It’s the Marlins…and it’s serious

Wow, this is getting exciting. Too bad, management didn’t revamped the line up sooner this year!

• Link
• Report this comment

richbrave…from your post on last blog

richbrave……very glad to see the AA franchise land here in Richmond. A top team and better top prospects for sure. Richmond Defenders has a great ring to it but probably want to move away from the Civil War thing. I like the Richmond RiverCats. Yes, I will most definitely attend some games. RE is doing better.

• Link
• Report this comment

Thanks Carroll.

I’ve seen empty seats for say a Randy Johnson-Greg Maddux matchup on a Tuesday, but then a sellout for a weekend series against a cruddy Brewers team.

Oh that’s easy, most Braves fans don’t live in Atlanta and can only get to the weekend games, if any. We’ll be there in spirit though.

• Link
• Report this comment

Clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose.

• Link
• Report this comment

What a run! This has been awesome. Time to strap on the leotards.

• Link
• Report this comment

“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. This is not Ft Lauderdale – there are enough fans in the area. Let’s see some Braves fans show up – it only costs $1, or $6, etc. This is a big series – tonight is it – lose tonight and they will be planning for next year.”-dcp

Clearly you haven’t figured out this is not a baseball town then. Stop comparing Atlanta to other cities because it will do nothing but frustrate you. They aren’t the only show in town like the cards seem to be in st. louis and to be honest those northeast cities like philly, boston, and NY are baseball cities. Atlanta is not. On a Monday, if the Braves draw 30,000 that should be considered a success. I already had tickets to a Nats game and i’m going make my way out for at least one marlins game. Take into consideration that some of my fellow metro Atlantan’s are dealing with the effects of the flood. We probably will not come close to a sellout but like I said if they draw 30,000 that should be considered a success.

• Link
• Report this comment

Meanwhile, another SUCK A$$ tribute to Bobby Cox. Talk about a “man crush”, lol.

“Keeping the players focused”? How about giving “tribute” to the fact that Bobby was forced to play the players who deserve to play based on their actual contributions……not because they are Bobby’s boys”? Or how about giving props to the starting pitching for the Braves that has limited the ability of Bobby Cox to make one tactical bad decision after another on the field (for instance, trotting Greg Norton out there to pinch hit in the top of the 7th yesterday with a runner on 3rd, 1 out in a 3-3 game)?

The Braves dont need a manager to help them “keep focus”. They need a manager who will help manage a game and make in game decisions that will put the Braves players in the best position to win games. I havent see Bobby Cox do anything “differently” in the past 16 games (14-2 record) that he has done all year long.

Again, I point out that the Dallas Cowboys won the 1995 Super Bowl with Barry Switzer as Head Coach, lol (and Im a Dallas fan). The 1977 Yankees HATED Billy Martin, yet won the World Series. My point is that sometimes a team’s talent can will them to victory, despite their manager. Our starting pitching is that good. The difference is that at this point of the season, our offense is contributing JUST ENOUGH to sustain a winning streak, no thanks to Bobby Cox (who didnt want to bench Kelly Johnson or trade Jeff Francoeur).

• Link
• Report this comment

Anyone going to make it to the Ted tonight?

• Link
• Report this comment

Anders…………Anders…………..While Chipper Jones isnt playing like the Chipper of old, he still contributes. His ability to draw walks combined with his presence in the line-up still puts fear in the opposing pitcher (stressful at-bats do have a wear and tear on a pitching, especially from a mental standpoint)……….has softened the blow of his struggles in the power numbers.

The point in having a “balanced line-up” is that not one person is solely depended on to carry the team. Chipper is still a threat and pitched accordingly by the other team.

• Link
• Report this comment

I posted this on the old blog and wasn’t about to let it go unnoticed.

Mitchell and his far superior record/resume to replace Cox in 2011!!!

(Please note sarcasm)

• Link
• Report this comment

Doesn’t a blogger’s obsession with the phrase “SUCK A$$” make one wonder just a little about the origin of such an obsession?

Not that there’s anything wrong with that, mind you, if that’s the way you swing. I guess.

• Link
• Report this comment

Paul

Chipper is not scaring anyone. His 2 hits yesterday were Ground Balls to the SS and the pitcher.

• Link
• Report this comment

So, does Bobby give McCann an off day? I mean, he needs to, but can we risk a game without him?

• Link
• Report this comment

Despite my rumblings about Bobby Cox as manager, I give MAJOR PROPS to the Braves team as a whole (and GM Frank Wren) for their level of play since the All-Star Break. Bobby Cox’s in game mismanagement cost the Braves a number of games in the second half. We should have a much better record than 51-30 since June 28th.

It’s disappointing that some on here see 51-30 and think “great record”. In past days, I pointed out at least 5 games that Bobby totally mismanaged that cost the Braves victories. I realize that players make mistakes that allow other teams to come back. Notice that I have not ripped Soriano for blowing a few saves. Nor have I said anything about moving Chipper or McCann fromt he #3 and #4 spots in the order during their struggles.

However, given all the accolades for being a “great manager”…..Bobby Cox has simply not done a good enough job of managing this team this year. This “keeping focus” crap that Bobby gets credit for is a complete joke.

Earlier this year, I was ripped by some on here for saying that it was Bobby’s fault that this Braves team is poor fundamentally (both base running and on which base to throw to). I was told that “these guys should know how to run the base and play defense before they get to the Majors”. Well if that is the case, then shouldnt MLB players already have the ability to “keep focus”?

If it isnt a manager’s job to teach his players the fundamentals of base running and where to hit the cut off man……..then why should it be his job to have his players “keep focus”?

• Link
• Report this comment

A good chance to see how BC manages tonight against a team that has a comparable lineup to ours late in the season with so much riding on he outcome. Will he make the right moves at the right time?(I hope so) Or will he do some dumb stuff like pinchhit with Norton with the game on the line? Or let a pitcher have a melt down before recognizing he’s lost his stuff.It should be interesting.

• Link
• Report this comment

pryguy……….Bobby has really brought out the “best” in Greg Norton this year, hasnt he, lol.

• Link
• Report this comment

While Chipper Jones isnt playing like the Chipper of old, he still contributes. His ability to draw walks combined with his presence in the line-up still puts fear in the opposing pitcher (stressful at-bats do have a wear and tear on a pitching, especially from a mental standpoint)……….has softened the blow of his struggles in the power numbers. (Lentz)

What? You are talking out your posterior at this point. The Braves have struggled offensively most of the year. Exactly where is all this mental wear and tear Chipper inflicts paying off? McCann sure isn’t benefitting much. If anything Frenchy is seeeing more pitches to hit on the Mets than he did with the Braves. Why do you suppose that is?

• Link
• Report this comment

pryguy

I am not saying that I agree with Paul, but Bobby Cox has been taken off the hook by our starters.

Beginning with the Houston series our starters, especially Vazquez, Jurrjens, and Hanson have been fantastic. No need to manage with the way they have been throwing the ball.

I get on COx for using Norton everyday in crucial situations. Also he kept playing Francoeur and Johnson when better players sat on the bench. How games did that cost us.

Finally, Jim Tracy batted Brad Hawpe 7th yesterday. Why does Cox refuse to move Chipper and Anderson down in the lineup when they are struggling. Cox manages every game the same. He refuses to adjust.

• Link
• Report this comment

There is an “I hate him” opinion of Bobby Cox. This opinion generally belongs to the younger fan. The 15-to-29-year-old fan that thinks they know a lot more about the game than they actually do. They criticize Bobby Cox for playing Francoeur then they criticize Bobby Cox for sitting Francoeur. They criticize Bobby for using Moylan then they criticize him for not using Moylan. They criticize Bobby for using Prado then they criticize him when he sits Prado. These are just a few examples of the copious amounts of complaining these people do. Not that I completely discourage the complaining. I don’t think the entire spectrum of one’s baseball discussion should revolve around Manager’s failings, though. The larger problem is that they fail to see the bigger picture. The fact that a manager makes a sub-optimal decision he has much less impact than you actually think. And people constantly rattle off things like, “Bobby cost us the win tonight”. Like I always say, if there was a manager that was worth 5 wins, teams would pay him $20 million. No such character exists.

• Link
• Report this comment

Duke………..Do you realize that if Bobby had his way, that the Braves would be competing with the Nationals for the worst record in baseball?

Where do I need to start? Bobby wanted Frank Wren to re-sign John Smoltz. He wanted Tom Glavine instead of Tommy Hanson in early June. Jeff Bennett, Buddy Carlyle, Greg Norton, Kelly Johnson, Jeff Francoeur are all examples of players Bobby is loyal to who basically SUCK A$$.

Peter Moylan is the only one who has panned out. Was it worth it to see all the above players SUCK A$$ for the Braves, just so Bobby Cox can take credit for one of “his boys” succeeding?

It just goes to prove that “a blind squirrel can get an acorn every once in awhile”.

• Link
• Report this comment

Anders -

The Braves have struggled offensively most of the year.

Not so. The Braves, overall, are 6th in the league with 4.8 Runs/Game. This is bested only by Philly, Colorado, Milwaukee, Los Angeles, and Florida.

By the way, what is the best Mets blog with regards to content? I read Amazin’ Avenue occasionally and I like that one. Is there a better one? Am I missing something?

• Link
• Report this comment

It just goes to prove that “a blind squirrel can get an acorn every once in awhile”.

Too bad your batting average on posts isn’t quite as good. Must be tough to be put down by a visually-challenged tree-climbing rodent.

Props to the squirrel.

• Link
• Report this comment

Rob,

I am aware of that Houston series and completely agree. I was just as upset over the managing. Maybe it is a fault of Bobby, his stubborness to adjust. But maybe, just maybe it is also his reason for success. His willingness to put trust into his players. Norton has been awful and it is clear to see that. Cox should have allowed Tommy to finish out that game. I again point out to the fact that I believe over the course of a season Cox will put his team in a position of success more times than not. And those on here that don’t see that are narrow-minded and just point to the reasons the Braves “barely” won.

• Link
• Report this comment

Sorry Carroll,

Not to be rude, but feeling lively early Monday morning to…dare I say…defend Bobby Cox. Thanks for the new blog, bring all the good karma from DOB’s recent road trip back to Turner tonight!

• Link
• Report this comment

“What? You are talking out your posterior at this point. The Braves have struggled offensively most of the year. Exactly where is all this mental wear and tear Chipper inflicts paying off? McCann sure isn’t benefitting much. If anything Frenchy is seeeing more pitches to hit on the Mets than he did with the Braves. Why do you suppose that is?”-Anders

You are right, this team has struggled offensively most of the year. Chipper’s struggles this second half have hurt this team a lot. But there is no denying that we are a better team offensively this second half than we were in the first half chipper’s struggles or not. I think what Lentz is trying to say is that even though Chipper is struggling if you are the manager of another team you still have some fear in the back of your head that he can at anytime revert back to that guy from last year and hurt you. Will he, doesn’t look like it right now but you don’t take him lightly. He still garners respect based on his past that Frenchy has yet to earn. Francoeur is not the sole reason we were bad offensively in the 1st half but he was definately a part of it.

Oh and to that last question, why is frenchy seeing more pitches to hit with the mets, I don’t get it. I mean seriously, how many pitches does he see that he doesn’t want to hit?

• Link
• Report this comment

Don’t be afraid to come up for some air, Paul.

Seriously. And this little number takes the cake:

Do you realize that if Bobby had his way, that the Braves would be competing with the Nationals for the worst record in baseball?

Just…. wow.

• Link
• Report this comment

Anybody interested in fried Marlin tonight? I sure am. It would be totally awesome to see our guys go on a 7 game streak tonight. If they can only keep the momentum going, we’ll be in good shape. Won’t be able to watch tonight due to a meeting that I won’t get home from until about 9 when hubby gets off work – gotta let him have the TV. He’s so ready for the season to be over so he can have his big screen back. By April, there WILL be a second TV in our house

• Link
• Report this comment

P.W.Hjort
“The Braves have struggled offensively most of the year.”

Not so. The Braves, overall, are 6th in the league with 4.8 Runs/Game. This is bested only by Philly, Colorado, Milwaukee, Los Angeles, and Florida.

While that may be true “now.” They have hovered around or between 4.5.-4.6 runs per game all year long up until recently. While a tenth of a point here or there doesn’t seem like much, in terms of stats on run scoring it is actually huge and means ther difference in winning and losing. At 4.5-4.6 runs per game I’m quite sure that many teams jump ahead of them and so while their recent barrage of scoring runs has helped where they rank “now” it hasn’t been that way all season.

• Link
• Report this comment

Brian coming to aid the cause I have started…”It’s easy to write 500 word essays on things that went wrong and it’s because of Bobby Cox”

• Link
• Report this comment

Just to rile you inmates up. If we make the playoffs. Cox is going to be either 1 or 2 for Manager of the Year!

• Link
• Report this comment

Need a win tonight… probably still only have a chance if the they finish the season without any losses or only one. Should be an interesting finish if they can keep up their recent successes…

• Link
• Report this comment

If anything Frenchy is seeeing more pitches to hit on the Mets than he did with the Braves.

I doubt he’s getting anything better to hit than the fastballs down the middle he was getting…

• Link
• Report this comment

Well I boogered that up. Anders made a quote that the Braves haven’t hit well all year. P.W.Hjort said, “that was not so” and gave where they rank statistically right “now” in runs per game. Then I follwed up with the Braves have really only averaged 4.5- 4.6 runs most of the season. I gave the impression that it was P.W. that said the Braves haven’t hit well all year. He actually said they had hit well. Sorry!

• Link
• Report this comment

Good blog, Carroll.

I think most Braves fans are content to watch the games on tv. For me, when I’m away at school, it’s hard to go to weekday games. Actually, I really want to go to at least one game this weekend…

• Link
• Report this comment

ANYONE WHO BELIEVES BOBBY COX IS THE REASON THE BRAVES ARE IN THE HUNT FOR THE WILD CARD…I HAVE SOME OCEAN FRONT LAND FOR SALE IN DENVER…CHEAP! PLEASE GOD, SEND US ANOTHER COACH FOR THE 2010 SEASON!!! Enter your comments here

• Link
• Report this comment

SRF, I wouldn’t be too frustrated. This year’s Braves have outperformed every preseason projection and prediction, and have already increased their win total from last year by 13. If they make the playoffs, it will be one of the stories of the year in baseball. If they don’t (and they probably won’t), while it will be disappointing considering how close they got, it is exciting to see the prospects of 2010 so bright considering how well they played this year.

• Link
• Report this comment

You’re welcome, richbrave!

• Link
• Report this comment

pryguy

My point is this. What makes baseball so great is the length of the season. Over the course of 162 games, even the best players slump. I just wsih Cox would change it up a bit. Our three hottest hitters are hitting 6-7-8. What harm could it have done to move CHipper down in the order during his prolonged slump. Cox never adjusts. That is why I feel like every loss is the same.

• Link
• Report this comment

I would get to at least one game this week, but I don’t have anybody to go with me.

I have that problem this weekend. This weekend is special for my school…bad timing if you ask me.

• Link
• Report this comment

Lars,

I would not waste your time on the Bobby bashers. IF you ask them, it was Bobby’s fault that the storms hit Atlanta.

You can’t win an argument with a moron, at least in their minds.

• Link
• Report this comment

Time to sweep the last homestand of the season.

Go Braves.

• Link
• Report this comment

Rob,

Fair enough, and I do agree he is not apt to change very quickly or easily. But what I contend is that is that also a good quality of Cox as a manager? It’s more dependant on the situation, but I think his willingness to stick with certain guys or continue the course his way has helped his team at times as well.

• Link
• Report this comment

Where abouts do you live bravesgrl?

• Link
• Report this comment

Carroll,

Thanks for the info on the $1 tickets tonight. At two more “locals” will be attending because of it

• Link
• Report this comment

Is this the same Paulie Lentz who was telling us that the Rockies were “unstoppable?” A team of destiny? Oh, and that the Braves had to win “every game” or they didn’t have a shot at the post season?

Now Bobby Cox has little or nothing to do with the Braves playing well in the stretch? Not credible, just not credible.

• Link
• Report this comment

Mac’s taking a day off????

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$$.

• Link
• Report this comment

Anders –

But from reading your posts, I think you’d like Amazin Avenue more than those two.

I figure. I’ve read some posts over there that pretty much make my head explode, in a good way.

• Link
• Report this comment

Carroll

Amen to your 1:13 comment about Bobby. If you hate Bobby he will be gone after next season. There is no point in talking about it anymore. It’s done. I don’t read any Bobby bashing posts anymore. These people need to get another hobby…you know football has started…

• Link
• Report this comment

The Braves have been involved in 67 games where they scored 3 or fewer runs losing those at a 84% clip. Of the 67(11-56) games we have been shut out a dozen times and scored 1 run in thirteen others. Regardless of our outstanding pitching we can not beat the Rule of 64. Today’s slogan is…..Just score four!

• Link
• Report this comment

Heath – I hope that will be in the middle of the playoffs for the Braves! Good luck!

• Link
• Report this comment

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?

• Link
• Report this comment

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.

• Link
• Report this comment

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!!!!

• Link
• Report this comment

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.

• Link
• Report this comment

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.

• Link
• Report this comment

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!

• Link
• Report this comment

“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

• Link
• Report this comment

Hey, Mixxo, guee-yah! No one said BMac was getting the day off. Chill out, brah!

Honestly…

• Link
• Report this comment

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!!

• Link
• Report this comment

Rock On……

Heath….good luck with the Lasik and start buying a bunch of readers.

Readers?

• Link
• Report this comment

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.

• Link
• Report this comment

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.

• Link
• Report this comment

“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?

• Link
• Report this comment

I bet if the Braves have a chance to clinch on the last day of the season they’ll pitch Vazquez on short rest.

• Link
• Report this comment

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.

• Link
• Report this comment

HA. Get off my cloud, Daybed.

• Link
• Report this comment

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!!!

• Link
• Report this comment

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.

• Link
• Report this comment

Ok. Give it up already. Which one of you is Jeremy Hermida?

• Link
• Report this comment

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

• Link
• Report this comment

Ok, after a few weeks I’ll bite. Who is “Dave Ramsey,” and why does he have a $1 ticket night?

• Link
• Report this comment

Who the heck cares if Buster thinks the Braves can make it…..GO Braves.

• Link
• Report this comment

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.

• Link
• Report this comment

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

• Link
• Report this comment

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

• Link
• Report this comment

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.

• Link
• Report this comment

The Braves need to go 6-1 this week to have a chance.

Does anyone really see the Rockies going worse than 3-3?

• Link
• Report this comment

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?

• Link
• Report this comment

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.

• Link
• Report this comment

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.

• Link
• Report this comment

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.

• Link
• Report this comment

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!

• Link
• Report this comment

(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).

• Link
• Report this comment

boooooop!

• Link
• Report this comment

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”.

• Link
• Report this comment

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.

• Link
• Report this comment

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!

• Link
• Report this comment

Are the Umps here yet, lets start the game!

• Link
• Report this comment

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.

• Link
• Report this comment

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.

• Link
• Report this comment

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.

• Link
• Report this comment

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..

• Link
• Report this comment

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..

• Link
• Report this comment

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

• Link
• Report this comment

If I was managing the Braves I would have KK and Lowe exchange job assignments TODAY. Enough with Lowe during this critical week.

• Link
• Report this comment

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.”

• Link
• Report this comment

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.

• Link
• Report this comment

Make the final push Bravos…this town NEEDS its boys back in the playoffs

• Link
• Report this comment

we all know the Bravos aren’t going to make it. so why do we really torture ourselves this way? I mean, really — oh, the heartache that is to come. Oh, but do we like it – we apparently really like it.

• Link
• Report this comment

Duke @ 12:35 pm – You’re an idiot

Duke @ 2:45 pm – Mitchell (I think) made the argument that Cox is/was an idiot for not using his starting pitchers like they were signed on to be such as “Innings Eaters” (exact quote that was given to Vasquez). Instead he continually pulled him too soon and then he not only wore out the three relief pitchers he uses EVERY game BUT also managed (pun there) to lose games that should have been won. Vasquez could easily have several more Complete games & I bet Hanson wishes he had some complete games in place of No-Decisions on games the bullpen blew that he left with the lead.

Also some classic games where inexplicably he left Lowe in there and his team managed to not only blow huge leads and wear out the bullpen but ultimately to lose games.

And here we are 2 1/2 games out of the Wild Card.

Gayle @ 1:55 pm & 2:40 pm – Nice to have you back. Appreciate your input as usual.

• Link
• Report this comment

Lugo would have scored easily from 3rd and tied the game.

Except that he wasn’t in position to tag up. He was well off the base near home plate. Pujols and Lugo both messed up.

• Link
• Report this comment

It is very simple when it comes to our attendence. Atlanta simply has too many “transplants” to be breaking any weeknight records, playoff race or not. Most people that live in ATL and surrounding areas have not been in GA their whole life hence are not Braves fans.

Need to target the younger, possibly singles crowd next year as that is who makes the weeknight trips to the game. Not sure that the Cartoon Land and family atmosphere is accomplishing that. “Turn the entire park into the Chophouse!”

Last but not least, IMO traffic plays a MAJOR role with people wanting to go to the games VS. a nice HD ballgame (which I have missed during some of these road games). I live in Alpharetta and can make it to the stadium in 30+ minutes on a Sat. or Sun. At least double that during the week. I figure it is the same for most people OTP (outside the perimeter for our out of town bloggers).

• Link
• Report this comment

Dodgers lost 11-1. They will have something to play for this weekend against the Rockies. Home field advantage.

• Link
• Report this comment

Jon Heyman is predicting Adam LaRoche will sign a 3yr- 25 mil contract. Sign him. He is also predicting DeRosa at 3yr- 24mil. I would have to consider that if we can’t get the big bopper.

• Link
• Report this comment

David-

I’d actually like our chances if it came down to Weaver or Padilla v Marquis as he’d be scheduled to go again Sunday.

• Link
• Report this comment

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.

So you’re saying that Vazquez is a number 4 starter? Thanks. Burnett was paid like an ace by the YANKEES. If you aren’t familiar with the economy, we are in a recession. The only people who could pay more than 15 mil per year for a starter are the Yankees. Santana was given that contract before this year. 15 mil a year in this economy is a lot.

• Link
• Report this comment

Duke @ 12:35 pm – You’re an idiot

How do you figure?

• Link
• Report this comment

Yesterdays Rockies win hurt the chances badly. Had they lost I would have put the Braves chances at almost 50/50. As it is now I would say 80/20 Rockies.

• Link
• Report this comment

I WOULD go but I think I’m bad luck for the team. I went to 5 of the games they played against cincy and they only one once (in Cincy) when i went on a road trip with a friend. I’ve been to two marlins games, the lost both. I went the the Yankees game (Kawakami gets hit in the head) we end up losing. I went to a Nationals game and they won. I think overall my record at braves games this year is something around 3-8. I would have gone to more but I really started to believe i was bad luck.

• Link
• Report this comment

Jimmy Jam, get over that. Go to the game.

• Link
• Report this comment

My biggest concern against the Fish is the bullpen. We always seem to play them with the bullpen trashed and exhausted. This week will not be a whole lot different.

Fortunately Vazquez weny all 9 on Friday or it would be worse. As it stands Gonzo has gone two in a row. Moylan is coming off a two inning appearance and Soriano is coming off back to back appearances. I hope JJ can go deep in the game and you get and inning out of EOF and maybe the final out of Soriano. Gonzo should not be used. Three staright has not been pretty for him this year.

I really wish BC had not used Soriano with EOF in the 9th in a 7 run game on Sat.

• Link
• Report this comment

NO MORE BOBBY

September 28th, 2009
3:37 pm
glord1 – If anyone thinks Bobby has messed up more than his share of games this year, its me. But cmon man! We are fighting for that wild card. Let the Bobby bashing go for now.

Yes I just defended Bobby Cox.

NMB- I believe I did as well. I said he is probably the best guy out there to have this team playing loose baseball right now. Also that he probably has alot to do with Vazquez being an ace this year.

• Link
• Report this comment

Is he the best manager for a guy like Escobar or Diaz for that matter? I don’t know.

Old-school guys such as Bobby are hardest on the kids with the most talent. He’s hard on Escobar because he sees the talent in the guy and expects him to make the most of it, not fritter it away; Bobby was marginal as a player, and most marginal players can’t stand the thought of wasting talent. That’s Cox all over. I imagine that, asked the question of playing for Cox, Escobar would have the same comment given by most players who have. Yunel probably couldn’t be playing for a better manager at this point in his career.

• Link
• Report this comment

I Cant Wait!!!

• Link
• Report this comment

i like that lineup. lets do it, boys…..

• Link
• Report this comment

My opinions: Atlanta ranks, again this year, in the middle of the pack for attendance – I think we’re 14th. While that’s nothing to brag about, most of the cities ahead of us are quite a bit bigger. And the reasons many give for Atlanta not being a better pro-sports town are valid – our city is known for having many transplants who follow their home teams; many folks here in the southeast LOVE college football above all other sports; and our stadium isn’t located near the bulk of metro-Atlanta’s population, making it more of a commute to go to a game than many other cities. But I will be at the park tonight and again Wednesday…….GO BRAVES!

• Link
• Report this comment

I heard Bobby borrowed size-50 turkey drawers from Rosanne Barr for tonight’s game. My sources are suspect, as am I, so I just believe without question…

• Link
• Report this comment

Thanks for the lineup, Ms. Rogers! I’m SO ready for the game, but I’m nervous, too!

beekay–

Oh, I know…freaks me out every time he gets hit in that hand. Gonna watch closely tonight to see when/how often he keeps it hidden…

By my count, that’s the third time he’s been hit in that hand–the first time was at the end of ST, the second was either in San Diego or LA…I know it was one of those West Coast games ’cause I was asleep when it happened.

GO BRAVES!! FISH FRY TONIGHT!!!

• Link
• Report this comment

Didn’t even bother to read your article. Chicks should not be sports writers. Real men don’t want to hear sports from a woman.

• Link
• Report this comment

I gotta agree w/ glord1 here.

Bobby may not be the best manager anymore and I don’t agree with most of what he does (see Greg Norton & Kelly Johnson), however, I too think that his positive attitude and just being every player’s #1 fan right now is keeping the guys all rooting for each other, keeping things loose, but also keeping the players focused on playing great baseball. Like some have said, the team chemistry has been amazing lately. For the most part everyone is doing the little things needed to get W’s and you can tell they’re all having a great time out there.

I’m just real proud today to be a Braves fan whether they can finish this thing out or not!

• Link
• Report this comment

Is Church still out with his back? It would be really nice if he could play. We’re coming down to the wire now, so is he out for the rest of the regular season or what?

• Link
• Report this comment

this is the closest feeling to 1991 and 1993 that we’ve had

run down the Rockies just like the Dodgers and the Giants baby!

• Link
• Report this comment

Monty……Frank Wren has been running the team with Chipper Jones for weeks now through his Blackberry. BC is just along for the ride.

• Link
• Report this comment

McFann-

Isn’t it great though to be this nervous about a game in late September?

I haven’t been this jacked for a game in a very LONG time.

• Link
• Report this comment

We’re gonna take this Marlins series because Carroll is filling in for DOB, and the Braves are unstoppable when Carroll is on the beat…

That’s my superstitious outlook for the day.

• Link
• Report this comment

“”this is the closest feeling to 1991 and 1993 that we’ve had”"

Except that the hordes of fans, this time round, are dressed as empty seats.

• Link
• Report this comment

Don’t get the big head.

yes, ma’am, duly noted and taken to heart, LOL.

• Link
• Report this comment

monty

September 28th, 2009
3:58 pm
BC for Manager of the Year, and Chipper Joes for Most Valuable Player! Yeah! And Norton for the Best Actor Role for playing a Pinch Hitter!

Monty my man I have to disagree. Not only is Greg Norton not a pinch hitter but he does not even play one on TV.

• Link
• Report this comment

pryguy…………your 12:46pm misses a number of points. First, Jeff Bennett would still be on this team, giving up 6th inning leads if he had not slammed his fist into the wall after giving up the game winning home run against Boston in the bottom of the 9th (as soon as Bennett was announced, I knew the game was over. I posted that before the inning even started). Frank Wren “wisely” used the “had to release Bennett because of a pay dispute” excuse (due to the injury being non-baseball related)…..in order to prevent Bobby from using him any further.

You said that Bobby puts the Braves in position to win, more times than not. How so? By sending Greg “I cant hit my way out of a paper bay” Norton up there to hit in crucial situation after crucial situation? Or how about using David Ross, Matt Diaz and Brooks Conrad as pinch runners in the Mets game we lost the Saturday after the All-Star Break? Or, what about using Matt Diaz as a “pinch bunter” in the Chicago series before the All-Star Break (this despite Diaz raking it with a 13 for 26 stretch)?

I could go on and on, lol. I would call refusing to bench Kelly Johnson and Jeff Francoeur as “putting your team in the best position possible to win”. Or how about benching Diaz in the Chicago (despite hitting 13 for 26) so his boy Francoeur could “get some at-bats”?

I know that I’ve made the same points over and over again. However, as long as I see people “blindly” support Bobby Cox, I will keep rehashing it over and over again.

• Link
• Report this comment

“David, what did you mean by this sentence:
“Dodgers lost today…now the Cards and Phils need to win to keep the pressure on them for homefield so they actually play against the Rockies in that last series.”

Southern Hope, what that means is this: all 3 of those teams are fighting for the best record in the NL, which would give them home field advantage throughout the playoffs. If Cards and Phills win tonight, then LA has more “must win” games in order to secure best record. Since LA plays Rockies last 3 games of season, what that means is hopefully LA will win some games vs. Rockies, which would help the Braves get the Wild Card.
Hope that convoluted explanation helps lol

• Link
• Report this comment

I wish we could get Omar into that lineup but who would you take out to do so? I kind of like him over Loaf myself if we were facing a lefty, but I wouldn’t want to mess with the lineup the way we are playing.

• Link
• Report this comment

Lars Taint…………..A few weeks ago, I already posted that I was wrong about Peter Moylan. I did it again a couple of days ago and yesterday.

However, given the fact that Bobby Cox was totally wrong about Greg Norton, Jeff Bennett, Jeff Francoeur and Kelly Johnson…….which resulted in the Braves being in the position of having to win every remaining game in order to have a shot at the playoffs…….I would say that Bobby having faith in struggling players hasnt paid off much for the Braves this year.

• Link
• Report this comment

Just win baby

• Link
• Report this comment

I hear ya BEEKAY gonna be interesting to see how it all unfolds. If Braves do make it in, wonder who they match up best against in short 5 game Series? Their pitching gives them a nice advantage in Round 1 in my opinion. Obviously they will not have home field advantage, which to me (see my previous post re: home vs. away record) is not a negative.

• Link
• Report this comment

glord1
“Norton doesn’t even play a pinch-hitter on TV!”

Right you are sir! 6-60 left handed. And the sad part is what if BC had used another pinch-hitter instead(some will say who?) What if we had kept Conrad when he was “hot” instead of sending him down to the minors because BC wanted a veteran pinch hitter? Norty was used several times where a timely hit would have won us a game. Would it be so unreasonable to say that if Conrad had been kept that he might have came up with a couple of timely hits to win us a ballgame or two? Would that be so unreasonable? And if Conrad had been kept instead of Norton what difference would a couple of extra wins mean now?

• Link
• Report this comment

Brian…………..why dont you give some examples of how Bobby “went against conventional thinking” and managed the Braves to victory that the average manager wouldnt have been able to do?

I’ll give you a perfect example of what Tony LaRussa did the other night. He left Adam Wrainwright in the 8th inning of Saturday’s game…..even though he was over 120 pitches and facing Brad Hawpe, a tough lefty. Many on here were on LaRussa for not bringing in the lefty. Mostly any other manager in baseball would have brought in the lefty. I’m sure that LaRussa analyzed the situation and given how he has seen Wrainright mature over the past few seasons……….he left him in there to get that last out.

Needlesstosay, Wrainright got that out and St. Louis ended up winning the game, despite dude throwing 130 pitches in the game.

That, my friend, is a perfect example of a manager rightfully having faith in a player, therefore putting his team in the best position possible to win.

• Link
• Report this comment

Arkansas Braves Fan – The average record of the teams the Braves played is 82-71. The average record for the teams the Rockies played is 81-73.

Pretty even. Got to give the Rockies credit for going 11-4 against 4 teams above .500.

• Link
• Report this comment

Lars Taint…………the difference between Bobby Cox and Charlie Manuel is that the Phillies could afford to give Lidge an opportunity to work through his troubles. Their lead was so big, that they didnt have to win every game like the Braves have to now.

You can be assured that if the Braves were right there with the Phillies for the past month, there is NO WAY that Manuel would have stuck with Lidge for so long.

Whereas the Phillies could afford to give a struggling closer an opportunity to work through his troubles……..the Braves werent afforded such luxury. Yet Bobby managed as if the Braves had a 10 game lead. He gave “a number of struggling BUMS” carte blanche to stink up the place at will.

That is the difference.

• Link
• Report this comment

Ahh only an hour till I head to the stadium, taking my vintage 1991 red foam Tomahawk for added luck.

Remember when “The Chop” used to happen without the prompting from recorded music and would continue for several minutes….time to bring it back!

• Link
• Report this comment

Oh and for those comparing Charlie Manuel to Bobby over the Lidge situation…recall that Charlie was set to turn the ball over to Bret Myers once he came off the DL, but he had another setback and had to go back to square one as when Lidge was gone earlier this season it was made crystal clear that Madson couldn’t get the job done either.

So yeah I can see the point some are making, but what are you going to do now? Go with Chan Ho Park?!

• Link
• Report this comment

Carroll Rogers……….cant you reporters come up with some new, follow up questions in your post game interviews with Bobby Cox? I have yet to see one question from the media all year long seriously questioning Bobby as to why he keeps trotting Greg Norton out there.

Why not ask about the top of the 7th inning? Runner on 3rd, 1 out, score 3-3……and with Infante, Church, Ross, and Conrad on the bench…….Bobby goes to “the rally killer” Greg Norton. A fly ball scores the run. Yet Norton just cant hit anymore.

Some of the post game questions and answers I see are, to be honest, weak and pathetic. It’s like you guys are afraid of questioning ANYTHING that “Lord Bobby” does.

I place the blame SQUARELY on Bobby Cox for not righting the ship in mid-May, when it was apparent that Kelly Johnson and Jeff Francoeur were stalling the offense (along with Jordan Schafer).

• Link
• Report this comment

brentATL,

I like the 4:26 post. I also would love it if everyone would quit going along with the “Ever-y-bo-dy clap your hands!” sound. Makes us look like a bunch of amatuer fans.

• Link
• Report this comment

Tracy (Rockies) probably has the upper-hand on Manager of the Year right now…if the Braves end up in the play-offs instead of the Rockies, that could change.

• Link
• Report this comment

BELIEVE…

It would be great if Nate McLouth would start to contribute…something! He has certainly faltered during this current 14 of 16 run…as he is only hitting .159…(during the last 10 games). He needs to set the table by getting on base…anyway he can.

Also, we have 3 starting pitchers, Hudson @ .300…Lowe @ .226 & Vazquez @ .182…all with higher batting averages than Greg Norton…who is all the way down to a whopping .135. With that being said…is Kelly Johnson @ .220 & Brooks Conrad @ .224…a better option than say David Ross @ .264? Isn’t Clint Sammons on the roster now? Can he not be used in an emergency situation…to allow Ross to pinch hit?

I have a feeling…that over the next 3 ballgames…we are going to need a crucial pinch hit at some point…to either tie the game up…or give us the lead / win!!!

BELIEVE…as we will only be 2 back after tonight…

• Link
• Report this comment

beekay………..if the Braves were managed by a manager who was willing to pull the trigger on some benchings earlier in the season, the Braves would be 25 games over .500 right now. They would have never been in the position of having to win every game in order to make the playoffs.

• Link
• Report this comment

Thank you TN Jeff.

Not that I felt I needed to be validated but Duke, if nothing else, needed a reality check.

Hey, if you want to defend him, how about all the bad decisions that didn’t cost us the game? Kidding.

As much as I’ve wanted the guy to win another World Series to make up for previous losses… I mean, really for him, not for the fans or myself or the players… it has become self-evident that he can’t do it. He’s not the manager he used to be. Sad but true.

Think about how much it would mean to all of us if they just won the wild card. I we get beat in the first round, so be it. I just don’t know if he really appreciated the intensity and urgency required to compete in the playoffs those last couple years. It was the same thing every time from ‘02 to ‘05, just another game practically. It’s reflected in the way they played, it’s reflected in the level of fan interest and enthusiasm.

It’s not like I expect him to go around like Ozzie Guillen, saying he’s not earning the money he’s paid to win games when the team is losing but damn it would be refreshing once in a blue moon. The guy never takes responsibility for a loss even when it’s obvious. Similarly, it’s not really necessary to throw your players under the bus if they don’t get the job done but do you have to kiss their @$$e$ and make excuses for everything? How do you compare a 9 run meltdown by D-Lowe to a “Greg Maddux inning”? I mean, what the F?

It would be a crime shame if we don’t make the playoffs. We have the best pitching in baseball as far as I’m concerned. We would tear the Cardinals and Dodgers up. The Phillies? Maybe not.

But you know what? F the Marlins. If we had one of those 30 homerun guys imagine our line-up. They’re not worth $***. Bunch of pretenders. I can’t wait to give them a beating…

on the baseball field that is… that sounded violent although I’d pay to see a brawl with those lowly fish

• Link
• Report this comment

dcp (September 28th, 2009 12:07 pm): “It’s a shame that people will utter excuses for why they cannot make it to the park on a night like tonight.”

Here’s my “excuse” — maybe you or someone else here can help me with it.

I want to buy tickets in advance, over the internet (so I can see a stadium seating map), and specify the seats I want to buy (section, row and seat number).

I have not been able to figure out how to do this on the Braves’ site — all I can specify there is the section number, and they foist specific seats upon me.

Is there any way anywhere I can see what seats are available in different sections, and choose specific seats according to my preferences?

Thanks!!!

• Link
• Report this comment

P-Town Brave–

It sure is!! I LOVE it!

Gonna stink REAL BAD if they end up not going, but hey–this is a fun ride they’re taking us on!

• Link
• Report this comment

I like inter league play. It gives you a chance to see some players you never get to see. I wish they could do it in away it didn’t count unless their was a tiebreaker for wildcard.

• Link
• Report this comment

Lentz
…And if Bobby listened to you early on we would never have had Peter Moylan in doing the best relief job in the entire major league during the 2nd half of the season. You wanted him gone around the all star break….look what he has done since…one for Bobby, zero for Lentz

• Link
• Report this comment

Carroll Rogers………..your 2:21pm posting shows how un-insightful you are.

I’ll use the same comparison to replacing Norton as I used with benching Francoeur and Kelly earlier this year: While I did not envision Prado and Diaz playing as well as they have……..I felt that even “average” production from them was MUCH BETTER than the garbage we was getting from Kelly and Francoeur. It’s called “addition by subtraction”.

Having Brooks Conrad or even Reid Gorecki as the #1 pinch hitter would be a HUGE upgrade over Norton. Brooks Conrad can play multiple infield position, a switch hitter with a little pop in his bat, and can run the bases a little…….and can at least hit a fly ball to knock in a runner from 3rd with less than 2 outs. Gorecki is right handed and can play the outfield and can run a little.

Greg Norton is only capable of drawing the occasional walk. No power, cant run the bases, and is a big liability on the field. Bottom line, he is a waste of a roster space.

Saying that we dont have a Jim Thome available to replace Norton is not justification to keeping Norton. Sadly pathetic thinking there by you. Even a little pinch hitting production would be a MOUNTAIN OF IMPROVEMENT over the crap we’ve seen from Norton all year.

• Link
• Report this comment

Lew – I hear ya. I’m just wondering what Cox thinks of him. Let’s be honest if you can’t play for Cox than you’re the problem. The whole Church/Manuel thing really puzzled me. That’s all I meant.

• Link
• Report this comment

if the Braves were managed by a manager who was willing to pull the trigger on some benchings earlier in the season, the Braves would be 25 games over .500 right now. (Lentz)

Do you find yourself sitting alone at parties a lot?

Perhaps the whole premise of my question is flawed?

• Link
• Report this comment

What do you mean the Braves are screwed? Then you are screwed…

See ya at the ballyard tonight. GO BRAVES!!! GO BRAVES!!!

• Link
• Report this comment

McFann

I’m chilled….Lets win this thing!

Sry.

• Link
• Report this comment

Anders

September 28th, 2009
4:53 pm

if the Braves were managed by a manager who was willing to pull the trigger on some benchings earlier in the season, the Braves would be 25 games over .500 right now. (Lentz)

Do you find yourself sitting alone at parties a lot?

Perhaps the whole premise of my question is flawed?

Anders you crack me up…..

• Link
• Report this comment

beekay……….so just because Bobby was right about Peter Moylan, that allows him a free pass for being wrong about Kelly Johnson, Jeff Francoeur, Greg Norton, and Jeff Bennett? Should Braves fans forget about the fact that Bobby wanted to see Tom Glavine called up instead of Tommy Hanson?

I’ll take my batting average any day of the week on the above positions.

• Link
• Report this comment

Anyone else going tonight to show some support? My wife’s unavailable, so I think I’m going to wander down and take my chances with the scalpers. See y’all there?

• Link
• Report this comment

I’ll take my batting average any day of the week on the above positions.(Lentz)

Does Cox get to include his 14 straight trips to the post season? You know, while you guys are comparing your junk.

• Link
• Report this comment

Newbie – Terrace level seats are the in my opinion, they are around $35 each, which isn’t too bad if you don’t go to games very often – like me. These are called terrace level on the ticketmaster site and sections 202/204/206/208 are some of the best affordable seats in the house. 202 is right under the press box and then 208 is between 3B and home, 210 is okay too but anything past that and you’re getting out into LF too far for my liking.

Here is a seating chart you can click on the sections and see the view you would have from that section http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/atl/ballpark/seating_and_pricing.jsp

• Link
• Report this comment

Paul we get it. Bobby did some dumb things especially early in the season. I am as guilty as anyone for piling on Cox and Norton. Its easy and fun to take out frustration. That said the Braves are on an unbelieveable run right now. Is Bobby going to stop doing frustrating things? I doubt it but even if they fall short they gave it one hell of a run and things look really good for next year.

• Link
• Report this comment

Thanks, LoMel!!!

(It’s pretty dam pitiful in this day and age that you’ve got to talk to a person just to buy a ticket. If you ask me.)

Thanks, though!!!

• Link
• Report this comment

Bobby Cox for manager of the year? Are you people effing crazy?

For a start, you’re going to have to find somebody other than Ken Rosenthal to vote for him. That ain’t happening.

If it’s not Jim Tracy, it’s nobody. Nobody else really stands out. Granted, we haven’t exactly been a complete team for most of the year but either way we’ve played just about at or slightly above average. I think you have to kind of exceed expectations to be considered for manager of the year.

• Link
• Report this comment

Newbie – see my post above, it has what you’re looking for.

• Link
• Report this comment

Just go on ticketmaster and select terrace level and it will show you the best available seats open there.

• Link
• Report this comment

As an Georgian that lives in Miami for law school, I first want to say that I am extremely glad I get to watch the game tonight on TV. Even though the Marlins announcers are terrible. I know a lot of people don’t like the TV team the braves have, but trust me you’re lucky to have Jon and Joe.

Second, Carroll I wanted to ask if you heard or saw anything from the braves last night after the unbelievable stupidity by the cardinals? Reaction? I would be interested to see the reaction of the players after that kind of loss.

Third, does the whole Matt Holiday out due to “sickness” seem a little fishy to anyone but me?

• Link
• Report this comment

Dear AJC Blog People – can you highlight Paul Lentz’s posts in yellow or some other obvious color – that way it’ll be easier for all of us to immediately identify and skip over them. I don’t want to read one sentence of the constant garbage he continues to spew over and over and over again. Thanks for helping out the sane people AJC.

• Link
• Report this comment

CB, of course. I’ll throw you a college lock this weekend.

• Link
• Report this comment

K Chub, I think a little mirror with Paul’s picture would be more appropriate.

• Link
• Report this comment

Series? Its time we focus on tonight’s game…
If we win: 2 back
If we lose: 3 back…
Three back with 6 games left is next to impossible.
And Anibal Sanchez is a very good pitcher (against the Braves)

• Link
• Report this comment

can you highlight Paul Lentz’s posts in yellow or some other obvious color – (K_Chub)

I think your instinct on yellow was just right. {:

• Link
• Report this comment

Chill with praising Bobby all of the sudden because our team is making up ground. If some games were managed better, I can think of at least 5, we would be in the lead…. not being forced to win 13 games in a row, and 23 out of 25.
I remember all the fair-weather fans giving up hope months ago, especially a week ago. Please don’t come to these games, you don’t deserve to!
Go Braves

• Link
• Report this comment

seating chart on stubhub.com

• Link
• Report this comment

BL,I don’t know if you want to take my advice since I now live in a tent, but I would take Dallas.

• Link
• Report this comment

Paul,one thing you forgot to mention is that if it was left up to Cox,Escabor would probably be playing for some other organization.I was wondering if you believe The Braves will do the right thing and pay Escabor as they have done others.JJ also should be considered for the Mac and Frenchie bump.Paul,that decision to hit Norton with the go ahead run at third is the main reason that we are not winning this division.Some people just don’t get it and nothin you say will change their mind.

• Link
• Report this comment

wow, this blog is really heating up again after the down time following the cincinatti sweep. Nice to see everyone getting excited.had an opportunity to go to the game tommorow, but other stuff got in the way (man do I hate other stuff). Gonna try and be there this weekend to watch the braves make it into the playoffs.

Go Braves!!

• Link
• Report this comment

The Marlins always scare me.. Just because they are behind us right now, doesn’t mean they will just roll over and give up.. They are coming to play hard because they to have a shot at the WC, and the Braves better not take them for granted..

We have momentum, we are at home, and this game still scares me.. Jurrgens will show a lot tonight if he is poised and pitches a great game.. It seems like we have our best guys coming up in the next few games, so seeing some dominating pitching performances by the Braves pitchers this series would be great.. I like our chances when we are throwing JJ, Vazquez, Hanson, and Hudson out there in 4 consecutive nights.. We need every win we can possibly get.. It would be awesome if we can win out and get into the playoffs..

Come on Bravos.. This is the time to prove to your fans that you have what it takes to get to the playoffs.. Once you get there, anything can happen.. Just ask the Marlins what a WC team can do in the playoffs.. Just get in and take care of business..

• Link
• Report this comment

Thanks, RHR — it was terrace seats (203) that I got the last time I blindly opted for the pig in the poke you get from the Braves site.

Hated ‘em — it was a beautiful sunny day, and I was under some kind of overhang (the seats in the level above, of course).

That’s one reason I’d like to be able to specify a particular row in addition to a particular section number. (And I’d still like to pick my own seat in the row.)

I guess I sound like a socially retarded fussbudget, huh?

Thanks, though!!!

(Looks like I’m gonna have to call ‘em up. Maybe I can text them?)

• Link
• Report this comment

Carroll, if the Braves make the playoffs,erasing a 7.5 game deficit with 3 weeks left in the season, and win a playoff series, then lose in the NLCS, the blog’s managerial experts will opine that A. the team did it in spite of Bobby and B. it’s further proof that he can’t manage in the post season. Personally this is the most fun I have had as a Braves fan in about 4 years, and I like that a bunch of relatively young guys are playing key roles.

• Link
• Report this comment

I’m going to be really upset if there is only 30K people there…

• Link
• Report this comment

For all you hopefuls out there: http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc75/dx4life69/Record.jpg

• Link
• Report this comment

I guess I sound like a socially retarded fussbudget, huh?

Haha! A fussbudget? Noo…

• Link
• Report this comment

goldenglove –

Tickets may not be available online just hours before the game.

• Link
• Report this comment

First of all, I’m of the belief that McLouth, Church, Loaf’s surge and Prado are the difference in the lineup. Loaf early in the year, Schafer, Francoeur and KJ were killing this team early. NOBODY can deny that.

N8, I agree. I would say (this is for Doc Holiday) that the combination of those players would’ve been worth 3-4 wins over the first 50 or whatever games you were talking about, but any one particular player (in this case, Prado, but it goes for just about anyone not named Mauer or Pujols) would not come anywhere near a 3-4 win player over 50 games. They just don’t.

Take Chipper last year. Played 130 games, won the batting title, OPSed 1.044, played + defense according to UZR, and was just about as awesome at baseball as one can be. How many wins was he worth, according to the pythagorean record? 7.6. So, over 50 games, he’s what, a 2(ish) win player? And you think Prado, who is nowhere near the player Chipper was last year, offensively or defensively, is gonna double that? I mean, if you do, I’d love to see your actual proof, not just “but Kelly sucked and I wanted Prado and boo-hoo!” or whatever. Please. Actually prove it.

If not, I’m just not convinced of the argument.

• Link
• Report this comment

Goldenglove, no way its a sellout. I think they cut off tic sales on Internet maybe couple hours before game time, and Im not sure of the reason. If it ws because of a sellout, they would sell Standing Room Only tics.

• Link
• Report this comment

Jurrjens4etc., etc.-No, you just post so much yourself you don’t have time to read Lentz’s posts-or much of anyone’s, come to think of it.

• Link
• Report this comment

Is there a way for me to block Paul Lentz’s comments? I’ll never get those seconds of my life back.

• Link
• Report this comment

Josh Johnson-S- Marlins Sep. 28 – 4:36 pm et

Josh Johnson (flu) will start Tuesday against the Braves.
Johnson was scratched from his scheduled start on Sunday with the illness. In addition to Tuesday’s outing, he is also scheduled start this Sunday against Philadelphia.
Source: MLB.com

• Link
• Report this comment

Hello.

• Link
• Report this comment

Lew,

I was going to respond to that, but then I thought, ‘Hey! Wouldn’t that be proving his point?”

But then I thought, ‘The very act of responding to him would prove that I read other peoples comments…’

You see I’m stuck in quite a pickle…

But still, that hurts…

• Link
• Report this comment

“B” What’s Happening Chief…?

Shout outs to RHR, P-Lentz, P-Town Brave, McFann Among others….

• Link
• Report this comment

yikes – i hate that guy…”stay thirsty, my friends.” WTF is that?

• Link
• Report this comment

I still don’t full believe they can make it in, but might as well finish the season with 2 more sweeps … can’t hurt to go all out.

• Link
• Report this comment

Ms. Rogers comes out swinging. Game on.

• Link
• Report this comment

Steve,

Forgive my boneheaded Locke comment the other night. It was late, that’s my excuse! I totally forgot he was in that trade though. I was reading the comments fast before bed (I had to be up in 3 hours for training) and I thought I read the Pirates were interested in him. Makes sense now…they obviously were. And you were right, there’s no way we trade for MuCutch at that time after seeing our own CF prospect falter. Wren made the right move at the time. Though if Wren had a crystal ball, give me the 1990 Bonds look-a-like now.

• Link
• Report this comment

And Saturday’s game has been picked up by Fox and moved to 4:10. Here come the shadows

Good. Is it just me or do we play really well against Washington in day games?

• Link
• Report this comment

Ms. Rogers–

I’ve always really enjoyed your Blogs, posts, etc. Keep up the good work!

faninva–

I don’t get the whole, “Stay thirsty, my friends” thing, either. What the heck is that supposed mean?

• Link
• Report this comment

Good stuff Carroll, and thanks again for your generosity!

• Link
• Report this comment

Carroll-

I don’t know if that was a joke based on a comment made to a certain female sports reporter awhile back or that guy was serious, but if he were, what he doesn’t realize is that most of you as he so expressed “chick” sports reporters put in more time and effort into their jobs than some of us do in a week! AND you know you’re sh*t (pardon the language).

So keep doin what you’re doin as 99.9% of us appreciate what you do for Braves baseball!

Tomahawkin-

Thanks! Just NOT doin my job right now (LoL)…the irony there…

FaninVa-

As Rome stated on his show, somehow I don’t think you can proclaim yourself the most interesting man in the world, especially when you decide to drink really crappy beer! That would be like Larry Eustachy saying he’s the most interesting man in the world because he got drunk at a college party poppin Natty Lite’s.

• Link
• Report this comment

Dang…last post two pages in a row…

Josh Johnson tomorrow?? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! DANGIT!!

And Saturday’s game moved to FOX? Wow…if somebody told me earlier this year that the Braves-Nationals game on the last Saturday of the regular season was gonna be changed to a FOX game, I might have laughed in their face…

• Link
• Report this comment

18 Wheels-

Long Blog?

How about Long legged Blonde?

• Link
• Report this comment

I’m always right most of the time. Lew

I already knew that. I just wanted to make you say it aloud type it out. The world needs to know of your rightness.

• Link
• Report this comment

JJ, thank you. What’s up with some of the comments today?

• Link
• Report this comment

Carroll… Here, here!

• Link
• Report this comment

Oh, BOO-YAH! If they’re on at 4, that means they won’t be on at the same time as the Tech game!! (Course, IDK if the Tech games gonna be on TV, but…)

Everything’s falling into place…feels like something’s meant to be…like something’s gonna happen…

• Link
• Report this comment

Can you highlight Lent’s posts in black so we can’t read the text? That would be ideal.

Thanks

Now that is funny. And Anders, you were cracking me up earlier, too. Well done.

Real men don’t get their news from chick sports writers?

Hold on–Lentz actually said that? Dear Lord, the guy has no couth whatsoever (even if he didn’t say it, my point stands).

• Link
• Report this comment

Saturday’s game was moved to 4pm?!

Ugh…Blasted Fox!!!

• Link
• Report this comment

YOU GOTTA BELIEVE ( Nova Scotia)

Whoah! Cease and desist or I’ll start the Tomahawk Chop for my Mets at CitiField.

• Link
• Report this comment

My fussbudger only allows for 2 more BFs this month.

• Link
• Report this comment

Gotta run, been a nice few minutes with y’all. P-Town, take you shots now while ya can, my man, LOL!

Lentz–have you ever considered a hobby? Exercise? Women? Just wondering…

• Link
• Report this comment

Steve Hold on–Lentz actually said that?

I don’t know…probably. But it’s not like I’m gonna go back and try to find it…

Ms. Rogers is very good…I’ve always liked her work.

• Link
• Report this comment

Carroll, you rock.

All, I can see into the Ted from my office window (hands-down, the best part of this job) and there’s a good number of cars in the lot…but can’t see into the bleachers (nobody in the upper bleachers yet)….on the other hand, it’s still 90 minutes til game time…..

• Link
• Report this comment

Roman Gal-Just trying to convince myself?

Jurrjens-And how do you think you did. Don’t you realize it’s all about personal perception? Look what it’s done for Lentz.

• Link
• Report this comment

Not yours in particular JJ.

• Link
• Report this comment

Lentz,

Cox has sure put us in more situations for a win than a loss….CHECK out our record my man!!! Alas, you are too blind to do such and will continue to harp on the 4 or 5 points you have to make. How about his move yesterday putting in Moylan for 2 innings? Or pinch hitting Infante to give us a 3 run cushion? You’re right, he shoulda pinch hit him in the 7th when the game was clearly in contention. He has made his fair share of questionable decisions in his career. But I will take his track record against most when it comes to the game of baseball. And I won’t sit back here and second guess decisions AFTER I see how it plays out, similar to what you do or claim you predicted it would end this or that way. When it doesn’t and Cox’s decision works out, you still criticize how “lucky” it was. Get a grip and get out in the world instead of in front of your computer screen for the majority of the day bashing a Hall of Fame manager any chance you get.

• Link
• Report this comment

Wow, Lentz is being even more of a prick than usual today. I wonder if he’ll explode again.

• Link
• Report this comment

Not yours in particular JJ.

Still…. What do you mean? Paul Lentz said something and Carrol Rogers batched slapped his azz back to Timbuktu… or San Fransisco, whatever the kids are calling it these days…

• Link
• Report this comment

Jeffrey D,

He exploded before? When was this? WHAT HAPPENED?

• Link
• Report this comment

Can someone please tell me what I did to deserve this?? I promise I will NEVER do it again!!!

Cabraves,

You haven’t watched a ballgame with me this year….that’s what you did

• Link
• Report this comment

CA-

Seriously? Cal/USC being contemplated over a very VERY important Braves game…

Tell ya what, you have my email address, send me an email and I’ll send you my home address so you can ship me your remote.

You’ll get it back once you start making better life decisions

• Link
• Report this comment

Look, when it comes to Paulie Lentz, it could be raining gold nuggets and he’d gripe about them hitting his head.

Sanchez worries me a little bit. Had a superior outing against the Phillies last time. His numbers aren’t impressive, but that’s the sort of pitcher the Bravos have had trouble with: the less impressive ones.

• Link
• Report this comment

Thanks a lot Fredi Gonzalez. Johnson with the flu my A$$

• Link
• Report this comment

He exploded before? When was this? WHAT HAPPENED? (Jurrjens4NLCY)

Let’s just say it ended up with Charles Manson calling Lentz a Psychopath!

• Link
• Report this comment

[Expletive deleted] FOX and their [Expletive Deleted] day games on [Expletive Deleted] Saturdays!!

cab, you’re a hoot. Now wait there while I go get the soap to wash your mouth out…

• Link
• Report this comment

monty – about your 5:33 pm – would be a good idea except for the fact that BC himself will only consider one year contracts. Been that way for over 20 years.

• Link
• Report this comment

Anders……….I’m not talking about Bobby’s managing in years past. I’m talking specifically about this year. What happened 4 years ago is irrevelant to me today. Just like players lose it at a certain point in their careers……….the same thing happens to managers. Just because Bobby helped lead the Braves to 14 straight division championships…….does not meant that he should be given a free pass when his mistakes hold a team back. We won our last division title in 2005. This is 2009.

I have so much faith in this year’s team. I wont blame April and May on Bobby Cox so much as I blame June and and part of July on him. On June 2nd, when the McLouth trade was made, along with calling up Tommy Hanson, that would have been a great time to complete the shake-up by benching Kelly and Francoeur in favor of Diaz and Prado…….and releasing Jeff Bennett and Greg Norton.

There is no way that the players are going to say anything bad about Bobby. Baseball players know that burning bridges isnt wise. Sure, there are exceptions out there. However, the kind of players that the Braves tend to go after…..are players who are more than likely to walk the “company line”. Notice how the ones who dont (Kenny Lofton, Gary Sheffield) last very long.

• Link
• Report this comment

Bobby’s Cox-

I seem to recall a single invite…there were 26 other weekends and 161 other games that you could have had your chance

P-Town

The USC game is just as important (we do play pretty good football out here on the West Coast, you know )

• Link
• Report this comment

RG-

It’s been too long since I last ranted about a Saturday game…had to get it in before the season ended

I gotta run- be back in a few hours…time to go home (I know y’all will miss me)

• Link
• Report this comment

Anders… the Mets are a special case. The Bravos play them like a drum because… well, they’re the Mets.

• Link
• Report this comment

We are winning 8 of 9 to win the WC by one game over those persistent Rockies

• Link
• Report this comment

Well, it’s getting near game time so I’ll split to give you good folks your space to enjoy the ride. Have fun.

• Link
• Report this comment

glord………I stated last week that the Braves, before the Mets series began, were going to have to finish 12-1 in order to have a shot at making the playoffs. Not only that, I came right out and said that I think that this Braves team (given the schedule and the quality of our starting pitching) could finish the season 12-1.

2 sweeps (6 wins later), the Braves are halfway there. There is no reason why we cant go at least 6-1 this week.

Yet a number of people on here last week were saying that I was being “unrealistic” in my assessment. They was saying that they would be happy with 9-4 or 10-3 to finish the season.

I responded by saying that it would be a BIG DISAPPOINTMENT if we finished the season 9-4 or 10-3. Just like I was disappointed that we finished the home stand right after the All-Star Break at 6-2 instead of the 8-0 record that we should have posted.

I have faith in the ability of this team…….and many of you rip me for it. Yet you are willing to settle for good….when greatness is achievable. PATHETIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By using Greg Norton as the #1 pinch hitter, Bobby Cox is potentially holding this team back…….not putting it in the best possible position to win.

• Link
• Report this comment

Has the tuition check arrived yet? Lew

You think I’d still be sucking up to you if it had?! Nope, haven’t received it yet. No hurry, though.

• Link
• Report this comment

Roman Gal-The check is in the mail.

• Link
• Report this comment

Carroll Rogers………..concerning your 5:32pm posting, I’m not sure where you got the “real men dont get their news from chick sports writers” comment. I never said that.

Also, concerning your statement of asking Bobby Cox about Greg Norton in Florida…..my question is “why didnt you (or any other Braves writer) continue to follow up with that”? Greg Norton has continued to stink up the place. Yet you sports writers (male and female) are content with one answer that Bobby Cox gives you guys and will leave it at that, not bringing it up again for the rest of the year.

I feel that the Atlanta sports media is so “in awe” of Bobby Cox that they are afraid of losing their precious access to the Braves if any criticism is directed at Bobby.

If a child misbehaves, and a parent gets on the child and punishes the child for misbehaving……..is a parent not obligated to get on the child and punish the child again if he misbehaves again in a similar manner? Every game that Bobby uses Greg Norton, Bobby should be questioned on it. The FREAKING STATS DONT LIE. Greg Norton SUCKS A$$. SIMPLE AS THAT.

How in the world is it even remotely close to being responsible journalism when you sports writers dont do your job and ask the tough questions when warranted?

• Link
• Report this comment

Figured this was coming for season tic holders who didnt buy playoff tics prior to Sept. 11 deadline, just got this in email:

“We are pleased to announce that the deadline for 2009 Postseason tickets has been extended. Your seats will be available until 5pm Thursday, October 1st. Postseason tickets will be printed and shipped overnight at the conclusion of the regular season. You can access your online invoice and make a payment using the steps below:”

• Link
• Report this comment

Turning off the computer, tearing off this monkey suit, donning the Braves cap, slapping on some jeans and my Chipper tee, and heading on down to the Ted to see the Bravos kick some arse. Can’t wait to go to the game we’ll be playing next Monday night. Go Braves!

• Link
• Report this comment

That a baby Braveheart!!!!!!!

• Link
• Report this comment

Roman Gal–ugh. Don’t even get me started on tuition.

• Link
• Report this comment

Carroll Rogers………….Your 5:32pm posting “implied” that I said that “real men dont get their news from chick sports writers”.

I never said that. I dont mind catching heat for stuff I actually said. However when garbage like that is attributed to me, I dont appreciate it.

• Link
• Report this comment

AAAAA!! I wanna watch the game…I want to go to ALL the games…

Geez! That bug bite really itches…I’M READY FOR SOME BASEBALL!!!!

…I think.

• Link
• Report this comment

Wonder if the city of Atlanta is more pumped about the Dagws or the Braves in the heat of a playoff run? Huh, I’ll say it’s 60/40 in favor of Dawgs football. Guess we’ll see by the turnout tonight.

• Link
• Report this comment

McFann -

ya, be careful what you wish for…nervous, nail-biting time…but is it not great?

• Link
• Report this comment

What a dumb line-up. Lead-off guy is hitting .262. I mean, what the f?

Sure we won six in a row, we were playing the two worst teams in baseball. I “believe” and have faith and everything but this line-up is absolutely retarded.

Matt Diaz, best average on the team… batting 8th. WTF

• Link
• Report this comment

If the Braves win tonight, they’re an even 2 outs with six games to play for both them and the Rockies.

But they gotta win tonight.

Go Braves!

• Link
• Report this comment

Paul Lentz: You should know garbage. Most of what you post is garbage.

• Link
• Report this comment

Don’t even get me started on tuition. Steve from OH

Hah! Well, I’m lucky that I don’t have to pay much per year. I kinda feel bad for picking one of the most expensive schools in the South…not that bad, though.

• Link
• Report this comment

Hah! Well, I’m lucky that I don’t have to pay much per year. I kinda feel bad for picking one of the most expensive schools in the South…not that bad, though.

I should say…I feel bad for my parents.

• Link
• Report this comment

This isn’t about the fans. It’s about Atlanta.

Atlanta gave up on baseball somewhere along the way. The real fans care. I’m sorry I’m not there, I wish I could be but you recall the Braves didn’t have this problem in the ’90s.

Call me crazy but I think that will change when we get somebody new in here.

• Link
• Report this comment

HR! Great pitch, JJ! Good call, ump. Yessss!!!!

[sorry folks, just warming up.]

• Link
• Report this comment

Thankfully there is HOPE.

Doesn’t help that much when you go to a private school.

• Link
• Report this comment

Mitchell, you’re crazy. What does Bobby Cox have to do with fans coming to Turner Field? I’m no huge Cox fan, but they’re winning and have a real good chance at making the playoffs for the first time in 4 years. You go to watch the players, not the manager.

• Link
• Report this comment

Roman Gal – where do you go to school?

• Link
• Report this comment

Over the past couple of months I have deleted dozens of posts from different people that were all talking about how great the sampler program is at http://savingmorethanefore.com Quite honestly I believed that they were spam and that is why I deleted them. Last night I was at my cousins home and he was telling me that it is possible to stock up on free groceries and merchandise for almost nothing. After I stopped laughing he took a shoebox out of his closet that was full of receipts. The savings on these receipts were eye popping. Savings between 75% – 85%! I was even more shocked to find out that the program he is using is the same one that I mentioned above. Sorry members for deleting the previous posts. I am now a member also after seeing the savings.

• Link
• Report this comment

I don’t know if the Braves will make it to the playoffs. I don’t know if they’ll have to win out. I don’t know if the Rockies will lose 3 games. I don’t know if the Rockies will lose 2 games.

One thing I DO know is Fred Hickman can polish off a plate of food. No doubt about that.

• Link
• Report this comment

On the Marlins pregame show, I hear that if the Braves and Rockies finish tied, that the playoff game will be held in Atlanta. The Braves and Rockies split their season series 4-4. However, the Braves hold the tiebreaker edge in the record of games within the division.

• Link
• Report this comment