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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
2,168 comments Add your comment
Anders
August 27th, 2009
10:40 am
richbrave- Yeah, cause there’s nothing but gangs and shootings up this way. You continue to impress.
Any chance that scout friend of yours with the crystal ball 18 months out can get me the winning numbers for this weeks $250mil jackpot?
Piedmont Blues (ex-BFIR)
August 27th, 2009
10:40 am
Shaun,
McCann is a wonderful player — probably better than Chipper but streaky — and I’m a big Yunel fan (though Tulowitski’s having a better season and they’re both SS).
And Chipper’s a lock, first ballot HOF; Helton, a marginal candidate, though his defense will win a few votes.
The point I wanted to make is that Helton is now acknowledged as the third-best player in that offense behind Tulowitzki and Hawpe, and it’s indeed possible that Fowler and Stewart may surpass Helton next year. (I think Seth Smith could be a star if he had a chance to play every day.)
The Braves don’t have that kind of depth. The team’s in decent shape, but it just doesn’t have the three-deep and four-deep in position prospects that some other systems do.
Efrim
August 27th, 2009
10:40 am
I would love to see Chipper get a deserved day off too.
Me too, Wayne.
dogsbrekky (now it's a real bollocks mess)
August 27th, 2009
10:43 am
Helton is a career 328 hitter or thereabouts and if he was playing in LA, ATL, NY or Chicago he would be considered a MUCH bigger star
McFann Ô
August 27th, 2009
10:44 am
Shaun you can make a convincing argument that McCann and possibly Escobar (if you take position into account) have been more valuable than Chipper in 2009
I would point out that BMac has more RBI, but I think I know how you feel about that…
Wayne in Utah
August 27th, 2009
10:45 am
richbrave
3 months for Schafer they are saying… He might get in some winter ball time, if all goes well.
One thing that scares me is that we are counting on Escobar to be one of our top hitters for years to come. Does that scare any of you? Does he have the make-up to be a steadying influence on a team long term. Will the maturity level come? He will be 27 before the end of the year.
I would be tempted to offer him up to Boston (maybe a package) for Ellsbury this winter. He has a gun for an arm, but I don’t believe his range is not quite as good as some would have you believe.
What do you think?
monty
August 27th, 2009
10:45 am
All the people crying about small crowds need to stop. Over the last 18 years since they began their run in 1991 the Braves have bettered the league average in attendance. MAny years by over a million. Both in the old park and at the Ted. It has been several years now since we have done anythng more than win the division and a weak division at that. The last 5 years the BRaves have been really close to drawing the league avg. falling just below it. Atlanta isn’t LA or NY or Chicago or even Philadelphia. But yet even in years where there isn’t much going on with the team like last year we were near league average. THere are some other mitigating factors that could make for better attendance such as location, and pricing issues. While the upper deck isn’t that terrible or pricey anyone wanting to sit reasonably close is going to have to shell out some major bucks. In a downturned economy and a .500 team, league average or close to it isn’t that bad. One more thing, how many times has the team been so close only to disappoint in the end may account for a few less fans. GAs prices have probably hurt some people from coming more often than they normally would from say 2-3 hundred miles away also. $12 to park, $5 hotdogs,$3 cokes,etc…it has become a luxury to attend games.
Chopshop
August 27th, 2009
10:47 am
It is confirmed that Hudson’s final rehab appearance will be in Charlotte on Friday night ??
DAP
August 27th, 2009
10:49 am
dogsbrekky, of course if helton wasnt playing in colorado, he might not have hit .328 with 322 homers.
richbrave
August 27th, 2009
10:50 am
WAYNE in UTAH:
Thanks for the info on SCHAFER. And re; ESCOBAR, that opinion has merit to my way of thinking.
DAP
August 27th, 2009
10:52 am
wayne, i think escobar will be a big time player for the braves for as long as he is under team control. theres no way i would trade him, certainly not for ellsbury.
R K
August 27th, 2009
10:53 am
WHEN THE BRAVES LOSE BIG GAMES LIKE THESE (PADRES?!?!), THEY SHOULD HAVE TO RIDE MARTA AFTER THE GAME.
dogsbrekky (now it's a real bollocks mess)
August 27th, 2009
10:54 am
DAP – Without looking it up, I think his away average is near 300 and OPS near 900
but he plays at Coors so that is what we judge him on… we can now say similar for the Yanks stadium and the Fillies bandbox
David O'Brien
August 27th, 2009
10:56 am
Shaun, I agree with your assessment — just frustrated players trying to explain something that, at least in the immediate aftermath, is close to impossible to explain in cases like this. Not a big deal in the clubhouse, or at least I don’t get the feeling it is. Just immediate reaction by one player to something that another player said, and O’Flaherty probably said that off the top of his head and perhaps regretted putting it that way later. Certainly, I’d bet he regretted speaking for anyone but himself with the “let up” and “lose focus” comments.
Just a byproduct of losing two important games against a pretty bad team. But if they don’t win tonight, before going to Philly … well, it goes without saying, they really need to win.
yellerjacket
August 27th, 2009
10:56 am
Greg Norton has hit .143 with 9 hits in 63 at bats. Brooks Conrad hit .344 with 11 hits in 32 at bats. What the H, Booby? What the H? That, my fellow bloggers, is indefensible decision making.
Wayne in Utah
August 27th, 2009
10:58 am
Don’t get me wrong on Escobar. I am not looking for any reason to get rid of him. But, was this summer a precursor of things to come? How would he deal with a “fiery” manager if he had issues with a players manager?
richbrave
August 27th, 2009
10:59 am
ANDERS:
Thank god we don’t have those same problems in ATLANTA or here in RICHMOND, a town that once surpassing DETROIT in per capita murders. Course that when the TONGS and MOB were duking it out for control of the dope and prostitution distribution in the CAPITOL CITY.
Sorry dude, the man’s a recluse now. Doesn’t even go to ball-games anymore. Last year has not been kind to him. Wouldn’t even tell me who it was that contacted him about some locals MINNESOTA was interested in having some scouting done on. Sorry for the poor syntax.
DAP
August 27th, 2009
10:59 am
dogsbrekky, i decided to just look it up.
helton has hit .360 with 198 homers, and a 1.103 OPS at home in his career.
away, he has hit .294, with 124 homers and a .885 OPS, in about 100 fewer ABs.
so…while helton is still a good player away from colorado, it does seem like it has had an affect on him.
David O'Brien
August 27th, 2009
11:02 am
This leads readers to believe a reporter asked something like “Are you aware of the playoff-race implications?”
If that’s the case, it seems like a stupid question to ask a professional baseball player. — Isenberg
Anything else you’d like to presume while you’re at it? Like, I don’t know, what he was wearing when he said it, how the reporters responded, how much longer the interview lasted, what was the smell wafting from the players’ dining room as the interview was being conducted…. Sounds like you’re able to just fill in your assumptions and go from there.
CallUpConrad
August 27th, 2009
11:03 am
The Braves season ended with two losses in a row to San Diego.
Shaun
August 27th, 2009
11:06 am
Piedmont Blues, Is McCann really any more streaky than other players and other catchers specifically? I’m not sure.
Also, I think the Braves are fine especially next season when it comes to depth. They are likely to have above league average players at every position with at least 2-3 all star caliber players.
I would point out that BMac has more RBI, but I think I know how you feel about that…
I actually don’t know how you feel about RBI. (Hopefully you realize they aren’t very telling in terms of determining a player’s offensive value because they are too dependent on other factors besides that player’s performance at the plate). But McCann has essentially the same on-base percentage as Chipper and has about a .50-point edge in slugging. McCann has 49 fewer plate appearances but the fact that he’s a catcher probably evens that out. Not too many catchers who can hit like McCann.
yellerjacket
August 27th, 2009
11:06 am
DOB, can you offer any insight to why Norton is still our number 1 pinch hitter other than his good OBP? Is he still on the major league club and not in Gwinnett in place of Conrad because of his ability to play first? I feel like with Prado and even Ross able to play first in a pinch, Conrad would be just as valuable in the field and brings a much better track record, spark, and speed to the lineup. Help a brother out?
richbrave
August 27th, 2009
11:09 am
CallUpCONRAD:
Why? He’ll be here Sept. 1 barring a GWINNETT pennant race.
Joe Fan
August 27th, 2009
11:09 am
What a complete meltdown. Watch out or this team will lose all focus and september will truly be an empty stadium month. Chipper appears to be showing his age or he is playing injured. Either way he isn’t much help in his current state. What a terrible way to fall out of contention against a team like the Padres. Lots of decisions and holes to fill before 2010 or it will be much like 2009.
Shaun
August 27th, 2009
11:11 am
DOB, yeah, seems remarks likely made off-hand by players are blown out of proportion by many fans. I tend to agree with Jim Leyland on team chemistry:
“That [stuff] is all overrated. Write that. All that [stuff] is overrated about the clubhouse. We’ve got a great clubhouse. We had a great clubhouse before Dontrelle got here, and we’ll have a better clubhouse since he got here, because he’s a good guy and a wonderful person. I’m interested in pitching and getting outs, hitting, making plays. I’m not interested in the clubhouse.
“All that [stuff] has been media [stuff] for years — great chemistry, great clubhouse. That’s the biggest bunch of [baloney] in the history of sports. Every time somebody wants to talk about great chemistry, [forget] the chemistry in the clubhouse. I’m interested in winning games, period. I don’t know who came up with it, but the worst word ever used now is chemistry. That’s something you take in school. That’s a class you take. If he gets people out, he’ll be fun in the clubhouse. If we win games, I’ll be fun in the clubhouse. If we don’t, I won’t be fun in the clubhouse, either. He’s a wonderful, wonderful person with a great personality. We’ve got a bunch of them.”
Wayne in Utah
August 27th, 2009
11:12 am
yeller
If I might try. First, Ross has NEVER played first base in his major league career. Second, it might be because that’s what Bobby Cox wants. He is the manager. But then again, I don’t know why he wouldn’t want a stud like Conrad in the place of a proven MAJOR league vet like Greg Norton.
On a side note, I would have kept Conrad and sent Norton packing, but again, I am not the manager either.
Anders
August 27th, 2009
11:12 am
richbrave – you might want to get your blod sarcasm radar checked out – just sayin.
JayDubu
August 27th, 2009
11:12 am
Since Chipper is too tired to perform on the field, he should not be so willing to comment on the performance of his teammates. I haven’t read where any of them complained about being tired, therefore, they just can’t hit right now.
What kind of leader is this. The first to point out what others did not do, while not mentioning himself as a prime reason for the Braves lack of scoring runs.
Let your play do some of the talking, please!!!!
Tell It Like It Is
August 27th, 2009
11:12 am
Monty,
If the Braves had some superstar players that brought some excitement, the fans would come. This team is the most boring team the Braves have had in many years. Also, the fans that do come seem more interested in things other than the game. There was more excitement in the old stadium. Even the wave(I hate it)was more lively. I believe that the players would have a better attitude if they could feed off the fans. In the Braves case, the play-by-play guys, the players and the fans are boring. A complete overall is needed. It IS what It IS.
yellerjacket
August 27th, 2009
11:12 am
richbrave, because it’s not September yet, and hasn’t been for the last several months while we have been watching Norton pile up 9 hits and a .143 average.
DirtyDawg
August 27th, 2009
11:13 am
monty is right…and if the players and management don’t like it because there’s not 30,000 out there to watch the Braves blow it to the Padres, then I suggest that they play better baseball. Face it, people go to games to have a good time and when they have to go home disappointed more often than not, then why should they come in the first place? Took my grandson some weeks back, he’s a pretty picky eater but spotted the Chik-fillet (however they spell it) booth – cost $12 bucks for four strips, fries and a drink – no kids’ meals, no combos..just an embarrassed look on the ‘manager’s’ face as he took my money and reacted to my disbelief. Between his chicken dinner, my two beers (7 or 8 dollars each…I’ve tried to put it out of my mind) and a hot dog, another snack for him, tickets and parking, we ‘dropped’ over a hundred bucks…well at least they won, but since I had to take a bored kid home early, the outcome wasn’t decided until we were almost there – so much for fun at the ole ball park. Sorry, I won’t take criticism about attendance, especially from the media – you know those people that haven’t had to buy a ticket to a ball game in their professional lives – plus they get to eat and drink free.
And as for Diaz’s bunt…my first reaction was ‘what in hell is the hottest hitting guy on the team doing trying to trick the worst (except for us evidently) team in the league?’ It’s been bad baseball since Honus Wagner.
jeffrey d
August 27th, 2009
11:13 am
I think a lot of people would have kept Conrad and sent Norton packing.
Wayne in Utah
August 27th, 2009
11:13 am
We spend a lot of time worrying about the 25th guy on the roster, and not nearly enough on the 1st guy, Chipper Jones, who is struggling mightily.
dogsbrekky (now it's a real bollocks mess)
August 27th, 2009
11:14 am
DAP – thanks, wow 200 points on OPS is a lot, I think Chipper has a 60 pt difference (home/away)
richbrave
August 27th, 2009
11:14 am
ANDERS:
That last post to you was in all seriousness. Seriously.
Mid Town Joe
August 27th, 2009
11:15 am
Be very careful about what you say about DOB and the Braves:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/26/opinion/26dowd.html?_r=1
yellerjacket
August 27th, 2009
11:15 am
Wayne, I hear you, but if that’s the argument, then why wouldn’t Barbaro be a better option? My point is that there are hundreds upon hundreds of young men in the minors and college that could hit .143 in 63 at bats in the majors, you know what I mean? Keeping Norton is indefensible.
Rodney Derrick
August 27th, 2009
11:15 am
Imagine you are a Braves pitcher. You know that any dinky fly ball to left will be a single or double except on the most rare occasions and that a grounder to third has a high chance of getting through compared to that of other teams. Is it not reasonable to think that this affects the way you pitch. Plus your run support makes any mistake magnified. If this is not cause for a building cancer in the clubhouse, what is?
Original Jon
August 27th, 2009
11:16 am
I cant figure out why everyone thinks that if Gwinnett is in the playoffs or whatever it is, that Atlanta will just be like, “Oh, hey, we cant get guys from Gwinnett cause they are in a pennant race” BS! If Atlanta needs the players from Gwinnett, pennant race or not, they will bring the players up. Because unless I am wrong, the Major League Club’s pennant race possibilities outweigh those of the AAA kind.
richbrave
August 27th, 2009
11:16 am
NORTON is toast for the 2010 season, ’till then…….BC calls the shots.
Anders
August 27th, 2009
11:17 am
Yeah, yeah. Chipper was just funnin after the old ballgame last night. Nothing to see here folks. Just keep moving along.
jeffrey d
August 27th, 2009
11:18 am
Don’t know if it’s been posted, but Braves may shut down Heyward
http://www.talkingchop.com/2009/8/27/1004276/braves-may-shut-jason-heyward-down?ref=yahoo
richbrave
August 27th, 2009
11:19 am
OJ:
I don’t think that was everyone JON, I think that was me. Just keeping in mind the financial aspects of putting fannies in the seats at a new stadium. So far that only been moderately successful this season apparantly.
Anders
August 27th, 2009
11:19 am
We spend a lot of time worrying about the 25th guy on the roster, and not nearly enough on the 1st guy, Chipper Jones, who is struggling mightily (Wayne in Utah)
Not me. I was worried for all of you. Pretty sure I got lambasted regularly for it as well.
BTW- I warned about having your catcher as a major part of your offense as well. This I know from experience. Got slaughtered for that one as well.
Shaun
August 27th, 2009
11:20 am
It is odd how many people are paying attention to a couple of sentences spoken by a couple of players in the clubhouse when what happens on the field is the actual baseball being played. Do people actually think a human being who devotes his entire life to playing baseball at a high level and made through years of playing on traveling teams, little leagues, high school ball, college ball in some cases, the minors generally is significantly affected by things that happen off the field or outside of a batting cage or bullpen mound? Look at the Angels. A teammate actually passed away and they have one of the best records in baseball. I think that’s a bit of something anecdotal that points to the fact that major league players are extremely focused human beings. Drama that may or may not happen in clubhouses is secondary to what these players do on the field.
dogsbrekky (now it's a real bollocks mess)
August 27th, 2009
11:20 am
midtown – oh for the days of free speech !
oh wait, I am not in Australia but USA….
Original Jon
August 27th, 2009
11:23 am
richbrave, its not just you, i have seen numerous people saying the same thing and it makes no sense to me. Not trying to call you or anyone else out, just saying that if the Braves want to bring up Conrad or whoever else that is playing well in Gwinnett come September, they will, whether or not the Gwinnett Braves have a shot. Thats all
Tell It Like It Is
August 27th, 2009
11:24 am
Original Jon,
You do not need to worry about bringing up players from Gwinnett for the playoff chase. Neither Conrad or any other player in the minors can get the Braves in the playoffs. It IS what It IS.
dogsbrekky (now it's a real bollocks mess)
August 27th, 2009
11:24 am
Anders – The Long Island radio shows are saying we may have a hurricane here on Saturday.
God help us if we do because the beaches out here have already been washed away. The dunes at Quogue, WHB and Southampton are half gone from this weeks storm/s
Original Jon
August 27th, 2009
11:25 am
Tell it like it is, thats not what i was saying. I never said bringing them up would get them into the playoffs, I said the Braves would bring them up regardless of whether or not Gwinnett was in the playoffs.
JeanE
August 27th, 2009
11:26 am
I am so depressed. I know it’s just baseball, but jeez. I just can’t believe it. If they can’t beat the Padres, how can they expect to compete for ANYTHING? We needed great pitching & we didn’t get it. We needed timely hitting & we didn’t do it. I like Matty D at leadoff & I think he did an excellent job. Too bad he was repeatedly stranded on base. The situation with Chipper is just awful. We can’t have a 3 spot hitter who’s best move is to draw walks. Way too many runners left on base. So sick of this story. I don’t even look at the other scores because we can’t take care of our own stuff. I don’t care if the crowds are sparse, do your jobs, all of you!
richbrave
August 27th, 2009
11:27 am
Mid TOWN JOE:
And ANDERS. Sorry buddy. It was all in jest.
Anders
August 27th, 2009
11:29 am
dogsbrekky – Yeah, I saw the same thing. The beaches really are in bad shape. I was out at Ocean Beach on Fire Island last weekend and while the surf was fantastic to watch it really killed the dunes. Their streets had a couple of inches of water in them at high tide as well. Eerie feeling.
I don’t plan on heading that way this weekend.
McFann Ô
August 27th, 2009
11:30 am
Shaun I actually don’t know how you feel about RBI.
Eh, I know they’re not the most telling of stats, but I like them…a lot. Love lots of RBI.
But I also look at how many guys have been on base in front of so-and-so, and then compare that with how many RBI they have (subtract HR). That kind of puts in better perspective.
Like, BMac has 71 RBI; take out the homers (17), it’s 54. He’s had 302 guys on in front of him (I think…BR says 297, but it also still has 67 RBI at the top of that same page, so I’m adding the guys from last night). If that is the correct number, he’s knocked in 18% of the guys in front of him (roughly). Course, here’s the part where I get stuck, ’cause I’m not sure what a “good” percentage is for that.
But McCann has essentially the same on-base percentage as Chipper and has about a .50-point edge in slugging.
Yeah, I’m pretty sure he actually leads the entire team in OPS (being a cleanup hitter, I guss he better
). He really has bounced back well with his offense after the whole eye thing…just had that ugly slump that he popped in and out of for 2 months. But overall, very nice numbers. The AVG is now in the .290’s (.291), and hopefully it’s there to stay.
LSU
August 27th, 2009
11:30 am
I’d like to thank the Braves for getting me to football season with a decent 2nd half run…There’s always that what could have been though, had they not stuck with their anemic offense for so long at the beginning of the season, and started the year with Hanson. I guess common sense doesn’t prevail.
Chipper looks like he’s toast as a consistent offensive player, let alone the fact that he stays hurt and misses tons of games. Chipper spends too much time whining & complaining about his teammates, instead of working on his hitting & trying to stay healthy…That leaves the Braves with only McCann, who has turned into a streak hitter as their only real, above average offensive threat for next season….All that supposed talented on the farm better grow up quick.
Thanks Braves & Go Tigers !!!
Mid Town Joe
August 27th, 2009
11:30 am
richbrave – no worries, mate!
dogsbrekky (now it's a real bollocks mess)
August 27th, 2009
11:33 am
“Oh little JeanE, you’ve got so much time… “
Tell It Like It Is
August 27th, 2009
11:33 am
Original Jon ,
Why even consider bringing up players from the minors unless showcasing them for a trade in the off season. I have not seen anyone at Gwinnett who could change the course of the Braves. I have not seen the great ones in Missisippi but I am more than ready to see them. It IS what It IS.
NO MORE BOBBY
August 27th, 2009
11:34 am
This is the end
Beautiful friend
This is the end
My only friend, the end
It hurts to set you free
But youll never follow me
The end of laughter and soft lies
The end of nights we tried to die
Wayne in Utah
August 27th, 2009
11:34 am
Anders
I was saying similar things last winter. Our catcher and oft injured third basemen are out best hitters, and both (normally) miss a fair amount of games per year.
yeller
Actually, Norton has done considerably better (at least in OBP) since his recall, but his power stroke seems to be gone.
For the exact same reasons that Bobby did not choose Conrad to take Norton’s place, he also chose not to keep Canizares. Both are rookies, unproven the in majors. Norton was great for Bobby last year. Don’t try to tell me that you are unfamiliar with Bobby’s tactics. He stays with guys longer than most would (remember Andruw, Frenchy, KJ, Soriano, etc).
For folks to think this is indefensible or strange, tells me they don’t truly understand the methods of Bobby Cox.
Just sayin.
Mid Town Joe
August 27th, 2009
11:34 am
Anders – My family spent many a weekend out at Point Lookout. My Merrick uncle had a cabanna out there. (1960s). What I remember most was leaving at twi-light and seeing all the rabbits along the highway.
McFann Ô
August 27th, 2009
11:36 am
Anders I warned about having your catcher as a major part of your offense as well.
Well, I was never keen on the idea of having BMac bat cleanup…at least, I don’t remember ever liking the notion…
Original Jon
August 27th, 2009
11:36 am
Tell it like it is, again, you have failed miserably to get my point. I wasnt saying we should call up anybody, I was saying that Atlanta will call up who it wants whether or not Gwinnett is in the playoffs.. Thats my point, I am not saying Atl should bring up anyone cause its not going to matter really, i am saying they will if they want.
RHR
August 27th, 2009
11:37 am
Oh Anders…how many seconds lapsed between you seeing the box score and you clicking on the ol’ blog? I’m gonna go with less than 1.
12-5 y’all!
Oh and PROPS to …………. CHIPPER “JONES” for his clubhouse postings errr comments last night. He has the “URGENCY” if only he could just hit. Chipper craps things bigger than EOF and he can say what he wants, when he wants, regardless of slump. (Unless of course he’s talking about someone not hitting)
Anders
August 27th, 2009
11:37 am
Mid Town Joe – Yeah, but the deer are what you really have to watch for at that time of night. They can destroy your car at 55 mph.
Mid Town Joe
August 27th, 2009
11:37 am
Just heard that Billy Gillespie was arrested last night.
LSU
August 27th, 2009
11:37 am
DOB,
The AJC blogs don’t work very well on my computer…Is it the fact that I’m a Coonass and live in Louisiana, or has anyone else complained?
bravofan
August 27th, 2009
11:38 am
Hey look at the bright side we improved for last year
Mid Town Joe
August 27th, 2009
11:39 am
Anders, we got to see the Concord fly directly over the beach on approach to JFK one time. That was pretty cool for a bunch of upstate rednecks.
Wayne in Utah
August 27th, 2009
11:40 am
Tell it like it is
If we have a shot (we haven’t been mathematically eliminated yet), we will bring up whoever we think will help. Do we need another bat off the bench, another bullpen arm or two, a backup catcher, etc.
If we DON’T have a shot, then we will still bring up some players, as other teams do so, and we need to have every advantage we can to help us to win as many games as possible. Also, we might want a tryout or two.
Jake W.
August 27th, 2009
11:40 am
Monty I agree completely with your 10:45. I’m tired of hearing people talking about the attendance figures. Yeah the attendance figures on the weekdays, during the school year, in a bad economy, and for a team that has missed the playoffs the last 3 years is not that good. Atlanta the city itself is not a major market, whats so hard about that for people to understand. Of the 5 million plus people who live here, I would say at least half of them are people who relocated from somewhere else. Thats why you get so many people going to the games who are fans of other teams. Doesn’t mean the braves aren’t popular. Apparently still one of the most popular national league teams as that poll they take every year shows.
On the Chipper, EOF disagreement. I don’t think its anything big. No way you can compare it to what the mets have been through in their locker room sitautions. There isn’t some big line drawn between latin and american players or somebody screamin why don’t you talk to those guys. Its frustration from a struggling player and a team that feels it should have won 1 if not both of these games.
Anders
August 27th, 2009
11:40 am
Oh Anders…how many seconds lapsed between you seeing the box score and you clicking on the ol’ blog? I’m gonna go with less than 1. (RR)
Let’s just say it took me longer than it did to clear out the Old Ted last night. Yeah, so 1 second sounds about right.
Remow
August 27th, 2009
11:41 am
It is funny. When Bobby left Lowe out to die and give up 8 runs in an inning. I (a Bobby supporter) said that it was a lapse in judgement. When Lowe let the game get tied or down 1 run Cox should have pulled him.
So that brings us to last night. KK is losing it and Bobby goes out and gets him with the game tied. Glorious! That is exactly what I wanted to see. Then our really strong and mostly consistent bullpen comes in and … what??? Does there best impersonation of the Bad News Bears. It is a grand case of D**ned if you do and Scr*wed if you don’t.
I wish I understood why we can’t trash lousy teams.
TommyP
August 27th, 2009
11:41 am
DOB: With these pitching matchups — Mat Latos (4-3, 4.82 ERA) vs. Jair Jurrjens (10-8, 2.99 ERA) on Tuesday; Tim Stauffer (1-6, 3.95) vs. Kenshin Kawakami (6-9, 3.97) on Wednesday; Clayton Richard (3-0, 3.67) vs. Javier Vazquez (10-9, 3.14) on Thursday — there isn’t any reason for the Braves not to expect a sweep.
And your response to me yesterday? Futile. More like “Norton-like.” Lost a lot of credibility, bro.
Anders
August 27th, 2009
11:42 am
Mid Town Joe – Did you get the sonic boom?
JeanE
August 27th, 2009
11:42 am
I love Chipper but man, maybe it’s time for you to go. He looks awful, bags under his eyes, no signs of life in his eyes…hang it up or go be a DH next year once your wrists heal! I’m venting, sorry. I know that will never happen. O’Flaherty is right. How else do you explain their inability to beat the dregs of the league? We need a manager who will get this team fired up or kick their butts when they don’t! Some of the players play with intensity every single play (see Matty Diaz who doesn’t take any playing time for granted ever) but others seem to zone in and out for whatever reason. And no, I don’t mean Roachy. I just think McCann is tired & I don’t blame him for that. He can still hit. I don’t have any confidence in this team to come back & win once behind & that is just sad. You aren’t facing facts, Chipper.
Wayne in Utah
August 27th, 2009
11:46 am
Joe and Anders
In the mid 70’s, I was traveling across the desert near Edwards AFB in SoCal and a flash of a plane goes by, very low in altitude. A few seconds later came the rumble. Really strange!
Steve from OH
August 27th, 2009
11:46 am
When did NFL players turn into whiny schoolgirls?
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/trainingcamp09/news/story?id=4424660
Tell It Like It Is
August 27th, 2009
11:47 am
Original Jon,
I do understand your point. I think Wayne From Utah provides some reasoning. It is to win as many games as they can. If that is the case, then bring up Heyward(its too late now if he is hurt). I would like to see some better talent than what I see on the field in Atlanta and in Gwinnett. For the prices the Braves charge, that is not too much to ask.
McFann Ô
August 27th, 2009
11:47 am
JeanE I just think McCann is tired & I don’t blame him for that. He can still hit.
Yeah…it still disturbs me that he’s missed two throws to the plate in a span of 3 games.
It’s really bugging me for some reason…
Wayne in Utah
August 27th, 2009
11:47 am
JeanE
Yeah, we need to fire Bobby, and get somebody fiery like the Rockies got when they canned Hurdle and hired Jim Tracy, huh!?!
Anders
August 27th, 2009
11:51 am
Wayne in Utah – Very cool. Out on eastern Long Island Grumman used to test their fighter jets. Lots of activity out there with F-16’s and the like. They’ve basically shut it down now though and moved to less expensive parts of the country. We still see the occasional one cruising the shore line. Very, very impressive machines.
eatPhillie
August 27th, 2009
11:51 am
Did you see that Howard swing in the extras? We have no closer but thats the only issue. Looks like your team is no longer a threat, wait they never were..hahahaha. I truly feel bad for you. The stinkin Padres own you right now. Braves are Irrelevent.
AdirondackDave
August 27th, 2009
11:52 am
Wonder if Heyward’s heel problem will result in scratching him from the Arizona Fall League this. I imagine so. They’ll be taking no chances with him, to put it mildly.
Mid Town Joe
August 27th, 2009
11:52 am
Anders – I get 1-2 sonic booms per day. I live in a flight test pattern for repaired F-15’s, and my house gets rocked nearly everyday.
I did not hear the Concord’s blast. I suspect, when they were flying, the pilots brought those jets well within the sound barrier while off-shore.
eatPhillie
August 27th, 2009
11:53 am
Chipper’s old, Mac has issues, who else you got?
Steve from OH
August 27th, 2009
11:53 am
Adirondack–I wouldn’t think so. The AFL doesn’t start until October IIRC, so he’ll have more than enough time to heal.
Wayne in Utah
August 27th, 2009
11:53 am
Tell it like it is
In an era now long since passed, Heyward would be here now. But in today’s world of arbitration clocks and etc, players are brought up when it is financially beneficial to the team. Once in a blue moon a team might go outside the new model (Price, Longoria, Hanson, etc) but not too often.
This is why Heyward isn’t in Atlanta right now. No doubt it would be better to have him on the team than to have Greg Norton.
Steve from OH
August 27th, 2009
11:54 am
who else you got?
A fully functional closer and the best pitching staff in the majors?
cabravesfan
August 27th, 2009
11:54 am
It’s 9:00, 90 degrees outside, I’m still breathing in smoke and the blog is still bitter…Good Morning everyone!!
Anders
August 27th, 2009
11:54 am
eatPhillie – Why didn’t the Phillies take a shot on Wagner?
Alvino
August 27th, 2009
11:55 am
Could someone tell me when the circus is getting to Atlanta? The clowns are already here. NO WAIT–that’s the Atlanta Braves palying like a bunch of clowns. Clowns are funny but the Braves are a JOKE!!!!
Jake W.
August 27th, 2009
11:55 am
“Let’s just say it took me longer than it did to clear out the Old Ted last night. Yeah, so 1 second sounds about right”
You know I guess there really is nothing about the mets for you to be concerned about so you turn your attention to braves attendance. Thats cool, I get it, gotta tell yourself the mets are doing something better than the braves this season and boy are you really beating us in that category.
Oh and on the LLWS outdrawing us, its good the kids get that much attention. Georgia boys have a tough test with that California team but its good to see baseball having its effect in Georgia.The Braves winning streak from the 90’s to the early 2000’s may not show its benefits in attendance but you see it in other places. Braves have been benefiting from drafting Georgia kids who I would be lying if I didn’t think the braves being so good didn’t have an effect on kids in this region taking the sport more serious. I don’t think its a coincidence that all of a sudden these little league teams from georgia are doing good. Its a benefit of the braves success for making something other than football relevent in terms of sports down here.
RHR
August 27th, 2009
11:56 am
I beg to differ. Clowns are definitely NOT funny. They are scary. And creepy.
Wayne in Utah
August 27th, 2009
11:57 am
Anders
Currently when home, I live near Hill AFB in Utah. Lots of F-16’s. Our yard is not far from their landing and approach line. And they usually fly by in 3’s. I spent some time in the Air Force, and I LOVE that aspect of living near a base!
yellerjacket
August 27th, 2009
11:57 am
Wayne, I, like you, am all too familiar with the tactics of BC, its just still befuddles me every time it happens. Oh well…
Marked improvement over 2008, and 2010 could be a fun ride.
Just for fun, for those of you who have thought the Braves were done all year, consider this: Had the Braves won the third game of the year against the Phillies to complete the sweep, won the last game before the All-Star break against the Rockies (fourth of a four game series), not had those two saves blown by Soriano a couple of weeks back on those walk-off bombs, and won the last two games against the Padres, they would be 12 games over .500 at 72-54. What if, what if, what if…
You’re welcome for that frustrating thought.
yellerjacket
August 27th, 2009
11:58 am
Other than Tuesday night’s extra inning game, the Braves had the lead in all of those games. Crap…
Daslied
August 27th, 2009
11:58 am
Steve – I was sure your link was to a Jay Cutler story. Oh well, same difference.
Dissapointed in the defense
August 27th, 2009
11:59 am
Not only does McCann miss throws in the dirt, he cannot block the low and away pitches to his right. Note how great the Pad’s catcher looked on those throws and how they consistently get by Mac.
Original Jon
August 27th, 2009
12:00 pm
the best pitching staff in the majors? – Steve from OH.
We dont even have that.