’t blame KJ at all for not hitting. As I recall, early in the season He had a great day at the plate, something like 3 for 4…or 4 for 5 with a HR. The next day, B.Cox sits him. ????? I don’t get it. Made NO sense. At least now he gets to play everyday.
As for Matt Diaz. He STINKS, he should NOT be in the majors. Batting and Defense stinks. Its like watching AJones (his last season and a half with the Braves), swinging at pitches low(in the dirt) & away. Swinging at pitches that seem to reach the dugout for god sake…HE swings at them. NO pitch recognition whatsoever.
J. Schafer should get a chance to steal a base “when” he does get on, before the pithers tries to lay down a sac. bunt. Have him steal second base then lay down a sac bunt and move him over to third.
Regardless, they DO need to try and steal way more often…period.
P-Town Brave (Pleading for Change)
April 28th, 2009
5:30 pm
BC-
I agree w/ what you said about sample size not being everything…
Besides, if it WERE everything, Albert Pujols never would’ve made it to the bigs when he did…he had 0 PA’s in AA, 0 in AAA, and 0 in ML…If they would’ve went w/ Steve’s gut, Albert would probably have made it to the majors around 07.
And Steve, the reason ppl are advocating for Schafer to hit leadoff is pretty obvious…If you can’t see that, maybe you need to get out of the sun, wake up and smell the coffee, and insert here whatever other ridiculous metaphor you can think of!
P-Town Brave (Pleading for Change)
April 28th, 2009
5:31 pm
BC-
I agree w/ what you said about sample size not being everything…
Besides, if it WERE everything, Albert Pujols never would’ve made it to the bigs when he did…he had 0 PA’s in AA, 0 in AAA, and 0 in ML…If they would’ve went w/ Steve’s gut, Albert would probably have made it to the majors around 07.
ABravesFan
April 28th, 2009
5:31 pm
Prado at 2nd and Infante at SS
P-Town Brave (Pleading for Change)
April 28th, 2009
5:31 pm
And Steve, the reason ppl are advocating for Schafer to hit leadoff is pretty obvious…If you can’t see that, maybe you need to get out of the sun, wake up and smell the coffee, and insert here whatever other ridiculous metaphor you can think of!
P-Town Brave (Pleading for Change)
April 28th, 2009
5:32 pm
Steve, the reason ppl are advocating for Schafer to hit leadoff is pretty obvious…If you can’t see that, maybe you need to get out of the sun, wake up and smell the coffee, and insert here whatever other ridiculous metaphor you can think of.
Tomy Fournier
April 28th, 2009
5:35 pm
Atlanta’s…..sh%$#@@@@ with Mr. moron Cox$%%##@@@@@@
Matt-In-SC
April 28th, 2009
5:35 pm
We got a power hitting first baseman in AAA Barbaro Canizares who can flat out hit, i would like to see them bring him up and if anything put him out in LF, if klesko could play LF he can too
PWHjort
April 28th, 2009
5:37 pm
mr baseball,
Your solution to minimizing double plays is hitting Escobar, the most DP prone hitter on our team, 2nd? Escobar hit into a team high 24 last year and he currently leads the team with 3.
bravos2249
April 28th, 2009
5:39 pm
Corky Miller sighting on WGN
P-Town Brave (Pleading for Change)
April 28th, 2009
5:40 pm
PWH-
Actually I believe that was 26 DP’s but you were close
I myself like Yunel and think he’d do better in the 2-hole if Kelly wasn’t in the leadoff spot…that being said, I do believe at this time its necessary to move him down the order as well given his struggles w/ getting the ball off the ground.
PWHjort
April 28th, 2009
5:41 pm
Schuster allowed a hit. http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/apr/28/schusters-no-hit-bid-still-alive/news-breaking/
bravos2249
April 28th, 2009
5:41 pm
Lillibridge sighting too
Mets09WSchamps
April 28th, 2009
5:42 pm
HAHAHAHAHAHA!! Your lineup sucks and when it is all said and done, you will be looking up at the Nats in the division. Every single team in the NL East has power hitters, and speed except the Braves. And it is because your ownership is too cheap to go out and spend a little money on the team to make it competitive. Your GM shot his wad on starting pitching. Yes, they are going to be good, but you can’t expect them to throw shut outs every night so your team can win by 1 run because they other team walked the winning run in. That is going to wear down your starters because they are going to start getting mad pitching all these gems just to lose because the offense can’t score runs. It is hilarious watching your starters throw 90 pitches by the 5th inning, and the opposing pitcher only at about 50 or 60 pitches by the 7th inning. I am surprised no one’s thrown a complete game against the Braves. Talk about no patience at the plate! Wren SHOULD have given Hanson the 5 spot, and let Reyes or Morton battle it out for #4. Kawakami straight up sucks!! And you people thought the Braves had a chance this year! HAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHA!!!!!! Kochman as the cleanup? Really? Oh it’s going to be a looooonnnnggg season for the Braves and I am going to enjoy every minuet of it. By the way, it is already being speculated that the Mets will be in on Holliday (I think they will) and that the Mets probably will be in on Ordonez come trade deadline time. What will the Braves do? NOTHING!! HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHA…because you can’t AFFORD it, you can’t AFFORD it!!! You all should start watching a real team like the Mets and forget about the Braves because you aren’t going to have a winning season for a lOOOOOONNNNGGG time!! Cox won’t even change the batting order!!!!
PWHjort
April 28th, 2009
5:42 pm
P-Town, I’m not saying you’re wrong, but baseball-reference (which certainly isn’t immune to being wrong) says Escobar hit into 24 last year. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/e/escobyu01-bat.shtml
winterville
April 28th, 2009
5:45 pm
I saw that Schuster kid on first take doing an interview and seemed like kind of a douche. I mean, it’s definitely impressive but c’mon, it’s high school.
Coach (2010 or bust)
April 28th, 2009
5:47 pm
Somewhere right now, Steve in Ohio is flipping out.
Dave O’Brien, dude. Well said. All in all, this just may be the slowest Braves team that the city of Atlanta, Georgia has ever seen in 44 years of professional baseball.
If ya’ll don’t get the enormity of this statement, then grab a shovel and start digging because you’re dead already and so are our Braves if they cannot start generating runs.
Back during the fourteen season playoff run, those teams (for the most part) ran like crazy. Otis Nixon, Deion Sanders, Marquis Grissom, Kenny Lofton and Rafael Furcal fueled the running game all the way from 1991 to 2005. The last four seasons (including this one) our Braves have resembled a beer league softball team on the base paths. This is not the way that baseball is supposed to be played.
Frank Wren and Bobby Cox and the rest of the front office are responsible. Gentlemen, ya’ll are sucking eggs right now.
PWHjort
April 28th, 2009
5:50 pm
Mets09WSchamps,
You know what people who talk about having more money than other people are? Douchebags.
RemoW
April 28th, 2009
5:52 pm
DLowe is starting to look like a bargain. Peavy looked awful in the WBC and Burnett never wanted to be a #1 starter. I’ll take what we have. Starting pitching for the most part has been very solid.
P-Town Brave (Pleading for Change)
April 28th, 2009
5:55 pm
PWH-
D*mnit! Why did you have to be the guy to beat me to calling that *sshole a douchebag…WHY LoL
Oh, and really, I hope they enjoy Matt Holliday…he can put on a Teixeira like performance, play them right out of the playoffs, and never go back there again.
Then again, wouldn’t the A’s want some talent in return for them? Last I heard the Muts have a bunch of stiffs down in the minors…
TM
April 28th, 2009
5:55 pm
We are getting nothing from KJ in the leadoff spot. Why not let Schafer lead off? maybe that sparks him, kelly and the team. Can’t hurt. Put KJ in the 5 slot, Put Infante in left and get his bat in the lineup. DO SOMETHING!!! oh wait, B. Cox is the coach. nevermind, he won’t do anything except cheer louder from the corner of the dug out.
CorkylikesBeer
April 28th, 2009
5:56 pm
Ptown..The one and only Corky Miller was on baseball tonight….a few nights ago
MFin04
April 28th, 2009
5:56 pm
Lineup out yet?
Frank from KS
April 28th, 2009
5:57 pm
To add to Coach’s post..
the Braves also had guy’s do the little things to win…(Belliard, for example).
David O'Brien
April 28th, 2009
5:59 pm
PWHjort, tell Red Sox (or Yankees) fans that David Ortiz isn’t a better clutch hitter than, say, oh, Alex Rodriguez.
Mets09WSchamps
April 28th, 2009
5:59 pm
I don’t care who on this board thinks I’m a douche, your team sucks plain and simple. Long live the Mets!!!!
CorkylikesBeer
April 28th, 2009
6:00 pm
our pitchers are terrible bunters…..
TM
April 28th, 2009
6:00 pm
My Linup:
CF Schafer
SS Escobar
3B C. Jones
LF Infante
2B K. Johnson
RF Francouer
C Ross
1B Kotchman
P pitcher of the day
Why Not?
ABravesFan
April 28th, 2009
6:01 pm
Can someone wake up Bobby Cox from his nap so he can fill out the lineup card.
Thanks in advance
Bobbymahlon
April 28th, 2009
6:01 pm
You have got to be kidding about the lack of hitting. I believe when someone is hot and doing the job put him in there. A good example is Martin Prado who was batting .360 and then put on the bench in favor of Kelly Johnson who is hitting a robust .203. Like I said before Josh Anderson should be playing center field while Schafer gets some experience down in Gwinnett. It also would not hurt putting Infante in for who is slumping at times. As far as Diaz goes he is a terrible fielder so if he is not hitting he is a big load to carry. It looks right now that Francouer is starting a slump so giving him a day off once in a while would not hurt.
Einstein
April 28th, 2009
6:01 pm
Memo to Bobby: Stop managing by the book! It worked fine in the 90’s, but guess what…things change. Teams get faster, relief pitchers actually throw strikes, and some lefties actually hit left-handed pitchers better. Use the skills (?) that they’re paying you to use not a worn-out reputation. Maybe it’s time for the Braves front office to make a change, too. Peace.
David O'Brien
April 28th, 2009
6:01 pm
ABravesFan, when you make your comment at 4:46 p.m.: “DOB, lineup should be posted, let’s hear it,” you obviously don’t realize I’m in the clubhouse and not seeing your request, nor capable of posting from there?
If they post it before I go down to clubhouse at 3:40, I can get it posted here. if they don’t, I can’t post it until I get back from clubhouse.
I’m back from clubhouse.
LINEUP:
1. Omar Infante, 2B
2. Escobar, SS
3. Chipper, 3B
4. Kotchman, 1B
5. Francoeur, RF
6. Diaz, LF
7. Schafer, CF
8. Ross, C
9. Reyes, LH
Frank from KS
April 28th, 2009
6:04 pm
DOB re: your 5:59 p.m. post
Ahhh…don’t ya mean..A-Fraud?
Lol
CorkylikesBeer
April 28th, 2009
6:04 pm
THANKS DOB..
Bobby's Cox
April 28th, 2009
6:05 pm
Regardless of all the b!tching, I don’t think this team is that bad. Could be wrong, but the team still has a very good starting rotation and a bullpen that should get better once Moylan, Soriano, and Gonzo progress through the season and we start bringing up guys like Medlen & Hanson.
KK has very good stuff and he’s only going to get better. Allowing 3 runs through 5 isn’t all that bad, but I see him being able to get stretched out longer and with better location as the year goes on too.
The lineup? Just needs some tweaking. We need to get Schafer running and utilize his speed. Whether it’s now (which i do believe he can’t hit leadoff now) or later when he’s able to get on base more by striking out less, this lineup will benefit from his speed. I still think the lineup needs another solid .300 doubles hitter or so, and yes that means starting Infante or Prado and benching KJ long term or trading him for a reliever. If GA ever comes back fully healthy, he’ll bring home runners in scoring position like we had planned when we signed him.
All is not lost, but the lineup needs to be tweaked 1st and foremost, and that is what’s getting so frustrating. For years now we’ve had players who are streaky, and a team concept to hack away and swing for the fences. Guys need to change their approach and string together hits, and make pitchers work, while moving runners up stations. It’s really that simple.
MFin04
April 28th, 2009
6:06 pm
Good enough for me. Not sure why Ross hits so low in the lineup when he is our homerun hitter, lol. But good for you Bobby…about a series or two…too late…but we’ll take it.
David O'Brien
April 28th, 2009
6:06 pm
Mac’s hitting third tonight for Myrtle Beach.
Helluva lineup, or at least the middle is. In some order, McCann, Freeman, Heyward and Cody Johnson.
ABravesFan
April 28th, 2009
6:07 pm
My bad DOB.
Nice to see Omar with the start and leading off.
Joe
April 28th, 2009
6:07 pm
I hate when people cite the batting average on the first pitch.Such as: “Player X hit .380 on the first pitch, and .250 down 0-1, so he’s a better hitter on the first pitch.” I feel it’s like saying “he hits .500 on a 3-0 count”, so he should probably swing at that pitch every time too.
Dumb logic. That first pitch batting doesn’t include times the player swings and misses, or fouls off a ball. All those show up in other count’s numbers. 90% of the time, player’s are going to “hit” better with more balls in the count than strikes, that is obvious.
geauxbraves2000
April 28th, 2009
6:08 pm
Oh boy, that’s a lineup that’ll strike fear into the opposition.
ArkyTech
April 28th, 2009
6:09 pm
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: As long at Kelly Johnson and Matt Diaz are everyday players the Braves will not be contendors. They are nice role players, but not MLB calibur every day players on offense or defense.
dogsbrekky
April 28th, 2009
6:09 pm
Anyone who has watched Lowes last 15 starts and still doesnt rate him as a number 1 is a bovine drongo EOFS
My preferred line-up
1. Schafer
2. Prado
3. Hoss
4. Froggy
5. Kotch
6. Escobar
7. Brandon Jones
8. Rossy
9. Dude who walks to the mound
Play Prado 2nd base……. he deserves a shot
dogsbrekky
April 28th, 2009
6:10 pm
You could even put Rossy at 5 and scroll the rest down 1 spot if you like
Lets go JoJo tonight
bravos2249
April 28th, 2009
6:11 pm
geauxbraves2000
And with Kelly in there it’s so much more scary?
Bobby's Cox
April 28th, 2009
6:11 pm
Metw09WSchamps,
Holliday is going no where if Toronto keeps winning…And btw, you’re pretty gutsy talking smack a week before the Braves/Mets square off.
Frank from KS
April 28th, 2009
6:12 pm
dogsbrekky
“9. Dude who walks to the mound”
Your saying your wanting Bobby to hit eighth?
Lol ;>)
ABravesFan
April 28th, 2009
6:12 pm
Hey DOB, since the season has started has Kelly taken any flyballs in left?
Curious to see how Bobby plays this if Infante continues to produce.
P-Town Brave (Pleading for Change)
April 28th, 2009
6:13 pm
DOB-
It becomes really sad when our Single-A affiliate has more (MUCH more) power in the middle of its lineup than the MLB Braves do…
Very sad indeed!
Frank from KS
April 28th, 2009
6:13 pm
Opps….I meant..ninth.
Eric from MO
April 28th, 2009
6:14 pm
When your arguement is that your team is better because they have more money, then your arguement is weak.
P-Town Brave (Pleading for Change)
April 28th, 2009
6:14 pm
ABravesFan-
I can almost guarantee you that Kelly will be back in the lineup by tomorrow or Friday, even if Infante should go 8 for his next 8.
brewdawg
April 28th, 2009
6:15 pm
Metw09WSchamps,
Did I miss something? Standings say the Mets are 9-10… just like the Braves. At the very least, shouldn’t you wait until the Mets are a game better? Hey, maybe it’ll happen tonight, but I just don’t get the smack talk when your team has the same exact record as the team you are bashing.
MFin04
April 28th, 2009
6:15 pm
I dont think Big Albert is going to be as quiet tonight….what do you think?
Jim
April 28th, 2009
6:16 pm
bats trade answer: Greg Olsen – catcher
Eric from MO
April 28th, 2009
6:17 pm
By the way Mets you are counting on two guys you dont have. The way Toronto is playing you will NOT get Halladay. While the Braves are going to have two pitchers in the 2nd half (Hanson and Hudson) who they actually have signed.
Hakuna
April 28th, 2009
6:18 pm
Do you think that the fact that the last few times Jordan’s led off an inning he’s made it on base is going to encourage Bobby soon enough?
Eric from MO
April 28th, 2009
6:18 pm
Mfin with JO JO no way.
Frank from KS
April 28th, 2009
6:18 pm
Ya know, a lot of teams that started off hot have come back to the pack a bit.
Look at the Cubs….they’re now 8-8.
CorkylikesBeer
April 28th, 2009
6:19 pm
The old jeff is back….lol
Eric from MO
April 28th, 2009
6:20 pm
Hakuna I dont know if it is a sign but Schafer has moved from the 8 spot to the 7 spot. I personally dont understand why you would put a rookie in the 8 spot. He will get see no good pitches. Hard for a rookie to suceed there.
cabravesfan
April 28th, 2009
6:20 pm
You all do realize that Omar Infante is a career .261 hitter with an OPS nearly 100 points lower then Kelly’s right? Oh, and he’s hit 35 HRs in 8 years. Total. Not trying to trash Omar (really, I like the guy) but he may not be the savior some of you are hoping for.
Van the Man
April 28th, 2009
6:21 pm
Listening to the new Dylan now too. Liking it! How about some more discussion on the great Van Morrison?
CorkylikesBeer
April 28th, 2009
6:21 pm
ca…we can pull barry bonds numbers out as well…
Tom O'Hawke
April 28th, 2009
6:21 pm
Is it just me? My page 3 of this blog, is half DOB/Carroll-gray on the left half of the posts, including the name, and white on the right. I feel as though I’m trying to hit in the sunlight, but the pitcher is in the shade. Anyone else? I haven’t seen anyone else comment on it.
bravos2249
April 28th, 2009
6:22 pm
cabravesfan
But some stats aside, right now we need a lead off guy, not a power hitter. At least not hitting 1st, if KJ was hitting lower I’d say POWER to yah. I personally think if anyone should start over KJ it should be Prado, but I think Omar needs a little more playing time.
Frank from KS
April 28th, 2009
6:23 pm
cabravesfan
As much as I enoyed your Celtics run to the championship last season, their season right now is OVAH tonight. :>)
RSM
April 28th, 2009
6:23 pm
I would not mind seeing this lineup:
1.) Schafer
2.) Johnson
3.) Escobar
4.) C. Jones
5.) B Mac
6.) Frenchy
7.) Diaz
8.) Kotchman
9.) Pitcher
I know that a lot of people including Chipper would not like to see him in the four slot. That puts speed at the top and balances the lineup.
bravos2249
April 28th, 2009
6:24 pm
Hmm. Aside from the K’s Rasmus really ain’t no better than Schafer. I mean that giving props to Jordan. They have the same amount of hits, Jordan just has more AB, and more RBI.
David O'Brien
April 28th, 2009
6:25 pm
Meant to say McCann’s hitting third for Myrtle tonight, not fourth. According to Pendleton.
Eric from MO
April 28th, 2009
6:25 pm
CABraves I agree. Omar is great sub, but he just isnt an everyday player. I think the same as Prado. The only problem with Kelly is he is batting leadoff and he isnt a leadoff hitter.
Frank from KS
April 28th, 2009
6:25 pm
Tom
Same on mine too.
David O'Brien
April 28th, 2009
6:27 pm
ABravesFan: I’ve not seen Kelly Johnson take a fly ball in the outfield in a long time. Certainly haven’t seen it this year.
Mets09WSchamps
April 28th, 2009
6:28 pm
Bobby’sCox,
I am talking about MATT Holliday from the A’s. And the Mets are not concerned about the Braves. That lineup doesn’t strike fear into anyone and probably couldn’t hit our single A team. You will get the tar beat out of you, and I predict a three game sweep in favor of the Mets. You will get outscored 30-1 in a three game set.
cabravesfan
April 28th, 2009
6:29 pm
bravos2249-
I agree that Kelly should be hitting lower in the lineup. I think Kelly would agree that Kelly should be hitting lower in the lineup. He has said he doesn’t like hitting leadoff but he does it because there is nobody else (at least until they feel comfortable putting Jordan there)…can’t fault a guy for that. And personally I don’t think Prado is a better option at 2nd.
Frank from KS-
I’m not actually a Celtics fan. I like Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce is a SoCal kid so I pull for him as well. And I hate the Lakers so it is always fun to see their hated historical rival win.
Nelson
April 28th, 2009
6:30 pm
DOB: The big problem of the Braves is Bobby and Pendelton together, Boby keep the slumpy players in the line-up and the one who produces in the bench, one time it was Andrew now is Kelly and so will be in the future, and on top of that he doesn’t like to play small ball and with this mediocre ofense team he has to do it, in other hands Teryy has proven he is not capable to fix anybody slump, call Don Baylor and offer him the job.
PWHjort
April 28th, 2009
6:30 pm
DOB, I would encourage you to read Chapter 1.2 of :Baseball Between the Numbers: Why Everything You Know About the Game Is Wrong” authored by the guys at Baseball Prospectus. The chapter is entitled “Is David Ortiz a Clutch Hitter?” and it is written by one of the best minds to ever think about baseball, Nate Silver (that dorky guy from BP that’s appeared on Baseball Tonight recently). A quote from the chapter: “Producing wins at the plate is about 70 percent a matter of overall hitting ability, 27 percent dumb luck, and perhaps 3 percent clutch skill. It’s your choice what you do with that 3 percent.” Another quote: “Regressing clutch ratings in even seasons against clutch ratings in odd seasons results in an R-squared of .10. Simply put, it suggests that 10 percent of clutch-hitting performance can be explained by skill, with the remaining 90 percent a matter of luck. That’s a much higher skill quotient than other studies have identified. But to paraphrase Bill James, the observation that clutch-hitting performance is random is more true than false.”
Eric from MO
April 28th, 2009
6:31 pm
Mets09 Matt Holiday is batting .240 with a .296 OBP and no homeruns. You can have him. He put up great numbers at Colorado but dont most hitters.
Frank from KS
April 28th, 2009
6:32 pm
WOW Mets09WSchamps
You actually give the Braves a chance of scoring 1 run with as bad as their offensive output has been at times….now that’s being quite generous.
Tom O'Hawke
April 28th, 2009
6:32 pm
Thanks, Frank.
ATL
April 28th, 2009
6:32 pm
Wow Mets09WSchamps, you actually believe the lowly braves will score a run on the mets? Which one of your aces will suffer through that disgrace?
David O'Brien
April 28th, 2009
6:32 pm
O’Hawke, not just you. That’s how it looks to me, too. Odd. I like the analogy, trying to hit in fading sunlight. Shadows are crossing our infield, man.
CorkylikesBeer
April 28th, 2009
6:33 pm
I do have to agree our lineup does not strike a fear….
ATL
April 28th, 2009
6:34 pm
beaten to the punch
TnBrian
April 28th, 2009
6:34 pm
I had Infante batting leadoff in my predicted lineup, but was off on Schafer and Diaz in is the lineup. HEY, Schafer not batting 8th…WOOO-HOOO!
keylargo
April 28th, 2009
6:35 pm
I going to keep KJ’s back covered because he has been hitting in the leadoff position for one reason – we don’t really have anyone else to do it. That kind of sums up KJ’s service to the Braves. He will do anything Bobby wants to do whether or not it is the best thing for him. I respect him for that.
With that said and BMac on the shelf our lineup is going to be makeshift no matter what the order. I had a thought, and I don’t want to be crucified for it but it is an interesting proposition. Chipper is hitting .333. He has an OBP of .400, 2 HR’s and 8 RBI’s. He’s not doing much good in the 3 slot, so while we don’t really have a leadoff hitter, what about Chipper taking one for the team and let’s see what happens. He hit .365 last year with a .470 OBP. He could be a tremendous leadoff hitter since he is not hitting for power or driving in many.
That’s not set in stone but just a thought while KJ is slumping and BMac is DLed. Anyone else have an opinion?
Frank from KS
April 28th, 2009
6:36 pm
ATL
I’m guessing Maine
Lol
CorkylikesBeer
April 28th, 2009
6:37 pm
We could trade for Andruw Jones
Bobby's Cox
April 28th, 2009
6:37 pm
cabravesfan,
i don’t like KJ’s mentality that he doesn’t like hitting leadoff. I like the other mentality, you know, when a guy thinks, “I’ll hit anywhere, as long as I’m in it.”
It’s been a Self-Fulfilling Prophecy on KJ’s part.
Tom O'Hawke
April 28th, 2009
6:38 pm
Thanks, Dave. I majored in analogies, back in the day.
braveshater
April 28th, 2009
6:38 pm
The braves dont hit for minorities just as they dont sign them. White boys dont steal bases, they cant run, they’re not athletic, and the Braves love them. What does that equal, another subpar season. Good luck braves fans, it will be a long summer.
spotts
April 28th, 2009
6:39 pm
If Lohse can just give a couple bases loaded walks, we’ll be in business.
David O'Brien
April 28th, 2009
6:39 pm
I talked to Kelly about his slump (says leadoff has NOTHING to do with it), and to TP and Chipper about importance of stolen bases (you might be surprised at response, particularly TP, who thinks they’re important) and to Schafer about possibly hitting leadoff (says he’s not consistent enough yet, etc).
I’ve got to get my notebook done first, but I’ll share some of that later. It’ll be in the notebook.
ATL
April 28th, 2009
6:39 pm
purely out of the generosity in his heart, eh Frank.
Nelson
April 28th, 2009
6:39 pm
My friends the Braves doesn’t have a lead-off hitter neither a decent clean-up, may be RSM is right Chiper sould do it even if He doesn’t like it, but like Kelly we don’t have other choice, but returning to kelly if he is not hitting then bunt be patient like he was once and get on base using all posible ways if not bench him for a while and give a chance to somebody else like Infante for example, but Bobby don’t do that because ” he is the player’s manager”, but that hurts the team if somebody is not producing should be in the bench!!!, Please !!!!
braveshater
April 28th, 2009
6:40 pm
Kelly Johnson would suck if he tenth in the lineup! He’s just an average baseball player, he will never be a difference maker. What does that mean, he will be a life-long brave.
Eric
April 28th, 2009
6:40 pm
Stealing?! Are you kidding me? I’ve been screaming at the TV for years about that. I’m not even sure if Bobby is aware that that is a facet of the game. I don’t expect it to change anytime soon.
Chop Chop
April 28th, 2009
6:40 pm
The thing that I don’t understand about Kelly as a leadoff hitter is that he has been told to “be more aggressive” at the plate. That’s not his nature, so if Bobby wants an aggressive leadoff hitter, he needs to put Yunel (or maybe Schafer) in that spot.
It might not work out, but what we have now isn’t working out.
Scott
April 28th, 2009
6:41 pm
How about this for a lineup:
CorkylikesBeer
April 28th, 2009
6:42 pm
TP…was a cardinal..of course, he believes in stolen bases..where can we read your notebook..dob
spotts
April 28th, 2009
6:42 pm
Even Corky is slugging higher than Kotchman. Let’s keep marching him out in the cleanup position, Bobby.
Scott
April 28th, 2009
6:43 pm
TP says Schafer isnt consistent enough yet, but Kelly Johnson and his .208avg is?
Mr.Neutral
April 28th, 2009
6:43 pm
Braveshater – The braves dont hit for minorities just as they dont sign them. White boys dont steal bases, they cant run, they’re not athletic, and the Braves love them. What does that equal, another subpar season. Good luck braves fans, it will be a long summer.
I understand why you would want minorities on the team. Afterall, Elijah Dukes might be your Daddy.
cabravesfan
April 28th, 2009
6:44 pm
Bobby’s Cox-
I think KJ will hit wherever the team puts him (that is what I was going for in my comment). I just remember him saying leadoff was not his favorite position but if the team felt that is where he was most helpful that is where he would gladly hit. If they want him to hit 8th, he would gladly hit 8th.
spotts
April 28th, 2009
6:44 pm
That’s a bold strategy, Scott. Let’s see if it pays off.
Scott
April 28th, 2009
6:45 pm
As soon as McCann come back, our lineup should be: Schafer Kotchman Chipper McCann Francoeur Johnson Escobar Diaz/Jones
Scott
April 28th, 2009
6:46 pm
haha spotts, i guess i hit enter and it sent in my post instead of dropping down a line.
Sandivel
April 28th, 2009
6:49 pm
Chop Chop, the only person telling KJ to be more aggressive is KJ. Bobby has said he doesn’t need KJ to hit like a leadoff hitter, just to hit, whether that’s taking pitches or not. It was KJ ( I believe it was in his in-game dugout interview in ST) who said he got better last year when being more aggressive.
CorkylikesBeer
April 28th, 2009
6:51 pm
Is there app for hitting?
Tom O'Hawke
April 28th, 2009
6:52 pm
Funny, spotts.
Don’t worry Scott. I heard it a lot of times. “A little mystery in a lineup can be a good thing”. (Or was that a “relationship”?)
Eric
April 28th, 2009
6:54 pm
Our line up (IMO) should be this:
1.Diaz
2.Escobar
3.Chipper
4.McCann (if his career isn’t over)
5.Francoeur
6.Kotchman
7.Johnson
8.Schafer
9.pitcher (until the NL decides that the AL has it right with DHs)
Stephen
April 28th, 2009
6:55 pm
Predictions for tonights game?
I’m gonna say JoJo blows up in the fourth and gives up 5 runs
Maybe the Braves get a home run from an unsuspecting spot tonight, but to no avail.
7-3 Cardinals.
Scott
April 28th, 2009
6:57 pm
Tom i think that phrase goes more for relationships than a lineup. The Bravos have had enough mystery in their lineup for the next 25 years by starting a 1B platoon in 2007 of Scott Thorman and Craig Wilson, Corky Miller as a backup catcher the last 2 years, and having Gregor Blanco, who had an OBP .140 pts higher than his batting average, hit leadoff every game (not to mention his 11 XBH in something like 500ab’s last year.)
Cameron
April 28th, 2009
6:57 pm
Mine as well start working on tomorrow’s blog…Braves try to avoid sweep…Braves try to keep from folding…Can anyone hit?
No, seriously. Lohse isn’t awesome, but neither is Reyes. Even if he pitches well, Pujols will get him.
Steve McP
April 28th, 2009
6:58 pm
Just got Direct TV – can somebody tell me which channel has the peachtree Braves coverage? I cannot find it on the listings.
CorkylikesBeer
April 28th, 2009
6:58 pm
Scott..Scott Thorman was released today…..I hope we sign him.. He was good in the clubhouse. The team liked him.
7
April 28th, 2009
6:58 pm
waiting on study of whjort’s brain…#$@&*% he’s been on a high all day
Chop Chop
April 28th, 2009
6:58 pm
Okay, Sandivel. If Kelly’s doing it to himself, get him the hell out of the lineup (or drop him lower) and put a guy in there who isn’t going to play self-destructive mind games.
bravos2249
April 28th, 2009
6:59 pm
cabravesfan
I meant I’d probably choose Prado over Infante if either was to start full time. Which they aren’t this year.
propp
April 28th, 2009
7:00 pm
I think Ross could hit cleanup better than anyone until Mac gets back
Braveheart
April 28th, 2009
7:01 pm
Why did JJ just act all excited about JoJo starting this game?
Braveheart
April 28th, 2009
7:02 pm
Followed by Chip Caray calling this game a baseball treat …. a baseball treat?!?!?!? JoJo is starting
Doc Holiday
April 28th, 2009
7:02 pm
Last 12 games 0 HR 2 RBI 6BB 6K 0 2b 1 3b after the count is 0-1 he is hitting .212
With men on…………. .160 plus the later he hits in the game……….the lower his BA.
No need to tell his name.
Chop Chop
April 28th, 2009
7:03 pm
Braveheart,
I don’t know about you, but I’d like to see JJ do the play-by-play.
Chip Caray said that last night’s game was “a joy to watch.” He also said that the game was played between “two very good teams.”
Bobby's Cox
April 28th, 2009
7:04 pm
JoJo can be reduced to JJ after taking out the o’s. So, JJ thought that he was starting.
keylargo
April 28th, 2009
7:05 pm
Steve McP
Peachtree is 651 but if you go to 720 they will give you the other channels it is on – and where to see it in HD>
1995
April 28th, 2009
7:05 pm
1. Remember last year how stubborn Bobby was with the lineup? He is at it again.
Johnson is NOT a leadoff hitter!!!
2. Watching Adam Dunn hit towering homers on ESPN makes me sick.
Why did we not go after him?
3. How long will Terry be our batting coach?
4. Do we consider a 500 April a success? I don’t.
Stephen
April 28th, 2009
7:05 pm
I seriously feel bad for JoJo, even if he pitches a no hitter he’ll still lose.
18 Wheels of Love
April 28th, 2009
7:05 pm
Umm, when did Glavine get such a beer gut? I guess it has been a while since he played. His belt buckle was at 45 degrees on the clips they just showed.
TnBrian
April 28th, 2009
7:06 pm
Eric, “if his career isn’t over”? My God, and I thought I could be negative! Dude, get off of here with that BS! Nobody wants to here it.
Charles H
April 28th, 2009
7:06 pm
As I’ve been saying here for 3 years, Cox is not the man for this type of squad. He won’t play small ball. Hasn’t in years. Won’t start now.
This team will continue to struggle until they start playing scrappy and manufacturing runs, as long as payroll sits as it is and they can’t sign top shelf bats.
It isn’t going to happen, I don’t think. We had this problem last year.
The Braves offense has been struggling mightily for years, and it stops at the top of the order. No leadoff man, no spark, no runs.
If you remove the 10 run outbursts from last year (in games we only needed 3 to win), this offense was SCARY bad.
No running, no fundamentals,no workig the count, mistakes on the bases, etc.
Anyone who thinks the same cast that couldn’t play small ball last year would suddenly start this year is kidding themselves. Same squad.
There will be flurries of offense when brief power surges make Bobby’s “Earl Weaver” approach pay dividends, but most of the year it looks like we are in for more of the same.
Ugaman
April 28th, 2009
7:06 pm
DOB.. I’m jsut wondering if you’ve ever heard Bobby say that he’s not fond of stealing bases. I know that some managers don’t care for it too much, thinking they will be taking the bat out of the hands of their better hitters. Have you ever heard Bobby talk about his philosophy on it? I know when we got Grissom, his stolen base attempts went down from when he was in Montreal. I’m not sure about Nixon or Lofton. Furcal stole a lot when he first came up, but seemed to back off after his first season. What are your thoughts on this?
Also, do you get the sense from being around the team that they are tuning Bobby out? It seems like they are playing with so little fire nowadays. I know Bobby says he still loves being there and I’m certainly not going to question his ability after all he has proven, but I just wonder if some of the team gets tired of his patience with teammates who are struggling. It sure did seem like Chipper was alluding to that with his comments.
CorkylikesBeer
April 28th, 2009
7:07 pm
Braves win 7-4 tonight!
1995
April 28th, 2009
7:08 pm
Hey Chop Chop – Chip gets paid well to say that crap. He is not a straight shooter like his dad was.
He also works for like 10 different stations calling games so he is not a true Braves announcer in my book.
propp
April 28th, 2009
7:08 pm
i feel sick to my stomach every time Dunn homers too. Here’s how we win today. Let JoJo throw five innings and pull him. Have five consecutive batters lean into a pitch. hope the bullpen keeps the lead
TnBrian
April 28th, 2009
7:09 pm
I heard Chip on the radio earlier and he must have said with passion how “THE INCREDIBLE” Ryan at SS and how Pujols owns the Braves. He couldn’t even give the ST.Louis lineup without throwing “THE INCREDIBLE” Ryan at SS. Man, he makes my blood boil!
Ugaman
April 28th, 2009
7:10 pm
For everyone screaming for Dunn, give me a break. Sure he may hit 40 home runs, but he will give up much more than that with his putrid defense. You can’t hide him on the field. He is nothing more than a DH. why do you think no other team in the majors would sign him?
Stephen
April 28th, 2009
7:10 pm
Bold Prediction Corky,
Cards 7-3
DOB's dog
April 28th, 2009
7:11 pm
i just ate dave’s notebook arf
Ugaman
April 28th, 2009
7:11 pm
Ibanez would have been a much better signing. But, we didn’t, so we might as well get behind who we have and pull for them like real fans do:)
Mixxo
April 28th, 2009
7:11 pm
I hope you’re right CorkylikesBeer. But remember, we’re up against a fundamentally superior team in the Cards.
I still hope you’re right.
MariettaDerek
April 28th, 2009
7:11 pm
Time to get a little double pits to chesty with it, boys!
Phil Jonez
April 28th, 2009
7:12 pm
DOB – I’m one who skims over most of your music recommendations, but have been looking for some new tunes and thought, I shouldn’t ignore until I try. Manchester Orchestra is excellent (listening to the CD now) – with about 5 above average songs (when you usually can only find one or two decent songs on a cd).
I’m no longer one of those that will grumble when you post music recommendations – in fact, keep them coming (otherwise I’m going to have to go into your archives and see what I can find!!).
THANKS!!!!!!!
propp
April 28th, 2009
7:12 pm
Ugaman
April 28th, 2009
7:10 pm
For everyone screaming for Dunn, give me a break. Sure he may hit 40 home runs,
uhh….that is more than the entire outfield hit last year, and possibly this year. ill take the occasional error in left
CorkylikesBeer
April 28th, 2009
7:12 pm
Stephen…mark my words…Reyes will pitch well tonight…
Braveheart
April 28th, 2009
7:12 pm
Everlast wants to know why JoJo stole his beard
CorkylikesBeer
April 28th, 2009
7:12 pm
Pujols is struggling badly
7
April 28th, 2009
7:13 pm
!995, Put TV on mute and turn on radio- Don calls it straight, The BEST.
Steve from OH
April 28th, 2009
7:13 pm
Coach, not flipping out, just working on some research. Frustrated? Yes. But I’ve got better things to do than continue to argue with someone who thinks sample size is an “opinion.” Yikes.
Stephen
April 28th, 2009
7:13 pm
Real fans don’t accept mediocrity, Ugaman. I thought we got that through your skull last night.
Go Away.
Macon Braves (RIP)
April 28th, 2009
7:13 pm
mr. baseball–If I’m not mistaken, Escobar led the MLB in double plays hit into last year, so that kind of throws out your whole “Kotchman will hit into too many DP’s” argument
DOB's dog
April 28th, 2009
7:14 pm
i like beer arf
Treehouse
April 28th, 2009
7:14 pm
this will be a BB to pulous. then 1st and 2nd with 1 out. Then a single. Then it’s ballgame.
Stephen
April 28th, 2009
7:14 pm
I hope so Corky, but with this putrid offense he’ll likely get Jair’d.
Scott
April 28th, 2009
7:14 pm
Is it just me or are all the cardinal hitters standing on top of the plate? I promise if JoJo would throw a 90mph fastball over their head they would back off.
Chop Chop
April 28th, 2009
7:15 pm
Ibanez was rated as one of the worst defensive outfielders in baseball, Ugaman. The same was true of Bobby Abreu. Nevertheless, if your defense in other spots is solid, you can afford to have a crappy defender who can rain bombs on the heads of fans in the outfield. After all, it’s not like porous defense at one position is impossible to overcome if really good D is played at other positions.
CorkylikesBeer
April 28th, 2009
7:15 pm
we need a 6-4-3
Chop Chop
April 28th, 2009
7:16 pm
Enjoy the game, folks.
Edward
April 28th, 2009
7:16 pm
Women an chlidren firts….this is going to be a massacre…
CorkylikesBeer
April 28th, 2009
7:18 pm
We are going to have positive mental attitude tonight
Stephen
April 28th, 2009
7:18 pm
Oh man, the dude with the huge biceps is on espn.
Treehouse
April 28th, 2009
7:18 pm
DANG IT HOSS!
CorkylikesBeer
April 28th, 2009
7:18 pm
I hope chipper didn’t hurt his precious body
KC
April 28th, 2009
7:18 pm
Macon Braves (RIP), yup. Escobar hits into a lot of them. That’s why, in this lineup (with not real leadoff hitter), I’m very much in favor of hitting Escobar leadoff. We should flip Escobar and KJ in the lineup, IMO.
Jeff321
April 28th, 2009
7:18 pm
Once again Chipper Jones can’t come up with it. Now, if he hadn’t deflected it — I see Escobar making that play.
Baseknock
April 28th, 2009
7:19 pm
ball game.
Macon Braves (RIP)
April 28th, 2009
7:20 pm
KC— I could go with Escobar leading off. Still think Kelly should be farther down the order though, 6 or 7. He seems to thrive down in the order and I think Kotchman fits into the 2 hole perfectly.
TnBrian
April 28th, 2009
7:20 pm
I just punched a hole in the wall after they scored…ALREADY! I’m serious, my hand is covered with blood
Braveheart
April 28th, 2009
7:20 pm
For everyone screaming for Dunn, give me a break. Sure he may hit 40 home runs, but he will give up much more than that with his putrid defense. ……. Ibanez would have been a much better signing.(ugaman)
So you dismiss Dunn who hits 40 homers and walks 100 times but want Ibanez, who does neither and who’s pretty awful defensively as well?
Baseknock
April 28th, 2009
7:21 pm
robbed. bet it bites us.
Steve from OH
April 28th, 2009
7:21 pm
Tough break for JoJo there…Esco probably would’ve kept it on the infield. Good work to limit the damage on Duncan by JoJo.
KC
April 28th, 2009
7:22 pm
Damnit!!!! JoJo gives two runners a free pass, and one of them has already come into score. I’m so sick of watching walks (and beanballs) kill us.
Mixxo
April 28th, 2009
7:22 pm
TnB – I feel ya.
We’re snakebit!
Baseknock
April 28th, 2009
7:22 pm
27 pitches for JoJo in the first. Strikes out the side though. So good for him.
CorkylikesBeer
April 28th, 2009
7:22 pm
We concluded last night…that we would ignore ugaman comments..braveheart
chipper couldnt get the ball fire him
April 28th, 2009
7:22 pm
<— thats what some people on this blog would say!
Braveheart
April 28th, 2009
7:22 pm
Yeah, Chop Chop, I’d like to see JJ do some play by play
Edward
April 28th, 2009
7:22 pm
27 pitch first inning ….Lohse will come out and get us with 6 pitches.
bravesfan1124
April 28th, 2009
7:23 pm
jo jo looks pretty good
maybe with a good team behind him that could score some runs, he would be a winning pitcher
TnBrian
April 28th, 2009
7:23 pm
Jo-Jo looks very good, people! No complaints at all from me in that 1st. Hopefully he doesn’t get JJ’d and get no run support. Here we go…OWWWW, my hand!
lagnamor
April 28th, 2009
7:23 pm
Looks like a sell out tonight. Just like 1980’s. Everyone loves a winner.
TNScott
April 28th, 2009
7:23 pm
27 pitches and a run in the first. This seems all too familiar.
Stephen
April 28th, 2009
7:23 pm
27′ biceps, woooooowowowow
Baseknock
April 28th, 2009
7:25 pm
Lead off single, Omar.
DOB's dog
April 28th, 2009
7:25 pm
the braves give my fleas a headache woof
DOB's dog
April 28th, 2009
7:25 pm
the braves give my fleas a headache woof
TNScott
April 28th, 2009
7:25 pm
Good at bat, Omar.
CorkylikesBeer
April 28th, 2009
7:26 pm
stephen..i am watching Greg as well..
Mets09WSchamps
April 28th, 2009
7:26 pm
There’s your ballgame people. The putrid Braves offense won’t be able to crawl out of this one. Is it me, or is Chipper slowing down a little on the defense? MUAHAHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHA
Tomas
April 28th, 2009
7:26 pm
Jo-jo is looking good today, just had some bad luck on that inning. By the way Joe Simpson is calling Jo-jo Reyes 92mph a changeup.
McFann Ô
April 28th, 2009
7:27 pm
Sorry I’m late–we had to go to Cost co. McCann is 0-1.
Do they have Gamedays for minor league ball?
Stephen
April 28th, 2009
7:27 pm
Lol, Corky, it’s crazy huh?
Mixxo
April 28th, 2009
7:28 pm
Hoss is goin’ deep………….watch!
CorkylikesBeer
April 28th, 2009
7:29 pm
Gregg has lost it…He can’t even type…
Baseknock
April 28th, 2009
7:29 pm
Hoss BB.
DOB's dog
April 28th, 2009
7:30 pm
i sniff kotchman arf
CorkylikesBeer
April 28th, 2009
7:31 pm
Stephen..did you see how they said he is in pretty good health…he has killed too many brain cells though
Tom O'Hawke
April 28th, 2009
7:31 pm
McFann … at the next kangaroo court, expect a fine.
Stephen
April 28th, 2009
7:31 pm
The slowest man in baseball does it again.
1995
April 28th, 2009
7:31 pm
UGAman – So an error here and there by Dunn in left isnt worth 40 home runs? Hmmmmm. That Diaz isnt actually a gold glove winner out there is he?
MariettaDerek
April 28th, 2009
7:31 pm
Kotchman hits into the Double play. Definitely NOT double pits to chesty!
1995
April 28th, 2009
7:32 pm
I think a turtle could outrun Kotchman!!!!!!1
propp
April 28th, 2009
7:32 pm
what do you guys think about Ross hitting cleanup til Mac gets back? bunch of Reds fans for friends so i had to watch him from time to time. He has good power
Stephen
April 28th, 2009
7:32 pm
Lol, yeah, I did, Corky. Some of the braves need to do some roids.
KC
April 28th, 2009
7:32 pm
More of the same sh!t. Give up a run in the first on a free pass to get behind early… and ground into a double-play in the bottom half of the inning.
propp
April 28th, 2009
7:32 pm
you know if the braves only got runs by hitting into double plays…the offense would be better
Stephen
April 28th, 2009
7:33 pm
It’s a good idea, Propp, In my Braves line up he was hitting Clean up.
CorkylikesBeer
April 28th, 2009
7:34 pm
Stephen..I can name a few….Brett Boone..Marcus Giles…Andruw Jones..Javy Lopez..Ken Canimiti (SP?)..John Rocker
Bronson Arroyo and Jered Weaver
April 28th, 2009
7:34 pm
Damn that guy has ugly hair.
TnBrian
April 28th, 2009
7:35 pm
When, or has it already, really start getting in these players heads when time after after time they can’t get ‘em on, get ‘em over, and get ‘em in?
TNScott
April 28th, 2009
7:35 pm
It sure would be nice not to be so predictable every once in awhile and hit and run with runners on base and a contact hitter at the plate and a 2-1count. I mean we’re not hitting and why not open up the infield.
glorydays
April 28th, 2009
7:36 pm
The Braves are an average team at best, and I love the Braves; but, they are average. In fact with proper coordination, I would pay all takers $1 for every game over .500 if I could have the same for each game below in the final standings. That are totally unremarkable, little speed, little power, they are not an especially smart team (like the Cardinals), the SP is average, the bullpen is average at best, and the fielding is average at best because of the lack of speed. In short, the Braves do not have the talent to be much above .500 at the end of the year. This will be proven to be a fact in about five months.
CorkylikesBeer
April 28th, 2009
7:36 pm
I can pull names out of a hat and that could be our lineup
Stephen
April 28th, 2009
7:36 pm
Speaking of Ken Caminiti, I have a baseball that he signed for me when I was like five years old. “Best wishes, Stephen, – Ken”
Kinda sad when I heard he died :/
BaseKnock
April 28th, 2009
7:36 pm
JoJo with 5 strike outs now.
Ian Curtis
April 28th, 2009
7:36 pm
5 K’s already. Just strike them all out.
TnBrian
April 28th, 2009
7:37 pm
5 K’s for Jo-Jo so far! Lookin like Freddie Garcia’s brother and all…
BaseKnock
April 28th, 2009
7:37 pm
base hit pitcher. good work.
Tom O'Hawke
April 28th, 2009
7:37 pm
propp … I’m not too crazy about his lifetime batting average, but he has good pop, propp(just wanted to put those two words together). If I was making out the lineup, he bats fourth.
CorkylikesBeer
April 28th, 2009
7:37 pm
I told you that JoJo Reyes would pitch well.
jeff
April 28th, 2009
7:38 pm
none of the braves hitters have any patience whatsoever.. no one wants to learn from chipper.. leadoff single chipper walks and we hit into a DP with the count 3-1.. and kotchman swung totally at ball 4. and same thing last night.. escobar no patience whatsoever in the 8th inning ..and we give a free run again.. moylan walks the pitcher pinero and he scores the winning run.. and we hit rasmus and walk pujols and then molina hits him in.. yet the braves cant do jack when they have those opportunities..
David Athens, Al
April 28th, 2009
7:38 pm
5 K’s for JOJO … then gives a hit to pitcher
TNScott
April 28th, 2009
7:40 pm
Nice job, Jo Jo.
Ian Curtis
April 28th, 2009
7:40 pm
Reyes has good command of his change-up today. I love the off balance swings.
DOB's dog
April 28th, 2009
7:40 pm
i like nascar arf arf
Frankie Knuckles
April 28th, 2009
7:41 pm
JO JO is at just under 50 pitches. Whew
propp
April 28th, 2009
7:41 pm
KJ has patience at the plate…maybe a little too much
propp
April 28th, 2009
7:41 pm
JoJo is in line for five good innings. just needs to be pulled after that
TnBrian
April 28th, 2009
7:42 pm
Big JJ looks and talks like an over weight Urkel. They should hire me for that job.
SOS
April 28th, 2009
7:42 pm
Kotchman SUX. Last night in the eighth inning and tonight in the first when Chipper walked it was if he made an out because you just knew Kotchman would not be able to come through. Kotchman in the cleanup spot is another Cox genius move.
CorkylikesBeer
April 28th, 2009
7:43 pm
Krotchman is one of DOB favs…
BaseKnock
April 28th, 2009
7:43 pm
Say what you will about Chip, but I like when he tells stories about his grandfather.
Stephen
April 28th, 2009
7:44 pm
SOS, Kotch had three hits last night, give the guy a break.
Mixxo
April 28th, 2009
7:44 pm
What was wrong with that Matty????
McFann Ô
April 28th, 2009
7:44 pm
Tom O’Hawke–
Yes, sir.
(That’s the only smiley that I’ve found that sorta takes the place of the “wide-eyed innocent smiley face.)
Wish I could get a better score thingy for this MB game, though.
CorkylikesBeer
April 28th, 2009
7:45 pm
Diaz..strikesout again…I don’t know if he will hit .300 for the Braves again..
BaseKnock
April 28th, 2009
7:46 pm
Nice eye, kid! Shafer walk.
BaseKnock
April 28th, 2009
7:47 pm
Ross single. 1st and 2nd. JoJo ab.
Jeff321
April 28th, 2009
7:47 pm
Ross puts some serious wood on the ball.
Stephen
April 28th, 2009
7:47 pm
David Ross can hit.
Mixxo
April 28th, 2009
7:47 pm
I like Ross’ bat.
David thens, Al
April 28th, 2009
7:47 pm
what a good addition Ross has been
MFin04
April 28th, 2009
7:47 pm
Worthless getting our 7th and 8th guys up. Of course they shouldnt be batting in the 7th or 8th spots…but Bobby is an idiot. Ross for Clean Up!!!!!
CorkylikesBeer
April 28th, 2009
7:47 pm
Jo Jo can hit
CCjacket
April 28th, 2009
7:48 pm
Man it’s not just the Braves; MLB-TV has shown several highlights from the Astros @ Reds and that place looks EMPTY.
To quote Carvill from the Clinton campaign” “It’s the economy, stupid”.
Stephen
April 28th, 2009
7:48 pm
Shoulda leaned into it, get Infante up.
Run Heap Run
April 28th, 2009
7:48 pm
Shoulda let it hit him.
BaseKnock
April 28th, 2009
7:48 pm
No he can’t.
propp
April 28th, 2009
7:49 pm
Jo Jo can hit. not as well as others hit off him in the 6th, but…
Steve from OH
April 28th, 2009
7:49 pm
Doesn’t it seems like a lot of our 2 out/RISP situations are with the pitcher at bat?
MFin04
April 28th, 2009
7:49 pm
Was it too early to pinch hit for the pitcher? With this offense…I’m not sure???
propp
April 28th, 2009
7:50 pm
so the braves either get two on and two out with the pitchers spot up, or one on and one out and hit into a double play. thats the story of the past few games
TNScott
April 28th, 2009
7:51 pm
It’s second time around for the Cards. Hope they didn’t learn anything from the first time around.
Stephen
April 28th, 2009
7:51 pm
Wow, not much of an upgrade.
MFin04
April 28th, 2009
7:51 pm
Kotchman can pick it at first though…thats for darn sure.
propp
April 28th, 2009
7:51 pm
read my mind, Steve. must be an ohio thing
Dan DC
April 28th, 2009
7:52 pm
Why don’t you send Schafer in that situation???? Two outs, your fastest guy on base, and the 8th hitter is the last opportunity to get him in with the pitcher up next? AHHHH! BOBBY COX
MFin04
April 28th, 2009
7:52 pm
Pujols up…I’d walk him.
BaseKnock
April 28th, 2009
7:52 pm
Dan, because Molina throws you out.
propp
April 28th, 2009
7:53 pm
i don’t think Kotchman is a bad hitter, I just think Ross is better suited for the cleanup spot than Kotchman is
CHICKSdigBOBBYball
April 28th, 2009
7:53 pm
o this is exciting!!!
Run Heap Run
April 28th, 2009
7:54 pm
Corky Miller mention!
CorkylikesBeer
April 28th, 2009
7:54 pm
Corky is still a young man..who is still in the mlb
mbatl
April 28th, 2009
7:54 pm
I may have missed it (haven’t been diligent in my daily blog reading), but did we ever hear what’s up with Heyward? Out of the lineup again tonight.
BaseKnock
April 28th, 2009
7:54 pm
JoJo looking good. 1-2-3 3rd! Let’s get him some runs.
Run Heap Run
April 28th, 2009
7:54 pm
Nice quick inning! I take back most everything I’ve ever said about Jo Jo.
MFin04
April 28th, 2009
7:54 pm
Pujols looks at his AB’s on video after each at bat…I can’t believe that is legal….? Anyone else hear that?
Epinephrine
April 28th, 2009
7:55 pm
I second the request for someone to find out what is wrong with Heyward. He clearly has some kind of injury.
CHICKSdigBOBBYball
April 28th, 2009
7:55 pm
can we get a hitter on EBAY?
TNScott
April 28th, 2009
7:55 pm
Three up and three down with Pujols and Ludwick as the last two outs. Impressive work, Jo Jo.
Stephen
April 28th, 2009
7:56 pm
Wow, I went to take a dump after Jojo struck out and the Braves are up again.
Maybe a good sign.
propp
April 28th, 2009
7:56 pm
2 more innings of golden JoJo, then gotta pull him
zephyr 8
April 28th, 2009
7:57 pm
Good inning for jojo. He needed those 3 quick outs and he got em from the heart of the lineup, too.
LT-A blogger
April 28th, 2009
7:57 pm
Maybe Braves can hire Leonard Nimoy (In Search Of….Offense) to assist in broadcast booth.
CorkylikesBeer
April 28th, 2009
7:57 pm
I would figure that the IPHONE has an application for hitting and KJ could use it
CHICKSdigBOBBYball
April 28th, 2009
7:57 pm
“JoJo looking good”
o yeah jo jo looks way good chicks dig good looking jo jo
kind of reminds me of hunter thompson’s obese lawyer in fear and loathing
McFann Ô
April 28th, 2009
7:57 pm
What’s going on, anyway? This MB game isn’t even refreshing! I refresh the page, but it’s the same way it’s been ever since we got home…they in a rain delay?
PWHjort
April 28th, 2009
7:58 pm
I think we got Garret Anderson on EBAY. The problem with EBAY hitters is they’re used and washed up.
BaseKnock
April 28th, 2009
7:58 pm
OMG Omar strikes out! Put in KJ!
Stephen
April 28th, 2009
7:58 pm
Watch the glove, WATCH THE GLOVE!
CHICKSdigBOBBYball
April 28th, 2009
7:59 pm
escobar has plantain breath
MFin04
April 28th, 2009
7:59 pm
Wow Infante gets screwed on that call.
TNScott
April 28th, 2009
7:59 pm
Nice hit, Esco!!!
nolie
April 28th, 2009
7:59 pm
Just because a team is classified 6A doesn’t mean they are good it simply means they have a large population base to draw from. (ROCK ON)
Good point. that is the main reason that HS stats are viewed with such suspicion and scouts concentrate on tools. Radar gun and stop watch and mechanics and body structure are the important elements at that point.
Over the last decade or so some summer leagues like East Cobb have developed where the competition is a little more elevated and even and that does favor a bit more attention being paid to the stats amassed within those assns, but it’s still scouts territory by far.
Stats in college can be a bit more reliable, but for the most part scout evaluations are still more important to most teams.
As a player works his way up the pro food chain stats start to play a larger part as the competition becomes more and more …well..competitive.
Many feel that the jump to AA ball is the biggest jump in the minors and those stats begin to be important.
Dan DC
April 28th, 2009
8:00 pm
Baseknock – Molina did win the gold glove last year, and he threw out 35% of baserunners. I still take that chance and send him. We need to start manufacturing runs.
CHICKSdigBOBBYball
April 28th, 2009
8:00 pm
chipper’s hair smell like watermelon
propp
April 28th, 2009
8:00 pm
1 on 1 out. here comes the DP
Stephen
April 28th, 2009
8:00 pm
Today, my teacher called me into his office so he that he could pass me some information for my project. Just as he plugged in my thumbdrive, he opened the folder named “School Work”. That was the folder name I used to disguise my porn. FML
SOS
April 28th, 2009
8:01 pm
Here we go again. If Chipper walks, Kotchman will hit into DP.
mbatl
April 28th, 2009
8:01 pm
Epinephrine, I checked his game logs… Heyward missed a couple of games last week, but then came back and played 3 straight, though his hitting was unusually bad (1 for 12 w/4 K’s). Then missed last night and tonight. Obviously, he’s alive and kicking, but sounds like something’s not right.
Stephen
April 28th, 2009
8:01 pm
CAN WE GET A DP?
Run Heap Run
April 28th, 2009
8:02 pm
SOS
April 28th, 2009
8:02 pm
Pinch hit Bobby. Kotchman sux.
BT
April 28th, 2009
8:02 pm
DOB says: ABravesFan: I’ve not seen Kelly Johnson take a fly ball in the outfield in a long time. Certainly haven’t seen it this year.
I reluctantly have to say I haven’t seen KJ field a ground ball in a long time.
As I write Cards pitch around Chipper once again. DP Kotchman up once again with runners on base.
CorkylikesBeer
April 28th, 2009
8:02 pm
how about a 6 4 3
Stephen
April 28th, 2009
8:02 pm
You F’ing suck Escobar.
CorkylikesBeer
April 28th, 2009
8:02 pm
close enough…..
Mixxo
April 28th, 2009
8:03 pm
We can’t run the bases!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
MFin04
April 28th, 2009
8:03 pm
Esco should be on the bench…no way…Bobby keeps him in. NO #$@$#@ WAY!!!!
MariettaDerek
April 28th, 2009
8:03 pm
YUNEL! That gets you sat down! That was just plain dumb!
spotts
April 28th, 2009
8:03 pm
Bobby hardly ever goes for a SB, and he decides to send Escobar? He might as well put someone without a HR in the cleanup spot.
oh wait…
Run Heap Run
April 28th, 2009
8:03 pm
Stephen, I’m 12 going on 40 but I love FML. Do you read the textsfromlastnight site? There were some hilarious ones up today.
propp
April 28th, 2009
8:03 pm
he’s a lefty, ill go with 4 6 3
Latenight Bailbond Guy
April 28th, 2009
8:03 pm
Escobar needs some serious baserunning tutelage.
BOO
April 28th, 2009
8:03 pm
Forget Johnson, BENCH ESCOBAR!
David O'Brien
April 28th, 2009
8:03 pm
How many baserunner blunders can you make in one month?
mbatl
April 28th, 2009
8:03 pm
How many times can Esco get thrown out on the bases? Unbelievable. I can forgive a guy who’s not hitting, but that’s just complete lack of concentration (or smarts).
Ian Curtis
April 28th, 2009
8:03 pm
This team, this team…
SOS
April 28th, 2009
8:03 pm
What did I tell you? Of course it took Escobar’s stupid running to do it. We lead the league in ways to not score. JeeZ.
BaseKnock
April 28th, 2009
8:03 pm
Omar to SS. Prado comes in at 2nd and bats 2nd. Bobby can’t put up with that.
P-Town Brave (Pleading for Change)
April 28th, 2009
8:04 pm
As Adam Sandler would say:
“They’re all gonna laugh at you(Braves)”
bravos2249
April 28th, 2009
8:04 pm
ok we can all scream and fuss about Escobar but if you think they are turning a double play why would you stop at 3rd?
Jeff321
April 28th, 2009
8:04 pm
Escobar (one of my favorites) needs to ride the pine after that blunder.
MFin04
April 28th, 2009
8:04 pm
Can David Ross please hit clean up dang it!!!!!!!! Surely Esco is going to get benched…surely he will right?!?
propp
April 28th, 2009
8:04 pm
unconventional double play, but a double play none the less
TNScott
April 28th, 2009
8:04 pm
How many more baserunning mistakes can one player make in a week?!!! Ridiculous
Tommy
April 28th, 2009
8:04 pm
I am so Fu$%ing tired of watching Escobar run us out of innings and opportunities!
Run Heap Run
April 28th, 2009
8:04 pm
I wouldn’t be surprised if Chipper just beats the crap out of Yunel one of these days.
KC
April 28th, 2009
8:04 pm
If Escobar does this again, it’ll be time to send him to Gwinnett for a few weeks for a base-running clinic. That ought to send a message.
MFin04
April 28th, 2009
8:05 pm
Lol I agree with the whole…we have found the most ways to make ridiculous outs….is that a measured MLB stat? It should be.
Treehouse
April 28th, 2009
8:05 pm
Bobby can’t not bench yunel now.
Interested Observer
April 28th, 2009
8:05 pm
Another baserunning error!! It’s too bad we can’t have a coach standing at third base to help Esco out on that one.
spotts
April 28th, 2009
8:05 pm
“Bobby can’t put up with that.” BaseKnock
Have you SEEN Bobby?
BT
April 28th, 2009
8:05 pm
You have to admit that was a unique dp for Kotchman this time. Escobar hasn’t seen Snitker yet.
It was a stupid mistake but it was a hustling mistake.
MEB
April 28th, 2009
8:05 pm
I think that was an Andruw moment. Wow!!! Park his arse on the bench!
GO BRAVES!!!
mbatl
April 28th, 2009
8:05 pm
“ok we can all scream and fuss about Escobar but if you think they are turning a double play why would you stop at 3rd?”
Maybe because the 3rd base coach has a big ol’ STOP sign up?
BaseKnock
April 28th, 2009
8:05 pm
Unreal. Bobby rewards Yunel by letting him back in the field. That’s ridiculous.
Run Heap Run
April 28th, 2009
8:05 pm
ok we can all scream and fuss about Escobar but if you think they are turning a double play why would you stop at 3rd?
Well my first clue would be because the 3rd base coach said to.
P-Town Brave (Pleading for Change)
April 28th, 2009
8:06 pm
DOB-
When the old man is running the show you can make all the errors physical and mental that you wish…
H*ll, does it even matter? He’s asleep in the dugout!
Not Really A Rant
April 28th, 2009
8:06 pm
So when does Yunel stop looking like an idiot and in turn make Bobby look like a guy who can’t control his players?
Tomas
April 28th, 2009
8:06 pm
Maldito Escobar………………Another baserunning mistake this is getting ridiculous.
Stephen
April 28th, 2009
8:06 pm
Haha, Run heap, I love FML too. I just discovered it a couple days ago though, and I can’t get enough.
SOS
April 28th, 2009
8:06 pm
Let’s see who is the dumbest?
1. Escobar
2. Johnson
3. Bobby Cox
Bobby Cox for not benching the first two.
Stephen
April 28th, 2009
8:06 pm
And yeah, I’ve read like the first twenty pages or so.
MFin04
April 28th, 2009
8:06 pm
I cant believe that he is still in the game…he had no chance of scoring on that play. There would have to be a massive overthrow in order for him to score. No reason to round half way to third. Should have been a DP anyways…but seriously!
CHICKSdigBOBBYball
April 28th, 2009
8:06 pm
bobby needs to purge his squad
bravos2249
April 28th, 2009
8:07 pm
Snitker did hold him up but I honestly don’t see how any other brave player would have stopped at 3rd…it’s a mistake but either way it’s not like Casey would have been safe.
CorkylikesBeer
April 28th, 2009
8:07 pm
I am on it..tonight…I called both double plays…and that JoJo was going to pitch well…Braves win tonight as well
Jake W.
April 28th, 2009
8:07 pm
I don’t know DOB but Yunel’s got to be going for the record, huh. Someone should tell Escobar for now to just be station to station or rather use some baseball sense.
Steve from OH
April 28th, 2009
8:07 pm
The kangaroo court needs to come up with an innovative punishment for baserunning errors…
Impel Yunel
April 28th, 2009
8:07 pm
this is getting too frustrating to watch
MariettaDerek
April 28th, 2009
8:08 pm
Now that play by Omar was double pits to chesty!
Jake W.
April 28th, 2009
8:08 pm
Nice play Infante. Good inning Jojo.
Stephen
April 28th, 2009
8:08 pm
PLZ PUT KELLY IN, HE DIDN’T MAKE THAT PLAY SMOOTH ENOUGH.
PWHjort
April 28th, 2009
8:08 pm
Your new leader in stupidity points: Yunel Escobar with 7. Reminder: the formula for stupidity points is Defensive Errors + Baserunning Errors + Times picked off + times caught stealing + GIDP.
MFin04
April 28th, 2009
8:08 pm
KJ isnt dumb…he just can’t hit…it should be Bobby number 1 and Esco 2. WHAT A PLAY BY INFANTE!!!!!!!
CorkylikesBeer
April 28th, 2009
8:08 pm
Infante doesn’t play more because……………………………………
spotts
April 28th, 2009
8:08 pm
Why even change sides? It’ll just save time to concede 3 outs.
Interested Observer
April 28th, 2009
8:08 pm
ok, Snitker had the stop sign up. I’ll give him that, but it would help if was more forceful about it.
zephyr 8
April 28th, 2009
8:08 pm
Another quick inning for Jojo.
SOS
April 28th, 2009
8:09 pm
If we just get rid of the old fart the new coach ( a mop would be better ) would not allow these stupid blunders.
Run Heap Run
April 28th, 2009
8:09 pm
Stephen, if you happen to have an iphone you probably know theres a FML app. I read it instead of magazines when I’m waiting for appointments now.
Stephen
April 28th, 2009
8:09 pm
I woke up today and realized that I am a Braves fan. FML
McFann Ô
April 28th, 2009
8:09 pm
Ah! Here’s the problem! Lynchburg just scored 4 runs (they’re winning 7-zip). I’m guessing it updates after every half-inning.
Hey, that was dumb, Escobar!
TNScott
April 28th, 2009
8:09 pm
Nice play, Omar!!! Great pitching, Jo Jo!!! Now can we please get a crooked number on the board in this inning!!!
mbatl
April 28th, 2009
8:10 pm
“ok, Snitker had the stop sign up. I’ll give him that, but it would help if was more forceful about it.”
Didn’t matter how “forceful” Snitker was with it, because Escobar never looked at him. Just bad baseball. Awful.
Run Heap Run
April 28th, 2009
8:10 pm
Is anybody ever going to tell me what Hudson did to DOB?
Rob from SC
April 28th, 2009
8:11 pm
we are the dumbest team in baseball
nolie
April 28th, 2009
8:11 pm
KJ, as OH Steve pointed out, can hit in the leadoff spot. However, when and how often is another issue. It’s all feast or famine, all the time with KJ. He knows it, the Braves know it. We know it. (BOBBYSCOX)
I agree with you. He can hiot there as well as anywhere but he is too streaky to play there all the time. It’s frustrating no doubt. I do kinda wish they had traded him for Ludwick if indeed that was really a doable trade.
Stephen
April 28th, 2009
8:11 pm
I have a G1, Run heap, don’t know if there’s an app for android.
Run Heap Run
April 28th, 2009
8:12 pm
I’m a braves fan, but I also like wine and xanax so I’m good.
spotts
April 28th, 2009
8:12 pm
“ok, Snitker had the stop sign up. I’ll give him that, but it would help if was more forceful about it.”
What’s he supposed to do? Throw up a neon stop sign? There’s no reason to blame anyone except Escobar.
Treehouse
April 28th, 2009
8:12 pm
I’ll say it once again….when Diaz wiffs, he wiffs ugly.
Not Really A Rant
April 28th, 2009
8:12 pm
Yunel has talent, no doubt. Hustling doesn’t make up for making stupid mistakes. One of my knocks on Bobby has always been that if a guy hustled like a wild man, didn’t matter if he had a 50 cent head, Bobby would play him.
Escobar is showing he has a 25 cent head.
I seldom agree with anything Chip says, but he hit the nail on the head when he said you couldn’t hope to beat the Cardinals making fundamental mistakes like that.
In fact, I said the same thing last night after watching Escobar get picked off at first.
Stephen
April 28th, 2009
8:12 pm
Lol, Heap, I like Beer and Dex.
TNScott
April 28th, 2009
8:12 pm
Frenchy’s been going back to the old habit of swinging early and often in the count again!!!
DOB's dog
April 28th, 2009
8:13 pm
“Is anybody ever going to tell me what Hudson did to DOB?”
he kicked me yelp
MFin04
April 28th, 2009
8:13 pm
This offense is soo bad. Combined with the fact that JoJo will give up more runs…and then pen will have to pitch 3 innings…this game is over. It’s sad….but true.
varoadrunner
April 28th, 2009
8:13 pm
“Did Hudson ever apologize to DOB”
I certainly hope not. DOB can be outspoken which is acceptable – in that case – out of line!
Treehouse
April 28th, 2009
8:13 pm
LOL at Chip thinking Tim Tebow is an NFL prospect.
Ray K.
April 28th, 2009
8:14 pm
Yunel, Yunel, Yunel, you stupid F-ing idiot. How can you be that moronic night after night? What a tool. Chipper ought to knock him on his a@@.
Steve from OH
April 28th, 2009
8:14 pm
spotts–he’s supposed to do a smoke signal, I think.
Not Really A Rant
April 28th, 2009
8:15 pm
Interested Observer
Yunel screwed up. He screwed up last night. He is a talented screw up.
It wasn’t Snitker’s fault, it was Yunel’s fault.
End of story.
PWHjort
April 28th, 2009
8:15 pm
Do they have 3rd base coaches in Cuba?
MFin04
April 28th, 2009
8:15 pm
Here comes are 7 and 8 hitters crushing the ball…LOL!
Run Heap Run
April 28th, 2009
8:15 pm
Ew Corky…don’t be vulgar, we have kids on here.
Dan DC
April 28th, 2009
8:15 pm
STEAL!
KC
April 28th, 2009
8:15 pm
DAMNIT… send the runner!!!!!
CorkylikesBeer
April 28th, 2009
8:15 pm
Bradford would have been the overall number one pick this year if he came out..and.teabag will be late first round pick at best
mudcat
April 28th, 2009
8:15 pm
Someone check Escobar and see if he’s brain dead or what?
mbatl
April 28th, 2009
8:15 pm
CorkylikesBeer @8:12… way out of line here. Maybe Corky should like Coca Cola for while.
DirtyYuni
April 28th, 2009
8:16 pm
Schafer…leadoff…now.
bravos2249
April 28th, 2009
8:16 pm
What exactly did Hudson do to DOB?
DirtyDawg
April 28th, 2009
8:16 pm
The Braves, and for that matter way too many major league ballplayers, don’t pay any attention to the base coaches, and certainly not a 3rd Base Coach that isn’t loud enough or aggressive enough to get them to pay attention. For that guy Scnetker (or however he spells it) to just stand there and point to the bag when the kid’s obviously not looking at him is asinine – particularly with the base-running blunders that the Braves have been pulling. I think Bobby needs to do to Yunel what he did to Andruw all those years ago and pull him right now. Prado and Infante and leave ‘em there for a few games at least.
By the way, were you looking Kelly? That’s the way you play second base.
And Matt Diaz is swinging the bat about as sorry as anybody the Braves have ever had.
And, and the worst thing that could have happened this season was for Francoeur to have hit that home run his first AB. Once again he thinks he’s a power hitter…and he ain’t.
PWHjort
April 28th, 2009
8:16 pm
Why the heck would you steal here? So they can walk Ross with a base open and get Jo Jo Reyes to ground out/strike out?
KC
April 28th, 2009
8:16 pm
Send the runner. If he swipes it, a single scores a run. If they walk him, you get the pitcher out of the way this inning, and run up his pitch count.
CorkylikesBeer
April 28th, 2009
8:16 pm
sorry, I thought this was a 18 to party and 21 to drink crowd…sorry everyone! I apologize…Tim Hudson..now that wasn’t so hard was it..
Run Heap Run
April 28th, 2009
8:17 pm
This dude is the best backup catcher since …. McCann.
18 Wheels of Love
April 28th, 2009
8:17 pm
Kahlil Greene looks exactly like Layne Staley of Alice in Chains.
MFin04
April 28th, 2009
8:17 pm
Infante and Schafer could be a nice combo at 1/2 in the lineup…either way…with Chipper behind them.
Stephen
April 28th, 2009
8:19 pm
So you don’t have the pitcher leading off the next inning, PWH.
MFin04
April 28th, 2009
8:19 pm
(Kids shouldn’t be allowed on here during/after games anyways…parents should know better!!!!)
Ian Curtis
April 28th, 2009
8:19 pm
Why doesn’t Bobby just send him?
CHICKSdigBOBBYball
April 28th, 2009
8:19 pm
braves put up more Os than a box of cheerios
KC
April 28th, 2009
8:20 pm
Bobby Cox has ONE true base stealer, and he won’t let him budge off first. Come one man. This is bullsh!t. We’ve got to stop waiting to string 3 or 4 hits together.
Run Heap Run
April 28th, 2009
8:20 pm
Good call 18 Wheels.
PWHjort
April 28th, 2009
8:21 pm
I like the point Chip makes. Send the runner with the batter down 0-2. If he gets thrown out you get Ross to lead off the following inning, if Ross strikes out he was going to strike out anyway, if he singles you’ve got a chance to score, and if the runner’s safe they’re not going to walk Ross when they’ve got him 0-2. And even if they do, you clear the pitcher.
FUTURE BRAVES OWNER
April 28th, 2009
8:21 pm
Well im watching the braves play the cardinals in the 4th ining and i have picked up on a few things. A) omar infante is a way better second baseman than kelly johnson (who is a outfielder by trade) B) casey kotchman really needs to be cut or moved to bench because he CEARLY can’t hit in siuationals. Last night he popped up bases loaded and today he has already stranded 4 runners while hitting into 2 double plays from the 5th spot in the order. JESUS CHRIST bobby cox move kelly back to left, start infante at second, call up lillibridge, and platoon anderson at first with anybody except Kotchman please!!!! its so simple
spotts
April 28th, 2009
8:21 pm
a smoke signal…of course, of course! Guess it was Snitker’s fault.
McFann Ô
April 28th, 2009
8:21 pm
Run Heap Run @ 8:17 (last page)–
You got that right!
BTW, just got a big update on MB’s website–our boy is 0-2. [sigh]…
MFin04
April 28th, 2009
8:22 pm
McCann 0-2 at A-ball….dont think the problem is fixed…get him more surgery people!!!!
SR
April 28th, 2009
8:22 pm
I certainly am glad I cannot see this on TV or at the ballpark as it is painful enough simply checking it out on-line from time to time. The last few years have been uber painful but this one is shaping up to be other-worldly bad. Going to be a lonnngggg year.
spotts
April 28th, 2009
8:22 pm
KC – Bobby’s been like this….forever. Sadly, it’s not going to change at all.
Treehouse
April 28th, 2009
8:22 pm
JoJo continuing to look good. Offense, looks like the worst in the majors.
Dan DC
April 28th, 2009
8:22 pm
A single by Ross there does nothing. I’d rather give Ross a chance to knock in the run. And if stealing causes the pitcher to walk Ross, great! Then we have 2 men on with a RISP.
TNScott
April 28th, 2009
8:22 pm
KC, Bobby has one true base stealer and where is he batting? 7th!!! Need I say more?
spotts
April 28th, 2009
8:22 pm
We could have Jose Reyes leading off and at the end of the season he’d have like, 6 SBs.
mustrdgasnroses
April 28th, 2009
8:23 pm
FUTURE BRAVES OWNER
Lillibridge was traded in the Vazquez trade.
Run Heap Run
April 28th, 2009
8:23 pm
LOL I had no idea someone hacked ESPN’s website yesterday and put sparkly unicorns all over it.
TNScott
April 28th, 2009
8:24 pm
Spot on, Spotts!!!
CorkylikesBeer
April 28th, 2009
8:24 pm
Can we trade Reyes after this start?
CHICKSdigBOBBYball
April 28th, 2009
8:24 pm
pizza should be here any minute chicks dig pizza
spotts
April 28th, 2009
8:24 pm
You’d think the future owner of the Braves would know that.
Unless of course, his screen name isn’t true. Come to think of it, I’ll bet that isn’t really Garret Anderson from a Blackberry.
Jake W.
April 28th, 2009
8:24 pm
Jojo is dealing, Run support….
Ian Curtis
April 28th, 2009
8:24 pm
This offense is ridiculous.
MFin04
April 28th, 2009
8:25 pm
We have to pinch hit Jo-Jo here….he struggles after 5 innings usually and we need the run badly. I say pinch hit.
CorkylikesBeer
April 28th, 2009
8:25 pm
screen on the green is fun…not for the kids though..18 to party and 21 to drink
Braves20
April 28th, 2009
8:25 pm
So we have a first basemen who can’t hit in the clutch. At least we’re not paying him multi millions like the previous first baseman who couldn’t hit in the clutch.
zmerk13
April 28th, 2009
8:25 pm
I usually defend Bobby to the end, because I love him as a manager. But what in the hell is he doing? What is the harm in letting schafer try to snag one. He is taking away so much of his talent. It frustrates me when we can’t score but it pisses me off even more when we do nothing at all to change our offense. 3 SB in what 19 games? Horrendous
Tomas
April 28th, 2009
8:25 pm
This is what I don’t like of Bobby Cox’s style. He never makes an attempt of a straight steal even with his best baserunner who was 5 for 5 in stolen bases. I know that Molina has one of the best if not the best arm for a catcher, but come on risk it. This team is struggling to make runs. The Braves as a team have 3 stolen bases, that’s what Pujols has. For god sake Schafer hasn’t even attempted a steal.
Treehouse
April 28th, 2009
8:25 pm
Call up Lillibridge?! HAHAHAHA.
David thens, Al
April 28th, 2009
8:26 pm
JoJO wants to stay in the rotation … needs some runs
Run Heap Run
April 28th, 2009
8:26 pm
For the love of god if Jo Jo can pitch like this and you fairies can’t get him some runs then every damn one of you needs to wake up in the minor leagues tomorrow.
Oh sorry. Had a flashback to watching Braves games with my granddaddy.
zephyr 8
April 28th, 2009
8:26 pm
What happened on the Brenden Ryan at bat? Gameday says that Jojo struck him out looking and that he grounded out on the next pitch. Im guessing this is an error.
Stephen
April 28th, 2009
8:27 pm
I hate that guy.
CorkylikesBeer
April 28th, 2009
8:27 pm
FMyLife.com is very funny..but anyone under 18…
David O'Brien
April 28th, 2009
8:27 pm
Glavine did light throwing in the outfield for the third consecutive day without discomfort in his surgically repaired pitching shoulder. Told me he has some discomfort doing things like brushing his teeth and other particular motions that affect the spot in the front of his shoulder that hurt when he took that swing in the minor league game just over two weeks ago, but so far no problems throwing.
He plans long-tossing sessions from about 100 feet Thursday and Saturday, and if that goes well he’ll test the shoulder with a side session on the bullpen mound Monday. “Then we’ll go from there,” he said, adding that he’s “encouraged” by the lack of discomfort when he throws, so far.
nolie
April 28th, 2009
8:27 pm
Again, 1 example isn’t compelling evidence. Jim Leyritz had an extremely clutch hit. But just how does that suggest it is a repeatable skill? (PWH)
I have mixed feelings about that. In general the larger the sample size the closer that most player’s clutch stats approximate their normal ones and that leads me to believe that it is not a repeatable skill. It is likely to regress to the norm the more often it arises.
However there are some guys who have done better over their entire career in clutch situations. Leyritz is one of them at least to an extent. He hit about 10 points higher in most clutch situations as defined by BaseballRef. There are others and of course many who did worse.
However every rule has some exceptions that prove the rule by their small size. So is it one or the other?
I guess I think that if it is a skill, that it is more along the lines of not choking rather than doing significantly better in the clutch. Baseball is designed to cause failure more often than success in many instances and that muddies the water some too.
Bill James did not believe in it for years, but says he now MIGHT believe a bit. Only the Baseball gods really know and they are so perverse that they’ll likely never tell us.
FUTURE BRAVES OWNER
April 28th, 2009
8:27 pm
Im i the only guy that believes casey kotchman is a bum? Yea he carries a 307 average but what good does that in the 5th spot and for a guy with turtle speed
Jake W.
April 28th, 2009
8:27 pm
If thats JJ running its a hit
Mixxo
April 28th, 2009
8:28 pm
Ryan’s a ballplayer folks.
BT
April 28th, 2009
8:28 pm
I am beginning to think that the Cards SS maybe just a little better than KJ.
Heath (Cleveland)
April 28th, 2009
8:28 pm
JoJo has really bounced back nicely in this game…much like JJ last night. As was the case last night, very disappointed in our offense tonight.
MFin04
April 28th, 2009
8:28 pm
This is how Jo-Jo’s starts usually go. He always dazzles for 5 innings. There will be a big inning in the 6th or 7th….BANK ON IT!
Mixxo
April 28th, 2009
8:29 pm
BT – He’s better than anyone in our infield…….PERIOD.
bravos2249
April 28th, 2009
8:29 pm
FUTURE BRAVES OWNER
Your the only one who thinks we can call up Lillibridge.
spotts
April 28th, 2009
8:29 pm
There’s the solution to our woes…Glavine coming back.
Stephen
April 28th, 2009
8:29 pm
Lol, spotts.
To Be Continued....
April 28th, 2009
8:30 pm
And the Braves offensive juggernaunt continues……
Run Heap Run
April 28th, 2009
8:30 pm
So he can throw but not brush his teeth. Well that sounds promising.
Stephen
April 28th, 2009
8:30 pm
Oh hey, another weak pop up, love these bats!
Treehouse
April 28th, 2009
8:30 pm
we stink.
1995
April 28th, 2009
8:30 pm
BRAVES = BORING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I cant take it anymore tonight so watching the Bulls – Celtics.
MFin04
April 28th, 2009
8:31 pm
If that’s the Braves we drop that. Funny though…if they drop that fly ball…Esco was going to be hosed again…half way between second and first. I would have laughed.
MP31
April 28th, 2009
8:31 pm
face it you guys. the braves are one year away from being contenders with no offense. once g. anderson, glavine, and others that dont contribute leave, you use that money to try and get a bat in the middle of the lineup. without a bat to score runs, we will lose alot of one run games this year.
TNScott
April 28th, 2009
8:32 pm
Here’s comes Esco. That man who’s made more wrong turns this week than Psscual Perez.
nolie
April 28th, 2009
8:32 pm
307 average but what good does that in the 5th spot (FUTURE)
well I guess it’s as good there as anywhere and many 5th slot hitters are slow of foot. Not really a job spec for the middle of the line-up. It would have made more sense to emphasize his lack of power I guess, but he does have 8 doubles already doesn’t he?
I certainly don’t think he’s a bum. If nothing else he probably saves a run every few games with his defense and picks on errant throws.
PWHjort
April 28th, 2009
8:32 pm
MFin04, I would’ve assigned Escobar another stupidity point while laughing.
WOW
April 28th, 2009
8:32 pm
This team is awful at baserunning worst in majors, they are one of the worst hitting team in the majors so theres no suprise there a sub 500 team congrads on 4th place just a shame for these pitchers bet ya derek lowe wish he never signed with a bunch of scrubs thank goodness kelly aint playing and also why is the attendance so freakin bad haha pathetic look like the nationals games
Future Braves GM
April 28th, 2009
8:33 pm
Let’s call up Elvis Andrus ASAP
zephyr 8
April 28th, 2009
8:33 pm
What exactly is so baffling about Kyle Lohse. He virtually has one pitch, which is a pretty good 2 seam fastball, but that pretty much all hes got. His out pitch is a slider/curveball that is used by a more overhand release point. Cant be too hard to pick up, right?
MFin04
April 28th, 2009
8:33 pm
Esco seriously would have been out if that dropped…what is he thinking!!!???
Future Braves GM
April 28th, 2009
8:34 pm
Why haven’t we called up Salty to back up McCann?
Bobby's Belly
April 28th, 2009
8:34 pm
Tommy Glavine, the dragon (breath) slayer!
MP31
April 28th, 2009
8:34 pm
need a bat or this will be a long season
David O'Brien
April 28th, 2009
8:34 pm
They just played, during a between-innings stadium promo, a song that would be one of my top 10 at-bat songs: The Clash’s London Calling. Great into.
The Clash’s “This Is Radio Clash” and “Straight To Hell” should also be on my list.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-t52zc8Ex4
MFin04
April 28th, 2009
8:34 pm
Trade Jo-Jo for a MLB Power Bat!!!
LT-A blogger
April 28th, 2009
8:35 pm
Hard to believe there is a weaker lineup in the entire league- really hard to believe.
McFann Ô
April 28th, 2009
8:35 pm
The MB game froze again…
Boring on both sides tonight. Wonder what our other minor league teams are up to…?
Treehouse
April 28th, 2009
8:35 pm
Very quick 1-2-3 inning by JoJo. 13 in a row retired. RUNS GUYS! RUNS!
Shane
April 28th, 2009
8:35 pm
Boy you can tell Chip Caray has a hard on for the Cards
nolie
April 28th, 2009
8:35 pm
Might be time to take JoJo out? I’m not watching so I don’t know how good he looks, but it’s getting into his dangerous time.
I think I’d take the great 5 innings and thank him profusely. But I will understand if he stays in.
zephyr 8
April 28th, 2009
8:35 pm
wow another quick inning for jojo.
WOW
April 28th, 2009
8:35 pm
JOJO looks awesome just like jurrjens has and this offense doesn’t support their pitchers its a *$#@ shame
Run Heap Run
April 28th, 2009
8:35 pm
At least we’ve made Pujols look human thus far. And Cy Reyes out there with his bad self making liars out of all of us.
McFann Ô
April 28th, 2009
8:35 pm
Future Braves GM–
What?
Jake W.
April 28th, 2009
8:36 pm
Boy our offense can be a confidence booster for the opposing teams pitcher. Pitch around chipper and you’re good. At this point i’m not even asking for a great offensive game, with our pitching I think mediocre will do. This offense hasn’t even been that its been terrible.
Heath (Cleveland)
April 28th, 2009
8:36 pm
So far the Braves are really been able to keep Pujols in check…pitching has been outstanding to this point. Can we get some run support?….pretty please?
CorkylikesBeer
April 28th, 2009
8:36 pm
We should propose reyes and krotchman for pujols in a trade
MFin04
April 28th, 2009
8:36 pm
I hate Subway…and I hate their commercials….(I am hungry though…$5 isnt too bad…maybe I’ll get one!)
TNScott
April 28th, 2009
8:36 pm
Are we really going to waste another strong starting performance?!!!
David O'Brien
April 28th, 2009
8:36 pm
In answer to the question about when Hanson would be called up to replace Jo-Jo: If Reyes pitches like he has tonight, not anytime soon.
Run Heap Run
April 28th, 2009
8:36 pm
We never got your at bat songs, DOB. Unless the ones you gave on the blog the other night were for serious..
Daybed Wagmoe
April 28th, 2009
8:36 pm
Don’t look now…but JoJo has thrown fewer pitches through 6 IP (83 pitches) than Lohse has through 5 IP (85 pitches).
Not bad after throwing, what, 50 pitches through the first 2 innings.
Mixxo
April 28th, 2009
8:37 pm
Shane – Chip has been a BIG Cards fan since birth. A HUGE Cards fan.
MFin04
April 28th, 2009
8:37 pm
Jo-Jo at 83 pitches. I’d be amazed if he went one more and got out of it. Good job so far though! One run…and it was pretty lucky at that.
braves70
April 28th, 2009
8:38 pm
Why does Cox hate the stolen base so much? It was a main part of our attack in 1991-93 when we had Otis Nixon & Deion Sanders at the top of our order. That was some fun baseball. Not boring like waiting for a three run homer that never comes.
winterville
April 28th, 2009
8:38 pm
They are giving Chipper zero to hit.
MEB
April 28th, 2009
8:38 pm
FUTURE BRAVES OWNER
Kotchman is batting fourth, clean-up. Right now he’s one of the few in this lineup that has a clue at the plate.
GO BRAVES!!!
GO BRAVES!!!
MP31
April 28th, 2009
8:38 pm
some free agent hitters next yr. jason bay and matt holliday doubt braves have enough money for them plus doubt they would want to come here to atlanta. we are screwed.
MFin04
April 28th, 2009
8:38 pm
The way they are pitching Chipper…you’d think he was Albert Pujols!!!!
David Athens, Al
April 28th, 2009
8:38 pm
great pitching … i hope is not going to waste
Jake W.
April 28th, 2009
8:39 pm
My advice to Kotchman here, try to draw a walk. In fact let’s try that till we get to Ross. When we do walk we actually do pretty good.
WOW
April 28th, 2009
8:39 pm
If we start scoring runs consistintly we will be dangerous.
zephyr 8
April 28th, 2009
8:39 pm
Fun thought. Jojo had 48 pitches in 2 innings and has just finished the sixth with 83. thats 35 pitches in 4 innings. about 9 pitches an inning after the second.
Tomas
April 28th, 2009
8:39 pm
The offense is starting to piss me off…..Jo-jo’s best game of his life and he is gonna lose it, unbelievable.
Heath (Cleveland)
April 28th, 2009
8:39 pm
Have to give LaRussa credit…as a team the Cards have been pretty clear in these two games that someone other than Chipper has to provide the offense. He knows what we know apparently.
spotts
April 28th, 2009
8:39 pm
Yea…I love Hanson, but there’s no reason to call him up yet.
Well, maybe a couple reasons, but it makes more sense not to call him up.
CorkylikesBeer
April 28th, 2009
8:40 pm
At least he didn’t hit into a double play..
nolie
April 28th, 2009
8:40 pm
While he may be close to his career OPS batting 1st, I’d rather have the guy with the .819+ OPS in my lineup than the one with the .794 OPS. (TED)
it’s all about sample size Ted. If one gonna throw stats around it helps to realize their limitations.
Treehouse
April 28th, 2009
8:40 pm
Kotchman K. Ugh.
Jair Jurrjens
April 28th, 2009
8:40 pm
I told Jo-Jo he would have to be perfect..and he didnt pitch a shutout…stupid kid.
MP31
April 28th, 2009
8:40 pm
whats good is that the braves arnt that far away in divison or wild card right now. still give us a chance i hope
Jeff321
April 28th, 2009
8:41 pm
Frenchy with yet another first pitch swing..
Treehouse
April 28th, 2009
8:41 pm
AAHAHAHAHAHGH! This is infuriating!
Run Heap Run
April 28th, 2009
8:41 pm
I almost called that before it happened but I didn’t want to be negative.
Ian Curtis
April 28th, 2009
8:41 pm
This offense sucks. Pathetic.
MFin04
April 28th, 2009
8:41 pm
DP Frenchy…Thataboy. This offense is bad. We’d be better off bringing up all of AAA.
spotts
April 28th, 2009
8:41 pm
“If we start scoring runs consistintly we will be dangerous.”
In other news, you can’t swim in a frozen lake because the water’s too hard.
WOW
April 28th, 2009
8:41 pm
Braves suck i mean that offense is horrendus gosh this is utterly ridiculous.
Steve from OH
April 28th, 2009
8:41 pm
nolie, haven’t you heard? Sample size is an opinion, not a fact…
Mixxo
April 28th, 2009
8:42 pm
GIDPTTC!
Our best play!
BaseKnock
April 28th, 2009
8:42 pm
We’re just sitting here torturing ourselves.
TNScott
April 28th, 2009
8:42 pm
Another first pitch DP by Frenchy. I feel like I’m in a 2008 time warp.
CorkylikesBeer
April 28th, 2009
8:42 pm
has anyone been to amsterdam
zephyr 8
April 28th, 2009
8:42 pm
Look at it this way if we never get on base, then we can never get into a double play.
zmerk13
April 28th, 2009
8:42 pm
If Jo Jo would just hold the cards to negative runs we would be winning! What is wrong with him? Our offense can’t do everything.
MP31
April 28th, 2009
8:42 pm
why arnt the hitters patient when they have to be i hate that they swing at the first pitch to help opposing pitchers once we get people on base
I was a teenage Francophile
April 28th, 2009
8:42 pm
Frenchy is now batting below .270
How low can he go?
MFin04
April 28th, 2009
8:42 pm
Frenchy has regressed tonight! Jo-Jo is probably depressed and going to give up a lot of runs like he did in his last start when he got no run support. EXACT SAME THING happened last time and he gave up a lot of runs. I think they just give up pitching well.
spotts
April 28th, 2009
8:42 pm
It doesn’t matter that we’re CLOSE in the standings. What matters is that from the looks of it, we’re nowhere NEAR ready to compete with some of the best teams in the league.
…some of the average teams in the league.
…slow pitch softball.
Run Heap Run
April 28th, 2009
8:43 pm
Seriously Chipper, whoop some butt in the clubhouse, would ya?
WOW
April 28th, 2009
8:43 pm
this team is horrundes i mean it is utterly ridiculous where is the offense GARBAGEEEEEEEE
BaseKnock
April 28th, 2009
8:43 pm
JoJo will hit the wall this inning. Then we’re done. Good night.
MFin04
April 28th, 2009
8:43 pm
Lead off hit…Jo-Jo has given up…I called it. Here comes a big inning.
zephyr 8
April 28th, 2009
8:43 pm
i know zmerk13,
Jojo just hasnt given up enough anti-homeruns.
jonatuga
April 28th, 2009
8:43 pm
better get the bp ready stat
Mixxo
April 28th, 2009
8:43 pm
*gets a Goody’s powder*
WOW
April 28th, 2009
8:43 pm
BRAVES SUCKKKKKKKKKKKKKK
spotts
April 28th, 2009
8:44 pm
At least we’ve gotten a runner past 3rd tonight. Remember Escobar?
WOW
April 28th, 2009
8:44 pm
RIDICULOUS UTTERLY RIDICULOUS
Jake W.
April 28th, 2009
8:44 pm
It’s obvious. Everyone on this team needs to learn how to bunt. Looks like with runners on we can never hit the ball out of the infield.
I was a teenage Francophile
April 28th, 2009
8:44 pm
Corky – Frenchy hits baseballs all the way to Amsterdam.
mustrdgasnroses
April 28th, 2009
8:44 pm
Cardinals strategy: Walk Hoss, let Kotch or Jeff hit into a double play. It seems to be effective.
TNScott
April 28th, 2009
8:44 pm
Better get the bullpen ready. If he loses it, he usually loses it fast.
spotts
April 28th, 2009
8:45 pm
Mixxo – soon you’ll learn to start taking Goody’s (or Pepto) with your dinner. It’ll get you ready by 7:10.
Matt Keuler
April 28th, 2009
8:45 pm
Someone wake up Cox, he is sleeping again
MP31
April 28th, 2009
8:45 pm
people need to start being traded or sent down seriously!!
JEFF
April 28th, 2009
8:45 pm
wow this team cant hit worth a lick and escobar for the 2nd day in a row makes a boneheaded and awful mistake.. but again no patience whatsoever for the braves.. and its so easy to walk chipper then get everyone else. great offense frank wren and bobby cox.. kyle lohse is not a great pitcher and we cant score a run against this guy..
Tomas
April 28th, 2009
8:45 pm
Another one. Wren all the pitching you got is great, but for god sake another bat is urgent. Our cleanup hitter has 0 homers, and Chipper doesn’t have an official at bat tonight.
MFin04
April 28th, 2009
8:45 pm
It’s sad when they walk to get to your cleanup hitter every inning. Gives a new meaning to Clean Up Hitter.
spotts
April 28th, 2009
8:45 pm
“Cardinals strategy: Walk Hoss, let Kotch or Jeff hit into a double play. It seems to be effective.”
Rats! They’ve found our Achille’s Heal!
CorkylikesBeer
April 28th, 2009
8:45 pm
Do the Gwinnett Braves have all you can eat and drink seats?
PWHjort
April 28th, 2009
8:46 pm
Francoeur’s 4th GIDP of the year. He now leads the team, he’s got 1 on Escobar.
Dan DC
April 28th, 2009
8:46 pm
If Chipper realizes has to keep playing with these scrubs, he might wave his no trade clause and jump to the American League to DH.
BT
April 28th, 2009
8:46 pm
Chipper is going to have to start swinging at everything. I am not a stats geek but Chipper is on his way to being involved in more double plays in a loong time.
Greg Norton's mission statement
April 28th, 2009
8:46 pm
When the moment is reight, I want to be ready!
Matt Keuler
April 28th, 2009
8:46 pm
Frenchy back to his old ways, release glavine
, omar in left, prado at second
Jeff321
April 28th, 2009
8:47 pm
Can KJ make that play? Ha!
CorkylikesBeer
April 28th, 2009
8:47 pm
Omar….doesn’t play more because……………….
Ian Curtis
April 28th, 2009
8:47 pm
JoJo the man!
MFin04
April 28th, 2009
8:47 pm
HOLY CRAP WE DID SOMETHING RIGHT!!!!!!
jonatuga
April 28th, 2009
8:47 pm
Corky
Have fun during twilight?… I had to call it an early night after getting seriously ill (from alcohol, cigars, and various other smokes) around 8ish.
MariettaDerek
April 28th, 2009
8:47 pm
Wow! That DP was DP to C! That’ll fire the boys up!
Matt Keuler
April 28th, 2009
8:47 pm
No steals, hit and runs, why watch baseball
TNScott
April 28th, 2009
8:47 pm
What a turn. Omar!!!
BT
April 28th, 2009
8:47 pm
We have a second baseman. Of course he will be riding the pine tomorrow.
jair wants to be traded....now jo jo too
April 28th, 2009
8:47 pm
this is pathetic. i feel so bad for the kid jo jo tonight.
MFin04
April 28th, 2009
8:47 pm
Where is Derek from Marietta when we need him!
bravos2249
April 28th, 2009
8:48 pm
I’m sorry but I don’t see Kelly making that play. Omar won’t start but I’m just speaking the truth.
BOO
April 28th, 2009
8:48 pm
I am FED UP with Amstel light and its one frickin’ commercial with the annoying noises. Make it end.
WOW
April 28th, 2009
8:48 pm
DIAZ=NO DEFENSE MINIMAL OFFENSE, Francouer=very strong arm good defense, offense refuse to discuss this, Kelly= very poor defense, very streaky hitter more cold streaks than hot, Kotchman very solid Defense average hitter with no power and slower than BMAC enough said.
MFin04
April 28th, 2009
8:48 pm
HaHa there he is!
Couch Tater
April 28th, 2009
8:48 pm
Is Casey Kotchman the reincarnation of Sid Bream? You know it is said that Pythagora believed in reincarnation.
Casey: career BA .271 OPS .752
Sid: career BA .264 OPS .755
MP31
April 28th, 2009
8:48 pm
im very suprised how jo-jo did today. but we will take his effort in a loss by one run. sorry jo-jo
FUTURE BRAVES OWNER
April 28th, 2009
8:48 pm
o my bad guys but i think we can all agree kelly would be better suited back in left
zephyr 8
April 28th, 2009
8:49 pm
Another inning for Jojo???…..
MFin04
April 28th, 2009
8:49 pm
We should try Prado, Infante, Ross and Schafer higher up in the order.
Ray K.
April 28th, 2009
8:49 pm
Okay let’s see if we can do a little opposing manager strategizing–The Braves clean up hitter is Casey Kotchman, whose career high of HR’s is 17. Behind him is Jeff Francoeur, who, aside from his homer a few days ago, hasn’t even so much as hit a ball into the gap in 2 weeks; he has officially become a hit the ball where it is thrown guy. His newfound affinity for opposite field singles is all well and good but his power is gone. The game plan against the Braves is excrutiatingly simple: walk Chipper. Take your chances with the 4, 5, 6 guys. Too damn easy.
I hate to say it, but I think I preferred the free swinging Jeff. And I miss McCann BIG TIME.
MP31
April 28th, 2009
8:49 pm
kelly would be better off traded for a bat!!!!
Heath (Cleveland)
April 28th, 2009
8:50 pm
After the first inning…who would have thought that Reyes would have gone 7 innings tonight? And only 92 pitches? Very nice rebound JoJo. The problem is that the little punk living next door to me scores more than the Braves…go figure.
jonatuga
April 28th, 2009
8:50 pm
What a game for ho-ho!
Jeff321
April 28th, 2009
8:50 pm
If I can quote Chip Caray, “First pitch swinging for Diaz.”
Run Heap Run
April 28th, 2009
8:50 pm
I hope B Jones gets the start in tomorrow…
TNScott
April 28th, 2009
8:50 pm
Another one pitch at bat. Imagine that!!!
MFin04
April 28th, 2009
8:50 pm
Jo-Jo is done for the night…nothing more he can do. No reason to leave him in.
CHICKSdigBOBBYball
April 28th, 2009
8:51 pm
chicks dig low scores
MP31
April 28th, 2009
8:51 pm
diaz, kelly johnson, and moylan need to be gone by end of the day
CorkylikesBeer
April 28th, 2009
8:51 pm
Jon..we had a blast…..Steeplechase was going on as well in rome..I am glad stuck around in athens…
Jake W.
April 28th, 2009
8:51 pm
Ok for tomorrow let’s try
1.Schafer CF
2.Infante 2B
3.Chipper 3B
4.Ross C
5.Escobar SS
6.Francoeur RF
7.Kotchman 1B
8.Norton LF
Bobby would have the perfect excuse as we can’t do any worse than what we’ve done lately.
zmerk13
April 28th, 2009
8:51 pm
STEAL A BASE! PLEASE!
bravos2249
April 28th, 2009
8:51 pm
It is safe to say with the combined errors/missplays by Anderson/Diaz that Kelly could have provided the same if not better or worse. But we all would be complain’ if he looked like D. Murphy looks out in LF for the Mets. Although he’s played it before, you never know what it would do to him.
mbatl
April 28th, 2009
8:51 pm
Ha! here we go again! Run, Jordan, Run!
BaseKnock
April 28th, 2009
8:51 pm
Nice single, Shafer. Now we can watch Bobby not send you yet again.
TNScott
April 28th, 2009
8:51 pm
Nice hit, Jordan!!!
keylargo
April 28th, 2009
8:51 pm
Is that Ted Kacynzki pitching for the Cards?
Dan DC
April 28th, 2009
8:52 pm
Reverse psychology – DONT STEAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
MFin04
April 28th, 2009
8:52 pm
Lol…..Schafer…Infante….Chipper….Ross…Prado….that should be the lineup
Jeff321
April 28th, 2009
8:52 pm
Have ya ever noticed they rarely say “first pitch swinging” when the guy gets on base?
Run Heap Run
April 28th, 2009
8:52 pm
Motte the hopple and the game of life…
yeah yeah yeah yeah
Run
April 28th, 2009
8:52 pm
Run!
Mixxo
April 28th, 2009
8:52 pm
spotts – You’re right!
Sounds like a plan.
CCjacket
April 28th, 2009
8:52 pm
on the farm tonight:
Charlie Morton’s having his best game to date; 5 IP, 1 ER. Gwinnett lead Norfolk 4-1. The two prospects in the lineup however are both hitting under .200 for the year; Blanco and Barton.
There’s certainly no offensive help at AAA.
Dan DC
April 28th, 2009
8:52 pm
Reverse Psychology – DONT STEAL!!!!!!!!!!
tyler
April 28th, 2009
8:52 pm
Can anyone give me a link to listen to the game online? Preferrably free. I live in Pensacola and I only get the games against the Marlins, Thanks.
Steve from OH
April 28th, 2009
8:52 pm
DO NOT send Schafer here, please…
BaseKnock
April 28th, 2009
8:52 pm
Everybody clap your hands. Clap. Clap. Clap. Clap. Clap.
MFin04
April 28th, 2009
8:53 pm
Jake you read my mind! Swap out Esco and you got it!
BT
April 28th, 2009
8:53 pm
Unfortunately you are right Ray K. In all fairness though Ross has pulled his weight as a back up catcher. We haven’t lost a lot there.
spotts
April 28th, 2009
8:53 pm
Alright we’ve got Schafer on first. Bobby – you know what to do, right?
Right! Make sure he stays there.
Jordan Schafer
April 28th, 2009
8:53 pm
Hey Bobby! put me at the top of the lineup to see how i do…what can it hurt? Kelly is better down in the lineup anyways! have me get on and steal I can do it coach!
MFin04
April 28th, 2009
8:53 pm
Tyler….freebaseballradio.com
MP31
April 28th, 2009
8:53 pm
need a win to get confidence in that locker room. they have starting pitching to do some damage this year
Jordan Schafer
April 28th, 2009
8:54 pm
yes i did this while standing on first…Pujols says hey guys!
nolie
April 28th, 2009
8:54 pm
And all you have is “sample size”. Well, great. That is also an “opinion” that sample size matters here. (TED)
no, it’s an opinion that not everything is about stats, one I agree with. BUT, when stats are being discussed it is largely about sample size as any statistician would be willing to tell you. You can throw 20 heads in a row, but as the sample size grows it gets closer and closer to 50/50.Not a perfect analogy but simple.
So I’m thinking that you don’t really understand sample size as it pertains to stats.19 games is not even a drop in the bucket of sample saixe. Chipper hit .249 one year and .364 another. Neither one was indicative of his ability even though the sample size of each was way beyond 19 games.
BossLady
April 28th, 2009
8:54 pm
Ah Man, release Pendleton and Snitker. These guys have not had the benefit of good coaches ie. Francouer, K Johnson, Infante, etc.
They need to be trained and coached on the field. Whatever, that
bench or field coach name he needs to go too. In a large organization
the dept heads are responsible for performances on their staff.
If anyone in any business had a department that performed like Pendleton’s he would have been long gone. Wren, I suppose represents
what a CEO should be to a corporation. He has positioned the worst
managerial staff and allowed the worst employees to be on the team.
When Escobar ran into the out past third Bobby left the dugout. I’m sure he is saddled with no help and I would never blame him for having
inferior staff.
CorkylikesBeer
April 28th, 2009
8:54 pm
nice pitch
MFin04
April 28th, 2009
8:55 pm
Ross gets screwed over…BS call!!!
Run Heap Run
April 28th, 2009
8:55 pm
Greg Norton!? What? Wheres Prado? OMG
BOO
April 28th, 2009
8:55 pm
Greg Norton is a waste of space.
spotts
April 28th, 2009
8:55 pm
Chip: Here comes Greg Norton; the final hope for the Braves in the 7th.
Oh dear…
nolie
April 28th, 2009
8:55 pm
WAY TO GO, JOJO. Man it would be de-lovely if he could stay on that level on a regular basis.
jonatuga
April 28th, 2009
8:56 pm
Damnit
MP31
April 28th, 2009
8:56 pm
norton is a waste of money. 1 for 20 in pinch hits, thats a waste of 3 million if you ask me
David O'Brien
April 28th, 2009
8:56 pm
Beastie Boys’ “Sabotage”, Alice In Chain’s “We Die Young,” Prince’s “Sign O’ The Times,” Led Zep’s “Whole Lotta Love,” the Replacements’ “Bastards of Young” and Parliament’s “Flash Light” round out my top 10.
I’d have Cash’s “Ring of Fire” on it, but it’s too common now. Heard too often.
BOO
April 28th, 2009
8:56 pm
STFU Chip Caray
JEFF
April 28th, 2009
8:56 pm
i will say this we will be swept again….we cant hit jack squat… easy play for ankiel..
BaseKnock
April 28th, 2009
8:56 pm
Why would Norton be the final hope? What if he walked?
Mike
April 28th, 2009
8:56 pm
Norton is now officially useless!
Steve from OH
April 28th, 2009
8:56 pm
When it rains, it pours.
Awesome outing today, JoJo. Great work out there tonight.
Run Heap Run
April 28th, 2009
8:56 pm
Hey DOB can you run over and wrap Chip’s head in duct tape during the break? Thanks in advance.
spotts
April 28th, 2009
8:56 pm
The only thing that could make this game worse is seeing another JJ commercial.
Mixxo
April 28th, 2009
8:57 pm
Oh calm down Chip! Fer chrissakes.
TNScott
April 28th, 2009
8:57 pm
How lucky can one team be?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
jonatuga
April 28th, 2009
8:57 pm
What a great move by Larussa bringing Ankiel in for defense… that might have won them the game.
Ian Curtis
April 28th, 2009
8:57 pm
Damnit! Robbed again.
MFin04
April 28th, 2009
8:57 pm
I dont even get excited on flyballs anymore because I know they arent going out of the park…and someone will eventually catch them….this is depressing….good hit by Norton.
JEFF
April 28th, 2009
8:57 pm
now the bullpen blows it wide open..
Tom O'Hawke
April 28th, 2009
8:57 pm
Freakin’ Cardinals, they have a catcher pitching, and a pitcher playing centerfield. And they’re winning!
Greg Norton is ready
April 28th, 2009
8:57 pm
The time was right and Greg Norton was ready!
Heath (Cleveland)
April 28th, 2009
8:57 pm
*sobs* ….all i got right now
MFin04
April 28th, 2009
8:58 pm
Anyone on here take Cialis? They say you need to call your doctor after…a 4 hour…you know…..That’s the last person you should calll I would think.
MP31
April 28th, 2009
8:58 pm
there goes the only chance for winning the game. 9-11 this team sucks
Jeff321
April 28th, 2009
8:58 pm
If we lose 1-0 that deflected ball by Chipper Jones is going to look awfully big. I don’t suppose he’d call himself out in the press, eh?
Stephen
April 28th, 2009
8:58 pm
OMFG IS THIS TEAM EVER GOING TO SCORE
AHGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG
Epinephrine
April 28th, 2009
8:58 pm
Unreal. Well, great stuff from JoJo. I’d welcome Glavine back, if he comes in for Kawakami…
Next inning is it of course. We don’t score there, good night. This team’s offense is pathetic.
Also, seriously–no one knows what is wrong with Heyward? DOB? Carroll? Anyone?
spotts
April 28th, 2009
8:59 pm
Agreed RHR. He makes bad Braves games even worse.
Although I’ve heard there’s a hot new drinking game called “Which Begs the Question.” Take a shot every time Chip says that.
MFin04
April 28th, 2009
8:59 pm
Ankiel didnt have to dive…looks like old Jimmy Edmonds…make plays look better than they should!
McFann Ô
April 28th, 2009
8:59 pm
Ray K. And I miss McCann BIG TIME.
Me, too…BIG time. Sure wish he’d start hitting again…
CorkylikesBeer
April 28th, 2009
8:59 pm
I wonder why are we using moylan tonight…can we rest him…i hope he doesn’t hurt himself
zephyr 8
April 28th, 2009
8:59 pm
Well Jojo pitched well…
ABravesFan
April 28th, 2009
8:59 pm
Wait a minute TP says Schafer is not consistent enough to bat leadoff…yet we throw the most inconsistent hitter on the team in the leadoff spot all year.
Ok I get it now.
Run Heap Run
April 28th, 2009
8:59 pm
I like it DOB, except for the Prince choice. Love Prince but not that one. I need to copy it to the FB group since you get asked so often.
BaseKnock
April 28th, 2009
9:00 pm
Uhoh. Moylan has his pitch back.
Turtsnap
April 28th, 2009
9:00 pm
Let me guess…. Kyle Lohse is a really great pitcher too…. I mean I keep hearing how the Braves are running up against great pitching. One has to wonder, are the pitchers that good, or do the Braves hitters SUCK that bad….. I lean towards the latter.
A bunch of undisciplined swingers!
Ray K.
April 28th, 2009
9:00 pm
I am by no means an excuse guy, but can you guys remember another month of Braves baseball where seemingly everything hit manages to land in a glove? I thought that was a gapper for a tie game for sure. We haven’t caught a break at all this year.
jonatuga
April 28th, 2009
9:00 pm
If I drank everytime he and Joe said “Pujols” the last two nights… especially last night, I’d be dead.
BOO
April 28th, 2009
9:00 pm
The Mets with their awful starting pitching will have a better season record after today.
This team’s offense is a joke. It has got swing-at-everything Francoeur, Diaz and Escobar….a struggling, streaky second baseman making it so bench players need to start….Chipper with less homeruns than that struggling, streaky second baseman…..no McCann….Brandon Jones appears worthless…not much speed….Kotchman still with zero homeruns….
MP31
April 28th, 2009
9:00 pm
this team is goin no where
Steve from OH
April 28th, 2009
9:01 pm
Alice in Chains? Interesting…I don’t really see you as a heavy, overdriven rock lover….
McFann Ô
April 28th, 2009
9:01 pm
Run Heap Run @ 8:56–
MFin04
April 28th, 2009
9:02 pm
Ray…problem is we dont make any breaks for ourselves…we actually screw ourselves over. We dont hit and run…steal….run bases well…anything like that.
Dan DC
April 28th, 2009
9:02 pm
DOB – What say you? Given the title of your blog, I thought you’d have at least something to say.
Heath (Cleveland)
April 28th, 2009
9:02 pm
Hey on the bright side…another new episode of Rescue Me tonight. Tommy may score more in tonight’s episode than the Braves do in this game tonight!
Daybed Wagmoe
April 28th, 2009
9:02 pm
DOB — great call on “Bastards of Young.” That’d be on my list, too. “Search and Destroy” by Iggy & The Stooges would be another.
Hey, I like this in-game blogging on topics other than the game. What else ya got?
Erod
April 28th, 2009
9:02 pm
It’s so sad that we are down by only one and yet this game seems out of reach…
MFin04
April 28th, 2009
9:03 pm
Hitters cant do anything with that pitch Moylan runs in underneath them.
CorkylikesBeer
April 28th, 2009
9:03 pm
Corky MIller has a higher avg then McCann…he needs to eat something..
BaseKnock
April 28th, 2009
9:03 pm
Awesome inning PMoy! Runs. Please. Runs.
MFin04
April 28th, 2009
9:04 pm
Wow Moylan looked outstanding. I think the bullpen is pitching like we are down 9-0…because in reality we are.
Tom O'Hawke
April 28th, 2009
9:04 pm
OK, time to get serious.
Jake W.
April 28th, 2009
9:04 pm
Well top of the order up, probaly safe to say this is our best chance to score and by that I mean if chipper hits a solo homerun.
Brett
April 28th, 2009
9:04 pm
Hey DOB, why not put Schafer up at the top of the order. He is proving that he making adjustments. Have him get on and then steal and that will provide that spark that Chipper is talking about. To me, Kelly has always been a better hitter down in the lineup.
MP31
April 28th, 2009
9:04 pm
wren came up one player shot in the offseason. A POWER BAT!!!!!
jonatuga
April 28th, 2009
9:05 pm
If we’re gonna score, it’s gonna have to ge this inning. Got the top of the order up. My prediction…
Omar groundout
Yunel groundout
Chipper walk
Kotch K
Wayne in Utah
April 28th, 2009
9:05 pm
I am very confused. First, I thought Norton was tops, a player that we HAD to sign last fall. Besides, he was an excellent PH last year.
Second, you guys told me JoJo Reyes SUCKED. Now, you are saying he pitched a good game??
Dang it I am confused….
MP31
April 28th, 2009
9:06 pm
the only chance of winnin is if chipper puts one in the stands. but they will walk him to get to kotch so he can strike out like last time
tyler
April 28th, 2009
9:06 pm
MFin04- Thanks, listening now. This site kicks ass.
Wayne in Utah
April 28th, 2009
9:06 pm
Some of you folks are a sad bunch of individuals. And you call yourselves fans, huh??
CorkylikesBeer
April 28th, 2009
9:06 pm
I think Frenchy is due for a day off.
jonatuga
April 28th, 2009
9:06 pm
Lovin the 3-0 start
MFin04
April 28th, 2009
9:07 pm
Tyler it actually worked? Lol…I didnt know it did!
TNScott
April 28th, 2009
9:07 pm
Wow, Parliament’s “Flashlight!” Hadn’t heard that since I was a teenager.
spotts
April 28th, 2009
9:07 pm
I can’t believe it’s already the 8th. I guess time flies when you’re in a “pitcher’s duel”
McFann O
April 28th, 2009
9:07 pm
Dang it I am confused….
Me, too, Wayne. Me, too.
MFin04
April 28th, 2009
9:07 pm
Wayne we are fans…we are just all drunk and pissed at this point of the game.
Heath (Cleveland)
April 28th, 2009
9:07 pm
Bunt?
PWHjort
April 28th, 2009
9:08 pm
ARE YOU KIDDING ME BOBBY COX.
Mitchell
April 28th, 2009
9:08 pm
I’ve never groaned and/or moaned so much in my entire life.
I ain’t mad at Ankiel. A great catch is a great catch, it better be the top play of the night cause that was incredible.
But good God, where are people’s head’s at? Why aren’t we trying to steal with Schafer? Whatever happened to moving the runner over?
Lohse was out-pitched. He doesn’t deserve to win this game.
I hope this serves to silence the JoJo critics out there. I’m certainly not one to say that people can’t say what they like about anything really but I will say that I’ve believed that he could pitch like this. He’s also sucked it up more than once but he is capable of pitching like this more often than not.
No double play YUNEL!!!
Jake W.
April 28th, 2009
9:08 pm
Escobar needs to bunt, but then again they would walk chipper and put kotchman in another rbi spot.
ABravesFan
April 28th, 2009
9:08 pm
Leadoff walk get him over Yunel.
Ray K.
April 28th, 2009
9:08 pm
I just did a little research: The Braves have scored a total of 4 runs in the 8th and 9th innings of the last 9 games. That’s 18 innings–4 runs. And…not ONE of those innings saw them score more than one run. And…they never scored in both the 8th and 9th of the same game. Just a one spot here and there…
Stephen
April 28th, 2009
9:08 pm
Do you bunt here, when they’re just going to pitch around Chipper?
MFin04
April 28th, 2009
9:08 pm
Too bad Esco can’t bunt like most of the team. Bring in Glavine!!!!!
BaseKnock
April 28th, 2009
9:08 pm
BUNT?!!!!!
18 Wheels of Love
April 28th, 2009
9:08 pm
My song would be:
“Lil’ Devil” The Cult
Shawn G
April 28th, 2009
9:08 pm
Move the damn runner
Heath (Cleveland)
April 28th, 2009
9:09 pm
Hmmm…Escobar bunting…was that on his own or did Cox actually call for that? I asked in jest…
Epinephrine
April 28th, 2009
9:09 pm
YOU HAVE GOT TO BE FREAKING KIDDING ME WITH THE BUNTING. KILL ME.
Jeff321
April 28th, 2009
9:09 pm
Did Bobby Cox hold a top secret bunting class?
nolie
April 28th, 2009
9:10 pm
I meant I’d probably choose Prado over Infante if either was to start full time. Which they aren’t this year. (BRAVOS2249)
If you are talking 2nd base, I would too. Way better ability to get on base.
Bobby's Cox
April 28th, 2009
9:10 pm
Well, Infante is playing a good game. Solid defensively…leadoff hit in the 1st, walk to lead off the 8th in a close game… Real solid game by Infante.
MFin04
April 28th, 2009
9:10 pm
Nice play Esco!!!!
Run Heap Run
April 28th, 2009
9:10 pm
Walking Chipper has worked out well for them so far…I predict they’ll do it again.
Stephen
April 28th, 2009
9:10 pm
4 bb’s
spotts
April 28th, 2009
9:10 pm
Don’t get why you bunt. To open up 1st for Chipper so our “slugger” Casey Kotchman can not drive him in?
RC
April 28th, 2009
9:10 pm
Chipper has been walked 3 times tonight and we are “sacrificing” to open up 1st base when he comes up….great idea there.
WOW
April 28th, 2009
9:10 pm
Infante has played great and better be in the lineup tommorrow
lexbrave
April 28th, 2009
9:10 pm
“bobby cox optimistic of a rally here”
he’s the only one
ABravesFan
April 28th, 2009
9:10 pm
Ok now take your walk Chipper and Kotchman do something with your life.
MP31
April 28th, 2009
9:11 pm
kotch or frenchy will end the inning doin something stupid in their at bat
WOW
April 28th, 2009
9:11 pm
about to walk chipper again why not no one can protect him
MFin04
April 28th, 2009
9:11 pm
No way in heck you pitch to Chipper here. NO WAY!
Stephen
April 28th, 2009
9:11 pm
Might as well just walk down to first.
Wayne in Utah
April 28th, 2009
9:11 pm
MFin04
No, my friend, you are NOT a fan. You wouldn’t know a fan if he walked up and slapped you in the face.
Your just a damned crybaby.
McFann
What did our boy do in MB tonight??
Rodney Derrick
April 28th, 2009
9:11 pm
I hate the policy of bunting Yunel. 99%chance you take the bat out of Chipper’s hands
Mitchell
April 28th, 2009
9:11 pm
Good job Yunel.
Now Chipper has to walk the walk. Omar and Yunel set the table.
Bring it Chipper. And if they walk you and Kotchman makes an out it’s still on you and your part of the line-up.
Mitchell
April 28th, 2009
9:11 pm
BOOOOOO!
RC
April 28th, 2009
9:11 pm
LaRussa should at least let the pitcher intentionally walk him so it doesn’t look as bad on his numbers.
MFin04
April 28th, 2009
9:12 pm
Bobby has to play Ross in the 4 spot tomorrow….and play Infante and Prado
CorkylikesBeer
April 28th, 2009
9:12 pm
Kotchman will make them pay! Promise you!
Jake W.
April 28th, 2009
9:12 pm
Casey should try to hit a ball to left field. Pulling the ball hasn’t done him good tonight.
Dan DC
April 28th, 2009
9:12 pm
Pinella is a great manager.
Tom O'Hawke
April 28th, 2009
9:12 pm
“Some of you folks are a sad bunch of individuals. And you call yourselves fans, huh??”
Wayne … I believe there was more optimism on the flaming Hindenburg.
Mitchell
April 28th, 2009
9:12 pm
Kotchman, you’re my boy. Please don’t let me down.
ABravesFan
April 28th, 2009
9:12 pm
Hey Kotchman earn you keep RIGHT HERE!
zephyr 8
April 28th, 2009
9:12 pm
please no DP
nolie
April 28th, 2009
9:12 pm
What a shame. Hold this Cards team to one run in 8 innings and still be losing. C’mon guys. You can do it.
Run Heap Run
April 28th, 2009
9:12 pm
I like how the Braves pitch to Pujols and he’s 1 for 8 thus far and the Cards have walked Chipper like 8 times. Hey, at least we’ve got stones, right?
Vol_In_Ohio
April 28th, 2009
9:12 pm
4 for 4 night for Chipper!
To Be Continued....
April 28th, 2009
9:12 pm
So I guess we’ll see what kind of protection Kotchman is for Chipper.
Heath (Cleveland)
April 28th, 2009
9:12 pm
What about a double steel here? That would surprise the Cards so much it would have to work wouldn’t it?
Mike
April 28th, 2009
9:12 pm
Can you say “pitching around Chipper, cause there is no one in the line up to protect him”.
MFin04
April 28th, 2009
9:12 pm
The Cards announcers are talking about how LaRussa hates…the intentional walk…they were talking about that in the first inning….lol 8 innings later…he issued 4 of them.
Bobby's Cox
April 28th, 2009
9:13 pm
kotchman looks zoned in…wouldn’t be surprised if he went deep
Stephen
April 28th, 2009
9:13 pm
OMFG KROTCHMAN
RC
April 28th, 2009
9:13 pm
Mitchell,
If Kotchman makes an out how the h*** is that “on Chipper”? Should it have brought his sand wedge to the plate, cause that’s the only way he was hitting some of those 4 pitches.
Bobby's Cox
April 28th, 2009
9:13 pm
or K’d
WOW
April 28th, 2009
9:13 pm
kotchman sucks
Rob from SC
April 28th, 2009
9:13 pm
Kotchman sucks
To Be Continued....
April 28th, 2009
9:13 pm
Not so much
zmerk13
April 28th, 2009
9:13 pm
wow Kotchman… just wow…
Blaine Boyer is redbird goo
April 28th, 2009
9:13 pm
Send in Blaine Boyer!
Ian Curtis
April 28th, 2009
9:13 pm
Why the hell is Kotchman batting cleanup? Seriously? Seriously???
Run Heap Run
April 28th, 2009
9:13 pm
Don’t worry guys, Frenchy’s coming up.
BaseKnock
April 28th, 2009
9:13 pm
ARE YOU KIDDING ME, KOTCH?! that looked bad!
CorkylikesBeer
April 28th, 2009
9:13 pm
Three run shot here on first pitch
ABravesFan
April 28th, 2009
9:13 pm
Kotchman YOU SUCK
Wayne in Utah
April 28th, 2009
9:13 pm
Tom O
Amen!
BOO
April 28th, 2009
9:13 pm
LOL, this team is so easy to beat.
Can you tell the Cardinals’ game-plan is: walk Chipper, pitch to all the other dead weight?
MFin04
April 28th, 2009
9:13 pm
Casey K…you are the anti-clutch. Atleast Frenchy has a little clutch in him.
WOW
April 28th, 2009
9:14 pm
francouer haha what a joke
zephyr 8
April 28th, 2009
9:14 pm
Brilliant by Kotchman. If he makes no contact then he can ground into DP.
Stephen
April 28th, 2009
9:14 pm
BLAINE BOYER WHERE ARE YOU
Run Heap Run
April 28th, 2009
9:14 pm
In fairness, Krotchy has been hot….until tonight.
Heath (Cleveland)
April 28th, 2009
9:14 pm
Well…the entire league has the recipe for beating the Braves…just put up for fingers every time Chipper comes to bat.
Jake W.
April 28th, 2009
9:14 pm
What is so appetizing about that ball in the dirt. We have to offer at it more than any other team.
Mitchell
April 28th, 2009
9:14 pm
Jeff, send the Cardinal fans home.
WOW
April 28th, 2009
9:14 pm
hope jeff proves me wrong
Stephen
April 28th, 2009
9:14 pm
Big bad swing at everything diaz on deck baby.
zmerk13
April 28th, 2009
9:14 pm
have we hit a home run at home this year? Sure doesn’t seem like it.
Vol_In_Ohio
April 28th, 2009
9:14 pm
7 LOB for Kotch. LaRussa knows baseball.
zephyr 8
April 28th, 2009
9:14 pm
Maybe we should sign Tim Allen
Rob from SC
April 28th, 2009
9:15 pm
like Diaz is going to get a hit
Stephen
April 28th, 2009
9:15 pm
PREDICTION;
DIAZ WHIFFS ON A PITCH 3 FEET OUTSIDE.
Wayne in Utah
April 28th, 2009
9:15 pm
Good eye, Jeff!
BaseKnock
April 28th, 2009
9:15 pm
Loaded for Diaz. What do you think is going to happen?
jonatuga
April 28th, 2009
9:15 pm
bases loaded walk time
WOW
April 28th, 2009
9:15 pm
good at bat but diaz cant hit so what do we do 7 walks no runs haha
ABravesFan
April 28th, 2009
9:15 pm
Frenchy with a walk bases loaded for Diaz.
Jake W.
April 28th, 2009
9:15 pm
Here we go again, a walk can tie the game. Do our hitters no that?
CorkylikesBeer
April 28th, 2009
9:15 pm
Why wont the Cards bring in Blaine
BaseKnock
April 28th, 2009
9:15 pm
Can we pitch hit Diaz for Prado?
Jeff321
April 28th, 2009
9:15 pm
“Its not easy to get 7 walks in a game and not score.”
-Chip Caray
Mike
April 28th, 2009
9:15 pm
Lets see if Diaz can NOT strike out.
To Be Continued....
April 28th, 2009
9:15 pm
I would like to think that we could put someone behind Chipper who would make the opposition pay for walking Chipper every at bat. But damned if I know who the heck in this lineup could protect a fly?
CorkylikesBeer
April 28th, 2009
9:15 pm
Grand slam by Diaz
zmerk13
April 28th, 2009
9:15 pm
First pitch swinging is coming here… lets not be patient
MFin04
April 28th, 2009
9:15 pm
Frenchy was patient and got a walk. Nicely done! Here is our offense…the walk!!! Come on Matt get the walk!!!
Mitchell
April 28th, 2009
9:15 pm
Matt. Please. Please get a hit.
I went to the game last year when Matty got the winning hit against the Padres.
Make it happen.
Run Heap Run
April 28th, 2009
9:16 pm
I would’ve liked our chances better here if B Jones was in the hole instead of Matty. But maybe he’ll surprise us.
jonatuga
April 28th, 2009
9:16 pm
don’t swing at the first pitch please!
To Be Continued....
April 28th, 2009
9:16 pm
Matt Diaz first pitch again?
P-Town Brave (Pleading for Change)
April 28th, 2009
9:16 pm
Wow Bobby…wow…not PH for Diaz?!
Stephen
April 28th, 2009
9:16 pm
Strike one
Serge
April 28th, 2009
9:16 pm
Guys are we gonna blame Kelly for this one too? You know cause it was his fault our offense sucks….
(Quite frankly its time to blame TP)
To Be Continued....
April 28th, 2009
9:16 pm
Of course he did!!!!
zephyr 8
April 28th, 2009
9:16 pm
Come on Diaz
StingerSplash
April 28th, 2009
9:16 pm
If you’re gonna sit Kelly down because he’s in a funk, how about putting Infante or Norton at first tomorrow after Kotchman’s performance tonight? Yeah, Norton’s average stinks, but all he is doing is getting a pinch-hit appearance every other game. How bout getting him some regular at-bats so he get some swings in? He can’t do any worse than Kotchman has done tonight — 2 GIDPs, 2 Ks, 7 LOB.
RC
April 28th, 2009
9:16 pm
Why the hell was Matt swinging first pitch?
Bobby's Cox
April 28th, 2009
9:16 pm
pinch hit prado for diaz bobby!
Epinephrine
April 28th, 2009
9:16 pm
I just don’t understand why we give up the out for Esco. Trading Esco for Kotchman is just crazy, knowing they are not going to pitch to Chipper anyway. Awful.
Nice AB by Jeff, but I can’t say I am feeling good right now.
MFin04
April 28th, 2009
9:16 pm
Dear Lord…please anything but an out!
Mixxo
April 28th, 2009
9:17 pm
Take it the other way Matt!
Stephen
April 28th, 2009
9:17 pm
Strike Two, HERE COMES THE WHIFF
CorkylikesBeer
April 28th, 2009
9:17 pm
Diaz will hit it out….
RC
April 28th, 2009
9:17 pm
Diaz looks TERRIBLE at the plate….hope he lucks into one here.
BaseKnock
April 28th, 2009
9:17 pm
WIFF TIME!
Run Heap Run
April 28th, 2009
9:17 pm
Or, lean in and take a bean for the team.
Bobby's Cox
April 28th, 2009
9:17 pm
how ’bout some luck right here?!
Puma
April 28th, 2009
9:18 pm
Stephen, I’m 12 going on 40 but I love FML. Do you read the textsfromlastnight site? There were some hilarious ones up today. RunHeapRun
there goes our “resident cougar” again. Stephen is about 15 or so I bet.
zmerk13
April 28th, 2009
9:18 pm
that was strike 3, maybe we will get lucky
MFin04
April 28th, 2009
9:18 pm
Wow that was close!
To Be Continued....
April 28th, 2009
9:18 pm
Swung at ball three
RC
April 28th, 2009
9:18 pm
So has that been 5 pitches that weren’t strikes that Matt has seen this AB?
BaseKnock
April 28th, 2009
9:19 pm
What the?
Rob from SC
April 28th, 2009
9:19 pm
why did he move
Run Heap Run
April 28th, 2009
9:19 pm
Because we’re the Braves, that’s how.
Bobby's Cox
April 28th, 2009
9:19 pm
ok…that was luck for St. louis…how did that not hit matty?
Stephen
April 28th, 2009
9:19 pm
WHIFF
BaseKnock
April 28th, 2009
9:19 pm
Showing the AB live on the MLB channel.
MFin04
April 28th, 2009
9:19 pm
Matt you have to get hit by that
To Be Continued....
April 28th, 2009
9:19 pm
Take one for the team!!! lol
Now there is no way he throws anything but heat this pitch…be ready
Run Heap Run
April 28th, 2009
9:19 pm
Hell to the yes!!!
Stephen
April 28th, 2009
9:19 pm
You’ve got to be kidding me.
Tom O'Hawke
April 28th, 2009
9:19 pm
To quote Marv Albert, “YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!”
Mixxo
April 28th, 2009
9:19 pm
FINALLY!!!
Jeff321
April 28th, 2009
9:19 pm
Wow, Diaz swings at ball four for a base hit!
jonatuga
April 28th, 2009
9:19 pm
YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rob from SC
April 28th, 2009
9:19 pm
better to be lucky than good sometimes
spotts
April 28th, 2009
9:19 pm
Talk about luck…
BT
April 28th, 2009
9:19 pm
Unbelievable
CorkylikesBeer
April 28th, 2009
9:19 pm
I told you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!well. i said he would hit it out but we will all settle for the single…
MFin04
April 28th, 2009
9:19 pm
YESSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bobby's Cox
April 28th, 2009
9:19 pm
halleluja! where the hell was Green playing?!?! there’s the lucky hit!
JJ
April 28th, 2009
9:20 pm
Wow….
RC
April 28th, 2009
9:20 pm
Lu-cky. That pitch was a foot off the plate.
MariettaDerek
April 28th, 2009
9:20 pm
WOOOOOOHOOOOO! Matty swung at ball 4!
Run Heap Run
April 28th, 2009
9:20 pm
Take that, Chip.
Ian Curtis
April 28th, 2009
9:20 pm
About time something goes our way!
Tomas
April 28th, 2009
9:20 pm
Kotchman can’t be the cleanup hitter tomorrow.
PWHjort
April 28th, 2009
9:20 pm
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Steve from OH
April 28th, 2009
9:20 pm
Thank you Jesus!
BaseKnock
April 28th, 2009
9:20 pm
We all suck for being negative. Maybe we willed it though.
Heath (Cleveland)
April 28th, 2009
9:20 pm
OMG…a clutch hit!
MEB
April 28th, 2009
9:20 pm
Unbelievable!!! A bleeder up the middle. WOW!!!
GO BRAVES!!!
zmerk13
April 28th, 2009
9:20 pm
wow thank god!
that was one of the NO NO NO DON’T SWIN…..YES YES YES YES at bats
RC
April 28th, 2009
9:20 pm
Diaz didn’t see a strike that entire AB. And he saw 8 pitches.
Mike
April 28th, 2009
9:21 pm
Yay…he didnt strike out!
ABravesFan
April 28th, 2009
9:21 pm
DIAZZZZZ……………..EXACTLY WHAT THIS TEAM NEEDED!
lexbrave
April 28th, 2009
9:21 pm
“99 times out of 100 that would have been a wild pitch and a tie game”
that just about sums up the braves luck lately
StingerSplash
April 28th, 2009
9:21 pm
Great AB by Diaz. Great AB. Finally.
To Be Continued....
April 28th, 2009
9:21 pm
Diaz was lucky. Just plain luck. Swung at another ball and hit a weak dribbler where they ain’t!
It counts for two and the lead, but this offense is terrible! Doesn’t change that fact.
A blind hog will find an acorn now and then.
keylargo
April 28th, 2009
9:21 pm
CL
UTCH!@ DIAZ!!\\\
OOH
RAH
Chopper2Chipper
April 28th, 2009
9:21 pm
Enter your comments here
Jeff321
April 28th, 2009
9:21 pm
“Matt Diaz, who never met a pitch he didn’t like.”
-Chip Caray
Mixxo
April 28th, 2009
9:21 pm
Get Soriano up Bobby.
Chopper2Chipper
April 28th, 2009
9:21 pm
Yeah, Diaz!
jair wants to be traded....now jo jo too
April 28th, 2009
9:21 pm
how did the ball get through? seriously?
zephyr 8
April 28th, 2009
9:21 pm
woooooo! thank god we only stranded 14 runners today. Feel bad jojo couldnt get a win though. At least he wont get loss though.
RC
April 28th, 2009
9:21 pm
Can we really call that a “clutch” hit? You know, if clutch hitting actually existed and all
.
Vol_In_Ohio
April 28th, 2009
9:21 pm
Matty Baseball!!!
P-Town Brave (Pleading for Change)
April 28th, 2009
9:22 pm
Wow…there’s the game of baseball for ya…Diaz about gets hit on a pitch behind him, then swings at a pitchers pitch which was Ball 4, and somehow manages to squeak it through the hole up the middle for the lead…
C’mon Jordan! Add on to the slimmest of leads…
Oh, and yeah, I guess I was wrong about Diaz….that is all.
Run Heap Run
April 28th, 2009
9:22 pm
I’m not a cougar, what are you talking about?
PWHjort
April 28th, 2009
9:22 pm
Clutch luck. Ball 4 hits a grounder off the end of the bat and a terrible defensive play by Greene. But hey, I’ll take it any day of the week.
McFann Ô
April 28th, 2009
9:22 pm
Diaz, you ROCK!!
Wayne–
He’s 0-2 tonight…I think he’s gonna lead off the next inning.
WOW
April 28th, 2009
9:22 pm
wow wow he swung at ball for but who cares thank goodness i was stressing
Stephen
April 28th, 2009
9:22 pm
I swear to god if the bullpen blows this.
Wayne in Utah
April 28th, 2009
9:22 pm
OK, you whiners now have very little to whine about. So, please go take out the trash or something. Just leave. Let’s some actual fans talk about baseball.
Granted, the Braves need a better solution at leadoff, and their bats need to be more consistent, but I have never seen such behavior as trying to guess that Diaz strikes out.
So, go see if your mama will fix you a grilled cheese sandwich, or something.
LuisG
April 28th, 2009
9:22 pm
Finally, huh?
Brett
April 28th, 2009
9:22 pm
way to go Matt…yall should give Kotchman a break he had 3 hits yesterday when no one else was hitting. He is batting near .300 thats pretty legit.
Rodney Derrick
April 28th, 2009
9:22 pm
Now that was luck. Diaz could have let that earlier pitch hit him.Then he swings at a clear ball twice which would have walked in the run. Pure luck that the ball barely made it past the shortstop and trickled into left. But hey, that is baseball. We got a big break.
CorkylikesBeer
April 28th, 2009
9:22 pm
I guess I can continue with my life now…time for my date with the weights
cabravesfan
April 28th, 2009
9:22 pm
sometimes that’s all it takes…I really need another beer
spotts
April 28th, 2009
9:22 pm
I see the Cards acquired Big Pun
LVChad
April 28th, 2009
9:22 pm
Doing it the hard way……
Cardinals
3 hits + 1 HBP + 1 BB = 1 run
Braves
6 hits + 7 BB = 2 runs
RC
April 28th, 2009
9:22 pm
I think that Greene was actually screened by Chipper running on the pitch, and didn’t see the ball until it was too late.
WOW
April 28th, 2009
9:23 pm
Diaz might be the best bad ball hitter i have seen
Run Heap Run
April 28th, 2009
9:23 pm
Holy crap who is this guy?! He looks like he ate Corky Miller.
bravos2249
April 28th, 2009
9:23 pm
we gotta face 2-3-4 in the 9th though…OH DEAR..Gonzo or Soriano…cause you know they probably could hit Soriano’s fastball
Bobby's Cox
April 28th, 2009
9:23 pm
“Diaz didn’t see a strike that entire AB. And he saw 8 pitches.”
the only strike he saw the ump didn’t call…would’ve been strike 3 looking. and really, was green holding hands with Pujouls? that grounder looked routine. I ain’t complaining.
To Be Continued....
April 28th, 2009
9:23 pm
No Offense, Stinger but…. great AB? lol
Mitchell
April 28th, 2009
9:23 pm
Oh Matt, thank god you swing at the s***iest pitches ever cause a walk would have been nice but we got the lead.
Amazing. I’m laughing like a silly bitch. That defies logic.
Let’s get one more and Gonzo better shut the door.
Epinephrine
April 28th, 2009
9:24 pm
WOOOOOO.
Our line up SHOULD Be:
Infante
1) Schafer (Who still has questions at this point? So he strikes out? He’s better than anyone else.)
2) Esco
3) Chipper
4) Frenchy
5) Ross
6) Diaz
7) Kotchman
In June, it WILL be:
Kotchman
1) Schafer
2) Esco
3) Chipper
4) Mac
5) Frenchy
6) Anderson
7) Kelly/Prado/INfane
aswingruber
April 28th, 2009
9:24 pm
Matty Baseball coming up huge! Finally some clutch.
FUTURE BRAVES OWNER
April 28th, 2009
9:25 pm
finally…………..
spotts
April 28th, 2009
9:25 pm
I wouldn’t call that clutch. That was uuuuuuugly
Dumbfounded
April 28th, 2009
9:25 pm
All HELL would have broke out if Diaz would have made a out !! Matt Diaz needs to GO !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
MFin04
April 28th, 2009
9:25 pm
No way we win this…Gonzo blows it…Pujols coming up? Hope not!!!!!
zmerk13
April 28th, 2009
9:25 pm
“Diaz might be the best bad ball hitter i have seen”
WOW has clearly never seen or heard of Vlad lol… but he is a good bad ball hitter
Eric from MO
April 28th, 2009
9:25 pm
It counts for two and the lead, but this offense is terrible! Doesn’t change that fact.
Your right but it does get us one more win. So who else was cussing when he swung at ball 4? JO JO finally had a good game. I really couldnt care less that he doesnt get the win. The Braves have given him plenty of offense in the past and he didnt win those.
Ray K.
April 28th, 2009
9:25 pm
THEY HEARD ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That’s the first two spot in the 8th or 9th all year!!!!
Heath (Cleveland)
April 28th, 2009
9:25 pm
Pujols up 2nd…come on gonzo…earn your money baby!
mbatl
April 28th, 2009
9:26 pm
“Now that was luck. Diaz could have let that earlier pitch hit him.”
First off, yeah, he could have let it hit him IN THE HEAD. I would guess there’s a bit of a natural instinct to prevent a baseball moving 85 mph from hitting you in the head.
Second, for all you calling the hit “luck”, be sure to credit the Braves when they do drive the ball and get nothing to show for it, like Norton’s liner to left-center in the 7th. Can’t have it both ways.
Don’t know how this will end, but for the second straight night, I’ll say… “stop whining people!”
Stephen
April 28th, 2009
9:26 pm
I can imagine how heated this blog will get if our bullpen blows the lead.
Mitchell
April 28th, 2009
9:26 pm
Schafer bunt!
Boycott Amstel Light and Amsterdam
April 28th, 2009
9:26 pm
That commercial has now officially turned me off the city and the beer permanently.
Frankie Knuckles
April 28th, 2009
9:26 pm
For the clutch people out there -
Matt Diaz = clutch
Tomas
April 28th, 2009
9:26 pm
Mike Gonzalez better not blow it.
To Be Continued....
April 28th, 2009
9:26 pm
I bet Mac has been at Myrtle Beach watching the game between AB’s and cussing like a sailor….. until that hit.
MFin04
April 28th, 2009
9:27 pm
If we lose this…Gonzo isn’t safe in the city of Atlanta!!!!
Stephen
April 28th, 2009
9:27 pm
95, nice.
Tomas
April 28th, 2009
9:27 pm
Pujols is due up, time to squeeze you’re bat like never before.
MFin04
April 28th, 2009
9:27 pm
I dont think McCann is feeling any better…0 for 3
KHall
April 28th, 2009
9:27 pm
You all should be very quiet for the next 10 minutes lest your negative blowhardiness affects Gonzo and he blows it.
Epinephrine
April 28th, 2009
9:28 pm
May I be the first to re-introduce GONZO to his 95 MPH FASTBALL?? Welcome back. Welcome back.
MariettaDerek
April 28th, 2009
9:28 pm
Gonzo K! Let’s get double pits to chesty boys!
RC
April 28th, 2009
9:28 pm
Gonzo should just roll the ball to the plate 4 times to annoy LaRussa. That way it won’t be an “intentional” walk.
Heath (Cleveland)
April 28th, 2009
9:28 pm
1 big out…2 more to go
Tomas
April 28th, 2009
9:28 pm
Pujols is due up, time to squeeze you’re butt like never before.
zephyr 8
April 28th, 2009
9:28 pm
Radio just said that gonzo was slow on the gun in Cinci because of the gun. Throwing mid 90s now. Good sign
Mixxo
April 28th, 2009
9:29 pm
Whoops, I didn’t know a lefty was up in the top 9th.
Scratch the Soriano suggestion.
kirkinga
April 28th, 2009
9:29 pm
Good for Diaz!
Good to see no one is still claiming there’s no such thing as “clutch” hitting.
MFin04
April 28th, 2009
9:29 pm
Have to pitch to him…scary as that is…
Wayne in Utah
April 28th, 2009
9:29 pm
MFin04
April 28th, 2009
9:27 pm
If we lose this…Gonzo isn’t safe in the city of Atlanta!!!!
What kind of a dumazz statement is that???
mbatl
Your are right about the whiners. The blog used to be a heckuva lot more fun before the dip$hits took over.
To Be Continued....
April 28th, 2009
9:29 pm
mbatl,
yeah, I’ll give Matt credit for getting a lucky hit. But it doesn’t make it a good at bat considering he may not have seen a legit strike the entire at bat including the bleeder he hit.
Bobby's Cox
April 28th, 2009
9:30 pm
The difference tonight is the braves kept getting opportunities. It helps getting guys on. Even though we hit into about 50 double plays, it helps to get guys on and to keep giving your hitters chances. Amazing things can happen when u get guys on then put the ball in play. Hopefully the team realizes this and it gets guys going again.
cabravesfan
April 28th, 2009
9:30 pm
Mike Gonzalez looking good so far…hit 96 on the gun
Eric from MO
April 28th, 2009
9:30 pm
Wow!
PWHjort
April 28th, 2009
9:30 pm
SAT HIM DOWN!
BT
April 28th, 2009
9:30 pm
Big K
To Be Continued....
April 28th, 2009
9:31 pm
Helluva pitch!
Jeff321
April 28th, 2009
9:31 pm
Nice pitch by Gonzo!
MariettaDerek
April 28th, 2009
9:31 pm
PUJOLS! K LOOKING! DP TO C!
Bobby's Cox
April 28th, 2009
9:31 pm
nice gonzo!
MFin04
April 28th, 2009
9:31 pm
One more Gonzo!!!! One more!!!! Someone explain the….getting behind 3-0 so strike a guy out!?
Eric from MO
April 28th, 2009
9:31 pm
I was wanting Gonzo to walk Pujols.
aswingruber
April 28th, 2009
9:31 pm
Wow.. Gonzo’s looking sick.
Heath (Cleveland)
April 28th, 2009
9:31 pm
TWO BIG Ks!
We scored?
April 28th, 2009
9:31 pm
Schafer looks like James and the Giant Peach………..
http://www.firstshowing.net/img/giant-peach-still.jpg
spotts
April 28th, 2009
9:31 pm
Is Jurrjens wearing mascara?
RC
April 28th, 2009
9:31 pm
That’s how you handle a team’s best hitter!
Ian Curtis
April 28th, 2009
9:31 pm
Gonzo is looking absolutely filthy!!!
spotts
April 28th, 2009
9:32 pm
Schafer looks like Eminem
MFin04
April 28th, 2009
9:32 pm
BULLL CRAPP!!!!!
Run Heap Run
April 28th, 2009
9:32 pm
He is the man in the closer spot.
That was strike 3 by the way.
Heath (Cleveland)
April 28th, 2009
9:32 pm
Baseball is obviously not fair…JoJo deserves a W tonight.
BT
April 28th, 2009
9:32 pm
That was as dominating as it gets
LuisG
April 28th, 2009
9:32 pm
Can anyone describe that pitch? (The last one to Pujols) I’m not looking the game, I’m on the PC.
PWHjort
April 28th, 2009
9:32 pm
We needed that.
ABravesFan
April 28th, 2009
9:32 pm
We have our closer folks!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Eric from MO
April 28th, 2009
9:32 pm
Way to strike out the side!
Stephen
April 28th, 2009
9:32 pm
good win
Tom O'Hawke
April 28th, 2009
9:32 pm
Ahhh, we had them all the way!… right, Wayne?
RC
April 28th, 2009
9:32 pm
Is there a harder thing in baseball than striking out Albert Pujols after getting to a 3-0 count?
cabravesfan
April 28th, 2009
9:32 pm
Gonzo…That is what a closer looks like
Jeff321
April 28th, 2009
9:33 pm
This win feels real good!
MariettaDerek
April 28th, 2009
9:33 pm
BALLGAME! Way to get double pits to chesty boys! This team has life!
N8
April 28th, 2009
9:33 pm
Whew. Good thing we didn’t trade for Ludwick. He strikes out to end games.
MFin04
April 28th, 2009
9:33 pm
WOW BRAVES WIN BRAVES WIN!!!!!!
Mitchell
April 28th, 2009
9:33 pm
Okay, I paused my TV so I that would explain why I would tell him to bunt about three minutes after the fact.
Mixxo
April 28th, 2009
9:33 pm
Yeah Baby!!!!
Ian Curtis
April 28th, 2009
9:33 pm
We have ourselves a closer!
DirtyYuni
April 28th, 2009
9:33 pm
I’m not second guessing the fact that somehow we got a lead. But, how come it takes a total implosion by opposing pitching for us to put runs on the board?
Run Heap Run
April 28th, 2009
9:33 pm
YES! A come from behind 1 hit WIN!
zephyr 8
April 28th, 2009
9:33 pm
Now that Gonzo
Eric from MO
April 28th, 2009
9:33 pm
What happened to Gonzo making it interesting? What also happened to morons like Mfin and others saying get rid of Moylan.
To Be Continued....
April 28th, 2009
9:33 pm
The Best I’ve seen Gonzo since he’s been in ATL.
MFin04
April 28th, 2009
9:34 pm
Gonzo looked darn good…WOW!!!!
ABravesFan
April 28th, 2009
9:34 pm
Luis G it was a back door slider that Pujols didnt even question he knew it was strike 3.
Also the second slider to Ludwick was absolutely disgusting.
bravos2249
April 28th, 2009
9:34 pm
I believe the Real Gonzo has arrived.
N8
April 28th, 2009
9:34 pm
“Is there a harder thing in baseball than striking out Albert Pujols after getting to a 3-0 count?” RC
Yes. Getting Francoeur to walk, after getting to the same count.
aswingruber
April 28th, 2009
9:34 pm
Stuck out their best hitters 1,2,3! Haven’t felt so little anxiety in the 9th since Smoltzie was closing.. That was beautiful.
Latenight Bailbond Guy
April 28th, 2009
9:34 pm
The Cobra ROCKs!!!
Tomas
April 28th, 2009
9:34 pm
Way to go Mike.
drhayes05@hotmail.com
April 28th, 2009
9:34 pm
GONZO!
lexbrave
April 28th, 2009
9:34 pm
is it just me or has gonzo been looking like a real closer lately?
Kurdt Kobain
April 28th, 2009
9:34 pm
Weren’t we all terrified of handing the ball to the bullpen a week or so ago? Great work tonight from all the pitchers.
MFin04
April 28th, 2009
9:34 pm
Eric get your facts straight…I’m a Moylan lover…I was the one preaching for him to close
Run Heap Run
April 28th, 2009
9:34 pm
I meant 1 run win…I’m obviously delirious here.
LuisG
April 28th, 2009
9:35 pm
So Gonzo strikes out the side! He’s looking like a CLOSER now.
Wayne in Utah
April 28th, 2009
9:35 pm
To bad “HoHo” didn’t get the win, so he could stop that losing streak.
Great finish. We have the staff to get it down, it seems, though a bit of more clutch hitting would go a long way toward a more enjoyable season.
Good night true fans!
BRAVES WIN
April 28th, 2009
9:35 pm
Woo woo I knew it was coming! Nice job Jo-Jo, Chipper, Diaz, Schafer, and Moylan/Gonzo!!
MattyRoss
April 28th, 2009
9:36 pm
I gotta say, that performance by Reyes added to the late comeback and Gonzo’s energy in the 9th is the kind of thing that could spark a run for this team. Here’s hoping they can ride this wave for a while.
jair does not want to be traded....now jo jo wants to stay too
April 28th, 2009
9:36 pm
if you dont love gonzo then something is wrong with you my friend. you could make the argument that he just struck out the best 2 3 4 combo in the game right now….
wow. great game and way to step it up mattie. dont know how in the hell that ball made it through but it did and now we can go for the series win tomorrow. back at .500! lets build off of this win and never see sub .500 baseball for the rest of the season. lets do it bravos!
To Be Continued....
April 28th, 2009
9:36 pm
LuisG
The K pitch to Pujols was a really nasty-big breaking-slider dropped right down the middle. Pujols just dropped his head and walked off.
Tomas
April 28th, 2009
9:36 pm
At last this team has a quality closer. The bulpen actually pretty good since Boyer left.
nolie
April 28th, 2009
9:36 pm
I am very confused. First, I thought Norton was tops, a player that we HAD to sign last fall. Besides, he was an excellent PH last year.
Second, you guys told me JoJo Reyes SUCKED. Now, you are saying he pitched a good game??
Dang it I am confused… (WAYNE)
Ian Curtis
April 28th, 2009
9:36 pm
The pitching was great by the Braves tonight. Reyes earned a chance to stay up longer, while Moylan and Gonzo has put a lot of faith back into the bullpen.
MFin04
April 28th, 2009
9:36 pm
Who scored the tying run?
LuisG
April 28th, 2009
9:36 pm
Thanks ABravesFan
njbraves
April 28th, 2009
9:36 pm
I’m not a big fan of Jo-Jo, but that was a hell of a well pitched ballgame. Gonzo is the man…I love the back end of this bullpen!
bravefaninok
April 28th, 2009
9:36 pm
JO JO has matured alot….he should now be 2-0 …..
BaseKnock
April 28th, 2009
9:37 pm
Marlins just tied the Mets.
lexbrave
April 28th, 2009
9:37 pm
never thought i would say this, but go mets..just for tonight.
LuisG
April 28th, 2009
9:37 pm
MFin: Infante scored the tying run.
Wayne in Utah
April 28th, 2009
9:37 pm
One last comment: You folks whining for the past 2 hours, go back and look at how utterly stupid you look now.
From WE SUCK to GREAT WIN in one inning.
Unbelievable…….
Tomas
April 28th, 2009
9:37 pm
Gonzo velocity today has been the highest I’ve seen since TJ surgery, 95mph.
Frankie Knuckles
April 28th, 2009
9:38 pm
Hey folks, we won. Was KJ in the lineup? cough
Steve from OH
April 28th, 2009
9:38 pm
I hope that the guys have some nice things to say about Reyes tonight, because he was flat-out outstanding.
MEB
April 28th, 2009
9:38 pm
Bulls vs. Celtics tied at 91 with 49 secs left. Not as exciting as Gonzo closing out the ninth and striking out Pujols but it’s great stuff.
GO BRAVES!!!
Jeff321
April 28th, 2009
9:38 pm
Maybe this outing is exactly what JoJo needs to become more consistent. Believe it or not he pitches really well every once in a while.. But it seems his twin brother YoYo shows up more often than not.
Rob from SC
April 28th, 2009
9:39 pm
we need to play Omar Infante Tomorrow
Ray K.
April 28th, 2009
9:39 pm
The Moylan/Soriano/Gonzo combo is formidable. Our starting pitching has been fantastic (sans Kawakami) If ONLY we had a bopper in our line up. Adam Dunn would have been just fine.
Infante needs to stay in there, Bobby. His defense and his On base % is too good to ignore. Kelly can languish in AAA for all I care. Even when he hits .290 his defense scares the hell out of you.
bravefaninok
April 28th, 2009
9:39 pm
IP H R ER BB K HR
J. Reyes 7.0 3 1 1 1 7 0
McFann Ô
April 28th, 2009
9:39 pm
Wow…that was a great win! We just watched those last two Cardinal ABs again…that was beautiful.
And no loss for Ho-Ho!
Tomas
April 28th, 2009
9:39 pm
Marlins winning 7-4, 3run shot by Cantu.
Mitchell
April 28th, 2009
9:39 pm
Gonzo, I want your babies! I mean, I want to have your babies!
Okay, that’s weird. I’m a dude.
Gonzo’ll strike out the side whether that blind as a bat umpire likes it or not.
Cardinals can suck it. Pujols can’t hit our guys, he better watch out.
Unreal. JoJo can pitch. He’ll get his wins as soon as he starts getting some runs. He’s got what it takes.
That was both one of the most pathetic and most exciting games all at the same time wrapped up in a bow.
We gotta and can win tomorrow. We can do better than this. I mean, we won. I’m not complaining all of a sudden. Just be smart and get some freakin’ runs and the wins will come.
Mixxo
April 28th, 2009
9:40 pm
Get off it Wayne. Fans b*tch & whine when their team is on the shnide. It’s what they do.
monty
April 28th, 2009
9:40 pm
Yes Virginia, the Braves do have a hero! HIs name is Matt Diaz! Just when you expected your heart would be crushed again in another close one, Matt Diaz is able to dribble one through the infield. Never did a squibbler ever look so pretty. And Mike Gonzalez is BACK!! Rip’n and snort’n like a mad bull, looking unhitable.
Rob from SC
April 28th, 2009
9:40 pm
I listened to Bill Shank’s radio show and he said Jair Jurrjens is trade bait for a bat. I hope he is wrong because Lowe, Jurrjens, Hanson, Reyes is a great staff.
N8
April 28th, 2009
9:40 pm
Nice win. VERY nice outing by Jo-Jo. Nice to see the “old” Cobra starting to resurface.
But lets not let the 1-1 record in these past two games, overshadow the fact that Kyle Lohse and Joel Pineiro held us to 2 runs in 12.2 innings in these two games.
Offense needs a bunch of work. Ironicaly, the offense was the least of my worries all winter. Even with everybody bantering for a power LF bat, which I still don’t think is the issue. We need a damn leadoff hitter.
But after a rocky start, the bullpen has settled in, and other than the 23 million dollar import, the rotation is solid if not spectacular (including my whipping boy Vazquez).
But this lineup is putrid without a leadoff hitter, and without Mac.
Is this thing on? You payin attention Frank?
RC
April 28th, 2009
9:41 pm
Chipper scored the winning run. Guess walking a guy 4 times can occasionally backfire.
Eric from MO
April 28th, 2009
9:41 pm
bravesfaninok he got rocked in his first start. He should be 1-1, but as I have said earlier I have no problem with him not getting the win. He has squashed plenty of oppurtunities to get wins.
Tom O'Hawke
April 28th, 2009
9:41 pm
Hi, LA Woman. I see you’re around. You’ve been pretty quiet tonight. Did your dog get into your beer supply again?
aswingruber
April 28th, 2009
9:42 pm
This Bulls/Celts series has got to be one of the greatest playoff series of all time.. they’re going to their 4th OT of the series a la Bravos/Twins ‘91 Series
Daybed Wagmoe
April 28th, 2009
9:42 pm
What an ending!! Thank God for strong starting pitching which kept us in this game. Diaz’s single would mean nothing without Jo-Jo’s dominant performance.
monty
April 28th, 2009
9:42 pm
Congratulations to Jo-Jo, superb performance!
Mike
April 28th, 2009
9:43 pm
I am beginning to get real excited about this pitching staff. Rotation is god with depth a plenty, and the bullpen especially withe Moylan, Soriano, and Gonzo doing well, is coming around. Now if we can get Bmac back and tinker with this line up, we may be able to get this offense on a roll. The potential is there, we just havent been seeing it. Oh, and the base running blunders have got to stop.
ncscoots
April 28th, 2009
9:43 pm
Who scored the tying run?
Geez louise, you just made 800 posts in the last three hours, and you’re not even paying enough attention to the game to know that?!?
RC
April 28th, 2009
9:43 pm
I think Bill Shanks doesn’t know what he’s talking about. Jurrjens is under team control for the next 5 years, and is arguably the Braves best pitcher right now. That’s not the type of player that screams “trade bait”.
Mitchell
April 28th, 2009
9:43 pm
I’m watching every highlight of this game I can find on SportsCenter, Baseball Tonight and MLB Network. I’d even watch Best Damn Sports Show if it even still exists.
That show is crap.
I’ll never say another ill word towards the Braves ever again. Don’t quote me on that.
eltrompoBRAVESfan
April 28th, 2009
9:43 pm
I know it’s been mentioned but Gonzo’s pitching speed was amazing. I saw 95 mph up there. Great game. I’m glad I watched the runs and out on MLB netword!!
Original Jon
April 28th, 2009
9:43 pm
Notice how we won that game without Kelly batting leadoff?? If Kelly was in the game batting leadoff, he would have made the first out in the bottom of the 8th, Yunel would have come up with 1 out and would have tried to swing for the fences, 2 outs would have resulted, then Chipper walks, Kotchman strikes out swinging to end the inning.
So without Kelly batting leadoff is why the Braves won this game.
hoho
April 28th, 2009
9:43 pm
DOB: I thought “Flashlight” was Ohio Players, no? now i gotta go check
Tomas
April 28th, 2009
9:44 pm
Maybe a platoon with Kelly and Infante would be needed. But Kelly against lefties, and Infante against righties.
eltrompoBRAVESfan
April 28th, 2009
9:44 pm
And BIG props to Jo Jo!!!
keylargo
April 28th, 2009
9:44 pm
Gonzo was 95 mph on TV AND GameDay. Last time he pitched he was 95 only on GameDay. When you have 2 separate sources on the radar you have to accept it.
And for all you negative whiners questioning the 8 hopper up the middle by Diaz well, for every one of them there is a diving catch in the gap (7th inning).
cabravesfan
April 28th, 2009
9:44 pm
Tom O’Hawke-
Hey
Nope, dog’s been sober today…it’s me that’s partaking.
I know I’ve been kinda quiet- figured it was better then spewing and p*ssing off half the blog
hoho
April 28th, 2009
9:45 pm
she-ite, nevermind DOB. that’s what i get for “impulse posting”. Parliament it was. Bootsy BABY!
Dumbfounded
April 28th, 2009
9:45 pm
People ! Don’t get too HAPPY with Matt Diaz !!! He swung at BALL 4 !!!!!! He could have easily been CRUZIFIED tonight ! Wren better find him a LEFT FIELDER an or a FIRST BASEMAN !!!!!!!!!!!!
To Be Continued....
April 28th, 2009
9:45 pm
Wayne, I for one don’t think “WE” suck. I think the offense sucks. I still think the offense sucks. It was a lucky win. It was a lucky hit. Diaz butchered the AB and it turned out well. The Braves have had some bad luck but much of it (can you say the lack of fundamentals-baserunning etc?) has been self inflicted. It was time they got a break.
I haven’t bought the offense even when we score double digits because the double digit games are not representative of this team’s offense. Go back the last couple of years. Scoring big runs in a game or two is the kiss of death! They generally struggle soon after.
I don’t think the team sucks. I like our rotation and think the pen is looking much better. I repeat….. I think the offense sucks.
N8
April 28th, 2009
9:45 pm
As silly as it may sound to hear Shanks talk about JJJ being trade bait, he might be on to something, if the Braves could get a TRUE (young) cleanup hitter type.
Two word reason: Scott Boras.
He might be a few years away from free agency, but we’ve got Hudson coming back. Hanson and Medlen on the way, and obviously will have Lowe for a few years, Vaszquez this year and next. Along with Jo-Jo, Morton and Medlen waiting in the wings.
Would I advise trading JJJ for a bat? Not me. But I don’t think it’s as ridiculous as I first thought it was. Probably not going to happen, but at this point, Frank needs to listen to ALL offers.
Eric from MO
April 28th, 2009
9:45 pm
N8 this lineup was fine when Mac was raking. They were 5-1. Then Mac went all Ray Charles on us and thats when our offense suffered. If McCann find his eyesight we will be fine offensively.
ABravesFan
April 28th, 2009
9:46 pm
Infante has to play everyday somewhere.
mbatl
April 28th, 2009
9:47 pm
“I listened to Bill Shank’s radio show and he said Jair Jurrjens is trade bait for a bat.” Rob from SC
Sometimes I think Shanks will say just about anything. He knows our prospects pretty well because he does track them pretty close (but then he always overvalues them). But that statement is just absurd, to me. You don’t trade a 23-year-old starter with a 1.72 ERA. I hope.
Shanks would probably say that Jeff Locke or Kris Medlen could step in to replace JJ. (and I like both those guys… just saying, Shanks loves him some Braves’ prospects).
jair does not want to be traded....now jo jo wants to stay too
April 28th, 2009
9:48 pm
wayne in utah,
how horrible would it have been if greene plays that ball like he is supposed to? jo jo would have taken a heartbreaking loss and we would have dropped another one run game….at home. we would have also lost another series at home. for the first 7 innings the braves offense was horrific. you and i and everyone on this board knows that. if you go back and look at the posts before the eighth without watching the game, then you would have assumed the braves were choking at the plate yet again…..and you would have been right. if it wasnt for three walks this would have been a horrible loss. the game was practically handed to us. but a win is a win and its a good one. but we cant count on every team we face to walk the world so we can score a run or two. the braves never come from behind anymore and why would anyone on this board believe they would have done it tonight? but we all keep watching. it finally happened so just enjoy it….
Shamus Thacker
April 28th, 2009
9:48 pm
Gonzo has successfully completed the transition from Bonzo.
If Garret Anderson steals 7-bases the rest of his CAREER, I’ll be bumfuzzled and dumbfounded.
Run Heap Run
April 28th, 2009
9:48 pm
Matt won one for us the other night too, can’t remember now which game it was but his slide into 2nd to keep the inning alive ultimately won that game.
ncscoots
April 28th, 2009
9:49 pm
So without Kelly batting leadoff is why the Braves won this game.
Un…be…lieveable.
IncipientHysteria
April 28th, 2009
9:49 pm
can imagine how heated this blog will get if our bullpen blows the lead. Stephen
I’m actually hoping that happens, I love all the angst when they lose. This one would be a hum-diinger.
Eric from MO
April 28th, 2009
9:49 pm
To Be Continued if you think double digits are bad then you should of liked this game. It was far from it.
kirkinga
April 28th, 2009
9:50 pm
Wayne, you’re a bit fired up tonight! You’re usually more circumspect. I guess a win such as this one can do that for a fan…lol!
MFin04
April 28th, 2009
9:50 pm
The tying run comment was to make a point that Infante started it all! The kid is a good…patient hitter. Needs to see more playing time!!!
Bobby's Cox
April 28th, 2009
9:51 pm
My boy Nelson Cruz is up with the bases loaded in Texas..On mlb.tv
ABravesFan
April 28th, 2009
9:51 pm
by the way McCann goes 0-3 with a strikeout tonight for Myrtle Beach.
C's
April 28th, 2009
9:51 pm
Everyone is calling Diaz’s hit luck. Fine. But then remember back to Norton getting robbed. Baseball has a way of evening these things out. And we saw that tonight.
Jeez, you people are………..<>…………
mbatl
April 28th, 2009
9:51 pm
“I still think the offense sucks. It was a lucky win. It was a lucky hit.” – TBC
Weren’t the Cards lucky to score in the 1st? A hbp, a walk, a single that 99 times out of 100 either Chipper keeps on the infield, or misses entirely and Escobar keeps on the infield.
I’m concerned (not panicked) about the offense too, but calling a win like this “luck” is just not fair. We outpitched ‘em, and we outhit ‘em. And they had the best offense in the NL coming into the series but have scored 4 runs in 2 games, just like us.
Bobby's Cox
April 28th, 2009
9:52 pm
Draws a bases loaded walk…couldn’t hit that Bailey fastball, but he didn’t swing at anything that wasn’t a strike… good AB. I love mlb.tv
Eric from MO
April 28th, 2009
9:53 pm
OMG!!! I think I have heard on 5 of our wins that we should of not won that game. Guess what!? That is baseball. Most wins arent pretty. Get over it!
Braveheart
April 28th, 2009
9:53 pm
The tying run comment was to make a point that Infante started it all! The kid is a good…patient hitter. Needs to see more playing time!!! (MFin04)
Oh, sh!t, you just had to go there, undoubtedly, the mention of .305 will be forthcoming
Rudy Giuliani
April 28th, 2009
9:53 pm
My favorite team is, for now, the Twins.
They’re 9-11
Stephen
April 28th, 2009
9:53 pm
Wow, if any of you think this blog is negative, then you’ll be surprised when you read the St.Louis Cardinals blog. What are they, 14-7 and every post is a b*tching about something.
http://www.vivaelbirdos.com/2009/4/28/858138/game-21-overflow-thread#comments
BossLady
April 28th, 2009
9:54 pm
McFin04 Good Call 9:07
Steve from OH
April 28th, 2009
9:54 pm
Randall Delgado threw 4 innings tonight, with 3ER, 4H, 4BB, and 6K. My boy JJ Hoover threw the last 4 innings, giving up 1ER, 1H and striking out 7. Luis Sumoza was 2-4.
In Myrtle Beach, the Pelicans are getting hammered 8-2. Cody Johnson homer, Freddie Freeman 0-for-whatever, and Heyward not playing.
Mississippi losing 3-1, Kyle Cofield gave up 3 in 4.2 IP, walking 7(!) and K’ing 3.
In Gwinnett, Chas. A. Morton threw 5 innings, with 1ER, 5H, 2BB and 2K to show for it. Manny Acosta w/ a scoreless inning. Gregor Blanco actually had a hit tonight, raising his BA to a sizzling .200. Barton 2-3, Brooks Conrad homered, and Van Pope actually got not one but two hits. Braves up 8-1.
keylargo
April 28th, 2009
9:54 pm
Did anyone notice Gonzo was pitching off the center of the rubber instead of the right edge?
ABravesFan
April 28th, 2009
9:54 pm
Also Charlie Mortons line for Gwinett (played against Norfolk team with Matt Wieters)
Player IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA
Morton 5.0 5 1 1 2 2 0 5.21
Wieters goes 1-4 with an RBI
Eric from MO
April 28th, 2009
9:55 pm
Instead of saying we shouldnt of won this game because of our offense, why not praise Jo JO (everyone on here probably knows I hate him) and our bullpen. Both have rebounded nicely!
Mitchell
April 28th, 2009
9:55 pm
One last thing…
I’m not gonna lie, I went to a private school. I’ve been around very rich people in my time and I’ve been around people who are very far on the other end of that spectrum and both can be just as nice and decent as the other. They can also be just as unpleasant and unhappy and pathetic as well. I’m not judging.
But those rich mother(beep) behind home plate who don’t get off their lazy @$$e$ in the GD 9th inning in a game like that make me sick. Why do they even go to the game? They sit there behind home plate and act like they’re at a boat show.
I shouldn’t criticize the lack of attendance cause I don’t go to that many games myself but to go and just take up space and not show any connection or enthusiasm to what’s happening on the field.
I’ll defend Braves fans til I’m blue in the face. We care, we don’t boo after one bad play like Phillie fans and we’re always welcoming to former Braves who come back with other teams but those people behind the plate makes me sick. They should let real fans sit back there.
BOO
April 28th, 2009
9:55 pm
Un…be…lieveable.
Isn’t it?
Bobby's Cox
April 28th, 2009
9:55 pm
And Salty comes up with 2 outs and hits a bases loaded, 2 run blooper to give texas a 4-3 lead. Andruw scored on the play. Pretty cool seeing all these ex-braves on 1 team and rooting for Texas.
Mitch
April 28th, 2009
9:56 pm
Great game tonight. Reyes was awesome, and the bottom of the eighth was excellent. Hopefully we can finally get on a little run. This team does have talent, but we havent sseen much of it since the five and one start.
Mitch
Steve from OH
April 28th, 2009
9:57 pm
Scoots, would you like to borrow my helmet? I’m only offering because I’ve already got dibs on Bay Area Steve’s whisky (I suppose whiskey because he won’t share his scotch)….trust me, you’ll need it before long (the helmet). I’ve already knocked a freakin’ hole in my wall…
patrocket
April 28th, 2009
9:57 pm
What’s up with Heyward?
Moby Grape
April 28th, 2009
9:58 pm
I listened to Bill Shank’s radio show and he said Jair Jurrjens is trade bait for a bat. I hope he is wrong (ROB)
well he’s wrong way more often than he is right, so maybe you’ll get your wish. Besides didn’t Big Dawg assure us that it was Kelly or Frenchy getting traded?
Run Heap Run
April 28th, 2009
9:59 pm
Honestly, I mean it does get ridiculous here sometimes with the same thing being said over and over and over but excluding that, how many of you have EVER watched a baseball game with anyone when you or the other person didn’t moan and groan about bad plays, bad pitching, tough breaks and untimely outs? That’s just baseball. It doesn’t make a person less of a fan to comment on stuff like that.
Jeff321
April 28th, 2009
9:59 pm
Milwood just gave up a jack.
McFann Ô
April 28th, 2009
9:59 pm
Yeah…McCann’s not playing anymore…
spotts
April 28th, 2009
9:59 pm
I’m sure it was Lynchburg’s ace that McCann faced tonight.
Tom O'Hawke
April 28th, 2009
9:59 pm
LA Lady … I was away for 3 days fishing in Lake Champlain. The weather was unseasonably hot. Thanks to the cold water in the big lake, under 40 degrees, it was like an air conditioner with the constant gentle breeze. I got home between 5 & 6 and it was 91 degrees. Now it’s 54. The temperature dropped almost 40 degrees in the last 4 hours!
Hey for all you “what’s he up to now”, Michael Vick fans; The Albany Firebirds of arenafootball2 said today they have offered a contract to imprisoned former NFL quarterback Michael Vick for the remainder of the 2009 season.
eltrompoBRAVESfan
April 28th, 2009
9:59 pm
Eric from MO
“Then Mac went all Ray Charles on us….”
Hilarious
To Be Continued....
April 28th, 2009
9:59 pm
N8
Not calling you out, really I’m not. I just wonder why you weren’t worried about our offense over the winter? This offense has struggled since the Baby Braves came on the scene. What I mean by struggling is not producing big hits, scoring meaningless runs and going into frequent funks where no one gets a big hit.
The year Frenchy was leading the world in 2 out RBI, the Braves PR people and announcers milked it for all it was worth. Two out RBI mean nothing if those two out RBI are not contributing to winning games.
I like the stat DOB mentioned today AND that is being used more and more.
LATE AND CLOSE! Take two guys, one has 100 RBI and the other has 80. The guy with 100 has 8 rbi in late and close where the guy with 80 rbi has 23 late and close. Is it just me or is the guy with 80 RBI the guy I want on my team? Braves have not excelled in that department over the last few years.
You can have .300 hitters from top to bottom and if you don’t average 4 runs a game you’re going to lose more than you win. Take Kotchman. The guy is hitting .300. He’s not going to be a big RBI guy and he’s hitting fourth. I don’t blame him for that. He just is what he is.
Any team that has Kotchman hitting cleanup is a team with offensive problems.
Latenight Bailbond Guy
April 28th, 2009
10:00 pm
That was a great game from the old school “good pitching wins ball games”. Braves walked one batter. Cards seven, two of which crossed the plate. Props to Jo-Jo, Peter and the “Cobra” Gonzalez.
Eric from MO
April 28th, 2009
10:00 pm
Why would Jair be trade bait for a bat? They are building the team around him and Hanson in the future. That is ridiculous. I have never listened to his show. Does he have no clue about what he is talking about or did he just have one dumb moment?
Interested Observer
April 28th, 2009
10:02 pm
Andruw’s playing 1B for the Rangers again.
Eric from MO
April 28th, 2009
10:03 pm
To be Continued the problem with that stat is that those 100 rbi’s may be the reason some games are not close.
beachcomber
April 28th, 2009
10:04 pm
Isn’t this the way it’s supposed to be? We got some solid starters in the off season and, be still my heart, get a solid perforamnce from Jo Jo then bring in some very, very good relievers to make it a six, seven or eight inning game. Very similiar to the Red’s nasty boys or the Lumber Company’s trio of Romo, Grant Jackson and Tekulve in the ’70’s.
Just need to get Mac and GA back on track moving Kotchman back where he belongs – in the 6 or 7 spot.
BossLady
April 28th, 2009
10:05 pm
I have always watched the Cardinals and the only players I know are Pujols, Molina and Aikeel. (Spellng?) LaRusso does not play around. He will trade your a$$ if you do not perform, but he WILL warn you first.
Cox just stays patient and let the games get away. I love Bobby Cox like McFann loves McCann. Young ladies in my dept love him. You have to wonder if their superior intelligence clouds their taste in men.
Now, Bobby is Bobby but why would young intelligent women 28-34 love him? Me, I personally loved Andruw and Glavine. Although time has passed I can’t find anything with these new Braves. I guess Infante is the only really handsome man to look at during a game.
Bobby's Cox
April 28th, 2009
10:05 pm
I could never last on that Cards blog… can’t put my thoughts into 1 sentence like they do.
cabravesfan
April 28th, 2009
10:06 pm
keylargo-
I did notice that about Gonzo…it’s about time- his control seemed so much better and it leaves him in a (slightly) better fielding position as an added benefit
Tom O’Hawke-
Sounds like fun
The temp did that here last week- Monday and Tuesday it was 96 and on Wednesday it was 63…go figure
ncscoots
April 28th, 2009
10:06 pm
Steve-OH, not me, good buddy. I was checking email after the game, and just glanced in. I know better…hope springs eternal. I wouldn’t waste good liquor on this bunch, were I you. You need a fast, cheap drunk to hang with this crew and not have your brain turn to mush.
McFann Ô
April 28th, 2009
10:07 pm
Spotts–
Yeah…yeah, sure…
Night, all.
BossLady
April 28th, 2009
10:08 pm
COBRA, Yes!!!!!!!!!!!
To Be Continued....
April 28th, 2009
10:08 pm
Yeah Eric but if the 100 RBI guy has 8 of them in Late and Close situations, that says a lot about who is going to be around to pick you up (or not pick you up) when the game is on the line when it’s late and/or close.
It goes back to the DOB discussion earlier today on the blog.
I’m a believer in clutch performers vs. guys who aren’t clutch. Some here think there is no such thing as clutch players. I disagree.
Steve from OH
April 28th, 2009
10:08 pm
Fine, I’ll keep the helmet. It probably looks better on me, anyway
Eric from MO
April 28th, 2009
10:10 pm
Didnt know Andruw could play first.
Random
April 28th, 2009
10:11 pm
Willy Wally (12:52 pm): ” ‘And all I meant was that it had occurred to me a few days ago that Cox and Chipper may have worked out a good cop, bad cop routine. I didn’t think it was worth posting at the time.’ (RANDOM)
“Oh, yeah, sure. Just like it occurred to me that Cox, Lowe, Vazquez, and Escobar worked out his temper tantrum beforehand to get Volzquez rattled with a smaller strike zone, to rally the troops, to take Vazquez off the hook from putting a baserunner on in a close game, and to ensure retaliation the next day with the ace on the mound against a lesser pitcher.
“If one uses that tortured logic, as you labeled it over the weekend, one can make believe it was all well-choreographed and executed. The reality is Escobar is undisciplined in controlling his temper and fortunately things just worked themselves out in the Braves favor.
“The same is true here with your tortured logic that Cox and Chipper have worked out some good cop, bad cop routine where Chipper gets to say anything about anyone at anytime. It’s a bunch of bull. Chipper is AND has always been just as undisciplined in popping off in the press as Escobar is popping off on the field.
“That’s all it is. Nothing more, nothing less. Chipper’s just running his mouth. It’s more of a good cop, rogue cop routine than a good cop, bad cop routine.”
Yes. Sure. I never seriously suggested than Chipper and Cox had collaborated on that routine — only that it was as if they had.
If you recall, ncscoots first broached it at 6:31 am: “Braveheart, maybe Chipper thinks he has to play bad cop to Bobby’s good cop, or something.”
Maybe he was serious — I didn’t take it as such. That’s why my off-hand reply began “Funny”: “Funny — I had that very same thought after Chipper’s “controversial” remarks regarding Escobar’s overreaction to being HBP.”
And as you quoted me above — I did not consider it worth posting. How come? ‘Cause it was not really that funny at the time, and otherwise it was a ludicrous conspiracy theory — I did not realize I would have to spell that out.
As I said in the part you didn’t quote, Chipper can speak for himself.
Sheesh.
Shane
April 28th, 2009
10:12 pm
There is no such thing as clutch
Eric from MO
April 28th, 2009
10:13 pm
Yeah but To how do you get blowouts and easy wins. By having big 100 rbis guys. This could go on all night. Might as well just agree to disagree. Just wanted you to hear my take on it.
Mekons
April 28th, 2009
10:13 pm
A lot of people here are sick, sick, sick. It’s not a glass-half-full question. It’s if it is half-full, it’s EMPTY.
Dam fools. Some idiot was saying to put Kotchman at third. I guess anyone with a keyboard can chime in, but that was about as stupid a comment as can be made. The last lefty 3B must have been about 1870. If then.
Our offense needs some help, but I am not sure where this improvement will come from or what position he will play. I’d love to get Carlos Lee, but the Astros won’t trade him and we can’t afford his salary. At the trade deadline, we have a surplus of starting pitchers and might get a good RH bat. Until then, we have to use what we have. And blaming G. Anderson is bush league. He’s not healthy and his few terrible innings are atypical.
mr baseball
April 28th, 2009
10:14 pm
All it takes for the Braves to win is 3 walks and a seeing-eye single by Diaz on ball 4. Tonight’s victory was no thanks to Chance the Manager.
Is there any other manager anywhere who would bat Kotchman cleanup behind Chipper? The fact that our future Hall of Fame manager would bat him in that spot is a demonstration of the fact that a higher than room temperature IQ is not required to be one of the winningest managers in history.
Cox invited LaRussa to pitch around Chipper all night (especially with his brilliant bunt stretgy in the 8th), and LaRussa took him up on it. The Braves won, so all is wonderful on the blog. But the fact remains that the decider in the dugout has no clue how to piece together the most effective lineup possible, granted that he doesn’t have a lot to work with.
Until BMc gets back, Cox has to put someone who can actually hit the ball behind Chipper. Could by Yunel. Could be Francouer. Could even be Johnson, even with his recent slump.
If it’s Kotchman again to