For skidding Braves, might be time for The Speech
It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, and comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat. – Theodore Roosevelt
St. Louis — So this wasn’t exactly what Teddy Roosevelt had in mind when he made the famous speech 100 years ago that the above quote comes from. Nevertheless, if I’m a coach or manager, you better believe I’d have that quote ready to use, just once, when my team most needed to hear it.
Wait a second. If you look past the moustache and monocle, did Teddy Roosevelt bear a resemblance to a certain manager?
Like, for instance, the Braves today.
It’s early, and their current six-game skid could be forgotten soon if the Braves put together a good run. Those who say they’re not capable of that, well, did you think the Braves were capable of the 15-2 tear they went on last September?
No, no. I’m not expecting anything resembling that torrid 17-game stretch, back when the Braves had Adam LaRoche’s bat blazing and most of their other lineup regulars (except Chipper) doing exactly what the team hoped.
They’ve got only Martin Prado meeting or exceeding expectations right now (although rookie Jason Heyward has already shown how quickly he can go from chilled to en fuego).
What I am suggesting is the Braves are not nearly as bad an offensive team as we’ve seen for most of this first month. They can’t possibly be. They aren’t. You know it, I know it. (Right?)
The more this skid drags out, however, you start to wonder when doubt will start to creep into some of their minds, if it hasn’t already. That’s the enemy — starting to believe what you’re hearing and then playing as if you’re trying to avoid losing, rather than being aggressive and always playing to win.
(Man, I really sounded like some kind of polyester-shorts-wearing high-school coach there, didn’t I? Must be from getting a decent night of sleep. I gotta stop that. Not going to get all rah-rah about anything other than the break-my-heart Jayhawks. But I do love any excuse for revisiting a good Presidential speech.)
So anyway, ask not what Troy Glaus can do for the Braves, but what the Braves can do for….
♣ Did someone say Glaus? I think most of us can agree he’s been a disappointment so far, but let’s at least acknowledge that he’s hitting some balls hard lately. It’s not just Coxian spin to say he’s hit into some tough luck lately. He really has.
That’s not to downplay how bad he’s been with runners in scoring position and particularly with the bases loaded. It’s just to say, we shouldn’t be shocked if he starts putting up better numbers, because the guy’s hitting some balls hard and it shouldn’t be shocking if some start to fall.
Anyway, that’s my transition into Glaus’ two-hit night in Monday’s 4-3 recede-from-ahead (inverse of come-from-behind) Braves loss.
And this startling statistic: Glaus has a .567 career average and 1.375 OPS in 10 games against the Cardinals, including 17-for-27 (.630) with a homer, five RBI, seven walks and a .722 OBP during a current nine-game hitting streak against the team he played for during the 2008-2009 seasons.
Who knew? (about the numbers against the Cards, not that he played for them.)
Granted, before last night he hadn’t faced them since 2005, back when he was still a feared power hitter (he hit 37 homers for Arizona that season).
Still, it’s a pretty impressive stat, and worth noting because Glaus was 3-for-29 over 10 games before hitting singles in the second and third innings last night.
Maybe a four-game series at Busch Stadium can help him get in a groove. He certainly hears fewer boos here than he hears at Turner Field. (At Busch, they rarely boo any who is or was one of their own, though J.D. Drew was a big exception, booed mercilessly when he returned here with the Braves in 2004.)
That’s something else Braves fans at Turner Field might want to keep in mind. I can understand displeasure over Glaus, whose .210 average this season includes .133 (4-for-30) with two RBI, four walks and 12 strikeouts in nine home games.
Braves signed Glaus expecting him to be a significant part of lineup.
But you gotta wonder if booing him might be counterproductive in this case, if he might be one of those guys who’s adversely affected by that chorus of boos from the home crowd. I say this because, well, he’s actually put up respectable numbers on the road this season: .281 (9-for-32) with a homer, seven RBI and a .361 OBP and .406 slugging percentage.
He has a .767 OPS on the road and a scant .468 OPS at home. It’s such a small sample that it can still be greatly affected by just a couple of multi-hit games, but it might be worth keeping an eye on as we move forward.
Or, boo him. Boo me. Boo the Tomahawk Team members. (No, don’t boo them. How could anyone boo them? Some nights in recent seasons, they’ve been the best and most consistent thing about Turner Field. Strong.)
♣ Breaking down the breakdown: The Braves are still getting some of the best pitching in the league on a nightly basis, including six strong innings last night from Tim Hudson.
Their offense, however, has been dreadful. Last night was one of the few nights in the past couple of weeks when the Braves got some key hits early, hits with runners in scoring position, not to mention contributions from the likes of Glaus and Nate McLouth in the same game.
Still, the numbers stacked up tell the story: The Braves have hit .229 with nine runs and no home runs during their six-game losing streak, a skid that matches the six-gamer they had to end the 2009 season.
In the past nine games, they’ve hit .211, scored 17 runs, and gone homerless in all but one game. They have a 2-7 record in that stretch despite allowing three runs or fewer in five games, and four runs in two others.
Going back to last September, the Braves hit .289 with a 2.98 ERA during a 15-2 surge through Sept. 28, which brought them to within two games of the wild-card lead with six games left in the season.
Since then, the Braves are 8-17 with a .232 batting average and 90 runs in 25 games, 3.6 runs per. In 13 of those 25 games, they scored three runs or fewer.
They have an 8-17 record despite a 3.74 ERA in that 25-game stretch. Yikes.
On the road this season, the Braves split their first two game at San Francisco and are 2-6 since then. They’ve hit .218 and scored three runs or fewer six times during that eight-game road stretch.
♣ Adrian Gonzalez, huh? A show of hands from those who are seriously advocating that the Braves do whatever it takes to trade for the Padres’ slugging first baseman as soon as possible. Keep ‘em up, we’re taking down names.
Would A-Gonz be one-and-gone?
Just as a reminder, Gonzalez is in the same position as Mark Teixeira when the Braves traded a package of five prospects (including Neftali Feliz, Elvis Andrus and Jarrod Saltalamacchia) to the Rangers for Teixeira a few years ago.
Gonzalez is a season-and-half away from free agency, like Tex was. And he’s expected to get a contract well in excess of $20 mill per season, like Tex did.
Actually, given the extension Ryan Howard got yesterday (five years, $25 million), it’s probably safe to say that Gonzalez will get closer to $25 million per season than $20 million. He’s younger and better defensively than Howard.
So anyway, after seeing the Braves trade a package of prospects for Teixeira and then trading him away a year later because they were falling from playoff contention and knew they couldn’t afford to re-sign him as a free agent, there are a lot of Braves fans now who’d advocate a possible repeat with Gonzalez?
Nevermind the amount of young talent the Braves would have to part with to get Gonzalez, if the first-place Padres are willing to deal him this season. How ’bout the payroll ramifications for the Braves if they tried to re-sign him?
The Braves, unless Chipper Jones retire and/or Derek Lowe is traded, will owe those two nearly $30 mill in 2012. Brian McCann’s salary will be another $8.5 mill.
So how could the Braves add another $25 mill or so to their payroll? That’d be about $64 million for four players, for a team that’s paying its entire 25-man roster only about $84 million (straight salaries, not incentives and other stuff Braves accountants are including in payroll figures).
That’s not even including what it would take to keep Jair Jurrjens, who’ll be arb-eligible. Or to possibly sign Jason Heyward to a long-term deal by then.
And did we mention, the Padres are the team that’s 11-8 and in first place in their division, and the Braves are 8-11 and in last place in theirs? OK, just checking.
♣ Wrapping it up: Let’s close with a tune from the greatTom Russell, who’s playing Eddie’s Attic in Atlanta on June 15. Here’s a link to this song.
“ASH WEDNESDAY” by Tom Russell
There once was a man who thought love was warm
Hey Stop me if you’ve heard this story before
He’s got a purple heart who’s keeping score
There’s a lot of purple hearts in the purple heart store
he was a commandant now he’s a penitent
On Ash Wednesday
♦
There once was a woman a pretty young thing
She sold her soul for a diamond ring
She heard about love in a magazine
Saw it every friday night on a movie screen
She was a debutante now she’s a penitent
On Ash Wednesday
♦
They were love sick love tied
They strayed a little close to the edge of the fire
And their hands got burned their eyebrows singed
They’re walking down the street to self oblivion
They got holes in their pockets holes in their minds
They are holy people in an unholy time
Heading for the church at the end of the line
Ash Wednesday
♦
See them hanging out in every lonely place
They’ll tell you now love can’t hurt them now
But they’ve got ashes on their face
♦
See them hanging out in every lonely place
They’ll tell you now love can’t hurt them now
But they’ve got ashes on their face
♦
We were love sick we were love tied
We strayed a little close to the edge of the fire
And our hands got burned and our eyebrows singed
We’re walking down the street to self oblivion
We got holes in our pockets holes in our minds
We are holy people in an unholy time
Heading for the church at the end of the line
Ash Wednesday
Yeah Ash Wednesday
2,256 comments Add your comment
Butchershop
April 27th, 2010
1:51 pm
Leo Mazzone as Teddy
Fischerking04
April 27th, 2010
1:54 pm
Oh no. We’ve gotten to the point of quoting Roosavelt speeches for motivation. This IS bad.
Gonna get swept (again)
April 27th, 2010
1:55 pm
Enough talk, that’s the problem right now.
ncscoots
April 27th, 2010
1:57 pm
Oh no. We’ve gotten to the point of quoting Roosavelt speeches for motivation. This IS bad.
I dunno, the “fail while daring greatly” speech is always worth a reference, if only for damn fine writing, LOL. I think we sometimes forget that DOB has read a little more than just Elmore Leonard.
bravofan
April 27th, 2010
1:58 pm
Nice bloggage
Stewart Smally
April 27th, 2010
1:59 pm
ncscoots
April 27th, 2010
1:47 pm
In 2010, however, I’m not sure if 70 percent of Chipper Jones is even remotely better than Omar Infante.
Chipper Jones, lying in the cold, cold ground, is probably better than Omar Infante, n8.
So scoots, how long have you been smoking crack?
ncscoots
April 27th, 2010
2:00 pm
A little exaggeration there, Stewart, just because it was nathan. But only a little, believe me.
sad brotha
April 27th, 2010
2:00 pm
Can the main boy of this disaster Terry “INCOMPETENT” McGuirk give a speech? Where is (McGuirk) and Media during times that try troubled souls? Bobby, TP and Wren? Give me a break… it’s McJerk!
bravofan
April 27th, 2010
2:01 pm
Prior to Lowe’s loss he won three straight and had a total of 21 runs behind him
Daslied
April 27th, 2010
2:01 pm
N8
Bottom line whether he likes it, Bobby likes it, Wren likes it or the blind homers like it…. him being in the field and in the lineup (especially in the 3-hole), in his current state of health is HURTING this team more than helping it.
Go ahead and deny it, and argue it. You’re wrong if you do.
I’ll argue it, and I’m not wrong. Chipper has an .857 OPS (127 OPS+). Infante? .668 (78 OPS+). Chipper’s walked 13 times against 9 strikeouts. Infante? 2 walks, 7 strikeouts. Each has 2 stolen bases.
Chipper’s defense hasn’t been great, to be sure. That -6.8 UZR/150 hurts. Infante’s? -20.5
I’ll give you points for confidence in an absurd argument, though.
Fischerking04
April 27th, 2010
2:01 pm
I’m defnitely not knocking the speech. Great speech. Just that with the way tihngs have been going I feel like we are a loss or two away from me buying a Celine Dion album to play while I lay in the fetal position in the corner and have a good cry.
MattyRoss
April 27th, 2010
2:02 pm
I was honestly surprised to hear Prado voicing frustration like that. I don’t think the wheels have completely fallen off, but if the players do…might be tough to turn that around.
Right now I feel like Chipper is the weak link in the lineup. Not because he’s the worst hitter, but because of where he’s hitting, and the defense he’s contributing. It really is sad, because you know he’s fighting an injury, and you KNOW he’s more frustrated by this than all of us put together. He pushed himself to play that rain-shortened game against the Mets, and was a key part of the play that led to the loss. Unfortunately, the things that made him so good for so long (work ethic and stubbornness) might be the things that keep running him out there for the good of the team, when the best thing he could do would be to rest for a while. I really hope he can turn it around. He deserves to go out at a high level.
Brian from SC
April 27th, 2010
2:02 pm
The whole Chipper thing is interesting to me. I think he’s having a pretty good year. Are people expecting him to hit 40 homers or something?
ugaaccountant
April 27th, 2010
2:03 pm
Name this quote in regards to A. Gonzalez:
“So you’re saying there’s a chance”
Don Gill
April 27th, 2010
2:03 pm
Anyone who trades away their best pitcher and doesn’t get anything for him deserves what they get. How about LaRoche who added sting to last year’s anemic lineup. And Terry Pendleton, who took 3 good minor league hitters and, although the jury is still out on Heyward, had them struggle mightily. Franceur might have foreshadowed the problem when he went elsewhere for his hitting instruction. But what if we did have Franceur, Schaffer and Heyward. all producing.
Daslied
April 27th, 2010
2:03 pm
My apologies, N8. I’d like to redirect my venom from you to MFin04 after reading his 1:54 on the last blog. Wow…
MattyRoss
April 27th, 2010
2:05 pm
Brian, I’d just say I think we all (Chipper included) probably expect too much from him at this point. That said, he’s certainly not having a good season on the defensive side.
Nova Scotia Steve
April 27th, 2010
2:05 pm
Unless Adrian Gonzales actually becomes a Brave – I hope someone signs him to a 25 year-contract that will pay him through to 2045.
Just so there’s no hope he will ever become a Brave and the discussion will cease.
Great blog to help us get through the darkest of nights.
Brian from SC
April 27th, 2010
2:06 pm
To call Francoeur a “good minor league hitter” is a little bit of a stretch. He had a .309 OBP at AA.
RC
April 27th, 2010
2:06 pm
Don Gill,
They got one of the best pitching prospects in the minor leagues and the $$ to sign Tim Hudson in the Vazquez trade. To say anything otherwise simply isn’t paying attention. (I do wish we could have kept Vazquez though.)
MFin04
April 27th, 2010
2:06 pm
Get rid of half of Lowe’s contract and all of Chipper’s Contract and you can sign Adrian Gonzalez.
TnBrian
April 27th, 2010
2:07 pm
They need to stay away from AG. Wren has to know better than to get trapped in all that mess again. Just another Tex mess.
N8
April 27th, 2010
2:07 pm
From the other blog…..
“Chipper Jones, lying in the cold, cold ground, is probably better than Omar Infante, n8.”
Really? Are you positive about that defensively? Are you telling me that Omar Infante plays worse defense at 2B (because Prado would be moving to his better defensive position of 3B), than then gimpy Chipper Jones does at 3B right now? Talk about serious denial. Good god.
Then you want to throw in the batting in the last week with the injury? Why don’t we for good measure. In the last 7 days (6 games), Chipper is hitting a whopping .278 with a .389 SLG percentage. 0 HR, 1 RBI. (and laughable defense… at best).
In the last 7 days, Infante is batting .333 with a .444 SLG percentage.
I rest my case. NEXT!!!
MikeInFL
Yeah, I said “probably”, because if you would have stuck Dale Murphy in his prime in the middle of the batting order that Chipper Jones got to hit in the middle of for a decade, believe me. Murphy has more than 398 HR (in an era without expansion and very few band boxes for ballparks).
Oh, never mind the GG’s he won in the OF after being converted from a catcher. How did Chipper do in LF (the weakest of all OF positions defensively – ask nolie)?? He hurt himself chasing fly balls.
Murphy also went 30/30 when it wasn’t an everyday statistic that utility infielders accomplish.
You act like it’s clear cut that Chipper is night and day above Murphy. The numbers support that thought, but use your noodle and you’ll see the scenarios for each player were a tad different. Bonds and McGwire’s numbers support them being the best too. How’s that working out for them?
TJ
April 27th, 2010
2:07 pm
remember Chipper may retire at years end if he has a bad year. that would give us the money to go get Jason Werth or another impact bat.
Brian from SC
April 27th, 2010
2:08 pm
No, Chipper’s not having a good year defensively, and probably never will again. I just don’t understand the venom…he’s still at least our third best hitter. Some people would rather have Infante? That’s pretty crazy.
Fischerking04
April 27th, 2010
2:08 pm
I was surprised to hear Brian Jordan take a little shot at Chipper about his willingness to work harder to stay healthy. That is a sign, to me, that the wheels have started to come off a little bit. Not just the comments, but the fact that that it came from a guy who played his last few years with knees made out of pretzels. Not to mention his main job is to be PR savvy.
Wayne in Utah
April 27th, 2010
2:09 pm
Dumb and Dumber….
UKUGA
April 27th, 2010
2:10 pm
Two questions:
1) Any chance Chipper retires during the season (a la Mike Schmidt, Rod Carew)?
2) Any chance that Derek Lowe (assuming he remains untradeable) is the Braves closer by 2012?
Thanks,
UKUGA
N8
April 27th, 2010
2:10 pm
Daslied, it’s all good. But you’re not reading what I’m saying. I’m saying that Chipper hurt (RIGHT NOW) is not helping this team any more than Infante could, and he is hurting the team.
A healthy Chipper Jones is still one the Braves 3-4 best hitters (not sold on the defense anymore though).
Just wanted to clarify that I’m saying RIGHT NOW he’s hurting them. Not what he’s done all season.
I’ll have to go read what MF said at 1:54 on old blog. LOL
Stewart Smally
April 27th, 2010
2:10 pm
Probably a better motivational speech for this team!
From the esteemed Bluto Blutarski
Over? Did you say ‘over’? Nothing is over until we decide it is! Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? Hell no!…What the f–k happened to the Delta I used to know? Where’s the spirit? Where’s the guts, huh? ‘Ooh, we’re afraid to go with you, Bluto, we might get in trouble.’ Well just kiss my azz from now on! Not me! I’m not gonna take this. Wormer, he’s a dead man! Marmalard, dead! Niedermeyer…”
Now THAT is an inspirational speech!
ncscoots
April 27th, 2010
2:10 pm
Just that with the way tihngs have been going I feel like we are a loss or two away from me buying a Celine Dion album to play while I lay in the fetal position in the corner and have a good cry.
Leroy, boy, we gotta get you a woman, LOL. Baseball done got to be too important for ya.
I mean, driving a man to a Celine Dion purchase is just a bad, bad sign.
N8
April 27th, 2010
2:11 pm
“Some people would rather have Infante? That’s pretty crazy.” Brian
Read my 2:10 post for your answer to what I was actually saying.
Daslied
April 27th, 2010
2:11 pm
N8
In the last 7 days, Infante is batting .333 with a .444 SLG percentage.
Your basis is 10 PAs? Versus Chipper’s 22?
Gastroenterologist
April 27th, 2010
2:12 pm
…. ok – getting rid of Lowe and Chipper frees up room to pay Adrian G… but eh… what’s the trade?
NO MORE BOBBY
April 27th, 2010
2:12 pm
FROM WHO? There are no leaders on this team!!
ATLiens
April 27th, 2010
2:12 pm
DOB, ironically i wrote a lengthy post late last night about this very subject. the poison of doubt. but my question to you and others (as i asked last night) who is going to be the one to rally the troops and lead? chippers not, mccann prob wont either. so who? the issue is that all these players, especially chipper, can talk all day in the papers about someone getting the big hit, instead of them just bucking up and doing it themselves
TJ
April 27th, 2010
2:12 pm
Lowe as closer? yikes
MFin04
April 27th, 2010
2:13 pm
N8 – Exact same thing I said.
faninva
April 27th, 2010
2:13 pm
Stewart Smally -
I posted that last week, though i changed “Delta’ to Braves, etc. sorry, nice speech…didn’t work.
Ow! My Oblique!
April 27th, 2010
2:13 pm
When last I checked the Padres were in 1st in a weak division. If they are going to be contenders all season in that weak division why on Earth would they trade Gonzalez during the season? That would be something stupid and the Padres won’t trade their best, most popular player while they are in contention. Sorry Braves fans but the answer won’t be Gonzalez. By the way, when the Braves dumped Tex I advocated them getting Kendry Morales instead of Casey Kotchman. Geez, I should be the GM. I will take half of what is being flushed down the terlet paying Wren and make the tough decisions that Wren is afraid to. That means goodbye Terry Pendleton and Chipper being a part time player.
Daslied
April 27th, 2010
2:13 pm
N8, I get what you’re saying. It’s just a little (okay, a lot) knee-jerk for my taste.
ManOfTeal
April 27th, 2010
2:14 pm
I think it’s time you backed up the truck.
CB
April 27th, 2010
2:14 pm
N8,now THAT was a ringing endorsement!
Brian from SC
April 27th, 2010
2:15 pm
N8…Chipper hasn’t had a hit in 3 games. Wow…someone call the paramedics. I’m sure that’s never happened to him before.
Unless Chipper tells me he can’t go…I’d rather have him in the lineup. 100% of the time, without a doubt.
MFin04
April 27th, 2010
2:16 pm
Has everyone having this Infante vs Chipper debate, actually watched Chipper play this last week?
Its not like we are looking at career numbers here. We are looking at reality.
Right now, an Infante Prado lineup is better both defensively and offensively than Chipper Prado lineup.
UKUGA
April 27th, 2010
2:16 pm
I don’t know how you get rid of Lowe, unless the daily shortening of his contract makes him more attractive, despite the reduction of his productivity.
sportsmandh
April 27th, 2010
2:17 pm
I’m afraid Lowe’s best days as a closer are behind him too ….
Don’t see him ever going back into that role.
MFin04
April 27th, 2010
2:17 pm
Brian from SC – What happens if Chipper doesn’t tell he can’t go, but he really can’t go? Like the last 3 or more games?
heyward
April 27th, 2010
2:17 pm
at this point in chippers career, i think the better bet is to play prado at 3rd and infante at 2nd
brian
April 27th, 2010
2:17 pm
I agree with the thought behind that quote – wanting to give up the farm for 1.5 seasons of AGon is Dumb and Dumber
N8
April 27th, 2010
2:17 pm
Sorry guys. MFin04 is dead on with his 1:54 on the old blog. It’s precisely what I’m saying.
Chipper Jones playing at 70 percent of his 38 year old ability, is barely (and probably not) better than a healthy Omar Infante. Especailly as MFin04 stated, with Prado at 3B and Omar at 2B.
Omar isn’t much worse than Prado at 2B, and Prado is FAR better defensively than a 38 year old Chipper at 3B. Purely from a defensive standpoint, that would make this team (and help this “pitch to contact” pitching staff out a ton). But….
… when healthy, Chipper’s offensive ability trumps all defense that an Omar/Prado defensive combination would provide.
MFin04, the “probably” comment stemmed from me saying Chipper probably has had the better career than Murphy did. NOT Omar.
But refer to my 2:07 on this blog for my respons/defense of Murphy’s career, given who he had around him for the majority of it.
ncscoots
April 27th, 2010
2:17 pm
n8, I know better than to attempt reasoning with you on one of these things that start buzzing in your bonnet, LOL. Man’s got to pack a lunch and swig a gallon of patience to go that route. I’m gonna pass, if it’s all the same to you.
Besides, I got my “cold, cold ground” line in, and that’s what I really cared about, LOL.
bravofan
April 27th, 2010
2:17 pm
an update on arodys vizcanio he is who we got from the Yanks for vasquez here are his stats so far in Rome 2 wins 2 losses 4.95era he has pitched in 4 games and pitched 20 innings and given up 11 runs 22 hits and has struck out 19 here is the link to his stats so far http://www.baseballamerica.com/statistics/players/cards/?pl_id=88890
Next, Michael Dunn- He has appeared in 6 games and his 1-0 and has a era of a mere .96 and his given up only one run and six hits and the link http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?pos=P&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=445197
Milk man- hitting .175 with 11 hits and 2 rbis
javier Vasquez is 1 and 3 this season with a 9.00era in 20 innings and has given up 25 hits and 20 earned runs
Wonder who got the better end of this one?
bravofan
April 27th, 2010
2:18 pm
heyward: what do you do with the chip off the ole block if the Braves play Prado at third?
Daslied
April 27th, 2010
2:20 pm
MFin04 – before Sunday night, Pujols had a 6-game stretch where he went 3-20. I suppose LaRussa should’ve played Joe Mather instead?
Brian from SC
April 27th, 2010
2:20 pm
I dunno, MFin04….I have no reason to think Chipper “couldn’t go” the last 3 games. I think you’re just frustrated about the last week or so and are looking for places to pin the blame. Whatever…I’ll take Chipper over Infante every single time.
Stewart Smally
April 27th, 2010
2:21 pm
And on the other subject, no Gonzo please. Had a gonzo a couple of years ago his name was Tex and he didn’t lead us to the promised land. Cost us a lot of prospects, but couldn’t get us across the street.
Before that, we lost a kid named Wainwright for another one year rental named JD Drew. That may have hurt worse than the Tex deal.
Been there, saw that bad movie. Not stupid enough (I hope) to pay the price of admisssion again on that one.
heyward
April 27th, 2010
2:22 pm
yes the braves would be out his contract but right now all larry is doing is getting hurt while we continue losing. puting infante in the lineup will at least give us some advantages.
bravofan
April 27th, 2010
2:22 pm
heyward: and what might those be?
ugaaccountant
April 27th, 2010
2:23 pm
Wayne in Utah
April 27th, 2010
2:09 pm
Dumb and Dumber….
We have a winner! It would be Dumb and Dumber to trade the farm for Adrian Gonzalez.
heyward
April 27th, 2010
2:24 pm
and about gonzo deal…STAY AWAY!!! we have lost too much already as prospects that would be very valuable right now
ncscoots
April 27th, 2010
2:24 pm
looking for places to pin the blame.
The ole blame train has been running on the express line here in the blog for some time. Throttle open and engineer dead at the controls, I’d say, LOL. Best to move women, children, and reasonable men away from the track while it hurtles by.
N8
April 27th, 2010
2:24 pm
“Your basis is 10 PAs? Versus Chipper’s 22?”
No. My basis is on what my eyes have seen Chipper be able to (or NOT be able to do) with the injury. And an assumption that a healthy Omar Infante can provide AT LEAST that, and probably more stability at this point, until Chipper heals up.
Have you actually WATCHED him swing and the faces he’s made? Have you seen how long it physically took him to get up before making that throw? Fred Sandford might have gotten up of the ground quicker than that.
Tom Glavine was a great pitcher. Tom Glavine coming off of arm surgery at his age, was NOT. Chipper’s getting older. Not younger. And with every nagging injury, his “value” becomes less and less.
Leo states that his prescence is important to the lineup. Yeah, in helping the other team succeed. Have you seen the other teams attack him at the plate? Nobody is afraid of his bat right now. Yet there he is right in the middle of the order.
Let’s get him healthy. I’d rather be without him for 2 weeks, and see if it’s possible to get him healthy for the final 5 months, than to have him hurt the team (and himself in the time being). Because if he gets hurt more than he is, god forbid we might HAVE TO have Omar in the lineup all year, rather than for just 10 games or so.
Dude should have been on the DL last week, and he’d be resting and back NEXT week. But Brian Jordan hurt his feelings and now he’s trying to show how tough he is. He tough alright.
Tough to watch, right now.
ATLiens
April 27th, 2010
2:24 pm
all this discussion over chipper vs. infante is beside the point. changing one player in the lineup doesnt solve the real problem. attitude. until thats changed the ships going to continue to sink
heyward
April 27th, 2010
2:24 pm
bravofan: speed defensive and on base percentage
suh muh muh beech
April 27th, 2010
2:25 pm
I think Bobby needs to dust off his pimp hand and slap some skills into the Braves.
MFin04
April 27th, 2010
2:25 pm
Daslied – If Pujols is hurt, La Russa should sit him.
Chipper is hurt. Bad oblique and a bad hip. He can’t swing right handed and he can’t field. His left handed swing isn’t exactly great right now either. He is better off going on the DL and getting healthy. I am amazed that pitchers are still walking him, even though he is hurt. But a hurt Chipper Jones, is still a scary Chipper Jones, but I’d rather him stop giving away runs at third, and actually get better.
MikeInFL
April 27th, 2010
2:25 pm
I’m using my noodle, N8. I don’t think there is any doubt that Chipper has been a much better player than Murphy, context and all.
At their best, they were comparable. But Murphy had about 6 dominant years to about twice that many for Chipper.
Love’em both, man. But to me it’s hands-down.
Stewart Smally
April 27th, 2010
2:25 pm
faninva
missed your post on that. Today was a perfect day for the context of the speech to be shared with bloggers.
You, my friend, were ahead of your time! A Trailblazer, if you will!
Wayne in Utah
April 27th, 2010
2:26 pm
No thank you on AG. We’d never hear the end of it after he left us and signed with the Red Sox in a year and a half from now.
Besides, let’s see what Freeman will be able to do for us later this summer.
And for Chipper…….kinda like saying we are going to bench Carl Yastremski! Not going to happen, unless he goes on the DL.
Any talk about it is a waste of time.
Chipper has earned the right to play hurt.
Daslied
April 27th, 2010
2:27 pm
There are 4 regulars hitting .210 or under (each with an OPS .623 or below) and every regular has committed at least 1 error.
People are blaming Chipper for the losses. Un-freaking-believable.
Brian from SC
April 27th, 2010
2:27 pm
LOL at heyward saying Infante over Chipper is an OBP advantage. Wow…didn’t know someone with a .320 OBP is an advantage over someone with a .400+ OBP. And that’s this year, not career.
RC
April 27th, 2010
2:27 pm
By the way, when the Braves dumped Tex I advocated them getting Kendry Morales instead of Casey Kotchman. Geez, I should be the GM.
If you really would have been able to convince the Angels to give up Morales for Tex, you should be the GM. But I doubt you could have, because that simply was not happening. Morales 2008 = Freeman 2011.
MFin04
April 27th, 2010
2:28 pm
ATLiens – I agree that removing Chipper from the lineup and inserting Infante, does not change this team’s overall lack of offense.
It does however save them some runs defensively, but ultimately this team needs to score some runs.
Everyone on this team needs to hit better only exception is Martin Prado (he is due to go cold and has started to do so which is realistic).
bravofan
April 27th, 2010
2:28 pm
ok Heyward so you want a career .264 hitter to take the place of a future hall of famer career .307 hitter. Infantes obp is .310 while chip off the old blocks is .406 I rest my case
bravofan
April 27th, 2010
2:28 pm
brain from sc just pulled up the stats he is wrong
Kyle
April 27th, 2010
2:28 pm
DOB- thank you for clearing up this gonzolas mess. that would be terrible for our future. imagine what we would have if we kept those guys for tex. let me throw out some stupid ideas. lets trade for the following- billy butler mark reynolds, pablo sandoval, justin smoak bj upton ichiro. wren doesnt need to make another mistake to cover up his current mistakes. great job DOB
cabravesfan
April 27th, 2010
2:28 pm
wasn’t it just a few days ago that so many people on the blog were bitching that Chipper needed to “man up” and play through whatever was bothering him? And now so many people on the blog are bitching that Chipper needs to sit and get healthy…gotta love it
heyward
April 27th, 2010
2:29 pm
MFin04: chipper is hitting better right handed .313 vs .229 left handed
Brian from SC
April 27th, 2010
2:30 pm
LOL again at the guy that said Murphy had six “dominant” years and Chipper had half as many. Over Murphy’s six best years, his average OPS+ was 145. Chipper had 8 years with an OPS+ over that. Chipper has six years with an OPS+ higher than Murphys career high.
faninva
April 27th, 2010
2:30 pm
Stewart Smally -
No worries! Ya, i posted it hoping it was the speech Bobby was preparing for the game against Halladay. oops. guess he was mum that day.
N8
April 27th, 2010
2:30 pm
thanks scoots. LOL
“MFin04 – before Sunday night, Pujols had a 6-game stretch where he went 3-20. I suppose LaRussa should’ve played Joe Mather instead?” Daslied
I don’t know? Is Pujols hurt? Has he looked like he’s in pain when he swings? Have the opponants been NOT pitching around him, because they know in his current state of health, he’s easier than normal to get out? Does he look like an old man while fielding his position?
This isn’t about a slump. It’s about the fact that he was hurt. Told DOB (or somebody) that he’d probably be out for more than 2 or 3 games, then after Brian Jordan publicly ripped him, he magically was able to go the next day and has LOOKED awful and out of sorts ever since.
Heyward is in a slump too. But he’s not hurt. And most importantly, not hurting the team in all areas of his game.
Why has this turned into an argument over Chippers overall ability, rather than his current ability to do what he NORMALLY can do when healthy? It’s a simple question.
But apparently, the majority think that a hobbled Chipper Jones is just fine plugged into the 3-hole and playing shoddy defense at 3B? I guess I’m the fool, huh?
Ted M
April 27th, 2010
2:30 pm
The Braves have to face 3 great pitchers in a row. The streak is likely to reach 9 loses.
The Oddball
April 27th, 2010
2:30 pm
Adam Laroche, a notoriously slow starter, is batting .286 with two home runs since Opening Day.
amicusterrae
April 27th, 2010
2:31 pm
DOB, appreciate the gentle admonishment about booing our guys, like Glaus.
Steve Phillips wrote an interesting piece about how booing makes things worse. http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2010/04/26/memo-to-boobirds-you-arent-helping/
Daslied
April 27th, 2010
2:31 pm
MFin04
Daslied – If Pujols is hurt, La Russa should sit him.
Right. LaRussa did sit him from 2007-2009, or whenever that was, when everyone said he was going to have to undergo elbow surgery. You got me!
bravofan
April 27th, 2010
2:31 pm
kyle: were you not already aware we would have to give up all of our prospects?
GetwhatUpayfor
April 27th, 2010
2:31 pm
Tom Russell Great!! The Braves ..well they stink!!
MikeInFL
April 27th, 2010
2:32 pm
LOL again at the guy that said Murphy had six “dominant” years and Chipper had half as many.
I believe…no, I’ll quote myself, I said: “But Murphy had about 6 dominant years to about twice that many for Chipper.” LOL.
bravofan
April 27th, 2010
2:32 pm
ted M.- I love your positivity my man
Brian from SC
April 27th, 2010
2:32 pm
Whoops, read that Murphy thing wrong. Apologies!
heyward
April 27th, 2010
2:32 pm
bravofan: we are not interested in career numbers, we are interested in the present and chipper is not the answer.
also these faggots need to quit putting smileys everywhere
faninva
April 27th, 2010
2:32 pm
DOB -
wanna make a quick comment on your previous blog regarding McClouth and how he seems to easy pitch the ball back to the infield on what might be close plays otherwise. just thought that was a really good observation. always thought something was a little off in his approach.
Stewart Smally
April 27th, 2010
2:33 pm
“Chipper has earned the right to play hurt.”
That statement just sent chills down my back. It’s a cry that when translated says, “we give up!” Bobby has earned the right to manage even if he had a lobotomy! Think I heard that one to.
That just says that the Braves are willing to throw away a position in the lineup if a guy at the end of his career decides to hang on too long. Usually the last person to know he’s done is the player himself.
Jesse Stone
April 27th, 2010
2:33 pm
You can’t weigh in on the Vaz trade based on what he does in NY. He pitched well HERE. The atmosphere HERE suited him. Pitching for guys like Ozzie Guillen and in the spotlight like the Bronx doesn’t suit him. He was comfortable HERE. If he was HERE, his numbers would be much better.
MikeInFL
April 27th, 2010
2:33 pm
Sorry Brian, I’m not gonna be able to forgive you. Be afraid. Be very afraid.
Kashi
April 27th, 2010
2:33 pm
Bringing A Gonzo don’t make sense to me. Look at the players that we gave up for Tex trade and how well they are playing in major league after 2 years. I would just forget 2010 and bring in freeman for 1B, and Schafer for left field. Give them plenty at bat and major league experience for 2011 and beyond.
Ted M
April 27th, 2010
2:33 pm
Jaime Garcia, St Louis’ starter tomorrow is looking really good and the Braves historically stink against pitchers they are seeing the first time.
Then Wainwright
dap01
April 27th, 2010
2:34 pm
Come on Cox, give Melky a chance. He should atleast have 300+ abats at below .200 before we pass judgement! Keep him at leadoff too.
bigchiefrg
April 27th, 2010
2:35 pm
here lately, I feel like this blog looks like a heart beat line. It goes down in the direction of fantasy until DOB writes a new one at about 3 oclock the next day to bring ppl back to reality.
Great read. I am beginning to understand why you are a writer and I am a… What am I again? Oh, nevermind.
The boys will come back around and I am going to keep hoping and thinking that until they are mathematically eliminated. Anyone who boos at their own players struggling need to check themselves. That is way too Philadelphian for my tastes (unless that player has done something criminal or very shameful).
ncscoots
April 27th, 2010
2:35 pm
imagine what we would have if we kept those guys for tex.
Lessee…one pitcher with a five-and-half ERA; a .250/.300/.380 catcher; a .260/.330/.370 (!) SS; and everybody’s darling, Feliz, and his 2010 ERA+ of 96.
Yes, we traded away the pennant.
Ted M
April 27th, 2010
2:36 pm
I think we can beat Wandy Rodriguez and Houston on Friday so the streak shouldn’t reach double figures
DAP
April 27th, 2010
2:37 pm
ncscoots Chipper Jones, lying in the cold, cold ground, is probably better than Omar Infante,
i just got a vision of the future…chipper jones is dead, and still playing third base. his tombstone is out there, guarding the line.
james rollins…jimmy’s son…hits a liner down the line….chipper is there, knocks it down (hits off his tombstone)…looong throw from 6 feet under, and he has no play on the speedy rollins.
Justafan
April 27th, 2010
2:39 pm
dap01, Who you mad at Bobby or Melky? I think they’re 3 more starters hitting below 200. Whats your problem?
Stewart Smally
April 27th, 2010
2:39 pm
“ok Heyward so you want a career .264 hitter to take the place of a future hall of famer career .307 hitter. Infantes obp is .310 while chip off the old blocks is .406 I rest my case”
Ted Williams was a hall of famer and his head is frozen somewhere in AZ. His numbers are better than Infantes. So by your logic maybe we should try to buy Ted Williams head and insert it in the lineup batting third! I mean, he is a hall of famer and the last .400 hitter!
Chip
April 27th, 2010
2:40 pm
2010 Braves
Must go on, can’t go on, must go on.
Daslied
April 27th, 2010
2:40 pm
N8
Why has this turned into an argument over Chippers overall ability, rather than his current ability to do what he NORMALLY can do when healthy?
I don’t know.
But I also don’t know why anyone would think a career backup is a better option than the guy higher on the depth chart, when said argument is based on 7 PAs after a mild injury.
Fischerking04
April 27th, 2010
2:41 pm
ncscoot—”I know better than to attempt reasoning with you on one of these things that start buzzing in your bonnet, LOL. Man’s got to pack a lunch and swig a gallon of patience to go that route. I’m gonna pass, if it’s all the same to you. ”
I’m lovin’ the lingo. All proper like.
Ted William's Head
April 27th, 2010
2:41 pm
My name now……MINE!!
faninva
April 27th, 2010
2:41 pm
“Ted Williams was a hall of famer and his head is frozen somewhere in AZ.”
Now that is a chip off the old block!
Fischerking04
April 27th, 2010
2:41 pm
ncscoots*
ncscoots
April 27th, 2010
2:42 pm
DAP, I agree that he might be a little slower coming in on that high bouncer to 3B, but, other than that…
Ted M
April 27th, 2010
2:42 pm
I agree with Dave on not selling the farm for A. Gonzalas. I don’t think we would make playoffs with him. This is a “wait til next year” year.
Ted M
April 27th, 2010
2:43 pm
At least we get to watch Heyward develop.
heyward
April 27th, 2010
2:43 pm
bravofan: we are not interested in career numbers, we are interested in the present
also these faggots need to stop with these gay smiley faces
Wayne in Utah
April 27th, 2010
2:44 pm
Smally
Chipper and Bobby will decide when he should come out of the lineup. That is good enough for me.
They have played and managed a heckuva lot more games than you and me combined.
NO MORE BOBBY
April 27th, 2010
2:45 pm
From the picture of Glaus with Wren / Cox on this blog – Wren looks really proud to be holding that Glaus jersey and Bobby already looks very confused.
Wayne in Utah
April 27th, 2010
2:45 pm
Prado is slipping…..time for Conrad to get a game in!
chris
April 27th, 2010
2:46 pm
i think some (including me) have been waiting for 2011 to arrive for the last couple of years. with heyward, hanson, and freeman up, with schafer (hopefully healthy) and mccann with kimbrel in the back end of the bullpen. teheran projected to be around AAA by then, i believe alot of braves fans have been spotting next year for awhile. the 2006 and 2007 draft was built into next year’s team i believe. braves have a “core” that is coming up, unfortunately, mclouth, glaus, and melky are still here for another year. but i highly doubt they will be here in 2011
Brian from SC
April 27th, 2010
2:46 pm
I know I’ve tended to harp on this, but I have yet to see someone show any sign of encouragement, and I’m gonna keep telling it til someone says it makes them feel better. Cause that’s what I’m here for.
The Braves’ first 7 opponents this year are literally the top seven teams in the NL. They are also the top seven teams in the NL in ERA, with a collective 3.58 ERA. (Actually, the Braves are 7th, but the Phillies are 8th.) Against the Braves, their ERA is actually slightly higher (3.60). The Braves have faced really good pitching! That is a fact. They still need to hit better, but look at what’s coming!
In May, the Braves literally play only the teams with the 9 worst ERAs in the NL…none of the top 7. The collective ERAs of May opponents is 5.22.
In April so far, the Braves have played zero games against teams with a losing record. In May, they’ll have 15 such games, and that doesn’t include the games against the Nationals who are at .500 (for now).
Now can somebody please say that is encouraging to them?
Jesse Stone
April 27th, 2010
2:47 pm
Someone in an earlier blog was asking if we could have the players back that we traded for McLouth. Look them up and then get back to me. On a side note, Marlins slugging prospect Mike Stanton had impressive back-to-back games earlier this week. 2 games 7/8, 5HR, 11 RBI’s. That’s a good month for most.
Jesse Stone
April 27th, 2010
2:48 pm
Oh yeah, Stanton is also the league leader in walks. He was the Marlins second pick in ‘07.
Ted William's Head
April 27th, 2010
2:49 pm
“imagine what we would have if we kept those guys for tex.
Lessee…one pitcher with a five-and-half ERA; a .250/.300/.380 catcher; a .260/.330/.370 (!) SS; and everybody’s darling, Feliz, and his 2010 ERA+ of 96.
Yes, we traded away the pennant.
Didn’t trade away a pennant, but traded away a lot of warm bodies that other teams coveted and quite frankly may have brought a better “overall” return than the Tex rental. IMHO.
Ted M
April 27th, 2010
2:49 pm
Maybe will even get to see Schafer turn into a star. But playoffs, PLAYOFFS
Nova Scotia Steve
April 27th, 2010
2:49 pm
I’m not giving up on this year – I mean it is April.
But I’ll tell you one thing – this skid has exposed the creator that is our current cheaply constructed scrap heaped of an somewhat aging line-up – mainly directed at C. Jones and Glaus on the aging part.
Kind of makes you wonder if we could have spent some more money to get a guy who was a free agent until extremely late in the off-season that currently plays for the Tigers and will remain without a name for obvious reasons.
.319 BA
12 BB
8 RBI’s
.440 OBP
Ted M
April 27th, 2010
2:51 pm
The Braves really struggle against the Nationals. Facing them is no help.
Brian from SC
April 27th, 2010
2:51 pm
Do the people that are talking about Johnny Damon realize he signed for 8 million dollars? The Braves didn’t have 8 million dollars in their budget. Yeah, while we’re at it we should have gotten Matt Holliday and John Lackey, too!
John Adcox
April 27th, 2010
2:52 pm
For those who missed it, here is an absolutely fascinating and fact/data rich overview of TP’s actual impact as a hitting coach. Give it a read. It might surprise you. http://tinyurl.com/287fxvy
Jesse Stone
April 27th, 2010
2:52 pm
We were never going to sign Damon. That was just a show on the part of Frank Wren.
Wren Ten Ten
April 27th, 2010
2:52 pm
“Chipper has earned the right to play hurt”
Weird. I thought we payed him in money.
FEAR
April 27th, 2010
2:52 pm
I wonder if Hank Aaron could give a rousing speech to these guys?
monty
April 27th, 2010
2:53 pm
Have to go with N8 on the Chipper vs. Infante question. CHipper has nothing right now. THat weak grounder to SS last night was the wierdest swing/batted ball I’ve ever seen him hit. Really weak. Infante is similar to Prado in he won’t hit it far but he does hit line drives for singles and doubles. Everytime Chipper takes a big hack at a ball and misses I fully expect him to have a major muscle pull or tear. And I don’t want to see that.
ncscoots
April 27th, 2010
2:53 pm
quite frankly may have brought a better “overall” return than the Tex rental. IMHO.
Now, that, I might could get behind. It’s the “Braves traded soooo many good prospects that could have blah, blah, blah” that usually gets on my last nerve, LOL.
MJ
April 27th, 2010
2:53 pm
It’s April and the bats are cold. That will change – it has to. Chipper, the face of the franchise, is dinged up a little. He’ll come back healthy and have a great 2nd half. All you Chipper bashers get a life. He’s struggling, but he’ll know when to walk away, and it will be on a high note and not when he is being less productive than ever before. If you don’t believe that then you know nothing about competitive people. The pitching is good and the bull pen above average. That’s it for the good news.
The bad news – the Braves have no speed, no power, and their best hitters are well below their normal averages. Heyward is starting to struggle. There is no coaching help to reverse the trend. I don’t want to hear that Pendleton is not at fault. He’s the batting coach, and he owns the problem. His methods are not working. Geez, Tiger changed swing coaches several years ago when he felt Leadbetters methods we not working for him. It’s what professionals do when they get in trouble – they find a coach that will teach them what to do to resolve their issues. Pendleton cannot get it done. KJ is ripping the ball in Arizona, Frenchy is doing well for the Mets, Andruw has been given one more chance by Ozzie and is responding. Get a grip Braves – you cannot score runs because you lack speed and power. Find the speed in your farm system, and coach and correct your hitting issues. Find Adam LaRoche and put his butt back on first base – GIVE Glaus away to anyone who will take him. Whatever you do, don’t trade away four future starters to get a player who will last only 1 1/2 years because the you don’t have the marbles to sign him to a long term contract. This season is playing like a broken record – no speed, no power, no runs, and bad trades. The guys on the team deserve a chance to win, and the fans sure do. Right now, the Braves mgt is sending out signals loud and clear that they are going to do nothing. The poor guy trying to sell advertising time on their ballgames has to be getting ready to shoot himself. No one wants to watch the current product on the field. They have not been bulit to win for sure.
Delbert D.
April 27th, 2010
2:53 pm
How about making Chipper a player/coach? He can no longer hit without injuring part of his anatomy, but I think he would be better than TP as hitting coach. (What? better than toilet paper??!!) Also station him as 3rd base coach so he can keep Escobar awake and functioning. Sell the deal as something unique in this modern era, something that will add to Chipper’s legacy.
Or dump him and eat the cost.
Glen W
April 27th, 2010
2:53 pm
Brian, those nine teams will see their team ERA’s drop by a full run when they play the Braves. The teams that have played the Braves lead the league in ERA because they have played the Braves. If you and I pitched against the Braves underhanded we would at least be league average.
Just kidding dude, of course. I like your optimism… and I think I have been pretty consistently optimistic here. I just wanted to take a stab at what I think others are going to have to say about your posting.
RHR
April 27th, 2010
2:53 pm
Somebody sane answer me please…
How did Yunel look at leadoff? As bad as everyone else? Is the leadoff experiment over? Or will it be someone new today?
How bad (injury wise?) did Chipper look?
Did the 3 runs last night come off one hit or was it a complete bullpen meltdown? Or bad defense?
chris
April 27th, 2010
2:54 pm
morton has been getting killed, and gorkys is hitting .203 in AA, so the braves have still been winning that trade…
Stewart Smally
April 27th, 2010
2:54 pm
Wayne in Utah
April 27th, 2010
2:44 pm
Smally
Chipper and Bobby will decide when he should come out of the lineup. That is good enough for me.
They have played and managed a heckuva lot more games than you and me combined.
Gee Wayne, you’re absolutely right! John Paul Stevens is 90 plus years old and sitting on the Supreme Court right now. If tomorrow he wakes up crazy as a outhouse rat and proclaims he’s the king of the congo and wants to build a house made of vanilla wafers then we should all believe he is capable of serving on the court until he’s in the ground! After all, he’s ruled on more court cases than you and I have, Wayne!
Shaun
April 27th, 2010
2:55 pm
imagine what we would have if we kept those guys for tex.
Yes, let’s imagine. At the trade deadline in 2007 the Braves are within 5 games of the division lead and have as good a run differential as any team in the league except one (the Cubs). They have guys like Julio Franco, Scott Thorman, Craig Wilson and Saltalamacchia playing first the rest of the season because they didn’t want to give up some great, young talent to get an MVP-caliber player in his prime with another year remaining on his contract. Can you imagine the blog? We would still be hearing about that missed opportunity. Oh, wait. You say the Braves made the move for the MVP caliber player with another year on his contract while they had a legit shot at the playoffs? And people are still complaining? I guess you can’t please some fans.
Nova Scotia Steve
April 27th, 2010
2:55 pm
“Braves traded soooo many good prospects that could have blah, blah, blah”
Second or third time I’ve read blah blah blah on the blog today – are we turning to a newer version of yada yada yada’ing Braves baseball.
Jesse Stone
April 27th, 2010
2:56 pm
Gorkys is barely hitting over .200 with approximately 15Ks and 5 walks and has only stolen 4 bases. Charlie Morton is now pitching BP. Jeff Locke has an ERA of under 3, but he’s in A ball.
Nova Scotia Steve
April 27th, 2010
2:56 pm
I think Chipper needs to be DL’d by the looks of things.
FEAR
April 27th, 2010
2:56 pm
Stewart Smally – that was pretty funny
Brian from SC
April 27th, 2010
2:56 pm
Glen W, that’s why I pointed out that the Braves opponents so far actually have a higher ERA against the Braves (3.60) than against the rest of the league (3.58).
monty
April 27th, 2010
2:56 pm
Brian from SC
Man you are going to seem like a genuise in May if the BRaves perform better than they are right now. But then again there’s no place to go but up right?
Ted William's Frozen Head
April 27th, 2010
2:58 pm
Just thought I would expand my horizons a bit
ncscoots
April 27th, 2010
2:58 pm
Second or third time I’ve read blah blah blah on the blog today
Just the cycle of the moon, man. We’ll go back to the yada-yada-yada when it’s full.
faninva
April 27th, 2010
2:58 pm
where IS Scott Thorman now? didn’t do much for the braves, but boy, he sure does kick butt for me in MLB The Show!
N8
April 27th, 2010
2:59 pm
MikeInFL
I’m just going to post this and then going to let it go. Because I agree with you, at the plate Chipper was always a better “hitter” than Murphy was. But I stand by the defense and base running on Murphy’s behalf.
Anyhow, here are the cleanup hitters that Chipper has enjoyed having behind him “protecting” him. And we all know how teams have pitched around him when he hasn’t had said protection.
1995 – Fred McGriff
1996 – Fred McGriff
1997 – Fred McGriff
1998 – Big Cat
1999 – Brian Jordan
2000 – Big Cat
2001 – Brian Jordan
2002 – Gary Sheffield
2003 – Chipper was the cleanup hitter
2004 – Andruw
2005 – Andruw
2006 – Andruw
2007 – Andruw & Tex
2008 – Tex
2009 – McCann
How about Murphy? The first few years of his career, he was the 5th or 6th hole batter in the lineup. He became the cleanup hitter in 1983 following his MVP year of 82… here are his “protectors” from then there on….
1983 – Bob Horner
1984 – Chris Chambliss
1985 – Bob Horner
1986 – Bob Horner
1987 – Ken Griffey Sr.
1988 – multiple guys batted behind murphy with little results
1989 – Ron Gant
1990 – Jim Presley
I wont even mention who was protecting Murphy when he was lower in the order in the late 70’s and before the 1982 MVP season. Because it’s safe to say the sucked.
Sorry, but everybody preaches how Chipper “needed” Tex to protect him and that we haven’t had a good cleanup hitter since Tex left and Andruw was rolling. Maybe so. But Chipper has ALWAYS had a damn good hitter behind him.
Murhphy had 3 years of an old hacker named Bob Horner (who other than his hot streaks of HR, was usually an easy out), and other than that, he had ZERO protection. Murphy WAS the protection for guys like Claudell Washington and Gerald Perry.
Sorry folks. Not even close to the same caliber of lineup that Chipper has been surrounded with. Doesn’t take away from his greatness. But Murphy had no help…. EVER. Yet managed to be one of the games best players while playing for one of the worst teams for 90 percent of his career.
Brian from SC
April 27th, 2010
3:00 pm
Not a genius, monty…but someone who can look at the reality of the numbers and see that the Braves will get their first shot at some bad pitching staffs in May. Doesn’t take a genius to interpret those numbers…it just took a little bit of math work to compile them.
monty
April 27th, 2010
3:00 pm
RHR
Yunel in his first AB hit a rocket to the wall that Ludwig caught as he gently collided with the wall in RCF I believe it was.
monty
April 27th, 2010
3:03 pm
N8 on a roll.
Bat Masterson
April 27th, 2010
3:03 pm
The odds for and against are always relevant, I’m afraid. Believing you can force a favorable outcome that flies in the face of what happens most of the time is what keeps bookies in yachts and managers in the broadcast booth. – ncscoots
I’m copying that here because it amuses the hell outa me. That, and I want easy access when I steal it, and claim it as my own.
chip carey's eyebrows
April 27th, 2010
3:03 pm
3 games out in April and the season is over? I mean this team has frustrated me to no end the past week, but it’s early. A LOT of things need to be fixed, and quickly, but saying wait until 2011 is just depressing and premature in my book.
j
April 27th, 2010
3:03 pm
A gonz would be nice but I really think that we are more than 1 player away from being good. Still too many other holes to give up our farm system for this guy. Sad but true.
RemoW
April 27th, 2010
3:04 pm
Braves traded Gorkys Hernandez, Charlie Morton, and Jeff Locke to the Pirates for McLouth.
Morton is off to a terrible start 0-4 with a 16+ era.
Gorkys Hernandez has never played in the bigs and is hitting .203 in 69 AB for AA Altoona.
Jeff Locke is doing alright in high a ball. 4 starts 2-1 with a 2.89 era.
So I feel confident that the Braves did not trade the farm for McLouth. But, if they traded for Andrew McCutchen(sp?) that would have been a coup. He is a better defender and is currently hitting .286 which is identical to his BA from last season.
RC
April 27th, 2010
3:04 pm
Fun with numbers:
Here are the projected MORP (Baseball Prospectus stat) values for 4 players in 2010 and through 2015, two from the Phillies and two from the Braves. This stat tries to approximate the dollar value that a player is worth over a replacement level player:
Player A – $16.6 million in 2010, $74.2 million through 2015
Player B – $32.5 million in 2010, $152.9 million through 2015
Player C – $19.5 million in 2010, $146.9 million through 2015
Player D – $29.8 million in 2010, $157.5 million through 2015
Now the identities of those 4 players:
Player A = Ryan Howard
Player B = Chase Utley
Player C = Jason Heywar
Player D = Yunel Escobar
Have fun with that new contract Phillies
Daslied
April 27th, 2010
3:04 pm
RHR -
1. Yunel, I believe, was 1-4 with a walk and was robbed of a leadoff XBH by Ludwick.
2. Chipper looked like Chipper. Gimpy but still elite.
3. Hudson gave up a homer. In relief Moylan gave up an RBI double to a pinch-hitter. Pujols did something. Molina somehow stole a base and later hit an RBI ground-rule double.
lee
April 27th, 2010
3:04 pm
am i watching the same games everyone else is watching? seems like i am reading so many comments in these blogs making excuses for “professional ” players that can not seem to comprehend simple fundamentals of the game, because noone in this organization makes them be accountable!! i just do not understand that!! to me, thats the major problem that needs to stop happening–everyone needs to STOP making excuses for these “players” and make them ACCOUNTABLE–i would be pulling everyone we have in the minors in people’s place before i would let these guys dog-it up out there–some of these guys feel like they are ENTITLED (chipper) !! whats the worse can happen we lose–o yea–we are already do that!!!
ijudgenot
April 27th, 2010
3:05 pm
“remember Chipper may retire at years end if he has a bad year. that would give us the money to go get Jason Werth or another impact bat.”
Chipper did say that if he could not do any better than he did last year he would hang it up, but I would not count on it given the extension Wren gave him. I really believe that he was serious when he made that statement though. Chipper like most aging stars knows how to hit and how to play defense and how to play in clutch situations. Its just that his body can not do automatically now what his mind knows what needs to be done like it used to. Maybe the deferred money he gave up to allow team to sign Sheffield and Tex can be paid post retirement. This would allow him to keep his promice.
McFann Ô
April 27th, 2010
3:06 pm
That for the new Blog, Chief! Good read…That speech-clip creepily fits…
Monday’s 4-3 recede-from-ahead (inverse of come-from-behind) Braves loss.
Daslied
April 27th, 2010
3:10 pm
Ran home at lunch and watched a little MLB Network. The Brewers are the most entertaining team in baseball. They’re 9-10 on the season. 5-10 against everyone but the Pirates. They’ve beaten Pitt in all 4 games by a combined score of something like 54-4.
My favorite part, though, was watching Greg Zaun not be able to throw the ball back to the pitcher:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HnlgqqiPA1M
I realize all of that may have been discussed last night, but I’d sooner stab myself in the eyes with a coat hanger than read the blog in-game lately.
Larry Jones
April 27th, 2010
3:10 pm
Chipper cannot field or hit the way he used to and he has one of the worst haircuts in the majors (looks like a poor man’s Moe from the 3 Stooges). So First place Philly has Ryan Howard, and last place Atlanta has Moe Howard.
ncscoots
April 27th, 2010
3:10 pm
Bat, public domain, my man, LOL. Thievery allowed, for purposes of future promulgation.
Greg in TN
April 27th, 2010
3:10 pm
Afternoon folks…
The SS Braves does seem to be listing to the port side of late. My take is that the offensive struggles have permeated to defense and baserunning during the series in NY, which is a trifecta no team can stand for very long with postseason aspirations. The lapses are bad folks, very troubling because that’s a sign that the offensive frustrations are taking focus off of other aspects of the game. Not good at all.
Baseball is big on momentum and confidence and both can change at any given time, on any given play and right now, the lads of Stone Mountain don’t have a lot of either on the cupboard. And it’s not exactly a great time in the schedule to be lacking both after finishing series with two division rivals and one game completed in the series with a pennant contender in Saint Louie.
Braves looked better defensively last night than they have since during the Phillies series. Some hits with RISP and cutting down on the errors and baserunning mistakes would do wonders right now.
Adrian Gonzalez is a moot point. The Braves’ future first sacker plays up the road in Gwinnett and not on the road tonight in south Florida against the Marlins. I don’t see bringing up Freeman as a viable option since he struggled initially at both Mississip’ and Gwinnett, and Glaus has looked better at the dish of late in piecing together a modest 3-game hit streak.
Glen W
April 27th, 2010
3:11 pm
The current roster is flawed. And sometimes you don’t know that until you get into the season. But the situation is not termina. We made a small, short-term investment in Glaus. Thus, we can move Freddie the minute the organization feels he ready.
Chipper has become a problem, overall. He’s costly and not reliable, physically. But it could be much worse… muc h much worse. Chipper has given hometown discounts, reworked his contract, etc. So lets not be too hard on him.
The roster is flawed. But overall the organization is in very, very good shape.
I keep saying it: delayed gratification.
Mike
April 27th, 2010
3:13 pm
Let me start by saying that I love Chipper and Bobby. I was excited to get Glav back and reunite him with Smoltz in 2008. I have been desperately trying to cling onto the Braves former glory and hope that it can be returned.
That being said…I think I am ready for change. I am not giving up on this season by any means…its early. But I just have a feeling that we are going to see the same ending as the last few years.
I may be completely wrong, but it seems to me that as Bobby got older, and so did our team, he began to rely more on the veterans to steer the ship as he oversaw it and encouraged them. But as this team brought in a new wave of youngin’s in 2005 (though we did win the division that year), the leadership disappeared as the veterans were replaced. Now with a team with lots of young talent there is very little experienced vocal veteran leadership to take these guys to the next level. Chipper has always seemed to be a quiet leader and has just gone out and played at a high level. But now even that is deteriorating. His defense is suspect, he has lost his power stroke, and he cant be depended on health wise.
Its time for some fire to be brought back to this team. We need these young guys and this city to be energized, and I just don’t see Bobby doing that. Did you see the electricity that was in that stadium on opening day to see Heyward? We can have that again with a whole new feel to this team. We need to give this team and these young guys a Braves team of their own that they can go out with and start a new streak with.
Like I said, I love Bobby and Chipper and cant stand to read some of the asinine stuff that’s posted on here about them. And I may be completely wrong in my opinion, but I don’t think I am.
Bobby deserves to go out on their own terms. And I hope that we can pull some of that remaining old Braves magic to take him out on a high. But I am ready for the change.
GO BRAVES!!!
monty
April 27th, 2010
3:14 pm
I think Chipper was reasonably healthy last year,have heard him say so,and that’s why it was depressing for him the way he performed,(no real injury boo-boos) to blame it on. I can’t see him stepping down this year do to injury issues, underperformance if healthy-yes. But not due to injuries. I do believe CJ wants desperatley to end his career with a .300 BA. Not sure if a bad year this year would jepordize that or not.
Guthro
April 27th, 2010
3:14 pm
Good productivity from Troy Glaus was a big if. Freddy Freeman becoming a productive major league first baseman also was and is a big if. The decision to bet on Glaus and Freeman for 2010-2011, rather than sign LaRoche and trade him a year or two later if Freeman gets good, looks like a HUGE mistake.
Giving up on Kelly Johnson after a wrist injury and a bad year also looks like a big mistake.
Trading for Gonzalez would be yet another mistake.
CB
April 27th, 2010
3:14 pm
I can’t wait to see the lineup and see Melkey Cabrera’s name in it.
CB
April 27th, 2010
3:15 pm
gayle
April 27th, 2010
3:15 pm
Brian SC – did it ever occur to you that the reason the 7 teams the Braves have played so far have the best ERA is BECAUSE they played the Braves! And what nonsense to blame the poor record on playing good teams. What do you think would happen in the Post Season?
Gonzalez is just another band aid in a very long line of band aids like Drew, Sheffield, Tex. It hasn’t worked for 8 years – it’s time to change the mindset of this team and this organization.
RHR
April 27th, 2010
3:15 pm
Daslied – thank you. Gonna try to listen on the radio tonight. Maybe I’ll bring them luck. I probably won’t be able to listen until late innings and with Lowe pitching it may be too late for even my luck to help them.
Ted M
April 27th, 2010
3:16 pm
That Zaun clip was funny. thanks
Lou Vales
April 27th, 2010
3:16 pm
I don’t think “speeches” really help in a sport played more with talent than emotion. If this was football, give the “speech”, but you can’t motivate a person to hit. Sorry, can’t be done.
Glaus, Cabrera(???????????)and a rapidly deteriorating Jones–What could that speech possibly say?
Hell, this franchise was probably jinxed by the Goddess of Stupidity soon after Texeira trade was consummated. Might be awhile before Braves are forgiven.
McFann Ô
April 27th, 2010
3:16 pm
Fischerking04I feel like we are a loss or two away from me buying a Celine Dion album to play while I lay in the fetal position in the corner and have a good cry.
How about The Partridge Family’s “It’s One Of Those Nights (Yes, Love)”:
…It’s one of those things for the pain it brings
You say to yourself ‘Hey couldn’t I live without it?’
Well, I think so, on the other hand, I doubt it
…
…And so it goes it’s a cold in your nose
It’s a pain in the neck, it’ll make you a wreck if it gets ya
It’s so insane ’cause for all the rain
When you ask yourself could you do it all again, you betcha
I hear a voice say you got no chance
And it makes me mad and I shout, ‘Oh yeah, who says so?’
Well, of course not, on the other hand, I guess so…
Brian from SC
April 27th, 2010
3:17 pm
Chipper would have to hit under .200 for a span of about 560 ABs to drop his average to .300. I don’t think it’s gonna happen.
Brian from SC
April 27th, 2010
3:18 pm
gayle, did you not read my post. I specifically said the teams have a worse ERA against the Braves (3.60) than they do against the rest of the league (3.58). So playing the Braves is actually raising their ERA (slightly).
RC
April 27th, 2010
3:18 pm
Gonzalez is just another band aid in a very long line of band aids like Drew, Sheffield, Tex. It hasn’t worked for 8 years – it’s time to change the mindset of this team and this organization.
Drew and Sheffield both had awesome years and got this team to the postseason (Sheffield twice). What exactly didn’t work there?
NoYouDint
April 27th, 2010
3:18 pm
Good to know it’s the fans fault that Troy Glaus stinks. Thanks DOB.
Glen W
April 27th, 2010
3:18 pm
So, let me throw out another possibility re: Chipper. And I actually think it is not too far-fetched.
What if the Braves and Chipper agreed that he needed to be a DH and looked to work with him to find a trade scenario that Chipper would feel good about? My guess is that the Rays would have some interest in him (Chipper is from the area) at the end of this season when they lose Crawford and Burrell’s $8M contract comes off the books.
The good news for Chipper is that he could play every day (he looks so immobile in the field right now, despite a few good plays last night). And playing every day would get him that much closer to those key milestones: 500 HR 3000 hits, etc. Not sure he could reach them, especially if he keeps missing time this year, but he could get a lot closer.
Then, he gets in the HOF. Some people say he is already in. Others say that the bar is raised for everyone who played in PED era. But I have to think that DH-ing for a couple of years could give him a much greater shot.
Thoughts?
Thrillhouse44
April 27th, 2010
3:19 pm
gayle, someone pointed out yesterday that the opponents’ ERAs have risen while playing the Braves. Good try, though. The effort was there…just not the facts.
Ted M
April 27th, 2010
3:19 pm
Baseball is big on momentum and confidence… except when your facing Chris Carpenter
heyward
April 27th, 2010
3:19 pm
Guthro: getting rid of kj a mistake? prado has a better average and is a better defensive player. .392 vs .302
Fischerking04
April 27th, 2010
3:20 pm
Guthro I don’t think anyone “gave up” on KJ. He was horrendous for us last year and has been one of the most inconsistant players we’ve had over the last few years. Nobody knew he would get off to a torrid start. But as Braves fans have seen over the years, as hot as he is now, he is likely to be exactly that cold at any point in the year for LONG stretches.
Thrillhouse44
April 27th, 2010
3:20 pm
someone pointed out yesterday that the opponents’ ERAs have risen while playing the Braves
And that someone was Brian from SC – good job, B.
monty
April 27th, 2010
3:20 pm
Brian
I take your word for that, good to know.
NoYouDint
April 27th, 2010
3:21 pm
The fans started booing Glaus after he stunk, DOB. Not before. No more excuses please he can’t field and a two single performance is not proof he doesn’t stink. He stinks and I don’t like him. Did I mention he stinks?
Fischerking04
April 27th, 2010
3:22 pm
McFann- Yes! Someone else understands!!!!
chris
April 27th, 2010
3:22 pm
guthro- i dont think freeman becoming a productive major leaguer is a big if. the guy will hit for a high average, even when he doesnt hit for power. and he’s real good defensively, including a very strong arm which is a rare for the 1st base position. his wrist seems to have finally gotten strong, and if you see him in batting practice, he hits almost as hard as heyward
heyward
April 27th, 2010
3:22 pm
Fischerking04: exactly kj will cool off soon he is one of the most inconsistent players in the majors
Brian from SC
April 27th, 2010
3:23 pm
Yeah, monty a little bit of algebra. Chipper has 2419 hits in 7876 ABs in his career. I assumed he hit .200 and looked for how many ABs he need to make his average .300. Where x is the required # of ABs:
(2419 + .2x) / (7876 + x) = .3
x = 562
Ted M
April 27th, 2010
3:23 pm
They won’t trade Chipper for a lot of reasons. the Braves would have to pay more than half his salary for TB to take him
Lou Vales
April 27th, 2010
3:23 pm
In 45 years you have had the opportunity to see the “IMPORTANT” trophy hoisted one!!! time. Don’t ever let people accuse you of being impatient.
Of course IF you follow the Hawks, Falcons and/or Flames/Thrashers, you have NEVER seen the Big One HOISTED!!
Daslied
April 27th, 2010
3:24 pm
RHR – NP. LOLZ! PWNED!
JC, I need sleep.
Ted M
April 27th, 2010
3:24 pm
Whose our third baseman of the future anyway? What was the name of that Kid free agent we signed this year.
Glen W
April 27th, 2010
3:24 pm
Thanks for the deep insight, Ted M.
Nova Scotia Steve
April 27th, 2010
3:25 pm
Have a laugh – please on me
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hp_Ju_vbPro&feature=related
Thrillhouse44
April 27th, 2010
3:26 pm
Lou Vales types like Stephen A. Smith speaks.
Mr. Enigma
April 27th, 2010
3:27 pm
I had no idea Glaus’ splits were that drastic. He’s hitting nearly .300 on the road and he’s had basically the same amount of plate appearances on the road (35) that he has at The Ted (34).
DOB didn’t touch on this, but he’s also striking out a lot less on the road. He only has 5 strikeouts on the road, compared to 12 at home.
Maybe the boos really do get to him and he’s putting to much pressure on himself at home, whereas he can just relax and play in away games?
BobbyCoxEEoorrr
April 27th, 2010
3:28 pm
Bobby Cox couldn’t motivate a mexican jumping bean on crack.
RHR
April 27th, 2010
3:28 pm
Did you just throw a BF on me, Das?
McFann Ô
April 27th, 2010
3:30 pm
Fischerking04–
Hey, I wasn’t saying listening to The Partridge Family was a desperate measure or anything.
I had just listened to that song and thought those two verses would fit here…your comment just gave me the perfect excuse to post them. 
But, if your saying I understand that concept of listening to songs that fit my mood towards the Braves–you’re right. That I totally understand!
Which reminds me, I haven’t gotten to listen to “Gone” in over a week…
RHR
April 27th, 2010
3:30 pm
Awesome! An appearance from pee guy! You know things are in the toilet when pee guy shows up.
Coach
April 27th, 2010
3:31 pm
Release Troy Glaus, bring up Freddie Freeman.
Better defense and couldn’t be worse offense.
Hugo Z Hackenbush
April 27th, 2010
3:31 pm
To address some earlier posts, don’t imagaine for a moment that it’s a sure thing that Chipper will walk away at the appropriate moment. There have been many many players who hung on a year too long(or longer) because it was just too hard to leave voluntarily. I suppose the Braves could try trading him to an AL team where he could dh, or offer him a buyout…either way it’s going to cost something. because I can’t see another team giving him the full $28 mil.
McFann Ô
April 27th, 2010
3:32 pm
OK, make that 2 weeks…
Coach
April 27th, 2010
3:32 pm
Play Infante in left.
Equal or better defense better offense.
Soph
April 27th, 2010
3:32 pm
TPG – it’s been a while. Where ya been?
CB
April 27th, 2010
3:33 pm
RHR,don’t pick on old people about a sensitive subject.
Mr. Enigma
April 27th, 2010
3:33 pm
At this point in his career, Chipper’s not going to play for anyone except Atlanta. Being a DH would not benefit him or keep him away from injury. He seems to always get hurt when he’s swinging the bat.
If the Braves told Chipper they wanted to trade him, he’d probably just retire.
Coach
April 27th, 2010
3:33 pm
Continue with Yunel leading off.
Has to be better than what we have been doing.
Bravedawg
April 27th, 2010
3:34 pm
So let me get this straight… we should cheer Glaus for sucking! Got it! Will do! thanks DOB, I’m sure that will turn the braves around. Got to be the fans fault for him sucking. I didn’t know this was little league girls softball. Can we give him a participation trophy at the end of each game too, especially when he flies out into the infield with the bases loaded for the 12th straight time. I think it is in his contract that he gets a bonus every time he pops out with the bases loaded. Great hire, In staying with our GM’s theme of acquiring players, I think next year we should trade Yunel and get Omar Vizquel or if we are lucky Ozzie Smith or Cal Ripken to play for us, really anyone past their prime because that is all the braves can afford. I hear Jeff Blauser is making a comeback. Go Glaus!! Hang in there slugger! We’ll try and be a little nicer to you next time you strike out! By the way has Mizuno mailed Chipper’s walker to him yet or is that still under production. Just curious.
bruce mac
April 27th, 2010
3:34 pm
A speech from Uncle Fesiss, now that is funny. Braves suck.
richtfan
April 27th, 2010
3:34 pm
i agree with you Dave about Bobby. The thing is–he’s not going to do that. It might hurt the feelings of the veterans who aren’t doing their job very well like Chipper, Glaus and others.
Bobby is a player’s manager, but he’s no Tony Robbins. He’s too interested in appeasing and not interested enough in managing these guys.
Wayne in Utah
April 27th, 2010
3:34 pm
Smalley
And your point??? Make a comparison that is relevant.
Lefty
April 27th, 2010
3:35 pm
What’s up with all these idiots obsessing over Chipper? He is not the problem right now just because he isn’t the same hitter he was 10 years ago. Do you really want to put “Stone Hands” Infante at 2B in hopes of “improving” the defense. Yeah, right? There is a reason Omar doesn’t play everyday, whether you see it or not.
How about a focusing on the real problem(s) with this team? Mclouth, Glaus, Diaz, and Melky for starters. Don’t look now but our “biggest asset” (the rotation) has two guys with an ERA over 5.00 and another over 4.00. Our prize starter Hanson has walked 11 batters in 20 innings, and our pitchers have 2 (TWO) hits in 19 games. Oh yeah, one other thing that comes to mind is that our future Hall of Fame right fielder is playing like a rookie and he’s only hitting .234. That’s no reason to sit him, but when nobody else is producing, his learning curve doesn’t make it any easier.
By the way, last I checked Chipper and McCann had the same batting average. Why isn’t anyone crying for McCann to hit the pines (Have you seen him throw lately ?)
Soph
April 27th, 2010
3:35 pm
Wayne – Jazz are looking good in the playoffs! I’m sure you’re loving it.
braves70
April 27th, 2010
3:36 pm
Most inspirational speech Bobby Cox could give to Braves fans:
I would like to announce that I am taking early retirement. Frank Wren is stepping down as GM to work in a junkyard. Troy Glaus, Melky Cabrera, Nate McLouth, and Derek Lowe have accepted jobs to work under our old buddy Chuck James on aisle 5 at the local Home Depot.
Mr. Enigma
April 27th, 2010
3:36 pm
To be fair, it’s not like Glaus is whining about the boos. Someone asked him about it and he said, “I agree with them. They paid their money and are free to express their opinion. I would boo some of the stuff I’m doing too. I just hope they understand I hate hitting into double plays with the bases loaded as much as they hate watching it.”
Daslied
April 27th, 2010
3:37 pm
Did you just throw a BF on me, Das?
I’m in my mid-thirties. I don’t really know what that was…
Brian from SC
April 27th, 2010
3:37 pm
The bottom line on booing is that if you want the team to perform well and win, you shouldn’t boo them. It might not have any negative effects, but it surely doesn’t have any positive effects. The reason people boo their own team is to make themselves feel better by trying to belittle someone else. That’s fine if you’d rather do that than see your team win.
Coach
April 27th, 2010
3:38 pm
1.Yunel ss 2.Prado 2b 3. Heyward rf 4. Chipper 3b 5.McCann c
6. Infante lf 7. Freeman 1b 8. McClouth cf 9. Pitcher
Wayne in Utah
April 27th, 2010
3:39 pm
Soph
You betcha! I love how they are getting into the head of Carmelo! And missing 2 of our starters to boot!
braves70
April 27th, 2010
3:39 pm
Forgot to add to Cox’s inspirational speech:
Chipper Jones has accepted an offer to become my adopted son. He will be retiring with me to the farm, (on alternate weeks his hunting ranch), where we will sit and dream about the good old days.
Hugo Z Hackenbush
April 27th, 2010
3:40 pm
Mr. Enigma, you may be right. But the Mets took a chance on Willie Mays, and the Rays took a chance on Wade Boggs. Stranger things have happened. But the likelihood is far greater that the Braves will suggest he retire, if he can’t turn things around. But if he’s healthy and productive the last couple of months of the season, I bet he talks himself into continuing.
Wayne in Utah
April 27th, 2010
3:42 pm
Coach
I would love to see Freeman get a callup, but I think it might be a tad bit early right now. And Heyward in the 4 might be expecting a bit too much at this point in the season.
Glaus will get another 2-4 weeks to put it all together. He has been hitting the ball better lately. His defense is definitely substandard though.
Space Monkey
April 27th, 2010
3:43 pm
We don’t need a slugger. We need speed. Speed never goes in a slump.
TJ
April 27th, 2010
3:44 pm
Coach, love that lineup!
Wayne in Utah
April 27th, 2010
3:44 pm
Chipper isn’t going anywhere. I would be shocked if he retires before the contract is up.
blueridge
April 27th, 2010
3:45 pm
I would like to see a Mclouth/ Escobar for Sizemore trade. Send Melky packing along with Glaus. I’m tired of watching/ rooting for all of these guys.
Nova Scotia Steve
April 27th, 2010
3:47 pm
I feel a Glaus injury coming on soon – so i think our concerns will be put to rest when that happens.
Unless Barbaro is called up to play regularly….I don’t know if ATL wants Hinske in a regular role…I mean i’d like to see it but when’s the last time he started ‘07 or ‘08?
Angus
April 27th, 2010
3:47 pm
Yes, booing is never helpful to our team. But, booing isn’t inherently wrong. These are pros and we pay $$$ to see them perform. If the performance sucks, we don’t get our $$$ back.
What is unfair is that only Glaus is getting the boos. Fair or not, he is the focal point of the off-season and is taking the brunt of the angst. Maybe they should trot out Frank Wren a couple of times a game and we can boo him.
Hugo Z Hackenbush
April 27th, 2010
3:48 pm
Oh, he’ll retire if a) he finds himself on the bench for long periods because somebody else is playing better and b) they pay him something to go away.
nelson
April 27th, 2010
3:48 pm
ony 2 words
braves patetic, trade escobar,melky and SP for adrian gonzales
TK
April 27th, 2010
3:49 pm
Everyone is focused on trading for Gonzalez. What about a trade for Carl Crawford and then locking him up to a long-term deal? He would solve quite a bit of problems for the Braves – defense, speed, leadoff hitter. Plus he would be cheaper (whether in terms of prospects traded or salary) than Gonzo.
Fischerking04
April 27th, 2010
3:49 pm
blueridge I’m guessing you’re talking about Grady Sizemore. If so he is hitting .203 with zero homers.
CB
April 27th, 2010
3:50 pm
nelson,could I have two of whatever you are taking?
Glen W
April 27th, 2010
3:52 pm
“But the likelihood is far greater that the Braves will suggest he retire, if he can’t turn things around.” -Hugo
“Umm, Chipper? yeah, Frank Wren here. I’d like to suggest an idea. Yeah, ok, here’s the idea. I’d like to suggest that we not have to pay you $13M dollars this year and next. What do you think?”
Wayne in Utah
April 27th, 2010
3:52 pm
blueridge
Who would you play at SS if that deal happened? Infante doesn’t have the range to play there regularly.
Nova Scotia Steve
April 27th, 2010
3:52 pm
CB – Don’t worry he’s just a little delirious – Can you really blame him???
Bat Masterson
April 27th, 2010
3:53 pm
Stewart Smally
April 27th, 2010
2:54 pm
Not that it was much of an analogy anyway, but the fact John Paul Stevens has decided to retire really mucks it up.
Wayne in Utah
April 27th, 2010
3:54 pm
NS Steve
Not until Freeman is ready.
Soph
Love how Durrant is kicking some Laker azz too!!!
Ted M
April 27th, 2010
3:54 pm
What about a trade for Carl Crawford…That could actually happen. TB can’t afford him and will trade him to somebody this season. Rather then lose him for nothing next year.
But they are going to keep for as long as possible. Won’t it be to late for the Braves at that point?
CB
April 27th, 2010
3:55 pm
Glen W, you left out Chipper’s reply- Uh,Frank, I thought you were calling about an extension.
Jesse Stone
April 27th, 2010
3:55 pm
The Marlins must be winning again. Lou Vales has been posting. He disappeared last May. I do agree with Lou on one point. Rah-rah speeches aren’t going to help you hit. Baseball is a game of concentration and accuracy, not brutality. Maybe hypnosis is needed??????????
Daslied
April 27th, 2010
3:55 pm
Nelson – why yes, the Braves are (pari)patetic. What with all of the road games…
Jesse Stone
April 27th, 2010
3:56 pm
The Rays are one of the best teams in baseball. Why would they trade Crawford? Is Pete Babcock their GM?
Ted M
April 27th, 2010
3:56 pm
tonight’s Thunder game is going to really exciting.
Nova Scotia Steve
April 27th, 2010
3:56 pm
ummm isn’t Tampa Bay – you know – kind of good????
Ted M
April 27th, 2010
3:57 pm
they are good but the will trade him this even though they are contending.
monty
April 27th, 2010
3:58 pm
We need to catch lightening in a bottle, we need a Crime Dog type deal, or even a Adam LaRoche type deal before we get to far out of this thing. Someone with some spark, Heyward can’t be relied upon to do it all.
Jesse Stone
April 27th, 2010
3:58 pm
He is a key to their team. Would be stupid.
RHR
April 27th, 2010
3:59 pm
Everyone is focused on trading for Gonzalez. What about a trade for Carl Crawford and then locking him up to a long-term deal?
Newsflash ….. oh hell. Nevermind.
Daslied
April 27th, 2010
3:59 pm
Maybe we can just trade for Tampa’s collective grittiness and spark.
Coach
April 27th, 2010
4:00 pm
Wayne in Utah
I had Heyward batting 3rd.
TK
April 27th, 2010
4:00 pm
Ted M – I agree that if the Rays traded him at or very near to the deadline, the Braves might be too far back at that point to make a run this year. But if we can sign him to a long-term contract (4-5 years), then we could go into next season and the seasons after that with a pretty good outfield, regardless of who patrols CF for us. Just something to think about.
Ted M
April 27th, 2010
4:00 pm
Tampa will trade Crawford and get ton for him and still be a very good team that goes to the playoffs
Bat Masterson
April 27th, 2010
4:00 pm
Man, just when it could not get any crazier….. the pee guy shows up.
lefty fielder
April 27th, 2010
4:01 pm
DOB
“recede-from-ahead”
doesn’t that have something to do with a hair transplant?
. . .and i swear that roosevelt picture looked like it was rocking to me.
Ted M
April 27th, 2010
4:01 pm
TK – indeed. Crawford, Heyward and Schafer would be one exciting outfield. I would love to see it.
Wayne in Utah
April 27th, 2010
4:01 pm
How about Ryan Freel! Speed never slumps!
Daslied
April 27th, 2010
4:02 pm
Wren: Hey Andrew, got an offer for you.
Friedman: Okay, shoot.
Wren: I’ll send you our team ennui for your team fire. To even it out, I’ll throw in a little of our grizzled-ness.
Friedman: I love grizzled-ness! Sold!
TJ
April 27th, 2010
4:02 pm
rays are not going to trade Crawford. they are the best team in baseball right now. both on paper and in the standings.
Jesse Stone
April 27th, 2010
4:02 pm
If Tampa has the kind of record they do now, and trade Crawford for prospects, that will tak some air out of a rising franchise. They have to play for NOW, because next year Crawford and Pena will be gone
Soph
April 27th, 2010
4:03 pm
Wayne – me too! I haven’t been able to stay awake and catch most of the games but I love how excited and into it the OKC fans are. Oh and I really like Durant too – they say he may be the best player in the league within a few years.
Soph
April 27th, 2010
4:04 pm
Man, just when it could not get any crazier….. the pee guy shows up.
TPG is here!
Wayne in Utah
April 27th, 2010
4:04 pm
Coach
Yes, eventually, that is probably where he will end up. But, it might be a tad bit early for him. Dude has now gone through 2 hot streaks and 2 cold streaks. Let’s give him a bit of time to get his feet wet before throwing him into that sort of leadership role.
Ted M
April 27th, 2010
4:05 pm
RHM – I know what your thinking. But really think the Braves are going to be able to unload Lowe as TD approaches.
buttermaker
April 27th, 2010
4:05 pm
Here’s an idea. Why don’t we have a little patience & give the offense some time to come around before we retire Chipper and run Glaus out of town.
Lets not proclaim Kelly Johnson the next Rogers Hornsby yet either.
Marc in FL
April 27th, 2010
4:05 pm
Not that I’m advocating for an Adrian trade, but Andrus is really the only prospect in the Tex deal that’s teasing us right now. The other five have all been streaky, injured, or still haven’t got enough time to prove their worth yet.
Just saying, at this point, it’s basically like we just traded Andrus for Tex, which isn’t that bad considering we’ve had Esco manning SS.
Ted M
April 27th, 2010
4:05 pm
oops RHR
Gilligan
April 27th, 2010
4:05 pm
You’re probably just smelling yourself, NoYouDint . . .
TK
April 27th, 2010
4:05 pm
TJ – there is a very good chance the Rays will trade Crawford at the deadline. Don’t forget, they are still a small market team and don’t want to have to pay Crawford big bucks in the off season. They also don’t want to lose him and get nothing in return. Plus, with Desmond Jennings waiting in the wings to take Crawford’s place, TB is certainly interested in unloading him. Seems like a good fit here in LF for us.
Bobby Hill
April 27th, 2010
4:06 pm
I think the Braves are in a really tough position here. They obviously don’t have enough offense to really contend at this point, and they don’t really have the financial flexibility to add a big bat. Until Chipper and Lowe’s contracts are off the books this team is stuck in limbo. The payroll is high enough that they’re expected to be competitive but they don’t have to means to acquire the necessary pieces.
The team has a good young nucleus right now, but as guys like Escobar, Prado, and Jurrjens hit arbitration the Braves aren’t going to be able to keep the team intact. If payroll stays the same, money will only get incrementally tighter each year until Chipper and Lowe are gone.
If the Braves just sit tight and wait for next year, there’s really no reason to think the that the team will be any better in 2011 or 2012 without a major offensive acquisition or two. Schaffer and Freeman will probably be marginally better than Glaus and Melky, but Chipper, Lowe, Kawakami, and Hudson will all be older. The Braves don’t have any big contracts coming off the books this winter, so a major offensive acquisition seems unlikely.
Assuming no one is dumb enough to take Lowe off Wren’s hands, the only solution would be to trade a few of the blue chip pitching prospects for some young offensive players who can contribute now. But teams just don’t trade away young productive players. Adding somebody like Andre Ethier to the outfield would be awesome, but Wren just isn’t capable of pulling off a trade of that magnitude.
I want to see the Braves win as badly as anyone, but I see a lot of mediocre baseball in their future.
Wayne in Utah
April 27th, 2010
4:06 pm
Soph
I would say Durant (is it 1 r?) is probably right there behind LeBron right now.
I love it when the Lakers get rattled. Never cared much for Phil and his zen bs, or Kobe the rapist.
Marc in FL
April 27th, 2010
4:06 pm
The O’s are off to a miserable start. Much worse than ours. If they don’t improve soon I can see some of their guys being up for grabs in a trade. I wonder who though and at what cost?
Ted M
April 27th, 2010
4:08 pm
Neftali Feliz is Texas’s closer and they really like. alot of people think he is best player in the trade.
ugaaccountant
April 27th, 2010
4:09 pm
TK
April 27th, 2010
4:00 pm
Ted M – I agree that if the Rays traded him at or very near to the deadline, the Braves might be too far back at that point to make a run this year. But if we can sign him to a long-term contract (4-5 years), then we could go into next season and the seasons after that with a pretty good outfield, regardless of who patrols CF for us. Just something to think about.
We can’t afford to give anybody a new big money long term deal without something else happening. Something good could happen like a new owner or Lowe playing good enough to be traded. Or Something bad like giving up hope of extending the contracts of Yunel, Jair, etc.
Daslied
April 27th, 2010
4:09 pm
Who wins:
Team A
Eckstein
Conrad
Counsell
Freel
Punto
Zobrist
Pedroia
DeRosa
Team B
Pujols
Rodriguez
Utley
Hanley
Holliday
Werth
Upton
Mauer
Oh, yeah. I’ll take my all-2B team every time.
Bat Masterson
April 27th, 2010
4:09 pm
Page 2 Soph, charming as ever.
Wayne in Utah
April 27th, 2010
4:09 pm
Bobby Hill
We are going to have to dance with the one we brung for now.
Ted M
April 27th, 2010
4:11 pm
I am pretty sure I read somewhere that Tampa’s GM was floating ideas of trading Crawford.
Marc in FL
April 27th, 2010
4:12 pm
Fransisco and Feliz are sharing the closing role until one of them blossoms… So far niether has really stood out, Feliz has a 4.66 ERA I believe.
NoYouDint
April 27th, 2010
4:12 pm
I like booing. It sounds like everyone is saying poo
Salamander
April 27th, 2010
4:12 pm
TJ – there is a very good chance the Rays will trade Crawford at the deadline. Don’t forget, they are still a small market team and don’t want to have to pay Crawford big bucks in the off season. They also don’t want to lose him and get nothing in return.
Doesn’t make sense to trade one of you best players when you’re a contending club (assuming the Rays are still in the thick of it come late June). Besides, I’d wager that Crawford will afford the Rays draft pick(s) at the end of the season if/when he walks via FA.
What kind of message does it send to your fan base when you ship off one of your most talented everyday players for prospects when you’re still contending (once again, assuming the Rays are indeed contending in late June)?
TJ
April 27th, 2010
4:13 pm
TK, I agree that Crawford would be great in left for us. I just dont see TB trading him this year when they have a real chance at winning it all. If they do they would ask for a lot in return. A LOT
Bobby Hill
April 27th, 2010
4:14 pm
Wayne-
Exactly. Wren made the mistake of signing Lowe and now he’s stuck with it. That contract could singlehandedly prevent the team from winning a pennant.
Bat Masterson
April 27th, 2010
4:14 pm
I see now others beat to the welcoming of the pee guy , drats.
Bo
April 27th, 2010
4:14 pm
Let’s see here…..hmmm…..no gameday giveaways…’cept schedule magnets…..attendance sucks…….hmmm…..braves on a skid……hmmm……..no gameday giveaways at the TED (check other MLB sites!)…….hmmm……..Hey, did I mention No Gameday Giveaways!!! I want my Bobbleheads Dammit!!!
sportsmandh
April 27th, 2010
4:15 pm
I posted recently and will say so again, no way the Rays trade Crawford during the season this year as long as they are in contention. And I think that means no trade at all, b/c they will be in contention way past the trade deadline.
Justafan
April 27th, 2010
4:16 pm
Why do some of you keep banking on Schafer? He has not played 4 months in 3 years…damn do you expect a miracle? jump right to majors? He may never get it together again. Is that what you are banking on? He has never been that great except 6 weeks of spring training. I would like a prove player for my money.
Brave Hokie
April 27th, 2010
4:16 pm
I can’t wait to boo on Sat ~ sorta gets all the losses “off my chest”…
I am gonna laugh when the Astros take 2 of 3.
Bumbl’in Braves.
Salamander
April 27th, 2010
4:16 pm
Who the hell is this “pee guy” and why is his nickname stored in bladders? If this is a long story… nevermind.
Ted M
April 27th, 2010
4:17 pm
didn’t tampa trade a good pending free agent while contending a few years ago?
faninva
April 27th, 2010
4:18 pm
all this silly fantasy trade talk…how about chip caray for a talking bobblehead doll and some trimmed eyebrows to be named later.
ncscoots
April 27th, 2010
4:18 pm
Wayne, help me here. I’m getting a little deja vu…
Has anyone ever brought up trading for Carl Crawford before, LOL?
Exactly what the team needs: a LH no-lumber OF (I think you can pretty much discount that early .500 slugging this year, don’t you?), which explains why the blog would resurrect the trade, LOL.
I got the under on a double-barreled Crawford-and-Baldelli post.
Ted M
April 27th, 2010
4:20 pm
was it Aubrey Huff?
Ted M
April 27th, 2010
4:20 pm
or Delmon Young?
PMC
April 27th, 2010
4:23 pm
Last night was just bad luck. You’re going to have nights like that. I just hate seeing them put an E4 on the board and look silly. If they keep working pitchers deep eventually it’s going to pay off.
Daslied
April 27th, 2010
4:23 pm
Ted M, Huff and Young both suck.
Ted M
April 27th, 2010
4:26 pm
Huff sucks now but he was great when at Tampa
Shaun
April 27th, 2010
4:26 pm
Folks complain about giving up a lot in the Teixeira trade. Now they are willing to trade away what it would take to get Carl Crawford, a lesser player? Can’t comprehend the thinking of many of you.
Hick Brave Fan
April 27th, 2010
4:26 pm
Let’s trade Jo-Jo Reyes for Roy Halladay…
RHR
April 27th, 2010
4:26 pm
Who the hell is this “pee guy” and why is his nickname stored in bladders? If this is a long story… nevermind.
Lou Vales is the pee guy. He showed up one night to tell us that he didn’t care about the braves but he just got up to pee and thought he would pop in and tell us how much the braves suck. His posts were a mixture of Dense and Coach with a lot of DOB stalking thrown in.
PMC
April 27th, 2010
4:27 pm
At this point being patient and waiting to develop some position players is probably the best course. If we could trade some pitching prospects for position prospects that might be the best. This team cannot win with pitching alone in this division. They have to score runs consistantly.
Delbert D.
April 27th, 2010
4:27 pm
Okay, here is the solution. Trade Heyward for a top player under contract for at least 3 years (any position other than pitcher or catcher) with the stipulation that the team has to take Chipper and his whole salary as well. I really like Heyward, but sometimes you have to take drastic measures to keep the ship afloat. It’s down to the gunwales already, and it’s still April.
RHR
April 27th, 2010
4:29 pm
The “D” is for dumbass.
Nova Scotia Steve
April 27th, 2010
4:29 pm
UHHHH OHHHH Delbert D.
Either log-out or duck…It could get messy
Still Not Encouraged
April 27th, 2010
4:30 pm
Maybe those teams’ ERAs are higher against the Braves bc we haven’t always seen the best pitcher on those staffs, unless that was accounted for and I missed reading it.
Plus the top 6 and 8th place teams out of a 16 team League doesn’t mean all that pitching was really good. Look at how we performed against the 8th place team in ERA and that is just mediocre pitching. But one of those pitchers was Halladay, which just brings me back to the point in my first sentence.
David O'Brien
April 27th, 2010
4:30 pm
I swear, a few of you are apparently even more sensitive than I was implying Glaus is. Ironic that a couple of you work yourselves up so over me implying that Glaus is a guy who might actually be affected by booing, which is a comment about him and not about fans. But whatever. Take it how you want. Like I said, boo him. I probably would if I were a fan in the stands.
Wayne in Utah
April 27th, 2010
4:30 pm
scoots
And exactly what do you have against Freel????
Bobby Hill
Actually, a year and a half ago, the Lowe signing was exactly what the Braves needed. In hindsight, it is easy to be critical of such a deal, but at the time it was just what the doctor ordered. Same goes for Chipper’s extension. Folks were worried about ticking off Chipper around just before he signed the new extension. Dude has been loyal and our top dog for a long time. Now folks are unhappy with his contract. We had him for several years at a bargain.
Some folks have short memories.
ncscoots
April 27th, 2010
4:31 pm
Dang, RHR, you got the feisty dialed up today, don’t you, LOL?
Shaun
April 27th, 2010
4:32 pm
For those of you freaking out about the offense, here are some guys who currently rank 150th or lower in the majors in OPS: Mark Teixeira, Carlos Lee, Aramis Ramirez, Chone Figgins, J.D. Drew, Gordon Beckham, Nick Johnson, Grady Sizemore, Adam Jones.
Sample size, folks! It’s still early.
Are the Braves going to have a great offense? No. But they will be better than they’ve been.
Salamander
April 27th, 2010
4:32 pm
RHR – thanks for the clarification. I guess Mr. Vales has a keyboard at the ready in the john.
ugaaccountant
April 27th, 2010
4:32 pm
“Shaun
April 27th, 2010
4:26 pm
Folks complain about giving up a lot in the Teixeira trade. Now they are willing to trade away what it would take to get Carl Crawford, a lesser player? Can’t comprehend the thinking of many of you.”
It’s rarely the same people arguing both sides of the debate.
We have pretty much a 50/50 split of people who follow the sport intently and understand this, vs. people who think we can get A. Gonzalez for JoJo and that the money will work itself out later when the grown-ups sit down and make it happen.
Wayne in Utah
April 27th, 2010
4:33 pm
Hick Brave Fan
Now why do you want to give up early on Jo Jo??
the real Andy
April 27th, 2010
4:33 pm
excellent point about the counter-productivity of booing Glaus. I never understood booing a player who is trying hard. I’ve booed two Braves in my hundreds of games (Andruw for dogging it on a very beatable grounder in Smoltz’s 200th W, Chipper for making an error in LF bc he was paying attention to the busty woman in the stands instead of the game).
If a guy is giving his all, how on earth is it going to help for his home crowd to give him nothing in the way of support? Especially if he’s trying to re-establish himself after injury, and it’s only the first week of the season.
I love the Braves (to the point of myopic insanity), but I am increasingly frustrated with Atlanta fans. Fickle, spoiled brats who can’t even sell out a playoff game. I go to other stadiums in my travels, and the fans put Atlanta to shame. They support their team, pay attention to the game, cheer spontaneously, and on the rare occasions they do show displeasure, they save it for someone who has genuinely earned it.
ugaaccountant
April 27th, 2010
4:33 pm
Umm, a lot of us were against the Lowe trade at the time because of how long and how much money we gave him.
Ted M
April 27th, 2010
4:33 pm
I don’t think Glaus is affected by the booing.
gobraves
April 27th, 2010
4:33 pm
uugggghhhhhh…..this is going to be the longest season ever and i really dont see a solution any time soon. lets go 2076 braves well by then they will probably be the oklahoma city braves.
Delbert D.
April 27th, 2010
4:34 pm
Nova Scotia Steve – Yeah, I knew it would be controversial. Step #2 in my plan is to trade Melky for a new set of tires for the team bus.
Wayne in Utah
April 27th, 2010
4:34 pm
Dammit Shaun, don’t go trying to use logic on these folks! It just won’t work.
ncscoots
April 27th, 2010
4:35 pm
RHR – thanks for the clarification. I guess Mr. Vales has a keyboard at the ready in the john.
Dude. Don’t make me visualize that, please.
David O'Brien
April 27th, 2010
4:36 pm
DOB, stop getting you’re hopes up — Chip Shot
Getting my hopes up? Chip Shot, I’ll be covering the team whether they win ‘em all, lose ‘em all, or somewhere in-between. I don’t get my hopes up or worry. That’s your job.
lizziemarie
April 27th, 2010
4:36 pm
My only observation about the Braves so far is that the ONE big hit game they had (a while back) was when they were late getting to the field and SKIPPED BATTING PRACTICE. Maybe they should try that again. What could it hurt?
ugaaccountant
April 27th, 2010
4:36 pm
lets go 2076 braves well by then they will probably be the oklahoma city braves.
Umm, didn’t you hear? By 2076 emperor Obama will have outlawed all forms of entertainment and sports so that his workers can be more productive at all times.
Breaking News!!!
April 27th, 2010
4:37 pm
Bobby Cox to step down, due to “health” reasons.
FEAR
April 27th, 2010
4:37 pm
DOB – any good food so far in STL?
ugaaccountant
April 27th, 2010
4:37 pm
Step #2 in my plan is to trade Melky for a new set of tires for the team bus.
Is step 3 ????
and
step 4 Profit!
Bruce Chen
April 27th, 2010
4:38 pm
First!!
Shaun
April 27th, 2010
4:38 pm
Here’s the problem with booing Glaus (although if you are a fan you obviously have the right). But it is dumb. Anyone who has watched half the Braves’ games can clearly see Glaus is hitting into a ton of bad luck. Also, the stats back up what you’ve seen. Glaus’s career batting average on balls in the field of play is .281. Right now he’s hitting .256 on balls in the field of play.
Is Glaus still the hitter he was in his prime? No way. Is he really as bad as his numbers seem to indicate on the surface? No way. If he’s not injured he’s perfectly capable of being a league-average firstbaseman, which is just fine and about what the Braves signed him to be.
Wayne in Utah
April 27th, 2010
4:38 pm
ugaaccountant
There might have been some who didn’t like the Lowe deal. I wasn’t thrilled with the length of the contract myself, but at the time, we didn’t know what we were going to have. Kawakami wasn’t signed yet, and Hanson was still in the minors. Also, Vazquez was a bit of a wild card coming off a bad stint with the Pale Hose. And, Jurrjens had only done it for 1 year at that point in time.
We needed a guy who could go out and give us solid innings with a good injury and durability history.
Breaking News!!!
April 27th, 2010
4:38 pm
I’m sorry, It was only a dream. DAMN
Troy Glaus
April 27th, 2010
4:38 pm
Stop booooing me guys; I use to hate it when my ma’ma booooed me {when I was eating meatloaf} :{
Ted M
April 27th, 2010
4:39 pm
Dave, do you think Tampa will trade Crawford not necessarily to the Braves later this season?
Still Not Encouraged
April 27th, 2010
4:39 pm
I know that I am going through a gallon of Edy’s a day watching this team play
faninva
April 27th, 2010
4:39 pm
“I go to other stadiums in my travels, and the fans put Atlanta to shame. They support their team…” – real andy
No, there’s never any booing in Philly, though they do throw projectiles at Santa Claus.
ncscoots
April 27th, 2010
4:40 pm
hey, bean-counter, why don’t you stick the presidential slurs where the sun don’t shine and the blog can’t see them? No politics, remember?
Bat Masterson
April 27th, 2010
4:41 pm
The bad thing about the pee guy is, he had prostate cancer or surgery, something, and had to set an alarm to get up and pee. Even so he was such an ass, he could engender no compassion.
Wayne in Utah
April 27th, 2010
4:41 pm
uga
Watch out for that center rail?
Delbert D.
April 27th, 2010
4:41 pm
The heck with it. I just put my application for Braves general manager through the shredder. I’m applying to a monastery in Tibet instead.
Still Not Encouraged
April 27th, 2010
4:42 pm
lighten up, ncscoots…it was one little joke….a slur?…lmao
Chip
April 27th, 2010
4:42 pm
Here’s what I’ve gathered from this blog so far.
The Braves will basically stay unaltered as a team due to $$$.
The offense will get better, because it can’t get worse.
DOB is a bully, and not in tune with our sensitivity.
An 8 game winning streak will start tonight or the next game.
Not from the blog,
I can’t believe Juwan Howard is still playing….Fab 5 was Howard, Webber, Rose, ?, ?….My google is broken.
Wayne in Utah
April 27th, 2010
4:43 pm
We need to transplant some Jazz fans out to ATL! Friday night at the game was maddening. Gotta love it baby!
W
April 27th, 2010
4:43 pm
DOB, I know you’re a huge Jayhawks fan, do you ever cover any basketball for the AJC? Appreciate the work you do here.
Jesse Stone
April 27th, 2010
4:43 pm
Ted M- The Rays were NEVER in contention whaen they had Young and Huff.
ncscoots
April 27th, 2010
4:44 pm
lighten up, ncscoots…it was one little joke….a slur?…lmao
Brother, I’d be all over Sarah Palin jokes the same way. Leave that bleep at the door.
Jesse Stone
April 27th, 2010
4:44 pm
Chip- One was Jimmy King
Mr. Turnip-Green Jeans
April 27th, 2010
4:45 pm
I’ve felt sorry for Glaus. The booers didn’t allow him adequate time to find his stride. He’s no worse than Tex was at first, but there was much more fan patience in that case. Not fair at all.
DOB, I assume you watch Jayhawks football religiously. How good is WR Kerry Meier, drafted by the Falcons? Looks great on the highlight reels, but everybody does. How was he game-in, game-out?
Wayne in Utah
April 27th, 2010
4:46 pm
Chip
Jimmy King and Ray Jackson. Howard, Weber and Rose were the studs.
Delbert D.
April 27th, 2010
4:46 pm
RHR – You are the only one who has come close on that. “D” is a middle initial only.
Rafael Belliard
April 27th, 2010
4:46 pm
You guys need me to come back and play some “small ball”????
Chip
April 27th, 2010
4:46 pm
One was Jimmy King
Robert Tractor Trailer as the 5th, maybe?
Shaun
April 27th, 2010
4:47 pm
do you think Tampa will trade Crawford not necessarily to the Braves later this season?
I’m not Dave, but I don’t think they will. He’s probably more valuable to them than what he would bring them on the trade market. A team would likely have to give up a lot to get a player who is a rental and likely to be overvalued on the free agent market. He’s a very good player but he’s never been an outstanding on-base or power guy; plus he doesn’t walk a lot, which may indicate that he won’t age well. Some team is going to overpay for his speed and what he’s done the last two or three years rather than what he’s likely to do the next five or six years.
Jesse Stone
April 27th, 2010
4:48 pm
trailor came later.
Knowitall
April 27th, 2010
4:48 pm
Chip,
Tractor Trailer was a year or two later.
Salamander
April 27th, 2010
4:48 pm
The blog does have a tendency to overreact to anything even remotely political in nature. (oh yeah, I’ve taken a ride on that bus – climate change anyone?)
Then again, the blog overreacts to mostly everything.
Jesse Stone
April 27th, 2010
4:49 pm
Crawford will be 29 this year. His best attribute is his speed. I would not sign him past 5 years
ugaaccountant
April 27th, 2010
4:49 pm
No politics, remember?
True. Sorry about that.
"S" Crowbar
April 27th, 2010
4:50 pm
I really do dink I need a bacation !!!!!!!
Gigga
April 27th, 2010
4:50 pm
I still feel that Chipper’s great baseball career as a star is over. He appears to be happy being the coach-mentor in the dug out. He has made all the money he could ever need.. There is no incentive or enthusiasm left to play the game. He was a great player…give him a coaching job NOW
the real Andy
April 27th, 2010
4:51 pm
I was at Atlanta opening day 2008. The night before, when the Braves played at Washington to kick off the season, Moylan gave up a HR to Zimmerman to lose the game.
So on opening night in Atlanta, Moylan gets roundly booed when he comes into the game. This is the guy who had posted a 1.80 ERA in 90 innings, coming out of nowhere in his rookie year in 2007.
That same night, Matt Diaz was having a rough night, and was booed when introduced for his 5th AB (was 0-for-4 at the time, finished 1-for-6). This is the same guy who busts his tail on every single play and had hit a combined .333 in the two previous seasons, again coming out of nowhere.
This was all in a game that went extra innings, the second game of the season. Not some 15-0 blowout in the middle of a losing streak.
I was at a playoff game late in the run (’03, ‘04?) when the not-even-close-to-a-sellout crowd starting booing and groaning because we were down 2 runs in the 3rd inning.
Sometimes I am ashamed of Braves crowds.
N8
April 27th, 2010
4:51 pm
I just want to point out (since I was too busy venting and continuing an argument from the other blog – to actually read the new blog before going off – I just read the new blog), that DOB’s “take” on the supposed season saving trade of A-Gon that many are suggesting is pretty much word for word, fact for fact, and opinion for opinion statement I made about the reasons NOT to trade for him a day or two ago while sparring with a fellow blogger.
Sorry DOB, but you and I are thinking alike on this one. I know that must pain you, and would understand if you suddenly changed your mind and began advocating such a move, as to not think like me.
Don’t fight it my good man. Come to the dark side. Together we can rule the …..eh…..universe? (OK, maybe just this small section of cyber-space).
Oh wait. You already DO rule this section of cyber-space, don’t you?
Never mind.
MitchC
April 27th, 2010
4:51 pm
Dave, the Braves are a pitiful offensive team, bottom line. They can’t go on like this, or they will end up losing 90-100 games, even if they have the best pitching in the league.
As for what you said about Gonzalez. By 2012, Chipper won’t, or shouldn’t, be an issue anymore. He will either be retired, or maybe he should just go to the American League as a DH. At 40 years old, I doubt he’ll be playing.
As for Lowe, he would be in the last season of that contract. We can either try to trade him, or, since Liberty said there is “No set payroll limit”, what would be if those guys raised the payroll 10 or 15 mil for one season, so we can keep Gonzalez if he comes here, and keep Lowe anyway? Lowe would probably be gone after 2012, because by then, he’ll be 40 years old.
As I said yesterday, if I know Frank Wren and this team as I do, my bet is we will not trade for Gonzalez, or do anything significant, and will try to ride it out with what we have now, and wait for Glaus and Company to break out of their slumps.
If something isn’t done, and soon, forget about the wild card, this team will be looking at a sub 500 season, which would be an inglorious way for Bobby to go out.
ncscoots
April 27th, 2010
4:51 pm
The blog does have a tendency to overreact to anything even remotely political in nature.
Hey, would you trust some of the folks you read here to have anything remotely resembling a cogent discussion on political science, LOL? Please. Best to just not let that genie out of the bottle, at all.
Delbert D.
April 27th, 2010
4:53 pm
Yunel shuts out the boos with earplugs. Unfortunately, the 3rd base coach can communicate with him only through hand signals. Problem is, even if he sees them, the hand signals are in English.
MiaBchBravesFan
April 27th, 2010
4:53 pm
Here’s “The Speech”:
1) Dump salary: get rid of Chipper, McLouth, and send Melky back to the AL. If anyone wants D. Lowe, swallow a couple of million and get rid of him! Put Schafer in CF, Diaz/Hinske in RF, Infante/Hinske at 3B, and Medlen can take the fifth space left by Lowe’s (hopeful) departure.
2) Bring up Wes Timmons or Barbaro Cañizares and DUMP GLAUS!!! Those two could do better than the stiff we have at first right now.
3) Frank Wren, look in the mirror. Know who you are, and who you work for. The Braves are not going to sign Albert Pujols, Adrian Gonzalez, Joe Mauer, or Ryan Howard anytime soon for the dollars they signed/will sign for. Time to save money, start developing from within, and stop wasting $2 million here and $4 million on wasteoids who don’t do squat. Just the aggregate salaries of Mondesi, Anderson, McLouth, and Cabrera over the years would’ve reaped better benefits in the long run than the stop-gap-with-crap approach we have taken over the years. I’d rather have seen a batch of $250K rookies in LF than those stiffs over the years.
End of speech.
Daslied
April 27th, 2010
4:53 pm
Ballgame!
Shaun
April 27th, 2010
4:54 pm
Crawford’s OPS+ ranks 69th among active players, between Damon and Austin Kearns.
Falcon Josh
April 27th, 2010
4:54 pm
I just want to see Hinske get a chance to play first once a week. Then it will become 2, 3,and 4 times a week. Just like Prado took Kelly’s job… I bet Hinske can take it from Glaus!!!
gobraves
April 27th, 2010
4:54 pm
tommorows line up
jordan schafer “using one arm”
terry pendleton
julio franco
corky miller
garret anderson
scott thorman
kieth lockhart
robert fick
jo jo reyes “going to throw sitting down”
at least this way there is no expectation to win
TJ
April 27th, 2010
4:55 pm
do we have a lineup yet?
The Lemmer
April 27th, 2010
4:55 pm
Start platooning Hinske at 1st & in the outfield so we can see what he can do, put Infante in at 3rd when Larry goes down, McClouth & Glaus should be on short leashes as sorry as they have been!
NoSourceInsider.com
April 27th, 2010
4:55 pm
Word on the street is Frank Wren is contacting the agent of Albert Belle. Seems Frank didn’t learn his lesson in Baltimore.
jerry
April 27th, 2010
4:55 pm
Atlanta doesn’t have the Cowboys, Yankees, or Red Wings. You know who we got when it comes to championships, we got a bunch of f–king losers. Deal with it.
Glen W
April 27th, 2010
4:56 pm
I don’t think Crawford would really solve the team’s biggest problems. He would make the team better, sure. But he wouldn’t solve the team’s biggest problems.
And for those that say that the Rays will not trade Crawford because the Rays are contending. I will not say you are wrong. But I would say the MLB culture is changing in this area.
The greatest taboo these days is to let your top talent leave when getting nothing in return. In some circles that is becoming perceived as being worse than trading one of your best players at the deadline. We’ve seen the A’s do this multiple times. We’ve seen other small/mid-market teams do this. We even saw the Redsox get created and move Manny in this way too.
Shaun
April 27th, 2010
4:56 pm
MiaBchBravesFan, I suppose their teams should dump the following: Mark Teixeira, Carlos Lee, Aramis Ramirez, Chone Figgins, J.D. Drew, Gordon Beckham, Nick Johnson, Grady Sizemore, Adam Jones.
If GM’s are going to start making roster moves based on not even a month’s worth of games, you have to agree that these players need to be “gotten rid of.”
Mr. Enigma
April 27th, 2010
4:56 pm
Interesting read:
http://www.talkingchop.com/2010/4/27/1446842/terry-pendleton-is-not-a-bad#storyjump
Marc in FL
April 27th, 2010
4:56 pm
We’re going to almost win tonight, I can feel it!!!
Jimmy Joe
April 27th, 2010
4:56 pm
Carpenter is going to beat the Braves tonight. 8-12
We will end the streak and beat Jaime Garcia tomorrow. 9-12
Wainwright will dominate this lineup on Thursday. 9-13
9-13 in the month of April.
Pathetic.
Mr. Turnip-Green Jeans
April 27th, 2010
4:57 pm
Don’t know gobraves, I can see Fick carrying that team on his back.
Delbert D.
April 27th, 2010
4:57 pm
MiaBchBravesFan – Pklease send your resume and salary requirements to John Scheurholz. Wren doesn’t have to know. This will be a surprise, heh-heh.
Glen W
April 27th, 2010
4:57 pm
*We even saw the Redsox get creative and move Manny in this way too.
RC
April 27th, 2010
4:57 pm
Word on the street is Frank Wren is contacting the agent of Albert Belle. Seems Frank didn’t learn his lesson in Baltimore.
You mean the signing that the owner of the team in Balitmore essentially forced Frank to make, even though he was against it? Please make sure you have done a little research before spouting out on the blog.
Jimmy Joe
April 27th, 2010
4:58 pm
We’ll win on Friday, so it’s 10-13 in the month of April. Still pathetic for a team that most thought would win the wild card.
FEAR
April 27th, 2010
4:59 pm
RC
April 27th, 2010
4:57 pm
Word on the street is Frank Wren is contacting the agent of Albert Belle. Seems Frank didn’t learn his lesson in Baltimore.
You mean the signing that the owner of the team in Balitmore essentially forced Frank to make, even though he was against it? Please make sure you have done a little research before spouting out on the blog.
That is exactly right RC. Peter Angelos made that deal basically.
the real Andy
April 27th, 2010
4:59 pm
>>>You know who we got when it comes to championships, we got a bunch of f–king losers. Deal with it.
maybe if they had actually supportive crowds like the aforementioned winners, they’d have more championships. i guess it can get to be a chicken or the egg argument at a certain point.
Glen W
April 27th, 2010
4:59 pm
Jimmy Joe – I guarantee you that the team that wins the wild card this year will go through a stretch in which it goes 10-13 or worse… maybe more than once.
Chip
April 27th, 2010
5:00 pm
Garrett Anderson is batting .184 with the Dodgers after 35 AB’s…..But, his 1 home run & 0 stolen bases would have him right up there amongst the Braves leaders in those categories.
Shaun
April 27th, 2010
5:00 pm
Glen W, I think the problem for the Rays is that many contending teams are smart enough to realize Crawford is not the type of player those teams want to acquire for what the Rays would be asking. Crawford’s value to the Rays this season is higher than what they could get for him from a contending team on the trade market.
Mr. Turnip-Green Jeans
April 27th, 2010
5:00 pm
Didn’t the Braves have a couple losing Aprils during the 14-year streak?
faninva
April 27th, 2010
5:00 pm
andy – try going to a baltimore orioles game where the tradition is to shout “OH!” as in O’s when the national anthem gets to the “O! (OOHHH!) say does that star-spangled banner yet wave.” can’t stand it. Can’t stand Red Sox fans because of their obnoxiousness, same with Yankee fans. so let me ask you this – while you hear all this booing that you dislike so much, what are you doing? Are you clapping and cheering to counteract the booing or are you just sitting there? My guess would be the latter.
Jesse Stone
April 27th, 2010
5:01 pm
Manny was traded because he basically quit on the team. Apples to apricots.
Cold Stove
April 27th, 2010
5:02 pm
sigh
Bat Masterson
April 27th, 2010
5:03 pm
MiaBchBravesFan
April 27th, 2010
4:53 pm
End of speech.
Dude that was a diatribe.
Jimmy Joe
April 27th, 2010
5:04 pm
Geln W – You could be right, but I am sick and tired of THIS Braves team starting the season off badly. I haven’t felt good about this team since 2003 when Furcal and Giles started like every game off with back to back singles and had a first and third for Sheff, Jones and Jones.
That’s the last time I enjoyed Braves baseball. I want a god fearing offense. Philly style.
Bobby Hill
April 27th, 2010
5:04 pm
Wayne –
I was no fan of the Lowe signing. Not then and not now. Wren acquired Vazquez, Lowe and Kawakami that winter. At that point it seemed pretty clear to me that the team wasn’t ready to compete offensively in 2009. And with Hudson likely to come back and Hanson near ready I just didn’t see the need to acquire three pitchers at that point in time. (If Wren had acquired McLouth and Laroche in the off season rather than during the season, the argument changes.)
Because of his age and the size and length of the contract Lowe was the biggest gamble. At that point Lowe was basically an aging #2 starter who had put together a couple solid years. There was no reason to give him a four year contract. But Wren was desperate for a good PR splash.
Cold Stove
April 27th, 2010
5:05 pm
so become a philly fan jimmy joe and tell billy jo hi for us
Daslied
April 27th, 2010
5:06 pm
Lowe for Manny!
Glen W
April 27th, 2010
5:06 pm
“Glen W, I think the problem for the Rays is that many contending teams are smart enough to realize Crawford is not the type of player those teams want to acquire for what the Rays would be asking.” – Shaun
That might be true… that is why I said that I will not tell you that you are wrong if you think he won’t be dealt. But I disagree with you if you say that it is unthinkable for a team to trade one of its better talents just because they are contending… that’s just not a given any more. If there is someone out there that would give them value… given where the culture of the league is today (basically doing commodity management), there is probably a decent possibility that they would make the move.
Maybe the Rays think they are good enough to make a run without them. Maybe there is a national league team that thinks he is the final piece for an organization whose window is closing (like the Cubs) who would offer enough value.
It’s not out of the realm of possibility… is all I’m saying.
Daslied
April 27th, 2010
5:06 pm
Jurrjens for Kemp!
David O'Brien
April 27th, 2010
5:06 pm
Bravos lineup: 1. Escobar SS, 2. Prado 2B, 3. Jones 3B, 4. McCann C, 5. Glaus 1B, 6. Heyward RF, 7. Cabrera LF, 8.McLouth CF, 9. Lowe RH
Ted M
April 27th, 2010
5:07 pm
Jimmy Joe that Garcia kid is really good. It will be a good win should we beat him.
the real Andy
April 27th, 2010
5:07 pm
>>so let me ask you this – while you hear all this booing that you dislike so much, what are you doing? Are you clapping and cheering to counteract the booing or are you just sitting there? My guess would be the latter.
Your guess couldn’t be more wrong. I am a loud, vocal, and consistently positive supporter of my team, whether I’m in Atlanta or in enemy territory.
Jimmy Joe
April 27th, 2010
5:07 pm
I’m a Braves fan. There is nothing wrong with envy for another offense on another team. They have great hitters on that team and always seem to score runs on a consistent basis.
This team has done nothing since Ubaldo no hit them.
Daslied
April 27th, 2010
5:07 pm
Carlos Santana for Casey Blake!
Wait, nobody’s that dumb.
Jesse Stone
April 27th, 2010
5:08 pm
Daslied- people were tossing that around last year. I would do it
Jimmy Joe
April 27th, 2010
5:08 pm
Daslied- people were tossing that around last year. I would do it jesse stone
The Dodgers wouldn’t.
Jesse Stone
April 27th, 2010
5:09 pm
Over-Under on how many at-bats Lowe gets tonight?
Jimmy Joe
April 27th, 2010
5:10 pm
Who on this blog really thinks the Braves will win 2 of the next 3 games? We’ll be looking at a 9-13 ballclub on Friday morning.
Daslied
April 27th, 2010
5:10 pm
Yeah, I’m joking.
Jimmy Joe
April 27th, 2010
5:10 pm
Over-Under on how many at-bats Lowe gets tonight? jesse stone
1.
Jesse Stone
April 27th, 2010
5:10 pm
jimmy joe- this i know
J-MAN
April 27th, 2010
5:11 pm
This season is OVER!!!!!!!! TP, Glaus, McClouth, Cabrera, Escobar’s boneheaded baserunning and Chipper Jones (AKA) Roger Dorn killed it.
Jesse Stone
April 27th, 2010
5:11 pm
I saw Kemp play many times in ‘05. Has all the tools of Winfield
faninva
April 27th, 2010
5:11 pm
Your guess couldn’t be more wrong. I am a loud, vocal, and consistently positive supporter of my team, whether I’m in Atlanta or in enemy territory. – Andy.
Ok, that’s cool. just be careful when labeling an entire fan base based upon the behavior of some, but not all fans.
J-MAN
April 27th, 2010
5:12 pm
Now let the buzzards pick the team apart!!!!!
Soph
April 27th, 2010
5:13 pm
I see a lot of the meanies and crazies from last year are making an appearance today.
TJ
April 27th, 2010
5:14 pm
D lowe for V wells!!
J-Hey
April 27th, 2010
5:14 pm
“1.Yunel ss
2.Prado 2b
3. Heyward”
Heyward’s mini slump right now (1-17 in the last 6 games) should be reason enough to keep him out of the 3rd spot. I mean seriously, regardless of how well he’s shown to hit, he’s still a rookie in his first major league season. Hitting in any spot 1-4 would be dumb.
Chip Shot
April 27th, 2010
5:14 pm
DOB, ready to watch Danville be swept by Saint Lou?
Jesse Stone
April 27th, 2010
5:15 pm
I’ll take D.Lowe for Dawn Wells
faninva
April 27th, 2010
5:15 pm
I see a lot of the meanies and crazies from last year are making an appearance today – Soph.
did someone have a P.L. sighting?
J-MAN
April 27th, 2010
5:15 pm
Its what happens when you slash salary and try to actually tell people that your not. We traded 15 wins for Melky Cabera!!!!!!!!!!! We could have signed Adam LaRoach for what we paid for Glaus look at the salaries!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Our main problem last year was hitting………. Gee wiz what do you think the problem is now????????? TP hasn’t gotten results but I guess hes ready to be the Manager now??????
Bat Masterson
April 27th, 2010
5:15 pm
Everything was cool until I jinxed the blog, and the Braves last night, Soph.
Elmo
April 27th, 2010
5:16 pm
They dug up Teddy Roosevelt and he had a Message in the front pocket of his burial tuxedo.
FIRE F*CKING BOBBY LAST YEAR !
Mixxo
April 27th, 2010
5:17 pm
We’ve historically been a cold April team………relax everybody. It’ll come around.
Chipper will get loose when it warms up, as will Glaus. Wins will restore confidence and more wins will follow.
bravesgirlnc
April 27th, 2010
5:17 pm
So what does Diaz have to do to get some starts?
Jesse Stone
April 27th, 2010
5:17 pm
Elmo- I think Teddy would have the balls to say it to Bobby’s face.
Brave Hokie
April 27th, 2010
5:17 pm
Jay Hey is being affected by Booby & the rest of the Braves’ “loser charma”.
Get out kid while you have hope ~ or you’ll be hang’in with J Scaffer batt’in like a relief pitcher in Gwinnett this time next season
MZ
April 27th, 2010
5:18 pm
I’ll tell y’all what I’m worked up about … the Stones’ new deluxe edition of “Exile on Main Street” … that’s what I’m worked up about!
Jimmy Joe
April 27th, 2010
5:18 pm
It’s sad that I expect Derek Lowe to give up at least four runs tonight. We pay him 15 million a year and he is nothing more than a #4 starter.
J-MAN
April 27th, 2010
5:18 pm
D.O.B. explain to me how you just don’t hang yourself for having to cover this choke job of a team……. Your a better man than me to be able to keep your composure.
MiaBchBravesFan
April 27th, 2010
5:18 pm
Bat Masterson: no, it was a relatively short speech – especially by my standards.
Bobby Hill: NEVER did I approve of the Lowe signing from day 1! Stupidest signing (for the money) I’ve seen from the Braves since the Nick Esasky fiasco (with apologies to the Hampton trade; we were just not lucky there).
Delbert D: s’alright – I’m good right where I am. Better off than Frank Wren will soon be if he keeps screwing up.
N8
April 27th, 2010
5:19 pm
The thing with the Lowe signing is as follows.
Wren traded for Vazquez. While I’m sure he hoped for the best, like many others was willing to gamble, that perhaps Vazquez would be better than he had been. Either way, he was an innings eater and a guy with sound health, after a season in which 4 of the Braves original 5 in their rotation pretty much went down for the year at some point.
THEN, he signed Lowe for basically the same reason. While Wren likely didn’t expect 4 years of Cy Young caliber baseball, he felt that the team was desperate for two anchors that could eat innings, knowing Smoltz and Glavine were on their last legs. Did he pay too much? Sure. But there was also the possibility that having a guy like Lowe around might lure other free agents to come to Atlanta. Sure enough, after nobody wanted him, Loaf arrived.
KK, was as much of the beginning of a relationship with future Japanese players, as much as it was move to solidify the 2009 and 2010 squads. While KK gets a bad rap for actualy being fairly solid. I’m guessing that money wise, the Braves ownership has seen a return on their investment in Braves merchandise being sold in Japan, along with other promo options.
He’s not Ichiro, Nomo or even anything like Valenzuela was. But make no mistake, when he pitches, I bet more Japanese DVR’s are set than say when…. Tommy Hanson pitches. Right or wrong, I’m betting it’s a reality.
To me, the signing that didn’t make much sense, was KK. Not that he’s been bad, as I just stated that he has not. It’s just that there was NO guarantee with him. With Lowe and Vazquez, there was a solid track record to make a reasonable assumption what you would get. With KK, it was pure speculation and guessing.
It’s easy in hindsight to assume that Hanson could have stepped in and given what KK did from day one. Probably better than what he did.
So to me, it’s KK’s 24 million (I think that’s wht it was with salary and bonus), that kept Wren from getting a Johnny Damon, an Adam Dunn, or a Bobby Abreu last year.
Now. Just imagine, had JS saved the prospects used for Tex, and Wren hadn’t signed Lowe or KK? There would be plenty of prospects to have traded for and sign A-Gone to a long term deal to pair up with J-Hey for the next 4-5 years (or longer).
How would a rotation of JJJ, Hudson, Hanson, Medlen (and Bozo the clow for that matter), sound with Heyward and A-Gone ready to man the 3-4 spots in the order (along with Mac and Escobar in the middle), over the next 3 or 4 years sound?
Hell. Good thing we’ve got Lowe and Glaus or things wouldn’t be looking so good.
Relax Everybody
April 27th, 2010
5:19 pm
I remember when we didn’t win a game until after the allstar break and ended the season only 10 games out!!!
the real Andy
April 27th, 2010
5:19 pm
>>Ok, that’s cool. just be careful when labeling an entire fan base based upon the behavior of some, but not all fans.
good point. i know there are lots of good fans, and i’ve even been to some games where the crowd was amazing. Smoltz’s 200th, one particular playoff game against SF in (maybe?) 2002, and of course a lot of the early 90s come to mind. But those games seem to happen a lot less often lately.
i know not all braves fan are rotten. but, you know, a few bad apples…
dickfer
April 27th, 2010
5:19 pm
what does it take to get melky out of the lineup
this is bizzaro
FEAR
April 27th, 2010
5:20 pm
Whats a Charma?
Jesse Stone
April 27th, 2010
5:20 pm
D.Lowe was about our 4th or 5th choice. Kinda like UGA’s new defensive coordinator.
Wayne in Utah
April 27th, 2010
5:20 pm
J-MAN
Why do you bother to show up if it is already over? Just wondering….
RC
If Wren picks up Albert Belle, would that be like cost-averaging?
ccrider
April 27th, 2010
5:21 pm
If, the Braves continue to fall too far behind to be a realistic contender for the wild card, this is one fan’s plan that he wishes Frank Wren would swallow his pride and realize it’s time has come.
1. Tell Chipper the Braves are going to a fullbore youth movement, tell him that if he wants ,they would explore DH possibilities in tha AL and trade him, or he may decide to retire due to the possibility of reduced playing time. Chipper is hitting OK, but the Injuries and horrific defense is hampering the team.
2. Trade Lowe, Kawakami and McLouth. How you say? Frank Wren must admit his mistakes to himself and come to grips with the fact none of these players are really helping the team and there contributions could be matched or exceeded by in house replacements. The Team trading for Lowe would have his full 2010 salary paid by the Braves and Half of his $30 Million paid for the next to years $7.5 each season. The Team that trades for Kawakami and McLouth would have the Braves pay their 2010 salaries, but would have to pay their 2011 salaries $6.5 for KK and $6.5 for McLouth. These salaries are already budgeted in the 2010 payroll, so that would be the incentive to make the trade( Lowe would be free in 2010 and half price in 2011. Kawakami and Mclouth would be free for 2010, but full price in 2011. Saito would also be traded for a prospect and saving Approx. $2 million on 2010 payroll. Venters and Medlen would get the first shots at replacement Lowe and Kawakami. Kimbrell would replace Saito. Any useful players you get back is fine.
All of these moves would save about $22 Million on 2011 budget
3. At the end of the season, release Glaus and Cabrera. Savings $7 Million(as budgeted on the 2010 payroll)
4. The Braves would have Approx. $35 million to spend in free agency during the off season. To complete the makeover they must sign one of Carl Crawford or Jason Werth and Jorge Cantu to play 3rd base.
LINEUP: Schafer, Prado, Heyward, Cantu, McCann, Werth, Freeman, Escobar
ROTATION: Hudson, Jurrjens. Hanson, Medlen, Venters
BENCH: Diaz, Ross, Infante, Hinske, ?
BULLPEN: Wagner, Kimbrell, Moylan, O’Flaherty, Chavez, Dunn, Marek
Payroll $80 Million (Enough left over to make a trade if needed. But certainly a better starting lineup, equal rotation, bench and bullpen)
Soph
April 27th, 2010
5:21 pm
Bat – you had to question the calmness. You even brought out TPG.
MiaBchBravesFan
April 27th, 2010
5:21 pm
Jimmy Joe: that is sad and pathetic. Of course all of us knew this on signing day. Guess Frankie-boy didn’t get the memo. What a waste of $60 million!!!
$60 million wasted. Ponder that, Frank.
gobravos
April 27th, 2010
5:21 pm
I don’t think Salty and Andrus are exactly tearing it up in the big leagues. Andrus is more of a defensive plus. He and Salty hit mostly around .220 last year. The Braves didn’t need either of those guys because of Escobar and McCann, and both of them are better than the guys they traded. Therefore, please stop with the we traded the pennant for Tex crap. Its simply not true. The Braves made the trade because they thought it would get them to the Series. I think Feliz is a big lose, though. The guy consistently pushes 100 on radar guns. The guy they should of traded was Chipper, and they should have done it years ago. Enough with the should of would of stuff, though. I don’t think the Braves can make the Gonzalez trade because the Padres will want more than the Braves will give them. I think the Braves like Freeman too much to send him to San Diego.
N8
April 27th, 2010
5:22 pm
” I mean seriously, regardless of how well he’s shown to hit, he’s still a rookie in his first major league season. Hitting in any spot 1-4 would be dumb.”
You mean the way Chipper did in 1995 (and ended up hitting “only” .265 with 23 HR and 86 RBI), forcing David Justice into the 5th spot of the order?
Yeah. That worked out horribly.
CB
April 27th, 2010
5:23 pm
Melkey’s in the lineup,
Bat Masterson
April 27th, 2010
5:23 pm
Jay Hey is being affected by Booby & the rest of the Braves’ “loser charma”.
What’s ” loser charma”, , does it have something to do with bears in the woods ? who is Scaffer ?
Wayne in Utah
April 27th, 2010
5:24 pm
Mixxo
And hopefully we start to warm up tonight! 9-7 Braves! There, I called it. Lowe will be 4-0 with an ERA over 5.
And some folks say he ain’t worth the cash………..
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
5:24 pm
Troy Glaus Hitting Fifth again?
What gives! WE already have the worst production out of the 5th hole
MZ
April 27th, 2010
5:24 pm
oh yeah … DOB —–
Got a couple of tracks off the new Tom Petty and Heartbreakers album, “Mojo” (which is due in June) … fan club members able to download couple of tracks early … awesome stuff, as usual … one (Good Enough) is a sweet, slow jam … other one (First Flash of Freedom) is closer to what the Heartbreakers have sounded like on the past few albums … time to get excited
sportsmandh
April 27th, 2010
5:25 pm
I’m sure I’ll get blasted for saying so, but I think Heyward needs a night off soon.
Jesse Stone
April 27th, 2010
5:25 pm
Chipper had more professional experience in ‘95 than Heyward has now.
phoenixfalcon
April 27th, 2010
5:26 pm
like i said yesterday, all the talk in the world won’t help them win a game, it’s a bad team, and i mean it’s bad from the owners down to the the people who park the players cars @ the ted, and eveywhere in between.
brian
April 27th, 2010
5:26 pm
3 runs seems like an offensive outburst but when Troy Glaus and Melky Cabrera each have multiple hits, we should have more runs.
I don’t understand why Lohse threw Glaus off speed stuff when he can not catch up to fastballs, but it was nice to see Troy and Melky.
Key for the Braves and key for those 2 players – can they build off of last night? I would love to see Glaus start to click. He is a main piece when considering our post-season hopes. If Melky starts producing that will obviously be huge.
Do not expect a big trade from the Braves. There is not a huge bat out there for a price we can afford either in dollars or prospects. Freeman is on pace to be an outstanding 1B for the Braves for many affordable years (and is Heyward’s best friend). With 3 top pitching prospects developing we are looking at a potential deep and very strong rotation for many years. It also gives us room if one does not develop. Minor will be a solid mid to 5th starter. We do not need to trade away our future for 1-1.5 years of a big bat at 1B (see Mark Texeira).
Options for the Braves are limited. Basically the players need to pull their heads out from where the sun don’t shine and start producing like they should. Glaus needs to stop hitting like an old man. Speaking of old men – Chipper needs to do what it takes to get in shape so he does not pull something every time he gets fooled and swings. Escobar needs to play and act like the dynamic young shortstop that he is. McLouth needs to start hitting like the promising Pirate OF of 2008. Heyward needs to make adjustments and get back on track. McCann will start hitting when he is actually given pitches to hit. Melky needs to be more Yankee Melky.
Do not expect any new savior player (and no we will not get Adrian for JoJo and scrubs – expect a Tex type package). There are 2 options – players pick it up or start subbing in. Hinske at 1B, Infante in the OF (LF or CF). Prado at 1B with Infante at 2B or SS. Prado at 3B, INfante at 2B.
Don’t bother the blog with Bobby Cox will be fired. He won’t. Not in his last season of a Hall Of Fame career. Pendleton is unlikely to be fired out of respect for Bobby. Bobby and TP must get the players attention though.
Frank Wren will really earn his money if he can find a solution on the trade market without gutting the farm system. I just don’t see an easy answer except the players themselves just need to get their act together and pick it up
Bat Masterson
April 27th, 2010
5:26 pm
Bat – you had to question the calmness. You even brought out TPG.
Soph, that’s because I’m selfish and I was bored, sorry.
Mixxo
April 27th, 2010
5:27 pm
…LINEUP: Schafer, Prado, Heyward, Cantu, McCann, Werth, Freeman, Escobar… ccrider
Man, I’m diggin’ that lineup. I like your plan too.
MiaBchBravesFan
April 27th, 2010
5:27 pm
ccrider’s 5:21 post: been there, said that.
Soph
April 27th, 2010
5:27 pm
It’s okay, Bat. It is kinda slow and boring without them.
Wayne in Utah
April 27th, 2010
5:28 pm
ccrider
Despite opinions of a few blog idiots, I still think it is a tad bit early to call it a season. Who besides Prado will not see their season average increase from this point forward? (maybe Hinske will drop off a bit too)
jeffrey d
April 27th, 2010
5:28 pm
Troy Glaus Hitting Fifth again?
He went 2-3 last night…it’s not like he did anything to lose his spot based on yesterday’s game
Jimmy Joe
April 27th, 2010
5:28 pm
Jason Bay homers. Mets up 2-0.
Imagine if the Mets finished ahead of the Braves in the standings this year? How embarrassing would that be?
It’s possible. They aren’t that far apart in talent. Especially with Beltran on his way back and Pelfrey pitching like a late nineties Kevin Brown.
N8
April 27th, 2010
5:29 pm
“Andrus is more of a defensive plus. He and Salty hit mostly around .220 last year.”
Andrus, for the record, hit .267 last year, with 33 SB.
This year, he is batting .258 with 0 HR and 7 RBI and a .717 OPS (while playing pretty solid defense).
Escobar? .191, 0 HR, 8 RBI, a stunning .512 OPS, and very solid defense.
One guy is on his way up. One guy should be hitting his peak years, and apparently has forgotten how to run the bases.
Yunel is actually the least of my worries on this team. His defense is worth more than his bat provides, and plenty of teams have won with all defense-no hit SS. Plus, he’ll heat up and go on a tear soon enough.
Leadoff spot might be best spot for him to stop trying to be an RBI guy and just do what he does well, which is hit the ball where it’s pitched and play defense. He has a small sample size, but his numbers in the leadoff spot for his career are actually pretty damn impressive.
I expect him to thrive there, which is why I suggested it all winter and most of last year before we traded for McLouth.
Soph
April 27th, 2010
5:29 pm
Anybody ITP here in Atlanta…was it just hailing? It lasted like 30 seconds and then stopped.
quadgator
April 27th, 2010
5:29 pm
of course teddy was a ny giant fan and lived in that home of braves’ support nyc & long island.
MiaBchBravesFan
April 27th, 2010
5:30 pm
sportsmandh: I agree! The kid might think he needs to carry this team. He needs to forget the crap around him and keep doing his learning thing.
J-MAN
April 27th, 2010
5:30 pm
Wayne I’ll tell you why cause I’m a p*ssed off fan and I hope that maybe a Braves player, coach, or GM might actually read this and see how many fans are feeling. Especially when it seems like we are only having half-a$$ effort by more than 1 player and that we just seem to think that if you put washed up players that Bobby Cox can work miracles. He is a all-time great but if you give him crap to work with then guess what comes up out on the field. I know that my opinion don’t really mean that much but you know what I still have that right to call out lack of effort and to cheer or boo who I want to.
Bat Masterson
April 27th, 2010
5:31 pm
Diatribe: a bitter or violent criticism or attack; denunciation
No sorry, MiaBchBravesFan , that was definitely a diatribe.
A bad idea
April 27th, 2010
5:31 pm
yeah, let’s trade Freeman, Schafer, Delgado, Minor, Teheran and Vizcaino to the Padres for AGon. That’ll work out well.
ATLiens
April 27th, 2010
5:31 pm
N8 valid point but chipper was 23 and had already had mlb at-bats. Heyward will eventually be in the 3 hole just not yet
faninva
April 27th, 2010
5:31 pm
one thing about Glaus that i think could provide instant help is to CHOKE UP on the bat. i could be wrong, but it looks as though he’s got his lower bat hand wrapped around the lower nodule, or whatever you call it (I know, sounds painful!). anyhoo, might help his chances not to hit into a double play next time the bases are loaded with one out.
Mixxo
April 27th, 2010
5:32 pm
Soph – That was just The Pee Guy……doin’ his thing.
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
5:32 pm
I’m Just Glad that we are playing like Slop Now and we are only 3 games back…
The 1992 Braves were in last place til late May If I’m not mistaking and went on to win 98 games…
Time to bump that “We Ready for y’all” as I get ready to hear it from Bandwagon Cardinal fans that I went to school with at the U of A….
That song rules when they play it before NFL kickoffs!
Salamander
April 27th, 2010
5:32 pm
Anybody ITP here in Atlanta…was it just hailing? It lasted like 30 seconds and then stopped.
Yeah, there was a brief hail interlude.
A bad idea
April 27th, 2010
5:33 pm
Adam Milligan, Cody Johnson and Zeke Spruill would be our best prospects. Bethancourt too.
jeffrey d
April 27th, 2010
5:33 pm
Wait, The Pee Guy was here?
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
5:34 pm
Jeffrey D…
It’s just that Glaus kills us late in games and In close situations (excluding last night)
If it were 5 years ago. then Hoss,B-Macc-and Glaus 3-4-5 would’ve been Nasty…
Wayne in Utah
April 27th, 2010
5:34 pm
T’hawkin
Good point (on the ‘92 season). Gotta keep it in perspective. Some on here don’t have a clue about that concept.
ATLiens
April 27th, 2010
5:35 pm
a bad idea…thats not even a good joke, sarcasm at its worst. You’re the kind of delusional, quick trigger fan that gives people on this blog a bad name
Stewart Smally
April 27th, 2010
5:36 pm
Wayne in Utah
April 27th, 2010
3:34 pm
Smalley
And your point??? Make a comparison that is relevant.
Wayne, I know it’s sometimes hard to follow things while barricaided inside the compound in Utah, but I made the point very clearly. I don’t think the Braves should be in the business of paying Chipper or Bobby Cox for their career up to an including allowing THEM to decide when they are finished. playing an managing. Chipper and Bobby both have made a very handsome income providing a service for their pay. Once they aren’t capable of producing, they should be replaced. End of story. Don’t tell me the Braves owe Chipper the honor of playing when he is no longer the best solution to the position based on his lifelong service as a Brave! Give the guy a gold watch to go along with the 100 million he’s made in his career as a Brave and send him on his way!
You made your position clear and that is Chipper should get to play as long as Chipper wants to play even if he can no longer do the job. I don’t buy that.
N8
April 27th, 2010
5:37 pm
“Chipper had more professional experience in ‘95 than Heyward has now.”
Sure he did. But didn’t Chipper himself say this spring that Heyward is much more advanced at age 20 than he was? I just finally read the SI story that came in my mailbox a few days ago, and Chipper was quoted in that article as saying that if Heyward gets any protection in the lineup he’d take 140 walks and it wouldn’t phase him.
I’m not sure we want our #3 hitter walking that much. But it wouldn’t bother me if the two guys behind him were a healthy Chipper and Mac.
If he’s not going to get put in the 3-hole, how about use his OBP capabilities and speed, and bat him 2nd, with Prado either going to leadoff (or dropping in order if Escobar stays at top)?
Why not let Heyward just hit and get on base, rather than trying to hit HR and “save the day” at the bottom of the order?
Does he have too much power for a #2 hitter? I don’t know. Ask Tony LaRussa. Ludwick had 22 HR and 97 RBI for the cardinals last year, and is batting 2nd for them.
Would Heyward remain a #2 hitter foreer? Hell no. But batting him 6th or 7th is just silly.
Put him ahead of Chipper and let him run, and see how many fastballs Chipper sees. See how many Mac sees. See how often he disrupts the pitchers into throwing meat and how often he goes 1st to 3rd on routine singles. Force some stuff to happen.
Ultimately I don’t care where he hits. 1st, 2nd, 3rd. But he deserves better protection in the lineup than Escobar, McLouth/Melky and the pitcher, don’t you think?
Chipper gets McGriff, Justice, Klesko and Javy “protecting” him as a rookie. Heyward gets Nate McLouth and Yunel Escobar (and his .512 OPS early in the year).
Give the kid one week of solid protection and see what it does to the flow of the lineup.
b12 joneal
April 27th, 2010
5:37 pm
troy had to hits yesterday so he will b fine
bravos2249
April 27th, 2010
5:38 pm
I don;t care if the Mets possibly end up with a better record than us, as long as they don’t win the divison or make the playoffs.
ccrider
April 27th, 2010
5:39 pm
Wayne in Utah; I mentioned, ‘if we fell out of contention”. I’m not near ready to call it a season, but Wren needs to have a plan to retool in place, if they do. This idea was just in case everything continues as it has and something along this line would give the Braves a chance to come back next year with an improved starting lineup, more flexability to make more moves and a better chance to contend.
N8
April 27th, 2010
5:39 pm
“N8 valid point but chipper was 23 and had already had mlb at-bats. Heyward will eventually be in the 3 hole just not yet” ATLiens
Sorry dude. Chipper was a September callup in 93 and had only a handful of AB’s (3 or 4 dont’ remember). So other than that, and the spring training AB’s before getting his knee shredded in 94), Heyward had more AB’s after game one this year than Chipper had before he started the 95 season in the 3-hole.
faninva
April 27th, 2010
5:40 pm
N8 – @ 5:37 you make some good arguments.
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
5:41 pm
Nasty Storm cell on the Eastside, That dirve on I 20 east heading out of Atlanta is already FUBAR on a sunny day let alone when its raining….
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
5:42 pm
N8 Good points on that Post about Chipper
Chipper had a power/speed combo back when we used to run and be aggressive on the bases…
MikeInFL
April 27th, 2010
5:44 pm
N8, after watching Heyward hit .171/.316/.258, with 12 K’s in his last 10 games, you want to move him UP in the lineup?
The time for that’ll come, but it hasn’t come yet.
btw, I agree with your general point about Murph and the lack of protection. I just think you’re taking it too far. Murph was a great player who would have been even better in a better lineup. But I’m not prepared to give him so much of a mulligan as to say he was as good as Chipper.
bravos2249
April 27th, 2010
5:45 pm
N8
You my friend are correct. Here are the batting orders from 1995.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/ATL/1995-batting-orders.shtml
Salty
April 27th, 2010
5:45 pm
Wow! Granted it’s been a while, and scarce since I’ve stopped by this old BBQ Blog, but gotta say I’m stunned to see Partridge Family lyrics! Does that mean Whitesnake is back in vogue?
And…still a few days left in April and the Braves are picked last behind the Mets…Heyward’s in (his second) a mini-slump. Chipper’s fielding grounders from ’six feet under’ and still can’t beat a Rollins to first.
Yep…over-reacting is still alive and well!
sportsmandh
April 27th, 2010
5:45 pm
Bay sure woulda looked good as our left fielder and clean up hitter.
Just sayin’ ….
TnBrian
April 27th, 2010
5:46 pm
PTI guys were just talking about Howard’s new contract and one brought up a qoute on the deal from Bobby Cox. Cox said if Howard is worth $25m a year than Pujols is worth $50m a year. I’m sure Bobby was being a little sarcastic, but one of the guys (the older white guy) got offended saying how can Pujols be worth twice as much as Howard and Bobby needs to just worry about locking up “Justin Heyward”. The white dude was mad that Cox said that, obviously.
N8
April 27th, 2010
5:46 pm
“Chipper had a power/speed combo…”
Sounds familiar, doesn’t it? Sad thing is, is that I don’t think Chipper (while VERY good), ever became the player they thought he would be when he was playing shortstop and had the speed.
Maybe he does still bulk up and hit all the bombs. But I remember him being touted as another Barry Larkin. SPEED and power.
bravos2249
April 27th, 2010
5:47 pm
Well facts are proven when you hit in front of Chipper Jones/Mac you’d get more to hit than hitting in front of Melky/Nate/Escobar.
ccrider
April 27th, 2010
5:48 pm
Mixxo: Lineup certainly better than now, less injury prone, younger, better defense. The plan is dependent on Frank Wren, who I think has done a decent job, not saying “Well I went out and acquired these players and I believe in them.”The Cubs” Believed “in Alphonso Soriano(that hasn’t work to well) and Milton Bradley( that worked even less well). Sometimes a GM has to cut his losses, not every move is going to work, but “staying the course” is not always the way to go. What I like most about this lineup is only Werth would be over 30 years old.
Bat Masterson
April 27th, 2010
5:49 pm
MikeInFL
I thought about your, Grantland Rice/ from first to worst, post driving down the road today and started laughing out loud, again.
Prayerful
April 27th, 2010
5:49 pm
OH NO! IT’S DEREK LOWE! :/
ATLiens
April 27th, 2010
5:50 pm
N8. true about the stats but Chipper had had much more professional experience. But atlas, agree to disagree. Chipper had all the protection in the world, Heywards not going to have protection in any spot in the lineup, even from Chipper or McCann. I actually agree that right now he would be an excellent 2-hole-hitter. That sucks since our best hitter is the perfect 2-hole hitter.
Wayne in Utah
April 27th, 2010
5:50 pm
Smalley
You attributed this to me:
You made your position clear and that is Chipper should get to play as long as Chipper wants to play even if he can no longer do the job. I don’t buy that.
That was not exactly what I was saying. I said Chipper earned the right to play hurt. Some on here were bitchin and moaning about him not manning up and playing when hurt.
Personally, I don’t think Chipper is playing badly enough to be removed. He is hitting better than everybody but Heyward and Prado.
My point is this: Chipper played cheap for the Braves for many years. Many now think that we are getting screwed because he is either A) in a career decline, or B) playing hurt. He is still the best option we have in the lineup as a legit third slot hitting thirdbaseman. I heard and understand all the defensive reasons for putting Prado at third and Infante at second, BUT, no way do I trade Infante’s bat on a day to day basis for the possibility that Chipper plays somewhat close to his career norms.
That is what I meant by saying he deserves to get to play. If he is hurt, he will be DL’d. If he continues on this slide for a good part of the season, then you will see Bobby resting him more than usual. I just don’t see how at the end of April he comes out of the lineup, considering his Hall of Fame career.
Some folks just don’t get it. The dude might suck at third right now, but do you bench him or release him because he has had a bad couple of weeks in the field?
Like I said, he will be DL’d if that is needed. Otherwise, he will play until he (and Bobby) determine he shouldn’t.
If you think we would be better off with Infante or Conrad in the lineup, then I don’t know why I am even having this discussion with you…..
faninva
April 27th, 2010
5:52 pm
TnBrian -
the older white guy is Tony Kornheiser, former columnist of the Washington Post (read a lot of his stuff – very overrated sportswriter imo), former MNF announcer (even he admitted he was terrible, which doesn’t go far enough as to how lousy he really was) and now current PTI and local radio show host here in the DC area. Never has a man gone so far on being such a tool.
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
5:53 pm
Even though Nelson (Nellie) Cruz is injured, dude already has 7 homers…
And I have lusted for us to trade for him for 3 years running, especially since he’d be a cheaper option than Adrian Gonzalez…
If the Rangers are in contention I want us to dump Lowe for Nellie Cruz but its early to speculate on that…
ATLiens
April 27th, 2010
5:53 pm
N8. i think every Braves fan is glad that even despite chipper’s struggles the last couple of years they had him instead of barry larkin jr.
Chris
April 27th, 2010
5:53 pm
Come on Bravos, get it done tonight!
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
5:54 pm
TnBrian
PTI, Mike and Mike, and Firstake are the only shows on BSPN worth watching…
Wayne in Utah
April 27th, 2010
5:56 pm
N8
I for one am glad Chipper didn’t turn into another Barry Larkin.
N8
April 27th, 2010
5:57 pm
“I actually agree that right now he would be an excellent 2-hole-hitter. That sucks since our best hitter is the perfect 2-hole hitter.” ATLiens
Yup. Which is why Heyward should hit 3rd. Keep Yunel at the top. Keep Prado in the 2-hole. Heyard 3rd, with Chipper (when healthy) protecting him in the cleanup spot, and Mac/Glaus flipping depending on lefty or righty.
If the Heyward, Chipper, McCann trio of lefties scares you, Chipper has actually been better from the right side the last couple of years. Let them turn him around if they bring in a lefty reliever.
Chipper and McCann get guys on base (as opposed to “guy” – Prado), Heyward gets protected, and the runs would start pooring in. At least from the top of the order. Bottom half might be one big black hole. But with this pitching, the team literally only needs one 3 run rally per night to have a better than average shot at winning.
If those 4-5 guys were clustered together in that order, I bet we’d have a better than average shot at 2 (or more) of those rallies per game.
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
5:57 pm
faninva
“April 27th, 2010
5:52 pm
TnBrian -
the older white guy is Tony Kornheiser, former columnist of the Washington Post (read a lot of his stuff – very overrated sportswriter imo), former MNF announcer (even he admitted he was terrible, which doesn’t go far enough as to how lousy he really was) and now current PTI and local radio show host here in the DC area. Never has a man gone so far on being such a tool.”
Yeah, Kornholler is a huge Foreskins fan, and when we was on M Night Football I stopped watching it because BSPN ruined Monday Night Football
faninva
April 27th, 2010
5:57 pm
Tomahawkin – the show NOT to watch on BSPN? Sports Nation with that GOD awful Colin Cowherd. Just…Just…Awful. Ever heard his radio show? Just..Just..Awful.
JC from DR
April 27th, 2010
6:00 pm
I find it so interesting that people call Bobby Cox a great manager just because he won 14 division titles and 1 WS with a bunch of teams full of All-Star caliber players that didn’t even need managing (and when they did, he screwed up with his awful desicions and got away with it). But now that he has to manage an average team with no more than good above average players, he can’t even win games with his awful desicions and STILL gets away with it. Go figure.
Stewart Smally
April 27th, 2010
6:01 pm
No need for conversation then, Wayne. I believe a healthy Infante is better capable of contributing to the Braves lineup than a Chipper who is about 60 % healthy.
Hugo Z Hackenbush
April 27th, 2010
6:02 pm
Kornheiser confused Jason with Justin Hayward of the Moody Blues. Easy mistake for baby boomers…
N8
April 27th, 2010
6:03 pm
Oh I don’t know. Larkin would have had multiple GG if Ozzie wasn’t around. Larkin stole almost 400 bases. Their batting averages and OBP are damn near even. Chipper has a career 946 OPS, while Larkins was .815. So obviously Chipper’s power is/was much better.
But Chipper was touted as a threat to go 30/30 on a yearly basis when coming up. As was Larkin, until injuries gutted his career.
I still think Chipper ends up being more powerful, despite the injury. But I doubt he would have bulked up so much had he stayed at SS. Would have killed his range.
Wayne in Utah
April 27th, 2010
6:03 pm
ccrider
I just don’t see us with a total remake of the team like you are suggesting. Even if we do stay in the tank into June or July. We have guys we can’t really unload, so we need to get as much out of them as we can (Chipper & Lowe).
Look at the guys who are struggling: Cabrera, Diaz, McLouth, Glaus, Escobar. Most of them WILL improve as the season progresses. Glaus maybe not? Jury is still out on him.
And all the others, Chipper, Mac and Heyward are up and down so far. Will probably do better. Prado will probably come back down to earth (he is moving towards career norms now).
Our hitting will not be as bad as it has been all season long. Let’s just hope the pitching will still be strong when the hitters get untracked.
Hugo Z Hackenbush
April 27th, 2010
6:04 pm
That gal Beadle is adorable, though. But not enough to get me to watch that show.
J-MAN
April 27th, 2010
6:05 pm
Chipper Jones= Roger Dorn. Brian Jordan is right.
faninva
April 27th, 2010
6:05 pm
That gal Beadle is adorable, though. But not enough to get me to watch that show. – Hugo.
AGREED! what a waste to team her with Colin Cowherd…just…just…awful.
Evan
April 27th, 2010
6:06 pm
It irritates me everyone keeps thinking we would have to trade away all of our top 5 prospects for A. Gon, the Padres GM would not be stupid enough to end talks that quickly. A much more likely package would be Freeman, Yunel, Minor and maybe 1 or at the most 2 more fringe prospects. I am by no means advocating this trade but I’m tired of the psuedo exasperation in the form of a sarcastic post suggesting we would even think about trading all 5 of our top 5 prospects for one player. And I get the mortgaging the future stuff that’s why I said I wouldn’t advocate it (preliminary defense of my post sentence for those who don’t read all of it or read it wrong)
Wayne in Utah (and Infante will lead us out of the doledrums!)
April 27th, 2010
6:06 pm
Omar Infante……………Chipper Jones not quite healthy?
Omar Infante …………..Chipper Jones not quite healthy?
Omar Infante …………..Chipper Jones not quite healthy?
No thank you, I will still take Chipper.
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
6:06 pm
faninva
“April 27th, 2010
5:57 pm
Tomahawkin – the show NOT to watch on BSPN? Sports Nation with that GOD awful Colin Cowherd. Just…Just…Awful. Ever heard his radio show? Just..Just..Awful.”
Cowherd isn’t that bad I catch his radio shown out here before I listen to Baisden in the evenings…
Hugo Z Hackenbush
April 27th, 2010
6:07 pm
Glen W, you didn’t read all of my posts. I said that Chipper wouldn’t leave 28 mil on the table. But the Braves could come up with some phoney baloney job for the next two years (hitting coach?) and compensate him enough to make it worthwhile…unless he has a great season, and then the point is moot.
Dollar Bill
April 27th, 2010
6:07 pm
Someone with a large bank account needs to the buy the team. Plain and simple. It would solve all the problems. Plus, you need to put butts in the seats at home. Its pathetic, Atlanta. Shame on you.
gobravos
April 27th, 2010
6:08 pm
Wow N8, your right man .267 is lighting it up…. Here’s the thing… your a moron dude. You would actually play Elvis Andrus over Yunel Escobar. Escobar was the BRAVES BEST PLAYER IN 2009. Get out of here with your b.s. dude. So I was off by .040 on a BA that’s below .280 to begin with. For a guy that doesn’t hit for power that’s not good. BTW, who takes quotes from other peopless posts and then writes a 3 paragraph critique on it. You must be tiny and living with your mom. PEACE!
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
6:08 pm
N8
Larkin probably plays a few more years if he didn’t play 85 percent of his career on artificial turf, Ditto for Griffey who played half his career on the artificial surface
CB
April 27th, 2010
6:08 pm
Somebody asked the other day for a translator when ncscoots posts- I understand what scoots says. I need a translator for Tomahawkin.
Saff
April 27th, 2010
6:09 pm
If this lineup has a good night they might bust out and score four runs, but on a typical night proabally 0-1. I guess we could probally expect a shutout which seems more likely than scoring more than a run. Oh yea and Derek Lowe will proball get rocked as usual.
Wayne in Utah (and Infante will lead us out of the doledrums!)
April 27th, 2010
6:10 pm
Evan
I think the Frank Wren mentality vs the John Schuerholz mentality is different. JS would go for it, because he had Turner’s cash for a lot of years. FW I think is trying to build on a foundation. I just don’t see him doing a big deal like that, regardless of how many top players he would have to deal.
I just think the two have different agendas.
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
6:10 pm
Dollar Bill
It just isn’t the braves who are struggling for attendance, word on the street is that the Hawks still have tickets left for their playoff games
CB
April 27th, 2010
6:11 pm
Actually N8 lives with his grandmother.
TnBrian
April 27th, 2010
6:11 pm
faninva, yeah, he’s tough guy alright. He has a fat mouth that needs to be punched …. hard. Whatever, he seems like a joke and ain’t even worth talking about anymore.
jonnyboy
April 27th, 2010
6:12 pm
This just in: The only team the Braves MIGHT be better than is the Orioles and I say might because the Orioles play in the toughest division in baseball. A division that would eat the Braves alive.
Wayne in Utah (and Infante will lead us out of the doledrums!)
April 27th, 2010
6:13 pm
Dollar Bill
I don’t think you (dollars) is the problem with our team. We are a mid market team, and our payroll reflects that. More money is not the way to fix things. We are NEVER going to have the Turner days again.
I think we have to be realistic in our expectations for this team.
J-MAN
April 27th, 2010
6:13 pm
Chipper Jones is no longer Chipper Jones. He has turned into Roger Dorn from Major League. He won’t dive for any line drive and he gets hurt every three days……… Oh wait a tick its about time to a hamstring or oblique to get pulled tonight.
Wayne in Utah (and Infante will lead us out of the doledrums!)
April 27th, 2010
6:14 pm
you “are”
not you “is”
faninva
April 27th, 2010
6:14 pm
Cowherd isn’t that bad I catch his radio shown out here before I listen to Baisden in the evenings… – Tomahawkin
to each his own. i guess for me he’s a bit too condescending to his audience, his sports/sociology “you ever notice” brand of sports talk. now that he’s engaged he can’t go 5 minutes without saying the word “fiancé” every 5 minutes. ya, we get it..congrats dude, but shut up already.
TnBrian
April 27th, 2010
6:14 pm
Colin Cowherd looks like Pee-Wee Herman. The difference is Cowherd is a lot more annoying.
gobravos
April 27th, 2010
6:16 pm
Cowherd’s a Lane Kiffin fan. Enough said on that one.
Wayne in Utah (and Infante will lead us out of the doledrums!)
April 27th, 2010
6:16 pm
C’mon CB, get it right for N8. He lives in his mother-in-law’s basement. (but rumor has it he gets free DSL from the neighbors!)
TnBrian
April 27th, 2010
6:16 pm
jonnyboy, we got it. Now go away and play in the lightning and thunder. Go on, GET! That Braves bashing has gotten so old and silly.
David O'Brien
April 27th, 2010
6:17 pm
Eight years ago today, Derek Lowe pitched a no-hitter for Boston against Tampa Bay, the first no-hitter at Fenway Park since 1965.
J-MAN
April 27th, 2010
6:18 pm
Dear God, can you get Liberty Media to sell the Braves to Authur Blank.
CB
April 27th, 2010
6:18 pm
Wayne, [cough} doldrums[cough]
David O'Brien
April 27th, 2010
6:20 pm
Turnip-Green: Kerry Meier’s tough and has terrific hands, I know that. Catches everything he gets his hands on (and he doesn’t play wearing gloves, regardless of weather). He was initially a quarterback at KU.
jeffrey d
April 27th, 2010
6:21 pm
I need a translator for Tomahawkin
Let me take a stab at the first few entries of Tomahawkin-English dictionary…
bumpin: (v) listening to
clowned: (v) to get embarrassed or to make oneself look bad
guap: (adj) a lot
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
6:21 pm
gobravos
“April 27th, 2010
6:16 pm
Cowherd’s a Lane Kiffin fan. Enough said on that one.”
I’m so glad that talk is over. The guys on 680AM were killing me in their infactuation of him leaving Tennessee
sportsmandh
April 27th, 2010
6:21 pm
someone made a reference earlier in a post about Chipper to Ripken. It had to do with when Chipper will be ready to hang it up. Made me wonder, so I checked stats.
At age 37, which Chipper was last year, Ripken hit:
.270,17 HR,84 rbi,.733OPS
At age 38, which Chipper is now, Ripken hit:
.271,l4 HR, 61rbi, .721 OPS
Last year, Chipper: .264, 18 Hrs, 71 rbi, .818 OPS
scary they are similar to Ripkens at the same age (Chipper still had decent OPS b/c he draws a lot of walks despite his average drop last year)
I’ll admit I expected more from Chipper this year. I thought he’d rebound (and maybe he still will). I didn’t expect much defensively, but I expected a LOT more offensively. Right now you have to admit like a lot of posters he looks brutal all the way around. And now that someone brought up this Ripken idea and I looked at these #s, I’m even more concerned b/c after I thought about it, I think it’s a pretty good comparison at Chipper’s age. So, now I’m not convinced Chipper will rebound to much more than what he did last year.
In 99, when Ripken was 39 and started to only play part time, he then hit .340, 18 HRs, 57 rbi, and .952 in just a little over half the # of at bats of the previous two years. Pretty nice numbers. (After that he played two more years and declined, but at 39 that wasn’t a bad season as mentioned)
Maybe it’s possible Chipper needs to go ahead and become a part time player. Starting sooner than later. Play 2 out of every 3 games or so to keep him fresher. Just a thought. What do you guys think?
Wayne in Utah
April 27th, 2010
6:21 pm
CB
Hey, ever since I won that 8th grade spelling bee, it’s been down hill since!
David O'Brien
April 27th, 2010
6:21 pm
Fear: I had a good pulled-chicken BBQ sandwich at my hotel restaurant. Oh, and some mighty fine banana pancakes and turkey sausage.
Need to get some good toasted ravioli before I leave.
J-MAN
April 27th, 2010
6:22 pm
D.O.B. you should cover the Falcons. That way you can cover a winner like you should.
TnBrian
April 27th, 2010
6:22 pm
I wonder what’s happend with Lowe. Really, he’s had one dominant game as a Brave and that was opening day last year as far as I can remember. It could be the contract he’s trying hard to live up to and it’s playing with his head. Who knows.
jeffrey d
April 27th, 2010
6:23 pm
He has another word for “awhile” as in… “The Braves haven’t hit a homerun in a….”
but I can’t think of it
faninva
April 27th, 2010
6:24 pm
DOB –
did you get back to Lions Choice restaurant? i remember you talking about that place last year. best roast beef sandwich ever.
chris
April 27th, 2010
6:24 pm
everybody, lowe is gonna throw a no hitter today baby! yea!
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
6:24 pm
jeffrey d
“April 27th, 2010
6:21 pm
I need a translator for Tomahawkin
Let me take a stab at the first few entries of Tomahawkin-English dictionary…
bumpin: (v) listening to
clowned: (v) to get embarrassed or to make oneself look bad
guap: (adj) a lot”
Lol, you’re close partnah!
When I say someone is clowing in a baseball related manner that means doing good or tearing it up (hitting-wise)
And your right a Gripp is a lot (Time-related)
And if we lose tonight I’m probably gonna be rocking some old Henry Rollins, Beavis and Butt-head got me onto that….
Einstein
April 27th, 2010
6:24 pm
The Braves are a simple fix: Get rid of Bobby and Terry (any of the past 3 Marlins managers would be an upgrade and Chipper’s Dad can teach hitting). Retire or trade Chipper and Lowe (may cause a rethinking of a new hitting coach). Trade Escobar for someone with a brain. Send Glaus to the minors for reps and confidence. Admit to the fans that ‘10 is a rebuilding year and bring up our best prospects for 1st base, shortstop, and third base. And last, tell the Braves that they will get a bonus for every single, and that they’ll be fined for every strikeout and homerun. Our team has a lot of talent, but no direction.
Wayne in Utah
April 27th, 2010
6:25 pm
sportsmandh
I think Chipper will get his share of days off. I think with the rest of the offense struggling now, it might not be a good time to sit him too much, unless of course he is hurt.
Again, if Diaz, McLouth and Escobar were at career average, Chipper would probably be getting 1-2 days off a week.
jeffrey d
April 27th, 2010
6:26 pm
DOB, your metabolism must be fantastic
ncgary
April 27th, 2010
6:26 pm
mark bradley was right about the braves being magical.
the offense disappeared
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
6:26 pm
Yeah the Braves have’t hit a homerun in a Gripp let alone win a game for that matter
tashunka
April 27th, 2010
6:27 pm
With Melky and Nate, maybe we should just resign Glavine to play the outfield. Of course, been taking a look at Jeff F. and K. Johnson’s numbers. Add that to Heyward and the Braves would have a good outfield–of course this assumes that TP would not be involved.
Wayne in Utah
April 27th, 2010
6:29 pm
TnBrian
If you go back to last year and check his splits, I seem to remember Lowe had a lot of really good games, mixed in with a couple of bad stretches where he got clobbered, often times still winning.
I don’t think he has been as bad as some would think. Granted, I expected and do expect more from him.
MikeInFL
April 27th, 2010
6:30 pm
Bat Masterson
April 27th, 2010
5:49 pm
MikeInFL
I thought about your, Grantland Rice/ from first to worst, post driving down the road today and started laughing out loud, again.
Bat, I laughed about it a couple of times today myself. Hey, I was just working with the material provided to me… I almost cried laughing when I saw that post. poop is crap!
Dollar Bill
April 27th, 2010
6:30 pm
Realistically, they need to get Glaus out of the middle of the lineup. If it is McCann hitting 4th, then fine. They could give the kid a shot at it. He can be clutch. Unrealistically, if they had money, Tex would still be hitting clean-up. The Braves would be a totally different team. One guy can make that much difference.
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
6:31 pm
61 degrees and the wind blowing in…It’s sweather weather feels like Halloween weather
No heavy offense tonight, “Bank On It!” Lowe is gonna have to come correct and go seven strong, plus I think the New Busch stadium is more pitcher friendly than the old one after they renovated it
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
6:33 pm
Dollar Bill
“April 27th, 2010
6:30 pm
Realistically, they need to get Glaus out of the middle of the lineup. If it is McCann hitting 4th, then fine”
I’m pretty sure you read the blog and I have been saying that all season. We don’t have the 2002 version of Glaus hitting fifth, we have a version of Glaus on offense that is similiar to Loaf
larry
April 27th, 2010
6:33 pm
It’s sad but true, JS made great trades early but he killed us near the end. Wainright,,Tex
David O'Brien
April 27th, 2010
6:34 pm
This pertains to nothing here today, but just thought I’d point out, lefty hitters are 0-for-14 with seven strikeouts against Jonathan Sanchez this season.
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
6:37 pm
I can’t recall and April where it has been this cool so late into the month across the country…
It’s gonna go from Halloween weather to 90 degrees and hot as balls in 10 days, I hate it when the weather fluctuates like that…
David O'Brien
April 27th, 2010
6:37 pm
Jair Jurrjens and Kenshin Kawakami have the worst and third-worst run support among NL starters this season, 1.57 runs per nine innings pitched for Jurrjens and 2.12 per nine for Kawakami. Lowe has the third-highest at 9.27.
Soph
April 27th, 2010
6:39 pm
I like this weather. Well, the coolness not the rain.
Mr. Enigma
April 27th, 2010
6:40 pm
Just for fun, I decided to go through the 14 division title years and see what their April records were:
1991: 8-10, finished 94-68
1992: 11-11, finished 98-64
1993: 12-13, finished 104-58
1994: 15-8, finished 68-46 (strike shortened)
**due to the strike, only 5 games were played in April 1995, so I am going through May 25**
1995: 17-11, finished 90-54
1996: 16-11, finished 96-66
1997: 19-6, finished 101-61
1998: 18-9, finished 106-56
1999: 15-7, finished 103-59
2000: 18-6, finished 95-67
2001: 12-14, finished 88-74
2002: 12-15, finished 101-59
2003: 17-10, finished 101-61
2004: 11-10, finished 96-66
2005: 14-10, finished 90-72
So as you can see by some of these examples, a poor April does not a bad team make. The bottom line is instead of just one or two guys slumping, everyone is slumping at once. All of these guys aren’t going to hit .200 all season. Nate’s been hitting the ball a lot harder lately, just right at people. Glaus and Cabrera had multi-hit games last night, so maybe they’ll get going. Hopefully the lead-off spot will re-energize Yunel. Maybe I’m just being hopelessly optimistic, but a dissapointing (read: not awful) April does not sink a team, especially in a division as poor as the NL East is starting off to be. It’s been rough for Atlanta but hey, look at the big picture: through it all, they are still only 2.5 back of first place. Amazing.
faninva
April 27th, 2010
6:40 pm
“We don’t have the 2002 version of Glaus hitting fifth, we have a version of Glaus on offense that is similiar to Loaf.” – Tomahawkin
isn’t it interesting that they were both studs with the Angels back in the day. and now…
BraveMan
April 27th, 2010
6:41 pm
J-MAN @ 6:05,
that was funny.
FEAR
April 27th, 2010
6:43 pm
DOB – Sounds pretty good to me. What city has the worst food?
ccrider
April 27th, 2010
6:43 pm
Wayne in Utah: The reason I came up with this suggestion, is that those very players you talk about being hard to move, Lowe and Chipper, are two of the reason this team is playing so poorly. Chipper is hitting alright,but not slugging much, he can’t defend well anymore, this and last year, he can’t stay healthy and stay in the lineup and his contract extension that Frank Wren gave him restricts the moves the Braves can make. I will bet you Chipper is mulling retirement, he is a proud and great player, who doesn’t want to be remembered as someone just hangin on for a paycheck. Lowe has being nothing more than a low quality innings eater. But, a team that had a good defense and offense behind him might be interested at $7.5 a year. A number of teams would be interested in Kawakami at 6.5 for one year.
Cabrera, Glaus and maybe Diaz are gone after this season either way. Saito has some value. Some team will take a chance on McLouth for one year to see if they can fix him.
This idea is just a suggestion of how we could get rid of the non productive players, make room for our young ready to play prospects and add younger proven veteran players, while decreasing payroll.
But, while I think most of it is feasible, it would be a long shot to occur, because Frank Wren would have to admit some of his work did not turn out well, and we know how loathe GM’s are to do that!
Disco Stew
April 27th, 2010
6:44 pm
If Chipper becomes a part time player it will be for an AL team. The Braves cannot afford a 13-14mm/yr guy who plays 3x a week.
Bat Masterson
April 27th, 2010
6:44 pm
isn’t it interesting that they were both studs with the Angels back in the day. and now…
Tomahawkin has a theory about that very thing.
the real Andy
April 27th, 2010
6:47 pm
>>>the show NOT to watch on BSPN? Sports Nation with that GOD awful Colin Cowherd. Just…Just…Awful. Ever heard his radio show? Just..Just..Awful. – faninva
well, that’s one thing we can agree on. i don’t wish harm on anyone, but if i accidentally catch myself listening to that guy, i immediately start thinking about punching him in the face.
Salamander
April 27th, 2010
6:49 pm
I know Soph, can’t beat it. Supposed to be somewhat cool tomorrow as well.
TNBravesfan
April 27th, 2010
6:55 pm
I initially thought the Braves would have a solid outfield. However, I should have known better. Cabrera is a career .266 hitter and McLouth is a career .258 hitter. Diaz is a solid role player and Heyward is gonna be a star, but he is a 20 year old rookie. For all those who blame Glaus for Atlanta’s offensive woes, the outfield is terrible just like it was last year. As a collective group, they are hitting an embarrassing .183 with 5 HR and 23 RBI. 4 of those HR are the rookie’s and he has 16 of the RBI. That means the veterans of McLouth, Diaz and Cabrera are hitting a combined .163 1 HR and 7 RBI. The problem with the leadoff spot is an outfield problem (because these guys have been batting leadoff). I would have to say this is the worst offensive performance I have ever seen from a major league outfield.
Wayne in Utah
April 27th, 2010
6:56 pm
I hope Kobe is still pouting tonight! I can’t believe he actually pulls that crap of not shooting, just to punish Jackson and the rest of the team.
What a frickin’ pre-madonna! I don’t wish harm on folks, but a ruptured hamstring or achilles tendon would serve a jerk like Kobe just about perfectly.
carlchamblee
April 27th, 2010
6:57 pm
I will say re: Cowherd he said something pretty insightful the other day regarding baseball. Pointed out that the good baseball teams have the most players in their prime/peak of their careers, with some help from vets/rookies sprinkled in. The Phils are a good example of this as are the Yankees. I know it’s a rather obvious point, but it scares me when I apply it to the Braves. Who is at their peak right now? Franchise player Chipper is past and fading fast. Young phenom not even close just getting seasoned. Glaus is obvious. Escobar hasn’t reached his potential or maybe he has. McCann? Perhaps.
Rabiddawg
April 27th, 2010
6:57 pm
OH, I remember the good ol days, you know way back in early April, 2010. Yup, those were the days when I thought the Bravos could win every game. My how times have changed through the years, wait months, wait weeks!!! what the heck? We’ve gotten this bad in a little over a week. Oh well theres always BAB (Braves After Bobby).
ccrider
April 27th, 2010
6:57 pm
Wayne in Utah: By the Way, I really don’t see it as a major rebuilding as you do. The lineup would under go the biggest change, but CF would have been Schafer’s if he had been able to come back from is injury this spring and Glaus was only keeping 1st base warm until Freeman came up next year. So really it’s just trading out Chipper at 3rd for Cantu and Werth in LF for what would have been McLouth. The rotation would just be moving two young guys (Venters and Medlen) from the bullpen into the starting rotation, while gaining payroll flexability by moving part of two 37 year old starters salaries. The bullpen would only lose Saito, who isn’t under contract next season. The bench would be mostly the same.
Wayne in Utah
April 27th, 2010
6:58 pm
Tnbravesfan
Yeah, they have kinda sucked a bit! Ever catch yourself wishing for Loaf or Ryan Church……..or better yet, RYAN FREEL!!!
carlchamblee
April 27th, 2010
6:59 pm
DOB – do you have tonight’s lineup yet? I just took my Pepcid so I’m ready to hear it.
FEAR
April 27th, 2010
7:00 pm
hahaha ryan freel!
JEB
April 27th, 2010
7:00 pm
TNBravesfan:
Have to say I totally agree with you!
At some point – we will REALLY need to get worried about McClouth! (like this week)
DOB wrote about how bad he was in spring training – and now it is the end of April and things STILL have not changed. Wren & BC will need to make some serious decisions about him in the next few weeks if he does not turn it around.
Disco Stew
April 27th, 2010
7:00 pm
TN – spot on commentary.
Wren has a penchant (like JS) to add one impact guy when he needs 2-3. Whether its finances or pollyanna projects of reclamation players this club always seems to be a day late and dollar short when it comes to the OF and the offense.
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
7:03 pm
TnBravesfan
“As a collective group, they are hitting an embarrassing .183 with 5 HR and 23 RBI. 4 of those HR are the rookie’s and he has 16 of the RBI. That means the veterans of McLouth, Diaz and Cabrera are hitting a combined .163 1 HR and 7 RBI. The problem with the leadoff spot is an outfield problem (because these guys have been batting leadoff). I would have to say this is the worst offensive performance I have ever seen from a major league outfield.”
Even though Nelson (Nellie) Cruz is injured, dude already has 7 homers…
And I have lusted for us to trade for him for 3 years running, especially since he’d be a cheaper option than Adrian Gonzalez…
If the Rangers are in contention I want us to dump Lowe for Nellie Cruz but its early to speculate on that…
Wayne in Utah
April 27th, 2010
7:04 pm
ccrider
At this point, any talk about moving Chipper is pointless. Maybe he retires, but I don’t think so. And to think of getting rid of Lowe is a pipe dream. Last offseason proved that point.
I do expect to see Schafer and Freeman in the lineup by mid year next year (possibly sooner). And as for Werth, get him in a regular ballpark, and maybe he doesn’t hit as good? Just sayin. I think we go with McLouth, Schafer and Heyward in the outfield next year. Melky is a bench guy at best. Diaz will come back and hit.
As for Cantu at third, I would be OK with him, but again, I am not ready to write off Chipper just yet.
And why would you want to unload Kawakami? You wouldn’t get much for him, and he is an excellent 4/5 starter.
I just don’t see it happening.
carlchamblee
April 27th, 2010
7:04 pm
Tomahawk, why do we need Nellie Cruz when we have 3 Nellie Olsens?
braveshoo
April 27th, 2010
7:04 pm
I’m sorry, but we are losing games because of bad coaching. Last night, Hudson pitched a great game, but since his injury, he tires early. Once Hudson gave up the home run in the 5th, Cox should have taken him out. We have a great bullpen. At that point, we are still leading 3-1, and the bullpen likely holds the lead. Instead, Hudson gives up another homerun in the 6th + a single that ultimately scores before Cox takes him out. TOO LATE. The same thing the night before. Mcloth is on 1st, and Hanson fails to bunt. Bad fundamentals-bad coaching. My little league team can bunt. Then with 2 outs, why not steal McClouth. He is not going to score from ist, And we are not going to get two more hits. He is successful 95% stealing. If he steals, He scores on Cabrera’s hit. Instead he dies on 2nd. The next inning, Prado doubles with no outs. Chipper fails to get him to 3rd. Again, bad fundamentals. If Chipper cant pull the ball and get him over, Bunt him over. They walk McCann. Bunt Glaus and get him home. Chipper makes a great stop with 2 outs, and then throws the ball away when he had no chance to get the runner. Hold the ball. Hanson struck out the next batter, and Reyes doesnt score. Final score= Braves-2-Mets-0. The bottom line is that as bad as we are hitting, we still could be winning a lot of these games. Bobby needs to adjust. This team cant win the same old way. We are not going to hit enough, and we definitely are not going to hit enough HRs. We have to bunt: hit and run; steal; and manage our bullpen. And our coaches need to coach baserunning, bunting, and fundamental baseball a lot better.
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
7:06 pm
CarlChamblee
“DOB – do you have tonight’s lineup yet? I just took my Pepcid so I’m ready to hear it.”
It was posted on one of the previous pages and it includes Glaus hitting 5th and the Meld-Dud is starting, you might wanna switch to Wild Turkey tonight after watching this offense hit in sweather-weather tonight
Its odd the braves had the best hitting OF in 2003 and now have had the Worst from 2008 to the present
Wayne in Utah
April 27th, 2010
7:06 pm
T’hawkin
In what universe can you see the Rangers taking Lowe, and giving up Cruz? We’d have to throw in a lot of cash and another player.
Hank44
April 27th, 2010
7:07 pm
Hey, we’re lucky to be only 3 games out, especially the way we’ve been hitting. It’s still early, who would have thought we’d have four or five players batting .200 or lower and still be close. Give it time, Chipper and the gang will get it going.
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
7:09 pm
T’hawkin
“In what universe can you see the Rangers taking Lowe, and giving up Cruz? We’d have to throw in a lot of cash and another player.”
If the Rangers are in the NL west race I don’t think they have the veteran starting pitching to hane with the Halos or the Mariners…
Plus Trading for Nellie Cruz would be cheaper than dumping the Farm for Adrian Gonzalez who would be a rental
Plus there are a bunch of teams that are going to be looking ar Gonzalez, but its early
b12 joneal
April 27th, 2010
7:11 pm
the braves are fine everyday people talk bout the team because we r lossing ita not even at the 50 game mark every thing going to be ok
And Roodge Owns
April 27th, 2010
7:11 pm
8 of 9 batters hitting .255 or less. Some… way less. When is the last time a starting line up in late April could say that, I wonder?
crymeariver
April 27th, 2010
7:11 pm
If Lowe really got back into his old form of yesteryear, the Braves might be able to trade him.
And Roodge Owns
April 27th, 2010
7:12 pm
b12 joneal, I hope you typed that from your Blackberry while running from a housefire.
Wayne in Utah
April 27th, 2010
7:12 pm
Again, why would the Rangers give up Cruz for Lowe and his salary?
Don’t get me wrong, I would love to have Cruz, but it would take Lowe and Medlen to get him. Lowe alone will not do it.
crymeariver
April 27th, 2010
7:12 pm
I believe Lowe will shut the Cards out tonight.
PUREFAN
April 27th, 2010
7:14 pm
APRIL!
How long can Melky, McClouth, Escobar, Glaus, etc. continue as is?
If any NL team has the pitching staff to go on an extended run it is the Braves. Give it some time, but don’t be satisfied with lack of hustle or playing herd.
Wayne in Utah
April 27th, 2010
7:14 pm
crymeariver
Good point, but I still think you’d have to send over a truck load of cash in that deal. Plus, if Lowe is dealing, why would you want to trade him?
Wayne in Utah
April 27th, 2010
7:16 pm
crymeariver
I already called it: Braves win 9-7. Lowe gets the win and goes 4-1 with an ERA over 5!
crymeariver
April 27th, 2010
7:18 pm
Go Braves!
Wayne in Utah
April 27th, 2010
7:18 pm
Gotta run…….I’ll try to check back in after the game tonight. Gonna be watching the Thunder and the Lakers later on. Go Thunder!
Ray K.
April 27th, 2010
7:19 pm
I am stupefied by the anti-Chipper sentiment that sweeps through this blog the last couple years like a prevailing wind of near-sightedness. Some people have a kind of visceral reaction to his errors, injuries or his slower bat speed. He’s past his prime, folks. But he is one season removed from a batting title and before last night was hitting .380 for the week.
When Chipper Jones’ days as a Brave are officially over, you naysayers will be singing a different tune as we painstakingly develop some new bright-eyed prospect at 3rd or rent some guy like a David Wright in the winter of his career–when Chipper’s presence is no longer felt in that line-up, and a mortal baseball player who will never be mentioned in the same breath as Hall of Fame is standing in his stead, you’ll be eating crow.
Chipper Jones, deficiencies and all, is still wholly respected for his ability at the plate. Have you noticed how carefully thet still pitch him? Have you noticed they don’t offer him much near the heart of the plate? Have you noticed his number of walks–with Brian McCann in the on deck circle? How is this lost on so many die hard fans?
Ask 100 pitchers in the league who they’d rather see up in the bottom of the 9th with a man on 2nd: Omar Infante or Chipper Jones. Go ahead, plug in Omar, who is no slouch with the bat or glove, for a half season and see how opposing teams’ pitchers approach the Braves line-up. They used to say that how GM goes, so goes the country.
Until guys like Heyward and Freeman truly arrive as premiere players, the fact of the matter is: how Chipper goes, so go the Braves.
The guy deserves at least as much respect from his fans as he garners from pitchers. But apparently he won’t get it from some until he’s gone, and the reality of the post Chipper era sets in.
Daybed Wagmoe
April 27th, 2010
7:19 pm
Tonight’s a fresh game. Braves gotta put the last 6 games behind them, take their hacks, and see who’s on top after 9 innings.
crymeariver
April 27th, 2010
7:20 pm
Wayne – If Lowe is dealing you get something for him while the getting is good.
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
7:22 pm
Wayne in Utah
April 27th, 2010
7:12 pm
“Again, why would the Rangers give up Cruz for Lowe and his salary?
Don’t get me wrong, I would love to have Cruz, but it would take Lowe and Medlen to get him. Lowe alone will not do it.”
Yeah agreed that’s the luxury of having too much good pitching 30 other teams can’t claim that…
Plus on another matter we better try to get Double J locked up now, otherwise he leaves in a few years….
gobravos
April 27th, 2010
7:25 pm
Has Cox tried Omar Infante in the OF leading off this year? To me, playing McLouth and Cabrera at the same time is a mistake. Especially with both guys struggling. I think Infante might really get it going if he played everyday. He was great last year before he got hurt. Maybe even rotate Infante into the infield at second and let Prado play first or third to give Larry and Troy some days off. My first reaction when I heard LaRoche would not be the bridge to Freeman was to let Prado play first for a year, let Infante play second, and then get a guy like Hinske as a back up for Prado if he had to leave first because of some injury to someone in the infield. Come on Bobby, we gotta do something to shake it up!
Hank44
April 27th, 2010
7:29 pm
Let’s re-trade Melky for Vasquez and let Diaz play full time.
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
7:29 pm
GoBravos
Good Idea…
I’d rather have Infante Leading off and playing LF than the Melk-Dud
I like Infante and MP at the top of the order in the 1-2 sluts
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
7:30 pm
slots
David O'Brien
April 27th, 2010
7:30 pm
La Russa is batting his pitcher (Carpenter) eighth today and Brendan Ryan ninth, first time he’s hit the pitcher eighth since July. His logic is that Ryan is struggling and he wants to see if he’ll get some better pitches to hit not being in front of the pitcher in the order.
crymeariver
April 27th, 2010
7:31 pm
Chipper is getting kind long in the tooth. He makes a lot of errors and has the fielding range of a flag pole, he doesn’t hit as good as he used to and it seems like he strains or pulls something every other time he breaks wind.
But! He is still a pretty good third baseman, a good hitter, and a team player that cares about winning first and foremost.
He is still a Star of MLB and a marquee player for the Braves.
I think we should let him play out the rest of his career as a player, and cut him him some slack. But that’s just my opinion.
Hank44
April 27th, 2010
7:32 pm
Imagine what Diaz’ numbers would look like with 450-500 at bats.
Playoffs!?!?
April 27th, 2010
7:32 pm
Heard Frank Wren on 680 the Fan telling everyone Troy Glaus is just hitting in bad luck and a lot of his outs are “hit hard right at someone” He didn’t explain all the strikeouts, however. And those suck-up radio guys Chuck Dowdle (sp?) and Beau something (the ex-UGA quarterback) feeding him softball questions and agreeing with everything he said.
Hope your not getting that way DOB! Break a news story every now and then,a d don’t spend so much time on this blog. It’s getting boring. Sorry, that just how I feel.
RT
April 27th, 2010
7:32 pm
The Braves problems started with Frank Wrenn.
J-MAN
April 27th, 2010
7:33 pm
The Braves are already DONE!!!! John Smoltz said “you can’t win the division in April, but you can lose it in April”, also this goes to show the arrogance of this organization to think that Bobby Cox could change a washed up Troy Glaus and get a career year out of Melkey Cabrera and to get Chipper to play hurt was too much even for him to do. He has worked miracles (John Burkett, Jared Wright, Charles Thomas…. ect) But if you have garbage talent, then you get a garbage team. And this sucks because I love this team so much but I gotta call them like I see them.
Daybed Wagmoe
April 27th, 2010
7:33 pm
gobravos — Yup, Infante hit leadoff in Saturday’s game against the Mets. 0-for-5 with 2 Ks, though I mention that just to let you know how he did rather than saying that’s how he would do every time up there. While I’d rather have him in there than both Melky and McLouth, his OF defense isn’t all that great.
crymeariver
April 27th, 2010
7:35 pm
Braves aren’t DONE yet!
RT
April 27th, 2010
7:36 pm
The Cards are batting ther pitcher 8th tonight,we should bat ours 1st!
Brian from SC
April 27th, 2010
7:36 pm
Sometimes I wonder about the sanity of folks here. Under what circumstances would anyone imagine that the Rangers would trade Cruz to us for anyone? He’s their best hitter, he’s young, and he’s making peanuts.
Think about this: Would you entertain the Cubs if they wanted to trade Alfonso Soriano to us for Tommy Hanson? That’s how ridiculous a trade for Cruz involving Derek Lowe sounds to the Rangers. I don’t think some people understand how trades work.
Stewart Smally
April 27th, 2010
7:37 pm
Let me clarify my Chipper thoughts. Do I long to see a healthy Chipper in the lineup? Of course I do! Do I think that a healthy Chipper, even at his current age, is capable of putting up numbers that can help propel a team to wins! Yes! Yes, I do!
A gimpy Chipper as he currently exists, is not as productive as a healthy Infante. Has nothing to do with what Chipper is capable of when healthy. Chipper is not healthy, so he isn’t capable of producing like a healthy Chipper.
Now for all of you folks that think that the Braves are better off with only Chipper’s hat sitting on third base and that’s better than a healthy bench player…. you’re freakin nuts! You still believe in Santa! You’re longing for the days of your youth when heros were real! Chipper couldn’t walk on water last time I checked. End of story!
Gary O
April 27th, 2010
7:37 pm
DOB,
Since the Braves have so many hitters who are struggling, I wonder if Bobby has considered doing what the Cardinals coach did?
Make our pitcher hit higher up (6th or 7th), and then maybe Glaus and McLouth will get better pitches to hit.
J/K
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
7:37 pm
J-MAN
I’m a lil disappointed that you said that, especially since you’re a blog veteran
I’m trying to keep my head up in that knowing that the 1992 braves squad were in last place until late may even though that was a different division
Not to mention we are only 3 games out but my focus is on the WC. We showed that we are not fundamentally sound enough to try to chase the phillies. Win the WC and go from there
David O'Brien
April 27th, 2010
7:37 pm
Wagner hasn’t pitched in a week, since the April 20 series opener against Philly. I asked him if it’s difficult to stay sharp going that long between appearances: “”Oh, hell yeah. It’ll be no fun when I come in the game, and I’m sure it won’t be any room for error. It should be about a one-run game with Pujols coming up. So that’ll be fun.”
RT
April 27th, 2010
7:37 pm
The Braves have been done for 3 years,dump chipper now!
crymeariver
April 27th, 2010
7:38 pm
Who is Mr. Bobby trying at the Leadoff spot tonight?
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
7:38 pm
Where is Charles Thomas AKA Chuckie?
Brian from SC
April 27th, 2010
7:38 pm
Wagner should pitch tonight regardless of how the game goes.
TnBrian
April 27th, 2010
7:39 pm
Brian from SC, a lot of them are drunk by now. You know they are because they’re forgetting that we’ve all readthe same BS trade scenarios 50,000 times by these people and anyone sober or sane knows it ain’t happening. Just scan over it.
Brian from SC
April 27th, 2010
7:39 pm
Charles Thomas hasn’t been in pro baseball for the last two years.
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
7:42 pm
Hell No, Soriano got that contract by having a “Contract year” he has been overpaid Garbage since he got that fat contract, not to mention he doesn’t steal basis anymore
Fact of the matter is Nellie Cruz would be a cheaper option than dumping the Farm for a rental as the case in trading for Adrian Gonzalez…
David O'Brien
April 27th, 2010
7:42 pm
Break a news story every now and then,a d don’t spend so much time on this blog. It’s getting boring. Sorry, that just how I feel. — Playoffs!?!?
Thank you for that contribution. And no need to apologize for your feelings.
This just in: The Braves are … uh, well … they’ve lost six in a row and not made any significant personnel moves, like most teams in the third week of the season.
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
7:43 pm
My bad, Brian from SC
That last post was in response to your 7:36 post….
crymeariver
April 27th, 2010
7:44 pm
I still think it’s time to try Chip Carey in the leadoff spot. Come on Mr. Bobby, you ain’t tried that yet.
gobravos
April 27th, 2010
7:44 pm
I’m a fan of 1. Infante 2. Prado too. I think it can work. Infante is a gamer man. Guy plays real hard, which I don’t see from some guys on our team. If you have guys like him and Prado starting things off it will provide good momentum for the others. You gotta throw to Chipper or Mac when guys are on base in front of them. I think both of them are pressing right now and and swinging at some bad pitches because thats all their seeing. John Smoltz said that Mazzone used to tell him to get around a team’s best hitter by getting all the other guys out. That philosophy is working against the Braves right now. No one is going to throw anything that can be hit well to Chipper, Mac, or even Heyward when they know there are at least 5 or 6 other outs around them in the Braves lineup. It seems like Chipper is swinging at a lot of pitches he would normally lay off because he knows he’s got to do something to get the team going. Same thing goes for Mac.
Brian from SC
April 27th, 2010
7:44 pm
Tomahawkin…I still don’t think you understand that the Rangers would not entertain trading Nelson Cruz to the Braves or anyone for that matter, unless they got some stupid proposal, like straight up for Hanson or Heyward.
AZBravoFan
April 27th, 2010
7:45 pm
J-MAN
While I agree with Smoltz that you can lose the pennant in April, I disagree that the Brave already have. They’re only 3 GAMES OUT! Now if Philly had dropped a 17-2 to start the season and we were 9 games out, then it might be a more daunting task to dig out of the hole. But at 3 games out with a ton of games left to play against EVERYONE in the division, this thing could turn around within the span of a week. Not saying it will, but it’s not that much of a stretch. I would argue that given the way everyone is playing in the East, April almost the perfect time to go through these struggles. As the weather warms up, this patient Braves hitting approach is bound to start wearing down some pitchers. And some breaks are bound to go their way. Just like when the Suns fell behind last night while Portland hit every shot in the first quarter, you knew that shooting couldn’t continue. And when Portland started missing, the Suns caught up. Some of those line drives with men on base are going to fall. Soon…. I hope….
Gametime
April 27th, 2010
7:46 pm
I don’t think I like Billy Wagner’s attitude, unless I am misinterpreting his comments.
TnBrian
April 27th, 2010
7:47 pm
J-MAN, finally, some good baseball talk. Your 7:33 made my day. Just when I thought everything was doom and gloom you hit us with that positive comment. Again, thank you so much.
FEAR
April 27th, 2010
7:48 pm
i think billy was being slightly sarcastic
Bat Masterson
April 27th, 2010
7:48 pm
Stewart Smally, you’ve changed. What happened, you seem so bitter?
Brian from SC
April 27th, 2010
7:48 pm
The only player on the Rangers’ roster I can see them making available if they tank is Vladimir Guerrero.
gobravos
April 27th, 2010
7:48 pm
Hahaha, Welcome to the Braves Billy Wagner.
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
7:49 pm
Brian From SC
I have proposed trading for Nellie Cruz for the last 3 years, especially since I saw a lot of Rangers Games when I lived out in that area…
I think there is no way we trade for another rental like Gonzalez, not to mention that if we make that trade we have no shot a resigning him..
Its moot though since it’s so early in the season…
Brava
April 27th, 2010
7:50 pm
OK, I went in my closet and pulled out my old Braves slippers. I used to wear them to watch games when I was stationed in Korea in 1995. Of course, I didn’t get to see every game, but the Braves won every game I watched while wearing them and lost when I didn’t. Putting those suckers on right now!
BTW, we all know how 1995 turned out and, yeah, I’m getting desperate for a win.
GO BRAVES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Gametime
April 27th, 2010
7:51 pm
well, if he was being sarcastic when he said, “That will be fun”, that is what irks me but if it was the beginning remarks he was being sarcastic about, then I understand.
gobravos
April 27th, 2010
7:51 pm
So, should we officially name our cursed leadoff spot? Like the Curse of Furcal. Pretty lame, but I’d love to hear some other name ideas from others.
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
7:51 pm
gobravos
April 27th, 2010
7:44 pm
“I’m a fan of 1. Infante 2. Prado too. I think it can work. Infante is a gamer man. Guy plays real hard, which I don’t see from some guys on our team. If you have guys like him and Prado starting things off it will provide good momentum for the others.”
I say we start more hit and runs. I’m tired of the Earl Weaver Station-2-Station Crap. All it does is result in DP’s….
Gametime
April 27th, 2010
7:52 pm
Wasn’t it last April that kept the Braves out of the playoffs?
TnBrian
April 27th, 2010
7:52 pm
Brava, did you disinfect those slippers before you put them on?
gobravos
April 27th, 2010
7:53 pm
Brava you get those damn slippers on now. You can take them off in November.
Roja
April 27th, 2010
7:53 pm
The Braves are still getting some of the best pitching in the league on a nightly basis, including six strong innings last night from Tim Hudson
Until a non-starting pitcher let an inherited runner score to tie the game and another non-starting pitcher gave up the go-ahead run. And even one of the runs that Hudson did personally give up was un-earned. Have we had an error-free game this year???
And Lowe’s ERA isn’t among the best pitching in the league.
I agree our offense does come up short in the clutch but our defense has really stunk it up. Looked like bad news bears in Braves unis in more than one game. Sometimes I think that if our offense scored 7 runs a game that somehow our defense would give up 4 and our bullpen would give up another 4 on the nights our starters didn’t do it first.
Not too sure about this team. It’s like a few of them gave up and just stopped caring after the Phils beat them in the second game of the series.
TnBrian
April 27th, 2010
7:53 pm
“Wasn’t it last April that kept the Braves out of the playoffs” Gametime
Yeah.
Gametime
April 27th, 2010
7:53 pm
Curse of “First!”…ok that was bad too
crymeariver
April 27th, 2010
7:53 pm
Have you ever heard of playing possum? Well, that is exactly what the Braves are doing. They are letting Philly and the rest of the East build up confidenece, and then about the time of the All-Star break, –BAMM!– They will start kicking a$$ and taking names, and WIN the Eastern Div.
Mark my words, you heard it here first, you just wait and see.
Jimmy Joe
April 27th, 2010
7:54 pm
Mets up 2-0 after winning the first one 4-0.
12-9 Mets
8-12 Braves
Brian from SC
April 27th, 2010
7:55 pm
Jimmy Joe, the Mets are 11-9, and the Braves are 8-11.
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
7:55 pm
Gametime
“April 27th, 2010
7:52 pm
Wasn’t it last April that kept the Braves out of the playoffs?”
Yep, getting shutout in games to the AAA Nats and Pirates last year killed us!
Brava
April 27th, 2010
7:56 pm
TnBrian
They still have enough remnants of spilled beer to be safe for wear!
Brava
April 27th, 2010
7:57 pm
gobravos
Don’t worry, if they work tonight, I’m going to have them permanently grafted onto my feet.
Roja
April 27th, 2010
7:57 pm
No last April didn’t keep us out of the playoffs. It was losing to crapola teams in August and September and ending the season on a losing streak that sealed out fate. We won the season series against the Phillies last year and we actually outscored them in the season series by over 20 runs. We couldn’t beat the Pads and Nats or the Reds but we could beat up on the World Champion Phils on any given night last year if you take the season series as a whole.
Stewart Smally
April 27th, 2010
7:59 pm
Bat Masterson
April 27th, 2010
7:48 pm
Stewart Smally, you’ve changed. What happened, you seem so bitter?
Bat, I got some bad roast beef and it pizzed me off!
J-MAN
April 27th, 2010
8:00 pm
Tomahawkin my man. Look there are a lot of differences between the 1992 and the 2010 Atlanta Braves. #1. The year before the Braves went to the World Series. This team had a team that lost 5 in a row and to the Nationals. The 1992 team had hitting Justice, Gant, Pendelton, the hitter not the hitting coach. They had defense Lemke, Blauser, Nixon, Gant, Justice, D. Barryhill/ Greg Olsen. And Smoltz, Glavine, and Avery. This Team has Jason Heyward, B Mac, Tommie Hanson Moylan and Hudson. They don’t have the talent and they have to play against tougher competention, The Phillies the 2 time defending National League champs are in our division. In 1992 our biggest competitor was in another division, the Pirates. So when I say the Braves are DONE I have evidence to back it up.
Brian from SC
April 27th, 2010
8:00 pm
Don’t be silly. It wasn’t losses in April or September that kept us out of the playoffs. All losses are equal, except those against teams that finished ahead of us. Those cost us two games each.
Stewart Smally
April 27th, 2010
8:00 pm
Now back to the Stewart I’m supposed to be….
Lowe is pitching tonight.. time for a group hug!
Roja
April 27th, 2010
8:00 pm
That’s 12-9 Frenchy and 8-11 McClouth/Melky/Diaz
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
8:00 pm
Roja
I called Season Over when we got swept by the AAA Reds as a result of scoring 6 runs in the series…My old roommate who is a Rays Fan got a kick out of me throwing the remote at the TV three days in a row
Luv 2 Hate Me
April 27th, 2010
8:00 pm
Man Chipper looks broke down when it comes to defense. The plays he’s use to turning don’t come easy anymore. I don’t know if it’s the hitting coach or the players, but it’s been the same story for the past few years. The offense just can’t get it together. They do great in spring training but regular season come around and they forget how to play baseball.
J-MAN
April 27th, 2010
8:01 pm
Also games in April count the same as they do in September.
MFin04
April 27th, 2010
8:01 pm
How about a 2 homer game for Jason Heyward to get the Braves over this losing streak!?
Mr. Turnip-Green Jeans
April 27th, 2010
8:02 pm
Thanks for the Meier info DOB. Great!
bigchiefrg
April 27th, 2010
8:03 pm
N8…always been a big fan of some of your posts and i know i may be a little late on this, but I love your chipper vs dale murphy argument at 2:59. Very well played sir.
BamaDude @ CowCollege AL
April 27th, 2010
8:03 pm
positive mind vibe here (me) …PLAY BALL …shape up Bravos !!
9on the blog
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
8:04 pm
J-MAN
Its cool bro, just baffled that you are giving up so early…We have the WC now as opposed to 1992 and that’s what I’m shooting for, because we have proved form the second half of last year to the first series that we can’t hang with the Phils…
Our pitching can hang with Philly but they are more superior on offense, defense and overall on the fundamentals of the game
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
8:07 pm
Damn, We are going against Big Carp Tonight on a cool night, Not Good! No heavy hitting tonight
Gonna have to come correct with the smallball and make Big Carp work
KCB
April 27th, 2010
8:07 pm
I rarely comment on this blog, but I want to echo what Ray K said above. This bashing of Chipper is absurd. He is a hall of famer and deserves at least some respect. In addition, he has given the Braves significant home town discounts in his contracts, something very few players do these days.
My sense is that not one of the people who so regularly bash him on this blog would ever have the courage to make any of those comments to his face.
the real Andy
April 27th, 2010
8:08 pm
well, at least we’re not the Pirates – 7 game losing streak, by a combined score of 72-12.
Playoffs!?!?
April 27th, 2010
8:10 pm
DOB- How about a story on who the Braves are considering as Bobby Cox’s replacement. Too early for that? I’m sure they’ve started looking around. It’s been maybe7-8 months since they announced it’s Bobby’s last year. I’m sure nobody inside the organization will go on the record. However, somebody somewhere must have been talked to.
How about more on the Chipper-Jordan flap. What is really the deal with all Chipper’s injuries.? Remember when Smoltz called out Chipper a couple years ago. What’s his training routine?
Here’s another one: John Hart (former Indians GM) On MLB-TV said “don’t be surprised if Bobby Cox is not retiring–that he’s managing a team other than the Braves next year. What?! That’s begs all sorts of questions. Does Bobby really want to manage some more? Why not the Braves? Did he get pushed out the door a little bit. What really is his relationship with Wren? That’s what I’d like to read about. And thanks for allowing me the input.
Brian from SC
April 27th, 2010
8:10 pm
What’s with the 8:15 starting time? Games should always start at a time that ends with :05 or :35.
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
8:10 pm
Yeah, The Pirates got the Brakes beat off them by the Brew crew, I think most Pirates Fans have their Steelers Jerseys on Already…
That makes me not even Panic about us being in last and only 3 games out….
jeffrey d
April 27th, 2010
8:12 pm
Games should always start at a time that ends with :05 or :35.
Tell that to the Blue Jays. They start games at 7:07
Ted Williams Frozen Head
April 27th, 2010
8:13 pm
Plug me into the 3 hole, I can hit as well as most of the guys you got in the lineup!
Brian from SC
April 27th, 2010
8:13 pm
Playoffs –
1. Yes, it’s too early to worry about that. The time for starting to be concerned about that is the day after the season ends.
2. The Jordan/Chipper story has already been blown to about ten times what it should be. Enough of that.
3. Yeah, Daniels is a real authority on the Braves organization and Bobby Cox…
the real Andy
April 27th, 2010
8:14 pm
>>>I think most Pirates Fans have their Steelers Jerseys on Already…
but probably not their Big Ben jerseys
BamaDude @ CowCollege AL
April 27th, 2010
8:15 pm
let’s go Yunel
Brian from SC
April 27th, 2010
8:15 pm
Sorry, I mean Hart, not Daniels. Got the Rangers front office guys mixed up.
Dan Kolb's Mom
April 27th, 2010
8:15 pm
Lets Go Get Em Braves
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
8:16 pm
Hacking, What Gives, Make Big Carp WORK!
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
8:18 pm
Attaboy Hoss
curtis jones
April 27th, 2010
8:18 pm
In the interest of accuracy, let me just add some observations to DOB’s praise of Glaus. Yes he was 3 for 29 before last night. One of the 3 was the pop fly to CF that Pagan lost in the sun on Saturday in NY. After loafing to first, Glaus barely made it to second (chug, chug).
One of his 2 hits last night was a seeing-eye, 20-bouncer up the middle that would have been a patented Glaus 6-4-3 had it been hit 20 feet to the left. Let’s see some actual power before we start proclaiming him an actual # 5 hitter.
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
8:20 pm
Whats Up with B-Macc? He looks lost at the plate
J-MAN
April 27th, 2010
8:20 pm
I think that J Schafer could hit .204 so call him up. He will be hitting 80 points higher than Melkey, McClouth, and Glaus.
Bat Masterson
April 27th, 2010
8:21 pm
Ray K.
April 27th, 2010
7:19 pm
That’s an interesting opening sentence. There are many here that do appreciate Chipper Jones.
McFann Ô
April 27th, 2010
8:21 pm
TNScott
April 27th, 2010
8:21 pm
Well, Joe a newsflash. “We ain’t the ‘27 Yankees.”
someguy
April 27th, 2010
8:21 pm
McCann is getting worse and worse everyday it seems. He’s playing like it’s the last week of the season and he’s all wore out. What up with that?
JC from DR
April 27th, 2010
8:21 pm
A typical first inning.
TnBrian
April 27th, 2010
8:23 pm
Tomahawkin, man, you might as well chill. I don’t see them breaking out of this in a hurry. It’ll come slowly, but against this Carpenter, it’ll be one tough night for these hitters.
Jerald Holcombe
April 27th, 2010
8:23 pm
Take this for what it’s worth. The Braves just ended their half inning of the 1st without looking very good. By all accounts, the Braves should get their asses handed to them tonight because of the pitching matchup and the fact that Atlanta’s batting lineup really sucks with the exception of Prado, and even he is starting to cool down a bit. But, for some reason, I being the eternal pessimist, think that someone the Braves will pull this game out. Must be good drugs, right? Let’s see what happens.
Couch Tater
April 27th, 2010
8:24 pm
I hope Lowe looked at the video from his no-hitter 8 years ago.
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
8:24 pm
Nice Play by ESCO
Take that ESCO Haters!
JasonInFL
April 27th, 2010
8:25 pm
Again, it is on the pitching. This offense is what it is. It wil get slightly better, but we better learn to win scoring 3 or 4 runs. If we don’t, we aren’t going to win a lot of games.
Mitchell
April 27th, 2010
8:25 pm
Going to miss the game again tonight. How about a win Braves fans? Can we make that happen?
TnBrian
April 27th, 2010
8:26 pm
Lowe keeps this up and we have as good a chance at winning this as the Cards do.
jeffrey d
April 27th, 2010
8:26 pm
Whats Up with B-Macc? He looks lost at the plate
He probably caught the Pendleton
ATLSports
April 27th, 2010
8:27 pm
I have COX cable in Macon and they don’t have Peachtree TV but they generally show game on channel 11. On the guide it says they are showing the Braves game but instead they have some show selling gems on.
Brian from SC
April 27th, 2010
8:27 pm
All on the ground…let’s keep it that way.
BamaDude @ CowCollege AL
April 27th, 2010
8:27 pm
nice work D Lowe !
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
8:27 pm
If we can play small ball tonight against Big Carp and the cool weather it may turn this skid around…
JC from DR
April 27th, 2010
8:28 pm
14 pitches for Lowe… 11 sinkers, 1 cutter, 1 changeup and 1 slider! LOL!
Brava
April 27th, 2010
8:28 pm
Good job, Derek. Now for some runs.
someguy
April 27th, 2010
8:28 pm
The gem show might be time better spent.
Brian from SC
April 27th, 2010
8:29 pm
I think it was more like 11 sinkers and 3 sliders…
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
8:31 pm
Walk by Glaus, There We go! Cmon J-Hey!
BamaDude @ CowCollege AL
April 27th, 2010
8:31 pm
lead off BB to bring up Jason to make noise
David O'Brien
April 27th, 2010
8:31 pm
Carpenter obviously fears the Cardinal menace, Glaus. Walked him to start second inning.
bravos2249
April 27th, 2010
8:32 pm
Let’s GO Heyward!
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
8:33 pm
Nice Baserunning there, about time the braves did something half decent on the bases
TnBrian
April 27th, 2010
8:33 pm
Glaus was so slow there that he tricked the Cardinals.
Brian from SC
April 27th, 2010
8:33 pm
Pujols bout came off the bag early there.
David O'Brien
April 27th, 2010
8:33 pm
Fairly nifty baserunning for the big boy there to avoid second out.
BamaDude @ CowCollege AL
April 27th, 2010
8:33 pm
damn the base running adventures of this team
Jerald Holcombe
April 27th, 2010
8:33 pm
How about that. Some good base running by Glaus. So far so good.
Ray K.
April 27th, 2010
8:33 pm
Bat Masterson –
I didn’t say EVERYONE trashes Hoss. But it has become something of an anti-Chipper echo chamber in here of late. I go on other blogs frequently. Jeter could bat .078 for half a season and you wouldn’t find one Yankee blogger calling for his benching or retirement.
One remark like that about Chipper is one too many.
The apoplectic reactions to Chipper’s ups and downs are utterly absurd.
Oh, look at that: Chipper just walked AGAIN. Full count and Chipper sees a ball way outside from Carpenter. Didn’t offer anything he could drive. Case closed, folks.
If only we had a threat in the 6 hole to bolster McCann and Chipper.
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
8:34 pm
I’m glad Glaus didn’t go on that…
Molina is becoming a pest…
Dan Kolb's Mom
April 27th, 2010
8:34 pm
HAM!
Brava
April 27th, 2010
8:35 pm
Yes!!!!!
BamaDude @ CowCollege AL
April 27th, 2010
8:35 pm
wow
TnBrian
April 27th, 2010
8:35 pm
Melky is looking good. You have to like it.
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
8:35 pm
The Melk-Dud Finally does something! Nice!
Brian from SC
April 27th, 2010
8:35 pm
Melky of all people is suddenly hot.
Wow, that was the widest turn around 3rd I’ve ever seen from Glaus. LOL.
David O'Brien
April 27th, 2010
8:35 pm
Glaus doing some work on that adventurous trip around the bases.
Brava
April 27th, 2010
8:35 pm
Hope Troy is not hurt!
someguy
April 27th, 2010
8:35 pm
Nice to get a break there…I like it!
bravos2249
April 27th, 2010
8:35 pm
OUCH
Salamander
April 27th, 2010
8:35 pm
Man, Glaus taking it for the team.
Nice running there (I think).
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
8:36 pm
Did Glaus Hurt Himself on that Slide? That looked Nasty
JC from DR
April 27th, 2010
8:36 pm
well THAT was unexpected!
Brian from SC
April 27th, 2010
8:36 pm
I think he was just tired.
TnBrian
April 27th, 2010
8:36 pm
Nate is a sissy.
Dan Kolb's Mom
April 27th, 2010
8:36 pm
LOWE!
cabravesfan
April 27th, 2010
8:36 pm
Tomahawkin -
Troy got hit in the man parts at home…
Jerald Holcombe
April 27th, 2010
8:36 pm
Ta da! That’s one run, now time for a Lowe hit
TnBrian
April 27th, 2010
8:36 pm
Lowe teaching Nate how it’s done.
BamaDude @ CowCollege AL
April 27th, 2010
8:36 pm
2-0 hehe
Brian from SC
April 27th, 2010
8:36 pm
Derek Lowe says I got your run support right here.
Brava
April 27th, 2010
8:36 pm
God, I LOVE these slippers!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
8:37 pm
Attaboy D-Lowe
I will take it
2 Runs, Nice! This offense is Clowning!
bravos2249
April 27th, 2010
8:37 pm
What’s up with the Braves pitchers?
0 fer…now 3 hits in 3 games in a row for the Bravos pitchers
JC from DR
April 27th, 2010
8:37 pm
WOW
D-Lowe!
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
8:37 pm
Best Thing about it is we are making Big Carp Work!
Jerald Holcombe
April 27th, 2010
8:37 pm
Holy crap! Maybe I oughta go play the lottery.
bravos2249
April 27th, 2010
8:37 pm
cabravesfan
April 27th, 2010
8:36 pm
Tomahawkin -
Troy got hit in the man parts at home…
By a throw from Pujols…OUCH
McFann Ô
April 27th, 2010
8:38 pm
Wrakarooni! Another lead!
Hopefully we keep this one…
David O'Brien
April 27th, 2010
8:38 pm
Just your garden-variety second inning, Melky single scores Glaus and Lowe single scores Melky. Yep.
TnBrian
April 27th, 2010
8:39 pm
I think Glaus is in pain down under. Just from reading his lips in the dugout to the trainer.
Brian from SC
April 27th, 2010
8:39 pm
Cabrera and Glaus suddenly have a pulse the last couple of games. Hope it gets contagious.
David O'Brien
April 27th, 2010
8:39 pm
Braves pitchers have a three-game hitting streak, after having not a single hit before that.
bigchiefrg
April 27th, 2010
8:39 pm
Isnt it a ‘Cardinal’ sin to make the 1st or 2nd out at home? I slay myself.
But seriously…They almost got him at the plate after bouncing 2 throws from shallow CF. How is that good baserunning?
Melk-Stud!!!!
April 27th, 2010
8:39 pm
Ok, everybody has to stay here for the rest of the game because last night when people left, that is when we lost
TnBrian
April 27th, 2010
8:39 pm
DOB, yeah, and off Carpenter.
BamaDude @ CowCollege AL
April 27th, 2010
8:39 pm
DOB …like ya work there …
Derek Lowe
April 27th, 2010
8:39 pm
I had a Sid Bream flashback when Glaus came trucking around 3rd.
Gary O
April 27th, 2010
8:39 pm
Lowe helped himself with the bat. Hopefully he cna help himself on the mound…
peyton manning
April 27th, 2010
8:40 pm
They’re not saying boooooo. They’re saying moooooooovvvveeerrrrssssss.
the real Andy
April 27th, 2010
8:41 pm
Lowe with the hardest hit ball of the night by the braves – go figure
ATLSports
April 27th, 2010
8:41 pm
Yes they now changed it to the Braves!
Brian from SC
April 27th, 2010
8:42 pm
Good pitch…2-1 slider.
jeffrey d
April 27th, 2010
8:43 pm
Hopefully Bobby doesn’t get promoted to GM
ST. LOUIS (AP)—Atlanta Braves manager Bobby Cox has an idea of how much St. Louis slugger Albert Pujols should get in his next contract: $50 million a year
CB
April 27th, 2010
8:43 pm
Sid Bream was faster than Glaus.
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
8:43 pm
Phew
Wind and the cool weather kept that in
Brian from SC
April 27th, 2010
8:43 pm
I think Bobby was being a little facetious with that comment. I’m surprised it’s getting the press it has gotten.
TnBrian
April 27th, 2010
8:43 pm
I’ve read where a lot of sinkerball pitcher goes through slumps because if they’re off their mark just a tad then they get hit hard. Lowe looks like he’s one of those guys.
Playoffs!?!?
April 27th, 2010
8:43 pm
Well, Brian from SC–I think John Hart has some insight on what’s going on around baseball. He’s a baseball insider that’s been around for years. He must of heard something from someone or more than one person that would make his say that.
And if there’s any truth at all in this comments—it’s a potential huge story.
Rob from SC
April 27th, 2010
8:43 pm
DOB
Any talk about moving Heyward a little closer to the plate
shmoe
April 27th, 2010
8:44 pm
They’re just pressing too hard. These guys can hit, they’ll be fine. Of course, we may be 10 games out by the time they snap out of it, so we’ll see…
Mr. Turnip-Green Jeans
April 27th, 2010
8:44 pm
Glaus for leadoff!
Brian from SC
April 27th, 2010
8:45 pm
I don’t think you totally change the way a guy like Jason Heyward hits, especially when he’s hitting as well as he is, lol.
shmoe
April 27th, 2010
8:45 pm
beautiful catch
BamaDude @ CowCollege AL
April 27th, 2010
8:45 pm
ESCO !!
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
8:45 pm
Nice Stab ESCO!
Soph
April 27th, 2010
8:45 pm
Now that’s a catch.
Jerald Holcombe
April 27th, 2010
8:45 pm
Nice Escobar!
David O'Brien
April 27th, 2010
8:45 pm
Helluva play by Yunel, who’s had a highlights package worth of them the last two nights.
the real Andy
April 27th, 2010
8:45 pm
Yunel! working for that gold glove this year
Pesky Esky
April 27th, 2010
8:45 pm
Now that is the Esky we know and love
TnBrian
April 27th, 2010
8:45 pm
DAYUM … Yunel must’ve got kicked hard in the rear because he’s making some highlights the last few games.
bravos2249
April 27th, 2010
8:46 pm
It’s a bird, it’s a plane…
McFann Ô
April 27th, 2010
8:46 pm
What a play by Escobar!
Mr. Turnip-Green Jeans
April 27th, 2010
8:47 pm
Sitting Yunel lit a fire.
bigchiefrg
April 27th, 2010
8:47 pm
Enter your comments here
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
8:47 pm
Nice View of the Louie…One of the most underrated views in baseball
bravos2249
April 27th, 2010
8:48 pm
Well it’s been a week since anyone hit a homer for us.
the real Andy
April 27th, 2010
8:48 pm
wow, amazing graphic on Cards pitchers. 1 HR allowed in last 127 IP. that’s incredible
Brian from SC
April 27th, 2010
8:48 pm
That’s just the 7th time all year that Prado has swung at the first pitch.
gobravos
April 27th, 2010
8:49 pm
I hope the TP don’t talk to J-Hey rule is being followed. JK, TP has said himself that he doesn’t even have to touch Heyward and that you would never try to change the approach of a guy like him. I’d say if a batting style gets you to the big leagues by 20 your all good. He’s probably got a better idea of where he should be standing in the box than any of us.
Brian from SC
April 27th, 2010
8:49 pm
Hehe…Chipper got a break there.
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
8:49 pm
DL Chipper NOW
We need a healthy Chipper in the second half
shmoe
April 27th, 2010
8:50 pm
Anyone that’s been listening to Braves feed can tell me what Smoltz has to say about the team slump?
McFann Ô
April 27th, 2010
8:51 pm
In the immortal words of Ruben Kincaid:
“Ya know, you are really beginnin’ to irritate me…”
Bat Masterson
April 27th, 2010
8:53 pm
Ray K, I know you did not say everyone. I could have left it at comment on the opening sentence, a prevailing wind of near-sightedness hell I like it. I used the word apoplectic texting with my cousin about the blog and he wrote back, if you’re going to make me get out a dictionary I’m through texting with you , funny.
TnBrian
April 27th, 2010
8:53 pm
Brian is going through the blues.
J-Hey
April 27th, 2010
8:53 pm
watch out chipper and mac, Melky’s average could eventually start getting higher than yours …
Flatbill Kid
April 27th, 2010
8:54 pm
Great play by Yunel.
Since the pitcher’s bats have come alive does that put the 9th spot in the order with a higher avg/more hits than our leadoff men?
JasonInFL
April 27th, 2010
8:55 pm
remember the days when we made a 2-0 lead standup? well, let’s do it again!
Mixxo
April 27th, 2010
8:55 pm
Excellent point by Joe on why LaRussa hits a pitcher 8th.
Brian from SC
April 27th, 2010
8:55 pm
Carpenter is a career .107 hitter with strikeouts in 1/3 of his ABs. Looked like it there.
Brian from SC
April 27th, 2010
8:56 pm
Sabermetricians will tell you that it’s always better for a pitcher (or the worst hitter) to bat 8th.
Mixxo
April 27th, 2010
8:57 pm
TnBrian — Brian is going through the blues.
Mojo sent.
Brava
April 27th, 2010
8:57 pm
Derek’s looking good!
JasonInFL
April 27th, 2010
8:57 pm
what did Joe say?
BamaDude @ CowCollege AL
April 27th, 2010
8:57 pm
Derek is in a little groove
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
8:57 pm
NASTY Strikeout by Lowe…
I love that sinker in cool weather
Mr. Turnip-Green Jeans
April 27th, 2010
8:57 pm
Didn’t Brett Sabermetrics pitch for the Royals?
Brava
April 27th, 2010
8:58 pm
Time for more runs…
Salamander
April 27th, 2010
8:58 pm
I haven’t seen Lowe look this sharp in a while. Good to see.
Jeff R
April 27th, 2010
8:58 pm
A healthy Chipper… that’s always a bit of a crapshoot, isn’t it?
the real Andy
April 27th, 2010
8:59 pm
Smoltzie just keeps saying “they’ll get it going”
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
8:59 pm
JasonInFL
“April 27th, 2010
8:55 pm
remember the days when we made a 2-0 lead standup? well, let’s do it again!”
I thought we had that game last night in the Bag, Wrong, Wrong!
TnBrian
April 27th, 2010
8:59 pm
J-Hey, no, don’t be all positive about anything with the team or Melky. You said earlier that they were “DONE”.
TnBrian
April 27th, 2010
9:00 pm
J-HEY, my bad. That wasn’t you that said that.
Brian from SC
April 27th, 2010
9:01 pm
Derek Lowe, Kevin Millwood, Scott Erickson, Steve Busby, and Tom Phoebus all threw no-hitters on April 27th. There might be some others before 1920 or between 1930 and 1951.
JasonInFL
April 27th, 2010
9:01 pm
T-Hawkin, I know…I went to bed when it was still 3-1. Thought for sure when I checked this mornin that we had ended the strea,…(sigh)
But, it is on tonight…I want to jinx the pitcher, so I am not saying anything about that…but, we are gettin the W darn it!
shmoe
April 27th, 2010
9:01 pm
The Real Andy
thanks for the reply
Mixxo
April 27th, 2010
9:01 pm
JasonInFL – He said it’s a better opportunity to get another guy on base in front of Pujols w/o the pitcher hitting 9th.
JasonInFL
April 27th, 2010
9:01 pm
J-Hey needs a base knock…
Brian from SC
April 27th, 2010
9:02 pm
One other: Jim Tobin. That’s 6 total.
JasonInFL
April 27th, 2010
9:02 pm
Mixxo…thanks!
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
9:02 pm
BS Call on J-Hey!
JasonInFL
April 27th, 2010
9:02 pm
*don’t want to…
shmoe
April 27th, 2010
9:02 pm
Everyone, please stop talking about how good Lowe looks…we might jinx him!
JasonInFL
April 27th, 2010
9:03 pm
send the kid!
shmoe
April 27th, 2010
9:03 pm
Yes! he woulda stolen that anyway
BamaDude @ CowCollege AL
April 27th, 2010
9:03 pm
cards w/ a boot
Dan Kolb's Mom
April 27th, 2010
9:03 pm
wow they looked like us with that play
Mixxo
April 27th, 2010
9:03 pm
Puttin’ pressure on the D.
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
9:03 pm
Thats what Speed Does! Nice Call Bobby and TP!
Brian from SC
April 27th, 2010
9:03 pm
Little fly ball here Nate. Simplify the mindset. Sometimes when you do your job, you get a little bonus.
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
9:04 pm
No DP’s Please!
Nate Dawg, Come On!
JasonInFL
April 27th, 2010
9:04 pm
come on Natey Nate!
JasonInFL
April 27th, 2010
9:04 pm
was Heyward on the move there?
Rob from SC
April 27th, 2010
9:04 pm
squeeze
shmoe
April 27th, 2010
9:05 pm
nates obviously looking fastball all the way
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
9:05 pm
G-Dammit Nate Dawg…!
Since the 2nd half of last year he has been Slop for us, at least he made Big Carp Work!
Mixxo
April 27th, 2010
9:05 pm
Robbed!
JC from DR
April 27th, 2010
9:06 pm
Nate StrikeLouth!!
cabravesfan
April 27th, 2010
9:06 pm
Wow- apparently the strike zone extends to the opposite batter’s box…
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
9:06 pm
Looks Like D-Lowe is gonna have to do all the run production
J-Hey
April 27th, 2010
9:06 pm
well hopefully that run won’t come back to hurt them … but i bet it will
shmoe
April 27th, 2010
9:07 pm
Sonsofa
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
9:07 pm
Speed Kills, so does Not driving runs with less than 2 outs, only the braves and the Cards gave us a gift that inning
Jimmy Joe
April 27th, 2010
9:07 pm
All of these men left on base is ****ing ridiculous. Someone get a big hit. Please.
Remember what a home run is?!?!?!?!
Brian from SC
April 27th, 2010
9:07 pm
As a hitter, you do have to expand your strike zone there with the pitcher on deck. But that’s a tough pitch to pull the trigger on. Started way off the plate and didn’t look like it came back all the way, either.
gobravos
April 27th, 2010
9:07 pm
Was it DOB or one of the other guys who said you can’t spell McLouth without out.
TnBrian
April 27th, 2010
9:07 pm
Cochran firm commercial = worst of the worst.
JasonInFL
April 27th, 2010
9:08 pm
Rob, a squeeze would been have great there…fast runner on 3rd, fast runner at the plate, and one that can’t get a hit. I would have loved to see the attempt there. But, alas, we do nothing aggressive to try and get some runs across.
Brian from SC
April 27th, 2010
9:09 pm
Did they forget Lowe’s no-hitter on April 27th? LOL…
Brian from SC
April 27th, 2010
9:10 pm
Oh, besides Lowe.
Jimmy Joe
April 27th, 2010
9:10 pm
This team better not blow this lead!!!!!
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
9:10 pm
JasonInFL
April 27th, 2010
9:08 pm
“Rob, a squeeze would been have great there…fast runner on 3rd, fast runner at the plate, and one that can’t get a hit. I would have loved to see the attempt there. But, alas, we do nothing aggressive to try and get some runs across.”
Good Point, especially when the team is struggling like it is and relying on the pitcher to drive in the runs, I hope they don’t take the rest of the night off on offense like they did last night
I Hate Liberty Media
April 27th, 2010
9:10 pm
Jimmy, it’s not a matter of if but when.
Brian from SC
April 27th, 2010
9:11 pm
Oooh mercy. Wow, what a bomb.
BamaDude @ CowCollege AL
April 27th, 2010
9:11 pm
boy he killed that pitch
bravos2249
April 27th, 2010
9:11 pm
well there goes the no hitter and shut out
JC from DR
April 27th, 2010
9:11 pm
here come come the Cards!
shmoe
April 27th, 2010
9:11 pm
thanks for the jinx Brian from SC!
someguy
April 27th, 2010
9:11 pm
Back-to-Back coming up!
Pesky
April 27th, 2010
9:11 pm
There is now a baseball on the moon
Brava
April 27th, 2010
9:11 pm
Oh NO!!
Mr. Turnip-Green Jeans
April 27th, 2010
9:12 pm
Too early to bring-in Wagner for the save I suppose..
James
April 27th, 2010
9:12 pm
So much for the no-no. How many of you think the wheels about to come off.
Brian from SC
April 27th, 2010
9:12 pm
First of all, there’s no such thing as a jinx. Second of all, how did I jinx something?
Brava
April 27th, 2010
9:12 pm
Well, the real Derek Lowe is back.
Mixxo
April 27th, 2010
9:12 pm
They’re hittin’ ‘em on the screws now.
Pesky
April 27th, 2010
9:12 pm
I blame the Braves production staff 4 asking that trivia question and the graphic
curtis jones
April 27th, 2010
9:12 pm
Who’da thought DLowe couldn’t hold up a massive two-run lead for a few innings? Certainly not me. I thought the Braves could coast through this one.
Derek Lowe
April 27th, 2010
9:13 pm
Man – Pujols almost decafeinated me!
JasonInFL
April 27th, 2010
9:13 pm
Will the real D-Lowe, please stand up, please stand up…
JC from DR
April 27th, 2010
9:13 pm
I repeat, here come the Cards! They will regret waisting that last chance to score. This team s.u.c.k.s.
JasonInFL
April 27th, 2010
9:13 pm
Good point…bring Wags in for the 5 inning save!
JasonInFL
April 27th, 2010
9:14 pm
Didn’t Saito used to throw like 96?
Jimmy Joe
April 27th, 2010
9:14 pm
Useless.
bravos2249
April 27th, 2010
9:14 pm
bye-bye 2-0 lead
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
9:14 pm
Here we go…
B-Macc had no chance, our pitchers suck at holding runners for 2 years running and it makes B-Macc look bad
Brian from SC
April 27th, 2010
9:14 pm
LOL…here come the haters. Funny how that happens any time a run scores for the other time.
It was nice in here until now. I’m out for the night.
shmoe
April 27th, 2010
9:14 pm
Brian from SC,
relax man
N Nine
April 27th, 2010
9:14 pm
What did we end up getting for that Kelly Johnson for Ludwick trade? I forgot.
bravos2249
April 27th, 2010
9:15 pm
decafeinated???
WTF
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
April 27th, 2010
9:15 pm
And the usual middle of the game meltdown begins on cue by the Braves.
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
April 27th, 2010
9:16 pm
you’ve got to be kidding me????!!!!! game over man, game over.
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
9:16 pm
WTF…This is not good!
Pesky
April 27th, 2010
9:16 pm
yes!!!!! Ejection Time 2010
Don't-win-it-4Bobby-but-4the-FANS
April 27th, 2010
9:16 pm
Ejection here?
Bravesfam2010
April 27th, 2010
9:16 pm
Cox about to get ejectec
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
April 27th, 2010
9:17 pm
he’ll get tossed here, bobby needs to be ejected. maybe it’ll fire this lame a$$ team up.
JC from DR
April 27th, 2010
9:17 pm
If you are fat, if you are slow, if you have no hope of stealing on the basepaths.. Just wait for a game against the Braves and Brian McCann!
Soph
April 27th, 2010
9:17 pm
Esco tagged the dirt.
BamaDude @ CowCollege AL
April 27th, 2010
9:17 pm
really bad call
Bravesfam2010
April 27th, 2010
9:17 pm
Nice job Chipper.
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
9:17 pm
Bobby Gets ejected before this series is over, Bank on it, he’s due, especially with this teams poor play
Mr. Turnip-Green Jeans
April 27th, 2010
9:17 pm
You’re right Toma; our pitchers used to actually pick a runner off now and then. Now, not so much.
I Hate Liberty Media
April 27th, 2010
9:17 pm
The whole team should be ejected.
Bravesfam2010
April 27th, 2010
9:17 pm
No that was not a bad call. Pujols right foot hit the bag right before the tag was made on the left foot.
TnBrian
April 27th, 2010
9:18 pm
Rasmus kid has the goofiest foot kick before he swings.
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
9:18 pm
This why I want instant replay, that call is gonna cost us, especially with our luck over the last 10 days
Kurdt Kobain
April 27th, 2010
9:18 pm
We’re still winning people. If its “game over” then we win. Calm down.
bravos2249
April 27th, 2010
9:18 pm
In all honesty half the time a runner gets called out at third the tags hit their back foot. Seen it many times with Chipper tagging a runner that looked safe to me, but they were called out.
Gary O
April 27th, 2010
9:18 pm
Cant really blame Escobar, according to what John is saying, because the fielder always gets the call when the runner is late by that much.
Good job by Lowe to get out of the inning giving up onlythe one run
James
April 27th, 2010
9:18 pm
The funny thing is that it looked like Bobby wanted to get thrown out but the ump never did. Cox tryin to fire up the boys. Wow Lowe limiting damage….NICE!
Pesky
April 27th, 2010
9:19 pm
Way to keep your head in the game DLowe…and Brian from SC, if you leave and we lose, I will never forgive you…:)
Brava
April 27th, 2010
9:19 pm
We will win this.
GO BRAVES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
9:19 pm
There we go D-Lowe
Gotta get some more runs, they are making Lowe work now, he can’t go 8 innings every start
BamaDude @ CowCollege AL
April 27th, 2010
9:19 pm
Bobby wasn’t tossed ’cause da ump knew he missed the call
JasonInFL
April 27th, 2010
9:20 pm
Good job D-Lowe…now, we know we aren’t protecting a 1 run lead this early…so, let’s get some runs boys! J-Hey is going DEEEEEEEEEEEEEP
Daybed Wagmoe
April 27th, 2010
9:20 pm
Why was Cox about to get ejected? Arguing balls and strikes? Cause on Gameday, it sure looks like Lowe’s been getting squeezed by this ump.
bravos2249
April 27th, 2010
9:20 pm
Throw would’ve been there sooner if the ball didn’t lollipop to first a little.
Glaus threw that ball to 3rd faster than I’ve seen Chipper throw to 1st. No one’s fault though. Had that been anyone but Pujols he’s probably called out.
McFann Ô
April 27th, 2010
9:20 pm
Tomahawkin @ 9:14–
How true.
Mr. Turnip-Green Jeans
April 27th, 2010
9:20 pm
Nice work by Lowe.
cabravesfan
April 27th, 2010
9:20 pm
Bravesfam2010 -
You know that wasn’t Chipper, right?
N Nine
April 27th, 2010
9:20 pm
That was one nice Ump! Cox said many bad bad things!
Pesky
April 27th, 2010
9:20 pm
lmao…..I am trying to be positive but that cracked me up I HATE LIBERTY MEDIA
JC from DR
April 27th, 2010
9:21 pm
first pitch swinging… love it!
BamaDude @ CowCollege AL
April 27th, 2010
9:22 pm
nice crowd there in St. Louis
Mixxo
April 27th, 2010
9:23 pm
Fudge!
JC from DR
April 27th, 2010
9:23 pm
Martin Prado is back to reality
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
9:23 pm
D-Lowe better come correct now, because it seems the offense is done scoring…I feel a nail biter coming on
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
April 27th, 2010
9:23 pm
wow, just like that, 1,2,3 again. can you guys at least try to make an effort??
JasonInFL
April 27th, 2010
9:24 pm
yikes, that was a quick half of an inning!
Pesky
April 27th, 2010
9:24 pm
Daybed , the ump said that Esco missed a tag at 3rd and Bbby came to argue….it really was too close to tell if Esco tagged the runner or not.
N Nine
April 27th, 2010
9:24 pm
“Martin Prado is back to reality”
No, he was stuck in a room full of sick people.
Jimmy Joe
April 27th, 2010
9:25 pm
The offense still stinks.
SOMEONE, HIT A THREE RUN HOMER!!!!!!
JasonInFL
April 27th, 2010
9:25 pm
dudes and dudettes…it’s the pitching…it’s the only thing that is going to get us on a roll!
TnBrian
April 27th, 2010
9:25 pm
Chipper’s bat looks like it’s in slow motion. Dude is hurtin … why is he playing again?
Soph
April 27th, 2010
9:25 pm
You know that wasn’t Chipper, right?
I was about to ask why the hell they were blaming Chipper but then I thought maybe the person was really complimenting him. I guess.
Couch Tater
April 27th, 2010
9:25 pm
Daybed – Bobby was arguing the safe call at third base. He thought Puhols was out.
J-Hey
April 27th, 2010
9:25 pm
Chipper now hitting the same as Brian .245
think it’s time for a day off or 6
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
April 27th, 2010
9:25 pm
my anger at TP grows everyday. i’m seeing so much talent go to waste. does Heyward go to TP or his father for batting advice?
Soph
April 27th, 2010
9:26 pm
Fudge!-sicles
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
9:26 pm
D-Lowe is getting squeezed…If Bobby gets ejected it will be for arguing pitches
Daybed Wagmoe
April 27th, 2010
9:27 pm
Pesky and Couch Tater — thanks!
Couch Tater
April 27th, 2010
9:28 pm
…or he may have been arguing the spelling of Pujols.
I Hate Liberty Media
April 27th, 2010
9:28 pm
It appears that Pendleton is turning our batters into hitting retards. If Ted Williams was actually buried, he’d be rolling over in his grave.
OzzyBraves
April 27th, 2010
9:29 pm
I just wish the Braves would at least work the pitchers. My god, swinging at the first pitch and everything.
At the beginning of the 4th inning Carp had thrown 50 pitches and D-Lowe had thrown only 40, now D-Lowe has pitched more balls than Carp…Why? Because the Cards started to work him in the 4th.
Against the Philthy’s, Hudson had pitched 100 pitches by the 5th inning and Halladay had pitched less than 100 pitches the entire game. The Phil’s batter’s worked the Braves pitchers senseless, why can’t the Braves do this?
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
9:29 pm
This umpiring crew blows!
Soph
April 27th, 2010
9:30 pm
Mac’s getting beat up back there.
Jinx
April 27th, 2010
9:30 pm
DOB, rank this ballpark. Top 10 in MLB? Top 5? Not even top 15?
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
9:30 pm
I think both Chipper’s and B-Macc’s dads need to roll with the team, they will get first class treatment from the players
Brian from SC
April 27th, 2010
9:30 pm
Ozzybraves, the Braves have seen 4.02 pitches per PA, which is 2nd highest in the league.
Sounds like they do exactly what you say.
BamaDude @ CowCollege AL
April 27th, 2010
9:33 pm
nice BMac
McFann Ô
April 27th, 2010
9:33 pm
Hey…whoa…a hit? Fun!
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
9:33 pm
There we go B-Macc, baseball is a game of inches
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
9:34 pm
No more DP’s!
McFann Ô
April 27th, 2010
9:34 pm
Soph Mac’s getting beat up back there.
Yeah, sheesh…
chilidog75
April 27th, 2010
9:34 pm
Brian … how dare you use stats instead of knee-jerk criticism?
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
9:35 pm
Good No Call blue, but too close to take
chilidog75
April 27th, 2010
9:35 pm
Can’t believe Carpenter wanted that call. Wasn’t close. Wasn’t a strike — like it wasnt against McClouth two innings ago.
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
April 27th, 2010
9:36 pm
i hate liberty media- i second your statement on hitting mongrols
Jimmy Joe
April 27th, 2010
9:36 pm
Remember what seeing a home run was like?
Soph
April 27th, 2010
9:36 pm
McFann, maybe if Rally sticks an arm or leg out then Mac will steal a base.
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
April 27th, 2010
9:36 pm
the braves mongrols that is
bravos2249
April 27th, 2010
9:36 pm
Damn wasn’t Heyward hitting .300 a week ago. Ah well atleast he’s got an excuse.
I’ll bank on him hitting the next Braves homer…when…IDK…but I’m betting he’ll be the one to break the drought.
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
9:37 pm
Fudge
More Bad Luck!
BamaDude @ CowCollege AL
April 27th, 2010
9:37 pm
damn close Jason
chilidog75
April 27th, 2010
9:37 pm
Bravos2249, you almost got that done simultaneously.
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
9:38 pm
Good to see J-Hey making Big Carp work
chilidog75
April 27th, 2010
9:39 pm
Good AB kid. Made him work.
Moby Grape
April 27th, 2010
9:39 pm
exercise in futility
Mixxo
April 27th, 2010
9:40 pm
Dribblers!
Jimmy Joe
April 27th, 2010
9:40 pm
All kinds of awful.
I Hate Liberty Media
April 27th, 2010
9:40 pm
More appropriate nickname for Glaus: “GIDP” or “RLOB”?
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
9:40 pm
Fudge!
Promising Inning turns into nothing! I don’t feel good being up by only one especially with our luck over the last 10 days
JC from DR
April 27th, 2010
9:41 pm
from 1 to 10 how would you cualify the braves level of suckiness? (10 being the worst)
Wayne in Utah
April 27th, 2010
9:42 pm
Just added MLB Audio tonight………….only to find that they increased the price by 33% plus they added advertisements to the screen.
Thanks folks!
gobravos
April 27th, 2010
9:42 pm
Especially with Pujols coming up. These guys are probably going to score more than one.
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
April 27th, 2010
9:42 pm
you can literally script exactly how the braves will end up with every bat
Simple
April 27th, 2010
9:42 pm
Worst offensive team i’ve ever seen
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
9:43 pm
Here We Go…
That ball had eyes on it!
David O'Brien
April 27th, 2010
9:44 pm
I was down at concession stand when Heyward hit that long foul ball. He put a charge in that one, almost took Carpenter deep.
chilidog75
April 27th, 2010
9:44 pm
Dr. Ken … I forget. Are you right one or the left one?
Wayne in Utah
April 27th, 2010
9:44 pm
I say your suckiness is around a 9.5. The Braves pitching, about a 1.5, and their offense around a 7.5.
I Hate Liberty Media
April 27th, 2010
9:44 pm
To Braves’ ownership & management: you get what you pay for.
Wayne in Utah
April 27th, 2010
9:45 pm
You folks who are miserable with this team…..why do you stay? Why do you watch?
Puzzling.
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
9:45 pm
I rank the coaching staff at an 8
Mixxo
April 27th, 2010
9:46 pm
Johnny Walkinpuss?
Jim
April 27th, 2010
9:46 pm
Despite Melk-dud’s hit tonight, I can’t believe Braves continue to play him instead of Diaz. The Melk-man is not hitting his weight.
chilidog75
April 27th, 2010
9:46 pm
Here comes danger. These 3 guys kill Lowe.
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
9:46 pm
I wish Ludwick had hit that homer wearing a braves uni, how ironic
TnBrian
April 27th, 2010
9:47 pm
Damn, our pitchers have to be machines out there to get a win anymore.
JasonInFL
April 27th, 2010
9:47 pm
We get through this inning without giving up a run, we win.
eric the elder
April 27th, 2010
9:47 pm
Jim, that could be a problem because I think Melky is getting fatter by the hour.
bravos2249
April 27th, 2010
9:48 pm
Well look who their hitting coach is, that’s why they only usually score with homers…to bad he can’t eject anything in them.
Jimmy Joe
April 27th, 2010
9:48 pm
This ump is awful.
someguy
April 27th, 2010
9:48 pm
Somethign bad is about to happen
PR_Brave
April 27th, 2010
9:48 pm
D.O.B. Braves almost won last night’s game… cough, cough
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
9:48 pm
Get Petey Pablo Warming up NOW!
bravos2249
April 27th, 2010
9:48 pm
Jim
The whole team isn’t hardly hitting their weight.
Rob from SC
April 27th, 2010
9:49 pm
Ballgame.
Nick
April 27th, 2010
9:49 pm
BALLGAME! The Braves aren’t scoring again.
someguy
April 27th, 2010
9:49 pm
And there it is. Had to serve it up with Albert coming up.
David O'Brien
April 27th, 2010
9:49 pm
Pretty decent pulled-pork BBQ sandwich from the food court thing on the expensive-seats level here. Line was too long for the stir-fry, which is what I usually like to get here.
Meanwhile … D-Lowe’s pitching a nice game, efficient with a lot of ground balls.
And as I typed that, he gave up a gapper by Ludwick to drive in the tying run. Ludwck’s killed him.
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
9:49 pm
Lowe starting to get Slapped, Sigh!
reyesisdaman
April 27th, 2010
9:49 pm
Have you guys been paying attention to da mets? We are 7-1 (soon to be 8-1) since we called up Ike Davis (who blows Heyward away) and our starters have gone 13 straight with only giving up 3 runs or less. There is no stopping us now, and I really believe we are taking the division and going to the World Series this year. So much for our crappy pitching staff HUH??? I would really like to hear the thoughts of you Braves fans that laughed at our rotation, seriously underestimated us, and wrote us off. Who’s in last place now huh????
Mixxo
April 27th, 2010
9:49 pm
F***********
Don't-win-it-4Bobby-but-4the-FANS
April 27th, 2010
9:49 pm
It’s history repeating on and on and on… It’s sad.
Different year, same story.
April 27th, 2010
9:49 pm
And here we go…
JC from DR
April 27th, 2010
9:49 pm
Wayne in Utah – You beat me by 0.5, your suckiness is right at 10.
curtis jones
April 27th, 2010
9:49 pm
It’s only fair. Lowe’s first decent pitching performance of the year, and he’ll likely get a loss.
someguy
April 27th, 2010
9:49 pm
Holliday is due
TnBrian
April 27th, 2010
9:50 pm
I wonder when the Braves just start to pay the other team for a win?
reyesisdaman
April 27th, 2010
9:50 pm
Oh and by the way….looks like you are about to lose your 7 straight ballgame. Too bad your team can’t hit!!
BIOMASS
April 27th, 2010
9:50 pm
I’m far from being a prude. I curse freely, and use the gd word without a qualm or reservation. F word, etc. It doesn’t bother me.
However, I’ll be so glad when I don’t have to see/hear/lipread Bobby Cox berating an umpire trying to make a call.
It’s bush league crap. Be a gentleman, disagree, and be done with it. What a horrible example to set for youth.
J-Hey
April 27th, 2010
9:50 pm
it was only a matter of time
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
9:50 pm
Walking Pujols is the best decision Bobby has made for the past 10 days
Moby Grape
April 27th, 2010
9:50 pm
Sad
PR_Brave
April 27th, 2010
9:50 pm
What makes me angry is that we score and hold it for half a game. Then comes the big letdown, Slam!
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
9:51 pm
Reyesisdaman
“Now is not the Time!”
someguy
April 27th, 2010
9:51 pm
Chip-Dip is only hurting the team.
bravos2249
April 27th, 2010
9:51 pm
Ah Chipper…:(
Daybed Wagmoe
April 27th, 2010
9:51 pm
Someone needs to light a fire under our offense’s butts
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
9:51 pm
Nice play by Hoss, gotta tip ur hat to Holliday earning his pay by hustling on that, with our team that would’ve been a DP
Flatbill Kid
April 27th, 2010
9:52 pm
Chipper’s slow defense is costing us
someguy
April 27th, 2010
9:52 pm
Molina would have made that play…what up with McCann?
groundfog
April 27th, 2010
9:52 pm
Shuffle step by Chipper cost the dp. Bobby was pissed.
N8
April 27th, 2010
9:52 pm
“I was down at concession stand when Heyward hit that long foul ball. He put a charge in that one, almost took Carpenter deep.”
Is that what we’re left to be excited about? “Almost” HR, that go just foul? LOL. Wow. We’re in trouble.
On a side note, I was at a concession stand once, when my buddy almost hooked up with Pinelope Cruz.
Actually on 2nd thought, it wasn’t my buddy.
And I’m pretty sure it wasn’t Pinelope Cruz either. Never mind.
curtis jones
April 27th, 2010
9:52 pm
Win or lose, it’s been a nice break from Chip Caray this week.
JasonInFL
April 27th, 2010
9:52 pm
Rockies winning 9-0 in the 3rd…what it would be like to have a game like that. Seriously, we have to hold the team to 3 runs or less to have a chance…and I expect us to do it.
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
9:53 pm
This is Not Good, Cheesewhiz Lady luck has violated us since that Sunday game against the Rockies!
bigrob97
April 27th, 2010
9:53 pm
Brian is having a tough week defensively.
bravos2249
April 27th, 2010
9:53 pm
Not really cause Chipper should’ve thrown to 2nd and start the DP. Not a good play at ALL.
TnBrian
April 27th, 2010
9:53 pm
Does Gary Carter still have that catching camp going? If so, McCann ought to attend it in the offseason.
glord1
April 27th, 2010
9:53 pm
nice footwork grandpa
PR_Brave
April 27th, 2010
9:53 pm
someguy: Love Mac, but his arm and D is…
N8
April 27th, 2010
9:53 pm
Yup. Omar Infante is no Chipper with the glove. That’s for sure.
chilidog75
April 27th, 2010
9:54 pm
Curtis … way to keep things in perspective. You’re right. Could be worse.
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
9:54 pm
This will be Lowe’s last inning…
He was automatic til the fifth
Mixxo
April 27th, 2010
9:54 pm
Smoltzie…..funny!
someguy
April 27th, 2010
9:54 pm
PR_Brave…and his bat?
Rob from SC
April 27th, 2010
9:55 pm
Get him COx
David O'Brien
April 27th, 2010
9:55 pm
Uh-oh
N8
April 27th, 2010
9:55 pm
Go ahead Bobby. Leave Lowe out there. See if you can help the Cards put this one away early.
Mixxo
April 27th, 2010
9:55 pm
C’mon big D…..get ‘im.
TnBrian
April 27th, 2010
9:55 pm
I wish the Braves would hire Smoltz for a special instructor. Even if he’s just sitting in the dugout, he’d be a very guy to have around.
someguy
April 27th, 2010
9:56 pm
Molina the Brave killa!
groundfog
April 27th, 2010
9:56 pm
Moylan should be in now. At least he wouldn’t give up a slam
JasonInFL
April 27th, 2010
9:56 pm
sorry, make that 11-0
James
April 27th, 2010
9:56 pm
Here we go, they score then BALLGAME
chilidog75
April 27th, 2010
9:56 pm
This umpire can go suck a duck.
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
9:56 pm
Gawd this umpiring crew Blows!
N8
April 27th, 2010
9:56 pm
That 2nd pitch was a strike. Good golly.
Rob from SC
April 27th, 2010
9:57 pm
How do you not yank Lowe
Nick
April 27th, 2010
9:57 pm
7 losses in a row for the Braves.
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
9:57 pm
Game Over!
J-Hey
April 27th, 2010
9:57 pm
and that’s game
I Hate Liberty Media
April 27th, 2010
9:57 pm
God, the Braves suck. Game over.
cabravesfan
April 27th, 2010
9:57 pm
preparing for blog meltdown…
bravos2249
April 27th, 2010
9:57 pm
Well
Braves 2
Cards 2
Chipper 2
James
April 27th, 2010
9:57 pm
BALLGAME. Why didnt they take him out?
someguy
April 27th, 2010
9:57 pm
Geez…serve it up
N8
April 27th, 2010
9:57 pm
Way to go Bobby. PUUULEEEEEZ do us all a favor and go away. Sooner rather than later.
groundfog
April 27th, 2010
9:57 pm
That’s all on Bobby. He had a senility attack and thought Maddux was pitching.
Daybed Wagmoe
April 27th, 2010
9:57 pm
F’n ump is squeezing Lowe, big time.
Jimmy Joe
April 27th, 2010
9:57 pm
Just imagine what Chipper is going to look like in 2012 at 40 years of age playing third base.
JasonInFL
April 27th, 2010
9:57 pm
Good night Irene, good night…
Hey, at least we can still split the series.
Rob from SC
April 27th, 2010
9:57 pm
he did not pitch great
Don't-win-it-4Bobby-but-4the-FANS
April 27th, 2010
9:58 pm
Wasn’t Moylan ready? Oh, Bobby just noticed it! Too late…
MFin04
April 27th, 2010
9:58 pm
Derek Lowe sucks, but you have to love how Pujols gets an extra base for his team, and gets extra runs for his team through great baserunning.
Mixxo
April 27th, 2010
9:58 pm
F*****sticks!!
(Fiddlesticks!!)
JC from DR
April 27th, 2010
9:58 pm
BALLGAMEEEEEEEE!!!!
someguy
April 27th, 2010
9:58 pm
Good job Bobby – take him out when the game is over. One more for the scrap book.
David O'Brien
April 27th, 2010
9:58 pm
Two nights in a row that Molina’s killed Braves.
J-Hey
April 27th, 2010
9:58 pm
5 and 2/3 and at least 4 runs is not “terrific” Joe, it’s average pitching .. at best
UKUGA
April 27th, 2010
9:58 pm
No comment.
gobravos
April 27th, 2010
9:58 pm
The Mets still suck man. You know it. We know it. The Mets are like the Cubs. They are both teams that are perpetual losers with two of the most annoying fan bases in all of sports. I don’t care if you guys just swept us. Believe me, we will win the season series AGAIN. You guys will blow it with your ginormous payroll again. Your team might be good if all your good players weren’t constantly sidlined with vaginitis.
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
9:58 pm
This Blows, Lowe pitched better than the boxscore would indicate
Another game where our starters get screwed by this Anemic AWFense!
Not to mention the BS Noncalls by this Wack A..s umpiring crew
I Hate Liberty Media
April 27th, 2010
9:58 pm
Will someone please put Bobby Cox out of my misery?
cabravesfan
April 27th, 2010
9:59 pm
and the meltdown has officially begun…
WTF
April 27th, 2010
9:59 pm
How many times are we going to put up with plays Chipper doesn’t make. He should have started an around the horn DP. He’s given up 4-5 runs the past few games, but Escobar makes a mistake that cost us 2 and gets a whole expose written on him. Seriously WTF!
chilidog75
April 27th, 2010
9:59 pm
Way to be strong, Derek. Way to buckle down there, big guy. 5 2/3 IP, 4-plus runs … well done. At least you contributed with the bat. That’s what we need.
F You Bobby Cox
April 27th, 2010
9:59 pm
Why the hell didn’t Cocks put Moylan in?
David O'Brien
April 27th, 2010
9:59 pm
By the way, Ludwick is now 8-for-13 with three homers off Lowe, who’s being replaced now by Peter Moylan.
glord1
April 27th, 2010
9:59 pm
This may end up being the third game in the past 5 that chipper costs use the game defensively. That should have been a double play if he went to second or stepped on the bag. So freaking slow.
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
9:59 pm
Oh, Fishsticks!
JC from DR
April 27th, 2010
9:59 pm
Beautiful Bobby, beautiful!
N8
April 27th, 2010
9:59 pm
When Bobby finally does retire, if he does (I’m beginning to think he won’t because his sole mission in life is to annoy me), he should write a book. I’ve got the perfect title that pretty much sums up his “style”
One pitch too late…. the story of my life.
Unreal.
Jerald Holcombe
April 27th, 2010
9:59 pm
Braves win rebound in this game. I just have that feeling.
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
9:59 pm
Come On Petey-Pablo!
Let’s get out of this!
TnBrian
April 27th, 2010
10:00 pm
Oh well. Just another Braves game. Nothin to see here.
tom
April 27th, 2010
10:00 pm
man we really blow this year
cabravesfan
April 27th, 2010
10:00 pm
glord1 -
He did step on the bag
groundfog
April 27th, 2010
10:00 pm
Lowe could have built some confidence on that effort if he was pulled, like everybody except Bobby cox thought should happen.
chilidog75
April 27th, 2010
10:00 pm
You guys and your hate for Chipper is absurd. Matt Holliday CAN RUN. There’s no way in F’n Hades that the Braves could have turned a 5-4-3 DP right there. None. Ball wasn’t hit hard, and Chipper fielded it near the bag.
MFin04
April 27th, 2010
10:00 pm
I’ve never understood taking the starter out after the game is over? Why not leave him in to mop up his own mess? If the game is already ballgamed, leave him in. Either bring the reliever in when the game is on the line or don’t bring him in at all.
bravos2249
April 27th, 2010
10:00 pm
Seriously if Glaus could make the transistion to first why can’t Chipper?
And don’t give me the feet problem, he hasn’t hurt them in awhile, and he’s gonna get injured anyway.
I’d rather him play first and Glaus play 3rd.
But we all know that ain’t gonna happen.
groundfog
April 27th, 2010
10:01 pm
One pitch too late…. the story of my life.
Lol so true, always a batter too late
Angus
April 27th, 2010
10:01 pm
I hate bitching about officiating, but have to and somewhere, so sorry y’all.
If Pujols is called out, if Lowe gets the obvious strike call…….damnit – nothing’s going our way.
JasonInFL
April 27th, 2010
10:01 pm
another awful outing by our $15/yr man. 5.2 innings, 102 pitches, and 4 ER. seriously, i keep saying it, but we can only afford to pay about 2 players close to top dollar (excluding Howard’s ridiculous and overpaid contract). when those two players are a 38 year old Chipper Jones and a god-awful soon to be 37-year old Derek Lowe, well, it pretty much hamstrings the team, no?
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
10:01 pm
G-Dammit!
Game Over
groundfog
April 27th, 2010
10:02 pm
What a disaster, time for the Benny Hill theme.
chilidog75
April 27th, 2010
10:02 pm
I will say, he didnt handle the play well. He was slow. A better 3B “probably” can pull off that play – touching the base and throwing to first – but no 3B would have had a chance had they gone to second.
Daybed Wagmoe
April 27th, 2010
10:02 pm
Oh. And then that happens.
Jimmy Joe
April 27th, 2010
10:02 pm
Like I said earlier in the night:
The New York Mets(without Carlos Beltran) are going to be 12-9.
The Atlanta Braves are going to be 8-12.
I hope all of you are disgusted with this team, because I sure am. Good night.
MFin04
April 27th, 2010
10:02 pm
I hope Moylan gives up as many runs as he can without hurting his own ERA. Lowe sucks.
Mixxo
April 27th, 2010
10:02 pm
Can the wheels come off…..if they’re already off?
Well, at least Carp is gone.
UKUGA
April 27th, 2010
10:02 pm
The trade with the Yankees would’ve been better if we had just let them keep Melky.
No replacement, just let Melky stay.
Different year, same story.
April 27th, 2010
10:02 pm
Can someone on the so-called “best pitching staff in the NL” pitch at least 7 innings for once?
F You Bobby Cox
April 27th, 2010
10:02 pm
WWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GREAT CATCH MELKEY!!!!!!!!!!!!1
chris
April 27th, 2010
10:02 pm
J-Hey- for lowe, it is “terrific” pitching tonight. since last june, lowe’s era is around 5 or above. he’s been just as bad as any starting pitcher in the last year and it’s frustrating because he’s making $15 million a year. that’s how bad this situation is…
glord1
April 27th, 2010
10:02 pm
cabravesfan
April 27th, 2010
10:00 pm
glord1 -
He did step on the bag
I understand but I am saying he was slow to third and took an extra step on the throw. He should have got two with which ever way he wanted to go. Ofcoarse he would of had to hurry either way to get two.
James
April 27th, 2010
10:02 pm
LOL this team is funny you just gotta laugh
J-Hey
April 27th, 2010
10:03 pm
lol
the braves are becoming the team that most teams will want to face in order to break out of slumps (the way the Nationals/Orioles are), or one of those “Bad teams that there’s no excuse why you shouldn’t be beating them on a daily basis”
groundfog
April 27th, 2010
10:03 pm
This loss is on Chipper for booting the dp, and then Bobby for leaving in lowe.
bravos2249
April 27th, 2010
10:03 pm
chilidog75
Well you know what Chipper has made bad plays that have cost us runs. He ALMOST got Holliday at 1st after his stutter steps, which means if he fields that ball and throws to second then they have a chance.
If he throws to 2nd and they don’t turn it, no harm done, but when he tries to run to third and throw to first he just doesn’t make that play. He’s tried that play atleast once or twice before and has naver thrown the guy out at first.
TnBrian
April 27th, 2010
10:03 pm
The snowball has getting bigger and bigger and bigger. This is the worst stretch of Braves baseball I’ve personally ever seen. And don’t give me the 80’s teams crap either. 1992 and up, never seen such constant crap.
bgvt
April 27th, 2010
10:03 pm
Uh-oh….the good work from the bullpen is starting to fade. Contagious mediocrity?
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
10:03 pm
I just Turned It Off
groundfog
April 27th, 2010
10:03 pm
If Chipper makes the dp like 29 other third baseman would , what would the score be? I forgot
glord1
April 27th, 2010
10:03 pm
Nice throw Grandpa.
N8
April 27th, 2010
10:03 pm
“Two nights in a row that Molina’s killed Braves.”
On the surface, he’s the culprit. But I’m going to blame this inning on Chipper failing to start that double play. It’s not going to go down as an error. But these runs should not be earned. Lowe did HIS job.
But I’m sure tomorrow there will be a story in the AJC about how pathetic Lowe is and how over-paid he is, all while just below it will be a story about how much of a warrior Chipper is for fighting through a little pain.
Argue with me now everybody. CHIPPER IS HURTING THIS TEAM.
O.J.
April 27th, 2010
10:04 pm
What the hell has happened to reliable Peter Moylan? Hasnt been so reliable lately.
BL
April 27th, 2010
10:04 pm
Only reason I want to watch is to see how much worse this is going to get!
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
10:04 pm
Once again The Melk-Dud and Roger Dorn killed the team
This is a tough one
Jerald Holcombe
April 27th, 2010
10:04 pm
Okay, screw it! That feeling I had musta been crotch rot. In what freakin book is Melky Cabrera considered a decent fielder? In school, I could hit and pitch really well, but I sucked at catching the ball. I could have caught that ball! Melky, you are sh!t with a capital SH!T!
George from NC
April 27th, 2010
10:04 pm
This is getting f’ing ridiculous…
We’re finding ways to lose games now…
JasonInFL
April 27th, 2010
10:04 pm
will we finish in last place in Bobby’s last year?
groundfog
April 27th, 2010
10:04 pm
They find new ways to lose every night. If its not hitting , it s errors. If its not errorr, its Bobby.It’s a big circle jerk.
TnBrian
April 27th, 2010
10:04 pm
THAT’S how you string together a big inning with the bats. The Braves aren’t even close to the talent level as those Cardinal hitters. Not even the same league right now. Just gets sadder and sadder for Braves fans.
JC from DR
April 27th, 2010
10:05 pm
Once again, the veteran third baseman costed us a game! Lets go blame it on Escobar!
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
10:05 pm
When was the last time the braves dropped 7 in a row?
I now we dropped 6 in a row in 2001, but this is depressing to see our boys go out like that
someguy
April 27th, 2010
10:05 pm
Good thing the brought Heyward up right away to help them WIN games for Bobby’s last year. That’s going to be money well spend in a few years.
Jimmy Joe
April 27th, 2010
10:05 pm
5 earned runs for Lowe, by the way. 5!!!!
I don’t care if he looked good early. The guy is awful. What a waste. This pitching staff isn’t going to be as good as last year. No way.
JasonInFL
April 27th, 2010
10:05 pm
Lowe + Chipper = $30 mill/yr = hard to compete
chilidog75
April 27th, 2010
10:05 pm
Bravos … I’m not arguing he played it well. He didn’t. That crazy stutter-step did him in. But he was pretty darn close to the bag when he got it, and that was his ONLY chance – in my opinion – of getting the DP.
Holliday isn’t Glaus. He can run.
Simple
April 27th, 2010
10:05 pm
I would come unglued in the dugout
chris
April 27th, 2010
10:06 pm
alright, lets get those 3 runs back! oh wait, we havent even scored 3 runs in a game in well over a week hahahahahahaha
JasonInFL
April 27th, 2010
10:06 pm
over/under on pitches seen this inning: 10
glord1
April 27th, 2010
10:06 pm
Roger Dorn – Now thats funny and accurate.
Pesky
April 27th, 2010
10:06 pm
I am with you Jerald….for some reason I still have a sliver of hope tonight. We still have 3 more innings so no fat lady singing from me.
Also, DLowe let it get away but hopefully he still can take some things from this game to build his confidence going forth. The only problem is I hear a a lot of people talking about this being perfect sinkerball weather and it is only going to get hotter, so I hope weather isn’t too much of a factor in his pitching ability.
chilidog75
April 27th, 2010
10:06 pm
So the final line for The Big Mediocre: 5 2/3 IP, 5 earned runs. Wonderful.
McFann Ô
April 27th, 2010
10:06 pm
Soph McFann, maybe if Rally sticks an arm or leg out then Mac will steal a base.
Sorry I missed that post of yours…I’ll keep that in mind next BMac gets on!
bravos2249
April 27th, 2010
10:06 pm
glord1
Yeah he stutter steped before touching 3rd. Looked just like what LaRoche would do before he hit first running down the line.
He had to take 2-3 steps to get to 3rd and Almost threw Holliday out, he very well might have had a chance for the DP by throwing to 2nd. If Escobar did something like that this blog would be blowing up. But Escobar has a better arm, so…lol
TnBrian
April 27th, 2010
10:06 pm
Sissy boy Nate is up to get the first out of the inning.
BL
April 27th, 2010
10:07 pm
There is a bright side….Glaus should be up soon…going for the Golden Sombrero I might ad!
someguy
April 27th, 2010
10:07 pm
Chipper is making $14 million or so and hurting the team most nights. Lowe is making $15 and only hurting the team once every five games or so. Who is worse in this situation?
gobravos
April 27th, 2010
10:07 pm
Unbelievable. I understand we’ve had bad Aprils, but have the Braves really ever played this bad before?
Roto Rooter
April 27th, 2010
10:07 pm
Just woke up, what’s going on?
Tommy
April 27th, 2010
10:08 pm
I swear, Nate can not hit a ball the other way to save his life. For God’s sake, hit a ball where it is pitched!!!!!!!!!
JC from DR
April 27th, 2010
10:08 pm
Yeah Nate, that’s what we need, more outs!
Don't-win-it-4Bobby-but-4the-FANS
April 27th, 2010
10:08 pm
And now the bullpen struggling. Saito the other night and Moylan not being able to strand inherited runners on back-to-back games.
TnBrian
April 27th, 2010
10:08 pm
Joe Simpson is annoying as f*** sometimes.
Mixxo
April 27th, 2010
10:08 pm
Attaway Brooksie!
MFin04
April 27th, 2010
10:08 pm
Brooks was HERE!!!! Thataboy!
Jinx
April 27th, 2010
10:08 pm
Maybe Conrad should bat leadoff…
UKUGA
April 27th, 2010
10:08 pm
Tomahawkin, I’m pretty sure we lost 10 straight in June 2006, which was the month that the misery officially began.
We’ve basically only had a few positive spurts since then.
And to be honest, I thought that was over. I was wrong.
Jerald Holcombe
April 27th, 2010
10:08 pm
McOut fails to come through once again.
Pesky
April 27th, 2010
10:08 pm
Nails2K Brooks Conrad!!!! Lets do this!!!
MamaDawg
April 27th, 2010
10:08 pm
Seriously…Chipper really just looked like an old man trying to make that double play.
Geez, the Braves just can’t catch a break anymore. They get a couple of runs and believe it’ll be enough…..just to have the other team come back and beat ‘em.
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
10:08 pm
BC Powder coming through, now that the game is over
bravos2249
April 27th, 2010
10:08 pm
groundfog
2-2
BUT
Braves 2
Cards 2
Chipper 3
usnavyvolfaninva
April 27th, 2010
10:08 pm
Tomahawkin’
They lost 10 straight in ‘06 I believe
chilidog75
April 27th, 2010
10:08 pm
This is going to be the inning that turns the season around, folks.
glord1
April 27th, 2010
10:09 pm
Lets play Brooks in LF. Lets get the movement started. Wait a minute how about third base.
Daybed Wagmoe
April 27th, 2010
10:09 pm
Uh-oh….the good work from the bullpen is starting to fade
Actually, I don’t think you can necessarily pin that on the bullpen. The bullpen didn’t put all those runners on base, just like the bullpen didn’t misplay a ball that most able-bodied outfielders would’ve caught.
bigrob97
April 27th, 2010
10:09 pm
Tomahawkin- love the “Roger Dorn” reference
BamaDude @ CowCollege AL
April 27th, 2010
10:09 pm
Smoltzie keepin’ it light ..
George from NC
April 27th, 2010
10:09 pm
Brooks Conrad for leadoff!
Oh what am i kidding? we could bat Ted Wiliams leadoff right now and he would find ways to get out
MamaDawg
April 27th, 2010
10:09 pm
Way to go, Conrad!! You actually legged out that hit into a double. Why can’t everyone else hustle that way?
reyesisdaman
April 27th, 2010
10:09 pm
Braves look terrible!!!
Jerald Holcombe
April 27th, 2010
10:09 pm
McL OUT h says it all.
Jimmy Joe
April 27th, 2010
10:09 pm
The expectations of this team were high, and that is the media’s fault. It’s a mediocre team with an overrated starting pitching staff.
usnavyvolfaninva
April 27th, 2010
10:09 pm
Bring back Brad Komminsk!!
Mixxo
April 27th, 2010
10:09 pm
Esco…..heatin’ up.
BamaDude @ CowCollege AL
April 27th, 2010
10:10 pm
yeah …rally time ?
George from NC
April 27th, 2010
10:10 pm
Hate to be Debbie Downer here but knowing our luck, here comes a DP
chilidog75
April 27th, 2010
10:10 pm
In all seriousness, a lot of this team’s ills could be cured if its three all-star caliber players (Escobar, Chipper, McCann) started hitting like it.
UKUGA
April 27th, 2010
10:10 pm
Here’s a good one . . .
http://capitolavenueclub.com/?p=1208
2009 wasn’t Lowe’s fault.
groundfog
April 27th, 2010
10:10 pm
2 on 1 out what is the opposing Pitching coach saying? lol
Jerald Holcombe
April 27th, 2010
10:10 pm
I guess this was a bad week to stop sniffing glue.
Jimmy Joe
April 27th, 2010
10:10 pm
HOW MANY WANT TO BET PRADO HITS INTO A DOUBLE PLAY??!?!?!?!?!
bravos2249
April 27th, 2010
10:10 pm
Even though I don’t like Escobar leading off, his ab’s always look better when he hits 1st.
BL
April 27th, 2010
10:10 pm
Did Smoltz actually say “meat of our order” HA
Don't-win-it-4Bobby-but-4the-FANS
April 27th, 2010
10:11 pm
Anybody throwing in the Cards bullpen?
Jinx
April 27th, 2010
10:11 pm
Just setting it up for another base running gaffe for Yunel.
TnBrian
April 27th, 2010
10:11 pm
Prado had better do something because rotten a** Chipper ain’t gonna do sh** with his lazy a** crap swings. Retire you BUM! I might go to the games this weekend just to boo Chipper and gimpin a**.
Mixxo
April 27th, 2010
10:11 pm
Yesssssssssssssssss
chris
April 27th, 2010
10:11 pm
any of you think we’ll actually score? anybody?
A-Ville Ranger
April 27th, 2010
10:11 pm
This team may have set a new low for fans going from very hopeful to vertually no hope.I’m not judging mind you.Fact is, I’m one of those fans.
groundfog
April 27th, 2010
10:11 pm
wow did that really happen? lol
usnavyvolfaninva
April 27th, 2010
10:11 pm
Jimmy Joe
I think you’re right… when you take a good hard look at this team, still too many uncertainties in the lineup… ‘course, hindsight’s always 20-20
chilidog75
April 27th, 2010
10:11 pm
Wow. Nice base running there Yunel. Way to get third, big guy.
Jerald Holcombe
April 27th, 2010
10:11 pm
the Cards are playing defense like the Braves.
It's that bad!
April 27th, 2010
10:11 pm
I would trade Chipper Jones and Bobby Cox for a Louisville Slugger and a box of doughnuts!
James
April 27th, 2010
10:11 pm
Lets do something with this gift.
George from NC
April 27th, 2010
10:11 pm
There we go! Finally gettin some luck going our way…
John Smoltz jokes have been the issue of this team all along!
Tomahawkin
April 27th, 2010
10:11 pm
Ugghhh Ohhhhh, Braves Playing with our emotions trying to mount a comeback
glord1
April 27th, 2010
10:11 pm
Way to make something Brooks
Pesky
April 27th, 2010
10:12 pm
yes!!!!! Bout time we got a break….Chipper needs to come thru 4 us now…come on #10
Daybed Wagmoe
April 27th, 2010
10:12 pm
ALRIGHT!!
MamaDawg
April 27th, 2010
10:12 pm
NICE!!!!!!!!! A break finally goes the Braves way!
groundfog
April 27th, 2010
10:12 pm
One of the worst belly flop slides i’ve ever seen lol.
TnBrian
April 27th, 2010
10:12 pm
Come on DL Gimper Jones.
BamaDude @ CowCollege AL
April 27th, 2010
10:12 pm
wow way to go …listen to Smoltzie …we’re going to bounce back
Jerald Holcombe
April 27th, 2010
10:12 pm
Chipper’s turn to suck.
Nick
April 27th, 2010
10:12 pm
I just hope Chipper keeps his word and retires. He’s done.
George from NC
April 27th, 2010
10:12 pm
I would trade Chipper Jones and Bobby Cox for a Louisville Slugger and a box of doughnuts!
Sure, let’s just encourage Glaus to get bigger!
chris
April 27th, 2010
10:12 pm
oh! they are giving us runs!
Daybed Wagmoe
April 27th, 2010
10:12 pm
Right here Chipper…come on baby!!
Angus
April 27th, 2010
10:13 pm
Chipper, 3-run homer = redemption.
bgvt
April 27th, 2010
10:13 pm
A SF here and the Braves are back to within one. Let’s go Chipper.
Mixxo
April 27th, 2010
10:13 pm
chilidog75 – Esco’s starting to find his RF stroke lately. A good thing.
JC from DR
April 27th, 2010
10:13 pm
The Cards trying to make it interesting for their fans helping the Braves score a couple more runs. LOL
BamaDude @ CowCollege AL
April 27th, 2010
10:13 pm
RBI Chipper !!!!!!!!!
chilidog75
April 27th, 2010
10:13 pm
Yep. DL Gimper just legged out an infield hit. Darn.
Pesky
April 27th, 2010
10:13 pm
there ya go old man!!!!! nice hustle
Jinx
April 27th, 2010
10:13 pm
Heeeeerrrrrrrre we go.
chris
April 27th, 2010
10:13 pm
come on gimper jones!
iowabrave
April 27th, 2010
10:13 pm
It’s hard to believe that a team with this much talent is playing this bad. They aren’t Murderer’s Row or anything, but there are some good players on this team. A very good pitching staff, but they have close to the worst record in the NL? There is something way off with this picture.
J-Hey
April 27th, 2010
10:14 pm
check chipper for an injury, probably hadn’t ran that fast in a while
MamaDawg
April 27th, 2010
10:14 pm
Way to run that ball out, Chip!!
bravos2249
April 27th, 2010
10:14 pm
Am I the only one shocked Chipper beat that out…lol.:)
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