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Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
1,678 comments Add your comment
TeheranTime
April 30th, 2011
7:17 am
What concerns me so far with this Atlanta team is that Martin Prado doesn’t seem to be the Martin Prado from last season. Last year, Prado rarely missed an opportunity to come through in the clutch. He was just money. Nate McLouth has his average up to .255 and looks to be playing well and several of the other players are beginning to show signs of life. This team is like the Bobby Cox teams, however, in that they sit back and wait on the home run too much. St. Louis won that game last night by utilizing the hit and run and playing fundamental baseball. The Braves wait on the big one too much.
JasonInFL
April 30th, 2011
7:20 am
Fredi certainly hasn’t impressed in the early going. A lot of questionable moves or non-moves. Kimmie needs to protect a 1 run lead in the 9th against the bottom of the order. He wasn’t facing Pujols, Holliday, and Berkman. He has to get them there.
But, I do agree with others that the lack of agressiveness on offense continues to be alarming. Steal a base. Learn from Larussa…hit and run. You had the guy on base and the hitters at bat to do that. Honestly, so far, I would give Fredi a 3 on a scale of 10 so far.
JasonInFL
April 30th, 2011
7:28 am
I knew better than to go to bed after the 8th innning. I swear I woke up and just knew they had lost somehow. Tough day for the Bravos, but if they have been nothing else; they have been resilient. A win today will cure a lot.
Efrim
April 30th, 2011
7:41 am
They still haven’t hit and there only a game under. They’ll get going soon. Can’t wait for April to be over. Hasn’t been the Braves month the last two seasons. Just gotta get through the next 15 games….the schedule breaks up and gets easier at that point.
Mixxo
April 30th, 2011
7:46 am
72 win team. (maximum)
BS managing
BS off-field shenanigans
BS all-the-way around
BS bloggers
STFU
IVAN .......
April 30th, 2011
8:22 am
Braves playing too good of ball for distractions now ….
LET’S GO BRAVES ….
More troubling news with Lowe arrest brings dark day for the Braves | Raw Sports - Atlanta Braves
April 30th, 2011
8:36 am
[...] Atlanta Braves [...]
njbraves
April 30th, 2011
8:51 am
Another bad loss from this mediocre bunch. This offense still sucks.
Ease® in Woodstock
April 30th, 2011
9:05 am
scoots, bout right. (for Soph…
)
usnavyvolfaninva
April 30th, 2011
9:10 am
72 win team. (maximum)
BS managing
BS off-field shenanigans
BS all-the-way around
BS bloggers
STFU–*MIXXO*
So, what you’re saying, is that you’re part of the problem
Lew
April 30th, 2011
9:10 am
Yeah, pretty typical around here that the dbags have to rag on two rookies not coming through when they pretty much have every other time they’ve gone out there – but what’s new? THat’s about what we’ve come to expect from some around here.
I will admit I’m a bit mystified why Fredi didn’t get himself tossed though. Maybe he was afraid of retaliation from Gloria Allred.
BravesQueen
April 30th, 2011
9:31 am
72 win team. (maximum)
BS managing
BS off-field shenanigans
BS all-the-way around
BS bloggers
STFU
So you are including yourself in this category…no? Technically, if you are here posting on the blog, by definition you are a blogger. So I call thee BS too!
Just sayin’.
Lew
April 30th, 2011
9:33 am
Bravesqueen – He;s told that on a regular basis, but it fails to sink in.
You doing all right?
Obee
April 30th, 2011
9:34 am
Fire Fredi! Scrap the whole team! Bring up the Gwinnett Braves! This season’s over!!! Run for the hillls!!!
Anything more apocalyptic I can add?
McFann :Ô: :Ô:
April 30th, 2011
9:36 am
JC in that situation, given how good he’s been this year, I was expecting something better than a DP. I mean, If that had been Gonzo up there, I would’ve been expecting a DP right from the get go, but from Mac? No.
I know what you’re saying. Of course, I wasn’t expecting a DP from BMac, either (that was only his second of the year). I’m just saying, guys make outs. Even Johnny Bench had to get out a time or three. BMac wasn’t trying to DP or anything. Heck, I’m sure he was expecting more of himself than any of us even were.
But shoot…it happens.
McFann :Ô: :Ô:
April 30th, 2011
9:40 am
ncscoots There is no loss that cannot be laid at the feet of, oh,
somebodyMcCann.That’s what you meant, right?
Kat
April 30th, 2011
9:41 am
Today’s line up from the Braves twitter..
Prado LF
HeywardRF
Jones 3B
McCann C
Uggla 2B
Freeman 1B
Gonzalez SS
McLouth CF
Beachy P
BravesQueen
April 30th, 2011
9:43 am
Lew — Thanks for asking. Barely. My son really has me worried right now. I’m really anxious to get to that cardiologist appt on tuesday. Hoping we can get some answers and figure out how to take care of the problem. I’ll be sure to let you know what we find out.
McFann :Ô: :Ô:
April 30th, 2011
9:43 am
Kat—
Wow…really? Dang. I thought Fredi would for sure play Ross again today…
McFann :Ô: :Ô:
April 30th, 2011
9:44 am
BravesQueen—
Will keep praying for you guys!
Kat
April 30th, 2011
9:45 am
McFann.. I do not lie
http://yfrog.com/h3xguaij
BravesQueen
April 30th, 2011
9:47 am
Much appreciated, McFann!
McFann :Ô: :Ô:
April 30th, 2011
9:47 am
Thanks, Kat!
Ah well…gotta split for a bit. Be back later!!
McFann :Ô: :Ô:
April 30th, 2011
9:48 am
BQ—
JasonInFL
April 30th, 2011
9:59 am
Not blaming Kimmie for the loss…or Mac…or anyone else. We lost. It happens…a lot in April. Just saying that Captain K needs to get the bottom of the order out. He will more often than not. Many things influenced the loss. I am more interested in the lack of agressiveness. If you aren’t going to steal or hit and run with Nate on base and Martin at the plate, when will you?
Venice Jim
April 30th, 2011
10:00 am
Frank from Kansas – wow, becoming a bit obsessive about complaining about my posts…perhaps you missed the one where I apologized to anyone I might have offended (at 12:13 a.m.), which clearly you were…
JasonInFL
April 30th, 2011
10:00 am
Congrats to any Griz fans on here…they played a great series against the Spurs.
Lew
April 30th, 2011
10:11 am
Bravesqueen – I realize that they are two totally different situations, but when my son was two, he started having seizures – to the point where they had him on some pretty heavy drugs at a quite young age.
He turned 32 on Thursday and has been fine since. Hopefully, your Son’s condition will turn out as well. I surely understand how you’re feeling, though. Been there myself. Just hang in there and realize your concern is shared.
Carroll Rogers
April 30th, 2011
10:13 am
Braves lineup: 1. Prado LF, 2. Heyward RF, 3. Jones 3B, 4. McCann C, 5. Uggla 2B, 6. Freeman 1B, 7. Gonzalez SS, 8. McLouth CF, 9. Beachy P
BravesQueen
April 30th, 2011
10:21 am
Much appreciated, Lew! While it may be two different situations, its not any less scary when its your child facing something like that. I’m glad to know you understand what that feels like, makes me feel a little less alone. Glad to hear your son is doing well, btw.
Bravefaninok
April 30th, 2011
10:33 am
Efrim
April 30th, 2011
7:41 am
They still haven’t hit and there only a game under. They’ll get going soon. Can’t wait for April to be over. Hasn’t been the Braves month the last two seasons. Just gotta get through the next 15 games….the schedule breaks up and gets easier at that point.
I said before the season The Braves have a Rough first 1/3 of the season schedule…If we are .500 or slightly better on May 15th things are going good.
menlobrave
April 30th, 2011
10:41 am
Going to my first game of the year today. I live near San Francisco, but I was traveling when the Braves swept, so I didn’t get to any games there. I read the blog, but don’t comment much because a lot of it is so negative. It’s early times folks. Back away from the ledge. We don’t even know what we have yet. But it’s a beautiful Saturday in Atlanta. My grown kids and I are headed to the ballpark. My sister in Tuscaloosa is alive and OK. And I refuse to be negative. Go Braves…
jeffrey d
April 30th, 2011
10:44 am
Headed to the park now…I’ll be right behind the Braves’ dugout so be sure to look for me: navy blue Braves shirt, retro white and blue hat with the Airtran a, and gorgeous. Get to go on the field for BP too!
Mike S
April 30th, 2011
10:44 am
That’s the spirit menlo. Looking for tix on Craigslist myself right now…
Bravefaninok
April 30th, 2011
11:01 am
Tough loosing in extra innings…..But after the last extra inning loss we swept the world champs.
Go Braves!!!!!!!
carlchamblee
April 30th, 2011
11:06 am
Pretty funny facebook item – http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=13931220031
Back to normal (Another feeble offensive performance)
April 30th, 2011
11:08 am
Yesterday is a GREAT EXAMPLE of why we’re going to struggle this season: In 27 games this season, we have won ONE GAME in which our opponent has scored more than 3 runs (last Sunday against the Giants when we won in extra innings 9-6). In our other 12 victories, we’ve held the other team to 3 runs or less.
In 2010, our record was 20-37 when the other team scored 4 runs or more. So far this year, we are 1-7 in said games (on pace for a 6-42 record in 2011 in said games).
In 2010, our record was 73-21 when we scored 4 runs or more. So far in 2011, we are 11-2 in said games (on pace for a 66-12 record in 2011 in said games).
In 2010, our record was 69-21 when we held the other team to 3 runs or less. So far in 2011, we are 12-3 in said games (on pace for a 72-18 record in 2011 in said games).
In 2010, our record was 14-52 when we scored 3 runs or less. So far in 2011, we are 2-11 in said games (on pace for a 12-66 record in 2011 in said games).
In 2010, our overall record was 91-71. So far in 2011, we are 13-14 (on pace for a 78-84 2011 overall record).
I know that we are only 27 games into the 2011 season. We are exactly 1/6th of the way through the 2011 season as of today. The biggest difference so far from 2010 is our inability to win games where the other team scores more than 3 runs….as well the increased frequency of how often we score 3 runs or less in a game.
We are a team that doesnt steal bases, hit and run, bunt successfully…or even run the bases properly half the time, lol! We either hit solo homers….or we struggle offensively. We score early…then take the rest of the game off offensively.
Something has to change if we’re going to be anything other than a 3rd place team. Philly and Florida look like teams that arent going anywhere. While Philly may be struggling offensively, they can steal bases (18 out of 22 attempts)…have guys like Rollins, Victorino and Polanco at the top of the order that Charlie Manuel can hit run with…in addition, can go from 1st to 3rd on a single, as well as score from first on a double.
They can manufacture runs…whereas we are simply unable to. Either we hit a homer…or we have to string together 3 hits to score a run in an inning. Frank Wren is going to HAVE to make a trade to shake things up a bit.
jeffrey d
April 30th, 2011
11:21 am
Scroll
Back to normal (Another feeble offensive performance)
April 30th, 2011
11:31 am
menlobrave……..Would I be correct to guess that you live in Menlo Park? I live in San Francisco.
Does anyone have a link to today’s Braves game? We are being shown the Angels-Devil Rays game here in San Francisco.
monty
April 30th, 2011
11:32 am
When you aren’t scoring alot of runs every single aspect of each game has to go well for you. Starters have to do their job, relievers the same, pinch hitters, defense, and you need a little luck like hard hit balls don’t fly straight at people or maybe the soft ones fall in. Then you need good situational hitting in the key AB’s. All it takes sometimes is one of these being off just a little to lose. We have been in every game with maybe one exception, but we are about 50/50 right now with things going our way or not. As soon as we start hitting we take all the pressure off of every aspect having to go just right. Every team is going to win some by alot and lose some by alot, it’s what we do with the ones that are close that make the difference.
McFann :Ô: :Ô:
April 30th, 2011
11:37 am
Have fun, jeffrey d!!
Back to normal (Another feeble offensive performance)
April 30th, 2011
11:46 am
monty……..”when we start hitting”? Your 11:32am post has an assumption that our starting pitching is going to keep up the current pace of keeping us in games. You’re assuming that we arent going to have a stretch where our starting pitching gets raked.
The bigger problem is what I touched on in my previous post: The lack of team speed, inability to hit and run, run the bases properly and execute simple fundamentals like bunting properly. It also doesnt help that our manager misuses his personnel (like sending Mathier in to bunt in the 8th inning).
jeffrey d
April 30th, 2011
11:46 am
Thanks mcfann. Still on the road, but I’ll be sure go heckle Mac for ya
T. Aleandri
April 30th, 2011
11:46 am
Who cares….. Lowe is a great pitcher. The DUI is his business, we’ve all made mistakes. And lets not rush to judge, he could be innocent.
McFann :Ô: :Ô:
April 30th, 2011
11:49 am
jeffrey d—
Great! And give my love to Ross!
Hugo Z Hackenbush
April 30th, 2011
12:02 pm
PL, lots of heat but no light coming from you. Who do you want to trade for? Reyes?
Bat Masterson
April 30th, 2011
12:04 pm
Have fun at the game, jeffrey!
Don’t forget your ski mask and lighter.
Bring in a winner too if you don’t mind.
Back to normal (Another feeble offensive performance)
April 30th, 2011
12:04 pm
Looks like “Berstein and Woodward” (Carroll Rogers, lol! I’m not sure which one she would resemble, lol) is hard at work with finding people to interview who are going to side with Roger McDowell. Seems like a Cubs fan whose an openly gay “Bleacher Preacher” season ticket holder in Chicago has all kinds of love for McDowell.
Perhaps a little “Fair & Balanced” reporting would be to try and interview the Quinn guy who actually brought these charges. Then again, if “Berstein and Woodward” were to interview Quinn, they’d have to dummy up some actual “tough” questions to ask him (because they CERTAINLY wouldnt want to appear to be asking SOFTBALL type questions, out of fear of losing out on their opportunity to continue asking real SOFTBALL type questions when interviewing Braves players and management).
It should be interesting to see how MLB and the gay rights organizations respond to Frank Wren’s handling of this.
wjones
April 30th, 2011
12:07 pm
“T. Aleandri
April 30th, 2011
11:46 am
Who cares….. Lowe is a great pitcher. The DUI is his business, we’ve all made mistakes. And lets not rush to judge, he could be innocent.”
Pretty simplistic view of life. Since he was caught racing down Peachtree, would you be saying the same thing if he crashed and was seriiously injured? Unable to perform, for the rest of the season, for the rest of his life? Or dead? Or the other person dead? Or someone totally innocent killed or injured? No one lives life in a vacuum. Yes, he was fortunate that none of that happened, but it was reckless behavior nonetheless.
Lew
April 30th, 2011
12:07 pm
Do you even care beyond something else to gripe about?
Back to normal (Another feeble offensive performance)
April 30th, 2011
12:12 pm
Hugo Z Hackenbush………I would LOVE to see the Braves make a trade for Jose Reyes.
Sure, Alex Gonzalez has played good defense for us. However, given that we arent going to be able to trade McLouth anytime soon…..we need to trade for someone who can give us some MUCH NEEDED speed at the top of the order. Giving the Mets Gonzalez (along with a couple of prospects) for Reyes would give the Mets a serviceable shortstop to replace Reyes….in addition to lowering their payroll and helping them start the rebuilding process.
Prado is not a lead-off type of guy. Sure, he had a good run for us last year….however, teams have adjusted to Prado as they have seen more on him. By trading for Reyes, the Braves could have a line-up of the following:
1. Jose Reyes
2. Jason Heyward
3. Chipper Jones
4. Brian McCann
5. Dan Uggla
6. Freddie Freeman
7. Martin Prado
8, Nate McLouth
Now THAT would have the makings of a pretty POTENT line-up. Imagine having the speed of Reyes AND Heyward at the top of the order? That would be INSANE, lol!
Bat Masterson
April 30th, 2011
12:15 pm
Back to normal
(Another feeble offensive performance)April 30th, 2011
12:04 pm
Yep, PL is.
Maybe that should be Abby-normal
Back to normal (Another feeble offensive performance)
April 30th, 2011
12:15 pm
Lew….was my 12:12pm post “positive enough” for you?
Trey
April 30th, 2011
12:15 pm
T. Aleandri, you said his life? Yes it is his life, but it could have also been the life of other people around him. If he was drinking and driving then he needs to be punished severely. We have all made mistakes, but we haven’t all made mistakes of drinking and driving. If and when I’m drinking I still know better than to drive. Last time I got drunk I gave my keys to a buddy. If Lowe did drink and drive then he is a F’N moron. However, I don’t know if he drank, so I am reserving my judgement until later.
Lew
April 30th, 2011
12:16 pm
Only positive in that we will positively never trade for Reyes, maybe.
LTBF
April 30th, 2011
12:18 pm
Good morning all
Another loss,This team cannot seem to hold a lead in a close game. It is very upseting that they can;t get above .500 ball. They come home 13-13 ending a tough road trip playing good ball, they have a large crowd at the Ted and they blow another lead. Chokers?
Lew
April 30th, 2011
12:20 pm
LTBF – Chokers? Really? A rookie Closer blew his second save out of eight attempts and another rookie who hadn’t even given up a hit previously had a bad inning.
LTBF
April 30th, 2011
12:21 pm
I will give Fredi credit where do, he did say some nice things about Roger and seems to want him back.
jeffrey d
April 30th, 2011
12:23 pm
Holy ish this is close
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=61669356&l=e40e971e6d&id=4907817
jeffrey d
April 30th, 2011
12:27 pm
Missed BP though, Bat, so I didn’t get to crack chipper and McCann up a la Lloyd Christmas. Now we’re just chilling in the SunTrust lounge waiting for the game to start. “Free” food and drinks. Im such a very important person.
Enjoy the game everyone!
Mike S
April 30th, 2011
12:27 pm
just got my tix, finally. Heading to the Ted!
Lew
April 30th, 2011
12:29 pm
It’ll be an XM game today for me. Fox up here is the Phillies/Mets – may watch it while Iisten to Sutton and Powell.
LTBF
April 30th, 2011
12:29 pm
Again I think Fredi is way to easy going, he seems to just take the lose’s as they come and does nothing about them. I know this sounds corny, but we could hear and see Bobby in dugout, you never hear Fredi encourage players, he just sits bye himself and takes it all in. He seems like a nice guy , but please show some life.
VaBravesFan
April 30th, 2011
12:33 pm
BMac grounding into the DP with bases loaded killed us last night.
CaptainMudderland
April 30th, 2011
12:33 pm
Heading to the Ted…I’m envious, had to cancel my plans to attend today….enjoy it and make some noise.
McFann :Ô: :Ô:
April 30th, 2011
12:35 pm
jeffrey d—
Aw, that’s a shame you missed BP!
Bummer…
Im such a very important person.
For sure.
Enjoy the game, too!
LTBF
April 30th, 2011
12:36 pm
Lew thought I heard that FOX network in May is going to prime time [nights] with thier Sat telecasts. Wonder what that will mean for our Sat night games. Will they be blacked out? Wish FOX would lose thier rights for Saturday baseball.
nolie
April 30th, 2011
12:36 pm
another name change? I figgered it was a certain scumbag yesterday
narcissists are sooo freakin’ pathetic…
Heath
April 30th, 2011
12:43 pm
Braves lost on my birthday… bad. Fiancee made up for it with a better gift last night… GO BRAVES!
nolie
April 30th, 2011
12:44 pm
I hope that no premarital sex was involved. That is a sin afterall
cabravesfan
April 30th, 2011
12:45 pm
TMI, Heath…TMI!
Venice Jim
April 30th, 2011
12:49 pm
Lew – Sutton is off this weekend – Lemmer doing color, wit Ben Ingram doing middle three innings PBP…
Carroll Rogers
April 30th, 2011
12:53 pm
new bloggage folks…..good morning to ya
nolie
April 30th, 2011
12:53 pm
, “Well, not much for the doom-and-gloomers to whine about in this one.” Scoots
foolish person…
Venice Jim
April 30th, 2011
12:54 pm
Not sure if I meant with, or was referring to Bn Ingram as a wit…
Back to normal (Another feeble offensive performance)
April 30th, 2011
12:58 pm
Trading for Reyes, and fielding the kind of line-up that I proposed in my 12:12pm post would be TOO PERFECT! Frank Wren needs to make that trade happen ASAP!
I know, the following proposal would be really OUT THERE to consider…..however, if the Braves were to be willing to accept K-Rod’s contract in a Jose Reyes trade…..I’m sure that the Braves wouldnt have to give up NEARLY AS MUCH to the Mets in talent ..as they would if they only traded for Reyes.
Sure, K-Rod is making $11.5 mil this season (minus 1 month that the Mets have already paid him). He’s due a $3.5 mil buyout (he needs to finish 46 more games this year in order to get the $17.5 mil option guaranteed…which isnt going to happen).
Reyes is making $11 mil this year (minus 1 month that the Mets have already paid him). Hypothetically speaking, if the Braves were to trade for Reyes and K-Rod TODAY, the Mets would be getting a net salary relief of approximately $20 mil ($18.5 mil prorated for this year, plus K-Rod’s $3.5 mil 2012 buyout…..minus Alex Gonzalez’s $2 mil prorated for the rest of this year).
Sure, the Braves 2011 payroll would increase by approximately $16.5 mil (the $3.5 mil K-Rod 2012 buyout wouldnt be on the books until 2012) if the trade was made TODAY.
However, if the trade was made TODAY, as opposed to waiting until late July to make this proposed trade, when the $16.5 mil added payroll figure would be cut by 3/5th (5 months left in the season from today, minus 3 months passing until the end of July from today)….then the Mets would really end up saving approximately $9.9 mil by making the trade TODAY, instead of waiting until the end of July to make any deals involving K-Rod and Reyes.
Money is the big issue here because the Mets are in dire financial straights. Their attendance is WAY DOWN. They are bleeding money. If Frank Wren were to swing that trade today (which would result in the Mets saving $9.9 mil by doing a deal TODAY instead of waiting until late July….AND….save the them $16.5 mil over the rest of the season…AND save them $20 mil overall, when factoring in K-Rod’s 2012 buyout)….then one can stand to reason that when factoring in the amount of money the Mets would be saving by making that trade TODAY, the Braves wouldnt have to give up NEARLY the talent level of prospects that they would have to give up…if they waited until late July to make this deal.
Having Reyes bat lead-off would infuse some much needed speed in the top of our line-up. Also, having K-Rod close games for us would this year would give Venters and Kimbrel ANOTHER year of grooming (imagine having Kimbrell and Venters slotted for the 7th and 8th innings….our bullpen would be hella nasty, especially when Moylan returns, as well as EOF).
Sure, some of you may knock K-Rod, however dude gets the job done. He’s won a World Series in 2002, he’s the record holder most saves in a season. Plus, I’d like to see some attitude and cockiness on the field. When on, I feel that K-Rod can electrify our crowd.
Also, Frank Wren could decide to trade Derek Lowe if he didnt want to take on so much payroll (not saying that he should, just saying that it was an option). My point is that waiting for our hitters to start hitting isnt a great game plan. I feel that even if we start hitting, we’re going to struggle to be anything other than a .500 team.
Shaking up the Braves roster would definitely take the focus off of what’s happened (both on and off the field)…….and put the focus on putting some fear AND notice into the Phillies and Marlins.
Now would be the time for Frank Wren to try and sell to Liberty the benefit of increasing the payroll in the manner I just suggested. Dont you guys want to see an electrifying team on the field who isnt afraid of bringing some intensity to the other team? As it is right now, we have a bunch of zombies playing for us right now, lol!
1. Reyes
2. Heyward
3. Chipper
4. McCann
5. Uggla
6. Freeman
7. Prado
8. McLouth
Closer…K-Rod
7th-8th…Kimbrel/Venters
5th-6th…Moylan/EOF (if starter is struggling and we need to keep the game close)
Sherill/Limebrink/etc….mop up duty
Now isnt that MUCH BETTER than what we currently have?
Tomahawkin
April 30th, 2011
12:59 pm
Gametime!
“All Da Way Turn’t Up!”
Hugo Z Hackenbush
April 30th, 2011
1:01 pm
There are issues with Reyes, not the least of which is that he’s getting 11 mil. to AGon’s 2.5 this year, and he’s a free agent next year. I think they’d be more likely to give up on Nate and trade for a new cf, and I don’t think that’s very likely either.