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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
1,399 comments Add your comment
Vinings Jim
September 30th, 2009
10:56 pm
njbraves – with fans like you, …
Steve from OH
September 30th, 2009
10:56 pm
F Matt Diaz. Nothing he can say will make me feel bad for him. He’s a major league player, who obviously is too dumb to understand baserunning. I really hope he isn’t on this team next year.
Really? I can’t even think of anything snarky enough to say in regard to that post…
On a side note, can someone explain exactly what Diaz did? I missed the game, unfortunately. Oh, and Nolasco with 16K? Wow. Someone was on his game, huh?
tvsportscaster
September 30th, 2009
10:57 pm
DOB, just wanted to compliment you on your opening paragraph in the Braves game story, that was brilliant writing. Also, there is a pretty good chance the Braves will be officially eliminated before they take the field tomorrow, because the Rockies play tomorrow afternoon and if they win tonight and tomorrow it’s all over. However, the Braves should be commended for their valiant effort and things look promising for 2010.
The Bird and Indian (Reggie)
September 30th, 2009
10:57 pm
Mixxo: Can we include the Hawks in Fall Sports? If so….
Braves:
Saints:
Tech: :/
Hawks:
Mr. Enigma
September 30th, 2009
10:58 pm
Steve from OH
Brendan Donnelly’s first pitch to Martin Prado with two outs and the bases loaded was a cutter in the dirt and it got away from the catcher, Ronny Paulino. Diaz broke for the plate and got about halfway down the line, but then stopped when he saw the ball didn’t get far away from Paulino. But started running again when he saw Paulino couldn’t find the ball, but stopped again to run back to third. Paulino found the ball and gunned Diaz out at third. Game over.
jeffrey d
September 30th, 2009
10:58 pm
You all are the softest bunch I’ve ever come across. It’s amazing how many of you are worried about Matt’s feelings, rather than being angry with the guy
Or maybe you’re just a jerk and a turd. Being mad at Matt won’t change anything. You know this is going to eat at him for a LONG time. What’s getting angry at him gonna do? Make him feel bad longer? Make him be able to suddenly think quicker in a split-second situation?
The Truth Hurts
September 30th, 2009
10:59 pm
I read this blog but don’t usually post. I find baseball blogging an oxymoron. It’s the worst game for constant and incessant expression of feeling due to the nature of the season.
However, I would like to give the DOB Loquacious Award for 2009 to Mr. Paul Lentz.
For your edification: Loquacious
babbling, chattering, chatty, fluent, gabby, garrulous, gossipy, jabbering, long-winded, loose-lipped, motormouth, multiloquent, prolix, verbose, voluble, wordy, yacking
I would emphasize the final 10 synonyms for Mr. Lentz. I would also argue the rather significant difference in being loquacious and being articulate.
I certainly hope that the bloggers on here could scrape together some loose change and pay you by the anti-word.
jeffrey d
September 30th, 2009
11:01 pm
Steve – bases were loaded with two out. Marlins pitcher (I forget who) threw a wild pitch and Diaz (on third) started to go home, then changed his mind and got thrown out while sliding back to third. Game over.
Soph
September 30th, 2009
11:01 pm
a Nerf gun wouldn’t kill you…
Oh, I know. I had one when I was little. It can take an eye out though!
jeffrey d
September 30th, 2009
11:02 pm
If it were shot in your blood stream it would…
Because that’s where I usually aim my Nerf gun shots. Directly into my enemies’ blood streams.
Mr. Enigma
September 30th, 2009
11:03 pm
njbraves
It’s not that we’re soft, it’s just that you take this crap way too seriously. It’s your obsessively psychotic brand of “fan” that ran off Billy Buckner into a life of anonymity in Idaho until the Red Sox finally won the title in 2004.
Get a life.
Frankie Knuckles
September 30th, 2009
11:03 pm
I still Believe in 2011. I hate bash Bobby, but Norton and Acosta in the same night. F’ing pathetic.
Soph
September 30th, 2009
11:03 pm
Mixxo -
Tell me about it. The Falcons brought me back to reality this past week. I agree with B & I though. The Hawks will be exciting this year. (I hope!)
jeffrey d
September 30th, 2009
11:03 pm
For your edification: Loquacious
How about Loafacious?
Soph
September 30th, 2009
11:04 pm
njbraves gets more and more bitter by the day. Relax guy. Sh*t happens, get over it.
Soph
September 30th, 2009
11:05 pm
Um, didn’t Acosta get out of the jam? That move actually worked for once.
Mr. Enigma
September 30th, 2009
11:05 pm
Hopefully the Rockies will win every game left, so then it wouldn’t have mattered if the Braves won all five left or not.
The Bird and Indian (Reggie)
September 30th, 2009
11:05 pm
Soph: Will you be joining in on the Hawks blog? Good group over there, except for a few we are pretty laid back and don’t judge off of every shot. Well, maybe sometimes.
jeffrey d
September 30th, 2009
11:06 pm
Nah, njbraves would rather be a grump. He’s that guy who sits with his arms crossed while everyone around him is enjoying the wave.
cvbraves
September 30th, 2009
11:06 pm
Who would have thought that with four games left in the regular season, we’d have even a chance at making the playoffs…and, despite the Braves’ loss tonight and whatever the Rockies do, we still do. If the Rockies win, we’re 4 back with 4 to play. Amazing that we’re only 4 back.
Thanks John Scherholtz, Frank Wren, Bobby Cox and all the Braves for a good — maybe great — season. Looking forward to the last 4 games this year, the off-season moves, spring training, and a terrific 2010.
Jurrjens4NLCY
September 30th, 2009
11:07 pm
Because that’s where I usually aim my Nerf gun shots. Directly into my enemies’ blood streams.
I see you have read The Art of War by Sun Tzu…
Soph
AIM?
Soph
September 30th, 2009
11:09 pm
B & I – I’ll take a look when the season starts. It can’t be more entertaining than this one though…?
Frankie Knuckles
September 30th, 2009
11:10 pm
Soph, yea he did. But you can’t say you weren’t thinking WTF with 4 games left and the guy who has consistently sucked comes out for the last HU-RAH.
Vinings Jim
September 30th, 2009
11:10 pm
jeffrey d and Soph – you guys are the best reasons for hanging out here after the pain tonight – great postings! (and several others – grace after a heartbreaking loss is an admirable trait)
Rock On......
September 30th, 2009
11:10 pm
Good night fine denizens….the sun will rise tomorrow, smile. Peace out.
Pete
September 30th, 2009
11:10 pm
Kirkinga your observations seem to be right on to me. If he goes and is out on close play, then everyone is still howling about how dumb he is. Like he said he was looking for a pitch in the dirt and got it; just didnt skip away far enough and he ended up in no mans land.
Vinings Jim
September 30th, 2009
11:12 pm
Rock On – well said!
Tomahawkin
September 30th, 2009
11:13 pm
Soph
Co-Sign
This C…k-teasing team has gotten to NJBraves as well…He has become hostile when he watches the games…
Jeffrey D
The wave is wack, A Tooner Field tradition that reflects on the pedrestrian atmosphers that dominates the fanbase there
If the Tooner field atmosphere resembled that of a College football game then the braves would respond better in games like this
Soph
September 30th, 2009
11:14 pm
Awww, thanks VJ. You guys make me feel a lot better after heartbreakers like tonight.
SavBrave
September 30th, 2009
11:14 pm
njbraves –
It’s called grace and hospitality. When southerners don’t coldly ingnore every person they come across in public, they develop what is known as a “soul.”
Do you consider Philadelphia a better sports town? Does the desire to vent your frustrations on every athlete/team upon which you have superimposed your sense of self mean that you are “tough,” rather than “soft.” Please. Empathy is a sign of maturity. Getting angry at other people’s humanity while failing to recognize your own is a hallmark of adolescence.
Yunel's Frosted Tips
September 30th, 2009
11:15 pm
Let’s say goodbye to the Braves’ playoff Run with this 1974 classic from the late John Lennon:
Number 9 Dream
So long ago
Was it in a dream, was it just a dream?
I know, yes I know
Seemed so very real, it seemed so real to me
Took a walk down the street
Thru the heat whispered trees
I thought I could hear
Somebody call out my name as it started to rain
Two spirits dancing so strange
Ah! böwakawa poussé, poussé
Dream, dream away
Magic in the air, was magic in the air?
I believe, yes I believe
More I cannot say, what more can I say?
On a river of sound
Thru the mirror go round, round
I thought I could feel
Music touching my soul, something warm, sudden cold
The spirit dance was unfolding
Ah! böwakawa poussé, poussé
Soph
September 30th, 2009
11:15 pm
Frankie -
Not WTF but sort of an empty feeling like oh no, Acosta. Are we giving up? But, he actually got out of it so it was all good.
Jurrjens4NLCY
September 30th, 2009
11:15 pm
So 2010 anyone?
BravesfaninWis
September 30th, 2009
11:15 pm
I just knew something like this would happen.. Afterall, this is the same Braves team that got swept by the Reds, and lost series to the Pirates and Padres.. This team just sets their fans up for a huge letdown.. Diaz was the hero last night, and the failure tonight.. If you are as far as Diaz was, keep going.. He would have made it is what pissed me off, and instead he gets thrown out at 3rd.. Amazing in itself that this team won 15 of 17, and now they are the Braves of old.. In all honesty, they don’t deserve to be in the playoffs.. All it will be is a huge embarrassment to the team and their fan base.. Now go choke against the Nats..
Couch Tater
September 30th, 2009
11:16 pm
The Nats hit a walkoff grand slam to beat the Mets. Comment of the night from a Met fan:
“It kind of makes you long for the good old days, when blowing one like that in September really meant something.”
SouthernBelleBrave
September 30th, 2009
11:16 pm
SavBrave — Well said.
Lou Vales
September 30th, 2009
11:16 pm
In the 10th inning Anderson hits a DP bouncer that does not get turned, single to left scores a run, another DP grounder hit to Cantu but now being gun shy he only takes the sure out, Diaz reaches on an error, Infante hits a flare to right, a walk then issued by a young pitcher who should have already got 5!!!!!!!! outs that inning. 1 ball hit hard, and you are going to call this a HEARTBREAKING loss by a team that fanned 16 times and 9 times in a row. I personally think it would have been a crime against nature if they had won.
There is really severe emotional punishment waiting for a team’s fan base who utilizes the “cheer” of a “third rate” university(See U. S. News and World Report’s Rankings of Colleges and Universities) located in Tallahassee, Florida. Lose the cheer and change your luck. The order in the universe ordains it.
By the way, as the Jolly Fat Boy in the booth would say:
“That Was Huge”
Lou Vales
September 30th, 2009
11:17 pm
Sorry!! The 9th inning.
Soph
September 30th, 2009
11:19 pm
BravesfaninWis, I could’ve sworn you were done with the Braves like 2 months ago?
Steve from OH
September 30th, 2009
11:19 pm
Thanks, guys. Sounds like a really dumb play, but hey, it happens, and Diaz has done more than his fair share around here lately…
brent a.
September 30th, 2009
11:19 pm
I think the theory that Diaz was not prepared for the situation is out the window.
He was prepared, even expecting it. It just turned out to be more confusing than he was expecting.
I think the reality is, you, as a baserunner, have to know where your sweet spot is, and when you see the ball has gone that far, then you commit. If it doesn’t go that far, or you don’t see it, then you stay home.
Oh, well. The thing is, Matt knows this. He didn’t execute, but he does know this.
Feel free to gripe; it certainly doesn’t hurt my feelings; but please, don’t inflate your own ego by thinking you know more about baserunning than Matt Diaz.
He just failed to execute.
Lou Vales
September 30th, 2009
11:19 pm
Matt, This was not your fault. You should have NEVER been on 3rd base in the first place.
Yunel's Frosted Tips
September 30th, 2009
11:20 pm
Suck it Lou
Mitchell
September 30th, 2009
11:20 pm
Bird and Indian, if you had been paying attention you would have noticed that I said I stopped caring after last night’s game. Not a week or a month ago.
We had no excuse to lose last night. I lost all hope completely and thank God I did because I would have been responsible for a great deal of property damage after this one.
How was I suppose to invest in this game? I hardly watched any of it. I knew we were going to lose. I didn’t know it would end the way it did but if I really “believed” still, I would have had a heart attack watching it. And you wouldn’t have wanted that, would you?
Lou Vales
September 30th, 2009
11:21 pm
Yunnel, Like Chipper??
Frankie Knuckles
September 30th, 2009
11:21 pm
Soph, Why should it have to cross your mind that we might be giving up 4 days from the finish line? Sad – mind you i’m really mad about this season. Starting pitching like this is hard to come by. Our farm is good and Frank seems to have a plan. Next decade could be really fun.
Steve from OH
September 30th, 2009
11:22 pm
I hope the Braves can sweep the Nats now and get to 90 wins. That would be a really nice bar for the guys to reach, and it would give them a ton of confidence going into 2010.
curtis jones
September 30th, 2009
11:23 pm
I certainly don’t pin this on Matt Diaz. If Diaz had been in the lineup for the first two months of the season, we would be in the playoffs, and probably leading the division. The number of wasted at-bats from Frenchy & Schafer killed rallies night after night, while Matty D watched helplessly from the dugout.
Moves like that and many others by our Norton-lovin’ HOF manager are why we’ll be watching October baseball from the sidelines yet again, with the promise of a repeat next year. Go get ‘em Bobby…3rd place is still within reach.
Jurrjens4NLCY
September 30th, 2009
11:23 pm
You guys remember when we elected Chop Chop as the manager?
And then every was getting on Chop chop like he was Bobby Cox?
That was the most fun I had on the ole blog…
David O'Brien
September 30th, 2009
11:24 pm
The pain will soon be over — Colorado’s up 8-5 in the seventh.
Vinings Jim
September 30th, 2009
11:24 pm
Speaking of true fans, Bubba from Wisconsin returns after repeated goodbyes…just to show what a ‘good’ fan he believes himself to be…
ccrider
September 30th, 2009
11:25 pm
I have followed the Braves since they came to town in 1966 and I can’t remember a more agonizing end to a season.
I like Matt Diaz, but he is one of many on this years team that play the game with their heart and leave their brain in their locker. Escobar, Garrett Anderson, Francoeur(now departed) Kelly Johnson, Diaz, all play hard, but make too many mistakes to be a championship club. Escobar is the only one that plays good enough to outweigh his mistakes
I hope Management takes into consideration when putting together next years roster. Winning teams play well in the clutch both with their physical tools and their baseball intelligence.
Except for Yunel, the above players should be released(Anderson), traded(Diaz and Kelly Johnson) or Non tendered(Ryan Church injured too much).
The payroll is needed to get players that have shown they can perform in the clutch and have higher quality skills.
One last note: The play by Diaz will ultimately be the mistake that is talked about most, but I hope Chipper follows through with his promise to retire if he doesn’t play better next year. His play in the 2nd half of the season, both offensively and most of all defensively has costs the Braves some key games. Tonight, his error led to 3 runs and set the tone for the game. He has had his worst year, all around, of his career and his salary is needed to bring this team into contention.
Jurrjens4NLCY
September 30th, 2009
11:25 pm
10 – 5
I guess they want us to suffer a little longer
Lou Vales
September 30th, 2009
11:27 pm
The Braves would be preparing their Playoff rotation IF they had not gone 8-10 against a team with a 32 Million payroll that plays in front of “cropwds” that would shame a Sally League team. They went 8-10 against a team with NO viable 3, 4 or 5 starter OR closer. That is SAD!!!!
Now even if I was to “suck it”, it would in NO way approach that level of Sucking It.
Blanking Choke Artists–To lose these 2 games against THIS team is PITIFUL!! Think about it>
You start a season to win a World Championship–I know this is a crazy idea—but I must say these 2 games approached the level of joy associated with what happened to the Mets last 2 years. It’s not a World Series Championship, but a modicum of enjoyment for the Winter.
Frankie Knuckles
September 30th, 2009
11:27 pm
Lou, go play in traffic. Just kidding, you lonely hack – again just kidding. Your club has looked good given its (financial) situation. Question? How much of an impact do you think Frank Wren had on your farm system?
David O'Brien
September 30th, 2009
11:27 pm
Diaz of course felt terrible about it. Stood at his locker and patiently explained what he was thinking, how he took a stutter step when he saw Paulino turn the wrong way for the ball and thought it might be further from him than it was, etc.
He said he’s never felt so bad about a play, because of when this one happened. Said everyone was coming up and patting him on the butt, tell him it was OK, which made him at least feel a little better. But he said he knows he cost the team big-time, and that his hesitation there was a huge mistake.
“It’s a sinking feeling,” he said, “knowing you cost the team.”
Of their chances now, he said, “We know we’re in need of some serious help, and no necessarily from the Rockies. Maybe from above. A miracle.”
By David O’Brien
dobrien@ajc.com
After playing most of Wednesday’s game as if it were a must-whiff rather than must-win situation, the Braves staged a dramatic ninth-inning rally that sent a jolt of electricity and hope through Turner Field.
But it was squelched by one of one of the most unusual game-ending plays anyone could remember in a 5-4 loss against the Florida Marlins, which left Matt Diaz feeling awful and the Braves’ postseason hopes decimated.
With the bases loaded, Diaz was thrown out trying to get back to third when a pitch in the dirt got away from Marlins catcher Ronny Paulino — but not as far away as Diaz had momentarily thought.
“I pride myself on making the right decision,” said Diaz, who had come halfway down the baseline and stutter-stepped before retreating. “But right there I hesitated, and it cost us big time. I’ve never felt this bad about a play.”
As Diaz scramble back toward the base, Paulino recovered the ball and rifled a throw to third baseman Wes Helms, who applied the tag for final out. Diaz shouted into his helmet as he walked toward the dugout.
Braves players and fans were left stunned after a rollercoaster ride of a game that saw Florida’s Ricky Nolasco notch a franchise-record 16 strikeouts and the Braves fall to 3-1/2 games behind wild-card leader Colorado — before the conclusion of the Rockies’ late game vs. Milwaukee — with only four to play.
“It’s not fun for anybody,” said Braves ace Javier Vazquez (15-10), who had a four-start winning streak snapped on one of the few nights when he got outpitched. “We tried our best and it didn’t happen. This is a tough [loss].”
The Braves score four unanswered and unearned runs in the final innings – two in the seventh, two in the ninth — before falling short and absorbing consecutive losses for the first time in three weeks.
“We fought back and did what we could to win it, and it didn’t happen,” said Adam LaRoche, whose sixth-inning leadoff double ended a string of nine consecutive strikeouts by Nolasco, one short of Tom Seaver’s 39-year-old major league single-game record of 10 consecutive strikeouts.
“You can’t blame Matty,” LaRoche added. “He’s trying to be aggressive and sneak out a run whatever way we can. You hate to see that happen.”
The Braves already had scored two runs in the ninth on singles by Yunel Escobar and Omar Infante, and gotten some help in the form of two Marlins errors.
Marlins reliever Brendan Donnelly replaced Leo Nunez with the bases loaded and Martin Prado batting, and his first pitch was in the dirt. It squirted away from Paulino, who initially turned the wrong way, which caused Diaz, more than a third of the way down the line, to hesitate and consider trying to score.
“I got a good jump, but then realized it wasn’t very far from the catcher,” Diaz said. “Once I realized that, I should have gone back to third.”
In the time it took for him to linger before retreating to third, Paulino recovered, picked up the ball and rifled a throw to Helms.
“I haven’t seen too many end like that – and Matty’s our best baserunner,” manager Bobby Cox said. “Nobody feels worse than he does about it. He was indecisive … he feels real bad about it.”
What a way to end a game. What a game to end (probably) the Braves’ hopes.
Nolasco (13-9) struck out the side in the third, fourth and fifth innings to come within one of Seaver’s record of 10 consecutive strikeouts in a 1970 New York Mets game against San Diego.
The Braves have won 10 in a row on the road, but lost 12 of 22 at home.
With only four games left, it would take a total collapse by the Rockies, coupled with a strong rebound by the Braves in a season-ending series against the lowly Washington Nationals that begins tonight at Turner Field.
Nolasco allowed four hits, two runs (both unearned) and two walks in 7-2/3 innings, and his 16 strikeouts tied Mets pitcher Sid Fernandez’s 1989 mark for most K’s against the Braves in a game since the team moved to Atlanta.
Vazquez had a four-start winning streak snapped and allowed five runs (three earned) and eight hits in six innings, with nine strikeouts and no walks.
He was 4-0 with an 0.84 ERA in the last four starts before Wednesday, but hasn’t won against the Marlins since 2003. He’s 0-3 with a 5.46 ERA in five starts against them this season, 15-7 with a 2.44 ERA against everyone else.
Soph
September 30th, 2009
11:29 pm
Well, let’s enjoy the rest of the season. No pressure. I’m out – night all!
Steve from OH
September 30th, 2009
11:29 pm
Lou, you just like to come gloat, don’t you? That’s your only real motivation for coming here…
Dumbfound
September 30th, 2009
11:30 pm
10-5 rockies. It’s ashame how the braves breaks hearts over and over and over. It ain’t right !
RemoW
September 30th, 2009
11:37 pm
I was Braves fan today, I was a Braves fan yesterday and I will be a Braves fan tomorrow! As for Matt. So be it. He got hung up. Maybe over thought it. But lets be fair in the respect that Chipper missed a almost sure fire double play ball that turned into 3 runs.
I was happy for exciting baseball in September.
Mitchell
September 30th, 2009
11:37 pm
Doc Holiday
September 30th, 2009
10:47 pm
Actually I am still upset with Bobby for pulling Hanson in Houston. This game is only magnified due to the timing. I can come up with 20 other games/instances that were just as bad.
THANK YOU!!!
This is one of those times where you have to stop and think about all that’s happened. We’re at the end of a decade folks. It’s been a pretty $***ty one in general if you ask me. Terrorism, war… sorry, not trying to get political but my goodness, Bobby Cox has been here through all of it and in ten years he’s won only one playoff series.
If you think next year’s going to be any different… baseballwise, that is… you’re f***ing crazy.
Ryan
September 30th, 2009
11:37 pm
Resign LaRoach and try to sign Bay and we will be alright next year. No more TEX and Drew trades.
Nick
September 30th, 2009
11:38 pm
Diaz just played himself out of a roster spot for next season as far as im concerned.
monty
September 30th, 2009
11:38 pm
One big bopper away from going to the Playoffs. Lets hope we can retain our pitching and get one next year.
monty
September 30th, 2009
11:39 pm
The Padre-Cincy series did us in.
brent a.
September 30th, 2009
11:40 pm
I wonder how things might have been different had the Braves not caught the Dodgers in 1991?
I have good feelings about the future; however, it’s also best to capitalize on opportunities when you have them, because they may not come around again.
Quisp
September 30th, 2009
11:41 pm
Can you say Lonnie Smith?
Driver8
September 30th, 2009
11:42 pm
Mixxo – Dawgs 9 wins very happy, Tech 9 wins probably should be more, Falcons 9 wins = WC berth. Nothing wrong with those teams in the ATL.
Hawks ….. CANT WAIT! Gonna be more fun in the Highlight Factory and nice pick ups in the offseason to help the bench.
Fall is here its all good.
Georgia 24 Tech 20 thats my pick.
Nick
September 30th, 2009
11:43 pm
Offseason check list:
Trade McLouth, start Schafer.
Start Heyward in RF, Non-tender Diaz and Church.
Sign Jason Bay or Matt Holiday for LF.
Re-Sign LaRoche.
Keep the rest of the starters the same (Chipper, Esco, Prado, Mac).
Cut ties with KJ, Norton, and 1 of Gonzo/Soriano (Re-Sign the other).
Sign another Bullpen piece.
Fire 3rd Base Coach.
mike28212
September 30th, 2009
11:44 pm
I am gutted and can’t imagine how Matt feels.
Driver8
September 30th, 2009
11:44 pm
Opps i forgot the Thrashers …. well its fun to watch hockey anytime you get a ticket. Best live game in the world. Thrashers wont be much better but hey …. gotta love the hometeams.
Doc Holiday
September 30th, 2009
11:44 pm
I just stopped by to check on the replay on MLBTV over the internet. I got to watch the play on Marlins station and I can tell you guys, If you ever hear their announcers call that final play, you would hate them and the marlins forever. The were laughing about us soooooooooooo damn loud and said “and down go the braves”, with so much energy coming from deep inside. Man, those guys really hate our guts. Now Im pissed.
BTW, where is DOB? did he commit suicide or something?
Mixxo
September 30th, 2009
11:46 pm
Nick -
I’m good with that list. Lets see what happens.
Driver8
September 30th, 2009
11:46 pm
Quisp i would say Lonnie “Skates” Smith had a much bigger goff on the baserunning than what happened tonight. Lonnie was a base or one to winning the world series potentially…. We win tonight great … Rockies look like they aint losing anytime soon.
David O'Brien
September 30th, 2009
11:47 pm
Yes, Doc. Suicide.
That, or a game-story write-thru. I went ahead with the write-thru.
Driver8
September 30th, 2009
11:48 pm
The better bats are wearing purple and black and the fact that they dont lose in Coors Field is a huge thing they have in the postseason. We cant say that.
Ross
September 30th, 2009
11:49 pm
Nick – that’s just brilliant.
The only hope this team has is to pay off Larry, fire Larry’s Pal, and go with people who want to play – Prado, Diaz, McLouth, Infante, Escobar. As long as the unburied corpse of Jones’ career is stinking up the joint the Braves have no chance.
I remind you that the Braves were rolling in June when Larry was hurt and before Larry’s dumb pal returned. That was it right there – the Braves died then and there, and anyone who can’t see it needs to give up on baseball.
Driver8
September 30th, 2009
11:50 pm
DOB … Thanks for a great job this year as it seems its over. But my what 2010 can give us if we can fix that confounded outfield. Need a big time slugger and not the rook that is coming up. So much pitching and not enough bats.
Figgins and Crawford are FA’s one costs a bunch the other is not so much. What are your thoughts on the two?
Jake W.
September 30th, 2009
11:50 pm
Well, that has to be the wierdest ending i’ve ever seen live at a baseball game outside of that balk off last year. Crowd was into it, going into the 9th didn’t see people heading for the exits like they usually do. Had a feeling Prado might get the hit to win it, just didn’t happen. Matty was indecisive, trying not to make the last out and it happened any way. I enjoyed myself though, just would be nice if the braves had actually gotten some offense going before the 7th. Appreciated the comeback as it looked like for a while they would all strike out. Rockies aren’t losing. It was a great run but it hard to be perfect and thats pretty much what the braves had to do since the rockies weren’t losing. Still like this team and where they’re going. Big things to come next year.
Nick
September 30th, 2009
11:50 pm
Ross, I know Chipper is a problem but unless he retires, were stuck with him. I just hope he bats 8th next season.
Chop Chop
September 30th, 2009
11:52 pm
Jake W.,
What big things are you expecting next year?
Where is this team going?
How many playoff runs do you think we’re going to see?
Doc Holiday
September 30th, 2009
11:52 pm
After watching the replay all I can conclude is that Matt was gonna be safe by far and I would even say he might have been save even without a throw. If you think Im going way to far, just check on it and count the seconds from the time the ball gets away until the catcher gets his hand on the ball , it was some 3.5 to 4 seconds, even CK would have scored on that.
Quisp
September 30th, 2009
11:52 pm
McLouth stood out in Pittsburgh but here he is just another Brave.
Louis
September 30th, 2009
11:52 pm
I feel sick
tiger297
September 30th, 2009
11:52 pm
My seats are right by the bullpen and what is really crazy is when they called the marlins reliever in from the bullpen I saw Moylan tell Gonzales…watch for a wild pitch on his first pitch…was quite interesting to see it happen…very devastating way to lose a game but it has been a very exciting few weeks
Johninnc
September 30th, 2009
11:54 pm
playoff or not as DOB said our future is looking really good braves fan
Lou Vales
September 30th, 2009
11:54 pm
Gloating!! What do I have to gloat about? The team I invested six months in watching EVERY night will not even make the Playoffs. Why should I GLOAT about anything? As I said, you play a Major league baseball season with the intention of winning the last game in october. Even reaching the Playoffs, winning the first round and then the pennant, does not mean that much if you don’t join the rung of World Series Champions. I have nothing to gloat about. I am happy that Fat Boy and his silly partner seemed palpably distressed by the ending. I also do not want the Atlanta Braves to have as many World Series championships as the silly Sally League team that plays in Miami.
Since 1994 ONLY The Yankees, Red Sox and Marlins have won MULTIPLE World Series. I bet the players WHO ACTUALLY play the game would –IF given the opportunity–prefer 2 World Series Championship rings to 1 World Series Championship ring and 14 banners. have DOB ask some of them and see what they would have wanted.
Two Masters Green Jackets
OR
One Masters Green Jacket and 13 second place finishes.
Ask the players, see what they say.
Quisp
September 30th, 2009
11:55 pm
Now that the Braves are out of it, I would like to see the Angels win it all. No Sox or Yanks even though MLB is hoping one of them get in for ratings.
Nick
September 30th, 2009
11:55 pm
We need to free up salary by trading KK, Lowe, and McLouth to go along with the money we will get from restructuring Huddy\’s contract and GA, KJ, Norton, Church, Gonzo, and MFIKY coming off the books. Thats enough to go out and get a Bay or Holliday, LaRoche, and a new closer.
Line-up:
CF Schafer
2B Prado
SS Escobar
LF Bay/Holliday
C McCann
RF Heyward
1B LaRoche
3B Jones
Starting 5:
Vazquez
Jurrjens
Hanson
Hudson
Medlen
Ross
September 30th, 2009
11:56 pm
I will not spend another millisecond watching Larry stink up another season. I frggin despise that player like no other I’ve ever seen. I’ve never seen such talent wasted so thoroughly on such a surly, loafing, careless bum.
Doc Holiday
September 30th, 2009
11:57 pm
“I haven’t seen too many end like that – and Matty’s our best baserunner,” manager Bobby Cox said. “Nobody feels worse than he does about it. He was indecisive … he feels real bad about it.”
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Bobby……….Me and some 1 000 000 braves fans feel worse than Matt, we have suffered more than he has over the years, for him, the agony has just begun.
N8
September 30th, 2009
11:57 pm
Diaz did not let this team down. He was one of the bright spots in the lineup in recent weeks. His hustle is appreciated.
If I were to start making a list of people to “blame”, he’d be very far down on the list. Plenty of guys making a lot more money, with higher expectations upon them are going to have to look themselves in the mirror and be disappointed in themselves more than Matt Diaz will.
Just my two cents. I feel bad for the guy. It’s like blaming the 91 WS on Lonnie Smith, when in fact without him down the stretch and in the post-season the Braves don’t even come close to getting there.
Same could be said for Diaz’s bat the last couple of months. He’s never been on the cover of SI. He’s not touted as the golden boy or the natural. He didn’t sign an extension for 30 million dollars over the next 3 years.
All he did was play when given the opportunity, and play pretty well imo.
Not sure if Diaz checks in on the blog. But this guy who finds something negative to say about damn near everybody is proud of Matt Diaz for handling himself well, and playing the game the right way.
You’re appreciated Matt.
Quisp
September 30th, 2009
11:58 pm
Chill out Nick. The 2009 season isnt over and you making 2010 lineups?
jeffrey d
September 30th, 2009
11:58 pm
That was the most fun I had on the ole blog…
Sorry, JJ, we don’t have fun on the blog anymore.
Nick
September 30th, 2009
11:59 pm
Quisp – You didn\’t get the memo?
Heath
September 30th, 2009
11:59 pm
OK….let’s try this again since I am not seeing my post…
DOB -
Not sure how much time you spend at home during the off-season, but if you like chill, watch movies and listen to tunes at the house, I have product I want to recommend to you: A Samsung BD-P4600 Blu-Ray player. This player, aside from playing movies on a disc (Blu-Ray and DVD) has 3 really cool applications on it (and 1 so-so application): Blockbuster, Netflix, Pandora, and Youtube. If you have a Netflix and/or Blockbuster account, you can watch movies instantly with this device…VERY cool. Pandora is another VERY cool application. Pandora is internet radio that allows you to listen to music that you want to listen to…totally customizeable. For example, I am jamming to some Foghat, Journey, Aerosmith, Ozzy, Van Halen, etc… No commercials, no downloads…and FREE! Of course, you have to hook it up to the internet. The device comes with wireless connectivity, so if you have a wireless network at home…you’re set!!! I really love this device. I have Netflix account and watched the Nickelback concert they recorded from Sturgis in 2006….sweet. Good tunes and GREAT footage of chicks in the crowd.
Driver8
September 30th, 2009
11:59 pm
Ross well … I’m pretty sure Larry’s pal you are refering to is Bobby Cox, im sure you got the message. Cox is back for one more year so I wont waste time on that one.
Chipper i think will be back for another year (hoping he really does alot of offseason things to help the old body)
Question with the team is we have too much pitching. What can we do with cutting some payroll and actually helping this team.
What will next years team look like?
Quisp
September 30th, 2009
11:59 pm
Doc – True on your 11:57. Bad thing is Diaz gets paid to suck and we get paid nothing to watch the Braves lose.
Lou Vales
September 30th, 2009
11:59 pm
ALL home team announcers are disgusting when you are pulling for the other team. I kept thinking all season how hilarious it would be if the team with 4,ooo REAL People in the stands kept the Turner, TBS, Fox Sports South and Southeast Monolith out of the Playoffs. MAYBE next season Fat Boy and Joe can concentrate on the game results and not point out the BLATANTLY obvious that NOBODY in S. Florida gives a Rat’s Rectum about the Marlins–and that means???????
N8
October 1st, 2009
12:01 am
I always stay true to the NL wen rooting for a WS winner. I’m going with Colorado.
Can’t go Dodgers because ManRam. Can’t go with LaRussa because …. well because I don’t like him.
Sure as hell aint going to root for the Phillies. Though, if it comes down to it, I’ll watch Brad Lidge pitch to Pujols. That’s always kinda funny, right?
Go Rockies!!