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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
1,163 comments Add your comment
Tom O'Hawke
May 3rd, 2009
6:19 pm
BTW, if anyone else is having difficulty reading the posts, because of the shaded section on the left half, I invented something I’ll share with you. Take an old pair of sunglasses and pop out the left lens. Works like a charm.
nolie… are you around?
Tom O'Hawke
May 3rd, 2009
6:21 pm
My timing is fantastic, ain’t it? First one on the new, unshaded page … sheesh!
Tomas
May 3rd, 2009
6:25 pm
I perfect analogy for this team was the San Francisco Giants of the NL East. I think Ken Rosenthal wrote that this week. This team needs a slugger.
Moderate Maniac
May 3rd, 2009
6:27 pm
I found a contest that has larger odds against winning than the Powerball Lottery!
It’s a Braves radio in-game contest that has run for a number of years. When Jim Powell announced it today, I just chuckled to myself.
It’s the Braves “Stolen Base Inning.” hehehehe
Tomahawkin
May 3rd, 2009
6:37 pm
Dropping 2 of 3 to the last place Stros, WTF! This Team Sucks and if this team ever gets its Shyt together all these games that we are blowing to the Jubroni teams are really gonna cost us in a close race in September…
We are Gonna Get Clowned if we play like this against the Mets
If this Punchless/Inconsistant offense continues look for GA to get released, and F.W. to Bring in Another LF via trade as a 1 year stop-gap (Holliday Maybe, but he will be another Tex, And That is putting it lightly because I don’t think he will hit, playing half of his games at our pitchers paradise…
I say we need Someone to protect Chipper because our lineup Sucks! Teams will continue 2 pitch around “Hoss” All season, And I don’t See B-Macc Playing no more than 125 games (Being optomistic)
Ross and Kotchman as our #4 hitters are gonna make teams laugh (especially in Interleague play) when they see our Anemic offense, Unless Changes are made in the Short Term…
Francoeur Has gotten it together in bases loaded situations…? Please! I’m Not hating on Frenchie in this post but You can’t make assumptions that he is a dangerous hitter with the bases loaded based on 2 AB’s in that situation this season…
Hell we haven’t even hit the 40 game mark this season…
And WTF Is Wrong with “Hoss” again…
Ronald Millsaps
May 3rd, 2009
6:42 pm
I’ve been saying for most of the past two years that the Braves are misusing Kelly Johnson. He deserves to bat 600 times per season and to do so where he’s most effective. Instead, he’s out of place offensively and defensively, and there’s really no excuse for such managerial execution.
I stand by my statement that Bobby’s the greatest manager of all time, but Charlie Manuel has him beaten offensively at the moment, and this fact is subject to change at any time.
Kelly, in my opinion, is our third-best offensive player (Chipper, McCann), but he absolutely isn’t a leadoff hitter. He’s an aggressive, top-half-of-the-ball-hitter who can hit for power and average and take advantage of the dimensions at Turner Field, as evidenced by his high total of doubles and triples, so yes, I get very frustrated to see him at leadoff over and over.
Furthermore, he’s out of place at second base and needs to be used where he best can help us defensively, too.
Bobby’s moving of Omar Infante to second and leadoff simultaneously intrigues me. I applaud it. Now we need to move Johnson to left and let him bat lower in the order—-or anywhere but at leadoff—-and yes, he needs to bat four times per night. Bobby didn’t give him a chance to bat four times per night consistently until late last season, and what happened? He had a 25-game hitting streak—and it very well might’ve been 26 and a game-winner if he had gotten to bat one night when the game ended with him on deck, and it might not have ended had the Braves not executed poorly late in the game.
Speaking of execution, I’d like to see Bobby try double steals. When Escobar and Chipper were on second and first, respectively, earlier, that time would’ve been good for it. Instead of trying to steal bases and put pressure on pitchers and defenses, runners usually stand there and in the process put pressure on the offense.
Dave O’Brien keeps talking about Jordan Schafer’s strikeout total, but his on-base percentage is good and outweighs said strikeout total. The good news here is that we have the luxury of going with Infante–a better leadoff hitter and second-baseman than Johnson, and moving Schafer elsewhere. Furthermore, Johnson’s a better run-producer than is Infante and plays a better left field, so move him there, please. (He’s also faster than Matt Diaz and Anderson and can cover more ground. Also, his not having the stress of being out of place at second should enhance his hitting, much like what happened to Ken Caminiti when he returned to where he was comfortable defensively.)
Also, let’s see stability in this lineup, not benching players all the time and flipping them in the order based on R-L match-ups. If it were my call, I’d go Infante-Escobar-Chipper-Francoeur-McCann-Prado (1B)-Schafer-Johnson. Casey Kotchman plays better defense than does Prado, so I could live with his being the starter there, but Prado might give us more extra-base hits.
Something needs to be done. This team has a great starting ERA and has gotten fine production out of its bullpen for the most part (I’ll feel better if Peter Moylan returns to form and am very thankful that Mike Gonzalez has). To get such a low ERA and to be below .500 is, to say the least, a contradiction.
Moving Infante to leadoff and second is a major step in the right direction on Bobby’s part. I hope now that Johnson will be given at least a week to re-prove what he can do when batting lower in the order. He absolutely tore the cover off the ball in 2007 when getting the chance to bat lower but only sporadically has gotten that chance since.
As I said, I think Bobby’s the greatest manager ever. Therefore, I’m surprised that he’s not formulating a better offense. We have too many players getting shuffled here and there and are seeing too many emphases on R-L assignments.
If we have each player where he’s best-suited to help the team, we’ll not only see higher averages and better numbers but will see a peaceful, stable effect on the lineup, where cohesion takes the place of conflict.
Braveheart
May 3rd, 2009
6:53 pm
Speaking of execution, I’d like to see Bobby try double steals. When Escobar and Chipper were on second and first, respectively, earlier, that time would’ve been good for it. (MILLSAPS)
Double steal with two guys who aren’t very fast? Escobar can’t steal second, but you want him to steal third, which is harder to steal, as the front end of a double steal? And you want a 37 year old who hasn’t really been stealing bases in over 10 years to be the dude at the back end of the double steal? Good grief.
jayveee
May 3rd, 2009
6:54 pm
It’s over. This team has AA offensive talent. No pop anywhere in the lineup. McCann’s future is up in the air. Francouer is batting clean-up. On a good team, he’d be hitting seventh or eighth. I’ve figured out that Kawakami is Japanese for “Batting Practice.” Frank Wren seems to have the reverse Midas touch. He ought to go. Unload the veterans and bring up the kids and let them grow into a franchise that can compete. In the meantime, I want my MLB.com subscription money back!
Tomahawkin
May 3rd, 2009
6:57 pm
Seeing Bobby Attempt A Double Steal in a situation Other than a 3-2 Count Ain’t Gonna Happen, ‘”Bank on It”
I have A better Chance of getting struck by lightning that Bobby doing that…
Wayne in Utah
May 3rd, 2009
6:59 pm
Supes
You’ll get no argument with me. Everyone has the right to vent. It’s the excessive, constant babble that drives me nuts sometimes.
But, I think I am OK now…
Oh what a dose of a healthy Chipper, McCann and Anderson would do for this team!
Tomahawkin
May 3rd, 2009
7:02 pm
Not To Bash D.O.B. here but I think He Overrated Jo-Jo Reyes…Even though 2 starts isn’t really gonna measure a season, Jo-Jo has not changed much from last year. Granted he looked good in S. Training, but hell he was going against B-Squad lineups a majority of the time…
Also keep in mind that His offense hasn’t done him any favors…
If he is still pitching like he did in 2008 come the 1st of June, Send his Carcas down and Bring up Hanson…We Can’t wait half of the season to regain his Promise/dominance he showed in S. Training…
Chop Chop
May 3rd, 2009
7:03 pm
I don’t agree with everything you typed, Ronald Millsaps, but your post should be a beacon for those who don’t know how to question things without insipidity.
Frank from KS
May 3rd, 2009
7:06 pm
Supes
Yeah, I definately know my Fox News Babes….Lol. :>P
brent a.
May 3rd, 2009
7:09 pm
Try to survive until the McCann returns. Then, please let’s trade for some additional offense.
The Braves have become boring, and predictable, and also, not very good.
CB
May 3rd, 2009
7:25 pm
I am in total agreement with Wayne about some of the negativity that comes across during the games that drive away some of fans who like to read. I hate it when the Braves are not playing well,but I and most of the bloggers are not experts. I just shake my head when I see some of the trades that are proposed like the other teams are all idiots and will listen to that! If you don’t know anything about the game read some of the posts from people like nolie, nc scoots. I’ve seen more wisdom from these guys in one post than a thousand of you experts.
bravos2249
May 3rd, 2009
7:28 pm
Matt Harrison is pitching tonight on ESPN
bravos2249
May 3rd, 2009
7:33 pm
Hey
Anyone remember this, and how fans around MLB thought Chipper was talking smack about A-Rod?
http://www.nypost.com/seven/08092007/sports/yankees/chipper_shocker_yankees_michael_morrissey.htm
Frank from KS
May 3rd, 2009
7:36 pm
And for those who might care…….Phillips just said Andruw is in the line-up for the Rangers tonight against the W. Sox on ESPN.
MASTER J
May 3rd, 2009
7:40 pm
THE BRAVES NEED MORE OFFENSE THEY WILL NEVER BE MORE THAN A 500 TEAM UNTIL THEY GET STARTING CALIBER PLAYERS AT 2ND,1ST AND LEFT FIELD.KELLY IS GARBAGE AT 2ND,DIAZ HAS COST US 2 GAMES IN LEFT,AND KOTCHMAN HAS NO POWER AT ALL.ITS GOING TO BE A LONG SUMMER.
Carroll Rogers
May 3rd, 2009
7:40 pm
Some comments from Chipper about Schafer’s struggle today with men in scoring position. And it wasn’t like he was calling him out unprompted. I asked him whether pitchers were preying on his inexperience:
“Guys up here, they’re not stupid,” Jones said. “They watch and they know how to scout hitters and they have found his hole. And his hole is just above the hands, middle up, and he’s having a hard time catching up to it. Until he shortens up and puts the ball in play more consistently, he’s going to continue to struggle. We’ve been trying to tell him that. When he puts the ball in play, he’s got a really good average. It’s just the strikeout, and the timing of the strikeouts. They’re times when he absolutely has to put the ball in play and let his God-given talent, help him. His swing is a little long right now. Hopefully we can shorten it up during the course of the summer and help him to succeed more often.”
bravos2249
May 3rd, 2009
7:41 pm
And also I’ve read at least 2 people on here mouth off about Chipper being hurt. If either of you bothered to want to know what happened, they said in the post game they’d tell us why he came out. I don’t usually watch the post game shows, but I wanted to find out. And he’s not hurt, he just got taken out for a double switch, Kelly came into the game after he hit and Soriano came into pitch. If he were hurt there would have been an article about it by now. sheesh.
Carroll Rogers
May 3rd, 2009
7:44 pm
DOB is picking it back up for the Mets tomorrow…..By the way, the Braves went 8-1 against the Mets last year at Turner Field, as you may well know….
I gotta hit the road before another big wave of nastiness rolls through here. But so happy we had no interruptions during the game….It was a 3 hour and 18 minute game without any weather issues. Good grief!
McFann Ô
May 3rd, 2009
7:44 pm
Jayveee McCann’s future is up in the air.
Please don’t say things like that…
MariettaDerek
May 3rd, 2009
7:47 pm
That game was definitely NOT double pits to chesty.
flange1
May 3rd, 2009
7:52 pm
Evening All,
Some random thoughts (well my thoughts, not Randoms’s and kind of off the wall!)
- JoJo piched well. The arm i there, the head is getting there. If he keeps this up, he ill be a real pitcher.
- REALY surprised by GA rejecting the suggestion to rehab at Gwinnett. Can think of n logical reason NOT to rehab. He better hit coming off the DL or DFA is in his future.
Coach, GREAT news that the Rays have successfully stolen 298575 or 298576 bases!!! STEALS ARE GREAT! What place are the Rays in? LAST???? I guess speed is it right?
Frank from KS
May 3rd, 2009
7:53 pm
Derek
PLEASE….no more!!!!!!
bravos2249
May 3rd, 2009
7:55 pm
The plane that was to have flown the Mets from Philadelphia to Atlanta following the postponement was scheduled to take off at 3:30 p.m. ET. But it was damaged as it was being towed to where it could be loaded. A part of the towing truck snapped off and pierced the fuselage. The flight was postponed until about 5 p.m
I hope no one got hurt, but other than that a tired Mets club is fine with me. They probably won’t be that tired but anytime you get delayed, it’s not fun.
Rodney Derrick
May 3rd, 2009
7:55 pm
Carroll, thanks for the perspective on Chipper and Schafer
Run Heap Run
May 3rd, 2009
7:57 pm
McFann, saw a baby turtle on my run this afternoon. He was about the size of a silver dollar. Very cute.
Tom O'Hawke
May 3rd, 2009
8:00 pm
I gotta hit the road before another big wave of nastiness rolls through here. But so happy we had no interruptions during the game….It was a 3 hour and 18 minute game without any weather issues. Good grief! — Carroll
I swear, when I read Carroll’s first sentence, I thought she was talking about the blog. Ha,ha, it made sense!
Run Heap Run
May 3rd, 2009
8:01 pm
Anyone remember this, and how fans around MLB thought Chipper was talking smack about A-Rod?
Chipper probably already knew, wouldn’t you think? He’s known the guy since he was in high school so I’d be shocked if he hadn’t heard rumors about him using in 2007.
Thanks for the work today, Carroll. No offense but I’m glad to hear DOB will be back for the Mets series since his won loss record is better than yours LOL.
McFann Ô
May 3rd, 2009
8:02 pm
Run Heap Run–
Aw! How cute! I love baby turtles!
My brother and Daddy found an adult turtle yesterday…but it was gone by the time my sister, Mommy, and I got home.
bravos2249
May 3rd, 2009
8:02 pm
You now even though ESPN sucks sometimes I kinda rather get the game from ESPN tomorrow. I guess just so I can hear all the bad stuff and either agree or disagree..lol. But we are playing the Mets.
bravos2249
May 3rd, 2009
8:04 pm
Run Heap Run
Yeah I was googling something and came upon that and I just remember the media backlash and then 2 yrs later guess what….
Ronald Millsaps
May 3rd, 2009
8:07 pm
“braveheart”–I stand by my comment. Neither Escobar nor Chipper is fast, but both have reasonable speed, and you miss the point: It’s about time to put pressure on defenses instead of leaving runners out there, putting no pressure on defenses, and putting more pressure on hitters.
To supplement an earlier point, if you have players where they’re supposed to be in the lineup, their at-bats can have residual good effects on the rest of the lineup. Having so much as one guy out of place does just the opposite. There will be residual effects either way, with the only question being, “What kind?”
Look at the Phillies: They have a lot of productive outs, and a fly-ball to right by Shane Victorino is as much a part of that offensive chemistry than a three-run blast by Ryan Howard.
Also, go with the hot hand. If a player is swinging a red-hot bat, don’t bench him, and don’t ask him to bunt.
Keep Infante at leadoff and Francoeur at cleanup, and move Johnson to “eight.” Trust me; this approach is our best bet. After Francoeur’s best game of the year Friday night–his first game at cleanup, he immediately is moved to “five” on Saturday. We cannot continue to predicate everything on R-L matchups and expect to win.
Braveheart
May 3rd, 2009
8:08 pm
Not To Bash D.O.B. here but I think He Overrated Jo-Jo Reyes (TOMAHAWKIN)
DOB can defend himself, but I can’t remember a time since about mid-August 2007 where DOB has ever ranked JoJo as anything other than what he is.
bravos2249
May 3rd, 2009
8:10 pm
Dear God…..anyone want to see a former Brave tune into ESPN
Rangers vs. White Sox
Betemit, Corky, Lillibridge, Harrison, Andruw, and Andrus are all playing….all they are missing is some SALT.
McFann Ô
May 3rd, 2009
8:18 pm
Bravos2249 I kinda rather get the game from ESPN tomorrow.
Yeah…having the National media talk about how great the other team is isn’t quite as bad as when our own announcer gushes over our opponent ([cough cough]…Chip…[cough cough]…)
Frank from KS
May 3rd, 2009
8:19 pm
bravos2249
I’m hoping the Rangers win that AL West. Someone OTHER than the damn Angels.
Frank from KS
May 3rd, 2009
8:22 pm
OMG….Andruw’s hitting in the 4th spot.
David O'Brien
May 3rd, 2009
8:23 pm
Don’t know if anyone’s mentioned it yet, but Morton had 10 strikeouts while allowing one run in seven innings today … and lost. The scoring-challenged (to say the least) G-Braves lost 1-0 at Pawtucket.
bravos2249
May 3rd, 2009
8:24 pm
Ian Kinsler is one heck on a hitter…too bad we don’t have a 2nd baseman that good.
Frank from KS
May 3rd, 2009
8:27 pm
bravos2249
Oh..don’t forget Kevin Millwood..(Lol)
David O'Brien
May 3rd, 2009
8:28 pm
Bravos2249, I was thinking same thing watching this game. Expat Braves Day in Arlington.
By the way, Salty had a homer and three RBI on opening day. Since that game, he’s hit .263 with one homer, five RBI, three walks and 20 strikeouts in 57 at-bats, with a .300 OBP and .386 slugging percentage.
David O'Brien
May 3rd, 2009
8:31 pm
Braveheart, I’m not quite sure what’s gotten into Tomahawkin’ lately. Couple days ago, he accused me of overhyping these Braves as a “pennant-winning contender,” I think is how he put it. When, in fact, I picked the Mets to win the division and the Phillies to beat out the Braves for the wild card.
As for Jo-Jo, Tomahawkin’, please remind me where and when I overrated him. I’m curious. Before his winless streak began last summer, I’m sure I said it was too early to judge him, that he had plenty of talent, etc. But when did I “overrate” him?
Frank from KS
May 3rd, 2009
8:31 pm
.333 from Andruw so far….not bad……altho he grounded out in his first AB.
bravos2249
May 3rd, 2009
8:34 pm
SO I’m guessing the glasses BMac is getting look like betemit’s
David O'Brien
May 3rd, 2009
8:35 pm
Kotsay played for Pawtucket today, went 0-for-2 against Charlie. (Kots is on rehab assignment, coming back from January back surgery)
McFann Ô
May 3rd, 2009
8:38 pm
Huh…how has Betemit worn glasses?
McFann Ô
May 3rd, 2009
8:38 pm
Thanks for the update on Kotsay, Chief! I’ve been meaning to check on his stats…
Braveheart
May 3rd, 2009
8:39 pm
Why would you want Omar hitting leadoff everyday? Is it the .306 OBP for his career? The sub .700 OPS for his career? The .338 OBP last season while benefitting from limited exposure?
You guys understand that hitting leadoff means you get the most plate appearances on the team right? About 140 more plate appearances than the guy batting 8th?
But you want KJ hitting 8th, getting 140 less plate appearances than Omar, even though KJ has a career .792 OPS and Omar has a .698 career OPS?
Omar Infante, leading off for his career: .249 AVG, .287 OBP, .383 SLG, .671 OPS with 44 runs scored in 417 PAs
Kelly Johnson, leading off for his career: .263 AVG, .354 OBP, .440 SLG, .794 OPS with 82 runs scored in 577 PAs
Omar Infante, hitting 8th for his career: .286, .318, .442, .760 in 393 PAs
Kelly Johnson, hitting 8th for his career: .326, .398, .421, .821 in 110 PAs
Looks like someone really sucks leading off when exposed there for too long, and that he really benefits from being hidden batting 8th, and that someone is not KJ, but Omar
RippleShot
May 3rd, 2009
8:44 pm
I’m so disappointed. The Astros left town and not one player tore his pants exposing a tiny bit of his butt cheek, which surely would have made the crowd laugh at him.
Braveheart
May 3rd, 2009
8:46 pm
I don’t have a problem though with going with the hot hand with Omar right now at leadoff, but Omar starting everyday and leading off everyday is not something that keeps a team in contention all summer
bravos2249
May 3rd, 2009
8:51 pm
Braveheart
Let me add something. No matter what I think, I don’t believe Omar will start.
bravos2249
May 3rd, 2009
8:53 pm
Braveheart
Well I had 2 post to you about “1st batter in the Game” stats. But I guess they are gone. Anyway, Kelly and Omar’s stats for their career are about the same when leading off IN JUST the 1st inning.
DownOnTheFarm
May 3rd, 2009
8:54 pm
ARG! We left too many runners on today. We HAVE to get Richie Sexson on this team!
CB
May 3rd, 2009
8:55 pm
Ripple shot meet Marietta derek. You are a marriage made in heaven.
N Nine
May 3rd, 2009
8:57 pm
Did I miss something? Is Richie Sexson the Ryan Freel joke now?
McFann Ô
May 3rd, 2009
8:59 pm
Tom O’Hawke @ the top of the page–
Lew
May 3rd, 2009
9:00 pm
McFann-”How has Betemit worn glasses?” Sorry, but you walked into this one. They hook over the ears and redst on the bridge of the nose.
CarolinaAnn
May 3rd, 2009
9:07 pm
Disappointing game today.
TnBrian
May 3rd, 2009
9:07 pm
Hi Lew, and wherever Wayne is…hi!
bravos2249
May 3rd, 2009
9:20 pm
I’m just glad the Division games are starting ( at least at more of a pace). Whether we win one or not we’ll move up and down the standings, hopefully not too far down.
bravos2249
May 3rd, 2009
9:23 pm
Dear heavens we have Vazquez, KK, and Reyes going in the Philly series….lets pray for limited wind. Lot of fly balls to be expected.
Frank from KS
May 3rd, 2009
9:25 pm
TnBrian
Mr. Brooks is a pretty good flick.
Bobby (the movie about Bobby Kennedy and the events leading up to his assassination) is also very good. Demi’s in it too.
Lew
May 3rd, 2009
9:25 pm
TnBrian-Only a little.
Frank from KS
May 3rd, 2009
9:38 pm
I agree with Steve Phillips. Andruw maybe looks like he’s figured it out.
Tomahawkin
May 3rd, 2009
9:43 pm
D.O.B.
Your S. Training Observations on Jo-Jo Are obviously More Acute, given that you’ve been around Jo-Jo, Coaches, Staff, etc. Since the start…Maybe I’m jumping the gun early but we need him to Produce Now Especially in this division. I’m Not bashing him because literally he gets no run support, but It seems like this has happened in everyone of his starts dating back to Mid-2008….He starts off well, but by the 5-6 innings The opposing hitters make adjustments to him. He then gets rattled and loses it. The Offense always has to play the catchup game while the blow-pen rubs salt in the wound (Like what happened in his start at PNC)…Right Now I do not see Jo-Jo as a different Pitcher during the 2nd/3rd time opposing teams hitters face him…I just don’t see him making counter-adjustments. Maybe his arm strengh isn’t at 100 percent as it would be if this were July, but it always seems like he loses it by the 6th inning…
As well I do remember you picking both the Phils and Braves to square off in a one game playoff for the WC, but as horrible this team has played over the last 2 wees they will be lucky to finish at .500 becuase the scheduld gets harder as we progress into June…
Words can’t even sum up how bad the offense has been even though they are showing some signs of breaking out of it, but until they start executing the little things on offense this offense will continue to struggle. Hitting is contageous and this team (Not one or 2 players but the overall offense) fail time and time again at the little things. So until they get those worked out The Whole Bobby-Ball Offensive mentality (The kind of offense we saw in the first 5 games) needs to be killed, and bring back the ABC style offense which has been missing for years…
There Goes My Vent after Getting Dropped like a bad Habit to the Stros…
bravos2249
May 3rd, 2009
9:43 pm
Does anyone else think Schafer or maybe Kotchman should be tried in the 2 spot?
Frank from KS
May 3rd, 2009
9:47 pm
bravos2249
Almost everyone on the blog has been clamoring for Schafer to be put into the lead-off position. Kotchman, maybe…but I see him as being down in the order-type.
Why the #2 spot for Schafer?
McFann Ô
May 3rd, 2009
9:47 pm
Lew–
Haha! Yeah, guess I had that one comin’!
Must notta been wearing mine when I typed that.
Tomahawkin
May 3rd, 2009
9:47 pm
Oh Yeah And After We See KamaKaze fare Against the Phillies…We will see if we got our version of Hideki I-Rob-U or if Kamakaze Is The Truth…
mbatl
May 3rd, 2009
9:51 pm
“Does anyone else think Schafer or maybe Kotchman should be tried in the 2 spot?”
bravos2249, I think the lineup discussion is a lot of fun (really – gives us all a chance to express our knowledge or opinions on how the game should be played, and to show off our ability to chase down statistics) – but the fact is, nobody is hitting consistently and (especially) nobody is hitting for power. Until that changes, it’s really a “deck chairs on the Titanic” type of thing.
Tomahawkin
May 3rd, 2009
9:51 pm
Braves2249…
I thought About Kotchman as #2 for a second but I’t can’t happen because
He’s a good contact hitter w/o a lot of power and he’s Slow As Shyt! With Bobby C’s Lack of desire to call steals or the hit and run Kotch will be more prone to hit into Double plays
vabravesfan
May 3rd, 2009
9:51 pm
bravos2249, here’s the thing though. Everybody gets on escobar for not being a good 2 hole hitter because hits into lot of double plays. You think Kotchman is going to find some speed from somewhere to prevent that from happening to him as well? I agree that his approach is much like a 2 hitter but his speed prevents hiim from being there I think.
PWHjort
May 3rd, 2009
9:52 pm
I think Kotchman could be a good #2 hitter.
vabravesfan
May 3rd, 2009
9:53 pm
well glad we all agree on that
vabravesfan
May 3rd, 2009
9:53 pm
nevermind PWHjort wants to dispute that
mbatl
May 3rd, 2009
9:59 pm
But I will add this: Escobar is last in the league in pitches seen per plate appearance (in other words least patient), and 4th to last in the league in GB/FB ratio (meaning he hits the ball on the ground a lot).
I’m not sure that’s a good combination for a #2 hitter, so some kinda change would be fine by me.
Jeff "Goo" Bennett
May 3rd, 2009
9:59 pm
My ERA is looking fine. Looks like a big raise next year. Too bad about the chumps that pitch ahead of me. What’s a few inherited runners scoring among friends.
I am striving to be the next Blaine Boyer or Homerun Manny Acosta.
Run Heap Run
May 3rd, 2009
10:00 pm
Don’t know if anyone’s mentioned it yet, but Morton had 10 strikeouts while allowing one run in seven innings today … and lost. The scoring-challenged (to say the least) G-Braves lost 1-0 at Pawtucket.
Hey, just like the big boys!
It’s good to see Andruw making a real go of his comeback. Letting Andruw get away is to me what trading Josh Anderson is to others here lol.
bravos2249
May 3rd, 2009
10:02 pm
Frank
Aside from Schafer’s obvious hole in his swing putting a rookie in front of Chipper certainly wouldn’t hurt him. I’ve seen Rasmus ahead of Pujols and Elvis Andrus hitting 2nd (I think he came up last year but he’s only 20). Basically I think him hitting 2nd will 1) not put pressure on him as lead off would and 2) give him pitches to hit.
cabravesfan
May 3rd, 2009
10:04 pm
Greetings all…just rolled in from my 4 hour drive home from Vegas that took 7 hours, cracked open my first beer of the evening and thought I’d check to see what I missed. (Not much, apparently)
For the record, Tom O’Hawke and N Nine, I never said I had “sexy” blue eyes, just that they were blue (they are, I promise
)
DAP
May 3rd, 2009
10:04 pm
how about andruw jones? hes batting cleanup tonight, playing left field, and has a season line of .342/.510/.737 …. are you kidding me? how badly do we need that kid of hitting out of LF?
PWHjort
May 3rd, 2009
10:05 pm
Escobar needs to bat towards the bottom of the order or leadoff so we can minimize the crucial double plays in front of our run producers.
Jeff321
May 3rd, 2009
10:05 pm
Jon Miller said, “Terrible throw by Corky Miller.”
Also, Elvis Andrus has looked good this game.
vabravesfan
May 3rd, 2009
10:06 pm
mbatl, where you get the leaders on gb/fb ratio?
AR Brave
May 3rd, 2009
10:09 pm
What do you peoples think about signing andruw next year as a stop gag for Heyward? Andruw would like to be back in the ATL and you know he would bring in fans so that money could pay for his salary, assuming it is low reasonalby low. If he can produce for a full year like he has done in April then I say give the dude a shot again.
You people hear the new hed pe song renegade? Give it a chance, its about the toughness the Braves should be having going into their next few games with the NL east. Chorus- See me, Im still standing, I might be bleeding, but Im still breathing…
Run Heap Run
May 3rd, 2009
10:09 pm
Hey someone remind me who the broadcasters on PTV games are?
vabravesfan
May 3rd, 2009
10:11 pm
PTV is Chip and Joe right?
AR Brave
May 3rd, 2009
10:11 pm
PWHjort saw you on the online mlbtr live chat. I submit a ton of questions but guess they didnt compare to yours.
brewdawg
May 3rd, 2009
10:12 pm
This is not a good lineup, Mac or no Mac. It won’t happen, but I say let’s bring up Freeman and Hewyard (Trade Kotchman). I know, it’s not the most well thought out idea, but this lineup isn’t getting it done.
Run Heap Run
May 3rd, 2009
10:13 pm
I can’t keep it straight, vabraves lol I know Chip and Joe and Joe and Boog but I can’t keep up with who is on what channel.
vabravesfan
May 3rd, 2009
10:14 pm
brewdawg not going to happen and a little premature. We already have one young rookie going through growing pains. You really want possibly 3 of them going through the same thing?
AR Brave
May 3rd, 2009
10:14 pm
One more thing, can someone close to the Braves, DOB or Rogers, please tell Chipper to tell yunel to TAKE SOME PITCHES AT THE PLATE. Does he have any idea how much a hitter’s count could make him even better??? Man that’s frustrating.
Great job of Chipper kind of calling out schafer after swinging with such a long swing. Way to go hitting coach, I bet TP was like dang Why didn’t I think to tell the kid that?
vabravesfan
May 3rd, 2009
10:15 pm
Joe and Boog do the majority of the games on Sports South. I think PTV only has like 20 games.
Pete
May 3rd, 2009
10:15 pm
AR Brave: “What do you peoples think about signing andruw next year as a stop gag for Heyward? Andruw would like to be back in the ATL and you know he would bring in fans so that money could pay for his salary, assuming it is low reasonalby low.”
I think right now Id LOVE whatever it is youre smoking!
Run Heap Run
May 3rd, 2009
10:18 pm
Thanks vabraves, it is Chip and Joe on PTV, I finally found it online.
Richie Sexson
May 3rd, 2009
10:18 pm
I should be on this team.
vabravesfan
May 3rd, 2009
10:19 pm
I’m sure DOB will get right on telling Chipper to tell Yunel to take pitches. haha I bet it will be the first thing out of DOB’s mouth when he rolls into clubhouse tomorrow just for you.