Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
2,175 comments Add your comment
Urban Braves Fan
May 27th, 2009
12:34 am
Ahh man, that Colonel Sanders honkey be all up in my grill now too? Screw dat sheeeeit yo, I be stealin’ my chicken fum Popeyes fo’ now on.
BigMacAttack
May 27th, 2009
12:34 am
“The real question is whether Randy Johnson wants a shut-out, a perfect game or a no-hitter to add to his resume.”
hmm, taking into account the Braves offense this series as well as the first two games of this series and I’d say he easily gets the perfect game on less than 70 pitches.
N8
May 27th, 2009
12:34 am
Wayne, I don’t think that we’re close to anything. Who knows what Wren has going on behind the scenes?
As for Holiday? I don’t think we’d have to give as much up for him, because he’s a free agent after the year, I believe.
If he could be had for little or nothing (not likely – though Beane has been known to pull early triggers on deals in the past), he’d be a nice fit. He’s RH. That’s the main thing.
Somebody to split the lineup up a bit, and deepen the lineup.
But like I said, I don’t think we’re remotely close on any sort of deal.
Necromancer
May 27th, 2009
12:35 am
Garrett Anderson would definitely qualify as a head scratcher. This dude looks lethargic at the plate, on the base paths, and in the field!
How much $$ do we have tied up in him again?
Dumbfound
May 27th, 2009
12:35 am
Any other atlanta starter, we would have won !
Tomahawkin
May 27th, 2009
12:36 am
I hope You Guys are joking about wishing that Kotsay’s off-injured carcas was here…? He couldn’t help this punchless lineup…
mets fan in atlanta
May 27th, 2009
12:36 am
Roman Gal,
That is my point. Hanson must not be ready, otherwise he would be up pitching this game. It has nothing to do with arb clocks, super two , or any of that silliness. All of the Braves fans are drooling at the mouth to see this kid pitch in the majors, but he is obviously not ready, or he would be up. UNLESS, they are getting ready to trade him.
groundfog
May 27th, 2009
12:36 am
Tomahawkin, i’ll take Kotsay in a friggin wheel chair over Anderson or Francoer.
High School Wrestling Coach
May 27th, 2009
12:37 am
Mark Kotsay is in very good shape. Strong legs. Powerful thighs.
Eric from MO
May 27th, 2009
12:37 am
N8 I know, I did it to Roman Gal about 10 minutes before you did it to me.
Bravesfan
May 27th, 2009
12:38 am
Dear Sportsouth. I’m freaking sick of your endless “In my own words” reruns.
Necromancer
May 27th, 2009
12:38 am
Eric from MO
your 12:33 a.m.
very well said…
Tomahawkin
May 27th, 2009
12:39 am
Groundfog…I’d rather have B. Jones in there and send Loaf Back to the A.L.
BigMacAttack
May 27th, 2009
12:40 am
Tomahawkin:
I’m ready for the Braves to get the Hell Out of Frisco!!!
And if I can remember my recent Braves history lessons, Arizona hasn’t been any better. So the next 5 games will probably be much of the same we’ve already seen from these first two games, only this time it’ll be taking place in Arizona (with maybe with a “hard” fought win or two in there).
Bobby Cox, Bobby Dews, Jeff Francoeur, Tom Glavine
May 27th, 2009
12:40 am
Dear Sportsouth. I’m freaking sick of your endless “In my own words” reruns.
HEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
winterville
May 27th, 2009
12:40 am
mets fan in atlanta
Here is Hanson’s line for tonight.
7 IP 5 H 1R 1ER 2BB 9K
He’s definitely ready, it has to do with money. They are holding a spot for Glavine and they don’t want to call him up and then send him down. When they call him up, it will be for good as long as he performs.
Dumbfound
May 27th, 2009
12:40 am
He’s ready met fan in atlanta ! He’s ready ! Tommy Hanson himself said he was ready ! Also all the people in baseball whether it’s baseball tonight, MLB tonight, Usa today beat writers etc., says he’s ready !!
Necromancer
May 27th, 2009
12:40 am
Okay…this whole lack of offense thing is getting critical
what to do now?
I seek the wisdom of some of you older bloggers out there who have knowledge of what’s going on.
Eric from MO
May 27th, 2009
12:41 am
mets fan in atlanta
May 27th, 2009
12:36 am
Roman Gal,
That is my point. Hanson must not be ready, otherwise he would be up pitching this game. It has nothing to do with arb clocks, super two , or any of that silliness. All of the Braves fans are drooling at the mouth to see this kid pitch in the majors, but he is obviously not ready, or he would be up. UNLESS, they are getting ready to trade him.
He is not going to be traded your moron. They wouldnt trade him straight up for Peavy and that was before his AFL performance. They will not trade him. It is all about his arbitration. Yeah we are all drooling to see him, but we cant make the call. As soon as July 1st comes or whatever the date is he will be called up. They may wait a week to not make it so obvious but he will be up shortly after that date.
BigMacAttack
May 27th, 2009
12:41 am
well, “5 games” meaning this final one in SF and the other 4 in AZ.
N8
May 27th, 2009
12:41 am
Good point at 12:33 Eric. Like I said before, doesn’t matter if he gave up only 1 run that inning. The way Lincecum was pitching, and they way we’re hitting, this game was over the second they scored their first run.
Doesn’t mean it was impossible for us to score runs of Tim, but unlikely.
So, since the outcome was likely going to be a loss. The fact that Medlen pitched 4.1 innings (out of the 5.1 he threw) of really good ball, is a good sign. Add to that the bullpen had 2.2 innings of 1 hit ball.
Sucks that we lost. Sucks that Medlen had to get his confidence builder after essentially losing the game with one bad inning. And I’m not much of a silver lining guy, but we need him for trade bait, IMO. So I hope he does well from here on out. If he’s not trade bait, then I still hope he does well. LOL!
Tommy D
May 27th, 2009
12:43 am
A kid by the name of Adam Wainwright shut down the Brewers tonight and hit a home run in his own cause. Wonder where the Cards got him and what injured player did they give up for him (for 3 months of play)?
Please don’t give up more of our prospects for rental or over the hill players. Don’t repeat the Tex deal, either, no matter where we finish this year.
groundfog
May 27th, 2009
12:43 am
Yes we already have two Braves teams in baseball-the Texas Braves, and the Atlanta braves-we don’t need three trams.
N8
May 27th, 2009
12:44 am
I’m not sure why, or that I need to give this guy incentive to keep posting nonsense. But for whatever reason, whoever is posting as High School Wrestling Coach, is making me laugh tonight.
Simple, silly, yet funny stuff.
Tomahawkin
May 27th, 2009
12:44 am
Big Mack Attack…Yea We Get to face a Hot D-Backs team which Isn’t Good…I don’t Like our past history at Bank One/Chase Field (Whatever Corporate Name you want to call it) as well…
The Players at the Bottom of the lineup Need to start steppin Up NOW!!!
Wayne in Utah
May 27th, 2009
12:46 am
Tommy D
Agreed on not giving up our best for a band-aid fix. If we could move some of our surplus, then I would like to see us add another bat, but not at the expense of our best prospects.
Would you trade KJ or Escobar and Morton for Holliday for half a season?
DiamondbackMac
May 27th, 2009
12:47 am
I just came online and browsed through the gametime part of the blog and noticed that a lot of people were wondering why Medlen got pulled so early when he was doing well. It might be that they don’t want to overwork him because of a possible trade.
mets fan in atlanta
May 27th, 2009
12:47 am
Winterville,
I don’t buy it. If they think he’s truly ready, then you bring him up, let him start the 3 or 4 games needed before Glavine comes up, and then send him down regardless, with him knowing that going in. He feels no pressure, he gets a taste, and he knows he’ll get another call later. THIS IS IF HE IS AS GOOD AS HE HAS BEEN PROMOTED TO BE.
This is why i say it has nothing to do with arb clocks, super two, or whatever. I actually think they are planning on him being in their trade for a bat, the longer the Braves hang around in the race, the longer Hanson stays in the minors dominating. And the longer he looks like a prime trade piece. That’s the reason he is still down, and Medlen is up.
TnBrian
May 27th, 2009
12:50 am
met fan in atlanta, why you dumb sumbitch! What part of Hanson is off limits don’t you get? My God, get a clue!
Tommy D
May 27th, 2009
12:51 am
Wayne,
Not unless I was going to make an effort to have him again next year. Otherwise, yes.
Wayne in Utah
May 27th, 2009
12:52 am
mets fan in atlanta
I am not the sharpest pencil in the drawer, but even I know that the Braves are not going to trade Hanson. Where have you been??? Are you kidding me???
It is all about money and arb clocks at this time, with the “he’s working on some things” being their stated reason to leave him down at this point.
Also, you don’t bench pitchers pulling in 8 and 11 million bucks quickly. and they gotta give Tommy G his shot. Otherwise, who would you bench? Hanson will be up soon enough, and I will promise you he will not be traded for a bat. Maybe Medlen or Morton, but not Hanson.
mets fan in atlanta
May 27th, 2009
12:53 am
Eric from MO,
If that’s the case, and he’s brought up on July 1st (or a few days after), i will admit my ignorance to everyone here. But I don’t think I’ll have to. Unless that is, the Braves have dropped back out of the race at that point, and they have given up on being buyers. I think whatever point in the season that the Braves determine they are out of it, that is the point he comes up.
ccrider
May 27th, 2009
12:55 am
It’s a shame that the pitching staff as a whole is a top 8(Playoff) staff. Unfortunately, the lineup is a bottom 8(top 8 in the 2010 amateur draft)lineup. The fans need to realize that getting one big bat will not solve this teams myriad of problems: 1.No leadoff hitter(no stealing speedor OBP) or true No.2 hitter( move the runner over and no speed), 2. The 3 hitter is great but injury prone and is seldom in the lineup for more than a few weeks at a time.3. The cleanup hitter is also the catcher, thus will be out of the lineup at least 25 times a season. 4. We have no number 5 or 6 hitters (Anderson, Kotchman, Francoeur), all these players have no power and only Kotchman can even make solid contact on a regular basis, 5.The bottom of the lineup is one of the worst in baseball(whether it is Francoeur, Diory, Schafer, etc.)6. Add to all this no team speed other than Schafer( which only displays itself on defense). To recap: top 2 hitters only play about 75% of the time, No team speed, No team power other than the top 2 hitters( Chipper and McCann). One trade for a big bat cannot make this team a contender and I don’t honestly think Cox and Wren plan on it, they are simply staying moderately competitive until Heyward, Freeman, C. Johnson hopefully arrive. The Braves DON”T need to trade any minor league pitching that might become top quality starters or relievers in 2 to 3 years for a “BIG BAT” now, it will just be wasting the chance at a strong future. They made this mistake with the Tex trade, let’s hope they learned their lesson! If they are smart, the Braves will trade Lowe, Vazquez, Hudson, Kelly Johnson, Gonzalez, Soriano and Kotchman over this and next season for players that will fill in the holes around: Chipper, McCann, Escobar, Heyward, Freeman, Gorky, Cody Johnson, Infante, Prado, Schafer, Jurrjens, Hanson, Medlen, Morton, Rohrborough, Etc. TOO many holes to fill now!
winterville
May 27th, 2009
12:55 am
mets fan in atlanta
If you truly think he’s going to be traded then there is nothing else to talk about between you and me. THAT’S NOT HAPPENING!!! He is one of the top prospects in all of baseball. That would be like The Yankees trading Joba. Do you think that’s going to happen? Me neither. That would be like you guys trading Fernando Martinez. That’s not happening either unless it’s for a Peavy type. Hanson is not getting traded. End of story.
Loaf Garret on a blackberry in his lemo headed to the penthouse suite
May 27th, 2009
12:55 am
MAN i’m tired after all dat runnin in LF tonight!! swung at da first pitch cause i felt like it, SUCKAS!!
Wayne in Utah
May 27th, 2009
12:56 am
mets fan in atlanta
In the words of “Bones McCoy”, “My god man, what’s got into you??”
Boise bravesfna
May 27th, 2009
12:56 am
Pathetic. Offense; of yeah; awlfens. No imagination. No energy. No enthusiasm. No outfield power. No Hoss hitting like Hoss and no Hanson. Mind boggling. Why is this guy still riding gd buses??????
N8
May 27th, 2009
12:56 am
“Would you trade KJ or Escobar and Morton for Holliday for half a season?” Wayne
Maybe, KJ and Morton for Holliday. But I wouldn’t trade Escobar for Holliday straight up, much less throw in Morton. Not for half a year.
Normally, I’m not sure I’d even do KJ even up for Holliday. But since it would put Prado in the lineup (at least until Infante comes back), I’d think about it.
Since KJ hits lefties better than righties, and probably has as much power potential as Holliday away from Coors Field, I’d actually vote for putting KJ in LF and Prado at 2nd, before trading KJ for Holliday, along with Morton.
If KJ is/was to be traded, the time is/was in the offseason. His value will be/was higher when a team can start a season with him pencilled in everyday. Especially with how inconsistent he’s been… again.
So, I’d do a package of minor league guys (not any of the untouchables), and maybe Morton or Medlen (call me crazy – but even after his AAA numbers this year – I think Morton has more upside than Medlen – better big league “stuff”).
But ABSOLUTELY not, to including Escobar for Holliday.
Just throwing this out there, but if we’re gonna deal for Holliday, I’d check into getting Nomar to be thrown into the trade as well. Might be a nice guy to have on the bench and he can play a few infield positions. Not the guy he once was, but he does have 2 HR in 15 games (48 AB’s), this year, which would tie him with Kotchman, Diaz, Schafer and Prado for 7th on the Braves. LOL!
But I’d rather have him on the bench than Norton. And he’s only making a million bucks this year. He’s what you’d call a “throw in”.
Roman Gal
May 27th, 2009
12:57 am
I did it to Roman Gal about 10 minutes before you did it to me. Eric from MO
You’re lack of an answer just confirms that you think I’m awesome. Don’t be ashamed, you’re not alone.
Loaf Garret on a blackberry in his lemo headed to the penthouse suite
May 27th, 2009
12:58 am
ccrider, they won’t build tha team around me?? Wut up wit dat?? I’M jivin witcha dog!
Tommy D
May 27th, 2009
1:00 am
ccrider, lots of sense. They cannot be fixed with one bat, you are correct.
However, I am afraid they will do as they have in the past. We’ll wake up one morning to find they have traded away many of the can’t miss prospects for a Boras player (a Tex or a Drew) who does not give a damn about the Atlanta Braves and is just seeking the next big check!
Not Again
May 27th, 2009
1:01 am
Wonder where the Cards got him and what injured player did they give up for him (for 3 months of play) (TommyD)
what are you talking about dude? Drew had the best season of his career in Atlanta and played 145 games with 640 or so PAs. Try knowing what you are talking about before running your mouth .your and idjit. Always have been
Roman Gal
May 27th, 2009
1:01 am
mets fan in atlanta,
I guess you’re just trying to stir up conversation. It’s either that or you’ve lost your mind. No way in hell are the Braves trading Hanson unless the return includes Albert Pujols or someone of that ilk. I don’t think the reason he’s still in AAA is because he’s “obviously not ready”, just that Medlen was pitching better down there at the beginning of the year and rewarded him with the call-up first. Plus, it has to do with PR. Think about it, if Hanson were to come up and dominate, how could they justify sending him back down when Glavine gets off the DL? Or if he comes up and blows, then gets sent back down. That could ruin his confidence (although I don’t really buy that).
Bobby Cox
May 27th, 2009
1:02 am
AARRRRRRRR….Garret is a professional hitter….AARRRRRRRR!! Frenchy is breaking out with that opposite field hit against Lincecum, AARRRRRRR! Played a terrific game, just unlucky cause we hit a ton of balls hard, just right at people.
Wayne in Utah
May 27th, 2009
1:04 am
ccrider
Personally, I would not be opposed to trading off a few players to other teams to get some good prospects for the future, but you know that is not the
Braves style. Besides, I truly think they went out and got Lowe, Vazquez and Kawakami to make a decent run at the playoffs.
I fully expect them to move Medlen or Morton for a bat in the next month or so.
We do have a lot of holes, but with one more top hitter (a Matt Holliday type), it would make our entire order better. Each player now hitting out of position would have a better shot at being used more approriately. Does that make sense? Mac is a great #5, but as you state, lacking (due to his position) at the cleanup spot. I like Kotchman’s bat, and I think KJ and Escobar in the right slots in the lineup are acceptabe. Francoeur is the wild card, and Schafer could surprise.
I remember back 20+ years ago when I lived in the SF Bay Area, the Giants struggled with a young dude on the left side of the infield, that eventually became an All-Star. Matt Williams really sucked at the plate his first couple of years.
BTW, Mike Schmidt also sucked at the dish his first year! Look it up.
N8
May 27th, 2009
1:06 am
DOB do a bunch of the Braves players read the blog, and have you ever heard any of them giving the other guys flack for guff they receive on the old blog?
In one of my bands back in the early 90’s, we put out “table tents” and had people fill them out with mailing addresses and sent out little news letters with upcoming shows and what not, but also had a “comments” section.
And we used to LOVE giving each other crap at what some people would say about us. Nothing like giving drunk people a sheet of paper and a pen, to get the (ahem) true feelings to come out.
Just wondering. Because If I’m Chipper and I read the blog on a regular basis, and see somebody with a moniker of Loaf Garret on a blackberry in his lemo headed to the penthouse suite, I don’t know about you, but I’m laughing my ass of at that, and probably giving him crap about it in the clubhouse.
Seems to me, they wouldn’t take the blogging too seriously, and might use it against each other as lockerroom fodder. I would.
Roman Gal
May 27th, 2009
1:06 am
UNLESS, they are getting ready to trade him. mets fan in atlanta
Or perhaps this is just wishful thinking.
groundfog
May 27th, 2009
1:06 am
Matt Diaz is far better than Anderson. At least Diaz shows some power. Bench GA for Diaz or put Diaz in right field.
mets fan in atlanta
May 27th, 2009
1:09 am
If you fellas really believe that the Braves are really holding their best pitcher down in the minors, so that they lose games like tonight or when JoJo was pitching, then why are you even still Braves fans??? Wouldn’t you demand accountability from your front office???? They are putting money that is 4-5 years down the road (that may never come into play if they lock him up to an extension that takes him through his first few years of free agency–see Brian McCann) ahead of success right now. How is that okay for any of you????
The reason is that he is not ready right now, or he is being held for trade bait. That’s it. If he’s brought up after Tom Glavine bombs for two starts, then you along with every other Braves fan should call BS, and storm the front office and demand heads. Because that very well could have lost the season for you, when he could have been starting (and winning) the games that JoJo and Medlen have wasted for you.
If they wait until July 1st and bring him up on some arbitrary date, then you can put a stamp on the Braves that they are officially a small-market team, because they are silently saying they know they won’t be able to sign him to the McCann-like extension.
Now the Braves may not trade Hanson, but that doesn’t mean i don’t think they won’t keep him down, just in case some deal comes along that blows them away, and they think they’re one hitter away from the playoffs.
Roman Gal
May 27th, 2009
1:10 am
Ok, I’m off to go watch Spaceballs. Never seen it, but I hear it’s somethin’ else…
Tommy D
May 27th, 2009
1:10 am
Not Again, love the humor.
Not the Braves style since they traded a very good Doyle Alexander for a young Smoltz. Since then we rent players, try to rehabilitate injured over the hill guys, etc. with the exception of ponying up for Greg Maddux.
Fotune Teller
May 27th, 2009
1:11 am
Bobby’s qoutes after tonight….”Lincecum’s tough. Had a chance to get on him a little bit early on, but he made some tough pitches and wiggled out of it.
Jerome J.– So, what about the offense, if you don’t mind me asking sir?
Bobby– “They hit some balls hard, especially Chipper in that one at bat, but you won’t get mant off that kid over there. Can’t forget about Frenchy’s opposite field thing of beauty hit tonight.”
Jerome J.– Do you think maybe, not trying to stir you up sir, but do you think maybe McCann should’ve stayed back on that throw from Schafer in center and…(interupted)
Bobby Cox– “NO, Mac got the ball knocked out of his by a terrific slide from Rowand! Mac’s fine!”
Jerome– Bobby, how do you attack Randy Johnson tomorrow?
Bobby Cox– “Well, if they can all have the same appraoch as Frenchy had in his last at bat against Lincecum, we’ll win easily. Frenchy looks terrific….he’ll be fine.”
Wayne in Utah
May 27th, 2009
1:11 am
What are some reasonable OF possibilities today? Teams not really in the hunt (though it is early).
Cleveland, WhiteSox, A’s, Astros, …….
I don’t know, nor do I have the time or inclination tonight to do the research.
Ronald Millsaps
May 27th, 2009
1:11 am
The answer isn’t to add another bat. Doing so would require a trade, which would be a bad idea. The answer is to find the right offensive formula, which involves shaking up the lineup and not going over and over with what doesn’t work.
Our two fastest players tonight batted seventh and eighth, which isn’t a good move.. I would move Jordan Schafer to leadoff and keep him there. In spite of his offensive struggles, he does show a good eye for the strike zone (not saying Kelly doesn’t; he does) and has demonstrated a fine on-base percentage. He just needs to keep his swing shortened. (You have to give him credit for showing poise also; he has struggled mightily but has shown resilience and exceptional defense through it all.)
I’d keep Casey Kotchman at “two” and Chipper, of course, at “three”, and I’ve move Brian McCann back to “five” and bring Jeff Francoeur up to cleanup, a move this team SORELY needs to try but for whatever reason seems to turn a deaf ear to. Francoeur between Chipper and McCann would be good. I’d have Diory Hernandez at “six”, Matt Diaz/Garret Anderson at “seven”, and Kelly Johnson at “eight”, where he thrives.
Bobby’s extremely intelligent, but the lack of adjustments with the lineup has not been intelligent. In looking over my brainstorming, I’d consider strongly flip-flopping Kotchman and Hernandez and putting our two fastest guys atop the order. It’d be nice to see Chipper up to bat with one or two guys on base more often. It’d be even nicer if they were fast.
There are many ways to tweak the lineup, but I’d make sure to keep Chipper at “three”, Francoeur at “four”, McCann at “five” and Johnson at “eight.” I have every confidence that these moves would work.
kirkinga
May 27th, 2009
1:12 am
My gosh Wayne, you are still trying to trade Escobar…lol? I thought we’d moved on from such self-defeating notions? Jake Peavy was one thing(I still wouldn’t have done it), but Matt Holliday???
I wouldn’t trade Morton for a rental either. KJ, Reyes, Gorkys, then maybe yes, but not Morton or and certainly not Escobar.I project Morton as part of the rotation along with Hanson. I’d trade Medlen, but only if it was necessary and only because I don’t like his lack of velocity.
Bravesfan
May 27th, 2009
1:12 am
Oh yeah, let’s trade our future ace. Who needs a rather large, imposing pitcher with a mound presence? Nobody likes somebody who can blaze in pitches in the mid 90 to upper 90s, drop a devasting curve or an above-average change up on the opponent. Oh, you mean he can throw those pitches in any count? Surely the guy is happy with all that? No? Oh, he’s working on his slider too?
Who’d be crazy enough to ever want that kind of guy on their pitching staff?
Coach (2010 or Bust)
May 27th, 2009
1:13 am
O’Brien, Zack Greinke did it again. He pitched his fifth complete game and now has 81 K’s in 75 innings of work. The Royal’s Ace is now 8-1 with an impossible ERA of 0.84.
Roman Gal
May 27th, 2009
1:13 am
mets fan in atl,
you’re missing the point. medlen came up first because he was outpitching Hanson at AAA. go look at the numbers yourself. i’ll bet that Hanson’s chance is coming soon.
gLEP
May 27th, 2009
1:17 am
Come on. Did anybody really think this conversation would not resurface again this year.Look, If the Braves had CC,Johan,Jake,Halliday and Linsecum as their rotation they would still be a 500 team at best. The reason I say this is they can’t hit. They just can’t hit!! That was their problem last year and They have not changed that fact. Pitching is vastly improved. this year that’s a given But you can’t win without runs. And you can’t score consistantly without hits! Just look at them bat. They are all over the place. Falling all over the plate swinging wildly (they look like the 06-08 Andruw). No team I have seen looks so wild in the batters box.It’s obvious TP is their coach. Why is it that when KJ smells at the plate , he gets platooned, but JF and JS is sent out to fail again and again? Kawakami can hit as consistantly as they can.Try him in center when he isn’t shutting down the Blue Jays!
Dayton Moore
May 27th, 2009
1:17 am
Coach, I woulda done a Francoeur-for-Greinke deal straight up. I really woulda. Keep hammering away at O’Brien for sabotaging that deal. You, sir, are a pro.
winterville
May 27th, 2009
1:18 am
mets fan in atlanta
You’re right. Tommy Hanson is the first kid ever to be held in the minors. He’s probably hurt. Either that or they have a deal on the table for a Felix Pie type and don’t want to risk screwing it up. That’s probably it. Gimme a break. I hate it that he is still down there but I understand the reasoning. I plan on being a fan for more than just this year so pardon me if I’m not that upset about him getting some good experience in the minors. I know you can’t possibly understand a team trying to be smart with money but please save the conspiracy theories for another blog. Hanson isn’t getting traded and you can’t honestly look at his numbers and say that he is struggling. It’s about the money and everyone knows it.
Fotune Teller
May 27th, 2009
1:21 am
Jerome J.– Jeff, is there a way you can descibe that at bat you had against Lincecum in your final at bat?
JF– “Just tried to stay inside the pitch and take it the other way, and it worked out well. Look, it’s early in the season and we’re playing very good baseball, so we’re not worried about losing a few games. It happens sometimes.”
Jerome J.– Are any of the trade rumors swirling around you make it hard to produce when you’re out there?
JF– “It doesn’t faze me a bit cause I know that they know for sure they won’t get squat outta me anyways, so I have a home right here with the Braves!”
Jerome J.– Spoken like a guy with the heart of a lion! You heard it here from the man himself…. now back up to you guys in the studio.
mr baseball
May 27th, 2009
1:22 am
Not much to say about the game tonight. It was over the minute the Giants named Lincecum as the starter and the Braves matched with Medlen.
On the national political front, thumbs up to our Pres for selecting the woman who may have singlehandedly saved baseball as his Supreme Court nominee.
Regardless of what you think about Sotomayor’s politics, all baseball fans should support her solely for her decision that kept the greedy and short-sighted owners from destroying the game with an end run around the country’s labor laws.
If the Braves lose tomorrow night, they’ll be 3-6 against the mighty bottom feeders of the NL Worst. Kinda erases all the positive vibes from the sweep of the Blue Jays, who will be 4th in their division in the not too distant future.
.500, here we come again.
Ed
May 27th, 2009
1:22 am
The Braves need to show some patience this year as opposed to what’s happened in the last couple of years. No way this team wins it all regardless of any moves they might make. When the Braves started their run of 14 consecutive division titles it came after a few years of developing their young pitching staff. They need to let the young guys take their lumps now for a payoff down the road. Of course I don’t see this happening as they will once again give young talent to bring in a hitter in hopes of making the playoffs. It’s grasping at the glory days that are now gone and refusing to build for the future and another run to win it all.
N8
May 27th, 2009
1:25 am
kirkinga, I agree with you on trading Medlen before Morton, due to what you call velocity, and I refer to as “stuff”.
Both of them seem to lack a certain confidence in their ability, and surely there have been many pitchers good enough to dominate at AAA, and fail in the bigs.
I guess if I had an answer to that, I wouldn’t be here jabbin’ with you all about it. But let’s hope that one of the two of them figures it out, and that Wren decided to keep the right one.
Wayne in Utah
May 27th, 2009
1:26 am
kirk
I was just throwing something out there quick on the Escobar/Morton ideal. I was asking the “would you” question?
The more I think of it, the more I think he could be had for 2-3 pieces, not to include KJ or Escobar. But, I do think he would require trading Medlen or Morton. Just my thinking… For sure, not Gorkys.
I would even send Francoeur and one of the M&M’s for Holliday and Nomar. maybe….. How’s that for decisive???
Actually, I am so tired tonight, I would send Chipper and Mac for Holliday and Chavez.
BTW, I love the origin of the name of Nomar!
Atlanta Braves New Official Song
May 27th, 2009
1:28 am
We’ve been on the run
Losing in the sun
Wishing we were #1
.500 here we come
Right back where we started from
We wish McCann’s arm a gun
His shadow weighs a ton
Driving down the 101
.500 here we come
Right back where we started from
.500!
Here we come!
On the stereo
Listen as we go
Nothing’s gonna stop the downward spiral now
.500 here we come
Right back where we started from
Pedal to the floor
Thinkin’ of the roar
Inexplicably keeping Francoeur in the show
.500 here we come
Right back where we started from
.500!
Here we come!
mets fan in atlanta
May 27th, 2009
1:29 am
I’m done tonight, just had to get that off my chest whenever i hear people on here going on about the silliness of arb clocks and super two. The Braves are not a small-revenue team!!!! They are not the Royals or Pirates. I still consider the Braves to be the prime rival to the Mets–for reasons i have explained on here many times. If they are to be a rival, they have to be a big-market team, so i’m going to treat them as such. So when they make decisions, they have to make them like a big-market club, or they need to stop pretending.
Someone mentioned the Mets wouldn’t trade Fernando Martinez. Sure they would, if they thought it would give them the missing piece to the team. Do I hope he’s for real? Sure, and since he’s up playing, its likely now he won’t be traded anytime soon. Remember Lastings Milledge? He was worth a lot more before he ever took an AB in the majors.
And if he tears it up and is batting .400 with 5 homeruns in the two weeks Church is out? Means nothing cause he knows he’s going back to AAA when the regular guy comes back. That’s how the Braves could have handled Hanson in regards to the Glavine spot, if Hanson was actually ready for the majors. As for trade value in that scenario….through the roof….
Wayne in Utah
May 27th, 2009
1:31 am
Mr Baseball
I think I would rather see Judge Sotomayer as the baseball commish myself.
N8
May 27th, 2009
1:32 am
Coach Sutton mentioned Grienke at the end of the radio broadcast, and stated that he is the first pitcher since Juan Marichal in 1966 to still have an ERA under 1.00 after 10 starts.
After watching Maddux’s 1994 & 1995 seasons, it takes a lot for me to say wow.
WOW!
Trey06
May 27th, 2009
1:33 am
The sad thing is that baseball produces a lot of patterns. I predicted it before this series started… Two years ago ATL played a series in SF followed by a series in AZ. They lost the series in SF and then lost the series in AZ (2 of the 3 in humiliating walk-off fashion). So now that we’ve lost the series in SF we will lose the series and AZ. And since it’s a 4 game series, we will lose 3 of 4. This also means that my checking account will lose since I live in AZ and will inevitably buy tix and go to all 4 games. Since I’m here I can say that bad things tend to happen (except for last year) when they come to AZ. Walk-off loses, injured players, etc. I’ll be there, but it won’t be any fun.
Wayne in Utah
May 27th, 2009
1:35 am
mets fan in atlanta
Obviously, you are not very smart. Number one, you are a Mets fan. Secondly, you don’t know $hit about what you are saying? So, from this point on, I will ignore all posts from you. It just ain’t worth the effort. You are right there with MFin04. Two peas in a pod…..
Nite friends….
N8
May 27th, 2009
1:36 am
“Coach, I woulda done a Francoeur-for-Greinke deal straight up. I really woulda. Keep hammering away at O’Brien for sabotaging that deal. You, sir, are a pro.”
I was going to bash you for posting that, saying: Yeah, DUH! We all would have done that trade even up, but no way in hell does Dayton Moore do that trade. But then I realized that Dayton Moore is who made that post.
Sorry, my mistake. Proceed.
ccrider
May 27th, 2009
1:37 am
Wayne in Utah: I know your just like all true Braves fans: YOU WANT TO BELIEVE! I DO TOO! But, all the hitters(AND IT WOULD REQUIRE 2 TOP HITTERS) that will be available will either cost a future starting pitcher(Medlen and Morton have the stuff they just need more time) or one of our “on the come” prospects like Cody Johnson, Gorky Hernandez, etc. The best bats like Holiday, Nady, Ankiel, and a few others are Boras clients and so we would trade off a possible starting pitcher and starting position player for a 3 month rental. It doesn’t make sense to me. I would prefer to trade a Lowe or Vazquez and acquire a Mat Gamel, Matt Laporta type hitter for our future and keep Medlen and Morton. I would rather trade Kelly Johnson to Tampa Bay for a pitcher that might be a closer for our pen in 2 years. I would rather package Gonzalez and Soriano to a top contender for a top prospect that would make us contenders soon. I know I sound defeatist in my thinking, but I just don’t believe 1 big bat is going to put us in the World Series and just barely sliding into the playoffs in the wild card spot and losing to a more complete team in the first round doesn’t thrill me. I want us to be top contenders with the Red Sox, Phillies, Yankees, Mets, Dodgers, Angels etc. for the next 10 years not a one and out!
Wayne in Utah
May 27th, 2009
1:38 am
Trey
Were you at the Saturday game last August when Atlanta scored about 50 or 60 runs against the D-backs?? I was in town, but slept through the whole game in a Holiday Inn 3 blocks from the park. Long story….
We caught the Sunday afternoon game, which the Braves lost. I think Chuck James might have started for us??? Not sure though.
Ronald Millsaps
May 27th, 2009
1:38 am
Wayne in Utah–We don’t need to read anyone saying, “My God…”
I’d like to see Bobby go with the hot hand more. The same applies to defensive/pitching maneuvers as well. On Monday, we intentionally walked Fred Lewis to pitch to a guy who was 3-for-3 on the day, who homered to make it 4-for-4.
On a different note, there’s a lot of talk about who’s better between Kobe and LeBron. LeBron has more physical prowess but isn’t as skillful. If I were guarding against LeBron, which is what I wish the Hawks had tried, I’d want him to shoot more and pass less. When he gets his teammates involved, they tend to spread a defense and get the ball back to him for easy shots. I’d put the game on LeBron’s shoulders and ask him to score 40 points the hard way. Then if he has to pass the ball, his taken-out-of-the-game teammates likely would have the cold hand, collectively. Besides, he doesn’t have the shooting touch that Kobe has.
Wayne in Utah
May 27th, 2009
1:42 am
RM
That was a Star Trek reference, more than a religious statement.
Wayne in Utah
May 27th, 2009
1:43 am
I was against trading for Tex before I was for the trade.
Wayne in Utah
May 27th, 2009
1:44 am
Ronald
As much as I dislike the man, if I needed one basket, I would want the ball in Kobe’s hands.
Spanky
May 27th, 2009
1:44 am
It’s hard to beat Olivia Munn on G4’s “Attack of the Show”, IMO.
David O'Brien
May 27th, 2009
1:44 am
groundfog: I don’t know. Cox didn’t sound like he was leaning toward starting Medlin again, just from the way he grudgingly sort of acknowledged he had a good bounceback, but added that that second inning and especially the walk to Lincecum cost the Braves.
He said yeah, he was better tonight, but….
And Medlen, again, really had no answer for what went wrong, why he couldn’t throw strikes to Lincecum in that pressured situation. Said his mechanics were messed up there, then he said it was letdown moment type of thing, then he said, I don’t know what happened.
Surprised how much praise Cox gave to Lincecum. He’s usually so reluctant to lavish praise on opposing pitchers, but tonight someone asked him about Lincecum compared to the Braves’ recent greats, and Cox said, “He belongs in that class, for sure.”
J-Bone
May 27th, 2009
1:45 am
Agree with you Wayne. I don’t like Kobe, but he is a heckuva player and he’s made numerous clutch shots over the years.
David O'Brien
May 27th, 2009
1:46 am
By the way, Braves have lost six of their past seven here, and their record (12-20) at AT&T Park is their worst at any ballpark where they’ve played at least 15 games since 2000.
Trey06
May 27th, 2009
1:46 am
Wayne.. I went to all of them (they took 3 of 4). And I was shocked they did so well in that series given the history here. I was really shocked the way they handled Dan Haren. I hope they can do it again, but AZ has good starters and a lot of power hitters up and down the lineup.
Ronald Millsaps
May 27th, 2009
1:46 am
In response to the guy who said the Braves couldn’t hit last season, they could, actually. In fact, I think they were third in the league in hits. The problem was that they didn’t have the pitching, had a bunch of injuries, and got a terrible year out of Jeff Francoeur, among other things. The pitching is here this year. The bullpen, in spite of erratic outings by Mike Gonzalez and a couple of others, is strong, but the offense overall needs a better formula. The one I suggested deserves at least two weeks of experimentation.
We’ve got guys batting out of place in the order and aren’t seeing adjustments. This team really does have the raw talent to win it all, but the formula is the problem.
Trey06
May 27th, 2009
1:48 am
Wayne… Hampton started the game we lost.
Walt White
May 27th, 2009
1:49 am
I’m just glad Buddy is out of the mix for awhile. Hopefully Bennett is on track now. It’ll be interesting to see if Campillo looks any better now than he did earlier this year. I suspect it’ll be more of the same w/Campillo though and as such he’ll probably be replaced a few weeks from now.
groundfog
May 27th, 2009
1:52 am
DOB:
The at bats by KJ and Anderson swinging at the first pitch when the Braves were down 4 was particularly bothersome. Joe even mentioned it, especially in the 9th.I believe Tulowitzki was benched for that, any mention by Cox? very frustrating they seemed to want to get back to the hotel instead of try to get runners on.
The Geech
May 27th, 2009
1:54 am
Nothing Anderson could ever do would draw Bobby’s ire!!
groundfog
May 27th, 2009
1:54 am
It’s amazing how Cox will say Medlen cost the Braves but refuses to acknowledge how Francoer and Schafer continue to cost the Braves.
Jesse
May 27th, 2009
1:57 am
What’s Jane doing with all this throw up on her mouth, yo?!?!
a643dp
May 27th, 2009
1:58 am
The reason we are 2 1/2 game out of 1st is as simple as this:
Our 5th starters stats:
W-L = 0-4
IP = 35.1
ER = 30
BB = 20
ERA = 7.69
We are simply giving away every 5th game. Mr. Wren needs to wake up and stop thinking we will be in division race until July 31st. Our 5th starters are handing out wins like free samples in the Mall at Panda express. We have a lineup that has a batter with a 5 strike handicap and another that swings at pitchouts.
Need a Bat
May 27th, 2009
1:58 am
I think the point being missed here is that these clowns really, really need a bat in the outfield. Possibly trade our RF and some minor league pitching for someone who can produce more offense than our LF and CF positions have been able to contribute.
Tim McCarver
May 27th, 2009
1:59 am
I was absolutely appalled by Anderson swinging at the first pitch in that at-bat tonight. A guy with his experience should know better. I can’t imagine Anderson being on the Braves roster much longer. A .611 OPS, 7 R and 9 RBI in 89 AB is beyond PATHETIC. Matt Diaz has been BY FAR the most productive outfielder on the roster. Give Diaz more playing time!!
KC
May 27th, 2009
2:00 am
Hmmm… well, Glavine tired in the 3rd inning of his rehab start, so it’s safe to say he’ll need at least 2 more starts at Gwinnett.
Who then makes the next couple turns in the rotation until Glavine returns?
Do they go ahead and call up Hanson just for a start or two?
Walt White
May 27th, 2009
2:01 am
Jane shouldn’t have gotten involved in something that didn’t involve her.
Harpie
May 27th, 2009
2:02 am
McCann is a good hitter, but he stinks in the field! Why hasn’t anybody taught him how to take a throw at the plate? His defense sucks!
Ronald Millsaps
May 27th, 2009
2:02 am
Wayne–Well, I spoke against it due to its sacrilege.
In Monday’s game, Atlanta got four horrible calls down the stretch in terms of balls being called strikes, and these four occurrences don’t even include the interference against McCann while he made his throw. Two of these calls occurred against Kelly, who, the second time around, gave the umpire a response. These bad calls were reminiscent of some bad ones Chipper got down the stretch two years ago against Philadelphia (he wound up spiking his helmet, criticizing the umpiring, and saying he had more walks than strikeouts in his career and knew what the strike zone was… The next day was the day Atlanta came back on Philadelphia in the last two innings and won, 9-8, after trailing, 8-2).
As for tonight’s game, I’d like to see more bunt attempts, stolen-base attempts, hit-and-run attempts, etc.. The lineup adjustments I mentioned sorely need to be tried, particularly two (batting Kelly lower in the order and Francoeur at cleanup).
Back to the NBA, I’d be interested in seeing what would happen if someone threw a beer on David Stern. Stern could run into the stands to fight the guy, and then Ron Artest could step in as interim commissioner and suspend Stern for the year.
Wayne in Utah
May 27th, 2009
2:06 am
RM
Poor choice on my part….sorry.
Dr. Van Nostrand
May 27th, 2009
2:08 am
KC, I think it’ll be Medlen until Glavine is ready or is no longer deemed an option. No reason to bring Hanson up for 1-2 starts and then send him back to Gwinnett.