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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
2,474 comments Add your comment
brent a.
September 19th, 2009
1:37 pm
Steve, In all seriousness (no smart-aleck here),
I know you are in the camp of those that feel that Lowe’s performance this year has been reasonably comparable to to his salary (worded funny, but I think you get my point). In short, Lowe isn’t overpaid, by much, if at all.
That said, do you think Lowe is tradeable? If not, why not?
Thanks,
Efrim
September 19th, 2009
1:40 pm
Let’s be realistic here, what team is trading elite “can’t miss” prospects nowadays? They aren’t. I’d want that for Yunel Escobar, and it probably wouldn’t happen. People are just going to have to deal with these lapses once and while. He’ll be 27 on opening day next year, with 4 more seasons under the Braves control. To date, he is a .302/.375/.430 hitter as a SHORTSTOP in a little uder 1,500 plate appearances. Not to mention he is a pretty damn good defender. If we want to win in 2010 and 2011, I’d hold off on dealing Yunel. He is one of our more valuable players in our entire org. Top 5, imo.
Mid Town Joe
September 19th, 2009
1:41 pm
In clip above, listen to some of their songs samples in link on bottom right hand side.
Frankie Wren
September 19th, 2009
1:42 pm
Javy’s been lights out this year, no doubt. This is probably also a career year for him. With that said, he’s been a up and down his whole career. Hudson’s been a proven winner his whole career. I agree about labeling a guy or classifying him as number starter. Hudson is unspectacular but consistent. I’ll take that next year.
White Blood Cells
September 19th, 2009
1:42 pm
Scanning the blog and it’s good to see that some loyalty was not destroyed last night. For all those ripping this or ripping that (phuck you) We still have a chance!
FEAR
September 19th, 2009
1:44 pm
Ya know I’m a 29 year old IT tech. No college education. I’m a huge baseball and Braves fan. Yet I do not know as much as many people on here or the writers, BUT I still know that after you get burned twice by Ryan Howard….that you don’t pitch to him! I also know that if your up by 6,7, or 8 runs that you don’t put in your best relief guys. I also know that if you have a guy batting .280 and a guy batting .130 that you should go with the guy batting .280. Yet somehow I’m only making 15 dollars an hour and bobby cox has been robbing the braves for 20 years. It is true life ain’t fair.
Steve from OH
September 19th, 2009
1:45 pm
Tim Hudson has a career ERA of 3.49 and Vazquez career ERA is 4.21. How is that similar at all?
Not at all! However, you convieniently ignore the fact that ERA is a very variable stat, and there are a lot of things that a pitcher can’t control that can effect his ERA. We must look deeper to discover a pitcher’s true talent level.
(Career numbers)
Pitcher A: 3.79 FIP (6.11 K/9, 2.22 BB/9, 0.71 HR/9), 1.25 WHIP (.290 BABIP), 4.43 tRA (58.5 GB%)
Pitcher B: 3.84 FIP (8.44 K/9, 2.35 BB/9, 1.16 HR/9), 1.25 WHIP (3.09 BABIP), 4.50 tRA (39.4 GB%)
Pitcher A is Tim Hudson. Pitcher B is Javy Vazquez. Vazquez strikes out more batters and allows more HR. Hudson K’s less batters and allows fewer HR. However, they achieve a very, very similar end result in FIP.
Vazquez allows more FB, Hudson more GB, both allow similar numbers of line drives and HR/FB, Vazquez strikes out more men and they both walk similar numbers and hence, their tRA are quite similar.
Two different styles, two very similar end results.
Mid Town Joe
September 19th, 2009
1:45 pm
“Rain” will be at the Fox next month.
Efrim
September 19th, 2009
1:47 pm
6-7 million for a #4/5 isn’t really that bad. I hope the Braves entertain dealing him over Vazquez. Vazquez has a no trade clause to all NL/AL West teams. I’d rather not deal him within division, and I am pretty comfortable in saying that the Yankees and White Sox wouldn’t trade for him again. So we’re a little more limited than some think in trade scenarios. Off the top of my head, Brewers, Tigers, Twins, Cubs(?), could use a starter. But it’s not as wide open as some may think.
Steve from OH
September 19th, 2009
1:50 pm
That said, do you think Lowe is tradeable?
I don’t think so, but again, I’m looking at it from a purely academic perspective instead of a FO perspective, meaning that I have no idea what the market for him really is.
The reason I say he’s not tradeable is that if a team wanted him, they’d have signed him in the offseason. I really don’t think they’re going to take him on at a salary they weren’t able/willing to meet in the offseason and give up a player or two to get him. Plus, superficially, he hasn’t performed well this year, and (full caveat–I’m no scout) his slider has declined this year according to pitch f/x. Whether that’s correctable or not I have no idea, but it’s something to consider…
Mixxo
September 19th, 2009
1:50 pm
Glad I checked out after 6 last night. The writing was on the wall early in that one.
Phail from the get-go. Chipper’s insertion, Mac’s lapse on a foul ball, Esco’s benching…..
16 penny nail with a 22 oz. framing hammer. Pitiful!
Sheesh!
Random
September 19th, 2009
1:50 pm
Frankie Wren (September 19th, 2009 1:19 pm): “Statistically the same?
“Hudson is 147-78 over his career while Javy has been a .500 pitcher. Little bit of difference there don’t you think?”
First:
Shirley, you jest.
W-L records, winning percentage, are of the biggest of big red herrings in evaluating a pitcher’s performance and in comparing pitchers’ performances. Pay attention and/or find a clue.
Second:
You’re right in spite of yourself.
Hudson is tied for 9th (with Carlos Zambrano) among active pitchers in Adjusted ERA+ (126).
Vazquez is tied (with Ryan Franklin, Mike Hampton, Ted Lily, Matt Morris and Arthur Rhodes) for 37th (107).
PS: Mariano Rivera is 1st (201), Pedro Martinez is 2nd (154) and Trevor Hoffman is 3rd (147).
TnBrian
September 19th, 2009
1:52 pm
Bobby wants to win his way. He’s not changing even if it’s for the better, so I ask myself and the majority of you… why do we constantly torch this man when he’s been qouted as saying, “That’s why I don’t ever read that stuff”. Refering to fans or media comments on him or his team.
David O'Brien
September 19th, 2009
1:52 pm
Just looking at Ryan Howard’s stats. He’s hit 24 homers on the road this season, 16 at home. Slugging .584 on the road, .535 at home at cozy Citizens Bank Park.
For his career, he has 111 homers on the road, 106 at home.
David O'Brien
September 19th, 2009
1:53 pm
Steve from OH: Great points about Lowe at 1:50. I agree with you.
brian
September 19th, 2009
1:57 pm
Steve – the only way I see him as tradeable is that nobody before wanted to give him a 4 year contract. Now it is a 3 year $45 million contract which is probably easier to swallow. Trouble is people have to decide is this year the start of a decline or is it an isolated off year
McFann Ô
September 19th, 2009
1:57 pm
Pete OOPS….meant to say 16 and 8 came from Smoltz and Avery…..I think McFann hacked my account lol
No, I’d been away…
Braveheart
September 19th, 2009
1:58 pm
How are Hudson and Vazquez statistically similar in every way for their careers? One has an ERA+ of 126, the other has an ERA+ of 107. One has a lifetime ERA of 3.49, the other 4.21. One has a winning % of 65% for his career, the other has a 50% winning percentage. Their winning percentages and the disparity between their winning percentages are pretty much what you’d expect relative to the difference between their ERA+ rates.
Rob from SC AKA - Derek Lowe sucks and Bobby Cox has it out for Escobar
September 19th, 2009
1:58 pm
Random
Chipper hasn’t run hard for years.
Tiger Woods
September 19th, 2009
2:01 pm
agree with rob.
TnBrian
September 19th, 2009
2:02 pm
Steve from Oh, that SHOULD quiet down any Lowe trade talks. I can’t even imagine Kawakami being that attractive with a $7.3m price tag either. Vazquez would be the one to go, unfortunately. Just not a huge Hudson fan. Never struck me as a legit ace except when in ‘07 he actually pitched like one. Coming off that kinda surgery and not knowing is too much of a risk. Would the value you get for Javy be more than he brings? A power hitting OF/1B and a Hudson of ‘07 would surely be an upgrade over one Javy, but who knows that’s what you’ll get.
David O'Brien
September 19th, 2009
2:02 pm
They’re talking to The Man, Gale Sayers, now on the KU-Duke broadcast. Love the “Kansas Comet”….
Bad Scooter: I like Jaz-Z, have his original Blueprint CD, and Hard Knock Life, the Black Album, and American Gangster. He’s very good, but Nas is better in my view. I don’t buy much rap anymore, but Nas is smart and edgy, like the older guys were. And going back, Biggie Smalls and Tupac were both better than Jay-Z, in my view. And I loved Public Enemy, Beasties, Run-DMC, all the early Outkast stuff, Tribe Called Quest, Mos Def, Dr. Dre (the Chronic album), early De La Soul. I’ll admit I like the first three Kanye albums, though he’s such an insufferable boor that he makes it hard to appreciate his music.
Steve from OH
September 19th, 2009
2:03 pm
I hadn’t cited the adjusted ERA and should have (thanks, Random!), so that’s a big difference. My bad. However, I don’t care about W/L record and I don’t think it tells me anything, so I won’t cite it.
McFann Ô
September 19th, 2009
2:03 pm
Mixxo Glad I checked out after 6 last night. The writing was on the wall early in that one.
After 6? You missed half the “fun”! Ryan Howard got HBP in the 8th, and then later he and Werth attempted a double-steal, but BMac caught Howard at third for the second CS of the game! Then in the bottom of the inning BMac hit a two-run homer to give us a glimmer of hope…
Shoulda stuck around at least through the eighth.
TnBrian
September 19th, 2009
2:05 pm
“Chipper hasn’t run hard for years.” Rob from SC
Agree with you. You hit the nail on the head.
Mid Town Joe
September 19th, 2009
2:06 pm
Flash Flood Warning for ATL
TnBrian
September 19th, 2009
2:08 pm
O’Brien, I’ve never seen or heard of anyone liking such a wide variety of music like you seem to. You go from Cash to Nas to some underground 70’s/80’s funk/punk music. Not dissing you… that’s your thing. Just saying, you might be a strange fella.
Steve from OH
September 19th, 2009
2:09 pm
I suppose I should give a link defining tRA for those unfamiliar with it.
Frankie Wren
September 19th, 2009
2:09 pm
TnBrian,
It’s been stated here that everyone but Escober hustles on that play. Unbelievable regarding double standards. Chipper’s dog it a million times.
Jake W.
September 19th, 2009
2:11 pm
“O’Brien, I’ve never seen or heard of anyone liking such a wide variety of music like you seem to. You go from Cash to Nas to some underground 70’s/80’s funk/punk music. Not dissing you… that’s your thing. Just saying, you might be a strange fella.”
In DOB’s defense good music is good music. Shouldn’t make you strange for liking it.
Steve from OH
September 19th, 2009
2:13 pm
A couple more good links on pitcher valuation:
http://ussmariner.com/2006/08/29/evaluating-pitcher-talent/
http://www.statcorner.com/tRAabout.html
Mudge
September 19th, 2009
2:14 pm
Look at the ages: Hudson-34, Vasquez-33, Kawakami-34, Lowe-36…Hanson-23 Compare to the Phillies, for example.
Lee-31, Hamels-25, Blanton-28, Happ-26, Martinez-37 or the Cardinals
Call the mid-30s their prime, if you like, but the starting staff is not young.
The Braves need a big hitter (Howardesque)..someone the other team’s blog screams for the manager to walk (or hit). St. Louis has Pujols and LA has Manny. Laroche is a fine first baseman, but he is not the slugger you need. One of the two corners must be a power hitter. Imagine if the Phillies put together a package for Ryan Zimmerman from the Nats (they could, I bet), while Atlanta management sits and discusses Chipper’s future.
Random
September 19th, 2009
2:15 pm
Jeff R (September 19th, 2009 1:25 pm): “But it is telling that Cox was more than willing to bump Kawakami from the rotation in favor of Hudson. Earlier speculation was that Hudson would work out of the bullpen.”
I think that was very early, very wild (at least, unsupported) speculation based at best on how other players had been brought back from TJS.
It was clear to many here that Hudson’s specific contract situation (the option for next year) practically demanded that he be given as many starts as possible when he was ready to return (as a starter) in order to make that decision easier for the Braves. (And perhaps to showcase him as a starter to potential trade partners.)
Now, as to why Kawakami was sent to the bullpen, and not, say, Lowe (to “audition” for 2010 closer — far-fetched, I admit) or Hanson (to limit his IPs, if the Braves had been out of contention by then), I don’t know. But among those three, the combination of lower investment/lesser performance conspired to make Kawakami the low man on the totem pole, I guess.
PS: Kenshi-kun — I have no happiness. Je pleuve.
Efrim
September 19th, 2009
2:16 pm
I like Jaz-Z, have his original Blueprint CD, and Hard Knock Life, the Black Album, and American Gangster. He’s very good, but Nas is better in my view.
DOB, I agree. Biggie Smalls or Tupac? No reasoning needed, just interested which one you liked more.
Danga
September 19th, 2009
2:17 pm
Mudge…Ya left out JJ there.
Mudge
September 19th, 2009
2:21 pm
Si I did..JJ-23. He and Hanson are a fine core. Two are not enough, though, unless they have years like Carpenter and Wainwright. To me ..the others are a crapshoot.
Random
September 19th, 2009
2:30 pm
Rob from SC (September 19th, 2009 1:58 pm): “Chipper hasn’t run hard for years.”
You are so TOTALLY full of siht.
Jones routinely — routinely — goes from 1st to 3rd or scores from 2nd on a single, and scores from 1st on a double.
Routinely.
You’re as bad as Jeff321 for simply making stuff up, aren’t you?
Your And Idiot.
And a Hater.
PS: And the expression is “has it in for” someone, not “has it out for” them. Retrotard.
BravesfaninWis
September 19th, 2009
2:33 pm
How ironic is it that we win every game that Chipper misses, then we lose the first game that he comes back? I saw a article on MLBtraderumors on what the Braves options were for 1st base.. One had Chipper moving to first base, Prado moving to 3rd base, and the Braves signing a 2nd baseman on the lines of Orlando Hudson..
Here is my outlook on things.. How about we resign LaRoche, move Prado to 3rd and sign Hudson to play 2nd while Chipper retires and we free up 12-13 million? The Braves have already proven that we can beat good teams with Chipper in the game, so why not use that big annual salary and sign guys that can really help this team? Maybe someone like Jason Bay or someone else on like that?
All I know is this team needs to make drastic improvements in order to have a shot next year.. A new manager would be good, a new pinch hitter (not named Greg Norton) and several new bullpen arms not named (Nunez, Logan, Acosta, and possibly O’Flaherty)
We have a solid starting rotation coming back.. It would be nice to see Hudson, Hanson, Jurrgens, Vazquez, and Lowe as the starters.. We would have to trade Kawakami in that instance, but he would be easier to trade then Lowe would be.. The only was I see the Braves hanging onto Vazquez is if he agrees to a new contract at a friendlier price tag.. Otherwise, we will most likely see a rotation consisting of Hanson, Hudson, Jurrgens, Lowe, and Kawakami next year..
Random
September 19th, 2009
2:34 pm
You, too, TnBrian (September 19th, 2009 2:05 pm).
Frankie Wren
September 19th, 2009
2:34 pm
Random,
Dude, make sure you take your Demerol today. Maybe a valium. \
Geez man, take in a movie. Not that important fella.
David O'Brien
September 19th, 2009
2:36 pm
TnBrian: if that makes someone “strange” in your view, then I’m definitely that. I also have about 12-15 Sinatra LPs and 8-10 of his CDs, tons of Nina Simone and Aretha Franklin, some Mario Lanza (just filling out your variety list, which was accurate — I like all those genres you named, and more).
About the only thing I never, ever got into was 80s hair-metal and 90s white rap-rock. (Guns ‘N’ Roses looked like a hair-metal band when they started, but they never sounded like those garbage bands they looked like, at least not after becoming the Guns ‘N’ Roses we recognize. I say this because I liked some GNR — all of Appetite for Destruction and selected cuts off their other LPs).
CB
September 19th, 2009
2:37 pm
Braveheart was correct,Escobar was dogging it. I don’t think we should trade Escobar as a punishment. My feeling is he is better than he was a few months ago about the hotdogging and has played excellent defense and base running, I’m with Bobby- he just suffers lapses and needs to grow up. I still feel he is worth saving, just fine him and go from there.
ryan
September 19th, 2009
2:38 pm
Fire Cox like the Brewers did last year with Yost and we will have a better shot of making the playoffs.
David O'Brien
September 19th, 2009
2:39 pm
Mid Town Joe: We’ve been under flood warning since Thursday afternoon, and still played two games, one of them without so much as a rain delay. It doesn’t look good for tonight, but it looked a lot worse Thursday and we got that game in.
Steve from OH
September 19th, 2009
2:39 pm
Dave–glad you like GNR, at least. The major appeal for the majority of the 80’s rock for me is the outstanding guitar playing, anyway. I will say that I think some of the bands are better than you give them credit for, though…
Steve from OH
September 19th, 2009
2:41 pm
Besides, sometimes I don’t want to listen to songs with really deep or meaningful lyrics–I just wanna unwind and listen to something goofy or melodic or whatever…
Night Court
September 19th, 2009
2:41 pm
All rise………The DOB Blog Court is now in session with the Honorable Judge Random presiding.
Night Court
September 19th, 2009
2:44 pm
DOB You’ve been under a Flash Flood Watch, not Warning. You are actually under a Warning now.
Braves are under a warning also. Score more runs than the Phillies!
Bravissimo
September 19th, 2009
2:53 pm
MCFANN..whats the song they play for Mc’s at bat?
Dan in NJ
September 19th, 2009
2:58 pm
Bmacs song is by
Maino – All the above
rufues
September 19th, 2009
3:01 pm
A team is as good as it’s manager.
Bravissimo
September 19th, 2009
3:02 pm
thanks
McFann Ô
September 19th, 2009
3:03 pm
Bravissimo–
Looks like Dan got to it first…though I wouldn’t have been tell you the artist.
Matter of fact, I think Dan Uggla might use the same song…pretty sure I heard it when he came up to bat in that last series in Florida.
fifthbusiness
September 19th, 2009
3:03 pm
Enter your comments here
DOB amen to the hair band comment. Why did they get big and the Replacements stayed a cult band? Daddy always said life was not fair. Whats worse VH1 is pushing them again.
rufues
September 19th, 2009
3:03 pm
A team is as good as it’s manager,
Random
September 19th, 2009
3:04 pm
Frankie Wren (September 19th, 2009 2:34 pm): “Dude, make sure you take your Demerol today. Maybe a valium. \
Geez man, take in a movie. Not that important fella.”
Sheesh.
How would you have responded if I had said that you were wrong?????
“Dammed if you do, dammed if you don’t”, it seems.
Night Court (September 19th, 2009 2:41 pm) –
Oyez, oyez.
PS: Oh. I see. “Il pleut” = “It’s raining”; “Je pleuve” = mega-pretentious, poetical, Frenchical play on words (”I rain”). Make nothing of it.
McFann Ô
September 19th, 2009
3:04 pm
Steve from OH @ 2:41–
I gotta agree with you there.
Course, IDK, some of the songs I listen to might have deep meanings…I just don’t know what they are.
Salamander
September 19th, 2009
3:06 pm
Health record Get Color is good stuff. Abrasive yet poppy. Sounds like a blend of Nine Inch Nails (sans craptastic lyrics), Liars, Animal Collective, and perhaps some Filter and other 90’s electric/rock bands.
Mew record No more stories are told today, I’m sorry, they washed away is cupcake crap. The kids like this junk… and I have no idea why. Sounds like the worst parts of Phoenix and the Postal Service mixed with 80’s synth-pop.
DOB, I read your take on Japandroids latest record last week… I’m not really a fan, but I can hear the appeal in their approach. Unfortunately, naive and annoying lyrics like:
“I don’t want to worry about dying, I just want to worry about sunshine and girls”
Kinda turns me off from their energetic and vibrant sound. Good stuff, just not for me.
Fred
September 19th, 2009
3:08 pm
Bravissimo, It’s the Kings of Leon’s latest hit, You got to love somebody (he changed his song mid-season).
McFann Ô
September 19th, 2009
3:18 pm
Fred (he changed his song mid-season).
Yeah, but I think he changed it back to the other song…
Danga
September 19th, 2009
3:23 pm
Argh Kansas…Can’t you let it stay inside the spread.
RHR
September 19th, 2009
3:31 pm
How ’bout a hearty round of GO HUSKIES!
Danga
September 19th, 2009
3:32 pm
Is it time for the Iditarod?
Random
September 19th, 2009
3:35 pm
Steve from OH (September 19th, 2009 12:40 pm): ” ‘We might get a good haul for [Escobar], but we’d still be losing him and his production. I don’t see how that could be a good thing.’
“Agreed. Plus, I don’t see how we’d fill SS with him gone.”
If it were to happen at all (which I both doubt and hope against), I see an Ozzie Smith — Garry Templeton scenario.
Steve from OH (September 19th, 2009 1:18 pm): “Do I think he’s a lock to stay here? No–if Wren can cut Tom Glavine, he can trade Kenshin Kawakami.”
I think it’s way past time to debunk this particular myth — that is, since Wren was able to dispassionately cut Smoltz and Glavine, he will be every bit as dispassionate in all his personnel decisions.
First, let me ask — just how personally/professionally/emotionally involved was Wren with the acquisition (or re-acquisition) and development of either Smoltz or Glavine? Practically zero, I’d guess.
On the other hand, Wren busted his hump to sign Kawakami — he is deeply invested — personally, professionally and emotionally — in Kawakami’s MLB career.
Second, and this is only what I figure — Wren busted his hump to get Kawakami as a part of a grander scheme, one of which Kawakami is only a part. An indispensable part, indeed, and just the first stroke of his master plan.
(I know, I know — I’m overstating things here somewhat. But this I believe — Kawakami is a cornerstone, not an interchangeable block.)
PS: You’ve been citing “Fielding Independent” pitching statistics for Hudson and Vazquez, while at the same time admitting that the former is highly dependent on his fielding (groundball pitcher) while the latter often yields hit balls that his fielders are totally “independent” from (that is, home runs). I sense some kind of disconnect here, but I can’t quite put my finger on it.
monty
September 19th, 2009
3:37 pm
The point that some of you seem to missing concerning trading Lowe IMHO is that we don’t have to get much for him in return. Just getting rid of his 15 mil/contract gives us an extra 4 mil. after we pick up Huddy’s option. We keep the better pitcher in Hudson, we save 4 mil, and we keep Vazquez, the biggest bonus of the deal!
RHR
September 19th, 2009
3:38 pm
BTW – I got up to rain at 6 a.m….its 2:30 now and it hasn’t let up for a minute. Good luck getting that game in. Take your poncho tonight, Boss Lady.
My favorite will be the people who come on and complain about how nobody was at the game after a 5 hour rain delay. I mean…really?
Danga
September 19th, 2009
3:40 pm
But if we are so eager to dump a $15 mil a year contract, then who is going to be so eager to pick one up?
RHR
September 19th, 2009
3:44 pm
The point that some of you seem to missing concerning trading Lowe IMHO is that we don’t have to get much for him in return. Just getting rid of his 15 mil/contract gives us an extra 4 mil. after we pick up Huddy’s option. We keep the better pitcher in Hudson, we save 4 mil, and we keep Vazquez, the biggest bonus of the deal!
Yeah I mean, its so easy to get rid of a 36 year old starter who has had a crap year and who has 3 years 45 million remaining on his contract. Hell, I might take him off the Braves hands myself, he could mow my lawn, take care of my pool, and wash our cars. In his spare time I’ll let him field calls from other free agents who are considering playing for atlanta. I will make him say “No really, you should sign with the braves!”
Random
September 19th, 2009
3:46 pm
Oops — time to check out Timmy Turbo in Tennessee.
(In FL, that is — in the grasp of Tennessee.)
RHR
September 19th, 2009
3:48 pm
Bravissimo – the title of the song is ‘use somebody’ not..whatever that was someone else said.
Random
September 19th, 2009
3:50 pm
RHR (September 19th, 2009 3:38 pm): “BTW – I got up to rain at 6 a.m….”
And you give “pee guy” a hard time? It is to laugh.
PS: I myself have been raining since 4.
RHR
September 19th, 2009
3:52 pm
oh hey random, believe it or not, a van was kinda circling around the area where I ran yesterday (or maybe it was day before?) i briefly thought of you. and then hurried back home, looking over my shoulder to make sure he couldn’t see which driveway i was going up.
RHR
September 19th, 2009
3:52 pm
at least i didn’t have to set an alarm.
RHR
September 19th, 2009
3:54 pm
Louisiana boy Joe McKnight needs his butt kicked every day for choosing anything other than an SEC school. USC is average, at best, without him. I hope he gets beat up every time he goes back home.
Danga
September 19th, 2009
4:01 pm
Can’t believe I’m rooting for Tennessee. McKnight is from LA? Shoot. At least he is out there where we don’t have to deal with him every year.
BossLady
September 19th, 2009
4:03 pm
Got my poncho, got one for my granddaughter and we have umbrellas too. On the way out now. The adults are on their own. I would not stay for a 5 hour delay that is stupid. I will stay until 9-9:30 though. I just think that as hard as they are trying it could help. The Umpires need booing and if Acosta comes out I am booing. Lets hope to get it in so we can move on. Besides, we can go inside and have dinner and drinks.
GO BRAVES GO BRAVES GO BRAVES if they get started…
Danga
September 19th, 2009
4:04 pm
Sounds like a plan BossLady. Go get a W for the Bravos tonight.
HoCoJo
September 19th, 2009
4:06 pm
DOB and all:
Bohemian Rhapsody UC Men Style
Tomahawkin
September 19th, 2009
4:06 pm
Yeah
I can’t believe I’m supporting Tennessee…
I want Florida to get upset at home
JB
September 19th, 2009
4:07 pm
RHR – USC > SEC – Florida
Jeff R
September 19th, 2009
4:08 pm
Random… I don’t know; you may be correct about why management went with Hudson over Kawakami. But I’d say if Kawakami was performing better, then Cox wouldn’t have bumped him.
When you look at the rotation with Kawakamai, who’s the weakest link? Kawakami. Lowe has his ups and downs, but he tends to go deeper into games. He does win. Kawakami has shown a few flashes of effectiveness, but not enough.
Danga
September 19th, 2009
4:09 pm
Barkley wouldn’t remember his Mama after Alabama got done with him.
cvbraves
September 19th, 2009
4:21 pm
For the players and pitchers he had to work with, Bobby did a super job of managing last night and except for two pitches Huddy left up in the strike zone, Happ leaving early, Escobar’s mental lapse, and a bullpen collapse, I believe the Braves had a good chance to win.
Bobby had a good lineup (with Chipper trying to play through injury and pain) set to face Happ who left after two innings. Still the Braves could handle that. It also didn’t help that Yunel disrespected his teammates and the game by not running hard out of the box on a ground ball. Bobby had no choice but to bench him.
However, we went into the game knowing that Gonzalez and O’Flaherty weren’t available (those two had to be used a lot during the 7-game win streak)…and Bobby wasn’t going to use Moylan or Soriano unless the Braves had a lead late.
So, available in the bullpen were Medlen, Acosta, Logan, Carlyle, and Nunez. After Huddy had pitched 7 innings and we were behind 3-1, Bobby’s only choice was to hope one of these five or a combination thereof could hold the score right there and give us a chance to take the lead — then use Moylan and/or Soriano.
But the bullpen just wasn’t up to the task of shutting down the Phils the rest of the way.
Because of the pre-game pitching situation (Huddy only being off the DL for three starts…and bullpen availability), it appeared even brefore the game it was going to be a difficult one to win. Nevertheless, Bobby had a good plan: 1) Huddy had to hold the Phils to 3 or less (he did), 2) Braves had to score 4 or 5 off Happ and other Phillie pitchers (they scored 4), and 3) we had to have the lead late and then use Moylan and Soriano (we never regained the lead).
Kudos to McCann and the guys for putting 4 runs on the board, though; some great defense, and a couple of great throws to third by McCann to avoid the stolen bases.
Look for better results tonight and tomorrow.
Joe McKnight
September 19th, 2009
4:33 pm
Go pigs! Sooooiiiieeeeee!!!!!
McFann Ô
September 19th, 2009
4:34 pm
cvbraves Kudos to McCann and the guys for putting 4 runs on the board, though; some great defense, and a couple of great throws to third by McCann to avoid the stolen bases.
Yeah!
He was making up for losing that popup.
RHR
September 19th, 2009
4:35 pm
Danga – he sure is. I can’t remember the name of his high school now but his high school team played an alabama high school team a few years ago and I went to that game and saw him play. He was uncommitted then, had a long list of schools to choose from. I believe he’s a senior at USC now, had to wait a long time to play, i didn’t understand when he signed with them he was like 4th or 5th on the depth chart at RB. Knew when I saw him playing in high school he was going to be a great college player, looked like reggie bush out ther vs a bunch of average high school football players. The USC version of Reggie, not the NFL version of Reggie. Anyway, USC must have paid the most lol.
RHR
September 19th, 2009
4:36 pm
I didn’t go to the game to see him play, had never heard of him before that night. Went to see my nephew play, he was on the bama team. Just to clarify.
Random
September 19th, 2009
4:37 pm
Jeff R September 19th, 2009 4:08 pm(): “I don’t know; you may be correct about why management went with Hudson over Kawakami. But I’d say if Kawakami was performing better, then Cox wouldn’t have bumped him.”
No — I think that it is obvious, especially in retrospect, that Hudson was destined for the rotation when he returned. As evidence, I present not only the reasons why (whether to exercise his option), but also the way he was rehabbed. The length and manner of his MiLB rehabiltation made it apparent that he was being brought back to start. Otherwise, he could’ve been back (in the bullpen) a week or two earlier.
“When you look at the rotation with Kawakamai, who’s the weakest link?”
Right now? Hudson’s the weaket link, because he’s an unknown. Like you(?) said, the jury’s still out on Hudson.
“Kawakami has shown a few flashes of effectiveness, but not enough.”
Those “flashes”, when properly interpreted in the context of his adjusting to MLB (the schedule, the balls, the hitters, etc) and with the backdrop of his career performance and proven capabilities in NPB, and considering their positive, upward trajectory, ARE “enough”, imo.
Joe McKnight
September 19th, 2009
4:38 pm
yep, bama and uga had budgetary constraints
RHR
September 19th, 2009
4:39 pm
And not only will they pay you at USC, they’ll also buy your mama a nice house on the beach. Hey kid, can’t blame ya. You gotta get yours.
Random
September 19th, 2009
4:39 pm
In “the context of his adjusting to MLB (the schedule, the balls, the hitters, etc)” — “etc” = the strike zone, the travel, etc”.
Joe McKnight
September 19th, 2009
4:40 pm
uga offered me a doublewide with a washer on the front porch. I didn’t think it was right to make the head coach move though.
Danga
September 19th, 2009
4:42 pm
I like the mental image of Wren that your presentation of Kawakami gives me. I see him sitting in a high backed chair in a high rise above Atlanta staring at a globe while he taps his fingers together in front of his chest.
Danga
September 19th, 2009
4:45 pm
Something funny is going on in that Oklahoma game. Ever time I check the score Tulsa is in the red zone, and when I check back Oklahoma has scored a touchdown. Strange.
Roman Gal
September 19th, 2009
4:47 pm
RHR-
Real fans will go to a baseball game in rain and hail. They’ll wait through delays as long as they last, and they’ll stay until the last pitch, no matter how late the game goes.
Danga
September 19th, 2009
4:55 pm
I consider myself a real fan of baseball with a real life. Delays lasting hours long and games lasting past midnight make it so I can’t be a functional person the next day. Baseball is great and I love it, but it doesn’t take precedence over my daily responsibilities.
Random
September 19th, 2009
4:58 pm
In “the context of [Kawakami's] adjusting to MLB (the schedule, the balls, the hitters, the strike zone, the travel, etc)” — “etc” = “the language, the culture, etc”.
Danga
September 19th, 2009
5:01 pm
That context keeps getting larger there Random.
HoCoJo
September 19th, 2009
5:01 pm
I got quite a laugh out of someone asking DOB a question over on Bradley’s blog.
Roman Gal
September 19th, 2009
5:01 pm
…games lasting past midnight make it so I can’t be a functional person the next day.
Hmm…I don’t seem to have that problem.
Baseball is great and I love it, but it doesn’t take precedence over my daily responsibilities.
I’m sorry, but you can never be a real fan until you realize that baseball takes precedence. [smirk]