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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
1,220 comments Add your comment
Nick
April 30th, 2011
5:07 pm
McLouth, A. Gonzalez, Hinske, Lowe, Prado are a few of the names I’d trade when the inevitable fire sale comes later this season.
Bat Masterson
April 30th, 2011
5:10 pm
Over the past two games I wonder what has happened to Kimbriel? I did not notice speed of his fastball, has he lost it? _ LTBF
096, 97, 98 FB……….. mid 80’s slider.
No he has not lost it. What has happened is he has run it some Major League hitters that have turned good pitches into hits. It happens.
Trey
April 30th, 2011
5:13 pm
Really?, look up the definition of homophobe. I am in no way a homophobe. You don’t know me or anything about me.
I still don’t understand how me saying allow McDowell to explain his side of the story makes me a homophobe.
Nick
April 30th, 2011
5:14 pm
trey – Nobody likes you, it happens. Get over it.
Blog monitor
April 30th, 2011
5:17 pm
so far since the start of the season the blog has gone thru,
Denial,(we can’t be this bad)
Anger, (why are we this bad)
Bargaining, (just be patient, we won’t stay this bad)
Depression, (sigh, we are still playing bad)
and finally, we are approaching,
Acceptance.. (crap, we are just bad)
The Braves are flawed..
Back to normal (Another feeble offensive performance)
April 30th, 2011
5:19 pm
BlackCracker……..Dude, I’m inclined to give some credence to what you’re saying..at least when it comes to having a “certain type” of minority player.
Jose Reyes and K-Rod are two players that we could REALLY USE to jumpstart our offense AND take some pressure off our bullpen. Yet many on here cant see that because of their natural inclination to be BIASED against “certain types of players” who carry themselves a “certain type of way” on the field.
Trey
April 30th, 2011
5:19 pm
Nick, your mother does.
Back to normal (Another feeble offensive performance)
April 30th, 2011
5:19 pm
After today’s PATHETIC performance by both the offense AND bullpen, I will once again post my case for the Braves making a trade for Jose Reyes AND K-Rod:
Trading for Reyes, and fielding the kind of line-up that I proposed in my 12:12pm post in the previous blog 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?
Trey
April 30th, 2011
5:21 pm
Bat, thanks for the post. However, BC wasn’t talking about Latino players. If the Braves were a racist organization, do you think that they would even go as far to have the Latino players, even if they are considered white?
Blog monitor
April 30th, 2011
5:23 pm
I wish someone would post some outside the box thinking on potential trades here on the ol blog…
preferrably a couple of huge paragraphs worth so I have me some readin to do..
Bat Masterson
April 30th, 2011
5:24 pm
I don’t think the Braves are a racist organization, Trey. I think it’s more than a little nuts to suggest they are. Just making a point on race is all.
kirkinga
April 30th, 2011
5:25 pm
Kimbrel is elevating his pitches, and is still learning that out pitch. When he adjusts his control and learns that he can get plenty of outs other than strikeouts, he’ll be outstanding.
I think it’s safe to say that the bullpen isn’t the strength we thought it would be. I still think the offense is more of a liability.
Looking at the schedule ahead, I don’t see a break until the two games against the Astros, and maybe the two games against the Pirates. That’s it for May. June looks like it could be the easiest month of the season. Then there is a brutal looking July including 8 games against the Rox with the Phils and Marlins thrown in for good measure.
I would suggest that the Braves cannot wait until the deadline to address needs.
Bat Masterson
April 30th, 2011
5:26 pm
I also think it is entirely unreasonable for PL to paste and copy his comments, making me scroll past them more than once.
Tomahawkin
April 30th, 2011
5:26 pm
JasonInFL
“Facing a guy tomorrow that is 3-0 with a 2.08 ERA. Oy.”
That Might be a Blessing in disguise, We Did well against the Freak, so anything is possible
MikeInFl
April 30th, 2011
5:27 pm
Starter looking great but watch out he’s getting close to 100 pitches …..
Our bullpen should not have been pitching. Why not let Beachy complete the game????
Douglas, the leadoff double and walk didn’t give any clues? The guy we brought in had given up 4 hits in 13+ innings. Hard (to me) to complain about pulling Beachy. But I guess “the blog” will complain about any and every thing.
Bat Masterson
April 30th, 2011
5:27 pm
Enter your comments here
Braint
April 30th, 2011
5:27 pm
Just looked at the box score but I think I read it wrong. It shows that our closer (who blew a save last night) was in to pitch the 9th of a tie game. Someone needs to correct the box score because no manager in their right mind would do that to the kid. What? Fredi what….? Oh, nevermind.
Pete*
April 30th, 2011
5:28 pm
Trey: “I still don’t understand how me saying allow McDowell to explain his side of the story makes me a homophobe.”
Me either. But McDowell did tell his side yesterday to Braves officials, who promptly “suspended” (or whatever you want to call it) him. That speaks for itself, in my opinion.
Tomahawkin
April 30th, 2011
5:29 pm
Trey
“Nick, your mother does.”
Ouch!
Blog monitor
April 30th, 2011
5:30 pm
Pitching isn’t the problem, they are not getting blown out they are losing low scoring and close games due to lack of offense.
Can’t score too many runs with the putrid numbers most of the guys are putting up..
TBFKB (Billy)
April 30th, 2011
5:34 pm
By the way, its the first month of the season, if its June and the Braves are below .500 then you all should start worrying.
JasonInFL
April 30th, 2011
5:35 pm
T-Hawkin: True that. We normally struggle against the bums, so maybe we will hit Garcia well tomorrow. But, against the Freak; we were patient and drew 6 walks.
kirkinga
April 30th, 2011
5:35 pm
@Back to normal (Another feeble offensive performance),that is an interesting trade. I think there is an issue as to whether those players fit the Braves clubhouse. I think some additions have to be made, but I don’t support trading JJ, or Hanson as some here are hot to do.
Trey
April 30th, 2011
5:36 pm
Bat, yeah I know. They aren’t, but BC was suggesting that they.
Pete, if that’s the case then his suspension is just. It’s completely inappropriate that he did it, even jokingly.
Back to normal (Another feeble offensive performance)
April 30th, 2011
5:36 pm
One thing I find amusing, the Braves are 3-0 when I come to watch them play so far this year, however jeffrey_d is at least 0-1 (he was at today’s game) when he goes to watch the Braves play so far this year.
Ban jeffrey_d from all future Braves games. I, on the other hand, should be given an unlimited number of 1st class plane tickets, 1st class hotel accommodations and seats right behind home plate (right next to where the fat black lady who brings the food usually sits in between pitches).
The Braves simply play better this year when I’m there to root them on.
Jerry
April 30th, 2011
5:48 pm
Brava
April 30th, 2011
4:16 pm
Carroll
Would you please bozo the racist calling himself BlackCracker? Even his moniker is offensive.
Haven’t you ever heard of the Atlanta Black Crackers? They played in the Negro League and shared Ponce De Leon park with the Atlanta Crackers. That should not be looked at as offensive. It’s historical.
JC from DR!
April 30th, 2011
5:50 pm
At least CR or DOB wont have to do too much writing. They just have to write the same story as last night, and change the innings.
worley
April 30th, 2011
5:54 pm
I’m a Phillies fan just thought I would say that first, but the Braves just don’t have the fight the Phils have. I watch alot of Braves and Phillies games and both teams have their own flaws, but the Phils always find ways to overcome them while the braves don’t seem to be able to solve theirs. The Phillies never play smallball and stink with runners in scoring position most nights but almost always get a runner on base with less than 2 outs in the 7th inning or later. With the speed they have it puts more pressure on defenses to make big plays and even if they don’t win games they tire other teams out. The Braves just don’t have much speed and that hurts them alot especially late in games, the Phillies meanwhile have about 3 guys in the starting lineup and about 2 guys off the bench that can steal every night. The Braves have a better bullpen then us and more patient hitters but fold to easily, too much hat tipping.
When the Phillies lose to crappy pitchers you get the sense that they are pissed off. And the Braves just tip their caps and say we’ll get em tommorow! These are a couple reasons why i think the Phillies will win the divison.
nashvillewill
April 30th, 2011
6:05 pm
The Braves are not idiots or jerks or any of those names. They are just not very good baseball players. Whoever evaluated Uggla failed to note his swing and his tendency to find himself with two strikes just about every at-bat. He does not appear to be a great two-strike hitter, nor a very good linedrive hitter–mostly grounders and fly balls, some of which fly over the fence. We appear to be stuck with him and his payroll for a very long time. I am sorry they traded Omar for this.
Freeman’s uppercut swing is costing and appears unfixable to me. I expect about .220. Gonzales is a lost cause. About .210. McLouth and Heyward are both left-handed batters who throw right. Other than that they are also similar in their inconsistency. So we have Prado, McCann, and Chipper to rely on and sometimes Chipper looks his age. This does not bode well.
Kimbrel seems to have been given the closer’s role prematurely. Maybe Venters gets to try?
Folks, the Braves have lost to two mediocre pitchers throwing mediocre pitches and have managed 5 runs in 20 innings. I fear what happened in San Diego was a fluke. It certainly didn’t follow them home.
Without significant trades (and who will trade for these outpriced salaries?) I still see this Braves team as bringing up the rear in the division. Starting pitching and defense with 2.4 runs per game equals many, many losses in 2011,
Jerry
April 30th, 2011
6:07 pm
Tomahawkin
April 30th, 2011
4:45 pm
I’ve been telling every one on here since S. Training That we are not going to catch the Phillies this year, but we still have that Wildcard “On Lock!”
We will still go 93-69, gotta go 80-54 to get there…
T-Hawkin: Dude, I’m starting to think you are suffering from dilusion. This team is a .500 team, unless it makes moves to improve on that. Yes, we have a really good pitching rotation, but the bullpen runs hot and cold. The offense also runs hot and cold, but cold most of the time. No bench at all after Hinske. Prado is not a leadoff hitter and we have no speed to speak of. The defense has done good considering Nate has no arm in center and Heyward normally looks confused in right. McCann behind the plate is a travesty much of the time. Chipper is due to go down soon. I can feel it in my bones. I don’t think Uggla is gonna be the force that everybody is hoping he will be. The only saving grace is Freeman. He’s the real deal! At any rate, none of these problems adds up to 93 wins, so I have to believe that it is just wishful thinking on your part.
Mike S
April 30th, 2011
6:10 pm
Just got back from the game. What a gorgeous day. Too bad we couldn’t pull out the W. Venters was dealing, but Freese did a good job of just poking one through the infield on the right side. Didn’t hit it hard or anything, but that’s going to happen sometimes… But we came right back and hit the ball hard in the bottom of the 8th and again just couldn’t catch a break. Prado is robbed of a double down the line. Then J-Hey hits one a foot short of a HR, and has to settle for a double. After Hoss IBB, BMac rips one to the gap that gets ran down. And then Uggla smashes one that the 3B has to leap and snag out of the air. 4 hard hit balls and nothing to show for it. Just one of those days again, but hey, it’s the last day of April…
Jerry
April 30th, 2011
6:11 pm
worley. I don’t disagree with your assessment at all. I remember back in the 90s when the Braves found ways to win. Now they just look for ways to lose. And Chipper’s comment about the team having their swagger back was a joke. How can you have swagger when every time you lose, you are too busy tipping your cap to the opposition?
Mike S
April 30th, 2011
6:12 pm
And good lord were there a lot of Cardinals fans there today. That sucked. But at least all the ones I saw weren’t overly obnoxious or anything. Pretty respectful bunch from my perspective…
NO MORE BOBBY
April 30th, 2011
6:15 pm
If Bobby Ball is going to remain in Atlanta I would at least like to see #6 running the show. Not impressed with Fredi at all. Bobby would have stood up for his player last night when Freeman was called out on ball four. Fredi comes out hears the answer and walks away. He has no control over coaches or players. Not looking good and for all the “it’s still early” people….. shut up! Giving a 6 game lead to the Phillies is tough when they are a second half team and yet to really turn on the juice yet.
Willie Randolph looks pretty good now to all the people who thought I was crazy of thinking so out of the box. Team has no leader, no swagger and no shot this year.
usnavyvolfaninva
April 30th, 2011
6:17 pm
I apologize for my unbridled optimism. Yes, I understand there are problems. But there’s a difference in being genuinely concerned about the team, and writing them off after one month of ball.
I would agree that right now this team is not very good. But they can (and I believe WILL) get better as the season progresses. Lowe and Mcdowell don’t help with what they did off the field; I hope that Lowe will be held accountable for his actions. But all that aside, I STILL don’t understand the willingness for everyone here just to wave a white flag b/c we’re 2 under at the end of the first month.
Chop Chop
April 30th, 2011
6:17 pm
So, NO MORE BOBBY, sounds like you’re in the market for a name change.
Mike S
April 30th, 2011
6:19 pm
Also, I saw Carroll tweet that Ochocinco was at the game. He was sitting 4 seats over and two rows up in front of us today, so that was pretty cool. He was pretty inconspicuous most of the game, blending in with the crowd pretty well, and then they showed him on the jumbotron around the 7th or so, and people were coming out in droves to get autographs or pics with him after that. I bet he was annoyed they outed him. He was real nice to anyone that came up and talked to him or asked for pics, etc though. Seeing the way people watch a person in the spotlight like that makes you realize how annoying some everyday activities can be for someone famous. Of course, the millions of dollars he has probably makes that a little easier to deal with; just sayin, not sure how well I’d handle all that…
usnavyvolfaninva
April 30th, 2011
6:19 pm
NO MORE BOBBY….
So, Fredi stays until he gets thrown out of the game…does that change the call? Nope. So, both would have accomplished the same thing. Fredi isn’t man enough b/c he isn’t going to break Bobby’s record of getting thrown out of ball games? You realize how silly that sounds?
I wasn’t so much upset about the call being a strike as I was about the fact it took the ump a half-century to make the call. It had a direct affect on the game, and that should NEVER happen.
Mike S
April 30th, 2011
6:22 pm
usnavyvolfan, I’m with you. I’m still confident this team will do well and make a strong playoff run. It’s still early, and we’ve been in almost every game. Things will settle down and balance out over the course of a season.
Ward
April 30th, 2011
6:23 pm
I’m going to say no one likes Nick…….
KTC
April 30th, 2011
6:24 pm
Will the Amazin Mets catch the Braves?
Carroll Rogers
April 30th, 2011
6:24 pm
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2011/04/30/postgame-quotes-after-saturdays-3-2-loss-to-st-louis/
postgame quotes are up.
April ends with the Braves 13-15 and Dan Uggla hitting .194. Whaddya say we turn the page to May?
DOB will be back on the clock tomorrow. Nice riding some tumultuous waves with ya.
Ward
April 30th, 2011
6:25 pm
worley: Go smoke your bong with your Phillies…….
Carroll Rogers
April 30th, 2011
6:25 pm
Mike S, props for the sideline reporting on Ochocinco….It was the same way after Matt Ryan was here and showed up on the big board. Well fans didn’t come up to him in the middle of the game, but he had a hard time getting out at the end.
usnavyvolfaninva
April 30th, 2011
6:27 pm
Mike S,
Yeah, I agree… I really don’t understand the mindset of some of the people on here. Yes, it’s disappointing to see our team drop their first 2 games coming back home, but to let that define the season is ridiculous.
Ward
April 30th, 2011
6:27 pm
Life is good! In The Music Of The Night………………………………..
Lou Vales
April 30th, 2011
6:28 pm
Been in Charleston for two days.Many Braves fans there and the Whipping Boy seems to be Nate. In fact the waiters only discuss Nate’s “problems”,everyone else seems to be skating.
Well, tomorrow is May 1!!!!!!!! and I know that most here have been associating that date with same level of expectation as those who are fretting about the Mayan Calendar. iIguess tomorrow is beginning of a New Day!!!! We shall see.
Ward
April 30th, 2011
6:31 pm
New month new Era, and the new Dan Uggla.There will be ups, and downs, but you have to love the game itself……”Go!!!!!! Braves!!!!!!”
Blog monitor
April 30th, 2011
6:32 pm
yes, May 1st tomorrow, Braves averages automatically go up 50 points with the turn of the calendar…
Mike S
April 30th, 2011
6:34 pm
Thanks Carroll. Even with the Braves losing, I still had a nice time. Wasn’t today just a perfect day to be at the ballyard? Not too hot, not a cloud in the sky, and a nice breeze. It was gorgeous…
KTC
April 30th, 2011
6:35 pm
I’m a Phillies and Mets fan. I’m enjoying watching the Braves free fall. hehehe
Tomahawkin
April 30th, 2011
6:36 pm
Going to grill some burgers, brb, I’m suprised there aren’t more people on here?
Mudge
April 30th, 2011
6:36 pm
I’m a Phillies fan. No apologies, but I try to be realistic. The Braves are always the team I most like to see lose because they consistently are the best competition. Every game you lose now is one more game to make up when you gel and get hot. The Phillies aren’t hitting, they have given Halladay an average of 2 runs for each of his last 4 games (he’s 3-1). They struggled today to score 2 against Niese (who?) of the Mets. With Lowe (sober hopefully), Hansen, Hudson, Jurrjens and now Beachy, every game against the Braves could be a struggle. You can’t expect the 4 aces to pitch shutouts every time. The Phillies may lose a number of 3-2, 2-1 or 1-0 games. Florida has Johnson and on a good day Nolasco, they’ll fall back.
It’s early. The Phillies (and especially the Marlins) have been hot out of the gate, but they will cool. The Braves suffer from some bad defense and, recently, bad relief pitching. The relief pitching will improve, but I’m not sure about the defense. That comment about getting Reyes is sensible. The Mets will want to cut payroll and can get away with it unless MLB takes them over like LA, then a Reyes trade won’t happen. Reyes has some energy, which few Atlanta players have. I know you all hate Victorino, for example, but you’d all love to have him in center field for the Braves. He has energy and plays hard, something the Braves need.
LAG
April 30th, 2011
6:37 pm
nashvillewill, a couple of responses to your post:
1 – Heyward throws left-handed.
2 – I’m pretty sure that whoever evaluated Uggla knows that he strikes out 150 times a year on average, most of which historically come during the first and last months of the season. But the power potential was too great to ignore… and we needed a RH power bat. Right about now I’d give him a day off though. He and Prado are the only players who haven’t had a day off.
3 – Highly doubt that Freeman will bat no better than .220. Nothing at any level of play suggests that he’ll bat that badly throughout a 162-game season.
4 – First time I’ve ever seen anyone say that Heyward is as inconsistent as McLouth. I’m probably not gonna be the first person to disagree with you either.
5 – Venters hasn’t been automatic either, as we all have seen the past few days. Switching him and Kimbrel may or may not be the best situation.
The rest of what you’re saying remains to be seen. Now, here are my reasons for optimism:
1 – Ever since 2000, the Braves have always had a better May than April at the plate. (Only exception is 2003… and that team won 101 games)
2 – The Cardinals are a pretty freakin’ good team at the plate, even though no one has said it. I mean, they have someone in the top five in the league in every meaningful hitting category (and in some cases, two people that high). For them to beat our rookie/sophomore relievers is not surprising. (Notice I didn’t say “acceptable,” just “not surprising”)
3 – It’s MAY (as of tomorrow). As much as some people would like to insist on this, the season’s not lost this early, especially if we’re only two games below .500 at the end of a month (hopefully 1991 rings a bell).
LAG
April 30th, 2011
6:41 pm
KTC
I’m a Phillies and Mets fan.
You’re a walking contradiction is what you are.
haggard
April 30th, 2011
6:43 pm
Mike S.
Thanks for the game report, as well as the level headed response and reaction to the simple ebb, flow, and turn of events that make baseball the unpredictable joy to watch that it is . I’m headed to the game tomorrow and will do so without any delusions of Fredi getting fired, Reyes being dealt for, Lowe being traded, or Liberty selling the team. I’ll sit in the sun, hopefully trade remarks with a couple of knowledgeable fans close by, stretch in the seventh, and watch the continued evolution of the 2011 Braves, who’ll hopefully emerge with a win just prior to my stroll up Capitol Avenue.
By the way, I added Jim Huber to the list of class act, Atlanta TV sports broadcasters you compiled overnight. I once asked Skip Caray his opinion of the best local TV sports anchor and Huber–who was doing weekends at the time–was his choice. Huber’s books are also a treasure, especially “A Thousand Goodbyes”.
haggard
April 30th, 2011
6:46 pm
Thanks Carroll
You were certainly a calm port in the storm, not to mention a wonderful reporter / writer. You are appreciated and we’re glad you’re “ours”.
Back to normal (Another feeble offensive performance)
April 30th, 2011
6:47 pm
kirkinga…….I am not pushing to see Jair or Tommy Hanson traded. The Braves can improve the team BIG TIME without giving up anyone (other than Alex Gonzalez) on the big league roster.
We have the prospects and cash (Liberty can more than afford to pay for the acquisition of Reyes AND K-Rod).
Screw the “hot they fit in the clubhouse” BS! That’s the manager’s job (managing the clubhouse). We need players who can help us win some games and pump some live blood on our team……I could care less how well our players get along as teammates.
If I was making millions of dollars playing baseball, I’d gladly put up with Bat Masterson and his ilk ANY DAY OF THE WEEK (that is if they could help the team I played on win some games).
I’m sure that many of you would have HATED to see Reggie Jackson play for the Braves back in the day.
Back to normal (Another feeble offensive performance)
April 30th, 2011
6:48 pm
Mudge……….Even though you’re a Philly fan, I appreciate the props for my Reyes trade proposal with the Mets. As much trouble as Victorino gives us when you play you guys…it would be nice to have someone like Jose Reyes at the top of the order who can give YOU GUYS the same kind of trouble.
However, you probably dont have to worry about that happening…I dont think that Frank Wren would want to ruffle the feathers of Atlanta fans who only want to see “certain kinds” of minority players play for the Braves.
K-Rod and Jose Reyes are EXACTLY the kind of attitudes that we need to have on our team right now…….both are players who play hard and will bring it to the other team each night they are out there on the field.
JasonInFL
April 30th, 2011
6:49 pm
We need to get a couple of guys hot at the same time. The starting pitching has been great. The bullpen has been pretty good. Not worried about Vent and Kimmie. Linebrink is what he is and so
Boy George. But, if we can get a couple of bats going, we will start winning more than we lose. Right now, not many people clicking on O.
haggard
April 30th, 2011
6:49 pm
Tomahawkin
With the day game and all, blog action probably won’t pick up until after eight, I’d say. You’ve got the burgers and I’m grilling shrimp skewers; what do you say we get together and combine fixin’s for a little surf n’ turf?
ncbravesfan
April 30th, 2011
6:51 pm
I love how people will think that the Braves will duplicate last year’s May success and climb right back into things. With their next 14 games being against Stl, Mil for 4, Phil for 3, Wash for 3, and Phil again for 3, there’s a strong chance that the ol’ Bravos will start May something like 4-10.
But hey, at least the team doesn’t have any off the field issues … oh wait
JasonInFL
April 30th, 2011
6:55 pm
We better play better in May than we did in April. Uggs will hit. Freddie will have another hot streak and become more consistent. Prado isn’t a .250 hitter. Just need to get a couple of guys going!
Back to normal (Another feeble offensive performance)
April 30th, 2011
6:57 pm
JasonInFL…….by the time we “get our bats going”, we’re liable to be 10+ games out of first. I seriously doubt that BOTH the Phillies and Marlins are going to start losing more than half their games, lol!
That’s why Frank Wren needs to make a big move now, instead of waiting until June to give our guys a chance to “get the bats going”. We need to send a message to both Philly AND The Fish that we are going to do what it takes to battle them for the division.
While you guys are waiting for the “bats to get going”, Philly is simply WINNING while they “wait for their players on the DL to get healthy”. Just imagine what Philly’s going to be like when the likes of Utley and Lidge come back. SICK!
If you guys think that a “Troy Glaus” is going to come out of the woodworks and carry us the next two months like last year….we’ll, all I can say is “keep dreaming”. What Glaus did last May & June should not be something that a team “waits for to happen” every year. Getting lucky with Glaus last year was just that, LUCK!
Back to normal (Another feeble offensive performance)
April 30th, 2011
7:01 pm
ncbravesfan……loved the way you NAILED IT with your 6:51pm post. I find the same thing pathetically amusing (Braves fans thinking that it’s an automatic given that we’re going to duplicate May and June of 2010).
It’s frightening to imagine where we’re going to be in the standings by the middle of this month. A team cant win a pennant in May…however we sure can LOSE ONE by mid-May.
Ward
April 30th, 2011
7:08 pm
Mudge: No one want’ to hear your opinion,so bite me……
Ward
April 30th, 2011
7:08 pm
Corection want’s….
Ward
April 30th, 2011
7:09 pm
I love all the negatives. It makes me laugh…..
Blog monitor
April 30th, 2011
7:10 pm
Ward bringin the Montana smackdown on ol Mudge…
haggard
April 30th, 2011
7:11 pm
JasonInFL
I think you’re right@6:55
There’s been no whole scale meltdown of this team during the past two days, no real difference in the squad which put the finishing touches on an impressive roadtrip just a couple of days ago. Yes, it’ll be interesting to see the initial reaction to the announcement of Lowe’s name tomorrow at The Ted; but seven or eight good innings will go a long way toward forgiveness and–whether it’s right or wrong– Thursday evening’s Buckhead debacle will begin to fade in the rearview. Though no pun is intended, there’s still a little tire kicking and fine tuning taking place around this 2011 version of the Braves and, like you, I think May is one fine month for baseball.
Ward
April 30th, 2011
7:12 pm
Oh yeah buddy: These Phillie Fans are funny…..
N8
April 30th, 2011
7:13 pm
6 game defecit as April fades? This team is pretty much done.
Pitching coach is an idiot, our opening day starter thinks he’s Vin Diesel, our manager doesn’t seem to be that concerned, our All-star “best hitting catcher in baseball” catcher has a slugging percentage that is barely better than Nate McLouth’s, our young phenom closer (who I’m not worried about long-term), is hitting his first rough patch, the list could go on and on and on and on and on……
Bottom line is that RIGHT NOW this team pretty much sucks. Phillies are going to run away with this division if the Braves don’t pull their heads out of their asses. Fortunately for them, the smell up their is better than the turds their dropping on the field each night.
When’s the NFL season start again? Oh yeah… never mind. Guess I’ll force myself to watch the NBA playoffs. Which is one notch aboves shooting myself in the thigh with a industrial strength stapler.
haggard
April 30th, 2011
7:14 pm
Well, I believe the charcoal’s about ready….Later folks
Ward, keep the home fires burnin’, buddy.
Ward
April 30th, 2011
7:15 pm
I want to hear the Philly Fans high hopes when they loose in the Play-Offs again. It will be quite a show, and rather stimulating…….
Ward
April 30th, 2011
7:15 pm
haggard: Be cool , and have fun!
Ward
April 30th, 2011
7:19 pm
All have a good one, and I’ll leave with a laugh on the Phillies! peace……Talk later tonight!
kirkinga
April 30th, 2011
7:20 pm
@Back to normal (Another feeble offensive performance), I know you did not call for trading JJ or Hanson, but I know some do and that’s why I mentioned it.
I agree with you that Wren cannot wait to make a trade sooner rather than later, but I don’t know what is available on the market, and the price (and salaries) are likely going to be high. The Mets financial difficulties might make them an exception. Though a trade with them might require another team. The Mets are likely to want to dump Beltran, and perhaps Santana in addition with others. It’s just so hard to tell this early in the season and with few teams looking completely out of it.
The Braves also have to honestly access their talent and deciding what to do, but there’s no doubt that some past decisions are not yet paying off this season.
Mudge
April 30th, 2011
7:20 pm
Ward: What a delightfully civilized fan you are! Stay classy.
N8
April 30th, 2011
7:21 pm
What I find funny Ward is that there are still doubters out there that think the Phillies aren’t going to win 100+ games. My number I predicted when they got Cliff Lee back was 106. I stand by it. They might challenge that Mariners club from the 90’s that won 116 or whatever the hell it was.
We might manage to get out crap together and still win 85-93 games. But like I’ve said all winter. Even if we top our win total from last year, we’re going to finish more games behind Philly than we did last year.
No two ways about it. They are simply a better team. Period. End of discussion. There is NO arguing it.
Hell, right now the Marlins are playing better ball.
18-8 and not one single AB from Chase Utley, huh? Yup. They’re in BIIIIIIG trouble.
UKUGA
April 30th, 2011
7:23 pm
It’s been a fun week-end to be a Braves fan.
Game tomorrow? I sure hope so!
Go Braves!
Go Lakers!
Back to normal (Another feeble offensive performance)
April 30th, 2011
7:25 pm
Ward………I find it AMUSING that you keep ripping on the Phillies “losing again in the playoffs”…..when that is EXACTLY WHAT WE DID 13 out of 14 times during our 14 straight division title run.
In other words, we dont exactly have much of a footing to be labeling the Phillies as “chokers” when that is pretty much what we did (do I need to remind you about 1996?).
If you’re going to “bring it” to Philly fans, you’ve GOT TO DO BETTER than that, lol! At least talk some smack that doesnt make Braves fans look hypocritical.
TRB
April 30th, 2011
7:26 pm
Mudge
Don’t worry about Forrest Gump. You became his target once you admitted you were a Phillies fan. Don’t take in personally. Actually, that was a bit laid-back for him.
Mudge
April 30th, 2011
7:28 pm
N8: If the 4 aces, as they are called, average two wins out of three with 21 decisions each, they’ll be roughly 56-28. If the rest of the staff is .500, they’d be 39-39. That’s 95 wins. That seems more probable. Barring injury.
Mudge
April 30th, 2011
7:29 pm
Thank you, TRB. I am not that familar with the inhabitants.
njbraves
April 30th, 2011
7:32 pm
Every time I read Fredi’s post game comments I am reassured that he is oblivious.
Ward
April 30th, 2011
7:32 pm
Every thing is so funny isn’t it. Well ,we shall see at the end of the year.TRB: Could’ve thought you were on Forrest Gump! Didn’t you play him……I’m going to leave now with a huge laugh…….Talk Later if you guy’s don’t care to share any thing more……..
N8
April 30th, 2011
7:39 pm
Mudge “if” the Braves didn’t suck so bad they’d be good.
Go look up what the Phillies have done from the all-star break last year up through April of this year. THAT is about what I suspect from them.
I couldn’t care less what their “aces” average in the W-L column. What does the TEAM do when they pitch?
From my angle, they pretty much win. Which is what they did in the 2nd half last year. And what they’ve done so far this year.
Us on the other hand? Not only have the Braves hitters dropped a big turd burger every step of the way, they now appear as though they are amused by rubbing it all over themselves.
You keep predicting what the Phillies aces win total will be. I’m telling you that if they continue to hit and pitch like they have since the calendar flipped to July last year…..
They are GOING to win 100+ games.
Mudge
April 30th, 2011
7:40 pm
Ward; You’re a fan, you like baseball. If I have a hate list, the Braves lie far below the Mets. I watched the Braves win World Series in the 50s. I watched their incredible staff in the 90s. I respected Dale Murphy, a great player, and his “duels” with Mike Schmidt. I feel Murphy should be in the Hall of Fame. See you around.
Mudge
April 30th, 2011
7:42 pm
N8: Big if. I’ve been around, was there for the ‘64 collapse. Pardon me if my pessimism..95 wins (not so pessimsitic, maybe)..shows..
TRB
April 30th, 2011
7:44 pm
I don’t think “everything” is funny, Ward. But I do get a kick out of this:
A Braves fan (N8) is arguing that the Phillies are great, and the Phillies fan (Mudge) is arguing that they’re only very good.
TBFKB (Billy)
April 30th, 2011
7:45 pm
N8 its April……calm down. Plenty of seasons past the Braves started slow…………the freshest one, last year. I’m rather sure this is a better club than last year…..
Ward
April 30th, 2011
7:51 pm
TRB: We, will let them argue. I’ll just hang back ,and watch the spectical………Until later be cool……
MariettaDerek
April 30th, 2011
8:05 pm
Another game where the Braves are unable to get DOUBLE PITS TO CHESTY with it. Another good outing by a starter ruined by lack of hitting and the pen.
rob from sc
April 30th, 2011
8:08 pm
So Gonzalez supports Gonzalez but not Freeman.
And pitchers slump
jeffrey d
April 30th, 2011
8:08 pm
Hey! Those two guys that just waved—was that jeffrey d and whoever he went with??
Nope. But I did tip my cap behind Chipper at the start of the 6th inning. Apparently it was to Westbrook and the Cardinals.
Kat
April 30th, 2011
8:13 pm
Mike S ..
Actually Ocho outed himself about being at the game…well to those who follow him or the Braves on twitter…which I guess isn’t as big as being outed on the jumbo-tron. A Braves season ticket holder tweeted him 2hrs before the game started and told him he should go to the game. He said he had no ticket so the fan said he had an extra. They never met before, but Ocho sent him his cell number and they met up at the game. Ocho was tweeting about being at the game..kinda neat. Glad you enjoyed the nice day there..even with a loss.
jeffrey d
April 30th, 2011
8:13 pm
Some things I think the blog would like to know from a VIP right behind the Braves’ on deck circle:
-Saw won the tool race, Hammer was way in the back. Out of shape.
-Chad Ochocinco was there, but just looked at the big screen for the 10 seconds he was on there.
-During a dance contest between innings, a fat guy was going crazy on the Braves’ dugout. Medlen got on the top step and started dancing too.
-I got pics of all the players except Alex Gonzalez. I was too busy standing and clapping. I’ll put some up later.
-Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing” beat out a Justin Bieber song for fan song choice between innings. By a lot.
-Dan Uggla, while his forearms are even bigger than DOB describes (seriously…dude’s like Popeye), had the most stoic promos ever. “Hi, I’m Dan Uggla. Welcome to Turner Field. I hope you like the game. Bye.”
jeffrey d
April 30th, 2011
8:16 pm
Oh yeah, and David Ross came by and gave a ball (he was helping Beachy warm up one inning) to a kid right next to me. The kid had no interest in it, but I thought it was nice of him.
carlchamblee
April 30th, 2011
8:23 pm
Uggla killed the Braves in April. He was awful. Yeah we’re supposed to say he always has a bad first month but he crapped away 28 games. And besides, the bad April excuse is overblown, he hit 295 last year in April.
He has the lowest OPS of the 8 regulars, horrifc BA, lousy OBP, and weak SLG.
jeff
April 30th, 2011
8:25 pm
So the offense scores 2 runs and we lose yet again with the bullpen blowing the game. but I want to know why wasnt beachy pulled with nobody out and a lead off double.thats when u pull him NOT when you allow 1st and 2nd and no one out. wow obviously a sac bunt comes and then a single ties the game and thats what happens. and they score in the 9th of course off of Kimbrel yet again and the leadoff guy gets on once again. wow u go 5-1 in ur last 6 and then come home and blow 2 games . Hello you cant do that. Kimbrel im sorry is not a closer. hes too hittable and very inconsistent at this level. but again we score 2 runs . that has be changed . 13-15 when we should be 15-13 .. once again we lose at home and give the home fans a reason not to come to the games. zero hitting and now the bullpen that was rated very good is leaking like crazy. Get with it Braves otherwise you will be out of it by June. and another thing seeing comments on getting Jose Reyes and k-rod? are you insane. Those 2 guys are bad apples. yes lets throw the whiner and baby and injury proned reyes and the punch your father in law k-rod and join them with the drunk derek lowe and our PC. an organization needs to rid themselves of guys like this not add them. so a badddd idea … i wont be watching tomm because its a waste of time to watch a team with no passion and fire and wanting to win. they seem to do everything wrong when our bad manager touches the game so theres no confidence down in that BP anymore. this team needs a change already. unachieving and your a month thru already.. bravooo.