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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
1,502 comments Add your comment
Vinings Jim
September 28th, 2009
1:27 pm
Heath – I hope that will be in the middle of the playoffs for the Braves! Good luck!
RC
September 28th, 2009
1:29 pm
“or does the ball get handed to Huddy who would be scheduled” – pryguy
That one. Because if it’s 1 back or even the last day, you could very easily need Vazquez for the 1 game playoff with the Rockies.
d-rock
September 28th, 2009
1:31 pm
Hey Paul,
You are being a little too selective there. We can all cherry-pick players who have struggled and blame managers for sticking with them. I think though that you are missing at least two pieces from the braves who bear a great deal of responsibility for this current hot streak, perhaps the best we’ve seen from this team in a decade:
Matt Diaz and Martin Prado.
Both those guys credit Cox with a great deal of their success, and it is paying off now. You are really arguing that the braves, who are playing terrific ball right now, are being inflicted with this terrible manager? Your best argument is that he should have done the things he did sooner?
As I think a blogger pointed out yesterday, why did Bobby send Pujols all the way around second yesterday on the play that should have tied the game?
DAP
September 28th, 2009
1:31 pm
anybody who denies or downplays how much jeff francouer hurt the braves this season fails to understand how bad he was. jeff francouer is doing great with the mets, and im happy for him. but for the braves, the dude had a .282 OBP, and a .352 slg%. the fact is that he wasnt even good enough to be a major league baseball player. please consider for a second what a .282 OBP means. its absolutley horrible, and while of course frenchy wasnt the ONLY reason the braves were terrible, when the braves would have been better off with Omar Vizquel playing RF, you know there is a serous problem.
Jeff R
September 28th, 2009
1:31 pm
All the Bobby Cox bilge is a distraction at this point. The Bravos are 85-70 and 2.5 games from catching the Rockies. Cox is signed through 2010, barring an unforseen circumstance, so he’s the Braves’ manager.
I care more about the ‘09 Braves making it to the post-season. That would be one heckuva story alone. But with the Braves’ pitching, anything could happen if they make it. That could be the bigger story.
glen
September 28th, 2009
1:31 pm
WILL BRAVES FANS PLEASE SHOW UP FOR THE DAMN GAMES. THIS TEAM HAS NEVER GIVEN UP AND NEITHER SHOULD YOU. HAVE SOME PRIDE AND ROOT THIS TEAM TIL THE END. IM A BRAVE FAN LIVING IN NEW YORK AND I SHOWED UP TO ALL THREE GAMES THEY PLAYED HERE IN FLUSHING TO ROOT FOR MY TEAM. SHOW ME SOMETHING AND SHOW UP TO THE CHOP SHOP!!!!!
BossLady
September 28th, 2009
1:34 pm
Well, I have got my reserved tickets to the game tonight. It is the perfect temperature and I am excited. Although I sat in the rain last Saturday and Sunday it did not down my spirit of the Braves’ winning.
The Braves have made me proud the last few weeks and this sweep thing they’ve got going is wonderful. The fans that are able to come out should and help cheer the players on to victory. They have more than made of for their past mistakes and since I love them anyway at this time while they are trying to succeed I believe I should have their back.
dcp I agree with what you said but as mentioned the flood and economy has got some really true and loyal fans in a bind right now. Let’s hope that all who can, will come.
GO BRAVES!!!! GO BRAVES!!!! GO BRAVES!!!!
Rock On......
September 28th, 2009
1:39 pm
Heath….good luck with the Lasik and start buying a bunch of readers.
NC Braves Fan
September 28th, 2009
1:39 pm
Mitchell: Vazquez is 4th in the NL in innings pitched and Jair is 12th. Both are at or above 200 innings.
It’s possible that an inning here or there the rest of the year might have nabbed an extra win or two, but on the flip side they might also have not been able to dominate down the stretch the way that they have.
The bottom line is: the Braves made a lot of improvements to the pitching staff in the offseason and a lot of improvements offensively during the season.
The result is they are on track to win 90 games and perhaps make the playoffs. And I for one refuse to focus on nickpicks and negatives with so many strides having been made in a very short period of time by the Braves organization.
I prefer to channel my energy into cheering the Braves and savoring every moment of this astounding run by the Braves while it lasts.
jim
September 28th, 2009
1:40 pm
If there is a playoff with the Rockies, it looks like Vasquez will be on normal rest to start that game. If that were to happen and we were to win, Cox would have to choose between Hanson and Lowe to start the Divisional playoff series. {M. JJ, T. Hudson, W. Vasquez, Th. Hanson, Fri. Lowe, Sat. JJ, Sun Hudson} — If there is a playoff, JJ and Hudson probably aren’t avail until game 3 and Javy until game 4. Unfortunately, Cox would probably go with the veteran in game 1.
bravesgrl4life
September 28th, 2009
1:41 pm
RHR, I live in Dawsonville. I’ve about decided, though, that I might get to Friday’s game. Hubby will be out of town. Would just have to get a neighbor to take care of my little dog. I’d leave work in Norcross and go to the Ted from here. Either that, or if I can get out of having to take someone to church with me on Sunday, I could go to our 9 a.m. service and then to the afternoon game.
AustinBrave
September 28th, 2009
1:45 pm
I would be at all these games if I could. Its a long drive from Austin, TX.
I don’t think you change anything right now, no line-up, no switching pitching at the end, nothing. IF ITS NOT BROKE DON”T FIX IT.
Rock On......
September 28th, 2009
1:47 pm
I wish the interleague play would be adressed. We went 7-8 with a tough IL schedule while the Rockies went 11-4 against less competition. Seems like IL games killed us and helped them. Take those away and we would be in it right now—Homer The Brave
Well, yes and no. True we had a killer IL schedule but we also got a break from the Mets imploding due to injuries thus we were playing basically two Nats teams in our own division a bunch of games. The way I see it, it all evens out there. Next year we may have an easier schedule but the Mets might be world-beaters.
Just score four!
GTSteve
September 28th, 2009
1:47 pm
I wish Vasquez could pitch everynight this week….lol
RC
September 28th, 2009
1:50 pm
“If there is a playoff with the Rockies, it looks like Vasquez will be on normal rest to start that game. If that were to happen and we were to win, Cox would have to choose between Hanson and Lowe to start the Divisional playoff series. {M. JJ, T. Hudson, W. Vasquez, Th. Hanson, Fri. Lowe, Sat. JJ, Sun Hudson} — If there is a playoff, JJ and Hudson probably aren’t avail until game 3 and Javy until game 4. Unfortunately, Cox would probably go with the veteran in game 1.” – jim
Actually, because the NL playoffs don’t start until the 7th, Jurrjens would be on normal rest to start the divisional series. Then Cox could go Hanson or Huddy (normal rest for Huddy), and Javy would be ready for game 3. Given the desire to pull back on Hanson’s innings a bit, I’d go with this setup:
1. JJ
2. Huddy
3. JV
4. Hanson
5. JJ
liz
September 28th, 2009
1:50 pm
We’re coming down from Asheville with a crew for the game on Wednesday. If I could make it for all three (or seven) I’d do it in a heartbeat. I grew up in the ATL and left in ‘96 and have watched with frustration from other states as much as 1500 miles away as the Braves kept winning and the seats sat empty. Then they stopped winning, and it didn’t seem to matter. We make it to two or three a year regardless of where we live. The plus side is there are always tickets available, even in the playoffs.
Go Braves! I don’t care if you break my heart again. I’m ready for October!
McFann :Ô:
September 28th, 2009
1:51 pm
Hey, Mixxo, guee-yah! No one said BMac was getting the day off. Chill out, brah!
Honestly…
Paul
September 28th, 2009
1:52 pm
Well the braves are screwed since the cards lost yesterday. THink about it people were 2 games back in the loss column, alot of you are thinking yea rockies just have to lose 2 games well thats true but when they lose that means we got to win well who’s to say that when they lose we also lose and therefore gain no ground so we got to win every game from here on out to have a chances here
jim
September 28th, 2009
1:52 pm
Is there any competition for the last spots on the playoff roster? Of the late season callups, is only Goreki eligible barring an injury. I assume that the Braves will carry the 6 starters and gang of 4 from the bullpen Plus Medlen, and Boone = 12 pitchers; the starting 8 plus Infante, Ross, KJ, Church = 12
Then there is the last spot with {Norton, Goreki, Acosta, Buddy} the only eligible candidates. Not a great group to pick from, but if any of the other 3 were selected, at least we would know they would never be used except in a blowout. If Norton is on the roster, he would probably be used in a significant situation. Please tell me I have overlooked another eligible candidate!!
Paul
September 28th, 2009
1:52 pm
Well the braves are screwed since the cards lost yesterday. THink about it people were 2 games back in the loss column, alot of you are thinking yea rockies just have to lose 2 games well thats true but when they lose that means we got to win well who’s to say that when they lose we also lose and therefore gain no ground so we got to win every game from here on out to have a chance
Heath
September 28th, 2009
1:54 pm
Rock On……
September 28th, 2009
1:39 pm
Heath….good luck with the Lasik and start buying a bunch of readers.
Readers?
gayle
September 28th, 2009
1:55 pm
All of the people falling over each other to support the home team this week at the “Ted”………… Where were during the playoffs? Granted those last 4 appearances (2002, 2003, 2004, 2005) were brief, but none of the games were sellouts.
And if I recall, it was pretty embarrassing for the home team when the stands were a sea of red when the Cardinals won and a sea of blue when the Cubs won.
What a bunch of bandwagon hacks – this is not a baseball town.
RC
September 28th, 2009
1:56 pm
Jim,
My bad on the rotation earlier. You were right, JJ would only have 3 days rest when the divisional series starts. Best situation for the Braves would be to win without the one-game playoff, and then go JV, JJ, and Huddy/Hanson in the playoffs.
abwright
September 28th, 2009
1:57 pm
Rob from SC (Chipper is a ground ball machine) 1:22 pm … “If KJ doesn’t get hurt is he still the starter?”
No. No. No. … No.
Go back and read the news reports of the time. Prado replaced KJ officially as the starter a few days before KJ went on the DL. It was announced as a job change, based on KJ’s lack of performance and Prado’s good performance. What delayed the change for as long as it did was Chipper’s, Prado’s, and Infante’s injuries.
RC
September 28th, 2009
1:59 pm
There’s a picture on ESPN.com of Clint Barmes after his diving catch to save the game for the Rockies yesterday afternoon. He looks like James Carvel.
Thrillhouse44
September 28th, 2009
2:07 pm
Vinings Jim – no one should sleep on the CAA. You guys did awesome knocking off UVA; I just wish the Dukes could have held off Maryland. I love the FCS playoff system – that’s how all college football should be done. October 17 should be an exciting match up as usual.
Jake W.
September 28th, 2009
2:08 pm
“What a bunch of bandwagon hacks – this is not a baseball town.”-gayle
Seriously though, I don’t think its as many bandwagon folks as you people think. There are people here from all over the country who are from other places and carry that support no matter where they live just like our braves fans who live in other cities and show up to those games when we are playing there. I knew someone who lived in South Carolina but is from the boston area. He knew the date when the sox would be here and made plans to be in Atlanta to attend the games.
No we didn’t sellout those playoff games but as I recall there were still upwards of 40,000 people there. Thats an easy sellout in most cities.
Whats funny is you’re asking why the games don’t sellout but then you rip the so called bandwagon fans. The true fans are going to be the first to buy the tickets anyway, its the bandwagon fans who are only going to show up when they are winning and pack the stadium to make it a sellout. So which way do you want it, just the true blue fans who would buy tickets win or lose or do you want these bandwagon fans who only show up when they win to make it a sellout?
beekay
September 28th, 2009
2:08 pm
Credit to Bobby for keeping this season alive. I think the majority of teams led by a coach that they don’t respect, quit once they realize they are out of the hunt. The Braves kept their focus, took one game at a time and played their tales off. I guarantee if this club was managed by an average coach they would be 10 back and hovering around .500….kudos to Bobby for keeping the ship afloat!
P. W. Hjort
September 28th, 2009
2:08 pm
I bet if the Braves have a chance to clinch on the last day of the season they’ll pitch Vazquez on short rest.
Lou Vales
September 28th, 2009
2:08 pm
Dear Carroll, IF the Florida Marlins were serious about anything BESIDES Luxury Tax dispersal they would not have employed an immobile, 6 foot 3 inch Punch and Judy CLOD as their right fielder for a baseball season. ANY team utilizing Jeremy Hermida in RF is SERIOUS about nothing. I don’t believe Jeremy Hermida could generate legitimate power numbers playing in a Whiffle Ball league in his backyard. If Jeremy was a Canine he would be a Basset Hound–same dumb A$$ expression and lateral movement.
Daybed Wagmoe
September 28th, 2009
2:09 pm
From Buster Olney’s ongoing chat at ESPN.com…
Wes (NC) Do the Braves make the postseason? Does Hanson win NL ROY with another win? Thanks
Buster Olney (1:06 PM) Wes: I don’t think they’ll make it, and I do think that Hanson will win the ROY. Certainly they have a better schedule down the stretch than the Rockies, but some talent evaluators believe that the Dodgers — who the Rockies play in L.A. this weekend — are kind of slopping along mentally right now, and are more focused on getting ready for the post-season. But as with everything else this time of year, the situation can change dramatically in just 24-48 hours. If the Braves win tonight and tomorrow and then the Rockies get beat by the Brewers Tuesday, then suddenly Atlanta would be just a game behind.
Barry (Atlanta) Buster- I keep hearing that even if the Braves make the playoffs, they have no chance with their hitting. I think the Braves are loaded with great pitching, and I would think no one in baseball would want to face that staff. Do you agree?
Buster Olney (1:27 PM) Barry: If the Braves make the playoffs, I think I’d pick them to play in the WS. They have dominant starting pitching, experienced relievers and a decent offense — and they are playing great, a la the ‘07 Rockies.
RHR
September 28th, 2009
2:09 pm
Olney thinks Hanson will win ROY! From his chat today:
Do the Braves make the postseason? Does Hanson win NL ROY with another win? Thanks
Buster Olney
(1:06 PM)
Wes: I don’t think they’ll make it, and I do think that Hanson will win the ROY. Certainly they have a better schedule down the stretch than the Rockies, but some talent evaluators believe that the Dodgers — who the Rockies play in L.A. this weekend — are kind of slopping along mentally right now, and are more focused on getting ready for the post-season. But as with everything else this time of year, the situation can change dramatically in just 24-48 hours. If the Braves win tonight and tomorrow and then the Rockies get beat by the Brewers Tuesday, then suddenly Atlanta would be just a game behind.
RHR
September 28th, 2009
2:10 pm
HA. Get off my cloud, Daybed.
Jonathon
September 28th, 2009
2:12 pm
Can’t give McCann a break right now. He has to play, with so much on the line. If the Braves jump out to huge leads early in any of these games, Cox could sub Ross in and give McCann a mini-rest. With Sammons on the expanded roster, they have extra depth at the C position.
Lou Vales
September 28th, 2009
2:14 pm
Jeremy, You Are a Disgrace to the city of Marietta, the state of Georgia and the entire Southeast United States. You can’t even generate warning track power. You barely demonstate cut of the infield grass power. PLEASE!!! Be gone!1 Retire!! Go to Clemson on a football scholarship, you still have eligibility. Jeremy, do you realize what a FLOP you have been. You actually transcend FLOP and have brought abject failure to a new level.
6 More Games with him on the bench. about 20 more RBI’s than Emilio Bonafacio!!!
Vinings Jim
September 28th, 2009
2:15 pm
Daybed, RHR –
Jonathon
September 28th, 2009
2:15 pm
The Dodgers are freakin’ mailing it in today vs. the Pirates. I hope they decide to start giving a crap when the Rockies visit L.A.
macdwolfpack
September 28th, 2009
2:17 pm
Carroll, Atlanta itself has always been a poor baseball town. Were it not for the regional crowds coming to see the Braves throughout the South they would have moved from Atlanta years ago. Classic example is the one you posted where in the middle of the week (local crowd) they couldn’t sell out for Johnson vs Maddux, but on the weekend when the regional crowd travels to Atlanta they sold out for a meaningless game.
When you add in that the Braves struggled all year and just now have gotten something going after a yo-yo season it’s hard for people to get excited if for no other reason fear of another let down by this team.
I wish them the best but fear they have let an opportunity to get fans excited about this team go by the wayside, and have no one to blame but themselves.
RHR
September 28th, 2009
2:19 pm
Ok. Give it up already. Which one of you is Jeremy Hermida?
beekay
September 28th, 2009
2:19 pm
Memo to Mccann but your throwing hand behind your back when the pitch is made. You are going to out with a broken hand if you don’t!
Carroll Rogers
September 28th, 2009
2:21 pm
interesting comments from Buster. Thanks for sharing them.
Rob from SC, describe the Greg Norton situation? I think he’s a pinch hitter who’s had a terrible year and gotten more ink and air time than any pinch hitter who’s had a terrible year ever should. Ah, blogs. Everybody says Cox shouldn’t play him and I can’t argue that, but I don’t see that the Braves have Jim Thome growing roots on the bench either.
KMP
September 28th, 2009
2:21 pm
Hope the Boys win tonight. I just purchased 2 home plate tix’s for tomorrow nights game!! Go Braves!!
beekay
September 28th, 2009
2:24 pm
I think it is a big deal that LA is losing today…home field won’t be clinched prior to their series with the Rocks
Tech sucks
September 28th, 2009
2:25 pm
Just think what would be happening right now if we would have brought Hansen up when we should have.
The_Superhoo
September 28th, 2009
2:26 pm
Ok, after a few weeks I’ll bite. Who is “Dave Ramsey,” and why does he have a $1 ticket night?
Nova Scotia Steve - Fight Like A Brave
September 28th, 2009
2:26 pm
So do anybody think we bascially have to win every game to have even the slightest chance of making this or pulling within a tie of Colorado.
Tonight’s match-up is huge its either 2 GB or 3GB….and 3 GB seems like a 10 at this point in the season
bravefaninok
September 28th, 2009
2:26 pm
Who the heck cares if Buster thinks the Braves can make it…..GO Braves.
Brandon from Warner Robins
September 28th, 2009
2:27 pm
Just Win!!!!
Steve McP
September 28th, 2009
2:30 pm
Strange comment about somebody called Hansen there. The Braves are still to bring this Hansen person up, indeed I don’t think they even have a guy by that name on any of their rosters.
pryguy
September 28th, 2009
2:33 pm
Has Buster Olney been wrong before? I think so….good omen
HAL
September 28th, 2009
2:33 pm
Enter your comments hereim sick of reading about coxs percieved short comming while no one mentions the young tallent the blogs resident genius traded away completly handicapping efforts to replace players like norton most nights there has simply been no one better or more exacly no one else on the bench to pinch hit there all in texas rangers farm system lol
DAP
September 28th, 2009
2:33 pm
superwhoo, that information is readily available on the internet, which i deduce you have access to.
Pete
September 28th, 2009
2:34 pm
Wolfpack, great post at 2:17. Ive been in Atlanta 24 years, and once Sept. and college football roll around, the Braves are pretty much put on the back burner (of course there are exceptipns, like 91-93). Make no mistake this is a college football town, located right in the middle of the SEC. Always has been, and probably always will be, at least in my lifetime lol
AJ
September 28th, 2009
2:35 pm
Wish we could leave the whole Greg Norton thing alone once and for all…. I am sure that Frank Wren was on the lookout for a veteran pinch hitter prior to the deadline, but either didn’t or couldn’t pull the trigger for any number of reasons we may never know. We can look at everyday players vs. pinchhitters as being more important to the overall success of the team, can’t we? Pinch hitting is the toughest job in baseball. Last year Norton was very productive, and no one complained. Want something to complain about? Look at the bullpen other than Moylan, Gonzo and Soriano. Nothing to get excited about, other than what they have gotten from Kawakami when they have used him in middle relief. When was the last time anyone has seen Buddy Carlyle? Manny Acosta and Boone Logan are certain to struggle when they get in games. Kris Medlin needs to be at Gwinnett getting starts. Maybe Jorge Campillo comes back healthy next year, who knows? It is impossible to have stars from 1 to 25 on a roster; middle relief and pinch hitting have been a weakness for the Braves all season long. I am always happy when 1 of our starters goes 7 or 8 strong. If we get 5 innings or less out of a starter, we are usually headed for a loss. Let’s hope our starters can find a way to be dominant for the final week of the season.
glord1
September 28th, 2009
2:35 pm
Homer – I thought the same thing until I checked. I figured we got screwed playing 9 games against NY and Bos. When I looked I found out how bad Toronto and Baltimore were this year (although they did compile their records in the tough AL East) I also found out that the Rockies played 15 games against Detroit, Angels, Seatle, Oak and Tampa. Going 11-4 against those teams(4 of them above .500) is pretty good.
beekay
September 28th, 2009
2:37 pm
AJ
Gwinnett’s season ended 2 weeks ago
Let's be honest....
September 28th, 2009
2:39 pm
The Braves need to go 6-1 this week to have a chance.
Does anyone really see the Rockies going worse than 3-3?
CB
September 28th, 2009
2:39 pm
Hey, what ever happened to melissa! ? Did she run off with Marietta Derek?
gayle
September 28th, 2009
2:40 pm
Jake W – the reason there were 40,000 in the stands for those playoff games was in large part due to fans from Chicago and St. Louis who came to Atlanta to see their teams because they knew they could not get tickets to see them in their home parks.
Remember that sea of red surrounding the visitors dugout in 2000 when St Louis completed a 3-0 sweep of the Braves in the LDS?
All I'm Saying Is...
September 28th, 2009
2:40 pm
Carroll: Did you or DOB attempt to interview Soriano after his successful appearance yesterday or do you guys only try to talk him when he blows a save? Just curious. Cuz I know if people only came to see me when I blew a save (which happens to every closer), then I might feel compelled to decline to talk too.
LET’S GO BRAVES!
RHR
September 28th, 2009
2:40 pm
Has Buster Olney been wrong before? I think so….good omen
Yeah the good part of what he said for me was the comment about Hanson winning ROY. Of course he can be wrong about playoffs, I don’t pay any attention to anyone’s playoff speculation. But I figure that Buster has a good feel for how his fellow writers (hint: ROY voters) are leaning. Maybe? I honestly was surprised because I expect it to be Happ.
Me Thinks ......
September 28th, 2009
2:41 pm
……………. “It’s a shame that people will utter excuses for why they cannot make it to the park on a night like tonight. You don’t see that in other baseball towns – St Louis, LA, NY, Philly, Boston – people show up for big games” …………………..
Let’s see how true this is:
1995 New York Yankees. Win 26 of their last 33 games to win the wild card and make the playoffs for the first time in 14 seasons. Know what the attendance figures were for these diehard Yankee fans in the last 7 home games at Yankee Stadium that year was?
15,224
15,772
20,541
17,766
36,248 (combined for a friggin’ doubleheader)
34,848
So please stop the myth that you just don’t ever see this in other towns. It’s ignorant. When the Yanks were in a somewhat similar position to the Braves, you saw the same damn thing.
Duke
September 28th, 2009
2:45 pm
Monty, have you ever played a game of baseball in your life? Other than in your backyard?
1. Do you realize that we signed Derek Lowe to be our Ace and has been more like our No. 5 starter? He lost 4 starts in a row during the summer where he could have won the series for us. And those 4 starts were horrid at the least.
2. Do you realize that if Chipper had a Chipper like season that we would probably have a better record than Philly? Chipper has been sub par.
3. Mac has been good again and I love Mac, but when has he carried the offense when we needed it for a week or so? Or even 4-5 days?
4. Yunel has been great offensively, but he’s made some freaking bone headed plays that made innings longer. He’s given up some runs with those plays. Also, he’s out of the lineup too much.
5. He had Frenchy, Schafer, and KJ starting at the beginning of the season and got “0″ production. Who else was he going to stick out there? FW did a good job fixing it, but this wasn’t Bobby’s fault.
6. The bullpen has been overused. But for Christ sakes who else do you want pitch other than Moyaln, Gonzo, Raffy, or O’Flaherty? Really Dude, do you want him to use Acosta or Boone Logan in close situations?
I mean I don’t know what you guys want from a manager. Maybe you should give a little blame to the players. Those of you still bashing Cox, just get over it. You have plenty of time next year. We’re winning now, just enjoy it and quit being Negative Nancie’s.
Nova Scotia Steve - Fight Like A Brave
September 28th, 2009
2:45 pm
I think we have to hope top force a one-game play-off.
I don’t see us over taking the Rockies with 7 games left…But I think we can make up two games.
And PS
We beat the Rockies in game number 163
AJ
September 28th, 2009
2:46 pm
Thanks beekay, you are correct. I simply meant he should have spent more time at Gwinnettthis year than being used infrequently with the big club.
Pete
September 28th, 2009
2:47 pm
Gayle you are correct, and I was also at that last Cards game (and the last Cubs game as well). Might as well have played those games on the road, for all the Cards/Cubs fans that were there!
Also another puzzling stat is look at Braves home record this year vs. road record; road record is better (even if you take out the latest 6-0 run). Seems to me thats been that way last 2-3 years, so Im not sure the Braves playing at home last 7 games is much of a positive, if any. Kinda strange for a club to still be in it to have a worse home record than road record; Braves are only team with that anomaly this year.
Fish Bisch
September 28th, 2009
2:49 pm
No clever fish puns today. “let’s have a fish fry, I smell fried fish, Fish is good…mmmm.” The Marlins will continue their dominating ways against a weak Atlanta line-up. We thought we put an end to your chances last series but this week will be a proverbial nail in the coffin for the Braves. Let’s go Fish!
Me Thinks ......
September 28th, 2009
2:50 pm
If they hired Derek Lowe to be an ace, why did they pay him like he was a #3 starter?
BHZ
September 28th, 2009
2:50 pm
(Re: “Mac’s taking a day off????)
Mixxo
September 28th, 2009
1:23 pm
“WTF!
If that fat b*stard can’t strap ‘em on for today, give him the WHOLE WEEK off dammit! About tired of his fat a$$.”
That’s the problem when you best all-around Brave is a Catcher!
Cox is going to rest him every so often, like so… Just like he’s done with Javy and Estrada in the past..
Losing Texeira hurt a bit, but he did not want to be here for the price
(and The Braves were up for sale).
P-Town Brave
September 28th, 2009
2:51 pm
Actually yes, I could very well see the Rockies go 2-4 basically losing both series 2 of 3. Marquis who has been struggling as of late pitches tomorrow night, Suppan who is a premier spoiler pitches for the Brewers, AND the back end of Colorado’s rotation is going in the 3 game set w/ Jimenez going in Game 1 Fri @ LA.
Along with that, it has once again already been said that LA still needs to close out for home field and that will go on into the final weekend so those games do in fact mean a lot to them as well.
So yes, I do think Colorado could easily go 2-4 which means that the Braves would then have to go 5-2 over the final 7 and that is also attainable.
I really think we’ll find a lot out in the first two v the Marlins as they always play our team tough.
Finally, not to get ahead like some have, but why is everyone simply mailing in D-Lowe’s season when he is one of the biggest big game pitchers in all of baseball (think Red Sox 1st World Series).
pvpruppweurpw
September 28th, 2009
2:51 pm
boooooop!
timthebrave
September 28th, 2009
2:51 pm
I think most people reading a blog about the Braves are true fans. The bandwagon people don’t worry about Braves blogs.I got tickets a month ago to sunday’s game vs washington. I blogged on here that it was going to be for the clinching game. I still believe. Go Braves!
J-man
September 28th, 2009
2:52 pm
It’s not that Atlanta isn’t a baseball town. Here’s what it is. 1) Many of us spent our money in the 90s supporting this team. By the time Ted Turner sold them to AOL/TW, it was obvious that the goal of the owners wasn’t to win a World Series but to simply get to the playoffs. That has continued to this day, even with the current owners. The team has a budget and that means that hard budget choices get made. The Red Sox and the Yankess don’t make those kinds of choices every year. 2) The ballpark is in a terrible location for many of us. Getting to and from the games is a real nightmare. 3) The prices of playoff tickets were exorbitant when the Braves went. MLB sets a minimum price and the Braves always charged more.
So when we are asked to blindly pay high prices for a team that nobody thinks can win the World Series, well, some of us balk at that. And that makes us “bad fans”.
bravesgrl4life
September 28th, 2009
2:52 pm
Does the fact that so many fans of other teams show up at Turner Field tell you that there are way too many darn transplants in the Atlanta area and anywhere within driving distance?
Jake W.
September 28th, 2009
2:54 pm
Hey, i’ve made my point gayle. Read my post again to see what I said about the fans there from opposing teams because I don’t feel like typing it again.
I’m from the metro area and have been nothing but a braves fan my whole life. I don’t make it out to every game but does that mean that I am somehow less of a braves fan. I follow this team as much as I can. I never gave up. Before they even went on this run I had tickets to a Nats game this week and was at the rain delayed game that they played against the Mets last Wed. I can only control myself but i’m really tired of hearing about how bad Atlanta fans are. Like I said, the true fans will be there win or lose or make the effort. Its not as easy as it sounds to just drop everything and go to the game.
RHR
September 28th, 2009
2:54 pm
Mixxo and BHZ please remove wad from panties. Nobody said that Mac wasn’t playing today. Some random guy comes on here and wonders aloud if Mac will get the day off. That’s it. There is no need to jerk knees over a comment typed on a blog. Mac is playing tonight. Bank on it!
MattyRoss
September 28th, 2009
2:54 pm
Yeah, pryguy, I gotta imagine they hold off Vazquez in that situation in case of a playoff.
Also, RHR, I was pretty pumped up already after reading that blog, but then you hit me with the FNL quote. Whooo boy, let’s do this!
GTSteve
September 28th, 2009
2:55 pm
You would think the Dodgers would want to try and lock up home field through the National League playoff. Maybe that will motivate them this weekend.
Eddie Haskell
September 28th, 2009
2:55 pm
Are the Umps here yet, lets start the game!
RIPSkip
September 28th, 2009
2:55 pm
Tonight is MOST IMPORTANT! If we lose tonight, our prospects are very dim. Win tonight, and it’ll be interesting into the weekend.
RHR
September 28th, 2009
2:56 pm
Who is “Dave Ramsey,” and why does he have a $1 ticket night?
He’s a financial expert. Writes books and does seminars on how to save money and crap like that.
timthebrave
September 28th, 2009
2:56 pm
J-man, you are wrong on all accounts. The Braves have a payroll that was one of the highest in the 90’s. They are still in the upper middle of payroll. The location of the stadium is in the middle of Atlanta. No traffic going into atlanta and plenty of parking. I got playoff tickets for first round at the same rate as regular season tickets. Not the $1 ticket but still pretty low. Of course choices have to be made but we should be able to compete with a 92 million payroll
Frank Wren
September 28th, 2009
2:58 pm
Paul Lentz
You sent me your resume yet on why you should be the next Braves manager. You are clearly more qualified than Bobby Cox so im curious what your resume will have on it.
looking forward to reading it.
NY Frenchy
September 28th, 2009
3:00 pm
If the Fish sweep will all you morons be jumpimg off the Bravos bandwagon??? Of course, Falcons are off this week, jump on their ride next week lmao Too little, too late for Booby & the Boys, have a nice winter!
Steve
September 28th, 2009
3:00 pm
There is a major thing to worry about regarding the Rockies. They play at LA this weekend which would normally be tough, but if LA has secured the best record in the NL, don’t you think they will rest a lot of their regulars? Could be a good thing for Colorado.
Duke
September 28th, 2009
3:01 pm
Me Thinks ……
September 28th, 2009
2:50 pm
If they hired Derek Lowe to be an ace, why did they pay him like he was a #3 starter?
Wow, must be pretty pricey to get a No. 1 starter then. 15 mil a year is an awful lot for a No. 3 starter if he is indeed a number 3 like you stated.
BHZ
September 28th, 2009
3:02 pm
Transplants shame the locals over The Braves failures in The Playoffs, and their teams (besides The Yankees, Boston, and Detroit, and White Sox) have won recently..
Heath
September 28th, 2009
3:03 pm
Baseball is unique to most sports in that there are so many games compared to that of their counterparts. Football, for example, there are only 16 games each year, and only 8 home games. Selling out or having a near sell-out for those 8 games is easier simply because the same number of fans have so many fewer opportunities to go experience the game-day festivities. Baseball, on the other hand, there are 81 home games…so, those same fans that support other teams, for example, could spend the same, or more, on Braves tickets but yet appear to be less supportive of a fan base because the money they spend is spread out among 10 times more games. When you add in poor play and so few play-off spots available, then yes, fans can get jaded and stay at home. In addition, TV coverage is so good now, in many cases, many fans “prefer” to stay at home and watch the game in the comfort of their home on their high-definition TVs with their DVR service (so they can pause and rewind).
BHZ
September 28th, 2009
3:03 pm
Correction:
Transplants shame the locals over The Braves failures in The Playoffs, and their teams (The Yankees, Boston, and Detroit, and White Sox have won recently..
Alan
September 28th, 2009
3:03 pm
If/when we get a new ballpark one day, they would be very, very wise to move it to the northern burbs where many of the fans come from. Turner Field is surrounded by thugs, crime, the homeless, and NO ENTERTAINMENT. I assure you many more people would go to games if Turner Field were not where it is now.
Brandon from Warner Robins
September 28th, 2009
3:04 pm
Catching up on some of the comments. Been reading about some breaking news coming out of Warner Robins.
Big series, wouldn’t ya say? RHR, thats got to be the best one of the greatest lines, ever @ 12:12
Me Thinks ......
September 28th, 2009
3:05 pm
Wow, must be pretty pricey to get a No. 1 starter then. 15 mil a year is an awful lot for a No. 3 starter if he is indeed a number 3 like you stated. (DUKE)
If you followed baseball in the slightest bit, you’d know that on the free agency market, aces like Sabathia and Santana make $21 to $24 million, #2 starters like Burnett make $17 to $20 million, #3 starters like Lowe make $13 to $16 million, #4 starters make $9 to $13 million. Please follow along.
Del
September 28th, 2009
3:06 pm
If I was managing the Braves I would have KK and Lowe exchange job assignments TODAY. Enough with Lowe during this critical week.
AKT163
September 28th, 2009
3:06 pm
Hey Carroll, I know this isn’t a baseball related question, but I was excited to read that you were a Project Runway fan. Don’t you think Louise should have gone home over Ra’mon last week?
David
September 28th, 2009
3:10 pm
This game tonight is huge. If the Braves win, that would virtually eliminate the Marlins, which means they will likely rest some ailing players the rest of the series and leave the flu-bitten Johnson’s (Josh & Nick) at home.
By the way, why was Pujols running on that play yesterday? Lugo would have scored easily from 3rd and tied the game. Great play by Barmes, hopefully that play won’t be the one that people look back on and say, “that’s the play that won the Rockies the wild card.”
Gary
September 28th, 2009
3:10 pm
Hi bloggers, its been awhile. Anyway I wanted to chime in since Carroll brought up the crowds. I would love to see the crowds pack the house this week and show the Braves we are behind them. However, unlike past playoff runs the local media (outside this blog of course) has stayed relatively quiet on the Braves front. I mean yesterday all local newscasts went Falcons first on the sports report, then some went to the Tiger and Phil showdown, and another went into a recap of the previous days college football games before even mentioning the Braves. The Braves have led the headlines only once this week and that was because of Cox’s announcement. I mean the MLB network is giving the Braves a lot more props than the own local affiliates. I hope and root for a Braves win tonight and maybe, just maybe all the local newscasts can get back into Braves fever and get the crowds coming to Turner Field in anticipation of playing on Monday night or better yet, Wednesday afternoon.
Really what I want to see this week is what I saw over the weekend on the previously mentioned MLB network when they showed highlights of past Braves awesomeness and that is the deafening sound of the tomahawk chop coming from the crowd.
GO BRAVES!!!!
P-Town Brave
September 28th, 2009
3:11 pm
Steve-
That could be the case, BUT given both the Dodgers and Cardinals show no desire to lock up the best record and the Phils closing in, I’m gonna gather Torre gives his group a nice speech on “limping” into the playoffs and how much homefield means. I see them playing up over the weekend simply because no one really wants to play in St. Louis right now and I know I’d really hate to be in LA and have to go to Philly in October to face the defending champs.
Pete
September 28th, 2009
3:13 pm
JMan, TimtheBrave is correct about ticket prices. Round 1 is usually the same as regular season (I am season tic holder and have my invoice), with Round 2 only slightly higher. But I do agree with you to a point about the location of the stadium. My take on that is after the game, everyone gets out of there as fast as possible because there are no bars/restaurants anywhere near (The Bullpen is a single exception), as opposed to most other cities with playoff teams. Also, crime (whether perceived or real) is another issue after a night game; many cars are broken into, etc.
But I do stand by my earlier comment also about Atlanta being a college football town first, and the Braves take a back seat come football season.
Braves Fan
September 28th, 2009
3:15 pm
Make the final push Bravos…this town NEEDS its boys back in the playoffs
FEAR
September 28th, 2009
3:15 pm
Looks like we may not have to face J. Johnson. If we can win tonight and at least tomorrow and Mil. decides they wanna ruin the Rockies season. We can pull this off!!!