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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
1,687 comments Add your comment
I Want To Know
September 6th, 2009
5:40 pm
Obviously, this is a mediocre team. Not an indictment of anyone’s manhood or character….. just a fact this team isn’t a playoff team.
Since this isn’t a playoff team as it’s constructed, who should stay and who should go during the offseason so that the team might become a playoff team?
bulldog bubba
September 6th, 2009
5:40 pm
Is Ned Yost available next year?I love Bobby Cox but I think it is time for a change.He could relate to our players and knows the organization. We DO NOT want Pendleton as manager!!!!
jeffrey d
September 6th, 2009
5:42 pm
Obviously, this is a mediocre team
hmm, now that you mention it, they do seem mediocre. What a great observation. I think you’re the first person to associate these Braves with the word “mediocre”
Mike R
September 6th, 2009
5:42 pm
Watching Chipper the 2nd half of this season has reminded me of watching Willie Mays in 1973, (rembered how bad the greatest outfielder in history looked on simple fly balls in the 73 WS). I know Chipper just signed a 3 yr extension but hopefully he has enough pride and integrity to go ahead and retire. Then he can let all his “sore” muscles heal while he sits in a rocking chair. He has become a cancer to the team. Escobar needs a veteran to teach how to play with injuries and Chipper is certainly not teaching that to anyone. (Does anyone actually think Cal Ripken would have missed any games with the “injuries” that Excobar has layed out with.) Chipper’s salary could be used to sign a real hitter that actually wants to play while keeping the starting pitching intact.
I suffered through some terrible Braves teams in the 70’s and most of the 80’s but this team is the most frustrating one I can remember. The earlier teams I spoke of had very little talent. This one has talent but is full of “choakers” that can’t hit with runners in scoring position. At times it appears that the starting pitchers are the only players that even care if they win or lose.
The A Bomb
September 6th, 2009
5:43 pm
Another wasted quality start.
Boy — have the Braves defied the odds this year.
82 quality starts — 70 wins.
AWFUL.
jeffrey d
September 6th, 2009
5:45 pm
I bet we lose tomorrow. And Norton K’s.
bulldog bubba
September 6th, 2009
5:45 pm
Mike R – Amen!
Soph
September 6th, 2009
5:47 pm
I bet we lose tomorrow. And Norton K’s.
Don’t you already owe JJ $100 from yesterday? I’ll take you on this bet though.
I Want To Know
September 6th, 2009
5:47 pm
jeffrey d
September 6th, 2009
5:42 pm
Obviously, this is a mediocre team
hmm, now that you mention it, they do seem mediocre. What a great observation. I think you’re the first person to associate these Braves with the word “mediocre”
Actually Jeff mediocre is respectful and kind compared to what most here throw at the team. Many toss around terms like, stink, suck,chokers, losers and the like.
I’m comfortable with mediocre.
ryan
September 6th, 2009
5:48 pm
Braves suck today was my last game this year or next year to if that loser Coxis back. TP has the best job in the world. Ever notice every time we walk a leadoff batter to start an inning he scores.Holliday tomorrow an off day they should make them take 8 hours of batting pratice.Have Gonzo pitch that will get are homerun swing back.
I Want To Know
September 6th, 2009
5:49 pm
I rest my case.
jeffrey d
September 6th, 2009
5:50 pm
I’ll give it to him next time I see him
BartMan
September 6th, 2009
5:51 pm
Time to get in that “wait till next year” mode… Even Diaz’z bat has gone quiet….well, since he was dropped from the leadoff spot…strange.
jeffrey d
September 6th, 2009
5:51 pm
Look out front office….ryan won’t be going to any more games. And he’s taking his horrible grammar with him.
the real Andy
September 6th, 2009
5:53 pm
well, this is not what i had in mind when i said the braves needed to put together a streak.
Soph
September 6th, 2009
5:54 pm
Dude, commas are your friend.
N8
September 6th, 2009
5:59 pm
“N8 – gun to your head….Chippers 14 million or Lowe’s 15 million? QUICK!” RHR
That’s a tough one. They are both horrible contracts, made out of desperation.
With Lowe, Wren was desperate to add as much pitching as possible, not knowing that we’d miss the playoffs anyway, and have Hanson and Hudson ready to lead the rotation in 2010.
With Chipper, he was desperate to ensure that Chipper remains with the Braves to the end, unlike Smoltz and Glavine. But in fairness to Wren, Chipper did win the batting title last year, so perhaps, he thought he was getting a deal.
But with a gun to my head? And who I think has a better shot at being worth the contract? In the end, I’ve gotta go with the guy that consistently is on the field.
Derek Lowe will live up to his contract when all is said and done. There. I said it. Let me have it everybody.
Carroll well done with the racist.
Carroll Rogers
September 6th, 2009
6:00 pm
I was told Micah received four stitches in his left ear, and can’t hear out of that ear at the moment, at least not well. But he’s going to be OK. He met with the media after the game. He’s not going to be able to fly for a couple of days so he’s going to stay home with his family in Gainesville. His mother was at the game and apparently pretty upset as you can imagine.
brent a.
September 6th, 2009
6:01 pm
Here’s a vote for Lowe’s $15 million.
Steve from OH
September 6th, 2009
6:01 pm
Derek Lowe will live up to his contract when all is said and done. There. I said it. Let me have it everybody.
D-Lowe pitched much better than his ERA showed this year, anyway.
N8
September 6th, 2009
6:02 pm
What I should have said, is that Lowe will live up to his contract MORE than Chipper will. Derek Lowe will NOT be worth 15 million dollars by year 3 of that deal, and certainly not in year 4.
But without steroids, pitchers (especially ground ball sinkerballers), have a better shot at a career around age 40, than everyday players that have been beat up already in their mid-30s.
Soph
September 6th, 2009
6:02 pm
Scary stuff for Micah. Glad he’s going to be okay though.
Stumpknocker
September 6th, 2009
6:02 pm
I agree with you ryan. Following this team for over 40 years, but I’ll be dad-gummed if I follow-em through the “dark ages” again!! If Cox and his bunch are back next year, there’s gonna be a new hobby to take up my time……
N8
September 6th, 2009
6:04 pm
“D-Lowe pitched much better than his ERA showed this year, anyway.” Steve
Totally agree with you. As did KK after May 1st. Did you ever answer my question about the payroll and what you’d do about Soriano and getting help for the lineup? If you did, I missed it.
Steve from OH
September 6th, 2009
6:05 pm
Yeah I missed it N8 I’ll look for it later tonight after I get some work done…I’ve spent too much time here already, LOL!
N8
September 6th, 2009
6:08 pm
Steve, that’s cool I’ve gotta get some work done too. My answer was at 4:26.
the real Andy
September 6th, 2009
6:15 pm
i’ve followed the braves my whole life, and i’ve done some griping about bobby over the years. but i never really considered what it would be like to have a different manager until a few nights ago.
after norton was put in with two outs, down by one in the ninth against Lidge, I almost freaked out. But putting him in there against Florida in the seventh inning with the tying run on third may have been the final straw. A switch flipped, and I began to actually consider what it would be like to have a manager who makes sound, in-game decisions.
the last few days for me have been like the guy who finally sees that his life might indeed be better if he dumped his nagging girlfriend, or told his overbearing boss to go eff himself. The possibilities for the future do seem a little brighter.
Between his gross mismanaging of the bullpen this year, and the ongoing Norton debacle, I think it might be a sign that Bobby is through. I love the guy, and am not a mindless, knee-jerk hater like a lot of the folks on here, but it might be time for a change.
Carroll Rogers
September 6th, 2009
6:15 pm
From Hal McCoy’s story, my Cox guru and friend.
A groggy Owings stood near his locker after the game and when somebody said it was a tough way to win a ballgame, he said, “It was. But I’ll take it, any way we can win a ballgame.”
Owings is from nearby Gainesville, Ga., so his mother (Danise), father, sister and brother-in-law watched the ball carom off his helmet and his mother was in tears.
Owings, though, didn’t lose consciousness or his sense of humor. When he finally got to his feet, he told manager Dusty Baker, “I was going to cut loose on one. I was going to hit one out.”
Owings did not accompany the team to Denver after the game because he was advised not to fly for a couple of days.
“As soon as I went down, I saw the sky, so I was never out cold,” he said. “Even without the shadows, I doubt if I could have gotten out of the way. I barely saw it out of his hand.
“I’m not in pain, it’s just numb and I can’t hear out of my left ear,” he added. “Caught me off guard. I’m a pitcher, so I know it can happen, the ball can slip out of your hand.”
richbrave
September 6th, 2009
6:16 pm
What can I add to recant the misery I’ve been reading here? Absolutely nuthin’. It was an interesting season fellow bloggers. Off-season looms and obviously most of the players are ready for it.
The Envoy
September 6th, 2009
6:23 pm
Everybody, let us travel through Transverse City and find some Sentimental Hygiene. Hurry home early cause Boom Boom Mancini s’ fight’n Bobby Chacon.
BELOW .500
September 6th, 2009
6:24 pm
I SEE TOMAHAWKS IN MY FUTURE……….
P. W. Hjort
September 6th, 2009
6:24 pm
Do the Braves offer Garret Anderson arbitration this off-season?
The Envoy
September 6th, 2009
6:26 pm
P.W.Hjort,
Really?
Lou Vales(The Pee Guy)
September 6th, 2009
6:27 pm
Have to make a decision–Bobby Cox or Bobby Bowden and if you choose Bowden he must be involved and not listen to Lawrence Welk on his headset during the game??
The Envoy
September 6th, 2009
6:28 pm
My Grandparents loved loved Lawrence Welk. We watched that after Hew-Haw.
ltdbrave
September 6th, 2009
6:31 pm
Braves just plain suck. Trade Chipper and Gonzalez. They sure do not deserve a playoff spot. What a pitiful team
The Envoy
September 6th, 2009
6:37 pm
ltdbrave,
Who would have them , if not us?
P. W. Hjort
September 6th, 2009
6:37 pm
The Envoy,
I don’t understand. He currently projects as a Type B and if the Braves offer him arbitration and he signs elsewhere they get a draft pick. Is it worth the risk of him accepting? There’s not an obvious answer here I don’t think.
The Envoy
September 6th, 2009
6:47 pm
ltdbrave,
No offers left to right: G Anderson, R Church, M Diaz, K Johnson, A LaRoche, G Norton, R Soriano, M Gonzalez, B Carlyle, J Campillo.
Money saved $27,975,050.00
bravesfanforever
September 6th, 2009
6:47 pm
Wow, what a bunch of whiners. What did you expect from this team anyway when you look up and down that line up??? I figured that the team wouldn’t make the playoffs in spring training given 1) There would need to be too many changes to make this team good, 2) Management spend too much money on pitching so there wasn’t much left for the offense, and 3) it wasn’t likely that Chipper was going to be able to carry this club anymore.
There you go. ‘Nuf said about that.
Now, everyone should look at this season in a positive light. Do you think Wren and Co. would have lifted a finger if the team would have made the playoffs? I think they would have said, “Huh, look at that, they really improved the second half and that’s likely to carry over to next season.” Well, now that they have tanked and Chipper ain’t the answer, there will be more emphasis on improving the offense.
Could we get a new left fielder? Could we get some more speed? Everyone would have to admit this is an incredibly slow team. Pretty pathetic really. Of course we need more power.
Hopefully Heyward will provide some power in RF. I think it should be plainly obvious to anyone that he is going to be the new right fielder next season given that he’s been moved up to AAA. He may spend time there in the beginning or he may make the team outright in spring training–either way, he’s going to be in Atlanta in 2010.
So, feel good that the team has tanked. Get ready for a great off season and an even better 2010. Guess I won’t be watching many more Braves games ’til next year.. These past 5 have been too much to take. Geez, talk about pitiful.
About Lowe… I agree that he could pitch until 40. Frankly, I think he could pitch longer than that given that he has never been injured. However, I think he really needs an off speed pitch. It seems like he mostly pitches with one speed, tries to hit the corners, and hopes someone hits a ground ball. Everyone needs to make an adjustment as they get older so they continue their careers. Nolan Ryan came up with a fantastic change up seems like about half way through his career and it only got better. Not like he really needed it given he had a great hook but it was so good he used it all the time as he got older and he continued to strike guys out. Lowe could use something like this and I think it would really benefit him given that his ball already drops down. Guys would be thinking it’s the sinker but then the bottom drops out.
Anyway… Not like he’s going to listen to me…
I’ve already said that Chipper needs to use a lighter bat. He’s not a kid anymore. Man, talk about hard headed. I swear some guys are so arrogant they will go about the same thing over and over thinking I’m the same guy. Well, Chipper, you are officially OLD. Get over it. Start making adjustments. You wanna help this team? Then do a make over. It’s painfully obvious what you are doing isn’t working.
Okay, I’ve said what I’ve had to say. Good bye for now!
(I usually don’t stick around for comment)
Braveheart
September 6th, 2009
6:51 pm
Just got back from the Gwinnett game. Saw Heyward. He got two infield hits that they didn’t field real well, and that he legged out with his hustle and speed. Just routine plays while in the outfield. Didn’t look as physically imposing as I thought he’d look. Well, at least when he was standing around. When he started running around the bases, that’s when his physicality could be seen.
It was funny though before the game when he was standing around the outfield warming up, Matt Young was standing right next to him, and I swear Matt Young only comes up to Heyward’s waist. Don’t know how anyone throws that Young guy a strike he’s so darn short. Young seems to be a good looking hitter though. Heyward and Brandon Jones seemed to be bonding, talking, joking and swapping sunglasses with one another while they were warming up. For a while there I was afraid Brandon Jones and Van Pope were gonna need to get a room for some private time with all the hugging and laughing they were doing together. Van Pope seems to like talking and joking with everyone on the field before and during the game.
Heyward has really good speed. You can really see his speed and physicality on the basepaths. He stole a base and scored from second on an infield single by Matt Young. Heyward dove headfirst to home to score and looked like some five star wideout diving for the pylon. He’s definitely built different than the rest of them. He looks like a wide receiver or shooting guard.
Heyward’s also the best dressed guy on the field. Dude looks sharp and cool in his uni. Part of that may be the way he is built. When you got a great build, you’re gonna look sharp almost no matter what you wear. But it’s also the way he wears his uni. He wears it right. He wears his shirt tightly tucked into his pants. None of that untucked or poorly tucked baggy billowing going on. He also wears his pants up to his knees, showing all of his socks and calve muscles. It’s silly but I like that look. Much to the chagrin of Scoots, I always thought Frenchy started going wrong when he ditched the high socks and arm bands on his forearm look. Heyward also has a cool looking batting stance.
I got a pleasant surprise at the game in that my boy Wilson Betemit was playing first base for Charlotte. Well, it wasn’t so pleasant. It was kinda sad and he didn’t look very good. It was interesting though when Heyward got to first to see him and Betemit standing next to and talking with one another, one being the former crown jewel of the farm finding himself still in AAA in his fourth organization all these years later, and the other being the current crown jewel making a temporary stop in AAA hopefully on the way to stardom.
You’d think Heyward would have created the biggest buzz in the crowd, but that wasn’t so. The biggest buzz was reserved for Craig Kimbrel. That dude’s fastball is just WOW! He hit 100 mph on one pitch, and almost every other pitch was 97, 98 mph. His fastball is an awe inspiring beauty. He did walk two batters, which, looking up his stats, seem to be a problem for him. But if he ever cuts them walks down, Kimbrel could be the closer someday. On a few of his more errant pitches, it looked like he was gonna knock the glove out of the hand of the catcher. The radar readings were out in left on the wall behind Brian Barton. I noticed Barton peeking over his shoulder after every pitch to see how fast each one of Kimbrel’s pitches were.
JoJo also looked good in his 3 innings, but doesn’t he always look good in AAA?
Heyward’s walk up music was Red & Meth’s Rockwilder:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBwtqE3AZxo
Alright, that’s my one and only minor league report of the season
RHR
September 6th, 2009
6:52 pm
Let me have it everybody.
Wrong answer. *BANG*
Shoulda known better than to mess with a friend of MFIKY.
RHR
September 6th, 2009
6:53 pm
And an insult shot to the groin just for using more than one word. Sucker.
bravesfanforever
September 6th, 2009
6:56 pm
Given that Tom Glavine was ousted and John Smoltz was left out to dry, two of the greatest Braves players ever, who are both surefire Hall of Famers, what are the chances that Bobby Cox is asked to retire in the off season?
Think about it…
I agree with everyone. I’ve been a huge Cox fan over the years and I’ve supported him to the end but this annoying reliance on some guys who will “hit their way out of it” is just not the way to run a ball club when you are fighting for a spot in the playoffs. Frankly there is no reason for this club to be slightly over .500. They are better than that!
The player’s manager mentality only goes so far. May work for a team of veterans when you are at the top of the division for 14 years, but with a hodgepodge team of vets and do-nothings, it just does not work.
Bobby Cox for the Hall of Fame, luv yah My Man, but please retire to Boca Raton.
GO BRAVES!
(in 2010 that is…)
The Envoy
September 6th, 2009
6:58 pm
bravesfanforever,
You are on the right track. As I mentioned we can save almost 30 million with players we do not need if Heyward and Shaefer are ready. Moylan can close (no issue facing R or L handed hitters). Can not keep Church (too many LH outfielders) Risky letting Diaz go, but there has to be a veteran RH OF with better defensive skills and similar offensive production. I keep either Hudson or Vazquez, not both. Vazquez has greater trade potential. (We need a left handed starter, so hopefully a 23 year old Minor is the anwser). I think Dunn might be had for an exceptional LH pitching prospect, Teahren.
bravesfanforever
September 6th, 2009
7:02 pm
Braveheart… Stop with the “physicality” thing. It’s not a word. LOL
Does anyone think that Kimbrel is going to be an Atlanta Brave next year? He was in freakin’ A ball at the beginning of 2009 and how he is in Gwinnett… Absolutely amazing. I have a feeling that Braves management thinks they can tame that fastball and get it over the plate, and he will be taking either Soriano’s or Gonzo’s spot. You know one of them is not going to be a Brave after this season.
If I had my druthers, I’d rather keep Gonzo because he doesn’t seem to break down like Soriano seems to every single year. Soriano obviously has electric stuff but man, he always has that second half spell where he gives up game winning homers. I just don’t trust him. Plus, Gonzo only seems to be getting better and better since the surgery.
Piedmont Blues (ex-BFIR)
September 6th, 2009
7:03 pm
I think Chipper may be a guy who’s effective for 120-130 games a year and no more. He’s been “healthy” this year but probably worn out. At his age, given his historyvof injuries, you can’t expect him to be productive for 150 games. Cox or whoever’s managing next drain should plan to give him a day off every week so that he’s not toast by mid-August.
I actually believe he’ll be worth the contract if he’s given enough time off to stay fresh. But you’re just not going to get 650 plate appearances a year from him anymore. (Or if you do, his final 200 PAs will be lousy.)
jeffrey d
September 6th, 2009
7:04 pm
Shoulda known better than to mess with a friend of MFIKY.
Guess Boyer wasn’t MFIKY’s friend. Otherwise there’d be no more National League.
Soph
September 6th, 2009
7:06 pm
He also wears his pants up to his knees, showing all of his socks and calve muscles.
Oh, I’m gonna like this Heyward fella. Socks up? That’s my kinda guy.
Chop Chop
September 6th, 2009
7:06 pm
RHR,
This guy is the real MFIKY.
The Envoy
September 6th, 2009
7:08 pm
Piedmont Blues,
I agree with you regarding Chipper. That was the plan before Infante went down (to give Chipper rest). However, I did not really see Cox emplot this plan. Same with Ross (38 HR in 535 AB past 2 seasons) and McCann.
jeffrey d
September 6th, 2009
7:09 pm
That’s how I hope to go.
Supes
September 6th, 2009
7:10 pm
Braveheart,
careful there you are getting a man crush on Jayson Heyward from that description of the dude. Well you can join Rob from SC in that department, he’s always demanding that Heyward be “set free”.
OK seriously, good job with the minor league report.
Soph
September 6th, 2009
7:11 pm
Yup, Braveheart – great report. Thanks!
The Envoy
September 6th, 2009
7:12 pm
I am a huge fan of Bobby Cox, but I’m glad Freddie Gonzalez kept his home and family in Atlanta. I hope he moves back for employment.
StingerSplash
September 6th, 2009
7:12 pm
No offers left to right: G Anderson, R Church, M Diaz, K Johnson, A LaRoche, G Norton, R Soriano, M Gonzalez, B Carlyle, J Campillo.
Money saved $27,975,050.00
Keep Diaz — he can hit. Keep Soriano. Just don’t pitch him four days in a row. Keep LaRoche, if Freeman isn’t ready.
The rest? Adios. Gonzo may have sealed his fate with the gopher ball to Drew Stubbs today.
The Envoy
September 6th, 2009
7:14 pm
Heyward could’ve done what Church did at the plate, but his defense would’ve shamed everyone but McClouth.
StingerSplash
September 6th, 2009
7:15 pm
It hasn’t helped that Prado is 13 for his last 62 and Infante is 2 for his last 21. They have gotten cold at the absolute worst time.
RHR
September 6th, 2009
7:17 pm
Everybody knows Tarantino stole the idea for Jules Winifield from a real life meeting with MFIKY.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czb4jn5y94g
The Envoy
September 6th, 2009
7:17 pm
Stinger Splash,
Like LaRoche, but if Dunn could be had – then he gives you what LaRoche might give you.
Jake W.
September 6th, 2009
7:29 pm
“The rest? Adios. Gonzo may have sealed his fate with the gopher ball to Drew Stubbs today.”
Yeah because its not like Soriano ever gives up homers.
Soriano 2.43 ERA with 5 homers given up
Gonzo 2.49 ERA with 6 homers given up
Almost identical numbers. For me I want Gonzo, feel he could be cheaper and he’s left-handed. That pays dividends in this division.
southbeachdietfreak
September 6th, 2009
7:29 pm
Season ticket holder = sucker
Steve from OH
September 6th, 2009
7:30 pm
RHR–ah, Jules Winfield. LOL! Did you ever see this?
The Envoy
September 6th, 2009
7:31 pm
Jake W.
Lidge 10 Blown Saves
Soriano 4 Blown Saves
Gonzalez 4 Blown Saves
Jake W.
September 6th, 2009
7:38 pm
The Envoy
I feel we need to keep one. If I had my choice it would be Gonzo over Soriano just because I believe Soriano will be the harder of the two to keep plus Mike’s a lefty. I don’t trust Moylan closing not because he’s not good but then who takes his spot. Moylan is a great setup guy. Medlen is young and really as we have seen this year outside of those three we really don’t seem to trust anyone else except maybe EOF and he is really just your lefty matchup guy.
Don’t know what your exact point is with the blown saves compared to lidge but i’m guessing you are trying to prove that those two together have blown less saves than Lidge, I don’t know.
nolie
September 6th, 2009
7:39 pm
(I usually don’t stick around for comment) (Bravesfanforever)
can’t say as how I blame you
The Envoy
September 6th, 2009
7:44 pm
Jake W.,
I guess my point is: Lidge 11.5 million
Soriano 6.00 million
Gonzalez 4.25 million
Lidge 11.5 for 10 blown saves
S/G 10.25 8 blown saves
Who’s the wiser? Money that could be spent to win games.
Carroll Rogers
September 6th, 2009
7:47 pm
Braveheart, I enjoyed your one and only minor league report of the season. Let us know if you want to cover the playoffs…
nolie
September 6th, 2009
7:49 pm
Everybody knows Tarantino stole the idea for Jules Winifield from a real life meeting with MFIKY (RHR)
he also based Ordelle Robbie’s character on MFIKY
Nova Scotia Steve
September 6th, 2009
7:49 pm
Shut Chipper down for the rest of the year…Same with Hanson (which I know they won’t)…and start giving MacCann more rest…its time to pack it in…
Carroll Rogers
September 6th, 2009
7:50 pm
KK and David Ross on the pitch that hit Owings:
“The sign was a two-seamer inside, and he held up his glove high, so I tried to jam him,” Kawakami said through an interpreter. “I knew he was a guy who was going to come up swinging.”
“I saw some blood and it’s the worst place to hit a person, in the head,” Kawakami said through an interpreter. “So yeah, of course, I was very scared for him.”
“We were trying to go fastball up because he swung through the one before, and I think it just ran on him, ran up and in,” David Ross said. “Right out of his hand, I was screaming ‘look out.’ It was coming right for him. There was nothing he could have done.”
The Envoy
September 6th, 2009
7:50 pm
Jake W.,
I happen to like both Soriano and Gonzalez very much. Both are very good. Most men don’t need 2 d!cks. A cheaper d!ck is Moylan.
Carroll Rogers
September 6th, 2009
7:52 pm
And how about this from David Ross, including a word I wouldn’t use in print:
“We sucked for three games, period,” Ross said. “We’ve got to hit better, play better defense, score more runs. Four runs in a three-game period, that’s not going to cut it…. We go to Houston and St louis to play two very good teams and we just got swept by a team that’s mediocre. We’ve got to change something.”
Nice little jab at his former team.
And from Chipper: “The finished product may not look to people out there like we’re doing our job but sometimes this game has a way of humbling all of us, and it’s humbling all of us at the same time right now.”
The Envoy
September 6th, 2009
7:55 pm
That comming from a man pulling down 14,000,000.00 annually. I wish I could be humbled.
Jake W.
September 6th, 2009
8:00 pm
“I happen to like both Soriano and Gonzalez very much. Both are very good. Most men don’t need 2 d!cks. A cheaper d!ck is Moylan.”
Well me I prefer to stick to baseball talk. I’m not talking about keeping both, I said one. I believe Gonzo could be the cheaper of the two but I could be wrong. I also know Moylan has had like 1 game in the closer’s role so it would be very unwise just to assume the guy will handle the role with no problems. Madson was a shutdown setup guy for the Phils when Lidge got hurt and look how he did. Not to mention if you make Moylan the closer, who’s the setup guy. You are talking about just letting two very good closer/setup men just walk. Thats two key parts of our bullpen gone. Where would we be now if we didn’t have those guys, hate to think where we would be next year. Easier to replace one instead of two.
Doug
September 6th, 2009
8:04 pm
Chipper has proven to be a genuine leader. When the Braves lost two unproductive players from the lineup (Francoeur and Johnson), he stepped right up and filled in for both! Can we just give him a very nice retirement party and move on? The man is quickly losing his physical skills and we need to upgrade significantly before next season is lost as well.
Doc Holiday
September 6th, 2009
8:09 pm
Sweep sweep sweep sweep!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh wait, whos sweeping who?
Oh no………..its our circus falling 3 straight against the reds………..WT·%·$%%&%(&$·”!
RHR
September 6th, 2009
8:16 pm
That comming from a man pulling down 14,000,000.00 annually. I wish I could be humbled.
Play for 15 years while winning numerous awards and putting up a .310 career batting average and you can too. I mean, it’s easy, right?
The Envoy
September 6th, 2009
8:18 pm
Jake W.,
Soriano: 8-16, 2.82ERA, 319IP, 227H, 98BB, 347K
Gonzalez: 12-16, 2.56ERA, 270IP, 204H, 124BB, 319K
Moylan: 11-6, 2.48ERA, 171IP, 145H, 65BB, 130K
I think Moylan can close effectively, and save the team 7 million dollars. Surely we can find an effective setup man for half what we save. Biggest point: Moylan just broke the great John Smoltz record for innings without giving up a home run. And this is a huge point given that Soriano and Gonzalez have a knack for giving up the long ball!!
Supes
September 6th, 2009
8:22 pm
Well, since DOB and Carroll won’t say it…Mark Bradley said it on his blog.
It’s over. 7 back at the Rockies with 25 to play. There will be no miracle finish from this offensively inept bunch with the A on their caps.
Supes
September 6th, 2009
8:23 pm
David Ross telling it like it is. 4 runs against the sorry a&& Cincy Reds Pitching staff who is at best middle of the road…yeah that sucks big time.
Supes
September 6th, 2009
8:23 pm
I fully expect the troll Anders to be here on Monday gloating and baiting folks like Lew and others into “debates”.
RHR
September 6th, 2009
8:24 pm
Oh we need someone to tell us its over? I didn’t realize or I would’ve waited on the official word.
The Envoy
September 6th, 2009
8:25 pm
RHR,
I am well aware of Chipper’s career. Me and my son were at Cooperstown 3 months ago and I marvelled at his name being listed as a leader in all active categories (Hits, HRs, Batting Avg. RBIs). I’m just frustrated at his present performance and realize he should be rewarded for his past contributions with his present salary.
RHR
September 6th, 2009
8:26 pm
Steve – yes I’ve seen that. Hilarious.
Necromancer
September 6th, 2009
8:28 pm
Well, 1st post on here in several days..and all I have to say is…
Damn……
richbrave
September 6th, 2009
8:29 pm
bbraveheart:
Thank you for your GWINNETT report. Much appreciated.
bravesfanforever:
SORIANO stays because WREN asnd COX are afraid he will break out the MFIKY move on them if he’s not offered.
Doc Holiday
September 6th, 2009
8:32 pm
Why didnt Norton PH today……….is he sick or something?
Rob from SC
September 6th, 2009
8:32 pm
McCann needs to go on a serious diet and stay on it. The more weight he loses the better he will feel throughout the long season. I love McCann, but he is overweight
richbrave
September 6th, 2009
8:33 pm
I’ve been laying for ANDERS to show his MELTS head. I need to know his fav N.Y. blogs. I want to go on his favorite venues and return his favors which he deposits here.
Steve from OH
September 6th, 2009
8:34 pm
Braveheart–97-100 for Kimbrel, huh? Wow. He’s really added some velo since turning pro. What did you think of his slider?
The Envoy
September 6th, 2009
8:35 pm
RHR,
Along with MVP, Chipper should also have an ROI trophy. He was defeated by the Tommy Lasagna machine so a 28 year old professional pitcher got the award.
Soph
September 6th, 2009
8:37 pm
Doc – Norton played first base for an inning (possibly 2, I wasn’t paying attention).
Lou Vales(The Pee Guy)
September 6th, 2009
8:43 pm
Dearest RHR( I Love My New Tone), Would you please name one other entity(besides NBA) in America that not only utilizes long term GUARANTEED contracts that continue even after person is not able to continue at job he was signed for(injury) OR is no longer as effective at what he does but continues to be rewarded at same level of compensation even when it becomes apparent that he will not return to former level of expertise.
I bet that many people who throw the word “socialism” around have no trouble at all with rewarding a Major League Baseball player for PAST performances EVEN when the reduction in productivity is having a deleterious effect on his employer NOT ONLY because of the diminished ability but also because scarce resources are being allocated to a dysfunctional former COG that means resources are not available for improvement in other areas
Thank You Very Much.
Steve from OH
September 6th, 2009
8:45 pm
Band of Brothers on Spike tv btw…great show.
Jake W.
September 6th, 2009
8:46 pm
The Envoy, you seem to be missing a big part of the puzzle that is the bullpen. Whether you think Moylan can close or not, where do we find two setup/closer bullpen arms to replace what Moylan gave us when he was a setup guy and what Soriano and Gonzo gave us as setup men/closers. You are creating two huge voids in your bullpen. You will have to fill them somehow and you are going to have to spend money to do that.
Oh and i’m glad you feel Moylan can close effectively, me I will believe it when I see it. Have seen plenty of times where guys have had great numbers setting up and been just horrible as a closer. You bring up the fact that Gonzo and Soriano have 4 blown saves each, well Moylan has 5 of his own. Moylan pitches more to contact. For your closers most would prefer a guy who has a higher strikeout rate so if they do get into trouble they aren’t soley relying on contact and their defense to bail them out. Soriano has 84 strikeouts, Gonzo 79, and Moylan 48. We have a good thing in Moylan as a setup guy. Why mess up a good thing? Also with Gonzo and Soriano while they do have 8 blown saves between them, only one is with a lead of more than one run and thats the two run lead Soriano blew in L.A. Some of the most overused arms in the game because they double as both setup men and closers yet those are pretty good stats considering there use.
Just don’t think the braves can go into next year just relying on Moylan to be closer without a bcakup plan for a guy who has never had the job before. We knew this year if Gonzo or Soriano didn’t get it done we had a backup plan. We would be leaving ourselves in a very bad position if we were to do that next year.
Doc Holiday
September 6th, 2009
8:51 pm
Steve from OH
September 6th, 2009
8:45 pm
Band of Brothers on Spike tv btw…great show.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Nothing better, Ive seen it like 5 times, every minute of it.
MiaBchBravesFan
September 6th, 2009
8:53 pm
Chipper, the best you can come up with is “humbling”?
The reason why you and John Smoltz never got along was because you could never tell it like it was when you were going bad. When you were going good, it was easy for your to rip into LaRoche or Francoeur.
For five seasons, you have been perpetually injured, bringing speculation about how you did it when you were at your best. A litany of pulled muscles, aches, and pains speaks to a ballplayer who “used” in the past; now drug testing has been tighter in the past several seasons. Coincidentally, your spate of injuries began to become a deluge of missed games.
Until this year, you batting eye was on par with the best in the game. However, in the past two seasons, your power numbers have dropped like a rock, further supporting the contention mentioned above.
Nothing personal (it never is), m’boy. It’s just that you are not worth the money the Braves are paying you. In two seasons, you have become very slow, very weak, and very old, right before our very eyes.
The classy thing would be to further defer your salary – as the Braves will surely give your a front office job in the future – so you may be traded to a Texas team that can readily use you as a DH.
The only truly humbling thing going on is that your contract will hamstring any attempts the Braves may have this off-season in trying to obtain a younger power bat.
Matt Holliday, anyone?
The Envoy
September 6th, 2009
8:54 pm
Steve from OH,
The most heart wrenching series. Huge fan, Huge fan of Band of Brothers. Tocoa, Ga. Pardon me, too much Modelo especial. I think Paul Lentz is my brother who teaches History at the University of Memphis.
Braveheart
September 6th, 2009
8:54 pm
Steve, I couldn’t tell the break on Kimbrell’s slider because I was up the left field line, and not behind home plate. He seems to love throwing it, and threw it quite often, and they were all between 86-88 mph according to the gun readings posted. They didn’t seem to do much with it. Maybe the gun was fast there? I dunno. But even if the readings were fast there, it doesn’t change the fact that the ball looks more powerful coming out of his hand than the other guys who pitched today