Sizzling rotation awaits Mets

uno

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Thanks for the new Blog, Ms. Rogers.

bravesgrl4life–

Mine is a Sunday Red–decided to go with that one because the “dirtiness” wouldn’t really show up. Since I wear it everyday, it wouldn’t take long to long to start showing. (My white hat can attest to that.)

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Shoot…messed up the italics…

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McFann – you’ve got a point there, kiddo. Of course, since I work 5 out of 7 days, I wouldn’t be able to wear it EVERY day, but I’m thinking red ’cause it’s one of my favorite colors.

Is it a big deal that the Braves are playing the Twins in MN next year?

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Did the Braves add anymore of the AAA team now that their season is over.We might could use a couple of extra infielders to give Chipper and Escobar a longer break.

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Cool, N8. Just wondering why it’s a big deal for McFann.

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Crap – “pleases”.

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All this other stuff secondary.
Bottom-line fact: If BrainDead Bobby stays (2010) Braves get nada.

His mistakes—all on him—throughout the season (far exceeding his productive tactical moves late in games) have cost the Braves severely.
If BrainDead stays, Braves go nowhere.
Media may like him personally. Perhaps he’s a sweet ol’ man with admirable old-school baseball values.
But a positive mover and shaker as game-technician, he’s a 99-Cents item in the bottom of the basket.

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Thanks for the blog CR. Good stuff as always… a 2 of 3 against the Mets and a sweep of Philly could make it more interesting, eh? Not giving up all hope just yet…

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Hey…whatever it takes

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Hey Carroll – Any truth to the rumor that Frenchy is gonna see if he can help Chipper with “his” swing while he’s in town? He-he.

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bravesgrl4life–

Yeah, the red ones are good…they don’t look as orange in person!

Is it a big deal that the Braves are playing the Twins in MN next year?

Yeah, yuck! It’ll be like, 3 days of hearing, “AL MVP Joe Mauer this…AL MVP Joe Mauer that…” Belck! It’s bad enough when they play the Cardinals with Big Albert…

Daslied I’m guessing the Mauer/McCann “battle” is what [pleases] McFann?

“Pleases?” Hardly…

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Fellow braves fan,

I have started a new sports blog covering all sports called a casual fan… acasualfan.com

i’m just starting out, so I will be eternally grateful to anyone who takes a look.

again, acasualfan.com.

thanks a lot.

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Might actually get to take my boys to a Braves game before they’re old enough to pay for the trip

That’s great N8, then the little N8’s can talk about seeing our Hall of Fame manager for the rest of your life. heh, heh…

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Well lets see what team shows up for this series. The team that got swept by Cinn or the team that just beat up on the Cards. Would love to see Heyward called up to finish out the season but understand the money issues (down the road) so it will not happen. If I was GM I would do it just to make sure he is ready for this level. Hopefully Cox will retire so we can get some new blood at the top. If not, then expect another boring-could-have-been year in 2010. At times this season, this team is just as solid as any team in the West and is capable of shutting down Philly during a good series. The last couple of years we did not really have the players but this year we did but thanks to Cox we will end up about 5-7 games out of the running. No doubt in my mind that poor managing cost us at least 10 games, especially early in the season.

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McFann, didn’t think about that one, but you are right.

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bravesgrl4life–

Oh yeah, I bet it’s gonna be bad. At least they’ll be one the road, though–that way there’s less of a chance that they’ll be on PTV with Chip…I cann just hear him gushing over Joseph…yuck!

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Carrol, I love this line: So if a tree falls in the woods…..and the Braves keep winning….well, heck, if you’re reading this blog, you still care.

Great blog, as always.

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RC
September 15th, 2009
1:42 pm

good post! lose all this wishy-washy opinionated bullcrapola that CR propels onto the blog. fact is, braves aint out of it till the fat lady sings meaning magic number becomes magical and erases the braves. Is it going to happen? doubt it!. However, when I bring up the blog i don’t wanna read about autograph sessions, ghost busters, and definitely not project runway! Sorry i tried to make is constructive!

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Francouer is hitting better with the Mets – good for him; I mean that sincerely. But he wasn’t hitting in Atlanta, and for a lot of reasons, and I doubt he would do so.

I wish I could be at Turner Field tonight to watch Hanson hurl. Note to Bobby: let Hanson pitch the ninth if he’s shutting out the Mets and the score is close.

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Cox has “insinuated” that he might sit one of his three best pitchers even though the Braves are still mathematically alive? Sounds like he’s given up. How did he word this insinuation anyway?

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The Braves should call up Brandon Jones and Luis Valdez. B. Jones had a pretty good second half

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I think we need two power hitters next year. How about Aaron Hill and Adrian Gonzales. What do ya’ll think it would take? What a line up that would be.

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Hanson may or may not be skipped next time around. I’d be willing to bet that if the Braves go 4-1 or 5-0 in their next five games he will make his start.

If the Braves can’t gain 2-3 games in the standings over the next five I’d be all for Hanson & JJ being shut down for the rest of the season.

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RC, 1:42 pm … “While 7.5 behind the Phillies ….
Braves have:
8 losses more than Philly
5 losses more than Colorado
…, but at least there is still a chance!

I’m assuming that CR is “throwing in the towel” in the blog as a reverse jinx to ensure that the Braves go on a 20 game win streak (4 down, 16 to go).

Braves have a chance to set the Phils with three more losses this week. And, Braves can root for Florida to set the Phils with six more losses in their head to head games.

Even though it is a daunting and extremely improbable task, it is not (yet) completely hopeless. If Monday rolls around and the Braves have gone on an 0-6 tear, then, the towel can be hurled. But, I would at least wait til after the Phillies series to concede the season.

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Still hanging in there, but if the Braves don’t go 5-1 or 6-0 this week, I’ll officially give it up for the year.

BTW, 2 “y”s in Aykroyd.

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I wish I could be at Turner Field tonight to watch Hanson hurl. (JeffR)

Me too. Of course I don’t think we’re using “hurl” in the same context. {:

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bravesgrl4life lets hope your dream doesn’t come true.

Oh, I am, I am! Believe me…

Now, if you were to dream that he has the surgery, it goes excellently. Then, B-Mac comes back next year and has a .400 BA and thows out every attempted steal. Now, that would be a good dream

Sure would be! If I could control my dreams like Heath, I definitely play that one every night!

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I think we need two power hitters next year. How about Aaron Hill and Adrian Gonzales. What do ya’ll think it would take? What a line up that would be.

Adrian Gonzalez probably won’t be traded and would command a huge return if he were to be. Though I’d love to have him, I don’t see it. Aaron Hill, on the other hand, is overrated. He has a career .767 OPS and horrible walk rate whereas Kelly Johnson has a .778 career OPS and Prado has a .782 OPS. He’s got career year written all over him.

I do think the Braves need a bat. Maybe two. But Heyward is probably one of them. I’d go with Chipper at 1st, KJ at 2nd, Escobar at SS, Prado at 3rd, McCann at C, McLouth in Center, Heyward in Right, and try to sign Holliday to play Left.

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Shocker: Mike Hampton out for 2010 after surgery.

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It’s not like you get bonus points for giving up before it’s official, right?

Correct-a-mundo. But do you know how long it’s been since that was a prevailing sentiment in this forum? Couple of years, at least. We’ve been overridden with those who feel a few rants about what’s wrong shows off their “knowledge”, because they’ve totally forgotten the smell of the grass and the taste of the beer. Sad for them, and worse for the rest of us, who have had to endure their jerkish-nutbag numbletard selves.

Good riddance to them, and page hits be damned. Run the table, Braves, and spit on them when you go by, I say.

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Me and the braves need to both turn our luck around. I started season 5-0 and have gone 1-6 since. That is my inconsistent luck mixed with inconsistent play = .500 baseball. It wasn’t over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor…..Go Braves. 20 GAME winning streak

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Ah, and then I see it…a .250 BABIP away from Texas. Probably not a lot of substance to a home/away split of that magnitude. A .260 BABIP against lefties, but this is less indicative of luck as it could just be a further indicator of an inability to hit lefties. But I digress…

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rammerjammer (September 15th, 2009 10:41 am): “What about Kawakami as closer? His first inning stats illustrate what we all know…he starts out well but is gassed by the fifth.”

Nope.

At least, I don’t know that.

In fact, I did a pretty indepth analysis of his Apr and May performances a couple of months ago and found that he pitched better the second time through a line-up than the first time through. And I think that we all can agree that he’s gotten better since Apr/May.

(That was just an observation, and not meant to be construed as an attempted refutation of your main thesis.)

Plus, his stamina has been incresing — he averaged nearly six and a third IPs over his six August starts.

“Channel his mental toughness into the 8th/9th inning and you just might have your guy.”

Imo, Kawakami’s got too many quality pitches to be confined to the bullpen and limited to maybe 80 innings a season. He’s got starter stuff. (I’d rather see Lowe as closer.)

“His late and close stats, albeit a very small sample, back that up.”

Interesting. Let’s see them. What’s your source?

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Did Hampton ever have a day job? He is testament to how stupid front offices can be! Who’ll be the next idiot to pay him millions to watch the game!

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C-Aruh,thanx for the new blog.
It was on the old blog,but since ths is new……

FIRE BOBBY COX!

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GboroBravo:

Would that be Prado@ 5?

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TnBrian (September 15th, 2009 2:29 pm): “Send Kawakami and KJ to Texas this offseason for Cruz.”

Kawakami will not be traded.

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Okehfine!

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“You know, I stopped caring about the Braves two years ago.” – Facts Please

Says the guy who took time out of his day at 4:28 on a Tuesday afternoon to log into an Atlanta Braves blog and write 3 lengthy paragraphs about all that’s wrong with the team. Geez man, how much time do you spend on the things you DO care about?

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That ladies and gents is a weird line up. Bobby is getting dumber by the day.

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I especially loathe the ones who, in the middle of a game, say something along the lines of “if they blow this game I’m through with them forever”.

My personal “favorites” were the second-inning “Ballgame!” bafoons, and the panic-stricken Cassandras who wailed and gnashed the moment the Braves fell behind or lost a lead, LOL. Pretty much why I gave up on the in-game blogs.

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San Diego has already stated that they may trade Adrian Gonzales for the right pieces. Adrian for Freeman, Medlen, Schafer. I would do it in a minute. We need a slugger at least a 30 home run man with over 100 rbi’s. I don’t think Heyward will hit any more than 15 hmr’s in his first year. If we would have had this this year we would be in the playoffs.

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“My personal “favorites” were the second-inning “Ballgame!” bafoons, and the panic-stricken Cassandras who wailed and gnashed the moment the Braves fell behind or lost a lead, LOL. Pretty much why I gave up on the in-game blogs.”

When time permits, I love to go back to the in-game blogs on games we won, espcially those where we had come-from-behind wins, to see all the “ballgame” and other negative stuff, you know, wanting Cox fired in the middle of the game and such.

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I’ve thought he was a bum from the gitgo.

So, that gitgo would include his first two years in Atlanta, 27 wins, 360 innings, that kind of bum, right, LOL? Color me homeless, but, I’d take a couple of those bums for a pitching staff just about any year.

I’m no Hampton fan, but, geez louise, the guy has been pilloried here as if he were, oh, Anders or something, LOL.

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I can’t see paying Lowe $16 MM to be a closer. And if Bowman’s line up is correct……please swap Diaz and Escobar in the line up……….It’s time to see what Escobar can do in the 3 hole!

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Is Kawakami considered a rookie?

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AustinBrave…..let me see if I got you right………you’re the San Diego GM and you have the opportunity to trade the only guy in your everyday line up worth watching for…..????? I would imagine it would take at least a Tommy Hanson caliber prospect (Heyward)

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dcp, I thought so…….all things considered…….not a terrible rookie season

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FIRE Boobie Cox

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If I could trade Lowe and his 15mil a year contract for my Aunt Gertrude I would. Yes, she is a RH power hitter.

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I missed it? See what happens when there’s no game? jeffrey loses his mind. Soph

Hey now…it was a slow night. I was just trying to create some blog cheer.

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from gborobrave……no third baseman tonight, Boobie will try anything
Here is the lineup from Bowmans blog

McLouth 8

Prado 4

Diaz 9

McCann 2

Escobar 6

Anderson 7

LaRoche 3

Infante 4

Hanson 1

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oh yeah..FIRE Boobie Cox

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Oh get…an ice cold Omar Infante gets the start over Kelly Johnson again. Hooray for offense

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Fire Boobie Cox…please?

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yet your ego is so freaking colossal that you actually believe that you know more about the game than the 1000+ people who work and play in it and most all of whom think Cox is top notch.

I believe this is Coach’s cue to tell you that you need a “friggin’ lobotomy” for defending Cox?

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Soph – well I didn’t know you weren’t going to be around. Nobody was around. And when they were they threw in lyrics that had nothing to do with the song. Somebody thought Baseball America would be a good line in “Camp Town Racers”

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Cox has seen his best years, just like that old sway back nag grazing in the grass is a gas can you dig it?

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No wait, it was Dale Murphy

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Well, I’m ready today.

Yay, for the tarp coming off! It’s pouring here.

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I really want to get season tickets for 2010 but am waiting on word if you know who is coming back first

Jeff Porter right? I can’t STAND that guy

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8. Infante 2B

ugh…

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Kelly Johnson has played twice since September 7th (eight days ago!!)

But on the bright side, Norton hasn’t played since the 6th.

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Wow, some of the relievers on our roster haven’t been used in almost a month. I mean, I know Acosta and Logan have been terrible, but what’s the point of keeping them around if you’re not going to use them?

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Ok, jeffrey that’s like three whiny posts in a row.

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We need an $18m RH cleanup hitting LF superstar. Holliday or Bay will do.

We don’t need a minor upgrade or a decent stopgap. And we can afford it. Deal Vazquez (ugh), maybe for a premium 3B prospect, $11.5m. Nontender Kelly, $4m. Nontender Church, $2.5m. Done.

Signed and controlled: McLouth, Chip, Escobar, Prado, Infante, Ross, McCann, Hanson, Jurrjens, Lowe, Kawakami, O’Flaherty, Medlen, Moylan.

Sign Roach for 2-yr, $15m with a mutual option on the third. Work out 3-yr, $33m on Hudson, mutual option on fourth. Sign one or the other closer for $7m. Take the 2nd closer money and buy 2-3 reliable bullpen arms Bobby trusts. Have Conrad fill the second utility position. Sign Diaz. Diaz, Heyward, Schafer fill the rest of the OF slots.

I have constructed a World Series worthy club.

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Random, the late and close stats on Kawakami came from his splits stats on the Braves Web site. Like I said, though, a very small sample…something like 5 innings. I don’t dislike KK at all in the rotation. Just musing about keeping Hudson and Vazquez in it while not expending new money on a closer. And I think KK has a closer’s mentality.

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I agree with Monty!! One other thing, why would anyone have a love affair with KJ, he sux. Oh, thats why Boobie Cox loves him.

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Governor Clinton Tyree; ixnay on your outfield. No way JS begins the season in Atlanta. Need a big bopper from somewhere.

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Logan and Acosta last pitched on August 26th. Yeesh.

But it’s not like they’re Rivera and Papelbon….Bobby’s either a fool for playing them or a fool for not playing them and overworking the others.

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“Logan and Acosta last pitched on August 26th. Yeesh.”

You may not remember this, but Acosta had to go down to the minors for a while, and he had to stay down at least 10 days before being called back up. So he likely got some time at Gwinnett during that time. Logan, I don’t know what to tell you. He’ s up for arb this time, too, I think. Maybe they are keeping his innings down so he doesn’t have much of a case for a raise.

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FIRE TP!

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HEY, think the Braves will resign me for me and Boras’ asking price of 3 year, $9.5M per year? I think I deserve it.

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jeffrey: Acosta was in Gwinnett. He pitched for the G-Braves on Aug. 29 and 31 and Sept. 4.

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DOB…

Do you believe that Chipper has any fire (or ability left) in the belly to play for three more years? Hell, I was already done by his age now, 37. Of course I started as a 20 year old in 1952 with the Boston Braves (with 25HR’s I might add…)

I think you or someone hit the nail on the head. He does not take great care of his body…and more than likely has relied on sheer athletic ability alone for the last several years. If I had his money, I would hire a personal chef, personal trainer, personal masseuse, personal muscle / whole body stretcher…whatever it takes…to play at the level he thinks he is still capable of playing at now and for the next few years. Otherwise, call it quits, go hunt and let the Braves use that big pile of money for someone who still can produce for this franchise.

Your thoughts would be appreciated.

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Right on cue…

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Well, well, well. So the braves fans have meaningful games in Sept. to root for. Congratulations, of course this Mets fans is still rooting against you. The only thing left to do is to show up on Thursday and root for those Mets. The Mets reason for horrible play is well documented but the braves will have a lot of explaining to do if they miss the playoffs with that above average starting rotation (ok, its damn good). I would much rather have a collapse than this current Mets situation but oh well. Nothing left to do now but play hard against playoff bound teams who haven’t quite made it. Question: Is any braves fans conceding that Chumper got his extension too soon? That guy really killed you guys down the stretch with his glove and bat, very unChhumper like. Well hope to see some of you rabid fans at the game Thursday, til we meet again in 2010. Hey KC, I haven’t forgotten ya, ill hit up your email.

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Chip Caray is as bad as Jim Powell on the radio. That guy is horrible…

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JJ here. I’m putzing around on Scouts’ Alley. I’ve got nothing relevant to say. The Braves play here!

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Not only that, Chop Chop, but if you ever watch PTV when there’s not a game on, they also show JJ in a gym (of all places) giving health advice (of all things).

Yeah, I’m struggling with my weight and I’m gonna listen to JJ.

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Hmm…I thought I hit the submit button before I left for dinner…apparently I missed.

Thanks for the lineup, Ms. Rogers. They better start on time…

richbrave–

I wrote a two-paragraph summery of BMac’s season–well, it’s just about his offense. Looking over what I’ve written, I think the feeling I get is…mm, trying at times. But BMac has also shown himself to be capable of overcoming the steep hills–he was able to come back strong from the uncertainty surrounding his vision problem and make the All-Star Team. Granted, he was the backup again, but his numbers were definitely good enough to be the starter.

I feel like he should have a few more RBI than he has, and he has gone through some horrid slumps from time to time, but his overall numbers aren’t too bad for a catcher, especially considering how his season began. He leads the team in homers (18), RBI (79), and doubles (34).

His defense has been shakier than I had anticipated. However, many of the stolen bases have been off our pitchers. And his PBs are up this year (don’t we have more breaking-ball pitchers than we’ve had before?), but that could be partly due to the glasses fogging up and stuff.

So anyway, that’s my general feeling, if it makes sense. Overall I’d say pretty solid offensively, not the best defensively.

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Although we do have that staged “I’ll hand you these seat upgrades and you overreact” bit coming up.

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Right as I type it…

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Wright/Beltran still make this line-up dangerous.

Not to mention when Reyes and Carlos Delswato are in there…

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Too bad Wright’s not still wearing that big diaper helmet.

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I’m no short Dude, but if I tried on Tommy Hanson’s baseball pants, my feet would not come within a foot of coming out the leg.

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Tommy looks sharp…

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Slim pickens…is it gonna be like this the rest of the season?

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just loss the game … CSS is now showing the rerun of GT-Clemson game !!@##$$$

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I’m guessing that’s pretty much would have done had he been allowed to finish the game in Houston.

I feel compelled to make two self-evident observations:

1.) the Braves have the best uniforms in baseball

and

2.) Bobby Cox should be fired

That’s all for now.

Why is Adam LaRoche batting 7th?

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Must be Roger Dorn at shortstop for the Mets

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Did anyone elses PTV cut to a feed of a GT football game replay? I don;t know whether to hate PTV, comcast, chattanooga, or Chip Carey just for good measure.

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Alright, we need a hit here.

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Michell-

I agree with #1. I love the Braves uniforms. I also like the Cardinals, Dodgers, Red Sox and Yankees unis.

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Wow.

Why do I have a feeling we’re going to lose to another wanna-be, nobody pitcher.

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Roman Gal

September 15th, 2009
7:21 pm

Diaz has some weird walk-up music.

More than likely it is his Brothers song.Matt financed his CD …Christian rock i believe.

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One other thing, why would anyone have a love affair with KJ, he sux. Oh, thats why Boobie Cox loves him.

Really? Cox keeps running his boy Prado out there despite all evidence of pure, non-stop suck since the All Star break.

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Maybe CSS got complaints about having to show the Braves from irate viewers.

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It Stinks David…(Athens, AL). I just called and they said to give them a full 30 minutes to resume to normal broadcasting. Cant they just flip a switch or something?

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Francoeur just sponging off BMac’s good nature, ah s’pose…

Hey, nitwit, who told you you should catch that?

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I wouldn’t go to a ballgame in the rain or when it was threatening rain either. Only the die hard Francophiles are there tonight.

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Boo-yah!! LaRoche for cleanup!

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David – I have DirectTV’s version of Peachtree TV and I’m in Guntersville and I still have the game.

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Yowza, that went a long way. I think he misched that location.

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Roachy!

Look jeffrey, Omar got a hit.

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I hate pitchers buntin’ wid one out. Cox and his bunts need t’go. Get some manga’ who abolishes de free out!

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LaRoche hit a homer? Who cares, I’d rather watch a college football crap game.

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Ms. Rogers–

Oh…duh.

Mitchell e mistakenly refered to Brian McCann as “Martin”.

WHAT?? How insulting…

Do your homework, Kenny! Sheesh!

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Yikes, CSS just cannot make up its mind here about if it will show me the game or not. I get 10 seconds of the Braves and then back to college ball?

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Holy cow!

Right, Joe. Tommy’s had some starts where he gave up a ton of runs? Ergg!! He’s so…so…blech. My feelings wouldn’t be hurt if Joe wasn’t back next year.

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Turbo-Loaf!!

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LOAFY!

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Hey, my grandad just called me and said, “what the sam hell is going on with this damn channel!! It’s going crazy!!” Should’ve heard the old man go off. Alright, game back on… maybe.

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wow , GA is trying out for off season offers, he should have done that a few more times this season and we might have a couple more wins, hmm what would a few more wins look like now.

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did i miss GA making a diving catch?????!!!! back on for a moment …

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Carroll, I didn’t have a choice. Wait… surely you don’t mean you’d rather me leave the blog? Not me, I bring some fresh flavor around here.

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I likes Chip Caray actin’ likes powa’ and speed are equal assets and gittin’ eida’ o’ be plum as good. What an idiot.

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Arg!!

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“Bobby would milk this as an excuse if one of our guys passed away during the season.” NO MORE BOBBY

Oh, stop it! Now I’m not pro-Bobby, but that’s just a stupid comment, imo.

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Eddie Murray.

I guarantee you it’s Eddie Murray. I already nailed it. Don’t even need to look it up.

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PLEASE?

Why, so two weeks into the season you can change your name to “no more Yost?” Oh, and the comment about Adenhart was unbelievable, you braying jackass.

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Loaf playing a swan song tonight.

I’ll miss you, Loaf!

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You know what’s coming…

LaRoche for cleanup!

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Maybe all that money in Beltran’s pockets weighed him down so he could not catch that one.

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Been to Washington, Ga. many times…it sux

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New low for NMB at 8:00; just pitiful taste.

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braves70, now you know you’d be syked if Atlanta got Beltran. Never gonna happen, but I know he’d be an awesome addition to the lineup.

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Man, dis damn AJC Braves blog goes down mo’e than a $2.00 prostitute.

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NO MORE BOBBY

September 15th, 2009
8:17 pm
New low for NMB at 8:00; just pitiful taste.

You’re right keylargo. Inappropriate. Man, if only that had happened to JoJo Reyes.

Oh, I kid. That was wrong.

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CARROLL ROGERS:

Thank you, Ms. ROGERS. I can’t see why TnB bothers if he’d rather be somewhere else.

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Anybody else’s mlbtv not working?

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No Bobby Cox, Norton, Francoeur, Schafer = what might’ve been….

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Steve from OH, Bay Area Steve, Nova Scotia Steve, et al.

FYI
http://improbable.com/airchives/paperair/volume10/v10i4/morph-steve-10-4.pdf

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from what I hear a big blob on the radar is headed right for us.

WICKMAN!!!!!

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McFann, the only thing he was wrong about was calling McCann “Martin”.

The rest was spot on so I was pretending like he didn’t know what he was talking about and Bobby is still a great manager…

I was nit-picking, if you will. And please do.

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McFANN:

Your take on McCANN. Give me a time because I might miss it.

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Couch Tater–now that’s funny! I gotta get me one of them t-shirts…

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nasty pitch

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Ah, boo-yah! No more Misch!

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“And he was roughed up in the bottom half.”

What?

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Joe can gush about Yunel all he wants as far as I’m concerned.

There was talk about who was the MVP of the team at the all star break or shortly thereafter and most people felt it was either Martin or maybe Javy Vasquez. I think it would have to be Yunel.

Where would we be without him this year? I think his contributions to the team this year have been vastly understated. He may have come back down to earth a little lately but so has just about everybody else. He came into his own this year and I hope he stays a Brave for a long time.

All this crap about him needing to mature is, uh, crap. Bobby Cox needs to mature for f’s sake! Maybe he doesn’t toe the line like some people but some of them, that’s all they’re good at.

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Heh. At least Chip is a UGA grad.

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Another Roch Bomb!

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Thanks young lady. I’m searching.

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Tommy Hanson pitching brilliantly and Adam LaRoche hits a second bomb! I like it, I love it

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What production from our number 7 hitter. Who would have thought?

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RHR

September 15th, 2009
8:49 pm
Heh. At least Chip is a UGA grad

that does explain a lot

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There was talk about who was the MVP of the team at the all star break or shortly thereafter and most people felt it was either Martin

LOL! Fail.

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Why did Couch Tater link a Lintz post?

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LaRoche for cleanup!

You’re welcome, richbrave! Guess I coulda done the descent thing and linked it up for ya…

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Was listening in the car as it took me 2+ hours to get home tonight. Hubby working to 9, so I’m now watching. I love this, but I’m sorry I missed seeing GA make a sliding catch. Did anybody wonder if hell had frozen over?

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Nate looks like Bill Burr the comedian

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LaRoche will be back, unless Wren rips someone off badly in a Vazquez deal.

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LaRoche, what a b@stard. He has the nerve–the nerve–to hit not one but two solo homers in one game!? He can’t hit ‘em with men on base? Selfish punk. Doesn’t he know we need grand slams and complete games just to ease my delicate psyche?

Don’t even get me started on how the second homer was in a 5-run game…

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McFANN:

Thank you. A fair, concise, balanced analysis. You should be working for ESPN. Good job.

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VJ-

well since there is nothing else on TV tonight…

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richbrave–

Thank you! I do enjoy writing on that subject. Haha, if only I could crank out school papers that fast.

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Steve Don’t even get me started on how the second homer was in a 5-run game…

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Somebody rob this man of a double…

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keylargo – New low for NMB at 8:00; just pitiful taste.

I am in no way saying I wish one of our Braves would die in a horrific accident like the Angels had to go through this season. What I meant is that if something like that happened then Bobby would most likely say how our team just could not overcome all the setbacks like losing a team member.
I applaud Mike Scioscia for being able to lead his players in such a sad situation instead of throwing in the towel.

I never explain myself so you should be honored keylargo.

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Damn 49ers cost me the pool I was in…

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VJ-

I told you not to doubt them

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cab -

I saw the last 7 minutes of the game. They actually looked good. The Cardinals…not so much.

Our teams play each other this season. It’ll be fun.

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McFann :Ô:

September 15th, 2009
8:55 pm

DANGIT, Francouer! Stop catching everything! GYAH…

Frenchie is one awesome Major League Baseball player.

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Listerine or Scope?

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VJ-

umm, aren’t you the one that actually looked up the spreads? And I went 15-1? Yeah.

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Danga–glad I could brighten your day!

I mean, who does he think he is, Mark Teixeira?

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Important Questions -

Natchul…..in the morning…..after a cigarette.

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They’re having fun.

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Sure, might as well bring in Gonzo in a 5-0 game. Can’t imagine why Bobby gets blasted and if you listen closely to Joe S. and even Chip Carey, they are starting to hint around as to Cox’s questionable bp moves.

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Oh man, thats just unfair that Pope’s band gets to do that. We’d never get to do anything like that in my band (another cobb band), instead we had rehersal tonight. In the rain.

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Dear Lord, who picks these “know-how” questions, anyway? Yowzah…

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Just throw strikes Gonzo. Please don’t even think about walking anyone.

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Oh, and for the doofuses who thought Gorkys Hernandez was a viable option to replace Jordan Schafer in June, behold!

.282/.331/.358/.688 (except this was compiled in the Southern and Eastern Leagues…)

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Ugh, don’t be hurt Gonzo.

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Boy, GONZO just can’t live without that adrenalin rush he gets from runners on with less that two outs, can he?

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Beef ribs or pork ribs?

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Gonzo likes to make it interesing, don’t he?

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Important Questions -

A Mets 6-spot in the ninth!

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richbrave, hardly ever. Nothing comes easy with The Cobra. He gets the job done most of the time, but not closer material, if you ask me. If a good set up/closer is hard to come by for Atlanta this offseason, I’d give the closer job to Moylan… he’s earned it.

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Rochey!!!!

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Have a day, Adam!

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Roachy is a Scor…..

Ahhh heck with it.

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cabravesfan – in terms of the pool – I’ll get you, my pretty – and your (not-so-little) dog, too!

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VJ-

I’ll take me and my dog over you and yours…

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Up by 5 ? … give me Gonzalez and get Soriano hot

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I see the Braves are playing some solid ball now that the season is a wash. If we had those 10 or more losses back that the jacka$$ Cox cost us, we’d be sitting pretty. On another note, if the front office trades Vazquez, that will be proof they have no intention of improving this team. If a pitcher has to go, it should be Lowe. He’s not worth the money.

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Crap!!

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Good job Bravos! Fun game.

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Beautiful ending to this evening. Hanson is a BEAST and Adam LaRoche is the bomb.

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Yay!

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bravesgrl4life Hanson is a BEAST and Adam LaRoche is the bomb.

LaRoche for cleanup!

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“On another note, if the front office trades Vazquez, that will be proof they have no intention of improving this team.”

I’m speechless. I actually have no response for that. The rest of the blog thanks you.

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Talented?

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It could happen….

Great game, Tommy really making a case for that ROY. He deserves it IMO, just been such a dominant pitcher. Hopefully we can re-sign Roachy.

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Stranger things have happened………

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I have an idea. Lets give LaRoche a shot at cleanup. I hear he is a scorpio.

And then the Braves should trade for Chone Figgins.

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TnBRIAN:

So true. Pressure is his fix. To me a great closer doesn’t need that crap. He gets ‘um out 1-2-3. End of inning, end of game, end of story.

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Tommy Hanson showing again why he’s going to be the Ace from here on out. Dude’s a machine. I’d shut him down the rest of the year, or limit his innings, giving him a chance to win and win ROY.

Not sure how the blog would respond to his normal slow starts, but there isn’t any denying that LaRoche is a 2nd half player and he really should be re-signed this off-season. If Laroche and Hudson were to get 2 or 3 year contracts worked out, half of Wren’s off-season would be done.

Then only a matter of determining which pitcher to trade, which (if either) of Soriano and Gonzo to keep, which outfielder to go after (I vote Mike Cameron – unless a younger, similar player could be had in a trade of “said” pitcher), and whether or not to count on Heyward on opening day.

I’m going to assume that Adam and Tim will get it out of the way sooner, rather than later. I know the free agent signing period is after the WS ends. But a team can re-sign any of their own free agents at any time, correct? If I’m Wren I get on it now. Lock em down while the mood is good.

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How many BB’s did Hanson have? I haven’t checked the boxscore yet.

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It probably never would have mattered what kind of winning streak we got on, we still would have dropped games here and there that we absolutely should have won.

It should be a six game win streak. We should have swept the Marlins. We should have at least won the last game of the Reds series.

We should have won that Saturday game against the Mets after the all star break. We should have won the Friday game at home against the Phillies when Bobby brought Soriano in to face Howard… so on and so forth.

The Braves lost plenty of games on their own but too many have been lost as a result of poor managing.

We’re good enough to beat teams like the Cardinals and Dodgers and when we do it’s like everything falls into place and everybody plays their role to perfection but we’re never going to reach our full potential with Bobby Cox.

That’s as far as I’m concerned.

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Tommy Hanson now leads NL rookies in ERA, K/9, K/BB, WHIP, W%, and is tied for the lead in Wins. ROY!

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richbrave, I’ve thought the same thing. Wren could trade (he almost would have to), two pitchers to clear payroll, sign Holiday who is clearly a better NL hitter. Then could trade either Schafer or McLouth down the road if both (and Heyward) are all ready to play.

But we definitely need a RH bat to plug into the middle of this lineup. If even for just a year or two, until some other ones come along.

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Notice how well the Braves are playing without Chipper playing?

Get used to it…even though Prado has not hit too well after coming back from those excursional headaches…rather see him at third now the way Chipper has fielded it this year with 21 errors…thus far.

As it is…just keep winning…makes everyone ahead having too do the same…or else?

Could you see this team still winning 90 games? I do…18 games left…5 with the Mets…3 with Philly…3 with Florida…and 7 with the Nats. Yea. With 14 more wins = 90. I see that more and more a possibility. Just leave Chipper on the pine and let the starters go deeper in the game…Bobby?

Faith…

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I think the blog would would see an influx of folks demanding Cox get fired for being too loyal to veteran players after a typical 1st half performance by Rochey.

Holliday makes me nervous. Don’t know why.

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Danga:

Yeah, know what you mean with that six year .319 average and .935 OPS. 151 HR’s, 26 triples, and 225 doubles. Makes me sweat just thinking about it.

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Well, guys and girls, I am off to bed. Long day, but hopefully the rainy weather will help me sleep. Have a good one, everybody. GO BRAVES!!!! Sweep those Mutts

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Adam LaRoche…you da’ man!

I still got you beat by 50…185 to 135…in career homers. Of course I did it in 7,571 AB’s…and you still only have 2,813…or something like that. Bottom line…you hit a dinger every 21 AB’s…while it took me 41 AB’s for a long ball. Plus you are a better fileder than I ever thought about…but I do have 6 rings…3 as a player and 3 as a coach (look it up!)…

Wren…sign Adam to at least a two year deal, please?

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What about 3 games back on thursday morning?

Could that be possible?

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Heh. At least Chip is a UGA grad. RHR

Oyy…don’t remind us.

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Oyy…don’t remind us.

Don’t forget Ryan Seacrest.

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richbrave,

Thats 14-4.

SF wins tonight we would need the rockies to go 9-9 the rest of the way………….it sure can happen……… but this is just not our year………. too many thing could have gone right and they didnt……… this would be by far, the strangest season of any team I can recall if this happens. It would surpass the muts meltdown.

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Politics, race, religion….I’ve never seen someone assassinated over baseball though.

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Funny, Mixxo.

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Man is Tommy Hanson, well, the man… After another 7 scoreless innings tonight, the dude’s ERA is at 2.64. I wonder how many fools still think dropping Glavine to make room for him was a mistake? (Besides Smoltz.)

Prediction – while Glav and Smoltzie are playing golf next summer, the Braves are going to be following their multiple aces to the NL East and then the Pennant. (The Series? Well, let’s not get carried away… yet…)

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That was pretty good, Mixxo.

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When will Bobby get smart enough to put LaRoche in cleanup? Prob never you are right.

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great, let’s try that again, not that its really worth it anymore

http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs246.snc1/9317_1092130942175_1193550675_30443706_3070562_n.jpg

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Let’s go get some more Pirates this winter!
Nady or Bay.

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I wanted to use Soriano tonight, just to get some work in.
I should have pulled Hanson sooner.

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How come nobody mentions Ryan Church as trade bait?
No value?
I like him, but he’s always hurt.

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What if we did assume for the sake of doing so that a manager could lose his team 10 games a year? Know who else has lost their team 10 games this year? Ryan Howard, Mark Teixeira, Matt Holliday, Ryan Braun. At least according to the win probability stat fangraphs puts up, that’s how many wins they’ve cost their teams. Of course, that ignores that Howard has won his team 15 games, Tex 13 games, Holliday 13 games, Braun 13 games. Overall Howard has added 5 wins above average to his team, Tex 4 wins added, Holliday 3, Braun 3.

So, please, if you are gonna claim a manager has lost the team 10 games (which is a bit much), at least give him credit for the games he’s won as well. It’s hard to believe any manager could have a worse impact upon a team than Jeff Francoeur did as a hitter last season, and it can only really be said that Frenchy cost his team 4 wins relative to an average hitter last season, having added 10 wins with his hitting, and having lost 14 wins with his hitting.

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Giants hammering the rocks in the 1st.

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Alton Brown?

Food Network guy. Has his own show – Good Eats.

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ahh.

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Teenagers scare me these days…

http://www.ajc.com/news/nation-world/police-139390.html

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Sorry, Adam, but the playoffs are a real long shot now and I do agree with this rotation we could go deep in the playoffs. Example– Cards series. They’re getting in and probably the team to beat when they do and we shut them down like they were nothing. It is a shame but I already feel real good about 2010.

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If the Braves could sign LaRoche to a 2 year, $15 million dollar deal, do you do it?

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I wouldn’t sign LaRoche…history says he’ll be terrible before the All Star Game. Plus, $7.5 million seems like a lot to spend on a player today.

Then again, who’s gonna play first next year? Freeman’s not ready. LaRoche might be the best option.

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Luman Harris: “…could the Braves be only 4 back in the loss column after tonight??? (still have the Giants ahead as well…)”

Remember, Rockies only have 16 games left after tonight.”
You cant just ignore the wins and focus only on the difference in losses. Lets assume Rockies lose tonight, which makes the Braves 4 back in the loss column. Yes, the Rockies would have 2 less games than the Braves. But they went 2-0 in the 2 more games they played, which is the best you can do.
So Im not sure the point youre trying to make, especially since, as you point out, the Giants are also ahead of the Braves (if Rockies lose tonight, that means the Giants will win; thats the problem when you have 2 teams in front of you, especially in the same division). The WC is history; only slim chance the Braves have is winning the East.
And Slim already left town lol

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If they sign LaRoche and Hudson then they’re going to have to unload somebody that’s making some big bucks. Shipping KK and KJ for an OF is almost to good to be true, and probably is. All we heard here was how he’ll never be traded because the backlash of possibly signing Japanese players in the future. Hate it, but my gut tells me Javy is gone. Who am I anyways, but it’s my gut telling me. My gut I tell ya.

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GIANTS taking it to COLORADO right now 7-1. CUBS up 13-4, not good. PHILLIES win.

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We go 14-4 the rest of the way and anything can happen.

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This team is beginning to look like 1990 edition at this time of the season.

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Rockies are done for tonight…………we are 5 back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SF is on a missing…………..This is crazy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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The 19 year old Brett Oberholtzer had an excellent season for Danville, pitching 67 innings over 12 starts with a 2.01 ERA with a 56-to-6(!) strikeout-to-walk ratio. I imagine the Braves will move the lefty to a full-season assignment next year and I hope to see him in Rome.

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Rockies get matt Cain tomorrow……….we could be 4GB by thursday morning.

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I thought I was the most negative braves fan, but I can hear the crickets on this blog with more than 2 weeks left and 5 GB……..I hope Braves at least make it more interesting. Picking up another game tomorrow could get some adrenaline flowing again.

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Bradley, Schultz, DOB, and other media talk in the definitive, like “The Braves are out of the post season for 4 straight years now.”

I have to admit, I was talking like that too, only because I didn’t want to get my hopes up. But after tonight we’re only 4 back in the loss column. Anything can happen…I just hope they don’t break my heart again.

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Doc Holliday, you’re getting me excited and I’m mad at you for it, DAMNIT! I’ve had all the ups and downs a fan should ever have these last few years, especially this year, so this is a fine line for me.

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TnBrian,

Rockies are about to lose their 4th in a row………they might never find the light again………..hopefully for us.

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Pete…

The Point is that after tonight…Atlanta would trail Colorado by 4 games in the LOSS column. Not real hard to understand. And yes, while they have 2 fewer games after tonight than the Braves…the loss column is all that matters. We have 68 losses and they have 64. Sure the Giants are also ahead with only 66 losses…so yes, we are going to need lots of help! But we are still in it…as long as we keep winning…or if you like, do not lose.

Games left:

Atlanta……18…could we win 14 or 15…down the stretch? Would be a minor miracle!
San Fran…17…need to win no more than 10 or 11. Could happen.
Colorado…16…need to win no more than 8 or 9. Yea. Could happen.

And do not forget the Cubs and Marlins…Cubs are playing well again…and they are also dreaming of post season baseball.

Raising the bar now…as 90 wins may not be enough to capture the Wild Card…and remember…there could be a two-way tie…or worse…(guess you would go to a tie-breaker…is there one with three teams…or more?)

Bottom Line…Wild Card is really the only hope…unless the Phillies just bomb out…and do you really see that…catching a team you are 8 games back in the loss or a team you are only 4 back?

Believe!!!

Selah…

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Doc, you keep talking about the Rockies losing 4 in a row, then maybe going 9-9 (even though they have only 16 games left lol). Why no mention of the Giants? Braves have to beat 3 teams in the WC, not just 1. Huge difference, especially when we dont play San Fran and Rockies anymore this year.

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Pete,

8-8 it is then.

I dont mention the other teams cause we can catch them teal quick………not so the rockies.

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Theoretically, if the Braves could somehow rid themselves of the Lowe contract they could probably make a play for Holliday and keep payroll under $100 million. The payroll would look something like this (leaving $5 million for a reliever):
SP - Kawakami $7,333,333.00
SP - Javier Vazquez $11,500,000.00
SP - Tim Hudson $12,000,000.00
SP - Jair Jurrjens $400,000.00
SP - Tommy Hanson $400,000.00

RP - Peter Moylan $1,500,000.00
RP - Reliever??? $5,000,000.00
RP - Eric O’Flaherty $400,000.00
RP - Manny Acosta $400,000.00
RP - Kris Medlen $400,000.00
RP - Boone Logan $400,000.00
RP - Craig Kimbrel $400,000.00

C - Brian McCann $5,666,666.00
1B - Martin Prado $400,000.00
2B - Kelly Johnson $3,750,000.00
SS - Yunel Escobar $400,000.00
3B - Chipper Jones $13,000,000.00
LF - Matt Holliday $18,000,000.00
CF - Nate McLouth $5,000,000.00
RF - Jason Heyward $400,000.00

BC - David Ross $1,600,000.00
UT - Omar Infante $1,850,000.00
UT - Brooks Conrad $400,000.00
OF - Matt Diaz $3,000,000.00
OF - Ryan Church $3,750,000.00

Total 2010 Payroll $97,349,999.00

Of course, you can skip the reliever and figure uses for Schafer (possibly trading McLouth) and decide to dump a few arbitration eligible players (KJ, Church come to mind) and grab a 1B–perhaps LaRoche–as well as Holliday. There’s a lot of interesting things Wren can do this off-season. I don’t know if trading Lowe is even a remote possibility (probably isn’t) or signing Holliday is (probably isn’t, though if I were Wren, he would be my guy, he’s perfect for the Braves). But there’s loads of flexibility in this team due to the pitching surplus and reliever and 1B contracts coming off the books.

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Something to ponder…

With all these what ifs…and the like…would it not be great if those 4 games in October with the Nationals really could mean something?

It would really be a bummer if we miss the Wild Card by 1 or 2 games…

Long winter for some…Bobby Cox, you in particular…I’m afraid. You have had more than a nice run (HOF…for sure) and I hope we somehow make the playoffs this year…

However, what would a Fredi Gonzalez have done with this team…or even a Ned Yost? Maybe, sooner or later…we may find out.

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Cause a part of me is dead and in the ground.
This love is killing me,
But you’re the only one.
It’s not over.??????

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Frank Wren -

Brooks Conrad? Are you kidding? He is terrible.

Is that a joke? If so, I don’t get it. If not, troll harder.

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Not a joke. The guy had one good week and is a career AAA player at best.

Ill give you an example. He hit a HR off a guy earlier this year. That pitcher is no longer in baseball.

He has a career avg of .237 and if he played more it would be a lot less. He is a poor mans Pete Orr

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So I post a roster of 25 people and you pick the 2nd string utility player to pick on? Of the 25 people on that hypothetical roster, Brooks Conrad and Manny Acosta are battling for most irrelevant. The Braves wouldn’t be asking Conrad to be Joe Morgan, they’d ask him to do a decent enough job of being the 2nd string utility player. Face it, you’re just threadsh!tting.

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Rockies lose. Braves 4 back in the loss column.

Still have a chance…barely. ESPN has us now with a 5.3% chance of making the playoffs. What were the Phillies chances with 2 1/2 weeks to go back in 2007? They were 5 back in the loss column on 9/15 and on 9/30 they were 1 game ahead…stuff happens…and Braves just need lot’s of (good) stuff to happen!

That is why the next 2 1/2 weeks should be fun. Or at least as we keep winning…if not…come on FALCONS!

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Nice work, PWHjort. Thanks for laying it out.

Friendly amendments: I think we need LaRoche and Holliday (or Bay), and I see where to get it. Nontender Kelly and Church, which saves $7.5m. Insert Conrad in the second utility spot (Infante is signed). Re-sign Diaz, bring up Schafer and Heyward – not in key roles, but splicing them into the third OF spot. That way we see if one or both of them can handle it but the 3rd outfield spot doesn’t kill us, like the 2nd and 3rd did the first two months this year. Diaz gives you the flexibility to do that.

I don’t see anybody taking Lowe (or more precisely, Lowe’s contract) off our hands unless we eat a big portion of that contract. At $12m, he’s probably moveable. Adds $3m of dead money to our payroll, but it’d be worth it. Otherwise, I think you have to move Vazquez, which kills me. Whaddaya think of eating a piece of Lowe’s contract?

It’s funny – Lowe’s going to win 15, 16 games and eat 220 innings, which is what we hired him to do, but he’s clearly the weak link. Nice problem to have.

Oh, and Kawakami at $7m is a value. Can’t understand the folks who have denigrated him on here. ERA under 4.00 and a dragonslayer who obviously likes the big games? C’mon.

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Great game by Tommy Hanson and Adam LaRoche. Hanson keeps getting better at putting away hitters. He made David Wright look horrible. Kid is really good.

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