Braves learn to win without Chipper
Remember when the Braves struggled mightily with Chipper Jones out of the lineup in recent seasons? How they were a well-below-.500 team whenever their slugging third baseman, amid his late-career hitting resurgence, didn’t play because of various nagging injuries?
Well, the bad news is that his late-career hitting resurgence came to an abrupt halt a couple of months ago, and the nagging injuries have been a problem again lately after his relatively healthy first half-season.
Bigger impact than Chipper lately
The good news is that the Braves have gotten by far better without Chipper than they did in the past. Then again, he never had a hitting slump quite like this one in the past. And so, necessity being the mother of invention, and Yunel Escobar being the father of the on-deck-circle leap, and Adam LaRoche of the standing-at-the-bus-stop batting stance….
But anyway, the numbers don’t lie (except when those numbers are a pitchers’ won-lost record, as we’ll discuss in a moment vis-à-vis the performances of Jair Jurrjens and Derek Lowe).
The Braves have this tale-of-two-seasons thing going on, with their current, season-best six-game winning streak lifting their record to 43-28 since June 28, third-best in the NL in that stretch behind Philadelphia (46-26) and Colorado (44-29). Unfortunately for the Braves, that 43-28 record hasn’t been enough to overcome their disappointing 34-40 start (the next time anyone tells you division titles or playoff berths aren’t won in April or May, tell them, yeah, but they can sure be lost then.) But, hey, there’s hope until mathematical elimination, right?
As we were saying, the Braves are 43-28 since June 28. Chipper has played in 62 games in that time, and hit .246 with 16 extra-base hits (eight homers), 32 RBI and a rather pedestrian .771 OPS in those games). The Braves are 35-27 in those games he’s played, and 8-1 in games when he hasn’t played in that period.
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To take our admittedly unscientific impact study, as it were, a step further, let’s check what the Braves have done without a few other players in the lineup during that time (we’ll not use LaRoche, since he came a month later).
Since that June 28 Braves-turnaround date:
– Matt Diaz has played in 63 games and hit .350 with 20 extra-base hits (seven homers), 31 RBI and a .952 OPS. The Braves are 39-24 when he’s played, and 4-4 when he has not.
– Brian McCann has played in 65 games and hit .251 with 31 extra-base hits 10 homers), 49 RBI and a .746 OPS. The Braves are 38-27 when he’s played, 5-1 when he has not.
– Garret Anderson has played in 64 games and hit .272 with 22 extra-base hits (nine homers), 28 RBI and a .753 OPS. The Braves are 40-24 when he’s played, 3-4 when he has not.
– Yunel Escobar has played in 63 games and hit .313 with 17 extra-base hits (seven homers), 29 RBI and an .879 OPS. The Braves are 39-24 when he’s played, 4-4 when he has not.
So, what conclusions can we draw? I don’t know. Decide for yourselves. It’d take too long to go back and figure out which games the Braves played without two or more of those guys and what the record is in those situations, etc.
I just wanted to show how, unlike recent years, the Braves have not been crippled when Chipper’s been out of the lineup.
And how they are a sub-.500 team without G. Anderson (just wanted to see if you’re on your toes, and make you smile between gully-washers if you’re here in Atlanta wondering if your basement is going to leak again tonight like mine did last night during the worst of the heavy rains).
♣ The whole problem with won-lost records: As has been debated and discussed here so many times in the past, a pitcher’s won-lost record can be one of the least-reliable, most misleading statistics in baseball, at least when it comes to his record in one season.
Blistered ... and blistered
Over the course of a career, I think won-lost records are, by and large, a good indication of a pitcher’s performance — though still just one of several statistics that should be taken into account, along with ERA, WHIP (walks-plus-hits per innings pitched), ERA measured against the league average in that period, etc.
But a 200-game or 300-game winner isn’t going to get there with smoke-and-mirrors or riding the coattails of a great offense — he’s got to be a good pitcher to stick around that long and win that consistently. Just as a pitcher, with, say, a 100-125 career record is most likely a flawed pitcher to some degree for at least a good portion of his career, as good as he might have been for a time.
The point of all this is the folly of won-lost records as an indication of performance within a shorter span, and in this case within a season. And we need look no further than the Braves’ rotation for one of the best examples I can think of in recent memory.
Derek Lowe is 14-9 and leads the team in wins. Javier Vazquez (13-9) and Jair Jurrens (11-10) have had better seasons than Lowe. Exponentially better seasons. (So have Tommy Hanson and, arguably, Kenshin Kawakami, but we’ll use the other examples.)
Lowe has a 4.53 ERA and 1.49 WHIP, with 99 strikeouts and 56 walks in 179 innings. Vazquez has a 3.01 ERA and 1.05 WHIP (nearly 50-percent lower than Lowe in both statistics), with 216 strikeouts and 40 walks in 197-1/3 innings.
Jurrjens has a 2.81 ERA and 1.24 WHIP, with 133 strikeouts and 66 walks in 186 innings.
Even though Vazquez is the one whose numbers just dwarf Lowe’s and put Vazquez among the top five or so pitchers in the NL this season, we’ll focus on Jurrjens and Lowe, since Lowe pitched last night against the Mets (he left after two innings with a finger blister) and Jurrjens pitches tonight against the Mets, if we can get the game in between floods.
The contrast in their recent numbers are startling:
– In his past 18 starts, Lowe has a 5.48 ERA and .346 opponents’ batting average, yet he has a 7-6 record and the team is 11-7 in those games. The Braves have scored four or more runs eight times while he’s been in the game during those starts, including eight or more three times.
– In his past 18 starts, Jurrjens has a 2.79 ERA and .239 opponents’ average, but he’s just 6-7 and the team is 7-11 in those games (the exact reversals of Lowe’s record and the team’s record in Lowe’s past 18 starts). The Braves scored two runs or fewer while he was in 12 of those games.
– In Lowe’s past six starts, he is 2-2 with a 6.82 ERA and .393 opponents’ average, and the Braves have scored 8.7 runs per nine innings he’s pitched in that span.
– In Jurrjens’ past six starts, he’s also 2-2, but with a 2.11 ERA and .227 opponents’ average. The Braves scored two runs or fewer while he was in five of those games.
Beyond Lowe’s recent struggles, there’s the bigger issue, of course, of the remaining $45 million and three seasons on his four-year, $60 million contract.
The Braves can only hope this is not an early beginning of a career decline for the sinkerballer, that it’s just a bad half-season of starts, and that Lowe will get back to being the pitcher he was early this season, when he went 7-3 with a 3.44 ERA in his first 13 starts, and only two homers allowed in 83-2/3 innings. (And no, I can’t seen them paying him $15 mill per to go back to closing, not with the stuff he has at this stage of his career.)
But these monthly numbers are not good. To get to his current .300 opponents’ average and .352 OBP allowed, Lowe’s put up these worsening month-by-month numbers in those two categories: April (.229, .317), May (.248, .291), June (.336, .396), July (.297, .331), August (.356, .395), September (.356, .415).
With runners in scoring position, he’s allowed a .296 average and whopping .816 OPS, including 19 extra-base hits and a .452 slugging percentage in 177 at-bats.
♣ It’s not the long balls: Speaking of turnarounds, the Braves have won six in a row, after losing six of the previous seven games. They had a 3.53 ERA and hit six homers during the 1-6 skid and have a 2.83 ERA and have hit five homers during the 6-0 streak.
So it’s not as much the pitching (that’s been steady all season) or the homers, as much as it’s been a lot of timely hits that the Braves don’t get when they’re playing poorly. They go into collective funks offensively, and those are the times when this team’s looked horrid for a week or more at a stretch.
After hitting just .172 during the 1-6 skid, including six games with seven hits or fewer and four games with five hits or fewer, the Braves have hit .322 in their past six games, including four games with 12 hits or more and another game with nine hits.
The amazing thing is, after getting dominated by several lesser-light pitchers during the 1-6 skid, the Braves have feasted against some of this year’s top starters and closers during the six-game streak, including the likes of Carpenter, Pineiro, Ryan Franklin and K-Rod, not to mention handing Roy Oswalt one of the worst beatings of his career.
♣♣ ♣ OK, was going to get into some other stuff, but it’ll have to wait. I’m out of time and need to drive to the ballpark through what’s probably going to be bad traffic in the rain.
I picked up Slaid Cleaves’ recent release, Everything You Love Will Be Taken Away. Another solid CD by the underrated Texan. Here’s the classic “Broke Down” off his 2000 CD of the same name. And here’s a video of him doing it solo & acoustic.
“BROKE DOWN” by Slaid Cleaves
Sherry had a pawn shop band of gold
A sink full of dishes and a love grown cold
‘Long came a boy pretty as the devil
She took his hand, the whole thing unraveled
There’s no turnin’ round, it’s broke down
Billy took the ring and jammed it in his pocket
Drove downtown and tried to hock it
Down to the bottom of Lake Ponchetrain
There’s a love note carved inside a wedding ring
Brokedown, cracked and shattered
Left in Pieces like it never even mattered
Broke down, torn and frayed, ain’t nothin’ left you could give away
There’s no turnin’ round, it’s broke down
Ain’t no tellin’ where love goes
Maybe down where the Black River flows
Won’t be comin’ back round, it’s broke down
Baby in the back seat and another on the way
Sherry thinks of Billy and at the end of every day
Spends her nights waitin’ for real life to start
Listening to the sound of her double-crossed heart
Broke down, cracked and shattered
Left in Pieces like it never even mattered
There’s no turnin’ round, it’s broke down
On the other side of town two lovers lie still
Cigarette smokin’ on a window sill
There’s a picture locked up in an old suitcase
Billy closes his eyes, but he still sees her face
Broke down, cracked and shattered
Left in pieces like it never even mattered
Broke down, torn and frayed, ain’t nothin’ left you could give away
There’s no turnin’ round. It’s broke down, broke down
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920 comments Add your comment
McFann :Ô:
September 17th, 2009
3:02 pm
Boo-yah! Thanks for the new Blog, Chief</strong.!
Hope the time stamps on this one are functioning properly…
McFann :Ô:
September 17th, 2009
3:04 pm
Stupid bold…
JPHunt
September 17th, 2009
3:06 pm
third?
Danga
September 17th, 2009
3:09 pm
7:08?
Pete (I played more games than anyone...and gambled too!...) Rose
September 17th, 2009
3:09 pm
Bet the Reds and the over…as they will win 3 out of 4 with the Marlins starting tonight. At least that is what I have laid with my bookie. Ironic, his name is Chipper Smith.
BELIEVE
Soph
September 17th, 2009
3:10 pm
Thanks, DOB!
Uh oh, I see 7:06.
JPHunt
September 17th, 2009
3:12 pm
Someone needs set the clock on this blog to the correct time before the haters get on here and start ripping the tech guys.
Tiger Woods
September 17th, 2009
3:16 pm
Heres my question DOB. What is the record of the Braves when you write the blog, and what is the record when Carroll writes the blog? It seems to me that the Braves play much better when Carroll is blogging but I may be wrong. Would be interesting, no idea if you can figure that out. Thanks for the blog DOB. CHOP CHOP!!
timthebrave
September 17th, 2009
3:20 pm
DOB, I would like to see an article about miracle comebacks in baseball….Go Braves
Danga
September 17th, 2009
3:21 pm
This whole blog time stamp issue is obviously Bobby’s fault.
Leo Mazzone
September 17th, 2009
3:29 pm
Tiger – I agree I’m amazing and golfers aren’t really athletes they’re a bunch of cry babies with daddy’s trust fund – they could never throw the ROCK. Braves rule! Go Notre Dame! It aint over till it’s over. Blaine Boyer would have won the Cy Young award if I were coaching….damn baltimore…..
Leo Mazzone
September 17th, 2009
3:31 pm
Tiger – I agree I’m amazing and golfers aren’t really athletes they’re a bunch of cry babies with daddy’s trust fund – they could never throw the ROCK. Braves rule! Go Notre Dame! It aint over till it’s over. Blaine Boyer would have won the Cy Young award if I were coaching….damn baltimore…..
Mixxo
September 17th, 2009
3:31 pm
fielder looks slimmer with the dark top.
Capt. Morgan
September 17th, 2009
3:33 pm
Time jumped again…
Leo Mazzone
September 17th, 2009
3:35 pm
rock back
Tiger Woods
September 17th, 2009
3:39 pm
And back.
P. W. Hjort
September 17th, 2009
3:42 pm
What if the Braves, instead of acquiring a 1B, move Chipper to 1st and sign Jack Wilson. Jack Wilson sucks offensively, but he’s one of the best defensive SS in the game, and will probably be a 2-win player this year just because of defense alone. Move Yunel to 3rd and have the most amazing defensive left side of the infield in baseball. Of course, this doesn’t fix the Braves’ biggest systematic weakness, and perhaps contributes to it. But, if you can sign Wilson for cheap (~$3-5 million or so), you’ve got value there. And then, maybe you can go out and get a Holliday or a Bay. And that fixes the biggest systematic weakness. Something like:
1. McLouth
2. KJ/Prado
3. Chipper
4. Holliday
5. McCann
6. Yunel
7. Church/Diaz/Heyward/Schafer
8. Wilson
It could work. Not my favorite idea, but something to consider. It should be noted that the Mariners hold a $8.4 million dollar option for Wilson’s 2010 season with a $0.6 million dollar buyout. Smart money’s on the buyout.
The Braves need to get better defensively with the pitching staff they’ve got. They’re 23rd in baseball in defensive efficiency. Getting Garret Anderson out of there in favor of a better defensive LF, moving Chipper to 1B, moving Yunel to 3rd, and adding an extremely gifted defensive SS would certainly improve the defense. Crazy idea, I know. I don’t think it’s that good of an idea, but it’s not that bad either.
The Real Don Steele
September 17th, 2009
3:43 pm
Think Chipper has been a great Brave but he just killed Atlanta’s chances down the stretch. Bobby Cox was loyal to Chipper and not to the team when he left him batting third and didn’t do what Jim Leyland would have done and drop Chipper down to the seven hole to try to get his swing back. Just killed the team! You can’t blame Chipper, he’s doing what the skipper wants him to do. Cox should have dropped him in the order and the Braves would have another six to eight wins. They’d be in the middle of the wild card race. Wait’ll next year, hopefully with a fresh manager.
Ronald Millsaps
September 17th, 2009
3:44 pm
I’m not giving up on this team… in the Wild Card OR the division!
I’m a Christian, and I pray for this team to play the best it can (which includes off-field preparation) and to win, and I will continue to do so.
I wouldn’t start Chipper until he’s ready to go. As good as it is to have him in the lineup, I wouldn’t push the issue and risk aggravating his injury/injuries that much more. I like having him as a pinch-hitter, too.
Glad to see the team playing so well. Just maintain the focus and diligence!
southern hope
September 17th, 2009
3:46 pm
DOB, just wanted to note that your columns are amazingly thoughtful & detailed and I appreciate the hard work you put into them.
Oh, okay, Go Braves!
Ronald Millsaps
September 17th, 2009
3:46 pm
By the way, I highly recommend listening to Rush Limbaugh’s radio program, which has been even better than usual this week.
The Real Don Steele
September 17th, 2009
3:47 pm
Chipper’s lack of performance justed killed the Brave’s chances down the stretch. Cox should have done what Jim Leyland would have done and dropped Chipper into the seven hole to try to get his swing back. Cox was loyal to Chipper and not the team. The Bravos would have another seven to eight wins and be in the middle of the wild card but Cox kept putting Chipper in the critical three hole where he could not deliver game after game. Wait’ll next year, hopefully with a fresh manager.
Knowitall
September 17th, 2009
3:48 pm
What’s with the time? It went for 3:39 7:06. Did I just lose 4 hours? Am I in the twilight zone?
Tiger Woods
September 17th, 2009
3:50 pm
PW good points but I would have to disagree. Yunel is prob top 5 short stops in the game would make no sense in making him a third baseman. The idea of Chipper to first is interesting but wouldn’t sacrifice moving Yunel to do it. Wilson has no offense what so ever and really would do no good on this team. Our infield defensively is pretty solid (except Chip this year) so no need in changing it that much. We need to sign people that can hit. Wilson can not.
P. W. Hjort
September 17th, 2009
3:50 pm
Random
And you do realize “down the road” could be as soon as next year, right?
Down the road could also be as soon as already. The Braves have already signed a Japanese player who cited Kenshin Kawakami’s signing as the reason he wanted to sign with Atlanta. I don’t know of his status, I think he’s still pitching in Japan, and I forgot his name.
McFann :Ô:
September 17th, 2009
3:50 pm
AAAAHH!!! Is there any way to fix these messed up time-stamps, Chief???
Buffalo NY Braves Fan–
What cann I say? I’m a scary gal…
Keylargo–
I did a Google “research”, and came up with this:
Finally, there is a group of patients whose eyes are not quite ready for LASIK yet who are old enough to make a legal decision to undergo surgery: those individuals between the ages of 18 and 24. “While refractive surgery is approved for patients age 18 and above, the only ones I will do at that younger age are professional athletes or someone with an unusual circumstance,” said Dr. Kornmehl. “For example, I treated a young Harvard student with Tourette’s syndrome who could not tolerate glasses or contact lenses.”
Dr. Rubinfeld agreed with Dr. Kornmehl, although he makes exceptions for certain occupational requirements—for instance, an individual who plans to become a pilot in the military or wants to join a law enforcement agency.
Dr. Kornmehl added, “If someone needs the surgery for a job, that is one thing. However, while individuals attend college, we know that their eyes are inevitably going to change and they will need an enhancement down the line. We explain to these young patients that their eyes are likely to change and they should not undergo this surgery until there is a greater stability. Nine times out of 10, they will understand the wisdom of waiting and choose to return when they reach their mid-20s.”
Long, I know…but int’resting nonetheless.
Your Pal LarHO
Ed-Covington
September 17th, 2009
3:50 pm
OK;
Which teams are we pulling for & against again? I couldn’t decide last night whether I should be rooting for the Rockies or the Giants!
Last night’s Bravos game was great! Beating the NYNOTS like that, in the bottom of the ninth with 2 outs, after they had 14 LOB, on an E-3, with Frenchy grinning in the dugout thinking the game was won!
Priceless!
Sweep the NYNOTs & the NATs and let’s see what happens.
McFann :Ô:
September 17th, 2009
3:53 pm
Ugh…this is without a doubt one of the stranger things in Blog-life.
My post is above yours, Larho…
Wow…did realize there were only 6 games since June 28th that BMac has been completely out of…nice record in those games…
Knowitall
September 17th, 2009
3:53 pm
Uh, so I make a post at 3:48 and the next one is at 7:49. I’m living in the future and the present at the same time. No boss I haven’t been smoking the sticky icky, I swear.
David O'Brien
September 17th, 2009
3:54 pm
No Chipper in LINEUP:
1. McLouth
2. Prado, 3B
3. Anderson
4. McCann
5. Escobar
6. LaRoche
7. Diaz
8. Infante, 2B
9. Jurrjens
Knowitall
September 17th, 2009
3:54 pm
But, since it’s almost 8, is it ok if I ummm head home for the day?
Joe
September 17th, 2009
3:55 pm
The Braves need to try to trade Chipper Jones this offseason to an American league team he is more of a DH hitter I don’t think he is a everyday player anymore. I think the braves can acquire some much needed value that the braves need in the chipper trade if Frank Wren does the right deal.
brent a.
September 17th, 2009
3:55 pm
Good blog topics DOB. Reading my mind on a lot of recent ongoing events, especially the Braves’ performance without Chipper in the line-up.
Sad to see Chipper struggle; but, great to see the Braves able to compete without his “protection” in the line-up.
Knowitall
September 17th, 2009
4:01 pm
Hmmmm, I seem to have missed dinner. I wonder if I can convice my boss to pay for it since I’m still at work at 8:00. Boy, this comment is going to look even dumber than it already is if this shows up at 4:00.
Knowitall
September 17th, 2009
4:01 pm
Ha! it showed up at 4.
Danga
September 17th, 2009
4:02 pm
P.W. JHort…I love the idea of building for defense. That is just the kind of baseball I enjoy watching. Good pitching and Good defense=Games that last about 2 hours and look pretty doing so. I think O Dog is going to be a free agent again this year, but I’m guessing he’ll cost a bit more than the Braves want to spend on someone who doesn’t hit the long ball.
Mixxo
September 17th, 2009
4:02 pm
Knowitall –
It’s buggy, must be the “new” system.
Chipper needs to sit for the rest of the year, he’s pretty much done. Lowe too.
Bobby Cox is NO Jimmy Leyland (best mgr. in baseball today!)
braves4ever
September 17th, 2009
4:04 pm
DOB, since its 7:58 on your last post ,whats the score ,it should be like 4th inning?
drdebug
September 17th, 2009
4:05 pm
In response to a question about the Braves surplus of pitching, ESPN’s Baseball Today podcast has Derek Lowe & Kenshin Kawakami as the two most likely starters the Braves would offer in trade for a big bat going into 2010. Because of their respective contracts, Kawakami should be the easier guy to move.
Link
Thrillhouse44
September 17th, 2009
4:06 pm
Now my post shows up above the posts with the later times
“If my calculations are correct, when this baby hits eighty-eight miles per hour… you’re gonna see some serious ish”
You all are Cox apologists
September 17th, 2009
4:09 pm
NOW YOU DECIDE TO WIN 6 IN A ROW,
When the pressure was on, the Braves couldn’t muster more than a 5 game win streak. Now, “they’re tearing it up”.
HMMM…. So, when the pressure is on you FOLD like LAWN CHAIRS but as soon as Cox PISSES the season away, now you start winning. What a freaking joke!
UNLESS they stretch their current streak to DOUBLE-DIGITS, you can chalk this season up as another FAILURE and underachievement.
With our pitching, we should not be 5 GAMES OUT OF THE WILDCARD.
Anyone who thinks “BOOBIE COX” isn’t ULTIMATELY responsible for the Braves missing the playoffs, your an IDIOT. PERIOD.
braves4ever
September 17th, 2009
4:09 pm
Whats the score ,if its 8:02 it should be 4th inning
You all are Cox apologists
September 17th, 2009
4:11 pm
OH YEAH, NO MORE BOBBY IN 2010. YES!
ncscoots
September 17th, 2009
4:11 pm
The reason behind the blog timestamp boondoggle is a simple one: Braves are not losing, so the blog needs another mechanism to make bloggers’ heads explode.
Much as I hate myself for even thinking it, I wouldn’t mind seeing Dentz’s reaction to his posts showing up hither, thither, and yon, LOL. No rhyme or reason to his stuff, anyway, might as well pop ‘em up any-old-where.
rockinthebeergut(formerly southbeachdietfreak)
September 17th, 2009
4:12 pm
Hate to belabor the time-stamp point, but the sooner this gets fixed the better. Most of us are too old for time to be moving even faster.
Johninnc
September 17th, 2009
4:14 pm
Hi What up with the AJC The time is way off
September 17th, 2009
8:09 pm
The time right now is 4:13pm not 8:10pm
RHR
September 17th, 2009
4:15 pm
By the way, I highly recommend listening to Rush Limbaugh’s radio program, which has been even better than usual this week.
I wouldn’t listen to that gas bag if my life depended on it.
Piedmont Blues (ex-BFIR)
September 17th, 2009
4:19 pm
PWH — It’s not as manly as hunting, but Chipper might get a heck of a lot more flexible if he did yoga or pilates. Seriously. Ol’ Roy’s had the Tar Heel basketball players doing yoga for at least the past couple of years, and for all I know it’s been part of the conditioning program since he was at KU.
If anyone were considering a position switch for Chipper, he’ll have to be a lot more limber.
ncscoots
September 17th, 2009
4:20 pm
I love the idea of building for defense. That is just the kind of baseball I enjoy watching. Good pitching and Good defense=Games that last about 2 hours and look pretty doing so.
It’s no so pretty when a bad hop, a bad call, or a simple human mistake costs you one of those 2-hour close-game beauties, LOL. Those kind of games can go south because of just about anything, because luck becomes a much larger variable in the win/loss equation. No, thanks. More mashing and less flashing, for me.
Piedmont Blues (ex-BFIR)
September 17th, 2009
4:21 pm
Enter your comments here (And is it 8:20 already? My wife will kill me for being this late!)
Facts Please
September 17th, 2009
4:21 pm
The braves will trade Jurrjens, Vazquez and leave us with Lowe, KK, Hanson and Hudson. They wont get anything in return for these pitchers, it will be a one year rental.
What they need to do it
Hudson, Jurrjens, Vazquez, Hanson and Medlin
Trade KK
Put Lowe in the Pen as a closer
Chipper retires
Bring up Heyward
Schaffer is fine, he was really hurt and he will be back in form next year.
Spend some money and put a lineup on the field to go with the pitchers. Lets face it, short of McCann and Escobar we have nothing to brag about. Nothing but good utility players, oh yea and a Norton. Show that guy the door.
Let our starters pitch and quit pulling them in the 7th just because.
Bobby go home and stay home. Being a player manager isnt good, you have team and you should respect the team not the player.
There I said it.
Piedmont Blues (ex-BFIR)
September 17th, 2009
4:23 pm
Is it 8:20 already? My wife will kill me for being so late …
Couch Tater
September 17th, 2009
4:28 pm
Rod Serling and David Gilmour taking away moments that make a dull day…It’s the Twilight Zone.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTwdhpudsSc
Danga
September 17th, 2009
4:29 pm
Scoots…My mind’s eye had the Braves going 162-0 with that pretty defense and great pitching. There you go throwing reality into the situation and ruining this nice little daydream.
How about we go for all players like Mike Cameron or in his prime A. Jones? Great defense and either a homer or a K at the plate. That would be interesting.
Jake7
September 17th, 2009
4:30 pm
CHIPPER will not go to 1st base for SELFISH reasons…he wants to set the RECORD for 3rd baseman.
NC Braves Fan
September 17th, 2009
4:32 pm
PWH: I think the Chipper to first idea will merit at least some thought. Best guess is, they’ll look at a variety of available players and position scenarios and sign the best player they can get for the money – and figure out how Chipper figures into the mix position-wise from there.
That said, I also think that Chipper at the plate and in the field this year could be an anomaly as much as anything. He might snap right out of it and play a a sharp 3B next year. Who knows?
So I think it comes back to who’s available to the Braves and how the puzzle pieces all fit – as you have implied.
Necromancer
September 17th, 2009
4:34 pm
I wonder if Japan has any good managers over there??? Hmmmm…..
Ray Pugh
September 17th, 2009
4:36 pm
Did some of you people just get lobotomized? Trade Jurrjens? Who is available that is worth 4 years of a premium starter at a bargain price?
What the Braves need to do next year is:
1) Move Lowe to closer;
2) Sign Mike Cameron and move Nate to left;
3) Sign Carlos Delgado to a 1-year, incentive laden contract.
OR Trade Vazquez, PTBNL and cash for Adam Dunn.
CB
September 17th, 2009
4:38 pm
This blog is making my head spin!
Frank Wren
September 17th, 2009
4:39 pm
Anyone who thinks “BOOBIE COX” isn’t ULTIMATELY responsible for the Braves missing the playoffs, your an IDIOT. PERIOD.
I know you are but what am I ?
Bobbie Cox took the ATL Braves the worst team in pro sports and make them a winner every year.
He is universally respected by his players and peers as one of a handful of the very best managers of all time. Yet some fool who watches the game on his couch thinks he knows the game or what to do or what is going on with the team better than anyone. Thats idiotic. That like me saying I know what kind of employee you are better than your boss even though Ive never met you.
The only thing worse than a fool is the fool who doesnt know he is a fool.
P. W. Hjort
September 17th, 2009
4:45 pm
NC Braves Fan -
That’s a good point regarding Chipper’s defense. Here’s what I wrote yesterday about it:
Let’s take a look at some of the advanced stats from 2004-present, starting with +/-:
Year +/-
2004 +6
2005 -2
2006 -15
2007 +2
2008 +8
2009 -13
And UZR/150:
Year UZR/150
2004 +1.2
2005 +0.9
2006 -14.8
2007 -2.7
2008 +7.5
2009 -13.0
They both pretty much tell the same story. About average in 2004, 2005, and 2007; above-average in 2008, and very bad in 2006 and 2009. The 6-year average for +/- is -2.33 runs and the 6-year average for UZR/150 is -3.48. The three-year UZR/150 average is -2.73 and the 3-year average for +/- is -1.00. So, what is Chipper’s true defensive value? He’s had bad seasons before and rebounded both offensively (2004) and defensively (2006). The 3 and 6 year samples and trends sort of lead me to believe that this year is an anomaly and I shouldn’t be concerned. On the other hand, Chipper is 37 years old and having a miserable year with the glove, so I don’t know what to think.
Wes
September 17th, 2009
4:50 pm
PWJ – you want Chipper hitting 3rd next year??? Chipper in the 3 hole has KILLED this team countless times this year. Yunel is the 3 man of the near future.
Wes
September 17th, 2009
4:52 pm
nj – nobody hates him. It’s just time to accept he is declining and is in no way, shape or form a 3 hitter or a 3rd baseman anymore.
RC
September 17th, 2009
4:55 pm
Inside Guy,
Where in the world are you hearing that? I can see why the Dodgers would do it, but makes no sense for the Braves.
tralfaz
September 17th, 2009
5:00 pm
“By the way, I highly recommend listening to Rush Limbaugh’s radio program–Millsaps
–Why would we want to listen to a fat drug addict?
Jake7
September 17th, 2009
5:01 pm
NJBRAVES,
This isn’t JUST this year……How LONG have you been watching the BRAVES? He’s NOT MR OCTOBER!
Chipper (lost my viagra...) Jones
September 17th, 2009
5:03 pm
Yup. Been tough lately. No lovin’ from the fans nor the little lady. Need to get that script refilled…among other things on my list…
Chipper’s…honey do list….
1.) Refill prescription..need them blue pills.
2.) Assume the position…
3.) Make contact…at least get to 2nd base…on occassion…and if I am real lucky, maybe go all the way and get a 4 bagger?
4.) Also, remember how to play the 3rd base position…again. Think I forgot where it was for awhile?
5.) Relax – smile…maybe even light a cigarette or have a beer after I am done. At least enjoy those Hooters wings. Been a while.
Oh. Almost forgot…pull for my teammates to do well…since my performance has not been up to par.
BELIEVE
richbrave
September 17th, 2009
5:05 pm
SCOOTS:
Don’t know who you were responding to, but this is for the person asking about restaurants in the MURRELL’S INLET, S.C. area.
Not familiar with restaurants on the southern end of the MYRTLE area like MURRELL. SEA CAPTAIN’S HOUSE in MYRTLE just north of downtown is really good. Oceanfront. Recommend getting there early. Stays pretty full all the time. If it’s clear and a full moon, seeing it rise out of the ocean is great. Further north between MYRTLE and NORTH BEACH is CHESTNUT HILL. I found the food marvelous, but noted one bad recent review. You know restaurants, new owners, bad finances, poor staff, over-pricing, almost anything can bring a great spot back to earth. But I’ve been there five times and never had a bad plate yet. Haven’t been to MYRTLE in two years though, and went to the CAPTAIN only the last time.
Chipster
September 17th, 2009
5:07 pm
How can they POSSIBLY win without me? I’ve been hitting around 200 & making a ton of errors. Who can possibly fill shoes that big?
-By the way, when I raised my leg to cut one, I think I may have strained my hammy. Gonna need a couple more days off…
Skeezix
September 17th, 2009
5:13 pm
The lyrics are great! —have a John Prine quality to them.
N8
September 17th, 2009
5:17 pm
“the next time anyone tells you division titles or playoff berths aren’t won in April or May, tell them, yeah, but they can sure be lost then.” DOB
I’m not saying that you were in the group telling people to mellow out in the early weeks/months of the season, but there were about 2 or 3 people off the top of my head (myself not included in that number – but included), that were stressing how important those games were early in the season. We were then bombarded with posts stating how early it was, and that the Braves would turn it around. Which they did…. I September.
In 1982, the Braves started off 13-0. From there on out, they went 76-73. Winning the division on the last day of the season.
So, DOB, in that season, the Braves DID win that division in April. All 162 games count, to teams resigned to fighting for wildcard births. If this was the 90’s when the Braves were a “given” to win the division, they could “afford” to have some bad losses, and give games away by keeping guys like Bennett in games, and using Norton off the bench.
With this group, EVERY game is as important as the last and the next. No margin for error.
Anyhow, nice blog. Well done. Now….. about the time travel?
Test
September 17th, 2009
5:20 pm
P. W. Hjort (September 17th, 2009 3:50 pm): “Down the road could also be as soon as already. The Braves have already signed a Japanese player who cited Kenshin Kawakami’s signing as the reason he wanted to sign with Atlanta.”
I didn’t know that — thanks.
DAP (September 17th, 2009 8:34 pm): “i agree with most of your post above,”
Thanks!
“but two things are way wrong.”
Oh. . .
“one, this statement:
” ‘Kawakami’s good, and getting better. Braves would not be able to replace him for the same or lower salary’
“it will be easy to replace him. in fact, hes already been replaced. there is no room for him in the rotation for him. hudson and vazquez do cost more than him, but they are significantly better, too.”
I understand what you’re saying. But “hudson and vazquez do cost more than him” — that’s my point. And I think Kawakami will be in their range, $ per performance-wise, next year. And better than Lowe (SP) or Medlen, $/performance.
“and this:
” ‘retaining Kawakami will help make the rotation the best it can be next year. Too many people here want to gut the rotation to shore up the offense.’
“strong language there. who wants to gut the rotation? getting rid of one of your 6 quality starters when you only have room for 5 is hardly gutting the rotation. and we would be getting rid of our next to worse starter (though he hasnt been bad at all)”
“who wants to gut the rotation?” The dozens who want to trade Vazquez AND Kawakami, or release Hudson and trade Kawakami — mine was a general blast at those types in order to express the hope that the braves can improve their offense without sacrificing their pitching.
Why “get rid” of any of our pitchers if we don’t have to, especially when we already know we’ll have to acquire several relievers? (I know you’ll laugh, but I’m thinking Lowe as closer.)
curtis jones
September 17th, 2009
5:20 pm
Still waiting on some courageous AJC writer to pen the inevitable, and much needed column, “Thanks Bobby, But It’s Time To Go.” No danger of it happening anytime soon. After all, they’re winning now! And besides, we’re polite here in the South. “3rd place is fine, just fine. Pass the grits, please. Bobby has dedicated so many years to the Braves!” And made so many millions.
A few thoughts:
1. Puh-leeze, don’t put Chipper at 1B. Two words: Daniel Murphy. That’s the kind of defense we would see. Don’t want it, don’t need it. Chipper has entered that esteemed DH period of his career.
2. And for you Chipper-ites who bawl, “But if you were a REAL Braves fan, you would understand that you’re talking about a guy who hit .364!” He sure did. So did Rico Carty. He’s available next year too. Sure, he’s 60-something, but like Cox, Chipper and Lowe, we’re real big on people who have produced in bygone days.
3. DOB summed it up well in his blog, but didn’t follow up. Yes, the Braves were 34-40 this season. That was during the period when Cox was running his boys out there: Kelly, Frenchie, Kotch and Schafer, all killing rallies left and right while Diaz, Prado and Infante (when healthy) were spittin’ seeds on the bench. We had half a lineup that couldn’t hit a bull’s A$$ with a bass fiddle, while better hitters twiddled their thumbs on the bench, or were marking time in AAA.
So are pennants lost in April and May, Dave? Could be. If the driver is asleep at the wheel.
daveD
September 17th, 2009
5:21 pm
DOB – any chance we’ll see Jason Heyward called up? Just a sneak preview…?
David O'Brien
September 17th, 2009
5:25 pm
Too bad we couldn’t have started this game at 4.
Hasn’t been raining for quite a while here, and they just took tarp off field. However, as you all are probably aware, the forecast blows. Flash-flood warnings all around the metro Atlanta area, and 60 percent chance of rain all night.
But as I said, it’s not raining now. So we’ll see.
Gonzalez is out another day or two, they’re going to let him (make him) rest until that lower back spasm is gone. Chipper’s day-to-day. Lowe is questionable for next start. If can’t go, it’d be Kawakami, most likely.
McFann :Ô:
September 17th, 2009
5:27 pm
ncscoots–
I agree. I LOVE offense.
Lou Vales
September 17th, 2009
5:27 pm
Has anyone ever met Mike hampton? I really don’t care how much money he has made in his life while doing nothing. I’m sure he realizes his time on earth is limited as it is with all of us. I guess it would just make me have a little more respect for the guy–NOT that he cares—if he just ONCE expressed some shame over what has transpired for what seems to be a decade. I’m not blaming the man for getting hurt, I’m not blaming him for taking the money BUT wouldn’t any of the 323 million people in America who had benefitted under similiar circumstances at least ONCE come forward with an ad in the paper to apologize for his “contribution.” Wouldn’t that be the decent thing to do. I would have done it and I’m sure the GREAT majority of people on this Blog would have done it. Wouldn’t they??
So sad. isn’t it?
Nova Scotia Steve - Is Worried
September 17th, 2009
5:30 pm
Braves just refuse to die. Give them credit.
McFann :Ô:
September 17th, 2009
5:31 pm
Thanks, Chief. It better not rain during the game…already gonna have the football game going on starting at 8.
David O'Brien
September 17th, 2009
5:33 pm
Actually it’s clearly up here, at least for now….
If this game got rained out, both teams are off Thursday. Don’t know if they’d agree to make the game up in NY, but that would make more sense, obviously, since Braves open a series at Washington the next day. Having both teams fly from NY to play one game here on Thursday, then the Braves having to fly back to Washington to start series Friday … that’d be a bit much. But if they are concerned about losing a gate, don’t know if they’d play in NY, maybe agree to split the gate up there or something. I have no idea.
Ed-Covington
September 17th, 2009
5:40 pm
Maybe Wren can duplicate the Millwood trade: Tommy Hanson for Paul LaDuca!
I3r4v3z
September 17th, 2009
5:41 pm
That’s what I’ve been proposing. But I really don’t think it will happen. The Braves have invested too much (money and time) into landing a Japanese pitcher. They simply aren’t going to insult the Japanese by lobbying so hard to get him, then turning around and trading him.
Well he insulted us with his crappy pitching. Who cares about insulting the Japanese, they all suck at baseball anyways.
Jay212033
September 17th, 2009
5:44 pm
What is this Japan time or something?!?!
Anders
September 17th, 2009
5:45 pm
When a team feels like its a team and not about one person, players rise up to their full potential. (No More Bobby)
It’s the loss of the Alpha Male I’ve been talking about. I still believe that was as much a reason as any that the Braves let Smoltz go. The rest of the staff needed room to grow. Not just on the field but in the locker room too. Look at the results. Although Chipper has more left than Smoltz I think it’s kind of the same thing. It just happens with old time vets. Especially those that had success. I’ve wondered if being out from under Chipper’s shadow has played some part of Frenchy’s resurgence. It’s not something negative the old guy does, it’s just the natural course of things imo.
That and all the money the old unproducing duffer commands.
"Chef" Tim Dix
September 17th, 2009
5:46 pm
Braves are 40 and 24 when Garret plays???
Still doesn’t cover his defensive liabilities.
David O'Brien
September 17th, 2009
5:48 pm
Here’s a link to today’s Detroit Free Press column about the great man, Georgia native Ernie Harwell.
The Real Don Steele
September 17th, 2009
5:49 pm
Drunkin’ Jack’s in Murrells.
Rob from SC AKA - Derek Lowe sucks
September 17th, 2009
5:54 pm
Take care of business Jair Jurrjens. Get us 1/2 game closer to where we all want to be.
Pacual (love that Perimeter thing you got in Atlanta...I-285) Perez...
September 17th, 2009
5:57 pm
Time on this blog today is like me trying to get off I-285…
But, Hell…at least I had 7 complete games in 1983! How many does this Braves team have this year, Bobby?
BELIEVE
Anders
September 17th, 2009
6:00 pm
But if they are concerned about losing a gate, don’t know if they’d play in NY, maybe agree to split the gate up there or something. I have no idea. (DOB)
I’m sure the Braves would jump on the split the gate idea. Triple the fans at triple the prices. Would actually be cool if they played it with the Mets as visitors. Has that ever been done in MLB?
David O'Brien
September 17th, 2009
6:05 pm
A poll about next year’s starting rotation has been added to the bloggage. Voter fraud is encouraged.
Buffalo NY Braves Fan
September 17th, 2009
7:06 pm
Where is everyone…. did McFann scare them away?
JPHunt
September 17th, 2009
7:09 pm
Thats the first time I have ever been right about being third. Strangely this accomplishment has left me feeling empty. Hmmm perhaps I should be finding more meaningful things to post on this blog.
keylargo
September 17th, 2009
7:15 pm
McFann
What are the age limitations on Lasik? Do you think that has something to do with BMac’s trouble with the operation?
Sincerely,
Your Pal LarHO
Herschel Talker
September 17th, 2009
7:18 pm
When can we begin the process of learning to win without Booby? That will take about a week once he is put out to pasture. Looks like it was Booby who set the clock on the blog.
Tiger Woods
September 17th, 2009
7:18 pm
Is the game in a rain delay?
Leo Mazzone
September 17th, 2009
7:20 pm
I’ll be the first to say the braves lose only two more games and edge the rockies for the wild card. Then we’ll sweep the divison, league and world series by combined scores of 102-0. Bobby Cox is the greatest ever and Greg Norton is gonna break out in a big way and I love this guy Hanson. TOMAHAWKIN!!!
Tiger Woods
September 17th, 2009
7:23 pm
Leo you had one smart comment. “I love this guy Hanson.”……………..Cool stat, the Nationals have the second best OBP in the NL, yet they have the worst record in the NL.
Nova Scotia Steve - Is Worried
September 17th, 2009
7:23 pm
Win
KC
September 17th, 2009
7:24 pm
Yeah, the Braves certainly DO have to hope that this is just an off year for Lowe, and that he’ll bounce back next year. Same with Chipper.
The nightmare scenario would be if both of those guys were starting to see an age related decline, and the Braves find themselves on the hook for more than 80 million over the next 3 years with 2 guys that can’t help them win. Let’s pray that’s not the case.
If Chipper can’t bounce back next year, I hope he’ll make good on his suggestion that he’ll retire rather than play out the rest of his contract as an anchor around this team’s neck (Chipper might do that, where no many players would). But obviously, my greatest hope is that he WILL bounce back, and that he has a least another good year or two left in him at an all-star level of play.
richbrave
September 17th, 2009
7:26 pm
Let’s get a win for JAIR guys, he deserves it.
Leo Mazzone
September 17th, 2009
7:34 pm
rock forward
Braves Fan for Life
September 17th, 2009
7:45 pm
DOB, I agree with pretty much everything in your blog. In particular, I’m worried about Lowe and whether this could be the beginning of the end. However, since you’re a BB writer who likes to quote statistics (doesn’t every baseball fan?), I need to explain something to you. You said, “Lowe has a 4.53 ERA and 1.49 WHIP. Vazquez has a 3.01 ERA and 1.05 WHIP (nearly 50-percent lower than Lowe in both statistics.)” That’s not right. Vasquez’ stats are 33% lower than Lowe; however, Lowe’s stats ARE 50% higher than Vasquez. Get it? That doesn’t change your point, just corrects your math. Otherwise, great blog (as usual).
TN Jeff
September 17th, 2009
7:46 pm
Sure it’s been said numerous times BUT – The braves sure know how to lose with Chipper
Random
September 17th, 2009
7:46 pm
Rob from SC (September 17th, 2009 5:31 pm): ” ‘Kawakami will not be traded.’
“Why not.”
For many reasons falling into two general categories — his performance and the Nippon “pipeline” (someone else’s terminology — tip o’ the hat.)
Kawakami’s good, and getting better. Braves would not be able to replace him for the same or lower salary — Medlen wouldn’t even come close, imo.
Plus, Kawakami’s worth more to the Braves than for his on-field performance. The marketing of Braves merchandise in Japan is worth lots of $$$ (as well as marketing to Japanese ex-pats here). And the Braves DO NOT want to burn their bridge to other quality Japanese players. Remember how ardently they pursued Kawakami and how hard they worked to persuade him to come to Atlanta? Well, they’re not just going to throw that high level of effort away on your whim — they have invested a heckuva lot more than $22M in Kawakami and they will not write off that investment lightly.
“who cares about other Japanese players down the road.”
Apparently the Braves do, as indicated above. They went to lengthy extremes to open that door. (And you do realize “down the road” could be as soon as next year, right?)
“We need the best team possible next year”
Of course.
Imo, retaining Kawakami will help make the rotation the best it can be next year. Too many people here want to gut the rotation to shore up the offense. That’s a zero sum (or worse) proposition. The offense can be and needs to be improved WITHOUT degrading what’s kept the Braves this close this late this year.
Knowitall
September 17th, 2009
7:49 pm
Now my post shows up above the posts with the later times. What in the Samhill in going on here?
David O'Brien
September 17th, 2009
7:58 pm
Southern Hope, thanks a lot.
Tiger Woods
September 17th, 2009
8:01 pm
Is it supposed to rain all day in Atlanta or good chance we get the game in??
McFann :Ô:
September 17th, 2009
8:02 pm
Thanks fir the lineup, Chief.
Daslied
September 17th, 2009
8:09 pm
PWH – I’m not keen on the Chipper to 1st idea. Do we really want to see him digging some of Yunel’s throws out of the dirt? All that lunging and stretching can’t be good for him, either.
I kind of like the creative way you’re thinking, though. Based on your idea – if Scutaro wasn’t going to be expensive, and if he wasn’t (likely) coming of a career year at age 33, he’d be a perfect fit as a leadoff man.
Piedmont Blues (ex-BFIR)
September 17th, 2009
8:20 pm
Enter your comments here
Piedmont Blues (ex-BFIR)
September 17th, 2009
8:20 pm
Enter your comments here (just checking to see if it works. maybe it doesn’t.)
Huddy's Ligament
September 17th, 2009
8:23 pm
I think getting a legit 3B backup for Chipper should be an off-season priority – to rest him more; someone like Glaus (if he can return to form) or Beltre (maybe too expensive, but supposedly open to a 1-year deal). I have nothing against Prado or Infante, but we need someone with a little more pop when Chipper’s on the shelf, i.e. a real 3rd baseman. Equate it to what Wren did when he signed Ross. As a spot starter, there is no significant drop-off when Ross plays – and he’s actually better defensively than Mac.
Now, I’m not saying that Ross would put up better numbers than Mac with as much playing time…but as a backup, you really don’t get much better.
Do the same with Chip – sign a tested guy who knows that his role is backup, but with the chance that playing time is significant.
I think this would do wonders for the club.
If I could sing like Paul McCartney and get funky like Etta James
September 17th, 2009
8:24 pm
Enter your comments here
Has anyone got a good resturant to go to in Murrells Inlet, SC?
Braves winning 90 this year would be a great accoplishmnet even if they don’t get to post season.
Piedmont Blues (ex-BFIR)
September 17th, 2009
8:24 pm
Enter your comments here (not only is the time signature off, the blog’s eating posts)
njbraves
September 17th, 2009
8:25 pm
People suggesting that the Braves either trade Chipper or move him to first, must really be the dumbest people on earth. How many times does it have to be said before you will get it?? Chipper is not going to 1st base any time soon, nor is he being traded. It is not going to happen, no matter how many times you post that you think it’s a good idea. It’s truly amazing how thick some of you are.
Jake7
September 17th, 2009
8:25 pm
DAVE,
WE have BEEN living WITHOUT IRON MAN ………..A-L-L YEAR!!!
sri
September 17th, 2009
8:25 pm
“The nightmare scenario would be if both of those guys were starting to see an age related decline, and the Braves find themselves on the hook for more than 80 million over the next 3 years with 2 guys that can’t help them win.”
and Anders piping in each day ‘I told you so’
Daslied
September 17th, 2009
8:26 pm
Beltre? He doesn’t improve the lacking “urgency” of this club – dude’s got no balls.
njbraves
September 17th, 2009
8:27 pm
This blog’s fascination with Troy Glaus is amazing. The way some of you talk about him, you would think he is Mike Schmidt reincarnated.
Jake7
September 17th, 2009
8:27 pm
Chipper makes GEORGE JONES look GOOD!
ncscoots
September 17th, 2009
8:28 pm
Too many people here want to gut the rotation to shore up the offense.
I’m not sure that wanting to trade one of six pretty good starters, when you only have five spots for them, qualifies as “gutting”.
Showed guts to opine so, though, LOL. Props to Bruce!
The Twilight Zone Timestamper will now probably move this post to the previous blog.
Elements
September 17th, 2009
8:28 pm
Enjoyed the Blog DOB.
njbraves
September 17th, 2009
8:29 pm
Chipper Jones has been the best player on the Braves for over a decade, and now everyone hates him?? Are you even Braves fans?? How quickly some of you forget all the times he bailed them out with big hits. He may not be the player he once was, but he is only a year removed from hitting .364. Give it a rest.
ncscoots
September 17th, 2009
8:30 pm
Has anyone got a good resturant to go to in Murrells Inlet, SC?
Spin around three times very quickly, and then walk straight ahead. Believe me, you’ll run into a good one.
DAP
September 17th, 2009
8:34 pm
Enter your comments hererandom, i agree with most of your post above, but two things are way wrong. one, this statement:
Kawakami’s good, and getting better. Braves would not be able to replace him for the same or lower salary
it will be easy to replace him. in fact, hes already been replaced. there is no room for him in the rotation for him. hudson and vazquez do cost more than him, but they are significantly better, too. and this:
retaining Kawakami will help make the rotation the best it can be next year. Too many people here want to gut the rotation to shore up the offense.
strong language there. who wants to gut the rotation? getting rid of one of your 6 quality starters when you only have room for 5 is hardly gutting the rotation. and we would be getting rid of our next to worse starter (though he hasnt been bad at all)
Frank Wren
September 17th, 2009
8:41 pm
Anyone who thinks “BOOBIE COX” isn’t ULTIMATELY responsible for the Braves missing the playoffs, your an IDIOT. PERIOD.
I know you are but what am I ?
Bobbie Cox took the ATL Braves the worst team in pro sports and make them a winner every year.
He is universally respected by his players and peers as one of a handful of the very best managers of all time. Yet some fool who watches the game on his couch thinks he knows the game or what to do or what is going on with the team better than anyone. Thats idiotic. That like me saying I know what kind of employee you are better than your boss even though Ive never met you.
The only thing worse than a fool is the fool who doesnt know he is a fool.
Ed-Covington
September 17th, 2009
8:42 pm
PWH:
So you say we let LaRoche go?
Inside Guy
September 17th, 2009
8:44 pm
Here is what is going to happen. KK for Juan Piere in the offseason. Two bad contracts, same time line, and two teams in need of different things. Thats what I am hearing…
flange 1
September 17th, 2009
8:48 pm
“And so, necessity being the mother of invention, and Yunel Escobar being the father of the on-deck-circle leap, and Adam LaRoche of the standing-at-the-bus-stop batting stance….”
I wish just once I could write something like this!!!
P. W. Hjort
September 17th, 2009
8:54 pm
Ed-Covington
So you say we let LaRoche go?
The Wilson idea involves letting LaRoche go, but I’m not married to that idea, there are plenty of ways to build the club in the offseason, with or without LaRoche. That was just a crazy, hypothetical scenario. More to spark thought than to campaign for it.
nolie
September 17th, 2009
9:07 pm
Enter your comments herehe wants to set the RECORD for 3rd baseman. (Jake7)
Thundersticks
September 17th, 2009
9:08 pm
Inside Guy:
That’s what I’ve been proposing. But I really don’t think it will happen. The Braves have invested too much (money and time) into landing a Japanese pitcher. They simply aren’t going to insult the Japanese by lobbying so hard to get him, then turning around and trading him.
The simply answer to all of this that no one has even mentioned is to pay Huddy his $2mil buyout and thank him for his service time. By no means and I suggesting they do this, nor do I think they will actually do it. But it is the simplest solution.
Steve from OH
September 17th, 2009
9:08 pm
Here is what is going to happen. KK for Juan Piere in the offseason. Two bad contracts,
Ha! That’s a great one, man…
Oh wait, you’re serious?
McFann :Ô:
September 17th, 2009
9:15 pm
This random time-stamping is gonna be really annoying during the game…
The GM's Office
September 17th, 2009
9:15 pm
It’s all Bobby fault–fire him!
Random
September 17th, 2009
9:29 pm
Test</strong @ September 17th, 2009 5:20 pm = me.
Anders
September 17th, 2009
9:32 pm
“The nightmare scenario would be if both of those guys were starting to see an age related decline, and the Braves find themselves on the hook for more than 80 million over the next 3 years with 2 guys that can’t help them win.”
and Anders piping in each day ‘I told you so’ (sri)
I promise not to pipe in on Sundays. {:
NO MORE BOBBY
September 17th, 2009
9:38 pm
Braves are better without Chipper just like that 1991 team was without then local hero Murphy.
When a team feels like its a team and not about one person, players rise up to their full potential. Look at the Giants without Bonds. Look at the Atlanta Falcons receivers that stepped it up when Vick left. Even before Ryan. I believe Chipper has two more good years in him but only as a DH for an American League team.
We really are seeing the end of the 90s on the Braves and it took ten years later to happen.
Ed-Covington
September 17th, 2009
9:38 pm
PWH:
I see your point, but I just think he has been an integral part of the recent offense. His defense is underated (anyone watch Murphy try to play 1B for the NYNOTS last night?).
Besides, if Wren lets LaRoche walk away and the Bravos start next season like this one, can you imagine the hell he would catch on these blogs?
Ed-Covington
September 17th, 2009
9:41 pm
…or Paul Bako?
Ed-Covington
September 17th, 2009
9:43 pm
Somehow a previous post got lost, which makes the Paul Bako post meaningless. It was:
“Maybe Wren can duplicate the Millwood trade: Tommy Hanson for Paul LaDuca.
abwright
September 17th, 2009
9:45 pm
braves4ever, 4:04 pm … “DOB, since its 7:58 on your last post ,whats the score ,it should be like 4th inning?”
Actually, they’re waiting for the tarp to come off. That’s just the first hour of the rain delay.
Chop Chop
September 17th, 2009
9:50 pm
I am speaking to you from the future.
Ballgame.
(I’ll let the details surprise you.)
David O'Brien
September 17th, 2009
9:51 pm
So how’s everybody enjoying the “time-bending chaos” setting that I put the blog on today? Should we go back to the regular style, or stay with this random mode?
The Real Don Steele
September 17th, 2009
9:52 pm
Drunkin’ Jack’s in Murrells Inlet
njbraves
September 17th, 2009
10:00 pm
Jake7….Since you seem to know everything there is to know about the Braves, what “record at 3rd base” is Chipper selfishly trying to set?? And since you asked, I have been watching the Braves for nearly 20 years, and can honestly say Chipper has been there best player for almost that entire span. You’re just one of those “what have you done for me lately” fans, who has no idea what he;s talking about.
If I could sing like Paul McCarney and get funky like Etta James
September 17th, 2009
10:05 pm
Enter your comments here
Thanks for the tip The Real Don Steele
HoCoJo
September 17th, 2009
10:08 pm
Which came first?
The blog or the egg?
JBoog1285
September 17th, 2009
10:14 pm
“Bottom line: It’s pretty silly, the entire discussion. And I don’t care what the team’s record is. Because when I cover 120 or so of the 162 games, it better be pretty good or they’re probably not going to the playoffs. Know what I’m saying?”
No, sir, what is silly is that you continue to dignify comments like that with a response.
Couch Tater
September 17th, 2009
10:20 pm
I’ve wondered if being out from under Chipper’s shadow has played some part of Frenchy’s resurgence. Anders
“You can’t overly evaluate what happens in September, just like you can’t in spring training. That’s an old cliche but there’s clearly some truth in it. Because we’re not playing for anything, per se. These guys are playing for jobs for ‘09, but we’re not in the pennant race, and when you’re not in the pennant race, some of the pressure’s off.” -Frank Wren 9/28/08
David O'Brien
September 17th, 2009
10:20 pm
Do you think this might be a reflection of how Charlie Manuel feels about his bullpen: On Sunday he left Pedro Martinez throw 130 pitches in his seventh start back, after throwing 119 the start before. And on Tuesday, Cliff Lee threw 124 pitches.
Nova Scotia Steve - Is Worried (about the blog)
September 17th, 2009
10:21 pm
.
Frank Wren
September 17th, 2009
10:21 pm
Should we go back to the regular style, or stay with this random mode?
I like it random
FIRST !!!!!!
Doc
September 17th, 2009
10:22 pm
Back to The Future!
Firearm
September 17th, 2009
10:23 pm
Down the road could also be as soon as already. The Braves have already signed a Japanese player who cited Kenshin Kawakami’s signing as the reason he wanted to sign with Atlanta. I don’t know of his status, I think he’s still pitching in Japan, and I forgot his name.
They did? I highly doubt this is true (yet), as most NPB contracts are iron-clad and they usually don’t negotiate with MLB teams until the Japan Series is over (regardless of whether or not the team is in it). I’d probably know if there was a player moving from NPB to MLB, but I’m not *completely* plugged into the scene; I just follow the games.
The only name I could think of is Ryota Igarashi from Yakult, who is a setup man with a fastball around 156 kph (96 mph), but he’s also coming off of Tommy John. My Twins could use a setup man, but I wouldn’t want Igarashi since we already have a fireballer coming off Tommy John (Pat Neshek).
David O'Brien
September 17th, 2009
10:23 pm
Frank Wren: Now THAT was funny.
Ashton
September 17th, 2009
10:24 pm
Dude, where’s my car?
Shamus Thacker
September 17th, 2009
10:27 pm
Thanks again, to all of you who’ve been so kind. Y’all are some really outstanding human beings…
Soph
September 17th, 2009
10:27 pm
Chop Chop for team psychic!
Shamus Thacker
September 17th, 2009
10:28 pm
HoCoJo: Which came first?
The blog or the egg?”"
Actually HoCo, that would be the “egg sac.”
flange1
September 17th, 2009
10:30 pm
Shamus,
Glad to hear the GREAT news about your friend!
RHR
September 17th, 2009
10:30 pm
Dave, you didn’t put in the link for the Harwell story? Either that or its riding around with Marty in a DeLorean somewhere here. Or, I’m and blind idiot.
Curt
September 17th, 2009
10:31 pm
So who won tonight?
fanatic
September 17th, 2009
10:32 pm
What’s all the mystery about Cox and Jones? Every player or manager, whether in sports or business in the past have had their career come to an end. Some handled it gracefully and some didn’t but it still happened. It ain’t the end of their lives. Cox can go farm and Jones can hunt full time and both have an enjoyable life. Baseball ain’t all there is to life. I’ve been retired from a job I dearly loved for fifteen years and I promise you retirement beats the hell out of working.
May both of them find the same feeling. They have both had great careers, but that part of their lives is over.
curtis jones
September 17th, 2009
10:32 pm
1. The caption under Garret’s pic on DOB’s blog reads “Bigger impact than Chipper lately.” So it could have been of my Aunt Helen.
2. DOB still hasn’t written the “Thanks Bobby, But It’s Time To Go” column. Nor has anyone else at the AJC. We’re so polite here in the South. Wouldn’t want to be rude. “We love you Bobby. Please don’t go. 3rd place is fine, just fine. Pass the butter, please.”
3. To the Chipper-ites: “If y’all were true Braves fans, you’d realize you’re trying to get rid of a .364 hitter.” Yes, he did hit .364 once. As did Rico Carty, who is also available next year. Sure, he’s 60-something, but we’re big on folks who were good in bygone days: Chipper, Bobby, Lowe, etc.
4. Put Chipper at 1B? Did you see Daniel Murphy last night? That’s the kind of D we would get every night with Chipper. He’s a DH, and not much of one at that, but we’re stuck with him.
5. DOB wrote it himself. The Braves were indeed 34-40 at one point. It was that point in which the HOF manager fielded half a lineup of impotent, rally-killing bats, while Diaz, Prado and Infante were on the bench, and other good options were at AAA. You’re right Dave, pennants CAN be lost in April and May; if the manager is asleep at the wheel.
RHR
September 17th, 2009
10:34 pm
Bobby AND Chipper retired today? Why didn’t I get a google alert?
HoCoJo
September 17th, 2009
10:36 pm
What time is it in LA?
Shamus Thacker
September 17th, 2009
10:37 pm
It blows my mind that a few folks voted in the poll that Hanson should be traded. Must be folks pining for Pujols. That’s all I can think of…
Maybe in addition to being and idiot, I’m crazy, but I wouldn’t trade Hanson for ANY player straight-up. No way.
RHR
September 17th, 2009
10:37 pm
Math is hard, ain’t it, HoCo.
Walter Klondike
September 17th, 2009
10:37 pm
It’s 10:30PM. Do you know where your kids are?
Shamus Thacker
September 17th, 2009
10:38 pm
Thanks so much flange, it’s a load off my mind too. He’s gonna be fine now…
Danga
September 17th, 2009
10:39 pm
Re: Curtis Jackson @5:20
I believe it was PW JHort that just posted a review of Chipper’s defensive ratings by season since 2004 showing some pretty wild variations from year to year. He has had down offensive years as well although none like this. You are the Braves GM, what are you going to do? You just gave him that fat extension. Are you just going to eat all that money and sit him on the bench, cut him, or find out if this year is just anomalous?
You go on to blame the 34-40 start on Cox for continuing to run Schafer, Francoeur, Kelly, and Kotchman out there. Lets see if we can solve this problem. CF? Blanco wasn’t exactly tearing it up down in AAA. RF? Diaz’s average in the first 3 months of the season was .273. 2b? Infante was hurt. 1b? You want Norton? Prado was the only decent option as far as backups go, and he can only play one position or the other.
It is a long season in which a manager makes a ton of moves. Bobby has definitely had your head scratching moments this year, but to lay it all at his feet is just a bit too simplistic for real life.
Danga
September 17th, 2009
10:40 pm
Curtis Jones…My apologies for getting your name wrong.
Steve from OH
September 17th, 2009
10:40 pm
So who won tonight?
The Mets. 27-6. Jair had an anxiety attack thinking about getting that win tonight so he got replaced by Boone, who got whacked for 26 runs in 2/3 of an inning (Acosta threw 8 1/3 of one-run ball after that). The Braves’ only offense came via two Chipper Jones solo HR (replacing Marteen when he couldn’t find his Advil) and a Greg Norton grand slam in the bottom of the ninth, causing a few of our distinguished bloggers (Hugh Jazz, MFin09, Roja and Jeff321) to suffer complete nervous breakdowns. No one else got a hit, although pinch hitter Kelly Johnson did walk after confusing Mets pitcher Francisco Rodriguez (in for the 25-run save) with a clever uniform switch, wearing Garret Anderson’s uni at the plate. Rodriguez, frightened of the professional AB that was sure to come, walked “Garret” on 4 straight.
It was a fun night.
P. W. Hjort
September 17th, 2009
10:44 pm
Steve from OH
The Mets. 27-6. Jair had an anxiety attack thinking about getting that win tonight so he got replaced by Boone, who got whacked for 26 runs in 2/3 of an inning (Acosta threw 8 1/3 of one-run ball after that). The Braves’ only offense came via two Chipper Jones solo HR (replacing Marteen when he couldn’t find his Advil) and a Greg Norton grand slam in the bottom of the ninth, causing a few of our distinguished bloggers (Hugh Jazz, MFin09, Roja and Jeff321) to suffer complete nervous breakdowns. No one else got a hit, although pinch hitter Kelly Johnson did walk after confusing Mets pitcher Francisco Rodriguez (in for the 25-run save) with a clever uniform switch, wearing Garret Anderson’s uni at the plate. Rodriguez, frightened of the professional AB that was sure to come, walked “Garret” on 4 straight.
You forgot the part where Francoeur lined into a triple play.
Danga
September 17th, 2009
10:44 pm
Sounds like a fun night…Wish I had seen all those shenanigans.
Chong
September 17th, 2009
10:44 pm
I’m outta here to grab dinner. I’ll be back earlier.
Steve from OH
September 17th, 2009
10:44 pm
You’re right Dave, pennants CAN be lost in April and May; if the manager is asleep at the wheel
Whoa. Whoa. Whoa. You’re saying that all wins count the same? Get right on outta here! But what about clutch? Aren’t wins in September chock-full of clutchiness and therefore guarantee you a playoff spot?
I think it might be because I’m in the strange, not-too-distant future, but my preconceived notions about baseball are shattered…
[sob]
Buffalo NY Braves Fan
September 17th, 2009
10:45 pm
Steve from OH,
Not to worry, we are 4 hours closer to hockey season
jeffrey d
September 17th, 2009
10:46 pm
and Adam LaRoche of the standing-at-the-bus-stop batting stance….
Steve from OH
September 17th, 2009
10:46 pm
BNYBF–got a game tonight at 9:45, my man!
Oh sh!t, I’m late…
RHR
September 17th, 2009
10:46 pm
But Tech lost, right?
Reality
September 17th, 2009
10:49 pm
No Tech didn’t lose, Dawgs will get slaughtered by Gators and you’re atill not funny.
Shamus Thacker
September 17th, 2009
10:51 pm
I’ve been trying to figure out how to use two different times to my advantage.
Maybe I can get buzzed at 10:49PM blog time, then blitzed again at 10:49 home-time. PLAN!
Buffalo NY Braves Fan
September 17th, 2009
10:52 pm
Steve from OH….
you think you’re late, I should have left work almost 4 hours ago.
McFann :Ô:
September 17th, 2009
10:53 pm
strong>Steve from OH–
Soph
September 17th, 2009
10:54 pm
Rain, rain go away.
McFann :Ô:
September 17th, 2009
10:54 pm
Wow…look how late it is! I shoulda been in bed b’now!
(If this post comes up with the correct time-stamp, I’m gonna kill the computer…)
McFann :Ô:
September 17th, 2009
10:55 pm
Salty
September 17th, 2009
10:55 pm
OK…the time stamp thing really had me confuzzled ’til I realized you’re doing a remote blog…so the question is, are you in Iceland, or Morocco…or some ship at sea?
Steve from OH
September 17th, 2009
10:55 pm
you think you’re late, I should have left work almost 4 hours ago.
Dude, that’s just not healthy. Remember kids, always take time for yourselves and something and whatever…
Shamus Thacker
September 17th, 2009
10:55 pm
Buffalo NY Braves Fan:
Steve from OH,
Not to worry, we are 4 hours closer to hockey season”"
Man, that really gets all us Hillbilly/Rednecks fired-up!!
Danga
September 17th, 2009
10:56 pm
Anyone taken a look at Greinke’s stats from this year? Just sick. Too bad all that excellent pitching is happening out of view in KC. Posnanski pointed out earlier that he is actually slugging higher than right handers are against him.
David O'Brien
September 17th, 2009
10:56 pm
We sat out here for about three hours in no rain. Now, 10 minutes before the scheduled start, it’s raining and the tarp’s on the field.
Steve from OH
September 17th, 2009
10:58 pm
Shamus:
A wasted rock ranger, huh?
Couch Tater
September 17th, 2009
10:58 pm
McFann – In case you missed this.
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/32894066/ns/today-today_pets/?GT1=43001
Mitchell
September 17th, 2009
11:00 pm
How exciting is this current 6 game winning streak that should really be an 8 game win streak?
Of course if Bobby didn’t use Gonzo in the 8th inning of the Sunday game against the Reds we might have actually won that game. Then we’d be looking at a 9 game win streak.
That’s why we won’t ever win s*** with Bobby Cox because two out of three is just good enough.
It’s really absurd to still be thinking about the playoffs. Maybe if we somehow won 11 or 12 in a row it might make a difference but has anybody noticed we’re still in 3rd f***ing place?
We should have put the Marlins away. We’re being lead by a clueless manager who doesn’t take responsibility for his mistakes. Oh right, he doesn’t make mistakes. Medlen just gave up a few liners that got over the infielders’ heads. Other than that he did great.
HoCoJo
September 17th, 2009
11:01 pm
I hate these 10 PM games!
ABTSteve
September 17th, 2009
11:03 pm
DOB – I may have missed your comments, but have you seen Sugar yet? If so, what did you think?
McFann :Ô:
September 17th, 2009
11:04 pm
DANGIT!!!!!!!!
JEB
September 17th, 2009
11:04 pm
Are we in a time warp??
I looked at the times posted and thought “Dang it! Did I stay here and read these posts for that long??
Then I looked at my watch…. whew….
David O'Brien
September 17th, 2009
11:04 pm
Now it’s just pouring. Arrgggh.
Nova Scotia Steve - Is Worried (about the blog)
September 17th, 2009
11:05 pm
This sucks!
Mitchell
September 17th, 2009
11:05 pm
This rain sucks.
I’m tired of it.
NCBravesFan
September 17th, 2009
11:05 pm
Well, I would say something, but according to the blog it’s past my bedtime.
BALLGAME!
McFanny
September 17th, 2009
11:07 pm
Very interesting article….://www.talkingchop.com/2009/9/11/1025718/braves-starting-pitchers-who-to here
curtis jones
September 17th, 2009
11:07 pm
Danga at 10:39…it’s funny how Cox lovers keep rewriting history.
So Diaz was only hitting .273 at the time? It’s hard to raise that from the bench, while watching Frenchie flail away. Eventually, he was given a chance to play. How’d that work out?
Blanco wasn’t tearing it up at AAA? I would have taken Blanco, Brandon Jones, or my sister ahead of Schafer. Please research his stats. Least productive position player in the majors. Including Japan. Painful.
Infante was injured? Sure was, part of the time. And before he got injured, he was usually watching Kelly bat .215.
Could Canizares have done any better driving in runs than Kotch? Couldn’t have been any worse? And could have probably outrun him too. Who couldn’t?
And hey, I didn’t even mention Jeff Bennett. You should be thankful.
AdirondackDave
September 17th, 2009
11:08 pm
Is it tomorrow yet?
Soph
September 17th, 2009
11:08 pm
Ugh, no Spotlight, please!
HoCoJo
September 17th, 2009
11:08 pm
Shamus
You could use some Tequila
bravefaninok
September 17th, 2009
11:08 pm
Any chance of playing tonight?
Shamus Thacker
September 17th, 2009
11:09 pm
LOL Steve! My remaining brain cell gotta kick outa that~!
fastasballs
September 17th, 2009
11:11 pm
Oh great, another Braves game going deep into the night. Hopefully whenver it starts the Mets roll over & take it like a man. It’s just the right thing for them to do on a night like this.
jeffrey d
September 17th, 2009
11:11 pm
Top 25 Braves Moments? Did they lose the Bobby Dews “In My Own Words”?
McFanny
September 17th, 2009
11:11 pm
“I think he’s going to look good in [Yankees] pinstripes in six years,” Francoeur joked.
Frenchy talking about Tommy Hanson | Braves.com
Francoeur was joking… but really? You know, when you’re actually a good player, the home team usually tries to sign you long term, like they did with Brian McCann (and like they tried to do with you, Francoeur, when they thought you were a good player). Like they did with Andruw Jones, Chipper Jones, John Smoltz, Tom Glavine, Greg Maddux… the Braves have a long history of wrapping up their top players, especially top home-grown players. Francoeur had the opportunity, and he didn’t, so maybe he just doesn’t understand how this organization works. And I wonder why he’s no longer here…
Enter your comments here
jeffrey d
September 17th, 2009
11:13 pm
RHR – That Einstein and insanity quote…if you don’t mind, what’s your beef with that? That he never said it? One of my friends has it as their Facebook status.
Soph
September 17th, 2009
11:13 pm
Shhhh, jeffrey – I’d rather watch this.
AdirondackDave
September 17th, 2009
11:13 pm
If time continues to accelerate, spring training will come before the world series this year.
fastasballs
September 17th, 2009
11:14 pm
Frenchy loves it in NY because there was virtually no pressure for him to succeed this season. Their season was done when he arrived. Next season the pressure is on & we know how well he handles that………
McFann :Ô:
September 17th, 2009
11:16 pm
Couch Tater–
Thanks for the link!
jeffrey d Top 25 Braves Moments…
What? No Spotlight? Sheesh…what is this world coming to?
jeffrey d
September 17th, 2009
11:17 pm
I would too (well, I left the room where the TV is). It just seems that whenever there’s a rain delay the default is Bobby Dews. Like they think we can’t get enough of it or something.
HoCoJo
September 17th, 2009
11:17 pm
11 PM and still light outside. I could have played 36 holes after work today!
McFann :Ô:
September 17th, 2009
11:17 pm
Wait a minute…”McFanny”? Hey now…
Tiger Woods
September 17th, 2009
11:17 pm
WOOOOOOOO more rain I love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hopefully we start at about 10 now that would be fun……plus in blog time we would be starting early Friday morning! I’m feeling a 9-2 win tonight. Mark it down.
Soph
September 17th, 2009
11:18 pm
jeffrey, I’m really ready to sing now. Get it started.
HoCoJo
September 17th, 2009
11:19 pm
btw
Ernie Johnson, Sr. was elected to the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame today!!
jeffrey d
September 17th, 2009
11:19 pm
Nine….to….two….got it! Good thing I take all my baseball advice from Tiger Woods.
HoCoJo
September 17th, 2009
11:20 pm
so was Al Ciraldo.
Tiger Woods
September 17th, 2009
11:23 pm
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=ApmFjY8tT9GCYRlYL1QJW_C4u7YF?slug=ap-braves-jonesfuture&prov=ap&type=lgns
If you are board just an article about Chip talking about retiring from yahoo sports. Similar to others we have read already.
HoCoJo
September 17th, 2009
11:24 pm
Looks like it’s about to be McWarr in here.
brian
September 17th, 2009
11:24 pm
DOB – is there any scenario that you can foresee where the Braves could trade Lowe and his whole salary (for a rookie league or low A prospect or 2)? Angels? LAD?
I think the Braves could trade KK and his whole salary but it would be for non- A list prospects and not for a significant bat. That would leave room for Vazquez and Hudson (do the Braves try to lock up Vazquez and Hudson for another few years?), but the Braves would still have to find another bat. That is a tough choice for Wren.
I hope the Braves do not entertain trading JJ. The Boras factor is scary and unfortunately he will not be any friendlier to the Braves since we signed Lowe to a big contract (I can hear him now – you signed Lowe to a 4 year $60 million contract and JJ is younger and better deserving a bigger contract). If Jurrjens was traded for a bat it should be for Ryan Braun or Prince Fielder from Milwaukee (with Fielder having a 3 year contract extension), Ethier or Kemp (and probably a prospect as well), Cruz AND Andrus from Texas, Ellsbury and Bard, or other comparable young talent. It would have to be a huge hitter I assume for Wren to move JJ – similar to the Texas trade for Hamilton I guess with JJ being a better and more established pitcher netting a better/more secure return.
Nova Scotia Steve - Is Worried (about the blog)
September 17th, 2009
11:26 pm
Any idea of a start time anyone?
Nova Scotia Steve - Is Worried (about the blog)
September 17th, 2009
11:27 pm
PS
Phillies have 10 grand slams this season after Worth’s bomb last night.
Nova Scotia Steve - Is Worried (about the blog)
September 17th, 2009
11:28 pm
Braves in 97 and Cardinals in 00′ his 12 a piece.
David O'Brien
September 17th, 2009
11:30 pm
There’s so much water standing in shallow right and shallow left, you could stock it with bass and have a little fishing derby.
David O'Brien
September 17th, 2009
11:31 pm
Nova Scotia: They’ve given us no idea at all when this might start.
Bravo1966
September 17th, 2009
11:31 pm
Word is that the Mets are gonna have about 40 mill to spend next season and are gonna push hard to get LaRoche.
McFann :Ô:
September 17th, 2009
11:33 pm
Speaking of Werth and the Fillies–did y’all see that story about the man who gave his daughter the foul ball that he caught only to see her chuck it back onto the field?
David O'Brien
September 17th, 2009
11:33 pm
Brian, I can’t see another team taking on Lowe and his $45 mill remaining, not at his age and after the season he’s had. Maybe I’m wrong, but I just can’t imagine it. And certainly if they did, that team wouldn’t also give up talent in return.
Tiger Woods
September 17th, 2009
11:33 pm
LaRoche won’t go to the Muts he is not a sell out like say a Jeff Francouer. If we give a solid amount to LaRoche he will be back, especially if Bobby is back. If Bobby isn’t back well then maybe he looks to go elsewhere. That would really suck though if that does happen.
Nova Scotia Steve - Is Worried (about the blog)
September 17th, 2009
11:35 pm
Bases load 1 out for Cincy.
Reds up 1-0 against Florida
Soph
September 17th, 2009
11:36 pm
I saw that McFann! They got an autographed baseball and Phillies jerseys.
McFann :Ô:
September 17th, 2009
11:37 pm
You guys wanna sing? OK…I’ll start…
“I get the blues when it raaains…the blues, I can’t lose…”
McFann :Ô:
September 17th, 2009
11:37 pm
Soph–
Yeah! That little girl is so cute, too–”I drop that ball!”
Nova Scotia Steve - Is Worried (about the blog)
September 17th, 2009
11:38 pm
“Long as I remember…the rain’s been coming down…clouds of mystery falling..confusion on the ground,”
Nova Scotia Steve - Is Worried (about the blog)
September 17th, 2009
11:38 pm
2-0 Reds
Wilson
September 17th, 2009
11:39 pm
Tiger Woods: How exactly is Jeff Fraceour a sellout? You do realize he had no choice in going to the Mets. The Braves traded him, and there was nothing he could do about it. Also, if Cox leaves the Braves, he won’t manage anywhere else. If he leaves, he’s hanging it up for good.
curtis jones
September 17th, 2009
11:39 pm
Ernie Johnson Sr…..the great one. Glad he’s a Hall of Famer in GA. He’s most deserving. “DRILLED! Back toward that wall!” And unlike Chip Caray, he only got excited when a ball was hit hard. Chip gets all creamy on a bouncer to the mound.
Soph
September 17th, 2009
11:39 pm
Each little drop that falls on my window pane…
Nova Scotia Steve - Is Worried (about the blog)
September 17th, 2009
11:41 pm
check that 3-0 Reds
CB
September 17th, 2009
11:41 pm
DOB, other than being bored to death- what do you guys do during rain delay? I would probably gain 5 pounds.
Bravo1966
September 17th, 2009
11:42 pm
I don’t know about that. Mets are going to be pretty solid next year when Beltran, Reyes, and Santana come back healthy next year. I bet they throw mad money at LaRoche.
David O'Brien
September 17th, 2009
11:42 pm
Here are the full quotes from Don Sutton on Tommy Hanson, some of which I couldn’t fit into my Hanson story on Monday:
“I think he’s been everything I expected him to be, and maybe taken the extra step. I think with a first-year pitcher, that you hope he lives up to what you expect from a first-year pitcher. I think what he’s done is lived up to what you would expect from a third-year pitcher.
“He has a great inner grasp of pitching. I think you can almost sense sometime, seeing him making a pitch or doing something because of something inside of him tells him to do it, not because it was scouting report or a suggestion. He seems to have a great inner sense of pitching.
“Javier Vazquez has as good an inner sense of pitching as I’ve ever seen. I love watching him. You’ll see him going through a lineup, and you just imagine where a scouting report says this, and you’ll see him back away and go ‘nah.’ And I love that.
“And with Tommy Hanson … somebody had a quote, they said great pitchers are not made, they’re born. I believe you can make great pitchers, but I believe there are some guys who have that great inner sense, that inner grasp of what pitching is all about. So in that regard, I am more impressed with his grasp of pitching than what he’s done physically. Physically, I expected it.
“But he’s … exciting to watch. He’s going to be great. I wish him good health, and 100 shares of stock [in him] is all I want.”
blazon
September 17th, 2009
11:43 pm
Enter your comments here DOB…
IS THERE any chance the braves could give prado a new contract long enough to satisfy the immigration people re letting his family come back in?
Nova Scotia Steve - Is Worried (about the blog)
September 17th, 2009
11:43 pm
Thanks DOB – This is brutal and I’m sure it’s just as boring for you guys in the press box.
blazon
September 17th, 2009
11:44 pm
Enter your comments here cinci 3 fla 0
Tiger Woods
September 17th, 2009
11:46 pm
Wilson
I know that. With his comments about the Braves and different comments he has made since leaving he has tried to take many stabs at the Braves I believe. I know we traded him and he no choice but its just a joke that he has to make the remarks he has. I know Cox would hang it up. What I am saying is that LaRoche really likes to play for Cox and it would make it a tougher decision for him if Bobby is not here and we decide to offer Adam a contract.
BIOMASS
September 17th, 2009
11:49 pm
GO YELLOW JACKETS
Yakacki
September 17th, 2009
11:49 pm
No Top 25 Braves moments for me on Extra Innings… anyone cool enough to do me a solid and share a few here? Chop in the name of love.
David O'Brien
September 17th, 2009
11:50 pm
The grounds crew is pushing the water off the tarp, the first step in the process. Barely raining now, so if this continues we should be playing before too much longer. Radar shows most of the bad stuff is to our south and east, but some still headed this way, too.
Escobar Rocks
September 17th, 2009
11:52 pm
they need to put a lid on the Ted
Gov Clinton Tyree
September 17th, 2009
11:52 pm
Season premiere of Bones on Fox.
nolie
September 17th, 2009
11:53 pm
Over the course of a career, I think won-lost records are, by and large, a good indication of a pitcher’s performance (DOB)
yeah right. Over his 27 year career Nolan Ryan averaged one more win than lose, guess that made him just an average pitcher.
Nova Scotia Steve- Is Worried (about the blog
September 17th, 2009
11:53 pm
Now I know why fans here in Canada boo your National Anthem, it glorifies war. Don’t insult my country after we rescued your planes and saved alot of lives eight years ago. I do agree Francoeur has a gorgeous tight hairy butt and balls to drool over.
Escobar Rocks
September 17th, 2009
11:54 pm
Season premiere of Survivor too….i am DVR’ing both of them.
njbraves
September 17th, 2009
11:55 pm
DOB…any truth to the rumor that it’s Bobby and Chipper’s fault that it’s raining??
Pacual (love that Perimeter thing you got in Atlanta...I-285) Perez...
September 17th, 2009
11:59 pm
Heh,
If you were to give Canada an enema…you would insert the tube in Nova Scotia…
BELIEVE (and c’mon Reds…)
David O'Brien
September 18th, 2009
12:00 am
One of the few songs I hear at a ballpark on any sort of regular basis that I really love: “Who’ll Stop The Rain” by CCR. They play it on rain delays here and some other places.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIPan-rEQJA
blazon
September 18th, 2009
12:00 am
Enter your comments here
wow…things must be pretty man short halifax way…
DOB…prado news pse??
Willard Scott
September 18th, 2009
12:01 am
To the minute RADAR
McFann :Ô:
September 18th, 2009
12:02 am
DOB The grounds crew is pushing the water off the tarp, the first step in the process. Barely raining now, so if this continues we should be playing before too much longer.
Boo-yah! Course now the dang football game is going on.
Go Tech, though.
I like “Who’ll Stop the Rain?”, too, BTW. John Fogerty has some good ones…
Tiger Woods
September 18th, 2009
12:03 am
Who’ll stop the rain??? Must it be you DOB?
HoCoJo
September 18th, 2009
12:04 am
Enter your comments here, there, somewhere, over-yonder, or not at all.
David O'Brien
September 18th, 2009
12:05 am
Another rain song that we SHOULD hear during rain delays, but of course we don’t because it’s too good and not mainstream enough. Awesome tune:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFUpGkPQOFo
P. W. Hjort
September 18th, 2009
12:08 am
yeah right. Over his 27 year career Nolan Ryan averaged one more win than lose, guess that made him just an average pitcher.
Bad example. Nolan Ryan’s career ERA+ is 111. Mainly because he was never able to harness his talent enough to become a legitimately great pitcher. Here’s what Bill James wrote about Nolan Ryan:
I know there are probably none of you in the audience who don’t remember Nolan Ryan, but as an organizing device, I’m going to pretend there are, anyway. Nolan Ryan was the ultimate power pitcher. Ryan threw harder than any other pitcher of his generation or perhaps any generation, and it wasn’t like he did this once. Ryan could stand on the mound and throw a hundred miles an hour for 9 innings, 10 innings, 11, 12, 13. He would throw more than 200 pitches in a game, come back three days later ready to do it again. He did this for years in a four-man rotation, switched to a five-man rotation and pitched another fifteen years. He threw no-hitters almost as a matter of routine. He holds the single-season record for strikeouts, and broke the career record for strikeouts by some ridiculous margin.
Nolan Ryan was Roger Clemens’ boyhood idol, but whereas Clemens became a genuinely great pitcher Ryan was not. Ryan was the most impressive pitcher who ever lived. He did absolutely phenomenal things with such regularity that people took it for granted. But he was not a great pitcher because he never compromised, which means that he never adjusted. He was, in a sense, a perpetual rookie. He was out there to strike the hitter out—period, even when he was 44 years old. He could be behind the number eight hitter 2-0 with the bases empty, and in his mind he was still working on a strikeout. The concept of “let him hit it and see what happens” absolutely wasn’t there for him.
He won a huge number of games, true (324), but he lost almost as many. He holds the career record for strikeouts by a wide margin—and the record for walks by an even wider margin. He holds the career record for Wild Pitches. He did nothing at all to stop the running game, allowing 757 stolen bases in his career, which is almost certainly a record. . .anyway he led the league in stolen bases allowed eight times. He committed 90 errors in his career, with a career fielding percentage of .895. His positive numbers will stagger you, but his negative numbers will knock you out.
brian
September 18th, 2009
12:08 am
thanks DOB – if the Braves decide to try and move Lowe the only hope I would have is that there is a poor free agent pitching market this year. Some big market team that may need pitching may be willing to take a 3 year gamble on Lowe if the Braves ask for virtually nothing in return and that would be their pitching acquisition.
The trouble is that the Braves would then either have to sign the bat or come up with something else to trade for a significant bat. That is why I see the most likely, though not desirable, scenario as trading vazquez
Larvell (Sugar Bear...love to crap, I mean camp...in the Canadian Woods...) Blanks
September 18th, 2009
12:09 am
Me and my mighty .235 BA (Braves, anyway) are ready to kick some ass…Rockies, Giants, Marlins, Canadians…don’t matter to me. Only 59 now and I know I can take ‘em!
BELIEVE…
HoCoJo
September 18th, 2009
12:10 am
The voice from Heaven.
Steve from OH
September 18th, 2009
12:14 am
Steve Earle isn’t mainstream enough? I’ll admit that I don’t listen to country music stations often, but I gotta think that some of his songs would get regular airplay…if not, that’s a shame, because he’s good.
Yakacki
September 18th, 2009
12:15 am
How about the real deal for rain delays- Van the MAN
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s38k5-yl1q4
Ken (how in the hell did I stick around for 16 seasons) Oberkfell
September 18th, 2009
12:20 am
Even with my meager 29 HR’s…in 16 seasons…and 4,874 AB’s (yea…that is only 1 HR per 168 AB’s)…I sure could play defense…just like G. Norton. I mean K. Johnson…oh never mind.
Go Reds…
BELIEVE
Couch Tater
September 18th, 2009
12:22 am
O.K., my turn.
Bill Withers – Ain’t No Sunshine
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIdIqbv7SPo&feature=related
Tiger Woods
September 18th, 2009
12:23 am
Steve
You are really getting annoying.
Nate from NCState
September 18th, 2009
12:24 am
I used to listen to this song all the time when it was raining outside.. one of my favorites..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yu_moia-oVI
Steve from OH
September 18th, 2009
12:25 am
Excuse me? How so?
Danga
September 18th, 2009
12:30 am
Curse you Nate from NC State.
Eddie Haskell
September 18th, 2009
12:33 am
Tiger Woods,
My take on Frenchy’s comment about Hanson, was that the kid will be an ace and after six years or so when he is a free agent the Yankee’s will offer much more money than the Braves could ever offer. Under the current ownership they haven’t given out any major contracts. The contract they have with McCann is a steal.
Soph
September 18th, 2009
12:34 am
Ain’t no sunshineeee, when she’s gone.
Danga
September 18th, 2009
12:38 am
How bout a little Jayhawks?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2f3lYOPpnYY
HoCoJo
September 18th, 2009
12:38 am
Splish Splash
scotty doo
September 18th, 2009
12:39 am
Any updates DOB?
RHR
September 18th, 2009
12:41 am
RHR – That Einstein and insanity quote…if you don’t mind, what’s your beef with that? That he never said it?
Both the fact that he never said it and the fact that its absolutely not the definition of insanity. I studied and worked in mental health…I mean, its like telling a mechanic that a volkswagen and a bentley are the same thing and that the reason you know this is because Lee Iacocca said it was true.
One of my friends has it as their Facebook status.
I would delete them. But thats just me.
HAL
September 18th, 2009
12:41 am
Enter your comments hereif bob cox had turned the clock back at the top of the blog t hanson would have had an 8 inng shut out plus gonzo s wouldent have gi ven it up to g the fish wed be 3 back and climbing all because hes to dumb to change the clock lOL ok also ralph gar hit 344 hes a fa next winter and at 50 something probably a full second faster to first then loaf see our outfield land mines under repair lol
ABTSteve
September 18th, 2009
12:42 am
How about Blind Faith’s Sea of Joy?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfdHNWJ1Xhk&feature=PlayList&p=2FCA5E31857F6206&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=32
Tiger Woods
September 18th, 2009
12:42 am
Not you Steve. Novascotia Steve. Sorry didn’t say who. My bad.
Steve from OH
September 18th, 2009
12:43 am
RHR–not a big fan of that quote, either.
Danga
September 18th, 2009
12:43 am
Holy Assault on the English Language Batman!
Steve from OH
September 18th, 2009
12:44 am
No biggie, Tiger. No sweat.
Steve from OH
September 18th, 2009
12:45 am
I’m going all PL with three “postings” out of the last four, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t give Danga props for his 12:43 (LOL!).
Bravo1966
September 18th, 2009
12:46 am
Per Chip Carey….9:10 start time
David O'Brien
September 18th, 2009
12:47 am
Tarp’s off the field, 9:10 estimated start.
mr baseball
September 18th, 2009
12:47 am
We saw another example last night of how the Braves win in spite of, not because of, the manager.
With 2 on and 0 outs in the bottom of the 9th, Cox has Escobar bunt, which he executed beautifully. The question is, was that the best strategy Cox could have employed in that situation?
He effectively took the bat out of the hands of arguably his two best hitters (they intentionally walked LaRoche, a pretty obvious move). You have to assume he knew that was coming (if he didn’t, things are much worse in the dugout than even I could imagine).
His two options:
1) Let Escobar and LaRoche hit with the tying runs on base and no outs.
2) Let Infante & Church hit with the bases loaded and 1 out.
How many of you think, like Cox, that the second option was better than the first? Infante flied out to tie the game and Church grounded out, with Murphy’s butchery at 1st base handing the Braves the victory.
Cox got lucky. He employed the least likely of his 2 options to achieve success, but thanks to the Mets’ ineptitude, his team won.
Maybe I’m wrong, but I don’t think he is capable of making decisions by weighing the pros and cons of differing options and selecting the one that makes the most sense.
His decisions are determined by what the “baseball book” says (1st and 2nd, no outs, 1 run behind: you bunt, unless your top power guy is at the plate), or very occasionally, by what his gut tells him. Little if any thought is ever used.
Cox may still be a terrific manager in terms of managing his players. But his strategic inadequacy, including his fading grasp on when to get starters out of the game and how to most effectively utilize his bullpen, have cost this team enough games this season to keep the Braves out of the playoffs, barring some extremely unlikely results the next 2 weeks or so.
Mc21
September 18th, 2009
12:47 am
Looking at a 9:10p start time.
GboroBravo
September 18th, 2009
12:48 am
910 first pitch
Steve McP
September 18th, 2009
12:53 am
That’s weird because Joe Simpson said about 10 minutes ago it was still raining and no sign of an early start.
GboroBravo
September 18th, 2009
12:53 am
i have to say things to get the blog updated
McFanny
September 18th, 2009
12:54 am
um 17 GT 3! McFann might be a little miffed!!!!
Tiger Woods
September 18th, 2009
12:54 am
Mr. Baseball
I don’t agree with you. Cox has been hammered here for not doing that also. Putting the tying run on third with less than 2 outs is smart. Even though you have to think they will walk LaRoche, Infante on the year is now 10 of 13 in driving in a runner from 3rd with less than 2 outs. You can not be mad at Cox for doing that. I totally agreed with him. Plus Escobar has hit into many double plays this year so why risk that happening against a good closer in K-Rod.
BravesGrrrl
September 18th, 2009
12:55 am
Hey folks, in case you haven’t heard, 9:10 for first pitch!
Giggity
September 18th, 2009
12:55 am
Hey, did yall hear it’s a 9:10 start time? I dont think its been reported yet.
Steve from OH
September 18th, 2009
12:56 am
Cox got lucky. He employed the least likely of his 2 options to achieve success, but thanks to the Mets’ ineptitude, his team won.
Maybe I’m wrong, but I don’t think he is capable of making decisions by weighing the pros and cons of differing options and selecting the one that makes the most sense.
You and I both know that in general I hate bunting and stealing and that whole shebang, but I don’t know if you really can isolate a “right” move in that situation, and BOTH have their pros and cons, and even if one is found superior to the others, it won’t be by a significant margin. At home, I don’t have a problem with him playing for one run and forcing extras at the least. Even so, the percentages say you have a better RE with bases loaded, one out than runners on 1,2 with 0 out. Obviously, the people hitting in those spots aren’t the same, and therein lies the rub. Seems to me that the fact that you have two superior hitters hitting in the latter situation makes up for some of the difference in the RE, that the RE would essentially be the same, and therefore the choice is based on the preference of the manager, statistically.
P.S.–I know I’ve come at you before, but I do enjoy your posts greatly and I hope that you’ll respond with some good feedback to mine instead of going all Coach on me. FWIW
P.P.S.–I might not be around to respond right away.
P.P.P.S.–I did NOT actually watch the inning in question (sleep!), so I’m going on what you say.
Giggity
September 18th, 2009
12:56 am
high five, BravesGrrrl
Tiger Woods
September 18th, 2009
12:58 am
Anyone hear what time first pitch is supposed to be??
Johnny Schuerholz
September 18th, 2009
12:59 am
Scoreboard watching…what else can I do?
Reds……3
Marlins…2
Bottom of the 5th…
TnBrian
September 18th, 2009
12:59 am
DOB, what do you predict happens this offseason… does Javy get traded?
I’m almost positive LaRoche comes back and I really don’t see a way Javy doesn’t get traded for a bat and as Carroll Rogers pointed out, his trade value is sky high. Shame to because he fits so perfectly with this team and I can’t imagine he’d take any step back next year.
Yakacki
September 18th, 2009
12:59 am
Baseball > Rain
MIBravesFan
September 18th, 2009
1:00 am
Thanks for the Steve Earle video clip DOB. Great song.
McFann :Ô:
September 18th, 2009
1:00 am
DOB Tarp’s off the field, 9:10 estimated start.
Or do you mean 1:10? I mean, according to the Blog…
Yeah, Tech’s not doin’ so hot…Haha, I’m not even watching it right now.
god of the arts and entertainment
September 18th, 2009
1:01 am
Nate
I listen to that song too when it rains… Awesome!
keylargo
September 18th, 2009
1:03 am
There is a good program named “The Alaska Experiment” on Planet Green Channel #286 Directv at 9:00pm. It is about lower 48 people trying to live off the land in Alaska. Very interesting.
Yakacki
September 18th, 2009
1:06 am
Jair is here! Let’s do this.
Herm
September 18th, 2009
1:07 am
Wow, “malleable”. Those night classes must really be paying off for Joe Simpson.
Soph
September 18th, 2009
1:09 am
Let’s play!
lol McFann, they just showed Mac jumping on Marteen from yesterday. I don’t know if you caught it.
David O'Brien
September 18th, 2009
1:10 am
Yes, I guess I should’ve said 1:10 a.m. estimated start, blog time.
I’ve always said, some of the denizens here in our corner of the blogulace follow a different drummer. Only appropriate we should have our own time zone.
McFann :Ô:
September 18th, 2009
1:11 am
DOB @ 1:10–
N8
September 18th, 2009
1:12 am
“The next time anyone tells you division titles or playoff berths aren’t won in April or May, tell them, yeah, but they can sure be lost then.” DOB
I realize that this isn’t the norm, and that that particular phrase seems like it has some truth to it. But in 1982, the Braves started the season 13-0, and proceeded to go 76-73 the rest of the way, needing a Joe Morgan HR against the Dodgers (yeah – THAT Joe Morgan, then in a SF uniform – for that reason alone, morgan should be LOVED by Braves fans), to win the division.
So, even if it was only that one time, the 1982 Atlanta Braves won that division in the first two weeks of the season.
But, I’ve always felt that way. Too many people like the phrase “it’s still early” when talking about early season bugs in the lineup/roster. To me, that’s what spring training is for. Those who start the season ready to play, are one step ahead of the rest. Hopefully some season soon, the Braves will start the first two months of the season ready to play.
BravesGrrrl
September 18th, 2009
1:12 am
Ditto Giggity!
N8
September 18th, 2009
1:14 am
Perhaps with the differnt “time zone” as DOB put it, the blog should be referred to as the MIB/Braves/Langoliers blog.
Anybody else’s food have not taste to it?
MZ
September 18th, 2009
1:15 am
DOB —-
Been absent for a little while from the blog … did you get a chance to listen to any of that American Aquarium i’m always bugging you about?
N8
September 18th, 2009
1:16 am
Hey, if we’re lucky, all the late night/over night bloggers will come on and think it’s much later and just go to bed. Oh… wait. I’m one of those late night bloggers.
Never mind.
David O'Brien
September 18th, 2009
1:17 am
… and they say David Wright hasn’t hit for power this season. hah!
David O'Brien
September 18th, 2009
1:19 am
MZ: nope, didn’t see it at yet another CD store I went to. sorry, but I don’t think to go online looking for stuff. just never seem to have time to do that. i like to devote free time to perusing for long periods in CD stores, buy several of them, then go back in another couple weeks or so. The old dinosaur way of music listening/purchasing. I love it.
McFann :Ô:
September 18th, 2009
1:19 am
Wow…that was almost bad…
McFann :Ô:
September 18th, 2009
1:20 am
Soph–
Dangit! I missed it.
Soph
September 18th, 2009
1:20 am
Good job, JJ.
JTcobb
September 18th, 2009
1:21 am
Mr. Baseball,
Someone (Steve OH?) recently cited a source of statistics on bunting success in various situations. I was wondering about this last night, and here’s an interesting source I found (maybe the same as one posted a few days ago):
http://baseballanalysts.com/archives/2006/07/empirical_analy_1.php
Anyway, this article is incredibly detailed, and statistically over my head, but here a few things that were interesting:
“In large part because of these expected runs tables, most baseball analysts have concluded that except in very rare instances, the sacrifice bunt is a poor strategic decision, and that managers use the bunt much more often than optimal. In fact, overuse of the bunt is one of the main criticisms baseball analysts level at the conventional baseball wisdom.
Of course there are many caveats that apply to conclusions based on an ERT. Most important, the table reflects an overall average; in many situations the actual run expectation may differ significantly than that identified by the table. For example, with a pitcher coming up, the expected runs are almost surely less than reflected in the table. On the other hand, with the heart of the order due up, the run expectation may materially exceed that indicated by the table.
Furthermore, late in games teams may be playing for one run, and increasing the overall run expectation may be secondary to simply scoring one run. To examine this topic, one really needs run probability tables to evaluate the probability of scoring at least one run in the various base-out situations. In this essay, I will use run probability tables as well as the ERT to evaluate bunting.
Recently several baseball researchers have further dug into the advisability of the sacrifice bunt by evaluating run potential based on a detailed probabilistic model of a specific sequence of batters and all possible outcomes. This research is valuable and suggests that bunting may not always be such a flawed strategy. But like the original expected runs tables, they are based on modeling outcomes, not on the outcomes themselves. With the availability of the Retrosheet files which include play-by-play data from games, one can begin to evaluate bunting strategies, not only from probabilistic models but from the results themselves.
… one can now uncover an instance where a successful bunt actually increases the expected runs using the Expected Runs Tables. The run potential with runners on first and second with no outs and the pitcher hitting is 1.238. A successful sacrifice bunt brings up the leadoff hitter with runners on second and third and one out; a state with a run expectation of 1.336. Again, this needs caveats: not all bunts are successful, but clearly given that this is based on overall averages, one can imagine circumstances in which a bunt is the correct strategy.” [end of quoted stuff]
According to the tables cited, last night’s situation was a statistical deadheat for TOTAL expected run production (which is different than the PROBABILITY of scoring ONE run; I don’t know the answer for that): The expected run production with the #5 hitter up, no outs and runners on 1st and 2nd is identical (1.336 runs) with having the #6 hitter up with one out and runners on 2nd and 3rd.
Me? I’d have Escobar hit, especially given the position players’ poor record of getting bunts down this year.
mr baseball
September 18th, 2009
1:21 am
TW and Steve, Ohio:
If Cox put as much thought into his decisions as you guys did into your posts, I would not have as much problem with him. Both of you have good points.
Escobar going 6-4-3 was a legit concern. Not sure Cox thought about that, or Yunel’s near-.400 average with RISP. Or Infante’s success at scoring runners from 3rd with less than 2 outs. If he did, I’m off base here.
Steve: Good point as well. Braves may have been as well off with Infante up with the bases loaded & 1 out as they were without the bunt. I just can’t endorse a strategy in which you deprive 2 major offensive threats the chance to hit in favor of 2 clearly lesser offensive players.
TW: I understand that folks on here criticize Cox for not bunting enough, but why take seriously the thoughts of those who think baseball should be played the way it was when Eisenhower was president? I don’t.
After that atypically civil exchange, I think it’s safe to say that none of us are veterans of health care town hall meetings.
MZ
September 18th, 2009
1:24 am
DOB ——
I hear ya; I guess you could say I’m sort of a hybrid – I like to troll both online and in cozy, out-of-the-way record stores for many hours.
BTW, just picked up the new Legacy Edition of The Stone Roses’ debut album … superb, I must say.
Still haven’t brought myself to getting DBTs’ “Fine Print.” Need to.
As far as American Aquarium, keep looking. It’ll be well worth it once you finally locate a place that carries them.
David O'Brien
September 18th, 2009
1:24 am
Speaking of new bands, you guys who like Americana/straight-ahead rock have got to give a listen to this band called the Rural Albert Advantage. Their CD is “Hometowns,” and it’s solid. You can play a few of their songs here: http://www.myspace.com/theraa
Soph
September 18th, 2009
1:26 am
Loafy be hittin’.
McFann :Ô:
September 18th, 2009
1:28 am
HIS NAME IS BRIAN McCANN!!!!
MZ
September 18th, 2009
1:29 am
http://www.myspace.com/americanaquarium
David O'Brien
September 18th, 2009
1:31 am
MZ: That Stone Roses debut album was tremendous, beginning with that 1-2 punch of “I Wanna Be Adored” and “She Bangs The Drums.” Too bad they never made another one even remotely as good, although their next couple of CDs had a great song or two, like “Elephant Stone.”
McFann :Ô:
September 18th, 2009
1:32 am
Dangit…
Hey, is anybody else having problems with the “Enter your comments here” not going away when you click inside the box? *Whinny voice* I mean, nyuh…now I have to do all that work to delete it myself…
nycbravesfan
September 18th, 2009
1:36 am
Go Braves!!! Our future looks bright with our young pitching studs..
MZ
September 18th, 2009
1:37 am
yeah, they (Stone Roses) fizzled, to say the least … Ian Brown went on to do some pretty good solo work, but couldn’t duplicate the magic from that debut record
along the same lines as the Roses, but on this side of the pond, have you ever heard any of The Pink Spiders? pretty good stuff, in my humble estimation
bgvt
September 18th, 2009
1:38 am
mr baseball –
I see your points but I certainly would not discount that Cox thought about Escobar grounding into a double play — he has hit into 20 of them this year. His 20 GiDP ranks 13th in all of MLB this season. His GO/AO ratio is 8th in MLB among hitters who qualify for the batting title. Cox played for the tie hoping that Infante (who has been hot the last couple of games) could score the runner from 3rd (if Laroche was walked). On the flip side, F-Rod isn’t really a ground ball pitcher.
One peculiar thing about F-Rod is that, despite being RH, he has better stats against LH hitters (.259 OBA against LH vs. .343 OBA against RH). This stat would say let Escobar hit or, if you have Escobar bunt, then be willing to accept the intentional walk to Laroche and take your chances with Infante.
While I agree that bunting is probably overused in general, I don’t think Cox would be out of the mainstream of MLB managers in making the decision that he made.
nycbravesfan
September 18th, 2009
1:40 am
Jurjjens is quite the defensive player too!! he nearly caught that one. Madduxish !
Shamus Thacker
September 18th, 2009
1:42 am
Fix the time on this here blog!
I’m in a perpetual-buzz time-warp
David O'Brien
September 18th, 2009
1:42 am
By the way, Moylan last night became the first pitcher in franchise history to have two 80-appearance seasons (and he’s done it on both sides of a Tommy John surgery year — 2007 and 2009, with surgery in 2008. Very hard to do that, given that TJ surgery’s a 12-month recovery typically.)
Wow, Tech’s getting their doors blown off, huh? I didn’t expect that….
MZ, I just listened to a couple of American Aquarium cuts on their site. Sounds good. Didn’t realize they were from Raleigh. Lot of good bands coming out of N.C.
You ever hear Roman Candle’s (another N.C. band) debut CD? It was really good, and they’ve got their second one coming out now. Here’s a live cut I found of them, though it doesn’t really do their recorded sound justice. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wysuwMdgnpc
Marc in FL
September 18th, 2009
1:43 am
I didn’t vote on the poll cause they all involve keeping Hudson. Unless some team is willing to take a large chunk of Lowe’s salary Hudson is not coming back after this season. And that’s fine with me, I like him and all, but let’s spend that 12mil on a bat instead.
David O'Brien
September 18th, 2009
1:43 am
nycbravesfan: You’re right. Jurrjens is just a damn fine all-around young pitcher.
Soph
September 18th, 2009
1:44 am
Geez, poor MattE. RHR – seriously, you need to add him to your bingo card.
MZ
September 18th, 2009
1:46 am
I haven’t heard of Roman Candle, but I’m bout to hit ‘em up … yeah AA is out of Raleigh … I interviewed the band when they came through Mississippi, really down-to-earth, fun guys … it looks like they’re coming through your neck of the woods in late October or thereabouts … you should check ‘em out live, definitely a different dynamic live than on their record …
NCBravesFan
September 18th, 2009
1:50 am
mr baseball: to me, the advantage of bunting Escobar in that situation is that you advance the tying run to third with less than two outs, and perhaps more importantly the winning run advances into scoring position with less than two outs. So you get two shots at getting the tying & winning runs in.
Granted you exchange Adam & Yunel’s opportunities to hit in that situation, but statistically having that runner at third with less than two outs is a pretty high percentage play in terms of getting that run home. (And you don’t need a hit to score a run.)
Doc Holiday
September 18th, 2009
1:53 am
We are set to sweep the phillies………..lets hope we get some good pitching
Huddy goes tomorrow………last time he faced the phillies……………..7.6 IP allowing just 1 ER.
David O'Brien
September 18th, 2009
1:54 am
Marc in FL: Yeah, you’re right. I just realized that when you mentioned it. I should’ve had “Let Hudson walk as a free agent and pay the $1 million buyout” as an option for voters. Because if, for some reason they can’t agree to a reasonable multi-year deal, it’s not like $12 million is a puny salary. That’s actually pretty high for a 34-year-old coming off TJ surgery, with six or seven starts to judge him by — at least it’s high if you’ve already got as much invested in starting pitchers as the Braves do.
Roman Gal
September 18th, 2009
1:56 am
Little Mac keeps on hittin’.
McFann :Ô:
September 18th, 2009
1:56 am
I don’t like it when football season and baseball season mesh…
Shamus Thacker
September 18th, 2009
1:57 am
“”… one can now uncover an instance where a successful bunt actually increases the expected runs using the Expected Runs Tables.”"
Would a successful Butt-Smoking increase the Expected Glutting using the Expected Pork Table?
Doc Holiday
September 18th, 2009
1:57 am
I can recall in april Mc hitting some doubles and singles to LF………..I have not seen him do that for the last 4.5 months……….. he is trying to pull everything and that affects his hitting and BA.
Soph
September 18th, 2009
1:57 am
Marteeeeeeeeeeeeeeen!
Way to hustle Nate.
Soph
September 18th, 2009
1:59 am
Great job, boys! Productive outs.
MIBravesFan
September 18th, 2009
1:59 am
Brian!:)
McFann :Ô:
September 18th, 2009
2:00 am
Boo-yah!!
RHR
September 18th, 2009
2:00 am
Need to hurry up and get to 6, its storming here for about the last hour. Maybe they’ll get it in…just depends on how fast its moving thru, must be slow since its rained for about the last hour straight.
Mitchell
September 18th, 2009
2:00 am
I love the A-B-C baseball from the middle of the line-up guys.
Roja
September 18th, 2009
2:01 am
Here’s hoping we get a chance to learn to win without Bobby in 2010
David O'Brien
September 18th, 2009
2:01 am
McCann’s up to 81 RBI, not bad considering all that happened earlier. If he gets nine more, that’ll be three seasons with at least 90 RBI out of four, and 87 RBI in the other one.
McFann :Ô:
September 18th, 2009
2:02 am
Doc–
He still hits some stuff to left, but no, not as much as he used to. He’s only got 15 opposite-field hits this year (57 up the middle, 51 pulled).
David O'Brien
September 18th, 2009
2:03 am
Wow, Garrett playing with reckless abandon on that one….
Johnny Schuerholz
September 18th, 2009
2:03 am
After tonight…with two + weeks to go…and as far as the loss column is concerned…which is all that matters!!!
Giants……3 back
Braves……4 back…(…I Hope and Pray…)
Marlins…..5 back
Cubs……..6 back….(…they are done…)
By the way…I think the Phillies went 15 – 3 against the National this year…which is how you take care on an inferior opponent…just like what Miami is doing to those ‘crotch crickets’ tonight!
BELIEVE…
Brian
September 18th, 2009
2:04 am
Cincinnati just beat Florida 3-2.
Soph
September 18th, 2009
2:04 am
Murphy had a rough night yesterday. K-Rod threw him under the bus too? Sucks for him.
nycbravesfan
September 18th, 2009
2:06 am
thanks for turning me onto the Rural Alberta Advantage… great stuff.!!
itunes genius app is an incredible tool!!!!
McFann :Ô:
September 18th, 2009
2:06 am
DOB–
Yep!
After April, if you told me he’d still finish the season with around 90 RBI, I might have wondered…
But I’m happy with it for sure! Still want that OBP to continue to climb (AVG, too, of course). But yeah, all things considered, his season totals aren’t horrid.
But I still wish he wasn’t batting cleanup.
NO MATTY!!
Soph
September 18th, 2009
2:06 am
Dammit. Stay cool, JJ.
Mitchell
September 18th, 2009
2:06 am
What an idiot.
nolie
September 18th, 2009
2:07 am
Seems like Jair is getting knocked around a bit tonight. I can’t watch it, is he having a specific problem?
McFann :Ô:
September 18th, 2009
2:08 am
Ah, boo-yah! I can’t stand that Thole…
Wish I could be watching this.
Soph
September 18th, 2009
2:08 am
Nice play, JJ!
nycbravesfan
September 18th, 2009
2:08 am
one run saved by jurjjens D!!!
nycbravesfan
September 18th, 2009
2:09 am
sorry jurrjens..im an idiot
McFanny
September 18th, 2009
2:09 am
GT 10 UM 33 3rd Q
Mitchell
September 18th, 2009
2:10 am
I hate Matt Diaz.
MIBravesFan
September 18th, 2009
2:10 am
I just can’t see the Braves not keeping Hudson. Certainly paying the buyout has to be an option, but I have to believe there can be an extension reached at a lower figure. But it’s still going to be some serious money. At some level I think this comes down to Hudson vs. Vasquez (rightly or wrongly), unless somehow the Braves can offload salary via Lowe or KK, because when you have a budget, 6 starters, need offensive help, and a closer next year, there is only so much money to go around. And trading Lowe is going to be next to impossible and KK, while easier because he is cheaper and has shown something (despite his constant, sometimes vicious critics), will not bring the bat back Javy would in a trade. So if you don’t trade Javy for a bat you have to use the Huddy money to buy one on the free agent market. Tough decision.
Soph
September 18th, 2009
2:10 am
Fudge.
mr baseball
September 18th, 2009
2:11 am
What’s with the blog tonight? The usual response I get from my always verbose posts is a snotty comeback from someone whose knowledge of baseball runs the gamus from A to B.
Tonight, I got 4 folks disagreeing with me (not unusual), all of whom make sufficient sense that it’s tough to argue against. Guess all the yahoos have already packed it in, and all that’s left are folks who actually like baseball and know something about it.
Or maybe they’re watching the Tech game, which explains a lot.
Marc in FL
September 18th, 2009
2:13 am
I don’t blame you for not making that an option DOB, everyone here wants Hudson back… It just isn’t going to happen is all. I don’t know why they would even feel the need to bring him beck to be honest. Was there some glaring weakness with the pre-Huddy rotation this year? Were we not behind only the Giants in starter ERA before his return? Why spend the money on him when the obvious vulnerablility on this team all season has been the offense. It’s plain as day man, we need to spend money on another bat this off season.
Why weaken our ability to fill our biggest hole by signing someone we don’t need? And if you trade JJ or Javy to keep him then you’re just trading apples for apples. The only rational could be Huddy could be a mil or maybe even two mil cheaper than Javy next year (wouldn’t bank on it though with his resume), but then you lose Javy who, in my view anyway, has earned a chance at going to the post-season next year with this team. The dude’s been great and you kind of have to have a “what have you done for me lately” mentality in this game.
Just my opinion anyways; it’s up to Wren and I have faith in his ability. We’ll see.
Wes
September 18th, 2009
2:13 am
ya know why the braves don’t score when JJ pitches? because every time they do….every SINGLE time…JJ can’t wait to give them right back. No matter the opponent, and no matter the amount of runs. When we score for him, every SINGLE time, he rushes out to give them right back.
Brian
September 18th, 2009
2:14 am
Give the Mets hitters credit…they’ve obviously got an approach of going the other way tonight. And that’s almost always a good strategy against a good pitcher. JJ needs to hang in there. The Braves will score more against Figueroa.
Mitchell
September 18th, 2009
2:14 am
There is a committed New York Mets fan.
Good for her
David O'Brien
September 18th, 2009
2:15 am
Both runsOne run unearned in the fourth off Jurrjens.Wes
September 18th, 2009
2:16 am
DOB- if Cox calls it quits after the year, who is your first choice to replace him?
Brian
September 18th, 2009
2:17 am
One of those runs should be earned. I don’t see how they can say both are unearned. Reconstruct the inning without the error. Double, fly ball out, groundout, single, single…
MIBravesFan
September 18th, 2009
2:17 am
Diaz’s defensive weakness shows up glaringly again, unfortunately.
Danga
September 18th, 2009
2:18 am
Wes…If that comment were even close to true he would have 0 wins. Besides, those runs were unearned.
nycbravesfan
September 18th, 2009
2:18 am
this time thing is the start of the apocalypse, The machines are getting back at us!
ahhhhhhhh!!!!!!!
Brian
September 18th, 2009
2:19 am
On the ESPN box score, one of the runs is earned. That is the correct scoring.
Wes
September 18th, 2009
2:19 am
that comment is 100% true. Check back on his starts. On the rare occasion he actually DOES get some run support, he’s scored on with in the next two innings every time.
McFann :Ô:
September 18th, 2009
2:19 am
Love seeing the Soldiers at the game!
Mitchell
September 18th, 2009
2:20 am
It’s one thing to not have any production from the outfield the last two years but can we please get somebody who can catch the f***ing ball?
Come on Matt.
Soph
September 18th, 2009
2:20 am
Cue Mitchell.
Soph
September 18th, 2009
2:20 am
Damn, just a little late.
McFann :Ô:
September 18th, 2009
2:21 am
Dangit…
nolie
September 18th, 2009
2:22 am
On the rare occasion he actually DOES get some run support, he’s scored on with in the next two innings every time. (WES)
so the team just made a conscious decision not to waste their energy scoring any runs for him??
Mitchell
September 18th, 2009
2:22 am
Can we please not blow this game?
Is that possible?
And by the way, when I said I liked the A-B-C baseball from the middle of the line-up guys I was being facetious.
They’re supposed to hit homeruns and doubles, not ground balls to the right side.
RHR
September 18th, 2009
2:23 am
Looks like he was possessed by the ghost of Jeff Francoeur for that at bat. Uggggghhhhhlllleeeee.
Mixxo
September 18th, 2009
2:23 am
Well whuddaya know, get a lead, give it right back up!
Nice Matty…..catchin’ any?
RHR
September 18th, 2009
2:24 am
You know its coming….
Danga
September 18th, 2009
2:24 am
Cue Martin with lots of e’s.
Soph
September 18th, 2009
2:25 am
Wow, nice play, Marteeeeeen.
RHR
September 18th, 2009
2:25 am
Marrrrteeeeeen
jeffrey d
September 18th, 2009
2:25 am
2:30? I need to get to bed
Danga
September 18th, 2009
2:25 am
Got it!
Firearm
September 18th, 2009
2:27 am
2:25 AM? Now it’s a toss up between going to bed and staying up for the 5 AM first pitch for the games in Japan.
NCBravesFan
September 18th, 2009
2:27 am
mr baseball: wow, I sure hope that “snotty” comment wasn’t directed at me. The first two words of my post were, “to me.” I wasn’t saying I was right and you were wrong, merely stating my opinion.
If that’s snotty, I guess I’ll sit back from here on out and let you engage the Tech fans.
Mitchell
September 18th, 2009
2:27 am
Dammit.
I missed Martin’s play but I said dammit because of the walk.
Danga
September 18th, 2009
2:27 am
Wes…Could you please explain his last start?
MIBravesFan
September 18th, 2009
2:28 am
Great play by Nate!
McFann :Ô:
September 18th, 2009
2:29 am
This thing is taking forever to load…so Wright walk—
DANGIT!!!!!!!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAHHGG!!!
RHR
September 18th, 2009
2:29 am
One of my proudest moments as a parent was hearing my daughter say “Marteeeeeeen” when I was cooking dinner a night or two before she moved back to college. I felt like she would be safe out there in the big bad world after that.
Of course you should know that when I typed the above I misspelled the words ‘proudest’, ‘dinner’, and ‘moved’ wrong so make what you will of my mental state at this time.
TNJeff
September 18th, 2009
2:29 am
Matt Diaz must have yet-again lost that fly ball in the lights. He is a MAJOR liability in the outfield.
Soph
September 18th, 2009
2:29 am
jeffrey -
McFann started a pretty successful sing-a-long earlier. People started posting links with rainy songs. I think you just don’t know how to do it.
MIBravesFan
September 18th, 2009
2:30 am
Bad one there by Boog on air!
Mitchell
September 18th, 2009
2:30 am
There you go JJ.
Let’s get some damn runs dammit.
Vinings Jim
September 18th, 2009
2:30 am
Another late night of tutoring, and the Braves were kind enough to wait for me to start the game (and I promise I won’t go to bed after the 8th inning tonight, which someone talked me into doing last night – and you know who you are
)
RHR
September 18th, 2009
2:30 am
Oh no. McFann was watching.
MIBravesFan
September 18th, 2009
2:30 am
No Boog that’s Jeff reminding us why he was traded.
jeffrey d
September 18th, 2009
2:31 am
I think you need to be quiet. The late night crowd just isn’t a singing bunch.
McFann :Ô:
September 18th, 2009
2:31 am
Soph–
That was me that started that? Wow…neat! (Sorry, BMac…)
David O'Brien
September 18th, 2009
2:32 am
That’s 25 steals for Wright in 34 attempts.
McLouth has 17 in 21 attempts this season with Pirates and Braves (10 in 14 attempts with Braves). Who’d have imagined he’d have eight fewer steals and eight MORE HOMERS than Wright.
RHR
September 18th, 2009
2:32 am
lmao @ boog ‘vandy park’
Mitchell
September 18th, 2009
2:32 am
Fair ball!
McFann :Ô:
September 18th, 2009
2:32 am
RHR–
Well, I wasn’t watching on the TV…Gameday…
Football has precedence…
Soph
September 18th, 2009
2:32 am
He soooooo touched that in fair territory.
Soph
September 18th, 2009
2:34 am
McFann -
Yup! I give you credit because you posted a song lyric then people started posting youtube links to their fav songs. You started a trend – something jeffrey couldn’t do for the past three nights.
David O'Brien
September 18th, 2009
2:34 am
Diaz has been hit by pitches nine times since Aug. 17, 13 for the season (sixth in the Atlanta Braves era). Big Cat got hit by 25 pitches in 1998.
Diaz nine times since Aug. 17 — one month.
David O'Brien
September 18th, 2009
2:35 am
Lemke went his entire Braves career without getting hit by a pitch.
RHR
September 18th, 2009
2:35 am
nate makes 5 million dollars and cant get a date?
jeffrey d
September 18th, 2009
2:35 am
Whoever that girl is, I hope she likes big caveman brows if they’re gonna hook her up with McLouth
Soph
September 18th, 2009
2:35 am
I see Boog & Joe are trying to hook Nate up.
MIBravesFan
September 18th, 2009
2:36 am
MARTEEN!:)
RHR
September 18th, 2009
2:36 am
obviously pitchers were afraid of lemke. he was the original MFIKY.
Soph
September 18th, 2009
2:36 am
Sorry, gotta do it -
Marteeeeeeeeeen! The socks up thing is working for him.
Larry Jones, Sr.
September 18th, 2009
2:36 am
Chipper who?
David O'Brien
September 18th, 2009
2:36 am
Anyone that wanted to see that Slaid Cleaves video, I forgot to link to it earlier. It’s linked now, in the original blog above the song.
jeffrey d
September 18th, 2009
2:37 am
fuuuunny, Soph. We got a little comedian here.
David O'Brien
September 18th, 2009
2:37 am
Garret’s been producing in these situations a lot. Can he do it again?…
David O'Brien
September 18th, 2009
2:37 am
Uh, no.
RHR
September 18th, 2009
2:38 am
at least it was a professional strikeout.
thanks, dave.
Mitchell
September 18th, 2009
2:38 am
How about we take the lead before the vaunted Mets bullpen comes in and shuts us down.
Dammit GA.
Come on Brian.
MIBravesFan
September 18th, 2009
2:38 am
YEAH BMAC!!!!
Soph
September 18th, 2009
2:38 am
Mac a lack! McFann, that’s for you!
David O'Brien
September 18th, 2009
2:38 am
No, but McCann can. And does. Three-run jack. First pitch. 19th homer. Braves up 5-2.
Vinings Jim
September 18th, 2009
2:38 am
He had better not rob his buddy!!!!!
RHR
September 18th, 2009
2:39 am
Heeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaapppppppppppppp
Run Heap run!
nycbravesfan
September 18th, 2009
2:39 am
McCanns cans going crazy!!!!! he jacked that!
cabravesfan
September 18th, 2009
2:39 am
MAC!!!! And over Francoeur’s head
Mixxo
September 18th, 2009
2:39 am
McFann ;Ô;
September 18th, 2009
2:39 am
YEEEEEEEE-HAAAAAWW!!!!!!!!
Sorry for the delay!
Waytago, BMac! You rock in tie-games!
RHR
September 18th, 2009
2:40 am
alright the rain is making me so drowsy i can’t hold my head up. early for me. night yall go braveos
David O'Brien
September 18th, 2009
2:40 am
Vinings Jim: Of Francoeur’s strengths as a outfielder, robbing home runs with catches above the ball is not one of them. At all.
Earl Craig Williams Jr.
September 18th, 2009
2:40 am
Back when I won Rookie of the Year…that is the way I used to hit ‘em…
Mac is back…
BELIEVE..
Mitchell
September 18th, 2009
2:41 am
Wall scraper. I’ll take it.
If Jeff ever actually did catch a ball at or over the well, it better not be one of BMac’s.
He never did it as a Brave. Don’t start now Jeff.
Soph
September 18th, 2009
2:41 am
It’s ok, jeffrey. Don’t feel bad – it’s a skill. Which you don’t have.
David O'Brien
September 18th, 2009
2:41 am
One more note on Diaz: Nine times he’s been hit in one month — that’s once more than Garret Anderson has been hit in his entire career.
Brian McCann
September 18th, 2009
2:42 am
Hi everyone, hope you liked my home run
Bob (Heinekinitis) Horner
September 18th, 2009
2:42 am
DOB…
No more alcohol in the booth…”ball”…
BELIEVE…
Soph
September 18th, 2009
2:42 am
MattE! Yay, you’re forgiven.
Mixxo
September 18th, 2009
2:42 am
Same with Matty.
Is he Vince Vaughn’s twin?
BravesFanChris24
September 18th, 2009
2:42 am
MIBravesFan
September 18th, 2009
2:42 am
But the “Mad Hacker” sure can hit!
nycbravesfan
September 18th, 2009
2:43 am
he definetly lacks the ability to go vertical!
thata kid!
McFann ;Ô;
September 18th, 2009
2:43 am
Soph–
Ah…sweet. Well, guess I’m just more popular than jeffrey.
(JK, jeffrey)
And yeah, that homer was so totally for me.
Getting closer to 90…and catching up to Mauer in the RBI depot…
jeffrey d
September 18th, 2009
2:44 am
I see Infante’s playing again. I think I’ll give up hope on KJ ever starting again.
McFann ;Ô;
September 18th, 2009
2:44 am
And that ties a career-high in go-ahead hits for BMac–22.
Yay, Matty, BTW!
Soph
September 18th, 2009
2:45 am
Fun inning. Come on JJ, 1-2-3.
jeffrey d
September 18th, 2009
2:45 am
Ah…sweet. Well, guess I’m just more popular than jeffrey. (JK, jeffrey) McFann
Well, you are. You’re like a celebrity on this thing.
Necromancer
September 18th, 2009
2:46 am
What’s up with the jacked up time things on this blog?
jeffrey d
September 18th, 2009
2:46 am
Professionals don’t waste time with HBPs
McFann ;Ô;
September 18th, 2009
2:46 am
Mitchell If Jeff ever actually did catch a ball at or over the well, it better not be one of BMac’s.
I agree…
That’s at least the second time that’s happened–where he hit it just outta Jeff’s reach.
Danga
September 18th, 2009
2:47 am
I can’t believe the Lemmer never got hit as a Brave. How many ABs was that?
NCBravesFan
September 18th, 2009
2:47 am
Good for you, McFann – your boy’s doing great!
McFann ;Ô;
September 18th, 2009
2:48 am
jeffrey d–
Aw, I was just kiddin’…
But now you got me blushing.
Not so sure I’m worthy of all the love…
jeffrey d
September 18th, 2009
2:48 am
Necromancer – it’s not the blog, it’s America. It was Ultra Daylight Savings Time last night.
Soph
September 18th, 2009
2:48 am
I’m willing to sacrifice sleep again tonight. It worked out well last night.
Excellent play, Esco. Very pretty.
richbrave
September 18th, 2009
2:49 am
How many pitches has JAIR thrown? Can he give us two more IP’ed?
Danga
September 18th, 2009
2:49 am
Show off a little there Yuni.
Mitchell
September 18th, 2009
2:49 am
OMG Yunel.
How do you do that?
What is that guy playing? Organ player gets me again.
nycbravesfan
September 18th, 2009
2:50 am
dude yuni is a badass
David O'Brien
September 18th, 2009
2:50 am
LaRoche just makes those scoops look effortless. He’s outstanding over there.
Soph
September 18th, 2009
2:50 am
Esco, Esco, Esco.
Damn, he can make some plays.
jeffrey d
September 18th, 2009
2:50 am
You hear that fan go “WHAAT?!”
Vinings Jim
September 18th, 2009
2:51 am
DOB – good point on Francoeur – I was just concerned about the horrible possible irony…
cabravesfan – sorry for the evil face, darling
Necromancer
September 18th, 2009
2:52 am
oh….
it all makes sense now…
cabravesfan
September 18th, 2009
2:52 am
VJ-
and what, exactly, did I do to deserve the evil face??
jeffrey d
September 18th, 2009
2:54 am
and what, exactly, did I do to deserve the evil face??
I’m gonna go with Trojan fan.
McFann ;Ô;
September 18th, 2009
2:54 am
NCBravesFan–
He sure is! So nice after that 0-20 and like…9-45 or whatever it was.
But this–I like it, I love it, I want some more of it!
Soph
September 18th, 2009
2:55 am
I like that Freeze Cam shot.
MIBravesFan
September 18th, 2009
2:55 am
JJ!:)
Soph
September 18th, 2009
2:55 am
Go ahead, JJ. Show ‘em how it’s done.
McFann ;Ô;
September 18th, 2009
2:56 am
JJ!!
David O'Brien
September 18th, 2009
2:56 am
McCann is third in the majors with 44 two-out RBI this season, and fifth in majors with 165 since beginning of the 2006 season
mr baseball
September 18th, 2009
2:57 am
NCBravesfan: Thought I was pretty clear in saying that the usual response is snotty and uninformed, but that all four tonight (yours included) were well-reasoned and hard to argue against. Not sure how you came to your conclusion, but I was definitely not referring to any of you guys with the “usual” remark.
I was, however, taking a little jab at the Tech fans, who are probably over on the AJC’s Tech blog advocating the firing of Paul Johnson and/or the team’s defensive coordinator.
NCBravesFan
September 18th, 2009
2:57 am
McFann: “I can haz extra baes hitz?”
Soph
September 18th, 2009
2:57 am
lol Nate’s facial expressions are priceless today.
Soph
September 18th, 2009
2:57 am
You know what that means…
MIBravesFan
September 18th, 2009
2:58 am
MARTEEN x 2
Soph
September 18th, 2009
2:58 am
Marteeeeeeeeeeeeeeen!
Necromancer
September 18th, 2009
2:58 am
McLouth’s expression when he’s at bat reminds me of Jon “Chucky” Gruden.
Mitchell
September 18th, 2009
2:58 am
McFann
Of all Andruw Jones’ supernatural abilities, I don’t recall him ever being in quite the same league as Torri Hunter in the homerun robbery department but he had his share of over the wall catches.
Other than Andruw though and a few nice catches by Langerhans, none of the Braves outfielders in the last five years at least have been worth a damn in that… department.
You know what I mean.
That being said, Matt Diaz makes Jeff look like Roberto Clemente.
I guess. I don’t know what I’m saying.
Danga
September 18th, 2009
2:59 am
It is a martin with lots of e night folks.
nolie
September 18th, 2009
3:00 am
Man the Prado haters must he hating the last few games
Mitchell
September 18th, 2009
3:00 am
Why do I feel bad for the Mets?
I do. It’s not even funny at this point. I don’t think the Braves were this bad last year and they were god awful.
McFann ;Ô;
September 18th, 2009
3:01 am
That’s OK, BMac!
cabravesfan
September 18th, 2009
3:01 am
Jeffrey D-
That is NOT a flaw!!!
Mixxo
September 18th, 2009
3:02 am
Yessssss!
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4482011
Gotta give him props though. He knows when it’s time to hang ‘em up.
Firearm
September 18th, 2009
3:02 am
Why do I feel bad for the Mets?
I do. It’s not even funny at this point. I don’t think the Braves were this bad last year and they were god awful.
I’m actually glad we traded Johan to the Mets when it became clear he wouldn’t sign an extension with the Twins. The Mets, rather than a team that would actually win a championship with him.
Soph
September 18th, 2009
3:03 am
Man the Prado haters must he hating the last few games
nolie – it’s the high socks! They’re working.
Driver8
September 18th, 2009
3:04 am
Next Years Cy Young Winner will be JJ no doubt about it. Just a bit of runs this guy could have 20 wins in his pocket.
McFann ;Ô;
September 18th, 2009
3:04 am
DOB–
Oooo! Great stat!! Thanks!
NCBravesfan–
Haha…what?
Mitchell–
Yeah, AJ could really play the outfield! Matty’s had his struggles out there, for sure…I do like him better in left.
Driver8
September 18th, 2009
3:06 am
Hoping that 2010 will find us with some more bats and the pitching in place. Good feelings this final month and better feelings next year.
richbrave
September 18th, 2009
3:06 am
Is it possible? Could we see the maturation of this club into a consistant winner? Looks like timely hitting to me. Solid pitching, hell, exemplery pitching, and gasp – no L.W. JONES Jr. in sight. Has a malaise been lifted from the starting line-up? Even if they don’t sweep, something positive is going on with these guys. They’re actually winning games they SHOULD be winning.
nolie
September 18th, 2009
3:07 am
Maybe Wes will be wrong this one time and Jair will hold them down even with a lead.
Necromancer
September 18th, 2009
3:10 am
It sure is nice not to have to listen to Chip Caray’s bad sense of humor and that JJ dude not yelling at us.
Oh, Skip was actually entertaining to listen to…
Doc Holiday
September 18th, 2009
3:11 am
McFann :Ô:,
Id say 90% of those hits to LF were in the the 1st 2 months
After tonight win, Id say SF is an easy cookie to catch, just 1 game ahead of us in the loss column. Rockies just 4, that is hard but certainly far from impossible.
Necromancer
September 18th, 2009
3:11 am
richbrave
Unfortunately, we still have Greg Norton to worry about.
nolie
September 18th, 2009
3:11 am
no L.W. JONES Jr. in sight. Has a malaise been lifted from the starting line-up? (Rich)
sheeesh
richbrave
September 18th, 2009
3:13 am
Bummer.
David O'Brien
September 18th, 2009
3:14 am
That’s the one call umps consistently miss, the slide at home. He was safe.
Mixxo
September 18th, 2009
3:14 am
Esco…………ROBBED!
labrave
September 18th, 2009
3:14 am
I wish we would have had the team play like this against the Reds. Those 3 games hurt!!
Soph
September 18th, 2009
3:14 am
He was safe. Duh.
Mitchell
September 18th, 2009
3:14 am
Now I don’t feel sorry for them.
Apparently the ump does though.
MattyO
September 18th, 2009
3:14 am
Esco was safe.
MIBravesFan
September 18th, 2009
3:14 am
Esco was safe, but hopefully it won’t matter for the game.
richbrave
September 18th, 2009
3:15 am
Necro:
Ain’t that the truth.
nolie:
That was just thrown in to stir the pot a little tonight. Heal up CHIP, we need you.
A FAN
September 18th, 2009
3:15 am
i think we have a good shot we just have to keep winning. we are 4.5 out. colorado has to face arizona’s top 2 starters which is no walk in the park. then they have to beat out two potential cy young winners in carpenter and wainright. then after that at the end of the year they have to go to L.A and they could still be playing for best record in the NL. bottom line we need to just keep winning
McFann ;Ô;
September 18th, 2009
3:16 am
He was so totally safe…and I know safe, ya know.
Doc H.–
Yeah, at least 70%…Haha, no easy way to find out that I know of, that’s for sure!
nycbravesfan
September 18th, 2009
3:16 am
I like how Yuni turns to Infante and says you saw i was safe right.. and smiled
McFann ;Ô;
September 18th, 2009
3:16 am
‘Nother tidbit–BMac has no homers to the opp. field this year; 5 to center.
Mitchell
September 18th, 2009
3:17 am
Putting on the Ritz!
Got that one organ man. Or is it Inspector Gadget?
It’s a mash up folks.
Soph
September 18th, 2009
3:17 am
Ok, I don’t feel bad for Murphy anymore. No hug for him.
Mixxo
September 18th, 2009
3:18 am
Here we go.
Mitchell
September 18th, 2009
3:18 am
I was afraid of that.
I hate O’Flaherty. WTF man.
Doc Holiday
September 18th, 2009
3:18 am
Have you notice that in the last 45 games or so the braves have struggled only when martin has? Meaning, they go as he goes……….same for Diaz…………those 2 guys came out of nowhere
McFann ;Ô;
September 18th, 2009
3:18 am
Murphy running the bases like there’s no tomorrow!
Mixxo
September 18th, 2009
3:19 am
Load ‘em up Eric!
C’mon !
Mitchell
September 18th, 2009
3:19 am
Jeez Louise.
WTF Eric? You dumbass.
MIBravesFan
September 18th, 2009
3:20 am
lol
nolie
September 18th, 2009
3:20 am
EOF not getting much done so far
Soph
September 18th, 2009
3:21 am
Ha! What was that Francoeur? He knows Esco’s arm too well.
Mitchell
September 18th, 2009
3:21 am
Make ‘em hit it to that guy E.
Come on, strike him. You have to win my favor.
Driver8
September 18th, 2009
3:22 am
labrave …. the Reds and Padres are the reason we aint within a game or leading the Wild Card Race. Sad as it is it happened so we can only pray for a finish ie. The Rockies a few years back but I aint expecting it.
All in all the boys have played well down the stretch lets…. give everyone a good Shi* Burger and look for next year. GO BRAVES!
McFann ;Ô;
September 18th, 2009
3:23 am
My orders are to turn off the computer…so…
Night, all!!!! Let’s finish this, Braves!
nolie
September 18th, 2009
3:24 am
damn Irishmen, all their good at is drinking & fighting. Thought the were s’posed to put out fires, not start them
Soph
September 18th, 2009
3:24 am
Night, McFann! It’s been fun.
richbrave
September 18th, 2009
3:26 am
I know I’ll get bashed by the BOBBY haters, but I like the way COX doesn’t send JURRGENS out in the eighth, then call in the reliefer with the bases loaded(This is just an example now, not for real). That way JURRGENS has no runs accountable to him when the relief pitcher is bombed as O’FLAHERTY just was. Instead, the pitcher who throws a gopher ball is held accountable for it. No inherited runners charged to the other guy when the reliefer and the previous pitcher are not the best of friends.
nolie
September 18th, 2009
3:26 am
just barbing DOB folks, some of my best friends are Irish.
Mitchell
September 18th, 2009
3:27 am
Let’s wrap it up Braves.
Don’t mess around.
richbrave
September 18th, 2009
3:28 am
nolie:
Careful nolie IRISH eyes are watching. A LANIGAN has served notice.
Necromancer
September 18th, 2009
3:29 am
richbrave
Will you still like Cox if he gives us another good dose of Greg Norton tonight?
Then again..I haven’t seen him in a while…maybe the Mafia rubbed him out!
Mitchell
September 18th, 2009
3:29 am
Come on Rafi.
mr baseball
September 18th, 2009
3:29 am
More anti-Cox observations:
O’Flaherty, who has mostly been excellent this season (good job Wren) is pitching for the third time in three nights, once with a 6-run lead, once with a 5-run lead.
The Braves are about to play 3 games against the Phillies, with their No. 1 lefty reliever questionable with a bad back. I think it’s safe to assume that the services of EOF are going to be required this weekend, likely in crucial situations against the likes of Utley, Howard & Ibanez.
Why was he used tonight? Is Cox so terrified of a 5-run lead slipping away that he saw no other option other than to use a pitcher who will almost certainly be a key figure this weekend.
It may sound harsh, but I don’t think Cox is capable of contemplating what he’s going to do in the next inning, let alone the next game. It’s cost his team before and I’m afraid it just might again.
nolie
September 18th, 2009
3:29 am
Oh yeah, it was sooo needful to get Conrad back.
richbrave
September 18th, 2009
3:29 am
MFIKY, throw the heat!!!!
Doc Holiday
September 18th, 2009
3:30 am
What is soriano doing in there?
nolie
September 18th, 2009
3:31 am
t may sound harsh, but I don’t think Cox is capable of contemplating what he’s going to do in the next inning, let alone the next game (MrBaseball)
harsh? maybe. stoopid? for sure.
Mitchell
September 18th, 2009
3:31 am
He caught the ball! Oh my God.. he caught the ball!
Sorry Matt.
I’m pretty sure Skip didn’t say “Oh my God”. I guess that was a little bit of Bob Uecker from Major League.
Necromancer
September 18th, 2009
3:32 am
What does MFIKY mean?
Mixxo
September 18th, 2009
3:34 am
Here we go.
Pepperidge Blogs Remembers (11:34 pm)
September 18th, 2009
3:34 am
TN Jeff (September 17th, 2009 “7:46 pm”): ”Sure it’s been said numerous times BUT – The braves sure know how to lose with Chipper”
You haven’t around much lately. Don’t it really KILL you that the Braves have not yet been eliminated?
Btw, speaking of something having “been said numerous times”:
TN Jeff (April 9th, 2009 10:13 am): ”This is just a preview of the upcoming season – Cox and this team has a will to lose.”
(April 11th, 2009 12:43 am): ”Nats have lost 62 straight when trailing after 8 innings But the Braves have a will to lose”
(April 16th, 2009 2:10 pm): ”As oft repeated from last year – this team has a will to lose!”
(April 17th, 2009 10:01 pm): ”Said it after Thursday game – this team won’t see above 500 again this season. What a joke – as always, this team has a will to lose & lose they will”
(April 17th, 2009 10:25 pm): ”remember – this team has a will to lose & lose it will”
(April 18th, 2009 2:31 pm): ”This team has a will to lose & these announcers are such pathetic idiotic homers.”
(April 21st, 2009 11:00 pm): ”this team has a will to lose and lost they will
what a pathetic defense in the outfield / what pathetic base running / and as usual choke when the games on the line”
(April 21st, 2009 11:19 pm): ”All I know is – this team has a will to lose and lose it will”
(April 21st, 2009 11:53 pm): ”this team has a will to lose and lose it will”
(April 21st, 2009 12:29 pm): Quick start was nice – gave hope they might sustain above 500. NO PANIC – and back under 500 me thinks to stay. This team has a will to lose and lose they will”
(April 22nd, 2009 12:35 am): ”PREDICTABLE This team has a will to lose & lose it will”
(April 30th, 2009 8:07 am): ”I had begun to waiver after Tuesday’s dramatic win BUT last nights lose simply reinforced this conclusion This team has a will to lose and lose they will”
(May 3rd, 2009 3:46 pm): ”is there any fundamental that this team does well? This team has a will to lose and lose they will”
(May 3rd, 2009 4:08 pm): ”this team REALLY sucks this team has a will to lose and lose they will”
(May 5th, 2009 10:45 pm): ”what can you say – repeat performance this team has a will to lose and lose they will”
(May 12th, 2009 10:34 pm): Just as I was beginning to believe this team had changed – reminded This team has a will to lose”
(May 13th, 2009 3:58 pm): ”This team has a will to lose and lose they will”
(May 28th, 2009 1:04 am): ”Mr Negativity is back …THis team is a bunch of head cases This team has a will to lose and lose they will”
(June 6th, 2009 10:12 pm): ”this team has a will to lose and lose they will”
(June 7th, 2009 5:10 pm): ”but remember this is a Bobby Cox team & this team has a will to lose and lose they will”
(June 13th, 2009 10:06 pm): ”Like this manager, this team has a will to lose and lose they will”
(June 18th, 2009 3:21 pm): ”Wow – the hits keep coming / Braves gonna turn this around Who am I kidding – they’ll stink again tomorrow This team has a will to lose and lose they will”
(June 22nd, 2009 4:14 pm): ”DO THE BRAVES HAVE ANY PRE-GAME PLAN????????? The only plan I see played out game after game is … This team has a will to lose and lose they will”
(June 25th, 2009 8:19 pm): ”Any thought on the possibility that Bennett hit that wall so as to go on the DL rather than be released outright? Anyone blasting Bradley for yet again demonstrating his stupidity? This team has a will to lose and lose they will”
(June 26th, 2009 1:00 am): ”I don’t get it – those still defending that idiot SS
Can he hit – for the most part (though I think he may lead the team in GIDP) but what good is that if he can’t steal a base and struggles to run the bases without stupidly running into an out.
Can he field – getting worse by the day. Is the guy on drugs? I’m sick of his idiotic play.
Call it like it is
This team has a will to lose and lose they will”
(June 26th, 2009 9:47 pm) ”BUT, in reality even a win here would simply be a “TEASE” because …THIS TEAM HAS A WILL TO LOSE AND LOSE THEY WILL”
(July 12th, 2009 7:58 pm): ”Every Time – I do mean EVERY TIME – I begin to think this team might be capable of putting together a run and making a move in the standings I’m reminded of this CONCLUSION: THIS TEAM HAS A WILL TO LOSE AND LOSE THEY WILL”
(July 28th, 2009 10:09 pm): The Imposters are gone & the real Braves are BACK
I sense a losing streak coming on cause … This team has a will to lose & lose they will”
(August 7th, 2009 2:02 am): ”Bobby Cox IS an IDIOT & so are all his appologists This team & this manager have a will to lose and lose they will”
Mitchell
September 18th, 2009
3:34 am
Come on Soriano.
Tommy Hanson's Mother
September 18th, 2009
3:35 am
BALLGAME!
THAT’S 10 IN A ROW!
Oh yeah — he took my son out of the game.
richbrave
September 18th, 2009
3:36 am
Necro:
No dude. I’m not an apologist for Mr. COX. He’s a big boy and can stand on his own two. Just pointing out an aspect of his management I like. There’s plenty to not like as well. As you mentioned there’s NORTON, and with GONZALEZ hurting why NOT save O-FLAHERTY and use – uh, ACOSTA or ….been so long since he used a couple of these reliefers I can’t remember who’s up with the club right now..VALDEZ still here?
NO MORE BOBBY
September 18th, 2009
3:36 am
So do we feel good using Soriano tomorrow if the score is 2 to 1 bottom of the ninth? Kinda scary. We need this guys last two weeks!!
McFanny
September 18th, 2009
3:36 am
Enter your comments here
Soph
September 18th, 2009
3:36 am
Sweep! Fun times.
Mixxo
September 18th, 2009
3:36 am
OMG…..SEVEN!
Manolo
September 18th, 2009
3:36 am
Seing bobby in the dogout reminded me of the pope. Is it because the pope is in position until he dies, no mather how bad his capacities are? just hope we don’t need soriano for three straight nights against the phills. With gonzalez out and O flaherty overused, that might be R Howard’s dream come true.
Mitchell
September 18th, 2009
3:38 am
Way to win 7 in a row Braves.
Of course it should be 9 in a row but Bobby Cox is an idiot.
Soph
September 18th, 2009
3:38 am
OMG…..SEVEN!
Ain’t it fun?
NO MORE BOBBY
September 18th, 2009
3:38 am
Its sad that someone has nothing better to do than post old blogs from another person. Get out of the house some loser!!
glord1
September 18th, 2009
3:38 am
Nice win again. Random Hanson thought of the night. Last three starts – 20 innings 1 earned run. 0.40 era. 10 hits 7 walks 20 Ks. Wow.
A-ville Ranger
September 18th, 2009
3:39 am
DOB, Not to be too picky but the Braves have the second best record since the break, not the third best.The Rockies record of 44-29 has a winning percentage of .530.1.The Braves record of 43-28 comes in at .530.8.I know it dosen’t amount to a hill of beans, but this is our hill…and these are our beans.
By the way, the best starting pitcher all time was Lefty Grove.I looked at the margin between a pitcher’s era and the average for pitchers during his time, in his league.Lefty is first in that regard.I then looked at winning percentage for 300 game winners.I believe he was first in that regard also.
If Pedro Martinez finished his career with the same era to league average and winning percentage he had when I researched last season he would be first.
Vinings Jim
September 18th, 2009
3:39 am
Well done! And, theoretically, I could go to bed now – but, maybe I’ll stay up and celebrate…
Necromancer
September 18th, 2009
3:40 am
Pepperidge Blogs
Have you, like, kept a diary or something?
NO MORE ROCKIES
September 18th, 2009
3:41 am
FORMERLY NO MORE BOBBY – I still want a manager change but am using my mojo on the Rockies rest of this season. That way we can send Bobby out in style.
Win win situation!
Chop Chop
September 18th, 2009
3:42 am
I hope Jair and Hanson are allowed to make their last three starts. I want to increase the possibility of our young starters having some nagging arm injuries next season. Should be fun.
Steve from OH
September 18th, 2009
3:42 am
Wow. A doozie of a Pepperidge Blogs Remembers there. Lordy…
JTCobb–thanks for that link! I was looking for it before I responded to mr. baseball but I couldn’t find it. I mostly go along with what they say. I mean, bunting with the pitcher is a no-brainer, but doing things like bunting with your 2-hole hitter in the first inning when Nate-Dawg leads off with a single? Dumb, dumb, dumb.
The general rule I’ve seen others post here, and one that I like very much is simple–if you play for one run, that’s all you’ll get. Bunting (IIRC) increases your probability of scoring one run but generally decreases your overall RE. So doing things like bunting early in games is stupid b/c you waste precious opportunities to hang a big number of runs on your opponent.
But I’ve said that before…
richbrave
September 18th, 2009
3:42 am
NYTOL.
Mixxo
September 18th, 2009
3:42 am
Soph —
Gotta say….it’s pretty sweet.
Mitchell
September 18th, 2009
3:43 am
Manolo, you nailed it.
That’s why he never takes responsibility for a loss or admits to making bad decisions. He’s infallible.
I guess that would make us blasphemers. That’s a word, right?
Necromancer
September 18th, 2009
3:45 am
The number of pages on this thing are like the attendance at the Ted: very paltry.
jeffrey d
September 18th, 2009
3:45 am
Of course it should be 9 in a row but Bobby Cox is an idiot.
We’ve won 7 in a row and people are complaining.
Soph
September 18th, 2009
3:47 am
We’ve won 7 in a row and people are complaining.
Come on, you should know by now – that’s how people roll on here.
HoCo Loco
September 18th, 2009
3:48 am
Just logging on to the Ole Blog after getting back from the Houston County-Coffee County football game. Dont feel like scrolling through the entire blog. So, how’d we do tonight?
jeffrey d
September 18th, 2009
3:48 am
It’s almost 4 AM Soph…shouldn’t you be in bed?
JTcobb
September 18th, 2009
3:49 am
Steve from OH: “The general rule I’ve seen others post here, and one that I like very much is simple–if you play for one run, that’s all you’ll get. Bunting (IIRC) increases your probability of scoring one run but generally decreases your overall RE. So doing things like bunting early in games is stupid b/c you waste precious opportunities to hang a big number of runs on your opponent.”
I like your rule, Steve.
All–Here’s a trivia question: Who was the Braves’ best sacrifice bunter in 2007? Answer in 5 minutes if no one posts it.
Soph
September 18th, 2009
3:51 am
Eh, gotta be at work in 4 hours anyway, jeffrey. Might as well celebrate for the next few hours.
A-ville Ranger
September 18th, 2009
3:51 am
I’m starting to come around to keeping Hudson and moving Lowe, if we could get a big bat and solid outfielder for him.I’m fairly confident we have enough inning eating pitchers to risk the move.
I’ve gotta say I’m impressed the team hasn’t caved and started phoning in.Too bad they didn’t wake up a week earlier.
Soph
September 18th, 2009
3:51 am
Besides, you’re the one with the 10:00 pm bedtime!
nolie
September 18th, 2009
3:52 am
I then looked at winning percentage for 300 game winners.I believe he was first in that regard also. (Asheville)
Winning % ? You’re actually basing something on winning%? You haven’t managed to perceive how amiss that can be as shown on this years Braves team? Winning % ??? sigh
Chop Chop
September 18th, 2009
3:52 am
I sure hope this seven-game winning streak is enough to earn Bobby a lifetime contract and five more “In My Own Words” shows. After all, I need something to be really mad about. That would do it.
bravefaninok
September 18th, 2009
3:53 am
HoCo Loco
JJ pitched 7 strong 1 er…swept em ,Bmac 3 r homer,every Starter had a hit even JJ
jeffrey d
September 18th, 2009
3:53 am
That was just once. Had to be up extra early this morning.
fastasballs
September 18th, 2009
3:54 am
Seven down, just need to finish 14-2 & the Rockies no better than 9-6. The pitching has been great during the streak & prior with the exception of Lowe. I wouldn’t be too heart broken if KK took Lowe’s next start if his blister doesn’t respond to treatment.
It’s good to see multible guys swinging the bat well. McCann is starting to look like his old self & Prado has had two games in a row where he’s really squared some balls up. Chipper can stay on the bench for a while longer because the other guys are getting it done. Maybe a week on the bench will get him going, kind of like a mini DL stint. We all know what the guy does when he comes off of the DL.
HoCo Loco
September 18th, 2009
3:55 am
Bravefaninok thanks for the info.
Stranger Things Have Happened.
Soph
September 18th, 2009
3:55 am
Well, I hit snooze one too many times this morning. I was late. Traffic and weather didn’t help any either.
jeffrey d
September 18th, 2009
3:56 am
I was late as well. 316 was turrrrrrrrrible
I think 5 Bobby Cox IMOWs is a little too much. Maybe just a trilogy. An epic trilogy
jeffrey d
September 18th, 2009
3:57 am
We should probably throw in a couple new Bobby Dews IMOWs as well. Can’t get enough of him
Soph
September 18th, 2009
3:57 am
Ugh, I highly dislike 316.
Or, Spotlight – Bobby Cox.
JTcobb
September 18th, 2009
3:58 am
In 2007, John Smoltz was 13 of 13 in sacrifice bunt attempts.
http://www.actasports.com/sow.php?id=163
mr baseball
September 18th, 2009
3:58 am
Nolie:
Just curious. Do you think it was a smart move using EOF for a third straight night with a 5-run lead, the Phillies on deck this weekend and Gonzalez questionable?
Given how Cox has utilized his bullpen this season, how much thought do you think he gives to how a move he makes in one game might impact the next? Or how much thought he gives to how a move he makes in the 6th or 7th inning impacts what might happen in the 9th.
Other than the decision not to pinch-run for Anderson last night, which he may or may not have passed on because he was looking ahead to the 9th, I can’t think of many times he has actually been thinking ahead more than the next batter.
Mitchell
September 18th, 2009
3:58 am
Not “people” Jeff… me, fellow blogger Mitchell.
I’m trying to be optimistic but it’s all just a bit too little too late. There’s no debating the Houston game. Bobby took out a guy throwing a shut-out to go to his overworked closer and we lost. If we had won, then there might have been a reason to question the decision.
Bobby Cox cost us the game. The Reds beat us fair and square and the timing couldn’t have been worse but how many games has he screwed up otherwise?
We could have put the Marlins away and only now have we managed to get ahead of them in the standings.
I predicted months ago that they would play well in September but it’s too late. I hope I’m wrong but it’s seven in a row is not enough.
A-ville Ranger
September 18th, 2009
3:59 am
I made a careless error.The Braves did have the second best record in the NL since the break coming into tonight.The winning percentage was .606 to The Rockies .603 though.
Chop Chop
September 18th, 2009
4:02 am
I was doing a fever-dream walk around Penn Station the other day. This dude came up to me with some bootleg DVDs. One of the DVDs was “In My Own Words: Bobby Cox,” only it wasn’t in Bobby Cox’s own words. It was in Robert’s. When I woke up, “Hee Haw” was on my TV.
jeffrey d
September 18th, 2009
4:02 am
Bobby sent in Soriano, not Mahoney
TnBrian
September 18th, 2009
4:03 am
How big was getting swept by Cincy now? I knew this would happen because we have such good pitching. Get on a major roll and get just close enough to aggravate us to no end when we fall short.
fastasballs
September 18th, 2009
4:03 am
If Gonzo can’t go the Braves had better put some runs up early so when Howard hits his usual 450 footer off Soriano it won’t win the game for them.
I agree with the few that posted about saving EOF instead of sending him out for the 3rd day in a row in a game that wasn’t close. He needs to be as fresh as possible if Gonzalez can’t go. Is Boone Logan even still on the team? Has he pitched in the last three weeks & I missed it?
Soph
September 18th, 2009
4:04 am
Ay-yi-yi. There’s no winning with some.
A-ville Ranger
September 18th, 2009
4:05 am
Nolie, That’s why I looked at era compared to contemporaries on a ratio basis. The winning percentage was secondary.
The only way I could think of to compare different periods was by direct comparison to pitchers during the same years and same league.Using that metric Grove was best.If I remember correctly Walter Johnson was second.
N8
September 18th, 2009
4:05 am
“Pepperidge Blogs Remembers”
And your point is…….?
Go do some more homework and let us know the outcome of the game on each of those dates, the circumstances in which they lost them (yeah, I’m assuming most of those comments were following losses in which they failed to execute simple tasks), and how many games out they were.
If all of those comments followed victories in which they played perfect baseball, you’ve got a point. Otherwise, you’re just confirming what those posts stated AT THAT TIME.
If when Jared from Subway was fat, people continuously commented on how fat he was, stating he had no “will to lose weight”, weren’t they correct until he actually started to lose weight?
Steve from OH
September 18th, 2009
4:07 am
Did anyone see Kevin Goldstein’s blurb about the biggest leaps forward in the Braves’ system? They were Ortegano and Milligan, but his report on Ortegano caught my eye. 88-92 FB, plus changeup, and average-to-plus CB. Apparently his MB teammates called him “Santana dos.”
Wren was was pretty upbeat about him on a radio interview I heard him give for MB…keep an eye on him.
HoCo Loco
September 18th, 2009
4:07 am
Big series this weekend, wouldn’t ya say?
jeffrey d
September 18th, 2009
4:10 am
I see Milligan’s a lefty…we could use a couple more of those
faction
September 18th, 2009
4:10 am
What I’m saying today: Every time I think I’m out… they pull me back in.
What I’m saying after Phillies series: Every time I think they’re in… they fall back out.
Steve from OH
September 18th, 2009
4:10 am
Oh, and good to see Marteen get back on track with a nice 3-4 tonight. Really pulling for him.
Night, all!
Mixxo
September 18th, 2009
4:11 am
TnBrian –
Yeah that was big, but so was that third game of the year in Philly, that Nats series before the Cubs series, the Cubs series before the Rockies series meltdown and oh yeah the Houston series meltdown as well….
Sheesh!
Right now, I’m just liking this little streak.
Soph
September 18th, 2009
4:17 am
Oh, and jeffrey the link below shows you who Boog & Joe were trying to hook Nate up with earlier. I think you said you didn’t know who she was, right?
http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/atl/ticketing/jessie_james.jsp
N8
September 18th, 2009
4:18 am
BTW, another solid effort from JJJ tonight, along with McCann showing some stick.
We still need the Rockies and Giants to lose a lot for it to work out for us (with the Braves continuing to win). But the scary thing, is that the Giants, Rockies and Braves ALL have pretty easy schedules the rest of the way, save one series for each team.
The Rockies play the @ Arizona (3), SD @ home (3), St. Louis @ home (3), Milwaukee @ home (3), and finish @ LA (3). Depending on how tight the AL West becomes, that final series against the Dodgers may or may not be tough. But the Dodgers currently have a 5 game lead. So in other words, if that pace continues, the Dodgers likely ease up that weekend gearing up for the playoffs, not wanting to get anybody hurt (though I would expect Torre to play his starters if the WC was on the line, out of respect for the game). But if the Rockies have played well enough to catch the Dodgers, making that series meaningful? That means they’ve kept pace with the winning, right?
The Giants play @ LA (3), @ Arizona (3), Cubs @ home (3), Arizona @ home (3), and finish @ SD (3).
The Braves play Philly @ home (3), @ NYM (3), @ Washington (3), Florida @ home (3), Washington @ home (4).
Clearly, by passing the Marlins tonight, and being only one game back of the Giants for 2nd place is a step (and a neccesary one) in the right direction to climbing the ladder. If the Braves could come out of this weekend series against Philly (while the Giants play the Dodgers in LA), ahead or tied with the Giants, then it’s on.
I think it’s crucial for the Braves to have soul possesion of 2nd place in the WC by Monday at the latest, to make a serious push.
Possible? Absolutely. Probable? Hard to say right now. It will be much easier to assess after the weekend. I’m not counting on it. But the light at the end of that tunnel is getting slightly brighter, we just might run out of track before we get to it.
Caleb
September 18th, 2009
4:18 am
DOB,
a long way to go, I know, but if the Braves make the playoffs, what do you think they do with Tommy Hanson and the increase of innings that he would have to throw? Especially since they’ve been already talking about skipping starts to minimize his innings.
Do they keep having him start regularly if they stay in the race for the wildcard?
N8
September 18th, 2009
4:19 am
Obviously meant NL West not AL West when discussing the Rockies and Dodgers in the last post.
jeffrey d
September 18th, 2009
4:21 am
Pretty….haven’t heard of her though. But Nate should go for it.
Mixxo
September 18th, 2009
4:24 am
Soph –
meh….she’s aight, but you’re hawter.
nice ‘brows though.
Caleb
September 18th, 2009
4:24 am
Obviously the Braves need to win tomorrow night, but the can also help Hanson with the ROY by putting some runs up against Happ. Hopefully, Happ’s rusty coming off the oblique injury.
Soph
September 18th, 2009
4:25 am
I think she’s new to the scene. I thought I heard Joe say later that Nate has a g/f so I don’t think he needs to be matched up. Nice try by them though.
Katie
September 18th, 2009
4:25 am
jeffrey- she (jessie james) is from georgia, her voice/music kinda sounds like a countrier version of christina aguilera-not really my cup of tea, but she can sing
jeffrey d
September 18th, 2009
4:26 am
Hey there’s DOB behind JJ!
….I think
Soph
September 18th, 2009
4:27 am
Oh, Mixxo – you lost me the other day when you said “Go Yankees”.
jeffrey d
September 18th, 2009
4:29 am
ugh…I don’t like Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears, etc. Girls who WERE pretty (but now are incredibly fake) and can only carry a tune who have little real musical knowledge and get famous based on their looks.
Soph
September 18th, 2009
4:29 am
Katie – I mistook her for Christina Aguilera when I first heard her song on the radio. They have similar voices.
A-ville Ranger
September 18th, 2009
4:34 am
I know he didn’t have similar stuff, but Hanson puts me in mind of Orel Hershiser.It’s partly the facial similarity but the calm, intelligent demeanor puts me in mind of Orel every time Tommy pitches.
JTcobb
September 18th, 2009
4:36 am
Here’s Jessie ….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBZSK0gVClM
David O'Brien
September 18th, 2009
4:37 am
First time Braves have been 10 games over .500 since they were 25-15 in May 2007. Hard to believe, huh?
Any way, good vibe in the clubhouse. Too bad they couldn’t have played this loose and confident a couple weeks ago. But hey, as McCann said, they’re leaving it all on the line and hoping that, at the end of these next 16 games, it’s good enough.
McCann said this was best Braves have played over an extended period since he’s been here. He’s referring to the stretch that began just before All-Star break.
By David O’Brien
dobrien@ajc.com
Early this season no one seemed certain if Braves catcher Brian McCann would ever see clearly again, much less be a 90-RBI man again.
He dealt with his vision problem via a mid-season switch to glasses, and McCann is pushing toward 90 RBIs after driving in four runs Thursday to help Jair Jurrjens and the streaking Braves to a 7-3 win and sweep of the New York Mets.
Jurrjens (12-10) was charged with six hits and two runs (one earned) in seven innings and the Braves extended a season-high winning streak to seven games.
“We’re playing with a carefree attitude, like there’s nothing to lose,” McCann said after the Braves moved to third in the National League wild-card standings – 4-1/2 games behind idle Colorado with only 16 games to play.
The Braves — 10 games over .500 (78-68) for the first time since May 2007 — open a three-game home series Friday against NL East leader Philadelphia. They still trail the Phillies by 7-1/2 games in the division.
“This is going to be really big for us,” Jurrjens said of the series. “I think we’re not worried about [postseason chances] now, and that’s why we’re playing more relaxed. We just need to keep playing like this and having fun.”
They got their usual strong pitching Thursday, along with several key hits and highlight-reel defensive plays from shortstop Yunel Escobar and third baseman Martin Prado, filling in for injured Chipper Jones.
Since June 28, the Braves are 9-1 in games Jones hasn’t played, a turnaround from recent seasons when they’ve struggled with the veteran out of the lineup.
The Braves fell off the postseason radar with a recent 0-5 skid capped by a sweep against Cincinnati Sept. 4-6 at Turner Field. Most observers expected the Braves to go gently into the offseason.
Instead they won five of six on the road, including a three-game sweep of the Central-leading Cardinals, then came home and swept the Mets.
The Braves know they still need help from Colorado and San Francisco ahead of them in the wild-card standings, and need to keep their hottest streak going.
“This is the best we’ve played since I’ve been here, the best over a consistent period of time,” McCann said of the Braves, whose 44-28 record since June 28 is third-best in the NL behind Philadelphia (47-26) and Colorado (44-29).
For the second night in a row, there was a two-hour rain delay before the first pitch Friday. Then Jurrjens did his thing and finally got run support worthy of his performance, as the Braves scored more than two runs while he was in for just the second time in his past 10 starts.
“That felt good for him,” manager Bobby Cox said of Jurrjens getting unusually robust offensive support. “He’s at the top of his game, every time he goes out.”
Staked to a 2-0 lead in the third on Martin Prado’s RBI double and McCann’s sacrifice fly, Jurrjens lost it in the fourth when Fernando Tatis hit a two-run single after a Daniel Murphy double and a dropped fly ball by Matt Diaz.
But the Braves took control in the fifth against Mets lefty Nelson Figueroa, getting six hits including McCann’s tie-breaking three-run, two-out homer.
McCann’s 84 RBIs include 44 two-out RBIs, third-most in the majors. He’s fifth in the majors with 165 two-out RBIs since the beginning of the 2006 season.
Since ending an 0-for-20 skid, McCann is 11-for-22 with nine RBI in six games. He’s hit .381 with four homers and 14 RBI in his past 12 games against the Mets.
“He’s one of the guys everybody loves in this clubhouse,” said Jurrjens, who improved to 5-1 with a 2.62 ERA in seven starts against the Mets, including 3-0 with a 1.69 ERA in four this season. [McCann] plays hard every day — even when he’s banged up, he tries to give 100 percent. Everybody looks up to him.”
Soph
September 18th, 2009
4:40 am
“He’s one of the guys everybody loves in this clubhouse,” said Jurrjens
McFann’s gonna love that quote.
Vinings Jim
September 18th, 2009
4:43 am
Good night, all! Should finally be around most of the day tomorrow. And, cabravesfan is working from home, so we might see more of her (except when she is out running errands for me
).
David O'Brien
September 18th, 2009
4:45 am
By the way, Chipper said after game that he felt a lot better swinging today than yesterday, and he might be in there tomorrow. But no guarantees or anything.
Katie
September 18th, 2009
4:49 am
DOB- thanks for the quotes and info. Who doesn’t love Mac?
Soph
September 18th, 2009
4:50 am
Who doesn’t love Mac?
Mixxo doesn’t.
A-ville Ranger
September 18th, 2009
4:50 am
DOB, I’ll only post this once.You may be the best beat writer in the country.You never phone it in.Keep up the good work.
uga-brave
September 18th, 2009
4:51 am
so all of the sudden the braves win?
blow out cox all you morons. tired of all the fire bobby posts.
guess what ALL YOU IDIOTS THAT WANT BOBBY FIRED PROBABLY HAVE ZERO JOBS.
that was harsh.
one out of 12 idiots on here have no work.
Katie
September 18th, 2009
4:51 am
Soph- well he doesn’t count, since he also wanted to become a Yankees fan
uga-brave
September 18th, 2009
4:52 am
DOB,
did you see big fan yet?
Soph
September 18th, 2009
4:53 am
lol Katie. Sorry Mixxo, you don’t count anymore.
jeffrey d
September 18th, 2009
4:54 am
So many idiots on here, and Mixxo is the one who doesn’t count?
David O'Brien
September 18th, 2009
4:54 am
uga-brave: haven’t had a chance yet, but I plan to either Sunday or on the road trip. You see it yet?
HoCoJo
September 18th, 2009
4:56 am
Here comes the sun……….
Soph
September 18th, 2009
4:56 am
The idiots never counted. Mixxo lost his count when he declared himself a Yankee fan. I’m still cringing…
Yunel's Frosted Tips
September 18th, 2009
4:56 am
I hope Chipper’s not in there tomorrow, don’t screw with the Mojo, hoe….
David O'Brien
September 18th, 2009
4:58 am
McCann’s fifth four-RBI game of the season…. McLouth has hit .413 with three homers and nine RBI in his past 12 games…. That’s seven consecutive quality starts for Jurrjens… Anderson needs 13 hits to reach 2,500….
A-Ville: Thanks. I appreciate that.
OK, I’m outta here. Surprised to be leaving so early, to tell you the truth. Considering we had a 2-hour delay before the first pitch, fortunate to be headed out of here at 1 a.m. — and not walking in rain to my car.
Tiger Woods
September 18th, 2009
4:59 am
Steve Phillips on ESPN “If the Braves go 12-4 in their lost 16 they will make the playoffs.” Bold statement by Mr. Phillips………Need 2 of 3 this weekend to stay in the chase????
Soph
September 18th, 2009
4:59 am
Yeah, I was kinda surprised to see it was only 11:30-45ish when the game ended. Went by pretty quick.
HoCoJo
September 18th, 2009
4:59 am
HoCo Loco has HoCoJo envy.
jeffrey d
September 18th, 2009
4:59 am
Well I still like Mixxo
jeffrey d
September 18th, 2009
5:00 am
Steve Phillips on ESPN “If the Braves go 12-4 in their lost 16 they will make the playoffs.” Bold statement by Mr. Phillips
I don’t think we can lose more than 2 if we even want to think about the playoffs. Don’t talk to me about playoffs.
Soph
September 18th, 2009
5:01 am
I didn’t say that I didn’t like him anymore. He’s still my bud but he’s on my list now.
HoCoJo
September 18th, 2009
5:01 am
Guess what got 5-6 inches today?
My yard. Under flash flood warning til 6 AM.
David O'Brien
September 18th, 2009
5:03 am
Oh, and Caleb: Yes, if Braves keep this streak up, I think Hanson will keep making his regular starts. But if they lose a series or lose a couple of games in a three- or four-game stretch, I think we’ll probably see him have a turn skipped.
But they’re not going to mess with things right now, not while this is going on. Besides, Lowe might have to miss a turn, or at least be pushed back.
Fluid situation, but it’s not as if Hanson is pushing 200 innings or anything. They could always just elect to limit him to 6-7 innings instead of skipping a turn.
uga-brave
September 18th, 2009
5:03 am
your boy patterson was really good.
outside the box for him. phillip seymour kinda role.
plus the tara is always a good place to see a film.
i enjoyed it, it might not be for everyone.
Soph
September 18th, 2009
5:03 am
I think Gwinnett was under a flash flood watch or warning too. Or, it might’ve been yesterday.
Tiger Woods
September 18th, 2009
5:04 am
GO D-BACKS!!!!!
Barney Frank
September 18th, 2009
5:06 am
Who needs teeth?
Soph
September 18th, 2009
5:07 am
Ok, I’m out – I can’t hit snooze more than 3 times in the morning.
Night, all!
uga-brave
September 18th, 2009
5:08 am
wow,
bay area steve if you are around, this is some weird time stuff.
so dave knows i say lets go to the star bar. pretty sure dave and i saw pretty good rockabilly there.
jeffrey d
September 18th, 2009
5:09 am
Me too…night Soph/everyone
Johnny Schuerholz
September 18th, 2009
5:21 am
I may have to pull rank…Chipper sits till we lose another game! Don’t worry…I’ll let Bobby know. OK.
Reality (ugh, more than likely)…have to win 2 out of 3 against the Phillies this weekend. OK.
Monday morning, 9/21…take this to the bank! OK.
Dodgers win 2 out of 3…vs. Giants
Braves win 2 out of 3…vs. Phillies
Rockies win 1 out of 3…vs. Diamondbacks
Reds win 2 out of 4…vs. Marlins
Cubs…who cares!
Wild Care Standings as of Tuesday…game-time…9/22/2009…because we will win again Monday night vs. Mets and Giants will lose vs. Arizona…so here we go…all with same number of games left now…12. OK.
Rockies…….84 – 66…
Braves………81 – 69…
Giants………80 – 70…
Marlins……..80 – 70…
Since all four teams have the same number of games remaining…no worries about that 1/2 game stuff…barring a rain-out. 12 GAMES FOR ALL…OK.
Braves need to go 4 better than the Rockies to have avoid the one game playoff with the Rockies. Win 3 games better than Colorado…and we have a one game playoff…anything other than this…and we can start pulling for the Falcons. Braves baseball would be done for 2009. And then let the speculation begin regarding all the possible scenarios (changes) for 2010. OK.
I want to get there now. Not next year. I am peculiar that way. So what. OK.
It starts Friday night with the Phillies. What we have done prior to that (7 game winning streak) does not matter come first pitch!!! OK.
BELIEVE
OK.
NO MORE CHIPPER
September 18th, 2009
5:22 am
First time Braves have been 10 games over .500 since they were 25-15 in May 2007. Hard to believe, huh? – DOB
Not really dude if you have been watching the same team I have the past three years.
Caleb
September 18th, 2009
5:22 am
DOB,
thanks man. I always appreciate reading your responses to all our questions. Thanks for taking the time.
By the way, I know I’m a bit behind, but I’m watching The Wire now on DVD on the
Caleb
September 18th, 2009
5:23 am
On the 3rd season. Amazing.
I remember you all discussing it a ways back, and finally taking the time to watch. Would love to rehash with you about it sometime if you’re interested.
Mixxo
September 18th, 2009
5:25 am
jeffrey d ==
awww shucks! Thanks mang! Yer ‘aight yerself.
I go to Cubase to lay down some tracks and…….well, no wonder my ears were burnin’
Mixxo
September 18th, 2009
5:26 am
Night ya’ll…….winning streak has me all inspired n’ stuff!
Johnny Schuerholz
September 18th, 2009
5:30 am
One other thing…
Braves now lead the Rockies by 1 run…in that all important runs scored vs. runs allowed. 1 run. Now, let’s get that 1 game by Sunday night…10/4…good buddy!
Caleb
September 18th, 2009
5:32 am
Meant to say on the 4th season of The Wire.
uga-brave
September 18th, 2009
5:36 am
i am bobby cox fan. for all you idiots that dont get it he manages the best clubhouse.
the guys love playing for him.
but then again we are surronded by mensa members.
sad day when # 6 is gone.
you idiots will miss him. you dont know how good he is.
so you morons want bobby vallentine. yeah that guy is stellar.
Tiger Woods
September 18th, 2009
5:40 am
Johnny I love the way you think and I sure as hell hope you are right my friend. That would be best possible outcomes I believe. I think tomorrow would be a must win though. Happ is coming back and hopefully is a little rusty get on him early and often.
Tiger Woods
September 18th, 2009
5:41 am
uga-brave
you are very pissed off tonight?? very bitter in everything you have to say. take a chill pill! or just take some pills…
uga-brave
September 18th, 2009
5:46 am
yo tiger,
this aint your place. tired of all the bobby hate.
uga-brave
September 18th, 2009
5:51 am
most of all you idiots that call cox out are morons.
i read your afteroon crap. put one and one together.
you morons are calling out one of the BEST MANAGERS in baseball history.
Brandon from Warner Robins
September 18th, 2009
5:52 am
HocoJo my apologies. I went to Houston County and our cheering section at sporting events was known as the “Hoco Loco’s” I’ll go back to my oringal name. Brandon from Warner Robins.
uga-brave
September 18th, 2009
6:08 am
we have to go 13-3.
if we go 13-3 we will play on monday.
Tiger Woods
September 18th, 2009
6:09 am
i do agree uga.
uga-brave
September 18th, 2009
6:20 am
what 44-28 since june 28th. yeah bobby’s fault.
he was crippled with k.j., schaffer, and francoeur.
that is a third of the lineup that nobody would of wanted.
you want to to why that we dont get into the postseason blame frenchy.
the dude killed us. there is no doubt he killed this team. nice year k.j.
nolie
September 18th, 2009
6:24 am
Enter your comments hereust curious. Do you think it was a smart move using EOF for a third straight night with a 5-run lead, the Phillies on deck this weekend and Gonzalez questionable? (Mr Baseball)
not especially. I’m not saying that Cox-like every other manager in the game-makes his share of mistakes, usually through overuse of one sort or another. But to make a statement on the level that you did in that post is simply ridiculous, and i sometimes have little patients with such negative overkill. The guy knows baseball, and whether or not y’all want to believe it he has a reason for what he does. We may not always agree with him, and that is certainly our right, but to flat out state he is a moron who can’t think an inning ot two ahead is simply idiotic and makes you sound like a boob …which you probably aren’t.
uga-brave
September 18th, 2009
6:27 am
why not 13-3. that is the number. 91 wins. that gets us in a playoff.
Tiger Woods
September 18th, 2009
6:29 am
uga- he didn’t have to play kj could have went with prado, which he did way later, didn’t have to play francouer, but he still did. that is why people are mad at him. those kinds of things pissed people off and now just get mad at him for anything. he is good don’t get me wrong. but has made some very unusual moves throughout the year. NO denying that.
Tiger Woods
September 18th, 2009
6:32 am
im out man take your bobby blinders off. he has opened himself to this criticism of the people. like the guy or not he has won a ton of games, but this year there have been decisions that can be questioned. people have gone too far but that’s the nature of the job. if you don’t win people get mad. you get paid to make playoffs, if you don’t you are not getting the job done. whether its his fault or not he is the one calling the shots. night man.
DirtyDawg
September 18th, 2009
6:32 am
Never been much a Steve Phillips fan…not sure why, maybe because he was a Met, but he seems to be the only one on the Eastern Sports Network that ever has anything even mildly positive to say about the Braves. I just wish he was a better predictor. Back when we got that Tex guy on his way through town to New York, Phillips pegged us as the favorite to win the East…at the beginning of the season he was saying we would be in the hunt…just a week or two ago, on an ESPN Sunday broadcast, he was the designated Braves guy having to deal with the two egotistical ‘pr***s’ in the booth that spent the entire night talking about whoever we were playing – certainly not us. Now he’s reminding people that we’re still here…too bad, I had hoped we could absolutely come out of nowhere over the next two weeks and become the story of the season…now we’ve got the ‘kiss of death’ from Phillips to overcome. Let’s just hope we can keep winning and see what happens. It should be fun.
DirtyDawg
September 18th, 2009
6:37 am
Oh yeah, I meant to add…does anybody else think that the picture of Tom Glavine they’re showing here for the vote on who made the worst exit from Atlanta looks exactly like that guy from South Caroline – Joe Wilson? Does to me…which immediately made me want to pick Glavine in this poll – even though the one they featured – that coach of the swine from Arkansas – do we need shots before we venture into Arkansas?
Earl (Mr. Atlanta Baseball...) Mann
September 18th, 2009
7:22 am
Didn’t have the Wild Card back when we were winning all those Southern League Banners…but…I will tell you my honest opinion…
WILD CARD WINNER…2009…NATIONAL LEAGUE…RECORD…will be…91 – 71…
Another thing…Atlanta and Colorado both finish with this record and we will have a Monday…10/5…one game playoff…but where? Hope we get it here at the TED…cold weather could really be a problem in 2 1/2 weeks in Denver?
Atlanta goes 13 – 3…(more like 20 – 3 in reality) to force the playoffs…Colorado goes 8 – 7…(I will put the word in to the man upstairs…to insure this to be true…no problem…)
Wouldn’t that be something…
And after we beat those Damn Yankees to win the 2009 World Series…will someone spread a little “Southern Comfort” around the old magnolia tree over at the old park on Ponce de Leon…(if it is still standing). My ashes are thirsty for another championship in this city!!!
BELIEVE
Richard Nieh
September 18th, 2009
7:24 am
Call me old fashion; I still think W-L record is one of the most important stats for the pitcher. It does not only show his performance, which is normally hold true that if a pitcher wants to win, he needs to pitch better, but also show how the game was played. When we judge a pitcher, we have to judge his performance to win games rather than judging how good his stuff is. If a pitcher keeps losing games 2-3, 1-2, it means he can win those games, it is just some momentary lapse cost him those games and we all know that the kind of record won’t last forever if he keeps his standards up. If the same pitcher loses his composure and starts to lose game by giving up 4 runs, than even though his ERA may still be low in the season, I will still say he does not have what it takes to win. Javier Vazquez is having his career year despite his 13-9 record, which is not bad at all but in most of his career, he is not the pitcher has what it takes to win games, not a standard of an ace. If he keeps throwing gems and give up 2 runs or less every outing, he will convert some of those loses to wins, but the fact is that he is still sometimes vulnerable to big innings.
In Lowe’s case, there are so many games he gave up 3 runs or more, but most of his wins he gave up 3 runs or less and makes the pitches when he needs to. Sometimes he gave up 5 runs when Braves score even more for him but that is a rare case because Braves’ offense always has been abysmal all year long. However, we all know that couple bad outings will kill your ERA stats. The fact is that the most important thing in any professional competition is to win games, what is the better stats to see the W-L record?
NCBravesFan
September 18th, 2009
9:08 am
Should be a great series this weekend. You know the Phils are going to be fired up, knowing if they can beat the Braves they can effectively knock them out of the playoff chase.
ltdbrave
September 18th, 2009
10:00 am
The Braves are better off without Chipper in the lineup. With his striking out and 20+ errors, he does not need to be in the lineup. As far as pitchin, I hope the Braves trade or can trade Lowe and not Vasquez. Why keep a below average pitcher and get rid of a very good pitcher. Does not make sense to me except for trade value. If the Braves would spend some cash in the free agent market instead of giving Chipper an extension at $10-$11 million a year, they could have a good outfield. Instaed, Wren waits around and picks up the crumbs in free agency.
McFann ;Ô;
September 18th, 2009
10:16 am
Thanks for all the quotes and things, Chief! Great stuff!
Soph “He’s one of the guys everybody loves in this clubhouse,” said Jurrjens…McFann’s gonna love that quote.
Oh yeah!
Loved that whole quote from JJ (about BMac playing hard everyday, even when banged up)! Really good stuff…and he’s so right. That’s why I sometimes feel bad when I jump all over BMac when he’s going 0-20 or 5-46…guess that’s a lot out of frustration, but still…
Katie Who doesn’t love Mac?
Paul Lentz! Soph said Mixxo, and that is true as well…but Paul hates his guts as a catcher with a SERIOUS passion (well, so does Mixxo…)
McFann ;Ô;
September 18th, 2009
10:19 am
Fooey! Not J.A. Happ! Dangit! What are the Fillies trying to do–ruin all the fun?
Happens all too often…
jeffrey d
September 18th, 2009
10:21 am
The periodontist is some mean stuff, DOB. I had to get some gum tissue grafting done a few years ago…that was terrible. I wouldn’t wish that on anybody. Hope that’s not your case…
dogsbrekky
September 18th, 2009
10:22 am
Kawakami is well priced at $7M, just go and look at other mlb pitching contracts….
This is a interesting one and try not to laugh too much.. if Huddy is okay,. could anyone see JJ + Prado to the Brewers for Braun…
Rock On......
September 18th, 2009
10:23 am
richbrave…..I can see Anders’ point/opinion and I actually think Anders brings a reasoned post much of the time. Agreed totally that KJ would benefit from a change. However, if you don’t feel that KK/KJ will bring the bat we need are you suggesting we trade Vazquez, insert Hudson, and pray that Hudson doesn’t incur problems. That is a huge gamble with the pitching and I don’t think that seeing Matt Holliday in LF will make me feel a lot better about that gamble.
Hey, it may all work out just great but let’s get LaRoche signed first. Let’s get a bigger sampling from Hudson before an option pick-up is warranted.
Brian
September 18th, 2009
10:23 am
The Braves have won seven in a row for the first time since July of 2006. If they win tonight, it’ll be their first 8-game win streak since July of 2003. Jung Bong and Shane Reynolds won games during that streak. They haven’t won as many as 9 in a row since April/May of 2000, when they won 15 in a row. Bruce Chen and Terry Mulholland were both 3-0 in that streak!
monty
September 18th, 2009
10:24 am
Willy Wally
“With Schafer Cox didn’t have options.”
Agree with most of your post, except that point. Send the kid down to AAA let him get his confidence back, bring up Blanco or play Infante.
Rock On......
September 18th, 2009
10:27 am
dogsbrekky….I hope the rest of the denizens aren’t laughing hysterically at your 10:22 because I just can’t quit. Dude, seriously!
richbrave
September 18th, 2009
10:30 am
LEW:
I would hate to lose VASQUEZ, but want HUDSON back, off what I’ve seen so far this season. Frankly, I prefer VASQUEZ to HUDSON if I had to choose. Here’s hoping the BRAVES won’t have to. But I don’t see VASQUEZ, HUDSON AND KAWAKAMI all being here next spring. LOWE’s only in the discussion if we get a huge right-handed bat that’s under contract, and then I’m guessing we would have to eat part of his salary. And JURRGENS and HANSON don’t even enter into this discussion. MEDLIN, maybe. It’s early. I’ll wait for the season final to make up my mind.
Jeff R
September 18th, 2009
10:30 am
richbrave… possibly, but I don’t think Chipper would be prompted to talk about retiring unless he had concerns about his performance more than slumping.
But, barring something unforseen, Chipper’s going to be the Braves everyday third baseman next season. Hope he’s only slumping, and hope he bounces back.
dcp
September 18th, 2009
10:30 am
Is anyone else worried about the way Jurrjens throws his arms up in the air when the Braves have a defensive miscue. He did it in Philly when Anderson dropped the fly ball and again last night with Diaz. He needs to be careful about showing up his defense. I am sorry he has had poor run support, but he needs to watch himself with those overt reactions to plays. Good for him to get a win.
McFann ;Ô;
September 18th, 2009
10:32 am
DOB OK, I’m headed to 10 a.m. periodontist checkup.
Ugh! That does NOT sound like fun.
Can’t STAND the dentist…
Rock On......
September 18th, 2009
10:33 am
Well the blog is going time-warp all over the place. My response to Anders is now well at the top of the page. Gotta run anyway but I will leave Lew to the Hudson/Vazquez debate. I am 100% in agreement with him and can’t realyy add anything but…ditto.
Is it Groundhog Day…yet again.
dcp
September 18th, 2009
10:34 am
Is anyone else concerned about the way Jair throws his arms up in the air like a 2 year old when the Braves make a defensive miscue in the field. He did it in Philly when Anderson dropped that fly ball and again last night when Diaz was not able to catch the fly to right. I am sorry his run support has been low and glad he got the win, but he needs to check himself if he wants to walk through the clubhouse and get respect. You cannot publicly show up your defense like that.
dogsbrekky
September 18th, 2009
10:35 am
Kelly Johnson is 27, he issupposed to be getting better, his fielding is below average and his hitting … well let us look
OPS for the last 3 seasons read 831, 795, 693… which part of that trend and current yr performance dictates he is a good hitter… potential yes, but this is mlb not high school… he has had every chance and muffed them all
BossLady
September 18th, 2009
10:36 am
Last night the cameras were on Bobby Cox and it appeared that he was overcome with glee and pride. It appeared that he was so happy for his players like a proud and elated daddy (not father). The players coach reputation was clear on his face. That is a sight I will never forget.
I had that gum surgery too a couple of years ago. I went back to my office sat there and boo hooed like a little baby. That was Friday, moved to my new home that weekend still boo hooing. You are so right not even your worst enemy deserves that.
avocado
September 18th, 2009
10:40 am
Why would you not keep the rotation that kept you in the contest?
And that, in spite of the best contrary efforts of some of the other players some nights?
Aren’t things much better with Hudson’s return?
fastasballs
September 18th, 2009
10:45 am
Hopefully the Braves light up Happ tonight. For one the team needs the victory & the other reason is for Hanson to get in better position to win the ROY award. Last night the MLB network listed the top three candidates for the award & Tommy wasn’t even on it.
Tommy is pitching his best games right now while Happ has lost his last two & given up 7ER in 14 innings in the process. Tommy has given up only 1 ER in his last 20 innings pitched, but only has one victory to show for it in those three games.
Happ seems to be tiring a bit, while Hanson is getting stronger. Happ has thrown about 40 more innings in the big than Hanson, but overall Hanson has thrown more innings if you include his minor league stats.
Lew
September 18th, 2009
10:46 am
Anders-I realize that the Mets have as much or more experience with players being paid way more than their performance would dictate than most teams in MLB, but Kawakami overpaid? Can you seriously believe this when you have Ollie Perez making twice as much? Must be because his ERA is twice as large. Right?
monty
September 18th, 2009
10:47 am
Lowe has been the benefactor of good run support. He’s not a bad pitcher I guess you could even say he’s a good pitcher, but you could say the same thing about KK who is a good pitcher (even great on occassions). The problem is Lowe cost us twice as much to get the same type (if not as good) pitching. I can’t see any scenario in which FW gets rid of JV and keeps Lowe unless it enables him to bring in a Matt Holiday or an allstar corner OF or 2nd baseman. Anthing less is a waste. He has to find a creative way to move Lowe and keep the best 1-5 starting pitching in the big leagues intact. I’m tired of never knowing what you’re going to get from Lowe and he really looks impatient when things don’t go his way, looks like he just loses concentration.He gets a little “rattled” looking.
Marc in FL
September 18th, 2009
10:47 am
Just a friendly reminder, we don’t have to pass the Rockies, we just have to tie them, and then beat them head-on, which I think we would have the advantage in a “our best pitcher against your best” competition.
Jeff R
September 18th, 2009
10:49 am
Lowe’s not going anywhere. Kawakami may go. He may be considered by other GMs as a number three starter (true, considering the quality, or lack thereof, on other staffs).
Katie
September 18th, 2009
10:51 am
Richard- In regards to the W-L record, its obviously the best indicator for how a team is performing (like you said, wins are the most important thing), but its just not always indicative of the pitcher’s performance. If the Braves keep losing low scoring games when JJ pitches, its not that he just needs to perform better and step up his game a little to get the win, the burden falls on the offense to score. So many parts of the game are out of the pitcher’s hands, and the W-L doesn’t always accurately indicate how a guy is pitching
Marc in FL
September 18th, 2009
10:51 am
And you guys are all assuming that Lowe will be bad next year and Huddy will be great. Huddy had a couple of mediocre seasons with the Braves too you know. They’re essentially the same pitcher, and signing players to big deals only to move them the next season is a white flag which Wren is not going to wave. Trading Javy would just be stupid, I know I wouldn’t expect Hudson to pitch as well as he has this year.
That is why, I repeat, Huddy is not going to be in a Braves uniform next year. Not to mention the obvious fact that if they do try to work out a new deal the Braves will simply be outbid by another team.
18 Wheels of Love
September 18th, 2009
10:52 am
DOB,
New (actually 8 years old) Q-Tip album is out, called Kamaal the Abstract. It is excellent. Have you checked it out yet?
N8
September 18th, 2009
10:56 am
Random, no. I don’t think that the Braves and Cox want to lose. But by being unprepared to execute simple tasks (sacrifice bunts, covering 1B for the pitchers, hitting cutoff men, going 1st to 3rd, and by pretty much finding ways to lose everynight), showed a lack of desire to what was neccesary to win.
Being to lazy to do the things neccesary to win, and wanting to lose are two different things. Make no mistake about it. The Braves were not prepared to play competitive baseball in the spring, if you judge by the results.
That or they just aren’t very good at the little things, and their pitching is carrying them.
McFann ;Ô;
September 18th, 2009
10:57 am
Oh, and BMac’s OBP and AVG both went up a whole point after last night–.345 and .282, respectively. SLG is now .497
McFann ;Ô;
September 18th, 2009
10:58 am
I meant .346 for the OBP…
MFin04
September 18th, 2009
11:04 am
KK has been the better pitcher compared to Lowe. However the difference in salary is the big problem. KK is making what 6-8 million next year, and Lowe making 15. If a team was looking to upgrade their pitching, wouldn’t you be more inclined to go the cheaper route? All things being the same, KK at 8 million is significantly better for a team than Lowe at 15 million.
I really hope we don’t end up trading Vazquez or Hudson. I might even hope to find a cheap power bat (almost impossible I’m sure) and stick with our current pitchers.
The team we have now is significantly better than the team that starter the year, and we’d be adding one more great pitcher in Hudson for next year.
Surely this Braves team along with Hudson could win more games next year than they have this year? (I do agree a power bat would be ideal, but if there isn’t any money because we spent it on pitching, we might still be alright.)
Rob from SC AKA - Derek Lowe sucks
September 18th, 2009
11:08 am
I am trying not to get overly excited about a possible Wild Card run. The only thing I am focused on is our team playing great and finishing as many games as posible above .500. Finishing second in the National League is is important to me as well. We have finished in third too many years in a row.
We need to keep Chipper on the bench until the winning streak ends. Right now he is an out making machine these past 30 games. Almost Schafer like. Tonights game is a must so we don’t need the last two in order to win the series. I believe in this team and I am hoping for great things.
Brave New World
September 18th, 2009
11:09 am
DOB: Your song “Broke Down” should be played whenever Chipper comes to bat – at this stage of his great career he’s broke down and the Braves are broke down when he’s in the line up or playing the field. He’s a future HOF, but extending his contract was Mr. Wren’s worst move so far.
PJ
September 18th, 2009
11:09 am
Nice work DOB!
Check out the blogs at http://braves.gearupforsports.com/. You can write about your favorite team!
Hillbilly
September 18th, 2009
11:17 am
So this blog momentarily disappeared and Wednesday’s blog was at the top of the page. Now it’s Friday again, and the current blog is back, but it’s still 4 hours into the future. Who’s running this thing?….Tarantino?
Vermont 39
September 18th, 2009
11:21 am
Lowe is another example of desperation…fans demanded action…BORAS was ready to milk the cow….albeit a skinny one…Chipper is about ready to go…big savings there…get a bat dump Lowe and watch the fun begin
Tomahawkya
September 18th, 2009
11:23 am
Hudson can go a long way in proving his worth, tonight. I’m a big believer in merit system, especially when it counts (never thought I’d be sayin’ that two weeks ago!).
1-800-Bullpen-Abuse
September 18th, 2009
11:23 am
Glad to see Coxie working in Soriano with a four-run lead last night … and how about that Eric O’Flaherty, what’s that’s three nights in a row?
bravofan
September 18th, 2009
11:28 am
Gotta hand it to the Braves for the 7 game win streak!! This is a great run it would be AWESOME if we sweep the Phils this weekend and bring it up to 10 games!!
Earl (Mr. Atlanta Baseball...) Mann
September 18th, 2009
11:29 am
DOB…
Yea. If Giants and or Rockies get to 92 wins…that would make it more difficult. Hell, getting to 91 looks damn near improbable anyway (for Atlanta). BUT, and it is a big BUT, we are still alive. Asking this team to go 13 – 3 sounds crazy anyway. So…it did as well for the folks out in Denver when they won 21 out of 22…or something absurd like that. But, we have just won 7 in a row. Let’s just see how far they can go and take it from there. Win 2 out of 3 this weekend (anything worse and we are done!) and win the first game Monday night…and yea, we are still in it. Think by that point we would pass the Giants, and be no worse than 3 back with 12 to play. That would put some heat on the Rockies and maybe they cannot stand being the front runner this year?
Fun stuff to chew over anyway.
BELIEVE
jim
September 18th, 2009
11:33 am
Where’s Boone?
With a 5-run lead in the 8th inning last night Boone Logan was nowhere to be found. Before his face appears on an Atlanta area milk carton, we need to examine the top 10 reasons for his disappearance.
10. He sucks and is only on the roster to bring the total payroll up to the figure allowed by Trinity broadcasting.
9. The gang of four (Moylan, EOF, Gonzo, and Soriano) have stolen his uniform pants and jock strap and he can’t leave the clubhouse.
8. He is a only switch-hitter specialist that is only called upon if three or more switch hitters are due in an inning.
7. His arm is tired from overuse.
6. He is the designated double-digit man who is being saved for only those occasions when the lead or deficit is 10+ runs.
5. He sneaks off into the clubhouse during the fifth inning to get a head start on the after-game spread.
4. Cox has lost all short term memory and forgets that anyone who has not appeared in 3 weeks is still on the roster.
3. He thinks the spring training rules still apply and has a late afternoon golf outing with Buddy C every day.
2. He inherited Pascual Perez’s old locker and found an old road map of the Atlanta Metro area.
1. He has a clasue in his contract that kick in if he appears in more than 1 game/month.
Brian the Brain
September 18th, 2009
11:34 am
The Elmination Number remains at 12. Whew.
ncscoots
September 18th, 2009
11:39 am
Javy Vazquez is an undeniable #1 pitcher and Hudson a decent #4-5 starter
Lew, you can make good points for keeping Vazquez, but you tend to lose a lot of cred with statements like that one.
jim
September 18th, 2009
11:39 am
The blog is back to random time stamps again, so I will repost this in the hopes that it appears in the right sequence. Sorry for the duplication if anyone saw this where it was hidden before.
Where’s Boone?
With a 5-run lead in the 8th inning last night Boone Logan was nowhere to be found. Before his face appears on an Atlanta area milk carton, we need to examine the top 10 reasons for his disappearance.
10. He sucks and is only on the roster to bring the total payroll up to the figure allowed by Trinity broadcasting.
9. The gang of four (Moylan, EOF, Gonzo, and Soriano) have stolen his uniform pants and jock strap and he can’t leave the clubhouse.
8. He is a only switch-hitter specialist that is only called upon if three or more switch hitters are due in an inning.
7. His arm is tired from overuse.
6. He is the designated double-digit man who is being saved for only those occasions when the lead or deficit is 10+ runs.
5. He sneaks off into the clubhouse during the fifth inning to get a head start on the after-game spread.
4. Cox has lost all short term memory and forgets that anyone who has not appeared in 3 weeks is still on the roster.
3. He thinks the spring training rules still apply and has a late afternoon golf outing with Buddy C every day.
2. He inherited Pascual Perez’s old locker and found an old road map of the Atlanta Metro area.
1. He has a clasue in his contract that kick in if he appears in more than 1 game/month.
Willy
September 18th, 2009
11:40 am
I haven’t read all of the comments on the blog, but what do the denizens say about moving Lowe to the bullpen? I know, that’s a lot of money for a relief pitcher. But, he’s already been there and had some success (see Boston 1999-2001). He may not be a dominant hurler, but having a sinkerballer in tight situations is not a bad thing to have. If he does have success, he can then be used as trade bait for a hitter. If not, well, that’s why Wren makes these decisions. We have three legitimate aces in Hanson, Jurrjens and Vasquez. Keep all of them. Package Lowe with a prospect if you must, but keep what is working now. Add Hudson to the mix, and….
As for the offense, I’m not sure what would work. Clearly, Chipper hitting below .270 isn’t going to cut it. I’m just glad he’s mature enough to realize that he is part a game, that it’s not all about him. I say bring Heyward up next year and give Schaefer a shot during spring training, but Ryan Church has to go. Keep Garret Anderson to use as trade bait. Keep the infield as is, with the idea of bringing up Freddie Freeman sometime in the future. Ditch Norton and have Brooks Conrad on the bench. Maybe look at Jason Giambi in the offseason as a pinch hitter. I can’t see Colorado keeping him unless he endears himself to the organization. Cut KJ loose. I personally have nothing against him, but like Francoeur, a change of scenery could do some good. Keep Moylan, Gonzalez, Soriano and O’Flaherty. Maybe use Medlen as trade bait. Dump Buddy Carlyle.
Just some thoughts.
indybrave
September 18th, 2009
11:42 am
DOB,
I highly recommend going to the Metallica show. I didn’t care much for the opening acts but the old guys can still bring it. Good mix of old and new. They played six from Death Magnetic and I saw them play Damage Inc. for the first time. I still think Master of Puppets is their best album to date.
Tomahawkya
September 18th, 2009
11:47 am
Hudson can go along way to proving his worth, tonight. I’m a big believer in the merit system, especially when it’s involving meaningful games in September and continuing momentum!
Pepperidge Blogs Remembers (11:53 am)
September 18th, 2009
11:54 am
N8 (September 18th, 2009 4:05 am): “And your point is…….?
Go do some more homework “
Okay.
Here are the number of games (so far) which the Braves have NOT lost following each of TN Jeff’s twenty-nine pronouncements that the Braves just simply WANT to lose:
76, 75, 73, 73, 73, 73, 72, 72, 72, 72, 72, 68, 67, 67, 67, 62, 62, 55, 52, 52, 48, 48, 46, 44, 44, 44, 35, 27 and 23.
Apparently, among all their other failures, the Braves have failed even at losing. Maybe they don’t want it enough?
jim
September 18th, 2009
11:54 am
Trying again. It really is 11:53.
Where’s Boone?
With a 5-run lead in the 8th inning last night Boone Logan was nowhere to be found. Before his face appears on an Atlanta area milk carton, we need to examine the top 10 reasons for his disappearance.
10. He sucks and is only on the roster to bring the total payroll up to the figure allowed by Trinity broadcasting.
9. The gang of four (Moylan, EOF, Gonzo, and Soriano) have stolen his uniform pants and jock strap and he can’t leave the clubhouse.
8. He is a only switch-hitter specialist that is only called upon if three or more switch hitters are due in an inning.
7. His arm is tired from overuse.
6. He is the designated double-digit man who is being saved for only those occasions when the lead or deficit is 10+ runs.
5. He sneaks off into the clubhouse during the fifth inning to get a head start on the after-game spread.
4. Cox has lost all short term memory and forgets that anyone who has not appeared in 3 weeks is still on the roster.
3. He thinks the spring training rules still apply and has a late afternoon golf outing with Buddy C every day.
2. He inherited Pascual Perez’s old locker and found an old road map of the Atlanta Metro area.
1. He has a clasue in his contract that kick in if he appears in more than 1 game/month.
Anders
September 18th, 2009
11:57 am
Anders- It doesn’t matter what kind of bat you would get for Lowe (he won’t be traded) or Kawakami. It would primarily be a salary dump. We could then go the Free Agent route (I wouldn’t) or allow us to make an additional trade (we actually have a farm system with prospects other teams value-unlike the Mets) and have the cash to pay that player (Lew)
First of all I never said anything this morning about trading Lowe. I didn’t want to get in that conversation lest the blogmaster accuse me of patting myself on the back again. Buuut since you brought it up. Nah, never mind.
Anyway, as for trading Kawakami. We’re in agreement that it would be a salary dump. Others were arguing that he and KJ would command a big bat in return. I say no to that. Sounds like we agree on that.
As for your fertile farm system. I’m starting believe. As a matter of fact we found one of your old plants laying on the side of the road and replanted it in the Mets right field. Damned if that plant hasn’t reblossomed right in front of our eyes.
Maybe you need better plant handlers up at the big club to nourish what the farmers down below develop for them?
jeffrey d
September 18th, 2009
11:58 am
Did Lew kill the conversation or is the blog acting up again?
wjones
September 18th, 2009
11:59 am
Some blog observations:
“So do we feel good using Soriano tomorrow if the score is 2 to 1 bottom of the ninth? Kinda scary. We need this guys last two weeks!!”
1. Soriano has looked very good, IMHO, since the loss, the last one we had, against Houston. We could use another Ryan Howard strategy, though.
2. Wonder how good the Phillies feel putting in Lidge with a 2 to 1 score in the bottom of the ninth? For all the crap that bloggers give Cox on this site, it’s ironic that we trail a team who’s manager keeps putting a guy with a 7+ era in there every night, expecting him to magically revert to last year’s form. A manager who also let Pedro throw 130 pitches the other night, and Lee throw 125. A manager who also kept Jimmy Rollins, underperforming far worse than Kelly Johnson at the time, not only in the lineup but batting leadoff until he started hitting. Wonder how HE would get treated on this blog? Wonder what the Phillies’ blog looks like?
3. Has O’Flaherty really been in three straight games? Didn’t realize he pitched in the Hanson game. I knew he pretty much would have had to pitch the second night, the way that game went. Although I guess I don’t understand the “laws” on the blog on how to divide a big lead against a lead in which you use your best pitchers. Soriano is ok to pitch with a three run lead but not a four run lead? Admit that it does get nit-picky at times. I do hope that Gonzo can get back healthy soon, and that we can spot O’Flaherty more in those type situations.
4. We are four wins away from a winning record, six wins away from equaling the 2007 season, and eight wins away from my pre-season prediction. I don’t know about anyone else here, but I plan to enjoy this run to the bitter (or maybe sweet) end.
5. Chipper’s most recent comments bother me to an extent, in that there seems to be something bothering him beyond baseball. Someone had commented on here earlier that his recent slump seemed to start after the reported death of the person on his ranch, and his comments about being around for his family could be connected to this event. Maybe it’s not that he’s tired, or doesn’t care. Maybe he is genuinely depressed about this thing, and it’s affecting him in this way. At any rate, I hope the off-season either gives him a renewed sense of desire to play, or gives him the guidance to retire if it’s what he wants to do.
6. I am a bit puzzled by the lack of activity for Boone Logan as well. Did he do something to anger management? I believe he is up for arb this time, too. If we don’t use him more than we have, I see no point in offering him a contract.
7. I am sure that Wren have a lot up their sleeve in regards to “thinning out” the pitching rotation, as well as ramping up the offense. But perhaps part of their strategy is “seeing what is out there”, as far as shopping pitchers are concerned. They will definitely by approached by many teams who are interested in one or more of the starting pitchers, so a big part of the task will be sifting through the deals and picking the one that makes the most sense for the team. This is of course a much better position to be in than last year, when WE were the ones coming around with our hand out.
jeffrey d
September 18th, 2009
12:00 pm
Oh I get it…the blog got set to normal time but it thinks that Lew posted 2 hours into the future.
Anders
September 18th, 2009
12:03 pm
Gotta say dealing with this whole time stamp mees ain’t fun. I’ll check back later to see if it’s fixed.
Later.
OldBravesBag
September 18th, 2009
12:05 pm
Dave, Which Texas team do you think Kelly would want to play for next year? And I’m making the obvious assumption that he will no longer be a Brave after this season because Bobby has him glued to the bench for the most part. Thanks….. (I will also predict Kelly will be another one that got away……)
jeffrey d
September 18th, 2009
12:06 pm
Man this is annoying. I am boycotting this blog.
…..until I get home.
David O'Brien
September 18th, 2009
12:07 pm
Lew, good points at, well, I guess 2:14 p.m….
Gborobravo: Watched the Office season premiere at 2 a.m., after I got home from ballpark. Hilarious. The opening had me laughing out loud. Parkour!
Burgess
September 18th, 2009
12:08 pm
Notice Jurjens quote about McCann playing every day and giving 100 % even when he’s hurt, could that be a “subtle” dig at Cal Ripken,,,,er Chipper ?
Rainman...
September 18th, 2009
12:14 pm
With the forecast for more rain…do not be surprised if one or more games gets washed away this weekend. And then what? Really…do not want to play a doubleheader with so much on the line now. OK.
And how much more water can Turner field possibly (outfield) handle? We will find out soon enough. OK.
(Also, no way Chipper risks more injury this weekend…so he sits again. Prado hitting again. So we will be fine. Also playing a better third base than Chipper, anyway.) OK.
And what would the schedule maker have to do in order to make a game or two up? OK.
Pray that we can get these games in…without having to make them up some other time!!! OK.
BELIEVE
David O'Brien
September 18th, 2009
12:15 pm
Jeffrey d: Periodontist and dentist, I rotate going to one each 3 months. Have for several years, since having deep scaling done on all four quadrants of my mouth, then requiring flap surgery on two of those quadrants where the scaling didn’t do the job. Dude, I would strongly urge all to floss nightly, without fail. For those who’ve gone through gum surgery, I think you’ll agree that 5-10 minutes of flossing per night is a far better alternative to surgery down the line. Brutal stuff. Had 19 novocaine shots in one three-hour period when I had the deep scaling done, since I wanted to do it all at once instead of two appointments. Then was back in there a year later for surgery.
wjones
September 18th, 2009
12:15 pm
Isn’t this blog wacky? My last posting had the correct time stamp on it, so it jumped ahead of many previous posts. I figured I would post this to see where it lands.
N8
September 18th, 2009
12:19 pm
Lew, my friend, if you think Tim Hudson is a #4 or #5 pitcher, than perhaps you should check and see if your meds need to be updated. One great season (Vazquez) does not make a guy an Ace.
Before Hudson shut down 2008 with elbow issues, he was on pace to do what Vazquez did this year. Since returning from TJ surgery EARLY, he’s posted a 3.63 ERA, while saying his shoulder feels better than it has in years.
I’m not saying that Hudson is going to win 3 Cy Young awards in a row. But I suspect his and Vazquez’s numbers (other than K’s) will be pretty damn similar over the next few years.
By definition, if Vazquez is an ace after one great season, how can you assess Hudson as a #4 or 5 starter? For a guy that usually uses common sense and logic before posting, this post is so off the wall, that I have to question whether somebody is posting under your name.
P. W. Hjort
September 18th, 2009
12:20 pm
If you think Kelly Johnson has no value you’re not very astute in valuing talent.
brent a.
September 18th, 2009
12:30 pm
I’m with Lew on Kawakami. A few bad starts, but over-all pretty not-bad.
I’m curious who has had more “blow-up” starts this year, Lowe or Kawakami?
And KK at half the price.
Jeff R
September 18th, 2009
12:31 pm
DOB, couldn’t have said it better myself:
“So it’s not as much the pitching (that’s been steady all season) or the homers, as much as it’s been a lot of timely hits that the Braves don’t get when they’re playing poorly. They go into collective funks offensively, and those are the times when this team’s looked horrid for a week or more at a stretch.”
Pitching, defense and timely hitting. Only need to beat the opposition by one run. A pitching staff and defense that can keep the opposition’s run total low does the offense a great favor, in that it takes the pressure off it to boost its run total.
coach joe
September 18th, 2009
12:31 pm
15- 16 wins… 200 innings pitched.. winning record when he pitches. why is is everyone so down on LOWE… braves would have killed for those kind of stats last year.
Danga
September 18th, 2009
12:31 pm
It looks like the contract cost of Vazquez versus Hudson is a wash. I keep seeing people refer to the possibility of Hudson not returning from TJ surgery as the ace he was. This is very possible, but isn’t it equally possible that Vazquez regresses back closer to his career averages? He has pitched like an Ace this year, but Hudson’s career numbers are much more impressive. It seems like a wash to me. Vazquez will obviously have more trade value this year which is appealing if you are determined to find a bat, but the pitching is obviously better with both of them in the rotation. Then what do you do after next season when both are free agents? I obviously have no solutions here. Good thing I am not the GM.
Jeff R
September 18th, 2009
12:35 pm
Chipper deserves a lot of credit for staying in the line up most of the season. He’s either slumping or declining, don’t know which, but, overall, his numbers aren’t horrible; they’re just not up to the Chipper of old.
That he’s thinking of playing next season and then evaluating whether or not to retire, says a lot. He may not think he’s just slumping.
McFann ;Ô;
September 18th, 2009
12:36 pm
Anders Gotta say dealing with this whole time stamp mees ain’t fun. I’ll check back later to see if it’s fixed.
Yeah, it messes with the flow of conversation.
Our thread has a knot in it…
Lew
September 18th, 2009
12:40 pm
Avocado-The Braves’ rotation is better so far with Hudson in it? I’m not seeing it.
Keeping in mind that Hudson is just off of surgery and is only getting a look to see if he might come back, he has made three starts and has an ERA of 3.63, given up 25 base runners in 17 IP. for a WHIP of 1.44 and a barely 2-1 K to BB ratio. His control has not completely returned-nor has his stamina. His last outing was NOT as good as the two previously were. We still don’t know if he’s back or not. He’s obviously NOT a full strength (nor should he be)
Kawakami, on the other hand, in his last 6 starts (all of August), pitched 6 or more innings in five of those six starts, giving up more than 3 runs once. His ERA for those 6 starts was right at 3.00, reducing his season ERA from 4.38 to 3.97. a trend which has continued from the beginning of May until his last start. He has struck out 22 and only walked 7 for a better than 3-1 K to BB ratio.
Yes, Hudson is looking pretty good for someone who had surgery barely 13 months ago, but let’s get realistic here. Tim has NOT pitched better than Kawakami. Will he eventually pitch better? Based on past performance, probably so. But better right now? No way.
N8
September 18th, 2009
12:55 pm
“What if Colorado or San Francisco has 92 wins?” DOB
Yeah….. but these go to eleven?
Anders
September 18th, 2009
12:58 pm
Richard Niegh – After reading your 7:23 post I suggest you put your rain slicker on. It is about to rain down on you like you’ve never seen the likes of.
test 123
September 18th, 2009
1:01 pm
123
Anders
September 18th, 2009
1:02 pm
I wonder if it takes this long for the AJC to get their technology group to fix their on line subscription payment system when that goes awry? Doubtful.
Jake W.
September 18th, 2009
1:10 pm
“Rock On – What type of bat do you think the Braves will get for a starting pitcher they over paid and now have relegated to the bullpen and a second baseman they won’t let play at all?
The Braves would do well just to unload Kawakami’s contract for nothing and free that money up.”
Yeah because who would want someone who in their first year in the states has as 3.94 starters ERA and has gone head to head with some of the best pitchers in the game and beat them. Yep, sounds like a salary dump to me. I mean its not like the guy was kicked out of the Nationals starting rotation, he just happened to be odd man out in one of the best rotations in the league. He has a better ERA than Lowe so is not because of performance. Braves had an extra starter and needed some bullpen help. The guy is a starter, and will be again. Nice to have that luxury where your quote unquote 5th starter is sporting a starters era under 4. Can’t think of many teams who have that, if any.
brent a.
September 18th, 2009
1:11 pm
Hard to believe that the Braves were 10 games over .500 (25-15) in May 2007. That’s early in the season to have that strong a record, especially for a team that didn’t have much starting pitching, and ended up in 3rd place in the division.
IIRC, Chipper hurt himself some time in May (game at Pittsburgh) and we had another June swoon.
Jake W.
September 18th, 2009
1:12 pm
“The Braves would do well just to unload Kawakami’s contract for nothing and free that money up.”
Yeah because who would want someone who in their first year in the states has as 3.94 starters ERA and has gone head to head with some of the best pitchers in the game and beat them. Yep, sounds like a salary dump to me. I mean its not like the guy was kicked out of the Nationals starting rotation, he just happened to be odd man out in one of the best rotations in the league. He has a better ERA than Lowe so is not because of performance. Braves had an extra starter and needed some bullpen help. The guy is a starter, and will be again. Nice to have that luxury where your quote unquote 5th starter is sporting a starters era under 4. Can’t think of many teams who have that, if any.
David O'Brien
September 18th, 2009
1:14 pm
N8, love the Spinal Tap reference. Well done.
Random
September 18th, 2009
1:14 pm
N8 (September 18th, 2009 4:05 am) –
So you agree with Tn Jeff that the Braves (and Cox) lose because they want to lose?
Color me surprised.
Brian
September 18th, 2009
1:14 pm
Interesting that the Braves haven’t been 10 games over .500 since May of 2007. They never made it to that level in 2006, either.
But it must really stink to be the Pirates, who haven’t been 10 games over .500 since October 4th, 1992. They didn’t have a single day with a winning record from May 30, 2004 to April 2, 2007.
HAL
September 18th, 2009
1:14 pm
Enter your comments herem M CANTS our new met killer the old met killer dried up n blew to west texas lol
McFann ;Ô;
September 18th, 2009
1:15 pm
DOB Dude, I would strongly urge all to floss nightly, without fail.
Bleck…I know I oughta, but dangit, I hate it…
And when the dentist was flossing me yesterday…ho boy! Felt like she was tearing my gums apart!!
She tells me to relax my tongue, lips, and chin, and I’m thinking, “Yeah, I have no idea how to do that…”
DAP
September 18th, 2009
1:17 pm
this is a test
GboroBravo
September 18th, 2009
1:17 pm
i am stuck
pryguy
September 18th, 2009
1:17 pm
still believing…
McFann ;Ô;
September 18th, 2009
1:18 pm
HAL M CANTS our new met killer
Um…I believe you mean McCann…
HAL
September 18th, 2009
1:19 pm
Enter your comments here midlin couldent replace jo jo in the rotation kk seems a bit of a reach i think the replaceing will be midlin to gwinnet next spring
David O'Brien
September 18th, 2009
1:21 pm
OldBravesBag: I would think either Houston or Texas, since both are hitters’ parks, both in his home state, and the AL has the DH, which might be his best “position.”
rocknthebeergut (formerly southbeachdietfreak)
September 18th, 2009
1:21 pm
KK for Hollday!!
Anders
September 18th, 2009
1:22 pm
Brian- Wow. Those Pirates numbers are incredible. What a waste of the leagues most beautiful stadium setting.
I guess their fans take solace in the Steelers and Penguins. 2 out of 3 ain’t bad as a particular rotund crooner used to bellow.
BravoMan
September 18th, 2009
1:23 pm
My thoughts on the offseason is as follows.
1. Decide which one of our starters needs to go…Hudson, Vazquez, or Kawakami. Lowe isn’t going anywhere. I don’t believe Hudson is either, saw on mlb trade rumors that they’re considering holding on to Huddy past 2010. Vazquez value is so high after the numbers he’s put this year, but he’s really happy here. Kawakami won’t get as much as Javy in return, but that’s around 7 mil we’re dumping. So many things could happen here, but I think and it’s jst a guess that Javy will be traded.
2. Bullpen! I fear that this may get overlooked in the offseason as a bat is looked for. I believe that one of Soriano or Gonzalez should be resigned. And after that another arm should be aquired to take the other one’s place. Our bullpen was a big part of ATL’s success this year and we gotta have it next year.
3. A clean-up hitter. As DOB said a week or so ago when ATL started this hot streak it was McCann who was the catalyst in those 1st few games. Before that neither him nor Chip was hitting and we were losing. That jst shows you that our offense at times revolves around those two guys. With Chipper mulling retirement a clean-up hitter must be aquired. Perferably a right-handed one. Now who are the possibles for this mystery bat??? I dont know for sure but names like Holliday, Bay, Dye, Nady, and DeRosa could all possibly test the market.
4. Re-sign Laroche. Hopefully if one of our staters is moved we should have enough to resign Jones’ hunting buddy who would like to remain a Bravo.
rocknthebeergut (formerly southbeachdietfreak)
September 18th, 2009
1:24 pm
Don’t know how the rest of the seaso’s going to go, but obviously these guys don’t quit.. I’m a proud Braves fan, win or lose. Keep it going, Bravos!
Brian
September 18th, 2009
1:25 pm
DOB, KJ doesn’t hit well enough to be a DH in the AL. He still does hit pretty well for a 2B (at least his career numbers say so), so I bet he would be a decent bargaining chip if we decide to move him.
richbrave
September 18th, 2009
1:27 pm
Jeff R;
Then again, CHIP may think this is just a slump and wants to prove it. That’s why he’s not contemplating retirement now. Who knows. We’ll see next year I guess.
ChipChop
September 18th, 2009
1:28 pm
Hmmm. Could it be time to explore the possibility of starting next season without Chipper Jones? He is often injured and just nowhere near the player he used to be when he isn’t injured. He’s not the defensive player he used to be either. What if Atlanta started next season with Martin Prado at third, signed a second baseman, re-signed Adam LaRoche and upgraded with a power bat in left field? 9-1 in the last 10 without Chipper is a very telling stat. The team has gotten used to life without Chipper.
Anders
September 18th, 2009
1:28 pm
Brian- The Braves have been offense starved for two months and yet they still kept him nailed to the bench. Everyone knows he’s mediocre (I’m being kind) in the field.
How is that a decent bargaining chip? I’d say they have less leverage than they did with Frenchy.
David O'Brien
September 18th, 2009
1:29 pm
why not 13-3. that is the number. 91 wins. that gets us in a playoff. — uga-brave
What if Colorado or San Francisco has 92 wins?
Tomy Fournier
September 18th, 2009
1:29 pm
IN YOUR VIEW…OVER 55% “MORON”..WANT MR. MORON COX BACK…WHAT A JOKE!!!THAT’S THE ANSWER CAUSE THIS TEAM HAVE TO BE WHERE IS, WITH THIS PLAYERS AND MANAGER AND WITH THIS FANS…WHAT THE HELL YOU WAITING FOR????
TnBrian
September 18th, 2009
1:30 pm
Piedmont Blues, yeah, get outta here. We’re doing just fine without you, Piedmont!
Lew, I’m with you on Hudson. He’s not going to duplicate what Vazquez did this year and I’d rather keep Javy because we need that big time K pitcher in the rotation. Smoltz was our guy for years and years. But, if they want to seriously upgrade the offense and seeing how Bay/Holliday are the two main bats on the market this winter, dealing Javy might be the route to go for that.
Surely, though, they could resign LaRoche and have he and Nate for a full year which would make a difference. Marlon Byrd is also an option for Wren and maybe package KJ with a few others to get a very good reliever and let Moylan start 2010 as the closer.
Rock On......
September 18th, 2009
1:31 pm
This morning just flew by didn’t it?……again!
Lew…..seems you and I are the main ones here not ready to rubber-stamp Hudson as ready to man a spot in the rotation. Agree 100% with your post which is why I can’t see Wren mortgaging the pitching future of the Braves by dealing Vazquez and banking that Hudson will return to pre-2007 form.
Hudson may well return to a sub 4.00 ERA form from prior years but that can’t be predicted with any ounce of confidence. While nothing is certain we have seen a full year of Vazquez and my money is riding on Vazquez way before Hudson. Gotta believe Wren’s is too.
I have said many many many times that I would keep Hudson and Vazquez if we can get a bat for KK & KJ, but if push comes to shove I am letting Hudson walk. There is a possibility that we won’t be able to outbid the Rockies or Angels for him even if we wanted to. Hudson’s desire to stay in Atlanta may be fulfilled if he and Wren can work out a contract extension. Again I am not convinced the Braves will 100% pick up his option. The Braves starting 5 are, arguably, the best (OK so you say San Fran? would you trade the Braves starting 5 for San Fran’s starting 5-didn’t think so) as it is and Medlen can give an emergency start here or there. Thus, there is no pressing need for Hudson as a pitcher right now. Hudson’s value comes in the way of a gamble on the Braves part that he can be added to the staff by way of the Braves trading either Lowe or KK/KJ and acquire a big bat. I would let Hudson walk and eat a million if he is not replacing one of those two.
David O'Brien
September 18th, 2009
1:33 pm
In the past few years, pllenty of folks in North Georgia would’ve been thankful to have as much rain in two months as we’ve had in either of the past couple of days. Now, we’re supposed to have more of same today … and tomorrow … and rain every day for days to come.
OK, I’m headed to 10 a.m. periodontist checkup. Unfortunately, praying for rain won’t help me. We’re going to have to play this regularly scheduled appointment regardless of weather.
CB
September 18th, 2009
1:34 pm
Lew, I agree with your assessment of Hudson and KK. The wrong pitcher went to the bullpen- should have been Lowe. The game tonight worries me with Hudson pitching,wish his turn in rotation had been against the Mets.
GboroBravo
September 18th, 2009
1:34 pm
DOB,
Did you watch The Office yet? Probably one of the best openings in a loooong time or maybe I was just excited about it coming back on.
Brian
September 18th, 2009
1:35 pm
Anders:
Because compared to free agent options at 2B, Johnson is younger than every single one of them, is a better hitter than all but probably two of them (Hudson and DeRosa), and is not making that much money. There’s a lot of value in guys that hit well for their position and are relatively cheap. His 330 PAs this year haven’t been very good, but he’s got about 1500 other PAs in his career that say he’s a pretty decent hitter.
Rock On......
September 18th, 2009
1:37 pm
Brian…agreed about KJ but you can safely remove the “if” concerning moving KJ.
Tomahawkya
September 18th, 2009
1:37 pm
I don’t know if this has been posted or not for comment. It’s Chipper reiterating the prospects of retirement at the end of 2010, but he also elaborates some more on ‘why’. Which to me sounds like he’s already wishing to be elsewhere if you read between the lines.
http://www.sportingnews.com/mlb/article/2009-09-17/slumping-chipper-jones-may-retire-after-2010
A telling stat that he’s reached 500 at bats only once in the last six seasons. We consistently lose in prior losing years since 05′ when he doesn’t play. Over that stretch he’s missed a total of 133 games not counting the remainder of this season. Now we’re on fire when he doesn’t play. Verdict, not someone to anchor your line-up around – expendable.
richbrave
September 18th, 2009
1:38 pm
Well ANDERS we’re still in it this season. If we lose as many as two to anybody in a series from here on out we’ll be on life support the rest of the way. 12-4 sounds a lot easier than 19-4 though. Next year should really be a dogfight with your METS healthy, and the PHILLIES as top dogs again. IF we expand the payroll 10-20 percent and get an elite right-handed bat for the four hole, we should be in the mix, barring injuries of course. It is an improvement to see LOS BRAVOS winning and not counting on CHIP JONES to return to his former glories. But I’m certainly counting on your club being a worthy adversary next year.
Vinings Jim
September 18th, 2009
1:39 pm
Just out of curiosity…
Anders
September 18th, 2009
1:39 pm
Brian,
Sorry but Johnson has become a throw away. No one is giving the Braves much for him. Sure, teams will take a flyer on him but they’re not going to pay in advance for a guy who can’t even get on the field with his present team who is starved what his best asset is, offense. I mean, can’t you see what that says about him? Certainly other GM’s will.
cabravesfan
September 18th, 2009
1:41 pm
Good morning blog
Sorry to hear that it is still raining out there…it’s sunny and gorgeous here- blue skys aplenty 
Bad Matchup
September 18th, 2009
1:43 pm
Huddy Vs the Philly lineup? He doesn’t have his command yet. I see 4 1/3 innings with 6 earned runs. Hope the bats can jump all over J.A. Final 8 – 4 Philly tonight. Start a new streat tomorrow.
Willy Wally
September 18th, 2009
1:43 pm
Ugabrave, much of the Cox criticism is unwarranted. However, it’s not really a good excuse to just say he was stuck with Frenchy, KJ & Schafer. You can’t say Frenchy killed the team, but absolve Cox from fault for allowing Frenchy to destroy the team. Frenchy was just a weapon. Cox was the one pulling the trigger on the Frenchy weapon. He had a better option in Diaz on the bench, but never used him. With KJ, he had options in Infante and Prado, but waited until half a season was gone, and they had a 34-40 record. They are 43-28 since he woke up and realized KJ had to sit. In Schafer, he didn’t really have any other option. He really hasn’t done a great job with this team.
monty
September 18th, 2009
1:44 pm
FW looked like a genuise last year signing Chipper to that extension(won batting title) now he has egg on his face. Just shows you you can’t be sentiment driven in sports. I,like many, wanted Chipper to finish his career here in ATL but he should have been offered some type of contract that was more production based, if you continue to do this then we’ll do this, with receding expectations for age and drop off in performance on a year to year basis. Hopefully Chipper will come back next year after working on quickness in the off season and not just pure strength training. I think many of Chippers errors were due to his poor hitting. How many times have you heard announcers say after a guy makes a great play in the field who has been struggling at the plate that “even though he’s in a slump he doesn’t carry it with him onto the field.”? I think Chipper did. Maybe Chipper can go see the Texas hitting coach like Andruw did.
Vinings Jim
September 18th, 2009
1:46 pm
cabravesfan – this is fun trying to figure out which ones are the new posts and which ones I’ve already read – not to imply that there is any repetition of similar comments on the blog
Rock On......
September 18th, 2009
1:47 pm
ANDERS…..KJ just has the same disease as Francouer had and the cure is a change of scenery – or hitting coach. Regardless, I think KJ makes a great trade combo with KK to acquire that big RH bat in LF. Oh…I have mentioned that before, sorry.
cabravesfan
September 18th, 2009
1:48 pm
VJ-
at least this way I already know which comments I don’t have to read in the future
Nova Scotia Steve - Is Worried
September 18th, 2009
1:49 pm
So basically Jurrjens said in his post game interview that the boys buckled under the pressure of being in a post season race…and lost ballgames they should have won because of it.
Now that they thought they were out of it…they started playing loose and having fun…So now that we’re clawing our way back into it…Does that mean we fold under the pressure again?
I’ve noticed ESPN, MLB.com, Foxsports all wrote Atlanta off after the Cincy series…So did I…and so did most on this blog and some writers for AJC.
Now suddenly (after a 7 game winning streak) people are talking about Atlanta again. I think there’s more pressure on them now then ever…It’ll be interesting to see how they respond…tonight’s a big one as they all are now…I’m a little concerned about Huddy tonight against the Phillies but who’s knows what’s going to happen.
But we need to keep this streak going for at least a couple more games…if we could win the next two games it would be huge! Hopefully Colorado loses a game or two…
Ginger Vitus
September 18th, 2009
1:50 pm
If Ozzie Guillen were a periodontist, all root canals would be done without novacaine. Show some fire!
Random
September 18th, 2009
1:50 pm
Richard Nieh (September 18th, 2009 7:24 am): “Call me old fashion; I still think W-L record is one of the most important stats for the pitcher.”
Not old-fashioned — just stupid. Or incapable of reason. Or lazy, sloppy-thinking — something. ‘Cause right after you say taht the W-L record is so important, you immediately start bringing in additional information/statistics to supplement and explain that W-L record. (”If a pitcher keeps losing games 2-3, 1-2″; “If the same pitcher loses his composure and starts to lose game by giving up 4 runs”) Get it? You’ve gone well beyond the simple W-L record in order to generate your “insights” and derive your conclusions from other data.
“It does not only show his performance, which is normally hold true that if a pitcher wants to win, he needs to pitch better, but also show how the game was played.”
No, it show’s the team’s performance when he pitched, not necessarily the pitcher’s performance, and certainly not the pitcher’s performance alone.
And a W-L record certainly does NOT “show how the game was played.” (You may be thinking of some other statistic or something else entirely — like a line score or a boxscore or something.)
“When we judge a pitcher, we have to judge his performance to win games rather than judging how good his stuff is.”
Or insane. Maybe you’re insane?
“If a pitcher keeps losing games 2-3, 1-2, it means he can win those games, it is just some momentary lapse cost him those games and we all know that the kind of record won’t last forever if he keeps his standards up.”
“it means he can win those games” — how? Should he have hit better with runners in scoring position? Should he have decided to homer rather than strike out?
What if the runs were unearned? What if they were “earned” as a result of poor defense and poorer official scoring? None of that matters — it still goes on the debit side of his W-L ledger.
l
Let’s tinker with that statement of yours to make it more sensible:
“If a pitcher keeps losing games 2-3, 1-2, it means [his team probably should have won] those games, it is just some momentary [team] lapse cost him those games and we all know that the kind of record [probably] won’t last forever if he keeps his standards up [and his team starts playing better].”
That’s a little bit better — still, try selling it to Bert Blyleven.
“Javier Vazquez is having his career year despite his 13-9 record”
Thanks for undermining your own thesis — less work for me.
“The fact is that the most important thing in any professional competition is to win games, what is the better stats to see the W-L record?”
This is all correct at the team level, but not at the individual level. A W-L record is the best metric for the performance of a team, but it is insufficient to measure the performance of any single individual on that team.
If you don’t get that, you just don’t get team sports.
At all.
AndyC
September 18th, 2009
1:51 pm
It will be interesting to see if the Braves begin to play tight again now that they have somewhat played themselves back into the playoff race. Big series against the Phils means more pressure. I don’t know what’s going to happen but it is nice to have meaningful games this late in the season. Haven’t had that in a few years.
McFann ;Ô;
September 18th, 2009
1:52 pm
cabravesfan at least this way I already know which comments I don’t have to read in the future
But yeah…it’s like, OK, let’s move on to normal time, now. Hopefully this time when Chief puts up a new Blog this nonsense will stop…
Bob Horner
September 18th, 2009
1:52 pm
Dude, why is trading Vazquez even a topic? He is better than Tim Hudson. Why in the world would you keep Huddy over Vazquez? Hudson has been above average for the Braves since we acquired him, but has won 16 games once and 14 games once. His option is for $12M. We have Javy signed for next year. Trading him would be foolish. If you’re going to trade a pitcher, I would trade Hudson (or Kawakami, but nobody would take his $7M). Vazquez has been dominant his whole career – but has played for sub-par teams, and then went to the AL where his ERA was inflated. He’s at the top of his game at this point in his career, and can reach back and record the big strikeout when he needs to (unlike Huddy). That being said, no way in heck Huddy is worth more $$$ than Javy.
Trading him would be a stupid move!
Anders
September 18th, 2009
1:54 pm
Rock On – What type of bat do you think the Braves will get for a starting pitcher they over paid and now have relegated to the bullpen and a second baseman they won’t let play at all?
The Braves would do well just to unload Kawakami’s contract for nothing and free that money up.
cabravesfan
September 18th, 2009
1:55 pm
McFann-
well technically it is posting correctly- it’s just not readjusting the ones that were posted in the “future”
Anders
September 18th, 2009
1:56 pm
Have you guys considered that Vasquez is clearly going to want to talk contract extension after this season? This could get sticky.
Brian
September 18th, 2009
1:57 pm
Bob Horner…the argument for trading Vazquez is not because Hudson, Kawakami, or Lowe are more valuable. Quite the opposite. Trading Vazquez is an option because he gives you the best return. Nobody’s saying “trade Vazquez, he stinks!” It’s “trade Vazquez and we might be able to get a power bat.”
Vinings Jim
September 18th, 2009
1:57 pm
cabravesfan – don’t give away the secret – it’s fun being among the few who know…
Rock On......
September 18th, 2009
1:58 pm
AndyC….It will be interesting to see how Hudson holds up against the Phils. It won’t sadden me to see this one rained out. Gotta question the Braves starting Hudson no doubt.
cabravesfan
September 18th, 2009
2:01 pm
VJ-
I don’t think we have to worry- I doubt some would notice even if we spelled it out in ALL CAPS
CB
September 18th, 2009
2:02 pm
Anders, KK was relegated to the bullpen because with Hudson’s return we had 6 starters- not for lack of performance. I think a lot of teams will be interested if he becomes available.
DAP
September 18th, 2009
2:03 pm
bob horner while the point of your post (dont trade vazquez) was right on, your reasoning was terrible. assertions like vazquez being dominant his whole career and that huddy cant get strikeouts and that nobody would take kawakami’s contract are just false.
andersThe Braves would do well just to unload Kawakami’s contract for nothing and free that money up.
thats all it will take, really.
Vinings Jim
September 18th, 2009
2:04 pm
Just waiting for 2:14 to arrive to see if Sonny and Cher start singing “I Got You Babe”
richbrave
September 18th, 2009
2:04 pm
ROCK ON:
Sorry buddy, but I’m inclined to agree with ANDERS on this one. KJ would benefit from a change of scenery IMO, but after playing himself out of the daily line-up, the BRAVES won’t get much for him. I really can’t see KK and KJ interesting GM’s in sending us some power right-handed hitter who’s under contract. We have FA MATT HOLLIDAY available this off-season, and I really think that’s the way to go.
Brad in MT
September 18th, 2009
2:04 pm
Good Morning all…it sure is nice to see the Braves playing this way, its been a long time. As far as the season goes I think that after the fact we will all look back and see this as a stepping stone to future success, regardless of if we are able to overcome the Rockies or Giants or not…
richbrave
September 18th, 2009
2:08 pm
1990. De ja vois all over again.
Rock On......
September 18th, 2009
2:09 pm
Anders….sorry about the all-caps on your name earlier. Well I think a lot of GM’s would look at a KK/KJ combo and KK could well be a #3 starter for some teams and at 7 million that is reasonable. Throw in KJ with the right team and I think we can get a bat back that will plug a hole for us. Too many variables as to what team/players to hash it all out here but suffice it to say we don’t need a Pujol’s-type bat in the trade. I will assume we sign LaRoche and start Heyward so a solid bat(not world-beater) in the 3-4 hole should do the trick. Again a lot of other variables come into play like other players not sucking in 2010.
Vinings Jim
September 18th, 2009
2:10 pm
cabravesfan – strange laundry coincidence – I think you’re stalking me today…
fastasballs
September 18th, 2009
2:11 pm
It’s just nice to play some meaningful games this late in the season. I know it’s a really long shot for the Braves to make the playoffs, but the odds seem to geta little better each day of that happening.
I think they have to finish 14-2 to at least force a playoff. The Rockies only have 15 left so they would need to finish no better than 9-6. I just don’t see them letting up. Just think the other day the Braves probably needed a 21-2 finish to make it happen so there is a chance after knocking out 1/3 of those wins out while losing none.
As far as KJ what trade value does the guy have? He sits on the bench for an offensively challenged team so his perceived value is little. I’m sure teams would take him, but I doubt they are giving anything decent up for him.
Daslied
September 18th, 2009
2:11 pm
Anders, normally your Mets comments and subtle jabs at everything Atlanta don’t bother me. But invoking Meat Loaf…that’s just going too far, man.
BTW – Kawakami is not overpaid. If that’s your mindset, why not just dump Santana to get out from that contract?
Vinings Jim
September 18th, 2009
2:11 pm
counting down (or is it up?) to 2:14…
Piedmont Blues
September 18th, 2009
2:11 pm
Been away from the blog for the most part over the past week and the Braves have gone on a run. So I’m going to give ‘em props and limit my lurking. Have fun, folks, and take care of bidness, guys.
Not that I’m superstitious or anything.
Vinings Jim
September 18th, 2009
2:12 pm
I wonder how many people think the blog is totally not working?
cabravesfan
September 18th, 2009
2:12 pm
VJ-
I believe it’s the other way around…
Vinings Jim
September 18th, 2009
2:14 pm
trying to break on through to the other side…
Lew
September 18th, 2009
2:14 pm
Bob Horner-Because many people believe (not me, mind you) that Hudson will return to “Ace” status immediately on beginning Spring Training next year. They fail to take into account that at the moment, Javy Vazquez is an undeniable #1 pitcher and Hudson a decent #4-5 starter and apparently don’t seem to realize that replacing a #1 pitcher with a lower rotation pitcher is seriously downgrading your rotation. There’s just no two ways about it.
As for people not willing to take on Kawakami’s $7 mil? Seriously? Dude has had an ERA of 3.50 since April and given up 3 or less runs in 18 of 21 starts since May 1. I don’t think they would have any problem whatsoever getting someone to eat his salary. No problem at all.
They also beiieve that if we let Hudson walk we get nothing in return (except $11 million in salary) and that trading Vazquez (who has a no trade clause for all West Coast teams) will net us all of our outfield dreams and save the same amount of $$$$$ that letting Huddy walk will bring us.
Anders- It doesn’t matter what kind of bat you would get for Lowe (he won’t be traded) or Kawakami. It would primarily be a salary dump. We could then go the Free Agent route (I wouldn’t) or allow us to make an additional trade (we actually have a farm system with prospects other teams value-unlike the Mets) and have the cash to pay that player.
Vinings Jim
September 18th, 2009
2:14 pm
almost made it…
Vinings Jim
September 18th, 2009
2:15 pm
Yesssss!!!!!!!!!!
Mitchell
September 18th, 2009
2:15 pm
How can 53% of people say they want Bobby Cox to return as manager next year?
WTF. I thought that was the one thing we all agreed on. They’re going to base the decision solely on that one pole question now. Look what you did.
But seriously… let’s get serious for a moment folks… I find that surprising.
Vinings Jim
September 18th, 2009
2:15 pm
cabravesfan – if that’s what you want to believe
cabravesfan
September 18th, 2009
2:15 pm
Does this mean the blog is fixed?
Vinings Jim
September 18th, 2009
2:16 pm
It’s been fixed for several hours – it just finally caught up
CB
September 18th, 2009
2:17 pm
cabravesfan, this is not a blog, the twilight zone.
Thrillhouse44
September 18th, 2009
2:17 pm
Mitchell, who do you want to manage the Braves?
Vinings Jim
September 18th, 2009
2:18 pm
cabravesfan – nothing to add, I’ve just become addicted to posting every minute or two…
your fault for getting me addicted
cabravesfan
September 18th, 2009
2:19 pm
VJ-
I’d stick my tongue out at you but for some reason the emoticon on the blog turns it into a smiley face…
cabravesfan
September 18th, 2009
2:20 pm
VJ-
I will not allow you to suck me into your addiction…I WILL NOT!!
Hillbilly
September 18th, 2009
2:20 pm
Just waiting for 2:14 to arrive to see if Sonny and Cher start singing “I Got You Babe”—-Vinings Jim
“Rise and shine campers. And put your booties on because it’s coooooold outside.”
jeffrey d
September 18th, 2009
2:20 pm
CAB – I hear Backstreet Boy Matt Barkley won’t be starting….is USC gonna be okay?
Vinings Jim
September 18th, 2009
2:21 pm
cabravesfan – you should know better than telling me you want to stick your tongue anywhere…
jeffrey d
September 18th, 2009
2:22 pm
Mitchell – a majority of the people who voted in that poll probably don’t come to the blog. We just get the loonies over here.
cabravesfan
September 18th, 2009
2:22 pm
Jeffrey D-
Aaron Corp is would be a started on a lot of other teams…including USC if he hadn’t gotten hurt
VJ-
ummm, no comment
McFann ;Ô;
September 18th, 2009
2:22 pm
cabravesfan well technically it is posting correctly- it’s just not readjusting the ones that were posted in the “future”
This is true…
Haha, but I think it is fixed, now! Boo-yah! Just in time for my departure…
Later!
cabravesfan
September 18th, 2009
2:24 pm
We just get the loonies over here.
so sad, yet so true…
CB
September 18th, 2009
2:24 pm
VJ,your posting every minute or two reminds me of another blogger who is near and dear to our heart.
McFann ;Ô;
September 18th, 2009
2:24 pm
cab I’d stick my tongue out at you but for some reason the emoticon on the blog turns it into a smiley face…
I really wish they had one that was sticking his tongue out in a “mad” way…
jeffrey d
September 18th, 2009
2:24 pm
Do you think he could be a starter on William & Mary?
Hillbilly
September 18th, 2009
2:26 pm
Aaron Corp is would be a started on a lot of other teams…including USC if he hadn’t gotten hurt –cabravesfan
So would 3rd stringer Mitch Mustain, but I’ll save the bitter Arkansas Razorback fan schtick for another day.
Vinings Jim
September 18th, 2009
2:27 pm
CB – much shorter posts, however
jeffrey d
September 18th, 2009
2:28 pm
So would 3rd stringer Mitch Mustain, but I’ll save the bitter Arkansas Razorback fan schtick for another day.
I’m with ya Hillbilly…I really wish he would’ve stayed with Arkansas.
Vinings Jim
September 18th, 2009
2:28 pm
jeffrey d – I’m thinking long snapper for us…
cabravesfan
September 18th, 2009
2:30 pm
Jeffrey D-
I have no doubt
Hillbilly-
I’d be more bitter about losing Damien Williams the Mitch Mustain (although I’m sure it hurts a little knowing our 3rd stringer was 8-0 at Arkansas
)
jeffrey d
September 18th, 2009
2:31 pm
I’m thinking long snapper for us…
Rock On......
September 18th, 2009
2:31 pm
Jake W….Rock On – What type of bat do you think the Braves will get for a starting pitcher they over paid and now have relegated to the bullpen and a second baseman they won’t let play at all?
That was not me saying that. You quoted Anders’ reply to me. It is my assertion they could get a real good bat and am totally in agreement that KK has pitched very well to date being his first year etc.
cabravesfan
September 18th, 2009
2:31 pm
VJ-
And he’d still be the best football player ever to play at W&M
White Blood Cells
September 18th, 2009
2:35 pm
The Baseball Gods decided to convene this past Monday in Atlanta. Like the gathering thunderstorms, they wish to right some past wrongs done to this organization. They have decided to make it interesting for a team with the courage to score 5 two out runs against the reigning AL Cy Young winner, beat a great closer with 2 ninth inning runs and laugh (like Yunel did) at a missed call that would have given the Bravos 8 runs last night. The impending rain or (Baseball Gods), does not bode well this weekend for a team (Phillies) with a decimated pen and starters that throw 130 pitches per game. This all shapes up well for the home team. Our reviled Manager will be vindicated as his moves will finally work (players will do what they are asked). The men of Atlanta will finish with 92 wins while the Phillies pitching will be exposed and finish 1 win short with 91.
mexican-brave
September 18th, 2009
2:36 pm
big game for huddy tonight…it might be crucial for the braves’ decision to re-sign him or not…don’t you think?
Rock On......
September 18th, 2009
2:37 pm
These days are getting shorter….and rainy to boot. If we get this thing in does that mean we will need about 8 pitchers? Say What? real funny….I’m talking about the ones that throw the little white ball.
TnBrian
September 18th, 2009
2:37 pm
What would they be getting for Vazquez that would be of more value to the team than a 200+ K pitcher that throws 200 innings and could be the #1-2 starter? If Wren can find it then go get him but I seriously doubt it.
Vinings Jim
September 18th, 2009
2:37 pm
cabravesfan – how often did Darren Sharper lead the NFL in interceptions? And Steve Christie – set a Super Bowl record by kicking a 54-yard field goal, set a Bills record by kicking a 59-yard field goal in a regular season game, has nine game-winning field goals in overtime to his credit, an NFL record…
richbrave
September 18th, 2009
2:38 pm
WHITE BLOOD CELLS:
Wow, dude whatever you’re smokin’, I want some. That’s good shyt!
Mitchell
September 18th, 2009
2:39 pm
cabravesfan
September 18th, 2009
2:24 pm
We just get the loonies over here.
so sad, yet so true…
What exactly is that supposed to mean California Braves Fan?
Rock On......
September 18th, 2009
2:39 pm
TnBrian….welcome to the Vazquez club. See Lew for membership details.
mexican-brave
September 18th, 2009
2:40 pm
is victorino playing tonight? heard he had diarrhea or something like that…hate that guy
White Blood Cells
September 18th, 2009
2:40 pm
richbrave,
Thanx, like I’ve said, the season is 162 games not 146.
Hillbilly
September 18th, 2009
2:41 pm
I’d be more bitter about losing Damien Williams the Mitch Mustain (although I’m sure it hurts a little knowing our 3rd stringer was 8-0 at Arkansas ) —cabravesfan
Neither one of them would have thrived at Arkansas as long as Houston Nutt was the head coach. That’s where the bitterness stems from. Ol’ Hootie wouldn’t have let them play their game. Being in the spotlight of Darren McFadden and Felix Jones didn’t help either, but that’s understandable.
richbrave
September 18th, 2009
2:42 pm
VJ:
Everybody knows CHRISTIE’s a chump. JACK DEMPSEY wudda’ K.O.’d him!
cabravesfan
September 18th, 2009
2:42 pm
Mitchell-
just a response to a previous post
Hillbilly
September 18th, 2009
2:42 pm
or being in the shadows of McFadden and Jones…whatever.
cabravesfan
September 18th, 2009
2:44 pm
Hillbilly-
That is true- I, and I think most Trojan fans, are very grateful for it…Damien Williams has been our best receiver since the day he stepped on the field
House Of Cards
September 18th, 2009
2:45 pm
I find myself confused by the reaction of some writers, broadcasters, Braves players and coaches concerning the current 7 game win streak. People from each of the above mentioned groups have come to the same conclusion and voiced it publicly. The Braves current winning streak is likely due to the fact that the pressure is off since it’s unlikely the Braves can actually make the playoffs under any circumstance.
This conclusion is uttered with a sense that if the Braves could only play relaxed throughout the season that the outcome might have been similar to the results the Braves have had over the last week.
Wow….. that’s rocket science isn’t it?
That’s what separates most of the winners from the losers! Teams who go to the playoffs have to be successful under pressure at least part of the season or the don’t go to the playoffs!
When everyone is singing off the “there’s no pressure on us now and that’s why we’re winning” page, it’s just admitting that there is something lacking in the teams makeup. In essence, just as soon as the pressure is on, this bunch is gonna fold….. they practically said so themselves!
Hillbilly
September 18th, 2009
2:47 pm
Cabravesfan –
Forward all “Thank You” letters to Oxford, Mississippi. C/O Houston Nutt.
White Blood Cells
September 18th, 2009
2:49 pm
House Of Cards,
“When you ain’t got nothing, You got nothing to lose” and who really cares how they get motivated, at least they’re not laying down!
House Of Cards
September 18th, 2009
2:52 pm
It’s the late season “righting of the ship” that bothers me. Hopefully, Braves management will not take it as a sign that all is working out. Hopefully they won’t go into the offseason feeling smug that the late season performance is just a bit late in coming but spells success for the Braves next season. If they do, they are just kidding themselves.
Think of Kelly Johnson’s performance the last couple of months last year. The winter was full of ” KJ is gonna have a monster year,” predictions in the off season. We see how that worked out.
This team is the team that played the entire season, NOT the team that played the 1st and 2nd week in September.
They can rattle off 7 loses as quickly as they rattled off 7 wins!
Hope no one forgets that.
MattyRoss
September 18th, 2009
2:53 pm
Hey DOB you familiar with the band Fanfarlo? They were on MBE on KCRW yesterday, I think you’d really like them. Very similar to Ra Ra Riot, maybe with a little more…something.
White Blood Cells
September 18th, 2009
2:55 pm
House Of Cards,
I’ll repeat, the season is 162 games, not 146.
RC
September 18th, 2009
2:55 pm
Does anyone know a good website to get ballpark statistics for a given season, specifically HR by left-handers vs. HR by right-handers? Or location of HR at a certain ballpark? After going to both Tuesday and Thursdays games and seeing the HR that LaRoche and McCann each hit, I wonder if Turner Field has been more “homer-friendly” to left handed hitters than right handed hitters this year. Both LaRoche’s first HR and McCann’s last night seemed to carry well beyond where I would have expected them to, and both were much higher than most HR appear to be as well. My theory is that with the field setup a high fly ball to right field has a much better chance due to the wind direction (NE) than a ball to left field, which would need to have the wind blowing directly west to help it. I also realize there is a good chance any stats could be skewed because a) most of the Braves’ power is from the left side and b) all of the Braves’ starters are right handed.
White Blood Cells
September 18th, 2009
2:57 pm
Everybody, get behind this team and worry about next year – next year! Live for today!
Nova Scotia Steve - Is Worried
September 18th, 2009
3:07 pm
House of Cards – I agree with most of you comment…this teams can totally still improve.
But our pitching is too good to go on that kind of losing skid! I think we’ve had to potential all year to go on an extended winning streak. However our offense has held us back. Not to mention Derek Lowe on several occasions.
TnBrian
September 18th, 2009
3:09 pm
Rock On, every fan should be a part of the Vazquez club. This guy has given more than anybody thought and seems to have been a perfect teammate. Stayed calm and professional when he and JJ were getting robbed by their own offense. Yeah, he’s getting $11.5M to play a game, but we’ve all seen these arrogant pricks blame or point the finger at guys before. I’d say thank and bye-bye to Huddy. Don’t need him anymore.
White Blood Cells
September 18th, 2009
3:12 pm
TnBrian,
Oh yeah, Just say bye-bye to guy nominated for the Roberto Clemente Award, a guy who cares about the community he lives in, a guy willing to renegotiate his contract and least importantly, a guy who can and will be very effective!
MFin04
September 18th, 2009
3:13 pm
A 7-game winning streak doesn’t make up for Bobby Cox’s bad managing the last 2 to 3 years. Similarly a Greg Norton grand slam, doesn’t make up for how bad he has been this year (oh, and we are still waiting on the Braves first Grand Slam, why not Greg Norton, lol).
But for the love, please don’t get rid of Tim Hudson or Javy Vazquez. Makes no sense to get rid of one of those two.
abwright
September 18th, 2009
3:15 pm
Anders, 1:54 pm … “Rock On – What type of bat do you think the Braves will get for a starting pitcher they over paid and now have relegated to the bullpen and a second baseman they won’t let play at all?”
I’m thinking a Spalding 32 oz maple bat. One with the “extra-breaky” feature.
Seymour Rears
September 18th, 2009
3:19 pm
Do y’all prefer bleachers or stadium seating?
abwright
September 18th, 2009
3:21 pm
So I got to witness the 13-0 Atlanta start to a season.
I know that Joe et al have talked about the Boston Red Cap’s 8-0 to finish the season (longest streak in “Braves” franchise history). Does anyone know what is the longest win streak by any team to finish a season? (I don’t know where to look to find such a piece of information.)
Here’s hoping the Braves can break that record as well. Then, Atlanta would hold both the longest win streak to start a season and the longest win streak to end the season. I’m sure that 24-0 to close out a season has got to be close to a record!
White Blood Cells
September 18th, 2009
3:23 pm
abwright,
My late father and I attended #13, it was brillant.
Willie Meighkit
September 18th, 2009
3:25 pm
When the Braves find themselves out of the wildcard by 1-2 games at season’s end, just rememeber that stretch of games before the current 7 game streak.
ncscoots
September 18th, 2009
3:26 pm
I’d say thank and bye-bye to Huddy. Don’t need him anymore.
Wow. Hubris in the worst. So the Braves don’t need a pitcher who, in his 8 full seasons, averaged 217 IP with a 1.25 WHIP, 6 K/9, and less than 3 BB/9? He’s just junk, right? Never going to be the same, right? The surgery means he has no chance to regain form, right?
Whatever the changes in the pitching staff for 2010, letting Hudson go because the Braves “don’t need him” won’t figure into it. Good grief.
White Blood Cells
September 18th, 2009
3:26 pm
“I just get bored”
Betty Would
September 18th, 2009
3:27 pm
Especially remember the game when T Hanson was pulled after the 8th.
RHR
September 18th, 2009
3:29 pm
I…….
Hmmm. I need to go home. I’m just not getting most of the comments today. Maybe I need a nap.
CB
September 18th, 2009
3:30 pm
Mitchell,you were wondering how 53% of fans wanted Cox to come back. The answer to that is we are not ranters who get angry over every move made and hindsight 20/20 everything that is done. The majority of fans know being a manager is a crap-shoot with the decisions and you could take every manager in baseball and criticise some moves they make. Go on any other major league blog and read what they are saying about their manager,it is everywhere. Blogging is not for the logical,mostly for others.
David O'Brien
September 18th, 2009
3:30 pm
NEW BLOGGAGE
abwright
September 18th, 2009
3:32 pm
White Blood Cells, 3:23 pm … “abwright, My late father and I attended #13, it was brillant.”
That has to be a memory of memories for you. I’ve attended many baseball games, but never anything quite as amazing as the games in that streak. Plus, you got to go with your dad, even better!
RC
September 18th, 2009
3:33 pm
Why not keep all 6 pitchers? KK has shown that he can be effective out of the bullpen, and history has shown you can NEVER have enough starting pitching. I think it’s important for the Braves to protect themselves from giving up games if a starter goes down, and in my mind the best way to do that is have a good starting pitcher in reserve. Assuming the money can also be found to resign LaRoche and that Heyward is ready next season, I think your best shot at winning in 2010 is to add a bullpen arm or two, and push forward with what you’ve got.
Danga
September 18th, 2009
3:33 pm
House of Cards…I think this teams second half resurgence speaks much more to the fact that they are getting much more production out of 2b, RF, and 1b than they were in the first 3 months of the season. I am not sure how you measure fire or spirit or any of those things. How you identify that in a player? You win baseball games by scoring more runs than the other teams not be a certain look in the eye. Right now the Braves are getting great pitching to go along with some timely hitting thus we win 7 games in a row. It is fun to watch. Hopefully we can keep it up against a good team in the Phils.
As far as the Vazquez discussion goes, I am in the sell high club. Chances are he doesn’t pitch like this again next year, and he definitely will be a free agent at the end of next year.
no crying in baseball
September 18th, 2009
3:36 pm
The best deals are the ones that are not made, i.e. Bonds, Peavey, Burnett, Tex (oops that one was made). If the Brave trade or fail to sign Vasquez, and LaRoche, they are fools.
If our starters can average 7 innings, our bullpen problems will be solved. That would be worth 2 arms in the pen! To average 7 innings we just have to change BC’s penchant for yanking his starters to early, These guys are good let them pitch! quit micro managing. Would a 112 pitch count average kill these guys. According to Dr. Mike Marshall it is mechanics not innings that kill elbows and shoulders. What is wrong with 6 starters, the competition for the five positions will be fun to watch. I like having the insurance of the extra arm on hand. Can we really expect to have no injuries to the rotation again! Pencil in Kwakami for 12 to 15 starts next summer, keep everybody fresh with 25 to 27 starts.
As it stands or only real holes to fill next year are 2nd base and 3rd base. For the rest if it ain’t broke don’t fix it! The outfield will be OK, Diaz is hitting .320! McClouth makes everybody better with his plate discipline and energy. Heyward, G.Anderson, Goerky, or Church will do fine. The grass isn’t any greener in the other guys outfield.
John
September 27th, 2009
8:42 pm
Chippie really needs to go with Bobby. He is reduced to 3 infield hits in 3 days. He has more errors that homers. He needs to go back to school and learn how to talk. He’s pitiful.