Quotes from Braves after Friday’s win
BRIAN McCANN
“Any night, any guy in our lineup can hurt you. Omar put together a great at-bat and got the game-winner. It was good. A good win.”
On Braves not giving up after top of 11th:
“That’s what this team is made of. That’s what we’ve been doing since April, and we feel very confident playing right now.
On top of 11th
“I messed the play up. I’ve got to run him all the way back to third. I made the wrong play.”
GREGOR BLANCO
On being driven in twice by Prado:
“I always try to pull him. We’re good friends. When I’m on second or third I always yell at him, like, ‘Let’s go, you can do it.’ And every time he does it, I point at him and he points at me. It’s a good match.”
Fired up after triple?
“For sure, because it was a good start for us right there. I knew if we put pressure on the other team, we could win the game.”
This team doesn’t give up:
“No, not at all.”
BOBBY COX
On Infante
“He had a couple hits off of him before, so. O hits righties better than lefties I think. He did a great job with that at-bat with two strikes on him. That was a tough situation.”
On Medlen
“Med was good. Battled all night, gave up only the one run. Again, our bullpen pulled it off.”
On the rundown
“Mac should have got a little closer to Helms, but we dropped the ball. Gotta make the play.”
JONNY VENTERS
On missing the throw from Chipper:
“I just took my eye off the ball at the last second. I just missed it.”
KRIS MEDLEN
On facing Josh Johnson
“If you were to tell me that you had him out in six innings like we did, we’ll take that any time. Guy goes 6, 7, 8, 9. Any time of the season, he can easily go a complete game. Had him out early in the game and it gave us a chance.”
On importance of the win:
“It’s huge. It’s a tight race from first to last, and you need every win you can get.”
On coming back to win in last at-bat:
“We’re at the point in the season where we don’t expect anything other than what Omar did. Troy came up with the big double and the tractor-trailers were on base. But… it was a huge hit. Huge win for us.”
“Any time you have the offense that we do, guys that scrap and fight and don’t give up, it’s good for our entire team.”
On giving up run in first inning:
“The same thing happened against Detroit. I left a couple of balls up and they hit ‘em good. I just had to settle down and keep the ball down, and that’s what I did.”
You went toe-to-toe with one of the better pitchers in the league:
“Yeah, we did. It’s not about me. I don’t really care for the publicity like that. I’m just glad to be part of the team and glad to help us win.”
“I’m just extremely ecstatic with the win. We’re playing well.”
BILLY WAGNER
On Braves not giving up:
“We put ourselves in the situation where if something happens, we’re able to keep it close. We’re all going to give up these runs and there’s going to be some ugly points. But as long as you’re able to keep it to us having that chance — if you give up a run, make it be one run. That gives the team a big boost, you’ve got confidence there.
“And any team coming in here knows, they’ve watched ESPN and seen how we’ve come back, and we’ve done it in a lot of different ways. We’re a tough team to face when it’s close at the end. That helps our whole team, because you know you’re not going to be perfect out there sometimes. And when you can go out there and keep us close with a tie or just [down] one run, good things can happen. We find a way.”
On the tying homer he gave up to Gaby Sanchez:
“I was pissed off. You know what, it’s one of those situations where it could have happened on any pitch. He couldn’t have missed it – I mean it was a fastball right down the middle. I was trying to throw a fastball away, and after he took the first swing, it’s kind of a Catch-22: He was looking to do damage and I put it right in his wheelhouse.”
To come back in bottom of 11th after sloppy top of inning:
“You’ve got to be resilient. You’ve got enough veterans on this team and guys that have played in big situations. You’re going to have those misktakes and mental letdowns. To be able to come back in and regroup that quick is always going to be a plus. This team has showed that resiliency all year long, just relaxing in the big moments and letting things happen, and not looking for one person to come up with that big swing. I mean, anybody that comes up we’re always like, ‘We’re in a good spot right here.’ It’s a good feeling. I mean, to know that you have a team, if you have a bad night, is going to be able to pick you up.”
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65 comments Add your comment
MattyRoss
July 3rd, 2010
12:43 am
I love this team.
Duh
July 3rd, 2010
12:57 am
No “H” in Jonny Venters, DOB. smh
Jvan
July 3rd, 2010
12:58 am
Just~damn! I am just awed by this. I never imagned what really good baseball play by a really hungry team could be …keep it rolln’ Braves!
FJ10
July 3rd, 2010
12:59 am
Well Billy they picked me up.
awesomeo
July 3rd, 2010
1:00 am
dont forget how great peter moylan did with the dbl play. he won us the game as much as anyone else tonight
skip
July 3rd, 2010
1:02 am
I love this team more! seriously what an amazing group of guys! They deserve all the success that is coming to them… ill be in atlanta on the 15th for a series, flying all the way across the country to see my bravos!!!! LOVE IT! CHOP CHOP!
skip
July 3rd, 2010
1:02 am
I love this team more! seriously what an amazing group of guys! They deserve all the success that is coming to them… ill be in atlanta on the 15th for a series, flying all the way across the country to see my bravos!!!! LOVE IT! CHOP CHOP!
AL HRABOSKY
July 3rd, 2010
1:26 am
This Braves team is the most entertaining team that they have fielded in many years.
To quote the Tiger, ‘They’rrrre GREAT’!!!!
Chipper…..keep on passin that big ole bottle of Geritol around that dugout.
GO BRAVES!!
Pradopheliac
July 3rd, 2010
1:27 am
Gregor es bueno.
Viva Los Bravos!!!
BenFranklin
July 3rd, 2010
1:27 am
I actually turned the channel after the pickle drop. Uggghhhh!!!! I should’ve known better! Caught the gw hit on ESPNews between all the NBA free agency talk. I really want them to get back to pretty much just baseball during the summer. You would think the Braves would start to get some more love on ESPN, but we have NBA free agency to deal with. Ugggggggggghhhhhhhhh!!!!!!
Fan since 1977
July 3rd, 2010
1:31 am
Why didn’t Ross run for McCann in the 11th inning? Is Ross still nursing a bad hand? Should he go on the DL? He would have scored on Glaus’ double.
Micheal Corleone
July 3rd, 2010
1:35 am
After Venters dropped that run-down ball and Helms scored the go-ahead run in the 11th, I thought that was it.
So I got up, and I was so disgusted, I started to leave.
But just when I thought that I was out of it, here come the Braves in the bottom of the 11th, pulling me right back in.
Sometimes these Braves are just plain amazing.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!GO!!GO!!!GO!!!!BRAVOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Chip Caray's Eyebrows
July 3rd, 2010
1:36 am
F yeah I love this team. I mean this was the classic game the Braves of the past fews years lose. However, not this year’s version. I am enjoying never giving uo, and watching some proffesional at bats and great pitching. GO BRAVES BABY!!
Educated Idiot
July 3rd, 2010
1:36 am
@ BenFranklin
I hate to say it man, you seem pretty supportive of this team but we don’t get coverage because baseball fans do things like change the channel when things look bad.
Jo-Bu
July 3rd, 2010
1:41 am
I actually turned the channel after the pickle drop. Uggghhhh!!!! I should’ve known better! Caught the gw hit on ESPNews between all the NBA free agency talk. I really want them to get back to pretty much just baseball during the summer. You would think the Braves would start to get some more love on ESPN, but we have NBA free agency to deal with. Ugggggggggghhhhhhhhh!!!!!!
That’s why I watch the MLB Network. High praise from those guys tonight. All of the analysts on MLB Network seem to be down on the Phillies right now — they’ve been in a drunkin stupor over the Phillies all season long but now they are talking Braves and Mets. I don’t think the Mets are going anywhere and I think the Phillies will evenutally rebound after the AS break.
Micheal Corleone
July 3rd, 2010
1:42 am
I’ll get some of my boys to have a little talk with the ESPN people about respect. I guarantee those ESPN guys will start showing a little love for my BRAVOS.
I’ll make um an offer they can’t refuse.
Idot
July 3rd, 2010
1:46 am
I really don’t care what those hacks at ESPN think or say.
Just about all of their crap is boring.
Jo-Bu
July 3rd, 2010
1:47 am
I actually turned the channel after the pickle drop. Uggghhhh!!!! I should’ve known better! Caught the gw hit on ESPNews between all the NBA free agency talk. I really want them to get back to pretty much just baseball during the summer. You would think the Braves would start to get some more love on ESPN, but we have NBA free agency to deal with. Ugggggggggghhhhhhhhh!!!!!!
That’s why I watch the MLB Network. High praise from those guys tonight. All of the analysts on MLB Network seem to be down on the Phillies right now — they’ve been in a drunkin stupor over the Phillies all season long but now they are talking Braves and Mets. I don’t think the Mets are going anywhere and I think the Phillies will evenutally rebound after the A.S. break.
Idot
July 3rd, 2010
1:50 am
Fan since 97@131am……….Braves won, McCann scored anyway!
It’s all good, baby!
Enjoy!
Still got a 2 game lead over the Muts!
AL HRABOSKY
July 3rd, 2010
1:53 am
Don’t ever hear from those Philly and Mets fans on the AJC blogs anymore, for some reason or another.
Chip Caray's Eyebrows
July 3rd, 2010
1:59 am
I hate ESPN. they can go F themselves. I mean sorry Boston and NY can’t play in the World Series. Too bad. I mean it’s just sad how bias their coverage is. Here’s a new’s flash: the Braves are in first: been there for a damn month, suck it up ESPN we aint going nowhere.
AL HRABOSKY
July 3rd, 2010
2:45 am
That TP is doing a great job in coaching the hitters.
They could work on the bunting a little, though.
But it’s still all good, real good.
Michael Procton
July 3rd, 2010
2:52 am
1977: From DOB: Braves didn’t pinch-run for McCann after he reached, because Ross’ hand still healing from cortisone shot two days ago
Ross should be ok in a few days, but the initial effects of a cortisone shot aren’t particularly pleasant.
treybrave
July 3rd, 2010
5:31 am
I never turn the TV off anymore when I watch this team. There is always a chance!!
Michael79
July 3rd, 2010
6:00 am
If Brian McCann was in a foot race with a pregnant lady, he’d come in 3rd !
Just kiddin, stole that from Tommy Lasorda years ago.
Anyway, this sure is fun to watch.
Fan since 1968
Jesse Stone
July 3rd, 2010
6:06 am
There were no outs at the time of Glaus’s double. In that situation, if there’s even a small chance that the runner gets thrown out at home, you don’t send him. I’m not sure Ross running would’ve mattered.
Skeezix
July 3rd, 2010
7:06 am
Go Braves! With the Mutts winning yesterday that was a big come back win. At this point in the season Prado is the NL MVP. This is a confident, “never say die” team and they are having fun together–I think we’ll be in this race until the end. Medlen had another excellent outing and J.J. looked great the other night. Now we need for Tommy Gun Hanson to get back into form.
Mike from the Coast
July 3rd, 2010
7:34 am
I am starting to feel really good about Gregor Blanco in center. Hopefully he can continue hitting and he can go get the ball as well. I don’t want him out of the lineup. Nate who??????
Larry
July 3rd, 2010
7:39 am
I hope Booby Cox isn’t Booby Cox and sends Blanco back down and bring back Nate when he is healthy… Right now it seems like it will be between Nate and Diaz for who goes to AAA, at least I hope so…
little brave
July 3rd, 2010
7:48 am
Blanco should have opened the season in centerfield instead of McOut . . . he played great last year when given the chance. I never understood why they kept him in the minors and let Uknowwho continue to kill rally after rally with his “great swing” and miss!!!! He even has better speed and a pretty good arm. Keep him in the OF Bobby!
Hooter Girl
July 3rd, 2010
8:05 am
Hey Bobby, bat pitcher 8th and Blanco 9th like LaRussa, but please keep him in the line-up.
hawesg
July 3rd, 2010
8:10 am
Thanks for posting these unedited comments. They’re as interesting as the stories you write (no offense to your stories, it’s just refreshing to hear the players).
AL HRABOSKY
July 3rd, 2010
8:16 am
Jesse@606am…….Glaus scored from 1st on a double like the one last night, in a game just last week.
But, McCann souldn’t have made to the plate before the ball got there.
BMac scored later anyway, and that’s all that matters.
BRAVES WIN!
AL HRABOSKY
July 3rd, 2010
8:29 am
Meant to write, McCann would not have made it to the plate before the ball.
Not very many teams hire catchers to get a fast runner. But he was chugging as fast as he could.
JJ
July 3rd, 2010
8:30 am
I’d like to see Gregor moved into the leadoff spot and Prado to the 2 hole until the Kid returns. I know – terrible idea to move Prado out of leadoff but it would just be temporary. Got to get Blanco more ABs, Melky ain’t gettin the job done. When Heyward gets back, keep Blanco in center and in the lineup, and keep Melky and Infante platooning in left.
Bottom line – Blanco should stay in the lineup.
AL HRABOSKY
July 3rd, 2010
8:38 am
At least, put Blanco in the 2nd slot of the batting rotation.
But, even if Cox put Blanco in leadoff, and Prado in 2nd slot, it would’nt make any difference to Prado, he is a hitting machine.
AL HRABOSKY
July 3rd, 2010
8:40 am
With Uttley out for 8 weeks, Prado should be the starting 2nd baseman in the allstar game.
colorado bulldog
July 3rd, 2010
9:02 am
Okay what i most like about these post-game quotes is the how the Bravos take on the character their manager. They are all positive. They don’t point the finger at others. (Notice how McCann took credit for run-down when he could have placed Venters.) They root for/encourage others. They focus on team not themselves. (WOW! Imagine if their were more people in world of Sports like Medlen.)
People on this blog diss Bobby Cox all the time. But I can hear Cox in all of these quotes. Any other manager would have pressed and stressed his team out back when they were losing. This is why he is such a good manager and players love playing for him.
CSpin
July 3rd, 2010
9:09 am
Good point, awesomeo. Don’t forget about Moylan’s crucial GIDP.
How many DP’s were last night? Quite a few, right?
It's a shame what he did to that dog.
July 3rd, 2010
9:45 am
AL HRABOSKY
Prado would start either way. He’s leading in the ballots. There are 2-3 projected number 1 starters from Atlanta. If Heyward was not on the DL he’d be starting. Tim Hudson will go and pitch as well as Wagner. Glaus may go as well.
Projected Braves players: Prado, Mccann, Tim Hudson and Billy Wagner with Glaus on the side.
braveshoo
July 3rd, 2010
9:45 am
I agree with everyone on Blanco. He fields, throws, runs, bunts, and hits better than McClouth or Melky. He needs to stay in CF, and he needs to bat 2nd where his bunting and hitting to the right side, as well as his walks can really help Prado and the team score more runs. And Infante should be playing more in LF as well. I like Hinske, but he needs a rest, and Melky does as well.
It's a shame what he did to that dog.
July 3rd, 2010
9:45 am
Medlen should be going as well.
GovClintonTyreeeee
July 3rd, 2010
9:57 am
“had the tractor-trailers on base”. Hyuk.
Blanco’s not hurting us at all in CF.
Moylan’s GIDP was huge.
Medlen’s pitching his a$$ off.
This is a fun team to watch. Attendance is reflecting that, too.
Mathman
July 3rd, 2010
10:30 am
Where are the Blanco haters? Some of us were telling you that he is good, given the chance. He can bunt, chokes up and puts the ball in play, good defensively, better arm than McLouse. And, he can run. Always, had a better OBP than McLouse. Should be in the 2 hole for a while. Can move his buddy Prado up, and doesn’t mind doing it. His walks are also higher than his K’s. Good player.
Gil In Mechanicsville
July 3rd, 2010
10:31 am
Gregor Blanco may be this year’s Charles Thomas…
Fan since 1977
July 3rd, 2010
10:32 am
Idot – Thanks for info re Ross, and you’re right, all’s well that ends well. Great win.
As well as he is hitting, Prado should stay at top of lineup. I like Blanco in 8 spot – if a pitcher can’t bunt him over he can just steal. I would hate to see him turn into another Michael Bourn – can’t use that speed if you can’t get on base. Absolutely agree he should stay on this roster rest of season. You saw his comments about liking to get on base for Prado. When Heyward comes back they should send down Hicks, Infante can back up at short. The DL is a great way for McLouth to find his swing and for the Braves to find out what to do with him. If anything.
Glad Glaus got that hit last night, been worried the big guy might need a rest — he’s hitting .116 the past 2 weeks. Guess he’s got to be in there with Heyward out.
Mathman
July 3rd, 2010
10:33 am
Actually, may be time to give Hinske a rest and play Infante in LF against righties. Bobby says Infante hits righthanders better than he does lefties.
Prado, Infante, and Blanco are hitting. Escobar continues slump. Melke, Hinkse, and Glaus are slumping in average as well.
northbeach Scott
July 3rd, 2010
10:47 am
Like colorado bulldog said about McCann not throwing Venters under the bus, McCann demonstrated veteran leadership by deflecting the blame from his rookie stud pitcher. Really well done. McCann was technically right, but no way Venters ever drops a ball like that, again. Lesson learned.
Ross did not pinch run for McCann, because he had grabbed a bat to pinch hit for Venters if Infante, Escobar, Blanco had failed to tie or win it. He was the last position player on the bench.
Mathman and others, I am not a Blanco fan and have expressed that. I am delighted that he is playing well and has been a key contributor the last couple of weeks. You were right in the short term, Blanco has risen to the occasion, and winning teams always have secondary and tertiary players that do so.
Nevertheless, Blanco is not the answer in CF for the Braves past August. Do not kid yourself, he will revert back to the mean. I will say, as Coach often mentions, speed kills. It was exciting to see Blanco fly around the bases on the triple and not even have to slide. Do not see that at the Ted from a Braves player very often.
Riding the Pines
July 3rd, 2010
10:58 am
Anybody notice the Braves have the best record in the NL? After the 9 game losing streak, I would never have thought it possible at the midway point.
On pace for a 94-95 win regular season!
AL HRABOSKY
July 3rd, 2010
11:00 am
It’s a shame @945am……That is great that Prado is leading in the votes, he deserves it, for sure.
I guess, that I stay a day behind on the news, I thought that Valentine had taken over the Marlins, until I got the news last night that he was rejected by the owner.
That must of been pretty embarrassing for him to travel all the way down to Fla., and then get kicked to the curb.
AL HRABOSKY
July 3rd, 2010
11:05 am
BMac did get rid of the ball a little too early on the run-down play, but Jonny V. should have caught it.
But, like some English guy once wrote, “alls well that ends well” or something like that.
KEVIN GRYBOSKI
July 3rd, 2010
11:54 am
AL – I couldn’t agree with you more.
KEVIN GRYBOSKI
July 3rd, 2010
12:08 pm
Our names are so similar.
baseball rocks
July 3rd, 2010
12:28 pm
go braves
Johnny B
July 3rd, 2010
1:12 pm
Is Billy Wagner the consumate Pro and ultimate competitor or what?
“I was pissed” how times have you read a quote like that coming from past “button downed” Braves teams? I know he is dead set on retiring after this year but it would be great to keep him for one more. This is a guy who has completely changed the mentality of the bullpen.
A true leader who leads by example and never deflects from the truth. Plays the game the way it’s supposed to be played. Talk about a guy who could be a great pitching coach down the road or even a great manager some day.
This has got to be a year of destiny for the Braves! Wagner, Glaus, Hudson all coming off major injuries and performing better than anyone on here would have ever expected. So which one gets come back player of the year?
"Mungo"
July 3rd, 2010
1:16 pm
Bobby’s and Mac’s quotes from Friday explain why the Brave are what they are….
Bobby spoke of what Mac need to do to improve and Mac openingly admitted he had handled the play wrong.
Everyone of the guys continue to learn and make every effort to improve their game nightly….
Go Braves!!! Mungo-Anderson, SC
James Cassara
July 3rd, 2010
1:30 pm
I don’t yet know if this is the best Braves team Bobby has managed, but it certainly is among the most fun to watch. I thought for sure they’d given this one away and darned if they didn’t take it back. A very good win!
What is the status with Jesse Chavez? Is he on the ML roster? Even when up here he rarely got into a game. I sometimes wonder if it is worth carrying ten pitchers.
James Cassara
July 3rd, 2010
1:32 pm
Also, do you think Jordan Schaefer still fits into the Braves long range plans? I fear they moved him up too quickly.
Peter Gammons
July 3rd, 2010
2:53 pm
Prado does not lead in NL 2nd base all-star voting
jadarm
July 3rd, 2010
3:02 pm
How fitting would it be to see Bobby Cox go out his last year with the NL Manager of the Year award? He has used the squeeze play more this year than any that I can remember. He is utilizing his players brilliantly. Wren has given our bench more depth than in recent memory. What a team!!
61 year Braves Fan
July 3rd, 2010
3:18 pm
I agree bat Blanco 2nd and Melky 8th. Sign Glaus & Hinske to 2 year contracts now.
The Abs Man
July 3rd, 2010
3:24 pm
Batting Blanco second and Melk-Dud in #8 spot makes good sense.
As much as he has improved since awful opening month, he’s still Melk-Dud.—capable of the most erratic, unexplanable things.
Go go with Blanco in #2 hole.
The Abs Man
July 3rd, 2010
3:29 pm
Radio question: I’m in California–and local Fox TV has Mets and Nats-,,,
Want to listen to Braves on radio,,what station should I get on website Freebaseballradio.com?
Help..
Castrologist
July 3rd, 2010
3:45 pm
Batting Blanco 2nd might not be the right move. Right now he is doing just fine where he is. I can’t believe he is playing this well.Melky seems to be in just a little mini-slump. The team keeps rolling without Heyward! When he comes back healthy, the Thunda from McDonough will rise again.
http://castrologist.tumblr.com
northbeach Scott
July 3rd, 2010
5:47 pm
James Cassara, the Braves typically carry 12 or 13 pitchers, not 10 (5 starters & 7 relievers). Chavez is 12th on the depth chart is usually pitches mop up long relief. Much better to have Chavez in that spot and let Kimbrel work in the closer’s role in Gwinnett for a couple more months or until he is needed.
Schafer is the big unknown. His injuries and suspension caused him to miss most of the last 2 seasons. The Braves would love to see him come up in September and win the starting CF job. Realistically, he will be re-evaluated next ST or he could be packaged in a deal. Just seems like his value is very low, although he has a lot of upside potential.
If the Braves acquire a stud LF or starting CF by the trading deadline, it will say alot about Schafer’s future or lack there of with the Braves.