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Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
1,550 comments Add your comment
Paul Snyder
August 20th, 2009
12:45 am
Hey DOB…That’s great that Bobby had a chance to go see the new Yankee Stadium today…Obviously the old stadium holds so many special memories for Bobby, in terms of where he broke into the big leagues, playing with Mantle and Munson (among many others), and the organization that he got his start managing with…
I have heard the clubhouses and concourses, etc. are very nice at the new one…and yes the RF porch plays really, really short….
Paul Snyder
August 20th, 2009
12:53 am
Yep, tie game out in LA now after the Blake HR…Wainwright is a stud…He’s really turning out to be a legit top of the rotation guy (25-10 combined the last 2 years)…It hurts sometimes to think about what we gave up in that deal (not just Wainwright, but Marquis)…We were in a tough spot though after Sheff left via free agency and we had a big void in the middle of our lineup…JD Drew came in and played very well, and actually stayed healthy…it’s just too bad we only got 1 year from him in return…
Jurrjens4NLCY
August 20th, 2009
12:54 am
Anyone else watching the Cards-Dodger classic? Reminds me of when the Braves visited, although Braves kicked some Blue A$$
RHR
August 20th, 2009
12:57 am
Just saw, “The Knowing” with Nick Cage, not too bad.
I would put it on my top 10 list of worst movies I’ve ever seen.
uga-brave
August 20th, 2009
1:00 am
paul snyder,
well said.
Paul Lentz
August 20th, 2009
1:04 am
The next 4 games will be a sneak preview of whether the Braves do have what it takes compete for the Wild Card (I think it is safe to assume, with the Braves being 8 games behind the Phillies in the loss column, that the division title is out of our reach).
With Johan Santana pitching tomorrow, Kenshin Kawakami will have to assume that he probably wont have many runs to work with. So in other words, he will have “bear down” and hold the Mets offense in check.
In other words, “pick up the offense” until the Braves can get into the Mets bullpen.
Paul Snyder
August 20th, 2009
1:07 am
Yep Jurrjens…2-2 going into the 9th in the rubber game…this is truly a 3 game series with a playoff atmosphere and feel…
The job we did rebounding from that crushing loss in the opener to take the last 3 of that series (on the road vs. the team w/the best record in NL) was truly remarkable…
Thx very much, UGA-Brave…
Paul Snyder
August 20th, 2009
1:08 am
Pujols vs. Broxton, mano a mano…doesn’t get much better than that…
Paul Snyder
August 20th, 2009
1:11 am
Wow…Pujols with the SB and making an impact with his legs…Orlando Hudson really could have done a better job knocking that down…
uga-brave
August 20th, 2009
1:15 am
paul,
we dont go to the playoffs without drew that year. you got it right.
too think we once had a lineup of;
furcal
giles
jones
sheffield
jones
javy
castilla
ficke/franco.
problem was we ran into prior and wood at their pretty much only peak.
can say the same thing about the d’backs and schilling, and unit.
kevin brown twice with the pads and the fish.
NOTE, all power pitchers in the postseason.
larussa beeched like a woman after the 96 nlcs after the cards were up 3-1 and lost the series.
he made a point about the catcher’s box. thought glav and maddawg stole pitches.
after that series anytime he came to atlanta he wanted the catcher’s box measured.
Bravo Nam
August 20th, 2009
1:27 am
DOB
Good song choice.
Go Bravos!!
DiamondbackMac
August 20th, 2009
1:41 am
I’m not seeing anyone saying anything about Infante. The guy comes back from a broken hand and picks up right where he left off and seemingly no one notices. Tonight 3 for 6 with one run scored and 3 rbi.
Paul Snyder
August 20th, 2009
1:43 am
UGA…You got that right, our lineup circa 2003 was totally stacked…Chipper, Andruw, and Sheff in the OF all nearly 30+ HR and 100+ RBI…Javy hitting 43 HR’s behind the plate…Castilla and Giles each hitting 20 plus…
You’re exactly right about the importance of power pitching, and stuff in general, in the post season…To go against the stronger and deeper lineups you see in Oct you need power arms and guys with plus stuff along with command (Hanson, Vazquez, Jurrjens are in that mold and developing even moreso specifically Tommy and Jair, and Lowe has the savvy and big game experience, with Huddy kind of a combination of both)…
In 2003 Wood, Prior and Zambrano just flat outpitched us…no other way around it…Russ Ortiz, Mike Hampton, and a 37 yr old Maddux were no match for them…and it cost us…Those guys put up very good win totals for us in the regular season because we flat out scored a ton of runs…but in the playoffs against top pitching obviously runs are tougher to come by…Same thing for 2001 vs. Dbacks…The Big Unit and Schilling were flat out overpowering…some of the most dominant postseason pitching by a tandem I’ve ever seen…
As for the Kevin Brown matchups…97 and 98…don’t even get me started on those…both series we should have won…without question…
DiamondbackMac
August 20th, 2009
1:50 am
DOB
How about a piece about the Hispanic influence on the resurrection of this team. Escobar, Vasquez, Infante, Prado; their contributions to this season have been phenomenal.
Paul Snyder
August 20th, 2009
1:52 am
DiamondBack…Oh yeah Infante’s return is huge…especially now moreso with Prado being day to day with the headaches/heat related symptoms, etc…He started out a little slow with the bat (2-13 his first 7 games) though he did deliver a huge game winning hit the Sat gm vs. the Phillies…It was great to see him breakout for 3 hits and 3 RBI tonight, because his RH bat will be huge tomorrow against Santana, and his top of the order presence will be very important while McLouth and Prads are out…Hopefully not very long for Martin…
DiamondbackMac
August 20th, 2009
1:58 am
Paul
From your mouth to God’s ears, Prado will return soon. But, with Infante there, I don’t think we’ll miss a beat.
Paul Lentz
August 20th, 2009
2:02 am
Paul Snyder……………..I stated 2 months ago that if Infante had not broken his hand in late May, then the Braves offense would have improved even more after the McLouth trade was made.
A lot of people feel that just because Infante isnt a superstar…..that he cant make that much of a difference. However, his versatility in the field……and the way he handles the bat (he is a really good guy to hit and run with), makes him a contributor to the line-up. The Braves could have used him during our struggles in June and early July.
DiamondbackMac
August 20th, 2009
2:08 am
Mr. Lentz
While I don’t always agree with your demeanor, I do agree with your analysis in most cases. As a matter of fact, the only one I disagree with is Peter Moylan. A couple of bad outings doesn’t make a bad season. Of course, you haven’t had much to say about him in the last few weeks.
Paul Snyder
August 20th, 2009
2:15 am
Lentz…definitely agreed…Omar was hitting over .340 when he got hurt, and his versatility (the fact that you can plug him in at any of the critical up the middle postions including CF), and the fact that he can be productive in either the leadoff spot or the 2 hole make him very valuable…
DiamondbackMac
August 20th, 2009
2:15 am
Just imagine a team with eight guys who hit like Infante, Escobar, Diaz, and Prado.
uga-brave
August 20th, 2009
2:19 am
paul snyder,
dont be a stranger. this blog has become overun with, how do say, i dont know. but a least you have sense of history.
as for your moniker, paul snyder, he was one of the biggest reasons we were in the postseason for 14 staight years.
DiamondbackMac
August 20th, 2009
2:34 am
As always, it’s been a pleasure. Good night and may God bless you all.
Random
August 20th, 2009
6:04 am
Tomahawkin (August 19th, 2009 10:45 pm): “Since you wanna keep dragging this out It’s amusing that you disappeared after our leader didn’t show up for the Phillies series…? Truth hurts bro…”
Shyeah — Truth. “You can’t handle the Truth.”
Just because you close your eyes don’t mean everybody’s gone.
I been here, you little “Hypest Man On the Blogs Today”, you. You just been ignorin’ me. Check 17 Aug, little man.
Chipper not “show[ing] up for the Phillies series” = 4 for 11 (.364), 1 RBI, 1 Run, 1 BB (OBP = .455).
Tomahawkin (August 19th, 2009 10:38 pm): “How Has Our Self Proclaimed leader of the team done since the break…?
“Face it dude he is flat out having an off year, your just to blind/stubborn to admit it, Now give it a rest will ya…?”
And now, yer changin’ yer argument.
Nobody has ever tried to say that Chipper hasn’t performed as well this year (.290/.404/.478) as he did last year (.364/.470/.574), or 10 years ago (his MVP year — .319/.441/.633). That would be stupid — he won the friggin’ Batting title last year.
“off year”? Compare his stats so far this year (.290/.404/.478) to his CAREER numbers (.309/.407/.545). Just how far “off” is that?
But YOU’VE been tryin’ to claim that this year he simply sux, that he isn’t “clutch”, that he’s no longer the offensive “leader” of the team.
And THAT claim is lame, “Sucka”. YOU yourself are lame, Blame-o. You = “A.C. Sucka”.
Through 119 games, Chipper still leads the Braves in OPS (.887, to McCann’s .846, Prado’s .830 and Escobar’s .813) and OPS+ (134, to McCann’s 121, Prado’s 118 and Escobar’s 114).
And “since the break”? Here’s how they’ve done “since the break”:
Chipper Jul = .284/.413/.494/.907
Chipper Aug = .308/.383/.462/.845
McCann Jul = .287/.327/.535/.862
McCann Aug = .204/.279/.370/.649
Prado Jul = .327/.392/.467/.859
Prado Aug = .298/.305/.456/.761
Escobar Jul = .356/.447/.616/1.063(!)
Escobar Aug = .281/.369/.316/.685(!)
Come on, G — fabricate some more lies, you pathetic little pismire.
I’ll be here.
Random
August 20th, 2009
6:06 am
Correction: Chipper OBP for recent Phillies series = .417, not .455.
Random
August 20th, 2009
6:07 am
.417, not .455
Couch Tater
August 20th, 2009
6:39 am
DiamondbackMac,
Good observation at 1:41 and 1:50. Don’t foget Soriano and Jair that add to the creole mix.
Duke Ellington- The Creole Love Call.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQNjqL_xfMc&feature=related
Baba O'Riley
August 20th, 2009
7:28 am
Are people still complaining because we gave up Casey Kotchman for Laroche?
richbrave
August 20th, 2009
7:36 am
Speaking of a sense of history uga-brave, you’re not doing so badly yourself – PAUL SNYDER. The DALLASTOWN, PA. waif who grew up to be the architect of the miricle of ATLANTA and the fabulous run of champions both in ‘82 and 1991 to 2005.
Can't We All Just Get Along?
August 20th, 2009
7:42 am
Its sad that some people can’t debate on here without name calling. Why not politely disagree by stating your facts instead of condescendingly talking down to people and resorting to mean spirited name calling?
Tomahawkin and others you have singled out may not be walking baseball encyclopedias but they are Braves fans, and that is the one common thread that brings us here.
Personally I can overlook someone not being as knowledgeable as myself more than I can overlook a bitter, condescending ass hole who treats people like crap. Would you speak to someone like that in a face to face conversation? Perhaps you should look for a blog for Guys Who Know Everything if those here you deem lesser than yourself bother you so much.
London Calling
August 20th, 2009
8:14 am
A bit late replying to this. Time Zones and all that.
So … Curtis …
1. Why did he leave the poor-fielding, poor-hitting Kelly Johnson in the lineup for 80 games this year, with better alternatives available?
>Kelly Johnson is a proven major leaguer. He’s an average fielder, and a good, if streaky, hitter. Who are these alternatives? Infante had a broken hand. Prado had a groin injury. Not Brooks Conrad? A .250 singles hitter who can’t field but happend to have been appointed this year’s saviour by the blog (does anyone remember Phil Stockman now?)
2. Why did he leave the rally-killing Jeff Franceour in the lineup for more than two years, with better alternatives available?
>Yeah. We’ll pay him several million to do nothing. What’s the alternative? Diaz? He stunk full time in left last year, and a couple of weeks ago bloggers were screaming that he wasn’t a full time player. Where’s Francoeur now? Starting everyday for the Mets, that’s where.
3. Why did he choose to retain Greg Norton in the key pinch-hitting role, with a batting average at half the Mendoza line, with far better alternatives available?
>Greg Norton has been one of the top pinch hitters in the game for the last few years. Sure, he’s stunk for 50 at-bats this year, but he shouldn’t be dumped for that. He’s coming around. Who’s your alternative? Don’t tell me. Brooks Conrad.
4. Why did he insist on allowing notorious fire-starter Jeff Bennett to lose key games, when there were better arms available? And why did it take an act of stupidity from Bennett himself to prevent Cox from using him?
>Of course, Cox should never use bums like Bennett and Acosta when he has decent arms like Moylan & Gonzalez available.
5. Why has Cox effectively worn out a decent, surgically repaired relief corps, with the most over-use in the major leagues?
>Of course, Cox shouldn’t keep on using Moylan and Gonzalez when he has guys in the bullpen like Acosta and Bennett available.
6. Why has Cox repeatedly harassed one of the 2 or 3 best offensive/defensive shortstops in baseball for his occasional lapses, while allowing about a dozen others to loaf on the field with no repercussions?
>He pulled him out once – and quite rightly. He hasn’t shown him up at all, let alone repeatedly. You are mistaking the occasional physical errors all players make with “loafing”.
7. Why did Cox insist on playing Casey Kotchman (and occasionally batting him as high as 4th or 5th in the lineup) for an unproductive year when there were faster/more powerful alternatives available?
>Kotchman wasn’t that bad. He was great defensively, and while he had no power he had a decent average. The only alternative, Canizares, is a butcher in the field and unproven in the majors.
8. Why does Cox insist on batting an overworked Brian McCann in the cleanup position when he’s clearly unable to produce there?
>He’s been slumping for about 3 weeks, that’s all. I remember when the blogs was screaming about Andruw batting 4th when McCann was the only alternative.
9. Why has Cox not found a way to get more at-bats from David Ross, probably the best bench hitter on the entire team? (There are ways to have a 3rd/emergency catcher available…other teams do it)
>One extra at-bat a week for Ross. That’ll turn it around.
10. Why does Cox insist on wearing down many players to the point of unproductivity, while keeping promising players (Kris Medlen, Boone Logan, etc.) on the bench for two weeks at a time?
>Last time I checked Gonzo & Moylan hadn’t given up an earned run since the all-star break. Soriano hasn’t, in fact, been overused.
11. Why did it take Cox 3 months to realize Martin Prado was a high-average impact player? Everyone on this stinkin’ blog figured it out in April and May.
>Probably his groin injury.
12. How badly did Cox misjudge and misuse a promising young outfielder (Jordan Schaefer) who as we all knew by the end of April, was clearly not ready for the major leagues? How much damage was done to his psyche by rushing him into a situation for which he was woefully unprepeared?
>This blog would have gone into total meltdown if Schafer hadn’t started the season with the big club. He showed more patience that you would have – but then most here would have thrown him under the bus the first time he struck out. And you’re all for bringing up the likes of Heyward who has even less experience.
I have a shotgun. Anyone got a barrel with some fish in?
Baba O'Riley
August 20th, 2009
8:20 am
London calling. A+
fleming
August 20th, 2009
8:25 am
Didn’t get a chance to read all the blog from last night but was just wondering if any of the self proclaimed expert managers on the blog who were calling Cox insane, senile, and an idiot for yesterdays lineup come back on the blog after the game and admit that maybe they were the idiot in this case?
Coldwork
August 20th, 2009
8:26 am
Very well said London Calling.
Baba O'Riley
August 20th, 2009
8:32 am
Fleming- After a Braves win, those people hide out under a rock, the same way Lou Vales does after a Marlins loss.
keylargo
August 20th, 2009
8:36 am
Enter your comments here
Harry
August 20th, 2009
8:38 am
DOB: Richard Bernstein is a neurologist, not a neurosurgeon.
bravesgrl4life
August 20th, 2009
8:49 am
Woke up in a much better mood this morning. Thanks Braves!
fleming
August 20th, 2009
9:14 am
Enter your comments here
Wes
August 20th, 2009
9:16 am
Fleming – I wasn’t one of the Cox bashers…..but if you think we won last night based on great management, you need to rethink your argument.
ghostwriter
August 20th, 2009
9:22 am
Any Braves fans going to the game tonight?
brent a.
August 20th, 2009
9:23 am
Since we didn’t have this blog back in the Braves’ post-season heyday . . .
what are people’s thoughts about the 3-man rotation that Bobby stayed married to through most of those post-seasons?
I have often felt that it was one of the reasons why the Braves didn’t have more success. Even when the Cubs had Wood, Prior, Zambrano, they went with a 4-man rotation. (Wood pitching Games 1 & 5).
The Giants in 2002 also went with a 4-man rotation (Ortiz going in Games 1 & 5, with Glavine losing both Games 1 & 4). It happened for years, and I always felt that it messed with us a bit, especially when we started losing all those 5-gamers earlier this decade.
I’d really like people’s thoughts.
fleming
August 20th, 2009
9:25 am
Wes
Was talking about all the people complaining about the lineup that scored 15 runs and about what an idiot Cox was for putting together that lineup.
Escobar for Supreme Court
August 20th, 2009
9:26 am
Nobody should disrespect Cox. He is a brilliant baseballman no doubt. But he has not been able to adapt to this teams strengths. I don’t think you can deny that some of his decisions have cost this team 5-7 wins.
fleming
August 20th, 2009
9:27 am
brent a.
Three man rotations during the post season was pretty much standard back in those days.
fleming
August 20th, 2009
9:28 am
Escobar for Supreme Court – some of his decisions have cost this team 5-7 wins.
I can agree with that but will you then agree that over the course of a season decisions by almost all managers cost their teams 5-7 games.
DAP
August 20th, 2009
9:31 am
london callingBrooks Conrad? A .250 singles hitter who can’t field
ive gotta comment on this…brooks conrad isnt a singles hitter. he has proven in the minors that he has very good power. baseball cube rates his power almost as high as cody johnson. i believe johnson was rated by baseball america or something like that as having the best power in the minors. just an example of how brooks conrad actually has very good power.
Hillbilly
August 20th, 2009
9:31 am
Big night for Reid Gorecki. First ML hit and RBI in front of his friends and family, and against his favorite team growing up.
But most importantly, he was featured in the Verizon V-Cast Know your music inning as the Braves Player who enjoys listening to Pink Floyd. It’s about freakin’ time we got somebody on this team with good taste in music. Shine On, Reid.
Escobar for Supreme Court
August 20th, 2009
9:33 am
The lineup issue is a little overrated. It’s the matchups Cox has wedded himself to. I still contend that a 1 dimensional player like Norton coupled with carrying 12 pitchers has been detrimental to this team. If you carry Norton fine, drop Acosta or Logan and get another bench player.
ChipperFan
August 20th, 2009
9:37 am
London Calling PUTTIN’ IT DOWN!!!! Nicely done, mate.
Anders
August 20th, 2009
9:37 am
Just read some of DOB’s late night posts. Very solid of Cox to say what he did about Parnell having an inning similar to Lowe in context. Granted Parnell didn’t locate very well but the damage could have been mitigated.
Also in regards to Citifield. I’m starting to like the way it plays. In the warmer weather the ball carries enough. Not stupid like the Phillies bandbox thankfully but a well hit ball can get out. In colder weather it’s tough. So early season and in the playoffs (Pause to allow laughter to subside) this could be an issue. I do like the big outfield because there’s nothing like watching guys score from first on balls in the gaps or going for triples.
Saw Bobby went over to the Yankees palace. Beautiful place but an absolute joke to right.
Escobar for Supreme Court
August 20th, 2009
9:42 am
Logan has been with the team for 2 months, 10 innings pitched. Acosta has never pitched in a meaningful game (better choice is Medlen). If Norton reaches base he is pinch run for, burning 2 players for one purpose.
brent a.
August 20th, 2009
9:43 am
Fleming,
Even with a 3-man rotation being “standard”, when you have the best rotation in baseball, and easily go 4+ deep, are you taking fulla advantage of your team’s strength’s by going with a 3-man rotation?
fleming
August 20th, 2009
9:46 am
Escobar for Supreme Court
If you drop Logan or Acosta and add another player which end of the bench do you play him on once Prado gets healthy. And can this bench player pitch in extra inning games or do the Braves continue to abuse Moylan and Gonzo
Escobar for Supreme Court
August 20th, 2009
9:46 am
Somebody explain to me why we carry 12 pitchers and I will go to work.
Escobar for Supreme Court
August 20th, 2009
9:49 am
Thank you Fleming,
As stated, Logan has been with the team for 55 games and has pitched 10 innings. Has this helped more than Norton has hurt?
DirtyDawg
August 20th, 2009
9:49 am
Wonder if Bobby would consider starting Gorecki in left, or right, in tonight’s game against Santana in lieu of Anderson? Probably not since that damn ‘loaf’ has absolutely confounded me. I mean he even ‘beat out’ that ball he hit to short last night – sure the guy blew it by looking to second first, but I was convinced that he could still get ‘Jets’ Anderson…but nooooo. But I would like to see the kid get another opportunity in NY.
Hillbilly
August 20th, 2009
9:50 am
Anders, I’m with you on the band-box ball-parks. Johnny Damon is about to fly past his career high in homers at what? 35? 36 years old? And he’s hit 15 of his 22 in that joke of a stadium. What a joke.
RHR
August 20th, 2009
9:51 am
In an emergency situation wouldn’t you rather have a pitcher bat than a batter pitch?
DAP
August 20th, 2009
9:51 am
i think loaf needs to start tonight. dont stack the lineup with righties. santana is better against righties.
RHR
August 20th, 2009
9:54 am
I would think that you would want your best, proven lineup when you’re facing Santana. Loaf is a professional hitter, you know.
Wes
August 20th, 2009
9:57 am
DirtyDog- actually, I was surprised Gorecki didn’t start in right last night. Not complaining about what Diaz did last night at all, but we all know his track record vs. righties.
Shaun
August 20th, 2009
9:59 am
Nobody should disrespect Cox. He is a brilliant baseballman no doubt. But he has not been able to adapt to this teams strengths. I don’t think you can deny that some of his decisions have cost this team 5-7 wins.
How so? I seriously doubt any manager that is capable of being considered for a major league job can cost his team 5-7 wins.
Escobar for Supreme Court
August 20th, 2009
9:59 am
This is the reason fans are flumaxed with Cox’s use of players. The construct of this team does not jive with the manager’s decisions. If you go to the same 3 guys in the pen, why do you need Logan or Acosta. Medlen was a starter and accustomed to pitching but is used maybe once a week. Since he has been used more his ERA has dropped by over 1 Earned run. Another bench player (if you have to keep Norton) would really help. Remember how Cox was raving about Conrad and Medlen in Spring training. What happened Bobby?
Lew
August 20th, 2009
10:04 am
Supreme Court-We have twelve pitchers because if we carried 10 or 11, everyone would gripe even more that the pen was being overused.
Baba O'Riley
August 20th, 2009
10:05 am
Reid Gorecki’s walk up songs in Palm Beach included: Louisiana Saturday Night and Love Machine.
Erik
August 20th, 2009
10:06 am
DOB,
Which is more likely in your opinion. Do they braves pick up Huddy’s option or do they trade Kawakmi in the offseason? I would think it has to be an either/or situation. The braves have too tight of a budget to spend 19 mill on 2 starters and have one of them in the pen.
I would strongly support the Kawakami trade if it comes down to it. Kawakami has been average so far this season. He has certainly been good enough for a few pitching deprived teams to be interested. We may not get much but at least we free up 7 mill to pursue a bat. Our rotation would then feature 3 power arms(JJ, Javy, and Hanson) and two of the top sinker ball pitchers around. Plus, think about how many innings that rotation would eat…. it would be a shot in the arm to our pen.
Lew
August 20th, 2009
10:09 am
Erik-I don’t know if this will figure into the decision or not, but Kawakami is signed for two more years-Hudson and Vazquez for one more.
Roachy
August 20th, 2009
10:09 am
Adam LaRoche needs to be resigned. The dude has been awesome for us and has brought some fun back to this clubhouse. It sure is better then having that stone face Casey Kotchman around.
DMac
August 20th, 2009
10:10 am
Why don’t people just admit to the reality of the situation? The Atlanta Braves ownership (such as it is) does not care about baseball. The team’s front office is in complete denial that Bobby Cox has overstayed his usefulness, and they refuse to admit that a managerial change is needed in order to right the ship, no matter how much Cox proves this to be the case by his continuous poor judgment. This organization is a mess. Why won’t sports writers write the truth? Are you afraid of losing all of your perks with the team?
Escobar for Supreme Court
August 20th, 2009
10:11 am
Lew,
Bobby only carried 11 pitchers when we were winning. What happened Bobby?
dogsbrekky
August 20th, 2009
10:12 am
Would love to see an NLCS where Smoltz with the Cards is coming out of the bullpen against us with a 3-2 lead and McCann lights him up with a 2 run hr to win game 7……. woo hoo
Lew
August 20th, 2009
10:12 am
Supreme Court-Fans flummoxed by Bobby’s moves? Dude (or not), fans get flummoxed getting out of bed in the morning, picking up their mail, or trying to find parking.
fleming
August 20th, 2009
10:14 am
Escobar for Supreme Court
You remember the Dodgers series and the extra inning game there. Both teams carry 12 pitchers but at the end of the game all relief pitchers for both teams had been used up. If I remember right KK went to the bullpen in case he was needed and the Dodgers actually used one of their starters.
Joe Fan
August 20th, 2009
10:15 am
My concern now is that Cox having recognized Medlin’s ability will over use him. I would much rather see Medlin used correctly and become a starter next season. The Braves have numerous contract issues to resolve in the offseason that will effect the starting lineup, starting pitching and the relief core. One or two of the current group of starters will be used to acquired a much needed upgrade in the corner outfield slots and to acquire a young talented 3rd baseman for the inevitable phasing out of Chipper. Don’t believe there is anyway the Braves will not dangle Lowe, Vazquez and KK as trade bait and I fully expect them to release Hudson, based on his body of rehab work, rather than exercise his 1 year $10 mil. option.
dogsbrekky
August 20th, 2009
10:16 am
Erik, Kawakami has had but one BAD start in his last 10.. and has beaten several “big name” pitchers..
what is average about that ?
McFann ;Ô;
August 20th, 2009
10:18 am
Shamus–
Thanks! Yeah, BMac is starting to look like BMac again…Soon those “hard hit balls” are gonna find gaps instead of gloves! Lookin’ forward to it!
DOB McCann said his swing’s stunk lately…
Aw, poor guy…hey, at least he uh…ya know…admitted as much (no offense, BMac
).
…but he worked in the cage the past few days and felt like he got something worked out.
Boo-yah! Sure has looked like it…really stinks that they’re facing Santana tonight.
Seems like every time he seems to be getting back into the swing of things they face a tough lefty. Sheesh…
Necromancer–
Add Jon Miller to that list and you’ve really got something going…
Actually, to me the MOST annoying guy in the world is…ah, I better not. No politics on that Blog…
McFann ;Ô;
August 20th, 2009
10:21 am
dogsbrekky @ 10:12–
That would be really sweet! Oh mann…I would LOVE that!!
The Braves play the Cardinals in September. I wanna see Smoltz pitch and give up back-to-back homers to Chipper and McCann!
But, now that I said that “out loud”, so to speak, he’s gonna fan them both…
Wes
August 20th, 2009
10:22 am
Please silence the “TRADE KAWAKAMI” talks. You people that keep bringing it up……..would you trade FOR a pitcher who makes 8 Mill and has the numbers KK does?
No? Didn’t think so. We’re stuck with him. Deal with it.
Escobar for Supreme Court
August 20th, 2009
10:22 am
Okay, all good arguments to carry 12 pitchers. My problem lies squarely on the shoulders of Norton. Apparently Bobby feels that since a guy has been a major leaguer he’s always a major leaguer. (not True) As Leo Deroucher once said about the NY Giants after reviewing their roster: “Nice guys finish last”
DAP
August 20th, 2009
10:23 am
lew
i think contracts will factor into the decision…i mentioned the other day that the contracts right now are tapered, so we are only replacing one pitcher per year for the next several years.
if we trade kawakami and keep both hudson and vazquez, we have to replace two very good pitchers next offseason.
now, this might not be a huge deal, since we will have $24mil coming off the books…we could probably just extend one of them and then bring in medlen for the other spot. but, it is convenient to have your starter’s contracts tapered like that…
dogsbrekky
August 20th, 2009
10:23 am
McFann – Smoltz in St Louis will be very interesting, as they have that awesome pitching coach…
They have Carpenter, Wainwright and Pineiro looking GREAT this year. If anyone can get Smoltz back on track it is them..
Anders
August 20th, 2009
10:23 am
Dogsbrekky – Not for nothing but I wouldn’t want to see John Smoltz anywhere near the mound against my team in the playoffs – I don’t care how old he is now. The guy is money.
Shaun
August 20th, 2009
10:23 am
DMac, who cares if ownership cares about baseball? As long as they put a decent amount of money into the team and keep guys like Wren at the helm? At least if the ownership doesn’t care, they aren’t trying to make decisions instead of relying on baseball people to make decisions.
The organization is a mess? The team is probably going to win somewhere between 86-88 games. Their most valuable players are very young or under contract through at least next year or both. They have a young “true ace” in Tommy Hanson. They have perhaps the best prospect in baseball, who happens to be only 20-years-old and will probably be ready for the majors on Opening Day of next season.
As far as Bobby Cox, how can anyone make objective arguments for or against keeping Cox? It’s impossible to quantify a manager’s impact. All I can say is the Braves were one of the best teams in baseball for most of his rein and most baseball “insiders”–players, coaches, other managers, front office personnel, the media–think he’s one of if not the best manager in the game; that’s basically all we have to go by.
Escobar for Supreme Court
August 20th, 2009
10:26 am
So we have a nice little organization, a model organization. But don’t model organizations win.
fleming
August 20th, 2009
10:27 am
Wes
Ash the Mets if they would take KK and his 8 mil over Perez and his contract or the Phillies if they would take KK and his 8 mil over Jamie Moyer and his contract.
McFann ;Ô;
August 20th, 2009
10:28 am
dogsbrekky–
Yeah, I was actually kinda surprised that the Cardinals got him…didn’t think they needed pitching!
I’m sure he’ll do OK for them…better than he did for Boston, anyway. As for those back-to-back homers…[happy sigh], I cann dream, can’t I? (Though I can’t control my dreams like some people cann…)
FL anders
August 20th, 2009
10:28 am
The organization is a mess? The team is probably going to win somewhere between 86-88 games. Their most valuable players are very young or under contract through at least next year or both. They have a young “true ace” in Tommy Hanson. They have perhaps the best prospect in baseball, who happens to be only 20-years-old and will probably be ready for the majors on Opening Day of next season.
If the Mets were healthy, the Braves wouldn’t have that many wins.
Wes
August 20th, 2009
10:29 am
no, fleming, they wouldn’t. because they’re not going to be able to get those contracts off of their books, so NO, they won’t take KK on.
DAP
August 20th, 2009
10:30 am
weswould you trade FOR a pitcher who makes 8 Mill and has the numbers KK does?
i think its conceivable that a team that needs pitching would be willing to trade for a slightly above average pitcher with two years and $15mil left on his contract. his W-L doesn say it, but Kenshin has actually pitched pretty well this season.
Lew
August 20th, 2009
10:30 am
Supreme Court-We no longer have Glavine, Smoltz and Maddux pitching 8 innings a night or occasionally completing games for us. We have ONE eight inning complete game this year.
Times have changed. I haven’t taken the time to check all the teams, but would be willing to bet that if not all of them, then most have 12-13 man rotations- it’s just the way things are done now.
Until and unless plans like Nolan Ryan’s in Texas are implemented, where the pitchers are being brought up in the minors pitching more innings, then the only real solution (which I liked when Keith Hernandez and Ron Darling spoke of it last night) is to add two players to the active roster (to keep the Player’s Assoc. happy) and dumping the DH in the AL.
This would go a long ways towards expanding the bench, keeping the larger rotation and evening out the leagues. Makes too much sense to be implemented by Bud Light, though.
Wes
August 20th, 2009
10:32 am
DAP – 120 pitches through 5 innings in 85$% of your starts is not pitching ‘well.’ Especially on a Braves team where 8 Mill mean a hell of a lot. He was brought in to be a SOLID number 3. He’s been a managable #5 at best.
fleming
August 20th, 2009
10:32 am
Wes just saying people complain about KK and his 8 mil when there are others making more who would love to have his numbers which in reality aren’t that bad if you look at them.
Anders
August 20th, 2009
10:32 am
Lew- Ron Darling has been talking about just that for a while. He basically feels that pitchers are way to coddled now and its hurt the overall game. I happen to agree.
"You all are Cox apologists"
August 20th, 2009
10:33 am
42 GAMES LEFT,
If the Braves are serious about making the playoffs, I think they should be thinking 30-12 to get in. The Rockies currently have a 4 game lead with a lot of games left against LAD and SF. The Braves have most of their games against FLA, PHIL, NYM, and WASH. If we can’t beat up on our division foes, look forward to a 4TH consecutive season of MISSING THE PLAYOFFS. Think about it this way, at least if we don’t make the playoffs then COX won’t return.
Lew
August 20th, 2009
10:35 am
Joe Fan-What numerous contract issues? You mean Hudson’s option, whether or not to try to retain either Gonzo or Soriano and who to get to play first?
I’m thinking that is nowhere near the obstacle of obtaining our rotation this past winter was.
fleming
August 20th, 2009
10:35 am
Lew
It’s been years since the Braves only went with 11 man staff. Somewhere around 92-93 I think. There has even been times especially early in the year they went with 13 man staffs.
Escobar for Supreme Court
August 20th, 2009
10:36 am
Lew,
Agreed!
Do you think Bobby continues to make in game decisions as if he still had those 3 guys? Lowe 3 2/3 9 hits 8 runs?
RHR
August 20th, 2009
10:37 am
Joe Fan – satire, right? I hate when I can’t tell for sure.
Lew
August 20th, 2009
10:37 am
Anders-I agree, too, but it isn’t something that can be turned around just by requiring pitchers to pitch more. They need to work into it gradually.
Wayne in Utah
August 20th, 2009
10:38 am
And why, pray tell, would Cox not return if we don’t make the playoffs? Maybe he would think that he was one more year away from getting this team back on track and to the playoffs. Nice try.