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1,613 comments Add your comment
will the braves win another series?!?!
May 4th, 2009
4:52 pm
Well the braves have only 2 games with the mets…. maybe the braves can win this series
N8
May 4th, 2009
4:53 pm
jtb
I don’ think that it’s strange at all. Scouts kept mentioning last year, how Andruw’s first step (which was his biggest asset, IMO) was pretty much gone, and he was a shell of himself in CF.
Something MANY Braves fans (including myself) mentioned in his last season with the Braves, but most wanted to live in denial. He’s just getting older. Not much he can do about it. Oh yeah, that’s right, athletes are in charge of of how “in shape” they are. Never mind.
I consider the Rangers smart, for not putting him in a position to fail. They (and he) will be better because of it.
If he were a Brave right now, he’d be batting cleanup everyday and playing CF. Thus getting “exposed” at the plate and in the field.
Don’t let a player’s great past accomplishments, mask what they are TODAY. Andruw is a DH/4th OF at best. Kudos to the Rangers for realizing it and using him that way.
keylargo
May 4th, 2009
4:53 pm
BC should put Chipper in at lead off instead of continuing to try to force the issue with KJ leading off. They are walking Chipper regularly but with him leading off, at the least he would get pitched to. Plus getting KJ down in the order so he could return to being productive.
I’m not saying to do this except for a few games until BMac and Garret Anderson are back in the lineup to hit 4 and 5.
dogsbrekky
May 4th, 2009
4:53 pm
Anders – I stopped taking cancer meds 3 hours ago, even they wear off
now for some good California Cabernet
ncscoots
May 4th, 2009
4:54 pm
Crawford stole…6 in one ga–oh my. Do we play the Rays this year…?
And scored twice. As in, “two”. As in, the SBs had no impact on the scoring.
I watch the RAYS every time I get the chance, they are so much fun
As in, the Rays have a worse record than the team the many here so love to bash.
Does that mean that, if the Braves would only steal more bases, the whiners here would not moan so much about their W-L record, because the team would be “fun”?
Moderate Maniac
May 4th, 2009
4:56 pm
DOB
Your blog post says it all about Shafer. Thank you for pointing out the reality of having Shafer in the lineup. He’s a rookie. He has lots of pressure on him because he’s in a lineup of guys who are struggling to get runs across. When that happens, it puts more pressure on the rookie to produce. If Schafer was sitting in the Red Sox lineup or some other team that has multiple contributors to run production, he would probably be performing better. The result of having Shafer in the lineup will be to the Braves advantage in the future. He may be a liability this year though.
How quickly Shafer adjusts to the “hole” in his swing will ultimately play a huge role in how the Braves offense performs this year. We have to hope that Shafer is in fact the “quick study” that some say he is. It’s really hard to have expectations of Shafer to adjust his swing and/or approach to hitting when you have so many veterans on the team who can’t seem to do it.
Anyway, appreciate the post on Schafer. People need to realize that one can have the ability to recognize the warts on the frog and comment on them without being what some folks here love to refer to “haters.”
Jersey Gil
May 4th, 2009
4:56 pm
Run Heap Run …hey. DOB also has a crounch one time with Gloria Estefan, Miami Sound Machine, when he was the beat writer of the Fish.
Supes
May 4th, 2009
4:56 pm
Get off Chipper’s back. He’s earned the right to speak his mind. He’s the face of the franchise (sorry B-Mac, not yet).
People criticizing him are probably the same ones who have been asking for someone to step up and be a vocal leader in the clubhouse.
We do not know what goes on behind the doors of the Braves Clubhouse. Chipper is one of the smartest guys in baseball. I’m sure he’s got his reasons for saying what he said (publically to the AJC).
Anders, good one about Perez vs Kawakami. Seems like both teams missed on those 2 guys (at least up to this point, giving them 3 year contracts). At least the Mets can afford to “eat” Perez’s contract. Not sure what the Braves would do if Kenshin continues to struggle. I guess trading him to Seattle for a bag of balls and bats would be doable, lots of asians up there:)
njbraves
May 4th, 2009
4:56 pm
Can people please stop acting like Infante and Prado are Mays and Aaron. Unreal. I like both guys, but come on already.
Jeff R
May 4th, 2009
4:56 pm
Infante has the hot hand, but he’s riding the pines today, in favor of Kelly Johnson. I say, go with the hot hand.
Reyes seems to have these one inning breakdowns that spoil what would otherwise be nicely pitched games. Gotta be concentration. He eases up lwhen he should be bearing down.
STRETCH
May 4th, 2009
4:57 pm
Kotchman Clean-up, Schafer hits 8th while Anderson is lighting it up in Detroit. Crawford steals 6 bases, where’s Otis Nixon?!!
This team aint going nowhere, no time soon or the future as long as Cox is still in the dugout. Another 4th place finish folks. Boy, i miss the golden years!
But even with all the talent they had since 1991, they only have one ring? I was watching MLB network the other day and they ran that 1996 series with the Yankees and to this day i wonder what happened after being up 2-0 and losing that series. Then in the 99 series, they had the 2 best pitchers go back to back, but left Cox left them in the game too long and they eventually got swept.
We all know that Liberty Media doesnt care and the front office is clueless since JS left. Now add those two facts with that one common denominator of all those past post-season failures…Bobby Cox.
2005 NL Division Series Houston Astros Lost, 1-3
2004 NL Division Series Houston Astros Lost, 2-3
2003 NL Division Series Chicago Cubs Lost, 2-3
2002 NL Division Series San Francisco Giants Lost, 2-3
2001 NL Championship Series Arizona Diamondbacks Lost, 1-4
NL Division Series Houston Astros Won, 3-0
2000 NL Division Series St. Louis Cardinals Lost, 0-3
1999 World Series New York Yankees Lost, 0-4
NL Championship Series New York Mets Won, 4-2
NL Division Series Houston Astros Won, 3-1
1998 NL Championship Series San Diego Padres Lost, 2-4
NL Division Series Chicago Cubs Won, 3-0
1997 NL Championship Series Florida Marlins Lost, 2-4
NL Division Series Houston Astros Won, 3-0
1996 World Series New York Yankees Lost, 2-4
NL Championship Series St. Louis Cardinals Won, 4-3
NL Divison Series Los Angeles Dodgers Won, 3-0
1995 World Series Cleveland Indians Won, 4-2
NL Championship Series Cincinnati Reds Won, 4-0
NL Division Series Colorado Rockies Won, 3-1
1993 NL Championship Series Philadelphia Phillies Lost, 2-4
1992 World Series Toronto Blue Jays Lost, 2-4
NL Championship Series Pittsburgh Pirates Won, 4-3
1991 World Series Minnesota Twins Lost, 3-4
NL Championship Series Pittsburgh Pirates Won, 4-3
1982 NL Championship Series St. Louis Cardinals Lost, 0-3
But let Cox tell it all, like he did about the pitching yesterday…everythings fine.
cphizzle
May 4th, 2009
4:57 pm
3-8 with 4rbis dont sound like to bad of production from the cleanup spot if you ask me maybe chipper needs to put his big boy drawers on and start hitting the ball like he is supposed rather than run his mouth about people not producing…sorry but he dont get a free pass with me
will the braves win another series?!?!
May 4th, 2009
4:57 pm
I see we have the wanna be coaches in here again,lol…
Run Heap Run
May 4th, 2009
4:57 pm
Thanks bravos2249.
Knuckle Sandwich
May 4th, 2009
4:58 pm
Fox announcers generally suck…but one of them brought up an interesting point about Schafer on Saturday. He is swinging and missing at a lot of strikes, not whiffing at bad balls (Frenchy, Diaz). This is evident by his high number of walks. Maybe he needs to bring that $90,000 batting machine up north for a little extra BP.
RC
May 4th, 2009
4:59 pm
njbraves,
Mays and Aaron couldn’t play 2b and SS.
Woogidy
May 4th, 2009
4:59 pm
The Braves are hurting right now. When you go into a season and put that much stock into a Catcher, as the Braves did, you’re asking for this situation. Obviously, some guys haven’t performed as hopep, but, for the most part, it’s been the fact that Mccann is hurt, and was since the first game. GA is hurt as well. Let’s wait until this team plays a couple of weeks at full strength, then reevaluate it. I am not happy with where the Braves are, but it’s not like the whole division has ran off and left. They’re all still right there. If at the end of May, the Braves are 2.5 games out, I’ll still be ok with it, but only if they’re playing better. Let’s face it, the Mets or Phillies are gonna take off soon, and the Braves are gonna have to step it up and chase them to the top if they want to stay in this race. The pitchers can’t do much more than they have. So, put the plastic cover back on the panic button, and wait it out a bit.
keylargo -the new Braves coach
May 4th, 2009
4:59 pm
My vote is for Keylargo… make a great coach
dogsbrekky
May 4th, 2009
4:59 pm
ncscoots – watching the Rays, whether they suck or not, or whether they do the “statistically correct thing” has nothing to do with whether one supports them or not…… they just happen to crack me up
Chuck James was Solid until the 6th!!!
May 4th, 2009
5:00 pm
Casey Kotchman will hit HR #1 this evening. Bet on it.
Jeff R
May 4th, 2009
5:00 pm
Infante and Prado aren’t Mays or Aaron – but neither is Kelly Johnson. A streaky hitter with an adequate, at best, glove. Much overrated by the Braves’ brass.
Anders
May 4th, 2009
5:01 pm
Supes – good 4:56. Especially paragraph 3. Hey, when Chipper says something like that there’s a reason. Not only wouldn’t he do that to one of his teammates off the cuff but especially a rookie. Not sure why he did it , but I wouldn’t question that he did.
As for Perez, I don’t think the Mets are anywhere near eating his contract. He’s always had these types of issues. However, never this early and prolonged so it bears watching. As for Kawakami – not having pitched here before he was much more of a risk. I’d be really nervous that he’s not MLB starting material. Time will tell on both deals.
McFann Ô
May 4th, 2009
5:03 pm
Choppinmama–
Wouldn’t ya know it? We were in the car when he–ahem–”felt his way to a free base”.
They’re supposed to have a nice ceremony on the field for Maddux too.
Oh well, yeah, I’d wanna see that thingy, too, of course…
dogsbrekky–
Yeah…really wish they coulda won the WS…
Macon Braves–
Oh yeah–even if he is batting only .195, when he’s out for more than one game, ya start to miss ‘im…
So the chorus of this song, with a few minor changes, fits perfectly. Ironically, it’s by a group called BBMak (only song of theirs I know, though):
So I keep on waiting till [you're] back where [you] belong
So here I am all by myself
Thinking of you nobody else
There is a feeling inside, and as hard as I try
It just won’t go away
[Yeah, I'm] finding it hard it all on [my] own
Having to face each night alone
Knowing you are the one with the [big bat we] need
And I miss you more each day
Chuck James was Solid until the 6th!!!
May 4th, 2009
5:03 pm
IMO for the first time ever I will say this, Chipper has no right saying anything right now when all he is good for is walks, singles and costly errors, those things do not win games. Look in the mirror before you get on other people publicly. I love Chipper but that needed to be said.
RC
May 4th, 2009
5:04 pm
Stretch,
You’d consider having a 12-14 record in playoff series a failure? Realizing that Cox didn’t start managing the team once it made the playoffs, but the 162 games leading up to them also?
dogsbrekky
May 4th, 2009
5:05 pm
Kawakami will be okay once our 2nd baseman stops dropping double play gifts forcing said Japanese pitcher to cough up gut shot HRs [TIC]
The DUMP KELLY JOHNSON ASSOCIATION
May 4th, 2009
5:07 pm
We are strong and growing. We are many in number.
For the good of the Braves, DUMP KELLY JOHNSON.
Go to DUMPKELLYJOHNSON.org for more details.
njbraves
May 4th, 2009
5:08 pm
Chuck James…are you serious? What do you want Chipper to do? Swing at anything and try to hit homers? The comments on here are so dumb it’s scary. They have played 24 games…relax. They’re 2 1/2 games out of first. unreal how dumb some of you are.
bakerman
May 4th, 2009
5:08 pm
Once more, we will never win anything with Kelly Johnson at 2nd base. Good defense starts up the middle. Move him back to left and consider this experiment the failure that it is!!! Come on Bobby!!
David from NY
May 4th, 2009
5:10 pm
here is the Mets lineup:
Reyes, ss
Murphy, lf
Beltran, cf
Delgado, 1b
Wright, 3b
Church, rf
Castro, c
Castillo, 2b
Maine, rhp
do we have one for the Braves?
Kelly Johnson is a Parkway in California
May 4th, 2009
5:10 pm
Motorcyclist Killed On Kelly Johnson Parkway
Written by Carol Rock
Thursday, 25 September 2008
Fatal is eighth in Santa Clarita in 2008.
A Canyon Country man died Thursday morning when his motorcycle hit a dump truck near the Rye Canyon Loop.
Today’s incident is the eighth motorcycle-related fatality in Santa Clarita in 2008.
Juan Zavala, 24, was riding his 2004 Yamaha motorcycle northbound on Kelly Johnson Parkway at 8:05 a.m. when a dump truck and trailer driven by Misak Vardanyan, 55, of Van Nuys, pulled out of a driveway. Zavala was unable to stop, hit the side of the truck and was run over.
Det. Robert Smoldt of the Santa Clarita Sheriff’s traffic bureau said that Vardanyan was not cited and the investigation into the accident is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call Smoldt at 799-5111.
STOP Kelly Johnson...
May 4th, 2009
5:12 pm
…before he claims more lives.
Anders
May 4th, 2009
5:12 pm
Wait until you guys see the new guy the Mets have at second base. Batting .368 with an OBA of .438 – mostly in the 8 hole! Where does Omar find these guys?
PWHjort
May 4th, 2009
5:15 pm
Aaron Crow makes his independent league debut today: http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/draft/?p=783
RC
May 4th, 2009
5:16 pm
AJC Blog monitors,
Can someone take of the comments about a traffic accident in California and the commenter who wrote “STOP Kelly Johnson” at 5:12 pm. That is really offensive that someone is making jokes about a 24-year old being killed on a motorcycle.
Steve from OH
May 4th, 2009
5:16 pm
Surely you jest, Anders. If Omar loves to find guys with career .724 OPSes (and call them great after a month of a .412 BABIP), then I love him as GM of the Mets!
Anders dear sweet mom
May 4th, 2009
5:16 pm
Anders will you be watching baseball all day on mothers day, in your basement apartment? I was kind of hoping you would take me out to dinner. Nothing too fancy. Maybe some pancakes at Dennys.
dogsbrekky
May 4th, 2009
5:17 pm
Anders – turn on SNY – they hate the Mutts and are suggesting they trade JOSIE Reyes……… oh the intelligence of the NYC borough folks !
Jason in Atl
May 4th, 2009
5:17 pm
DOB – thanks for the fresh blog. A musical diversion for you… The Gaslight Anthem and The Heartless Bast*rds are in town at the Masquerade tomorrow night. Two very good bands. Are you a fan of either?
beekay
May 4th, 2009
5:17 pm
When does Deunte Heath get some love….28 innings 26k 1.29 ERA. We got some arms down on the farm. Locke almost throws a no-no at Myrtle, Morton and Hanson doing there thing in richmond. Lets trade a JOJO and a prospect like Gorkys(Schafer and Heyward are blocking him) for a big bat!
gotigers72
May 4th, 2009
5:18 pm
Hindsight is 20/20, but wouldn’t it have been nice if the Braves would’ve kept Josh Anderson [.326 BA, 6 of 7 in stolen bases] and plopped him in left field? Instead of feeling that they had to pursue someone outside of the organization when the Griffey, Jr. deal fell through? Now you have a disgruntled 36 year old that is not hitting his weight, fields about like the little guy you put in the outfield on your little league team and hope nobody hits the ball to him. Can’t run a lick and when he does he injures something. If it were me, I’d want to check out how I do against live bullets and impress my manager by showing him that I’m a team player.
Is it too late to get rid of crotchety ol’ grandpa? Maybe to the AL as a DH? For some batting gloves and a few used baseballs? Throw Brandon in there and see how he does. I personally think Brandon is not any better than a 4th outfielder on this level, but give him one more chance, then try a trade or somebody else from the minors. Although it doesn’t appear that they have much in the pantry as far as position players until you get to Myrtle Beach. I’ve been keeping up with Gorkys, who has a decent average, but is striking out way too much. Sound familiar? Matty D is not hitting too well either. Tell him to eat a few cheeseburgers and try to gain that weight back.
Anyway, should have kept Josh A. but didn’t. Something needs to be done about LF ASAP. Who wants someone with the attitude that Geezer Anderson has?
DWW
May 4th, 2009
5:19 pm
STRETCH
JS did not leave, he is the president of baseball operations. I get so tired of people saying he left; and you are crazy if you dont think he still has an opinion on every decision they make.
Anders
May 4th, 2009
5:19 pm
Steve from Oh – Absolutely I jest.
Cox must go
May 4th, 2009
5:21 pm
“Is it too late to get rid of crotchety ol’ grandpa?”
No, it’s not too late. Cox must go!
Bleacher Bumgo
May 4th, 2009
5:22 pm
“…and you are crazy if you dont think he still has an opinion on every decision they make.”
Me too. I also have an opinion on every decision they make. Not that it matters much.
Anders
May 4th, 2009
5:24 pm
dogsbrekky – I’m not for trading Reyes, but I will say that of all the guys on the team he worries me most. Something has changed in his game. He doesn’t run nearly as much. He seems to waste a lot of at bats (he’s not maturing as a hitter). I just don’t see him in the Jimmy Rollins type category right now which seemed like a lock a couple of years ago. Maybe it’s because it’s early and cold but he really needs to get going. He’s not playing bad – just mediocre.
BTW- Don’t YOU live in a NYC borough?
bravos2249
May 4th, 2009
5:24 pm
DAVID
Jonhson 2B
Escobar SS
Chipper 3B
Kotchman 1B
Francoeur RF
Ross/B. Jones C/LF
Ross/ B. Jones C/LF
Schafer CF
Vazquez RHP
DWW
May 4th, 2009
5:26 pm
Bleacher Bumgo
You dont think he has influence on the decision they make?
dogsbrekky
May 4th, 2009
5:26 pm
Anders – have you watched Jimmy-roll in the post steroids era
It is not pretty anymore
Josie is a puss but he can play
Anders
May 4th, 2009
5:27 pm
dogsbrekky – hadn’t thought about that with Rollins. Interesting. Hope not. He’s something to watch.
PWHjort
May 4th, 2009
5:28 pm
RC,
If you want to report a comment, there’s a link to do that. Otherwise, don’t be so sensitive.
cleaning lady
May 4th, 2009
5:28 pm
Time to clean house.
Cox, MacDowell, Pendleton – GONE.
Kawakami, Garret Anderson – GONE GONE!
Jo Jo Reyes – GONE GONE GONE.
Kelly Johnson, Chipper Dipper, Kotchman, Diaz, Norton – all GONE!
Most of all: Frank Wren – can’t be gone fast enough!
WE NEED CHANGES PEOPLE.
Anders
May 4th, 2009
5:30 pm
Anyway, got some schtuff to do before the old ballgame. Hope to get back on later – enjoy the game.
I’m figuring 35,000 to 40,000 for the hated Mets – right?
dogsbrekky
May 4th, 2009
5:31 pm
cleaning biatch – and that is why you are a cleaning lady…… you were away when god gave out the brains
Bleacher Bumgo
May 4th, 2009
5:31 pm
“Bleacher Bumgo
You dont think he has influence on the decision they make?”
Maybe a little. Certainly not as much as he used to. He’s delegated authority to Frank Wren and mostly gives high-level advice.
David from NY
May 4th, 2009
5:32 pm
Ya bravos,
I got that, just curious about the Jones and Ross thing.
Atlanta Braves 2009 Market Slogan...
May 4th, 2009
5:33 pm
…a crapfest for the ages!
David O'Brien
May 4th, 2009
5:34 pm
Glavine threw a side session in bullpen today, said he felt good and was encouraged. Believes he’ll pitch again this season, and thinks he could be ready to pitch about five innings in a minor league game in a couple of weeks.
David from NY
May 4th, 2009
5:35 pm
Here it is:
Jonhson 2B
Escobar SS
Chipper 3B
Kotchman 1B
Francoeur RF
B. Jones LF
Ross C
Schafer CF
Vazquez RHP
John
May 4th, 2009
5:35 pm
What all the talk on this blog about leadoff, cleanup, reyes etc really shows is that Frank Wren failed completely this off season. Why are we talking about patching these obvious holes? Pitching and bullpen too. Fire Frank Wren(and Liberty Media too).
bravos2249
May 4th, 2009
5:35 pm
David.
Ross might hit 8th. Bobby’s has put him there because he’s more experienced than the other guys, though Ross has actually been hitting the ball and deserves to hit higher. He hasn’t been hitting it lately, but that could be due to the new little one he had to go be with for a day. Being gone for that one day could have thrown him off, or what not. If all is well with McCann he should be back on Friday and he’ll be with us in NY next week.
3k's = schafer
May 4th, 2009
5:36 pm
i think schafer in 7hole is better for the team
bravos2249
May 4th, 2009
5:36 pm
lol I meant 7th
I'm not the decider, I'm the explainer
May 4th, 2009
5:36 pm
“…just curious about the Jones and Ross thing.”
Bobby is trying something new tonight he will have Ross and Brandon Jones bat SIMULTANEOUSLY. They will stand in opposite batter’s boxes. Cox is betting that they will achieve good plate coverage.
BabyGoatEater
May 4th, 2009
5:39 pm
DOB,
I know you hate that some of us want Shafer hitting in the leadoff (well, dont hate, because you could prob care less what we think) spot, but who else should it be? Obviously, hitting leadoff is taking something away from Kelly. He is not comfortable there. Bobby, for whatever reason, isn’t ready to play infante everyday, so, who else? I would also like to see what the stats actually are for Braves leadoff hitters this year. I am only guessing, but I would think it has to be way, way, way worse than Shafers line, even with the strikeouts. Anyone got those stats?
Piedmont Blues (formerly BravesFan InRockies)
May 4th, 2009
5:39 pm
I say all this while, in the back of my mind, I think “when has Bobby Cox actually TRIED small-ball/base-running, etc., to spark a struggling offense, anyhow? This rough string is starting to remind me of that rough patch we went through three seasons ago after the All-Star break.Ron Roberts
Bobby’s teams used to run a lot — when there was speed on the roster. There just hasn’t been much of it in the past few years. In 2000, six Braves had at least 10 steals with none more than 40 (Furcal), and swiped 148 as team. They were also caught 56 times, so the low percentage of success probably didn’t help the team.
They’ve stolen more than 80 bases as a team only a couple times since then, and considering who’s been on the team, it should be no surprise.
From his first stint in the ’70s as manager, Bobby’s always liked to use the running game when he had the guys to do it (remember when Otis Nixon, Deion Sanders was around in the early ’90s). To his credit, he doesn’t force the issue when his players don’t have the speed or the baserunning skills to make a running game sensible. (And it can be, when you have the guys to do it.)
cleaning lady
May 4th, 2009
5:40 pm
I’m not cleaning up any dog’s brekky. Don’t feed your dog month old chili and he won’t do brekky all over the floor.
gotigers72
May 4th, 2009
5:41 pm
Hey STRETCH – You could save yourself a lot of time by pulling for the Kansas City Royals. Looking up their postseason scores since 1991would take exactly ZERO seconds. Time saved there. Plus you would save time by not having to watch or pull for them from about September 1st on. Wouldn’t have to waste time complaining about their manager. What would you do with all of that extra time you would have?
Seriously Bubba, all of that stuff is in the past. The fact that they won only one World Series out of 14 playoff appearances has been BEAT TO DEATH! Even though they are 1 for 14, I, personally would have rather been a Braves fan during that run than just about any other team, especially the Royals and other teams that have not even MADE the playoffs. How many WS have the beloved Cubbies won over that period. How many teams have had years during that time period when they were absolutely putrid? Almost all of them. Not my Braves though. They were in the hunt for FOURTEEN YEARS IN A ROW! Yeah, I’ll take that.
tvsportscaster
May 4th, 2009
5:41 pm
If you want to know why the Braves have struggled look no further than lineup construction. Casey Kotchman is a joke in the cleanup spot, he’s a good hitter, but he is no threat at all behind Chipper, regardless of the righty/lefty crap that Bobby puts way too much stock in, Francoeur should be hitting cleanup. And yes I know he has a lot of strikeouts but Schafer should be leading off. One game is not a fair assessment of how he can do in that spot. At least if he leads off and gets on base, Schafer can use his speed more, which he can’t do at all hitting 8th, but again Bobby apparently could care less about speed. And finally obviously someone can’t read Kelly’s statistics in the lead off spot, he needs to be lower in the order. So until there is better lineup construction this team will continue to struggle.
Piedmont Blues (formerly BravesFan InRockies)
May 4th, 2009
5:41 pm
And that may have been some of the worst grammar I’ve ever posted while sober. Apologies.
Lineup repair team
May 4th, 2009
5:42 pm
Kotchman should lead off. He’s hitting ok and he’s slow but on the other hand he can’t drive in any runs.
buzzmeat
May 4th, 2009
5:45 pm
if hes slow why would he leadoff?
Coach Coach anyone
May 4th, 2009
5:45 pm
dang cleaning lady…. maybe the Braves should just go away….
nuevo bravo
May 4th, 2009
5:45 pm
why is chipper jones still on this team? dude is ancient. hurt all the time. no power anymore. does cox want a competitive team or a museum exhibit.
McFann Ô
May 4th, 2009
5:46 pm
DOB–
Any word on when McCann will start his rehab and how many days he’ll be with Gwinnett?
Thanks!
Tomas
May 4th, 2009
5:46 pm
DOB, good article. You should change the poll answers though to, Yes but they need another bat.
What I don’t get is why Kotchman is batting cleanup. What’s wrong with Franceour batting cleanup? Frenchy is locked in, and has been very good in the clutch all year long unlike Kotchman who only has 4 RBI’s.
To be fair with Kelly Johnson, you have to admit the guy has had some serious bad luck. He seems to always hit rockets, but unfortunately directly at people. I think he is just pulling the ball too much. If you look it up, you’ll find out the majority of his hits and outs are to the right side of the infield and right field.
Brian McCann does that as well. They’re pull hitters, and first basemen better be on their toes against them.
I think their is a logic to think Schafer strikes out too much to be a leadoff hitter. But as you said, this kid gets on base a lot WHEN THE BASES ARE EMPTY. My point is, when you’re batting leadoff the bases will be empty at least 50% of the time(that’s why you don’t see leadoff hitters with 100 RBI seasons too often).
Schafer with the bases empty has a 352AVG, 10BB, 14SO’s, 1HR, and 4 doubles in 42 AT BATS. Thats a 481OBP, and 524 SLG %. And his speed at the top of the order would be a big difference in the stolen base department. That’s my reason’s to think Bobby should bat him cleanup.
AJC SUCKS
May 4th, 2009
5:47 pm
I think the AJC muct go….
AJC SUCKS
May 4th, 2009
5:47 pm
must even
CharlieAlphaBravo
May 4th, 2009
5:48 pm
I’m curious to know how wearing glasses will affect McCann considering how much he sweats around his head and eyes.monty
Uhhh…. I’ve also considered this, but then I realized I have no way to determine how much Mac “sweats around his head and eyes.” What is this magical sweat detection device that you have discovered?? I must have it!
gonzo
May 4th, 2009
5:50 pm
The sweat literally pours out of McCanns eyeballs. You could irrigate a cornfield with all that moisture.
Lew
May 4th, 2009
5:50 pm
Yeah-Let’s just throw in the towel and consider the Braves doomed for the season. We’re already 2 1/2 games out of the division lead, have the best pitching in the NL East and there’s only 138 games left. It’s opeless.
Lew
May 4th, 2009
5:51 pm
Excuse me-Hopeless. Must have been listening to Dogsbrekky and that Aussie accent.
Pete
May 4th, 2009
5:51 pm
Piedmont Blues (formerly BravesFan InRockies): ” In 2000, six Braves had at least 10 steals with none more than 40 (Furcal), and swiped 148 as team. They were also caught 56 times, so the low percentage of success probably didn’t help the team.”
A 73% success rate for stolen bases is anything but low.
PWHjort
May 4th, 2009
5:53 pm
Frank Wren took a 60 win team and turned it into an 80 win team. Seriously, we wouldn’t have won much more than 60 games using only the internal options we had after the 2008 season.
little pony of the apocalypse
May 4th, 2009
5:53 pm
Braves are doomed. Flee and do not look back in the direction of the Ted.
DON’T LOOK BACK!
PWHjort
May 4th, 2009
5:53 pm
nice post at 5:50, Lew.
Steve from OH
May 4th, 2009
5:57 pm
A 73% success rate for stolen bases is anything but low.
…that’s right around the break-even point for SB. They’re either breaking exactly even or just barely making out…
PWHjort
May 4th, 2009
5:57 pm
Pete, a 73% success rate doesn’t help the team in the long run. It doesn’t cost the team runs, but you don’t gain any runs from stealing at a 73% success rate. Basically, every time the Braves stole a base in 2000 they were wasting their energy.
The cunning linguist
May 4th, 2009
5:58 pm
Brekky is an Aussie slang term for flatulence.
numbers
May 4th, 2009
6:00 pm
I heard that attendance increases by about 5,000 fans (mostly walk-ups) when Kelly Johnson is in the starting lineup.
Fans are enthusiastic about this exiciting second baseman.
cvbraves
May 4th, 2009
6:01 pm
beekay
May 4th, 2009
5:17 pm
When does Deunte Heath get some love….28 innings 26k 1.29 ERA. We got some arms down on the farm. Locke almost throws a no-no at Myrtle, Morton and Hanson doing there thing in richmond. Lets trade a JOJO and a prospect like Gorkys(Schafer and Heyward are blocking him) for a big bat!
“`Uh, Braves don’t have a team in Richmond!
Pete
May 4th, 2009
6:02 pm
Steve from OH
A 73% success rate for stolen bases is anything but low.
…that’s right around the break-even point for SB. They’re either breaking exactly even or just barely making out…
I agree its about average or slightly above, which to me is not “low.”
Tonight's Braves promotion
May 4th, 2009
6:02 pm
Swine flu masks with Braves logo to the first 10,000 fans.
It is suggested that in the ninth inning, if the Braves are trailing, fans should turn the masks inside-out.
Steve from OH
May 4th, 2009
6:05 pm
Ok, fair enough
Pete
May 4th, 2009
6:05 pm
PWHjort: “Pete, a 73% success rate doesn’t help the team in the long run. It doesn’t cost the team runs, but you don’t gain any runs from stealing at a 73% success rate. Basically, every time the Braves stole a base in 2000 they were wasting their energy.”
Hard for me to argue that cause I dont have the stats to prove one way or the other. A lot depends on when the base was stolen…tight game that leads to a run, or what. You may be right on; I just dont know.
mets2009WSchamps
May 4th, 2009
6:05 pm
Watch getting to play the Braves wake the Mets up. Swweeeeppp baby!
Prediction tonight’s game: Mets 10, Braves 0
Tomorrow’s game: Mets 12, Braves 1 (wild pitch scores run)
Get ready!!
David O'Brien
May 4th, 2009
6:07 pm
McCann is expected to get his glasses on Wednesday and play that night at Class A Rome, then on Thursday at Triple-A Gwinnett before rejoining the Braves on Friday.
He can’t play at Gwinnett on Wednesday because they have a pre-noon start that day and his Oakley prescription glasses aren’t expected to arrive in time. So he’ll go up to Rome that night.
CharlieAlphaBravo
May 4th, 2009
6:07 pm
Seems like many here are overreacting to Chipper’s talk with the media about Schafer. Y’all act as if every pitcher Jordan’s faced in the last couple of weeks didn’t know about the enourmous hole in his swing. That’s clearly not the case.
Opposing pitchers have been continuously exploiting Schafer’s over-swinging by coming up and in on him. I’m no expert, but even I spotted this hole early in the season. It’s abundantly clear that the scouts have already spotted this weakness, so what does it matter if Chipper mentions it to the press?
It’s possible that Chipper’s words are directed at the pitchers, but I think it’s more likely that they are for Schafer’s benefit. I’m sure TP and Chipper have been working with Jordan to correct the problem, but so far he has not effectively cut down on his swing. Perhaps Chipper was trying to motivate Schafer to heed his advice, since telling him directly apparently isn’t working.
Chipper is the big man in the clubhouse now, and like it or not, he has become the vocal leader of the Bravos. Personally, I love his “no B.S.” approach with the media, and his hitting instruction is second to none. If nothing else, at least Chipper gives us something to talk about on an otherwise dreary day.
Andrew
May 4th, 2009
6:08 pm
Tomas,
Batting Schafer in the leadoff spot only gets him one AB with the bases empty–his first AB of the game. Your 50% figure is nonsense. Sure, batting him leadoff will give him more bases empty situations than if he were batting fourth of fifth–but other than that not much can be said. It’s all chance.
PWHjort
May 4th, 2009
6:08 pm
In the long run around 70% is the break-even point for stolen bases (depending on the situations you choose to attempt a stolen base in). Of course stealing 1 will raise your win probability and getting caught will lower it, but in the long run if you steal at a rate around 70%, you’re wasting your time.