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3,403 comments Add your comment
pryguy
October 7th, 2009
2:54 pm
Here’s to a Twins Rockies World Series…Can’t stand the Philadelphia front runnin’ up my way….even more so the ignorant Yankee/Red Sox following.
Rock On......
October 7th, 2009
2:56 pm
Sasha….without going back and forth on a what if scenario….the Braves simply wren’t good enough a “team” throughout the year and some key ingridients to a successful run are missing. Namely a power bat. We also have Chipper slumping badly and others that I am not sure would come through on a playoff run. Nothing against Kruk or Gammons or anyone else’s opinion but they weren’t good enough to make the playoffs or they would have been there. True they were strong in the end at times but miserable through early June. Those count just as much. I have much optimism looking at 2010 if Wren does things I thnk he will do and Cox doesn’t screw it up.
By the way I agree with you tremendously that Cox should have intentionally walked Howard every time up in that last series. He also should NEVER have pulled Hanson in the 9th at Houston. While I am at it not sure we could have won in the playoffs with Cox…nah I ain’t going there I can wait till next year for that.
Daslied
October 7th, 2009
2:56 pm
CB – see, Rock On loves Busch Gardens.
I should’ve said it was unbelievably hot that day, too. I just thought the whole thing was overpriced for the size, and I didn’t have much interest in what was there. Should’ve researched it further, but my wife and I kind of went on a whim. It’s not the worst one I’ve been to, though. Dollywood is by far the creepiest place I’ve ever been. Being drunk in Gatlinburg does not lead to wise decisions.
Rock On......
October 7th, 2009
3:02 pm
Doc….and can you even believe that the Braves page has a survey on who should play 2nd base. Talk about dumb. Safe to say you and I didn’t vote for KJ. Actually I didn’t dignify it with a vote. Had to be some idiot intern that put that up there to start with based on what Cox said. Guess Prado with his .307 batting average and solid defense merits a survey. Just double wow…..
Vinings Jim
October 7th, 2009
3:03 pm
I was not aware that it was possible to get Ryan Howard out…
Rock On......
October 7th, 2009
3:08 pm
I’m a roller coaster kind of guy. Don’t care much for the tourist walk in the park type places. BG is a solid park for rides and discounted it is a deal. Again, it is what you are after though. Agree, you don’t need to be in W’Burg in the summer. That is why the PGA Tour left there. Unbelievably hot. October—just about perfect. Have fun and it ain’t no Dollywood…thankfully.
DAP
October 7th, 2009
3:09 pm
rock on…True they were strong in the end at times but miserable through early June.
c’mon dude, its clear that this isnt the same team as it was through june. it is a mistake to evaluate this braves team by looking at the entire 162 game schedule. there were many changes to tis team during the year, and the team that played 15 or so game over .500 the last part of the year is the one that would have been in the playoffs. i agree with sasha, that the braves would have done well in the playoffs had they made it.
Vinings Jim
October 7th, 2009
3:11 pm
CB – I come down on the positive side of Busch Gardens, largely because I like the mixture of rides and other attractions there (and drinking beer at the Oktoberfest is always fun).
RHR
October 7th, 2009
3:12 pm
Nothing is wrong with sperrys! I have some myself. Geeze. Am I not allowed to stereotype in the name of saving a young, innocent girl?
RHR
October 7th, 2009
3:14 pm
Rob – that surprises me..don’t know why but it does. Brian wouldn’t surprise me but Marcus seemed…different.
How you doing with your recovery?
ncscoots
October 7th, 2009
3:22 pm
Safe to say [Doc and Dadgum] didn’t vote for KJ.
No bleep, LOL.
CB
October 7th, 2009
3:23 pm
Thanks guys.
AndyC
October 7th, 2009
3:25 pm
Analyzing the Church-Frenchy trade is somewhat tricky. Some, including myself, would say that getting rid of Frenchy even if we got nothing in return would have been good. Addition by subtraction. In reality, this is basically what happended because Diaz took over left field and had a great second half of the season and Church was basically MIA over the last month plus of the season. But, lets say that Diaz had not had a great second half of the season and Church was out with injuries and back issues, I think there would be a lot of people saying that it was a dumb trade. Not because we got rid of Frenchy but because we didn’t get much in return for him. Regardless, it all worked out for the best for all involved.
Firearm
October 7th, 2009
3:27 pm
Two reasons I hate the Metrodome:
1) The 1991 World Series
2) The 2003 NCAA Midwest Regionals (look it up)
LOL, the Dwyane Wade game! I was at that game (was a U of Minnesota student at the time), and I actually picked Kentucky to go all the way that year. That was awesome, even though it destroyed my bracket.
And thanks for the support, Braves fans that don’t hold a grudge. I didn’t care much for the Braves throughout the 90s and this decade, but that all changed when you signed Kenshin. Hope we can do something in the playoffs, even if we haven’t beaten the Yanks all year.
Mark Lemke
October 7th, 2009
3:28 pm
On a side note, speaking of HBP and playoff baseball. Can anybody name the longtime Brave, who was part of the early 90’s success, who was never HBP in his career?
N8 – I think that would be me. What do I win?
N8
October 7th, 2009
3:37 pm
Rock on…., I agree with the replay thing. In fact, I wouldn’t even have an issue with it being installed all season.
The main arguement in the NFL is the time it takes to review. Well in baseball, when a manager comes out and argues and freaks out for 5 minutes, that takes more time than it would take to review a play, and 99 time out of a 100, a baseball “call” is more clear-cut than in the NFL with a pile of people and bad angles obscuring the view.
The only issue, is how many challenges does a manager get and what “penalty” to issue if they are incorrect in their challenge? In the NFL, if you’re wrong, you lose a timeout. If you are correct on both challenges, you get a third. I’ve never liked that limitation in the NFL. I say if you challenge the refs, and continue to be right, the challenges should be unlimited. Doesn’t that just show how bad the refs can be sometimes? And Im a guy that thinks most refs/umpires do a fantastic job under pressure.
The only thing I can think of, is give the manager two challenges, and if he’s wrong on both of them, he has to immediately choose a bench player that is unavailable for the remainder of the game. Players union would never go for it, though.
I also agree that the chance to “even out” a bad call is less likely in the post-season. In fact, you could argue that MLB feels this way too. Otherwise, why on earth would they add two umpires down the foul lines into the OF during the playoffs, when the other system with only 4 umps works for 162 games during the season?
The other thing that would make it different from the NFL is the lack of the headset microphones that HC’s communicate with their coordinators, or people “upstairs” telling them to throw the flag before the next snap. In MLB if there is a perceived poor call, the manager is immediately out of the dugout, so play is stopped. Thus no “quick snap” (or pitch) to go to the next play to eliminate the challenge.
In MLB, the manager would have to immediately decide before heading back to the dugout if he wishes to “challenge” the call.
Of course, as is with Bobby Cox most of the time, arguing a call is to save the player from getting ejected more than it is to get a reversal to the call. Also gets the team and crowd pumped up, so I’d hate to lose that element to the game. But if a player knew that his manager had a challenge available, it would eliminate most players having any flip outs on the field. Or at least tone them back a bit.
I don’t know. One side of me says leave it alone, it’s worked for this long. The other side says why not get the call right and let the play on the field determine the winners, rather than an umpire with an attitude problem or simply a guy having a bad day?
DAP, that ball clearly hit his jersey. Whether you think it’s right or wrong is beside the point. But if it’s you’re opinion that the ball didn’t hit the jersey…. you’re just flat out wrong.
N8
October 7th, 2009
3:38 pm
Marke Lemke, you are correct. I didn’t know that until a couple of weeks ago, he was talking about it on radio. Pretty crazy stat if you ask me.
As far as your prize? No aches, pains or bruises in your old age?
wjones
October 7th, 2009
3:46 pm
RE: the Marcus Giles story. Am I missing something here? If I am reading correctly, it says that his wife made a citizens arrest on Marcus for domestic battery, and he was taken into custody. Elsewhere in the article, it said the wife was unharmed. Something isn’t matching up, or I missed something.
Robert
October 7th, 2009
3:47 pm
“On a side note, speaking of HBP and playoff baseball. Can anybody name the longtime Brave, who was part of the early 90’s success, who was never HBP in his career?”
That would be Pete Smith and Mark Lemke
DAP
October 7th, 2009
3:49 pm
N8 that ball clearly hit his jersey. Whether you think it’s right or wrong is beside the point. But if it’s you’re opinion that the ball didn’t hit the jersey…. you’re just flat out wrong.
no, i dont think it hit him, and history is on my side. so who do you think people will believe?
Robert
October 7th, 2009
3:51 pm
“Even if he never plays another inning for us, even if we non-tender him, even if he gets traded for a sack of garbage, he worked out great. Because it allowed us to rid ourselves of Frenchy”
It is so wrong to think that Frenchy was the problem. The problem was the guy who decided to use Frenchy as if he were a star player.
DAP
October 7th, 2009
3:56 pm
N8, more seriously, could the argument be made that if a player’s uniform is too big, they didnt make an attempt to get out of the way? all they had to do was get a smaller uni, or tuck it in.
RHR
October 7th, 2009
3:57 pm
Out of all the braves ever it is most ironic that the lemmer is the one who has never been hit.
Mixxo
October 7th, 2009
4:00 pm
C’mon back down to Earth Rox.
N8
October 7th, 2009
4:01 pm
DAP, I would love that rule. Wouldn’t bother me one bit. But again, like everything else, you’re leaving the “didn’t attempt to get out of the way” part up to the umpire. Complete judgement call.
I would just love them completely do away with the elbow armor. To me, that changes how a batter “hangs in” over the plate, and how the pitcher pitches to them. Batter’s have to have that fear, imo.
They should change the rule, that if it hits a guy on his elbow, while wearing an elbow guard, it’s just a ball. That way if the batter wants to take his base, he’d have to lift his arm up and take it in the ribs to get his base. LOL
Thrillhouse44
October 7th, 2009
4:08 pm
CB – I come down on the positive side of Busch Gardens, largely because I like the mixture of rides and other attractions there (and drinking beer at the Oktoberfest is always fun). VJ
Can you believe they closed down the free beer garden? That ain’t right.
Random
October 7th, 2009
4:12 pm
sportsmandh (October 7th, 2009 1:01 pm): “Random thoughts:
“Leyland lost that game last night. Should never have asked Rodney to try and go 3 innings. It was obvious he was gassed. What a great game though ….”
Mixxo (September 21st, 2009 8:26 pm): “Bradley says Gardenhire’s the best mgr. in baseball. He’s good, but he’s no Jimmy Leyland…THE best mgr in MLB! Bank on that.”
Bernie Madoff
October 7th, 2009
4:15 pm
Mixxo (September 21st, 2009 8:26 pm): “Bradley says Gardenhire’s the best mgr. in baseball. He’s good, but he’s no Jimmy Leyland…THE best mgr in MLB! Bank on that.
Seemed like a reasonable idea.
N8
October 7th, 2009
4:23 pm
Gotta love the way the Phillies aren’t waiting around for the 3-run jack in that park. LOVE the aggressive base-running and managing from Manuel. They’re playing like a team that wants to repeat and are going to put the pedal to the metal. With Cliff Lee on the mound, why not?
CB
October 7th, 2009
4:28 pm
Thrillhouse, I may cancel everything now.
wjones
October 7th, 2009
4:28 pm
“It is so wrong to think that Frenchy was the problem. The problem was the guy who decided to use Frenchy as if he were a star player.”
Well, Robert, you may be correct, but there is plenty of blame to go around here, and as much as you want to blame Cox and excuse Frenchy, if you look at the situation honestly you can’t. You are dealing with a player who was given the star treatment at an early age, who came up to the big club as the “Home Town Hero”. He was a great marketing tool, and he came up acting every bit the part. The problem was that he never seemed either capable or willing to make the necessary adjustments to keep improving his game. The comment about OBP not being on the scoreboard was very telling, as was his talk about “betrayal” when asked to go to Mississippi to work on his hitting lo those many (2) days. He wanted to be in the lineup every day, and never seemed to understand that he needed to pick up his game. How the front office, the manager, the hitting coach handled that internally I will never know, but yes he was put out there every day, partially to get him going, partially for his defense, partially for the marketing department, and, I suspect, partially because Cox thought he was worth playing. It was a situation that blew up on the Braves, one where there didn’t seem to be a solution. Frenchy could never be a bench player here, at least not one who would be happy and quiet. Maybe 5 or ten years from now, but not today. The situation had to end like this, as Frenchy was killing us. My comments have indicated that I don’t see him as being anything better than a sixth place hitter with a good arm, provided he keeps some power. His speed seems to be gone for the most part, he most likely will never develop much patience at the plate, he will have streaks where he will be great, and he does at time have a flair for the dramatic. He will also have streaks where he consistently kills anything resembling a rally. He will only succeed, IMO, as a complimentary starter or platoon player. DO NOT put him in the middle of the lineup, do not aspire to build your team around him. He is a great interview, he is durable, will play until he drops. But I am all those things, too, but the Braves would not be smart to put me in right field. But back to your original assertion. Yes, a large part of the blame does belong to Cox, but not all. It was a team problem, and Frenchy did himself no favors.
N8
October 7th, 2009
4:36 pm
Excellent post wjones.
Il Cattivo
October 7th, 2009
4:37 pm
Is Random a real person or a bot that runs on the ajc blogs to uncover incongruities with annoying precision?
N8
October 7th, 2009
4:38 pm
Not that this will have anything to do with the outcome of the game. But that was a HORRIBLE call at 1B to end the Phillies inning.
All it took was 6 innings of the first game of the playoffs (unless you count last night as a playoff game), for the umps to blow a call. Badly.
Greg in TN
October 7th, 2009
4:45 pm
Afternooon denizens…
Have to say, last night’s game at a ballpark which will remain unmentioned was a keeper. Reminded me in many ways about that ‘91 series. Twins now have the unenviable position of a quick trip to NYC to face Fort Knox, The Bronx.
All in all, I’m pleased with how 2009 unfolded. The offense, even to the very end, showed its inconsistancies consistantly. No question that we need a power bat in the four hole. I’m fine with bringing LaRoche back to play first next year because Freddie Freeman is going to need at least one more year in AA and possibly another year in Gwinnett before he’s ready to assume the first sacker position with the big club. I also believe that should have no bearing whatsoever in Frank Wren’s search for a power bat (LaRoche would be an ideal complement to the power bat, not the only power bat).
Congrats to Jair Jurrjens, who pretty much did all that could be asked of a starter in 2009, for being named National League pitcher of the month for September for going 4-1 with a 1.25 ERA and a 1.028 WHIP. Jurrjens certainly deserved more wins.
Gang, there is a lot of good things going on within the Braves’ farm system. Congratulations goes out to Mississippi broadcaster Ben Ingram, who was named Southern League broadcaster of the year and to Jason Heyward, Baseball America’s minor league player of the year. Myrtle Beach will host next year’s Carolina League-California League All-Star game not to mention Danville’s Appy League crown.
Steve from OH
October 7th, 2009
4:47 pm
The problem was the guy who decided to use Frenchy as if he were a star player
You mean, the guy who had an outfield of Schafer, Anderson, Francoeur and Diaz to start the season with? What exactly was he supposed to do? Obviously, play Diaz more, but then you still gotta play two of Schafer/Anderson/Francoeur…and I’m pretty sure I’d take Frenchy over GA at that point…
Doc Holiday
October 7th, 2009
4:47 pm
Rock on,
If I was KJ, I would take my show somewhere else like JF. Theres a thing called pride. He needs a fresh start. Theres no way he is turning it around in atlanta. Hope he and the braves make the right decision.
Steve from OH
October 7th, 2009
4:49 pm
Hope he and the braves make the right decision
That decision is entirely up to the Braves…
Anders
October 7th, 2009
4:53 pm
Congratulations goes out to Mississippi broadcaster Ben Ingram, who was named Southern League broadcaster of the year (Greg in TN)
It’s at times like this that I feel I’m just not giving my teams organization enough attention. Talk about thorough!
Doc Holiday
October 7th, 2009
4:58 pm
Steve from OH,
Thanks for the info. But then again, remember how much braves babysit guys like KJ, they will ask him what does he wants before they do it. IMO
On the other hand it really disappoints me that the braves are even considering this……….I just dont see any other spot where they can add that RBI man that we need but in RF, and Martin is not that guy nor KJ……….I think Chipper will have a similar season next season. What I like about this team right now is that I can easily see all of them repeating the offensive season they had, even Matt and Martin. The guys that need to get better are Chipper and Nate. I dont think Chipper will get back to his own self………he certainly looks old and tired. Nate, I dont know, he is very professional at least. Doesnt look dumb at the plate.
Anders
October 7th, 2009
4:59 pm
As for Frenchy. I believe he came into this season with huge question marks, so if many on here are going to pin the Braves shortfall of the WC on him then I think it’s only fair to lay that at the feet of your GM Frank Wren. He gambled that Frenchy would recover and lost. And according to you guys this cost the Braves a playoff berth.
Why is that on Cox? He just played the guys Wren gave him.
Doc Holiday
October 7th, 2009
4:59 pm
Rockies are going to be tamed so bad this series…………they look out of it already.
Bat Masterson
October 7th, 2009
5:01 pm
Have any of you guys advocating to get rid of the elbow protection ever been hit there, with a fastball? Woo, man that hurts.
Mike S
October 7th, 2009
5:01 pm
Is Random a real person or a bot that runs on the ajc blogs to uncover incongruities with annoying precision? — Il Cattivo
That’s fantastic. And I’m sure Random will appreciate it as well!
Steve from OH
October 7th, 2009
5:05 pm
Doc–I don’t think they are considering it. But they’re not gonna bash him to the media because it would destroy any chance of having any leverage in trade talks. Don’t take anyone’s word as gospel at this point…
Daslied
October 7th, 2009
5:06 pm
Anders, surely you know by now that Bobby is to blame for everything. You must also know that he does nothing but pick boogers, cuddle with Greg Norton, drink beer, beat his wife and refuse to steal bases. Braying all the while.
How that man won 2400+ games in his spare time is something I’ll never understand.
Doc Holiday
October 7th, 2009
5:06 pm
Bat Masterson,
I think they should get rid of that. These days, offense has the advantage. You just cant give batter just another advantage. But I think they should be tough on fines and suspension on pitchers that hit guys. I know it is part of baseball, but if you just dont have the precision to throw it inside, you just shouldnt. Thats one thing. On the other hand, One thing is hitting by accident and hitting the hitter by accident is totally different.
RC
October 7th, 2009
5:08 pm
“Why is that on Cox? He just played the guys Wren gave him.” – Anders
Not exactly. Wren also gave Cox Matt Diaz and Martin Prado, who should have been playing over Franceour and Johnson much earlier in the year. I had a long post typed up about luck and how it was an ok season, but the AJC ate it because I didn’t have my name and email entered, so I’ll just leave it at this.
Bat Masterson
October 7th, 2009
5:14 pm
Hey I hear you, Doc, some of those guys are comical. Back when Barry Bonds would come up with all that amour on,crowding the plate, I would tell my friends I wish Bob Gibson were still around. He would have nailed him, and then said, stay the hell out of my strike zone .
Anders
October 7th, 2009
5:15 pm
RC- That doesn’t answer the question as to why Wren had Frenchy on the team?
RC
October 7th, 2009
5:20 pm
“RC- That doesn’t answer the question as to why Wren had Frenchy on the team?” – Anders
I agree. Although you could make a number of arguements for that, such as the fact that Frenchy was called up prior to Wren become GM, or he had such a hometown hero status that Wren couldn’t trade him until things went bad. The point of my long post that was deleted was that both Wren and Cox made both good and bad moves this year, and it’s unfair to point to one single thing that “cost” the Braves a shot at the postseason. Wren could have not made the trade for LaRoche and the Braves would have finished 15 games out, or he could have signed Dunn instead of Anderson and the Braves probably overcome the poor production of Frenchy. It’s impossible to pin a season on a single move, because they all go together, with a good bit of luck involved as well. All in all I felt like the Braves had a good season, while leaving a little more to be desired. But they are in a good position to build upon, and with the right moves going forward have a really good chance at returning to one of the top teams in the National League.
CrowlerWilkinson
October 7th, 2009
5:20 pm
I honestly believe that the Braves are in really, really good shape. I feel like the Braves would have overtaken the Rockies had Chipper Jones been hot during the last two months of the season. Granted I’m not blaming the Braves failure to make the playoffs on Chipper, but throughout Chippers career, he is one of the few players in the league who can put a team on his back and CARRY the team for stretches at a time. I know of about 5 guys in the majors who can do this: Chipper Jones: Vladamier Guerrro, Alex Rodriguez, Albert Pujols and Ryan Howard. There are probably more than five, but these five guys have done it many times over the years. If Chipper was scorching hot during the Braves September run, the Braves would have been in the post-season. Give Chipper one more year to return to his old hall of fame form or send him packing in a trade on 2011 for a power hitter. Of course if minor league all-world prospect Jayson Hayward comes up next season and plays with the big club, Chipper will be expendable and we will move him in a trade.
Steve from OH
October 7th, 2009
5:24 pm
Of course if minor league all-world prospect Jayson Hayward comes up next season and plays with the big club, Chipper will be expendable and we will move him in a trade.
If it gets to the point where his production is that bad, I believe him when he says he’ll retire. Otherwise, I don’t think a trade is happening–he is a 10-and-5 player, and I really don’t see too many trade possibilities out there he’d accept. He’s a Brave until he says he’s not.
N8
October 7th, 2009
5:28 pm
Agree Anders. But the thing is is that some of us new this from the get go (or suspected it), thus all the “go Braves in 2010″ talk back in the spring.
I’ll give Wren a pass though. Because he DID do a good job of rebuilding the rotation. But those that were paying attention can attest that last February I was already griping that we had too many starting pitchers and shouldn’t have stuck with Francoeur. But what do I know, right?
So, while Wren deserves some blame for what he gave Cox to work with in the OF, I’ll leave him alone because of the pitching. Also, the fact that if you look at who/what caused the Braves to struggle early on (Schafer, Francoeur, Boyer, Bennett, Jo-Jo and to an extent, Kotchmann and Moylan due to health), Wren DID replace them mid-season with McLouth, Church, Medlen, Hanson and LaRoche. With Moylan getting better as time went by.
Now. Other “issues” will come up this off-season. Like Gonzo/Soriano. LaRoche. Hudson/Vazquez. Lowe’s contract. And maybe the most important… Chipper Jones. So while the team should be better, it’s not going to be easy.
I’m of the belief that the right guys are now in place and one of Hudson, Lowe or Vazquez needs to be moved to aquire a RH bat. Along with the addition of Heyward at some point. I don’t think it’s unreasonable to assume that next year’s team should be closer to the one that was one of the majors better teams after June 28th or whatever the date is.
So, in reality, Wren did in one off season, and half of the regular season, what I thought it would take him two off-seasons and all of this past season to accomplish. Which is making the Braves competitive.
Now he can use the upcoming off-season to make them one of the elite teams again, if he plays his cards correctly. Which I think he will.
But Chipper (and where Bobby bats him) is the key to next year’s offense. If they are going to go into the season counting on a big rebound, they need to at least have added a huge bat to make up the difference if he does not, and also be prepared to have Chipper not bat 3rd.
Pretty impressive performance from Cliff Lee. Wow.
Tomahawkin
October 7th, 2009
5:33 pm
Phillies/Cardinals in The NLCS, “Bank On It!”
That was a boring playoff game in Philly! The Rockies showed once again why they are “Mid Card 4 life”
Let’s Get the Twins rolling so that we can see WhineBrenner, A-Fraud, and The Yanks get upset. even though I think they win tonight because they are well rested…
N8
October 7th, 2009
5:42 pm
“Wren also gave Cox Matt Diaz and Martin Prado, who should have been playing over Franceour and Johnson much earlier in the year.” RC
Yes and no. If you recall, KJ finished 2008 on fire. In 22 games, he had 106 PA’s, 39 hits (.378), with a .429 OBP, .645 SLG, and an OPS of 1.071, with 3 HR and 19 RBI in September/October.
Why wouldn’t they go into 2009 expecting him to be the best option? Having said that, I agree that the leash should have been short, with KJ’s track record of good month – bad month routine. Not to mention the guy had zero business being the leadoff hitter for so long. Also, I believe they were about ready to give the job to Prado and he got hurt. So that slowed the process down a bit.
But Diaz? Jeff actually outperformed him in March/April, when Diaz WAS starting for the still recovering Garrett Anderson.
Diaz started 13 games in the season’s first month, and in 60 PA’s, he had 11 hits (.216), a .317 OBP, a .392 SLG, and an OPS of .709, 2 HR and 10 RBI. Yikes.
Jeff? In 21 starts, he had 88 PA’s, 23 Hits (.277), .307 OBP, .422 SLG, and an OPS of .729, 2 HR and 13 RBI.
Pretty much a wash. However, in May and June (and Diaz still wasn’t heating up yet), Jeff was so bad, that anybody would have done. The mere addition by subtraction would have solved many things. Add in what
Schafer was doing? Yikes. Yikes. Double Yikes.
Would I have had a quicker trigger finger on those guys? Yeah. But I’m a knee jerk fan, so what do you expect. But in reality, I would have never had to pull Jeff from the lineup, because I would have eliminated him from my 25 man roster long before the season began.
Jake W.
October 7th, 2009
5:44 pm
“That was a boring playoff game in Philly! The Rockies showed once again why they are “Mid Card 4 life””-Tomahawkin
Well regardless of what the Phils and Rocks fans think that pack those stadiums they are just not a good draw for the TV audiences, thus the 2:30 start. I was over on ESPN’s MLB site and I was reading some of the comments from the phillies fans and they were pissed that the game was on that early.
I know most folks will be rooting for the Twins to upset the Yanks but those hoping for big tv numbers would love to see either the yankees or red sox from the AL or the Dodgers or Cards from the NL make it to the World Series. Me personally would like nothing better than for the Yanks to be swept in the 1st round similar to the way the Cubs were last year. Now thats good tv.
Tomahawkin
October 7th, 2009
5:44 pm
N8
As far as stadium talk goes…From Last Night, I cancelled out early last night due to the fact that I had to get up for work at 3AM, I process and ship out pharmaceuticals before the sick season starts so I will be resting a lot over the next few weeks
“Correct me if I’m wrong, but weren’t those made by design for the ease of being used for both football and baseball?
In Cincy, the Bengals and Reds shared. The Vet was home to both the Phillies and Eagles. Three Rivers had the Steelers and Pirates. Even Atlanta Fulton County stadium housed both the Falcons and Braves back in the day. Also, didn’t Cleleland have one of them as well? Or was that an open ended stadium?”
Multipurpose stadiums were for the ease of using a sports facility year round for sporting events, Political conventions, concerts, etc
Back then people hated the idea of football stadiums only being in use for 5 months of the year therefore along with old decaying ballparks Multipurpose stadiums were usually the focal points of Urban renewal programs of the 1960’s-1980’s
Cleveland’s stadium, Municipal Stadium AKA “The Mistake by The Lake” was open ended. A dual purpose facility which held 80K…But it was a relic of a ballpark…
Most People Dont Realize that Most Current Football stadiums are still Multipurpose in that they share their fields with Soccer teams. Ever notice why Gillete Field and Arrowhead Stadium fields are already worn out before cold weather hits…If you look close enough you can see the phased out field markings for Soccer…
Also It is becoming more and more common for large Football stadiums to hold open air concerts
“
monty
October 7th, 2009
5:46 pm
THink of it this way, if it had been KJ with the .300 avg and the year that Prado had and Prado had KJ’s year would there even be a conversation about where KJ would be playing next year so that “we couldn’t just give up on a player like Prado”?? If you think there would even be a conversation, I’ve got some swamp land in Florida for you!
Tomahawkin
October 7th, 2009
5:47 pm
Jake W
I hated the 2:30 start!
I barely got back at 3pm because Traffic on the Connector was already F-D up (and I was in the HOV lane)
I’d rather that game start at 4pm instead of 2:30…
Steve from OH
October 7th, 2009
5:51 pm
I’ll give Wren a pass though. Because he DID do a good job of rebuilding the rotation.
Oh, absolutely. IMO the expectation of rebuilding a rotation and an outfield is too much for any GM in one offseason, no matter how many (even how many possible) scenarios you can come up with.
Another thing I think people overlook is that had Wren gone balls-out to acquire that OF in lieu of one arm (take your pick), he probably would’ve destroyed the opportunity to have any flexibility this offseason, and probably would’ve ended up with a team of poorer quality than the one he should have the ability to create this offseason.
Jake W.
October 7th, 2009
5:52 pm
Tomahawkin, I caught the end of the game, just in time to see Colorado finally score. Their game tomorrow starts at the same time and these are the defending champs. If i’m a phillies fan i’m pissed its at that time during the week but like I said, its a ratings thing.
N8
October 7th, 2009
5:53 pm
Doc. Good points at 4:58. I agree. Here’s the thing. If they somehow locked up LaRoche, and simply went into the season with the current “starting 8″ (probably not going to be Loaf – but somebody simliar in production), and just counted on Schafer and Heyward contributing at some point, this team is going to be better. But Chipper is the key.
Think about it. If we had this lineup in March, April and June (including Hanson in the rottion), this team EASILY has 5 more wins, possibly 10 more.
Enough to take over the Phillies? Possibly not. But enough to not have to be playing for our life for a month to maybe win the wild card, chasing 6 or 7 teams in the process. Especially if Wren has to rebuild the end of the bullpen.
THAT being said. If Chipper were to somehow find the fountain of youth (or a never ending supply of Clemens’ “B-12″ shots – kidding of course), this team is that much better.
The question at hand, is how pro-active is Wren going to be, in case Chipper doesn’t rebound and anchor the middle of the lineup? Or will he be re-active when he doesn’t? As we saw, it’s much harder to make a trade in May for a middle of the lineup guy.
I expect Wren to be VERY pro-active in this area and if Chipper also rebounds, then we’re in business. Big time.
I fully expect Heyward to be the 3-hole hitter of the future for this team. But I don’t expect him to be it next year. Not sure why not. Chipper did it in his rookie year. But since Chipper is Bobby’s guy, and Chipper will still be here, that will never happen.
Random
October 7th, 2009
5:55 pm
And now for some good-natured joshin’:
Il Cattivo (April 25th, 2009 3:26 pm): “Schafer has improved a lot since his 2ndweek. More walks and doesnt swing on the inside-high fastballs.
“Yo – Norton just came out of his slump.”
We were so much younger then — we’re older than that now.
Il Cattivo (April 15th, 2009 2:04 pm): “Random – have you considered research as a career. It could be scientific or data mining and statistical analysis.”
(A.S., mio collega.)
auburnbrave
October 7th, 2009
5:57 pm
I saw the “double pits to chesty” commercial for the first time last night, it came on during the Troy – Middle Tennessee State game. I just had to smile and say “ah, that’s what those guys were carrying on about.”
N8
October 7th, 2009
5:58 pm
“Ever notice why Gillete Field and Arrowhead Stadium fields are already worn out before cold weather hits?” Tomahawkin
Hmm. I thought that was just because the Chiefs defense has let every team run up and down the field for the past decade after getting rid of the astroterf? LOL.
Thanks for the memory refresher. That’s what I thought. Forgot that Cleveland’s stadium was called the Mistake by the Lake. That’s awesome.
Too my knowledge the only two stadiums that have both football and baseball anymore are the Oakland Coliseum and the Metrodome. Or am I forgetting one or more?
Steve, totally agree with your 5:51. Well stated.
N8
October 7th, 2009
6:02 pm
Did I really just spell Astroturf…. astroterf?
Wow.
N8
October 7th, 2009
6:03 pm
Oh boy. Chip Caray has the Twins/Yankees game. I fully expect him to yell: “THERE’S A BASEHIT!!!” during the lineup introductions.
What a maroon.
Danga
October 7th, 2009
6:06 pm
Doesn’t that stadium down in Miami still have both football and baseball?
N8
October 7th, 2009
6:08 pm
Thanks Danga. You’re right.
keylargo
October 7th, 2009
6:12 pm
Doesn’t that stadium down in Miami still have both football and baseball? Danga
You are correct – this year and next. The Marlins broke ground for a new stadium where the old Orange Bowl was.
Il Cattivo
October 7th, 2009
6:14 pm
Random Dude,
I knew you were upto something like this when it took you so long to respond.
But seriously – you went and got my posts from April!!!
I surrender. (Is there a white flag waving emoticon I ca use right now).
keylargo
October 7th, 2009
6:16 pm
Did I really just spell Astroturf…. astroterf?
Wow N8
I wonder what you would get if you walked into a restaurant and ordered Serf and Terf?
Danga
October 7th, 2009
6:20 pm
I sincerely hope that a new stadium draws a crown in South Florida. The Marlins put a good product on the field most seasons.
Danga
October 7th, 2009
6:21 pm
Ahem. *draws a crowd
BLee
October 7th, 2009
6:30 pm
DOB…That must be one heck of a story you are writing for later this week you have not been on here one time today.
Roman Gal
October 7th, 2009
6:37 pm
Congratulations goes out to Mississippi broadcaster Ben Ingram, who was named Southern League broadcaster of the year Greg in TN
I hadn’t heard that he won anything, but I’m not surprised at all. He’s my favorite Braves announcer in the organization. He always does a really good job. He doesn’t have a partner either, which makes him all the more special.
TnBrian(Vazquez ace 2010)
October 7th, 2009
6:39 pm
Buster Onley is high: “Possible targets this offseason for Atlanta– Tejada/Uggla”. He mentiones a few more, but those two stood out on my mind. Why would Atl. want or need two more IF when Yunel & Prado have those spots locked up for the future? Need an OF or two & to resign LaRoche unless there’s another option for 1st, but I doubt any better than LaRoche to fit the teams budget.
Couch Tater
October 7th, 2009
6:42 pm
McFann,
Wherever McCann was going to college is where you should go.
BravesfaninWis
October 7th, 2009
7:07 pm
DOB
Are you hearing anything at all on who the Braves might be targeting for a power bat either by trade or free agency? Also, who is the odd man out in the starting rotation? I believe Gonzalez will be back and be our closer next year and Soriano will be gone. I really believe that the Braves need to bring LaRoche back on a 3 year deal.. If Freeman proves that he is ready in a year or two, then you can think about trading LaRoche at that time.. Its just to risky for the Braves that need power to let a proven hitter like LaRoche walk and bring up Freeman who could very well bomb at the MLB level..
Going after Dye or Sheffield really concerns me if those rumors are true.. Both are up there in age, and neither is guaranteed to bring us the power that we need.. That is why I was really hoping that the Braves would have brought in Adam Dunn as a free agent.. His 40 HRs would have looked great in this lineup.. No telling where we would be now if we had Dunn in our lineup.. His 20 plus more HRs then anyone else on our team could have netted us around 10 more wins this year which could have had us winning our division..
I would like to see Lowe traded, but realize that is a tall order because of his high ERA and his inconsistencies this year.. The only way I would like them to bring Hudson back is if he agrees to a lower annual salary for more years.. If that happens, then we would be pretty set with a rotation of Vazquez, Jurrgens, Hanson, Hudson, and Kawakami.. If we need to get a power bat via trade, then I believe it will either take Vazquez or Jurrgens which would suck.. To me, Jurrgens and Hanson should be untouchable.. I just hope that they get the right guy and not some guy that might hit 30 HRs..
McFann Ô
October 7th, 2009
7:12 pm
RHR I think RG’s school would be a good fit for you. There or Shorter but I’d have to give RG’s school the nod over Shorter.
Really? Actually don’t where Roman Gal goes…or where Shorter is, either.
Heh heh…I know there’s a nice place here in Gwinnett…think it’s fairly new, but I have no clue what the name of it is (I mean, I did at one point, but I forgot…).
Roman Gal Well…you can hope. I don’t want to terrify you with my own art class stories…
Oh, I’ve heard some art class horror stories…
Not sure if it’s what you’re talking about, but uh…well, I like to draw animals, so suppose I just pass on…what I heard from a waitress at Cracker Barrel some time ago…
Freshman are nice to each other because they all want to make new friends and most professors tell you exactly what to expect.
Yeah…just think, what with being home schooled all my life, I’d do better at a smaller school. It’s not that I’m “afraid of people”, but ya know…first time with the whole “public” school thing…
Couch Tater Wherever McCann was going to college is where you should go.
Haha…Alabama? Eh…that’s outta state. Pretty sure I couldn’t go out of state.
McFann Ô
October 7th, 2009
7:16 pm
Tie game…
Tomahawkin
October 7th, 2009
7:24 pm
Now The New Yankee Stadium Sucks! If Anyone Agrees, “Then Give Me a Hell Yeah!”
I hate that Corporate ballpark!
And BTW? Why Is everyone o here asking D.O.B. questions on what the braves will do in the offseason when the playoffs just began?
Players haven’t even filed for free agency and people are coming out with all kinds of trade proposals and sceneraions, etc.
Patience People, let’s wait for everything to fallout amongst other teams before we start talking trades and F.A. signings! Cheesewhiz!
McFann Ô
October 7th, 2009
7:31 pm
Tomahawkin–
How about a “Heck Yeah!”?
Couch Tater
October 7th, 2009
7:32 pm
Haha…Alabama? Eh…that’s outta state. Pretty sure I couldn’t go out of state.
Lotsa scholarships available.
Soph
October 7th, 2009
7:34 pm
I know there’s a nice place here in Gwinnett…think it’s fairly new, but I have no clue what the name of it is
McFann, are you talking about Georgia Gwinnett College in Lawrenceville?
Roman Gal
October 7th, 2009
7:35 pm
It’s not that I’m “afraid of people”, but ya know…first time with the whole “public” school thing…
Well, I don’t go to a public school.
Really? Actually don’t where Roman Gal goes…or where Shorter is, either.
My school is in the news right now. In fact, it’s in the “Most Viewed Stories” on the AJC right now. And Shorter is in Rome…along with the Rome Braves.
McFann Ô
October 7th, 2009
7:36 pm
couch Tater–
Yeah…but…
Soph–
Could be…I know it’s pretty close to where we live…
Couch Tater
October 7th, 2009
7:37 pm
http://scholarships.ua.edu/
McFann Ô
October 7th, 2009
7:43 pm
Roman Gal–
I know…I didn’t mean public public…just meant…I don’t know…
My school is in the news right now.
Oh yeah…duh…
And Shorter is in Rome…along with the Rome Braves.
Gotcha!
McFann Ô
October 7th, 2009
7:45 pm
Hey, did y’all see that Yankee guy score? Throw was up the line and Mr. Mauer couldn’t hold on to it…
SEE! It happens to other catchers, too!
McFann Ô
October 7th, 2009
7:47 pm
Couch Tater–
Haha…
Roman Gal
October 7th, 2009
7:49 pm
McFann
What you’re saying is that you want to go to either a small Community college or a small private school, right? Actually, I think you might really like Berry. We’re friendly mountain people and we have an 8 to 1 deer to student ratio.
McFann Ô
October 7th, 2009
7:53 pm
Roman Gal What you’re saying is that you want to go to either a small Community college or a small private school, right?
That’s prob’ly about the size of it…
We’re friendly mountain people and we have an 8 to 1 deer to student ratio.
Nice! We had a Mommy Deer with two fawns last week…they were loving the corn we put out (well, it’s a mixture called “Critter Munchies”…it’s got corn, peanuts, sunflower seeds…). The one fawn finished up what was left and then took a long look through the fence at the bird feeder, but he didn’t make the jump…
Shamus Thacker
October 7th, 2009
7:56 pm
Heard my BBQ exorcist was called to a certain Rome college the other day. Guy musta flipped-out after Barbeculooza in Cave Spring.
Roman Gal
October 7th, 2009
7:59 pm
If I’m gonna keep pluggin’ my school, I think they ought to start paying me…
Doc Holiday
October 7th, 2009
8:00 pm
McFann Ô,
I didnt see a single Braves player run the bases the way Cano did on that double.
McFann Ô
October 7th, 2009
8:01 pm
Yeah, Georgia Gwinnett College was the one I was thinking of ’cause General Petraeus spoke at the graduation this year.
P. W. Hjort
October 7th, 2009
8:02 pm
RG,
You go to Berry? I’m a fan of that campus, I used to run there rather frequently.
Shamus Thacker
October 7th, 2009
8:02 pm
Heard my BBQ exorcist is now attending a certain Rome College. The gal he exorcized musta flipped-out after Cave Spring’s Barbecuepalooza.