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
2,168 comments Add your comment
Kurdt Kobain
August 26th, 2009
11:59 pm
At least on the record
Steve from OH
August 27th, 2009
12:00 am
Or Prado’s Kelly Johnson imitation of bobbling a grounder?
Wait, I thought Prado was good at defense? I’m confused.
Wayne in Utah
August 27th, 2009
12:01 am
Necro
That would be the only thing that would force Bobby out. And to be honest, they would probably offer him a chance to retire first, which I think Jones did to Landry. As I remember, I think Landry wanted one more year, and Jones said no way.
I have never been a Cowboy’s fan, but I became a Tom Landry fan on that day.
diehard braves fan since july
August 27th, 2009
12:01 am
Frank Wren needs to sack Cox. I mean actually *tackle* him.
monty
August 27th, 2009
12:02 am
I believe we won several games without Chipper being in the lineup, why not give him a couple of days off? Prado can play third, move Infante to second or KJ.
Necromancer
August 27th, 2009
12:02 am
Wayne
Haven’t been here in a while and noticed that you made good on what you said you were going to do several days ago.
Giving the ole boy hell, eh?
Your posts are always a breath of fresh air, my friend.
N8
August 27th, 2009
12:04 am
Paul Lentz, as much as it pains me to say this, (somewhere hell is freezing over – and the Eagles are still touring…), but I couldn’t agree more with your 11:51.
I love Chipper. Love his fire. Love that he was one of the few in the 90’s that showed his emotions (along with Smoltz – and Avery early on).
But I said it earlier this year. As long as he is the primary cog in our lineup, the offense will continue to sputter. When he’s hot, things will be good. When he’s not. It won’t.
Find me another playoff contending team out there, with it’s oldest veteran lineup guy (Loaf don’t count), battting 3rd in the lineup. Which in most people’s eyes is where you put your best hitter.
Been asking, in fact BEGGING for somebody other than Chipper to bat 3rd in this lineup for almost a month. Was told I was crazy, insane, stupid. You name it.
Chipper is destined to be a DH batting 5th, 6th, 7th or 8th on a stacked AL ball club. When he sees it, he’ll ask to be traded. Until then, Bobby will keep batting him 3rd.
yall are crazy
August 27th, 2009
12:05 am
The A Bomb
August 26th, 2009
11:55 pm
Supes…
I just can’t understand how a playoff contender can draw so few fans…….
That’s because the Braves are not a playoff contender. They won’t be until certain changes are made.
Wayne in Utah
August 27th, 2009
12:06 am
Kurdt
Interesting how some folks actually listen to Bobby’s post game stuff and put any real stock in it, especially after a loss.
He has always deferred the blame from his players. One of many reasons he is beloved by his players.
Dumbfound
August 27th, 2009
12:06 am
What great things ?!! If that stupid manager for the Cleveland Indians was a little smarter than Booby Cox (He’s a boobie) the Braves would be still searching for their first world series !!
Wayne in Utah
August 27th, 2009
12:08 am
Necro
And it is so fun!!!
N8
Your last statement could be true. But many players don’t know how to say “goodbye” to the game or to their role in the game.
Necromancer
August 27th, 2009
12:08 am
Which one of the “doo doo heads”, Wren or Cox, is responsible for sending Brooks Conrad down?
Greg Norton? Kelly Johnson?
Something tells me that Cox had a lot of influence over that decision.
Now, I see why the Robert dude calls Cox the Donkey.
monty
August 27th, 2009
12:08 am
Steve from Ohio
DO you think KJ snares that linedrive and throws out the runner like Prado? Please don’t say yes. While Prado may make an occassional blunder, as Chipper does and Yunel, KJ inspires no confidence whatsoever in the field or at the plate, oh yeh, except for when he returns out of hibernation for the winter. But then he sees his shadow.
chilidog75
August 27th, 2009
12:09 am
Maybe the team let up. Maybe it lost focus. Whatever.
But who the F is Ed O’Flaherty to say that? How about YOU, Ed O’Flaherty, coming into a game, in the middle of a rally, and putting out the fire? Instead of getting our your own blow torch?
That might have helped. The sixth inning didn’t have anything to do with focus. It had to do with YOUR terrible pitching. Step up and say you sucked. Don’t blame it on losing focus.
Paul Lentz
August 27th, 2009
12:11 am
CaliChopper……..I agree with your 11:49pm posting about Kawakami’s accepting blame. Just like I respect Derek Lowe accepting blame for the 8 run meltdown in New York last week.
Kawakami has never blamed anyone for his bad performances. I appreciate and respect that from a player. When a player accepts blame for a mistake, it shows that he knows what is wrong and that he will try and correct it.
When Luis Castillo drop that pop up by A-Rod that gave the Yankees the win…….he answered every question from the sea of reporters in the New York Media. He took his “medicine” like a man. He know he “messed up” and that the fans that paid good money had every right to be angry. However, when he accepted his “medicine”, he actually generated sympathy and the fallout from the error soon died.
It is getting old seeing the manager of our team continue to place blame on everything but his players and his mistakes as manager.
Ozzie Guillen has the respect of his players, yet not only does he call them on their mistakes………but he also takes the blame and protects his players at the same time.
Bobby Cox……..uh, “we tried”. What a bunch of BS. You deserve A FREAKING F for the job you have done managing the Braves this year. Our starting pitching is the reason the Braves are 6 games over .500. It is despite your managerial mistakes that the Braves are still in contention for a playoff spot. Your excuses got old long ago. Hold your players accountable…..light a fire in their collective A$$ES.
Jake W.
August 27th, 2009
12:11 am
Well, thought it would be smart just to stay away from the blog after the last two nights but wanted to read the quotes that DOB would get. Didn’t read much else but to be honest I hate it when at the end of the year in a playoff race and a bottom feeding team comes in and the first thought is we must sweep. Don’t know if the players were thinking it but Joe Simpson said as much that this was a series we needed to sweep. To me personally i’ve always liked the take it one game at a time approach then go from there. Just like the braves didn’t want to look past the nats to that weekend series with the phils I kind of look at it like the same thing. If you are thinking sweep you are looking past the first 2 games and assuming you win. Any given night in baseball any team can beat you. I don’t care what the record is you still have to play the game. Padres having nothing to lose, players trying to show what they can do for next year, personally they are more dangerous than the other teams.
On to this game, the turning point to me is when Church’s ball didn’t quite get out and Diaz misplayed that ball that I feel he should have caught. Thats a big out right there. Looks like he had plenty of time to get under it, similar to Gwynn just didn’t make the play. Now you got one run in and the tying runs on 2nd and 3rd. Padres are also wearing out that gap in left center between Garrett and the center fielder. Outside of Mac’s homerun the offense as a whole really hasn’t it done it this series.
Interesting quotes from Chipper and EOF. Well, 5 games back in the Wild-Card. Its a long shot but hey if I could thank the mets for one thing over the last couple of years is that they have shown me its always a chance. I mean the way the braves have played all season I wouldn’t be surprised if they bounced back and won or swept the phillies series. You just never know with this team.
Dumbfound
August 27th, 2009
12:11 am
Wayne, Cox contract is up after this season ! Wren will not sign him again. You see, That’s the safe way out for Wren because he did not fire him. He just wants to go in another direction !
Necromancer
August 27th, 2009
12:11 am
They won’t be(contenders) until certain changes are made.
Yeah…fo shizzle!
Chop Chop
August 27th, 2009
12:12 am
Wayne,
He defers blame from his players and rarely takes responsibility (at least from what we see in the papers and on TV) for any poor decisions he might make. He’d be a hell of a politician. No one’s ever to blame for anything. Bad stuff happens and we just march forward into oblivion with boogers in our noses and heehaws in our hearts.
(That was kinda fun.)
N8
August 27th, 2009
12:12 am
Necromancer, I’ve been making the Cox/Landry comparison since I’ve been blogging on here (2007, or was it 2006?). Nobody’s listening.
Sad thing is, Landry won two titles. But the comparison is fair, imo.
Legendary HOF coach, (as much as I don’t want Bobby around, I respect his PAST achievements, but that doesn’t give him a pass in my book), LONG string of playoff appearances, 5 title games, various HOF players on his teams, etc….
But you’re right. Liberty Media isn’t going to do it. And the fans would have a FIT about it (just like Dallas fans did). But sometimes new blood is just needed.
The bottom line is that Bobby’s teams (for whatever reason or another), have caved in recent years against teams they should beat. Blame the players. Blame the GM. Blame whoever you want to blame.
I think the initial “buck” stops at the HC/manager.
Nate the GR8
August 27th, 2009
12:12 am
Lets face it folks. The Braves struggles go back to one thing. Its not Bobby or Chipper. It is the lack of a slugger to slot in the 4 hole. Roachy was a good pickup but he is not the answer in the 4 hole. He would be great in the 6 spot right behind Mac. The offseason objectives should be to get that Big Bopper that we need.
Steve from OH
August 27th, 2009
12:12 am
KJ, UZR/150 (353 games) -6.6 runs, or -1/2 win per season.
Marteen, UZR/150 (74 games) -17.7 runs, or -1 1/2 wins per season.
Obviously, the sample size for Marteen is very small, but it still illustrates my point: Marteen is more sure-handed than Kelly, but Kelly gets to a lot of balls that Prado doesn’t. Both count against you equally in UZR.
monty
August 27th, 2009
12:13 am
I would say comparitively speaking O’Flarety has out performed Chipper as of the last month or more per DOB’s recent stats on the extensiveness of Chipper’s slump.
Steve from OH
August 27th, 2009
12:13 am
Not saying that Kelly isn’t bad, but Prado’s not good either.
Chop Chop
August 27th, 2009
12:13 am
That should be “deflects,” not “defers.”
Wayne in Utah
August 27th, 2009
12:14 am
monty
Don’t know if KJ would have gotten that ball or not. Probably would have, since it was only a few steps away from Prado. KJ has better range. Prado has better hands. Neither one is a standout in ANY facet of defense. Prado seems to make a lot of “incredible” plays, but I wonder just how many would have been picked up more routinely by a fielder with better range.
Hey, don’t get me wrong. I am thrilled with Prado’s performance this year so far. Just not willing to anoint him the second baseman of the future right now. I suspect he will settle into a utility role eventually.
Nate the GR8
August 27th, 2009
12:15 am
Lentz,
12:11 isnt bad but Ozzie has lost the respect of his players. He will be looking for a job here soon. I live in the Chi and people are clamoring for him to get the ax like crazy. His antics have worn thin.
Necromancer
August 27th, 2009
12:16 am
N8
That is precisely why I’m saying I hope the old fart retires at the end of this year.
Paul Lentz
August 27th, 2009
12:17 am
Supes………good 11:49pm posting. I appreciate the props.
As far as my disagreements with certain posters, I simply will not engage in any discussions with them. Unlike them, I know how to use the scroll button and ignore those I dont want to partake in discussions with. If you dont like someone, just ignore them. I dont like them so I choose to not engage in any debates with them.
I feel where you are coming from with my debate with Shaun earlier today. However you have to agree that it was civil. No name calling by either of us. Sure, we kept going back and forth on a difference of opinion concerning how Bobby managed the 9th inning of Tuesday’s game. However I felt it was a healthy debate between me and him.
Eddie Perez sounds like a possible good choice to replace Bobby. Regardless, we need a manager who can breathe some life into this team…..someone who isnt ok with us playing like a bunch of zombies out there.
Yunel's Frosted Tips
August 27th, 2009
12:19 am
Chipper’s full of sh*t
N8
August 27th, 2009
12:20 am
Earlier I stated:
“Find me another playoff contending team out there, with it’s oldest veteran lineup guy (Loaf don’t count), battting 3rd in the lineup. Which in most people’s eyes is where you put your best hitter.”
I should clarify, that I’m not saying there isn’t a place on our roster for Chipper as long as we want to win. What I am saying, has more to do with the rest of the lineup, (and how Bobby uses it).
Until SOMEBODY steps up and becomes the new leader of this offense (can’t be McCann – Bobby won’t bat him third, and he sits too many days), and becomes the everyday #3 guy that Chipper used to be, we’re doomed to fail to be consistently potent as an offense.
Chipper’s old. His skills are declining, and going to continue to decline. That’s OK. Happens to the best of them. And he’s one of the best ever, imo.
But what he did in 1995, 1999 or even last year (winning the batting title), has nothing to do with whether he should be batting 3rd right now. Too many important AB’s going to him while he’s struggling. Meanwhile you’ve got the red-hot LaRoche toiling in the lower 3rd of the order. Why?
That’s all I’m asking/saying. Give me one good reason (other than his PAST credentials), why Chipper should remain in the 3-hole. Anybody.
Jake W.
August 27th, 2009
12:21 am
The A Bomb
The braves are not a major market team. School year has started and there are other various factors. Braves are very much a regional team so the school year starting not only affects the metro area but people who come from neighboring states.
I still don’t buy that somehow if there were another 15,000 fans there that they would have somehow won. I mean can they snap Chipper out his slump? Make EOF get the lefty he was sent in to get tonight. Braves had some nice crowds for the philly series. Place felt and sounded like a playoff atmosphere. The braves lost the series and needed an errant throw by Lidge to win one. Fan support is good but sometimes I think people overestimate its importance. If you are good you’re good and that is what usually shows at the end of the day. Why else does a team like Florida seemingly compete every year or Tampa Bay do what they did last year.
Necromancer
August 27th, 2009
12:21 am
Cox and his stubborn way of managing is holding the team back. I mean, why the hell is Greg Norton still playing and Conrad is back down in the “effing” minors?
Bobby Cox is like an old car..you may love it..but it starts to break down and you have to replace it..
Anyone know how much longer Liberty Media might hang onto the Braves? I’m wishing Arthur Blank will come sniffing around again.
Chop Chop
August 27th, 2009
12:22 am
Paul,
How do you so consistently earn props on this blog? I’ve tried for years and haven’t been able to do it. What is it that you bring to the blog that really cuts through the BS and enlightens people here?
brian
August 27th, 2009
12:22 am
paul – no i do not think that the braves will just give up Soriano or Gonzo but I do not think that the phillies will give up what we would want. The Braves will not just give them up especially since we will probably try to sign one of them for the next few years and the other we should get 2 draft picks
Paul Lentz
August 27th, 2009
12:22 am
Supes……….again, totally agree with your 11:55pm posting. Tired of the pathetic excuses from Bobby Cox.
What he did in the past is just that……..THE PAST. Just like it was time to send Smoltz and Glavine out to pasture……it’s time to let Bobby walk away at the end of the season. We need new blood to be pumped into the locker room from a manager who can light some fire in these guys.
Perhaps one of the reasons why none of Bobby’s players have anything bad to say about him is because he is easy on them, never holds them accountable. The fact that the Braves had Glavine, Smoltz, Avery, and Maddox all those years………and our starting pitching this year……..covered up the flaws that Bobby has a manager.
monty
August 27th, 2009
12:22 am
Wayne in Utah
Why do you think BC didn’t start KJ after he hit those 2 meaningful HR’s in LA? BC has always rewarded players for big hits with starts, but not this time even when we were short handed he started Infante instead of KJ. Prado will be the starter next year. KJ is in the dog house and will be traded in the off season. At his salary he’s too expensive to be a back-up. The KJ experiment in Atlanta is officially over. ANd for the record I was very vocal in suppoert of KJ early on, but I wised up and so have the Braves!
NO MORE BOBBY
August 27th, 2009
12:23 am
I like how Chipper decides when he wants to be team leader and not. When is the last time we saw one of his lame team rally ups in the dugout? I think May.
Wayne in Utah
August 27th, 2009
12:24 am
Dunce has done a nice job of taking the high road, except for ONE thing. The azz hole never apologized for his inferences to Mitchie-san. And until you do dip stick, I will continue to take pot shots.
Either you will apologize, or I will continue to call you names and try to push your hot buttons. Or be forced to leave.
Professional poker player, huh? With that brain? Yeah, right!
brian
August 27th, 2009
12:25 am
if the Braves have people through waivers Boston could use a starter, New York probably a starter and a reliever, St. Louis a starter, Detroit a reliever, and the Angels a starter. It would be interesting to see what offers would be there for Gonzo, Soriano, Kawakami, and Vazquez. My guess is not enough to move even one of them but then again there is not much on the market
CaliChopper
August 27th, 2009
12:25 am
Nate the GR8 – you beat me to it. While I like Ozzie as a player and a manager, he’s thrown too many of his players under the bus to have kept their respect. While some times a manager needs to light a fire under his team or light up a player, when you do it as often as Ozzie does, it stops working and you become a joke, kinda like Valentine became.
N8
August 27th, 2009
12:25 am
“The fact that the Braves had Glavine, Smoltz, Avery, and Maddox all those years………and our starting pitching this year……..covered up the flaws that Bobby has a manager.” Paul Lentz
Welcome aboard son. This trains been ridin’ around these parts for almost two decades. I saw you standing on the side of the track, and thought you might need a ride. Buckle up. Next stop…..
The Cellar.
NO MORE BOBBY
August 27th, 2009
12:26 am
Funny how in mid season people wanted to rip my head off for bashing Bobby. Tonight Wayne is getting all the hate for supporting him. Ha!
I give you credit for standing your ground but I think your fighting a losing battle my friend.
Necromancer
August 27th, 2009
12:26 am
Wayne
religious stuff (though probibited) is one of those hot buttons.
larry30
August 27th, 2009
12:26 am
Except for a few stretches here and there, this team has lacked focus all year. They play average defense, are a poor bunting team, can’t execute rundowns, make base running blunders, and generally look unprepared. I personally believe this is a result of the spring training being a fishing and golf camp. I don’t know what they do down there, but given the uninspired, average play for most of the season, I would bust their chops. I have been hoping all season that Cox would “pitch a fit” in that clubhouse like he does with umpires. This team shuffles on and off the field and last night in the 12th they were sitting in the dugout like bumps on a log.
Wayne in Utah
August 27th, 2009
12:27 am
monty
You might be right. I know that soon after the LA series, Infante came back. That might have been why KJ didn’t get any more starts. Then, he went into a mini-slump.
Who knows? Besides, my brain hurts from all the BS being spewed. I think I am going to watch some Fox News. Time to get Hannitized!
The A Bomb
August 27th, 2009
12:28 am
Jake — Appreciate your opinion, respect it, but what I’ve seen is that THIS Braves team has not captured the city of Atlanta and the surrounding region.
While I know football is right around the corner, school has started all over the nation in many districts and today in Anaheim there were 36,000 people for a day game.
Playing before “sparse” crowds can not help a home team. Playing before noisy, enthusiastic ones can help. It didn’t stop people from coming out in the 90s and early 2000s. Even for weekday games against non-contenders.
monty
August 27th, 2009
12:28 am
When is the last time you seen anyone cozying up to Chipper in the dugout? He’s an island. McCann is the leader by example and vocally. As was reported by DOB on here a week or two ago.
Necromancer
August 27th, 2009
12:28 am
er, prohibited, not probibited
Paul Lentz
August 27th, 2009
12:29 am
The A Bomb………..I dont blame the Atlanta fans for not coming out. Think about it: Does this team really inspire fans to want to come out and spend good money watching them? Why would any sane fan want to pay to see the crap that the Braves put on the field the last 2 nights.
Screw “blind loyalty”. Loyalty is something that should be earned. The Braves need to inspire the fans to come out by playing with some heart and passion, on a consistent basis.
I’ve been a Braves fan for 25 years. I consider it a bargain to pay to watch them play on Direct TV. However, I wouldnt pay for season tickets to watch this bunch play every night in person. I have no problem with paying decent money for good seats to see them play 3 games here in San Francisco when they make their only trip to the Bay Area. By the way, they SUCKED MAJOR A$$ during those 3 games in late May. Yet, if I lived in Atlanta, I would not pay for season tickets. Not until they put a different product on the field.
Dumbfound
August 27th, 2009
12:29 am
Would anybody agree with me that two other things that cost the braves this year: 1. Wren gambled on Kelly Johnson. 2. He gambled on Jeff Francoeur. Honorable Mention : Wren should have gambled on Hanson starting the season. Took the KK money and gotton Adam Dunn ! But No ! Everyone on the blog said Dunn was terrible in the field !! Well, the man has 31 homeruns, 90 rbi !
NO MORE BOBBY
August 27th, 2009
12:30 am
McCann is getting fat yo!!
monty
August 27th, 2009
12:30 am
Night all!
Wayne in Utah
August 27th, 2009
12:31 am
Necro
Maybe I should just say a prayer for him??
NO MORE BOBBY
Are we bonding or something here?? Actually, I have already stated that if he is fired, I will come on the blog, apologize for being an idiot, and leave, never to return again. Tail between my legs and everything.
Ain’t gonna happen, as much as you folks want it to!
NO MORE BOBBY
August 27th, 2009
12:32 am
If you had plans to see ADVENTURELAND – rent it. I bought the DVD and that’s a one time watch movie. Great soundtrack as DOB stated a few weeks ago but too slow for me.
Chop Chop
August 27th, 2009
12:32 am
Bobby doesn’t have a contract for next season, Wayne. All Wren would have to do is not offer him one.
Steve from OH
August 27th, 2009
12:32 am
Necro–nothing religious about what Paul said to mitchie. Until he apologizes, I’ll do my best to point out every inaccurate post he makes. It was really un-called for.
Dumbfound
August 27th, 2009
12:32 am
Right Steve, The braves need a power hitting second baseman. Prado is no number one for sure. I was hoping through last winter they would have signed Dan Ugga.
TnBrian
August 27th, 2009
12:33 am
Some of you people are going to give yourselves a stroke over this Braves team…myself included. Kinda like a relationship that’s turned sour, we might have to break up with our team for a few months and wait on 2010. I’ll still watch my team and hope they win, but reality is that SD has beaten us two straight games and WE are the ones that are supposed to be fighting tooth and nail, not them. Kinda sad.
Wayne in Utah
August 27th, 2009
12:34 am
take care monty…
The A Bomb
August 27th, 2009
12:36 am
Actually Lentz — I was at all 4 games in LA and maybe I just assumed the rest of Braves Nation saw what was going on. Best character I’ve seen in years.
And despite last night’s loss they did tie the game up in the 9th.
If I lived in Atlanta at the very least I would be at 20-30 games per year, maybe sharing season tickets — and maybe I am giving too much credence to attendance, but I always thought teams with a noisy, enthustiastic home crowd means something when all’s said and done. Maybe better than 34-30?
TnBrian
August 27th, 2009
12:37 am
Yeah, Chipper oughta just shut his redneck ass up because the huntin boy hadn’t done squat in over a month to help his team, so…..
Wayne in Utah
August 27th, 2009
12:37 am
Necro
And Steve has vowed to only bring up his idiocies in his posts, while I have not….
Chop Chop
Like I said, if Bobby gets fired, I will apologize. It ain’t happening. If he leaves, it’s his call.
Paul Lentz
August 27th, 2009
12:38 am
Necromancer………..your 11:57pm posting was the POSTING OF THE NIGHT. I mentioned this right after last game before the All-Star Break in Colorado where Bobby managed that meltdown.
You are absolutely right about Jerry Jones. I was a junior in high school when Jerry Jones bought the Cowboys. While I had loads of respect for Tom Landry…….the Cowboys his last couple of years were a PATHETIC bunch. We were old, had no team speed (kind of like this Braves bunch).
When Jerry Jones took over and fired Landry, he was RIPPED by the National media. When I heard that he was replacing him with Jimmy Johnson, I was ECSTATIC. Jimmy Johnson was EXACTLY the kind of Head Coach that the Cowboys needed. He DEFINITELY breathed a lot of fire into the Cowboys and made his presence known. Within 3 years the Cowboys were in the play-offs. His 4th year, the Cowboys won the first of 3 Super Bowls in 4 years.
20 years later, Jones firing Landry is just a footnote. Even though he has made some mistakes as owner….I LOVE having Jerry Jones as an owner. He WANTS to win and isnt afraid of admitting he made a mistake and correcting it. With the brand new stadium opening this year, the Cowboys are positioned financially to contend for years to come. Plus we have loads of talent. And of course, we have Tony Romo.
CaliChopper
August 27th, 2009
12:38 am
A Bomb – granted we saw more Braves fans at Dodger toilet than are showing up at the Ted, schools in and football has started and football down there is a religion of its own. So unless play offs are a lock, this time of year the Ted will look a lot like Fulton County Stadium.
N8
August 27th, 2009
12:39 am
brewdawg, I just wanted to add. You state that I seem like a guy that would complain about anything, regardless of result?
Since I’ve been blogging this team hasn’t done jack squat (blame ME if you want). Sure I complain. Sure I’m long winded. But seriously, since you’ve “known” me as a blogger, what has there been to get excited about?
I like Tommy Hanson. I like JJJ. I like B-Mac (I’d move him to 1B – but that’s a different conversation). Vazquez has “grown” on me. Still think we should have gotten a bat instead, but as he’s pitching with no run support next time out, I’m sure there will be people disagreeing with me. LOL
As always, the things that deserve praising, kudos and credit on this team, get it from me. The things that don’t? Don’t.
Bobby doesn’t deserve ANY credit for what tiny success we’ve had this year. JJJ, Vazquez, D-Lowe, Hanson, KK, Gonzo, Moylan and Soriano do. Along with Escobar’s defense, and the occasional hot stretch like Diaz and Prado had at the plate. Recently, Adam LaRoche does.
If you’re asking if I was upset when we lost all those WS games? Damn right I was. But I was happy at the regular season success we had. Common sense predicates that I didn’t gripe as much in the 90’s as I do now (sorry, no blog history back that far).
But when your team wins around 93-103 games every year for about 14 years, odds are, you’ll only complain about 1/3 of the time, right?
NO MORE BOBBY
August 27th, 2009
12:40 am
Wayne – I just know how it feels to get ripped on here by everyone. Kinda nice isnt it? Im not thinking fired but convinced its time to walk away. I do appreciate his work in the past but just as we did with Smoltz and Glavine, at some point you say thanks and move on. I don’t think Bobby has that passion needed to win anymore. Its more of a routine for him to stand in the dugout because its all he knows.
I think other managers (Lou) would have been very upset during interviews after tonights game but he shows no emotion. That worked back in the 90’s when we knew we were the best but now these younger players need to see passion from a manager to inspire them to do better. If the manager is laid back and has a ho-hum attitude then players are going to do the same on the field.
Dumbfound
August 27th, 2009
12:41 am
Yeah Wayne, You just don’t get it ! Wren wouldn’t be labeled the man the fired Boobie Cox ! He just won’t offer him a contract !! On some of the things that Wren continue to see out of Boobie Cox, I would bet my Cadillac that Wren isn’t going to bring him back !
Jake W.
August 27th, 2009
12:41 am
The A Bomb-”Playing before “sparse” crowds can not help a home team. Playing before noisy, enthusiastic ones can help. It didn’t stop people from coming out in the 90s and early 2000s. Even for weekday games against non-contenders.”
Persoanlly I think what we saw during that time was a little bit of fool’s gold. I think we largely overachieved during that period. You got more of the casual fans like those who walk up to go to Wrigley just to be part of the experience. Well, people wanted to be part of the experience when the braves were hot too. While this year has been worse than what you probably expected, you kind of saw it coming with the economy and the way the braves have missed the playoffs the last 3 years and finished 4th last year. I know I wasn’t expecting a boost in attendance unless they had some huge turnaround. Well they have played better but that has been really since the second half. And on the point playing before sparse crowds don’t help, well being one of the worst offensive teams in the league for the better half of the season didn’t help their cause either. Outside of great pitching perfromances the braves were to be blunt, boring.
I understand what you are saying about the Angels but I always warn people against trying to compare other city’s to atlanta. Not to mention the angels are pretty darn good as their record would reflect. I don’t have any kids of my own but I can assure you when I was growing up my parents weren’t going to let me stay up late or miss school for any kind of game. If its on the weekend great. Just different priorites and I know it was the same for many of my friends. I’m not saying its that way for everyone and thats their excuse i’m just telling you how it was for someone growing up here or at least how my parents were.
CaliChopper
August 27th, 2009
12:42 am
Oh and Lentz….. Jerry Jones is nothing but a want to be Al Davis
Paul Lentz
August 27th, 2009
12:42 am
N8……….I hope that you get over the pain that agreeing with my 11:51pm posting caused you, lol.
Seriously, I appreciate your props in your 12:04am posting.
The A Bomb
August 27th, 2009
12:43 am
CaliChopper… Yes we did. Understand the football thing.
Does the Braves’ marketing department understand it?
If they do, have they just thrown their arms up in the air?
Necromancer
August 27th, 2009
12:43 am
TnBrian
heh, heh…yeah..usually when the Braves start to stink for a time, I “disconnect” and refuse to watch or listen to them.
It really helps with my blood pressure…and I don’t even have high blood pressure!
ChurchMan
August 27th, 2009
12:46 am
“If anything, we might have let up a little bit, maybe lost focus.”
This wasn’t a “we” situation Eric O, this was every bit of an “I” situation. It’s not a team problem if you can’t get 3 outs in an inning.
All in all the bullpen sucked tonight, 3 and 2/3 innings and you give up 8 runs. KK didn’t go very long either but we should be use to that by now.
Paul Lentz
August 27th, 2009
12:47 am
Nate the GR8…….Ozzie’s antics are worn thin by those who arent producing. Ozzie doesnt coddle those weak A$$ players who want a free ride on their lack of production.
Necromancer
August 27th, 2009
12:50 am
Well, nite, folks..
better luck tomorrow night..er…later on today for us east coast folks…
L8ter!
Wayne in Utah
August 27th, 2009
12:51 am
Lou Holtz is a great American!
The A Bomb
August 27th, 2009
12:51 am
Jake — I hear you, I really do. And I’ve been ripped by a few today for making my stand, even DOB made a comment earlier.
See, I lived in Atlanta as a kid. . . was 9 when the Braves moved to Atlanta. . . was there opening night in ‘66 (although I fell asleep in extra innings). . . saw Aaron’s 500th off the Giants among other things.
I take it personally because I wish I could be there to support my team. Once in awhile I go back but it’s not the same.
Paul Lentz
August 27th, 2009
12:51 am
Chop Chop………to answer your 12:22am posting, I can only surmise that I get a few props because there are those on here who have an appreciation for how I present my arguments. Just like there are those who have an utter disdain for my approach.
The fact that I stick myself out there is going to general both praise and criticism. I’m learning to accept it and not respond to those who are negative towards me. I have no problem with someone disagreeing with me. However I will not respond to those who snipe at me for having long postings. They can simply hit the scroll button if they dont want to read my postings.
However, there are enough out there who do read my postings…..who do appreciate what I post to make it worth while.
Chop Chop
August 27th, 2009
12:51 am
I see that the Giants won with a walk-off three-run HR by Bengie Molina. That puts them 2.5 ahead of us.
Chop Chop
August 27th, 2009
12:52 am
Wait. It wasn’t a walkoff. Nevermind. Bottom of the eighth. Nevertheless, a nice little bit of clutch, I suppose.
Wayne in Utah
August 27th, 2009
12:52 am
Paul Lentz
Did I get your attention by spelling your name right? BTW, you haven’t apologized to Mitchie and our other servicemen yet! Did you forget? Are you too much above admitting you crossed that line?
Just wondering what kind of man you really are, deep down.
Paul Lentz
August 27th, 2009
12:53 am
brian………..Frank Wren is one shrewd GM. He is more than capable of operating under the radar when it comes to making moves. I would not be suprised if he makes a major move or two by Monday, particularly if the Phillies finish us off this weekend.
Chop Chop
August 27th, 2009
12:55 am
Thanks for the explanation, Paul. I was wondering if you’d get around to it, but you’re pretty good about that.
Paul Lentz
August 27th, 2009
12:55 am
CaliChopper………who has Ozzie thrown under the bus that didnt deserve to be thrown? It sickens me to see players “coddled” like pampered dogs at the Westminster Dog Show.
jeffrey d
August 27th, 2009
12:57 am
Can somebody give me a link to the Garret Anderson “Know Your Braves” video? I can’t find it on the Sports page, the Braves page, under the “Know Your Braves” section (LaRoche is the latest one) or in the AJC’s search.
But thank goodness I have Furman Bisher’s month old story on Francouer waiting for me near the top. Who does the layout?
Wayne in Utah
August 27th, 2009
12:57 am
This is hard. I am agreeing with Paul on something. I would like to see a couple of players dispatched for prospects if indeed the Braves call it a season. I just don’t expect it to happen.
They never quit until they are mathematically eliminated. And besides, it would be hard to move folks through the waiver wire at this point in the season.
CaliChopper
August 27th, 2009
12:59 am
Lentz – have you truely lost your mind? The time for Major deals are over and Len Barker isn’t on the roster any longer
Paul Lentz
August 27th, 2009
12:59 am
larry30……..your 12:26am posting is the posting of the day so far (the new day started at midnight). You hit the nail on the head concerning the lack of fundamental play by the Braves for most of the season.
TnBrian
August 27th, 2009
1:00 am
I just went back and read Bobby’s post game qoutes….well, at least he’s consistant. I understand what his intentions are by not throwing players under the bus and having any tension within himself and other players, which is cool. But, being the nice guy can’t work all the time and it’s showing right now. I don’t really know if he was always this way, but it makes my blood boil to not hear any urgency in him.
The A Bomb
August 27th, 2009
1:00 am
One more thing about the attendance (I hope)…
For all of you who want that power hitter gift-wrapped for Christmas. . . or that replacement for Norton. . . or whatever you wish for….
Attendance IS tied to payroll. And if people don’t show up, don’t be surprised if payroll goes down. And we all know what that means.
jeffrey d
August 27th, 2009
1:01 am
larry30……..your 12:26am posting is the posting of the day so far (the new day started at midnight).
That’s quite the compliment. That’s like me saying that the pancakes I ate this morning were the best thing I’ve eaten all day.
CaliChopper
August 27th, 2009
1:02 am
Wayne in Utah – Bingo, 1 they wouldn’t get what they should and 2 even in this economy teams can and will make blocks using waivers
Wayne in Utah
August 27th, 2009
1:03 am
Folks that think because Bobby doesn’t rip his players in the press, or because he rarely blames a player for his performance on the post game interviews; should know that he definitely addresses those issues, but he does them in his office. Not in the press, like the gutless Ozzie Guillen.
BTW, who really is buying his statements in the post game interviews. Don’t you understand, that is what he ALWAYS says. He has the players back. It has been said that if a player comes back to the dugout really frustrated with a call, Bobby will tell them “I’ll go get tossed for you!”
Paul Lentz
August 27th, 2009
1:04 am
The A Bomb……..just because the Braves “showed character” during a 4 game series like they did in LA….does not mean that they are legit playoff contenders. It’s a 162 game season. A team has to have some form of consistency and be able to sustain a strong mentality throughout the season. The 2009 Braves have shown that they are not that kind of team.
Paul Lentz
August 27th, 2009
1:08 am
CaliChopper…….dude you are so wrong about Jerry Jones. The Raiders are a joke of a franchise right now. Al Davis should be in a convalescent home.
Jerry Jones has continue to make the Cowboys a player on the National stage. He managed to get a palace of a stadium built that will make the Cowboys the envy of the NFL. The Cowboys are awash in money….money that Jerry Jones isnt afraid to spend on making the Cowboys better.
Wayne in Utah
August 27th, 2009
1:09 am
TnBrian
He has ALWAYS done it this way. Always! No change. It’s what he does.
My point would be, why get all worked up because you THINK he isn’t getting on the players for their bad play. He is taking care of it his own way. The same way he has always done it.
Just because I think Eric O’Flaherty or Chipper Jones needs to be chastized, doesn’t mean that it will EVER happen where I will actually know about it. Just because Bobby isn’t an Ozzie, doesn’t mean that player are not ripped when needed. Some assume because they don’t see it in the papers, it doesn’t happen.
Kinda like the Braves trades. Who knew the McLouth deal was happening? We all heard his name last winter, but not this spring. The Braves keep things in house as good as any other baseball team.
Paul Lentz
August 27th, 2009
1:09 am
ChurchMan………..did you even watch the game? It wasnt just the pitching. Lack of clutch hitting and shoddy defense contributed to this meltdown.
NO MORE BOBBY
August 27th, 2009
1:10 am
Nate the GR8 – Roachy was a good pickup but he is not the answer in the 4 hole.
How would we know? Bobby continues to bury him at the bottom of these weird lineups he comes up with.
Paul Lentz
August 27th, 2009
1:11 am
Chop Chop……..even though you’ve disagreed with me in the past, you’ve been pretty civil towards me. I dont mind taking the time to answer your questions.