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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
152 comments Add your comment
Bill
October 12th, 2010
11:30 am
I noticed the attendence figure at last night’s game was 89% of capacity. I’m curious why that’s so. I’ve heard from friends familiar with Atlanta that it is difficult for fans to get there and get home at a reasonable time due to poor public transportation to and from the northern and southern suburbs (where the money is). I’d appreciate someone explaining whether or not this is an accurate explanation and if not, why can’t the Braves draw?
Cranbery
October 12th, 2010
11:43 am
Thanks for all the good times, Bobby………….wonderful memories!
bwash21
October 12th, 2010
11:44 am
If there was a stadium around 285 and 400 with access in and out to both highways, we’d sellout nearly every game and it would be the toughest ticket in town.
bwash21
October 12th, 2010
11:45 am
And if one of the Dunwoody MARTA stations was w/in walking distance to that stadium.
Choppinmama
October 12th, 2010
11:52 am
Lots of kudos and testimonials to Bobby over the past day and night and into this morning. I’d like to take a minute and thank Wags for what he meant to the team in his last year. He was like a prison door, closing, clanking and locking the door in the last inning.
What a lousy way to end his career too, injured and not able to participate in trying to win it all for the Skipper.
Billy, have fun on your farm with your kids and better half. Enjoy the life you’ve earned with all your hard work on the mound.
Come back to ATL and visit us, we haven’t really had time to give you a proper send-off either. Let’s hope the Braves can honor you next year at a special Billy Wagner Thank You Game.
Mutts
October 12th, 2010
11:57 am
Thanks for a great year Braves!
Al
October 12th, 2010
12:00 pm
To GMCK- “don’t think your getting past Philly”- maybe, maybe not. Philly batting average in NLDS vs. Reds staff: .212. I think I like my chances better with Lincecum, Cain & Sanchez.
helmet head
October 12th, 2010
12:03 pm
D Lowe was awesome
nashvillewill
October 12th, 2010
12:17 pm
MikeR, I have been a fan since ‘57. Too many sad years to count in there, but ‘91 was special. I give Cox some credit for that year and ‘95. The main factor for those years was the farm system, for which Cox had some responsiblity. So credit there. I give him no credit as a field manager. With the talent he had his record is abysmal. Postseason: more loses than wins! With three HOF pitchers! Ridiculous. Enough of Cox, he is gone.
My thoughts on next year: Kimbrel and Venters as closers. Minor has more upside than Dunn if he has not lost heart due to Cox’s mismanagement of him. Beachy seems average. Lowe and Hudson at front of starters. Hanson will be solid. Need two starters until Medlin returns. We need a lefty starter.
More thoughts: Cast off all outfielders not named Heyward. Infante in LF. Acquire power-hitting CF. Please let Lee and Gonzales find other teams. (Why, oh why, did Cox not bench Gonzo for his lazy play and attitude?) So we need 1B and SS. Lots of positions to fill to truly contend.
Also on wish list: backup 3B to mentor under Chipper; backup catcher with defensive skill; right-handed pinch hitter.
Fredi as manager? Not sure who else to consider. Certainly not TP. I like Fredi’s handling of Ramirez and would like to see a manager willing to call out players who don’t give effort, unlike Cox who continued to stick with players who refuse to run out plays and refused to work on improving (Heyward’s approach, Ankiel’s approach, Gonzo, early season McClouth, etc).
No. 1 on wish list: a hitting coach who understands and coaches hitting.
No. 1A on wish list: a manager who is willing and able to manage.
toper bowman
October 12th, 2010
12:18 pm
no doubt best quote is why didnt gonzelez run out the line drive???would have been safe a first base..overpaid ego trippin players..doesnt matter who the coach is it comes down to players..see you cox good luck..stay sober cause now your really going to have to be around your wife more…
reckingball
October 12th, 2010
12:20 pm
Al………If the Giants are going to beat the Phillies, they will do well to bring not just their A game, but their AAAAA game.
Anything can happen in baseball, but the Giants defeating the Phillies, I don’t think that is possible.
Good luck to the Giants, though.
Now Al, how about taking a hike, and go away, please.
JB
October 12th, 2010
12:33 pm
Why is no one considering Torre as a replacement?
SF Don
October 12th, 2010
12:45 pm
Hats off to the Braves and their fans. Hopefully once the injuriies heal and your new manager has a full arsenal at his disposal, we will get to see you again in the post season. God bless Bobby Cox and the USA!!!
scott
October 12th, 2010
12:46 pm
It was bitter sweet last night. I was there and I feel beyond honored to have been there screaming my lungs out for Bobby. While the all of my heart wanted them to win and move on I am just a little bit glad that Bobby got to have his last game at home and I was there to see it. It was nice to be able to see the Skipper go out in the town that he basically constructed as far as baseball is concerned. I was born in ‘87 and played ball from t-ball until 2004 and I can honestly say that last night was the only time that I have ever been moved to tears at the ball park. Classy move by the Giants too…hope they beat the dogsh*t outta philly. GOD BLESS BOBBY COX!!!! Can’t wait to see you in Cooperstown. Thanks for the memories!!!
scott
October 12th, 2010
12:49 pm
While all of my heart*
Jimbo
October 12th, 2010
12:53 pm
I’m a Giants fan, but I just wanted to compliment D. O’Brien, AJC, and you people on having a first class baseball blog. The percentage of comments centered around intelligent baseball debate is commendably high. Much higher than any I’ve found for the Giants on the net.
Michael
October 12th, 2010
1:02 pm
6
gene garbage
October 12th, 2010
1:03 pm
a whole lot of people would have run Lowe out of town months back, I’m just glad they didn’t get their way..one thing you’ve got to love about him, when he speaks about a game, he always, ALWAYS, uses the word WE.. you never hear him say “I”, like some do..
stew
October 12th, 2010
1:03 pm
I don’t like losing and then saying what a great manager Cox was. Sure he won 14 division titles in a row with Maddux, Smoltz, and Glavine. He also won only one championship. So how he managed in a big spot is in question. It’s a lot easier to win during the regular season especially when you’ve got 4 or 5 good starters and the opposition has 3 or less. The season was doomed when Chip made the stupid jump throw (a la Jeter) and got hurt. That being said here’s what I think should happen in the off season.
1. Bobby Valentine should become the new Braves manager.
2. Non tender Melky. It was fitting that he hit a ground ball to the opposite field for the last out last night, because that’s all he seemed to do all year. He sucked at the plate and in the field and why Cox kept putting him in the lineup I will never comprehend.
3. Matty D. should go too. We don’t need a no field punch and judy leftfielder.
4. Ankiel will be gone too. He was a decent outfielder (he couldn’t wear Andruw’s jock). At the plate he was swing hard in case you hit it.
5. Farnsworthless got rocked too many times.
6. Dunn had an unbelievably high WHIP. He walked almost a batter an inning.
7. Infante has to go back to a utility role. Prado is our second baseman and we don’t need a punch and judy third baseman or leftfielder.
8. Chipper should retire. Even if he rehabs and comes back how many years does he have left? We need a new power hitting third baseman.Let’s move forward. Ryan Zimmermann?
9. The awesome aussie wasn’t so awesome in a big spot.
10. Gonzo down the stretch made a few more errors than I would have liked and didn’t dislay anywhere near the arm that Yunel had. That trade was a mistake. Why’d we trade a 27 year old shortstop for a 35 year old. Yunel was our best player in 2009.
11. We need a new leftfielder and a new centerfielder. McLouth should be gone also. He never threw anybody out and never even attempted to. He got hot when he came back from the minors and then seemed to go back into the same funk he was in at the beginning of the year. Nonetheless, we can’t have an outfielder that can’t throw.
12. Jason better get his act together also. His swing is too long and he seems to be afraid of the fence. He’s not as good a defender as he was touted to be. How many people did he throw out this year?
So summing up. We need a third baseman (Zimmermann) with righty power, a leftfielder with righty power (Ryan Braun), a centerfielder (a leadoff type with speed to burn and who can score 100+ runs), and a young shortstop with a big upside (too bad we gave away Andus and Feliz for nothing).
griz
October 12th, 2010
1:20 pm
For once, just this once, there is crying in baseball.
kenshin
October 12th, 2010
1:40 pm
you see how brook play? I make better fielder than him!
Matt
October 12th, 2010
1:43 pm
If Bobby V became the Braves manager, I think that would drive me away – he’s evrything Bobby Cox is not – classless, self-aggrandizing, and not a very good manager. I hated him when he was with the Mets. Remember that stupid disguise he wore after getting ejected – can you imagine Bobby C. doing that? Fredi will do just fine. He’ll breathe new life in, and let the young’uns take more of a role.
TOMY FOURNIER
October 12th, 2010
1:48 pm
Mr. “moron” Cox…thank you…for NOTHING…BUT THANK FOR NOT COME BACK AGAIN!!!!
Larvell Blanks
October 12th, 2010
1:56 pm
baseball player [sic] 10:07 – “Rey your [sic] an idiot who have [sic] obviously never played the game when [sic] Gonzalez hit the line drive on a hit and run like most players after you hit a rope you freeze then he ran it out to first. Your [sic] a moron and this did nothing to lose this game. All you morons who have never played get a life. You couldn’t hit a whiffle ball.”
Wow, did you really say, “like most players after you hit a rope you freeze”? (I ignore for the moment your characterization of Gonzalez’s hit as a “rope,” which is itself hilarious). I wish you were being sarcastic, but judging from your writing “style” I don’t think you have it in you. Yeah, I recall all my old coaches telling me, “Now remember, son, if you hit a line drive, the first thing you do is freeze to make sure it’s not caught. You better be damn sure it hits the ground before you start running to first.” (To be fair, you may be confusing the BATTER with the RUNNER, but if you’re going to do that, you really shouldn’t call yourself a “baseball player” and other people “morons”).
And did you really say “this did nothing to lose this game”? Yeah, runner at second with two outs is EXACTLY the same as runners at first and second with one out, especially down one in the 8th inning. In fact, if you asked me to choose between the two, I’d have to flip a coin.
By the way, that [sic] after your name is there to indicate that you’re not really a “baseball player.” If you’re going to call people morons, you really need to quit saying monumentally stupid things yourself.
Horse With A Name
October 12th, 2010
2:03 pm
Brian McCann “We showed up for 162 games.”
Wrong, the ;pitching showed up 162 games and you hitters showed up for 90 games.
LuisG
October 12th, 2010
2:04 pm
HITTING
Braves .175 BA, .214 OBP, .263 SLG, 3 HR, 9 R, 9 RBI, 7 BB, 49 K
Giants .212 BA, .288 OBP, .295 SLG, 2 HR, 11 R, 9 RBI, 13 BB, 43 K
PITCHING
Braves 37 IP, 28 H, 11 R, 9 ER, 13 BB, 43 K, 1.95 ERA, .212 BAA
Giants 38 IP, 24 H, 9 R, 9ER, 7 BB, 46 K, 1.66 ERA, .175 BAA
FIELDING
Braves 7 E, .958 FPCT
Giants 3 E, .978 FPCT
Horse With A Name
October 12th, 2010
2:05 pm
I hope they get a younger former player like a Joe Girardi instead of an oldie like Fab Five Freddy Gonzalez as manager. No one over 60 need apply… And Terry Pendleton need not apply.
Horse With A Name
October 12th, 2010
2:09 pm
Newsflash to McCann, you were the ONLY one to show up consistently for the playoffs. Ankiel and Heyward had a few hits but basically no offense period.
I think Brooks Conrad is gonna ask Santa Claus for an instructional fielding video for Christmas…
Horse With A Name
October 12th, 2010
2:12 pm
Bobby had a great career but I’m glad he’s gone. I wanted him to retire 10 years ago. He’s been like one of those small town sheriffs that keeps the job for 30 years…
JB
October 12th, 2010
2:18 pm
Tomahawk chop this, Go Giants!
rc35
October 12th, 2010
2:34 pm
To those who suggested replacing Bobby Cox with Bobby Valentine, that would be like replacing a Corvette with a Yugo. I liked Bobby V. as a player, but while he was managing the Mets, I got so tired of his smirk that I usually look away from the TV when he comments on ESPN today.
Curt
October 12th, 2010
2:46 pm
the money is on Fredi Gonzalez to be manager of the Braves. Gonzalez was a disciple of Cox’ and thus the transition would be very easy. Gonzalez also would be someone who would listen to Cox’ advice which fits having Cox stay in the Braves organization “in some capicity”
Gonzalez seems to be a capable manager though I dont recall what his style is like. Hopefully different in game situations from Cox.
reckingball
October 12th, 2010
2:48 pm
Who in the heck suggested Bobby Valentine should be the new Braves manager?
bravesgrl4life
October 12th, 2010
2:57 pm
While we haven’t won a WS since 1995, can anyone, and I mean anyone dispute the fact that Bobb managed the best teams the Braves have ever had? 1969 (I wasn’t even a twinkle in my Daddy’s eye at that point) and 1982 (I had just become a Braves fan) were the only two good seasons that this Atlanta team had until Cox took the helm. He took us to the post-season 15 times and would have been 16 if the players strike in 1994 hadn’t abbreviated that season.
This season: it has been a roller coaster of emotion – every single game of it. But it was damn fun and I carry a season’s worth of memories – from seeing Jason Heyward hit a 3-run jack to right on his first major league legitimate pitch, to seeing Mac’s homerun last night as a big f-u to Cody Ross’s homer and seeing him block Burrell at the plate like the All-Star he is!
If you claimed this year to be a Braves fan and yet say it was a dismal season, you should be stripped of your rights to ever claim Braves fandom again. I’m sorry, but I get really tired of people criticizing Bobby and these players – people who I’ve never seen plant their sorry butts out on the field or in that dugout for 162 games! When you can do that, then I’ll give you credit. Until then, STHU and get a life
I have loved the Braves since 1980 – I love them in 2010 – and I will love them always. I AM BRAVESGRL4LIFE!!!!!
bravesgrl4life
October 12th, 2010
2:57 pm
Oops, I McFanned that last post, but oh well.
Bravo Bravos
October 12th, 2010
3:06 pm
Just to say thanks DOB for great coverage of the Braves all season and especially for the after game quotes from Bobby and the players. They really give a unique perspective. It was a fun season….probably the best feel good season alongside 1991. We knew with all the injuries that it would be a miracle to pull it out but these guys gave it heart and soul. And Bobby…yeah, I know almost all of us liked to second guess him, but what he did with this team, turning them around early and then through all the injuries, was something special, as is the man. Great season! We were there for opening day and for the last two against the Giants. The place was electric opening day and rocked (literally) during the playoffs. Last night when it was over nobody wanted to leave. It was like what do we do now? (guess the fans and the players have a lot in common) Till next season.
southern hope
October 12th, 2010
3:52 pm
Sort of odd to ask this but what happens to DOB now? Does he go onto other sports coverage? Or does he play in the journalism equivalent of the grapefruit league over the winter?
rc35
October 12th, 2010
3:54 pm
Bravesgrl4life, you called it pretty well, but since I was around back then, I’d have to say the 1974 season was a good one, too. We didn’t win the division, but we had a winning season, Ralph Garr led the NL in hitting, and Buzz Capra led the league in ERA. Buzz also had a streak of about 7 wins in a row (if I remember correctly) that really livened up a usually-dull Braves’ summer (for those days).
Still, the Bobby Cox era has definitely been a good time, overall, and no matter how you parcel out the praise among players, pitchers, coaches, owners, front office, and the manager, Bobby was an integral part of a successful franchise. Thanks, #6!
wildbill
October 12th, 2010
3:56 pm
GONZO GONZALES has to go, first. What a lousy performance he had last nite. He was just plain BAD. Whoever the new coach is, he will have a lot of work to do, no doubt about it. Retire some people, recruit new blood. Does Heyward have a future? Dunno, but his bat got really cold.
htownbravesfan
October 12th, 2010
4:02 pm
It was a great season for an overachieving team. The bottom line is when you get to the playoffs your deficiencies are usually exposed right away, and for the Braves poor defense and untimely hitting led to their demise. Let’s move on to next year. Top brass, if you’re listening get us a big right handed bat in the outfield (Jason Werth comes to mind if you want to loosen the purse strings), and someone with speed who can play infield defense in critical situations. If we get that we’ll still by playing at this time next year. Thanks for a great season. I’ll miss you Bobby!!
Edd
October 12th, 2010
4:52 pm
Because of Bobby Cox and the great teams he has managed ~ I and my family has been able to poke our chest out and say we are Braves Fans, Thanks again Bobby !!!!!!!!!!!
SanFranciscoKid
October 12th, 2010
4:59 pm
From a Giants fan in SF, I salute the Braves for a hard fought series and a very entertaining one at that. You didn’t make it easy. Giants and Braves have been battling back and forth in key games for many years and so the tradition continues. Hold your heads high and be proud of overcoming so many injuries and still pulling off an impressive season.
As for the few unclassy (and highly suspect) Giants fans posting here, please know they are the exception and not the rule. Like most San Franciscans I was standing up in my living room and applauding Bobby Cox last night. A true baseball fan appreciates the game and those who have devoted their lives to it, regardless of who you root for. See you in Coopertown, Bobby,
Lee B.
October 12th, 2010
8:06 pm
From this Giants fan to Atlanta, THANK YOU for playing such a tight, suspenseful series. It was a real honor to play against you and to be present (as a distant fan) at Cox’s last day as manager. He’s one of a kind.
RHR
October 12th, 2010
10:14 pm
What? No quote from Kawakami?
RHR
October 12th, 2010
10:15 pm
hey giants fans, great series. we’re all pulling for you here! Go get those phillies, nothing would make us happier.
Gumbylovespokey
October 12th, 2010
10:31 pm
Thanks Dave and Carroll for a great season of coverage. The AJC could let everyone else go, you are the only ones who really matter. But your job is never done, keep on rockin’…
Ron Gardenhose
October 12th, 2010
11:21 pm
Same old tired crap excuses from a bunch of losers.
Ron Gardenhose
October 12th, 2010
11:24 pm
Replacing Booby with Bobby V would be more like replacing a Corvair with a Yogi.
But it’s a moot point, as we’ll see more of the same from Fredi G.
Gary
October 14th, 2010
1:27 am
The only regret, I have had, is that the fair weather fans of Atlanta, didn’t treat this man better.
For one thing, he built the championship team, from the front office, before moving back into the dugout.
For another, the Braves would never have accomplished anything, without him.
And yet, year after year the idiots, who demanded his ouster, couldn’t see the light of day because their heads were buried in the sand!!
I can only hope Gonzalez will continue this tradition of excellence. It’s going to be hard — I’ll expect the Braves to finish no higher than fourth for the next ten or twelve years.
Cavey
October 14th, 2010
11:11 am
Actually Yunel was the best player in the sweep with the phillies, for starters and you cant blame Cox for HEADLINE CATCHING WREN’S mistakes, ATL brought him in knowing he got that nickname for a reason.
as for the Clubhouse next season, Lee came over to help Freddie Freeman no doubt about it, same as hinske Jones and Cabrera helpin heyward, We have some crazy heat in the bullpen next season, Prado coming back will help alot and i say we either try out freeman in spring training or try our best o get someone like longoria or Tiexiara to build up the power, or learn how to bunt guys over to prduce runs, Trading Yunel was the right thing for yunel yes, wrong thing for braves HECK YES, Look at what he does under a new manager and a new hetting coach.
as for who to start opening day, i say,C-McCann, 1st-Freeman, 2nd-Conrad/infante/Prado, 3rd-Jones/Prado/Infante, SS-who knows/Infante, LF-Cabrera/Hinske/Infante, CF-Mclouth/Infante/Ankiel(if he is back) RF-Heyward.
the only place Infante cant play is Catcher, but im pretty sure he would try
Chop Chop
October 14th, 2010
1:05 pm
You don’t lose if you’re better than the other team.
Period.
I hope Chipper learns that before he retires.
fslusser
October 18th, 2010
2:26 pm
Glad to hear braves are looking for a new hitting instructor. How can we do any better than jim presley former hitting instructor for the marlins. if he can do for the braves what he did for the marlins we will be in business. I know Freddie would certainly be glad to have him. Just a thought for the front office.