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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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TurnThePage
July 26th, 2009
7:23 pm
Frankie Wren, I bet you a dollar to a donut that Jason Heyward is up by season’s end. You have to at least let him check out the surroundings in the big leagues even if you start him out at Gwinnett next season.
Rob from SC
July 26th, 2009
7:24 pm
Frankie Wren
I am just telling you what writers and scouts are saying. Some scouts think he might be ready now. They know a lot more than you and I do. They say he is a special kid.
N Nine
July 26th, 2009
7:25 pm
Jeff R While it is a head scratcher, this was all Bobby Cox. I doubt Wren had much to do with this decision.
scotty doo
July 26th, 2009
7:25 pm
No post game tonight CR? Or did i totally miss it?
Carroll Rogers
July 26th, 2009
7:26 pm
Derek Lowe for you:
“I went from the most part getting groundballs to what amounts to about 1,000 feet of two outs and a home run. The four runs were huge, give you a little cushion there. not to say you have pitched any different in a close game. I’m trying to throw a strike one, (Hart) did a good job of hitting a home run. Then the play of the game is the Kendall ball. That inning really could have unraveled, but Nate makes a great play.”
and of course, Lowe being his jovial self added “I was waving him over there.”
Carroll Rogers
July 26th, 2009
7:27 pm
wow, that made me look quick, scotty doo….no just running a little later with a day game, trying to crunch the blog in there before the game, pushes things back a little bit. but more quotes coming…
Frankie Wren
July 26th, 2009
7:27 pm
No doubt the kid is money. I just don’t see him getting to the Bigs before September. Infante can fill in the outfield so we have depth. Can’t wait to see this guy though. Unbelievable what he’s done in 60 plus AB’s since he’s been promoted.
Rob from SC
July 26th, 2009
7:27 pm
TurnThePage
I agree 100%. That iss why Frank Wren doesn’t say no when reporters ask if Heyward could make his debut this season. If they call him up and he does well, it can add a extra type of excitement to this team. There are people on this board in favor of calling him up, while others don’t want to rush him. The truth is that none of us know what Frank Wren is thinking on the matter. Kid is tearing up Double A. Tons of XBH.
TurnThePage
July 26th, 2009
7:27 pm
I would like to be a fly on the wall in Frank Wren’s office right now. The team is playing really well, he knows he has moves that could be made, probably has a few good offers, has prospects begging to be called up and has all of us to advise him. What a life!
Bear
July 26th, 2009
7:28 pm
RHR, I agree. I like scoots’choice of Mo-Fickee, also. Did you know that Mo Fickee used to be a utility infielder for the Toledo Mud Hens? Good glove, no stick.
Rob from SC
July 26th, 2009
7:29 pm
Frankie Wren
The most impressive stat is he has walked 11 times and only k’d 4. THey are not fooling him at all.
Carroll Rogers
July 26th, 2009
7:29 pm
McCann: “We came in here and won a series against a good team that’s right in the wildcard hunt. Everybody’s happy. Everybody’s playing loose. It’s the way it should be.”
And yes, can’t remember who pointed out the Chipper yawn, but yep, Chipper said that’s a little inside joke he has with McCann like, hey, show me something I haven’t seen already.
And Casey Kotchman on his homer:
“I had two strikes,” Kotchman said. “Just trying to protect the plate and able to get a decent enough piece of the bat on it.”
And Kotchman on Braves hitting overall: “We’re just trying to have productive at-bats and get the most out of each pitch and not let any go to waste.”
TurnThePage
July 26th, 2009
7:29 pm
Ms. Rogers, what is your feel about any tinkering with the roster? Do you get the feel that Frank Wren may leave the team alone or will he do something on a minor scale?
Rob from SC
July 26th, 2009
7:31 pm
TurnThePage
The interview Bill Shanks had with Heyward really told me where his head was. He said from the day he was drafted that he wanted to be in the Major Leagues by the end of 2009. He talked about how he liked Double A because pitchers were more around the plate. He wants to play in the ML now.
Carroll Rogers
July 26th, 2009
7:31 pm
Finally, I give you KJ on his offensive output:
“You would like to do that every day if you could,” he said. “Going through what’s been going on the last couple weeks, it’s nice to do that in your first start coming back.”
And KJ on the team overall:
“I think everybody is pretty confident,” he said. “You can tell just by being in the dugout and around the team. Everybody knows that when they get a chance to do something, they’re going to do it to the best of their ability. Everybody is so confident, we’re playing great. There’s a lot of positives, driving runs in, big hits, getting on base, walks, we’re doing a lot of things. It’s really fun to watch, especially when I was gone for a couple weeks. That is about when everybody turned a corner overall. For me, being gone, you can really see it. Really good stuff.”
Frankie Wren
July 26th, 2009
7:32 pm
Rob from SC,
That is unbelievable. Confidence does not seem to be a problem with this guy. Pretty damn exciting.
McFann ;Ô;
July 26th, 2009
7:32 pm
dogsbrekky–
Now I was eating my din-din and missed your comment.
Grilled chicken legs…hmm…
Anyway…that would sure be nice–BMac smashing some lefties, I mean. All RH starting pitchers in the Marlins series (but Josh Johnson in the middle game…ugh).
Guy is s star.
There’s no denying that! Well, some people try on here have tried to say he [stinks], but they cann never back up their statements.
TurnThePage I didn’t forget Brian McCann. Mac is such a pro. He goes about his business not matter what happens around him.
So true. I’m so glad we get to watch BMac play. Just a real pro, great attitude…got real baseball smarts. And humility (something I need to work on apparently. Hey, but when your bragging about someone else, does that count against humility?
)
Seriously, though…the guy could totally be a HOF’er someday.
Carroll Rogers
July 26th, 2009
7:33 pm
Turn the page. I can see them doing something minor to get bullpen help, but if I’m him, i really don’t want to disrupt what’s going on with the offense. But we shall see, eh?
Lew
July 26th, 2009
7:33 pm
dogs-LewHartman@comcast.net
McFann ;Ô;
July 26th, 2009
7:34 pm
Thanks for the quotes, Ms. Rogers!
And yes, can’t remember who pointed out the Chipper yawn, but yep, Chipper said that’s a little inside joke he has with McCann like, hey, show me something I haven’t seen already.
Love it!
Rob from SC
July 26th, 2009
7:36 pm
Frankie Wren
That is my point. He is so confident in his abilities that even “IF” he struggles upon getting called up, it won’t hurt him long term. The kid is ready. I would call him up the last week of August. I don’t want to hear any super two crap. He gives us a better chance to win than Ryan Church.
dogsbrekky
July 26th, 2009
7:36 pm
Lew thanks will resend now
Good night and god bless all (well those 99.9% that believe in god)
McFann ;Ô;
July 26th, 2009
7:37 pm
Dang…the replay doesn’t show Chipper’s yawn. I missed it when it actually happened.
Soph
July 26th, 2009
7:38 pm
Haaa, love the “yawn” joke thing between Chipper and B-Mac.
stamper
July 26th, 2009
7:38 pm
oh snap, baseball tonight likes the braves chances for the NL Wildcard.
Frankie Wren
July 26th, 2009
7:38 pm
I think Ms. Carroll is right. Yesterday was a bummer but the guy did pitch lights out. 20 runs in 3 games following great homestead. If they hit in FLA and win the series I would be surprised if anything is done and ride this out till October.
monty
July 26th, 2009
7:40 pm
As I said before, about a week ago, just keep playing good baseball and keep pace with the Phillies for now and send a message, “hey, we are for real, and we’re not going away.” MAke em think, “what do we have to do to put some distance between us and those guys,we’re winning but so are they!” The Phillies now know they can’t let up.
MJM
July 26th, 2009
7:44 pm
That wasn’t bad base running by Escobar. That was a balk. That front leg went toward the plate.
TurnThePage
July 26th, 2009
7:45 pm
I can see KJ riding from Miller Park waving like a beauty queen in a parade. Monty, I don’t see Atlanta sending any message to the Phillies. They just don’t lose. Even without any pitching. They continue to lose pitchers and continue to win. They have to feel like Atlanta felt last year.
N Nine
July 26th, 2009
7:49 pm
Life is gooood. Braves winning and pitching great… And own 2 of the top 11 minors. When was the last time Braves owned the #1 prospect? Andruw Jones in 1996? Amazing how one year changes the team, this time last season we were trading the best player. This has got a Falcons feel good story.
Shamus Thacker
July 26th, 2009
7:50 pm
McFann: Now I was eating my din-din and missed your comment. Grilled chicken legs…hmm…
Coals, wood, or gas?
Goldenglove002
July 26th, 2009
7:52 pm
I’m really liking our chances in this Florida series. JJ and Javy have the advantage over the opposing pitcher in their matchups, And KK seems to always match-up against every teams ace. And alot of the time he pitches well enough to keep with them. The way the bats have been going, I would be surprised to see the Braves lose the series. I even think a sweep could be a possibilty.
On another topic, what does everyone think of the chances of a Braves player winning an award of some sort this year. Possibilities:
Cy Young: Jair Jurjjens and Javy Vazquez have to atleast get some consideration. Maybe not so much JJ because of his lack of K’s, but Vazquez’s numbers have been amazing this year. He is 11th in ERA in the NL (2.98), 2nd in K’s (150), 3rd in WHIP (1.07), 2nd in K/BB (5.56) and 8th in OppAVG. (.232). If Javy can win the majority of his starts from here on out you have to think his competition is mostly Dan Haren and Tim Lincecum.
ROY: Tommy Hanson and Kenshin Kawakami. I don’t think Kawakami will win it, but he has pitched well in a few big matchups this year. Should atleast draw some consideration depending on what he does the rest of the year. Tommy hanson on the other hand has a very strong chance. Hanson has 5 wins already in only 9 appearances. For comparison JA Happ has won 7 in 24 appearances and Randy Wells has 6 in 14 appearances. He leads rookie starters in ERA (2.95) and 3rd in QS%. Not going to run away with it yet, but should be considered 3rd or better if you were to rank NL rookies right now. Kawakami does recieve a bonus if he places in the top 3rd in ROY voting.
MVP: Yunel Escobar and Martin Prado. Ok, hear me out on this one. Their numbers in no way say they are the best player out there, but I believe in the idea that the MVP should be the player that leads his team to the playoffs. If the Braves do make it, it is no doubt looking like either Prado or Escobar should be considered the ones that helped to do it. Now I don’t think we can say Pujols isn’t going to end up MVP, but these are two players that would end up deserving of some recognition.
Rolaids Relief: Rafael Soriano is 2nd to Jonathan Broxton in K’s among relievers and 3rd in ERA for relievers (2nd among closers behind Ryan Franklin. He is also 5th in WHIP (2nd in NL) in a ver tight race among the top few. He also recieves $100,000 for winning the award and $50,000 for 2nd-5th.
RHR
July 26th, 2009
7:57 pm
Hey was this Rickey’s first time on the HOF ballot?
Frankie Wren
July 26th, 2009
7:59 pm
Goldenglove,
Good points and love the optimism but MVP consideration for the middle infielders? Big stretch there. MVP’s for the team but c’mon.
Frankie Wren
July 26th, 2009
8:01 pm
N Nine,
I haven’t felt this good since being at the Ted watching B-Mac go yard against Clemons as a rook in game two of 05 playoffs(last playoff win BTW)
CB
July 26th, 2009
8:01 pm
RHR, yes it was.
Heath
July 26th, 2009
8:03 pm
At the end of June 27th:
Rockies: 39-35
Braves: 34-40(5 games back of Colorado.)
At the end of July 26th (One month):
Rockies: 54-44
Braves: 51-48 (3.5 games back)
The Rockies have been playing good baseball for quite a long time… the Braves, however, have been just a bit better (1.5 games better). Catching the Phillies is going to be hard, but catching the Rockies isn’t going to be easy either.
THWG
July 26th, 2009
8:03 pm
Goldenglove- Haren or Lincecum will win NLCY, Pujols will win MVP whether or not the Cards make the playoffs, although if StL missed out on the playoffs altogether that would be the only way he doesn’t win it. I’m afraid J.A. Happ has the edge in ROY, only because he has a few more wins and a few less points on his ERA. If a Brave wins anything, I’d bet on Tommy.
Frankie Wren
July 26th, 2009
8:06 pm
Heath,
Rockies are playing solid and they will be the team we will have to chase and overtake as well as the Cards I think. A bummer if Dodgers run away with that division early.
Goldenglove002
July 26th, 2009
8:07 pm
Yeah, I don’t expect to see either of them win MVP, but if I had a vote and Pujols wasn’t in the NL I would definitely consider one of them. Of course I’m a huge homer, so…
Goldenglove002
July 26th, 2009
8:09 pm
THWG-
Unless ESPN has the numbers wrong, Tommy is edging Happ in ERA right now (2.95 for Tommy vs. 2.97 for Happ)
JasonInFL
July 26th, 2009
8:12 pm
yeah, and i am not trying to be negative, but man; those blown games in colorado right before the break are huge!
Carpe Diem
July 26th, 2009
8:12 pm
’ll take Garko!! —J Man
has anything that guy posts ever actually happened? Cause if so I don’t remember it. Just another wannabe GM who collects rumors some of which like the Garko think, he fabricates out of thin air
The Bird and Indian
July 26th, 2009
8:13 pm
I love how the blog gets quiet after wins because they have nothing to complain about. You never see Joebrave, Unknown, Random, or Coach on here after wins. It is much more pleasant without them. It was good to see Kelly perform well today. I wish we had him and Brooks instead of Norton.
Braveheart
July 26th, 2009
8:13 pm
I’m also looking forward to the Florida series. It would be nice to see the Braves stomp ‘em. Hate to say any series is a “statement series”, but it sure would be nice if the Braves could put the Fish back in their place.
The Braves have done a really good job of that of late against contenders they are fighting against in the wild card and/or division. Swept the Phils, took 2 of 3 from the Cubs, split a series with the Rockies, took 3 of 4 from the Mets, took 3 of 4 from the Giants, took 2 of 3 from the Brewers. That’s 15-6 against teams they are in the fight against. And right before that, although they were only 3-6 against the Yanks and Red Sox, I felt like they made a statement against those teams by showing they could battle and not back down against them. If they do so well against quality teams like that though, why do they fall asleep against the Nats?
Now, it’s time to make a statement against the Marlins. The silliness of labeling it a statement series though is that if you look at the schedule the rest of the way, every series the rest of the way shapes up to be a brawl, or a statement series, with the exception of a few Reds, Pods, and Nats series. Not many easy wins the rest of the way just like there haven’t been that many the last month or so. The good news though is that they’ve shown they can hang with the best, and that they can beat evenly matched teams.
The Bird and Indian
July 26th, 2009
8:16 pm
I was just wondering about the pick-off on Yunel. I only heard it so I didn’t know what happened exactly. I’m a big Yunel fan as you know but was it another mental mistake or was it just a great move? My friend gave me a hard time about Yunel making another mistake and I told him you don’t know if you didn’t see it. When Yunel hits a homer though he is back on the wagon.
Dies Irae
July 26th, 2009
8:16 pm
ou consistently cite stupid things like batting average and RBI to defend your positions STEVE OH
hey there is nothing stupid about BA
Heath
July 26th, 2009
8:17 pm
Frankie Wren -
Colorado is definitely the team to beat in the WC race. I am not that worried about SF (not enough offense) or STL for that matter.
Records since June 27th:
COL: 15-9
ATL: 17-8
___________
STL: 12-13
SFO: 13-12
dawg22
July 26th, 2009
8:17 pm
What was the deal with the scouts in chicago?
Frankie Wren
July 26th, 2009
8:17 pm
Last game in Colorado was a total buzz kill no doubt. The one that’s staying with me though is Hanson’s gem in Washington. Going after 6 straight and up 3-0 in the 6th. Nobody out first and second and BC had been playing small ball of late. Yunel(before he goes on surge) up and instead of having him bunt, grounds in 6-4-3. Instead of possibly being up 5-0 we pull a rock and gag. That one stays with me.
The A Bomb
July 26th, 2009
8:18 pm
I still see the Braves axing Norton sometime soon. . . It’s not like he brings some sort of speciality to the team (maybe switch hitting). . . He’s paid to hit. . . he’s not hitting. . . It’s the major leagues and a pennant race. You can get ANYBODY who would hit higher off the bench at this point. Being a vet carries only so much weight.
THWG
July 26th, 2009
8:18 pm
Goldenglove- You’re right. Hanson does have a very slight edge in the ERA category. I knew it was close, but Happ does have 7 wins. And of course, that’s all the committee will look at. That and Happ’s 71 K’s to Hanson’s 37. Then again, Happ has pitched almost twice the innings as Hanson, so their K/9 are virtually the same.
Vinings Jim
July 26th, 2009
8:20 pm
Apparently my inability to watch the game brought the Braves good luck today – unfortunately, that’s the last time that will happen for a while. I was able to receive periodic updates from a reliable source, so I was able to imagine the way the blog was progressing throughout the afternoon.
dawg22
July 26th, 2009
8:20 pm
Mentions some trades, what do yall think will make the club better, TELL ME?
Frankie Wren
July 26th, 2009
8:22 pm
Heath,
Rockies are the team to beat and you know, I really despise that team now and their guppy firstbaseman who refuses trades and can’t hit outside of Triple A ballpark.
I think the Redbirds will play better although Holliday is no guarantee but will make everybody around them better. D-Ro will help them out as well but Chi will win that division.
nolie
July 26th, 2009
8:27 pm
Johnson and Prado are both better than Infante (Rob SC)
I agree except for versatility
McFann ;Ô;
July 26th, 2009
8:27 pm
Shamus–
Gas.
Frankie Wren I haven’t felt this good since being at the Ted watching B-Mac go yard against Clemons as a rook in game two of 05 playoffs
OMGosh, you were at that game? I’m so jealous…we went to game one–my Dad got free tickets. To this day, I always say, “If only he’d gotten free tickets to Game Two!”…
Hey, but game one was still fun (even if they did lose…)
nolie
July 26th, 2009
8:31 pm
Norton and Diory need to hit the road. (Mitchell)
one of them will when Infante gets back, likely Diory
Manfred von Göring
July 26th, 2009
8:33 pm
Enough with Conrad. 29 year old minor league journeyman is sent packing and you’d think the Braves traded McCann to the Mets to get Francoeur back or something by the outrage here.
I know Conrad is better than Norton, but he isn’t good enough to get riled over.
Frankie Wren
July 26th, 2009
8:33 pm
McFann,
Awesome atmosphere(night game) and I think that tator went a long way to make B-Mac the player he is right now. I also went to game 1 and remember cringing seeing Brian Jordan in LF starting that day. Can’t wait to see another October game hopefully soon.
Gov. Clinton Tyree
July 26th, 2009
8:33 pm
Frankie Wren: I believe Goldengloves is guilty of a little “irrational exuberance”. But you know what? It’s about time we had that feeling around here.
17-8 for the last 25. Carry that over the last 63, and we win 94. Screw the wildcard, I want the division. We’re taking the Phillies’ best shot right now and hanging in. They’ll cool off. I’m not so sure we will.
Frankie Wren
July 26th, 2009
8:41 pm
Gov,
I agree this team isn’t going anywhere and will stay in the hunt. Huge mountain to climb but the Phils Mkting Dept better hold off advertising playoff tixs. 9 games will go a long way in deciding what happens in the East. I didn’t see this at the break but were not even in August yet. Can’t ask anymore than playing in meaningful games.
Heath
July 26th, 2009
8:41 pm
Gov. Clinton Tyree -
For the Braves to play .680 ball to end the season…that would be something. It just might get them the division, too. That said, I don’t think that will happen. I think they have a better chance at .620 ball to get to 90 wins.
NO MORE BOBBY
July 26th, 2009
8:41 pm
PRADO is my second baseman!!!!
NotAgain
July 26th, 2009
8:43 pm
(Other than KJ for a good Middle reliever) Tomahawkin
you sure are gonna look like a fool (again I mean) when Johnson does not get traded for a middle reliever
NO MORE BOBBY
July 26th, 2009
8:45 pm
Even KJ knows deep down we are better without him.
It’s really fun to watch, especially when I was gone for a couple weeks. That is about when everybody turned a corner overall. – KJ
Duh! Stay gone!
brent a.
July 26th, 2009
8:45 pm
of all the games we’ve lost this year; I think the one that hurt us the most is the loss to Colorado on the last sunday before the AS break.
We were playing well before that game, and have played well since, and we even played well for most of that game; but blew it late.
Had we taken that one, the WC race would be thatmuchtighter.
brent a.
July 26th, 2009
8:47 pm
Frankie Wren,
Bobby’s line-up for Game 1 of the 2005 NLDS was a complete and utter travesty.
Frankie Wren
July 26th, 2009
8:47 pm
Manfred,
Agree about Conrad. Nice guy, big hits and played well. Hope to see him in September. Can’t get over GM Lentz bitching about him though. Kelly Johnson was horrible in first half no doubt. Dude belongs in the bigs though just not a starter on this team. He will help us out the next two months more than Conrad would.
Couch Tater
July 26th, 2009
8:48 pm
I hope everyone gets a chance to see/listen to Tony Kubek’s words from Cooperstown. For those of us who grew up listening to Tony on NBC, it brought back great memories. It also doesn’t hurt that he walked away from a big salary because of he didn’t want to fetch Calzones for Mr. Steinbrenner.
http://bats.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/07/22/kubeks-new-life/
Frankie Wren
July 26th, 2009
8:52 pm
brent a,
Huddy was disappointing that game as well and unfortunately didn’t happen. Dude pitched his peaches off though in Houston though although we tanked in extras. STILL cannot believe that series did not get back to ATL!!!!!
PWHjort
July 26th, 2009
8:54 pm
See Adam Milligan hit his 3rd HR in 2 days?
Piedmont Blues (x-BFIR)
July 26th, 2009
8:54 pm
As much as it’ll get some folks’ knickers in a twist, it would not surprise me if KJ stays in the lineup for the next few games. For one thing, Kelly’s notoriously streaky, so you should keep him in there until he cools off. Prado could also use a day or two off (and could give Kotchman an extra game if needed).
And if KJ is being showcased, now’s the perfect time to regain his stroke at the plate …
Turn the Page — the Braves don’t need to make any decision about Conrad; they can keep him in the minors until September.
Heath
July 26th, 2009
8:56 pm
Braves have scored 67 runs since the All Star break….keeping their offensive surge going. That’s over 6 runs a game over that 11 game stretch–3 games in double digits. The offense has been really good for a month now… If they can keep this up for the next month too…should be interesting.
stamper
July 26th, 2009
8:57 pm
personally, i believe that if the Cards DONT make the playoffs, the NL MVP will go to Raul Ibanez. He’s been absolutely insane this year. Career year, and he has made all the difference for the Phils this year.
the only way i see Pujols winning the MVP is if the Cards win the Central.
Dies Irae
July 26th, 2009
8:58 pm
The name of the game is SCORING RUNS. Not only could Garret knock in runs… (Paul L0
OK now you are starting to sound stupid.
and so what if Garrett never bulked up? You only bulk up if you work out more, Palmiera never bulked up. most pitchers never bulked up. Pretty worthless argument there.
Goldenglove002
July 26th, 2009
8:58 pm
If we want to talk about what game might hurt us the most, then I think we should really be looking back to April 8th when we really blew the game against the Phillies. The way momentum works out after a series sweep (or in the Phillies case avoiding the sweep) things could be alot closer between Atlanta and Philadelphia
NO MORE BOBBY
July 26th, 2009
8:58 pm
French Boy has three doubles and is traded day after. Can we be so lucky same thing happens to Johnson tomorrow?
Gov. Clinton Tyree
July 26th, 2009
9:00 pm
Frankie Wren and Heath: One game at a time, boys. Starting pitching that gives you the chance to win every day leads to obscenely long hot streaks, like 36-8.
We got it and now we’re all arguing over how to best deploy the 24th and 25th spots on the roster. Beats the hell out of saying, “My God, how long can they go with ?
Best time I’ve had as a Braves fan since the improbable stretch run in ‘05. Then we had a sense of playing over our heads.
Now we’re wondering how to fit six bonafide starters into five slots, whether our middle infielders are worthy of MVP candidancy, which of about four good choices is our “ace” and when to optimally bring up Baseball America’s #1 prospect in all of baseball.
We are playing in October, gentlemen. And ladies.
Dies Irae
July 26th, 2009
9:01 pm
Sociologists would say that you have offended the beliefs and sensibilities of those high on the blog hierarchy and as such, group reinforcing behavior must manifest itsel ForReal
and people with common sense would say that if you are stupid enough to usually agree with Dense then you are too stupid for anyone to waste time reading.
McFann ;Ô;
July 26th, 2009
9:04 pm
Frankie–
I’ll bet the atmosphere was great! And yeah, I think that really launched BMac’s career–hey, he hit .333 the next year! Just a great, great moment. Don’t remember if I saw his MLB Debut, but I do remember watching that game and seeing that homer. Though I’m not sure I appreciated it as much at the time as I do now.
I want to see the Braves play some October Ball again!!
Heath
July 26th, 2009
9:05 pm
A Braves win in the first game of the series on Tuesday can get the Braves back to their high-water point for the season at 4 games above .500…back when they were 5-1. Guess what happened? The Marlins came to town and swept us and we’ve trying to bounce back ever since. I HOPE that $hit doesn’t happen again. The Braves need to get some payback this series by sweeping them.
Useless
July 26th, 2009
9:05 pm
J.P. just agreed to trade Halladay to Nats for Dunn+3 prospects.
Frankie Wren
July 26th, 2009
9:06 pm
Goldenglove,
I guess the reality is playing 162 games. We won some we should not have(Francouer’s rare bomb tying the Cubs in the 9th where it looked like a no no might happen that night comes to mind.) Long season and we are where we are by no accident. 60 plus game though is a lifetime and if we make the playoffs it will be because we deserve to.
Goldenglove002
July 26th, 2009
9:06 pm
Piedmont Blues-
I agree. When was the last time Prado got a day off? He barely played every other game before being named starter. It’s gotta start wearing him down eventually. But I’m very afraid to be taking the risk of hurting our lineup in what could be a very critical series (of course what series isn’t critical at this point).
Stamper-
Ibanez is having an amzing year (which I saw coming following the move to Citizens Bank Park), but I don’t know if he’d be deserving of an MVP. He isn’t neccesarilly carrying that team, rather just another part working perfectly in that offensive machine. Of course, everyone here has already seen how different my view of what MVP is.
Frankie Wren
July 26th, 2009
9:16 pm
Gov,
Touche. Food tastes a little better and the beer flows smoother right now. 6 teams ahead of you in WC and 6 out at the break. I didn’t see this a week and a half later. It’s all good.
fastasballs
July 26th, 2009
9:21 pm
Gov. Clinton Tyree, Those are excellent points. This season is taking shape & for once I don’t think it’s a smoke screen. The foundation is built on starting pitching & the Braves have plenty with more on the way. The past three seasons were a disaster from a pitching perspective, although a lot of that was due to injury.
I’ll give it Wren, he made tough decisions not to bring back Glavine/Smoltz & he took a lot of heat over it, but they were the correct decisions to make. He didn’t want to risk the rotation on injury & he’s being rewarded right now.
The offense is taking shape & they are healthy. There was a tough stretch where the Braves had up to 5 easy outs in the line up. Some was due to injuries, but a lot was due to Schafer & Francoeur. Pitchers can’t relax when they get to the bottom of the order any longer. 1-8 on most days will give you quality at bats.
Rob from SC
July 26th, 2009
9:21 pm
Why does everyone want Johnson to fail. The Braves are a much better team if both Martin Prado and Kelly Johnson succeed. Martin Prado can also play 1b which would give Johnson more at-bats if warrented. Prado is the starter, but I want Johnson to contribute. It does not have to be one or the other
Heath
July 26th, 2009
9:22 pm
In case anyone is interested;
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/9856518/Jays-GM-calls-chances-of-Halladay-deal-‘very-slim’
keylargo
July 26th, 2009
9:23 pm
Back on July 16, I wrote that while I appreciated what Martin Prado had done to jump start the Braves, he was not going to continue to hit .400 during July and .330 overall for the year.
Of course this was met with derision driven from some azz out in San Francisco. Starting with the Mets series that the Braves won 3 of 4 games, to this date when the Braves won 2 of 3 from the Brewers, Martin Prado has gone 12 for 47 for an average of .255. Were it not for one three hit game in which he had 3 seeing eye singles (two 5 hoppers between 3B and SS and one he hit off the end of the bat up the middle) he would be hitting .191 for this 11 game period.
Casey Kotchman, Yunnel Escobar, Brian McCann and even Kelly Johnson have contributed to this winning streak also. My point is that – that Martin Prado has helped but is not the sole reason the Braves are playing the kind of baseball we all wanted. And if you can’t give the credit to those Braves that deserve it, you aren’t really a Braves fan.
McFann ;Ô;
July 26th, 2009
9:29 pm
Anybody know where I cann find the clip of DOB on MLB Network? Doesn’t seem to be on mlb.com…
JasonInFL
July 26th, 2009
9:32 pm
a sweep of the fish would be sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeet, but i will settle for the series win
Flat Bill Kid
July 26th, 2009
9:32 pm
Who do you peoples think we might land in the reliever dept? And for whom?
Gov. Clinton Tyree
July 26th, 2009
9:36 pm
Think series win. Always series win. 2 of 3, 3 of 4. Can’t win ‘em all, but don’t want to lose momentum and positive feelings with unreasonable expectations.
Let’s go take 2 of 3 from the Marlins.
The Phillies will cool off – they have to. Good pitching beats good hitting in the long run. The Phillies do not have good pitching. They are living on borrowed time.
nolie
July 26th, 2009
9:41 pm
I wonder Nolie, how old are you? (JoeBrave)
I have no idea what that has to do with the fact that you can visit any stat listing and readily see that most players are shells of themselves after 36 or so, some younger than that.Very few are still producing all that much. Yes as I said there are exceptions, but they are so few as to prove the rule. Hell, just go look for awhile. If it matters, most on here probably know I am well into my 60s, the old fart of the night shift usually.
Frankie Wren
July 26th, 2009
9:42 pm
Keylargo,
I think astute braves fans attribute this run mostly due to Prado being inserted in the two hole as well as Yunel batting in a postion to drive in runs. Mostly having these two guys there day in a day out. This whole lineup is deserving of accolades this month. Prado is a big part of it(although the MVP talk is a little silly) but hitting is contagious and this team exudes confidence right now. Again I thought Friday nite we don’t win that game and they made me a believer now. BTW, your point about Prado BA has some holes as well. He may have some bleeders but he’s also hit some ropes to right side where he very well could have had 4 or 5 more hits and hitting over .350. Guy hit .320 last year and very well may end up with a similar avg when all is said and done
Gov. Clinton Tyree
July 26th, 2009
9:43 pm
Well, Flat Bill Kid, we’ve got Prado, Infante, Johnson and Conrad, all of whom primarily play 2B and all of whom could help a major league roster. I’m sure Prado and Infante will be on ours. KJ is probably the one going somewhere.
Maybe the answer is Joe Beimel in Washington. Qualls is nice. Maybe Linebrink and Thornton from the ChiSox, who have a serious hole at 2B.
RHR
July 26th, 2009
9:44 pm
one of them will when Infante gets back, likely Diory
It will obviously be Diory, but I’m smiling thinking of the reaction on the blog to Norton staying again.
Screw the wildcard, I want the division. We’re taking the Phillies’ best shot right now and hanging in. They’ll cool off. I’m not so sure we will.
I wish they would but unfortunately, I don’t see it happening. After sweeping them the Braves were within 2 and couldn’t close the deal. They swept the Phillies, got within 2 games and then promptly lost 2 in a row, 2 to the Nationals and then split the series with the rockies that they should have won. They had their chance. Since being swept by the Braves the Phillies put the gas pedal to the floor and have gone 17-3, in the same stretch the Bravos went 13-8. I mean, it could happen, and maybe it will start with this west coast trip they have coming up, but the likelihood of the Braves winning 7 or 8 games that the Phillies lose is pretty slim. I thought for sure the Cardinals would at least take the series if not sweep but nope…they just can’t lose.
Heath
July 26th, 2009
9:48 pm
DOB -
Was able to catch you on the tube today…the culmination of your awesome weekend experience. Now that all the HOF excitement is over, you got anything on potential trades for the Braves? Still think that only a relief pitcher is in the cards for the Braves? Only 5 days remaining and the lack of Braves trade rumors is starting to get a little worrisome.
RHR
July 26th, 2009
9:51 pm
Was Dave wearing his leather jacket?
Would have liked to see that but watching the braves was more important. I’m sure DOB did a fine job and thanks to him for all the neat updates he shared all weekend. Very interesting…made me start thinking about going up when Maddux goes in.