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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
1,957 comments Add your comment
MattyRoss
June 11th, 2009
4:17 pm
Steve from OH, hate to say it, but “down the road” might not be somewhere we want to be if we keep splitting series with the likes of the Pirates. I mean, if you can’t beat a .500 team after taking their best player and putting him in your lineup…
gooFANN
June 11th, 2009
4:17 pm
The only person who makes any sense on the blog is the GOO GUY.
JEFF
June 11th, 2009
4:17 pm
paul ur talking about a guy who was fired from the baltimore orioles one of the worst teams to ever play in MLB.. they fired him because of what he did to the farm system and organization. he destroyed the team. They finally had enough and workin there way back..they have some good players who can HIT. the new GM got rid of the junk.. and its time for the ownership of this team to get with it get rid of the sickness. Thats ur GM Bobby cox TP, and a whole slew of players who need to be shown the door.. who is frank wren gonna trade to get a solid bat? No one every other Gm and team is seeing what is going on in Atlanta and how there an average team..Not a winning team in my book. this team is done this year. They will not compete with the mets and phillies..
Steve from OH
June 11th, 2009
4:18 pm
J Williams, did you watch the game today? Maholm was tough, like it or not. Had command of the fastball, changed speeds, kept his breaking stuff down, and I can’t say I recall him leaving too many pitches over the heart of the plate. Do the Braves’ hitters need to do better? Damn right they do. Do we need to hear about it every 5 seconds? Damn right we don’t. Don’t take away from what Maholm did today, he was outstanding from my vantage point. Good pitching always trumps good (or in our case bad) hitting. Next question.
flange1
June 11th, 2009
4:18 pm
Gene G,
To me Maholm pitched a great game. I have always liked this kid and hoped the Braves could snag him last off season.
In terms of the squeeze, that would be fun to watch, but you know how well our guys bunt
Unknown
June 11th, 2009
4:19 pm
This team is done. They need to be big sellers this season. TP & Cox need to be fired asap.
33 year old unemployed fan who still lives with his parents
June 11th, 2009
4:19 pm
How can Canizares wear #25.
I’M WEARING #25.
I even sleep in it!
TP's gotta go
June 11th, 2009
4:20 pm
Let’s face it. Atlanta is where hitters go to die. Can we get a reasonable explaination as to why Terry Pendleton is still the hitting coach? Have any reporters asked Wren? How can you witness such futility and NOT make a move? I like TP and appreciate what he has done for the organization. but, if they aren’t going to stick by Tommy Glavine based on performance issues – then why stick by TP?
getmattholliday
June 11th, 2009
4:20 pm
Braves entered a stretch in late May where they had 20 of their next 27 games at home…their damn record 12-13 with two rainouts. This team doesn’t have it.
Tongueless_Talker
June 11th, 2009
4:20 pm
Does your son’s travel team face major league pitching?
Mitchell
June 11th, 2009
4:21 pm
Somebody seriously needs to explain why this isn’t Terry Pendleton’s fault.
How can anybody say that he shouldn’t be fired? People are like, “well, you can’t really blame him for the lack of offense.”
Why not? And I’m not saying that because I believe it’s entirely his fault and “he’s terrible” and so on but nobody seems to be able to give a reasonable explanation as to why it’s not his fault.
It’s pathetic. And the Pirates need to stop lighting little candles like douche bags because they’ve won five out of their last seven.
J williams
June 11th, 2009
4:21 pm
In the five games that the Braves lost this homestand, they scored a total of 5 runs.
Mr. Whipple
June 11th, 2009
4:21 pm
What’s this I hear about Bobby Cox and TP.
Is Bobby using up all the TP?
Does he have a “problem” like Morton had last night?
Born2Buzz
June 11th, 2009
4:22 pm
At what point does Bobby get any blame for this teams performance?
wheelz007
June 11th, 2009
4:22 pm
dayum dayum dayum
Wes
June 11th, 2009
4:22 pm
J Will- I think Wren was misquoted. What he actually said was he has 6-7 guys who have hit 20 homeruns in their CAREER
GTSteve
June 11th, 2009
4:22 pm
You can win with this team…just not with these coaches
WestPalmDawg
June 11th, 2009
4:22 pm
I honestly hope Chipper becomes the highest paid hitting coach in the world in about 4 years. Yeah, for the Braves.
Steve from OH
June 11th, 2009
4:22 pm
MattyRoss, then again, there is something to be said about leaving pitchers in who have had long, durable careers and who have solid mechanics. I wouldn’t have argued against leaving Javy in. But leaving Javy in for 115+ pitches on a regular basis isn’t going to bode well for his arm, or the life on his fastball, etc, etc. Never mind that we can bring in a guy with a 0.98 ERA to relieve him. Not a bad move on Bobby’s part, just bad results, and it’s unfortunate that people have to try to find someone to blame instead of chalking it up to the fact that the Pirates are professionals, too.
Tomahawkin
June 11th, 2009
4:23 pm
I’m So Tired Of This Team Slacking Off Against the Jubroni teams of the League, expecting them to hand the games to them like opposing garbage teams did in the late 90’s…
Our Offense Comes Correct against the Good Pichers (Santana, B. Myers) But We Hit like an AAA team against The Jubroni Pitchers of the league….
Other Than McLouth Who Has come with a fire persona to this team, I Hate This Gawd Damn Awfense
I knew That This Awfense would Get Too Homer Happy after the first 2 games of the Series, and Wholllah!!! They have swung for the fences the last two games and therefore having undisciplined At-Bats Resulting in Garbage Results!!!
JEFF
June 11th, 2009
4:24 pm
bravo to ron roberts Bill M and PWH jort 100% agree man.
RDM
June 11th, 2009
4:24 pm
The Braves can’t win a series against the lowly Pirates even after taking their best player! Pathetic!
gene garbage
June 11th, 2009
4:24 pm
thing is, when a pitcher faces the braves, chances are, he’s gonna have a good game. do like seeing matt do well,(capps that is), childhood friend of mine. man he’s eating good too.
Doc Holiday
June 11th, 2009
4:25 pm
PWHjort,
We can do like Cox if you like it better………….
“Oh this team will around, they are hard working kids full of potential. LUCK has not been on our side recently, but it will come around. Way too much talent and hard work for us not to win.”
Wes
June 11th, 2009
4:25 pm
Whether or not Terry is actually to “blame” for en anemic offense is almost irrelevant in him keeping a job. It could be the hitting coach’s fault or it could just be an “after the three hitter; we suck” lineup.
The fact is: the POINT of having a hitting coach is to improve your hitting. If the hitting doesn’t improve, the hitting coach drags his @ss on down the road.
Now, I ask you: Has the hitting improved?
kirkinga
June 11th, 2009
4:25 pm
Necromancer, it’s simple really. First, I love this the Braves, they are my team come hell or high water. Second, I look at the standings and I see that despite all the problems, they are still in the playoff chase.
As a little kid, the Braves were much much worse in the 80’s and I stuck with them then when they didn’t have a chance and know I’ve grown up I don’t intend to ever throw them under the bus..just not my definition of a “fan”. Perhaps, it would best to say that there are levels of “fandom”? I’m ahardcore major-league fan. Who’s managing/coaching and which players are not doing well don’t interest me as much as is the team competitive and healthy because no matter what I think, it’s not going to change reality. So why worry excessively and obsessively about stuff you can’t change?
Wes
June 11th, 2009
4:26 pm
Actually, RDM: We took their best player and then beat them 2 in a row to start the series……and THEN we couldn’t win a series against them!
Tomahawkin
June 11th, 2009
4:26 pm
Whats Gonna P..s Me Off Is What If Hanson Pitches Lights Out His first 5 Starts and have a record of 1-3 or 2-4 because of this Awfense…
That Might Happen seeing that Hanson will be starting against the Red Sox And Bankees over the next 3 weeks…
Buffalo NY Braves Fan
June 11th, 2009
4:27 pm
Well….
This team had pitching, defense, and stole 3 bases. Now if only they could reach that infamous home plate….
I’m willing to bet that some of these guys don’t even remember what that feels like at this point.
yogi2
June 11th, 2009
4:28 pm
Canizares is a grat call-up. it is a shame that the braves waited so long. They should have brought him up much sooner and should have dumped Shaffers and Norton weeks ago If they are serious about competing. Now they should release Franqueor and Carlyle and trade for a decent outfielder or bring Brandon Jones up
GTSteve
June 11th, 2009
4:28 pm
With the road trip, then the Red Sox-Yankees-Red Sox-Phillies…….the Braves will be 15 out by the allstar break….and I guarantee that
PWHjort
June 11th, 2009
4:28 pm
Ha. Pretty funny. You know, Bobby’s very media savvy and I don’t believe he doesn’t chew people out or discuss things with them in private, but I do get pretty sick of his excuses.
Pickin' Daisies
June 11th, 2009
4:28 pm
Damned if you do and Damned if you don’t.
If we were loaded with bats and splitting series with 10-9 and 11-7 loses, the masses would be screaming for more starting pitching and a better closer.
The Braves have always built around pitching and defense (I Know what your thinking), but this team was so far off last year there was no way to fix everything in one off season. This point has probably been made on the blog by many.
We’ve brought in the starting pitching and have a solid rotation locked up not only this year, but the next. Enjoy being competitive and in ball games and the organization will attempt to fix lineup in the off season. I think we can all agree that one bat coming in mid-season will not cure what ails us.
Doc Holiday
June 11th, 2009
4:29 pm
The Braves can’t win a series against the lowly Pirates even after taking their best player! Pathetic! – RDM.
McLouth was not their best player, but I get your point. And please, dont make it harder on us, those type of comments just dont help,
Steve from OH
June 11th, 2009
4:29 pm
This team had pitching, defense, and stole 3 bases
We stole three bases? That’s gotta be worth three runs, right? Oh, wait, you actually have to have good hitters for that…
ncscoots
June 11th, 2009
4:29 pm
So why worry excessively and obsessively about stuff you can’t change?
Well, down in the basement, we call that “low-self-esteem sports transference”. I don’t know what they call it here.
Tomahawkin
June 11th, 2009
4:29 pm
Oh Yeah The Braves Offense Are Gonna Go Against A Pitcher whom they’ve had little scouting/experience against tomorrow Night…
We Will Get 2 Runs on 7 Hits Tomorrow Night, “Bank On It!”
wheelz007
June 11th, 2009
4:30 pm
I really don’t know what to say. Very dissappointed.
Yesterday, JJ pitched a GEM; Gave up 2 runs.
Today, Javy pitched a GEM; 12 KS and allowed 1 run.
We lost BOTH games. Coulda/shoulda/woulda won BOTH.
I am now a believer that this team will NOT make a surge towards to the top of the NL East. Instead, we’ll stay within a game or two on either side of .500.
CT in AL
June 11th, 2009
4:30 pm
Man tough sports day. After hearing that the NCAA slapped Alabama with 3 more years of probation, I looked to the Braves for help and they suck it up…again.
Maybe a cookie will ease the pain
CB
June 11th, 2009
4:30 pm
kirkinga you will never get any where on this blog,lol. You sir are a true Braves fan.
Doc Holiday
June 11th, 2009
4:30 pm
GTSteve,
15 games out? So you are implying that we are going to win one game of the 12 we have against those 3 teams? Man does that feels rejuvenating.
Buffalo NY Braves Fan
June 11th, 2009
4:31 pm
Steve from OH,
Everyone was complaining that we don’t steal bases and they lead to runs right? right? they lead to runs? right?
Maybe the umpires will take pity on the Braves and start giving them 1/2 a run for reaching 3rd….
JEFF
June 11th, 2009
4:31 pm
tomahawkin well said bro.. coaches and players need to be held 100% accountable but sadly there is none of the sort. and its sad that this team performs so bad in front of there hometown fans. great message ur sending. come to turner field and give us ur money and watch us lose.. no wonder why the attendance and season ticket holders have all jumped ship..
Tomahawkin
June 11th, 2009
4:32 pm
Steve From OH
You Are One Of The Most Compassionate Bloggers on here and even you Are Criticizing…
I guess This team has Played With Your Emotions 1 Too Many Times, No…?
RDM
June 11th, 2009
4:32 pm
Sorry Doc, I’m not one for sugar coating things.
Chop Chop
June 11th, 2009
4:32 pm
Bama isn’t losing any scholarships. Not much of a probation, CT in AL. Coulda been worse.
Steve from OH
June 11th, 2009
4:33 pm
BuffaloNY–that’s what I’ve been told by some folks here who assure me that they quite literally know everything about baseball. Huh, a paradox, right?
getmattholliday
June 11th, 2009
4:33 pm
Maybe they should just deal off some of the vets, get some prospects, and let the young players play
AB
June 11th, 2009
4:33 pm
I like Escobar as a hitter, but he sure makes some bone head plays baserunning and in the field that have cost the braves at times
Buffalo NY Braves Fan
June 11th, 2009
4:33 pm
Steve From OH,
Look on the bright side… if the Braves game is boring tomorrow, you can switch to game 7.
CB
June 11th, 2009
4:34 pm
scoots for some reason I now picture you as a little old man sitting in your underwear,tv on, typing away with a beer in hand. ugh
The_Superhoo (Montana by way of Virginia)
June 11th, 2009
4:34 pm
I agree that TP needs to go. Dont know who you replace him with though…
Long term, what do y’all say to Chipper (who is renowned for his memory on who pitches what, in what situation) being the hitting coach when he retires?
getmattholliday
June 11th, 2009
4:34 pm
This is eerily reminiscent of the late 80s.
CT in AL
June 11th, 2009
4:35 pm
Chop Chop
Could have been a lot worse, really dont care about the vacating wins part, just heaven forbid we get slapped with some more major violations in the next three years and become a repeat offender again.
Doc Holiday
June 11th, 2009
4:35 pm
Man do we need Infante back quick…………….and we need Barbaro to answer our prays.
3.5 weeks back until Infante come back. Thats way too much.
BTW, I found a buyer for JF, some softball team of colleagues are interested if Braves pay 99% of its remaining contract.
gene garbage
June 11th, 2009
4:35 pm
when is infante coming back??? he’s our saviour….isn’t he?
Steve from OH
June 11th, 2009
4:36 pm
No–I just think they need to upgrade at the corner OF slots. No emotions involved, it’s the truth. I think putting it on record should be sufficient enough for the board (so as everyone knows where I stand), and once I’ve done so I’ll go back to rooting for the Braves and trying to discuss a few novel topics every now and then. No fault in anyone criticizing, just say it once and be done with it is my schtick I guess.
ncscoots
June 11th, 2009
4:36 pm
CB, I wish…
sportsmandh
June 11th, 2009
4:36 pm
Doc Holiday,
Who’s better on the Pirates than McClouth? Are you freaking kidding? Freddy Sanchez? The LaSux boys?? And don’t say McCuthcheon seeing how he wasn’t even called up until after the trade. Why you think there players were all so P.O.’d?? Give me a break.
FloridaBrave
June 11th, 2009
4:36 pm
Steve,
I understand ripping the Minor pick, but I think Law and Churchill are ripping the Braves’ draft just because it was different than how they usually draft. Yeah, the Braves selected less high schoolers, but I love how the drafted power arms in the middle rounds in Hale, Berryhill, and Woolley- while also adding some versatile, high-upside athletes in Jones, Hefflinger, and Rose. They also improved the lack of middle INF depth in the minors while adding some right-handed pop.
I like how the Braves go JUCO heavy- I think you get some some high-upside athletes who are undervalued just because they don’t get the same exposure. Signability is also not as big of a concern…
I think you saw Wren’s touch on the draft with the Braves adding more speed and athleticism and I like it.
Lastly, 8th Rounder Kyle Rose already said in a video he was signing and when the Braves asked Hale if he’d sign if they took him at #87, he said “Abo-freakin-lutely.” So there’s two guys pretty much wrapped up.
Buffalo NY Braves Fan
June 11th, 2009
4:37 pm
Steve From OH,
I think we should just throw our hands up and proclaim Robert as the all-knowing baseball mind. We’ll all petition Frank Wren to step down, fire Bobby Cox, and let Robert manage the team as well as GM, and the Braves will go 140-22 every season while winning the world series every year and being known as the best dynasty the sports world has ever seen.
Whats that? I should stop doing drugs? But this fantasy world is fun…..
TnBrian
June 11th, 2009
4:37 pm
I don’t think we’ll be “out of it” come mid/late July. The pitching will keep us in it but the hitting will prevent anything exciting happening like getting to the playoffs.
Chop Chop
June 11th, 2009
4:37 pm
Oh, I’m sure Saint Nick will find a way to cheat and not get caught, CT in AL.
Tomahawkin
June 11th, 2009
4:37 pm
JEFF
I just Can Stand This Team Playing Their Best baseball against teams like the Mets, Phils, Jays…And Then The AWFense Comes Out Flat against Garbage Teams Like the Rockies, Nats, Pirates…Those Teams Are the ones we need to beat up onj especially before the schedule gets Nasty after the next week and a half…
This Was Not a Tough Loss But A F’d Up Loss!!!
Umpires have Screwed us out of 2 games this year!!!
Steve from OH
June 11th, 2009
4:38 pm
BNYBF–that’s where having mlb.tv actually comes in handy–I can watch Hanson and Datsyuk at the same time. Sweeeet…
Wes
June 11th, 2009
4:38 pm
brendan harris already as a hit today as the twins lead 3-0
Wes
June 11th, 2009
4:39 pm
I can’t stand people who capitalize the first letter of every word they write
Buffalo NY Braves Fan
June 11th, 2009
4:39 pm
Tomahawkin,
If the current trend holds true, we should win 10 of 13 against the sox, yanks, sox, cubs, phillies and be 4 games up when the tough week is all said and done….
gene garbage
June 11th, 2009
4:39 pm
did you see kj after that double, looking back at the dugout saying “what the hel! just happened, did i really just get a hit?”
GTSteve
June 11th, 2009
4:40 pm
I hear ya Doc
Tomahawkin
June 11th, 2009
4:40 pm
For All the People Who Want Infante Back…And I’m Not Hating On Him…
Sure He’s A Good Hitter and Very Versitile, But he isn’t the Savior of this Offense…
We Weren’t Hitting well befere he got injured so what gives…?
I guess Our AWFense Has been that Bad!!! If People Want Infante…
Buffalo NY Braves Fan
June 11th, 2009
4:40 pm
Steve from OH,
I do that all the time… I love MLB.TV, it almost makes up for the Braves not on TBS, aside from having to actually pay for MLB.TV.
DAP
June 11th, 2009
4:43 pm
the braves could still go on a run a win alot of games….it will take kelly johnson getting on one of his hot streaks. i hope he does, starting tomorrow.
Steve from OH
June 11th, 2009
4:43 pm
FloridaBrave, I don’t disagree at all. I think the scouting department did their due dilligence and got some very toolsy guys that were maybe off the national radar. No argument there. I’m saying that that’s why Law probably ripped it, he didn’t see too many names he was familiar with. They brough a lot of athleticism and upside to their organization yesterday, I think. I don’t think signability in your typical sixth or seventh round talent is nearly as big a deal as it is in the first round, so I do think that they took the players who they considered to be the best at their slots on day 2.
I am a bit leery of the Woolley pick since he didn’t pitch this year (at least that’s what I think I read), but I’m sure that Clark saw something he liked in a workout or something. Like the Berryhill pick a lot, as well as the Hefflinger pick. Like Matt Weaver at first glance, too.
Tomahawkin
June 11th, 2009
4:45 pm
Buffalo NY BravesFan…
After Monday and Tuesday I finally Thought That we were gonna Get a Consistant Winning Week Of Braves Baseball…
But They Have Come Back Down to Earth…
We Should’ve Swept this series if not take 3 of 4 to the AAA pirates…But No… When The Phillies Play them They Will Put that club to shame, “Bank On It”!
Mitchell
June 11th, 2009
4:46 pm
TP’s gotta go,
Great minds think alike, no?
You know, it’s funny. I wouldn’t expect anybody to remember all the times I’ve whined about this team living in the past but, well, I have. Many times.
And yet, it only just occurred to me that in two very unavoidable ways the Braves have cut ties with the past in somewhat remorseless fashion.
You get the feeling that Frank Wren thinks that his unemtional, detached dealings are examples of what winning routinely teams do.
So far though it hasn’t made much of a difference so you’d think there’d be every reason to keep at it.
We simply cannot win with Garrett Anderson, Kelly Johnson, Jeff Francoeur, Greg Norton, Diory Hernandez, Gregor Blanco, JoJo Reyes, Barbaro whoever the @#$! he is, Matt Diaz and some might say not with TP either.
I’m not saying they all need to be traded, or fired as the case may be, or that some of them aren’t useful but I’ve pretty much lost my emotional attachment to all of them.
We’ve got four all-stars in the field and in line-up… well, mostly in the line-up. We’ve got possibly the best pitching staff in the majors and an above average bullpen. That’s it.
We’re completely lacking in mental toughness and consistency and the kind of confidence we had for so many years is long gone but some drastic changes need to be made.
I don’t know, I’m just glad Vasquez was pitching and not JJ. I can take a guy his age and with as much time in the majors getting short-changed.
Necromancer
June 11th, 2009
4:46 pm
KirkinGA
Very well said.
You and Wayne in Utah have a calming effect on me.
Doc Holiday
June 11th, 2009
4:47 pm
sportsmandh,
Better go look on Sanchez number and Wilsons number…………Wilson has a better career BA and Sanchez has the same slg than Mc. Not to mention that wilson has 211 doubles vs 98 of mc and Sanchez has 170………..of course they are older, but Mc still has to hit them. He was one of the best there, but its not like we took chipper jones out of their lineup and left them with JF and KJ…………..I told you I got your point……….hope you get mine.
getmattholliday
June 11th, 2009
4:47 pm
Next up for the Braves…9 game road trip (Bal., Cin, and Bos.), and a killer 9 game homestand (Yankees, Red Sox and Phillies).
We’ll be out of it after these next 18 games.
Efrim
June 11th, 2009
4:47 pm
Wow, I had a meeting. I came back, and ole insanity on the blog has broken loose.
I remember earlier in the offseason when people just wanted to win with pitching and run prevention. Unfortunately, there are two sides to the game and the Braves have a tough time scoring runs. Although you’ve seen flashes from Francoeur and Anderson, the corner outfield spots are the problem with this team. And although I am a fan of Kelly Johnson, he hasn’t been too much better than GA and Frenchy. But I’ve seen good from Kelly Johnson and he is a second baseman as oppose to a left fielder and right fielder, two premium offensive positions. It’s just that he has regressed since 2007 and as his salary goes up, and well, I think you get it…..
Go get em tomorrow, Tommy.
Hands of Steel
June 11th, 2009
4:48 pm
“Canizares is a grat call-up.”
Will you be saying that after he makes 3 errors in a game?
getmattholliday
June 11th, 2009
4:48 pm
DAP -
We are tired of waiting for Kelly Johnson to get on this hot streak.
David O'Brien
June 11th, 2009
4:48 pm
Vazquez on being replaced after eight: “They told me, you’re coming out after the eighth. Good game. That’s it,” he said.
I asked him about coming out after 113 pitches, whether he would’ve finished a game like that earlier in his career, before the relatively recent movement for reduced pitch counts.
“I feel strong enough to finish some games,” he said. “I guess it’s part of the game now. I’ve always been against pitch counts. I don’t know who invented the phrase, ‘If you throw 100 pitches you can’t pitch anymore.’
“That’s been [this decade], probably. One hundred pitches is probably the limit. I’m a starter, so I obviously don’t like that.”
“I felt good. What can I say? It’s part of the game.”
DAP
June 11th, 2009
4:50 pm
getmattholliday We are tired of waiting for Kelly Johnson to get on this hot streak.
well holliday doesnt play 2nd, so im not sure what your solution would be instead.
T H I A L
June 11th, 2009
4:51 pm
It’s almost 5pm and Tommy Hanson is STILL a lard@$$.
Wes
June 11th, 2009
4:51 pm
Look at DOB throwing some feul on the fire!!
zmerk13
June 11th, 2009
4:51 pm
Well it looks like we have Cy Lowe, Cy Vasquez and Cy Jurrjens but the Corky Offense has been predominant in those starts….
getmattholliday
June 11th, 2009
4:52 pm
DAP –
What is your solution? Braves have not won because of the inconsistencies of the lineup. Do you think a Kelly Johnson hot streak is the solution?
bigmacattack
June 11th, 2009
4:53 pm
You’re not Smoltz, Glavine, or Chipper Javier. You haven’t made it to that inner circle yet where you can talk you’re way out of being kept in.
Of course the way I see it, Bobby just didn’t trust you enough to be able to pitch a “complete” game (innings 1-9).
sportsmandh
June 11th, 2009
4:53 pm
Doc,
Ask 100 people fairly knowledgable about baseball who they’d rather have, Jack Wilson, Freddy Sanchez, or Nate McClouth. 99 out 100 would say McClouth. You can’t twist and cherry pick a few #’s and make a case. For Example, Frenchy has 2nd most RBI total on the Braves (Chip & Esco tied for 1st). Would that mean anyone in their right mind would think Frenchy has been a critical piece of the Braves offense?
Bottom line is the Braves shoulda won 3 of 4 easily against the Bucs, and the fact of the matter is like many of the denizens are realizing is just how many holes the team still has.
monty
June 11th, 2009
4:54 pm
Like it or not this team is just locked in mentally to not score runs. It’s more than just every opposing pitcher being on their A game. Poor hitting in general makes good pitching look great and that is what’s happening to the Braves right now. No matter who pitches against them, no matter what their ERA is, or how they fared their last several outings, none of that matters against the Braves. It is a combination of poor pitch recognition, inablity to work a count, a failure to take what the pitcher is giving you( how many Brave’s hitters have we seen roll over outside pitches because they were trying to pull the ball and got out front of it and hit week rollers right at somebody? All day long.
JF gets a hit and drives in a run by going the other way, does he learn from that? No! The next time up he has an opportunity again, he gets ahead in the count and he will not be selective, he goes fishing at balls barely off the ground trying to pull them. Everyone they face cannot be as good as the BRaves are making them look. It’s mental. You can see confidence in hitters eyes when they are batting, you don’t see confidence in anyone’s eyes on the Braves outside of Chipper, Esco and McCann.
Hey DOB
June 11th, 2009
4:54 pm
Any thoughts about journalists being put on word counts?
After writing about 100 words today’s journalists start to get weary. They don’t have the stamina of the old time journalists.
So after 100 words, what if your editor had, Terence Moore say, come in and finish your post for you?
Mitchell
June 11th, 2009
4:55 pm
I for one look forward to our upcoming schedule. We’re more than likely to play better against the kind of competition we’ll be facing.
I think the true test of this season will be the first home series against the Phillies. For some reason we play them so much better at Citizen’s Bank. We could have easily won at least three or four of those games last year at home. It’s all about that first game*. If we can win the first game I think it will set the tone and if nothing else it will be our best chance at getting back into the race. That’s the only positive at this point, we have a lot of games left to play against them.
Hmm, suddenly I’m confident about this team again. Explain that. I for one cannot.
*for the record, there is to be no mention of the first home game against the Phillies last year. that is a game that dare not speak its name.
TN Jeff
June 11th, 2009
4:57 pm
Hey DOB 4:54 pm
Good Job – oops did I just finish your blog?
Mitchell
June 11th, 2009
4:59 pm
Wow, Vasquez nailed it.
Why why why can pitchers go longer? That’s what we got him for, for ****’s sake.
That really drives me motherloving crazy. Bobby is frustratingly deferential to pitch counts.
David O'Brien
June 11th, 2009
4:59 pm
“I don’t see how we’re losing these games when [Vazquez] starts, but we are,” Cox said. “We’re just not getting him any runs…. You can’t pitch any better than that. You just can’t.”
“He should be on the All-Star team,” Cox said. “If the All-Star team had scouts, they’d probably pick him No. 1.”
“Maholm pitched a good game, but we’re saying that too much,” Cox said. “We need to find a way to score more runs.”
OLD TIMEY baseball fan
June 11th, 2009
4:59 pm
I SAY “FIRE THE LOT OF THEM”.
GTSteve
June 11th, 2009
5:00 pm
I like that one zmerk
Doc Holiday
June 11th, 2009
5:00 pm
DAP,
If braves got Matt Holliday in order to play 2B, I would take that over KJ any day.
The only time I have seen KJ make a great play at 2B, he ended up making his partner look bad (Yunel last night).
All Star Team Scout
June 11th, 2009
5:01 pm
“He should be on the All-Star team,” Cox said. “If the All-Star team had scouts, they’d probably pick him No. 1.”
No. Matt Cain is #1.