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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
2,739 comments Add your comment
McFann ;Ô;
August 14th, 2009
2:40 pm
Oh man, I don’t believe this…anybody read the little headline on the “Official Site”–”The Charge Towards Phirst Place Begins Friday”?
Cannot believe they did that…for shame!
Daslied
August 14th, 2009
2:44 pm
Same with the Varsity for me. They must be local things.
RC
August 14th, 2009
2:45 pm
Steve from OH,
Colletti and Cashman shouldn’t get any recognizition for “getting” the players they did….they simply paid way more than anyone else did. Amaro HAS done a great job, and if Philly wins the East is probably the frontrunner to win Exec. of the Year. But he had a REALLY good foundation to start with, so I’m not sure how much of the credit belongs to him vs. his predecessor.
In contrast, Wren COMPLETELY rebuilt the Braves starting rotation AND outfield over the course of the offseason and 1st half. The only pitcher in the starting 5 he didn’t bring in directly was Tommy Hanson, who was drafted back when Wren as Scherholtz’s assistant (don’t say Jurjjens either….Wren made the Renteria-Jurjjens/Hernandez trade). If the Braves make the postseason, he should get serious consideration.
Bobby's Cox
August 14th, 2009
2:46 pm
DOB must be preparing one helluva blog to kick off this series with. Thought he’d have it up hours ago. That, plus all those stats he spouted off here yesterday on an off day. The guy was doing his research.
McFann ;Ô;
August 14th, 2009
2:47 pm
ease19–
I think I’ll be looking into art, prob’ly a little bit of writing. I really enjoy both of those things–drawing, especially. I like math, but I don’t know if I love it enough for Tech.
And speaking of school, my brother’s gonna be leaving next month.
Robert (Chipper Is The Best)
August 14th, 2009
2:48 pm
What Wren has done is what JS should’ve done in 2006. Wren has set this team up for success over a five or six year period. Just think if JS had accepted that deal from Boston for Andruw back in 2006. The Braves could have either Bucholz or Masterson or even Brandon McCarthy along with David Murphy. While Murphy is no star he is a solid contributor and any of those three pitchers would have helped.
JS tried to hang onto glory and in the process didn’t think about the future. Wren has thought about the future. He could’ve easily acquired Matt Holiday or Victor Martinez but he was looking at the overall picture.
This team has a great nucleus with Hanson, Medlen, Schafer, McClouth, Hayward, Freeman, Prado, and Escobar and I think a couple of years from now we will be bowing to Wren for his great moves.
Steve from OH
August 14th, 2009
2:49 pm
Colletti and Cashman shouldn’t get any recognizition for “getting” the players they did….they simply paid way more than anyone else did.
Hey, but they still did. Not knocking anything Wren has done because he’s done a phenomenal job, but let’s not pretend that he’s the only executive that’s done a good job, because he’s not.
Look at the Yankees’ everyday lineup though. Their lowest OPS is .754 (Gardner) and after that it’s .846. They’ve got 6 guys above .850. That’s impressive. Cashman built all of that.
RHR
August 14th, 2009
2:50 pm
Sometimes I think I read a different blog than the one Paul Lentz reads.
First of all, I’ve never seen Paul Lentz on here before about a month ago so its amazing how he knows the history of everything ever said on the blog. Secondly, I’ve never seen anyone rip Frank Wren or any of these other things that he writes about how he was “the only one” on here who called something correctly and how “everyone else” was stupid and wrong. I mean, if ONE guy says Fire Frank Wren! or Jeff is the best! does that really constitute such self-aggrandizing posts about how right you were?
Tomahawkin
August 14th, 2009
2:50 pm
Peachtree TV Will be carrying the game tonight…
Tomorrow’s game will be on FOX and Sunday Night We are Prime-Time On BSPN
I will have to have the Mute Button On Deck This Weekend, especially if we get Blow Buck and McSlobber And The usual clowns on BSPN
That Sucks That Boog Will not be on the Telecasts this weekend
Steve from OH
August 14th, 2009
2:52 pm
RHR–It’s Paul Lentz’s world. We just blog in it.
braves4ever
August 14th, 2009
2:52 pm
Good southern Sweet Tea is made by putting the sugar in the tea when its hot ,and I use all natural Cane Sugar and not over do it. Too many folks put the sugar in cold and add too much, that is yukey and way too sweet.
Tonights matchup with Blanton should be fun, he’s lost his last 2 against good pitchers(Nolasco FL,Linceum SF) He gave up 2 & 3 runs per 7 innnings . If we pitch good (Jurrjens does)play good defense,and score more than 3 off him we will win. Now if we can get in their pen early 5th-6th inning we should tack on 2-3 more , I think 6 runs is plenty with our pitching.
Goes good with BBQ and Tea. 6-1 Braves ,JJ winner.
ease19
August 14th, 2009
2:53 pm
Well McFann look into Oglethorpe University, small liberal arts school…took me awhile but they did me well enough, at least as a Bio major…
Don’t worry about your bother, he is about to have the time of his life! I wish I could have my college years back!
Bobby's Cox
August 14th, 2009
2:54 pm
RC,
I wouldn’t say our outfield is rebuilt. Maybe just patched. But ya, he did bring in GA, and was proactive in bringing in 2 pieces during the season. Rebuilding the rotation was his biggest feat, and doing so by protecting the top prospects is what is so amazing.
Wren has been the busiest GM in all of baseball, so he does deserve recognition….whether or not he gets the award is another thing, because other GM’s did quite well too.
I wonder how Smoltz and Glavine would feel about Wren getting that award…
bravesgrl4life
August 14th, 2009
2:55 pm
Right on, braves4ever. Can’t understand people who think sugar is going to dissolve in cold tea. Besides, I like my tea hot with ice – not refrigerated. Now that is yucky.
Bobby's Cox
August 14th, 2009
2:55 pm
Steve,
Good point at 2:52. Put me back in my place…
Paul Lentz
August 14th, 2009
2:56 pm
ease…………Sure we will have 6 games left with the Phillies after this weekend. However, if the Braves only win 2 of 3 this weekend……then we will still be 5 out in the loss column. Of the 6 remaining games left against the Phillies after this weekend, do you really think that we are going to sweep all 6 games? The Phillies arent going to just lay down. Sure, we’re 7-2 vs. the Phillies so far this year. However, do you think that we are going to end up 15-3 or 16-2 against the Phillies this year? Let’s be realistic.
The reason we need a sweep this weekend (if we want a realistic shot at the division title), is because of the final 6 games left against the Phillies, chances are we will split those 6 games. I’m sure that the Phillies will be very motivated when they host us for a 3 game series before the season is over with.
Plus we are bound to suffer an injury or two before the season is over with. Because we are healthy right now, we have the pieces in place to really take it to the Philies this weekend. Why settle for “good” when you can achieve “greatness”?
David O'Brien
August 14th, 2009
2:57 pm
NEW BLOGGAGE
Hillbilly
August 14th, 2009
2:57 pm
Here are a few pictures from the Drive-By Truckers concert I went to last weekend. (WR in one of the pics is my brother.)
You all are Cox apologists
August 14th, 2009
2:58 pm
Does anyone agree that once and if INFANTE HEATS UP, he can move to the leadoff position so that McLouth can hit lower in the order? Sort of like this:
1. Infante
2. Prado
3. Jones
4. Escobar
5. McCann
6. McLouth
7. Laroche
8. Anderson
?????? I understand the lefty-righty concept, but Escobar is our best hitter w/ RISP, plus McCann shouldn’t bat cleanup because he gets a day off about once a week.
Daslied
August 14th, 2009
2:58 pm
Nice little blurb about the Church/Francoeur trade, from Around The Majors (via MLBTR):
“Francoeur was rushed, rushed I tell you. Indeed, he was blessed with some tremendous athletic ability and physical skills but never learned how to hit or became a baseball player. The Braves, who handled him horrendously and fell for his small sample size fluke harder than Sports Illustrated, finally did what should have been done along time ago, parting ways with the one-time local hero who has been arguably the least productive everyday right fielder in baseball the past few seasons.
Frenchy has actually done pretty well, at least for him, with the Mets. He has put up a line of .297/.336/.477 with five home runs in his first 122 plate appearances in Queens. However, he has produced a -3.3 UZR and -20.9 UZR/150 over 251.0 innings out in right field, negating his overall value.
Church has improved in a new environment as well, batting .274/.400/.435 with a 122 OPS+ in 75 plate appearances in a Braves uniform. The sample is still insanely small, but he has produced a 2.7 UZR and 29.4 UZR/150 in right field.
Overall, here is how each player grades out with their new team in admittedly small samples:
Church: 0.8 WAR
Francoeur: 0.0 WAR
Clearly, then, any talk about how the Mets stole the player here is way off base.”
Bobby's Cox
August 14th, 2009
2:59 pm
It’s nice to see the attitude on Wren change from “dumbest man alive” to “Exec of the year” as the year has progressed from ST to mid-summer.
brent a.
August 14th, 2009
3:01 pm
Shaun and RC – It’s amazing about the McLouth deal, isn’t it? The way people ignore it?
Jeff Schultz wrote – after the Braves acquired LaRoche – that Wren was essentially saying, “we’re not really going for it this year.”
What moves signaled that Wren wasn’t going for it? Cutting Glavine and bringing up Hanson? Trading for McLouth? Trading Francoeur away (for anything at all, let alone a pretty productive outfielder)? Putting Medlen in the bullpen?
Sure, Wren could’ve traded Hanson and change for Roy Hallady, or Escobar & change for Matt Holliday; but, who here wanted to see any of that? Trade Heyward, Freeman, or Schafer? For what?
Wren went for it. He did some risky things, but they were calculated risks and they have all paid off. All of them. Essentially every move of any weight he has made in-season has reaped dividends for the team and has put it in position where it still controls its own destiny in mid-August.
Steve from OH
August 14th, 2009
3:01 pm
Bobby’s–hey, sometimes you just gotta face facts. I mean, according to Paul Lentz, Paul Lentz makes the “smartest” “postings” here. He is also a tremendous ladies man who, despite being quite uncouth, is actually quite correct, both in a literal and political sense, again according to Paul Lentz. Also, according to Paul Lentz, Paul Lentz has never been incorrect ever, and his predictions always hold true.
Like I said, it’s Paul Lentz’s world bro. I doubt Marteeen himself would be able to knock a dent in that brick wall.
RHR
August 14th, 2009
3:01 pm
No sweet tea is good lol sorry but no. Hot tea is okay now and then but other than that I am out on the tea. Water, wine, or diet soda for me and mine.
Steve – apparently. DOB should change the blog name to “Atlanta Braves … with Paul Lentz”.
RHR
August 14th, 2009
3:02 pm
And when I say hot tea, I mean hot unsweet tea.
RHR
August 14th, 2009
3:02 pm
Last?
Paul Lentz
August 14th, 2009
3:05 pm
Bobby’s Cox………..you cant compare the Phillies to the Mets’ chokers of 2007 & 2008. The Phillies have proven that they the heart of a championship. They arent going to just lie down like the Mets did.
If anything, the Phillies have played their best baseball late in the season. Do you really think that they will have a meltdown like the Mets?
However, all is not bleak. Against good teams, the Phillies bullpen can be exploited. This bullpen is nowhere near the bullpen they had last year. However, very few teams have the pitching to hold their offense in check. We match up well with the Phillies. Knowing that, we need to take advantage of our head to head meetings with them. Do you remember how the Phillies have played since we swept them? Other than the 3 game sweep against the Marlins last weekend, then Phillies have played great baseball since we swept them.
When the Braves swept the Phillies the last time we played them, the Braves were within 2 games of first place. We have played good baseball since then, yet we are now 5 games out of first. What does that say? It says that the Phillies have played GREAT baseball since we swept them. I see no reason why the Phillies are not going to continue playing great baseball against the other teams. Because of the hole we dug for ourselves earlier in the season……we need to sweep this series if we are going to have a realistically shot at winning the division.
If you really think that we could still win this division even if we got swept this weekend, then you are out of your mind. The Phillies arent going to have a meltdown. We are going to have to take it from them. They arent going to give us the division like the Mets gave it to the Phillies the last 2 years.
Paul Lentz
August 14th, 2009
3:08 pm
Steve from OH…….the teams you mentioned in your 2:39pm posting were expected to compete this year. The Braves were not. Frank Wren putting the Braves into contention was not expected.
Also, if you paid attention to what I “actually” said………I asked David O’Brien if he thought that Frank Wren has a realistic chance to win…..I didnt say that he would win. However, there is no doubt that Wren should be under consideration.
Paul Lentz
August 14th, 2009
3:09 pm
RC…………thanks for your props with your 2:39pm posting.
Paul Lentz
August 14th, 2009
3:15 pm
RC…………good 2:45pm posting. I’ve made the exact same points. However, many people on here still think that Wren overpaying for Lowe and Kawakami were “bad” moves.
There is a BIG DIFFERENCE between overpaying for a player who gives you something (Lowe and Kawakami)…….then overpaying for bums (Barry Zito, Oliver Perez, Jamie Moyer). I see no reason why Derek Lowe cant give us 3 more good years. Dude simply does not have a history of any kind of arm problems. He’s 36 now. He’ll be 39 when the contract is over with. He’s a sinker ball pitcher. He doesnt reply on a 100 mph fastball or a hard curve ball that puts stress on the elbow.
Remember, Barry Zito still has 4 years at $18 mil left……..Perez has 2 more years at $12 mil…….and Moyer will be making $6.5 mil next year. Do you really think that the Phillies are going to have him in their rotation next year?
Paul Lentz
August 14th, 2009
3:21 pm
RHR………..I first started coming on her back in January. I was advocating for Frank Wren to not re-sign Smoltz nor Glavine. I gave major props to his trade for Vazquez (I was immediately ripped because all anyone could talk about on here was how that Flowers kid was hitting bombs in the Arizona Fall League). I started coming on here regularly in May. You might want to check on some of the early May blogs. I had a “flaming” war with a few people on here when the McLouth trade and Glavine release happened on June 8th (over 2 months ago).
Yet, you’ve “never” heard of me until a month ago. You say that no one RIPPED Frank Wren. Way to “report” the facts.
Paul Lentz
August 14th, 2009
3:24 pm
RHR………also, in late April, I made a number of postings to say “be patient with Garret Anderson”. I made it a point of pointing out that not only was Anderson whipping himself in shape while struggling in April…..but also that he is simply “a professional hitter”. I’ve had the chance to watch him play a lot because they played in the same division as the Oakland A’s (I live in the Bay Area). I said that he would come around.
And like clockwork, I was ripped for that. Go back and check if you dont “remember”.
Yet, according to you, I started coming on here “about a month ago”, lol.
Simply UNBELIEVABLE.
wjones
August 14th, 2009
3:33 pm
Jeff Schultz wrote – after the Braves acquired LaRoche – that Wren was essentially saying, “we’re not really going for it this year.”
Jeff Schultz hasn’t yet forgiven Wren for trading Frenchy. Schultz, even more so than some other writers in town, worked a second job as Frenchy’s proctologist. He couldn’t understand the other day when he did a blog about our deals, citing the LaRoche trade as good and the Frenchy trade as bad, when people started replying about how they were glad that Frenchy was gone. He even posted later expressing shock. So in his heart of hearts, he probably saw the Frenchy deal as Wren giving up, thinking that Wren was going into “sell mode” at that point, so from that perspective I guess he could see the LaRoche deal as an extension of that.
Paul Lentz
August 14th, 2009
3:33 pm
Steve from OH……in early June, when I was advocating for Martin Prado to replace Kelly Johnson at second…….and when I was saying that Matt Diaz should replace Francoeur in right (sure Diaz struggles against righties, however he rakes lefties……….while Francoeur was struggling against EVERYONE)………….I was RIPPED by others on here (hum….I wonder who they were) for suggesting those moves because they felt that Prado and Diaz would not upgrade the position enough to make benching Kelly and Francoeur worth the move.
“They” said that the Braves should only bench Kelly and Francoeur when they got someone “significantly” better. I said that even a little improvement would make a difference. Just the “threat” of offense puts pressure on the opposing pitcher. When Francoeur, Schafer and Kelly were in the line-up the first 2 months of the season, the opposing pitcher could relax.
Yet people like you seem to forget that.
McFann ;Ô;
August 14th, 2009
3:36 pm
Last! Boo-yah!
RHR
August 14th, 2009
4:35 pm
Not so fast my friend.
abwright
August 14th, 2009
6:44 pm
Hopefully, Phillies fans learn that Jair Jurrjens is spelled S-H-U-T-O-U-T.
Isaac Rountree
June 2nd, 2010
9:52 pm
Excuse for that I interfere … At me a similar situation. I invite to discussion.
icon package
October 5th, 2012
12:38 am
I am sorry, that has interfered… At me a similar situation. Write here or in PM.