Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
2,867 comments Add your comment
JerseyBraves
July 26th, 2009
11:57 pm
Hey, .255 over 11 games is still a ton better than .217 over half a season. KJ is too streaky a player, and always has been. When he’s on, he’s amazing. When he’s off he is garbage. So if you are telling me that Prado is slumping at .255 then fine. It’s better than slumping at less than .200.
The A Bomb
July 26th, 2009
11:59 pm
Weathers would be a good fit but I hear he’s heading to the Dodgers because of his past relationship with Torre (Yankees). . .
We had Mahay before — I like him as well — but that would give us Logan, O’Flaherty, Gonzalez and Mahay in the ‘pen. That’s too lefthanded.
The A Bomb
July 27th, 2009
12:01 am
What is Norton, 36? I don’t think the minors is an option. He wouldn’t play over Canizares.
Doc Holiday
July 27th, 2009
12:03 am
Only 1 series left in july and we have lost 1 series this month……….TO THE NATIONALS.
We are on a freaking roll…………..Nats……….you will pay for your sins against us.
Fluffy McNutter
July 27th, 2009
12:05 am
Like I said before, those of you touting Mahay need to check his stats this season. I liked him when we had him before, but he’s not the same guy he’s been in past years. Right-handed hitters are TORCHING him this season and he hasn’t been nearly as dominant as normal against lefties.
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/5395/splits;_ylt=AllyDAoQaxC7Jjbljlz.NmmFCLcF
coach smith
July 27th, 2009
12:06 am
poor KAWAIKAMI…2 of the last 3 the Braves have lost, he started…and this time all of the pitching matchups are favorable with the Marlins EXCEPT…Josh Johnson vs Kawakami
Doc Holiday
July 27th, 2009
12:07 am
CK has more HR this month than what he had in april, may and june combined.
GA, 3 HR in june + 3 in july……….that is much better, it is a 18 HR rate for a season. not so bad for a platoon player.
Fluffy McNutter
July 27th, 2009
12:08 am
Norton’s next step is either another “DL” stint or his release. I think they just wanted to give him one last shot to show something since he hit well at Gwinnett. I’d imagine his time has just about come to an end and could end within the next couple of days.
Doc Holiday
July 27th, 2009
12:09 am
Mc is having a season high total for RBI this month………with 18.
Bear
July 27th, 2009
12:10 am
“Eric from Mo might be onto something, but I myself have had cortizone injections into the same joint 6 weeks apart. I don’t know that what you read did not mean that he had cortizone injections into the wrist at 3 different points, which would have been possible if a certain volume of cortizone was not exceeded.”
keylargo, I don’t know, maybe. What I do know is that it will drive me crazy (short trip) until I find where I read it. I’ve been very busy at work. This time of year, with everyone going on vacation, the rest of us get a lot of overtime. When it comes to the Braves, I don’t read much more than what is in the AJC. And lately, I haven’t read much of the blog, other than what Dave or Carroll write. I have to believe that one of them reported that.
UNCBrave
July 27th, 2009
12:11 am
HUDSON to the rotation, KK to the pen when Huddy gets back
Doc Holiday
July 27th, 2009
12:11 am
Lets put ourselves all alone in 2nd in the WC this week…………yes we can.
keylargo
July 27th, 2009
12:13 am
Mayhay is a free agent after this year. He is also making $4Million this year.
Norton is out of options which is why Conrad is in Gwinnett. He can be called up in Sept. Norton would have to be released.
Doc Holiday
July 27th, 2009
12:13 am
Medlen: no ER last 5 outings with 4 K and no walks in 5.2 IP.
The A Bomb
July 27th, 2009
12:16 am
And we wouldn’t have lost that series to the Nats if Bobby didn’t start celebrating Independence Day early by pulling Hanson.
Doc Holiday
July 27th, 2009
12:16 am
StL are next on the WC standings………..they get th Dodgers next………lets beat the fish and pass the cards………..
We would also need some help from muts as they take on the rockies.
Doc Holiday
July 27th, 2009
12:19 am
Moyer against Garland tomorrow in AZ.
Keep winning series after series will sure get us into october baseball.
The_Superhoo
July 27th, 2009
12:21 am
Watching highlights on MLBTV…can the Phillies leave their bandbox please? Geez.
RHR
July 27th, 2009
12:27 am
Cortisone shots administered in a tissue area (like kj’s) are not painful. You use a very small needle and a numbing agent is used with the shot. There isnt really a limit on how many shots of cortisone you can have, unless you are diabetic. it all depends on how the patient responds to the treatment. Like say you get 2 shots of cortisone and it doesnt help you then youre probably not going to get another. If you get 3 shots and it helps you for like a month then thats not helping either and your doctor will likely try another remedy. If effective cortisone shots should provide relief for 5-6 months.
With all that said i have no idea how many kj got but i do know that it is not unheard of or unreasonable that he got 3 in each wrist. Remember this works locally within the joint or tissue and does not enter the bloodstream. Also i know that tissue shots are not painful.
Doc Holiday
July 27th, 2009
12:31 am
RHR,
Are you a doctor?
N Nine
July 27th, 2009
12:33 am
Doc Holiday_ Hard to believe we’re already rooting for the Muts! The next few days features many good teams matched up, if we take 2 of 3 against the fish, we should be in great shape.
October baseball would be great, but November baseball would be even better….(Yes, WBC has pushed the WS)
Doc Holiday
July 27th, 2009
12:35 am
Phillies get on the road for the next few games. That works against us since they have a much much better record on the road. Maybe their mediocre pitching staff is helped when playing in pitchers parks.
RHR
July 27th, 2009
12:36 am
No Doc but im a former nurse and was married to a doctor. Is that good enough?
Doc Holiday
July 27th, 2009
12:38 am
N Nine,
2 of 3 from a hot florida team sounds fair to me. Even a sweep is possible. But at this point, winning the series is a must. We cant lose ground on any of the 2 races, we are way behind and losing ground could be fatal.
N Nine
July 27th, 2009
12:38 am
Wonder what Smoltzie is thinking right now… Wish I could delete this season and enter the HOF with Glav&Maddux?
MiaBchBravesFan
July 27th, 2009
12:39 am
Wonder how KK will handle a bullpen stint if in fact Hudson recovers quickly and can go a steady six-seven innings?
The A Bomb
July 27th, 2009
12:39 am
We cant worry about who’s leading what race right now. Keep winning series and things will take care of themselves. Seven in the next two weeks with the Dodgers. Won’t be easy.
RHR
July 27th, 2009
12:43 am
I feel bad for Smoltzie. Cant help it.
never wanted to see him go out like this. He was the man in his prime.
Doc Holiday
July 27th, 2009
12:45 am
RHR,
Good enough?Sounds good to me, but I was asking because as far as I know, Cortisone shots are one of the most painful treatments out there. And as far as I know, you can damage tissues if cortisone is not used carefully and used over and over again. Numbing agents are also very very painful, Im sure you knew all that. Just making sure.
RHR
July 27th, 2009
12:46 am
I think he could still be an effective bullpen guy for another
year or 2 or maybe even a closer but he appears to be done as a starter.
N Nine
July 27th, 2009
12:51 am
Doc holiday__ I don’t think this run is a fluke. We’re 4th in N.L with .266 avg, and sitting 3rd with a 3.72 avg. Two numbers that mesh well together. As A Bomb says, just win baby!
RHR I feel the same way. I just want him to retire so he’ll be like Ricky Henderson, but wearing a Braves cap.
Roman Gal
July 27th, 2009
12:53 am
the old fart of the night shift usually. nolie
Hahaha!! [cough]
Ahem…
RHR
July 27th, 2009
12:55 am
The area where kelly got his shots (anywhere near the wrist) should not hurt if the person giving the shot has a clue about what theyre doing. Tissue shots and joint shots are 2 different animals. A lot of times a joint treatment, say in the knee, will also include fluid being drained before the shot is given. In that case i can see where it might be painful but im telling you, unless the patient is a giant wuss, a tissue shot does not hurt unless some hack
who has never given a shot before is doing it. I know what im talking about here, for once.
birddawgbill
July 27th, 2009
12:58 am
Just wondering why Gomez or Valdez arent options in the pen. I really think Acosta has a nice future but hes had his shot and these guys have some pretty darn impressive numbers in Gwinnett.
MiaBchBravesFan
July 27th, 2009
12:59 am
The scuttlebutt is that Smoltz’s split is rarely used, and when it is used, it gets hit when it stays up, or gets taken when it goes to the dirt – it just doesn’t dart like it used to. They wait on his fastball, and when he doesn’t locate (like today), he gets hit hard.
Smoltz needs to talk to Glavine and Maddux. Smoltz’s fastball is still in the low 90’s. If he could develop a better changeup and starts using that knuckleball he’s been toying around with for years (he has a good resource in Tim Wakefield), he could have another season in the sun.
His split is done for. He still has a plus curve. Smoltzie, develop a good change with a good MPH differential from your fastball (8-10 mph) and you’ll be fine.
Supes
July 27th, 2009
12:59 am
OK, KJ is worth more than a middle reliever.
IF, and it’s an IF…he gets it going, and has a good finish for 2009, we can move him in the off-season when his value will pick up again.
I feel the same way about Jo Jo Reyes. Let him get back, pitch well in AAA, bring him up to spring training, etc and trade him before opening day to some team desperate for starting pitching.
We shouldn’t rush to trade anyone before realizing that we are NOT 1 middle reliever away from anything.
Besides, we’ve got Huddy coming back in 3 weeks. That’s basically a FA pickup in a way.
Omar will be back as well, so we get our super utlity sub guy going again.
We’ll lose some dead weight in Norton and Diory Hernadez (what’s his purpose, defense…he’s a lousy hitting SS).
Another possibility is that we do not trade KJ, but in the off-season get him to play LF again. Then next year, platoon Matty Diaz with KJ in LF, while keeping Prado at 2B.
Anderson will be gone for sure in 2010. You’ll need a LF. Braves can save ton’s of payroll by NOT going out and getting a LF, and holding on one more year until Heyward is here to help out in the OF, as well as Schafer, not sure when but I’m sure Braves haven’t given up on him.
If anything, I don’t want the Braves to add any more payroll long term for an OF or 1B.
We’ve got Heyward, Schafer and Johnson (who could all be in the OF) and we’ve got Freddie Freeman for 1B.
RHR
July 27th, 2009
1:03 am
And doc, no doctor is going to use cortisone over and over again. If it helps you then youll get a shot or shots twice a year, if you get a shot next week and you cant tell any difference in month and you go back and your doctor gives you more? Hes a hack. Go to someone else because yes, it can cause damage if abused.
Bear
July 27th, 2009
1:05 am
“No Doc but im a former nurse and was married to a doctor. Is that good enough?” … RHR
Uh-oh, this could be bad news for Roman Gal. Once nolie wakes up and reads about RHR being a former nurse, considering his age and all, I’m thinking he may give her another shot (no pun intended).
Doc Holiday
July 27th, 2009
1:10 am
RHR,
I would go deeper on this argument, but since this is a baseball blog, I would return the normal programming. But I also know what Im talking about. we will have this conversation in the future.
N Nine,
We are hot. Running almost full throttle and I say almost because we still have 3 “secret” weapons on the horizon:
1. Hudson might become a huge pleasant surprise.
2. Infante should make us stronger
3. KJ could get hot as fast as a microwave and then we would become unstoppable.
MiaBchBravesFan
July 27th, 2009
1:12 am
Supes: I like KJ in LF; it’s a great idea platooning him with Matt Diaz. Prado is a keeper and has to play second base. I agree that Kotchman has to stay (he’s good through 2011) until Freeman arrives.
The problem is RF. Is Heyward ready? I don’t want to rush and crush a prospect as grand as Heyward. Hope that Schafer can come back next year and be the starting CF, so that McClouth can play RF next year. Church can sub (if he’s still around) and keep the infield intact until Freeman arrives in 2011-2012.
The organization needs to develop some shortstops QUICK because Chipper will not last forever, and we would all like to see Escobar slide over to third base. He plays solid defense, but has crappy range as a SS; he’s a better fit at the corner.
Bear
July 27th, 2009
1:12 am
RHR & Doc, about the cortisone. RHR is right, at least in my experience. I had to receive the shot directly into the joint of my elbow (upper part). It hurt when the needle went in, but once the numbing agent took over (it’s in with the cortisone), it was fine. I never felt the second shot. After another few shots, about every 6 months, they finally operated.
Roman Gal
July 27th, 2009
1:12 am
Bear-
I bet you didn’t know that I just changed my major from nursing, did you?
The A Bomb
July 27th, 2009
1:16 am
So from what I have been reading these cortisone shots make Johnson LESS of a tradable commodity because at some point he will need a procedure done?
TnBrian
July 27th, 2009
1:19 am
Supes, you say all that now but it’s a completely different tone when/if the Braves start to struggle. I’m not saying you specifically, but that’s just the way this game is… when things are going good compared to when they aren’t fans have ride the roller coaster of ideas.
I’d still like to see Wren try and upgrade the offense soon, maybe at 1st. Yeah, Caset can hit HR’s every once in awhile, but we need more and Chipper is always a health question.
The A Bomb
July 27th, 2009
1:27 am
Supes — I will only say this. We are 1 middle reliever away from not having to use Moylan in 7th-inning game situations. He has the yips.
Doc Holiday
July 27th, 2009
1:28 am
The A Bomb,
No. Cortisone works as the most potent antiinflamatory agents there are. They will inhibit all inflammatory processes present in KJ tissue (wrist?). If pain is gone, it means pain was cause by a bad swing or slide of crashing against a wall or something. If it gets better and then comes back, it might mean there is some bone spur irritating the local tissue or that his mechanics are bad and he is recurrently irritating the tissue by repeating the movement over and over again. He will need surgery only if there is a bone spur messing in there or if cortisone shots missed applied lead to tendon or ligaments rupture on his wrist, which is uncommon if the person applying the shots is good at it, but it might happen even if applied by the best of Doctors.
Bear
July 27th, 2009
1:29 am
“So from what I have been reading these cortisone shots make Johnson LESS of a tradable commodity because at some point he will need a procedure done?”
The A Bomb, cortisone has healing properties. It didn’t work for me, but has worked for many. It’s a normal step before surgery.
“I bet you didn’t know that I just changed my major from nursing, did you? … Roman Gal
Wow, could your timing be any worse?
The A Bomb
July 27th, 2009
1:32 am
Doc, Bear — Thanks for the explanation. Now I better understand.
Roman Gal
July 27th, 2009
1:34 am
Wow, could your timing be any worse?
Any worse? Why would you say that?
Bear
July 27th, 2009
1:37 am
Wow, after I posted at 1:12, I had a sandwich. After my 1:29 post, nothing happened. I hit the refresh tab, and I went back to 1:12. I was hungry again. I came close to making another sandwich, but instead I kept on hitting refresh. Finally, I got up to the present. And I’m no longer hungry. I found this to be a bit weird.
Doc Holiday
July 27th, 2009
1:39 am
TnBrian,
I dont agree with you 100%. A good bat might be useful, sure. But lets be honest. This engine is running to smoothly that at this precise moment, I wouldnt make any changes. Remember that Infante is coming back soon and he should replace Diory. Our only real weak spot would be Norton.
On the pitching side of the coin………..I think we might not need any help…………bobby just needs to give the ball to medlen more often. When Hudson replaces logan in a pair of weeks, we wont have any real weak spots on the pitching staff.
Plus JoJo has been pitching well in Gwinnett this month
Doc Holiday
July 27th, 2009
1:40 am
Infante will start hitting tomorrow I think.
The A Bomb
July 27th, 2009
1:41 am
I believe Infante started hitting today. . .
Roman Gal
July 27th, 2009
1:47 am
I feel bad for Smoltzie. Cant help it.
I do, too. At first, I just kept hoping that he wouldn’t do well, but that was short-lived. I want everyone to know how awesome John Smoltz is. It hurts my heart that he’s struggling so much. I still love him…even if he was a total doo-doo head after he joined the Red Sox.
Bear
July 27th, 2009
1:56 am
“Any worse? Why would you say that?”
Roman Gal, if I got this straight, you said you changed your major FROM nursing. You wrote this right after RHR revealed that she was a former nurse. nolie was in hot pursuit of RHR, until she dumped him. I don’t believe he knew she was a former nurse. I’m thinking that this may put him back in the hunt. Now that you say you’re changing your major, to other than nursing, well … do the math.
nolie
July 27th, 2009
2:06 am
The area where kelly got his shots (anywhere near the wrist) should not hurt if the person giving the shot has a clue about what theyre doing. (RHR)
last I knew the wrist is a joint. I’m right, ….aren’t I ??
Bear
July 27th, 2009
2:12 am
Oh crap. I was hoping to discuss nolie’s love-life, and then be gone before he showed up. Dang it!
“last I knew the wrist is a joint. I’m right, ….aren’t I ??
Yes, nolie, but what I think RHR means is where the needle actually enters. In my case, it went right into the joint of the bones. However, you could put the needle into the wrist without ever hitting bone. But you knew that, didn’t you?
Bubdylan
July 27th, 2009
3:03 am
I’ll take a shot AND a joint.
KC
July 27th, 2009
3:47 am
Coach Smith: You’re damned straight on your 11:54 post!! No doubt that we’re better of with Infate and Conrad than Norton and Hernandez. But… I just checked my cell phone, and no one has called from Hank Aaron Drive to ask my opinion. Oh well.
Random
July 27th, 2009
4:37 am
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.”
How in the world can you logically lump me in with those guys? (Except as their nemesis?) The previous blog was the first time I’ve posted in a long time, win or lose — I myself got tired of all the whiny moaners.
I think I prefer CB’s take from the previous blog (.
Random
July 27th, 2009
4:40 am
Missing link:
I think I prefer CB’s take from the previous blog: CB’s take.
Bear
July 27th, 2009
5:04 am
“You never see Joebrave, Unknown, Random, or Coach on here after wins. It is much more pleasant without them.”
Random, don’t worry. I’m sure that, “The Bird and Indian”, has you confused with another moniker. I can add a lot of names to that list, but never in a million years would yours be included. Not even close.
yogi2
July 27th, 2009
5:10 am
is Jordan Shafer in rehab or just taking the rest of the year off?
Garret Anderson is playing great, like I said all along
yogi2
July 27th, 2009
5:18 am
Josh Anderson was released by Detoit, the Braves should sign him and release Norton
yogi2
July 27th, 2009
5:28 am
Josh ANderson would be a great defensive player in late innings and
pinch runner or pinch hitter. he can also play some first base if needed. He will be a good pickup player for some team. He has stolen 13 bases as a part time player this year
Random
July 27th, 2009
5:35 am
Thanks, Bear — I do try to add value without excess negativism (though sometimes the mouthy mouthbreathers do get my goat).
Bear
July 27th, 2009
6:11 am
” I do try to add value without excess negativism (though sometimes the mouthy mouthbreathers do get my goat).”
Random, I can speak for myself, and my buddy Tom O’, and hopefully, all, or at least most of, the “nostril breathers”: DON’T CHANGE A THING”.
ncscoots
July 27th, 2009
6:26 am
we would all like to see Escobar slide over to third base. He plays solid defense, but has crappy range as a SS; he’s a better fit at the corner.
Well, no, “all” of us don’t. Escobar provides plus offense at his position, but, he’s unlikely to ever slug enough to be considered plus at a corner. He’s hit some HR this year (mainly because he’s stronger than dirt), but he doesn’t really have a swing conducive to hitting 30 of them.
As for his range being “crappy”, I think you’ve been watching a different guy, LOL. Every scouting report I’ve ever read rates his range very good to excellent, so it’s not just my own observation that I’m leaning on.
dogsbrekky
July 27th, 2009
6:54 am
Some thoughts on the weekend
Norton doesnt seem capable of hitting the cheese anymore. Whiffed at a few 88 mph down the pike y’day (although yes he did ground out a 95mph to 2nd the day before).
Medlen seems a little more settled and is throwing more effectively in lower pressure sitautions. Hopefully this gives him some confidence to be used in a leveraged situation some time later this summer.
The Bobby haters must real be hating this 0.680 stretch we are having. Wonder if he was replaced by their selective choice of manager/s if that streak would be 70% wins.
The doomsayers on the fillies are just horribly wrong. These guys are just animals and they make suppsoedly good pitching look ordinary. Dare not trade against that trend until she turns markedly.
All the talk of trading KJ for a middle reliever would be selling really low. Middle relievers are like nectarines. You can always a decent taste for a while and then the next thing you know they turn to sheet.
If KJ was badly hurt and is now closer to 100%, he will be more useful down the stretch then many of the clowns names mentioned here as trade bait.
dogsbrekky
July 27th, 2009
6:57 am
scoots – re Josh A – we had a heated exchange earlier this year about said former Braves CF.
You were correct mate, me not so much
nh sir !
Shamus Thacker
July 27th, 2009
7:08 am
We’re on the same page Bubdylan….
PWHjort
July 27th, 2009
7:10 am
Why not just piggyback Hudson and Kawakami to begin with? We all know Kawakami has a problem throwing too many pitches and only making it 5 innings. And you want to limit Hudson’s innings that way.
Gov. Clinton Tyree
July 27th, 2009
7:16 am
Dogsbrekky, I suppose I am one of the doomsayers on the Phillies. I don’t discount their unique ability to hit a baseball. However, they don’t pitch. They don’t. At all. Beyond Happ, their best ERA is Blanton (4.24), who is higher than all five Braves starters. Even if they did both, they would not keep up the .850 pace they’ve played at for 20 games.
The Braves, on the other hand, have both and could play an extended period close to their .680 mark (maybe not .680, but certainly over .600).
So yes, I’m betting on the come, but I still feel pretty confident doing it.
PWHjort
July 27th, 2009
7:25 am
With that performance last night, KJ raised his AVG by 9 points. His OBP by 10 points. And his SLG% by 27 points.
dogsbrekky
July 27th, 2009
7:29 am
Gov – yes but after a horse wins 5 straight its often wise to expect him to get to 6, 7 etc
The fillies have the worst SP I can recall from a defending WS Champion. They also have treid their best to burn young Hamels and hope they continue in that vain, but even a team era of 5+ is not stopping them at this time.
We need to get them for 5 or 6 of 8 to have hope in NL East.
FTR – I placed a bet a week or so ago on us winning the NL East and NL.
Baba O'Riley
July 27th, 2009
7:42 am
The one game I’m going to this week features Kawakami vs. Johnson. uuugh
Rock On........
July 27th, 2009
8:28 am
Supes……agreed all points in your 12:59. When Hudson returns and I will still say if at this point then his best value to the Braves is the pen. Our starters are set but we all know Bobby doesn’t like to pitch his starters in the 7th so Hudson can be of huge value there and as PWH said he could piggybackwith KK.
Again, I like Heyward as a Sept. callup for many reasons that have been mentioned but I like him even more as a starter in 2010. AAA seasoning is overrated when it comes to facing pitching. Top pitching prospects reside in AA mostly. Look for Heyward to become a permanent OF after Sept.1.
dogsbrekky
July 27th, 2009
8:32 am
Baba – at least it may be sunny down there. It has rained here like 90% of the days for the last 2 months and it is forecast to rain for the next 9 days straight.
Also, KK has battled hard against som other biggies, so let us hope !
Rock On........
July 27th, 2009
8:37 am
Feel sorry for Smoltz? People, really now. It was his choice to leave for more guaranteed moneyand then he goes on a few weeks bashing the Braves organization. Seriously, who among us has really missed Smoltz. My guess is very very few.
Lew
July 27th, 2009
8:37 am
dogs-Vermont’s not much better this summer. I can pretty well count the number of days over 70 on my fingers and the rain has been so bad and steady up here that the crops are stunted and there’s a blight (same one that caused the Irish famine) on many of the potato and tomato crops. I think I’m mildewing.
Kevin in Chatty
July 27th, 2009
8:40 am
Let’s review the free agent misses we had this offseason.
Junior – No big loss
Furcal – No big loss
Burnett – No big loss
Smoltz – No big loss
Yep, I’d say we made out just fine. I think the only regret we might have is signing Glavine and not going after Ibanez or Orlando Hudson. I don’t know if they would have considered us but we never made a strong run.
With that said, I’m more than happy with what we have and if we can’t do it this year, I think next year is shaping up to be a really good year for Braves fans.
dogsbrekky
July 27th, 2009
8:42 am
Lew – even the varmints are miserable in NY with this weather. Oh well, at least there are plenty of bugs for the birdies to eat !
I got your picture of Hank, thanks, very well done.
deano54
July 27th, 2009
8:55 am
MLB.com reports Giants might be interested in KJ. How about trading him for Bob Howry and a prospect?
Robert
July 27th, 2009
8:57 am
8-3 in our last 11 games. Need I mention that it should be 10-1. Cox’s effect is felt even when the team is hot hot hot
njbraves
July 27th, 2009
9:00 am
Robert…you might be dumber than Lentz.
YE19
July 27th, 2009
9:04 am
MiaBchBravesFan,
From your 1:12 AM post…
“The organization needs to develop some shortstops QUICK because Chipper will not last forever, and we would all like to see Escobar slide over to third base. He plays solid defense, but has crappy range as a SS; he’s a better fit at the corner.”
Crappy range at SS? Do you actually watch games? Yunel has SICK range, which should be fresh in memory from the multiple displays in the past week. Granted he’s a little bigger than your prototypical SS (even in this era), and he probably will eventually slide to third. But crappy range??? He gets to balls other guys only dream of. Pretty sure there isn’t anyone in the league better at going DEEP in the hole at short, BEHIND Chipper “Roger Dorn” Jones to get balls, only to then GUN down the runner. He’s equally adept at going to his left, behind the bag at second.
Lemme guess, you think his “crappy range” is complemented by a below average throwing arm and inability to hit in the clutch with RISP?
Biff Pocaroba
July 27th, 2009
9:15 am
Robert, please go away.
PWHjort
July 27th, 2009
9:19 am
I don’t see us matching up with the Giants for KJ. We might as well keep him if we’re not going to get something tha will help us now. If they’ll part with a reliever then it could happen. I don’t know if they’d be willing to.
Shaun
July 27th, 2009
9:25 am
Robert, I like how you throw out that Cox costs the Braves two games yet you provide absolutely no evidence. You must be brilliant.
18 Wheels of Love
July 27th, 2009
9:25 am
If KJ continues to play well and has one of his spurts towards the end of the year like he seems to have, I wouldn’t be surprised if he was considered for LF next year.
Shaun
July 27th, 2009
9:34 am
Junior – No big loss
Furcal – No big loss
Burnett – No big loss
Smoltz – No big loss
I’ll take it a step further: The Braves are better off for not having spent them money to acquire those players (if not this year, certainly over the next 2-3 years).
Shaun
July 27th, 2009
9:37 am
KJ could become a super-utility guy. I could certainly see that. We’ll see if KJ’s problems were due to injury. I think that’s the first place to look when a player drastically underperforms reasonable expectations.
gcs
July 27th, 2009
9:42 am
Someone tried to explain Norton’s presense on the Braves roster by stating he is out of options and would have to be released. Then RELEASE him already! It would not be a loss.
Frankie Wren
July 27th, 2009
9:43 am
Way to go Robert!
One run against great pitching is no excuse for Bobby not to have his guys playing winning baseball. Tampa probably should have fired Madden for having the audacity of being no-hit by Buerhle as well, right? Get a grip man.
Shaun
July 27th, 2009
9:47 am
Feel sorry for Smoltz? People, really now. It was his choice to leave for more guaranteed moneyand then he goes on a few weeks bashing the Braves organization. Seriously, who among us has really missed Smoltz. My guess is very very few.
I don’t really feel sorry for Smoltz and I don’t miss him. But I don’t really blame him for going to Boston or even expressing his feelings about his situation with the Braves.
Wren was smart to let him walk because he’s an aging pitcher with arm problems. It’s nothing personal but Wren knew he wasn’t worth the contract he commanded. Often folks want to try to read too much into things when transactions are made. Generally I think GMs just want good contracts. Sure it can be cold but their job is to win games with the resources at hand. When you deal with players and egos, lots of emotional and subjective stuff is going to come out.
CB
July 27th, 2009
9:50 am
I think the issue with Kelly is do the Braves feel he is a player who would justify the kind of salary that he could draw next year in arbitration. I know they will have to make a decision in the next few days as to whether they can get his true trade value now or hold him as that future super sub. His upside is a lot higher than many on the blog want to give him credit for.
deano54
July 27th, 2009
9:51 am
I tell you what would really put us over the top and end to the post season and that is if Chipper could come around and start carrying this team like he has in second halves past. We all know he is capable if he could stay healthy. That in it self would give us the power bat we need. Chipper’s production so far this year has been okay, but no more than the rest of the role type hitters we have. We need a big impact type bat and Chipper could do it. The problem is you need McCann and Esco to stay hot behind him, so when they pitch around him, they make them pay
Lew
July 27th, 2009
9:52 am
I’v3e always thought that KJ’s performance earlier this season was the aberration, not his days like yesterday. That being said, I don’t know about starting him at second until we see Prado’s hot streak is over, but letting him fill in, giving days off to Kotchman, Chipper or Prado is NOT a bad idea.
As we have seen before, Kelly while hot is as good a hitter as there is in MLB. Let’s hope he can come back and contribute some power the balance of the season. I’m beginning to like these 7-10 run outbursts by the Braves.
18 Wheels of Love
July 27th, 2009
9:55 am
The thing with Smoltz is that he is such a competitive guy he believes he will always be able to compete. Glavine was the same way. Their desire to succeed and compete clouds their perception of reality. It’s the ego that makes them elite athletes, yet it’s the ego that keeps them going past their prime. I respect that ability and drive but at the same time it is kind of sad to see them on the field half the players they once were. Then again, who am I to tell anyone they shuldn’t be playing baseball.
Frankie Wren
July 27th, 2009
10:03 am
The Braves are a better team with KJ on the roster so we are better than we were last week. With that said, he is right now a role player for this team. Can he start somewhere else? Probably, so if there is value in trading him than Wren will. Prado my guess will be the starting 2B for this team and should be. Guy hit .320 last year. He will cool off but if game is on the line, I want to see him before KJ. Kelly got hot last year in totally meaningless games in August and September with no pressure. His psyche is a shortcoming me thinks.