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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
2,965 comments Add your comment
Paul Lentz
August 26th, 2009
2:27 pm
Shaun………regardless of whether firing their manager helped the Rockies…………the fact remains that they Rockies are playing MUCH BETTER since their 18-28 start. You can see the attitude of their players, the way they are carrying themselves.
Look at how they scrapped against us when we were in Colorado. We should have swept that 4 game series. Yet they TOOK two games away from us. That Sunday loss was especially painful. The simply REFUSE to give up.
While we have made a few comebacks in the second half…….there were a number of other games where we simply “took the night off”. Last night was a classic example.
Again, I ask you guys this: How many of you feel that the Rockies would allow the Padres to come “into their house” and hold them to 1 run in 12 innings? Be honest.
The A Bomb
August 26th, 2009
2:27 pm
DOB — when you are in a playoff chase fans show their true colors.
Pittsburgh and Kansas City are not anywhere near that category and drew more.
And by the way, the Royals played the Cleveland Indians.
NO MORE BOBBY
August 26th, 2009
2:28 pm
Watching videos last night on the Turner big screen of some great comebacks back in the day made me remember we used to be good. Like REALLY GOOD. One of the clips showed this skinny kid scoring and I had no clue who it was. Turned out to be Andruw Jones. He put on a lot of weight at the end of his career with the Braves.
Wayne in Utah
August 26th, 2009
2:28 pm
Why do we need Dave if we have bloggers who “know” what is going on in the clubhouse?
Gotta run….
Braves Realist
August 26th, 2009
2:29 pm
Its come to that point in the season where I know the Braves won’t make the playoffs and that’s good for one reason. I can now watch the games just to watch a ballgame and not get overly frustrated or pissed off with their play. Hopefully next season, we can improve even more and get over that hump. Its got to start with Cox and Chipper retiring in the offseason.
McFann Ô
August 26th, 2009
2:30 pm
cabravesfan–
Hmm…I have been wanting a dog…(but Petey wouldn’t approve.
)
HAND SIZE??? Holy crud! OK…you got me back…TMI!
Paul Lentz
August 26th, 2009
2:31 pm
The A Bomb………..winning 2 of 3 against teams we should sweep is simply not acceptable. Our margin for error is thin. Yet we are playing like we can afford to give away games.
The Marlins came into Philly a few weeks ago and swept the Phillies. Because of their play since we swept them in Atlanta before the All-Star Break………..they can afford to have a bad weekend. They righted the ship and went back to playing good ball and extending their division lead.
We dont have that luxury. Yet by only scoring 1 run against the Padres in 12 innings last night, the Braves played like last night was only “one game”.
Tomahawkin
August 26th, 2009
2:31 pm
No More Bobby!
“We want energy, speed, see emotions from players (good and bad), a new star player that this city falls in love with (Chipper era is done) and most important a manager that can lead this young team to winning again. Not just try and get to the playoffs winning, but where each NL team knows you have to come through Atlanta if you want to make it to the world series.
To those who post about excitement for 2010, I agree. But do we really want Bobby in charge again and waste another year that leads to fans saying they feel good about 2011?”
Word Is Bond! I agree 100 percent…and people wonder why people in Atlanta start talking about College football in may
Hillbilly
August 26th, 2009
2:34 pm
RHR and others from Alabama,
Do y’all get the “no teeth” jokes as often as we get the “no shoes” jokes here in Arkansas?
jeffrey d
August 26th, 2009
2:34 pm
No More Bobby – I just don’t like the fake, gigantic implants, tanning bed girls.
cabravesfan
August 26th, 2009
2:34 pm
McFann-
My dog loves birds! (OK, by “love” I mean she wants to hunt them down and eat them but she does love them
She’s a terrier, not her fault!)
As for the hand sized spiders, at least they stay in the trees (except when they decide to hang in front of my door
)
Nova Scotia Steve - Is Worried - But the LaRoche Girls Help
August 26th, 2009
2:34 pm
SIGN ADAM LaROCHE – Quick
PWHjort
August 26th, 2009
2:34 pm
Weren’t you talking about a “scaled to ERA” tRA? I don’t see one (I’m using StatCorner), but is there a methodology to accomplish that?
The A Bomb
August 26th, 2009
2:34 pm
Lentz — that is because you and others still think of the Braves as a playoff contender.
I do not. I have always said 83-86 wins, and that is very acceptable for the 2009 season, especially with the unathletic team we have now.
When those players are replaced by the up and comers, and a tweak here and there, we will be a serious playoff contender as early as next year. You cannot be a serious contender with DHs in the outfield. Sorry.
Paul Lentz
August 26th, 2009
2:35 pm
Tomahawkin…………I believe that Bobby Cox set the tone for mediocrity on this team this year. I’ve heard him say the “let’s take 2 of 3″ mantra too many times this year.
It is hard for this Braves team to play consistent when they bust their tail during a game………and then see Bobby continue to throw Greg Norton out there to pinch hit in crucial situations night after night. It’s sad where you hope your #1 pinch hitter doesnt swing, so we can draw a walk, which is the best you can realistically hope from him.
Being loyal to a player is one thing. Sticking with BUMS who are killing your team is a different story. It’s hard to be “consistent” when the manager sticks with players who “arent consistent”.
Shaun
August 26th, 2009
2:36 pm
Yet many of you on here are willing to settle for “good”……..when the Braves can do much better than “good”.
It’s not that we are settling for good. We realize it’s likely they are merely good because of talent and likely not because of Bobby Cox or Terry Pendleton or body language or lack of effort or anything else.
We also accept the fact that all franchises have ups and downs, that the Braves not long ago finished a remarkable run of success and that this year was a set up of possible greatness in 2010 and for quite a few years after that.
We also accept the fact that Wren and the front office did a remarkable job of getting the best possible team on the field for a large chunk of 2009 without ruining the prospects for greatness in 2010 and the few years following.
Baba O'Riley
August 26th, 2009
2:36 pm
TommyP: What player’s slugging percentage would not go up after getting a bunt single? How many players have slugging percentages above 1.000?
Steve from OH
August 26th, 2009
2:37 pm
Well, on the fangraphs post explaining tRA, somebody commented that you can scale it to ERA by multiplying by .90, but I’m not sure if that’s valid or not.
jeffrey d
August 26th, 2009
2:37 pm
Aww, they make no shoes jokes in Arkansas? I’m an Arkansan by birth, but haven’t been there since I was very young.
Paul Lentz
August 26th, 2009
2:38 pm
Shaun………..the Rockies have a number of good players who play HARD and WITH A SENSE OF URGENCY. You dont make comebacks like the Rockies do on talent alone.
Mentally, this Rockies team is a tough team to beat. They have repeatedly shown that since that 18-28 start.
jeffrey d
August 26th, 2009
2:39 pm
crap, and I usually prefer to go barefoot too.
Steve from OH
August 26th, 2009
2:39 pm
Paul, shut up.
Baba O'Riley
August 26th, 2009
2:39 pm
Paul- what about them tells you they play with a sense of urgency?
Vinings Jim
August 26th, 2009
2:41 pm
cabravesfan – you need to find someone to handle those spiders for you
Paul Lentz
August 26th, 2009
2:41 pm
The A Bomb………….86 wins would have been acceptable going into this season. However, with the moves that Frank Wren has made since the season began (calling up Tommy Hanson, trading for McLouth and Church) and the emergence of Martin Prado (his headaches aside)……..expecting more than 86 wins is not unrealistic.
Shaun
August 26th, 2009
2:41 pm
I believe that Bobby Cox set the tone for mediocrity on this team this year. I’ve heard him say the “let’s take 2 of 3″ mantra too many times this year.
Really? First of all, showing us a quote from Bobby Cox saying that would be helpful. Second, if a team wins 2 of 3, they are going to post a pretty great record; a.667 winning percentage is a lot better than mediocre by any definition of mediocre you can come up with.
Baba O'Riley
August 26th, 2009
2:41 pm
Why isn’t it the result of talent and a pitcher missing his spot?
cabravesfan
August 26th, 2009
2:42 pm
VJ-
Spider Shot may be the best invention EVER
Baba O'Riley
August 26th, 2009
2:43 pm
This team has ONE offensive All-Star caliber player. Our current starting outfield has to be one of the worst in the majors. 86 wins and some offseason offensive upgrades is acceptable.
jeffrey d
August 26th, 2009
2:44 pm
A team that wins 2 of 3 goes 108-54. That’s a pretty mediocre team, there, Bobby. Why don’t you shoot a little higher?
Braves Realist
August 26th, 2009
2:44 pm
I know only 1 of Diaz, Church, and GA are coming back as the 4th OF next season. Hopefully it is Diaz. Church is injured too much and GA, well…yeah. McLouth and Heyward, IMO, are locks. Do you guys think we will end up with a Damon, Marlon Byrd type OF or do we trade for an all-star caliber OF? Signing LaRoche is a must because we have nobody else to play 1st. Freeman is not exactly tearing it up in AA. It just seems like we don’t have enough $ to get a 1B, OF, 3B, and a closer.
Daslied
August 26th, 2009
2:45 pm
Paul, only you could argue with a team going 108-54.
Crazy Trades McGee
August 26th, 2009
2:45 pm
I heard that a deal just went through where the Braves gave up Jurrjens’ magnetic neclace and got Ryan Freel’s Pants in return… That should make someone on here very happy…
Hillbilly
August 26th, 2009
2:46 pm
Jeffrey d,
Everyone here wears overalls rolled up to their knees, no shirt, no shoes, and a raggedy old straw hat. We all sit in rocking chairs on the porches of our old tar-paper shacks with a banjo in one hand, a jug marked “XXX” in the other, a piece of Bahia grass hanging out of our mouths, and a lazy old blue tick hound at out feet. You should come back and visit sometime.
What part of Arkansas are you from?
Tomahawkin
August 26th, 2009
2:47 pm
Hillbilly
I lived in Fayetteville Ar for 5 years and never hear any “No Shoes” jokes…
DAP
August 26th, 2009
2:47 pm
I know only 1 of Diaz, Church, and GA are coming back as the 4th OF next season.
i think diaz and church will both be back. both are pretty valuable players, and since garrett anders on greg norton will both more than likely be gone, the braves can keep both church and diaz, and still have enough roster space for heyward, and an outfielder brought in by trade or free agency.
Paul Lentz
August 26th, 2009
2:48 pm
Shaun……..like you, I am optimistic about 2010. I have repeatedly posted my support for the moves that Frank Wren has made in both the off season and during the year. I have faith that he will make the moves necessary to take that next step in 2010.
However, that does not mean that we have to give up this year. Even with the injuries, we still have enough to make a run.
Sure, it would be nice to have a 100% healthy Chipper Jones carrying the offense. However, with our starting pitcher, we dont have to depend on Chipper to carry this team. As long as he isnt at risk of hurting himself further……I am totally ok with Bobby putting Chipper in the #3 spot. He’s a threat and teams have to respect that. Even a struggling Chipper puts stress on the opposing pitcher. Chipper is due to turn it around. He’s shown it throughout his career.
PWHjort
August 26th, 2009
2:50 pm
Good call, Steve.
jeffrey d
August 26th, 2009
2:51 pm
Hillybilly – I was born in Little Rock but we moved way before I could remember anything about it. I still got some family in West Memphis, though.
I’m assuming people still yell “AHEEYUCK!” to each other as they pass by?
Hillbilly
August 26th, 2009
2:51 pm
Tomahawkin’,
Fayetteville is a different world from South Arkansas. A whole other planet.
Shaun
August 26th, 2009
2:51 pm
You dont make comebacks like the Rockies do on talent alone.
Okay, I’ll grant you that. But it’s likely major leaguers play with some sense of urgency every game. Do you really think players want to risk embarrassment or even possibly losing their jobs and millions of dollars? What incentive does a major league player have of not trying hard? I’m sure it’s happened (Black Sox, Gary Sheffield in Milwaukee) but I would bet it’s extremely rare especially these days when the difference between loafing and playing hard can mean at least a couple of million dollars.
So I don’t think the Rockies are playing with any more urgency than the Braves or any other team. It’s not urgency that seperates the Rockies from the other Wild Card contenders. It’s mostly talent and luck.
Here’s something else to throw in to the discussion. In the grand scheme of things, 5.5 games isn’t a huge difference and 1.5 games in the “Pythagorean standings” is an even smaller difference. I realize that means nothing in terms of the playoff race but it certainly does mean something in evaluating what kind of season the Braves are having and what they are likely to do in 2010.
NO MORE BOBBY
August 26th, 2009
2:52 pm
jeffrey d – I just don’t like the fake, gigantic implants, tanning bed girls.
Im with you on the tanning bed part but the implants? Love em!!
Paul Lentz
August 26th, 2009
2:53 pm
Baba O’Riley…………….to answer your 2:39pm posting, I’ve been watching the Rockies play more often in the past month (again they are ahead of us in the Wild Card). You can see by the way they battle every at-bat, every inning that they are playing with a “sense of urgency”.
Again, you dont come back the way they have by “mailing it in” like the Braves did against the Mets last week in the first game of the 3 game series in New York. Go and check the recaps from the Rockies series with the Giants over the weekend.
PWHjort
August 26th, 2009
2:53 pm
You cannot be a serious contender with DHs in the outfield.
Really? It’s impossible to contend with “DHs in the outfield”? Well, the good news is twofold. A) the Braves don’t have a DH in their outfield. Garret Anderson has been below-average, but not DH-in-the-outfield bad. He’s cost the team 7 runs. B) You don’t know what you’re talking about, because plenty of teams have succeeded with bad outfield defense. Want me to go through them? I’m going to do it anyway.
In 2008, the Angels finished with the best record in baseball, 100-62. Their corner outfielders cost them a combined 21 runs, or 2.something wins.
In 2007, the Boston Red Sox won the world series with Manny Ramirez costing the 13 runs in LF, or ~1.5 wins.
I could go on, but you get the idea. You’re making definitive statements and you don’t have a lick of proof to back it up. The definition of talking out of your rear.
Sorry.
What on earth are you apologizing for? Why add sorry to the end of your post? You’re apologizing for breaking this traumatic news to us? Well when it’s all bullsh!t to begin with, sort of kills the whole “news” and, by definition, “traumatic” part of it. You’re just being an arrogant prick. “I’m sorry I’m so much smarter than you and have to break this piece of news to you” is basically what you’re saying by adding “sorry” to the end of the post. Let me tell you something, buddy. You don’t know jack. If anything, I should apologize for pointing out the fallacies of your argument and behavior.
Hillbilly
August 26th, 2009
2:53 pm
Jeffrey d,
Nah, no yelling. They just text it to one another. Times are a-changin’.
Nova Scotia Steve
August 26th, 2009
2:54 pm
I surprised there’s been no Kawakami talk yet today…
David O'Brien
August 26th, 2009
2:54 pm
NEW BLOGGAGE
Baba O'Riley
August 26th, 2009
2:54 pm
NMB- I agree on the implants. It’s like they’re BEGGING you to notice, gawk, stare, etc…
BL
August 26th, 2009
2:54 pm
Shaun
August 26th, 2009
1:09 pm
Lack of effort or not giving a sh!t is about the same thing to me. I say we had this last night because no one was up on the top step of the dugout supporting each other when the winning run is 90 feet away/up to bat. This happened for at least 3 innings I saw because SS does such a good job of entire dugout shots.
Would have loved to have seen a shot of the Rockies dugout when they were up late and tied going for the win? Bet they weren’t sitting on their arrss looking bored.
Shaun
August 26th, 2009
2:54 pm
Paul Lentz, who’s giving up on 2009 (besides maybe a few of the lunatic fringe who regularly post)? I realize the Braves are in control of their destiny. What I’m saying is I realize and accept the Braves are probably not a great team (around 95+ wins or somewhere in that area) no matter how hard they try. But I certainly think they have as good a chance as anyone outside of Colorado (or LA?) of winning the Wild Card. Heck, I even think they have a sliver of hope in winning the East.
CaliChopper
August 26th, 2009
2:56 pm
VJ. those spiders come with their own saddles, have at it buddy
RHR
August 26th, 2009
2:56 pm
I never hear any Arkansas jokes and nor Bama jokes about teeth, only online, I guess. That’s more of a man thing to make fun of appearances based on where you’re from. Besides, everyone knows southern women have them all beat, the stereotypical jokes don’t apply to us.
But seriously, I’ve been all over the US, only a handful of states I haven’t been to and I assure you, there are ugly, fat, stupid, redneck and toothless souls in all of them.
RHR
August 26th, 2009
2:59 pm
Shaun – imaginary people, that’s who. They are the subject of all his rants, I’ve noticed. I mean, if one person like Chop Chop, for example, comes on and makes a joke like ‘bat McCann 9th!’ he takes it and runs with it. And it was never even serious to start with!
The A Bomb
August 26th, 2009
2:59 pm
PWHjort…When we had Gant, Nixon and Justice in the outfield, our pitching when from good to excellent.
Look at the Phillies with their outfield, buddy.
Just because you blog all the time doesn’t make you the supreme expert either. I’m giving my opinion based on 43 years of Braves baseball.
Anderson and Diaz are DHs…nothing wrong with that if you’re and AL team. And there’s a difference between playing in Fenway and the large power alleys of Turner Field.
You can quote all the stats you want. Athletes win.
Paul Lentz
August 26th, 2009
3:01 pm
Shaun…………in theory, winning 2 of 3 is playing good baseball. However, the problem with having the “2 of 3″ mentality is that you’ve already prepared yourself to lose one game in the series. That leaves the other 2 games. Well, if the other team knows that they are going to be “given” one game of a series against the Braves…..then all they need to do is win one of the remaining 2 in order for them to take “2 of 3″ themselves.
Do you really think that the Rockies went into their 4 game series with the Giants, being happy with a 4 game split (particularly after they lost game 1 on Friday)? Hell no. They promptly went out and won the last 3 games of the series. On Saturday, there were behind 6-1 in the bottom of the 6th……came back and won. On Sunday, they were behind Linecum 2-0 going into the 6th…..came back and won. On Monday, they were behind by 3 runs going into the bottom of the 14th inning……….came back and won.
Now if that isnt playing with a “sense of urgency”…….I dont know what is.
Also, I dont see this Rockies team being happy with only taking 2 of 3 against the Dodgers either. They see this series as an opportunity to catch the Dodgers and tie them for first place by sweeping them. It’s called TAKING ADVANTAGE OF YOUR HEAD TO HEAD MATCH-UPS within your division.
Random
August 26th, 2009
3:04 pm
DOB (August 26th, 2009 1:44 pm): “The Three Degrees’ “When Will I See You Again.” Damn, what a great song.”
You’re joking, right?
What’s next? Paul Anka’s “You’re Having My Baby”?
(Geez, what a sap.)
semiballcoach
August 26th, 2009
3:05 pm
sign adam laroche…put him in triple a until all star break
Paul Lentz
August 26th, 2009
3:07 pm
Shaun………your 2:51pm posting is missing the point. As good as the Rockies have been playing…….this Braves team should not be 5 1/2 games out of the Wild Card. Our starting pitching is the ace in the hole.
I’m saying that it’s the mentality of the offense that is ok with a few good productive nights…..only to slack off like they did last night. Or when they “quit” hitting when they went up 4-0 and had Oliver Perez on the ropes last Tuesday night. Falling behind 8-4 with 5 more cracks at the Mets pitching should not have been the end of the world.
For whatever reason, the Braves offense isnt mentally ready to play every game like it is a MUST WIN. Last night is a perfect example of that.
dunwoodybrave
August 26th, 2009
3:14 pm
I’m not surprised attendance was low on Tuesday night. Private schools started back, public schools started a couple of weeks earlier, and parents aren’t going to let the kids drag home at 11 pm the first week of school.
Plus it was the….Padres.
Doc Holiday
August 26th, 2009
3:58 pm
Paul Lentz,
Thanks for the comment.
Wayne in Utah,
Couldnt read any response from you about What I had to say about Prados August performance. Either you missed it or you just couldnt say I was wrong, which is not something typical of you (LOL), so maybe you can go back and check my post, Im interested in your answer to it about Prados August performance, since you described it as bad or poor.
BL
August 26th, 2009
3:59 pm
The A Bomb
Do you live here? Try and make it to the Ted from Alpharetta for a 7PM start. Little thing called gridlock.
BL
August 26th, 2009
4:04 pm
The A Bomb
Families of 8-10 shouldn’t go towards your attendance count.
BL
August 26th, 2009
4:11 pm
Tomahawkin
August 26th, 2009
2:20 pm
More like haters!
bravesfan
August 26th, 2009
4:14 pm
I saw the Laroche girls on tv last night are they just random girls or do they know Adam?
BL
August 26th, 2009
4:19 pm
Shaun
You act like Jake Peavy pitched for the Padres last night? Are you kidding me?