Braves quotes after Wednesday loss to Phillies
BOBBY COX
“The fans aren’t going to get to see a better game than the one they saw tonight, with two outstanding starters. They caught a break. They got a ball just inside the line down in left field and that was the ballgame.
“Oswalt, that’s as good as you can pitch. Tommy Hanson, as well, gave up two hits. You’ve got to tip your hat to the pitcher tonight.”
“Our bullpen saved us the first two games, they gave us a chance to win. And tonight Hanson was dominant, and the bullpen was pretty darn good.”
On McLouth’s throw
“I don’t know. I can’t even see in the corner from our dugout.”
More on Hanson
“Tommy’s pitched pretty darn good. He was dominating tonight. He didn’t have hardly anything hit hard off of him.”
“Tommy’s had no luck. He had a string of about 10 games where he didn’t give up anything, and we couldn’t score runs.”
Cox’s message to the team
“I spoke to the team [earlier Wednesday]. It’s really, basically, trying to win a game. If we had won tonight, got a chance to win a couple in Washington, or three, then all of a sudden we have a great road trip. We couldn’t have done much better.”
On Washington series
“It’s going to be like the playoff for us. It has to be. It’s the only way to look at it.”
“No one’s going to show up for the game [in Washington] but it’s playoff time for us, that’s for sure.”
TOMMY HANSON
“I felt like we had a really good plan going into the game. I sat down and talked to Roger and Mac before the game and felt like we had a really good plan, and for the most part I felt like I executed it pretty well.”
Did atmosphere, opponent get you expecially motivated?
“100 percent. I wanted to go out there and give us the best chance I could to win a game, and it just didn’t work out. On the other side, Roy was throwing the ball really well. It was just one of those days, definitely a pitching game.”
“We’re 3-3 on the road trip. We need to go to Washington and take care of business, and hopefully finish off this road trip on a good note.”
On his long stretch with little run support and mid-2.00s ERA, can you take some satisfaction knowing you did what you could do?
“I think you could say that. I really don’t have anything to say other than that.
“I felt like I went out and gave us a chance to win [tonight]. It just didn’t work out. He threw the ball just as good or better than I did. Nothing you could do about it.”
On coming through in a charged-up environment against a streaking team
“I know if I go out and execute my pitches and make my pitches when I need to, I can pitch against anybody. On the other hand, they’re a really good team. Top to bottom, pitching, offense, defense, stealing bases – they do it all. I felt like I went out and had one of my best outings I’ve had this year. But when it comes down to it, not much you can do. They matched us.”
BRIAN McCANN
“We got beat. All three games, we were in every ballgame and we just got beat.”
Held Phillies to nine runs in three games despite pitching two rookies, etc
“Yeah. We wish we would have won a couple of games, but we’ve got to go back to square one and get back on track. We came in and faced a hot team, and they beat us basically in every phase of the game.”
Will it be easy for you to get up for games in near-empty stadium in Washington after this atmosphere?
“Absolutely. This is our season. We’ve got nine games left. I mean, we have to be able to get up for these last nine games. And we will. We’ll definitely be ready.”
“We dug ourselves in a little bit of a hole here, and we’ve got to dig ourselves up. We have to show up ready to play on Friday.”
On Hanson
“I can’t say enough. It was unbelievable what he did tonight. He sat at 92, 94 [mph] all game, pounded the strike zone with all four of his pitches. He was lights-out tonight.”
And Roy, was he about as good as you’ve seen him?
“Yeah, his fastball had a little bit of giddy-up on it tonight. You start sitting on the off-speed pitch and that [fastball] is by you. You start sitting on the [fastball], he makes you roll over.
“We came in here and ran into three really, really hot pitchers. They did a great job. Tip your hat, now we’ve got to move on and start Friday.”
On Ibanez’s winning hit
“You’ve got to tip your hat to a lefty on a lefty, hitting a ball where it’s pitched. That ain’t easy, hitting a 95 mile-an-hour sinker to left field.
“We move on.”
On Philly’s big three pitchers
“They executed every pitch, and when they got in trouble they got themselves out of it. That’s what No. 1’s do, and all three of those guys are No. 1’s. You just move on. We’re still right there in the thick of things. We’ve just got to move on.
“Obviously we didn’t want to lose today’s game, but it was a pitcher’s duel and they got the timely hit.”
“We have to win. There’s no looking at the division standings and the wild card. We have to win ballgames. We’ve got nine games left to do it.”
“I can say one thing. We will definitely be ready to play. We’re going to give it everything we have, and after the season’s over, we’re going to see where we stand.”
JONNY VENTERS
“It was up. I fell behind and got the pitch up, and he hit it good.”
On walking Werth
“Once I fell behind and there was a lefty on deck, I wasn’t going to give [Werth] a pitch to hit. Looking back, that was probably not the best idea.”
Once you fell behind 2-0 to Ibanez…
“It was tough. I fell behind, left a pitch up in the zone, and he hit it good. I just didn’t do my job. I wasn’t very good tonight.”
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107 comments Add your comment
Melky's Cheese Fry Belly
September 22nd, 2010
11:24 pm
“No one’s going to show up for the game [in Washington] but it’s playoff time for us, that’s for sure.”
Let’s see….is he talking about the Nats’ fans or the Braves’ players?
bascogcjs
September 22nd, 2010
11:25 pm
So, you all let Cox get away with I don’t know, I can’t see the left field corner? That’s a complete copout.
Arcadio
September 22nd, 2010
11:25 pm
They need to focus and play every single game like it was a game 7. We can still win the wildcard and have a good playoff run.
Robert
September 22nd, 2010
11:26 pm
““Oswalt, that’s as good as you can pitch. Tommy Hanson, as well, gave up two hits. You’ve got to tip your hat to the pitcher tonight.”
Someone ought to tell Cox to take that tipped cap of his and shve it straight up his big donkey behind
““I don’t know. I can’t even see in the corner from our dugout.” ..
I guess the hoof he had jammed up his left nostril was blocking the view.
Either that or his tipped cap got in the way
The next time Cox makes a stupid post-game quote like this someone ought to cattle prod him.
PhilliesPhan
September 22nd, 2010
11:29 pm
Tip your hat, tip your hat, tip your hat……………losers
Say so long to 1st place
September 22nd, 2010
11:30 pm
Hey Bobby, why wasn’t this series in Philly like the playoffs for the Braves? You are in a must sweep situation against the ‘Nats. I can’t believe it but the Braves season is about to go down the tubes!!!
Left Bench
September 22nd, 2010
11:31 pm
If my wanting for the Braves to make the playoffs were enough then they would have home field advantage throughout. Alas my bat rests quietly. I’m not scheduled to pitch. All I can do is want. Go Bravos!
bravesfaninNashville
September 22nd, 2010
11:33 pm
It’s sad to say but these Braves are done for 2010. They had a chance at the deadline but FW made All The Wrong Moves. I cringed every time I heard the Phillies were moving in on Oswalt as I felt that would be the spark to turn them around and it was. We knew Kawakami was not going to be able to contribute and it ALWAYS comes down to pitching. Getting Lee, and Ankiel and hoping McOut would come back strong made no sense. Instead we let a blazing hot Freddie Freeman cool off for two weeks while Derrick Lee could barely swing a bat without visible discomfort. We should have landed Oswalt ourselves if no other reason than to keep him from the Phillies and gone with the Red Hot Freeman. He couldn’t have produced any less than Lee and it probably would have been a confidence boost to him to be trusted with the spot. Instead we get Derrick Lee and send Freeman the message that we don’t think he’s ready. If that was the case they should have not brought Freeman up and let the lack of confidence the Braves brass were showing him get in his head. The difference between the 8 games Oswalt has won for the Phillies and the 8 he could have won the Braves is the difference in the season. Maybe next year we can get back to building a team around True Ace pitching like the great Braves teams of the 90’s.
Brian O'Blivion
September 22nd, 2010
11:34 pm
Demoralizing loss today. Season’s definitely going in the wrong direction. Something’s gotta change, or else the Braves will lose the wild card…
Dave
September 22nd, 2010
11:46 pm
Brave’s fan, do not know if you know this but Cox was honored at the game tonight.I thought it was a great tribute to a good manager,From the Phillies.We did sweep your team, but like i said last night,the Brave’s were the team to watch in the NL east division.
seems like last year
September 22nd, 2010
11:46 pm
Didn’t the Braves drop 7 in a row last year?
Mitchell
September 22nd, 2010
11:47 pm
We should have landed Oswalt ourselves if no other reason than to keep him from the Phillies and gone with the Red Hot Freeman.
Weren’t the Braves his first choice originally?
So much for that.
Mitchell
September 22nd, 2010
11:48 pm
Six.
Get it right man.
Randal Patrick McMurphy
September 22nd, 2010
11:48 pm
“I can say one thing. We will definitely be ready to play. We’re going to give it everything we have, and after the season’s over, we’re going to see where we stand.” – Brian McCann
Visions of Nero… somebody get that Idiot a fiddle…
Philzilla
September 22nd, 2010
11:49 pm
Hey bravesfaninNashville, I agree with everything you stated but bottom line is it’s about money and the Braves are on a budget
Mitchell
September 22nd, 2010
11:49 pm
Dave, learn to type.
Then please do us a favor and go away.
Nobody cares what you think.
rupert
September 23rd, 2010
12:10 am
It’s frustrating to watch the offense just vanish, but the west teams will play eachother, so the Braves are in a good position. They need to realize that, get fired up for the Nats, and play with passion and urgency. That’s what I want to see, will it happen….?
Bravesfansince81
September 23rd, 2010
12:17 am
I appreciate everything Bobby has done but CANT wait to have different coaching this year. Can’t seem to figure out some boneheaded moves he has made. Like starting Ankiel-great guy but come on, hes an automatic out! Let Diaz play in crucial games, give slumping McCann the day off, maybe shift slumping Prado out of the 3 spot, stuff like that.
Its almost unbearable to watch anymore this year!!
Bravesfansince81
September 23rd, 2010
12:18 am
Different coaching “next” year is what i meant :0
Don Meredith
September 23rd, 2010
12:18 am
Turn out the lights…the party’s over…
When do pitchers and catchers report?
gcs
September 23rd, 2010
12:29 am
Good job, Bobby. You are awesome!
.
PanhandleJoe
September 23rd, 2010
12:37 am
Anybody remember the 1964 Phillies? 6 games in front, 12 games remaining, lost 10 straight. Who’s gonna do it this year?
Panhandle Joe
September 23rd, 2010
12:47 am
It was called the Phillies Phold. They tied for second place with the Reds and the Cards went on to win the NL title and the World Series over the Yankees in 7 games.
Stanley Crowe
September 23rd, 2010
12:53 am
I can’t say enough about Tommy Hanson’s performance tonight. All credit to Oswalt, but he had no pressure compared to Tommy, and Tommy delivered all six innings he was in there. Getting Howard to hit into a double-play at a crucial point was amazing. Also, a great play by Omar Infante on the foul ball. My main question when I saw the lineup was why Ankiel? Swift in the field, but just not getting it done. As I write it looks likely that we’ll STILL be up in the wild card race, with a chance that we might be caught (tied) tomorrow, depending on what SF and the Padres do on our day off. We’ve got six winnable games ahead, though the Nats and the Marlins have been pesky against us. But this is crunch time. We did what we had to do against the Mets, we played the Phillies (a VERY good team) close — now if we take care of business we can get in to the post-season. After that, frankly, I don’t expect much, but our guys have played hard and deserve it. We’re not the most talented team, but we give it our all. And next year, I like our chances.
Charlie
September 23rd, 2010
1:00 am
It September, and the ATLANTA LOSERS show what they are made of. It’s all on the line, every hitter with an “A” on their cap has spit it out. LOSERS, all. Not a single, clutch, “money” ballplayer in the group. Not one. CHOKERS to a person. TP is their leader, BUT, he didn’t choke, for 4 runs in 27 innings.
Brian McCann was available for comments tonight. He ducked out last night…he couldn’t explain how a fat catcher would try to steal third. Brian McCann is probably a nice guy, but he is so over-rated as a ball player. He’s a .270 hitter, with mediocre power. He can’t thow a lick. He is a terrible base runner, defensively he’s a slug, and he chokes in the most meaningful games…and this clown is the best the Braves can come up with?
Look at the Wren-built outfield (Heyward is home-grown)…Nate McLoser can’t hit, and has an arm like my deseased grandmother. Queen Ann Kiel is a total head case. He hits like he used to pitch. (His pitching career should have been an indication of how tough he is mentally.) When Queen Ann Kiel makes any contact with a baseball, it’s like a moral victory, even his outs. He is less of a hitter than the majority of the Braves pitchers. And Melk DUD…this guy is so lost. He has no clue, at the plate, or trying to get under a fly ball. Derrek Lee was really good a few years ago. Not any more. He’s old and slow. He can’t catch up to anything 89+ mph, and has no pitch recognition. Watching him wave at 3 change-ups in a row (all in the dirt) was classic for a guy whose skills are gone. Troy Glaus (another Wren move) was great for a month. Too bad the season lasts 6.
Prado looks lost, beat, scared, and frustrated. He got our only hit tonight…1 for his last 24 at bats…and what a fine swing he put on the ball, to end the game, with the tying run on base. Classic Atlanta Loser stuff!
I will give the Braves this much…They are trying. They are not “mailing it in”. They just don’t have the mental toughness to win, when the season is on the line. They sucked, for September.
The Phillies are winners, and “get it done” group of baseball players. The Braves are not. Winners and losers. That’s the difference. The Braves will continue to spit it out for their remaining 9 games. They can’t help it. It is who they are, as ball players.
wallypip
September 23rd, 2010
1:05 am
Ain’t no other way to say it: Braves are folding like Oragami.
Nevada Roy
September 23rd, 2010
1:06 am
My only negative on the game was that instead of Freeman pinch-hitting it should have been Conrad. Just maybe he had one more magical home run in him.
Keith
September 23rd, 2010
1:28 am
You guys crack me up on here, bashing on the Braves with all of your negativity.
It surely WAS a disappointing series, but it wasn’t the best that the Braves had to offer unfortunately.
You gave us Doc and Hamels while we gave you….beachy and minor. And we were still in both games with a chance to win.
I would be up for a 7-game series where you guys see huddy and hanson twice with Lowe/JJ mixed in. This season ain’t over yet!!
Still in WC lead by .5 game.
GO BRAVES!
JT Phillips
September 23rd, 2010
1:45 am
OK, it will be San Francisco, San Diego, Philly, and the Cincy Reds in the playoffs for the National league. There will be NO Atlanta Cowards in the playoffs this season…. the way the hitting has looked for the past several games, the Cowards couldn’t beat a women’s fast pitch softball team, in fact i know they couldn’t, they would either strike out or hit into a double play, the usual thing for them. I still can’t believe Major League hitters could be as bad as the Cowards are.
bowilly
September 23rd, 2010
1:47 am
With the Present Ownership, next year will be no different. FW tried with what he had available to deal with. We have Millions wasted on Dead Wood and until we free up those dollars it will be same. Amazing that Teams like Twins, Rockies and San Diego can be up there on budgets lot less than Braves. The difference today from 1990, we haven’t stocked farm system with quality prospects and are going to see leaner years to come.
MtnDawg
September 23rd, 2010
1:53 am
Nate McLouth should have be riding the bench for the rest of the season after that stupid throw from left. He showed a complete loser mentality and laughed off the pitiful excuse for play that seems to have permeated several of the Braves lately. No reason except not being mentally into the game and commited to leaving everything on the field. Burned my chaps that he would be laughing as he came into the dugout after such a lack of effort. These guys are done and have already thrown in the towel. Hopefully the next manager wont tolerate this s**t.
Rick In Jackson
September 23rd, 2010
1:54 am
My 9 year old would have made as good a throw from the outfield corner to the “general direction” of 3rd base / the cut off man as McOut did! In excuseable not to have at least a play at the plate on a ball hit to left field with a man on FIRST BASE.
This season the Braves defense has cost them more than the six the games they now trail by. 13 errors for a CATCHER – pitiful. and passed balls don’t count as errors. and that’s just one position. “sure handed” Alex G. – yeah right!! the few great plays he’s made are more than overshadowed by the ones he hasn’t made. Sad
TN Jeff
September 23rd, 2010
2:01 am
Cox says you couldn’t do much better than that – hmmmmm, series sweep for the Phillies and that’s the best the Braves can do. Let’s hope the Giants lose out.
TN Jeff
September 23rd, 2010
2:02 am
Keith, you and the Braves are laughing all the way to the early off season.
LuisG - Win-it-4-Bobby-n-Chipper
September 23rd, 2010
2:08 am
Yeah, you’ve got to give Ibañez credit for hitting that ball. You’ve also have to give Nate some credit, too, for his effort while throwing that ball to the cutoff man.
Getting swept sucks, but at least the Phoollies didn’t hammer us. Specially after facing 2 rookie pitchers.
Mr. Baseball
September 23rd, 2010
3:08 am
The last time the Braves were swept in Philadelphia was in 2001. The last time the Braves won a post season series (yes this is true – look it up) was in 2001.
So to use Bobby Cox logic – it was the plan all along to be swept to give the Braves the best chance in succeeding in the post season.
That is about as stupid as starting two rookies in the make or break series for this team.
What is it about Braves fans where just making it to the post season is good enough? If that is true, then I guess it is no surprise that in 14 trips to the post season, you have only one title. All this talk about the Wild Card – are you proud to come in second? To be looing up at the Phillies because you couldn’t beat the Pirates or the Nationals?
No wonder no one in that town wins anything.
Chief Nocahoma
September 23rd, 2010
5:06 am
Obviously, it doesn’t require any one passing an Atlanta Board of Education test to smack out the ignorant comments posted on this blog. Most of you folks are lucky that millions of people aren’t watching your every move while you stuff doughnuts into your pie hole or the hours you spend scratching your butt between emptying garbage cans or cleaning portable toilets.
Get a life people. The Braves are a very good team that ran into three very hot pitchers. The Braves pitchers – two rookies included almost matched them pitch for pitch. Hanson certainly matched Oswalt tonight. The Phillies didn’t kill us in any of these games. The difference was the little things. The ball knuckling away from Heywood in game one, missing the bunt sign in the second game and hitting into a double play with runners in scoring position, or the walk in the eighth combined with a rainbow of a throw. These things just show how close these teams really are and how every play, every throw, every at bat matters.
Sometimes these plays go your way and sometimes things swing right for the other team – lest we forget that the other players are very good as well.
There is nothing we can do about these three games. The only thing we can do is focus on the game Friday and put our best foot forward. Take it one pitch and one play at a time. If we play our best, there is no team we can’t beat.
Go Braves – there’s a great number of folks that still have faith and believe we can win it all.
longtimefan
September 23rd, 2010
6:05 am
Enter your comments here
longtimefan
September 23rd, 2010
6:07 am
We executed a pitching plan, but as has been the case for over a year now, we had no batting plan. TP MUST go if the hitters on this team are ever going to be successful. He has no ability to help the hitters especially in RISP situations. Just look at last Set. and Oct.
GovClintonTyree
September 23rd, 2010
6:26 am
We’re gonna need some hitting. I wish we’d gotten a full-retail leftfielder in the offseason two years ago instead of spending all the budget on pitching, but here we are.
We look gassed, watching Prado wobble into second on his double and McCann looking very tired behind the plate. Since our bench is among the best in baseball, maybe we need to use it a little right now. Ross and Conrad.
Nine to go – Nats, Marlins, Phillies. Still have a wildcard lead. Need to go 6-3 or so to put it away. Then find some adrenaline, trim Minor and Beachy from the rotation and beat Cincinnati.
Then the Phillies will get Hanson, Hudson and Lowe instead of some rookies. I like that a lot better.
TampaGator
September 23rd, 2010
6:29 am
Bobby Cox couldn’t win but one WS championship with the best starting pitching in baseball for 14 years. Only Bobby Cox goes into the most important series of the year and start two rookies in the first two games….and one rookie that had never pitched in the majors in one of them….and one that no one had ever heard of before. You just got to love Bobby Cox’s game day managing skills. He certainly is the best of all time…..NOT.
NickGranite
September 23rd, 2010
6:41 am
It’s not that McClouth didn’t execute on his throw from the right field corner. It’s that he CAN’T execute throws from the right field corner…or centerfield. He has an extraordinarily weak arm. I have watched almost every game this year, this is the way he throws back to the infield. Doesn’t matter if he’s throwing back to the infield after a fly ball out or base runners are on the move after a base hit, it’s always a lazy rainbow back to the infield. Bobby has been covering for him for a long while though Joe Simpson has called him out on throws several times this year including last night. Joe probably wants to know like me, how do you have a starting outfielder who bats sub .200 all year and can’t throw? It’s preposterous.
NickGranite
September 23rd, 2010
6:42 am
Oops, meant left field corner on previous post.
Philly in 2010
September 23rd, 2010
7:00 am
HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!!
Vabravesfan
September 23rd, 2010
7:15 am
If I never see the words “tip your hat” again, it will still be too soon.
Bravesfansince1966
September 23rd, 2010
7:30 am
Good bye Prince Bobbycock and good riddance. We can only hope our next manager will hold his players accountable for performing like clowns instead of playing like major leaguers. Clutch players step up in a big series and others just step back!
Submariner
September 23rd, 2010
7:38 am
Bravesfansince1966: ABSOLUTELY!!!
lambdabilly
September 23rd, 2010
7:46 am
Way to show some heart guys.
Sam
September 23rd, 2010
7:52 am
Major difference in philosophy here and why I will be glad when Cox is gone. Cox says Ibanez caught a break, and McCann gives full credit to Ibanez for hitting a tough lefty. Brian, you are the man and you tell the truth with no excuses.
Sam
September 23rd, 2010
7:56 am
May I please borrow a slightly different Seinfeld episode line for Bobby Cox, “No farewell gift for you!!”
Dirty Jacket
September 23rd, 2010
7:56 am
You Monday morning quarterbacks need to shut the F up. Analyzing deadline deals? Who was available that the Braves should have gotten? And if they would have gotten him, you would be b**ching this time next year that we emptied the farm system on a rental (i.e. people still whining about the trade for Teixeria, even though at the time it was brilliant). SHUT UP. We gave up effing Jesse Chavez for Rick Ankiel. We gave up Charlie Morton for Nate McLouth after McLouth had an all-star season. This is a GOOD team. It has the second best record in the NL.
Stop and consider this for a moment: The Phillies have a better team than the Braves. That’s why they swept. They are the hottest team in baseball. The Braves could have had Pujols and Carl Crawford and we still would have gotten our asses swept in Philly.
Braves will still make the playoffs. And the Braves will go deep. Would love a re-match with Philly as they can’t sustain this level of play forever.
Dirty Jacket
September 23rd, 2010
7:59 am
For those calling for McLouth’s head: In September, he is hitting .289 with a 1.007 OPS. The Braves need him in the lineup.
Double Zero Eight
September 23rd, 2010
8:01 am
The chemistry was disrupted with the moves that were made. They were churning along just fine before the changes. “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” was ignored. When Nate was called back and inserted into the lineout, I viewed that as a precursor that the Braves would not win the division.
Does anyone else envision..
September 23rd, 2010
8:14 am
A manager like Lou Pinella or Ozzie Guillen saying, “There’s only so many ways you can tip your !@#$$# hat, we gotta start playin ball!”
Alan 10
September 23rd, 2010
8:15 am
MOVE ON !
Hey Dirty Jacket
September 23rd, 2010
8:18 am
With that mentality why even bother to show up? Those Phillies are the best team in ball..no one can beat them. We’re scared man. Yeah thatll when you Championships.
bbkorbel
September 23rd, 2010
8:18 am
Tuesday night I was watching the game in bed & trying to go to sleep listening the rest of the way. Just couldn’t fall to sleep with the Braves losing! So my wife comes in the room & turns it to Dancing with the Stars & BOOM…out like a light!
Steve
September 23rd, 2010
8:21 am
It doesn’t matter who manages with Fumbling Frank making the personnel decisions. The argument that the Braves are on a budget doesn’t wash. Tampa Bay and Minnesota both are traditional low-budget teams that get it done. Those teams are given good players to work with, while the Braves are saddled with the likes of Ankiel, Glaus, Melky, McClouth and Lee. Who made the decision to acquire those players? Fumbling Frank. How many times have the Braves been to the playoffs since Fumbling became the GM? None. By the way, I have been a fan since before Ted Turner was in the dugout. I am no fair-weather fan. The Braves will win nothing without a new GM. Maybe when the season is over, we will have a new GM to replace the loser we have now.
turkeycaller
September 23rd, 2010
8:24 am
Larry! Larry! Larry Jones!!!
Mutts
September 23rd, 2010
8:27 am
The Phillies are getting it done when it counts, but they didn’t exactly trounce The Braves the last 3 games. We need to go no worse than 6-3 the rest of the way to probably make the playoffs as the wild card team. No matter what, the 2010 season has been a very exciting one. And for those fair weather Braves fans, cheer up, you could be a fair weather St. Louis Cardinal fan. GO BRAVES!
TPic
September 23rd, 2010
8:32 am
Again, with the luck. The Fat Cheerleader says “They caught a break. They got a ball just inside the line down in left field and that was the ballgame.” No, you idiot, the ballgame was decided when you pulled Hanson. “I spoke to the team [earlier Wednesday]. It’s really, basically, trying to win a game”. Wow – I’m still trying to overcome the vast profoundness of that one. Who would have guessed that winning a game would have been bandied about? “We couldn’t have done much better.” Well sure, except for getting swept in the most important series of the year… The Phillies scored 9 runs in the series – all 9 were off rookie pitchers.
Double Zero Eight
September 23rd, 2010
9:03 am
Reality has reared its ugly head…..the Phillies are the better team.
Still rooting for the Braves! Anything is possible.
Let's Go Bravos!
September 23rd, 2010
9:07 am
Can Bobby get a little fire under him and spark the Braves players to play better? They playing like a bunch of lackadaisical losers out there. Their season is slipping away and with just a few games left, I would think that they would be saying, “We’re going to go out there and get it done and win. There’s no way we aren’t making the playoffs!” But no, they are just like, “The Phillies are hot right now and we tried to beat them but couldn’t. We’ll see how we do in Washington…” What a bunch of little girls!! Be men and get fired up and hit the cover off the ball!
sum bi*ch.he did it again
September 23rd, 2010
9:13 am
Chief Nocahoma….The Phillies didn’t kill us in any of these games. The difference was the little things. The ball knuckling away from Heywood in game one, missing the bunt sign in the second game and hitting into a double play with runners in scoring position, or the walk in the eighth combined with a rainbow of a throw. These things just show how close these teams really are and how every play, every throw, every at bat matters. ” How about:
or could be….just not executing…as a professional
sum bi*ch.he did it again
September 23rd, 2010
9:21 am
Y’all know that this day off is going to be tough on Bobby. He has to make the crucial decision, do I play Melky or Ankiel? It ain’t no fun being the manager.He’ll be up al night Melky or Ankiel? Melky or Ankiel? Melky or Ankiel? Melky or Ankiel? Melky or Ankiel? Melky or Ankiel? Melky or Ankiel? Melky or Ankiel? Melky or Ankiel? Melky or Ankiel? Melky or Ankiel? Melky or Ankiel? Melky or Ankiel? Melky or Ankiel? Melky or Ankiel? Melky or Ankiel? Melky or Ankiel? Melky or Ankiel?
Why me?
September 23rd, 2010
9:27 am
the braves lost because they had two pair,the Phillies had three Aces !
Season Fan
September 23rd, 2010
9:47 am
The braves needs to focus on the style of play, and less on whom they play. At this time of year it should not matter whom you play, but the way you as a team is playing.
Their style of play in which played in May thru August is what beating them in September more so than whom they are playing.
Not moving runners and bad defense. Weaker team you can get by playing that way because of their pitching, but not playoff teams.
. Don
September 23rd, 2010
9:51 am
Some of the Cox bashers are trying to say that Bobby again played BOTH Ankiel and McLouth in last nights game. But us Cox supporters know that ain’t so – We know tht it ain’t possible that Booby would do that – No matter what the boxscore says and no matter what we thought we saw.
- We have faith in our Hall of Shame (Woops, I mean Fame) Manager – no matter what.
DCBrave33
September 23rd, 2010
9:52 am
Well, there will be people at the game in DC, just mostly Braves fans. It will probably be 18k, with about 10k being Braves fans. I know I will be there for all 3! I just want us to get off to a good start friday, maybe score a few runs early. If we dont get on the board, we will begin feeling the pressure at the plate and struggle scoring runs again.
Season Fan
September 23rd, 2010
9:53 am
Let’s Go Bravos! You hit it right on the head. Your mind set is very important this time of the year.
Stop trying to look at ways to give the other team credit all the time. JUST PLAY BASEBALL ARE GO HOME….
Clapton, Eric
September 23rd, 2010
9:55 am
Can anyone offer any reasonable explanation regarding the reason for starting McLouth in left and Ankiel in center in the Philadelphia series? At the most important time in the season our lineup inexplicably is altered in a way that insures minimal run production and inexperience in key positions. Cox is dillusional. That’s the only thing I can come up with. You folks go to the Ted and give him a big send off. Thank him sincerely. Give him a standing ovation. Scream his name as he wobbles about. He will be remembered by many informed observers as one of the dumbest SOB’s in the history of the game. This was the icing on the cake.
HEB
September 23rd, 2010
9:56 am
Why is it that the other team’s batters ALWAYS hit the 1 or 2 bad pitches that Baves pitchers throw, but Braves hitters can’t hit the 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 bad pitches the opponents throw? Or do the opposing pitchers throw perfect pitches all of the time? …..just wondering. I’m tired of “tipping my hat”
Unknown Hinson
September 23rd, 2010
9:58 am
Anything less than a sweep in Washington and we are in trouble. Go Bravos, Arizona, San Diego and Cubs!
DaveinNEPA
September 23rd, 2010
10:04 am
“I don’t know, I can’t see in the corner”.?????
Why the heck do I even bother to read this crap?
Jonny Venters…”I didn’t do my job”. At least we have one standup guy in the clubhouse!
Philsfan
September 23rd, 2010
10:05 am
The Braves were lucky the Phils didn’t hit with guys on base or the series would have been much more lopsided. We must have left about 30 guys on base, with our normal clutch hitting with guys on base we would have outscored the Braves about 16-4 this series. Also one of the Braves said our 3 pitchers are hot, that isn’t the case because Halladay is in the midst of his worst run of the season. He has about a 4.50 ERA this month, he is capable of pitching much better.
TPic
September 23rd, 2010
10:07 am
I forgot one…Cox On McLouth’s throw:
“I don’t know. I can’t even see in the corner from our dugout.” You’ve heard of the cut-off man? (Hint: he’s mentioned in that fundamentals book that you put over your face during your 7th inning naps). So, am to believe you (Cox) can’t see where the throw went? C’mon, you can call balls and strikes from the dugout, plays at second from the bench. But you don’t know what happened on the throw? This would be humorous if it wasn’t so pathetic.
PH
September 23rd, 2010
10:10 am
I really wish Diaz was used more this series. His last 10 games, he has been hitting 320. But that is since 9/3. He should be playing more often. And Rick Ank and Melky shouldn’t be used period.
tinman
September 23rd, 2010
10:11 am
I know high school boys that have a better arm than McCloth. Have you ever seen a weaker throw in your life under those circumstances than the one he made? These guys remind me of a blind kid named Eddie that wanted to play with us so every once in a while we would let him stand at the plate and we would toss the ball across home plate and everyone would holler “swing” and he would sometimes hit the ball. Kinda like our guys do now. Go Falcons!!
rayk
September 23rd, 2010
10:21 am
we have a group of interchangeable mnior league Ofs on the roster now.
the problem is paying so much for a small no. of guys , most of whom don’t produce or are injured.
even if we gave up top minor leage guys for Oswalt, when is contract is up, we don’t offer arbitration (he might accept god forbid and we can’t afford him) and he would leave for nothing.
Braves can still win wild card if they win 6 of last 9. however, what happens if they sneak into playoffs ? better to get there and worry about it at the time, but don’t expect anything
Wren sure made critical moves in July and August-as he usually does ! What a GM !
bronkelliott
September 23rd, 2010
10:22 am
Honestly, unless the Braves pull out a miracle, I will be looking forward to next year with a new regime that will play the small ball better. Bunting, stealing which is non existent with this manager. I believe the Braves could have squeezed out a run last nite using whatever means possible. There is no mystery to Bobby’s managing style. the team is too predictable and not exciting to watch at all, Earlier in the year he had some spunk but even now it seems he is going through the motions. Bobby does not utilize his bench until it’s too late. He could have rested a few injured starters and let some of the bench players haves some role in this series. It is their team also. I believe Bobby is very selfish and stubborn. I hope the Braves find a manager with some creativity and not blinding loyalty to all his players.. We want to see winning again as a culture not a phenom!
Thanks Bobby Cox!!!!
September 23rd, 2010
10:27 am
Great game, last night. i am especially encouraged to see that of Hanson. You cannot say one bad thing about how he pitched last night. If he can take that outing and expand, he is going to be a special pitcher. Let’s not forget who we are playing. This Phillies team is hot right now. Their aces remind me of some special aces not long ago (Maddux, Glavine, and Smoltz). They are a good team. I think that Nate should not have been playing in Left, but rather in Center. Diaz should have been playing in left. I understand the pitcher matchup with Diaz. But, this is a pennant race and the best players should be playing right now. As far as the lineup, Wren has made some real blunders in trading this year. One, Ankiel is a good guy, great fielding, Automatic out player. He was terrible last night. Melky Cbrera was out of the lineup last night, and he should STAY out of the lineup.he is the worst acquisition the braves made this year. I do not want to see him in the game ever again. I think the outfield should consist of Diaz, McClouth, and Heyward. I think that they should give Prado some games off to rest. You can tell something is not right in his legs. Put Conrad in his place. And the rest of the lineup will be fine. Everyone is harping on Lee. I have no problems with Lee. He is a vet and knows what is at stake. Gonzo needs to wake that old bat of his up and hit the ball some. Look, their is still 9 games left and we still lead the wildcard. The west is playing each other and they are going to be beating themselves up. So, this is an opportunity to take control of our destinies. We have the Nats, Marlins, and the Phillies. The team that worries me the most is the Marlins. They will never back down. The good news is Josh Johnson is shut down this year. I saidf that the braves HAVE to go 6-3 on this road trip. Now, they are 3-3. So, they MUST sweep the Nats. Let’s see what they can do. GO BRAVES!!!!!!!!
Smart Jay
September 23rd, 2010
10:48 am
Some fo the “fans” comments here really sicken me. I’ve been a Braves fan since 1978, and there have been plenty of rotten years in that time. Maybe some of you idiots who think the 91-05 years were your entitlement, ought to wake up and realize baseball is a game, and people still have to perform, and this team just got beat by a better team (and helped them, yes).
I really wish the comments section had a stupid filter to just kill some of you morons’ comments.
Smart Jay
September 23rd, 2010
10:50 am
Silver lining to getting swept by Phils – when they come to Atlanta, they will be setting up their rotation for the Div series, so we’re unlikely to see Oswalt, Holliday, Hamels in order.
. Don
September 23rd, 2010
11:03 am
Clapton Eric, How can you be critical of a Manage who has a percentage of 93.75 in Post Season Opportunities compared to World Series Championships.
Woops, I sorry — That’s the Boob’s LOSING PERCENTAGE.
And the thing that people forget is tha the Braves are Exremely, Extremely, Extremely luck to even have the ONE WS with Cox managing.
For him to have the ONE, it required Glavine to pitch a on hit SHUTOUT of the best team in the Amerian Leage in the final game – with Cox’s Braves scoring only ONE run and it on a homerun.
So In reality Cox’s LOSING PERCENTAGE of Post Season Opportuniites compared to WS Championships – could be 100 PERCENT
Clapton, Eric
September 23rd, 2010
11:11 am
If I were Diaz I would refuse to dress out. He goes 3 for 4 and then sits for 3 games. He’s a professional baseball player. The lefty vs. righty BS is for the birds. When the game is on the line do you pinch hit either McOut or Ankiel for Diaz? The whole season is on the line and these two studs are in the lineup while Diaz watches from the pine. The idiocricy of these decisions would be funny if not for the significant negative impact it’s having on the entire season. And to think of the time I spent watching these clowns when I could have been touring or in the studio!
North Georgia Braves Fan
September 23rd, 2010
11:15 am
We got beat. All three games, we were in every ballgame and we just got beat.” Yeah and maybe if Mac could learn to throw to second base the outcome would have been different!
Tater the Bobby Hater
September 23rd, 2010
11:18 am
At last, people are beginning to recognize that Bobby Cox is a half-wit, old geezer, who has no business managing a MLB team.
Tater the Bobby Hater
September 23rd, 2010
11:19 am
Goodbye Bobby! Please take your coaching staff and Frank Wren with you.
Manny
September 23rd, 2010
11:29 am
Stating the obvious… (1) We had the tying run on 1st with 2 outs and Prado hurting and facing a RH closer… Why not Conrad then???? Last chance..take a chance!!! (2) Yes we sent young pitching to face the Phillies but now we have our better pitchers going in games we must win…. We wouldn’t have won the first game 3-1 no matter who pitched… got to score something to win! Last night our 2nd/3rd best went out and did a great job… But a 0 run 1 hit shutout..don’t think Maddux, Glavine, or Smoltz ever won a game with ZERO runs in support! Just stating the obvious!!!
Johnny Latt
September 23rd, 2010
12:32 pm
Look, Bobby is unquestionably one of the best managers of all time. First off, even winning 14 division titles is an honor, but to win 14 in a row? Thats nuts. Most managers dont even win one WS. Be thankful we got to see even one championship. There is no loyalty in sports today. This “what have you done for me lately” mentality is for the birds. If you remember correctly, the Braves were garbage throughout the seventies and eighties. Bobby came around, changed the culture of the clubhouse, and now, whenever anyone talks about a veteran, quality clubhouse, they talk about the Braves first. With Bobby, it has always been people first. He wins, and wins the right way. I respect the hell out of him, and you should too. He doesn’t pull a Philadelphia Eagles and make his decisions with the whims of the public. He makes informed decisions based on information we have no access to.
Frank Wren, however, is an idiot.
mike
September 23rd, 2010
12:51 pm
Hey philly fans give the braves thier due. You left alot of men on base simply because the braves have great pitching too. I’m not saying Hudson, or Lowe would have made a difference but the braves have great pitching too. they just don’t have 3 number 1″s.
Owl Hunter
September 23rd, 2010
12:53 pm
The Braves have the absolute worst fans in baseball.
Let’s Face It… | Control ATL Delete | Atlanta Sports Blog – News- Discussion – Scores – Recaps
September 23rd, 2010
12:58 pm
[...] gamewinning double off of Johnny Venters that barely stayed fair? Had to be the ‘roids. This post-game quote from Brian McCann says it [...]
Season is over
September 23rd, 2010
12:58 pm
Stick a fork in this team – they are done.
bascogcjs
September 23rd, 2010
1:40 pm
Clapton, you are right about Diaz.
It’s mind boggling that he doesn’t play more as
they trot out MCClouth, Ankiel, and Cabrera.
I guess all the writers from AJC are afraid to
address the Nate little league-arm issue!
How many times do we have to request this question?
Phanatic
September 23rd, 2010
1:54 pm
So how does that tomahawk chop song go?? Whaaaa, Wha Whaaaaa, Wha Wha Whannna…………trailing off to the winter off….
TOMY FOURNIER
September 23rd, 2010
1:55 pm
CHARLIE…YOU TALK LIKE A GENIUS…EVERYTHINK YOU SAID…IS THE TRUE…OH YES!!!
Clueless in Dugout
September 23rd, 2010
2:01 pm
Your lineup has 3 players batting at .200 or below…can’t expect alot of offense…
Keith
September 23rd, 2010
2:25 pm
Re: Johnny Latt
Your post is like a Jeckyl/Hyde. First, you have all of this indepth analysis of why Cox is a good manager (which I agree with)….then you make this rash one-line statement that Wren is an idiot (which I don’t agree with) with zero analysis.
Go BRAVES!!! Just get in. Remember the 2006 Cardinals.
Ava Crowder's Butt
September 23rd, 2010
2:28 pm
Well, in the words of the king –
It’s now or never. Pitching matchups should be in our favor but since this IS baseball…