Braves go for series win in Philly
Philadelphia – Good day to all you sweet moms out there … and hey, good day even to any mean mother…. It’s such a beautiful day in Philly, I’ve got no ill will with anyone. But give me an hour, that could change.
No, no. Just kidding. It’s a gorgeous day at the ‘yard, mid-60 degrees with low humidity for this series finale between the Bravos and the Phils at corporate bank ballpark, where the Braves already won one series this year and could win another if they take this game today.
That seems hard to believe, doesn’t it? With the way the Braves have played for much of the first five weeks of the season, they are in position to win their first two series in Philly against the defending World Series champions and, more importantly, are only 2-1/2 games off the division lead.
Despite a 5-9 home record.
Despite an offense that’s 10th in the NL in runs, 10th in homers, 13th in sac flies, last in steals, ninth in slugging percentage, and next-to-last in double plays grounded into (by that I mean, only the Dodgers have grounded into more).
On a positive note, the Braves’ pitching staff has the sixth-best ERA (4.09), third-most strikeouts (239), fourth-fewest walks (104) and fewest homers allowed (22) – the latter particularly impressive given that they’ve played three series in the two notorious NL bandboxes, Philly and Cincinnati, and another series against slugging St. Louis in Atlanta.
By the way, after his win yesterday against the Phillies, Javier Vazquez now leads the NL with 57 strikeouts, just ahead of tomorrow’s opponent, the Mets’ Johan Santana (54), and Jake Peavy (52).
Jair Jurrjens is fifth in ERA (2.01) and second in road ERA (1.00), and Yunel Escobar leads the league in average with runners in scoring position at .516.
Oh, and pertinent entering today’s game: Chipper Jones leads the NL with a .417 average in day games.
♣ OK, today’s game: It ain’t gonna be an easy series-clincher for the Braves, folks. Not unless Kenshin Kawakami pitches a lot better than he has lately.
He’s 0-4 with a 6.97 ERA and .326 opponents’ average in his past four starts. He allowed eight hits and three walks, but only two runs, while throwing 113 pitches in five innings Tuesday against the Mets.
Kawakami is 0-2 with a 9.31 ERA in two road starts, and 0-2 with a 10.13 ERA in two day games (he has a 3.94 ERA in three night games). Yikes. Day game, road, and bandbox.
Kawakami-san
This will be his first start against the Phillies, and conditions could be better for KK. The wind’s blowing out to right, which I’m guessing is a reason the Phillies have left-hitting Matt Stairs in RF instead of Jayson Werth.
Because while right-handers have actually hit better than lefties have against Kawakami this season, it’d be tough for a right-handed hitter to get one out to left field today, with the way that wind has the flags starched toward right.
Either that, or the guy making out the Phillies lineup is an old-school guy who doesn’t pay attention to things like how hitters are actually doing against a pitcher, but instead does the lefty-righty thing.
Like I said, I’m guessing it has to do with the wind — good day to give Werth a day off and let Stairs try to hit it up in the jetstream, or whatever it’s called.
The good news for the Braves is that, even though Kawakami has struggled, so has Phillies starter Brett Myers (2-2, 5.35 ERA). He won Tuesday at St. Louis despite allowing five runs and nine hits (two homers) in 5-1/3 innings.
Here’s the part Braves fans will like: Myers is 0-3 with an 8.59 ERA and .403 opponents’ average and six homers allowed in his past three starts against Atlanta, including an opening-day loss when he gave up four runs and three homers in six innings. Brian McCann is 11-for-30 with two homers against him, Chipper Jones is 12-for-33 with three homers, and Jordan Schafer is 2-for-2 with a homer.
♣ Mac’s back: Speaking of McCann, he has four hits and five RBI in two games since returning from the DL, and his effect on the lineup seems obvious. Even though David Ross was outstanding, defensively and offensively, while filling in for McCann, Ross didn’t hit in the middle of the order.
The Braves played without their cleanup hitter for 15 days, and even before that they were without the real McCann, who was struggling mightily because of his blurry vision and dry eye before he went on the DL and got the glasses.
Now he’s back, and so is Garret Anderson, who has hit fourth ahead of McCann the past couple of days, and is again today.
It’s a different and much better lineup with those two hitting behind Chipper instead of Casey Kotchman hitting fourth and, say, Jeff Francoeur hitting fifth.
By the way, you think the Phillies wish McCann could have stayed on the DL a few more days? Dude rakes against them much the same the way several Phillies do against the Braves.
McCann has hit .341 with a eight homers, 38 RBI and a 1.033 OPS in 39 games against the Phillies since the beginning of the 2007 season, including 7-for-18 with three homers and nine RBI in five games this season, with multi-RBI games in all but one game between the teams this season.
♣ Hoss in Philly: If McCann keeps that up for a lot longer, he could someday have numbers comparable to what Chipper Jones has done in the City of Brotherly Love.
You probably know by now that Chipper has a 29-game hitting streak against the Phillies, during which he’s hit .380 with 11 homers and 25 RBIs. It’s the longest such streak by any Brave against a single opponent since SABR research dating to 1955, and the longest by any player against the Phillies in that time.
With a hit today, Chipper can become just the sixth major league player since 1955 to have a 30-game hitting streak against a single opponent.
But Jones has been feasting on Philly pitching a lot longer than that streak. In fact, for all that’s been made of Chipper’s success against the Mets over the years, he actually has a higher average (.343) and slugging percentage (.630) and more homers (42) and RBI (125) in 194 career games against the Phillies than he has in 192 career games against the Mets (.328-.568-40-124).
And though he named his third son Shea for his memories of Mets-slaying at the decrepit old park that’s finally closed, Chipper has more homers and RBI at the two Philly parks combined (22 homers, 62 RBI) than at Shea (19 homers, 55 RBI).
At this particular park, Chipper has a .331 average, .645 slugging percentage and nine homers with 24 RBI in 38 games, and McCann has a .289 average, 5.45 slugging percentage and seven homers with 30 RBI in 35 games.
Meanwhile, Matt Diaz has hit .326 with three homers, nine RBI and a .628 slugging percentage in 16 games here. He’s not in the lineup again today.
♣ Speaking of power: Ain’t it amazing what a bunch of long balls can do to energize and drive a team? OK, not amazing. More like obvious.
But to drive home the point, the Braves hit three homers and scored 29 runs during a 2-7 stretch through Tuesday. They’ve hit six homers and scored 24 runs during a 3-1 run since then against Florida and Philly, with no appreciable difference in either the team ERA or team batting average in either stretch.
♥ Hey, and on Mother’s Day, here’s a live performance by a brilliant dude who had a complicated relationship with his mom….
OK, outta time. Game’s started. Take us out Robert Earl….
“CORPUS CHRISTI BAY” by Robert Earl Keen
I worked the rigs from three to midnight
On the corpus Christi Bay
I’d get off and drink till daylight
Sleep the morning away
I had a plan to take my wages
Leave the rigs behind for good
But that life it is contagious
And it gets down in your blood
I lived in corpus with my brother
We were always on the run
We were bad for one another
But we were good at having fun
We got stoned along the seawall
We got drunkand rolled a car
We knew the girls at every dancehall
Had a tab at every bar
If I could live my life all over
It wouldnt matter anyway
Cause I never could stay sober
On the Corpus Christi Bay
My brother had a wife and family
You know he gave them a good home
But his wife thought we were crazy
And one day we found her gone
We threw her clothes into the car trunk
Her photographs her rosary
We went to the pier and got drunk
And threw it all into the sea
If I could live my life all over
It wouldnt matter anyway
Cause I never could stay sober
On the Corpus Christi Bay
Now my brother lives in Houston
He married for the second time
He got a job with the union
And its keeping him in line
He came to Corpus just this weekend
It was good to see him here
He said he finally gave up drinking
The he ordered me a beer
If I could live my life all over
It wouldnt matter anyway
Cause I never could stay sober
On the Corpus Christi Bay
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1,056 comments Add your comment
Tomahawkin
May 10th, 2009
12:58 pm
Nice Efficient Inning by Kamakaze…Offense needs to make B. Myers Work again and get his pitch count up, hopefully he’ll be out by 6
cricket
May 10th, 2009
12:59 pm
TH would have gone thru the inning in 8 pitches
Frank from KS
May 10th, 2009
12:59 pm
First :>)
booger1
May 10th, 2009
1:00 pm
can you tell jeff, jordan & kelly to wear knickers EVERY GAME?
Tomahawkin
May 10th, 2009
1:00 pm
Nice Lookup D.O.B.
“Despite an offense that’s 10th in the NL in runs, 10th in homers, 13th in sac flies, last in steals, ninth in slugging percentage, and next-to-last in double plays grounded into (by that I mean, only the Dodgers
have grounded into more).”
That’s not gonna get it done when we play the AL teams and during the stretch run…
Frank from KS
May 10th, 2009
1:01 pm
Maybe Bobby needs to have Otis come and work with Schafer
cabravesfan
May 10th, 2009
1:02 pm
booger1-
I agree..love, love, love the look
Tomahawkin
May 10th, 2009
1:03 pm
Nice Kamakaze, Lets get a 2 out rally goin!
Steve from OH
May 10th, 2009
1:03 pm
Cole Rohrbough starting today for Myrtle Beach for those interested.
David O'Brien
May 10th, 2009
1:04 pm
Blog wasn’t completed when posted. It is now.
David O'Brien
May 10th, 2009
1:04 pm
Myers is going to try to hit every Braves batter once … for mother’s day. He’s one of those mean mothers I was referring to.
Tomahawkin
May 10th, 2009
1:04 pm
ESCO Up with 2 outs and R.I.S.P. I have a good feeling about this
Frank from KS
May 10th, 2009
1:05 pm
Ummm…….Myers is all over the place. No wonder he has a 5.35 ERA.
Steve from OH
May 10th, 2009
1:05 pm
BTW, has anyone noticed Cody Johnson’s numbers so far? .280/.368/.620 with 9 homers and 7 2B. I know it’s early, but that is encouraging, strikeouts be darned.
braveshater
May 10th, 2009
1:06 pm
The Braves wont be anything until Jeff Francour is traded or Bobby realizes he isnt the great white hope they were hoping for. What a WEAK LINK.
booger1
May 10th, 2009
1:07 pm
CA- me too! i think kelly should upgrade to stirrups. he’s been wearing the socks for a while now. haha
Mike
May 10th, 2009
1:12 pm
I wish we could have been more affective against Myers so far…he is not pitching that good, but only has 1 run against him, and that was scored on an out.
ncbravesgirl
May 10th, 2009
1:14 pm
Has anyone in the clubhouse said anything about Jeff’s approach? This first pitch thing is getting out of control. I think he saw like 3 pitches in his first 3 at bats yesterday?
jason
May 10th, 2009
1:15 pm
I am starting to worry that Frenchy may be reverting to his old self. Please someone tell me I’m wring.
Tomahawkin
May 10th, 2009
1:15 pm
Come On LOAF!
jason
May 10th, 2009
1:16 pm
wrong…
PI Braves
May 10th, 2009
1:17 pm
tied ballgame. Still 1-out. Tsk.
Tomahawkin
May 10th, 2009
1:18 pm
Jason, I think the Cavernous Citi-Field will get Francoeur away from trying to hit the ball out every AB, CBP really messes with Frenchy’s mind with the short dimensions
David O'Brien
May 10th, 2009
1:19 pm
talking to Lowe before game today about facing Santana. Didn’t realize they’re neighbors in Fort Myers (Santana spent all those years with Twins, who train there like Red Sox do).
Lowe and Santana have 110 wins apiece since 2002, tied for third most in majors behind Halladay (119) and Oswalt (115).
Tomahawkin
May 10th, 2009
1:19 pm
Here We Go, Come On B-Macc Get In front of the Damn Ball!
kirkinga
May 10th, 2009
1:20 pm
Howard hustles in from 2nd on a single. Very impressive to see a big guy hustling around the bases.
David O'Brien
May 10th, 2009
1:20 pm
OK, Jason, you’re wrong about Francoeur. (I don’t know if you are, actually, but you asked for someone to please tell you as much. So I did. Like I said, I have good will for everyone today.)
Chop Chop
May 10th, 2009
1:20 pm
Boy, if Joe Simpson could just be in our pitchers’ ears in every inning, we’d never give up a hit.
(I get painfully sick of Joe talking pitchers through innings.)
beachcomber
May 10th, 2009
1:21 pm
Who the hell is that behind the plate – Eric Gregg?
Tomahawkin
May 10th, 2009
1:21 pm
Kamakaze with a 29 Pitch Inning, Not Good! He will be out after 5 it seems, Now he will start the btm of the 3rd against J-Roll and his Crew…
jason
May 10th, 2009
1:23 pm
Thanks DOB for the reassurance. Is it me being a homer or does it seem like ATL’s Pitchers are not getting close ptches like the oppisition?
Tomahawkin
May 10th, 2009
1:23 pm
Chop-Chop
“Boy, if Joe Simpson could just be in our pitchers’ ears in every inning, we’d never give up a hit.”
I will Co-Sign on that… But Joe had a good point in that you can’t pitch at this level getting into 3-2 counts every AB….
David O'Brien
May 10th, 2009
1:24 pm
Steve from OH: 39 strikeouts in 100 at-bats for Cody are alarming. But he’s only struck out two times in his last four games and he’s hitting for a good average and OBP, so perhaps he’s taking steps….
NCBravesFan
May 10th, 2009
1:25 pm
DOB – I know you mentioned that Frank Wren never saw KK pitch, but did any of Roy Clark’s staff actually lay eyes on Kawakami in Japan? Seems to be a much different guy in terms of control than the Braves described/were expecting – at least so far.
jason
May 10th, 2009
1:25 pm
I was listening to what Buck Martinez was saying about KK. That was my thinking. I think/ hope by the All Star break we will come to love this signing.
Tomahawkin
May 10th, 2009
1:25 pm
I think The Strike 3 Mis-Call against B-Macc might be the play of the game…We could Knocked Myers Up early and didn’t, now he will probably settle down…
2 HBPS and only 1 run, only the Braves
There We go Loaf! But seriously he scares no one hitting clean-up
David O'Brien
May 10th, 2009
1:26 pm
Some of you, I have a feeling, are probably going to have to bite the bullet on Garret Anderson soon and, if not acknowledge he’s hitting a lot of balls hard, then at least stop writing that he’s done. Honestly, since he got back from the DL he hasn’t looked “done” to me. Not with that swing.
PWHjort
May 10th, 2009
1:26 pm
Just like the Braves. Bases loaded nobody out, settle for 1 run. Typical.
Steve from OH
May 10th, 2009
1:27 pm
DOB, I agree simply because he’s walking more and hitting for a better average while still manually placing balls in orbit. Yeah, he is K’ing at a Schaferian rate, but he really cut his K rate during the second half of last season and he’s walking more this season…
Heck, I just like seeing the 600+ SLG with a very respectable OBP. I’ll take the strikeouts for now (but I would like to see him cut down, for sure)…
PWHjort
May 10th, 2009
1:27 pm
Brian McCann is so damn good.
Steve from OH
May 10th, 2009
1:29 pm
Is it just me, or do KK and Myers seem like very similar pitchers?
Jeff321
May 10th, 2009
1:29 pm
Gotta love Kotchman slamming that bat down!
Tomahawkin
May 10th, 2009
1:29 pm
Frenchie, Come On…!
PWHjort
May 10th, 2009
1:30 pm
Yeah, Jeff321, that was awesome. At least he’s showing some fight in him.
Chop Chop
May 10th, 2009
1:30 pm
Kotchman threw his bat yesterday, Joe.
It’s nice that he did that to a pink bat on Mother’s Day, though. Mothers everywhere were just brought to tears.
braveshater
May 10th, 2009
1:30 pm
Eric Gregg has passed on you piece of shyt-beachcomber-dont mention his name.
Tomahawkin
May 10th, 2009
1:31 pm
Braves have had 2 runners on all 3 of the first 3 inning and only 1 run, Yeah we’re bonafide contenders…Pardon the sarcasm
Mike
May 10th, 2009
1:31 pm
Our offense is not doing well today so far. With as bad as Myers is pitching the score should be alot higher. We have had multiple guys on in every inning.
booger1
May 10th, 2009
1:32 pm
ahaha chop, chop!
casey really does do that most of the time when he flies/pops out.
braveshater
May 10th, 2009
1:32 pm
Once again Francouer cant deliver, I cant remember a time when he did. He shouldve played football, maybe then he could be covered up by other talent.
PI Braves
May 10th, 2009
1:33 pm
c’mon Bravos… that;s just too many wasted opportunities..
Edward
May 10th, 2009
1:33 pm
We’ve had atleast two runners on base in each of the first three innings and we only have one run. Pathetic
jason
May 10th, 2009
1:34 pm
Frenchy’s last abat was good. A lil’ out in front on the grounder to third.
KC
May 10th, 2009
1:34 pm
Jeff’s in a funk. Not only is he not working the count as he has been for the most part this season, but on that last out he just made… he took a pitch on the outside corner, and pulled to third base. Up ’til now, he’s been lining that pitch into right field.
McFann :Ô:
May 10th, 2009
1:35 pm
Dangit…fielder’s choice…
BMac’s hitting .260, now. The elevator goes up!
KC
May 10th, 2009
1:35 pm
jason, didn’t see your post before my last post. Jeff saw more pitches, but was pulling off the ball.
jason
May 10th, 2009
1:36 pm
Frenchy is still working on the hitting. A page out of the Falcon’s book. “It’s a process”
Tomahawkin
May 10th, 2009
1:37 pm
Nice! Well At least Kamakaze Got through the 3rd without having to throw a lot of pitches
KC
May 10th, 2009
1:38 pm
Nice inning by KK!! We need more of that from him! Establish fastball. Stop nibbling.
Tom O'Hawke
May 10th, 2009
1:38 pm
Good afternoon, Eastern & Central
Good morning, Mountain & Pacific*
Phillies radio announcers said Esco got hit in the chest before the ball hit his bat.
Phillies tv announcers said Esco got away with one, never hit him.
What did the Braves’ announcers say?
*especially you know who
jason
May 10th, 2009
1:38 pm
It’s like his mind knows what it wants to do, but the body is just not listening…
TnBrian
May 10th, 2009
1:38 pm
Good Lord, yeah Casey and Frenchy missed out on two fastballs down the middle, but Myers did a very good job in those last two at bats with his pitches. Mixing a slow curve with 92-94mph heat does throw a hitter off, people. Ya’ll get too critical over EVERY single thing during a game…CHILL! Kawakami looks decent here and Myers can’t live through this game doing what he’s doing with his control, lack of it.
KC
May 10th, 2009
1:39 pm
Jason, yeah…. no doubt. ANY season is a process for ANY hitter. Francoeur, like all players, is going to have stretches over a 162 games where falls into some bad habits. Hopefully, he snaps out of this quickly.
cabravesfan
May 10th, 2009
1:39 pm
Morning Tom
It seemed from replays that Yunel kinda got away with one, didn’t seem to actually hit him
jason
May 10th, 2009
1:40 pm
Seriously, was that like a 3 pitch inning from KK. Keeps that up, want be able go to the bathroom and grab a beer.
Jeff321
May 10th, 2009
1:41 pm
KK goes down in a heap.
Steve from OH
May 10th, 2009
1:41 pm
The fact that Schafer has walked so much, eight spot or not, is very encouraging for a 22-year old rookie. You can’t teach that kind of strike zone control and that’s a great tool to work with moving forward.
David O'Brien
May 10th, 2009
1:41 pm
Like I said, mean mother Myers is going to try to hit every Brave….
In the clubhouse before game, Reyes asked Schafer if he went 4-for-4 today would he use the pink bat again tomorrow. “[Heck] yeah, I’d use it tomorrow if I just don’t strike out today.”
Kid’s kept a sense of humor.
Tomahawkin
May 10th, 2009
1:42 pm
Seriously B. Myers Is throwing at our Hitters…That Foul ball Crap is a Really F’d Up Rule…If the Ump see’s intent it should be a HBP nontheless if it hits the bat or not…
KC
May 10th, 2009
1:43 pm
Say what you will about KK’s difficulty adjusting to the big leagues on the mound… but that boy can handle the bat.
Supes
May 10th, 2009
1:43 pm
Braves letting Myers off the hook early on. Men on base in every inning and 1 run to show for it!
Glad to see some BRAVES show some emotion, esp. Kotchman after missing on that 3-1 pitch and flying out instead of driving it for a double or more. Need some fire in that lineup:)
KC…I agree, this series Jeff isn’t working the count, which he had done for the entire month of April before that. I think FSS put up the stat…something like 16 pitches seen in the last 3 games, hmm, don’t know if that’s right, but it was a very low number regardless.
DOB, thanks for being nice at least for one day out of the year. We appreciate it.
Anders must be feeling pretty good about his METS right about now…it’s going to be a huge matchup tomorrow night. Johan vs D-Lowe. May the best man win…and btw…Santana got smacked around by the Braves last year.
Speaking of Myers being “wild”…made KK dive under that fastball while attempting to lay down a bunt.
Braves need to pull this game out somehow going into the Mets series.
I’m not ready to proclaim G. Anderson “healed, or back to a raking RBI machine, or anything close to that”. Let’s see him put up good RBI/Slugging precentage numbers for a month and go from there. Until then he’ll be a bust to me. I mean the guy is BATTING CLEAN UP, so the bar is raised just a “bit more”.
Tomahawkin
May 10th, 2009
1:44 pm
That Fckin Howard, Highway Robbery!
Frank from KS
May 10th, 2009
1:44 pm
Kelly got robbed there.
cabravesfan
May 10th, 2009
1:44 pm
Kelly seems to be swinging the bat better- tha t was a great defensive play by Howard
David O'Brien
May 10th, 2009
1:44 pm
Ryan Howard’s made a couple of stellar defensive plays in this series.
Jeff321
May 10th, 2009
1:44 pm
Escobar swinging at the first pitch…
Chop Chop
May 10th, 2009
1:45 pm
Down goes Yunel’s RISP! Down goes Yunel’s RISP!
(Dude was hitting .513 in those situations before today. Time for that number to come crashing down.)
Tomahawkin
May 10th, 2009
1:45 pm
Offense In Creep Mode, Soon as I praise them they revert to doing the things that lose games…At least Casey showed his Grit of not getting it done…
We really let Myers off the hook today…
mbatl
May 10th, 2009
1:46 pm
“Not only is he not working the count as he has been for the most part this season,” KC
Not to be argumentative on a fine Sunday, but I was just looking at some of Jeff’s numbers. He’s not been more patient this year.
He has seen the fourth fewest pitches/plate appearance (3.29) of any hitter in the NL. (Yunel Escobar worst and Chipper is 5th worst). Last year, he saw 3.43 P/PA.
And he’s actually swinging at a higher % of pitches this year (58.9%) than last year (56%).
The only difference I see in him this year is that he’s not swinging and missing as much – maybe the better view of the ball due to the changed stance. But he’s really no more patient than in past years.
KC
May 10th, 2009
1:46 pm
Tomahawkin, I agree about the foul ball rule. If the hitter clearly doesn’t swing at the ball, it should be called a ball when it hits the bat, unless the umpire feels the bat was in the in strikezone when contact was made.
TnBrian
May 10th, 2009
1:47 pm
Who else told theirself Yunel would swing at that first pitch?
LKS
May 10th, 2009
1:48 pm
Chop Chop
He isn’t going to hit EVERY one…if that was the case he would be batting 1000. And ummm…are you a braves fan cause it sure seems like that was excitement that his percentage is going down. At least he is doing something with runners in scoring position unlike some other players…
jason
May 10th, 2009
1:48 pm
Escobar looking a little anixous today. He has had alot of runners on base early. Must be shocked. lol. He’ll settle down. They do need to start captiolizing on all these oppurunities though.
Mike
May 10th, 2009
1:48 pm
We are not doing well with the bats today. Why in gods name with Schafer on base do you not have him steal 2nd or 3rd, then he scores on that scorcher by KJ. He is our only base stealing threat, and we dont even use him when we have the chance. Bad decision IMO.
Blogger 518
May 10th, 2009
1:50 pm
I’m not ready to proclaim G. Anderson “healed, or back to a raking RBI machine, or anything close to that”. Let’s see him put up good RBI/Slugging precentage numbers for a month and go from there. Until then he’ll be a bust to me. I mean the guy is BATTING CLEAN UP, so the bar is raised just a “bit more”
only a world-class weenie would say something like that. A real fan would first hope that the guy’s injury has healed, and then allow him more than a weeks worth of at bats before pompously claiming he’s a “bust”.
Chop Chop (now with SmackTalk®)
May 10th, 2009
1:50 pm
Stuff it, LKS.
He hasn’t done anything today with RISP. I blame you.
jason
May 10th, 2009
1:51 pm
mbatl, to piggyback on your post, I think the act of going to RF/RC is also helping his hit parade so far.
Jeff321
May 10th, 2009
1:51 pm
Yet another one scoots on by a DIVING KJ.
Mike
May 10th, 2009
1:51 pm
Its unfortunate, because KK is pitching pretty well, and we have had multiple opportunities to get him some support off a horrible Myers, and they onec again have gone quiet. I am weary about this offenses inconsistencies. I really cant tell just how good they truly are.
braveshater
May 10th, 2009
1:51 pm
Damn Kelly Johnson sucks, the ball was 2 inches to his damn left and he stil couldnt get there. He’s not a fucin infielder. He cant make a diving stop to save his family’s life. Damn!
Tomahawkin
May 10th, 2009
1:52 pm
Nasty Pitch to Feliz for the K, Reminded me of Maddux back at the Vet
Chop Chop (now with SmackTalk®)
May 10th, 2009
1:52 pm
Hey. That’s the same pitch Myers threw to McCann and got a called strike three on. Looks like the ump is being consistent.
mbatl
May 10th, 2009
1:52 pm
Chop Chop, anyone who’s hitting .513 in any situation is likely to drop. Book it. Mark it down. Take it to the bank. End of discussion.
(just playing, but really, you don’t expect him or anyone else to maintain that rate, do you?)
bravefaninok
May 10th, 2009
1:53 pm
Kawakami is looking sharp now….might be just a little pissed
braveshater
May 10th, 2009
1:54 pm
Escobar is anxious because he knows, no one else is going to knock in runs. Chipper looks old to me, he looks like he wants to roll over the ball, groundout, and get back in the shade of the dugout.
Tomahawkin
May 10th, 2009
1:54 pm
KC, Regarding that HBP Rule…
There was no way for Kenshin to get out of the way of that 92 mph fastball…That could’ve him him square in the face with the way he was positioned…I want to see some Retialiation sometime down the line
LKS
May 10th, 2009
1:55 pm
real classy…real classy. Seems like you would make a better phillies fan.
KC
May 10th, 2009
1:55 pm
mbatl, well I won’t argue with the numbers. It sure FEELS like he has been working counts better. I think that’s because, for the most part this season, he hasn’t been swinging at bad pitches. He’s taken the pitches he’s supposed to take.
Interesting… KK was throwing 91mph earlier. His fastball is now coming in at 86-88mph, but he’s locating it better and getting better results. Looks like he’s taken a little off to concentrate on placement. Nice to see.
Mike
May 10th, 2009
1:56 pm
Chipper has not seemed himself at the plate so far this year. i know his average is okay, and he hasn’t had many RBI opportunities, but he has just seemed to be…off?
Rodney Derrick
May 10th, 2009
1:56 pm
Bad timing for Chipper to hurt his hand in Philly. Streak plus Mets and not Shea tomorrow.
Chop Chop (now with SmackTalk®)
May 10th, 2009
1:56 pm
Hahaha.
Of course I’m kidding, mbatl. Only a jag-off ‘tard would talk like that and mean it. I’m kidding with you too, LKS.
KC
May 10th, 2009
1:58 pm
Tomahawkin, yeah… ordinarily, we would definitely see retaliation for all the balls that have hit Braves hitters or have come close to their faces. BUT… KK had the scariest moment there, and he’s the one on the mound. So if he doesn’t retaliate, it may not happen.
Man… Chipper needs to get it going. Can’t blame lack of protection anymore.
braveshater
May 10th, 2009
1:58 pm
Francouer is not in a funk, when has he ever been hot. He sucks. He’ll be the same player in ten years, playing in the same outfield for Bobby Cox, who refuses to see the light. Braves suck. Period!
Tomahawkin
May 10th, 2009
1:59 pm
Mike
Agreed, Schafer Needs to run more in the few times he’s on base…
But then Again “Bobby-Ball” is in full effect at CBP. It’s the only place where “Bobby-ball” works on a consistant basis because of the short dimensions
jason
May 10th, 2009
2:00 pm
Chipper does not look right. The way he is swinging so far, I am susprised to see him still around.290. Myers looks as though he has settled down. Dare I say pitchers duel at CitiBank?
Tomahawkin
May 10th, 2009
2:01 pm
KK throw one Behind Myers Now!
LKS
May 10th, 2009
2:01 pm
cool…cause you know your supposed to be nice to all women today.
LKS
May 10th, 2009
2:03 pm
Tomahawkin
May 10th, 2009
2:03 pm
Later in the season for the braves to retialiate…Not with the braves they will shake it off the next time the see the Phillies
Walking the Pitcher equals shooting yourself in the Foot against theis lineup, WTF!
braveshater
May 10th, 2009
2:03 pm
Mr. Glass is wincing again, I dont think he’s coming out to play third the next inning. This clown is hurt more than Samuel L. Jackson on Unbreakable. The most fragile franchise player ever.
braveshater
May 10th, 2009
2:04 pm
Throw a damn strike jesus.
Tomahawkin
May 10th, 2009
2:04 pm
Come On KK! Like Joe Said No Walks, WTF!
braveshater
May 10th, 2009
2:05 pm
Who scouted this guy. Are u kidding me. This clown over Tommy Hanson. Frank Wren is moron.
KC
May 10th, 2009
2:06 pm
KK is the most frustrating and maddening pitcher to watch that I’ve seen in a long time. How the hell can you come close to walking the pitcher a couple innings back, and then walk him this inning, followed by another (2 out) walk to put runners on in front of Uttley?????? In the name of all that is holy… somebody figure this guy out.
Chop Chop (now with SmackTalk®)
May 10th, 2009
2:07 pm
It happens, KC.
KC
May 10th, 2009
2:07 pm
It’s like watching Mitch Williams for 5 or 6 innings at a time.
Steve from OH
May 10th, 2009
2:08 pm
Clutch, KK. Clutch.
Chop Chop (now with SmackTalk®)
May 10th, 2009
2:08 pm
Utley’s looked awful today.
David O'Brien
May 10th, 2009
2:09 pm
Huge strikeout for Kawakami. Thought that might be the big inning that’s plagued him lately.
vabravesfan
May 10th, 2009
2:09 pm
thank you chase utley for swinging at ball 4
cabravesfan
May 10th, 2009
2:09 pm
Kawakami…i’m not sure how to even finish that thought
Tomahawkin
May 10th, 2009
2:09 pm
Nice K on Utley but another long pitch inning! This could be Another Turning point of the game that you won’t see in the boxscore
LKS
May 10th, 2009
2:09 pm
lol….utley’s face was hilarious!
KC
May 10th, 2009
2:10 pm
Chop Chop: “It happens”
He got lucky. usually when you pull that kind of crap in this ballpark SH-it happens.
Tomahawkin
May 10th, 2009
2:10 pm
KC
“KK is the most frustrating and maddening pitcher to watch that I’ve seen in a long time. How the hell can you come close to walking the pitcher a couple innings back, and then walk him this inning, followed by another (2 out) walk to put runners on in front of Uttley”
I say the same thing about Jo-Jo Reyes…
keylargo
May 10th, 2009
2:12 pm
Kotchman and those doubles.
vabravesfan
May 10th, 2009
2:12 pm
that a boy casey…close play bc of his blazing speed
Tomahawkin
May 10th, 2009
2:12 pm
Man we could used that 2b in Casey’s Last AB…Now lets get his A..s Home, No Excuses this time!
steve_97060
May 10th, 2009
2:12 pm
damn, some you people take whining to a whole new level…. seriously, what kind of life do you miserable fools have…
kirkinga
May 10th, 2009
2:12 pm
Good thing Bobby has Bennett warming up. It’s seems the 5th-6th is when Kawakami blows up.
If he makes it through the 6th, I would take him out.
braveshater
May 10th, 2009
2:12 pm
This clown is about to strikeout.
Tomahawkin
May 10th, 2009
2:13 pm
Come On Frenchie, Looks like the 2008 version today, Get his A..s to third!
Il Cattivo
May 10th, 2009
2:13 pm
braveshater
Did you lose your way and come to this blog. Try the vent or some other blog to go spew your vitriol (wait you might not be bright enough to understand this) .. to go and type your nonsense. This is a blog for people who want to have a discussion about the braves with at least a semblance of positivity. The game is close and KK is actually decent and you still rail the braves.
Tomahawkin
May 10th, 2009
2:13 pm
That was Painful Frenchie! My patience is wearing thin…
David O'Brien
May 10th, 2009
2:13 pm
Terrible at-bat by Francoeur. Terrible situational hitting….
Just doing some numbers for tomorrow’s scouting box on Mets. They’ve won seven of last 11 against Braves and out-homered Braves 14-3 in those 11.
Edward
May 10th, 2009
2:14 pm
That’s what you get for swinging for a homer on the first pitch when you should be thinking grounder to second.
David O'Brien
May 10th, 2009
2:14 pm
Leadoff double, and Braves aren’t even gonna advance him to third before inning ends.
braveshater
May 10th, 2009
2:14 pm
I hate Francouer, he’s moron. He cant do anything right, why wasnt he bunting, Leadoff double and then nothing. This is why your team sucks people. We are all witnesses.
vabravesfan
May 10th, 2009
2:15 pm
KK can handle the bat…watch out for a basehit here
PWHjort
May 10th, 2009
2:15 pm
Typical Braves.
Tomahawkin
May 10th, 2009
2:15 pm
Jesus Christ! This Braves team is just so inept at hitting with a runner at second and none out and its been like that for 3 years now
0-10 hitting with R.I.S.P. Yeah were contenders,
Mike
May 10th, 2009
2:16 pm
AAAARRRRGGGGHHHH! This offense is horrible. WTF is their problem?
braveshater
May 10th, 2009
2:16 pm
I dont have to be bright to see that your team is one of the worst in the MLB. Im sure u can understand that Vito.
Jeff321
May 10th, 2009
2:16 pm
It sure would be nice if Bobby Cox realized Kotchman needs to bat second.. Because all those doubles are meaningless for the team unless someone can drive him in.
kirkinga
May 10th, 2009
2:17 pm
braveshater=philly phan
Slugger
May 10th, 2009
2:17 pm
Love the double, pop-up and strikeout.
Kawakami has a better approach at the dish today than both Francoeur and Schafer.
Love it.
Mike
May 10th, 2009
2:17 pm
I am seriously beginning to loss patience with a number of our players offensively. Its Bret Frickin’ Myers!
LKS
May 10th, 2009
2:18 pm
Maybe Kenshin should bat 7…at least he would have moved the runner to 3rd. I agree Kotchman should bat 2nd and move Esco to 6 to drive in the runs.
braveshater
May 10th, 2009
2:19 pm
If there was anything positive happening right now, then I would be blogging about it moron. We’ve had ample opportunity to put this game away, but we cant. They’re playing in philly and they have a much more potent offense then we do idiot. The longer the game is close, the more likely the Braves are to lose Idiot.
braveshater
May 10th, 2009
2:20 pm
Great point LKS, too bad Bobby is living in the 60’s.
Rob in Mobile
May 10th, 2009
2:20 pm
Ahhh yes, you gotta love that classic Braves offense – get ‘em on, get ‘em ov………oh wait, just get ‘em on. They have no ability to do the other two, right Frenchy?
Frank from KS
May 10th, 2009
2:20 pm
Yeah, I know ya don’t normally have a PERCEIVED power hitter bunting….but with as much of a problem our guys have scoring runs consitiently(sp)….why didn’t Bobby have him bunting?
jason
May 10th, 2009
2:20 pm
Compare yesterday to today. What’s the difference ? Situational hitting today is abysmal to say the least. Not just Frency either.
BravesDave
May 10th, 2009
2:21 pm
Francoeur is clutch.
Aja
May 10th, 2009
2:21 pm
Anyone else catch the ESPN article on Frenchy last week? It had a quote from a MLB scout that called him ‘the most confused hitter in the game.” I tend to agree. As hard as he is trying, it just doesn’t all connect while he is in the batters box.
Ray K.
May 10th, 2009
2:21 pm
Bobby Cox, you dinosaur, you guys can’t score runs today. WHY WHY WHY would you let Francine swing away like a jack ass in that situation? BUNT Kotch OVER and let your esteemed center fielder try to sac fly him in. UN frickin REAL.
braveshater
May 10th, 2009
2:22 pm
How was that not a strike.
vabravesfan
May 10th, 2009
2:22 pm
aja that was talking about last year go read again
MFin04 (The Hopeless Romantic)
May 10th, 2009
2:24 pm
This offense is piss poor. 0 for 10 with runners in scoring position, and not playing for 1 run with a runner on second with ZERO outs, is just plain stupid. Now the score is 2-1. When at worst it could be 2-2. Chipper is now hurt, Kotchman is too darn slow to be hitting in the middle of the order. And this offense is not supporting their pitchers AT ALL!!!
Ray K.
May 10th, 2009
2:24 pm
God this team is pitifully predictable. Strand runners all day, no fundamentals. Same old story year after year.
braveshater
May 10th, 2009
2:24 pm
How many games has Bobby Cox blown as manager. I mean damn, is he that arrogant or just stupid. And how long is loyalty going to affect wins with this team.
vabravesfan
May 10th, 2009
2:24 pm
Bunt kotchman over?? Are you kidding me? You know how perfect of a bunt it would have to be to get him over to third
Rob in Mobile
May 10th, 2009
2:24 pm
And see what happens when the Braves can’t do anything with their offense? Sure enough, their opponent shows them how to do it in the next half-inning, and makes the Braves pay for stranding everyone. You saw it coming, didn’t ya?
BravesDave
May 10th, 2009
2:24 pm
Kotchman is one of the few Braves that know how to handle the bat. Actually, one of three in the regular lineup – Chipper and McCann are the others. He should be hitting 2nd. He is the typical 2nd place hitter. Everything you need in a 2nd place hitter except for the fact that he is a little short on speed.
Nice to see the quintessential Braves team has shown up today. Get a leadoff double in the top of the inning. The runner is stuck in cement. Then promptly give up go-ahead run in the bottom of the inning. This team is pathetic.
MFin04 (The Hopeless Romantic)
May 10th, 2009
2:25 pm
This ump has been consistently racist today with balls and strikes.
jason
May 10th, 2009
2:25 pm
There seem to be no answers so far for the Braves offense.
Tomahawkin
May 10th, 2009
2:25 pm
I’m Not Knocking on KK but he need to get the ball down before he gets Burned. he’s playing with fire pitching up in the zone against this lineup…You play with fire you get burned
a643dp
May 10th, 2009
2:25 pm
When will the Schefer experiment get shelved. I am dead serious when i say that a lot pitchers are better hitters than Jordan. He needs to get through puberty first. He can not hit a fast ball at all. 0-38 with RISP. Bobby Cox has lost every sense of winning in the last 4 years. I think he thinks this is a 262 game season. We have the worst outfield in baseball I challenge anyone to that.
vabravesfan
May 10th, 2009
2:26 pm
brian needs to stop trying to backhand it
Tomahawkin
May 10th, 2009
2:27 pm
B-Macc is doing his best Javy Lopez Olay Impersonation today! Cheese-Whiz!
Jake W.
May 10th, 2009
2:27 pm
Braves having a pretty good road trip hitting, but have reverted back to their old ways for today’s game I see. KK has got to be saying what did I do. This lineup has found a way to do nothing for him rather it be offensively and defensively in many of his starts. Stop swinging for the fences, regular hits drive the run in too.
Jeff321
May 10th, 2009
2:28 pm
Has Cox already conceded this game too? KK will be very lucky to get out of this one with the score still 2-1.
cabravesfan
May 10th, 2009
2:28 pm
vabravesfan-
Well I tend to agree about Mac backhanding that, it would also help if Kenshin stopped bouncing the ball 6 feet in front of the plate
Mixxo
May 10th, 2009
2:28 pm
Dobbs = dangerous & Matt Stairs kills us.
MFin04 (The Hopeless Romantic)
May 10th, 2009
2:28 pm
Braves should have 5-8 runs already today. Should run for Kotchman at 2nd with zero outs if he can’t bunt him over. This team needs to play to win and to score runs. Stop waiting around. Kotchman’s run was huge.
Tomahawkin
May 10th, 2009
2:30 pm
At least KamaKaze limited his damage control. If he Tires this early in games in the Spring what happens when he hits the dog days of Summer when temps at gametime will be in the 90’s with stiffling humidity
MFin04 (The Hopeless Romantic)
May 10th, 2009
2:30 pm
Let me guess…Phillies are going to go left hander, left hander, closer. That’s why the Braves can’t score runs in the 7th-9th innings. Its the formula for winning against the Braves.
Chop Chop (now with SmackTalk®)
May 10th, 2009
2:30 pm
Dobbs has been clueless so far. That’s good…’cuz he killed us last year.
vabravesfan
May 10th, 2009
2:30 pm
cabravesfan,
I agree that KK ain’t helping but pitchers are going to throw stuff in the dirt occasionally and the catcher needs to do what he can to get in front of it.
Either way we are out of the inning now lets get some runs
BravesDave
May 10th, 2009
2:31 pm
So let me get this straight……..the Braves went out and increased the payroll in the offseason to guarantee a .500 season?? Because at this rate, there is no way that this team is going to finish above .500.
Francoeur completely stinks, by the way. I truly believe that the biggest mistake this front office has made is in considering Francoeur to be a major league starter. His defense in right field gets worse every season and he is consistently disappointing at the plate. Once again, the Braves outfield as a whole is almost impossibly bad.
McFann :Ô:
May 10th, 2009
2:31 pm
cabravesfan–
I agree. Seems like Mac coulda corralled it better, but KK does tend to be a little wild…
mbatl
May 10th, 2009
2:31 pm
a643dp, “We have the worst outfield in baseball I challenge anyone to that.”
I’d say the Giants’ OF is worse than ours. (just since you “challenged”)
jason
May 10th, 2009
2:31 pm
Myers was bailed out by the Braves offense. All in all KK has pitched good today. Why is it so hard to string together 3 hits. That’s all, just 3 hits.
kirkinga
May 10th, 2009
2:31 pm
Kawakami did his job today. No whining about his performance today as his ERA continues to decline.
Now let’s hope Bobby takes him out.
Ray K.
May 10th, 2009
2:32 pm
I wonder how much it would cost to implement Joe Simpson’s idea to have gladiator like cages in the corner of the stadium that release German Shepherds to attack anyone who runs onto the field during a game?
LKS
May 10th, 2009
2:32 pm
Why not keep Kelly in? I thought Kelly hit lefties great??? Maybe that was last year?
Rob in Mobile
May 10th, 2009
2:32 pm
a643dp, the game passed Bobby Cox by many years ago. The mediocre results of the past few years are all the proof you need. Uninspired play, poor fundamentals, a resistance to change, trotting out the same tired lineups, no accountability…….this is what you get.
TnBrian
May 10th, 2009
2:32 pm
KJ, Kotchman, CJ, Mac, Escobar, Infante, Prado, GA, Diaz are all better hitters than Francoeur. Schafer will soon follow in their footsteps. Jeff is absolutely a game changer…the one where we lose. He’s just awful when you really need him these last few years.
MFin04 (The Hopeless Romantic)
May 10th, 2009
2:33 pm
KJ batting .321 against Lefties with 2hrs and 7rbis, we should pinch hit for him here but not run for Kotchman!!!???
jason
May 10th, 2009
2:34 pm
I wouldn’t go out on a limb and say Diaz is a better hitter than Frenchy…
Aja
May 10th, 2009
2:34 pm
Why would ESPN run a year old story on the main page of their site?
MFin04 (The Hopeless Romantic)
May 10th, 2009
2:35 pm
This ump apparently is a Phillies fan and hates Japs.
Frank
May 10th, 2009
2:35 pm
Yes Cox, pull KJ against a left-handed when he’s been hitting them better both this year and in all of 2008.
a643dp
May 10th, 2009
2:35 pm
In Japan they play 144 games and use a 6 man rotation.
8 + more starts a year and one less day off in between starts in the MLB= Bad news come Aug/Sep
Aja
May 10th, 2009
2:36 pm
I just want to thank Direct TV for their satellite service that goes out during passing rain showers. It’s allowed me to miss the Phillies scoring.
LKS
May 10th, 2009
2:36 pm
Way to go Esco….chip get him over/in!!
Mixxo
May 10th, 2009
2:36 pm
C’mon Hoss!!
cricket
May 10th, 2009
2:36 pm
I don’t agree with the quote that is JF is the most confused hitter. I think he is the dumbest hitter surviving due to natural talent and the willingness of pitchers to throw anything close to the strike zone to him.
mbatl
May 10th, 2009
2:37 pm
I don’t get the PH either. Save it for when it’s needed.
Great job (IMO) by Kawakami. Our 4th starter giving up 2 in 6 IP, against this team in this park? I’ll take that anytime.
RHR
May 10th, 2009
2:37 pm
Wow never would I have guessed a pitching duel between Moyer and Kawakami would result in only a 2-1 game. No surprise the bats took the day off in retaliation.
So much for Chipper’s streak.,.
TBrown
May 10th, 2009
2:37 pm
Why did we pinch hit for kelly? He;s crushed the ball today, and has hit lefties better. Not to mention you save the bench for a close game that could go extras. And next time through the order, infante will see a righty. That move made 0 sense.
MFin04 (The Hopeless Romantic)
May 10th, 2009
2:37 pm
Chipper really has SUCKED this year.
Frank
May 10th, 2009
2:37 pm
I’d LOVE McCann here.
Instead we get Garet Anderson.
PWHjort
May 10th, 2009
2:37 pm
Cricket, Escobar is way, way dumber than Jeff Francoeur.
Tomahawkin
May 10th, 2009
2:37 pm
Barring another Rally there goes Chipper’s streak…Out of all starters it might end on a day where B. Myers started
KC
May 10th, 2009
2:37 pm
MFin04, BC doesn’t pay attention to who is hitting what vs. lefties or righties. He always believes you’re better off with a right-handed hitter against a lefty. No matter what the numbers say. That’s one area where Bobby can’t be bothered with the facts.
PWHjort
May 10th, 2009
2:38 pm
COME ON B-MAC.
TBrown
May 10th, 2009
2:38 pm
He hits the ball so hard..
cricket
May 10th, 2009
2:38 pm
GA seems to be coming around.
David O'Brien
May 10th, 2009
2:38 pm
Both hits by Anderson have been on first pitch, for what it’s worth.
Mike
May 10th, 2009
2:39 pm
Chipper has been a non factor lately, and add in his defensive errors and he is not having a good year so far.
TBrown
May 10th, 2009
2:39 pm
Good call Frank..
KC
May 10th, 2009
2:39 pm
Chipper flops again. At his current pace, if he gets 500 at-bats this year, he’ll fall short of 20 homers and short of 70 RBI. Wow.
It’s not all Chipper’s fault. He hasn’t had protection in the lineup for most of the young season… but you can’t absolve him of all responsibility. And certainly not in this series.
Chop Chop (now with SmackTalk®)
May 10th, 2009
2:39 pm
More clever pitching by the Phils.
Loaf Garret on a blackberry from 1B
May 10th, 2009
2:40 pm
What’s my fan club name gonna be?
Garret’s Carrots?
Tomahawkin
May 10th, 2009
2:40 pm
Don’t Let B-Macc Beat You, Simply Put!
TBrown
May 10th, 2009
2:40 pm
Let’s go Casey. Find a gap man
MFin04 (The Hopeless Romantic)
May 10th, 2009
2:40 pm
PINCH HIT FOR KOTCHMAN!!!! HE SUCKS WITH RISP!!!!! SUCKS!!!!!!!
Mixxo
May 10th, 2009
2:40 pm
They weren’t gonna give Mac anything to hit. C’mon Kotch!
Frank
May 10th, 2009
2:40 pm
I thought Kelly hit lefties great??? Maybe that was last year?
This year: .321/.424/.643 (28 at-bats)
2008: .333/.366/.433 (150 at-bats)
Johnson has been so much better against lefties this year too.
I’m starting to think Cox doesn’t look at stats at all.
MFin04 (The Hopeless Romantic)
May 10th, 2009
2:41 pm
This is where you need to dive in front of the plate and get hit!!!
mbatl
May 10th, 2009
2:41 pm
KC, yeah, and I agree with a couple of others that Chipper just looks either disinterested, or old, or hurt, or something. I’m not writing him off! But he really just hasn’t looked like Chipper for most of this year.
steve_97060
May 10th, 2009
2:41 pm
what do all you whiney bitches have to say now….
Mixxo
May 10th, 2009
2:41 pm
Yeah baby!!!
LKS
May 10th, 2009
2:41 pm
YES!!!!!!!!
MiamiBrave
May 10th, 2009
2:41 pm
attaboy KOTCH!
Frank
May 10th, 2009
2:41 pm
Kotchman for President.
PWHjort
May 10th, 2009
2:42 pm
ATTABOY KOTCHMAN.
TBrown
May 10th, 2009
2:42 pm
beautiful. groundballs with eyes are BEAUTIFUL
mike28212
May 10th, 2009
2:42 pm
That’s the way Casey.
KC
May 10th, 2009
2:42 pm
Way to go Casey!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Gotta give props to GA too for his nice day today.
cabravesfan
May 10th, 2009
2:42 pm
well, he got one when we needed one…nice hit Casey!
Rob in Mobile
May 10th, 2009
2:42 pm
Someone pray for a balk. Might be the only way we get a guy home.
MFin04 (The Hopeless Romantic)
May 10th, 2009
2:42 pm
Casey K is coming around after being crap with RISP…nicely done!!!!
TnBrian
May 10th, 2009
2:42 pm
I love you Casey!
Tomahawkin
May 10th, 2009
2:42 pm
Nice, Its About Time Kotchman Comes Through in the Clutch when it actually mattered, Now its Up to the Blow-pen…
Mixxo
May 10th, 2009
2:42 pm
A squirter………..we’ll take it!
Mike
May 10th, 2009
2:42 pm
Finally!!!!! And KK can get the win if we hold on.
RHR
May 10th, 2009
2:42 pm
Damn good thing MFin ain’t calling the shots…
vabravesfan
May 10th, 2009
2:43 pm
Sometimes its not how hard you hit it just where you hit it
Rob in Mobile
May 10th, 2009
2:43 pm
May I revise my wishes. Good going, Kotch.
RHR
May 10th, 2009
2:43 pm
Whats this I just read about something wrong with Chipper’s hand? Did DOB say that or is that just more wisdom from the peanut gallery?
cabravesfan
May 10th, 2009
2:44 pm
and that takes Kawakami off the hook too- best outing of the year for his so far (no it wasn’t real pretty but it doesn’t have to be), it’d be nice for him to get the win
BravesDave
May 10th, 2009
2:44 pm
Let’s see how quickly Francoeur can kill this 2-out rally……
abwright
May 10th, 2009
2:44 pm
OMG. Kotchman dinks a hit right up the middle to score 2 and give KK a chancet at winning the game. First hit with runners in scoring position puts the Braves in front.
jason
May 10th, 2009
2:44 pm
ATL with the lead… Finally did something with runners on base. Gotta hold on for the win.
MFin04 (The Hopeless Romantic)
May 10th, 2009
2:44 pm
I’m sure Prado Ross or Norton would have hit a double and scored three.
TBrown
May 10th, 2009
2:44 pm
Nothings wrong with Chippers hand. Someone tell him to start hitting and cut out the errors.
a643dp
May 10th, 2009
2:44 pm
Does Cat Crap make you fast like a cat????????????????
kirkinga
May 10th, 2009
2:44 pm
Good job by Kotchman, you could tell he really wanted to get another chance. Good hustle in from 2nd by Garret Anderson who is still limping it looks like.
MFin04 (The Hopeless Romantic)
May 10th, 2009
2:45 pm
Is KK going one more? He hasnt been hit for yet?
David O'Brien
May 10th, 2009
2:45 pm
Crowd of 45,343 today, sellout and largest of season. Total of 135,994 for the three-game series is a reg-season record at Citizens Bank Park.
MFin04 (The Hopeless Romantic)
May 10th, 2009
2:46 pm
Got to score more runs there. One run isn’t going to be enough in this park with our bullpen.
Mike
May 10th, 2009
2:46 pm
Way to go Jeff! Kill that rally!
Tomahawkin
May 10th, 2009
2:47 pm
All We Needed was a single by Frenchie is that too much to ask…
That Ballpark is definitely playin g with his emotions…
But Frenchie needs to start stepping it up!
abwright
May 10th, 2009
2:47 pm
Joe and Boog are making excuses for Francouer’s poor approach at the plate in Philly. Hitters tend to swing for the closer fences.
It appears that he did listen regarding swinging at the first pitch. This last at bat was a little more credible even though it ended with a fly ball to left center.
LKS
May 10th, 2009
2:47 pm
It would be nice to take the series with all those fans there!!
jason
May 10th, 2009
2:48 pm
Just a good pitchers duel by both sides. No complaints on KK. He could do more, I know. But He is still adjusting. I think by mid seson we will be pleasently susprised by his ability.
Schafer's Wafers
May 10th, 2009
2:48 pm
MFIN,
You are extremely negative today. You usually are negative but not this bad. Get off it man.
TnBrian
May 10th, 2009
2:48 pm
A win today would be huge because facing Santana means trouble tomorrow. Lowe can’t pitch any less than he did opening night to give us a possible win. We’ve hit Santana well in the past, so he’s due for a bad outing, but I don’t know.
RHR
May 10th, 2009
2:48 pm
KK has done a fine job today but let’s go to the bullpen before we get to that dreaded one inning of horror while we’ve got the lead.
Tomahawkin
May 10th, 2009
2:49 pm
MFIN 04…
“One run isn’t going to be enough in this park with our bullpen.”
Good Point, The Blow-en will blow a 1-run lead easily in this ballpark, we needed to get more out of that Inning…
Gawd I’m getting Flashbacks of the Third game of the season…We Don’t need the Blow-pen to walk the lineup, or Howard/Ibanez will kill us…
LKS
May 10th, 2009
2:49 pm
Please Bobby just don’t put Bennett in today…
Frank
May 10th, 2009
2:49 pm
Why don’t Joe and Boog state the obvious: Francoeur isn’t good.
MFin04 (The Hopeless Romantic)
May 10th, 2009
2:50 pm
Not negative, realistic. Offense has to score some more runs today. Make it easier on our pitchers in a very homerun friendly park.
Ray K.
May 10th, 2009
2:50 pm
This team wins (occasionally) in spite of Cox’s stewardship, not because of it. Seriously, gents, when was the last time he made a managerial move in a critical situation that resulted in success? A hit and run, a double switch, an unorthodox line-up card, bunting etc. This goes all the way back to Charlie Leibrandt against the Twins and then against the Jays. Cox was so protected by the golden arms in his arsenal. I would have loved to see his won/lost record if he had been managing the Pirates for the last 17 years.
McFann :Ô:
May 10th, 2009
2:50 pm
Great hit by Kotchman. Like Joe said, bet that one was for Mom.
vabravesfan
May 10th, 2009
2:50 pm
chipper hitting streak over
RHR
May 10th, 2009
2:50 pm
Guess Chipper gave up on that streak. Maybe DOB can find out if it means anything.
Edward
May 10th, 2009
2:50 pm
Cool, now Tin Man is hurt again…
MFin04 (The Hopeless Romantic)
May 10th, 2009
2:51 pm
What the HECK is this strike zone!!!???
Tomahawkin
May 10th, 2009
2:51 pm
Facing Santana Tomorrow at the cavernous Citi-Field, against our AWfense “Not Good!”
Il Cattivo
May 10th, 2009
2:51 pm
David O’Brien
Crowd of 45,343 today, sellout and largest of season. Total of 135,994 for the three-game series is a reg-season record at Citizens Bank Park.
Good to know that someone likes to watch the Braves play. Probably they expected the home sweep, but still.
LKS
May 10th, 2009
2:51 pm
Man Rollins looks BAD
David O'Brien
May 10th, 2009
2:52 pm
Does braveshater’s role in this blog production become more difficult if the Braves win today, which would give a 4-1 record on the trip and back-to-back series wins Florida and Philly? He’s gotta be pulling hard for a bullpen meltdown.
Frank from KS
May 10th, 2009
2:52 pm
Nice start by O’Flaherty (sp)
Schafer's Wafers
May 10th, 2009
2:53 pm
DOB sounds like MFIN and some other jokers are wishing for a bullpen meltdown here as well
Epinephrine
May 10th, 2009
2:53 pm
Great. Chipper is probably hurt. There goes the oblique again.
Ray K.
May 10th, 2009
2:53 pm
Anyone find Moylan’s absence against two righties peculiar?
I have one word why we NEED to win today: Santana.
Tomahawkin
May 10th, 2009
2:53 pm
Man O’Flaherty is becoming the 7th inning man…Throwing strikes and not falling behind in counts, love it
Ted Turner
May 10th, 2009
2:53 pm
O’dog looking great! Ohman who?
MFin04 (The Hopeless Romantic)
May 10th, 2009
2:54 pm
We never wish for a meltdown, just need to be realistic that a homerun isnt that difficult by their lineup in this park. ‘I guess it’s a good thing we didnt overpay for Ohman like sooo many morons on here wanted.
David O'Brien
May 10th, 2009
2:54 pm
No word on Chipper, but Braves PR man thinks it’s probably just a double-switch, right spot in lineup for it after Chipper just hit, and a day game after a night game, etc, etc.
But we’ll let you know soon as we hear anything otherwise.
The Lammer
May 10th, 2009
2:54 pm
Sweet so Chipper will be out for the next week. And our offense is dead again….
vabravesfan
May 10th, 2009
2:54 pm
nice inning by eric there
MFin04 (The Hopeless Romantic)
May 10th, 2009
2:54 pm
EOF for President!!!!!
Mixxo
May 10th, 2009
2:54 pm
Terrific job O’Flaherty!
cabravesfan
May 10th, 2009
2:54 pm
another excellent defensive play by Casey
jason
May 10th, 2009
2:54 pm
O’Flaherty!!!
Epinephrine
May 10th, 2009
2:54 pm
Also, I can’t believe people are moaning about Chipper, but giving Francoeur a pass. Despite his rise in average, Francouer is showing a total inability to get on base, and doesn’t have the power to make it ok. Time to start hoping Heyward can break out of his funk and be the future RF option for this team.
MFin04 (The Hopeless Romantic)
May 10th, 2009
2:55 pm
Chipper hurt his elbow/foreman on one of his AB’s TBS showed him grabbing it in the dugout.
Steve from OH
May 10th, 2009
2:55 pm
Eric O’Flaherty is looking very impressive lately. Interesting stat on TBS earlier…before April 18th, the bullpen had an ERA of 7.something, and after April 18th, it’s in the 1.80s. Not bad.
Ray, Rollins and Victorino are switch hitters.
Bobby's Cox
May 10th, 2009
2:55 pm
O’Flaherty has been pitching well lately. That was an impressive inning. His stuff looks better than it did in spring and early to start the season…
Schafer's Wafers
May 10th, 2009
2:55 pm
Yea and since the 2nd game of the season our bullpen has been pretty good. Especially Soriano and Gonzo.
LKS
May 10th, 2009
2:55 pm
The Lammer
Here lately Chipper hasn’t been keeping our offense alive..
Jake W.
May 10th, 2009
2:56 pm
Good play Kotchman. Gotta give credit where Credit is due. The Irish lefty has been really good lately.
Tomahawkin
May 10th, 2009
2:56 pm
2 more innings from a series win at the Unfriendly confines of CBP, Lets Get Some Insurance AWFense…! Gotta be up by at least 2 as we go through the heart of the order Meat of Howard, Ibanez, Stairs, and Feliz
abwright
May 10th, 2009
2:56 pm
It looked like KK would get upset whenever he got hit hard and start to get wild. Today, he seemed to settle in faster on those hard hits by Howard and limit the damage. Even though it wasn’t a great outing (the Philthies helped him out by swinging at stuff out of the zone), he was very sharp at times. 2 runs in 6 against the Phithies in Philthy is a start to hang your hat on.
I doubt that 3 runs is going to do it for the Braves today, though, as there are a lot of outs left against a tough line up.
O’Floogy gets out of the 7th against the top of the order 1-2-3 with a good pay by Kotchman at first.
Hope Gonzo and Soriano bring their A+ game today. But the Braves could make this an uninteresting contest with a 5 run outburst in the eighth.
Il Cattivo
May 10th, 2009
2:56 pm
Ray K
Moylan was warming up yesterday before the 8th inning but EOF came on instead. We’ll probably see Peter today sometime. Nothing unusual I’d say.
RHR
May 10th, 2009
2:56 pm
And to think we picked EOF up off waivers with a 20+ ERA. Change of scenery indeed.
Rex
May 10th, 2009
2:57 pm
RAY K–”I would love to see his (Cox’s) record if managing the Pirates the last 17 years”….
Isn’t that kind of like saying Halle Berry would not be as good an actress if she looked like Rosanne.
KC
May 10th, 2009
2:57 pm
Hopefully, we can get the win here. But I really hate to see the Mets getting all this good starting pitching.
However… I can’t see it lasting. We all knew that Maine and Pelfrey were capable of pitching better than they did in April, but I don’t think they’re going to be particularly tough pitchers over the course of the long season. And the bottom of their rotation is very suspect.
Hopefully, we can be the ones to cool them off.
mbatl
May 10th, 2009
2:57 pm
Sure looked like Chipper was wincing after his ab in the 5th, and I’ve never seen the Braves pull Chipper in order to save a reliever for a 2nd inning (almost never seen the Braves use a reliever for a 2nd inning period!).
Hope he’s okay, but I’ve got a feeling not so much.
Ray K.
May 10th, 2009
2:58 pm
Oh right. They are switch hitters. Still, The 7th is usually Moylan’s frame.
Eric has been lights out lately, though.
KC
May 10th, 2009
2:58 pm
Joe and Boog just mentioned a day off for Schafer. Sounds like a GREAT idea to me. I think he could use a FEW days off. And in a big way.
MFin04 (The Hopeless Romantic)
May 10th, 2009
2:58 pm
Schafer continues to be terrible, maybe with Chipper being hurt he can work with Jordan a little bit more on the inside fastball.
cabravesfan
May 10th, 2009
2:59 pm
O’Flaherty is another one of those off season signings, along with David Ross, that kinda went under the radar but seems to be paying off very nicely so far
Jake W.
May 10th, 2009
2:59 pm
Good hit there by Prado
Tomahawkin
May 10th, 2009
2:59 pm
There we Go Martin! Lets Get his A..s Home!
MFin04 (The Hopeless Romantic)
May 10th, 2009
3:00 pm
Schafer will not get a day off at Citi Field. You’d have to be the worst manager in baseball to give him a day off there. Could in this park, not in NY.
KC
May 10th, 2009
3:00 pm
mbatl, yeah… assuming Chipper misses more than the last few innings of this game (and he probably will), that’s great timing. Right before we head to Queens. Terrific.
Mixxo
May 10th, 2009
3:00 pm
Marteeeen = professional hitter!
abwright
May 10th, 2009
3:00 pm
After Schafer strikes out (again), Prado golfs a double into right center.
At least Schafer fouled off a couple. Eventually that might turn into routine pop outs instead of strike outs.
Schafer's Wafers
May 10th, 2009
3:00 pm
I dont see Schafer getting a day off. BC says if he plays great D he is going to be out there. His defense looks fine so he will probably keep playing.
David O'Brien
May 10th, 2009
3:00 pm
Call and text being made to clubhouse now to see if anything of concern about Chipper.
Frank from KS
May 10th, 2009
3:01 pm
They showed bits of Atlanta-Fulton County and Vet emplosions on TBS coming back from a commercial break.
Pretty cool. I know a lot won’t agree….but I sorta wished they would’ve left the old parks alone. Three-Rivers, and Riverfront too.
Bobby's Cox
May 10th, 2009
3:01 pm
DOB, I agree with you on GA. He’s a professional clutch hitter & is just warming up. Funny how so many here are quick to write off the ex-Angels players here. Kotchman looked determined on that bases loaded AB…would be nice if he starts coming through in the clutch.
Prado with a double. Did i ever mention i really like that guy?
No More Bobby
May 10th, 2009
3:01 pm
Win or lose today, I like that we are starting to have some chemistry.
RHR
May 10th, 2009
3:01 pm
KC – I agree.
And FFS didn’t DOB just say that Chipper wasn’t hurt? Its confusing for people who haven’t been here all day to read back thru the comments and see 15 people saying “chipper is hurt! disaster!” like it’s a fact.
Steve from OH
May 10th, 2009
3:02 pm
Vintage Cody Johnson so far today…1-2, 3-run homer and a K. Heyward 2-2, Rohrbough 3 scoreless w/ 4K.
Jake W.
May 10th, 2009
3:02 pm
Funny thing about the Mets pitching is that I think that we have fared better in the games Santana has pitched more than we have against the other pitchers. Not that we have hit him hard but we have simply found a way to win those games.
David O'Brien
May 10th, 2009
3:02 pm
Gonzo coming in to pitch EIGHTH.
MFin04 (The Hopeless Romantic)
May 10th, 2009
3:03 pm
Someone give me those percentages of runners on 2B with 1-out. The braves are like what….3% on the year?
LKS
May 10th, 2009
3:03 pm
Gonzo does not pitch well when he is not closing….what is Bobby thinking????
Steve from OH
May 10th, 2009
3:04 pm
Gonzo coming in to pitch EIGHTH.
Great move by Cox. I love it.
MFin04 (The Hopeless Romantic)
May 10th, 2009
3:04 pm
LKS – Bobby doesnt look at stats
LKS
May 10th, 2009
3:04 pm
*I meant when he is not pitching in a save situation
RHR
May 10th, 2009
3:04 pm
Why Gonzo in the 8th? Where’s Raffy? I love Gonzo..but he gets funky in anything but the traditional closer spot.
Ray K.
May 10th, 2009
3:04 pm
Rex – Actually, Roseanne was quite good in “She Devil”
Incidentally, I live in Hollywood, Ca, and have been acting (bartending, mostly) for about 8 years out here, and could write a book about my sordid collection of experiences. A nice little memory, though, was when I saw Halle at a premiere party for Catwoman years ago: she is, without a doubt, the most gorgeous woman I have ever seen.
KC
May 10th, 2009
3:05 pm
Gonzo in the 8th… interesting. I haven’t been keeping track, but the middle of the Phillies’ order must be coming up. Makes sense if that’s the case. Soriano can certainly close.
MFin04 (The Hopeless Romantic)
May 10th, 2009
3:05 pm
Bringing in a lefty for a lefty? Interesting move. Makes little sense, but ok.
mbatl
May 10th, 2009
3:05 pm
“Gonzo coming in to pitch EIGHTH.” – DOB
Good call. 3 big lefties coming up. Who knows if it will work, but makes all the sense in the world. Good move, Bobby!
Bobby's Cox
May 10th, 2009
3:05 pm
That was the 1st time I saw Schafer hit in about a week. He’s still swinging pretty hard and looking to pull some pitches over the plate. I remember a drill I used to do where you stand 8 inches away from a fence & you swing by pulling your hands in & try to keep the bat from hitting the fence. Schafer could use a week’s worth of that drill with pitchers trying to eat him up inside. He needs to keep his hands in and try so hit some of those inside pitches up the middle.
cabravesfan
May 10th, 2009
3:05 pm
Gonzo pitching the 8th becasue of all the lefties…
RHR
May 10th, 2009
3:06 pm
Seriously. Quit F’in around with Gonzo, Bobby. Whyyyyyyyyyyy why why why why would you do this?
abwright
May 10th, 2009
3:06 pm
Gonzo gets Howard to fly out to center field. An adventure for Schafer with the wind moving the ball around.
If Gonzo can get through the frame, looks like Soriano gets the bottom of the order for the ninth.
Anthony
May 10th, 2009
3:06 pm
What a great call to the bullpen by Bobby….just smart baseball by him
Epinephrine
May 10th, 2009
3:06 pm
We have to stop using Gonzo so much. He needs a day off. This is absurd. He’s been used 4 of the last 5 games.
Il Cattivo
May 10th, 2009
3:07 pm
Hanson at Gwinnett: Line below . Could actually get past the 6th today. Gave up a 1st inning HR.
Player IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA Pitches
Hanson 4.0 3 1 1 0 5 1 1.72 53
abwright
May 10th, 2009
3:07 pm
Ibanez hits a deep fly to center, but the park holds it. Schafer makes a routine play. 2 outs on pretty deep flys.
Stairs up.
RHR
May 10th, 2009
3:07 pm
Of course I’m going to say how brilliant Bobby is if we come out of this unscathed.
cabravesfan
May 10th, 2009
3:08 pm
that was a strike a couple of innings ago…
Jake W.
May 10th, 2009
3:08 pm
It makes since having Gonzo here. We basically have two closers so Bobby is doing the right thing I think.
abwright
May 10th, 2009
3:09 pm
Gonzo falls behind Stairs 3-0. Stairs fouls off three pitches.
C’mon Gonzo, through your best out pitch here.
MFin04 (The Hopeless Romantic)
May 10th, 2009
3:09 pm
Pedro Feliz a great HR hitter against the Braves.
RHR
May 10th, 2009
3:10 pm
Yeah Jake but one of the two closers doesn’t have a history of being hit when used in a non save situation. Guess which one does?
LKS
May 10th, 2009
3:11 pm
Whew…I can breathe now-till the 9th
Frank from KS
May 10th, 2009
3:11 pm
Nice inning by Gonzo. :>)
RHR
May 10th, 2009
3:11 pm
Except for today…
Brilliant move, Bobby! Manager of the year!
cabravesfan
May 10th, 2009
3:11 pm
nice inning from Gonzo…another run would make me feel a whole lot better
MFin04 (The Hopeless Romantic)
May 10th, 2009
3:11 pm
Good job Gonzo…scary…but it worked…props to Bobby since it worked.
Tomahawkin
May 10th, 2009
3:11 pm
Nice, One More Inning, Lets Get some Damn Insurance!
Mixxo
May 10th, 2009
3:11 pm
Lets get some insurance!
Steve from OH
May 10th, 2009
3:11 pm
Good work, Gonzo. Now let’s get Raffy an insurance run.
steve_97060
May 10th, 2009
3:11 pm
that’s it, half complain because Gonzo comes in, the other applaud it…. you gotta love this blog…
abwright
May 10th, 2009
3:11 pm
Gonzo walks Stairs up to first. Bruntlett pinch runs. Gonzo gets Feliz to dribble back to the mound.
Three outs to go!
It would be nice if the Braves would score about 5 runs in the top of the ninth.
MFin04 (The Hopeless Romantic)
May 10th, 2009
3:12 pm
So Gonzo or Rafy in the 9th. That’s another question for the “Manager of the Year”
Anthony
May 10th, 2009
3:12 pm
RHR
This is a great call by Bobby. He still has Moylan and Soriano in the bullpen and he has Gonzo go against hte lefties. I’ve been waiting for him to do this all season – the benefit of having 2 good pitchers in your bullpen with the closer mentality.
Chop Chop
May 10th, 2009
3:12 pm
Gonzo usually isn’t good when the team is behind or way out in front. When he has the pressure of holding a smaller lead, he’s damn good. I don’t have a problem with seeing him in the eighth in a one-run game precisely because of that.
Tomahawkin
May 10th, 2009
3:12 pm
MFIN04,
Man You’re on a roll! You’re more pessimistic than I’am and that’s saying something!
cabravesfan
May 10th, 2009
3:13 pm
RHR-
technically it is a save situation, even if he can’t actually get a save- he could still get a blown one (does that make sense?)
Jake W.
May 10th, 2009
3:13 pm
RHR before Mike got hurt in 07 he was the setup guy. He knows how to pitch in these situations. Last year I think just coming off the surgery helped contribute to some of his struggles in that situation. You’re not completely healthy and then not having that adrenaline to help you out hurt him last year.
MFin04 (The Hopeless Romantic)
May 10th, 2009
3:14 pm
Braves hit Lidge well in non save situations.
Dr. Martin VanNostrand
May 10th, 2009
3:14 pm
great inning by Gonzo, good bullpen usage by Bobby
mbatl
May 10th, 2009
3:14 pm
If EVER there was a time to use Gonzo in the 8th, that was it. Howard, Ibanez and Stairs?
I’m so glad to see Bobby being flexible, and not designating one guy as closer-by-default. Best use of our talent.
Epinephrine
May 10th, 2009
3:14 pm
We are witnessing the beginning of a Lidge meltdown. He’s been pretty bad the last few appearances.
ground_fog
May 10th, 2009
3:15 pm
Come on Garrett, take one for the team there lol
RHR
May 10th, 2009
3:16 pm
I get it!
I just really want the series win here and this team is known to be a big fan of Murphy’s Law. They make me nervous in close games…and especially while waiting on word about Chipper.
Steve from OH
May 10th, 2009
3:16 pm
mbatl, well said. Bobby’s job is to utilize our players in the best way possible, and he did it there. That was a tremendous move by Bobby. C’mon, Bobby bashers, show the man some props when he deserves it.
MFin04 (The Hopeless Romantic)
May 10th, 2009
3:16 pm
It’d be nice to have a fast runner off the bench, we should find a relief pitcher with some speed or something.
Efrim
May 10th, 2009
3:17 pm
Steve from OH, very exciting to see Rohrbough pitch today. Also, great to see Cody Johnson sporting an OPS around 1.000.
cabravesfan
May 10th, 2009
3:17 pm
RHR-
I was just thinking it sounds like we are all jumping on you…not the intention at all (at last not by me
)
MFin04 (The Hopeless Romantic)
May 10th, 2009
3:18 pm
Is Philly really this dirty? What the heck is with all the trash?
Tom O'Hawke
May 10th, 2009
3:18 pm
RHR — No one knows for sure, but it’s unusual for Chipper to be taken out unless he was hurt. IMO, when he swung and missed for strike 3, in the 5th, he did something then. I don’t know if it was his oblique or a groin muscle, but something wasn’t right. He was way off balance when he swung at a pitch that was low, and he looked real awkward.
David O'Brien
May 10th, 2009
3:18 pm
Sore right elbow on Chipper, day-to-day.
RHR
May 10th, 2009
3:18 pm
Gross Joe.
Tomahawkin
May 10th, 2009
3:19 pm
Whats The team record for pop-outs in a game? We have to be near it…Arrrgh!
Steve from OH
May 10th, 2009
3:19 pm
Efrim, I know it’s early, but it is very encouraging to see Johnson putting up those numbers.
How ’bout your Pens pulling it out in OT yesterday? Nice. Did you see Kopecky is gonna need facial surgery after that beating he took from Beauchemin? Ouch.
MFin04 (The Hopeless Romantic)
May 10th, 2009
3:19 pm
Big hit for Casey here!!!!
Jeff321
May 10th, 2009
3:19 pm
Gimpy elbow for Chipper, eh?
mbatl
May 10th, 2009
3:19 pm
Thanks, DOB. Life goes on, and this is where you’re glad to have Omar and Marteen.
Frank from KS
May 10th, 2009
3:19 pm
Epinephrine
There was NO WAY Lidge was going to pitch as well as he did last season.
Just no way.
LKS
May 10th, 2009
3:20 pm
They just said Chipper was out for a sore elbow
LKS
May 10th, 2009
3:20 pm
Heck Yeah!!!!
Tomahawkin
May 10th, 2009
3:20 pm
Chipper Out For Tomorrow against Johan Santana at Citi Field equals a loss
Jake W.
May 10th, 2009
3:20 pm
Thank you Ruiz
MFin04 (The Hopeless Romantic)
May 10th, 2009
3:20 pm
We need a pinch runner tomorrow!!!!!!
Jeff321
May 10th, 2009
3:20 pm
Nice belly flop by Norton! And studly Kotchman of course with another double.
cabravesfan
May 10th, 2009
3:20 pm
Huge run there! Casey comes through big again
Mixxo
May 10th, 2009
3:20 pm
NAHTUHN!
Rodney Derrick
May 10th, 2009
3:20 pm
Kotchman has power!
steve_97060
May 10th, 2009
3:20 pm
yeah, where are the kotchman haters now…
ground_fog
May 10th, 2009
3:20 pm
Go Norton! what a graceful slide too- way to represent those of us approaching 40 lol.
mbatl
May 10th, 2009
3:21 pm
The Angels (Casey and Garret) are really swinging well. Very good to see!
Tomahawkin
May 10th, 2009
3:21 pm
There we Go Casey! That Fckin Victorino Saved a Inside the Park Homer
TnBrian
May 10th, 2009
3:21 pm
How about that Casey!
Steve from OH
May 10th, 2009
3:21 pm
Wow, Norton and Kotchman should do the 100-meter dash for the title of world’s slowest human. It would be the most riveting 20 minutes of TV that this century has ever seen…
Way to go, Kotchy.
MFin04 (The Hopeless Romantic)
May 10th, 2009
3:21 pm
Lidge is really bad in non save situations like Gonzo. That’s how come his ERA got pretty high last year. Braves hit him hard last year as well.
Chop Chop
May 10th, 2009
3:21 pm
Today’s Brad Lidge = doing what Gonzo does when he’s in a game that his team doesn’t lead
Charlie Manuel screwed his team today. We’ll take it, of course.
Tomahawkin
May 10th, 2009
3:21 pm
Frenchie Looks like Shyt!
abwright
May 10th, 2009
3:22 pm
Kotchman hits a deep fly off the wall in center. Missed the HR by a couple of feet.
Greg Norton chugs around third. Good play by Victorino to play the ball off the wall, hits the cut off man, Rollins makes a great throw to the plate. Norton head first slide into Ruiz at the plate. Either knocks the ball loose or Ruiz drops it. Norton scores. Braves lead 4-2.
Frenchy has another weak at bat and flies out stranding another run at second.
RHR
May 10th, 2009
3:22 pm
Good to see a man nearly my age throwing his body across the plate like that and be able to get up and walk away unassisted.
vabravesfan
May 10th, 2009
3:22 pm
I love how Mr. Bellyflop Mccann was laughing at Norton
Chop Chop
May 10th, 2009
3:23 pm
Here’s a creepy Mother’s Day wish for everyone out there.
MFin04 (The Hopeless Romantic)
May 10th, 2009
3:23 pm
Steve, lol, thats darn funny. 20-minutes…that’s if they are hauling.
cabravesfan
May 10th, 2009
3:23 pm
Love that Norton was all set to take Ruiz out- a bloody elbow is a small price to pay…
Jake W.
May 10th, 2009
3:23 pm
Who do the Phillies have left on their bench?
LKS
May 10th, 2009
3:23 pm
vabravesfan
lol…everytime I see that play of Mac I still die laughing
Moylan's Bifocals
May 10th, 2009
3:23 pm
Day-to-day. Aren’t we all?
Tom O'Hawke
May 10th, 2009
3:24 pm
RHR …or maybe a sore right elbow…
RHR
May 10th, 2009
3:24 pm
I saw that last night, Chop Chop. Horrible follow up to the legendary DIAB.
Daybed Wagmoe
May 10th, 2009
3:24 pm
ATTABOY KOTCHMAN!!! ATTABOY NORTON!! GREAT SLIDE!
And why not give an attaboy to Francoeur, too? He ALMOST hit that one pitch in the dirt, after it bounced up off the ground. Keep trying, Jeff, you’ll get it eventually! (eye roll)
Kris
May 10th, 2009
3:25 pm
Werth, Coste and Cairo are left on the bench…
Dippin dots
May 10th, 2009
3:26 pm
Thanks for bringing up Chipper’s hitting streak against Phillies, now it’s done, Had to bring it up huh
Tomahawkin
May 10th, 2009
3:27 pm
Come On Soriano…We Need all the Momentum we can get going into New York!
Frenchie Dive For that Shyt!
Bobby's Cox
May 10th, 2009
3:27 pm
lol steve. i think Kotchman takes that title.
RHR
May 10th, 2009
3:27 pm
cabraves, have you seen Paul Walker’s 19 year old fiancee? What the hell is that? I mean really…
Tomahawkin
May 10th, 2009
3:27 pm
Omg, Here Come The Bloop His, Dammit!
Jeff321
May 10th, 2009
3:28 pm
Where are the “Frenchy’s ARM” supporters now? How was that throw?
MFin04 (The Hopeless Romantic)
May 10th, 2009
3:28 pm
Frenchy not very smart there got a bad start on it and should have been closer to the line after the foul ball.
braveshater
May 10th, 2009
3:28 pm
Damn this moron sucks. then he tries to throw the damn ball away.
MFin04 (The Hopeless Romantic)
May 10th, 2009
3:28 pm
Werth isn’t scary in this park, lol.
Tomahawkin
May 10th, 2009
3:29 pm
Soriano A Fly-Ball Pitcher at CBP with the wind blowing out, Not Good!
Mixxo
May 10th, 2009
3:29 pm
Time to buckle down Raffy….c’mon!
ground_fog
May 10th, 2009
3:29 pm
wow overmatched!
MFin04 (The Hopeless Romantic)
May 10th, 2009
3:29 pm
LETS GO RAFY!!!
Daybed Wagmoe
May 10th, 2009
3:29 pm
Soriano blows Werth away in 3 pitches. 1 out.
Jake W.
May 10th, 2009
3:29 pm
1 more
Mike
May 10th, 2009
3:30 pm
I cant watch!!!!!
Daybed Wagmoe
May 10th, 2009
3:30 pm
J-Ro first pitch fly out to Schafer. 2 out.
TnBrian
May 10th, 2009
3:30 pm
AWESOME WIN!
cabravesfan
May 10th, 2009
3:30 pm
RHR-
haven’t had the…pleasure, but this is hollywood- not really a suprise (Asthon Kutcher is only 11 years older then Demi Moore’s daughter)
Did anyone here that fan yell “why are you swinging at the first pitch??” there?
Mike
May 10th, 2009
3:30 pm
BALL GAME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BRAVES WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
RHR
May 10th, 2009
3:30 pm
Braves win for the moms!
LKS
May 10th, 2009
3:30 pm
WAY TO GO BRAVES!!!! WIN THE SERIES!! Woooeeeee
Steve from OH
May 10th, 2009
3:30 pm
Man, that is some straight-up cheese right there. Love it.
Ballgame. Awesome. Take 2 of 3 from the Phils and Fish on the road? I’ll take it any day.
Goldenglove002
May 10th, 2009
3:30 pm
WooHoo! Braves win. On to the Muts!
MFin04 (The Hopeless Romantic)
May 10th, 2009
3:30 pm
Schafer stresses me out in CF flailing his arms and breaking the wrong way every time, good catch!!
BRAVES WIN!~!!!!!! 4-2 AGAINST THE WORLD CHUMPS!!!!
jason
May 10th, 2009
3:31 pm
BRAVES WIN, BRAVES WIN, BRAVES WINNNNNN !!!!!!!!!!
Frank from KS
May 10th, 2009
3:31 pm
Awww…poor Rollins is a hearing the boo birds.
Awwww……NOT!!!
Nice win boys!!!
Daybed Wagmoe
May 10th, 2009
3:31 pm
Victorino 1st pitch groundout to Escobar — BRAVES WIN!!! BRAVES WIN!!! BRAVES WIN!!!
a643dp
May 10th, 2009
3:31 pm
Startin ta come around patrick…………..
Tomahawkin
May 10th, 2009
3:31 pm
BallGame!!! Finally I can CeleBrate instead of getting Violent!
Soriano earned His 6 Million…Good Game despit the offense Anemic hitting with R.I.S.P. Overall…
Chop Chop
May 10th, 2009
3:31 pm
Pathetic effort by the Phils’ bats the last two days. We’ll hear their clubhouse getting torn up while we’re on the bus laughing it up with a series win.
abwright
May 10th, 2009
3:31 pm
Cairo dinks a hit into right to bring the tying run to the plate.
Werth strikes out on three pitches.
Rollins pops out to center on the first pitch.
Victorino grounds out on the first pitch to Escobar.
After a great at bat by Cairo and lots of luck, Soriano stomps on the Philthies to make it very routine.
Good calls by BC on his bullpen usage.
Braves win! Braves win!
Jake W.
May 10th, 2009
3:31 pm
That bloop seemed to settle Raffy down. Great game Kotchman. Good pitching today. Nice bounce back game for Kawakami against a tough lineup in a band box. Happy Mother’s Day everybody.
cabravesfan
May 10th, 2009
3:31 pm
Great way to start a road trip…4-1 against two pretty good teams- let’s keep this going
Mixxo
May 10th, 2009
3:31 pm
Great, great win guys!!
The drawers stay on for another day!
*phew!*
LKS
May 10th, 2009
3:32 pm
Im guessing we won’t have to deal with the Philthies fans on the ole blog today!
RHR
May 10th, 2009
3:32 pm
cabraves – http://www.gossipsauce.com/files/gs_paul_walker2_090206_g2.jpg
It’s not what I imagined when I heard 19 year old finacee
McFann ;Ô;
May 10th, 2009
3:33 pm
vabravesfan–
Yeah, that was funny!
Great series win! We BEAT THEM FILLIES!!
Bring on the Mets!!
Jeff321
May 10th, 2009
3:33 pm
Not only will Kotchman lead this team in hits.. I’m now willing to say he’ll lead the team in doubles as well!
Rob from SC
May 10th, 2009
3:34 pm
Player IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA
Hanson 6.0 4 1 1 0 7 1 1.63
And yet we will see Jo Jo in NY
steve_97060
May 10th, 2009
3:34 pm
oh well, you negative nellies always have tomorrow to look forward to…
cabravesfan
May 10th, 2009
3:34 pm
RHR-
why, because she’s normal looking? imagine that
jason
May 10th, 2009
3:35 pm
Nice like the two headed closer monster. Well played game by the team. On to NY. Maybe Frenchy needs a day off. Lookked sluggish.
StingerSplash
May 10th, 2009
3:35 pm
You’re not going to win many at Citizens Bank going 1-for-12 with RISP. But that was mighty good pitching today and some clutch hitting late after xxxxing a buncha chances against Myers early.
Steve from OH
May 10th, 2009
3:35 pm
Cody Johnson with another homer for Myrtle…this time a 2-run bomb. Nice. He’s now got 11 in 103 AB.
Rob from SC
May 10th, 2009
3:35 pm
Heyward playing CF today
abwright
May 10th, 2009
3:36 pm
KK gets his second win of the season.
Boy, not to get ahead of ourselves, but if the Braves can win the series against the Mutts, they will have taken consecutive series on the road from the Marlins, Philthies, and Mutts.
Too bad Chipper may not get to do his business for the first time in CitiField. But, with how much he’s been struggling lately, might not be too bad to have Prado in the line-up for a few games.
Dad of the Year
May 10th, 2009
3:36 pm
Kotchman needs to quit throwing his bat like a nine year old punk!
braveshater
May 10th, 2009
3:36 pm
Way to go Casey. Bring us home CK.
RHR
May 10th, 2009
3:37 pm
She is normal, and looks really, really young. Because she is. lol
cabravesfan
May 10th, 2009
3:37 pm
Casey seems sooo uncomfortable with the attention
cabravesfan
May 10th, 2009
3:38 pm
RHR-
oh, i remember those days…
Epinephrine
May 10th, 2009
3:38 pm
Not like we need Chipper against Santana…right guys? Tough break. Gotta figure we will be hard pressed tomorrow, but still pretty awesome series victory. This is how we drew it up.
On another note, how much longer can we honestly keep Hanson in the minors? He’s made it abundently clear he doesn’t belong there. Another stellar performance today, and more importantly, no walks and economical pitch count. It’s time we bring him up.
abwright
May 10th, 2009
3:38 pm
I’m watching Braves Live. Kotchman is getting the interview.
He is Captain Cliche! It looked almost like Laloosh’s interview at the end of Bull Durham. “I just try to put a good swing on the ball and find some holes.”
Rex
May 10th, 2009
3:38 pm
Awesome win!!!!
Big day by Kotchman, but you have got to give Kawakami credit for battling to give the Braves a chance. 6 IP and 2 runs @ Philly, I will take every time. In all honesty, I think that Kawakami will be a really good #5 starter, which is in effect what he will be once Hanson arrives.
WOW
May 10th, 2009
3:41 pm
I cant understand why Jordan Schaffer is still in the bigs the worst part is he is playing every single day. Let this sink in a minute before some of you try and defend him 0 for 38 with RISP and 41 strikeouts in 99 at bats. He js costing this team way to many scoring chances and the fact of the matter is he has shown he is not ready for the bigs send him down because were playing with 7 hitters on a regular basis.
Don
May 10th, 2009
3:42 pm
DOB – Is Peter Moylan hurting or just resting?? He has not been used for a few days in innings that he would usually pitch.
Bobby's Cox
May 10th, 2009
3:43 pm
Epinephrine,
Maybe when Hanson can learn to throw 100 pitches over 8 innings, rather than over 4 2/3 will he be determined ready…i presume.
Tom O'Hawke
May 10th, 2009
3:43 pm
Mixxo— If the Braves have a long winning streak, your drawers will be able to operate your mixing desk without you.
jason
May 10th, 2009
3:43 pm
KK in the 5 spot is a good idea. He will be afforded extra rest. I just liked the way they battled. Didn’t give up like we were getting accustomed to them doing. Good win.
cricket
May 10th, 2009
3:44 pm
This win should buy another day before KK is sent to minors, GA is benched and CK is traded away on the good ol’ blog.
Doc Holiday
May 10th, 2009
3:44 pm
Great win…………we should have won easier than this since myers was against the ropes from the beginning. KK pitched very good against the toughest offense in the league. In and out of trouble, but its not easy not to get into trouble against the phillies offense. Great game by CK. Defense was very good. But more importantly, they looked as a team that wants to win.
Oflaherty was very good, the guy has been very effective.
Now to NY. Santana has been pitching well, but braves have always found ways to beat him.
Great win on the road. Nice streak we are in……..is it 4 of the last 5? And we could have won one of those games against the muts…….the 1st one I believe.
Muts winning today again……..they are on fire……..kind of, and odds are they will win tomorrow also. Better get hot ourselves also before we find ourselves 5 games back.
bravesfan1124
May 10th, 2009
3:45 pm
Good pitching by KK today
Nice timely hitting from CK and GA, only 1 SO from Schafer
Bullpen continues strong work
Did I hear kudos to BC for his bullpen call?
Doc Holiday
May 10th, 2009
3:46 pm
I wonder where are the “smarties” that said that KK was no good and that he was a waste of money.
vabravesfan
May 10th, 2009
3:46 pm
Don pretty sure he is fine. I believe he warmed up yesterday. Just don’t want to overuse him while he is still trying to completely recover from tommy john
Tomahawkin
May 10th, 2009
3:47 pm
Where Are Those Philly Fans that were Off-Da-Chain on Here Friday Nite?
I’m Calling their A.ses out! Where did they run off to I want to see their perspective as to why they dropped the series…
CB
May 10th, 2009
3:47 pm
When it comes time to weather the storm some of you clowns would drown in a mud puddle. A lot of you haters call yourselves Braves fans. How do you do that when you are screaming at Bobby and all the players? Remember when you face storms just dance in the rain. Real Braves fans love the team and its players.
cabravesfan
May 10th, 2009
3:47 pm
Rockets are BLOWING out the f*ing lakers
(yes it’s the first quarter, but I have no illusions about the rockets actually winning so give me my moment of happiness…)
Epinephrine
May 10th, 2009
3:48 pm
Bobby’s Cox, he’s at 75 through 6. Next concern? And like Reyes is really a viable alternative? Yeah he’s giving us a ton of quality innings.
Doc Holiday
May 10th, 2009
3:48 pm
Yeah……..Cox looked a little more smart today.
LT-A blogger
May 10th, 2009
3:49 pm
Man- hope Chipper isn’t hurt that bad- team just started to get on a roll.
Mixxo
May 10th, 2009
3:50 pm
Tom O’Hawke
Hehe….either that ……or stand guard when I’m not around!
Goldenglove002
May 10th, 2009
3:51 pm
Jamey Newberg thinks that the Braves would much rather have any of the players back that they traded to the Rangers for Tex than Kotchman and Marek. Marek is doing bad and, yes, it was still a rough trade, but who would we rather have at this point Kotchman (who is actually doing a decnt job at the plate and playing excellent defense) or Elvis Andrus when we have Yunel, Jarrod Saltalmacchia when we have McCann and Ross, or Neftali Feliz when we have Tommy Hanson and Medlen not getting an opportuntiy to make it into the big league rotation because it is so full (albeit JoJo probably doesn’t desreve a spot anymore).
http://www.newbergreport.com/article1.asp
jason
May 10th, 2009
3:51 pm
Buck Martinez had some good things to say today. Talking about KK’s adjusting to to MLB, and the US. Talking about pitching in general. Alot that I agree with. Most important … Screw pitch counts, they are overated. A starting pitcher’s job is to get the decision. Go at least 5 innings. Need to pitch into the seventh. Get better by pitching; not by sitting. To really learn how to pitch is to face adversity and pitch accordingly. I agree. Hanson, Medlin, an dthe others need to go 7 consistently to show their readiness for the big leagues. Stuff is their, what about the stamina? Just my opinion.
RHR
May 10th, 2009
3:51 pm
No surprise the Phanatic threw his mom off the back of the golf cart. Typical Philly fan behavior.
Frankie Knuckles
May 10th, 2009
3:52 pm
Surprised Kotch Dog didn’t shout out at his Mom. Do players get fined for that? Anyways, I think we have a Wally Joyner part deux. I’ll take it.
Frank from KS
May 10th, 2009
3:53 pm
cabravesfan
I gotta give props to Ashton. He did himself good by hooking up and marrying Demi.
Whatever their doing, it seems to be working quite well…considering Hollywood marriage’s and marriages in general go. I read a lot of message boards after they got married…..that were in disbelief that he got married to her. Some were saying why would he want her when he could have a sexy, younger woman. IMO, ya can’t go wrong with an older woman.
Demi is hotter now than she was in the 80’s during her *Rat Pack* days.
Frank
May 10th, 2009
3:53 pm
Still think Garret Anderson batting cleanup is really, really stupid. Low average, OBP, slugging…no homeruns. WTF?
Il Cattivo
May 10th, 2009
3:54 pm
Hanson gave up 2 HRs in the 7th inning (opngoing). In all 3 HRs given up today. Pitch count in the 90s now.
McFann ;Ô;
May 10th, 2009
3:54 pm
Sheesh…Every friggin’ time we go to New York lately Chipper hurts himself!
McFann ;Ô;
May 10th, 2009
3:55 pm
Run Heap Run @ 3:51–
Epinephrine
May 10th, 2009
3:56 pm
Eesh, two home runs that inning for Hanson. Looks like that fly ball ratio problem might be rearing its ugly head. Still nice performance though.
RHR
May 10th, 2009
3:57 pm
For those who don’t get the postgame show:
Bobby said Chipper hyper-extended his arm on a swing and he couldn’t throw the ball very well, doesn’t know if he’ll be able to go tomorrow, “we’ll see.”
Frankie Knuckles
May 10th, 2009
3:57 pm
KK looked ok. He made some very, very key K’s. A little Tommy G esque. I liked it! Fun game. Best part – Its back to earth for Philly fans.
Ground Control to Major Tom
the Phillies are going to bomb.
Goldenglove002
May 10th, 2009
3:58 pm
Were gonna need to hope Chipper can play tommorow. 5 for 11 against Santana
cabravesfan
May 10th, 2009
3:59 pm
RHR-
thanks! Fox Sports decided to tease me today and give me the first 5 minutes of the post game (saw Casey’s on field interview) before cutting me off
David O'Brien
May 10th, 2009
4:03 pm
Chipper hyperextended his elbow on consecutive swings in his third at-bat. Said he’s had tendinitis in that elbow all season, and the two things combined left him unable to throw effectively across the infield. So once they got the lead, he suggested to Bobby Cox to put Prado in.
Chipper said he’s 50-50 for tomorrow but doesn’t think it’ll be more than a one-day thing after taking anti-inflammatories tonight and tomorrow.
LKS
May 10th, 2009
4:08 pm
Philly Phan, eat phillie, phanaticphilliesphan….Whatchu got to say now?!?!?!? Oh yeah…thats what I thought
Tomas
May 10th, 2009
4:16 pm
What injury did Chipper have at the end of last year? Wasn’t it the elbow thing?
Tomas
May 10th, 2009
4:17 pm
Great start for Kawakami. By far the best he’s thrown so far. Offcourse, let’s see what happens in his next start against the phillies.
David O'Brien
May 10th, 2009
4:19 pm
Braves are 4-2 against the Phillies this season, after going 4-14 against them in 2008.
They’ve already matched last year’s wins total against them, and the Phillies haven’t even been to Atlanta this season (of course, given the Brave’s home record….)
Daybed Wagmoe
May 10th, 2009
4:20 pm
Doc Holliday: you’re right, the Braves have always found ways to beat Santana. In fact, they are the *only* team that Santana has never registered a win against. He’s beaten every other team at least once, and if/when he beats the Braves (hopefully it’s not tomorrow night!), he’ll be the 5th MLB pitcher to register a win against every team.
Just in case that happens to be the Aflac Trivia Question tomorrow night…the other 4 are Kevin Brown, Al Leiter, Terry Mulholland, and Curt Schilling.
bravefaninok
May 10th, 2009
4:20 pm
Nice win today…hope chipper is ok.
dogsbrekky
May 10th, 2009
4:21 pm
Filly was fun, except for the local thug who took a dislike to my Braves “away” hat, still I had the last laugh pointing at the scoreboard post our great win…..
Kawakami will be much better when he realises he can challenge some of these hitters, rather than nibbling at the plate
Where are those Casey knockers now ?
David O'Brien
May 10th, 2009
4:24 pm
Norton had a nasty looking scrape all over the elbow and part of forearm. Looked like me when I’d fall off my skateboard and get road rash in junior high.
Anyway, he said he was trying to take out the catcher, but he moved at last minute. Norton got a lot of crap from teammates about his lack of speed, said “I ran about a 7.0 from third to home. I need to do some cardio.”
mbatl
May 10th, 2009
4:28 pm
Take away KK’s one real bad start (8 earned in 4.2 IP in Cincy), and his era in all other games is a respectable 4.18. In most of his starts, he K’s at least 1 per IP. He’ll probably always give up a few HR’s, but he just needs to improve his command a little (cut down the BB’s) and he’ll be fine.
hal
May 10th, 2009
4:29 pm
i dont think g anderson would be a feared clean up man for the bad news bears that kid was pretty good and could also run another lil deficiency in GA i think the only real mistake wren made in the off season was anderson sighning over ibanez or somone who could actually play defence not sure it will hurt that much though i think matty will be out there pretty soon or at least i hope he will
cabravesfan
May 10th, 2009
4:30 pm
Rockets up 18 at the half over the f*ing lakers (insert image of me doing a happy dance here)
David O'Brien
May 10th, 2009
4:30 pm
Still think Garret Anderson batting cleanup is really, really stupid. Low average, OBP, slugging…no homeruns. WTF? — Frank
Yeah, that’s got to be viewed as a real urgent need to get him out of there, as the team is 4-2 since Anderson came off the DL Tuesday and moved into the cleanup spot. Can’t have that.
Frank
May 10th, 2009
4:30 pm
Everyone is praising Cox’s non-”by the book” managing with Gonzalez in the eighth today.
But I bet he goes back to his old self tomorrow.
Santana has been much better against righties than lefties. Despite that, I bet ol’ Cox will stack the lineup with righties. Kelly Johnson, who has hit Santana very well, will be benched. Kotchman, despite being hot, will probably be benched for Prado if Prado isn’t subbing for Chipper.
Frankie Knuckles
May 10th, 2009
4:34 pm
hal ( or IBM ) – I think GA is starting to come around. He’s getting his groove. I guess he called Stella.
Tom O'Hawke
May 10th, 2009
4:34 pm
DOB
Thanks for sharing that tidbit about Schafer earlier. It’s nice to know his head is in the right place (even if his bat currently isn’t).
How’s the glass-fogging problem of McCann’s coming? Has he tried that “Donkey Dung” yet?
Frank
May 10th, 2009
4:34 pm
Yeah, that’s got to be viewed as a real urgent need to get him out of there, as the team is 4-2 since Anderson came off the DL Tuesday and moved into the cleanup spot. Can’t have that.
Oh, come on. That’s six games. You don’t keep doing something that wouldn’t work long-term just cause it worked out short-term. Otherwise, why start McCann when Ross was doing so well?
jtb
May 10th, 2009
4:37 pm
Frank
So I bet if the Braves only score 1 run tomorrow off of Johan you will be blaming Bobby. It gets really tiresome listening to Bobby bashers even when the Braves are winning and he’s making the right moves.
JerseyGil
May 10th, 2009
4:41 pm
DOB… I just came from the Games..Something Funny Happen with the Phanatic & Garret Anderson when he was warmed up..The phanatic try to mimic GA exercise, then Ga start runnung away from him…the Phantic took GA Glove and put in in his 4 Wheels Seat and seat in top…he was running around with GA glove without GA know it….then Phanatic throw away GA glove in the Right Field and i lost track of GA glove when the school Band arrive to play..There was funny but it was a script or Phanatic is crazy messing around with a player tools..
winterville
May 10th, 2009
4:43 pm
Happy Mothers Day to all of you out there.
DOB
I figured Norton would have something self deprecating to say about his slide and supreme speed. Thanks for sharing.
35YearBravesFan
May 10th, 2009
4:54 pm
DOB – Mac was wearing his old catcher’s mask today during the game. Do you know why?
GO BRAVES!!
cabravesfan
May 10th, 2009
4:56 pm
35YearBravesFan-
talked about that yesterday- Mac’s having some issues with the glasses fogging up on him when he catches. The old mask has better ventilation, keeps the fogging to a minimum
Tom O'Hawke
May 10th, 2009
4:59 pm
35YearBravesFan… and once he applies the “Doggy DooDoo” on them, they should be fog free. I hope so anyway. If they’re fogging up now, what the hell is he going to do on those hot, humid summer nights?
cabravesfan
May 10th, 2009
5:01 pm
Tom-
apparently he tried the “Cat Crap” the other night and it didn’t help…why he went back to the old mask
CB
May 10th, 2009
5:03 pm
DOB good to see you got the good sarcasm going today brother. Some of these 12yr olds need it
cabravesfan
May 10th, 2009
5:03 pm
Can I just share how much I enjoy watching kobe bryant throw up poor shot after poor shot because he thinks the rest of his team sucks?
Tom O'Hawke
May 10th, 2009
5:07 pm
cabravesfan-
Thanks, I must’ve missed that. Man, if you’re gonna name a product “Pony Poop” or “Elephant Excrement” (OK, I’m done) or “Cat Crap”, it should damn well work!
Mitchie-san
May 10th, 2009
5:08 pm
KawakaMitchie-san?
Tom O'Hawke
May 10th, 2009
5:11 pm
cabravesfan— You told me why you don’t like the Dodgers. May I inquire as to why you share those same feelings with the Lakers? If it’s too personal, then just tell me it’s none of my bee’s wax.
cabravesfan
May 10th, 2009
5:13 pm
Tom-
this is true. but in defense of the product, it is designed for snowboarders, sky divers and the like. Not sure if “needs to prevent glasses from fogging under a sweaty catchers mask” was part of the business plan
Perplexed Jerseyfan
May 10th, 2009
5:13 pm
Cabravesfan- hating on Lakers,Dodgers, ranting on 4NRS, I dont understaand
cabravesfan
May 10th, 2009
5:16 pm
Tom-
I grew up a HUGE lakers fan (I still have the paper from the day Magic retired) but after the end of that era (Magic, Worthy and the like) they became a very different team and I got tired of watching a bunch of selfish “look at me” personalities- that is NOT the team I grew up with. Also, my family became involved, business-wise with another NBA team, so naturally, I became a fan
cabravesfan
May 10th, 2009
5:17 pm
Perplexed Jerseyfan-
I will give you the dodgers and lakers, but ranting on…what I am assuming is foreigners? Not me, buddy
Perplexed Jerseyfan
May 10th, 2009
5:19 pm
49ers
cabravesfan
May 10th, 2009
5:19 pm
Rockets up 29 at the end of three! Aaron Brooks (ahem, a Pac-10 kid by the way) just hit a brilliant ally-oop at the buzzer! More happy dance for me
Macon Braves (RIP)
May 10th, 2009
5:21 pm
Nice game by the Braves today. I was really happy to see Bobby using Gonzo in the 8th with the lefty heavy middle of the order due up. Nice 9th by Raffy as well. Great weekend, not very optimistic for tomorrow’s game against Santana but we’ll worry about that tomorrow. Great series win for the Bravos!!!!!
cabravesfan
May 10th, 2009
5:21 pm
Perplexed Jerseyfan-
My bad…I am a HUGE HUGE HUGE 49ers fan, but they are the most frustrating team on earth to watch (and I kinda hate their ownership, although now that they have pretty much turned the team over to their 27 year old wunderson things seem to be gettig better)
mbatl
May 10th, 2009
5:22 pm
Blaine Boyer in for a 10th inning save opportunity for the Cards (up 8-7 in the 10th).
CorkylikesBeer
May 10th, 2009
5:25 pm
Funny how Blaine walked the first batter
David O'Brien
May 10th, 2009
5:26 pm
35YearBravesFan: Mac wore the old catcher’s mask yesterday. Switched back after one game in the hockey goalie mask, because there was a lot less fogging of lenses when he wore the old-school mask. So he’s sticking with that.
David O'Brien
May 10th, 2009
5:28 pm
Oh, and Cox said they discussed with Gonzo and Soriano (and Moylan) using Gonzo earlier in games sometimes if a team has a bunch of lefty hitters coming up in the eighth like they did today, or presumably even in the seventh. Not gonna do it all the time, but Cox said he’d do it when they had them stacked up like Phillies did with those middle-order lefty hitters today in eighth.
CorkylikesBeer
May 10th, 2009
5:30 pm
Blaine is going to get a save..impressive…
nolie
May 10th, 2009
5:30 pm
Damn Irish relievers. Where is Ohman when you really need him?
and Bobby switched Gonzo/Sori? Is the world coming to an end?
cabravesfan
May 10th, 2009
5:31 pm
CorkylikesBeer-
inning’s not over yet…
David O'Brien
May 10th, 2009
5:31 pm
Forgot to mention, Kotchman woke up with a stiff neck today. Could barely turn his head before and after game.
I told him, you might want to try sleeping that way more often from now on. He didn’t think it was a good idea.
Chuck James was Solid until the 6th!!!
May 10th, 2009
5:32 pm
Here we go again with bum @$$ Chipper out again with another “day-to-day” nagging injury where he will miss some games and when he does come back will be at “80%” and start hitting his signature dribblers to 2nd base and put his head down and run half-speed to first for the first 10 games back. Great! Can’t wait! Good thing he’s locked up until 40+. His healthy bat in the lineup 90 games a year is great! Seriously, he plays 125 games a year now, 90 healthy the other 35 through inuries, hitting singles if anything. Great timing too!
CorkylikesBeer
May 10th, 2009
5:33 pm
Bases loaded…what will blaine do….
Chuck James was Solid until the 6th!!!
May 10th, 2009
5:33 pm
Great day for Casey, that’s awesome considering what he’s been through with his mother…. Good stuff..
mbatl
May 10th, 2009
5:35 pm
No Save for You, Blaine Boyer. Walks 2, gets 2 out (plus a sac bunt apparently played into a hit by somebody), bases loaded w/2 out; so he can only lose it, can’t win or save it. He’s done pretty well for St. Louis, but boy, that’s classic Blaine Boyer, ain’t it?
CorkylikesBeer
May 10th, 2009
5:36 pm
ca…blaine is about to get a save..
Chopdawg
May 10th, 2009
5:37 pm
Glad to see that post on the last page about Cody Johnson at Myrtle Beach; that’s an avg of better than 1 HR every 10 AB, & playing in a pitcher’s park.
I’m sure he’s still striking out more than he should, but he’s prolly got the most raw power of anyone in the system.
cabravesfan
May 10th, 2009
5:38 pm
CorkylikesBeer-
or not
CorkylikesBeer
May 10th, 2009
5:38 pm
Cardinals were smart enough to take Blaine out of there
mbatl
May 10th, 2009
5:38 pm
Chris Perez comes on and gets the save… Boyer gets a “hold”. What a worthless stat. (I’m not hating on Boyer, btw… I wish him well, just saying it’s a worthless stat).
CorkylikesBeer
May 10th, 2009
5:43 pm
Blaine has made a million dollars from baseball…he is not going to last long with the cardinals..mbatl
Il Cattivo
May 10th, 2009
5:43 pm
Cody Johnson is going to be good trade bait by the end of this year (probably even earlier). Someone needing good power will probably snatch him up like they did Flowers. As an outfielder its going to be difficult for him to break through here.
mbatl
May 10th, 2009
5:44 pm
Chopdawg, every thing I’ve ever read about Cody Johnson says that he hits the ball harder than anyone they’ve ever seen. That when he makes contact, it literally “sounds different” than any other player, even if they hit the ball hard. And goes farther than most parks are built to handle (parking lot stuff, you know?).
The K’s are a big problem, IMO, but he’s only 20. Maybe he can get some good instruction down on the farm and cut them down to a manageable number.
bravesphanatic004
May 10th, 2009
5:51 pm
i posted this on the other blog and figured i post it here too….
what a great series win! there is only one problem though….chipper is back to being his old self again. his fragile ways are going to kill this team. as soon as we have mcann and anderson back healthy he has to have a sore elbow. you really have to question his “want to” how could you come out of a one run game on the road against a division rival, especially when the game is so crucial to your team’s success? ill tell you how…you are sissy. he’ll be out for the next two or three games and when he comes back he will have yet another excuse for not succeeding. first it was the thumb and now its a sore elbow. what a joke this guy is. our biggest mistake was going ahead and giving him a contract this past offseason. i said it then and ill say it now….if you dont give him that contract he plays in 140 games this season. now, he will be lucky to see 105. lets pray infante and/or prado step it up. regardless of chipper’s girlie ways this was a truly great win for the braves and lets hope this jump starts a terrific run of great baseball. if we can take two of three from the mets and then get back home against the struggling diamondbacks and rockies we could climb into first…
first thing first….we need to payback the mutts for the two game sweep at turner field.
Bill
May 10th, 2009
5:53 pm
If I was Cox, I think I’d put Infante in center field tomorrow, for one day (God knows you can’t keep putting Infante’s defense in center.)
Schafer has been walking a lot. That is a real nice sign.
Braveheart
May 10th, 2009
5:54 pm
Cody Johnson = Russell Branyan
Lew
May 10th, 2009
5:55 pm
MFin04-Some people shouldn’t even blog during games. You weren’t right with anything today.
Love how after his first double, it was suggested that Kotchman be pinch run for and before his two run single some were asking for a pinch hitter. Let’s not even talk about the fact he had another double after those two hits. Yeah. He sucks, doesn’t he?
I also wonder about the fact that we’ve just gone 4-1 against two teams who took us out 4-0 in the last four games we played them and people still think we’ll never win again.
CorkylikesBeer
May 10th, 2009
5:55 pm
Bill..I agree with you on giving Jordan a day off but Bobby is stubborn…
Lew
May 10th, 2009
5:56 pm
Bill-Infante may be playing third tomorrow.
Bill
May 10th, 2009
5:58 pm
Bill-Infante may be playing third tomorrow.
Maybe. Or maybe he’s at second and Prado at third. It’s hard to know what Bobby Cox is gonna do there.
Lew
May 10th, 2009
5:59 pm
mbatl-What are you? A heretic or something? To actually think a that a 20 year old could still be developing and get better? Iconoclast!
Lew
May 10th, 2009
5:59 pm
Bill-Either way he won’t be in center field.
bravesphanatic004
May 10th, 2009
6:03 pm
DOB @ 4:30,
at the beginning of the season when kelly was hitting leadoff i said, and others agreed, that is was stupid to have him hitting leadoff. you said ” well look at the braves record the first 6 games”. then it was 6-1. well kelly stayed at leadoff after that and i dont have to remind you what our record has been since….
point being yeah, having kelly in at leadoff might work for a couple of series but during the long haul it wont. and yes, we are 4-2 with anderson batting fourth but do you honestly believe that he should bat fourth the rest of the season because we won 4 out of our last 6 games with him at that spot? the guy is just not going to hit for much power. you want your clean up hitter to actually clean up every now again. we shall see what happens with him in that spot but i am willing to bet from here on out we will lose more games with him batting fourth than we win.
you see things just like bobby does…”if aint broke then dont fix it!”
the only problem with that mentality is, when it does finally break, you wont know when to fix it….
Il Cattivo
May 10th, 2009
6:05 pm
Lew – MFin04 does not have great respect for annoying little things like facts, logic etc. Heard about Knee-Jerk reactions – he is the Jerk part of it.
bravesphanatic004
May 10th, 2009
6:05 pm
****sorry, our record after the first 6 games was obviously 5-1.
mbatl
May 10th, 2009
6:06 pm
Lew, yeah, the devil made me do it. God forbid we don’t trade him now for the nothing we’d get back, don’t expect him to be our “solution” on the power outage in 2010, and just let him develop for a couple of years, right?
CB
May 10th, 2009
6:08 pm
Hey Bill what’s Bobby going to do? I think they call it managing, and Lew is correct in his statement that some people shouldn’t blog during the game. I think their brain ceases to function.
Mitchell
May 10th, 2009
6:12 pm
I would just like to say since I’ve been away the past two days doing something useful (no offense braves bloggers), to any philly folks and phillie fans who may still be lingering from Friday night’s joke of a game: suck on it. Also, you suck. We kicked your asses. Phillies suck. Enjoy you’re little cheap wins that we’ve given you so far cause you can’t beat us otherwise. That’s three series wins in a row going back to last year. And in conclusion, you suck.
And we’re going to kick some Met ass and I don’t care if Santana is pitching, we’ll beat just like we did all last year. And we’re out of our little every-other-month malaise so if they think that those two games at home mean anything they’re straight up wrong.
If we can figure out what to do with the fifth spot and maybe get another bat and keep playing like this it might get very interesting.
I still got KK’s back. He’ll get it together.
Phillies suck. Mets suck.
Carp
May 10th, 2009
6:14 pm
Lew – MFin04 does not have great respect for annoying little things like facts, logic etc. Heard about Knee-Jerk reactions – he is the Jerk part of it. –Il Cattivo
I’ll go along with that. Just about the worst poster on the board, especially during games.
bravos2249
May 10th, 2009
6:15 pm
I could sit here and get mad and call Chipper names, but at the rate he was hitting and the rate Santana is pitching it’s not like I expect us to win the game with or without him tomorrow.
TnBrian
May 10th, 2009
6:15 pm
Chipper is AL-WAYS hurt! My God, I bet he’s just brittle and probably always been, but in his younger days he could play through it more. Doesn’t matter if he’s not lighting it up at the plate or not, his presence to our lineup is no different with the Cards and Pujols. The pitcher knows that one pitch a half inch off the mark and these guys can destroy you. Anyways, all we can hope for is just a day or two and he’ll be back with no problems.
TnBrian
May 10th, 2009
6:17 pm
bravos2249, like I just posted, I really do believe Chipper changes the guys around him and how they’re pitched, regardless if he’s hitting well or not. And who says Santana won’t get out pitched by Lowe?
Lew
May 10th, 2009
6:19 pm
mbatl-I’m surprised that they aren’t clamoring for his presence in Atlanta right now-OR-trade him to the Royals with Francoeur for Grienke. I mean, Dayton likes Frenchy, right?
jason
May 10th, 2009
6:19 pm
Question of the day… Who should bat clean up ? Frenchy, Kotchman, Who?
jason
May 10th, 2009
6:21 pm
Lew i would make that trade. Don’t think KC would though…lol
Steve from OH
May 10th, 2009
6:23 pm
mbatl-What are you? A heretic or something? To actually think a that a 20 year old could still be developing and get better? Iconoclast!
Iconoclast? There’s a word you don’t hear on the ‘ol blog (or much anywhere) these days. Bringin’ the 8th-century Byzantine feel to the blog.
In all seriousnes, I agree with you though. I think they can develop Cody J. into a “mere” 100-150 K/season player, myself. Heck, if he keeps hitting balls off O’Brien’s car in the media parking lot, it might be worth it…(just kidding, Dave).
Mitchell
May 10th, 2009
6:28 pm
Why not Omar, Yunel, Martin, McCann, Kotchman, Jeff, Diaz, Schafer, Lowe?
That’s a winner right there baby!
mbatl
May 10th, 2009
6:37 pm
Juan Pierre’s hitting .444 with a +1.00 OPS! Who needs Manny?
And, while I’m at it, I predict that Braves score 4 or more runs off Santana in 7 IP tomorrow.
Metropolitan Man1
May 10th, 2009
6:41 pm
What a great baseball day. Mets win streak reaches 7, philthies lose and the Mets increased their small lead. I see Chumper decides to take a day or two off at the wrong time. Just as McCann and G. Anderson comes back to solidify that lineup, he breaks down just as predicted last week. Does the braves trainer rolls his eyes when he sees him coming?
Bravetiger
May 10th, 2009
6:42 pm
DOB – Do Braves still bus to New York from Philly? What about you, do you rent a car or what? How do you get there? And do you go today or wait until Monday morning?
Thanks for all you do. I really enjoy reading yours or Carroll’s blogs on a daily basis.
Keep up the good work.
Johan
May 10th, 2009
6:46 pm
DOB,
Does Kotchman come off as a quirky guy to you? He seems so in interviews and such.
Carp
May 10th, 2009
6:47 pm
Hey, don’t leave out Mitchell. He’s a big jerk too.Typical post of his above. …whatever/whoever sucks.
bravos2249
May 10th, 2009
6:49 pm
TnBrian
Lowe can still out pitch Santana and lose because of an error or just bad luck…look at Zack Greinke’s loss last night….IDK if I spelled it right…sorry..lol
David O'Brien
May 10th, 2009
6:49 pm
Hanson had nine more strikeouts (one walk) in eight innings today, and gave up three runs, all on solo homers, for no decision in a 4-3 loss to Durham (do they play Durham every week?)
It’s becoming hard to believe — Hanson has one win and a 1.99 ERA. One win. He’s 1-3.
Blanco was 0-for-5 today, he’s back down to .217.
Metropolitan Man1
May 10th, 2009
6:50 pm
I finally got Chumper figured out. Just as he sat last year at opportune times to ensure a batting title while Puljos played everyday, he is at it again. This time he wants to ensure that his Mets numbers remain high due to Mets starters pitching well lately. That has to be it because as McFann pointed out, he travels to NY either to ride the pine or for the see the sites,eat some food, and visit Hooters.
KC
May 10th, 2009
6:50 pm
DOB: “Yeah, that’s got to be viewed as a real urgent need to get him out of there, as the team is 4-2 since Anderson came off the DL Tuesday and moved into the cleanup spot. Can’t have that.”
Well, I don’t mean to be disagreeable, but Anderson is hitting .182 since his return, so I don’t think the Braves’ consecutive series wins can be attributed to Anderson in the cleanup spot (even though he looked good today).
And there’s no way Anderson can offer Chipper the same kind of protection that McCann is able to provide in the cleanup spot. McCann is going to slug at a significantly higher % than Anderson, and if he comes up with a runner on and 2 out in the first… Mac offers us a better chance of getting something out of it.
David O'Brien
May 10th, 2009
6:54 pm
Johan, he’s just quiet. And very much so in TV interviews and other interviews with people he doesn’t know.
Bravetiger: Team buses to NY, though Cox said he wished they were taking train. It’s quicker and traffic’s supposed to be bad on Sunday going from here to NY.
I usually take the train, but for forgot when I was scheduling trip this year. So I’m flying tomorrow morning. Flight was about same price as train ticket anyway, and not going to be any bad weather, thankfully.
The train’s the way to go on these short trips in the NE, because you don’t have to worry about weather delays or getting to the station early the way you have to do at airport. You can literally walk up, buy a train ticket and board. You don’t even send your bags through security. Very easy mode of travel, plus you can work on the train, use the internet if you have a broadband card, etc.
Bill
May 10th, 2009
6:55 pm
Frankly, I’ll be completely shocked if this team’s offense, no matter who starts tomorrow, scores even one run against Santana in the first six innings.
Macon Braves (RIP)
May 10th, 2009
6:56 pm
Aside from the Chipper injury news, the other unfortunate thing to come out of this weekend is that it appears that Frenchy is reverting to his 2008 form. Sure hope he turns that back around soon, but the last few games he has looked like the guy that was completely lost at the plate last year.
Metropolitan Man1
May 10th, 2009
6:58 pm
On the game side of things its good to know all things will be close to equal as possible (except for Chumper of course) for the upcoming series. Braves got a little swagger heading to Citi Field but the Mets are rolling, scoring early and late. Reyes has heated up, Beltran is on fire. Church is the only Met scuffling right now. Good Luck.
Rayaustin
May 10th, 2009
6:59 pm
Metropolitan Man1: “What a great baseball day. Mets win streak reaches 7, philthies lose and the Mets increased their small lead.”
They didn’t increase their lead on the Braves, which is only 2.5 games.
How long do you think your rotation success (after Santana) is going to last? The middle of your rotation is going to be inconsistent, and the bottom of your rotation (while it’s been good lately) – over the course of 162 – is going to cough up a lot of games.
David O'Brien
May 10th, 2009
7:00 pm
KC, you can be disagreeable all you want. Ask the players (on or off record) and the manager what they think, and they’ll tell you that Anderson makes the lineup a lot stronger because he usually has quality at-bats and because opposing teams/pitchers have to be aware of him, not like some out-of-position hitters who they’re not at all afraid to pitch to in the fourth or fifth spots behind Chipper.
McCann is that to a greater degree, but Anderson provides a presence that opponents think about.
I like Mac in the cleanup spot more, too. But frankly, if they hit 4-5, in whatever order doesn’t matter a great deal.
KC
May 10th, 2009
7:00 pm
Damn… they actually managed 3 HR’s off Hanson today?? When was the last time he gave up multiple homers in a game? Can’t happen very often with him.
Couch Tater
May 10th, 2009
7:01 pm
Bill James on 60 Minutes tonight.
W.T. Sherman
May 10th, 2009
7:04 pm
Seven and counting for the METS!!
KC
May 10th, 2009
7:05 pm
DOB, yeah… I wasn’t saying that Anderson isn’t a nice addition to the lineup. I was glad when we signed him, and I’m glad he’s healthy and back in the lineup. Just think it’d be better to bat McCann cleanup.
While Anderson is more of a presence than Kotchman in the cleanup spot, he’s nowhere near the presence than McCann is. On the flip side, if Bobby’s just trying to get Anderson’s bat going… he’s never going to see more pitches to hit than when batting between Chipper and McCann.
But I hope Anderson is in the cleanup spot tomorrow, and not hitting 3rd (in Chipper’s place).
nolie
May 10th, 2009
7:06 pm
Damn… they actually managed 3 HR’s off Hanson today?? When was the last time he gave up multiple homers in a game? Can’t happen very often with him. (KC)
that’s one of the things they are working on I think, They would like to cut down on the fly balls some.
KC
May 10th, 2009
7:09 pm
Macon Braves (RIP), everyone has their ups and downs over the course of a long season. I wouldn’t worry about Francoeur, unless he still looks like this 2-3 weeks from now.
I think Joe Simpson hit the nail on the head earlier… the ballpark was messing with his head. Francoeur hit a HR to left field there earlier this year, and barely missed another yesterday. He just got into launch mode, and started pulling off the ball. I’m betting he’ll get that nice center/right field swing going again very soon.
TnBrian
May 10th, 2009
7:11 pm
Watching ESPN and their opinions on Joba Chamberlan and his unneccessary fist pumps after meaningless K’s. I have to ask, why are they bashing him for that when they’re the ones that have hyped him up for the last 3 years as being the next Nolan Ryan and Cy Young of the baseball world? Of course he’s going to have an ego as big as the city of NY! You as*holes have done it to him and plenty of other players playing in NY,Bos,LA,Chi. I really do hate ESPN.
TnBrian
May 10th, 2009
7:13 pm
Oh boy, Dave Winfield has the personality of a goldfish. Wait, I hate ESPN, why am I watching these morons?
njbraves
May 10th, 2009
7:13 pm
Met man…you’re just another classless Melt fan. You have so much anger built up inside, because your team breaks your heart every year. So, you decide you will let some of that anger out by trashing another team. A team, that for probably your entire life, has ruined any hope the Melts had of having a good season. Then you talk crap about Chipper, because he is the main cause of those tears that have run down your little cheek. Chipper will be fine, the Braves will be fine too. The Melts rotation after Johan….??
W.T. Sherman
May 10th, 2009
7:14 pm
Rayaustin—-Are you doubting the Mets pitching because you think the Braves have a better staff? So far the standings say otherwise.
KC
May 10th, 2009
7:15 pm
nolie, I sure would love to see Hanson develop a sinker. If for no other reason than to simply cut down on pitch counts. But prior to today, he had only given up 1 homer this season.
And if you include his Arizona Fall League stats, outside of a couple he surrendered in the big league camp this spring, he had only allowed 1 HR in something like 70+ innings prior to today.
Pretty surprising that they managed 3 in one game off him.
MetsFan
May 10th, 2009
7:19 pm
njbraves – the Mets starting rotation’s ERA over the past week or so is 2.35. So much for the myth that the Mets have “no pitching.”
KC
May 10th, 2009
7:19 pm
Oops, Hanson gave up 1 HR in Arizona Fall League play (which is pretty remarkable, because it’s like pre-humidor Coors Field down there). But I guess it would be TWO, not one, homers he’d allowed in 70+ innings prior to today. Still a pretty damned good HR/9 inn ratio.
W.T. Sherman
May 10th, 2009
7:20 pm
njbraves—Didn’t the Mets take down the braves in Atlanta without Santana in their last meeting? Correct me if I’m wrong.
Schafer's Wafers
May 10th, 2009
7:21 pm
MetsFan whats the era for the year you jacka**??
Doc Holiday
May 10th, 2009
7:21 pm
Could anyone double check this numbers for me?
Derek Lowe is 1-2 with an ERA of 8.78 against the New York Muts in his career.
13.1 IP,13 ER …………8 appearances 2 of them starts.
KC
May 10th, 2009
7:22 pm
MetsFan, dude… they’re going to have to prove for more than a week or two. Last time I checked, it was still a 162 game season.
A lot of the guys in the Mets rotation – not named Santana, of course – are quite streaky. Your rotation didn’t suddenly turn into Maddux/Glavine/Smoltz/Avery, so don’t get too giddy here.
njbraves
May 10th, 2009
7:22 pm
Mets Fan…so you had a good 7 game stretch…so what? Be fair, you know your weakness is starting pitching. Johan isn’t going to go 25-1. Maine is not very good, Perez is a joke, Pelfrey has a lot to learn, though he does have good stuff, and Niese is whatever. Plus….you guys have choked it up 2 years in arow…
TnBrian
May 10th, 2009
7:23 pm
MetMan, go over to the Phills site and harrass them and make yourself feel better. Ya’ll better get all of that excitement out right now, because it won’t last all year. You obviously know that, otherwise you wouldn’t be creaming yourself over their little win streak. Go watch ESPN…they seem to love the Mutts,Yanks,Bos.LA.
mbatl
May 10th, 2009
7:23 pm
KC, Hanson has 4 quality pitches now (which is what makes him better than Price, IMO). But he pitches up in the zone. Get’s a lot of K’s up there, but he is a fly-ball pitcher. So is Johan Santana, so I wouldn’t worry too much about that.
btw, Price has given up 4 HR in just 24.2 IP this year; and has a 4.74 ERA at Durham. Even with his “bad” day today, Hanson’s given up 4 in 40+ IP, and a 1.99 ERA.
I practically got thrown off another blog for suggesting that Hanson was as good a prospect as Price (back in the fall).
njbraves
May 10th, 2009
7:24 pm
WT Sherman…isn’t this essentially the same Melt team that choked away the playoffes 2 years in a row? Correct me if I’m wrong.
MetsFan
May 10th, 2009
7:26 pm
So much hostility. And TnBrian, I’d love to know how my two-sentence post qualified as “creaming myself.” You must be very used to getting that result in short period of time. Try thinking of puppies next time–you’ll last longer.
W.T. Sherman
May 10th, 2009
7:26 pm
Through yesterday the Mets ERA is 3.97 and the Braves if 4.09 so I don’t understand braves fans acting as if their pitching is superior. We’ll see what happens when they visit NY.
W.T. Sherman
May 10th, 2009
7:28 pm
njbraves—And what exactly were the braves doing the last two years. Where they even playing .500 ball?
keylargo
May 10th, 2009
7:28 pm
dogsbrekky
May 10th, 2009
4:21 pm
Filly was fun, except for the local thug who took a dislike to my Braves “away” hat, still I had the last laugh pointing at the scoreboard post our great win…..
Where are those Casey knockers now ?
Dogsbrekky, don’t start any rumors with the likes of that. You know ManRam just got busted from a comment just like that.
Dogsbrekky, don’t start any rumors; who knows, ManRam just got busted
MetsFan
May 10th, 2009
7:29 pm
Excellent point, Sherman–and allow me to add: The Mets team ERA has been steadily dropping since the season began, while the Braves ERA has been growing. But don’t try telling that to an Atlanta fan–it’ll mess with the party line that Braves pitching is amazing and the Mets have no pitching, even though the numbers don’t bear that out in any way.
keylargo
May 10th, 2009
7:30 pm
Sorry for the confused post. Those links below the comment section are making life rough for me and my laptop.
KC
May 10th, 2009
7:31 pm
Doc Holiday: I don’t know about Lowe’s career numbers vs. Mets… not sure where to find those career splits. But I did discover the following at ESPN.com:
Lowe has only made 2 starts against the Mets in the past 3 years.
In 2006, he made 1 start vs. Mets. He went 6 innings and allowed 2 earned runs.
In 2007, he made 1 start vs. Mets (a rough one)… went 4 innings, allowed 8 ER
He did not face the Mets at all in 2008.
He just hasn’t faced them much, so whatever the career numbers are, they’re not very meaningful.
richbrave
May 10th, 2009
7:31 pm
keylargo:
Casey’s knockers. Down around her knees at this age.
njbraves
May 10th, 2009
7:32 pm
Lowe, JJ, Vasquez>>>Santana,Maine, Pelfrey. Johan is a beast, but the other two don’t match up. Braves will beat Johan tomorrow. He’s due for a bad start. He can’t win em all. Met fans just make me laugh. You guys are so insecure in your team, which I get after all these years, but why take it out on a team you didn’t even play today. Do you watch the Melt game and then think…” I should go check out that Braves blog.”? Could you guys be bigger losers?
THB
May 10th, 2009
7:32 pm
Basically the way I look at Hanson is that he does need to improve on his command, but I believe he truly is the best option for us in the rotation right now. Reyes is not going to cut it and Morton is probbaly still shaking the rust off, and Hanson is just flat out better anyway. Should Reyes faulter in his next start, I would hope that Hanson is called up.
He may be a fly-ball pitcher, but like others have mentioned, so is Santana and other very successful pitchers. I don’t think this is such a big deal since his home field will be Turner Field which is a pretty nice pitcher’s park, so it’s not like playing in Philly or at Coors Field. I really don’t think he’s going to get any better playing in AAA than he would be in Atlanta. It’s about time we call him up and watch him flourish.
njbraves
May 10th, 2009
7:34 pm
No Sherman..you idiot…the Braves were playing bad baseball the last two years. However, I’m not the one ona naother teams blog talking garbage. We have exactly the same amount of playoff wins the past 2 seasons.
Doc Holiday
May 10th, 2009
7:34 pm
Last season Lowe didnt pitched againt the muts, but in:
2007
managed to pitch 4.0 innings
Got touched for 9 runs, 8 of them earned and 10 hits.
richbrave
May 10th, 2009
7:34 pm
9-9 head to head between the BRAVES, METS, FISH and FILTHIES. Whoever dominates the NATIONALS ans the rest of the NL/AL will win the division.
Metrolpolitan Man1
May 10th, 2009
7:34 pm
njbraves: Neve stated anything about the braves as a whole, just pointing out the weak links.
Rayaustin: I think the Mets rotation is just shaping up to be what the Mets management thought it would be and thats adequate after Santana. With the way the bats are coming around at the same time the pitching is clicking, it makes a bad 1st visit to Citi for the braves.
KC: You still owe from last season.
Doc Holiday
May 10th, 2009
7:35 pm
He even started 1 game………..so I assume its was a very short outing.
W.T. Sherman
May 10th, 2009
7:37 pm
NEWSFLASH…..NEWSFLASH…..NEWSFLASH. THE BRAVES STEAK HAS BEEN OVER SINCE 2006 AND THEY’VE PLAYED SUB .500 BASEBALL OVER THAT TIME. SEVERAL TEAMS IN THE DIVISION HAVE HAD BETTER RECORDS AND YET MANY OF THEIR FANS REFUSE TO ACCEPT THIS REALITY. IF YOU SUSPECT YOU’RE ONE OF THESE DELUSIONAL FANS SEEK IMMEDIATE MEDIAL ATTENTION.
Doc Holiday
May 10th, 2009
7:37 pm
It was july 19th……..all those runs and hits were on an outing that lasted 3.0 innings……….yikes.
W.T. Sherman
May 10th, 2009
7:37 pm
I meant “streak”
Frank from KS
May 10th, 2009
7:38 pm
TnBrian
Winfield is not too bad of an addition to the Baseball Tonight crew.
A lot better than some ESPN could’ve hired.
njbraves
May 10th, 2009
7:38 pm
Can’t wait to put you dumb, uneducated Melt fans in your place. Braves will take 2 of 3 minimum. After they beat Johan tomorrow night none of you big mouth’s will be on here. Met fans are the ultimate front runners. Yankees losing is more of a story than anything the Melts do..good or bad.
THB
May 10th, 2009
7:39 pm
Also, like some mentioned, Cole Rohrbough was back on the mound today. He went 4 innings, 5K, 2BB, ER. Not sure why he was cut short, whether it was pitch count or just because he’s been out a couple weeks, anyone know?
Cody Johnson is still showing drastic improvements from last year. He is walking a whole lot more and while still striking out a lot, he’s hitting bombs and getting on base a whole lot more. His average isn’t suffering either so I think he’s doing a great job of trying to improve his weaknesses while still utilizing his strengths. We have to realize he’s not gonna be anything like Pujols just because he has the power. If he’s ever like Adam Dunn, I think we did a pretty good job with him.
I’ve noticed that Freeman has been doing much better since Heyward returned. Not sure how that really works though, since Heyward hits in front of him, so he’s essentially protecting Heyward. But nonetheless, the Heyward-Freeman-Johnson tandem is pretty scary. A lot of raw power, plate discipline, and a ton of size.
Coach (2010 or bust)
May 10th, 2009
7:39 pm
I watched the first eight innings and had several observations.
The offense still looked awful in spite of the additions of G.Anderson and McCann. The pitching won today. However, the Braves are averaging 4.80 runs per game for the month of May. That’s a huge improvement over April’s 4.06 average.
Kawakami has made an adjustment. His SHUTO was biting today. He kept the left handers off balance with it. I think he’s a keeper. The Japanese righty kept the Phillies in the yard and that ain’t easy to do.
The bullpen is really coming into it’s own. We have ourselves a two headed monster in Gonzo and Soriano.
Jimmy Rollins looks brutal at the plate. The Phillies can play some D and Ryan Howard has to be the most improved 1st baseman in the N.L., he can flash the glove around first base.
Chipper is what he is, old and banged up but still the most feared bat in the line up.
We get Santana tomorrow night on ESPN. I’m not gonna hold my breath as he is overdue for a win against our Braves. Maybe the Mets offense will take the night off and Derek Lowe will pitch lights out. Who knows, we could actually win three in a row again for the third time this year.
Doc Holiday
May 10th, 2009
7:40 pm
KC,
Actually it was a 3.0 pitch outing………he pitched 1 inning of relieve 3 days later, it appears he took them out 1, 2, 3.
Doc Holiday
May 10th, 2009
7:40 pm
3.0 pitch outing = 3.0 inning outing
MetsFan
May 10th, 2009
7:41 pm
njbraves–and what kind of baseball are the Braves playing this year?
And, you can always tell when you’ve proved an Atlanta fan wrong–he starts answering not with facts, but by calling the other poster an “idiot” or “moron” etc….I see you’ve reached that point. Settle down, killer. It’s just baseball.
Good luck with your theory about the Braves beating Santana tomorrow. To be honest, your lineup will be lucky to get the ball out of the infield against him.
W.T. Sherman
May 10th, 2009
7:41 pm
When the braves have a better record than the Mets I’ll take you serious njbraves. Until then I’ll consider your assesment of the Mets as I do you….WORTHLESS
Metropolitan Man1
May 10th, 2009
7:41 pm
Sanatan maybe due for a bad outing, the crazy thing is his worst outing could still be enough to beat the punchless braves at this point. Pelfrey and Maine have won without the best stuff yet they are getting better as the season moves on. So far Livan has been an excellent #5.
Now as far as blogging here goes, how many times do I have to answer that? If fans of other teams didn’t interact, you would know nothing about the other teams except what ODB puts in the blog. I have learned that I may have more braves knowledge than the average braves fan while the Mets knowledge is off the charts. However I can find a philthies fan, a braves fan, or a stnakees fan to point something out to this Mets homer that I didn’t know. It goes both ways so soak up the knowledge with the the trashtalk. Thats how other fans do it.
Doc Holiday
May 10th, 2009
7:42 pm
The other day I made kind of a trivia…….nobody said a word……..does anyone has an idea when was the last time thte braves had a 6 game winning streak?
njbraves
May 10th, 2009
7:43 pm
NEWSFLASH…NEWSFLASH… The Mets had a strek of 1 division titles…then they remembered they’re the Mets and decided to rip their fans hearts out for 2 consecutive seasons…LOLOLOLOL…Sherman you fool..face it, the Melts will always let you down..always. Let me guess you’re a Jets fan too. Of course you are..losers like you always come as a package deal Mets /Jets. God, your life must be miserable.
MetsFan
May 10th, 2009
7:43 pm
Oh, and I like this “Melts” thing you have going on. It’s cute, keep saying it. Although, “Mutts” had a certain ring to it. Do you know the catchy nickname we have for the Braves this year? There isn’t one. Because no one is concerned about the Braves.
njbraves
May 10th, 2009
7:46 pm
Met fans pretending they have baseball knowledge is the funniest thing I have ever seen. One of you dummies cited your ERA for the past week as proof you have a good staff. Yeah, you guys really know what your talking about. LOL
W.T. Sherman
May 10th, 2009
7:47 pm
njbraves……Easy big boy. I’m a diehard GIANTS fan. I grew up just a few miles from Giants Stadium. As for the Mets and braves. We’ll chat again after the upcoming series.
KC
May 10th, 2009
7:47 pm
Mets Fan All bravado aside… I’ve always though Maine and Pelfrey were much better than what they showed in April. There’s a good chance their numbers will be solid at the end of the year. But they are prone to inconsistency. And you can’t honestly tell me that you feel confident in the bottom of your rotation.
The Braves have 3 proven starters with ERA’s in the 2.00’s or 3.00’s. As for the bottom of the rotation… it hasn’t been good overall. BUT, it’s going to get significantly better soon. Either Kawakami and/or Reyes will sharply improve… or they’ll be replaced by someone who will get the job done.
The Braves have not one, but TWO big league ready elite starting pitching prospects at Gwinnett (T.Hanson and C.Medlen), ready to step in… in addition to two other solid big league ready prospects, C.Morton and J.Parr. Also, Glavine could be ready in a few weeks, and Tim Hudson will likely be back for the stretch run.
Santana is as good as they come. But Santana/Pelfrey/Maine vs. Lowe/Jurrjens/Vazquez… I’ll take the Braves trio. And as I just pointed out, the Braves are loaded with good options for the bottom of the rotation, if Kawkami and/or Reyes can’t get the job done.
As for the bullpens… I think the Mets ‘pen will continue to be a strength, but certainly no more so than the Braves bullpen, which has really put it all together. The ATL bullpen ERA has been dropping like a rock for some time now.
I’m not saying the Mets have no pitching. But despite recent performance, the rotation after Santana is still questionable.
njbraves
May 10th, 2009
7:47 pm
Mets Fan…let it out…it;s OK to cry son. It’s not your fault that they did that to you. The Melts really tried, they just couldn’t help it…they’re just never gonna be able to live up to your expectations.
Doc Holiday
May 10th, 2009
7:48 pm
W.T. Sherman,
Problem is that as soon as the braves have a better record than the mets or muts start losing, all you rats run and hide in the cellar.
Frank from KS
May 10th, 2009
7:48 pm
njbraves
And if it weren’t for Bill Buckner letting the ball go through his legs in in Game 6 of the 86 World Series….the Met’s would still having nothing.
Lol
Doc Holiday
May 10th, 2009
7:49 pm
Metropolitan Man1,
We dont need to interact with you in order to know that you team zux.
MetsFan
May 10th, 2009
7:49 pm
njbraves, I’m starting to really like you. Thanks for making it extremely easy to dismiss your opinion by stating that a consistent trend in ERA doesn’t mean anything, You, my friend, are a baseball genius.
Be honest…you were one of the people here who wanted to release Hampton so you could save his salary, right? It’s okay, just admit it.
Metropolitan Man1
May 10th, 2009
7:50 pm
So let me pose this question. If the braves lose the games that Chumper sits out, will that be the excuse or will credit that is due be recieved? I know the braves are playing better baseball and are happy to have taken it to the fish and philthies, but this Mets team doesn’t have another collaspe in them. They just can’t.
njbraves
May 10th, 2009
7:50 pm
Thank you Doc and thank you Frank….Go Braves! Later Melts fans…go read a book on baseball so you guys can wow us all again tomorrow with your vast baseball knowledge…LOL
MetsFan
May 10th, 2009
7:50 pm
Doc –
Me team zux? Um….oh no. What?
KC
May 10th, 2009
7:50 pm
Metrolpolitan Man1, yes… I haven’t forgotten that you lucked into a winning bet after the Braves lost their top 4 starters, their closer, and their setup man for much or all of the season.
I’ll get together with you a game this season to pay up. Unless of course… you want to double down on the ‘09 Mets?
MetsFan
May 10th, 2009
7:52 pm
That’s right, Frank, because the World Series rules state that if a player makes one error, it automatically gives the other team four wins. Oh wait, it doesn’t? You mean the Mets actually won that World Series? That’s right….
ncscoots
May 10th, 2009
7:54 pm
Met fans pretending they have baseball knowledge is the funniest thing I have ever seen.
Try reading most of the posts during a game, you might find a new all-time champeen “funniest”.
Metropolitan Man1
May 10th, 2009
7:55 pm
KC:
The Braves have not one, but TWO big league ready elite starting pitching prospects at Gwinnett (T.Hanson and C.Medlen), ready to step in… in addition to two other solid big league ready prospects, C.Morton and J.Parr. Also, Glavine could be ready in a few weeks, and Tim Hudson will likely be back for the stretch run.
Mets have Parnell a starter coming in the 7th inning of games being light out (Green’s former role), Niese just pitche a qulity game against an MLB team last week and will get another chance. Thats two young guys ALREADY contributing to the Mets so far. Theres more on the farm but there goes 2 young arms that braves fans aren’t fully aware of.
Don
May 10th, 2009
7:57 pm
What’s this — the Braves playing better! Oh well, it must be time for Chipper to get hurt again. Oh, what’s that, he is — stunning!
Frank from KS
May 10th, 2009
7:57 pm
To all the Met bloggers on here
Oh it wasn’t the Braves who were up….what 7 games with 17 or so to play and squandered it all and had another monstrumental collaspe again in 06 or 07 (can’t remember which).
I said this before….I think it was harlious in 06 when the Mets ended up losing the division on the last day of the season and the Phils got SWEPT….(not just beat….but SWEPT) by the Rocks in the playoffs.
I said..”Yes, there is a God”.
Lol
PWHjort
May 10th, 2009
7:57 pm
THB,
It’s because Freeman gets lovesick when Heyward isn’t in the line-up.
Metropolitan Man1
May 10th, 2009
7:59 pm
Metrolpolitan Man1, yes… I haven’t forgotten that you lucked into a winning bet after the Braves lost their top 4 starters, their closer, and their setup man for much or all of the season.
KC: Double down huh? Tell me the last time the Mets will be in Atlanta. If its close to the end of the year, you are on. If not, pay up on the next Mets braves game at the Ted.
If you can site those reasons above for the braves horrible record in 08′, then collasping during the stretch with no closer, and a terrible pen should cut the Mets some slack.
PWHjort
May 10th, 2009
7:59 pm
Frank,
That was 2007.
2006 was the year of the Cardinals and Tigers in the WS.
W.T. Sherman
May 10th, 2009
8:01 pm
Doc….would you be a pal and let me know when the braves are playing better than the Mets in the standings……Thanx buddy.
LKS
May 10th, 2009
8:01 pm
Anyone care to mention that we have OWNED santana in the past?!?! For some reason we can hit off the lights out pitchers but when it comes to the pitchers that should be no problem we can’t get a hit.
Metropolitan Man1
May 10th, 2009
8:01 pm
Frank from KS: Oh it wasn’t the Braves who were up….what 7 games with 17 or so to play and squandered it all and had another monstrumental collaspe again in 06 or 07 (can’t remember which).
I said this before….I think it was harlious in 06 when the Mets ended up losing the division on the last day of the season and the Phils got SWEPT….(not just beat….but SWEPT) by the Rocks in the playoffs.
That was in 07′. See my superior Mets knowledge does it again.
PWHjort
May 10th, 2009
8:02 pm
Actually,
The reason the Mets collapsed down the stretch 2 years in a row: they’ve had no leadership, no character, and no chemistry on the team. They’re doing better about getting classy guys in there and home-grown players, but largely they’re just a shell of a team with a ton of talent and none of the necessary parts to turn that talent into success.
Frank from KS
May 10th, 2009
8:03 pm
PWHjort
Thanks. I had my years mixed up.
Lol
David O'Brien
May 10th, 2009
8:03 pm
Lowe is 1-2 with an 8.78 ERA and .373 opp. average in eight games against the Mets, including 1-1 with a 10.00 ERA in two starts. Won a quality start against them in 2006 (six innings, five hits, two runs) and got bombed in a loss in 2007 (10 hits, earned runs, three innings). Rest were relief app.
Metropolitan Man1
May 10th, 2009
8:05 pm
Anyone care to mention that we have OWNED santana in the past?!?! For some reason we can hit off the lights out pitchers but when it comes to the pitchers that should be no problem we can’t get a hit.
Oh its been mentioned plenty and will be echoed again until game time tomorrow. However before you had true aces opposing Santnana. Now Lowe is great and a bonafide MLB pitcher, but is a nothc below ace status overall. Is he the braves ace? Yes, by far. I mean you guys won’t even have to face Opie this time around, you know him as Oliver Perez, the braves killer.
W.T. Sherman
May 10th, 2009
8:07 pm
PWHjort…..I see you’re good at pointing out where the Mets were the last 2 years. Would you be so kind to tell us where the braves were? Were they playing winning baseball or were they looking up at the Mets in the standings?
bravos2249
May 10th, 2009
8:08 pm
NO matter how bad the Braves suck fact is fact in that Santana has faced them 5 times ( I think 2 times in the AL)…hasn’t pitched bad in all his starts and hasn’t beat them yet.
PWHjort
May 10th, 2009
8:10 pm
People are so caught up in the “ace” status. He isn’t an “ace”. He’s a notch below “ace”. He doesn’t strike out people so he isn’t an “ace”. It’s a great talking point if you’re a Mets or Phillies fan, but who cares? I guarantee you Derek Lowe or Javier Vazquez doesn’t give a crap if you call him an ace. And I’ll take Jurrjens, Vazquez, and Lowe over any other front 3 in baseball. If someone ever tells you “you can’t have a dominant season without a clear-cut “ace”", they have no idea what they’re talking about.
Metropolitan Man1
May 10th, 2009
8:10 pm
NO matter how bad the Braves suck fact is fact in that Santana has faced them 5 times ( I think 2 times in the AL)…hasn’t pitched bad in all his starts and hasn’t beat them yet.
As they say in baseball, the law of averages eventually will catch up.
bravos2249
May 10th, 2009
8:11 pm
Sanatana is 0-3 ( 5 starts) with a 2.76 era vs the Braves
Lew
May 10th, 2009
8:13 pm
I wonder when the Mets are going to let Oliver Perez out of his locker? Out of sight, out of mind?
PWHjort
May 10th, 2009
8:14 pm
Well lets see Sherman,
In 2007 the Braves finished 4 games behind the Mets but had a 9-9 record against them and finished with a run differential of +77 compared to the Mets +54, so you can’t really say either team was better.
In 2008 the Braves finished a ton of games behind the Mets finishing the year with the killer strong rotation of James Parr, Charlie Morton, Jo Jo Reyes, Jurrjens, and Campillo. That’s like bragging about beating up a retarded kid.
bravos2249
May 10th, 2009
8:14 pm
Lowe only had a 3.38 era @ Shea so if he had it that low there than if Citi field is bigger it should..by number terms…be no problem for him….But the unexpected always happens.
Metropolitan Man1
May 10th, 2009
8:14 pm
PWHjort: So what was Smoltz all those years for the braves, just another adequate pitcher. Neither Lowe or Vasquez get the ace status becasue they are not aces. When Smoltz had that tag all those years for the braves, where eas this statement? Lowe and Vasquez are great pitchers (Lowe get the nod over Vasquez) but don’t get mad because no one wants to annoint them aces.
PWHjort
May 10th, 2009
8:18 pm
I’m not mad that nobody wants to anoint them aces. In fact, quite the contrary. My whole point, and I’ll spell it out again because you obviously didn’t get it the first time, is that I don’t give a sh!t who you call an ace. Sure, maybe Lowe and Vazquez aren’t “aces”. I don’t care. I care about the quality of the team (and rotation) as a whole, not whether or not the media deems my best pitcher an ace.
bravos2249
May 10th, 2009
8:18 pm
Unless Jerry Manuel is dumb expect to see Sheff playing tomorrow…he KILLS D. Lowe
W.T. Sherman
May 10th, 2009
8:19 pm
Funny how braves fans talk about the Mets failure to win the division but fail to mention that the braves in that same time weren’t even in the race. They’ve played below .500 baseball during the last three seasons. All you have to do is scan the stadium during their home games and see all those empty seats to know that the braves are not worth paying the price of admission.
Frank from KS
May 10th, 2009
8:20 pm
Well…I’m glad the Braves got Lowe. I knew they were getting good stuff with him.
Metropolitan Man1
May 10th, 2009
8:22 pm
PWHjort: Really so you prefer not to have a guy on the team that can halt a losing streak when he pitches? Interesting. I could have sworn I heard braves fans and announcers clamouring over Smoltz on how he can stop a losing streak. He was known as the stopper. Correct me if I’m wrong but how long have YOU been following the braves?
brent a.
May 10th, 2009
8:23 pm
We’ve been watching Chipper fall apart for what, 4 years now?
winterville
May 10th, 2009
8:23 pm
Well you Mets fans obviously care enough about the Braves to come here and waste everyone’s time. If we are a none issue in the division then why even come here and worry about us?
Metropolitan Man1
May 10th, 2009
8:25 pm
winterville:Well you Mets fans obviously care enough about the Braves to come here and waste everyone’s time. If we are a none issue in the division then why even come here and worry about us?
Just to tell you how much we enjoy watching your team at times.
PWHjort
May 10th, 2009
8:26 pm
Having a staff ace and 4$ will get you a cup of coffee. For the last time, it isn’t important for a staff to have an “ace”. It’s important to have a good staff and to win games. And ace or no ace, we have a good staff. They don’t hand rings out to the teams with staff aces, they hand rings out to the best teams. Sure, I’d love to have Santana on my team. He’s the best pitcher in baseball. Listen to what I’m saying and quit extrapolating. I didn’t say I’d PREFER to not have an ace. I said it doesn’t f’n matter. Our staff is good enough regardless.
booger1
May 10th, 2009
8:26 pm
Ew, can we get these Mets Fans a blog of their own?
We get it, you think Johan is awesome, he’s an ace, the Braves are scared, blah, blah, blah…
Go somewhere else to convince yourselves. And you should be so lucky Chipper is “conveniently” injured during Mets series.
brent a.
May 10th, 2009
8:27 pm
It is a misnomer to say that the Braves weren’t in the race the last 3 years.
2006 – sure. June basically ruined them, though the team did stay in WC contention for a while.
2007 – they went into Philly the last week of the season with a chance to potentially pass Philly, which, if they had, would have positioned them with a chance to win the division, ending the season in Housotn.
2008 – that team was terrible.
So, the Braves were not really in the race 2 of the last 3 years.
Saying the Braves were not in the race in 2007, would sort of be like saying that the Phillies weren’t in the race with 17 games to go
winterville
May 10th, 2009
8:27 pm
Well Met Man 1 I haven’t seen you say that yet.
Doc Holiday
May 10th, 2009
8:32 pm
Triavia question (its a hard one so get prepared)……..Grand prize, a week in the Hawaii for 2, all included.
WHICH TEAM HAS CHOCKED LAST 2 SEASONS IN THE FINAL 2 WEEKS, TAKING AWAY THE CHANCE TO WIN THE WORLD SERIES.
Im giving you a hint, this team has been the best team in the majors and it is the best team this year (again)………..just hope they dont choke………..AGAIN!!!!!!
bravos2249
May 10th, 2009
8:32 pm
To be honest with Lowe going tomorrow I’d rather have Prado or Omar @ third if Chipper thinks he’ll be a liability..and it would enable Kelly to hit lower in the lineup…which by the way he has a good avg against Santana….But nothing is saying Chipper can’t play, but I still rather have solid defense, because that is what is going to win the game tomorrow.
Now if we had a fly ball pitcher going, I’d say stick him out there. The reason I’m saying this is I read on mlb.com where Chipper said it depends on whether he can throw or not if he’ll play.
Gil In Mechanicsville
May 10th, 2009
8:33 pm
When will you folks learn you cannot use a reasoned argument with unreasonable people. With all the smack talk about the Mets, what have you personally done to improve the quality of life on the planet? Why don’t we wait until Thursday morning to see if the sun still rises in the east… My guess is that it will.
PWHjort
May 10th, 2009
8:34 pm
So I’m guessing Gonzalez is unavailable for tomorrow night’s game because he’s pitched in 5 of the last 6 including 2 in a row.
AdirondackDave
May 10th, 2009
8:34 pm
DOB — In case nobody’s mentioned it, there is a lengthy, excellent article in the NY Times today (Sunday) on Steve Earle and Townes Van Zandt. A must-read for big time fans of this pair. Not sure if it’s in the on-line paper site, I saw read it in the “real” paper.
And now for something entirely different… how is Cody Johnson’s defensive play? Nothing wrong with having an Adam Dunn who might also be an asset in the outfield.
Metropolitan Man1
May 10th, 2009
8:36 pm
PWHjort: I’ll take that as you removing the foot from your mouth. No harm no foul. I know waht you wrote and understood what you said. The thing is you don’t truly beleive what you wrote. If the braves season came down to the last game to get into the playoffs and Lowe had just pitche 3 days ago but its KK turn, who would you prefer to see? The so called Ace of the team or the sum of its parts?
Chuck James was Solid until the 6th!!!
May 10th, 2009
8:37 pm
Metropolitan Man1
May 10th, 2009
6:58 pm
On the game side of things its good to know all things will be close to equal as possible (except for Chumper of course) for the upcoming series.
Dude, that’s like saying everything will be fair in the series except Santana is not pitching tomorrow because he is injured. That made zero sense, but coming from a Met fan, I am not surprised. Congrats on taking advantage of the 1-12 Pirates over their last 13. You must be proud!
bravos2249
May 10th, 2009
8:40 pm
PWHjort
He had one day off the first night in Philly. So probably not. But I’d think Bobby would most likely give Soriano a day off than Gonzo. But Moylan hasn’t gone in a while. It’ll probably depend on how long Lowe goes and whose hitting.
bravos2249
May 10th, 2009
8:41 pm
Yeah I mean I’m not trying to start something but we did just take 2 of 3 for the Philles…who don’t suck by the way. Yeah Hamels beat us but look at who we had going up against him. But either way we took the series.
Schafer's Wafers
May 10th, 2009
8:44 pm
D. Lowe may not be an ace in your book but he is in mine. Lowe is 106-75 with a 3.79 ERA in 233 starts since 2002, while Burnett is 69-55 with a 3.71 ERA and 164 starts in that period. (Just for comparison’s sake, Peavy is 86-62 in 199 starts since 2002, his rookie season, and Ben Sheets is 75-73 with a 3.60 ERA in 196 starts since ‘02, which was his second season in the majors.)
Lowe is tied with Johan Santana for third-most wins in the majors since 2002 , behind Roys Oswalt (115) and Halladay (113).
How can he not be considered an ACE with these stats.
Schafer's Wafers
May 10th, 2009
8:45 pm
What can you say about that metrosexual man
Schafer's Wafers
May 10th, 2009
8:46 pm
D. Lowe has averaged 15 wins and 208 innings in seven seasons as a starter since 2002. Looks like ACE to me.
Metropolitan Man1
May 10th, 2009
8:46 pm
Chuck James was Solid until the 6th!!!
Dude, that’s like saying everything will be fair in the series except Santana is not pitching tomorrow because he is injured. That made zero sense, but coming from a Met fan, I am not surprised. Congrats on taking advantage of the 1-12 Pirates over their last 13. You must be proud!
Well he didn’t pitch against the braves last week and that made it more even for the braves and they still lost to Maine and Livan. Didn’t the Pirates put the braves in their place already? Braves lost 2 out of 3 to the Bucs so right back atcha in making no sense.
PWHjort
May 10th, 2009
8:52 pm
1 game isn’t that meaningful over the course of the season. Our starting staff gives us a chance to win more frequently than any other staff in the NL (except maybe SF, but their offense is even worse than ours). Yes, I’d rather Lowe pitch on 3 days rest if we were in that situation. But the idea is to win enough so you don’t put yourself in that situation. And our staff puts us in a position to win enough so we don’t put ourselves in that situation. Which is much more important than having an “ace”.
Metropolitan Man1
May 10th, 2009
8:54 pm
Anybody here care to go to a sportsbar tomorrow night and watch the game? Tensions would be a lot lower if we didn’t continue to talk to each other from behind a screen and realize that what someone just said actually make sense. I promise I won’t get any Mets flavor on you.
Schafer's Wafers
May 10th, 2009
8:55 pm
I think what I just said makes sense and seeing as how you didnt comment on it. I shut your a** up with some real facts. Not that crap your blowing out your a**. Metrosexual Man thats to you.
Metropolitan Man1
May 10th, 2009
8:56 pm
PWHjort: 1 game isn’t that meaningful over the course of the season.
You do know I’m a Mets fan and can attest that this is not a true staement. As far as the Ace thing goes, you have proven it doens’t matter to you……most times.
TnBrian
May 10th, 2009
8:58 pm
MetMan, you say nobody has come up with a nickname for the Braves because we’re not a threat, but NOBODY talks about the Mutts until one of you trolls starts polluting this thing. That Met team and you fans of them have been singing the same ‘ole tune since the late 90’s when you get on a winning streak. The arrogance is disgusting and not justified… AT ALL! That team’s done nothing to impress me since I can remember. The late 90’s it was this guy or that guy that would put you over the top. Then it was Wagner, the emmergence of Wright/Reyes. Now, it’s K-Rod/Putz… give it up trolls, the filthy Mutts will never win anything major with those arrogant and silly a** attitudes!
Schafer's Wafers
May 10th, 2009
8:58 pm
Funny how you wont respond to me.
Metropolitan Man1
May 10th, 2009
9:00 pm
Schafer’s Wafers: Really. Now reach all the way around with your left arm and pat your back. Those stats means he is durable and can hang with the big dogs on most occasions. Lowe is not chopped liver. He would be a Met if Smoltz didn’t bolt and the braves guarenteeing a 4ht yyear. So enjoy him, I know he would have made the Mets better, but eventually he will have to carry the braves sometime during his contract and lest see how much love you have for Lowe then.
PWHjort
May 10th, 2009
9:01 pm
Yes it is. 1 game is less than 1% of your total. Win more games with your “non-ace” starters earlier in the season and that 1 game isn’t meaningful because you’re not in an elimination situation. The strength of the staff as a whole is important. The strength of individual members is far less important.
Metropolitan Man1
May 10th, 2009
9:01 pm
TnBrian: Where did I make those statements?
Shane
May 10th, 2009
9:03 pm
Man the Mets win a few in a row and they come out ofthe woodwork dont they?
Dont worry they will have on their Yankee gear by September. The Mets are the laughingstock of baseball. Always have been.
Kentavo
May 10th, 2009
9:05 pm
I haven’t been a fan of Cox’s in-game decision making in quite some time, but I will tip my hat to the ol’ coot for today’s use of Gonzo in the 8th and Soriano to close. Brilliant! And I mean that sincerely.
I just hope he tells those guys that’s what he intends to do sometimes, only because Gonzo seems to lack a little focus when it’s not a save situation.
Metropolitan Man1
May 10th, 2009
9:06 pm
PWHjort: Yes it is. 1 game is less than 1% of your total. Win more games with your “non-ace” starters earlier in the season and that 1 game isn’t meaningful because you’re not in an elimination situation. The strength of the staff as a whole is important. The strength of individual members is far less important.
Yes there is truth in what you wrote but that did not apply to the Mets. It wasn’t starting pitching that did them in last year, it was the bullpen. The pen blew leads and the starters wins declined. Now if the ace goes 9 innings and wins, then no need.
TnBrian
May 10th, 2009
9:08 pm
MetroMan, “MetMan”, “MetFan”…what’s the difference? I’m tellin ya’ll, your hearts will be breaking again down the stretch. It’s cool to pull for your team, but you guys and that team it seems, set yourselves up for a let down.
Metropolitan Man1
May 10th, 2009
9:08 pm
Shane: And you will break out the Milwalkee and Boston gear soon. Good night braves fans, enjoy the Mets-braves series. See you guys tomorrow , after the game that is.
Schafer's Wafers
May 10th, 2009
9:10 pm
MetMan,
Are you serious saying that it just makes him durable. Well I guess that makes Johan durable he is not an ACE considering they have the same amount of wins in that period of time. You metrosexual man are an IDIOT!!! You can leave now. Dont let the door hit your a** on the way out.
PWHjort
May 10th, 2009
9:12 pm
We’re splitting hairs here. I’m just saying the “ace” label is more of a talking point than a real concern. Which I’m pretty sure you can probably agree with. I’m not concerned about the Braves lack of an ace. I’m concerned about the offense, but I think our starting staff is a strength, despite not having a traditional ace.
Rock On....(the denizen formerly known as Dadgum)
May 10th, 2009
9:13 pm
Wow, over the final two pages of this latest blog there is absolutely nothing of substance. Trolling Mets fans and Atlanta fans taking the bait. Guess it will be that way until the Mets series is over. Anders you are the exception to the typical Mets fan. You get a pass.
zookey
May 10th, 2009
9:22 pm
Sherman
This must be your second march to the sea…
Games are won by the players on the field not your keyboard.
Anders,another twit.
braveshater
May 10th, 2009
9:22 pm
What a surprise. Mr. Glass is hurt again. This guy is like a hospital, he cant stay healthy. I guess his elbow is sore from counting all that money from his new extension. Waste of valuable resources.
Willie Randolph
May 10th, 2009
9:31 pm
I told you that we are the best team ever……….We are the team to beat……….we wont choke this year, I bet you Manuels job that we will win the world series, if not, we will built yet another stadium next year, and so on until we are world champions.
Bleu_Bayou42
May 10th, 2009
9:33 pm
KJ will be batting north of 250 by the end of this road trip.
Willie Randolph
May 10th, 2009
9:34 pm
Yeah, at least Anders has brain cells in his “roof”.
Andy K.
May 10th, 2009
9:34 pm
DOB: When did we sign Tony Armas Jr.? And what’s up with AAA INF Derrick Arnold? He’s still on Restricted List.
zookey
May 10th, 2009
9:35 pm
Braveshater
What a masachist …..
Take up pingpong,thum wrestling,join a think tank,you are going to hurt yourself.
Doc Holiday
May 10th, 2009
9:35 pm
Bleu_Bayou42,
Is that supposed to be good news?………..he better be.
bravos2249
May 10th, 2009
9:37 pm
Well is there one thing we can agree on? If we say perhaps…this is just a scenario that the Mets didn’t have Johan and they had Lowe then he would be labeled an ACE because the other pitchers on their staff aren’t as experienced. Being an ace is about experience too. I mean for crying out loud Pedro was your ace before you got Santana…which by the way was the best trade in the past like couple of years. But on the OUR staff compared to our other starters Lowe is an Ace. He may not be that compared to Santana or other pitchers, but up against Vazquez, KK, Jair, and etc., he is.
Mitchie-san
May 10th, 2009
9:39 pm
I think you scared him away, Shane.
bravesphanatic004
May 10th, 2009
9:49 pm
its so funny how all of the philly fans have vanished and now the mets fans have taken over. no worries…
they will be long gone after tomorrow night.
Brandon
May 10th, 2009
9:51 pm
DOB,
I know McCann has a problem with the glasses fogging, but a while ago my dad bought me stuff from a jewlery show that you put on your glasses to prevent fogging and from water to adhere… Has this stuff been tried already or has no one thought of it?
AdirondackDave
May 10th, 2009
9:57 pm
DOB — The Van Zandt/Earle article is on-line today at the NY Times site Arts: Music: “Freeing a Mentor from his Mythology.”
richbrave
May 10th, 2009
9:58 pm
MM1:
I prefer keeping my adversaries at a distance. Something about familiarity breeding contempt.
Braveheart
May 10th, 2009
10:01 pm
Here’s the Earle/Van Zandt article Aridondack Dave is speaking of:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/10/arts/music/10decurtis.html?_r=1&ref=music&pagewanted=all
David O'Brien
May 10th, 2009
10:06 pm
Adirondack, wish I’d known about that article earlier, I’d have bought a NY Times here in Philly. Might go down and see if hotel gift shop’s still open.
Thanks for the heads-up.
David O'Brien
May 10th, 2009
10:13 pm
Braveheart, thanks for link. Didn’t see that before I posted response to AdirDave.
Andy K.: Why do you keep asking about Derrick Arnold? I don’t know and, frankly, don’t much care. He’s not a prospect.
I asked about him a week ago after one of your repeated queries about it, and the team official I asked didn’t even know, that’s how far off the radar that guy is. Come on, man, you’re just asking about anybody in the organization, whether you’ve ever heard of them or they have any relevancy to the major league club whatsoever.
And the Braves don’t announce minor league signings, so I’m not sure when they signed Armas, Jr. the guy was 9-12 with a 5.03 ERA with the Nats in 2006, 4-5 with a 6.03 ERA with the Pirates in 2007, and gave up seven runs and two homers in 8-1/3 innings last season with the Mets.
Steve from OH
May 10th, 2009
10:17 pm
Andy K., what’s your hangup with Derrick Arnold? Dude’s no more of a prospect than I am…
Steve from OH
May 10th, 2009
10:17 pm
Ah, I see DOB already got to it…
David O'Brien
May 10th, 2009
10:18 pm
Andy K., I just looked up D. Arnold’s numbers: He’s 24 and has a .224 average, .304 OBP and .580 OPS with 11 homers, 82 RBI, 266 K and 68 walks in 1,104 at-bats over five minor league seasons.
I can’t believe I just spent 4 minutes doing that.
Going to watch the rest of the Celtics game now.
Andy K.
May 10th, 2009
10:25 pm
Sorry DOB, was just wondering if he violated the drug policy or something, because it’s strange he’s been out for so long and whatnot. As for Armas, that was in more of a joking matter, he’s more or less fallen off the face of the earth after having some potential years ago. Remember that Opening Day start against the Bravos a few years back? Final score was like 11-2 or something, and Armas picked up the W.
Andy K.
May 10th, 2009
10:28 pm
Wish I could give you back those 4 minutes, too.
RHR
May 10th, 2009
10:39 pm
Oh what a surprise, the low class Mets fans have arrived. I never would’ve predicted this.
Roman Gal
May 10th, 2009
10:40 pm
Wow…lot’s of Mets fans on here this evening. And here I thought this was such a lovely day…
Anyhoo, Chop Chop, I think it was you who posted a link to that SNL Mother’s Day song. That was hilarious. Thanks for posting it!
cabravesfan
May 10th, 2009
10:53 pm
Holy crap that was a CLUTCH shot by Glenn Davis!!
David O'Brien
May 10th, 2009
10:54 pm
Wow, what a finish! Big Baby Davis hits a long shot just before the buzzer to life the C’s past the Magic just down the road from Dark Star. Love it.
David O'Brien
May 10th, 2009
10:59 pm
Oh, and I found the last copy of NY Times at 7-11 across street. About to read that story on Earle/Van Zandt. Thanks again for the heads-up, fellas.
Poke Bobby
May 10th, 2009
10:59 pm
Someone be sure to poke Cox tomorrow and remind him that Matty Diaz is something like 8-15 lifetime against Santana while Garrett Anderson is 6-25.
Just sayin………
Chop Chop
May 10th, 2009
11:04 pm
You know what would do my heart good? Seeing Kobe and the Lake Show beating the C’s in the Finals. Since they are two of my least favorite teams in pro sports, I’m sure I could find a way not to watch a minute of that series.
JD
May 10th, 2009
11:10 pm
Do you think that if you poke Bobby he giggles like the Pillsburry Dougboy?
diamondlady01
May 10th, 2009
11:11 pm
DOB-The solution to Mac’s glasses is LOC Glass Cleaner. I know foggy glass & it works!
Chop Chop
May 10th, 2009
11:16 pm
That was a funny comment by me. I said it would do my heart good to “see” that series, yet I wouldn’t watch a minute of it. If I ate some shrooms, I bet I could see it without watching it.
PWHjort
May 10th, 2009
11:16 pm
DOB,
Have you heard how the organization plans to handle the potential departures of Soriano and Gonzalez next season? As you know, they’re both eligible for free agency. Does the organization plan to try to re-sign both of them, 1 of them, or let both of them walk? Or have they not even thought about it and plan on crossing that bridge when they get there?
Chop Chop
May 10th, 2009
11:18 pm
It’s a long season, PWH. With their propensity for injury, the decision might be made for Wren.
Cardog10
May 10th, 2009
11:18 pm
We always handle the big name pitchers. Chipper especially… I remember him jacking Randy Johnson for 2 HR during his prime. Pedro Martinez…. Santana got it last year when he came to Atlanta. We’ll take tomorrow’s game.
Chop Chop
May 10th, 2009
11:22 pm
I remember Randy Johnson throwing a perfect game at Turner Field. He was lucky, though. (The D-Backs must have made at least three or four HR-saving catches.) The fact is that we hammered the guy, but that’s baseball. It’s such a crazy game.
bravos2249
May 10th, 2009
11:25 pm
Cardog10
I remember that game…4 game sweep if I do say so myself…Huddy pitched that game. I believe Santana brushed Huddy off the plate in that one. In fact I believe that was the series when the Mets hit like 5 Braves…lots of posters where po’d. lol
David O'Brien
May 10th, 2009
11:37 pm
Have you heard how the organization plans to handle the potential departures of Soriano and Gonzalez next season? – PWHjort
No, I have not. Nor do I expect to for some time. It’s mid-May and the Braves are trying to get above .500 and stay in a division race. I dare say they’re not thinking about what might happens five or six months from now. That’s folly, since you don’t know if they’ll stay healthy, if guys coming up will have breakout seasons, etc. Really, it’s just not an issue to address right now.
brent a.
May 10th, 2009
11:38 pm
I keep going back and forth as to what will be a better series . . . CLE -ORL or CLE – BOS
With or without Garnett, I think it’s Cleveland-Boston.
We are seeing something very important play out in this post-season, in that Boston’s role players, with championship experience in tow, are able to dig down and accomplish things in big games that they never could before they were champions.
Rondo and Davis, for example, both are good players, Rondo was a top player coming out of high school, and Davis led his team to a final four.
But, last year, they often left a lot to be desired with their play. During the first round, Rivers was still trying to figure out whether to finish with Rondo, or Cassell, the veteran.
Now, a year later, a championship under their belts and playing without their best players, almost every single player on the court for the Celtics is a threat.
This is why it is so hard to de-throne a champion. Once a player/team has won a title, they have a whole knew aura of confidence and understanding about them.
Orlando has a lot of talent, and has played Cleveland well this season. But, for pure drama and excitement, we deserve a Celtics-Cavs re-match in 2009.
David O'Brien
May 10th, 2009
11:40 pm
By the way, PWH, do you know what’s up with Derrick Arnold?
David O'Brien
May 10th, 2009
11:42 pm
Papelbon just put two runners on with none out in the ninth, Red Sox clinging to a one-run lead. Then he blows away the next three guys, struck ‘em all out. Another case where an out is not just an out. Strikeouts killed ‘em. A mere groundout would have driven in the tying run from third.
PWHjort
May 10th, 2009
11:43 pm
Ha. No, I don’t know what’s up with Derrick Arnold. I heard a rumor that him and Richie Sexson have been hanging out, drinking some beers, etc..
By the way, heck of a performance by Papelbon after allowing the first 2 runners to reach in a 1-run game. He strikes out the side to nail down the save.
JD
May 10th, 2009
11:46 pm
I don’t know if anybody else saw this, but in his thrilling postgame analysis, Brian Jordan noted how Kawakami “minimized his walks” (stutters not included in that quote)
Brian Jordan is like the Corky Miller of broadcasting.
Chop Chop
May 10th, 2009
11:47 pm
Derrick Arnold?
Wasn’t that the “Wonder Years” kid? Shoulda boned Winnie, man. What a loser.
JD
May 10th, 2009
11:51 pm
That was Kevin Arnold.
On an unrelated note, do you think we should share this picture with McFann?
http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20090422/capt.b70e228a6afb4fc18ace9e66b352f58e.aptopix_braves_nationals_baseball_dcab111.jpg?x=313&y=345&q=85&sig=8dOTl9Kyy_iK44ScH6bVfA–
booger1
May 10th, 2009
11:57 pm
Met Man, why would we throw on Red Sox & Brewers stuff? That was just dumb.
Nice job by Papelbon tonight, but I wouldn’t be caught dead in Red Sox crap. Poor Smoltzie…
Roman Gal
May 11th, 2009
12:07 am
That’s folly, since you don’t know if they’ll stay healthy, if guys coming up will have breakout seasons, etc. DOB
I bet the Braves were hoping for a better start from Craig Kimbrel at Myrtle Beach this year. The guy absolutely dominated every level last year. However, he went 10 innings at MB and allowed 15 runs, 13 earned. Granted, he’s been much better at Rome, but still…you gotta think the Braves brass were/are hoping he could make it to at least AA by seasons end. Still might. Who knows.
TnBrian
May 11th, 2009
12:11 am
I heard Smoltzie on XM radio saying he had “so many interviews coming up” that he “felt like a five year old on Christmas morning”. Hey, he said, and I’m just reporting what I hear. That’s what they pay me the big bucks for, folks.
Frank from KS
May 11th, 2009
12:11 am
Yeah…Pap is quite the closer.
Roman Gal
May 11th, 2009
12:12 am
And…I guess since I mentioned him, I might as well throw out some numbers:
Craig Kimbrel in Myrtle Beach: 10.2 IP, 10.97 ERA, 15/18 K/BB
In Rome: 3 IP, 3.00 ERA, 7/1 K/BB
Chop Chop
May 11th, 2009
12:20 am
Craig Kimbrel looks like he doesn’t like High-A ball.
Roman Gal
May 11th, 2009
12:23 am
Wouldn’t it be really great if Tommy Hanson made his major league debut against John Smoltz and the Red Sox? Hah!
Ya know…I don’t really like booing just for the sake of booing, but John Smoltz certainly hasn’t made it easy on himself for when he comes back to Atlanta. I probably won’t boo him, but I’ve been thinking about it…
CorkylikesBeer
May 11th, 2009
12:25 am
Roman..have you lost your mind….to even think about booing….Smoltzie
Supes
May 11th, 2009
12:27 am
Yip…You know it’s the DAY BEFORE a series against the MUTS, b/c you have the NY MUTS “TROLLS” show up on the blog. Give it a rest, and go away. We already have a “resident” Mets fan here…Anders. Now go find another BRAVES blog to mess with.
BTW…that 7 game ERA for your starters (outside of Johan) is NOT an adequate amount of time to make any presumptions about righting the ship. THE ENTIRE MONTH before that…That’s probably MORE LIKE IT.
FACE IT…Braves have have the deeper starting pitching staff, and are SET at the rotation for the future. METS will have to “Buy some hired mercs like CC Sabathia”, it’ll be the only way you’ll stay relevant in the future. It begins and ends with starting pitching!
FEAST ON THIS METS TROLLS – Braves projected 2010 rotation
1. Hudson
2. Lowe
3. JJJ
4. Vasquez
5. Hanson/Kawakami
Also have Medlin in the waiting as well as Charlie Morton (who can still be a decent 4 or 5 starter and is durable)
Meanwhile…METS HAVE Santana (and one questionable elbow) and mediocrity to follow.
Yip, better get out that checkbook Omar M!
Roman Gal
May 11th, 2009
12:28 am
CorkylikesBeer, I know one thing for sure, he plays for the Red Sox now. AND he talked badly about the Braves. If any other player talked badly about the Braves, would you boo them?
CorkylikesBeer
May 11th, 2009
12:31 am
Smoltzie..will get a standing ovation at Turner Field by most of the fans. There is truth to what Smoltzie said about the Braves.
JD
May 11th, 2009
12:31 am
I’d boo Smoltz. He bolted then badmouthed the Braves.
I’ll forgive him. I booed Glavine too.
Coach (2010 or Bust)
May 11th, 2009
12:32 am
Gorkys Hernandez: Batting .339 with 12 RBI, 18 runs scored, an OBP of .403 and 7 stolen bases. He has committed one error in the field.
If the youngster keeps it up, he will be making an appearance down the road at Gwinnett.
Roman Gal
May 11th, 2009
12:34 am
By most of the fans? Really? You sure about that?
CorkylikesBeer
May 11th, 2009
12:36 am
Oh most definitely! I don’t know if you are from Atl or have even been to a Braves game. Smoltzie has been the most popular Brave by far. Chop Chop..would you dare boo…smoltzie
Coach (2010 or Bust)
May 11th, 2009
12:36 am
Supes,
Javier Vasquez is almost certain to be traded sometime during this season or soon after the conclusion of the 2009 campaign. Atlanta is committed to Kawakami and with Hanson, Morton and Medlen waiting in the wings along with the return of Tim Hudson, something has to give.
JD
May 11th, 2009
12:38 am
There is truth to what Smoltzie said about the Braves.
Except for what Smoltz said, yeah. He pretty much blamed the Braves for him leaving (he said “you leave when you’re given a choice” even though the Braves gave the aging pitcher coming off major arm surgery a fair contract offer). He implied that Braves management outside of Bobby Cox isn’t competent.
Trevor Hoffman, on the other hand, took out an ad in the paper to thank the fans for their love and support. Smoltz bolted.
Chop Chop
May 11th, 2009
12:41 am
Smoltz is a traitor.
I never want to see his face again.
I cry whenever I think of him.
Boo hoo. Boo who? Boo Smoltz.
Roman Gal
May 11th, 2009
12:42 am
Yes, I live in Atlanta. I go to many games. Braves fans are notoriously laid back, unless someone irks them. Heck, they booed Mike Hampton this year. They booed Gary Sheffield. You know what, now that I think about it, Smoltz might just get his phanny booed out of Atlanta. Good thing we aren’t known for throwing things at players…although I think I’d like to throw something at him.
Would it be too obvious if I brought a couple of tomatoes to those games? Then again, I throw like a girl…
Nate from NCState
May 11th, 2009
12:43 am
So who is stoked about the pitching match up tomorrow night? Should be a great one, maybe a high scoring affair, but who cares, at least we have a pitcher that we can have confidence in going against one of the best in the game. I mean I would take Santana over Lowe, but I don’t think you could ask much more from him then what he has shown.
Also, if Chipper is out the game who do you think gets the start? My money (we’ll say euros) is on Prado getting the start at 3rd and Kelly still leading off. Any takers?
Metropolitan Man1
May 11th, 2009
12:46 am
Man, you guys still asking those age old questions on why Mets fans come here? Sorry I had to read that. Anyway here is an article about your boy Lowe. Mets players hold him in high esteem so everone seems to be looking forward to this game and the series (except Chumper of course). You should change his official name to ” Ouch Jones”.
http://www.topix.com/mlb/new-york-mets/2009/05/mets-to-face-a-pitcher-whom-they-admire-mets-com-news-2
Also some more useless information, D. Wright the braves slayer almost attended Ga. Tech.
http://www.nypost.com/seven/05092009/sports/mets/college_coach_wonders_what_wood_have_bee_168383.htm
JD
May 11th, 2009
12:55 am
They use Euros at NC State?
TnBrian
May 11th, 2009
12:57 am
MetroMan, what, Wright was the only player that had anything to say about Lowe, or the writer for that article didn’t know how to type Spanish? Lord knows that clubhouse is nothing more than entering the Dominicans.
Dr. Martin VanNostrand
May 11th, 2009
1:12 am
John Sterling’s greatest calls:
“What is it…an A Bomb from A-Rod!”
“A text message from Teixeira”
“Theee Yankeeeesss Winnnnn!”
Coach (2010 or Bust)
May 11th, 2009
1:18 am
Cause for concern:
Chipper Jones has hit .205 during his last ten games. Playing hurt? Definitely. Needs to sit? For sure.
Am I surprised? Not in the least bit. He’s the most feared and respected bat in the line up. Hoss is also a walking eggshell. It is what it is.
booger1
May 11th, 2009
1:26 am
I booed Hampton because he annoyed me (but touche on that Atlanta fans jab). Honestly, I respect his decision to sign with the Astros, I’m just not appreciative of him. I didn’t boo Sheffield because I didn’t care enough to. I [still] boo Tom glavine but only in my head (I’d never boo my own players out loud). And my heart will break if Atlanta boos John Smoltz.
It is the Braves fault.
JD
May 11th, 2009
1:49 am
He’s the most feared and respected bat in the line up.
That’s like saying you’re eating at the cleanest table in Waffle House.
Nate from NCState
May 11th, 2009
1:53 am
Economy is bad. Have you heard? I cashed out.
Frank
May 11th, 2009
6:22 am
Judas Smoltz deserves the Hampton treatment at Turner Field but will not receive it. Heck, Hampton never did anything but get hurt. Smoltz left for thirty pieces of silver and trashed the organization.
Frank
May 11th, 2009
6:26 am
JEFF FRANCOEUR
Average: .272
OBP: .290
Slugging: .408
OPS: .698
KELLY JOHNSON
Average: .236
OBP: .327
Slugging: .404
OPS: .731
Guess which one is missing starts and which one has missed none.
richbrave
May 11th, 2009
7:19 am
Note to METS fans. We’re coming in neat up, but we’re coming to win. See you at the ball-park, especially you BELTRAN.
Signed,
“THOSE PEOPLE”
Irish Thunder
May 11th, 2009
7:50 am
Just a quick comment. I have always respected the class of the Braves organization, very first class. What is the deal with the blue jerseys??? It looks like a Gwinnett county softball team. I know teams try to make money on selling jerseys, but please?? Every road game? They have the best uniforms in baseball (Home White and Road Grey) and they go to this minor league look. Keep the blue jerseys where they belong, in batting practice and once in a while on the field.
Scottish Thunder
May 11th, 2009
8:03 am
I like the uni’s, Irish Thunder, but you’re right- the road greys always looked sharp.
Looks like Freddie Freeman has got it going again-
http://minorsandmajors.com/2009/655/the-cody-johnson-dichotomy
richbrave
May 11th, 2009
8:07 am
That RENTERIA trade just gets better and better. GORKYS HERNANDEZ OF, the other piece in the deal, has found his footing in AA. Batting .412 against lefties in 34 AB and a very respectable .308 in 78 AB against right-handers. Day games only .200, but night games .370, and .339 on grass. Hit .309 (81 AB’s) in April, but .419 in 31 May AB’s. Hitting for average at .309 (81 AB’s) with the bases empty, he’s batting ,419 (31 AB’s) with runners on and all-firmament, .455 in 22 AB’s, with RISP. He’s drawn 6 BB and only had 5 SO in those situations, an excellent ratio. Fast with 7 SB’s, but 4 CS. However, in the past two weeks, he’s 2-0 in the base-stealing department. Only shortcoming – little power. 0 HR’s. He’s developing into a disciplined gap hitter with blazing speed and an excellent glove. Wouldn’t mind seeing him in GWINNETT if he keeps this up another month. SCHAFER/HERNANDEZ platoon? Naw, probably not. Maybe LF though, next year. At 21 that could be for a very long time.
jason
May 11th, 2009
8:22 am
richbrave, does Hernandez look as if he could hit for moderate power once his body frame fills out. Somewhere in 10-15 range. That would look good with 30+ steals and gold glove defense.
jason
May 11th, 2009
8:28 am
In the next few years you could potentially see a young OF of LF Hernandez, CF Schafer, and RF Heyward. Not bad, will Frenchy still be here, and where would he play if he is ?
Scottish Thunder
May 11th, 2009
8:31 am
If all three pan out, I think Frenchy might end up in another city by that time.
Macon Braves (RIP)
May 11th, 2009
8:37 am
Dang the blog was tough to sludge through last night. Too many comments from dang Mutt Trolls. Wonder if so many people wouldn’t take their bait and comment back if they would keep posting? I doubt it…well except Anders anyway, he’s happy talking to himself (don’t think Anders was here last night, but just saying)
gatordawg
May 11th, 2009
8:40 am
Chipper is an overpaid wimp; I am ashamed he is from Florida
jason
May 11th, 2009
8:45 am
Scottish Thunder, I was thinking the same thing; just didn’t want to say it out loud.
Scottish Thunder
May 11th, 2009
8:49 am
Jason, I think if Frenchy might eventually command a pretty penny if he continues to bounce back like he has early this year. But we’re talking 2-3 years from now, so it’s hard to know how things could turn out that far ahead.
Hell, Heyward could end up in center for all we know
British Thunder
May 11th, 2009
8:49 am
Irish Thunder, Scottish Thunder. It means no matter. You’re both Britain’s beeoches
Rock On....(the denizen formerly known as Dadgum)
May 11th, 2009
9:11 am
Coach….man I don’t know about some of your posts. So Vazquez, arguably the Braves best pitcher, is going to be traded. During the season or after? He could easily be undefeated. Is as advertized or better. Your summize has no teeth but you may be getting confused with the return of Hudson and what they will do with Vazquez upon said return.
Way too early to think Hudson will be on the 2010 roster. For the sake of argument we will give it a 50/50 shot. Hudson hasn’t even auditioned yet. That will come in September for a few starts. Based on what they see Wren will make the call whether to pick up the 12 mil option or not. Back to Vazquez, he will make close to that same amount. Assuming he continues on his current pace, and that the Braves aren’t going to keep both him and Hudson(maybe payroll increases and they do),then I can see the Braves passing on the option and paying Hudson a million to leave.
Frankly, I don’t want to see either of them leave but far too much time to go until that decision has to be made. Consider this though, the Braves have the best starting pitchimg in the NL East as an overall unit 1-5. Actually outside San Fran probably the best in the NL. Do you throw away Vazquez for Hudson as it stands now? I don’t thats for sure.
ncscoots
May 11th, 2009
9:14 am
In the next few years you could potentially see a young OF of LF Hernandez, CF Schafer, and RF Heyward.
I estimate at near zero the possibility of both Hernandez and Schafer playing in the same OF.
Rock On....(the denizen formerly known as Dadgum)
May 11th, 2009
9:16 am
Oh yeah, someone mentioned Chipper should be sitting (sans injury). Coach was that you? Really? I’ll just pretend that I didn’t read that. OK…good.
Scottish Thunder
May 11th, 2009
9:20 am
I don’t that’s for sure either, Rock On
Doc Holiday
May 11th, 2009
9:20 am
Some interesting stats regarding the muts:
They are 3rd in the league in pitching 0.05 points ahead of us.
They are 1st in the league in hitting.
They have the 3rd fewest amount of HR and the 3rd fewest amount of doubles, yet they are 6th in SLG. How can that be? Well they lead the league in triples (13) almost doubling the amount of triples the team next to them have (7).
They are 2nd in OBP
What does this mean? Well, this team, as our braves, has no power, as our braves, but they do get on base a lot. Im guessing they are relying on the singles and walks to eat other teams. So it is a very good thing they wont be facing KK. So I dont see they hitting the HR in the 1st 2 games, not one. Since lowe and JJ are great pitchers and know how to stay away from the big inning, we might have a good chance. What I dont line is the fact that they both issue a lot of walks, and the mets are a patient team.
bakerman
May 11th, 2009
9:24 am
Stats are for losers. Still gotta play the game and find a way to win. If stats meant anything, Braves would have had no chance Sunday.
DirtyDawg
May 11th, 2009
9:24 am
Don’t you just love baseball. One day/week you can hate everything about the team and it’s players, but win a couple and all’s right with the world…the beauty of a 162-game season, I suppose. It’s clearly heartening to see the pitching kick it into gear, and I agree with Bobby Cox, Reyes ain’t ‘that’ bad. He’ll be pitching for us, or somebody, for years to come. If he ever wins another game.
Sorry about one thing though, something’s wrong with Jeff Francoeur. He looks slower than anybody else on the team. Is it the foot? The weight? I mean any other right fielder – other than Adam Dunn, that is – would have made both of those plays to short right yesterday. Plus, I think I’m seeing way to much of ‘08 in his swings lately.
PWHjort
May 11th, 2009
9:35 am
Ncscoots,
It isn’t crazy to think Gorkys and Logan could play in the same OF. It’d be a speed overkill and power deficient, but why not? I think it’s much more likely that Gorkys gets moved, but I would love to see how great defensively our OF would be with Schafer, Gorkys, and Heyward. Sumoza is starting to look like a real, legit prospect too. And if Cody Johnson minimizes those K’s, the organization will have some tough roster decisions to make regarding the OF in a few years. Depth is a beautiful thing.
Supes
May 11th, 2009
9:38 am
Coach, I’m sorry but I’m more inclined to believe Kawakami is the one who is traded after the season is over. I think Vazquez has found his groove back in the NL. He won’t be confused with Cy Young, but at least he’s a lot more consistant than Kenshin has been so far. Now, if things change…and Javy falters as the season goes, while Kawakami gets better who knows.
I’m just going on what I’ve seen the first 5 weeks.
Vazquez, more dependable and very good StrikeOuts per innings pitched rate.
Kawakami, less dependable, more prone to walk batters.
They both have good “live arms”, and an assortment of stuff, so that’s not the issue.
Also, Kawakami may prove to be a more tradable player, given that he’ll have more years left on his contract at an affordable rate for a middle or the rotation guy. Braves may get more in return for him than they will Vazquez (given that Javy’s contract is shorter than Kenshin’s)
An Outfield of Hernandez, Schafer and Heyward is NOT outside the realm of possibility.
Jeff could play his way out of town or be traded (should have made that offer to KC for Zack Greinke last year damn it!) and Schafer (eventually could be a 10-15HR kind of guy, so Hernadez could be our prototypical lead off gap hitter with speed (won’t have to hit HR). At that time we are looking at Freeman also at 1B, bringing more HR to that position. So if HR are the reason why people think that particular outfield combination may not work, think again.
PWHjort
May 11th, 2009
9:38 am
Dirtydawg,
Frenchy has always run like a bow-legged girl. But he covers enough ground in right to be an above-average defender in right, considering his arm (best OF arm in baseball, or close to it).
smithdallas
May 11th, 2009
9:44 am
REK live after the Rangers game this Saturday night. DOB come on over!
Efrim
May 11th, 2009
9:48 am
ncscoots, I’m with you on Gorkys. I like him, but I can’t imagine the Braves having Hernandez in LF. Most of his value lies in the fact that he is a good defensive outfielder. Gotta hit for some power in the corner.
Braves have this three game set with the Mets, then have 17 games against Arizona, Colorado, Toronto and San Francisco to finish out the month of May.
Efrim
May 11th, 2009
9:52 am
good defensive *centerfielder* is what I meant in my 9:48.
Lew
May 11th, 2009
9:54 am
It’s May people. Why are we discussing next year’s rotation and speculating on re-signing a player who hasn’t even made it through re-hab yet?
MetroDude-”The Mets team doesn’t have another collapse in them. They just can’t.” A plaintive prayer to Heaven?
jason
May 11th, 2009
9:58 am
Since we are talking future, who do we have lined up for 3B in side the oganization? Will we have to go outside to find one, shift Escobar over ?
McFann :Ô:
May 11th, 2009
10:02 am
Richbrave–
Haha! Good one. Will never forget when “that guy” said that…
richbrave
May 11th, 2009
10:02 am
DirtyDawg:
Bad habits are tough to lose. Just when you think you’ve got your head on straight and the muscle memory’s been corrected you revert.
YUNEL looks like a different hitter. I did not like what I saw at all. Not much patience at the plate. I can’t put my finger on it exactly, but it seemed to me he was better last year as a hitter in the clutch than he showed in yesterday’s game. Maybe it’s just me, I don’t know…
jason
May 11th, 2009
10:03 am
I think yuney is still a guess hitter. He swings at some ugly pitches like Frenchy sometimes.
richbrave
May 11th, 2009
10:06 am
Hey there McFANN. Say, do you think that collision last year caused regression in his left eye? That’s something the team would probably not talk about. I was just wondering if his was a long-term thing, or if it showed this year.
Luke
May 11th, 2009
10:06 am
Probably the most asked question in this blog…when will we see Tommy Hanson? Overpowering the AAA hitting, but obviously there’s a huge talent differential between AAA and the big leagues? What does everyone think before or after the late season roster expansion?
W. T. Sherman
May 11th, 2009
10:07 am
I get that the Mets failed to close the deal the last two seasons and as a fan it did hurt. But Brave fans harp on that but fail to acknowledge their own “collapse’s”. During the braves streak how many times did they not collapsed to an inferior team? Most of those years the braves had the best pitching staffs of all the teams in the playoffs but year after year they were knocked off by lesser staffs. Hey, I’m not….I repeat I’m not disqualify the accomplishment of the the streak. I’m just saying that’s it’s so hipocritical for Brave fans to point out the Mets failures when the Braves have many of their own.
bravofan
May 11th, 2009
10:08 am
A real duel on tap for tonight both Lowe and Santana are 4-1 the Braves will only be 1.5 games back if the beat the Mets at Citi Field tonight! And o yeah that win streak will be up to 3 games! Everyone comeon the bandwagon is callin your name!
ncscoots
May 11th, 2009
10:09 am
It’d be a speed overkill and power deficient, but why not?
PW, answered your own question, my friend, LOL. Just no thump there. Even the current OF, as poor as it is offensively, would probably generate more runs.
I like Gorkys, he’s a fine player, but Schafer will produce a whole lot more runs with his bat than Hernandez will with his feet. I also rate Schafer a hair better defensively, though Hernandez might close that gap with more experience. Either one will make a fine CF for the Braves, depending on need and surrounding personnel, but one of them at a corner? No, thanks.
DAP
May 11th, 2009
10:11 am
Since we are talking future, who do we have lined up for 3B in side the oganization?
by the time chipper’s contract is up, david wright might be also (option year) so maybe we could sign him.
next year is one thing, three years from now is another.
richbrave
May 11th, 2009
10:11 am
jason:
Gotta’ tell you, I haven’t put eyes on the HERNANDEZ prize. Just crunching numbers at this point. So, I couldn’t even guess. Some of our regulars who haunt the MISSISSIPPI ball-park might hazard a guess though as they’ve see his play first hand. Wanted him called up to GWINNETT so I could go to NORFOLK and see him when he comes to TIDEWATER.
McFann :Ô:
May 11th, 2009
10:12 am
Richbarve–
That thought had occurred to me…but he said his vision was fine until the end of Spring Training. So I don’t know–seems like if it had anything to do with getting Victorinoed it woulda showed up sooner. Guess we’ll never really know…
McFann :Ô:
May 11th, 2009
10:13 am
DAP by the time chipper’s contract is up, david wright might be also (option year) so maybe we could sign him.
Hoo-hoo! Could you imagine…?
jason
May 11th, 2009
10:15 am
Wright, now that is a sweet dream, never happen…
SoFLBrave
May 11th, 2009
10:15 am
W.T. Sherman – fair enough. But if you believe it is hypocritical of Braves fans to point out the Mets failures when the Braves have many of their own, is it not also hypocritical of Mets fans to point out your own successes without recognizing the Braves for theirs?
DAP
May 11th, 2009
10:16 am
richbrave
its hard to argue with yunel’s results though, right? he has been arguably our best hitter, especially with RISP. i believe he is 2 RBIs behind jeff for the team lead and has played 3 fewer games. plus, hes been batting 2nd all year instead of middle of the order like jeff.
W. T. Sherman
May 11th, 2009
10:16 am
Mcfann….Dream on. Wright is the face of the franchise and speaks english.
Lew
May 11th, 2009
10:16 am
Now the Mets fans are trying to compare a run of fourteen consecutive division titles and a World Series Title to a first round playoff win where they lost to the team with a barely .500 record in the NLCS and then collapsed in titanic terms two straight seasons, winning exactly nothing? I guess that’s what passes for logic in New York. Must come from being number two in their own city since they came into existence.
The Braves may be in a three or four year rebuilding mode, but the Mets have been in that mode for the better part of four decades. Come back and thump your chest or grab your crotch when you’ve actually won something.
CB
May 11th, 2009
10:21 am
I also do not believe a Schafer and Hernandez outfield is in the future. What I am hoping is a continuous improvement by Cody Johnson. I would hope the future outfield will be Schafer,Johnson and Heyward. This would give us some balance of power and speed.
Steve from OH
May 11th, 2009
10:21 am
I gotta say that I agree with Coach that if everything (aka, Hudson’s rehab) goes well then I think Vazquez is traded. Don’t see Kawakami getting traded because if you’re a major league franchise, do you take him on at 8MM for the next two seasons? He’ll be tough to unload. But let’s wait until Hudson makes us choose, eh?
As for Hernandez, his start has been pretty impressive, but I don’t see him in Gwinnett this season. He’s one of the youngest players in the Southern League and really hasn’t hit for any power in the last two seasons, so if I’m the Braves I keep him in Mississippi and let him develop his power stroke, as his average, speed and defense are already there. In time, I see him as sort of a Rafael Furcal type player, but in centerfield.
But like scoots and Efrim said, there ain’t no way that he and Schafer are in the same outfield, especially with Heyward hot on his heels. Can’t really have a leftfielder with meager home run pop (we’ve seen how that’s worked for us the last two seasons, huh?). If Gorkys continues to develop and Schafer starts to find his groove, Gorkys is traded.
I see us trading from some of our pitching depth for a leftfielder this offseason.
As far as 3B depth goes…we don’t have much. But that’s ok, because we have a pretty decent 3B under contract for three more years, and we’ve got Marteeen ready to fill in when Chip needs a day (or a week) off. I would say that our best “prospect” is Donnell Linares, a Cuban defector in Myrtle Beach who is off to a slow start, but who Baseball America describes as “The 25-year-old Linares, who signed last year after defecting from Cuba, was off to a slow start at the plate but impressed the Braves with his defensive abilities in spring training. He, too, has above-average power and had a pair of home runs among his first seven hits.’ He’s gonna have to start posting some numbers, obviously, but he apparently has tools. But Eric Campbell has tools too, and we’re seeing how that’s working out, so…
3B Samuel Sime is off to a nice start in Rome, posting a .305/.343/.442 start after posting a .500ish OPS in Danville last season. Don’t know much else about him, but someone to keep an eye on, at least for now. I’m not really too excited about any of Rome’s hitters (except maybe Luis Sumoza, a toolsy outfielder who hasn’t done too much numbers-wise this season, but that’s the story of the minors, eh?)
richbrave
May 11th, 2009
10:22 am
DAP:
Yeah, I know, but something just wasn’t quite the same. Of course, I saw a lot of him here in RICHMOND, and until TBS dumped all the BRAVES NATION. Maybe it’s just maturation to big league pitching.
JayDubu
May 11th, 2009
10:23 am
Dr. Martin VanNostrand
The all-time best call from Sterling is:
“Bernie goes BOOM!! Burn, Baby, Burn!
W. T. Sherman
May 11th, 2009
10:23 am
SoFLBrave…..I personly try to keep things in the present state. We can all look back and be selective in our memories when talking up our teams. Like I said before, the streak was an accomplishment that may never be matched again but in it there were many lost opportunities for the Braves. Which is how I view the last two seasons for the Mets.
DAP
May 11th, 2009
10:28 am
richbrave i do think escobar is being more aggressive, but i dont see it as a problem. it seems to be serving him well.
J williams
May 11th, 2009
10:28 am
The G-Braves have the same offensive whoas as the parent club. With the pitching staff that they (G-Braves) have, there’s no way they should be under .500.
There’s a need for hitting at both the G-Braves and the parent club.
richbrave
May 11th, 2009
10:29 am
‘Greed on the JOHNSON evolution. He’s really amping up his power numbers. Of course a power hitter has a lot of SO’s, but he really does need to get a bit more bat discipline based on his current figures. Would love to see some outfield power. Maybe SCHAFER is being tested and if he busted out, he’d be traded and HERNANDEZ brought in. Lots of possibles at this point. I’m sure BRAVES management is assessing all options where the future of the outfield in concerned.
I trust their judgement. Deference to you FW haters out there, but I rate him A+ compared to BALTIMORE. Of course, he’s with a REAL baseball organization here in ATLANTA. Always helps to have a solid baseball franchise watching your back.
Meet the Melts
May 11th, 2009
10:29 am
Sherman is right- that would be “hipocritical”. It could also be considered hypocritical, for those of us that aren’t morons.
Lew
May 11th, 2009
10:30 am
The Mets’ and their fans should actually be pitied, for it is surely pitiful when the best they can say is “we had a better record than the Braves for three years.” Not we won the Division/NLCS/World Serties for those three years, but “we had a better left out loser’s record. Maybe it’s time for y’all to realize that since 1991, even the Phillies have more playoff and World Series appearances than the Mets. Y’all aren’t even second best.
McFann :Ô:
May 11th, 2009
10:30 am
Sherman–
All I said was “Could you imagine”, didn’t say I thought it would happen. I think we have about as good a chance of signing Not wRight as you guys have of signing McCann.
Steve from OH
May 11th, 2009
10:30 am
Meet the Melts–good one.
flange1
May 11th, 2009
10:31 am
Morning All,
Played gold yesterday and missed the game and the blog. Just got finished catching up and 2 things really stand out:
1. Some of you in game bloggers are the dumbest folks that I have ever been around. Do you folks ever read anything that anyone else posts? Do you go back and see that you are wrong 90% of the time? Yet you still spew your bile…..
No I am not negative, just a realist. That is the most stupid line that I have ever read…..
2. Even after a win, a well played win, folks are still bashing the team and Bobby Cox. Well tomorrow Bobby will revert back to his stupid ways.
Heck even reading the bickering with the Mets trolls is better than reading some of you folks idiotic banter…..
Cameron
May 11th, 2009
10:32 am
Braves look a lot better with McCann and Anderson in the 4 and 5 holes. Too bad we will not have Chipper today. Although, tonight isn’t a bad game to miss for him. Santana is pitching. He might want to be fully healthy facing him. This guy has been lights out all year. Fortunately, we have D Lowe pitching for us. This is the kind of game Lowe has thrived in. He loves pitching in big games. If he shows up big and we beat the Santana-led Mets tonight, and take the series, we will let them know we are here to stay. Hopefully, that happens.
Reality
May 11th, 2009
10:32 am
As a Mets fan, I’m very curious about this (and this is NOT trash-talking, by the way…a serious question): how frustrated are you all getting with Chipper’s lack of durability? Here you are, facing the first-place team with arguably the best starter in baseball pitching tonight, and once again you can’t count on Chipper. Are you all okay with this for the next three years (in which time he’ll only become more fragile)?
Meet the Melts
May 11th, 2009
10:33 am
The Braves wouldn’t have lost nearly as many opportunities if they had spent all of those years being a hopelessly uncompetitive team, the way the Mets did. There aren’t many opportunities to lose out on when you fire your manager every year and all of your over-hyped prospects flame out.
Lew
May 11th, 2009
10:34 am
Not to mention that the Marlins have two World Series appearances (and wins) in that time frame. The Mets aren’t even third best.
DAP
May 11th, 2009
10:34 am
i guessing it will be infante at third tonight and leading off, with johnson lower in the order. it would be really nice to have chipper tonight against santana, but i think the braves are a team that matches up pretty well with santana. the reason is, santana is worse against lefties, and we have a bunch of lefties that really hit LHP well.
santana carves up righties with that change up, but a changeup from a lefty doesnt usually work as well against lefties. mccann, anderson, kotchman, johnson are gonna win us this game tonight.
W. T. Sherman
May 11th, 2009
10:34 am
Lew….go F yourself. Go read my post again. I would not call the Mets failure to win the division “Titanic”. I would save that term for the Yankees losing to the Redsox in the playoffs with a 3-0 series lead.
J williams
May 11th, 2009
10:34 am
If Lowe pithes his “A” game tonight, the Braves will beat the Mets.
The Mets have wons 7 in a row & Johan has not pitched a bad game all season. They are ripe for the picking.
Lew
May 11th, 2009
10:35 am
As for Chipper’s lack of durability-you mean the guy who has lead all of MLB in hitting over the past three years?
Lew
May 11th, 2009
10:36 am
WT-My my. Are we mad because the truth hasn’t set you free. ude, take your own advice. Remove head from anal cavity first, though.
richbrave
May 11th, 2009
10:36 am
Ouch McFANN:
Zinger. Chippy,chippy. Good one.
W. T. Sherman
May 11th, 2009
10:37 am
McFann….I was just joking with the “Speaks English” comment.
richbrave
May 11th, 2009
10:38 am
LEW:
Looks like you’ve arrived on SHERM’s “A**” list. Careful he doesn’t invade VERMONT next.
DAP
May 11th, 2009
10:40 am
realityhow frustrated are you all getting with Chipper’s lack of durability?
very. but, most of us agree that 130 games with chipper is better than 162 games of anyone else, so…. but yeah, its very frustrating.
the moral of this story is that the focal point of this offense needs to move away from chipper jones. the braves need at least one more brian mccann type so that we are still very solid without chipper.
David O'Brien
May 11th, 2009
10:41 am
Reality, I think the reality is that your 10:32 a.m. post is the early frontrunner for most patronizing and grossly disingenuous comment of the day. It’ll be tough to beat….
Moving on: It’s a nice day here in the city (NYC, that is). Crisp weather, probably gonna be in the high 50s or so by early innings. Sure looking forward to getting off that 7 train and entering a nice, new stadium instead of decrepit Shea.
richbrave
May 11th, 2009
10:41 am
Oops sorry LEWIE:
I inadvertantly picked up McFANN’s next post at the end of your zinger to the general. From his response it obviously caused a wound too.
Reality
May 11th, 2009
10:42 am
Lew – is it possible for you ever to simply consider a point of debate without offering a snarky, knee-jerk, snide response? Someone says hello to you and you take it as a poke in the ribs. Loosen the waistband on your adult diaper, man.
W. T. Sherman
May 11th, 2009
10:43 am
LEW….You take anything said you don’t agree with and use it as an opportunity to try and insult others. Your post are nothing but tirades that sound like they come from someone who doesn’t get enough sleep or sex. In fact you sound like a bitter old man that failed at most things in your life and this blog is your only outlet for your feelings of inadequicy.
monty
May 11th, 2009
10:45 am
What do all you KK haters have to say NOW!?! This guy has shut down type stuff, he does need to work on his control, but aside from the obvious physical differences once the ball leaves his hand it’s almost like watching Greg Maddux pitch. His pitches have great movement and time and time again he leaves hitters frozen for a strike 3 that he painted on the corner or at the knee or both. That curve to Utley yesterday in the 6th with runners on was the only one in that sequence he threw and it was on a 3-2 count. Utley never saw it coming!
Hopefully we can go into NY beat the hottest team in baseball and then we’ll be sitting pretty.
Reality
May 11th, 2009
10:49 am
DOB – please, by all means, explain how initiating a debate on Chipper’s durability is in any way disingenuous. It’s not as if it’s a topic that hasn’t been discussed before. I guess the part where I specifically stated I wasn’t trying to provoke anyone didn’t quite register with you.
Sorry to have distracted you from your incredibly important journalistic endeavors, such as more stories about how you had to ride in a cab without an air conditioner. That was Pulitzer-worthy stuff, man.
Lew
May 11th, 2009
11:00 am
WT-Listen Dude, you’re the one coming into our neighborhood, talking trash with no basis to back it up, tell me to go F myself and you’re insulted? Seriously, we do understand the inferiority complex most Mets’ fans seem to have and we also realize that it’s so hard for you to see sunshine and appreciate it when all you’ve seen for decades is your own hemorrhoids.
If you don’t like the commentary of Braves Fans (and that includes the rest of y’all trolls), maybe this isn’t the forum for you. Maybe you should find a Mets Blog and go grunt with one another.
David O'Brien
May 11th, 2009
11:00 am
Reality, you’re not interrupting me from any “important journalistic endeavors.” This is a blog, in case you’re unclear. There’s not a Pulitizer category for blogging, probably won’t be anytime soon. See, part of a blog is the writer (me, in this blog’s case) sharing personal experiences. Thanks for coming to the blog that I write and allowing me to share those with you.
That said, please, by all means, “as a Mets fan” on a Braves blog, feel free to continue your important work surveying how Braves fans feel about Chipper’s durability. It’s never come up here before, that subject. So it’s good you weren’t afraid to bring it up for the first time. As a Mets fan, I know it’s important to you.
Now, I’ve got to get back to coming up with material for the anticipated new Pulitzer blogging category.
Shane
May 11th, 2009
11:01 am
Why are Met fans on a Braves blog? Youd think after all the poundings we have put on the Mutts over the years that they would know there place. Like I said last night though when the Mutts win a few in a row they come out of the woodwork. Trust me they still know where their Yankee gear is though. Just in case LOL
Anders
May 11th, 2009
11:01 am
Well, well – look at what we have today. A real showdown. Busy weekend so I haven’t been here but I’m sure you Braves fans have the “feeling” back after the last two days. Nice job against them Phils.
Tonight could be special. What happened to Chipper?
David O'Brien
May 11th, 2009
11:03 am
Anders, it’s a secret. No information to be released on what happened to Chipper.
Reality
May 11th, 2009
11:04 am
DOB – Based on what you just said, we can all pretty much be certain there will be a Pulitzer category for blogging by tomorrow. I mean, you get everything else wrong on this blog, so why not that too? Does the phrase “Dude’s gonna be a Brave” mean anything to you? Or how about “Ohman’s gonna sign”? Or, “they should knock this one early.”
Basically, DOB, if you say it’s sunny outside, it’s a good move for your readers to bring a raincoat.
DAP
May 11th, 2009
11:06 am
reality i will add that braves fans definitely dont feel as bad about having chipper for three more years as the mets do about having castillo for three more years, or paying wagner $10mil this year for being hurt (because of his somewhat long last contract).
those guys obviously arent as big of a deal as chipper, but that just adds to the foolishness of their signings.
Lew
May 11th, 2009
11:07 am
Shane-Amazes me, too (maybe that’s why they call themselves “Amazins”?). I can’t figure why with a seven game win streak that only puts them four games over .500 and only two wins above the fourth place team in their division (with 131 games left to play), that they’re so boastful (not to mention hostile). I mean, maybe if they’d actually won something. However, best not to tell them that. They’ll make nasty sexual suggestions if you do and go throw batteries at the Braves tonight..
Epinephrine
May 11th, 2009
11:07 am
Ahh nothing smells like a Mets Braves series than the influx of trolls on the blog. Should be a congested three days on the interwebs.
W. T. Sherman
May 11th, 2009
11:08 am
LEW—This in not a Neighborhood” it’s a blog open to anyone who wants to post. As for your accusations of “Trash Talking” go back and read my earlier post’s you idiot. There was nothing about it that constitutes as “Trash Talk”. You’re just so ready to insult anyone that you may have mis read my post. Go take your Meds and read it again.
Gil In Mechanicsville
May 11th, 2009
11:10 am
Reality… but you do admit to reading his stories… right? As for Chipper, well.. about the same as the Mets fans in regards to Delgado, but different…
Efrim
May 11th, 2009
11:14 am
Braves bullpen is now tied for 5th in ERA(4.00) among National League teams. Starters are 5th with a 4.03 mark. Overall, they are 4th 4.02 ERA. Only the Mets, Giants and Dodgers have better team ERA’s. Pretty impressive, I’d say.
Offensively, 10th in runs, 6th in OBP, 9th in SLG%, 8th in BA, 11th in home runs.
If Chipper can stay healthy, Braves can make some noise the next 20 games to close out May. At the very least, it would be great to see them a game over .500 at 26-25(11-9 over next 20 games) on June 1st.
Lew
May 11th, 2009
11:15 am
My My-WT Troll is all upset. I’m an idiot, take medication for idiocy, can’t read and should go F myself. Yes, reading your posts is certainly informative. Why, exactly, should I insult anyone who misread your posts? That makes about as much sense as anything else you’ve blurted out today. Must be the benefits of a P.S. Sub Ground Level Education.
W. T. Sherman
May 11th, 2009
11:16 am
The next three games should be a good contest since the Braves have played better of late. But the Mets did take those two games down in Atlanta with little resistance. But hey, the Mets don’t any pitching after Santana so brave fans have nothing to worry about…..Right?
Rock On....(the denizen formerly known as Dadgum)
May 11th, 2009
11:17 am
Probably the most asked question in this blog…when will we see Tommy Hanson? Overpowering the AAA hitting, but obviously there’s a huge talent differential between AAA and the big leagues? What does everyone think before or after the late season roster expansion?—Luke
Well, Luke, gotta agree on the talent level thing there since AAA is where marginal players go to die. AA is where the best talent is and Hanson has proven time and time again, including the Arizona league, that he belongs right now in the bigs. Hanson will get called up way before roster expansion because September will see the return of Hudson for his audition. If the Braves are still in the race it is doubtful that they will give Hanson his first start there. Of course, all this assumes no injuries to our regulars prior to that.
The main question as I see it….are the Braves going to waste a million bucks to trot Glavine out there for a swan song as opposed to staying with Jo JO or bringing up a Hanson or Medlin/Morton. The minute you see Glavine on the mound you can then start to worry about Wren and the true value of a million dollars not to mention future decisions.
Gil In Mechanicsville
May 11th, 2009
11:18 am
Feels like 1993 all over again… but different, Braves are still one big bat away from catching fire. Pitching seems to be in place. Just need one more power bat to make the difference.
beekay
May 11th, 2009
11:18 am
DOB
Watched Kotch’s post game interview….does he always sound so slow? Good thing he knows how to play ball! Must be a tough interview for you.
Anders
May 11th, 2009
11:20 am
DOB – Yeah, I should have read a few posts before asking about Chipper. Didn’t realize the firestorm brewing.
Tell you what, I’ll tell you that Momma’s is out past right field on the field level and save you the search. Now can you tell me what happened?
BTW- Have your bullpen fellas heard about their new home at CitiPark? We’ve taken to calling it “Gitmo”. You’ll know why when you see it. Plus on the back side of it there’s a chain link fence that’s open to the fans. Makes for a real pleasant experience for the guys. Has that Philly feel to it.They’re talking about tarping that off. Not sure if they did yet. The old Apple is stored right there too.
Sethual Healing
May 11th, 2009
11:21 am
Reality, as a Braves fan, I can tell you that we are ecstatic about Chipper’s latest injury. We tire of him only hurting his feet and his hammy, so naturally we’re excited when his elbow keeps his bat out of the lineup too. If there’s one thing Braves fans hate more than our 3 hitter going down, it’s a lack of variety. Again, we’re really psyched about this one.
As a Mets fan, how do you feel about your bullpen sucking, and your team underachieving despite having a lineup full of all stars and a payroll that could bail out the auto industry? Just asking.
Tool…
McFann :Ô:
May 11th, 2009
11:22 am
Sherman–
Yeah…I was joking, too, to begin with.
Richbrave–
Thanks…
Lew
May 11th, 2009
11:22 am
Anders-He hyper extending his elbow on two swings in an at bat yesterday and aggravated lingering elbow tendinitis.
W. T. Sherman
May 11th, 2009
11:23 am
I’m not upset LEW. I find you quite amusing. Just when I think you can’t post anything more thoughtless than your last post you prove me wrong and it makes me chuckle. keep them coming.
Anders
May 11th, 2009
11:25 am
Thanks Lew. How’d the Phils look? When we played them they’re SP looked lost. Between that and their bullpen coming off a long year last season I think they may have too much to overcome this year. It’s early but they look to be leaking oil imo.
Lew
May 11th, 2009
11:26 am
Amusin-Anything like Amazin? I’m glad provide humor for you. Actually, I found my humor in the Mets finishes the past two years. LMAO at the “wet pants” look on Beltarn’s face after striking out to end the NLCS in 06. Now THAT was hilarious. Amazin, too.
Shane
May 11th, 2009
11:28 am
Gasp whatever will we Braves do facing the big bad Mets. I mean its not like WE HAVENT OWNED THEM EVER SINCE I CAN REMEMBER. As Pedro would say The Braves are the Mets daddies.
Shane
May 11th, 2009
11:29 am
Go put your Yankee gear on
Gil In Mechanicsville
May 11th, 2009
11:29 am
Rock on, I think we can all agree it takes a while to learn how to pitch. Hanson is going to be a good one but didn’t we see similar stats from other AAA pitchers? Smith, Reyes, Davies… all guys who were pretty darn good AAA pitchers but struggled a bit in the bigs.
Reyes has to be pretty talented to be allowed to accumulate as many major league losses as he has over the last couple of seasons. I think he is similar in his make up to Kyle Davies and Morton. There have been some pretty good pitchers who have worn out their welcome with their original ball clubs and prospered from the change in scenery. JoJo may be one of those. However, looked to me that his pitches were a bit flat and he became tentative. Thus the walks… Hey, like Lew said, it’s MAY…
jonatuga
May 11th, 2009
11:31 am
DOB,
Loved the 11:00.
Steve from OH
May 11th, 2009
11:31 am
Anders, good point about the Phils’ bullpen overload. Hamels looked real good on Friday, didn’t see the game on Saturday, and Myers was so-so, I thought, regardless of how we actually hit against him. That offense is still pretty scary, though.
Efrim, God love ya for trying to re-ignite baseball talk this morning, but I feel as though it may be a futile exercise. I usually like to post in the mornings before the kids come home from school and tell us how much the Braves suck, but if the trolls keep filling the blog with their filth in the mornings, I think I may have to join uga-brave and Bay Area Steve on late-night duty…
I agree that the rest of this month is a good opportunity to pile up some W’s. 11-9 would be very good, 13 wins would be excellent…
Sethual Healing
May 11th, 2009
11:31 am
Shane, Pedro would also say “Who eez Kalreeem Garl-cee-ya?” (Karim Garcia)… anyone remember that? No? oh…
PWHjort
May 11th, 2009
11:31 am
Sethual Healing,
Great post. Just remember to mention their horse sh!t starting rotation apart from Santana next time.
Lew
May 11th, 2009
11:33 am
Anders-I had the Phillies feed on XM on Saturday and their announcers sounded very much like Bobby Cox. Blanton “only” got hit hard two times when he gave up those two home runs. We held their heavy hitters pretty much in check on Saturday and Sunday. Their pitchers were not all that, either, though Myers was better than he usually is against the Braves. We had him on the ropes in the first and only scored once. Should have been a lot more, but the offense is not where it should be yet.
Braves should have scored way more runs than they did. There were lots of runners on and we did not hit well with RISP. Other than that, the Phillies’ pitching was about what you might expect-poor. They out bludgeoned us on Friday and couldn’t hit Vazquez or Kawakami.
W. T. Sherman
May 11th, 2009
11:34 am
Sethual Healing….”Mets underacheiving and the bullpen sucking”??? The Mets are first aren’t they? As for the bullpen, Other than Green the other guys in the pen have been very good.
bravofan
May 11th, 2009
11:36 am
did Chipper break a nail?
Lew
May 11th, 2009
11:36 am
Anders-The Phillies pitching was poor except for Hamels. He was dealing like the Hamels of last season.
Shane
May 11th, 2009
11:37 am
Mets are in First aren’t they?
LOL but we all know thats not where they will finish !!!!
bravofan
May 11th, 2009
11:38 am
yes mets are in first the Braves will only be 1.5 games back if they win tonight
JEB
May 11th, 2009
11:38 am
**DOB**
Just a side note you can pass on to BMac.
My son was a catcher from little leagues, into High School, and college.
He wore contacts but at times he would get an eye irratated and would have to wear his sports glasses under his mask (he wore the hockey style mostly). He was prone to sweat alot and his glasses would fog up.
We found that if he treated them with RainX, he did not have any problems. He would just treat them every other inning with RainX and never worried about them fogging up.
Just a little handy helper to pass along.
W. T. Sherman
May 11th, 2009
11:39 am
2006 LEW? How many years back are we allowed to go here? Anyway we’ll see if Beltran’s at bats in the up coming series amuses you some more.
bravofan2
May 11th, 2009
11:42 am
Big game tonight as both team’s aces take the mound. A win will continue the braves win streak and help get them closer to first in the division. GO BRAVES!!!!!
moose knuckle
May 11th, 2009
11:42 am
I don’t think Bmac needs rainx….he needs SHAMWOW!
Joe Fan
May 11th, 2009
11:44 am
When are the Braves going to seriously look at finding a replacement for Chipper? I can’t believe how short sighted the Braves were in signing a player who has been hobbled by injuries for the last 3 years and who will almost absuredly get worse as he ages. A foot here, a hamstring there, a thumb earlier this season and now an elbow. The odds are against Chipper ever again playing more than 100-120 games in a season plus his power numbers seem to be evaporating. If he truly wants to help the Braves, he will request they trade him to the AL where he can DH and the Braves can hoepfully acquire 1 or 2 top shelf prospects.
Sethual Healing
May 11th, 2009
11:45 am
Sherman, I was referring to a more collective year-in-year-out suck for the Mets, and no… their bullpen isn’t very good.
Sethual Healing
May 11th, 2009
11:45 am
Thanks, PWHjort
bravofan2
May 11th, 2009
11:47 am
Chipper’s offensive stats have been on the rise the past few year. yes he is getting injured more, but offensively he is in his prime.
beekay
May 11th, 2009
11:47 am
Say what you want about KK but the dude battles. He is a bit wild and inconsistent but seems to do pretty well getting out of trouble. If he can get his control improved he might be a solid 4 guy for us
Anders
May 11th, 2009
11:49 am
Sherman, I was referring to a more collective year-in-year-out suck for the Mets, and no… their bullpen isn’t very good. (Sethual Healing)
You’re lost. Their bullpen has been one of the best in the league this year. Last I saw they were second in bullpen ERA. (That was last week so please don’t hold to that rating but you get the idea).
Shane
May 11th, 2009
11:53 am
Anders … You can go put on your Yankee gear too.
Tell me what month do you expect the Mets to implode? We have an office pool going and I feel like I can win with a Mets fans perspective.
dogsbrekky
May 11th, 2009
11:55 am
KK will get better when he realises he can throw something over the plate and use the fastball to set up that shuto…. his starts in mlb have been a lot worse than otherwise because I suspect his arm has been hurting and the bite on that curve (until this weekend) has not been there…
Shea II tonight……. be a great match up as we do well against JOHAN.
Lew
May 11th, 2009
11:55 am
WTF Sherman-I was throwing y’all a bone. 06 was the last time the Mets even won something.
RHR
May 11th, 2009
11:56 am
who will almost absuredly get worse as he ages.
Yeah he’s done. The nursing home is surely next.
2004 ATL 137 472 69 117 20 1 30 96 84 96 2 0 .248 .362 .485 .847
2005 ATL 109 358 66 106 30 0 21 72 72 56 5 1 .296 .412 .556 .968
2006 ATL 110 411 87 133 28 3 26 86 61 73 6 1 .324 .409 .596 1.005
2007 ATL 134 513 108 173 42 4 29 102 82 75 5 1 .337 .425 .604 1.029
2008 ATL 128 439 82 160 24 1 22 75 90 61 4 0 .364 .470 .574 1.044
Anders
May 11th, 2009
11:57 am
Anders … You can go put on your Yankee gear too. (Shane)
What exactly does this mean?
monty
May 11th, 2009
11:59 am
On Chipper’s elbow,
As a former pitcher(teens) and an avid golfer for 20+ years and having hit thousands of range balls trying to whittle my handicap down, a few years ago I experienced a pain in my right elbow(throwing arm) unlike any I have ever felt.I have sprained an ankle a couple of times and that initial pain that first split second is similar to what I felt in my elbow, except the pain in my elbow was worse in that 1st initial instant upon hyper-extending it, now the pain didn’t linger as would a sprain, but for about the first 2-3 seconds it felt as if my arm was going to fall off at the elbow! I have experienced that pain on about 3 occassions over the past 5 years all playing golf swinging my driver, trying to get full extension. If Chipper’s pain feels anything like that then I can comiserate with him trying to hit a baseball knowing that if he fully extends he is in danger of triggering that pain.
trey
May 11th, 2009
11:59 am
I am actually surprised that Kenshin got a win. He is no good as a starting pitcher, so if he can keep this up, maybe he will actually be something, if not we could always use the arm in the bullpen. So, good job for Kawakami.
Greg
May 11th, 2009
12:00 pm
DOB:
From the radar figures on the game yesterday, it looked like KK’s velocity was way up. Was that due to an inaccurate stadium gun? Or was he throwing harder?
Reality
May 11th, 2009
12:03 pm
The funniest part about this whole debate is that I meant my post about Chipper in all seriousness. I wanted to know from the Atlanta fan’s perspective if they were beginning to get irritated with Chipper, or if his status in the Braves’ history makes him untouchable, and gives him the benefit of the doubt for as long as he continues to produce. Not an exact analogy, but sort of like Patrick Ewing of the NY Knicks. He was hurt a lot his last few years, but was so beloved by the fans that very few of them turned on him for being out of the lineup at times.
That’s all–and then, the blogger/journalist/diary-keeper/hot-cab-rider known as Dave O’Brien came out, guns a’blazin’, ready to slap down a Mets fan for everyone! He is a Big, Big Man, it seems. What he is not, however–and he just spent paragraphs professing this himself–is a journalist in any way. That much was obvious from the start.
So, I’ll leave my original question out there for anyone who wants to respond. If not, nice chatting with you.
And DOB–don’t tell anyone else–this is just between you and me–but Babe Ruth? Dude’s gonna be a Brave….
Shane
May 11th, 2009
12:04 pm
It means that most if not all Mets fans are closet Yankee fans. When the Mets annual choke comes and goes they sneak their Yankee stuff out of the closet and Wholla !!! Instant Yankees fan.
W. T. Sherman
May 11th, 2009
12:04 pm
LEW—It’s been even longer since the braves have won anything old pal.
Shane
May 11th, 2009
12:06 pm
Hey Reality. DOB gets paid for what he does. You dont. Im sure Dave would like to know where you work though so you can make sure he gets his fries before he leaves.
Sethual Healing
May 11th, 2009
12:06 pm
Sherman, Anders…
I had my facts mixed up and was thinking Oliver Perez was a reliever… (drops head in shame)
trey
May 11th, 2009
12:06 pm
When the Braves GM signed Kawakami, it was out of desperation, because he wanted us to be like the other teams and have a Japanese player, didn’t matter what kind of thrower he is.
TnBrian
May 11th, 2009
12:09 pm
Shane, yeah, you can almost smell a Mutt implosion coming. Kinda smells like a wet dog.
I’m not worried about Chipper because he’s a guy who tells the truth, no matter what. Him saying it’ll be no more than one missed game and I believe him. “He never lies. All he’s got in this world is his ba*** and his word, and he breaks them for no one!” “He tells the truth, even when he lies.”
sri
May 11th, 2009
12:09 pm
Reality,
DAP’s post at 10:40 am sums up how most Braves’ fans feel about Chipper (I think).
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2009/05/10/braves-go-for-series-win-in-philly/comment-page-9/#comment-87270
Fleming
May 11th, 2009
12:09 pm
Shane – Problem with being a closet Yankee fan is the Yankees aren’t winning anything either.
DAP
May 11th, 2009
12:11 pm
RHR
thank you for posting that. it really confuses me when folks come on the blog and talk about needing to find chipper’s replacement, or even about trading him to the AL, when the guy has shown no signs of slowing down at all, and has actually been improving over the years. his numbers are a little down so far this year, but i attribute that to not having anyone batting behind him for most of the season. now that mac and anderson are back, i think he will improve.
Gummy Bears...Bouncing here and there and everywhere....THEY ARE THE GUMMY BEARS!!!!
May 11th, 2009
12:11 pm
So what I miss over the weekend with the bravos….Oh Star Trek Rocked, always TOS guy but this movie still ruled….
Also is Carol Roberts or DOB starting the new blog today.
Fleming
May 11th, 2009
12:11 pm
Sethual Healing – I didn’t know Perez was even considered a pitcher anymore
DAP
May 11th, 2009
12:11 pm
treyHe (kawakami) is no good as a starting pitcher,
howya figure?
Reality
May 11th, 2009
12:14 pm
Shane – That’s a great line about the fries. I get it–you’re trying to imply that I work at a fast-food restaurant and don’t earn a lot of money. And then from that, we’re supposed to conclude that my opinion wouldn’t be important if that were the case. I follow you. You are one crafty comedian, sir, and I look forward to more of your zappers and zingers in the future.
With that said, do you care to respond to any baseball-related issues I brought up?
Chuck James was Solid until the 6th!!!
May 11th, 2009
12:15 pm
Since there are Met fans here I would like to take the opportunity to ask you all a question: What is the best food to eat at the new park? I am going to the stadium for the first time tonight. Anything else I should check out there? Thanks. Also what is the quickest way to Citi Field from Penn Station? Thanks again. Anybody who knows, I appreciate it in advance.
D-rock
May 11th, 2009
12:15 pm
Reality,
If Dob isn’t a journalist, how come when he makes up the game stories, the final score always matches up?
sri
May 11th, 2009
12:16 pm
An interesting piece of info (highlights Braves offense is a work in progress.. but things are looking better)
“Santana has used his changeup and slider to keep hitters confused over his 4-1 start. Opponents are hitting more than 100 points worse and slugging more than 200 points worse against Santana’s off-speed pitches than league average and they are failing to make contact.
Entering Sunday, the Braves, who face Santana and the Mets on Monday, were hitting .203 and slugging .254 against off-speed pitches, both below the league average.”
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/notebook?page=bbtn
Fleming
May 11th, 2009
12:18 pm
D-rock – I wonder sometimes if getting something right disqualifies someone from being a journalist
Reality
May 11th, 2009
12:18 pm
sri – thanks for the link. I saw that post and thought it made a lot of sense too. It’s actually a pretty reasonable way of looking at things. I guess a limited amount of a superstar is better than an everyday player who won’t ever reach that status.
That’s all I was looking for, DOB. No reason for you to be an a**hole about it. Well, except you being you, I guess.
Reality
May 11th, 2009
12:21 pm
Chuck James –
Shake Shack is tremendous, but the lines are stil very long while they get the service kinks worked out. Nathan’s hot dogs and hamburgers are all over the place, and are well worth it. From Penn Station I’m not sure–I always take the #7 from Grand Central. As for sights, check out the rotunda–it’s beautiful, and a great way to enter the atmosphere of a ballgame. It probably won’t mean much to you as a fan of the opposition, but the fanwalk made of bricks inscribed with messages from Mets fans is also impressive to see. Have a great time–it’s a beautiful ballpark. What level are your seats on?
Anders
May 11th, 2009
12:21 pm
OK Shane- You got me. I’m a huge Yankee fan. That’s what brings me to this blog. Good work Columbo.
Chuck James was Solid until the 6th!!!
May 11th, 2009
12:22 pm
Gil in Mechancsville
Yes we have seen other pitchers with ATL have great and I mean GREAT AAA stats. Davies, Reyes etc. But nobody had this over powering hard stuff that Hanson has. Also he is something like 6′6 throwing 96+ MPH heat down at you with hard movement then big slow 12-6 curves on the corners. I think if Glavine doesn’t get right and JoJo continues his brilliance he will be called up by June 1 for a shot in the arm for the staff. Because 1-4 is solid. Problem is, (which is a great problem to have) if health actually is on our teams side this year. They will have:
Lowe
Jurrjens
Vazquez
Kawakami
Hudson
Glavine
Campillo
Hanson
All very capable of being very productive, if not very, very good. Great problem to have and I am sure looking forward to it. I am loving the health of Soriano and Gonzalez for the ‘pen too. Soriano knows people can’t hit him now. He’s up there lookin at batters like, “Are you seriously even trying to stand there and challenge me? Ok…VOOM!” His old Chinese man goatee is radical too.
Reality
May 11th, 2009
12:23 pm
D-Rock – go back and read DOB’s post–he said he’s NOT a journalist, he’s a blogger. I’m not the one saying he’s not a proper journalist. He insisted upon it.
Chuck James was Solid until the 6th!!!
May 11th, 2009
12:23 pm
Anybody happen to be at the Jane’s Addiction show last night? I read tha article…What happened to Perry? Was he all funked up spinnin out the gate or was it just some small awkward thing?
DAP
May 11th, 2009
12:23 pm
reality<iI get it–you’re trying to imply that I work at a fast-food restaurant and don’t earn a lot of money.
no, i dont think thats it…shame on me for speaking for shane, but i think he is implying that fast food is the only job you can get, there fore you probably arent very smart. possibly even stupid.
Shane
May 11th, 2009
12:23 pm
Reality
Im not implying im saying. Big difference. I would discuss baseball with you but you dont seem like someone who knows the game very well at all. Would be like a grad student talking economics with a HS sophomore. I have nothing to learn from you
How is your sports writing job at the Times or the Post working out. Oh thats right you arent a journalist and dont know what you are talking about. Can you get me some of those ketchup packets please?
Reality
May 11th, 2009
12:25 pm
Thanks, DAP–that makes it even funnier. Wow, it’s amazing how he could pack all of that into one post. My sides hurt. I’m laughing so much. I mean–calling someone stupid without using that actual word? Unbelievable! Thanks for clarifying.
David O'Brien
May 11th, 2009
12:26 pm
Basically, DOB, if you say it’s sunny outside, it’s a good move for your readers to bring a raincoat. — Reality
Then how ’bout if I say this: Everyone can be assured that Reality will be back on this blog, piling up page views and posting plenty of comments, under his current screen name or another, today and tonight, tomorrow, Wednesday, and on and on long past this Braves-Mets series?
bravesphanatic004
May 11th, 2009
12:26 pm
for christ’s sake, how insecure are these mets trolls???? what are they doing here? do they not have a blog of their own? you would think they would….but i guess not. im sure they have tried it in the past but since no one mets fan thinks logically, it never worked. these dudes are so out of touch with reality (like “reality”). they come over here trolling after a mere 7 game win streak, not in september when it matters, but in may. they are the biggest joke in all of baseball and they dont even realize it. they have one nothing in the last 20 years. the last 2 years they have choked away huge leads and yet they act like they have been world champs every year during that time. how insanely delusional these pricks? its pathetic…. i almost feel sorry for them and their families. not really for them but the people that have to interact with these poor souls on a daily basis. now i understand why everyone in new york are such a$$holes….
DAP
May 11th, 2009
12:26 pm
reality haha, youre welcome.
dogsbrekky
May 11th, 2009
12:27 pm
Shane – Reality and Anders are actually very intelligent in comparison to the Metamucil fans I come across in NYC……… sad but true
jonatuga
May 11th, 2009
12:27 pm
LOL
Reality
May 11th, 2009
12:29 pm
DOB – deal. And maybe one day, you’l actually discuss baseball from an informed perspective.
Anders
May 11th, 2009
12:29 pm
Chuck James – Get to the park early. Go out past center field where many of the eateries are. Stake out a table, there aren’t nearly enough. Then try the many different types of food out there, but keep one person at the table at all times. Once you lose your spot – your screwed. If you like beer they have a great concession with beers from everywhere out there.
Penn sation to Woodside. Woodside to CitiPark.
I think the rotunda is over rated. There, I said it. It’s blasphemous to say as a Met fan but sorry I’d prefer more Met stuff. Jackie Robinson has his place, but not with the Mets and certainly not as the center piece of their new park. Perhaps we could hace squeezed a statue of Tom Seaver out of that $750 million? Not nearly enough Met stuff. Hopefully they correct that.
dogsbrekky
May 11th, 2009
12:30 pm
bravesphanatic – The people in the city (MANHATTAN that is) are incredibly nice folks……. those that attend Yankee stadium (not the chardonnay set) are generally NOT and the ‘mucils fans are just passionate about winning……
PWHjort
May 11th, 2009
12:31 pm
Reality,
To answer your question, it’s something you accept and get used to. As long as you don’t expect him to play more than 120 games you won’t be disappointed. After all, even with his limited playing time last season he was the 3rd most valuable player in baseball (according to VORP), so we deal with it. I can’t say it doesn’t frustrate me at times, but I’m still glad he’s on my team and I view the contract extension that he signed this past off-season as a very club- friendly contract. He’s worth way more than 14 million a year (somewhere around 36 million last year according to fangraphs).
MGL
May 11th, 2009
12:33 pm
Reality – I thought in the spirit of friendship I would give you my opinion on the Chipper question. So…my opinion is that it is none of your business what my opinion is on Chipper. Hope that helps your little survey.
dogsbrekky
May 11th, 2009
12:33 pm
Anders – yes I agree re the rotunda, there were many great Mets (and forerunner) players as well as the late great Jackie R.
The new stadium is laughably bereft of REAL METS history……. then again one should not expect much from your management
PI Braves
May 11th, 2009
12:34 pm
Reality, why don’t go back to the Mets’ blog and ask you fellow fans about what they feel about Chipper? Then ogle about how good Santana is… Or how D. Wright deserved the 2007 Golden Gloves…etc..
Or wait.. maybe you don’t have something like this in NY? so what I’m saying is.. Don’t come here feeling all and mighty just because the Mets is currently in the 1st place. You guys haven’t proven anything recently. Go eff yourself in your blogsite. Bring W.T Sherman with you!
Anders
May 11th, 2009
12:37 pm
dogsbrekky – Why always the shot at Met’s mgt? You realize they own the 2nd most valued franchise in baseball – right? They must have some idea of what they’re doing.
PWHjort
May 11th, 2009
12:38 pm
Trey,
Signing Kawakami was just as much about tapping into the Japanese market as it was acquiring a pitcher. It wasn’t done out of desperation, it was very calculated. We’ve already started to see it pay off as the Braves have signed a Japanese amerature currently down on the farm who specifically cited Kawakami as a big reason he chose the Braves. Plus, let’s let Kawakaki adjust to MLB before we write him off. He’s struggling to locate his pitches because he isn’t adjusted. Wait until he’s adjusted to make an assessment on him.
dogsbrekky
May 11th, 2009
12:38 pm
Dobi One Knobi – can you ask Wren (if you come across him) his thoughts on bringing young Medlen up to mlb. I know most of us focus on Tommy Hanson and Morton, but my mate who goes to most G Braves games says the little Medlen dog is a real gun……. or have you heard anything regarding this ?? Would they try him in lieu of say Buddy or Bennett ?
dogsbrekky
May 11th, 2009
12:39 pm
Anders – you should know the answer to your own question
RLPmetro
May 11th, 2009
12:40 pm
Reality…perhaps you should go back and read DOB’s posts. He never said he wasn’t a journalist. He said THIS IS A BLOG. Blogging is different than writing for the paper. To set the record straight…he does both! Do us all a favor and go find a Mets board to stir up.
Anders
May 11th, 2009
12:41 pm
Overall the new park is really nice. It’s not up there with the greats (Camden , Pac Bell etc) but it really has a nice feel to it. Definetly brings you closer to the game and they really cut out a lot of the crap they pumped over the sound systems. They’re working out the kinks but they got most of it right. The outfield seats are outstanding. Especially the Pepsi porch. No one’s hit one their yet – maybe big Mac?
Sethual Healing
May 11th, 2009
12:42 pm
Reality, for real…
as much as you’re on this blog, you should know that Dave O’Brien busts his @$$ to keep Braves fans informed. The man has been on here answering AJC.com denizen’s questions at 2 a.m. many times. I have a coworker who is a Cubs diehard but is amazed and jealous at how dedicated AJC beat reporters are. Not all fans have this. They write stories and maintain the blog – no easy feat. But the best thing that DOB and Carroll do is pay attention to us baseball geeks who waste hours of the work day grinding out arguments over On Base Percentages, etc. Several times this year in stories they’ve mentioned fan discontent about this or that, and their barometer for that discontent comes from reading our post..
Further, there have been times that large numbers of blog denizens have wanted to know something, and DOB/Carroll actually went and found it out for them! Dude, that’s cool. That is special.
My point is, these guys listen to us and even to you. They report what their readers WANT TO KNOW and they do it well, and they do it thoroughly. If they make mistakes they hold themselves accountable.
I challenge you to tell me how they could be better reporters.
Anders
May 11th, 2009
12:44 pm
dogsbrekky – I have no problem with Mets mgt. They spend as much as anyone not named the Yankees and they do care about their fans. We have one of the best networks and they spare no expense on production or on air talent. Mets mgt flub’s stuff sometimes but they can’t hide behind a corporate veil when they do so they get labeled more. Sorry, but I’m glad the Wilpons own the Mets.
Shane
May 11th, 2009
12:45 pm
ditto Sethual ditto
James is Red
May 11th, 2009
12:45 pm
PWHjort – c’mon man. I respect your work here on the blog and you really add to the conversation, but I hope you’ll stop validating Anders and Reality’s existences on the blog with well thought out and earnest replies. These two guys really are scum bags. And it’s not because they are Mets fans. It’s not even because they are Mets fans that slink and slither in and out of a Braves blog because I’ll pretend to believe their explanation that they come here because its the best baseball blog on the planet (b/c that’s true). BUT … they are both the most disengenious posters I’ve ever seen. Ingratiating themselves to the blog as objective fans of baseball just long enough to then post their zingers, insult the team, elevate their own team, etc. Bubdylan articulated this much more eloquently a few weeks ago late night. Seriously – it is time to pretend these guys are not here.
Anders
May 11th, 2009
12:46 pm
dogsbrekky – What would you pay to take your 12:27 post back based on Reality’s 12:29? Looks like you have your own Donnis Brasco on your hands. You vouched for him and now you have to answer for that.
Shane
May 11th, 2009
12:47 pm
The only reason the Mets are valued so high is the market they are in. Not mgt decisions.
RHR
May 11th, 2009
12:48 pm
Reality –
his status in the Braves’ history makes him untouchable, and gives him the benefit of the doubt for as long as he continues to produce.
This is the popular viewpoint of intelligent Braves fans. And myself.
When the Braves GM signed Kawakami, it was out of desperation, because he wanted us to be like the other teams and have a Japanese player, didn’t matter what kind of thrower he is.
You should never be allowed to use the word “us” in public or on a public forum when referring to the Braves. Please keep that to yourself.
monty
May 11th, 2009
12:49 pm
Can’t let Wright and Beltran beat you. Don’t pitch to them with runners on,and a base open; let the old man Delgado beat you (if he can) or the other guys. My advice for Brave’s pitchers tonight.
Anders
May 11th, 2009
12:49 pm
Shane – Really? So why are the Islanders valued at the bottom of the NHL versus the Rangers and Devils? How about the Nets in the NBA? The Jets in the NFL? It’s not as simple as you would like it to be.
jason
May 11th, 2009
12:49 pm
DOB, could we get feeling on what BC and FW think about the young pitching at Gwinnet? The whole rotation looks impressive.
Anders
May 11th, 2009
12:51 pm
“Old Man Delgado” – Wow. You will be surprised for sure.
dogsbrekky
May 11th, 2009
12:53 pm
Anders – “dogsbrekky – I have no problem with Mets mgt” – and that is why THEY WILL NEVER WIN ANYTHING consistently……. and why you are used to the call of mediocrity……. with the talent they have had and the opportunity with the new stadium they could have really done something big…
but to answer for you – Here is why I think Minaya/Wilpons suck; the classless way they treated Willie Randolph, the joke with the patches they used to promote the new stadium, the signing of a sub-par gutless pitcher for $36M when they could have upped the ante for Lowe..
shall I go on and on ?
I will give them this, when they WIN they almost get a fair share of the NY media attention (almost) and they have at least kept many ticket prices near affordable levels unlike their empty stadium mates from the BRONX
.re. SNY – I agree, the station does an excellent, well balanced job of covering the mutts and baseball in general and I watch the station most days
The valuation of NYC baseball teams was based on expected figures, a bit like buying property in the city now. People think something is worth $850M but when they come to sell they will get bids at 55-60 cents on the buck..
dogsbrekky
May 11th, 2009
12:56 pm
Anders – re vouching for someone, I am confused but unless it is my missus, family, dog or Air Force friends, then I DO NOT vouch for anyone…..
DAP
May 11th, 2009
12:59 pm
if you look at matsuzaka’s first year with the red sox, the ERAs are very close the first 6 games, and their K per 9 is pretty close as well. i think kawakami has actually proved to be pretty good, and a very gutsy pitcher. if life was fair he would be 4-2 right now.
Chuck James was Solid until the 6th!!!
May 11th, 2009
1:01 pm
Reality
Come on though man, seriously. Do you REALLY think any of us are content or loving that Chipper sits out relentlessly with “nagging injuries”? Do you think we are all enthralled that he is missing tonight’s game most likely and that he has played about 5 games actually HEALTHY this year? It’s just the way you phrased it, rubbing it in I guess.
I mean lets say Santana went down tonight during bullpen before the game with season-ending surgery. Next week all of you Met fans are on here and I ask: “Met fans, are you discouraged that Santana is out for the year or does it not really bother you that much? Does it bother you that he missed the game against the Braves and will miss the entire season leaving your team with zero opportunity for success now?”
I mean, I understand where you are trying to pour salt in the wound. That is the whole point of division rivals talking shyte to each other. But don’t ask something so obvious and stupid and expect any of us to be like: “Unfortunately, yes, Chipper gets injured bi-weekly now, but it doesn’t bother us. We like to see him on the bench and not in the lineup. Martin Prado and Omar Infante are just as talented and capable. They both are sure HOF’ers!” Is that what you wanted from us?
Cameron
May 11th, 2009
1:01 pm
Reality:
You have no clue what you are talking about. I think I have actually gotten dumber by reading your posts.
If you have a problem with DOB, or this blog, then don’t visit it. DOn’t read, post, are try to rage sarcastic debates. DOB and Carroll run a great blog. I continue to read this blog, and even comment sometimes, due to their work and of a very few of the bloggers. A lot of the people on here don’t think before the type, or really don’t know what they are talking about in the first place. You would fall into both of those categories. Please hold up your end of the deal you made with DOB.
Chuck James was Solid until the 6th!!!
May 11th, 2009
1:06 pm
Reality
Thanks for the ballpark info. I appreciate all MLB history, including Mets. So, I’ll definitely check into those things, plan on getting their early. Thanks again man.
MGL
May 11th, 2009
1:10 pm
The big difference in valuation between the Yankees and Mets is because the Yankees are New York’s team and the Mets are Queens’. In other-words, Yankees in drag.
W. T. Sherman
May 11th, 2009
1:10 pm
If the Mets have no pitching how do you explain those two games in Atlanta? A. Either it’s better than you thought it was or B. The braves are not as good as you thought they were. I guess we’ll see these next three games. I hope the regular braves line up plays so that we won’t have to read the exuses after the Mets give them a beat down in NYC.
Chuck James was Solid until the 6th!!!
May 11th, 2009
1:10 pm
Reality
I just got tickets in section 336. Not bad seats from what I see, right out in LF. Not quite upper-deck but not lower-deck, very reasonably priced (these days) for a pitching matchup like tonight’s IMO. I am very excited to see this park. This is where if you are a fan of the opposition comes in. I went to St. John’s so I have seen 100 games at Shea. I hated it there, but obviously loved to see my team instead of night class when they were in town. But Shea was at the point where if you didn’t live and breathe Mets baseball it was horrendous. It looks beautiful on SNYHD, so I can wait to get there. Thanks again.
Fred
May 11th, 2009
1:12 pm
Reality, You really have some nerve coming on this Braves blog to dish out childish personal insults towards DOB. But it’s a reflection on you, not DOB. And if DOB was as misinformed about Braves news as you suggest, why is this blog so popular? There are usually over 1,000 comments on each blog entry, even in the off-season. You brought up some mistakes DOB made about certain players potentially coming to the Braves. First of all, he never said Will Ohman was definitely signing with Atlanta, he just offered his opinion on the subject after talking directly with Ohman. Secondly, have you ever made a mistake on your job? Dude, we’re all human and make mistakes. However, mature and respectful adults just accept these things as mistakes and don’t get rude and nasty. Forgiveness is generally considered a positive quality. And by the way, in case you didn’t know this, Babe Ruth finished his career with the Braves.
W. T. Sherman
May 11th, 2009
1:13 pm
Chuck James—-Then why the h-ell do they give in a 3 year extension??
dogsbrekky
May 11th, 2009
1:15 pm
Georgia Bulldogs College Baseball – I met the 2nd SS from the GA college baseball team recently on a plane. I was wondering where I can find information to follow his progress.
Also, anyone who follows the MLB draft, are they seriously asking for $50M for this Strasburg kid and if he gets that amount what time frame does that cover etc ????
Anders
May 11th, 2009
1:17 pm
The Mets are valued where they are because they are in a huge market. The Nets play in NJ and throw out the hockey teams.Hockey comes in just ahead of bowling in popularity these days. The Jets which you mentioned are ranked 5th by Forbes magazine. Only the Cowboys Redskins Pats and er NEW YORK Giants are ranked ahead of them.
So YES THE METS are where they are because of their location not because of anything they have done.
beekay
May 11th, 2009
1:19 pm
The Nats are under an enormous amount of pressure here in DC to pay whatever it takes for Strasburg….attendance is way down in a ballpark not even 2 years old and the Lerners are being called out for being the cheapest owners in MLB. I predict he gets 40-45 mill from the Nats
Shane
May 11th, 2009
1:20 pm
Sorry put your name in “name” instead of in text but you get the point
Chuck James was Solid until the 6th!!!
May 11th, 2009
1:21 pm
Anders
Thanks for the connection from PS to CF. That’s pretty bold stuff coming from a die hard like you. I know one thing is for sure. I have been to Atlanta the greater parts of 8 summers going to Turner Field and I can say whole heartedly they didn’t miss a beat. Any Braves who has had a blip of success is classly remembered. The Braves HOF is awesome and the Hank Aaron ball standing what seems a mile high when you’re under it is 2nd to none.
From what I have heard on SNY, Loud Mouths, etc. Your park is a work in progress in regards to glorifying past teams and players. I like the Doc Gooden signing of the wall thing. I think more players should follow in his shoes. I don’t know why the Mets said they were going to erase Doc’s signing of ROY/CY/WS 85′/’86. I know you Met fans were infuriated so they kept it. I say build that wall up with former Mets ink. I think that’s very cool. But nothing can compare to the Aaron ball at Turner Field IMO.
CLE
May 11th, 2009
1:21 pm
@Gummy Bears: Do you do this on purpose, or have you really not noticed that the writers of this blog are David O’Brien and Carroll Rogers, not “Carol Roberts”?
dogsbrekky
May 11th, 2009
1:22 pm
Chuck – we will be in section 124, behind 3rd base dugout. I will see if we can get up to the OF area to have a drink or 10…
The good thing about this field is that you feel close to the action where-ever you are. 1st time we went we sat in the RF cut-off which is right on top of the field
Looking forward to us lighting up JOHAN like a pinball machine and keeping Beltran quiet
mbatl
May 11th, 2009
1:22 pm
I don’t think Strasburg gets close to $40 mil. What’s the alltime record, something like $12 mil? (I’m not sure, but I think so). I think the Nats will go to about $20 mil, and if Strasburg doesn’t take that, they’ll let him go and pick up a 2nd 1st rounder next year. And I honestly don’t think that Strasburg can afford to turn down that much money. He’d have to go pitch in an independent league (or in Japan, Boras has suggested). Big risk of injury in doing that.
Reality
May 11th, 2009
1:24 pm
Chuck James – You’ll LOVE the 300 sections. Even though you’re out in left, the seats are high enough to give you a clear view of everything and low enough to make you feel close to the action. One of the great things about Citi Field is how they made the majority of the seats closer to the field. Hope you enjoy it.
As for Fred, I make mistakes often. But when I do, I admit them and move on. DOB has become infamous here for his arrogance and unwillingness to admit error in any circumstance, especially for the while Griffey debacle. The way he tried to spin that–as Griffey being upset he was talked about on a blog–was shameful. It tells you something that Tim Hudson himself wanted to take a swing at DOB for his amateurish interference in the whole situation. But hey, DOB is just a blogger, right? He’s not a journalist. In any case, go in peace, brother…
Macon Braves (RIP)
May 11th, 2009
1:24 pm
Dang, I started scrolling through the blog and suddenly felt like I was trying to cross a bridge in some fairy tale land….freakin TROLLS everywhere!!! We gotta get with the NY Daily News or NY Times and get them to start a Mutts blog, then maybe we wouldn’t have all these Trolls here….actually, I bet they’d still be here since it is in their nature to go somewhere they really aren’t welcome and stir crap up.
Is there a riddle or something us Braves fans are supposed to solve before we can expect the Trolls to GO THE HELL AWAY!! I’m not too good at riddles so I hope someone on here is.
dogsbrekky
May 11th, 2009
1:26 pm
mbatl – if the Nats pay him say $25M, does that keep him for a certain time or does that just cover a signing on bonus and then they also have to pay him on top of that ??
KC
May 11th, 2009
1:26 pm
Metropolitan Man1, If you’re around today, email me at kccjr1@gmail.com. I keep losing your email address. Sorry.
I can’t do break free tonight, but we might be able to get a small group together at a sports bar one of the next couple nights, if you’re up for it. Also, the Mets last play in ATL in the middle of Sept. Let’s double down. If the race isn’t decided by the end of that series, we’ll hook up at the end of the season to settle up somehow. Just shoot me an email.
mbatl
May 11th, 2009
1:29 pm
dogsbrekky, I’m pretty sure that would be something like a 5 or 6 year contract. Probably with some kind of guarantees that he makes the 25-man roster within a couple of years… but I’m not 100% sure.
dogsbrekky
May 11th, 2009
1:30 pm
Reality – your comments on the Griffey thing are not correct mate. DOBI One Knobi had information that JR was a definite signing with the Braves (I had the same info from a FO source). When he did not sign, Dobi just reported what he was told BY BRAVES sources… he also admitted that he was wrong earlier……….. plus he regularly goes OUT OF HIS way to post this blog (best in world sports if you ask me and I follow plenty of them) when he does not have to…. His reporting and commitment are above and beyond what anyone could wish for and I for one totally respect his opinions (even if I do not necessarily agree always)…….
mbatl
May 11th, 2009
1:31 pm
(so in other words, it would cover his salary for the period… it’s not just a signing bonus)
richbrave
May 11th, 2009
1:32 pm
What I’m seeing DOWN ON THE FARM in the outfield department represents dark clouds aplenty on MATT DIAZ’s horizon. They even have names, JOHNSON and HERNANDEZ. The young man who I admire greatly better bring his “A” game the rest of this season if he wishes to continue on this club in 2010.
dogsbrekky
May 11th, 2009
1:33 pm
mbatl – thanks
Boys, have a great day, off to the missus’ parents place in Queens before we head out to SHEA II
Go LOWEEEEeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
TnBrian
May 11th, 2009
1:35 pm
I’m one who lives for now with my Braves and it is way too early to think about 2010. But, it is interesting to imagine what our rotation will look like a year from now. the rotation is almost a lock for me, Lowe/Hudson/JJ/Hanson/Kawakami…not sure about Vazquez. Not because he’s bad or doesn’t still have any upside, but I can’t see Wren trading Kawakami, I just can’t, or not re-signing Hudson. I don’t think Kawakami to the pen makes sense for two reasons: one, why would someone think he can adjust better to MLB out of the pen than in the rotation? Smoltz even said the adjustment out of the pen is a lot harder than out of the rotation. Two, an almost $8M long relief or set-up guy? Why would the Braves go across the world to sign a guy that ends up in their pen?
CB
May 11th, 2009
1:37 pm
I don’t have any problem with the Mets front office at all- anybody who signs Oliver Perez to a 3yr-36 million contract is on my Christmas list. Hey Anders or Reality wish you had that one back? As for DOB nobody needs to defend him on the Braves blog, he does a pretty good job himself. He is loved here. Well at least we like him a lot.
Brandon
May 11th, 2009
1:37 pm
plus he regularly goes OUT OF HIS way to post this blog (best in world sports if you ask me and I follow plenty of them) when he does not have to…. His reporting and commitment are above and beyond what anyone could wish for and I for one totally respect his opinions (even if I do not necessarily agree always)…….
I second that….
Woogidy
May 11th, 2009
1:38 pm
My favorite quote from you Reality, “admit them and move on”. Do so please.
Braves fans, how’s this for good? The Gwinnett starters are have 30 starts combined, pitched 157 2/3 innings, with 170! K, 51 BB, 47 ER, while allowing 129 H. That computes to an ERA of 2.68, and a WHIP of 1.14. They’re 11-11. That offense in Gwinnett needs some help.
beekay
May 11th, 2009
1:39 pm
The Nats did not sign their #1 guy last year…they will pony-up for strasburg big time
MFin04 (The Hopeless Romantic)
May 11th, 2009
1:39 pm
What the heck happened to the blog today? Looks like a nightmare with no intelligent dialogue? Fairyland with Trolls…I agree.
Steve from OH
May 11th, 2009
1:39 pm
Dogsb, I agree. DOB does way, way more than he should here and doesn’t get the props he deserves very often. He’s also much more judicious with his banning power than I would be.
Chuck James was Solid until the 6th!!!
May 11th, 2009
1:41 pm
W.T. Sherman
The career-extension was signed for a couple reasons IMO. 1.) After what happened with Smoltz, if they disrecpected Chipper and didn’t follow through with their word to him that they would get a deal done, then all hell would break lose. Righfully so too. I mean you are talking here like he is missing 70% of seasons. He wont the Silver Slugger and batted .364 with almost a .500 OBP all year. He is still great. My sarcasm about Prado and Infante is contradicting to an extent. They are very solid players. So when Chipper misses games, you don’t get the power but you get 2 guys giving it %100 with results.
So I guess the way we all view it is: If you can get 120 games from Chipper and worst case scenario is Prado and Infante play the other 40 and hit .300 with 5-10 HR’s and some doubles and their solid D, you are missing TOO much of a beat there. But it’s games like tonight where it gets frustrating and his bat is critcal for more sure-fire success.
The 3-year extension was also signed because he is something along the lines of NY’s Patrick Ewing to us Atlanta fans. Only Chipper has a ring. Patrick is still shining Jordan’s Nikes. Yes, the injuries, nagging minor one’s at that suck. But he is my favorite all-time player and I will continue to support him. I may talk my smack about him when I find out “Chipper has a sore elbow”, “Chipper has a bruised hand”, “Chipper has bunions”, “Chipper pulled an oblique”, “Chipper has a minor hamstring pull”. It is all angering but at the same time, he always seems to get himself back in there just enough and be the HOF’er he is, hence the extension…
TnBrian
May 11th, 2009
1:43 pm
Just to be clear, Kawa. to the pen eventually could happen, but Cox will give him a ton of time to adjust in the rotation first. Somewhere doen the line, Bobby and the Braves will be confident enough to leave him in the rotation.
PEOPLE, ignore the Mutt trolls! They’re insecure about their team, and obvioulsly some are about themselves. Of course they’ll choke and we and the rest of the baseball world will have a front row to watch it all over again…
Reality
May 11th, 2009
1:43 pm
dogsbrekky – it amounts to this. Yes, Griffey told people privately he wanted to sign with the Braves. He had also told Seattle he would give them final consideration–basicaly, meaning he wouldn’t sign with anyone else without giving Seattle a chance to match the offer.
So, while Griffey planned to sign with the Braves all along, he needed to wait a small amount of time and give Seattle the courtesy he’d promised them–or at least make it appear he was doing so. He knew he wanted to sign with Atlanta, but he didn’t want to insult Seattle, with whom he had a longstanding relationship.
Then here comes DOB, with his “Dude’s gonna be a Brave!” pronouncement, which he also goes on to say he got from inside sources on the team. In fact, DOB implied that Griffey always wanted to be a Brave, and was pretty much just stringing Seattle along at this point. So basically, by letting the cat out of the bag early, he made Griffey look like a fool. How could Griffey now go back to Seattle and say he was honestly considering their offer as well, when someone in Atlanta just plastered all over the internet that his decision was already made?
It was unprofessional on DOB’s part, and served one purpose only: to make himself look “cool” as opposed to what a professional should do–be patient, allow Griffey the professional courtesy to square away his relationship with the Mariners, and then announce the signing once it was all legit.
A professional would have acted quite differently. And once it all blew up, a professional would have admitted he made a huge mistake. Instead, DOB tried his hardest to push the theory that Griffey was some unreasonable prima donna whose feelings had been hurt. That’s what I take issue with, and that’s what makes me understand why the Braves clubhouse was so furious with him.
Woogidy
May 11th, 2009
1:43 pm
Here’s some evidence from the Triple-A notebook on MILB.com that supports my last post. “As a team, the G-Braves have hit .224 over the last 10 contests, totaling 28 runs. … Eight position players have hit .216 or worse in that period, and six have batted below the Mendoza line.”
richbrave
May 11th, 2009
1:44 pm
TnBrian:
Sounds like we may have a few trade pieces for young talent, preferably pitching talent, preferably left-handed pitching talent. Combined with this year’s #7, voila, a new bunch of baby BRAVES in three years or so.
Chop Chop
May 11th, 2009
1:44 pm
Kinda sucks that dogsbrekky has tickets at Shea. I mean, the place has been demolished.
Chuck James was Solid until the 6th!!!
May 11th, 2009
1:45 pm
beeky
In regards to that young pitcher Strasburg. It has been said it should “only” take between 20-25 million to sign him. Don’t count Boras out for hiking that up some way somehow, though.
Sethual Healing
Yes are all very fortunate DOB and Carrol are THE best in regards to level-headed (when they get sleep) beat writing and blogging. Also, you forgot to mention that DOB gets players to come on here during ST and constantly encourages Chipper too. Even though he has appeared once I believe and I was luckily here, that is one more time to talk to your baseball hero on a random Tuesday in Jersey then any other professional sports blog. Cheers to the both of them.
mbatl
May 11th, 2009
1:47 pm
DOB, you’re more patient than I would be (credit to you). I’d ban his a**, not because he’s obscene, but just because he’s unlikeable, and because I could. I’d send his IP to the tech guys and tell them to block him forever (make him go to some other basement to blog and then I’d ban him again!).
richbrave
May 11th, 2009
1:47 pm
TnBrian:
I saw real improvement in KAWAKAMI yesterday over his start in D.C. two weeks ago. The dude can pitch. Of course, I was using my eyes not yours.
Fred
May 11th, 2009
1:48 pm
Reality, You don’t know that Hudson wanted to take a swing at DOB. All we know is that they were in a verbal argument and others had to step in to help resolve the situation. And if Hudson were to swing at DOB, it would be a reflection on Hudson because adults aren’t expected to physically assault others when there is a disagreement. Also, your assertion that DOB is not a journalist is absurd because irregardless of your opinion of his wrting or personality, he is employed as a journalist by the AJC to cover the Braves. This blog is obvioulsy not his only work assignment. He was also previously employed as a journalist by a newspaper in Florida as the Marlins beat writer. So he must be doing something right, even though some people don’t care for him or agree with his opinions.
Shane
May 11th, 2009
1:48 pm
DOB does a great job. Im sure Reality has never made a mistake. Other than the team he forgot to put in my milkshake.
David O'Brien
May 11th, 2009
1:48 pm
NEW BLOG. not finished yet. but it’s posted. we’ll finish at the ballpark. have at it now though.
Steve from OH
May 11th, 2009
1:49 pm
Reality, what are you, the journalism police? Unless you are actually a journalist, I think it would be best to stop pretending like you actually know stuff about journalism and get off your high horse, bud. Wouldn’t go in to an attorney’s office and tell him how to do his job if you’re an engineer, wouldja?
Why don’t you go out, and find some friends, and maybe a nice girl or something and leave DOB to do his job, eh? Jesus people, it is quite easy to sit behind a blog moniker and call out someone who has a known identity…how would you like DOB to sit over your shoulder day and night while you do your job?
jk10
May 11th, 2009
1:49 pm
Does anyone know if tonights game will be blacked out on ESPN for dishNetwork in the Savannah area since PeachTree is showing the game as well?
ncscoots
May 11th, 2009
1:50 pm
He’s also much more judicious with his banning power than I would be.
Start banning people and where does it end, LOL? First, trolls, and next thing you know, you’ve moved on to just plain dolts, regardless of fan persuasion. Pretty soon, you’re left with, well, you, nolie, and a handful of other folks, pagination becomes a moot point because of the scarcity of posts, and there aren’t any posts from total numbletards to make the rest of us feel smug.
Let’s not go there, shall we?!?
flange1
May 11th, 2009
1:51 pm
reality,
if your version of the Griffey situation was correct, then one might able to accept your conclusions. But you ARE FLAT OUT WRONG.
If you go back and read the news that was broadcast at the time another AJC reporter Terrance Moore, was the one whose sources (Griffey family friends?) passed on the information about Grifffey coming to Atlanta.
DOB is the beat reporter for the Braves, so he reported what AJC (not DOB) sources were telling him.
There is NO DOUBT that Griffey changed his mind after hearing from Harold Reynolds and Willie Mays.
The AJC did not in fact MAKE A MISTAKE. They reported the story that was true at the time. GRIFFEY CHANGED HIS MIND.
Does that make sense now?
And other than Tim Hudson, please show me ANY evidence that the Braves clubhouse was furious with DOB.
I think you have taken a few facts, inserted your opinions, and made unfair conclusions.
richbrave
May 11th, 2009
1:52 pm
KAWAKAMI does tire after five. May be the different approach to hitting here vs. JAPAN, the size of the ball, I don’t know. He’s throwing too many pitches early, but our opponents have been utilizing that strategy ever since the walk-a-thon loss a month ago. He’s beginning to find the strike zone more ofter however. He’s gonna’ be tough the last half of this season.
flange1
May 11th, 2009
1:52 pm
ANd further REALITY,
if you don’t like DOB, then don’t come to his blog.
CB
May 11th, 2009
1:53 pm
Reality what you take issue with on the Braves blog means not a twit sir not a twit. Please go away and see if mom has lunch ready.
Chuck James was Solid until the 6th!!!
May 11th, 2009
1:54 pm
dogsbrekky
My drinking days at ball games are over, man. I am 25 now but have grown up about 10 years in the past 4. I used to get so wreckless, winning or losing. It’s funny because I have the violent passion of a Yankee fan only I am a Brave fan. So when me and my like-minded fellow Braves fans from up North have gone down to Turner Field, lets just say we didn’t blend in with %98 of the fans.
I can’t tell you how many times me and 4-5 Brave friends have gone to Philly or NY double-tomahawking and chanting freaking hammered. That has been both fun, miserable and I don’t remember. The past 2+ years of success (or lack thereof) of the Braves has had me in very low key mode at the park these days. Man, the memories.
Reality
May 11th, 2009
1:55 pm
flange1 – Everything as I wrote it in that post is correct. Go ask DOB. That is, if he’ll honestly answer you.
AJC SUCKS
May 11th, 2009
1:56 pm
Reality — I know what u are saying… THe AJC sucks…
AJC SUCKS
May 11th, 2009
1:57 pm
But the space shuttle is about to blast off!!!!
Chuck James was Solid until the 6th!!!
May 11th, 2009
1:59 pm
In regards to the DOB bashing or whatever. The “problem” for lack of a better word is DOB is the best at what he does. His over-working and passion for doing his best to be there for us fans 12-20 hours a day and getting us inside info hour-in and hour-out has got him in a little trouble. This isn’t his 90th year blogging. I have been here since month 1 and like everything, he has learned on the job. Why don’t we focus on the 3,549 things he has done right instead of the 2-3 blips?
AJC SUCKS
May 11th, 2009
2:02 pm
7654321 blast off
Fred
May 11th, 2009
2:02 pm
Reality, How could you possibly know what you said in your earlier post is entirely correct? Were you in the Braves clubhouse when the Griffey/Hudson thing went down? Are you related to one of the Braves? Frankly, none of us will ever know everything that happens in the Braves clubhouse because they prefer to keep things in-house. Even reporters are banned from the clubhouse at certain times before and after games for the sake of privacy. It’s extremely arrogant of you to claim something as fact that you have no direct knowledge about.
AJC SUCKS really
May 11th, 2009
2:02 pm
blast off
Jim
May 11th, 2009
2:03 pm
The history of HS pitchers at the top of the draft is at best mixed.
Beckett — great in the post-season, but only 2 noteworthy regular seasons so far.
Kazmir– been good, but not great
Avery — very good from ‘91 – ‘93 and came up huge in the playoffs and WS in ‘95, but all too brief a career.
Ankiel — a brief display of what the hype was all about followed by Steve Blass disease.
Brien Taylor — 0/1 in bar room fights
Matt White — got 10 million bonus to never pitch in majors
Harrington — refused to sign with 2 clubs and never was heard from again
The kid from Texas (whose name I’m blocking on right now) that allowed Chipper to be drafted by the Braves — never pitched more than a few years of middle relief
It looks like Matzek will be off the board by the time the Braves draft, but that might not be such a bad thing.
Jim
May 11th, 2009
2:03 pm
The history of HS pitchers at the top of the draft is at best mixed.
Beckett — great in the post-season, but only 2 noteworthy regular seasons so far.
Kazmir– been good, but not great
Avery — very good from ‘91 – ‘93 and came up huge in the playoffs and WS in ‘95, but all too brief a career.
Ankiel — a brief display of what the hype was all about followed by Steve Blass disease.
Brien Taylor — 0/1 in bar room fights
Matt White — got 10 million bonus to never pitch in majors
Harrington — refused to sign with 2 clubs and never was heard from again
The kid from Texas (whose name I’m blocking on right now) that allowed Chipper to be drafted by the Braves — never pitched more than a few years of middle relief
It looks like Matzek will be off the board by the time the Braves draft, but that might not be such a bad thing.
Jim
May 11th, 2009
2:04 pm
Sorry for the double post. I double clicked by mistake
Macon Braves (RIP)
May 11th, 2009
2:05 pm
New bloggage for all the Braves fans…….you Mutt Trolls are welcome to stay here though.
Macon Braves (RIP)
May 11th, 2009
2:07 pm
Fred….an arrogant Mutt Troll, NO, you can’t be serious!!!
flange1
May 11th, 2009
2:10 pm
reality,
sir, you are not correct. Reread the information at the time and you will see you are wrong.
Frankie Knuckles
May 11th, 2009
2:11 pm
W. T. Sherman – your moniker makes me think of a 1920’s bible salesman.
anyways, Go Bravos
icon package
October 9th, 2012
7:36 am
Quite right! Idea excellent, I support.