Braves postgame comments after 1-0 win over LA
TIM HUDSON
On his outing:
“I had a good sinker and I was locating it. Guys made some pretty good plays behind me. didn’t really start like I wanted, leadoff walk, I was able to pitch around it and get into a groove.”
On this roll:
“I feel good. I’m happy with how I’ve given the team a chance to win, especially this late in the season as tight as the race is… It’d be nice to get some big leads and blow some teams out but if we just pitch the way we’ve been pitching, we’re going to be able to win some close low-scoring games.”
On Conrad’s homer:
“Man, I want to give him a kiss. Tell him I’ll buy him a beer on the next plane flight.”
On playing well despite losing Chipper Jones:
“It’s a big blow losing Chipper. He was seeing the ball really well and starting to swing it like he’s capable of. It’s a big blow, but at the same time where there’s disappointment with injury comes opportunity for other guys. With Brooksy and Omar (Infante) filling in for him and (Martin) Prado those are quality guys we can depend on all year.”
On pitching in a scoreless game:
“You can’t be quite as aggressive in the zone as you would like. You’ve really got to shoot for the corners and hope we get some breaks, some nice plays made behind us, and maybe a call here and there. Tonight we were able to do the little things to win.”
BROOKS CONRAD
On hitting a homer again in Chipper’s place:
“The key hit was awesome. Him going down is terrible, I feel really bad for him, but whoever’s in there is going to have to step it up a little bit. All we needed was one tonight. With Huddy throwing like that out there tonight was unbelievable.”
On so many game-winning hits:
“Being my first season, it’s been really special. There are some moments I won’t forget for a long time. Still got a long way to go; I’ve got to keep pushing. But it’s been a lot of fun so far.”
On hitting so many homers this year (he hit 154 in nine seasons in minors):
“Coming up here and helping the big league team win has been really special, and hopefully I can keep doing it.”
BOBBY COX
On Hudson’s outing:
“Huddy has been on such a roll, it’s been eye-opening. He gets nothing but groundballs. He’s been low in pitches. He’s saving pitches during the course of the streak. He had us right there all night, they didn’t hardly get to second on him.”
On Conrad’s homer:
“Conrad, what’s unusual about that? He’s been amazing, with the game-winners.”
On whether Hudson lobbied to go back out for the ninth:
“No he didn’t for the first time. It’s still humid as heck. Eight innings for anybody, I don’t care what the pitch count is, is probably enough right now.”
BRIAN MCCANN
On playing well despite Jones’ injury:
“You can’t replace Chipper Jones. He gets on base at a high rate, has good at-bats, sets up everyone behind him. We’ve got the best utility player in baseball (Infante). We’ve got Brooks Conrad who’s won us 10 games by himself. We’ve got guys who can step in and be a force. We all have to step our game up and this is the time.”
On Hudson’s roll:
“We came into this season, in spring training…the first bullpen session, me, David Ross and Roger (McDowell) sat him down and talked and said ‘This guy is back and might be better now than he was before he got hurt.’ His ball is darting everywhere, he’s an ace. He’s one of the best pitchers in the game and he’s showing it every start this year.”
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54 comments Add your comment
shmoe
August 13th, 2010
11:30 pm
first
Arcadio
August 13th, 2010
11:32 pm
Hudson has been nothing short of amazing the whole season. I really believe the Braves will overcome Chipper’s injury and win the NL East.
william cranman
August 13th, 2010
11:32 pm
Braves need to go out and get another bat. Happy with the win. But just no offense.
shmoe
August 13th, 2010
11:35 pm
we got more than “no” offense. we got just enough offense for the shut down pitching. vintage braves win, i say! huddy is having a maddux type season, and i thought i’d never say that about any braves pitcher again.
Tmac
August 13th, 2010
11:35 pm
Great win. Hudson is a legitimate Cy Young candidate. The man has a Greg Maddux like confidence about him.
JRW7
August 13th, 2010
11:35 pm
Great win! Phillies lose! 3 game lead again! CONRAD homers again in 7th! GO BRAVES!!!!!
moboman
August 13th, 2010
11:39 pm
Philly lost 1-0 as well. These games are called Pitchers Duels. They happen.
Charlie
August 13th, 2010
11:48 pm
Does anybody remember all the heat Wren took for trading Javier V? Only way to sign Hudson for a few years was to part with Javier. Huddy keeps making Wren look smarter and smarter.
just me
August 13th, 2010
11:49 pm
Good to see the boys take a close one to the house w/o needing the last min. heroics.
I was wondering. I am a few states away and don’t keep up with the farm system very well, but do we have young outfielder in the farm system who deserves some big league time? If memory serves me Hinske has played 3rd. Just a thought.
just me
August 13th, 2010
11:54 pm
If Hudson makes him look smarter then what does McLouth do?
Sorry, just had to get one quick jab in.
Oh Zone
August 14th, 2010
12:03 am
@Just me — McLouth makes him look human.
Dan-82ndAirborne
August 14th, 2010
12:05 am
I’m curious to see how the Chipper apologists react, whether they’ll backpedal or call it luck or whatever, when the Braves: 1. Get better production from the 3 hole; and 2. continue winning.
Dan-82ndAirborne
August 14th, 2010
12:08 am
and Charlie, there was never a debate or difficult choice to make with respect to getting rid of Vasquez and locking up Hudson. Let’s look at the tough personnel choices he’s made (correction, completely screwed up) to see Frank Wren’s competence as a GM.
Billy
August 14th, 2010
12:24 am
Losing Medlen and Jones for the year is tough, but I still believe they’re play-off bound.
Huddy for the Cy
August 14th, 2010
12:26 am
Let’s start the campaign!!!!
AshevilleBRAVE
August 14th, 2010
12:29 am
Charlie you are right. They was an uproar over trading JV…It was obviously the right move. Wren hasnt been perfect (what GM is??) but he has been pretty good with his financial limitations.
Mitchell
August 14th, 2010
1:19 am
Charlie
August 13th, 2010
11:48 pm
Does anybody remember all the heat Wren took for trading Javier V? Only way to sign Hudson for a few years was to part with Javier. Huddy keeps making Wren look smarter and smarter.
Yeah, but how great would it have been to have Huddy and Javy and wave goodbye to D-Lowe?
hAL
August 14th, 2010
1:40 am
yea having javy would be a real bonus then air head hanson wouldent be the worst pitcher on the team i have vasquez on my fantasy tem ive pitched him exacly twice this yerar once i rember was againdst kc and he even manged to lose to that bunch of triple a rejects lol
hAL
August 14th, 2010
1:41 am
besides the comment when wren sighned huddy were that wren was an idiot for not seeing huddy ewas finnished if thats finnished bring back warren spahn
Greg
August 14th, 2010
2:28 am
Anybody care to translate Hal’s comments into English?
sf brave
August 14th, 2010
2:31 am
Hudson is a true ace and a true bargain for what the Braves are paying him. He’s performing like no Brave has since Maddux.
And by the way everyone, Javier’s name is spelled “Vazquez”, not “Vasquez”.
Now the Braves need to work on scoring some more runs.
Coach D
August 14th, 2010
4:43 am
A win, is a win, is a win, is a win. It doesn’t matter how you do it, “Just win, baby!”
Jesse Stone
August 14th, 2010
5:23 am
…and to think, leaving spring training, some geniuses here were hammering BC for keeping Conrad instead of Thurston. Some even suggested race was an issue.
Suicidaire
August 14th, 2010
6:52 am
Hey, Dan. You’re a jackass and should go back to the Phillies blog. Losing Chipper is a HUGE blow just from a leadership and experience process. He sets up pitchers and makes them work even when he’s running bad. Whatever happens the rest of the year is a bonus.
We’re 3 games up in the middle of August. What more could you want as a Braves fan? Oh, wait, you’re clearly not a Braves fan cause you’re looking for excuses hidden in your garbage post.
I really don’t care what Bobby does with the lineup the rest of the year because he is a HOF manager and I know he’s gonna put the Braves in the best position to win games.
Playoffs or bust…
Suicidaire
August 14th, 2010
6:54 am
Oh, and, great win boys! Wish I wasn’t playing poker wondering if we took this one down.
Phuck the Phoolies!
Sfblump
August 14th, 2010
8:15 am
Gregor Blanco is having a fine season with KC. He had another 2 hit game last night. How about it Ankiel? When are you going to start
hitting?
War Eagle
August 14th, 2010
8:38 am
Hudson was tremendous again but we have got to get some hitting. Ankiel, Glaus, =automatic outs. With a lack of speed and weak bats, I just can’t see us continuing on this pace but somehow we keep winning most series. We need a bat or two from somewhere quick!
Jake
August 14th, 2010
8:52 am
War Eagle…I don’t expect much more from an Auburn fan. Glaus, if you have even thought about watching the last 6 games, is hitting much better and has 4 RBI’s in that span. He had a long double last night. Ankiel has reached base in almost every game he has been in as a Brave. That may not seem like much, but it is good out of an 8 hole hitter. The dude moves runners up and has been solid with RISP. I agree that it would be nice to swing a deal for Figgins or Wiggington. But the Hyperbole about how bad players are is childish.
3RD Grade Teacher
August 14th, 2010
9:07 am
hAL….I have an open seat for you if you wish to attend. School starts next week.
jason
August 14th, 2010
9:24 am
I was one that raised cane for FW trading Javy. It wasn’t about Huddy however. It was for trading a good pitcher who loved the Braces and wanted to be apart of this team. It was a tough situation. If FW could have traded Lowe, he would have, A rotation of Huddy, JJ, Javy, Hanson, and medlin would be the best in baseball. Hell, we have that now, even with Lowe. Also, people look at the bad year Javy is having…. Javy stunk up Yankee stadium when he last pitched for NY. Some players just can’t and don’t want to play the Yankee way. To much pressure in the Bronx. Javy was more relaxed as a Brave last year.
jason
August 14th, 2010
9:26 am
I say play Hinske at 3B, and continue to have Omar as the super-sub. It opens up the OF. If mcLouth is hitting, platoon him in LF with Matty. Still have Ankiel in CF, JHey in RF, and Cabrera as a reserve. Need to spell Glaus at 1B, move Hinske over and play Brooksy at 3B.
Dan-82ndAirborne
August 14th, 2010
9:28 am
wow, Suicidaire, you went from zero-to-butthurt way too fast. First, I’ve been a Braves fan since I was six years old living in Greenville, SC. My first experience with professional baseball was watching Jeff Blauser, David Justice, Ron Gant (as a second baseman, hilarious), Mark Lemke… Pete Smith was throwing gas and Jose Alvarez was still hanging on. I know, because when I was a teenager, Jose Alvarez (family friend) was my pitching coach. I’ve been to many spring trainings, sometimes lucky enough to be amongst the players for a few minutes here and there (Justice is the biggest prick of all time… refused to sign a bat for a kid because it was broken in ‘93).
So those are my Braves creds. I have really enjoyed watching Chip play the past 17 years, but even you wouldn’t say he’s the same hitter he used to be, and as I’ve said the whole season there’s no reason to keep him in the 3 hole. Prado can handle that spot, maybe Heyward, but take the pressure off him so maybe he relaxes a little more.
Mutts
August 14th, 2010
9:40 am
Charlie: You are so right about all the complaining people were doing when Wren traded Vasquez and kept Hudson. Most of these people have short memories. Wren was right, and, as is usually the case, the faceless angry crowd was wrong. GO BRAVES!
stew
August 14th, 2010
9:45 am
Heyward should be batting third and Freeman should be batting fifth. Hinske shot his wad as did Glaus. How about a deal with the Brewskis? They have so many righty bats. Braun, Hart, or McGehee all would impact our lineup.
Dan-82ndAirborne
August 14th, 2010
9:47 am
The Brewers aren’t giving up Braun or Hart without getting the farm in return.
FJ10
August 14th, 2010
10:32 am
Some Braves “fans” amaze me. We could have the top five hitters in baseball on the team and you would complain about the 6th guy. How can you go around out pointing out everything that’s wrong? Everyone see’s the same thing. We know who’s playing well and who isn’t.. We know who’s worked out for the team and who hasn’t. What do you think that your “wisdom” is what’s needed? To point out the obvious?. Do you think every time Bobby makes a move and the guy strikes out another player runs up to Bobby and goes ” That guy struck out” No he doesn’t. Then why do you feel the need? The players try to support the team why don’t you?
Dan-82ndAirborne
August 14th, 2010
10:37 am
We’re discussing the state of the team, friend, and specifically Frank Wren’s performance. The General Manager’s job isn’t to admire the team he’s put together, but identify weaknesses and correct them. Is there any honest person who can say his moves of late do that, with the rare exception of re-signing Hudson? This A. Gonzalez, Rick Ankiel, Kyle Farnsworth stuff is just ridiculous.
Tater the Bobby Hater
August 14th, 2010
10:40 am
Chipper going down is a good thing for the team. Not many will admit that, but he’s been Mr. Inconsistent all year long and not being productive enough to hit third. Of course Bobby Cox is too stupid to admit that. He’s a “player’s manager” after all. Now if we could just find a way to rid ourselves of Bobby, we might stand a real chance.
Tater the Bobby Hater
August 14th, 2010
10:43 am
Frank Wren is the consumate “company man” in a corporate owned baseball organization. Translated: he’s the bitch of every other GM in baseball and the punch line of most of their jokes.
Tater the Bobby Hater
August 14th, 2010
10:44 am
Bobby and Frank, I hate you guys, I hate you guys, I really, really hate you guys.
Hoops Dawg
August 14th, 2010
12:21 pm
I love Brooks Conrad but have a difficult time seeing him as the solution for our 3rd base problem. Mr. Wren, how about inquiring about the availability of the Red Sox’s Adrian Beltre, who is likely to become a free agent at the end of the season. The Bosox may well be willing to move him as they are quickly sliding out of contention in the AL east, and Beltre would provide a big bat going down the stretch drive, with Brooksie coming off the bench in the late innings as a pinch-hitter or situational sub (recall that he hits far better in the late innings anyway)
KJones
August 14th, 2010
12:30 pm
The only thing I can say that the Braves are performing verfy well. Let well enough alone, and everything will work out, and the Braves will win the Division and then the WS.
htownbravesfan
August 14th, 2010
12:48 pm
I hate to rain on everyone’s parade, including my own, but this team is headed down the same path as past Braves playoff teams. The pitching is great, but in a short series I just don’t see us being able to score enough to win. I hope I’m wrong, but it’s alot tougher to grind out runs in the post season against quality pitching every night. On a much more critical note, Jason Heyward is becoming too selective for his own good. He took strike three right down the middle last night. His pitch selection appears to be getting worse, not better, as the season rolls on.
jim
August 14th, 2010
12:51 pm
How to measure Frank Wren’s performance? By what the team has accomplished!!!
When Wren inherited the team it was heading down with aging players like Smoltz and Chipper and 2 years ago had the (tied with the Giants) 6th worst record in baseball. Last year we were in the playoff hunt until the last week of the season and this year we have been in first place for past 2 months and have a good shot at making the playoffs. Attendance this year is up. Part of that turnaround came from the system — Hanson, Medlen, Heyward, Venters, and now Minor (FW was GM when the team drafted Heyward, Freeman, Kimbrel, and Minor and signed Teheran), and part because of players FW added to the team with trades and FA signings (JJ, Omar, Vasquez -> Melky, Dunn, Vizcaino, Wagner, Saito, EOF, Hinske, Conrad, and yes, D. Lowe). These names are not exactly Tex or J D Drew, but we didn’t give up the likes of Elvis, Feliz, and Wainwright either. Face facts– the team has a very tight mid-market budget, and to be successful in the long run, must depend on a productive farm system. We are not the Yankees!!
Milo
August 14th, 2010
12:58 pm
Tater the Bobby Hater…You have to be the dumbest SOB to ever speak thru your ass, using your colon for a brain. You ain’t cute one bit, just stupid.
Larry
August 14th, 2010
1:19 pm
Heyward started the season hitting everything thrown, and hitting it hard. Since he came back after finally admitting he was hurt he looks at pitches down the middle and swings at pitches below his ankle and off the plate. The result has been more strikeouts, more grounders, and lack of power hitting. Is he holding out on Bobby again? What scares me is that he seems to be following the pattern our former right fielder Jeff showed with the Braves and Mets.
He has too much ability and baseball skills for that to happen and needs to get some help to readjust to his earlier efforts. Still a damn good young player tho.
jim
August 14th, 2010
1:32 pm
Heyward HAS started taking pitches in his hitting zone for strike 1, and ending up having to swing at less hittable pitches, but the pitch for called strike 3 was an inside fastball that tails back over the inside corner. He has not recognized that pitch all year and has been vulnerable to it. The other place where the opponents go after him is above the belt. He needs to be more aggressive early in the count when he gets a good pitch to hit and be ready for that inside pitch when he has 2 strikes.
bowilly
August 14th, 2010
1:34 pm
I know we need a bat or two the is consistent, but I hope FW waits a few weeks till roster expands and brings up Freeman and Canizares who are raking in AAA. I also am excited about some of the Youngsters in Minors who are developing and will helpt improve us in the future. With what FW has had to work with on finanacial side, he has done a admireable job. Also, you Chipper basher’s, look for him to be on that bench giving encouragement and his knowledge in near future. After his playing days (Braves Hitting Coach). Good Luck, Kris on surgery and Prayers are with you.
the cox man
August 14th, 2010
2:08 pm
Mlb should have a Brooks Conrad award for best role player in each league.
Braves Fan Since "80
August 14th, 2010
3:36 pm
Bowilly….chipper will be on the bench and his comments will be good, but before the injury his wors were hollow and devisive…… Chipper was great… without the need injury he was hopeful of returning to form
Braves Fan Since "80
August 14th, 2010
3:39 pm
Bowilly….chipper will be on the bench and his comments will be good, but before the injury his words were hollow and devisive…… Chipper was great… without the need injury he was hopeful of returning to form
Bud
August 14th, 2010
4:37 pm
I am glad someone else mentioned McGehee from the Brewers. He is a tough out, clutch hitter with power and would fill the Braves need for a third baseman for many years. He would fill the Braves needs immediately.
DoninToccoa
August 14th, 2010
6:59 pm
I’m with jim and Larry on Heyward taking the first pitch and so many are right down the middle. Then he is behind the rest of count and trying hard to hit the next low and away or in the dirt. I know that the opposition team can stop sending these little gifts but hey, why not hit the tar off the ball next time up.
Fan since 68!
William in Pasadena
August 14th, 2010
8:01 pm
Charlie, Mutts, AshevilleBrave, etc. How can you guys sing Wren’s praises. So he kept Huddy over Vazquez. Was that a talent decision or a financial one? If he had not given so much money to Lowe, KK, extended Chipper, he would have had $$ to keep Vazquez and sign whatever else was needed. Can you say McLouth, Glaus, Farnworth? I have been a Braves fan since 1966. I just have to be honest and not sit around and hope that below-average players will suddenly become superstars. I keep saying this: one great hitter is better than five AA players masquerading as big leaguers.