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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
2,078 comments Add your comment
Steve from OH
June 15th, 2009
9:48 pm
Here’s a crazy bit of baseball history that will surely bring a wide smile to Coach’s face:
“Steal the same base twice in one inning. (And three bases total… including FIRST?) Accomplished by Germany Schaefer, Detroit Tigers, September 4, 1908. This one’s going to take some ’splainin. Until 1920, Major League Baseball had a rule that made it legal to steal bases in reverse order. If you were on second and wanted to go back to first, you could steal it. Which can, in some convoluted ways, make strategic sense.
During the September 4th, 1908, game between the Tigers and Cleveland Indians, Schaefer was on first and a teammate was on third. The Tigers wanted to do a double steal — Schaefer would break for second, and, when the Indians tried to throw him out, his teammate would steal home. But when Schaefer broke for second, the Indians’ catcher didn’t make the throw, so Schaefer stole the base without the run scoring.
That wasn’t the plan so, on the next pitch, he broke back for first… and successfully stole it without a throw. Then, on the next pitch, he broke for second AGAIN, to try to make the double steal work… but again, the Indians didn’t throw.
That makes him the only player in MLB history to steal the same base twice in one inning. (And one of only two players to ever steal first base from second.)”
Joe Buck
June 15th, 2009
9:57 pm
How awesome am I? Seriously. Too awesome.
SoWeGa Fanatic
June 15th, 2009
9:57 pm
Amazingly, the top two (yes, two) offensive catchers in the National League are Mac and (get this) David Ross!
http://mlb.mlb.com/stats/sortable_player_stats.jsp?c_id=mlb§ion1=null&statSet1=null&sortByStat=SLG&statType=1&timeFrame=1&timeSubFrame=2009&baseballScope=NL&prevPage1=1&readBoxes=true&sitSplit=&venueID=&subScope=pos&teamPosCode=2&box2=XXXX424325atl2&box3=XXXX435263atl2&box10=XXXX134260sfn2&box25=XXXX425877sln2&box32=XXXX434567chn2&compare.x=26&compare.y=2
Shirtless Joe Buck
June 15th, 2009
9:57 pm
And I am even more awesome when I’m not wearing a shirt.
SoWeGa Fanatic
June 15th, 2009
9:58 pm
Wow. 1908. I thought Schafer was a lot younger than that.
Shirtless Joe Buck
June 15th, 2009
10:00 pm
You know, I don’t even really like baseball. When I’m not broadcasting, I would rather watch a Matthew McConaughey movie than a baseball game!
Joe Buck
June 15th, 2009
10:01 pm
True dat, Shirtless me.
Joe Buck
June 15th, 2009
10:02 pm
If it weren’t for my father, I’d probably be one of those d-bags selling coffee at Starbuck’s.
SoWeGa Fanatic
June 15th, 2009
10:02 pm
Hmmmm . . . I thought that link looked a little long.
TnBrian
June 15th, 2009
10:03 pm
Is DeRosa a good OF? Even if he’s just average out there, dude can hit. I’m not sure how much of a difference maker he’d be but he’s definitely an upgrade over Frenchy right now. Didn’t realize he already had 11 HR’s.
Unicorn Jones
June 15th, 2009
10:04 pm
TnBrian
DeRosa is a solid OF defensively. He won’t win a gold glove, but he’s solid. Certainly far from a liability.
SoWeGa Fanatic
June 15th, 2009
10:07 pm
DeRo’s on pace for about 90 ribbies too. He can play practically anywhere and is a good clubhouse guy.
Shamus Thacker
June 15th, 2009
10:07 pm
Looks like a full moon at the blog tonight.
Heath (Cleveland)
June 15th, 2009
10:10 pm
DeRosa is not available today, nor will he be at any time this year. The Indians are finally getting healthy…Hafner playing again…Sizemore set to come back very soon….Cliff Lee is getting on a role… After tonight’s “W” over Milwaukee, they will only be 5.5 games back. Cleveland is more likely to compete for their division than the Braves are to compete for theirs. Their pitching is getting better and they have a great offense, despite all their injuries.
Shirtless Joe Buck
June 15th, 2009
10:11 pm
Full moon, you say? Great time to get a moon tan.
Pass the cocoa butter.
Dr. Phil
June 15th, 2009
10:13 pm
I just wanted to let everyone know that I just got off the phone with Jeff Francoeur. We hashed out a lot of things over our nearly three hour chat. I think he’s going to be a new man starting tomorrow.
braves fan lmh
June 15th, 2009
10:19 pm
The braves should make a blockbuster trade with the angels.
The angels get: Yunel escobar, mike gonzalez
The braves get: Erick aybar, chone figgins, juan rivera
Mike Untisitchy
June 15th, 2009
10:22 pm
The Braves will win the world series or my name ain’t Mike Untisitchy
#1 Fan
June 15th, 2009
10:24 pm
any new trade rumors tonight?
Heath (Cleveland)
June 15th, 2009
10:25 pm
….of course, they could use pitching….lol. So, maybe the Indians and Braves would be good trade partners after all. : )
KJ and JF for DeRosa and Prospect(s)… out DeRosa at 2B. Sound reasonable?
SoWeGa Fanatic
June 15th, 2009
10:26 pm
Esco better get his head out of his butt. Otherwise, he won’t be here long. Braves don’t much go for “ME” types, hot dogs, or team disruptors.
Bravosnumbaone
June 15th, 2009
10:26 pm
DeRosa is not available today, nor will he be at any time this year. The Indians are finally getting healthy…Hafner playing again…Sizemore set to come back very soon….Cliff Lee is getting on a role… After tonight’s “W” over Milwaukee, they will only be 5.5 games back.
Don’t you hate it when that happens?
SoWeGa Fanatic
June 15th, 2009
10:27 pm
“MLB.com’s Bill Ladson reiterated that the Nationals are not going to bring Pedro Martinez or Tom Glavine aboard as players. The team would be interested in Glavine as a coach, though.” MLBtraderumors.com
Heck, we’ll let the old boy coach. He can take TP’s place.
Harry Doyle
June 15th, 2009
10:29 pm
What kind of “role” is Cliff Lee on? I had no idea he could act.
Harry Doyle
June 15th, 2009
10:29 pm
Glavine as a hitting coach? LOL.
AndyC
June 15th, 2009
10:30 pm
Carroll
I just read your Q&A with Schafer. Nice work. You asked him some tough questions and he answered honestly. Seems like he has a good head on his shoulders. He is humble but still remains confident in himself. I’m sure we will see him up again before the end of the season. Probably depends on how the Braves play and whether they make any moves for an outfielder. Hopefully next time he can avoid over analyzing every AB and just go up there and hit.
Carroll Rogers
June 15th, 2009
10:30 pm
Wheels….Thanks for the Graeters suggestion! Went there tonight and it sure hit the spot. Accidentally let the guy talked me into two scoops in one of those giant waffle cones, so I’m still full….and when i was there, i got a call from a cousin i hadn’t seen in 10 years who was in town on business. So had a dinner buddy and a great little reunion….
Heath (Cleveland)
June 15th, 2009
10:31 pm
Bravosnumbaone…uhm…when what happens? lol. I was just trying to stir up trouble…
Actually…the only way DeRosa gets traded is if the Braves can provide good pitching. I would actually like to see the Indians and Braves make a trade. DeRosa would be absolutely perfect since he can play anywhere. I would like to see him become our everyday 2B…and when Chipper needs a day off, move him to 3rd and put Omar at 2B.
Roman Gal
June 15th, 2009
10:31 pm
but now we’re well into tallest midget competitions
Haha…sad, but true. I want Francoeur to succeed as much as the next person, but when you’re being outplayed by Gregor Blanco, well…
Heath (Cleveland)
June 15th, 2009
10:32 pm
…actually meant KK and KJ in my 10:25 post.
Bravosnumbaone
June 15th, 2009
10:34 pm
Heath, I just meant when you call a for sure win, then Fielder hits the GS….
Carroll Rogers
June 15th, 2009
10:35 pm
AndyC thanks. and i had the same impression you did. That he’s handling this is such the right way. I think a little time and some reassurance from the Braves has helped him, but it all starts with the foundation he’s built going through what he did last year. he’s grown up a lot – as he says.
New Trade Rumor
June 15th, 2009
10:37 pm
MLBtraderumors.com is reporting that the AJC.com is considering trading Carroll Rogers to ESPN.com for Buster Olney and cash considerations. Olney is a veteran reporter that would add a known name presence to AJC.com but is considered past his prime. Rogers is considered one of the top young reporters in the AJC.com system. Most experts believe this would be a steal for ESPN.com.
Peter Gammons
June 15th, 2009
10:38 pm
There is no way the AJC would do that trade. That’s lunacy!
RHR
June 15th, 2009
10:39 pm
N8 @ 8:17 – I had the same thoughts as you. Daylight and dark, huh?
Doc Holiday
June 15th, 2009
10:39 pm
Shamus Thacker,
You got a point there my friend
Frank from KS
June 15th, 2009
10:39 pm
Who or where is that *next person* that wants to see Frenchy succeed you speak of Roman Gal?
Lol
Random
June 15th, 2009
10:44 pm
MFin04 (June 15th, 2009 5:18 pm): “LOL, it’s a blog, 99% of the things posted on here are absurd.”
Yeah, well, far be it from me to appear to minimize at all your own significant contributions to that miserable state of affairs.
“I agree it’s not possible, but that was the question posted to me at the time, and adding Tex to this team would make it better if nothing was subtracted. That was the point.” (Oh, a 26-man roster — yeah, right.)
Again — that is no point at all; it’s pointless. The same could be said of 100 other MLB players besides Tex, more than half of whom actually play a position where the Braves have a bona fide need. Even an imaginary swap of Tex for Kotchman would have approximately zero impact on the Braves’ hypothetical number of wins.
Ground your speculations in facts. One fact about Tex is that HE MADE NO DIFFERENCE TO THE BRAVES’ BOTTOM-LINE NUMBER OF WINS in his full year here. And that’s comparing him, on the front end, with Thorman and, on the back end, with Kotchman. 79-84 without Tex; 77-84 WITH Tex.
But (you say) the Braves are a much better team this year than in 2007-2008 (we’ll see about that later), and so Tex would have a greater impact now than then.
But that reasoning itself is totally COUNTER-intuitive, saying that a real good player would have a greater relative impact on a good team than on a bad team. I think most people would instinctively conclude that a real good player would have a greater impact on the bad team.
And ARE the 2009 Braves better? (Aside from their rotation — don’t have time to go into that now.)
Position by position (so far) —
C is slightly improved (McCann was very good last year, and even slightly better this year);
1B is slightly worse (Tex to Kotch);
2B is much worse (.795 OPS to .699);
SS is slightly better (.767 OPS to .798, but degraded defense, etc);
3B is much worse (1.044 OPS to .919);
RF is even worse (.653 OPS to .627);
CF is worse (Kotsay’s .758 OPS to Schafer’s .600) or somewhat better (McLouth’s expected ~.800 OPS);
RF is no better than last year (Anderson & Diaz combining for ~.700 OPS).
So even if you think Tex would have a greater impact on a better team, the 2009 Braves’ regular starters (SO FAR) are even worse than 2008.
Again, IF you’re gonna speculate “absurdly”, please ground your fantasies in some kind of reality, and do please avail yourself of some kind of clear and consistent reasoning, if not actual logic. Please.
Okay?
Bob Lee Swagger
June 15th, 2009
10:46 pm
Who’s going to Gwinnett to make room for Kotchman? Blanco? Surely not the great Barbaro, right?
Doc Holiday
June 15th, 2009
10:47 pm
SoWeGa Fanatic,
You think it would be a good idea to move Mc to 1B and put Ross as the everyday C and call up Clint? ………..And Of course trade CK and JF for a RF?
Doc Holiday
June 15th, 2009
10:48 pm
Bob Lee Swagger,
Blanco is the safe bet.
Bob Lee Swagger
June 15th, 2009
10:49 pm
That’s what I’m thinking Doc.
Anonymous Caller
June 15th, 2009
10:50 pm
The problem with the BRAVES is the team has never rebuilt, we’ve always retooled. For the last 15 years or so, Bobby and JS have always had a good core of players, and they’ve been able to add a piece here and there, and people thought “Cox can win with anything!” but there was always nice talent in Fort Cox.
It’s just not there anymore, for a number of factors, not the least of which is silent ownership and a system that hasn’t produced as much as did in yesteryear. And what we have produced was traded away. I still like the Teix trade, etc but overall the system hasn’t restocked the major league club.
The Braves have to call a spade a spade and finally utter the words “rebuild” in the halls of Turner Field. By July 2nd we’re going to have a pretty good idea of whether we have a fool’s hope or we should do the right thing and restock the system.
I just don’t see any other trade out there that will turn this team around. McLouth is a good player but he’s not an untouchable IMO. Unless you’re pulling another Teix trade its largely live and die with the roster we have.
If we’re as bad as we all fear we’ll be on the 2nd, then Wren needs to sell high, sell low, and sell some more. I’m not in the trade Chipper camp, but we have other pieces that should bring back A level prospects.
Johnson and Frenchie won’t be back on this club next year. And it remains to be seen if Escobar goes. This club as constructed is dead in the water. Move some pieces and the bigger ones like Javier should bring back some talent to keep us excited about wasting our lives watching this team.
Roman Gal
June 15th, 2009
10:50 pm
But Jeff doesn’t think he’s doing anything wrong, and that the Braves were not only wrong, but being rude to send him down.
And I loved how he blamed his offensive problems on hitting in front of Schafer and the pitcher…and by “loved”, I mean “hated.” Way to go, Jeffy.
Edward
June 15th, 2009
10:51 pm
You can’t slug .387 and be a contender.
Gutfeld
June 15th, 2009
10:53 pm
The Braves should think very seriously about moving McCann to 1B. He’s one of our best two hitters and he’s guaranteed to miss around 25-30 games a year just from days off from catching. With Chipper playing in about 125 games a year, we can’t afford to have our other top hitter missing that much time, IMHO.
Roman Gal
June 15th, 2009
10:55 pm
Who or where is that *next person* that wants to see Frenchy succeed you speak of Roman Gal?
Hmm…good point, Frank from KS. But surely there is another person out there that wants Jeff to succeed? Catie Francoeur, maybe?
Chop Chop
June 15th, 2009
10:57 pm
But, but, but…if we move McCann to first, he’ll never make the All-Star team!
Doc Holiday
June 15th, 2009
10:57 pm
Random,
I think the team is better if you consider this kind of pitching is good enough to keep us dancing around .500 even if no other move is made. Unlike last year, a single player (hitter) would make this team much better…………last year………..they would have had to trade for an entire pitching staff.
What if a player like many was up there as our cleanup hitter and Mc protecting him? It wouldnt be important anymore if JF stayed of left…………or if KJ was out 8th hitter for the rest of the year……….that single player…………would make the difference since we have 4 players already at the top of the lineup with all star potential ………..problem is the second half…………if you add Manny (just to say a name, not suggesting he is what we need), top 5 hitters on this team would become really dangerous. Then hitting 6th CK who is not as dangerous but is a guy capable of hitting more than .290 with a respectable number of doubles. Then you have KJ and JF, 2 players that could not be addressed as weak 7th and 8th hitters……..
RHR
June 15th, 2009
11:00 pm
Shamus @ 9:43 – at first I really tried to vote a fair and balanced ASG ballot, and by fair and balanced I mean skipping right over the AL and going straight to the NL ballot.
But after my first round of 25 votes I just started voting Chipper and Mac, did that 25 times each over several days. And when the numbers came out today I didn’t bother voting for anyone but Chipper.
Clearly, my enthusiasm is waning.
I probably wouldn’t vote at all if it weren’t for the fact that snot nosed Wright is running away with it because he plays in the largest city in the US. And because he’s “cute”.
Please. Chipper Jones craps bigger things than that little squeaky voiced baby.
Managers and players should be the voters and should only have one vote each for a true all star team. As we see here every single day most fans are too stupid to vote. For anything.
Gutfeld
June 15th, 2009
11:00 pm
Chop Chop
Well, we can’t have that now, can we? LOL. I’d rather utilize the players in a way that gives us the best chance of winning. As good as McCann is at catcher, we can’t afford to be without his bat in the lineup 25-30 games a year. Now, if we somehow find the cash to add two more legit bats, maybe we can put the plan on hold. Otherwise, I don’t think the Braves have any choice.
Roman Gal
June 15th, 2009
11:01 pm
I really want to stay here. I love the guys in that clubhouse. I love Bobby. I think as a team, we’re heading in the right direction and we could be good for a long time. I don’t want to go anywhere else.
How can you not just love this kid? And don’t say because he has funny ears…
Last year, even when I did good, I still hated going to the field. This year, even when I struggled, I still loved going to the field.
It’s a lot easier to be happy in the bigs, kid. Work hard and get your butt back up here!!
Carroll
Loved your Q&A with Schafer.
cabravesfan
June 15th, 2009
11:02 pm
Roman Gal-
I would like to see Francoeur succeed. Why would any Braves fan enjoy watching him struggle?
Steve from OH
June 15th, 2009
11:03 pm
I’d rather utilize the players in a way that gives us the best chance of winning
Haven’t considered defense at 1B, have you? McCann would be well below average at this point. Gotta consider that negative value too.
Roman Gal
June 15th, 2009
11:03 pm
As we see here every single day most fans are too stupid to vote. For anything. RHR
No Child Left Behind!!!
Roman Gal
June 15th, 2009
11:04 pm
Why would any Braves fan enjoy watching him struggle?
Because we’re all masochists! That is why we watch the Braves, no?
cabravesfan
June 15th, 2009
11:04 pm
Carroll-
I also loved your Q&A with Jordan. He sounds like he has a solid head on his shoulders and has learned a lot after everything he’s been through in the last year…hope he makes it back and shows everyone that he was worth the hype. Seems like a real good kid.
cabravesfan
June 15th, 2009
11:06 pm
Roman Gal-
that’s actually…a really good point.
semiballcoach
June 15th, 2009
11:06 pm
i already called for mccann at first while he was out with eye problems, ross calls a better game, throws better, and hits better than kotchmann….mccann’s legs would be spared, his hands wouldn’t be as battered (fastballs and foulballs), save his bat later in the year
RHR
June 15th, 2009
11:07 pm
The braves should make a blockbuster trade with the angels.
The angels get: Yunel escobar, mike gonzalez
The braves get: Erick aybar, chone figgins, juan rivera
OR……you could just become an Angels fan.
Gutfeld
June 15th, 2009
11:08 pm
Steve from OH
Actually I have considered that. I wasn’t talking about moving McCann tomorrow. I meant that it’s something the Braves need to consider during the offseason. I’d imagine that with time to get used to playing first base, McCann would at least be serviceable defensively. Would you not agree? Would you rather keep Kotchman’s .748 career OPS and excellent defense at first base or try to move one of our top two hitters to first base, even if his defense proves to be league average, so that his bat won’t be missing 25-30 games a year?
Doc Holiday
June 15th, 2009
11:12 pm
Gutfeld,
Thats what we are saying.
Anonymous Caller,
I dont agree with you………. Nobody saw McLouths trade come………it came out from nowhere. Wren can bet double or nothing. Braves have tons of what most of the teams dont………pitching………… we can pull another trade…….yes we can.
Chop Chop
June 15th, 2009
11:12 pm
I’d rather move Chipper to first. Everyone knows he’s not a good fielder at third. McCann’s young and decent behind the plate. He doesn’t kill the team back there every damn day, so he should be catching for as long as he can. It’s extremely difficult to find a catcher who can hit like Mac.
Roman Gal
June 15th, 2009
11:13 pm
I love Huddy (sorry, DOB).
“It used to be when you were a veteran, you would ride rookies. You would give them a hard time, make it tougher on them,” Hudson said. “I’ve never been a guy that was like that. I want to try to make them feel like they belong here.
I really, really hope he stays with the Braves beyond next year.
RHR
June 15th, 2009
11:13 pm
Why would any Braves fan enjoy watching him struggle?
Because we’re all masochists! That is why we watch the Braves, no?
ARGH!
RHR
June 15th, 2009
11:15 pm
I like you, Roman Gal. We like and hate all the same people it seems. I can’t remember if you love Chipper or not…if you hate him it could be a deal breaker. If you love him, you get to be Captain Jack.
cabravesfan
June 15th, 2009
11:16 pm
semiballcoach-
While I agree that Ross’s defense is better then Mac’s, I don’t think he calls a better game- every pitcher that Mac has caught raves about his game calling skills…and I think that John Smoltz wanting him to be his personal catcher at the age of 21 pretty much says everything we need to know about Mac’s ability behind the plate.
Doc Holiday
June 15th, 2009
11:17 pm
Steve from OH,
Yes, Mc might not be CK with the glove, but this late in the season (IT AINT EARLY ANYMORE), you have to try new ways to win.
RHR
June 15th, 2009
11:17 pm
Steve from OH, Coach doesn’t smile. If you think he’s smiling leave the room, it’s gas. Or Josh Anderson.
Roman Gal
June 15th, 2009
11:18 pm
So…I just saw the poll on the main page. 66.4% believe that when Schafer is called up again, he’ll be starting in either Left or Right Field.
I don’t believe that. He’ll be in center unless McLouth throws a hissy fit (which I doubt he will). I mean, doesn’t that make the most sense? Having your best outfielder playing center is usually the way it works, right?
semiballcoach
June 15th, 2009
11:19 pm
they used to rave about javy lopez publicly too
Roman Gal
June 15th, 2009
11:19 pm
RHR-
I love Chipper. He’s the reason I remember the 1995 season.
Roman Gal
June 15th, 2009
11:20 pm
Arrrgh!
Gutfeld
June 15th, 2009
11:20 pm
Chop Chop
My suggestion that the Braves move McCann to 1B is in no way a knock on him. I think he does a fine job behind the plate and as you said, he’s easily one of the top 2-3 offensive catchers in the game. That kind of offense from a catcher is indeed very hard to come by. However, if we’re strapped for cash and offense, I’d rather have McCann’s bat in the lineup everyday, especially when we know Chipper is going to miss 35 or 40 games a year. That ends up being 60-65 games or more a season without our top two hitters. If we had the resources to pick up at least two more legit bats, I’d say leave McCann behind the plate.
Doc Holiday
June 15th, 2009
11:21 pm
Chop Chop,
I have to completely disagree with you about Chippers defense………..he is a great fielding 3b. Not the best in the league but solid enough.
RHR (Filling in for The Fann)
June 15th, 2009
11:21 pm
Not only did he want him to be his personal catcher, but the very first time Mac caught him Smoltzy said it was the best called game he had ever pitched. What now, foo?
RHR
June 15th, 2009
11:24 pm
*Tosses Roman Gal an eye patch*
That’s enough foolishness out of me for one night. Night folks.
cabravesfan
June 15th, 2009
11:24 pm
How did we even get back on the “Mac to 1st base” topic? We have one of the best catchers in the league, and probably the best defensive 1st baseman, who’s also not bad with the bat…why change that? We have much more pressing needs then forcing one of our best players into a position he has no interest in playing (or replacing our top defensive player)
Coach (2010 or Bust)
June 15th, 2009
11:26 pm
Steve, good stuff at 9:48 p.m.
After just ten games the sample size concerning Nate Mclouth is rather small.
.244 BA, .311 OBP, .366 SLG, not good. It’s just that he is a career .260 hitter with a career .338 OBP.
Don’t get me wrong, McLouth is a fine addition to the team. The youngster reminds me of Andy Van Slyke in many ways except that nobody ever mistook Van Slyke for a lead off hitter.
So, what is my point? McLouth can hit in the two hole or somewhere in the bottom third of the batting order. He isn’t the lead off guy our Braves are looking for. Sorry Frank, nice try, But NO DICE.
My two cents. Luis Durango. there’s the answer. Go get him Frank, you’ll look like a genius and I’ll take no credit for it.
Roman Gal
June 15th, 2009
11:26 pm
You’re right, cabravesfan.
So how about that Jeff Francoeur fella?
(jk. jk)
cabravesfan
June 15th, 2009
11:26 pm
RHR-
You can’t leave yet! What if I need more backup??
cabravesfan
June 15th, 2009
11:27 pm
Roman Gal-
I love Jeff. You know I love Jeff. I want him to be good. I will leave it at that
Anonymous Caller
June 15th, 2009
11:31 pm
Doc Holiday
We’re in fourth place and 6.5 games back of the leaders. Head over to the Wild Card race and we’re 4.0 games out but in 8th place. We’re also entering a stretch of our schedule that may sink us to a level of not seeing .500 again until 2010.
Even in mid-June, it’s almost impossible to make up that kind of margin when you have to jump that many teams … especially when you take into account that we can’t take on any more salary to fill our needs. It’s time to stop looking at 2009 and look for 2010 and beyond.
Our two best hitters are only on pace to hit 20-24 HRs… that’s not going to cut it. We can’t be a team that relies on small ball when we’ve got no speed and three holes in our lineup.
And you guys are forgetting the last four years that have been exactly the same way. Anyone that really thinks this roster is that of a winning team needs to reevaluate themselves. The Pitching is there….the Hitting and the Defense is not!…We’re not one hitter away from the Playoffs.
Personally, I think 2010 and 2011 are the two years we have to try and win the title.
Roman Gal
June 15th, 2009
11:32 pm
cabravesfan-
Me too, but I don’t even know how he can fit his big ol’ fat head through the doorway! Boy has GOT to learn some humility…or something…
Maybe if he wasn’t convinced he was God’s gift to baseball, he would realize he sucks and needs to get better.
Coach (2010 or Bust)
June 15th, 2009
11:36 pm
Atlanta’s current odds of making the playoffs stand at 8.8 percent. In other words, There is a 91 percent probability that this team will miss the playoffs for the fourth season in a row.
Doc Holiday
June 15th, 2009
11:36 pm
cabravesfan,
Its called…………..lack of offense.
cabravesfan
June 15th, 2009
11:37 pm
Roman Gal-
I can’t make a fair judgement on Jeff because I don’t get the same info you all in the south get, but I have never thought Jeff was arrogent…stubborn, sure. Maybe a little overconfident, maybe even a little naive at times, but not arrogent. But like I said, my info is limited
cabravesfan
June 15th, 2009
11:38 pm
Doc Holiday-
Not sure I follow…what are you refering to?
Salamander
June 15th, 2009
11:38 pm
Maybe if he wasn’t convinced he was God’s gift to baseball, he would realize he sucks and needs to get better.
Maybe if he had struggled at any level before the majors – he’d have woke the fu-k up before he was shoulder deep in strike outs and singles. I wonder if he had been drafted by someone else if he would have turned out better… perhaps being so close to home has spoiled him in some ways.
The Lammer
June 15th, 2009
11:38 pm
Can anybody else think of two positional prospects like this that an organization has so much invested in? Freeman and Heyward are supposed to be key pieces of the “new” Atlanta Braves for years to come. .
NotAgain
June 15th, 2009
11:39 pm
Ground your speculations in facts. One fact about Tex is that HE MADE NO DIFFERENCE TO THE BRAVES’ BOTTOM-LINE NUMBER OF WINS in his full year here RANDOM
Getting tired of hearing that argument. It was specious when you started and still is.
Coach (2010 or Bust)
June 15th, 2009
11:40 pm
McCann isn’t going anywhere. Other than the starting pitching, the catching corp. of McCann and Ross isn’t broken and it doesn’t need fixing. Leave it alone.
Roman Gal
June 15th, 2009
11:42 pm
Salamander-
Probably, because he knows he’s the hometown boy and doesn’t have to work as hard as others. Then again, maybe he needs a tougher manager than Bobby Cox, someone to get on his case for his struggles. I don’t know, I really do want him to succeed, but ever since he made such a big deal about being sent down to the minors last year, well…I just can’t get over it. Even Brett Freaking Myers took his demotion like a man!!
Doc Holiday
June 15th, 2009
11:42 pm
Anonymous Caller,
Hey………we have the pitching to put a 15 out of 20 winning streak. All we need to do is score 1 or 2 more runs in half the close games we lose………..How hard can that be if we add the adequate bat?
Gutfeld
June 15th, 2009
11:42 pm
Coach
Your 11:26pm post regarding McLouth is classic. You’re basing everything on his first 10 games with the Braves. McLouth had a .351 OBP in 2007, a .356 OBP last year and a .349 OBP this year prior to the trade.
Looking further into McLouth’s stats, one would see that he posted a .362 OBP and .895 OPS in 82 games batting leadoff last year. He posted a .360 OBP and .849 OPS in 49 games from the leadoff spot in 2007. He’s tallied a .356 OBP and .868 OPS in 10 games from the leadoff spot so far this season.
Yep, but I’d go ahead and say that based on 10 games with the Braves that he’s not cut out for the leadoff job. It’s even more hysterical for you to say that he should bat “somewhere in the bottom third of the batting order”. I nearly sprayed my screen with Dr. Pepper when I read that line.
cabravesfan
June 15th, 2009
11:44 pm
Salamander-
That is actually a very fair point, and one I have often wondered also. If the local media had not heaped so much praise and sunshine on Jeff, maybe fans would think differently about him or he would not feel so much pressure to be “that guy.” Who knows?
Doc Holiday
June 15th, 2009
11:46 pm
cabravesfan,
I was referring to the fact we need to move Mc to 1b
Salamander
June 15th, 2009
11:49 pm
I feel bad for him taking so much heat in his hometown – especially because its pretty clear that he reads what others say about him in the papers and on the net (bad idea Jeff).
He will probably be a better player somewhere else… i just don’t see him turning it around here.
bravos2249
June 15th, 2009
11:50 pm
Even our backup catcher is hitting better than half the team.
Roman Gal
June 15th, 2009
11:50 pm
If the local media had not heaped so much praise and sunshine on Jeff…
There’s the problem. When he was called up, he was hitting the daylights off the ball. He was hitting around .400 for a really long time. Of course there were going to tons of stories about how amazing he was and we would have been extremely mad if there had not been. I do think, however, that the immediate and prolonged success his rookie year probably led to his downfall. He just thought he was good enough that he didn’t really need to make adjustments…I think he still struggles with that. I’m not saying I don’t think he tries to make adjustments, just that he’s trying to be 2005 Jeff, when that’s not who he needs to be.