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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
1,565 comments Add your comment
cabravesfan
May 20th, 2009
1:15 am
and again with the lack of proof reading! Does that sentence I just typed even make sense?
Braveheart
May 20th, 2009
1:17 am
Thanks for the schizo diagnosis Chop Chop. Always wondered what diagnosis I could use to excuse, not explain, my behavior
Chop Chop
May 20th, 2009
1:19 am
Glad I could help, but you and the alien in my computer that won’t shut his mother****ing mouth about pot roast recipes are making me paranoid.
Braveheart
May 20th, 2009
1:23 am
Despite my rant, I really did enjoy the game tonight and did like what I saw out of the team. It’s days like tonight where you start dreaming that if they just added one big bat and if Frenchy just got back to being in the ballpark of average as a hitter, this could be a World Series contender with Chipper, McCann, Yunel, Big Bat, Lowe, Vazquez, Jurrjens, Soriano, and Gonzalez leading the charge. I really like Yunel and Kotchman going 1, 2 with KJ 6th in a run producing slot. If this team gets Hanson and/or Medlen to be dangerous over the last four months, watch out. But then I’ll watch tomorrow night’s game and change my mind and see them as nothing more than the 85 win team Chop Chop forecasted before the season.
Tom O'Hawke
May 20th, 2009
1:26 am
cabravesfan—
I know you’ll see this tomorrow, if not tonight.
No, I don’t wear glasses, and you know that. No, I don’t speak with an accent, and you know that. I was afraid to ask you about the height thing, because I figured, the way it’s going, she likes the short people.
I do like you, and my suggestion for you, considering that you’re into sports and all, was to get hooked-up with a near-sighted, latino, jockey!
I’m glad to know that my height isn’t a problem. I’ll try to figure out what to do with my good eyes and speaking ability. The latter two can be adjusted, not the height.
Roman Gal
May 20th, 2009
1:26 am
In the last 6 games, Jordan Schafer has 4 hits, 2 BB’s, and only 3 K’s. Progress.
Alien from planet Sabetzie
May 20th, 2009
1:29 am
Chop Chop…i’m coming for you my ignorant humanoid… i don’t come in peace…
cabravesfan
May 20th, 2009
1:30 am
Tom-
Sorry! obviously couldn’t remember about the eyes
Just tell me you don’t sound like a NYC boy and we’ll forgive the accent…
OK, now I really am going
Goodnight
Dumbfound
May 20th, 2009
1:32 am
Okay everyone ! I am going to stop saying Sweep the Mutts for the night. That Met Troll1 just burns me up when he comes to our blog, Talking about our team when they are losing. While trying to convince us of our team being soo bad and They the Mutts are soo much a class above anyone else ! And he’s a damn coward ! Well, look Met Troll 1 ! We whether you like it or not !, are only .5 games behind your Mutts ! The Braves are hanging around and around and around and………….
Dumbfound
May 20th, 2009
1:37 am
I think the mind set of the Braves is to hang around close until the trade deadline and they will pull a trade especially if Hudson is ready by that time.
Smuck Foltzie
May 20th, 2009
1:43 am
Bugkiller telling it like it is on Schultz column post:
BugKiller
May 19th, 2009
10:21 pm
After reporting the standard Bobby Cox / Terry Pendleton response to a player’s struggles (and the fact that the player went to someone on a DIFFERENT TEAM), Schultz, are you STILL claiming that Bobby Cox and his coaches haven’t been the problem with this team throughout the years?
That when push comes to shove, when crunch-time decisions must be made, when players can’t take care of an issue on their own (cough-AndruwJones-cough), that Bobby Cox, his coaches, and their approach simply doesn’t work?
When will admit this.
The proof is right there.
Bobby Cox and his coaches road the coattails of the most talented teams of the 1990s during the regular season when a manager’s terrible tactical skills are covered up by the fact the season is 162 games long. But come October, when talent is finally equal, Cox and his coaches bumbled their way through 13 out of the 14 chances. That isn’t a crapshoot. That is being out-managed and out-coached, pure and simple.
You know what a crapshoot is? Joe Torre winning 4 times out of 12 Octobers. THAT’S a crapshoot. 1 out of 3. Cox and his cadre of bumbling coaches is 1 for 14.
That’s HORRIBLE.
Now we see Andruw Jones reborn on the best team in baseball right now. Suddenly, he can hit again. Seems to me a good coach or manager got in his ear and set him straight. The same guy who set Frenchy straight, cause God knows, no one on the Braves was doing it.
Cox is pathetic. And Pendleton is worse. This team needed a fresh start after the debacle that was the 1996 World Series.
Instead, you at the AJC, the Cox-worshippers, and the Braves organization felt division titles were fine, who needs to win more than one World Series? Which, by the way, Cox was lucky as hell to win anyway.
No, your read here is completely wrong. Just like Cox’s and Pendleton’s approach to their player’s struggles. The talent in this organization has always been top-notch.
It’s the Nose Picker in the Dugout who’s let them down time after time, October after October,
Again, the proof is in the pudding.
Cox has never taken an average team and made them better. In fact, he’s taken average teams and made them worse. He’s a front-running, button-pushing manager of the worst kind, and again, should have been fired after his horrendous performance in the 1996 World Series.
N8
May 20th, 2009
1:54 am
nolie, I guess I should rephrase that line you quoted me on.
With THIS core of players we’ve had the past few years, I’d play the hot hands. In years past, when it was painfully obvious who the starting 8 (or 9/10 based on a couple of possible platoons) should be.
Seriously, granted the team was winning, so who questioned it. But when was the last time the Braves had this much debate over who should play? That only happens when the team sucks, or struggles to win. That’s when fans and the media start questioning if the right guys are there.
But you raise a good question. The tough one actually. How long is too long to wait? How do you know when a guy is cold/hot or just had an odd night? I guess, I’d play the guys that use the APPROACH that I would like to use as a coach.
But having said that, Bobby is doing just that. He likes the hackers. Always has, always will. So as long as he’s the manager, I’m afraid Francoeur will have a job.
This is why I get frustrated with Bobby. But I’m trying to not let it get to me. LOL! Just not watching as much. Listening when I can. But at least that allows me to get other crap done and not get consumed with each AB.
Unfortunately, when I’ve got nothing else to do, and I’m listening online, I have all the time in the world to blog. Which isn’t good for me. Blogging while watching/listening is never good.
Oh well. It’s games like tonight, where you start thinking they have a chance. But then the next time Kawakami pitch and the lineup fails to get the big hit, it will remind me of what they are. A .500 team.
If they can get to 5 games over .500 I might actually start to believe. But I’m not sure that’s gonna happen anytime soon with Toronto coming up next and the brutal June schedule we’ve got. Could be another month of treading water, until some other teams fall out of it, and start dumping players. Hopefully it won’t be too late. But I doubt it.
But make no mistake. This team is close. 2 or 3 more players away from being serious players. Just not sure we’ll get those 2 or 3 players (whether it’s our own guys – Francoeur – stepping their game up, or via trade or callup), this year.
I still think that 2010 is gonna be a different story.
Here’s a question before I head to bed, or at least to watch some TV.
Since Gonzo and Soriano are both free agents at year’s end, and with Hudson coming back, there has been speculation that Vazquez would be traded or Hudson wouldn’t be retained (option not picked up for next year). And everybody seems to think that Kawakami can’t really be traded. One of Kawakami’s “issues” is stamina and going longer than 5 innings.
What if when he gets a better feel for the ball we use, with all his movement, we tried him as a closer next year? He’s older (doesn’t seem to rattle to easily). He has good stuff. When he’s on, he’s unhittable, but he can’t do it for as long as we need (or would like) him to.
I know his velocity isn’t too high. But seems like it might be worth checking out. Obviously, you don’t want to have an 8 million dollar middle reliever/spot starter. But 8 million bucks for a closer doesn’t seem too out of line.
Anyhow, good night all.
N8
May 20th, 2009
2:01 am
nolie, in my last epic post, I stated the following:
“In years past, when it was painfully obvious who the starting 8 (or 9/10 based on a couple of possible platoons) should be.”
What I should have said or added at the end of that, is that in years past when we knew who the starting 8 was (most of the 90’s it was obvious), there was no need to play the “hot-hands”. Most of the time there were so many stars, that even if a guy started slow or had a bad month, the rest of the team picked them up. In all phases of the game. Rotation. Lineup. Bullpen. Those teams were just that good.
These teams of the past few years (and even this one), don’t have that margin for error. They need ALL the help they can get. IMO, there isn’t enough games in the season, to “allow” Jeff to work his way out of his troubles or slump (assuming he ever can), for 2 or 3 weeks. Those 3 weeks might mean the difference in making the playoffs or not.
Quick trigger finger by the manager, is what this sorry sack of hitters needs. If for nothing else to keep them on their toes. It’s not like being “relaxed” and knowing their buddy….er…manager, having their back has helped anybody turn it around.
n8
May 20th, 2009
2:06 am
Dude is a Boras client.
It is what it is.
Yikes.
Tom O'Hawke
May 20th, 2009
2:16 am
,,+
jed
May 20th, 2009
2:28 am
what a sad frickin culture, absolutely, braveheart. it’s the downside of living in a capitalistic democracy, where everything is skewed to the lowest common denominator in pursuit of a buck or a vote.
i had a similar experience at a game a few years ago in arizona. except the dome was closed, so the sound had no place to go. i was right next to a speaker, being pummeled left and right by idiotic rap-metal, or whatever it is they call that limp biskit crap. a perfectly nice day at the ballpark turned into sheer misery. all so they could keep their a.d.d. fans entertained, and in turn, so that those same a.d.d. people will come back to the park. which is precisely the point: that dollar-driven pursuit of the LCD may serve the standard of living, but it diminishes the culture.
Capt Caveman
May 20th, 2009
2:35 am
OH DANG !! I done gone and missed out on some good COACH bashing time.
Oh well, much like the sun, he we’ll be back tomorrow and nothing much will have changed !!
Mike S
May 20th, 2009
2:35 am
Hahaha. Love it, Braveheart.
Bobby's Cox
May 20th, 2009
3:09 am
Go figure…we change the lineup and score some runs. I wouldn’t necessarily change the lineup tomorrow. Kj finally got going…leave him in there, as much as I love the alternatives.
Can’t wait to see Medlen make his debut tomorrow.
jj
May 20th, 2009
3:16 am
Hey let’s go crazy.If Chipper oks this,I would like to see if this lineup would jumpstart Frenchie:JS,Escabor,Frenchie,Chipper,Mac,GA,CK,andKJ. I know this would make some KJ fans mad,but I would really like to see how JF would respond hitting third in front of the Franchise.I also believe it’s time to let JS leadoff and see what the dude can do.I know it’s scary with Escabor and JF hitting second and third since they are free swingers,but what the heck,all the Braves are free swingers.I just believe JF would repond to the challenge.
nolie
May 20th, 2009
3:27 am
(N8)
re KK as closer. You are right that it is too soon to get a real take on the guy. Having said that I don’t think he has enough fastball to be a dominant closer. Your best longest lasting closers usually have two strong pitches, one of which is usually some type of fastball. I think KK’s biggest asset if he has one is the variety of pitches that he throws and that is not as important as a closer. Plus so far of course he has not demonstrated the command of the MLB ball that I’d want in a closer.
I don’t know if you saw them, but I posted a couple of times that I have a friend who is still scouting who lives in Japan and is part of a freelance company that scouts the entire Pacific Rim.
He is not a big KK fan. Says he pitched in a very good pitchers park there and that he doesn’t think he will be more than a 4-5 starter So far that kinda looks to be true and that is not the level og pitcher that you want as your closer IMOf
Back to the too soon… He might end up being too harsh on KK. there isn’t a scout anywhere who hasn’t been wrong numerous times, both ways. Too soon to tell, but in general he is not the type of pitcher that I would prefer for that spot. I would try to sign one or both of Sori and/or Gonzo.
Probably won’t spring again for both, but that would be perfect cause ol’ Booby could use the one with the hot hand at any given time. I know you’d like that, my friend.
KC
May 20th, 2009
3:33 am
I really hope we can win these last 2 games vs Colorado… because Friday’s game is likely to be a loss. Halliday vs Kawakami… Ouch.
Todd Jones
May 20th, 2009
4:08 am
I think Kawakami could make an excellent closer.
Todd Jones
May 20th, 2009
4:13 am
Smoltz giving the rest of his money away…
http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/braves/stories/2009/05/19/john_smoltz_marriage.html
nolie
May 20th, 2009
5:46 am
think Kawakami could make an excellent closer. (TODD)
whatever dude. any reasoning to back it up? partial to guys with ERAs around 5 as starters and no fastball trying to save games are you?
varoadrunner
May 20th, 2009
7:18 am
Frenchy’s slump is in his head! He’s trying to hit homeruns again and as much as I like to see him hit them, he doesn’t when trying. He did open his stance again last night, but the attitude is still there. Wise up young man.
Rodney Derrick
May 20th, 2009
7:40 am
One realizes that history moves on when no one on the blog notes that Mike Hampton cut his thumb in the shower and has to leave in the first inning. Oh, sorry, I just mentioned it.
braveshoo
May 20th, 2009
7:56 am
I like the idea of bringing up Gorkeys Hernandez and lets see what he can do; batting .340+12 walks and speed. Get rid of Norton-hitting .125. Put Hernandez in RF or LF and let him lead off. Maybe we can manufacture some runs, and put a little pressure on the other teams defense.
MiltonDawg
May 20th, 2009
7:59 am
Great game last night!! Let’s hope Cox saw how well this lineup was and keep it like this from here on out. Now all we need is the TED to start bringing in fans!!
varoadrunner
May 20th, 2009
8:01 am
This is unbelievable – from Jeff Schultz’s column ““Rudy called me last night and got on my [rear],” Francoeur said. “We spoke for a while. He had watched some tape and basically said, ‘All the work we’ve done, you’ve abandoned it.’ I knew it, but when he said it, it sunk in. You expect a drop off, but at the first sign [of trouble] I just went away from everything.”
Francoeur’s father, David, also was at Monday’s game and later gave his son an earful. Off-balance stance. Out front on the swing. Trying to pull pitches.
Braves hitting coach Terry Pendleton thinks Francoeur will be fine. But he added: “Sometimes he gets to the point where his competitiveness takes over, instead of just standing back and going, ‘Wait a minute. I can’t get frustrated.’ ”
Texas hitting coach calls Frenchy and reams him, His dad reams him and Pendleton says “he’ll be ok”….. COME ON FRONT OFFICE – CAn’t see the forest for the trees?
Get us a hiting coach who can coach and instruct. The hell with TP, he cannot instruct and if any of you out there think a Major league hitting coach isn’t an instructor……. well DUH. A hitting coach is exactly that, fix what’s wrong with the swing.
Macon Braves (RIP)
May 20th, 2009
8:31 am
braveshoo–You like the idea of bringing up a 20-year old kid who’s only played a couple dozen games above A ball? Who’s hit .340, but has struck out 35 times at AA ball. That very seldom works when it is attempted (which most teams have enough sense not to attempt often) And if hasn’t learned how to steal consistently (5 caught stealings in 13 attempts) how does that help our low stolen base totals? It will just be one more thing for people to scream about when he’s getting thrown out 40% of the time.
If you insist on rushing one of the young studs, it should be Heyward. Great background, mature for his age (19 or maybe 20 by now). He has great awareness of the strike zone as well(only 19 K’s through Sunday). But rushing any of the kids shouldn’t be an option right now, just a touch of patience would help the development of these kids.
And yes, Schafer was rushed a little. But he is 24 years old and seemed to mature quite a bit after the slapdown/egocheck he got last year. BIG diffenrence between him and Hernandez.
Macon Braves (RIP)
May 20th, 2009
8:33 am
And I agree 100% about Pendelton. Guy has GOT to go, has done nothing to help this teams offense since he was brought on board. And when your own players are going to another team’s hitting coach in the offseason….WOW.
getnathan
May 20th, 2009
8:48 am
Braves finally score some runs, and Bobby changed the lineup. I’d say stick with it, but we’ve got a lefty to hit against tonight who has been pitching pretty well.
McFann :Ô:
May 20th, 2009
8:53 am
Tom O’Hawke–
Sorry…but I said “Night” but we didn’t go upstairs right away, and I happened to see his post, so…
truth be told, when I got to my room at night, I don’t turn my light off right away, anyway. Got an iPod Video, after all…
Braveheart I really did enjoy the game tonight and did like what I saw out of the team.
I liked what I saw, too…well, except for the two strikeouts by a certain someone…the flyout with the bases loaded didn’t do anything for me, either. But overall…
Hillbilly
May 20th, 2009
8:58 am
Vintage Braveheart wit. You, my friend, are a level above the rest. That s*** went clear over the heads of several that read it, but the denizens who have come to know you best?…well, we’re like Tony Soprano on peyote in the desert: We get it. Superb post. I laughed my @$$ off. That will go down as one of my all time favorites…Yellow Clown-Shoes status.
richbrave
May 20th, 2009
9:00 am
I roll with the TP thing. I’ve been on the bandwagon for quite some time. He’s got a great motorcycle affection, but I’ve always thought DON BAYLOR was a much better hitting instructor. Guess BAYLOR didn’t fit well in the BC clubhouse, or I suspect he would have had a longer tenure here. I think CHIPPER disagreed with his approach to hitting, a fatal flaw in a BRAVES coach.
Leave GORKYS alone and let him develop. Looks to me like the young pitching of JURRJENS, HANSON, MEDLEN, MORTON, maybe REYES, LOCKE, and ROHRBAUGH coupled with SCHAFER, HEYWARD, HERNANDEZ, and maybe CODY JOHNSON plus FRANCOUER, if he ever gets his head out of his azz, equals a great outfield and solid pitching. Throw in ESCOBAR and McCANN in their prime, FREEMAN and JOHNSON on the infield, and JONES on his last tour and 2013 is looking like a sensational year. Make sure the bench strength stays at a high level and add some bull-pen players because COX will have worn out all the ones we have now with his situational pitching, and we’re world champions again. Man, these rose-colored glasses….
Pro Scout
May 20th, 2009
9:10 am
Braves don’t have the star power that many other teams have. Chipper and McCann are solid but they aren’t going to hit 35-40 HR and drive in 110+ RBI. People don’t show up for slumping, oft injured, inconsistent, station-to-station baseball. People show up for the long ball and the spectacular plays, neither are associated with the Braves. The Braves don’t have that A-rod, Tex, Pujols, Howard, Utley, Manny, Josh Hamilton, Ortiz (before this massive slump) type player. THe type player that can change the game just by being in the lineup. They don’t have a hitter that strikes fear in their opponent. They are careful when they pitch to Chipper but make no mistake, he does not strike fear in his opponent.
What do you expect when you put a sub par product on the field with no big name star attraction and still charge the same ridiculous prices for concessions and parking?!?
Aja
May 20th, 2009
9:29 am
Here’s a suggestion for someone at the AJC.
How about a story on Braves hitters going outside of the organization to get help. Chipper and his dad, McCann and his dad. Andruw and Frenchy paying to go see Jaramillo. McGriff and Tom Emanski (ok, kidding there). But seriously, there is this trend of guys going outside the organization to get help. I understand the father/son stuff because many of the fathers were/are coaches themselves. But why is Terry Pendleton a ghost? Is that too touchy a subject to bring up in the clubhouse?
bravesgrl4life
May 20th, 2009
9:33 am
Tomahawkin
May 19th, 2009
11:49 pm
I am a girl who likes sports, baseball in particular. Too bad my husband doesn’t.
pryguy
May 20th, 2009
9:33 am
Don’t you people realize how the Braves operate!!? TP would not ream Frenchy out in the public eye. Bobby Cox runs his ship very differently and rarely calls players out through the media. I’m sure TP is instructing Jeff and being just as critical, choosing different avenues….I don’t know maybe face to face, rather than reporting his conversations to the media. Doesn’t that make any sense?? It seems to me most people on here enjoy calling out the coaching, when in reality they are dealing with professional athletes, who should be held accountable just as much. Cox doesn’t seem to be the problem, or else he would have been canned long ago. You can argue he was blessed with the pitching he had around him, but he maximized that talent to 14 division titles. People need to get a grip on here.
bravofan
May 20th, 2009
9:36 am
Thanks Bobby for swithching up the line-up it really made a difference! Hopefully this offensive surge will continue which will constitute more W’s for the Bravos!
Lew
May 20th, 2009
9:38 am
pryguy-People need to get a grip? I agree wholeheartedly, but why do you think they would do something that logical?
Braveheart-If only those who really needed to hear what you were saying were actually listening………..
beekay
May 20th, 2009
9:40 am
Two things…one is a trade to the Nats…JOJO or Morton, Bennet and a solid prospect ie rohrbaugh or Locke for Dukes. He can be our next LF for the next 5 years. He can play all 3 outfield spots, has power and runs well. The Nats are desparate and we should take advantage of that. They would get a starter, a middle reliever(they need ons badly) and a solid prospect from a position that they are stacked…
Second thing
We need to break up the Frenchy, Shafer, Pitcher in the 7,8,9 slot.I say move Frenchy to 6 and put Kelly at 7. When you put those three together they barely make contact with the ball or hit ground ball dp’s when they do. Kelly or Prado will change that so it’s not 3 staright outs every darn time.
David O'Brien
May 20th, 2009
9:43 am
N8: If your question wasn’t answered by now, yes, it’s 6 years of service time to become free agent.
CB
May 20th, 2009
9:43 am
Cody Johnson is looking good with his power in the minors,hoping he is the real deal. nolie, ncscoots any wise opinion out there?
Macon Braves (RIP)
May 20th, 2009
9:45 am
pryguy—So even if TP has talked to Frenchy behind closed doors, either he’s telling him to keep doing what he’s doing and it’ll come around or Frenchy is IGNORING him….either way, TP is doing a terrible job and should be held accountable for the way Braves hitters have no improved under his tutelage.
And if TP was doing a good job, why was Frenchy going to the Texas Ranger’s hitting coach in the offseason rather than working with TP?
atlbravesfan44
May 20th, 2009
9:49 am
Carroll,
If that Friday night pitching matchup had any bearing on whether or not I would attend the game, it would definitely keep me away. If Kawakami vs Scherzer ended up 12-0, then the final score Friday might be 12-(-3)!
David O'Brien
May 20th, 2009
9:50 am
How about a story on Braves hitters going outside of the organization to get help. Chipper and his dad, McCann and his dad. Andruw and Frenchy paying to go see Jaramillo. — Aja
Sorry, Aja, but when you’ve got a second one other than Francoeur going to an outside hitting coach, then you might have a “trend.” But of the four you named, Chipper and McCann have had their fathers as de facto hitting coaches since they were little kids.
Andruw went to Rudy J. a year after Andruw was out of the Braves’ organization. Andruw played for the DODGERS in 2008, then went to Rudy. He did not go to Rudy when he was a Brave.
Having said all that, I will add that I was surprised not necessarily that Francoeur went to see Rudy (other players from teams outside the Rangers do the same thing), but that he acknowledged it publicly this spring and since then. To me, I always thought that made Pendleton look kinda bad. Just seems like they might have agreed beforehand that Francoeur wouldn’t talk about Rudy, but rather, could have just said he made some changes to his swing in the offseason, etc.
Of course, Pendleton and Francoeur would’ve had to fib a bit to make that fly, if people asked why you did this or who came up with that … but it just seemed a bit unusual to me, that he acknowledged it publicly about going to see Rudy in November.
Canadaian braves fan
May 20th, 2009
9:55 am
DOB, with Anderson looking like he is coming around with the bat, do you see a move on Frenchy if he doesnt get it together soon
Turtsnap
May 20th, 2009
9:56 am
Good win last night. While the order wasn’t perfect, hopefully.Bobby will keep it this way for awhile. KJ is NOT a leadoff hitter and is better suited for 6 or 7 in lineup. Yunel isn’t leadoff material either, but the postitive here is atleast one AB a game, you are guaranteed he won’t hit into double play.
I like Casey at number 2, that seems like a perfect fit for him. Schafer is showing signs of coming around.
Maybe we could package Frenchy with Reyes or Morton and get a power bat for the OF!
pryguy
May 20th, 2009
9:57 am
Macon,
From what I hear, the hitting coach in Texas is one of if not the best in the business in terms of coaching. In that regards, why do some players ask Pujols, Chipper, etc… on advice in hitting. Why do football players talk to Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, etc… on advice? Just because Frenchy, who does not have the talent we once thought, goes elsewhere doesn’t mean TP isn’t doing a good job. I think all too often people hold the coach accountable for the inconsistencies of a “professional” athlete. It’s also called being “coachable”. As a college soccer coach, athletes who are coachable are a dream. Those who are not are why we get paid, to relate and improve and tap into their talent. Jeff has been given plenty of time and instruction. Maybe it is TP, but based on the case, I think Frenchy just isn’t what we once thought he was….good power hitting outfielder.
Macon Braves (RIP)
May 20th, 2009
10:04 am
I agree that Frenchy isn’t what he was once viewed as being. I think he’s an average major leaguer AT BEST. However, it seems to me (from the outside looking in of course, which doesn’t really count for a whole lot in the grand scheme of things)that hitters rarely overachieve under TP’s tutelage and more often underachieve. I just feel like a change needs to be made on the coaching staff, and since Bobby is gonna be around as long as he wants to be (which is fine with me, though I certainly don’t think he’s what he once was and is stubborn when it comes to sitting guys and changing things) the first guy to go should be TP.
Aja
May 20th, 2009
10:08 am
Good points Mr. O’Brien. But then that begs the question, Who else has gone outside the organization other than Francoeur and is fibbing about it? I seriously doubt he is the only one if so many more, albeit to their fathers, have been doing it. And you are right, it does make TP look bad. Real bad.
Doc Holiday
May 20th, 2009
10:09 am
An update from the Mets on Carlos Delgado: he’ll have hip surgery tomorrow, and will probably be out until the All-Star break. We discussed possible replacements a few times here at MLBTR, but the Mets might be able to make it a few months with in-house candidates.
Rickie Weeks Out For The Season
By Tim Dierkes [May 18 at 5:09pm CST]
Terrible news for the Brewers – Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports that second baseman Rickie Weeks is out for the season due to a torn tendon sheath in his left wrist. It’s a 4-6 month recovery period. Weeks, 26, was off to a nice .272/.340/.517 start in 162 plate appearances.
Doc Holiday
May 20th, 2009
10:09 am
17 Braves · Trends 21
Obviously in an ideal world you’d like to balance the lefty and righty hitters in your lineup, but there is no sane reason why Garret Anderson (.239/.280/.313) should ever find himself hitting above seventh in any lineup anywhere on the planet or elsewhere in the charted universe. … I can only assume we’re continuing with reports on Tom Glavine’s injury rehab out of respect for our elders, because he’s not one of the eight best major-league-capable starters in the Atlanta organization about now. … Bobby Cox described Rafael Soriano’s latest physical hiccup as “a little groin thing,” which prompted a comical misunderstanding that concluded with Cox affirming the girth and elasticity of Soriano’s junk.
getnathan
May 20th, 2009
10:13 am
What will the lineup be tonight against a left handed starting pitcher? Could it be the same?
bravofan
May 20th, 2009
10:13 am
DOB I just want to say Thanks for the BLOG man it has kept me entertained all year during school keep up the good work!
bravofan
May 20th, 2009
10:15 am
getnathan: I heard the announcers last night that they doubt it will be the same since its a lefty they are going against
RHR
May 20th, 2009
10:18 am
If Rudy is so much better than TP then how come JF is already struggling again? Did he only teach him a month’s worth of skills? I wish people would stop blaming his suck on TP. Nobody is to blame for Francouer’s problems but Francouer and the unrealistic expectations heaped on an unproven player by the local media and perhaps the Braves just because he was a local boy. He did not and does not know how to handle that.
That’s one thing I like about Schafer, he seems to be taking it all in stride and keeping a great attitude while still being humble enough to listen to others and make improvements and adjustments. He is going to be a great ballplayer and if he turns out like Francouer, I for one will be shocked.
N8
May 20th, 2009
10:18 am
Hey, “n8″ imposter at 2:06…
What’s the matter? The anonymous blog, not enough “cover” for your Sally Ass? If you wanna rip me step up to the “mic” and do so with your normal moniker. Otherwise? STFU.
DOB, thank you. I don’t think anybody did answer it. Thought I had read that the other day. Is it six “full” years? Or just six seasons having been on the 25 man roster at anytime. How does the clock work?
Specifically, did JJJ’s handful of starts with Detroit constitute his “first year”?
After all, he IS a Boras client. I guess it is what it is. YIKES, huh?
RHR
May 20th, 2009
10:20 am
And Andruw was pretty much playing for his baseball life this off season, I think that has as much to do with his improvement than anything he learned from Rudy. Not taking anything away from Rudy, just don’t think he is the answer to all the problems like some of you do.
N8
May 20th, 2009
10:25 am
“Chipper and McCann have had their fathers as de facto hitting coaches since they were little kids.” DOB
What??? OMG?? What? Chipper and McCan use their DADS for advice when in a slump? That’s news to me! The next thing you know, I’m gonna read something uber-crazy like Tim Lincecum’s dad gives him advice on pitching. That’s just crazy talk, though. Right?….Right?
Oh wait. When I mentioned it the other day, I was called and idiot (or something like that). Best watch yourself DOB, comments like that will get you ridiculed.
I agree with you though. It does make TP look bad. Especially when those two end up coming out of their “funks” having talked to their dads.
Buffalo NY Braves Fan
May 20th, 2009
10:25 am
RHR,
You don’t see Texas hitters swinging at stuff that Frenchie has been lately. Rudy is also praised on EVERY baseball broadcast I have seen with the Rangers on it (that includes away games with away announcers).
Rudy has a lot to do with his teams hitting success, and they are scoring plenty of runs to prove it.
Doc Holiday
May 20th, 2009
10:31 am
Carlos Beltran is being unstoppable………you just cant get him out.
Braves20
May 20th, 2009
10:37 am
Damn! Does somebody in the Braves dugout actually read this blog? Several of us yesterday suggested moving Esco to the top and putting a lefty behind him. Shazam! Eight runs. Let’s take a page from the 60’s Cubs and put a committee of bloggers in the dugout for the balance of the season.
Kidding.
Fred
May 20th, 2009
10:40 am
N8, McCann’s dad actually runs a baseball academy in Atlanta so he must have some level of expertise on hitting (although you would think a major league hitting coach would have more expertise). Also, even though a lot of people blame TP on our offensive struggles, don’t forget that our manager and coaches have a flawed roster of position players to work with. Our outfield last year had the fewest number of home runs than any other MLB team, and the only changes FW made were to add Anderson and the rookie Shafer (neither of whom are primarily power hitters). FW acknowledged after the season that we needed a right handed power bat for the outfield, but he failed to fill this need. It seems like our team has had several needs over the past few seasons but the Braves only have the budget to fill a portion of these needs (ex: we needed starting pitching, a lefty reliever, and a 1st baseman at the trading deadline in 2007, but we only got Tex and Mahay, neglecting the starting pitching need). Therefore, we unfortunately can expect the same mediocre results until all of our needs are filled.
RRP
May 20th, 2009
10:41 am
Perhaps frenchy should have the rick ankiel experiment, but in reverse. He might be able to throw the ball pretty hard late in the game and we wouldn’t have to use a pinch hitter as much.
Lew
May 20th, 2009
10:42 am
RHR-It isn’t Rudy’s fault that Francoeur has backslid. He just isn’t doing the same things he was at the beginning of the season. Horses and drinking water? Frenchy is now bent over in a more closed stance, moves his butt before any other moving part (backwards at that) and is lunging at pitches again. You can’t blame anyone but Jeff on that. Short attention span perhaps?
RHR
May 20th, 2009
10:42 am
You’re right, Buffalo fan, I never see Texas hitters swinging at anything unless they’re playing the Braves.
But still, if he helped Jeff so much then …. ? Just goes back to the problem lying within Jeff. I definitely don’t mean to disrespect Rudy in any way, I know he’s regarded as one of the best, I’m just tired of his problems being blamed on TP. I just don’t see it that way.
JeanE
May 20th, 2009
10:45 am
I haven’t read the blogs in a while so was scrolling through this one…I about died when I saw the DeRo comments, I love him & have followed his progress religiously since he went from the Braves, to Texas, to the Cubs, to the sad sack pathetic Indians!! I am so happy he’s playing so well & the Braves were stupid for ever letting him go! He is so valuable, he can play anywhere! He even played 1st base the other day for the Indians! I know he would love to come back to the Braves, I think he still lives here in the offseason! It will never happen, however. My other comment is, why the he– doesn’t Bobby Cox EVER play Matt Diaz anymore? The rare times he does play, he hits! Why not start him in RF for Francoeur?? He can’t be any worse & he most likely would be much better!!! I am so mad at Cox, it’s not right what he’s doing, it’s not like Garrett Anderson is a hitting machine & he hasn’t been that great on defense either!! Shake it up Cox & give Matty D a chance to play!!!! These Braves are so absolutely boring to watch, nobody steals & when they do, they’re thrown out. Worse baserunning team I’ve ever seen.
cvbraves
May 20th, 2009
10:47 am
Good note from the minors:
Gorkys Hernandez went 3-for-5 with a go-ahead two-run single in the sixth inning to help Mississippi overcome Montgomery, 6-5, on Tuesday night. Former Carolina League All-Star Willie Cabrera slugged a two-run homer in the first for the Braves.
RHR
May 20th, 2009
10:49 am
Right Lew. That’s exactly what I’m trying to say…just not very well apparently.
If he backslid from anything Rudy taught him then whose to say he didn’t backslide from the things TP has tried to teach him? Just like it’s not Rudy’s fault he forgot what to do, it’s not TP’s either.
Damn! Does somebody in the Braves dugout actually read this blog? Several of us yesterday suggested moving Esco to the top and putting a lefty behind him. Shazam! Eight runs.
Well we know Mr. Jones does lol. And the broadcasters do for sure, they’ve mentioned too many things straight from this blog for it to be coincidence, but the texting Garret Anderson in the dugout thing made me believe it for sure. Maybe Jeff needs to get on here and read and get pissed off and go out on the field and take out his frustrations on the baseball.
moose knuckle
May 20th, 2009
10:49 am
Hey Lew it looks like nice weather is heading your way. Might be able to mow the lawn or plant a garden.
Buffalo NY Braves Fan
May 20th, 2009
10:51 am
RHR,
I agree with you. Rudy helped Jeff a lot with his swing, but without Rudy working with him on a daily basis…..Jeff is reverting back to his old ways it seems.
Someone needs to catch onto this. Maybe Chipper can hold batting clinics with Jeff and Schafer to get them going.
flange1
May 20th, 2009
10:55 am
Morning All,
Nice game last night!
JJJ is the man. What a joy to watch! Wish we could lock him up long term! (won’t happen agent= Boras)
Braveheart, another classic post! Puts you up in Pujols league if you ask me.
DId everyone read the Jeff Schultz story on Rudy J and Frenchy? I was amazed that Rudy called Jeff to chew his butt!
That shows me a TON about Rudy J. Would love the Braves to pay him $5 million to come to the Braves!
A win tonight means a series win and that is what the Braves need to keep doing, winning series.
Doc Holiday
May 20th, 2009
10:57 am
Phillies defense ranked #1
Braves defense in the middle of the pack (8th)
Muts defense next to last.
RHR
May 20th, 2009
10:57 am
We gotta win the next 2 for it to be a series win. The Rockies are here for an unusual 4 game series.
McFann :Ô:
May 20th, 2009
10:58 am
Doc H. Carlos Beltran is being unstoppable………you just cant get him out.
And even when you do get him out, the ump calls him safe anyway.
Doc Holiday
May 20th, 2009
10:58 am
Braves—–fewest HR allowed
Phillies——most HR allowed
monty
May 20th, 2009
10:58 am
DON’T PULL THE PLUG YET ON KAWAKAMI
In this world of instant gratifcation we live in we expect immediate bang for our buck. Sometimes we receive it and other times “good things come to those who wait.” Many bloggers have been dissapointed in KK. Why, I’m not quite sure other than the instant bang principle. Did we really expect him to come in and be as good as Lowe or Vazquez or even J.J who has a full season in the majors under his belt?
Will KK workout for the Braves? I don’t know, you don’t know, even FW and BC doesn’t know, yet. What we do know is that so many of you are ready to trade him or relegate him to the bullpen after only 7 starts in the big leagues. But consider this, compared to Greg Maddux’s first full year in the Bigs, KK is pitching very similar to how MAddux pitched his first full year. I guess on a different team in a different time many of you would have wanted to trade Maddux or put him in the bullpen to wallow a way in obscurity. But also consider this, in Maddux’s 2nd full season he went from an ERA of 5.61 to 3.18 and 18 wins. I’m not saying KK will do that next year, but I will say this, he pitches alot like Maddux in the way that his pitches have a great deal of movement and at this stage he is averaging more strikeouts per 9 innings than Maddux (ever did) and less of a hit to innings pitched ratio than Maddux his first full year. Oh yeh, and let’s just forget that KK is getting used to a bigger ball, new language, new culture, new teammates, new everything, after all if we uprooted our families and moved to Japan it wouldn’t affect us a bit.
Doc Holiday
May 20th, 2009
10:59 am
Braves pitching have given up less walks than muts and phillucks.
Doc Holiday
May 20th, 2009
11:00 am
After giving up 12 runs on monday, we still are 5th in ERA…….could be 3rd is it was not for that game.
Fred
May 20th, 2009
11:00 am
JeanE, Diaz hits when he is in the line-up? He is currently hitting .261 and last year he hit .244. He has hit a total of 4 home runs the past 2 years in 204 at bats. You suggested playing him in RF instead of Francoeur, but you can’t forget about defense. The game Diaz started in RF this year demonstrated why he shouldn’t start there on a regular basis. Even though Francouer is struggling at the plate, he saves us runs defensively.
Doc Holiday
May 20th, 2009
11:01 am
The Associated Press reports Atlanta Braves P Jorge Campillo (shoulder) will throw two or three innings in long relief at Triple-A Gwinnett Thursday, May 21.
Lew
May 20th, 2009
11:01 am
mooseknuckle-Yeah, it was 26 degrees here Monday and Tuesday night. Actually, everything’s been growing for about a month now-really earlier than usual. The azaleas are just starting to fade and the dogwoods and Lilacs still look pretty nice. Wouldn’t mind having some warmer weather (70’s) but it looks like it will happen this week.
I’m just glad there’s no snow and the heating bill is not being run up. Snow tires are in the garage until the end of October.
Doc Holiday
May 20th, 2009
11:02 am
Atlanta Journal-Constitution reporter Carroll Rogers writes on his blog that Atlanta Braves SP Tim Hudson (elbow) said his shoulder feels great and rehab is progressing well. “My shoulder – it’s the best it’s felt probably in my whole career,” Hudson said. “It’s as strong as it’s ever been. And my elbow is making strides like it’s supposed to. I think it’ll be better than it was. I honestly feel like the better years are ahead of me.”
Doc Holiday
May 20th, 2009
11:03 am
News: Delgado had hip surgery Tuesday, and the New York Mets expect their slugging first baseman to return in late July. The team said he had arthroscopic surgery at the Hospital for Special Surgery and will need a recovery period of about 10 weeks. Delgado was diagnosed with an impingement of the hip, a bone spur and torn labrum. [-]
Supes
May 20th, 2009
11:03 am
Braves near the top of the league in runs allowed (as in fewest runs allowed)…and near the BOTTOM of the league in runs scored. Look no further for a reason why the .500 record of this team who is getting rather consistant pitching most of the time.
Who is the hitting coach? TP, who is NOT held accountable at all. Why…he was a beloved player here, and is Bobby Cox’s pal.
Knowitall
May 20th, 2009
11:04 am
Guess BAYLOR didn’t fit well in the BC clubhouse, or I suspect he would have had a longer tenure here. richbrave
You do realize that Baylor left the Braves to MANAGE the Cubs don’t you? His departure had nothing to do with how he fit in with the Braves.
Doc Holiday
May 20th, 2009
11:04 am
Phillucks have no injuries right now, the muts are ailing.
flange1
May 20th, 2009
11:04 am
Thanks RHR!
I blew that one!
How about, we can’t win the series unless we win tonight?
Doc Holiday
May 20th, 2009
11:06 am
McFann,
How old are you?
sportsmandh
May 20th, 2009
11:06 am
beekay,
I kinda like your idea about seeing if the Nats would trade Dukes. I wouldn’t involve Morton though, but others definately if they were interested. There’s always that pesky thought that teams don’t like to trade within their own division, but like you said the Nats are desperate. Just stay away from Austin Kearns, he’s fallen off the face of the earth faster than Francouer.
I won’t too add, I apologize for probably beating everybody down with lots of lineup posts lately, but I wanted to mention that I’m not against the idea of trying to keep Kotchman in the 2 hole. I’m still in favor of trying Schaefer at leadoff though, maybe they will try that later in the year if he shows steady improvement. If Schaefer was batting leadoff then they’d probably keep Yunel at 2. But maybe Kotchman could be the second coming of Mark Grace. The Nats are currently hitting Nick Johnson #2 in their lineup and he’s been tearing it up. Him and Kotch are similar style players, so it could work out nice for the Braves. My only argument against it is he’s slow.
moose knuckle
May 20th, 2009
11:06 am
Good to hear Lew. Monday I had frost and a record low 30. Just put away the long johns until october as well. Its nice 1 week, crappy the next,like the bravos offense. But its starting to warm up in more ways than 1.
Doc Holiday
May 20th, 2009
11:08 am
7 days ago GA was hitting .163
GA batting avg today is .254
Currently———- 7 games hitting streak with 3 multihit games.
Macon Braves (RIP)
May 20th, 2009
11:10 am
McFann– Great reply about Beltran
Doc Holiday
May 20th, 2009
11:11 am
GA has 6K for the season……………. 71 ABs
There is no player with more than 50 ABs with less Ks than him.
monty
May 20th, 2009
11:12 am
One more point on KK
Noticed some of you bashing his fastball. While it is true he only hits around 90-91. Which is as fast if not faster than Maddux or Glavine threw, his good fastballs have movement and great location, and are what most of his strikeouts come on, not his off speed stuff.
monty
May 20th, 2009
11:16 am
As most of us know, the older we are, the more resistant to change we get. How old is Bobby Cox?
MFin04 (Time to Get Rid of Bennett, Buddy and Cox!)
May 20th, 2009
11:16 am
Braves scored 8 runs yesterday, but it seems like most of those runs weren’t really legit runs. Seemed like a lot of errors contributed to the runs yesterday when the Braves batted around. Also the two runs late were both hit batsman I believe.
It’s hard to believe teams will continue to give us runs this whole year.